Heave a Sigh, Say Goodbye

Here I am!
I apologize for the delay between posts things have been movin' and shakin' for me. I'm back in St. Louis for a brief stop before journeying onward to greener pastures. I made it in time for Easter! Pics then the scoop.

The Family

The Most Annoying, Beautiful, and Exasperating Dog  

Bella and I were going to home this week anyway but now we are NOT going back to ol' Virginia.  I've been waiting on saying anything until my next plans were finalized.  I found out end of February that my contract was going to end early due to low census at my SNF so I had to scramble to find what to do next. My contract requires I get a month's notice before leaving so I just got settled and then found this out. While I absolutely LOVED my co-workers, I'm was a bit relieved to find this out merely for the stress of productivity and the paperwork that comes with being an OTR (and the only one).

So I am here for a brief stop in STL to get my shit together and move on.... ⭐🌵🤠🐄🐎

Y'ALL, I'M GOING TO TEXAS! 

My TX license just posted yesterday. Some states are quicker to get OT licenses than others and TX is one of them. I'm going back to peds! I'm going to be doing pediatric home health and clinic-based therapy. I do like working in SNFs but pediatrics is my home and I've missed it.  I'll be staying and working in Tyler TX- a hop, skip, and a jump away from relatives. Which is good because I'll be visiting to do laundry! 

But I want to re-cap Virginia. It's been a great experience and I'm really glad it was my first travel experience. 

PLACES WE'VE BEEN

• Hungry Mother State Park
• Dismal Falls
• Natural Bridge State Park
• Shenandoah National Park
• Claytor Lake State Park
• Big Walker Mountain Lookout
• The Smallest Church in Wytheville
• The New River Gorge National River
• Sandstone Falls (from the lookout point)
• Amish Market 
• Bluestone Dam (New River)
• Louisville Outlet Mall
• Mercer Mall (WV)

THINGS I'LL MISS

• First and foremost: my co-workers! You all are hilarious and great to work with! I will miss you all dearly. Certain patients-that-will-remain-nameless can kiss my grits. Anyway, you'll have to keep my posted of the happenings there! 
• My quaint little cabin and the tiny town of Bland.
• Good water pressure
• The bathtub
• Nice drivers
• Scenic drives on the way to work
• The mountains
• I've met some really nice people

THINGS I'VE LEARNED

• What flat-footing is 
• The definitions of a pannus and cowboy catheter
• Where drug activity is in Southwest Virginia (Pulaski, Bluefield)
• The prostitution scene and set-up down here (hint: soda bottles)
• How FABULOUS a rehab tech is to have around (Melissa is a true gem)
• People actually eat gopher and squirrel 'round here 
• Productivity is still a bitch and unrealistic for an OTR

Melting snow flooding the creek (one of our favorite walking spots)

Coming into Charleston, WV (capital building to L)

Again, I apologize for the delay in blog posts. In STL for a couple days then on the road to TX.

Peace, love, and bluebells,

LMJ