Be Nice To The Guest

We ended up staying in town yesterday - we briefly toyed with the idea of heading out in the direction of Bethlehem - not going to Bethlehem but touristing around the surrounding area - but given the expected crowd figured we'd simply end up sitting in traffic so we headed down to the outlets. It was a good decision as EVERYTHING is on sale this time of year. We hit the Cold Water Creek outlet - they were having all sorts of deep discounts. I got a $90 dress for $8 so there were no complaints in my world. We hit Liz Clairborne, Eddie Bauer - and of course the cooking stores. I love to browse but seldom buy - there are so many interesting things but I know I would never use them. Popcorn popper, egg cooker, taco maker - limited use with maximum storage, but fun to look at. We stopped at the supermarket to pick up a few things on the way home and we BBQed last night of course. As you can see in the picture Pearl has turned into quite a beggar - David and I started by giving her a little cheese and managed to ruin her pronto. We need to stop and retrain her, we were so careful when we first got her and it was such a relief to have a dog that went to lay down instead of staring you down through meals. We sat out after dinner and talked for hours, the weather this weekend has been great, the temps dropped down into that wonderful comfortable level and with just a little breeze to move the mosquitoes along, it was a very nice evening. After dinner I made Nancy sit through two hours of my favorite show Being Human - I cannot stop watching it! I've knitted through out the weekend but have the sock ready for my trip tomorrow. I've been so relaxed this weekend, after being on call for a year and a half just the fact that I have no phone to ring, no potential to deal with things, no surprise admissions - I am butter. It was so nice to have one weekend without the potential for interruption, you forget. I have to pack later on today or at least start, I don't have to be at the training center until after 12 so I can dawdle a bit tomorrow. Nancy leaves at 9 as she has to pick Gareth up at the airport on her way back to Southampton, it was a short visit, but a nice one.

No Bethlehem For Us Today

I was planning on taking Nancy to Bethlehem today - I've never been to downtown and it's supposed to be very historic. Nancy mentioned that she'd heard on the radio on the way here that thousands of people were also going to be there tomorrow so I goggled it this morning. There is apparently a HUGE music festival there this weekend. Of course. This would be good if we had tickets or had intended to go to a music festival but we didn't so now we'll have to head in other directions. My week at work was GREAT, it's taken a while for me to get my stress levels down and I still have some moments but the 2 AM girl has only made a couple of visits and work is enjoyable. There's so much to learn, things I'd forgotten and things I never knew, but I'm really liking it. My mentor is really great and I'll be off to training all next week so I'm a busy girl these days. And of course I leave at 5 pm every afternoon - that may be subject to change a bit, but my hours will be more regular. I got home last night around 5:30 last night, Nancy got a bit sidetracked on her way here but it only took her a couple of hours from NYC. She's been in Southampton visiting her Dad and family - it's nice to live close enough now that people can come visit me easily. I have to figure out what we're doing today, but it's a great way to end this week - it's been a long time since I've had time to actually relax.

The Snake

I posted this yesterday on Facebook for David - it's an old tale, but perfect for people with bad boyfriends, crazy relatives, looney neighbors, etc. that will occasionally make a Guest Star Appearance in your life, traumatize you and then exit Stage Left. I lifted it from Dr. Sanity's blog since he did such an excellent job retelling it

Once upon a time there was a serpent who was badly injured in a fight with another animal. It managed to slither away to safety but would have surely died if a benevolent man had not seen it suffering by the side of the road. The goodly man carefully wrapped the snake up and took it to his house, where he bestowed the kindest and gentlest care on the snake until it was healed and could return to the wild. Just as the man was releasing the serpent back into the grass, the ungrateful snake turned and bit him on the hand.

"What did you do that for?" cried the man, who knew that the bite of this particular snake was usually fatal. "Didn't I take care of you when no one else would?"

The snake shrugged (no small feat for a snake!) and replied to the benevolent--and now doomed-- man, "What did you expect? You knew I was a snake when you picked me up."

David lent money to a co-worker and now can't get his money back. It's a small amount, but you know if you've ever lent money to someone - it's galling that you were nice enough to bail them out and then they keep the money it can really make you feel taken advantage of. But I've pointed out the guy has a reputation and since you already knew that, just chalk it up to lesson learned and move on. That is where the snake comes in - I remember this story every time I'm tempted to restart bad relationships, order from a company I had a bad experience with, any time I know in my gut before I do it, I'm making a mistake.

Hotter Than Hades

Well, it couldn't last. For the past few days we've been having cooler weather - beginning of fall sort of thing which I love. I love the time of year where it's cool enough for a sweater and jeans, the time of year you can comfortably go walking. But today when I got up it was hot already and as I sit here typing out on the deck, the dog is panting up a storm and Vincent is trying to find the cool spot on the cement around the defunct pool. If I was at my house in Lake Ariel where the Freeloaders are currently residing I would have central air. There is no justice and that proves it, don't you think? I have the air on in the bedroom, David leaves tonight to work the shuttle and then is pulling a double so he won't have to work on Friday. We've been depositing all of his paychecks in our second account because since the Renter has become a Freeloader someone has to pay the bills, sigh sigh sigh. I'll be glad when this is all over. Work is getting busier but better, I'm still on orientation but I have a lot to do, after Nancy leaves on Sunday I have to hit the books and do a refresher course on Peds (it's been awhile), I'm starting to review the charts on what patients I'll be picking up - busy but I have to say much better. I was scared to make this move, but every day reinforces that I made the right decision. Speaking of which I did decide to start a sock this morning , it's just easier to to take my little sock bag with it's miniature accessories instead of dragging the Real Bag around with me. I doubt I'll be knitting all that much but I'm sure there will be some down time I'll need it with me. I cannot remember the last time I traveled without a project, it seems like I've either had a crochet hook, knitting needles or an embroidery needle in my hands my entire life, doesn't it? I can never just sit which is OK. I've made so many things and I love to give them away. I'd better get moving - one of the other things I am very much liking about my job is I leave at 8:10 and I leave work at 5 pm - I know that's subject to change in the near future but it just doesn't seem like this office keeps the long hours I've become used to - I can very much get used to that!!

First Day At Work..........

.......went well - a bit overwhelming of course, but aren't all new jobs? There's so much that's different in this job, but I'm glad I have the basics and I'm very glad I have a mentor! This part of Bayada has a mentoring program and if you need anything - for a year - you can call your mentor. I have the week with them and then next week I'm in King of Prussia for more training. David is starting with his other job this weekend, he qualified for the shooting the pistol thing and got all his new stuff so he's ready to roll. I'm knitting of course, I might start a sock to take with me to the training next week - I'm not sure if I want to drag the sweater with me or not. I usually do start a sock as it's very portable. Even when you go for a few days you end up dragging tons of stuff - your laptop, outfits, etc... I'm a pretty good packer but it's the amount of bags. The Namaste bag is great but it's large and will be one more thing I need to haul around with me. So we will see. I'm mulling over what Nancy and I will be doing Saturday, I'm thinking about the historic district of Bethlehem which is supposed to be really nice. I'm also hoping the weather stays cooled off as we all know I cannot afford airconditioning until we resolve the Freeloader Situation. David had them served yesterday - as much as I poke fun I have to say this has not been easy or fun for us. These people have children and they certainly don't deserve these parents. They are not paying the rent simply because they don't want to, not because they can't afford to but it's those children that will suffer. But there's not much we can do - as I've said before my own children are self sufficient so I am not supporting someone elses!

Found It!

Someone sent me that cartoon awhile ago - I thought it was pretty funny. I forgot my camera yesterday which very much peeved me. There are only so many pictures of the yard and surrounding woods I can take as lovely as it is. Yesterday, David and I took off for the Bethlehem area - I had a specific destination in mind. Since we've moved here I've been unable to locate an asian market - no matter where you live, there is always one. And I'm not talking about the Asian Cuisine section in Wegmans - as lovely as that is, it's not what I was looking for. So I scouted the internet and found a promising candidate located not far from mall. My last attempt led me to a run down neighborhood with an abandoned house but anything is worth a try. And there it was - dusty gods in the window, if there wasn't a sign outside you would have no idea what you were looking at. The one in WV was in the back of a building with a grey security door, a tiny sign hung above it. When you went in - it was a huge asian supermarket. This one was no different - I shopped like the nuclear war was coming. They had fresh tofu, red bean dumplings, steamed gluten, boy choy, lotus seed cake - you name it they had it. Fresh fish was piled high, fruits and vegetables galore, even the smell was what I remembered. And it's never very expensive - the nice girl behind the counter told me they go to NYC three or four times a week so if there's every anything special I need I can just let them know. After that we just went all over - I did a lot of browsing, Nancy is coming this weekend and then I'm headed off to King of Prussia so there wasn't much I wanted. We went to the Christmas Tree store as we always do well with household goods. Even the dog toys are discounted. Then back home to hang out. I start my new job today - I'm nervous but very excited. I think this will work better for me and I already know - and like - my coworkers, I can't wait!

Clean Bill Of Health

David has his colonoscopy yesterday, got a clean bill of health and will not have to return for 5 years, much to his relief. This made him feel much better than the person a few beds down being told they had a great big giant colon, in which the health care professional went on and on about it. There are some days it's good to be you. He was given his discharge instructions and told to go straight home from the hospital. He cheerfully informed the nurse he was actually going straight to Friendlys since it was time for breakfast. She pretended she didn't hear him since he was obviously going to be a renegade anyhow and I was a willing accomplice. But in my defense the Friendlys in question is actually right down the road from our house. So David did get his big breakfast, then straight home and slept most of the afternoon. We didn't do too much yesterday, my phone rang a few times, even though my last day was on Friday everyone still seems to think I'm on call - it's a transition thing I suppose. Today we are probably heading out to the Lehigh part of town for a change of pace, the yarn store isn't open but I don't need anymore yarn. I am going to order some stuff knitting related from Amazon, I still have money they will not return so after firing a few emails off to make sure how to order and actually get it, I will be doing that. They are such jerks. I'll keep you posted on whether I actually receive anything or not. And starting tomorrow - I don't have to be to work until 8:30 am - there will be occasional early mornings and late days but for the most part my new boss does not like people staying late - I'm onboard with that! In the next couple of weeks we are busy bees but it's a good busy which after this summer - I can live with that too.