10 years ago
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Getting moving again!
Been running on my own all winter/spring. Decided to rejoin the group from over last summer this am. Some group! Ended up being just me and Sam (wait a second, it was always just me and Sam!) I did miss Jodi though. Sam thinks I've improved. My time stinks and I slowed down even more at the end. So, I'm thinking this "improvement" Sam was referring to, was when it got hot and I had to take off my shirt... It's definitely much more enjoyable running with friends!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A New President, A New Hope
For the first time, in a long time, I feel a surge of patriotism... of hope.
And of course, Annalise brought humor to it- she showed me a map of the White House grounds which she reviewed at school and told me pointing at the map, "This is where the fish pond is, and where his plane is, and he has a pool in there and he has his oval workshop there too!"
And of course, Annalise brought humor to it- she showed me a map of the White House grounds which she reviewed at school and told me pointing at the map, "This is where the fish pond is, and where his plane is, and he has a pool in there and he has his oval workshop there too!"
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Time to move?
So Caine was explaining to the kids last night why they have Monday off from school; who Martin Luther King Jr was and the significance of his life. Annalise (of course Annalise) looks at Caine and says,
"I didn't think brown people lived anymore?"
Uhmm... Maybe it' time we look for a more diverse neighborhood?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
SNOW DAY!
So for those of you I don't talk to all the time, and for those of you I do talk to but rarely listen, I have officially been a school nurse for 4 months. Some days I hate it. Some days I love it. Today, as I sit staring at the 1 to 2 inch-an-hour snow accumulating on the driveway, having just slipped back into my jammies, I'm thinking maybe its not so bad....
This is actually the second day in a row school has been closed this week, and this after being back only two days since Christmas break. I know, your thinking: tough life- right? And then, I get paid to be mommy at school- right?
Wrong! School nursing is probably the toughest job I have ever had. Not challenging in the technical skill department so much, I mean there are a lot of bandaids, ice-packs and pats on the back just as you might suspect. But there's also head lice, lots of head lice. And about once a week, I'll get a true emergency; think blood gushing or fingers missing or can't breath emergencies. Add to that routine fever, conjunctivitis, stomach bugs, strep throat, ear infections; all of which the parents want to hear nothing about or believe that I am somehow responsible for causing (that is if I can reach a parent). I also am responsible for hearing and vision screening and referrals on all 540 kids, scheduling yearly physicals for half of those kids, as well as verifying immunization records, scoliosis screening, dispensing medications, and state reporting. And don't forget the occasional scraping dog crap off the bottom of a kids shoe or calling home to inform a parent that the teacher thinks the child smells bad- yeah that's a fun one!
The interesting thing is, and of course I can say this sitting in my PJ's enjoying another paid day off, I'm beginning to like it. I enjoy the kids most of the time; they make me laugh and my assistant is awesome. And while the population I am caring for is not old, or dying, or in the least way appreciative, well, I have snow days to make up for whats lost there!
This is actually the second day in a row school has been closed this week, and this after being back only two days since Christmas break. I know, your thinking: tough life- right? And then, I get paid to be mommy at school- right?
Wrong! School nursing is probably the toughest job I have ever had. Not challenging in the technical skill department so much, I mean there are a lot of bandaids, ice-packs and pats on the back just as you might suspect. But there's also head lice, lots of head lice. And about once a week, I'll get a true emergency; think blood gushing or fingers missing or can't breath emergencies. Add to that routine fever, conjunctivitis, stomach bugs, strep throat, ear infections; all of which the parents want to hear nothing about or believe that I am somehow responsible for causing (that is if I can reach a parent). I also am responsible for hearing and vision screening and referrals on all 540 kids, scheduling yearly physicals for half of those kids, as well as verifying immunization records, scoliosis screening, dispensing medications, and state reporting. And don't forget the occasional scraping dog crap off the bottom of a kids shoe or calling home to inform a parent that the teacher thinks the child smells bad- yeah that's a fun one!
The interesting thing is, and of course I can say this sitting in my PJ's enjoying another paid day off, I'm beginning to like it. I enjoy the kids most of the time; they make me laugh and my assistant is awesome. And while the population I am caring for is not old, or dying, or in the least way appreciative, well, I have snow days to make up for whats lost there!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Well, we made it- home to NY at last! We are settled into the “Red House” in a tiny little town spelled Volney (but pronounced Valanay) in central NY. We’re just under 3 hours away from our family and absolutely thrilled to be within driving distance of a visit. Although the girls love being spoiled, they still miss island living from the food, to the weather, to playmates right out the back door.
Annalise celebrated her 5th birthday this summer and started kindergarten in September. She, our drama queen still, has had quite an adjustment with all-day school. She’s exhausted! But her teacher swears she’s a joy at school and excelling in every area. Annalise decided she’d like to try ballet and tap and even though she fights me tooth and nail every Monday night going- she loves dancing.
Alex is nearing her 7th birthday, and reminds us often. She is doing super in first grade and can pretty much read anything she picks up now. Alex played soccer again this fall and can’t wait for the snow to melt to get back to it. But all she wants for Christmas this year is her two (actually4) front teeth!
Caine is recruiting his heart out. At least he spends a lot of time away from home, so I assume that’s what he’s doing. It’s not glamorous, but we’re home and we’re making a living.
I have done tons this year. In addition to moving our household overseas and setting up housekeeping in yet another duty station, I started running pretty seriously this year. I ran my first ½ marathon the weekend after I turned 30! I also started a full time position as a school nurse this fall. Carrie, a girlfriend from Okinawa, and I met up in Vegas for a girls weekend right before Thanksgiving. For once, I have had something of my own to share!
As you may notice in our lovely family photo, the family gathered at our new house to celebrate our first Christmas together in over 3 years! We are missing Caine's sister, Alea, but are hoping she will join us this weekend. We hope that your holiday is full and happy as ours is turning out to be!
Annalise celebrated her 5th birthday this summer and started kindergarten in September. She, our drama queen still, has had quite an adjustment with all-day school. She’s exhausted! But her teacher swears she’s a joy at school and excelling in every area. Annalise decided she’d like to try ballet and tap and even though she fights me tooth and nail every Monday night going- she loves dancing.
Alex is nearing her 7th birthday, and reminds us often. She is doing super in first grade and can pretty much read anything she picks up now. Alex played soccer again this fall and can’t wait for the snow to melt to get back to it. But all she wants for Christmas this year is her two (actually4) front teeth!
Caine is recruiting his heart out. At least he spends a lot of time away from home, so I assume that’s what he’s doing. It’s not glamorous, but we’re home and we’re making a living.
I have done tons this year. In addition to moving our household overseas and setting up housekeeping in yet another duty station, I started running pretty seriously this year. I ran my first ½ marathon the weekend after I turned 30! I also started a full time position as a school nurse this fall. Carrie, a girlfriend from Okinawa, and I met up in Vegas for a girls weekend right before Thanksgiving. For once, I have had something of my own to share!
As you may notice in our lovely family photo, the family gathered at our new house to celebrate our first Christmas together in over 3 years! We are missing Caine's sister, Alea, but are hoping she will join us this weekend. We hope that your holiday is full and happy as ours is turning out to be!
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