Handsome boy. 

 

My big boy. One of my favorite things to do right now is lay in bed watching tv, with my dog. He gets all cozy and comfortable with me and I scratch him and we're both happy. He is such good company. 

 
 
 

Three very simple cards I made on the week-end at a Baptist Ladies Retreat. 

"Each day is a new chance to find joy and to dance. If you let it pass or think it useless, the chance is gone and you'll never get it back. When was the last time you played? Or just did something for the sheer fun of it? Joy is not found in the world around you, it's within yourself. You can make your own joy, especially during those dark times when you need to really feel alive again. Fun and play are healthy antidotes to taking life- and ourselves- too seriously. They're proven boosters of immune systems and mental health and make life worth the trouble. So do the twist. Sing in the shower. Learn a magic trick. Watch a cartoon. Challenge some kids to a game. Don't let a single day go to waste." Spark

Busy days off. Could lead to cranky periods.

On my turn around day, had to take dd to the city for an eye exam. She had a very thorough exam and we both liked the doctor. Looks like we'll be getting glasses to wear ON TOP of her contacts, to improve her vision. DD is happy to get a new pair of funky glasses. Managed to get a couple of errands done while done there though I was stupid tired. We bonded over dinner.

Thursday got my hair coloured (chocolate brown), went to a meeting at the hospital, took a friend home from the hospital, got groceries and did laundry. In the evening my friend and I spent two hours planning for an event at the Baptist church in which we are doing cardmaking for aprox 50 ladies. Should be fun.

Today met with the lawyer. Things are moving along. Then met up with my girlfriend and we went to the city to check out some furniture stores. I just love Ikea. Think I might have found a chair and ottoman for the bedroom. Also thinking, I'd like to change the bedroom wall colour. And then the wheels in the mind start going and think about renovating the living room and rec room. $$$.

Am very tired with still a constant headache. Maybe I need to get my eyes checked. I hope that Sunday I will be able to sleep in a bit. It's my only day to do so before I go back to work. Hospital has become crazy busy again and they phoned yesterday asking about OT shifts. Helps for Christmas and the mounting bills.

Looking forward to a quiet night tonight, with new magazines, fresh sheets.

What sorry really looks like.

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." John Wooden

 

Today would have been my MIL's 77th birthday. Thinking about her.

Today is also my best friend's birthday. We've been friends since grade one. We don't talk to each other on a regular basis, but when I need her advice, I call and she is there for me. We've been through a lot over the years. 

 

take me away! 

"How many times are we blind to the good in front of us because we're looking past it for something better? It's like watching the railroad track your entire life, waiting for a train to come in and never realizing that you're sitting smack in the middle of the splendid Grand Central Station. Take a second look at your goals. Are they building on the good already in your life? Are you taking full advantage of the strengths you already have? Is it worth giving up what you have for what you might have? In many cases, the answer is yes. To that we say "Go for it!" with all the enthusiasm we can muster. Those are the meaningful goals. If the answer is no, try reworking your goals to include ones that complement your present life rather than substitute for it. Whatever the answer is for you, we could all use a little more appreciation for the pieces of silver in our lives." Spark

Stress. Really getting to me. Constant headaches. Nausea. Nightmares. Is it ever going to get better?

Yesterday I took my dad into the city for day surgery. While he was in having that done, I zipped over to Michaels and got myself a large circle punch and some Christmas ribbon on sale. What a gong show it was in there. Three cashiers with long lines, all needing a manager to do something to their tils, and all managers were on their breaks. So instead they send two more cashiers and people at the end of the lines jumped over to the next til. How rude.

Last night a couple of friends came over for a visit. It was nice but weighing heavy on all of our minds is a dear friend of ours who is not feeling well. Feeling quite helpless at the moment. Wish there was something I could do.

Today I am planning on hanging out in my scrapbooking room. Have a couple of cards to make and send out and a few layouts to finish up. Tidy it all up and reorganize and refocus. I'm starting to get the scrapbooking "bug" again, and that makes me happy.

Only a couple more days off. I got called in the other night for extra help as there were so many patients. We're funded for 10 beds and we had 17 patients. Wonder what it will be like when I get there Sunday.

DD and I are probably going to go shopping this afternoon. Mother daughter bonding time. Hope to have a nice dinner somewhere. Time is going by so fast and time with her is precious.

I so NEED a pair of these!

 
 
 
  

 

My big boy. Who can be a big baby. Today was the annual vet visit. Drama and trauma. The dog howls the whole way down (45 minute drive) and the cat meows/cries. I turn the music up loader to try and drown them out, but they just got louder. They insist on being heard.

The dog has some issues. His seizures. Fleas. Stress, behavior changes. We decided it was important to minimize stress on the dog and have the same routine day in day out. He's losing his hair. He's lost a little bit of weight. And so highly anxious.

The cat is apparently healthy and will live another 8 to 10 years. Bummer. 

 

Thinking about you. Your Icelandic brown bread. How you taught me to make a proper hospital bed (and tested it with a coin). Your buns and pies. How you loved your family and having everyone together. Your love of golf and Young'n'Restless. How you encouraged my post secondary education. Your strength. Your knitting and the great sweaters DD got from you. You dressing up every Hallowe'en. Your 70th birthday in Maui with your whole family. Your involvement in the community, with the hospital auxillary and cancer fundraising. How you loved to have your nails done.

Just some of the memories I have of you. Thinking about you. 

"With courage you will dare to take risks,have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble.Courage is the foundation of integrity."

 

In loving memory of my Mother-In-Law, who passed away two years ago, October 14th, 2004. 

The fall weather has just been outstanding, and I've taken advantage of it and going out for long walks with the dog. Benefits both of us. In another week or so, I'm sure some of the leaves will start turning red and I'll have my camera out again.

Quiet days off. Running lots of errands. Emotional stuff going on. Friends coming over in the morning for a visit, so that's nice. Back to work Friday.

"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about change."
Malcolm X

  

Started the divorce process today. As I sat in the waiting room, waiting for my lawyer, a song came on the office radio: "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry. One of "our" songs in the early years. Poetic irony?

  

 
 
 
  

Thanksgiving: I am thankful for:

-my family. My wonderful teenage daughter, who has the whole world in front of her. I have wonderful parents who live only a few blocks away, who are always there for me and my daughter. My brother and his boys live close by. My husband, although we are estranged, he has been in my life since I was 17 and remains in my heart always.

-friends. Some friends come and go, but the ones I have around me, are the true friends. Through thick and thin, good times and bad times.

-my dog. Unconditional love from him. We bond over walks and laying on the bed watching tv.

-my career. I have a career that I believe in, helping others. A career that not only satisfies my needs, but my finanial ones.

I could list many material things, but in the end it is family and friends that mean the world to me, that I am most thankful for. I wish that we, as society, remembered our thanks more often, than just on a yearly holiday. I am going to try to.

 

Made this card for a girlfriend and gave it to her last night; she really liked it. 

I have one of the toughest patient assignments I've ever had, in my entire nursing career, right now. It is so emotional and I feel ill equipped to support my patient and the family. And, I have no experience in caring for this type of patient. There are some patients that touch your heart; you have no control over it, they just affect you. This patient does. And I so want to do the very best for this patient; to meet every need and want. I hope by early next week there will be supports in place for staff with education, reading information, just finding out what to expect.

I see this patient's face in my dreams. Talk about taking work home with you.

"The choices you make today will determine the path that your life will take. When you sit back and look at the decisions you've made in your life, are you happy with the route you've paved? If you're not, make a change today. The next time you make a choice, ask yourself if this decision will lead you to the path you want to travel along. Set some new goals that will lead you to your dreams and then plan your course." Spark

"How often do you remember the people that have made little things possible for you? It's easy to take our privileges for granted. Today, be more aware of your surroundings- everything from your shirt, house, food, and car- and who has made them possible for you. Who has made it possible for you to experience such wonderful things? One way to let someone know that you truly appreciate their efforts is to send them a quick note or return the kindness in your own way." Spark


Emotional work day. Can't talk about it due to confidentiality but it's going to be a tough patient assignment.

So important to tell the ones you love, that you love them.. and thank the people around in your life for the things they do. It' so important.

 
 
 
 


Bought some mums for the patio, to brighten it up. Anticipating a lot of yardwork in the next few weeks. The oaktree will dump all it's leaves and will have to deal with that. Also hoping to cut down the front trees and have the front yard leveled. Driveway needs to be pressurewashed in the worst way. All things I have to do on my own now. 

 

My gorgeous girl. She is strong, independent, intelligent. Has an amazing future ahead of her; a world of opportunity. 

 

My boy and I hanging out on the bed, watching tv. He's spending more and more time sleeping on the bed with me at night. He's a snorer!

Had a nice long walk today. I so enjoy taking him out.