Been a while

It has been a while since I have blogged. Not much has really happened.

I did finish this semester at school. YEAH! I took the statistics class I needed for my bachelor's degree (which I start in the fall). I got A's so I am a happy camper.

I went and tested for Williamson County EMS. That was a shock. I did not pass the written test. I didn't stay for the 2 days I had reserved at the hotel. I drove there, took the test, adn drove home that day. I was really ok with it initially. I had been praying that God would put me where He wanted me. Apparently, Wilco was not the place for me. I started second guessing myself on Tuesday. It was a shock to me. I am doing better, but still a bit upset. Not so much that I didn't get the job there, but that I didn't even pass the test.

I am not sure what lies ahead of me now. I will go seek counsel this week and figure otu what to do. I am still praying about it. I am still waiting for God to open that new door for me, but it hasn't happened yet. I am trying to be patient, but it is hard for me to "be still." He is in charge and will open the doors to where I need to be.

It is Memorial day weekend. Please, stop and say thank you for those who have sacrificed for this nation. Remember those past, present, and future. Enjoy your family adn the time off, but remember why you even have the time off.

Life marches on..

The semester is winding down. We only have about 5 weeks of school. I am ready to move on, but at the same time Im not. It is easy to forget about the bigger picture because things are comfortable. I am comfortable doing what I am and being where I am. I am nervous about testing for Williamson County because I am nervous about the next step. It's that fear of the unknown. Don't get me wrong, I am so ready to move on to the next stage in life and be a working paramedic. I am ready. Its hard to leave the comfortable. I am excited to see how God will work in my life. I am excited to know that this is where He has put me. I know that He will open the doors to where I am supposed to be so there is no need to worry. I am putting it all in His hands.

I will be going to Williamson County for 3 days in May. I am excited. I will be staying there for 2 nights since it doesn't make sense to drive back and forth everyday. I have a written test on the 18th, the skills testing on the 19th, and the interview on the 20th. Pray that I can let go of control, put it in God's hands, and just do what I have been trained to do.

The animals...

I really wish I was more fluent in Cat and Dog speak. I can kinda understand it (sometimes), but really wish I knew what they were saying.

I was on spring break this last week. The animals were not sure what to think. I think the first day they were ok with it, the second day, they were not that happy. Goliath usually spends his days either in my bed or Mom's. Well, If i am just sitting still, he will usually lay in the floor watching me and then, if i still haven't moved in a while, will make his way to the bed. This week, he would go to the bed only to hear me doing something so he would have to come check out what I was doing. Then he would let out this loud sigh and lay down again. Talk about subtle...

The cats were not happy I know. Boots and Sheba couldn't get into the usual trouble with me around. Boots would start to push papers off my endtable and I would thump her. She didn't have the satisfaction fo watching everything fall off. Sheba of course follows what Boots does.

Sheba is making a turn for the better. She is not as apt to run from me when I look at her. She has also been known to cuddle up with me and let me love on her. Of course, on her terms. She even sat in my lap for an hour! I was amazed. Of course, she is wearing off on Boots too. I know have 2 cats in my face when I am eating and have to fight two sets of paws out of my dinner plate. Just like a kid...If they put their feet in it, its theirs to eat. They still have nto figured out that when they do that, I end up giving it to the dog instead of them. I just know they are plotting a coup.

Rude people

I absolutely hate stupidity. It has to be one of my biggest pet peeves. I also hate rudeness. (Yeah, I know I have a lot of frustration in life). I really hate when the two are combined in a person.

My neighbors are in that catagory. They are stupid AND rude. I can't wait for either them to go or us. I have put up with about all I can take and I am having difficulty "turning the other cheek".

I have been trying to finish the painting this week. I am ALMOST done. I could have been done today, but my neighbor decided to mow the grass as I am trying to paint. It wasn't like I had just gone out there. I had actually been out there for a few hours.I was absolutely dumbfounded that he would do this...AGAIN!

We started painting the outside of the house last year. We have had to work around paramedic school, rotations, work, weather, and the neighbor.

This is not the first time he has done this. I can name several occasions that he went out to do this while we were painting. He also does this when I am grilling.

Lord...hold my tongue.

Spring Break!

This week is spring break from school. I am so excited to not have to go to statistics for a week. I already have a "honey-do" list going. (I am still looking for a "honey" to "do", but no such luck yet!) I am hoping the weater will be nice all week, because my major things to get done are outside jobs. I want to finish up the painting. I am truly almost done! I also want to get the pond in. I think those two jobs will take 3 or 4 days together, but I will be so much happier if those two things get done. I know Mom will be happier as well.
We shall see how much I get done....

I hate time change...

I am really not liking time change. I really don't see the point. I am trying to get used to waking up in the dark again to go to school (why did I choose an 8am class?). I am sitting here blogging as a way of killing time so I can go to bed. Yes, I realize it is 7:30. I just can't seem to make myself go to bed with it still be light outside.

The animals have seemed to have adjusted well. Goliath still wakes Mom up before the alarm, but now it is just closer to time to get up. I am so glad he goes to her and not me. 4 am is just wrong! Boots seemed to like to tell her what time it was too. They all seem to think 4am is when you eat..not when you get up to serve. I laughed when Mom would tell me about how Boots would walk on her and to get her up, she would put her paws on her face. If that didn't work, Boots would nip her nose. That always worked because you could smell her awful breath too! I laughed until she did it to me.

Friday night I went to bed. It was about 11 when Boots decided she wanted to play. Boots has finally gotten heavy enough you can feel her walking on you. (I don't know how, but they know how to put their entire weight on your tender spots too!) She walked on me and nipped my nose. Mom heard me when I yelped and came up out of bed. Boots carried what is left of the toy that Goliath ate and set it in front of me as if to play. I have to say...11pm is NOT play time.

Night ramblings

I hate when you can't seem to find the sleep you so desperately need. I am trying to get my body back to normal and I am so tired, but can't find sleep. I have even tried to read the Bible (the laws and who begat who usually puts most people to sleep). Nothing is working. I wish the brain had an on switch. You could turn it off when you needed to. Ok, so that might be a bad idea. I can see people turning it off at the wrong times. It could also be good because some people could actually turn it on in the first place...

Oh, complete side note....

In my psychology class, our teacher had an advocate come talk to us. The class is needed for the LCDC program, but since it was about stress and adjustment, I thought it would be good to take. Well, anyways, he gave us some very good information that I didn't know and wanted to pass along.

Your voice does count, but only if you use it. I am not sure if he was talking on the state level, or the national level, but if you call your congressman's office, it is the equivalent of 50 voters speaking out. If you write a letter, it is the equivalent of 100 voters. If you go and stand in the office, it is the equivalent of 500 voters! That is powerful. Your voice does count, but you have to use it. If you don't like something, you can help to change it. Let them know where you stand and they have to listen. If you got 10 people to just visit a representative's office, that is as if 5000 people are saying your same message. You won't actually talk to the representative, but their aides are there for a reason. They must report this. Imagine how your voice can make a difference if you just speakout.

God's Sense of Humor

So, I have learned that you are never safe from God's sense of humor. I had a rough day and was just in a mood all day today. I would say I got up on the wrong side of the bed, but there is only one side. Anywho...I was just generally cranky, impatient, and not humored by anything. As much as you try not to take it out on anyone, you can't really help it. I made it through the day and came home only to still be in a cranky mood. (Could have been lack of food as well. I do tend to get very cranky when I am hungry and I skipped lunch.) I was saying hi to the "kids" and trying to figure out what was for dinner. Mom suggested we eat salads first and then decide what to have for dinner (I think she couldn't handle my crankiness anymore) and so we did. I did seem to calm the savage beast a bit, but still cranky. Mom decided to do chicken and was cooking dinner so I took the opportunity to love on Sheba a bit since she was sitting in my recliner. I squated down so I was nose to nose to her. She started purring and was in hog heaven. That was until I screamed in her face. Boots decided she was not to be ignored and promptly sunk her hypodermic needle claws into my back. I took that as my gentle nudging that I needed to get over my "mood" and be a little nicer.

On another note, I have found a way to deter a cat from bad behavior (although it might backfire on you!). Last night, I had all the kids in bed with me. Sheba has been sleeping with me, even though she runs from me when I look at her at any other times...Anyways, Goliath got frustrated and moved off the bed and onto the floor. That left me and the girls. Sheba usually only attacks my feet when I move them, so I didn't think there would be a problem if I just stayed still. So, I got comfortable and settled in. A few moments later, I feel a horribly sharp object against my ankle. Boots was attack me! AGAIN! I didn;t move and she started to attack my feet. I put her on the floor and she only proceeded to jump back and attack my feet. I did this 3 times. Finally the 4th time she jumps up and attack my feet (this time drawing blood) I thumped her on the forehead. Before you yell child abuse, I didn't thump her hard, just enough to let her know I was not pleased. She looked at me with a look that I can only describe as part shock, part indignation, and part plotting revenge. The ears went back, the mouth came open and the face..that was undescribable. She did however, jump off the bed and go sleep with Mom. I think it worked, but we shall see what part of me wakes up mutilated in my sleep tonight!

What a weekend

I am not ready for the weekend to be over. We had a good day yesterday with the Dockery girls. They are so cute and so fun. We went to Harvester's yesterday, then went to a tea room for lunch. We picked them up about 9:30 and took them home about 3pm so that Mrs. Dockery would have the ability to focus on things she needed to do and not worry about the girls. It really worked out well. You never know exactly how things will work, but trusting in Him when He tells you something, things can't help but work for the good. It worked perfectly yesterday and I was so glad to be a blessing.

On another amusing note....

I will NEVER understand cats! I can understand dogs, but I really am thinking the whole purpose in cats is to confuse you. Sheba, the baby, is still very wild. She runs from me every time i even look in her direction. She has started sleeping with me. Go figure. She started only coming in when I had already fallen asleep and leave before I woke up. Then, she started coming in after I fell asleep and staying until I woke up. Last night, before I went to bed I was looking all over for her. (I have to do a head count before bed!) I couldn't find her so I went to my bedroom to put something up and there she was, laying in the middle of my bed waiting for me. She looked at me as if to say, "Where have you been? Its bedtime!" I was so flabbergasted. I almost expected her to run when i got into bed, but she curled up with me and went to sleep. Of course, she is still running from me when I act like I am going to walk towards her.

Boots is going crazy as well. She has gotten into the Red Bull. She has been racing around like a steam engine. She has taken to hopping into my recliner (while I am in it) and leaping across to the other recliner, down to the floor, back into that recliner, into mine, and back down. She does this over, and over, and over... I don't mind except she uses her claws to get a grip when she lands and for take off. her claws are like landing gear. I am really going to video her on a rampage. It is too funny not to. Who knows, maybe I could get money from Funniest Home Videos.

Well, I can't figure them out and I am giving up on it. If you have any insight, let me know!!

Crazy animals.

Boots


Ok, so I am human. No suprise there (or maybe a little)! I have crazy thoughts that I know now one else thinks about. For instance, I think God definately has a sense of humor. In my deranged mind, I can almost see God sitting in heaven, laughing at me.

For instance, I already introduced my "kids". Goliath, the lab. Boots, my middle child and tabby cat. And Sheba, my youngest and "wild child." I have never had cats before. I may never have them again, but I do have two now. Goliath, we got from a shelter when my other lab, Abbie, was put to sleep at age 17. We have had him for a little over a year now. Boots and Sheba are outside, neighborhood cats that we have "rescued". Boots, has respiratory issues that makes it hard for her to breathe. She sounds like a kid slurping her soup when she grooms! We brought her in when it started getting cold because we knew she wouldn't make it through the winter. Sheba, again, was a neighborhood kitten (different litter, different mom) that we brought in. She was an unexpected Christmas present that I am unable to return (not that I really would at this point, but really have come close). We brought her in because she was half the size of her littermates. One of them was actually 3 times her size. She was skin and bones and knew she would never be able to handle the cold. Come to find out, she just was getting the leftovers from the rest of the litter. We brought her in and in 2 months, she has doubled her weight. She is about 6months now and only weighs 3.9 pounds.

I can actually imagine God laughing so hard that he almost falls over. (Yeah, I have a very active imagination!) Boots, for some reason, has a quirk that makes her want to be close to me. She likes my long skirts because she can hide under them when I am sitting down. The only problem with that is that she tends to want to climb up my legs when she does that. She is just looney! Tonight was no different. She was trying to get under my skirt before church. After church, I quickly changed into my pjs and she tried to climb up the legs. When she couldn't get up there (she got her head stuck, which was not fun for me) she decided to use me a spring board. Then she jsut collapses like she just ran a marathon. What gives??

Ok, so here is some background information on my cats. They are spoiled! Don't let them tell you otherwise. Boots has rhinotracheitis (upper respiratory issues that she will have for her life) and doesnt eat much as a result. We try to keep food out for her at all times, so we have 2 types of dry food (an adult and a kitten formula) and they get a can of wet food in the morning and evening. They are in no way starving.

One Sunday, we ran out of the kitten food. She had plenty of other food, so we waited until our normal shopping trip on Monday to get the kitten food. Mom and I went to Target and got it. I unloaded the groceries and gave the cats the kitten food before changing into my pjs. (I always wear the pjs around the house). My two cats are sitting in my recliner and were still there when I came back. Mom was asking me something about the remote (I think we were looking for Jon and Kate plus 8) and I had my back to the girls. No sooner had I turned my back to Boots, than she launches herself out of the recliner. She proceeds to attach herself by the claws to my rear. Once I scream and grab her paw to lift her up so she is not hanging, letting gravity pull her down, I look at Mom to help me. Mom is doubled over laughing. She is of no use to me with this cat hanging from my rear. I finally get her free and she walks off, turns to look at me as if to say "You know why." Still, I have NO clue what got into her. I really think Sheba was laughing as well. Goliath was the only one who was concerned, but his help was not something I needed.

That is God's sense of humor. I have learned a few things from this.
1. Cats are definately not like dogs!
2. Never say, "How hard can this be?"
3. God has a way of letting you know that you are not the supreme being we think we are sometimes.

(BTW, as I am typing this, Boots is nipping my toes!)

Poems...

My mom emails me alot of poems. I admit, I have a TON of them yet to read. I put them into a folder to look at once life got back to normal, post paramedic school. She sent this one to me and I absolutely love it. I just wanted to share it here...

RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE

Lord, I don't feel well today
But I know You're standing near
to fight my every battle
and calm my every fear.

My body feels so broken
My health is not the best
Please Lord, won't you heal me,
and give me complete rest?

I know that I should trust you
in all, through out the day
but as the day wears on me
Sometimes my faith does sway.

At times I sit and wonder
If you have heard my prayer
Forgive me Lord for doubting
at times when in despair.

I tell myself You hear me
every spoken prayer I send
so I'll trust in you to help me
to fix, and heal, and mend.

But remember I am human
for you created me this way
and sometimes I will falter
and at times I may stray.

When that occurs please catch me
don't let me fall to far
because Lord my desire
is to be right where you are.

by Debbie Looney

What a day!!!

Ok, so after MONTHS of trying to get my license from the state, I finally got it today! I am officially a Licensed Paramedic (we double checked the state website). I am so excited I could sing!
Ok, so to clarify, there are different levels of certification for EMS in Texas. There is the EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Paramedic, and Licensed Paramedic. The difference between EMT-P and LP is not really much other than a degree. You must have a 2 year degree in EMS or a bachelors degree or higher in any subject in order to be a LP. I have my AAS in EMS and went for my LP. It doesn't really matter much now as in pay or anything, but I wanted it since I worked hard for it.
I submitted my application for LP in Nov. I graduated school in Dec and took my National registry test on Dec 18. In order for you to get your state license, they require you pass your National Registry. So, I passed my test and finally got a letter saying they needed my transcript and NR card in January. I faxed a copy of my transcript and my NR card. I get a letter back (2 weeks later mind you) saying that they needed an official transcript and so i sent that. The transcript was mailed back. I finally got my EMS professor to make a all on my behalf and he got it done! YEAH!! That is one fight that I am glad to have finished!

I am officially...
Jessica Lundy, LP, NREMT-P
**Happy Dance**