Recovery

What do you do when you are recovering from surgery? You read this book. It is seriously the cutest story I have read in a long time. LOVED it.

Surgery went well. I was a little too optimistic thinking I could take a pain pill and fly to Dallas 48 hours after....it didn't happen. I have learned that I am allergic to morphine and some other pain pill. Recovery has been slow, but I am a lot better. Thankfully my Dad was able to cancel his flight too and he stayed with me. I am back to work. It is ok...just wears me out. I come home pretty tired.

Hopefully I can take that trip to Dallas in the next little while. Love my Daddy!!!

Sedona

Jeep tour in the rain

Getting to see things others don't because they cancel a tour!

Rain Waterfalls

Merry-go-round rock at sunset

Elvis took a picture here in a similar pose

Duck at timeshare--totally posing

Sunrise

The clouds were beautiful each day

Darlene and I got to go to Sedona! It was such a nice break for me--quiet time, cooler weather, lots of good food--we had a wonderful time! We got there Sun. morning and left Wed morning. Kind of a quick trip (we originally planned for a week, but then her sister decided to get married so Darlene had to go back early). Sunday we checked out the shops, ate at a yummy Mexican place (only to later find out the timeshare guy said he never tells people to go there because they are always getting in trouble with health code violations....but we liked it). Monday we took a jeep tour-- and seems to be the only day I took pictures. It rained on us at the beginning and then it was nice. We were dry by the time we were done (a 3 hour tour). Tuesday we got massages and watched The Dark Knight Rises (LOVED IT!!!!) Wednesday we packed and left. I love my annual trips with Darlene (3 years now--next year we are saving for an Alaskan cruise.) Enjoy the pictures!

A little vent

I have finally gotten my surgery scheduled--June 30 at 9:00AM. I was thinking about this, I think I have the "junky" body of the family (because I am the youngest?!) I am the only one who has broken a bone, I have no gall bladder, tonsils, adnoids (my bro too)...and now this. Hmmnnn So,this surgery they will go in through my leg and block the blood flow from my uteran arteries. This then stops the blood flow to the fibroids... and should help me out. (This or a hysterectomy, but who wants that at 34 years old?) I was told I may or may not be able to have kids. Since I am not dating anyone I don't see that as an issue...and the closer I get to 40 and being single I don't see it being an issue... BUT.. a little sad to think about.

Work today--MADE ME CRAZY! I had nothing on the schedule until 2:00 (I leave at 3:00). I had my book so I was ok. Then I got a 9:30 appt....and then NOTHING...at 1:59 the lady calls to cancel the 2:00. I WAS SO MAD! I could have left at 11:00!!! She had an appt. yesterday and rescheduled to today... now she is set for next week and it better not be with me! Sheesh. So glad I had my book... but still.  Frustrating to sit around for so long and then not get paid because they "reschedule." And the other frustration is that when I come in on Tues mornings the laundry is piled high and so is the trash. It takes me 30 min just to deal with all of that! Today I left my manager a note. She didn't respond to it. Grr.

Pictures and health

With all of my sisters family here I got to take pictures of the kids. I have a new camera that will do black and white--while pulling out a color--seriously fun for me! I still need to do some family pics.

Work at the spa is going well. I still have a lot to learn--or remember. I don't think I have had what I would consider a smooth session yet. I forget to place towels out or do the gord... or remember what all to say...I will get there.

I had a MRI last week. I have uteran fibroids. Apparently I have the uterus the size of someone 3 months pregnant. The MRI tech described the fibroids as HUGE...so, I will meet with a surgeon in the near future to discus surgery options. From what I have read I will be down at least a week. I am a little sad because this means I can't go to a wedding next week that I was really wanting to. I can't take off work when I know I will be gone a week later in the month for a vacation and then with this surgery coming up. SAD!!! So, I may try to combine my surgery/ recovery time. If they won't let me swim I will just have to have the surgery later! Why ruin a vacation!

Haboob of June

A dust storm in AZ is called a Haboob. I was on my way to the Adult session of Stake Conference when I started driving in this! I could taste the dust. So gross! No wonder I have allergies! It is a sight to see, and I guess since I don't get any thunderstorms this will have to do.

Stake Conference was PERFECT for me this weekend. The theme was 2 Nephi 5: 27"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." I will be the first to admit that I struggle with happiness. My life has not been easy (whose has) but it has been really hard for me to find moments of happiness. I know all the church answers and I get it, but this is my trial now--finding joy in the face of my trials. So-- I am going to try and follow my Stake President's counsel and write down 10 things I am grateful for each day. An attitude of gratitude.

This quote has also helped me this week, "The companionship of the spirit of the Lord is an antidote for weariness, … for fear and all those things that sometimes overtake us in life" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith Lesson 11) So, I am on a quest to make my life a little better-- or a lot better by really paying attention to the Spirit.

 This was the big news of my week: My Dad turned 65 at the beginning of the month and got to retire this past week! So, he bought my car--that he has been driving for the last year as I left it in TX when I moved to AZ--I have been driving a minivan or a SUV and I have HATED IT (because of gas prices and how much it takes to fill them up). It is a 2010 Ford Focus. It is SO NICE inside!!! I really do love it.

And I started at the Aji Spa. I am learning a lot. A little bit overwhelmed, but totally looking forward to being there. I get some sweet deals at all Sheraton/ Starwood resorts and hotels. I need to save and start TRAVELING!!!!

So, see-- I really do have much to be grateful for!

Work and Wedding

A few weeks ago I went to my Stake Employment Specialist to see if he could help me fine tune my resume and find a job. My resume was fine-- he said it was one of the best he had ever seen (and he sees a lot!) After talking awhile he said there was a guy in his ward that does something with spas-- he set up the Luxor spa in Vegas, but employment guy wasn't sure what spa guy was doing now. So after a few days I sent Mr. Bird my resume and asked if he could help me in any way. The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is about 20 min. from my house. The Aji Spa is a 4 star spa. I had seen it from the outside a year ago and thought it would be fun to work for... Spa's can be kind of hard to get in with (was my understanding). Since I have only been a therapist for 2 years and have NO spa experience I wasn't sure I would even be looked at. I saw on-line that they were hiring a part-time therapist so I applied....and waited.
Mr Bird quickly responded to my email and said to fill out an application with Sheraton. I let him know I had and I was waiting to hear back. A day or so later I get  a call from the Lead Therapist. After talking to her I realize Mr. Bird is the Aji Spa DIRECTOR!!! I had a hands on practical with the Lead Therapist-- it went really well. She had 3 complaints that really weren't complaints, just how they do things there at the spa which I wouldn't have known. When we started she reminded me I needed to give her a $200 experience because that is what the guests expect. I was a little nervous about that, but I knew I just needed to do my best. The past few weeks I have had my regular clients telling me how good I have been--kind of a boost for me--to help me see I could do this.
About an hour after I left from the hands on Mr. Bird called me to come in and interview with him! I did that Thurs morning. It went really well too. Just a standard interview Sheraton does. He then called and left me a message on Fri that he wanted me to come in this coming Wed. to fill out new-hire paperwork!!! So, I don't know for sure what I will be paid or what my hours are but I think I will get full-time! This will allow me to get out of my sister's house and into one on my own! I will have to rent for a year or so, but that is ok! I am so excited!!! Church programs WORK!

Thurs I got to fly to Denver. I had so much fun seeing all of the Pavlovsky family. It had been too long! Amanda and Aaron looked so happy!!! The whole day was just perfect for them. I was so glad to be there to share with them. Now I am trying to figure out how to get to Steele's wedding...It's just a short drive to St. George!

I also got to see the Rife family (minus Josh). It was so good to see them and catch up. Janet has been in the hospital, so I went there before the wedding. I just love catching up with old friends!!!

Such a week full of blessings. Heart full of gratitude!

Suffering

I have had allergies for a few years now, but this past month has been AWFUL! I am so allergic to AZ. My Dr. said Maricopa has the worst air in the US. We are surrounded by cattle farms (Shamrock Farms anyone?) so there are 10 cows to every one person....and all the dust of the dessert, and the lovely flowering dessert plants. I have been miserable. My Dr. has me taking an allergy pill in the morning along with a nose spray...and an allergy pill in the evening (benadryl) I think I am a little too drugged. I can breathe, but serious sinus headaches...and I am so tired! I have been taking half a pill at night, and I am still tired!! I go back next week for a follow up. He will be upset that I am not doing a netipot nasal wash 3 times a day (too much!! and it was making me feel WORSE!) We'll see what he comes up with. Or maybe my body is telling me to move-- but where would I go that I am not allergic to? I am job hunting. I would really like to work for a resort spa-- most of those are in Scottsdale and at least an hour drive...is that really worth the effort? There is one about 20 min. from here and they have an opening, lets hope they like my resume! I am so excited to go to Colorado in 2 weeks! For a wedding!! So fun. Will love to catch up with longtime friends.