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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Day 30: September 26th, 2009

Quote of the Day: "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead"


Chloe and Mocha out by the pool this morning



I worked most of today on my homework from clinicals, but have had a hard time figuring out what to do with it. My patient had hypokalemia (low potassium) and hypocalcemia (low calcium) and there really aren't any nursing diagnoses to go along with them, so I've had to try very hard to figure out how to write up the care plan for it. I'm so frustrated with it that I could scream! The biggest problem I am having is that the conditions are both so vague, and have such a big effect on so many different areas of the body. It's hard to focus in on specific things, because we have to choose what effect is the most dangerous, etc, and organize things according to priority. GRR!!! I'm not going to have any time to study for the upcoming test, because it is taking me days to do what I usually get done in hours. Granted, I am having to think a lot more on this particular care plan, but still! Usually I can spend half a day on it and be finished. This time I'm been working on it since Thursday night, and still am not even halfway done. I wonder how I'll do on the upcoming test without studying for it? Oh, wait... that's right.... a 78.

Tonight's sunset, looking like God swiped his paintbrush across the sky.

And as I was standing up on the slide to try to get a pic of the sunset, Chloe was trying to climb up the slide to get ME! :)


I was thinking today of a scenario... it's of me taking Ron's truck up and having it profesionally detailed for him the day before he comes home! How awesome would that be, for him to get off the plane and be able to drive his own truck AND have it super clean? He'd be in heaven!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Day 29: September 25th, 2009

Quote of the Day: "If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden. ~Claudia Ghandi"

Hey, it's been a leap-year February since we've been together! LOL
Today has been a really great day, all in all. I got up this morning and went for a walk with Sherrie, who we met when we lived in Arizona at Davis-Monthan AFB, and we had a really good time. My legs hurt by the time I got done, so I must have done something right. And I have made it through two days now with no sodas. My goal is to cut them out completely, because I have been tracking my weight every single morning for almost three weeks, and I noticed a trend... every day that I had soda, I would weigh myself the next day and I would weigh between 1-2 pounds more. One or two days of it I could chalk up to coincidence, but not every time. So I'm going to go two weeks without a soda and then have one and see if it affects my weight the next day. If so, then they'll be out of my diet completely!
The weather outside was simply GORGEOUS this morning, all nice and cool out. I came home and opened all the windows in the house that had screens, and they've been open ever since. It smells so fresh and clean in the house! It's amazing what having to keep your windows closed up does to a closed-in house. Everything kind of just takes on its own little smell-personality. Especially boys' bedrooms and catboxes. I really am glad that I was able to turn off the A/C, too... it will save us money on our electric bill, too! So if you think about it, the house smells fresh and clean... cheaper electric bills... it's a win/win situation! I LOVE FALL!!!! It truly is one of my favorite times of the year! Right up there with Spring! (Are you seeing a pattern yet?)
*****

MY ROSE

I finally got around to trimming that rose that I grew from seed two years ago. And look, one of the stalks made a tree! I kept the other part low to the ground, thinking maybe it will get to be an actual bush-shape eventually. I can't wait to see what happens to it next summer! If it keeps growing tall like it has since I started it, could make for some interesting landscaping. As in, I may end up moving it somewhere else. Where it won't be in the way of anyone walking up to the front door. Hopefully the roots are finally established enough that I can do it, because if not, then I may have to really work hard at pruning it until they are. We'll see.

*****

My favorite kitty in the worldLook how handsome he looks just lying around on his rug by the fireplace. It's really funny how even if there's not a fire in the fireplace he still loves to lay on that rug. And he's really funny about it, because he gets really upset if either of the other cats lay on "his" rug! He'll stand over them trying to look all threatening and nip at them. I think it's kind of cute!

*****

Ron would be so proud of me! I went out and put oil in his truck because I plan on driving it tomorrow to my study group. I have to drive it once in a while, right? So I figured, why not. I have been putting it off since he left, but I figured it was about time. That, and getting in it really reminds me of him, and that makes me smile. It's like he's sitting right beside me, asking me, "Why are you going this way? Why didn't you turn back there?"

And to top it all off and make him even prouder: I made a dental appointment for myself! Okay, sure, I only did it because I lost a filling in one of my molars a while back and I crunched into some bacon and part of my tooth started to crumble. But, still.... I did make the appointment. And I'll be making some for the kids, too! Even better, right? Yay me!

*****

TinyMan and the Sweater

Do you think that I can get a more pitiful look than when I put a DOG sweater on a cat??? Poor TinyMan wouldn't quit bothering Mika, and was chasing her around the house, and I thought... well, geez, maybe I can give her a rest. So I put the dog sweater on him and he kind of forgot to be feisty.

**********

And here is my first attempt at uploading video.... Hope it works!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Day 28: September 24th, 2009

Quote of the Day: "But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep. -Robert Frost"

If it was February I would have been without a husband for a month today. How horrible is THAT???? I really can't wait for things to get back to normal and have him home again. Just the thought of being able to kiss him goodnight is like a dream come true. I'll never get used to not being able to do that every night. Ever since the beginning we've made it a habit to ALWAYS kiss each other goodnight, even if we are fighting and angry as heck. It's a good habit, and I'd recommend that everyone in a relationship does it. It really makes the marriage better, trust me! But it makes it a little harder to get to sleep at night. You always end up with that feeling of "something missing" or of being incomplete. I think I'm just now starting to be able to fall asleep at night in under an hour! LOL

I had clinicals today at the hospital, and therefore did not have any time left to take pictures of anything for the blog. I'm sure the dogs are just SO SAD about that fact! But it was a good day at clinicals, once I finally started to get back into the rhythm. It has been since May that I haven't been to clinicals for the school, and it was really rough remembering all the things we were supposed to have ready, done, or filled out by what times. Mostly, I think, because it was soooo early in the morning, I was dead tired, and I didn't even get a half cup of coffee. But I think I really wowed them once I finally got my groove going. And I had a really sweet patient, which made it easier. Lots to go over on the homework side of it, but I still enjoy the patient care side of nursing, so it has reinforced the fact that school will be worth it in the end. If I can just get through it without having to go spend a fortune on wigs! ;)

Little Mocha is getting on my nerves now, because in the last couple of days she has started darting out the front door if you have it opened (such as when someone rings the doorbell.) And I'm not sure how to fix that one. I just hope that she doesn't decide one day to run out and not come back. I've tried yelling at her and putting her "to bed" when she does it, but so far no luck. And with her history of being abused I really don't want to have to spank her. She has mostly learned that she's not allowed to leave the backyard if you have the gate open, but she still has issues with it once in a while, so she may never fully learn the rules. She isn't the most intelligent of dogs, I can honestly say. She's got heart, but she's about as dumb as a penny.

Anyways, I have had a really long day, and my body is starting to feel like I have the flu which means that I am in desperate need of sleep. So goodnight, y'all, and I'll catch you on the next round!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Day 27: September 23rd, 2009

Quote of the day: "Love, the magician, knows this little trick whereby two people walk in different directions yet always remain side by side. – Hugh Prather"

Today was better than yesterday, thank GOD! I had class today, and it was a really early morning after not getting any sleep, but I managed to get to the carpool meeting spot just a few minutes late, WHEW! It would have helped if when I went to bed I actually checked the volume on the alarm clock instead of just turning the alarm on and leaving it, but I didn't, and after a night of very little sleep I woke up exhausted, and late. HOWEVER, that being said... I got to school and found out that the tests were graded incorrectly so I ACTUALLY GOT AN 82, NOT A 78!!!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!! And if I hadn't been a dummy and messed up on the math calculations I would have gotten a B on the test! And, of course, there was that one question where I KNEW the right answer but my hand must have been arguing with me. Duh!

I came home and finished my assignment with enough time to gather my things together for clinicals tomorrow. I'll have patient care, so there's no telling what I will do or what I will need. I just hope that whatever patient I get does not have a thousand medications, because it will take me forever to write them down, as well as to write up the drug information for the concept map homework. And the labs, those take forever to write up too! But at least I'll be doing what I enjoy, ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING. It's not nearly as fun when you have the specialty rotations, because all you're doing is following someone around and watching. It's much better doing, if you ask me.

Anyways, I have GOT to get to bed, because 5am is going to come early, and the 12 hour days are killers! Oh, wait....

I have a slight problem... I was so busy today trying to get my homework done that when I did my laundry, I just threw it on the bed to "fold it after my homework was done". Well, now I am tired and needing to go to bed, and the laundry is still sitting there.... staring at me.... Looks kind of comfy, doesn't it? ;)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Day 26: September 22nd, 2009

Quote of the Day: "I am bigger than anything that can happen to me. All these things, sorrow, misfortune, and suffering, are outside my door. I am in the house and I have the key. -Charles Fletcher Lummis"

And just like that, the phones are gone. I ran those darn things up to the store just about as fast as my car would drive. Why, you ask? Was it because they didn't work the way I thought they would? No, that's not the answer. Was it because they weren't what I wanted? No, that's not it either. Was it because I thought they were too expensive? Well, yes and no. But not so much that they were expensive, but that I found out today that my youngest, my little angel, my "sweet little boy" ran up $620.00 in phone calls to CANADA in the last month!!!! Bills just got printed today. So of course, all the money I spent on Cody's phone, my phone, and Ron's phone all has to go toward that HUGE BILL!!! We're talking over $900 for a phone bill! I could SOOOOOO kill him! Not only that, but now I have to return my shiny new bike and all the workout clothes I haven't taken the tags off of yet. I could just beat him sometimes! GRRRRR!!! So I got to have a brand-new phone for a day, and play with it. But now it's back at the store... and I never even got to ride my bike! Why is it that I'M the one suffering in this one? For being nice enough to let my evidently not-so-bright son have a phone? Guess so.

I am letting Mocha have a rest, so here are some pictures to enjoy of the kitties. I'd write more, but thanks to all the running around returning things I had to do I wasn't able to get ANY of my work done for school, and will now have to burn the midnight oil to get it all done on time. Later, people...








Phones

Here's your new phone, baby, all set up in its protective case and waiting for you!

Cody in the store, checking out his new phone.... all smiles! Thanks Dad!
Damien also likes the new phone, and says it's much better than what he had...
Cody at the restaurant, STILL all smiles! This phone made his birthday completely awesome, and he's glad you came up with the idea of a phone as a present!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Day 25: September 21st, 2009

Quote of the Day: "Life is so short, so fast the lone hours fly,We ought to be together, you and I.~Henry Alford, "You and I"

Today is Cody's birthday! He's just entered into the world of being a true "teenager", the big-1-3! Oh, and to make matters even MORE fun and interesting, he is officially taller than his mom. So incidentally, to those of you who may be wondering, that makes me, officially, the SHORTEST PERSON IN THE FAMILY! Isn't that just SUCH wonderful news? I'm so glad that both the kids are taller than me, because being short really stinks, but still... How awful is THAT? Now I'll have to look UP to discipline him!

"I'm so cute there ought to be a law!!!"


Cody had a good birthday. We went to the Verizon store after he got home from school and we got him a new phone, which he has not shut up about or quit playing with since then. Dad, he is exTREMELY happy with you right now! I was going to make him get one of the free phones, but once I saw them I went ahead and got the phones that I had originally planned to get him. I was hesitant because it was a slider phone, and I was afraid that he will break it, but we will see. At least he's happy for it, and I spent the extra cash to get the hard, protective cover for it, so if he drops it the phone will be fine. Sigh. All in all, it was a good trip. Since we were all nearly out of our contract with Verizon, we just went ahead and upgraded all the phones, and now everyone is happy. Well, everyone except Ron, that is. He HAS a brand new phone here, but unfortunately he can't enjoy it. Don't worry, baby, I'll have all your contacts in it and have it charged and ready for you when you get off the plane!



Hey, Ron, here's one even BETTER for you.... The three of us are all sporting our Petsmart Charities tees! Now even I match the girls! :)


In our family we have a tradition: When it's your birthday you get to choose what restaurant to have dinner at, and that's where we eat, regardless of what anyone else wants. So after getting the phone thing taken care of we went to Denny's where we had a birthday dinner for Cody. I only ate HALF of my sandwich, and I feel so full that I could burst, so the diet thing must be working! HEHEHE I can't wait to see if I can get skinny again! I've got my eye on all SORTS of really cute clothes that I may once again be able to wear....... :)



This is what I came home to from my walk this morning.





Hmmm, I wonder how this happened? ;)


Oh, and in case you're wondering.... I have lost a total of 3.4 pounds in the last two weeks! Yay me! (Now if only I could lose it faster!)

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Day 24: September 20th, 2009

Quote of the Day: “The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on. ~Elbert Hubbard”


I got a call from AT&T this morning… Evidently, the phone is on the fritz again ( or was never truly fixed in the first place ) because they called to let me know that it was some card thing in their server and that they may not be able to get it fixed until Monday. And guess what? I’m not the only customer who has had no phone. THAT should make me feel better, but it doesn’t. Look at all those people whose lives are impacted! And guess what? The guy that called said that they probably wouldn’t be able to get it fixed today because the people who would fix it “don’t work on Sundays.” What about all those people without phones? What if someone had a need to call 911 and couldn’t? What if someone was having a life-threatening situation, and because of AT&T not having their systems working that person died? All because they “don’t work on Sundays.” I understand that it is Sunday, and people want to be home with their families. However…. That being said, I think that having a phone system intact and in place is one of life’s basic necessities. Not everyone can afford cell phones, and there are a LOT of elderly in this town, some of which live alone. How long would they lie there unassisted if something happened and the phone was not working?


Well, I finally got my test grade from the test I took on Wednesday, and I have to say that I really, honestly, and truly am SHOCKED. Remember how I said that I felt REALLY GREAT about the test, and just KNEW that it was my best test ever? NOT! Not even close to reality. I ended up making a 78 on it, which is the bare minimum you can make and still pass. I feel like the rug has been wiped out from under my feet and I just landed on my butt with a solid thud. What the hell????? I think I bomb my tests, and I end up with a 78. I think I did great, I get a 78. I think I got at least a B+ on it, and I get a 78. And it doesn’t seem to matter whether I study or not, because whether I do or not I still end up with…. You guessed it…. A 78! Why the hell do I even bother trying? And why am I in this stupid program to begin with, if I’m so stupid that I can’t do any better than a 78???? I’m sorry, but I am just so angry that I could sit here and bawl my eyes out. And I left that test with such a great feeling, like I knew all the answers. What kills me is that Laurie was quizzing me the whole drive to school that day, and I was answering every question correctly. So what did I do wrong?


I think I just killed myself tonight, by the way. I want to step up my getting in shape, so I walked 3 miles in 40 minutes, then I came home and did a whole lot of exercises. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re out of shape like I am, it takes a lot out of you. The good news is that I know it was a good workout, because I’m already feeling it, really badly. And it’s in all the right muscle groups, too!!! LOL If I can walk tomorrow I’m going to do pretty much the same thing all over again. Or maybe just go for a bike ride, not sure. We’ll see… I may not even be able to walk tomorrow! Oh, well, though…. At least exercise helps to reduce stress, right? Lord knows I have enough of THAT in my life!


I didn't get a chance to take any doggie pics today, so I'll have to do some tomorrow. I'll see ya then!