I have been celebrated!

Wow! It just dawned on me that I haven't written a blog post since my birthday. So, I decided to start one tonight. When I got on to see exactly how long it had been since I had wrote one, I saw that I had this one set to post but never did. So, it has been since BEFORE my birthday. Wow! You guys should really get on me and hold me accountable. Scotty used to remind me that there was nothing new on the blog but he hasn't in a long time. Maybe he should start again. Well, here it is:

I turned 34 this year. I got to celebrate almost ALL week. My family has so many extensions to it that I usually celebrate twice - but this year I got to celebrate 3 times. On the Saturday before my birthday, the kids (Zeta, Nakomus, Kyli, and Liah) picked out a cake just for me. They got it because it was green and purple. It had whipped icing (not my favorite). Amber and Gladys both tried to get them to get one with buttercream icing but they wouldn't budge. They said this one looked just like me and it was the one they were getting.

Along with the cake, they threw me a little party. They also picked out the butterfly cookie cutters and a monkey as gifts for me. They are so cute. I think they love me a little bit. It was so touching to see that they picked things just for ME! I love them girls.

Dorian drew me a picture for my birthday. Then him, Amber, and Mama (Gladys) decided to put it in a cake. This was very sweet. It is a character for me with fairy wings. I love it.

They took the picture that Dorian had drawn and had it put on a cake. Not just any cake. But a full sheet cake. You can't really see it from the picture but the border on the cake was green and purple. That is so sweet. And HUGE! We ate cake for a long time. Good thing it was good cake. So, not only did I get cake but also, ice cream and dinner. Amber took me out and celebrated me.

Then on Tuesday my Mom, Scotty, Mamaw, Jennifer, and I all went out to dinner to celebrate not only my birthday but my mom's as well. We ate at Cattle Baron and even got free fried ice cream. That was very enjoyable.

I received many phone calls and some cards and a letter from my dearest friend. Let me tell you....as I turned 34 I really felt loved and celebrated. There is nothing dearer than having the people you love and celebrate daily, turn and celebrate you.

Thank you all so much!

Pictures

So, I promised pictures....

Brennen got a hold of my phone and here is what happened...

Brennen from his lap

Brennen screaming (or something)

Brennen calm

Brennen being weird

Brennen and his Mom

And last but not least is Brennen the next day! 

Hope you guys enjoyed! 

12 eyes

I am worried that my fans have given up on me. I worry because on one post there was like 12 to 18 views. Then on the last there has only been 2. I think the previous had a lot because the actual 3 or 4 people who really read my blog probably checked a bunch to see if I have blogged any more. But sometimes it just takes me a while - so don't give up. Just keep checking! I don't have any cute pictures to show - that might really make this blog way cuter! I will put pictures in my next blog. But for now - I will keep all the pictures locked away in the deep dark dungeon (sometimes referred to as a memory card - Ha ha).

A few weeks ago - Ok, maybe week before last I got word that I had to travel to Santa Fe for a training. I began to get nervous because I can not see. I have one "okay" eye (the right one) and the other is REALLY REALLY bad. So, back in April I lost the lens to my glasses. It was the left lens, of course. I tried to get another but my prescription had run out in March. And the eye doctor had just left town, FOR GOOD. It was going to be about a 3 month wait till another doctor came to the practice (Walmart mind you). So, I called around. Everyone in Roswell had a 3 month wait. Did I make an appt? Of course not! Well, now, 3+ months have gone by. I could have already been seen - but NO! I have to do things the hard way. Anyway, back to the story. I was leaving for Santa Fe the next day. So, I run out to Wal-Mart and low and behold they have a doctor, an opening, and gave me a discount on the cost. (ARE YOU SERIOUS??????) I did the eye exam and if I waited for glasses it would be 2 weeks for them to come in. Luckily I knew this from past experiences so I got contacts which they have on hand. I thought, this has to be too easy!

Well, of course we know I was right or else the story wouldn't have made it onto the blog entitled, "ONLY TO JESS".

After examining me and trying me out on 1 prescription he decided that they weren't strong enough so I was given a different prescription. Because I had the 1st pair in already, I just wore them the rest of the day. I put in the stronger pair (#A) the next morning. I drove all the way to Santa Fe just fine. I got in the training and could see the things projected onto the big screen at the front of the auditorium. We really didn't use our handouts. I took some notes but I can do that without really looking at them. I then drove home that night. While I was working on the computer I noticed that I could not get the type into focus - but they were new (pretty strong) contacts. I probably had to get used to them. And besides, it had already been a very long day.

Over the next few days I wore them but kept trying to "take them off" when I had to do desk work. I finally went back to the doctor. He thought maybe the power was to strong but as he kept examining me he agreed with that less and less. He sent me home in some lenses that were less powerful (#1). I could see my desk work but not distance (not well enough to really drive anywhere that I didn't know). Luckily he sent me home with 2 more pair. And Lucky for me I had labeled them. Pair A; Pair #1, #2, and unmarked. So, I tried pair #2. #2 were bifocals. YUCK! I was really sad to think that I needed bifocals and I am NOT EVEN 34! I could see far away still but close up still wasn't focusing right. Phew!

So, after a few days of each I have returned to pair A. They are the strongest set but I have adjusted to them. A lot of times I want my glasses so I can just take them off when I need to but I needed to make sure we could get the prescription right before I ordered them. I have been wearing these for about a week straight and I think I am happy with how I have adjusted.

UGH! What a story! I say that as I dig into about an hours worth of work before retiring for the night! So, good night all.

Just a little catching up

So...two weeks ago I started this post. It has been totally revamped twice now. I started with something - I don't even remember what now - and after only getting two sentences I left it for days and days. When I came back to it, I couldn't remember the point of it or what I was going to say. So, I erased it and started a new one. This one was entitled "Never Say Never". It had one sentence about sounding just like my parents. My, how the roles cycle. But after one sentence and a week later, I have revamped once more. I am committed to finishing this blog before I get up from this desk.

Wait, I will be right back - HA!

I decided that if I was going to in fact finish this that I needed something to drink. My how I wish there was just one beer in my refrigerator. So, since there isn't then I will settle for tea. Sweet tea to be exact - but not BUSCH's. It is from Church's. Do you think that is a coincidence that they are both chicken places. I think if we were down south and a little more to the east we would be getting the BEST SWEET TEA. I just have this feeling.

I am still working a lot but not like crazy (like last month). At least now I am on a day schedule (for the most part) and come home to sleep every night. I like that. I had missed it. I am sad to say, but I think I have to work like 3 graveyards next week - YIKES!!!! I finally got the papers. The stinkin' salary papers. So, I am really trying to keep it under 50 hours. That is my goal for now. Hopefully I will get it down to right at 40 but this will take practice - so I am setting my goals realistically now.

Ok, maybe the tea wasn't a good idea. Be right back.......


My stomach has been really upset since last night. I tried to cook some squash for Labor Day but it was no good. Turns out we don't know where the squash came from. It was left on Dorian's doorstep. We all thought Georgia grew it and left it for him. Turns out she didn't. So, I don't know what the heck was up with it - But I only took 2 bites and I was sick, sick all last night and a lot of today. Hopefully I will be fully recovered by tomorrow. I don't think I can handle another day of this.

Other than working a lot - My two favorite things to watch are back on. 1.) DALLAS COWBOYS FOOTBALL!!!!! and 2.)Face-Off. I love this show - I am sad to report that I have not even seen one full episode since it came on 3 or 4 weeks ago. I am never home in time no matter how hard I try and then I get here for the end of it but sometimes I just fall asleep. I am trying harder to watch it - because I sincerely enjoy it. It is the same with Pre-Season for the Cowboys. I did catch MOST of the game against the Bengals - hey they won that one - is that a hint. Maybe if I watch more they will win more! *Note to self; and the calendar/planner I carry; and the calendar on my phone; and to the numerous notes I leave myself*

Speaking of notes - You know things are bad when you write yourself a note to put something on the to do list. I don't know how I managed that; but yes! I did!

Ok. I believe I have rambled enough and these contacts that are the totally wrong prescription are driving me crazy! (that is another blog). Maybe it won't take two weeks to write!

Good night.

Excersizing it up -

I guess the water background to this blog is very appropriate for my new adventure. As many of you know, my mom has been having a lot of back problems over this past year. Well, I am glad to report that she is getting some relief from the pain. She has been taking a series of shots in her sciatic nerve and them combined with aquatic therapy (didn't that sound so genius!?) has really been helping her. But of course, all good things come to an end and her therapy has. So, she and I have joined the Roswell Racquet Club and Spa.

We have committed to taking a "water workout" class two nights a week and then going during the weekend to work on the actual exercises her therapist gave her to do. The first week went well. We met some really nice people. The class is a lot of "as hard as you make it". Of course after the first one we were both sore - we were moving muscles I don't think either one of us have moved in a while. But as we go through them we are figuring out the best way to do each "move" and how it suits us. We use these things called resisters. They are just the swimming "noodles" cut up and put on pvc pipes to look like dumbbells. They really do work as weights. They started me on the baby weights (about 2 1/2 lbs each) last week but then decided I needed to move up to the middle weights (which are about 5 lbs each). I guess I shouldn't call them baby weights - cause that's what a lot of the people in the class use - sorry mom! Anyway, I used the middle weights tonight and MAN I COULD REALLY FEEL THE DIFFERENCE.

Tonight my mom had other obligations so she did not attend class but I did. And then I went to another class afterward. This one is called "Deep Water Dynamics". It is done in Deep Water (duh) and with a flotation device. It is funner than the first class but a more intense workout. I really enjoyed it and am planning to continue to go to it after our other class - well let me see how I feel in the morning before I commit!!! Just kidding.

But I am looking forward to the tanning bed. I am very sad that you have to pay extra to do it. I think that it should be included in the membership. I have always heard that tanning is very good for psoriasis. I want to give it a try. Especially in the winter time when it is at it's worst.

So, when you come to see us - BRING YOUR SWIMSUITS!!!! Even if you aren't into the exercise part of it, there is a hot tub.

So, yeah - don't know whether this will help with me loosing weight but it will definitely not hurt me. I do feel better just getting in some exercise. I am really looking forward to seeing where I am in a month from now as far as stamina, flexibility, and of course body tone - Scotty may be saying good bye to my BINGO WING. It really got a workout tonight with those heavier weights.

Ok. I am going to call it a night. I am really tired!!!!! So, sweet dreams to all!

Just for the Record....

I just want to say real quick - I LOVE that you read my BLOG! That makes me so HAPPY! It makes me want to blog more - not that it will happen - but yes, I WANT to. Thank you - I love you

IN the Radar

It has been WAY TOO LONG since my last post. I find myself at work most of the time now. And when I am not at work, I am passed out on by bed surrounded by a mountain of paperwork, or in the front seat of my (parked and turned off) vehicle. Just Kidding! Ok, not really - it did happen twice. Keys were in my hand and I just needed a small cat nap to make it into my house with the pile of stuff I MUST carry around everywhere!

I have many responsibilities and no where to really be. (Hence the carrying around a pile of stuff). When I work graveyards at the house I need this stuff so that I can check on and document everything - it is this time that I can get so much accomplished. But then everything I have documented and reported on must then be filed somewhere. I do not have an office at the office so I have found a drawer in the house where I have managed to "file in no particular order" everything. But then guess what - I am on call and just so happens that at 10pm at night I need stuff accessible when I get that panic call from staff. Or I need the stuff when the Vice President of the company is calling just as I have dozed off from my graveyard about 11:30 in the morning. I can't successfully and fully answer the questions without the reports, or documentation. This is frustrating. I can answer with "I think" or "I am pretty sure" or let me get up, get dressed, drive to the house to get the paperwork, and then call you back - YEAH RIGHT!!!!! So guess what - I carry everything. Dr. Dalton (chiropractor) at least benefits from this situation.

So, so much for flying under the radar. When I took this job at Tobosa, I said that I didn't want to be known or have any extra responsibilities. I just wanted to do my 40 hours and go home. That lasted a year. If you remember back, in June I was given a promotion. Well, I guess I have done a good enough job to be recognized. They want me to manage 2 houses now. This more than doubles my client load and just about doubles my staff load. It is a compliment that they feel I can handle this - BUT.....

I have to pace myself. I tend to let the perfectionist and the overachiever in myself take over. I really having to talk to myself daily about remembering the small things. I think when I get over the initial things of switching everything around it will really benefit me. It is just the initial getting everything set phase I am in now.

I have said for years that I want out of direct care and into more of the administration side of it. Well, be careful....cause that is where I am transitioning into. Once everything is set, I will no longer be doing direct care except every once in a while. I will be responsible for making sure that the staff under me do the direct care the way that it is supposed to be done.

So, by taking time out and time for myself, I shall be rejuvenated. Thanks Mom! I really enjoyed spending this last weekend with you. I got to spend time with my Mom and Mimi both on Saturday and Sunday. Only worked about 6 hours this weekend thanks to some amazing staff I have working under me. They saw my need for rest and pulled together to cover my shift on Saturday without me even asking! That is why I am successful - because I have help. Please don't ever let me forget that.

My weekend ended with Mom and Me getting our BUTTS handed to us by Mimi and Scotty. (I know he will rag on me if I don't at least mention that!

So, today was busy - tomorrow will be crazy - and Wednesday...well, we shall see. Hope you all have an incredible week.