Not for the faint of heart

Since taking this new job, I've been thrust into a world I knew existed, but that hadn't really collided with my world. In less than two months on the job, I have learned a great deal. And know there is SO much more to learn.

This week is my first week having to do on-call work. The call just as I was crawling into bed looking for a foster home for a three year old. The call at 3:30 in the morning (yes, I crawled out of bed and stumbled down the stairs so the huz could keep sleeping as I had the conversation) about an 11 year old needing a place to go... Certainly the stories will continue and probably becoming even more heart wrenching.

As part of my self-educating process, I Amazon wishlisted a few books. One I received as a birthday gift. Let me tell you, this book, like foster care itself, is not for the faint of heart. I don't mean to say it is pornographically graphic. It's not. But it is hauntingly moving. I fully admit to shedding tears while reading this one. And I'm sure it got to me more now, than say two years ago, before I became a mother. I definitely recommend it. But have something cheery and lighthearted to go with it!

Friday Fill-in

Yep! I remembered to visit feelingbeachie.com to join the Friday fill-in this week!

Statements:
1. My first car was a _________.
2. My ______is so _________.
3. I would drop everything to ________.
4. I never tell people I once _________.

My answers:
1. My first car was a 1992 white Geo Tracker with a black convertible top.
2. My house is so dirty!
3. I would drop everything to go back to school?
4. I never tell people I once ate meat?

Those last two were tricky! Sorry for the lame-o answers...

October November

Yes, I know it is March and spring is (supposedly) on the way. And I, for one, am glad. Spring is my favorite season. The smell of newness in the air. The grass greening up. The flowers blooming. The birds. Yadda yadda yadda. But did I mention I finished "October Fest" and have started "November Hunt"? Well it is true. I still think July was my favorite, but October was amusing. We got to know Mrs. Berns a little better. And in November it looks like Mira is going legit and is not just a nosy lady anymore... But I'm only a few chapters in so we shall see...

If you are just joining my sporadic blog, I am talking about Jess Lourey's Murder by Month series. I recommend them for a quick, easy, fun mystery adventure.

Holy Highlighting!

It's been a long time since I burned through highlighters this quickly! I've killed four now and it is day one of week four of employment. My guess is it will slow down here soon, since I think I'm about finished reading all the legislation and policies and procedures and such that pertain to this new job. And that's a good thing, since I think I only have two highlighters left in my stash at home!

My brain is still slightly overwhelmed at all the new information that has been shoved into it in the last three weeks. I am now officially in charge of my own caseload. I thought they'd start me out slow with one or two cases and then build me up as I learned. Nope. Full caseload right off the bat. And there must have been multiple full moons in February as the relatively calm cases have suddenly gone haywire! Just in time for me to take over! The three coworkers in my office are going to be sick of my questions!!

Hopefully everything settles down and I don't make any critical errors...

Yawn

I stayed up a little later than normal last night to finish reading "August Moon" the fourth book in Jess Lourey's Murder by Month series. July has been my favorite so far, August took a turn for the weird! I was disappointed to find that my library does not have the rest of the series available for digital download. Boo! So this morning I snuck on to Barnesandnoble.com and purchased September. I'll have to start rationing them out, enjoying them when I can sell a batch of cupcakes or something. Or I suppose I could always see if the library carries them in the old fashioned paperback version....

Knee high

After a two week hiatus I am back on the reading train. Getting acclimated to a new job has been stressful and left me not wanting to do much of anything in the evenings. I have been doing a lot of reading at work. Policies, profiles, case plans, progress notes, etc. And the latest book I'd downloaded from the library just hadn't grabbed my attention in the first few pages.

But when I received an email from my library saying one of the books I'd placed on hold had become available I decided it was high time to jump back into a good read.

"Knee High by the Fourth of July" was the next in the Murder by Month series by Jess Lourey. I'd read the first two, and now that the third is under my belt, I can officially say I am hooked. And I immediately searched to see if August was available upon completion of July. I need to finish this blog post so I can start reading it during the last few minutes of my lunch break!

In July, I really started to get Mira and feel for her character. I was rooting for her, confident in her sleuthing abilities. This is good stuff!

Friday Fun

I have been neglecting my blog again. Two weeks at the new job- I am overwhelmed and exhausted, but learning lots. Eventually, I imagine I will have it figured out and will feel like I have time again for the blogging world. Until then, be patient with my silence.

But now it is time to join Hilary at Feeling Beachie for the Friday Fill-in. Each week she posts four statements to complete. Check her out at www.feeliebeachie.com. Co-host this week is my auntie from It's Just Life at www.bethannchiles.com!

This week's statements:

1. I can't believe _________
2. I never liked the tv show ________
3. If I were a ________ I would most definitely _________
4. I ________ when I ________

My answers:

1. I can't believe it's been two weeks at the new job already!
2. I never liked the tv show Family Guy. The Simpsons is way better.
3. If I were a millionaire I would most definitely do lots of volunteer work.
4. I squeak when I laugh hard.

First Day Report

My first day at the new job was long and a bit overwhelming. I have a whole new language to learn with all the foster care terms and things. But it was also good. I will be helping potential foster parents qualify to be foster parents, matching them up with kids needing homes and then helping everyone through the transition process and to follow through with case plans. Some will go on to adoption, some will be working toward reunification with biological parent(s). I actually did a home visit on my first day. I simply observed, but it was a family that will end up being one of "my" families. I think I am going to end up with 9 families and 15 kids. I will definitely be busy!

I have approximately three weeks of training and then I will be on my own with my families. Yikes!!

The clinic

Doing a little bedtime reading before my big day tomorrow. Managed to finish another Alex Delaware mystery. I believe this was number 11 in the series by Jonathan Kellerman- The Clinic. A little less of Robin in this one, especially compared with the last one. But more Milo. A pretty good one- kept me guessing till the end. But now it is time for a lite break from Alex again. I'm LOVING this whole renting NOOK books from the library thing. Just downloaded another new one. Two more I'm on the wait list for and then it's back to the books on my shelf for a bit...

Fun Friday Fill-In- February Style

It’s Friday so it is time to join Hilary over at Feeling Beachie for her blog hop!!!  Enjoy your Friday and join in the fun!!! This week the co-host is Tami from Empty Nest in Il – she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:
1. When I am on the phone I have to ____
2. I have a ____
3. I started blogging to ________
4. My worst habit is _______

My answers:

1. When I am on the phone I have to be driving. (Not really, but it seems like that's the only time I have time to make personal phone calls!)

2. I have a client at 3pm today.

3. I started blogging to get back in the habit of writing/journaling. 

4. My worst habit is ummm... not turning the water off while I'm brushing my teeth?