Medical Transcription

I went to Vocational Rehabilitation (again) to ask for help with funding for school or work training. I had been to them in the past with bad results. The person who used to work as my Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor had just left after a series of bad circumstances. I was one of those people that kept waiting and waiting for him to “get my medical records back” which he apparently had never sent for. I received a call before we went to Chile from a new Counselor that had taken the place of my past Counselor.

So, I just went back for my second appointment after gathering the necessary documents and explaining to her that I wanted to go through Career Step to get training in Medical Transcription. She told me at first that she wanted me to go through the local community college but I preferred the Career Step program. With Career Step you can finish quicker and spend more time on the practical skills needed for the job. Getting the skills and then getting to work is what I am interested in. Not, at my age, spending several years working my way up through math courses, which I have never been good at it anyway!

So, I am very happy that soon I may be taking the self-guided and at home Career Step Medical Transcription course!

I am also very, very thankful for Brenda’s help with giving me great pointers and answering my questions as I learn transcription skills. You have been a lifesaver! I appreciate you.

Moving Forward

I think I am reaching the point where I am old enough to realize that I wish I had figured out what I had wanted to do with my life earlier.

I believe I have been thinking a lot about life and where I am going lately and that has made me extremely motivated to stay on track. But, sometimes I wish I was Superwoman and could keep everything in life rolling full steam ahead with no bumps in the road. Of course, that does not happen in reality. I’ve had many bumps recently and life just is not always what you had imagined it to be. You have to just make your way through and do the best you can.

I know one thing that I want to rejuvenate and that is my optimistic point of view on life. I do not want to go through life always thinking of the worst that can happen or even thinking the worst of everybody. I prefer to look for the best in situations and people.

So, starting tonight, I am going to stop falling into that trap.

Yummy Granola Recipe

I made this granola yesterday. I chose to use the raisins and cranberries but you can use dried cherries. I used honey instead of maple syrup too.

It makes over 2 pounds or 13 cups. You can prepare it in less than 45 minutes.

The recipe is from the Cheap, Fast, Good recipe book by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross.

Great Granola

Cooking Oil Spray

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey

1 1/2 cups lightly lightly packed light brown sugar

6 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant oatmeal)

2 cups chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans

1 cup wheat germ (optional)

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 cup raisins

1 cup sweetened dried cranberries or cherries

1. Place oven racks in the two center positions and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 17 x 11-inch jelly roll pans with cooking oil spray.

2. Combine the oil, maple syrup, and brown sugar in a 1-quart microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high power until the sugar starts to melt, about 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave oven and whish until any lumps dissolve.

3. Combine the oats, nuts, wheat germ (if using), and coconut in a 3-quart or larger bowl. Toss to mix well. Pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture and stir until well mixed. Spread evenly onto the jelly-roll pans.

4. Place a pan on each oven rack and bake for 10 minutes. Taking note of which pan was on the top rack, remove the pans from the oven, stir the granola, and return it to the oven, rotating each pan to the opposite rack. (If your oven will accommodate the two pans side-by -side  on the same rack, it is not necessary to rotate them.) Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, taking care not to let the granola get too brown.

5. Cool the granola in the pans until it reaches room temperature, about 1 hour. Sprinkle the raisins and dried cranberries (if using) over each pan, dividing them evenly. Stir to mix well. Store in air tight containers, preferably glass jars or tins, for up to 2 weeks.

(You can increase the raisins or cranberries to 2 cups instead of using both ingredients if you prefer.)

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I guess I was exhausted yesterday.I laid down for a nap yesterday evening and ending up sleeping until today. :S

Domestic Sunday

Today Armando, my Dad and I did a few things to my van in preparation for selling it. I hope somebody comes along that can use the handicap equipment and the van and that it does not take a long time to sell it.

My allergies and Armando's are haywire and like a silly girl, after telling Armando to take his allergy medicine and decongestant I forgot to take mine! (a Typical Michelle moment) I came to the realization really quick while outdoors that Darn! I forgot to take MY allergy medicine. I feel very bad for Armando who is having a huge case of allergy symptoms. Mostly my eyes have been itching but he has the whole congested, runny nose awful stuffy head feeling going on. He didn't sleep well last night.

My plans for today are totally domestic. I am going to make supper for us and my parents, fold and put up laundry and do a general cleaning and organizing of the house.

I am looking forward to making this chicken recipe tonight:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Breaded-Ranch-Chicken

I will start with putting up the laundry now.

Have a great Sunday!

Try by Nelly Furtado

Some of my thoughts on love

Be gentle with the hearts of those you love

Consider them even when times are at the worst

Hold them dear and don't do things to make them unhappy

Take care with them in every word you utter or write

In every action that you make on a daily basis

Guard them like a fragile flower that needs extra care

Cling to them like your lifeline but give them space to grow

Don't ever abuse or take the person's feelings or love for granted

 

Photo taken en route to La Serena, Chile

Feb 19 2008

Weekend's Ending

Our cat Chochi is recovering well. On Saturday she had her drain tubes taken out. She is taking it easy which is a good thing. She looks better every day. I am still so thankful she is still with us after the attack. We've been babying her a lot. Our other cat Cookie has been missing her playtime with Chochi. She keeps going over to Chochi in a playful mood and not really understanding why she is not playing with her like normal. I've tried to be a Chochi "stand in" during this time and make sure to play with Cookie with her toys every day.

It has been a nice relaxing weekend. The weekend went by really fast.

We went to my Aunt's house for fish for supper. It was a beautiful evening weather wise. I hope tomorrow is just as pretty. We plan to go to Lake Guntersville if it is a nice day.

I've been looking at an online course for Medical Transcription. I am thinking seriously about taking it in the near future.

April Fool's!

Today is April Fool's Day and Armando has played TWO jokes on me today.

First, a faked eye injury. He came to the kitchen while I was cooking lunch with a napkin over his eye and said he poked himself with something in the eye and then a liquid (MILK!) starting dropping from the napkin. I said, Oh my God! OH MY GOD! over and over again. (laugh)

Then later, he put a piece of paper and tape on the bottom of my mouse and it wasn't working. I said, WHAT DID YOU DO? That is not funny.  I don't handle my computer not functioning well. How nerdy am I?

He is SOOOOOO  in for a payback one of these days!

Poor Chochi

Last night or early this morning, not sure exactly what time it was, we awoke with the sound of an animal growling and attacking. Our front had blown open by the wind. It was rainy and stormy. Our cats and dog Cinnamon were freaked out.

Cinnamon was under our porch hiding and Chochi was up high on the porch post clinging with her paws and holding there and terrified. Cookie ran and hid underneath our bed and the rest of the cats had scrambled.

We believe a coyote may have attacked Chochi. We see tracks in our driveway. We did not see her injury until today when she was acting slowly and not like herself. Armando saw a bleeding spot on her stomach. He immediately took her to the nearby vet hospital. Both of us were worried and Armando realized it was probably an internal injury. I was very concerned and worried and when he realized she had an injury and was cleaning her, I started crying. He told me to not be sad, she would probably be ok.

The vet kept her and will operate on her. They did X-rays and everything looked normal and they believe she will be ok. They said they believed it was an attack and they could see a mark that looked like where a fang had been.

Update: She came through surgery well and can come home tomorrow. Thank goodness! She is the most gentle and loving little cat. Always wanting to sit on your lap and making little meow sounds when you call her name. She has long hair and looks huge but when you really see the shape of her face and body, she is tiny, her hair just makes her look big!