Work is so incredibly busy lately. Most days I don't know if I'm pitching or catching. That's not to say the days aren't rewarding and satisfying, because they are. It's nice to be my own boss. I'm the one I blame it I don't get the job done, and that can be good and bad.
In the area I work, the staff have been left to fin for themselves for a long time. They have been playing a few games with me, but I'm up for the challenge. They take good care of the residents, the rest will come.
That being said, the paper work was a disaster. I can't believe they didn't have a system in place. Unfortunately that's what t he state inspectors and Quality Service Reviewers measure when looking at for the scores as to how good the care is.
I'll soon be there six months and feel I have made great strides. I sure have a long way to go. Truth be told, I like the paper work and not having a system in place may have been a good thing. I can develop my own. Finding the time to get it done is another thing. To top it off, about three months into the job the company decides to update to new forms for the resident information, going from a two page form to a six page form. And no, I didn't meet the deadline of Oct 1, but none of the other communities did either. And that's only one form. There are at least 8-10 more and that doesn't count the ones for my staff.
When I start this job, by new boss told me it would take about six months to get a real feel for the job. In my mind, I thought that seemed a little long. I know now she was right on target. But, she knew what a mess everything was in, I didn't.
Tomorrow starts another busy week but I'm ready. I have had a great weekend with my family. Soccer games for both grandchildren on Saturday and dinner after. Then church, lunch at church and the last soccer game for my granddaughter on Sunday. She really has gotten better over the years. She looks a lot like my daughter at that age running around out there.
I really like to see the little guy play soccer. At their age, sometimes they don't know which way is the right way to run on the field. The ball hit his shin guard and he cheered because he thought he helped to make the play. He is too cut out there. He has one more game and he is done for the season too. I still can't believe he is big enough to play soccer and go to preschool.
Quote for the day: That which cometh from the heart goes to the heart. Jeremiah burroughs
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
I found this meme. Actually I have had it for several days but haven't taken the time to do it. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would once I got into it. I found the meme idea on a page that had multiple meme ideas.
If you like it, feel free to help your self to it. There are no rules other than there should be a key word in each line begining with the letter that starts you off . If you do this, please put a comment on my blog so I can come read yours. Enjoy.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Catching up on the good stuff.......
I came to my blog several hours ago, not really knowing what I wanted to blog about, just knowing I needed to come. I decided to go catch up on some of my friend's blogs. Maybe I would be inspired, find a really neat meme.
What I found in reading some of the blogs is that everyone else has been as busy as me and more. Judith at Flight Song has a new job and a new house. I'm so glad for her. Who says God doesn't answer prayers?
And Andrea at Decipher the fog. She may not have blogged in the last several days but I wonder where she gets the time and energy to do all that she does. Her son, my grandson starts preschool tomorrow, I think. And with all the soccer practices and games for two children, two part time jobs and a husband. Oh to be young again.
And Chelsea and DH and Boo. And Stephine, hubby and Elli. Must be the season. Everyone is all pumped up because it is finally getting cooler outside. It's about time.
I went to my grandson's soccer practice today only to find out it was cancelled. I was disappointed at first because I really enjoy watching him and visiting with my daughter, granddaughter and sometimes my son in law.
Then I thought about it for a minute. I was out of work earlier than I had been all week. It was a beautiful day. I went to the park and took a walk. (my first for the summer season). I got home before 7:30, went outside and worked in the yard until I couldn't see my hands in front of me. With the weather being so hot this summer, the yard has suffered quite a bit. The weeds and bushes were taking over and the poor trees need water soooooo bad. The grass, if longer, could pass for hay it's so dry.
Work continues to go well. I still work way too many hours but it doesn't seem to matter. The job is very rewarding and it keeps me out of mischief. Besides, my coworkers are working just as hard as I am and it is for the good of the people who live there.
What a great time had by all at the wedding this past weekend. Everyone was beautiful and the quality family time was priceless. I have lots of pictures and will post some of them as soon as I get the time to downloaded and cropped them. Andrea may beat me to it. She has some really nice ones too.
Quote: Our God is an Awesome God. Amen.
God Bless
Thursday, August 30, 2007
One Word Meme
I saw this most recently over at Susie blog and she found it floating around Blogville,It looked interesting so I thought I'd give it a try.
1. Where is your mobile phone? purse
2. Relationship? What?
3. Your hair? brown
4. Work? Lots!
5. Your sister Rose
6. Your favorite thing? computer
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? Pepsi
9. Your dream car? none
10. The room you’re in? Den
11. Your shoes? comfortable
12. Your fears? Illness
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Healthy
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Brother
15. What are you not good at? Partying
16. Muffin? Yum
17. Wish list item? NuComputer
18. Where you grew up? Cincinnati
19. The last thing you did? Blogged
20. What are you wearing? gown
21. What are you not wearing? shoes
22. Your pet? Cat
23. Your computer? Old
24. Your life? Full
25. Your mood? Content
26. Missing? Sleep
27. What are you thinking about? daughter
28. Your car? Matrix
29. Your kitchen? Small
30. Your summer? Hot
31. Your favorite color? Orange
32. Last time you laughed? Today
33. Last time you cried? Yesterday
34. School? Done
35. Love? Priceless
Now I tag you! If you're playing along be sure to let me know so I can come visit! Happy Friday!
God Bless
Using my talents to help prepare for the big wedding
Interesting how we all have different talents. Most of which we leave dormit until the need arises to put them to use.
Take for instance: I've known how to sew for more than thirty years. I like to sew but often let the use of the computer, work or taking care of the house take up my time, rather than let my creative juices flow. It usually isn't until something motivates me back to something I really enjoy and get a lot of satisfaction out of that we come back.
My daughter and her whole family are in the wedding of her brother in law in about a week. And as you can probably guess the dresses that were purchased don't fit either my daughter, a bride's maid or my granddaughter, a flower girl. Oh, they are close but you know how it is, they would look and feel a lot better with a bit of tweaking.
Feeling as confident and as capable and the girl they would hire at the bridal store, I volunteered to give it my best shot.
My granddaughter's dress was a bit tight at the top due to a growth spurt over the last several months. At eleven, she is growing like a weed. She is taller too, but the dress was a little long but now fits fine. With only a week until the wedding, and the summer growth spurt behind her, the dress should fit fine for the wedding.
As for my daughter's dress, there is more tweaking to be done. Her being the shortest one in the wedding party, the dress was several inches too long, even at being a two piece. I think I have the length concern resolved but I'm not sure what we will do about the strapless, wire-in, pre-shaped, somewhat ill-fitting top. I wonder why they charge so much for dresses that they need to have someone alter to even come close to fitting.
I'm off tomorrow and hope to spent some time making head way on helping her feel as comfortable as possible wearing her beautiful green, expensive, bride's maid dress.
With that being said, I can't wait to see my little grandson in a tux. One that will match his father's, his grandfather's and the groom's, his uncle Andy.
I look forward to having a picture of the family 'all dressed up'. They haven't had a picture taken in a really long time and life is way too short for that not to happen as often as can be. After all, children grow up over night.
Quote for the day: God gives us all talent. If not used, that talent will die in the vines.
God Bless, Good Night.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
ASAP....Always Say A Prayer.....
My job continues to go well. Crazy, busy at times, but good. Sometimes, even when the days are good, we still need to remember God is in charge of all our days. If we pray for the things we need, God will provide them for us. Not in our time but his. And sometimes not in the form in which we as it but God is all knowing and all we need to have is faith, however difficult that may be.
Now, with that being said, I got this email today. I've seen it before but it still makes me stop and think, who do I want to pass this on to that may be having a bad day or needs to slow down and appreciate life and all that is good in it.
So, slow down, take a minute......get a cup of coffee or tea, I'll wait.....Now read this beautiful poem and thank God for all that is good.
You've got no time to spare,
Monday, August 13, 2007
Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday.......
I went to work all fired up today, list in hand, looking forward to a very productive day. I was going to get to that "to do" pile the continues to grow on my desk. I had lots of overdue calls to make. Well you get the idea, it was going to be busy today.
Do I need to tell you that my plan crumbled before I got in the building. A quick look around and I knew it was going to be a very full day. Several cars missing in the parking lot, the head nurse on vacation and my boss there before 9. Something was up.
My neighborhood was in good shape. I can't say the same for the other part of the building. They were down a coordinator (the manager) and two care managers, (that's the same as nurse aides in a nursing home). Me being the next manager in line, my first hour and a half was spent getting enough staff in the building to cover.
With that fire out, I thought the day would be smooth sailing, Not. At stand up I learned I would be the driver for the day. Now I don't really mind that but my plate was pretty full to start. I shelved that and moved forward. No since in fretting it. It was what it was.
The morning run was quick and easy. I still had time to get some on those call made. I wouldn't worry about it but they were reference calls to a couple people I hired. They were already in training and the answers to the messages I left on Thursday and Friday were still unanswered.
God must have been on my side. When I called I got through on every call.
I was able to Tweak and ISP for a resident who returned form the hospital on Friday. So the day wasn't turning out to be a total loss after all. Unfortunately, it was 1:00 and my body was screaming for something to eat and drink and I had another run at 1:30. Eat lunch or finish another project. You guessed it, I worked until time to take the last resident to their appointment. Turned out it was worth it.
Being downtown isn't my favorite place to be. Anymore, it isn't safe. Being the driver of the bus, I stayed with the bus while the care manager went with the resident. I drove around for an hour and twenty minutes waiting for them to get finished. In doing so I realized something. I haven't been in downtown for longer than I would like to think. Everything had changed. So much so that it was sometimes hard to find the landmarks than made it easy to detect what street was what. I found my self looking for the street signs . Something I never had to do being raised in this city.
Something else I realized. We really have some beautiful building in our downtown. Isn't it interesting how we go to other cities on vacations and take pictures of their building when I bet none of us could pull out a picture of our own building in our city. If I didn't know I was in Cincinnati today, I could have been anywhere. I saw building like what I saw today in Washington DC, Minnesota and even Florida.
Do I sound like I found some appreciation in my own city. You bet I did. I'm going to make a point of going downtown and just walk around, one of these days. I first have to get the world to slow down and let me off in order to have the time. I guess God knew I needed a little time to reflect and appreciate the beauty around me.
After the refreshing ride downtown, (I took the scenic route). I came back ready to get something done. And because it was already 4:30 a lot of the distractions were gone for the day. I didn't accomplish all I set out to do but tomorrow is another day. I'll just add to tomorrow what wasn't done today.
I went home with the promise of attending a 7:00 church meeting ( if was 6:55) but that didn't happen. And maybe it was for the best. I sometimes allow myself to get too worked up when I feel some people focus more on themselves that the job at hand. And I know, I need to pray about that.
Quote for the day: Today is the Tomorrow we worried about Yesterday.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
All in a day's work......
I continue to learn and grow in my new role as Reminiscence Coordinator. I think the training is done and the real party has begun, if that's what you want to call it. I sometimes work 12-15 hours a day(I used to think that was a really long) and even though that sounds like a lot of hours, it's really not. Not when you consider the quality you can offer the residents and staff in the time spent there. My boss continues to be awesome. She practices what she preaches and leads by example, motivating her staff to want to do the same.
The days can be hecktic but not one day have I wondered if I choose the right place. I know God had a hand in helping me find this job that best suits me, I can feel it. I could have been at Goodwill for 15 years and still not have gotten the satificaton on only a few month at this job.
The last couple weeks have been partucliarly crazy but maybe that's because the honeymoon has come to an end and I'm entering into a new journey. What started as a really quiet, peaceful setting is turning into a quite lively neighborhood. Not that that is bad. In a way it is quite good. Kinda like one of those places where there is never a dull moment. And except for when someone falls or one of the memory impaired individuals strikes out, life is good. Those little people just want someone to care. And interestingly enough, the families are just as needy. I can do that.
Today after spending 10 hours at work, I get a call. It seems the nurse had to call a family member about an insident report and they wanted to talk to the department head. That would be me. This family member is reeked with guilt because he works too much and doesn't visit his mother often. When he gets a call, even if it is a progress report, he immediately starts pointing fingers and finding fault.
I called him. All he really wanted is for someone to listen. To join his journey. He didn't want to leave his mother there but was unable to care for her himself. And the fact that she needed to be in a home and not in his care, he found it difficult to visit. Just a bit too close to home.
After listening to him for about 20 minutes, he apoligized for being rude and unkind, stating he only wnated what was best for his mother. After a little reasurance, I think he hung up feeling a better.
If only it were that easy to put our feeling to rest. Sometimes when we think things should be one way, and God wants them to be another way, we find it difficult to accept the outcome.Llife can be harder than we want it to be sometimes.
I can't even begin to imagine how I would feel putting my loved one in a community / facility and going home at night and be expected to sleep. With that being said, I really try to do a good job with the family members the families have entrusted us to care for.
I hope when I get old and end up in a home (if I'm l lucky enough to afford it), someone will put their heart into trying to make sure I am well cared for. No only clean, fed and dry but take the time to find out what kind of food and drink I like. Or that I like people but enjoy time alone. Or if my memory is fading, perserve my dignity and join my journey. What a difference it will makes in my quality of care.
Quote for the day: Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. Dale Turner
God Bless and have a good night.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Can life get any fuller?
Vacation Bible School started at our church yesterday. I'm leading the crafts. I have to say, after a long productive day at work, it is a real challenge getting to church by 6:45 and having the energy to keep going, serving about 50 children until 9:00. Needless to say, when I get home I am really tired and truly full filled. It feels good to give back to our community.
Before today, I thought that was hard but I must say, I change my mind. My job was easy, compared to my daughter's. She had 17, that's right 17, 3&4 year olds. That's a lot of toddlers to keep entertained for two hours, when you don't really know them. The room is a really nice size if you have 8-10 children in it. She has them climbing the walls, and that's with 3 other helpers.
Pray that the weather holds out the rest of the week. They are calling for a chance of rain tomorrow and an almost certainty of rain on Thursday and Friday. Talk about wild,if tthey can't go outside. They need that to get rid of some of that bottled up energy.
We have three more days, and counting.
Work is going well. I continue to go to a lot of trainings. Some of which I have had before but I say nothing and keep going for the good of the company. I go tomorrow and Friday for more training outside of our community. I can't wait to be able to stay in my own community and put some of this wonderful training to use. Besides, the more I am away, the more paper work is put on hold.
I am coming up on my 90 day eval.( It feels like I have been there for years. ) I can see small improvements and changes since I started. I look forward to continued improvements in the quality of care our neighborhood ( that's what the call the area I work in) provides for our residents. Do I regret changing jobs, no way! Even when I work a lot more hours. The quality and reason for service in in place. You can't ask for more than that. I enjoy doing my part.
Quote for the day: Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and descover they were the big things.
God Bless. Good Night. .
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Food For Thought......
My work keeps me busy but it is a nice to have a job that gives me the opportunity to enhance the quality of individuals lives on a daily basis. I am blessed.
I came home tonight after a very long and productive day at work and found a most inspiring article in my mail box. I faintly remember receiving this a really long time ago. And even having received it before, I still found it very touching. I would like to share it with you as somewhat of a devotion. When reading it, keep in mind it only takes a small effort on our part to make a hugh difference in another life. Most people want to do well and don't want to have to ask for help. But stepping over your pride is often the hardest part, God will take care of the rest. Step up and do your part to help those in need.
Enjoy the article.
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.
She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.
Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can."
John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.
The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?"
Louise replied, "Yes sir."
"O.K" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."
Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.
The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it."
The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more..
The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.
It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:
"Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands."
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.
Louise thanked him and left the store.
The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said: "It was worth every penny of it ..
Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs."
So, trust God to heal the sick, provide food for the hungry, clothes and shelter for those that don't have as we do. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
Quote for the day: The best things in life aren't things. unknown
God Bless You!Monday, July 02, 2007
All in a day's work.....and then some
Life is so busy anymore, the longer I stay away from my blog, the easier is becomes. I think about it often and all the nice people and all the good stuff to read. Then I come to the blog and start reading and pretty soon several hours have gone and I haven't even shared what I came to share. Do I remember what it was I came to write about........no. I get so wrapped up in what everyone else is blogging about. The wedding , the end of the school year, the new business that is struggling, the little ones miss behaving, the little one going away for the summer, even the jobs that are a bore or just not measuring up.
After reading about all that for several nights in a row, do I really have anything interesting to write about? Perhaps not. So I put off blogging yet another night.
I went on a business trip, mentoring with someone who is doing the same job I have been doing for the past several months. The set up wasn't exactly like mine, nor was her situation, however, the experience was a good one.
The lady I mentored with(Amanda) was a young mother on three year old twins. How she managed all that she did, I'm sure I don't know. At her job she wear several hats as well as agreeing to mentor two us us at the same time. She seemed to have all her ducks in a row. Their program ran like clock work. Weather or not that was because they had visitors or just a regular day, no one will really ever know.
The purpose for the trip was to experience a program in place and to learn the ins and out of the massive paper work required on a daily basis. As well as managing the scheduling and scheduling of a staff of 15-20 doing 24 hour care for memory impaired seniors. Amanda was able to keep it real without any choosing of her own. She actually had to get to work sometimes two hours before we arrived at 9 am each morning in order to get her own work done, or at least the most pressing.
Did I come away with all that I needed, not exactly.
I learned that staffing will always be an issue for all the communities. Take it one day at a time, one schedule at a time. And that unexpected stuff will happen regardless of the planning (that part I already knew). I learned that her community didn't really model our program. They were much smaller, but the needs for memory impaired people were the same. A little assistance with ADL, a little food and a lot of TLC.
I learned that there are several new forms coming out and I have much more to do than I first thought. I learn to pace myself and take one day at a time. I learned that I knew a lot more than I thought I knew but that I still have an awful lot to learn.
I thought it would be a time that I could relax and enjoy Minnesota in the evenings but that didn't happen. Most evenings I was bored and lonely. I had a car and went exploring three out of five of the evenings but not knowing the town, and being by myself, after about an hour or two of that, it was back to the hotel and the cable TV. My computer would have been nice. (I need to get busy on looking for that upgrade, a lap top. I'm long over due.)
I felt bad, my cat "Charlie" wouldn't come out for my granddaughter or my daughter when they went to visit (he's a mama's boy) because he was mad I left him or didn't take him along. The first day I was back, he kept me in his view but kept his distance. He's back to his old self, laying up here on the desk beside me while I play in the computer.
The first day back at work was crazy, just as I had expected it would be, but it was all good. I am blessed to have a job.
Quote for the day: Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!
Monday, June 18, 2007
On the move and loving it........
I sat here day after day, not very happy with what was going on in my life and didn't do anything about it for a very long time. Then one day I realized no one was going to change anything for me. I needed to do that myself. Getting this new job has put a new twist on life. Coupled with joining the YMCA and the travel that is required with the job, I can tell you, I've been on the move a lot lately.
It seems like this new job has put a new lease on life.
Actually, that's only partly true. Vacation had nothing to do with the job other than the requested time off before accepting it.
The day trip to King's Domain has much to do with the job. It was a lovely way to get to know my management team members at work without the usual daily stress the job brings. We spent the day playing games and learning how to work together as a team. Then went out for a refreshment and laughed and joked for another hour and a half. Pretty cool.
The trip to Columbus earlier this week for three days did. The business conference was a true learning experience, if only I could process it all. Twelve mini modules in two days is almost too much, but at least you do come away with most of it.
The trip to Put in Bay this past weekend was to die for. The quality family time. Relaxing. Strengthening family relationships. The beauty of the Island. We camped. We cooked out of doors. We even managed to find a park that almost no one else spent any time in to spend our days. The guys dropped a line in the water and fished. The women socialize and kept a keen eye on the munchkins. I like to watch the kids, even when the oldest one gets frustrated because she can't keep up with the men when baiting a hook. The little guy was a treat from start to finish. I love to hear him sing and watch him dance. And in the tent at night, I even got a taste of the funky chicken. You ask, what's that? Believe me, you don't want to know.
Then there is the business trip at the beginning of next week. I will be gone one day short of a week. That's a lot of cloths and stuff to pack! I almost wish it were in a town I was familiar with. And if not that, closer to home. But then again, I may find another new friend or vacation spot.
I get to spend the day mentoring with someone who holds the same job I have. It should be really interesting. The evening will be spent in a hotel, for a week. Who knows, I may need the time to myself. I'm a little worried about flying but I know God will be with me.
What's up after that, I have no idea. Hopeful, more of the same.
Quote: Life is a picnic and we are the ants! Celebrate.
God Bless. Good Night.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Catching up........
Life has been way too busy. It seems like forever since I have been in the blog world (even thought it has only been nine days). With the new job and a vacation all in the past month I have a lot of bloggers and blogging to catch up on.
Before talking the job I told them I already had plans to go out of town over the Memorial Day holiday. All total, I was gone six days. It seemed like a lot longer than that. I visited my dear, dear friends Pam and Frank in South Carolina. Actually, she lives right on the border of North and South Carolina, near Charlotte. I relaxed, swam, shopped, socialized and spent a lot of time on the front porch reading. All the key elements required for a great vacation.
And no matter how long or how great a vacation is, it's interesting how quickly we jump right back into our work and the daily things that make our lives what they are.
The new job is coming along nicely. Makes me wonder why it took me almost a year to make the change. There is always a lot going on, which is the way I like it. If you are a planner and want the day to go just as planned, this is definitely not the job for you. Me, I just go with the flow. Take it as it comes. It's a lot more interesting that way.
The in town training is finished, for now, I continue to learn the ins and outs of the job and continue to become more familiar with the computer programs required for the job. Later this month I have two more trainings scheduled out of town.
My boss continues to be a real sweetheart, as do all the other management staff I have come in contact with. Any thing I need, they try really hard to assist me.
As for my staff of about 22, I think they think I just fell off a pumpkin truck or something. I know they have had the opportunity to pretty much do what the wanted (within reason, of course) for a really long time because the girl in my position was promoted from within and wasn't a very strong leader, which is why she stepped down and they hired me. The team found it hard to respect her in the ways she needed to get the job done. She was relieved to have someone else take the reins.
Don't get me wrong, they are a GREAT team and they work hard and care very much for those residents. But why not try the water with a new manager on board. See how deep it is or what the temperature of the water is. Even the lead person that held the position before me, tried. I love it!
I now look forward to going to work and have been spending way too many hours there, but the residents and staff make it all worth it.
So.... If your having a hard time in your job and you think there isn't a way out, there is. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes we stay in jobs that offer nothing when we could be getting great rewards from our jobs. Besides, we spend the greater part of out waking hours at work. It might as well be something we enjoy doing.
Quote for the day: Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Embrace it.
Monday, May 21, 2007
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.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
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.
Quote of the day: May your troubles be less, Your blessings be more And nothing but happiness come through your door!
Friday, May 11, 2007
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.
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:
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
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?
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.
Monday, May 07, 2007
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.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
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.
