Life(touch) Les-sons

Hello everyone and happy weekend! It was mostly sunny today but more rain is coming (it rained a lot when I got here last week). This area (Lake County/Mendicino County) has had a lot of rain this season and a decent amount of flooding but people are saying that we 'need' the rain because of the recent drought and even more recent notorious and disastrous Campfire in this area that has impacted as well. The whole area isn't burnt or anything but you can see where the damage was. I think that what I'm hearing from others is that the rain, combined with the changed earth where the fires were can cause more potential for rock and mudslides? That could be totally wrong. Either way, I am ready for the warmer weather. I would say on average it seems that it is about 10 degrees colder than it was in Fresno. More mountains and greenery, overall less orchards but still vineyards. I'll about my job later in this post. But first. 

The title of this post has to do with my sister. Years ago, Leslie took this really great photo when she was working in another elementary school (see below). She appears to have an ENDLESS supply of these photos and if you're reading this post there's a chance you have your own LTL (LifeTouch Les) in your abode or your workplace. She's quite generous with these photos. I don't know about you, but I only have a small handful of photos that I actually think I look good in. I have very few of those BUT my third grade picture is a classic thanks to Lifetouch Photography backgrounds and early 90s style. If Leslie can dig up a digital copy I will post it. Anyway. Leslie thought I needed some extra motivation in my life (always do) so she sent me these gems while I was still in Fresno. I can't even post all of them because they are so fabulous they might break this website. 

See? There are plenty more if YOU need some motivation. If you can't be with the real deal, you can have her in wallet size! Order some motivation today on QVC.

This year's school photo.

The original LifeTouch Les makes a splash

If you haven't been blown away by those photos- onto my job. Everything is going really well so far. I feel SO much better and that is probably one reason I am sleeping better. It's nice to work with friendly people who don't have their nose in the air (no comment from the peanut gallery) and actually do their job. I am working in another SNF, splitting time between 2 facilities, at one more than the other. They are definitely smaller than my main Fresno SNF but I like smaller and feel more comfortable there. You can get to know the staff and the patients better and it's easier to work as a team. That being said, I still overall hate 'teamwork' if it means working with morons and ANY amount of team-building bullshit. No trust-falls here. Also, for those of you not in the healthcare world, SNF stands for Skilled Nursing Facility, more commonly known as a nursing home. That being said, nursing homes encompass varying types of care including long term care (LTC) and skilled nursing (residents there for rehab). 

It's great. I'm happy with work despite the drive - 1 hr each way- but I knew that going into this assignment. Housing is really hard to find up. I have found a great place with BEAUTIFUL views and yes you can bet your bottom dollar rent is not cheap but there are few options. Also, a couple things are different in the area compared to STL county living- propane tanks, septic systems, and no water heater.  So what you have is a 'tank-less water heater'- and mine wasn't working. I was 8 DAYS without hot water (yes, I stayed moderately clean).  I'm renting this house through a property mgmt company and the owner has proven very kind about the unexpected problems. There was a SNAFU getting the new water heater to the area and now I don't have to pay for adding propane to the tank (it's a per-gallon fee) due to my troubles with NO hot water. I don't know how Laura Ingalls did it. Good Lord. It was rough but still, first-world problems. 

Rainy day.

double rainbow! 

Sunset views

We do plan to explore more eventually but I'm waiting a little bit, partially for the weather to improve. I've got to get into a solid routine and get my shit together (story of my life) first. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Peace, love, and sunshine,

ME