Why Are My Pants Getting Tight???

My pants seem a little snug lately. Below might just be why....

Sheridan Here I Come

After much deliberation and deciding between other offers, I officially have accepted a Casemanager position in the beautiful Sheridan, WY. The position is at the management level and I will no longer be a direct care staff. I will now be working 8-5 Monday through Friday coordinating with all casework tasks. The official job description is the following: Provides case management to youth and their families who are court-ordered to a residential facility; participates in court review hearings; maintains contact & provides correspondence to parents, field & judicial personnel.

The interview process was quite strenuous. I interviewed at the Worland Boy's School a week prior and after they told me that they would have an answer in two weeks, they called me the next day and offered me the position. So, when I was asked to interview for the Sheridan position, I knew that with it being a higher ranking position, I was going to really have to work for it. After the initial interview, I was asked to come back, sit in some meetings, and tour the facility while getting to know the rest of the management team before they made a decision. After spending the morning with them, I was posted behind closed doors with who will now be my direct boss and the Superintendent of the facility where we then negotiated salary and possible start dates. At that time, both I and them had the oppertunity to ask any and all last questions. I left after they told me they would have a decision made by Wednesday. But, i didn't leave for Newcastle, my next stop was Riverton where I was awarded an interview for a parole agent. 1 of only 9 that were granted interviews out of 114 applicants. With no field experience or experience with adult offenders, I felt out of my element but gave it my best go and things went well. A position that would be a great opportunity, but on my drive home yesterday, my phone rang and showed the Sheridan number. My heart jumped and before I even had time to let myself get nervous, I answered. When I heard the words, "How would you like to come work for us?" I was so excited and finally felt like all I had gone through the last few months was finally paying off. And not just the last few months of hard work, but I remember attending college and going further and further in debt, not knowing if it would ever pay off. But,getting that call, I knew I had done something right. I was one of three finalists in Sheridan and offered an amazing management position after much hard work and a long three years of gaining valuable experience in South Dakota.. After an evening of weighing out the pros and cons of my offers, I was relieved to make the call to Sheridan informing them of my acceptance to their offer.

So, now I embark on a new adventure. The facility is insanely nice. It was all rebuilt two years ago with brand new buildings. Plasma screen tv's, computer labs that are amazing, my own private office, and a huge chance to make a serious difference in adjudicated youth's lives. Their recidivism rate is at a remarkably low 17%. Not to mention, I will now be making DOUBLE what I made in South Dakota! God has blessed me. I know it will still be hard as I've always struggled with change, but I will be in great proximity to my family in one of the nicest, cleanest, cities in Wyoming.

Thanks to all for your support and dedication to me during this journey. Luckily, I don't have to start until September 1st which gives me time to make a smooth transition and go on that trip to Washington DC with my friends. Adventures await! Stay tuned to hear all about them.

Date with Afton

As you can tell by previous posts, I make it a point to spend special time with all my nieces and nephews with yesterday being no exception. First, I took Abby horseback riding about a month ago. Then it was Gideon's turn and took him panning for gold and ever since, Afton has been asking when it will be our turn. Because I've been doing this with them for years now, I'm running out of cool things for us to do. Here is a list of all the places I have taken these three special kids: Numerous hikes through the hills, Legion lake paddle boating and playing, Sylvan lake swimming, Blue Bell stables, jewel cave, Old McDonald's Farm (one of their favorites), Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, movie theaters, Gold mines, miniature golfing, Flinstones, shopping, fancy dinners, Gultches of Fun, Crazy Horse, and now, Putz and Glo, Gemstone panning, and the wacky maze. I'm sure there's more but I just can't think of them. So if you have any new ideas of things to do in the hills that children will enjoy, just let me know!

Afton and I had a great time. I did her hair before we left which she absolutely loved, got her a special pop all of her own, and headed to Rapid City. She loved miniature golfing but refused to take the time to hold her club right or even hit the ball standing on the correct side of it. She wouldn't even let the ball stop before hitting it again in a mad attempt to make her target. I had to smile seeing so much of myself and instant gratification in her not caring about the little rules and more concerned with enjoying the moment. At first, I tried to get her to play by the rules; take turns hitting our balls, and doing things right, but who cares! We were just there for fun. So, after going through 18 holes in less than a half an hour we headed outside for the fun filled maze. Afton ran through that thing and I had a hard time keeping up. She'd find one of the many destinations and start yelling that she had found it while punching the card provided with a hole punch to show we had actually found the designated areas. Then she'd take off on another mad dash. However, we did finish by coming out the "Entrance" rather than "Exit" cause she started getting frustrated. After that, we got a bag full of dirt and she learned how to pan for gemstones. She loved finding her beautiful rocks and insisted on dumping them all out on a piece of paper in the car once we left trying to examine every one while they slid everywhere. I took her to the mall, bought her a new outfit which, may I add, I had to buy her a size 24month shorts in order for them to actually stay around her waist. She's 5 and 1/2 years old! Then took her for her favorite: McDonald's. We had a wonderful time and I value every minute spent with my heart. She's my poop scoopin' it lovin' it! Thanks for a wonderful afternoon baby ATON! Auntie loves you more than anything in the world.

Tearin' UP UPton

Ok so... Yesterday my good friend Jana came to town and I hadn't seen her in eight years so when she calls me at 9 in the morning telling me we are going to Upton fun days I just couldn't possibly say no. So, I rolled out of bed, got out of my PJ's and made my way to Upton for a fun filled morning. What a riot. She insisted that we make it in time for the Upton parade. And what a site it was. Talk about your top notch small town parade. WOW! The picture below is the best float I saw! Talk about your classy parade.


Ok, so there were better float but how funny when this is what we saw driving into town. We had a great time and then ventured into The Cowboy for some food. And you will not believe it, but there were two drunk boys in there that started yelling at me when I was not returning their slight jests. So, momma bear Jana popped up and took care of it real quick. I thought it was quite amusing as I work in places where guys yell at me all the time anyways, but Jana was not gonna have it. I thought she was gonna knock him on his butt real quick at one point. But, man, did it make for a good laugh coming home. Then I got to spend the evening out at dinner with great people putting a wonderful evening on a stellar morning. That is... until Jana told me that my college degree was nothing more than a cookie cutter cutting another cookie and molding it to what society wants. You know Jana.... I do have a brain and can think on my own! :) All in good fun....All in good fun.

The Lakotas Live On

Me and my three cute kids at Crazy Horse

Hoop dancing. First time I ever saw it!

An amazing head piece for a male chicken dancer

Being the white girl asking for a picture with natives in full burgalia

This may possibly be a grassdance. I can't remember. Pow Wow in SD


Last night I went up to Crazy Horse with my sister and her kids. Years ago, I was told that every night the Lakota people come and do traditional native dancing and I attended. I was inspired and ah struck at the beauty of the dances set with such a serene background as Crazy Horse; a momunment dedicated to their culture and the warriors that have fallen for their people. I have since attended a couple more time. So, yesterday, I thought it would be fun to take my sister. I have free admittance to Crazy Horse since I am from Custer so I can go whenever I want. Unfortnately, they started to dance early so we only caught a couple dances but it was awesome. I finally got to see traditional hoop dancing. My favorite is chicken dancing or men's fancy dance but those aren't often seen up there. So, I was excited to finally get to see a new form of dancing.

Never did I think I would be so passionate about the native people. When I started working in South Dakota, I worked with many natives but did not value their culture until I moved to work with the boys. The things I was introduced to, observed,and saw a need for was quite eye opening to me. Before working in SD the only exposure I had to a people of such a unique culture was driving through the Harden Reservation in MT. Now, I often use a couple lakota words that the boys taught me, I say things like, "are you from the rez?" instaed of "reservation" and I know that they refer to themselves as "Natives" and not Indians. Because of my work with this population, they are often surprised to see a white girl talk knowledgably about smoke sessions, smudging, and pow wows while throwing out some of the native slang that seems to be a small part of me after embracing their people.

Point being... these people are in such need of help. I know, I've heard it all. The government enables them with their monthly checks, they need to help themselves first, or they actively discriminate against us to begin with. And I'm not saying I disagree but Bottom Line: the poorest county in our nation resides right outside our own Rapid City, SD; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Death occurs on a regular basis due to alcoholism, suicide, child starvation, and gang fights. Packs of wild dogs roam the land killing smaller dogs and eating their carcuses. Heat and clean water are not always just a given. There are over 100 known gangs on this single reservation alone. So regardless of how they got to such a horrible place, they ARE there and desperately grasping onto anything that gives them a sence of being in light of such a lost culture, values, and traditions unknown to many of their youth. I know and I get it, but when you see those Lakota volunteers dancing at crazy horse or a grandpa or auntie (yes, that's what they call their aunts. NEVER AUNT but auntie) teaching a young one how to speak Lakota or how to take pride in the Ogalala Nation, it is hard, at least for me, to not feel a great sense or respect for a people torn to their core right now. To watch dancers keep their culture, traditions, and their ways alive under a backdrop like crazy horse, a person would be a fool to not see the immense depth and sincerety the elders of their nation are trying so desperately to keep alive; hold onto and transfer into their youth. If ever given the chance, take an evening to visit Crazy Horse; see the culture, dancing, nightly light show, and realize that, at that time, you stand in the heart of a people and time unlike any other.

In Wyoming I Stay

It was quite refreshing to change my background colors of this blog back to Brown and Gold. After some further research and influence from everyone.... I decided to not make another move to another place that may be just as bad as Indonesia. Ok, Ok, not that bad, but still.... Although the facility in Nebraska offered me a position and I am very grateful for the opportunity they presented, it just didn't seem like a good fit. Also, my father did some research and actually found connections from people that work for DOC in Wyoming and have also worked at this specific institution. Their reports were horrible so I made the decision to rescind my acceptance of the position. Although it's tough to be back at square one and again, I start to kick myself for having the brilliant idea to move to a third world country, then I kick myself for leaving that country, then I kick myself for _________ (fill in the blank)I still have faith that this roller coaster will end someday with my feet on the ground.

I have gotten used to being in Newcastle again though. I'm ready to leave. There's no doubt about that, but I have enjoyed being able to jump from house to house and have found some happiness here. I think the best part was softball, tball, and baseball season; which all just finished this weekend. It was such a joy to watch Abby, Gideon, and Afton play. Since my sister is still struggling, I had a good share of the responsibility to get them to and from games, practices, banquets, etc. I very much enjoyed it and had a blast at the fast pitch state tourny watching Abby and the rest of the girls beat Green River. That's right, we beat Green River. I will very much enjoy having my own place again and to not be living out of boxes! Until then... I shall continue to be a nomad!

Gold panning and golfing

Today I took my nephew for a special day with Auntie. I drove by the Broken Boot gold mine outside of Deadwood a few weeks ago and just knew he would love it. We set off to do the tour then pan for gold and then minature golfing at Gultches of Fun. He loved it all. It was so fun to see how excited he was when he found gold in his rocks. You would have thought he won the lottery. It was great to watch and even better to get to be a part of. He held onto his jar of gold all afternoon and kept placing it in special spots in the car. Then we went miniature golfing and he was super thrilled when he got a hole in one. I couldn't believe it. Freak accident! Or.... was it all skill??? I think not :) We had a great time and on the way home, you would think this kid was four or something because one question after another came from him. And not easy ones mind you. Such as: How did the Indians get to America before anyone else came? and why did we have a civil war? and were we part of the north that won? Oh, here was a good one... Who was the best president? Also, what president is on the quarter? Then we switched to asking about bugs since I have bug splatters on my window. Why do bugs get hit by cars? How come they splatter? Why are there two sides of windows in the restraunt? THere's like two layers and he wants to know why it's double paned glass. Then he switches back to indians again and wants to know why we started being mean to them cause he heard that, at first, we were nice. And on And on. Oh yeah, finally.... he wants to know if I think Adam and Eve were black people. Phew!!! What a ride home!

All School Reunion

I attended a couple events at the all school reunion this weekend. But not all... One night out was quite enough! I had a good time and it was great to see old faces.