Where to start? It seems like it has been so long since I have written a blog post. So, I guess I will start with what I have been up to:
Last month was officially my last month as President of the PTO at our local Elementary School. This decision, obviously, came with many mixed emotions. I loved loved loved the position, the close relationships with teachers, getting to know 176 kids. However, with a small town such as ours, even small roles become politically involved. That part, I will not miss. I will terribly miss the others. Also, with all my upcoming events, I suppose I had to give up something.
So, all this free time now..what am I doing with it? Well, The Goshen Farmers Market starts up this Saturday.
These were my accomplishments this week:
My other accomplishments this week? I finished my first book. Yes, I wrote a book! It's just a "starter" book to get the feel of what it takes to go through the publishing process. If I am lucky, in 6-8 months, I may possibly get a reply from one (or maybe more) of the 30 or so publishers I sent the manuscript to and I might get an offer to have it published. By then I will hopefully have completed my second (It's currently all in my head) and then my third...which will take quite a while I imagine.
What else? Al and I are graduating next week. Some of you know that we have been taking a training course for the past 11 weeks. Next week we will become certified Foster/Adoptive Parents through the state of CT. http://www.ctfosteradopt.com/fosteradopt/cwp/view.asp?a=3795&Q=498606. So, there is a chance you will see us with another child..maybe more over the future months and years. We are not allowed to post pictures of our foster children on Facebook and we are not allowed to tell you about their history, their family or why they are in foster care (nor do we want to). I think back to one of my favorite books, Choosing Civility; The 25 rules of considerate conduct(a must read). Just because someone is curious about something doesn't justify their question or deem it appropriate. We just hope our friends and family will welcome our children and know how happy and fulfilled this venture makes us. This is something we each always wanted to do and now that we can't have more kids ourselves, what better time to possibly help others. We thank you, in advance, for your support and respect!
Relating to the above, here is my soap box lecture / pet peeve for this blog: Making people feel welcomed. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this lately, how some people are welcoming and comforting towards others and some are not. It takes a lot of strength and the ability to put yourself aside to actually welcome people into your life. To share your life with them and make them feel comforted and a part of your life. I believe a lot of people aren't capable of this because of such things as they are too self-absorbed, or too consumed with their own agenda. Or, they are cold, insensitive or compartmentalized to some degree. When people are like this, it doesn't make others feel welcomed or comfortable and when you're not comfortable you leave. Sure, sharing your life openly sometimes comes with its downfalls. It makes you vulnerable, it opens you up to "favors" because people feel comfortable and...sometimes...people feel comfortable that you DON'T want to. All of those have their positive twists though. I think feeling vulnerable is a good lesson, it's humbling. Favors, well as long as they are well intended, are only time or money. As far as people feeling welcomed into your life that you wouldn't necessarily want to feel that way? You are leading by example. You are teaching others how to behave with grace and sensitivity. Just an observation about life that I never would have noticed prior to my new life, the one with MS. I'm done.
OK. So, I always go to extremes right? Speaking of that, I decided I should refresh my driving skills. I believe I am still a safe driver. However, with my limited vision, I want to be sure I can handle unforeseen incidents. So, I signed up for a program called "Street Survival". It is held at Thompson Motor Speedway and its next weekend. I CANNOT wait. We are making a trip of it and also visiting the Worcester Ecotarium. The event coordinator for Street Survival, instructor and race car driver coincedentally only has vision in one eye also. Cool, huh? Well,,,,, you know what I mean.
I guess I should mention my MS huh? It is holding steady. I do have many more good days than bad lately. Though, I still have daily nagging symptoms, I seem to be able to push through them better. My one weak spot is headaches. Extreme headaches. It was recommended that I go to a headache specialist to determine if they are nerve related, ocular or maybe cluster but I really see the doctor way too much. For now, I hang in until I just feel like I am facing 2 options: 1. death or 2. Hospital. Then, I call up Al and he puts me on oxygen for a bit and gives me a pain pill. That seems to take the edge off. Otherwise, I am just plugging along.
I am coming up on A YEAR now that I have had Crane, my Service Dog. I still cannot comprehend that. Time flies. Each year I have to get re-certified and pass a Public Access Exam to remain able to go into public places with her. The laws are cracking down and no longer are Therapy or Emotional Support dogs allowed to go out into restricted public places. So, this exam and re-licensing is important. After my third year, Crane is officially mine :) I am very lucky to have her. She is SUCH a help and comfort.
I will leave off on that note, as I have a trillion things to do. The kids are now in summer camp and when that is over it is school FOR ALL OF THEM. WOW!!!! Think of what I will be able to take on then ;)
Cordially,
Tina
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