I think I've finally lost it...

Okay...the stress of my work situation (the home health position) is starting to get to me. Today I got pulled over for speeding...half a mile from my house!! The officer was quite rude and said I was going 49 in a 25 zone...NO WAY!! I looked down at my speedometer when I saw him & I was going 35. Still not the speed limit, but definately not 49 mph. I got off with a warning, but as soon as I rounded the corner away from him, the tears started to fall. I think this is an emotional outburst that has been building for a week!! (Thank you to my dear sister for listening today! And to my nephews who make me smile!!!)

On any given day this little run in with the law wouldn't have upset me, but the stress of the home health agency and the rudeness of the officer was more than I could handle. I think I'm going to go to bed and hope tomorrow is better.

The saga continues...

So...after feeling like I had some closure w/ the home health position last week, there was more that happened yesterday. I got a call from the nurse I work w/ and went in to see her. Our supervisor told her to give any new patients to me & Lance. I didn't know what to do w/ this information. Just a few days ago, they took ALL of our patients away. I have restructured my work week, called to get more babies to see and Lance opened up another hour at his job to see more patients. After all, we have a budget to keep. We sat down at lunch and decided we would see patients in the town we live in...and no more.

Later in the day, I finally got a chance to talk to my supervisor, who had talked to the "big boss" of the agency. They apparently never intended to replace us, just wanted to fill up the full time PT until he got busy in the main office. This was never communicated to me & she apologized for this. (Their bad..not my problem.) Furthermore, she again (for the 6th time in 2 years) asked if we would travel to a town 30 miles from here to provide services and for the 6th time I said NO. I don't have time for that much travel while working only 3 days a week...it doesn't make sense when I can see my kids closer to home and not have wasted time on the road.

Then...she asked what our per visit and hourly (office) wages are. She said that they are number crunching and hoping to bump us up to the same level as our co-workers!! WHAT!?! I knew we hadn't had a raise since starting w/ this company, but I just figured no one was getting raises. Apparently, we are on the low end of the scale while our colleagues are making more. (One of the PTs in our part of the company has 12 years less experience than I do)

If you have read this far...bless you. I really needed an outlet as this is starting to get to me. Lance & I are to sit down w/ the supervisor this week. I feel bad for her in a way. Because of their lack of communication to us...she may be left without a PT for most of the area our office serves. (Since Lance & I will probably only serve in our hometown.)

Mostly, I am confused and hurt. I still feel like I am getting no respect from this agency. 1- Salary is apparently lower than my co-workers. 2-not communicating w/ me 3-asking me again to travel so far when they have 4-5 PTs working out of the main office that get to say no to going there.

Thanks for listening and please pray for us during this time of confusion and discernment.

Relief...Frustration...???

It's been a long week w/ the home health agency I work with. It all started Monday when I checked in for the weekly update. The nurse I work w/ informed me that they have hired a full time PT (I am PRN). I was essentially replaced with no warning. This is a good move for the agency...they need a full time PT to handle the growth they are seeing. I would have liked a warning...some input on the transition between my seeing the patients and the new PT. I've spent the week not knowing if I was still working for them or not, not hearing anything from the supervisors I work with...just pieces from the PTA I work with. As of today, I have turned over all but 2 of my patients and will essentially be done with this part of my job. I guess I am officially self-employed. It is a wierd feeling since we have relied on the home health income to support us since we moved here. I am dealing with the hurt of not being told, of being blind-sided out of a position. I feel they don't respect me enough as an employee, professional or person to talk to me and tell me what is being planned. Forgiveness will come in time...not sure when. As for now, I am looking at my schedule as it is much lighter and much less stressful. As for now, I am relishing in the reward I get from seeing the children I work with excel in ways even I didn't imagine. I have always prayed for things to be "blatantly obvious"...well, you don't get more obvious than this!!!

The big 4-0!!!

Yes...as of tomorrow I will be married to a 40 year old. I had a party for him today and we had a really good time! Thanks to our friends here that made today so special!!! Happy Birthday, Lance!!

Our "twelve-teen"

Jordan had her 12th birthday on Monday. This is the birthday that is lasting a month! We had her two friends over night a week ago and celebrated with a cake. (Paulo, Juliana, Carolina, Pedro & Juliana came for dinner to help us celebrate.) On Monday, Jordan's official birthday, we took her to eat sushi at a local Japenese restaurant and then got some ice cream on the way home. Next weekend (the 13th) Grammy & Grandpa are coming for a visit to celebrate and watch Jordan play basketball. WHEW!!

I still can't believe my baby is 12!!

Ice Storm 2009

This ice storm has officially been declared historical! Many people are still without power and water. We've had problems with our internet, phone and cable staying on. It is ashame ice causes so many problems...it is so pretty! I enjoyed driving through this winter wonderland Thursday & Friday when I went to work. Looks like Narnia!!

We took our Brazilian friends sledding and had a blast! Juliana had never been sledding before...they don't get this weather in Brazil. Ended the day with...of course...hot chocolate.

May be a big snowstorm moving through on Tuesday...we'll see!

Lots of ice!

We have about 1/2 inch of ice on the ground and temps are hovering at 30 degrees. Lance has shoveled the ice twice just to keep the driveway open. We're going to attempt a trip to see Paulo and Ju tonight, but more ice is on the way! The phones are not working right, the roads are a mess, school has already been cancelled for tomorrow and I just cancelled my morning of kids. The governor has issued a state of emergecy--WOW!! So far the power is still on here, but is out in some parts of the county. We'll be heading to a hotel if we lose power...no gas here!!

I stayed in my PJ's til 10:00, got caught up on paperwork from the last 2 days and took a nap. Rather relaxing I must say! Jordan has enjoyed a day of playing with her friends in the neighborhood. Lance had a final and went to work, but walked to both and was home by 2:30. All in all a nice "ice" day. :)