It is Sunday morning and I have some work to do but am procrastinating (I know, what a shocker) and just decided to be a bit lazy this morning. Realized I haven't posted in over a week, which is very unusual for me. It has been a hectic time recently. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, keeping up with schedules for three different job locations has taken a lot of energy. I've only had one mistake in 6 weeks where I had written in an appointment on the wrong time. I was able to run and meet with the client just in the nick of time! I've really made efforts to not make THAT mistake again!
I've been working 4 days a week at one location (B) and one day a week at location (A) and then working at my private practice every day after 4:30. That gets crazy! Then last week (A) decided I needed to complete a two day training seminar that is required of all of their therapists. The location was out in the wilderness. No joke.
I left Wednesday afternoon, went through Fayetteville and met Gregory on campus. We enjoyed eating together at Panera Bread before I took off for the hills of Arkansas. As I left Fayetteville, the RAIN started. And of course it had gotten dark. I'm not talking about a light sprinkle....I'm talking SERIOUS MONSOON kind of rain. My eyes were so tired by the time I pulled into Harrison that I stopped for a few minutes at Walmart. Walked around for a bit, picked up a couple of magazines and then I was off again. This is where this story becomes like a Stephen King novel. The wind was howling and rain was coming from every direction. I had no idea that there was a tornado warning out for Pocahontas...and they later had one touch down! I could barely see the road because in Arkansas the two lane highways have lines painted when the road is paved and then forever forgotten. No lines. Occasionally I would get behind a random pickup truck that actually helped because I could see where they were going! The lightning was flashing all around me. When the lightning would light up the sky, you could see that there was huge blackness with the lightning very close to the ground. Once I thought I had a policeman following me with his lights going only to realize that it was the lightning.
While driving in a flood that could have prepared Noah for loading the animals in the Ark, I discovered that my left knee was wet. I thought perhaps it was rain on the door from when I had gotten out in Harrison....but no. My car was leaking!!!! Right there on the left corner where the convertible connects to the windshield!!! In three years it had never done that!
I realized the rain was getting harder and started seeing small bits of hail mixed in, so I pulled over at one of the few service stations that was open and had a cover over their gas pumps. And the hail began. Round one anyway. After it started to lighten up, I thought it was time to get back on the incredible journey, but knew I should take advantage of the restroom facilities there first. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not apprehensive in most situations and usually feel comfortable to tackle almost anything. But as I walked into the convenience store that night, the two men working there were the only people in the place. I have to say that the hair on the back of my neck was standing up and I hurried to get out of there as fast as I could.
More rain. More drips on my leg. More lightning. Was this night ever going to end? As I got closer to Pocahontas, I realized it was beginning to hail again. Round two. I spotted a Citgo station that was closed, but had a nice overhang...with three other vehicles already parked under it. One had a trailer with a motorcycle on it. The owner had been on his motorcycle in the hail and had gotten hit on his lip actually!
Long journey finally ended about 12:30am when I arrived at my hotel. I was both exhausted and wired up, but was able to fall asleep quickly.
I met three other amazing therapists going through the same training. We bonded very quickly and started comparing our stories. That was the best part of the two days!
After much consideration, it has become apparently clear that I need to cut down the confusion in my life to one job and my practice. So, (B) wins out. I'm giving my notice to (A) tomorrow.
On the way home by a different route (I'm NOT stupid!) I realized I would be passing close to mom and dad's house, so I called them and they agreed to meet me at Ryan's Restaurant in Searcy. Talk about a huge buffet! It was so great to visit with them. I think they enjoyed doing something spontaneous too!
Arrived home around 11:00 Friday night and I don't think I've totally recovered yet. It's really hell to be old and your body just doesn't act like it once did!
Today I'm thankful for many things, even in the midst of job craziness....like my Steve, dinner with my favorite son, random new friendships, spontaneous dinner with my folks, a microwave that is installed after three months, a paycheck, texting, cellphones, email and Skype, and today especially I'm thankful for Sundays.
I've been working 4 days a week at one location (B) and one day a week at location (A) and then working at my private practice every day after 4:30. That gets crazy! Then last week (A) decided I needed to complete a two day training seminar that is required of all of their therapists. The location was out in the wilderness. No joke.
I left Wednesday afternoon, went through Fayetteville and met Gregory on campus. We enjoyed eating together at Panera Bread before I took off for the hills of Arkansas. As I left Fayetteville, the RAIN started. And of course it had gotten dark. I'm not talking about a light sprinkle....I'm talking SERIOUS MONSOON kind of rain. My eyes were so tired by the time I pulled into Harrison that I stopped for a few minutes at Walmart. Walked around for a bit, picked up a couple of magazines and then I was off again. This is where this story becomes like a Stephen King novel. The wind was howling and rain was coming from every direction. I had no idea that there was a tornado warning out for Pocahontas...and they later had one touch down! I could barely see the road because in Arkansas the two lane highways have lines painted when the road is paved and then forever forgotten. No lines. Occasionally I would get behind a random pickup truck that actually helped because I could see where they were going! The lightning was flashing all around me. When the lightning would light up the sky, you could see that there was huge blackness with the lightning very close to the ground. Once I thought I had a policeman following me with his lights going only to realize that it was the lightning.
While driving in a flood that could have prepared Noah for loading the animals in the Ark, I discovered that my left knee was wet. I thought perhaps it was rain on the door from when I had gotten out in Harrison....but no. My car was leaking!!!! Right there on the left corner where the convertible connects to the windshield!!! In three years it had never done that!
I realized the rain was getting harder and started seeing small bits of hail mixed in, so I pulled over at one of the few service stations that was open and had a cover over their gas pumps. And the hail began. Round one anyway. After it started to lighten up, I thought it was time to get back on the incredible journey, but knew I should take advantage of the restroom facilities there first. Anyone that knows me, knows that I am not apprehensive in most situations and usually feel comfortable to tackle almost anything. But as I walked into the convenience store that night, the two men working there were the only people in the place. I have to say that the hair on the back of my neck was standing up and I hurried to get out of there as fast as I could.
More rain. More drips on my leg. More lightning. Was this night ever going to end? As I got closer to Pocahontas, I realized it was beginning to hail again. Round two. I spotted a Citgo station that was closed, but had a nice overhang...with three other vehicles already parked under it. One had a trailer with a motorcycle on it. The owner had been on his motorcycle in the hail and had gotten hit on his lip actually!
Long journey finally ended about 12:30am when I arrived at my hotel. I was both exhausted and wired up, but was able to fall asleep quickly.
I met three other amazing therapists going through the same training. We bonded very quickly and started comparing our stories. That was the best part of the two days!
After much consideration, it has become apparently clear that I need to cut down the confusion in my life to one job and my practice. So, (B) wins out. I'm giving my notice to (A) tomorrow.
On the way home by a different route (I'm NOT stupid!) I realized I would be passing close to mom and dad's house, so I called them and they agreed to meet me at Ryan's Restaurant in Searcy. Talk about a huge buffet! It was so great to visit with them. I think they enjoyed doing something spontaneous too!
Arrived home around 11:00 Friday night and I don't think I've totally recovered yet. It's really hell to be old and your body just doesn't act like it once did!
Today I'm thankful for many things, even in the midst of job craziness....like my Steve, dinner with my favorite son, random new friendships, spontaneous dinner with my folks, a microwave that is installed after three months, a paycheck, texting, cellphones, email and Skype, and today especially I'm thankful for Sundays.
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