Memory Lane

I've been taking many, many trips down memory lane in the past few months. Reading old journals, looking at old pictures, and spending just as much time laughing as I have crying. There has been more healing in these trips than I think I can even know in this moment.

I learned and am just starting to understand just how many people fiercely held space for me and believed in my until I could step into that space myself. Many of those conversations that were had are now starting to make sense. I've also written a few emails to those amazing teachers who were, well, amazing.

Going through my high school scrap book I found a page that I had written about several memorable teachers I had the amazing opportunity to learn from and get to know. I graduated 10 years ago and reading these statements tonight, I can still tell you who each was one written about.

I thought I would share that list here.

* One that, on occasion, would walk out the door in the morning with two different shoes on their feet.

* And another teacher who employed the use of square dances to teach their students how chemical bods are formed

* And the teacher how, no matter how boring their subject, could have you rolling on the floor laughing in no time.

* And then there was the one who put their job on the line to see you grow in your faith

* There there are those who challenge, push, stretch and won't settle for what you are but for what you can be

* There are those who danced to the beat of their own drum

* What about those teachers who used they most horrible, most annoying songs to help you learn, that even now, you won't admit that those songs helped

* There are those who, as a student, you pray you don't get, and when you do you sit in fear on the first day only to learn that there is more fun in store than anyone though possible.

* Any what about he one who would let you do almost anything in order to express your creativity

* Of those who say the same phrase so many times you lose count

* Or the teacher who watched you grow from your first day of kindergarten to the day you graduated from high school

* And the teacher who rewarded the class for doing well on a test with a day of blowing things up

* And the teacher who knew so little about your life but could look right at you and speak to your heart, help heal your heart. Who, when they are proud of you their face cannot hide it, but when you mess up it shows too. But no matter how good or bad you do the encouragement in never ending. The teacher who can say more in three minutes than most other could in a 55 minute class period.

Hello. Police?

As with most Sunday evenings between the months of September and May I got to hang out with my favorite five year old and favorite seven year old. 

However, tonight took a turn for the, well, um, worst. 

Take a look. I'll let you draw your own conclusions...

Rock Climbing!

I have spent this Friday and last rock climbing, and is has been AMAZING. I am blessed to have a new partner in crime to spend these fantastic evenings with. 

Last week was an introduction to the the gym for my partner in crime, and a reintroduction for myself. It has been about three years since I've hit the wall, and the first time climbing on my new shoulder. 

I felt like a freaking kid in a candy shop and by the look on Janet's face she felt the same way. We took it nice and easy the first night. I showed great restraint by staying on 5.8s and below (let's not blow the shoulder out on the first time...).

Tonight that went out the window. We hit the walls pretty hard. Janet learned to belay which greatly opened my world. I even flashed a 5.9 tonight! 

My last climb of the night was in the pit, I was about two thirds of the way up and my arms are like "Um, no. You want me to do what? I don't think so." Even now, my arms are totally spent. It feels so good though. 

As wonderful as it is to be back on the wall it is even more wonderful that I have someone to share it with. 

Here are pics of the first night out, and yes, we each got the memo...

Janet 

Ryanne 

Ice cream before dinner!?!

If there was any doubt before this picture, I have securely cemented myself as a favorite adult in the eyes of my favorite five year old and my favorite seven year old. We had ice cream before dinner...

Learning Curve

Have I mentioned that I LOVE my new car? No? Well I do. I figure I have a day or two more to fawn over my car. 

Anyways, there have been quite a learning curve with my fabulous new car. Of course much of the knowledge gleaned during the first drive home at 60 mph. So two days into being a new car owner I am getting a fair handle on things. 

Well, I thought so, until I ran into a friend at school. I was waiving frantically and finally she realized who I was (you know, new car, much longer hair, it was dark out).

And I couldn't figure out how to role down the window. 

Ryanne's got a new car!

Last week I spent most of my tax refund on my car on Wednesday. Friday I went out to start my car and it wouldn't. I was done. I called my grandma and asked if she would co-sign a loan for me and then I called Sue. 

Sue is a walking Consumer Reports report. So naturally she was my go to girl for the new car buying adventure. And an adventure it was. 

My only stipulation was no white! I drove a silver Buick, then a white Ford and then a white Sable. I wanted some variety in my life. 

The first car that I drove was a beautiful red Pontiac Vibe. I was so excited because, 1. It was the first car I have ever test driven and 2. It was NOT white! Thankfully Sue was there to save me from myself because I would have signed the papers right then and there.  

After the first dealership we ended up at Walser. After a bit of confusion and me standing up for myself (a snippy manager who was really mean, and I told her to go away. Nicely of course). We headed off for their reconditioning center to check out another Pontiac Vibe. On the way there I made the throw away comment of "wouldn't it be cool if it had a remote starter?"

We didn't know anything about this car. Allison, the wonderful saleswoman, went to find it in the lot at the recon center. She came back grinning and was like "it has a remote starter!" I asked what color it was and she paused to which I finished "it's white." 

Well, I drove it and immediately fell in love with it. It's cute, it fits a full size bike in the back seat, and it's got some serious power. 

So, yes, once again I am driving a white car, but it has a remote starter and I LOVE IT! 

You know you are a...

Some spam is clever, and witty and worth passing on. Some of it is just crap. The following is definitely the former.

Thanks Jessica for passing it on!

You Know You Are A Social Worker If...

1. You think $40,000 a year is 'really making it'.

2. You don't know what it's like to work with men.

3. You know all the latest lingo for drugs, where to get them, and how much they cost.

4. You've started a sentence with 'So what I hear you saying is...'

5. You've had 2 or more jobs at one time just to pay the bills.

6. You tell people what you do and they say 'that's so noble'

7. You have had to explain to people that not all social workers take away kids.

8. You use the words 'validate,' 'appropriate' and 'intervention' daily.

9. You spend more than half your day documenting and doing paperwork.

10. You think nothing of discussing child abuse over dinner.

11. People have said to you 'I don't know how you do what you do'.

12. You've never been on a business trip or had an expense account.

13. You know a lot of other social workers who have left the profession for another.

14. You're very familiar with the concept of entitlement.

15. Staying at a job for 2 years is 'a long time'.

16. Your phone number is unlisted for good reason.

17. Your professional newsletters always have articles about raising salaries...but you still haven't seen it.

18. You're very familiar with the term 'budget cut'.

19. You can't imagine working at a bank or crunching numbers all day.

20. You've had clients who liked you just a little too much.

21. Having lunch is a luxury many days.

22. You've been cursed at or threatened...and it doesn't bother you.

23. Your job orientation has included self defense.

24. You have the best stories at any cocktail party.

25. Your parents don't know half of the stuff that you've dealt with at your job.

26. You know all the excuses clients use for a failed a drug test by heart.