Aidan's imagination

We were driving home the other night and Aidan asks me, "What happened to Papa Ed? He died? From a polar bear?  I don't know why he  came up with that, I am sure Dad would have appreciated that more so than cirrhosis.  :)

FOr those that don't know - I am working at DH as a clerk.  I am hoping to get a nurse internship there before I graduate.  It is a great job, long but much better that what I did before.

Love you all,

KK

Crusin

I can't believe it, but last week I biked over 120 miles last week. I did a several rides to get to that point. But the big rides included and group of four of us who biked from Asheville to Hot Springs and then camped for two days and rode back up. Each way was about 41 miles. It was such a great weekend that concluded with the commitment to train for the next three years to prepare for Ride the Rockies starting in Golden. One of my bosses turns 50 in three years and she has become a steady biking partner who regularly kicks my butt. Ride the Rockies is insane, and follows I-70 up the mountains, but I think three years of steady training will help. Otherwise I am well. Hope to hear from all of you soon!!!

River fun

Well I spent last weekend rafting on the French Broad river in Hot Springs with a friend and hiking along the Green River with a group of work people. It is wonderful to live near so much water, however we are experiencing low water levels like many places in the South right now. Life is steady, but busy with summer fun...hope all is well.

A Beautiful Hike

Here's a picture of the kiddos hiking in the amazingly beautiful Rawah Wilderness.

Good news for the weary

I received a call this morning at 5 am from Maxim (the staffing agency).  They said that the VA didn't need me today.  

Someone's looking out for me.

Insomnia

So I am supposed to go work at the VA hospital (in the nursing home there) in 4 hours.  I cannot sleep for the life of me.  I was soo tired and couldn't get Aidan to bed until 11 and then I was wide awake, having major anxiety.  I can't do this CNA stuff.  It is just not my thing.  I am trying to reason with myself in not going because I feel so guilty for not providing for my family but then if I quit I feel guilty leaving a job without notice.   But isn't better to get trained in something instead of being thrown to the wolves.  That's what this is like.  No one is training me, I am supposed to know what I am doing but because I have never technically worked in this setting, I don't know.  But then I feel so bad not making money and having all that stress fall on Christian who isn't making enough money to support a family of 5.  I hope something will pan out.  I am supposed to hear from Denver Health this week.  Everyone keep their fingers crossed for me.  I really need that job.  (For those who don't know, I am trying to get a position there as a clerk.  It would give me a leg in when I become a nurse).

Aidan was so adorable but frustrating tonight.  He refused to go to sleep.  I had him lie in bed with me to see if it would help.  I was getting angry so he started yelling at me or telling me how things are.  I sniffled (my nose if very stuffed up) and he said, "Mama, are you sad?"  I went with it and said yes, I was sad because he doesn't listen to me.  He jumped in my arms and started crying and said that he didn't want me to be sad.  It was so sweet.  However, a few minutes later he said he didn't want me to be sad and he didn't want me to die like Papa Ed. For some reason he is struggling with Dad's death.  He has been talking about it all day.  I think he is at that age of questioning.

Wish me luck - on quitting a job, getting a job, and sleeping.

Hope all is well with everyone.

No More Red

For those of us with facial skin problems (e.g., rosacea), I have found a great product that smooths my complexion and makes my redness disappear. It is brush-on mineral foundation powder. One morning my face was especially red from showering, but after I brushed on the powder, I couldn't see any redness. I believe this type of foundation powder is found in many brands - I have been using the N.Y.C. brand found at Target, which has SPF 12 sun protection in it. [It's funny how I used to ignore my skin but HAD to wear mascara. Now I pay attention to my skin but don't wear mascara (due to my lasik eye surgery).]