Friday, October 31, 2014

Friday 10.31.2014 Another Scary Night....

Creeeeepyyyy.

Cold, windy, and snow.

Enough that car windows would need cleaned off before driving.

Not much "activity" in the neighborhood--this community does a lot of other events for the kids.

I spent the day, practically, in the kitchen.  I put together a pot of chili this morning, in case I needed to work in the afternoon.  (Ha!! I didn't!!)  And since I didn't, I simmered it a little longer before turning it off to cool before portioning into containers.

Went to the store for the few items I missed getting yesterday, and took the chill out of the kitchen by baking some small apple pies. Since they were small ramekins, I tried out different toppings for the apple filling. Sure smells good in here.

Tomorrow I will work, as it's a scheduled day. (Today was the "extra" hours we were mandated to pick up. Yes, and I have a few more of them, too)

Stay warm.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Thursday 10.30.2014

Another great day today!

Got laundry done and put away, vacuumed, and went out for a couple groceries. And missed getting a couple of items, so I'll be stopping again tomorrow...

Did some reading, completed my absentee ballot for next week's election. I sure like being able to do the research on the computer while making choices.

Tomorrow I may be working in the afternoon.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Wednesday 10.29.2014

It was a good day today.

Frank stopped by before going to work; I had a meeting in the afternoon and left an hour or so after he did.

Cool and overcast today.

Quiet this evening.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Tuesday 10.28.2014

Up this morning, hair and make up done, ready for breakfast. 0540. The phone rings.

Census shift, staffing mis-communications. My turn to stay home. Umm, ok.

I stayed up for an hour or so before going back to bed.

In a real deep sleep when the phone rang at 0900. I think my head was foggy all day--and still is.

A fair day with enough help.

A quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a meeting.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.


Monday, October 27, 2014

Monday 10.27.2014

Another work day.

Nicely busy with enough help.

Then the last two hours was swimming against the current.

Good thing the next shift came in.....

My foot was surprisingly sore today.  May need diagnostics???

Doing it again tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Sunday 10.26.2014

Another wonderful day!!

Blue skies and sunshine, but a little cooler than yesterday.

I went out to the back garage in the warmth of the afternoon and got a second coat of wax on the speed boat.  Sure looks shiny!

Got my food prep done, and a lingering shower.  Ahhh.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Saturday 10.25.2014

The morning was almost gloomy--a hazy gray that lingered until noonish.

The wind picked up, the sky cleared within a half hour it seemed, and it was clear blue sky for the rest of the day!!

Beautiful!!!

I went out for a walk, then to the store for the elusive sale items.  They weren't stocked (or out of stock)--I didn't ask and didn't get a rain check.

My foot feels like leftover inflammation in there. And I noticed that I'm stepping differently on the foot. I've taken 2 small doses of ibuprofen today with some comfort, and massaged it again as Leah has shown me. Sure hope it resolves. Not really interested in the $$ outlay for a diagnosis.  I'll keep taking care of it. It's only been 5 months, and most stories I've heard from folks say it's taken about a year for their injury to heal. Tick tock.

Tomorrow I need to do food prep for my work food.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Friday 10.24.2014

Another work day done.

*exhale*

Stopped at the store on the way home, so I wouldn't "have to" go out tomorrow, though I probably will, as the sale items were not stocked. I did get the primary items I wanted.

A nice phone call this evening, and I'll be off to bed.

Enjoy the beautiful weekend....

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thursday 10.23.2014

What a beautiful day!!

Blue sky and sunshine, yellow and red leaves against the green grass. Temp made it up to 57 degrees with a very light breeze. Such a pretty day.

Frank came over for a short visit before work, then I went out and walked my jogging route. My ankle is sore again, and I rubbed it like Leah showed me to do. (it's just not the same.....) It is what it is, and it needs to heal the rest of the way.

Had a couple of phone conversations today.

A woman close to my heart who is 10 years out of breast cancer treatment, has heard the most disturbing word ever--metastasis.

After talking with her, I am confident that her care team is doing what needs to be done. Women are "living with metastatic disease" because of the new drugs and treatment options that are being discovered and developed. Thanks to all the contributions for research and development, we are making breakthroughs in health care every day.

MM, you are in my heart and prayers. May God's strength continue to surround you.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Wednesday 10.22.2014

Feeling a little "done in" today.

Breakfast, and a lingering shower. Thought the warm water might help me feel better.  It did, kind of.

And before long, it was time to go see Leah.

Ohmygoodness.

She worked her magic.

This evening, I'm fatigued, but different than this morning.

And a little sore. Guess the J.O.B. has been getting to me.

Breathe.

Hoping to rest well tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tuesday 10.21.2014

What a day!

Churning is a word to describe the day.  Envision the large water wheel at the mill, turning, and the water constantly pushing the wheel around, the water falling off of each paddle. Not a slow turn with a trinkle of water, but a faster turn, with a heavy, rhythmic splashing noise, the water continuously churning.

Everyone doing their jobs, with a full unit--staff in and out of patient rooms, patients discharging. Housekeeping turning the room around, and the next family in before the floor was barely dry.

Just keep on keeping on. Meeting the needs of the telephones, call lights, required documentation, timed testings.

Churning.

(Clocked out. Breathe.)

Tomorrow is a massage.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Monday 10.20.2014

Geesh.

The work day began before we had even gotten started. Take a breath and do what needs to be done. Be supportive, have a good attitude, and put on your smile.

It sure helps to see a pleasant face and hear kind words while we all do our best.

And we got through the work day, and ended with a smile, too.

*exhale*

Kudos to The Best Co-Workers Ever!!!

Tomorrow I get to do it again.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Sunday 10.19.2014

What a great day today!!!

Went to a friend's house in the Mason area, who is a "back to the earth" kind of girl, a "make it/do it yourself"er.  She invited us out to enjoy our day, but really to help make yearly stash of soap.  (And she gives it as gifts, too)

It was lovely outdoors after making the first of 2 batches. We walked the trails on their 20 acres, saw the gardens, bees, chickens, pond, and their solar collecting set up.  Indoors are 2 large birds, cats, a dog, and a "reptile room" with several snake habitats. Like maybe 6 or 8??  And a habitat with the giant cockroaches.  Interesting people/lifestyle.

Got home just after dark.

Ready for work tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Saturday 10.18.2014

Definitely an Autumn Day.....

Gusty wind, overcast sky, drizzly intermittent rain.

I went out to listen to a choir and hand bell group this morning. It was really nice. And the director/pianist was fabulous!!  I liked that, after the first song of an instrumental opening, he got up and opened the lid of the grand piano. He could sure make the piano wires vibrate!  The voices and hand bells were awesome, too. I enjoyed it very much.

Stopped at the store on the way home, prepared and ate food, then made the cookies I had planned to do.  Ended up having only half of one the ingredients I needed, so, back to the store. (I love the location where I live--close to most everything)

Got those in the oven and the kitchen cleaned up. Cookies cooled and put away, and a quiet evening.

Tomorrow going out to a co-worker's for an afternoon of camaraderie and soap making. Should be interesting...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Friday 10.17.2014

Worked again.

So glad it's over.

Yes, it was a MUCH better day today.

Still, glad to be gone.

Didn't get supper, did get a mild migraine as I was leaving.

Had a bite to eat; will probably take tylenol/motrin and hope to sleep.

Tomorrow I need to go the store for ingredients for a gathering on Sunday.

(What do you need for a gathering...????)

Thank you for reading. Hugs.


Thursday, October 16, 2014

Thursday 10.16.2014

Another work day.

Started out a bit rough, but with a group of students the first part of the day, and another group of students the last part of the day, it turned out ok.  I sure appreciate when the instructors show the learners how to help, and encourage them to help. I think it teaches teamwork. And I make sure to express my gratitude when they are helpful.

I didn't sleep much last night, and surprisingly, I'm not dragging too much. I did some yoga to try to ease the tension from the work day; I hope it helps with the sleeping end of things, too.

Gotta get up in the A.M. for another great day at the J.O.B..

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Wednesday 10.15.2014

Another great Fall day today!!

Went out about noon for a few groceries. The weather was a mild low 60's with an occasional breeze that showered the dry leaves down from the trees.

Frank stopped over, we walked back to his place, and he brought me back home on his way to work.

I did some food prep, and enjoyed supper.

A quiet evening.

Tomorrow is back to the J.O.B.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Tuesday 10.14.2014

Got up and ready to meet up for the ride to the conference.

We're all in, and the driver heads west.  What??  I thought we were going to Lansing....????

Ha--nope, Kalamazoo.   Good thing I wasn't driving......

And what I thought was a half-day presentation was a full 8 hours.  Good information, and we were able to identify the pieces of the processes that need to be addressed.  We'll need to collaborate with another department to help us be compliant with the State mandates.....

It's a long sit, all day like that, even with the breaks that were built in.

I was glad to get home and did some yoga to stretch out while my supper was getting ready.

A quiet evening.

Not sure what I'm doing tomorrow.

For some reason, I'm really tired tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Monday 10.13.2014

Thought I slept fair when I woke this morning. I had dozed again, and felt better.  9:30!!!  Geesh!!

Yup, I was tired.

I tried hard to re-hydrate today, drinking water frequently.

Did some food prep, went out for a few groceries. Surprised that the temperature outdoors was 67 at 8pm. Might have to turn on the a/c tonight.....(not really....)

Tomorrow is a learning opportunity in Lansing. Four of us are going, and will be the unit "experts" on one of the newborn tests that we do. Looking forward to the presentation.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Sunday 10.12.2014

Worked today.

Was a tough morning, with 5 new patients arriving to the floor within an hour and a half.  I was the only one in my job role, though with THE GREATEST TEAM MATES EVER we got through it. Fortunately, the patients settled in and we had a fair second half of the day.  Thank you God!!!

Needless to say, my body is tired and feet are sore. *sigh*

Tomorrow I hope to rest some....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Saturday 10.11.2014

Worked today.

A fair day, and a nice change.

Working again tomorrow.

Hoping it's just as good, or better; it's potluck day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Friday 10.10.2014

Another lovely Autumn Day!!

First time I've seen frost in my yard...

I had moved one of my plants inside yesterday, and brought in the rest of them today.  Looks so lonely out there without the beautiful blooms of the geraniums! I'll enjoy them a while more, until the daylight shortens more, then the plants put out a few leggy blooms that reach for the winter sun.

Put on my running shoes and took them out for a walk. Ankle still a little "not right" yet.  Pretty soon....

Baked cut out cookies for a farewell potluck on Sunday. What was I thinking???  Oh, sure, the first few are fun to cut out, and the first pan out of the oven looks good.....and there's so much more dough....  *sigh*  2 1/2 hours later the oven is off and kitchen cleaned up.

A quiet rest of the night.

Work tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Thursday 10.09.2014

What a beautiful Autumn Day today!!

Blue skies, occasional cool breeze, warm sun.

Went out for a meeting that was lively and productive. And after, went to visit a friend.

Back home, supper and a quiet night.

Feeling very tired.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Wednesday 10.08.2014

Intermittently blustery today.  I washed and put the bedding out on the clothesline to "blow the stink off", getting ready for the cold season ahead.

Frank stopped in for a short visit.

Fixed supper, did some internet research.

A quiet night.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Tuesday 10.07.2014

Worked again today.

Ohmygosh.

Can I say tired??

Clocked out an hour late.

I did get my flu shot today. (yes, it's mandatory)

Looking forward to not getting up in the dark of morning.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Monday 10.06.2014

Wow.

Our unit was CLOSED yesterday about noon.  Zero patients.

I went in this morning and with 2 other nurses, received the first two moms (and their babies), and from there it ballooned. Like the heat from the oven when you open the door.  7 surgical patients and a few more delivered patients (and their babies). Ohmygosh.

My feet hurt, I'm tired, and hungry.

Had a small bite to eat and quieted for the night.

And,

TOMORROW I GET TO DO IT AGAIN!!!!

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Sunday 10.05.2014

Blue sky and sunshine this morning.

I had a good day, with a few nice phone conversations.

Went out for errands.

Made food, ate, packaged leftovers for freezer food.

Mostly caught up on email.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Saturday 10.04.2014

Interesting day today.

Sure felt cold. 40 degrees this morning, damp and occasionally drizzly.

Went out for groceries.

Frank spent a couple hours with me this afternoon--we had supper and a nice visit.

A quiet evening.

Felt very punky/fatigued this afternoon, and my lower leg/ankle was sore.  I ended up taking motrin and tylenol, which helped some. My right ear is bothering me, too. It hasn't "unplugged" from flying a couple weeks ago. Annoying feeling of fullness and pressure and sometimes painful discomfort. It does "pop" but hasn't resolved yet.  Any time soon would be good.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Friday 10.03.2014

Worked today.  Was a decent day.

A quiet night.

Sore Ankle.

Hmmm.


Groceries tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Thursday 10.02.2014

Kind of a gloomy, drizzly day.

My morning appointment was canceled. Bummer. I'll just keep on keeping on with this ankle...

So I worked through some email, putzed around the house, and fixed food.

Since I was "extra" at the J.O.B., I called to see if I was needed. About a half hour later I heard from the Charge Nurse.  Nope.  Woo Hoo and Yippee!!!!

Sooo glad I didn't have to go in.

I put up the ambient lighting that had been taken down in the back room.

And had a really yummy supper.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Wednesday 10.01.2014

Another beautiful day!!

Blue sky and sunshine--looked warmer than it was.

Frank came over before going to work. I fixed pancakes (my own blend of flour, oats, and flax) and cooked a fruit sauce for the topping. He said it was a nice change from his usual breakfast.

He left for work, I went in for a meeting. Feels like cinching the purse--closing the Best Fed project. We have a couple of months yet before our Site Visit, and we're finalizing and tackling the "hard parts" that we've been working on these last 2 years.  So proud of our staff for embracing the Project and making the changes. We are certainly "leading our community to better health" at the beginning of life.

Made some yummy soup and a salad for supper and trying to stay awake.

Tomorrow I see Leah for a short appointment for my ankle; it's been a little annoying these last few work days (yes, I know I've been standing/walking for at least 10 of the 12 1/2 hour shifts).  And I work extra in the afternoon.  *sigh*

Thank you for reading. Hugs.