Ahhh, HOME

There really isn't another word that invokes such comforting and relaxing thoughts as "home". Ahh, I returned home yesterday from my "work vacation" and even though I was really having a great time in West Valley, I really did miss home and my family and friends. West Valley was a great learning opportunity for me, and also a time for me to grow and develop as a leader. I am excited to bring everything that I've learned back home into my restaurant, and I hope that I can do it in a way that is helpful and fun to others. Here are a few photos from my little work vacation and I'll talk a little more about them later on in the week.

Tonight, Mitch comes home!!!! YAY!!!

This is Craig Soles, DTM (Divisional Training Manager). He came to us from Orlando, Florida. He did not enjoy the snowstorms that visited us this March...

Let's see....Here we have Jim, Kristian, Patrick, and Vince. Jim and Kristian are both Certified Trainers (like me!) and Patrick is a manager in St. George, and Vince is the Culinary Manager at the new West Valley Olive Garden.
Me and Summer....at Tocano's. We were stuffed by the end!

This is Levy, Corey, ME, Rique, and Angie...All are CT's except for Angie, she's also a manager at West Valley. This isn't all of my photos, but just a few!

I'm a New Woman!

So, today, after 2 weeks of intense debilitating pain, and multiple visits to doctor's offices, MRI's and disappointments...I'm happy to say that I am PAIN FREE!!!! There are no words that better describe my current emotion than: HOORAY! I feel like a new woman. And not a day too soon...in 2 days I'm leaving for Utah for work! I know it sounds like I'm crazy when I say I'm excited about leaving for work, but it will be so super fun.
Also, I graduated from my Foundations of Leadership program at work, so that's one more notch in the ole' work belt. I'm happy that it is done, and I have learned so much. Now, the hard part is remembering it all, and actually applying what I have learned.
Anyway, it's late, but I just wanted to update you all and say "Thank goodness for modern medicine!"
The End!
Have a Happy Day!
Ashley

Just Kidding...

So, Tuesday, yesterday, I got up early and got ready to go get the shot that would take me out of pain! It was very difficult to even shower and stand up so I was very much looking forward to this little medical miracle.
I arrived at the doctor's office around 8 am, and filled out a book of paperwork. I then got my blood pressure and temperature checked and then the nurse started asking me general health questions. This was all fine and good. Then, the nurse asked me this:
Nurse: "Have you taken any Ibuprofen or NSAID's in the last 7 days?"
Me: "Yeah, I took 1000 mg of Ibuprofen yesterday."
Nurse: "Ohhhh....that's not good."
Me: "Why? That's all I've been told to take. I've not had a prescription written for pain management. The Ibuprofen doesn't even really touch the pain."
Nurse: "I don't think that Dr. Zoe will be able to do the shot today because Ibuprofen can cause bleeding. I'll have to let her know. We'll probably have to reschedule for next week."
Me (A very frustrated, on the verge of tears, me): "I'll be out of town next week. That's why you all squeezed me into your schedule. I'm leaving Sunday for 3 weeks."
Nurse: "Oh. Well, let me talk to the Dr."

SO, all that being said, I did NOT get the shot yesterday. The doctor said that ibuprofen could cause bleeding at the injection site and it would be an added risk for me. So, instead of next week when I won't be here, they MAGICALLY had some time open up on Friday so I can get the shot. Me (Right Now) = FRUSTRATED!
Not only have I been in constant pain for 2 weeks, I haven't been given anything for the pain. My doctor told me that ibuprofen was the best thing for my back right now, because it will help reduce the inflammation. So, I've been off the "hard stuff" (ibuprofen) since Monday. To make everything worse, I had the WORST headache for the last 24 hours - and I can't take anything for it! AAAHHH!!!
Wow, I am really complaining A LOT! On the positive side, I am responding very well to the decompression therapy (it stretches out my spine, making room for the disk to sort of slip back into place) and my pain has decreased dramatically. Today, I can walk around without too much pain. On a scale of 1 to 10 for pain (1 being the lowest) I'd say it's about a 2 right now. Yesterday it was at a 9.
Hopefully, I'm paying my dues for pain right now, and when I'm older, I won't be in any pain. Any chance that it works that way??
Thanks for all of your concern and support!
Love you all!
Have a great day!
Ash

25 Things...

I've seen this 25 Things post going around on facebook and blogs like CRAZY! I thought I was doing really well because I had yet to be tagged...then, MacKenzie got it and tagged me! AHH! Just Kidding...Okay, 25 Things...

1. I actually really enjoy my job at Olive Garden. Good food and a good job - does it really get better than that?
2. My shoe size is 10. And I LOVE high heels. One day, I want to splurge and buy a REALLY expensive pair of heels, just to say that I've done it.
3. I love, Love, LOVE children! I always have and I always will. Kids are naturally drawn to me.
4. I have my horiscope on my homepage, and if I don't like what it says, I'll search for a horoscope that I do like.
5. People are always coming to me and asking me for advice. I don't know why, but they will seek me out to ask my opinion.
6. I can get almost anyone to talk to me and open up about themselves. I think it's because I like to make people feel at ease and comfortable.
7. I was a dental assistant for about 2 years, and I LOVE cleaning teeth. I know, it's weird, but somebody has to do it, right?
8. I want to live in Disneyland.
9. I went to Maui a few years ago, and got sea sick while we were swimming with the turtles.
10. I am TERRIFIED of heights.
11. I think I am hilarious....wait, I KNOW I'm hilarous. ;)
12. I am a fan of ALL three High School Musicals, and I'm not embarrased.
13. I also like the Jonas Brothers. :)
14. I have always wanted to be famous for something - I really wanted to be a country singer and be up on stage.
15. I have a very active imagination.
16. I think that the kids on Jon and Kate plus 8 are sooo adorable.
17. I didn't really like the Twilight series - I just read them because my sister said that they were AWESOME. Me, not so much.
18. I have an obsession with taking pictures wherever I go. I always have a camera with me.
19. My baby brother is in the Army National Guard, and I couldn't be more proud.
20. My neice Brookie and I are BFF. And I can't wait to go to Arizona and visit!
21. I love the old Disney shows - Even Stevens, Lizzie McGuire, The Famous Jett Jackson...the oldies, but goodies.
22. I am so ticklish.
23. I love to go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned. I also like to try out new toothbrushes and new toothpaste.
24. Nothing beats the feeling of new socks.
25. I love my family more than anything in the world!

Now I have to tag? I will tag Renee...I think she's the only one who reads my blog who hasn't been tagged to do this! Haha! :)

Shot

That's right! I FINALLY have an appointment with a doctor in Idaho Falls to have a steroid "cortizone" shot. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it works! Initially, when I was referred to this particular doctor, they said that they couldn't see me until March 12. Two big problems with that date: #1 - That's about 2 weeks away, and I've already been in an incredible amount of pain for a week - a week too long..., and #2 - I'll be in Utah. I'm leaving on the 8th of March and I won't be back until the 25 or 26th... So, after I tell the lady this, she says "How about March 26th then..." I'm thinking in my mind "what the eff lady? Don't you get it!? I hurt too badly to even work! I can't wait..." After I hung up with her, I called my doctor and told him what was going on. He must have a lot of pull, because this morning he called and said that I had an appointment for Tuesday (tomorrow) at 8 AM. HOORAY!
Maybe I'm really on the way to no back pain....
Only time will tell...
Have a great day!