I know, right. I have some nerve trying to pick up where I left off and pretend like I had nothing to say the last 3 1/2 months. I had plenty happening in that time. So much in fact, I haven't had too much time to blog. My apologizes for ignoring you, The Animals Know Things. Here goes...
After Jack was born April was filled with visits to my apartment where Marika, Nathan and Jack were living. He is such a joy!
The first weekend in May Adam and I took a trip to Salt Lake City for motocross. It was piss poor weather for the drive there, while we were in town and then fine on the way home. That was a bummer. We drove all that way to sleep in the hotel and get cold cold rained on and see about 30 minutes of boys on motor bikes.
Memorial Day weekend was filled with fun! I went to Boulder for a birthday party and to see my beloved Joel and Emily. Then later that weekend cousin Kirk arrived to spend the summer here and work with dad.
May also brought more visits to the apartment to see sweet little Jack and of course Nathan and Marika. :)
June was a busy month. I traveled to Minneapolis for Rachel's Bachelorette Party. We had a BBQ Friday night with the boys and Saturday night was Bachelor/Bachelorette party night. The girls had a ball hopping from one party joint to the next!
Later in June, I got to be in the audience for the first live Tornado Magnets (the band Adam plays in) show! They did a great job and the night was so much fun!
Nathan, Marika and Jack left for a trip to Idaho to visit Marika's family on the July 1. My birthday was July 2nd, just like every other year. I had a great day and spent the evening with friends downtown. If you know me well, you know that my birthday celebration didn't end at midnight on July 2. The majority of the entire month of July is my birthday, at least in my head it is. :) My good friend Rebekah and I decided to throw ourselves a 27th birthday party since her birthday is July 15th. We busted it out high class. We hosted a cocktail party complete with drinks and lots of delicious food. We had a fantastic time with everyone!
The next weekend, Adam and I were on a plane headed to Kansas for Rachel and Shawn's long awaited commitment ceremony! They got married on July 17th, surrounded by beautiful loving people and a whole lotta fun! It was a reunion of sorts for Bethel College friends and there was a great turnout of BC peeps. We also got to party it up with Shawn's friends. I would say we all fit together quite naturally. On Sunday before flying out, Adam and I went to see my dear friend Sara and her baby boy, Nolan. That was the first time I had met Nolan and he was born in January. It was due time! What a sweetheart he is. We also squeezed in a trip to the Salt Mine Museum before almost missing out flight home. (Literally, we were told we had to run to the gate.) Another fabulous weekend.
N,M&J came home after about 3 weeks in Idaho and were able to begin moving into their house! After 14 long months of owning the home and not being able to occupy the residence, they were ready for sure! It is such a beautiful home. Gillis Homes quality!
Mary, Ken and Megan arrived in Colorado on Tuesday, August 3rd and stayed until their drive home Monday the 9th. We were able to have a good ole Gillis get together in Loveland at Pete and Marilyn's. We ate yummy food and played games. We left the Beutke family behind in Loveland and they started their trip home from there. It was really fun having Kirk around for the summer and having the opportunity to get to know him as an "adult." :) It feels strange around the house without him.
I guess that was my summer in a nutshell. I can't believe it took me as long as it did to post. If you had the patience to read through this entire thing you get mad props. Stick with me. I'll try to do better.
Showing posts with label Update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Update. Show all posts
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Excuses, excuses...
I can come up with several excuses regarding why I have not been blogging regularly however I know that you don't come to my blog to hear excuses. So here you go. A real blog post.
I started a new job on October 13. I work for El Paso county Department of Human Services. I work in Child Protective Services as an intake worker. So as referrals come in for child abuse and neglect they are put into the system, the supervisors decide how to assign them every day and then intake workers go out on the assessments. So far I do not have my own case load. I appreciate all the training and not feeling like I have been thrown into a job that is SO important to know what you're doing. At the same time I get a little bored when I feel like I am just having to wait on other people.
I work in the downtown office on the 4th floor and have my own little cubicle. That is a little something to get used to. I've been used to having my own office. I've been used to having a bit less noisy working environment. I suppose I am already noticing the noise a little less every day.
It's definitely a change from what I did before, but I am liking it. I am learning so very much. It's pretty cool. I am learning a lot about different laws, crazy and crappy parents, child development, court documents, interviewing children and how many homeless people live in Colorado Springs. The homeless people hang out around my office a lot. I think it's partially because the Salvation Army truck comes to the parking lot at the end of the day with food.
I am making some friends. I really like the people in my unit. Everyone is pretty cool and they seem to help each other out. I like my supervisor although sometimes I don't think she likes me. Everyone says that's just how she is and I shouldn't take it personally. We have several trainings to attend in Denver and my co-worker Shelli is who I roomed with so far. She's great. The girl who is training me is pretty nice. She really knows her stuff...except for my name. She was calling me Laurie the other day. I guess I haven't made too big of an impression on her yet. Ha ha. Oh well.
So the hours of my days have been spent very differently the past few weeks then they were this summer. It sure is great to have a regular income again. :)
I started a new job on October 13. I work for El Paso county Department of Human Services. I work in Child Protective Services as an intake worker. So as referrals come in for child abuse and neglect they are put into the system, the supervisors decide how to assign them every day and then intake workers go out on the assessments. So far I do not have my own case load. I appreciate all the training and not feeling like I have been thrown into a job that is SO important to know what you're doing. At the same time I get a little bored when I feel like I am just having to wait on other people.
I work in the downtown office on the 4th floor and have my own little cubicle. That is a little something to get used to. I've been used to having my own office. I've been used to having a bit less noisy working environment. I suppose I am already noticing the noise a little less every day.
It's definitely a change from what I did before, but I am liking it. I am learning so very much. It's pretty cool. I am learning a lot about different laws, crazy and crappy parents, child development, court documents, interviewing children and how many homeless people live in Colorado Springs. The homeless people hang out around my office a lot. I think it's partially because the Salvation Army truck comes to the parking lot at the end of the day with food.
I am making some friends. I really like the people in my unit. Everyone is pretty cool and they seem to help each other out. I like my supervisor although sometimes I don't think she likes me. Everyone says that's just how she is and I shouldn't take it personally. We have several trainings to attend in Denver and my co-worker Shelli is who I roomed with so far. She's great. The girl who is training me is pretty nice. She really knows her stuff...except for my name. She was calling me Laurie the other day. I guess I haven't made too big of an impression on her yet. Ha ha. Oh well.
So the hours of my days have been spent very differently the past few weeks then they were this summer. It sure is great to have a regular income again. :)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
BORED!
I have new ideas every day about what I want to do with my life. I feel like what I do for a living defines who I am. I think in a way it does. I can't very easily settle for a "job" for very long. I need a passion.
I was fortunate to get the job I did right out of school. I was there for three years, and was able to move up in the company. By the time I was leaving MM I was ready to go. I want to feel like I did at my peak of working at MM. I could go back to social work. I could try a new area of social work for some change. Or I could go a completely different direction.
One thing that I keep coming back to is starting a cleaning and organization business. I like to clean my own house, why not clean someone else's house. There are just a few obstacles to overcome before this process can even begin.
I have no idea what it takes to start a small business in Colorado Springs. I have no idea where to find out how to start a business. I don't know what kind of money this takes, and I don't think that my current lack of motivation brought on by my messed up schedule is very helpful.
Most people wouldn't cure boredom by cleaning, but it would be my dream come true.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
and then there were blog posts...
So after several weeks of the animals knowing nothing at all, I suddenly am finding things to blog about! Woo hoo!
So first things first, I made two offers on the cute little house downtown and someone else was willing to pay $2000 over asking for it, so I let them have it. :) I am still looking, but not full force. There are a few reasons behind that...
I am still living in my "Quarter Life Crisis." I mean at least I guess that's what it is. I had an epiphany in while on vacation and realized that I didn't have to become a homeowner right away. It is okay to rent for a while. Then I realized all the things I could do besides buy a house, like travel! I know one can do both, but it was just a freeing thought.
Another reason that I am not looking full force is because I quit my job on Monday. I won't discuss details of why here, but if you'd like to know feel free to ask.
So here I am, unemployed by choice, wanting to travel all over the place and looking for a social work job.
So first things first, I made two offers on the cute little house downtown and someone else was willing to pay $2000 over asking for it, so I let them have it. :) I am still looking, but not full force. There are a few reasons behind that...
I am still living in my "Quarter Life Crisis." I mean at least I guess that's what it is. I had an epiphany in while on vacation and realized that I didn't have to become a homeowner right away. It is okay to rent for a while. Then I realized all the things I could do besides buy a house, like travel! I know one can do both, but it was just a freeing thought.
Another reason that I am not looking full force is because I quit my job on Monday. I won't discuss details of why here, but if you'd like to know feel free to ask.
So here I am, unemployed by choice, wanting to travel all over the place and looking for a social work job.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I'm in trouble!
I'm in trouble with Marika, Rachel and Jenny for not posting in forever. Sorry gals! Life has been busy, but somehow I didn't feel like anything had been blog worthy. Maybe you're more easily entertained than I thought. :o)
So, as some may have seen from my facebook status at one point I am looking into becoming a homeowner. I hadn't considered the downtown area much until Nathan and Marika bought downtown. It is a different feel from the part of town that I grew up in and I totally dig it. The problem is finding the right house in the right neighborhood for the right price. I'm sure this tends to be a pretty typical problem for people searching for a new home.
So far I have been three weeks in a row on my days off to look at different homes. I was feeling a little sad and discouraged last week because I thought we had seen everything out there that I could afford. Not the case! I met Brian (my realtor) downtown again this afternoon at a cute little house on Willamette. It's about a mile and a half from Nathan and Marika's new home. Cute on the outside, and wonderful and open on the inside. I loved it the second I walked in!
There is a little sun porch on the front and you walk in the front door to a large living/dining area with really tall ceilings! Straight ahead is the kitchen. It has been updated fairly recently. To the left of the living room, right in a row are (what I would use as) guest room master bedroom, bathroom and little office room! There is a small basement area with washer and dryer hook ups. There is even a little fenced back yard! With some elbow grease and fresh paint the whole place would really sparkle! Standing in the house I started feeling a little emotional. I could really picture myself in it.
The next step is for Dad to go take a look at give his stamp of approval on the structure and the neighborhood. Hopefully this can happen soon! Its an older home and has a lot of character! If it becomes mine then you're all invited over to my little bitty house in downtown Colorado Springs for a party! Woo hoo!
So, as some may have seen from my facebook status at one point I am looking into becoming a homeowner. I hadn't considered the downtown area much until Nathan and Marika bought downtown. It is a different feel from the part of town that I grew up in and I totally dig it. The problem is finding the right house in the right neighborhood for the right price. I'm sure this tends to be a pretty typical problem for people searching for a new home.
So far I have been three weeks in a row on my days off to look at different homes. I was feeling a little sad and discouraged last week because I thought we had seen everything out there that I could afford. Not the case! I met Brian (my realtor) downtown again this afternoon at a cute little house on Willamette. It's about a mile and a half from Nathan and Marika's new home. Cute on the outside, and wonderful and open on the inside. I loved it the second I walked in!
There is a little sun porch on the front and you walk in the front door to a large living/dining area with really tall ceilings! Straight ahead is the kitchen. It has been updated fairly recently. To the left of the living room, right in a row are (what I would use as) guest room master bedroom, bathroom and little office room! There is a small basement area with washer and dryer hook ups. There is even a little fenced back yard! With some elbow grease and fresh paint the whole place would really sparkle! Standing in the house I started feeling a little emotional. I could really picture myself in it.
The next step is for Dad to go take a look at give his stamp of approval on the structure and the neighborhood. Hopefully this can happen soon! Its an older home and has a lot of character! If it becomes mine then you're all invited over to my little bitty house in downtown Colorado Springs for a party! Woo hoo!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Ready to move again
So I've been in Colorado since last Thursday. I have been staying at mom and dad's. Before I came I was thinking that I would probably stay here for at least a month or two and find work, etc. Well, I've found that after being out of the house (except for short stays) for the last seven or eight years makes you feel differently about home. Don't get me wrong. I love my parents and they aren't getting in my way or leaving me no privacy. It's just that I want my own space to set up and decorate. I want to be able to put my things in their places, and be able to find everything. I love this house, and part of it will always feel like home. I'm just already ready to move out. That's all. :)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
How did they do it?
Somehow I've been suckered into staying at the Manor two weeks longer than I had intended. There is something appealing about two more weeks of pay, especially since I don't have a job to go to in CO. They wanted me to stay around and fill the week long gap there would have been between me leaving and the new guy starting. The next week we can work together and do some training. I am fine with it really, because I am very comfortable with "the new guy." In fact I've known him since I was about 3 years old or so. Allan Bartel will be taking over my job when I leave. It's crazy how the world works isn't it? I got to spend some time with him this past week on Thursday afternoon. It was nice to be able to feel like I could answer all of his questions with complete honesty and feel comfortable that he would know my intentions. I also feel very good about leaving my beloved residents in his hands. I know they will love him and he will take good care of them.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Unacceptable
It's been almost one whole month since I have updated my blog. That is unacceptable! I have been pretty busy, still I should make more time for at least a little update.
I am finishing my last month at Mennonite Manor. I feel like I should already be done and just taking some time to sleep in before I start another job. I have been back and forth to Colorado a couple of times now each time bringing a load of things I feel I can do without for a while. I am AMAZED at the amount of clothing that has come out of my apartment. I make myself sick, but I love it. :) I am headed out again this weekend. I am borrowing a large trailer and moving my bigger furniture. My co-worker Amy is going to loan me her air mattress to sleep on until I'm done with my apartment. (Thanks Amy!)
I have had very little contact as far as job are concerned, but did get one offer. Due to timing and other issues, I didn't take the offer. It just didn't feel right. I know there is a job out there for me somewhere. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for me to find it.
I am also looking at my options and strongly considering buying a house in COS. I have looked at 17 different properties now between the two weekends trips I have made recently. I want to say that I found the perfect place, but I have to be able to afford the payments for it to really be perfect. Lets just say I found a beautiful home or two that I wouldn't mind living in.
I am looking forward to moving forward in my life. I think it will be a good thing to be near family. I am looking forward to renewing relationships and connections with so many people who are so lovely and dear to me. I feel like this new chapter in my life will give me the opportunity to do so.
I am finishing my last month at Mennonite Manor. I feel like I should already be done and just taking some time to sleep in before I start another job. I have been back and forth to Colorado a couple of times now each time bringing a load of things I feel I can do without for a while. I am AMAZED at the amount of clothing that has come out of my apartment. I make myself sick, but I love it. :) I am headed out again this weekend. I am borrowing a large trailer and moving my bigger furniture. My co-worker Amy is going to loan me her air mattress to sleep on until I'm done with my apartment. (Thanks Amy!)
I have had very little contact as far as job are concerned, but did get one offer. Due to timing and other issues, I didn't take the offer. It just didn't feel right. I know there is a job out there for me somewhere. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for me to find it.
I am also looking at my options and strongly considering buying a house in COS. I have looked at 17 different properties now between the two weekends trips I have made recently. I want to say that I found the perfect place, but I have to be able to afford the payments for it to really be perfect. Lets just say I found a beautiful home or two that I wouldn't mind living in.
I am looking forward to moving forward in my life. I think it will be a good thing to be near family. I am looking forward to renewing relationships and connections with so many people who are so lovely and dear to me. I feel like this new chapter in my life will give me the opportunity to do so.
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