Window anyone?

When God closes a door he opens a window.

We've all heard it, and it is for sure easier to say than it is to hear. I'm sure we've all said it to someone in one way or another. Why does it seem to change meaning when we are the one hearing it? Right now in my life I am having issues at work with my job and there are other emotional burdens I am having to carry.

I have really begun to like my job. I didn't know how I would feel about the clinical part of the medical field, but once I learned more about my expectations and had support at work to learn, I've really begun to enjoy it. I've always been one that loved school. I loved learning and I loved being able to prove myself wrong when I did good on a test or exam that was impossible. Everyday at work I learn more. If anyone wants to know the path the blood takes through the heart or the electrical path that our heart shoots to cause an EKG and the problems that might happen, I'd be happy to share :) This is not what I want to do for the rest of my life, but it is in the right direction. For now I am trying to take in the opportunity that I probably would not have been able to get had I not known the right people.

On Thursday I found out that the guy who does my job at Baptist East has filed an formal complaint through the Union regarding my job. Baptist East has had a Union for a long time, and Mercy Health Partners has agreed to honor it and it's members till August 1. He feels now that his job is in jeopardy, he is obligated to mine. Sadly, upper level management agrees. At this time I do not have a Manager or a Director to fight for me, and my Team Leader is doing all she can. I have some doctors on my "side" that are talking to anyone who will listen, but I don't know what good it is going to do. When I was offered and even when I started my job this guys job was NOT in jeopardy at all, but the new administration doesn't want to start a fight with the Union, so it sounds like they are going to give in. I haven't given up completely, but I am trying to see the reality in the situation.

There will be other jobs, there will be other opportunities, but I expected Baptist to have more loyalty to me. I've worked for them for 5 years and have given them no reason to question my work ethic or my loyalty to the company.

With this and other problems I am going through, I am getting VERY stuffy in the room I am in. I've seen the door shutting, and I am dying for a window...

Advice Worth Sharing

I know I have been absent for a little bit....but I am now a working woman again. Working with the public again helps me to see how much chatting with strangers can be fun and you get the best stories. You also have to take the good with the bad, so I'm sure I'll have more horror stories than good ones, but thankfully this one is good.

I am working in the same department I was working in before we moved for a little bit, but a very different job. I am now considered clinical and I am working with the patients hands-on. This gives them plenty of more time to chit chat when they are nervous. I've found that sweet, little ladies are the chatters, and they ALL chat because they are nervous.

A few days ago an 87 year old came in for an Adenosine Stress Test and that allows for a good 30 minutes of set-up, test, and take down chatting time. She was very nervous and thankfully the Cardiologist that day was nice and chatted with her. He knew that keeping her talking would distract her on how yucky she was probably feeling. She talked about her 90 year old husband and how he was WW II vet. She also talked of her children and grandchildren and it was amazing how "with it" she was. She said her and her husband had recently celebrated there 70th wedding anniversary. SEVENTY YEARS!! While talking about her husband she had a sweet grin on her face the whole time. She told us how proud she was of him that he could still drive, go to the store, and take care of them. Couples like this give me hope for the future. In a world filled with divorce, separation, and families without marriage, it is reassuring to see that people can still make it work.

We asked her what the secret was. How did she stay married and happy for so long? She smiled really big and gave a little giggle. She then told us that we need to "Always stay in control and keep control in the marriage, but always let him THINK he is in control."

How true...how true...

Sex and the City

If you are a Sex and the City fan, you MUST go see the movie. I went and saw it with my SATC friend, and we both had set ourselves up for a potential disapointment, but the movie lived up to all our expectations. The story line was wonderful and the writers were able to tie up any questions you had about where these characters had gone and where they would go in the future. The store line seems predictable....but watch out...it's not!

The movie is so good, I'm ready to see it again...Any takers??

Compliments

Compliments...aren't they great? As I am trying to make my glass half-full again, I am trying to be more optimistic on life. I've found that compliments are just about the best things you can get and even more fun to give. I've pretty much figured out there are three kinds of compliments I've found. The first is the obvious ones...Lately, I've been giving my new-mother friend "advice" and each time I talk to her I let her know she is doing a great job...because she is. I remember being at that point in life, and just wanting someone to tell me I was doing a good job, and REALLY believeing it. It's one thing for people to say it, which they did, but it's another to really hear it. It's great to be able to help her and to have her value what I have to say.

That is the second way I've found to give and get compliments. She wants my advice...what a great compliment to me. She values my mothering skills enough to want to hear what I have to say, and maybe even follow it! So when people come to you...know that in your heart you can take that as a compliment. Also, when people care enough to check on you for no reason, or for good reason...that is a compliment to yourself. You are a good enough person and friend or family member for them to care. This kind can also be found in the comments you hear about yourself second hand. It's always nice to hear others can say nice things about you, when you aren't there.

The third kind I've found is the trickiest. It's the back-handed compliment. It may not sound like a truly nice thing to say or do, but in reality...it really is. Walgreens does that well :) One of the best compliments I've ever gotten about myself is when I was going through a hard time in life and someone said "I'm really surprised at how normal she turned out..."

Funny how something someone says or does can give you so much strength and hope and they don't even mean to.

May 30

I'm excited!! It is almost time for the Sex in the City movie! I LOVE the show. That may surprise a few people, but it really is hilarious. Some of the topics are a bit much for me and my ears, but the friendship these characters share is wonderful and gives us all girls hope for "that" group of friends. One weekend my friend Katie and I watched every episode. Yup...every episode.

I don't know if I am the only one that does this, but as I get into a show I find myself compairing myself to the characters in it. I do understand it's not reality, but it's fun to find common ground and things to relate to. While I'd like to say I am like Carrie, I am pretty much nothing like Carrie. We do share a love of good shoes though. Her clothes are always so off the wall and I find myself wondering if anyone REALLY dresses like that. I will happily say I am most like Charlotte. She's the most conservative of the four and tends to be the most romantic. She dresses pretty "normal" and it is hard for her to step out on any ledge in life, change is hard for her. The biggest difference in me and Charlotte is Harry. Thankfully, I have more of a Mr. Big/Smith in my life. Also thankfully, I am pretty much nothing like Samantha...she does have a genuine love for her friends, but we won't even go there. Then there is Miranda. While she is a wonderful mother and in the end wants to be happy with Steve, which I can see in my life, she is too judging for me.

I guess I am just a sucker for a good girl movie. While I am blessed with a life worth being proud of, it is always fun to leave reality for a few hours and live in someone else's. Why not Carrie Bradshaw's?

Distractions...

For those of you who check this blog (I appreciate all 5 or so of you..haha!), just wanted to let you know I am still alive. Life has thrown us some distractions lately. One, we are REALLY moving back. We close on a great house in South Knoxville (see picture) on June 2. Dustin has started in the Maryville 411 Walgreens today. Taylor and I will be staying at the condo till we move back, working on packing. I thought I was going to have a few more weeks to pack, but "Walgreens time" kicked in and I've gotta get stuff done in the next few weeks. Thankfully we didn't unpack lots of stuff and so I just have to repack the few boxes I opened and pack up our stuff and leave Taylor's room for last. Taylor and I plan on having lots of "pj days." I don't think he minds :)

Sew Cute Designs

Lots of updates on the sewing site! Be sure to check it out!

I now have a LARGE TOTE that is wonderful. I use it as my diaper bag and carry it everyday. I have another purse to come soon, and more smaller accessories! Keep checking back....

http://sewcutedesigns.googlepages.com