tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106658722024-03-07T22:01:12.382-05:00Kross-Eyed KittyRecalling the Past, Living the Present, Anticipating the Future...and everything else in-betweenRamonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.comBlogger479125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-83241512572366936962010-09-22T21:23:00.000-04:002010-09-22T21:23:44.927-04:00My home assignment. University. Week one.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi! My name is Ramona. I graduated from GBC in 1989 and have been working at Sunnybrook for the better part of those years. I have pretty much moved around all of the trauma areas in Sunnybrook and am currently the Clinical Educator for PeriAnesthesia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought about starting my degree in 1990, 1995, 2000, and now that I am mid-career, in an educator position, I've realized that I've got to keep up with the young ones. Where did 20 years go?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like S., I also do not think that I need a BScN to be a great nurse. A nursing teacher once told my clinical group: "The best advice I can give you, is to BE the nurse you would want taking care of you." I have been that nurse, because it meant something to me to prove my knowledge and ability at making someone as comfortable as they could possible be. I have always focused on the practical and emotional part of nursing, because that it the kind of person that I am. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, I was reminded of what my nursing school teacher once told me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I realized that I would want the nurse taking care of me to be the one who made the effort to learn more.</span>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-33166025943502247132010-04-23T23:25:00.002-04:002010-04-26T14:45:55.794-04:00An Update<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like blogging tonight, and gosh it's been a long time. Life is pretty good and I can't complain...and no one wants to hear the complaints anyway, right? Right.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Since the new year, I suppose that there are things that have changed, some for the good, some for the bad...but all in all, things are about a 7/10.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Greg is still not working which kind of sucks, but i some ways, (dare I say it) is kind of nice. The dogs are taken care of, the house is tidy, the groceries are done, and usually, when I ask for things to be done, they are. There really is a not a lot that I need to do when I get home, dinner is ready, there is a glass of wine poured and things are pretty peaceful. I realize that this is not an ideal situation, and GOD I hope that he finds a job soon...but I have to find a silver lining somewhere, right? Right?! Someone please agree <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">with</span> me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">In February I went to Costa Rica with my mom and my friend Ali. We actually had a really good time. Not crazy wild, but fun nonetheless. My mom and I got along very well except for one night when she was being 'honest' and told me that she would never consider Greg a part of her family. Whatever.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Ali is probably the most confident woman I know and just struts her stuff. She convinced all 190 lbs of me to wear a bikini! Yikes!!! But you know what? I had a great time, and, although I spent a lot of the holiday with my shoulders under the water, I figured out that it really doesn't matter. There are lots of people with different figures, people still talked to me, and I had a great time!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Saying that...I joined Weight Watchers again for the 18th time the week after I got back! I've lost a bit of weight, and am moving a bit more, but I will allow myself to do this slowly on my own terms.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">My little sister-in-law Adriana moved in with us about a month ago.Things have gone from bad to worse with 2-4 and a decision was made between Greg, older <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">SIL</span>, me, Adriana and her psychiatrist that it would be in her best interest to move in with us. To be honest, she has been an absolute doll. She finished school, and got herself a job a 5 minute walk away as a dental assistant. Seriously, she is (so far) a really nice, 20 year old girl who appreciates the break she has been given. 2-4 is not speaking to any of us, I haven't spoken to her since boxing day (not because I'm mad or anything...I just don't want to listen to her shit on everyone.) Anyway, I am really liking having my 20 year old <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">SIL</span> living here. She is really quiet so I was able to watch 3 episodes of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">CSI</span> tonight and...<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">ummm</span>...I kind of forgot that she was here! She lets us know when she won't be home, and to be honest, the only thing I care about is that she is safe, and learning to be responsible for her actions. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">I <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">kno</span>w her mom is hurt that she is living here, but I can't help feeling she was holding Adriana back in order to keep her 'disabled'. I <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">kno</span>w it sounds sick, but that's the way it is. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Mr. Mao is still a darling and roams the neighbourhood, sucking up to all the students on their way to school, and to all the elderly folks keeping busy picking dandelions. The <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">Dutchess</span> is also still prowling for food, sleeping, peeing, and prowling for more food. a few months ago Greg and I talked about putting her to sleep but neither of us had the heart. She's still OK, and since we've invested in pee-pads, she's happy, and so are we.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Buddy and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">Laila</span> are the best of friends and I can't remember what it was like to be in this house without them. They are such good natured dogs, and I can only imagine how much people love their kids, because my heart aches when I am with them. They make me so happy!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">I am a bit on the outs with my neighbour Audrey, but I admit, that is partly my doing. It drives me crazy when people are always telling me over and over and over and over and over and over and over again what I should do. And when I don't want to live by her schedule apparently that is looked down upon. Oh. Well.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Work is going well. Work is actually about an 8.5/10. I've been pushing it, and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">goi</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">ng</span> to work at 9am. I leave around 5:30/6. But apparently coming in at 9 means that I don't take my job seriously. Actually, it means that I am going to work well rested and capable of doing my work while I am there. I have been <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat;">aske</span>d by the Director of Nursing Practice to co-chair the monthly meeting of the educators at the hospital, which is kind of funny because I am fairly certain that I am the least educated of the bunch! I do plan to take a masters level course in September. (not that I really want to)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">OK, that's it for my update.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: #ffe599; font-family: Verdana;">Ciao for now.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;"> </span>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-83970983124701856432009-12-27T18:02:00.000-05:002009-12-27T18:02:46.983-05:00Done for now...<div>...but I know where to find the ones I've connected with. You know who you are.<br />
</div><br />
<div>I may be back some time in the future, but for now I don't feel connected to my blog anymore.<br />
</div><br />
<div>~Kross-Eyed Kitty~<br />
</div><br />
<div></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-65163610645519451182009-06-28T13:16:00.002-04:002009-06-28T13:19:37.639-04:00Michael Jackson beat to his own drum, but no matter what, his songs were truly danceable and everybody had a good time. Thanks for the music.<br />Check <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sebTJ-zutK4">THIS</a> out to see just how much people all over the world enjoyed dancing to him. It's kind of funny (ok, a lot!) but I think it makes my point.<br />RIP MJ.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-60384971842676557742009-06-19T07:43:00.000-04:002009-06-19T07:43:54.048-04:00Portugal<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp_zVvVotjbcWNcvkT3eGQSNGp8sosx9xYslN7pt9PYBLHeNH7_5Kla5iPImb87LIMnXfk7xi7_w4xpTYVfPv7OCMt2qXhJCGZPLlrxiHH5FuoInf8YttCEfKHCRrKb4E2PmP/s1600-h/Europe+2009.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp_zVvVotjbcWNcvkT3eGQSNGp8sosx9xYslN7pt9PYBLHeNH7_5Kla5iPImb87LIMnXfk7xi7_w4xpTYVfPv7OCMt2qXhJCGZPLlrxiHH5FuoInf8YttCEfKHCRrKb4E2PmP/s400/Europe+2009.jpg" /></a> </div><br />Yikes.<br />It's been too long.<br />Click on the pic for some photos taken in Portugal. These ones were taken in Lisbon and environs. The lighthouse, cliff and sunset photos were taken at the most western tip of Europe. The custard tarts are my new favourite dessert (breakfast, lunch and dinner...anytime is a good time!) We also visited Sintra, an old walled town. Belem tower and Lisbon city gateway as well as some artsy ones of fuchia flowers and murano glass chandalier in a palace we went to.<br /><br />Short entry...but I need to get back into blogging. Will try to do a big, juicy entry on the weekend.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-32478644966770094372009-04-12T14:11:00.003-04:002009-04-12T14:52:50.867-04:00Happy Eastern!<div>My Dad could never get it right...he always thought it was Happy Eastern (not Easter!) It's an on-going little joke now, but a nice way to remember him. </div><br /><div>It's been a nice weekend. Saturday I cleaned up the backyard and got the vegetable garden area tidied up. It was a lot of work, but very satisfying. I am planning to plan what we are going to plant while we are away. This time next week, we will be in Lisbon! I am so excited, and can't wait to see new places. We are renting a car and driving up the coast from Lisbon to Porto. No plans in Portugal other than getting in the car and driving! We will go wherever the wind blows us. Our first 4 nights in Lisbon are busy with the conference I'm attending, but they have tours and dinner plans arranged for us every night, and Greg is included in those plans. I'm really looking forward to it. Last year, they held the conference at Hilton Head which was also really amazing.</div><br /><div>We are ending our two week vacation with 3 nights in Paris and 1 night in Vienna. Those hotel rooms are booked already, and there are great reviews written up about them. I'm hoping that they will be as good as people say because the rooms were only $100 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">CDN</span> a night, which is pretty cheap by European standards, I believe. The hotel we are staying in in Paris is in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montmarte</span> and 100 metres from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moulin</span> Rouge. Expect to see a few pics of the windmill! I think we are going to splurge and go to the show while we are there. Why not?!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today Greg and I took the dogs to the beach today for a long walk. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">OMG</span> did they love it! They both went swimming Lake Ontario, in fact little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Laila</span> took her first little dog paddle all by herself! Needless to say, both dogs were soaked and smelled quite fragrant. They seemed to like the way they smelled, but I think both knew that they were in for a bath as they tried to hide under the coffee table the second we got home. Two dogs in the shower and a lot of shaking led to a very wet bathroom, but at least everyone smells better now. I found a pink rock that I will add to my garden edge, but it did look prettier when it was wet. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Never mind</span>, I will call it my Easter Rock.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are heading over to Greg's Dad's place for Easter dinner. I'd much rather hang out at home, but that's not going to happen. We can't bring the dogs with us, because Greg's step-Nona has an artificial leg and is afraid the the dogs will knock it off! That would stir up some excitement, wouldn't it?! Amazing Audrey will dog-sit for us this afternoon, and may even stay at our place to make cards. I have turned our dining room table into a card making studio and we've been having fun just gabbing and making cards. I'll try to post some this week, because they really are quite pretty.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My brother is one person who actually buys items from infomercials. I don't know why he does this, but he has bought a Doctor Ho (electrical massage!) and breathalyzers, and a bunch of other stuff. His latest purchase was for my Mom's birthday: Smooth Away: Removes Hair Instantly and Pain Free! Discovered in Europe! (but made in China) Gently Exfoliate While Removing Hair! No Pain. No Chemical. No Razor Burn. "But wait!!!! Buy one now, and for absolutely free, you will get a second package. Ab-so-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">lu</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">tly</span> Free!" So he bought it, and 8 packages arrived.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAPdM1S5LYQicMpRi8lmQKhEBYVELX-QKdeR6KgK0yDxqoxd4_IMwfO6sNjGh2rJPiOKrVxAhdsDNVYFhodq1TgZsd4NDMYgazauDuqSx90ttMD0CxGYC1IUiDgo0b9j3jb6F/s1600-h/smooth.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 250px; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323879114153188082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAPdM1S5LYQicMpRi8lmQKhEBYVELX-QKdeR6KgK0yDxqoxd4_IMwfO6sNjGh2rJPiOKrVxAhdsDNVYFhodq1TgZsd4NDMYgazauDuqSx90ttMD0CxGYC1IUiDgo0b9j3jb6F/s400/smooth.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>He gave me one, and, I have to tell you....it's phenomenal! No word of a lie. I have not shaved my legs all winter, and within a matter of minutes my legs are as smooth as anything! I went a little crazy and also attacked my upper lip, and my beard and also my peach-fuzzy cheeks. Hair....GONE! Who knows what will happen once the hair starts growing back, but for now, I am giving it a 10/10.</div><div> </div><div>That's it. I wish you all a wonderful Easter Sunday. I hope you got out and enjoyed the day following old traditions, or inventing new ones.</div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-26205462774036722202009-04-08T10:45:00.001-04:002009-04-08T10:58:16.949-04:00Pupsie Doosie and Pupsie Doosie Twosie<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">It's been a while since I've posted any pictures of my babies. Remember how little Laila was when we first got her? She was all of 8lbs and smaller than the cats. She used to love to sleep in the cat baskets in the window and although she is now the same size as Buddy, she somehow still manages to sqeeze herself in! She is a funny little thing and has quirky ears...I guess it's her party-trick. One day her left ear will be pointing straight up, the next her right ear, and then she'll be in the mood where they are both up. Lately she prefers just to have her right ear at attention. We are lucky in that all of our pets get along so well. Buddy and Laila are best of friends and they are always side by side. Wherever Buddy goes, Laila is not too far behind. In fact, usually she is hanging on to his collar so we won't run too far ahead. </span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">They have a ton of nicknames, but they often get Pupsie Doosie and Pupsie Doosie Twosie. No idea how I thought this up. It just happened.</span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">For a bigger pic, click!</span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoArE7C3dV6cRFGXzpSSRHggGVhFQknumVJX592Gelkuhyphenhyphenc1j7Luvyt-w45DHVkQIQzC-o4crgUv3WvS42TxqMQEXJFK0R1hHnuIZscQ0z4wIjUb4tlzFBS0ZEKbONuYCF_EP/s1600-h/pets.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoArE7C3dV6cRFGXzpSSRHggGVhFQknumVJX592Gelkuhyphenhyphenc1j7Luvyt-w45DHVkQIQzC-o4crgUv3WvS42TxqMQEXJFK0R1hHnuIZscQ0z4wIjUb4tlzFBS0ZEKbONuYCF_EP/s400/pets.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-83976899705210415612009-04-06T21:28:00.003-04:002009-04-06T21:35:32.161-04:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day and my first outside cleaning up my front garden. I just love getting my hands all dirty. I worked up a sweat, and lobster-boy Greg got a slight burn on his face.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In the middle of the night I woke up because Mr. Mao wasn't in his usual spot under my right armpit. I'm so used to this sleep position and have never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">squished</span> the little guy yet. Anyway, I woke up and thought it was strange that he wasn't there so I went looking for him. Poor little guy was outside on the kitchen window ledge and looking just a little cold. The weather had changed from a balmy spring day, to a freezing rain mess! I opened the kitchen door to let him in, but he didn't want to get any wetter than he already was. Rather than go out into the sleet myself, I spent 5 minutes figuring out how to get the screen out of the kitchen window. Mr. Mao was saved!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I brought him back to bed, and he snuggled under my arm, purring so loud it took me a while to get back to sleep.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This morning, the winter wonderland had returned. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">That was the shortest summer EVER!</span>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-9919910857123608892009-04-03T13:33:00.002-04:002009-04-03T14:35:31.215-04:00<span style="font-family:arial;">It's a grey, rainy day today and I'd like nothing better than to be at home in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">jammies</span> snuggling with a couple of furry creatures. Instead, I am at work, but with the door closed and have just finished a chicken club wrap and a gigantic serving of fries and am now looking at my blouse and admiring the stretch-satin across my belly---pulled to it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">maximus</span> maxim. Add to that a hot flash that is causing sweat to pool above and below my lips and at the nape of my neck, and you've got one hot lady. Not. Oh well....one of these years I will pull myself together. Maybe.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">What's new here? Not much. Just the benign day to day stuff. One of our neighbours, who we called Chatty Cathy behind her back, has moved. And, I'm glad. Sometimes I think I'm not really as nice as I think I am, or other people might think I am. Chatty is the kind of woman who talks non-stop, and it's all about her and her job. What's gone on in her day, what one student said to the other student, how one of her boy needs to wear <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">deodorant</span>, blah blah blah. If ever I dared to mention something about my job, she'd immediately interrupt me and say "Oh ya, it's just like today when one of my kids...." About a year ago I stopped going for the evening dog walk with the ladies because I couldn't stand to listen to her. She has a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sheppard</span> that would run up to people barking and snarling and then instead of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">disciplining</span> her dog, she'd tell the person it was their fault because of their body language. Like...I think I'd be afraid if a big German Sheppard came running at me and my body language wouldn't exactly be warm and welcoming. One time we were in the middle of dinner, with guests over, so walking the dogs at the usual time was not on our agenda. She marched through the house with her dog and kid and hung out in the backyard while we ate. It was the middle of winter and pitch black outside. 10 minutes later she let herself back in, sat down on the couch and waited for us to finish eating, the whole while monopolizing the conversation. What kind of person does this?<br />Every evening I'd be thinking in my head : "shut up...just shut the F up!" I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">secretly</span> wished that she would move....And my wish came true! The only thing, is now we have no more stories to tell about them, and there were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">sooooo</span> many of them. It isn't just her who is annoying, but she is married to the ultimate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dufus</span> who I'm sure can't even tie his own shoes. I'm pretty sure I noticed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Velcro</span> straps on his sneakers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">One of our other neighbours, J is an ex-Biker dude. They had a dog named Farley, a beautiful golden retriever and J would walk the dog up and down the street about 10 times a day. The whole neighbourhood knew him, and talked about him. See, J is a big guy and never, ever, and I mean NEVER! picked up after Farley. When the snow started melting a month ago, it was really noticeable, and you know...big dogs have big poos. I was ticked off too, but at the same time I knew that some of the littler poos might have belonged to my dogs because, lets face it, when you have 4 feet of snow you can't always find what the pups left behind. I took it upon myself to clean up all the street poo that I could see, and it filled an entire grocery bag. Just as I was finishing up, J's son-in-law came out of the house with Farley. Great timing! Very nicely I walked over to him and explained the situation, including that the neighbours were upset. I was told put the bag by J's door and that they would have a talk with him. Later that day, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">J's </span>daughter came knocking at my door, very apologetic and embarrassed. I assured her that no one had a problem with J or Farley, but that it wasn't right that he wasn't cleaning up the mess. She then went on to tell me that she knew that it had been a problem and had spoken to him before, but that they were having so many issues with J's own cleanliness and behaviour in the house that she can't handle it anymore. She then told me that J had signed the house over to them with the agreement that he would live in the basement, rent-free. He has no other place to go. The things people I don't even know tell me!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Fast forward a few weeks and J is seen walking up and down the street 10 times a day, but with no Farley. He's also lost about 30 pounds. Turns out that his daughter decided the best thing to do would be do give Farley up for adoption, so she took him to a shelter. Luckily, the dog is fairly young and was adopted quickly. Initially I felt really, really guilty about this and thought it was my fault. I should have just kept my mouth shut and J would still have his dog. When I asked J what happened, he only said that his daughter thought it was the best thing to do.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Greg spoke to the daughter a few days ago. Turns out that there were a few reasons why they had to get rid of the dog. J wasn't taking proper care of him, but also Farley had bitten their young son a few times and they didn't trust the dog anymore.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My neighbour to the right of my house recently brought her 93 year old husband home from the hospital. He is a man who believes in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">naturopathy</span> and up until this year, has never taken prescribed medication in his life. Now he is taking medication for atrial fibrillation and is convinced it will be the death of him! The other night, V knocked at our door and asked if I could come over to witness the signing of some legal documents. Turns out, that he never had a Power of Attorney nor a Will! Now that's positive thinking!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Poor V has had a hard time of it lately. She is a collector of anything and everything. She finds a use for it all. She collects clothing and arranges for it to be sent to Third World countries. She collects household wares, books, children's toys and saves it all for the Church Bazaar. Every time I had something to go to the Goodwill, all I had to do was bring it over to her carport. Needless to say, her house was chock a block full! Over the past few weeks, her children have been over and emptying out her house of all of this stuff they consider garbage. I have to admit, it was pretty hard talking to V (who is 81) while she had tears running down her face, thinking of all this good stuff going to waste. The truth was, her house was so full, that when the ambulance team came to get her husband to go to the hospital, they had to be careful to stay on the path between the living room and bedroom. It was pretty bad. I had only ever been over there once before, but it did look like hoarders lived there.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I hadn't intended for this to be all about my neighbours, and truthfully, maybe I'm even being a bit like Chatty....just going on and on. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But it has been nice hiding out in my office. I might even sneak out early today!</span>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-52452565849254206912009-03-25T20:10:00.002-04:002009-03-25T20:28:44.461-04:00One month later...I feel like I'm almost always apologizing for this blog every time that I make an entry.<br />No more apologies...it's my blog, if you happen to read it...that's great! Sigh.<br />Things aren't good with Greg's job, and without getting into things too much, let's just say things are pins and needles. I don't like being <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Negative</span> Nellie or turning a headache into a tumour, but it's a little too close for comfort. I know it sounds very Sopranos, but Greg knows too much and they are trying to force him out. It's not a huge deal in terms of political politics, but internally, it's pretty huge. Enough said.<br />Work for me is good. I'm thinking that I'm not going to complain about anything because I have a job, and for the time being, a safe job. I've been thinking about joining an agency just in case, but I'm jumping the gun. The funny thing is, I think I'm more upset about this than Greg is. I am most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">definitely</span> NOT an A-type personality but I can't help worrying. I know so many people who have lost their jobs. <br /><br />It's kind of a strange time, because we have planned a trip. It coincides with a work conference in Lisbon and as much as I'm stressed out about things, I can't wait to get away. I want to run away, but I know that's not going to happen. We have 4 nights accommodation in Lisbon, a car in Portugal, 3 nights in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Montmarte</span>, Paris, and 1 night in Vienna. We plan to wing the accommodations in Portugal after Lisbon. There. I've planned our trip!<br /><br />All in all...if I had to rate how things are going...its...6/10Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-83324909605914605032009-02-26T19:44:00.003-05:002009-03-06T08:51:02.094-05:00I spent the day today at a workshop that discussed data tools and analysis. Far out of the realm of bedside nursing, but all in all, I learned a lot that can be applied to the job I'm doing now. One of the good things about this position, is that I am actually encouraged to go to Organizational Development workshops, and now I actually have the time to go. Frontline nursing only has the oppportunity to go to these kinds of workshops on their days off...and who in their right mind would want to head to the hospital on a day off?! I've made a point of going to as many workshops as possible, conflict management and resolution, effect change management, giving and receiving feedback, teaching the adult learner...lots. I may only have another 6 months left of this job, so I think I'm going to make the most of it. As much as I have days that I'm frustrated, and think about going back to the bedside, I also know that I've learned so much and am only now starting to understand how to put it all together. I think for a newbie Educator, I've done a fairly decent job, and definitely nothing to be ashamed of. I cover 6 areas which is a very large group of nurses, and my position extends far beyond educating.<br /><br />Anyway, enough about work. I think I'm feeling good about it today because the workshop was really helpful.<br /><br />Have I mentioned before that I am not a morning person? Most days, I can be up and out of the house in half an hour, 45 minutes if I have to have a shower. This morning was one of those half hour mornings (well, more like 25 minutes, and every minute DOES count!) I was racing around and threw on a sweater that was not too wrinkled that had been lying on a bedroom chair.<br /><br />I got to the workshop on time, but when I finally caught my breath, I looked down and realized that I had enough hair on my sweater to knit another pet! OMG! 2 dogs and 4 cats shedding their winter fur, and it was all on my sweater! Thankfully, it was cream coloured, so it wasn't quite as noticeable, but even I thought it was gross. I started picking the fur out, but then I thought if I just left it alone, maybe people would think it was part of the fabric...<br /><br />Yeesh.<br /><br />After work today, Aud and I went to Goodwill. They were having a 50% off sale, and the place was packed! I scored 4 cobalt blue wine glasses for 75 cents each, 2 yello pyrex serving dishes, and a book by Emily Giffin called Baby Proof that I had been looking for. Small things, but I felt good buying something that didn't cost a lot of money. Actually, I didn't even pay for it, Aud did as we carpool with my car and I refuse to take gas money from her. I am very glad that I've found a friend who loves Goodwill as much as I do! We have spent quite a few Saturdays going from one to another.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-84614393862570073312009-02-18T22:55:00.003-05:002009-02-18T23:13:00.143-05:00This week, my mom and bro are off to Costa Rica for 2 weeks.<br />Seems like my mom has found a new travel partner?! Uh...ya.<br />I could have gone, but it seems like I have a job.<br />Am I bitter? No...not really. <br />Everything comes with a price...right?<br />Anyway, Greg and I do have a vacation planned. It corresponds with a work conference and Greg is tagging along this year! We are going to Portugal! We leave the middle of April and are gone for two weeks. We figure we'll spend 5 days in Lisbon (3 days of which I'm at a conference) and then head north up the coast to Porto and then spend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">af</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ew</span> days in Spain. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Afterwhich</span> (is that a word?!) we go to Paris for 3 days and Vienna for 1 day. It'll be a busy vacation, but I'm looking forward to being away. <br /><br />I've been hanging out on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span> a bit more lately and have gotten in touch with some people I've known in a past life, it's been fun actually. People I've known from public school, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">high school</span> and from when I lived overseas. I think this is such a good thing, mostly because in my younger years I was so shy and self-conscious it's been a real eye-opener to realize that maybe I wasn't so different <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">after all</span>. Have you 3 readers been on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Facebook</span> yet? (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Pez</span>, I know that you are there!) It's a nice distraction, and I totally recommend it, even though I'm not on it everyday.<br /><br />Anyhow, I've been wanting to enter something on this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Blogthing</span> of mine, so this is it.<br />Work is good.<br />The puppies are the light in my life (other than Greg and the kitties of course!)<br />I do have things to rant about, but I'm thinking I should save that for when I'm in a ranting mood.<br />Till then!Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-74448337351403367652009-01-21T21:35:00.002-05:002009-01-21T22:03:53.678-05:00I am so happy that Barack Obama is the new President. I kind of feel like Canada has a new President! Our countries are so close...and yet so different. Is it safe to say that Obama reminds me of a Canadian? Hope I didn't offend anybody out there..but he just seems so....nice.<br /><br />Things have been good around here. I am car-pooling with awesome Audrey...it was her idea to get me to work on time. That part is working, but poor Aud has to wait for me to pick her up and I am having a bit of trouble getting out of work on time. Thankfully, she is the patient sort who doesn't mind waiting a few extra minutes.<br /><br />I have been very productive at work these past few days, and have been the chair of a few committees which is something new for me. I've decided to recruit various nurses in my areas into these committees to make them accountable for some of the changes and challenges that are going on. I figure that if they are in on the team decisions, that it might cut down on the complaints. It's a new way of doing things, but I'm hoping it will attract people's attention. I am going to ask different nurses for each new initiative. So far, so good.<br /><br />My mom and brother went to Mexico last week. I was going to blog about it, but at the time I was so pissed that I'm not sure that it would have made sense. My brother basically came by on the Sunday night with his two cats, and said he and mom were going to Mexico the next day. I basically lost my nut, had a few too many glasses of wine (and SHRIEK!!!!) even smoked a couple of cigarettes with Aud. Anyway, I got over that. My mom offered to take me on a vacation next month, but I told her that I wouldn't feel comfortable going without Greg, because he needs a vacation too.<br />Two-Four spent the weekend with us last weekend. She's nuts.<br />Little SIL was accepted into a private college for Dental Hygiene Assistant. Little SIL is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but honestly, she's never been given a chance because 2-4 has always told her that she's disabled and "can't do that." The whole Freakin' weekend 2-4 talked about how she was worried that Little SIL wouldn't be able to do the course until finally we couldn't take it anymore. Everybody was yelling...I went to bed.<br />Some things, I really don't want to get involved with.<br /><br />My mom called me at work today which is strange because she never calls me, and especially not at work. Turns out that her 88 year old friend was in the ICU at my hospital and she was wondering if I could find out what was going on. I have connections, so of course I was able to talk to his nurse. Poor man had already passed on by the time I arrived, but I was able to go and say goodbye to him on behalf of my mom. Now my mom is all depressed thinking that he was only 17 years older and her time is coming to an end. All I could think of to say was " you've got good genes...your mother lived to see 94. Don't worry...you'll be around to torture me for a long time!" Thankfully, I made her laugh.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com200tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-39425732277647723292009-01-13T13:26:00.007-05:002009-01-13T20:03:46.116-05:00<div><div><div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shhhh</span>....I'm at work...and I'm blogging!</div><div>I've closed my door, turned on the radio, just finished my Swiss Chalet lunch and decided that I was in the mood to blog.</div><div>Some NY Resolutions I'm still managing. My upstairs is not too bad, I can clean up within half an hour. </div><div>Audrey and Darrell have been over a few nights for dinner as they are in the process of doing some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DIY</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Reno's</span> to their kitchen. They have the exact same house as ours, but the layout is opposite. Strangely, I can never figure out exactly where I'd be in my house when I'm in hers because of all the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Reno's</span> done to both homes over the last 60 years. Anyway.</div><div>Audrey has this great idea of how to get me to work on time in the morning. Anyone who knows me, know that I am not a morning person. I snooze for at least a half an hour and then Greg has to sic the dogs on me. I am given a bath of kisses every morning by 2 dogs and a cat. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dutchess</span> is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">licker</span> in the morning when she is hungry. So today we tried Audrey's great idea: I drive her to work in the morning. Her place of employment is on my way (pretty much) but despite leaving 15 minutes earlier than I normally would have, I STILL arrived late! The roads were bad this morning so I'm sure that had something to do with it, but we might have to leave a bit earlier. It's a little strange carpooling, especially in the morning. I like listening to the radio: the news, the song of the day, and the ticket-blitz contest. Audrey likes to talk. I missed it all! And since I was trying to listen to the radio, I'm not 100% of all of her conversation, either! I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">going</span> to either have to turn u0p the radio, or ask her not to talk. Either way...I'm wondering how long the car-pooling is going to last. Audrey is an early bird, up at 5:15, out with her dogs, and then leaves for work at 7am to hang out at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Wallymart</span> for an hour and then arrives at work at 8:20. There is no way in hell that I'll be doing any of that nonsense! She is desperately trying to get me into the habit of walking the dogs really early in the morning, she even got me a snood for Christmas so I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDBNGxqRPITgvyhLE4pC0ML4ZLXvjsP3b1QMcwB128sOO2GVJuyVa7KWXXdKeUMeq-k9QpdsC6YSjdRxarfWMRFi7EWE3RC-vPSvLP8OmtFQTA1eNsu7nrx7KIqbCubujeyPU/s1600-h/boots.jpg"></a> would be nice and warm.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIAIbmk5DxrbqV5Zui7eTj_ZXaCXYnY_nPkMLxK7v_UQfhaOd5VBsMvOmc6X01HBaGfSpe5jr-jmmLh-iF2i6cr2Jpa8VkFkef2UKEM5fgoqqL6gYQ1ByRn9afUD2s7AVAXbG/s1600-h/IMG_2397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290947033978722594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIAIbmk5DxrbqV5Zui7eTj_ZXaCXYnY_nPkMLxK7v_UQfhaOd5VBsMvOmc6X01HBaGfSpe5jr-jmmLh-iF2i6cr2Jpa8VkFkef2UKEM5fgoqqL6gYQ1ByRn9afUD2s7AVAXbG/s400/IMG_2397.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Here is my dog-walking get-up (please keep in mind that it is minus 20 degrees Celsius, which has got to be close to zero Fahrenheit)</div><div>I wore this to work today, minus the snood. I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">secretly</span> hoping that someone will contact What Not To Wear and nominate me. Nonetheless, I was warm on my way to work, and walking the puppies.</div><div>People who know me from a former life, would never recognize me.</div></div></div></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-16892028941150158712009-01-07T21:07:00.003-05:002009-01-10T16:12:54.995-05:00Happy New Year!<br /><br />So far, so good.<br /><br />I believe that I have kept 2 resolutions.<br /><br />I am not only starting to clean my house room by room...but I am keeping the rooms clean!<br /><br />We are really tight on $ right now, so we have been making do with whatever is in our cupboards, fridge and freezer. I've even found sample pet food and have discovered that The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Duchess</span> likes puppy food. Who knew?? At 16, she can eat what she wants!<br /><br />I've been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">journaling</span> my WW, even though I'm not attending meetings. I figure I can save myself $600...god knows I could probably teach the classes, I've attended so many.<br /><br />I have kept my wine consumption under control this week, and have probably saved myself three bottles of wine so far. Not saying that I've quit...just saying I'm keeping tabs.<br /><br />I've decided that I want to start work at 9:00am, and so that is my aim. I leave at 6pm no matter what time I go in and get paid for 7.5 hours. I figure that while I'm at work, I'm going to work hard, but since I'm not getting paid any extra time, I am more than happy getting to work at a time that works for me. I will make exceptions for meetings or whatever, but I am not going to be made to feel bad for coming in to work last every morning. (This was something that was making me feel bad...) As far as I'm concerned, my job requires flex hours to be available for evening <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">shift workers</span>, as needed.<br /><br /><br /><br />Enough about work.<br /><br />The holidays were good. My cousin Roland is my only 1st cousin. He, and his 16 year old <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">daughter</span>, Johanna, came to visit for two weeks. They stayed with my mom but I spent a lot of time with them. I have to admit, I really, really liked Johanna. I think that she is similar to the kind of girl I wish I had been at 16. She's very confident with who she is. She likes being different from everybody else, without being totally weird. She's not afraid to speak up, and yet she knows how not to be rude about it. She is who she is, and she seems like such a non-neurotic teenager. Which is pretty amazing considering that her step-mother is also her aunt and has been since she was a fetus at 5 months (I'll let you figure that one out!)<br /><br />Anyway, it was fun hanging out with a cool 16 yr old girl who likes shopping in thrift stores. See where I'm going here? The girl came all the way to Canada to go shopping in THRIFT stores! We had THE BEST shopping day ever, and I discovered great new places to shop!<br /><br />I'm ending here, and fully intend to continue where I left off, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tomorrow</span>.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-84348617778552466502008-12-30T18:31:00.003-05:002008-12-30T19:35:39.304-05:00Thank youI spent some time today with a woman from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lanka</span>. As we parted ways I wished her a Happy New Year. She wished me the same then remembered that in her culture before the New Year, you actually thank people for the past year, and only after New Years' do you wish them a Happy New Year.<br />Lately I've been thinking that I'm going to be really glad to put 2008 behind me. It hasn't been a particularly bad year, no one really close to me has become gravely ill, or died, and I am definitely thankful for that. Yes, the market has taken a plunge, but I still have my job, and a good paying one at that. I have a great husband whom I love dearly, and my relationship with my mom has improved markedly. Greg and I did not get to travel together this year, but I did have a great business trip to Hilton Head/Fort Worth and San Antonio last May. We still have the trailer that sometimes feels like a stone around my neck, but at least this year I've got hot water and a real porcelain flush toilet to drown in! I've got a few close friends and good neighbours I know I can count on. I've got a new puppy (and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Dutchie</span>, Mr. Mao and Buddy, of course!) I have a roof over my head and enough food in my cupboards that I could survive for a month if we were snowed in.<br />So why am I so looking forward to 2009? I think because I am very, very close to hitting an emotional rock-bottom. I can't keep my house clean, I can't be bothered to cook dinner, my bills aren't paid on time, we live pay cheque to pay cheque, I can't be bothered to blog (which used to be a huge source of entertainment and also an outlet for me.) I make do with the clothes I have because I can't stand going to stores because (gasp!) I might have to try something on and I feel overwhelmed when I do go into a store. I don't answer the phone, rarely return phone calls and turn the upstairs lights out so I don't have to go dog-walking with the neighbourhood clan.<br />I know I have a problem. I used to think it was depression, and I know that is part of it but for all the years I made fun of Two-four and her diagnosing everyone with anxiety...it's either rubbed off on me, or I've been denying it. I cover a lot of this anxiety up by drinking way to much. I've always enjoyed drinking, but dare I say it? It's gotten out of hand and I know I need to do something about it. It's starting to affect me really negatively and this has got to change. I'm not a stupid person, or a bad person, but I think that this is the one thing that I've really got to get a handle on in 2009. I think I started drinking more when I found out that I couldn't have children so I just threw caution to the wind, figuring that it didn't really matter how much I drank. I didn't need to be responsible to anyone except myself and Greg and my pets. I've always done well at work, so I know I can function. There's that word: Function. I am a functioning Wino. I have a functioning Wino husband too, so I always have someone to play with.<br />I've been thinking about how to get a grip on all the things that used to matter to me, and that I've let slip. I know I need to start with myself. For years I've been complaining about my weight. I can pay all the money I want to go to WW, but it's useless if I use up all my points in wine. I complain about my dirty house, but if I got off my ass (and Greg got off his!) we'd have a clean house. I want to go out and be social, but I'm always thinking about how I'm going to get home, because in order to be social a few drinks goes a long way. And one thing I don't do is drink and drive. So, I'd rather be safe, and stay home. <br />People think that by being a nurse you know how to take care of yourself. I beg to differ. I think part of my problem is genetic, partly a lack of self-confidence/esteem, but trust me, a lot of nurses chose to be nurses because they learned how to deal with problems at home when they were growing up. They were the problem-solvers, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pleasers</span>, the high-achievers. At some point, it all becomes too much. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty (most, in fact) who remain strong, level-headed and able to deal with issues head on, but I also know enough who use alcohol, drugs or food as a coping mechanism.<br />Anyway, maybe this is a problem no matter what you choose as a career all I'm saying is that I think I should know better, being a nurse. At some point I chose not to be as strong, to care less about my own surroundings and to let things not bother me by choosing wine over dealing with daily living.<br />At this point, I am not willing to go elsewhere to seek help. My doctor is aware, and has been aware for a while, but I'm not ready to admit it anywhere else but here that I need to help myself.<br />And that is my New Year's resolution. What a start. I've got a lot of work ahead of me.<br />For what little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">blogging</span> I've done: Thank you for stopping by and being part of my year. Even if I don't leave comments on your blogs, I do catch up with you throughout your year. Thank you for making me laugh, for sharing your day to day life, for letting me glimpse through the lens of your camera, but mostly for making be feel like I have a connection.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-38342672007663122902008-12-26T09:26:00.003-05:002008-12-26T09:33:20.750-05:00Merry Christmas!<div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><strong>Merry Christmas to All, </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><strong>and to All a Happy, Healthy and Safe 2009!</strong></span></div><br /><div align="center">A few repeats worth repeating!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284106421583508642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLFD8Vz8RU1-fA_DHWmxujH1viIJ3ILD_iuFPZ1du5NHbrlNn8p3gwA2CbPlyrVNChVTJSpNNIzY2_3-60wMv0xhLf-8QPoulphuJkyfXDaV32gzyiFB3bjWyNbXqXQ0iFPch/s400/collage.jpg" border="0" /></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-39279123406991381172008-12-19T09:16:00.002-05:002008-12-19T09:38:14.105-05:00What?! Two posts in one week?! You must think I'm crazy.<br />This week, I have been at work a total of 1.5 days. I went in yesterday for a few hours but ducked out as I need to go to the dentist and have a crown repaired. I have this weird genetic deformity where I still have two baby teeth in my mouth and of course, they are not doing so well (maybe because the tooth fairy negelcted to take them 35 years ago?!) Anyway, this is the third time in three years I've had to have this crown repaired. My dentist, who I really like, has told me I should really start thinking about inplants (not the boob-kind.) At $3500 a tooth, I'm a bit hesitant, and yet I don't want to be walking around toothless either. That's not a hawt look. <br />Last night I had invited Awesome Audrey over for dinner and I had every intention of having dinner ready for her by 6:30 pm <em>SHARP </em>as she is very particular about when she eats dinner. Well, my little SIL was over last night to see Laila and she volunteered to make dinner. No worries...except she had never <em>made</em> dinner before. Awesome A had almonds for dinner because 9pm was too late for her to eat. Uh-oh. She and her hubby think that Greg and I are way to relaxed about our timeliness around the dinner hour. They eat between 6 and 6:30 everyday, without fail. Greg and I usually ask each other if we're hungry, then decide what we are going to eat, and then usually eat around 8pm. This is normal for us, and quite frankly how we were raised. Both of our fathers came home late from work, and the family waited for them. We always ate late in my family and it never seemed strange. I realize though, that if we had kids, we definitely would have be more regimented.<br />Awesome A sets the dinner table <em>before</em> she leaves for work in the morning, I feed my cats on the dining room table so the dogs don't get into their food. We usually eat downstairs in front of the tv and a fancy night for us is eating in the living room at the coffee table. Hmm...I guess we are a little too relaxed.<br />Big snowstorm coming today, and I rather intelligently decided yesterdayto take a vacation day so I wouldn't have to deal with the weather that is supposed to hit full-force this afternoon during rush hour. I do have a few last minute Christmas things to do, so I'm heading out to Wally-Mart before the roads get too sloppy.<br />In fact, I'm not even going to worry about my bedhead. I'll plop a hat on, some yoga pants, a big coat and worry about a shower later. Or tomorrow. Whatever.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-3693030852027391522008-12-17T16:04:00.002-05:002008-12-17T16:29:12.270-05:00The newest member of our clan<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Meet Laila, our newest 'baby!'</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-RGmEKKsw3T3CzqMy87pPjjfdzY6yxuW8A77vUAFYCjVGRmV8SHB26rTNqDO2sw0bGiAgV9ZxaeM8zC-OCRGl4DT6Da048qCg1Si3PG-DKS4MIzRwmxc4BhhVOV6UsNsFUgq/s1600-h/Laila+8+weeks.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-RGmEKKsw3T3CzqMy87pPjjfdzY6yxuW8A77vUAFYCjVGRmV8SHB26rTNqDO2sw0bGiAgV9ZxaeM8zC-OCRGl4DT6Da048qCg1Si3PG-DKS4MIzRwmxc4BhhVOV6UsNsFUgq/s400/Laila+8+weeks.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Greg was hinting about wanting another dog a few months ago and a couple of weeks ago he adopted little Laila Loo-hoo from the same Rescue Shelter from where we adopted Buddy. She was 8 weeks old when we got her, and she is now 11 weeks old. At first Buddy was a bit jealous but I think he now loves having her around. She is a tough little thing and plays with Buddy as though she were already a big girl. She won't back down for anything! She is a lot younger than Buddy was when we adopted him and I have to say the potty training is a royal pain in the ass! I know that she will eventually catch on, but I can be outside with the pups for half an hour and only once she is inside and warm does she squat to do her business. Talk about frustrating! Oh well. I've rolled up all of my area rugs and it doesn't seem like as much of a problem wiping up the hardwood. And, it does seem to happen less and less. She is a wonderful addition and the cats really seem to like her. Who'd have thought Mr. Mao would end up liking dogs!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Last weekend I took Buddy and Laila to see Santa Claus! Santa was a woman which I thought was a bit odd,but the dogs didn't seem to mind and posed beautifully, don't you think?! </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlPnXY4AUEe1iOQ1io9E4_GS6hnfumv1J2SpmOgqf1-Q4gdwgc6qrMZPa6vlrR4tyS7Gg1u2VVc2slP-iDV53mB7Nqu1pgs1mT_Nb_zLv2cGeY6ibBvUjbg0bkxzi80bZthqF/s1600-h/xmas+08.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlPnXY4AUEe1iOQ1io9E4_GS6hnfumv1J2SpmOgqf1-Q4gdwgc6qrMZPa6vlrR4tyS7Gg1u2VVc2slP-iDV53mB7Nqu1pgs1mT_Nb_zLv2cGeY6ibBvUjbg0bkxzi80bZthqF/s400/xmas+08.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I am nowhere near ready for Christmas, although the tree is up and looks very pretty. I have a few gifts together, thanks to my neighbour who has been my personal shopper this year. No kidding! She apparently LOVES to do other people's shopping! Honestly, she has really been a lifesaver. I have been feeling so blah these past few months and she caught me on a particularly bad day when I was in tears and stressed out. Next thing I know, she's got lists made up for me, a list for Greg, plans for when we are going to make our dog cookies, she had pictures developed for my Christmas Cards, and a bunch of other things. She is AMAZING! I honestly could never have asked for a better neighbour. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I know...you all want an Amazing Audrey now, don't you?<br /></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-43611687435029709132008-10-30T19:55:00.002-04:002008-10-30T20:10:27.153-04:00<div align="center">On our front lawn we have a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">humongous</span> pine tree (of some sort.) It is so big that when I've gone to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Google Earth</span>, you can see the tree on our property. When I first saw the tree I imagined how great it would look decorated with Christmas lights, but really it's so big, I wouldn't know how to go about finding some one to put the lights up for me. I think I'd need a crane, or a fire truck just to get up near the top. So, no lights as of yet, but we've always had about 50 sparrows that love to adorn the branches. And, of course, Mr. Mao loves to watch them from his perch in the picture window.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263100644532662194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoChNH9IK3qOWpSR0uRbmSSpzHoAjh_YKYzO-JIuZ2lVtrAI79XDw_X-JV1nR2owAHB2SbaOmqTipD0gqfMxBSRP2fnSHn-cI22MgfWOjdapb5sZCJWGuAMe-oLLrx83D__O3B/s400/birdies.jpg" border="0" />The hospital where I work also has a Veteran's wing and sometimes I wander over there on my lunch break. They have a cute little artisan shop there where you can buy various crafts that the Veteran's have made. Note: Canadian Veteran's at this place tend to be in their 80's-90's. Anyway, one day I saw this Bird Feeder and immediately thought of my sparrows. </div><div align="center">They love it! And I've noticed how chubby my birdies are getting.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U3bXSYEYB3pmMrO05Z2bsWlncH1v1tHvl9Yy2AQM0lKczQ-q2gyZDuikrh_QWE2x_yPZpAiV6YWTBBFkt2AgOoI0Hhzw42z1opWa6nvA4B1A1979shS82Plb_swJk5rt6VK3/s1600-h/mr.+mao%27s+birdies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263100907823347378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U3bXSYEYB3pmMrO05Z2bsWlncH1v1tHvl9Yy2AQM0lKczQ-q2gyZDuikrh_QWE2x_yPZpAiV6YWTBBFkt2AgOoI0Hhzw42z1opWa6nvA4B1A1979shS82Plb_swJk5rt6VK3/s400/mr.+mao%27s+birdies.jpg" border="0" /></a> And it gives Mr. Mao hours and hours of entertainment.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-9586957404813921472008-10-22T20:21:00.002-04:002008-10-22T20:37:01.644-04:00Brrr...it's still cold so I've decided to run the bathtub. The thing is, it takes 10 minutes to fill the tub downstairs so I thought I'd write a post while I'm waiting. (Hopefully I won't forget about the tub! That would not be good.)<br />I'm starting to think about Christmas and what I'm going to get people. I usually donate money to World Vision in a my mom & brother's name, and also for Greg's dad & MIL2. Two-four could most likely use the donation herself, so I'll have to think of something for her, besides a monetary gift. This year, I'm thinking of those digital photographs. You know the ones I mean? You download your pictures onto it and it flips through the pictures like an album? So, I'm wondering if I could pre-load it? Scan pictures and send it to this frame? Does anyone know if this can be done (OK....all 5 of you who read this blog intermittantly....one of you must know!!!)<br />I like the idea, but have no idea if it will actually work the way I'm thinking of.<br />Some years, I am really on top of things and I start my shopping at the end of summer when things are on sale, or sometimes, even the winter before! Is this crazy or what?! I have boxes in the cellar under my stairs and god only knows what is in them! I'm not so much of a packrat, but I do like buying nice things when I see them for a nice price. For instance, the last time I was in Seattle, Pez and I went to a glassybaby factory and there were some babies for sale for $5 each! How could I resist? I ended up packing about ten of them in my suitcase and freaked Pez out. She worries about things like that...<br />Speaking of which, I guess I will have to be more careful in the future about how heavy my bags are. I understand you now have to pay some exorbitant price for extra weight. Hmpft! Glad I already brought back my Oma's silver ware from Germany.<br />Speaking of which, I should find and clean, and maybe even use this Christmas.<br />Gotta check the tub.<br />Smell ya later.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-80427481602512521912008-10-21T17:13:00.003-04:002008-10-21T17:20:38.947-04:00It's October 21st, and it is SNOWING in Toronto! I simply can not believe this, it's just too soon! It's not sticking to the ground or anything, but it is definitely flurrying. And, with the wind chill it is minus 1 Celcius. Where did summer go? I just washed a pair of shorts today (never mind that I still have 57 loads of laundry to do...) Ugh, winter is most surely not my favourite season.<br />My last post included a lot of griping and moaning about work. To be honest, it's not so much the job that bugs me, because I like the job, but it's the staff and all their whining and whinging that I can't bear. Sometimes I just want to scream at them to grow up and deal with it! Bunch of babies. So, I will stay with this position as it really is a good one and their is a lot of personal growth potential for me. I do miss bedside nursing, but I also realize that I'm not getting any younger, and with 20 years of working still ahead of me, I do need to consider the future and what I'm physically able to do.<br />Anyhow...I'm going to keep this short and sweet.<br />TTFNRamonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-35476135112344000292008-09-24T20:07:00.002-04:002008-09-24T20:54:45.132-04:00OK. So the truth is, I've been ignoring this blog. On purpose.<br />It has become a bit of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">stressor</span> in that I'm not as light-hearted as I would like to be. Or think I am.<br />When I first started this blog, I was very optimistic, I would always like to think about the "Best Thing That Happened To Me Today." If I heard a favourite song in the morning on my way to work, I would take it as "A Sign."<br />I think my 'new-not-so-new' job has dragged me down.<br />I love having my own office. I love planning my own day. I love thinking about how I am going to go about presenting something new. But I don't like my former colleagues. They suck. Some days, I love closing my door and planning trips with my unused <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">airmiles</span>, or checking out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kijiji</span>, Craig's list or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">google</span> maps. Some days, I fantasize about running away where no one knows me, and just aimlessly wandering wherever the wind blows. Some days, I just want to run away from my life.<br />Not that I have a bad life, mind you. I have a husband whom I am madly in love with, and I know it is reciprocated. I have my cats and dog. I would miss all that if I ran away. But the nurses I worked with...are getting to me. To the point where I want to leave my job.<br />I have enough <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">air miles</span> to go to Australia, or anywhere else that a plane would take me.<br />But it's just a dream. A plan B. Maybe even a plan F. But sometimes, I just want to escape and go where no one knows me, no one wants anything of me, I don't have to be responsible. It's a nice thought.<br />In the meantime, I enjoy a glass of wine, or maybe (usually) a bit more. Is it bad that wine is an escape for me? Sometimes I feel very guilty about this.<br />Last week, one of the new nurses I helped hire, quit. She quit because she was challenged on her ability to 'nurse.' This is a woman who is very highly intelligent...takes Math courses at a University level for 'fun.' As it turns out, she was a less than adequate Recovery Room nurse, and quite frankly, was dangerous. It made me feel like I had failed as an Educator.<br />I've been feeling rotten about this. As an Educator, what exactly was my role? Was I to teach her basic nursing skills? No. Was she to recognize when there was an issue that needed to be dealt with her patient immediately? Yes. Did she? No. Only when prompted.<br />I have been beating myself up about this because the day that I spent a few hours with her to determine whether she was capable or not, she was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dismal</span> . I was pissed off, and she knew it. I expected more from her as a former ICU nurse and she failed. But maybe there is a part of me that expected more of me and I failed. I recognize that...she didn't recognize that about herself.<br />I have to write this down, whether anybody reads this or not. I know I have to make a decision about where I want this job to take me. I miss the hands on patient care. Honestly, that is and has always been, my s<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">trong</span> point as nurse. I am very shy by nature, but I recognize that people as patients, are in a vulnerable position and probably a lot more uncomfortable than I am.<br />I think I am at a crossroad in my life. To keep this job, I need to start working on my Masters. I am truly interested about a 3/10. I think it's not worth the extra $1 buck an hour. But, I know...it's not even about the money. I don't think that it would make me care any more about the job that I am doing. I am doing the best that I know how, and without being a big-head, I think that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">I've</span> been doing a good job.<br /><br />ugh. Anyway....<br /><br />On a much, much...MUCH lighter note...<br />I am starting to think that my mom is turning normal. Did your read that correctly...NORMAL!<br />We talked on the phone for 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 47 seconds tonight. A record!<br />Our normal conversations last 1 minute and PERHAPS 36 seconds!<br />She also stopped by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">unexpectely</span> before I got home and had a glass of wine with Greg. And they both had a good time!<br />I swear she is medicated.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-50361420303533005682008-09-11T23:43:00.001-04:002008-09-11T23:43:21.752-04:00I won't forget.Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10665872.post-26295821068885459422008-09-10T10:10:00.003-04:002008-09-10T10:32:18.896-04:00Part of the reason I haven't blogged is that I feel like I don't have anything to say anymore. Life just goes on and there is nothing all that exciting going on. The weather is starting to get cooler and somehow I don't think we made the most of the summer.<br />We've only been to the trailer a handful of times, mostly because Greg has been avoiding his mom and all her issues with little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SIL</span>. Saying that, they are coming to Toronto today and staying with us for a few days. She doesn't feel comfortable staying at my other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SIL's</span> place because her husband doesn't make her feel welcome. Anyway, family drama never seems to end.<br />One good thing about the trailer is that we have HOT water, a FLUSH toilet and ELECTRICITY <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">throughout</span>! Turns out that the electrical line had been unplugged, likely by a wild animal, years ago. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HMPF</span>! Next time we go up, I might even have an oven that works!<br />I have been getting along really well with my mom, we've actually had REAL conversations lately, not just two minute check-ins. I think that we are both happy about this.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Health wise</span>, I've been back to WW for the 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> time, but have only lost 5 lbs in three months. Red wine and dieting don't go well together.<br />I found out recently that I will be able to keep my temporary educator position for another year, which I am very pleased about. The job has it's own stresses, but overall, I like it a lot.<br />I'm heading in to work a little later today and doing an evening shift as one of our new hires is not working out well and I need to go in and see what the safety concerns are. This is the part of the job that I don't like. I've tried to help this nurse out before by giving her an extended orientation, but she doesn't seem to 'get it.' You know how some people are book-smart, but then don't know how to apply their knowledge to real-life? I think that is what she is like.<br />Anyway. As I'm getting ready this morning, the doorbell rings and I'm thinking that it is UPS delivering my replacement Blackberry (that I must have run over with my car.) At the door was a little old couple wearing hats and all dressed up. I immediately recognised them as Jehovah's Witnesses. I normally don't answer the door when they come, but again I was thinking it was UPS. Buddy usually barks when there is someone at the door, but he is pretty obedient when told to stop barking, and we don't encourage him to bark <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">unnecessarily</span>. Today however, a little evil streak popped up in my brain, and I let him keep barking. I opened the screen door a fraction of an inch, apologized to Church Lady that my dog wasn't friendly towards strangers and let her slide the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Watch Tower</span> towards me. They ran down the driveway, and I must admit, I had a little laugh to myself. Buddy was still barking at them through the window. I know that was mean, but door to door religion pushers bug me.<br />OK...off to work I go!Ramonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04759368595270066049noreply@blogger.com2