Thursday, July 26, 2012

Ready to cry

Frustration is my middle name at the moment.  We got a little rain last night (about 0.06 inches) with lots of wind, lightning and thunder.  I'll take any rain I can get at the moment but I could have done without the wind that knocked down my cherry tomato, a pepper plant and broke a few branches on other tomatoes.  With the new drought monitor maps out this morning we've moved into the extreme drought zone.  No surprise there from me.
My big frustration comes from work.  I left a bit early today for a dentist appointment.  Later, I checked my work email account.  There was a message that our new therapist- who started last week, and on whom we were counting to take up some of the load that has been nearly unbearable in recent weeks- didn't pass her national certification boards.  AAACK!  So, effectively immediately, her temporary license is void and she can no longer work until she successfully passes.  And she can't try to retake them for a minimum of 45 days.   So, the stress will continue- and get even worse since my student that I've had for the past three months will be finished next week.  She is fabulous and has been a great help.  But, we will survive- we always have in the past.  I just may be ready to check myself into the unit after a few more weeks.  I do feel very sorry for her, though.  I can't imagine what is going through her mind at the moment. How awful for her.
I made peach jam this evening.  Mmmm... tasty!  It is a different recipe than I have made in the past and while it's really good, unfortunately it didn't seem to make much.  I got just over 2 pints.  I've still got some more peaches so maybe I'll have to make another batch as more peaches ripen.  Of course, as I was skimming the foam off the top, V came by with a dish of ice cream and Justine came by with a cup of vanilla yogurt for me to add a bit of jammy goodness to so I may have not ended up with quite as much as I could have.
We're nearly out of peach jam in the pantry. K12 has been inhaling it recently, having suddenly 'discovered' the pantry.  He has also been going through another growth spurt. I'll have to check to see if any of his pants fit before school starts next month.  I think he has grown another inch or two this summer.
I had hoped to get a few pints of diced tomatoes canned this evening but I ran out of time.  There is always tomorrow- and maybe I'll have a few more tomatoes ripe by then.

12 comments:

  1. Judy, I'm sorry you are going through all this stress. I hope that you will take some time out just for yourself sometime soon-you deserve it! Take care of yourself!

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    1. I do have some vacation time coming up in August- as long as it is still approved by management.

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  2. You are working so very hard both at your away-from-home-job and at home. I know you "want" to do both . . . outside work for the money (and personal rewards when it's not so stressful) and the homemaking stuff that we all deem so necessary and love to do. Wish we lived next door so I could at least lend a hand with some of the preserving/garden type stuff. I know someone who just got sick because of their body being pushed too hard, too long. It happens when we keep soldiering on through what needs to be done. I don't know the solution when there's nothing to cut out. Just know there are those of us who have been there and can totally understand what you're going through. Hugs, hugs, hugs.

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    1. I really do love my job- most of the time. And I'll be fine. I've got some vacation time coming up fairly soon.
      And wouldn't it be lovely if we all lived closer together and could pitch in with things. It would be ever so much more fun!

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  3. I feel for you too. No rain here, but atleast no job stress, for now. Back in 3 weeks, then it's plough thru the school year....

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    1. I sometimes wonder why I didn't stick with teaching- at least I'd have my summers off. But then, it seems that school always starts just when the tomatoes are coming on the strongest.

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  4. I don't think there is anything worse than job stress. Well, I know there probably is, but it's in the top 5. It's especially difficult when you cannot quit, when you basically like your job and there is no one/where else to turn. With all the unemployment out there, you would think that finding new employees would be a snap. Hold on, Judy, hopefully you have a break coming soon. Hugs from me, too.

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    1. Part of the problem is that I'm in a fairly specialized branch of OT. We have had a part time position open for nearly a year that we just filled but sadly she will take much longer to orient than this new therapist. And I do have some vacation time coming that I can barely wait for.

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  5. Sorry about your plants. We had a terrific storm also with ton's of rain - At least 3/4 of an inch or maybe an inch. It filled the pool up quite a lot. above the skimmer intake. Your peach jam sounds delieious, especially on ice cream. What a Bummer about your new employee not passing her tests. I'm sure she is just mortified. Hopefully she will pass the next time. Hang in there!! ...debbie

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    1. Oh, the plants will be fine. We just had to prop them back up. The peach jam is quite yummy. I can't think of much I love more than a perfect peach.... well, maybe a perfect tomato... or.......

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  6. I am always in awe of all you manage to accomplish working both outside and in the home with kids, sorry life it throwing these wrenches into things, you certainly deserve a break from this stress!

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