2019: No Regerts

happy new year everyone! Its the 20's again.

                             

I couldn't speak about the 1920's without mentioning one of my all-time favorite movies starring Dame Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, and MaryTyler Moore; Thoroughly Modern Millie.

So, here we are in 2020. I'm about to start my 4th week of work since I started right before NYE here is South Central Missouri in Osage Beach. To say the least, I am EXHAUSTED and living off of Diet Coke. The good part about working long days (the only good part) is that I'm sleeping better at night. The other reason I'm sleeping at night is that I don't have a herd of antelopes living above me. i have a townhome and use my second bedroom upstairs (Bella's bedroom really) to work out so I don't have to worry about any neighbors below me. Anyway. Work is good, but tiring and stressful. Hopefully, like Stella, I will get my groove back and find my happy medium where I'm not exhausted nearing a burn-out. 

I live south of OB in Camdenton but whole Lake area is pretty much in hibernation this time of year. I've never been down here in the winter but it's like Branson, except more dead because there don't appear to be any hometown feel-good shows here (common themes including I love America, Jesus, the Armed Forces, and good 'ol family fun!) and an attraction like Silver Dollar City. Even the outlets are in sleep mode. But in the summer come on down for Big Surf waterpark and lake fun- it'll be on like Donkey Kong. Bonus is anyone wants me to go on their boat with them. I'm a great (and safe!) passenger. 

Also- heads up to those therapists that are traveling or planning to; it is crucial to remember your location when you are discussing meal times with your patients. Anywhere close to or below the Mason-Dixon Line the evening meal you eat is called 'supper'. That's it. No other options. You say 'dinner' and you confuse folks. I was corrected on this by a patient in Virginia - "I already HAD dinner." The meal you eat in the middle of the day can be called lunch or dinner. 

Snow last weekend

Snow last weekend

Ha Ha Tonka State Park 2 weeks ago- Castle Ruins

'Natural Bridge'

Don't look at me. Look at my dog in her backpack. 

In closing, we're going to break down 2019 with some numbers and highlights. Let's do it (said in Tone Loc's voice).

2019

• Worked 4 different travel contract jobs in 2 different states
• Quit first job in California in February 2019 due to HATING it and very strong suspicions of medicare fraud
• Hit a doe in Cali, car ruined (not to mention the deer)
• Lived in 4 different locations; the most beautiful being Kelseyville CA 
• Read 27 books this year
• I became an Aunt again to my sister's baby, born in October 2019
• worked at a total of 10 different nursing homes! (several with each contract)
• Came home end of July, spent time with the fam and had some time off before contract started in September
• Quit my long-time PRN OT job (I won't miss the bullshit my friends have to deal with but I will miss all my friends)
• Visited FIVE new National Parks this year- Redwoods, Joshua Tree, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia, and Canyonlands
• 2 cross-country road-trips with my Mom and dog as main companions 
• My priceless movers (Dad and his assistant, Mom) moved me to THREE different homes
• Got to spend Christmas with my family this year (did not for 2018) 
• Sent countless postcards
• PDPM started for SNFs- thank God we don't have any more RUG levels. 
• Explored SO MUCH in California and loved it (refer to previous blog posts for photos of those adventures)- Cayucos, Morrow Bay, Monterey, Carmel, Bodega Bay, Point Arena, the Sequoias, beautiful countryside, etc.
• BELLA is still alive and living her best life- went on special Rx food over the summer in CA due to crystals forming in bladder. Loved the NorCal house best. She got to spend some QT with her grandparents this year, most importantly. You can never have too much attention in her mind- make that adults only, still wants kids to leave her alone. 
• Worked with some AMAZING co-workers in 3/4 jobs this year (Fresno, you're all assholes) and made some good friends. I hope I instilled in all of you to be your best in patient care and RECYCLE to reduce your carbon footprint. 
• Took a full-time position here in Southcentral MO as a Rehab Clinical Leader for my building. 

I'm off like a dirty shirt! Enjoy your evening and keep on livin' the dream! 

Peace, love, and Magic Shell,

ME (and Bella)

                             

Unsung Heroes

Hello all and greetings from chilly St. Louis! If you're reading this and not from STL we had quit a bit Sunday and Monday- I'm wondering if now we won't have any for the rest of the season.

So I'm staying at my folks' house in Webster Groves prior to officially moving out of town for a new FT gig (more on that later). I am cleaning out my apartment and enjoying sleep without an elephant clomping around upstairs and bowling, playing bocce ball- doing God knows what. Needless to say, I'm not happy with this apartment complex due to their lack of doing nothing about these idiots. Anyway, Bella enjoys being here and watching the world go by one bark at a time. She loves my parents and they love her too..

I am finished with my work contract here in Missouri. I have met some very wonderful and caring people including co-workers, staff members, and patients. It has been a great experience which is now leading me to a FT job with the company- hopefully a move in the right direction for me!! We've had some good times and laughs together my therapy team and I will miss you all. Even you Dan with your LOUD music. :)  If nothing else I hope have left you with the knowledge that you can recycle (!!!!) and can think OuTside the box for therapy!!! 

So, the title of my post. I've been thinking about this past week or so with this topic stewing in my head. Here are the definitions courtesy of Meriam Webster (valid) and Wicktionary (questionable). 

unsung

 adjective

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un·​sung | \ ˌən-ˈsəŋ  \

Definition of unsung

1: not sung

2: not celebrated or praised (as in song or verse)an unsung hero
WICKTIONARYNoun. unsung hero (plural unsung heroes) One who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for them.
So, working in a nursing home you see and learn so much. You work with folks who are at or nearing their end of life and require a lot of care at times. It can be very trying and very rewarding. 
Unfortunately, not everyone gets appreciated or lauded enough for their abilities, skills, dedication, and generally showing up to work every day. You don't get paid enough, you work long hours, and you're typically under-respected by the powers-that-be. Unsung Nursing Home Heroes:CNAsNursesHousekeepingMaintenance
Without y'all these buildings wouldn't run and keep people alive. I understand that everywhere there are people who don't work as hard as others (and we all know who those people are) but the vast majority of these individuals who I've worked with work their tails off and are constantly being called to do 5 things at once. They're like Stretch Armstrongs. As a therapist, I try to do my darndest to make sure these people know that I appreciate them. 
What's unfortunate is that generally all fingers point back to Administration leaders not being supportive enough or understanding of their employees. They can't see the forest for the trees, you know? Your building cannot make money if you don't have staff to run it and you won't have staff to run it if you treat them like shit. Now this is NOT TRUE for everywhere as there are good people out there. I'm just speaking in generals here. If you've worked with me somewhere before you can draw your conclusions from there. I've worked with some super amazing DONs too (but I'm talking specifically administrators here). As a therapist who cares a lot about her patients and building acquaintances; it is frustrating from our end when people don't know what we really do. I'll leave it at that or we'd be here another hour. 
On that note, to my SP friends- I'm quitting PRN as I'm moving out of town for my new perm job and do not wish to keep my status there. I have LOVED working with all of my friends there but unfortunately, things aren't the way they used to be and I hate that for all of you... I'm hoping that this job will work out wonderfully and would not have time to come back to work PRN. I love you guys and I know we'll stay in touch because most of you I've known for 10+ years. Keep the dream alive. 

1st Grade Lindsey is the best Lindsey

That's it for now. Peace, love, and GOOD QUALITY CARE FOR SENIORS,ME

Where in the world?

Hello readers! I'm everyone is just chomping at the bit to know what I've been up to! I'm actually out here in Colorado visiting a travel friend but still working on a contract in Missouri More on my trip in the next post for pictures and anecdotal stories. 

I've been working west of St. Louis is 4 nursing homes- 2 mainly both those in Union and Sullivan MO. I am covering a maternity leave until mid-December. I will be jobless for about 2-3 weeks but new job plans are in place that I'm not going to divulge yet. 

Anyway, I actually like the nursing homes I work at and the colleagues with a few issues here and there that come with working in a nursing home and dealing with all that entails. It's been fun and nice feeling like I fit in, like I did when I was in California (Northern California). Nursing home therapy has been SO much easier since PDPM began October 1st. Click the link for a better explanation of PDPM if you'd like. 

I'm living in an apartment in Waildwood which is closer to my work. My apartment complex is not as great as the rent is but its clean and I have a washer/dryer. HOWEVER, the Achilles heel is that my upstairs neighbors are inconsiderate assholes. There's no way to sugarcoat. They are super young (not like my ripe old age of 35) and despite repeated notifications of noise complaints- nothing changes. Its the guy who must be seriously iron-footed to make that much noise when he walks and does everything. Maybe he's like an Animorph who is secretly Bigfoot? Either way I'm actually going to move my bed to the living room because it sees the noise is mainly coming from the bedroom (not what you're thinking...)- all thanks to my Carmen Sandiego skillz. 

PICTURES

We got a couch! Or rather, a 'chofa'

We got a new Lambchop toy- meet Spooky Lambchop

 

Wes and I before Cousin Ashley's wedding reception

Outfit change for the reception. No dogs invited. 

Wedding reception selfie!

Nursing home cat Smokey seeking pity for her new hair cut

Other nursing home puppy Billie Jean who although cute- whines too much

THANKS FOR READING! 

Until next time when I update on the CO trip-

Peace, love, & blanket scarves,

ME

Missouri Loves Company

Hello everyone and salutations from the middle of the country now, back in Missouri! The moving caravan consisting of 2 vehicles, 3 persons, 1 trailer, and 1 dog made it safely home.  Thanks to my folks for the moving assistance and thanks to the people whom I gave furniture to.  

Here are some pictures and stories from the trip home.

Somewhere in Nevada

Salt Flats, Utah

Scenic overlook off of I-70

Utah is so beautiful! I love this state! Our first stop was in Elko, NV. Nothing significant to report there. Second night we stayed in Moab UT- home to Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, and extracurricular outdoor activities in the area. I have been to Arches before with my road dawg Jenny and Thor (God rest his soul) but we were unable to go at night. It's been really cool to see the park from two different perspectives. 

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Mom and Dad traversing the trail to see the Delicate Arch viewpoint

#neotez shirt FTW

Yes, Bella is in the backpack. And she loves it.

I'm aware this picture doesn't show well. It's the Lil' Dipper. 

I'm so glad we all got the opportunity to see the park after dark- my measly little picture does not begin to show how beautiful it was. I swear I saw the Milky Way too. Sooooo pretty.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Island in the Sky Section

Bella makes an appearance

At some point nearby (South of this area), the Green River joins the Colorado River

You'll notice this backpack has a safety whistle attached to it.

DRIVING THROUGH COLORADO

nice to see some green again

 

Our last night we stayed in Burlington, CO at a fabulous Best Western! Next day was a long drive home but here we are! 

I start my travel assignment in mid-September so there maybe a break in posts. I know, I know- don't be sad. 

Until then,

Peace, love, and home,

ME