Do I have to go to work?

Good inevitively brings bad, right? After pondering all the good things that have been going on, the bad things seem to be lurking in the corners ready to pounce. As I prepare myself to go to work tomorrow, the thought crossed my mind that I haven't shared my most recent drama concerning my job.

Problem:

SunHealthcare owns 3 Long Term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities within the Denver area. I was working for 2 for about a month, driving back and forth daily, getting paid for my time between buildings and mileage. I knew this wouldn't last forever as the building in Aurora (called Sable Care Center) had developed a growing caseload that was definitely suitable for one full-time SLP. I just assumed that they would hire someone and I would return to Bear Creek Nursing & Rehab where I was originally hired on full-time. Another CFY from the 3rd building in the Denver area was also helping out at Sable and we talked daily how it was inconvenient and how they just needed to hire someone b/c the caseload was growing (that's a good thing!). Meanwhile at Bear Creek the caseload was dropping, quickly. They could barely keep enough work on for the 3 othe SLPs that were there and several days I didn't go into Bear at all b/c of the low caseload. It was all bad news from there. Last Friday the Rehab manager mentioned that the Regional Director of Rehab was coming into talk to us about the position and what the next step was regarding this crazy 2 building status. Basically, they brought me into a room, explained what a GREAT therapist I was and then told me that I was going to be at Sable full time. They made it seem like I was the better therapist between the 2 of us and like it was a good opportuinty for me to "spread my wings". Convenient that Bear Creek could not support me and Elm's Haven (where the other CFY works) could better "absorb" her time and productivity. *Heavens don't EVEN get me started on productivity* Options? none. This building, area and other therapists are a far stretch from what my original building is like. I would be the ONLY SLP (which is why I didn't take the job in SC) trying to build and maintain a caseload in a building which is having major Nursing and management issues. Great. Not to mention the drive is ridiculous and we rented this house b/c of the, duh, location close to work. Unbelieveable, and it makes me mad at this very moment just thinking about it again. Aurora is, well, very diverse and multi-cultural. I had my first only Spanish speaking dysphagia patient recently, for example. Now that was a good time.

Solution:

What is the solution anyway? What other option did I have? Either I take the job at Sable, or I don't have a job. Simple as that. So, I took the job at Sable leaving behind my supervisor, my other very supportive SLPs, great interdisciplinary team, clean and healthy building, and good Rehab candidates. My CFY is complete in March, but depending on how long Mike and I stay here why would I pursue another job? I have to keep telling myself it's a good professional move....something I can put on a resume of "building my caseload", "creating programs", etc. Who am I kidding. It sucks. I hate it. And I'm still mad at Bear Creek for hiring me if they knew they couldn't fully support 4 SLPs. Rah. Alas, the solution is to suck it up, be a big girl and learn something from this situation. I would gladly accept professional advice from those who have experienced lateral moves like this that turn out to be, not so lateral.

Do I have to go to work? YES....but..so does Mikey! He got the seasonal help as a driver helper for UPS starting tomorrow. That's a good thing! Hey, thanks for listening. Love Wins!

A very thankful Thanksgiving.

Much has happened since the last blog that I've made a decision regarding my blogging status; A weekly update is necessary. Do you agree? I guess I never realized:

1.) how many people actually take the time to read my musings, and
2.) how much stuff I have to say (how much of it is important, you can decide).

There is an unusual feeling of freedom after completing a blog that I consider quite an achievement considering my writing has declined significantly since I graduated from Grad School. I am thankful for the opportunity to create my own space that screams 'Lynsey'.

Moving on. Thanksgiving here at the Curry household was absolutely, positively, controlled chaos thanks to these very special family members that came to the Rockies for a visit:
YAY for my sister, James, Josie & Caleb! Dull moments just don't occur when you have 2 kids, 2 dogs and 4 adults in a house - don't forget all the love! We played, skied, toured, and ate - but high on the priority list was catching up on life. Those everyday moments that seem to pass by become so important when time is limited. We'll miss the Jaeger family at Christmas time since they will be heading South as we are heading East. Oh boy. Christmas is coming...and quickly! Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed their company and we hope that their experience of Colorado creats a desire deep within to come visit again.


The Ray LaMontagne show was, in my opinion, life changing. Music has always shaped and molded my inner being and to see passion, true passion, within an artist is inspirational. I caught myself closing my eyes and soaking in the beauty...like you do when you know you're in a "moment" while looking at some scenery, or visiting with a friend and you don't want it to end. I could have listened to him for days and never tire of his melodic licks and striking lyrics. Here he is, blurry and all because they didn't allow flash in this theater (which was unbelieveably beautiful). I've never, ever, been that close to an artist. We're talking close enough to identify difficult notes by the type of face he made. Close enough to determine which songs the artist jams to by the dancing of his feet. Close enough to see that his nose was rather large. Have to take the good w/ the bad, I suppose.

This is how it made us feel:

And now, for the wildlife section of my blog. ELLLLLLLLLKKKKK!!

This big guy, and his 3 buddies, were just hanging out grabbing a snack behind tons of houses in a little park. We walk this way almost daily and as Mike was walking the dogs last week he noted something a little odd. An elk was standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Holy Cow!

I'll admit, this was a very random blog to catch you up on life. Too many different stories and each needed its own posting. I'm slowly picking up on the ways of the blogging world. Final word: I'm thankful....for my life. Love Wins!

Now I'm really excited! Blogger allowed me to acutally upload a video! Here are our dogs enjoying snow-time in CO:

Sunday Mornin'

Good Sunday Morning. Here is what I woke up to this Sunday morning in November:



No complaints though. I'm up before Mike, enjoying some Ray Lamontagne , eating some oatmeal and watching it snow, snow, snow. The snow here is so white. So puffy. So extremely delicate that it hurts me to see cars drive through our neighborhood and damage something so perfect. It is quite beautiful, and quite different from snow in my old Kentucky home. This is only our 2nd real snow this season and I'm actually, whoah, enjoying it. But, to put it all into perspective, we still have 6 more months of winter. Really then, I'm just holding my breath until I develop cabin fever so bad that I long to desperately move to the beach. I know, right?

Things are moving along swiftly here in Colorado...time doesn't slow down, does it? My wonderful family is coming to visit this weekend!! This snow is really going to help the skiing we'll be doing a week from today! Josie thinks that there is snow on the ground all the time in Colorado; she wanted to know if "we can build a snowman when we get there." I think Nancy had to share the bad news that yes, there is an abundance of snow, but no, it doesn't snow all the time. Speaking of my family, S & G farm is now 2 less greyhounds. I shared a picture a while back with me posing with both greyhounds, Tika and Gracie when we went to visit in August. Here they are again:
Gracie passed away recently of old age and dad had to put Tika down as her cancer was starting to really impact her quality of life. Mom shared with me that the Skaggs/Jaegers spread their ashes around the farm this weekend. I couldn't think of another way to be more respectful and loving to a canine that was so respectful and loving to us. Espeically as both were rescued from the racetrack that could have likely ended their life much, much earlier. Remember that blog about separating emotions from logic, yeah. Just can't do it.

Friday the 13th came around and I kicked its butt! There is an awesome radio station here, 97.3 KBCO, that Mike and I are obsessed with. They play the awesome hippie music that we listen to and give away AWESOME prizes and such. I thought my XM would top any radio station, but there is really something to say about the local radio station. Anyway. I had been trying all week to win tickets to see Ray LaMontagne (his music should be playing on my blog, check him out on iTunes as well) at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on the 17th or 18th (2 nights!). So, like normal, around 6:30am was the "much too early for a question, question" where you have to be the 3rd caller and answer a question. I had developed a plan of taking my laptop upstairs by the radio along with both cell phones, dailing and searching the web for the answer (those question were HARD). No luck for Lynsey all week...until....you guessed it....FRIDAY! Totally wasn't caller #3, but lucky for me, he didn't know the answer. I answered correctly and won FRONT ROW TICKETS to see Ray AND a pair of tickets to see the Nutcracker!!! I've mentioned to Mike several times about how I'd like to see the Nutcracker, just to do something fun! Now, we get to go for freeeeeee! Happy Friday the 13th to me!

Okay, probably should get off this couch and go do something productive.....but I'm leaving you with a great little Ray LaMontange tune called Empty:




Love always wins!

Pros & Cons

I love nights to de-stress and examine life. A quiet house, quiet dogs, a good show on the tube and a good book in the works (The Time Traveler's Wife) make for a great evening. Well, almost a great evening. The weather people are calling for the first big snow of the season starting at midnight tonight and continuing through Thursday night. Up to 10 inches of snow will accumulate between these times. I have never in my life experienced a snow storm in October. Oh well, just chalk it up to living in Colorado. Mike and I are actually planning on going skiing next weekend if the snow continues up on the mountains (p.s. it's supposed to snow up to 2ft up there, yipes!). Staying positive, remember? Attempting to, anyway....there are always negatives that seem to engulf every attempt at a positive.

Like driving to the other facility everday from now until Christmas, arg. I heard that news recently and about flipped my lid. I thought I was hired in Morrison permanently, which is why we chose to find a house about 10 min away. Now, I'm driving a good 45 min to a building which should have a full-time SLP; however the SLP that was there previously only kept about 5 people on caseload and basically half-assed her way through. Now that she is gone, the company doesn't think the building can handle a f/t SLP, which is bull malarky. I am splitting the building with another SLP-CF and we have already identified and picked up 11 residents that need cognitive/dysphagia tx. That's within 3 weeks. So, what I'm hoping for is that they will see the need and hire someone earlier. But of course, there are always speed bumps, like the fact that SunBridge is being bought by SunDance Rehab. Not a big deal considering they are both under the SunHealthcare umbrella but basically all new hires are on hold. So, I'm stuck. Ok. Positive:

*The other 2 buildings in the Denver area owned by Sunbridge have had cut hours, Bear Creek has not. I'm still able to get 40hrs/wk...and I will get those hours as long as I travel to Sable. We are slow at Bear right now and I would be going home early. Positive.
*The experience at another building will be good for me. I have to learn how to deal with other therapists, CNAs, staff, and residents that are completely different than the ones at Bear Creek. Sable in Aurora is much more diverse and multi-cultural which is a good thing. Positive.
*Who am I kidding? It's just until Christmas. Ah! Christmas when I get to go home. Positive.

Whew, I often wonder if I am being a little dramatic about this whole situation. I just spent a good 3 paragraphs sifting through this situation so I think it's time I just let it go. *big sigh* Anyway. Mike and I went to church on Sunday which was a total blessing, but we just didn't get a good vibe from the church. It was only our second experience there, but, I can't really explain it, we just didn't like it (for a lack of better explanation). I've come to the conclusion that I miss my friends terribly and if I don't get involved in a small group I might go crazy. It really does make you appreicate the true friends that you've mad in your life. So, we'll try another church on Sunday and continue to pray about where we should be. My relationship with the Lord has been rocky lately anyway, doubt has crept it's way in and really clouded my view of Christianity. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone been in the same place? I'm stagnant....and I hate that feeling.

Holy crap. Why am I being so negative?? Boo. Cheer up, Charlie. Life is ultimately good! The Lord is, get this, GOOD. Okay, so Mike found my dog the other day laying in his laundry basket. Ah, Chaco. Way to make my life smile. Love always wins. Let's leave it there for tonight.

Random Thoughts......

Happy Wednesday!

It snowed ALL day today. Not much accumulation since it was 74 on Sunday, but the snow covered our dish and Mike had to clean it off. What the crap! That's so not right. I saw on TV where Halloween costumes in Colorado need to work a parka into their wardrobe. I thought that was very fitting! We actually get to sit outside (or, not so much) and pass out candy this year. This is the first time EVER that I've done this considering S & G Farm is not a popular spot for Trick or Treaters. Last year I attempted to sit outside the Blackhawk Grille & pass out candy, but it was too cold and I wussied out. I think we'll have to sit inside this year, for sure. I wanted to dress up the dogs, Mike nixed this idea quickly. Don't you think Chaco would be a cute witch? I thought so too. Help me convince him!

Here is life recently:

We went to the NLDS game where the Rockies lost to the Phillies. Boo. But, it was one of the most exciting baseball games I've ever been to. We love Coors Field...might have to purchase some season tickets next year.















Holy Cow there were a lot of people!



Ha Ha! How does she get herself into situations like this? I swear the dog is made out of pudding.









YAY Evergreen. YAY for pretty days in October. YAY for hikes w/ the husband and dogs.



Work has been kind of frustrating again this week as I'm driving 40 min (50 min in traffic) to another building. Hopefully it's not a forever but just for now thing. I'll keep you posted. I HATE Denver traffic....there is NO way I will ever, ever, ever, live in a city; I don't see how people deal with it. Gross. Makes me want to build a house on S & G farm much, much sooner...or move into the mountains. Hummmmm.....Decisions Decisons. Love Wins! Love you!

I surrender all.

First, I'd like to state that I NEVER thought I would be one of these people, but somehow, someway, unconditional love snuck up on me.

My dog (that's all I have to say and I bet you know where I'm going with this). My psychotic, spastic, underwear eating, wallet demolishing, shoe chewing, and glove eating dog has done it again. This time, she hasn't ruined anything (not even the frozen chicken on the counter, although she's done that in the past). No, this time my dog has taught me something completely different - agape love. Growing up I was surrounded with animals, none of which were my own but belonged to the farm. I dealt with death often, heck, the cattle we raised were to be slaughtered. Anyway, I never attached my emotions to an animal, in fact, I often laughed at those clients my dad had that wanted to spend the extra $200 bucks for the surgery that MIGHT keep them alive. I gawked at those that dropped the extra cash to have my dad see them after hours when he clearly stated they would be okay till the morning. But now, now my friends, things have changed. I never thought I would allow myself to attach emotions to animals, why would I; I mean, they're just animals....right? They don't reason, they have no insight, mine has POOR problem solving, they're a pest, they take up a lot of time, they have too much energy, they are expensive, and they stink. Especially after a day of swimming. They're just animals, right? Welllllllll, within these past 2 1/2 years my dog has seen me cry, laugh, get married (get a brother!), finish graduate school, and move to Colorado. All of this while never leaving my side. Dogs completely rely on their owners to be responsible and trust willingly on a human being to provide every need. And if that doesn't relate to a relationship with Christ, I don't know what does. In addition, it made me think about how much I truly love my dog, despite those hideous cons mentioned above. You can't get mad at a dog when they do wrong, it does no good. Its best just to let life roll on. It's that agape love that a dog has for their owner and visa versa that has me baffled and concluded I've become one of those people that would go the extra mile for their, gasp, pet. How did I get here? Is this healthy? I've tried to cut the apron strings, but how do you get rid of that gut reaction when your husband calls you to say that your dog has run off, again. So, I guess my conclusion remains, my dog has successfully taught me how to love without condition. Neat.

ALSO! I have finally settled into my job and feel comfortable with the forms, evals, co-workers, doctors and building. Only to have to be transfered to another building in Aurora for half days this week. Boo. Anyway....I'll leave you with a picture of my adorable Chaco. Love Wins!

Is this Love that I'm feeling?

Taos, NM

I'm listening to some Bob Marley at the moment, trying to figure out how to recap my weekend. Picture Storytime :::

1. Chaco ate a bee & it stung her in the mouth. She had a fat lip for a couple hours...Mike said it looked like she had eaten something until he pulled out the stinger. HA! You have to admit that's funny.


2. We had to pull off the side of the road to take a picture of THIS! A full moon coming up in New Mexico, breathtaking.

3. We went for a hike; here's the Wrigglenator blazing the trail for us.

Happy Campers! The weather was perfect, warm in the daytime and pretty darn chilly at night. Everyone there dressed like a picture out of Patagonia magazine. I want to look like a dirty hippie all day and be okay with that. I've said for many years I'd like to have dreads. I won't, I won't...it's just one of those things I wish I could.

4. Sometimes I wonder if taking care of kids will be like taking care of dogs. Nevertheless, these are our kiddos for now, and they were looking pretty darn cute here. There is some color in the background, but that's about as red as it got. All the trees around here just turn yellow, and look dead (I guess essentially they are). Not exciting at all. But do you know what IS exciting?


5. A TARANTULA! I never thought I'd see one of them in the wild, but here he was just taking a stroll right in our path. Holy guacamole! Creepy, too? Right?

6. You know how I said that the trees were yellow, well, here is a picture that will make you appreciate yellow:7. Taos Annual Wool Festival was happening! Probably one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. These people were crazy about their wool & yarn. They even brought their animals. Ever seen a rabbit like this?

Looks fake, right? Nope, it's real. Just like this alpaca, which I'm grateful for because it allowed me to purchase this kick ass beanie.


I think Chaco needs a beanie. Okay, maybe not, but the festival motivated me to investigate my creative side. Like, knitting. So, I bought some yarn and wooden needles and began to make a scarf.

8. Here's what I got so far, no laughing from the peanut gallery that consists of pro knitters. Definitely got a long row to hoe (don't think I've ever used that idiom in written form, is that right?).

9. Okay, one more handmade project that was birthed during this weekend: A collar made out of hemp! Won't be long before Wrigley has one, just have to convince Mike it's cool. Are we at #10 already? 10. Go to www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=2149384&id=48200753&ref=mf to check out the rest of the pictures. There were a bunch that I wasn't able to post on here. Overall, I love family road trips!! We've got to do them more often....I think our next trip is to Wyoming! Have I mentioned that Nancy and clan are coming to CO for Thanksgiving? Josie & Caleb are so excited and I think James and Nancy are as well....YAY family! Okay, thanks to Bob Marley I've made it past 11:00pm; past my old, knitting woman bedtime :) Love Wins! Love you!