Last Day of Work

Today was a very strange day. It was my last day at the Apache County Tobacco Program. My office was clean, empty and it echoed. It's once decorated and homey walls and shelves were bare. Shutting off my computer for the last time and walking out of my office after 12 years was very hard. I have made so many friends and have had some great experiences. I have had a great ride. I will never forget the kids. When I went to check out and turn in my keys, our phone guy was sitting there. He told me that I couldn't leave until he gave me a work order that said I could go and he wasn't going to do that. He said "Why is it that the people that you want to leave the county won't go, and the people that you don't want to leave do go?" That made me feel pretty good. The WIC ladies took me out to lunch to say good-bye. Yes it was sad and I had to shed some tears. This program has been a big part of me. I've given it my heart and soul. I leave feeling very good about what I have accomplished.
So I had a sad few minutes and then I picked myself up and gathered my painting supplies and went to work painting my new office. I feel at home there already so I know it is right. Deep breath, I will accept and embrace change!

A Sneak Peek at Winter

What a surprise to wake up to 4 inchesof snow this morning. It was so beautiful. I love how it sticks on the trees and makes them sparkle. It didn't take long for the roads to melt off the snow but it did stay in the trees for most of the day. It was very cold today. Just a warning that winter is almost here.

New job!

Twelve years ago this month I started working for Apache County in the Tobacco Use Prevention Program It has been quite the ride. I have played hard, worked hard and I feel that I have made a difference in the lives of the youth in the county. I have loved this job. Working with the youth has been so rewarding. I have always felt that it was as much a calling as it was a job. I also felt that I would be there until I retired but the Lord has other plans for me. The experiences of this past year have taught that sometimes the Lord has to give us challenges so that we are ready to make a move. I really felt that I was guided to the next adventure in my life. I found myself applying for another job and was offered the job as Domestic Violence Coordinator for North Country Health Center. I will begin my new duties on November 9th. I leave the county with no regrets and lots of knowledge that I will be able to use in my new position. I am excited about the challenge and the opportunity to see what the Lord has in store for me to learn. I hope that I can be putty in his hands and help those that he will send to me. Closing the door to my tobacco office for the last time will be both hard and exciting. New challenges, here I come!

Oh what a BEAUTIFUL morning

On Monday October 5th the county went to a 4 day work week. I thought going to work at 6:30 in the morning would be such a chore but when I walked out the door this morning I was met with the most beautiful sight. One of the brightest rainbows I have ever seen. It was a full one and a second one was trying to peak through. It was one of those moments when you just have to stop and smell the roses/see the rainbow. I couldn't quit staring at it. I just love moments like these and am so thankful for the wonderful things God sends us. I am also thankful for the promise that the rainbow brings.

Only in St. Johns

Last night Gary and I decided to go to El Camino and eat. Gary can only go so long and then a Zappy Burger starts calling to him. When we entered the door there were two senior citizens (I will just call them OB and BC) just paying their bill. Gary started giving them a hard time about being out on the town and causing trouble. OB told him that they were going to toliet paper our house next. Gary told them to be sure that they left the roll so that we could roll it back up. They said that they had huge rolls at the senior citizens center and they could make a big mess. About an hour later we came home and sure enough they had toliet papered our house senior citizen style!! Both front and back doors were done. We laughed so hard. How fun it is to live in a place where we can laugh and have fun together.