A year ago today (the day after Memorial Day) I loaded up the van and started out on my journey. I had some physical destinations in mind and planned but it was the non physical destinations that were uncertain. After about 7 weeks and around 7700 miles later, I came back to Idaho with a bit of an understanding of what I thought I was supposed to be doing next. Low and behold, I had no clue what I was really supposed to be doing but I remained with an open mind and HE guided me yet again to my current destination/purpose. It wasn't going back to school in the nursing field but applying for, interviewing, and getting the job with the State of Idaho. Now, after almost 6 months after starting the job, I am getting more and more into the works of the Family and Community Services Division of the Department of Health and Welfare. I work with a good group of people, enjoy the different situations and people that I encounter on a daily basis, don't mind the 17 mile commute into downtown Boise everyday, and continue to be Too Blessed to be Stressed. Life is Good and I am sincerely grateful for all my blessings.
I will continue to hang on, enjoy the ride, and keep my eyes and mind open to what may be put in front of me. Thanks for coming along.
Until next time. OUT!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
RIP ~ Savana
Savana Jean Bush
September 1, 1995 - April 20, 2009
Today our beloved dog of 13 and 1/2 years passed away after an unknown cancerous tumor ruptured. Yesterday evening she was her bubbly jumping up for joy and running around the backyard playing with the kids self but this morning Diana found her semi conscious and paralyzed in the back legs region. She got her to the vet but tests showed massive white blood cells and internal bleeding. They made her comfortable until we could get the kids out of school early to say goodbye. She was cremated and her ashes will be scattered in the tree farm.
She was a good part of our lives and will be truly missed.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Goodbye to 2008
In less than two hours the year of many changes for me will come to an end and a new and exciting year will begin. Earlier today when I was reflecting on ALL that came my way in 2008, the first thing that came to my mind was WOW! I am a much better person both spirtiually and mentally because of the Journey that I experienced this past year. Its actually hard to put it in words, and for me, that isn't easy. Ha, Ha.
My new job with the State of Idaho in the Department of Health and Welfare is going GREAT. I am very busy trying to be a sponge and soak up as much about the computer system that I will be supporting as I can. I work with a group of good people and they have made me feel very welcome. I do miss my Micron coworkers but am able to see some of them on a regular basis.
My wish for all of you in 2009 is to live each day for that day and to remember that you all are Too Blessed to be Stressed. Thank you all for your love and support and for helping me through the past year. I am very blessed.
Until next year.......
My new job with the State of Idaho in the Department of Health and Welfare is going GREAT. I am very busy trying to be a sponge and soak up as much about the computer system that I will be supporting as I can. I work with a group of good people and they have made me feel very welcome. I do miss my Micron coworkers but am able to see some of them on a regular basis.
My wish for all of you in 2009 is to live each day for that day and to remember that you all are Too Blessed to be Stressed. Thank you all for your love and support and for helping me through the past year. I am very blessed.
Until next year.......
Friday, November 28, 2008
All good things must come to an end....sort of
Today is the last weekday of me being outsourced/laid off. My new job with the State of Idaho at the Department of Health and Welfare begins on Monday at 8 a.m.
It was a good day today. With the help from the kids, we went up into the attic and got down all of the Christmas decorations, lights, and tree and spent most of the day outside in the cool sunshine, stringing up the lights on the eves of the house. Sierra even got up on the roof with me and handed me the strands of lights while I attached them. Its amazing how fast the whole process took with help.
While up on the roof I had to admire all the work that we have put into the pool, deck, and bamboo garden and I just had to take a picture of it from the air.
Being that Thanksgiving was yesterday and with the new job about to begin, I was able to capture some quiet time by sitting up on the highest part of the roof and basically reflect on the past six months and a few days since The Journey began. Let me tell you, its been an awesome journey. These past months have validated that I am truly Too Blessed to be Stressed and that I am doing the right things with my life. I also realize with each passing day that I am very blessed by having Diana, Kyle, and Sierra in my life. I have a wonderful family back in Pennsylvania, and an extended in law family now here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. My true friends mean the world to me and even though with some of them we don't get to see each other all of the time, we do enjoy each time that we can be together. My gratitude to God and all his gifts to me isn't just given/shown during this Thanksgiving holiday time but daily.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
It was a good day today. With the help from the kids, we went up into the attic and got down all of the Christmas decorations, lights, and tree and spent most of the day outside in the cool sunshine, stringing up the lights on the eves of the house. Sierra even got up on the roof with me and handed me the strands of lights while I attached them. Its amazing how fast the whole process took with help.
While up on the roof I had to admire all the work that we have put into the pool, deck, and bamboo garden and I just had to take a picture of it from the air.
Being that Thanksgiving was yesterday and with the new job about to begin, I was able to capture some quiet time by sitting up on the highest part of the roof and basically reflect on the past six months and a few days since The Journey began. Let me tell you, its been an awesome journey. These past months have validated that I am truly Too Blessed to be Stressed and that I am doing the right things with my life. I also realize with each passing day that I am very blessed by having Diana, Kyle, and Sierra in my life. I have a wonderful family back in Pennsylvania, and an extended in law family now here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. My true friends mean the world to me and even though with some of them we don't get to see each other all of the time, we do enjoy each time that we can be together. My gratitude to God and all his gifts to me isn't just given/shown during this Thanksgiving holiday time but daily.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Stay Off the Sidewalks......
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING
Kyle and our Godson, Jackson, start driver's education tomorrow and so for the next two weeks especially, watch all around you, especially when you see a car from Phillips Driving School, it could be one of them. Just kidding. I am very proud of both of the young men as they mature. After the two weeks of D.E. they both will then have their permit and will have to drive for 6 months and for at least 50 hours before they can obtain their driver's license. Its a right of passage BUT this has been a public service announcement.
Kyle and our Godson, Jackson, start driver's education tomorrow and so for the next two weeks especially, watch all around you, especially when you see a car from Phillips Driving School, it could be one of them. Just kidding. I am very proud of both of the young men as they mature. After the two weeks of D.E. they both will then have their permit and will have to drive for 6 months and for at least 50 hours before they can obtain their driver's license. Its a right of passage BUT this has been a public service announcement.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
And the Journey continues ......
Things happen when you least expect it.
I have been focusing my energy on taking advantage of the going back to school opportunity from the government and trying to get everything lined up to attend a school under the nursing curriculum. Roadblocks were continually getting in my way and it was getting frustrating for me since I thought that this was what I supposed to be doing next with my life. During this time I had to continue to fulfil my weekly requirements for unemployment and make at least 2 job contacts every week. I did this with not alot of enthusiasm and, low and behold, I was called for an interview two weeks ago.
Well, I am very happy and content to be letting everyone know that this morning I was offered and have accepted a full time permanent state position with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in Boise. I begin this new chapter of my life on December 1st.
I will be working as a Program System Specialist that analyzes, plans, coordinates, and monitors the development, modification, and implementation of the automated system that the Health and Welfare department uses state wide.
I appreciate everyone's kind thoughts, words, and prayers for me and my family during these last five months and I want everyone to know that I have not regretted one day of any of it.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
I have been focusing my energy on taking advantage of the going back to school opportunity from the government and trying to get everything lined up to attend a school under the nursing curriculum. Roadblocks were continually getting in my way and it was getting frustrating for me since I thought that this was what I supposed to be doing next with my life. During this time I had to continue to fulfil my weekly requirements for unemployment and make at least 2 job contacts every week. I did this with not alot of enthusiasm and, low and behold, I was called for an interview two weeks ago.
Well, I am very happy and content to be letting everyone know that this morning I was offered and have accepted a full time permanent state position with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare in Boise. I begin this new chapter of my life on December 1st.
I will be working as a Program System Specialist that analyzes, plans, coordinates, and monitors the development, modification, and implementation of the automated system that the Health and Welfare department uses state wide.
I appreciate everyone's kind thoughts, words, and prayers for me and my family during these last five months and I want everyone to know that I have not regretted one day of any of it.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bamboo garden is COMPLETE
All of the planting and mulching is done and here is the finished garden.
The top level has the bamboo and the bottom level has various grasses and a flowering Tropicana plant.
The rest is up to Mother Nature!
The top level has the bamboo and the bottom level has various grasses and a flowering Tropicana plant.
The rest is up to Mother Nature!
Friday, August 29, 2008
All we need to do now is plant
The bamboo/flower bed has been created and is ready for planting. We plan on getting the actual plants in the beds sometime in September. By the spring, we should have a nice natural privacy "fence" along the pool and deck side.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
My own little bit of Paradise
Just a quick note to let everyone know that reads this that I am still doing well and enjoying the summer.
LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Two Weeks
Its been 2 weeks since Sierra and I have been back in Idaho and all is still going well. I have gotten alot of things accomplished and currently Kyle and I are building our version of the "Great Wall" but in our backyard.
Let me explain further. We are building a bamboo/flower bed in the open area by the pool and deck. The bamboo will grow in the raised wall bed in the back and then we will have grasses and flowers in the lower portion. In theory, this will provide for a natural privacy fence as well as bringing some color and foliage to the back yard. We have really enjoyed the back yard alot more this year and I think that the deck and pool have contributed to that.
Until next time.........
Let me explain further. We are building a bamboo/flower bed in the open area by the pool and deck. The bamboo will grow in the raised wall bed in the back and then we will have grasses and flowers in the lower portion. In theory, this will provide for a natural privacy fence as well as bringing some color and foliage to the back yard. We have really enjoyed the back yard alot more this year and I think that the deck and pool have contributed to that.
Until next time.........
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Being a Statistic
After enjoying the sunny weekend, hanging out with Diana and Sierra, relaxing in the pool, and getting back in the Idaho groove, I plan to go on Monday and start "signing up for unemployment" now that I am physically back in the state. Yes - I am going to do my part to bring the unemployment rate in Idaho down even lower.
North to Alaska !!!
Not me, but Kyle. After having a nice day with Kyle on Friday, and after Diana got home from work, we got Kyle all packed and then all of four of us headed to the airport so that Kyle could catch his evening flight to Anchorage Alaska, via Seattle. He and his Auntie Linda and a few others head out this weekend out of Anchorage for a weeks long excursion of floating the river fishing and doing some river dip netting down in Kenai. If only I would have planned it better, so that I could have went with him. At least I wouldn't have had to drive.
We Are Back In Idaho
After 4 days of driving, Sierra and I got into Boise around 5pm Thursday afternoon. Since Diana was working during this time, Sierra and I decided to swing by her job and say hello before coming to Nampa.
After getting home to Nampa (taking the back roads), and being greeted by Kyle, we unloaded the van of the cedar hope chest, antique chair, and all of the other things that came with us across the United States, and then settled into a nice reunion evening. As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, "There's No Place Like Home".
After getting home to Nampa (taking the back roads), and being greeted by Kyle, we unloaded the van of the cedar hope chest, antique chair, and all of the other things that came with us across the United States, and then settled into a nice reunion evening. As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, "There's No Place Like Home".
Last Day
We woke up in Wyoming on Thursday and headed back to Idaho. It was a great drive but seemed to last longer than the previous day, even though in reality it was a shorter day. Driving through the western part of Wyoming and then Utah was ok and the sights were awesome. I enjoyed seeing all of the wind farms and really hope that this alternative energy source catches on and becomes a normal thing to see more of, even in Idaho.
5 states in 2 days.
We left Indiana on Tuesday, spent the night in Iowa, and then on Wednesday we were on the road for about 14 hours, until we stopped for the night in Laramie Wyoming. Sierra was a great co-pilot and an awesome traveler for such a long day.
Of course, she did say and do some things that really made the trip that much more enjoyable.
I am so glad that she drove back to Idaho with me. We truly made some memories.
Of course, she did say and do some things that really made the trip that much more enjoyable.
I am so glad that she drove back to Idaho with me. We truly made some memories.
On the road again ..........
Sierra and I headed west early Monday morning. Our first stop was back in Huntington Indiana to visit with my best friend Jerry and for Sierra to see Jerry and Jill and their sons; Chandler and Conner. The visit was great, as always, and it was good to be around them all and to once again validate that Life Is Good.
Our "Last Supper" Sunday
On Sunday July 13th, we had our "Last Supper" in Pennsylvania up at Tammy and Lance's. The kids enjoyed the pool and riding 4 wheelers and the grown ups enjoyed watching them and talking. Cousin Patty came by to wish Sierra and I a good return trip home.
Here is Sierra showing her stuff on one of the 4 wheelers.
Since Sierra and I were leaving early the next day, I wanted to get a picture of the Hughes Family and of all the kids together, one last time. Here is the result.
Front to back: Levi, Loryn, Luke, Tammy, and Lance
Luke, Levi, Loryn, and Sierra
Here is Sierra showing her stuff on one of the 4 wheelers.
Since Sierra and I were leaving early the next day, I wanted to get a picture of the Hughes Family and of all the kids together, one last time. Here is the result.
Front to back: Levi, Loryn, Luke, Tammy, and Lance
Luke, Levi, Loryn, and Sierra
Friday, July 11, 2008
Do they know something that we don't?
Taken outside of Adventure Video in Philipsburg, PA yesterday.
This proves that they have a very strict return policy.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Another Career Revelation
Today was a rainy, dreary, and muggy day and so my sister and I took all 4 kids and went bowling at the local new bowling lanes. We all had a really fun time playing the two games and enjoyed the new facility and its high tech functionality and perks. Needless to say, my average of two games was only 119 and so I can remove Professional Bowler off of the career list. I should have had the automatic bumper railings programmed to come up for my player as well.
Walter Ray Williams Jr. won't have to worry about me taking over his spot as one of the most famous bowlers. We would starve if that was my only source of income based on my ability. Ha, Ha.
Walter Ray Williams Jr. won't have to worry about me taking over his spot as one of the most famous bowlers. We would starve if that was my only source of income based on my ability. Ha, Ha.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
