I just got home from an in-service. I was doing a presentation,along with our infection control  department,for our volunteer and clerical staff members. We were talking about Influenza and how important it is to try and prevent it amongst our patients and especially our immune compromised patients. Had a fairly good turnout, about 25 people from different walks of life. We are so blessed to have the loyal group of volunteers that we have. Some are family members of former patients who have since died and they stayed on to volunteer. I know that they are all very attentive during these sessions, because they all so want to help and do the right thing for the patients. Our clergy staff are all very compliant as well. We have one really awesome minister who used to be a prison chaplain. He knows all the lingo with the street gang members and can tell who's tats are jailhouse, and who's are not. I'm still learning that stuff! I always enjoy doing inservices for these folks.
My Boss has been very nice this week. :( 
My other colleague and I are always quite suspicious when this happens because we know that she is scheming up something else to load us up with!! Actually, she had a home made lunch today and it all looked very tasty.So obviously things with MrBeech are OK. Viagra supply must be holding out. :) We had hot turkey sandwiches from the cafeteria and they were good too! I have to get some supper together for the kids  and MrNurse because one of the kids  has a hockey practice this evening and there are some other drives to do for some Xmas shopping, apparently. We got our outside lights up but nothing else is completed yet. I have some packages to send off and not enough to do it all!!!
I need a nice glass of merlot!! Maybe later!! :)

Make sure you watch this......Pretty awesome......We have come a long way since the early '80's, but in some ways not very far. :( 
And in all ways not far enough........     :( :(

From the CNN website:

"Examine truths and misconceptions about HIV as Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts CNN's World AIDS Day special, "RU+," airing November 28 at 10 p.m. and December 1 at 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST. CNN and MTV collaborate to show how people worldwide deal with AIDS in "Staying Alive," airing this weekend and December 1 on CNN International."

Well, the older ones have gone back to their respective colleges.
:(   It's always sad to say goodbye.
They both have work to have done over the weekend, so decided to leave late this afternoon instead of fighting huge crowds tomorrow.
I realize how close we are to Christmas when I tell my kids 'see you in three weeks" and it will only be a week before Christmas. Wow! I better get something done around here!!
MrNurse and our son put up the lights and it looks like Christmas out there! Next on the agenda will be the Christmas tree. We go to a tree farm and cut our own. Makes us feel very pioneer, you know!! :)

The following oversized cookies can be party favors -- or stand in as trees for people who may not have them. Look for the oversized cookie cutters in well-stocked cookware shops.

My middle girls are at a youth group function at our church today. They are making these jumbo tree cookies for elderly/lonely/shut-in etc.
members of our congregation. I have done these as a family baking activity before Christmas. Lot's of fun to eat! I usually make a batch and have the kids decorate. I'm planning to make some the week before Christmas. Very tasty! Enjoy!!   :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Brown Sugar Christmas Tree Cookies

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat together the butter and the brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until well mixed. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. With the mixer set on low speed, beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Divide the dough in half, and pat each half into a rectangle. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it stand for 10 minutes or so. (This makes it easier to roll and less apt to crack.) On a lightly floured work surface, roll out one dough rectangle 1/4-inch thick. Using an 8-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter, cut out as many trees as possible. Using a spatula, carefully transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.

Bake the cookies, rotating the pans once midway through baking, until the edges are just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.

Repeat the process with the remaining dough.

To decorate the cooled trees, make the icing as directed. Put 2 cups of the icing in one bowl and the remaining 1 cup icing in a second bowl. Add green food coloring to the larger portion of icing and stir to mix well. Add another color to the smaller portion of icing and stir to mix well. Cover the second batch of icing and refrigerate until ready to use.

Using an icing spatula, spread a layer of green icing evenly over each cookie. Let the icing dry at room temperature overnight.

Use the remaining icing to make ornaments. Using a pastry bag fitted with a No. 2 plain tip, pipe dots for ornaments, or pipe a greeting on each tree. While the icing is wet, hold the cookie over a piece of waxed paper and sprinkle it generously with the decorating sugar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then shake off the excess sugar. Let dry completely, about 6 hours.

Store the cookies in single layers between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Makes about 15 large cookies, each about 8 inches tall.

Royal Icing

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff, glossy peaks form. Stir in the sugar and the lemon juice. The icing should be dense but spreadable. If the icing is too thick, add a drop or two of water. If it's too thin, add more sugar.

Makes about 3 cups.

(Recipes from "Christmas Family Gatherings," Chronicle Books, $22.95 paperback, by Donata Maggipinto)

(Preparation 20 minutes, baking time 30 minutes, chilling 4 hours)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease the bottom of a 2-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside.

To make the crust: In a bowl stir together crushed pretzels, the 2 tablespoons sugar, and the melted butter. Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes; cool on a wire rack while preparing filling.

To make the filling: In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, the 2/3 cup sugar, and the vanilla on medium to high speed until combined. Add eggs all at once. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in lime peel and lime juice. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust. Sprinkle with pistachios.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until center appears set. Cool in dish on wire rack 30 minutes. Cover; chill 4 to 24 hours (top will crack slightly). If desired, garnish with lime slices.

Makes 15 to 20 bars.

To store: Place bars in single layer in airtight container; cover. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days. Don't freeze.

Once everyone got home last evening we sat around and talked and laughed. Had some popcorn and reminisced. Our son ,Seth,( MrNurse's second oldest boy) was talking about the time his brother,Sam, had done something to him. Either hit him or tripped him or something. Seth was six years old at the time. A few weeks went by and one day, out of the blue, he struck his brother on the head with a ( thankfully) plastic baseball bat. When Sam came in crying and howling, I asked Seth what in the world he was thinking.
He told me about the time Sam had done him wrong. I sat him down and patiently explained that what he had done was wrong because it was something called  "revenge."

Seth looked up at me, all big eyes and six year old boy loose tooth smile and said 

"Oh, that's not revenge, that's REMEMBERIN"  :) :)  :)

I will take this opportunity to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to everyone :)
MrNurse has goneto get daughter at college and I am going to the airport to pick up our second oldest boy who will be home from college, as well. I think those two have cooked up some fun and games for their younger siblings for the weekend so we'll have to be prepared! Our usual Nurse family flag football game is on the agenda ( oh my aching knees!) :(

Our eldest son is in NM, and won't be home until Xmas.
Our phone is ringing off the hook with all their friends calling to see if they are home yet. I have quite a bit to do, but have started getting some of the food ready.
MrNurse just called to say that they were on their way back, so I guess it's nearly time to leave to go to the airport. :) :) :) :)

I remember this story so well, I had just graduated and recall wondering what "rough sex" was, exactly....Oh the things you learn in the run of a lifetime.. not that I have "actually" learned about this, mind you!! I guess this guy never learned what life is all about.Isn't it comforting to know he is out and about, amongst us?
:( :( :(

'Preppie Killer'Arrested on Drug Charge

Just remembered the library books are all due today. Now, if I was any kind of a FLYlady wannabe, I would have gathered them all up and returned them yesterday!! Now, I have to go down to the library and no one wants to go with me!!

I think I 'll go to Starbucks on my way home for a low fat latte, I'm going to be up late ironing my big gobbly turkey table cloth!!

gobble gobble!!

I went back to work today and did diddly squat, except spend some time with my patients and their family members. I work tomorrow then "YAY" off for 4 days!!
Ms. Beech was away until 2 pm today at an offsite meeting. I have really been lucky with my complete avoidance of her this month. Oh,  I know that I will pay the piper sometime soon, but this is too nice while it lasts!! My colleague and I spent some quality time together today to verbally bash the beech. It was very cathartic!!

I have so much work to do - to have done for the end of the month. Don't know how that will happen, but will have to try!

2 kids home from college tomorrow night, and the other three here, so we will have a fairly full household over the holidays. My in laws will come over for dindin and m-i-l will bring her famous sweet potato and marshmallow pie!! I had never had it before I married her son, and thought "yuck", the first time she said she was going to make one, but it was an aquired taste which has now grown on me!! It somehow says "Holidays" when she blows through the door with her concoction!!
I am getting some things organized and trying to tidy up the house!!
I am thankful for a lot of things. Even for having to tidy up. I am lucky to have a home to clean up and a family to clean up after.
At least I  tell myself that!!

Having the bitchy boss is something the jury is still out on... at least I am employed, but do I need to have such a toxic boss? I really can't be grateful for her!!

ACCUTANE This drug works wonders for severe acne when all else fails. Doctors have long known, however, that Accutane (generic name: isotretinoin) can cause birth defects in pregnant women. Indeed, the drug comes with a black-box warning, the strongest available to the FDA, to that effect. But each year several women still become pregnant while on it.

BEXTRA Like the other COX-2 pain relievers, Pfizer's Bextra doesn't work any better than Advil but may be easier on the stomach. Reports suggest Bextra may sometimes cause blood-pressure problems; Pfizer is working with the FDA to get to the bottom of the matter.

CRESTOR Graham cited reports that some patients on Crestor, one of the newest anticholesterol statins, have suffered kidney failure. The drug's manufacturer, AstraZeneca, says the prescription drug is safe as long as it is used properly.

MERIDIA One of the few remaining drug treatments for obesity after fen-phen and Redux were pulled from the market, Meridia has been associated with blood-pressure problems in some people. But, says the drug's maker, you have to balance that potential problem against the severe health risks of obesity.

SEREVENT Like many antiasthma drugs, Serevent can, paradoxically, trigger life-threatening spasms in the lungs. The risk from Serevent appears to be greater for African Americans, and last year the company agreed to include a black-box warning on this possible side effect.

If you're taking one of those drugs, you should definitely talk to your doctor. You might also read the package inserts that come with your prescription; you may find something your physician has overlooked. And it never hurts to ask about alternative treatments. If there are good ones, it might be prudent to switch until everything gets sorted out.

From the Nov. 29, 2004 issue of TIME magazine

Man Apparently Fails to Convert Lion to Christianity, Gets Bit

The 46 year old man stood in front of two african lions and - according to local officials - tried to convert them to christianity.

A large male lion bit his right leg and arm before workers used tranquilizer guns and water hoses to get the lion away.

The man is expected to survive.

My cat has been running around the house like crazy, yesterday and today. She is pretty old, around 13 years old, and really fat, but she can sure gallop. I have been trying to get a little bit of housework done before the holidays and she has been running from room to room like she's on something!
Wish I had that kind of energy! :)

I spent most of today running around getting ready for the holidays. I have so much to do....I have the turkey, and potatoes, bread for stuffing, WINE!!! yams, and some turnip. I have to get the T'giving dishes and the table cloth and my turkey and pilgrim salt and pepper shakers out!! I am going to make a pumpkin pie and have some sausage and bread dressings... so delicious!!! Time to get the ol' elastic waist pants out!! Also time to think of all our blessings.
I am going to go to another Christmas Craft fair tomorrow after church. I am taking Monday off, too, so this next week will be another really short one. I did say that November will be the month in which I get nothing done, work wise. Once we get into December, I have a lot to do at work because my Long Term Care unit starts with some nice Xmas celebrations and I always like to attend and spend time with our residents and their families. I also have three of my AIDs beds full and all my Palliative care beds full, so the next week will be busy, busy, busy for me. I feel badly for my Palliative folks, this is a hard time of year to be so ill, and their families are all feeling the holiday depression that goes along with having a loved one who is seriously ill. I have one patient who is a 29 year old woman. She is the mother of two young children and her family is just devastated by her illness. Her kids are only 2 and 4 years of age. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 6 weeks ago, and the docs think maybe 2 weeks, if that. I feel so darn helpless looking after her. I cry thinking  about the little ones who will likely not remember her. And for her young husband who is just blown away by all the sudden decisions he needs to make. Her mom and dad are folks that I know in our community so that makes it even more troubling for me. I pray for her and her family, and I pray for a good recovery. Failing that, I pray for the strength to help her have a dignified passing.

Sometimes I feel so helpless.....

Just got this in an email, I usually don't like these things but thought this was worthy of sharing! Plus, I am on a vacation day and can goof around on Tblog!

Something to Make You Stop and Think:

I'm spoiling myself by taking another long weekend. November will be the month that I got nothing accomplished in! I wanted to start getting a few things ready for the Holidays coming up, but if I do, I do, if I don't, then I guess  I don't. I don't sweat the small stuff, anymore. But, I need to know: if I am off today why did I wake up so darn early? I hate that. MrNurse was going to get up and organize the kids as quietly as he could and let me sleep in. I am too used to getting up early, so the sleep in thing is just a fantasy I think!! Maybe a nap later. Now there's something I can do!!
I read the best thing yesterday and want to share it here now:

Libido linked to love of chocolate
From correspondents in London
November 15, 2004

WOMEN have compared chocolate to sex for decades. Now doctors have discovered a scientific link between the two.

According to Italian researchers, women who eat chocolate regularly had the highest levels of desire, arousal and satisfaction from sex.  :)

In the chocolate/sex study, urologists from Milan's San Raffaele hospital questioned 163 women about their consumption of chocolate and their sexual fulfilment.

"Women who have a daily intake of chocolate showed higher levels of desire than women who did not have this habit," the study found. "Chocolate can have a positive physiological impact on a woman's sexuality."

Dr Andrea Salonia, author of the study - funded by a university, not by the confectionery industry - said women who had a low libido could become more amorous after eating chocolate.

She believes chocolate could be particularly medicinal for women who shun sex because they are suffering from premenstrual tension.

"Chocolate is not like a food, it's like a drug," Dr Salonia said. "Women who suffer mood swings as a result of their menstrual cycle may also suffer a dip in their sexual function. I strongly believe eating chocolate may improve their sexual function."

The research also looked at smoking and coffee consumption, but found no links with sexual enjoyment. From The Sunday Times of London

The Australian

Taking a page from Lynne's blog www.lynne.tblog.com regarding body image, size and being overweight. MrNurse knows the answer to the question, "Do I look fat?" is "NO" ( I married a v. smart man!! :) )and I joke with him that there's just more of me to love. As a health care professional, I know the dangers of overweight. I try to keep the weight off by going to CURVES www.curvesinternational.com and it seems to help, somewhat.  I run around work all day, but that is just physically fatiguing, not the strength and aerobic exercise needed to fight fat. I can't help it, I am a BODACIOUS woman!! I figure that if a woman is neat, clean, well groomed and has a nice smile and works on having a pleasing personality, what you look like should not matter. There is no excuse for being unkempt, poor grooming or being unwashed. ( unless, of course, in the case of severe illness -mental or physical- or homeless situations, but even then....help is available) You would not believe how many patients arrive at hospital, from their homes , no less, and are absolutely filthy, stinkin' dirty. Some people just do not care, or do not know. But really, how could you  not know that you need to keep clean? Some of our "frequent fliers" in our emergency room are members of the great unwashed. They all have money for cigarettes, dope and booze, but none for soap it would seem!
I might be a BIG gal, but I'm a clean one!!!
Keep washin' those hands, folks, cold and 'flu season is upon us!! Clean is beautiful, no matter what size you are!

We got to get up early, because my daughter's figure skating club had the opportunity to pick up some "extra ice time" Like it was a good thing. Not for parents, it wasn't, since it was at 0515 hrs this morning!!!! That meant being up at 0445 in order to get something into daughter such as a hot chocolate or a can of  Ensure. BLEH, to early early mornings, Bleh, to standing around a cold arena. I have done this for so many years, I can't remember. I was all wrapped up in my blanky and had my big cushie for my rear end, a steamin' cuppa joe and I was OK. I complain about the early hour and the cold, but when I see my daughter out there working so hard and then land that jump and keep going, I do feel quite proud of her. I know that I could not get out there and do the same thing. Or if I did, it would be a very funny sight, indeed.
The beesh was OK to me yesterday. Maybe the  weekendlackanookie was more in her favor, if you get my drift. Although she was nice (r), I take it with a grain of salt, because I know she wants something from me. She's on my case lately because of my budget. She expects to see all her department heads cut their budgets, and I will not compromise on what I already have. I fought for those committed AIDS beds, and I will not see any of them go to other uses. I want my palliative program to expand, not to stagnate. In fact, as one of only a few clinical nurse specialists in my facility who is qualified in both AIDs care and Palliation, I told her to take that information higher up and see if it will sway the  honchos. They are always looking for the "extra" things to look wonderful for the accreditation inspectors. My boss was a nurse once upon a time, but now she is more into the business end of health care. I think her Masters is in administation, and she just sees a bottom line dollar sign,  and not the person behind it........

Since I took a vacation  :) day, yesterday, I go back to work today. My boss left me some voice mail ( I'm obsessed, I check my voice mail when I'm on vacation!!) and she said she "heard" I did well on Saturday.... I wonder when the other shoe will drop... probably when I go in today. However, I have meetings most of the morning at the hospital and off site this afternoon. The weather stayed snowy but sunny and windy for the rest of the weekend, I took my daughter back to college on Sunday, and just tried to get some stuff done around the house yesterday......which added up to not much..... :(

We awakened this morning to snow!! Not just flurries, but honest to goodness white fluffy snow accumulated on the ground!! I love the first snow. It's all the other snow falls that can go take a hike!! I guess it will all be gone by this afternoon, though. They are calling for some breezy weather and sun, later on.
We were up early this a.m. for the usual skating and hockey playing routine. As a figure skate mom, we need to take turns to do the music in the booth for the figure skaters. Today was my turn. Bleh! Up at the crack of dawn ( the crack of pitch dark is more like it!!!), get a big cappucino, go to arena, climb to the crows nest box, play CDs for an hour. Go to Hockey side of arena, pick up hockey player, drive home. Make tea and relax. This afternoon I have to drive into work for a while to present at that AIDs workshop.
I am very concerned about the funding cap that will be on the next hospital budget.
I know that MrNurse is tired. Oldest daughter home from College decided to get together with some friends and go to a club to dance. We have a rule in our house, to call when it's time to come home and a parent will always come, no questions asked. It seemed to work with the boys, and they never appeared to be inebriated. I didn't ask if they had been drinking. I don't want to know. I believe they went to a club that is not licensed for liquor, it's just a dance club. They charge bar prices for soda pop, but obviously then don't worry about serving liquor to the underage ones. I do know that some people take their own booze, and generously share it. That's why we don't ask questions, as long as we get the call and no one tries to drive. I give information to all the kids about alcohol, STD's, drugs, etc. They need to ultimately make their own choices, but if kids have information and knowledge coupled with good family values they generally make the smarter choice. Not always, but most times.
Phew, parenthood, it's the toughest job I've ever had!!!

Arrgggh! I have just found out that some of the funding to my units will possibly not be increased. Not that I expected too much to change, even if the current administration changed in the election. Health care, education, social programs. Let them eat cake......

I do know that I, along with most of the country, can expect four more years of corporate greed, the promotion of self-interest, the abolition of even more social programs, increasing militarization and the enormous gap between rich and poor to widen. What we cannot expect is much  improvement in the common good. We cannot expect our standards of education, health care, or standards of living to get better for more than 90 per cent of the population.
We will not have the increased or improved funding for many of the social programs that so many thousands of marginalized people depend on.

I read the following on a google news brief, but it says so succinctly what I know many of us are feeling.

"Because the Bush administration is supported by gay-bashing, homophobic, anti-choice, born-again, evangelical so-called Christians, we cannot expect them to love their enemies, turn the other cheek or ask, "Who would Jesus invade?" or "Who would Jesus bomb?" or "Whose oil would Jesus steal?""

Maybe I would not be so sweeping with the brush, but it sure seems that way to many many of us......especially when it comes time to lay blame for things like funding caps.
Sad......for my patients who depend on the care provided in our facility, for my kids who will not have increased funding for the programs in their schools.
In the meantime, however, I will enjoy my day off. I am going to a presentation tommorow at our hospital. I have been asked to speak on our AIDs care to the local AIDs support groups and community social networks who are having a conference at our hospital. We have a big auditorium, and they are meeting there. They asked me to speak around 2 PM , so I said OK. I figure the more people who know what we are doing, the more likely we will get the funds or donations needed to make a big difference to my patients. Many of whom are gay, sick and poor. The very ones who need our passion and our vision to help.

  Since it is Veteran's day I thought it fitting to be in a thankful and reflective type mood. After the hockey game last Sunday we were able to catch the last little bit of our Veteran's day parade. I always get choked up looking at all the old guys who fought in the 2nd world war. There are probably a few 1st war vets around, but not too many, I would guess. They would all be very very old, like way over 100.pretty flippin'old!
Hell, Vietnam vet's are old, now! I want my kids to grow up having an appreciation for the men and women in uniform, and the sacrifices being made for all of us, everyday. We went to a service this morning. My kids in Middle school played in the bands with their airforce cadets. My youngest was there with the boyscouts. When our older kids were home they were always involved in stuff like this with scouts.
After the service, I drove down to get my daughter at college. She was finished classes today and had no class tomorrow so she's home for a couple of nights. She'll be back home for Thanksgiving, but it's nice to have her home, now. I say that loosely, she went over to her boyfriends place and his mom invited her to stay for supper. So I don't really get to "see" her too much!
I know she's home, though. I have just finished the first of about ten loads of her wash!
I so love being a mom!!!

HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

Official recognition of the end of the first modern global conflict -- World War I - - was made in a concurrent resolution (44 Stat. 1982) enacted by Congress on June 4, 1926, with these words:

WHEREAS the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most

destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the

resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with

other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

WHEREAS it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should

be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to

perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between

nations; and

WHEREAS the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already

declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by

the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the President of the

United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to

display the flag of the United States on all Government

buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to

observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with

appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, and

the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - - a day to be

dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and

known as "Armistice Day. "

I have just arrived home at 1000PM after a grueling round of meetings. why do budgets and quarterly reports have to be so dang hard?
 I am so tired, I 'm sure I  have  massive brain fart.
I have one more day to work this week. I have Thursday off for Veteran's day. We do go to Armistace day services at the war memorial but I am taking Friday and Monday off too, just to have a few days off with the family. It should be nice. My daughter is coming home for the weekend.

Toodle-loo! I'm off to beddie bye!!

I got home late from my meetings, but they went really well. At least they brought in some food for us. Food always make meetings more palatable, so to speak. :)
We had such a busy day on the floor today, my boss stayed in her office ALL DAY, and I did not need to deal with her at all. She did send me an email to tell me to meet with her and my floor manager tomorrow. I know what it's about. She wants to give me more work to do!!! One of these days they are going to walk into my office and I will be literally buried under a mountain of paper work..... :(
It sounds almost appealing, in a way....!!!

Back from the exciting hockey game, which my son's team won. My son had an  assist on one of the goals so we are all very proud of his efforts!! :)
It started off as a fairly nice, albeit cool day, so we decided to walk to church. Our church is in our neighborhood, but it still is a few blocks away. By the time we got there, I was freezing! After the service, we walked home and piled into the van to drive to the hockey game. We stopped for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays and then went on to the game. I froze in the arena, and spent most of the time stomping my feet and wrapping the blankets around myself. When I go to an arena it looks like I'm moving in! I usually have a big pillow for my butt and a huge blanket. Then I have other blankets for various and sundry family members who also may be along. I always wear my heavy jacket, with a fleece vest underneath, my lace up hiking boots and wool socks. Gloves and hat of course. Add a big steaming mug of coffee and I'm good for the afternoon!!
We had a nice day yesterday. Our friends arrived and we headed out to the craft fair. The only problem was that there were about 3,000 other people who had the same idea!!  We spent some time at the fair, I got a few things, then we headed back  to our place. I had put the crockpot chili on and we cracked open a nice bottle of Merlot. We just sat around and laughed and goofed around with our friends. They have two kids, so they and our kids found stuff to do while the parents talked. After we  ate and cleaned up, they left. We made arrangements to get together soon, and not wait so long between visits.
Sometimes, I think that all my time is going to be sucked into this huge vortex called "Family Reponsibilities" and I won't know anyone or anything when  all  children leave home!!
Oh well, tomorrow is Monday. I wonder if the Beech wind will blow from the Cold and Bitter North, as per normal?
Oh, it's always an adventure to plan for my Monday mornings!! And knowing that I won't get home until later tomorrow evening as I have a meeting until 8 PM in the hospital, is such a treat- NOT!!!.

Ha! gotcha! anyone with kids who are up at the crack of dawn ( actually no crack, no dawn, it's damn dark out!!) for hockey and skating knows that there is no such thing as a Saturday morning quickie!!
Now, Sunday morning that's different - but I digress with TMI. ;)
Friday ended up being so busy, why do I need to pay for being out of the office when I get back from  work related conferences.?
The beesh asked me, "where were you yesterday?" I said that I was presenting at the conference, which she had ARRANGED FOR ME TO BE AT!!! :(
I then went into my area's store room and did serious inventory time, tided up the mess in there, tackled my desk with gusto and cleaned up a weeks worth of fileing to be done. By then the doc had been in to see a few patients who are waiting discharge. He didn't want to d/c my favorite guy, but let him out on a weekend pass. He will be back on Sunday evening, or before if things go down hill.
He is still so ambivilant about the whole hospice and palliative care issue. He's wumped full of pain medication, so he's pretty comfortable, but there are other issues with this disease which make it difficult to continue to "patch and repair" They're thinking he may be starting an infection in his brain.It's just a continuous uphill battle with him. 
I feel so bad for them, they are the best couple I have ever met, gay, straight or otherwise.
Anyhow, we are getting together with our friends from Glastonbury later on and going to a craft fair.  Then we are coming back here to have some crock-pot chili and home made rolls, and salad. And wine , of course!! Maybe have some good laughs and just kick back and relax.
Tomorrow, we are going the other direction where our second youngest son is playing in a hockey game. That's at 2, so we'll be going to church and then having lunch out before we head off to the game. The nice thing is, we'll all be home by 6 pm tomorrow and ready to get organized for the week of which I will be working only three days. I'm taking some time off and going to get some Christmas stuff done, some painting done down stairs and attend a few concerts that the kids are in. Lot's to do, I have tons of OT  and vacation time banked, so I'm just going to do it. I know I'll pay for it when I get back, but it will be so worth it!
Breaky this morning was sanctioned by weight watchers,  a measly 4 points!!  :)

Finally, Friday is here again! We still have not made any definite plans with our friends, just that we do want to spend time with them this weekend. I read somewhere that to have a friend you have to BE a friend. Friendships are work, and not always something a lot of people have the energy for, after a long week of work and family responsibilities.We are going to a craft fair tomorrow, to get a head start on some (dare I say it out loud?!!) Christmas  shopping!! So we will likely hang out with them at the craft fair, it's something we can both do as families, then maybe come back to our place for some pot luck and relaxation.
I love going to the fall craft fairs, and usually get some neat gifts at them. :)
I have a few parcels to send to Canada, one to Alaska and one to Japan, so want to get the overseas  package in  the mail next week. I am not the most organized person when it comes to meeting the mailing deadlines at Christmas!
Today, I find out if my fav. patient can go home, we thought maybe he could go on Wed. but was still not very well, so we aimed for today. I like him to be able to go home on the weekends because his partner is home and all their friends usually go and visit them. Wish I could do more for them, they are such special people. Anyhow, my discharge planning is in anticipation for this morning!
Have a great Friday, all!!

I'm always glad for Thursday because it means that tomorrow is TGIF!! I had an awesome day, today. I did my presentations and was really well received, I think. All the participants who did an evaluation said that they enjoyed my presentation and that their learning objectives had been met. They, for the most part, felt that I had an excellent presentation style, that I was knowledgable about my subject matter and that I was able to answer their questions. I was so pumped doing this presentation, because it is on the topic nearest and dearest to me.
And the fact that other facilitites are looking into developing skilled areas to deal with their AIDs ( and AIDs related illness) patients is awesome.
I was tired at the end of it, and glad to get home. I have a pretty heavy day tomorrow, but plan to try and kick back a little this weekend.
We have a few get togethers sort of planned with some of our friends, so we'll have to see how all that evolves. The kids have stuff to do on Saturday's, early in the morning, so I guess it depends on what these friends want to do. One couple owns a cabin in Vermont, and  I would love to go there. But, alas, we live the life of parents with kids, so don't have the time to do fun things like that. Oh well, maybe someday. I'll miss them when they all leave home!! ( I think)
Almost time to start making some Thanksgiving plans.....Oh, yeah, we'll have even more children home that weekend!!

Well, what can we say, it's all over 'cept the cryin'.

New England weeps.

Now to move on...

Today all the talk at work was the election this and the election that. All the tv's were on and everyone kept running over to see if anything had changed. Oh well, life goes on and you can't really expect much more than what we've had for the past four years.
I personally would like to see more done for health care, for the middle classes. The poor are looked after,for the most part, and the upper middle classes usually are working and have good health insurance, but the younger working poor are the ones who often are the most disinfranchised of them all. I would like to see that change. I would like to see more money for end of life care, for care at home and for excellence in palliative care.

I had to meet with the family of one of my most challenging patients. We needed to have a multidisciplinary meeting to try and get this patient well enough to move on to a long term care setting. It's frustrating that with some people, no matter what you do, they lack a certain something, either motivation, desire or intelligence to want to try and move on. This patient had a few set backs but should be improving now. However, he will not eat the meals, he will eat candy and chips that people bring in to him, he will drink soda pop but not his nourishment drinks. Grrrrr!! I could just shake him sometimes!! It's like " you have what it takes to get well, you have been taught, shown, counseled etc,etc. but you do not choose to help yourself"

on the other hand my best bud, with AIDs is trying so hard to do everything right, so he can go home. We worked a little closer to his goal today. He was up and walked around a bit and was off his O2 for most of the day, just relying on it when he was in bed. People need to realize that when you are sick you are a very important member of the team in getting you better!! It is not totally up to the medical people, at some point the patient needs to take some responsibility. If the patient can not make his own decisions, then, that is a different story. He  then needs an advocate.  Every patient deserves an advocate , someone who will stick up for the patient and try to make the decisions that the patient would if they were able.
Hope you all have an able advocate!
Tomorrow is another day (Thursday to be exact!) and Nurse Nancy is going to a conference to teach other nurses what it takes to open up dedicated AIDs care areas!! I'm pretty pumped about this. I took some pictures of my bud for my powerpoint presentation. I had to get all kinds of consent and run it by the legal dept. due to  confidentiality issues.
However, he's excited too to be able to help others learn how to nurse within this context. I told him I would give him a copy of the video tape.

So, everyone, have a great post election night and realize that we need to build  a bridge and get over it!!

Well we are back from performing our civic duty. We voted. :)
I'm sure we cancelled each others vote, but what the heck, it really doesn't matter to me anyway.
Health care will never really be reformed, at least not during my career life.

The Beesh boss was back today. :(
Imagine her Monday morning persona, magnified twentyfold. I had to attend a meeting with herself and our vice pres. this morning and was very happy to get away from it at 1030. She did mention that she is "furious" with her husband. I guess she couldn't get the Viagra script refilled. Just knowing she is mad at her husband is really more information than I want or need!!.
I went and spent a little time with my friend and his partner. They are tying up their loose ends and realize that this is likely going to be one of his last admissions. He has requested that he be allowed to die at home. I'm OK with that, I feel very sad, :( but I'm glad he can make his own  choices and have some control over his care. I proceeded to get some more home nursing for him, to give his partner a break, so over the next few days we will assess whether he can go home, or not.
So there's my Tuesday. Sounds a lot simpler than it was. I'm really tired and still need to go out to do some banking and pick up a few groceries.
Have a wonderful election tonite, folks. Maybe my boss is mad because she thought her husband said something else, and then realized that he was talking about the eLECtion!!! LOL

There's good news and bad news. The good news is that the Beayatch was not at work today, yay * jumping up and down, doing a Snoopy dance* !! :)
The bad news is that MrNurse had a very small fender bender in the parking lot at his work and was at fault. grrrr..... :(
The total damage is about $$2500$$ OMG, yikes and all that.....We have had so many expenses lately, with two kids in college ( hubby's second son is in his last year and my ( our oldest girl)daughter is in her first year), the second youngest needs orthodontia ( we have a plan that will pay 80%) but there's always something to be writing checks for. It is a bummer of the highest order, that's for sure. Now the insurance will go skyrocketing up...
On another brighter note, my AIDs buddy is resting more comfortably since yesterday, he has had a massive amount of antibiotics and other meds to help with his breathing. Also, had a transfusion to help him feel a little better. His color was certainly better. I spent some time with him today and gave him a manicure and a hand massage. I am very close to this patient, because I've known him a long time, I've become close to his partner and know all their families and friends, too. I have to be careful not to cross any professional boundaries, but I find that I am affected more by some people than by others. We have other AIDs patients that come and go, but I am not as close to any of them. I give the same good conscientious care to all of them as I do to my buddy, but I feel differently. I try not to be judgemental about how any of my patients have arrived at the hospital. It's hard to deal with the junkies, though. I just grin and bear it with most of them and hope none of my kids ever get hooked on drugs. It is a rough ride for these folks, that's for sure. I had to run over to the main part of the hospital for a while this afternoon to attend a meeting, then I just came home.
So I got home a little early.  the beaytch beast wasn't there to miss me!!
I now have a chicken in the oven, to be served with little red potatoes  and green beans for supper. I have to go and make some salad and open a package of rolls. That will be supper in the Nurse household tonight. Then I plan to go to the gym, (bleh)do my work out and then come home to collapse into bed. I have lost 2 pounds since last week. I went to Weight Watchers last year and lost a lot of weight following their plan and counting all the points.
As soon as I stopped going, I stopped counting and fell right off that wagon!! I think it was Rosanne Barr that calls it "Anorexia Dyslexia" I think thats what I have....:)
Have a good Monday evening everyone, and get cozy if you are on the chilly northeast coast and don't forget a very big, important job that everyone needs to do tomorrow!!

VOTE!!!
won't it be great to have all the campaign bs over with? As far as I'm concerned, there's probably going to be no difference , what so ever, in the care delivered to the patient. Those with money will continue to get care, those without money or coverage will be left behind, just like always. Shouldn't health care be universal?