Home for the holidays, what a concept. It seems like I left a long time ago, but it has only been not quite 3 months! Seeing my girls is without a doubt the best! I really was feeling so hungry for their presence and to hug and kiss them up!!
Alli and I are staying at our friends Amy, Cary and Asa Bush's house while they are in New Orleans with family. It a perfect cabin in the woods for Christmas. We have been visiting friends, eating too much, and sleeping deeply in a huge bed! It is lovely!
Hannah is working her new job and also still waitressing, burning it both ends, but happy and beautiful as always. We will spend Christmas day with her and Matt at his Mom's with the family!
Taking walks with my friends, drinking wine, the usual. kathleen keeps wondering "is this normal now"? It is the new normal for now!
I accepted a full time salaried with benefits position just before I came away. I am very excited about it. I will be a Child Care Quality Educator, funny title, isn't that what I already was? This position is similar to the work I was doing for the Behavior Consultation Project, except in this position I am working with the teachers and the whole program to support and coach their achievement of the their quality improvement goals, not specifically tied to a particular child in the program. In Virginia there is a program called the Virginia Star Quality Improvement Plan that preschool/child care programs get funding from and have to meet specific quality standards, thus the quality improvement plan. I will be in the role of mentor, coach, trainer to help them meet their goals.
Just realized my title for this blog is quite fitting! My first job was with New Beginnings and I thought that was pretty magical. It was a lovely job, with lovely people, but not enough hours, no benefits, and the work was within my skill set, but not what I was really passionate about. It was also starting up a new program, and I am really looking for established. So this is a better fit all around. I may still consult with them for some parenting support, but not a lot.
I am moving to a house in January in a great neighborhood with walking trails very close by! It is closer to my sister, my job and most of where I go in Cville. My animals will be most thrilled! They will have outdoor access all the time now, and won't be cooped up in a little apt! We are happy.
Happy New Year to you all and know I am out here thinking of you, adjusting to the new normal, but never forgetting the old normal!!
xxoxx
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Virginia is for wimps!! They have cancelled school and events twice now for weather and all we got was some flurries! Ridiculous! We did get a beautiful ice storm one night and it melted away by mid morning. They say they cancel because in the mountains it is worse, but here in town the weather is very mild. Cold believe me, but most everyone thinks the closures are a joke and a pain as kids don't go to school, parents can't get care so miss work! New Englanders would laugh, Chicago howl, and most other northern locales scoff at what they call winter here!
I am moving to a house in January. A friend of my sisters is going on sabbatical to Italy for 8 months and I am moving in to their home. Kind of a combo caretaking/housesitting/rental deal. It will be great for my pets who are most displeased with apartment living. I have adjusted, but the noise, trash, dog poop everywhere has begun to get under my skin.
The trash is crazy, every end of the month there are discarded mattresses filling up the huge dumpsters, people are lazy and just leave their bags of garbage on the side of the dumpster instead of throwing it in or finding another with some room for more.
The worst is the dog poop everywhere, worse than Paris or NYC! Thing is they have bag dispenser all over the complex and receptacles too! I pick up other dog poop because I step in it at night when I can't see that well! YUCK! Bad enough if it your dogs, but others is just gross. Nicely in the winter is is frozen in the morning so easy to get with a bag! TMI???? Sorry!
My wrist is healed mostly, still wearing a cast but it is removable! Not much range of motion, but that will come. It is very stiff and achy if I try to do too much. So what else is new?
Looking forward very much to my quick trip to Sonoma County for Christmas with my girls. This is the hardest bit and getting harder. I miss them terribly. A benefit has been we are in touch more often than when we lived closer. We text daily and talk every few days. I am so proud of them both, they are growing and evolving into the most amazing women!! Hoping to catch a bit of time with some of you, but know my priority is with the girls. I would love to see you all and stay longer but I am committed here for work and need to stay focused on my year away!
I am so grateful for all the support, love and connection I am receiving from everyone. I too am growing and evolving into someone stronger and more self aware!
Happy Holidays to everyone, be thankful for what we have!
I am moving to a house in January. A friend of my sisters is going on sabbatical to Italy for 8 months and I am moving in to their home. Kind of a combo caretaking/housesitting/rental deal. It will be great for my pets who are most displeased with apartment living. I have adjusted, but the noise, trash, dog poop everywhere has begun to get under my skin.
The trash is crazy, every end of the month there are discarded mattresses filling up the huge dumpsters, people are lazy and just leave their bags of garbage on the side of the dumpster instead of throwing it in or finding another with some room for more.
The worst is the dog poop everywhere, worse than Paris or NYC! Thing is they have bag dispenser all over the complex and receptacles too! I pick up other dog poop because I step in it at night when I can't see that well! YUCK! Bad enough if it your dogs, but others is just gross. Nicely in the winter is is frozen in the morning so easy to get with a bag! TMI???? Sorry!
My wrist is healed mostly, still wearing a cast but it is removable! Not much range of motion, but that will come. It is very stiff and achy if I try to do too much. So what else is new?
Looking forward very much to my quick trip to Sonoma County for Christmas with my girls. This is the hardest bit and getting harder. I miss them terribly. A benefit has been we are in touch more often than when we lived closer. We text daily and talk every few days. I am so proud of them both, they are growing and evolving into the most amazing women!! Hoping to catch a bit of time with some of you, but know my priority is with the girls. I would love to see you all and stay longer but I am committed here for work and need to stay focused on my year away!
I am so grateful for all the support, love and connection I am receiving from everyone. I too am growing and evolving into someone stronger and more self aware!
Happy Holidays to everyone, be thankful for what we have!
Search the Darkness
Sit with your friends, don't go back to
sleep.
Don't sink like a fish to the bottom of
the sea.
Surge like an ocean, don't scatter
yourself like a storm.
Life's waters flow from darkness.
Search the darkness, don't run from it.
Night travelers are full of light, and
you are too: don't leave this companionship.
Be a wakeful candle in a golden dish,
don't slip into the dirt like quicksilver.
The moon appears for night travelers,
be watchful when the moon is full.
Rumi
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
November 27, 2013
Time really flies! I've been meaning to post for awhile, but time just gets away from me. Busy with new job, pets, and family.
So let's see, I've pretty much got the lay of the land here and hadn't gotten lost for weeks until today! Went to get my cast off after three weeks and felt sure I knew where to go, been there before, etc. WRONG! Completely got turned around went back and again, finally stopped to google map, thought I had it, wrong again! Called to say I would be late, would I still be able to see the Dr., yes! Thank you!!! Finally followed the correct directions and made it just 15 mins late. They cut off the cast, x-rayed wrist again and it is healing but one part needs a bit more time, so, I have a new cast, this one is removable however so I can shower easier.
On the way home I got on the freeway so I could run an errand, and went the wrong direction again, really am challenged with directionality, finally realized, but got to see the snow in the mountains, so not all was lost! They called off county schools on Tuesday due to weather! What weather I was wondering, a little rain, it was cold, but really? It was snowing in the Northern part of the county so if they call school there the rest of the county schools get closed. Everyone I spoke with that day and today, ended the conversation with "weather permitting" !! I am just so confused! It is not even that cold, a bit blustery, some rain, a few flurries, but nothing to call school or cancel appointments for!
This from a California girl mind you! I meanNew England would just laugh at this and maybe put on a jacket! Here people are getting hats, gloves, and snow boots on!
My pets are starting to go loopy with having to be inside so much. Skye gets walks and can go hang with the dogs at my sisters property. The cat is gaining weight and showing me he is none too happy about his confinement by occasionally not using his "box" and clawing me in the middle of the night! I feel bad and decided to look for a better housing situation in January. He really deserves to be able to go out, but it is not safe here. He ran away from me one night I had him out on a lead, freaked me out completely that I had lost him. I had visions of him showing up at Laguna rd a year from now! That book about the dog and cat from my youth that found there way home must have had a big influence on me!
I am feeling very grateful for this opportunity to spread my wings, for my darling daughters support and hard work, my dear friends connecting with me, and my generous extended family. Also thankful to my home team who are keeping Childkind alive and well! May you all be well and thankful for what you have and those who love you, count me in! Happy Thanksgiving.
Time really flies! I've been meaning to post for awhile, but time just gets away from me. Busy with new job, pets, and family.
So let's see, I've pretty much got the lay of the land here and hadn't gotten lost for weeks until today! Went to get my cast off after three weeks and felt sure I knew where to go, been there before, etc. WRONG! Completely got turned around went back and again, finally stopped to google map, thought I had it, wrong again! Called to say I would be late, would I still be able to see the Dr., yes! Thank you!!! Finally followed the correct directions and made it just 15 mins late. They cut off the cast, x-rayed wrist again and it is healing but one part needs a bit more time, so, I have a new cast, this one is removable however so I can shower easier.
On the way home I got on the freeway so I could run an errand, and went the wrong direction again, really am challenged with directionality, finally realized, but got to see the snow in the mountains, so not all was lost! They called off county schools on Tuesday due to weather! What weather I was wondering, a little rain, it was cold, but really? It was snowing in the Northern part of the county so if they call school there the rest of the county schools get closed. Everyone I spoke with that day and today, ended the conversation with "weather permitting" !! I am just so confused! It is not even that cold, a bit blustery, some rain, a few flurries, but nothing to call school or cancel appointments for!
This from a California girl mind you! I meanNew England would just laugh at this and maybe put on a jacket! Here people are getting hats, gloves, and snow boots on!
My pets are starting to go loopy with having to be inside so much. Skye gets walks and can go hang with the dogs at my sisters property. The cat is gaining weight and showing me he is none too happy about his confinement by occasionally not using his "box" and clawing me in the middle of the night! I feel bad and decided to look for a better housing situation in January. He really deserves to be able to go out, but it is not safe here. He ran away from me one night I had him out on a lead, freaked me out completely that I had lost him. I had visions of him showing up at Laguna rd a year from now! That book about the dog and cat from my youth that found there way home must have had a big influence on me!
I am feeling very grateful for this opportunity to spread my wings, for my darling daughters support and hard work, my dear friends connecting with me, and my generous extended family. Also thankful to my home team who are keeping Childkind alive and well! May you all be well and thankful for what you have and those who love you, count me in! Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Its getting very wintry here. There are still beautiful fall leaves, and lots of bare trees. No heat this morning in my apt, feels pretty cold! Apt living is interesting. Hearing neighbors banging around, kids running up and down stairs, music in the entry way coming from one apt. It's all good and part of life and I like being surrounded by a diverse community. Of course the downside is people all the time, garbage left around, dog poop left by irresponsible pet owners, handymen coming and going in your apt to repair broken pipes or whatever!
That was last week, a broken sewage down pipe was split behind the wall in my bathroom! So I came home to two big guys in my bathroom cutting holes in the wall! They were very nice and apologetic, but had to happen as the girl downstairs had the leak in her apt! They cleaned up and left the wall open. The cat, used to being an outdoor cat, found the hole, looked back at me and was gone! I was freaked! Called and called, rattled the food dish, ignored for awhile and back he came! relief. Closed the bathroom door and promptly forgot.
Bernard, my new best friend, is the handyman my property manager uses. He has been here repairing cracks in the walls and replaced my kitchen faucet. He called to say he was coming to fix the wall, great! Just before he arrived I left the bathroom door open, saw the cats tail just as he went in the hole again! Shit! So Bernard came and repaired the bigger patches and left the small bottom hole open. Of course as soon as he left the cat came out! I blocked the hole with a piece of drywall, but he was determined and tried to knock it away! I managed to secure it, Bernard was back the next day and we are solid again, no holes in my wall!
Now this morning no heat in my apt! Also I had put down some runners as Skye was struggling with the steps up to the apt. I used double sided tape to secure and my neighbors were all cool with it. It was an awesome fix for Skye, she went up and down easily. Yesterday I came home and they were gone, ripped up and a little pile of tape left behind! So bummed! Have no idea if it was a neighbor who wanted the runners, or maintenance, or ?? Poor Skye!
So big news is my wrist is broken and in a cast for 3 weeks! First broken bone for me! Lets hope it is not the start of something! Everything healing well.
Next big news is I have a job! Working with a group of therapists, New Beginnings! So poetic, no? Steve Greenstein Phd, has a very interesting history and perspective. He and his wife Francis, a therapist, run this group, and have various programs they are trying to build. They had a much larger organization which got too big for them. Also I gather Medicare didn't like how big they were and funding got cut. So I am working on getting a Therapeutic Day Treatment program up and running for them in the schools. I will also be part of a team that goes out to schools and works with kids. I am participating in trainings to become a trainer for Ages and Stages Questionaire (ASQ) and for the Center on Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), both of which I have been using for 5 years in Sonoma County! Now I will be a trainer! My work as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (ECMHC) is very new here, they are just getting trainings going and setting up a consortium here for Early Childhood Mental Health. So it is a very good time to be here!
That was last week, a broken sewage down pipe was split behind the wall in my bathroom! So I came home to two big guys in my bathroom cutting holes in the wall! They were very nice and apologetic, but had to happen as the girl downstairs had the leak in her apt! They cleaned up and left the wall open. The cat, used to being an outdoor cat, found the hole, looked back at me and was gone! I was freaked! Called and called, rattled the food dish, ignored for awhile and back he came! relief. Closed the bathroom door and promptly forgot.
Bernard, my new best friend, is the handyman my property manager uses. He has been here repairing cracks in the walls and replaced my kitchen faucet. He called to say he was coming to fix the wall, great! Just before he arrived I left the bathroom door open, saw the cats tail just as he went in the hole again! Shit! So Bernard came and repaired the bigger patches and left the small bottom hole open. Of course as soon as he left the cat came out! I blocked the hole with a piece of drywall, but he was determined and tried to knock it away! I managed to secure it, Bernard was back the next day and we are solid again, no holes in my wall!
Now this morning no heat in my apt! Also I had put down some runners as Skye was struggling with the steps up to the apt. I used double sided tape to secure and my neighbors were all cool with it. It was an awesome fix for Skye, she went up and down easily. Yesterday I came home and they were gone, ripped up and a little pile of tape left behind! So bummed! Have no idea if it was a neighbor who wanted the runners, or maintenance, or ?? Poor Skye!
So big news is my wrist is broken and in a cast for 3 weeks! First broken bone for me! Lets hope it is not the start of something! Everything healing well.
Next big news is I have a job! Working with a group of therapists, New Beginnings! So poetic, no? Steve Greenstein Phd, has a very interesting history and perspective. He and his wife Francis, a therapist, run this group, and have various programs they are trying to build. They had a much larger organization which got too big for them. Also I gather Medicare didn't like how big they were and funding got cut. So I am working on getting a Therapeutic Day Treatment program up and running for them in the schools. I will also be part of a team that goes out to schools and works with kids. I am participating in trainings to become a trainer for Ages and Stages Questionaire (ASQ) and for the Center on Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), both of which I have been using for 5 years in Sonoma County! Now I will be a trainer! My work as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (ECMHC) is very new here, they are just getting trainings going and setting up a consortium here for Early Childhood Mental Health. So it is a very good time to be here!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
My lovely cousin Jane in England posted this on her blog and I wanted to share with my friends!
http://www.changingpeople.co.
Sometimes I feel like I am too old to have taken this crazy turn in my life, but then I get a message like this that just encourages me that I did the right thing. I am really happy and loving the expansion I feel in myself. I also get a little freaked sometimes when I realize the enormity of what I have done. I also get sad when I feel how much I miss my friends. Its an adjustment. The range of emotions is gratifying in that I was not really accessing that when I was in Ca. Just guess I was in a rut.
I am in almost daily contact with one person or another and have been receiving lots of texts and emails from everyone. Thank you for that it keeps me feeling connected. My beautiful, amazing, fabulous, loving daughters have also been a source of strength and wisdom. They are so supportive of my breaking out. It is awesome to see the resilience, confidence and competence they have, and to know I had a bit to do with it. Of course, they have taught me well about love, life, happiness, and rolling with the punches. We are each on our own boat, and we are in the river together going with the flow! Life is an adventure, and I am grateful to be able to be present and accounted for.
On a more concrete subject, I have been offered an opportunity to join a small counseling therapy group called New Beginnings. It's a foot in the door for me, not entirely sure how they will use my experience, but am confident that I have something to share and that I will learn a lot too! I am now a Qualified Mental health Practitioner in the state of Va.!! Amazing how just tweaking your resume can open doors! Everyone here has been very generous with contacts, information, referrals, and more contacts. Once I started reaching out, it started to come back, and it keeps coming. of course to hedge my bet I also applied to Whole Foods!! I will substitute at a few preschools also to supplement and continue to make contacts.
I continue to realize how lucky I am and am touched by how warm and gracious everyone has been. I enjoy meeting new people and finding out new things. I am reading Temple Grandin's book Animals in Translation which has reminded me of the uniqueness of our brains. Her observations and conclusions are so obvious and yet we can be so blind to what is right in front of us. My animals continue to be a source of comfort and remind me daily of how flexible we can be.
http://www.changingpeople.co.
Sometimes I feel like I am too old to have taken this crazy turn in my life, but then I get a message like this that just encourages me that I did the right thing. I am really happy and loving the expansion I feel in myself. I also get a little freaked sometimes when I realize the enormity of what I have done. I also get sad when I feel how much I miss my friends. Its an adjustment. The range of emotions is gratifying in that I was not really accessing that when I was in Ca. Just guess I was in a rut.
I am in almost daily contact with one person or another and have been receiving lots of texts and emails from everyone. Thank you for that it keeps me feeling connected. My beautiful, amazing, fabulous, loving daughters have also been a source of strength and wisdom. They are so supportive of my breaking out. It is awesome to see the resilience, confidence and competence they have, and to know I had a bit to do with it. Of course, they have taught me well about love, life, happiness, and rolling with the punches. We are each on our own boat, and we are in the river together going with the flow! Life is an adventure, and I am grateful to be able to be present and accounted for.
On a more concrete subject, I have been offered an opportunity to join a small counseling therapy group called New Beginnings. It's a foot in the door for me, not entirely sure how they will use my experience, but am confident that I have something to share and that I will learn a lot too! I am now a Qualified Mental health Practitioner in the state of Va.!! Amazing how just tweaking your resume can open doors! Everyone here has been very generous with contacts, information, referrals, and more contacts. Once I started reaching out, it started to come back, and it keeps coming. of course to hedge my bet I also applied to Whole Foods!! I will substitute at a few preschools also to supplement and continue to make contacts.
I continue to realize how lucky I am and am touched by how warm and gracious everyone has been. I enjoy meeting new people and finding out new things. I am reading Temple Grandin's book Animals in Translation which has reminded me of the uniqueness of our brains. Her observations and conclusions are so obvious and yet we can be so blind to what is right in front of us. My animals continue to be a source of comfort and remind me daily of how flexible we can be.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Technology vs me!
OMG my printer died yesterday and so I was forced to purchase a new one! Then to make things crazy my internet was not working, and then it was and not again. Finally remembered the old trick of shutting everything down unplugging modem/router and starting again! What do you know! Then my computer would not add the new printer as the correct driver was not on my computer. Joseph would be so proud of me! I downloaded the driver, it installed finally after many attempts, and voila, I can print again!
I really have gotten quite savvy with technology. Don't ask my sister what I did to her phone, it took her 45 mins to get it to work again! All I was trying to do was increase the font size so she could read it better, oops, upgraded by accident! Nevertheless, I am happy I can do it myself without tech support or calling anyone!
Meantime another small crisis at Laguna rd. Gas smell has gotten worse and so we called out Blue Star again and this time they did a pressure test and sure enough a valve and a pipe are not safe! We have been battling this for years with no result and finally the true test was done and now a proper repair can happen. Remotely organizing has worked out well because thankfully I have great people who work for me. Such a blessing.
So I continue to make contacts and find new people and programs to connect with. I visited the UVA Child Development Center today. It is not a lab school, hard to believe they do not have one, but it was really well done. Small ratios, big rooms, lots of time for play, and I did not see any behavior problems! Of course we never do on our visits, as my friends at JFCS and ELI will attest. There is a lot of Special Ed here, OT and Developmental Support. Still circling perimeter but beginning to hone in on the contacts I need!
To get involved in the community I have started volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity Store! I bought a few pieces of furniture there and was pleased by how nice it was, how friendly, clean and organized! So I decided to go for it. It's not children and families directly, but a great organization as Peggy, Sara and Bob can tell you! So Weds mornings 10-2 thats where I will be till further notice, cashiering and generally helping out. I have long wanted to get back to volunteering and am pleased to have found a spot so easily.
My wrist continues to plague me, it aches, but bruising is getting better, and Peter assures me it is not broken. He used his magic healing hands on me yesterday and got a bit more movement. I went to my first Pilates class of my sisters and managed to do ok, didn't embarrass her or myself!
I found a nice walk for Skye and me just out our door! Right past my apt complex it turns to country and we can walk along on grass and into nice fields just off the road. It really is lovely here and the open spaces are plenty. Skye is doing great. The cat has to be indoors however. Alli is encouraging me to walk him on his safety harness I purchased for traveling, but I am not so sure he is going to be up for that. I will give it a go and let you know!
I am trying to figure out how to upload photos and a video, more tech challenges, so keep watch for that!
Made my reservations to come back Dec 20-27! Will be housesitting for the Bushes while they go to New Orleans. I am so looking forward to seeing my girls and girlfriends, you guys too! xx
I really have gotten quite savvy with technology. Don't ask my sister what I did to her phone, it took her 45 mins to get it to work again! All I was trying to do was increase the font size so she could read it better, oops, upgraded by accident! Nevertheless, I am happy I can do it myself without tech support or calling anyone!
Meantime another small crisis at Laguna rd. Gas smell has gotten worse and so we called out Blue Star again and this time they did a pressure test and sure enough a valve and a pipe are not safe! We have been battling this for years with no result and finally the true test was done and now a proper repair can happen. Remotely organizing has worked out well because thankfully I have great people who work for me. Such a blessing.
So I continue to make contacts and find new people and programs to connect with. I visited the UVA Child Development Center today. It is not a lab school, hard to believe they do not have one, but it was really well done. Small ratios, big rooms, lots of time for play, and I did not see any behavior problems! Of course we never do on our visits, as my friends at JFCS and ELI will attest. There is a lot of Special Ed here, OT and Developmental Support. Still circling perimeter but beginning to hone in on the contacts I need!
To get involved in the community I have started volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity Store! I bought a few pieces of furniture there and was pleased by how nice it was, how friendly, clean and organized! So I decided to go for it. It's not children and families directly, but a great organization as Peggy, Sara and Bob can tell you! So Weds mornings 10-2 thats where I will be till further notice, cashiering and generally helping out. I have long wanted to get back to volunteering and am pleased to have found a spot so easily.
My wrist continues to plague me, it aches, but bruising is getting better, and Peter assures me it is not broken. He used his magic healing hands on me yesterday and got a bit more movement. I went to my first Pilates class of my sisters and managed to do ok, didn't embarrass her or myself!
I found a nice walk for Skye and me just out our door! Right past my apt complex it turns to country and we can walk along on grass and into nice fields just off the road. It really is lovely here and the open spaces are plenty. Skye is doing great. The cat has to be indoors however. Alli is encouraging me to walk him on his safety harness I purchased for traveling, but I am not so sure he is going to be up for that. I will give it a go and let you know!
I am trying to figure out how to upload photos and a video, more tech challenges, so keep watch for that!
Made my reservations to come back Dec 20-27! Will be housesitting for the Bushes while they go to New Orleans. I am so looking forward to seeing my girls and girlfriends, you guys too! xx
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Sunday Oct 20, 2013
Amazing to me how life just goes on no matter where you are. I am so grateful for my friends and daughters who have supported me in trying this new life. Of course technology makes it so easy to stay close and keep in touch. Texts and email have really kept me going, helped me to feel connected to those I love and care for. Its not the same as being there, but it does make up for it a bit in my book.
Yesterday I had brunch with my nephew Alex, his girlfriend Rachel, her sisters Rebecca and Elle, and her mom Karen. What a lovely bunch! Karen works in the schools here as an assistant and teacher in an aftercare program. She was a wealth of information about that system and we all had a big talk about parenting and how really sad it is that so many parents today do not have the skills or the desire even it seems to really give their children the attention and guidance they so badly need. Karen shared some stories of 5 yr olds getting kicked out of school for swearing at teachers and kids, but who don't even know they are using bad language as it is so prevalent in the homes.
I am really considering opening Childkind Parenting Institute and see if I can make a go at it. Notice the word considering. I still have a lot of work to do figuring out this community and what is already provided, but the message I keep getting from folks is that parenting support and coaching is what is lacking.
I had dinner at Diana and Peters, with our good friends Robbie and Jim. My niece Liz came home for the weekend and joined us. My sister is an amazing cook and we had great conversations about politics, books, movies and weirdly, fecal implants! Its in the news people! Very interesting and positive treatment for people suffering from Cdiff, and hopeful treatment for people with immune related diseases! Jim is a Phd Researcher at UVA in the medical school who specializes in gastroenterology. Of course Liz had to share an hysterical utube "Poopouri" you might want to check out!!
The squirrels are really having a tough time here in Virginia this fall. The spring was so wet that the acorns did not produce so there is very little food for them. My sister is seeing them swim across the reservoir when she goes rowing they are so hungry to find food. Yesterday as I was about to toss in my bag to the garbage bin, a squirrel came flying out, it was so freaky!! Poor things, they are also big road kill.
This afternoon I am going to my first Virginia winery! Glass House Winery is featuring free live music, tastings and tours! Imagine that!
Amazing to me how life just goes on no matter where you are. I am so grateful for my friends and daughters who have supported me in trying this new life. Of course technology makes it so easy to stay close and keep in touch. Texts and email have really kept me going, helped me to feel connected to those I love and care for. Its not the same as being there, but it does make up for it a bit in my book.
Yesterday I had brunch with my nephew Alex, his girlfriend Rachel, her sisters Rebecca and Elle, and her mom Karen. What a lovely bunch! Karen works in the schools here as an assistant and teacher in an aftercare program. She was a wealth of information about that system and we all had a big talk about parenting and how really sad it is that so many parents today do not have the skills or the desire even it seems to really give their children the attention and guidance they so badly need. Karen shared some stories of 5 yr olds getting kicked out of school for swearing at teachers and kids, but who don't even know they are using bad language as it is so prevalent in the homes.
I am really considering opening Childkind Parenting Institute and see if I can make a go at it. Notice the word considering. I still have a lot of work to do figuring out this community and what is already provided, but the message I keep getting from folks is that parenting support and coaching is what is lacking.
I had dinner at Diana and Peters, with our good friends Robbie and Jim. My niece Liz came home for the weekend and joined us. My sister is an amazing cook and we had great conversations about politics, books, movies and weirdly, fecal implants! Its in the news people! Very interesting and positive treatment for people suffering from Cdiff, and hopeful treatment for people with immune related diseases! Jim is a Phd Researcher at UVA in the medical school who specializes in gastroenterology. Of course Liz had to share an hysterical utube "Poopouri" you might want to check out!!
The squirrels are really having a tough time here in Virginia this fall. The spring was so wet that the acorns did not produce so there is very little food for them. My sister is seeing them swim across the reservoir when she goes rowing they are so hungry to find food. Yesterday as I was about to toss in my bag to the garbage bin, a squirrel came flying out, it was so freaky!! Poor things, they are also big road kill.
This afternoon I am going to my first Virginia winery! Glass House Winery is featuring free live music, tastings and tours! Imagine that!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Friday Oct 18
Today I visited my first preschool, United Methodist. It is an High Scope school and it was lovely! The director was a great resource for area opportunities and was very interested in Triple P parenting seminars!! My sister, brother in law, and friend Robbie have all given me great contacts and resources for connecting with the people in the know here about early education, intervention, children, and family services! So far I have learned that school district services start at age 2! The public schools run preschools and intervention programs. There is a mix of public and private schools, and just a few agencies that do the work I am interested in. I am hopeful.
My wrist is definitely sprained and sore, a bit swollen, but will be ok I hope in a week or so. Puts a crimp in my setting up my office and a few other activities, but hey, I am flexible! Otherwise cat is putting full weight on his paw and Skye is going up and down stairs with agility! Such a relief! Vet bills were freaking me out!
Missing you all, but am really excited about the possibilities here for new and interesting work, similar to Sonoma County!! Lots of talented and educated folks to meet!
Today I visited my first preschool, United Methodist. It is an High Scope school and it was lovely! The director was a great resource for area opportunities and was very interested in Triple P parenting seminars!! My sister, brother in law, and friend Robbie have all given me great contacts and resources for connecting with the people in the know here about early education, intervention, children, and family services! So far I have learned that school district services start at age 2! The public schools run preschools and intervention programs. There is a mix of public and private schools, and just a few agencies that do the work I am interested in. I am hopeful.
My wrist is definitely sprained and sore, a bit swollen, but will be ok I hope in a week or so. Puts a crimp in my setting up my office and a few other activities, but hey, I am flexible! Otherwise cat is putting full weight on his paw and Skye is going up and down stairs with agility! Such a relief! Vet bills were freaking me out!
Missing you all, but am really excited about the possibilities here for new and interesting work, similar to Sonoma County!! Lots of talented and educated folks to meet!
Oct 1-17 2013
Wow it has been a whirlwind! The movers
were a day and a half later than scheduled, which was nerve wracking, but oh so
helpful. I was not really as ready as I thought I was. Many angels arrived just
at the right times to help me. Henry found a roll of foam core to wrap my
paintings in and Kevin Boles gave me an air conditioning unit box. Susan
Bejarano helped me get the paintings wrapped up and form the cardboard sleeves
for packing up, a big task which I could not have done alone. Dulce came and
labelled all my boxes and helped to clean up the house for the renters.
Kathleen showed up with snacks and had helped me pack for weeks, she vacuumed
and also provided dinner and a bed on my second to last night in Sonoma Co. Liz
and Mary took me out to dinner in Sonoma and gave me a hat, gloves and a scarf
to ward against the cold east!
On Thursday Oct 3 I returned from Sonoma
to Laguna rd to greet the carpet cleaner and finish collecting the last bits of
stuff going in the car. Said goodbye to my amazing staff, and picked up my
pillows I left at Kathleens. I got Hannah some lunch at Willowood and drove it
over to Occidental to give some hugs and share a laugh about Sage, the cat,
howling in the car! I went to the library to get some books on CD, and then to
Kaiser for my flu shot! I indulged in a last In and Out burger and drove away!
The cat calmed by then and rode gunshot
in a big crate donated by Robin! Skye had a nice nest in the back! Down through
Marin, across the Richmond Bridge and away I went. I made it to Bakersfield
that night around 8 and stayed at the Doubletree where my pets were welcome!
Finding pet friendly hotels turned out to be a minor difficulty but with the
help of Wendy and Kathleen as tech support it was done!
I arrived Friday night in Albuquerque
around 10, one time zone away! I lost a half hour in Flagstaff searching for a
Starbucks and yelling at my GPS and realizing how badly challenged I still am
with lefts and rights! No Starbucks in sight I magically ended up back on 40 E
and continued driving! Would have given my first born for a cup right then!!
Not really honey!!
I spent 3 lovely days with Wendy and
Nelle and sister Loey. The balloons were pretty, the Botanical Biopark was
beautiful, the food great! Sage was freaked but started to relax. He had
arrived home on the Oct 1st holding his paw and now was not putting any weight on
it! I figured rest for some days immobile in the crate would take care of it.
Skye was happy to be out of the car and getting walks!
We left ABQ on Tuesday morning 10/8 and
drove to Oklahoma City. With a new routine starting to emerge, I shlepped the
cat box, the dog, and my stuff into the hotel, fed and watered the animals, and
went to get food for me! Craving a glass of wine, a salad and a baked potato I
went to a ribs place assuming all would be good! No baked potatoes!! What kind
of rib joint does not have a baked potato!
The next day we made Memphis! Only got
lost once, but was mightily freaked out by a panhandler at my car window as I
was furiously trying to find out where I went wrong on my phone! I shrieked and
scared the poor guy, yelling my apology and that I was sorry I could not help
him I drove off like a crazy woman! A little soul weary already and spooked I
found my hotel and decamped. The clerk had told me to call Marlowes and they
would come pick me up in a pink cadillac and take me to the restaurant and
back!! What fun! Well no, they could not help me until 8:30 and by then I would
be dead! So I drove over there myself, sighting Graceland on the way. Elvis
Presley Blvd is a sight, no real restaurants, just fast food, and then there is
Marlowes, just past The Heartbreak Hotel! Baked potato here I come! Finally
satisfied I chatted with a traveling salesman from Denver who had been there
since 5:30! Interesting...
Graceland was on the agenda for Thursday
morning. Parked in the shade so the animals would be ok, I embarked on the
tour! Oh my how tacky can you get! A little bit of 60's decor goes a long way,
trust me. Green carpeting on the floor and walls! Ugly furniture, so strange.
Amazing crazy costumes, gold, silver, and platinum records, photos and more.
Everything Elvis indeed. It was fun, but no need to go again. I did not know he
was buried there, nor that he had a twin who died at birth! Just imagine 2
Elvis Presleys!!
Knoxville the next night, uneventful
having perfected the routine by now! Driving was so easy, just set the cruise
control, load up 6 CD's and go! I listened to On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwen and
Escape by Barbara Delinsky. Odd choices, but it was what I grabbed!
Charlottesville was reached Friday
afternoon and I went directly, after getting lost 3 times, to the vet. The cat
was not better and I was worried he might really have broken something. No,
just a hurt shoulder, dehydrated and a fever. Antibiotics, IV fluids, pain meds
and he is now on the mend a week later!
Shockingly my moving truck arrived that evening at
7:30! I thought I would have the weekend to sleep and enjoy my sisters home. Oh
well, unload and set up beds took till 9:30 when Diana and Peter left and I
kept unpacking for hours. It was like Christmas seeing what I had packed weeks
ago! I really enjoyed setting up my little apt and figuring out where and how
to use what I brought!
So it has been a week since I arrived and my apt is settled, pets are settling. the steps up to apt are a little tricky for Skye, but with some mats, and practice she is building motor memory and getting the knack of it! Sage remains indoors, sleeping a lot, watching out the widows, but content. I am the cripple now! I fell walking in the woods at my sisters crossing a plank over a brook! OUCH! Think it is just a sprain. Peter looked with his little xray machine and did not see any breaks. So rest, ice, compression and elevation for me! Plenty of Arnica, Ibuprofen, and Rescue Remedy too!
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