December 25, 2002
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
December 23, 2002
I don't want to sound like a brat or anything, but i have been thinking about this a lot lately:
Lots of the people I take care of at work tell me how great they think I am. They tell me I was a great nurse, they say I did a great job, and so on. I appreciate it and it makes my job a lighter brighter. But, I have never been given a note saying thanks, a little gift of appreciation, or one of the little forms sitting on the front desk that people can fill out saying that someone did something good and send to the people who run the place. Never. I see other nurses get stuff. And nurses that I wouldn't want to take care of me. I guess I really shouldn't care. I know I am appreciated and that my patients really did benefit from my care, but I just would like a little note sometime. It makes me think that I need to be better about making people who are in service know that I appreciate them. If I ever am in the hospital, I will be sure to let the nurses know they rule. There is this one nurse that I really don't care for who actually fills out his name and the unit he works in on those refilled papers that management sets out and gives them to his patients each day, telling them to fill one out if they though he did a good job. That just drives me crazy! He gets all these little notes of appreciation and he sucks. I guess I shouldn't care. I could do that if I wanted to, but I don't want that kind of thanks. I don't want to have to beg for recognition. I just need to realize that I am appreciated and be thankful for the verbal praise I receive. Off to work.
December 22, 2002
Could life get any sweeter? Last night, my first of four nights, we had two unexpected discharges and *someone* got to go home early. No else wanted to, so I sacrificed my wages and volunteered. I was home at 10:45 (that's 2245, hospital and military time). I felt a little bad, because staffing wasn't that great, but the supervisor insisted, so I obliged. As I was getting ready to go, one of my little lady patients needed to use the bathroom. As I explained to her that I was leaving and that so-and-so would be her nurse, she asked why they were sending me home. I explained we had to many nurses (go figure) and she said something about me not getting paid my $15 for the rest of the night. She seriously thought that that was what we got paid. $15 for the night. I said that we weren't paid enough, but we were paid more than that. She was serious. How scary.
So, I got to sleep with my honey and made it to church for the first time in a month. It was nice to be able to go and I hope we will be able to make it more in the next few months. I was a little bummed we didn't sing any Christmas songs. So, I have finished my Christmas shopping and soon will head in to take a nap. Then, I will head back to work, for the whole night this time, and take care of the sick people.
December 21, 2002
You can go to erikabonham.com now and it will take you here. Pretty cool, isn't it? It's still raining here. They say tomorrow is supposed to be sunny. I go back to work tonight, for four nights in a row and then I am on vacation! How very sweet.
Well, I lost the reading contest. Matt finished Watership Down yesterday. I have a little less than a hundred pages left. I think I might finish it today. It is a good book. I recommend it to anyone looking for something to read. I am really enjoying it.
I got The Merck Manual for my birthday from Shane. It's the Home edition and was really affordable at Costco. It is very cool and has every disease/illness you could think of in it. I might be more into it because of my profession, but I think anyone would appreciate it and would benefit from having a copy of it in their home. If you have a question about some disease or something, you can just look it up and there it all is. I guess it is a lot like what you can find on WedMD, but it does seem more straightforward and more comprehensive to me. I am happy to have it. They may still be available at Costco, but it's even cheaper at Amazon. I highly recommend it.
I also got pink slippers with red glitter cherries on them. I found them on Shane's feet this morning. I think he would still wear my slippers if he had a pair of his own. I got the John Mayer CD, from him also. Apparently, my body is a wonderland.
So, it will be Christmas before we know it. Especially on my end, with four days of work ahead of me. I got paid yesterday and the check was huge because I had worked two extra shifts. I think I am per diem now, which means I am getting paid more. You actually only have to work five shifts a month and don't get any benefits or sick time, but I can get as many hours as I want there and don't need the benefits or sick time, really. It should be sweet.
December 19, 2002
I got my own domain name for my Birthday, but it's not up and running yet. Pretty cool, huh? We went to the movies today and saw The Two Towers. It was good. Lots of fighting orcs. I was impressed with how quick Legolas can grab his arrows and shot them, one after another. He is one cool elf. I need to finish The Fellowship of the Rings. I don't know why it's taking me so long. It's been raining really hard today. Shane went and got the car and picked me up at the theater so I didn't have to get wet. What a gentleman.
So, we are going to Hearst Castle when my family when they come up here after Christmas. We wanted to go to the evening tour because it's supposed to be very cool, but they were sold out. It should be cool, even in the day time. It's a beautiful place and if you are ever in the area, you should give it a whirl. The ride up the hill to the castle is cool and, if you are lucky, you might see a zebra or a giraffe or some animal that's still there from Hearst's menagerie. Hope we have a good trip and a nice day. Last time we were there it was really foggy, cold, and drizzly. It's like that a lot up here on the central coast. Mostly, I am just looking forward to my family visiting.
Twenty six years ago today, I popped out into the world foot first. I guess you could say I stepped into the world.
December 17, 2002
I think it's pretty cute that my sweet little husband has been wearing my periwinkle Winnie the Pooh slippers that are a few sizes too small for him around the house the last two days. He will probably be embarrassed that I mentioned it, but it is just too sweet to keep to myself.
Four people called in sick last night on my unit. That means I was the only person who didn't call in sick. Luckily, two registry nurses were able to work and I didn't have to take care of the whole unit on my own. But, what's the deal? I know there is something going around, but I highly doubt they were all sick. Some of them are known fakers. They could care less if they leave you hanging. It's a bummer.
My four nights are over. Yippee! I have four days off, if you can even believe it (one of which is my birthday) and then I work four more in a row. After that, I think I get two weeks off. How sweet is that?
It's stormy here and I am looking forward to getting into bed and snuggling under the covers. I like to fall asleep when it's raining. I have lots to do today. Meetings and appointments.... I also have to go pick up some Christmas lights, since the strand on the top of the tree is no longer in commission. And, in case you were wondering, it's all my fault. So, it's time for new lights. Well, I should go to sleep since I have stuff to do today.
December 15, 2002
I have learned a lot lately about the Christmas customs in Iceland here and then I stumbled upon this. It's pretty interesting and I have enjoyed reading about it.
Sometimes my attempts to be really nice to people at work (especially patients) really wears me out. I think I am sympathetic, empathetic, and a pretty caring person, but after twelve hours of smiling, reassuring nods, and concerned looking eyes, I am just dog tired.
I have to stay up to go to church. I hope I can stay awake.
Two more nights to go. They can't all be bad, can they?
December 14, 2002
I was thinking about my grandma today and decided I would write a little about her. Her name is Zelma. Zelma Annarette. We call her ZiZi. It was one of those "I am too young to be called grandma! Let me think of a cute little name the grandkids can call me" things. So, she's ZiZi. (and my grandpa is Bob Bob, by the way. Long for Bob, of course). ZiZi is going to be 80 years old this next year. She is becoming a little more frail these days, but she is still quite a trooper. Her hair has never grayed. It's still brown with some little lighter streaks. She just got her eyebrows lifted, but by no means is she a fashion girl or anything. She is very down to earth and practical. She and Bob Bob travel quite a bit and exercise together nearly every morning. They walk around the neighborhood they have lived in together for nearly 60 years. She is a very active and busy lady.
The things I was remembering today...ZiZi's pumpkin pie. It's the best. My brother Andrew, Bob Bob, and I are all December babies. Every year, we would get pumpkin pie for our birthday cakes. She would cut things out in pie crust and set them on the top. One year, it would be our initials, the next our ages or some cute little hearts or something. I loved that pumpkin pie. I will miss it again this year. She has given me the recipe, but it just isn't the same when I make it.
Another thing that was on my mind...ZiZi is a potter of sorts. She doesn't do it as much as she used to, but she has a little work shop and a kiln and she used to make all sorts of things. Every year growing up, we would get an ornament made especially for us by ZiZi. I have a box full of them. They would say our name and the year on them in blue glaze and we would hang them on the tree from the blue or red cord they had attached to them. She would also ask for a list ahead of time of names of friends or teachers we would like her to make ornaments for. You would receive all the ornaments a few weeks before Christmas and be so very excited as you gave your best friend an ornament with their name on it. I don't know how long ago she stopped doing it, but it was very special and a memory I will always have.
I hope I have a chance to be a cool Grandma some day.
It was a crazy night and I feel like I left things a mess. I worked really hard all night long and it just seems like I left things kinda crappy for the day shift. The disoriented lady who wouldn't stay in bad and had no clue what you were saying to her when you tried to talk to her is finally sleeping, but it might just be because I gave her lots of Ativan. She could sleep all day... then be up all night for me again. The lady with hypertension swore she was feeling better and was no longer short of breath, but that could just be because she desperately didn't want me to call the Doctor for fear she would be on his "bad side" for having been woken up because of her. I had a little talk with her and she promised me she was okay and so I believed her. I just don't want everything to be sucky because of me all day long. I hope all is well and they have a good day. I have three more nights to go. They have to be better than this one was. I only have so much patience.
And by the way, the word is, our little non-profit hospital has been sold to some Catholic hospital. Hmm....
Also, the hospital gave everyone $20 to Von's in our Christmas cards. None shall go hungry.
December 13, 2002
We received pictures of Macy Michelle, Mandy and Ryan's little one. Shane said it best: "She's precious."
This is the second year in a row I have ordered Christmas presents over the internet and they have arrived screwed up in some way. Last Christmas, Shane wanted a sweater from the Gap. I ordered and waited and waited. I tracked it on it's trip here and half way across the country, it turned around and went back to where it came from. I called and they sent it again. I was so happy the day it came. I opened the box up and pulled it out, only to find they had sent me one of those long, open in the front girl sweaters that comes with a little belt you tie. It wasn't what I had ordered for Shane. It wasn't even cute enough to keep for me. I was discouraged. Shane didn't get a sweater last year.
This year, I ordered a bunch of stuff off of Amazon. I got the stuff I ordered and then, like, $50 worth of stuff I didn't order. I decided to be honest and let them know...who knows, they may say that I can keep it. We already have all the stuff they sent anyway. So I send them this e-mail, explaining everything. Yesterday, I get an e-mail back saying they are sorry for the inconvenience and that they are sending me the same items I ordered again and a return label for the wrong items. I don't need more things from them...I got everything I ordered! I have way too much from them already. They just didn't understand my fairly straightforward e-mail. I guess I am happy I got the stuff I ordered this year, but it is a little frustrating. I just want to be able to order my stuff, get it in the mail, and be done with it. I don't want to have to contact them and have a conversation via e-mail trying to make them understand or to have to deal with having to send stuff back to them. I am trying ot save time by ordering on-line. So, I am awaiting a reply to the second e-mail I sent yesterday in which I explained the situation to them again. We will see what happens. I kind of think there will be a box arriving with more stuff in it either today or tomorrow and I will have even more to send back to them. I will wait in line at UPS to send them off, to correct their mistake. That's the thanks I get for being honest.
December 11, 2002
A perfect example of a patient with dementia whom we nurses would describe as "pleasantly confused"
Patient: "Do I know you? You look familiar."
Nurse's Assistant: "Yes, I was here with you last night."
Patient: "Did we make love?"
Nurse's Assistant: "No..."
Patient: "I didn't think so, but I wasn't sure...."
It had me laughing all night long.
December 10, 2002
I am embarrassed to say that I slept 14 hours last night. Actually, it was probably more than that. I was trying to read Watership Down at around seven and couldn't stay awake. I slept through Seinfeld, then got up and went to bed at eight. I woke up at ten in the morning. I do have the excuse of sleeping only three hours yesterday when I got home from work, but it makes me feel a little lazy when I think about it. Now I am eating a bowl of sticks, as Shane calls it. They are good sticks. They are free of cholesterol. The milk I am eating them in is not.
So, Watership Down is about bunnies. Matt recommended that I read it. I got it for $3.50 at Leon's. Matt has not finished it yet. I will beat him. I will finish the book of bunnies before he does, with his 100 and something page lead. Mark my words.
December 9, 2002
I worked two extra shifts this past weekend. I am rolling it in. It was a good weekend and I am glad it's over with. I had my labs drawn last night after fasting for over twelve hours, only to find my cholesterol is a little bit higher than I would like it to be. How can that be?? What's the deal. I rarely eat meat. Rarely. And I am concerned about my intake of milk products and getting enough calcium as it is. So what's that all about? I guess I need to start exercising again. I have kind fallen off the band wagon. And as I think about it, I wonder if I should join a gym or just go outside and do something. I have never been a gym member before, but I think if I paid money for it, I would be too cheap not to use it. I don't know. I know I don't feel that much a difference by just walking and I don't get that hard of a work out from it, walking as fast as I can. My brother has lost a ton of weight by going to the gym as have other people that I know. Not that that is my primary objective (not that I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds and becoming even hotter than I already am), I would like my cholesterol levels to be perfect. None of this borderline high crap. It just bums me out. I don't know. I need to do something about it. I am a nurse! I am just about 26 years old! One shouldn't have cholesterol problems at 26! I never eat at McDonald's. I hardly ever eat chicken! Or eggs or drink milk. What's that all about????
So I have one day off and then I go back for one. I am thinking I would like to finish my Christmas shopping today. I just have a few last things to get for Shane and then I am done. I just keep putting those last few things off.
I took Shane to his first final of the day a few moments ago. There is rumor of Starbuck's with the money earned from selling back his worthless, overpriced books.
I must say that our Christmas tree is awesome. It looks so nice! I strung cranberries and popcorn and put it up. Along with our Chris Mouse ornaments, we have a pretty nice tree here. Now all we need is presents under it.
December 6, 2002
We just returned from picking out a Christmas tree in the rain. It took about 3 trees to find *the* tree, thanks to the rain. Maybe it was a good thing. The trip took about 10 minutes instead of an hour and we didn't get in a fight because I was taking to long and we didn't have to battle it out with some other family over the perfect tree. It's cold and rainy and I wore my cute new suede shoes and I hope they aren't ruined. They look okay. A few little water marks, but they were only $12 at Ross and they are totally cool.
Yesterday, I found out that I have this.
December 4, 2002
I love Christmas lights. I think everyone house should have them. White, colored, blinking, moving, icicles, big, small, whatever. They are all great. But one thing that drives me crazy is when people mix the lights. Blinking with solids, colored with white, or even the different brands of colored lights, where some have orange and the others don't...you can't do that. You have to pick one type and go with it. No mixing is allowed. You really may as well not put any up. It just isn't right.
Happy Birthday to my little brother Andrew! He's a big 23 today...I mean 24!!
I must tell you that I have broken down and signed up for a Von's Club card. I fought it for a year and a half, but a few weeks ago, I became a card holder. I don't what brought me to do it. I don't know what held me back for so many years. I guess it was because I was brought up an Albertson's girl. I couldn't make the change. The Von's up here is nice and close, and I have to say I am pleased with my decision to join their leagues. I guess I don't really care if they track my purchases and try to steal my soul. I get cheaper food with the little silver card and the store has a Starbuck's inside. You can see why I had to do it. I am not sorry.
I just got super glue on my tongue. Thank the Lord, it isn't stuck to anything. It's just there. It's annoying and hard and well, stuck. I guess I deserve it. I shouldn't have had super glue anywhere near my mouth. You see, I have several cracks on my fingers that are killing me, so I bought some super glue and filled in the cracks. I didn't buy the real super glue, of course, because there were others that were cheaper. Two for the price of one, in fact. The stuff took longer than I thought to set and I don't know how it ended up on my tongue, but there it is. I am tired. I am a dork.
December 3, 2002
Work went really well last night. I slept all day, with two half an hour drives to Cal Poly and back in between. I almost know what it's like to be a mom, shuttling your kid everywhere. My kid can drive, but his job makes it impossible to get to class on time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's okay. I like him enough to get up and drive him.
One more night tonight, then three off in a row. What will I do with myself???
I got a call from my friend Natalie from Nursing school. She also had her baby last Wednesday. Little Rebekah. She's a mom now. I can't imagine having a sweet little baby to hold and love. So sweet.
December 2, 2002
Work tonight has the potential to be very scary. The first day back from a long weekend and holiday. I am hoping the doctors haven't admitted the whole town. The census was pretty low last night, ten patients. We had between four to six post-ops today, so things could be hopping. It's tough, because as sweet as it is when things are really slow, you almost wish you were a little busier. And when things are crazy and you are about to lose it, you wish it was slower. Not very often is it right in the middle, just busy enough to make the night fly by, but headache free. I have worked my last few shifts with a nurse who is originally from Afghanistan. I have talked to her a little bit about her life and about Afghanistan and so on. It has been very interesting and enlightening, really. She is very sweet and a good nurse. I hope I get to know her a little better. She moved from Afghanistan to Pakistan as a child and then in the mid 80s, she moved to Kansas. It is all so interesting to hear about, what she thinks of the US and current issues, her cultural and religious beliefs. I have learned a lot from the few conversations we have had.
So, the lights are up and a few decorations are around the house. I think we are going to get our tree on Friday. There really isn't another day that would work. We are going to have a busy month. Work work work. Shane has finals next week and then he's got a break from school at least. It looks like we might take a vacation down south the last week of December/ first week of January. Well, I best start getting myself ready for work now.
