Cycles

Have you ever noticed that life is full of cycles?  I am sure everyone has–moon cycles, women being graced with their cycles, life cycles…abuse cycles.

At work, I also teach.  It is not in my job description, but it is something I do for ME.  I know I have talked about it before, but I go to freshman classes on the campus and talk about emergency management, personal safety and sexual assault.  Lately, I have added H1N1 to my topics to talk about, mostly because the university is sitting at about a 10% absenteeism at this point (and flu season in Texas hasn’t technically started–it isn’t supposed to start til January and go through March).  I bring this up because people who have gone through a traumatic event such as rape have the tendency to get into a cycle of their own.  Some get into a cycle remembering–I know that I go through a point every year for about a month where my nerves are frayed and am plagued with nightmares of my rape around the anniversary, but other times I am ok unless there is a trigger.  Then the cycle begins again for a bit.  Others get into a cycle of abuse.  I am not saying by any means that it is on purpose, it’s just something that happens.  Some may end of finding people in their lives who keep them feeling like they did before–with no choices, the bottom of the bottom, not worth the attention of anyone except the one they are with.  Those are the ones who are good–really good–at making excuses.  Excuses for bruises, for moods, for crying, and especially excuses for their significant other’s behavior.  It becomes ingrained, because it is beaten in (verbally and/or physically) that the victim “deserves” what they are getting. 

Anyway, every semester I come across 2-4 students that have had something happen to them, and are looking for some sort of support.  I am more than happy to help out, especially since I was very fortunate to have support when it happened to me.  By telling my story to these students, it raises awareness and also shows those who have been victims that they are not alone.  Over 1000 have heard my story, and I don’t plan on stopping.  But recently I came across a cycle of someone who is very important to me.  She is married, and he is verbally abusive.  She has always made excuses for his behavior, and finally she realized what she was doing.  There’s usually a breaking point, and I believe she finally hit hers.  I am happy that she figured it out, and happier yet that she is going to leave him.  It isn’t happening now, but she has planning to do.  Considering he is in the “nice” and “apologetic” phase of the cycle, she is pretty confident that for now there is nothing to worry about–and he has never hit her, so that is also a good thing.  However, if there were to be a turn and he goes back to being mean and cruel, she is prepared to leave.  I know how hard it is, and I am so proud of her. 

Another cycle–life.  A very close friend of mine, Sam, and his wife are expecting a baby boy in December.  Wonderful news for them, and he is so excited!    I am thrilled for them.  Being a first time father, Sam is nervous and excited.  I have been working since this summer on a blanket for them, another pinwheel, but all I have left is the edging–it is so repetitive, I can’t do it for long stretches of time.  360 rows of garter stitch…ug.  The blanket is beautiful and soft, and I REALLY need to get it done.  December is not that far away!!!

As for my cycle–I know I have been talking about getting pregnant for months, and all the trials and bumps that I have been going through.  The cyst in August led to the diagnosis of PCOS in September, and this month ruptured two more.  I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I am just going to not be a mom in the biological sense.  It is sad, and I wish differently, but there isn’t much for me to do otherwise.  Maybe sometime down the road when IVF becomes affordable.    I am not going to let it get me down, tho.  If it is meant to happen, it will.  But I am stopping the fertility drugs–I don’t know if that is what is causing the cysts to rupture.  Besides, the hot flashes are terrible on those meds!!

I do want to get back into the cycle of my loom knitting.  I have some awesome new looms I got for my birthday that I need to work on–I want to have a blanket knitted for my cousin when she marries in January, but I don’t know if I am going to get that done.  In my defense, I have started it.  Afghans are just so BIG, and I don’t have the time to just sit and knit.  I need to make the time, as I am sure that it will do wonders for relaxation and destressing a bit.    The past few weeks have been pretty stressful, and I need a break.

DH has been feeling bad for quite some time, getting hospitalized in the beginning of Sept.  He thought it was a heart attack (his best friend of 36 years had just died of one at age 39), but it turned out to be gallstones.  He postponed the surgery up until last week–the pain had been getting worse with the progression of time.  Sure enough, it was really bad, but he got through the surgery just fine last Thursday.  He’s off until next Monday, but will go back to work with limited duties.  He was going to have the surgery that Monday (10/19), but I was not going to be able to make it since I had a job interview….

Yep, another job interview.  No, it wasn’t because I was unhappy with my current job.  Actually Chief was the one who sent me the notice for the job opening (it is still a university job).  I was reluctant to apply for several reasons–I love working for the PD (not to metion, I wanted to work for them for 10 years before I got hired), I love working with my partner (slash best friend), and I love what I do.  No, it isn’t the highest paying job, but I do love it.  The new job, however, is my job plus…I would be travelling to other universities and teaching them how to do what I do.  I would also have a new partner, also from law enforcement.  It is three to four times what I am making now, 50%+ overnight travel, and all about higher education emergency management.  I talked to DH first to see what he thought, and he said it would be extremely stupid to pass up this opportunity.  Then, I reluctantly brought it up to Robert.  I was scared of his reaction, but he took it well–and wrote a letter of recommendation.  Chief also wrote one, as did the county emergency management coordinator and the vice president of my division.  I applied.  And on the 9th, I got a phone call to schedule my interview.  I was SO excited!!  I was getting my hair cut, so it wasn’t an opportune time to bounce around, but inside I was doing a happy dance.  I had 10 days to prepare.

You see, I had to do a 5-7 minute powerpoint presentation in front of the hiring board.  THAT had me scared.  I knew the people over in the department I was applying at, and some are quite intimidating.  So those 10 days I worked and researched and put together what I thought was a really good presentation (it could be over either public safety or higher education emergency management–I chose EM).  I went to the interview, and prepared for it by making packets for the board (usually 5-7 people) containing my FEMA and other EM certificates, copies of my letters of recommendation, copy of my resume and cover letter, and a copy of my powerpoint presentation so they could take notes.  I thought it was reasonable.  So I was pretty surprised when there were only three people on the board, two of which I knew and have worked with many times in the past two years.  After doing some catching up, I passed out the packets and got ready for the questions.  However, only two minutes into the questions, the power went out.  A very loud beeping came from the exit signs, which seriously threw me off for a few minutes.  We did continue the interview in the dark (mostly, had some light from a window), and I think I did pretty good for the questions.  Then it was time for my presentation, but we still had no power.  Kinda hard to do a computer presentation when there is no power.    They were going to cut the interview short and have my come back later when there was power, but I remembered that I had printed out the presentation and could do it from my handouts.  They were very impressed, as it showed that I was more than prepared for anything that could happen.  I did my presentation, did it in the time allowed, but still had some disappointment since I wasn’t able to show off my presentation.  I did end up emailing it to one of the board, so eventually they did see it.  As for now, I am in a holding position.  I don’t know anything at this point, but I do know they submitted the name on Monday.  It’s in committee.  HOPING to know by Friday.  They want this position–and the partner position–to begin on November 15.  Crossing my fingers!!! 

Ok…guess I have rambled long enough…happy almost Thursday, everyone!!

The Blues

Last month and this have been months of ups and downs, and I am tired of the rollercoaster.  Really.

August is always a busy month.  It starts with my birthday, then takes off at a sprint, only slowing down occassionally until December.  Most of it has to do with work (I will touch briefly on this, but will also make a separate post for this), but it also marks the beginning of school.  I am SO close to finishing, I can taste it.  Finally–after 13 years of college (gee, should have three degrees by now), I will have my BAAS in the spring.  Granted everything goes right.

But let’s back up a bit.  We’ll begin with move in week.  I can’t stand that week.  The generation currently beginning college are those from the Millennial Generation and it is a bit concerning.  They are extremely reliant on their parents.  We watched as they moved into the dorms–I can’t even count how many had flatscreen TVs to put into their rooms.  It was a shock.  I remember that I had my first TV in my dorm room–a 12″ little tiny thing.  Oh, well…just shows how times have changed.  But as they came to get their parking permits, it was shocking that many didn’t know (1) what a title was and who held it (“Well, I know I drive it, so does that mean I own it?”) (2) what their license plate number was (“Hang on, I have to call mom and ask–I know my car is in the lot outside, but I don’t want to go out there to look”) (3) or if their parents had registered them for a permit already when they registered their child for school.  Wow.

Ok, enough of that.  On the bright side, I have finished the pinwheel portion of two more blankets, and only going to put an edging on one.  The first is for my chihuahua, and it is maroon and tan.  It won’t get an edging…he doesn’t need it.  The second one is for my friends Sam and Whitney, who are expecting a baby boy.  This one was interesting–I used two types of yarn, one in blue and the other multi-colored (but base of blue).  I will put up the picture of it when the edging is finished and attached…hopefully when I get my other laptop fixed.  I want to work some more on Scrubby-O’s but need to work on my cousin’s blanket for her upcoming wedding.  Finally using my Infinity Loom, and I have only gotten a few rows done.

Classes for me so far are going ok.  I was supposed to be gone with training for work on Sept. 8-18, but due to someone dropping the ball, we didn’t get to go this round.  In addition to attending two classes (Self Defense for PE–one that people with a disability can attend like me–and Sociology of Law), I am also guest lecturing again this semester, and have already been booked for 15 classes.    Yeah!!  That is a huge improvement!!  I have already done three, and looking forward to the rest.  I will have an officer with me on some of them to promote RAD for the female students (Rape Aggression Defense).  It should be a great semester.  The main thing that has been very distracting, and has been going on since April, is the H1N1 virus.  I won’t lecture here, but please believe me when I say that everyone needs to get all their vaccines–the seasonal flu (I just got mine last Thursday, and go figure I got sick) and the H1N1 when it is available in mid to late October.  Please.  We already have about 100 cases on campus, and are figuring the numbers are going to double each week. 

At the end of August, we were devastated to find out that hubby’s best friend of 36 years passed away from a massive heart attack.  It hit us both hard, but really knocked hubby down.  He was a pall bearer at the funeral, which happened on August 31.  After the funeral we went to lunch with his best friend’s family and friends to tell stories and eat at Gary’s (the friend) favorite restaurant.  It was good for closure.  At about 1am, Kip woke me up, however, thinking that he was having a heart attack.  We went to the hospital around 3am, and he was admitted.  He stayed overnight, but they didn’t find anything wrong with his heart.  Only that he has a really bad case of acid reflux, and also has gallstones.  We are working on getting the acid reflux under control before it does more damage, and will be checking to see if the stones have dissolved or if he will have to have surgery.  Much stress there.

As far as the TTC (trying to conceive) efforts are going, we still aren’t pregnant.  It is quite depressing.  After the ruptured cyst in July, I wasn’t on Clomid for August.  At the beginning of Sept, I went back to my OB and she did another ultrasound.  This time, since there was no interference, we were able to see that I have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome).  There are about a half dozen on each ovary.  It explains why we are having problems conceiving.  So we are crossing our fingers this month it happened, but we are in the dreaded two week wait.  Here’s to hoping!!!

Happy September to all!!  Autumn is about to be here!!  Yay for cooler weather!!!  Much love to all, and hope that everyone is doing well!!!

Uh-Oh, the big 3-0!!

That’s right…I have officially hit 30. 

I was dreading it.  Miserable.  I sulked for two full months before my birthday.  I thought for sure that a part of me was going to die and wither away the second the clock hit 2:36pm on August 4.  Imagine my surprise when everything went so well, I was actually….happy.

The birthday party my parents threw for me (see previous post) was wonderful.  I loved having close family and friends there to celebrate this milestone in my life.  Still, after all was said and done, I clung to the 48 hours I had left at age 29.  I did enjoy myself despite me being sure I was going to be miserable–afterall, my one of my grandmothers had just gone into the hospital, and I was sure that was a bad omen.  But the company was great, I enjoyed my presents (the money and gift cards promptly went to yarn, as I have a new facination with knitting Scrubby-O’s that Bethany just added to her blog for her 2nd Blogiversary), and I managed to get all my candles blown out. 

Monday passed, then Tuesday was here (the 4th).  The big day.  And Robert was wonderful…I had no idea what was going to happen.  We had planned on going out for lunch together.  What I didn’t know was that he had 7 people coming to lunch with us, and it was so much fun!  I had a great meal, and friends to laugh and enjoy.  Then we got back to the office, did a little work, and Robert told me I needed to go upstairs.  He gave me the excuse that another admin had dumped a lot of paperwork on my desk that needed to be filed, and he had to meet with Chief.  I immediately knew something was up; if he knew my job at all, then he would know that I never do my filing…I have a student worker that does that.  After a bit of good natured argument, I went along with him.  My window where my usual desk was closed, another sign that something was up.  I peeked under a bit..saw red frosting.    The two ladies up front that I work with had planned a second party at the PD, and one had made the most beautiful cake (she works with us part-time, she is also a professional cake decorator).  It was two layers, the top being chocolate and the bottom vanilla, all red frosting with open and closed black circles.  Many came to sing and eat, but most at the PD just enjoy getting cake–no matter the occassion.    Here is the cake:

Made for me by Aggie...a wonderful woman at the PD!!!

At home, hubby got me yet another cake and some beautiful stargazer lillies.  One of my favorites. 

The rest of the week I planned on teaching the two ladies I work with how to loom knit.  So I put together a pattern book and got ready.  Today was the first day to teach, but one forgot.  Tomorrow we resume.  They both want to knit a prayer shawl in a garter stitch, and I am excited for them. 

But finally, I attacked a pattern I had wanted to do forever, but just could not visualize how it was supposed to work.  Much thanks to Bethany with the Scrubby-Os for giving me what I needed to picture it!!  It is Denise’s Pinwheel Blanket pattern and I finally got the first part of it done.  The pinwheel part is completed, and now I have to do the edge–I was going to attempt the sawtooth edge, but opted just for the plain edge.  We have another woman at the PD who is expecting in January, and she doesn’t want to know the sex of the baby.  So I found this beautiful yellow and paired it with white, and I love how it has turned out.  Here it is so far:

The beginning of the baby pinwheel blanket...

I can’t wait to get it done!!

Ok, have some stuff to write for work…department meeting to prepare for!!

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh has always been one of my absolute favorites.  Many blankets, a few stuffed animals, plenty of clothes…I may be grown, but Pooh has always had a place in my heart.  And I think he said it best…”Oh, bother.”  That can sum up my month.

Many know that for the last four years hubby and I have been trying to have a child together.  He has two of his own, and for the summer is when we get them–we had the youngest for a month, and my oldest SS stayed until yesterday.  At the beginning of July, hubby and I decided that it was time again to go back on fertility meds.  So we did–and I remembered quite quickly the side effects of Clomid.  The hot flashes, mood swings, and the trouble focusing because of the previous two.  This also meant that I had to stop taking my arthritis meds–my arthritis being in my knees and hips.  So walking became an issue, but I was allowed my pain med and muscle relaxer.  That helped, but I am back to using a cane.  A little over a week ago was when we started blood testing, and we were excited since I was late–but all came back negative.  However, progesterone was way up, and the OB wanted an ultrasound to see what was going on.  It was a mortifying experience since there were a few mishaps, but it turned out I had a ruptured cyst, which mimicked the signs of early pregnancy.  This month there will be no Clomid so I can recover (sucks), but still will try.

That in itself had me down, but now I have a new focus…my birthday.  I turn 30 on Tuesday.  Most people–women especially–will understand the slight depression of turning 30.  It is the loss of your 20s…and a time for reflection.  At least to me.  Growing up, most people have a thought of how life will turn out for them.  Me, I had mine planned:
1. Graduating high school
2. Go to college and graduate in 4 years
3. Marry my high school sweetheart
4. Get an awesome job
5. Have my first child
…all by the time I was 26.  Here I am, days from 30…  
1.  I did graduate from high school.  Check! 
2. I went to college–but won’t be graduating until next spring (I hope), so that took 13 years (yes, just for my BA…had a few bumps in the road).
3. My high school sweetheart and I broke up the first year in college, and I had a little bit of a smirk when I found out he married someone who looked like my twin.    However, I did get married, but at age 26–and to a customer from a bar where I worked–lol!!
4. I did get an awesome job, just accomplished this year (well, kinda last year, but too much to get in to).  Took me almost 10 years, but I was persistent about working for this PD.  Granted I drive 65 miles each way, I am super happy where I am at and thrilled at what I do.
5. Turns out havin kiddos of my own is a bit of a challenge.  But I have made up my mind that now is the time.  Risks for me are already high as it is, so waiting much longer will just make things worse. I do have two great stepsons (when they don’t hate me for having rules), but it’s not the same. 

But with my birthday comes presents–and some come early.    Hubby was wonderful and ordered me some BEAUTIFUL looms from DA Looms (again, thank you Isela!!  They are perfect!!).  I finally got the Wondersock Loom and an RG 60″ Infinity Rake.  They are perfect!!  I decided to knit myself a pair of birthday socks, and finished them yesterday.  I wanted to finish them last week, but of course I kept getting distracted by other projects–I finished a beanie for a dear friend that is an EMT, and still working on a scarf in a tiled pattern in the gorgeous plum chenille yarn.  Have more sock yarn I want to use, and can’t wait to start again…

My parent’s threw me a birthday party yesterday, and was quite surprised to see that there were so many people that came, including Robert and family from an hour and a half away…it was great.  I was also surprised that I had such a great time.   Here are some birthday highlights:

Anyway, the big day is tomorrow, and I will be enjoying it at work. 

Speaking of…need to get back to it!!

Almost time for vacation

Well, only one more day til my official vacation starts, and I am SO excited!  Time off from work, just to be with family, and I couldn’t be happier that this is coming.

I have been knitting a lot lately.  I had a pattern in mind, a particular type of yarn I wanted to use, and I decided to make a baby blanket for a coworker who just had her first grandchild–a baby girl.  The pattern and yarn were perfect, as it was simple and I knew it would turn out beautiful.  It did, and I am so proud.  I showed it to my neighbor, and she wants one for her new baby boy, Isaiah.  I had originally wanted to do it for him, but I only had a limited amount of yarn for his, so I wanted to make sure that I had enough by test knitting the other blanket (which I had plenty of yarn for) before I took on the other project.  Here’s how it turned out:

Perfect!  And now I am almost halfway done with Baby Isaiah’s blanket, which I have decided to call “Lavender’s Blue.”  Can’t wait to get it done and posted, too.

My oldest son is in camp right now, and he is loving it so much.  They are getting to go bowling, to the movies (of course, the ones that I want to see), and swimming.  I have managed to save up some time this week, so tomorrow when they go to the movies I will go with them and then the two of us go home.  Then I found out this morning that he will be staying until August 1, and that was a great surprise as well.   I just wish we could afford the daycare for my youngest, but we won’t be able to.

Ok, and now for my big announcement.  After many different discussions, hubby and I have decided that we are going to try to have a baby again.  So next Tuesday, we are going to go back to the OB and I am going back on fertility meds.  I am very excited, he is excited, but the down side is that they cause hot flashes–with it being 105 or above right now, it is going to make things a little warm for me until we are able to conceive.  I am hoping quickly…30 is fast approaching (beginning of August), and I really don’t want to wait anymore.  I am where I want to be for work, happy and stable in my home, have a house and two great cars…so now would be a good time for us to start. 

Vacation, here I come…!!

Family daze

Once again, I am going to go off of looming for a bit.  My babies are home for 5 weeks, and I am SO happy, but not too happy with their regular home life.  Just letting everyone know, they are my stepsons, although I treat as my own, and they have been through so much my heart aches for them.

I worry for my oldest son, since the divorce was so hard on him.  Every hurtful comment from the mom’s boyfriend (of two years or so) really gets to him.  Now he is scared that if he misbehaves I will leave him, since that was what he was told.  I was LIVID.  NO ONE speaks for me.  Period.  And I unleashed a torrent to her and to her sister about what the boyfriend had said.  I wasn’t about to stand for anyone telling him I might leave, and I never will leave him, no matter what happens between my husband and I.  So they have been warned–if I hear anything whatsoever that might even be a whisper of detrimental speaking on their behalf–talking about me, my husband, or them–I will be all over them like white on rice.  The problem was fixed, he is reassured, and I have two happy little boys right now.  I think that the boyfriend get frustrated because my oldest has a mild form of tourrets syndrome, and so handling him is a bit different than you would a normal child.  Structure is important, and so is counseling.  Since it is mild, we don’t need drugs, at least yet, for what he has.  It is fine as long as no one says anything hurtful for the most part or triggers anxiety or nervousness.  But if it gets to be any worse at that house, I am not going to stand by. 

I know I sound like one of those women who hates the ex and anything that has to do with her.  That’s not true.  We actually do get along to a degree, and I am pretty close with her family (as in I stay at their house, talk on the phone, email, hang out, etc).  I consider them family, they consider me family, and most of the time the conversations end with a “love you.”  We pretty much see eye to eye on how much we dislike the boyfriend, too, so it’s nice to have that support as well.

Ok, on to the good stuff.  We have had a blast so far…been able to go to the pool, hang out and watch movies, play some video and card games.  It’s been really nice having them here, although hectic at times.  And in the spare time, I have been able to get some knitting done.  I am ALMOST finished with the hooded scarf that I am knitting for my mom’s birthday.  I want to get started on several other projects I have running around in my head.  I want to make another hooded scarf, inspired to make some socks, and make a few more brimless hats for my mom.  I want to try to make the pinwheel blanket that I have been itching to make for a few years, especially for the baby my friend just had.  Just seems perfect.  However I can’t figure out the cast on and how to start it…

Anyway, the boys should be home in a minute from the latest swimming expedition.  I need to start getting dinner ready, and maybe get my scarf finished.  Lots to think about, lots to do!!!  Happy daze everyone!!

The projects

Ok, I promised the pictures of my latest finished projects.  So here they are:

And I also finished a fleece blanket:

So those are the finished ones at this point.  I am working on my mom’s hooded scarf, and yesterday I finished my mom’s hat that she will be wearing to Colorado.  I didn’t get a picture of it, but the same type of yarn was used like in the second picture above, and it was brimless.  She wanted to sleep in it, and the brim to her was too tight for sleeping.  I actually finished that one while I was at the dentist’s office for the third time in five days.

You see, I have always had dental problems, and rarely had the insurance or money to get fixed what I need to get fixed, and when I can go it is usually for emergencies only and getting the least amount done as possible.  This time, I broke two teeth when grinding them at night, and I couldn’t ignore it since there was a LOT of pain.  The pain meds I have for arthritis did help some, but as most people know, you can’t ignore tooth pain for long.  Can’t eat right!!  I do have insurance now, quite good insurance since I work for the state, and I had some money from selling my car.  After calling eight dentists explaining I had an emergency and all telling me they couldn’t see me until late June or early July, I finally found one that could take me on a recommendation of a coworker.  The first day I went in they took two hours–they did xrays, probed, and discussed all the issues that I was aware of and quite embarassed and ashamed about (although most was not my fault due to a childhood illness that caused my enamel to go away).  The second day, I spend 3.5 hours getting a quarter of my mouth worked on.  One day off, and I got the other half of my mouth worked on for another 3.5 hours.  I now have a beautiful smile that I am not ashamed of showing, but I have had to change my speech pattern–which is well worth it.  I have an amazing dentist and an amazing dental assistant that I am forever in debt to.  So if you are in the Austin area and looking for a great dentist, let me know and I will be happy to refer you to him.  *BIG smile*

Now my kiddos are home, and here for five weeks.  I am SO happy they are here.  I miss them so much.  We have so many plans for while they are here, and I know that the time is going to go fast.  My oldest son wants to knit a little, so I am looking forward to having that time together.  My youngest is going to be in daycare, one that I trust (which is rare), while my oldest is attending daycamp next to my office.  Days he isn’t at the daycamp will be split between the daycare and staying at my office.  That alone was  a tough sell since I work in a PD and kids don’t generally go there unless in trouble.  But I am happy he is going to be with me.  I hate that I don’t get to see them often, and it breaks my heart to see them leave every time they go.  I feel  like a part of me is being ripped away.  I know that the mothers out there understand how I feel.

For now, I am going to enjoy my time with them.  Do my best to make sure that they are happy and well cared for, as well as make sure that they have a great summer while they are here with me.

Happy summer everyone!!  I hope it is as good as you want it to be!!

Simple projects

I haven’t knitted in awhile, as I said before.  But knowing I was going to be down for a few days, I went and dug up a few UFOs (unfinished objects) to work on and hopefully complete after much procrastination.  I had promised Dwayne to finish his project some time ago, and yesterday afternoon I finally did.  I also finished another baby hat to add to my pile for donation, so I felt pretty good about that.  While putting the hat in the bag in the closet, I came across a few bags full of yarn, and remembered that I was supposed to knit a hooded scarf for my mom for Christmas.  So…now was the time to go ahead and start.

See, I cracked a tooth last week, and after many phone calls and much frustration, I finally found a dentist that could get me in.  He got me in and scheduled me for the beginning of a lot of dental work I had been putting off.  WONDERFUL man, and an even more wonderful assistant named Wendy.  She helped me through all of this, and I couldn’t be more grateful.  The pain has been really terrible, and without her, I don’t think I could have made it–I know that the pain is completely worth having it all fixed, but I know that you have to have someone there to hold your hand, and I am not above asking.

Anyway, I am about one skien into the scarf.  Looks like it will be needing about 5 or 6 to get through it since it is wide and thick.  It is also very soft, and I think I am going to use the same type of yarn for another project I have in mind.  Thinking about these scarfs and how I keep getting frustrated with doing the same thing over and over, I have come up with a few new ideas for patterns, and I really hope they pan out.  It will be awesome, and maybe I can learn how to put them up for sale on my blog.  **SIDE NOTE:  If anyone out there knows how to put things up for sale on a blog, PLEASE let me know!!  Thanks in advance!!**

I’ll put up the pictures of my finished project later.  I need to download them from the camera, and right now, being drugged to the eye-teeth, I don’t feel like doing much more than lie here on the couch.  Happy Monday everyone!!

Life…saving

Spring Break has come and gone, and with that my first away-from-home conference.  A week back to work, and then I was off to my second conference–the National Hurricane Conference.  This was nothing like my first one.

First of all, I was on crutches.  On the last day of the Homeland Security Conference, I twisted my knee.  Although that injury in itself hurt, it was minor.  However, it managed to inflame my arthritis, making the joint almost unusable.  So I spent the week back to my office between conferences going back to the doctor several times with several med adjustments along the way.  Finally got the meds right, and was on my way to feeling more human again.

The conference was information overload on hurricanes.  Wow.  Know way more than I ever wanted to know about them and how the information is processed, when to do evacuations, and all that is with that.  Very informative, very interesting, but a lot.  I really enjoyed the vendors again, and several of them were ones I had met at the DHS conference.  Some really great people.  And then I met one in particular that I was not only interested in, but also found that there might be a chance for a great partnership that will do wonders for my school’s Deaf students.  I am hoping that we will be able to work together.  The company can be found at www.DeafLink.com and it is an amazing company.

During that week, one morning we had to make a stop at the office because Robert said he had to pick something up.  Turns out, it was a letter for me.  I decided to share this with everyone, since this is going to be a big deal to me.  I didn’t feel the need for this at all, and was content with the simple thank you I had gotten before.  But this is what I got:

Ms. Jennifer C,

     On behalf of xxxx, Chief of Police, it is my great pleasure that I inform you that you have been nominated and selected to receive the xxxx University Police Department Life Saving Award.  This distinguished award is reserved for those xxxx University employees who participated in the saving of a human life if you had not intervened.
     You should be very proud and honored to received the xxxx University Police Department Life Saving Award.  The determination, fast thinking and commitment you displayed towards the saving of Sgt. Robert xxxx’s life is commendable.  You will be honored at an awards veremony to be held at the xxxx on May xx, 2009 at 10am.  Please have your family and friends join us in honoring your accomplishments.  We look forward to seeing you there.
     On behalf of Chief xxxx, myself, and the entire Executive Board, I congratulate you on the exceptional accomplishments you have achieved and encourage you to continue to strive for excellence in your career at xxxx University.

Sincerely,
xxxx
Chairman

 

Now, this letter was not expected, and honestly, I had done what I did because it was not only the right thing to do, but it was my best friend’s life at stake.  I don’t know what I would do without him, and can’t imagine a life without him being there for me (and vice versa).

I wasn’t able to dwell on this for long, since as soon as I got back from that  conference everything began to snowball.  I had tons of work to catch up on (to be expected…I was several weeks behind), and as soon as I thought I had finally caught up, the H1N1 virus reared it’s ugly head. 

For those of you who read my blog, you know that as soon as an emergency affects my university or looks like it will, my life comes to a screeching halt, I pack my bags, and move in with Robert and his family to help mitigate the situation.  That’s exactly what happened.  The last week in April I packed up, moved down there, and for two weeks watched the situation unfold.  I still am, but we are a bit more relaxed since the CDC has somewhat relaxed.  However, those two weeks were extremely stressful.  Simply put, an emergency such as a pandemic can hit our university at any time, but the one dreaded time that it can hit is in the final weeks of a semester when the finals and graduations are about to happen.  It is the worst possible time, and the one we (and many other universities) are least prepared for.  It is easy for us to tell sick students to go home (not to the dorms, as they all have connected air vents, community bathrooms, and common areas), and easy for us to go from self-serve dining to cafeteria style.  Easy to ramp up custodial and send home sick staff.  But what isn’t easy is trying to cancel or reschedule finals, figure out if we have to assign grades, having to deal with appeals and angry parents, and putting off graduations when parents and other family members have bought plane tickets and have hotel reservations.  Well, it seems like it would be easy, but the academic world is one that is extremely complicated.  Mind you, I am only three classes short of graduation, and I understand the frustrations that the students and parents have.  But I also have a different perspective.

This fall, I am taking two of the three classes I need.  I am planning to graduate next spring after my internship.  I don’t know, however, if that is going to happen.  Reason being is that I understand this pandemic.  If it follows the same path that the pandemic of 1918 follows, then we are in for a world of trouble.  As it is only summer school right now, we just got two more positive rapid flu tests from students (99% chance that it is the H1N1 virus).  Not good news.  But as the students travel and families travel across the globe during this summer, going to areas that are having their flu seasons just begin (and the virus a chance to mutate), they come back bringing this new and improved virus.  We don’t have a vaccine.  The death toll is rising, and my state has an extremely high number of cases, not to mention we border the country this virus originated in.  The second wave of a virus, this one due this fall, is always deadlier than the first.  The first is mild, a build up of sorts, followed by an extremely deadly version of the original virus.  Thus, I don’t know what to expect from this fall–I only know that I am going to be busy, and back to being a major clean freak.

For now, though, I am waiting, and seeing what this pans out to be.

The Awards Ceremony was held last week.  I was quite happy that Robert was there to present my award, especially since the day before I had had to call EMS again because we thought he was having another heart attack.  For the first time in 11 years, he was able to meet my parents, and they all got along like old friends.  I received a standing ovation, and was extremely embarassed.  When Chief handed me my medal and certificate, I was so nervous I knocked it out of his hand.  I gave up trying to shake his hand and just hugged everyone on stage.  Sadly, my husband missed it.  We both regret him not being there, since we all know that this was a once-in-a-lifetime award.  Still, I had my parents there and a close detective friend, too (who later wrote a letter commending the department for recognizing excellence within our ranks).  It was a nice ceremony, and I am proud to have been a part of it.

After Robert gave his speech, couldn't help but hug him...it was that or cry.

The day after the awards ceremony, a miricle happened…my best friend (female) had her baby!!  I was so happy for her, and he is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.  I adore him, and the second I saw him he won my heart.  I want to spend as much time with him as possible, and love that he loves me too.  His older siblings are also my heart’s joy (and by no means replace my own, they are just so close to my heart), and I think that this wonderful new addition rounds out their lovely family just perfectly.

Me and the beautiful boy

So, as you can see, it has been such an emotional rollercoaster.  Many highs, many lows, and everything inbetween.

I have decided that I am probably going to create a new page that focuses more on what I do for my work, and that way I can seperate my work from my looming.  Much easier that way, and will help for those who really don’t care too much about emergency management.

Speaking of knitting, I have been working occassionally on my projects.  I have one that I am doing for my dear friend Dwayne, who wanted a cover for his tube for his night time breathing thing (can’t remember then name…ahh!!)  Still, it is well under way, and I am liking it so far.  I have also been working on tons of blankets and pillows, and have finished most of those.  My Christmas list is almost done, a first for me.  And that helps stress levels!!!

For now, I will go, but hopefully will be able to post a bit more often.  Just need to make the time…this is always a great outlet!!!  *hugs* to all!!

Don’t Drink and Drive Spring Break Staging

So…life has been and will continue to be busy for the remainder of this semester.  I have found that work and school are going to take a vast majority of my awake time, whether I am at work/school or at home.  This upcoming week is Spring Break, and yes I have it off–doesn’t mean I actually going to get off.  I have a feeling that I am going to still be busy. 

This last Tuesday was the day that the PD gets together with the other departments in the city (PD, Fire, EMS) to stage a DWI accident on our campus in the middle of the morning inbetween classes.  This year, I got to be the DB (dead body) in the accident.  I was so excited about the whole thing–and it was a blast to do.  The general premise was that I was calling for a safe ride to a dining hall, and the “drunk driver” went the wrong way and plowed into the car I was riding in, essentially killing me and hurting the driver.  While they performed the sobriety tests on the drunk driver, my driver was put in a neck brace and taken away in an ambulance.  After that, they covered my body (except they didn’t do that too well) and busted out all the glass in my car, then used the jaws of life to remove the roof and eventually get me out of the car and drive me off in a hearse.  Pretty morbid, but it made the point.  Lots of students saw it, the newspaper was there, and all in all, I found it to be very successful.  I only got minor cuts from the glass, which apparantly was to be expected.  Here are some pictures…and yes, they are a bit on the icky side, so consider yourself warned.

I do apologize–they are not in order.  There are also almost 400 of them, so I was just picking and choosing which ones I wanted up.  Either way, they are still powerful images.  And thank you to Robert for taking the pictures–I know that it was hard for him to watch his best friend being “dead” and cut out of a vehicle.

Can’t wait til next year…I want to do it again!  So…to all of you who are either Spring Breakers or anyone who goes to a bar/friend’s house/home or wherever and decides to drive home after drinking, please think agian.  Get a ride.  You might make it home this time, but the next you might end up like above.  Or worse, killing someone.