Struggling with the Sugar thing . . .

I worked so hard to get off sugar, then we had people leave at work and I went to Disney for a weekend visit to Mickey and whammo I'm back on daily sugar intake. Sugar is like a drug for me. Once it's in my system it is *SUCH* a struggle to get off again. I finally said enough last Monday after almost 10 days eating sugary stuff. But it has been a daily struggle. I eat lunch at work with all the therapists. They have brought a huge tub (think old K&B tubs with a handle) of ice cream and cones and they eat it EVERYDAY!!! I don't even sit down at that end of the table and I make myself not even look, but it calls my name . . . "chhrriisss you know you want to eat me, i'm sooooo sweet and sugary". Blah. Then I go to my friends house where they have sugary cereals and other treats for the grandkids (and my friends :) and its the same thing. I go to an all day crop at the salvation army in Vero Beach. Fun crop! But about halfway through the morning I hear the tinkling of huge bags of M&M's being poured into a huge bowl. All day long people walk by me, stop and talk to me, and they are eating M&M's. Sooooo hard. Soooooooo tempting. But I haven't had sugar since last Sunday 3/9. At home its not an issue because I don't have anything sugary in the house so nothing calls my name. The grocery is hard but I go with a list and stick to it and stay out of the sugary aisles.

Work has gotten more stressful. They know me now and trust me, so there is more asking me to take care of problems, etc. Also, even though I've been there 5weeks, it turns out there are still things I am supposed to be doing that I am not doing. That is very stressful as well. The volume of patients coming and going is amazing. And of course there is the daily/weekly hassle of dealing with therapists who call out sick or call out because of sick children. Now, don't get me wrong. If you are sick, I totally think you should stay home and not bring your germs to visit me at work. But as the boss, its a huge hassle to deal with it over and over. And with such a huge staff (15), it happens alot.

Oh well. 8 more weeks. They've asked me to take the job full time. They've asked me to extend. They've asked me to take an OT job full time. They've asked me to extend as an OT. Which is all extremely flattering. But, alas, I am having waaayyyy too much fun doing this travel thing. And California calls (i hope!) If it all works out I may be driving cross country near the end of May! I'll keep you posted!

I'm going back to Disney this weekend. Yes it will be mobbed. But it will be fun to just people watch! Hopefully I will be able to post some cool Disney pics next week. Blog soon!

From K-ville to J-ville

So I've settled into my new job and new apartment and finally am finding some semblance of a routine. The job is ok, though I'm not at all thrilled about being 'the boss' again. It's hard work with long hours, but I'm almost through my 4th week, with only 9 more to go. The people at work are interesting and some of them are fun to work with. Its nice that they keep asking me to stay on permanently. But they truly don;t understand that I'm not at all interested in being anywhere in Florida during hurricane season. They insist no hurricanes come to Jacksonville. But after my Katrina experience I'm so not interested in being anywhere near a hurricane state during the season.

Most days I work close to 9 hours then come home and veg out either on the computer, watching CSI or reading a book. My fun happens on the weekends. Either going down to Melbourne to go to a scrapbooking event/crop or going to Orlando to visit Mickey at Disney. Every Friday night I'm on the road as soon as i put out the garbage and gas up the car. The rides are easy and all interstate. I pretty much have every weekend blocked off with something fun to do through the last weekend I'm moving out.

Now that I'm settled and getting into a routine I'll be blogging more. See ya'll soon :)

Back to real life . . . finally!

It's been forever since I blogged, I know. Recuperating and then being in limbo, with no routine or real life, made my mind begin to turn to jello. But I'm back to real life now. Living and working in Jacksonville, Florida.

I'm working as a Director of Rehab again in a Jacksonville nursing home with a very busy rehab department. We have over 15 staff members and over 50 rehab patients are seen daily. Many of them eventually go back home.

I found a nice apartment close to work thanks to Ann's lead foot! Long story short, Ann was speeding on the way up here and we found this place because we got here early and came upon it when we were scoping out the nursing home location.

I'm so thankful to Ann and Fred for taking me in, letting me recuperate and get my strength back. It was great to get to spend several weeks with one of my best friends. I got to scrapbook, make new scrapbooking friends and got hooked on Monk!

I'm incredibly thankful to be feeling better and be back to work. I hope to blog more often now that I will be getting back into the routine of real life.

'Til next time!

Thank You!

I wanted to say thank you to everyone for all of your prayers, positive energy and good wishes. I am definitely feeling better and getting back to normal (whatever that is!). And I got a new travel position! So thanks to all of you for everything! I really do believe it has helped me during this time.

I'm still not truly feeling like myself, but I know that is partly do to this state of 'limbo' I've been in and partly part of healing that will come with time. It's been wonderful staying and visiting with my friend Ann. I am trying hard to not wear out my welcome here. My new position doesn't start until February 11, so my state of limbo will continue for a few more weeks.

So please keep those prayers, positive energies and good wishes coming! And thanks in advance!

On the mend . . .

I'm on the mend. Feeling better and stronger everyday. Hard to believe its already been a week since my surgery. I'm still sore and moving slow at times, but today I am really getting glimpses of feeling more like myself.

I'm incredibly thankful to one of my best friends, Ann, and her husband Fred for taking me into their home to recuperate. I've spent the last week sleeping, moving from the bed to the recliner, staring at the tv and the computer, and taking short outings with Ann.

It's sunny and 83 degrees here today! The AC is definitely ON!

I want to say thanks to all of you who have called/written/commented on this blog. I'm doing great, but I still appreciate the prayers and positive energy to continue my healing. And to find a new position once I am healed. Yes, the spot I came here for has been filled in my absence. The good news is that 3 more opened up this week. So I'm feeling confident that there will be a place for me once I am released to work and feel 100% able to do my job well.

I'll try to blog again soon!

(-minus) one gall bladder

I am posting this from the hospital's bedside media station. I came to Florida early to attend the memorial service for my friend Ann's father. Instead I had a severe gall bladder attack that did not resolve. I had my gall blader removed by laproscope about 6hrs ago. It all happened VERY quickly. I should be "home" at my friend Ann's house by Monday.

Even with the pain/discomfort of the surgery, I am feeling SOOOOOOOOO much better. It all hqppened sooo fast, I didn't have time or energy to contact everyone I wanted to. I will be in recovery mode for a week, so I will have time to talk and let you know how well I am doing.


If I have a chance, I will post more details from "home" at Ann's. Please pray for a speedy recovery with no complications for me.

I'm a great-godmother again!

Yes, I was just here a few minutes ago! But shortly after I hit publish on my last blog entry, I got an email from my godchild, Meridith. She gave birth to her 2nd child, a 2nd daughter today. Here are the specifics:

Katherine Maye Mangiaracina
10:33 1/1/08
7lbs 8oz
20.5in

Big sister Eva is thrilled. And I'm sure so is Mamere! And of course, great-godmother Nana Teen is smiling from ear to ear.

What a special blessing to start this new year!