Well my autumn hiatus didn’t last long did it! Neither did my ambitiousness haha! I had another look at the full-time behaviour consultant job description and realised that although it seemed a perfect fit for me, there is no way I could do it and keep my job at the nursing home. More importantly, there is no way I could do it and spend enough time with Ants. I did email the association asking if it might be possible to job-share the position but I haven’t heard back yet. There was a public speaking/teaching component to the job but there were also a lot of administrative duties (of people and paperwork and policies) and the latter does not appeal to me in the least! I’m much better at being bossed than being a boss.
So that’s that for the time being – maybe down the track I will do something like that but in the meantime it’s back to writing, including blogging, for me. And I discovered a wonderful program yesterday that will convert your blog into a PDF document and it’s called blog2print. In just an hour or so and for less than $100 I was able to convert 2000 pages of blogging, from 2011 to now, into seven PDF documents inclusive of photos. For more money the program will also convert your blog into a hard cover book, or books, but I didn’t want that because I want to be able to edit and revise and rewrite all those blog entries into a book about our personal experience with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. I had already begun the tedious job of copy/pasting bits into a word document but it was taking forever partly because of having to read the blog backwards and getting confused with dates etc. It wasn’t until I googled “how to turn a blog into a book” that I discovered blog2print and other programs that will do what would take hours and hours manually in just a few clicks – extraordinary!
Anyway this discovery also reminded me of how much blogging has become a part of my life. Not only is the camaraderie between bloggers a fantastic source of joy, but if I hadn’t written all of those posts I never would have remembered the chain of events of the past few years. I guess what I’ll do now is to print it out in 50-page sections and do the hand-written editing in the nursing home with Ants, then come home and finish the job on the computer. That way I can add material retrospectively.
Also, in anticipation of a blog break, I suddenly felt quite bereft! It is such a great way of keeping a record of things that can easily be forgotten – especially conversations both with Anthony, the women in the dementia house, and with the Ming.
For example, he rather reluctantly came to find me at work the other day and I let him into the dementia house and introduced him to the ten women who he proceeded to charm easily, simply because he is a male, and young! Oh I am so relieved not to be going for that behaviour consultant job. I work this afternoon and I can’t wait! I have never felt like this about any other job and I am very much ‘at home’ in my OT role now. Even though none of the women remember me, I am greeted with welcome smiles and the oft-repeated “Oh you look so familiar. Have we met before?”
Anthony doesn’t remember who any of the staff are either and the other day introduced me to one of the carers by saying to her: “Have you met my wife?” She and I exchanged a grin and a ‘yes’; after all, we have known each other now for over three years.
Blogging helps me to remember and record these tidbit gems, these moments of pleasure and humour in amongst the pain of illness and age. And autumn is a good time to write and be because it is too rainy to go for a bike ride, Mr Tootlepedal!
It might also be a good time to convince Ming to get himself some new shoes. 
jmgoyder 
Well, that was quick and decisive, but totally understand…. You have a peace about it and that’s what’s important.
I’d like to understand about this blog2print and how it works. I’ll research it of course. It seems amazing. I tried to start printing my blogs off but got lost somewhere and the idea now is daunting. Thanks for the link.. Diane
It’s a very easy program Diane – check it out.
I’m glad you have come too a decision about that other job. I’m even gladder that we have you back here Julie!
And a-hem, yes Ming needs new shoes! ❤
Diana
I’ll tell him you said so!
I love your revelations. I do these things, too – where I plan things that add anxiety and it helps me get back to the “peaceful place.” Definitely keep enjoying writing and blogging. Those are priceless connections and you are in a sad place with Anthony fading. Things might be different later on, but for now – I’m so glad you can utilize your wonderful blog. I feel that way about mine also. It is such a record of events we might never have had otherwise.
Maybe one day you can get an iPad with a keyboard to make writing even easier! Treat yourself – you deserve it.
I have an iPad but I am not very good at using it yet!
Loved Ming’s shoes and glad you are going to continue blogging.
He tapes up his old shoes but buys $50 deodorant – I don’t get it!
We all have our funny little ways!
Oh Ming, you are too adorable, but the shoes …..are not so much. Good to see you back Julie. I’ll be curious to see if they contact you about shared responsibilities on that job. You really have a voice that would benefit so many people. Hopefully the see/hear that and find something that benefits them and works for you and your family and does not conflict with your current position.
I guess I didn’t think it through properly!
I just said in another comment, I admire your sense of self. Of course I only ‘know you’ through your words. But I feel I get a very good sense of you through them. I can imagine how excited you were at that opportunity and you KNOW you would do a fantastic job for others in that role. Then, you sat with Anthony, spent time with Ming, and know that your time right now is better spent with your own heart needs. 🙂 I think you gave it the right amount of thought! 😉
wow, you are so reasonable and smart. and there is always time for other things, but you seem to know what needs your time and attention right now. all good, and no need for new shoes for ming, those look just great )
He definitely has his own style ha!
So glad you are continuing to blog and share your insights and stories!!!!
Much easier than working full-time!
I’m so happy you aren’t taking a blog break. I was hoping you couldn’t shake the bug. Not that I am happy the job didn’t work out, but it sounds like you are in a great situation and who knows what will come of it. Thanks for the tip about putting the blog into print. I’ve been thinking about that a lot in the past week but didn’t know how to go about doing it. Enjoy!
Haha the blog bug!
I am going to keep this post for the name of the company you used. Did you have any issues? Was the money paid as they said it would be?
Yes it’s really easy!
Haha, the shoes are perfect. Reminds me of an old wallet I had that was tapped and held with rubber bands, until a friend bought me a new one and insisted I get rid of that ridiculous…! that old wallet had been through a lot with me and it was hard to see it go. Hugs to you. 🙂
Haha!
You are such a bright spot in my life…and wow…that program sounds fantastic. One I shall be looking into myself…xoxo
Yes do!
Interesting app, the blog to print thingy. Will have to check it out. Thanks for the tip, Julie! x
It’s really easy too!
We have to do what makes us happy! I’ve said no to many consulting projects lately pretty much for similar reasons – and it feels good. And personally I’m happy your break wasn’t that long because I always enjoy your posts.
I must have been mad to contemplate it!
Just get yourself some good rain gear and laugh at wet weather. What’s wrong with Ming’s shoes? They look pretty stylish to me.
I had a feeling you might say something like that!
I am a very sympathetic sort of person.
I wasn’t going to visit today being that it is Friday but I did and I am glad I did I want to check out that blog2print site……………….yes Ming needs new shoes
Thanks for the Blog2print infor, I’m going to file it away for later usage. 😀 Ming and his shoes lol I did the same thing with my slippers, my kids took pity on me and bought me new slippers for Christmas, but I was very content with my duct taped slippers, they still worked. 😀
Your blog2print sounds awesome. Glad you found it. And glad you’ve found such a happy rhythm for now. I’m not sure about Ming’s shoes, though. They still have room for more duct tape:)
hahaha i love mings shoes! that is something chris would do:) he is not cheap he just takes a different route than many of us would. he has a difficult time letting go of things, and i guess people. that may be the reason i am still here!
the blog2print program sounds like a great tool. so glad you are going to share your amazingly funny, heartwarming and tragic story with the world.
i send you so many hugs and loads of love my friend