The best thing about being a dog owner in Florida is the "Dog Beach." If you saw "Marley and Me", you have seen the urban beach scene with dogs and owners and all the heirarchy involved. My dogs LOve the water, and Tampa is surrounded by it - so of course the word "beach" turns into frenzied tail wagging, jumping impatience around here. But - finding the "right" beach.
Davis Island is close. Very rocky, sometimes Pebbles comes home with bleeding paws. Plus the owners drive me crazy, very little control of their dogs, lots of excuses for really poor behaviour, and tons of conversations that go "I just can't seem to make him stop. I don't know why he does that, He really has a mind of his own." OK - sniffing and humping is acceptible. Agressive humping of my very prudish dog, is not. Sharing balls is acceptable; Stealing them, and not dropping even for your owner - bad. Indiscrimainate fighting and aggression- bad. Pray these people never have children.
Picnic Island is farther away, still in the Tampa city limits. Beautiful beach, great dogs and owners. Nasty water. The dogs need baths immediately after, and there is no place to hose off. The girl and I won't even get in the water with them there.
Fort Desoto is beautiful, perfect in every way, except that it is an hour and fifteen minute drive. Once you are there, with the dogs, it is a dog day. Roller blading on hot pavement - out. Exploring the fort ruins - out. Snorkeling, looking for sea-horses - out.
This weekend we went to a new beach - Honeymoon Island. Beautiful state park, 45 minutes from home. We spotted it from the ferry on the way to Caladesi, and were very excited. Plus, afterwards it's 10 minutes away from Dunedin Brewery - Yay! Dogs and husband are happy.
Accept nothing is as good as it looks. State parks require leashing at all times. WHy call it a "pet beach?" The rules are the same as every other beach. The dogs had a great day, until we got caught. Pasha (bad dog) was off leash, walking with his mommy. This dog is perfect; he heels like he is glued to my ankles, straying to meet other dogs or chase seaguls only after asking permission, then coming right back.
We got the only warning on the beach. The ranger/cop told me it was because I looked guilty, and put him on leash when I saw him. This is true, but only because I had not been paying attention to signs, and thought we had strayed onto the people beach. Even in the water they want dogs on leash. Apparently the other owners know the rules, and have some sort of alert system, because they all had their dogs on leash before the cop got to them. Maybe I was their warning sign. Whatever - we will NOT be going back.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
History and Hope
OBAMA
NOBAMA
barrak HUSSEIN obama
Mr. President
Not in my lifetime has a single man captured the American spirit to this extent. Even the prejudices against his race, background and alleged religious affiliations make this a truly "American" story. I like him. and I say that from a very conservative republican background. Yes - he will spend tons of money and increase our deficit. In the mean time he will regulate the large corporate structures that have been surviving on government hand-outs and tax-breaks for years. Ideally what being a republican means (for me) is pretty simple. You work hard, you get what you earn. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. You play fair, you get to keep playing. You screw-up, you take responsibility and fix it.
Well - corporate america - you haven't played fair, and you screwed up. And, my fellow Americans, we have become a society that spends more than we make, and prefers socializing to hard work (seriously, when was the last time you were in a retail store or restaraunt where the employs were not plugged into their cell phones?) I do not think that things will get better soon. In his Inaugral speech, Mr. Obama promised us hope, but demanded a price. I believe (hope) that things will begin to change. Any short term fix will be a bandaid, and I do not believe that Mr. President is going to be slapping band-aids on as a permanent solution.
I am proud that as Americans we were able to overcome our prejiduces enough to elect a Black man with a funny name. I am disappointed that his race is viewed as the central issue, and for a lot of people was the deciding factor in voting (or not) for him. I feel that for the first time in a very long time we have elected a true "Statesman" a man that is a politician in the purest, and most original sense of the word. A man that is willing to listen, and perhaps integrate, opposing views.
When did compromise become a dirty word? We live in a democracy (sort of). There is no democracy without compromise. We have had leaders - what this country needs is a visionary. Now we have one. Will we be willing to make compromises and sacrifices to follow the vision? I don't think that Barack will change a lot in 4 years, maybe not even (if allowed) in 8; but, I think he will design a structure that allows permanent change to occur. I won't agree with a lot of his decisions. But I do trust that he will make the tough decisions from a place of thoughtfulness, intelligence and integrity.
Favorite blurb from media and conversation:
"He is making it cool to be smart again"
And - we gotta love having kids in the white house.
NOBAMA
barrak HUSSEIN obama
Mr. President
Not in my lifetime has a single man captured the American spirit to this extent. Even the prejudices against his race, background and alleged religious affiliations make this a truly "American" story. I like him. and I say that from a very conservative republican background. Yes - he will spend tons of money and increase our deficit. In the mean time he will regulate the large corporate structures that have been surviving on government hand-outs and tax-breaks for years. Ideally what being a republican means (for me) is pretty simple. You work hard, you get what you earn. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. You play fair, you get to keep playing. You screw-up, you take responsibility and fix it.
Well - corporate america - you haven't played fair, and you screwed up. And, my fellow Americans, we have become a society that spends more than we make, and prefers socializing to hard work (seriously, when was the last time you were in a retail store or restaraunt where the employs were not plugged into their cell phones?) I do not think that things will get better soon. In his Inaugral speech, Mr. Obama promised us hope, but demanded a price. I believe (hope) that things will begin to change. Any short term fix will be a bandaid, and I do not believe that Mr. President is going to be slapping band-aids on as a permanent solution.
I am proud that as Americans we were able to overcome our prejiduces enough to elect a Black man with a funny name. I am disappointed that his race is viewed as the central issue, and for a lot of people was the deciding factor in voting (or not) for him. I feel that for the first time in a very long time we have elected a true "Statesman" a man that is a politician in the purest, and most original sense of the word. A man that is willing to listen, and perhaps integrate, opposing views.
When did compromise become a dirty word? We live in a democracy (sort of). There is no democracy without compromise. We have had leaders - what this country needs is a visionary. Now we have one. Will we be willing to make compromises and sacrifices to follow the vision? I don't think that Barack will change a lot in 4 years, maybe not even (if allowed) in 8; but, I think he will design a structure that allows permanent change to occur. I won't agree with a lot of his decisions. But I do trust that he will make the tough decisions from a place of thoughtfulness, intelligence and integrity.
Favorite blurb from media and conversation:
"He is making it cool to be smart again"
And - we gotta love having kids in the white house.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
"Success"
I grew up poor. I never felt "poor." We lived in a poor farming community, the major productive industry was cattle, which was locked up by a few long established family ranches, which provided very few jobs outside the families; some onion/potatoe farms, hay grown mostly in the wintering fields of the cattle ranchers. And lumber. Lumber was the main moneymaker for generations, and in the '70'and '80's the industry was falling apart. There were fewer trees, tighter restrictions on where and how they could be harvested, laws for reforestation were in place, but those trees were not going to be ready to cut for a very long time. Companies were closing mills, shipping rough cut timber over seas for processing, then selling our wood back to us for building. The spotted owl was becoming the poster child for environmentalists wanting to eliminate all clear-cuts, and the loggers, millworkers and families were adapting by becoming hyper religious alcoholics. Realize that these are the observations of a 10-15 year old girl with a deep, environmentally concious soul, and a very conservative republican up-bringing.
Anyway - My mother was a master at instilling in us a sense of self-worth that had nothing to do with money. We didn't have a lot of things, but I never felt it was because we couldn't afford them - it was always more like, we didn't need them. My parents did not believe in any kind of waste, everything was re-used, composted, saved if it was at all salvageable, re-worked and put to a different task. My mother could have been Macgyver. If anything I left home feeling slightly superior to the rest of the world. (In subsequent posts I will probably write about all my feelings of inadequecy, low self-esteem, anger, etc. But, hey we are complicated beings, and I have a lot of convoluted, complicated, conflicting personality traits).
During all of this chaos of starting a new job, having everyone congratulating me, having the Happy Husband, and Happy Child, express their excitement about reduction of worry, etc. I have not been excited. I keep thinking when I get the big check I'll be more excited, or that right now I'm just tired from working a couple of 50+ hour weeks and trying to get the new system all figured out, and soon I, too, will be happy.
Then someone asked me how it was to be successful after years of struggling. BOOM. That's it. I have never factored money into a measure of success. Owning my own business isn't what makes me feel successful, my dad was a small business operator, and I never wanted that stress and time drain for myself. I currently own a small practice, specializing in a field that very few others work in. I am nationally recongnized. I am, in a small way, able to contribute to the body of knowledge. I am a very good manual therapist. I am an excellent TMJ and chronic pain therapist. I am one of the top pelvic pain therapists in the country (small playing field; I'm not bragging as much as it sounds). I am, at best, a mediocre Home-Health/rehab therapist. So, I'm making the big bucks doing something that I'm not very good at. In my measurement of success, this job is actually a step down. I am very happy that I made this decision, it is absolutely the best decison for my family, and it won't be long before I am a very good home-health therapist, but I do not in anyway feel more "successful" now that I will have more money, a means for getting out of debt, and can put money away for the future.
Some more insights into my "success." I will not have extra free time with this job, but I will have less mental fatigue. Which means I may be able to devote resources to some projects I have in my head. Like developing a self-healing workshop for women with chronic pelvic pain, helping more people than I am now with individual treatments. This job make actually give me the means to be more succesful, by MY definition.
Anyway - My mother was a master at instilling in us a sense of self-worth that had nothing to do with money. We didn't have a lot of things, but I never felt it was because we couldn't afford them - it was always more like, we didn't need them. My parents did not believe in any kind of waste, everything was re-used, composted, saved if it was at all salvageable, re-worked and put to a different task. My mother could have been Macgyver. If anything I left home feeling slightly superior to the rest of the world. (In subsequent posts I will probably write about all my feelings of inadequecy, low self-esteem, anger, etc. But, hey we are complicated beings, and I have a lot of convoluted, complicated, conflicting personality traits).
During all of this chaos of starting a new job, having everyone congratulating me, having the Happy Husband, and Happy Child, express their excitement about reduction of worry, etc. I have not been excited. I keep thinking when I get the big check I'll be more excited, or that right now I'm just tired from working a couple of 50+ hour weeks and trying to get the new system all figured out, and soon I, too, will be happy.
Then someone asked me how it was to be successful after years of struggling. BOOM. That's it. I have never factored money into a measure of success. Owning my own business isn't what makes me feel successful, my dad was a small business operator, and I never wanted that stress and time drain for myself. I currently own a small practice, specializing in a field that very few others work in. I am nationally recongnized. I am, in a small way, able to contribute to the body of knowledge. I am a very good manual therapist. I am an excellent TMJ and chronic pain therapist. I am one of the top pelvic pain therapists in the country (small playing field; I'm not bragging as much as it sounds). I am, at best, a mediocre Home-Health/rehab therapist. So, I'm making the big bucks doing something that I'm not very good at. In my measurement of success, this job is actually a step down. I am very happy that I made this decision, it is absolutely the best decison for my family, and it won't be long before I am a very good home-health therapist, but I do not in anyway feel more "successful" now that I will have more money, a means for getting out of debt, and can put money away for the future.
Some more insights into my "success." I will not have extra free time with this job, but I will have less mental fatigue. Which means I may be able to devote resources to some projects I have in my head. Like developing a self-healing workshop for women with chronic pelvic pain, helping more people than I am now with individual treatments. This job make actually give me the means to be more succesful, by MY definition.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Brain Matter Scatter
When I have a lot on my mind (stress is a word I don't like to apply to myself), I get a little quirky. Usually I bake, which calms me, or I walk, alot. Sometimes I have a lot on my mind, and a lot of "have-to's" on my list. So I really only have time to do what needs to be done, and there is no room in my head for extraneous details. When I get to this point, I appear calm, but things fall out of my head. These are the days I wander around the office looking for that bottle of oil that I just had in my hand, or the pen I'm holding, or whatever.
Yesterday was one of those days. I got to my first patient, bright and early. Went to see someone in my office, realized after I got settled that I had a little time, had forgotten breakfast, and I could go out to the car and get my lunch. Except I didn't have car keys. I had keys, but the ones for the car had dropped onto the seat. Darling Man to the rescue ta-ta-ta-taaa! He brought the keys, went swirling off in his cape, and I finished my patient in time to run out to the next home visit.
Hadn't even gotten into the house before I realized that I'd locked the keys in the car. No Darling Man this time. I left a message and went inside. There were issues with the patient, I called the nurse, the home office, and the doctor's office, worked with the patient. Still no call from the DM, tried again. It was a beautiful day, so I sat on this beautiful little porch, on a beautiful little porch swing, in a beautiful little neighborhood, with beautiful birds singing, cats prowling and neighbors yelling for 1 1/2 HOURS waiting for triple A.
I am a habitual offender. Some people have AAA for the comfort if offers "just in case", depend on the occasional tow or tire change for things you can't avoid. I know that several times a year, I'm going to need a locksmith. I know from experience, that there is a limit to the number of times AAA will unlock your door for free (it's ALOT of times, I don't remember the exact number). I even had one guy at my old office that as soon as he would get the call, would call the office to make sure he got me out in time for lunch or leaving for the afternoon - I bought him a Christmas present that year.
Now, this guy was a piece of work. He called, to reprimand me for leaving and not canceling the call. He was on the wrong street. He finally showed up in a car with absolutely no identifying labels or decals, and jumped out with what could only be described as a thickened coat hangar. He looked, like, well any TV sitcom working class dude. Focus on the TV sitcom part. He didn't look like a working class dude, more like a charicture of one. Large, soft around the middle, pink faced and sweaty - it was cold outside. Plumbers crack, unkempt hair, talking to me and cursing under his breathe the whole time he worked at my door. It took a very long time, at one point he accused me of having one of them "complicated locks." When he finally got inside, he kind of hung out, sort of awkwardly continuing the conversation he had been having. Held out his hand, I shook it. Then went on to tell me that AAA was canceling the contract with his employer, this was his last day, and AAA was going to start using their own locksmiths. He had no idea what he was going to do. I suggested maybe applying for a job with AAA. He said he had been thinking about it, might even do that. And he hovered.
I told him good-bye, backed away (so as not to run over him) and left. Then I realized he had been hinting toward a tip.
Are you supposed to tip the locksmith? I never have. Never felt any pressure to. I probably have more experience than anyone with locksmiths. I admit my social graces are not that advanced - but the locksmith? The 1 hour late, got lost, slightly angry locksmith?
Times are tough. People everywhere are losing jobs, or getting jobs, or worried about losing a job or paying a mortgage -lucky for me I'm in the "getting a job" category. I will soon be in a position that will allow me to put effort, maybe even some money toward helping people. But, I'm pretty sure I would not have tipped this guy, regardless of my financial situation. I'm sort of a "help those that help themselves" kind of girl. I know, not very Taoist of me, maybe a little judgmental. Probably why I hate our welfare system. When things are given by the government, people get a sense of entitlement. I would prefer some sort of "work-fare." Everybody can do something, even if it is stuffing envelopes. I realize that all of my high ideals can be shoved out the window in the face of things like mental illness, and serious addiction. I like that our country is strong enough to help all of its people. In general the concept of welfare is an important part of our society. I just think it needs to be re-worked. Getting basic services should not be so hard that it becomes a full time job to wade through the paperwork. And, people should not be rewarded for "working the system."
Like so many - I have no answers, only questions. And how did I get on this soap-box? I started out with a funny little story about my keys.
Yesterday was one of those days. I got to my first patient, bright and early. Went to see someone in my office, realized after I got settled that I had a little time, had forgotten breakfast, and I could go out to the car and get my lunch. Except I didn't have car keys. I had keys, but the ones for the car had dropped onto the seat. Darling Man to the rescue ta-ta-ta-taaa! He brought the keys, went swirling off in his cape, and I finished my patient in time to run out to the next home visit.
Hadn't even gotten into the house before I realized that I'd locked the keys in the car. No Darling Man this time. I left a message and went inside. There were issues with the patient, I called the nurse, the home office, and the doctor's office, worked with the patient. Still no call from the DM, tried again. It was a beautiful day, so I sat on this beautiful little porch, on a beautiful little porch swing, in a beautiful little neighborhood, with beautiful birds singing, cats prowling and neighbors yelling for 1 1/2 HOURS waiting for triple A.
I am a habitual offender. Some people have AAA for the comfort if offers "just in case", depend on the occasional tow or tire change for things you can't avoid. I know that several times a year, I'm going to need a locksmith. I know from experience, that there is a limit to the number of times AAA will unlock your door for free (it's ALOT of times, I don't remember the exact number). I even had one guy at my old office that as soon as he would get the call, would call the office to make sure he got me out in time for lunch or leaving for the afternoon - I bought him a Christmas present that year.
Now, this guy was a piece of work. He called, to reprimand me for leaving and not canceling the call. He was on the wrong street. He finally showed up in a car with absolutely no identifying labels or decals, and jumped out with what could only be described as a thickened coat hangar. He looked, like, well any TV sitcom working class dude. Focus on the TV sitcom part. He didn't look like a working class dude, more like a charicture of one. Large, soft around the middle, pink faced and sweaty - it was cold outside. Plumbers crack, unkempt hair, talking to me and cursing under his breathe the whole time he worked at my door. It took a very long time, at one point he accused me of having one of them "complicated locks." When he finally got inside, he kind of hung out, sort of awkwardly continuing the conversation he had been having. Held out his hand, I shook it. Then went on to tell me that AAA was canceling the contract with his employer, this was his last day, and AAA was going to start using their own locksmiths. He had no idea what he was going to do. I suggested maybe applying for a job with AAA. He said he had been thinking about it, might even do that. And he hovered.
I told him good-bye, backed away (so as not to run over him) and left. Then I realized he had been hinting toward a tip.
Are you supposed to tip the locksmith? I never have. Never felt any pressure to. I probably have more experience than anyone with locksmiths. I admit my social graces are not that advanced - but the locksmith? The 1 hour late, got lost, slightly angry locksmith?
Times are tough. People everywhere are losing jobs, or getting jobs, or worried about losing a job or paying a mortgage -lucky for me I'm in the "getting a job" category. I will soon be in a position that will allow me to put effort, maybe even some money toward helping people. But, I'm pretty sure I would not have tipped this guy, regardless of my financial situation. I'm sort of a "help those that help themselves" kind of girl. I know, not very Taoist of me, maybe a little judgmental. Probably why I hate our welfare system. When things are given by the government, people get a sense of entitlement. I would prefer some sort of "work-fare." Everybody can do something, even if it is stuffing envelopes. I realize that all of my high ideals can be shoved out the window in the face of things like mental illness, and serious addiction. I like that our country is strong enough to help all of its people. In general the concept of welfare is an important part of our society. I just think it needs to be re-worked. Getting basic services should not be so hard that it becomes a full time job to wade through the paperwork. And, people should not be rewarded for "working the system."
Like so many - I have no answers, only questions. And how did I get on this soap-box? I started out with a funny little story about my keys.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Transition
I have been offered a job. A REALLY great job. Benefits (my husband's new job no longer gives us health insurance, etc). Great perks. Twice the money I make working for myself. TWICE. Completely flexible schedule.
The Darling Man thinks it is a fabulous idea. The neighbors consider it a no-brainer. The few patients that I've talked to (the offer happened yesterday - I haven't talked to many of them) are OK with switching to a random, late evening schedule. Yes - the hours are flexible enough that I can keep my little place open, at least to see the patients that need to see me, stick to my speciality areas, and refer out anyone that doesn't fall into the "pelvic pain" or "tmj" category. Did I mention really good money?
So what is my hold up? Maybe I feel like I'm admitting defeat. I've had my own business for 10 years. I have mostly supported myself with this income. For several of those years I also supported at least one employee. I have become nationally recognized in my field. None of this sounds like failure.
I keep saying that my hands can't do deep manual therapy forever. This is a perfect balance - rehab during the day, 6-8 patients a week in my office in the evenings. My hands get a much needed break after 20-some-odd years. And the two venues are different enough, it will not feel like I worked 48 hours in a week. I LOVE what I do, I just don't like doing anything all the time.
Maybe I'm afraid that I have forgotten how to work with others? But, I have done contract work with this company for over a year - I like (and respect) the therapy staff; and, although there have been lots of management changes in the year I have worked for them, I really feel that right now they have a good team.
Maybe I'm afraid I'll screw it up? Paperwork is huge when doing medicare part A (even worse than part B). But I'm good, almost compulsive about timely paperwork, even if you can't read it. What if I get bitchy because they expect me to drive all over God's green earth? - ridiculous, the only service one county, and it is not THAT big.
Maybe I really can't juggle a full time case load, with all of my family duties. Maybe I'm not as organized as I keep telling myself I am.
What if I really do think money is the root of all evil, and suddenly making the kind of money that every other PT with my experience makes will corrupt me? maybe I will get greedy, quit caring about the patient, start worrying about the paycheck? I became self-employed without ever achieving the salary level of the average PT. I have simply never made the money that I could have. Even when I made a huge weekly wage, I took 2 months off in the summer, which limited the yearly salary. Money has never been as important to me as time. I don't want that to change.
All of this is vague, made up worry. I know none of it is true, not "real" issues. They are deeply seated beliefs about myself (I also think that I am secretly stupid, completely scatterbrained, and have no sense of direction - none of this is true either, except maybe scatter brain, but only under undue stress). Sometimes the made up stuff is harder to get around than the real issues.
There is really only one real issue. If I make this leap, and I suddenly need to go home to Oregon for an extended period of time - will the job still be there when I get back? Will I be prepared to go back to my low-salaried self employed status, or looking for another job? They have agreed to be as flexible as possible with this, but, they also need to cover their patients without completely destroying the morale of current staff. Do I have the flexibility to help out if one of the other therapists need to be gone?
The neighbors and friends are right - it is a no-brainer. Lucky for me, they are flexible enough to give me time to make a decision and wrap my head around it. I feel like a "recovering entrepreneur" like it is some sort of disease. They have even offered the opportunity to start me on a full time schedule, at a per-diem rate, for a while to see if it is a good fit for me. This much I have committed too. Really, the way I'm whining and waffling, you'd think I ought to be committed.
Alright - I'm going to try to sleep on it. Big day with the girl-child tomorrow (today?)
The Darling Man thinks it is a fabulous idea. The neighbors consider it a no-brainer. The few patients that I've talked to (the offer happened yesterday - I haven't talked to many of them) are OK with switching to a random, late evening schedule. Yes - the hours are flexible enough that I can keep my little place open, at least to see the patients that need to see me, stick to my speciality areas, and refer out anyone that doesn't fall into the "pelvic pain" or "tmj" category. Did I mention really good money?
So what is my hold up? Maybe I feel like I'm admitting defeat. I've had my own business for 10 years. I have mostly supported myself with this income. For several of those years I also supported at least one employee. I have become nationally recognized in my field. None of this sounds like failure.
I keep saying that my hands can't do deep manual therapy forever. This is a perfect balance - rehab during the day, 6-8 patients a week in my office in the evenings. My hands get a much needed break after 20-some-odd years. And the two venues are different enough, it will not feel like I worked 48 hours in a week. I LOVE what I do, I just don't like doing anything all the time.
Maybe I'm afraid that I have forgotten how to work with others? But, I have done contract work with this company for over a year - I like (and respect) the therapy staff; and, although there have been lots of management changes in the year I have worked for them, I really feel that right now they have a good team.
Maybe I'm afraid I'll screw it up? Paperwork is huge when doing medicare part A (even worse than part B). But I'm good, almost compulsive about timely paperwork, even if you can't read it. What if I get bitchy because they expect me to drive all over God's green earth? - ridiculous, the only service one county, and it is not THAT big.
Maybe I really can't juggle a full time case load, with all of my family duties. Maybe I'm not as organized as I keep telling myself I am.
What if I really do think money is the root of all evil, and suddenly making the kind of money that every other PT with my experience makes will corrupt me? maybe I will get greedy, quit caring about the patient, start worrying about the paycheck? I became self-employed without ever achieving the salary level of the average PT. I have simply never made the money that I could have. Even when I made a huge weekly wage, I took 2 months off in the summer, which limited the yearly salary. Money has never been as important to me as time. I don't want that to change.
All of this is vague, made up worry. I know none of it is true, not "real" issues. They are deeply seated beliefs about myself (I also think that I am secretly stupid, completely scatterbrained, and have no sense of direction - none of this is true either, except maybe scatter brain, but only under undue stress). Sometimes the made up stuff is harder to get around than the real issues.
There is really only one real issue. If I make this leap, and I suddenly need to go home to Oregon for an extended period of time - will the job still be there when I get back? Will I be prepared to go back to my low-salaried self employed status, or looking for another job? They have agreed to be as flexible as possible with this, but, they also need to cover their patients without completely destroying the morale of current staff. Do I have the flexibility to help out if one of the other therapists need to be gone?
The neighbors and friends are right - it is a no-brainer. Lucky for me, they are flexible enough to give me time to make a decision and wrap my head around it. I feel like a "recovering entrepreneur" like it is some sort of disease. They have even offered the opportunity to start me on a full time schedule, at a per-diem rate, for a while to see if it is a good fit for me. This much I have committed too. Really, the way I'm whining and waffling, you'd think I ought to be committed.
Alright - I'm going to try to sleep on it. Big day with the girl-child tomorrow (today?)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Busy, Busy
I cannot complain about working. It has been a long time since I was busy, and it's nice to be making money again. Just sort of blows that I am suddenly busy when I really want to be spending time with the girl. So - I worked a little on Saturday and decided that we needed to bump up the fun around here.
OK, by bumping up the fun, I do not mean taking down the christmas tree, doing laundry, groceries, cooking and cleaning - not to mention year end business paperwork and organizing the week's homehealth. This stuff all got done, just during non-family time. Lucky for me I get up psycho early and the rest of the fam is on real time. The husband and kid even slept in until like 8:00am on Saturday and was amazed to wake up to a tree less living room with accessible TV and seating.
We went to Upper Tampa Bay park, so the little photo girl could take pictures. She got some really good scenery shots, and an adorable fiddler crab - but nothing large. Nice to just hang out with her, and let her drag me through the palmettos.
I've posted these on Facebook, trying to pirate my own pictures to a different venue.
Today we went to Caladesi Island. It is beautiful and only easily accessible by Ferry. It is what I imagine a tropical island to be . mangroves along the intercoastal side. Beautiful beaches, great shelling, lots of palm trees. Rumors of abundant wildlife. The child got some fantastic shots of Roseatte Spoonbills, Snowy egrets, and many sea birds that I (sadly) have no idea what they are.
My highlight? Box turtle. Actually it is a tortoise, but tradition prevails in the naming of this Florida darling. After posing patiently for many many pictures, mostly close-ups and face shots, he had enough. Now in my experience, when I wild animal grows tired of the attention, it leaves, quickly, and typically by travelling AWAY from the annoying humans. Not this boy, oh no, he was polite enough to bid adieu directly. He walked right up to me, and paused while I petted his back. Then he wandered toward the girl, expressing grand appreciation for the interest she had shown - and walked with dignity into the woods.
The pictures are still in the camera - will post eventually.
OK, by bumping up the fun, I do not mean taking down the christmas tree, doing laundry, groceries, cooking and cleaning - not to mention year end business paperwork and organizing the week's homehealth. This stuff all got done, just during non-family time. Lucky for me I get up psycho early and the rest of the fam is on real time. The husband and kid even slept in until like 8:00am on Saturday and was amazed to wake up to a tree less living room with accessible TV and seating.
We went to Upper Tampa Bay park, so the little photo girl could take pictures. She got some really good scenery shots, and an adorable fiddler crab - but nothing large. Nice to just hang out with her, and let her drag me through the palmettos.
Today we went to Caladesi Island. It is beautiful and only easily accessible by Ferry. It is what I imagine a tropical island to be . mangroves along the intercoastal side. Beautiful beaches, great shelling, lots of palm trees. Rumors of abundant wildlife. The child got some fantastic shots of Roseatte Spoonbills, Snowy egrets, and many sea birds that I (sadly) have no idea what they are.
My highlight? Box turtle. Actually it is a tortoise, but tradition prevails in the naming of this Florida darling. After posing patiently for many many pictures, mostly close-ups and face shots, he had enough. Now in my experience, when I wild animal grows tired of the attention, it leaves, quickly, and typically by travelling AWAY from the annoying humans. Not this boy, oh no, he was polite enough to bid adieu directly. He walked right up to me, and paused while I petted his back. Then he wandered toward the girl, expressing grand appreciation for the interest she had shown - and walked with dignity into the woods.
The pictures are still in the camera - will post eventually.
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