Changes Are A Coming

Things at work are CRAZY! We will be going 24/7 in the Pharmacy in late November. Thankfully, this doesn't affect the Tech's yet. But we needed to hire two Pharmacist for the night shift. Then we added a Clinical Pharmacist position, a Infomatics Tech, and a Discharge Script Tech. All three of those positions were filled in-house so that meant we had to hire one more Pharmacist and two new Tech's. Top all this off with one of our current Pharmacist announcing his retirement, so add one more Pharmacist to the hire list. So now we have everyone hired, actually training three of the Pharmacist and one of the Tech's. The other Tech starts training tomorrow and the last Pharmacist will start training in two weeks. Did I mention that I absolutely hate training!!! I just don't feel like I do a good job of it. Of course it doesn't help that we have no room to move as it is, add four extra bodies and it's even more hetic. Oh, and I forgot to mention that we are also getting a new tube system and remodeling the Pharmacy to make room for some new equipment. I have a ton of PTO saved up, think they'd let me take these next 2 1/2 months off???

Anniversary

Tomorrow will be our 5th Anniversarry (for the second time). We will celebrate in a low key kind of way. Just a nice meal out and some quite time at home together. Underneath that though will be years of love and respect. Sometimes you do have to lose everything to find out exactly what you have. I admit that I was the "stupid" one, the one that thought there was something "better" out there. And I was also the one to come back, tail between my legs, and ask for a second chance. Seems like a lifetime ago and a time that we honestly don't focus on, I guess a time that we would both like to keep in the past. But, yes, it did happen, and I can only say that I'm thankful that the man that I fell in love with in my youth was (and is) a loving and forgiving man. I wasn't sure when I moved back into our house whether it was the right move or not---but several years (and a marriage ceremony) later, I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I will also admit that I had to dig out the marriage certificate and see how many years we had been married for this time. I will always count the years from the first time, the "real" time because as the years have gone by I have realized that for me there was really only one man that counted. He is and will always be "the love of my life" and my true "best friend".  I love him and he loves me and that is enough for both of us!

Another Year

Well, I had my birthday this past Monday. The past year has really flown by for me. Seems like just a few months since my last birthday and here it rolled around again. I took the day off from work and just enjoyed a little time to myself here at home. Doyle and I had a "date night" for supper. That's always good, special night or not!

This week is a busy week for birthday's in my extended family. It all starts on the 26th with Travis, then me on the 27th, a friend of mine from high school on the 28th, Miss Holly on the 29th and then lastly Zoe on the 30th. Whew!!!! I attended Zoe's party last Saturday in Springfield. I took the grandkids and my Mom with me, so we had quite a crew.

I need to sit down and write out my goals for this year. I try and focus on four or five things that I think I need to work on in my life. Seems like the longer I think about what should be on the list, the longer the list grows. Or maybe this is a year for big changes for me?

Kruse-a-palooza 2012

We traveled to Minnesota last week for our annual Kruse-a-palooza trip. Before I go into any details, let me just say that Doyle and I both had a great time. Now onto the details.

We drove up on Sunday because my sister and her extended family were at our house until Saturday evening. I couldn't sleep after 2am so I went ahead and got up and ready at 3:15. We headed out about 4:30 and drove to Springfield where we stopped for breakfast. From there, it was a hard, fast trip with no stops except for gas. We finally arrived after almost 12 hours on the road. I just wanted to greet everyone and chill for a bit. Well, I had no more than sat down in the "circle of trust" when I hear that we'll be playing beanbag toss. I also hear that it's not optional, I believe the words were, it's not a democracy it's a dictatorship. Excuse me, but this is the only vacation I'm going to get this year and you want to tell me how I'm going to spend it. I don't think so!!! I'm a pretty stubborn person, and that just didn't sit well with me. And no, I didn't participate in beanbag toss. I did however play boccie ball the next night and had a very good time doing it.

We visited Brau Brewery on Tuesday and had a great tour. On Wednesday, we visited Painted Prairie Winery. It was a very interesting and informative tour. I left with three bottles of wine. Two for me and one for my Mom. She checked on the house and garden while we were away. We also had a girl's day of lunch and the movie, Magic Mike. It was okay, nothing that I would pay to see again.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable time. Lot's of food, drink, and good times shared with family. Of course Doyle enjoyed the golfing everyday. We always stay at Betty's and we're grateful to her and her family for allowing us to invade them for a week. I know it's not easy to have extra people and they always treat us so good. I'd like to thank Leon and Lorie for hosting 99% of Kruse-a-palooza. I'd like to think I could do it, but honestly, I'm not sure. Hopefully, we'll be able to attend next year, but we'll see what 2013 brings.

Thank You

Today is day 5 of my mini stay-cation. It's back to work tomorrow and I'm already dreading it. I've enjoyed these last few days of freedom. Friday I went to West Plains and did some shopping. On Saturday my Mom and I went to Springfield. We had such a good time hanging at the mall like a couple of teenagers. Then we ended our day there with Hollys' girls graduation party. Sunday we celebrated Cameron's third birthday (a little early) here at our house. Then yesterday, Doyle, myself, my Mom, and sister, Karen spent some time in town and then at the cemetery decorating. Having run around for the past several days, I'm looking forward to staying at home today. I woke up to it raining (finally, we are so dry already) so I'm hoping that it continues throughout the day.

 I hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. I love how the cemetery where my Dad and nephew are buried flies flags along each row of graves. Also the local VFW places flags on all the veterans foot stones. It's such an awesome sight and it brings to mind why we celebrate this day in the first place. I thank my Dad for his service by placing red/white/blue flowers at his head. So many in my family have served or are serving and I don't thank them enough. So here's a BIG thank you for all the military personnel out there keeping us free to enjoy a wonderful holiday weekend. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

Mother's Day 2012

Had a great Mother's Day this year. We started it with Doyle and Brad taking me and my Mom out for breakfast. We went to a little cafe in Birch Tree that we had been to before. The food is always good and the company was better. I ran into a lady that I worked with at Wal-Mart and had a really good visit (and hugs) with her while there. Then it was back home and my usual Sunday chores----laundry---does it ever end? Then my Mom came to our house for supper, Doyle did most of the work, grilling the steaks. Then we made a trip out south of town to show my Mom where the "cabin" place is that belongs to my sister and her husband. She hadn't  been out that way for a long time and we took Brad along too. It is such a nice, peaceful place--I can't wait til they get the cabin placed and we get to enjoy the porch! I can't say that I got anything for Mother's Day this year, but I got to spend it with the MOST important people in my life and that my friends, is Priceless!!!

Thoughts of the Day

Thought I would try and post this morning before I get busy on other things. First off the yard sale is done. I wouldn't say it was a complete success but I did make a little money and got rid of a lot of little items. I took four boxes full of stuff and only came home with one. The weather was not good on Friday, cold and rainy, but it was better on Saturday morning, still cold but sunny. We actually sat w/blankets and a heater in Holly's garage. I'm glad to have it done.

One other topic has been on my mind for over a week now. Woodward, Oklahoma was hit with a tornado on April 15. I moved to Woodward in August of 78 and lived there until May 84. I graduated high school there, met and married Doyle there, and had Brad there. Many, many memories were made there and it was sad to see so much of it destroyed. Thankfully, everyone that I know that still lives there were not directly affected. Yes, they knew people that were killed, but there homes and families were spared. Seeing it all on TV brought back so many emotions. If the economy there hadn't gone bust, we would probably still live there. There are still days that I miss living there and Doyle feels the same way. I know that they will rebuild and be back better than ever, that's just the kind of people that they are!

Yard Sale Time

Holly and I have planned a yard sale for April 20 & 21. That's great news for me as I have quite a bit of stuff that I would like to get rid of. It's bad news for me as I haven't even begun to prepare for it. Luckily, I'm at home today and tomorrow and then again Saturday and Sunday. Any guesses as to what I'll be doing? Hopefully all my stuff (and card tables) will fit in my car, gas is too expensive to make an extra trip to Springfield. I made a special trip to Wal-Mart after work yesterday to buy those price stickers that already have the price printed on them, and you guessed it, they were out of them. Why did that surprise me? Hopefully "our" Wal-Mart will have them. The problem with that is I have NO desire to go ANYWHERE today. Maybe I'll just gather the stuff today and price tomorrow. Sounds like a plan to me!

Spring Break 2012

Gosh, where has the time gone? I didn't realize that it had been so long since my last post. I'm not even sure when my last post was! I do know that I took a week off to spend spring break with my sister and niece (along with other family members) a week ago. Now that seems like such a long time ago after being back at work for the past week.

Doyle, Brad, and I went to Springfield on Sunday, May 11th and did a little shopping. Later that day we met Irene and Jade at Kurt's and Doyle and Brad drove her car (yes, the Jag) to our house and parked it in the garage. I stayed in Springfield with "the girls" at Kurt's and then we took our show on the road to Branson on Monday. We had such a great time just hanging out, shopping, eating way too much, and just enjoying each other's company. Those girls always make me smile and laugh!!! Then we headed back to Springfield on Wednesday and spent another night at Kurt's. It was quite the slumber party with us, Kurt, Holly, and Zoe all there. On Thursday morning Holly, Irene, and I went to breakfast at Zoe's school for Grandparent's Day. Zoe's grandparents couldn't be there so she had a mommy and two great-aunt's to step in for them. I was honored that she wanted us there, she is such a special little lady. Later that day, after more shopping and eating, we headed to my house. It was so good to be home and sleep in my own bed. Then on Friday, Ed (Irene's hubby) joined us here. They are finally going to start building a cabin on their land here, and Doyle will be helping out, so they needed to get together and make some plans. That means that they are one step closer to moving back here at some point. I can't wait for that day. Their visits are always too short and I'm always sad when they are over but I thank God that we had the time together that we did.

On Monday, it was back to work and I was really dreading it. The hospital was so busy before I left on vacation and I was afraid it would still be that way when I returned. Thankfully, it wasn't so crazy but it was still pretty busy. Plus two of the other techs were on vacation this week so we were a person short each day. Next week we will be back to full strength so that should help. So, that's my vacation recap---now it's work and more work until July!!!

The Sadness of Life

I've put off posting about this subject for months now and even now I'm not sure if I can finish or if I will hit the delete button AGAIN. It's about life--real life--our life!!! It's about the heartbreak of a family broken. It's about the end of a marriage. Brad and Chely ended their marriage months ago but it was final in January. We've been dealing with it since he moved back in with us last Spring. I think that Brad has handled it better than I have. Chely was the daughter that I never had and although she really irked me sometimes, I took the bad with the good. Together her and Brad gave us three beautiful Grandchildren and I will forever love her for that gift. But she decided that she wanted something different in her life. I think the thing that is hardest for me to understand is that she took back her maiden name despite having three children with our last name. In the beginning I missed her and even still did things with her (shopping, etc...), but as time has passed and she has made no effort to stay in touch, it has gotten easier for her to be gone. We still see the kids every weekend when they are here with Brad and I have had to come to terms with the fact that she no longer wants to be a part of this family. Honestly, it's been like a death! In the end it's really about being happy and I truly think that Brad is a happier person now that they are no longer together. He's moved on and is making plans for his future. He's seeing someone new and from what I hear so is Chely. I hope that they can both keep in mind that no matter what they do, they MUST keep the kid's best interest in mind. All I can do is give all my love and support to Brad and the kid's and hope that everything will turn out for the best . I don't and can't show how sad this makes me in front of the kids. I just didn't ever want my grandkids to have to go through this. I just worry about who (and what) could come into their lives if their parents aren't paying enough attention to who they bring into it. I pray every night that no matter what they are safe. And if you're reading this and are the praying type, I hope that you'll say a prayer for them too. Children should never have to pay for adult decisions!!! Maybe I'll write more about this at a later date but honestly I don't even want to think about it anymore tonight.

Sunday, Sunday

I've got a busy Sunday ahead of me. The little kiddo's were here Friday evening through last night after supper. That means lots of housework to get caught up on and some laundry that also didn't get done yesterday. It really is such a joy to have them here every weekend but it has thrown my cleaning schedule for a loop. So, I'll just have to come up with a new one. I just can't get anything done when they are here and  I really don't want to be cleaning when they're here---I want to enjoy the time with them. Luckily I took tomorrow off since Doyle has the day off too and what I don't get done today, I can always finish tomorrow.

Happy Thought

Just a quick post this evening to get down this thought. My husband picks the "best" cards! No matter what the occasion, he always has the perfect card. It's like they were written for me by him. It's a rare talent and I'm so very lucky to have him as mine. Love you, Babe!

Super Sunday

How are you spending your "Super Sunday"? Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I love sports. So I've had the pregame on since 9am this morning. Although I haven't got to sit and watch everything (laundry and housework calls), I've had it on in the background. I plan to have everything done so come game time, I can do nothing but sit and watch. I like both teams, so I really don't care who wins. But I know that whichever team wins, I'll be crying when they lift that trophy. I can never make it through a post game of any championship without crying. I hope that however you spend your "Super Sunday", you're happy and content.

Saturday

I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee and trying to motivate myself to get some things done today. This is my one day off before I start another four day stretch at work. But that means that once those four days are done I get four days off! I'm really looking forward to that. My mental list is growing the longer I sit here. So, it's off the computer, and onto some laundry, housework, etc. for me. I hope that everyone enjoys this Saturday, no matter what you have going on.