Thursday, May 21, 2009
It's Raining Carrots
I came to work tonight and prior to taking report ate a baby carrot. I was drinking a cup of coffee during report and ran my tongue across my teeth just to make sure I had no baby carrots stuck in places to mar my beautiful smile. About 20 minutes later I went in to discharge a man and wife. I had the discharge papers on the counter in the room. While I was explaining to the wife about the instructions, a tiny piece of carrot flew out of my mouth and landed on the instruction sheet. I said Oh my word, where on earth did that come from(as I was looking up towards the ceiling) The patient and his wife predictably looked up to the ceiling as well. She said (this is a quote)I don't know, I don't see any carrots up there. It pays to know your patients. As they left they kept looking up..I am guessing so that they could dodge any flying carrot pieces.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Motherhood: Not For The Faint At Heart
Mother's Day is this Sunday and it has been on my mind a lot. There are all kinds of moms and I see a wide variety waltzing through the ER on any given day. This blog is dedicated to the majority of good moms out there.
I had a good mom if not a great mom. She raised me and my sisters by herself. We didn't have a lot of great toys, in style clothes, or up to date electronics. I was a latchkey child in that my mom worked 2 jobs to keep us fed and I came home alone a lot. Looking back we didn't lack for much of anything and we were loved. Mom loved each of her girls equally and without reservation. In these days of the media bombarding us with information about how important it is to live for ourselves, take care of ourselves and not to lose the "person" that we are I think of my mom. She lived for us and all of her decisions in her adult life post children were based on us and our needs. I know that her happiness was wrapped around our happiness and if we were alright, then all was good in her world. It is hard to explain this but she was gone a lot working but she was there, she was there, a phone call away. Was her identity wrapped up in ours? Yes, probably, because she lived to see us raised and happy. That worrying never stopped because the love didn't end when we went out on our own. I remember went my sisters and I were all up north to take her to a doctor appointment and we were staying in a nice hotel. I went out to the bar to smoke, have a glass of wine and read my book. I was gone for maybe thirty minutes and when I came back she was crying and my sisters were unable to console her. She worried that I, being by myself in that bar, had been drugged, kidnapped and was going to be killed. Pretty crazy huh. She would have been just as upset if Patti or Barb had been the one to leave. Her problem , based on current held opinion, was that she did not have her own life. If she was more selfish more egocentric she wouldn't have been worried about me... she would have been worried about herself. When she died I knew that no one ever would love me that way and would worry about me that way ever again. It left a hole. My kids have been raised by a woman raised by a worrier. Poor kids, I am a worrier and a protector.
I am living proof, as is every mom out there, that a heart can be broken. But it's not forever. Those cracks are filled with the next hug, the next kiss, and the next expression of love. Motherhood hurts like a bitch and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. We all have done the best that we can do, given the individual circumstances in which we find ourselves. I have heard it said that we, as mothers, won't know if we did good till our kids reach 40 and are out of therapy. Knowing that, however, I would do it again and again and wouldn't change a thing. We live in a changing world where love is frequently expressed by how much we can buy for those we love.
Let my final thought be this to those who have read this to the very end. Mother love is not for sale. It just is. Love is not a commodity to be traded or given out for good grades and good behavior. A mother's love endures through everything and cannot be destroyed, put away or taken away. It endures through all the years of her children's lives and I believe continues after she dies.
Happy Mothers Day
I had a good mom if not a great mom. She raised me and my sisters by herself. We didn't have a lot of great toys, in style clothes, or up to date electronics. I was a latchkey child in that my mom worked 2 jobs to keep us fed and I came home alone a lot. Looking back we didn't lack for much of anything and we were loved. Mom loved each of her girls equally and without reservation. In these days of the media bombarding us with information about how important it is to live for ourselves, take care of ourselves and not to lose the "person" that we are I think of my mom. She lived for us and all of her decisions in her adult life post children were based on us and our needs. I know that her happiness was wrapped around our happiness and if we were alright, then all was good in her world. It is hard to explain this but she was gone a lot working but she was there, she was there, a phone call away. Was her identity wrapped up in ours? Yes, probably, because she lived to see us raised and happy. That worrying never stopped because the love didn't end when we went out on our own. I remember went my sisters and I were all up north to take her to a doctor appointment and we were staying in a nice hotel. I went out to the bar to smoke, have a glass of wine and read my book. I was gone for maybe thirty minutes and when I came back she was crying and my sisters were unable to console her. She worried that I, being by myself in that bar, had been drugged, kidnapped and was going to be killed. Pretty crazy huh. She would have been just as upset if Patti or Barb had been the one to leave. Her problem , based on current held opinion, was that she did not have her own life. If she was more selfish more egocentric she wouldn't have been worried about me... she would have been worried about herself. When she died I knew that no one ever would love me that way and would worry about me that way ever again. It left a hole. My kids have been raised by a woman raised by a worrier. Poor kids, I am a worrier and a protector.
I am living proof, as is every mom out there, that a heart can be broken. But it's not forever. Those cracks are filled with the next hug, the next kiss, and the next expression of love. Motherhood hurts like a bitch and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. We all have done the best that we can do, given the individual circumstances in which we find ourselves. I have heard it said that we, as mothers, won't know if we did good till our kids reach 40 and are out of therapy. Knowing that, however, I would do it again and again and wouldn't change a thing. We live in a changing world where love is frequently expressed by how much we can buy for those we love.
Let my final thought be this to those who have read this to the very end. Mother love is not for sale. It just is. Love is not a commodity to be traded or given out for good grades and good behavior. A mother's love endures through everything and cannot be destroyed, put away or taken away. It endures through all the years of her children's lives and I believe continues after she dies.
Happy Mothers Day
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Julie
Today a new angel is in heaven. Julie died this morning surrounded by family and friends. Julie was my first cousin (once removed), the daughter of Billy and Carmen, and the greatly loved sister of Molly. She was a gorgeous baby, born with Muscular Dystrophy. Her Great Aunt Ina and Grandma Edna remarked when she was small that she had the voice of an angel. She was the oldest of the four children born to cousins in a 7 month period. She played in the band and graduated college, nothing much seemed to stand in her way. She loved Jesus. I frequently received emails from her sending out the Word of the love of our Lord. I will miss that contact, that knowing that when I asked for prayer that she would answer and indeed pray. She was dearly loved and greatly loved others. You will be missed.
Julie: Sept 30, 1976 - April 25, 2009
Julie: Sept 30, 1976 - April 25, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Happy Birthday Samuel Evan..Our Miracle Baby and My Wedding Aniversary
April 19, 2009 is the birthday for the baby mentioned in two previous blogs. Samuel Evan, Amy's miracle baby, was born at 8:07pm. He is 7 pounds and 6 ounces and 21 and 1/2 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well. Congratulations to all concerned you have been and still are in all of our prayers.
I married Stan 29 years ago on this day. Wow. That really boggles the mind. My daughter asked me if I had any words of wisdom to impart. I am never shy at imparting any words, wise or not, as I feel the need but this stumped me. I have often asked that myself to others when I have come across someone who has been married a long time. One gentleman after 60 years told me that 'deafness' was his word of wisdom. He told me that you learn early on to be deaf to hurtful words or those said in anger because they aren't usually meant to be taken to heart. Actually that is pretty wise. There are few marriages that don't have spots that are hurtful but my advice is to remember the good times and be deaf to the bad. On departing one another always say "I love you" even if it is hard to do because if that is the last word your husband or your wife hears make it the words that count. Oh and one more thing. Never, ever admit to being awake if you fart in bed because no one can really hold it against you what you do in your sleep.
Happy birthday little Samuel and Happy Anniversary Stanley.
I married Stan 29 years ago on this day. Wow. That really boggles the mind. My daughter asked me if I had any words of wisdom to impart. I am never shy at imparting any words, wise or not, as I feel the need but this stumped me. I have often asked that myself to others when I have come across someone who has been married a long time. One gentleman after 60 years told me that 'deafness' was his word of wisdom. He told me that you learn early on to be deaf to hurtful words or those said in anger because they aren't usually meant to be taken to heart. Actually that is pretty wise. There are few marriages that don't have spots that are hurtful but my advice is to remember the good times and be deaf to the bad. On departing one another always say "I love you" even if it is hard to do because if that is the last word your husband or your wife hears make it the words that count. Oh and one more thing. Never, ever admit to being awake if you fart in bed because no one can really hold it against you what you do in your sleep.
Happy birthday little Samuel and Happy Anniversary Stanley.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wedding Cake and my Diet and Electro-Magnetic Bombs
I love small towns. I love the way people think in small towns. Tonight at about 2:30am a nice older couple came into the ER with two huge boxes. The first box contained the bottom of a grooms cake all done up in camo-style with butter cream icing. The second box had about 4 dozen miniature cupcakes with butter cream icing and candy pearls. Now we don't really know these cake angels but when the bride suggested just to throw the leftovers away(what is it with these modern day brides....) the Cake Angels rescued said yummies and said nope we're taking it to the ER. So we called the nurses on the in-patient side and we all cut off hunks of cake and a few dozen cupcakes. There was so much left over the cake angels boxed up the remainders to take to the police department. These are some very smart people when you think about it. They are taking care of the nurses and cops. In the event that they get ill or pulled over all they have to say is "remember when I brought y'all some cake" voila instant VIP status!! It has been my experience that nurses and cops all have a hankering for sweets and long memories.
You will recall from previous blogs that I am dieting. I am always dieting and while I am not looking to cheat it happens. It only happens if I can justify consuming something that I am not supposed to eat. If you watch the news on a daily basis then you could pretty much justify your way up to 500 pounds with little effort. Today on the news they were discussing an Electro-magnetic Bomb. That's the one that, according to the news, would be exploded in the air, mid United States and take out our entire electrical grid. Within weeks 90 thousand people would be dead. Now I don't know about you but for me that ranks right up there with supremo justification. Bring on the cake.
You will recall from previous blogs that I am dieting. I am always dieting and while I am not looking to cheat it happens. It only happens if I can justify consuming something that I am not supposed to eat. If you watch the news on a daily basis then you could pretty much justify your way up to 500 pounds with little effort. Today on the news they were discussing an Electro-magnetic Bomb. That's the one that, according to the news, would be exploded in the air, mid United States and take out our entire electrical grid. Within weeks 90 thousand people would be dead. Now I don't know about you but for me that ranks right up there with supremo justification. Bring on the cake.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Lafayette Tea Party, Nancy Pelosi and CNN'S Susan Roesgen
**** I have some strong content in this blog.***
I was at the park in Lafayette with many others for our TEA
party and I was glad I went. It was crowded with a cross section of our population. The two things that we had in common are that we are all tax payers and we all are very unhappy with what is happening in Washington. What was neat was that I was able to talk with several people and asked them if they would be so kind to tell me where they fall income wise and if they were Democrat or Republican. Of the ones I talked with, most were middle to low middle income and it was about even as far as party lines although there were 2 independents. What was apparent was that we have some very unhappy voters and they feel that as a team we can change things. I was impressed with the speakers, the signs and the temperament of the crowd. When I figure out how to transfer my pictures from my phone to the computer I will share some really great shots of the patriots present.
I am more than distressed at the media. I make every attempt to watch several news shows so that when I give my news preference it is because I personally know what I am talking about and not just spouting rhetoric from someone else's mouth. April 16th is the last damn time I am wasting my time with CNN. I want BALANCED coverage not the crap that CNN pushes onto the airways. Susan Roesgen CNN "reporter" you are an embarrassment. Seeing it first hand just plucked my last nerve. If while watching her 'performance' interviewing people at the rally, you did not find her offensive, prejudicial and very unprofessional then there is no hope for you. You. Are. Stupid. She is a reporter not a talk show host. You Susan report the news not offer your stupid opinion. I thought that reporters were supposed to be above offering their editorial comments. You should be fired. If I remember right she stated the the rallies were "anti government, anti CNN, and a right wing event sponsored by Fox" She had the appropriate shocked look on her face and repeatedly interrupted her interview subject with her own comments. First of all we are against the government running our lives and giving away our money...so I guess that is anti government. I was ambivalent to CNN until today.... now I am very anti CNN. I am a Fox fan but I did not see anyone from Fox at my rally. I didn't see any Fox signs nor was anyone espousing the obvious qualities that FOX has over all the others. What I took part in was a non-partisan group of people that want their elected officials, Republican and Democrat to know that you are really pissing us off and that you are elected to your position by WE THE PEOPLE and you better start listening to us.
Now on to Nancy Pelosi. You Madam are the winner of the Braying Dumb Ass Award given to the elected official that is so completely out of touch with what is going on around her. She said that the people participating were upper income.. referring it to a ASTROTURF movement not a grassroots movement. You only wish. You should be concerned because it was a NON PARTISAN event and no one there likes what you stand for. I know that you don't really believe it but you are an elected official and not appointed by God for life. You can be un-elected.
Now Dear Mr. President. You get the Head-in-the-Sand Award. Your people said that you weren't aware that there were TEA parties in over 500 cities to protest the stimulus bill and the increasing government involvement in our lives. Are you thinking that if you ignore it, it will go away. Oh, I forgot that you got a new dog. My bad. Well since you weren't aware let me tell you that there were THOUSANDS of people protesting what is happening in Washington. You should have known about it but you probably watch CNN.
The END
I was at the park in Lafayette with many others for our TEA
party and I was glad I went. It was crowded with a cross section of our population. The two things that we had in common are that we are all tax payers and we all are very unhappy with what is happening in Washington. What was neat was that I was able to talk with several people and asked them if they would be so kind to tell me where they fall income wise and if they were Democrat or Republican. Of the ones I talked with, most were middle to low middle income and it was about even as far as party lines although there were 2 independents. What was apparent was that we have some very unhappy voters and they feel that as a team we can change things. I was impressed with the speakers, the signs and the temperament of the crowd. When I figure out how to transfer my pictures from my phone to the computer I will share some really great shots of the patriots present.
I am more than distressed at the media. I make every attempt to watch several news shows so that when I give my news preference it is because I personally know what I am talking about and not just spouting rhetoric from someone else's mouth. April 16th is the last damn time I am wasting my time with CNN. I want BALANCED coverage not the crap that CNN pushes onto the airways. Susan Roesgen CNN "reporter" you are an embarrassment. Seeing it first hand just plucked my last nerve. If while watching her 'performance' interviewing people at the rally, you did not find her offensive, prejudicial and very unprofessional then there is no hope for you. You. Are. Stupid. She is a reporter not a talk show host. You Susan report the news not offer your stupid opinion. I thought that reporters were supposed to be above offering their editorial comments. You should be fired. If I remember right she stated the the rallies were "anti government, anti CNN, and a right wing event sponsored by Fox" She had the appropriate shocked look on her face and repeatedly interrupted her interview subject with her own comments. First of all we are against the government running our lives and giving away our money...so I guess that is anti government. I was ambivalent to CNN until today.... now I am very anti CNN. I am a Fox fan but I did not see anyone from Fox at my rally. I didn't see any Fox signs nor was anyone espousing the obvious qualities that FOX has over all the others. What I took part in was a non-partisan group of people that want their elected officials, Republican and Democrat to know that you are really pissing us off and that you are elected to your position by WE THE PEOPLE and you better start listening to us.
Now on to Nancy Pelosi. You Madam are the winner of the Braying Dumb Ass Award given to the elected official that is so completely out of touch with what is going on around her. She said that the people participating were upper income.. referring it to a ASTROTURF movement not a grassroots movement. You only wish. You should be concerned because it was a NON PARTISAN event and no one there likes what you stand for. I know that you don't really believe it but you are an elected official and not appointed by God for life. You can be un-elected.
Now Dear Mr. President. You get the Head-in-the-Sand Award. Your people said that you weren't aware that there were TEA parties in over 500 cities to protest the stimulus bill and the increasing government involvement in our lives. Are you thinking that if you ignore it, it will go away. Oh, I forgot that you got a new dog. My bad. Well since you weren't aware let me tell you that there were THOUSANDS of people protesting what is happening in Washington. You should have known about it but you probably watch CNN.
The END
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Joshua
I didn't have a clue how to be a mother and there you were, helpless, totally dependent on me. Somehow we made it through. You taught me a lot about myself. You showed me that a person can love someone else so much that their heart nearly bursts. I remember rocking you to sleep each night. You would fight and kick and cry then suddenly you just dropped off to sleep. I would sit there for a time just breathing in your baby smell and wonder how I would ever manage to raise you. Well, its been 32 years and you are mostly raised. I like what you have become and I love the man that you are but you will always be my baby boy.
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
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