June 21st was my last day as Nurse Manager at NSP.  It went by in a blur.  I thought I would remember key details about the last phone triage call I took.  The last patient I checked in.  Lots of lasts.  I don't remember any of that.  I recall saying a lot of good-byes.  I cried a lot.  I hired 12 of the 17 nursing staff there at that time.  One MA told me that she was torn between leaving her old job and taking a job with NSP.  She said it was the interview with me that clinched the deal.  She spoke of feeling heard, sensing I was a warm and caring person.  Much of the time I felt like I was not doing the job up to the standards it deserved.  I was stressed all of the time.  My take-away from leaving a job I'd been at for so many years is: if you see someone is doing a good job - tell them.  Don't wait until they leave.  I'll carry that with me forever.  I don't miss the stress.  As time goes by; I slowly remember what was so stressful.  What I have now left behind.  I feel a little sad and guilty I left people there that I love and now they might take on that stress.  However, that's not for me to worry about.  I get the privilege of making moves that are right for my life.  The following is my Facebook post describing some of the feelings:

Yesterday I said good-bye to a job that is largely responsible for the skilled RN I am today. They accepted me as a nursing student in 2001. Hired me when I graduated. Said good-bye to me when I moved to Los Angeles for 2 years. Welcomed me back in 2006, promoted me to manager in 2017. Life trajectory drove my emotional decision to leave. Change is hard, especially when so many wonderful people are involved. Forever grateful NSP  

Next chapter: Seattle Children's Hospital.

Jim Creek weekend soon followed my departure from NSP.

Delightful to see these friends again.

It was another hot weekend.

This year we all stayed in a very large lodge with a commercial kitchen.  

We made the most of all the space and loved the community gathering areas.

Seaside July 11-16

✓ Sun

✓Clouds

✓ Dream of flying in a helicopter

✓ OD on salt water taffy

✓ Find a massive cinnamon roll (Ryan's version of heaven)

✓ Ryan taking control of the Bubble Man's performance while the real bubble man ran an errand

✓ getting the most out of our vacation time

I started my job at SCH the week before vacation.  It was a lot of orientation classes etc.  Took our vacation and returned to SCH the following week.  At the time of writing this I am one month in and very happy with the transition. I like the work I am doing, I like my co-workers, grateful for my experience that helps me navigate the job while learning a lot that is new.  I will work from home about once per week.  That'll be totally new for me and I think I can integrate it fairly well, even when the kids are home.  

Birthday week was then upon us.

Ryan's cake request: cinnamon roll cake.  He's now 15

Kathryn's cake request:  Geode cake.  She's now 13

One more month of summer then back to school.   Kathryn will return to Shoreline Christian for her 8th grade year.  Ryan will transition to public high school as a freshman.