My New Job ANd Other Things

Hi All!
I know everyone has been waiting on pins and needles waiting to hear how the new job is going. It is going great! We just found out that the opening of the hospital has been delayed another month. So, right now Iam working on getting the unit together. Going through policies and procedures, developing work schedules, and getting education files together - those types of things. My manager is great - we really click. The other Clinical Supervisors are good too. The other day Clinical Supervisor and myself are going to write a proposal for a S.A.N.E. program for our new hospital. Currently, there is only one place in town, UMC, where adult sexual assult victims go for thier exams. We would like to start a program at Centennial Hills Hospital - as well.

Last night I went to the March Of Dimes Nurse Of The Year Awards. I was a nominee but did not win. There were a few scattered people from my old job there. In fact, the person who took my badge, phone, and keys was there. No one spoke to me - thank god. I sat at Centennial Hills's table right next to the CEO. It was good to go and smooze the administrators from my new place of employment. It was a good night but I would have liked to been cozied down in my jammies with my big dogs.

I spoke with my mother the other day and learned that my sister is getting worse. It almost seems inevitable that I will get my niece. Although, I have not heard from anyone from Oregon DHS. I did find out who Vivian's attorney was and I am going to email him every couple of weeks for updates. I just wanted them to know that I was here and available for placement of Vivian if they are looking for something on a more permanent basis. The problem is is that I need to hold off on doing anything regarding international adoption. My house is small and I do not want to adopt another child and then my niece is available but I woulld be unable to take her because my house is not big enough. So, again on hold!

We had a very large dog door installed into the wall in the kitchen. It is 38" tall. WOW -big door but hopefully it will help the dust issue in the house. Before the door I had just been leaving the back sliding door open. The dogs are getting use to it. When I decide to sell the house I can have the door removes and the holes patched.

EXHAUSTED

This weekend has been one of endless work. Yesterday, I worked on the floors. I didn't finish grouting until 9pm. Tiling is hard work. I hate lugging around the heavy tile. I did, however, get to spend the morning in the park with Bash. It has been a great weekend in Vegas - The weather is awesome!! It was 70 and sunny - great park weather. I brought Bash's bike - he can ride it so fast. Soon it will be time to trash the training wheels. I called him Super Fly as he zipped back and forth across the play yard.

Today, I did get to enjoy some time at the park. It was not as nice of a day but close. We did not stay as long. Why? Well, because I had to go do time at the Laundromat! I know I mentioned that my washer was dead. Apparently, it will not drain. It fills with water and then that is it - none of the other cycles work. I was unaware that there were clothes floating in the water for who knows how long. So, not only did I have to be tortured with the Laundromat I also had to fish out a small load of clothes that had been floating for days. YUK!!!! I did 7 loads of laundry in a very crowded Laundromat and spent 20.00. WOW, it is expensive! After the laundry nightmare I then went to Target and shopped. I am now sitting here dreading having to go out to the car to get the clean clothes and put them away - I hate doing laundry.

Halloween And Other Stuff

I know it's been awhile but I have been busy busy busy! Since I have not had to work in 8 weeks I have become Mom Taxi and Master errand runner. I have also torn up the bamboo flooring in the family room, office, and weird living area and am replacing it with ceramic tile. It looks great but what a mess. I am so tired of tiling (yes, I do my own tile - even own my own wet saw!). I was hoping to have it all done before my new job started - not happening. On top of the tile I am also painting and adding tall baseboards. It's like a total re-do and a huge job! When it is done I will post pics. I have to have it all done before the last week of November. I have my quarterly home visit from the the social worker. I am sure if she just popped in now she would not be to happy with the way the house looks.

Halloween was tons of fun! I watched scary ghost stories all day, worked on the house, carved pumpkins, and decorated the front. Bash was a very cute Scooby Doo!!!! Skylar and her boyfriend, Eric, took Bash out trick-o-treating. Bash got tons of candy! We had quite a few trick-o-treater's - I love to watch scary movies and pass out candy on Halloween. Much more fun then costume parties. Dante also came by - he had to come for the Witch's Brew. Witch's Brew is a drink I have made every Halloween since the kids were babies. It is a tradition and it is a secret recipe. My daughter bugs me every year to give her the recipe - nope! No can do! Not until she is ready to carry on the tradition in her own home. I also serve donuts with the Witch's Brew. The donuts are to give the kids something to eat while I check candy. I always buy the same Hostess donuts - the ones with the plain, powdered, and chocolate donuts.

Bash-a-dooby-doo

Dante And Bash

Me and Dante - I was a witch. Like my hat?

Skylar And Eric

My Front Yard - ready to scare little children!

Other things going on:

- My washer is broken. So, I have put in a request for a new washer and dryer. I would like the red (yes, red!) front load kind. But for now - I am off to the Laundromat - I hate going to the Laundromat!

- I had to take my TB test for my new job 3 times. Mainly because I had a blond moment and left for Disneyland before I got the first one read. I then had to get the 2 step and ended up having an allergic reaction to the 3rd test.

- I had a complete melt down on the phone with the Oregon SW on Bash's adoption case. Apparently, somethings needed to be done last year that never got done and once they are done it might be another 6 months before things are final. Although, after my meltdown the SW pulled some strings and we think we might be able to get the whole process completed in 3 months. We shall see - I won't hold my breath!

- I did find out the name of the attorney representing my niece. Just so happens that he had no idea that I had my foster license and had told my niece's SW that I would be available if a permanent living situation was needed for my niece.

- I start my new job on Monday - a week of orientation - yuk!!!! But I am excited to get in there and start. I will be assisting in opening a new hospital. That means that I will have some input on how the unit will be set up and our standards. I like that a lot!!! I actually have enjoyed just being Mom at home. I have never had a chance to be a stay at home Mom - it has been very nice.

- Once I get my office put back together I will be starting the paperwork for my Haitian adoption - I am very excited about it! I also want to go and volunteer in a clinic in Haiti for a week. My friends, Gianni and Kara, are also interested. It would be fun if we could all go together.

That is about it - I guess. More later!!!!!

The Adoption Of SuperFish

Today, Bash became the adoptive father of SuperFish. He had to go before the "Judge" to take an oath, sign and have all of the "official" papers stamped. There was then an adoption party that happened. It was all really quite exciting!

Some of you may be wondering why the big deal about getting a fish? Well, this was something that we (meaning myself, the play therapist, the day treatment coordinator, and the SW) came up with to help aid Bash and the other kids in his class understand the concept of adoption. SuperFish had come to his class needing a new home. SuperFish was a resident of his class for a few weeks, where the kids learned how to care for him and all about him searching for a new family. Bash had volunteered to be his dad and then after a week the adoption happened. It was really an awesome exercise. For all of you in the process of adoption or have recently adopted preschool to school age children - this might be something you want to try. It has really helped Bash understand the process.

Bash Taking Adoption Oath

Bash Reviewing The Official Adoption Paperwork

Bash Signing The Adoption Paperwork While SuperFish Looks On.