Some days I just love my job!

I am a physical therapist, and I specialize in geriatric rehabilitation. I never thought I would end up in this specialty. I originally entered this field because of an interest in pediatrics. I swore I would never work in a nursing home, but the truth is, the most rewarding job I have ever had has been working for one!

I have an amazing patient right now who has suffered a stroke. He came to us just a week after the event. He has the significant advantage of not having suffered any cognitive deficits, but his affected leg was pretty much flaccid. In other words, little to no voluntary movement in that leg.

His first day with me, I made a point of walking with him. I have a few tricks I've learned in my years of practice for teaching someone how to walk who is paralyzed on one side. Well, he did it. And he did it well. He was so excited... and so was I. Those are the days PT's live for!!! He has now progressed from using a rail in the hallway to a large based quad cane. He has lots more movement in that leg... his progress is phenomenal, and I am so glad to be a part of it.

I guess the bigger challenge of working with this population is assisting those with dementia... especially those with significant issues, such as what you find with advanced Alzheimers. I have one patient now who is a retired Baptist minister. He just happened to go to the same seminary as my father. And I found a connection with him.... which is the key to helping these patients learn to trust me to help them. My breaking moment with him.... asking him what his favorite hymn is. He could tell me. And I told him mine. And he told his wife that they have some fine people working there....

I try my best to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve. I imagine how I would want my own mother or father to be treated. And I pray that I never have to see them that way....

Sometimes the best toots in life are not scrapbook related. I am so lucky to have the job I have.

How ironic....

that while I was searching in my car for one of the latest and greatest inventions of the past couple of years (my bluetooth!), I came across some quite older technology.... one of my cassette tapes from my college years.
You know you made mix tapes from your CD's when you were younger, right? This one was my favorite. From 1994! I remember that I had put it in my car when I sold my little red Corolla last fall. It has songs from the Smiths, REM, the Cure, and bands I've even forgotten the name of.... each new one that played was like uncovering a long forgotten gem!!! I had fun listening to it again.... and it suddenly dawned on me. The only tape player I have now is in my Subaru!!! Once I get rid of that car, I will have no way to play it anymore!!!!
Hmmmm.... I wonder how many more years I can get out of my Subaru?

March project #2!

I bought this chalkboard from Big Lots months ago. I kinda forgot about it... but found it again the other day while searching for something else! I had this crazy idea about ribbon for the center of a flower, and I really like how it turned out.

More with the fabulous American Crafts products. Love these colors!!!

March project #1!

Here's my first of 2 projects for Scraplovers. We got some of the AWESOME papers and embellishments from American Crafts to work with, including those cute Thickers letters!!! Love those things!!!

Anyway, had to do a page about a girls' afternoon at Krispy Kreme. We call the doughnuts "hot nows." LOL!!! I don't know how often we will be going from now on with this change to a more organic lifestyle, but I'm sure we'll sneak a trip there every couple of months!

On going organic...

I have to say, it is really agreeing with me! I have lost 11 lbs., and have dropped 2 pant sizes!!! I'm back in the single digits!!! It's a lifestyle change, really... of course, groceries have gone up considerably. And now we make a special trip to Ellwood Thompson (our biggest natural foods market here in Richmond) at least once a week. My dh has lost over 20 lbs. The thing is, we're not dieting! Just changing the type of foods we eat.
http://www.ellwoodthompsons.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=U68APW9PKBSR2LHA0G03N0ET9DM96189

We have also been doing some herbal detox kits by Renew Life. They seem to really work!http://www.renewlife.com/

We also bought a juicer, and drink fresh, organic juice at least once a day.http://www.powerjuicer.com/?src=JL249TG They sell this one at Costco in silver.

So, we may have just crossed the line into granolahood. Even my older dd has been asking about what she eats, interested to know if it is organic or not!!!

The funny thing is, as I have lost weight, started to have more energy, and organizing my eating habits, I have started to organize other parts of my life better, too!!!

Check it out!!!

We are having a cyber crop over at Scraplovers this weekend... lots of prizes, games, and challenges... so head on over... and get your scrap on!!!

Do you want to see the "before"?

Here's that picture of my baby girl before all of the marker was edited out!!! Her babysitter was doing some dishes... and she though the baby was being awfully quiet!!! And when she checked, she discovered marker everywhere! Keep in mind that this was AFTER her face had been washed several times!!! LOL!!!

More of my muse!

So I'm on a string of creating layouts about my baby girl.... with this one I used Basic Grey Lollipop collection with a bit of Gypsy. The use of the tags was sort of inspired by a commercial I saw on TV. The journaling is on a transparency which was painted, then stamped in green with a Junkitz swirl stamp. I also used various ribbons by Offray, May Arts, and the Michaels dollar bin. Title was hand cut.

The paint technique was inspired by Lisa over at Scraplovers!!! She posted some amazing paint technique tutorials over there...

Photo was shot with my 50mm 1.4 lens. It's a bit soft... but still scrapable, IMO!!!

My baby girl...

My 18 month old has learned the most infamous toddler word this week... "MINE!!!"

So, she says to me, "Mommy. You fun!" And then, a few minutes later, as I am holding her, she pats her hand on me, and says, "mine!," gives me a big hug, then looks up and giggles at me.

Too sweet!!!

Here's a shot of her the other day.

Guest DT calls!!!

First, Scrapncircle has a guest DT call for March!!!

We are looking for a Guest Design Team Member for the Month of March. Do you have what it takes??? I bet you do!!!! Your challenge is....Create a layout with the theme of *LOVE*. This can be love for your child, your husband or a dear close friend. Of course even those pets count. Your layout must consist of Basic Grey products.. At least 70%. ALL layouts must be created for this challenge and must be NEW. They can not be posted on other sites until the designer for march is chosen. Deadline is the Feb. 25, 2007 by midnight ESTOur current DT will be choosing the winning LO. We will post the winner March 1,2007Please upload your entries in the gallery here: You must be a registered member to be eligible for this challenge.http://www.scrapncircle.com/Photopost/showgallery.php?cat=620Winner will have all the luxuries our current DT has. including the DT packet for the month!! Feel free to ask ??? if you have any.

And Scraplovers also has a guest DT call for March and April:

Scrap Lovers is looking for a couple of talented scrappers to join the Sweetheats as Guests Designers in March or April. I can't even believe I am thinking about April!!!!Outlined below are the requirements for the position and the application procedures. If you have any other questions feel free to send me and email (Christina@scraplovers.com) or a pm.The deadline for entries will be Feb 12th. I will announce the Guest Sweethearts on Sunday during the Sweethearts crop!!To apply you need to upload one layout and one project into the Guest Sweetheart gallery. The theme for both the project and the page is PASSIONS! This is the same theme that the Sweethearts will use for their reveal in February. You will also need to send an email to designteam@scraplovers.com with your responses to the questions below. We will pick two team members one for March and one for April. Guest DT members will receive a discount in the Scrap Lovers store, a shipping allowance, in addition to the DT supply kits. Guest Designers will be responsible for the following during their appointment:• Each month the Guest DT will be required to design 2 layouts and one project. You will receive a selection of products/gift certificate from ScrapLovers.com or a selected sponsor to create these uploads.• The guest DT member will need to upload other work throughout the month.• Guest DT member needs to participate in the weekly challenges.• Guest DT member will need to participate on a consistent basis and maintain an active presence on our message boards. This includes posting praise and starting threads, as well as joining in and sharing on threads.Restrictions• Guest DT members may be on other DTs. Please make sure that before you apply you are certain that there will not be a conflict and that other positions will not impact your participation in the above responsibilities.
Questions for the Entrant:
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
2. What are your favorite product lines to work with and why? How would you describe your style?
3. Are you currently on any other Design Teams? If yes, for whom?
4. Do you have an online gallery? Please provide a link.
5. Why do you want to be a part of the Scrap Lovers team?

You should check these out!!! :)

Happy Birthday!!!

Yesterday, my first baby turned 5!!! I can't believe she's that old already!!! How time flies...

Anyway, we went out to eat last night, and as luck would have it, it was kid's night!!! And they had a clown who paid special attention to my little girls. Well, he kept us in stitches all night... and we got some great souveniers, including this SUPER TALL hat!!! It almost touched the ceiling! It was like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!!!

Photo taken with my 50mm 1.4 lens on 1.6 shot in AV mode.

Here's a fun birthday page I did for the PubCalls Birthday Bash!!! Scraplovers is a sponsor! The sketch is by Becky Fleck!!! Patterned papers and stickers by KI Memories except for the black "5" by American Crafts.

My second February project for Scraplovers!

This chipboard paisley mini-album by Maya Road screamed to be a quote book!!! I also used ribbon by Maya Road. Stripes... ribbon.... true love for me!! Gorgeous stuff! I am only posting a few pages here... you can see the whole album posted in the Feb 1-7 DT reveal gallery at http://store.scraplovers.com/index.html

Did you know that Scraplovers is helping PubCalls celebrate its first birthday? Head on over to http://pubcalls.blogspot.com/ and check out the celebration!!!

My first Scraplovers February Project!

OK, we got to work with the wonderful products from both Maya Road and Fancy Pants Design. Woohoo!!! Love them both!!

The Scraplovers theme this month is passions... so, I had to scrap something about my dh, naturally!!!

There is more to come... I am working on a cute little mini-album!!!

February Scrapncircle projects!!!

Jeri gave me the awesome We R Memory Keepers Boho Chic line to work with!!! She also gave me coodinating ribbon, a huge silk flower, and some white Doodlebug letter stickers. This was fun!!!

I'm in love...

With my new lens!!! I was planning on buying the 50mm 1.8 (because I'm cheap!!! but also because I was saving for the 85mm 1.8). However, as luck would have it, my dear friend Tisha decided to sell her 50mm 1.4. (I think I would, too... she replaced it with a zoom L lens!) So, I am now its proud owner!!! Yay!!! This lens has not left my camera since I brought it home!!!

This is my favorite shot from yesterday!!! The only photoshopping was the b&w conversion with a bit of contrast boosting. Those catchlights are real!!!

So, THANK YOU Tisha!!! You are the bestest friend EVER!!!!

Well, the reason for my absence...

I've been busy. I know... excuses, excuses. But I am done, I think, with my HOF entry. I'm quite sure I don't have a snowball's chance, but, you know, I've got to try!!!

We have also begun making more definitive plans for building a house. We hope to break ground soon!

And there's always work to keep one busy!!!

I'm sorry I don't have much to share right now!!! I will be working on some DT projects this week, so I will most likely post those.

The transformation is *almost* complete....

Into full granola status!!! LOL!!! I made this realization as I was in line to pay for MORE orgainic groceries today. My selections included: Amy's Natural cheese pizza (YUMMMMMY!!), raw almonds, Tofutti chocolate "ice cream" sandwiches (tastes just like cake batter!!), and distilled water.

Some of you who know me from the message boards know that my dh is on a kick to lose weight. In his quest, he found a book by Kevin Trudeau that discusses an all-natural lifestyle and how environmental toxins have contributed not only to the rise in health problems but to obesity as well. We were already doing some organic, but we are pretty much transistioning over to all organic if possible.

I buy into his philosophies. My preferences tend to be on the natural side anyway... breastfed both my kids until at least 1 year old, my older dd goes to Montessori school, and I am a semi-vegetarian. I also avoid artificial sweeteners and trans fats.

I gave up all sodas 2 weeks ago... I was really addicted to Coke!!! Love the stuff!!! But, some days, I would drink 2, 20 oz. bottles a day!!! That's 480 calories in soda!!! So, my first step was to eliminate that. I have already lost 5 lbs. And I really haven't craved it too much!!!

So, we'll see where this journey takes us!!! It will mean much less eating out than we do... but it will be good for us. Our goal is to limit "regular" foods as much as possible, and aim for a healthier diet and moderate exercise that we can live with. Wish us luck!!!

A few pics...

Here are a few photos taken with my Canon XTi. All but the last one are taken with the kit lens, wide open! The last one was taken with my Canon EF 70-210mm f 4.0 lens at 70mm, f4, AV mode.

Thanks, Tisha, for teaching me how to create a vingette look with my pictures!!!

I've been tagged!!!

Thanks, Stephanie, for tagging me!

A - Available/Single? Married
B - Best Friend? I have 3: Tisha, Tabitha, and Misty!!
C - Cake or Pie? Hmmm... yellow cake with chocolate icing, or my mom's Impossible Pie (custard!)
D - Drink Of Choice? Coke or unsweet tea with lemon.
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Besides the usual toiletries, Great Lash mascara!
F - Favorite Color? Oh, boy. I love lots of colors... aqua, plum, spring/sagey greens...
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? I'm with Stephanie on this one... SOUR gummy worms!
H - Home or Homesick? Um... a bit of both. I love my new home, but at times I miss Tidewater.
I - Indulgence? Any Starbucks coffee drink. Don't have it that often!
J - January Or February? February, because my older dd was born in that month!
K - Kids & Their Names? Kendall and Anna.
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? My family.
M - Marriage date? October 23, 1999.
N - Number Of Siblings? 1
O - Oranges Or Apples? Gala apples.
P - Phobias/Fears? Hmmm... I could have a heart attack trying to find a parking space in a busy shopping center!!!
Q - Favorite Quote? "Music expresses that which cannot be said and cannot be suppressed."
- Victor Hugo
R - Reason to Smile? Hearing a favorite song. Watching my kids play well together.
S - Season? Spring or Fall. Love those transitional seasons!!!
T - Tag 3 or 4 people? I'm definitely tagging Tabitha!!! I'll have to get back to you on the others!
U - Unknown Fact About Me? I have a MS in PT.
V - Vegetable you don’t like? Hmmm... not fond of mushrooms!
W - Worst Habit? Letting people aggravate me on the road!
X - X-rays You’ve Had? Elbow, foot, chest, back, dental
Y - Your Favorite Food? Right now, turkey burgers!
Z - Zodiac Sign? Virgo!