My work week does not end on a bright spot. I have a very difficult client at the end of my day. But, I got to leave work before it was dark, which is unusual. I also got some bad news on the way home.
I went out to my mailbox and found two items, both personal!
What did I find? A box with wedding cake and favors!! Best surprise of the month. Thanks, Louise!! You made my week! Love you.
12.18.2009
12.06.2009
You call this a storm?
So, based on the forecast I saw earlier and the tiny flecks of white outside, I'm pretty sure I'm witnessing my first Western Idaho snowstorm. And I'm left asking, "Where's the snow?" When I walked out of church there was this weird white stuff on the rubber window insulation on the passenger side of my car. I thought what is that? and I touched it. It was like baby powder, but cold. Katie described it best as wet dust. These are the smallest snowflakes I've ever seen. The bubble-snow at Disneyland looks more like snow than this. This seems like the full extent of the storm. Definitely strange.
11.26.2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
On one of my favorite holidays, I'm thankful for more than I can number. My Heavenly Father has blessed me richly and I'm grateful for the reminder to show gratitude on such a day of plenty!
11.20.2009
What did I get myself into?
I came home from work tonight and listened to my messages while looking at the caller ID. There was a call with a hang-up message from the education counselor (aka the only counselor) in my RS presidency. Following my typical protocol, I didn't return her call. No message, no returned call. But I started wondering and, since she hasn't called me before and we had a branch activity tonight, I made an exception and called her back.
She asked me to teach in RS. THIS Sunday. My response? "Um, well, sure."
Guess what I'm doing tomorrow. It'll be good for me. I just have to keep reminding myself of that until it's over.
She asked me to teach in RS. THIS Sunday. My response? "Um, well, sure."
Guess what I'm doing tomorrow. It'll be good for me. I just have to keep reminding myself of that until it's over.
11.19.2009
The bear must be very...
Nerd Alert! Sorry to those who have no idea what I'm writing about.
ME (administering the PLS-4): "The bear is running fast! It sure is hot! How do you think the bear feels? The bear must be very..."
PATIENT: "Fat."
ME (administering the PLS-4): "The bear is running fast! It sure is hot! How do you think the bear feels? The bear must be very..."
PATIENT: "Fat."
11.10.2009
Lost
Tonight I discovered the Treasure Valley equivalent of Murray. Forty minutes later I knew where I was again.
11.08.2009
Calling for Ideas!
I'm the choir director in my branch. Until I got this calling, there had been no choir since last Christmas, so I'm starting from scratch.
What ideas have worked for you? I mostly need ideas for getting people there, but I'm open to any suggestions for making it work better.
Thanks!
What ideas have worked for you? I mostly need ideas for getting people there, but I'm open to any suggestions for making it work better.
Thanks!
11.07.2009
And Another Thing
Dear Idaho PBS:
If you want me to pledge during pledge drive, try not replacing one of my all-time favorite Britcoms with some random, creepy, plaid-wearing singer's special. Just a thought.
If you want me to pledge during pledge drive, try not replacing one of my all-time favorite Britcoms with some random, creepy, plaid-wearing singer's special. Just a thought.
Squirrel Update
So, it seems that most of the squirrels have finally caught on to what the multitudes of geese already knew--- winter is coming. Or some version of winter in the Idaho Banana Belt. The squirrel encounters have decreased significantly. This could, however, be more directly related to the fact that one of them was smashed dead and bloody on the road near their main intersection this week. It wasn't me, but I didn't feel as sad for it as I would have 10 weeks ago. I've been turned into a callous rodent hater. Bummer.
10.22.2009
Home
I'm so excited! I love being home. I didn't really appreciate how much until last month. I'm grateful to have family who are so wonderful that I want to be with them.
10.16.2009
A Special Day
Today would be my friend's 27th birthday. She was much more than a best friend. She was genuine, loving, and compassionate. She was a truly great example of being Christlike and submitting to the Lord's will. We knew each other since the 5th grade, but it feels like forever. We could talk about anything. She knew me inside and out. We went to the science fair together, our first unaccompanied movie was together (While You Were Sleeping), we were in band and choir, we worked together, and took our first non-family vacation together. I miss our Saturday night movies and our games. She trusted me to watch her beautiful babies. I can't eat a goldfish or a peanut butter M&M without thinking of her and smiling. I love her and I miss her and I wish I could talk to her so much. The miraculous thing is that I know she's still there for me and she's on my side and that we do get to be friends forever. And I know that she is better able to do those things she needs to now, without her frail body. I try each day to follow the example she set and to make another person's day brighter.
Happy Birthday, Natalia!!
Happy Birthday, Natalia!!
10.15.2009
Support
I miss my classmates. I spent two years with this weird little speech pathology family. It's easier to go through stress when everyone else is there with you. We had a lot of fun and laughs, too. I love them!
The really cool thing is, now I'm surrounded by coworkers, most of whom are a year ahead of me in this process. So, even though I still miss my "school family," now I have about 4 big sisters at work who want to help me. And these are really amazing women. They are strong and kind and thoughtful. They listen when I need to decompress and they trust me enough to vent to me, too. They're willing to teach me what they know and help me when I don't have the first clue what to do with a kid. And they ask me for my opinion, too! I'm grateful to be working with people who. like my classmates, are excited for other people's successes. Thanks, girls!
The really cool thing is, now I'm surrounded by coworkers, most of whom are a year ahead of me in this process. So, even though I still miss my "school family," now I have about 4 big sisters at work who want to help me. And these are really amazing women. They are strong and kind and thoughtful. They listen when I need to decompress and they trust me enough to vent to me, too. They're willing to teach me what they know and help me when I don't have the first clue what to do with a kid. And they ask me for my opinion, too! I'm grateful to be working with people who. like my classmates, are excited for other people's successes. Thanks, girls!
10.09.2009
10.08.2009
The Rodents
Do you remember those Geico commercials? You know, the one where the squirrels intentionally run out in front of the car in an attempt at causing a crash? Those stupid squirrels live in my neighborhood, which is basically the "downtown" area of my city. I have not yet driven to work without seeing one or more of these horrid little imitators of cute fuzziness dash across the road. I dislike harming things with fewer than 6 legs (or greater than 0), but today, having slowed for one rodent, I chose not to swerve into a parked car in order to avoid the second little automobile-hater. Don't freak out: I didn't actually hit it.
10.04.2009
Rain
I love the rain. I love how everything looks when it's wet. I love watching it fall. I love how the diffused light makes the the day feel peaceful. I love watching the clouds change. I love the smell of rain, which brings me to the point.
The rain here does not smell like rain at home. I'm not surprised by this because I recognize that I'm about 300 miles from a giant salt water lake full of dead things. But the rain here also doesn't smell like the rain in other places I've been. I think this might be because most of my vacations involve going to the west coast and the rain in not-so-sunny Southern California and Seattle smells like the sea. The rain here smells like snow. Since that, too, is a smell I love, I'm pretty pleased.
The only downside of the rain? Since there are next to no streetlights, the lines on the road are really hard to see when wet. Step into the 20th century, people, and please light the streets. Just saying.
The rain here does not smell like rain at home. I'm not surprised by this because I recognize that I'm about 300 miles from a giant salt water lake full of dead things. But the rain here also doesn't smell like the rain in other places I've been. I think this might be because most of my vacations involve going to the west coast and the rain in not-so-sunny Southern California and Seattle smells like the sea. The rain here smells like snow. Since that, too, is a smell I love, I'm pretty pleased.
The only downside of the rain? Since there are next to no streetlights, the lines on the road are really hard to see when wet. Step into the 20th century, people, and please light the streets. Just saying.
9.29.2009
9.28.2009
Learning
Life is about learning lessons. I was home for the weekend for my nephew's baptism. I'm so pleased for him! My dear little bug is not so little anymore. I adore those boys. There really are not words for how much I love them. I feel truly blessed to have been so involved in their lives.
While I was home, the stake president taught the lesson in RS. I really needed to hear that message. My heart is full and I'm grateful for the opportunity of lifelong learning, even when it is hard. In the past, I've found that the hardest lessons are also often the most worthwhile. I guess I needed a reminder. :)
While I was home, the stake president taught the lesson in RS. I really needed to hear that message. My heart is full and I'm grateful for the opportunity of lifelong learning, even when it is hard. In the past, I've found that the hardest lessons are also often the most worthwhile. I guess I needed a reminder. :)
9.24.2009
Tender Mercy
I've really been struggling at work... I feel unprepared to be seeing my own caseload and I've had a ton of new evals, none of them with any advance info so I can prepare the tests I'd like to give. That's the nutshell version. I do have great coworkers, many of whom have recently finished their CFY's and I've had so much support.
Today I had a client switched over to me. She's a sweet little girl whose profile is VERY interesting to me. And as an extra blessing, her mom and I have some things in common. We can talk about familiar things while I work with her little angel. I'm so grateful for the blessings in my life.
Today I had a client switched over to me. She's a sweet little girl whose profile is VERY interesting to me. And as an extra blessing, her mom and I have some things in common. We can talk about familiar things while I work with her little angel. I'm so grateful for the blessings in my life.
9.20.2009
The Maytag Man
A little over three weeks ago, in preparation for my move, I bought a washing machine. I wasn't going to buy a washer or dryer until I had a few paychecks under my belt, but then I was generously given a dryer. I wasn't going to hand-wash my clothes and then machine dry them, so I bought a washer. When we got to Idaho and my dad and substitute-brother-in-law took the washer out of the box, they discovered it was leaking oil. Great.
So, my dad called Maytag and we set up an appointment. Of course, it was on a day I had to be at work and the appointment was for between noon and 5:00. Katie kindly brought her boys over and they sat her and sat until the guy came at 4:45. Washer fixed. Good. Washer still in garage. Bad.
The next day I came home from work and the washer was in my house. Hooray! Katie and Jarom came back and Jarom moved it in for me. Thanks!!
That Saturday I worked up my pioneer, do-it-myself spirit, carefully read the directions for installing my washer, and pulled out my tools. I followed those directions meticulously. Drain hose in: check. Hot water hose on output valve: check, no leaks. Cold water hose on output valve: check, no leaks. Hot water hose on input valve: check, WATER EVERYWHERE. For the next 2 hours, I tried and retried, called my dad for ideas and tried some more. No luck. So, I called Maytag again. We scheduled for the following Saturday (yesterday). I took my wet towels and my dirty clothes and whisked them away to use appliances and internet at Katie and Jarom's. Because, after spending hundreds of dollars on a washer, of course I want to use someone else's.
Well, the week passed and I set my alarm to get up early on Saturday so I could be dressed for the Maytag man by 8:00. He came at noon. Helpful. He looked and told me my valve was stripped. (This happens to be what I told the customer service agent over the phone. Huh.) Fortunately, the Maytag man had the piece on his truck. Apparently, had he not, I would have had the pleasure of waiting until Sept. 29. Washer fixed. Again.
I can wash my clothes at my own house again!! And the peasants rejoiced.
So, my dad called Maytag and we set up an appointment. Of course, it was on a day I had to be at work and the appointment was for between noon and 5:00. Katie kindly brought her boys over and they sat her and sat until the guy came at 4:45. Washer fixed. Good. Washer still in garage. Bad.
The next day I came home from work and the washer was in my house. Hooray! Katie and Jarom came back and Jarom moved it in for me. Thanks!!
That Saturday I worked up my pioneer, do-it-myself spirit, carefully read the directions for installing my washer, and pulled out my tools. I followed those directions meticulously. Drain hose in: check. Hot water hose on output valve: check, no leaks. Cold water hose on output valve: check, no leaks. Hot water hose on input valve: check, WATER EVERYWHERE. For the next 2 hours, I tried and retried, called my dad for ideas and tried some more. No luck. So, I called Maytag again. We scheduled for the following Saturday (yesterday). I took my wet towels and my dirty clothes and whisked them away to use appliances and internet at Katie and Jarom's. Because, after spending hundreds of dollars on a washer, of course I want to use someone else's.
Well, the week passed and I set my alarm to get up early on Saturday so I could be dressed for the Maytag man by 8:00. He came at noon. Helpful. He looked and told me my valve was stripped. (This happens to be what I told the customer service agent over the phone. Huh.) Fortunately, the Maytag man had the piece on his truck. Apparently, had he not, I would have had the pleasure of waiting until Sept. 29. Washer fixed. Again.
I can wash my clothes at my own house again!! And the peasants rejoiced.
9.16.2009
Friends are Gifts
Tonight I had the chance to chat with a good friend from grad school. We talked for a LONG time. I had a rough day, but visiting with her made everything look better. I've frequently been blessed with good, kind, true friends in my life. I'm so grateful they're still here for me, even from 300 miles away. Thanks, Kristen!
9.03.2009
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