On Camera

I just got home from my 9:30 softball game. I can't believe we play SO late! I got to watch the entire season finale of The Biggest Loser before I left for the game. We won, making this our second win in a row and our record 2-2. I got a hit my third time up and also tagged a girl out at the plate (I LOVE that!) Of course, there's always at least ONE ball that finds my shin, but I'll be okay :)

Tomorrow, I'm hoping they will let me go work at the other hospital again. I did that yesterday and it is really nice. The nurses there are really frustrated learning the computer system and there are growing pains with figuring out communication and work flow. I was able to be a "cheerleader" with a positive attitude and encouraging words. It was very fun being able to do that! Also, if I work there, it will be easier to sneak away for an interview...

We have just started a music therapy program with funding from a donor. It is currently a part-time position, but they are wanting to make it full-time and more permanent. So, there is going to be a fund raising video and also a fund raising event. They wanted to interview a nurse and since I'm friends with the person in media relations who is in charge of the project, she asked if I would be that nurse. My director said I would be good "as long as my face doesn't get red"... So, it would also be MUCH better for my nerves if I don't have to leave my patients for the interview and not stress out about things that need to be done while I'm gone. They will allow me to leave the other hospital for the interview and then go back to finish the shift. I was given a question to "ponder" and hopefully will be able to make some sense when I talk, but also not sound "scripted". I'm very excited to be a part of this, and am going to TRY not to be disappointed if things don't work out the way I have planned... I have been thinking about my answer to my question, so hopefully I can remain calm and make some sense.

So, I decided to turn on my A/C since it is over 80 degrees in my house and I don't want to sweat all night long! I'm going to wash my hair tonight and get up early to make sure my hair and make-up looks nice (I hardly ever get THAT ready for work...ha!)

Four days until I see Ginger!

This is my 797th post...hard to believe I've been "blogging" for three years and posted nearly 800 times!

Good night...and, if you could send "good vibes" to me tomorrow afternoon (or prayers for calm, cool, and collected...ha!) that would be awesome :)

Lotsa Thoughtsa

Yesterday and today were "full", but not exactly "busy"...meaning, there is no reason that I didn't finish the "organizing" that I started.

I mentioned on Saturday that Kelly was having some twitter/blog issues. It got even uglier yesterday and ended with her shutting down her twitter account. I didn't get as many of the nasty emails as other people did, but my heart just hurt for her and her friends. It is so sad that people can be so cruel. I am, however, thankful that my twitter account doesn't have a link to my blog and it didn't seem like any of my "twitter friends" were targeted by this person.

Yesterday afternoon, I met with my Spiritual Director for nearly two hours. Our session is only supposed to be one hour, but I just kept talking and she let me go...she's awesome (she's technically still doing her practicum, but she is great!) We prayed for Kelly, among other things. I talked to her about my "financial situation" and how I am trusting that things will work out the way they are supposed to. We discussed the fact that I'm (slowly) reading Strong Women, Soft Hearts and how much that book is challenging me. She encouraged me to continue reading and spending time in prayer/reflection and journal my responses to the questions posed in the book/on the site. I will do that...eventually. I also mentioned that I really want to read "Plan B" by Pete Wilson and have been trying to win a copy since I probably shouldn't buy one at this time. We had SUCH a great conversation (well, me doing most of the talking!) I "mentioned" my upcoming date and also how SUPER excited I am about going to see Ginger and meet her family (and showed her this post on blog friends becoming real friends). Lots and lots of talking and thinking and discussing...exactly what I needed :)

My dad came over after that and blew all the "twirly birds" out of the gutters at my house...I love having my parents close by and especially love a dad who is willing to climb on the roof for me! My softball team played at 9:30 last night which is SO late that I was able to watch the entire episode of The Biggest Loser before I left for the game! We had to borrow a player from another team, but she was REALLY good, we played well, and we won 14-12 (we only scored about 6 runs in the previous two games combined!!)

Today was the "date". To be honest, I was so "wired" when I got home from my game last night, I didn't go to bed until 2:00 AM. I forced myself to get up and go to Curves so I wasn't sitting at home getting more and more nervous about my lunch date. Of course, my insecurity started big time last night when I was feeling terribly unattractive and not at all excited about wearing a skirt and trying to look cute while refraining from saying anything stupid. By the time I actually left for the date, I was happy with my hair and make-up and thought my outfit choice was a good one. Some happy thoughts/prayers via twitter definitely helped :)

I thought that I was at a disadvantage in this whole "blind date" thing because I was told he had seen me after Mass on Ash Wednesday. However, I found out right away that this was not the case, so that helped. Since I'm sure my three readers want to know, he didn't seem THAT tall and is thin but not "skinny". He has brown hair and grayish-blue eyes. His teeth are intact...and straight :) He has a boat and likes being out on the water. He hates the cold and really would like to live in Phoenix. He has one sister, but he "doesn't talk to her that much...about twice a week..." His parents are divorced and his dad is remarried. Sometimes he goes to Mass with his sister. He lives about a mile from me. He did have to leave for a little bit of time in the middle of lunch since his boss called, but that gave me time to collect my thoughts :) (And, in case for some reason I need to remember this later, he got the black and blue chicken salad and I had tilapia with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables...ha ha!) He told me where he wants to go to dinner "the next time". So, that sounds like I could POTENTIALLY lose my title of "the one date wonder"!

My sister colored my hair and I love it, as always :) It is so awesome that my sister can do hair and I always get compliments on it :) I had to get it done before my trip because I'm thinking I'd like to "let" Ginger take a photograph (or two or three...ha!) of me when I'm there visiting. (That's my "one request" besides going to a baseball game...oh, and white pizza and steak salad...can ya tell I'm excited about this?!)

I haven't posted a picture of my nephew in a while...that kid cracks me up! Any time he hears music he dances. He is taking lots of steps on his own, but isn't quite walking everywhere. His first tooth is almost through. I love him! :)

Good night.

About a Boy

Two days from now, I am meeting "a boy" for lunch. I do not have a good track record with the whole "dating thing". In college, I dated a friend-turned-boyfriend for a few months which ended very ugly (he married a girl who was in my group of girl-friends...seriously). I "hung out" with another guy a number of times a few years back, but didn't realize we were "dating" until we stopped hanging out and I found out he was completely heartbroken when I stopped calling (um, yeah, not returning phone calls is not nice, that's what I did). Since then, I have gone on a few "first dates". It is a running joke with a friend and me that I am the "one date wonder"...

I searched through old posts to see if I have written about this in the past. I found one from "way back" in November 2007. To tell you the truth, I had to read that post quite a few times to remember what guy it was...since, there was no second date. The guy I wrote about in this post back in July was the same one I wrote about here in August...we did go on the "double date" but only met up for a "date" once and I don't think I heard from him again. I never ended up meeting up with "the floor guy" I mentioned in this post and this one (that post actually mentioned both of those guys) because he kinda creeped me out in a yahoo chat we had. Oh, me and my "non-dates"...memories of last fall and the emotional mess that I was...

Anyway, that's probably enough "links" for one post to get the idea that dating and me don't get along very well...or at least we haven't in the past. However, I'm trying not to "freak out" about this one which is why I have hardly mentioned it here (if I have even mentioned it at all!) I actually told a friend tonight and told my cousin last week, but haven't really said anything to anyone else with hopes of keeping my anxiety in check...

Here's what I know about this guy--his name, his age, that he works with someone from my church, and that "he only dates Catholic girls". Apparently, he was at my church on Ash Wednesday, so he has seen me (I was talking to someone else and didn't notice him...I'm obviously not very observant!) So, I think I'm at a little bit of a disadvantage because he knows what I look like and I have no clue...we may need to discuss this "problem" prior to me making a fool of myself at the restaurant looking for him! We are "doing lunch" because that will have an "end time" in case we need one. I am obviously off that day, but he will be coming during his lunch break. Since I don't exactly know what he does, I don't know how he will be dressed. The restaurant he picked is a little on the fancier side (when I looked it up, the description is "Elegance by the Water"), but I don't know if I should dress up or what... It's been pretty cool here, so I know I'd be super comfortable in jeans. I don't really want to wear a dress because that seems too fancy for lunch on my day off. The friend I talked to this evening said I should wear a skirt. I have only worn this skirt once and I wore it with a white shirt and white sandals (but I think I like the flip-flops). It was pretty comfortable and the shirt I have doesn't tuck in, so it hides my belly as best as it can (considering what it has to work with). I also have a khaki skirt that I could wear with a 3/4 length sleeved shirt and some black sandals...or, I could wear khaki capris...

I guess it's good that my "anxiety" right now is about what to wear and how to find him...I have done my share of the "what if" thinking that takes me 40 years down the road...yeah, I do that kind of stuff even though I try not to...and I am trying REALLY hard to just go and have fun and see what happens. Could this be the time my "one date wonder" streak gets broken?! Oh yeah, I'm not supposed to "go there"!

Anyway, that's the "big excitement" of my week...oh, besides the fact that I played softball for my dad's high school team tonight because only four girls showed up. He borrowed players from the other team and then I played...I don't think the girls on the other team realized that I was "super old"...it cracks me up that I'm 30 and look like I'm in high school! Tomorrow night, my team plays at 9:30...I don't like the late games =(

I made more progress on my cleaning and actually think I can walk into my "junk room" without tip-toeing! Tomorrow I need to do more of that and would also like to read more of the Bloom book since I'm still back on chapter two. I want to have more of it done before I meet with my spiritual director tomorrow afternoon.

This post was on the (In)Courage page today and I thought it was FABULOUS. She spoke words about "blog friends" that were SO true...and I am so excited that just a few days from now, I will be giving Ginger a real life hug rather than a virtual one! She wrote this: "Getting involved in the blogging world has truly changed my life – teaching me, stretching me, giving me opportunities. And introducing me to some of the most amazing people I never would have met otherwise." So true, so true...

Time for bed. Good night.

Ch-ch-changes

So...that title came to me, but I am not sure I REALLY knew this David Bowie song...ha!

Today was mostly about getting readjusted to home, but I really think I need to make some changes. I'm hoping that if I put them here, that will make me more accountable.

I really need to start looking more closely at my diet and exercise. I don't want to "commit" to a weight loss goal because I can't remember the last time I was AT the weight I would like to be. According to the BMI Calculator, I am "overweight". According to that calculator, it looks like I would need to lose four pounds to get into the "normal" range. It isn't all about weight, though, because I'm also starting to not like the way I feel in my clothes. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do about all this (I don't have "a plan"), but I definitely would LOVE to feel better about the way I look by the time I go visit Ginger (that means I have "one month and two days" according to my countdown). She doesn't know it yet, but I'm thinking it would be fun to have her take some photographs of me. I'm not sure what I would DO with said photographs, but when I mentioned something to my aunt, she thought that would be very nice :) Anyway, losing a little bit of weight would make that experience much more pleasant (even though apparently a good photographer and a little Photoshop can do amazing things!)

The other "change" is regarding my computer. I have found that it is a huge distraction for me, and it is starting to affect other things. So, my "plan" is to actually turn my computer OFF for (at least) 60 minutes (at least on the days that I am off) and during that time, I can do "whatever". Today, I wasn't super productive during the time that my computer was "off" (I ate dinner, folded some laundry, watched some TV, and did some pre-softball game stretching). However, earlier in the day I did walk to the post office/grocery store and also mowed my lawn. Tonight, I had my first softball game (I got one hit and got out the other two times I batted; I also tagged a girl out at home...yay!) So, I did an "OK" job, but really think this will be good for me.

So, a couple of changes that should be helpful, and manageable. I had my last Dale Carnegie class and we were asked to continue with THOSE changes, so I guess "technically" I should add those changes to this post as well. My goal for the class was to be more open to conversing with my peers. Today, a "blog friend" made a comment about me being "funny". It isn't the first time that a friend, especially one who knows me from here, has commented about my sense of humor/"funny". I'm not exactly sure that any of my co-workers would use that word to describe me...I could be wrong, but I honestly don't think that would be in their "top ten words to describe Amanda". I'm just different when I'm around my co-workers, different even than I am with the parents of my patients. In some ways, I think that's okay, but in others, I think it would be better for teamwork/trust if they understood me more.

Anyway, there's where I am. I still have my cold, and now I'm planning to be sore from my first softball game at catcher. I probably should shower before I go to bed considering I mowed the lawn AND played a softball game. I haven't worked since April 18, so my 5:30 alarm and a 12-hour shift will be quite the CHANGE as well!

Good night.

More from the Weekend

It was SO great to have a weekend off! I haven't had a single weekend day off since my performance at the end of June. (I did attempt to post some clips from that in case you missed them, they are here. That was SO much fun!)

As I wrote in this post, Saturday was a fantastic day catching up with some of "my patients" and their families. I also went out with my good friend from work. (Friday night, I ALSO went to a party, and that post has some details about THAT...ha ha!)

Yesterday, I went to an all-school reunion at my high school which was also a farewell to the President who retired after 21 years. I don't want to be TOO specific, but she was instrumental in helping make it an amazing place to be. I sang with the Alumnae choir for the first time at Mass. After Mass, there was a brunch and a couple awards/presentations.

As you MAY have gathered from reading previous posts, I went to an all-girls school that has MANY traditions. One of those is that each freshman girl is "paired" with a senior girl and they are Big/Little Sisters. It is basically up to the "Big" to decide what that meant, but there are some traditions that most participate in, like decorating lockers.

I had two "Littles" and hadn't seen or really even heard about them probably since 2000 when my sister graduated. I was SO surprised to see one of them at the brunch yesterday! It didn't really seem like something she would attend, but it was GREAT to see her! She is married and has a little boy. She was a competitive gymnast, so maybe SHE can teach me how to do a round-off-back-handspring...ha ha! She also decorates cakes, which may be something I need some day...

My "Big" was a nice girl, but there were other seniors that I pretty much idolized. I joined a club that pretty much just had these seniors. I talked to them all the time and thought they elevated my "coolness" (wishful thinking I'm sure...ha!) One of them in particular was my "favorite". I'm fairly certain I frequently wrote her notes, and I KNOW that I not only got my hair cut after she did, I ALSO joined the track team because she did track even though I had never ran prior to that. (I know, my "stalkerish tendencies" have been around for a LONG time...ha!) She definitely was VERY sweet not to tell a nerdy freshman to leave her alone ;o) Ha! Anyway, I ran into her earlier, and again yesterday. ("Coincidentally", on Friday when I was searching for senior pictures, I found a note she had written to me for my Freshman Retreat...yes, I save EVERYTHING!)

Today, Ginger designed some pretty fabulous things for me (and my sister). While I don't exactly need a "button" (because that would mean I wanted LOTS of people to link to me, right?!), in my mind, I kinda sort of thought it would be cool to have something like that. I never actually TOLD Ginger that, but "randomly" (yeah, right, "random"...ha ha!), I get this email today with a little "I Love Blogs" present attached :o) I was speechless, and am actually surprised I didn't cry, but I must be in some kind of half-way stoic place because I didn't even cry when I finished reading that book yesterday (believe me, it feels weird to not cry about EVERYTHING!) While I didn't use it as a button, because, like I said, I don't NEED a "button", I did place it on my blog with my email address underneath it...can I just say that I LOVE it?! :o) I
do!

Also, Ginger graciously offered to design my nephew's birth announcement. Now, I won't actually be able to post that here (unless it is an edited version), but I WILL say that it is freaking awesome. If you ever need anything like that designed, Ginger is definitely your woman :o)

I finally went to visit my nephew. I can't believe it has been a week since I saw him. My sister has been struggling with breastfeeding issues, and my brother-in-law had surgery today, so it was definitely good that I didn't end up having to work so I could go visit. My sister and I talked for a while, and I tried to help her with a couple things. She and my brother-in-law are VERY excited about the announcement Ginger designed, so that helped make their day :o)

I tried to use the photography advice I have been given, but I think maybe I am a VERY slow learner! I DID try to get down to his level, but the bar to the changing table was in the way. Also, I will blame SOME of my photography issues on the crappy lighting in their house...definitely not ALL the person behind the camera with all the issues...ha ha! My sister used her first cloth diaper yesterday. She tested out an "all-in-one". Today, I put on a prefold and cover while she watched. Of COURSE I had to take pictures of him in his diaper after we did that :o)

My dad coached two high school softball teams this summer and tonight was the last night of games. I was able to attend quite a few games this summer, and usually got to coach one of the bases. After the second game, the girls wanted to take a picture...so, here is one of the ones I took. I used to baby-sit for a couple of the girls, and two of them are headed off to college in a couple weeks. Craziness! Yes, that is my dad in the Hawaiian shirt. He has been wearing those kind of shirts FOREVER, and I think he still believes he started that trend. He has ALWAYS worn crazy clothes to coach in...he says it takes the pressure off the kids...I think it works!

Alright, it's 1:00, so I probably should head to bed...only a few more posts until I hit 600! Of course, that could mean a week from now, or weeks from now, depending on how often I post!

Good night.

No Pictures of That

So, after last night's post, I was beginning to wonder if the "free therapy" provided to me by this blog was actually doing the trick. Boy was I a basket case without really a good reason (well, potentially ONE reason, but you can't really blame everything on THAT!)

Thankfully, as I crawled into bed and closed my eyes, I was flooded with memories. Memories of moments that do not have pictures to accompany them. Oh what a blessing that was for me because I really was feeling like I had some "issues"!

I am actually still planning to post some more pictures from "the trip" but want to spend some time making them look nice and that has not happened yet. If I do not work tomorrow, then maybe I will do it then (I DO have lines that I still need to memorize...I only read through them once today...bad me!) Oh, and I am definitely not going to tell ANYONE in my family that there is "word on the 'net" about a "fake blog" that probably misled hundreds of thousands of people...now THAT surely would put them over the edge (although I definitely made sure everything was "legit"...I promise I did!)

So, in other "news" for the day...my aunt came over and planted more plants/flowers at my house...again, I will post pictures of MY garden once I have given my seeds enough time to grow if they are going to grow! We had lunch together and it was just a nice day (I actually had a meeting AND went to work out BEFORE all that!). Jam-packed, but nice.

My softball game was SUPER exciting tonight! We were the "visitors" so had to bat first. We scored two runs, but then they came back and scored four. A couple innings later, they scored another run, making in 2-5. We scored three runs to tie it up in the last inning before time ran out. So, we went into an extra inning. We scored FIVE runs in the extra inning and then kept them from scoring, so we won 10-5...it was SO exciting! I did get a couple hits, but also got tagged out at home and scraped up my knee sliding into third (I never did learn how to slide and was definitely out...and probably lucky all I got was a scraped up knee!) I got to play practice as soon as I could, but missed out on practicing my part on stage.

Alright, I'm not sure if I have to work tomorrow and I DEFINITELY need to shower before I go to bed after that softball game. So, good night!

Not MY "green thumb"

I promise that if the seeds I planted actually grow into flowers, I will post those pictures too. However, this evening I felt inspired to take photos of the beautiful flowers that are growing at my mom and dad's. My dad and his neighbor dug out that pond a few years back and his neighbor is the one who does most of the upkeep (it is right in between both of their yards, so I guess neither of them can move!) I am not good at my "plants" but WAS told that the big orange ones are poppies (too bad the biggest one that was the most open had a missing petal...) I'm not exactly sure a collage was the best way to show my attempt at being "artsy" and using the editing features on Picasa, but I have not mastered posting more than a couple photos at once, so there you have it. Their yard has MANY more beautiful flowers and plants, but I chose to only walk about five steps from their back patio to take pictures and this is what there is...SO pretty! (I am not a big fan of peonies, so I skipped those...)

My sister let me know this morning that her plans had changed and if I wanted to get my hair colored, she could do it today. I have waited SO long to get my hair colored so was really excited! I thought maybe I would want to go lighter for the summer, but I am a big fan of "reds" and she had a "plan" if I wanted to go with violet and chocolate, so I went with that. Now, I had my dad take the first photo and I attempted to take one from the top, so I am not sure how much you can tell...it looks VERY cool in the light! Yay for having a sister who knows how to do hair...I paid for the color and then gave her $40 for her efforts (I did consult my mother to make sure that was appropriate). So, very good deal and a great new 'do!

My softball team played at 9:30 tonight...ugh, that is REALLY late! But, we won and I got two hits (out of three times at bat) I also am probably going to have quite the bruise on my left forearm because the shortstop whipped a ball home and it didn't quite make it into my glove...ouch...but at least it didn't bounce and hit my chin like everyone thought it did!

Well, since this is pretty much a post of "randomness", I figure may as well finish with a quote that found its way into my inbox today as well as the "minute meditation" that came on Friday...

"When you give of yourself something new comes in to being... the world expands, a bit of goodness is brought forth and a small miracle occurs. You must never underestimate this miracle. Too many good people think they have to become Mother Teresa or Albert Schweitzer, or even Santa Claus, and perform great acts if they are to be givers. They don't see the simple openings of the heart that can be practiced anywhere with almost anyone." ~Kent Nerburn

"When you reach out and touch someone, help someone, your hands are the hands of Christ still at work on earth." (from Where Earth Meets Heaven)

Good night.

I knew it!

I already knew I had amazing friends...even before I started this blog, even before I wrote that post on Sunday. However, it still is a pretty awesome feeling to know that this little blog has brought such amazing people into my life. God surely has blessed me more times than I could even begin to count, but I never guessed that the He would use the Internet this way :o) Because of God working through this here blog, 24 days from now, I will be hanging out with Ginger in "the Windy City"! Is that awesome or what?!

I also have an amazing family...I actually let one of my cousins in on my "secret blog" today. She assured me she would keep my secret and it was really great to have someone else take a look at the things I have written to make sure I haven't broken any privacy laws :o) This cousin actually has three younger sisters...one is married and another is engaged, so she was able to relate to my "birth order issues". Even though both of us are VERY happy with the way our lives are right now, those other feelings still have a way of creeping in. I haven't talked to her in a LONG time since she lives halfway across the country (thank goodness for facebook...ha ha!)

Even though I do my share of venting about my mom and sister, they really are terrific people. I wouldn't be the way I am today without them. My mom cares about me SO much (and is very protective of me!) My sister is REALLY sweet and has grown up a lot. Even though she seems to have been "debilitated" by pregnancy, she actually isn't whiny about it...that's just how it is (not exactly how I hope I will be, but at least she is not whiny because that would not be cool!) It's been a while since I posted a sister picture...too bad I didn't get one of her full body, but this actually is a good picture of us :o)

Tonight was my second softball game (can I tell you how excited I am that I found that baseball background?! LOVE it!) Hopefully my body will not be as much in shock tomorrow as it was last Wednesday! I got a hit. I had an RBI. I caught two fly balls (remember, I play catcher), and participated in a double-play by tagging a girl out at home and throwing to third to get a girl tagged out there (also almost got someone into a pickle but am not QUITE that confident in my throwing arm!). This is what happened to my pinky finger during the double play...ouch! (yes, I know I should not bite my fingernails, but have been doing that for probably 25 years so...)

Yes, that stung a bit, but I got my hit AFTER the "injury", so it wasn't ALL bad (I do already have a bruise on the tip, but it hasn't stopped me from typing...ha!) We were losing by quite a bit, but came back with a few runs and made some good plays in the field. We do not practice and are still getting the rust out, but I think we will have more wins than last year...we will definitely have as much/more fun!

I mowed the lawn, I washed my summer clothes, I finished emailing the agenda for my Thursday meeting BEFORE I started typing this, I did a load of dishes...I suppose that isn't TOO bad considering it was fairly close to noon by the time I rolled out of bed...ahh, the joys of living alone and working three days a week :o) Maybe tomorrow I can tackle some of the clutter (now that the agenda has been sent, I don't have to worry about that!)

On another note...a patient I mentioned here a couple times (like, last summer, and again about 6 months ago) is very sick once again. I actually never did have permission to post her picture, so I will not do it again. However, she and her family could definitely use your prayers. Two children have passed away this past week and it just has to be SO hard sitting there in the ICU with your child knowing that she could very well be next, while hoping and praying God still has plans for her here on earth. Also, the mother of my aunt in California has suffered some bad complications after surgery and will be taken off life-support tomorrow. My cousins will be coming in town later this week. She had not been ill, so this is quite a blow to them.

To all who read...thanks for being such awesome friends :o)

A Day of Leisure

Not to be confused with "Just Chillin' (Again)", "Taking it Easy", "Relaxing Day", or "Whole Lotta Nothing" although the stories on those days could be "strangely" similar to that which occured today! That's pretty much what I do...work, or pretty much nothing at all. To be clear, I am SO thankful for my "days of rest" because lots of times I do work hard when I'm at work, physically and emotionally. I'm not sure how I would manage without having ENTIRE days with nothing planned! I need these "days of leisure", but sometimes I think I need to get a hobby (and then sometimes I just want to stay at home...hmm, that sounds like yesterday's post "Hard to Please"!) (I started writing this late this afternoon after I had done a few things around the house, but took LOTS of breaks on the couch. Since then, I got to work and actually feel very good about what I have accomplished! I am working on a baby gift for my friend and am about half done. I plan to post pictures of it when I am finished.)

I saw this clip on another blog. I thought it was great and decided to post it as well.

My softball season is now over. We didn't get to play tonight because we did not have enough players. It is sad that we didn't get another chance to win, or a chance to say "good-bye" to the season as a team, but it was nice to have the night off!

I am hoping the Olympics don't go too late tonight! I stayed up rather late again last night and it was hard to get up (and so I didn't until after 9:00!). Tomorrow I finally get to work a bonus shift! I am excited about that, especially since I am working on my vacation plans. It will be nice to have that little extra money, even though I am sure more than a little will be taken out in taxes! I will be working in the PICU rather than my floor, so it could be interesting, but I know quite a few patients who are there right now. Hopefully there are nice nurses working tomorrow (most of them are, but even on my floor, there are a couple that I would rather not have to be around for 12+ hours...).

Until tomorrow...good night :o)

No Hives!

So, this morning I had my performance evaluation at work. Last year I was a little disappointed (I did write about it here ) and was hoping this year would be better. In reading last year's post, it looks like my manager gave me some ideas and opportunities for improvement. At that time, I did not know that I would become the chairperson for my unit committee or be on a hospital-wide committee. Those experiences, the classes I have taken, the people I have met, and just another year of being a nurse led me to receiving a "much improved" evaluation, and really reflected what I have done to try and do a better job (even though last year I couldn't believe the things that were said and while it was frustruating, I obviously was able to learn from them!). We set some performance improvement goals, and she gave me some ideas on how to better handle those stressful situations. This year, my "passion" for my job was looked upon as something positive in contrast to last year when that almost seemed like a negative. I guess it is all in how I handle myself and the situation. I KNOW that this past year I have been blessed with people who have taught me to cherish each moment and celebrate the small things. I am sure that has helped me not only cope with the difficult times, but also create significance from the little things. (And, I'm not just saying that to convince myself that my "addiction" to reading blogs is okay!") Even when sad things happen, I am able to remember the good times and the special moments I created with patients and their families.

About half-way through our conversation (I was there for about 45 minutes since I also wanted to talk to her about some of the things from yesterday and general unit issues while I had her to myself!), she said to me "you don't even have hives!" I could hardly believe it! It used to be that ANY time I engaged in difficult conversations, or was in a stressful situation, or pretty much any time I went to talk to her about someting I would get "instant hives". There wasn't really anything I could do to stop them...or so I thought! After she said that, I realized that it has probably been quite a while since I had broken out in hives due to nerves/stress. That is SO awesome! Since it is not something that I can control by my head alone, I suppose that means that something within me has changed to where I am more confident and comfortable in those situations. That is SO exciting to me!

I had a meeting after our meeting, then went to a foster parent picnic. It was really fun (even though I didn't end up playing with the kids like I thought I would do!). I talked to the woman I did supervised visits with, the social worker who did my visits, a friend who works at my agency and got me interested in becoming a foster parent, and the mother of a former patient who passed away in January. I actually wrote about her quite a bit because that was a very difficult time for me ( here , here , and here ). Her mom told me how much it meant that I attended her funeral. I told her about how many road blocks I had to go through to make it there, but I KNEW I needed to be there (and hearing that today definitely made it all worth it, and I am even more certain that I NEEDED to be there!). She has been wanted to go to the hospital to visit and donate some of her daughter's things, but has not been able to go through with actually driving there. She asked when I worked, and I told her that I don't have an actual schedule. So, she thought, either I would be there when she came, or I wouldn't. I let her know that if she would like me to go with her to the hospital, to hold her hand as she entered those doors, and stepped onto the floors where her daughter spent many days, and took her last breath, I would do that. Such a seemingly simple gesture, but it was exactly what she needed, and we will plan to go some time in September. We shared stories about her little girl along with some tears. I am looking forward to spending more time with her at future foster parent gatherings. I think she will be very supportive and helpful to me when I have a child placed in my home.

After that, I went to an eye doctor appointment and then "chilled" until my softball game. We only have one game left, and I think I'm ready for the season to be over! My legs have multiple bruises from all the balls that have hit them this season. My elbow, however, is healing very nicely :o) We got beat very badly yet again, but at least the other team was nice. My parents cooked me dinner after the game :o) and we ate with their Japanese student as we watched the Olympics. She leaves tomorrow to spend some time in California before heading back to Jampan and I will go with my dad to the airport if I don't end up having to work. I signed up for a bonus shift in the PICU, but it doesn't sound like they will need me. Again, sort of frustruting since the extra money would be great, but like all the other days I have been "called off", I have lots of other options of things to do. My friend also invited me to a 5:00 dinner that I will be able to attend if I do not work. It is what it is (and it is nearly 12:30, so it probably will be best if I DON'T have to be up at 6:00 now!).

So, quite a busy day! I am still surprised about the whole "no hives" thing (especially that my manager noticed it before I did!) but very excited about that too because that could open a whole new world for me :o) Okay, so maybe not QUITE that dramatic, but it is even more stressful to know that I can't stand up for myself, or for someone else without breaking out in hives. Now maybe I can!

Okay, I am tired, and this is probably a long enough post! Time for bed. Good night.

Relaxing Day, Rough Night

I didn't get up until 1000, which was SO nice (I guess sleeping in my own bed by myself WAS as good as I hoped!). I went and worked out, which was kind of rough considering I hadn't been in a week (even though I did quite a bit of walking and did a little swimming while on vacation). I spent the majority of the day working on a little project that will be revealed sometime in the next few days (after I finish doing some of the details). I'm VERY excited, even though it isn't REALLY that big of a deal to most people!

I ran a couple of errands, trying to find a bookcase for my office. I have an idea in mind and didn't find what I was looking for, so guess I will try again tomorrow. I have to get some paperwork filled out by my doctor for my home study. I thought I could do it without an appointment, but no such luck, so I have to go tomorrow afternoon. I have some more paperwork to do before my visit on Thursday. I am going to have to answer some tough questions, and need to make some phone calls before then as well.

My softball team did not do well tonight. This is the third time we have played this team, and we never scored a run (I think my dad said we lost 48-0 to them...argh!). I am the catcher, and love playing there. However, tonight I had a pretty rough time. There was a play at the plate and the ball got there at the same time as the runner. I had the ball for a second, but it fell out when I got plowed over (I considered taking photos of my "war wounds", but decided that it probably wouldn't be nice to do that to my faithful readers!). I think that would have been the third out that inning, and they proceded to score what seemed like a million runs after that. It was VERY frustruating! (AND my elbow was bleeding AND my head felt like it got shaken up) In the next inning, a ball bounced off the plate and hit me in the chin (no helmets in slow-pitch). I'm sure THAT helped my head issues. There was at least one other potential "play at the plate", but I think everyone was a little nervous about another collision. So, we lost, and they aren't a very fun team to play. One of my cousins is having surgery this week, so today was her last game, but we did take "team photos"...overall it has been a fun season, but tonight was rough.

I sat outside with my parents after the game for a while. I tried telling my mom the story I posted last night about welcoming the woman to the reunion. I was REALLY glad that I got THREE comments on that post (Thanks SO much! You ladies are FABULOUS!) because the reception I received from my mom was not like that at all. I'm not sure if I didn't tell the story very well or what the deal was. For whatever reason, she turned the story in a way that somehow justified why SHE wasn't the first one...my point of the story wasn't to say that someone else could have or should have been THAT person, but that it was really neat that the person was ME! Anyway, it was really weird, so I'm guessing she must have misunderstood the significance of my story. At least I have the memory in writing that shows how much that moment meant to me!

Alright, I did take a bath to try and soothe all my aching muscles, and took some pain medication. My head does not feel that great, but the fact that it is after midnight probably doesn't help matters any. So, I really should go to bed. Good night.

A Little Competition

Today we finally had the softball game we have been talking about for what seems like FOREVER! After postponing it a few times, I wasn't sure we were going to actually do it, but I'm SO glad we did! My family is pretty darn competitive and ALL athletic...it was AWESOME!! My aunts all used to play softball and thought they were "old" now, but they still had their skills. We ended up in a tie, so it was PERFECT! I'm SO excited this worked out.




We had about 20 of us at church this morning which pretty much doubled the number of regular parishioners. It was GREAT! The Gospel reading was about the miracle of five loaves and two fish which was SO fitting considering we have been cooking for thirty the past few days (our food has seemed to multiply too...who is working the miracles here?!).


My family is on schedule for tonight's dinner, so I had better go see what I can do to help. Back home to "reality" tomorrow...we are planning to drive straight through (I'm thinking I will sleep since I don't have to read the map this time!).

So long from the wilderness.

One More Day

Today was a busy day, but I haven't even started packing, so tomorrow will be a little crazy! I also have quite a list of other things to be done tomorrow.

I went to the eye doctor this morning and to the dentist this afternoon. I got new contacts, and the dental hygienist tried to make a deal with me to floss on my days off...I suppose that is a good goal :o)

In between appointments, I managed to clear a space on the couch, clear off the table, and vacuum a couple rooms for my "visitor". This afternoon, I had my first home study. This is the next step after the foster parent classes. Typically, this would have been done soon after my classes were done in April, but the social worker was busy with other projects, and I wasn't in a great hurry, so it was good for both of us to wait. Basically, we just talked (she was here a little over 2 hours). She asked about support systems, parenting styles, nurturing styles, etc. She asked how being a foster parent will change my life (my answer--EVERYTHING will change...I've never been a mom, so being a mom will be something different than I have EVER done before!). I have some paperwork to fill out, and she will come back next week for Part Two.

After she left, I met up with some girls from work for "Happy Hour". They had finished eating when I got there, but stayed while I ate. We had a fun time. There were only five of us, which is a lot less than the gathering last week, but it was nice. One of the girls is leaving for another position. Since the work I do is more than a "job" for me, it is a little hard for me to understand when others don't feel the same way. One of the girls was talking about how she will finish getting her tuition reimbursement in seven months and then she is out of there. Of course, I didn't get tuition reimbursement, don't have a husband or kids, and don't have to work the night shift any more. So, it is a different situation, but I can't really imagine leaving my job because it is my calling, not just something that pays the bills.

Anyway, we were having so much fun that I barely made it to my softball game in time! We got into a pretty crazy game, but ended up pulling out a win in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was VERY fun!

Well, I suppose I should get ready for bed. I need to make a list of what I need to pack. More likely than not, I will still over-pack, but at least with a list I shouldn't forget anything! I'm pretty sure my computer is coming with me, but am not sure when I'll end up using it. Good night.

Good Day

Oh, it is SO nice to be able to use that as a title! I feel like I have been Little Miss Crabby Pants for a LONG time (my mom tells me I can't use hormones as an excuse all the time, but I definitely don't think they help my mood!). The past week or so has been pretty emotional. Along with dealing with high acuity patients, high-maintenance family members, and trying to figure out how to get some extra money to pay my bills, there are also some sad changes happening at my work. A nurse I really like to work with put in her notice, as have two other nurses. She will be done the end of the month. One of the doctors that I LOVE has taken a position in another state. I'm actually not quite "over that" yet and typing those words immediately brought tears to my eyes. While I realize that it is a great opportunity for her and her family, I have learned a great deal from her. She is a surgeon who is patient and kind, which isn't always the case. She takes time to speak with every family, and listens to all concerns that are brought to her attention. She is a patient advocate, but also a nursing advocate. Thankfully, I have had the opportunity the past couple weeks to talk to her, and let her know how much she will be missed (I still want to write her a note...I think her last day is next week).

Okay, that doesn't sound like a "good day", but really it was! I had the opportunity to attend a transplant conference (it was FREE and they even served a breakfast buffet and had a "sit down" lunch and two snack breaks!). All of the presenters were from my hospital, so that was really cool considering I think it was a regional conference. I learned a LOT! I wasn't sure who I would sit with, since no one from my floor was attending. I am pretty used to going places alone and would have been okay, but it is a little awkward just to wander around alone at things like that!

I ended up walking into the conference with someone I hadn't seen in a LONG time! She is a woman who adopted a little girl my family briefly had in foster care when I was in high school. The girl was six at the time. It didn't work out for her to be in our family, but I think having a mom with no husband or other children is exactly what she needed. She has graduated from high school and is thinking about being a nurse. Her mom gave me her phone number and said she would love to hear from me and talk about nursing. Even though she was young, she still remembers the time she spent at our house (an example of how one can make a big difference in a short amount of time!).

I found a seat with some of the new nurses who will work in the PICU. I didn't really talk to them much, but it was nice to have a place to sit!

I also have a new friend :o) I spent a lot of today with her and that is most of what made today a "good day"! She is a nurse practitioner at my hospital who does consults on some of our patients. So, I see her around and always say hello. I knew she was nice, but on Sunday, I decided that I really liked her and would enjoy spending more time with her. I found out yesterday that she planned to be at the conference, and I was hoping I would be able to find her (there were over 200 people there, but I did!). I sat with her and another nurse practitioner at lunch, and we also talked during some of the breaks. We left together, and she invited me to go out with her to meet another friend for a drink. While I could have accomplished quite a few necessary things around the house if I had just come home, I decided that I needed to seize the opportunity to do something social! As it turned out, none of her friends came, so it was just the two of us. We talked for nearly two hours! Even being about ten years older than me with a four-year-old, we found lots of things to talk about and just enjoyed each other's company. I told her I am most comfortable with people over thirty! I had a great time, and think she did too...both of us needed this today. While I am not sure when we will go out again, I hope it works out some time soon. At least I will see her around at work :o)

My softball team played really well (I didn't play that great, which frustruates me a little...) and didn't lose by that much. It was fun, though.

I still haven't talked to my sister, but guess another branch of the same bank was actually robbed today, and they are pretty sure it is the same people. I do not believe they have been caught. Pretty scary stuff, especially because those areas of town are not areas that typically have many crimes.

Well, it is 11:30 and there is a chance I have to work tomorrow. So, I'd better think about getting ready for bed! While I would LOVE the extra money, I have a long list of things that should be done tomorrow. I need to do a new contract for the extra bonus shifts (now that I should be done with my extra crabbiness for a month or so, I should be okay working extra, right?!).

Good night.

No Excuses Day 2

...is not a good title for today. Today was nearly full of them. The biggest one, which is "my story and I'm sticking to it" is that it was nearly 100 degrees and kind of humid (we are currently having a thunderstorm) and who wants to do ANYTHING when it is like that?! I surely didn't, and so I didn't.

I did make it to Curves for my second day in a row of this new work out thing. I'm hoping it works because I'm not sure how much longer I can pretend like being overweight does not bother me at all. Of course, probably eating a hot fudge sundae from McDonald's for lunch wasn't the BEST choice, but it was pretty yummy!

Just in case someone out there follows their "site meters"...yes, that was me that visited your blog 100 times this morning...yes, I may have a problem, or maybe you wrote something really cool that I had to read LOTS of times :o) Anyway, that was while I was in my "waiting" phase of the day...I COULD have been doing work around the house, but I had no idea that I'd be waiting for two hours (okay, that's my excuse, although I will not say that I would not have done the same things had I known I had two hours to work!).

I took my friend's girls to a place where you can paint pottery. The baby is doing pretty well, although he seemed pretty fussy when I saw him (again, it WAS nearly 100 degrees and he was in a car seat, plus it looks like he is teething). He pulled his feeding tube out, so I put it back down, but my friend had to put it back in since he pulled it out again on the way back to their room. NOT fun times...so it was "extra good" that I took the girls for a while. We had fun, but have to wait until next week to see how our projects turn out. I did not get any artistic or creative genes, so painting pottery isn't something that I would normally choose for an activity, but I thought they would enjoy it. It was a little stressful for me, and I'm thinking the five-year-old's looks better than mine, but I tried! It also was a little expensive to do pottery for four, but I think this was something important to do (and hope my friend isn't stressing out about paying me back for it...the oldest did see how much went onto my credit card...).

I ended up taking a short nap after the pottery/McDonald's excursion (just because I'd already messed up the "no excuses" part of the day!). My softball team WON tonight!! It was SO much fun!! I actually got on base all three times (even though only one probably would have been considered a "hit). I put my wheels on and made it to second base before the throw made it from the shortstop there (not bad, if I do say so myself!).

Well, there is quite a storm happening outside...it is only 10:00, but I'm thinking I may go to bed and listen to the thunder for a while and fall asleep to the rain...I LOVE thunderstorms!! (except ones that make trees fall...I don't need any of THAT!)

So, tomorrow I go back to work. Haven't been there since Saturday, so this was a good break!

This little one could use some prayers tonight. She is struggling with some complications after transplant, and needs all the help she can get.

Thanks. Good night.

Scientific Study I am sure!

78%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Created by OnePlusYou

I was hoping to do an actual post tonight, but it is after 10:00, I still need to shower, and have to be at work at 7. So, I guess the baby pictures will have to wait until tomorrow. Laurie, I looked back to see if I had previously posted a photo of my house (I was going to have you go on a scavenger hunt to find it, but don't think I have posted one...darn, that would have been fun sending you on a wild goose chase!) In the meantime, I found a survey I took last August 1. At that time, I was "57% Addicted to Blogging". I am VERY surprised that that number is now only 78%, but I'll take it. I also will post an "old" picture of my house to tide you over. It doesn't look a WHOLE lot different now, but I have made some changes.

A big thank you to "my two readers" who commented on my last post. You ladies are great! Marcie, I'll have to send a comment in response to yours, but like I wrote five minutes ago, I really should be getting ready for bed!

Also, if you could say a tiny prayer for my tiny finger on my right hand. I tagged a girl out at home during my softball game (SO fun! I LOVE being able to do that!) and did something crazy to my finger. Not sure how it happened, but I have a bruise and a little "nail issue" (which, I suppose being a nail biter doesn't make that too tough!). Good thing I don't have to type for a living because it is a little sore...I do, however, think I will live :o)

My little house on the hill...VERY exciting!

Good night!

Drum Roll Please

Okay, so this was going to be a SUPER GREAT post! It still will be GREAT, but circumstances as they are will prevent the "SUPER" part from happening tonight.

Are you ready (all two of you who visit this blog on a regular basis)?!

The baby, yes, the one I have written about many times, including here when he was nearly too sick to be a transplant candidate, here when he received his "Gift of Life", here when his mom got to hold him for the first time post-transplant, here when he was off dialysis and the ventilator (the first time),and here when he was really done with the ventilator, is OUT OF THE HOSPITAL!!

Yes, after nearly nine months in the hospital, the baby can go wherever his mom wants to take him!! His mom is SO sweet, she decided to dress him in an outfit I bought for this special occasion. She told me she was saving it for a special day, and she couldn't think of a more special day than this. That thought brought tears of joy!

I was supposed to work today, but ended up getting the day off. So, I was thinking I'd be able to go to the Ronald McDonald House and see him once he got there. However, he didn't get discharged until around 7:00 when I was at my dad's softball game. I can't even imagine the emotions they are going through having him out of the hospital, being solely reponsible for him for the first time in his entire life! So, I decided against stressing her out and showing up unannounced at the House. (I'm sure she would have made it be "okay", but why do that to them?!)

So, I'm thinking that a picture or two (ha ha, or twenty!) were taken today with him in his special "going outpatient outfit". That would have been SUPER GREAT to post, but it can wait for another day.

Of course, with a transplant, especially the kind he had, and how sick he has been, there is always the possibility he will be sick again and have to be hospitalized. For now, though, they are going to celebrate each day he can live life as a "normal baby" just as they celebrated each day he was still with them when the outlook did not look good.

In other "exciting news", I went to Curves for the first time in a couple weeks, did a couple loads of laundry, finished my self-evaluation, sent the agenda for my Thursday meeting, and checked my email and "blogs" about a hundred times. I got to coach third base for both of my dad's games (both pretty exciting...one team lost after they came back and nearly won, and the other one won after nearly losing it). They got over just before the sky opened for another huge rain storm.

Tomorrow I get my new windows--yay, except for the part about having to pay for them! I'd better head to bed. Maybe TOMORROW I will organize my stacks of papers and send a few cards (my best friend from college has a birthday on the 10th and I haven't sent a card, or talked to her in months!).

Good night!

Plucking Along

I managed to do a few "housekeeping" things today, but I am not NEARLY ready for house guests! Fortunately (sort of), the only "confirmed" guests are relatives. That isn't very good for the person trying to sell her jewelry, and also not so good for my motivation to make my house look really nice. At least I don't have to do very much food preparation. I am keeping it simple considering I'm not sure how many to expect. That means I will have most of Thursday to clean the important areas (my office aka "junk room" is a lost cause for Thursday, but at least everywhere else will be better by then!).

This morning I did go to Curves. Then I went and visited with a friend I haven't seen or talked to in a long time. We had a really nice visit, and she did pick out a couple pieces of jewelry from the catalog since she cannot come to the party. She used to work at my hospital, but REALLY likes her new job and looks very happy. I'm happy for her too :o)

I had a meeting at the hospital which went well. It POURED down rain for quite a while...long enough to cancel my softball game. That allowed me to have dinner with a friend, run an errand, and gave me time to do some things around the house. So, it worked out well even though I was looking forward to playing one of the two teams we beat!

Back to work tomorrow. Hopefully it isn't another "pick on me" day! Actually, the events of yesterday are pretty funny now, but it WAS quite annoying and a little frustruating when it was happening!

I believe that's it...kind of a boring day, but semi-productive I guess. I suppose I should catch some zzz's :o) Good night!

Seriously!

So, I "signed up" to do the bonus incentive program thing, but there isn't really a way to know if I will get any or all of the shifts I picked. In order to get the entire $1000 bonus, I have to work four, but it will be prorated if I am not needed on those days (and I suppose I could try and pick a different day in that week). Either way, I guess I am "signed up", so it SEEMS like I should get a $250 even if only one of the days ends up working out. Works for me! The managers and director are meeting on Wednesday to try and work out kinks before any issues arise as to how staffing is done on those days.

Of course, I write "works for me", but today was quite an interesting day. If every day was like today, I'm not sure if I'd be eager to pick up extra shifts! Actually, it wasn't BAD, and really is a little "puzzling" in a sense. For some reason, a nurse I usually like, was carping me all day over something that was REALLY stupid. She kept finding ways to patronize me and it was VERY irritating, especially since I had pretty busy/"needy" patients. I think having a student with me helped me react in an okay way. Somehow the nurse even was able to get someone else to make jabs at me over the same stupid issue. (Seriously, it was about a "warm pack" a patient was using for a sore back...seriously, seriously...) I'm not 100% sure I handled myself in the most appropriate way with the family in terms of not pointing fingers at the people making mountains out of a molehill (or something smaller than a molehill!). I remember the voice of my manager a few months ago when she told me "you need to watch how you talk to people". It was one of those stupid issues that someone could turn into this big huge ordeal. So, it freaks me out a bit that this conversation could come back to bite me in the rear, but I am semi-confident that the parents won't discuss the issues of today with anyone.

Then, my student felt like one of the other nurses on our side yelled at her for no particular reason. The other nurse is just really frustruating to be around. So, needless to say, my student and I spent the majority of the day visiting with our patients and families more than our "co-workers". I told her she didn't get put with one of the "cool nurses" and that sometimes I don't socialize with the people I work with. (I eat lunch alone quite often actually.) I think she may have been even more upset about the way others were treating me than I was! I probably would have taken it more personally had I been alone! On my way to my dad's softball game after I left work, I called my "favorite" charge nurse and vented to her about the day. She told me what I needed to hear :o)

I missed sending in a runner from third base during my dad's third game which nearly cost us the game. I'm SO glad I was able to squeeze in a run later to secure our victory :O) My team plays tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

Well, I'm very tired! I had some "emotionally needy" patients today. Of course, I think ALL my patients could drain me emotionally if I let them! All of them were dealing with stressful situations. They need to talk and vent as much/more than I do. I'm more than willing to do that, and it is a part of my job that I like. However, that does take a bit more energy, and is probably why I hesitated to pick up four extra shifts in a month. Recovering from a day like today could take an entire day!

Also, it's nearly midnight and I've been up since six...I suppose that in itself could make me tired! I have a TON of stuff that needs to be done tomorrow, I better get rested up! Night!

Nice Day

I guess that is a fitting title...sometimes I have a hard time with the title (okay, a LOT of times I have a hard time with the title...probably at least partially since I don't always know what I will type!).

Today was "nice". I got to sleep in, but made it to Curves to work out. I did get "weighed and measured" and was not happy with the results, but not at ALL surprised (since I started working out there in November of 2003 I have gained 7.5 pounds and gained 7.5 inches...I don't think they will put me in any of their advertisements!). I suppose if you don't go to the work out place regularly and don't eat a very healthy diet, then you do not lose weight or inches!! Go figure! Of course, there have been times that I have been "smaller" than I am now and at least I have a starting place to go from (you aren't supposed to carry your "winter weight" and add a few pounds for the summer!). Anyway, enough about that...however, it was EXTRA good that I went to Curves today...

because when I was leaving, I looked across the parking lot at the Goodwill (we usually look out the window occasionally while working out to see if anyone brings any cool things there). I noticed a car that looked like my aunt's...and a person who kind of looked like my aunt...wait a second, it IS my aunt!! She said that she had never been to that Goodwill, and would not have been there at that time or in that area of town were in not for certain errands/delays. As my mom would say, it was "serendipity"! My aunt figured she was "meant" to run into me (she lives about 20 miles from where we found each other!), so she took me out for brunch. That was fun! They are working on their basement and were meeting with the City Council tonight about the flooding that occurred last week at their home. I need to set aside time during one of my days off to go help.

I got my lawn mowed and watered my flowers. I attended the visitation for my former classmate's dad this afternoon. He passed away on Sunday morning. I visited with her for a while and met her husband. They live in Washington DC, but she has been here for a couple weeks and will stay until the weekend. I'm not sure if we will be able to get together again before she leaves, but it was nice to "reconnect" while she was in town (even though it was not for a very happy reason, except for the fact that her father is now in Heaven). One of our other classmates arrived at the visitation while I was there. Her father passed away a couple years ago, so they shared some tears. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to my dad...hopefully I won't have to think about that for a LONG LONG LONG time!

My softball team lost our fourth game in a row. It was still fun except the other team was pretty annoying.

I didn't do anything around my house (I'm actually not sure WHAT I was doing during those hours of "down time"!). I have a LARGE mess to deal with before my party which is in nine days!

Back to work tomorrow. I have a new student starting with me. Hopefully we have a good day. Good night!