Each year, for each resident at the Care Center, we have a planning meeting where we discuss progress on the goals that were set for the past year while planning new targets for the upcoming one.
The resident on the schedule today is the most challenging one our facility has. He is naughty and quite frankly our facility isn't set up to handle his issues. He does NOT have a diagnosis of mental retardation but rather one of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Added to this complication is the fact that his mother is the type that feels that nothing is ever the fault of her prescious baby. She did nothing for the entire meeting but toss out excuse after excuse for why it was not his fault that he was acting so inappropriately.
In the past she has refered to our wonderful residents as "a bunch of vegetables" (!!!) and today, at the end of the meeting she made an insulting comment about the staff here at the Care Center.
I learned something today. It is perfectly okay for me to bitch and rant about the shortcomings of the staff here at work. Alas, if someone else does it they will endure the wrath of Ms.Behaved. *ROAR*
I managed to stay in my seat and hold back the outburst of insults that I very much wanted to hurl at her. I couldn't, however, keep my right hand from 'flipping her the bird'. Luckily the woman's head was turned the other direction and only a handful of co-workers noticed my little indiscretion.
Ms. Behaved has misbehaved.... again.
Ms.B
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
And the award goes to....
Today was General Staff Meeting. After an hour of blah blah blahing about stuff we've all heard before, it was time to announce the new "Employee of the Month".
Eva stood before the group and said kind things about the amazing talent that was our new "EoM". We all leaned forward in anticipation, waiting to hear who this glorious person could be.
She finally announced the winner and we all began to cheer and scream.
Upon hearing her name, Mischief's eyes got "..... this big ......" around and her jaw dropped a little.
In my head I was thinking of calling out "Speech, SPEECH!"
Perhaps it is best that I didn't since her first comment was:
"What the HELL?"
Ms.B
Eva stood before the group and said kind things about the amazing talent that was our new "EoM". We all leaned forward in anticipation, waiting to hear who this glorious person could be.
She finally announced the winner and we all began to cheer and scream.
Upon hearing her name, Mischief's eyes got "..... this big ......" around and her jaw dropped a little.
In my head I was thinking of calling out "Speech, SPEECH!"
Perhaps it is best that I didn't since her first comment was:
"What the HELL?"
Ms.B
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Pile of Crap
That is what I feel like today.
I fought a headache yesterday and prevailed through the end of the Orientation Class.
Then I drove home through a snow storm, settled in at the Haven, drugged myself up and went to bed.
Today, the battle is already lost. I want to puke, I want to sleep. I want to take a hot bath.
But I will try NOT to puke. I will avoid sleeping so that my sleep schedule stays on track, and our bathtubs are midget sized so I won't be able to relax in them.
Instead I will whine on this blog like a little baby, knowing that tomorrow will be a better day.
Ms.B
I fought a headache yesterday and prevailed through the end of the Orientation Class.
Then I drove home through a snow storm, settled in at the Haven, drugged myself up and went to bed.
Today, the battle is already lost. I want to puke, I want to sleep. I want to take a hot bath.
But I will try NOT to puke. I will avoid sleeping so that my sleep schedule stays on track, and our bathtubs are midget sized so I won't be able to relax in them.
Instead I will whine on this blog like a little baby, knowing that tomorrow will be a better day.
Ms.B
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Hrmm...
I got carried away with my cell phone blogging but the posts haven't shown up yet.
*looks around*
"Pictures. Where are you?"
***
*looks around*
"Pictures. Where are you?"
***
Secret Message for 'Mischief' !!
It's one of those days!
Picture courtesy of the fine folks at: boardgamesexpress.com
Ms.B
Picture courtesy of the fine folks at: boardgamesexpress.com
Ms.B
Monday, November 26, 2007
Turkey, for goodness!
Thanksgiving dinner this year was nice.
For the first time in 5 years my parents stayed in town and had all of us kids over for a real dinner. Each Thanksgiving prior to this one they would take off in their RV for adventures in warmer climates and leave us three kids to fend for ourselves. Last year DH and I played grown-up and cooked our own turkey and invited the bro and sis over to our place. Although that was a good meal, and made us feel all grown up it was so nice to just relax this time and let someone else worry about the preparation and resulting messy kitchen.
All we had to do was bring a couple ofstore-bought homemade pies. Yum.
For the first time in 5 years my parents stayed in town and had all of us kids over for a real dinner. Each Thanksgiving prior to this one they would take off in their RV for adventures in warmer climates and leave us three kids to fend for ourselves. Last year DH and I played grown-up and cooked our own turkey and invited the bro and sis over to our place. Although that was a good meal, and made us feel all grown up it was so nice to just relax this time and let someone else worry about the preparation and resulting messy kitchen.
All we had to do was bring a couple of
Ba Humbug... again
There they are.
Every year.
Lurking at the front of every Grocery Store and Shopping Center.
With their stupid bells and little red bucket.
They want your money.
It's for charity, y'all.
Don't be greedy now.
Otherwise you'll burn in HELL!
..............
Is it for a good cause? Sure! Do I think they'll put the money to good use? Of course. Do their pathetic looks and "Happy Christmas, M'am." bring on the guilt trip? Mmm Hmmm.*nod*
Do I want to tackle them to the ground and beat them about their heads with their stupid bells? You BETCHA!
Every year.
Lurking at the front of every Grocery Store and Shopping Center.
With their stupid bells and little red bucket.
They want your money.
It's for charity, y'all.
Don't be greedy now.
Otherwise you'll burn in HELL!
..............
Is it for a good cause? Sure! Do I think they'll put the money to good use? Of course. Do their pathetic looks and "Happy Christmas, M'am." bring on the guilt trip? Mmm Hmmm.*nod*
Do I want to tackle them to the ground and beat them about their heads with their stupid bells? You BETCHA!
!!@#$%^@!!
Lunch today was from the local grocery store since the alarm clock neglected to go off at its regularly scheduled time this morning causing me to rush out the door, hair still wet from the shower, so that I could get to work in time to start another round of "General Orientation".
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! "
No time to make a sandwich.
I had my usual. Salad and fresh fruit from the self-serve area. The salad was wonderful. I always get a small amount of iceberg lettuce and then pile fresh spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, cheese and pulled chicken on top. Very tasty. I also got lots of fruit. Me was happy. *drool*
When I got back to the office I made sure to save the fruit for last. I savored every bite of it. Pineapple, strawberries, raspberries... NOM NOM NOM.
Until the second to last bite, when a rather rotten, vomitous piece of pineapple made its way into my mouth. I couldn't spit that nasty shit out fast enough. Thank goodness no one was watching me at my desk. It couldn't have been a pretty picture.
Just my luck that a lovely lunch had to end on such a "sour" note. UGH!
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! "
No time to make a sandwich.
I had my usual. Salad and fresh fruit from the self-serve area. The salad was wonderful. I always get a small amount of iceberg lettuce and then pile fresh spinach, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, cheese and pulled chicken on top. Very tasty. I also got lots of fruit. Me was happy. *drool*
When I got back to the office I made sure to save the fruit for last. I savored every bite of it. Pineapple, strawberries, raspberries... NOM NOM NOM.
Until the second to last bite, when a rather rotten, vomitous piece of pineapple made its way into my mouth. I couldn't spit that nasty shit out fast enough. Thank goodness no one was watching me at my desk. It couldn't have been a pretty picture.
Just my luck that a lovely lunch had to end on such a "sour" note. UGH!
Oh yes... and....
I think it is safe to say that the DH and I have managed to convince each other that we are rather in love with our home and current location so the idea of moving to a warmer climate has been delayed. Not sure for how long. Years perhaps?
After all, why throw away a good thing in search of something else that only "might" be great?
Justification. It makes the world go round.
After all, why throw away a good thing in search of something else that only "might" be great?
Justification. It makes the world go round.
Where did 2007 go?
The reality of the impending 2008 struck me this morning like a load of bricks. Have I truly had this blog for almost an entire year? I realize that we still have a few weeks until Christmas is upon us. But it seems like just yesterday that the first blog entry was made and the process of blabbing about my thrilling adventures began.
And while I'm on the topic, where the hell did the past year go? My first year in the Haven. My first year with my puppy. The first year with our Granny dog. My first garden. The first... everything!!
I know it is cliche' to say "Time Flies". But honestly, that statement is true genius at times.
Geez!
And while I'm on the topic, where the hell did the past year go? My first year in the Haven. My first year with my puppy. The first year with our Granny dog. My first garden. The first... everything!!
I know it is cliche' to say "Time Flies". But honestly, that statement is true genius at times.
Geez!
What's in a Name?
Although I think "Worm Girl" has a nice ring, it has come to my attention that perhaps, to some, it might not be as catchy. After all, who wants to sneakily find their co-worker's blog and learn that the nickname which all 4 of its readers know her as is "Worm Girl".
And so, since she has recently started a blog of her very own called Random Acts Of Mischief, I am proud to announce that I willattempt to train myself to refer to her as "Mischief".
I suspect that this new nickname will be embraced by its owner far more than the old one was.
YOU SNEAKYWORM GIRL MISCHIEF!
Ms.B
And so, since she has recently started a blog of her very own called Random Acts Of Mischief, I am proud to announce that I will
I suspect that this new nickname will be embraced by its owner far more than the old one was.
YOU SNEAKY
Ms.B
It's that time of year again. . .
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our old, artificial Christmas tree. He was a good tree. Gifted by my parents when they retired him many years ago. Once assembled, he was a thing of beauty. If a pine candle was lit in the room you'd have to touch him to realize he was an impostor. Although he was old, his branches were
On a lighter note. Even though he is no longer with us, we'll always have a small part of him with us because we'll be finding his fake pine needles scattered about the Haven for years! :D
And so begins a new era with our new and improved fake-as-hell Christmas tree. DH and I picked it out ourselves at a local store months ago and assembled it for the first time last night. It is straight, tall and full. And even after a good, solid shake, the needles remained, for the most part, ON THE TREE!
Woa Nelly!
Ms.B
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Fun at work on a Wednesday
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Piss. Shit. Hell.
I have a favorite blog. I read it frequently. Check for updates often. I like it so well that I told Worm Girl about it. Didn't take her very long to surf through replies on that blog, find one from ME, and follow the links here to my Haven.
YOU SNEAKY WORM GIRL!
*eyes dart around the Haven*
Now I'm not completely incognito anymore! What will I do? Paranoia is setting in.
Yipe!
Ms.B
YOU SNEAKY WORM GIRL!
*eyes dart around the Haven*
Now I'm not completely incognito anymore! What will I do? Paranoia is setting in.
Yipe!
Ms.B
Pretty dolly. . .
Monday, November 19, 2007
We are crazy. Plain CRAZY!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Second Guessing
I am not sure if it is fear, foreboding, laziness, or homesickness setting in, but I am starting to become rather scared at the idea of moving cross country. I've done some research and it is possible we really could do it. But at the same time, I'd miss my family and what if I really hated being there? Thank goodness we're not making a fast decision. We won't go anywhere unless we are positive that it is the right place for us.
But how could I be so excited one moment and then so cautious the next? It's strange.
Could I really give up on my dreams so quickly when they are finally able to come true?
Or is it cold feet?
Ms.B
But how could I be so excited one moment and then so cautious the next? It's strange.
Could I really give up on my dreams so quickly when they are finally able to come true?
Or is it cold feet?
Ms.B
Monday, November 12, 2007
Bistro?
A strange site met my eyes as I entered the McDonalds Restaurant. Antique furniture? Chandeliers? A sign saying there were billiards and games upstairs? Food choices like "Create your own pasta" and "Gourmet Cakes and Pies"?
What strange sort of land was I in?
Of course, we were just looking for a quick breakfast so McMuffins and juice were fine by me.
But when did McDonalds become gourmet?
What strange sort of land was I in?
Of course, we were just looking for a quick breakfast so McMuffins and juice were fine by me.
But when did McDonalds become gourmet?
The Heavenly Sky
For the record, I am NOT a happy flyer. Airplanes make me sick.
Blah.
A good book for distraction does help though... And when I take four flights in three days, the last two are a tad easier. Even if they are carrying you away from warmth and sunshine and leading you to cold, bitter winter.
But Blah.
Blah.
A good book for distraction does help though... And when I take four flights in three days, the last two are a tad easier. Even if they are carrying you away from warmth and sunshine and leading you to cold, bitter winter.
But Blah.
Whirlwind
Although boring to talk about, I've always enjoyed the low-key lifestyle I lead. Months can go by between visits with friends and when we at last get together there isn't much to catch up on. To some, this would be horribly dull, but to me its comfortable.
And so it is that I find myself a bit overwhelmed by the 'action packed' month I've just had.
The week following my birthday was quiet. Not much going on. Peaceful. A good thing. Days later I received a phone call that I wasn't ready for.
"Your Grandma is sick."
A trip to the hospital about a sore foot turned into a discovery of lung cancer that had spread through her entire body. Doctors gave her "10 days to 2 months" to live. In the end it was closer to 10 days than 2 months.
The irony of the situation is that for the past year I've been slowly preparing myself mentally for the grandma on my fathers side of the family to pass away. She is 92 years old and has been going down hill for quite some time. That my young (87 years of age), spry grandma was gone hit much harder for some reason. She passed away on November 1st, which was a Thursday. I took leave from work for that day, managed to force myself to go on Friday, then spent the whole weekend in a fog. I don't really remember much about it except that I was extremely depressed. Money is tight at the Haven and I didn't think we could afford to fly me out for the service. And her passing was so fast. Granted, she smoked her entire life and that cancer waited to take her until her 87th year was probably a blessing, but still, I wasn't emotionally prepared.
All my years growing up I dreamed of living in Orlando. Every visit we took there, I'd step off the plane and breath in that humid air and just get dizzy with happiness. I always felt so peaceful and at HOME then. Even in recent years, married and happily settling into our own home the idea still haunted me. Part of it was the idea of escaping the cold winters of the Rockies, I know. But an important part of this was that I would be able to get to know my grandparents more. To learn about them and see them as real people and not just the token grandparents that lived too far away to visit. With Grandma gone, my secret dream was destroyed.
That next Monday I gathered myself together and again went to work. As I settled into my desk, my boss asked me if I was okay. Tears welled in my eyes and I explained that yes, I was a little better, and that after Tuesday's memorial service had passed I would be MUCH better. He seemed to understand how I was feeling. I know that his own grandfather passed a short while ago and perhaps he had some empathy for me.
Minutes later my phone rang. It was my DH.
"I think we can afford to fly to Orlando for the funeral. I really think you need to go!"
The words sunk in rather slowly and I started rationalizing with him that it was expensive, and the animals would have no one to watch them. He kept explaining how it could all work out and in the end I was so emotionally overwhelmed that I gave in. My boss gave me permission to leave so I quickly tied up some loose ends in the office and hopped back into my car. It's a 30 minute drive to and from work each day so I had some time to process what we were doing.
DH found a discounted set of plane tickets online and I arranged with my Daddy for my 18-year old baby sister to house-sit for us while we were gone. She was fine with that idea since it gave her an excuse to take a day off from school. I arrived home, frantically threw a change of clothes and a dress into a suitcase and we were off to the airport. We arrived in Orlando that night shortly after 11 o'clock p.m. local time. As I stepped off the plane I again breathed in that sweet air and the feelings of being 'home' again overwhelmed me. We taxied to the hotel where my mother had booked us a room, and collapsed into our bed.
We attended the services (which were lovely) on Tuesday and had a chance to visit with family. I met my Aunt Nancy for the first time and got a chance to visit with her during a dinner at Red Lobster. It's always been strange to me that I had an aunt and cousins that I had never met. I briefly chatted with Nancy's two daughters who were also there. But what do you really say to a woman in her 40s who happens to be your cousin though you'd never have known it if you passed her on the street? All I could do was smile, shake hands, and say "Nice to finally meet you."
On my father's side of the family I know every cousin. I know most of their spouses names... and I know, roughly, how many children they each have. I grew up attending family reunions where I saw all these people and got to know them quite well. My mother's side of the family was always somewhat of a mystery to me. Far away... just names, not faces.
We went to bed early that evening and woke at 5:30 a.m. to head back to the airport for the trip home. There was no time for further visits with family. No time for a quick trip to any of the local theme parks. The trip was completely about my wonderful grandmother. And in the end I am so incredibly grateful that we went. It's a memory that I could never ever replace, and it brought me closure. It has helped my heart heal.
*************************
The visit also opened up a whole new can of worms for us here at the Haven. My DH saw the look in my eyes when we landed at the airport. He felt the longing inside of me during the entire visit. That Tuesday evening as we settled in for bed to prepare for our flight home he told me that he thought he might enjoy living in Orlando, Florida very much.
My heart about swelled out of my chest when those words left his lips.
Ever since we arrived home we have been assessing our situation and deciding what we need and don't need to keep. We've started going through the last areas of the Haven that were never quite unpacked and really focusing on the idea that we don't need most of the stuff that we haven't bothered unpacking after an entire year.
We've looked up the cost of homes in the Orlando area and are researching the job market. The DH has even contacted our realtor and our tax man about penalties and fees when selling our home. Turns out there are none if we can prove we are moving out of state and weren't just "flipping" the house for profit. With the market in our area very VERY HOT right now there is a possibility that we could make about $20-30,000 in equity from this past year since we bought the place. That would definitely pay for a move cross-country and give us a down-payment on a new home.
The idea that we could really go in the near future has my brain turned to mush. I've been wondering if we could be out there as early as May of 2008. DH called me this morning here at work and said he had looked up the prices of renting a truck to haul our stuff in vs. hiring a company that would move it for us. He also said he thought we could move as early as March. "Apparently I'm seeing this happen sooner than you are!", he said.
Isn't this supposed to be MY dream? I think he might be even more excited than I am.
Ms.B
And so it is that I find myself a bit overwhelmed by the 'action packed' month I've just had.
The week following my birthday was quiet. Not much going on. Peaceful. A good thing. Days later I received a phone call that I wasn't ready for.
"Your Grandma is sick."
A trip to the hospital about a sore foot turned into a discovery of lung cancer that had spread through her entire body. Doctors gave her "10 days to 2 months" to live. In the end it was closer to 10 days than 2 months.
The irony of the situation is that for the past year I've been slowly preparing myself mentally for the grandma on my fathers side of the family to pass away. She is 92 years old and has been going down hill for quite some time. That my young (87 years of age), spry grandma was gone hit much harder for some reason. She passed away on November 1st, which was a Thursday. I took leave from work for that day, managed to force myself to go on Friday, then spent the whole weekend in a fog. I don't really remember much about it except that I was extremely depressed. Money is tight at the Haven and I didn't think we could afford to fly me out for the service. And her passing was so fast. Granted, she smoked her entire life and that cancer waited to take her until her 87th year was probably a blessing, but still, I wasn't emotionally prepared.
All my years growing up I dreamed of living in Orlando. Every visit we took there, I'd step off the plane and breath in that humid air and just get dizzy with happiness. I always felt so peaceful and at HOME then. Even in recent years, married and happily settling into our own home the idea still haunted me. Part of it was the idea of escaping the cold winters of the Rockies, I know. But an important part of this was that I would be able to get to know my grandparents more. To learn about them and see them as real people and not just the token grandparents that lived too far away to visit. With Grandma gone, my secret dream was destroyed.
That next Monday I gathered myself together and again went to work. As I settled into my desk, my boss asked me if I was okay. Tears welled in my eyes and I explained that yes, I was a little better, and that after Tuesday's memorial service had passed I would be MUCH better. He seemed to understand how I was feeling. I know that his own grandfather passed a short while ago and perhaps he had some empathy for me.
Minutes later my phone rang. It was my DH.
"I think we can afford to fly to Orlando for the funeral. I really think you need to go!"
The words sunk in rather slowly and I started rationalizing with him that it was expensive, and the animals would have no one to watch them. He kept explaining how it could all work out and in the end I was so emotionally overwhelmed that I gave in. My boss gave me permission to leave so I quickly tied up some loose ends in the office and hopped back into my car. It's a 30 minute drive to and from work each day so I had some time to process what we were doing.
DH found a discounted set of plane tickets online and I arranged with my Daddy for my 18-year old baby sister to house-sit for us while we were gone. She was fine with that idea since it gave her an excuse to take a day off from school. I arrived home, frantically threw a change of clothes and a dress into a suitcase and we were off to the airport. We arrived in Orlando that night shortly after 11 o'clock p.m. local time. As I stepped off the plane I again breathed in that sweet air and the feelings of being 'home' again overwhelmed me. We taxied to the hotel where my mother had booked us a room, and collapsed into our bed.
We attended the services (which were lovely) on Tuesday and had a chance to visit with family. I met my Aunt Nancy for the first time and got a chance to visit with her during a dinner at Red Lobster. It's always been strange to me that I had an aunt and cousins that I had never met. I briefly chatted with Nancy's two daughters who were also there. But what do you really say to a woman in her 40s who happens to be your cousin though you'd never have known it if you passed her on the street? All I could do was smile, shake hands, and say "Nice to finally meet you."
On my father's side of the family I know every cousin. I know most of their spouses names... and I know, roughly, how many children they each have. I grew up attending family reunions where I saw all these people and got to know them quite well. My mother's side of the family was always somewhat of a mystery to me. Far away... just names, not faces.
We went to bed early that evening and woke at 5:30 a.m. to head back to the airport for the trip home. There was no time for further visits with family. No time for a quick trip to any of the local theme parks. The trip was completely about my wonderful grandmother. And in the end I am so incredibly grateful that we went. It's a memory that I could never ever replace, and it brought me closure. It has helped my heart heal.
*************************
The visit also opened up a whole new can of worms for us here at the Haven. My DH saw the look in my eyes when we landed at the airport. He felt the longing inside of me during the entire visit. That Tuesday evening as we settled in for bed to prepare for our flight home he told me that he thought he might enjoy living in Orlando, Florida very much.
My heart about swelled out of my chest when those words left his lips.
Ever since we arrived home we have been assessing our situation and deciding what we need and don't need to keep. We've started going through the last areas of the Haven that were never quite unpacked and really focusing on the idea that we don't need most of the stuff that we haven't bothered unpacking after an entire year.
We've looked up the cost of homes in the Orlando area and are researching the job market. The DH has even contacted our realtor and our tax man about penalties and fees when selling our home. Turns out there are none if we can prove we are moving out of state and weren't just "flipping" the house for profit. With the market in our area very VERY HOT right now there is a possibility that we could make about $20-30,000 in equity from this past year since we bought the place. That would definitely pay for a move cross-country and give us a down-payment on a new home.
The idea that we could really go in the near future has my brain turned to mush. I've been wondering if we could be out there as early as May of 2008. DH called me this morning here at work and said he had looked up the prices of renting a truck to haul our stuff in vs. hiring a company that would move it for us. He also said he thought we could move as early as March. "Apparently I'm seeing this happen sooner than you are!", he said.
Isn't this supposed to be MY dream? I think he might be even more excited than I am.
Ms.B
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
