You is kind, You is smart, You is important

Sunset at the park

Hello there campers! Once again, I apologize for the lag between posts but I have been busier here than in VA. Also, I may or may not be eating cookie dough while writing this.
Let's set adrift to memory lane to last weekend because that is probably more entertaining than anything else right now. Then we can catch up to the present.
Last week, I took a trip to the Tyler Rose Garden. Tyler TX is pretty famous for their roses, Rose Festival, Rose Parade, and Rose Queen- all happening in early fall. There is a FREE beautiful massive rose gardens featuring all kinds and names of roses- things those who are rose aficionados will know more about- types of roses, harvesting, etc. There is also a camelia garden and a local landscape garden. I was walking near a gentleman with his mother who must have 80 or so and I didn't want to hover but I was ready to pick her up from the ground if she took a tumble. She didn't, thankfully.

Those are more rose gardens in the distance. 

I bet a lot of prom photos get taken here. 

So, I'm almost done with TRG pictures. There is a Tyler Rose Museum and it looks like it is pretty much all gowns from past Rose Queens. I will have to accept the fact that, for many reasons, I could never be a Rose Queen. But, I will always be the Queen of De Nile (it's NOT a river in Egypt).

This is the Mon Cheri rose

This is the Coretta Scott King rose

And THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is the NEIL DIAMOND rose. how does he get a rose?
I wonder where this rose comes from.... (cue music) 

Rose Museum

That was pretty much the even of that weekend as I think I just hung out at the pool and did paperwork (not at the pool, that's a killjoy).  I went to an antique store that was lovely. 

Since last weekend to now, I have been dealing with a lot of stress from work. That's the short version and I don't care to share my frustration and personal issues on here and God knows I have them. I don't want anyone to be concerned about me- I am fine. I just get VERY frustrated on certain things and then dwell on them. 

1. I DO NOT like being told what to do, really in any setting. I am sure some of you readers can attest to this... I like to run my own ship and make my calls for my OT career. I know that I am a good OT and that I know how to do what is right for a patient/kid/client whatever. I work my ass off to make sure I do what is best for my kids- even if they're freaking bonkers. I miss my friends at SLPS but I also miss doing my own thing and not worrying about direct interference in my service provision.

2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T- - This has really been getting to me. I have been out of college nearly 10 years now and I do not like when I feel like I'm not given due respect for my professional knowledge. Please don't treat like I'm an incompetent idiot when it comes to OT- relationships, math, health/fitness is all fair game. So put that in your pipe and smoke it. 

And after all, I'm from MISSOURI. Look at all our great state gave you, Texas (and USA)! So shove it and drink some Coors Light then. And we'll (I'll) take Jon Hamm back too...... kidding. except for Jon Hamm. 

So in conclusion- leave me alone and we'll probably be juuuuuussst fine.

This is pretty much all accurate information but I am doing my best to be light-hearted and entertaining. 

In conclusion part II- I am trying to keep my fern Lorena alive and I feel like i have bugs crawling all over me (No Mom, I am NOT doing meth).

Peace, Love, and Aretha Franklin,
LMJ

** Aretha's Hat