Week from Hell

Saturday evening, my partner and I got lost on the way to a call. Well, not lost per say, but the dispatcher kept giving us conflicting directions every 15 seconds and it got us totally confused on an already hard to find address, and had a 16 minute response time (we're supposed to have under 8 minutes). Long story short, we got suspended. In my opinion, it was not a suspendable offense. I also found out that the company is under investigation by the state for creation of hostile work environment issues... or something like that. Great start to the week.

Monday, my day of suspension, I woke up and was so depressed I couldn't get out of bed. I peeeeeled myself up only to find that I had a thick black sludge bubbling up from my kitchen and downstairs bathroom sink. I had to have a plumber come out immediately to fix it... $600 later.... I tried to perk things up and went out for dinner with my friend Shayna - a bunch of other people came too, and for the most part it was really fun... Until I went to the bathroom and left my phone on the table. They picked it up, and saw that I was talking to Andy... and started sending him a whole slew of NASTY texts - basically funneling all of my anger at him that they had heard, and all of their anger at him for treating me the way he did. He responded in a harsh, controlling and demeaning manner... which then made me respond like a frightened abuse victim, becoming worried that he wouldn't like me anymore, and that I wouldn't have a friend to turn to when nobody else was available... It had me continuously trying to pull myself out of a rut the rest of the evening.

Monday middle of the night... food poisoning from dinner. Shayna got it too - we split all our food. Crap. Then... My upstairs toilets wouldn't flush all the way and I had puke stuck in it. Wonderful. After pouring hot water and some enzyme cleaner in... it flushed for the most part. My brother is coming over tonight with a snake to teach me how to do it... gonna do ALL the upstairs drains.

Wednesday: a perk of light... I officially accepted my new job @ Excelsior Youth Center.

Last night I got a panicked and hysterical phone call from my mother. She sobbed, we've been in an accident, I think he's dead... I have to go. And then hung up. I was PANICKED assuming it was my dad that was dead. Luckily, I got a hold of my sister, who had been with them. Apparently Mom, Dad and Caitlin had been out for dinner, and on their way back to the house, they were hit by a bicyclist going probably around 40 mph. He was not wearing a helmet. The car is pretty messed up for a bike hitting it, and he was unconsious, and bleeding profusely. He's not dead. Apparently he has several fractures, a laceration on his head, and a subdural hematoma. But not dead. Not my parents fault either. He hit on the back driver side passenger door. But my mom's initial phone call scared the shit out of me, and I wasn't able to fall asleep for several hours.

I have to go back to work tomorrow.... lets hope for a better week.

Birthday/Christmas Wish List

• REI Lookout 40 Pack
• Platypus Hoser 3.0L Reservoir
• Half Zip Top
• Vera Bradly Little Betsy in Slate Blumes
• Very Bradly Hard Glasses Case in Java Blue

Silliness

This dog jacket was on steep and cheap yesterday. I found it so inane and ludicrous, I couldn't help but share it. For the super outdoor dog, a 300 dollar soft-shell for puppies!

And in the same vein, this is from a pet store where I get Amos's food. I want the Dog is my Copilot bumper sticker, but this one is pretty darn good too.

Adventures in Yogurt

Inspired by Anne Marie, I decided to try to make my own yogurt. The first attempt failed miserably, and all I got was 3 jars full of stinky watery milk. After re reading Anne Marie's instructions, I realized where I messed up.... I forgot to heat the milk up to 185... which is understandably a vital step. In the morning I made a fresh batch, which was a total success! I think... I haven't tried eating it yet but it looks like and smells like good plain yogurt.

Instructions:

1/2 gallon milk - I used 2% based on AM's recommendation, but I think I'm going to use 1% next time. 1/3 c. dry milk - mix the two together, and heat to 185 degrees. Remove from heat and cool to 110 degrees. Add 1/2 c - 1c. yogurt culture (such as plain stonyfield farms yogurt). Pour mixture into quart size jars, seal, and place in a 110 degree immersion bath. Make sure temperature remains between 100 and 110 degrees. Let yogurt incubate for between 7-10 hours. Refrigerate overnight.

I'm already scheming for my next batch - trying to decide if I want to make maple yogurt, or vanilla yogurt.... maybe I'll make a jar of each! Here's to mastering the basics and engaging in experimentation!

NaNoWriMo

Pressured/Persuaded by my friend, Clay, I just signed up to participate in NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. It takes place the 1-30th of November. The goal is to write a 175 pg, 50,000 word novel in one month.

I'm simultaneously really excited and really nervous to attempt this! I have a couple ideas that ar jostling around in my head - one of which being a series of short stories that are all inter-linked and related to my experiences and my stories of being a paramedic. It seems like good closure to this career and a way to move into the next.

Time to start outlining! I haven't done any creative writing since my creative writing classes in college! EXCITED!

New Job!!!!

I was officially offered a job at Excelsior Youth Center! They're still considering me for one of three positions (it's really all the same position, just depends on what group of girls I'll be working with). I have an "interview" with the supervisors next week so they can argue among themselves as to where I go. I'm super excited!

Now the next step... procure a part time job at a hospital to supplement income, and find an acceptable room mate to do the same.

I have two different people lined up to come look at the house - the first a girl tomorrow evening, and the second a guy Next Tuesday. I emailed one other person, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Fingers crossed!

Fabulous Day

Today Anne Marie and I went hiking at Lory State Park up near Fort Collins. It was a positively lovely day with lovely company (both Anne Marie and Amos). We did leisurely, albeit long and with at time fairly strenuous terrain, hike.

We stopped for lunch in the shade among some trees, where Amos (bless his heart...) chewed through his retractable leash, leaving only about 5 feet (if that). Utilizing the ingenuity of prepared girl scouts, Anne Marie and I managed to take apart the leash and fix it using only a pair of trauma shears, a knife, and a chop stick. Amos was hell bent on helping put it back together.

During the lunch hour, I also managed to get 3 sketches in - and I could have done more! My muse was with me! The photos aren't great, but I'm pretty happy with each sketch. I've really been focusing on not judging myself or my art as I do it, and I'm finding the more I let go of judgment, the better the end piece.

On the way back, we stopped for a prolonged period to take photos of Anne Marie doing yoga - both for her benefit of having a picture for her teaching profile, and for my benefit for practicing portraiture. To see some of these photos, please see my photography blog at: http://mackenzieandrewsphotography.blogspot.com/

All in all, the best day I've had in a while, but I do have to admit, I am beyond exhausted right now, and every muscle in my legs hurts. :) Good thing I'm getting a massage tomorrow afternoon.