NaBloPoMo Day #3

I graduated Nursing School in 1989, which had as it is to believe, was 18 years ago. And, if you count the 2 and a half years in school, it's been over 20yrs. So, that's pretty much 20 years where my wardrobe has consisted of uniforms and casual clothes. Mind you, I did have a few years in the Middle East where I glammed it up at parties and gala events. The year I started Nursing School they did away with the crazy cap thing. What it's purpose was, I have no idea as it surely must have been knocked off a thousand times a day either by a crazy patient, a curtain around the bedside or for a number of other reasons. The year I started nursing school was also the year that nurses had to stop smoking at the nurses station. So, I never had the pleasure of dressing like Nurse Ratched. Which was a good thing.

During school we had to wear white pantsuits or dresses. I opted for the dresses, with white support hose, bobby socks and white wedgies.
I started my first job at the hospital where I am now the day after I graduated school. I was thrilled that I could now wear coloured pastel dresses, and I upgraded my footwear to Lady Foot Locker sneakers. I was cool. Never mind that when I had to crawl up on a bed to do haul a patient out of bed, or do CPR my dress would hike up, my slip would show, my light support hose would slide down and the crotch would end up somewhere near my knees and all in all it wasn't too comfortable. I'm sure that someone out there enjoyed the show, but it certainly wasn't me!

I ended up, as you know, in Saudi Arabia where the dress code was actually not too bad. It was a white pants with a tunic top that covered your B-hind, and covered your elbows. I scrounged up this pic of me hard at work (and apparently having a really good time? I must have been caught off-guard in this shot, I'm usually wearing the Nurse Ratched frown.) The uniform itself wasn't too bad, but the material was horribly scratchy. I had to turn it in when I left so that some other lucky ass could wear it after me.


For the last 8 years I have lived in green scrubs. It has made life very easy. I get up, throw my greens on, throw my hair back in a pony tail, wash my face, brush my teeth, slap a bit of make-up on and I could be out the door in 15 minutes. Low Maintenance. Notice that I don't even bother with a shower in the AM, I save the water for a luxurious bath after work. Initially, when I was single and on the prowl, I'd have my bath, girlie myself up and look half decent when heading out on dates.
Since meeting Greg, and getting the trailer, my after work clothes have become extremely casual. You could say that I have moved from Low Maintenance to No Maintenance. Yoga pants, or flannel jammies always topped off with one of Greg's XXL sized t-shirts. Tres attractive. Trailer gear, is, well, Trailer gear. Old stained tank tops, shorts, yoga pants or flannels. I've let myself fall apart!!!
My dilemma is this: I start my new OFFICE JOB on Monday and I have absolutely zero, zilch, nada OFFICE CLOTHES! I have jeans but I can't wear those. And, I am shoeless. Even though I had to scrape the frost off of my windshield this morning (with the cup on my thermos, because I didn't have the ice scraper in my car) it is not quite boot weather yet.
My other dilemma is: I HATE clothes shopping. It is depressing and stressful for me. Which is why I rely on my husband's XXL t-shirts and flannel pj bottoms as my wardrobe. I fully admit, that I am cheap when it comes to buying clothes. I don't by second hand clothes or anything, but I have a hard time spending money on expensive clothes. It seriously makes me feel ill. Seriously. There is nothing enjoyable about it for me. Sigh, that's weird isn't it?
I'll also need a good warm dog-walking winter coat to go with my winter boots and ice-scraping thermos cup.
I'll let you know how the shopping goes tomorrow.

NaBloPoMo Day #2

I received an email today that I thought was really neat. Click on any of these cookie names and you will get the recipe. I'm not much of a baker, but maybe, just maybe, I will be enticed to try one or two of these.
1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies

NaBloPoMo Day #1

Last night, after Buddy stopped barking at the last Grim Reaper, Princess, Gypsy and Dementor to come trick or treating at the door, I turned on the Dryer, and threw the house into near darkness. The only rooms with electricity were the bathroom, and half of the kitchen. As it was bedtime, I didn't really think about this loss of electricity too much, I figured that we'd deal with it when we woke up. Well, Greg left for work, and there was still no electricity throughout 80% of the house. Which meant that my computer was not working, and I started fretting. Not so much because we had no power, but because I was supposed to NaBloPoMo today! As I'm working nights tonight, I figured that I could maybe sneak in a quick blog post there, but I was kind of hesitant, because it's not really something that I want to share with my coworkers. Not that I write about work a lot, but you never know..maybe I did write something unflattering about someone over the past few years that I was never meant for my colleagues to know. Luckily, Greg was able to fix the problem when he got home from work but our electrical panel will need to be updated asap as it is original to the house. We were supposed to do it when we moved in, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
Speaking of which...today marks one year since we got possession of this house! And it also marks 5 years since Greg and my official first date. How time does fly.
An update of the clinical educator position I applied for: I start full-time on Monday! I'm really excited about this, yet also a little nervous because on Monday, I start educating one of the new nurses. I'll have a lot of work to do this weekend to prepare myself for next week, but I think I can do it. I have two more night shifts to work, tonight and tomorrow night so I am hoping that I'll some time to do some prep work at work, if it's quiet enough.
Hopefully all the Hallowe'en goblins, ghouls and witches are at rest and there won't be any gang violence to disrupt the shift.

This is the first weekend I have had time to relax and do stuff that I want to do in what seems like months. Mr. H is working overtime today, so it's just me, the kitties, and Buddykins. It's a rainy Saturday so that gives me even more incentive to stay indoors and be crafty today. I have a few projects lined up but I think today I want to refinish my dining room chairs. I'll take a before and after photo, and you can let me know what you think. Jeez...now I feel like I HAVE to get this project done since I've promised pictures! I have my camera back, and that makes me happy, I've missed taking pictures of just anything I feel like.
We switched our Internet provider last week, and since then I noticed that I lost my blog title pic. It wasn't mine to begin with, I had downloaded it off of the web, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. So, I'm using picture of Mr. Mao, and of course I had to play with the special effects. But, I like how it turned out and for now, I'll it. It would be cool to have a more professional looking blog page, but honestly, I'm not sure that that would prod me into blogging more. What I am hoping will inspire me is joining NaBloPoMo.
I didn't have time to join last year as we were moving and life was just too busy. So this is the year and I will try to keep up. No more excuses!
Otherwise, life goes on. The Clinical Educator position is apparently mine. I have yet to be interviewed, but I am starting the position on a part-time basis orienting the new nurses hired to start in a few weeks. By the end of November, I should be in the position full-time and I am quite excited about this. There are so many changes going on within the peri-operative department and I will have the opportunity to help plan, educate and implement the changes. I went to a conference last weekend which gave me some really good ideas and contacts.
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I haven't been much into cooking these past few months, but am trying to get interested again. The other day, Greg had the boys over for the hockey game and I thought I'd make a big vat of chili. We still have hundred of tomatoes in the backyard but the problem is, is that they are all green. Years ago I read a book called Fried Green Tomatoes and I'd heard that you could fry green tomatoes, but it never really appealed to me. Now, as I said, I made a vat of chili. And I had all these green tomatoes on hand. I cut up a tomato and tentatively tasted it. I don't know what I was expecting, but was it ever tasty! It had a tart flavour to it, kind of like a lime. So then I got to thinking about this: I threw in about three diced green tomotoes into my chili, and I have to tell you...AMAZING!!! I do believe that I have discovered a brand new chili recipe. The boys loved it, and there was not even a spoonful left. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any leftovers for my lunch the next day, however I was flattered that my new chili recipe was a hit. Try it, you'll like it!

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I'm now going to search for sandpaper, sharp scissors and the staple gun and will attack my 40 yr old dining room chairs. Jeez...my mom bought these chairs when I was a little kid!

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I'll leave you with this: they do look content, Non?

It is quite possible that tonight will be my last night shift. At least that is what I am hoping. Our Recovery Room is so short-staffed that I've been filling in a lot of the nights to accommodate staffing. So, tonight is my 6th shift in a row, and I'm here all by my lonesome listening to my patient snore. If I have to have an overnighter, I prefer them snoring vs. complaining of pain. At least I know he's comfortable. If any of you are married to 67 yr old men, or have fathers or loved ones this age, please tell them to stay out of trees as 30 feet is a long way to fall. For that matter, advise them to stay off ladders and rooftops, too.
Life is pretty much status quo, and has been for a long time. The medications are working, I'm no longer crying at the drop of a hat, and the social anxiety I was feeling has lessened, although has not totally disappeared. I still prefer to entertain in my own surroundings vs. going out. Greg and I were talking today about how we don't go out anymore. Both of us are so comfortable at home, but I couldn't tell you the last time we went out for dinner, or a movie, or to go listen to live music. Having Buddy around is great because it does get us out of the house for a little while each day, and we have gotten to know the neighbours quite well. Towards the end of this month, are a few milestones for us, that we thought we would make special. Oct 26th marks 5 years since we met, Nov 1st is our first real date and our 1 year anniversary in the house, and Nov 11 is our 2nd wedding anniversary. We talked about how we would make a point of having 3 date nights to celebrate. Don't go holding your breath, but I'll let you know if we actually leave the house.

I've now finished the 5th Harry Potter book, and plan to start #6 this week. I've REALLY enjoyed reading them this summer, and am so glad that I finally gave in to the HP craze, it has totally entertained me to the point where I think of us ordinary folks as 'Muggles.'
Last night I started putting together the Hallowe'en goodie bags for the neighbourhood kids. I might have gone a little crazy, but I got excited because it is our first time that we'll have little witches and dementors come to the door. My BFF, Pez, has a son who is allergic to peanuts, and I understand that there are a lot of kids with this allergy. So, to be respectful of this potentially deadly allergy, I put together a peanut-free bag. Inside each bag is a Hallowe'en pencil and eraser, a glow-in the dark tarantula, finger, or bat, rubber flies, and Tootsie Roll confection. I made up 50 bags and was quite happy with how they turned out. I hope that the kids like them, I think I would if I was a kid. I started reminiscing about Hallowe'en candy when I was a kid. I always hated those stale molasses peanut-buttery toffees that were wrapped in orange, black and white wax paper. I think people saved them from their kids previous loot and re-gifted them the following year. Ugh! They were gross. Any candy you remember hating?

Anyway, I must get back to work. This was a nice little blog interruption tho!

Close to Nature

Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely glorious. The weather couldn't have been better....40C, perfect for dinner Al fresco. During the day, I needed to run into town to pick up some last minute fixin's. I had borrowed my brother's camera, and got sidetracked by the beauty of the Grand River.
The town of Fergus was originally settled in 1833 by Scottish immigrants. Many of the original stone building and homes still exist. These old homes all have historical placards at the front door, describing the positions, or careers the home owner held in the community. My favourite is 'Elizabeth Smith, Housewife.' I like the fact that she was the homeowner, there aren't very many women listed on these placards. So, here are just a few of the pics I took last weekend. It's made me realize just how much I miss my camera, and how I rely on it to get me in the blogging mood.

I like how I can play around with different settings and edit pictures. How's this for autumn colour?!

And how's this for getting close to nature?! I discovered an exotic pet store and this was the owner's pet boa constrictor, named Kahn. One thing weird about me...I kind of, sort of like snakes. And reptiles in general. Believe it or not, this little guy was really social, and slithered his way right up around my neck...rather like a feather boa...only not as fluffy.

All right, it's 10:30 am, and on that happy note, I must go to bed. Three more night shifts to go...

I honestly didn't realize how much time had gone by since I last posted. I've been on the graveyard shift for so long, I've started to forget what day of the week it is. So it's September 26th. Wow.

Last time I entered anything was Sept. 13th, my brother's birthday. The past 2 years my mom and I argued bitterly. 2005, it had to do with my wedding and how her friends thought it was a stupid idea that we get married in Vegas. Last year, we argued (I think) about my mom is not doing my brother any favours and that she is preventing him from having a life. I learned that that was none of my business, and not to expect the same inheritance. Whatever.

This year, we decided that we would go to a restaurant (that way, we would hopefully not scream like Banshees at each other.) (Banshee's---Ha!---I've been reading too much HP.) I made a reservation at a restaurant that my mother chose for 6pm. An hour at 5:30, my brother called to say they would be a little late. I changed the reservation. At 6:15 I was standing at the end of the driveway letting Buddy go pee and thinking that my mom and brother would soon arrive. They didn't, but my elderly neighbour came over (unasked) to keep me company, which immediately set Buddy off barking at Old Wife-Beater-Shirt-Iggy. Iggy immediately reminded me that his son also had a Husky, upon which I had to ask if that dog looked anything like my Husky, Buddy. (I honestly did ask, because it is about the 10th time he has told me this, leaving me wondering if he REALLY thinks that Buddy is a Husky, or, is he just so old that A Dog Is A Dog Is A Dog.)

I digress.

My mom and brother never did show up. My mom got mad at my brother because of his OCD need to check and make sure that the cats are inside the house, and then, once he is in the car, he has the need to get out again to check that he really did lock the door, but once again see if the cats are in.) My mom got pissed off, and decided that she didn't want to go out for dinner anymore, she stormed to the door and unlocked it, which relieved my brother because he then knew that the door was really locked and that there was someone home to let the cats in, in case they were still outside. (This is their relationship, which last year I learned was none of my business.)

My brother, Greg and I went out for ribs and my mom got the Doggy Bag, lest she go hungry.

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It's now October 2nd, and I am sucking at blogging. I found an old draft and thought I would include it today. I worked a week of days, and now I'm back on the vampire shift. Work is going well, and if anyone is wondering, I am the only person who applied for the educator position and my manager has already indicated to me that the job will be mine. I still have to go for the interview, but I'm not as freaked out as I was. My job partner is presently on vacation so until she comes back, I am covering our full line of shifts, which takes me to the end of October. Just two more weeks of nights and hopefully that will be the end of it for a while.

There is something that is kind of bugging me at work lately, and it has to do with how my colleagues are reacting towards one of the newly hired nurses. This woman has a deathly fear of elevators and absolutely refuses to step foot in one. Most of the time we are not required to accompany patients back to their rooms, the exception is when patients are going to an ICU bed. Some of the ICU's are located on the 4th and 5th floors, so of course, this nurse is unable to get into the elevator with her patient. Which means, that she asks another nurse to go, while she gives a telephone report. On a rare occasion, when some of my colleagues refuse to go, she has no option but to let her patient ride the elevator with a porter, while she runs up the stairs and meets them at the top. This, is unacceptable. At first, I was also kind of rolling my eyes at this phobia of hers, and in agreement with everyone else that she shouldn't be working with us if she is putting her patients in danger. But then, I started thinking about it differently, playing Devil's Advocate when the conversation came up again. In our Recovery Room, we are extremely short staffed, with no end in site. Three nurses are going on Mat Leave in the next 6 weeks, and no one has been hired to replace them. This nurse with the elevator phobia, is really a good nurse and other than the elevator thing, there is no issue with her nursing ability. So, I started thinking, that as nurses, shouldn't we be a little more understanding? Isn't it better to have a capable nurse do her job for 7.5 hours a day, and if she is unable to go in an elevator, can't one of us ride in the elevator with her patient and meet her at the top? It would take as long as a pee break to do this.

I feel particularly bad for her because she is new to the city, new to the hospital and other than her boyfriend, has no friends here. What a warm welcome she has received from us.

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Oct 3rd now.
It is Thanksgiving this weekend, and we are closing the trailer as we always do on this weekend. Two-Four and I have a big dinner planned for Saturday, and Sunday we'll seal the shack up. Greg still hasn't got around to the repairs and I've stopped caring. I'm secretly hoping that a tree will fall on it this winter, or maybe it'll snow so much that the roof will finally cave in. We'll see. I'm sure that next summer I'll still be bitching that the repairs haven't been done.

Buddy has finally gone into the lake to fetch his sticks. He's not actually swimming yet, but he'll go out as far as he can while still having his paws on the lake bed. It's very cute, and he can catch sticks, Frisbees, balls for hours! I guess that's the Border Collie in him.

BTW, the cats still hate him.

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My camera has been in the repair shop for weeks now, and I'm getting really frustrated. I love this time of year, and so many times I've seen things that I've wanted to take pictures of. To be honest, the thing I like the most about blogging is posting pictures, maybe that's why I've been at such a loss lately. It would be nice to have a camera this weekend, maybe I'll borrow my brother's.

Things are quiet on the family front. My mom is in China right now. She has been a travel maniac this year! Believe it or not, we have been getting along all right lately. Buddy seems to bring out the best in her, and he is an excellent buffer when we all get together. She really loves him, and secretly, I think she likes being called Oma. Two-Four is also getting used to being called 'Buddy's Granny.' At first she was pissed at being called Granny, but I think she kind of likes it now, too.

Yesterday, I received a long-awaited-for book from Amazon. One of the blogs I read everyday is Crazy Aunt Purl who I think is extremely funny and always sees the lighter side of situations. Her sense of humour is what dragged her out of the muck when her husband left her. That, and knitting (which I haven't attempted since Brownies 35 yrs ago.) It is a quick, enjoyable read and made for a great afternoon in bed with the kitties and Buddy. I should have been sleeping, but this was more fun. Alright, that's it for now.

Something kind of funny happened last night at work, well funny to me and I had a huge giggle inside my head.
When I was in highschool I was extremely shy, self-conscious, and awkward with low self-esteem. If a boy ever looked my way (which wasn't often) I'd shrink and turn my back. It's no great wonder I was the invisible wall flower. If I could turn back the clocks I would change that about me when I was younger. Younger, including the years well into my 20's, which is way beyond highschool.
Last night I worked in the ICU and I spotted this absolutely stunning speciman of a young buck resident. Let me tell you this: I am not one of those women who normally checks out every man up and down, in fact, on a whole, I don't find most men all that attractive. (And YES! I do find Greg incredibly handsome, and kind, and a whole bunch of other good things) Last night I found myself OOGLING. This young resident might have been 25, maybe 27 at a push, but OMG he was Hhhhawt! I can not even begin compare him to any actor, or model because honestly, he's way better. Tall, dark hair, hadn't shaved in at least 2 days, turquoise eyes and dark lashes...
So, I'm reading my patient's chart, minding my own business, and this hotty doctor stops by my desk to make sure everything is ok. He introduces himself as Shane and I immediately am transported back into time and turn into my 17 yr old self. I am aloof, can't maintain eye contact, and mumble 'Hi. I'm Ramomum." I look and feel like an ass. He literally backed away! No kidding. He backed away... and now he thinks my name is Ramomum.
He left, and I could have thumped myself in the forehead because I immediately realized how I must have come across. OK, let's get this straight, I am 42, old enough to be his mother for christsake! I am still a dork.
Anyway, a little while later I found myself covering a patient who needed to be intubated and Hotty was in the room too. The patient was on isolation precautions and things were a little tense. I was busy pushing meds, hanging blood, doing my professional nursing things, and being professional. When everything had quieted down Hotty and I and sedated patient where in the room alone. I was sweating and sucking air through my mask, when Hotty turns to me and says: You have the most beautiful eyes!
Bahahaha!!! I didn't know what to say except 'Oh, thanks!' But that immediately broke the ice and I became 42 again, although I didn't tell him that. But I did manage to worm into the conversation that I was married, lived in the suburbs, had a dog and two cats before I made myself shut up.
I am quite sure he is crushed.
Because Ramomum is quite a catch. (Tee-hee!)

It ended up being a quiet weekend in the end as we had to cancel our plans to go to the out of town wedding. Unfortunately, little Buddykins was hit by a car on Friday (don't worry, he's ok.) My brother had called Friday afternoon and asked if he could take Buddy down to the Bluffs for a walk. The wind was picking up and he wanted to see how rough the lake was. He parked the car, got out, and opened the other door for Buddy. Another dog came running up and within seconds, Buddy got spooked and started running. My brother said he took off like a bullet and even after he jumped into the car, he couldn't keep up with the dog. We live about 1.5 kilometres from the lake and there is a busy intersection with 8 traffic lanes to cross to get there, never mind the steep hill from the top of the bluffs to the lake. Buddy raced up this hill, ran through a subdivision, then crossed that intersection during rush hour traffic without looking or thinking and ran right into a car. He picked himself up off the road and kept running through the school yard and all the way home. He was trembling and obviously scared, but not nearly as scared as my brother, who arrived shortly after the Buddy did.
We went to the vet right away, and luckily there were no broken bones. Some blood work was taken to make sure that there was no internal bleeding, but we were able to bring him home and just had to monitor him overnight. Honestly, it's amazing that other than a bit of road rash on one of his hindquarters, there were no injuries. Also incredibly amazing that a puppy would know how to race home the distance that he did! He is a smart puppy.
So, we didn't end up going to the wedding, and neither one of us was upset about missing it. We were glad to hear that it was a backyard wedding with about 250 guests and it was buffet-style so hopefully we didn't put anyone out.

I came across this quiz today:
Check out your Real Age and predicted Longevity
I wonder if there is one for dogs...

8 hours later...

...resume is done!

A week later...

...and not only is my resume still not done, I didn't get around to colouring my hair either! I did clean the house, and I did give myself a pedicure. And I'm still working nights. I swear that I am turning into a vampire!
I have 8 hours before I have to leave for work, and today I WILL FINISH MY RESUME come hell or high water. The position has been posted now, so I really must get a move on.

Procrastion...

...is my middle name. (Actually, it's Manuela, my mom had a thing for Spanish names.)
I still have not started working on my resume, although I have paid to become a member of the Ontario Perianesthesia Nurses Association and the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses. I can add these memberships to plump up my resume. I've also decided to go to a Perianesthesia Conference in October which actually sounds quite interesting, and a Pain Seminar led by some Anesthetists with whom I work. This, is the most involved I've been with my career in years. Sad, but true. And, definitely time to change that.
But first...I must colour my hair.

Catching Up

So, it's been over a month since my last real post. I think about my blog every day, but I don't make time for it. I have a day to myself today and other than cleaning up my pigsty of a house, my projects include updating this blog, and working on my resume.

Let me think about what has gone on this past month. Work has been good. An unexpected situation has arisen which could be a very positive thing for me. There is an opportunity for a one year position as Clinical Educator within the Recovery Room, that also extends to the Pre-assessment Clinic, the Same Day Surgical Centre, the IV Team, the Phlebotomy Team, the Transfusion Centre, and the Autologous Blood Centre. My manager and present Clinical Educator have approached me to apply, and are willing to help me prepare for the interview, including updating my resume. The disaster interviews I've had in the last few years have made me realize that Interviews are much more in depth and designed in such a way that I need to really learn how to apply my answers in a specific way to sell myself in a positive manner. Gone are the days when as a nurse, they were just looking for a warm body who wasn't a complete idiot. In speaking with people, I can now see why I didn't get particular jobs that I applied for because I answered questions with a negative outcome. For example, in the last interview I went to the interviewers asked me about my Anthropology degree. I kind of flippantly answered that as a young adult I didn't know what I wanted to do so that's how I ended up with that degree. I went back to nursing school to get a real job. Which, is always how I had thought about it, but it does sound negative, doesn't it?

In speaking with the Clinical Educator last week, the light bulb suddenly went on to the point where I CAN make that degree count for something! In fact, I am inspired to try to get into an on-line Masters Programme. That will be an autumn project. I am also inspired to start getting more involved at work in committees to start networking. In muddling through my personal issues this summer, I've realized that all of these 'problems' have been building for the past few years. I've chosen to just show up for work without being truly involved. Working in the Recovery Room has made that very easy because honestly, I don't find it very challenging. And, if I am truly honest, it has also allowed me to increase my wine consumption to the point where I admit it's become problematic. I'm not proud of that, but there it is, out in the open. I did talk to my doctor about it and realize that it has been a way of self-medicating to cope. I'm going to work on changing this, which will be a challenge of it's own.

I really want this job, so I am trying to stay focused, think positive, and be prepared for the interview. I will gladly take any advice for successful interviewing tips.

Things with my mom and I are okay lately. We have both been behaving ourselves.

I have had some really nice visit with out of town friends this past month. Pez was in Toronto visiting with her family, and we were able to see each other a few times which was great.This past weekend, my friend KD who lives in Ottawa, came for an impromptu visit which was also wonderful. She brought her cute little poodle Roxie, who is Buddy's new girlfriend. The dogs got along really well.

Speaking of Buddy, he is pure joy. He is smart and knows quite a few commands. He is terrible on the leash and is afraid of the lake but he is great with other dogs and children. I think he has a great disposition and he fits in well with our little family. Well, the cats would prefer if he wasn't around, but I'm hoping that as time goes on, they will resent him less.

We have had a few surprise birthday parties this past month. Two-Four turned 60, and had the time of her life at her party. Louise turned 40, and was very surprised at the party we had for her yesterday (especially since her birthday was 2 weeks ago!) My brother, who has been sober since last November, is turning 39 in a few weeks, and Greg and I thought we would throw a little party for him at the trailer. He has impressed a lot of people this year with his kindness and consideration and I think he'd be quite pleased if friends and family celebrated with a nice dinner in his honour. I might even invite my mom up.

Let's see...what else have I been up to? Greg's vegetable garden is growing like crazy. We have loads of vine-ripe tomatoes, hot peppers, and onions. This year was experimental, and we have a few different ideas for next year. I've been working on a perennial garden, which I'm hoping will fill in nicely next year. We have had a really hot, dry summer here so watering has been quite a chore, but all-in-all we are happy with the results. I have not done much with the trailer this summer, I still have dreams of getting it repaired this year and there are a few men who have volunteered to do the job. No plans to get rid of it any time soon. We have not spent as much time up there this summer, but when we do go, it is still very enjoyable. Mao loves it, and he has made numerous friends throughout the park.

I spent 10 days at the trailer earlier this month and had a very nice, relaxing time. I read the first three Harry Potter books, and I have to say that I am hooked! Always late to get on the band wagon, but better late, than never. They are truly creative, engaging books and I'm even glad that I haven't had to wait years in between to read the on-going adventures.

I'm sure that there are many other things that have happend this past month, but these are the highlights. Captivating, huh?!

It's been a while...I promise I'll make time to catch up later this weekend.