Thursday, December 31, 2015

Thursday 12.31.2015

The last day of the year.

Worked, busy, Best Co-Workers Ever.

Clocked out on time!

A quiet evening (at least until midnight--this neighborhood likes to shoot guns and fireworks to blast in the new year).

May 2016 bring good health, happiness, and peace to the world.

God's Blessings.  Hugs.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Wednesday 12.30.2015

Worked today, busy.

So glad to see the next shift come in.

Clocked out in a timely manner.

A quiet night.

Tomorrow will be busy, too.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Tuesday 12.29.2015

Another great day!

Got the laundry done, put some holiday things away. Cooked the turkey carcass down, picked the bones, and made some awesome soup after a trip to the store for some greens.

Cleaned up the kitchen, read a little, and ready for work in the am.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Monday 12.28.2015

Another great day!

Well, mostly.

I watched the weather channel this morning--lots of weather around the United States--and made the decision to NOT drive the 30 minutes on the highway, in an ice storm, for a massage.  *sigh*

So I had a low-key day at home.

I did go out later in the afternoon for an optometrist appointment. I didn't need to go more than 3 miles. The weather was still bad, but manageable to drive with the crunchy snow pellets on the road.

The optometrist did her thing, "number 1, or number 2..."  and deemed that the prescription had changed only a little.  The technician "tuned up" my existing glasses; they feel like new now. I ordered a set of contact lenses (I use them when I run), and next calendar year I'll order the new glasses.

The wind and icy precipitation continue the intermittent squalls.

I hope you all stay safe and warm.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Sunday 12.27.2015

Worked today--my turn to "float".

Which I've learned to see as a gift.

And it was.

Someone else came in to "sit" with the patient at 3 pm, and I returned to my unit. They were just going to call me back, as we had gotten busy. So it all worked out.

Clocked out in a timely manner, and had a quiet night.

Tomorrow is a massage, but there is a winter weather advisory. So I'll check the weather map before going. I can always reschedule. I'd rather be safe than be on the highway in an ice storm.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Saturday 12.26.2015

Almost done with this year.

Getting ready for work. Ring Ring. AGAIN!?!?!?!?!  On Call.

Back to bed, settling down, just dozing.

Ring Ring.

Ugh. Had a call-in, need to come in.

Ok.

Now I'll be about an hour late.

So I got there, all was well, and we had a good day. Kind of busy for a while, but ended up good.

Tomorrow I'm scheduled again. We'll see.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday, December 25, 2015

Friday 12.25.2015 Christmas Day

Another great day!

Got up to mostly sunny skies.  Did a little food prep before Skype-ing with Matilda and fam.  I still marvel at the wonder of technology.

Went for a run, got the turkey in the oven, and showered.

Frank arrived; we had a nice visit. He seemed to enjoy his gifts, as well as dinner. It was yummy, if I do say so myself.

He helped clean up the kitchen, which I appreciated, and he went on his way.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Hope your Christmas was full of blessings.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Thursday 12.24.2015

Silent Night, Holy Night,

Not as windy
As last night.....

Ugh.

I don't like the wind.  I hardly slept as the 20+ mph wind blew, with frequent gusts. I got up and paced the house, wondering if it would be better to sleep in the basement.

I put the earphones on, selected some calming music, and turned it up enough that I hardly heard the gusts.

Yeah, that didn't work either. The music was too loud. I dozed a little, but didn't really sleep until almost 5am, when the wind seemed to slow down some.

Sometime after 0800 I opened my eyes and the sunlight was pouring in. Ahh, that looks much better. I don't like the gloom, either.

I got up and didn't do a whole lot of anything, but little bits of whatever.

I did go out for a walk in the sunshine.  The wind was cold--I was glad to have a hat and scarf, as well as gloves. Didn't see as much wind damage as I thought there might be.

I picked up branches and sticks from my own yard before going back in.

Frank came over this evening, and he mixed up the pumpkin pie from the Family Recipe.  When it came to the molasses, he sniffed the jar and said "Ewww--we put this in it??"  I laughed, and reminded him of the time I didn't put the molasses in.  He looked at me, and measured it out.  Sure looks good, and smelled good while baking!

Tomorrow we'll have a little dinner here.

Merry Christmas to you all, and Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Hugs.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Wednesday 12.23.2015

Another great day!

Rained on and off most of the day, but I caught a non-rainy interval and went out for a run.  Ohmygosh, I couldn't believe how nice it was outdoors!  Balmy 57 degrees with a light breeze. A few worms were out on the pavement, birds were pecking at them. Squirrels chattering in the trees. A butterfly bush in the neighborhood has leafed out again. This weather is sooo strange....

But I have to say, I like it. No shoveling, no freezing cold. Yet. It's a nice break from our usual winters. Yes?

After a shower and a bite, I went out for a few groceries. The store was busy, overall well stocked, people were nice, and all the checkouts were open with lines of at least four carts deep.

Frank invited me over to his new place, and I went there next in the pouring rain.  It looks like he's getting settled in. I think it's a good move for him.  

It stopped raining, I left, and had a quiet night.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Tuesday 12.22.2015

Another great day!

Worked, busy. Great co-workers, enough to do. Could have had just a little less, though, to be able to clock out in a timely manner. As it was, the oncoming shift was thankful that I did what I did. The patient care was done and appreciated by the patient, as well as the new care team.

A quiet rest of the night.

Tomorrow I hope to run.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Monday 12.21.2015

Another great day!

I think I was mostly awake until 3-ish, and the alarm was on at 0415. Big breath, out of bed.

Dressed and starting on the hair, the phone rings. Again???  I was just on call last Monday...  On call. Ok....

'Jammas back on and back to bed. Nice that it was still warm....

I got back to sleep, and to my surprise it was almost 10 when I woke.

Had a nice day doing things I wanted to do.

Tomorrow is another work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sunday 12.20.2015

Another great day!

Still cold this morning.  I waited until mid-afternoon to go out for a run. Much more comfortable at 40 degrees than 24.  *shiver* 

I showered, did some reading, wrapped the last gift, worked on my budget spreadsheet for next year.  I'm not fast, but I can do an excel spreadsheet.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Saturday 12.19.2015

What a great day!

Slept well, thank you God; that doesn't happen very often.

Wanted to go for a run, but the temperature was mid 20's. And since tomorrow is predicted to be low 40's, I chose to wait. Instead, I went out for a couple groceries and fueled the vehicle before the madhouse of consumerism was in full swing. As it was, the store was well stocked and already  getting busy.

Breakfast, shower, and basically a quiet day before going to the Sanders Sing South. We had a good turnout and a great time, singing and visiting. We sure are blessed to have such a great family. Thank you, Scott and Deb for hosting.

A safe drive home, thanks again.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.


Friday, December 18, 2015

Friday 12.18.2015

What a day!

Worked with the Greatest Co-Worker Ever, on the overflow unit.  And we were busy.

Clocked out, home, and tired.

Tomorrow is Fa-La-La-La-La!!!

Hope my voice holds out.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Thursday 12.17.2015

Another great day!

A load of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, did some food prep.  Went out for a short walk.  Smells like snow.

Overall, a quiet day.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Wednesday 12.16.2015

Another great day!!

Did a load of laundry, went out for a run.

Green lawns, worms on the pavement, noisy birds.  Looks and smells like Spring.  Ahhh, December in Michigan.

Food, shower, reading...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Tuesday 12.15.2015

Another great day!

Worked with the best co-workers ever.

I was busy all day, though I did get an hour break about 1:30. I enjoyed it, too.

Finished my work and finally clocked out.

A quiet night.

Tomorrow is house chores.

Thank you for reading.  Hugs.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Monday 12.14.2015

Another great day!

Up and getting ready for work.

Ring Ring--your turn to stay home.

I had just finished the hair (and it looked good, too) and was going to start on the make-up. They called just in time.

I put my 'jammas back on, turned the lights off, and went back to bed.  To my surprise, it was after 9 o'clock when I woke.

Since it was raining, I had breakfast and putzed around the house, waiting for the weather to break.  Somewhere around noon, it did, and I went out for a run.  To my surprise, a large dark cloud appeared over the tree line and opened up.  Yes, I got a little wet, but it stopped after several minutes. The rest of the run was pleasant with mid 50's temperature and no wind. I noticed that the lawns are greening in the neighborhood. Strange December weather for Michigan.

Shower, phone calls, and a quiet rest of the day.

Tomorrow is another work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Sunday 12.12.2015

What a great weekend!

Got home around 8:15 pm, driving through rain for a couple of hours. Not complaining, sure beats driving through a snowstorm!

Matilda and I had a great day playing, eating, and watching a couple of her favorite (30 minute) shows. She had a nice nap, and not long after we were up, dressed, and hair re-done (she asked if she could have a side braid, like Elsa from "Frozen".  I did my best and she was happy), the parents came home!

We had a nice visit, though short, before I left for home.

The rain had stopped just in time for me to unload the car. Thank you God!

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Saturday. 12.12.2015

Another great day!

An unbelievable 69 degrees here. We'll be swattin' skeeters soon if the temperature doesn't drop to "normal".  I do like not shoveling and not being SO cold.

What a gift to spend time with Matilda. She has filled an area in my heart I didn't know was even there.

Thank you God.

I'll be driving back tomorrow.

Please pray for those whose lives are changing. Oh. That would be each of us.

Thank you for reading.  Hugs.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Friday 12.11.2015

Another great day!

Kind of a slow start to the morning. Felt a little "draggy".  Started getting things gathered to go to Matilda's for the weekend.

The weather was quite nice--by the time I got out for a run, it was high 40's with a little breeze.

Breakfast and a shower, packed and loaded. I had a couple of stops on the way to the highway, finally cruising about 4 pm. Whew.

A safe drive, thank you God.

Hugs all around. Matilda had just gone to bed, but mom said I could go up. Matilda giggled and laughed and hugged me and we cuddled a little before she went back to bed. So cool.

Tomorrow the parents are off to Columbus. M and I are going to make a gingerbread house. Hope it goes well...

Thank you for reading.  Hugs.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thursday 12.10.2015

Another work day.

With the Best Co-Workers Ever.

We were busy, and got through the day.

Home, and a quiet night.

Tomorrow I hope to run, and will be going to play with Matilda while her parents go look for housing this weekend.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Wednesday 12.09.2015

Another great day!

Surprised that it was 0930 when I woke. Of course, I don't sleep "uninterrupted" during the night, waking every couple of hours until early morning. Seems the longest stretch is between 04/05 through 08 or 0900.

Had my list ready to keep me on track; started out with a run. Temperatures high 40's when I went out. Smelled like Spring, with warm breeze and the musty/mildew-y smell when I passed the decaying leaves in the low-lying wooded area. It's a little scary for December in Michigan.

Breakfast, shower, chores, and off to the meeting, which was lively and productive.

Stopped to exchange items at the store, and fueled the vehicle.

Fixed supper, ate, cleaned the kitchen, finished a project (that turned out pretty neat).

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Tuesday 12.08.2015

Another great day!

Got chores done this morning, went out for groceries. Got those put away, and went to the class at the hospital.

Fixed supper and ate, cleaned up the kitchen, and had a quiet night.

Tomorrow is a meeting in the afternoon.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Monday 12.07.2015 Yay!!

I did it!!

I PASSED!!  I am now a Certified Lactation Counselor!!!

A nationally recognized certification, only about 12,000 in the United States.  Woo Hoo!!

I went for a run this afternoon in the warm sunshine.  I didn't look at the temperature, but it felt like low 50's. Birds singing like Spring.

We'll probably get zapped with sub-zero temperatures all at once, and the trees will start exploding when they freeze.

Tomorrow is a class at the hospital, and I need some fresh groceries, too.

Thank you for reading.  Hugs.

"Katherine Jacque  LPN, CLC"

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Sunday 12.06.2015

Had a great day at the J.O.B. with the best co-workers ever.  We had a nice lunch break, and an afternoon break, too!  Cherish that kind of day...

Had a quiet evening at home.

Tomorrow I hope to run.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Saturday 12.05.2015

Another great day!

And, again, I "floated" out, spending the first 8 hours with a patient on another floor. I've discovered that it's always a gift to spend that one-on-one time with a patient. The last 4 hours was covered by another "patient observer", and I went back to my unit to finish out the shift.

Clocked out, home, and a quiet evening.

Tomorrow is another work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Friday 12.04.2015

Another great day today!

Ran this morning. I'm sure liking this milder weather (so far) for December.

Breakfast, shower.

Got the project mostly completed. Yay!  I'm also liking what I've done so far!

A load of laundry washed, dried, and put away, and a trip to the store.

A quiet night.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Thursday 12.03.2015

Another great day!

Worked on a gift project most of the day; I hope to finish this part tomorrow.

Met up with the gals from the hospital. We had a great turn out and a great time.

Maybe I'll run tomorrow...?

Thank you for reading.  Hugs.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Wednesday 12.02.2015

Another great day!!

Woke to sunshine; clouds moved in about mid-morning.

I enjoyed my run--I like being outdoors.

Breakfast, shower, and a whole lot of not much the rest of the day.

Tomorrow is a "gathering" with some of the girls who have retired.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Tuesday 12.01.2015

Here it is, the last month of the year.

Zoom.

A great day today at the J.O.B.

Steady busy with the Best Co-Workers Ever.

A quiet night.

Tomorrow I hope to go for a run, and there's a meeting that I'm considering going to.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.