Neora Chana Rut

The settling in continues.  It has been stalled for several reasons, like having re-wiring done, waiting for carpet to be cleaned.  Also, I was stuck, because when I bought some shelving units a while back, I got two different colored 'woods' and wasn't sure which was which--were the ones I liked the cherry or oak?  I finally solved that by opening a box in the store.  Now I know that I like the cherry.  So I got four more units and made two tall units out of them.  They go on either side of my front windows in the corners, what the originator of the 'not so big house' calls 'bumping in'.  I'll be able to have some of my favorite things on them as well as practical things; like one of the shelves next to the couch will have the printer so i can work right in my favorite corner.  My downstairs neighbor and one of the kids helped, so I also have a chime and a hanging wire basket put up and my 'ski mississippi' poster is hanging on the staircase.  My tools have a place where they can all go together.  Of course, Treasure doesn't take to all the commotion, but I think she's realized we' re not moving, but becoming even more at home. 

 

In the long, narrow hall  at the entrance, I've decided to put a narrow little bookcase I have there with an arrangment above it on the wall.  I'm recycling stuff the neighbors are putting out, so one part of the arrangement is this funny little ladder that I'll put on the bookcase and then display things in each square.  Yes, I'll qualify as 'green' and 'shabby chic' with my furnishings!

 

The lillies are a result of all the weeding I did last summer and this; last summer, there were only two lillies.  My landlady put them in and I think they are beautiful.  There's a bunch of stuff that I don't know if they are weeds or 'good'.  My daisy plant now has baby daisy plants coming upn around it.

 

I also really want the one good piece of furniture I have back; it's a double hutch buffet that was part of my parent's dining room set.  One of my brothers is keeping it for me and I really could use it to hold good dishes etc. so I can begin using these things again.  It may mean seeing my brother; it's been 3 years since the last time.  And it's almost worth seeing him to get teh buffet.  One big change is now I don't get queasy when I think of seeing him.  So maybe it's possible.

 

 

 

I saw these cookies at the co-op and thought they were sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard to believe, huh?

 

It's funny, at the start of my blog and intermittently, I've shared some tough stuff, stuff that I thought may be disturbing and/or upsetting to others.  Life's improved a lot and, recently, I wonder if I've got much left to say of any depth.  My blog sems shallow to me currently.

 

So, any guesses why?  Am I just that accustomed to the drama that it's hard to accept a calm period?  Do I enjoy the attention I get when I write about tougher things?  Who knows?  And, am I setting a different standard for myself; I do enjoy blogs when I see others feeling better.....

 

Please feel free to consider these rhetorical questions if you'd like...<grin>

While visiting friends and other people wbose blogs I enjoy, I was disappointed....one person has decided to stop theirs for several reasons and I will miss the occasional visits, exchanges of e-mails.  This person works in the same field as me and that was enjoyable.  Also, they just seemed like someone I would have enjoyed knowing better.  The second has had her blog listed on MSN Live home page and the increased traffic/spam is so much, they are temporarily not blogging.  Sigh. 

 

On the one hand,  I am still new enough to this that I might get a kick out of the second type of exposure.  I might enjoy being tagged, etc.  But maybe I wouldn't, I guess you can't know until it happens to you.  It is disappointing, however, that something that can have so much benefit can become such a negative.  I mean, shouldn't spaces ask you if you want to be posted on the home page.

 

I've posted comments to both these blogs so that the individuals know I will miss their posts, temporarily or permanently.....how sad.

No radio with hummed prayer in the am

 

snuggling with a cat

 

supportive supervisors and co-workers

 

Bath salts and my favorite perfume

 

rediscovering a treasure

 

feeling safe in  your neighborhood

 

A dependable car

 

Tasty and healthy food

 

favorite hangouts

 

creative expression

 

a positive support network

 

a good night's sleep

 

a garden

 

a spiritual path

 

So, some faithful friends will no doubt remember my  losing a very difficult client and my discouragement when the client returned.  Well, today said client has been transferred to another case manager.  At my request.  I suggested a temporary transfer, but my supervisors decided to make it permanent.  However, I am going to pursue guardianship possibilities.  Are individuals with personality disorders ever declared incompetent?  Need to find out about that.  Is it horrible that I enjoyed telling her she had a new CM?

 

The temporary guardianship order was not overturned yesterday.  I've received several congratulations/compliments on my work, including a 'good job' from one of our elderabuse worker.  Those are really hard to get!  Now the residence staff, guardian and I are discussing contact with family.  A touchy issue.  We need to protect the client yet respect his wishes for contact with family.

 

Another client who lives in a CBRF, and is court-ordered to do so, managed to elope from their residence yesterday and was gone for 9 hours.  Now, if the residence staff decides they cannot keep the client safe, we will need to find a new residence. 

 

I also work with a couple and one of them is also court ordered to a residential facility.  They have not had any unsupervised time together in two years until this weekend.  It was gratifying to be involved in helping that happened.  And the visit went off without a hitch, so now we can look at having this happen on a somewhat regular basis.

 

Fri and Sat I was not feeling well; Sunday I did get a bunch of stuff done around the house, like clearing the walls in the storage area where the new circuitbox was installed.  Things are still chaotic from going through things and this interruption;  I think I'm going to ask my donwstairs neighbor to help get ready for the carpet shampooing and to help with getting the living area clean.  And the bedroom.  I can't take it any longer!  the old ceiling fan has years of dust bunnies clinging to it, there is old grease on the wall around the stove, etc.  Plus there is insulation being tracked all over and it's starting to bother my skin.

 

Sunday evening, after I posted, I was doing some weeding.  The two boys from downstairs came home and I told them that if I left weeds in the lawn and they picked them up before mowing, I'd pay them.  They both said OK.  Later, the youngest one came out and asked if I'd like some help.  He helped me weed and he trimmed a vine back that *was* overtaking a fence gate.  He told me very solemnly how much he enjoyed yard work, that he actually will mow people's lawn for free because he likes it.  We agreed he'd help me with yard work and to help me carry stuff from my car to my apartment for a certain rate.  It was so cute and will be a big help to me. 

 

Biggest downer of the day?  Favre getting traded to the Vikings.  I have a feeling he was royally mistreated by the Packers and that they never intended to give him a chance to compete with Rogers for starting QB.