Sunday, December 31, 2006

Looking back

    I think the thing that stands out most for me this year, and what I will remember most when I think of this year is our 126 mile bicycle ride.  http://journals.aol.com/midwestvintage/BikeRideAroundSiouxCity/

   I had spent the year trying to get into better shape and health, watching my diet, exercising and in the back of head the whole year was this nagging worry about being the age my Mom was when she died.  I was going to change that dying young thing from my side of the family if it killed me, it almost felt like it occasionally on that trip.

   My year was centered alot around my weight loss and bike riding.  What fun that turned out to be.  I never realized how much I would like it.  Going full spee done hills with the wind whipping through your hair and face.  The just knowing you did it.  You made it.  The joy of sore muscles from pushing yourself as hard as you could.  It was a good thing. 

   I also really got into taking pictures. I always was a picture taker but I really got into using my camera this year and enjoyed my bike outings with my camera strapped to the handlebars.  Some of the pictures turned out pretty good if I say so myself.

 http://journals.aol.com/midwestvintage/MyPhotoJourney/

    And I met so many great J-landers this year.  What a addicting thing this journal writing and reading is.  How wonderful to read about different places and see everyones pictures from all over.  To know people are really decent and have the same hopes and fears all over in these scary times.

  Coming up I have the POWER program at work.  It is a good thing as I have been slacking lately.  After a rest this month it is time to get back on the program.  Since I have to weigh in and get lab work done plus go to meetings occasionally with this program it should help keep me motivated.  In a few short months I will be back on my bike.  What new trip should I plan this year?  I told Rick renting a house on Madeline Island and taking our bikes to ride around the island would be great.  We will see.  At this point every day I take a breath, every time I laugh or cry it is a good day because I am here to enjoy it.

Gee thanks Deb

                                            

    I always knew you were a generous and sharing person but..... did you have to share the snow!           

 

          Well it was bound to happen.  Yesterday it was almost 50 degrees so I don't expect it to last long.  It had been raining for 3 days before this snow so it is nice to see something different when I looked outside.  But now it can stop.

   Here it is, the day before a new year, 2007.  Remember Y2K?  We have made it 7 years past that terrible prediction and we will make it past the predictions of horrors to come.  Global warming,  Oh scare me!  From what I have read this is a cyclical event.  Hey Denver, you feel that warming yet?  And not much we can do about it.  I refuse to take the blame for something Mother Nature does oh so well.  Did you know Buffalo NY had a record snow this year?  Right in the middle of this Global Warming!  Do you want to bet they will find some way to raise our taxes or somehow make it cost us more of our hard earned cash with this new threat?  Why isn't it like the usual weather report.  We have a 50-50 chance of having some weather today.....OK, I'll take those odds.

    Now I didn't post a thing yesterday.  Was it because I was so busy like I said the other day.  Well.....my tree is still up.......my booth is still full.  I did make the split pea soup and have to admit to it being really yummy.  No, yesterday I soaked in the tub and tried to get rid of my ouches due to the fall I took Friday.  Did I mention it had been raining for days.  Word of warning.  Do not, and I repeat DO NOT walk on a wet bank in Croc's with your arms full.  Now with all my padding you would think I would have had a soft landing but it was not to be.  My feet went flying out from under me and I flew through the air and landed my my amble behind.  I keep thinking what I had been told, don't fall, you could break your back.  OK Doc, no problem, I promise not to fall ever again.  Like since when do you make yourself fall.  Hey, lets take a tumble today....what fun.  But I didn't break and fortunately only Rick witnessed my embarrassment.  He was very sympathetic, Why did you go that way!  You knew it was wet!

   I have no plans today.  Well, I would like to get the tree down.  If I don't empty out my booth I have to pay another months rent.  But it is cold and snowing outside.  Zoey loves the snow.  I should go for a nice walk with her and let her play. 

 

   Yesterday I watched Twin Peaks.  My son has the series in DVD.  Now you all have probably watched it and seen the reruns etc... but remember I don't have my TV hooked up to anything but the DVD so this is all new to me, weird and new.  I don't think I would have been able to watch it with all the commercials that would have been in it.  But without commercials it is interesting to say the least.  We are through the first season, I hear it ran for what, 8 years?  Did any of you watch it?  Is it true they never find out who killed Laura?

   Well, time to close.  I might actually go out and get some pictures today.  Snow always looks great before it gets trampled down.  I will try and get some pretty deer pictures.  I have carrots out for the rabbits and squirrels and found out the deer like them also, so I know they will show up.  Like they ever miss a day.  We have had some beautiful bucks showing up.  Take care everyone and Happy New Year.

            

Friday, December 29, 2006

What a glorious Morning

                                        

      There is something so wonderful about sleeping at night like you suppose to.  Waking up as the sun arives to greet you instead of going to bed and trying to ignore the sunlight streaming in between the blinds.  Even if the day seems to be a dreary raining day like the one we are having in Iowa this morning.  It is still morning and I do not have to work until next Thursday.  Lovely, simply lovely.

   I have been watching the dvd's Rick gave me for Christmas.   I love James Herriot's books and the series is just like the books.  I must have read them a dozen times and I still laugh in the same places.  Laughing is good for me.  I needed it as the holiday gave me the blues. 

    Working in a hospital the stark contrast between joy and sorrow is so in your face.  And if you had a little pity party going on like I did it really makes you feel like a jerk.  Upset are you that you didn't get cards or gifts from your sons you labored hard hard hours and days to produce, try watching your loved one suffer and then die.  Mad and sad you can't watch your grandchildren open their presents?  Try having your grandchild die 4 days before Christmas.  It puts it all in perspective and cuts your pity party pretty short. 

   I have a pretty full plate the next few days.  When next I work we go to our new uniform code.  Navy blue or white uniforms...... how boring is that.  So I have to wash and store all my uniforms.  I am not getting rid of them as the next CEO might want us to dress brighter and cheerfuller.   Then I have to go empty out my booth at the antique mall.  Things just sold too slow there and you gave all your profitto the owners.  Back to selling on line.  Then I have to go get a couple of more uniform lab coats.  I like lots of pockets.  Sometime in there I want a couple of hours at the gym, either this afternoon or this morning.   Now I should clean the house after my long work week, but I'm not going too until tomorrow.  Then down comes the tree and I will dust and vacumn then.

   Not much on the news front this week.   AOL is going over the events of the year.  Besides the war they seem to be focusing on the "stars" stupid escapade's.  No wonder no one can take them seriously.  Some of them are beyond stupid and would do well to keep their mouths shut except when reading lines.  Now when I watch certain movies all I can think about is what stupid thing this or that movie actor did and it takes away from the enjoyment of the film.

   I have some split pea soup in the making.  On the slow cooker.  With the left over ham it should be great.  I have to have it at least once a year.  I have chunks of potatoes, carrots and ham in it, lots of fresh ground pepper,  yummy.  But not for supper today.  Tonight is Date night.  I didn't get to go out with Rick on Monday.  I want someone else to cook me supper, I want to sit across from Rick and giggle and talk and unwind.  So the soup is for tomorrow.  It always tastes better the next day anyway.

   I was thinking of Latin after using it the other day.  Here is another great latin line.  3 cheers to the first reader who translates it.

                        Homo nudus cum nuda iacebat

   The new year?  Not going out, dangerous out there on New Years Eve, staying up late to see it in?  Probably not, getting old here.  Making New Years resolutions......NO.   Why set myself up.  Just going to try and stay healthy, happy, and alive one more year.

                 

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Thanks all

  I didn't have to work.  The good vibes worked.  Now off to bed.

What a night!

  We had a really really terrible night.  I have never had 12 hours go so fast.  We got 3 admits but that wasn't even the bad part.  Just all kind of things trying to go wrong, v tach, chest tubes dumping out way too much, lab all wacky, trains attacking poor drivers,  and of course this wonderful GI bug going around causing all kinds of unpleasentness,  just a lot of people trying to get really bad on us and alot of nurses trying to not let it happen.  Oh no you don't, don't you dare even think about going there, LOL.

   For Meg.  Requiscat in Pace means rest in peace.  We use a lot of latin in my profession, actually alot of professions, lawyers, politician etc.   I love latin the origin of most of our language.

    Now I want everyone to send me good vibes that they will call me and tell me I don't have to work my extra shift.  The problem is I will have to sleep like I am going to have to.  If I get called off, and it is looking slim the way the floor was when I left, then I will have slept and won't be able to sleep tonight.  Since my abcess is still pretty darn sore I think I could fix that problem with the before mentioned hot buttered rum.  Yes, that should help nicely.  Well, I am off to bed.  Send those positive wishes this way.  I know we can do it.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Hi Everyone

 

          Remember the baby deer of this spring?  This is one of them.  This is the one who always loved to have it picture taken and stopped whatever it was doing to pose for the camera.  The other smaller baby always started walking off and it did the same thing today.  She has turned into a nice looking fat deer.

   President Ford died today.  Although he didn't leave a memorable impression on me that may be good,  he didn't leave a bad impression either.  He also survived two assassination attempts in one year.. Why him, crazy times.  One good thing he also did was really controlled spending.  Ford got in and started spending lke crazy almost sending us into a depressionHe lived a long life. Requiscat in Pace President Ford.

   I saw today on the lead in on AOL news a poll asking us if we were happy the liberal caucus will be coming out of the basement and having more voice.  Heck no!  Although some of their policies sound good it is usually things that raise my taxes and fill their pockets.  Plus they make rules and bans on everything that we the people should be able to decide on ourself.  Trans fat bad for us.  Let us know that and let US decide if we want to eat it or not.  Don't bann.  Not unless you also plan on banning alcohol and tobacco.  Please.  I am a adult.  Let me decide.

   Man I am feeling feisty today.  I slept until 4:30 this afternoon.  A full 8 hours.  I won't know what to do with myself.  I have to work again tonight and am charge at 11.  We had a good night  and all was well.  I worked hard yesterday at not eating and staying down to 1200 calories for a few days.  I need to get back to the root of my diet.

   Well, I am off to jump in the shower.  I feel the need.  Ranky, I feel feisty and ranky today.  Hope work goes well tonight.  Tomorrow I have my 4 hour manditory extra shift and then off.   I need it also.  For those of you who have your tree down already..... come to my house.  I will make hot buttered rums and we will make a party of it.

   

 

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

When do you take your tree down?

  So Christmas is over and the wrapping is all thrown out.  Under the tree looks bare.  When do you all put your tree away?  For me, probably not until this weekend.  I work everyday until Friday and need a day of rest to tackle it.  I have certain boxes for my Santas and pack them a certain way.  Rick would do it but I want it done my way, LOL.  He puts away his lights, he has certain ways he does that.

  Rick got me a pro suduko game and the entire set of All Things Bright And Beautiful.  I have all the books and now I have the video's from the series.  I have always wanted them so I was thrilled.  He made a ham last night that was so wonderful and we had sweet potatoes and green beans.  Good meal and I was off so it was better.  I was so tired yesterday though so the day was very long.  I slept like a log last night. My  granddaughter is sick, so sick she didn't even open her presents.  I hate being so far away.  I would feel better if I could check her out myself and make sure she is OK.

    This morning I stayed close to home because I had to to double my fluid pill, the ham must have been a little much.  I hate that I seem to be having to take them more often.  I also have a abscess in the back of my jaw.  I think it is from the dentist having to give me so much novacaine to numb my tooth that day.  It has hurt since.  I hate mouth pain.  Its so painful, LOL.

   Work tonight, tomorrow and 4 hours on Thursday.  I am charge tonight.  I hope the night goes fast.  We had some sad things happen during the holidays so everyone's mood was sort of low. 

   I wonder what the new year will bring?  Some changes for my MIL I think.  I am getting more concerned then ever about her staying alone.  She is not to bad at her house surrounded by her things but she is becoming more and more forgetful.  Her cooking is always an event.  Did she remember to add everything or did she double something?  We have had some real surprises.  She is such a willful woman that this may be a difficult year.  One my husband would be happy to just pretend isn't a problem, but it is.

  Well, I had better go.  Reading the journals it looked like everyone had a wonderful holiday.  I am glad no one had any tragedies.  I am off on the new year and will probably be in bed by 10 LOL.  I am feeling my age this week.

    I recieved this in an email today.  I warn you its a tear jerker, so of course I had to share, LOL

Santa's Prayer Answered

Merry Christmas!!!

Always believe in MIRACLES!!

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa At Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding A picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend?" Your sister? "Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he Said sadly.

Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw Her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" The child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, Asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the Child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.

"What is it?" Santa asked warmly. "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.

"The girl in the photograph .. My granddaughter .. Well, you see .. She has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the Holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa ... Any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."

Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do."

When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.

"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day.

"C'mon .... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.

Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.

They found out which room Sarah was in.

A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"

"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes in tact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year. As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.

"Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed.

"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said.

Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed.

He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease.

He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night . all is calm, all is bright." The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own.

"Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright.

He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.

"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.

One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.

"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"

"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her.

After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment. "You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.

That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well.

He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. ' Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"

_________________________________________________
OK the fonts are all messed up and I can't get them to work.  Look at that mess.

  

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Merry Christmas

              

           Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

           Merry Christmas J-Land

Question time

                          

  I like to post before I go to bed and read the comments if I get any when I wake up and am having my coffee.  So here is my question.

   Do you share with people, co-workers, friends or family that you have a journal?

   I don't.  My husband knows and actually feels quite close to so many of you and he reads along with me at times and I let him know how something came out with one of you we were worried about.  My younger son knows I write a journal but has no interest but no one else.  I sometimes look at my co-workers and wonder is any of them have a journal.  But I don't want to share mine with them.  Isn't that strange?  I share work with them  but I am private with my life.  So I was wondering about you all.  I know Deb has sisters and her mother doing journals and Val and Krissy but who else?  So spell the beans, leave your comments and make me happy while I drink my coffee.

   Last night at work was pretty good.  I got pulled to the medical floor where most of the patients seem to have this nasty bug going around lately with yicky stuff coming out of both ends.  Oh please don't let me get that one.  I also ate enough cookies to add at least 3 pounds on.   Why!  We haven't had any on our floor and I just couldn't seem to stop.  I have the stuffed gut to prove it.  This has got to stop!

  Well, time to go to bed.   It will be time to go to work before you know it.

         Merry Christmas Everyone!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

The day before Christmas Eve

                       Daughter Thinks of Others

NOW DEAR beloved Santa Claus,
please listen to my prayer.
If near my home on Christmas Eve,
leave just one present there.
It isn’t for myself I ask,
but only for another;
Please leave a handsome son-in-law
…for Daddy and for Mother.

  Quick Quips

DID YOU HEAR about the fellow who stole the calendar? He got 12 months.

Why did the farmer call his dog “Ink?” Because he was always running out of the pen.

Why are policemen so strong? Because they’re always holding up traffic.

What did one mountain say to the other mountain after an earthquake? It’s not my fault.

What did the person get who invented the door-knocker? The no-bell prize.

What bird is the most contented? The crow, because he never complains without caws.

______________________________________________________________

    Well, 2 more days to go.  Is everyone ready?  This day is usually not the best of days for me.  On this day in 1980 my mother died.  6 years ago on this day I got a water leak in my old house with the end result being the house was condemned.  Tip toeing around hoping nothing bad finds us this year.

   Work is slowwwwww.   We had 13 patients last night, sent one to CCU.  Quiet night.  This morning I gave a hug and farewells to a patient who has been with us for 6 weeks.   I am so happy he gets to go home for Christmas.  I think he will be back but I hope not until the holiday is over.

   I am making Ravioli for work today and wondering where I will get pulled.  When our census is low we go to other floors.  Hope it is a nice floor.

    I signed up for the POWER program at work.  It is a fitness program that rewards with MONEY.  Time to get back on track and that looked like the best way.  I get free blood work 4 times in a year and have to come up with 5 goals.  I get paid depending on our many goals I make.  Sigh people up and you get more money so I have signed up 3 other people.  Fun.

   Well, I am so busy, lots to do before work.   Merry Merry Christmas all.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Wordplay with Val

 

I have a fun, fun, fun
Christmas "Wordplay" for you today!  Do you remember Mad Libs when you were a kid?  Today's "Wordplay" follows this concept.  I would like you to click on this link
Fill out the Mad LibPost it in your journal if you would like Come back and leave your full entry URL so we can all read it!!   I don't want to give it away so I will post mine tomorrow.  Was it fun??  Do you have any suggestions for any future "Wordplay"s?

 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the noon before Christmas, and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a dog.
The mittens were hung by the desk with care,
In hopes that St. Merle soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their chairs,
While visions of sugar-oranges danced in their legs.
And spouse in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
drank open the shutters, and washed up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-today to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a hot teapot, and eight tiny cats.

With a little old driver, so lively and wet,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Merle.
More rapid than bats his cats they came,
And he whistled, and filled, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! Now, Jessica! Now, Leaf and Vixen!
On, Child! On Deer! On, Hat and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the stove!
Now yelp away! Yelp away! Yelp away all!"

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the desk St. Merle came with a bound.

His eyes -- how they waddled! His dimples, how crisp!
His lungs were like bags, his arm like an apple!

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And filled all the mittens, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his heart aside of his head,
And giving a nod, up the desk he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a boom,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good noon!"

-- "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," corrupted and abridged.

Should I get a dog or have a child?

                

    Wow, this is a hard one, I just can't decide!

I almost hate to say this

But it has been over a month since Rick had a A-fib attack.  The new medicine is working.  Not the new scary medicine, he went off that, but the new less scary medicine.  I almost am afraid to hope it will keep working.  Today while I sleep he is at the heart center getting a stress echo and treadmill.  Lets keep your fingers crossed shall we.   Night all.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

How Come?

  How come Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger can admit to stealing classified documents and destroying copies of a classified document about the Clinton administration's record on terrorism and just get a slap on the hand?  You know were if it was any of us that had done something like that..... Prison and rightly so. 

    I am so tired of elected officials being above the law.  They can lie under oath, steal documents, sell military secrets, and it seems like no one cares.  I even heard someone say he just got sloppy,  SLOPPY! Oh darn, when I get sloppy I spill some milk, I don't destroy classified documents.  And how many of the prisoners imprisoned for stealing classified documents wish that had been said about them?  Now if Bush had done this they would be screaming IMPEACHMENT.  OFF WITH HIS HEAD.  And rightly so.  So why does Sandy Berger get a slap on the hand.  What was he covering up?  That his administration did knew and did nothing?  I think we already knew that.

   Well on that rave I am off to work.  Sometimes I just get triggered listening to the news.  But I ask you.  What would happen if I took medical records.  I would be fired.  And it would be right.

, Winter Solstice

Yah, after today the days will get longer.  Then before you know it it will be spring and bike riding season again.  And I will be happy.  Raise your glass in a toast today, make mine water, to the shortest day of the year.

                                    

No snow, no ice

            

    The only snow I want to see is in the graphic above.    My son always wanted snow every year.  Getting him to shovel the snow though was another matter.  To children snow means sledding, hot cocoa, snow ball fights...... to adults snow means risking a heart attack shoveling, wet muddy floors, higher heating costs, and snow ball fights.   I mean no matter how old I get who can pass up a good snow ball fight.  But.....I could live without it.  It has rained steady since yesterday.  But stayed above 30 so no freezing.  And I am a happy camper about that.

  Today is the start of my long stretch made longer by my forced extra shift next Thursday.   However...... this will be the 3rd check of the month.  That means a check that they didn't have to take all the insurances out of.  Kind of a free nice big end of the year check with the added bonus of a Christmas holiday pay on it.  Now that is a good thing.

   Saturday and Sunday we are having the potlucks and gift exchanges at work.  I got an email today saying the gift certificate got mailed out on the 19th.  Should make it here by when I need it.  The post office will have some splaining to do if it doesn't come.

   By now you all probably have all your gifts wrapped and cookies baked right?  I know one family that does all their Christmas shopping the day after Christmas.  Saves them a ton of money and then they celebrate afterward also.  OK, now that just seems way to tight too me.  Practical yes, but I bet this is the same person who sticks all the jam containers in her purse from the table so that when you sit down next its gone.  Takes the toilet paper from the stall you will go to next, carefully opens every package so she can reuse the paper instead of ripping and tearing to her hearts content.  Me?  I never want to step inside another mall or store for the next 2 months. Presents, let me at em, rip and tear and for empty rolls of cardboardwhen the paper is gone, I have Zoey.  She loves to tear them into small pieces that fit easily into the garbage.  It is her only job around her but an important one she takes seriously and with a happy wagging tail.

    If your traveling this weekend, please be careful.  Make this a safe holiday.  If I have no patients in the hospital to take care of that will be fine with me.  Be safe all.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Driven to Drink!

                       

I love my MIL, I do, I do, I do....Hummmmmmm.............. I love my MIL. Say it 100 times a day and it is true. Spend the afternoon making Medisterpølse with her and you may need to remind yourself of that fact often. I now know more about my MIL bowels then I ever, and I repeat EVER wanted to know. Trust me. This nurse does not want to know what your stools look like on her day off. I don't want to know how often you go, how hard it is for you to go, how many days it has been since you went and all the suffering you went through before you go to that point. Did she do any of the 500 suggestions I have given her for the last 33 years to alieviate her discomfort? Take any of the safe laxatives I so lovingly researched, printed off and gave to her? Did she even try to increase her fruit and do more then lay on the couch? NOOOOOOOOOOO.

Check out our sausage making pictures, Maybe it is that that makes her think about her bowel, how could you not think about your bowel doing this, or something sexual which is what my husband thinks about. Caution, graphic sausage making pictures included.

She is going to the doctors tomorrow......again......... What are you going to tell him I ask? Are you going to be straight to the point or do the type of rambling dialogue that so drives me absolutely crazy? What do you mean she asks. OK, take this mornings phone call. I will print it verbatim:

Ummmm, Julie, I am in alot of pain this morning and and I took a pill and it didn't help and tried to go to the bathroom and I felt like I needed to go and I couldn't and I put in one of those glycerin things and I finally went but its.... but...hummmm.....and I wanted to talk to you before you went to the store, but....so call me will you before you go to the store. Say What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How do you make any sense of that conversation? What are you going to tell the doctor in the morning I ask?

That my back hurts really bad.....OK Good

That I am constipated.......Good.

That my arm hurts and I have chigger bites, and my thumb hurts and my heart pounds and my head hurts and I can't sleep and I my toe hurts and my lungs hurt and my.....................

Write it down, write it all down and give your doctor a list.

So later at the bar, sipping on a nice Bully Porter. Feeling like a terrible DIL because my sweet MIL is driving me to drink. And answering the phone...... Julie?????????? What did you want me to tell the doctor tomorrow????????????

Excuse me, could I have one more porter please.....................

                   

Gee, it is Winter? Darn

                

     It is suppose to rain, then snow, rain then snow eventually creating a 1/2" thick layer of ice today.  Oh Goody!  We make sausages today.  My son drives 30 miles away to work today.  I don't want a white Christmas....really...... green would be just fine.  My sister lives in Hawaii, I want a tropical Christmas too.  Blue oceans, palm trees swaying, warm breeze.   Opening my gifts on the La Nai and saying Mele Kalikimaka & Hauoli Makahiki Hou.  Now thats what I'm talking about......  Sigh.  I can dream can't I.

    Yesterday my MIL came over to eat.  It makes me sad to see how much she is slipping these days.  She is getting so forgetful and frail looking.  For some reason getting her out of her house always makes it worse.  She is better surrounded by her things, things that are familiar.  I do think the time is coming when it isn't safe for her to be home alone. 

    We plan on having her move into our spare bedroom.  I know it will be hard on her to be here with me as a night worker.  Since my son still lives at home he sleeps during the day also.  Rick will have to keep her occupied and stimulated.  Plus closing down her huge house will be a nightmare. 

   This is my last night off.  I have to get to the store and get the stuff for the sausages and my potlucks this weekend.  I have until Saturday to get my gift certificate so I sure hope it arrives in time.

   I hate going to the stores this time of year.  The people running around spending money they don't have.  Buying gifts people really don't need.  Just grabbing anything so you have a gift to give.  This time of year is when people get singing plastic fish, rocking santa's, and assorted gift packs.  Pulling out the plastic to pay for gifts when they can't afford to pay for gas and can barely make ends meet.  The worry look on some parents face. Why.  Why did this season start to stand for this?

  When I was young we had smaller gift givings.  I got new PJ's and a couple of gifts, usually a new barbie and one of the ladies from church made wonderful barbie doll clothes so I got some great outfits.  We got one family gift, usually a game or one year a record player.  We kids would exchange gifts but we usually wrapped up something of ours and exchanged it.  I would give my younger sisters something of mine they really liked, usually some of my hair ties or barbie dolls clothes.  We pulled taffy, made cookies and had a good supper.  It was plenty.  Mom got her robe from us.  I never felt shorted.

   When Rick and I got married we made very little.  He had so many relatives I was shocked and they all exchanged gifts.  Lots of time home made gifts which was cool.  One year I made homemade cheese cakes and braided breads and gave as gifts,  boy did that go over well, then next year they were disappointed I didn't cook, LOL.  Anyway things slowly started to get more extravagant.  I started buying my sons way more then I ever got as a child.  Spending lots more then I intended to.  Why?  Because their friends always got so much I wanted my kids to say they got as much also,  now my son buys his children twice as much as we bought them.  When will it end. 

    But I can't stop.  My husband says lets not exchange gifts anymore.  We usually just buy things when we need them.  My youngest son could care less.  Just buy for the grandkids.  Just spend the day together and have a traditional meal, no worries, no mess.... but I can't.  No gifts for my loved ones under the tree.  No joy of watching them see what I got them. Ugg slippers for my husband that cost a fortune but what he has wanted for a long time.  A great art book for my son I know he will love.

   I know I am not alone in this.  Right, right.  But.....the childrens faces looking at the toys and dreaming,  sitting on Santa's lap, looking with awe at the lights on the houses.  That is so special.  For the children this is still a magical special day.  For me too but for the real reason.  Go out and look at the night sky, thinking about that night long long ago.  That makes it magical for me, and special.

                                    

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Anyone having trouble with Beta this morning?

When I try to open my journal in the Beta version it won't open.  I can still open it in the old way.  Anyone else having trouble this morning?

 

Ok, I went to Jeffs, the journal editors page and it seems like Beta isn't going to work anymore, why were we encouraged to switch then?  So now I have to go back to my old journal to post from now on.  Thank goodness I saved the link and I can't get in the journal using the old link.  Which means any new readers to this journal will probably not be able to get in to this journal which just plain ticks me off.  Just leave well enough aloneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Is it really Tuesday already!

    

  Time is just flying by and I, like usual, have left too many things until the last minute.  Procrastination is my middle name.  We are having a potluck and secret santa exhange at work.  2 days in a row.  I know what I am making to eat both days but didn't order my gift until last night.  We only have 2 male nurses on our floor and I got the young one that hunts.  I thought about getting him deer urine and a movie of Bambi, LOL, but figure he already has the deer urine camoflage since he bow hunts and has seen Bambi already.  Just so he leaves my deer alone.  Instead I ordered him a gift certificate from Cabela's.  Hope it makes it on time.

  I finally got my Christmas cards out yesterday and got a great one from Sunny.  Tomorrow we are making Medisterpølse, a danish sausage which we have every year for Christmas.  Love it but it is a mess to make and so we make a party of it.  Bloody Mary's here we come.  We couldn't decide if we were going to make them this year but at the last minute decided to.  It wouldn't be Christmas without them.  My MIL will sing Johnny Verbeck which she swears you have to sing while making the sausage or it won't turn out.  Don't know if that is true but we sing it every year to make sure.

Johnny Verbeck

Once there was a Dutchman
His name was Johnny Verbeck
He made the finest sausages and sauerkraut and speck.
He made the finest sausages that'll evermore be seen,
Till one day he invented a sausage makin machine.

Chorus:
Oh, Mr. Johnny Verbeck how could you be so mean,
I told you, you'd be sorry for inventin' that machine
now all the neighbors cats and dogs will nevermore be seen
For they'll be ground to sausages in Johnny Verbeck's machine.

One day a boy came walkin' a walkin' thru the door.
He bought a pound of sausages and laid them on the floor.
The boy began to whistle, He whistled up a tune.
And all the little sausages went dancin' round the room.

Chorus:

One day the machine got busted the darn thing wouldn't go,
So Johnny Verbeck he climbed inside to see what made it so.
His wife she had a nightmare, went walkin' in her sleep
She gave it a yank a deuce of crank and Johnny Verbeck was meat!

Chorus:

Alternate Verses

One day tha meat inspector came knockin at tha door,
He said "I'll start a lookin or give me money more."
Well johnny got real angry an pushed him in tha meat,
he fired up the old machine an now theres more ta eat.

One day there was a shortage there was no meat ta grind,
So johnny he called up tha pound ta see what he could find.
They said were outta busness we keep tha strays no more,
But we'll send all our future finds directly to your door."

Well, thats all.  Boring day today.  Going to take pictures of my items and start listing things of wagglepop plus clean house, what fun.  My shopping is done, I don't do cookies, since I eat them, so I am getting caught up.  Off to make a light low calorie breakfast.  Bye all.

              

 

  

   

Sunday, December 17, 2006

The New Alphabet

A is for Apple, and B is for Boat, That used to be right, But now it won't
float! Age before Beauty is what we once said, but let's be a bit more
realistic instead.

Now A's for arthritis; B's the bad back, C is the chest pains, perhaps
cardiac? D is for dental decay and decline, E is for eyesight, can't read
that top line!

F is for fissures and fluid retention,

G is for gas which I'd rather not mention.

H is high blood pressure--I'd rather it low;

I for incisions with scars you can show.

J is for joints, out of socket, won't mend,

K is for knees that crack when they bend.

L for libido, what happened to sex?

M is for memory, I forget what comes next.

N is neuralgia, in nerves way down low;

O is for osteo, the bones that don't grow!

P for prescriptions, I have quite a few, Just give me a pill and I'll be good as new!

Q is for queasy, is it fatal or flu?

R for reflux, one meal turns to two.

S for sleepless nights, counting my fears, T for Tinnitus; there're bells in
my ears!

U is for urinary; big troubles with flow;

V is for vertigo, that's "dizzy" you know.

W is for worry, NOW what's going 'round?

X is for X ray, and what might be found.

Y is another year I'm left here behind,

Z is for zest that I still have in my mind. I've survived all the symptoms, my body's deployed, and I've kept twenty-six doctors fully employed.

Observations

       

      Driving around yesterday I saw something that saddened me.  Our last shoe repair shop is closing.  Now a days in our throw a way generation people don't repair their shoes.  They toss them and get new.  Of course the shoes now a days don't look like they could be repaired.  I remember the smells of the shoe shop, leather and glue.  Old shoes made to look new.  Now soon to be just a memory.  The things I remember growing up are all leaving.  Every neighborhood had a small grocery store.  Only one remains in this town.  It has bars on the windows.   That saddens me also.  Neighborhood parks.  They are being abandoned also, too much of a liability.  Small specialty clothes shops done away by shopping malls.  The clerks don't know you and can't say, "I saw this blouse and knew it would be perfect for you".  The personal touch, gone.  Driving around downtown which was full of neat stores while I was growing up.  Each store had their own style.  Things you could only find there.  Closed and no new stores,  just lawyer offices. Now everything is mass produced and way way way overpriced. 

    Another thing I saw driving around that makes me angry.  Walmart keeps making new stores.  Fine and dandy, but do something with the old store.  We have 3 boarded up huge buildings rotting away since Walmart refuses to remodel, they just make a new building.  They should be required to tear down the abandoned one instead of it just becoming a tax payers nightmare.  Do they do that all over or just in this town?

    Last but not least on things that are bugging me.  I heard a report on how they are making our small electronics to only last 2 to 3 years.  Thats your digital camera's, I-pods, MP3 players, CD players and any number of other items, DVD Players, TV's.  The first time I heard about this was with dryers.  There is a part that is designed to wear out in 10 years, probably much less time now.  It will cost almost as much to repair it as the item cost  new.  Might as well toss it and get a new one.  And our dumps just keep getting bigger and bigger.  They could make these things to last for centuries but what would keep you coming back to spend spend spend?  Doesn't matter to them that children would be growing up and buying them for generations to come, they want to sell their products to us again and again and again.  And we let them.  WE LET THEM GET AWAY WITH IT.   I had a TV once.  It lasted me over 20 years.  When it broke I bought another of the same brand.  It lasted 2 years.  The TV repairmen said they are now a terrible TV.  Picture tube goes out at least every 2 years.  What!  So no TV.  I have my sons because he gave it to me.  I have my DVD player hooked up to it.  When it dies I have no intention of replacing it. 

   Anyway see the way my mind works when I don't do my morning meditations?  Must get centered.  Today I am going to the antique store to see if I sold anything.  I have another purse I will bring, but locked up so it won't be stolen.  These old purse are becoming collectible again.  Lots of time handmade, they are one of a kind.  The kits had the basics and you could put whatever picture you wanted or one that came with it.  Anton Pieck has a print on quite a few of them.  I like the originality of this fun and funky purse.  Quite the conversation piece.  So what do you all think, fugly or kind of cute in a bizarre way?  As you can see I have it tagged already for the shop.

          

Saturday, December 16, 2006

She lives

                            

        Well my MIL is all better today.  Her backpain is better, which is what it turned out to be after all the questioning got finished.  She finally took some tylenol and rested and feels better today.  For that we are happy, happy that this time she is good and it wasn't serious because at her age one of these times it might be serious.  We won't know though talking to her, it will take some detective work to find out unless of course she is unconcious. 

    When we got there the house was locked up tighter then Fort Knox.  How would rescue workers ever get into the house if she had to call them?  She is more afraid of someone coming in and robbing her, even though she lives in a very safe neighborhood and it has never happened, then getting help when she needs it.  Because she read about it in Readers Digest.  Elderly getting robbed in broad daylight of all their worldly things.  So it must be true, it must be!  Its in print.

    I spent yesterday hiding out from work.  The census is high and they are mandating people to work on their days off.  Sorry, I am tired.  I want my day off.  I worked hard my week on and I need to rest.  My back hurts.  Get some of those young nurses to work who are lower on the seniority list or better yet get some agency nurses to work and let the regular nurses enjoy their hard earned days off.  Is that too much to ask?  No  NO.

   I should be good the rest of the weekend as administration have all gone home for the weekend, no longer worried about how the hospital will be staffed.  It is a fleeting thing with them.  While they are there and people are voicing their concerns to them they get panicky.  That concern all vanishes though on Friday at 3.  Since they don't have to work they forget about the place.  The house manager will be the one stuck with worring about how to staff the place.  I know, I did house manager for 10 years.   I would spend my entire shift worried about how to staff the hospital while the supervisors and administators enjoyed their time off.  Forcing nurses to work extra, begging them too.  I am glad I am done with that job.  Hopefully the census has dropped and things are quiet.  Hopefully they decided to call the agency nurses in.  My weight loss has been terrible.  I should call this my weight gain journal.  I just am having a terrible time getting back into the whole thing.  Can't ride my bike.  The gym bores me silly, food tastes way to good, I am scared to eat my salads.  What to do.  I have got to get my motivation back.  I mediate and listen to my weight loss hypnoses tape.  I start each and every day with good intentions and then blow it.  I need to start counting calories again.  That was the one thing I did that kept me on track.  I haven't eaten yet.  Bad.  I have to have 3 meals to keep me from overeating later on.  I have to drink more water but I am afraid of getting fluid overloaded again.  I need to exercise more.  I need my husband to cook the foods I can eat on his days to cook.  Sigh, I need to be better.

 

Friday, December 15, 2006

Darn dial up

A friend sent me this video.  From the little I have seen it looks lovely but with dial up will probably take me an hour to see the entire thing.  So, is it as neat as it looks in the beginning? 

  http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/jerome%20murat/video/xf9oo_jero

Notice I lost my counter YET AGAIN.  I have downloaded the one Raven told me about but it doesn't go into effect until tomorrow.  Why is it AOL's updates always take something away?

And it's not just my MIL

And its not just my MIL that does this. I think it is a senior thing.

Admitting the patient.

So what brings you here today?

Oh Honey, I am just soooo sick.

Oh sorry to hear that, how do you mean so sick? Sick to your stomach?

No, I am just so sick.....

Sick like fever and chills sick?

No just soooooo sick honey, oh moan.....

Just tell me where it hurts, what are you feeling right now?

Just sooooo sick dear, oh so sick.

:(Oh Goody, 20 questions, I just that love that game. Added with the additional pressure of having 5 other patients I haven't seen and probably won't get to see for another hour at this rate, this is just a real thrilling game......)

OK. lets start over. when you called your children to bring you to the hospital what did you tell them?

That I was so sick..

Daughter, yah thats what she said, she was so sick!

So you rushed her right to the hospital?

Yah, she was really sick.

How do YOU mean sick?

Well, you know....... really sick.

How did she look to you?

Sick, really sick

Yes honey, I am sooooooooooo sick.

I am feeling sick also, maybe tylenol would help, or some valium, a stiff drink?

An hour later I stumble out of the room. Still not entirely sure what is wrong with patient A. Onward to patient B

How are you today I brightly ask.

Oh Honey, I am soooooooooooooooooo sick.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I love my MIL but......................

     Sometimes she drives me crazy!

Converstation with my MIL who is 85

I feel terrible this morning

Oh, HOW do you feel terrible

Oh I have this terrible pain in my back and those pills you told me to take for my bowels didn't work so I stopped taking them and Dorothy called and this started after the supper you sent yesterday and then I filled the stool and I get chills in my back.

  OK..............So what is bothering you the most?  The pain in your back or are you having diarrhea?

   No its not diarrhea but I am going alot at a time and this pain in my back is terrible, I didn't sleep all night but Dorothy woke me up and it was still there...

  So you WERE sleeping?  Does it hurt to take a deep breath.

  Oh I don't know, its just pain......

  Do you have a fever?

  I don't know, I don't have a thermometer.

  Yah but can't you tell when you have a fever?  Is you skin hot?  The flu is going around so it could be that.

I don't know, I never get the flu so I don't remember........Should I see the doctor?

If your feeling bad enough you should make an appointment.

With my heart Doctor? (she loves going to the heart doctor)

Are you having any problems with your heart?  I think you should call your regular doctor.

What if they can't see me?

If you feel sick enough we can take you to Urgent care.

Whats that?

Remember we took you there the last time

Oh I don't know if that is necessary, maybe the hospital....

You feel sick enough you need the hospital?

Oh I don't know....that's why I am calling you

Exactly what is bothering you the most?  Your pain in the back or your big stools or chills?

Oh I just don't know......

    Now repeat conversations like this every other day and you get an idea..... Got to love her though.

       So this morning I will be going over to check her out instead of the gym.  Because she is 85.  You can never tell.  She could be on the floor which is why her back hurts but forgot to mention that part of the equation.  This year alone she has worried about having a  heart attack.....a stroke......e coli...... cat scratch fever..........meningititis......eboli........anthrax.......bowel collapse.......prostate problem (until I told her that only hits men).......and any number of diseases featured in Readers Digest this month. 

   And no matter what I tell her she will call up our relative who does X rays and ask her advise.  So I ask her, will what did the XRAY TECH TELL YOU TO DO!   Sigh.

 

 

Thursday, December 14, 2006

I have become comfortably numb

   Love the dentist.  Love having my mouth feel like someone slugged me in the jaw.  First shots I felt somewhat numb and told them to go ahead.  He told me if it hurt to raise my left hand.  You know what?  When it hurts your left hand raises followed quickly by your entire body and you try to escape the drill....Ok a little more numbing med.  That helps. Now I have no control over my numb tongue and lips.  Half hour later I am standing at the desk with my slack lips hanging on the desk, drool dripping down my chin.....but no pain and my tooth is done.  This fun after I got done working 12.5 hours.

   Well here is it, my days off and my prediction was wrong.   I am not sick!  Yah.  So good to be wrong sometimes.  I feel good, it is in the high 50's in Iowa and I already have the gym out of the way.  Had a pretty good workout too.  Didn't trip over my lip once.

   I was reading Pam's journal and it got me thinking about the men I was engaged too before I decided on Rick.  For someone who never wanted to get married I went through a period where I was engaged to someone new about every 5 months.  I think I was just flattered they asked me and didn't want to hurt their feelings and say no.  John was a really tall man. 6' 7" and going to be a basketball star,  "he did and for years I head about him on the news until he retired".  I keep thinking, Gee we could have gotten married, would be divorced by now and I would be wealthy!  Anyway.  Putting my arms around him to give him a hug always made me uncomfortable.  My face came to his crotch.  How romantic was that!  It probably is what made him fall in love with me, LOL.  Steve was the opposite... 2 inches shorter then me.  I just couldn't get past that.  A fault in me I know but what can I say.  Gary was really good looking and the right size but didn't give me the feelings I thought I needed to go though with the marriage.  We had fun, all my boyfriends started out as friends, but I didn't love him.  Now Rick is tall, 6'2.5" but when I put my arms around him its his waist.  Plus we clicked.  Didn't start out as friends, went right into being a couple.  Strong attraction.  Dated and got married 2 weeks later.  Still going strong 33 years later even though we drive each other nuts at times. 

       One thing Rick does that drives me nuts.  I wake up slow.  Need my coffee...like to drink it while I read my alerts uninterrupted.  Rick wakes up ready to get started for the day.  The second my eyes open he's off, talking a mile a minute.  I have 2 sons, my youngest gets up like me, quiet, sleepy, just wants to be left alone until he slowly comes to.  My oldest, just like Rick,  out of bed and ready to go.  I wonder if he drives his wife nuts.  Of course he leaves the house at 4 am now to work so probably not.

                    

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Now whats going on

  I woke up today and am edematous again.  Not as bad as yesterday, but whats up with that?  Usually I get edematous by the end the day, not the beginning.  I am not going to sit around peeing all day at work again today.  Since I really watch my salt I just am suprised about this.  I think I must be having a little problem with my heart failure again.  Well, it had just better go away because I am having a doctorless year next year.

   We were talking at work about how bad our insurance is.  None of us can afford to go to the doctor.  In the old days we could have told a doctor at work about how we were feeling and get a script for antibiotics if we needed them or what ever we needed to get better,  not now a days.  In the old days we got professional discounts.  Not now.  I said it is bad enough now I am going to have to start going to the Hy Vee urgent care, LOL.  Do they have those where you all are?  How convienant.  Do your shopping, stop and get seen and get your medicine all in one trip!  A helpful smile in every isle.

   Tonight is my last night at work.  Dentist in the morning, Yik.  I hate getting all numb in my mouth.  When I was a smoker I would insist on trying to smoke.  It is really hard to try and suck on a cigarette when you can't feel your lips.  Addicted as I was though I always gave it the good college try, LOL.  I must have looked a sight.  Hopefully after they are done I will come home and get some sleep and it will be un numb by the time I wake up.

   I guess if I am stilling having trouble with edema tomorrow I will call my doctor and see if my HCTZ should be increased.  What makes this so bad is I have to drink water for my weight loss journey, but I can't drink alot of water for my heart failure so instead I want to eat, can't drown out those cravings with water.   Guess I will have to start drinking lemon water.  I am going to look back in my journal.  Seems like I had worse trouble with fluid last year at this time.

  Warning.  Got a patient last night, heart attack and new diabetic.  Young guy.  Says it isn't true, just ate too much peanut brittle!  Now how much to you have to eat to get a blood sugar of 350?  So careful everyone, the peanut brittle is deadly.

   

                         Take care all.

A poem by me

A tiskat a tasket
another Christmas basket
filled with cookies, chocolates and treats
all sitting there tempting me to eat
 
Just a nibble here, a nibble there
have a swallow, we don't care
instead of eating it why don't I
just stick the damn thing on my thigh
 
for that is where it is going to rest
on my belly & butt and then my breasts
It is so easy to put on
And never Never is forever gone
 
Just help me get through the next 2 weeks
and all the fattening treats I will not seek
until next year when I do it all again
In my never-ending journey to for once and all get thin.
 
by Julie, AKA.....Budda Belly

I great night

                  

   Thanks sugar and thanks to Denise who made these tags, I love them.

   We had a wonderful night at work last night, plenty of help, nice patients, nice nurses to work with, just a good night.

    Yesterday I had a problem with my edema, really bad.  When I woke up my legs were still really swollen along with my hands and face.  I had gotten alittle slack with my HTCZ to get rid of the fluid and was way behind.  I was short of breath, just feeling lousy.  Now after 40 of lasix and so many trips to the bathroom I have lost count I am a new woman.  7 pounds lighter and breathing much better.  That will teach me to run out of my meds, LOL.  Needless to say I got very little done yesterday.  Oh, the joys of getting older, I guess it is better then NOT getting older. 

    Chris, send me the link for the counter.  I think I had it once but I couldn't get it to work.  I am kind of upset that my 7000 + counts are gone.  Of course I lost them at 4000 once and 5000 another time but it has been awhile and I almost forgot they did that occasionally.

   Well, my back is killing me today.  Feels like one of my screws is working its way out, ouch.  The bionic woman needs to get some rest, one more night and then my stretch off.  Yah.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Only In America

 ....Can an accident be viewed the same as your winning power ball ticket.  Yippy, now you can sue and get millions of dollars because of your loved ones misfortune.   We get families in the hospital, gee nurse how much pain and suffering is my loved one in, with dollar signs in their eyes.  I had better go and notify my lawyer,  hummmm, I mean family right away.  All because of an unfortunate ACCIDENT.  

   Thanks to others unfortunate ACCIDENTS  we now no longer have skating rinks in each neighborhood.  Hayrack rides, forget about it, bonfires with the old trees while parents sat sipping "hot cocoa" and kids sledded down the hills, forget about it.  Don't let the neighbor kid play in your yard on your slide, little sweety may fall and break his arm, mommy who pushed the kid out the door every morning after breakfast and told him to play outside somewhere else is all of a sudden super mom, care and concern clearly written on her face as she searches high and low for the best slimey lawyer.  Yup, her ship has come in.  No more working for living, oh no, thanks to her kid getting on the slide he had been told repeatedly not to climb on she can now retire and buy the car she has had her eye on.  Thanks to the unfortunate death of a loved one you can get that bigger house you will need to compensate for all the grief you will feel for weeks.  Thanks to them no one is welcome in my house, in my yard, in my car, on my property, don't pet my dog, don't walk on my sidewalk, don't come up on my porch. 

      Isn't anyone else totally sick and tired of this crap?

  And on top of that my counter re-set again!  I am sick of that also.

      Good morning everyone.  As you can see I am thinking of my weight loss this morning.  I am a member of the Kick in the Tush Club and thought this was a perfect thing to put on my fridge this mornng.  I love her newsletters and she always has some good tips.   I also got a recipe that isn't too fattening and I bet with Whey low or your favorite sugar sub.  would be even lower in calories and pretty good.  Check out her site    Not much going on this morning.  It is rainy and deary in Iowa this morning.  Just a dull day.   After I get a couple cups of coffee in my I plan on hitting the gym and then working on Christmas cards the rest of the day.  Times getting short.  I always wait until the last minute if I don't force myself.  I also have a gift to send my sister in Hawaii and better get it sent if I want it to get there on time.

    Another thing I am going to do this weekend after payday is make a donation to the UFO for the troops.  Don't want to forget our brave men and women fighting for us.  

    After this month we are only going to be able to wear navy blue or white uniforms at work...... how dull.  No more bright colored tops.  The patients are bummed as are the nurses.  However.... looking in my closet I can't help but feel a thrill when I see how many uniforms I will have to get rid of and how much closet space I will end up with.  They are giving us 3 sets and I like to have at least 6 sets so I have a new one for everyday.  Of course now that they will be the same dull uniform day in and day out I guess it won't matter as long as they are clean.  Sigh.  Our new CEO is an older man and wants us to shape up.  Excuse me but what does my uniform have to do with my patient care?  This is the same on who is making us work manditory extra time.

   Anyway that is my day.  Of course I work tonight and tomorrow.  Thursday morning after I get off work I go straight to the dentist to get a cavity filled.  I am hoping to sleep through it, Yah right.  I hate going to the dentist but you know what they say, ignore your teeth, they will go away!

 


Janice Taylor
www.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com

 

Lemon Squares

For a dessert that’s not too sweet, try these lemony treats.

PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes plus cooling
COOKING TIME: 25 minutes
NUMBER OF SERVINGS: 16
INGREDIENTS:
CRUST
Vegetable cooking spray
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup cold unsalted margarine, cut into bits
2 tablespoons ice water

LEMON FILLING
1 large egg
1 large egg white
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
4 1/2 teaspoons sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, for sifting
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.

2. Make crust: Combine flour, confectioners’ sugar, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Using a fork or pastry blender, cut in margarine until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle with the ice water and mix until a small piece of dough pinched between fingers holds together.

3. Pat dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan and bake 20 minutes.

4. Make lemon filling: Meanwhile, beat egg, egg white, granulated sugar, and lemon juice together in a small mixer bowl on medium speed 2 minutes, until mixture is light and smooth. Whisk in flour, lemon rind, baking powder, and salt.

5. When crust is done, quickly remove pan from oven and pour lemon mixture over crust, spreading evenly. Immediately return to oven and bake 25 minutes, until lemon topping is set.

6. Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cut into 2-inch squares and sift confectioners’ sugar over top before removing from pan. Makes 16 squares.

Nutrition Per Serving:
Per square: Calories 105, fat 3 g, saturated fat 1 g, cholesterol 13 mg, sodium 39 mg, carbohydrate 18 g, fiber 0 g, protein 1 g.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Day off

 

  I am going to do like Zoey and rest today.  This weekend was so busy at work.  One of the busiest weekends we have had for awhile.  I am dog tired.  Emotionally and physically.  I plan on sleeping until around 12:30 and going to the gym at 1 but will see how I feel.  Mayby just a day of rest would be a good thing.

  Got my mammogram results, negative of course.  I knew that but was afraid they were going to make me repeat them so I am a happy camper about that.  No more pancake boobs for another year.  Thursday I have to get a cavity filled and I should be in good shape for my doctorless year next year.

   The new med they started Rick on did not agree with him at all.  He had some bad side effects and went off it already.  Flecinaide is a pretty scary drug when you look it up.  So far the cardizem is working just fine.  He also decided against the ablation.  Since they can only give him a 50% chance of getting better he will just wait and see if the med controls it.  I think it is wise.  Maybe they will come up with something more successful.

    Does everyone have their cards sent out already?  I have to get mine ready to go.  The list is getting shorter and shorter these years since all the old relatives are dying off.  I used to send out around 50 and am down to about 13 now.  Sad.

   Rick has the living room looking so good.  He has put lights on my shelves this year that are so pretty.  I must admit he does such a good job.  I love the way the house looks when it is decorated.  

    Off to bed now.  My eyes are having a hard time staying open.  Must sleep.  This is how I spend my day off.  Sleeping and then walking around like a zombie the rest of the day and going to bed early.  Oh ya, housework, forget about it!