Wow. Christmas has come and gone! My siser from El Paso and her fam (including new cute niece)spent the 22nd-Christmas morning with us. SO much fun! I miss my niece already though! Christmas eve was our family dinner with us three oldest sisters and our families. Jay and Sedona got to meet each other...they are growing up SO fast! I cooked too much food (hello, this is me we're talking about) and we wished my mama and the other two siblings were here...but other than that is was a wonderful day. My neice Sedona looks almost identical to my dad's baby pics...it made me tear up several time bc she has his smile 100%....it's nice to know he's still represented though =)
Christmas day was spent with Wil's family. It was also a nice time, despite the ever so clever hidden agenda that went something like this (L=Wil's mom, W=Wil, J=me):
L: So I bet it was real nice having your nieces around, kids in the house...
J: It sure was.
L: William, am I gonna get a Christmas gift next year?
W; What do you mean?
L: There's only one thing I want next year...
W: (puzzled look)
L: Jenny, can you tell him what I want from you?
J: (uncomfortable gaze at Wil)
L: (to Jenny)You know you're not getting any younger. You'll be 30 next year.
J: I turned 30 this year
L: See, 31, even older. What's taking so long? I want a grandbaby for Christmas
J: Not happening this year, sorry.
w: (completely tuned out now and trying to change subject)
The conversation went on for what seemed to be years and she reminded me she hasn't brought it up for quite some time (and I liked it that way!!!)
OLD? Come on!!!! I know so many people that don't have kids until like 35-40...people don't even get married until then now (I know I got married young, but why does that pre-qualify me to have to pop one out NOW! Good lord...then I notice the next day that almost ALL the pics from the entire xmas season involve only children and adults who have children...apparently being married doesn't make you a whole family. uggghhh. I can only imagine if I was actually trying (and I am not), and having fertility issues, how horrific it would be to hear people say some of those things! I swear I will try to refrain from asking people about personal business like that!
Work this week felt like forever...crammed in appts but didn't around to half of what I wanted to...blast...I am taking Monday off, but I am going to end up spending a few hours on work anyway.
Alright, I am off to second coat my new SILVER coffee table....it was teal...and now with the help of spray paint, it's shiny and new....and smells good too ( don't worry, I am painting out in the cold, not indoors =)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Mix Tape
I've never been a bah hum bug...I LOVE Christmas. I LOVE decorating, having people over, cooking. These year is somewhere in between happiness and sadness. I want to enjoy it but I also want it to be over with! I'm probably fooling myself, but I figure if I can just get January 6th over and done with, it might help close this first year after my dad's death and get me a bit further down the road. I guess we'll see.
Wil returned to work today!!!!!!!!! This is good news bc now he will be returning to regular pay. Still have to see about the ACL, but this is a step in the right direction for now.
Cookie party came and went and I have so many good cookies in my freezer! Which will come in handy for xmas and new years eve. Thanks to those of you who made it! Next year will be better...since we'll be settled in and hopefully life will be a bit mroe calm.
My sister and her family is coming up from El Paso this weekend and spending xmas eve with us. It will eb a few short days, but I am SOOOOO excited to see her and spend time with the niece I don't get to see. Let the spoiling begin!
I am so exhausted these days bc work has been BUSY long days. But the good news is that I am also sleeping better than ever =) Wil and I agree...the new place, although more rent, is so relaxing. We feel so peaceful and settled and happy here. Gosh, I just feel so blessed to be here and am so looking forward to having lots o' people over. Want to come over? Let me know!
Tonight begins my tour of duty in terms of making my favorite norse goodies...lefse, krumkake...mmmm....couldn't have christmas without it...my mom made a killing this season selling her goods (haha, lefse you dirty minds!)...for any of you who have it it looks like a tortilla (made of potato) but is a much more involved process to create. In the north country people know it and love it...they sell it in the grocery stores too...but homemade can sell for $15-20 per dozen!!! It's potato gold. So since it's less common down here, we just need to find some scandinavians who have a hankering for lefse and make some extra cash...if you know anyone interested, my mom is looking to cook up a storm next holiday season! Any she only charges $12/dozen!
Wil returned to work today!!!!!!!!! This is good news bc now he will be returning to regular pay. Still have to see about the ACL, but this is a step in the right direction for now.
Cookie party came and went and I have so many good cookies in my freezer! Which will come in handy for xmas and new years eve. Thanks to those of you who made it! Next year will be better...since we'll be settled in and hopefully life will be a bit mroe calm.
My sister and her family is coming up from El Paso this weekend and spending xmas eve with us. It will eb a few short days, but I am SOOOOO excited to see her and spend time with the niece I don't get to see. Let the spoiling begin!
I am so exhausted these days bc work has been BUSY long days. But the good news is that I am also sleeping better than ever =) Wil and I agree...the new place, although more rent, is so relaxing. We feel so peaceful and settled and happy here. Gosh, I just feel so blessed to be here and am so looking forward to having lots o' people over. Want to come over? Let me know!
Tonight begins my tour of duty in terms of making my favorite norse goodies...lefse, krumkake...mmmm....couldn't have christmas without it...my mom made a killing this season selling her goods (haha, lefse you dirty minds!)...for any of you who have it it looks like a tortilla (made of potato) but is a much more involved process to create. In the north country people know it and love it...they sell it in the grocery stores too...but homemade can sell for $15-20 per dozen!!! It's potato gold. So since it's less common down here, we just need to find some scandinavians who have a hankering for lefse and make some extra cash...if you know anyone interested, my mom is looking to cook up a storm next holiday season! Any she only charges $12/dozen!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
God Speed, Little Envelope
Well, it's done. I have sent off my licensure forms to the state. Now the waiting begins! I am hoping that I will soon get my new sticker for my old license (renewed last month). I am thinking this might better help me predict how slow they are processing paperwork these days.
I've had some refreshing new clients lately. People that are really ready to make some changes and WANT therapy. I gain something from each client, but it's nice sometimes to have those motivated ones that you see making changes before your eyes. Anyway, i guess that's a sidenote. But it makes me realize why I could potentially LOVE my job (not just like it) if I can just get my job description tweaked so counseling is what I do exclusively (and get rid of the other stuff I am doing now).
I am SO excited for the cookie exchange at my place this weekend. Sad a few people have other plans/events, but we will make the most out of it with whoever shows...yea for naughty hot cocoa!
Wil is making some progress and stated PT. He is off crutches and moving around and driving. Monday is another followup with the doctor.
Alrighty, I am off to make pancakes...yummy breakfast for supper. I love me some flannel PJ's, fuzzy slippers, and syrupy goodness on a cold night.
Peace.
I've had some refreshing new clients lately. People that are really ready to make some changes and WANT therapy. I gain something from each client, but it's nice sometimes to have those motivated ones that you see making changes before your eyes. Anyway, i guess that's a sidenote. But it makes me realize why I could potentially LOVE my job (not just like it) if I can just get my job description tweaked so counseling is what I do exclusively (and get rid of the other stuff I am doing now).
I am SO excited for the cookie exchange at my place this weekend. Sad a few people have other plans/events, but we will make the most out of it with whoever shows...yea for naughty hot cocoa!
Wil is making some progress and stated PT. He is off crutches and moving around and driving. Monday is another followup with the doctor.
Alrighty, I am off to make pancakes...yummy breakfast for supper. I love me some flannel PJ's, fuzzy slippers, and syrupy goodness on a cold night.
Peace.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Christmas Miracles (?)
Sick this weekend and have managed to also give it to my recovering hubby! Darn daycare kids I see...those places are germ havens and I seem to catch it easily.
Finally opened up the money management program after ignoring it the last two weeks (usually we are looking at it daily)...I knew it was not gonna be what I wanted to see so I have been in denial! It's gonna be a slim xmas this year...no gifts to be given...not even $5 night a the movies...just trying to survive at this point.
After 6 weeks of modified pay from Wil's work (did anyone else realize how much they tax workers comp? WOW is all I can say), the expenses of having two residences this month, top it off with some car repairs this weekend, we finally had to tap into our savings. Breaks my heart, but what can you do? That's what it is there for, but it makes me feel uneasy.
I am trying to keep in mind that all of this happening right now is potentially a blessing not understood [yet]. Having seen the pictures of Wil's knee from the inside (just ask Wil to see 'em!) I can see that this injury was probably inevitable...and boy, in retrospect I am glad it happened at work and that we have some income and medical covered. I can only imagine it having happened during our move and then having no pay after he would have blown through his PTO, going through our own insurance, etc. Perhaps we already received our Christmas miracle but have just been too busy bitching about the situation to step back and see it.
It has just been a surreal time for me. Certainly Wil's injury was never life threatening, but it's really triggered for me past crap that I keep think I have moved on from...only to show me I have more work to do with managing my emotions in healthy ways. [I know I am rambling...I get so used to listening and processing other people's issues at work that I sometimes write mine out alot better than saying them].
November through January is the tough part of the year for me ever since my 7th bday when my dad was first hospitalized (he was released that first time right before thanksgiving). A few years later my grandpa died during Decemeber. Last thanksgiving was the last time I saw my dad and he died right after New Years last year. My worst fear in the world is to have a sick husband and have to go through half of what my mom did. I don't have kids, no farm to run, and Wil is OK. So it's not even close to what it was like when I was a kid. But all of this happening around this time of year has been tough and a flood of hard times I try to block out.
[deep breaths]
but the christmas lights are on the bushes outside and cookies will start to be baked next weekend. My nieces will both be here for xmas eve. December will pass and with it some of intensity I should expect at this time of year.
I was put in charge of this month's peer supervision activity. I won't give it all away (the craft part at least), but it involves 3 questions. If you'd like to reply with your answers or just think about it, feel free.
A lesson, a hope, and a promise
1.) What is one major lesson you have learned this year?
2.) What is one hope you have at this moment in time?
3.) What is one promise you want to make for the year coming up?
Enough writing. I feel better now =)
Peace.
Finally opened up the money management program after ignoring it the last two weeks (usually we are looking at it daily)...I knew it was not gonna be what I wanted to see so I have been in denial! It's gonna be a slim xmas this year...no gifts to be given...not even $5 night a the movies...just trying to survive at this point.
After 6 weeks of modified pay from Wil's work (did anyone else realize how much they tax workers comp? WOW is all I can say), the expenses of having two residences this month, top it off with some car repairs this weekend, we finally had to tap into our savings. Breaks my heart, but what can you do? That's what it is there for, but it makes me feel uneasy.
I am trying to keep in mind that all of this happening right now is potentially a blessing not understood [yet]. Having seen the pictures of Wil's knee from the inside (just ask Wil to see 'em!) I can see that this injury was probably inevitable...and boy, in retrospect I am glad it happened at work and that we have some income and medical covered. I can only imagine it having happened during our move and then having no pay after he would have blown through his PTO, going through our own insurance, etc. Perhaps we already received our Christmas miracle but have just been too busy bitching about the situation to step back and see it.
It has just been a surreal time for me. Certainly Wil's injury was never life threatening, but it's really triggered for me past crap that I keep think I have moved on from...only to show me I have more work to do with managing my emotions in healthy ways. [I know I am rambling...I get so used to listening and processing other people's issues at work that I sometimes write mine out alot better than saying them].
November through January is the tough part of the year for me ever since my 7th bday when my dad was first hospitalized (he was released that first time right before thanksgiving). A few years later my grandpa died during Decemeber. Last thanksgiving was the last time I saw my dad and he died right after New Years last year. My worst fear in the world is to have a sick husband and have to go through half of what my mom did. I don't have kids, no farm to run, and Wil is OK. So it's not even close to what it was like when I was a kid. But all of this happening around this time of year has been tough and a flood of hard times I try to block out.
[deep breaths]
but the christmas lights are on the bushes outside and cookies will start to be baked next weekend. My nieces will both be here for xmas eve. December will pass and with it some of intensity I should expect at this time of year.
I was put in charge of this month's peer supervision activity. I won't give it all away (the craft part at least), but it involves 3 questions. If you'd like to reply with your answers or just think about it, feel free.
A lesson, a hope, and a promise
1.) What is one major lesson you have learned this year?
2.) What is one hope you have at this moment in time?
3.) What is one promise you want to make for the year coming up?
Enough writing. I feel better now =)
Peace.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
"Saltines never tasted so good"
Wil had his surgery today and we are finally home...almost 9 hours later! The procedure itself was only about 1 hour...but you know how that goes!
Everything went fine and they were glad he had to go "pee-pee" (as the nurse called it) before he left. Wil had not eaten for about 18 hours, so he was very glad to eat some crackers. He even said "saltines never tasted so good." His followup appointment is on Friday afternoon.
We continue to be disappointed by the doctor's bedside manner. You get this gut feeling he still does not believe Wil really injured himself at work. Not to mention the fact I have met and talked with him 3 times and this morning he actually shakes my hand and introduces himself asking "have we met yet?" He's just a tool and makes it clear he has no time to waste answering questions.
During the surgery they found a completely torn ligament which will require a separate surgery. The doctor said this was an old injury. Wil has told him that he has never had any pain in his knee until this injury, but we were told workers comp "won't buy that." Hmmmm, as far as we are concerned we're just being honest about Wil's history and inquiring why he might not have never had ANY problems in the past yet have had a [silent] past injury (not asking about payment, just details on the MEDICAL issue). No explanation other than "they won't buy that, there's no way he could have torn that just walking around". I mean, I'm no doctor, maybe it is an old injury, but it's strange. So, I attempted to ask a few more questions about what the next surgery would be like--I was shut down. Mind you, we have NO choice in who we see...this is the workers comp doctor Wil's company uses in this area for this type of injury. Well, if we go through our own insurance, we are certainly not going back to him! It would definitely be a more invasive operation and 6 months PT afterwards. Note to self: Must get second job!
Anyway, Wil is home and propped up and doped up...happily watching Jeopardy. Thanks for all your positive thoughts today! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Everything went fine and they were glad he had to go "pee-pee" (as the nurse called it) before he left. Wil had not eaten for about 18 hours, so he was very glad to eat some crackers. He even said "saltines never tasted so good." His followup appointment is on Friday afternoon.
We continue to be disappointed by the doctor's bedside manner. You get this gut feeling he still does not believe Wil really injured himself at work. Not to mention the fact I have met and talked with him 3 times and this morning he actually shakes my hand and introduces himself asking "have we met yet?" He's just a tool and makes it clear he has no time to waste answering questions.
During the surgery they found a completely torn ligament which will require a separate surgery. The doctor said this was an old injury. Wil has told him that he has never had any pain in his knee until this injury, but we were told workers comp "won't buy that." Hmmmm, as far as we are concerned we're just being honest about Wil's history and inquiring why he might not have never had ANY problems in the past yet have had a [silent] past injury (not asking about payment, just details on the MEDICAL issue). No explanation other than "they won't buy that, there's no way he could have torn that just walking around". I mean, I'm no doctor, maybe it is an old injury, but it's strange. So, I attempted to ask a few more questions about what the next surgery would be like--I was shut down. Mind you, we have NO choice in who we see...this is the workers comp doctor Wil's company uses in this area for this type of injury. Well, if we go through our own insurance, we are certainly not going back to him! It would definitely be a more invasive operation and 6 months PT afterwards. Note to self: Must get second job!
Anyway, Wil is home and propped up and doped up...happily watching Jeopardy. Thanks for all your positive thoughts today! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Is it Monday again?
Weekends are too short! Friday night I got home late from work (7pm) which I swear is the reason my weekend went too fast! Saturday I felt like crap and had planned on running errands and going to concert, but after half of the errands were done I felt like I was going to fall over, so I ended up at home.
Home is great! Unpacking, not so great...so I have decided that from here on out (until things ease up with the hubby injury situation and my own work exploding/busy) I am going to store some boxes not needed just yet in my fabulous and rather empty storage closet. I just can't get them all unpacked on the weekends (and rest) by 12/16 when I am having a party...so closet, get ready for some boxes!
Wil's surgery is Wednesday...I am nervous, but more about the potential findings (a possible second surgery accoding to the doc if he also finds a ligament torn). Grrr. So think of Wil this week and say a prayer it is NOTHING else and he will be able to return to work soon...for his sanity if nothing else! November was a LOOOONG month...
Alright, off to do paperwork (it's freakin 6am, but I have SO much to turn in today I have to get crackin)!
Peace.
Home is great! Unpacking, not so great...so I have decided that from here on out (until things ease up with the hubby injury situation and my own work exploding/busy) I am going to store some boxes not needed just yet in my fabulous and rather empty storage closet. I just can't get them all unpacked on the weekends (and rest) by 12/16 when I am having a party...so closet, get ready for some boxes!
Wil's surgery is Wednesday...I am nervous, but more about the potential findings (a possible second surgery accoding to the doc if he also finds a ligament torn). Grrr. So think of Wil this week and say a prayer it is NOTHING else and he will be able to return to work soon...for his sanity if nothing else! November was a LOOOONG month...
Alright, off to do paperwork (it's freakin 6am, but I have SO much to turn in today I have to get crackin)!
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)