It's Official

After studying for the last year and procrastinating the inevitable -- I learned, a little over a week ago, that I had passed my boards. So not unlike most 1st time parents announcing a pregnancy the day the two lines show up -- I emailed family and announced the news -- how can you withhold the prospect of good news from those who you'd think would appreciate it the most. -- however, I may have jumped the gun. Being that the information came from the testing center and not from the governing body in Georgia -- the results were unofficial. It would have been a real bummer if there had been some mix up -- not that I thought that that would have happen -- but it sure could have. Imagine the embarrassment -- and oh the heartache!

Well, my Georgia State Board of Nursing LPN # came last Friday and today I received the piece of paper that allows me to practice nursing in the state of Georgia -- my license. SOOOO -- I can, now officially say -- my name can be signed Rebecca Lyn Hyde, LPN.

I have long been of the thought process that if I were to ever earn an education/pass a test that would allow abbreviated titles to be signed after my name -- I would not sign those letters (unless, of course it is required that I do so). Many have thought me insane -- "You earned it!" they say. Well that may be true -- but those three letters don't do anything other than say that I did the time, learned the stuff and passed a test. They don't earn me the respect of others -- or at least I don't believe that they should -- my actions, my attitudes, my ethics and my ability to carry out the duties that are expected under that license -- THAT is was should earn the respect of others. Not some abbreviated title attached to the end of my name --

So anyway -- I guess that what I am saying is that I could if I wanted to -- but then -- me thinks -- anyone could attach a few abbreviations to the end of their name if they really wanted to. Maybe I could put -- L.W. (loving wife), G. M. (great mom), B.G.(big sister), O.D. (oldest daughter), A.A. (awesome aunt), O.P. (outstanding person), V.T. (visiting teacher), GD (good listener), AF (affable friend)... -- So my name could read Rebecca Lyn Hyde, LPN, LW, GM, BG, OD, AA, OP, VT, GL, AF.... Just knowing what a great person I am -- I am sure that I could fill many a line with all the abbreviated titles that I felt were appropriate. Sooo, what is my point, you ask -- well... at the very least if I chose to sign that abbreviated title -- those three letters -- at the end of my name -- it would be board certified and licensed back -- or in other words -- IT's OFFICIAL!

In limbo...

Webster states that limbo is a place or state of restraint or confinement or a place or state of neglect or oblivion or an intermediate or transitional place or state or a state of uncertainty.

During the last few months I can honestly say that I have experienced each of these states of being. I am sure that a majority of it is my own doing -- but none the less I have felt as if I am in a state of LIMBO.

It dawned on me last night as I was talking to John that being in limbo isn't necessarily a bad thing. Although definitely not a comfortable state of being and not one that is coveted by many IT could be a place for a lot of learning and growth.

I have been pestering John to get some answers to various questions involving some major decisions in his life and our life. I am sure that I have crossed the line of periodically requesting to constantly nagging. I am a planner or at least I like to think myself one -- I like to plan the will happens, probably will happens, possibly could happens and even the hopelessly optimistic it is a long shot happens -- Be Prepared -- isn't that a motto for some organization.

Anyway, I am at a standstill with the future plans -- there are too many unknowns to even put together the long shot plan -- I don't even think that I could comprise a "an ice cubes chance in hades" plan right now. Things have not moved fast enough for me and there are many things that I want to have planned out and ready to put into motion if and when decisions are made.
Don't get me wrong -- we are not standing still on preparations that will lend to an easier transition if things become a "go"-- but there is so much more that could be in place -- many more unknowns switched to the knowns -- and I could be in so much more control.

So...last night as I was talking with John, I realized -- It was just that -- This is a control issue and the control is out of my hands -- it is unnerving ....no, it is down right upsetting for me. Ahha! You see we had made some goals that needed to be realized. These were goals that would not necessarily be effected by the answers to those questions I do desperately desired to know. The time line may be a little altered -- it would add some excitement with absolute deadlines to meet -- but the essence of these goals would not change. I was reminded of the sentiments I'd felt regarding these changes that could happen to our lives -- it was one of peaceful resolve. Things were to happen the way they were meant -- my job ...was to trust in that feeling and do those things that I knew needed to be done by me. Keep focused on the goal, constantly moving forward, and "peace, be still".

Dat Boyz A Thinker

We have long thought Jarom to be a thinker -- at times too deeply! It is a very common for me to become exasperated by all of the multiple questions that come at me one after another so fast and furious that I feel as though I am about to put my hands over my ears , rock back and forth while shouting "lalalalalalalalalalala"-- just to block it all out. BUT, there are many times that he will have ideas that amaze me with their creativeness and ingenuity. Here is an example. The dolly is serving as the main body of the vehicle, the skate board is the front wheel and steering mechanism and the brake is his right foot hung over the wheel of the dolly.

A little momento

This post is to serve two purposes - the first is to test out how to upload a video and the second is to share something about myself that only a few may know.

I have long enjoyed listening to (and attempting to sing along with) a song that I have absolutely no recollection as to where, when or how I learned its lyrics -- or for that matter why I like it so very much. In the last five years that we have lived in Georgia -- I have been introduce to a new venue of this loved song and with the possibility of an upcoming move away from Georgia... I have realized that I will truly miss it when we leave. My only hope is that we will not leave until I have once again been able to sit upon the lawn at Stone Mountain and bask in all the enjoyment. Luckily, I now have this little momento (although a bit dark) to help me remember those nights at the "World's Largest Laser Show".

Owed to Toronado

I thought it interesting that the two cars we have used for the majority of our stay in Georgia both had something to do with bulls. Yes, I do mean as in bovine and not basketball. The purple car is a Taurus and the "other" one an Oldsmobile TOROnado. I have many a time curse the existence of that car in my life. I had had no say in its purchase and I refused to drive it unless I had absolutely no other alternative -- meaning that I would have toted my baby on my hip a mile to have not had to drive this car. I consider myself a fairly good driver. I keep my cool and have confidence in my ability to handle a vehicle. But this car scared me!!

John enjoyed driving -- I haven't determined if it is because it was fun to drive with its failing transmission, no brakes to speak of and rollercoaster effect whenever he hit a bump OR if it was because, for me, it seemed to be cause for a "sigh" every time I had realize its existence.

In reality it became a novel thing for me to insist that any and all who visited us take at least one ride in this vehicle. It was an experience that I am sure none have forgotten. I would tease John that all he needed was a bandana head dress, furry dash cover and set of 4"cubed dice hanging from the rearview mirror with perhaps some sort of music blaring from the radio. He would add to the illusion by slouching way down in the drivers seat with one hand on the steering wheel -- bobbing his head as though listening to music. I have to admit -- it made me smile in spite of myself.

In August, the TOROnado had an issue with its battery and because we had just purchased a suburban -- it had sat in the driveway ever since. I have alluded frequently to the idea of selling it -- but it wasn't something that John was prepared to do yet -- did I mention that he sincerely enjoyed driving that car. Perhaps it was more of the idea that the car was there and if he really wanted to -- he could repair the battery cable and drive it again -- NOT that he would -- but that he could if he wanted to. Well...to John's shagrin -- the TOROnado was sold last night to a man with a truck that could tow it away. It is a true testament to the power of craigslist -- we posted it on Sunday and sold it by 9am Monday morning. The speed of the transaction was probably for the best - because I think that given any more time -- the TOROnado would still have its place in the driveway today -- I say this because as John walked in from work last night - he commented that he almost shed a tear over the vacant spot where the TOROnado has once sat.

I will call the insurance company today to cancel the insurance, file the bill of sale and then go to Lowe's and buy the paint needed to finish painting the house. And that will close the chapter on the TOROnado.

Honestly, for all the mental turmoil that I spent over this vehicle -- I have to admit that not only has it brought joy to my husband and thrilled the kids (free amusement park ride), -- it many a time rescued me when the Taurus failed. So by way of tribute to a faithful -- and sadly under appreciated vehicle -- a long owed "Thank you!" to you - Oldmobile TOROnado.