Happy New Year!

The holidays are just about over and the time has come to pack away the decorations, a daunting task each year. I really enjoyed them this year, and never once felt like it was a monumental task to get them out and up. I think getting them out early allowed me to really enjoy them for a longer period of time, and now that it is time to put them away, I feel ready. It has not been that way for me other years and at times has felt like a burden. In some respects I envy my sister who puts out a few menorahs and calls it a day.

This was the first holiday in a while that I never felt rushed to get things done. I did those holiday tasks early and got help (cookie baking). I got through the holidays feeling less exhausted, thus enjoying them more. I also think that because school was over, no matter how many tasks I had before me, I had a huge boulder taken off of my shoulders. YAY! (again).

I’m excited about 2010. I have a new role, a new degree, and new challenges. I’m ready.

Addictions

About two months ago, or even less, but not much less, I got started playing a game through Facebook called Farmville. I watched my daughter for a few weeks race to her laptop each am and then again after work, and originallythought she was dedicated to school stuff. However, one day I asked her what she was doing with so much enthusiasm and focus. Her reply, "Harvesting my crops." Huh?

So it was with my usual curiosity that I began to investigate and soon found myself a virtual farmer. My farm was slow to evolve, but with the help of my farm neighbors, I was soon gifted with all kinds of tress andanimals, and my farm was soon thriving and keeping me quite busy. I harvest and plant crops, gather feathers, milk cows, and collect eggs, and with each task I am rewarded coins and the occasional bonus. It's quite addicting, but with close family and friends playing along, loads of fun. Of course, the competative side keeps me working hard to level up to others, and with much determination, I am right beside those I wish to compete with as we play. It's also nice to spend time online with dear friends, and my family tat does not live nearby.

It is a nice change for me to be here to write my blog and to play virtual games without having to worry about posting an assignment or write/research a paper. Perhaps its not Farmville that is the addiction, but the pleasure of being in a virtual community without having to be in a virtual community. I'd write more, but I have to harvest.

Understanding Hemingway

I just found out that my brother does not understand and doesn’t “get” Ernest Hemingway. He recently took one of his books (and for the life of me I cannot remember which one it was right now) out hunting with him and read while waiting for deer to pass by. What better time to read Hemingway? The man loved the sport of hunting (bullfighting and fishing) and often wrote about it. His writing is to the point and memorable. His characters raw, real, and people we can relate to, people we know. Ernest Hemingway is a master of dialogue. It's not so much that he is recreating precisely how individuals speak, but through his brilliant use of repetition, he is able to make the reader remember what has been said.

I don’t get it. Perhaps he needs to try again. My brother, not Hemingway.

Holiday Magic!

There is something magical about New York City during the holidays and the closer one gets to Christmas, the more magical it becomes. We went to the city yesterday with an impending storm creeping up the coast, yet the whole time we were there, not one single flake of snow was seen, until it was time to go. Despite the cold (which in my opinion only adds to the atmosphere), our inner spirits were warmed with the sights and sounds of the holidays. The Rockefeller tree is always beautiful, but when you stand beside it, it seems even more magnificent and even more gorgeous. Because of the impending storm there were not as many people, so no pushing or shoving had to be done in order to move one step forward. It was a perfect day to be there.

We also went to see Wicked a play I have been waiting so long to see. I loved it! I loved the book so the play had to be good. I was not disappointed. We hit a local deli (they are all so good in the city) and despite Caitlin not getting what she ordered, the rest of us had a great lunch (I know such trivial information but when you are in the city each experience adds to the day).

We took the train and when we got back to our car we had to do a little bit of digging the car out and then heading down the garden state parkway proved interesting as well (not yet plowed). We made it home (obviously) safe and sound and I have added one more day to my bank of special memories.

I love the holidays!

Time

I have more of it and once again I am back to writing my blog. I have spent far too much time away from it and I have missed being able to sit and think and write about anything other than scholarly papers for school. I also have had people ask "Where are you? Where is that blog?" So here I am.

What's new?

Done. I am officially done with school. For now. I need time to chill and enjoy my accomplishments before thinking about doing more. I have ideas floating around in my head, but for now, they are merely tiny little thoughts. I start as adjunct faculty for Seton Hall University as a clinical nursing educator and I am beyond thrilled and cannot wait to face this challenge. It's been one hell of ride to get here, but I have and with a 4.0 GPA. Not bad for an older person.

Work. The new gig as nursing educator is going. I like it. I like the challenge and I work with an incredible team of nurses. What's not to like.

Home. All is well. Thank God.

Family. Ditto.

Family Reunion Time!

It happens once a year…the little leaves and acorns gather, descendents of larger branches and firm roots. I love seeing family I don’t get to see all the time. Although thanks to Facebook, I have been able to maintain better contact with some. And I love that.

We meet each year out at my brother’s farm, which is not that far from where our descendents hail from. Talk about returning to your roots. There are two older family members who do not come all the time, but when they do, they share a tremendous amount of family lore. We have tons of stories to share, and those who come always seem to have a good time.

Families are so important. I am glad I am in the one I am in. Even if the tree has a few nuts on it….that’s what makes us fun.

OY Vey!

Time flies when you are having fun! I am still here and hope to get blogging again and soon.

The Poop Deck

My deck is just as important as my front porch. It is an extension of my home, a part of who I am, and a place I like spending time on. In all kinds of weather, well almost.The deck was added to our home shortly after we moved in, as a necessity. There was simply no place to wash 8 large paws (we had only two dogs at the time, and I have no idea how that number grew to four) that were caked with wet dirt (also known as mud) before said paws came into the house. Therefore, in an effort to make me happy, the deck was designed and built.

This would not be the first deck built by my family, nor the last. So after assembling my siblings and their tools, the deck was completed in two weekends. After waiting a specified amount of time (I did however fudge the numbers, the number of hours we had to wait for the wood to do something, before we could stain it), the deck was stained and prepared for the rough winter that lie ahead.

Now the color of the deck is an interesting brown, which complements the siding of our home. The neighbors that used to live to the left, referred to it as a "poopy brown" color. We referred to them as idiots that lack class and an eye for color. The same color adorns an arbor my husband made for me, and our little shed in the back of the yard. It works well. I believe. I think Martha might even be proud. (Stewart)

The deck is a decent size; 24 by 16. Not too big, not too small, just right. I have tables and comfortable chairs for anyone to rest in when they stop for a visit. I even have a huge swing that grabs hold of you and will not let go. Of course, I have flowers and plants that add a splash of color, which is obviously needed according to the neighbors that used to live to the left. It has has a warm feeling.

I love it best early in the morning when the area is quiet and the birds are singing their best. It's peaceful. It's relaxing. It's who I am. Poopy color and all.

It's Time

It is that time of year, when the birds return from the warmth of the south to nest, feed, and do what birds do. If you know me at all, or have paid attention to my blog, you know I love my humming birds. I wait and watch for them to return to my feeders each spring.

The birds have their migratory patterns, and I have my maps. I have several friends and family who love the birds as well. We call out to each other letting each other know when we have sighted the birds. I know that if my friends to the north have seen them, then I had better get my feeders out. If I see the birds, I call my friends to the south and let them know. Like the birds, we look out for each other. It’s the way it should be.

Where's the Justice?

In all my years as an OB nurse, I have seen so many wonderful births, making my job one of the best out there. Yet there are times I think to myself, this job sucks, and it has nothing to do with the workload.

It's about the patient who waits years (15 in this case) to have a baby, and when it happens, the baby is sick and needs so much in the first few hours of birth. It doesn't seem fair. It doesn't seem right. I also question the judgment of the decisions made before this baby was born. No one is perfect, but did you make the right decision? I don't think so, and now this mom is hurting and is afraid, and her beautiful baby gets a crappy start.

Delta Gamma Dump

As a parent, who is helping her kids through college, be it through tuition help, sending care packages, and wherever else I can help them financially, I am pleased to know that Caitlin is thriving at school, and is learning so much! Learning does not always have to be done in the classroom either. She is lucky, as she is not only learning about animal related things, but a new culture, as well. There is no way you can place a dollar value on living abroad in another culture!

In addition, the learning does not stop there. She thought she knew all there was to know about living with someone you hardly know, because she did that when she went to Rutgers. Her first roommate had much to offer Caitlin. There was the how many ways can I hide a boy in the bed so you can’t see him...how many boys I can do in one week and can you really do the math to keep track...the list is endless.

Then she moved into a house with 6 girls and thought it might be better. She learned that girls can in fact be nasty and dirty...that bongs come in many designs...that it is possible to go through every dish in the house and still survive...that despite charts and graphs on walls deciding who does what and when (house chores) really is useless...

She recently shared with me how much she has learned about living with a single roommate (which she thought was going to be easier than living with 6 other girls). Bless her heart... In her own words...

1. Spaghetti sauce naturally blends in with a cream yellow rug. No one will notice, right? Shabby Chic on the Style channel has taught me nothing!! Must not watch Style anymore.

2. Hand towels are used for wiping up everything and are definitely not supposed to be used to wipe your hands after you've just washed them. Duh, how could I be so retarded? Like why would I want to use a clean one vs. one with crap all over it? Smack me.

3. You should ALWAYS, always spill, splatter, drip, dribble the contents of whatever food you are making all over the counter, sink, clean dishes....and hell why not make it go to the far side of the kitchen. Score more points that way, right? Ya know, if you can make something go further than were it actually started. PS spaghetti sauce works the best - definitely goes further and that equals more points! BONUS! Now I know why I don't have fun in the kitchen.

4. Oh, food must be made, eaten, but make sure enough is left out in the open for critters and others to see. Vet students love critters and they all need to eat, right?

5. Dog/beach towels need to be randomly thrown or piled up in the middle of the floor. Ugh and to think I was doing well by folding them and tucking them out of sight. Smack me again.

6. Hair brushes do not belong in the bathroom or bedroom anymore. Why has no one told me this? Gosh, I thought I was hair and makeup savvy??? Apparently, the new spot is in the sink! Alert Cosmo everyone, pronto! We are all wrong!

7. I'm not much of a drinker, but dude, did you know that you HAVE to buy a whole brand new bottle of ANYTHING and have drunk before the next day or leave a swig in there for the morning??? Wow, that is an accomplishment! What have I been missing all these years?? I could have drank the rock stars I worked with under the table and been totally cool! Fantabulous!

8. It's ok to be a guy, not pay rent or bills here, not clean up your mess, and get wasted on the foam cushion couch, but still leave the toilet seat up and have it be acceptable. Wow, the guys who didn't do this, who slept with the girls at the Rutgers house, were such slobs because even they left the toilet seat DOWN. I think I just said something nice about Rutgers!

9. BBQ grills make a great ashtray for cigarettes! I didn't know that tobacco was a good smoke flavor in your steak or chicken.

10. This place is just too cool for more facts!

I believe the child has gotten her money's worth in education.

Spring has Sprung!

I was out doing some light raking, mostly meandering in the yard with the rake in my hands, looking like I was raking, and I noticed that my flowers are bursting forth! Yeah! The forsythia is also budding, and with the chirping of the birds, I felt hopeful that winter was on its way out. I am glad.

It really has not been a long winter, but I really want warmer weather, and soon. I long for the days of just sitting out on my deck, taking in the sun. I love my deck. I love being out on the patio, in the yard, and even on my hammock. The place is not as important as being out. I have not felt this much cabin fever in a long time.

I cannot wait to start planting my potted plants, which decorate the deck and the patio areas. My deck will need a new coat of stain, but I even look forward to getting that done. I also look forward to getting my herb garden going, and my veggies planted. I guess I just want to play in the dirt, and soon.

Well, spring sprang. We've had our state of grace and our little gift of sanctioned madness, courtesy of Mother Nature. Thanks, Gaia. Much obliged. I guess it's time to get back to that daily routine of living we like to call normal.
~David Assael, Northern Exposure, Spring Break, 1991

Me? A Pediatric Nurse?

I have been cross training to the area of pediatrics over the last month or so. It's being done because the administrator wants us to cross train to the other areas on the fifth floor, and because we are heavily staffed in L&D, and the census has been low. I could have picked postpartum or the nursery, but I have experience in those areas and thought something new might be fun. Fun? Different.

I did do some "Pedi Time" at my last job in a hospital in PA where I worked, but needed to have a refresher, so I raised my hand to go to this area. I am all about making myself more marketable anyway, especially these days when everything in health care is so damn unstable. It's not such a bad little place. The staff have been friendly and I have learned a few new things. Of course, I have also learned that everywhere one goes (other units), most (other nurses) are miserable these days with the uncertainty hanging over our heads.

So now I have another area I can tack on my resume, NOT that I will be seeking Pedi nurse jobs in the near future. Trust me. But I can say that the gig is not so bad. If I had to, I could be a pedi nurse. Maybe. Ok, maybe just a little.

Bonnie and Clyde

I would have loved the opportunity to spend time with these two characters, for at least a day. Can you believe this May 23rd marks the 75th Anniversayof the day the two were ambushed! Where has time gone?

Wouldn't you love the chance to hang with them? What went on their heads? Why did they go on the killing sprees they did? Bonnie was so young! How does a 23 year old become so infected with that much rage? Of course, they did supply the nation with a lot of entertainment at a time when things were bad, real bad. Kind of like today. "They were front-page news, newsreel stars, heroes to those who hated banks and the government, institutions the young outlaws mocked." Kind of like today.

Is there a Bonnie and Clyde out there. Waiting. Watching.

Bewarned. I am not kidding.

I am no longer paying for health insurance. I will be using your Emergency Department like a doctors office. The wait will not bother me. I love to read. I will bring books and snacks. In fact, I may even pack a cooler. I can sit there all day if I have to and YOU cannot turn me away.

I will no longer be paying for everyone's treatment. I will be right there along side of them sucking YOUR hard earned dollars away from you so I can get my head cold taken care of, or that hammer toe fixed. I may even think about having another baby. Why not, YOU will be paying for it. Makes sense to me.

Who needs health care insurance?

No Money, No Bones

I recently was made aware that because we are facing a huge financial problem in this country, people now have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets. There are also those people facing the issue of “do I get care for my pet, or don’t I?” Vet visits are down, which is certainly no fun for their businesses, but I am more concerned about the animals being dumped. It is not something I have never had to think about, nor would I want to face that issue. I would certainly explore every option I could first.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently estimated that up to 1 million cats and dogs nationwide “are at risk of becoming homeless as a result of the continuing economic downturn.” Shelters across the country are busting at the seams, which only leads to more animals being needlessly euthanized. I find that sad.

I hope that people explore every option possible before ‘dumping’ their pets. Please.

Are You a Foodie?

Being a “gourmet” or “epicure” is passé. Those of us who are now into the world of food are now called “foodies”. I am a foodie. However, I am not alone. There are many of us out there. YOU could be a foodie.

Foodies are defined as “someone who has an ardent or refined interest in food”. Once being thought of as snobby people who could only eat expensive foods, served on the best of china, in refined restaurants, this thinking is no longer valid. Foodies can find something good on a roadside stand in the middle of nowhere and want to know all there is to know about the food, where it comes from, and who made it. We thirst for as much knowledge about food as we can get.

There are some basic traits of being a foodie, as there are basic traits that come with all labels. Generally, you have to know what you like, why you like it, recognize why some foods are better than others and want to have good tasting food all or certainly most of the time. This doesn't mean that you can't eat flaming hot Cheetos every now and again, but it does mean that you don't fool yourself into thinking that it's a nutritionally balanced meal. A foodie is someone who has to know the difference between a beefsteak tomato and a Jersey Tomato, and then wants to try them both to understand the difference.

There might be foods you simply will not try or weird foods you simply have to eat. This is what makes you more of a foodie. The important thing is that you like food, want to know more about food, and in the end enjoying eating the food. My addiction, besides food, is food blogs. I cannot get enough of them.

I Need Spring!

"Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; he will not see me stopping here. To watch his woods fill up with snow." ~ Robert Frost

I need spring.

I am so tired of this cold weather. I am tired of my winter looking surroundings, no green, bare trees, and frosted grass. I yearn for the greens, the colors, the feel, and smell of spring. I want to feel warm sun. I want to sit on my deck. I want to be out for long periods of time without feeling cold.

I need spring.

I want to plant flowers, sow grass (yes, thanks to Meego), and play in the dirt. I want to fill my deck pots with pretty flowers. I want to see green grass, and the little yellow flowers of my forsythia bushes. I want to spend time on my patio, relaxing on a lounger.

I need spring.

Keeping Secrets

Can you keep a secret? I can, but obviously, you can’t. What is about people who claim they can keep something private and to themselves, only to find out that they “thought it would be okay to share with so and so” and that I wouldn’t mind?? What the heck? And if you are telling me a secret that someone else asked you to keep private, then obviously I cannot trust you either. What part about secret and private don’t you get??

I realize that for many secrets are difficult to keep. If I want to ensure privacy, I’d better just keep my thoughts and feelings to myself. In addition, I would expect that if you wish to remain my friend, you’d better keep my thoughts and feelings I share with you, private, especially after I asked you to do so. Thank you.

Miserable People

I am so sorry that someone, somewhere pissed in your oatmeal, but please keep it to yourself.

Nuff said.