Fifteen months and this is the thanks I get...

Yep, I've been at my job for fifteen months, in a "temporary" position. When I started, I was told that I would be made permanent when the previous therapist resigned or was fired(he went out on a medical leave to avoid the termination), but they dragged their feet. And now it's too late.

Last Sunday, my union representative called me to tell me that she had had a meeting with someone from the capital and she was told that the "temporary" positions would all be terminated in the next few months due to the closing of another facility and the need to make jobs for those employees.

I kept this information to myself, not sure what I was going to do. On Thursday, my boss finally came to me and told me that it was true, and that he fought to keep me, but was told by the administration that there was nothing they could do. He actually sounded remorseful, telling me that I was the best therapist that he had worked with and was sorry that he couldn't save my job. When I told him that I already knew, he was surprised and asked me how I could keep coming to work everyday and being professional....I told him it was my moral obligation, and that my integrity kept me from screwing over my kids when I was getting royally screwed. It's not their fault that this administration sucks.

So, yesterday, I filled out the paperwork to try and go back to what I was doing, investigations...but when I called my contact in the capital, she told me that currently, they weren't allowed to fill any positions until the new allocations numbers for new positions were published...and she didn't know when that would be. She said she would keep me posted.

So...basically, I'm out of a job. I don't know when the pink slip will come....but it has to be done before March 1st.

I'm so angry that I can't even write eloquently about this experience.

I have busted my ass working with the worst girls in the state, literally spilling blood on ocasion to help them. Getting called a fat white bitch on a regular basis. Listening to stories of horrific abuse and neglect. Putting bandaids on hemmorages(sp?). In my fifteen months here, the staff on our unit has turned over twice. Because these girls are soooooooo difficult to work with. And I'm still here. I've been told by so many staff, teachers, other professionals that I'm the best. I care the most....

And it's just not good enough. My boss even told me the other day that I was the best thing since sliced bread.

The only bright spot right now is Steve. He's still sweet, calm, a great listener, still treats me like a goddess....I truly appreciate him for being here.

Merry fucking Christmas.

Arizona pics pt. deux

After watching the sunrise in the Grand Canyon, we returned to our hotel to see these guys hanging' out in front of the hotel!
I'm sometimes "pretty"....I walked right up to them and snapped this picture. I'm glad they didn't see me as a threat!
Ain't this just the sweetest!?!
Tarantula! He was scarier than the elk!
Just amazing!