Change is good.....

I can't believe that it has been almost 10 days since my last post.

I have been really busy making some well deserved changes in my life. "It's about time." I used to hate change. I used to have to take time to move slowly into change but I think if we don't embrace change, we can really find ourselves getting into a rut. Even getting depressed if we're not careful.

I really like my new job. I have been spending a lot of my blogging hours at work, learning the job and sitting in training. The days have been really long and busy, packed full of new beginnings and lots of information. So much so, I can hardly contain it all at times.

I spent the first week and two days in training and I am told I am not finished yet. I have never taken a job before that they did such complete training. Most of the time it's a couple days and they throw you out to the wolfs. I bet more people would hold jobs longer if they knew what they were getting into at the get-go. I know I would have turned my last job down flat if I knew just what I was getting my self into.

My boss is really super. In my job, I am the director of one of the "neighborhoods. I have a really good team of 18-20 staff members in place, 24-7. They are starved for attention and direction but most of all appreciation. For the most part, they do a really good job working with the residents.

Weather I want to admit it or not, I really like working in the nursing home setting. Even though they call this place an assisted living community, it's basically a nursing home. I feel I am back in my element again. There is something to be said for that.

Most of the job consist of keeping the paper work in order, (and there is a LOT of paperwork) and managing the staff, or the lack there of. Again, nothing I am afraid of and haven't done before.

I worked the weekend and was scheduled off today but went in anyway. It's employee appreciation week and my staff needed appreciated. Besides, I am scheduled of later in the week and am going on a long over visit to see my dear friend Pam over the Memorial Day Holiday.

And while I am in the mood for change, I joined the YMCA. Something else I have thought about doing for a very long time. I decided it was time to get off my butt and do it. I may never hit the exercise room but I love swimming and that is excellent exercise.

Besides, my daughter and family joined too. That means I know someone going n. I think that's the hardest part about joining a new club. You feel all alone at first.

I went the other night by my self. I enjoyed the swim but it was really lonesome. I spoke to several people but it was a quick hi, beginning and end of conversation. I went tonight and that same swim was just delightful because my daughter and the grandchildren there. With them there I was motivated to swim more. And the interaction with the family was priceless. Besides, my daughter was able to get some swimming laps in without worrying about the kids. Wow, those kids are really good in the water! I thought the little guy would be a little afraid. Not him. It's nice to know they aren't afraid of the water. That may come in handy some day.

When my daughter was growing up, we spent a lot of time in the pool. At least 4 or 5 days out of 7. We both grew to love the water. I have missed it. I have missed the valued exercise this old body needs and swimming can provide.

Quote for the day:

In a time of change, it is the learner who inherits the future.

God Bless.

Happy Mother's Day to all.

I had a most delightful day with my family today, coming together here at my house for a family picnic. Everyone pitched in to make the day a special one to remember. We played corn hole, baseball and had a great time visiting with one another. There is no replacing quality family time. Cherish your family. Your Mom's. Your Grandma's. Life is too short not to. And not just on Mother's Day, but everyday.

I love this description of a mom's job given at a County Clerk's office. And they think moms don't have the most important jobs ever.

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office

Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder,

"do you have a job or are you just a......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"

Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the

Same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,

Efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,

"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it?

I do not know.

The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of

Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and

Looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,

In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,

"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,

I heard myself reply,

"I have a continuing program of research,

[what mother doesn't)

In the laboratory and in the field,

(normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)

And already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,

(any mother care to disagree?)

And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

and the rewards are More of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she

Completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,

I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,

(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,

Testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished

and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood!

What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers

"Senior Research associates in the field of

Child Development and Human Relations"

And great grandmothers

"Executive Senior Research Associates"?

I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts

"Associate Research Assistants".

Quote of the day: May your troubles be less, Your blessings be more And nothing but happiness come through your door!

My dear friend Ona and her children

Interesting how the mind works. We often blame someone or something else when things don't goes as we planned for them to or as we think they should. But life is about choices. Sure there are plenty of things that happen that we have no control over at all. But a lot happens that we do have control over and do nothing about it. Sometimes, we even make it worse.

I'm off on this tan gin because I sad, mad and very disappointed with my friend's family members. My friend of 31 years died on Tuesday. She was the greatest lady. She lived and breathed her children, sometimes giving away what she didn't have to please them. In return, her children used her without mercy, net even thinking twice. They fought over things she had or conned her out of them, even when she needed to keep it for herself. Some even stole from her.

I was talking to her daughter last night. She was going on and on about her mom and how much see did for her. She didn't know I knew "The Rest of the Story." This daughter caused her mother great grief, even a nervous break down. She worked in a bank. Her mother trusted her to invest her money wisely. The daughter over a period of three years stole 75,000 dollars from her mother.

Her mother didn't press charges, voicing she must have needed it for her children. But the daughter did pay. Because it was a bank, they pressed charges. The daughter was arrest and served 18 months. She didn't learn anything. She continues to be verbally abusive and would take things without asking, justifying she deserved them. Amazing.

You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll

find you've collected a lot of empty yesterdays.

- Professor Harold Hill (The Music Man)

When she was sick and still living at home, her children wouldn't even take her to the doctor, or offer to go to the grocery, or even offer to pick up her medication. Their idea of taking care of mom was putting her in a nursing home.

Her middle son stepped in and tried to do what was right by mom. The youngest son fought with this son until he moved out. The youngest son over dosed on drugs three to four weeks after placing mom in a nursing home. Luckily the middle son stepped back in and stayed true to mom. Of course the other siblings had nothing good to say about their brother. You go Donny!

The daughter visited mom five times while she was in the nursing home. All of which were in the last two weeks of her life. The older son visited 6-7 times, same scenario. Not a very good showing for all she did for them.

My friend can't speak for herself anymore, nor would she, but I have a hard time feeling sorry for her children when they chose to make choices that didn't include a healthy relationship with their mom when she was putting forth such a strong effort, even when she was sick.

I was so blessed to have her as my friend for 31 years. I hold great comfort in knowing she isn't suffering anymore.

A poem worth remembering:

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.. Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind. Think big anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack if you help them. Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth. ................Give the world the best you've got anyway. - Anonymous

God Bless

Before I was a Mom

Mother's Day is fast approaching. My friend is South Carolina sent this to me. This is what true love is all about.......wouldn't you agree?

Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so
important and happy.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

First day on the new job.....

I had a very good first day at my new job. The day went by rather quickly as I knew it would. A lot of information to digest but everyone couldn't have been kinder. I like that about being a humanitarian. The people in the job chose to help people therefore seem to have a kinder disposition.

This week will be mostly trainings, orientation and getting to know people as would be in any new job.

I'm thankful for a new beginning. A fresh start. Another chance to be happy in my job. A chance to serve the growing number of seniors that need what I have to offer. The opportunity again, to enrich the quality of another persons' life on a daily basis.

Quote for the day: God is so good. Stop and count your blessings.

God Bless.

Lots of good reading.......

Interesting, I have been in the blog world every night this week but haven't taken the time to blog. I have been busy reading blogs. There seems to be a blog on just about every subject you can think of. Writing a book, it's there. Knitting, it's there, Crocheting, there, Stamping, yep, Crafts, there. You name it, it's there.

I stumbled onto a bunch of blogs about crafting and crocheting. I thought I died and went to heaven. It seemed the more I read, the more I found. I can't say I totally loved every one but that's the good thing about blogs. There is a lots to choose from. After a while, you just have to cut yourself off and go to bed.

If this is something you are interested in, I added several to my side bar. Some may not be your cup of tea but you can find a lot of links on their blogs that could be something of interest to you. And, if you still don't find what your looking for, google it. It's amazing what your find.

I'm off to read some more blogs. After I start my new job, I'm not so sure I will have the time or energy to spend so much time in the blogging world for a while.

Quote for the day: May you always have Love to Share, Health to Spare , and Friends that Care.

God Bless and Good Night.