Monday 10.31.2011 Spooky

We had a pretty good day on the overflow unit today. Busy, but we just kept pecking along. Finally, we were able to move the remaining patients over to the primary unit at the end of the shift. Whew.

I'm tired tonight.

Tomorrow is a workday, also a meeting in the morning. And, as I didn't find anyone who could/would work for me, I may not be able to attend.

Happy Halloween. Hugs.

Sunday 10.30.2011

What a day.

I did sleep. Felt like I had gotten some rest when I woke again about 8:30. Was surprised to see that I had dozed off and it was 9 o'clock. Time to get up.

I got ready and left for Mt. Pleasant. I was going to D's, where she was going to drive us to Houghton Lake for our cousin's funeral.

It was very nice. Different, but healing. Was good to see people I hadn't seen for a while.

D and I got groceries, and she also used her massage skills on the back of my neck before I left for home.

A safe drive home, thank you God.

I had a little snack, got turned around for workday tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 10.29.2011

Ugh.

This morning I woke up dizzy. Very strange. I wobbled over to the bathroom, thinking I would stay up, but decided to lay back down. I didn't feel well.

I dozed again, but was still dizzy when I woke about 9. I stayed in bed, hoping it would pass. I was also queasy, the back of my head and neck hurt. It almost felt like a hangover gone wrong.

I had wanted to jog this morning. Couldn't go out like this. It had started raining, anyway.

After being up an hour and a half or so, I wasn't any better. The pain in the neck and head--I realized it could be migraine--I decided to take tylenol/motrin/and a little codeine. But I had to eat to take the pills.

So I did. I hoped the digestive processes would function normally, not reject anything just put in, and went back on the sofa. I laid down and slept again.

When I woke, the pain was decreased and the nausea gone. Praise God! I was feeling pretty yucky. The dizziness was minimal.

It was close to 4 by now. The roads had dried up, with a little sun poking through. I decided to go out for a gentle jog.

And I did ok.

Back inside, I cooled off, showered, and had a light snack. Still not 100% right in the gut.

Daughter Breon graduated from her cosmetology program and her celebration was tonight. I really didn't feel like going out, but I did. I didn't stay long.

Tonight I'm tired, head and neck sore, still just a little queasy, and infrequent wooziness in the head. Geez.

Virus? Bad food?? Migraine??? Whatever, I hope to feel better tomorrow, as I plan to go to a funeral.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 10.28.2011

Another steadily busy workday. Good thing I get paid to do this...

It finally ended, and I clocked out in a timely manner.

A safe drive home, thank you God.

We had a fairly good frost last night; everything was white and sparkly this morning.

Tomorrow I hope to catch up at home.

I'm tired tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 10.27.2011

Wow! What a Day!!

I spent the majority of the day in Flint, with my aunt, EM.

I helped her with the craft project: decorating the boxes for, then filling little zip-top bags with, the cremains of her husband of might-as-well-have-been 63 years. Very odd, playing with cremains. Creepy, sometimes. But we got it done, and she is happy with the results.

She also had a few other "projects" for me to help her with, and all the while, she (and I) talked.

We looked at pictures, and she reminisced about her past, much of which I was unaware. She is my father's sister. It was good to hear him talked about.

Thank you, Aunt EM.

On the drive home, I received a call that a cousin has passed. Another call after I got home; funeral is Sunday.

And the world goes around.

Tomorrow is a workday.

My heart has been "quieter" this evening. So far. And that's a relief to me.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 10.26.2011

I woke several times during the night, my longest stretch of sleep being from 0635 to 0905. When I got up, my hips were aching, as well as the bottoms of my feet. My foot discomfort is probably from the busy, 12 1/2 hour workdays, and maybe the hips, too.

I went out for a jog. Breakfast, shower, out to run errands. I finally took tylenol and motrin before going out.

Back home it was time to eat, and I rustled something up.

Board Meeting this evening, and now I'm tired again. I'll go to bed soon.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 10.25.2011

I slept really well last night, all 4 hours of it, once I got to sleep. And since I was awakened, the morning hours were, shall we say, sluggish? I tried caffeine mid-morning; little improvement. After eating lunch an hour and a half or so later, I started to feel a little better.

We were busy again today. One of the girls agreed to work some hours for me so I could attend a meeting. I was still a little punky, but a small cola beverage helped with that, fortunately.

When I got back to the floor, the fan had been turned on while we were gone. Ack!!!

We finally finished the shift.

Tomorrow night is an Association Board Meeting.

I'm tired tonight and the heart has been moderately irregular, intermittently throughout the day today. I'm hoping to get the rest of my sleep out tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 10.24.2011

I worked today, floating out, and ended up working on 3 different units. The morning's experience reinforced to me that it is very important to take care of the physical self, as well as the psychological self.

Back on my home unit, I valued the familiarity and experience. Especially since we had a "situation". Of course, the fabulous team of nurses on the 4th floor did a wonderful job, and the patient was stabilized within an hour. By the end of the shift, she was feeling much better. Ahh, the joys of nursing.

A safe drive home, thank you God.

Dan was home and was finishing up the laundry. What a guy.

Tomorrow is a workday for me.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 10.23.2011

What a good day today!!

Blue sky, 63 degrees, birds singing like ... umm ... spring??

I put away the table and flower containers that were on the balcony. I also got the cutters and cut the way tall bush/tree foliage that has grown up taller than our second story window. When it's windy, the branches will slap against the glass and startle the snot out of me. Ha--not funny, and not any more.

I took the summer decor items over to the storage unit and brought back the autumn stuff and put that on the doors. I also brought back a couple of strings of Christmas lights--I put one out on the balcony railing, and one going down the stairs to the front door. The stairway is really dark in the morning; the little lights are just enough to be able to see the steps and get safely down to the landing, where there is a sensor that turns on the light down there.

By then I was hungry again, so I made my food, ate, and packaged the rest in portions, labeling them and putting them in the refrigerator. If they are still there in a couple of days, they go over to the freezer. An easy way to have my lunches ready!!!

A quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a workday.

My heart wasn't as goofy today, but it was flipping around a little in the late afternoon/evening. Strange, it is. That, and the hot flashes. I've been trying to pay attention to each of those events, but so far, haven't correlated anything. Another day for the Arimidex, another day without a heart pill. Eventually I'll be done with the Arimidex; I'm hoping that's the cause of the arrhythmias and I won't need a heart pill. Amen.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 10.22.2011

A Beautiful Blue Sky Day today!!

Although it was a cool 40 degrees this morning, by noon it was 54 degrees. I had started out with a jacket for my jog, but turned around and put it and my gloves back in the house, then went on my way.

Sure looks like the season has changed, with the summer/outdoor stuff being put away and the oranges and browns of autumnal decor dotting homes in the neighborhood.

The sun felt wonderful.

Back inside, I cooled off, breakfasted, showered, laundry.

I went out for a few fresh grocery items--the store was busier than I had expected. Ick.

A quiet evening.

I was surprised at how much my heart was flopping around today, during the afternoon. It usually only happens in the evening. Maybe I was just noticing it more?? And, how much does it bother me? Enough that I notice it. For now.

Tomorrow is unplanned....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 10.21.2011

Workday.

Finally, a nicely-paced day with good co-workers; I felt like I got something done. And wasn't scrambling or juggling or missing/forgetting things.

Thank you God.

A safe drive home, thanks again.

My heart has had a couple hours of bopping around and can quit anytime now.

I'm tired and look forward to not having to get up in the morning.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 10.20.2011

Another night of wind and light rain. Our power had "blinked" at some point, but we did have power.

Daniel wanted to go out for breakfast. At first, I told him to go by himself, but changed my mind and went with him. While we were out, we heard that there was a large area that was out of power. Thank you God, that it wasn't us....

We went back to the JC and did the "closing chores", finally leaving close to noon. It was still a little windy with a light rain.

All the way home.

We got unloaded, Daniel got his things turned around and left for the trailer.

I was happy that he finally got to spend a little time at the lake. He seemed to enjoy it.

Me too.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 10.19.2011

I didn't hear any creatures in the wall last night. Maybe because I kind of slept, or maybe they are finally gone. Or maybe because the weather is yucky.

It's been a gray, windy, sometimes rainy day today.

I fixed pancakes and eggs for a late morning breakfast for us. The rest of the day we did a whole bunch of nothing, besides watch the wind torment the lake and the trees, and watch the ducks bob around on the whitecaps.

When Dan woke up from his nap, we had a yummy supper, and he watched a couple movies in the evening.

We'll be going home tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 10.18.2011

What a great day today!!

I slept pretty good, overall, woke about 7:30, stayed in bed 'til about 8. Dan was already up.

Breakfast, then got things packed to go to the lake. Dan had to go to the post office; I finished packing the cooler and foodstuffs and carried all my things down to the garage. When he got back, he loaded the car, and....we were off.

An uneventful trip, thank you God. We arrived at the JC about 12:30 pm. Cool, breezy, 50 degrees, with low gray clouds that foretell of the winter to come. I was happy that both new furnaces fired up easily, and within 15 minutes it was warm inside. Woo Hoo!!

I was a little anxious about looking in the chipmunk bucket. What if there's nothing in it?? What if there is??

Nothing in the bucket. So, did the creature that came in and put corn under the pillows forget how to get in?? Or did it eat the D-Con...??? Time will tell, I suppose.

We ate our Subway food before getting started on the outdoor chores.

We both changed clothes--Dan put on his wetsuit and waders (it was a photo op I missed) and started getting the dock sections apart while I got the hose and other needed items from the garage to clean the awning. He and I got the dock out, and Tom and KS came by as we were getting the support poles out.

That job done, we watched Daniel clean the top of the awning. We visited a bit; T&KS were ready to leave, and going to Big Bob's in Hale. We decided to go, too.

I enjoyed the afternoon with them.

Back at the JC, we finished up outdoors. Grill and outdoor chairs in the shed, green boat moved into big green shed. Evelyn and Bob came out and supervised that.

When we were finally done, Daniel went through his collection of scuba stuff. He seemed pretty happy tonight--he's gotten done what he wanted to do, and can now just enjoy it.

Me, too.

Not sure what we'll do tomorrow. The weather is not looking so good--rain and a high wind advisory. Hmm. I don't like the wind.

We'll see what happens.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 10.17.2011

Even though I had the "usual" interrupted sleep, I felt rested when I woke this morning. Breakfast, then off to Leah's for the Reflexology appointment.

It was one of the most intense treatments yet. Now, you wouldn't think that a series of pressures and sequence of movements on the feet would do a whole lot. HA! Today's treatment made me nauseated, almost from the start. And enough so, that she "backed off" a couple of times to give me a break. Yes, I think there really is something to that reflexology stuff. Guess I'll have to stop saying "It's all hooey..."

The nausea went away after an hour or so.

I stopped to pick up a couple of items on the way home. After a bit of a rest, I went out for a jog. The sun was lovely, the gusty wind a bit cool; temps mid 50's.

Dan got home, we had supper.

Tomorrow we're going to the lake for a couple days, so he can get the dock out. I hope the weather holds out for us.

And I hope I can sleep well tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 10.16.2011

I slept pretty good last night; had to get up, though, for the J.O.B.

A good day, even busier than yesterday. And the last 3 hours I was in patient rooms, finally able to chart/document what I had been doing, accruing overtime. Ah, all in the day of a nurse.

I passed a newly dead deer on the highway. Tis the season.

And I made it home safely, thank you God.

I had a bite to eat (since I wasn't able to at the hospital) and had a quiet night.

Tomorrow I see Leah for a Reflexology appointment, getting my body back in order.

And I'm tired tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 10.15.2011

Worked, nicely busy, great co-workers.

Stopped on the way home for gas and a few fresh groceries.

Put food away, got lunch ready, and now ready for bed.

My heart irregularity has been a bit less today; enough that I know it's happening. The question continues to hover--how much does it bother you?? I can call the cardiologist any time and get a pill...

Not today.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 10.14.2011

I slept fairly well, considering. About 0500 I heard what sounded like cellophane crinkling--in the wall, near my head. Ack!! It startled me, but as I listened, I could hear the little creature's scritching of it's feet, too. My guess is that it was moving that bait pack/bait pillow. As long as it gets eaten...

I dozed back off, waking about 9. Gloomy, a little hazy, low 50's. I had breakfast and enjoyed the morning, and got ready to leave.

I put the chipmunk bucket in the living room, and left the access panel off of the plumbing for the bathtub, and the closet door open, just in case that's where the little kernel eater is coming in.

It was trying to rain when I left about 12:30. I had a safe drive, thank you God, finding all was well at home.

Tomorrow is a workday for me.

Last night before I went to bed, my heart was sure flip-flopping around. For a much longer time than it had done before. Made me consider the doctor's words--"How much does it bother you?" That type of rhythm did bother me, and I was relieved to notice the more regular rhythm when I woke after sleeping a couple of hours. It's a little irregular again this evening, but not like last night. As long as it keeps beating...

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 10.13.2011

I didn't hear any mice in the wall last night. Maybe because I was sleeping, or maybe because each time I woke I turned the radio on again (on a sleep timer) so I wouldn't hear the little darlin's scratching around in the wall. I made it to daylight, and was lying there dozing, when the house phone rang....

It was Evelyn next door, asking if I wanted to go to breakfast with them. I saw it was 0930--sure, let me get washed up and dressed....

We had a great breakfast in South Branch.

The rest of the day was mostly overcast, 60 degrees, and a light breeze. While Evelyn and Bob got their dock out, I hovered around outside in case they needed help. Sometimes they do. I got the bumpers/fenders off of our dock posts and put them away, and decided to rake and burn some leaves, even though there are lots still on the trees.

While I was outside, I checked on the bait pillow/bait pack I put next to the critter hole outside, near where I hear the noises. It was gone!! Not just chewed empty, it was missing. Hopefully, they dragged it into their nest. Maybe that's why I didn't hear anything last night.

It took the rest of the afternoon to burn the leaves, and I enjoyed sitting out there while each batch burned up. I finally came in about 5.

After a snack, I checked the computer, had a couple of phone calls, and a quiet evening.

I'll be going back home tomorrow.

I've felt kind of tired today. Maybe I'll sleep better tonight.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 10.12.2011

Uncle Wayne's funeral today. Very nice. As I was singing "On Eagle's Wings" I remembered that we sang that at Mom's funeral. I was kind of out of it then, as it was just before my last chemo treatment. So I sang for Mom, and for Uncle Wayne. May you both Rest in Peace.

I also realized that it was the first funeral I had been to since Mom's. And I had a "moment". As I recognized it, I took a breath and honored it, and was better. Thank you God.

The darn thing about funerals is that it is always so good to see everybody.

From Flint, I went on my way up to the JC. High 50's and a steady light wind, oddly overcast with just a bit of light coming through. I am surprised at how many leaves have dropped since Sunday. Some trees are completely bare!

I happened to look out the window, and saw a bird swooping out front. It looked like it had something dangling from it's legs. I looked again--it did--it had a big fish--it was an eagle! And it swooped right into the tree in front of the house!!! I had changed clothes, so I put my shoes on and quietly went out the back door. I didn't see it in the pine tree--it flew out of the oak tree. Wow!! So cool!!!

I also came across a mostly-eaten corn kernel, on one of the recliner seats. I took a flashlight and looked for holes and openings inside the house. The access board to the bathtub plumbing in a bedroom closet was off. I didn't see any obvious openings there, but I put the board back over the space and closed the closet doors tightly. Beyond that, I don't know where the creatures might be coming in. Daniel had the suggestion of putting the chipmunk bucket inside when I leave.... might be a good idea....

Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 10.11.2011

I was up--dressed, painted, hair, breakfasted, lunch together, etc., just going to put my shoes on, when the phone rang. On-call. Hm. Ok.

I stayed up until just after 7 in case the day shift called back. They didn't; I went back to bed. Dan left for golf.

When I did get up, my face was puffy, and I felt fatigued. Probably a good thing I don' t get to work.

I had a quiet morning, then went out to Meijer for a few things. Back at home, I fixed and ate my lunch, and almost took a nap. I stayed awake, though.

Early evening I went out for a jog. That was good. And after, a shower.

Dan got home just about dark.

A quiet evening, and off to bed.

Tomorrow is the funeral for our Dear Uncle. He will be missed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 10.10.2011

Another workday.

I got up and left for work, seeing a large, dark deer cross the highway just in front of me. It was off the road when I passed it, but it turned it's head and I saw the reflection in it's eyes. I'm glad I didn't hit it--it was a big 'un.

We were busy today. I didn't hardly look out the windows to see what the weather was. When I went out to the car this evening, it was really nice. I heard it had been really nice all day...

On the way home, there was another deer in the road, this time in pieces. I saw the back half of it first on the left side of the road, then several yards away was the head and front leg. Ick. I watched for more animals moving, hoping to see none.

I made it home safely.

Dan was home. We had a nice evening together. I started the laundry and we caught up.

Tomorrow is a workday for me.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 10.09.2011

Wow, another beautiful day at the lake!! Clear blue sky, occasional light breeze, and afternoon temp of 79 degrees!!!

I didn't sleep very well, though. About 0200 I heard the scritch-scratching in the wall by the chimney, which was near the head of the bed. Ack! I reached up and smacked the wall, hoping to scare the rodent away, but after just a few seconds, it resumed it's activity. Not knowing if this is the creature that tucked the corn kernels under my pillow, I didn't want to wake up with a little rodent face looking into my eyes. So I got up and went into the other bedroom.

That bed wasn't made. As I was putting the sheets on that bed, I picked up that pillow, and--another 3 corn kernels. Are you kidding me?? How can that be?? So now I'm getting creeped out. I haven't seen any other signs of activity--like mouse feces, or nibblings on things--but something has been in the house.

I went out on the deck and enjoyed the morning for a bit. Mirror quiet, there were several boats out fishing. I wondered if there might have been a fishing tournament or something. I watched as one guy casted out and got a hit--and pulled in a good sized fish--maybe a bass or something.

I went out for a jog, breakfast, shower, etc. and gathered my things to get ready to leave. As I was doing that, Bob came over, needing help for a project.

They were putting their Sunsetter awning away, and needed a third set of hands. (I think they really only needed a referee--they tend to not work well together) We got the project done and I said my good-byes.

I got on the road about 4:30. With the "smart phone" we have Verizon service, and it has a navigation program with a "traffic" layer that shows areas of slowed and stopped traffic. I was happy to have this--I was able to exit and miss two different areas of stopped traffic, one on I-75 and another on I-69. I finally got home about 7:30, after refueling the vehicle.

Unloaded, unpacked, snack, ready for bed. Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for your prayers--my dear Uncle has gone to Heaven. To quote another family member--"Christmas will never be the same".

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 10.08.2011

What a great day today!!

I slept really well last night, waking about 0530, getting up and starting the day.

I was on the road by 8. A safe drive, thank you God, arriving at the JC about 11.

Beautiful, sunny, blue-sky day, high 60's getting to 78 degrees today!!

After unloading the car and walking around the house, I notice activity down by the GC, or at Anne's. As I was walking down there, Polly called--she and Jim were getting ready to leave the GC. I joined them for lunch and we had a nice visit. I was also happy to see and hug Anne, as her people are here to get her back to southern Ohio for the winter. Have a great winter, Anne. I'll be thinking of you.

I got the screen room taken down and put away. Boo Hoo. But I'd much rather do it on a 78 degree day than on a 40 degree, windy, rainy day.

When I put my pillow on the bed in the front bedroom, I removed the pillows that were on there. What's that--?? 3 kernels of corn, and a sunflower kernel. Tucked under the pillow. Great. (I had to smile, though. The creatures miss me...) Then I noticed the metal cover of the vent pipe for the wood stove was ajar. Aha--I put that back in place, and will look for a more secure covering for that tomorrow. I put new "wedges" of D-con pellets in the house and garage to keep the mice at bay, and sprayed the exterior of both buildings to keep the spiders and other bugs out.

It was close to sunset, but still low 70's--I enjoyed a fire, watching it get dark and the moonlight taking over for the sun. So awesome. Thank you God, for letting me be here.

I have to go back home tomorrow, but I'm ok with that. I sure had a good day today.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 10.07.2011

I worked today. Started out with the "on call" phone call, but was called back about 0730, just as I had finally drifted back to sleep. And we had a good day, even though it was a little busy.

As the day went on, I was thinking that I might go north after work. As it turned out, I didn't get my supper, which threw me all off. I stopped at the chinese place, where I had planned to get my food in the afternoon anyway, on the way home, and ate the eggroll.

I also refueled the car on the way home, so I was ready to go.

When I got in the house and put my things away, I got really sleepy. Hmm. I ate what food I wanted, and the next thing I knew, I wanted to go to bed. Probably not a good idea to drive almost 3 hours in the dark, being that tired....

And I went to bed.

It's Saturday morning, 0530, and I'm awake. I slept really good!!!! Thank you God!

I'm getting ready to go....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 10.06.2011

Boy, did I sleep good last night. Well, this morning, really. From 3 til 9am. That's HUGE for me.

I jogged and showered, and when Frank got here, we shared breakfast. Maybe brunch, because it was after noon by then.

We drove over to Flint to visit Uncle W. He's been moved to a Hospice home. Although it's an awful situation, it was a good thing for each of us. I'd like to think that Uncle knew I/we were there, and could hear us talking with him.

We also had a nice visit with some other family that was there.

A safe drive back home, I changed clothes, and went to Jackson for a "drill" that we have been working on. It went well, and we learned a lot from it.

Tomorrow is a workday for me.

I've felt pretty good today, too.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 10.05.2011

I didn't have to get up so early today--Dan got up to go golf, but I didn't hear him leave.

Sunny, low 70's today. Beautiful.

Laundry and groceries, and dance class in the evening.

Dan has gone back to the trailer.

Uncle W. has been transferred to a hospice home; please continue the prayers. I'm planning on going there tomorrow.

Be kind to the people in your world.

Hugs.

Tuesday 10.04.2011

Workday.

I slept pretty good, and look forward to sleeping the other half of it tonight. And I don't have to get up in the morning.

We were busy today--we had 10 babies on our shift. With a great group of co-workers, we had a good day.

A safe drive home and a quiet evening with Daniel.

May the peace of the Lord surround us all.

Hugs.

Monday 10.03.2011

I had a busy, fun, emotional, family filled weekend.

I worked today. Add all that together--well, I'm tired.

I'd like to write about it; tonight I've got to get to bed so I can get up for work tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for those who are affected by disease and illness.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.