For some reason, today/tonight has really hit me. I had a good day at work: not a whole lot of patients, working with the PAD. I'm adjusting to the idea of seeing many patients each day (as opposed to research where I saw maybe at the most FOUR a day); here, a day ranges from 5 to 28 patients. Slowly the days are taking on a kind of routine. Not that they are dull or boring-- no. These days are still learning experiences for me.
But the Doc was out today in surgery, so I just had the PAD (and that is a far cry from the DOC's kind of day, lol). Yet I kept busy until the very last hour, when I found some busy work to keep me going til it was close enough to 5 to leave.
Then I just zipped over to the recently-discovered KMart not 3 minutes away from the hospital to see if they had any scrubs or nursing clogs. KMart's Online catalog shows plenty of choices. The actual store--not so much. So that means I will need to head over to Albany this weekend and find the Mall for my scrubs and shoes. No biggie, right?
Yet I got home and was suddenly feeling very emotional. I came inside and decided not to walk with the dog. (I am also dealing with a recurrence of my stomach issues, due to running out of medication and my doc not refilling my meds until I see her in the office, and me calling her to ask for one more refill just til I can get in to see her but not till after Dec 1 when my insurance kicks in...blah blah blah.)
I changed clothes, and sat down to watch the news. THEN it hit me: the repeated viewing of the Hurricane effects on NJ, NY, CT...I found myself just sobbing. I keep thinking I've recovered from Hugo, which was 23 freakin' years ago. Good GOD. I just can't bear to watch these scenes, but at the same time I want to watch, too much. The scenes of destruction, of loss, of house after house after house of damage, flood waters, sand, downed trees and no electricity: all of it is so tragic. The scenes of people crying over their losses. The idea of so much work, and heartache, and loss, and recovery time. I just found myself sobbing along, and unable to separate myself from experiencing it with them.
There's just no place that is safe.
That is the worst realization.
On a completely different note, we've found that our newest family member is suddenly peeing out of the box. No reason for her to, but two days in a row we've discovered she peed on the bed. Argghh!!! J is very frustrated. He was supposed to call the vet today, but got sidetracked with other chores I had (so thoughtfully) listed for him. Sigh. He built me a little shelf contraption next to my desk, so I can store the big computer there, and that leaves my whole desk area free for me to study. I'm so thrilled! It will make a big difference...
Tomorrow I have a busy morning: the Doc is In, only in the morning seeing patients. Then a quiet afternoon--he leaves to do surgery in the afternoon.
Maybe the day will be better. Of course the day will be better! The RN told me she didn't want me "going home and crying" anymore; we both laughed, but she confided that she had days like that too. That really helped me. It's a tough job, and I'm learning
that the office is understaffed anyway; my manager is in the process of hiring people--or at least interviewing. We'll see what happens.
Okay. It's almost Friday!!! Isn't it??
Oh, and good ol' Alan called to ask J what to do re the Suburban. The back window is broken apparently; and do we want to fix it? After discussing it with J, we decided the hell with repairing one more thing. J told him to list it on craigslist or whatever, but that we are selling it as is.... no more repairs. If we have to settle for less money, so be it.
I am so ready for this year to be over. For some reason I thought "2012--what a great number! It'll be a great year!!"
No. It's turning out to be one of my toughest years ever. A great learning experience--- but a very hard year.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday
I'm feeling human these days, again, finally. I believe now that I can do this job once I recognize all aspects; I'm still finding out various parts and pieces. RN will casually say "Once you're doing this (instead of me) then I'll be free to pick back up on such-and-such." "Oh...umm, that's part of my job too?" Yup... and each time I think holy cow, I will never get it all straight. Well, it's slow learning, but no one seems impatient, or frustrated with my pace; in fact people are grateful and genuinely happy to see me, and relieved that I keep showing up every morning. I know now that I'm not a fast learner, but once I learn, it's in there, and eventually I will be efficient and thorough.
I got to shadow the doc Thursday morning as he saw patients, along with our resident, Blake. So for every appointment the doc would walk in, followed by me and Blake, the doc would introduce us, and then we stayed in the background as the doc listened intently to what the complaint was, and then did his physical exam of the body part (my doc only does knees and shoulders), inspected and shared the results of the various MRIs or xrays on the monitor, then did his teaching and offering his options for treatment. Sometimes all that he did was administer an injection, and other times surgery was the only option.
It was absolutely fascinating to listen to. I'm so impressed. Thank god I can respect and admire my doc; one of the docs here is apparently a real bear to work for, according to one of the MAs I was training with last week. So bad that she actually has given her notice. But my doc is patient, thoughtful, listens and takes his time. I've learned that he routinely runs anywhere from 20 min to 1 hour behind, because he does take his time with every single patient. And that the patients don't mind waiting because they know he won't rush them. (Running behind that far is bothering *me*, but everyone assures me that uncomfortable feeling will pass!! That seems odd to me, but they're okay with it. No one is going to encourage him to speed up and spend less time with these people...)
Anyway I'm learning a lot, and putting it all together. It helps that he's only in two days a week, because the rest of the time I am prepping for those days, or recovering from one of those days. Plus being the CMA for the PAD who is there every day, with a much lighter patient schedule, thankfully. He does most of his own work, but is a good teacher and happy to share skills and knowledge; he was walking me through how to prepare injections Thursday, and I've now also obtained nasal smears and removed staples.
Friday afternoon I spent in yet another CPR class right there at the hospital. I took an online re-certification at home in September, which turned out to be no good because that company wasn't officially recognized by the AHA. The hospital only recognizes and approves AHA-CPR certification. Figures. So I was given the option of taking the first half of the CPR certification online via a video game kind of thing, and then the second half with actual hands-on training. I've spent 2-3 sessions about 2 hours each time trying to do this damn video game, and cannot do it; I just don't have the brain which is used to this method. I finally asked my manager if I could just attend a regular class, and so I did on Friday. Much, much easier, and although I am still sore today in my shoulders and wrists, at least it's done.
J had some health scares recently, but the EKG and heart monitor both were fine. He's due to see his cardio doc later this week, and the coumadin level is jumpy. Worse, his knee is really bothering him, the knee that he didn't have replaced 10 years ago. He's very afraid that he's facing another replacement. He's been given a different kind of pain reliever, the same one I'm on for my ITB syndrome. And he's been told No Walking if it's causing pain. His doc is having him see *my* doc for a consult, so that will be interesting. (My doc doesn't do actual knee replacements, but he does the arthroscopies, injections, and various tear repairs; another doc in the practice does the replacements).
So I'm back to walking alone, or with the dog. We were at this point last fall due to his foot issue; that got fixed with cortisone, so maybe...
This morning it's just pouring, that nasty insistent steady drizzle. It's nothing compared to what the East Coasters will be experiencing, but it still makes the idea of walking not something to look forward to. It's fairly warm though-- upper 50s. I will try to brave the outdoors later if it lets up. Yesterday I did a long walk, and in the late afternoon on Friday when I got home from CPR I also did a long walk. As a result I'm a bit sorer than I am usually. Well, *I'm* not sore, but my ITB is very sore. I need to remember to take the tramadol before walking...instead of afterwards.
I came home from yesterday's walk just feeling like a solid block of lead. I took a tramadol, and J made corned beef hash and poached eggs for lunch (which uses up a LOT of points on my WW program, but oh it was good!)---and then I read, flat on my back, for a couple of hours. I even napped for an hour. It was wonderful. Haven't done that in a while. Very nice, on a grey, drizzly day with nothing pressing to do. Today I will make up for it, with studying. With music in the background, and my husband puttering, it's very peaceful, very cosy.
Later today, he will drive up to P'land. The film he made back in May and June is having its premiere tonight at one of the museums. I feel a bit guilty not going with him, but I really need to take care of myself and not go anywhere. He will be getting a copy of the film on a DVD, so I will get to see it too--just not up there. (Why is it being held on a Sunday night??? He won't be getting home til after 11, and that's just crazy.)
I finally got my first paycheck in yesterday's mail. (I'd signed up for direct deposit, but it takes a few cycles to start.) It was wonderful to get that check; now we can plan for how to pay off the cc's, and there won't be such an up-in-the-air feeling on what will be happening. What a relief!! I did get 4 hours of overtime, and that isn't supposed to happen, but because I was in training that will be forgiven. From now on I'm to keep to 40 hours a week. That full-time schedule, along with the ridiculously short commute of 10 minutes (which means I fill up the tank once a month, instead of twice a week) will result in the ability to be out of debt within 6 months, not including my school loan. TYG. I am so grateful.
I did get my great-grandmother's diamond ring back from the jeweler last week, too. We'd noticed that one of the 4 shanks holding the diamonds was completely sliced through, so, much as it pained me to remove the ring from my finger, we sent it off for repair, along with replacing a clasp on a necklace I've inherited. Together the repairs were only $120. It's now back where it belongs on my hand, and I feel a lot better.
Interestingly, I'd also asked for an estimate to repair my emerald and diamond ring; this is one I found probably 30 years ago in a little shop in Charleston and had bought for myself for around $100. At the time it seemed like a lot of money. But the estimate to repair (the loss just a few weeks ago of one of the tiny emeralds) was $280. Ridiculous. So I won't be doing that, thank you very much. I have quite a collection now of jewelry that needs repair, someday when I win the lottery. That's okay...I am in no rush.
We also had Alan prep mom's house for winter: he "blew the pipes out", and shut off the water. He actually had his boss help with this, and so it cost us some money again, but this way we don't have to worry about the pipes freezing. I guess we have to be prepared for a long quiet period; there probably won't be a chance in hell that someone would want to look at (much less buy) an isolated 20 acre parcel with some buildings.
Grief is a strange beast. When I think of Gramma, to this day, I can feel tears right there, and depending on where I am and what I'm doing, I allow myself to get those out there. With mom, I haven't felt the same kind of feeling: it's an intermittent sadness, a sudden remembering that she is not up there in WA anymore, not even remotely in my world anymore. It's more a realization of how deeply sick and in-pain she was for so much longer than I'd realized. She really never recovered fully from losing her mom, I think; more and more I feel she was deeply damaged emotionally, by that loss especially but even before then. I'm finding myself greatly relieved that she is at peace now, that she is not fighting so hard anymore. I can let go and not worry about her anymore. She's okay now.
I wonder how the animals are doing; I wonder if they are all happy where they are. She was so sick for so long that maybe they are doing even better now than before. I think that property up there needs a healing time, a time to go back to the peaceful benign neglect. Mom worried so much about all she wasn't able to do that I wonder if she didn't in a way poison the living beings. It makes me feel peaceful and happy, picturing the property covered in snow, sleeping. Knowing that she isn't there fretting.
Don't know if that even makes sense, but it sure makes my Sundays better, knowing that I don't have to call and find out how she is. It's done. A part of me wishes this didn't sound so...cold? But it's the truth-- the past 18months took their toll on me too, and I'm slowly recovering *my* balance. It's a process.
Every day feels long--- but this whole month has flown by. What a month of change. What a year of change.
I got to shadow the doc Thursday morning as he saw patients, along with our resident, Blake. So for every appointment the doc would walk in, followed by me and Blake, the doc would introduce us, and then we stayed in the background as the doc listened intently to what the complaint was, and then did his physical exam of the body part (my doc only does knees and shoulders), inspected and shared the results of the various MRIs or xrays on the monitor, then did his teaching and offering his options for treatment. Sometimes all that he did was administer an injection, and other times surgery was the only option.
It was absolutely fascinating to listen to. I'm so impressed. Thank god I can respect and admire my doc; one of the docs here is apparently a real bear to work for, according to one of the MAs I was training with last week. So bad that she actually has given her notice. But my doc is patient, thoughtful, listens and takes his time. I've learned that he routinely runs anywhere from 20 min to 1 hour behind, because he does take his time with every single patient. And that the patients don't mind waiting because they know he won't rush them. (Running behind that far is bothering *me*, but everyone assures me that uncomfortable feeling will pass!! That seems odd to me, but they're okay with it. No one is going to encourage him to speed up and spend less time with these people...)
Anyway I'm learning a lot, and putting it all together. It helps that he's only in two days a week, because the rest of the time I am prepping for those days, or recovering from one of those days. Plus being the CMA for the PAD who is there every day, with a much lighter patient schedule, thankfully. He does most of his own work, but is a good teacher and happy to share skills and knowledge; he was walking me through how to prepare injections Thursday, and I've now also obtained nasal smears and removed staples.
Friday afternoon I spent in yet another CPR class right there at the hospital. I took an online re-certification at home in September, which turned out to be no good because that company wasn't officially recognized by the AHA. The hospital only recognizes and approves AHA-CPR certification. Figures. So I was given the option of taking the first half of the CPR certification online via a video game kind of thing, and then the second half with actual hands-on training. I've spent 2-3 sessions about 2 hours each time trying to do this damn video game, and cannot do it; I just don't have the brain which is used to this method. I finally asked my manager if I could just attend a regular class, and so I did on Friday. Much, much easier, and although I am still sore today in my shoulders and wrists, at least it's done.
J had some health scares recently, but the EKG and heart monitor both were fine. He's due to see his cardio doc later this week, and the coumadin level is jumpy. Worse, his knee is really bothering him, the knee that he didn't have replaced 10 years ago. He's very afraid that he's facing another replacement. He's been given a different kind of pain reliever, the same one I'm on for my ITB syndrome. And he's been told No Walking if it's causing pain. His doc is having him see *my* doc for a consult, so that will be interesting. (My doc doesn't do actual knee replacements, but he does the arthroscopies, injections, and various tear repairs; another doc in the practice does the replacements).
So I'm back to walking alone, or with the dog. We were at this point last fall due to his foot issue; that got fixed with cortisone, so maybe...
This morning it's just pouring, that nasty insistent steady drizzle. It's nothing compared to what the East Coasters will be experiencing, but it still makes the idea of walking not something to look forward to. It's fairly warm though-- upper 50s. I will try to brave the outdoors later if it lets up. Yesterday I did a long walk, and in the late afternoon on Friday when I got home from CPR I also did a long walk. As a result I'm a bit sorer than I am usually. Well, *I'm* not sore, but my ITB is very sore. I need to remember to take the tramadol before walking...instead of afterwards.
I came home from yesterday's walk just feeling like a solid block of lead. I took a tramadol, and J made corned beef hash and poached eggs for lunch (which uses up a LOT of points on my WW program, but oh it was good!)---and then I read, flat on my back, for a couple of hours. I even napped for an hour. It was wonderful. Haven't done that in a while. Very nice, on a grey, drizzly day with nothing pressing to do. Today I will make up for it, with studying. With music in the background, and my husband puttering, it's very peaceful, very cosy.
Later today, he will drive up to P'land. The film he made back in May and June is having its premiere tonight at one of the museums. I feel a bit guilty not going with him, but I really need to take care of myself and not go anywhere. He will be getting a copy of the film on a DVD, so I will get to see it too--just not up there. (Why is it being held on a Sunday night??? He won't be getting home til after 11, and that's just crazy.)
I finally got my first paycheck in yesterday's mail. (I'd signed up for direct deposit, but it takes a few cycles to start.) It was wonderful to get that check; now we can plan for how to pay off the cc's, and there won't be such an up-in-the-air feeling on what will be happening. What a relief!! I did get 4 hours of overtime, and that isn't supposed to happen, but because I was in training that will be forgiven. From now on I'm to keep to 40 hours a week. That full-time schedule, along with the ridiculously short commute of 10 minutes (which means I fill up the tank once a month, instead of twice a week) will result in the ability to be out of debt within 6 months, not including my school loan. TYG. I am so grateful.
I did get my great-grandmother's diamond ring back from the jeweler last week, too. We'd noticed that one of the 4 shanks holding the diamonds was completely sliced through, so, much as it pained me to remove the ring from my finger, we sent it off for repair, along with replacing a clasp on a necklace I've inherited. Together the repairs were only $120. It's now back where it belongs on my hand, and I feel a lot better.
Interestingly, I'd also asked for an estimate to repair my emerald and diamond ring; this is one I found probably 30 years ago in a little shop in Charleston and had bought for myself for around $100. At the time it seemed like a lot of money. But the estimate to repair (the loss just a few weeks ago of one of the tiny emeralds) was $280. Ridiculous. So I won't be doing that, thank you very much. I have quite a collection now of jewelry that needs repair, someday when I win the lottery. That's okay...I am in no rush.
We also had Alan prep mom's house for winter: he "blew the pipes out", and shut off the water. He actually had his boss help with this, and so it cost us some money again, but this way we don't have to worry about the pipes freezing. I guess we have to be prepared for a long quiet period; there probably won't be a chance in hell that someone would want to look at (much less buy) an isolated 20 acre parcel with some buildings.
Grief is a strange beast. When I think of Gramma, to this day, I can feel tears right there, and depending on where I am and what I'm doing, I allow myself to get those out there. With mom, I haven't felt the same kind of feeling: it's an intermittent sadness, a sudden remembering that she is not up there in WA anymore, not even remotely in my world anymore. It's more a realization of how deeply sick and in-pain she was for so much longer than I'd realized. She really never recovered fully from losing her mom, I think; more and more I feel she was deeply damaged emotionally, by that loss especially but even before then. I'm finding myself greatly relieved that she is at peace now, that she is not fighting so hard anymore. I can let go and not worry about her anymore. She's okay now.
I wonder how the animals are doing; I wonder if they are all happy where they are. She was so sick for so long that maybe they are doing even better now than before. I think that property up there needs a healing time, a time to go back to the peaceful benign neglect. Mom worried so much about all she wasn't able to do that I wonder if she didn't in a way poison the living beings. It makes me feel peaceful and happy, picturing the property covered in snow, sleeping. Knowing that she isn't there fretting.
Don't know if that even makes sense, but it sure makes my Sundays better, knowing that I don't have to call and find out how she is. It's done. A part of me wishes this didn't sound so...cold? But it's the truth-- the past 18months took their toll on me too, and I'm slowly recovering *my* balance. It's a process.
Every day feels long--- but this whole month has flown by. What a month of change. What a year of change.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sunday
The missing chicken showed up the next day, looking very bedraggled and wet. Have no idea where she was or what happened, but all the ladies are sticking close to home. The neighbors also have chickens now (a beautiful exotic breed all feathered in striking black and white), so they are constantly trying to jump over the fence and join ours. We are not encouraging this...so J had to put up more chicken wire fencing at the area where they congregate to observe our ladies.
Frustrating though, because our ladies have slowed way down in their egg production already. We will have to resort to buying eggs at this rate.
Work is slightly better: I have only cried twice this past week. Sigh. I think I have the rooming-of-patients and most of the data-entry-into-the-electronic-medical-record part down, but everything else is still a blur. This coming week they decided to change my training process, thankfully; one CMA will be teaching me, not 4 different people. That will help a lot.
Yesterday after the Meeting I spoke with the two other members who also work at Samaritan, and that was so helpful; both were very encouraging, and said they'd felt the exact same ways many times. Each has been there a number of years, and each is familiar with what I'm experiencing. So it's not just me--it's the whole company, the whole culture. Both gave me their extensions, so I can call either one to vent, or ask questions.
Last Sunday, and today, I will be spending the day studying. Last Sunday I only got through reading one chapter, and halfway through that chapter's test. At this rate I won't make it through the textbook in time to take the test. So I have to step it up somehow. I'm hoping my energy level comes up as time goes by and I feel more comfortable on the job; that way I can study during the week as well. Right now I come home, change clothes and walk right away, and collapse for the evening.
The new cat is adjusting well. She and Sheba are still occasionally hissing as they pass each other, but they aren't fighting or attacking each other. Fiona is still trying to figure out a good place to sleep--she's tried upstairs under the futon, and my rocker, and the wooden rocker, and the latest is our bed. That's fine with me-- she is a cuddle cat sometimes, and I like seeing a cat on the bed. She really wants to go outside-- we have to really watch the door if we're coming or going. She's a very dark tortoiseshell and I've come close to stepping on her a couple of times (because she disappears onto the rug pattern).
One of the pediatricians I used to work with died suddenly last week. It was so shocking to read; he was only 2 years younger than me, and I hadn't seen him in years, but he was the one who originally asked me to move with him to a different site when he and the other peds set up their own clinic. Looking back, I wonder what would have changed if I'd done that. Because several months later I was let go by that new manager. If I'd moved with him, my whole career path would have changed, I'm sure. There was no reason given in the obit as to why he died, so I've emailed my old instructor for details. She also worked for him for 18 years, and had stayed in touch of course. He was a very sweet and gentle man, leaving two teens and a wife. I considered going down for the memorial service today, but just can't bring myself to.
Fall is here; the rains have started finally, and the boat is now protected in the carport . J will still be able to work on it throughout the winter. The work involved turns out to be more detailed than expected---isn't that always true. Once my paychecks are regular, and a known amount, then we'll be able to plan for how to budget for those repair plans. J went to the coast last week to retrieve some parts (that Travis isn't using) from the sailboat, so that saved us quite a bit of money.
It's almost 9am, and it's not raining at the moment, so I will get ready to do my walk.
Frustrating though, because our ladies have slowed way down in their egg production already. We will have to resort to buying eggs at this rate.
Work is slightly better: I have only cried twice this past week. Sigh. I think I have the rooming-of-patients and most of the data-entry-into-the-electronic-medical-record part down, but everything else is still a blur. This coming week they decided to change my training process, thankfully; one CMA will be teaching me, not 4 different people. That will help a lot.
Yesterday after the Meeting I spoke with the two other members who also work at Samaritan, and that was so helpful; both were very encouraging, and said they'd felt the exact same ways many times. Each has been there a number of years, and each is familiar with what I'm experiencing. So it's not just me--it's the whole company, the whole culture. Both gave me their extensions, so I can call either one to vent, or ask questions.
Last Sunday, and today, I will be spending the day studying. Last Sunday I only got through reading one chapter, and halfway through that chapter's test. At this rate I won't make it through the textbook in time to take the test. So I have to step it up somehow. I'm hoping my energy level comes up as time goes by and I feel more comfortable on the job; that way I can study during the week as well. Right now I come home, change clothes and walk right away, and collapse for the evening.
The new cat is adjusting well. She and Sheba are still occasionally hissing as they pass each other, but they aren't fighting or attacking each other. Fiona is still trying to figure out a good place to sleep--she's tried upstairs under the futon, and my rocker, and the wooden rocker, and the latest is our bed. That's fine with me-- she is a cuddle cat sometimes, and I like seeing a cat on the bed. She really wants to go outside-- we have to really watch the door if we're coming or going. She's a very dark tortoiseshell and I've come close to stepping on her a couple of times (because she disappears onto the rug pattern).
One of the pediatricians I used to work with died suddenly last week. It was so shocking to read; he was only 2 years younger than me, and I hadn't seen him in years, but he was the one who originally asked me to move with him to a different site when he and the other peds set up their own clinic. Looking back, I wonder what would have changed if I'd done that. Because several months later I was let go by that new manager. If I'd moved with him, my whole career path would have changed, I'm sure. There was no reason given in the obit as to why he died, so I've emailed my old instructor for details. She also worked for him for 18 years, and had stayed in touch of course. He was a very sweet and gentle man, leaving two teens and a wife. I considered going down for the memorial service today, but just can't bring myself to.
Fall is here; the rains have started finally, and the boat is now protected in the carport . J will still be able to work on it throughout the winter. The work involved turns out to be more detailed than expected---isn't that always true. Once my paychecks are regular, and a known amount, then we'll be able to plan for how to budget for those repair plans. J went to the coast last week to retrieve some parts (that Travis isn't using) from the sailboat, so that saved us quite a bit of money.
It's almost 9am, and it's not raining at the moment, so I will get ready to do my walk.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Saturday
OMG. This has been one hell of a stressful week. I have not been on a roller coaster like this since the days surrounding mom's death. I am utterly exhausted, and so grateful today is a day of NotWorking.
Every. Single. Day. this week has been incredibly long and involved and jam-packed with learning. I feel overwhelmed. I come home and cry every night because I am so tired, so stuffed with new knowledge. New computer and several new programs (which each have their own user id and password to be created), new phone system, completely new environment--not only the hospital but my own clinic which is huge and maze-like; new co-workers, boss, doctors, PAs. New job duties, with trainings to attend either in person or online (all by a certain date--no pressure there...).
Then, deciding on the complicated benefits package--holy cow. Unless I'm misunderstanding the available providers, I think my own dearly loved doc is not a contracted provider with this new insurance. (Which means I might need to switch docs again.) Or, I could keep seeing her, and just pay more money since she is out-of-network. I have to decide if this is worth it.
Two days of orientation on Monday and Tuesday, one learning the Company's history, and the other day learning the Hospital's history and system workings. (No tour though as I was hoping. But there is a map.) They covered so much that I have three inch-thick booklets of information.
Then Wednesday I reported to my clinic, Orthopedics. Thankfully my doc DrSK isn't there on Wednesdays (or Mondays or Fridays for that matter), as he does surgeries. Clinic days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) are when we see the patients for consults, pre-ops, and post-op visits. He also has a physician's assistant who is there daily, DrD, aka PAD, and so my responsibilities are to room his patients, too. Wednesday morning I was trained on the EMR computer system, and then given a tour and introduced to all. My new boss B*** had greeted me that morning with a big smile and Hi E!! and then much to my surprise a hug. At 4:25, B*** came and collected me for an hour long staff meeting, and I learned a lot there too. I was able to pick out the troublemakers, the drama queens DrSK referred to, right away. Hmm.
Thursday, Sara the MA who I'm replacing was there all day to train me. It just so happened to be DrSK's birthday so he wasn't in the office that day either. Phew! I had some time to learn the rooming and data entry processes, and go over charts, and familiarize myself with the layout of my pod; I share that large space with DrSK's RN who assists him with surgeries. So she's been there almost every day, very distracted and busy with her stuff.
Yesterday, PAD was the only one in, and I was expected to jump in and room these patients, and then do the updating in the EMR! Holy cow... Fortunately there were only 4 patients all in the morning; talk about a crash course. But some of the other MAs were there too, and were able to help if I needed it. I got more training from B*** in the afternoon on some other things, learning also that Sara "wasn't big on filing..." so things are not where they should be.
I came home every day and walked, except for Thursday when I had my WW meeting. Not surprised to learn I didn't lose this past week; I wasn't able to do more than 2 miles on any night.That extra mile makes a big difference.
Poor J has been so supportive of my extreme fragility, sensitivity, crying at the drop of a hat. Wednesday night he had learned that because we hadn't gotten a bill from the gas company since July, we now owe over $600. They had switched us over to electronic billing, and we were never notified. That just was...the straw that broke this camel's back. In all the confusion over the summer, I never noticed we hadn't gotten a paper bill from them as we always had, and therefore never followed up with them. Now, we are stuck. J doesn't see it as a real problem: we will just pay it off as we can, as soon as my pay periods are established and we can set up a new system. I however just lost it; I see it as one more failure on my part, and am stressing over how soon we can take care of it. Sigh.
The unemployment benefits obviously ended with this week's money. When I call into the automated system on Sunday, I will be reporting that I did work, so I won't be getting anymore. I don't know when my first check will be deposited in my account, so we are just going to be paying the minimums required, as usual. I'm so grateful to have a full time job and that we can begin to pay down these balances.
I exchanged my regular phone for a new smartphone, and it arrived Wednesday; I have no earthly idea how to use it. The tutorials online are useful to a point, but I'm grateful my daughter will be visiting us this afternoon, and she can help me in person. One reason I switched is that I can no longer use my computer at work to check emails, or the news, or anything--there is no personal use allowed. (Except for lunch time--however we cannot eat at our desks, so there's no point to staying in the building. This week I just sat out in my car for the half hour, and read recovery literature while I ate.)
So I decided the easiest way to be able to check stuff is to get a smart phone. Steep learning curve though. Very stressful considering a new phone and a new job--maybe not the best time!
And one of our chickens is missing; the leader hen wasn't around last night, and has not shown up this morning. She is a very curious and sweet-natured thing, who took over originally when the first leader disappeared without a trace.
More has happened this week, but I will need to catch this up later.
Every. Single. Day. this week has been incredibly long and involved and jam-packed with learning. I feel overwhelmed. I come home and cry every night because I am so tired, so stuffed with new knowledge. New computer and several new programs (which each have their own user id and password to be created), new phone system, completely new environment--not only the hospital but my own clinic which is huge and maze-like; new co-workers, boss, doctors, PAs. New job duties, with trainings to attend either in person or online (all by a certain date--no pressure there...).
Then, deciding on the complicated benefits package--holy cow. Unless I'm misunderstanding the available providers, I think my own dearly loved doc is not a contracted provider with this new insurance. (Which means I might need to switch docs again.) Or, I could keep seeing her, and just pay more money since she is out-of-network. I have to decide if this is worth it.
Two days of orientation on Monday and Tuesday, one learning the Company's history, and the other day learning the Hospital's history and system workings. (No tour though as I was hoping. But there is a map.) They covered so much that I have three inch-thick booklets of information.
Then Wednesday I reported to my clinic, Orthopedics. Thankfully my doc DrSK isn't there on Wednesdays (or Mondays or Fridays for that matter), as he does surgeries. Clinic days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) are when we see the patients for consults, pre-ops, and post-op visits. He also has a physician's assistant who is there daily, DrD, aka PAD, and so my responsibilities are to room his patients, too. Wednesday morning I was trained on the EMR computer system, and then given a tour and introduced to all. My new boss B*** had greeted me that morning with a big smile and Hi E!! and then much to my surprise a hug. At 4:25, B*** came and collected me for an hour long staff meeting, and I learned a lot there too. I was able to pick out the troublemakers, the drama queens DrSK referred to, right away. Hmm.
Thursday, Sara the MA who I'm replacing was there all day to train me. It just so happened to be DrSK's birthday so he wasn't in the office that day either. Phew! I had some time to learn the rooming and data entry processes, and go over charts, and familiarize myself with the layout of my pod; I share that large space with DrSK's RN who assists him with surgeries. So she's been there almost every day, very distracted and busy with her stuff.
Yesterday, PAD was the only one in, and I was expected to jump in and room these patients, and then do the updating in the EMR! Holy cow... Fortunately there were only 4 patients all in the morning; talk about a crash course. But some of the other MAs were there too, and were able to help if I needed it. I got more training from B*** in the afternoon on some other things, learning also that Sara "wasn't big on filing..." so things are not where they should be.
I came home every day and walked, except for Thursday when I had my WW meeting. Not surprised to learn I didn't lose this past week; I wasn't able to do more than 2 miles on any night.That extra mile makes a big difference.
Poor J has been so supportive of my extreme fragility, sensitivity, crying at the drop of a hat. Wednesday night he had learned that because we hadn't gotten a bill from the gas company since July, we now owe over $600. They had switched us over to electronic billing, and we were never notified. That just was...the straw that broke this camel's back. In all the confusion over the summer, I never noticed we hadn't gotten a paper bill from them as we always had, and therefore never followed up with them. Now, we are stuck. J doesn't see it as a real problem: we will just pay it off as we can, as soon as my pay periods are established and we can set up a new system. I however just lost it; I see it as one more failure on my part, and am stressing over how soon we can take care of it. Sigh.
The unemployment benefits obviously ended with this week's money. When I call into the automated system on Sunday, I will be reporting that I did work, so I won't be getting anymore. I don't know when my first check will be deposited in my account, so we are just going to be paying the minimums required, as usual. I'm so grateful to have a full time job and that we can begin to pay down these balances.
I exchanged my regular phone for a new smartphone, and it arrived Wednesday; I have no earthly idea how to use it. The tutorials online are useful to a point, but I'm grateful my daughter will be visiting us this afternoon, and she can help me in person. One reason I switched is that I can no longer use my computer at work to check emails, or the news, or anything--there is no personal use allowed. (Except for lunch time--however we cannot eat at our desks, so there's no point to staying in the building. This week I just sat out in my car for the half hour, and read recovery literature while I ate.)
So I decided the easiest way to be able to check stuff is to get a smart phone. Steep learning curve though. Very stressful considering a new phone and a new job--maybe not the best time!
And one of our chickens is missing; the leader hen wasn't around last night, and has not shown up this morning. She is a very curious and sweet-natured thing, who took over originally when the first leader disappeared without a trace.
More has happened this week, but I will need to catch this up later.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Friday
So Miss Fiona is just fat! No medical reason for it. The vet's suggestion is to cut in half the suggested serving size on the bag of cat food. She pointed out that some cats can self-regulate, and others can't. (Clearly, that would be Fiona.) Well, good to know she is healthy otherwise. The vet did suggest we have her mouth xrayed, since her gums are a bit more receded than would be normal for her age of 6 or 7, suggesting a possible problem under the gumline. But that's going to be a lot of money, and there's certainly no urgency--it's not preventing her from eating, and doesn't seem to be causing any pain.
I've had my visit with HR yesterday, had my photo taken for my badge, been given my parking sticker, given a map showing where I can park. Also had a tetanus booster, a tb test, a flu shot, and six vials of blood drawn (since I do not have my immunization records). I found my smallpox vax record, from back in '71, and I know I had my HepB series in the mid-90s, but I do not have the actual records. So titres have to be drawn for each of those communicable diseases. I think I've had most of them, but in a hospital setting there are extra precautions of course.
I had to fill out payroll forms, medical history forms listing health issues and medications, a form for authorizing direct deposit, and a few others I can't remember.
I'm fighting big headaches every day now, and I think that's due to anxiety. Because I don't know how my days will be: I won't know that til I'm actually working. I'm worried that the job will be physically demanding, and that I won't be able to keep up. Part of me recognizes that is just silly--of course I can keep up, I'm very healthy. (I do have the hip/thigh issue, the ileo-tibial band syndrome. But a lot of that will lessen when the extra weight comes off.) The other part of me thinks, well, I've just never had to work at an all-day physically demanding job. (Not that I know this is going to be that way, anyway!)
I'm sure there will be a good mix of quiet days, and busy days, if for no other reason than the doc does surgeries some days (therefore he is not in the office), and is out of the office entirely on other days. Most docs do not work 5 days a week. I'm sure I'm worried for nothing, but I can't seem to shut off my brain.
Today is my last "free" day. After this week, everything will change again. I'm excited, and anxious, and looking forward to it, and already missing my calm, unstructured days at home the past 4 months. I couldn't look at those days or feel them as calm and unstructured with any degree of peace at the time of course; sigh. I was trying to--but on the days that I was not endowed with Faith, I could not really relax and enjoy it.
That's why a friend commented recently that my past four months really weren't "free", because I didn't know when they were going to end. And because looking for work is a job by itself; that comment went a long way toward explaining my own ambivalence. He was quite right.
However, it does give me an idea on how I will be when I do officially retire. I will need to find something to help occupy my time--I can't just putter all day. Well, that's years from now. But I can be aware of that for when the time comes.
Sometimes I try to imagine where I'll be in 10 years. A lot depends on my husband's health. We got the notice that his life insurance premiums will be jumping from $645 per year to $2200 per year, starting in 2014. That's a hell of a jump. But that will probably be necessary, to keep any kind of policy in place. I've done the searching for a less expensive policy with the same coverage and there are none.
He's at the age now where the odds are against him. Despite his overall good health, there are a few red flags, and it'd be foolish to discount those. He gets pretty discouraged and angry and hard on himself at what he sees and terms as "failings" or "weaknesses" in his "declining" health, but I don't see it that way. At 74, he's in pretty damn good shape. Yes, the arthritis in his hands is quite severe if he works at anything involving physical labor. Those are the days the morphine is used. Other than that, he tires earlier in the day than he used to, and goes to bed around 9. I don't see that as a liability in any way.
It's funny. I know my dad was a physically active person as I was growing up--I remember he was always working outside on something on the weekends. And after the divorce he'd take us on on weekend jaunts, hikes, sailing. I know he kept active after I was no longer in his daily life, because that continued to give him tremendous satisfaction. That continues to this day, at 78.
Now, since I didn't ever live with a physically active partner I think J is exceptional. Whereas he compares himself now to how he used to be 30 years ago, not taking into account the toll active living has taken. Not that he needs to be sitting in a rocking chair--but that all the physical stuff does add up, and the ol' body doesn't have the reserves it used to. To me that is all normal aging. I certainly don't think less of him. I'm in awe of what he does. I hope to god we have at least another 20 years together. Every day we have is a gift, and his age reinforces that theme.
Yesterday for instance the big chore was to install (the first) Lincoln's front seats into J's 1970 Jeep. He'd kept those seats out when that car was totaled specifically so he could replace them, to make my riding experience more comfortable. So yesterday was the day. My lord, I had no idea how complicated this was. Working out in the burning sun, under the truck, bolting and moving and adjusting and unbolting-- he was out there for a long time before he asked for my help. I was wilting after 20 minutes, but he was wrassling around under the big truck, and then clambering out from under and making changes, going back under and tightening again, sweating, dirty, bleeding. It was a good hour at least. I was tired pretty soon from just standing there, but trying to be patient, and thanking the gods it wasn't me rolling around in the gravel driveway! All I was doing was handing him things, and then holding a wrench in place while he adjusted things; I felt useless although I know it would have been much more difficult if not impossible if I hadn't been there.
My point is that he was struggling with this and looked at it as a challenge, something that gave him a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment. I would have given up and decided to pay someone! But he likes to do things on his own, and enjoys doing it the hard way, specifically to toughen himself up. Guess I'm a wimp. And I'm very grateful he is the way he is-- I admire him so much. And I tell him that regularly.
Today the computer repair person should be bringing back J's computer, finally. It's been a week. And today we ship off the vase my cousin wanted of my grandmother's. And tomorrow my daughter comes up for the afternoon and evening, to celebrate her birthday and my getting a job.
We learned from the realtor yesterday that he cannot find any building permits, from way back when mom first moved up to WA and began renovating the structure up there. Oh joy. This means that anyone applying for a mortgage to buy the place will not be able to obtain one, because the bank won't give one if there are no permits... Which will again limit the available pool of buyers. So that's on my list today too, to look in my/mom's records here to see if I can find those permits. Jeez. This is all so...complicated. But, there is nothing I can do about it. We realized it was going to be a challenge finding a buyer anyway (due to the lack of a toilet among other things). This just adds to the fun. Meanwhile Michael will head for the county seat himself to look for the hard copy of any permits, and keep us posted.
Well, off to do errands, and get my walk in.
I've had my visit with HR yesterday, had my photo taken for my badge, been given my parking sticker, given a map showing where I can park. Also had a tetanus booster, a tb test, a flu shot, and six vials of blood drawn (since I do not have my immunization records). I found my smallpox vax record, from back in '71, and I know I had my HepB series in the mid-90s, but I do not have the actual records. So titres have to be drawn for each of those communicable diseases. I think I've had most of them, but in a hospital setting there are extra precautions of course.
I had to fill out payroll forms, medical history forms listing health issues and medications, a form for authorizing direct deposit, and a few others I can't remember.
I'm fighting big headaches every day now, and I think that's due to anxiety. Because I don't know how my days will be: I won't know that til I'm actually working. I'm worried that the job will be physically demanding, and that I won't be able to keep up. Part of me recognizes that is just silly--of course I can keep up, I'm very healthy. (I do have the hip/thigh issue, the ileo-tibial band syndrome. But a lot of that will lessen when the extra weight comes off.) The other part of me thinks, well, I've just never had to work at an all-day physically demanding job. (Not that I know this is going to be that way, anyway!)
I'm sure there will be a good mix of quiet days, and busy days, if for no other reason than the doc does surgeries some days (therefore he is not in the office), and is out of the office entirely on other days. Most docs do not work 5 days a week. I'm sure I'm worried for nothing, but I can't seem to shut off my brain.
Today is my last "free" day. After this week, everything will change again. I'm excited, and anxious, and looking forward to it, and already missing my calm, unstructured days at home the past 4 months. I couldn't look at those days or feel them as calm and unstructured with any degree of peace at the time of course; sigh. I was trying to--but on the days that I was not endowed with Faith, I could not really relax and enjoy it.
That's why a friend commented recently that my past four months really weren't "free", because I didn't know when they were going to end. And because looking for work is a job by itself; that comment went a long way toward explaining my own ambivalence. He was quite right.
However, it does give me an idea on how I will be when I do officially retire. I will need to find something to help occupy my time--I can't just putter all day. Well, that's years from now. But I can be aware of that for when the time comes.
Sometimes I try to imagine where I'll be in 10 years. A lot depends on my husband's health. We got the notice that his life insurance premiums will be jumping from $645 per year to $2200 per year, starting in 2014. That's a hell of a jump. But that will probably be necessary, to keep any kind of policy in place. I've done the searching for a less expensive policy with the same coverage and there are none.
He's at the age now where the odds are against him. Despite his overall good health, there are a few red flags, and it'd be foolish to discount those. He gets pretty discouraged and angry and hard on himself at what he sees and terms as "failings" or "weaknesses" in his "declining" health, but I don't see it that way. At 74, he's in pretty damn good shape. Yes, the arthritis in his hands is quite severe if he works at anything involving physical labor. Those are the days the morphine is used. Other than that, he tires earlier in the day than he used to, and goes to bed around 9. I don't see that as a liability in any way.
It's funny. I know my dad was a physically active person as I was growing up--I remember he was always working outside on something on the weekends. And after the divorce he'd take us on on weekend jaunts, hikes, sailing. I know he kept active after I was no longer in his daily life, because that continued to give him tremendous satisfaction. That continues to this day, at 78.
Now, since I didn't ever live with a physically active partner I think J is exceptional. Whereas he compares himself now to how he used to be 30 years ago, not taking into account the toll active living has taken. Not that he needs to be sitting in a rocking chair--but that all the physical stuff does add up, and the ol' body doesn't have the reserves it used to. To me that is all normal aging. I certainly don't think less of him. I'm in awe of what he does. I hope to god we have at least another 20 years together. Every day we have is a gift, and his age reinforces that theme.
Yesterday for instance the big chore was to install (the first) Lincoln's front seats into J's 1970 Jeep. He'd kept those seats out when that car was totaled specifically so he could replace them, to make my riding experience more comfortable. So yesterday was the day. My lord, I had no idea how complicated this was. Working out in the burning sun, under the truck, bolting and moving and adjusting and unbolting-- he was out there for a long time before he asked for my help. I was wilting after 20 minutes, but he was wrassling around under the big truck, and then clambering out from under and making changes, going back under and tightening again, sweating, dirty, bleeding. It was a good hour at least. I was tired pretty soon from just standing there, but trying to be patient, and thanking the gods it wasn't me rolling around in the gravel driveway! All I was doing was handing him things, and then holding a wrench in place while he adjusted things; I felt useless although I know it would have been much more difficult if not impossible if I hadn't been there.
My point is that he was struggling with this and looked at it as a challenge, something that gave him a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment. I would have given up and decided to pay someone! But he likes to do things on his own, and enjoys doing it the hard way, specifically to toughen himself up. Guess I'm a wimp. And I'm very grateful he is the way he is-- I admire him so much. And I tell him that regularly.
Today the computer repair person should be bringing back J's computer, finally. It's been a week. And today we ship off the vase my cousin wanted of my grandmother's. And tomorrow my daughter comes up for the afternoon and evening, to celebrate her birthday and my getting a job.
We learned from the realtor yesterday that he cannot find any building permits, from way back when mom first moved up to WA and began renovating the structure up there. Oh joy. This means that anyone applying for a mortgage to buy the place will not be able to obtain one, because the bank won't give one if there are no permits... Which will again limit the available pool of buyers. So that's on my list today too, to look in my/mom's records here to see if I can find those permits. Jeez. This is all so...complicated. But, there is nothing I can do about it. We realized it was going to be a challenge finding a buyer anyway (due to the lack of a toilet among other things). This just adds to the fun. Meanwhile Michael will head for the county seat himself to look for the hard copy of any permits, and keep us posted.
Well, off to do errands, and get my walk in.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Tuesday
I'm so freakin upset at the moment. I've just learned that I was never contacted to (or told that I needed to) return to my dentist, for the root canal I had back in February.
I'd gotten a postcard asking me to come in at my convenience for a routine xray as a followup to that root canal. So today I went in, and the hygienist asked how things were, and I told her it was feeling a bit sharp on one edge. She looked at it and said, "Oh, you still need to have the permanent crown put in? Better schedule that as soon as you can, hon." I looked at her. WHAT did you say??
After some confusion with time frames and which tooth we were discussing (because remember that this involved the tooth pain where I couldn't tell if it was the upper or lower...and eventually it was the lower, which is why I'd had to be referred to this office for the actual root canal). This hygienist says I was told at that time that I would need to go back to my regular dentist for the actual crown.
I have absolutely no memory of this. It's making me crazy, because way back in late February and March, I still had insurance, and could have scheduled this to be done. Now, it's going to involve missing a day of work, and so frankly I'm not going to do this until my job's new insurance kicks in... it's waited this long it can wait longer. I'm so upset that somehow this got dropped.
I am one of those falling-through-the-cracks persons: this dr's office would have sent the report to my dentist way back then. Who then would be either expecting me to call and schedule the crown (or in an ideal world, they would call and schedule me). But this never happened, and then my job ended, and mom died, and I had no insurance.
And in the meantime, my other tooth began hurting, and I ended up buying a membership in a dental coverage plan, which involved changing to yet another dentist, and then being referred to that endodontist up in Portland...and now I'm in the midst of having that crown built and placed. Arggghhh.
I think I can't honestly blame anyone. I'd like to. Oh, how I'd like to. But I can't understand why I didn't know I needed to schedule this. I have just no memory of that, and that normally doesn't happen to me. Is this a sign that I was under extreme stress, maybe??
***************************
Next up for today is a meeting with a friend, and then at 3:30 I take the new kitty to the vet for her free exam. I think I won't bother with the feline leukemia test, but I do want to find out why/how she is so overweight. Good grief.
J built her a scratching post this morning, because even though I can't feel the nails, she was attacking the sofa last night before we suddenly realized what she was doing and stopped her.
I think we will call her LolaFiona. She is so pretty! And if she is alone here in the house, she is fine--very affectionate and jumping up into our laps. If Murphy is nearby, or Sheba, then she will still do that, but also do a weird growling noise low, under her breath. It's kind of funny--and kind of disconcerting. I don't think she will bite---but she's right on that edge. I don't want to push her! I definitely don't want to return her--they said to give older animals plenty of time to adjust to a new surrounding. I guess I hadn't realized they meant several weeks.
Later today also, the man who is trying to buy the VW is going to bring some papers over for me to sign, and since he's a lawyer maybe he will have more authority, more authority with the DMV. We've obtained papers from the WA DMV, and then from the OR DMV, and then from WA again, and each time we are told a different story about which papers are needed, which need to be notarized, and which don't. I'm so sick of it. Since Lawrence wants to try now, I'm all for this.
Tomorrow I go for my meeting with HR, signing papers. And I'll also get some groceries... my cousins have sent checks to help with the cost of the rental truck so that's absolutely wonderful, at last.
I'd gotten a postcard asking me to come in at my convenience for a routine xray as a followup to that root canal. So today I went in, and the hygienist asked how things were, and I told her it was feeling a bit sharp on one edge. She looked at it and said, "Oh, you still need to have the permanent crown put in? Better schedule that as soon as you can, hon." I looked at her. WHAT did you say??
After some confusion with time frames and which tooth we were discussing (because remember that this involved the tooth pain where I couldn't tell if it was the upper or lower...and eventually it was the lower, which is why I'd had to be referred to this office for the actual root canal). This hygienist says I was told at that time that I would need to go back to my regular dentist for the actual crown.
I have absolutely no memory of this. It's making me crazy, because way back in late February and March, I still had insurance, and could have scheduled this to be done. Now, it's going to involve missing a day of work, and so frankly I'm not going to do this until my job's new insurance kicks in... it's waited this long it can wait longer. I'm so upset that somehow this got dropped.
I am one of those falling-through-the-cracks persons: this dr's office would have sent the report to my dentist way back then. Who then would be either expecting me to call and schedule the crown (or in an ideal world, they would call and schedule me). But this never happened, and then my job ended, and mom died, and I had no insurance.
And in the meantime, my other tooth began hurting, and I ended up buying a membership in a dental coverage plan, which involved changing to yet another dentist, and then being referred to that endodontist up in Portland...and now I'm in the midst of having that crown built and placed. Arggghhh.
I think I can't honestly blame anyone. I'd like to. Oh, how I'd like to. But I can't understand why I didn't know I needed to schedule this. I have just no memory of that, and that normally doesn't happen to me. Is this a sign that I was under extreme stress, maybe??
***************************
Next up for today is a meeting with a friend, and then at 3:30 I take the new kitty to the vet for her free exam. I think I won't bother with the feline leukemia test, but I do want to find out why/how she is so overweight. Good grief.
J built her a scratching post this morning, because even though I can't feel the nails, she was attacking the sofa last night before we suddenly realized what she was doing and stopped her.
I think we will call her LolaFiona. She is so pretty! And if she is alone here in the house, she is fine--very affectionate and jumping up into our laps. If Murphy is nearby, or Sheba, then she will still do that, but also do a weird growling noise low, under her breath. It's kind of funny--and kind of disconcerting. I don't think she will bite---but she's right on that edge. I don't want to push her! I definitely don't want to return her--they said to give older animals plenty of time to adjust to a new surrounding. I guess I hadn't realized they meant several weeks.
Later today also, the man who is trying to buy the VW is going to bring some papers over for me to sign, and since he's a lawyer maybe he will have more authority, more authority with the DMV. We've obtained papers from the WA DMV, and then from the OR DMV, and then from WA again, and each time we are told a different story about which papers are needed, which need to be notarized, and which don't. I'm so sick of it. Since Lawrence wants to try now, I'm all for this.
Tomorrow I go for my meeting with HR, signing papers. And I'll also get some groceries... my cousins have sent checks to help with the cost of the rental truck so that's absolutely wonderful, at last.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday
So much for my not being in a hurry to find an addition to the feline family; I went to SafeHaven on Saturday afternoon with my daughter, and while they had some pretty kitties, no one there really caught my eye. The one I'd wanted to see was at a different location, which was not open on weekends.
Yesterday I went to the other shelter, the HS, Heartland, looking specifically for the Maine coon and a few others I'd seen pictured on the website. I love Heartland-- it is a beautifully set up place, with friendly people, and it felt clean and welcoming, not desperate like so many shelters do. In the first room I looked for my List of candidates, and two were especially friendly--and neither one had been on my list to look at. I did find two of the others in another room, and while they were very sweet, I found myself going back to the first room, captivated by this one cat's personality, and colors. She is gorgeous. Making a long story short, I came home with her. She's 6 years old, listed as a stray, which is ridiculous--she is vastly overweight, and beautifully groomed. She'd only been there 10 days. She's already spayed, and while they say she is not declawed, I can feel no claws. She is black and orange and cream colored, but mostly dark like a tortoiseshell. Beautiful long thick fur.
She is talkative, friendly, and doesn't appear to have been exposed to dogs so she and Murphy are adjusting. Meaning she growls, and he stands back, surprised, but patient. He was very jealous last night as she prowled around exploring, but this morning he's much calmer. She apparently slept on the sofa, while Sheba stalked upstairs where she normally sleeps. (Sheba's not happy either but I think this is normal for two females establishing boundaries.) The HS had given her the name of "Harvest Spice"--why, I have no idea. Needless to say we are working on a new name. I have names and am trying to learn which one rolls off the tongue the best. LolaMia. MiaFiona. FionaPhoebe. FionaMia. Something exotic, mysterious, spooky, but voluptuous, cuddly. What a gorgeous face she has!
So that's been my weekend. I'm very happy.
Friday afternoon I got a call from HR about my UA (which was fine). She'd also called BossJ again to clarify my job duties, and this time BossJ enumerated all I'd done, which reassured HR that I definitely was a CMA. She emailed me the Welcome letter, with more instructions. I report for Orientation with "all the other new hires" on Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th, and then Wednesday I report to my office. This Wednesday I go in for signing the paperwork, and get my photo taken for my badge, and get parking stickers, etc. I'm getting more excited!
J and I are really enjoying our time at home together; this is the longest we've been together 24/7, and except for the boat thing a couple of weeks ago it's been so peaceful, so supportive, so loving. And even the boat thing accomplished something, which was that we both have deep desires needing to be met, needing the other's support and understanding and faith.
He's worried that there will be more problems discovered with the boat, and is having anxiety attacks over whether he can fix these; but I've never known him to not be able to fix/repair whatever it was. Already he's gotten a lot of it taken apart and strewn all over, but aside from the anxiety he is having so much fun. It's given him something else to focus on besides the not-hearing-from-any-of-his-kids issue. He needed this distraction.
The weather continues to be perfect. Cool at night in the 40s, and daytime in the 70s. Sunny, windy, cloudless. We haven't had rain since late June. That feels a bit odd, but I am so enjoying it. Indian summer they call it. The subtle fall colors here are no less stunning when compared to the backdrop of the fierce blue of the sky. Soon enough it'll be rainy and grey again.
But this time I'll be inside, learning a new job, and settling into a new routine. Possibly I will be there til I retire--that's a strange thought.
Time to get going on my walk. It's 10, and time's awasting!
Yesterday I went to the other shelter, the HS, Heartland, looking specifically for the Maine coon and a few others I'd seen pictured on the website. I love Heartland-- it is a beautifully set up place, with friendly people, and it felt clean and welcoming, not desperate like so many shelters do. In the first room I looked for my List of candidates, and two were especially friendly--and neither one had been on my list to look at. I did find two of the others in another room, and while they were very sweet, I found myself going back to the first room, captivated by this one cat's personality, and colors. She is gorgeous. Making a long story short, I came home with her. She's 6 years old, listed as a stray, which is ridiculous--she is vastly overweight, and beautifully groomed. She'd only been there 10 days. She's already spayed, and while they say she is not declawed, I can feel no claws. She is black and orange and cream colored, but mostly dark like a tortoiseshell. Beautiful long thick fur.
She is talkative, friendly, and doesn't appear to have been exposed to dogs so she and Murphy are adjusting. Meaning she growls, and he stands back, surprised, but patient. He was very jealous last night as she prowled around exploring, but this morning he's much calmer. She apparently slept on the sofa, while Sheba stalked upstairs where she normally sleeps. (Sheba's not happy either but I think this is normal for two females establishing boundaries.) The HS had given her the name of "Harvest Spice"--why, I have no idea. Needless to say we are working on a new name. I have names and am trying to learn which one rolls off the tongue the best. LolaMia. MiaFiona. FionaPhoebe. FionaMia. Something exotic, mysterious, spooky, but voluptuous, cuddly. What a gorgeous face she has!
So that's been my weekend. I'm very happy.
Friday afternoon I got a call from HR about my UA (which was fine). She'd also called BossJ again to clarify my job duties, and this time BossJ enumerated all I'd done, which reassured HR that I definitely was a CMA. She emailed me the Welcome letter, with more instructions. I report for Orientation with "all the other new hires" on Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th, and then Wednesday I report to my office. This Wednesday I go in for signing the paperwork, and get my photo taken for my badge, and get parking stickers, etc. I'm getting more excited!
J and I are really enjoying our time at home together; this is the longest we've been together 24/7, and except for the boat thing a couple of weeks ago it's been so peaceful, so supportive, so loving. And even the boat thing accomplished something, which was that we both have deep desires needing to be met, needing the other's support and understanding and faith.
He's worried that there will be more problems discovered with the boat, and is having anxiety attacks over whether he can fix these; but I've never known him to not be able to fix/repair whatever it was. Already he's gotten a lot of it taken apart and strewn all over, but aside from the anxiety he is having so much fun. It's given him something else to focus on besides the not-hearing-from-any-of-his-kids issue. He needed this distraction.
The weather continues to be perfect. Cool at night in the 40s, and daytime in the 70s. Sunny, windy, cloudless. We haven't had rain since late June. That feels a bit odd, but I am so enjoying it. Indian summer they call it. The subtle fall colors here are no less stunning when compared to the backdrop of the fierce blue of the sky. Soon enough it'll be rainy and grey again.
But this time I'll be inside, learning a new job, and settling into a new routine. Possibly I will be there til I retire--that's a strange thought.
Time to get going on my walk. It's 10, and time's awasting!
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