Times & Changes

Wow, it's been a while hasn't it? So much has happened and yet it all seems the same sometimes. I guess I left you in a bit of a lurch there, when Dad was just trying to get through the trials of his arrhythmia and the treatment thereof. Dad is much better now, but more aware of the effect of age on his body. I still choose to ignore that. He's just "Dad". He never changes in my eyes and in my heart.
The same goes for Mom, who slipped on the stairs last week and broke her wrist. She has it in a cast now. I'm hoping she can heal it up alright. I am fully aware that bones don't heal as well when we get older as they could have when we are young. She's had her share of broken bones in her life. I wonder if it gets to be "old hat" after a while!
I have to keep a closer eye on those two and it's hard to do when I'm working & going to school. Some would slow down, maybe give up the education, to get on top of these situations. Be critical if you must. But I know Mom & Dad are behind me on this college thing. So it's for them as much as me, that I want to finally get this education. I'm workin' on it. I'm in too deep to get out now.
As for the education - I'm taking a math class this semester (YUCK) and CPT Coding. Coding is what needs to happen in the health care industry for a third-party payer (aka insurance/Medicare) to pay. I was not admitted to my program of choice - Physical Therapist Assistant - and I am sorely disappointed. What makes that even worse is that my Coding class is directly across the hall from the PT Assistant Lab. I wanted nothing but that program for my educational goal and I'm not there. I'll give it one more try next year. I'll spend as much time as I can volunteering to get more clinical experience before I apply again. I have been accepted to take the Intro to PT course in the spring semester. In the mean time I will continue to work toward an Associate degree, so that I can continue toward a Bachelor degree if I need to.
Evan is out on his own now. This is especially wierd for me. Since he kept and worked such unusual hours while he was living here (and I'm quite sure that he probably still does), and he stops over frequently, nothing seems that different. Well, except I don't hear him playing his guitar. It was just after Marv & I returned from Oregon that Ev gave us the news that he was moving into an apartment with another weather geek! I think he's enjoying it and I'm happy for that as long as he continues his education. He's been wonderful about working his way through school on his own. That has to come first, and if his lease ends and he wants back in here that's fine. But seriously - who really wants to move back home once they have been on their own?
Our trip to Oregon was so wonderful! I loved being with Eric & Chandra in their own surroundings and with their friends. It was such a relaxing trip. Much needed. On previous trips we hiked and tried to take in all that we could in such a short time. This time we just chilled, hung out, played games, ate fresh fruits & veggies from their garden, enjoyed their culinary delights, their company and their community. I could live in that community quite happily. But not yet. I have some responsibilities and work to take care of.
And as Evan has moved into his own apartment, Stacey may be moving farther away than ever before. I went down to Missouri with her to interview for a new job with one of the elite Arabian horse trainers in the country. If all goes well, it looks like she will be moving in November. It's an amazing opportunity and I'm very excited for her.
We lost Baron on Easter. You likely know that. But I haven't posted anything about it. He lived to be 17. He was amazing and an incredible joy for all of us. After that, Marv said "no dogs". Guess what...
Now we have Gonzo! Phil & Christie just have too many tiny children to be able to handle him right now, and so he has come to live with us! He is so handsome and affectionate! He is a high energy dog - Aussies always are! - and I don't know if we can do him justice in the energy department, but we are loving having him here. He is adjusting nicely to his new situation & surroundings, and helps himself to bread & chips if he is hungry! Okay, that only happened once. He thinks he is a lap dog and if I get ambitious, I'll post some pictures of this phenomenon.
So this is how it is right now, right here. I'm sure I should be telling more. But this is what's on my mind at the moment.
And now it's time for sleep.