Weird kind of day

Today has been an off day and I'll be glad when its over! It seems like nothing is going smooth and when this happens I get disgruntled!

This morning I got an offer by e-mail to come back to work the 2010 tax season for the company I have worked for during the past two seasons. I had been waiting for this e-mail invite, so when I received it I wanted to get the ball rolling. I had to first fill out my I-9 form, which needed to be notarized. I went to the bank and got that done to realize my state id expired in October of 2009. I thought to myself OH F%*$ing wonderful! So, I went to the BMV across town! I got out of the van and realized they only take cash, which I didn't have. F%*K!! I went to the bank across the street and spent $22 to get $20 out (hate bank fees) and went back to bmv. Got there, got waited on immediately because it was empty and they asked for my ss# and birth certificate. Birth certificate???? I don't carry that around, WTH?? I asked her if I could please go ahead and get the photo taken, the card started and me bring the birth certificate back in 30 minutes. She said No, they would need the certificate first. I felt so mentally drained. I had a meltdown....

I came home and found my certificate, but didn't have time to go back today and get my id. I am honestly embarrassed though and don't want to return tomorrow!!

Hopefully I will get everything done tomorrow that I wanted to do today! Have a good night!

Happy Labor Day

Hope everybody is enjoying your Labor day! I have never known what the meaning behind Labor Day is, so I did a google search and here ya go...

History
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

So, you're welcome! :) heehee. Anyway... Yesterday I spent the day with my friend Leslie and her little sister (through big brother/big sister) and had a good time. Her little sister is 8 yrs old and absolutely adorable. First, we went and had lunch at Applebees, which left a lot to be desired because the potatoes and side dishes were cold. Afterwards we took a quick trip in to Walmart to get a few things and then we came back to my house, sat outside, talked and entertained the dogs with sticks and a ball, which later got punctured by Lady's teeth, unfortunately. :( It was a pretty day to sit out and catch up on each others lives, though. :)

Both Steve's bands had gigs at Nelson Ledges yesterday, which were back to back. He was glad about both bands playing back to back in the same day because the music festival was a 3 day event and he really didn't feel like staying over and roughing it if the gigs were scheduled on different days. I'm surprised he didn't want to stay the whole weekend because Mickey Hart, one of the drummers from Grateful Dead, will be playing today. Anyway....

Have a great day and week!

Friday

Hello! Another week gone by already. :) Not a lot has happened this week, which could be a good thing, right? :) The music festival in Troy was a boat load of fun last Saturday and there were some really good bands that I would like to hear again. Besides Terrapin Moon, there was The Clark Manson Band, SOL, a girl who sang solo and a few more that I totally forget their names. Hmmmm? Anyway....

Yesterday my friend and I went to mutual friends of ours Kathi and Terry Zellers who have horses, dogs and oodles of kitties, one with only 3 legs...Thumper. :) Thumper was the little kitten that I had hoped to adopt awhile back. Thumper is growing like a weed and has totally earned the name Thumper! When he runs his back end thumps to the ground and its more obvious now that he is taller. :) Such a cootie petootie!

Sad night

I went to the music festival today and had a great time! When I got home though, I learned that Nugget, my betta fish, had passed away earlier in the day. Steve found him, but didn't want me to know until we got home. I am so sad over this! This little guy kept me company when I was on my computer because his tank sat right next to my monitor. When I would look over at him many times he would be looking right back at me. :) Now I look over and the only thing there is his betta food, blood worms, his antibiotics and a bottle of bettasafe we used to neutralize his water after tank cleanings. It's empty now, just like my heart!! :( Steve thinks I should good another betta, but my heart isn't agreeing right now.

Thursday

Well another week is all most behind us again. Before we know it we will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas shopping and making resolutions for 2011. :( Anyway...

Monday we went to the Darke County Fair for the day. It was fun eating the fair junk food, watching people ride the rides/play the games and rolling around the colliseum shopping and talking to people. :) I went to the grocery store and the dentist today, which are two things I detest most in life. :) Thankfully, I don't have to go back to the dentist again for 6 months. Woot!

This weekend is the Miami Valley Music Fest in Troy, which I have been looking forward to all summer. Tomorrow night Skeleton Crew will play at 11:30 and Saturday afternoon (at 1:30) Terrapin Moon will play. I think they both have 1 hour slots. I have never heard of the other bands that are playing, so I don't know what kind of music they play.

Highpoint Music Fest

Last night I went to the Highpoint Music Fest in Bellefontaine and listened to Terrapin Moon, Rumpke Mountain Boys and two other bands (I forget the names) play and had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect, which made it especially nice considering the event was held outside. :) One band was from Yellow Springs and played Reggae...I would like to listen to them play again.

Today and hopefully a lot this coming week I am organizing drawers, cabinets and closets so I can donate stuff to the Lupus Foundation/or throw it in the garbage. Its scary how fast junk gets accumulated and how much I throw away. :(

On Monday my nurse and I are going to the Darke County Fair barring no rain and thunderstorms. We try to go every year. My favorites at the fair are the waffles, funnel cakes and the animals. :)

Manic Monday

Hello, I'm back! I guess I haven't posted in a while, but that is probably because I didn't have much to share?? Not a lot is new... :)

This past weekend was busy with a music festival on Saturday night and a Richard Marx concert last night. The concert last night was to benefit Cystic Fibrosis, which is a lung disease that effects 30,000 children and young adults in the U.S. I learned last night that people are now living with the disease up to their 30's (age) where it used to be people passing away in their early 20's. So, progress has been made and hopefully in the upcoming years much more progress will be made until the disease is non existent. :) Unfortunately, my friend Leslie's son died at the age of 23 in 1998 from the disease.

The festival Saturday night was in College Corner and both Terrapin Moon and Skeleton Crew played late in the evening. It was a late night, but definitely a good time. :) This festival was a little different as there were a handful of people (both male and female) expressing their "right" to bare themselves to the world or at least to everybody at the festival. I guess if people are comfortable enough with themselves and their figures to let it hang out, good for them....I otoh am not that comfortable with myself and wouldn't even entertain (poor choice of words) the idea. :) There is a festival in Bellefontaine this Friday and one in Troy August 28 and that will be the end of the summer festivals I think.

Great week

Family leaves in the morning after a fun filled busy week. On Sunday we went to our friend's house so the kids could ride one of their horses, named Star. Thank you Kathy and Terry!! When we first got there the many barn kittens were the main attraction. After the kitties began to get boring, each one took their turn riding on Star as he walked around the yard with them. :) It was a good start to their week long visit.
On Monday I had plans to volunteer at a community living expo at the access center in Dayton. The kids also went and found little things to do to help out vendors. They were a big help as they handed out bottles of water, greeted visitors and help clean up. We ate lunch there and came home and had a quiet evening, besides the kids played dogopoly with Steve. On Thursday we went to Kings Island. This was probably the highlight of the visit. They swam, went down water slides, rode roller coasters, ate greasy pizza and rode more rides. :) It was fun! :)

Family comes today

Steve's Mom, nieces and nephew will be here today and staying until Friday morning. We don't have a lot planned, but will plan each day as it comes I guess. My friend invited us over tomorrow so the kids could ride horses, but its suppose to rain. So, we will see what happens. :)

The visit with the family this week has come at a good time. Things have not been easy around here for a number of reasons. We need family time to focus our attention on fun things....kids, games, watching movies, maybe the fair. After they leave next week, that is another story! Until then... :)

A couple weeks ago I posted about my bf's ghost white legs. I know it may have sounded mean, but I was joking... he knew I was joking. After I posted it I thought about what an ass I may have come across as when I wrote that post. Here I am making fun of his paleness, but I'm the one who had melanoma removed in April because I'm obsessed with having a sun kissed glow!!! So, on that note, thank you for not cussing me out and calling me names! :)

Happy Friday!!

Hello. Well another week has gone by and its Friday already. This summer seems to be going by very fast, unfortunately. Anyway, I won't wish it away. :-) Tomorrow night my nursing assistant and I are going to the Peace Thru Music Fest outside of Columbus to listen to skeleton Crew play. Hopefully the weather will be as beautiful as it is today. :-)

Lady, my border collie, went to the groomer's for the first time ever today. We decided to get her professionally groomed because of her constant scratching. She didn't have fleas, so I thought maybe she had a lot of dander, dry skin or maybe it was an allergic reaction to something. Well, we dropped her off around 10:00 this morning and picked her back up around 4:00 this afternoon. I was so excited to see her and even felt gitty on the way to pick her up because she has never been away for the day and I missed her. Well, when she got in the car and oh my god she was PISSED! She ignored everything we said and acted like she could take us or leave us. She was just a little snot! That's OK, though. She smelled good. :-) And she hasn't scratched since we brought her home.

I received a disturbing phone call yesterday. It was about this job I have been talking about. When I got home from Chicago I had a message on my answering machine about training. I called the next day and was scheduled for the next training class to start July 26 for two weeks. I was ecstatic. Well, the company supplies their own computers to the agents, which are very generic. They are called thin clients. I was told on the phone yesterday that these generic computers do not have downloading capabilities. This means I will not be able to install my keyboard software, which means I have no way to type and cannot do the job. It seems like this is such a tiny hurdle to jump over, but there is no way around it. Should I look at this as one door closing and another opening? Maybe, but it's hard to be optimistic at this point. I was told I would be contacted to do the IRS position again, which is nice to know that I have something lined up as far as employment...I really need a permanent position though.

Chicago was great

My trip to Chicago is over and I had a great time! We attended the abilities expo most of the day on Friday and Saturday, but spent time afterward exploring Chicago. One evening we went to Rain Forest Cafe, which was so cool. We were seated right next to the aquarium. It was hard not to be mesmerized by the hundreds of colorful fish in the crystal clear water. It was beautiful. The food was great, too. :) The next evening we drove to Navy Pier. It was neat watching the boats go by, seeing the boats docked at the pier, seeing the ferris wheel lit up at night, listening to the spanish band...so different than what we see in Ohio! :) On Sunday we took a tour of Willis Tower and went to the Sky Deck. Good time and had fun looking down, but I could have done without the 60 second elevator rides to the top of the tower and then down again when we were finished....:) Saturday night My nurse and I found ourselves in a huge mall by accident when it started pouring down rain and we went in to Nordstrom's to seek shelter. While pretending to shop we noticed Nordstroms was just one store of many! Unfortunately, they were stores that were way out of our price range, not like Old Navy, Aeropostale or Kohl's. :( While walking to Willis Tower we came across many streets that were blocked because Transformers 3 was being filmed. We saw the bumble bee car (correct?) and another transformer car that is in the movie, which I knew nothing about. My nurse filled my head with the transformer movie stuff because she has taken her daughter to see the movies. :)
Anyway...my trip to Chicago was a great experience!

Orientation

Well, I'm happy to say the 5 day orientation is over and I passed both assessments. I really would have dreaded it if I had to update my blog and tell you I failed and couldn't move on to the next phase! Anyway..I'm glad it didn't work out that way! :)

The job I applied for was cell phone billing agent and the training was going to start September 20th and last for 5 weeks. I got an e-mail today, though inviting me to start training this Monday for a different job and the hours are 9:00 a.m - 6:00 pm for only two weeks. This is for DSL support. I told the trainer I would do that, but I'm waiting to hear back from her through e-mail with answers to some questions I have.

Tomorrow afternoon I leave for my little trip. I'm just about all packed minus a few things I can't pack until tomorrow after I'm finished using them.

I went to the doctor today to get some antibiotics for a urinary tract infection I seem to have AGAIN. Well, before the doctor came in I was talking to my boyfriend, who finally broke out his shorts today. When I was talking to him I was seriously distracted by this irredescent glow that was radiating from his casperly pale skin. I'm SERIOUS! His legs were like glowing. I told him he needed a little color to those legs ASAP as it was hurting my eyes. He agreed and came home and threw the frisbee to Lady outside in the sun. :) I wasn't trying to be cruel, I guess it just comes natural? :( Anyway...hopefully he doesn't burn.

Happy July 4th

Today is July 4th and I'm spending it alone. I'm not complaining though because I value my "me" time. It's rare that I get alone time, so when I do, YAY! :) My boyfriend has been at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park for Grateful Fest since Thursday and returns tomorrow. Terrapin Moon was scheduled to play Thursday night and again tonight (Monday morning actually) from 3am-5am. The weather has been absolutely perfect for camping so I'm sure the guys are having a good time, although may smell a little ripe after roughing it for 4 days. Ewwww.. :)
Yesterday I spent the day with my friend Leslie. We went to her husband's family's place to watch the parade, have a cook out and watch the fire works. It was a great time with a very nice family! :)
I passed my first assessment Friday and take the final one Tuesday. I hope its not all for not. The reason I say that is because the company will be supplying the phones, headsets and "thin clients" (computer) and I don't know if this is equipment that can be adapted for me. I e-mailed somebody from the recruiting department and asked, but did not get a reply. I guess I'm concerned I won't be allowed to install my adaptive software on their thin client or I won't be allowed to have the phone modified so I can answer it independently. Hopefully this worry I'm feeling is unnecessary.

RIP Aunt Jo

Second day of orientation went well, tomorrow is the first test and I'm going to study hard tonight. I was really distracted during training today as my mind was focused on my aunt in Florida.
While on facebook last night I read my cousin's post about her mother. She said something along the lines of...today was a kicker, the straw that broke the camel's back. My mother shot herself by accident and is dead. I will miss her....I was not sure if it was literally her mother or maybe a mother in law or somebody who was a mother figure she was referring to. I began to panic a little. My other cousin and aunt were also on facebook leaving comments to please call them and elaborate. Well, after mass confusion and frustration with the lack of information, I was told last night my aunt did shoot herself while cleaning a gun, but that story changed today. My aunt took her own life after a break up with her boyfriend of two years. Wow! I had no idea she was capable of it! I would be lieing if I said suicide had never crossed my mind. It has many times. I thought about it before my accident and after my accident. I'm glad I never acted on those tendencies because I love my life and value each and every inkling of it. The saying "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem" speaks volumes and I wished my aunt could have worked through her heart break and sought medical intervention for her depression. I hope she didn't leave the world thinking that she wasn't loved.

Tuesday

Today I spent some time outside with my dogs because the weather is absolutely beautiful. I felt a little bad for my dog buddy because he has to go out on a leash and get hooked up so he doesn't run off. He always runs off to visit the neighbor dogs and doesn't come back when we call for him. The only way to prevent this is to hook him up to his leash, unfortunately. It probably bothers me more than it does him, but I don't know. Lady seems to gloat when he is on a leash and she has free rein of the yard. She runs past him really fast with a big stick in her mouth as if she is bragging and rubbing it in. :-) I was thinking today if my dogs were human children, Buddy would be my son who always is in trouble, getting detentions, getting suspended and making me crazy. Lady on the other hand would be my daughter who gets straight A's, never does anything wrong and doesn't talk back! Hehe! :-)

I started the 5 day orientation yesterday and so far so good. Hopefully I pass the two tests and move on to the next phase. :)

Its Friday

My trip to Chicago is quickly approaching, but things aren't going quite as planned. When I called to reserve amtrak tickets for Stephanie and I, they didn't have a seat available for an attendant, just one space for a wheelchair. So, because I have no intentions of going solo, the amtrak trip will have to wait and we will catch a ride with Steve to Chicago instead of meeting him there. :)

Today I went to a disability and healthy relationships meeting. The speaker, who has a disability herself, was a hoot to listen to. I think the talk of sex and intimacy in a room full of people is rather uncomfortable, but she was so funny to listen to that she made it easier for some people to participate in the conversation. She also talked about caregivers, abuse, disability myths, etc. Anyway, it was interesting.

On Wednesday (June 30) I start the 5 day orientation for the support position I applied for. We take two tests during the orientation and if I pass both tests I will move on to do the background check and drug test....keep your fingers crossed! :)

Happy Belated Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there and especially to my dad whom I miss very much! We were very fortunate because we spent many Father's Days together and I'm grateful for each and every one we shared together. :) RIP dad!

My car accident fell on Father's Day in 1992. The date was June 21st, which is todays date. I have been a quadriplegic for 18 years and I can't believe how fast 18 years goes by. Its scary!! The date of my accident used to bother me a bit, but not anymore. Its just another day, but one I give a little more thought to...first day of summer, longest day of year, the date of my accident. :) Last year I composed a letter to the man who was driving the van that collided with my truck. For some reason I wanted him to know how well I was doing and how much I loved my life and how I wasn't angry with him. When I put it in the mail I knew there was no turning back and I felt nervous because I had no idea how he would feel getting a letter from me.

A couple weeks later he wrote me back the kindest letter and said he was glad to hear from me. :) He said his biggest regret after the accident was following his lawyers advice and not sending me a card or getting in touch with my family to check on my progress. Anyway.... :)

Interview

Yesterday I had a telephone interview with the same company I have worked with for the past two tax seasons, but for a different position. The position I applied for is customer support. The interview went well and the next step is to complete a one week orientation/class on the computer. If (after) I successfully complete that and become certified I will need to take a drug test and get a background check. After the comes back clean and clear I will sign up for a 5-week training course in August. So, wish me luck!! :)

My chicago trip is approaching quickly and I'm getting excited. On Monday we got our instructions on what information we need to collect from vendors and which work shops we have to attend, etc. It looks like we will have spare time in the afternoons and evenings to do our own thing. I still have 3 weeks before I leave, but I'm all ready packing a little bit here and there. :)

ClassicFest

Saturday we drove to Cleveland to attend Classicfest at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, which Terrapin Moon was scheduled to play at around 11:00 in the evening. Before them, there were classic rock tribute bands for Pink Floyd, Rush, Beatles and Ozzy Ozbourne. They all sounded great and we had a lot of fun! :) There was also a laser light show in the end, which was cool to watch, especially in the trees.

I met Thumper I-lean, the special needs kitten I want to adopt and call my own!!! OMG this kitty is so adorable and energetic I don't think he/she knows its missing a leg! He/She (still unsure of gender) is a bundle of energy! Unfortunately, I have decided bringing the kitten here is not a good idea. The kitten would need to be separated from my dogs (secluded by itself) at first and be gradually introduced over time. That isn't fair to the kitten. That baby has been through enough, I can't inflict any more stress on him. The owners said they will go ahead and keep it then and I can come visit him/her anytime. :)

Another weekend gone by

Wow, this past week has flown by! As some of you may have read on facebook, this week I was (and continue to be) consumed by a little precious kitten I have the opportunity to make a home for here! This little furry cuddle bug was stepped on by a horse (ouchie) and it did a lot of damage to his back side; therefore, one of his back legs needed to be amputated. :( I'm having a terrible time trying to talk my bf in to it..he is not budging at all! This might be a battle I don't win. I am doing research on the internet on how to introduce a new kitten to a home that has a dog, or two dogs in my case, so I am confident it can work. I'm not worried about Lady, its Buddy that concerns me. He is territorial and won't adjust as easy as Lady. As I type this, I am questioning myself. Am I being rational by wanting to adopt this kitty? Is it fair to my bf? my dogs? my caregivers? I have talked to each of my caregivers and they say they don't mind helping with the litter box. Are they just saying that though? Hmmmmm....I do plan to meet the cuddle bug Tuesday and I will do an update here. :)

What else? My friend's daughter is pregnant and getting induced tomorrow. Friend, if you read this, know I'm thinking of you and your daughter and I will be patiently waiting for your e-mail saying the baby has arrived! :)

Steve had a gig in Columbus Friday and it was a good time. He played with Skeleton Crew and the other band that played was The Bug Hounds. The keyboarder, Bill Kurzenburger, had his cd released that night so it was a party to celebrate his success. :) The door man said I wasn't allowed to drink because I didn't have my ID with me, but I snuck a beer in when he wasn't looking. Just one, that's all. :)