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December 25, 2008
December 9, 2008
Updates
I guess it's been a little bit since I posted, but not much has been going on...
Ron is playing nice right now most of the time. He was a real pain when we moved and for the little bit shortly after, but now has been okay again. I don't know what he's up to, but maybe he's finally coming to the conclusion that pissing me off isn't the best idea in the world...
I had a wonderful time at the Brain Injury Conference I went to for work, it was very fun and they packed a lot of information into it. The first speaker was an eye doctor, talking about the things they can do to help people with double vision, shifted field of vision, lazy eye and other stuff like that. The next speaker was about music therapy, explaining what it was, how it's used, and how we can use it when caring for BI patients... Um, I get that, music calms people. I use it all the time to settle one of my patients (A CD of his band) and another has classical all the time (he's a composer). The next speakers were from Physical Therapy, talking about balance tests and things like that. They lost me shortly after they started reading off the PowerPoint slides, and started talking about tests that will never be performed in our facility... When they start with "The person has to be able to walk without an assistive device for long distances to do this test" it's not going to happen where I work. When they can do that they're long gone from our place! We had a terrific lunch, then mini-dramas after lunch that were hilarious, then they had 3 families affected by Brain Injury speak and take questions. At the end we picked up our attendance certificates to turn in for Continuing Education credit, and off we went. Very Fun!
Since then it's been the normal stuff at work, patients that can't remember they can't walk, patients that don't speak or complain, and a few that do both very well. I have a new guy that swears he's having a "Heart episode" every time I have to turn him. He's in a lot of pain, gets short of breath, and thinks he's having a heart attack. He's not, he's just very anxious.
At home we are settling in very nicely. We went out to get a Christmas Tree a few weeks ago, Nate said he didn't want to go, didn't want to get up early, and was very miffed when I said it was his job to put the tree up. Well, we were planning to leave at 8:30 Sunday morning, Nate was up at 6:15 am, chomping at the bit to go. We got our tree at Target, then went to Big Lots to get the big blow-up for the yard (only $30!!). We bought their last one only 4 minutes after they'd opened! When we got home, Nate put the blow up outside, was good with that for a while, then started asking about the tree. That was just minutes before Ron was picking them up for the afternoon, so I told him he could put it up the next day.... I got home from work Monday at the same time they got off the bus, Nate met me at the door saying "I want to show you what I did!!" He was so excited about putting up the tree that he'd done it Monday morning before going to school :-)
He did wait to put lights on, since I hadn't specifically told him he could. When I told him he could he strung on the lights, then decorated the whole thing himself. RJ sat on the couch and played XBox. We only have a few ornaments, but it looks pretty good! Nate kept all the ornaments on the front of the tree, since that's all we see anyways. The first ornament on was, of course, a Corvette. We've decided to stick with these few for now, and they can each pick a couple special ornaments each year. They liked that idea, and I promised to go to Bronners when we go to Snow Fest in February.
That's about all the fun and happenings around here, except RJ and Nate both made Honor Roll... RJ had one B+ and the rest were A'a, and Nate got all A's and B's, even in writing... He was very excited to tell me he made Honor Roll, and had written "Honer Role" on the bottom of his report card... What a kid!
Ron is playing nice right now most of the time. He was a real pain when we moved and for the little bit shortly after, but now has been okay again. I don't know what he's up to, but maybe he's finally coming to the conclusion that pissing me off isn't the best idea in the world...
I had a wonderful time at the Brain Injury Conference I went to for work, it was very fun and they packed a lot of information into it. The first speaker was an eye doctor, talking about the things they can do to help people with double vision, shifted field of vision, lazy eye and other stuff like that. The next speaker was about music therapy, explaining what it was, how it's used, and how we can use it when caring for BI patients... Um, I get that, music calms people. I use it all the time to settle one of my patients (A CD of his band) and another has classical all the time (he's a composer). The next speakers were from Physical Therapy, talking about balance tests and things like that. They lost me shortly after they started reading off the PowerPoint slides, and started talking about tests that will never be performed in our facility... When they start with "The person has to be able to walk without an assistive device for long distances to do this test" it's not going to happen where I work. When they can do that they're long gone from our place! We had a terrific lunch, then mini-dramas after lunch that were hilarious, then they had 3 families affected by Brain Injury speak and take questions. At the end we picked up our attendance certificates to turn in for Continuing Education credit, and off we went. Very Fun!
Since then it's been the normal stuff at work, patients that can't remember they can't walk, patients that don't speak or complain, and a few that do both very well. I have a new guy that swears he's having a "Heart episode" every time I have to turn him. He's in a lot of pain, gets short of breath, and thinks he's having a heart attack. He's not, he's just very anxious.
At home we are settling in very nicely. We went out to get a Christmas Tree a few weeks ago, Nate said he didn't want to go, didn't want to get up early, and was very miffed when I said it was his job to put the tree up. Well, we were planning to leave at 8:30 Sunday morning, Nate was up at 6:15 am, chomping at the bit to go. We got our tree at Target, then went to Big Lots to get the big blow-up for the yard (only $30!!). We bought their last one only 4 minutes after they'd opened! When we got home, Nate put the blow up outside, was good with that for a while, then started asking about the tree. That was just minutes before Ron was picking them up for the afternoon, so I told him he could put it up the next day.... I got home from work Monday at the same time they got off the bus, Nate met me at the door saying "I want to show you what I did!!" He was so excited about putting up the tree that he'd done it Monday morning before going to school :-)
He did wait to put lights on, since I hadn't specifically told him he could. When I told him he could he strung on the lights, then decorated the whole thing himself. RJ sat on the couch and played XBox. We only have a few ornaments, but it looks pretty good! Nate kept all the ornaments on the front of the tree, since that's all we see anyways. The first ornament on was, of course, a Corvette. We've decided to stick with these few for now, and they can each pick a couple special ornaments each year. They liked that idea, and I promised to go to Bronners when we go to Snow Fest in February.
That's about all the fun and happenings around here, except RJ and Nate both made Honor Roll... RJ had one B+ and the rest were A'a, and Nate got all A's and B's, even in writing... He was very excited to tell me he made Honor Roll, and had written "Honer Role" on the bottom of his report card... What a kid!
November 6, 2008
An awesome opportunity
About a week or so ago, my Unit Manager (Traci) said she wanted to talk to me sometime that day, but she had meetings before and after lunch, try to catch her around lunch time. That was at 6:45am, while she was getting report from the nurses for every patient on 400 & 500 Units. Okay, now I'm thinking "What happened that she needs to talk to me about?" Nothing that I know of. You know the things that go through your head when the boss says "I need to talk to you" and gives you no clue why. Not good.
Well, at lunch I didn't catch up with her, so it waited until about 5 minutes before it was time to go home. She called down to our unit to remind me she needed to talk to me, and I went and hunted her down on the other unit. We went back to her office, which was occupied, she grabbed a paper off her desk, and we went to the med room across the hall to talk privately. Okay, I must admit I was a bit nervous!!
What she needed was to tell me that there's a conference being held at Calvin College by the West Michigan Brain Injury Network on November 20th, and they'd like to send me. Was I interested in going? Um, YES!
The conference is for Direct Caregivers of Brain Injured patients, and is about Life Balance. They're focusing on Vision Therapy, Music Therapy, Physical Therapy and Balance, and Family Perspectives on TBI. I'm very excited about this, especially since I'm the only Aide that was asked to go (that I'm aware of anyway). Spectrum is paying the registration and they're paying me for the day (of course).
I'm reasonably certain the fact that I'd just received a review and had 27 continuing education credits (we're required to have 12) had at least a little to do with them asking me to go to the conference. I know if I was going to spend all that money on someone to go, I'd look for the person that already was going above the minimum for education! This will also have me at the minimum hours for my next review, at least, with the in-services that have been done already. Woo-Hoo for me!!!
Well, at lunch I didn't catch up with her, so it waited until about 5 minutes before it was time to go home. She called down to our unit to remind me she needed to talk to me, and I went and hunted her down on the other unit. We went back to her office, which was occupied, she grabbed a paper off her desk, and we went to the med room across the hall to talk privately. Okay, I must admit I was a bit nervous!!
What she needed was to tell me that there's a conference being held at Calvin College by the West Michigan Brain Injury Network on November 20th, and they'd like to send me. Was I interested in going? Um, YES!
The conference is for Direct Caregivers of Brain Injured patients, and is about Life Balance. They're focusing on Vision Therapy, Music Therapy, Physical Therapy and Balance, and Family Perspectives on TBI. I'm very excited about this, especially since I'm the only Aide that was asked to go (that I'm aware of anyway). Spectrum is paying the registration and they're paying me for the day (of course).
I'm reasonably certain the fact that I'd just received a review and had 27 continuing education credits (we're required to have 12) had at least a little to do with them asking me to go to the conference. I know if I was going to spend all that money on someone to go, I'd look for the person that already was going above the minimum for education! This will also have me at the minimum hours for my next review, at least, with the in-services that have been done already. Woo-Hoo for me!!!
More cookies...
We had a potluck at work today, so I took cookies. I made the Raisin-nut cookies and the Candy-Not cooked version 1. I made them, packed them, took them to work and shared them. What I did not do is remember to take pictures FIRST. Hopefully there will be a few of each left so I can get photos tomorrow. If not, I get to make more.
Both were yummy, I made the raisin nut ones with Craisins instead, and they were very, very good! If you make them, they do not spread out when baking, and I could put 15-20 on a cookie sheet. I used a 1oz cookie scoop and got 50 cookies. The others made 42 cookies, and turned out to be one of my Unit Manager's favorites :-)
Both were yummy, I made the raisin nut ones with Craisins instead, and they were very, very good! If you make them, they do not spread out when baking, and I could put 15-20 on a cookie sheet. I used a 1oz cookie scoop and got 50 cookies. The others made 42 cookies, and turned out to be one of my Unit Manager's favorites :-)
November 1, 2008
Cookies!
Despite my issues with the hard drive, that's no reason not to make more of the cookie recipes, right? That's what I thought.
I made the Rum Balls the other day, with coconut rum. They're okay, but not my favorite. I also made Helen's Molasses Cookies, and they were WONDERFUL!! I then went to version 2 of the "candy-not cooked". I believe these are the ones we always called Haystacks. Very yummy, very rich, and all mine!! Neither of the boys like them, they apparently don't like chow mein noodles at all, and I love to snack on those!
Tonight I went away from the cookbook and made individual pineapple upside down cakes. RJ had one at Panera Bread today, but it was made with lemon-poppyseed cake/muffin, and wasn't quite right. There wasn't even a cherry. Mine have a cherry and I used crushed pineapple, and made them in a muffin tin instead of the mini-bundt pan Panera uses (I don't own one, which is a great reason not to use it!). This way I can freeze some too, and they're easier to pack for my lunch too...
Trisha-- I still have the photos you sent me, they're still in my gmail account. There's something to be said about being slow to download and delete emails!
I made the Rum Balls the other day, with coconut rum. They're okay, but not my favorite. I also made Helen's Molasses Cookies, and they were WONDERFUL!! I then went to version 2 of the "candy-not cooked". I believe these are the ones we always called Haystacks. Very yummy, very rich, and all mine!! Neither of the boys like them, they apparently don't like chow mein noodles at all, and I love to snack on those!
Tonight I went away from the cookbook and made individual pineapple upside down cakes. RJ had one at Panera Bread today, but it was made with lemon-poppyseed cake/muffin, and wasn't quite right. There wasn't even a cherry. Mine have a cherry and I used crushed pineapple, and made them in a muffin tin instead of the mini-bundt pan Panera uses (I don't own one, which is a great reason not to use it!). This way I can freeze some too, and they're easier to pack for my lunch too...
Trisha-- I still have the photos you sent me, they're still in my gmail account. There's something to be said about being slow to download and delete emails!
Oops....
Well, I have an issue with ALL the scrapbook pages (recipe book), and all my files to create future pages. They are all on my external hard drive, where I put them when I found my computer had viruses, and before I go the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" Windows has been famous for. Great, right? I was smart enough to back up the files before the computer crashed... Good job Becky!!
Well, that good job turned to "Oh CRAP!" when I didn't also back them up to DVD's. The drive got dropped (again) and when I tried to power it up, it makes a bad sound. A REALLY bad sound. All my files are there. All my pictures are there. All my documents are there. And it goes da-da-da-da-beep when powered up. Crap!! I have no access to any of it. Yet.
Cristi, bless her heart, reminded me that one of my former Scout's parent (and an old friend of mine) is going to school for IT Forensics. Computer and Drive recovery. Now I get to call John and see if maybe he could try the recovery for me. The data recovery place I called said it would be about $2300-$2500 for recovery!! Yeah, like I have that kind of cash to recover the files! I don't think Best Buy or Circuit City's tech guys are up to this kind of challenge, but I may e-mail and check... Wish me luck!!
Well, that good job turned to "Oh CRAP!" when I didn't also back them up to DVD's. The drive got dropped (again) and when I tried to power it up, it makes a bad sound. A REALLY bad sound. All my files are there. All my pictures are there. All my documents are there. And it goes da-da-da-da-beep when powered up. Crap!! I have no access to any of it. Yet.
Cristi, bless her heart, reminded me that one of my former Scout's parent (and an old friend of mine) is going to school for IT Forensics. Computer and Drive recovery. Now I get to call John and see if maybe he could try the recovery for me. The data recovery place I called said it would be about $2300-$2500 for recovery!! Yeah, like I have that kind of cash to recover the files! I don't think Best Buy or Circuit City's tech guys are up to this kind of challenge, but I may e-mail and check... Wish me luck!!
October 26, 2008
living room
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October 10, 2008
Moving in :-)
Well, we are almost all moved in! The only furniture I have left at Mom & Dad's is the cedar chest and quilt rack... And a recliner. There are boxes of stuff still, but I need to put some away before I go get more!!
Mark & Trista have a living room set for me, which I need to pick up and move in, but first I have to unload my living room a bit... There are a few boxes in it, imagine that!
The bedrooms are almost all put together, there are beds for everyone, and dressers too :-) The cedar chest will go up to my bedroom, and I still have to get the Jewelry Chest (I can't spell the right word... it keeps looking wrong) upsairs. That is heavy though!
At least the kitchen is together, and I bought groceries too. I found the screws for the dining room table today too, so we'll have somewhere and something to eat.. Tomorrow the cable gets hooked up and I can watch more than channel 8. There's also unsecured Wireless internet available, so I don't have to worry about that yet... I'll post pictures again as things get done.
To everyone that offered to help me move, Thank You. I truly appreciate your assistance and offers. Thank you all for your support through everything! We're not done yet but it's getting closer and closer every day :-)
Mark & Trista have a living room set for me, which I need to pick up and move in, but first I have to unload my living room a bit... There are a few boxes in it, imagine that!
The bedrooms are almost all put together, there are beds for everyone, and dressers too :-) The cedar chest will go up to my bedroom, and I still have to get the Jewelry Chest (I can't spell the right word... it keeps looking wrong) upsairs. That is heavy though!
At least the kitchen is together, and I bought groceries too. I found the screws for the dining room table today too, so we'll have somewhere and something to eat.. Tomorrow the cable gets hooked up and I can watch more than channel 8. There's also unsecured Wireless internet available, so I don't have to worry about that yet... I'll post pictures again as things get done.
To everyone that offered to help me move, Thank You. I truly appreciate your assistance and offers. Thank you all for your support through everything! We're not done yet but it's getting closer and closer every day :-)
September 27, 2008
September 13, 2008
Nate & his Cello
After the first few days of school, Nate was anxious to practice his cello a bit... He'd learned two strings, without the bow (plucking them). The practice didn't last long, but there's only so much you can do with two strings and your finger...
This was just part of his practice, and he kept stopping and posing because he thought I was going to snap a picture... Little did he know I was recording video! This was taken with my new digital video camera, thanks to Steve & Lynn and Mom & Dad for the gift cards I used up to get it for my Birthday!
September 11, 2008
My Horoscope today....
-
Virgo (8/23-9/22)Your daily routine will be slightly disrupted by someone who doesn't know the first thing about how to be flexible -- they can't bring themselves to see things from any other perspective but their own. Luckily, you have enough flexibility for the both of you, so it won't take any time at all for you to come up with a plan that will make them happy and make you happy at the same time. Your diplomatic aplomb will be noticed by important people -- and it will soon be rewarded, too!
Now, doesn't THAT just say it all!!
August 15, 2008
Vacation...
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August 2, 2008
Adventures in life...
This month the boys and I are going to Tahquamenon Falls, camping and touring. I needed the utility trailer to pack camping gear in, there's just not enough room in my little car's trunk to pack for 3 people for a week, especially since we need to cook this time. We were packed to the gills for the weekend at the Soo, without a cooler and cooking gear.
Well, I sent Ron an e-mail with the dates we'd be busy this month, and a request for the utility trailer. He didn't reply, and Mom found out from the boys a day or two later that he'd sold the trailer just before I requested it.
Anyhow, that little maneuver left me in a bit of a pickle as to how to get the gear packed and in what. A U-Haul trailer rental will cost about $120 for the days I need, a used trailer is about $500 (new is $1,200 or more)... Crap, now what?? Car top carrier? I have no roof rack. After-market roof rack? That's $170-$285, plus a carrier. Mom told me she thought there were car top carriers that didn't require a rack, and so my search began.
Well, about 30 sites and hours of frustration later, I found ONE company that makes bags specifically for use without a roof rack. I can order directly from them, with a total running over $120.... A bit of an investment, but do-able. Wait, check my favorite everything-for-sale-online site, Amazon.... YES!! They have the roof bag, with the storage bag and non-slip mat included for less than just the bag at the factory-direct site. Not only that, it's sold by the factory, direct shipped from them with warranty and everything for less than if I'd ordered direct from them and skipped the middle-man!! Woo-Hoo for us!
The bag arrived the other day, I now have 15 cubic feet of waterproof storage space to pack camping stuff in. That will certainly make it easier to get this trip going! Trunk Tetris is becoming my specialty, but I knew I couldn't play well enough for this trip without a magic spell (the car trunk from the Harry Potter books comes to mind).
Anyhow, our trip begins the 10th, we are leaving the family reunion campground and heading up to Lower Falls State Park. We're planning to visit Tahquamenon, of course and Pictured Rocks, a Nature Preserve just west of Newberry, and a few other things... We have a long list of things within 2 hours of the camground, we'll see what we get to! We're coming back the 15th, which is the start of Blueberry Festival in Paradise, so we're planning on packing up early, going to the festival and then coming on home.
The boys want to have their Birthday Party on the 17th, you're all invited to a nice casual pool party, we'll do burgers and dogs on the grill with chips and stuff like that... there are several squirter sticks here, bring your squirt guns too if you want! Ladder golf will be out (Mike, hope you'll be here!), and we'll have cake and ice cream too of course!
Well, I sent Ron an e-mail with the dates we'd be busy this month, and a request for the utility trailer. He didn't reply, and Mom found out from the boys a day or two later that he'd sold the trailer just before I requested it.
Anyhow, that little maneuver left me in a bit of a pickle as to how to get the gear packed and in what. A U-Haul trailer rental will cost about $120 for the days I need, a used trailer is about $500 (new is $1,200 or more)... Crap, now what?? Car top carrier? I have no roof rack. After-market roof rack? That's $170-$285, plus a carrier. Mom told me she thought there were car top carriers that didn't require a rack, and so my search began.
Well, about 30 sites and hours of frustration later, I found ONE company that makes bags specifically for use without a roof rack. I can order directly from them, with a total running over $120.... A bit of an investment, but do-able. Wait, check my favorite everything-for-sale-online site, Amazon.... YES!! They have the roof bag, with the storage bag and non-slip mat included for less than just the bag at the factory-direct site. Not only that, it's sold by the factory, direct shipped from them with warranty and everything for less than if I'd ordered direct from them and skipped the middle-man!! Woo-Hoo for us!
The bag arrived the other day, I now have 15 cubic feet of waterproof storage space to pack camping stuff in. That will certainly make it easier to get this trip going! Trunk Tetris is becoming my specialty, but I knew I couldn't play well enough for this trip without a magic spell (the car trunk from the Harry Potter books comes to mind).
Anyhow, our trip begins the 10th, we are leaving the family reunion campground and heading up to Lower Falls State Park. We're planning to visit Tahquamenon, of course and Pictured Rocks, a Nature Preserve just west of Newberry, and a few other things... We have a long list of things within 2 hours of the camground, we'll see what we get to! We're coming back the 15th, which is the start of Blueberry Festival in Paradise, so we're planning on packing up early, going to the festival and then coming on home.
The boys want to have their Birthday Party on the 17th, you're all invited to a nice casual pool party, we'll do burgers and dogs on the grill with chips and stuff like that... there are several squirter sticks here, bring your squirt guns too if you want! Ladder golf will be out (Mike, hope you'll be here!), and we'll have cake and ice cream too of course!
July 26, 2008
IMG00139.jpg
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July 11, 2008
new haircut
I got sick of my hair getting in my face, and didn't want to look through the books to find a new style. I told my hairdesser to cut it however she wanted as long as it wasn't in my face. No problem, it's just hair and it grows back anyway! Karen cut a little, then a lot more. It's now quite short, which most of you were waiting for but not quite what I meant. I do love it though!
June 14, 2008
Random updates
Whew, another month down and only 4 more to go.... Hopefully we don't have to go beyond the minimum time.
RJ mentioned last fall that he'd like to learn to play the piano. I said maybe getting a keyboard would be a good idea, and I've been passively watching for one at a decent price for his birthday. We went Garage Sale-ing at Amber Terrace (by Grandma & Grandpa's) and found an almost-new keyboard with the box, instructions and power cord all for the low price of $25!!! I asked RJ if he wanted it, "YEAH!!!" was his enthusiastic reply. He was even willing to spend the money he earned shoveling over the winter, so he now owns a Yamaha Keyboard. It's very cool, and the battery in it still works and has a LONG charge on it. Today at sales up by Riverside Park we found piano lesson books too, and he's done very well with those. He's played a couple songs already! He didn't get that musical talent from me, I'm not sure where it came from.
Nate found a Nintendo 64 system and games, but I said no. We already have the X-Box and Playstation here, and the Super Nintendo at their Dad's, that's plenty of game systems. Today he found a Hot Wheels skull island playset that he wanted, and for $2 he could have that. He also found a nice GE headset with a microphone to use with his computer, so he's a happy camper too.
I found a wood wheeled desk chair that I liked, paired with a desk Mom convinced me to buy. I didn't think I would want the desk, but I'm glad Mom talked me into it. Today we saw one of those cool floor lamps that has the 5 bendy ends on top, with different colored shades. We thought someone was buying it when we went in, but when we left it was still there, so I stopped and sent RJ to ask about it. He came back and said it was only $5, I said "then it's ours!" More stuff for Dad's pole barn.
After hitting a few garage sales this morning we went to Riverside Park for a Pow-Wow (which is why we were up there in the first place). That was okay, we looked at the crafts and were there for the Grand Entrance, but we all got bored shortly. We had lunch there though, and RJ had a Buffalo Burger (I tried a bite, it was good). Nate, much less adventuress, had a hot dog. We all had fry bread too, then left for home. Nate was ready to hit his computer with the headset, then play with the new Hot Wheels track, while RJ worked on the keyboard with one of the lesson books. We kicked back for the afternoon, then they went with their dad.
They will be in Ypsilanti for Father's Day, with Ron and his family.
RJ mentioned last fall that he'd like to learn to play the piano. I said maybe getting a keyboard would be a good idea, and I've been passively watching for one at a decent price for his birthday. We went Garage Sale-ing at Amber Terrace (by Grandma & Grandpa's) and found an almost-new keyboard with the box, instructions and power cord all for the low price of $25!!! I asked RJ if he wanted it, "YEAH!!!" was his enthusiastic reply. He was even willing to spend the money he earned shoveling over the winter, so he now owns a Yamaha Keyboard. It's very cool, and the battery in it still works and has a LONG charge on it. Today at sales up by Riverside Park we found piano lesson books too, and he's done very well with those. He's played a couple songs already! He didn't get that musical talent from me, I'm not sure where it came from.
Nate found a Nintendo 64 system and games, but I said no. We already have the X-Box and Playstation here, and the Super Nintendo at their Dad's, that's plenty of game systems. Today he found a Hot Wheels skull island playset that he wanted, and for $2 he could have that. He also found a nice GE headset with a microphone to use with his computer, so he's a happy camper too.
I found a wood wheeled desk chair that I liked, paired with a desk Mom convinced me to buy. I didn't think I would want the desk, but I'm glad Mom talked me into it. Today we saw one of those cool floor lamps that has the 5 bendy ends on top, with different colored shades. We thought someone was buying it when we went in, but when we left it was still there, so I stopped and sent RJ to ask about it. He came back and said it was only $5, I said "then it's ours!" More stuff for Dad's pole barn.
After hitting a few garage sales this morning we went to Riverside Park for a Pow-Wow (which is why we were up there in the first place). That was okay, we looked at the crafts and were there for the Grand Entrance, but we all got bored shortly. We had lunch there though, and RJ had a Buffalo Burger (I tried a bite, it was good). Nate, much less adventuress, had a hot dog. We all had fry bread too, then left for home. Nate was ready to hit his computer with the headset, then play with the new Hot Wheels track, while RJ worked on the keyboard with one of the lesson books. We kicked back for the afternoon, then they went with their dad.
They will be in Ypsilanti for Father's Day, with Ron and his family.
June 2, 2008
Garage Sale
Well, the garage sale Saturday at Aunt Mary & Uncle Jim's went okay, I got rid of a lot of yarn and made $135 that day :-) We used part of the money to get a zoo membership at John Ball Zoo that afternoon, and some more for dinner at Big Boy after the zoo.
The zoo has made some changes to their duck pond area, adding a walkway between the old duck pond and the flamingo pond, and another deck area out into the upper pond. They have pelicans in the upper pond now too! The ropes course they put in looks very cool, but it's another $7. I told the boys they could do it another day as we wouldn't be paying admission then... The zip line goes from the top of the waterfall to somewhere, and looks like fun too, but that's another $5... Not today, another time.
They've also changed the fence area in front of the bears & sheep, ripping out all the shrubs so little kids can actually see. From the peeks we had into the new lion exhibit it looks really cool, we can't wait for it to open! We had a fun afternoon then went for dinner and shakes at Big Boy on Pearl Street. Nate had so much chocolate malt he couldn't even finis his spaghetti!!
Thank you Aunt Mary & Uncle Jim for hosting my sale!
The zoo has made some changes to their duck pond area, adding a walkway between the old duck pond and the flamingo pond, and another deck area out into the upper pond. They have pelicans in the upper pond now too! The ropes course they put in looks very cool, but it's another $7. I told the boys they could do it another day as we wouldn't be paying admission then... The zip line goes from the top of the waterfall to somewhere, and looks like fun too, but that's another $5... Not today, another time.
They've also changed the fence area in front of the bears & sheep, ripping out all the shrubs so little kids can actually see. From the peeks we had into the new lion exhibit it looks really cool, we can't wait for it to open! We had a fun afternoon then went for dinner and shakes at Big Boy on Pearl Street. Nate had so much chocolate malt he couldn't even finis his spaghetti!!
Thank you Aunt Mary & Uncle Jim for hosting my sale!
May 24, 2008
Anybody Interested??
September 27, 2008 7pm
Kalamazoo Speedway
NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION '08 Presented By Russell Automotive
Voted the best overall entertainment event in the state of Michigan - A must see!!
See Monster Trucks, Bus & Boat Races, explosions, fire, mayhem, and FIREWORKS! and Cyber Stocks.
$15 (adults)
$12 (12-15 yrs)
FREE (0-11 yrs)
Kalamazoo Speedway
NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION '08 Presented By Russell Automotive
Voted the best overall entertainment event in the state of Michigan - A must see!!
See Monster Trucks, Bus & Boat Races, explosions, fire, mayhem, and FIREWORKS! and Cyber Stocks.
$15 (adults)
$12 (12-15 yrs)
FREE (0-11 yrs)
May 16, 2008
Kharma??
I'm not sure if that's the right supernatural-type word or not, but it sounds good!!
I GOT THE JOB ON 1ST SHIFT!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!
I'm very excited about that, it starts June 23rd. The Assistant Director of Nursing called the Unit was working on yesterday to tell me I got it, when it starts and where exactly it is. I will be on 400 Unit, which is Brain Injury. The group of patients I will have I'm already familiar with, I've worked with them before so I told her I would not need an orientation to it.
I was bouncing off the walls I was so excited when I heard!! The Facility Manager was down later and said "I have to talk to you." Huh? I didn't do anything wrong! She said "I hear you're leaving us." Well, yes, sort of, I'm just switching shifts. "That's leaving us," she says "Every time we get a really good aide they leave us." Wow, thanks!!
I've apparently made more of an impression in the last two months than I thought! I knew another Nurse/FM thought I was a good aide, since she asked me to keep the group on 200 unit and train. They let me train a guy for rehab too (He's doing great, he'll be on his own for the first time today, but most of this week he's been doing his group alone, so he'll be fine)
EVERTHING is falling into place for me :-) It feels like the universe is congratulating me on leaving :-)
Okay, we're off the Sault St Marie now!!
I GOT THE JOB ON 1ST SHIFT!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!
I'm very excited about that, it starts June 23rd. The Assistant Director of Nursing called the Unit was working on yesterday to tell me I got it, when it starts and where exactly it is. I will be on 400 Unit, which is Brain Injury. The group of patients I will have I'm already familiar with, I've worked with them before so I told her I would not need an orientation to it.
I was bouncing off the walls I was so excited when I heard!! The Facility Manager was down later and said "I have to talk to you." Huh? I didn't do anything wrong! She said "I hear you're leaving us." Well, yes, sort of, I'm just switching shifts. "That's leaving us," she says "Every time we get a really good aide they leave us." Wow, thanks!!
I've apparently made more of an impression in the last two months than I thought! I knew another Nurse/FM thought I was a good aide, since she asked me to keep the group on 200 unit and train. They let me train a guy for rehab too (He's doing great, he'll be on his own for the first time today, but most of this week he's been doing his group alone, so he'll be fine)
EVERTHING is falling into place for me :-) It feels like the universe is congratulating me on leaving :-)
Okay, we're off the Sault St Marie now!!
May 4, 2008
Camping
In a couple weeks the boys and I are going to Sault St Marie for a Scout campout. We had planned to borrow a tent, but a shift of double-time and a fear of anything happening to someone else's tent led me to look for one at a reasonable price for us.
Mom, Dad & I went to Dick's Sporting Goods today and found an awesome Coleman 6 person tent on sale for 50% off :-) WooHoo for me!! I should be able to pack everything in my car, so I won't need to pull the utility trailer for this trip, which is good. It helps that two of our meals are included on Saturday, so all I need to pack food-wise is Friday dinner, Sat & Sun breakfast and snacks/beverages. One small cooler, three sleeping bags & pillows, clothes and a little cooler, then we're good to go! I get to save on gas not pulling the trailer, and I don't have to worry about backing the darn thing up! I'm truly not good at that, but that's why they make a wheel thingy for the front, right?
See you all Mother's Day!!
Mom, Dad & I went to Dick's Sporting Goods today and found an awesome Coleman 6 person tent on sale for 50% off :-) WooHoo for me!! I should be able to pack everything in my car, so I won't need to pull the utility trailer for this trip, which is good. It helps that two of our meals are included on Saturday, so all I need to pack food-wise is Friday dinner, Sat & Sun breakfast and snacks/beverages. One small cooler, three sleeping bags & pillows, clothes and a little cooler, then we're good to go! I get to save on gas not pulling the trailer, and I don't have to worry about backing the darn thing up! I'm truly not good at that, but that's why they make a wheel thingy for the front, right?
See you all Mother's Day!!
May 1, 2008
Improvised Dresser :-)
Given the choice of laundry baskets or plastic drawers that have been emptied of wool, I thought drawers sounded much easier!! It also made me go through a major portion of my clothes again, clearing another big stack. I tried on all my shorts and pants too, and ended up getting rid of almost 1/2 of those because they were too big (Woohoo) or too small...
Overall, this looks much neater than the two laundry baskets and extra stacks of clothes that were around, and I have more stuff for the Lake Sale... I'm becoming more organized, and I've weeded out a bunch of stuff. A bit ruthlessly, but sometimes you've just gotta and this is the time for me!
Overall, this looks much neater than the two laundry baskets and extra stacks of clothes that were around, and I have more stuff for the Lake Sale... I'm becoming more organized, and I've weeded out a bunch of stuff. A bit ruthlessly, but sometimes you've just gotta and this is the time for me!
April 20, 2008
De-stashing
Since being elected the one with the biggest stash in this family, I chose to unload a large portion of it. I took nearly all of my spinning fibers to a spinning group today and sold them dirt cheap. I made $180, got rid of a lot of fiber, and everyone's happy. I cleared out a lot of stuff and they got great deals. I kept the picker Grandpa built me (I couldn't even think of parting with that!), and my drum carder. I still have a huge bag of wool and a bag of llama that need those.
Next to go is yarn, knitting magazines, knitting books, and some of my scrapbooking stuff. I am not giving up scrapbooking, knitting or spinning, just clearing out what I have. If anybody knows someone that would like a Sizzix Die Cutter and a small collection of dies, let me know! I actually know where that is!
Next to go is yarn, knitting magazines, knitting books, and some of my scrapbooking stuff. I am not giving up scrapbooking, knitting or spinning, just clearing out what I have. If anybody knows someone that would like a Sizzix Die Cutter and a small collection of dies, let me know! I actually know where that is!
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