OK, so I did not get the job. I have mixed emotions about it. I am partially relieved because teaching would have been new for me and this was a little scary, but I looked at it as an opportunity to expand my mind and skills. I am sad because I really thought I would have fit in well for the position, but alas, it was not to be.
Most of my disappointment is because I have two degrees and no one will hire me. I feel that the hiring supervisors think I am either under qualified or over qualified or too old.
I got a phone call for an interview for a job I did not even apply for, isn't that funny. It is not something I think I can do, but I will look into it. The job is as an educational assistant.
I cannot see myself being in this position because I like to think for myself and not "do what I am told". Don't get me wrong, I do follow my job description and do what I am expected to do (or told to do), but I just don't think I can do this one because the setting is in education. I used to work in this setting, where I got a lot of professional respect.
So I guess I will take a vacation. I HATE things not going according to plan (I can thank my childhood experiences for that hangup).
Anyone who wants a vacation from working in a career should do these steps:
1. Wait until your about 50 years old.
2. Quit your job and move to a small town that is in the middle of nowhere
3. Go to back to school. Get loans for school. Don't worry about paying for it because you are getting a "college" degree and you will be able to get a job afterwards to pay off the loans.
4. Work hard to get good grades because that will make an impression on people and they will want to hire you because you learn quick.
5. Apply for jobs that pay much less then you made before because you are not "too proud" and you are willing to take less.
6. Apply for jobs that you don't qualify for because you will graduate in a few weeks, surely people will be aware that you have lots of experience and since you will soon graduate, they will want to "snap" you right up before anyone else can.
7. Graduate and apply for jobs. Make sure this time that the jobs ask for your degree because now that you have the degree and so much experience and great references, people would be lucky to have you as an employee. Be sure and include how many years experience you have so they can see how old you are are.
8. Last but not least, realize that you are not anything special and your narcissistic attempts at self-improvement may ultimately gain you nothing.Try to resign yourself to an endless vacation and learn how to pull weeds, do yard work and clean/fix the house.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Onward Bound
Graduation was a success! Woohoo!
Future plans as of Graduation (May). I had been accepted into the Masters of Occupational Therapy program, scheduled to begin August 2013.
In June, I received a letter explaining that I was "still accepted" but that the university was revamping the program and it was being postponed for one year. So, I am now accepted to start the program in August 2014.
This means I will not begin graduate school this fall and so I will need to begin to repay my student loans, which is convenient I suppose because they will begin about the time my braces are paid for LOL.
So currently I am an unemployed person with an associate degree in OT and a BS in Psychology.
I applied for two employment possibilities and I have been interviewed for one.
One is with the public schools as a COTA and one is at the university as an Assistant Professor. I was interviewed for the latter. I also want the latter the most. It would be something I believe I could excel at, but of course I may not be what the search committee desires.
I hate waiting.
Seriously, at my past job, the administrators already had an idea who they wanted to hire before they even did interviews. In small towns like this one and Carlsbad, I am sure the committees have an idea who they wish to hire.
When I left my interview, I thought, "I think they loved me! I fit in so well here! I am everything they want! I have excellent references and work history! I just know they are going to call me!"
Today, I am waiting and doubting everything. Perhaps, they already found someone and I was just part of the process they had to complete prior to hiring who they wanted originally. Perhaps, I did not say or do something they liked or wanted to hear. Perhaps, this job won't happen after all.
I hate waiting.
I tried not to get excited about this job, but gosh darn it, it sounded wonderful! It sounded like the kind of job I have wanted for years. I love teaching adults, I love using my creativity in OT to help people to be good at OT. I would love this job.
I hate waiting.
Oh well.
So, if I am not called for either job, I will immerse myself in working with CASA. There are some wonderful people in this organization. I will be good at this as well. I sound full of myself LOL (I am so good haha). I really am good at working with people who are having difficulties in life. It is my history.
I will then begin my MOT program a year from now.
I love planning a future. I hate waiting.
Future plans as of Graduation (May). I had been accepted into the Masters of Occupational Therapy program, scheduled to begin August 2013.
In June, I received a letter explaining that I was "still accepted" but that the university was revamping the program and it was being postponed for one year. So, I am now accepted to start the program in August 2014.
This means I will not begin graduate school this fall and so I will need to begin to repay my student loans, which is convenient I suppose because they will begin about the time my braces are paid for LOL.
So currently I am an unemployed person with an associate degree in OT and a BS in Psychology.
I applied for two employment possibilities and I have been interviewed for one.
One is with the public schools as a COTA and one is at the university as an Assistant Professor. I was interviewed for the latter. I also want the latter the most. It would be something I believe I could excel at, but of course I may not be what the search committee desires.
I hate waiting.
Seriously, at my past job, the administrators already had an idea who they wanted to hire before they even did interviews. In small towns like this one and Carlsbad, I am sure the committees have an idea who they wish to hire.
When I left my interview, I thought, "I think they loved me! I fit in so well here! I am everything they want! I have excellent references and work history! I just know they are going to call me!"
Today, I am waiting and doubting everything. Perhaps, they already found someone and I was just part of the process they had to complete prior to hiring who they wanted originally. Perhaps, I did not say or do something they liked or wanted to hear. Perhaps, this job won't happen after all.
I hate waiting.
I tried not to get excited about this job, but gosh darn it, it sounded wonderful! It sounded like the kind of job I have wanted for years. I love teaching adults, I love using my creativity in OT to help people to be good at OT. I would love this job.
I hate waiting.
Oh well.
So, if I am not called for either job, I will immerse myself in working with CASA. There are some wonderful people in this organization. I will be good at this as well. I sound full of myself LOL (I am so good haha). I really am good at working with people who are having difficulties in life. It is my history.
I will then begin my MOT program a year from now.
I love planning a future. I hate waiting.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
College Graduation
So, I "walk" for graduation this Friday May 10th. Yep, in a few days. I am really excited about my accomplishment. I am actually quite disappointed that most of my family cannot be there, but when we all live states away from each other, that is the way it is.
My daughter Ashley and her boy friend Gabe and my husband of course will be attending my graduation. My neighbors said they were coming, which surprised me, but I think it is really sweet of them to want to celebrate with me. My sweet daughter in WA will watch via internet and I think my sister, Theresa, will watch via internet as well.
My sweet husband has been there supporting me throughout the 12 years that it has taken me to get this Bachelor of Science degree.
I have also been informed that I have been accepted into the MOT (Master of Occupational Therapy) program. This program is pretty competitive and they only take 20 students. They only accept COTAs, which is what I am. My expected graduation date is December 2015. Once I graduate, I can take the registry exam and upon passing, I will be a full fledged Occupational Therapist! No longer will I be the assistant. This will be helpful because as an OT I can find employment almost anywhere.
My daughter Ashley and her boy friend Gabe and my husband of course will be attending my graduation. My neighbors said they were coming, which surprised me, but I think it is really sweet of them to want to celebrate with me. My sweet daughter in WA will watch via internet and I think my sister, Theresa, will watch via internet as well.
My sweet husband has been there supporting me throughout the 12 years that it has taken me to get this Bachelor of Science degree.
I have also been informed that I have been accepted into the MOT (Master of Occupational Therapy) program. This program is pretty competitive and they only take 20 students. They only accept COTAs, which is what I am. My expected graduation date is December 2015. Once I graduate, I can take the registry exam and upon passing, I will be a full fledged Occupational Therapist! No longer will I be the assistant. This will be helpful because as an OT I can find employment almost anywhere.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A lot of stuff to chat about, not that I've ever had a problem finding topics LOL
Here it is less than one week before Christmas and exactly one week before I get to see my pregnant daughter and her husband. It has just began to snow and I have a fire going in the pellet stove, the Christmas lights are on, I have a bag of gifts to wrap, and a hot cup of coffee next to me, nice!
I just finished up my first full-time college semester since 1995 (I took six classes). I had to take social statistics this semester and I never thought I'd have difficulty, but it ended up being what I would term as a "class from hell". Not because the content was so difficult, but because the instructor did not follow the book and it was very difficult to know what she wanted on her exams. I honestly thought I'd fail the class. I ended up with a B, which was a huge surprise, but from what I gathered most of the class was having difficulty, so that is probably how I ended up with a B.
I think she probably is just a tough teacher. She has informed us about how she graduated from some university in NJ and how she "gave it all up" for her husband (he is a coach at Western University where I attend). I have taken over 150 credits and I had a 4.0 up until I took her classes (3/6). I currently have a 3.63. So, is it me or is she just difficult? I think she is just difficult and I'm grateful I don't have to take any of her classes ever again! (knocking on wood)
Good news is, I will graduate in May 2013 with a BS in Psychology. I will be the first of my parent's children to get a college degree (BA or BS). I plan to continue my education with a Master's degree. I wish to do this for several reasons: 1. Employment, 2. Personal goal achievement, 3. dementia prevention. Hopefully, all three of these reasons will end up working out for me verses the financial cost.
Amber and Carlos will be here at Christmas, and right after we will have a baby shower for them in Albuquerque, Yea!
We have really enjoyed living around Ashley and Gabe. Ashley is also taking college classes and she is hoping to graduate in a year or so with her BA in radiology.
My mom is trying to sell her house (she is 80). They are not happy living in Artesia. They're doctors won't give them medication, they don't have any social support (no church, friends or family). They won't actively do anything to get support. They just sit at home all day and bitch about how life is. She and her husband have no concept of reality. They are truly in la la land (not a psychological term, but it fits). It is sad to see people make bad decisions over and over again, but this is nothing new. They are not happy with their lives, so they make crazy (again not a politically correct term for a psych major) decisions, like moving every 2/3 years to try to find some purpose or satisfaction and yet they won't find happiness or satisfaction no matter where they go because it isn't where one lives or who one is around that makes one happy, it is the perspective within ones self that makes one happy. Oh well....
This is a terrribly long blog, but I don't care. I don't blog enough to worry about it. Perhaps, now that I'm not in class full-time I will update it more often and with shorter blogs. :)
I just finished up my first full-time college semester since 1995 (I took six classes). I had to take social statistics this semester and I never thought I'd have difficulty, but it ended up being what I would term as a "class from hell". Not because the content was so difficult, but because the instructor did not follow the book and it was very difficult to know what she wanted on her exams. I honestly thought I'd fail the class. I ended up with a B, which was a huge surprise, but from what I gathered most of the class was having difficulty, so that is probably how I ended up with a B.
I think she probably is just a tough teacher. She has informed us about how she graduated from some university in NJ and how she "gave it all up" for her husband (he is a coach at Western University where I attend). I have taken over 150 credits and I had a 4.0 up until I took her classes (3/6). I currently have a 3.63. So, is it me or is she just difficult? I think she is just difficult and I'm grateful I don't have to take any of her classes ever again! (knocking on wood)
Good news is, I will graduate in May 2013 with a BS in Psychology. I will be the first of my parent's children to get a college degree (BA or BS). I plan to continue my education with a Master's degree. I wish to do this for several reasons: 1. Employment, 2. Personal goal achievement, 3. dementia prevention. Hopefully, all three of these reasons will end up working out for me verses the financial cost.
Amber and Carlos will be here at Christmas, and right after we will have a baby shower for them in Albuquerque, Yea!
We have really enjoyed living around Ashley and Gabe. Ashley is also taking college classes and she is hoping to graduate in a year or so with her BA in radiology.
My mom is trying to sell her house (she is 80). They are not happy living in Artesia. They're doctors won't give them medication, they don't have any social support (no church, friends or family). They won't actively do anything to get support. They just sit at home all day and bitch about how life is. She and her husband have no concept of reality. They are truly in la la land (not a psychological term, but it fits). It is sad to see people make bad decisions over and over again, but this is nothing new. They are not happy with their lives, so they make crazy (again not a politically correct term for a psych major) decisions, like moving every 2/3 years to try to find some purpose or satisfaction and yet they won't find happiness or satisfaction no matter where they go because it isn't where one lives or who one is around that makes one happy, it is the perspective within ones self that makes one happy. Oh well....
This is a terrribly long blog, but I don't care. I don't blog enough to worry about it. Perhaps, now that I'm not in class full-time I will update it more often and with shorter blogs. :)
Monday, September 17, 2012
Almost October
Well, it has been few months since my last post. I'm not sure if I'm on the right blog LOL. Anyway, this is a test for now. If it works, I'll update my blog later. I don't have much time lately.
Friday, July 6, 2012
July Stuff
My last post started with "Wow, summer is almost here" LOL. So you can see, updated my blog hasn't been a huge priority. June, we went to Washington and visited Amber and Carlos. It was very beautiful up there, but my greatest joy was seeing Amber and Carlos. Their apartment was so cute and had many conveniences that their home in NM didn't have. As a mother, anytime your kids are happy with something then your happy as well. There is way too much to see and do up there, but we did go to Pikes Market in Seattle, Whale watching off the San Juan Islands/Orca Island and visited smaller local parks. My favorite was Meadowlake park, at least I think that is the name of it haha. The trees there are very tall and lush. I took lots of pictures of slugs as well LOL. It is so funny that I'm extremely phobic for worms, but slugs absolutely don't bother me at all. Weird how our minds work on a consious and unconsious level.
Which brings to the July. I'm taking two psychology classes, Psychopathology and Positive Psychology. From my understanding one approaches mental illness from studying what has gone wrong in the mind/body and attempts to fix it. The other approaches mental illness from what has gone right in the mind/body and applies basic psychological principles and the theory of the positive to fix it. I really like Positive psychology. It takes away from self-victimization and helps people to realize what strengths they have that may be used to overcome or compensate the weaknesses.
So, that is my opinion as of right now. We will see how I feel after the classes have ended :)
Good news! Well sort of LOL. The special education secretary at a school district I'd contacted for a COTA job last Feb called me. One of the COTAs here put in her resignation unexpectedly so, they will be advertising for a COTA position (the secretary thinks) at the school district I wanted to work at. I wish for 1. a position to open up, 2. that they want someone with my years of experience (and minimal supervision for the OTR)instead of a new grad, 3. I get an interview and the job.
I'd prefer to work and finish my schooling part-time. Working with the schools would continue my retirement (same retirement system) and I would get paid for my years of experience (which is great in the school system).
Of course the district may decide to not replace the COTA and just divide her caseload between the other COTAs, so the position may not open.
This was a HUGE blog. Oh well. I don't update enough to be worried about it :)
Which brings to the July. I'm taking two psychology classes, Psychopathology and Positive Psychology. From my understanding one approaches mental illness from studying what has gone wrong in the mind/body and attempts to fix it. The other approaches mental illness from what has gone right in the mind/body and applies basic psychological principles and the theory of the positive to fix it. I really like Positive psychology. It takes away from self-victimization and helps people to realize what strengths they have that may be used to overcome or compensate the weaknesses.
So, that is my opinion as of right now. We will see how I feel after the classes have ended :)
Good news! Well sort of LOL. The special education secretary at a school district I'd contacted for a COTA job last Feb called me. One of the COTAs here put in her resignation unexpectedly so, they will be advertising for a COTA position (the secretary thinks) at the school district I wanted to work at. I wish for 1. a position to open up, 2. that they want someone with my years of experience (and minimal supervision for the OTR)instead of a new grad, 3. I get an interview and the job.
I'd prefer to work and finish my schooling part-time. Working with the schools would continue my retirement (same retirement system) and I would get paid for my years of experience (which is great in the school system).
Of course the district may decide to not replace the COTA and just divide her caseload between the other COTAs, so the position may not open.
This was a HUGE blog. Oh well. I don't update enough to be worried about it :)
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Summer is almost here!
So, since my last post, I have applied to a few more jobs, which I didn't get. I have now decided that unless employment opens up for a COTA, I am going to go to college full-time and get my BS in Psychology. Yes, I've switched my major, but I've always liked Psychology. I've read much about human behavior (probably in an attempt to understand my own family) and I've really enjoyed learning about it. Granted, better understanding only leads to better acceptance, not the ability to change a person's behavior. So, that is all that I have to say about my current "job/career" ventures.
I'm very excited about seeing Amber and Carlos. We will be visiting them in June and then Amber will visit us in July. I haven't seen them since Christmas and I think this is too long.
I have throughly enjoyed living near Ashley. We got pedicures today, it was my gift for Mother's day. Amber gave me a most wonderful bath pillow for my new bathtub and a fun movie "Young Frankenstein". I love comedies and I don't think a person can laugh too much!
I will update this blog sooner, since I have no school starting until June, yea!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Wow, it's March already!
I hadn't realized how old my last post was until today. Update life news is:
We moved to Silver City, it is beautiful but we are just now slowing down from the move and starting to enjoy it a bit.
I cannot find a job (as a COTA) ANYWHERE. It is depressing. I did get a temporary position as an administrative secretary, but it sounds more impressive then it is. I'm basically a warm body to answer phones, check the mail and take messages. My contract runs out March 30. I was told that they (whoever "they" are) will probably offer me an extension until the end of May, but it hasn't happened yet. I should get my BA no later then May 2013 and possibly as early as December 2012 if I'm full-time in school.
The director of the OTA program (Occupational Therapy Assistant) told me I would make a "great teacher" and asked me to apply for the Assitant Professor position for the two year program. It had previously been advertised with qualifications of a BA or MA to get the job. She said if I applied she would "re-advertise" it with different qualifications (a BA completed by July of 2013). So, I got my hopes up and applied, got letters of recommendations, wrote a statement of teaching theory. The whole shebang. I also spoke with the director of the MOT (Master of OT) Program, who has her PHd. She said would prefer someone like myself to get the job verses a new graduate because of my 16 years experience in Pediatrics and that pediatrics is exactly where they need an instructor. So, again, I continued to be excited about the prospect but I read this morning that the "re-advertisement" stated a BA or MA needed to be completed by September of 2012. Well, this leaves me out. It does open doors for new graduates.
So, I guess I will just keep plugging away at school and try to be very very thrifty with our finances. I'm not to hopeful of anything right now (job related). I am very happy to have our beautiful new home on the mountain, love being close to Ashley and I need to just relax and enjoy the things I DO have and get over my disappointment.
We are going to go to Washington in June and see Amber and Carlos! Looks like I will have time to plan our trip :)
We moved to Silver City, it is beautiful but we are just now slowing down from the move and starting to enjoy it a bit.
I cannot find a job (as a COTA) ANYWHERE. It is depressing. I did get a temporary position as an administrative secretary, but it sounds more impressive then it is. I'm basically a warm body to answer phones, check the mail and take messages. My contract runs out March 30. I was told that they (whoever "they" are) will probably offer me an extension until the end of May, but it hasn't happened yet. I should get my BA no later then May 2013 and possibly as early as December 2012 if I'm full-time in school.
The director of the OTA program (Occupational Therapy Assistant) told me I would make a "great teacher" and asked me to apply for the Assitant Professor position for the two year program. It had previously been advertised with qualifications of a BA or MA to get the job. She said if I applied she would "re-advertise" it with different qualifications (a BA completed by July of 2013). So, I got my hopes up and applied, got letters of recommendations, wrote a statement of teaching theory. The whole shebang. I also spoke with the director of the MOT (Master of OT) Program, who has her PHd. She said would prefer someone like myself to get the job verses a new graduate because of my 16 years experience in Pediatrics and that pediatrics is exactly where they need an instructor. So, again, I continued to be excited about the prospect but I read this morning that the "re-advertisement" stated a BA or MA needed to be completed by September of 2012. Well, this leaves me out. It does open doors for new graduates.
So, I guess I will just keep plugging away at school and try to be very very thrifty with our finances. I'm not to hopeful of anything right now (job related). I am very happy to have our beautiful new home on the mountain, love being close to Ashley and I need to just relax and enjoy the things I DO have and get over my disappointment.
We are going to go to Washington in June and see Amber and Carlos! Looks like I will have time to plan our trip :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Christmas was busy and enjoyable!
So, John, Ashley and myself wore Christmas gear and flashing lights to pick up Amber and Carlos at the airport. They flew in from Seattle for Christmas!
While in Silver City for Christmas, we found a house we like and have started the process to purchase it.
Since Christmas, we found a house, sold our house, packed and moved to Silver City. We are in temporary housing until the close on the house in Silver city, which we hope will happen within two weeks now. I have began job hunting and my college classes began last week (during packing and moving of course). John will begin working out of a new office location and with new people, so this is a change for him in addition to moving.
We met the owner of the home we are purchasing and she is so sweet! She said the neighbors want to invite us over for dinner to welcome us and also to "send" her off. People here, have been very nice, which has decreased the stress level tremendously.
Amber and Carlos have been in Abu Dabi (spelt wrong), India and Dubai and won't be back until the 18th, so I'm glad we've been busy. I don't want to think about them being halfway around the world. I'm just happy they are getting to do something they have wanted to do. They are crossing off their bucket list LOL.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Last day of work
So, today was my last day of work. Well, I called in sick today, but I was honest. I didn't say I was sick. I told them I didn't have any thing left to do and that since I'm only getting $10 per day for any sick days I haven't used, it was more beneficial for me to call in then to work.
I was really sad, but this week I've been much more happy about quitting my job. I can only take one day at a time and I absolutely wasn't going to go any further in my job without an increase in degree status.
I was already paid on the BA degree scale, so when I had attain my BA I wouldn't have gotten any pay increase. I was also at the top of the scale for steps in "years of employment" so I couldn't get any more raises from that. I was also employed as an OT Assistant, which means I can't EVER get any MORE responsibility. As an assistant I'm not allowed to do assessments, program planning, treatment planning, advocacy, nor can I get certified or specialized in ANY areas of OT because I'm the Assistant and not the therapist. This would be fine if I didn't have 16 years of experience and past OT therapists who supervised me had me do the previous tasks because I had the skills and they utilized my experience. As an assistant, if I get a new OT supervisor, it doesn't matter how much experience they have or that I have, I'm still an assistant and my hands are tied as to what I can do to help the kids/patients.
If I was the OT I would be servicing more kids in the schools. Yes, I fully understand the funding and legalities of OT ancillary services, but I also know that OT should be giving in-service trainings so the kids don't have to be "failing" before the teacher or staff know what to do to help the kids. We can be part of the intervention plans for all children with disabilities, not just the ones in SPED.
So, I'm happy to be quitting and moving onto (I hope) a new place of employment, education and to experience opportunities to grow professionally and from within.
I was really sad, but this week I've been much more happy about quitting my job. I can only take one day at a time and I absolutely wasn't going to go any further in my job without an increase in degree status.
I was already paid on the BA degree scale, so when I had attain my BA I wouldn't have gotten any pay increase. I was also at the top of the scale for steps in "years of employment" so I couldn't get any more raises from that. I was also employed as an OT Assistant, which means I can't EVER get any MORE responsibility. As an assistant I'm not allowed to do assessments, program planning, treatment planning, advocacy, nor can I get certified or specialized in ANY areas of OT because I'm the Assistant and not the therapist. This would be fine if I didn't have 16 years of experience and past OT therapists who supervised me had me do the previous tasks because I had the skills and they utilized my experience. As an assistant, if I get a new OT supervisor, it doesn't matter how much experience they have or that I have, I'm still an assistant and my hands are tied as to what I can do to help the kids/patients.
If I was the OT I would be servicing more kids in the schools. Yes, I fully understand the funding and legalities of OT ancillary services, but I also know that OT should be giving in-service trainings so the kids don't have to be "failing" before the teacher or staff know what to do to help the kids. We can be part of the intervention plans for all children with disabilities, not just the ones in SPED.
So, I'm happy to be quitting and moving onto (I hope) a new place of employment, education and to experience opportunities to grow professionally and from within.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
New stuff, all the time.
So, Amber and Carlos are in Washington state and are enjoying the beautiful surroundings. For a couple of years now, John and I have wanted to live closer to our daughters. At the time we first begin thinking about it, John didn't want to live in Las Cruces (where Amber and Carlos were) because he felt the city was too large and he liked the idea of living in the mountains, so we chose to eventually move to Silver City, which would have been about 1.75 hours from Amber and Carlos, but much closer then we are now.
Well, of course Amber and Carlos don't live there now.
The original plan was for me to find a job in Silver and for John to retire afterward, however a week before Thanksgiving, John applied for a position (with the same job) in a small town within driving distance to Silver. Last Monday, yep four days after he applied, we heard he got the position.
We are now moving to Silver. Yeah! Yeah to live close to Ashley, Yeah about the beautiful mountains, Yeah about quitting my job!
But I applied this last week at there are NO jobs for a COTA in Silver. This is pretty stressful to me, I've worked for 16 years as a COTA and as a divisional manager before that. This also cuts our income in half. This totally stresses me so, I've been focusing on the fact that I (Yeah) can go to school full-time this semester.
We also have found that housing in Silver is about 25 to 50% more then here, so, we won't be able to afford a house that isn't pretty old because 1. It cost more, 2. I'm unemployed and can't contribute to the income.
But Yeah about the move. I'd rather move then not. I love going to school full-time even if it means eating beans for a few years until I can get my BA and MA.
I again, must put my faith in God and be happy he has gave us this opportunity to be closer to Ashley (We plan on visits to see Amber as much as we can).
Well, of course Amber and Carlos don't live there now.
The original plan was for me to find a job in Silver and for John to retire afterward, however a week before Thanksgiving, John applied for a position (with the same job) in a small town within driving distance to Silver. Last Monday, yep four days after he applied, we heard he got the position.
We are now moving to Silver. Yeah! Yeah to live close to Ashley, Yeah about the beautiful mountains, Yeah about quitting my job!
But I applied this last week at there are NO jobs for a COTA in Silver. This is pretty stressful to me, I've worked for 16 years as a COTA and as a divisional manager before that. This also cuts our income in half. This totally stresses me so, I've been focusing on the fact that I (Yeah) can go to school full-time this semester.
We also have found that housing in Silver is about 25 to 50% more then here, so, we won't be able to afford a house that isn't pretty old because 1. It cost more, 2. I'm unemployed and can't contribute to the income.
But Yeah about the move. I'd rather move then not. I love going to school full-time even if it means eating beans for a few years until I can get my BA and MA.
I again, must put my faith in God and be happy he has gave us this opportunity to be closer to Ashley (We plan on visits to see Amber as much as we can).
Friday, August 5, 2011
Endless changes
Well, the biggest change is that my daughter Amber and her husband Carlos are moving to Washington state. That is very good, and yet very sad. Carlos had difficulty getting a job here in New Mexico. I so very much wish he was able to get something here, but the good news is that the job he did get is a wonderful job and a wonderful opportunity for him. I realize that Amber and Carlos are the kids we get to see the most. Amber had weekends off and so it was easier for them to come here or us to go there. They were the inspiration for us to try many new cool foods, yummy deserts, great beers, wines, music, swimming, and camping, to name a few. So, their company, on a regular basis (every month or two months) will be missed. However; in all the sadness on my part, we have great joy as well. They will love the beauty of Washington and we will have a great place to go for vacations haha!
The other changes are: I changed my major, I am attempting to get my BA as a Rehabiliationist Specialist, I have a new office on my job (start this Monday), I'm am officially in menopause LOL, I just finished my summer classes,I expect to get A's due to the points I've gotten so far, but I will have to wait and see. So, no more changes for now. I will be saving my money to visit Washington state now :) I hope to see it often!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Wow, I really need to reformat this blog LOL
Wow I need to update this blog. My pictures are old and I haven't changed the background for a while.
So, I went to an immunologist who gave me an actual name of the diagnoses he thinks I have, regarding my immune system. It is called hypocomplementic vasculitis, well at these this is the short version LOL. He can't confirm 100% until I get a purpura rash and they biopsy it. So, I get a rash approximately once a month to one every 6 months so it may be awhile. I'm just glad to find someone who says my test results match something LOL.
Ash had her birthday at our house, I will post pictures another time. I really enjoyed Amber/Carlos and Ashley/Gabe visits. I want to live closer to them so bad. One of the reason's I'm getting a bachelors degree is so I will have options for employment so I can leave Carlsbad and move closer to the kids.
People tease me and say that then the kids will move away LOL. Well, if they do, then they do, but if I could have even one year living in the same town or close enough we could do lunch or nails or shop or have dinner more then once every 3 to 6months, then it would have been worth the move.
Mom continues to be oxycontin free. This is a great thing. She is now back to her mouthy ways, but so far she has apologized when she gets that way, so I'd rather see her mouthy then messed up cognitively due to drug use.
She has no memory of all the stuff she did (or David) or anything about the oxy problems. Even the financial problems. This is a little discerning because she can't learn from anything when she doesn't recall anything. Oh well, nothing is ever normal with her and at least she is independant and thinking clearly now. She has also admitted to having diabetes and she takes her pill regularly and tests her blood daily. At least she believes that this medical advice is good :)
She has also lost her teeth and has hinted to me and others several times how she wants/needs more. I do feel for her though, but she has had two pair already.
Anyway, Life for me is busy but good right now.
So, I went to an immunologist who gave me an actual name of the diagnoses he thinks I have, regarding my immune system. It is called hypocomplementic vasculitis, well at these this is the short version LOL. He can't confirm 100% until I get a purpura rash and they biopsy it. So, I get a rash approximately once a month to one every 6 months so it may be awhile. I'm just glad to find someone who says my test results match something LOL.
Ash had her birthday at our house, I will post pictures another time. I really enjoyed Amber/Carlos and Ashley/Gabe visits. I want to live closer to them so bad. One of the reason's I'm getting a bachelors degree is so I will have options for employment so I can leave Carlsbad and move closer to the kids.
People tease me and say that then the kids will move away LOL. Well, if they do, then they do, but if I could have even one year living in the same town or close enough we could do lunch or nails or shop or have dinner more then once every 3 to 6months, then it would have been worth the move.
Mom continues to be oxycontin free. This is a great thing. She is now back to her mouthy ways, but so far she has apologized when she gets that way, so I'd rather see her mouthy then messed up cognitively due to drug use.
She has no memory of all the stuff she did (or David) or anything about the oxy problems. Even the financial problems. This is a little discerning because she can't learn from anything when she doesn't recall anything. Oh well, nothing is ever normal with her and at least she is independant and thinking clearly now. She has also admitted to having diabetes and she takes her pill regularly and tests her blood daily. At least she believes that this medical advice is good :)
She has also lost her teeth and has hinted to me and others several times how she wants/needs more. I do feel for her though, but she has had two pair already.
Anyway, Life for me is busy but good right now.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Lord has Been so good to me
I am now doing well. I had a stress test done and a nuclear scan of my heart done. The results were great. I was told I was in better than average shape for someone my age, yeah! I suppose working out at the gym before I got sick paid off LOL. The Dr. said the mitral valve regurtitation won't go away, but unless it gets worse I am to live my life without restrictions. The Dr. will monitor me and I am to have an echocardiogram every 6 months.
Regarding the autoimmune problem. I am suppose to go to an immunologist in March. I really don't want to go because I feel so good right now. I don't want to be given medicine that makes me feel bad, but I promised my primary care Dr I would go so I will.
I am feeling good now and Jesus was there for me and continues to be there for me. This is all I know.
My mom is doing great! I can hardly believe the change in her. She is taking her diabetes pill regularly, which is very important. She is also off all narcotics. Her mind is sharp again and she is demonstrating independants in all daily living skills including her finances. I think when she prayed for me, God must have helped her. It's like I have the mom I used to have many years ago, but she is sweeter LOL. Anyway, I give thanks to God and everyone who was so supportive and sweet when I was sick. Especially my husband who was with me from breakfast to bedtime everyday. Thank you.
Regarding the autoimmune problem. I am suppose to go to an immunologist in March. I really don't want to go because I feel so good right now. I don't want to be given medicine that makes me feel bad, but I promised my primary care Dr I would go so I will.
I am feeling good now and Jesus was there for me and continues to be there for me. This is all I know.
My mom is doing great! I can hardly believe the change in her. She is taking her diabetes pill regularly, which is very important. She is also off all narcotics. Her mind is sharp again and she is demonstrating independants in all daily living skills including her finances. I think when she prayed for me, God must have helped her. It's like I have the mom I used to have many years ago, but she is sweeter LOL. Anyway, I give thanks to God and everyone who was so supportive and sweet when I was sick. Especially my husband who was with me from breakfast to bedtime everyday. Thank you.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Health update
So, I've been out of the hospital since Jan 20. My mitral valve regurgitation is what they term as "moderate". I'm scheduled to have a stress test and nuclear dye pictures taken this month. Feb 21 I will see the cardiologist and hear the results. As far as I know, this will be a "monitor" problem. I don't know yet if the monitor will be every 6 months or yearly. I am finally starting to have some energy and I've recently have been able to breathe freely without any chest discomfort. Last Monday I broke out in a Purpura rash all over my legs, which my Dr says is an autoimmune reaction to ? So, Even though I was feeling good, I guess my immune system didn't think I was good LOL. So I stayed home and rested Tuesday.
Everyone has been so sweet to me.
I missed work on Tuesday and had snow days on Wed, Thurs and today (Friday). I'm off the weekend, so I've been blessed with many days to further recuperate. Now I feel great! I hope this continues. I need to begin working out again, I'm losing muscle tone :( Anyway, I'm ready for my life to become routine again. :)
Everyone has been so sweet to me.
I missed work on Tuesday and had snow days on Wed, Thurs and today (Friday). I'm off the weekend, so I've been blessed with many days to further recuperate. Now I feel great! I hope this continues. I need to begin working out again, I'm losing muscle tone :( Anyway, I'm ready for my life to become routine again. :)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Still in hospital but good news
So, I'm still in the hospital but not having Congestive Heart Failure any more. Most of the fluid from my lungs and heart has been removed. I can breathe better and my heart is beating good. I had an echocardiogram done yesterday. The Dr. says that it shows good heart muscle and pumping action. It also shows a mitral valve regurtitation. This mitral valve problem may have been there for awhile, they don't know. Either way, the Dr. says that with the exeption of the valve I have a healthy heart in all four chambers, YEAH!
Tomorrow morning they will do a esophageal echocardiogram to see more details of my valve. This will help them decide if it is a "wait and monitor" problem or a "needs repair/replacement" problem.
After this is over, I can go home and try the rest of my recuperation from pneumonia and the whole mess. So, I think God let this happen to find my valve problem. I had attempted to get my other Drs (gyn and primary) to check my heart, but they kept saying I didn't a good enough reason for checking it. I had a "gut" reason for a few years now. So, I'm glad to have found the problem, so we can fix it and move on with life. The lord Jesus has always taken care of me and I thank him so much for continuing to do so.
Tomorrow morning they will do a esophageal echocardiogram to see more details of my valve. This will help them decide if it is a "wait and monitor" problem or a "needs repair/replacement" problem.
After this is over, I can go home and try the rest of my recuperation from pneumonia and the whole mess. So, I think God let this happen to find my valve problem. I had attempted to get my other Drs (gyn and primary) to check my heart, but they kept saying I didn't a good enough reason for checking it. I had a "gut" reason for a few years now. So, I'm glad to have found the problem, so we can fix it and move on with life. The lord Jesus has always taken care of me and I thank him so much for continuing to do so.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Writing from the Hospital
So, I'm writing from the hospital. I've had one heck of a week. Last Tuesday I became very ill and Wednesday morning decided I needed to go to the emergency room. They admitted me for pneumonia. On Thursday, while in the hospital I find out that my blood cultures reveal blood poisoning (Sepsis) of the bacteria that had infected my lung. I was given high doses of strong antibiotic called Levequil or something like that along with another one, which I don't remember the name of, but it made my head itch badly. I was told basically that the itch was worth the cure, so I took it. On Friday, I began bloating really badly. I told the nurse about it and she shook it off and told me it was a side affect of the meds. I was nausaus as well, again, told side affects. I asked if he was going to do any xrays before I left and he said no.This continued thru Saturday. When the Dr. came in to Discharge me I told him. He said, side affect and to take some antacid. I went home. I began to improve with the pneumonia and fever, but continued to bloat. By Monday morning I noticed that even my legs and feet were bloated. I had tried on some of my pants on Saturday and couldn't even get them around my butt. Monday morning I weighed myself. I had gained 22 pounds in only 5 days. Not Good. So, after several calls to Dr offices who didn't open on MLK day, I went to the emergency room.
Now here I am, admitted with Congestive Heart Failure. Wow, I can hardly believe it. Part of me wants to cry and be so sad about the prospect of a possible earlier demise then what I ever thought I'd have. Another part of me wants to say, well at least we know and now lets find a cure. So, I'm going with the second part of me. I will eventually die anyway, we all do, so I get a chance of preventing mine for a bit by finding the cause and following the treatment. At least I didn't have a heart attack out of the blue and just die. So, that is all I want to write for now. I'm getting a bit tired. Of course the whole time I was writing I didn't have one interruption from hospital staff. They are waiting for me to attempt a nap. Which is what I'm going to do. Later.
Now here I am, admitted with Congestive Heart Failure. Wow, I can hardly believe it. Part of me wants to cry and be so sad about the prospect of a possible earlier demise then what I ever thought I'd have. Another part of me wants to say, well at least we know and now lets find a cure. So, I'm going with the second part of me. I will eventually die anyway, we all do, so I get a chance of preventing mine for a bit by finding the cause and following the treatment. At least I didn't have a heart attack out of the blue and just die. So, that is all I want to write for now. I'm getting a bit tired. Of course the whole time I was writing I didn't have one interruption from hospital staff. They are waiting for me to attempt a nap. Which is what I'm going to do. Later.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
So, I realize I haven't updated my blog in a while. First, my Bone marrow biopsy was good, meaning I don't have anything that is diagnosable. This is good because I don't have anything too serious right now. The doctor said my results were "interesting" LOL. Anyway, long story short is that the parts which were abnormal were areas which can be abnormal for either an autoimmune/inflammatory disorder or a mild pre-leukemia. So, I am still a lab rat :) The oncologist wants the rheumatologist to rule out autoimmune and after I seen the rheumatologist (Dec 21) he has wanted the biopsy to rule out pre-leukemia prior to treatment for autoimmune disorder. So, from both Doctors it is a monitor and see what happens down the road. If I begin to get worse as months/years go by then whatever surfaces, that is what I will be treated for. Meanwhile I take anti-infammatories for an achiness and take good care of myself so my immune system doesn't have to react to itself. The end.
Now, for life update. Christmas was very good, but we missed Amber and Carlos. This was the first year that Amber spent away from us at Christmas (now that Carlos and she are married then in-laws get a turn), which is fine, such is life. We had a wonderful time in Silver City with Ashley and her boyfriend Gabe. Thanksgiving was spent at Ashley's in Silver City(due to the convenience of travel for Amber and Ashley and days off). Next year, I have no idea where we will be for Thanksgiving, but John insists that we aren't "going anywhere" for Christmas. I think he got tired of traveling so much. We had went to the trainings for the Chrysalis in Oct, Nov, then Thanksgiving, then Dec, then Albuq, then Christmas to Silver. I really would love to stay home for Christmas, but I don't want to be alone with just the two of us. So, I hope next year the kids can travel to see us or I will be very sad at Christmas time.
I'm going to be taking a math class (online) this spring. It starts in two weeks. I hope I can do it. I haven't had math in about two years and it was basic algebra then. This class sounds like fun. It is Math Appreciation and it has problems in it like I used to do for fun in the brain books (logic puzzles, etc). I really like math, but I don't know all the mathematical terms and reading a word problem without knowing all the terms and procedures can be intimidating especially when it is online and your teaching yourself LOL. Oh well. My resolution for the new new year is #1 Get through it with my sanity in tact LOL and #2 Maintain my current weight loss.
Now, for life update. Christmas was very good, but we missed Amber and Carlos. This was the first year that Amber spent away from us at Christmas (now that Carlos and she are married then in-laws get a turn), which is fine, such is life. We had a wonderful time in Silver City with Ashley and her boyfriend Gabe. Thanksgiving was spent at Ashley's in Silver City(due to the convenience of travel for Amber and Ashley and days off). Next year, I have no idea where we will be for Thanksgiving, but John insists that we aren't "going anywhere" for Christmas. I think he got tired of traveling so much. We had went to the trainings for the Chrysalis in Oct, Nov, then Thanksgiving, then Dec, then Albuq, then Christmas to Silver. I really would love to stay home for Christmas, but I don't want to be alone with just the two of us. So, I hope next year the kids can travel to see us or I will be very sad at Christmas time.
I'm going to be taking a math class (online) this spring. It starts in two weeks. I hope I can do it. I haven't had math in about two years and it was basic algebra then. This class sounds like fun. It is Math Appreciation and it has problems in it like I used to do for fun in the brain books (logic puzzles, etc). I really like math, but I don't know all the mathematical terms and reading a word problem without knowing all the terms and procedures can be intimidating especially when it is online and your teaching yourself LOL. Oh well. My resolution for the new new year is #1 Get through it with my sanity in tact LOL and #2 Maintain my current weight loss.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Good News, finally :)
So, enough negative family crap.
I'm going to be working a Chrysalis Journey with Amber this January. This is similar to a "spiritual renewing/retreat" for youth ages 15 to 24 (or 25)I'm really excited about it. It will be extremely tiring, but it will be worth the effort. I was asked to do an inspirational type of talk at the Journey. I have found that preparing for the talk has helped support me in my own personal spriritual needs. I'm looking forward to Halloween and deciding on a costume to wear. My music class, which has been extremely busy, is now slowing down (thank God LOL). I'm passing the history class and my job is going well. I have no complaints and I'm so greatful that my kids and their husbands/boyfriends are all doing well.
I had a Bone Marrow Biopsy done last Friday and will get the results on Oct 27. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had pictured in my head, which is a good thing. I did start to lose consciousness because my blood pressure fell to low, but all ended up good. I'm really not worried about the results at all. I'm pretty positive I don't have anything major going on and I'm hopeful they can tell me what I do have going on. If they can't find anything,then at least I know I don't have a major illness, just some type of inflammation disorder. Life is good.
I'm going to be working a Chrysalis Journey with Amber this January. This is similar to a "spiritual renewing/retreat" for youth ages 15 to 24 (or 25)I'm really excited about it. It will be extremely tiring, but it will be worth the effort. I was asked to do an inspirational type of talk at the Journey. I have found that preparing for the talk has helped support me in my own personal spriritual needs. I'm looking forward to Halloween and deciding on a costume to wear. My music class, which has been extremely busy, is now slowing down (thank God LOL). I'm passing the history class and my job is going well. I have no complaints and I'm so greatful that my kids and their husbands/boyfriends are all doing well.
I had a Bone Marrow Biopsy done last Friday and will get the results on Oct 27. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had pictured in my head, which is a good thing. I did start to lose consciousness because my blood pressure fell to low, but all ended up good. I'm really not worried about the results at all. I'm pretty positive I don't have anything major going on and I'm hopeful they can tell me what I do have going on. If they can't find anything,then at least I know I don't have a major illness, just some type of inflammation disorder. Life is good.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Crazy Family
I have decided that with the exception of a select few (you know who you are) that my family is totally and completely insane. They run their lives purely on emotional responses. They don't take responsibility for their actions and expect others to "help" them out when they choose to live their lives selfishly with no consideration for others and then they end up screwing up. I have great difficulty believing and accepting how some people make the crazy, yes CRAZY, decisions they make. I understand all the psychology behind their actions, but not the logic. I also am tired of people calling the "Fajardo" bank every time they make a bad decisions then getting pissed at us because we didn't bail them out. People need to be responsible for their own lives. Family member's should help each other if emergencies happen, but not because a bad decision was made (drinking, drugs, rash spending) It is so, so sad. I really miss being a young, naive, person who seen only the good in family, having great times singing, playing games, cooking out, laughing. I so very much miss that part of my family. I miss that family so so much!
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