I Think I Found the New Marley…and my ode to the wireless internet connection.

I’ve blogged before about my adventures in house and dog sitting, and have given my laundry list of things that while are in no way a requirement, but are definitely greatly appreciated.  Some of these things include a list of anything I might expect during the week, ample supply of pet food (if required), a decent supply of human food (hey…I can’t bring my fridge with me…) and the one geeky thing I crave, an Internet connection.  I can’t complain too much, I have all of the above.  Plus to be fair, not long after I blogged about house sitting before, I took myself out of the business.  I took this job strictly because it's a chance for me to get out of my house, and these are dear friends.

As I write the latest of my mental ramblings, I sit in a dear friend’s house with their less than 1-year-old dog.  This dog is ADD on crack.  (Self described by my dear friend, the dog’s owner.)  I’ve known from many a soiree here at Homestead X that the neighbors to the north of the house don’t like the folks that call this house home.  Didn’t realize how much this was really true until this time around.  You see, this was the first time I’ve stayed at the X’s since they’ve gotten “Marley”. 

Sidenote: I call him Marley not only to protect his identity, but it’s an accurate description.  Now, you may conjure up in your brain a lovable ball of yellow fur, and rightly so if you’ve read the book and/or seen the movie “Marley and Me”.  However, let me straighten you out a bit…big enough when he jumps on me to almost put his paws at my waist and not exactly a lap dog.  Oh and not that color matters, but he’s not yellow or golden.  Try ebony with a few splashes of white.  Don’t get me wrong, “Marley” is a sweet dog and as I saw earlier this week, he would bark fiercely at anyone trying to talk to me while we are in the house.  I digress…

Apparently Marley likes to bark.  A lot.  I don’t know how accurate this is though because I, like most of the human world, work during the day so I am not home to monitor his barking habits, volume, etc.  The crotchety little old man who lives next door however has plenty of retired living time to monitor this for me as well as alert the local authorities as to the amount of barking that has been going on.  Now, in the interest of full disclosure, my life has been a LOT more hectic this week with work than has been in the regular past so I’ve gotten home later than normal this week.  How nice of him to then come and inform me of his decision to call the police AFTER he has already done so.  Thanks dude.

All dogs bark, all dogs chew and all dogs go to heaven.  Of these three things I’m sure.  I’ve also come to the realization that there are more than just a few fictional dogs (the real Marley) that aren’t big fans of thunder and lightening storms. “Marley” being one of them.  I was home for a few good solid hours after work, played around with him, etc.  I was informed by the owners (who sadly, I had to call on their vacation to see what to do with him while I was at work because I really didn’t want the neighbor to make good on his threat to call the cops AGAIN and face coming home from work to a noise disturbance (or whatever it would be) ticket on the door and the dog taken to the pound) that they had gotten a hold of a friend to take him to the dog park and wear him out sufficiently for me during the day.  A trip to the park that I’m sure “Marley” not only enjoyed, but also needed.  My hope was that with the trip to the park, he was worn out enough that if I locked the back door, and was only gone for 2-3 hours (it was 2.75, I timed it) he would be fine.  Enter Mother Nature, stage left.  Thunder, lightening and torrential rain.  I come home…to 3 poops and one pee stain in the carpet.  Wheee.  I can’t blame him, I technically said "Sorry, you can’t go outside for the next 3 hours, so hold it."  He just got too worked up to hold his little insides in anymore.  It’s cleaned up, I’m over it, w/e. 

The bigger “adventure” so to speak has been hoping that when I got home, the only destruction I would find would be stuffing out of his beloved chew toys.  Apparently, “Marley” has an affinity for DVD’s.  And not just one movie, like an entire season of a show at a time.  Our standing total thus far (and we have 2 days to go) is 7.  Yes, all of the DVD’s have been moved.  However, the two other stuffed animals that he has found, were on top of a roll top desk.  I swear, this dog is part monkey.  Oh, and he apparently loves breakfast cereal, I mean come on, what dog doesn’t right?  The other thing that Marley has become fond of is firewood.  What better than something that splinters to be gnawing on right?  Oh well, as long as it's outside, I don't really mind.  It's when he brings it INSIDE we run into a problem.  Well, I finally discovered his supply of firewood inside and managed to get that put away.  I must say that Oreck XL vacuums...totally live up to their hype.  This sucker SUCKS!  (and I mean that in a good way...it's a vacuum for crying out loud)

I was warned to put my own things up and out of sight if I wanted them to remain intact.  Thankfully, that hasn’t been a problem and all of my shoes are still my shoes and have no chewing marks on them.  Thank you Jesus for doors the dog can’t open.  However, as of last night, I have my first casualty.  Now, this wasn't just left lying around either.  The dog has chewed through my power cord for my laptop...*sigh* sadly THAT is not going to be cheap for his parents to replace...

As for my affinity for a wireless Internet connection, it’s something that is purely selfish, plain and simple.  The ability to use my own computer where I have things where I want/need them, the ability to be anywhere in the house and use my computer instead of in one room.  (Okay, that part is probably me just being lazy, plain and simple, but still…it’s me.)  I always feel a bit guilty using someone else’s because I never want to accidentally screw something up.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going anywhere I shouldn’t, but some people’s computers are a bit more finicky than others.  Yes, I could go somewhere that has free wi-fi, but when I’m watching a house and dog like “Marley” if I’m able to stay home with him, I’d rather…to prevent any other problems, neighbors or chew toys alike.  Plus, who doesn’t like surfing the web from the comfort of pjs and sitting on your bed?

Just some friendly advice...

Gentlemen...just a word to the wise.  If you are braving the internet dating scene...do NOT make the one and only picture you put up, the one that will most likely be your profile picture, a picture of you sandwiched between two Hooters waitresses.  Seriously???

FAIL.

The Things That Run Through My Mind...

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I started this entry last week...it's taken me that long to get around to finishing it.  Apparently I'm too easily distracted from doing a mental unload to...oooooooo....new pens!

On an average day, I like most people, have a slew of random thoughts that run through my brain.  Do I have a clean pair of pants to wear to work?  Where's my cell phone?  Why didn't I go to bed earlier?  I shouldn't have eaten that, I SHOULD have eaten THAT.  Where's my cell phone?  Holyyyy cow...he was HOT!!!  With my ADD brain, the list is enormous and not worth delving into really.

It's today's thoughts that make me think harder...

What is wrong with me?  I should be bouncing back from a long weekend of having fun...get back into the groove of things.  I can't.  I am exhausted.  I come home at night, and I'm sure if my body would let me, I would fall asleep at 8pm, but instead, even if my ass is in bed by 10, I lie awake and cannot fall asleep until at least 12 or 1.  

I had a good friend extend an offer to me that I couldn't pass up.  I feel extremely humbled that she thought of me, and am sure that I will not regret my decision later on, but what is it about accepting help (in one form or another) that makes you either feel like you can't do it (like I do now) or somehow no matter how gracious the offer is, you just don't want to take it?

This same good friend asked me last night if I was okay.  I gave the stock answer of yes, but tired, recovering from the wedding (my sister's, not mine...yeah, like THAT wouldn't have been posted about.) was taking a bit longer etc.  I got to thinking about it today...I don't know that I AM.  

I've been emailing with a good friend today and seeing if she wants to get together for dinner.  (Big deal you say.)  I wanted to work around her schedule, she's a new mommy...I know that working around a baby's schedule can make or break a get together.  She was so cute..."you're the one with hopping social life...you tell me..."  Umm, is it bad that I'm ready to NOT be so busy?  That I'm ready to be able to go home, sit down and chill out?  I love my friends dearly, but lately I don't know what it is...I'd rather be home than out.  Maybe it's because I'm not 21 anymore and can't bounce back like I used to.  (FYI, no jokes about age are needed, thanks, and YES a decade (holy shit, a full decade) does make a difference in how quickly you recover!!!)

I'm fine with getting older, I'm fine with the fact that both of my younger siblings (not that I have any others) are in great relationships and one is married before me.  I was seriously floored that I got the question of "how are doing with the fact that your younger sister is getting married before you?" during the whole melee of wedding preparations.  YES!  I am FINE with it!  Are you kidding?  Do you know how much I learned by watching what my sister went through?  I swear, you may help a lot of friends do things for their weddings, but until it's THAT close to home...you have a new appreciation for all the crap one must consider before throwing yourself the biggest party ever.  My dad asked me when planning for my sister's wedding was starting to ramp up "How are you doing with all this?", now, you might say "You just said you were fine..." and trust me, I am...when your Daddy asks though, he's asking because he's thinking about his other kids outside of the bride (or groom as the case may be) not because he's being condescending or rude.  My answer (and I quote) was: "Are you kidding?  I'm fine!  I get to sit back and watch how you and Mom handle all this and decide if I really DO want to run off to Vegas or if I want to actually consider having some kind of "real" wedding."  After watching everything...I can officially tell you that it will take a lot of convincing to make me want something other than Las Vegas.  I do draw the line at the drive thru wedding though.  Oh but rest assured, Elvis WILL be involved somehow.  If no other reason than just to piss off my mother.  

Life is good, I can't really complain...I can piss and moan about the daily things that piss me off, but I am employed, I truly love my job (despite what I may bitch about some days), I have a family that loves me, and I'm relatively healthy.  My basics are covered, I have a roof over my head, bills that I have money to pay, food to eat, clothes to cover me.  Why then do I feel like something is missing?

*Sigh* I should probably get back to work...after all, I want to keep this job, keep being able to pay my bills etc...ha ha.

Adios for now...

Gunshy

So the last year has been quite the circle.  

This time last year, I had just celebrated my 2 year anniversary with my last practice.  I love(d) my docs and co-workers, hate(d) my paycheck.  I knew I could earn more and do well at what I do.  

I turned 30 in June, a big birthday, I threw myself a big party.  I wanted a Wii as my present.  My amazing sister and future brother-in-law, made it happen (by recruiting lots of friends and their financial contributions) and gave me a great present to go along with a great party.

My little sister got engaged!  I'm so excited for her.  I am dying to use the line from 27 Dresses on the next person who asks me (and hasn't already gotten my answer) how I'm doing with the fact that my younger sister is getting married before me.  Um, last I checked, I'm not dead.  Yet.

I moved out of living with my folks after getting back on my feet and moved in with a roommate.

I had fallen pretty hard for a guy I met at church.  I thought the world of him.  My roommate fell for him after we started hanging out.  They started dating.  This rocked my world to it's core.  I felt a myriad of emotions, all of which I do not need to go into now.

I found a new job that pays me a lot closer to what I feel I'm worth.  They appreciate me, not that my last job didn't, but I feel like here I actually make my own little difference in the world.  Don't get me wrong, I know I touched some patients' lives at my last practice, at least I really tried to.  In my current job, I don't know, maybe it's because cancer has affected my own life so deeply, here I just feel like I'm doing my little part to fight this nasty disease.  

Made it through the holidays, single.  Again.  Hmmm...*checking pulse* yup, still not dead.  Yet.

Happy New Year!  

Still working at the same place, living in the same place.  Roommate is still dating the guy.  End of January, they broke up...not pretty...but somehow, by no strength of my own, was able to be supportive of a fellow woman with a broken heart.

February brought change; change of address.  Things happened suddenly and very unexpectedly.  I am now a resident of the lovely city of Arvada again, living with my parents.  Not my ideal...but it will work for the time being.  Plus this way, am able to spend more time with my sister prior to wedding festivities.

Have noticed someone lately...but because of what happened in the last six months, am incredibly hesitant to verbalize any kind of feeling for fear that it will be snatched away again.  Maybe not by the same person, but by someone else.  I got burned pretty badly this last go round and the thought of putting myself through those feelings again, makes me want to never admit that *checking pulse* yup, still not dead...yet.  

One of my closest and dearest girlfriends makes a great point, if you don't take a risk, you can't make a gain.  (I also have a close male confidant who has put this to my attention many a time in the past too...)  But once you are burned, what sane person wants to put your hand out over that flame again?

I guess the only way to not be gunshy with the sound of the starting gun is to just keep running the race...look out starting line...I'm starting to lace up my shoes.  (What, I have to start somewhere...and no *checking pulse* STILL not dead.  Yet.)

The Stomach Moved...

So my rant regarding what has been going on in life was met with some support as well as opposition. Due to so many outside factors, I've chosen to privatize the entry. If I have told you to come to this site, please email me, and I will simply email you the epistle.

Don't Go Breakin' My Heart...

That's it...just what the subject line says...but wait...too late.

Proud Big Sister...(9/4/08)

So as some of you know, my little brother is the head youth pastor over at Faith Bible Chapel.

I have not been able to go to any of Kurt's events to see him personally interact with his kids, but have heard the stories. I am a self professed facebook/myspace junkie and while checking things out, saw a notice that he had updated his profile. I noticed a link on his page. I thought, hmm...what's he linkin' to?

My baby brother spoke/preached at the "big church" this past weekend. I've attached/enclosed the link below. Feel free to watch the entire message, but the proud big sister in me says skip to about half way through. I didn't realize just how eloquent of a speaker he can be. He mentions my sister and I in his sermon, which at first was a little bit unnerving as I didn't know exactly where he was going with that...turns out, my little brother can make me cry.

I love you Kurt, I'm so proud of you!
Love, your Big Sister!

http://www.fbci.org/media/2008_08_31_George.html

Rambling/Mentally cleaning house...

So I've had feelings for this guy for months...quite a few months really. He has a troubled past (I can hear you now, who doesn't?), and I mean really troubled. His parents really f'd him over when it came to life and a childhood. In spite of all that, he is an AMAZING guy. He has chosen to take the road less traveled, even though it's been harder, and to see the person that he has become is honestly very humbling yet inspiring at the same time. (If you know who this person is, please for the love of God, respect my fragile sense of pride and humility and don't go blabbing the entire contents of this blog to him, my heart is already in pieces, don't smash it further or the poor soul who finally does win me over, is going to have one helluva time with the super glue.)

Last weekend, it happened (don't jump ahead, don't get excited...just hear me out). I came to the nasty and always oh-so-fun realization that the chances of something happening with this guy, as amazing as he is, are about as good as if I wanted to run for President. Nil. He has serious health issues, and his excuse (at least one of them) is that he doesn't want to burden someone else with his problems. He received a rather loud wake up call recently twice over. One was that his team of doctors told him that essentially has a 5 year life expectancy. (Holy crap, can't imagine getting that news at ANY point in life.) The second was one of his good friends from Search and Rescue (yet another thing this guy is involved in outside of his two jobs) died in the fires in Portland over Labor Day Weekend. He immediately went into a tailspin of who would I leave behind? Who would take care of my things and make MY arrangements? Holy crap, I can't even begin to imagine putting those thoughts together, let alone at 24 years old. (Yes, I know, he's younger, I've come to grips with it, move on.) Cut to about 24 hours later in the weekend, and it's as if I never existed...he's pulled this before, dumps a ton of information on me for no other reason (it seems) other than to see if I'll run. Hmmm...maybe (just MAYBE) if you've been telling me these things for almost a year and I haven't gone anywhere, I might be in this for the long haul. But hey, guy logic and girl logic as we all know, are two TOTALLY different things.

I hate to say it but I think the time is past if it isn't passing as we speak. I have no desire to lose this person as a friend, he's amazing and if I ever need anything (and trust me I've needed his help a couple times with things) I know he would do whatever he can to help me out. I don't want to give up hope for something in the future, but I don't want to be sitting here waiting until I'm 40 for him to figure it out either...I'm torn. Have I started looking elsewhere? Of course. Has my roommate pointed someone out to "think about"? yes. Have I started thinking about it? Kinda.

Now, I have this friend a rather good confidant actually, whom I have perfected the art of "the pact" or "priviledge" as we call it. He has known my feelings for this person for what to him I'm sure seems like an eternity. He has encouraged/pushed me to make my feelings known, however I have never felt like the timing has been right.

Does this mean that now is the time? When the guy I have had feelings for is pretty adamant that he won't let himself get into any type of romantic relationship with anybody? What if this isn't just to keep out anybody...what if it's just to keep out me? Am I completely crazy? All of my friends who have met this guy think he's great, all of the signs I've been getting have pointed towards relationship. (Outside opinion says so too...) Yet here I sit, still single, with amazing friends, yet no chance of a romantic relationship on the horizon. Do I give up? Do I soldier through and make my feelings known, knowing that in the long run, it may come back to bite me in the ass? Do I just resign myself to knowing that there is next to no chance for something to happen and move on and continue having an amazing friendship with this person? What do I do?

Any witty reparte (in small doses) is welcome, so is advice, funny comments, etc...I look forward to hearing it all...

Melting Pot

So I've been working on this blog for a few weeks...there have been multiple things running around in my brain, here are just a few snippets that have leaked out today...

WTF.

That's all I have to say...

For anyone who calls my office, I treat you with the utmost respect, until you become irate with me over something I had no business with or are rude to me. Then, I will remain ever the professional, but will not allow you to walk all over me just because you feel you are entitled.

So I have a patient who has had an appointment with Dr. Hammond for today (8/6) for the last 3 weeks. She called me yesterday to say she has a funeral service she is really wishing to attend but it may conflict with her appointment time, do I have anything later in the day. (Now, this is a perfectly legitimate question, however, just a word to the wise, if it already took me 3 weeks to get you in for the day you have, it's most likely, unless there is some act of GOD, going to be another three weeks to get you in.) As it was, when I made this patient's appointment three weeks ago, she was extremely rude to not only me, but called a couple of days later, DEMANDING information that we cannot give to her regarding the test results that a different doctor's office ordered from my co-worker.

When I informed this patient of the fact that I didn't have another appointment with Dr. Hammond for another 3 weeks, I was promptly given an earful. How dare I, did I not understand that someone close to her had died? Was I so unwilling to help her that I couldn't move something else around? Bite me lady.

Now, as chance would have it, I had a cancellation that day, later in the day about 10 minutes after this oh so pleasant woman called me. I seriously debated being a royal pain and not calling her about it, but decided that no matter what, I should be the bigger person and call her. The woman had the audacity to ask me if I could hold the 230 appt for her in case she couldn't make her 1130 one and yet still leave her in the schedule for the 1130. Who does this??? Tell me, where can you call and book two appointment JUST IN CASE you can't make the first one??? So when I told her I couldn't do that, and talked her through the time line for her appointments, she asked me "so basically you need me to choose right now". Uh yeah biatch, that's the idea. (No, I didn't actually say that, but let me tell you, it was tempting!!!)

So, this patient FINALLY shows up for her appointment at 230pm that afternoon, is pissy with me because I was talking to another patient that was checking out instead of her, when I finished with that patient and turned to help her, I swear I was dead, buried and 6 feet under. (Holy crap, where do people like this come from???) I took her paperwork from her, started processing everything like I should, and she informs me that she needs to use the restroom. I say ok, direct her to our restroom, but before she went would she mind if I took care of scanning her insurance cards while she was gone, and she looks at me, sighs and said "I think me using the restroom is a little more important and pressing than you needing my cards." Gives me the insurance cards and leaves for the restroom on the other end of the floor from our office. When she comes back, I am on the phone with a patient. She sees me on the phone, knws I need to take her co-pay, and literally THROWS her credit card at me to take care of it for her. I politely run it (for the correct amount, I wasn't THAT stupid.) hand her everthing back, and since my doc knew the situation with this patient, I went into her office, waited politely/patiently until she got off the phone/finished dictating (I can't remember which now) and told her to promptly "get that woman out of my waiting room". Thankfully, we will never have to see that patient in our office again.

Another thought....

Today I thought of another thing that will annoy almost any receptionist/secretary/admin assitant/person who answers the phone. Speakerphone. It has it's time and place. It's fine to place your initial call on it and pick up as soon as you hear someone pick up, we all do that. However, it is NOT okay to conduct an entire conversation on it. So, once you hear my friendly voice say "CCVSA this is Jolene"....TAKE ME OFF IT.


So since moving, I have developed a new form of a social life...I actually have an active one. Entirely TOO active! I have managed to book myself solid for almost a month and a half straight. What a rough problem to have right? Bummer, folks want to spend time with me. HOwever, I have discovered the cost of being so overbooked. Sheer exauhstion and money loss. Going out is great and fun, but sadly normally costs more than I remember or am willing to spend, yet I go along with it and don't say anything. Definitely time to reign it it for a while. Thankfully next week, outside of three previously planned engagements, I am keeping myself open, if you want to come hang out for a couple hours at my house, give me a call, see what's going on. Otherwise, I will be stayin' in next week!!!

Talk to y'all later...

Because you had a bad day...

You ever just have one of those days? You oversleep, get to work late, stuck behind a semi (or whatever else is annoying the heck out of you on the road), traffic is bad, people at work are cranky, all compiling into your day...

Well, welcome to Jolene's day 4/9/08. Oversleep? Check! Get to work late? Check! Stuck behind a teeny tiny car that is going 40 in the fast lane? Check! People call in sick to work? Check! Doctor get called away to a HUGE emergency surgery that ate up 3/4 of our day? CHECK! Get slammed with patients at the end of the day because the doctor didn't want you to cancel them because she thought she would be back in time? DOUBLE CHECK! Have an ultrasound tech who's kids are at daycare and an ex husband who is out of town, along with two ultrasound techs who refuse to come help you out and your doctor is going nuts because we are about to be w/o an ultrasound tech? CHECK!

I ran my ASS off all day. My doctor gets called away, that means I had almost an entire afternoon of people to reschedule, all before their appointment which for the most part, was within the next hour to hour in a half. I can't take all the credit, I had some amazing help, Paula is amazing, and without her, I would never have been able to get ahold of the folks I needed to. I was frustrated, fed up with patients who had appointments for something that was not a pressing medical issue, but were severely annoyed that I had to tell them that since Dr. Hammond was called away to EMERGENCY surgery...wouldn't you want the doctor to drop and run for you???

I finally am able to leave work to head to Louisville to meet with my women's group. The one thing to rescue my day...margaritas, girlfriends and Chipotle. In that order. Well no, girlfriends, margaritas and THEN Chipotle.

Then when I get done with the girls, which was a great version of therapy by the way, (complete with the "re-enactment") I got my stuff together, put on my coat, check the phone and found the thing that made my entire day...a text message, and this is what it said:

U were gr8t 2 day. Thnx.

It was from Dr. Hammond. I'm sorry, did I have a problem today?