Kicking and Screaming

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Crisis Day

Ok, so we have all gotten use to the fact that I just cannot simply keep this thing updated. Sorry. Those of you who are able to keep us reading day after day, my hat's off to ya!

Anyway, I was looking back at the last time I really posted. Not just sending you whatever the latest musician that I want on my playlist. It's been awhile.... A long while.

The new position while going well, is hectic. I have to find a system that works for me. It usually takes me awhile. I'll get there... someday.

So, what has my life included, other than work, lately? Still hanging out with the same ol' bunch. The kids are now cheering and playing basketball, so we're on the go as always. I love it though. I am one of those people who would love for them to do more than they do, but given our jobs, it makes it difficult. It seems like my childhood always involved a gym or a field. We played sports year round. I regret that my children will not have those same opportunities. I think Ethan was 6 when I realized that kids where I am from had been playing football for 2 years already. Ethan was still 2 years from being eligible. Oh well. He probably would not have wanted to play anyway.

Ethan has grown so much this past year. I use to joke and say that he would be bigger than me before he got out of elementary school. Now it looks like he really will. We went to purchase tennis shoes the other day. With him wearing an 11 in mens, his foot is bigger than mine, as big as his dad's and almost as big as his ego. I have decided to take sometime off next month. I had to take what I called a "crisis day" when I worked at Cardinal Hill. This was to just to deal with the fact, Ethan was starting Kindergarten. I thought that there was absolutely no way he could go to school. He was my baby, him? go to school? Uh-huh! He couldn't ! What if the other kids picked on him? What if he didn't like his teacher? What if she didn't like him? These thoughts only got worse, until I realized that A.) he was growing up. B.) He was bigger than the other kids. C.) He and I both agreed, he had an awesome teacher. Oh yeah, and D.) He went to the school that my mother-in-law worked for, so I knew he was in good hands. All this accumulated in my first day off from Cardinal Hill. My Crisis Day. I think every mother should have these in an infinite supply. These are the days that at the time, you truly feel like the world will stop if you are not there at that exact moment, only to realize how silly it all was later. Ethan's first day of school was my first Crisis Day. Delaney's was my second. I have decided to use several for next month.

I do not feel old most of the time. I don't necessarily feel like a teenager anymore, but I am kinda glad for that. But by no means, do I feel like I have even begun the descent into middle age. Hell, I am still in my twenties. That can't be old, can it? Only it can. This past year, marked my 10 years out of high school. Beside the old usual " What have I done with my life" 's, I felt like I had done pretty well for myself. Despite the fact that it took me 10 years to get there. But I digress.

I planned for next month. I planned for the Crisis to hit. I planned to start feeling old. But like everything else in my life, it seemed to happen before I planned it. I began the other night, the questions. Interrogating ones self is never a good thing. Ethan turns 10. It seems absolutely impossible. He is growing up so fast. While others have been through this before me, this time it's different. You see, this is my child. Thus, the Crisis has begun.

As long as I could remember I couldn't wait to turn 10. Most kids wanted to be a teenager. We would play imaginary games, I was always 10. Why 10? Blame my family. I do. My grandmother's aunt, my wonderful Aunt Ollie, in particular. Either you know Aunt Ollie or you don't, but she cannot be described, she simply was. On the day I was born my Aunt Ollie wrote me a letter, mind you in 1978, I wasn't real concerned about the letter. She sealed it in an envelope and put it atop a wrapped gift. There was only one condition, it could not be opened until my 10th birthday. Why 10? Who knows. Years later, I asked Aunt Ollie, she said 10 was a good number. So there, the only explanation that I have. I remember trying to investigate one Christmas. I wanted to know if there really was a Santa or were all those presents in the back of mom's closet really for me. As I balanced on several books, that were placed on a milk crate, that was on top of a chair ( you wonder why I broke bones), I managed barely touch something on the top shelf with my fingers. While standing on tip toes, I lost my balance only to catch my self holding the shelf while the chair and other objects tumbled backwards. While dangling, and screaming, my father came running to find out what was wrong with me. About the time he entered the room, I lost my grip and fell to the ground, along with what appeared to a wonderfully wrapped birthday present.

That was when I was told I had to be 10 to open it. Years of trying to figure out a way to open the letter without anyone knowing. Came real close once, conscious got the better of me. On my tenth birthday, it was the only present I wanted to open. I read and re-read the letter, that talked of all hopes as to what I was to become. But the gift... ahh the gift. There in the old yellowed jewelry box, was the first pearl necklace that she ever owned. She talked to me later about everyone coming out of the Depression, and finally feeling that she had a little money.

I regret my son and daughter will miss out on such moments. I am fairly certain that family items passed down means so much less to them, than they do to me.

Crisis day will bring about several things. Mostly, my oldest child is growing up, and the next few years will only go more quickly; the realization that I am getting old; as well as realizing that my children will never know my Aunt Ollie or my Grandmother. They both thought the moon rose and set on Ethan. Ethan was 15 months old when Granny passed away and 4 when Aunt Ollie passed away.

In today's world of technology, with computer games and x-boxes and wii's, for my son's birthday, maybe I'll just write him a letter.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT!

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/15966629.htm

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Yeah, I know...

It's been a while.
Lots of things to say, very little time to say them.

So, for right now I leave you this...


http://www.josepharthur.com/


http://www.alwaysontherun.net/joseph.htm

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Read immediately....

Listen to 19 miles to Baghdad!!!

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

At Last, It's OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't had much time to post lately. With my new position, trying to learn all the new materials and everything else haven't had much time to post. Our anual state review is now officially over. I have been through many types of audits and reviews through out various positions; however, this may have been the most stressful review of my life. For those of you who don't know, since our agency is primarily funded by Medicaid, we must be audited once a year. Each review determines how long we can stay open and provide services. The most that any agency may be granted is one year. Currently, in this state you have agencies like Oakwood who are split between ICF/MR funding and SCL Waiver funding,( not to mention giving guardians a frightful impression of what all agencies may be like). We are only funded by the latter. This agency has never had less than a one year rating. We have been deemed extremely reliable by state guardians and are often getting new referrals.

I have been with this agency for almost 3 years now. We have only been open since1999, so basically, I came at a time that we were starting to settle in. I have been promoted 3 times since starting in 2003. State Review came about a month early this year, something to do with wanting less audits during 4th quarter. We were only one of two agencies last year to receive 0 citations. (The other located in Morehead and our sister agency)

I have been on edge all week. Mainly, because I have never had my ass personally on the line. With this position if they give a citation for anything with personnel it's my fault. Add to the fact that, while I have filled in for the HR person never has it been solely me, plus I freak real easy.

So, enough. Raise your beers high... and join me in celebration. WE have received for the second year in a row 0 citations!!!! The reviewers commended us on our competence and respect for our individuals. They praised our staff's knowledge and their training (Way to go STEFAN!!!) THey commended me on my exemplary documentation in regards to AOC backgrounds and follow-up. They praised our willingness to learn, and do more to benefit our individuals, our record keeping, our homes and our organization.

Never have I been so relieved that something was over. I am thrilled with the outcome. I have never been so proud to work with the people I do. Our administrative staff is bar none, the best I have ever encountered. I feel priviledged to work with such dedicated people. I know at times its overwhelming to family, believe me I know! But to have the work that we do recognized by DMR and give validation to what we do, means more than I can say.

With every job I have held, it has been extremely important to me, for that work to have meaning. This company is by far the best I have ever worked or been affiliated with and am very proud of it.

NOW DRINK!!!!!


Oh and let me make a side note here, Congratulations to our sister agency who only got 1 citation.


Have I mentioned we are a little competitive???

Competition only makes both agencies better :)



p.s. Just for those of you who haven't seen me in the last day or so, here and here again. Of course this is saving the best for last.

Bless you all and good night...

Sunday, July 30, 2006

And I learned My Way of Living By 3 Wise Men....

Since Brinton may or may not update his poker notes, and I don't have a whole lot of time right now...

We can safely sum up Friday Night Poker as such:











My twenty thrown down in my fist of rage
and the man to my left folded down
well Johnny doubled up with a royal flush
I had three jacks and a pair of nines
my mind is turning just two shots more
there's not much left to play,
Well then dude walks in, black hat on top, what a mop
I'm lucky it wasn't a county cop
cause I'm just running out of time

Who's up for game two,
what to do
my wallet's getting thin
and i just lost my watch last night
well I got a problem just one answer
got to throw it all down
and kiss that shit goodbye

That was a crazy game of poker
I lost it all
but someday i'll be back again
And I'm never to fold
never to fold

Who's up for game three
I can barely see the bourbon drowning next to me
And I just lost it all
well there's a man sittin next to me
Red with smiling eyes.
It's funny,
I don't have no money tonight
yeah
That was a crazy game of poker
I lost it all
But someday I'll be back again
And I'm never to fall never to fall


I say now skittleedat dat how bout that?
I'm coming out the front never coming out the back
and I walked into the bar yesterday
Cause I had something to do,
something to say
And Johnny walked in right behind me
and I didn't turn around
Til I heard the sound of his feet falling on the ground
I looked over my shoulder and I saw a clown
And I said what'cha doin' in the bar tonight?

so i said Johnny whatcha doing tonight?
He looked at me with a face full of fright
And I said, how bout a revolution?
And he said right.
I say of, you say a
I say revolution, and you say dah
I say of, you say aI say revolution, and you say dah
and I said, what'cha looking at?

he hit me across my face with a bat

so I grabbed my .45
and I said let's get out and go-oh-oh-oh-oh
so he opened the door, and said whatcha here for?
I said I'm wandering down this road 44
and I said I've been walking for about a thousand years.
and i said my feet are growing tired
My eyes a little wired
Don't know what to do unless I retire
he just said let's play some crazy poker

yeah
Well I said Johnny whatcha doing tonight?
He looked at me with a face full of fright
And I said, how bout a revolution?
And he said right.
I say of, you say a I say revolution,
and you say jah I say of, you say a
I say revolution, and you say dah dah dah
and that was the craziest game of poker that i ever saw
said that was the craziest game of poker that i ever saw

Where are we goin' ?
Where do we come from?
Why do we lie now?
What do we know?
I don't know a damn thing at all.
For me, For me, I walk
For me, I live.
For me, For me I thank.
But love for everyone.

Got 5 cards.
That's what I been dealt.
Sometimes I wish
I was 6 feet tall and built.
But that's not me

And the hand that I have is my life
And that is what I will do.
I am playing but not for you.
And I learned my way of living from three wise men
You see, oh yes, they taught me , the lesson that I am giving to you
I am trying to live my life by these very simple rules:

You can lose all your money
You can lose all your gold
You never lose your heart and no one can't take your soul

Thats why I'm not gonna quit and I'm never gonna stop
i dont give a shit because I got the drop
Johnny just got two eyes just like mine
I'm feeling kinda funky, kinda fine
and I drank a bottle of whiskey, 'fore I came
Came to the bar to see
what's the same

I saw my man named Johnny
sittin' across the table from me
well to my left there was a man,
i said he had no gin
Didn't really think about starting to sin
The man to my right wasn't feeling kinda nice
He musta been kinda mad,
I felt bad Beacuse I took his money last night
it's kinda funny
But now I'm just struggling-- I love my honey-bunny,
I don't know what to say anymore S
o I'm just gonna go out that door


and I said Johnny whatcha doing tonight?
He looked at me with a face full of fright
And I said, how bout a revolution?
And he said right.
I say of, you say a
I say revolution, and you say dah
I say of, you say a
I say revolution, and you say dah
I say of, you say a I say revolution, and you say dah
I say of, you say a I say revolution, and you say dah that was crazy, i feel crazy,
life is amazing.


O.A.R.

Crazy Game of Poker

34th and 8th

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Do You Hear What I Hear...

Sorry for the lack of updates... (I never have been one to update regularly anyway.) Yes, I have been busy. With my cuz's wedding out of the way and getting into a routine with my new position, I am definitely ready for some time off.

Anyway, since I have nothing new to really add to anyone else's updates, I give to you my new portion of this blog. I am horrible at hearing song lyrics. It's not that I am old and I can't hear, I've never been one to be able to sing the right words to a song. when I was extremely little, maybe 3-4 years old, my mother used to listen to what I thought was the most violent song I'd ever heard. Imagine later on discovering that the song was "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon. My parents got a real kick out of me screaming "Don't Shoot! Don't Shoot". Anyway, this problem has only gotten worse as I got older. So, with that in mind I now bring to you some of my very favorite misheard lyrics. Of course, you have to figure out the song and artist yourself...

Didn't want to make it to easy!

Song1

She keeps her Moet et Chandon
In her pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake' she says
Just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy
For Kruschev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation
You can't decline
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice

Song 2

Back at base, sparks in the software
Flash the message "something's out there"

And just for Cory and Brinton: I include the following...

Song 3 (the whole song just for you!)

For Boston for Boston,
we sing our proud refrain
for Boston for Boston '
tis wisdom's earthly fame
for here are all one and our hearts are true
and the towers on the heights reach the heavens own blue.
for boston for boston 'til the echoes ring agin!
For Boston for Boston thy glory is our own
for Boston for Boston 'tis here that truth is known
and ever with a right shall our heirs be found
'til time shall be no more and thy work is crowned
for Boston for Boston thy glory is our own!