Ok ... we're back in the game
Good morning this is me again. Yup yup the same old fashioned me that was here before the big trip. That was all pretty whirlwind. It was also the first trip I ever took with a camera. That was pretty cool. Hehehe obviously we stayed in probably more then most of you. Almost all the pictures taken from the hotel room. I was too chicken to take pictures of the meeting or the presenters. Too bad too, cuz Mary is a good looking woman! AHA! You didn’t know did you?? Well, she is at least pretty cute!
Oh oh … I added the video to the site this morning, but in doing so looks like I inserted it between every post. Shoot. And, we’re still not sure if it wasn’t what messed up our sound this morning, because V had a sound problem too. If you turn on the video and it goofs you up, just turn off and on the computer, and PLEASE let me know, because if I’m messing people up, I will take it down. For right now, we’re going to keep it up because it assists my comfort level. Probably even bother me after a bit … just a little bit, ok? It reminds me of a space when I was thinking Dr. M. was just right over the next hurdle.
We talked earlier to Walt long before V. woke up. Hehehe Oh sure … V’s good, but ask him to tell a good mouse story! HA!
I don’t think I said too much about our trip back yet. Dog and me had a nice trip. The first 100 or so miles Selma took us through some country highways through small towns where you had to slow down to 30 miles and look for police. Hehehe. We got pretty lucky in not getting backed up behind slow trucks. Most the time we were zipping along with barely any traffic. It’s a pretty outstanding difference from someone used to taking expressways. We saw cows, horses, and some barns that were looking pretty old. Lot’s of the old fashioned houses and we found ourselves interested in how people were fencing or framing in their yard or long drive ways. I liked best when they put those little open triangle like posts with flowers and shrubs on either side of the property or drive. Very few people fenced in their yards totally. And, almost everyone had some kind of American flag out. It left me wondering … then are these all Bush people? We tried to let go that thought.
We didn’t get lost or have car problems the whole trip, except after leaving Indiana from the skyway, we got stuck in some pretty backed up traffic. We were watching our water temperature and saw that it was rising. So we made an executive decision to get off the expressway and let Selma take us to the center, which was only 6 miles from that point. We were a little scared because we weren’t sure if we were going to need pulling off and we were not in a good neighborhood. But, we made it … It gave us an hour rest before needing to go to Dr. M’s. Sr. came in just before we left, but we were thinking she was pretty glad to have us back. We talked to three of our co-workers and got caught up with things going on. Pretty much the worst of it was shortage of staff, people had been sick. The one co-worker had a lot to tell us about her nephews, nieces and the welfare people calling on her sister and brother-in-law. That is a messed up situation. She also let me know how the staff was doing. Pretty cool. Sr. told me, we’d talk in the morning, and then when morning came, she only told me to let go of all priorities, except the Annual report.
I asked how far the secretary had gotten, because I left her good directions. I was disappointed to find out that all she had done was choose a general format and add pictures to the cover page. I understand also though that she progressed the situation with the family surveys, which will eventually go into the report. We knew we had to start by getting what used to be a 20 page report down to 12 pages. That directive had come just before we left for the 2 weeks. Mostly, we took many of the pages and made them into half pages. That way, I could keep some of the variety, which had been nice from previous issues. We redid the cover page with a table of contents, then we did the sections for overview of the last year (from Sr.), and we formatted that with the mission statement by making the latter a jpg file. Then we asked the other QMRP to write a quarter column about her Town Hall meetings and I did the other ¾ page on staff training and the Thinking Group. I also noted that not even the acknowledgement page had been retyped. No reason for that. When I get back on Monday, I’ll continue where we left off. Maybe the first day I will get the program, state/ARC, and two CARF sections written. We are going to include some kind of info on the performance analysis. Then, we will have the two surveys and demographics. Hmm, something about community too. Not too much more … I think its going to out of necessity be put together rather fast. No monkeying around.
There were not too many surprises in the mail. There did seem to be a lot of incident reports written. Not so sure what to make of all that. Nothing I couldn’t expect though. We advanced 3-4 issues and made sure that our CEU credits from the meeting were taken care of. We made sure to get the CARF certificates in our folder too. We earned about 20 credits out of the 12 we would need for the year. That’s a pretty good deal.
The meeting with Dr. M. went well. We brought him a copy of the picture book, then he delighted us by going through every page one at a time and skimming the contents part. It gave us a nice way to catch up with things. Most of the pictures were new to him, because he doesn’t get out as often to read the blog. He smiled throughout and asked some nice questions or made nice statements, so that was fun. I’ve got a few more copies to go out maybe today. I think I have everyone’s address by now. People seem to be pleased with them and that makes me very happy. J
At Dr. M.’s we talked a little about each of the familiar things like friends, work, and then 15 minutes for school. We know what we have to do now … we don’t know if the teacher will accept work turned in by Tomorrow. It means doing two reports today and tomorrow so will have to restart all that pretty soon. About half done with the first one. Then we’re hoping we can get an extension on the final paper. I sent her a note late in the day. I think things were supposed to be turned in then. So, I’m not sure if its going to be ok … but, at this point we have to hope for the best. We thought we were going to scrunch some of it in at work Friday against better judgment, but Sr. started our day pretty adamantly about not doing anything but the annual. I know she gets pretty worried about that and the only solution is to get it done. Fortunately, I’m a better and faster writer than years previously. By now, I pretty much know what we’re doing. Just have to iron out a few boundaries. It used to take the better part of a month and now I feel I can write the entire report in a week. We’ll see … everything will get done and we’ll still have to wait for the financial sections to come the week or two after the end of the fiscal year. But, we won’t worry her about that. I know that she has a big Sister’s meeting early July, where she’ll be expected to have a copy of the Annual Report. We won’t disappoint her.
The school portion with Dr. M. was talking about whatever it is that causes us not to be able to start or transition into getting the work done. There were no big solutions found, but we have a renewed hope that we can do it. He said in general we are doing very well. I guess I get points for going successfully to CARF meetings in Ohio all by ourselves. Hehehe. Dog is the one walking around with an inflated ego though!
For the last two evenings, our friend has been over and we fell asleep both times an hour before he had to leave. The first night he said he took advantage of playing three games of poker at once on our big screens, and then he said last night he fiddled around a bit. *Giggle* the only affect I saw of that was when I woke up this morning there was a site opened to his Canadian fishing trip. I think he is going either this next Friday or Sunday. I don’t remember which now. He knows I always ask for the site. I will want to feel connected to him. Usually, though he takes a cell phone with him that will do the distance. I’ve never called while he was away on the big trip, but I am more assured to know I could call if I wanted to.
He says that he’s fishing for musky, northerns, bass and maybe walleye. He has scheduled certain fish for certain time of the day. He said this time he is going to be transported by boat to the location after they drive up. They will only be driving a couple of hours into Canada. In years past they’ve gone way up there. One of his friends is taking a few extra relatives and now the third friend is saying he might not be able to afford the trip. Our friend was going to meet up with him for breakfast today to talk it over. The site looks pretty good, but we always worry a bit more when there is bear hunting around. Fortunately, most of the time is spent on the boat. Just have to watch for those occasions fishermen’s sneak off into the woods to umm do some business. I’m not worried too much because it seems they are being well cared for. They will have a guide, the guide makes them shoreside lunch of fish and potatoes, back at the lodge there is a place to eat, and they have daily maids. Well, ok … it looks rough, but that’s mostly because he usually doesn’t shave, but other than that? Hehhee better not speak too soon. Don’t know how much fly and mosquitoes he will be faced with or if it rains. Because you just know if it rains they are going out anyway. We’ll have to make sure he gets protection from the sun too, because he’s already had sun poisoning this year.
So, that is pretty much the news around here. I think I’ve slept off my jet lag. Back to business as normal. We’re just going to start our work without complaining. We’ll be back soon. We’re going to need posting the last paper again … because we’re going to need continuing it. Go ahead and skim past it if you want. We’ll be trying to do our best. Hmm, just one more thought. I’m thinking that if I were a really good friend I might volunteer some of our electronics to our friend. Let’s think that out for a second. I don’t think he will need the flash drive. I’m thinking he will bring his computer, more out of habit than anything else. I know he likes to do a little business when he’s gone, but I didn’t see anything at the site to indicate Internet on the island. The people there must have something, because they have a web site, but I’m not sure.
The obvious devise is the camera. I know his son has a camera, but I’m not sure given a choice if he would take mine or his son’s. I know he took mine once, but it was before we got the memory card and figured out how to use it. There’s a pretty good guess that his son doesn’t have the memory we have on ours. Sure would be nice if he could upload pictures while he was there. We could teach him how to do all that now. My only reservation is if something happened to it, in that he or it fall into the lake. I know our friend is careful, and he’s not tipped before. I would have to think if he did tip … and the water being as cold as it is, I’d worry much more about his safety than the camera. We learned to do a risk analysis while at the CARF meeting. I guess the risk isn’t rated very high. I sure would like a bunch of pictures!
The only other consideration is that it would be unavailable to us for a small time. There is probably not too much going on that needs photographing. Hmm, the only thing is that I might want to take a few pictures for the Annual Report. BUT, that would infringe on Sr.’s joy of adding pictures. PLUS, we’re going to try finishing our part this week before he goes. So, I guess that’s no problem either.
Now, the only last thing is that … I think he is taking his friend’s van. SOOOO, the big deal would be to volunteer him taking our PDA and Selma. I’m really pretty sure the friend doesn’t have a computer in his van. I’m thinking his van is at least 5-6 years old and I don’t think that most vans back then were equipped. All he would need to provide was a cigarette lighter. It all attaches with a suction cup and the receiver is free floating. No permanent attachments. I could program it for the states and province they will be traveling in. They are experienced drivers, so could drive easily enough without it, but they are just so gosh darn neat. I know our friend said last night how much he uses his and no longer has to “think” so hard about where he’s going. It would make me feel good to give him this option. The only thing would be to explain where the devise came from. He could just say that it is a co-worker or his son’s I suppose. It would be easy enough for him to learn. Yep, yep I think I’m going to ask.
Dear Sweetie Pie!
I hope that everything went ok with your friend. I'm thinking you were thinking of supporting his trip financially ... just because that is the kind of guy you are, but most likely he gotta gotta little lecture first. Well, the way we figure ... and we figure one good turn deserves another.
I would like to offer you two things. First of all, if you promise to give it back hehehe, I would like to offer that you take our camera. I know that you would have also the option of taking your son's and I'm not sure which is set-up to be the better, but I am now at the point I could teach you the basics in short order on our camera. We could load the program into your computer if you take it with you and I'm guessing you will. Also, if you aren't going to upload until you get home ... I now have a 512 MB card that says that you can take 600 pictures :) I know also you could take movies, though that would eat more memory. I figure you have room to spare. The other part is that I figured out the batteries. I have two sets AND I have this little devise that just plugs right into the wall for recharging. Just to be safe, I recharged every day the set I used. It's my experience you need to keep them refreshed. It only takes a couple of hours to recharge. I know how to teach you that part too. Just take a couple of minutes.
I'm pretty sure I would love to see you taking LOTS of pictures and not worrying about filling the quota of 24 on a disposable. I figure that if you end up tipping the boat that I'll be worried a lot more about you than the camera. I think realistically its a $200-400 camera. I don't remember now. That part can be replaced NOT YOU!!!
Now ... the other part ... My understanding is that you are taking Bob's van. From what I understand you are all going up in one vehicle. It is also my guess that Bob's van doesn't have a Selma. I would like to offer you ours to take up with you. We both know how gosh darned neat they are. I have no doubt you could easily learn how to work mine too. Just like I was learning yours last night. All she needs is a cigarette lighter that works. You would have to check that out sooner than later. My lighter hadn't worked, but I had her fixed when I took her in ... it cost like $16. The lighter keeps the PDA charged and it gives the receiver what it needs. It hooks up with one connection and the PDA stays on the entire trip while its plugged in. It also has optional night and day light. Nothing is permanently fixed. I kept the receiver down in the coin tray and it read things just fine. It is about the size of a half dollar. The PDA is held by a cradle that has a great suction devise holding it by the window. The extension arm is adjustable so you can turn it to the driver or passenger. I felt very secure with it even going over bumps and turns. Had no problem with it.
The devise is easily programmed to use the states and provinces you will be traveling through. We can do that before you leave and if you want, we could send the disk with you in case you would have to reload the software. The first couple of times I used it, I had a little trouble, because I wasn't taking the devise off properly. You need to turn it off, then unplug the lighter, and then turn off the car. Or, in reverse ... turn on the car, plug in the lighter, then turn it on. There would be a few more considerations. I have a nice sturdy case for it, and I would ask that you slip the devise into your pocket when you are getting in and out of the car. It's about $480 for the PDA and the selma component adds a couple hundred more dollars to its value. The devise sits right in front of the window and I think it would be a good reason to break into the car. It pops easily on and off the holder, and we're thinking to most people the empty holder looks like it should hold a phone ... no big deal. I would recommend plugging it in at night just to make sure it's always charged ... very similar to a phone ... should go 2-3 days without a charge, and I think the car battery keeping it fully charged, but I didn't want to take a chance. There are indicator lights on both camera and PDA to tell you where it is with batteries.
I figure that as much as I like having the two devises on my person, the reality is if I had to I could live without them since I'm not going out of town for the week. I would feel much better knowing that you were well taken care of. I swore I'd never take a major trip without them. It really made the trip. Of course, for you fishies are going to do the trick, but why not making the going a little more fun. :)
Any way, that's that ... let me know if we should schedule you in for a few quick lessons. Always, our love!
Us
AHA! Feel much better now!
Good us.
Ok, we’re on a 15 minute notice before the work has to start. Anything else left to clear up? Don’t think so … I think I’m going to post right away and then start a fresh post with the material from school. That way I’m not so apt to go back over it. Hmm. Not very many pictures. Periodically, I look into the web camera, but I find myself looking at the same me. Hmm, that’s a thought. I wonder about giving him one of the web camera’s … I might be pushing his electronic overdo button. Hmm, we’ll let that one go. Sure would be nice to get a few picture of him at the computer though. I’m guessing that his buddies would wonder what kind of shots are being broadcast over the Internet hehehe. Well, maybe we’ll pass on that idea!
Ok, going to post … Any pictures?
In case your wondering ... he's showing no pain from a trip hard earned!
posted by Ann Marie @ 6/17/2006 09:08:00 AM
Comments: 1
