Master Social Worker

I am now officially a Master Social Worker! That is a funny way to say it - all throughout the ceremony we kept being referred to as "master social workers." It totally makes me think of the Colonization computer game I played when I was younger. You had blacksmiths, and then master blacksmiths, carpenters, and then master carpenters, and so on. So now I have earned enough points to move from social worker to master social worker : )

We had a nice dinner Friday after the ceremony with my family, and then we had a barbecue picnic Saturday afternoon with friends. I had a lot of fun just hanging out with my friends, enjoying the moment. My apologies go out to anyone who was cornered by my grandfather or my great uncle. They are incorrigible to say the least!! My dad took a lot of pictures, and I will post a few up here.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me these past four years and especially sat through my gripe sessions.... Your friendship and support helped me reach this day : )

Back to the normal world

Jonathan and I received an incredible gift on Sunday - a car! It was a combined effort by his grandfather, grandmother, and parents, and we are very thankful that they were sweet and gracious to give this to us. It is a 2001 Subaru Forrester, and it has more miles on it than my poor Jeep, but it's engine works...the Jeep's engine does not work. I will post a picture soon : )

I must admit that I was skeptical at first. I did not want to take a hand out, and as I thought more about it, pride was at the heart of my attitude. Not only pride that I wanted to take care of myself instead of having others take care of me, but pride in being a little rebellious and living as a Memphian without a car. So, we accepted the gift, and I was still a little uneasy about it. But then as I was driving to an appointment Monday afternoon, it hit me..."Our family GAVE us a CAR!" There is no way that we could have afforded to buy this off of a lot, and it has been such a blessing in the three days we have had it! I have been able to help out my team more at work, Jonathan and I were able to grab a quick dinner together in between appointments last night, and my commute to work is now 15 minutes instead of an hour.

Downside to owning a car is that I have not walked more than a few hundred feet at a time since Sunday (when I walked from church to Jason's Deli for lunch). I am going to have to do something to get exercise into my life!! I think we will still walk for errands around our neighborhood, there will be days when Jonathan needs to car, so I will still take the bus to work, and I still plan to run to church on Wednesday nights as much as I can.

So, friends, hopefully you won't receive many more emails and phone calls from the Hulgans asking for transportation places. Thank you for your support over the past nine months : )

How the President's proposed budget will help pay my salary...

I know I have mentioned before on this blog that since my salary is paid through federal and state funds, your tax dollars help pay my salary (and subsequently feed me, keep a roof over my head, clothe me, pay my student loans, etc.). We just found out today that Youth Villages has been listed as a beneficiary of funds in Obama's proposed budget. Read slightly more HERE.

Some encouragement for the $250 challenge!

This is for my Memphis friends...since I think it would be pretty difficult to do this for out of towners:

The FIRST person to donate to my Breast Cancer 3-Day account will receive a home-cooked dinner for their family! I'm a bit of a foodie, and most of you have tasted at least something that I have cooked, so hopefully this is a good award : ) I can cook something you request, or I can surprise you!

So there it is - FREE home-cooked meal, brought to your home, for your family, lovingly prepared by yours truly. I need to raise $250 by May 15th!!! Donate by clicking on the 3-Day box at the top of the page, or click on the "My 3-day page" link on the left side of the page.

Thank you for your support as I raise money to end breast cancer!!