Okay…update sort of *Edit*

So here’s what’s been up. You may remember I had an offer from a company in Halifax. That didn’t work out, eventually, but I saw another place near here looking for a massage therapist. It’s quite a prestigious physiotherapy clinic (physical therapy, for you Americans), and difficult to get into, since openings are not frequent. I sent my résumé to see what would happen.

With everything going on about the city job, A, my daughter and so on and so forth, I was stressed to the max for a few weeks. Discussing my distress over our relationship with A set off his IBS (he also had other stressors going on) and that didn’t make either of us happy. He doesn’t respond well to emotional distress. Sucks to be him. We’re muddling along still, but I can’t say for how much longer as a "couple". I think we’d be better off as simple friends. We haven’t had sex or intimacy in months due to his fears and sexual issues (the joys of being raised Jehovah’s Witness–we won’t discuss all that right now). The end result for me is that my need for cuddling, sex, warmth, intimacy (with or without sex) hasn’t been met and I’ve been feeling lonely and sad. It occurred to me that I had more intimacy and warmth from R when we were "friends with benefits" and I was only seeing him every three months or so. How sad is that. EDIT: Actually, even without "benefits", R was willing to cuddle up to watch a movie–no kissing or anything like that, just cuddled up together. However, there are other developments in my life which may well affect what happens with A. Let me continue with that info.

#2 Daughter didn’t get all the paperwork done she should have in order to get her student loans, so we’re working on that now. Fortunately, she got a small inheritance from my mum’s estate which helped her put a little bit down on her course. I’m working on my end to see if I can get a line of credit for her, but with my big loan already, my debt load is fairly high, so they want a co-signer. I have no idea where to turn. I’ve relied so much on my sister that I can’t bring myself to turn to her, so I’m looking at other options. I know it’s going to work itself out, because Daughter has reported that she’s definitely on the right path for her, and that’s always a good sign.

On my end, here’s what happened. Kings Physio got my email and phoned to make an appointment. They left a voicemail message which my daughter saved, and then forgot to tell me about. The night before I was supposed to go to the interview, she remembered. I had appointments booked, and couldn’t make it, so I sent an email that said I hadn’t gotten their message, and was embarrassed and wished them luck filling the position. They emailed back quickly to say they really wanted to meet with me, and we managed to put a suitable day in place. I met with the owner and the head of integrated services and was pretty much offered the position. The owner, Shelley, was very happy to have a therapist with my years of experience, since we’re few and far between, and made an attractive offer. The hours are a bit longer than I’ve been used to (it really slowed down here to the point I couldn’t survive financially) and there are benefits, which is nice. I told her I wanted to give notice to my current place to give them time to replace me, and the end result was that I ended up working both places for three weeks as I honoured all the appointments already made here.

On the first day of my first week at the new place, Shelley and I agreed she should have a massage with me. We went to book it in, and the girls on the front desk looked at my schedule for the week and said, "We can fit her in next Tuesday." !! I was that booked up already. And so far, that’s how it’s been. I’ve had three weeks of work, the first one a little shorter in hours since they had extended the other therapist’s hours since they didn’t know if they would have a replacement in place when Tara left. I’m taking over Tara’s case load and getting a lot of the new clients/patients. I hope it stays this busy. 

So, once I knew I had the job, I went apartment hunting and found a place 3 km away from work. It’s in a nice residential area, my bedroom windows look out over a church lawn and parking lot, and I won’t have bars letting out just down the street at 1 in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. The rent is about $85 more a month than I’m paying now, but it includes heat, power and hot water. Nice. No surprise power bills in the dead of winter. And it’s a two-bedroom apartment, in case Daughter needs to come home. I’m hoping she’ll find a job and her own place. Right now, she’s staying with an old friend of mine, who deserves a medal, or sainthood, or something wonderful, for what she’s doing for my babygirl.

The job and new apartment are about 20 minutes away from Windsor, which is where A lives, so if he wants to spend time with me, he can put some effort into it. I have enough long hours to want to travel back and forth. We’ll see where our relationship goes with this big change.

The new place I’m working has 7 physiotherapists, 4 occupational therapists, 2 massage therapists, a neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, pedorthist, psychologist and a host of support staff. I think there are 26 employees altogether. It’s a lovely place. Here is the link to their site. Pics need to be updated to include me and a couple of new physios. One physio retired yesterday after 43 years in the business, the last 6 at Kings, and another is moving to New Brunswick soon. The RMT I’m replacing has moved to Dartmouth. I think I’ve made an excellent career choice. Shelley seems very keen to have me there and has asked what she can do to make me happy there. She’s also had two massages from me and is booked in again next week. She’s also given me the key to the apartment over her garage, in case I ever want to stay there one night instead of driving to Windsor. My schedule is 2-8 M-W-F, and 7-2 on Tues and Thurs. It can be tiring finishing work at 8, getting home around 8:45 and eating supper, unwinding and trying to get some sleep only to be up at 5:30 the next morning to be at work for 7. And I like to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to get my list of clients, pull files and get myself in gear. She also told me to feel free to stay there whenever I want. 

The retirement dinner for the physiotherapist was held at the Blomidon Inn. We gathered at 6:30 (office was closed early so everyone could go) for drinks and mingling. There were most of the current staff, several who have left, but who know the retiring woman, and a few others. I think there were 29 of us altogether. There was red and white wine, various liquors or non-alcoholic beverages. When we went for supper, there was a menu of choices for the event. The appetizers were lobster chowder, salad with blueberry vinaigrette or squash and peach soup. I had the soup and it was divinely delicious! The main course choices were roast beef with roast potato, chicken breast with spinach, garlic, and I forget the other spices, with rice, or salmon steak. I opted for the chicken, also divinely delicious. Between these courses, we were treated to a tiny sorbet with a dash of amaretto over it to clear our palates. Lovely. Dessert choices included fresh berry crepes, pumpkin and white chocolate cheesecake or chocolate mousse. Bring on the berries!! It was a wonderful meal, included more wine, if you wanted, and I would put a conservative estimate of at least $40 per person. Probably more than $50, and the boss picked up the tab. How nice is that?

Also, doctors are at a premium here in Nova Scotia. It’s virtually impossible to find a family doctor. Shelley’s husband, Martin, is a GP (general practitioner, or family doctor) and is willing to take me on as a patient. My family doctor moved to New Brunswick a couple of years ago. I’m in dire need of a check-up. He’s very nice, as well. Apparently, Shelley makes sure the staff do things like this together fairly frequently to make sure everyone stays happy and she builds a family atmosphere more than a working one. As I said, so far, I’m liking what I’ve seen and think I’ve made a very good move. I’m happy with the job, excited about the new apartment, and although thinking about A can make me sad, and moreso if I consider ending our relationship altogether, the other aspects of my life make it easier to step away and let the Universe decide where we go and whether we go together or separately. I’ve made my choices here without considering his needs in any way, since I’ve done enough of that in the past year, and I’m making life choices with MY needs in mind. The rest will fall into place.

I do hope work stays busy, and that Shelley and I get a chance to discuss some ideas we have to expand the massage therapist role. I’m very excited at the potential here, and here’s the first paragraph from this month’s horoscope: This has been a strenuous year for you, for you’ve been asked to make many lifestyle changes. You have become incredibly resilient though recent months, and you’ve impressed others with your calm strength and fortitude. On just about every front, you may have seen some massive changes – your career, in your partner’s life, or in regard to your relationship, a housing or family matter, a health matter, or in regard one or more friendships. You may feel that your whole life has morphed into something completely new and different in a relatively short period of time, and yes, that sounds right. If not all these areas have brought changes, then you may have seen one or two come up for review.

It goes on to say this:  You will notice new career opportunities will come up rather quickly. In fact, one opportunity that arises this month may be so large and responsible that you may wonder if you can handle it. Of course you can! Saturn will provide a mentor or supervisor to help you learn the ropes.

Nice. I’ll see you all later. Blessings, joy and love to you all, dear friends.