Mother's Day 2008

A couple days ago if you asked me what I was planning to do for Mother's Day I would probably have looked at you with a blank stare and said, "uh, I don't know". All I knew, let's say Friday afternoon, was that I had a really nice card picked out and bought a month or so ago.

I went out with a friend Friday night who told me she needed to go to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to look for a Mother's Day gift for her mom. We went and I, being the subtle person I am, called my mom from the store and asked what she wanted. My mom isn't the type who likes flowers (only occasionally), jewelry, or expensive things. I never know what to get her. She's a practical person who puts everyone else first. When I reached her she said she wanted a book. I told her I wasn't getting that and that I'm in Bed, Bath, and Beyond and she has to pick from that store. Well, she told me what she wanted (China plate dividers) and I bought it. Point proven? Well, yesterday she told me she had a lot of things she needed to get done around the house. I ended up mopping the foyer, kitchen, and laundry rooms. I don't mind mopping; but that one of the jobs my mom hates. At the end of the day she told me that was a great Mother's Day gift and that the floors looked great.

Today I got up and thought that I should do something really nice for my mom this year. I went to the cupboard and took out Berry Buckle Cake mix from Tastefully Simple. It was easy to make. I mixed it up, put it in the oven, and went back to doing my own stuff. My own stuff was making airplane reservations for my trip in July to see my grandparents. I watched a bit of TV and decided that I should attempt to do what my sister does. Every Mother's and Father's Day my sister makes Chicken Noodle Soup- not out of a box or can and she uses no recipe. Since she isn't home from college yet, I thought well, I suppose I can try to make it this year (without a recipe). I did have to call her to ask a couple questions.  My plan was working find until I realized that there was no pasta to add! I had to call my parents and I told my dad we needed pasta and some sparkling cider for lunch.  Meanwhile I put a tablecloth on the table and set it very nicely. The rest is history.

Everything turned out very well and we have enough leftovers for 2 more meals (I think I made too much). My mom (and dad) loved the meal and told me that she was really happy to have soup on this cool day.

Nothing much new

I've been working at my new job for, let's see, 12 weeks now. There are definitely good things and more challenging things about it. For instance I love the patients, the atmosphere and of course along those lines come my coworkers. This job is a great fit. I don't know if I could be more pleased right now. One thing I find challenging is when they book me patients who are very hands-on 1/2 an hour apart. Friday was crazy, although I've had more crazy days with less patients. My two coworkers had 9 and 10 patients respectively (after the cancels, reschedules, and no-shows), and 13 booked with me- I didn't have one cancel, reschedule or not come in! Here's what my afternoon looked like: my 12 o'clock was in a wheelchair and pretty much did most everything with me. 12:30 was a VRT patient (comes in for balance training). 1:00 was VRT (vertigo- dizziness retraining), 1:30 was a shoulder, but needed tons of hands on stuff done. So, could the techs help me with them... no So, that was one of the more challenging aspects of the job. And then after that I had all my notes to write; you've just got to love paperwork!  

In April I went to a 3 day class by a famous Physical Therapist. It was on the knee and shoulder. I think it was aimed more towards the PTs, rather than the PTAs. I did learn some interesting things that I have already put into practice.

I volunteered to help out another clinic for two Mondays after my normal work hours for 4 hours each time. At the time I volunteered to help, my hours were M,W,F 7-3pm, T,Th 12-8pm. I thought that would be fine since I have the extra sleep time on Tuesdays. Well, two weeks ago they changed my hours. I'm not complaining, but I don't get to sleep in. But that's ok because I get out a lot earlier and actually have an evening (opposed to getting home ~ 8:30 (+/-) But anyway, the extra hours definitely made my days longer- the first Monday my day was 13 1/2 hours, and the second a bit under! I won't that again for a while.

Yesterday my grandparents invited me to go with them to Acapulco, Mexico next year. I'm thinking about it. They said they already booked an extra room for me in case I come. They are able to cancel it if need be.

Today I booked airfare for my friend and me to see my grandparents in July. It will be unpaid time off since I haven't worked for 6 months yet. However I will try to work some extra hours beforehand so that I'll have some income the week I'm taking off.

My sister comes home from college this Thursday night! I'm excited.

Nothing else major going on right now. It has rained the past 4 days and the weather is supposed to be cool this week. Sigh, it's May! It's April showers, not May showers... and May should mean warmth.

~Until next time.

Passed!

I passed my boards with FLYING colors!!

I have a job at a great company! I'm still adjusting, but I'm sure I'll pick everything up quickly

Canary Islands

Look for pictures and all about my trip on my facebook acct.

2008

Happy New Years!!

This will be a big year for me.

Last year (it feels weird to say "last year" even though it was yesterday) I graduated with a degree in allied health from the physical therapist assistant program. So...

This year:

1) I will study study study and then take my boards in order to obtain a license to work as a PTA (this month or beginning of next)

2) Hopefully get a job somewhere (soon) and start working full time (February time frame)

3) Travel to Europe! Specifically the Canary Islands (off the coast of Spain and Morocco) for a week with my grandparents. Countdown T-minus 14 days!

4) Hopefully take time off work to go up north to spend time with my grandparents (and hopefully my cousins will be there too)

5) Celebrate my grandparents 50th!!! wedding anniversary at my uncle's house in TX this December.

I have some resolutions this year; we'll see how long I keep them

That's it for now. I hope you all have a great year!