I think I am losing my mind.
Monday, I left my work ID at home. This doesn't sound like too big a deal but since I work with newborns and the units are so secure, it is a huge pain in the gulu. I had to check in with security and turn in my driver's license so I could get a temporary ID with access to the mother-baby unit and the intensive care nursery. I hadn't forgotten my ID since my first month at the hospital 3 years ago.
I also forgot to put deodorant on that morning... luckily, I keep some in my desk so tragedy was averted.
Tuesday, for some strange reason, I took my make-up bag out of my purse and put it in my desk. So Wednesday morning when I went to get ready, I realized I didn't have any make-up to put on. Again, not too big a deal. I got going so early that I would have plenty of time to throw on some powder and gloss when I got to work. However, when I got there, I realized I left my ID at home again... my keys are attached to my ID. So I had no way to enter the building (so no make-up) and when I got to my other office on the same campus, everyone asked if I was feeling okay... I don't use a lot of make-up but apparently it makes a big difference in my appearance.
Later that morning, I was walking down the main hallway of the hospital pushing my little equipment cart, off to see one of the very few adult patients I am responsible for. Without warning, I see one of my pieces of equipment fly off the front of the cart and smash into 4 pieces on the floor. I was able to fit all the pieces back together, and, only by the grace of God, it still worked.
I planned to take a half day so I headed home right after lunch. I routinely set my cruise control for 5-7 miles an hour over the speed limit. I was going with the flow of traffic when I started up a large hill. When the cruise is on, the car automatically speeds up a bit on inclines in order to keep it at the speed it has been set to. The car next to me had slowed down just a bit due to the hill. As I came up over the top of the hill, I was just passing the car next to me when he slammed on his breaks. The next thing I know, there are flashing lights in my rear view. I pull over and the cop tells me I was going 60 in a 45! WTF?!?! It's 55 through there... He writes the ticket for 50 in a 45 but still... (And when I drove thru the same area this morning, I saw the signs... it goes from 55 to 45 for about a mile then back to 55... traffic sucks through there and I watch the cars around me, not the speed limit signs...)
That was my second ticket in 3 weeks. The last one I just paid because I hadn't had a ticket in 15 years... now I'll have to get a lawyer for this one so my insurance doesn't go up or get canceled.
Where has my head been?
I feel like I am barely functioning in a dream-like state. You know what I mean... like when you are dreaming and you know you have to be somewhere or do something and all these things keep getting in your way and holding you up so you never get there. Or am I going crazy?
It's been here:
I wish something would happen for the ladies who work for me... The NC stood one of them up for a phone interview and won't return any of the other's phone calls. I think they may all leave July 1st if they don't hear something soon. And I can't say I blame them. They have been so dependable and loyal for years and now they are being forced out. One of the ladies recently told me it actually costs her money to work for me... with gas so high, she spends more to get to work than she makes while she's there. Now that's dedication!
I pray a lot. I pray a lot anyway but I have been praying a lot more lately. It is all out of my hands. There is nothing I can do about it. So I just pray that they are taken care of and that everything works out for the best...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
So much has been going on:
First, I received an offer from NC which matched my current pay. They also informed me that the position was "non-exempt" which, from their explanation, means that although it is a salaried position, I will eligible for overtime if I go above 40 hours per week.
The only problem now is that the ladies who work under me were supposed to be interviewed for the screener positions with the NC. However, when my future supervisors called to set up the interviews, my ladies were told to only interview if they were interested in a weekend or "as needed" position as the weekday position had already been filled. But when I asked them, my future supervisors told me no one had been offered the job. So someone is lying to me and I really don't think it's my ladies.
Second, Bailey is growing like a weed... she was 63.1 lbs on the 1st, 63.2 on the 8th, and 64.4 on the 15th. I have a feeling she will be 68 next week.
This past week, I volunteered at the vacation bible school (VBS) at the church I've been attending. It was a lot of fun but since I worked every day then spent every evening from 6 to 9 at the church, I was wiped out by the end of the week. I tried to leave work early each day but something always came up... I had to go to an interview, meet with a banker about the loan we just took out for our new boat, go to another interview, take Bailey to the dog park (because holy psycho dog when we don't get enough exercise, and with me being gone most of the week she was lucky I didn't forget to feed her!) etc. etc...
Over the weekend, I did 59 hearing screenings in 4 hours at a local health fair, spent a couple hours on our new boat, called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day, went to a bachelorette party, went to church, took Bailey to her obedience class, and went to dinner with my in-laws.
I need a vacation... but alas, this weekend I have a "thank You" dinner for the VBS volunteers on Friday, a wedding AND a work function this Saturday and Bailey's last "intermediate" class on Sunday... I don't think I have a break until July 4th. And I have to judge our community dock decorating contest that morning and I am having people over that afternoon and evening...
I really need to learn to say "NO"
First, I received an offer from NC which matched my current pay. They also informed me that the position was "non-exempt" which, from their explanation, means that although it is a salaried position, I will eligible for overtime if I go above 40 hours per week.
The only problem now is that the ladies who work under me were supposed to be interviewed for the screener positions with the NC. However, when my future supervisors called to set up the interviews, my ladies were told to only interview if they were interested in a weekend or "as needed" position as the weekday position had already been filled. But when I asked them, my future supervisors told me no one had been offered the job. So someone is lying to me and I really don't think it's my ladies.
Second, Bailey is growing like a weed... she was 63.1 lbs on the 1st, 63.2 on the 8th, and 64.4 on the 15th. I have a feeling she will be 68 next week.
This past week, I volunteered at the vacation bible school (VBS) at the church I've been attending. It was a lot of fun but since I worked every day then spent every evening from 6 to 9 at the church, I was wiped out by the end of the week. I tried to leave work early each day but something always came up... I had to go to an interview, meet with a banker about the loan we just took out for our new boat, go to another interview, take Bailey to the dog park (because holy psycho dog when we don't get enough exercise, and with me being gone most of the week she was lucky I didn't forget to feed her!) etc. etc...
Over the weekend, I did 59 hearing screenings in 4 hours at a local health fair, spent a couple hours on our new boat, called my dad to wish him a happy Father's Day, went to a bachelorette party, went to church, took Bailey to her obedience class, and went to dinner with my in-laws.
I need a vacation... but alas, this weekend I have a "thank You" dinner for the VBS volunteers on Friday, a wedding AND a work function this Saturday and Bailey's last "intermediate" class on Sunday... I don't think I have a break until July 4th. And I have to judge our community dock decorating contest that morning and I am having people over that afternoon and evening...
I really need to learn to say "NO"
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Working Girl Worries
So this company that the hospital is contracting out to has been dragging it's feet with my offer. They called me a few weeks ago and asked me to travel to another city to train on the equipment they use. My reply: "So I guess I got the job?" Their reply: "Well, yeah, but (the other contact person with the company) will be calling you later this week with an official offer."
So I waited. Then my grandmother passed away that week (I'll talk about that in a later post) and they knew it so when I didn't hear from them that week, I figured they were just giving me time to mourn and be with my family.
Then the next week came and I still hadn't heard anything. I was supposed to leave town for their training the following week and I still hadn't received an offer. Then I got a call from them saying they had not forgotten about me but there was a hold-up due to my salary. Apparently, I make quite a bit more than they normally pay for the coordinator position. They apparently have never employeed an audiologist for this position... so they were having to cut through a lot of red tape to match my pay. I asked if I was going to have an offer before I went to the training and they said probably not. I told them I was not comfortable with that and they agreed to just train me on site when they started the program at the first of my 3 hospitals.
The next day, in chit-chatting with one of my supervisors, I learned the powers that be (PTB) at the hospital had sent an e-mail to my current supervisors saying I had received and accepted a job with the new company. I was LIVID! So I sent the following e-mail to the PTB at the hospital, both my contacts at the new company, and CCed all of my supervisors at the different locations I work:
Hello All.
I am writing you all today because I am becoming very uneasy about the transition of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program from the hospital system (HS) to the new company (NC).
Here are some of my specific concerns:
1. The "go-live" for (the first hospital) is the first week of June and I still have not received nor accepted an offer for the coordinator position with NC. Yes, I have been told I have the job, but that's the extent.
2. I was recently reimbursed by HS for my Fall 2007 tuition. The rules regarding this state that I must remain a HS employee for 12 months following reimbursement or the amount will be deducted from my last pay check. Since I am not leaving HS by choice, will some other department absorb it? If not, how will I be compensated?
3. I have accumulated a significant amount of extended sick leave (ESL) time. I recently learned that it is not paid out when employment has ended the way PTO is. Since I am not leaving HS by choice, is it possible to have the time paid out as well? If not, how will I be compensated?
4. I contribute to a 403b retirement plan and I have been receiving the matching plan through HS. Because I have been an employee for less than 5 years, I will lose the money contributed by HS. Again, since I am not leaving the HS by choice, will I be able to roll the entire amount into a new account? If not, how will I be compensated?
Thank you for your time.
The PTB forwarded the e-mail on to the hospital HR and I waited to hear back.
The start-up was set for Tuesday, June 3rd. On Wednesday, May 28th at noon I received an offer from NC. It was for a dollar less per hour than I currently make. They also wanted me to work 40 hours (I currently work 30-35 so not too big a deal) and I would be salary instead of hourly. So they want to pay me less, want me to work more hours, and then not pay me for overtime if I work more than 40 hours. Then they told me they need an answer by the Friday the 30th or they would "be forced to go with (their) other candidate."
So here I was, with my husband out of town, being expected to make a life changing decision with 48 hours notice. WTF?!?!?
I still had not heard from HS HR so I was even more freaked out. I went straight to the HR offices and demanded to speak with someone. I was in tears by the time someone was able to see me. I told them about the offer from NC and asked them all the same questions from the e-mail... they were not able to give me any answers at the time but promised to get back with me soon.
That's when I decided to get some professional legal advice.
The following day, my immediate supervisor told me HS was not able to do anything about the 403b matching money (not to big of a deal) but that they were willing to forgive the tuition reimbursement AND PAY OUT MY ESL!!! I will have 150 hours by the time this all goes through so that is HUGE!!! I was ecstatic! And I was ready to accept the offer with NC. But before I left the office, my supervisor told me the HS PTB were currently in negotiations with the NC PTB to try to get me the extra dollar an hour!
Friday, I was supposed to accept/decline the offer from NC. I was still a little uneasy about it since I still had not been able to discuss any of it with my husband. But before noon, my supervisor told me the HS PTB told the NC PTB that they were to give me more time, that 48 hours was not enough time (especially when they have known for months what was going on).
So I called my contact at NC to let them know I wanted the weekend to discuss it with my husband. I could not get a hold of them so I was freaking out again. I left messages on their cell and work phone. Then I called my other contact with NC and told them what was going on. They tried to reassure me and said they would try to get in touch with the other contact.
Then I went into an interview with a completely separate company, because, hey, I have to cover my gulu in case this all falls to pieces...
When I got out of the interview (which went great, by the way), there was a message saying the "go-live" was postponed and to not worry about anything. They told me to take the weekend to talk to my husband and that they would give me a call sometime the following week.
So here it is, the following week and I am waiting to hear from someone... anyone... from the HS or NC...
********************
Bailey is 63.1 lbs. I predict she'll end up around 75 when all is said and done. And my husband didn't think she'd break 60.... :-)
So I waited. Then my grandmother passed away that week (I'll talk about that in a later post) and they knew it so when I didn't hear from them that week, I figured they were just giving me time to mourn and be with my family.
Then the next week came and I still hadn't heard anything. I was supposed to leave town for their training the following week and I still hadn't received an offer. Then I got a call from them saying they had not forgotten about me but there was a hold-up due to my salary. Apparently, I make quite a bit more than they normally pay for the coordinator position. They apparently have never employeed an audiologist for this position... so they were having to cut through a lot of red tape to match my pay. I asked if I was going to have an offer before I went to the training and they said probably not. I told them I was not comfortable with that and they agreed to just train me on site when they started the program at the first of my 3 hospitals.
The next day, in chit-chatting with one of my supervisors, I learned the powers that be (PTB) at the hospital had sent an e-mail to my current supervisors saying I had received and accepted a job with the new company. I was LIVID! So I sent the following e-mail to the PTB at the hospital, both my contacts at the new company, and CCed all of my supervisors at the different locations I work:
Hello All.
I am writing you all today because I am becoming very uneasy about the transition of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program from the hospital system (HS) to the new company (NC).
Here are some of my specific concerns:
1. The "go-live" for (the first hospital) is the first week of June and I still have not received nor accepted an offer for the coordinator position with NC. Yes, I have been told I have the job, but that's the extent.
2. I was recently reimbursed by HS for my Fall 2007 tuition. The rules regarding this state that I must remain a HS employee for 12 months following reimbursement or the amount will be deducted from my last pay check. Since I am not leaving HS by choice, will some other department absorb it? If not, how will I be compensated?
3. I have accumulated a significant amount of extended sick leave (ESL) time. I recently learned that it is not paid out when employment has ended the way PTO is. Since I am not leaving HS by choice, is it possible to have the time paid out as well? If not, how will I be compensated?
4. I contribute to a 403b retirement plan and I have been receiving the matching plan through HS. Because I have been an employee for less than 5 years, I will lose the money contributed by HS. Again, since I am not leaving the HS by choice, will I be able to roll the entire amount into a new account? If not, how will I be compensated?
Thank you for your time.
The PTB forwarded the e-mail on to the hospital HR and I waited to hear back.
The start-up was set for Tuesday, June 3rd. On Wednesday, May 28th at noon I received an offer from NC. It was for a dollar less per hour than I currently make. They also wanted me to work 40 hours (I currently work 30-35 so not too big a deal) and I would be salary instead of hourly. So they want to pay me less, want me to work more hours, and then not pay me for overtime if I work more than 40 hours. Then they told me they need an answer by the Friday the 30th or they would "be forced to go with (their) other candidate."
So here I was, with my husband out of town, being expected to make a life changing decision with 48 hours notice. WTF?!?!?
I still had not heard from HS HR so I was even more freaked out. I went straight to the HR offices and demanded to speak with someone. I was in tears by the time someone was able to see me. I told them about the offer from NC and asked them all the same questions from the e-mail... they were not able to give me any answers at the time but promised to get back with me soon.
That's when I decided to get some professional legal advice.
The following day, my immediate supervisor told me HS was not able to do anything about the 403b matching money (not to big of a deal) but that they were willing to forgive the tuition reimbursement AND PAY OUT MY ESL!!! I will have 150 hours by the time this all goes through so that is HUGE!!! I was ecstatic! And I was ready to accept the offer with NC. But before I left the office, my supervisor told me the HS PTB were currently in negotiations with the NC PTB to try to get me the extra dollar an hour!
Friday, I was supposed to accept/decline the offer from NC. I was still a little uneasy about it since I still had not been able to discuss any of it with my husband. But before noon, my supervisor told me the HS PTB told the NC PTB that they were to give me more time, that 48 hours was not enough time (especially when they have known for months what was going on).
So I called my contact at NC to let them know I wanted the weekend to discuss it with my husband. I could not get a hold of them so I was freaking out again. I left messages on their cell and work phone. Then I called my other contact with NC and told them what was going on. They tried to reassure me and said they would try to get in touch with the other contact.
Then I went into an interview with a completely separate company, because, hey, I have to cover my gulu in case this all falls to pieces...
When I got out of the interview (which went great, by the way), there was a message saying the "go-live" was postponed and to not worry about anything. They told me to take the weekend to talk to my husband and that they would give me a call sometime the following week.
So here it is, the following week and I am waiting to hear from someone... anyone... from the HS or NC...
********************
Bailey is 63.1 lbs. I predict she'll end up around 75 when all is said and done. And my husband didn't think she'd break 60.... :-)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Bragging Rights
Bailey completed her first 5k on May 10th.
It has been months since I really ran any distance so this was a challenge for both of us. We ran and walked off and on throughout and we probably ended up running about half the time...
The funniest part was about a half mile before the finish line and Bailey decided she was done. She stopped to poop and then I thought she was looking for a place to potty when she just laid down... She got up again pretty easily and finished okay but we were both pretty tired.
After the run, they had contests for Best Trick, Best Kisser, Biggest/Smallest Dog, Best Costume, and Owner/Dog Look-a-Like. I was so proud... Bailey won the Best Kisser contest!!! She got this huge prize pack with treats and a nice bowl and a gift certificate for an embroidered collar and leash.
********************
On the 18th, we went to another event where they had agility clinics, microchipping, and other dog related activities. We did the agility clinic but Bailey wanted to lay down in the tunnel instead of running through it.
After we played in the make-shift off-leash dog park area for a while, I took Bailey to see what all was involved in earning the AKC Canine Good Citizen award. Again, my blogging skills are lacking so you'll have to Google it to see what it's really all about. Basically, it's the first step to becoming a therapy dog, but you don't have to take it that far. And you know what? My little over achiever passed the test and earned her CGC on the first try! She is just 6 months old...
********************
My husband insisted a couple weeks ago that Bailey wouldn't break 60 pounds. I told him he was nuts... she was not yet 6 months old and she was 54 lbs already.
She weighed in at 58.8 lbs on the 18th at 6 months-1 week. My guess is that she will be around 75 lbs when she's done growing.
It has been months since I really ran any distance so this was a challenge for both of us. We ran and walked off and on throughout and we probably ended up running about half the time...
The funniest part was about a half mile before the finish line and Bailey decided she was done. She stopped to poop and then I thought she was looking for a place to potty when she just laid down... She got up again pretty easily and finished okay but we were both pretty tired.
After the run, they had contests for Best Trick, Best Kisser, Biggest/Smallest Dog, Best Costume, and Owner/Dog Look-a-Like. I was so proud... Bailey won the Best Kisser contest!!! She got this huge prize pack with treats and a nice bowl and a gift certificate for an embroidered collar and leash.
********************
On the 18th, we went to another event where they had agility clinics, microchipping, and other dog related activities. We did the agility clinic but Bailey wanted to lay down in the tunnel instead of running through it.
After we played in the make-shift off-leash dog park area for a while, I took Bailey to see what all was involved in earning the AKC Canine Good Citizen award. Again, my blogging skills are lacking so you'll have to Google it to see what it's really all about. Basically, it's the first step to becoming a therapy dog, but you don't have to take it that far. And you know what? My little over achiever passed the test and earned her CGC on the first try! She is just 6 months old...
********************
My husband insisted a couple weeks ago that Bailey wouldn't break 60 pounds. I told him he was nuts... she was not yet 6 months old and she was 54 lbs already.
She weighed in at 58.8 lbs on the 18th at 6 months-1 week. My guess is that she will be around 75 lbs when she's done growing.
Friday, May 9, 2008
When It Rains It Pours Part Two
To catch you up:
My job is being contrated out so I am losing my job and waiting to hear if the new folks are going to hire me to do the job I am currently doing or not.
Frig/freezer and stove die on the same day.
Car is hit in a parking lot after purchsing a mini-frig to tide us over.
Update:
Still waiting to hear about the job.
Frig/freezer came back on. I still won't use it for anything other than a pantry until we can get someone to come look at it. However, half the places I tried said that since it is currently working, they could only guess what was wrong. They suggested I wait til it dies again, then call them. Wonderful... it could be months.
Girl that hit me in the parking lot? No current insurance coverage. And I only have her name and (incorrect)insurance contact info. I have her license plate, too, but since it happend on private property, the local police will not pursue her. They said it was my insurance company's job to track her down. Which means my insurance will go up...
I am on a roll:
I got a flat tire yesterday. Sucks, but no big deal... just had to change it. Except that the spare tire was also flat. I just drove it to the nearest gas station and aired it up there...
We had our neighborhood garage sale last weekend and when it was over, we donated what was left to a local charity who provides our neighborhood with a drop-off spot each year. After we loaded our 7 trash bags full of clothes, a couch, a queen-sized head board, a shelving unit, and 2 boxes of other stuff, they refused to give us a receipt.
Signs of the light ahead:
After 5 days and multiple phone calls to the local charity and our neighborhood association, the charity finally agreed to give us a receipt after my husband threatened to go to their wearhouse and go through all 20+ trucks, one by one, to find our stuff so we could take it to someplace who would issue us a receipt.
In spite of all this, I am still smiling. When the spare tire was flat, I just laughed... because what else could I do?
I have decided God is defeinately testing me. I just wish I knew what it was that I had to do to pass.
My job is being contrated out so I am losing my job and waiting to hear if the new folks are going to hire me to do the job I am currently doing or not.
Frig/freezer and stove die on the same day.
Car is hit in a parking lot after purchsing a mini-frig to tide us over.
Update:
Still waiting to hear about the job.
Frig/freezer came back on. I still won't use it for anything other than a pantry until we can get someone to come look at it. However, half the places I tried said that since it is currently working, they could only guess what was wrong. They suggested I wait til it dies again, then call them. Wonderful... it could be months.
Girl that hit me in the parking lot? No current insurance coverage. And I only have her name and (incorrect)insurance contact info. I have her license plate, too, but since it happend on private property, the local police will not pursue her. They said it was my insurance company's job to track her down. Which means my insurance will go up...
I am on a roll:
I got a flat tire yesterday. Sucks, but no big deal... just had to change it. Except that the spare tire was also flat. I just drove it to the nearest gas station and aired it up there...
We had our neighborhood garage sale last weekend and when it was over, we donated what was left to a local charity who provides our neighborhood with a drop-off spot each year. After we loaded our 7 trash bags full of clothes, a couch, a queen-sized head board, a shelving unit, and 2 boxes of other stuff, they refused to give us a receipt.
Signs of the light ahead:
After 5 days and multiple phone calls to the local charity and our neighborhood association, the charity finally agreed to give us a receipt after my husband threatened to go to their wearhouse and go through all 20+ trucks, one by one, to find our stuff so we could take it to someplace who would issue us a receipt.
In spite of all this, I am still smiling. When the spare tire was flat, I just laughed... because what else could I do?
I have decided God is defeinately testing me. I just wish I knew what it was that I had to do to pass.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
"Night Of The Twisters"
Do any of you remember that book from childhood? I think I read it 3 times.
Anyway, we had some severe weather come through a few days ago. I was watching TV and all my fave shows were broken into because of all the tornadoes and severe t-storms that were making their way through our area.
Most everything was way north of us but I told one of my neighbors that if the sirens went off, I was coming over. We don't have a basement and the closet that had been designated the "tornado closet" the day we moved into the house was now full of items for the care of my husband's 450 gallon fish tank, including a smaller "frag" tank.
So about 9:30 I was laying in bed watching the reports and the storm was looking like it might clip our little community. All of a sudden, the TV screen went blue (like the "blue screen of death" that you get on computers) and a voice came over the air that said "This is the (local) fire department. Please take cover immediately." So I jumped up and threw on some slippers and headed toward the door. By the time I grabbed Bailey's leash, my neighbor was banging on my door. The sirens were going off as we walked out the door.
I sent my husband a text message to let him know where I was since he was at work. I got a text from a girlfriend who lives 45 minutes southwest of us saying "Tornado heading your way!" My neighbors still had power so we kept watching the weather reports for about 3o minutes. Then all of a sudden everything was over. The sirens went off, the weather people were like "its over, see you later" and the regular programming resumed. So Bailey and I went home.
With a fish tank as large as ours, there is a lot of background noise in our house. Since I knew we were in for some more severe stuff later that night, I left my bedroom window open so I could hear the sirens if they went off again. Our house is semi-subterranean so my husband told me to take shelter in the bathroom that is mostly under ground if we had anymore warnings. I left the TV on in the bedroom and Bailey and I went to sleep.
About 2am, I awoke to a soft growl from Bailey. I wasn't sure what she was growling at until I realized the window was still open and the roar coming from outside was just like the "freight train" I hear folks describe after they have been through a tornado. I pulled Bailey up next to me and covered us with the blankets. There was no way I was gonna walk through our living room with the large glass fish tank if there was a tornado about to hit. The TV folks were not reporting any rotation at the time but they said they had reports of 70-80 mph straight line winds.
I laid there with my dog and waited for the storm to pass. There was lightening and thunder and rain that went sideways, but no sirens or actual tornado warnings. But the sound of that roaring, steady-state wind will be with me for a long time.
Here are some pics of the damage 4 blocks from the home of a co-worker:
********************
52.1 lbs on 5/4
Anyway, we had some severe weather come through a few days ago. I was watching TV and all my fave shows were broken into because of all the tornadoes and severe t-storms that were making their way through our area.
Most everything was way north of us but I told one of my neighbors that if the sirens went off, I was coming over. We don't have a basement and the closet that had been designated the "tornado closet" the day we moved into the house was now full of items for the care of my husband's 450 gallon fish tank, including a smaller "frag" tank.
So about 9:30 I was laying in bed watching the reports and the storm was looking like it might clip our little community. All of a sudden, the TV screen went blue (like the "blue screen of death" that you get on computers) and a voice came over the air that said "This is the (local) fire department. Please take cover immediately." So I jumped up and threw on some slippers and headed toward the door. By the time I grabbed Bailey's leash, my neighbor was banging on my door. The sirens were going off as we walked out the door.
I sent my husband a text message to let him know where I was since he was at work. I got a text from a girlfriend who lives 45 minutes southwest of us saying "Tornado heading your way!" My neighbors still had power so we kept watching the weather reports for about 3o minutes. Then all of a sudden everything was over. The sirens went off, the weather people were like "its over, see you later" and the regular programming resumed. So Bailey and I went home.
With a fish tank as large as ours, there is a lot of background noise in our house. Since I knew we were in for some more severe stuff later that night, I left my bedroom window open so I could hear the sirens if they went off again. Our house is semi-subterranean so my husband told me to take shelter in the bathroom that is mostly under ground if we had anymore warnings. I left the TV on in the bedroom and Bailey and I went to sleep.
About 2am, I awoke to a soft growl from Bailey. I wasn't sure what she was growling at until I realized the window was still open and the roar coming from outside was just like the "freight train" I hear folks describe after they have been through a tornado. I pulled Bailey up next to me and covered us with the blankets. There was no way I was gonna walk through our living room with the large glass fish tank if there was a tornado about to hit. The TV folks were not reporting any rotation at the time but they said they had reports of 70-80 mph straight line winds.
I laid there with my dog and waited for the storm to pass. There was lightening and thunder and rain that went sideways, but no sirens or actual tornado warnings. But the sound of that roaring, steady-state wind will be with me for a long time.
Here are some pics of the damage 4 blocks from the home of a co-worker:
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52.1 lbs on 5/4
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Cabin Fever
Things Bailey has eaten in the past 30 days:
3 pairs of Victoria's Secret underwear
$45 in cash
1 state ID card
1 credit card
1 TV remote
4 tennis balls
1 "tuff" toy
1 dog bed pillow
1 dog bed pillow case
1 set of directions for Amish Friendship Bread
When I say "eaten" I don't necessarily mean ingested. I just mean that they were broken, destroyed, and/or shredded beyond recognition.
In spite of my cycling her toys, I can only guess that she is just bored and needs some quality time at the dog park, which, due to rainy weather and recovery from her surgery, we have not been to since the 2nd week of April.
Don't get me wrong, we have played outside with her ball and Frisbee almost daily. But it just isn't enough for a growing, large-breed puppy.
Coupled with the fact that it's difficult to supervise her when we are asleep, we are just asking for trouble. And with her being in the kennel all day while we are at work, it's hard to put her in there at night.
We have an appointment with the vet tomorrow afternoon. I plan to beg to be released for some dog-park play.
3 pairs of Victoria's Secret underwear
$45 in cash
1 state ID card
1 credit card
1 TV remote
4 tennis balls
1 "tuff" toy
1 dog bed pillow
1 dog bed pillow case
1 set of directions for Amish Friendship Bread
When I say "eaten" I don't necessarily mean ingested. I just mean that they were broken, destroyed, and/or shredded beyond recognition.
In spite of my cycling her toys, I can only guess that she is just bored and needs some quality time at the dog park, which, due to rainy weather and recovery from her surgery, we have not been to since the 2nd week of April.
Don't get me wrong, we have played outside with her ball and Frisbee almost daily. But it just isn't enough for a growing, large-breed puppy.
Coupled with the fact that it's difficult to supervise her when we are asleep, we are just asking for trouble. And with her being in the kennel all day while we are at work, it's hard to put her in there at night.
We have an appointment with the vet tomorrow afternoon. I plan to beg to be released for some dog-park play.
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