She's gone already . . .

Wow - did that 2 weeks fly by! What a delight to have Kara home. We had a lot of fun, some heart to heart talks, and made bunch of memories.

She made it on all 3 flights today (she's flying stand-by). Albq to Denver, then business class from there to DC. She's about to board in DC to head to Sao Paulo (also business class). Hard to beleive she'll be on the beach this weekend after having a white (and very cold) Christmas.

I am blessed!

Surprise!!!!

They had me fooled BIG TIME! I was sad that Kara was gone for Christmas for the very first time. We were all meeting at Kevin & Jenn's last night to spend time on Skype with Kara since she was to be working all through Christmas. So we talked on Skype with Kara in the dark & whispering 'because Nayana was asleep on the couch'. I kept telling her to tell Nayana to go to bed so we could see and hear her better. Little did I know she was down the hall in Kev & Jenn's walk-in closet talking to us! Go to Kevin's blog titled "She'll be home for Christmas" to see the video about how they pulled it off. His blog is at http://millerreality.blogspot.com/ My Christmas is already complete!

There are no dream jobs out there . . .

. . .at least none that I can find. I met with the nurse recruiters on Monday and they told me about all the jobs that are available that I qualify for. There is no worry about being unemployed - for there are quite a few things for me to pick from. But there is nothing like what I do now - the place, the pay, the hours and the work have all been great. It looks like I will either take a pay cut and work 40 hours a week instead of 36 or go back to 12 hour shifts which will include weekends and holidays. It also looks like I won't be able to stay in the Kaseman area. At this point I am more inclined to go back to 12 hour shifts. I don't see how I could get school done in 2009 if I am working 5 days a week. But we'll see. I am asking God to direct my path and show me what He wants me doing.

I have my first interview this afternoon. It is for Care Coordination at Presbyterian downtown. It looks like it is a pay cut, 40 hours a week - salaried (code for fwork overtime for free). But I am going to ask if they might have something at Kaseman and see if 4 tens or 4 nines might be possible. That would at least be similar to what I do now. I will interview and then stay to job shadow for the reast of the afternoon - observing someone who is a care coordinator so I get a good feel for the job.

The other position I would like to interview for is 12 hour shifts at the Northside urgent care. That would be really different and something I might enjoy learning. It would be 3 12s which would give me 4 days off each week. That would certainly help with my school goals. I can definately keep up the pace for 12 hour shifts. It would just be harder to stay regualr with Curves and walking my dogs.

So it seems each thing I look at will have its pros and cons. I appreciate the prayers and will keep you posted!

Shocking news and a gift from God

Tuesday at work we were informed that all of our department (3 of us, since they cut our staffing) needed to be at a meeting on Thursday morning. We knew it would be big news since our 2 directors and the HR rep would be there to meet with us. I wasn't worried, more curious than anything about how they were going to change our department. I did not tell anyone else about the meeting - family or friends - just figured I'd wait until I knew what the news was.

Well Thursday morning they all showed up at 8:30 like promised. They really shocked me & Shelly & Linda. They have made the decision to close our department effective Dec 31. This has been my dream job with amazing coworkers for the last 2 years. So I'll be the first to admit I got a little choked up in the meeting along with Linda and Shelly.

At 9:00 the meeting let out and we went into my office - not Shelly's or Linda's. We were giving each other hugs and had tears running down our cheeks when my phone rang. It looked like an internal transfer so caller id did not tell who it was. As it rang 3 times I was saying - "No telling who it is. I really don't want to talk to anyone right now. What a bad time for the phone to ring." And in the midst of totally not wanting to talk to anyone, my arm reached over and picked up the phone anyway. It was Kara calling from Brazil!!

So here's the gift - She had no idea that I had a meeting that morning, in fact I usually am off on Thursday mornings. She was just calling to say hi! She had tried to get the connection 10 minutes earlier (when we were still in the meeting), and it would not connect. So when she tried again and we 'happened' to be in my office, Kara 'happened' to be able to connect, and I 'happened' to pick up the phone when I did not want to, God provided a spark of joy in my day. It very clearly spoke peace to my heart that God is in control.

Now mind you - I know that God is in control, but how amazing He is that He does things like that to reassure us! So in 3 1/2 weeks my dream job goes away. But I am at this point pretty excited to see what God will do. I am fully confindent He has a plan. He knows about school and church commitments and being grandma and things like that that matter to me. I have only had to work 4 days a week for the past 2 years at hospital rate of pay - no evenings, weekends, holidays or call. Really can't imagine what He could provide that will even compare. But this week I will begin working with the nurse recruiters to see what postions are available and figure out what might be a good fit for me.

So would you pray that I will continue to see God in this and not be anxious? I'll keep you posted as things progress.

Graduation!

Well - Buddy, Brutus and Titan all managed to perform well enough to graduate. Em got to come with me to class tonight since Mom & Dad were at a wedding. She was having fun with the whole thing!

Christmas is pretty!

Here is a peek at my pretty place - with the flash on and with it off. What fun. Em helped me put the ornaments on the lower part of tree after she got up from her nap. She calls it a Chee-chee-tee. It's cute listening to her try out all these new words.

A time for giving thanks!

It was a wonderful day of time with family and being very thankful for family and God's faithfulness. I delivered a meal to an elderly lady in my church for her and her 99 year old father. The went to the home Kevin & Jenn were housesitting for. All the Rockhold's were there plus Ruben, a friend that is in ministry with Kevin & Jenn. We had such a fun day together. It was nice just relaxing and enjoying all the family fun. I got home around 9pm. Then I spent most of Friday with them (noon to 9pm). We literally shopped until we dropped! Saturday and today I decorated for Christmas . . . but that's another blog!

Good idea - Bad idea

Do you remember the old good idea - bad idea segments in cartoons? Well I discovered my own. Good idea - a stick of lipgloss beside the computer where it is convenient. Bad idea - a glue stick right beside the lipgloss. Moral of the story - look before you lip!

Em at Gramma's

I got to take care of Em today. She was so tickled to see Gramma when I picked her up. That makes it extra fun. After her nap we were going to take a walk. So I bundled her up as you can see. And took a flashlight since it was pitch dark at 5:30pm. But it was way too windy ('winny' as she says) and cold. So all we did was walk to the mailbox and back. But Buddy and Brutus were glad they at least got out for a few minutes! The rest of the evening after dinner we played - a craft, then play-doh, magnifying glasses to look through, a DVD of Curious George with Brutus at her side and 'Buddy repelant' in her lap! Never a dull moment. She puts 2 and 3 words together now. When we were playing on the stairs she wanted me out of the way for coming down so she said 'Go Mama'. She tickles me!

Good news!

I went to the chiropractor yesterday. I had not been in 6 weeks. He had recommended monthly, but the last time I went 5 weeks without any problem so I decided to try 6 weeks this time. I started Curves just after my last appointment and he did not know that I was going to do that (neither did I at the time). A few months ago I had tried doing some resistance with 1, 2 and 3 pound weights at home. My next visit to the chiropractor my back did not look good and I had noticed my pain increase. Prior to Curves I used Aleve at least 2 times a week to make sure I got a good night sleep. Since I started Curves I have not needed Aleve at all and I sleep like a baby. When he put me on the ProAdjuster yesterday he could not believe how good my back looked. He agreed that I only need to come every 6 weeks. Curves is a great addition to my health regime! I heard it said that you can take time for your health now or time for your illness later. I'm choosing to take time for my health now!

My week

I had a very different, but enjoyable week. I worked Mon - Wed. Then did continuing education for work Thurs - Sat. The seminars were great - the speakers all local. Many were from Presbyterian, some from UNM and Lovelace. We really have some tremendous, knowledgable people here in Albuquerque. Then, since I also managed to get 3 questions done for school I treated myself to a movie with a friend. Stacey and I saw Mama Mia at the dollar theater. I'd have to say the movie was exactly like the Broadway show, but more enjoyable. It was fun seeing it in film. They did a great job with it.

Today was church, grocery shopping and dog classes - we've completed 6 of 8 now. So tomorrow it is back to work and schoolwork. I'm ready!

My boys

I have decided to start taking the first Friday of each month off (instead of Thursday that week) since I have a missionary prayer group that meets at my house that evening. I think my boys enjoyed having me home yesterday. The photo of Buddy is him watching me make chocolate chip pumpkin bread for the people coming over. His patience was rewarded. He got to lick a beater. And then there is my funny Brutus. I wish I had seen how he got the pillows like that. I don't know if he planned it or it just happened while he was schooching around in the pillows on the couch. But it appears that he is quite 'comfortable' with the result however it came to be!

3 down, 7 to go!!

I turned in my 3rd course today. I have 7 courses left to write plus my internship and Master's project. When I set up a plan 5 weeks ago for finishing I decided to write 2 questions each week, which would take me 6 weeks to complete each course. I did this one in 5 weeks. I am going to attempt to do them in 4 weeks - 3 questions a week - from here on out. If I speed it up to 3 each week I could graduate Sept 2009 instead of 2010. I'd like that a whole lot! So pray for me that I can keep my nose to the grind stone and keep cranking out essays - fast.

A different start to my Saturday

Variety is the spice of life they say. So today must be spicey! I had my usual quiet time and cup of coffee. Then I headed to Kaseman hospital since they were giving employees flu shots today. Got that little duty done and then enjoyed breakfast in the Kaseman cafeteria while I treated myself to a chapter in a just-for-fun-book. After that it was off to Curves for my 3rd workout of the week. I am using the "Curves Smart" computer program now. It gives me instant feedback with each machine, then an overall update when I am done with my workout. I am progressing nicely and making good improvement on 10 of the 13 machines. Yeah! Back at home I rinsed off my patio (which must be done once in a while thanks to my little boys). I found 2 pretty budding roses on my favorite bush, perhaps the last of the season. So now my 2 bud vases grace my table with beauty amidst my amazing collection of birthday cards from family and friends. I took a shower, fixed a cup of coffee and here I am at the computer. Once I publish this I will spend most of the rest of the day on homework. By the end of next week I will be able to turn in a completed course!
Ok - so the day doesn't sound real spicey, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it anyway! Hope you have a beautiful Saturday too!

Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I started taking my dogs to 'school' 3 weeks ago. Buddy is doing very well. Brutus can do well when he stays focused. He has a heard time staying focused (on what he is supposed to do) when he is focused on getting a treat or going for a walk (which he stays very focused on). But I think he is actually getting better. He seems to believe that maybe I am the 'alpha dog' after all! He gets life rewards when we are working on walks and getting out the door to walk. For example, if we are trying to get out the door for a walk and he is going bonkers with excitement (which he always is), I make him sit until he calms down. Then he makes it 3 steps closer to the door and I usually need to have him sit again. Getting to take a few steps is a 'life reward' for being calm (sort of calm for him!). On a walk we are working on loose leash walking. He can play and have fun as long as he is not pulling on the leash. He is beginning to understand that when he pulls we stop. If he doesn't pull we get to keep going. What a great reward! Buddy is great at loose leash walking so he thinks we're crazy for all the stop and go :-) We're having fun amyway.

Happy Birthday 100th Presbyterian Hospital

Presbyterian Hospital was established 100 years ago in 1908 by the Rev. Hugh A. Cooper who was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church at the time. He came to Albuquerque in 1903 seeking healing for his tuberculosis. He was one of the fortunate ones who did recover. He started the San, as it was called back then. Many people from Presbyterian church were intimately involved in getting Pres Healthcare started. I thought you'd like to see pictures of the church today. Mom and Dad you might be able to tell which part is the huge addition to the church building if you remember what it used to look like. We had a very nice service in the sanctuary complete with pipe organ and choir. Then a wonderful spread of food at a reception in the fellowship hall. The service was in honor of Rev. Cooper and Mrs. Van and their dedication to Christ that has had such a tremendous impact on health care here in NM. It was a very well done service and celebration. Tomorrow we will have a special celebration luncheon at work for all employees. Happy 100th birthday Presbyterian Hospital!!

Some of you know that I joined Curves recently. It has been a great addition for aerobics and resistance training along with walking my dogs. (When I am going I have to put my tennis shoes on in the bathroom with the door closed so Brutus doesn't know what I am doing!) They occasionally have something extra going on at Curves just for the fun of it. Today was a scavenger hunt for a variety of items throughout the place. If you found 20 of the 25 you got a prize. Well I did get a prize. I have a photo posted for you. In honor of breast cancer awareness month they bought pink 'you-know-whats' with chocolate nipples from The Candy Lady. I just ate my prize - mint flavored! I have been to The Candy Lady store once in Old Town. Once was more than enough. My prize today was nothing compared to the seriously XXX rated candy she makes. But, considering the occasion it was a cute idea for prizes this month.

Roses are . . . pretty!

I never have thought I would enjoy having a garden at all. But now I'd have to say I am spoiled. I'm going to miss my roses! All summer here at my new place I have had the luxury of a fresh rose opening in a vase sitting on my table every day. Each one lasts about a week and then I step out to my back yard and find another one. And on top of that I have had a abundance of blooms to gaze at on the bushes. It has not been hard to keep the bushes pruned, and has been so worth it. So now I hope I can learn what I need to do to put them to 'bed' for the winter since it seems to be rapidly aproaching. I sure want to do it right so I'll enjoy the bounty again next year!

I really like this!

I did a little rearranging at my house today. I decided I was tired of the microwave in the living room (which is where it has been for 5 years now!). So I made room in my kitchen cabinets for the food & stuff I had stored in the cabinet the microwave sat on. I moved the coffee pot to where the toaster used be (Kara has the toaster in Brazil.) I moved the microwave to the counter by the sink where the coffee pot has been. One of these days I'll get a smaller microwave - but it'll work for now. That gave me room to position the table parallel to the wall. It really opens up the entry area and the living room! I moved the cabinet that had stored food and stuff over by the entertainment unit. Now it is a toy box for Em! I think she'll like that. This blog only let me post 5 photos. I had one of the inside of Em's 'toy box'. Maybe I'll post it separately. Come see my newly arranged place. I have a great guest bed for anyone who wants to check it out!

Hitting the books

It is a little hard to tell, but this is a picture of Brutus on my lap while I am at my desk doing homework. I have been hard at the books each evening this week. I will spend a lot of time here on my day off today. He apparently feels deprived of our usual lap time. Often when I am at home I spend some time reading in the recliner. He loves to lay right beside me when I do that. So now he begs to get on my lap when I study. I guess that way he still feels connected! I love my little snuggler. I love Buddy too. He is happy to curl up at my feet.

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