Exhausted

I am super greatful for my job and for the position I am in but, I must say, "Wow!!!!". I have put in an incredible amount of work lately. I have one girl sick, one girl on vacation, and one out on training. Not to mention a client who has become physically aggressive this week. I have been out on crisis calls and then also filling in for missing staff.

Everyday I say that I am going to make at least just a short blog but - well, you see that's as far as I ever get.

We did celebrate Amber's birthday last Friday, after I worked the Summer Bash event in the park all day. Unfortuneatly, while William, Brennen, and I worked at the park, Amber and Gladys came home to find water everywhere (again). The hot water heater in the kitchen's pipes burst. But luckily, that evening we all got together and got to celebrate Amber. I have a ton of pictures of us and the kids from that evening I will try to post later this week.

Brennen has started tennis lessons and really likes playing. He is in a beginners class at Cahoon Park. He gets to play 3 days a week.

I had a root canal post put in yesterday. My tooth is sore but ok. Good news is that the dentist is going to try to finish my teeth before he moves in September. We still have some to pull, a few to build up, and one more root canal. Then bridges will be made. I saw a picture of me the other day from 2003 where I had all of my teeth. They looked great! I can't wait to get them all again.

Anyway, back to work I go. Have a great relaxing evening.

Busy, Busy

I ended up in the chiropractor's office on Friday morning. I had some vertebrae roll out of my neck. One was in my shoulder and the other was...well, I dont' know where - I think about 3 or 4 came out. But anyway the pain was making me sick to my stomach. I started getting these pains from the base of my head down my shoulder on the right side. They were searing and unbearable. I had them since Thursday. So, long story short - went to the chiropractor. He couldn't believe I could move my arm still. He really does think that I am amazing. (Can you believe that). Anyway, he gave me like 4 or 5 shots of an anti-inflammatory. And then put back what he could. I will be back in there on Monday morning at 8:30am. I am still in some pain but it is bearable now.

Wow! We have been super busy around here! But we did get a day off yesterday. We spent it cleaning out the back room (laundry room minus the washer and dryer). We took a car load of stuff to the Salvation Army and about a bunch of stuff out to the shed. Somehow, the stuff ended up in the house over the last 8 months. I should probably take credit for all of the junk that compiled itself around my house but I WILL NOT!!!! Amber, Brennen and I got it all back where it belongs.

Also, yesterday Brennen fixed our toilet. That thingy broke. The one that has the chain that lifts up the plug when you push the handle. Anyway, I supervised and Brenn fixed it. He did a pretty good job.

Brennen and I spent the day at Bottomless Lakes today. He wanted to attend a party with some of the people he goes the "the Meetings" with. So, he did that and I swam and read my book. (Mom, Carla, don't faint!) Yes, I am reading a book I started last year about this time. It is a book of short stories. I finished one. I started the second and didn't read it for so long that I had to start it again. Well, now after starting it for the second time and still having been absent from it for about 5 months or so.....I started where I left off (on page 3 of the second story). After spending 4 hours at the lake and only one hour in the water guess what page I am on.....3. Ha Ha. I told you not to faint - This only counts as reading for ME!!!!!

So, that is what we have been up to. I have some big events coming up at work and Amber's birthday is in 9 days. We will be celebrating it in 6 or 7. So, this week will consist of some pretty heavy duty planning!

COOKING

So, a really long time ago, it seems.....I wrote my last post. At the end I promised another one. Well, sorry it has taken all this time. I have honestly been super busy. The end of the month is the busiest for me. I am still adjusting to all of my new deadlines and timelines. Which all seem to be on the same 3 days.

I have also been super busy at home (the 6 hours a day that I am there...and 3-4 of those are spent sleeping). Anyway, Amber started a program at one of the gym's in town. It combines a diet, exercise regiment, and personal trainer assistance. She has been doing it I think for 3 weeks and has proudly has announced loosing an initial 40 something pounds. Crazy! She has done super well...this ties into my busyness because I have been cooking! And cooking according to her diet. I even cooked turnip greens! Don't get too excited. I didn't EAT them. I took one taste...not really my forte'.

We have been eating lunch at 11am everyday and there for about 2 weeks we ate it at the table as a family. We have done really bad at accomplishing that this week due to a crazy schedule. But, I LOVE doing this! I LOVE cooking! I LOVE family time!

I got a great recipe from my sister that was called Italian chicken. I made it one night at work and then took it home for us to eat at lunch. Let me just say, "VERY GOOD". It was so good that Kyli (age 6) said "Auntie, I like this chicken" about 15 times during lunch.

Another thing I cooked that was a favorite was yellow squash sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. After eating two pieces Zeta (age 8) declared, "Auntie, there a PARTY IN MY TUMMY!" After compliments like this - who wouldn't like to cook.

I got two recipes off of Pinterest.....well actually that's where the squash idea came from too. (So, 3). One was just a simple smoked sausage, bell pepper, onion, mixture cut up wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill. The other was beef and broccoli made in the crock pot. Because the broccoli is added at the end, I took some of the meat out for Gladys (who doesn't eat broccoli). This was a favorite. I cooked it too long though so the meat kinda shredded when we stirred it but it was still good. Next time I will know not to cook it as long. So, it had a different texture but was still GREAT.

I was going to post pictures but for some reason my camera has gotten out of my pocket. I will have to locate it. That is one reason this post is so late in coming to you. It was done about 4 days ago but I was waiting to put the pictures. As soon as I close this I am going to look for a recipe for cabbage rolls to make for tomorrow or Monday.

So, happy eating to you all!

Summer Tips

1. Don't leave home without your flip flops! When I went on vacation - I forgot my flip flops at home. (I know, how could I?) So, I thought "I will just buy some". This did not turn out well for me. I did end up buying 2 pairs of flip flops, one for Brennen, and one pair that doesn't fit me. This second pair is now just sitting in my closet looking very sad. But it did make me appreciate my own pair of flip flops. They are SO COMFORTABLE and reliable. I think they LOVE me!

After writing this, I went home (before publishing it) and what did I find.....
Amber wearing the 2nd pair of flip flops! That's great - now they aren't just staring at me. They have someone to love too.

2. SPRAY SUNSCREEN is not meant to be sprayed EVERYWHERE! We recently discovered this on Wednesday when Brennen wanted to go to the pool. I thought ok, he needs sunscreen at least on his face. I grabbed the only sunscreen we had (the spray from an aerosol can kind) and told Brennen - "SHUT YOUR EYES". As they closed, I started spraying his little face. Low and behold no sooner did I stop spraying, he opened his eyes (while the mist was still in the air). He started coughing and getting choked up and then he started hollering because his eyes were on fire. My reply? "I didn't tell you to open your eyes yet". Everyone else's reply? JESSICA! Ok. A little harsh I know but I thought that if he had let the mist settle down for a few seconds it wouldn't have burned. Anyway, not my finest "mom moment". So, the moral of the story: DON'T SRAY THE FACE!

3. When it is 105° outside you should NEVER wash dishes in hot water, next to the crockpot that is turned on (and in the middle of cooking), while cooking lunch on the griddle, in a house with a swamp cooler that seems to be barely working, surrounded by 4 very hyper little children! I could not understand why I was so frickin' HOT! Later thinking about it, I thought to myself, I should put a thermometer in here to see how hot it really is. I decided against it. At least if there is no proof I can try to convince myself that it is not as hot as it seems. Although I am sure it is that hot.

So, this last paragraph will lead into my next post.....MY NEW INTEREST

Officially; Temporarily.....

So, a few weeks ago I wrote a blog titled, "IT'S UNOFFICIAL". Well, it has become Official. I have been promoted at work into the Team Leader position. Although, while signing all of the necessary paperwork, I was told and then reminded repeatedly that, "This is only Temporary", "This is only for a few months", "When this situation is over then this position will no longer be needed", etc..., etc..... This was said on May 2nd as well, "when it was unofficial"; and here we are turning the corner from July. I do know that the future still isn't bright - the whole situation is caught up in a court battle. But I also have hope and some confidence that when it is said and done with I can keep my position or at least find a new one.

I have said it time and time again - I am tired of working direct care. I don't mind supervising those that do work direct care; I don't mind pushing the paperwork that direct care involves; I don't mind teaching people to do direct care; I AM JUST TIRED OF DOING IT. - But after 9 years who can really blame me. So, hopefully this will last for a little bit and then hopefully I will move into a new spot.

In other work related news, I have completed 1 year of employment with Tobosa Developmental Services as of Wednesday, June 19, 2013. So, that was good and I have been rewarded with a $1 an hour raise and 32 PTO hours (instead of 16).

We have been 1 staff short on my team since the end of last month and so, everyone on my team - including myself- have been working major overtime. I am averaging about 62 hours a week. So, I do apologize for my blog being empty for so long - but I am committed to blogging more because......

I hired a girl yesterday and she will start training this weekend - meaning....I will cut my hours back down to about 50 a week. That will be so much better on me (not on my paycheck). But I need to cut back. I am working almost 6 straight graveyards but then having to put in time at the office and in meetings and trainings as well. And I have had the pleasure of having Brennen for the last 2 weeks - so you know I don't sleep much when "MY TEENAGE AGE SON IS BORED"! Ha Ha.

I did take him to see the movie "The Internship" with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaghn. That movie was good. So, at least I got one afternoon of fun instead of sleeping.

Anyway, I have a report to finish before I get off out of here at 8am and go into a training until 10am and then another training until noon. And since I will have been here since 8pm last night I will then go home and eat lunch, see my family for about an hour, and then go to sleep only to return at 8pm tonight- So, have a GREAT FRIDAY and think about me as you lay your head down tonight!

Vacation Hang Over

I was very fortunate to get to go on vacation last week. I worked from Sun - Thursday. At 12am on Thursday I got off work. After putting gas in the car I went home to get Brennen (who had been way too excited). We left Roswell about 1:30am (NM time). Brennen made himself comfortable in the row behind me (of Krusti). With pillow, blanket, and Ipod he settled in quickly. We drove all night. About 8:00am (TX time) I pulled over on the far side of Abilene for a half hour nap at a rest stop. With a quick call to my sister (who got us back on the right track - no thanks to the TOM TOM) we finished our drive. We arrived in Temple, TX about 11:00am (I think). Spent about half an hour meeting Jaxen's sitter, and watching him wake from a nap and then off to bed I went. Brennen (who had slept all night) went with Nik for a while to the office and then lunch and some DISC GOLFING. I woke when my Sister came home for the day.

I had such a great time with my family. While we were there we got some great family time; we ran lots of errands; got some one on one time with Jaxen; got to know the "Temple Family"; and got to celebrate Jaxen's first birthday.

We didn't do a lot but managed to stay steadily busy. I really enjoyed just visiting. I wish I could do this about once a month but that is a pretty far way to go that often.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures while I was gone but here are a few I managed to capture:

Here is Jaxen playing the water one afternoon

Carla and Jaxen during his Birthday Party

Mamaw and Carla on Sunday afternoon

Jaxen with his new tricycle

Brennen left with Mamaw on Sunday afternoon. He went to stay a week with her. They were gonna do a little work and then play a little at a water park and go visit with Aunt Kay and Kim. I now he will have a good time. I on the other hand, left Temple on Monday morning. Drove home and then napped. I went to work that night.....so now you can see why I have a hangover. But I loved every minute of it.

The Beginning of Summer

I haven't really had a chance to Blog in quite a while. Sorry. Anyway, I guess sometime over the weekend I caught a sinus infection. I am treating it with over the counter stuff but if it is still present by Monday I will be going to the doctor for antibiotics.....I can't afford to be sick too long - I have a nephew to go see!

Last week we started off summer with a bang. I picked up Brennen on Thursday (which was the last day of school). He had his grade report in hand. He did not have the best grades but they were high enough that he gets to go to Texas with me. *Phew* I was really hoping he wouldn't make me prove how serious I was about him NOT going!

We started the afternoon off wishing Liah a happy 6th birthday. That evening we watched Jack Reacher. It was pretty good. I don't think Brennen REALLY enjoyed it. He watched it and said it was good - but not really his cup of tea.

On Friday we went to an awards ceremony in Hagerman for Zeta and Nakomus. Let me just say.......I am glad we had the FLEX. We took Amber, Gladys, Brennen, Dorian, Shawnna, Zeta, Nakomus, Kyli, Liah, and Myself. Who else can say that they could fit everyone in their vehicle? I have pictures to prove it:
(Liah is between Brennen and Amber...she is too short to see; and of course, Gladys and Myself are in the front seat). I knew this car would come in hand.



Before the ceremony started, we had time to play at the tiny park that Hagerman has to offer. Here are some pictures.



Amber and Gladys


Kyli teaching her little sister how to swing by herself


Gladys and Brennen taking a stroll around the track


And of course it wouldn't be complete without Brennen climbing on something!





After the awards ceremony we traveled to Artesia. Amber attended a meeting at work and then Gladys, Amber, Brennen and I went to see the FAST and the FURIOUS 6. It was good. I really don't like when the special features take over a movie and that was the case here. Even Brennen commented that he didn't enjoy the fight scenes because the camera switched back and forth too quickly. Overall it was a good movie but I wish is wasn't so.....advanced.

We returned home that evening and I made Chicken Spaghetti. It went over ok but nothing special.

Saturday, Brennen got up early and did some yard work both for our house and Gladys's house. Then he spent the rest of the day rearranging his bedroom. He was one tired puppy come the evening. I got called into work Saturday night - BUMMER!

Sunday, I made Brennen pancakes and then we spent the whole morning playing video games TOGETHER. The afternoon was taken up by me napping from my night at work.

Overall, it was a good kick off to the SUMMER. We can't wait for 1 more week before we get to go to TEMPLE.