Quick Takes Friday

1. I took the day off work to have my niece Ellie and nephew Ben over. It is like relaxation therapy for me and just what I needed during a rather stressful season in my life. Their mom was possibly going to be induced today, but that didn't happen (complications). However, since I already took the day off, I sent her home for an afternoon without the kids. And they were pretty excited to be having an overnight here anyway. Pray for my sister and a safe delivery at the right time!

2. It seems like lots of people are sick again. I guess it shouldn't surprise me, but I'm definitely hoping to pass on this round of illness- in it's many various forms. I'm set for the winter, thanks. Which reminds me that I should get a flu shot at my routine appointment on Monday.

3. Last week we had quite a thaw here in MI. It melted all the huge piles of snow, the nice white snow covering everywhere, and turned everything into a dull brown. Not to mention a couple days with rain. Nice. It's now back to freezing temps and we should be getting snow in the next couple days. I think the last stretch was one of the longest I remember having snow and keeping snow for that long. Usually there's more thaws in between. Hmm. Global warming? I have my doubts.

4. Speaking of global warming, don't get me started about politics and this un-stimulous bill our elected officials are voting on. It makes my blood boil. It is a big government, big spending bill and the experts are saying so little of it even creates long term jobs and most of it doesn't stimulate the economy. Awesome. If you want to spend big, go ahead and write me a big check... Also, fascinating that our representatives got a 1000 page bill last night and were expected to vote on it today! They don't even have time to really read it!!! So basically everyone flips it open, checks for their pet projects (pork), and then votes? What??? Grrr. Like I said, don't get me started...

5. This job hunting thing is definitely good for me. It is stressful, don't get me wrong, and I'm not enjoying it but I can see that it is stretching me good ways. God is faithful. In the past week I went through orientation and have a very part time job at a home care company (just have to have my doctor's appt and recertify in first aid and CPR to finalize it). This is a huge blessing and it's comforting to have something lined up. The pay is really low, but I think the work will be rewarding, and every little bit counts right now. Just today I got a call from a big firm, well renowned, about a resume I submitted for a technical writing position. I'd forgotten all about it since I sent it right at the beginning of my search. She said her boss thought my resume stood out as a great mix of engineering and tech writing which is what they are looking for. I have an interview there on Monday! Ahhh. I need new shoes.

6. I am still no good at saying no or setting limits for myself. I've been working on it, but I don't think I've made much progress.

7. Wow. I really shouldn't have this much trouble coming up with a seventh... but I am... uhhhh... oh here's a good one, I broke part of my bumper on the huge snow pile at the end of the driveway, I didn't turn sharp enough and crunched a corner on the snow/ice heap. Today now that the snow has all melted, I just found a piece of bumper. Smooth move Reen.

On a bike

For those of you following Allan's progress, my dad took some video during his last PT bike riding session. It is really cool to see a kid who has never had any use of his legs able to pedal around on his own! Amazing.

And this weekend my dad went and borrowed my sister's kids' bike trailer to take Allan for an impromptu ride while the weather was warmer.

For the record...

I did go ahead and get my hair cut. I decided keeping it long wouldn't actually make me holier, just more frustrated and late for morning Mass... so it's gone. Excellent. No more ponytails for awhile. I figured I should check back since so many of you commented on my oh so trivial blog post ;)

The Hunt...

For any of you that don't know, I'm currently job hunting. Things at the ole family business are very very slow so it is an uncertain time for all of us. Because of this, I decided I need to be job hunting for either a full time job or part time job to tide me over. I will continue to work very reduced hours at my current job just to keep things going and we will see if we get additional work. Needless to say, it's not the happiest time of my life. There are days I freak out about all of it and days I'm quite peaceful. I think the unpredictability of it probably frustrates me the most!

It definitely feels like starting from scratch in a lot of ways, resumes, cover letters, trying to figure out with kind of job to look for, interviewing, etc. So far, one interview that went well but I didn't get the job. Still a great experience and good practice. I had an interview yesterday for what I consider more of a part time / interim job with a home care company- so it's a lot of housekeeping, company, laundry, reminding to take meds, checking in with seniors. Not a long term career for me (the pay is really low) and yet could be a good extra income source for awhile. They basically told me to update my first aid and CPR certifications and TB test and they'll have me in for orientation soon. After that I'll be on call for them. Not bad. I also have an interview with a test scoring company to get on their list for projects. It sounds like in the midst of a project it's a lot of time commitment, but I think it seems like a great opportunity to make some cash, working double time if need be for a few weeks during one of their projects. Again, we shall see, but it is kind of an adventure!

I am applying and have applied to numerous other places where I feel there's a chance for a more permanent fit. I feel like a woman on a mission. Spending evenings checking job ads, writing cover letters, sending resumes... It's kind of a lot, but it's the right thing to do, so forward I go.

Although it is a very uncertain and tough time, I know that God has a plan (at least most days I know that). I am working in faith to do what I believe I need to and trusting God to help me find a way to make the ends meet. This is certainly not what I'd planned on happening this year... nor would I have asked for it... and yet, God has a plan. I know that He is at work in my heart... working on trusting God, which I always need! And this is just another angle of that. All of this also gives me infinitely more compassion for the many others in a similar situation. I certainly know several personally and it seems that every day there are more stories about people losing their jobs, losing their homes, etc. I am praying for all of you in these difficult times and appreciate your prayers for my job situation.

This is not meant to be a complaining post, or a woe-is-me kind of post, just letting you know what's happening in my life. And if you hear of a job opening, by all means, let me know :)

Allan fans

Just wanted to keep the fans happy. Allan is doing great. He still thinks it is too cold here in Michigan. He's excited to be making progress on using his legs. His hand and arm are recovering from the surgery but they will have a lot of therapy ahead on that. He loves hot dogs and pizza and generally just seems to love life.

The PT's continue to be impressed Alan's progress. This week he actually rode around on this big tricycle my dad says it was a major breakthrough and he was sooooo excited! Can't wait to tell everyone what he did.

Apparently he was telling my dad how he wants to see his friends so "they can see how tall is Allan now." He's very excited to be tall. Maybe living with the shortest family around helps that.

The big decision

Okay not really a big decision at all, but it's on my mind so I'm going to bore my imaginary readers here on the blog:

My housemate is making hair appointments for her wedding and needs to know how many to schedule for. My hair is now long enough for a ponytail, meaning by the end of the day, I've usually reverted to a ponytail. It's definitely feeling too long and ready for a cut. But... it is kinda fun to get an up-do for a wedding... on the other hand, it's significantly cheaper to not have long hair and an up-do for the wedding... on the other hand I'm not sure I can handle long hair for the next 3 months anyway. On the other hand... Why are the trivial decisions the hardest ones to make sometime??? Thoughts? Opinions?

I do apologize for the ridiculously trivial nature of this post...