Just RK

I just got notification that I sold something on CafePress. I had completely forgotten that I set up a “shop,” per se, a few years ago. But someone chose my design out of many options, and I find that so fun!  Partially because I forgot it was on there, but mostly because I actually created the design myself. It’s not a stock image or something.  It was one of the first attempts at image work that I’d ever tried…  and still one of my faves, I must say. So there ya go.  Good times. Thank you R.L. in Ohio for choosing a tshirt with my DS awareness design! In case anyone else wants one….  it’s out there ! This is also kind of funny to me, because now I make shirts like crazy. Another thing I need to update any of you who still come around here about…  I made one for me for Kinlee’s school, and it caught on like wildfire.  I’ve sold 20+ since August, I’ve got over 12 shirts on my hobby table that are waiting to be done, with several more orde...

Today my dad was preaching at a church in the metro, so some of us went to be there on Father’s Day.  This is three of the four sisters. Rachel, me, Dad, and Julia (our summer live-in nanny) One sister and two brothers were not there. And Kinlee with her Papa Beagle. In the same meet-up, the girls switched Siennas (our family has 3 in these get-togethers, one more wasn’t there) and climbed in with Grammy and Auntie Julia for a week at music camp!  They’re getting to experience their first week of church camp, and I’m a little jealous.  I used to spend several weeks every summer there.  So they said a good bye to Daddy on Father’s Day. And Mommy had to have a goodbye picture, too, before they left for 6 days. I’m sure they will have a super week with dozens and dozens of jr. high, high school kids!  M and I are kind of looking at each other like “what do we do now?”…..  guess it’ll be a long work-day week while we ha...

I know I’ve been MIA. I know that my readership is basically nil. But I know there are a few of you who may still happen by. So in this moment, as I sit at McD’s after a very healthy and balanced lunch, I’ll pause to post instead of logging in to work for a few minutes.  Don’t you feel special?  Wait. Maybe you want to wait til after you see what overly-awesome and super-interesting things I have to share first.  Then you can be the judge of it all. Why am I at McD’s? Good question. It’s not a place you find me often at all. But it’s close to both of the schools where my girls are this afternoon, and I didn’t have a long period to go do something involved, so lunch and some quick internet time was about what fit. Both schools? And in the afternoon? Don’t they go to the same school and isn’t it half-day for mornings?  Well, let me back up a bit.  We’ll see if I can get it explained in the few minutes I have left.  Oops… Happy Valentines Day.  ...

Tomorrow is the girls’ first cheer competition.  In truth, I’m learning that it’s competition for Kinlee’s and exhibition for Braska’s squad.  But it’s performance. In front of a lot of people.  And I fear they won’t even get to the floor. I mean, they LOVE cheer. They really like the practices, the attention from coaches and the teen buddies.  But it’s different when there are lots of strangers looking at them. And yelling. And the music is way louder. I wonder how it will go. I’m not nervous now. I’m trying to think of everything to prepare for.  But I know myself well enough to know that tomorrow, at about 11:05am and 11:25am, I will be one nervous nellie.  Watching them go, or not go, out onto the floor.  Then watching how the routines play out.  I’ll cry, I’m sure.  And I’m not an easy-crying type…  but I know I’ll be proud, and overwhelmed that they’re actually out there, and laughing at how silly the little 3-year-old squad wi...

Two responders working on one child=15 compressions and 2 rescue breaths One responder working on one adult=30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths Infant choking=support the head, brace against a thigh, head below the chest, 5 back blows, flip and 5 chest thrusts Upper right and lower left for AED patches. V-tach, V-fib Infant unresponsive, two responders=initial assessment, rescue breaths, brachial pulse. “Defibrillator is analyzing, everyone stand clear!!!” Yep, my mind is swimming.  But I passed night one of CPR/AED training. It’s coming back to me, even though it’s been about 3 years since my certification expired. Tomorrow night we go through O2 and more testing.  What a long day, but at least I survived, right? Oh yeah, and I’m in a class of 9, the other 8 of which are teen lifeguards.  You can imagine how old I feel…

I'm no longer unemployed. I don't like that term because it sounds like you wish you were employed, and except for the financial implications, I haven't missed it much. But whatever. I've been without a paying job for almost 3 years, but today that ended. I became official at my new part-time job, and as first days go, it was pretty great. The people are super nice...which is not news, since we were already members at the Y before I got a job there. I think I'll like the actual "job" part, too. Today was computer training, part 1, and tomorrow evening will continue that. I am looking forward to the point where I am once again knowledgeable about what I do and am able to do it without thinking about it. It is weird to be in a completely different environment from the medical practice surroundings that I've worked in for the last 15 years where I could do anything in any situation that could be thrown at me. No more big responsibility and people r...