I heart technology.

In the midst of this storm and people knowing (and loving) people on all sides of the world, I have realized the magic of social media and technology. Event without power, people with charged smart phones could still get the news, tweet messages to friends, post pictures of their experience to facebook and generally stay connected. Amazing.
I am not always sure that these outlets are beneficial (I like human interaction), but then something like this comes along and I am again reminded how amazing it is to have access to such technology.

In other news, I have made the realization just how great is for staying connected in a general way with people. Even for those folks that I don't talk with regularly, they (and I) have access to facebook and thus whatever is posted there. It's so fun to see pics of their kids, travels, etc. I just had an interaction with a co-worker today and we toally chatted about the FB pictures and ended up having the best conversation. Would that conversation have happened without the FB trigger? Probably not as immediately. FB took away some of that shielding and opned us up to things more intimate (pictures of life, etc). It was awesome. And what a fun way to start the day!

So, while some days I curse technology (and the troubles that accompany the triumphs of it), today I say- Yay!

Snug as a bug

Well, the storm has come and gone.
And I am just fine. As is everyone I know. Thankfully!
As it turns out, DC wasn't hit as hard as everyone thought.
Yesterday I felt like it was a snow day....just waiting in anticipation for the unknown. Before 2pm, I made the choice to head the burbs and wait out the storm with my favorite little family. It's always more fun with friends.
We played games, had a yummy dinner (homemade mac & cheese), and were snug as bugs in a rug. The grown-ups and I have a mutual love of the show The Voice, s after the kidlets were tucked in (with a glow stick, of course!) we settled in downstairs and watched the show (and caught up). And listened as the rain whipped the windows, and the wind howled. We heard one tree snap. And just before the end of the show, we lost power. For the whole night. Lou-lou loves the Dollar store (and things that light up), so we had more glow sticks and mini lanterns than any small group should ever need. So I read my book by the light of a little light and we went to bed.
We woke up this morning and played some more games, then decided we needed to take an adventure drive-- look for fallen trees and craziness. There was a lone road closure. nothing major. But we did discover their new favorite grocery store (a story for another day) and grabbed a coffee (hooray!). By then, I found out the power was back on at my house, so I headed home. I had a few work things to get done (because unlike all the federal offices, my office was still open!) and wanted to make sure my cozy English basement hadn't flooded.
I got home and all was well.
It is coldy here today. In fact, it feels like a winter Seattle day-- cold, rainy, and dark. (It sort of makes my heart happy.) So, It's time to bust out the cozy sweatshirt and my favorite scarf. And of course, my slippers! (I've kind of missed my slippers.)
I may even need the flannel sheets!

But no matter what I will be snug as a bug. (not in a snuggie, but this is the only non-creepy photo I could find to fit that phrase!)

A huge thanks to my favorite family for being such fun Hurricane pals. I can't wait for normal life to resume tomorrow so we can play!

Hurricanes and snowstorms--oh my!

Well, here I am in a new city and already I'm experiencing a new weather phenonenon. A Hurricane!
In all the places I've lived, I've never worried about such things. I've been in haboobs, extreme heat, below zero temps, floods, earthquakes (well only a minor one), tornadoes, and then just your run of the mill weather patterns. But never a hurricane. And really, it's not so much a direct hit from the hurricane (i'm not fancy nough to live near the water) but rather the after-effects. The wind and the slow, steady, driving rains.
Based on the media predictions, I should be headed for higher ground! Or rather drier ground.
The concerns are over loss of power for many days. And maybe for some flooding.
Maybe it's the midwesterner in me, but I'm not super worried. I am prepared and ready for what may come, but I'm no where near panicky. Not even close.
I had a small moment of worry when my mama sent a text yesterday that stated "papa says come home". That made me feel like I needed to worry. (It wasn't totally true as it turns out...silly mama!) Otherwise, I made sure to have a flashlight (I got the last one at the store...), candles, a lighter and warm clothes. I also stocked up on some food to make without the use of a stove and fresh water. I made sure to have a fully gased car and grabbed some cash yesterday. I feel as ready as I can be.
I also made sure I had a few good books and magazines for if the power goes out and I need entertainment.
I am sure there are others who will disagree about my preparedness, but I feel okay about it.
And we'll see what happens.

Adventures with Flat Sanley

Last week, my friend Chase (from Phoenix) sent me Flat Stanley to take on a tour around my town. He and his mom thought I might be able to show Stanley some of the super cool things that are part of DC.
Well, unlike when in the midst of planning, I have not made it to the downtown area much this week. And I figured trips to the oil change place, grocery store, and pharmacy are not exactly what they had in mind when they sent Stanley to me.
So today I decided to take Stanley down to the National Mall to have a little fun.
Here are some pictures from our day--

FS arrived!

FS deciding whether he needed a coat or not...

I heart DC.

FS and a real army guy!

FS @ The World War II Memorial

View from the Lincoln Memorial back to the Washington Monument

View looking back to the Lincoln memorial from the WWII Memorial (across the reflecting pool)

Fans of FS! :)

@ The Korea War Memorial

@ the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial

Looking across the Tidal Basin @ the Jefferson Memorial

FS and the segway tour group!

FS was a little sad to say goodbye to the President. ;)

After a fun-filled morning and early afternon walking around the National Mall, Flat Stanley came with me to see the Bedollas and their very good friends (the Weavers and their family). Katie is an extraordinary planner and had a whole Halloween party planned at her sister's house, including indoor trick-or-treating!

Evie the owl, Christine the candy-corn witch, and Maggie wearing my witches headband! (with FS)

Cute buns! I couldn't resist!

FS @ the party!

It was so much fun to take Stanley around!
I am looking forward to the day when the real guests come for a tour...

Chubby bunny.

So in the last few months (well, two), anytime I look in the mirror I see an added roundness to my features. My face, especially. But my clothes are fitting a little differently too (read: snugger). I attributed it to the upped dosage of prednisone. It has a tendency to "round" me out a little bit. Just one of the lovely side effects.
Since I can now breathe and live instead of simply existing, I decided I should really check out the deal and got out the scale. UM, YEAH.....
I gained 10 lbs in two months! Really?!
SO not cool.

A few years ago a friend referred to me as the incredible skrinking woman because I just inexplicibly lost a whole bunch of weight (it was weird, but amazing at the same time!). The doctors had some concerns because it was coming off pretty quickly really for NO reason. I hadnt changed up a thing and was frankly eating less healthfully than I ever had before, but there it was on the scale every few weeks-- down another 5 lbs. Then it seemed to regulate itself and stayed in the range for a few years. Slowly it has creeped up a little, but I had braces (which made eating annoying), so it stayed the same. And then apparently, the reverse has now happened. No real changes to my diet, but here I am way heavier than I'd like to be (and should be.). Ugh.  Though it probably wasn't healthy, I am secretly wishful to become the incredible shrinking woman again....

Obviously, that is not going to happen. So with my newly found freetime, I will be cooking at home, not eating junk and moving more. I absolutely refuse to buy new clothes and currently I have a very limited selection based on the tighness factor. (Thumbs down.)

No more chubby bunnies around this place!

Heart Walk!

On Saturday I participated in my first ever Heart Walk. So fun to be at a walk and know that I was not in charge in any way. Delightful. I also scouted out some options for another event I am responsible for...it comes with the territory of my job. I am always noticing things that could have been done better, things that were done well, etc.

The Heart Walk is a special event for my family. Following my Aunt Chris's death, her daughter (my cousin E) started to walk in her memory. I can't remember the details, but I want to say she  was the top fundraiser for a few years in a row at the walk in GR. Now, it's a tradition. Her dad formed a team in Michigan two weeks ago and was also the top fundraiser! Sadly, it poured rain there so his team ended up being just he and his visitor from China (everyone else bailed the morning of...). But the weather in Baltimore was picture perfect. As Mags pointed out-- there's no clouds! beautiful day for a walk.

So, we arrived on time and checked things out, fed the ducks, Baby Sam had a snack, and we found E's pal and her kiddos and off we went.
We're not 100% sure how far we went but we know that we did not walk the full event. (In part I blame the human arrows. They were an epic failure....sorority girls may not make the best vols on a saturday morning...I'm just saying...). We rounded the bend and Mags hit her limit. So, we ended a little early and went to play at the fall festival!
Highlights included pony rides, Rita's custard, a hay maze and the Kaisa's Penelope fav from Seattle-- Casper babypants! So funny. I actually started singing along with the song and could not figure out why I knew the kids song. Seriously funny.

Fun on Friday night.

Christine and her new buddy.

The Finish Line- we saw it. ;)



Christine on her pony!

Maggie's first pony ride!

Watching the ducks.

Oh! And I met 'Mitt Romney'. Papa was pleased. ;)

 
Overall, we had a great day! And I was so very glad I could be there. We raised lots of money (thank you!), and had a wonderful afternoon living life. We have plans to make themed t-shirts. I'm already excited!

Hello fall.

Today I had meetings at the base of my old favorite- The Washington Monument (who I lovingly call George, btw).
As I walked around the Monument grounds and past the Lincoln Memorial with my client, I spotted all the trees that have changed colors. There are reds and oranges and greens. Fall has arrived!
Acrons have been falling from the oaks outside my front door for weeks (making a mess of an already dirty car I might add). I have been wearing a jacket in the evenings and mornings for the last few weeks. And have not heard the air kick on in forever. In fact, I have debated about the heat on a few nights. And the true turn of the season is that I wear closed toe shoes more than sandals all around town. But I didn't realize until today that fall was here.

Blissful. I love fall. Always have.
The crisp evenings. The warmer days. Apples. Pumpkins. It's all so good!



Fall is here. SW Ohio Dr. A tree with the Potomac.  



The Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial

Another one bites the dust!

(10/17/12)
dun...dun...dun...another one bites the dust. dun..dun...dun...
(now try and read this blog without that song in yuor head. I dare you!)

Yep, another one bites the dust. Another doctor that is.
I have been here for a little over 4 months and started to establish care with a rheumatologist. I was excited about her. She seemed willing and able to make decisions with me about the right way to go forward with my care. But she has failed. Utterly and completely.
I am one to give second chances (and third or fourth), but in this case I have already reached my limit.
In the doctor patient relationship, there are few guidelines that I feel are very important. The doctor must listen. The patient must listen. The patient must ask questions and be engaged in his/her care and treatment. The doctor must arm the patient with information and some time (when ok) to make decisions about the direction of their care. The patient must take the medications agreed to and discuss concerns with the doctor so they can be addressed (when needed). The pateint must do the "homework" requested by the doctor, so the doctor can make further educated decisions about the care. Communication is essential in all of this.
My new (now fired) doctor did well until right before my second appt (the important follow-up one). I did my part and did all of the tests she asked (during the busiest time of my life, I must add!) and I carved out time for my appointment. I was running late (only 5 minutes due to a parking deal) and got a call from her office just as I was pulling into the lot. Surely they were calling to see where I was, so i immediately apologized and said I would be right in. They then informed me the doctor was ill, so would need to reschedule. Um, I totally get that people get sick (even doctors), but come on. You really didn't know that you wouldn't be able to see patients until 8:35am. I find that very hard to believe. Stike one.  But I rescheduled and asked that when she was back in the office to call me and discuss my test results. Yeah, she called (5 days later) and asked me to come in. So I did. And she wasn't there!
Strike two. (and I start to reconsider this situation, but am frankly too busy (and maybe a little lazy) to worry about it).
Then this week, my appointment got cancelled. The doctor was having a baby. (good reason. no problem!) But I needed a medication refilled and no one else in the office could sign for it. Only the doctor who was in the middle of giving birth. Um. not okay.
A baby takes 9 months to grow, you have a little time to make a backup plan (sense the sarcasm). Needless to say, I was pissed.
I told nurse I was completely out of the prescription and had zero refills. She had no idea what to do. And was so super rude that I said I needed to go and I would call back. In the meantime, I worked with the amazing staff at Walgreens and they filled an emergency prescription as I stood crying at their counter. I felt awful (and stupid and embarassed). I wasn't crying because I was upset with them. I was crying because I was so fricking frustrated. It is not an easy deal to change doctors and reestablish care with a new one. It is not easy to change medications. Change pharmacies, etc. And I wasn't looking for someone to do it for me or to make the process less steps. But I was hoping for the support a doctor's office should provide. A refill in 2 days. Answers when you ask who will see you while your doctor is out having a baby. Not major things. At least in my opinion.
I have to have a backup plan for everything in my job. It's just part of the plan. And anyone else that has a baby and a job has to work out a "while you're out" plan. So why the office didn't have anything in place is beyond me. And it baffles and infuritaes me.
So, I found a new doctor. And fired the old one.
Well, actually I should rephrase. I am in the process. I found a new office that is accepting patients and accepts my insurance. They have all my records (all 700 pages!) and will review it to see if they will be the right fit for me. Once they review, if I fit into their clinic they'll make an appointment. If not, they'll suggest doctors who will best fit my needs.
So, while I am annoyed about the process with the new (now fired) doctor, I think this worked out the best way possible. In the end, I am hopeful that this will result in some good things. And in the best fit for me.
Fingers crossed.

(So, did you sing the song the whole time you were reading? :) )

Breathe in. Breathe out.

(10/16/12)
So this is what it feels like.
It's been awhile.
Breathing is easy.
I had forgotten what life feels like when it's normal.
I woke up today, after sleeping for 2 hours yesterday. (YES!!)
I grabbed the paper, read it cover-to-cover. Ate breakfast. Had two cups of coffee. Showered. Got dressed. And then sat at my desk for the day.
I didn't feel anxious one time while doing this.
And I realized it was the first time since May that I have been able to do that. (happy sigh.)
While I may have taken some time and done that stuff over the last 6 months, I have always had a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach or the back of my mind that I had work to do and needed to staop messing around.
Today, I didn't feel that at all.
I woke up rested and able to breathe.
It was amazing!

So, now I can start to live here instead of exist here. I can visit all those museums. I can enjoy the rest of the fall. I can discover more than my 6 blocks. Meet some people. Get involved. (Maybe get a dog....I'm still thinking on that one, but the time to think on it is available).I can have weekly dates with my favorite little people and their grownups. I can play with the friends I already know. I can check out all the places on my ever-growing 'I need to check that out' list. I can breathe. I can be.
And I could not be happier about it!

Victory!

(10/14/12)
And done.
Thanks goodness!
Istead of writing about the weekend, I will instead have the photos do the talking---

Event Survival Love from the Bedollas! And I wore the socks on Fri & Sat. :)

I spent no less than 15 hours in this office in the last two weeks. Not including the time others spent there too. Ugh.

@ Closing. Buzz waving at the Obamas on Tuesday site visits.

Slade and his new Kinko's buddy/weather-watcher!

Busy in command...intensely watching the free-fall guy.

@ Holding. The Washington Monument and the ladies. This is where you end an event!

Celebrating a job well done with Val (my new pal) and Tara (an oldie,but goodie!)

Victory, indeed!

In short- overall the weekend was good.
My two small victories--
1- Any time something was "missing" and we were about to get in trouble, I was able to pull out the approval paperwork and proove we did what we were supposed to.
2- I could actually tell people how to get places by just knowing the name of where they wanted to be. I was super proud!

The event has gotten nice reviews (but who's going to share the bad with the girl who produced it?!). But overall, I feel good about how things went.
And the direction to go for next year. I see good things coming.

This is bananas.

(10/12/12)
Out of control.
Today that is what I feel.
Utterly. Completely. Out. of. control.
I have never felt this on an event before. I feel like my adventures of herding cats is continuing to the on event experience. This is super uncomfortable. I do not like it.
Contacts and staff are calling asking questions I don't know the answers to.
It's day one and I have a full page of "make betters" for 2013 already. Not cool.
Some of this is that I'm still new here. Some of it is that plans were being made as close as one week out from the event. (not normal). And some of it is simply the city. Where else does one have to worry about diplomatic vehicles, embassies, or motorcades?
It's part of the new change and challenge of the area. I am up for it. And I know it WILL be better next year. Hell, it'll be better next event!
I just need to get this one under my belt. Survive. Follow-up. And be done.
From there, I will mvoe on to making it better. For me. And for those I am working with.
But for today, it is out of control. And I'm uncomfortable.

This is one of the reasons.

(10/11/12)
During my on-event experience for one of the events we do, I sleep on a bus Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. While participants look at this scenario and think we sleep in luxury (not actually the case.) We sleep 11 to a a bus and 1 bunk for junk. For me, on a quick one weekend experience this really isn't that bad. But for those that sleep on the bus full time for 14 weeks, luxurious is not a way to describe it!
The bus becomes your home away from home while you are on the event. You have an assigned bunk and it gets cleaned once a week (on the "off" days) and that small little space becomes your escape. It's the place you can be alone with your thoughts, a movie, or a good book.
There are three layers of bunks on each side-- bottom, middle and top. As a rotating staff member (someone who comes in and out), you generally get put up top. You're there for three days, so it's really not a big deal (well for most people). For me, with my wacky bones, it's impossible. For real. I've tried when someone was a little less than accomodating a few years ago. And now since I only have one event with this series, I thought for sure I would be up top. But when I asked, I was told the rotating EPM got the bottom. And it's because of me.
When they were making bunk arrangements at the beginning of the season, they took my needs into consideration. I was so unbelievably touched. On a day that was a little more crazy than calm and on a day where I begin to question my decision to do what I do that thoughtful gesture brought a tear to my eye. I was immediately reminded of why i work where I do. And why I have been here for almost a decade (craziness!). I work with people I love, respect, and thoroughly enjoy on events that make the world a better place.
That's why I work here. That's why I work 100 hours a week sometimes and don't feel as bad as I should about it.
And that's just one of the many, many reasons.
So, thanks friends for making my work a really great place to be.

Moments.

There are moments in life that just don't make sense, but you know they happen for a reason.
Sometimes these can be life-changing, sometimes they're just friendly reminder moments. Just now I had one of those moments. Not a major life, but one of the friendly reminder kind.
I am finishing up some work (@ 11pm on  Sunday night) after working through most of the weekend.

Let's be honest, I am starting to get crabby. I still have one more set of things to do before I can call it a day.Crabby. In the background I have the TV on just for some noise. And just as I was about to hit my limit, a Susan G Komen commerical came on. And on it was my collegue Bridget. I wasn't watching tv but recognized her voice. It prompted me to rewind...and I watched as she told her story. My eyes welled with tears and I regretted getting crabby. I was reminded that I am doing work for an event that helps people like Bridget. The funds raised by this event make a difference. And that makes me feel like in a small way, I make a difference.

You can find more information about Bridget here on her blog: http://www.mybiggirlpants.blogspot.com/

Her story is heart-breaking. She is so brave.
So, thanks Bridget for reminding me that the work I do is important.

Not my favorite.

I am officially the coolest kid I know. Or not.
I had to miss the gala on Friday (and some of my favorite people to boot!).
I worked until the wee hours of Saturday morning and then had to wake up and have my least favorite day of my work life. Always has been. And I feel like it always will be.
One of the events I work is doable because of a group of people who volunteer and pay to work for the whole weekend in support of the other participants. Awesome. (really)
Unfortunately, many of that group have been doing it for years and have become jaded, crabby and entitled if I'm being frank. Part of my job is to show them the event I've worked to create and share the details and info so these people can do their job. Doesn't sound too bad, but it's awful.
By the end of the day, I leave and feel completely and totally beat-up. Even in a perfect scenario they find fault. And human-nature dictates that they want what's best for them. They miss the big picture.
I realize it's not their job to see it, it's mine. I also recognize they are volunteers and I get paid. That said, they choose this (as do I) and if they are that unhappy--find another event. Harsh, but true.

I like people. I like to discuss things with people. But I really do not like this day of my job. I am stuck in the car for 3-4 hours, answering questions. Answering questions. Oh and answering questions.
I literally had to scold a group of adults, as though they were six-year-olds and say-- "when I talk, you need to stop talking" because they weren't getting the important info. They were instead discussing the things they were concerned about-- that they might not get to return next year and other drama.
In the end, we spent 9 hours (yes, 9!!!), in the car driving a 55 mile route.
By the day's end I was crabby. They were crabby.
Everyone was toast.
And thus solidified that as my least favorite part of my job.
But, I guess if that's as rough as it gets, then it's really not that bad.