Flying Solo

Monday the 5th was my first day of solo practice. 

I am officially in business for myself.  Talk about intimidating.

I put press releases in the local papers and sent them to the radio stations too.  I sent out friends and family letter and attempted to let everyone who wanted to know where I am located now.  

I was thrilled when I got to the office Monday and had a voicemail from a patient wanting to get in that day. 

I set him up with an appointment, and went to town setting up the "refreshments."

They looked pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.  

I saw two patients that day.

And spent a lot of hours learning my medical records software.

And figuring out how to bill people using my new insurance clearing house.  

I also took a trip to Cliff's daycare to feed him at lunch.

Then I cried in the parking lot because I had to leave him and he was exhausted and red eyed. 

But I made it through my first day. 

And then I made it through my first week.

Things are slow, but promising.

I've done a radio interview and had 2 different marketing events with a 3rd in just a day or two. 

Plus, my friends and family sent me flowers and notes of congratulations.

They believe in me.

I am so appreciative for everyone's supoort. 

I may or may not have cried over my flowers.

I may or may not be a hormonal disaster all the time. 

I am officially a small business owner. 

Ya'll better be prayin. 

Subbing

In the interim between practice and, well, practice, I've begun a new short term adventure, Substitute Teaching.  It is bizarre to say the least.  So far I have been a 6th grade teacher, a high school resource teacher, high school math and now 8th grade science teacher.  I honestly like it.  Plus, it turns out that I am smarter than kids and therefore my sarcasm puts them in their place with ease.  In addition, I feel like I can pretty much be as rude as I wanna be in order to get them to sit down, shut it, and learn their work.  Case in point, I asked a Junior the other day if she actually knew how to do her work, or just how to copy it from her friend's paper.  She looked at me like I had slapped her....which I may have done verbally.  In all fairness, her cheating came directly after my announcement that I knew how to do their math and that I was happy to help them if they had any problems.  

Just a few minutes ago I handed out the 8th grade science reading assignment.  I told them to come to me with any problems but I expected they were all capable of reading and filling out a worksheet.  He said "some of them aren't."  I said that I would "venture that is not accurate."  He said "venture...accurate....that's new vocabulary in here."  I told him I would get him a dictionary.  He told me he didn't appreciate that.  I told him "that makes 2 of us." 

I am a good sub.  I really am.  I want these kids to leave with their homework done, with a full grasp of whatever we covered for the day.  Most of the time I really like the kids too.  They crack me up with the things they say and do.  I laughed til I cried the other day when a high schooler named Jude told me he hurt his ankle over the weekend.  When I asked him how, he said "playin hackey sack."  Then I couldn't get myself together.  Playing hackey sack is a legit injury NEVER....especially not since the 90's.  

Ha-larious.

Anyway, I've been lovin life and substitute teaching.  I hope I run across your kiddo, maybe you don't :)

Shoes

I think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun said it best, "decisions are the worst." I am torn.  Not in any important way, but I would love opinions.   Zac and I finally have a little bit of free cash, so I decided it was time to buy the necessities.  I have 2 new bras on the way (which I am pumped about) and I ordered a new pair of running shoes and a new pair of work shoes.....well 3 pairs of work shoes.  I just wanna say, I LOVE Zappos.  Free shipping both ways!  I feel guilt free about the ordering...but I am struggling trying to decide which shoes to return.  I absolutely love my new running shoes.

Aren't they cute?  They are perfect!  My big problem is the work shoes.  I ordered 3 pairs, 1 was an immediate no, as far as the other 2 are concerned, I kinda hate them both.  I have worn each pair at work for a couple hours...no big differences in how they feel. These are my options....

 

or these....

There's not much difference...I know.  The ones on the top are $65 and the ones on bottom are $90, so again, not a huge difference.  I have been rockin' a pair of nikes for a long time and they are shot.  I keep wearing these around the house, one on my left foot, one on my right, debating.  My family was no help, Maggie said the ones on top, Annie said the bottom, Mom said they were both terrible (which I found to be incredibly helpful).  Maybe I should return both and get a second pair of athletic shoes like these

 

or these

maybe these 

could be these

This is my dilemma.  Darn you Zappos and your free shipping you give me FAR too many options.  I am stuck.  I just don't have any interest in continuing to order, try, return, order, try, return and so forth.

So here I am, 10:30 at night, in my pajamas and mismatched work shoes deciding which I hate less...left shoe, right shoe, or ordering more shoes.  

And for your viewing pleasure...Shoes

Loving my morning off

I generally work Monday through Saturday.  I have one Saturday off each month, and my Monday appointments don't start til 2.  This is the first Monday in the six months I've been in practice that I didn't get up early with something to do.  Well, I did kind of.  I woke up at a little after 8 and ate a banana and called Zac.  Then I realized I didn't wanna be awake yet.  Decision made, I went back and got into bed and slept til 10:15.  Haven't done that in years.  It was awesome.  I have a million things I need to do, as the trailer is not even close to finished, my candles have no labels, my house needs dusted, my sink needs cleaned, the laundry needs folded and I haven't finished my presentation for next Wednesday, but I think I'm just not gonna do it right now.  Not until this evening.  I think I will really, finally, just take my morning off, off.  What did you do your last day off?