Personality "proof"

This Type A person is very sleepy...I actually have to WORK tomorrow. I had to say good-bye to "Hope" this afternoon. She is going to make a little girl SO happy tomorrow. I hope someone gets a picture of that moment, not only for ME, but for her mom who will miss that special meeting.

You Have A Type A- Personality

You are one of the most balanced people around Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - incorporating the best of both worlds

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

Out of the Box

So, like Thanksgiving dinner, my cousin and I were the last to arrive today. It was okay, but funny since I'm a bit Type A and she lives in New York. I guess both of us took advantage of the "slower pace" of a vacation! We still made it in time to go to breakfast with Grandma. There are 8 kids and 21 grand kids on that side of the family. The first three kids only had girls, the next three had a mix, and the last two had boys. So, the first 10 grand kids were girls and our holidays were always fun (I'm the oldest)! Today, 7 of us were available to "hang out" with Grandma. A good time was had by all.

My sister had to go sign some papers for her house, and the rest of the girls were going shopping. I decided just to "ride along" with my mom to take my sister where she needed to go (I know, getting "carted around" by our mom, but neither of us likes to drive!). While riding in the car, I received an interesting phone call. It is no secret that I care a lot about my patients and their families and MAY have some "boundaries issues", but it is all because I care and because I can (and I hope that I would never make anyone uncomfortable). This has given me opportunities to be really happy, and really sad. Most of the time it is little things that I can do, like sit with a kid for a while while the parent takes a break, take some siblings for a few hours, let someone do free laundry at my house...NOT a big deal! There have, of course, been bigger things, like watching a few kids at the hospital while their sibling was born (SO lucky she had fast labor because THAT was the middle of the night!). This phone call took me so much by surprise that I had no idea what to say. My mom was driving and was a bit in shock as well! I was asked if I could take care of a brand new 6-week-old puppy today and tomorrow until the family was able to bring her home. WHAT?! ME?! I would definitely catergorize myself as "not a pet person"...I barely even TOUCH my sister and brother-in-law's dog when he comes around. I think at one point in the conversation, I said "well, I DID say that I would do ANYTHING to help you out"...SURE I can do that! So, my mom drove me to the hospital to pick up this very sweet little puppy named Hope and then back to my aunt and uncle's (since, of course, I didn't have my car!). Everyone wanted to play with the puppy and hold her, so we stayed there for a while (she is VERY cuddly and will be a wonderful Christmas present for a very sweet girl) . As I type, she is asleep next to my feet (she was in my lap, but I've been moving around a little bit to much!). I'm not exactly sure what to expect for the night, considering I've never been a mother or a puppy owner. I'm thinking there will not be much sleeping going on, but hopefully no "accidents". My cousin is leaving for the airport at 3:30 AM anyway, so I'l be awake at that time for sure

My mom said she was proud of me for "going out of the box" and bringing a puppy into my home (she put vodka in the pie crust, I'm puppy sitting...what a weekend!). So, that definitely makes it worth it (plus the fact that the family was VERY appreciative). Although, I guess that means that my "puppy nephew" will have to be welcome here on occasion as well... The puppy is asleep, so I should try and catch some "shut eye" as well.

Some photos from the Holiday

Looks like a Christmas picture to me!

Playing "Crummy Rummy" with the family

Breakfast with Grandma-very fun!
This is Hope

Lucky again?!

One wouldn't think that a phone call at 5:15 AM would be a good thing, but when that call is asking if you would like the possibility of having the day off, it is a VERY nice thing! Of course I said sure, since that meant I could sleep longer AND potentially be able to spend an entire day with my family who is still in town for the holiday. I DID miss out on the early morning shopping, since they went out before 5:00 when I was still thinking I had to work, but staying in bed until 7:30 was a wonderful surprise (even though 7:30 is STILL early in my book!). I was "on call" until about 5:00, but the only stipulation for that is getting to work in 30 minutes after they call you. I went out to breakfast, and to my aunt and uncles with "everyone else". It was a GREAT time! We had our turkey enchiladas and turkey noodle soup as usual for our "day after Thanksgiving leftovers". We played "crummy rummy" and just had a great time visiting with each other. I can't believe it was my "turn" to get the day off work and I definitely think I made the most of it. I have the weekend off as well, so tomorrow will be more fun with the family :o) (and Sunday, unfortunately probably means more leaf-raking which will not be fun in the freezing temperatures, but I'm not going to worry about that now!). If I go to bed now, I can get a nice amount of sleep. So, lucky again, and VERY blessed!

Giving Thanks

My cousin who lives in New York flew into town yesterday for the holiday. She is spending the weekend with me, which was a nice incentive for me to pick up some of the stuff that has just been piling up because I live alone. Of course, I have a LONG way to go before I'd let too many people see my home, but I got a good start. She went out to dinner with a friend, and I ate with my parents. I offered to pick someone up at the airport late last night, but they didn't end up needing me. SO, I went out with two of my cousins. We are all the oldest in our families, of the oldest three kids on my mom's side of the family, who only have sisters. It was the first time any of us could remember JUST the three of us "hanging out". We had a WONDERFUL time! I am thankful that things worked out this way (because I had planned on using the airport excuse to not go out, or would not have been able to stay out as long). One of those "everything happens for a reason" moments...

Today, I did not have to work. However, either because of my work, or simply getting older, I have come to realize how very blessed I am to have such a terrific family, and how hard it would be to be separated from them. So many of the families whose children are cared for at my hospital have more separation than anyone could imagine. It is a huge hardship/stressor for them, which is sometimes forgotten by "us" health care workers. At my family dinner today, we had THIRTY people! I was able to see BOTH sets of grandparents, four aunts, four uncles, and thirteen cousins (and of course "others" because that doesn't add up to 30!). If I would have stayed with that side of the family for the rest of the day, I would have been the 25th person at the "bowling outing". I am SO blessed that family has always such an important part of my life.

This poem was posted in a comment on another blog I read. I really liked it, so decided to post it here, so I won't forget its message. I truly am blessed, and am trying to make sure I remember that every day!

Thank today whom you may not be able to thank tomorrow...
Forgive today whom you may not be able to forgive tomorrow....

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

True wealth is the blessings you see in your life.
True wealth is the blessings you give to others.
True wealth is what you give, not what you have or get...

Even though "no one" really reads this, I guess I should say "Happy Thanksgiving". I know that I am "giving thanks", ESPECIALLY today, but striving for every day.

Oh the blessings!

So, I have gotten the attitude adjustment I was seeking. I don't know if it was the retreat or a woman I have come to know who had an AMAZING ability to see the blessings in EVERYTHING or something else entirely, but I'm liking the "new me". That sounds like I was a pretty bad person before, which is not the case. I generally HAVE been a very positive, kind, caring, and generous person, but I felt like I was in a "rut" where I randomly would get easily frustruated, and just "snap" into a not very nice person. A couple of days could be explained by "I'm a woman, that's why", but I was feeling a little out of control. I don't recall being "called out" on my behavior more than once or twice, so maybe I wasn't THAT bad, but once or twice is enough to really think about what's going on.

I worked three days in a row, which can be enough to make ANYONE a little crabby, but my three shifts were GREAT! (of course, the first day I got off early, but that's beside the point!). Yesterday, I floated to the PICU, which typically is not that pleasant of an experience because it is hard not knowing the people that well or where things are. However, I got to take care of two patients that are VERY familiar to me, and actually two of my "favorites". It was such a fun day, because neither was really that sick, and they were right across the hall from each other, so my legs got a nice break. Having only TWO patients was nice as well, especially two patients who had family there the entire day. It also is a WONDERFUL "ego boost" to have parents/patients tell you that you are one of their favorite nurses :o) Gotta love that!

This morning, I woke up to our first snow. That make me a bit crabby, but I was reminded by the woman first mentioned above how BEAUTIFUL of a blessing this is. She is from the South, though, so doesn't QUITE realize how annoying snow can be year after year! It did, however, make me smile that she was so happy about the snow, so now I'm less crabby about it (although it would have been nice to have all my leaves raked up before there was snow piled on top of them!). I'm working on cleaning my house (obviously not now as I type, so I'd better get back to work!) before I pick up my cousin at the airport. It's going to be a wondeful Thanksgiving...it HAD to be, because I'm "done being crabby!"

Prayers go out to ALL the families with kids in the hospital. Yesterday, there were still 13 patients in our PICU, 9 of whom remain on ventilators. We also had over 20 patients on the floor, many who will still be there tomorrow. There are many who will celebrate this holiday season separated from their families, or have no family. Prayers of thanksgiving that I have been SO very blessed.

Lucky Duck

I may have slept in a little longer than I should have, but I DID clock in on time. I was, however, the last nurse to come. As mentioned in a previous post, unless you were there the day prior, the last one to arrive typically gets "the leftovers", since everyone else has already "picked" their patients. The two patients who were left did not seem like a very good combo, but I did not complain except to say I was going to be confused since their names (and diagnoses) were SO similar (I said the wrong names all day). I found out that when those were the two patients left, one of the other nurses said no way she would take THOSE two and went to the other side. (Now why is it that the ONE time that I did that, I was "given a talk", but others can do it all the time?! Oh well, that's life I suppose.). Anyway, neither girl was TOO sick, but both are "notorious" for being sassy at times, and usually quite "needy" (that darn call light!). Anyway, I decided days ago that I was going to have a good day, so a good day was the plan. The one girl and I had "issues" because, as she says, she has a "grudge" against me from something that happened TWO years ago, and refused to do what I asked and threw her bedpan across the room--NICE, huh?! Now THAT wasn't a very fun hour and a half, but at least it didn't happen when I had other sick patients who needed me. She ended up getting discharged, and we hadn't gotten any admissions, so I gave report on my one patient to the charge nurse, and got to leave around 3:30. It was such a wonderful surprise! Maybe I should try being positive more often...good things seem to come to those people :o)

So, I got off early and stopped to get some ice cream and write a quick note to one of the moms before I headed for home. I raked some leaves, and did some laundry and dishes. I also cooked lunch for tomorrow and took a bath. I still have a bit of stuff to do around the house to prepare for my Thanksgiving guests. I know at least one cousin will stay here, but am not sure how many more. It will be fun, even though I do have to work the day after Thanksgiving.

Remember when this used to be fun?!

I guess it STILL kind of is!

The side yard...I did rake a few of those leaves,

but they still need to be bagged

Lots and lots of leaves (the backyard)

A portion of ONE of the huge trees in my yard...

there are a LOT of leaves left!

Back to work tomorrow. I "bathed" tonight, so can sleep in a little longer again tomorrow...maybe I can be lucky with the "left-overs" again :o) I'll at least plan to be positive with whatever the day may bring (Mondays can be quite rough!). Good night!

Much Better!

I had a wonderful day today, even though I did NOT rake my leaves OR do any cleaning of my house...still need to work on making that a priority, but I think I needed these three days to recover. I feel like I am ready to "jump in" to three days of work and then I'll get a break again for the holiday (lucky me!).

My visit went well...I have decided that the situation is not for me to worry about, because that is not why I am there. It really is probably the easiest job I can imagine, especially for the amount I am being paid. So, I guess I only need to look to this post, the next time I try to complain about it! I probably will miss it when I'm finished.

I had lunch with my mom, and my parents got their new washer and dryer. They are very excited about that! This afternoon, I went to a party at my aunt's house along with another aunt and two cousins. I rode with one of my cousins during the 30 minute drive and we had a nice visit. The party was fun, even though it was a clothing-selling type party with $100 being the average price for an item...SO not in MY budget, but it was a gathering of family and at least I was not expected to buy anything! We had dinner after the party. Then, I ordered supplies to make Christmas gifts for my friends and co-workers. I'm excited about that!! Supposedly, it isn't going to be that difficult, but I DID get the idea from one of my very creative cousins...so, we shall see about that!

I haven't had to get up early in a while, so probably should go to bed soon. This doesn't look like I did much today, but it just was nice getting out of the house doing out-of-the-ordinary things with my family. It probably helps too that my one friend should have gotten to go home from the hospital on Thursday, and another couple families I have been praying for seem to be having better days. I feel a lot better when the people around me are happy :O) Now, if only I could make myself NOT so sad when the people around me are hurting...oh yeah, that pretty much makes me who I am, so not holding my breath on that one! Good night.

Growing Up

Another "day off" was greatly appreciated! I did a visit this morning (it WAS hard to get up to go, but it is NOT hard work at all, so as my mom said "put your little violin away"). I had some "down time" that I planned to do some cleaning and DID actually pick up a couple of things, but would not call it "progress". I had an eye doctor appointment and decided to get new lenses for one of my pairs of glasses because they are nearly four years old. New lenses cost $200!! That is WITH insurance AND I didn't get new frames! Seems crazy, but at least I have a flexible spending account that had more than enough money left to pay for them. I then went at paid my house payment (nothing like waiting until the last day!). As you may be realizing, this was quite the expensive day (good thing it was "pay day"!). I went to the grocery store, and put gas in my car. I sent off my credit card and gas/water bills. I went to the store and bought a new queen size bed for my guest room, BECAUSE...MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND GOT A HOUSE!!! They have been looking for a while, and their apartment lease is up at the end of November. They hope to be able to move the middle of December, if the inspection and everything goes as planned. The bed that is currently in my guest room is my sister's from when she lived here. So, since their house has four bedrooms, they need it back. I got a really good deal, I think, and it is 15 months with no interest, so "manageable".

I guess "Growing Up" means lots of bills...but being a "homeowner" is pretty darn cool :o) I can't believe it's almost been a year that I've been living here by myself, in my OWN house. Love it!

So, I actually didn't go to bed early last night, and have another busy day tomorrow, so will try again tonight! I work Sunday, Monday, Tuesday at the hospital so REALLY should "rest up" before then.

A Time To Be Grateful

Before I journal about today, I should mention that yesterday was my last day at the hospital until Sunday. Three days "off" was much needed. I did okay at work, but still feel like I am having troubles keeping my positive attitude and fear that I am not always as kind as I should be, and WANT to be. After work, I had a "girls night in" with a friend (who just so happens to be a mother of one of the patients). It was GREAT to do something social--we had pizza, cheese bread, and wine! We hadn't talked in a few months, so were able to "catch up" (although, I did a LOT more talking than listening...I think I need to work on my listening skills!). I felt grateful for having such wonderful friends who help put things into perspective for me, but was still looking forward to today!

Today was a day I had been anxiously awaiting--a retreat with the title "A Time To Be Grateful". A day for MYSELF, a day "off" from everything my heart and head would allow me to leave behind. I didn't exactly know what to expect, since I had never been on a retreat like this. I figured there would be some tears because I've been so close for so long. Turns out I was already crying BEFORE I left the house related at least in part to a posting on a blog I read that I HAD to look at this morning (I admit to having issues with that..). I got a coffee and breakfast at Starbucks and headed West for 40 minutes to the retreat center (and cried at various points during different songs on my Ipod, of course!). I was welcomed to the center and discovered there were fifteen women there, including the facilitator. I'm thinking that all but one of them was old enough to be my mother, and I'm pretty sure most of the rest probably could have been my grandmothers. I AM 28, though, and guess that make me an adult, so I didn't really feel out-of-place! In fact, I think I was even MORE comfortable because these women were NOT my "peers".

During our first session, we talked about gratefulness coming from being able to see beauty. We had a nice discussion and then were given time to reflect. Some of my thoughts included seeing beauty in death (I gave an example of that during our discussion), and in the gift of new life (my work trying to sneak in to my day...that happened more than I would have hoped, but it was okay I guess). How every day should be treated like a gift, because no one is promised a "tomorrow", and how grateful I am for the love of my family and friends. How grateful I am of the life I have been given. My mind kept going to the Natalie Grant song "Something Beautiful" (probably because I heard her sing "live" a week ago, but it IS fitting!). One part I like says "The life you've been living, the days that you've been given, were made for something Beautiful. Life- Don't let it pass you by because you were created for something Beautiful". I reflected on this for quite a bit, because I have been having a hard time trying to figure out if what I am doing with my life is really what I am supposed to be doing (or, if I really am doing what I think I am doing which is what I am supposed to be doing...no wonder I'm confused!).

Anyway, we came back together for the second session that was about imagination and creativity. The facilitator told us that we are ALL creative, but each in our own unique way, because God created us that way. God has the "Divine Imagination". Creativity is paying attention to who I am, the world around me, and my response to that. (It sounded a lot better when she said it, and did make a little more sense than this, but it was meaningful at that time.) We were given a folder of "Creativity Stuff" which of course would have "freaked out" all of us whose brains don't work that way, had it not been for her previous discussion that we ALL have creativity! There were some different ideas of things to do during our next break before lunch. I ended up trying to do "border art" without much success besides finding a fitting scripture "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things" while I was listening to some of my favorite music. It worked, I guess, but I was "grateful" that we only had a short time for that activity before lunch!



After lunch, there were options to do art meditation, walk the labyrinth, or whatever you wanted to do. I decided to walk the Labyrinth , which is a really neat way to do reflection and meditation. This is a picture of what that looks like. During that time, I had to force myself to SLOW DOWN, because I am so used to walking fast (being a "vertically challenged" nurse is a double whammy for slow walking!). I also used that time to try and focus on all the wonderful things in my life that I am grateful for, and what wonderful people God has placed in my life (even if they are only in my life because I have "sought them out" through the "blogging community").

What I great day! I felt more refreshed, having spent an entire day away from home that did not involve working, and with goals to not only be more grateful in my every day life, but also to do a better job of looking at the beauty in nature (I don't get outside much). On the way home, I spoke with another dear friend who helps me put the pieces together when I am "broken" (again, there were tears!). She has a nice gentleman she wants me to meet. As if I need more anxiety in my life, but I agreed that if he called, I would not say "no"...so, this story may continue!

When I got home, I checked a few of the blogs I read (even though in talking to this friend, I mentioned that I read blogs of people who have had really sad things happen to their lives...I'm sure THAT has no effect on my "mood"...I told her that those people INSPIRE me with their faith and perspective, which is my reason for reading, not to "punish myself" for my "perfect life"). Anyway, this blog had something written that seems to sum up what I think is going on with me (at least somewhat), but hadn't been able to put into words, or fully understand. Oh how wonderful God is! "I will admit that I tend to get a heavy heart at times, worrying and concerning myself with the burdens of other peoples' lives to the point where it starts to impose on the life I have at hand. It's a constant juggle for me- a permanent tension in my heart. The compassion and concern I have for the needs and heartache of others tugs so strongly on my heart. I do a lot of praying, and lately I find myself asking God, "what do you want me to do?"."

So, that was my day...then, I had a meeting at my high school where I am on the Alumnae Council and got to share my experience of the day. I'm tired, so think I'll be going to bed early (that's the plan anyway...people everywhere have been "commenting" on how tired I look, and that is NOT good!).

Nothing, or Everything?

or somewhere in between? For a length of time (a couple days, a week?), I have felt like I am always on the brink of tears. The "waterworks" haven't come yet, but I'm ready, I guess. I've been an emotional person for as long as I can remember, and tears do come easily. However, it seems like I now have a harder time pin-pointing what is upsetting me. Now, maybe that has been going on longer than I think, but I'm trying to sort things out.

Yesterday should NOT have been a bad day at work. My patient load was not that bad, and I was working with people I like. Yet, for whatever reason, I got REALLY frustrated and crabby and just had to step away (maybe it was because I ate lunch at 2:30 and my meltdown was right about that time...could be!). Anyway, then today I was on an emotional roller coaster from having fun, to really stressed, to upset, to fun, to nearly crying because of something nice, to content, to nearly crying over a blog I was reading, on and on ALL day long!

I spoke with a friend, who actually happens to be my friend BECAUSE of my work, as the parent of a transplant recipient. What she told me REALLY helped put things into perspective. I wish I could remember her exact words, but that was a couple hours and a glass of wine ago. Basically, she said that I don't realize HOW challenging my full-time job is, emotionally and physically. Add to that the fact that I DON'T leave that job at work because I'm either there doing "non-work related things" or thinking about it when I'm at home. Plus the fact that I occasionally baby-sit for a transplant patient which is actually a little stressful with all the "drama" that is her life. AND, on the days that I'm not at the hospital, I have been doing my job with CPS that has taken some emotional energy lately that was not there when I started (it seemed to be a "cushy" job, but now I'm seeing how the system is working and I don't think I like it!). I guess when it is put like THIS, it's no wonder that I feel tired even though I "only" work three days a week, don't have kids, am not "dating", and seem to get enough sleep.

I was VERY surprised to discover that I have 29 posts labeled "work" and 18 labeled "just fun". I actually thought that there would be less "fun" stuff because lately it doesn't feel like I'm having that much of it (even though I DID go on vacation AND went to the Cornhole Bowl!). When I am home, I don't feel like doing anything that needs to get done, so am "bored". So, I keep super-busy, and then I get crabby and emotional. I don't want to "cut back" on the little "extras" I do, because I think taking care of other people is my LIFE'S mission. If I can make someones day better, or easier, then that is a day well spent. I work with people ALL the time whose lives are not going the way they want. Seeing people dealing with MAJOR issues like separation from family, a chronically ill child, finances, marriages, etc. is a daily occurrence for me. It hurts so much to see other people struggling like this. It reminds me even more that I have an AMAZINGLY wonderful, pretty darn perfect life, but sometimes that makes me more sad! Why am I so lucky? and what can I do to help them? Ahh, it seems to be a cycle that never ends, which is probably why I am having such emotional issues!

I guess I should sleep on this...maybe I'll get some tears out in my dreams, so there won't be any trying to sneak out at work tomorrow.

Cornhole Bowl!

Today was the "4th Annual Cornhole Bowl". I had someone switch with me at work so I could go. I went two years ago and had a BLAST! My sister was so excited to go, and she almost didn't make it. That would have been very sad! It worked out great, although they lost their first game, my team lost our first game (I am NOT good at Cornhole!), so we had to play each other in the double-elimination tournament and they beat us. My sister and her huband actually won TWO games and BOTH won raffle prizes (my team won no games and no prizes, but it was still VERY FUN!). Enjoy the photos :o)

Reflections on Faith

I wrote this post last night, and it is pretty "random" and a bit confusing, but I have to say that it did clear things up for me, maybe just a little bit. I was thinking I could just save it in my drafts and not post it, since no one really reads this anyway. But, I decided that this is "Just Me" in all my craziness and confus-edness, so post it is.

I have so much running through my head, but am also pretty tired, so this may be a post that becomes "to be continued". My thoughts are all over the place, so I may need to do some "reorganizing" to try and make sense of it all (or, maybe I'll just leave it as random thoughts/reflections).

I was born to Catholic parents. I grew up in a Catholic neighborhood. I went to Catholic school for 13 years. I attended a university with a large Catholic community. To be completely honest, I really like being Catholic. I also enjoy listening to the Christian radio station. Tonight, I attended a free Natalie Grant concert and it was just what I needed spiritually today. Many of the blogs I read are of people who "typically" do not consider Catholics as "Christians", for whatever reason, but since I usually just read, I don't feel "judged". These are VERY faith-filled people who have been hit time and time again with events and experiences that could have turned them bitter. The mom who continued her "caringbridge" site even after her daughter lost her battle waiting for a liver transplant, the mom who writes about scrapbooking, faith, motherhood, and forgiveness after her daughter was killed in an accident that never should have happened. There's the mom whose daughter survived a heart transplant, is autistic, and she herself is now battling cancer, and the mom whose first son has multiple issues after a liver transplant and second son has still "undiagnosed" developmental delays. And these are just a few of the stories of people I have NEVER met, as there are countless more PLUS stories of faith and miracles in the work I do, and the people I know. I am amazed, and humbled by the amount of faith these people have, and are willing to share.

Maybe I really have as much faith as these people who inspire me, I just have a different way of expressing it, however, I have been looking for ways to enhance my "Catholicism" and examine my faith more closely. I started reading a book called "blessed are the bored in spirit: A Young Catholic's Search for Meaning" by Mark Hart. It is taking me entirely too long to read, but has been inspiring so far. I am a member of the Young Adult group at my church and we had a very nice meeting this week. I am excited to be attending a retreat a week from today titled "A Time to be Grateful : Reflections on the bountiful gifts of God...the gifts of self, others, and nature". Today, I also purchased a book that will have daily prayers for 2008.

That is where I ended the post last night...I suppose I will pick up on this another time, as it has been quite a reflection (although, my "deep reflecting" had to take a break since I actually had to sleep last night and really should be in bed now!). More on this another time!

On another note, today was a good day. I didn't have busy patients, but was able to help out my "fellow nurses" a bit, which makes me feel good :o) I also was able to spend some extra time with a patient and her mom, which is also nice. I feel like I can learn SO much from the parents of these chronically ill children. It really puts things into perspective when I can actually SEE what kinds of things are expected of them when they go outpatient...it is CRAZY...especially when I think about some of the parents we get! I believe I am a better nurse because of when I learn from listening.

Recovering

I have decided that I am WAY to old to stay awake until 2:00 in the morning "just because". How happy was I to get a call at 8:00 telling me I didn't have to work this morning! I'm not even going to try and make them pay for a "cancellation" because staying in bed was worth MUCH more than the fifty or so dollars I would have gotten. So, I stayed in bed until close to 11:30. Of course, the fact that I have my thermostat set at 62 so I'm just a LITTLE bit on the chilly side since it has been getting close to freezing at night. I got an extra blanket and just slept the morning away! It was wonderful!

I DID force myself to be a little bit productive, so I wrote some thank you notes and walked them to the post office, stopping at the grocery store on the way home. I unloaded the dishes from the dishwasher (it didn't take me a WHOLE week!) and loaded up the dirty ones. I raked some leaves and filled two bags (I know that doesn't sound like much, but I was outside close to an hour raking and filling).

I got my nails done, went and bought some new shirts, got a couple things at the pharmacy, and now I'm home and tired.

No more staying up late for me! (that is, until I forget what it felt like).

What a day!

Well, I guess the time change isn't affecting me TOO badly since this is later than I've stayed up in a LONG time (either that, or it's the 10 little packages of sweet tarts I ate an hour or so ago!). I AM actually starting to get tired, but since I haven't posted in a while, I decided to "go for it" (even though, I realize, like 5 people have ever read an entire post...).

I did a visit this morning which was fine. The family support worker does parenting classes during the visits, so I'm learning AND getting paid! While I was there, I got a call from a former patient's mother who had become a friend when she was here, but I hadn't talked to in a while. I obviously couldn't take the call since I was working, but called her when I got off and found out that her son was getting admitted to my hospital and they were on their way. They aren't really sure what is wrong, but I'm praying that he won't have to be here very long. I did get a chance to catch up with my friend since I was already at the hospital. Because, yesterday, I offered to sit with a patient so her mom could do something "normal" like go to the store to buy "necessities". I wasn't sure she would take me up on my offer, and was prepared to be okay with that (and decided that if that happened, I would clean my house). So, my house stays a mess, but I had a great time "hanging out" with this precious girl and visiting with her mom. They are both struggling right now and this was something VERY easy for me to do that seemed to help for a couple hours at least. AND, I didn't have to make a "special trip" five minutes down the road to visit my friend and her son. I suppose I should go to bed soon in case I am called to the hospital tomorrow to be a friend :o)

I had dinner with another friend (boy, am I blessed or what?!) and we had a nice visit (and lots of laughs at the expense of our poor waiter...we were nice to him, I promise!). She is going to be my partner for a "cornhole" tournament on Saturday. I'm REALLY excited about that one!

Okay, off to bed (it looked like there was some kind of outage occuring in 10 minutes anyway!).

Is it REALLY necessary?

Daylight Savings Time, that is... I live in "farm country" but admit that I know pretty much nothing about farming, and just about as much about the reasoning behind the time change. I hear that Daylight Savings Time was to help people who work outside (like farmers) work longer hours during harvest. I'm thinking that there is equipment now that have large lights so they can work even when it is dark...of course, that's just a thought.

All I know is that the time change REALLY messes up those of us who work in settings where TIME really matters! I have worked night shifts both on the "spring forward" and "fall back" days (guess which one NO one wants to work?!). It's always a debate/dilemma about such things as when to give the antibiotic? when can they REALLY have another pain med? which 0200 should I use for replacement fluid or increasing tube feeding rate? will that hour of extra or missed IV fluids make a difference? Never mind the fact that the hours of 0100-0300 were the hardest parts of the night anyway and having to "re-do" one of those painful hours is, in fact, quite "painful". Is it really worth all this mess? I'm wondering if there are as many night nurses as there are farmers...maybe they can "band together" and protest!

I guess it's an extra special day to "thank my lucky stars" that I no longer have to work the night shift. It just so happens that today was my first of three days in a row. So, not only should I get my same "cool" patients back, I get to sleep an extra hour!

Dora for the Day

After dressing like a "Doodlebop" last year,

I set some pretty high standards for myself!

So, this year, I decided to be "Dora the Explorer"

I really thought my costume was pretty good on its own

(I even wore yellow socks!)
But people told me they wouldn't have had any idea...
if it wasn't for the PURPLE BACKPACK!

Dora and Pippi

Yep, I'm standing on a chair!

The Child Life Department held a parade for the kids and they got a ton of stuff! Last year I didn't work, so got to go for fun. At least I got to see most of the kids as they came through our floor. One little Hispanic girl called me Dora all day long and was excited to get to play ball with "Dora". It was SO cute (too bad my Spanish is VERY limited!). I will say, though, that fourteen hours with a wig on is just a little bit too long. I could hardly wait until I got home (but I had to wait until my mom came over to see it first!).

Texas Vacation

Here are some photos from my vacation. I had SO much fun (it was a "serendipitous" vacation as mentioned in a previous post). I was thinking it was just going to be a picture show of all that I had to drink, but realized that there WERE other photos taken! (and, to be honest, I actually just had one alcoholic beverage each day even though I kept thinking it was more than that!).

Explanation on the "AMEALAKA" reference. In college, at one point in time there were four sets of roommates who were "all" friends. We called ourselves "AMEALAKA" for the first letter in each of our names. As times go, people change as do friendships. We have sort of gone our separate ways with some keeping in contact with a few members and different "groups" have formed. Without giving TOO much away, I "happen" to be one of the "A's" (the third one actually, I believe, although I like to think I'm the first one!). I'm "bestest friends" with the "M" and we made plans with the "E" while we were in town. That's where we thought it would end for the trip (the last time we all tried to get together it was quite the drama so we didn't tell anyone else we were coming). So, it was quite the "shocker" when the "L" showed up three people behind us in line at Six Flags. It turned out great and the four of us caught up on "old times". Besides getting together with one of my best friends, reminiscing about old times was the rationale behind the vacation. There has been MUCH renovation and changes to our college campus and this is the last semester that my dorm of three years will be a dorm as it will become offices. I cried a bit about that, but DID make it inside to take some pictures.

Enjoy the photos...my first slide show (just a few posts after the first "link" I created!).

Everyone Should Blog

So, I'm back at home. When I was in the airport in Dallas, I called my mom. For whatever reason, we started talking about "my blog" even though she was at work and I was not quite in that kind of conversation mode. I have mentioned here before that she is quite against the blogging thing and has said she does not want to be "out there"...sorry mom, your picture definitely has been on here, but I am pretty sure I have been "careful". She said she is "private" and doesn't understand what it's all about or why people do it. I have told her that a lot of people post more stuff than I do, including many details of their lives. Oh how I will have to leave the country the day that I decide to come out of "hiding"...I think that is one of the reasons this blog remains "anonymous"...because I don't want to "disappoint" my mother. Yes, I'm 28 years old, but how terrible would it be if something not-so-good happened because of my blogging...okay, not going to "go there".

Anyway, I slept my entire first flight, but before the second flight took off, I pulled out the "Spirit" Magazine (flying Southwest :o) ). Wouldn't you know, there was an article in their "WhoWhatWhenWhereHowWhy" section titled "Everyone Should Blog". It was written by Daniel Radosh and I tried to link to it, but you can't get to the article from the Southwest web site. I'm going to make my mom read it (she said she'd be willing to keep an open enough mind to do that!). Here are some of the highlights: "...for most people, blogging is not a form of media, like magazines or television. It's more analogous to conversation. Bloggers blog for the same reason people talk to colleagues at the water cooler or to neighbors in line at the bank, because humans are social creatures who enjoy shooting the breeze..." "Yes, most blogs are pretty mundane in one sense, but at the same time, they're as important as any exchange that keeps people connected..." "The power of the blogosphere is not in the reach of any one blogger, but in the aggregate of them all, as links and ideas are traded and multiplied..." "Everyone should talk politics, sports, religion, knitting, or whatever interests them. That's why everyone should blog."

I HAVE been thinking that someone could do a pretty interesting psychology experiment with blogs. What kinds of things people will put out there for strangers to read, what kinds of not nice things people are willing to write to complete strangers, how strangers can get into stupid arguments or religious disputes, even how one blog can end up reaching people from around the world, and maybe a blog has even changed "the world". It is interesting to me. That's why I read...or so I say.

I'll keep blogging, even though I REALLY don't have that much to say. Maybe tomorrow, I'll post about the remainder of my vacation...mostly it is a photo montage of what I had to drink over the course of 4 days, but I had fun, and that's what matters :o)

Serendipity

I'm on vacation and having an AWESOME time! It is late and I should either be in bed or visiting with my friend, but here I am. Here are some serendipitous things that have happened the past couple of days. My mom loves that word "serendipity," so I'm happy to use it!

• On Thursday, I worked at the pumpkin patch. I was working at a place that I have never worked at before. I had to leave at 4:00 but the next person wasn't coming until 5. At around 3:30, I was starting to clean up things so it wasn't a mess. I went out the back door for the first time all day (I worked 9-4) and who noticed me come out the door, but my aunt! I had NO idea she would be there and the fact that she was there at that same time and noticed me is craziness (or serendipitous as the case may be!). So, she and my cousins came inside to visit me for a few minutes.
• Yesterday, I flew to Texas and met my friend (and later another friend). We had a great time on a campus tour and other stuff...I will post pictures, but again, it is late and I should be sleeping! Anyway, we were at the bookstore and another aunt had mentioned that my cousin wanted a shirt. So, I called her from there. Now, the day before, I had her set aside a few pumpkin patch coupons in case a patients family was able to make it out there on Thursday. Apparently, she had taken down the tickets on Friday, but just so happened (serendipity, right?!) to be in the office when someone (I'm assuming those people...I haven't talked to them) came to the gate asking for coupons. Luckily, she knew the deal and was able to get them out again, but did not have time to meet the family (so, I'm not sure if it was really them!). I did get a cute shirt for my cousin, and am SO happy if that family did indeed get to go out for the day.
• Now today, my two college friends and I went to Six Flags. We were there for 8 hours and went on 4 roller coasters and 2 other rides...it was NUTS there! We had just gotten in line for our second one and another friend from college who lives over two hours away, who we haven't talked to or seen for over a year and a half, ends up right behind us! How crazy is that?! Again, serendipity! So, we visited in line for that hour and a half and then again in the next hour plus line. It was great!

This has been a GREAT vacation so far and there is more fun to come tomorrow, but for now, I should either be social or sleep :o)

Runaway Sox

Wow, what a baseball game! I actually only watched a little bit of it and then decided to get caught up on my TiVo shows so they don't all delete while I'm out-of-town. Right now it is 13-1...looks like a pretty solid lead at Fenway!

Today was such a good day at work...makes me kind of wish I was working again tomorrow so I could have the same patients. Happy parents, happy kids, good nursing students, not crazy busy so I got to do a little bit of "hanging out" with my patients' families (the ones that spoke English, that is). I have no complaints. It's all about attitude, I think, and I'm trying SO hard to keep mine positive. On my "side" there were four nurses. Two of the other three were two of the only three or four that I do not care to work with. The last time I saw something like that coming on the schedule I was dreading it. I didn't realize that was the deal today, but also knew that I had my patients from yesterday and it was quite possible I wouldn't have to deal with them. I did eat lunch alone, which isn't that uncommon. The other three had discharges and two admissions, so I helped a tiny bit, but mostly stayed in my little corner, or was in my patients' rooms "working". That actually doesn't sound very good, but it made for a very good day, and I'd have to say that I believe my three patients got some pretty awesome care :o) (even if one of them was by nursing students!). The patient I was freaking out about a couple weeks ago found her way back to the general floor to be my patient once again. I was excited about that and think I'm "growing on" her mom and today I made my best good impression on the rest of the family. I do work hard to take care of all my patients, but sometimes there are those that you have to make a special effort (otherwise, you can have a miserable time!).

Well, this is quite a bit of rambling, and hardly about the baseball game. That's why my blog is titled "Do I have anything to say?". I got my nails done after work, it's late, and I'm tired. I think I'll go to sleep even though I will probably regret it tomorrow when I have to pack for my trip at this same time and have to get up by 5:00 in the morning the next day. Maybe I can get some stuff organized so it won't take as long.