Today I went to go visit a friend that I have not seen in a long time (With another friend I have not seen in a long time!).  A lot has changed with my friend since we’ve last seen each other- all the sudden, she has a little baby daughter! Little Harper is adorable! (and so well behaved! didn’t cry a bit while we were there, Kristin even said it was an easy pregnancy)

I went out to coffee and to crochet with some friends and 1 announced that she’s pregnant again- she already has 2 young children!  She hopes to have a little girl.

And there’s been good news!

I met with a lady from the Brain Injury Association to evaluate what services I needed [I had a BIAA support counsuler in 2005 when I just graduated from college and was looking for a job- but then I started working at the nursing home and kept forgetting to call her back] This time, I contacted brain injury services to see if I could get on the speakers’ board (TBI survivors on the board create awareness by talking to doctors and nurses at universities or college classes to help them learn more about traumatic brain injuries).  The speakers’ board is filled up for the year, but she saw that I’m a very busy person already, working for LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY, keeping up my personal blog and working on a memoir.  She said that there are other ways that I could get involved, like they have a ‘Lunch Bunch’ that is a few ladies with TBIs who get together once a month and go out for lunch; she also talked to her supervisor about me working as a peer mentor to help others that are having a hard time adjusting with their newly acquired TBIs.  This would probably be a better choice for me since public speaking is not one of my strengths, which was a surprise as well as a blessing. 

  A new clinical social worker has been hired to start working on the Trauma Survivor’s Network through Fairfax Hospital, the hospital that a TBI support group through which I have made many friends, and suggested that I help volunteer peer visiting with other trauma patients.

At Messiah United Methodist church, 

I found out in a meeting that one of the adult supervisors for the youth girls’ small group that meets Wednesday evenings  will be moving at the end of May, so that will leave me as the main adult who plans all of the activities for the meetings for June and the next school year.  This is somewhat good news and also bad news- Donna is a great lady who will be very much missed, but she will move into a happier, more fulfilling work environment.  

Punxsutawney Phil

The final object in my backpack of blessings is Punxsutawney Phil!  That famous groundhog saw his shadow yesterday, meaning 6 more weeks of winter!  

I would like to see at least 1 good snow this winter! 

A Washington Post article seems to argue with the whimsical little marmot