CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOG LAYOUTS, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  I didn't have to work any holidays this year and I was able to attend my family Christmas party on Christmas Eve.  Then on Christmas day, Jamie and Ilana came over for dinner.  It was really nice. 

I decided that next year, I want to try to make Baklava and have prime rib for Christmas dinner.  Both of those are new things I've tried in the last month at my new job.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

New Job, Thanksgiving, shopping

I recently started a new job in the  ICU/Med/Surg department in a rural hospital.  When I first started there, I just wanted to pick up a few hours here and there, but due to being called off all the time at my other job, I decided to take a full time position there.  While orienting, I remembered how much I liked working in the ICU.  This new position has a set schedule, which will give me better control of my life and also allows me to attend church regularly.  I like all the people that I've worked with so far.  It was a difficult decision, but one that I am glad that I made.  I will technically be off orientation in the beginning of December.  I know I'm doing okay, it's just some of the ICU stuff that I will need help with when it comes up.  It has been five years since I have done ICU and I've forgotten a lot.

Thanksgiving went well.  My sister, Jamie and her children came over for dinner.  Our family met later at my grandparents for pie.  That is our usual get together.  It was nice seeing everyone and planning for our Christmas party.  (That always happens at Thanksgiving because we get together as a family on few occasions.)

My mom wanted to go to Black Friday sales at Wal*Mart on Thanksgiving night.  It was my mom, me, Jamie and her daughter Ilana.  It was Ilana's first time going shopping in that madness.  It was crazy!  Ilana and I never found what we were looking for.  I think my mom got everything she went for though.  Then, mom wanted to go to Menards on Friday morning.  Getting up at 4 a.m. for ANYTHING is difficult for me because I am used to being awake at night and don't have "normal" bedtimes.  Every year, I say I'm not going to do that again and every year, I do. 
Ilana waiting at Menards at 5 a.m.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Stupid phones

I got the new iPhone 4S awhile ago.  Having had an iPhone for two years, I didn't find the new one that exciting.  Don't get me wrong, I loved the iPhone.  I loved Siri.  It just wasn't enough to keep me interested. 

When I was shopping for new phones, I said that if HTC had a good phone with a front facing camera, I would get that one.  When we went to the AT&T store, the only one they had was the HTC Status.  I didn't want that phone.  It reminded me too much of a blackberry and having a phone with the focus on facebook seemed a little ridiculous to me.

So, I got another iPhone and wouldn't you know it, two weeks after I get it, HTC comes out with the Vivid.  I returned my iPhone (it hadn't been 30 days) and they tell me (after the fact) that I have to wait 72 hours before I can get a new phone.  My sister Jamie let me use her old iPhone 3G, but it was hard going back to that after having the 4S.  Needless to say, I learned a lesson and my survey comments earned me a call from the regional manager of AT&T.  I was impressed with that.

I like my Vivid and am learning new things about it everyday.  I was a little concerned about switching from iPhone to Android, but it is going well.

Monday, October 10, 2011

It's been awhile

I haven't posted on my blog since the beginning of the summer.  Now that the summer is over, I have had some time to reflect on it.  I didn't do much outside of work this summer except for a trip to Mackinac Island with my sister Jamie, mom, niece Ilana and nephew Riley.  We had a lot of fun up there and it was my first time ever on the island.
Ilana and I on the ferry to Mackinac Island
Arch Rock.  Looking out on Lake Huron

Ilana, Riley and Jamie looking out at Lake Huron
In the trolley on Mackinac Island

Riley and Ilana playing in Lake Huron in front of the Mackinac Bridge

Taqhuamenon Falls

My favorite sign in Taqhuamenon Falls.
I have also really started getting in to reading books.  I never really liked to read books before.  At first, I started to see what my nieces and nephew were reading, but now, I enjoy it.  It is something peaceful that I can do with my time.  I also started reviewing books.  It gives me a directive when I am reading, so I am just not seeing words on the page.  Jamie, Ilana and I have been to a few author signings.  I never knew about these before I started reviewing books.  They are lots of fun and you learn quirky things about authors and sayings that will stick with you forever like "hot monkey."
The latest book signing in Lansing, MI
I have been having health issues.  It first stated with this nuisance of getting hives. I couldn't figure out what was causing them.  After the whole summer of doctor's appointments, we finally have it narrowed down to a condition called demographic skin.  This basically means that when I have a lot of pressure on my skin (like when I would lean on the counter at work) or scratch, hives will appear.  The Allergist I'm seeing thinks it might be related to my psoriatic arthritis.  So, that means another doctor to see. I just want the hives to go away.  I realize they are as bad as they COULD be, but still...

The other part of the summer is getting ready for the dreaded winter.  YUCK!  I don't like it.  :(

I have one question for all my friends out there.  What is the difference between grey and gray?  I never know if I am using the right one and this bothers me.  It's trivial, I know, but it has been on my mind.


Sunday, June 12, 2011

Summer...finally

Things have been a little busy around here lately.  I did go to Nashville for the nursing conference.  Because of this, I had to work a lot before and after.  I haven't been getting called off for low census lately, so that is good.  But it makes for a tiring week when you actually have to work your scheduled days.  :)  I have been scheduled a lot of Sundays recently, which kinda stinks because then I usually don't go to church because I'm sleeping to prepare for work.  I am already sleep deprived working the night shift, so I cannot afford to lose any sleep before working.  I have to be mentally alert when I'm dealing with patients.  I have been trying to get a day position, but there haven't been too many of them.

I also have been doing a lot of things lately.   Jamie and I attended the NKOTBSB concert in Grand Rapids.  This was amazing!  I have been to BSB concerts before, but this was intense!  The way they kept switching between NKOTB and BSB songs was phenomenal.  It always kept you out of your seat.

Most recently, we took Ilana, Alex and Isabel to Lansing to a book signing with a few Young Adult Authors.  We were so tired by the time we got to the signing.  The signing was on Saturday, but we left Friday so we could do a few things in Lansing while we were there.  We saw the capital building.  At first, we were in a tour with a class who looked to be about fourth or fifth grade.  The tour guide asked them a bunch of questions about Michigan and they knew the answers!  I was impressed.  Jamie was wondering how she could sign Ilana up for that class. 
At the capital building.  This was taken from the 4th floor
We also went to MSU because Alex wants to attend there after high school.
Standing in front of Spartan Stadium
We were so excited by the time that the authors came out.  The authors were: Ellen Schreiber, Aprilynne Pike, Josephine Angelini and Veronica Roth.  There were two other authors there to get their books signed by the four above.  They were Courtney Allison Moulton and Aimée Carter.  It was fun-filled day.


I have a couple of doctors appointments coming up.  With the merger of our hospital with a bigger one, we got new medical insurance and had to get new doctors.  This means that I had to get a new neurologist also.  I also have an appointment with an allergy specialist because I have been getting hives recently.  At first I thought it was due to something at work, but then it started happening when I wasn't at work.  I'm at a loss.  I haven't tried anything new and I just cannot figure out what is causing them.  My co-worker said that stress can cause hives...maybe...


I haven't been keeping up with my Project 365 blog.  This is harder than it looks.  I have had some health issues that I have been dealing with that have made it difficult.  I have to give Kudos to Allison for keeping it up for the second year.  I need to get back to doing it.  


The weather here has been crazy.  One day it will be in the 90s and the next we'll have 70s and rain.  Mother Nature just cannot make up her mind what she wants to do.  They always say that if you don't like the weather in Michigan, wait five minutes and it will change.  I guess that is true.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Come on Spring!!!

I am ready for Spring to get here.  I was out looking at the yard and I have a lot to do in my flower garden.  It will be nice when I can finally get out there and do something.  The weather has been teasing us lately.  It will be nice and up in the 40s-50s and all the snow will melt and the next thing we know, it is snowing again! 

Jamie and I have doing well on our Project 365 blog.  The pictures have been interesting.  Some of them get pretty boring when you cannot go outside to do stuff.  that is another reason I am antsy about spring coming.  I can only take so many pictures of my dogs...

Work has been a little hectic lately.  It seems like it has been a little more stressful than usual.  We almost got stuck at work once during a blizzard.  Not fun!  Nobody wants to be stuck at a hospital...even the staff!

I've decided to give up fast food for lent.  I try to give up something that will make my life/health better.  The first night, I was working with Stacey and she ordered Tomato Cheese Bread from Romas.  That is my weakness and I forgot about Lent until we had already ordered.  Oops!  I've been better since then, but it is still a work in progress.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

January

January has been a weird month for me so far. I cannot believe the month is almost over! I have been sick a lot this month. With silly little things like pharyngitis. A house supervisor commented that I've “caught everything floating by.” I don't normally get sick this often. I think exposure to germs on almost a daily basis boosts my immunity somehow. I don't know why this year is so different. My doctor (which I did have to change, by the way) asked me if I've been exposed to anyone who's been sick recently. I just smiled and told her at least 3 days a week. ;) She laughed and said “oh yeah.”

My car is finally fixed—new windshield and tire. I didn't like spending that much money, but it was necessary. I'm hoping to get four new tires when I get my tax refund. I also need a front-end alignment, so I think I want to get all the work done at the same time.

I'm hoping to go to this nursing seminar at the end of April. It is in Nashville. It will give you 20 CEUs. As nurses, we need 25 CEUs in two years to renew our license. That will basically knock out most of my need for education for the next two years. I could be more selective on the classes I take. Take classes I WANT to take rather than just take classes to fulfill the educational requirements.

I'm tired of the snow; I'm tired of cold; just sayin'…




Sunday, January 02, 2011

Happy New Year

December was a busy, busy month for me. Not because of the Holidays either. First, it took me over three weeks to get my health insurance straightened out so I could register for benefits for 2011. I was getting nervous because our current insurance expired on December 31st. I finally got it straightened out though. That made me feel a little better.

The merger at my small hospital was completed on December 1st. (That is the reason for the insurance change). Not a whole lot of changes have happened so far. I guess that is good because it would be too shocking for people otherwise. I was already employed by the hospital taking over, so that eased some tensions for me.

My doctor confirmed that I have fibromyalgia at the beginning of December. I had to wait until January until our new insurance started before I could set up any treatment modalities. My doctor has recommended acupuncture, water therapy & medical massage. I know the latter is covered, but I have to check about the other two. My friend also said Behavioral Cognitive Therapy has really helped her, so I'm going to check into that also.

There is medication you can take, but I like to try other things before medication. That is why I like my doctor so much. I've been going to her for 10 years and she knows this about me. She knows a lot about alternative things to try also.

I hope I don't have to give her up with this new insurance. She is not a preferred provider and I know I would have to pay cash to see her. The only thing that would make me change doctors is I heard something about non-preferred doctors cannot write referrals.

This year hasn't been a good year for my car so far. I worked New Year's Eve and on the way to work, a rock hit my car. It happens. I didn't see any damage when I arrived at work that night. When I came out from work New Year's Day at around seven a.m., my windshield had a seven-inch crack on the driver's side. Since then, it has spread to about two feet. I have an appointment on Friday to get a new windshield. I just hope it doesn't snow too much before then. It's the accumulation, I'm worried about.

Today, I was on my way to church and my car just wasn't acting right. I looked at my tires after I parked and my tire was almost flat. I went to Wal*Mart to see if they could repair it until I can get a new tire. No such luck.

Now would be a good time to interject that I have been looking up quotes for winter tires for my car. Well, they don't make them because I have a “special” rim. They only make the cheap tire in my size…and nobody has them in stock. Now, when I say cheap, I mean cheaply made, not inexpensive as the tires cost around $250 a piece. So, now I'm stuck with a doughnut for who knows how long while someone orders a “cheap” tire for my car.

I am definitely liking my car very much now. It has been so difficult getting any parts for it. I had this problem trying to get rotors for my car. I am not a happy camper… :(