The Best "Overheard" Ever.

This is what I have to deal with people.  I have had a lot of these over the years, but this is BY FAR the best. This dialogue was taken today from an actual dictation from an actual dictator in the middle of a job.  Excuse the language.  :) 

“Objective Findings:  Neurovascular status intact bilaterally.”

*Phone rings*

“Hello? Heeyy baby, how you doin..? Oh that’s good, your tummy’s fine..great..so, how was your evening?.....Reeeally? Oh that’s nice.....No, I left about 7:45.  It was just me and the tumbleweeds, man, there was like nobody on the road.  I think people stayin away....What?...Oh, they closed it down? I don’t even know what they did. So it worked out fine.......I had some dinner, I watched some sports, I d**ked around on the computer, and that’s it.....yeeeahhh........I owe you a dollar.....laughs*...I’m givin you the dollar baby.  That’s what I do, man.  That way, you know, I don’t have any debts baby.  Gotta eliminate the debts. I wanna live DEBT FREE!  Like, who’s that guy on the radio..he’s also on the TV, he does a talk show about being debt free.  I’m not talking like....... [insert name] does that s**t though....what’s her deal, huh? Yeaahhh.. So, uumm, yeah...........just doin some work here. Did you hear the guy talking about the alternative medicine treatment?.....Was it interesting?.....I don’t know who these people are or where they find them, they’re kooky. You know what I mean.....I think I saw Fidel Castro when I was driving home.  I didn’t know they invited Caribbean communists here. I’m all up in my Nikes, man........So I’m gunna look for a brown belt on Friday.........I sent you emails........you just too good to hang out with me at your big event, trying to move up the corporate ladder *laughs*.  What’s the name of that sheister attorney? I really wanna know who this f***in punk is, [insert name].  *Looking up online*.....Yeah, we gotta get somethin else to put in that freakin omelet.......*reading bio*.......you take those little sausages and put that in there....*reading bio* ....yeah I’m looking forward to it...............So, ahh, what did you have for dinner?.....You soak your chicken thighs in soy sauce overnight? Is that how you make that stuff?........Attorney profile, let’s see if we got this... (in deep sarcastic voice) The law offices of [insert name].  Let’s see what we got.  It looks like he’s from Chicago....What a f***in sheister man......yeeahh, you see that thing, he’s got the tan goin, he got the chains, the open shirt.....What the f***, they ran him out of Chicago? F***in, he probably spent 3 years in prison for f***in milking clients out of their money and overcharging and s**t like in the movie The Firm...remember that?.......Huh? You never saw the movie The Firm?......You ever read the book?......The first 50 pages are outstanding.  It’s like one of those you can’t put down, even I said that..............so what’s shakin baby? You be hanging your American flag on Veteran’s Day man? Why don’t you come up and shake my hand and thank me for being a Veteran of the United States *laughs*............You not gunna do that? How you gonna be like that? It’s like, way to be an American...............huh baby...........mmmhhmmmm......yes, I had a lot of free time last night....yeeahhh it was good...........................................Oh....did this hang up on me? I think I f***ed up the dictation.”

*Hangs up.*

Ya think?!?

**No names, no locations, and no patient or confidential information are contained in this document.    

How much is TOO much?

Today marks the beginning of a busy fall season. Aside from the already full days of work and school, my kids and I, once again, will be spending a lot of time at Longmont Dance Theatre. I will be working in the office there 3 times a week to help with tuition, and the girls have basically sold their souls to dance, taking multiple classes a week.

Before this year I have never allowed Mikayla (9) to take more than 2 required classes at a time.  The level of ballet she has been placed in requires her to participate in 2 ballet classes a week plus a modern class to maintain status in the pre-professional ballet program. She also wants to try some other styles of dance, including tap, jazz, and hip hop. This semester she is attempting to take 5 classes a week plus Nutcracker rehearsals almost every weekend.  Too much?!?!

Let's make something clear: I do not expect her to make a career out of dance, nor do I push her to remain in the pre-professional program.  I have left it up to her, and this is what she wants to do with her spare time.   I keep going back and forth between thinking that perhaps this is too much for her. I've always frowned upon loading kids up to their ears with extra stuff, especially during the school year when their education should be the primary focus.

But here's the thing:  I believe that all kids should be involved in something that they love to do, be it sports, music, academics, dance...Given the appropriate surroundings, I believe it strengthens their mind, their body, and even their soul.  It lends them something to pour their efforts into and doesn't let them have time to be bored or finicky.  It helps them develop a positive outlook on life and builds their character.  It keeps them fit.  Some might even call it a healthy addiction.

I for one am thrilled that my daughters, and even my son, have inherited the same love for dance that I possess.  It benefits me as well, since by being fortunate enough to be able to work to pay their tuition, I also get to see them blossom in their skill and be present as they do it.  And as long as they are happy and not suffering in other areas, I've come to the conclusion that I don't mind if they want to fill their time with dance.

Thoughts?  

INK.

So... I got a tattoo.  And not just a little tattoo.  A HUGE tattoo.  A lovely tattoo.  It will take some getting used to, this massive, even somewhat intimidating, piece of artwork on my back, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. Here's why:

• Its concept and original art was contrived by yours truly

By no means do I dare to call myself an artist, but when I was younger I used to draw a lot (in times of boredom, like, in math class :D ).  This piece was inspired by an old tattoo that I had gotten a couple years ago that I just did not feel was complete.  It was tiny, for one, and it held no significance to me.  This tiny little tattoo became the center of the blue flower, and the concept just spawned from there.  Of course, Jeremy doctored it up and made it look a bit more professional.

My draft:

Jeremy's draft:

• It represents my family

There are 3 flowers, one for each of my kids.  Their respective flower has their first initial next to it and is shaded with their favorite color.

• It was done by a friend

...The one and only Jeremy Finch, who for just starting out has shown incredible talent. One of the only reasons I had not already gotten a bigger tattoo was the inconvenience, and my severe particularity.. I needed to be sure that I trusted the person who would permanently scar me for life, (in the literal sense!) and, having known Jeremy for so long I knew he would do his best to make it what I wanted, and not what was easiest or most convenient for him (5 hours later!). I also know that I am now a walking advertisement for him, which I hope is beneficial for him in the long run.

And for those of you who are wondering...yes, it hurt. :)

Life::Love

It's been almost exactly 2 years since my last blog post. The ease of Twitter with 140-character updates and the sense of connection on Facebook have been partly to blame.  I suppose I just got lazy too. But I'm back, and, don't worry, I have a lot to talk about.  :)

xoxo

The best gift ever..

A couple of young teenage girls I know decided they wanted to bless me by coming to my house and watching my kids, every week in the summer, free of charge. These sweet girls have earned more respect from me in one week than most adults do over long periods of time. I am so grateful for their help, as I was about ready to check myself into a mental facility just before they offered to help me, with this summer being more difficult than summers past with work and having the kids home. Mostly, I feel horrible because the kids want me to hang out with them and do things with them and I can't because I have to get all my work done, not because I'm irritated with them for continuously come down to the basement needing something from me. I mean, I AM their mom, and moms are supposed to meet their kids' needs, right? I WANT to be there for them, especially since the years of them needing me are quickly disappearing..

However, these girls have stepped up and have made sure my kids are well taken care of and having a good time for a couple of hours while I work, and that means so much to me! And it's all out of the kindness of their hearts. That is a rare find and I'm so grateful!

I think we could all learn a little something from this....that serving others in need comes with the greatest reward.

Weddings, & more weddings...

So far this summer I've been asked to be a bridesmaid in 2 weddings, and have another one to go to as a guest. My little princesses are the flower girls in one of them...they're so excited!

The down side......having to buy 4 dresses all within 2 months' time.....



At least my friends have GREAT taste in dresses. :)

It runs in the family...

That's me and my dad...cute, right!?!