2007 - A year of big changes

Wow! Where did 2007 go? This year flew by in a whirlwind of big changes for me. My family experience graduations, new arrivals, and early exits.

I started off the year with my annual Market America business trip to Miami. Miami in February is always nice and this past year was no exception. The sun was shining and the trip was very educational. At the end of March, I was able to attend our regional convention in Portland, Oregon. The highlight of this trip for me was my visit with my Uncle Don and Aunt Cindy in Vancouver. I don’t get to see them very often and I was able to combine this business trip with some special family time. It was such a treat for Mom and me!

In late February/early March, my life began a series of big changes. My job was in a state of flux and had been for several months. I had been promoted to Sales Manager in March of 2006 and had two different sales reps work for me- neither of which ended up being a good fit for the company. In March, I was told by the Operations Manager that my compensation package was changing (again) and given a new contract to review and sign prior to the annual stockholder’s meeting. I prayed about what to do. I liked the company. I liked my job, but I felt like I was not growing anymore the way I needed to and I was not happy overall.

In April of 2007, I left the company after 4 years and started working for an Alzheimer’s only care facility. I decided I wanted to work there full time being a care-giver. After being trained, I worked 32 hours per week on the 3-11pm shift. I really liked the work and became very attached to the residents. Unfortunately, my knees did not like the demands of the 8-straight hours of physical labor. I cut back to part-time and worked 4-hour shifts on the weekends all summer and intermittently throughout the fall. They have changed the schedule now so there are no more 4-hour shifts and unfortunately, my orthopedic doctor does not recommend I continue this type of work with the condition of my knees.

I am working with management to find some type of work and schedule that works for both of us so I can still help out. This work is very rewarding and the families really appreciate the caregivers. These residents really need people who truly love and care about them. It is like having 12 grandparents that I don’t want to give up caring for. This job has changed me and I now know that I need this in my life. I never knew what I was willing or able to do until I worked at this facility. The Lord truly challenges us so we can learn more about ourselves every day! It is truly amazing.

In May, I interviewed with a well-established computer consulting company in Montana. The president of the company interviewed me one day and offered me the job the same week. I have been with them since the end of May as an account manager. This week, I was promoted to the Branch Manager of the Bozeman office. I cannot express to you how exciting this is or how much this means to me. I have been wanting to manage an office for years and they feel I have the skills to manage and grow the Bozeman branch. It will be a challenge, but I have two great men to work with me (my technicians) and the management staff who support us are really committed to our success. I am looking forward to what lies ahead in 2008.

Shortly after I took this new job, I received some shocking news. One of my dearest friend's husbands (a friend of mine, too) had been tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. I was a bridesmaid in their wedding. I was there the day they met. I could not believe it! I was devastated. He was taken from us all too soon. I have been supporting my friend these past six months. I have been working through my own grief also. We talk about him often, because she needs to and because we need to. He was the love of her life. I don't think you ever "get over" the loss of someone like this. I don't know, but I do know that it changes you.

In June, I decided to take matters into my own hands and I hired a personal trainer. Shauna has been an amazing support to me and taught me to be accountable and helped me become so much healthier, despite on-going health issues. I have learned to make exercise a part of my life and daily schedule, just like any meeting and put myself and my health first and I am reaping the benefits of my persistence and new habits. I feel so much better. I highly recommend using a personal trainer. This approach has really changed my attitude and my level of motivation, especially when I am being challenged by a flare-up or my body is retaliating. Shauna is my cheerleader and coach in the gym. I let the Lord take care of the rest.

I still have some serious issues with my knees, but I have had problems for years and I have learned to work within my limitations to be as healthy as I can be. My migraines are less and I am pushing myself to become consistent with the exercise that best suits my body. I know that I am not the one in control- the Lord is and He will not give me more that I can handle.

For Labor Day this year, I had some friends come up from Texas for a fun-filled weekend of adventures. I hiked for the first time since my two knee surgeries- YAY! We spent a day at our friend, Mike’s place, and played horseshoes, ate BBQ’d food off the grill and just relaxed. Mike owns a beautiful cabin on a few acres in the heart of the woods outside of Bozeman. His neighbor is a children’s author with an amazing home with spectacular views. Mike and Ben built horseshoe pits on top of the mountain in the forest between their two places. It was a great place to throw shoes. The highlight to that day, though, was Ben’s unique pet, a 650+ pound Minnesota black bear named Buffy. Ben has had Buffy since he was a cub. Ben was called and asked if he would take Buffy and raise him when he was little. Ben has an amazing home for Buffy and is the only “parent” Buffy has ever known. Ben would let Buffy out in the evenings to roam the mountain side like any other domesticated animal. Buffy is an old bear with a cataract and he is minus his front canines. He also has an affinity for animal crackers, which we all found out when we fed him. This bear was amazing! He played with Ben- put his head on Ben’s lap like he was a dog, even ate peanuts out of his hand. I have never seen such a sight! And we quietly watched in awe. I will never forget that day.

On Monday, we went up to Big Sky and rode the ski lift up the mountain. I don’t ski, so I wanted to see what it was like and take some pictures of the area from the top. It was a gorgeous day so the photos were awesome. Then, on the way back down the lift, I decided to take a photo of my friend and this crazy underwear tree near the lift and watched my purse go sliding off the ski lift and land on the ground below us. Fortunately, because we were near this icon, they knew where to look for my purse. We ended up having them send personnel on four wheelers to retrieve it. They said they had never had that happen before. Go figure.

In September, my Grandma and Uncle David made a stop in Montana on their trip to Washington for my uncle’s 60th Birthday. I treasure every minute I get to spend with family, but especially my Grandma because she has been my hero and mentor for years. She is wealth of knowledge and I love to listen to her share stories and tell jokes. My time with them was short, but so special!

I have been blessed this year with my personal successes and big changes and my family has had several also. Jeff took a new (awesome) job as a Vice President of Facilities for Four Winds Resort and moved his family to Michigan. This was a big move for Jeff, as he manages 250+ people. This resort truly values his expertise int the field and both Jeff and Mel love the new little town they live in. Karen sold the farm (literally) and moved her and Danny, who is now a senior in high school, in with her boyfriend, Tom and his family. Tom has kids that are close to Danny’s age also, so now they are one big, happy family. I am so happy for them. Becky, my niece, graduated valedictorian of her class and went off to college this fall. I am so proud! And, I can’t believe I have a niece in college! Sue, although retired from the military still contracts back to them but now gets to enjoy more time pursuing her prowess as an amateur caterer for friends’ parties and office gatherings. Dave was supposed to be deployed to Iraq, but luckily was not. We have been blessed by his reprieve. Steve had a big year. Steve officially adopted Connor in April. Steve and Angie were then blessed with the birth of Arilyn Olivia Clay on November 29th. She was 7lbs. and 19.5 inches. She is beautiful. Mom, Dad and the Macy dog are all still living in Helena. Mom and Dad are enjoying the birth of their latest grandchild (you know how Mom loves babies). Dad is still hunting and he now has the help of Macy. Macy has Mom and Dad trained just the way she likes them.

In October, we as a family, were rocked to the core with the tragic death of our cousins at a world wide horse show in Madison, Wisconsin. A faulty heater malfunctioned in the middle of the night and put out too much carbon monoxide. It was so sad. This was my father's cousin, his wife and their two granddaughters. Devere was a renowned horseman in the world of Clydesdale breeders. Such an unnecessary loss.

On a good note, November was filled with a nice Thanksgiving with family, the birth of my niece and some time off from work. And then December. We were joined by some friends from Texas again, had some good times and them Christmas was upon us. It was Arilyn's first Christmas. She did the same thing as the rest of us. Ate, slept etc.

Today is December 31. I feel like I have had an amazing 2007. There have been some sad times. There were some tough times, but this year has been a year of incredible growth and change for me. I am happier and healthier. 2008 here I come!

Christmas

Christmas was really nice this year. This is the first Christmas in a very long time that I can remember where I have not been sick or suffered from a migraine. I am not really sure why, but I can guess that it is because I am so much happier with my life these days and am healthier. The Lord has been good to me this past year!

Christmas eve I spent making the circuit. First I went over to my friend's parents house and then I went to my brother's. Both were nice. I attended church and sang with the choir at the candlelight service. After church, I went back to my friend's to play some game's. We had a blast. We laughed until I had tears running down my face.

On Christmas Day, Mom and Dad came down and we opened presents, relaxed and had Christmas dinner. Macy was all sorts of curious about Arilyn (my new baby niece.) Basically, she wanted to know who was getting all of her attention. I spent time running around chasing my nephew and shooting him with his new nerf tommy dart gun and then he proceeded to beat us all at the game of LIFE. He always wins! It was an awesome day. I had a wonderful holiday.

Dear Santa (revised)

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is:

World Peace
A on-going RX of Percocet and valium
A new body
A man (preferably alive - baggage is negotiable)

Love,
Julie

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is:
World Peace
2 new knees
An arm that works
Laser eye surgery
60 pounds of fat loss
A man without baggage

Love,
Julie

Fruitcakelady

This lady really does take the cake. . .

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

If I am not mistaken, the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ, hence Christmas. For some reason, we have a faction of people in this country who are screaming loud enough now that they have pushed to make this just another "holiday". A what? I don't care if you are not Christian or don't believe in God, that is your business. Then don't celebrate Christmas, but do understand that the United States of America was founded upon RELIGIOUS principles. Yes, folks, that is right. Check the history books. So, if you don't like Christmas, fine, but 90% of the US population does, so deal with it because you are in the minority and you came to a country that was built upon a religious foundation. You can have your Holiday, too. What I have a problem with is dumbing down Christmas because a few people have screamed, "This religious holiday offends me." Then go back to where you came from because it has been this way in this country for over 200 years and the rest of us like our Christmas with Christ in it!

Quote for the Day

"Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for truth."
– Benjamin Disraeli

Off the Grid

I have been out of town this past week working in Helena and had very limited access to email so I have not been posting. It was a great week! I enjoyed making some good contacts and meeting some new friends. Now I need to catch up on reading my personal email and read the news online. I have really been out of touch.

Strollin' Strollin' Strollin'

Last night was the annual Christmas Stroll in Bozeman so we bundled ourselves up in our cold weather gear and headed downtown for the festivities with the rest of Bozeman. It was a nice evening, but as predicted, COLD! It was only 10 degrees above zero and we were outside walking up and down 4 blocks voluntarily for 3 hours. I know, I think we are crazy, too.

I am a Rock Star!

Ok, so maybe not, but I learned to play Guitar Hero III this past week and it was so freakin' hysterical! My nine-year-old nephew was assisting me with the tutorials and he was obviously frustrated with my lack of ability to catch on as quickly as he did. I was challenged by the entire concept at first, but I gave it my all. I chose Poison's "Talk Dirty To Me" for my first rock anthem and I was determined to strum my way to victory. Unfortunately, I was having difficulty with the timing of the strumming and remembering where my fingers were placed and adding the whammy bar- ok one thing at a time- folks. I am a beginner. As I said, my nephew was impatient with me not being able to just play and do it all right away, like I should be a rock star without practice. Lucky for me, after I massacred my first song, I decided to turn the guitar back over to him so he could show me how it was done. After he played for me and showed me up, I decided I can do this. I was better than that crazy video game and I chose Kiss's, "I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night." I doubled my percentage! WHEWHOOO!!!! I am a rock star now! Ok. like I said, maybe not, but I can see how this game is addicting. BTW- This photo is from something else, but I could not resist!

HO HO HO

As I was driving to work this morning I heard a radio broadcast regarding Santa Claus and his use of "HO HO HO" and how it scares children. The only thing scary about "HO HO HO" is that we are so caught up in a machine that we are now going to pick at everything in society we can until there is no joy left. I can't tell you how idiotic this sounded when the broadcaster said it because it was beyond my ability to articulate, but I can tell you this. As intelligent people, we better start thinking about what we aren't doing and who is fueling these stupid studies and yelling enough to be heard by the general population. A study can be so easily misrepresented by the media and we typically just listen to what we hear on the radio or see on the news because no one refutes this crap. This "HO HO HO" scenario is just another example of some psychologist or sociologist trying to make a name for himself and using the mass media to prey upon a generation of people who are bullied by scare tactics.

The long awaited arrival

Welcome to the world, my dear child. You are precious and beautiful, innocent and new. With loving arms we hold you. Our eyes glisten with tears of joy and excitement. We are truly blessed by your arrival.

Baby, baby oh where is the Baby?

Well, still no baby yet. We are hoping any praying that little Miss Arilyn will join us sometime today. Labor is progressing slowly, but it is progressing. . .

She makes us wait

Well, my niece is already being stubborn by staying inside until she is darn good and ready to make her final exit. My poor sister-in-law started having contractions yesterday evening and is still having them. She is not in false labor, but she is progressing very slow. Miss Arilyn has decided to arrive on her schedule at her own pace regardless of how tired Mom and everyone else are now. We all had minimal sleep last night and Angie can't sleep while she is having contractions so she is really tired. Come on little girl- get a move on and come one out. We are waiting to greet you with open arms!

I don't understand

It is really late and I am really tired, but I still wanted to get something out for the day. I am having a difficult time understanding a few situations in my life right now. I am thoroughly confused. I continue to pray every night about them and hope that the Lord will guide me to an answer.

Monday, Monday Reflections

Here we are, the Monday after a big holiday weekend. It was a good weekend and I posted several times. I find myself now as we head into the last month of 2007 starting to reflect on the year and events past. This was a big year for me. I have made many changes in my life and I am moving in a different direction now. I made new friends, strengthened old friendships, and even had some people leave. But I am happier, healthier and stronger now. Life is good!

Perspectives and Perception

I think what makes us interesting and different people is that we all possess our own unique perspective on life. We see everything through our lens. At the same time, it is what can cause conflict among even good friends if we don't see situations the same or don't agree. I believe that many people possess the ability to be rational and reasonable about seeing other people's perspectives, but there are some who refuse to see both sides because they operate under the principle that everything is either black or white - period. Unfortunately, I see this number growing in this country today. These people are more difficult to debate points of politics, discuss different religions, or even seek advice from simply because of the fact that no middle ground exists for them in the way they view a situation.

I understand this person well, as I used to be like this. I really did not see any gray area in many things around me and to this day, I still don't when it comes to certain business situations or when it comes to morality. I do understand that my perspective is mine and may not be shared, though and that is something that I have learned to consider and really tried to incorporate in my life. For me, I have grown to the point in my life where being right isn't as important as understanding the situation and realizing the implications of all that is involved. Granted, it is important to understand that in the heat of the moment of any passionate discussion or debate, being full of clarity is not always a person's strongest characteristic, including my own, but I am someone who can and will concede to an opponent's better points in a discussion, or if needs be, apologize if a discussion rises to the level of an argument and it becomes necessary, due to my actions, extend an olive branch. I know that I have a tendency to overreact in some cases, especially those where my character is being personally attacked instead of the focus being on the situation. Human nature would dictate this to be true of a decent number of people. No one enjoys hearing about what is wrong with them versus what they are doing and that is a fine line that many of us walk during heated discussions. Keeping a discussion focused and not letting it become an all out assault on each other when emotions are involved is up to the individuals in the discussion. It takes people with strong character and good judgment to not derail a discussion. This is harder spoken than executed. I know that it is very difficult for me if someone says something to me and I hear it differently than they meant it, then the fine line he or she might have been walking will have been crossed whether they meant to or not. Intent and perception are two very different things. For me, crossing that line is not acceptable and depending on how far over they went or what was said, I will react and my perception of that situation will change.
Reacting is not the best way to handle anything. Of course, I know this; you know this; most people realize this in their minds. Realizing it and being able to stop it from happening when you are in the middle of a situation are not the same. Any time you are heavily emotionally involved in a situation, you are more likely to over-react and maybe unfavorably if your feelings have been hurt. I can't tell you how many times I have done this. I can tell you that now that I am older and wiser, I am getting better at not over-reacting, better, but still not perfect and unfortunately still doing it from time-to-time. That doesn't mean I am still not reacting. I know for me, this is going to be a life-long challenge to keep my emotions in check when I am discussing subjects that I am extensively emotionally invested in and have strong opinions about. I know that I am going to have to work at it all the time and count to ten more often.

I know who I am emotionally. My perspective is not easily changed and perception is very dangerous, especially if I don't read a situation correctly. It happens. And for me, I find it happens more frequently during electronic correspondence where there is no eye contact or chance to read body language and hear tone of voice. There is so much chance for misinterpretation in email, IM and text messaging. I know I have to be very careful and not try to assume anything. Again, another concept that is easier said than done. On the other hand, the more I am challenged with situations, the more I find myself knowing the work I need to do to continue to grow and to gain a greater, more universal perspective. It is a good thing to learn from past mistakes.

I know I may not always agree with people and they may not agree with me, but I hope that our opinions whether they are different or not, can be shared constructively and that we each can grow from our experiences when dealing with changing perception and gaining new perspectives.

Playing Catch up

After spending a day in what could be defined as a completely vegetative state, I now need to actually be productive for the weekend and get my house in order. I am enjoying my four day weekend very much. When I get real down time that is not because I have a migraine or am ill, I really like to just relax and sometimes to the extreme. LOL. But, I do have laundry to do, dishes to wash and bed linen to change. And I don't want to head into these next few weeks before the holidays with my house in disarray. So, that is my challenge today - motivation to get the needed chores done.

The Friday After

Today is the largest shopping day of the year (supposedly). I find it the perfect day to stay inside and recover from Turkeyfest 2007. I am have become less of a fan of shopping especially during the holidays when the stores are overcrowded and people seem to forget their manners. I find myself online shopping more and more and giving my favorite, the gift card -easy to purchase and leaving the gift choice to the recipient. YAY!.

So, today is a day for arm chair resting, feet up, hot baths and take out food delivered to my door - true indulgence. Hope yours is too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On today, the day we set aside to give thanks, I would like to say thank you to all of our troops. These men and women are to be commended for the sacrifice they make every day so that we as Americans can enjoy our freedom.

Another note of thanks to our teachers, those who care-give, nurses, etc. Your job is more a giving of yourself and touches lives daily.

I want to say thank you for all of the blessings in my life - my incredible friends and family and all that I have. My cup runneth over. . .