Wednesday 07.31.2013

What a great day today!!

The rain held off (mostly--a few light sprinkles came through a couple of different times, but not enough to chase us indoors) and we were able to enjoy the outdoors and camp fire and food and each other. So nice to have a family gathering.  Thanks to all who shared with us today.

Sweet Matilda was still not feeling well--ears and teeth--but was sociable and endearing, stealing all our hearts.

We're tired tonight.

Thank you God for this day.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 07.30.2013 Sweet Matilda

Yep, Matilda's here. With her parents, too.

Such a nice baby.  She seemed to recognize me after just a few minutes, and we've had a great afternoon.

The weather was dry today, starting out sunny with clouds moving in in the afternoon, low 70's.

J&P arrived not too long after Jeremy and family. We enjoyed a nice fire this evening.

Tomorrow we have a "gathering"--please, no rain.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 07.29.2013

Another very odd weather day.

Overcast, cool. Dark clouds forming, but never raining. At least in this area. So with that threat there, I didn't paint...

I went over to RC to visit our uncle, who looked like he was doing ok--I found him with the physical therapists who were just getting him up to walk.  And he did pretty good.

But as we went into the dining area for lunch, he started getting weepy. Fortunately, I've seen this before, and was able to redirect him. I stayed until he got well into his lunch before I left.

Back at the GC, Sunday and girls were getting ready to leave. They got on the road about 2:30, which leaves me all alone for the night.

I raked the yard and was able to burn the stuff, and the evening actually turned out pretty nice. Quiet water and clear skies. Finally.

Tomorrow is predicted to be nice. And Jeremy Jenny and Matilda come tomorrow, and J&P, too. Yay!!

Maybe I can sleep---

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 07.28.2013

Another day full of weather.

Cloudy, cool, warm sun breaking through; calm, breezy, rain. Sunny and warm, then 20 minutes later gray and raining.  Several times throughout the day.

T&KS came up for the afternoon.  He put new parts on the paddleboat, as well as repaired a board on the well cover. Kathy visited with her parents for a while, as well as spent time with us.

The younger girls had a great time on and in the water, inbetween rains.

I don't think the temps got above 70, and it's cooled down to the low 50's again tonight. Geesh. Late July.

Tomorrow I hope to get some painting done, if it will stay dry.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 07.27.2013

What a weather-full day today!!

Started with a humid 60-degree morning for the Run Like Hale 10K, where the race route was around Long Lake. Jim 5 ran, and the rest of us cheered.  It was kind of fun standing out there at the end of our road. We watched the first and the last and all in between runners and walkers, and a couple of recumbent bicycles go by, clapping and saying words of encouragement. All 200 (well 192) of them. Our Jim 5 was awarded a 2nd Place medal, something about an age group. Way to go, Jim!

Just as they were leaving, the rain started. It stopped for a while, looked like it might be nice for a while. I went for a little walk, and when I got back, it rained again.

Then it stopped again.

J&P and J&K&A left for home after visiting with new arrivals Sunday, Sophie, and Breann.

And the wind picked up, and it rained again. Hard. Couldn't see anything but gray rain out the windows. Thunder and Lightning. For about 45 minutes.

The yard was a giant puddle until it settled through the sand.

We waited a little before going out for pizza.

No more rain tonight, but high 50's with a little breeze.

Hope tomorrow is a quieter, rain-free day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 07.26.2013

I finally did it.

Locked the keys in the car.

In Hale.

The other key is 3 1/2 hours away.

So---I had received a window cling-type sticker with my auto insurance policy for the Roadside Assistance AND had put the sticker on the window.

Polly had her phone (mine was locked in the car) and I called 1-800 number and, to make a long story short, the tow truck came from across the street and unlocked the vehicle. It was just a few minutes, without damage to the vehicle, and we were on our way after completing the paperwork.

Thank you God.

Jim scraped (good job again, Jim) and I painted. I caught up to him this morning, and went into Hale in the afternoon. I painted again later this afternoon, until the rain started. And I almost caught him again.

Jim and Kris arrived in the rain. He is going to run the "Run Like Hale" 10K in the morning. Hope the puddles are small.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 07.25.2013 (my birthday--giggle)

And a Fine Day it was!!

Sunshine, Blue Skies, very light breeze, mid 70's----love being at The Lake.

I was surprised that it was 0830 when I looked at the clock. stretch...

Got up, went for a run.  Breakfast, looked at email.

Finally got outside and started painting.

Jim does the hard work, scraping. I follow, priming.

Kind of stiff and almost sore tonight.  Maybe a little motrin?

Tomorrow is more of the same.

I made it through another year, with each of you.

Thank you, and Hugs.

Wednesday 07.24.2013

Another Beautiful Day!!

Warmed up to low 70's after a 50 degree night.

Jim scraped, I painted. Moving around the building.

More of the same tomorrow, though predicted to be a little warmer.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 07.23.2013

The weather has certainly changed--I think we may be entering autumn--lows tonight in the high 40's.....

It was windy today, with white caps on the lake, and larger "rollers" with the wind gusts. Partly to mostly cloudy, with the warm sun fighting to be seen.

Tom and Kathy Sue came up today for a surprise visit--was really good to see them.  Tom and I got the awning up on the trailer, (big THANKS, Tom) he did some other stuff, and helped Jim scrape the side of the cottage.

I was able to have "girl time". KS and I went to Hale while J&P had lunch, then we 3 females enjoyed the afternoon while the guys did their thing.

After, we all went to dinner (to celebrate my birthday--any excuse will do) and caught up on stuff. T&KS left for home, while J&P&me went back to the lake.

Still windy and much cooler, we had a quiet night.

Tomorrow I'll be painting.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 07.22.2013

Another Beautiful Day at The Lake!!

Gosh--blue skies with clouds drifting by. Blue water ruffled with a light breeze. Occasional speedboats, pontoons, and jet skis (I did say occasional, not constantly). So beautiful.

Thank you God for this place on your earth.

Jim scraped, I painted primer today, getting another portion of the exterior of the GC completed. J&P went out to celebrate their 46th !  anniversary of wedded life. I sat outdoors and swatted the biting flies, went inside where it was too warm, went down on the dock and watched the water.

After they returned, Polly and I went for a paddle boat ride. So nice!

Tomorrow is another day of scraping and painting.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 07.21.2013 Ahhh, Internet......

Seems the storms interrupted our internet service here at the GC.  My computer had been connected, but---lost connection and was unable to log on to the modem.

The first call was to Technical Support Saturday evening, who said service was expected to be repaired by Sunday afternoon. Which it was, but only my machine would connect. No other devices would connect.

So I called again this evening after my device got "locked out". (I don't know what the technical term is, but I know that we were all about frustrated) The nice lady at Technical Support was patient and kind and talked me through the processes, which involved using the ethernet cable. Odd thing is, that my machine, which had been connecting, wouldn't connect even with the ethernet cord, but Jim's machine did. So we got the modem reset with TS and Jim's machine, which connected; my machine connected, and then their other devices connected too. Wow. What a time and energy consuming challenge!!

Yes, I'm at the Lake.

Finally got on the road about 2 on Saturday, enjoying the ride. Got everything unloaded into the trailer and settled in.  Jim and Polly came back from supper and we visited a bit.

The weather is soooo much better than it had been at home, as well as here. Low 80's, and last night it cooled off to high 40's (?) I heard.  It was quite cool. Seemed odd to be cool, and I actually got up to put another blanket on the bed. Surprised me...

Today was another great day, high 70's, sunshine with fluffy clouds that got a little dark in the afternoon, but no rain. Breezy, too, and the wind was a little cool.

Jim has been doing a fine job scraping the cottage, and getting primer on. I did help a little, but not much. Tomorrow's another opportunity.

J & P & myself went over to Rose City to visit our Uncle, Carl, one of Elaine's brothers, who is in a care home there. He was quite lucid while we were there; it was good to see him.

Looking forward to another fine day tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 07.19.2013

Another Great Day!!

Slept fair, woke feeling mostly rested.

Breakfast and a quiet morning. Considered enjoying coffee outdoors; Yikes!  It's hot and humid out there.  Closed the door and stayed in.

Email and checked the weather. Not looking like I'm going north today, what with the prediction of storms and continued humidity.

I had a quiet rest of the day.

Frank and Danielle stopped in on their way back from the GC. Danielle looked rested, and Frank was happy.

I got my laundry done, and ready to pack and load tomorrow morning. Not sure about timing--probably on the road before noon, but I'm not on a schedule....

Yoga tonight and then off to bed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 07.18.2013

Another great day!

I was surprised that I woke about 0700. And then I thought--gee, since I'm awake, I could go run before it gets smokin' hot today.

So I got up.

And it was pretty warm out there.

But I did ok, and had a nice run.

Breakfast, shower, phone calls.

Went out for fresh food in the afternoon, after the little thunderstorm moved through.  The pavement dried within an hour, and the temperature dropped about 5 degrees.

Food prep, supper, and a quiet evening.

I'm going to watch the weather tomorrow to see what the storms look like. Still contemplating going north, but may wait until Saturday.....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 07.17.2013

VACATION.

Although I set the alarm to get to the eight o'clock class.  It was interesting, and happy that I went. It gave me another 2 hours paid, too.

It was in the high 80's when I got home, though the birds were active.  I changed clothes and decided to sit outdoors in the shade for a bit and enjoy it.

Whew it was hot.  I stayed out for maybe an hour. Just when I was going to come in, a dark cloud moved in and it started raining.

A little thunder and rain that lasted maybe an hour. The temperature dropped 10 degrees, but another hour or so later, the pavement was mostly dry and the temp was back up into the low 90's. Geesh!!

I stayed in the rest of the afternoon/evening, reading, a nap, and I did some yoga.  Ahhh, vacation.

Tomorrow is predicted to be hazardously hot. I'll go out to the grocery, but probably not much more than that.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 07.16.2013

Let the Vacation begin!!

I had a good day today, and boy did it get busy tonight; we had 10 babies on our shift.

So happy to clock out and not see a 12 1/2 hour work day for a couple of weeks. Although I am going to a mandatory educational session tomorrow morning for an hour or so. But I'm not going to work the floor....

And not likely that I'll be going north in the 90+ degree weather, with high humidity, and no air conditioning. I don't do well in the heat.

More likely that I'll go Thursday.

Ahhhhh........

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 07.15.2013

A great workday!

My orientee is doing well--it's fun to watch her grow and interact with the patients. Tomorrow is our last day together, as I'm gone for a couple weeks, and she goes to night shift. She'll be a great addition to our Team.

A quiet night--phone calls, yoga, and off to bed.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 07.14.2013

Another great day!!

Got up and went for a run. To my surprise it was already 76 degrees at 0900--guess I thought it was to have been a cooler morning. Anyway, I went out.

And it was hot.  Just a gentle breeze that couldn't be felt if you were going "with the wind". I was very perspire-y and walked a bit more than usual at the end.

The air was on in the house already, and I stood in front of the vent. I waited as long as I could to cool down/stop sweating to get in the shower.  Even after showering, I was still perspiring.  Drink some more water.....

Frank brought his car over to stay at my house while he is gone this week. I'll move it into the garage when I leave on Wednesday. Or maybe Thursday. Not sure yet.

And I left to go to Flushing, to visit Diane and Aunt Lois.  Aunt Donna was there, too.  We were just sitting down to eat when Frank and Danielle pulled in (I had received a text as to their arrival time, and we were expecting them) and joined us for the meal.  What great fun!!   We all laughed and giggled and ate and had a good time.  We celebrated Donna's birthday, which is tomorrow, and they included mine, which is in a week and a half.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Frank and Danielle went on their way, as did Donna.  I stayed and visited with the Faix women.  It wasn't long before A. Lois went over to her recliner and promptly fell asleep.  I didn't have the heart to wake her when I left.

A safe drive home, thank you God.

I have a load of laundry just about done, and it's a workday tomorrow. Then one more workday, and VACATION!!

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 07.13.2013

Another great day!!

Slept fairly well; Frank came over shortly after I got up. We visited and had breakfast together, then he took a nap.

He left about 10:30--I went out for errands. Spent more time than I had hoped (though it didn't matter--I didn't have any thing else planned for this afternoon) trying on bras. Ugh.  I'm happy there are so many different styles/models, because I know there are so many different breasts. BUT--it seems like such a challenge to find an acceptable fit for ME!  Do all of us females think like that about bra shopping??

I did drive by a group doing a fundraising car wash, so I let them wash my car. They did a good job, toweled dry, too.

I was thinking about getting something to eat when Frank was back.  We sorted out the things I had set aside for him to take north, but the trunk of the car is smaller than either of us realized. So he left a few things here; mostly the larger convenience items.

He hand washed his girlfriend's car here in the driveway, while I went out to the back garage to visit the boat.  I ended up sweeping out the spiders and worms (how do they get in there?).  And all is well in there.

He left, and I fixed another batch of rhubarb-black raspberry preserves.  Yum!

Tomorrow I'm going to visit the Aunts in Flushing.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 07.12.2013

Wow. Today was so steady busy, and seemed soooo long, that I even started writing tomorrow's date this afternoon, thinking that this morning just had to be yesterday.....ohmygosh.

My orientee was back with me again, and it helped immensely.  So was the other new girl and her preceptor. It was sure nice to have help.

And I'm tired tonight.

I sat in the recliner and thought that I had made a mistake.  Uh oh, I'm going to fall asleep. So I moved around, putting my work stuff away.

Tomorrow Frank is coming over to pick up some things for him to take to the lake.

And I'm trying to stay awake.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 07.11.2013

Busy day today, with enough help. Was happy to be clocked out in a timely fashion.

Did a half hour yoga session, then a quiet rest of the evening.

Tomorrow is another work day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 07.10.2013

Another great day!!

It was already 76 degrees, with 86% humidity when I went out for a run at 0900. I just took it easy, and I did fine.

Of course I was quite perspire-y.

It took a while to cool down, but with water and food, it was an hour and a half or so and I could shower without still sweating.

I've gotten some paperwork done, sorted things, and got things ready for next week. (vacation) 

Fixed food and ate and cleaned up the kitchen, and a quiet evening. It finally cooled off to low 70's, and the humidity is in the 60's.

Tomorrow is a work day.

Thank you for reading.

Hugs.

Tuesday 07.09.2013

A pretty good day today.

Got up, breakfast, went to the meeting.  Made progress for the next "drill" that we are going to do.  We know that there will be challenges, but that's what we're doing it for. To identify them, get others involved, and find solutions.

I had to leave before the meeting was over; I had an appointment with Leah.

I knew I  was ready for a massage, and it was obvious when she worked on me.

At home, I had a bite to eat, spent way too much time catching up on the hospital email. (didn't realize I had that much come in the last few days....).

Sat outdoors and read while the storm approached, listening to the thunder rumbling. And I went indoors at just the right time. I looked out the window and saw the rain come across the back yard. A little hail, too. The temperature dropped from 88 degrees to 70. Wow.

A quiet evening.

Tomorrow I need to run and get things around for VACATION!!!  Only 4 more work days, and 3 days off before I go....

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 07.08.2013

Whew!!

Woke this morning about 8--got up, breakfasted, and ready for the dental cleaning.

That was a good visit--no repairs needed!  Next stop, recycling, then over to pick up fresh food at the grocery.

Back at home, I needed a snack, so I took care of that.

I went to the Verizon store to show them a pay stub, as we (Allegiance Health employees) receive a discount. Simple as that.

Ok. Back at home, again. Changed clothes and got in the kitchen to use the black raspberry puree. (black raspberries put through the food mill)

I boiled a quart bag of frozen rhubarb (about 5 cups) and added about 1 2/3 cups of sugar and a cup of the black raspberry puree, gently simmering until the sugar has dissolved. A squirt of plastic lemon. And I think it's done.

I had jars and lids in boiling water, and jarred it up.  It made about 4 cups of preserve. And what I licked off of the spoon was yummy.

Cleaned that up, and fixed a lovely salad for supper and ate.

And had a quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a meeting and a massage.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Sunday 07.07.2013

An interesting day.

Was my turn to "float"--and God sent me where I was needed.

"Sitting" (patient sitting--one-to-one for patient safety) with an elderly man who was "confused" and "busy".  I pulled a chair close to the bed and touched his arm; he searched for and grasped my hand. I sat all morning with him holding my hand, him talking, rambling. I fed him breakfast--he was hungry--but he wasn't having anything to do with "resting". Somewhere around 11:30 his brain wiring "switched" and he got real busy real fast. One of the staff was going past the door as he was quickly scooting himself down the bed. He had the bottom half of his long legs off the bottom corner of the bed before she could get over to us. Between the two of us, we got him captured and back on the bed. He reminded me of a squirmy toddler. He almost got away!!

The staff told me it was time for my lunch, and I left the room.

When I got back, the family had started arriving for a visit. It was interesting to watch their dynamics. And yes, it was all too familiar, and almost predictable, as to how this was going to unfold. I was honored to help care for him today.

I was relieved shortly after 3 and went back to my own unit, where I helped with patient care, and picked up a couple of loose ends before clocking out early. Which was good, because I didn't sleep much last night, and I was sleepy.

I got home, had a bite to eat, and tried to stay awake.

Frank came over for a bit to use a "big" computer, and I FINISHED my education piece for the Best Fed project.  YAY!!!!   And it counts for 20 CEU's!

Tomorrow is a dental cleaning.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Saturday 07.06.2013

Ring Ring----

On Call today.

Back to sleep, up about 8:30.

After breakfast I went outdoors with the computer and worked on the education piece of the project. Making progress--the end is around the corner.

Even though it was humid I enjoyed being out there. The birds provided background noise and birdbath antics.

I've been for a walk, went out for a drive, fixed supper and ate, cleaned up the kitchen.  Walked again and it started sprinkling. But it wasn't enough for the plants, so I went out and watered them. And had a quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Friday 07.05.2013

Another Great Day!!!

Slept pretty good, woke to a beautiful morning.

Breakfast and light housework.

Walked over to Frank's for a nice visit, and when I got back, went out and did a couple errands.

Fixed food and ate; Frank came over and we sat outdoors and watched the birds. We saw an orange bird today--probably an oriole--couldn't see the markings clearly enough.  Sure was pretty though, sitting on a tree branch in the evening sun.

Frank left, I went indoors, and had a quiet evening.

Tomorrow is a workday.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Thursday 07.04.2013

Another Beautiful Day!!!

When I looked at the clock this morning it was after 0900.  Big breath, stretch....time to get up.....

I got myself ready and went out for a run. It wasn't as hot as I thought it might be, though it was humid.  I enjoyed it anyway.

At the end of my road is the larger area of the black raspberries; I had taken a bag along so I could harvest any ripe ones.  There were some--I got about a cup and a half today. They are just beginning to ripen. Lots of red ones to check on in a few couple of days.

Shower, breakfast.

I decided to go out and fill up the car with gasoline, just because it's been low (3.45, and went up the other day to 3.57) and it will probably go up again....

And while I was out, I ended up at one of the lakes at the boat launch.  It was a busy launch today, and the area I like to sit in had people already there fishing.  So I walked over to another spot, sat and watched the lake. After a while I wandered over to the launch and watched a steady stream of trailers going into the water; boats off, boats on.  I'll bet half of those boaters didn't know what they were doing.....geesh.

Back at home it was time for food, so I prepared some and ate.  Spent the evening outdoors with the computer, working on the education piece of our program.  Almost done!

Tomorrow is another wonderful day.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Wednesday 07.03.2013

After a restful night, with a the usual hot flash "interruptions",  I was surprised that it was nearly 9 this morning when I woke.

I putzed around a while before having breakfast, watching and listening to the birds. The robin was particularly noisy, sitting on the edge of the bird bath, singing away, for quite some time.

Tried to organize the pictures between the phone and computer, selecting some to print. Then went to Meijer to use the photo kiosk. Which took way longer than I anticipated.

But it worked out.

One of my co-workers was there, and needed to make a phone call. Mine was in the car, but I went out with her son, and he did what needed to be done. And, as I was leaving the check-out, another co-worker was leaving, with a full, wonky cart.  Between the two of us, we got it out to her car. And I was parked just 3 or 4 spaces away! Funny  how that works.....

Back at home I fixed supper and enjoyed it, then had a quiet evening.

Tomorrow we'll appreciate our freedoms. And thank those who have made it happen.

And thank you for reading. Hugs.

Tuesday 07.02.2013

Another workday.

Which was good.

And I'm glad to be done.

Praying for those hospitalized with odd ailments and hopeful for surgical solutions.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.

Monday 07.01.2013

Here it is, vacation month....

Looking forward to the 17th, when I'm off for almost 3 weeks....

Worked today; it was a good day with a great team. And I clocked out on time!

A quiet evening, and I'm tired.

Doing it again tomorrow.

Thank you for reading. Hugs.