Where Do I Go From Here?

Tuesday - And Chivalry is Dead (Well Almost)

2009-03-03T18:00:00.004-07:00

I am fairly convinced that chivalry is dead.

I had a treadmill delivered today and expected to have it placed in my living room. I walked out to meet the guy in his truck, escorted him to my apartment, opened the door and he said "you know I don't go inside don't you?". I was initially dumbfounded. I said "What?". He said "I drop this at the door." Um dude," I paid for you to put it in my living room not my door." I could see him eying the stairs. This guy flat out refused to take the treadmill up the stairs for me. I said "what part of my 120lbs do you think can lift a 200lb treadmill up a flight of stairs?" He said "well I will put it inside the door." He barely did that and turned around to say something and I just slammed the door on him. I mean seriously, what happened to helping a female in distress or just plain doing your job? The only satisfaction i got was getting my delivery charge refunded. Geesh!

So here I am furious and having tears in my eyes with no way to get a 200lb treadmill up the stairs. So, even though I barely know my neighbor I braved the cold, dark world and knocked. Despite the fact I said the treadmill was 200lbs, my neighbor was "happy to oblige". Together we huffed and puffed that darn thing up the stairs and I even fell down on my butt doing it, but it's up here now! Thank goodness my neighbor helped me cause I was about to lose all hope in mankind.

Hope your day has you encountering knights in shinning armor.

Ciao! De ;)

Sunday - And When "We Plan, God Laughs"

2009-03-01T12:10:00.005-07:00

Let me just start out by saying I did not sleep very well yesterday in-between shifts. Had trouble going to sleep, had trouble staying asleep and just plain gave up after waking up for the millionth time about 2:30pm. I was zoning out while getting ready for work and praying to God for an easy work night. "You know I'm tired God, can I please have a pleasant evening at work?"

As Clinical Coordinator (i.e. Charge Nurse) I'm not supposed to take a patient load so I can "manage the flow of the ER". I usually do what we call "SWAT", which boils down to "EVERYTHING". I know for a fact I run more and work harder in this position than if I were to have a room assignment, but it really is the best way to keep track of everything in the ER. But, sometimes I want a room assignment. Sometimes I want more than just 5minutes face time with a patient. Sometimes I don't want to know everything that is going on everywhere. So that sometimes was last night, and I was hoping for a relatively good night...but God laughed.

Well to be perfectly fair to God, I kinda did it to myself. I KNOW that every single time I assign myself the Code Room (which we keep mainly empty for that specific occasion) I am going to get a critical patient. I KNOW this, yet I gave myself that room. In all fairness I was hoping that I would be like the majority of other people and have an off night where that room mainly stayed empty...but then God laughed.

So my first patient was a 79-yr old man with complaint of difficulty breathing that I had initially assigned another room, but by the time her arrived in the ambulance he was in severe respiratory distress and had a critically high blood pressure. I was thinking we might have to intubate him and put him on a ventilator, but within 30minutes of arrival he did a remarkable turn around and ended up being very stable. He got diagnosed with a new onset of congestive heart failure (too much flood on the heart/lungs) and went to a regular cardiac monitored hospital bed.

I really had barely gotten my first patient admitted and had the room cleaned when we got the call about another elderly man having difficulty breathing. My first question was is he in distress. Oh no, he has an asthma history and we are giving him a couple of breathing treatments and we’ll be right in. So in they come and what do you think? Yep…back into my room in severe, critical respiratory distress. Now this 73yr old man was really much, much worse than my first patient. He was breathing so hard and his heart was working so hard that we immediately prepared to intubate him. We got the medications all pulled out and drawn up, had the intubation equipment all laid out, had the ventilator machine at the ready, when my little man began improving slowly but surely. Now he went to the ICU but what a different picture he presented. When he arrived, the patient was pale, diaphoretic (sweaty to you and me), and abdomen heaving just to push air into his lungs, eyes rolled back into his head and only able to grunt. Now it took about an hour for the tide to change, but it really was nothing short of a miracle that this man did not get intubated or die. But you want to hear something funny? After the patient was better and resting quietly, I was helping him with some ice chips and he kept asking me a question I couldn’t understand so I lifted the mask off his face ever so slightly and he said “where is your accent from?” Now I really had to laugh because seriously this man almost died and he wants to know where I am from? So that is what I told him... and then said…Texas.

Now, despite the fact that I spent over half my shift in this one room with two different severely ill patients, I did have three other rooms. Several of which had patients that needed a bunch of orders completed, whether it was drawing blood, starting IVs, giving medications, helping splint broken bones, making sure one more drunk doesn’t die of alcohol poisoning, etc…I had three other rooms. Yep, I thought it would be an okay night considering the fact we saw over 100 patients the night before (I mean who was left to check in, right?)…but then God laughed.

You know I’ve often thought about why I always get the critically ill patients when I have the Code Room. In the past I’ve crossed my fingers and help my breath hoping NOT to get that assignment when I wasn’t the one in charge making that decision. I’ve even been a bit irritated when others have an easier night because of that assignment and I didn’t. But then I really, deep down, know why I always get these types of patients…God isn’t really laughing at me, He is giving me these patients and placing them in my hands because He KNOWS I can handle their crises and help them in their hour of need. So I know that God isn’t laughing at me, He is helping me…help them.

Have a great Sunday!

Ciao! De ;)

PS: "We Plan, God Laughs" is a novel by Sherre Hirsch

Sunday - And I've Been Absent

2009-02-08T20:36:00.003-07:00

In case you didn't notice, I've been absent of late. I've gotten hooked on Facebook and having a ton of fun. Got started innocently enough but it has really taken off in the last few weeks and I have been re-connecting with dear old friends from high school as well as keeping in touch with my family and current friends. So, as I am still recovering from my apt flooding, I will take a break. Let me know if you are interested in connecting on Facebook.

Hope you have all been well and are keeping warm. We actually had a cold front come through last night and had a thunderstorm with hail this morning here in Phoenix. It is a cozy 54degrees right now.

Hugs to you all!

Ciao! De ;)

Saturday - And I Suppose I Could Be Upset

2009-01-17T12:30:00.003-07:00

So...not the best way to get woken up someone pounding on your door. Not the best thing to see when you sit up in bed and try to figure out just what woke you up. What? Water. Water, water everywhere.

Apparently my toilet overflowed (insert ewwwwwwwws here) while I was sleeping. Must have been running for 2hours cause I was up at 0845 to take care of my human needs and promptly went back to sleep and it was now 1045. So I jumped up and promptly ran through 2inch deep water to turn my toilet off then ran downstairs to let the maintenance man in, then ran and turned off everything that was plugged in. I had only been asleep about 2 1/2 hours after working all night and I could see this was going to be a long day.

About 6 months ago I turned in my rental furniture and have been sleeping on a borrowed mattress on the floor. All my electronics were on boxes on the floor except my DVD player. Everything was plugged into power surge protectors. Every wire was floating. Any moment and the water would have washed over the surge protectors and began shorting out my electrical equipment. A few more moments and a lot could have been ruined and/or I could have been electrocuted just running through the water.

So while it's an inconvenience to have to pick up every thing on the bedroom and closet floor, while I will be forced to throw things away because they are ruined, while I am losing sleep and had to call off work tonight and will lose some amount of money, and while I am going to have to spend some money to buy a new mattress, I can see the silver lining. I have been needing to sort through papers and shred and throw away, I need to start boxing things up because I plan on moving in a couple of months, I do have extra money in savings and I do have sick time I can use. And the biggest silver lining of them all...I didn't get hurt nor did my neighbors who must suffer through this as well. Thank you God for the many blessing you have bestowed upon me!

So what I only got 2 1/2 hours sleep...I get a paid day off, lol.

Have a good weekend!

Ciao! De ;)

Friday - And Happy Boxing Day

2008-12-26T22:46:00.007-07:00

And how was your Christmas? I spent Christmas Eve and Day working but before that Hannah and I had a night out shopping while Caleb was at his Dad's. This picture was taken in Target. Hannah said "I'm tired and my feet hurt, I wish I could get in the basket just like Caleb." So I told her to go ahead and climb in, which she obviously did, lol. I pushed her around the whole store and she declared this to be "The Best Christmas EVER!" Wow, if I had only known she was so easy to please I wouldn't have bought that 120gb ipod classic, ha ha.

We picked up Caleb tonight and went for our Christmas dinner at Olive Garden. I said "so much for traditional fare" to which Hannah responded, "well what do you think the Italians eat for Christmas". Pictures of turkey spaghetti entered our heads to which we both said "ewwww". I think we'll just stick with the regular pasta, thanks. We did splurge and got desert too, cause what is Christmas without the sweets.

After dinner we came home and opened our presents that were under our little Christmas tree and our little stockings that were hung by the electric fireplace with care (ummm maybe not so much with care as with a hammer and nail :p). Caleb made me a Phoenix Coyote's Calender got me a juicer, and Hannah got me a gift certificate from Victoria's Secret (she evidently got tired of me saying "I don't even have enough money for a bra") and some of my favorite candy (butterfingers and snickers). The kids seemed pleased with their gifts as well, but the best part was that we are all home together, as corny as that sounds.

Work was fairly busy on Christmas Eve, but we only admitted two-three people, with the one heart attack that I had predicted (sorry sir I was right, hope you are doing okay). Christmas Day was very busy as well, and we admitted about twelve people. It finally died off about 1:00am and the rest of the night was cake. I controlled myself enormously and did not graze at the trough that was presented to us. I've lost 5 pounds since Thanksgiving and I'm not going backwards, no way (being told by your ex that you are fat is a very big motivator).

So here's to you and yours with warm wishes for a very pleasant holiday. Enjoy your time with your family and be safe!

Ciao! De ;)

Sunday - And It's Someone's Birthday

2008-12-21T23:43:00.002-07:00

Many of you have heard me mention Betty more than one time, but what you may not know is that today is her birthday. Oh she didn't mention it on her blog, but I can on mine, he he.

So pop on over and wish my very dearest friend a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love ya, girl!!

Ciao! De ;)

Saturday - And The Plate In My Head Wasn't Big Enough

2008-12-20T20:13:00.006-07:00

Remember in the movie "Vacation" when Cousin Eddie was complaining about not having enough money? "I got laid off when they closed that asbestos factory, and wouldn't you know it, the army cuts my disability pension because they said that the plate in my head wasn't big enough." Well it seems to me that people, just like Cousin Eddie, are always wanting something for nothing and I really get tired of them always expecting the government (i.e. you and me) to pay for everything. I get it alot at work. Now don't get me wrong, there are always the people who need the assistance, but more often than not, I run into the ones who try to work the system anyway they can and still complain they are not getting enough...like the lady who brought in her 1yr old the other night.

So this cute little 1yr old was seen in the ER for difficulty breathing, cough, and wheezing with a history of asthma. She got a few breathing treatments and scripts for home antibiotics and an inhaler. The Mom started complaining why don't we give her a nebulizer because it is easier and I explained how that has to come from the baby's pediatrician. Then Mom tells me the baby doesn't have a pediatrician because her ACCESS (welfare here in AZ) was denied because she couldn't find the little girl's social security number. "How dumb is that?" she asks, "Why do I have to show her social security card. They should just give it to her." Well I started explaining about verifying who people are, making sure they are here legally, etc and the Mom continues complaining about how their benefits keep getting reduced more and more and the little girl's big brother is drinking all the baby's milk, etc etc etc. Mom then goes on to complain about how she is pregnant and due in February and hasn't even had an ultrasound to find out what sex the baby is and how is that right? So I go "Well you know women had babies for thousands of years without knowing what the sex of the baby is and everyone survived." She said "Well I'm on a fixed income and I need to know." Excuse me but do you even see the correlation between the two? Me either. Then she starts talking about how her boyfriend (baby's father) after sleeping all day wakes up and drinks all the baby's milk, "sometimes a whole gallon at a time". Sheesh. Will someone get a job and quit making babies already? **Major sigh**

So then Mom gathers up everything and wants to know where the bus stop is. So I tell her as I walk her out front to check out and I'm like "where is the baby's jacket?" "Oh I left it at home cause I had too much to carry," she says as I notice she is putting her jacket on. Okay so this is at 6:00am and it's dark, cold, and misting. The baby was just in for breathing problems and you want to wait outside in the cold without a jacket for the baby? So my bleeding heart or Christmas spirit (not sure which at this point) kicks in and I get her a cab voucher that the hospital will eat so the baby won't get any sicker, all the while explaining to the Mom that this is a one-time deal and knowing that she is filing it away in her small, self-centered brain that this is one more way to get something for nothing. Okay, now onto more happier subjects, lol.

How is everyone's Christmas shopping coming along? Me? Ha! Almost NOTHING bought. I can't believe it! I have never been less prepared for Christmas than this year, not even when I was far more broke than I am now. Well, it will all work out. Caleb is over here this weekend so that leaves me one more day (Tuesday) before Christmas to buy a few things for him when he is not around. Hannah's main present is the computer I got her in August, but I plan on getting her a few little things too. The only saving grace is at least my tree is up, ha ha.

Well I work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so I think we are either going to the Christmas service on the 23rd, or before I go to work on the 24th. Caleb will be back on the 26th and we'll do Christmas then. What are your plans? What are your traditions? What are you cooking?

If I don't pop on before....Merry Christmas!!!

De ;)

PS: This video is for Katie...

Sunday - And It's Movie Review Time

2008-12-14T23:08:00.007-07:00

Hannah and I had a girl's night out on Thursday as I had a night off in between several and Caleb was at his dad's. First off we decided to splurge and went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, certainly not something you can do every day or very often for that matter. Very nice, pricey, but just want we needed. We laughed our way through dinner (annoying the couple next to us of course) and indulged in some decadent cheesecake. Again, not something you can do everyday, especially if you are making a half-hearted attempt at dieting (ha ha).

For the second part of our night out we decided to take in the midnight showing of The Day The Earth Stood Still. In case you are too young (and I hate you if you are, lol), or you live in a vacuum (and I do at times) then you might not realize this is a remake of the 1951 classic. (alas Hollywood is becoming uncreative). The movie stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly, and they each do a fair job of acting. The movie also stars Jaden Smith, Will Smith's son who you met in The Pursuit of Happyness. I jokingly say that Keanu Reeves is perfect for the part of the alien who shows no emotion because I really don't think the man is capable of a facial expression or anything more than a monotone voice. I enjoyed the movie for the most part except for the political theme, but once again I wouldn't recommend paying anything more than matinee price. You wouldn't miss anything by waiting for the DVD either.

I think the most interesting thing that occurred was after the movie and we saw this guy get tased by the police. We are walking out of the theater and there was this drunk guy who had been trying to get into the theater when we arrived, and he was still in the parking lot causing havoc. The manager had evidently grown tired of this guy, called the police, and he was, by all appearances, resisting arresting. All of a sudden he jerked and fell straight down and Hannah was "omg what happened?". I said "omg he just got tased!". We were in no immediate danger as we were observing this from a safe distance, and it was certainly more suspenseful than the movie, lol.

In case you can't tell, I am in better spirits than my last entry. Oh David is still messing with my mind, but getting back to work was really the best thing for me. Routine stuff to fill your day so you don't wallow in self-pity. Who needs expensive therapy? I've got a great family who listen to my woes and good friends to lend a shoulder to cry on when I need it. And if I am really feeling sorry for myself, then I just have to take a look at the lives of the homeless drunks who come into the ER on a daily basis. I am healthy (albeit overweight), have a job (thank you God!), have a place to live, have money to pay my bills, put food on the table, and buy a few Christmas presents for the kiddos. Life could be less stressful with the support money I'm entitled to, but overall, life is good. Really...life is very good, especially when both my kids are here with me, as they are tonight.

Apparently Veronica and Melissa have deemed me worthy of the Marie Antoinette Award. I'm not quite sure that I'm worthy, but apparently all you have to do is write about everyday life. While I feel honored, I don't know that what I have to say is particularly inspiring, but then again, maybe it doesn't have to be. So thank you Veronica and Melissa, and I pass on the rules and nominate the following:

The Rules:
1. Please put the logo in your blog (let me know if you need the file)
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 or more
4. Put the links of those on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blog to let them know

And I nominate:
1. Betty of A Corgi in Southern California
2. Lyn of Brit's Blog
3. Dawn of Carpe Diem
4. Julia of Julia's New Journal
5. Lily of I Guess I'm Dreaming
6. Marti of Porch Stories
7. Robin of The Yellow Brick Road

Wow...that was hard to limit this to just seven.

Well tonight starts another three day stretch for me. I did get a short recess and have a chance to go to church and dinner tonight with the kids. It's finally cooler here in Phoenix (highs in the 60s this week) and maybe, just maybe, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Ciao! De ;)

PS: New entry and title just for you Kat! :p

Thursday - And I Like My Men Cold, Undead, and Sparkly

2008-12-04T08:33:00.010-07:00

Okay, so in case you can't figure out by my title, I saw the Twilight movie last week and now I'm hooked. The movie itself starts out a little awkward like the author was in a hurry to get the story going and forgot to let you get acquainted with the characters, but it builds into a nice plot and the acting is superb. And of course Robert Pattinson as "Edward" is absolutely hot!

And to make my new obsession even worse, Hannah goes and gives me the first two books in the series for my birthday. I don't know whether to hug her or ground her, ha ha. I've been sleep deprived by reading. Seeing the movie doesn't ruin the first book, as the book fills you in more on everyone's backgrounds more thoroughly. I'm well into the second book, New Moon, now.

Part of me wishes I hadn't seen the movie or read the books. It makes me wistful and a little depressed. I've joked that I wish I was 17 again (no way, honestly)...but 29 would really be nice. I can feel Bella's anguish, longing, and depression (which means the author does a good job of pulling you into the story) which is not good for me right now. It has nothing to do with being older, fatter, or uglier than I was when I was 17. It has nothing to do with wishing I had a boyfriend, husband, or a vampire. It just has to do with where I am in my life right now and the tough time I am having. My self-esteem isn't the highest and I'm constantly stressed with figuring out the budget issues (and no the jerk still isn't paying me the court ordered support). And I'm upset trying to figure out how to give the kids some sort of Christmas. **Sigh** I should've warned you this was going to be a depressing entry, lol.

I should get off here before I bore you or make you depressed at this time of the year. I'll just leave by saying this...every girl deserves an Edward.

Ciao! De ;)

Friday - And I Have The Best Friends Part Deux

2008-11-21T06:27:00.003-07:00

Well I have to tell you about Maren. She has been my hairdresser for almost 4 years now and she has the sweetest soul. Maren always lends a compassionate ear and is always inviting me somewhere, like to church, the Easter pageant, and to her ladies night out. I went to the Easter Pageant last year that her church puts on and it is absolutely amazing, and last night I met her and some friends for a quick ladies night out. I couldn't stay long (only about an hour) but is was so nice to get out among friends. No agenda, just a night out for a few hours among women.

Maren was the first person who donated to my cause, lol. She and her new husband of only a couple of months, along with her awesome sister, brought us over our first table and chairs. So here is another person who, after working all day on her feet, took the time to come over and help me out. I really am blessed!

So on another note, I am about to work a 3 day stretch and then fly out Monday night (0n my birthday) to Texas for the week. I plan on getting some good pictures if the camera cooperates, that is. Everyone will be there including Elizabeth and Hannah with her boyfriend, Justin. So a good time is to be had I'm sure.

Gotta pop off and get the boy up for school. Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, and a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Ciao, De ;)

Tuesday - And I Have The Best Friends

2008-11-18T19:15:00.006-07:00

Most of you know I'm going through a divorce, but what you may not know is that even after a year of separation I still don't have much furniture as I just really don't have the extra moola right now. Well one of the things I really haven't had was a full-fledged dining table and chairs, but looky at what one of my friends brought over to me today! How cute is that? Caleb and I are sooo excited and we've already have had our first meal at the table....together. Kewl beans!

Oh and you know what my friend wanted in return for the table/chairs? Just to help someone else who needs it when I can. So that goes right to the point Betty is making in her journal about the goat. That table is my goat right now, but someday I'm going to buy someone a share in a well.

Ciao! De ;)

Sunday - And I Don't Have a Title

2008-11-16T15:24:00.003-07:00

Ha ha...me without words. No I'm just sitting here staring at the computer screen still trying to wake up. Gotta get in the shower soon if Caleb and I are going to the 5pm service at church as we are meeting his Dad at 6:30pm to exchange since I've gotta work tonight and tomorrow **Sigh**

I can't wait for my Thanksgiving holiday cause boy do I need a week off. The only thing I'm dreading is flying...actually had a panic attack about it earlier this week. Breath!

Oh I changed my music to only come on if you click on it. I noticed it was could be rather annoying if you weren't in the mood to listen anything. :)

Well, hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!

Ciao! De ;)

Thursday - And I'm Thankful

2008-11-13T20:36:00.009-07:00

Well Betty has asked that we each participate in Thankful Thursday, so here are mine:

1. I, too, am thankful for the Lord and all that He bestowes upon me.

2. I am thankful for Hannah and Caleb who I love without measure and who I don't get to spend enough time with. It must be very difficult being my children. Enough said.

3. I am thankful for Elizabeth. She lived down the street and somehow snuck into my heart and became my third child. I am so proud of her for graduating from nursing school and the hard and often unthankful job she is doing.

4. I am thankful for my sister, Kathryn (yes dahling, you are my favorite, lol). She and I have been through so much and have a common thread in life. We should band together to fight the evil men of the world.

5. I am thankful for my Mother who listens tirelessly, or so it seems to me, to my endless gripes about my ex.

6. I am thankful for my job, my promotion, and my raise in an economy where many are losing theirs.

7. I am thankful for patients who come into the ER, whether they need to be there or not, for they are job security.

8. I am thankful for friends near and far, and in the cyber world. I have met such wonderful people but none have touched my heart like those unseen.

9. And that leads me to my conclusion where I have to say I wouldn't be participating in this Thankful Thursday if it wasn't for Betty. She is a wonderful, selfless person and I hope she knows what a special place she holds in my heart. Betty, I do hope we get to meet one day in this world before we meet in the next.

And now for a movie review....

88 Minutes
Very disappointing! What a waste of an awesome actor. Al Pacino is too good for this movie. Hokey music, predictable plot, poor acting, even poorer directing. Only reason I kept watching was to see if I was right about who was the actual villain. Glad I didn't waste my money at the theater, sorry I wasted it on the DVD. Wait till it comes out on TV and then skip it.

Speaking of dramas, that was the theme of things last night at work. Everyone had their agenda, or so it seemed. The one that is the winner of the night was a 25yr-old girl who came in basically for a medication refill. Now usually we medically screen these people out because that is not what the ER is for, but this girl was like "oh well I have pelvic pain and discharge" (my favorite, right Veronica?). So since I had the gyno room last night I inherited her. Boy was she a piece of work. Kept asking for Xanax, constantly. NP said no, no, no, and hell no. I gave the patient an antibiotic shot to help her with her PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) and told her it would be 20 minutes before she was discharged. "Um no, I need to go now and get my prescriptions" (she already knew NP wrote for 4 Xanax. I advised the patient that we hold people the 20 minutes after medications to make sure they don't have a reaction. "Well I won't so get me my prescriptions now." Not even a please. No, I told her, the best I could do was 15 minutes. This started a bargaining phase to which I won of course. I had no longer walked out of that room when she was on the call light telling the tech she was ready for her prescriptions now. I told him to tell her she was welcome to leave but it would be without her prescriptions as it wasn't 15 minutes yet. So she stayed. And when I went in to let her go, I told the patient she was not to ever try and bargain behind my back when I've already told her what the plan was and that we have rules in place to save people's lives. That girl came up off the bed and literally flew across the room at my face. I used one of my TKD moves on her and shoved her out of the way. I threw open the curtains to draw attention and get help if needed, then I yelled at her to get out of the ER before I had her arrested for assault and all the way out she was cussing and threatening me. OMG! Can I please have "real" sick patients and not those who just want drugs? Like I said...full moon drama.

On that pleasant note I think I'll call it a night.

Ciao! De ;)

Tuesday - And Happy Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T20:26:00.006-07:00

Just want to do a quick shout out to all the men and women of the armed forces and say Thank You for everything you do, have done, or will do for this great country. Your sacrifices are unlimited and appreciated. Freedom isn't free and you above all know the ultimate price.

And a special note of thanks to my Uncle Fred...thank you so much for being who you are and for everything you did to make our great nation free. I can only hope and pray that my son will grow up someday and be half the man you are.

God Bless our Military and God Bless the United States of America!

Ciao! De ;)

Saturday - And it's Movie Review Time

2008-11-08T09:18:00.010-07:00

Well once again the boy has picked a pretty good movie to take me too. Caleb had been saying he wanted to see Madagascar 2 so I surprised him when I picked him up from school yesterday and we went right away (after stopping to pick up some snacks at the local Circle K that is). It picks up where the first one left off, but the group is leaving to head back to New York, or so they think, and end up in Africa. Pretty cute movie. You'll enjoy it more than the first one, but with some crude humor, hence the PG rating. It is cute though and I found myself laughing out loud plenty of times. Once again though, I recommend not spending more than the matinee price.

I spent the last three days off and either not sleeping, or sleeping the night away. I swear I couldn't stay awake to save my life last night and fell asleep about 8 or 8:30. I attempted a couple of times to get up and stay up since I have to work tonight, but my body said "No! No more! Sleep you must!" lol. So here I am up since 8:30 this morning. I guess I will try and take a nap later on as I have to work the next three nights.

I guess I didn't tell you that I got my job promotion plus a pretty decent raise. I found out on last Friday. They came up from their original offer and I accepted. We had our first Clinical Coordinator meeting Thursday night, and they want me to orient for relief House Supervisor. That would be another notch in my resume so why not. I laughed when they asked me and said "do you think i will make it through the night without telling someone to kiss my ass?" I have a problem with being diplomatic when doctors call screaming, but I suppose I will have to bite my tongue to a degree. But at any rate, I will be orienting for the first several times so there is hope, lol.

Oh I am all set ticket wise for Thanksgiving. Looks like I will make it back from Texas after all, lol, but we will be staying a whole week. I can't believe how much it is costing to fly this year! Oh well, it will be worth it to spend time with my family, at least I think so right now, ha ha. But the down side is I HAVE TO FLY! OMGosh, I really hate to fly, right Betty? Oh man, I gotta move closer.

Yesterday was my baby sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Kathryn!!!

(Hannah & Kathryn 12/07)

Well, I'm bugging off to visit your blogs. Have a good weekend and don't get into too much trouble.

Ciao! De ;)

PS...here is a little meme fun from Patrick

Saturday Six - Episode 239
Tag: Saturday Six — Patrick @ 2:09 am

Here are this week’s “Saturday Six” questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal…but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as “first to play,” you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. If you had to fill in as a substitute teacher at a local middle school, what subject would you be most comfortable teaching? History or Science.

2. When you were in school, what was a better indication of your true understanding of what you were learning: class participation, the accuracy of your homework, or your test scores? Class Participation.

3. You meet someone for the first time and have a brief conversation with them. If you run into them the next afternoon, how likely are you to remember their name? Well it depends on what kind of impact they had on me, but I usually can remember the next day.

4. Take the quiz: Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

There Are 2 Gaps in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge:

Philosophy
Art

Where you don't have gaps in your knowledge:
Religion
Economics
Literature
History
Science

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

5. If you had “gaps” in your knowledge, did you expect to have them where they were predicted? If you had none, which of the listed subjects would be the ones you’d most expect gaps to be? I expected Art and Philosophy...some science.

6. If you could go back to school for one semester free of charge and “try again” with any subject, which one would you choose and why? Oh I’d choose Spanish instead of French for a foreign language. Would really help me out now living in the SW.

Tuesday - And I Voted

2008-11-04T09:16:00.003-07:00

Well, in case you can't figure it out (ha ha) I voted this morning. And if I can work the last three nights, stay up, stand in line, and VOTE, and go back to work tonight, then you had better get your butt out there and vote too. So, no matter which way you vote, to the right or to the left or somewhere in between...JUST VOTE!

Don't disappoint me! Now I had better hit the sack so I can go save some more lives tonight.

Ciao! De ;)

Friday - And Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T11:09:00.007-07:00

Just a little political humor I got from my Stepmom to get you going for the day. The boy and I are going to dress up (well he is at least) and go to the church carnival tonight. It's called Hallowpalozza and sounds like tons of fun including some fireworks. Hope you have a safe trick and treating night!

If you don't hear from me the next few days it is because I'm working Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. But I'm going to VOTE no matter how tired I am. Here's hoping you do the same.

Ciao! De ;)

Wednesday - And Sometimes It Would Be Easier if I Were Lazy

2008-10-29T18:29:00.005-07:00

Well you know the old saying "be careful what you wish for"? That's exactly what I got at work last night. Sunday and Monday were down right weird with hardly any patients after midnight. I mean we only had one patient for two hours on Sunday night (unheard of) and we didn't have any patients several times for about 15-20minute intervals on Monday night. Being charge I don't usually take a room assignment until the 3pm-3am nurse goes home, that way it's easier to facilitate the flow of the ER and be a resource for whoever needs it. I usually "swat" meaning I triage the patients from the lobby and all incoming ambulance and help out whoever needs it. Well I had felt like a tech (and don't get me wrong, please, i love techs...I'm just not one) Sunday and Monday only doing the barest minimal nursing, so what did I do? I wished for us to be busy last night, and I wished for me to take rooms. Well, I got both, lol.

I decided come hell or high water (which I think we got both of last night) I was taking rooms and that I did. Okay...we got hammered, and I had two ICU patients at one time. One of them I wasn't surprised ended up in the ICU. She was 81yrs old, has been undergoing radiation for mouth cancer, and was feverish. Good golly, her WBCs were 1.4 and her H&H were in the toilet. Poor thing needed emergent blood transfusions which we initiated in the ER. Poor sweet thing.

The second one kinda snuck up on me. I was busy with my 81yr old and my other patients got placed unintentionally on the back burner. Well I had a 60yr old diabetic woman who had a UTI and all I had to do was give her some insulin, antibiotics, fluids and then send her home when her glucose got more under control (she started out with a blood sugar of 405 and normal is 80-110). Well I kept popping back in there when I could and was all ready to let her go after checking her blood sugar at 255, but while I was taking her blood pressure it read 55/32. I'm like "oh let me adjust the bp cuff and retake this". 60/36. Grrrrr. "Hey hon, let's sit you up in bed, there you go. I'm gonna switch this cuff to the other arm." 72/54. **Sigh** Okay, hang some more fluids to get the pressure up and recheck later...68/50. **double sigh**. Hang some more fluids and recheck later **80/52** Get PA to look at her as something obviously isn't right (and no, Veronica, she was not tachycardic, pulse was in 70s, or have a fever). He does and agrees. Big, big workup, more work on my part, lots more work. Her WBC went from 12.4 (normal 4-10) at 6:30pm to 16.8 at 12:30am. Big jump for four hours considering we were already giving her antibiotics IV. Another thing which caught my attention was that she was soooo lethargic, I mean she couldn't stay awake long enough to finish a sentence. That's not right either. I think she must have been about to go into septic shock when I caught it because the other thing that led me to believe she might be headed there was when I placed the foley catheter she only put out about 200mls of urine when she had received 2000mls of fluid. Doesn't equal out. I really do think I kept her from crashing, even the PA said "thanks for keeping such a close eye on her". Lots of work later, got her settled into the ICU. BP was 104/66 by then. Must of cured her, lol.

Yep, sometimes it is definitely easier to be lazy.

Ciao! De ;)

Monday - And A Meme for Lyn

2008-10-27T17:24:00.004-07:00

1. Do you believe in seeing a rainbow after the rain? I love rainbows, they always seem to appear when I need to see them the most.

2. If you have a dream come true, what would it be? Health, happiness, no money problems, and world peace (yes I said that).

3. Do you believe in eternity love? Used to.

4. What feeling do you love most? Love and hugs from my kids.

5. What feeling do you hate the most? Helplessness.

6. Do you cherish every single friendship of yours? Yes!

7. Do you believe in God? Absolutely!

8. Who cares for you most? My family.

9. What do you think is the most important thing in your life? My family, especially my kids.

10. What emotion do you like to show? Happiness!

11. If you have something troubling you, what do you do? Get in what I call my "hermit mode" where I just hunker down and don't talk to anyone.

12. Who do you admire most? People who give up themselves for the good of others...thank you going out to our soldiers!

13. Who did you last chat with in a chat room? I don't ever do that.

14. What kind of person do you think the one we stole this meme from is? A meme lover.

15. What color did you use to dye your hair? Blonde and red mixed with my natural brown.

16. Why are you doing this meme? Because I just got pushed back two hours for work, so why not?

17. What do you do when you're moody? Try to get over it.

18. At which age do you wish to or did you, get married? I got married at 23 and at 32...and I'm never getting married again (right Betty?)!

19. If today is the last day of your life, what will you do? I'm going to steal Lyn's answers and say spend time with my family making memories.

20. Who is the person you trust the most? my Mom.

21. Last time you smiled? When I spoke with my son about 30minutes ago.

22. What are you listening to right now? Nothing.

23. Who was the last person you saw in your dream? I don't remember my dreams lately.

24. Are you talking to someone while doing this? Veronica.

25. Do you walk with your eyes open or closed? Eyes wide open..very wierd question.

26. Is there a quote you live by? I will not die an unlived life.

27. Do you want someone you cannot have? Does Johnny Depp count? ;)

28. Who always makes you laugh? My kids, family, friends, and some of the patients at work.

29. What was the worst idea you've had this week? Tell staffing to push a night shift person back to 9p if we are slow that way the 9a person will get more of their hours...they called 20minutes ago and pushed me back, lol.

30. Do you speak another language other than English? A minute amount of French left over from high school and what I call my "caveman" Spanish.

Now, wasn't that fun children?

Ciao! De ;)

Sunday - And It's Movie Review Time

2008-10-26T06:48:00.006-07:00

Well, yesterday the boy took me to see HS3, and having never seen the first two didn't really care whether I saw this one or not. The boy, however, was totally psyched, lol. I have to admit that I did enjoy the movie, all though it was just a tad cheesy (tell me you are not surprised). And, I have to admit, that Zac Efron is a total babe (about right now Hannah is puking, ha ha). Music is catchy, making you want to stand up, sing, and dance along. Acting is Disney level, but well done. Looking forward to seeing what these kids can do in other venues. My sister Kathryn tells me that Zac has been tapped for the next Pirates of the Caribbean and he has a movie coming out soon along the lines of the 13 going on 30, boy style. Recommendation: Go see it at the matinee price or wait for the DVD, unless you are a die hard fan that is.

Well for an update on my job situation, I did go for an interview at another hospital on Wednesday, placed an application at another, and told my Clinical Manager that I will need to know by Tuesday whether he is going to put me in the Clinical Coordinator position I have been doing all year except in pay only. Interview went very well as far as I could tell, lasted about 2 hours. Will need to call the other hospital I dropped the application off at as I haven't heard from this after a week. But I have to tell you something funny...apparently my Clinical Manager has been receiving heat from several different sources, because Friday afternoon he called me and asked if I was interested in the Clinical Coordinator position. I was like what? and asked him if we lived on the same planet. He said "I'm new at this so help me out here". Okay. Well of course I am why do you need to ask after our conversations I asked. "Because I'm offering you this position if you are still interested". Well yes I am, depending on what you can offer me financially I told him. So tomorrow morning we are sitting down and going over the pay and then I will make my decision. This isn't the best corporation to work for, but I have been with them for over three years and like the people I work with and would like to stay, especially since I enjoy my current responsibilities. So I'll let you know how it goes. As far as the other hospital is concerned, they promised to get back with me this week after my background check is complete, standard stuff.

Now for my support issues...went to the settlement conference on Tuesday but never went before the Judge because we came to some agreements. David came in all huffing and puffing and spouting off about how what we were doing was illegal and he doesn't owe me any money, etc and the mediator put him in his place "sir, I do realize you have come here with your own agenda, but we are not here for that...what we are here for is to discuss when you are going to pay this woman the money you are legally obligated to pay". Ohhhhh Snap! I loved it. Throughout the whole conference she kept him in line. End result...didn't get any money that day (darn it) but he will begin paying the ordered amount in Nov and begin catching me up on the arrearage with monthly payments, plus pay me back for court fees and service on this motion. Now he better do it because the mediator told him if we had to return on this issue then he would be sanctioned by the Court (yes!). So I just have to hold on a little bit longer, and I can do that.

Well while we were in this conference, David's daughter, Stephanie, went and filed his response to my divorce petition (darn it because he was almost up on time for another default). Do you know he said that there is only one issue between us and that is my arrest, and that we should go to counseling and get back together (for those of you who are knew to my blog, you can read up on this issue on my old AOL journal De's Lost Thoughts). The man is totally delusional and I told him so. I said that our marriage was irretrievably broken before my arrest and that there is not an ounce of hope for us to get back together, so let's move forward with our lives and work together to make sure Caleb is raised in healthy and emotionally stable environments. Jeez!

Okay, now there are three fun-filled days ahead as I have to work, so I wish you a good week. The boy and I are going to the early service this morning so I can take a nap before work.

Ciao! De ;)

Friday - And I'm Officially Mad

2008-10-17T19:55:00.002-07:00

Okay, so it’s Friday and I’m just sitting here all mad. Why? Well you see, this is the second time I have been put on call at work this week. Sunday, I voluntarily came off the schedule as there were too many and it benefited me to do so (no sitter). Monday night I was low censused home. Tuesday, I was put on call, but got called in before 7pm meaning no call pay. And tonight, I had arranged with the new clinical manager for him to work WITH me to see how night shift runs, but I got a call at 4:30 telling me he instructed staffing to put me on call and was working INSTEAD of me. So I am officially mad as hell!! The man is dumber than a box of rocks and states we are overstaffed on nights, but our numbers consistently support the staff we have. When it doesn’t, someone goes home early. But really, this is dangerous for an ER because you have to staff for what potentially could come in your door, not what actually does. At a certain point during the shift, when it is not a danger to do so, then we start sending people home early, usually no more than 2 hours early. Another thing is that you cannot have the nurse/patient ratio too high (Julia, Melissa support me here) because it could be a disaster just waiting to happen if you can’t take care of all of your patients and someone unintentionally gets ignored and gets sicker. No other hospital in the Valley staffs this way and I can’t believe this hospital gets away with it like it does.

Another thing I am furious about is that I just got my raise and it was only 75cents. I know, I know, the economy is horrible, but let me explain. I didn’t get a raise last year because I was four days late on a couple of our mandatory education units. Not one single person was ever told we wouldn’t get a raise, just be taken off the schedule if the education wasn’t complete, so imagine my surprise when I got a 95% evaluation at year end and no raise. This year, we got our raises early so the corporation could save money, 2.25% instead of 3%. But what really makes me mad is that in January I applied for an open position of Clinical Coordinator and was given the job, only to have it “frozen” by corporate before my raise could go through. So all year long I have not only been doing the charge position, but everything that goes along with the Clinical Coordinator position including attending hospital meetings, evaluations, etc. I was promised that my raise would reflect my dedication and hard work, and would be promoted Oct 1st, neither happened. Instead I was told I would have to re-apply for the Clinical Coordinator position and would be considered along with all other applicants. I told the Clinical Manger (he has only been at this hospital 2 months) I have never been more insulted and wouldn’t be staying if I was not recognized as already being in this position and my raise reflected accordingly. He said “you do what you have to do”. Okay I will!

So, Sunday night I applied for a position with another hospital group and have an interview on Wednesday. I haven’t left my current employer not because I feel like we have been treated fairly (our pay was reduced in April to “accurately reflect the current market value” and our overtime restricted and they got rid of bonuses for extra shifts – I am now making $7.50 LESS than when I moved to this state), and not because I like who I work for, but who I work with, but it’s time to move on. I am on schedule for tomorrow and I had better NOT get put on call. As it is I won’t be able to pay all my bills after payday next Friday so I will have to choose what I will have to push off and pay late.

This job situation is made worse by the fact that my soon-to-ex is STILL not paying me the child/spousal support he is Court ordered to do. My case with the DES is finally opened and I have a hearing on my motion to enforce the support on Tuesday, but I’m sure not to get any money. Ugh!

Money, or the lack of it…what a horrible subject for a blog entry. Oh well…wish me luck and have a good weekend!!

De ;)

Thursday - And the Face of Socialism

2008-10-16T01:11:00.003-07:00

I know that everyone has their own political beliefs, but this ought to scare you. Obama wants to take your hard earned money, tax you more if you have worked hard and are at a place in your life where you make more, and "spread the wealth". This is about as close to the definition of socialism as you are going to get from the man who wants to be your next President.

Ciao! De ;)

Friday - And settling into the new spot

2008-10-10T22:24:00.005-07:00

Hey all, looks like we are all getting used to this new “spot”. I have been a little conflicted on whether or not to stay here in my new home or continue where I left off on my AOL journal, which I was able to get transferred the other day. I already had this journal set up prior to AOL dissing their journals, and I think I’m just gonna stay here. Time for something new all the way around, don’t you agree? There are definitely some fun options, like the music. But tell me, honestly, do you like it, or does it bug you to hear music when you click on my journal? I have it set to shuffle so you shouldn't hear the same thing every time you get on.

So how’s it in your neck of the woods with the economy taking a nose dive? I keep saying there is no recession in health care because people just don’t stop getting sick because there is not as much money these days, but really, there is. What do you think happens when people don’t have much money? Do you think “I will just pay off that hospital/doctor/dentist bill?” No heck, they think just the opposite so we are definitely feeling the pinch at work. It started in April when they took aware our bonuses for extra shifts, then they decreased our pay (a market adjustment they called it), then they are severely limiting our overtime by migrating employees over from the other sister hospitals and canceling us (grrrr). Another thing our corporation did was combine two hospitals calling it “one hospital on two different campuses). The biggest noticeable effect is administration and management is slowly but surely being combined, and not only between the two, but now to include the third. The only part of that I’m really worried about is the staffing, which is being switched to the third hospital. Will I be called off a bunch and if I am how the frick and I going to pay my bills? Egads! I know that as a nurse I shouldn't’t have to worry about job security, but I am about to have an MI! Do you know I am making $7 LESS an hour than when I moved to this state almost 4 years ago? Hey Melissa, I’m curious how it is in Kentucky. Do you see some budget crunches at your hospital. And Betty, what about Jim, is he seeing cutbacks where he works as well?

Now onto a lighter note, I found this over at Lyn’s and decided to play along…

A blast from the past...one of my old school surveys...
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? Girl you are F-A-T!
2. How much cash do you have on you? $20.00
3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? Ummmmm...bore
4. Favorite planet? I have to agree with Lyn and say Pluto because it is just a little wanna-be according to the new mind-set, but I still love it.
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? “restricted”
6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? “So What” by Pink. Perfect for my current situation.
7. What shirt are you wearing? A raggedy old navy tshirt
8. Do you label yourself? Determined.
9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? I’m barefoot.
10. Bright or Dark Room? Dark is always better, muahahaha!
11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? I think she is a hoot.
12. What does your watch look like? Gold/platinum.
13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Awake rearranging my closet (yes, I have no life)
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? Miss you cmb.
15. Where is your nearest 7-11? Can hardly find one around here, mostly in Phoenix proper.
16. What’s a word that you say a lot? Jeez
17. Who told you he/she loved you last? My wonderful son.
18. Last furry thing you touched? Ummmm, I try to avoid furry things, lol.
19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? Just the same ole boring otc and rx ones. I think I get plenty of highs from just being at work and taking care of my patients thank you.
20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? Two.
21. Favorite age you have been so far? I would have to say 29 (and all who know me well should get a pretty big laugh out of that answer).
22. Your worst enemy? Easy to say...myself.
23. What is your current desktop picture? Thunderclouds with the bible verse “I am with you always” Matthew 28:20. Kinds reflects where my life is right now and keeps me grounded when I despair.
24. What was the last thing you said to someone? “Oh you scared me!” to my son.
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? Well this won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me, especially Betty….A million bucks any day over flying!!!
26. Do you like someone? As in just “like”? I like a lot of people. As in “crush”, just my Hollywood fantasies and thank you that is where it needs to stay. Boy’s are stupid.
27. The last song you listened to? “Release Me” Wilson Phillips
28. What time of day were you born? Ummmm I think after 10pm on a Sunday
29. What’s your favorite number? 7
30. Where did you live in 1997? Midwest City, OK. I was single and just starting to date David…can I go back and change time…no never mind I wouldn’t have Caleb.
31. Are you jealous of anyone? No…
32. Is anyone jealous of you? Of course, isn’t everyone?
33. Where were you when 9/11 happened? Taking Hannah to school.
34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Cuss and hit them.
35. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes, for the most part.
36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? Well, I already have about five, and there is one I REALLY want to rework. NEVER do names guys!
37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? Spanish, and only because it would benefit me at work.
38. Would you move for the person you loved? I already did and now I’m stuck in Phoenix with my family 1100 miles away from my family
39. Are you touchy feely? Not at all
40. What’s your life motto? I’m never getting married again!
41. Name three things that you have on you at all times? My cell phone so my peeps can get hold of me, no really, so my kids can, lol.
42. What’s your favourite town/city? Ooo that is a hard one, I really don’t know. I do love Fort Worth.
43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? Dinner at work.
44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? Hmmm, does a Court motion count?
45. Can you change the oil on a car? Nope.
46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her? Jeesh, I have absolutely no clue, ha ha
47. How far back do you know about your ancestry? To Europe.
48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy? Ummmmm, that’s sad.
49. Does anything hurt on your body right now? Yeah, my freakin back. I’ve got to lose weight.
50. Have you been burned by love? I have to agree with Lyn and say “yes and there is no pain like it in the world”. Living it right now.

Okay that was painful, lol. Play along why don’t ya!

Ciao! De ;)

Wednesday - And The Top 10 Things I Notice When the Kids Are Not Here

2008-10-08T23:12:00.007-07:00

10. It is terribly quite here, but I can listen to whatever music I like;
9. Quite can get boring after a bit, even with the TV going;
8. When I get up no one is there to laugh at my "sticking up hair".
7. There is no one to threaten to kill if they don't get along;
6. No one is hogging the computer or phone day and night;
5. There is no one to blame when the ice cream or chips are all eaten except me;
4. There is no one here to just walk with me while I take out the trash, or check the mail, or run to the store;
3. The house is still a mess;
2. I can save money on groceries, electricity, etc but it is a poor substitute for missing your kids; and the number one thing I notice when the kids are gone is...
1. Nobody wakes me up "just to say I love you Mom"

Ciao! De ;)

Sunday - And It's Movie Review Time

2008-10-05T16:55:00.004-07:00

Caleb took me to see Igor yesterday. It was actually cuter than I thought it was going to be. Had both adult (snuck in) and kiddie humor. The blind orphans singing "I can see clearly now" was hilarious!!! We went to the matinee. Even though it was cute, save your money for the DVD.

Caleb also took me to his school carnival on Friday night, a yearly event that "we have been waiting for all year, right Mom?" Sure, dear, lol. It was better than the previous two years as a cool front rolled through and it wasn't sweltering. Nice comfortable 80s. More "rides" such as bouncers and rock climbing. Games were good too. Caleb met up with some friends and had a ball. Great event that raises money for PTO. I have to admit, this school is excellent at raising money, and you can clearly see where it is spent.

Another thing about Caleb's school is their lunch time. I have to admit that last week was the first time I went to lunch with him in the three years he has been at the school. I was more thank just a little bit surprised when he was able to sit wherever he wanted, with whomever he wanted, and talk as much as he wanted. What a difference from when Hannah was in grade school sitting boy/girl/boy/girl and not allowed to talk during lunch. I was so impressed that I made a point of telling the school office. They just looked looked at me and said "well that's their social time". Exactly! Something I pointed out repeatedly to Hannah's school. No wonder those kids acted out more in class.

Well, I'm off to get ready for work. Three in a row. Yea! Have a great few days.

Ciao! DE ;)

Thursday - And A New Beginning

2008-10-02T21:21:00.004-07:00

Hello....welcome to my new home. Sit down, take your shoes off, stay for awhile. Let's pick up here where we left off...
Ciao! De ;)

Adversity And The Jesus Painting

2007-07-02T00:32:00.003-07:00

Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.~~Lou Holtz

In case you didn't notice, I've been absent of late. A habit I have developed when things get stressful. I don't answer the phone or emails, and I obviously don't write very much online. I also tend to retreat in other ways...I tend to retreat from God, when it is Him that I should turn to most.

I know there are plenty of my J-land friends who are having stressful times as well (I don't want to name names and leave anyone out). Stress just seems to be all around us, sometimes surrounding us with a suffocating blanket. Well, I got this video from a dear friend in my email group and I felt the urge to share. So to all those who are going through difficult times right now, this is for you. I hope it lifts you up as it does me.

Ciao! De ;)

Sunday Seven - Episode 93

2007-06-10T23:26:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend with my parents and we ended up going to a Chinese restaurant for dinner today. I actually behaved myself as far as the diet was concerned, and tried to eat as many vegetables as I could instead of fried meats. (There were still some fried foods, of course: I’m not that strong, you know!) But that got me thinking about this week’s question.But first, Otowi of "Otowi" was first to play last week’s questions about fears. Congratulations!On to this week's question!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:Name seven favorite items on a Chinese buffet.

1. Hot and Sour Soup
2. Fried Rice
3. Kung Pow Chicken
4. Orange Chicken
5. Pepper Steak
6. Egg Rolls
7. Fried Rolls dipped in Sugar

Saturday Six - Episode 165

2007-06-10T01:21:00.000-07:00

It’s official: summer hasn’t started, yet, and I’m already ready for fall and the accompanying cooler temperatures. It’s 96º outside, so I’m happy to be indoors with air conditioning to ask another set of questions.But first, a quick tip of the hat to Jaibhagwan of "Life is a Force of Nature," who was first to play last week. Congratulations!

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. What do you consider more important to your long-term happiness: your relationships, your location, your career or your dreams? Relationships.

2. Other than a significant other, how many people do you feel you can truly turn to for advice? 2-3.

3. Of the people you think know you best, how surprised would you think they would be if they knew “everything” there is to know about you? Oh, pretty darn surprised.

4. Take the quiz: Are you living the wrong life?

Your Life is 28% Off Track

In general, your life is going very well.
You're quite happy with where you are and what you're doing.
And even if you get a bit off course, you're usually able to get back on track easily.

Are You Living The Wrong Life?

5. What is the longest you’ve stayed in a job you weren’t happy in? 1 year.

6. What single factor made you stay the most? I was moving in 6months and knew it would be hard to get a job for that short period of time.

Taking the First Step

2007-05-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

The two things I did learn were that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and that the most difficult part of any endeavor is taking the first step, making the first decision.~~Robyn Davidson

I've been doing some thinking...it costs a lot to live in Phoenix. I mean really a lot. Oh I know that there are more expensive places to live, like say, California, but Phoenix is really expensive. And it's really hot in the summer (no duh it's a desert). So I've been making a mental checklist:

1. House: 3x the amount of Oklahoma

2. Electricity: 3x the amount of Oklahoma

3. Water/Gas: 10x the amount of Oklahoma

4. Salary: Mine is 1.6x and David's is 1.2x the amount of Oklahoma

...see the trend? We have to work more just to live here. And no, I do NOT want to move back to Oklahoma, lol. But I am thinking maybe a less expensive market back closer to family in Texas and Oklahoma might be a good idea.

What is the first step? Look into the job market in an area we might be interested in living. I've got my eye out on a few areas and you can get much more for your money there. And let's face it, there are always health care jobs.

Second step? Okay well we just bought a house last May so we have to see if it has appreciated in value so we won't lose money if we sell. Homes in Phoenix went through a boom about the time we moved out here 2 years ago and the market seems to be correcting itself. But have we lost money or made money by buying this house? Enter appraiser...made money. House is worth $50K more this year than last in "as-is" shape. So more if we continue our home improvement projects in the works or planned.

Third step is to decrease bills. Down size. One example is I bought a 2003 BMW X5 in November. Sell it and get a less expensive vehicle. Start chunking down extra on the hubby's truck and get it paid off in 6months instead of 12months. Etc.

As much as I love our home and the awesome view from my back porch (sigh), I think we need to make a change. The move will get us into a more affordable living area and closer to family.

Okay...now we just need to get working and get going. Wish us luck!

Ciao! De ;)

Be A Miracle in Someone Else's Life

2007-05-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

Instead of looking for a miracle in your life,
look to see if you are the miracle in someone else's life. ~~Nola Rohde Vollmer

Oh jeez, can you tell my mood. I know we can't all be the "miracle in someone else's life", and I probably get more chances than most considering I'm an ER nurse, but sometimes I just get plain tired of trying to make a difference. And I really, really hate being scammed. Like the other night my patient right up front asked me to get her some Valium for her back pain because that is "the only thing that works". First off, I'm not the doc, NP, PA, or whoever, and all I do is follow their orders, not the patient's requests. So when I went into the room to give this lady a pain pill she was like "where is my Valium?". I told her the PA didn't prescribe her one and to take the pain pill and we would see how she feels later. I could already tell where this one was going. So, over the course of the next 45 minutes her friend came up to the desk repeatedly requesting Valium for her friend. I very firmly each time told her I would be in the room in a little bit (and I was three more times). When I went into the room to discharge the patient she became very irate and started screaming at me that I was a horrible nurse, that I had no bedside manner, that I was "trapping her in the bed" when I tried to take her blood pressure and demanded that I "get the charge nurse". I really, really, really hate it when patients think they can get what they want by demanding a supervisor. Thank goodness the charge nurse that night stuck up for me and even stated he was standing by the PA when he handed me the chart and said that he was not going to prescribe the patient any Valium. So the patient left all in a huff and trying to act like she was going to throw up because she was so upset and needed her Valium. As she passed by me she said "You are mean!" That got everyone laughing, but it really wasn't funny because I mean, jeez, this isn't why I got into nursing. KWIM?

Ciao! De;)

The Sunday Seven - Episode 90

2007-05-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

When your question writer is on a diet, food is just going to pop up as a topic from time to time. This week, we’re going to belly up to the salad bar.

But first, Wil of "The Daily Snooze" was first to play last week. Congratulations, Wil. (And thanks to Liz for pointing out the adjusted release date for Apple’s Leopard upgrade.)

On to this week's question!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven ingredients you can’t resist at one of those Super Duper Mega Salad Bars.

Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

1. Lettuce and/or Spinach
2. Sunflower seeds
3. Bell Peppers
4. Green Olives
5. Jalapenos
6. Boiled Egg
7. Cheese

It's Sunday

2007-05-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

So how ya been? A whole week gone again! What the heck is going on? Oh yeah, me working, lol. Well dumb me picked up an extra day on Saturday making it 4 days last week. Stupid because by the end of the shift I was so worn out I got a fever blister and gave up my shift for Monday night. It's only money, right?

How was everyone's Mother's Day? Pretty good here with the only thing missing being Hannah (first time apart on Mother's Day). I told Mr Caleb to wake me up at 3pm so he could take me to Spiderman 3 for my Mother's Day gift, but (and can you believe this) he forgot. David woke me up at 5pm and said, "What time did you want to get up today?" School night so we went to see Spidy this evening. It was pretty good, but I think I agree with the critics in that 3 villains were a bit much. If you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil it for you, but I can tell you I liked the Peter Parker who wore the black suit to the degree he had more self-confidence and stood up for himself (not Spidy) more. Not as much a nerd. But then the "blackness" did consume him to a degree. Okay, enough because I did just promise not to spoil it for you didn't I? My bad. But that does lead me to the thought for the day...

Thought for the Day: Take time to accept responsibility. Your life is exactly that - It's your life. It is created by you. You are constantly making choices, constantly creating new experiences. And although we can be affected by circumstances which can seem to be completely out of our control. Essentially, we decide the direction in which we walk. ~~Nicholas Watkins

From Patrick:

You Are a Black and White Cookie

You're often conflicted in life, and you feel pulled in two opposite directions.
When you're good, you're sweet as sugar. And when you're bad, you're wicked!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

The Numa Numa Song

2007-04-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

The Real Me?

2007-03-31T01:29:00.000-07:00

Found over at Patrick's....

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait..
With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

Sunday Seven - Episode 82

2007-03-26T00:23:00.000-07:00

I've been on this MUSC weight loss program. At a recent weekly session, one of the behavioral experts suggested that I should come up with some rewards for myself for meeting certain goals or for maintaining healthy behavior for certain lengths of time. As I mentioned over at Patrick's Place, they weren't all that amused when I suggested that I'd like to set a meal at Outback as one of my possible rewards. So that got me thinking about this week's question, particularly considering that I have to have a list of suggested rewards as a "homework" assignment for tomorrow's session.But first, kudos goes to Allison of "We're all mad here," said the Cheshire Cat to Alice because she was first to play last week! Time to play!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:Suppose you're on a weight loss program and you're urged to come up with "rewards" for yourself for sticking to the program. Name up to seven rewards, that can't be related to food, that you would set for yourself.

1. Buy a new outfit.
2. Treat yourself to a day spa
3. Get your hair done
4. Go to a movie you've been wanting see
5. Buy a new book, DVD or CD
6. Hire a maid for the day; and last but not least...
7. Take a new picture of yourself and post it on the fridge for all to see.

Saturday Six - Episode 154

2007-03-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks from now, there will be a special edition of the Saturday Six to commemorate the start of its fourth year in the blogosphere. Who would have thought? I hope you all had a great workweek, and I hope you'll have an even better (and more restful) weekend!

Last week, Travis of "Tilting at Pinwheels" was first to play. If I'm not mistaken, this is Travis's first time to play at all, so it was quite an accomplishment to be the first of the week to play. Congratulations, Travis!

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. What is your favorite kind of museum? I would have to say science.

2. How long has it been since you walked through a museum? Ummmm...probably since we moved from Oklahoma City at the Kirkpatrick. Does walking through an artist's gallery in Sedona count?

3. When you enter an art museum, what type of art do you generally visit first? Oh heck, I don't know. I like Van Gough, Renoir, Monet, etc

4. Take the quiz: What Famous Work of Art Are You?

You Are Best Described By...

Impression, Sunrise
By Claude Monet

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

5. Judging your own personality, how well do you think the quiz's result matches you? Wow..I'd say perfectly.

6. If you could own any famous piece of artwork for your own, which one would you choose? I really like Monet's "Bridge at Giverny".

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

2007-03-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Just a little tease...

I'm A Horrible Sister, But I Think I've Been Redeemed

2007-03-14T03:27:00.000-07:00

This entry is dedicated to my sister, Kathryn. I've told you before that she has to have major surgery, and Tuesday morning was the day. And I forgot to call her. Can you believe that? I was concentrating so much on doing something for the kids cause I had been sick and it's Spring Break and all, that I forgot to call my own sister the night before she has major surgery. And I'm not even there. What kind of horrible sister is that?

Actually, truth be told, I didn't totally forget. I remembered at 9:30pm MST and it was 11:30pm CDT (damn daylight saving time). Kathryn is a early sleeper, always has been ever since she was born. "Grandma" I call her. Can't be up much past 9:30pm or 10:00pm. Me? I can stay up until the sun rises, which is why I work the night shift I suppose. So, I didn't call. I was really upset until David said, "You know you'll be up when she has to be at the hospital. Call her then." Okay. Right. 2hours ahead now. I'll call her at 3:00 or 3:30am. Thank you Lord for the time change, but I think I would be up anyways.

So fast forward and I did actually get a chance to speak to my sister, Kathryn, before her surgery. Poor thing, she was so nervous she could hardly concentrate and got off the phone pretty quickly. I told her to ask for Valium and Versed. One to help her relax, and the other to help her forget. Sounded like a great cocktail to me!

I woke up and spoke to my Mom around 9:45am (11:45CST) and was getting text messages before that. Kathryn's surgery went very, very well. The initial results of the pathology was that it is a benign endometrial tumor as suspected, but they will be doing more tests to rule out any malignant areas. But as far as worst case scenerios they were giving Kathryn, she had maximum results with minimal complications. So, all in all, a very good outcome. I was up a while after I talked to my Mom and sent Kathryn some flowers, a Teddy bear, and a balloon. I talked to Mom later on said the gifts got there and the flowers were beautiful. Mom also said Kathryn just held out her arms for the Teddy bear and wouldn't let it go, lol. So I guess I've been redeemed! I don't quite know how long Kathryn will be in the hospital, but she will have her "Angel of Health" waiting for her when she gets there.

So, now that I know that Kathryn is all settled in, the family headed off to the outlet mall for a little shopping. We all needed shoes, and shoes we all got. Even miss picky Hannah found what she was looking for, the exact pair of Converse.

With shopping done for the evening, we tooled around the house and will be heading out of town later on for a couple of day of R&R as it is Spring Break here. What I absolutely love about living in Arizona is that we don't have to venture very far for a different scenery and climate. So, I guess I'll pack it up here and catch up with you guys later and let you know how our little escape went. In the meantime...

Ciao, De ;)

Sunday Seven - Episode 80

2007-03-12T02:09:00.000-07:00

I've made this invitation before, but never quite like this! In a few weeks, you'll see the reason I'm asking. So get ready to put on your meme-writer hats!But first, though Jude of My Way was first to play last week! Congratulations, Jude!On to this week's question!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:Name seven questions you would ask if you were writing an upcoming edition of the Saturday Six. Don't answer the questions: just leave the questions themselves.

1. Do you consider yourself political?

2. Do you only vote in the Presidential election, or try to vote in every election you can including state and municipal issues?

3. How do you feel about the candidates who have declared themselves so far for the 2008 election?

4. Do you think we could ever have a woman or African-American as President?

5. Do you vote according to your party lines, or for who or what you consider the best candidate or decision?

6. Take this quiz: Politics Test...

7. How surprised were you by your result?

Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment on Patrick's Weekender. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

Saturday Six - Episode 152

2007-03-11T02:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry for posting these later than usual...I was tied up all day on a project and had to upgrade some software to boot. It was a crazy day...which helped inspire the theme of this week's set of questions.Last week, it was Donna of "Just Me" who was the first one to post the link to her post in which she answered the questions, so she was last week's "first to play." Donna also managed to beat Nichole of "My Two Cents," who was in line to break the all-time record and become first to be "first to play" for four weeks running! Donna's already 25% of the way to setting the record herself: will she do it?

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. What's the craziest thing you can imagine yourself actually doing? Flying. I hate flying.

2. What sport or pastime do you think someone would almost have to be crazy to attempt? Bungie jumping or sky diving.

3. How likely would you be to do that? No way in hell!

4. Take the quiz: How insane are you?

How insane are you

20% insane

you are completely normal

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

5. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most stupid, how stupid would you rate that quiz? 9.5

6. What do you really use your computer for? Email, blogging, banking, projects, and looking up everything known to man.

The Blob - and no I'm not Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

2007-03-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

Well I do feel as though I might be a total blob today. Get on the scale, yep, that confirms it, lol. Seriously though, I really haven't done too much. I did get off early as anticipated last night and was home by 11:45pm. Lindsi and I chatted for a bit and then I parked my big ole fat but in my chair and read emails, journals, and basically perused the internet. Up to no good, I was. The only consolation was that I was relatively busy while I was at work so at least I wasn't totally worthless.

I did get my feelings hurt when I went to work last night and everyone was dressed in black except me. I said "oh well I guess I missed the 'wear black scrubs memo'". Only one person said anything like "I'll put you in my cell phone so you know the next time we do this". I was like "whatever. Now I know I'm really not in the little group." I tried to blow it off cause I've been working with these people for over a year. In the end, I had to let it go. But it still hurt my feelings even though it was petty.

I ended up staying up all night after I got home and getting the boy to school. Caleb was all excited I was home. I had told him I was going to be but I guess he didn't believe it until this morning. He talked nonstop after getting out of the shower. Sweetheart. David got home shortly after I got Caleb off to school, we chatted, ate breakfast and then I went to bed. I slept so good for a change. I guess I was really tired from only sleeping 4 1/2 hours the day before.

Okay, trying to diet again. Started Sunday. Weight on Sunday 121.4. Today 120.0. We'll see how successful I am this time. It seems that i will lose a few pounds and then go right back to it. Ugh. I hate getting old.

My friend J is feeling better from her face lift. I think I might check that one out. David said that medical expenses were tax deductible. I think I would be willing to help maximize our deductions for 2007. Oh, I'm just dreaming. I'd get a butt-ectomy before I'd do a face lift. Now if my butt looked like Jessica Biel or J Lo I wouldn't mind, but unfortunately...well I won't be descriptive so as not to make you have nightmares, lol. Just know that I have been asked "what is a white girl like you doing with a ghetto booty?" Nuff said.

I do work today and Thursday. Hope everyone is doing okay. Have a great day!

De ;)

Finish The Sentence

2007-03-05T01:34:00.000-07:00

Found over at Dawn's:

1. Once, when I...younger, I used to believe I was adopted because none of my brother and sisters have brown hair except me.

2. Lately, it seems that...you can't tell the difference between Wednesday and Friday nights in the ER anymore.

3. I can't stomach another...story about Anna Nicole Smith. Let her rest in peace, already!

4. Here's something you never knew about me...I not only have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, I have a Bachelor's in business as well. And that's because I talked myself out of going to med school.

5. I am so ready for...Hannah to be home again!

6. If you put together...Diet Dr Pepper and Chocolate I'd never want for anything again. Thank goodness you can't, lol, cause instead of needing to lose 20pounds it might be 50!

7. My plans for the week include...working 2 1/4 shifts, housework, hanging out with the boy and his Dad, and picking up Hannah at the airport.

Sunday Seven - Episode 79

2007-03-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

When we were kids, we all loved the zoo. Nowadays, unless you have kids, it has probably been a while since you've visited, so this week's question might tap your memories.But first, though Lissette of Crafty Girly was first to play last week! Congratulations, Lissette!On to this week's question!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:Name your seven favorite animals to see at the zoo. Either answer the question in a comment or answer it in your journal and include the link in a comment. (To be considered "first to play," a link must be to the specific entry in which you answered the question.)

1. Panda - seen for the first time this year at the San Diego Zoo
2. The Big Cats - lions, tigers, etc.
3. Penguins
4. Elephants
5. Giraffes
6. Zebras
7. Little Monkeys

Saturday Six - Episode 151

2007-03-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Tax time is coming sooner than we think. The good news is that because the dreaded 15th of April lands on a weekend, we'll have until the 17th to file. The bad news is that we still have to file. But money may already be on your mind, and I thought now would be the perfect time to ask some questions on the subject!

Last week, it was Nichole of "My Two Cents" made it a three-peat, becoming the first to play last week for the three consecutive weeks in a row! Is this the week that she breaks the all-time record and becomes the first to be "first to play" for four weeks running? Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. How often do you clip coupons from the newspaper or mail inserts? Ummmm, next to never.

2. You buy something that contains a mail-in rebate: how likely are you to take the time to fill out and mail the application (with appropriate receipts) to actually get the rebate mailed to you? Usually will since they are worth more than a few cents. Makes it more worth my while.

3. How many credit cards do you have right now that have a zero balance? 3 out of 4. 4th one only has about $50 on it.

4. Take the quiz: Are you good with money?

You Are Okay With Money

You're about average with money, which means you probably don't have a lot of it.
Your instincts tell you to stay out of debt and spend wisely...
But you don't always listen to your instincts!
With a little more effort, you could have a nice little nest egg. You just have to control your spending.

Are You Good With Money?

5. What is the most expensive thing you purchased in the last week? Oy, a birthday present for the boy, he will be turning 7 this month.

6. On a scale of one to ten, with ten meaning that it was something you needed badly and urgently, how much did you really need this particular item? Well, the boy needs it more than me, so he'd give it a 10 I'm sure.

A New Version of Sexyback

2007-03-03T23:22:00.000-07:00

This is dedicated to my dear sister, Kathryn, as she prepares for surgery in one week. Take this image with you and may it inspire you to get well, really, really quick and give you something to smile about while under anesthesia!

Add to My Profile More Videos

47 Things About My Hubby

2007-03-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been up for 23 hours and 29 minutes...but whose counting? David worked last night as planned. I've been up since 2:00pm yesterday and wasn't planning on working when I got a phone call about 7:30pm begging me to come in as they were two nurses short. And since I was feeling in a charitable mood, I did. Why not? Extra moolah. Okay so now it might not seem like a wise idea right? Hubby is sleeping. He'll get up in a little bit and let me have my turn so Caleb won't be up all by himself all day. But in the meantime I've been reading journals and I came across this entry by Dawn over at Carpe Diem called "42 Things About Hubby" (see her sidebar) and decided to give it a whirl...so here goes nothing:
47 Things about my Hubby (one for each year)...

1. He is the oldest child of 4.
2. He is the smartest person I know.
3. He is the one person I would want to be trying to save my life if I were dying.
4. He can be stubborn, but will still to listen to your point of view.
5. He may not always agree with me but will always defend me fiercely to others.
6. He will go completely out of his way to buy me a cup of coffee.
7. He will try and spend way too much money on me if I let him.
8. He spoils “The Boy” horribly, but loves him even more.
9. He wishes Hannah were his daughter, and treats her as if she was.
10. He often dreams of his three oldest children all coming around again.
11. He still cries about his baby that died 24 years ago, as if it were today.
12. He has had more tragedy in his life than most people have in a lifetime.
13. He would give you the shirt off his back if you asked, but don’t steal it.
14. He believes that every ounce of respect is earned, not given.
15. He strongly believes that you should treat others as you want to be treated in turn.
16. He moved out & supported himself when he was 16, and had a 4.0.
17. He graduated high school when he was 17 and started his own company.
18. He broke his back when he was 23 and was told he would never walk again.
19. He is walking today because “I did everything the doctors told me not to do”
20. He idolized his Uncle Jack and dreamed of becoming a doctor like him.
21. Breaking his back is what got him back into school and eventually med school.
22. He started smoking when he was 13, and quit when he was 24.
23. It took him a whole year to quit smoking.
24. He played football in college at Oklahoma State University for Jimmy Johnson.
25. He played semi-pro arena football for the Oklahoma Wranglers while in med school.
26. He was on the high school wrestling team.
27. He has two black belts, one in Aikido, and the other in Tae Kwon Do.
28. He ran both the New York and the Los Angeles Marathons in one year.
29. He has won many triathlons for his age group over the years.
30. He did the “Hotter Than Hell” Triathlon and lived to tell about it.
31. He is always reading self-motivation and improvement books.
32. He will watch HGTV and American Idol with me and actually enjoy it, I think.
33. He is an avid hockey fan and loves to play it more than watching it.
34. He is extremely romantic, which makes up for me not being so.
35. He doesn’t rag me about being on the computer all day.
36. He doesn’t mind that I am not the best housewife or cook.
37. He’d rather hang out with Caleb than sleep.
38. He loves my BMW more than I do.
39. He really wants a Hummer even more.
40. He is a total “guy” when it comes to his music.
41. He doesn’t mind that I want to work when he thinks I don’t need to.
42. He sings very well.
43. He is a very talented artist and has sold his work.
44. He always talks about reading the “The Big Honey Hunt” to his children.
45. He loves dessert.
46. He loves Caleb, Hannah, Lauren, Stephanie, and DJ.
47. And, most of all, he loves me and tells me so everyday…and means it.

I do believe I'm going to get some sleep. Have a great Saturday!

De ;)

I'm Going Home

2007-03-02T00:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! What is going on?! I know I haven't been on lately, but I was pooped after working Sunday and Monday, and then having to be up past 1:00pm on Tuesday. I had a doctor's appt on Tuesday morning after work, then I zoomed over to Caleb's school and volunteered for their Triathlon event. I am glad I got to help with the triathlon, even though I was pretty tired by that point. I was in the "reading" part. Caleb walked by me and I had to shout his name about 3 times. Once he knew I was there, he ran and got a book. We read together and he stayed right by me as long as he could. It was kewl. I took a 2 hour nap, got up and picked up Caleb from school and stayed up.

On Wednesday I just hung out around the house, sleeping in and taking naps, playing catch up.

Today I've just done stuff around the house and cooked dinner (I heard the collective gasp from you guys!) I cooked Lemon & Herb Tomato Chicken over pasta, with potatoes, zucchini, and squash, and some green beans & corn for the boy. It was really easy and good. Another Dream Dinners meal.

Well, I think I'm off to catch up on American Idol and see who got voted off tonight. Anyone else watching this season? Oh and hey, did you notice that the "kicked off" song this season is none other than American Idol's own Daughtry singing "Home"?

De ;)

How To Save A Life

2007-02-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm going to try something different. I'm going to post both here in my blogspot and my AOL journal. Read and comment where-ever you want. :)

Well, to get started, let me say that work last night was just a thinly disguised chaos (I am an RN and have worked in the ER for 11 years in case you don't know anything about me). I get there and see my assignment, which included the "code room". We don't keep this room occupied all the time and try to save it for critical patients only. And that's exactly what I happened to inherit last night. Mr 43 found down by his roommate, who initiates CPR after calling 911. EMS arrives, intubates, and begins ACLS (advanced cardiac life support - drugs & shocking). Mr 43, it seems, had been indulging in a massive amount of drugs. Positive for marijuana, benzodiazapenes (valium, ativan, etc), and opiates (heroin, pain pills, etc). Most probable scenario would include respiratory suppression followed quickly by cardiac arrest. No pulse or respirations when EMS arrived. Was a PEA (pulseless electrical activity - means electrical activity put out by the heart w/o contractability, otherwise no heartbeat) on the monitor at the scene, same when he arrived at the hospital. Pupils fixed and dialated. No neuro response at all to deep painful stimuli.

Okay, here is where the story gets a little more interesting. Mr. 43 was found by his roommate after seeing him "just fine" before getting in the shower, and not breathing 10 minutes later when he got out and started CPR immediately. Okay. How many of you have seen anyone walk by someone, get in the shower, bath, get out and dressed, check on someone, and initiate CPR in 10 minutes, male or not? I found that hard to believe. It was probably more like 20 minutes. Add another 10 minutes or so for EMS to arrive, intubate and begin ACLS. Then add transport time to the hospital and another 30 minutes of code activity to obtain a sustainable rhythm. Are you keeping score? Looks like at the least 1 hour of minimal-moderate cardiac perfusion activity. Ending result? Massive cerebral edema (brain swelling caused by drug overdose and hypoxia - no oxygen), no spontanous breaths (so total ventilator assisted), cardiac output by drugs only. Basically...dead.

When I arrived at 7pm last night, Mr 43 was just returning from CT Scan. I hurried into the room and helped get him re-situated, i.e., placed back on the monitor, vent reconnected, etc. I come back out and go to the day nurse "Okay...tell me about the other rooms" because I not only had the code room, but another three additional rooms. Here is where my night went bad right away because I can't handle a 1:1 patient and be expected to have any free time to take care of 3 other patients! I said as much to the charge nurse, too, but what could she do? Every other nurse there had 4 patients. Could I expect them to have 5 apiece? Neither situation was safe. So what happened? My patients waited anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours to receive much needed medication. Thank the good Lord they were all stable because if not...never mind, I don't want to think about it. Oh sure, if something bad had happened I could argue in Court that the charge nurse should have made sure my other patients were being taken care of while I had my critical 1:1 patient, and I'm pretty positive that I would be exhaunerated, but I really don't ever want to face that situation.

Okay, this is what I'm going to do. I got name stickers from each of the patients I had at the beginning of the shift and wrote down what was wrong with them and how long it took me to get to them from the time the orders were written until I completed the task. Now I'm going to write a very long letter to our Nursing Director and Medical Director and explain the situation and the hospitals legal liability, along with making suggestions on how to fix the problem. I can only hope this catches someone's attention and changes be made accordingly.

So, because I had to start my shift drowning, I was so far behind on my charting by the end of my shift that I didn't clock out until 8:54am, a full two hours after my shift ended. That sucked! I didn't get home until after 9:30am and I was so worked up I couldn't go to sleep until 11:30am. Add that to the fact that I couldn't sleep past 1:00pm yesterday, and I wasn't 100% at my game because of getting over my tummy virus, and I was pooped! Up side? I slept like a log!

I do work again Sunday and Monday night, so here's hoping for calmer nights. Oh shucks! I probably just jinxed myself, lol.

Hope your Friday and Saturday were spent with family and friends. Catch up with you later! De ;)

Extra Food For Thought:

Saturday Six - Episode 150

2007-02-24T22:43:00.001-07:00

How do you rate? It's a simple question, really. But then again maybe it isn't. We'll soon find out!

Last week, it was Nichole of "My Two Cents" was first to play last week for the second week in a row and who, like me, ranked as "Bob Barker" in the game show host quiz. Congratulations again, Nichole.

1. Rating them on a scale of one to ten, which of the following aspects of your life would you think rates the highest: mind, body or spirit? Spirit.

2. Rating them on a scale of one to ten, which of the following aspects of your life would you think rates the lowest: friends/family, love or finance? Finance.

3. Considering all six categories, which do you think would rank closest to the middle, a "5"? Body.

4. Take the quiz: How does your life rate?

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	7.5
Mind:	7.1
Body:	5.5
Spirit:	8
Friends/Family:	7.2
Love:	5.5
Finance:	8.5
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

2008 Version:

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	5.2
Mind:	5.4
Body:	4.5
Spirit:	6.7
Friends/Family:	5.3
Love:	0
Finance:	6.6
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

5. Of the first three questions, how many of your responses match the responses of the quiz? One.

6. Which of the test's responses do you disagree the most with and why? Well...it rates finance as number one and perhaps that is a very stable part of my life right now, but I do consider my spritial life more important.

The Sunday Seven - Episode 77

2007-02-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

Some call it soda, some call it pop. Others call it Coke or Pepsi even if it's the other one. But how ever you refer to soft drinks, it's time to name your top choices.But first, Frida, of "I Really Hate Blog Names," was first to play last week, and had quite a few interesting selections for Valentine's Day candy messages! Congratulations, Frida!On to this week's question!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:Name your top seven favorite soft drink flavors or varieties.

1. Diet Dr Pepper
2. "Real" Dr Pepper
3. Diet Berry Dr Pepper
4. Diet Vanilla Coke from Sonic
5. Peach Fruit 02
6. Strawberry Fruit 02
7. Rasberry Dannon Water

**As you can see, I ran out of soda (and I call them all "coke" btw except for water) flavors. I'm pretty much a stick in the mud.

Saturday Six - Episode 149

2007-02-19T01:26:00.000-07:00

Come on down! You're the next contestant on the Saturday Six! And if you can't figure out the topic of today's themed-edition, then you're on your way to a big loss with nothing but a case of Rice-a-Roni for consolation!

Last week, it was Nichole of "My Two Cents" was first to play last week. Congratulations, Nichole.

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. Take the quiz: What game show host are you?

Hmmmm. I'm not totally surprised by this answer.

2. What game show do you think you would be best as playing? Either "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire", "Wheel of Fortune" or "The Price is Right".

3. What game show do you think you would be worst at playing? "Jeopardy". I don't think I would ever remember to phrase my answer as a question.

4. Have you ever applied or auditioned as a contestant for any game show? If so, which one? I tried several times to get on "Millionaire" when Regis was hosting. I kept missing the third question.

5. If you had to apply or audition for a game show, which one would you most likely choose? Either Millionaire or Wheel.

6. If you found out you had to host a game show, which one would do you know well enough that you could actually host? See #5.

Saturday Six - Episode 148

2007-02-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

Do you ever think about where you live? Rarely, if you're busy working, raising a family, trying to find a little time for yourself. There's something special about every place. Maybe this week's edition will give you pause to think of what's special where you are! We had lots of players last week, but it was Wil of "The Daily Snooze" was first to play last week. Congratulations, Wil! Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. A friend arrives from out of town and wants to go to dinner at a nice locally-owned restaurant: where would you take her? OMGosh! I have no idea. We tend to be stick in the muds and visit what is known. Probably something Mexican.

2. Your friend then says he wants to learn something about the history of your city: where would you take him first? The Phoenix Musuem of History sounds like a good place to start.

3. Does your current hometown have any specific kind of weather threats (i.e., tornado alley, etc.) or natural disaster threats (i.e., earthquake faults, volcanic activity) that concerns you? Generally the biggest weather threats in my part of Arizona are Heat/Cold/Flash Floods.

4. Take the quiz: What city shares your personality?
You scored as Paris.
You are Paris, France! You are fiercly independent. You have very refined tastes and enjoy extravegance and a bit of self-indulgence.
Paris 70%
Provo 65%
Killarney 65%
Boston 60%
Rio de Janeiro 55%

5. Have you ever visited this city or lived there before? Nope, but from what I’ve heard Paris is very pretty, if you can get past the "hate Americans" attitude.

6. Based on what you know about that city, either firsthand or from others, do you think it would be a good fit for you? Do you think it would be a better fit than the city in which you now live? Well, I don’t know a whole lot about what it would be like to live in Paris, but personally, I like a big city with all it’s ammenities, so it would probably work for me.

Saturday Six - Episode 147

2007-02-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

My best friend likes to quiz me each year on who's playing in the Super Bowl, or the World Series, or any other major sporting event. He knows that I'm not much of a sports fan. He might be surprised that I'd dedicate an edition of the Saturday Six to such an event.

But before we get to the questions, it's time to recognize Otowi of "Otowi," who was first to play last week. Congratulations! Also, I must thank Frida of "I Really Hate Blog Names," who was first to visit, and pointed out that I had inadvertently copied a wrong link from the previous week's edition.

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. Who's going to win the Super Bowl? The Colts! And this has been my answer all along, not just as I’m watching the game. See my post yesterday in my other journal De’s Thoughts.

2. Have you been invited to any Super Bowl parties? (Or are you throwing your own?) Not this year, DH is working and I’m off for a change.

3. If you were invited, would you go, even if you hate football? Yes.

4. Have you ever thrown a party focused on a television program? Yes.

5. If you were given free tickets to the Super Bowl, would you attend? Why or why not? Yes! I’ve always wanted to attend a Super Bowl, and I hoping that since I live in Phoenix that there will be a possibility I will be able to go in 2008.

6. Do you worry about security at such an event? Would those worries prevent you from attending or in any way make you less likely to attend? I worry about security at all events since 9/11, but I’m not letting the terrorist win.

Bo Bice: Doesn't Remind Me of Anything

2007-01-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

Bo Bice Doesn't Remind Me

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Sunday Seven - Episode 74

2007-01-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes you feel like a nut...sometimes you don't." Yes, even a classic advertising jingle can provide the topic for a Sunday Seven question! (If you have trouble coming up with answers, here is a source of inspiration.

But first, Otowi, of "Otowi," was first to play last week . Congratulations!

On to this week's question!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name your seven favorite varieties of nuts:

1. Cashews
2. Honey roasted peanuts
3. Pistachios
4. Pecans (but I'm allergic)
5. Walnuts
6. Macadamia
7. Almonds

2006-10-30T23:37:00.000-07:00

The Survey Place
random
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was your first thought? How did I get so fat again?

2. When's the next time you will have sex? Soon.

3. What's a word that rhymes with "DUCK"? Puck.

4. Favorite planet? Uh…the one I can breath on.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list? David.

6. What is your favorite ring on your phone? Beautiful.

7. Who was the last person you hugged? Caleb.

8. What were you doing 20 minutes ago? Laundry.

9. Name the brand of shoes you're currently wearing? I don't have on shoes, just socks.

10. Bright or Dark Room? Like right now? Bright. Favorite…dark.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? Cat? Funny as heck!

12. If you're in a room with two beds, which one do you sleep on? The one that’s got a bedside table to the left.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Messing around on the puter.

14. What did your last text message you received on your mobile say? It was a private message from David.

15. How do you like your eggs? Either scrambled or over hard.

16. What's a word/phrase that you say a lot? Oh snap!

17. Who told you that he/she loved you last? Caleb.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? Tylenol.

20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed? Uhhh, is this a trick question? My camera card needs to be recovered because I accidentally deleted my pictures after I downloaded them. What a dummy. These are pictures from our recent trip to San Diego.

21. Your favorite age you've been? I’ll pick 36. Married to my DH and just had Caleb and Hannah was here.

22. Your worst enemy? Easy…myself.

23. What is your current desktop picture? A picture of my backyard as the sun is rising over the mountain.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? “David, can Caleb have some cough medicine?”

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly[, which would you choose]? Uhhh, I don’t like to fly, so my answer is a million bucks.

27. The last song you listened to? “Doesn’t Remind Me of Anything” by Bo Bice.

28. If the last person you spoke to was getting shot, what would you do? After I stood in the way, then I would kill that person. I’ll agree with Cat and say this is an evil question.

29. If you could punch 1 person in the face , who would it be? It would have to be anyone who tried to hurt my family.

30. What is the closest object to your left foot? A file folder.

?otd
You know the hour more of sleep you got [yesterday] morning. Well, if you could use it to do anything else this week, how would you use it? This didn’t effect me as AZ doesn’t do time changes. But back in OK I always welcomed that extra hour of sleep.
November: what is the first thing that comes to mind? It’s my birthday!
What was the last project that you took on? (a project can be anything you want it to be ....) Uh…my house.

You've just been awarded the starring role .... what role did you get and what play/movie/tv show is it in? I don’t know. I’m not really an actress.

If you were in the Hollywood, what would you be: producer, director, costume designer, actor, etc...? The director, because I would be able to tell people what to do and actually get paid quite a bit for it. Sounds fun!

What do you do with your pocket change? Dump it in the change bucket.

I'm a flower!
I am aPetunia
What Flower Are You?
You are a tried and trusted friend who will be there for your friends when they need you. But you have a tendency to be nervous about doing things that go against the norm.
That’s nice…

Curious as a Cat
Week Number Forty-One: If you were to make a collage to describe yourself to others, what sorts of pictures or symbols would you include? The Trinity, family, friends, nursing, mountains, sunrises…
What do you like to do that other people think is gross (or not fun, if you do nothing at all gross)? Talk about gross things I guess. I’m a nurse, after all.

Manic Monday
I've Been Everywhere...What's the longest road trip you've ever taken? Oh geez, that would be when we moved from Sumter, SC to Phoenix, AZ in 2005. It was over 2,000 miles. I thought we’d never get across Texas!
Do you like traveling in the car? It’s okay as long as I get a front seat, passenger or driver.

What do you do to keep yourself (or your kids, if you have them) entertained while on a car trip? I either listen to the radio, a CD or talk to someone. The kids play their Game boys and watch movies on the DVD player.

What's the oddest thing in your glove box right now? Oh I don’t know. I can’t think of anything right now.

Monday Madness
October 30
1. Small town or big city? Definitely big city! I been there, done the small city thing and I ain’t ever going back there again!!!
2. Do you have a favorite childhood memory, and if so, would you share it? I would have to say the summer we had the cornfield we could run forever through.

3. How do you calm down when something has really upset and/or angered you? Do you swallow it? Call a friend and rant? Go in the bathroom and cry? Punch a wall? Walk around muttering to yourself, complete with scary hand gestures? I try to be by myself and calm down. Leaving me alone is a very good thing, otherwise it my lead to all of the above.

4. What attracts [sic] you to memes? They are a fun and easy way to learn a lot about people and express yourself.

5. How reliant are you on computers to get through your day? OMG! I can’t live without one either at home or work!

6. In a crisis, are you calm or do you panic? Calm. You should see me work a code blue.

Monday's a Bitch
Fright Night1.Where does Halloween fall on your "holiday excitement scale" (i.e., Does it top Christmas, New Year's, your birthday, the whole shebang? Or is it just another day?) Oh it’s not that important to me as an adult, but it is fun to see the kids dress up and have fun. Probably rate it a 4/5 out of 10.
2.At what age do you consider someone to be too old for trick or treating? I’ll agree with Cat, no adults or kids that have graduated high school. After that I’ll consider you a pediafile.

3. What was your lamest Halloween costume? Oh geez, last year Kathryn and I wore purple wigs with ears. I suppose we were supposed to be cats.

4.Is handing out candy fun for you, or more of a nightmare? I love it! It is so much fun seeing all the little kids and their costumes.

5.Do you see Halloween as an excuse to show some skin and get away with it? If not, what do you think of people who dress this way? If I looked halfway sexy showing some skin I would do it. But please, don’t come in to my ER drunk and only wearing a busterier and a thong. You are going to get talked about all night long.

MONSTER
Your Monster Profile
Shadow LunaticYou Feast On: Peanut ButterYou Lurk Around In: The Backseats of CarsYou Especially Like to Torment: British People
What's Your Monster Name?
heh heh

The TV Meme

2006-09-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Patrick recently ran a meme about television shows you've seen.

The instructions are simple: change the color and/or boldface the shows you've watched at least three complete episodes of, and Bold and Italicize a show if you're certain you've seen every episode of it.

You can add up to three shows to the list, but keep them in alphabetical order. I added "Dog The Bounty Hunter", "Forensic Files" and "The First 48".

24
3rd Rock from the Sun
7th Heaven
Adam-12
Aeon Flux
A.L.F
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Alias
Alice
Allo Allo
American Idol/Pop Idol/Canadian Idol/Australian Idol
America's Next Top Model/Germany's Next Top Model
Angel
Arrested Development
Babylon 5
Babylon 5: CrusadeBattlestar
Battlestar Galactica (the old one)
Battlestar Galactica (the new one)
Baywatch
Beauty & the Beast
Beavis & Butthead
The Ben Stiller Show
Beverly Hills 90210
Bewitched
Bonanza
Bones
Bosom Buddies
Boston Legal
Boy Meets World
Brady Bunch
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Bug Juice
Chappelle's Show
Charlie's Angels
Charmed
Cheers
China Beach
Columbo
Commander in Chief
Coupling
Cowboy Bebop
Crossing Jordan
CSI
CSI: Miami
CSI: NY
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dallas
Dancing with the Stars
Danny Phantom
Dark Angel
Dark Skies
Davinci's Inquest
Dawson's Creek
Dead Like Me
Deadliest Catch
Deadwood
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Designing Women
Desperate Housewives
Dharma & Greg
Diff'rent Strokes
Doctor Who (new Who)
Doctor Who (series 1-26)
Dog The Bounty Hunter
Dragnet
Due South
Dungeons and Dragons
Dynasty
Earth 2
Emergency!
Enterprise
Entourage
ER
Everwood
Everybody Loves Raymond
Facts of Life
Falcon Crest
Family Guy
Family Ties
Fantasy Island
Farscape
Fawlty Towers
Felicity
Firefly
Flamingo Road
Forensic Files
Frasier
Friends
Full House
Futurama
Get Smart
Gilligan's Island
Gilmore Girls
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Green Wing
Grey's Anatomy
Growing Pains
Gunsmoke
Happy Days
Head of the Class
Hercules
Highlander
Hill Street Blues
Hogan's Heroes
Home Improvement
Homicide: Life on the Street
House, MD
I Dream of Jeannie
I Love Lucy
Invader Zim
Invasion
Iron Chef (Japan)
Iron Chef (USA)
Ironside
JAG
Jackass
Jeopardy
Joey
John Doe
Kath and Kim
Knight Rider
Knots Landing
La Femme Nikita
LA Law
Laugh-In
Laverne and Shirley
Law & Order
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: SVU
Little House on the Prairie
Lizzie McGuire
Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Lost
Lost in Space
Love, American Style
M*A*S*H
MacGyver
Magnum P.I.
Malcolm in the Middle
Married...With Children
Melrose Place
Miami Vice
Mission Impossible
Monk
Moonlighting
Mork & Mindy
Murphy Brown
My Family
My Favorite Martian
My Life as a Dog
My Mother the Car
My So-Called Life
My Three Sons
My Two Dads
Mysterious Cities of Gold
NCIS
Night Court
Nip/Tuck
Northern Exposure
Numbers
One Tree Hill
Oz
Parker Lewis Can't Lose
Perfect Strangers
Perry Mason
Picket Fences
Pirates of Darkwater
Pokemon
Power Rangers
Prison Break
Profiler
Project Runway
Psyche
Quantum Leap
Queer As Folk (US)
Queer as Folk (British)
Queer Eye For The Straight Guy
ReGenesis
Remington Steele
Rescue Me
Road Rules
ROME
Roseanne
Roswell
Samurai Jack
Sanford & Son
Saved by the Bell
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
Scooby-Doo Where Are You?
Scrubs
Seinfeld
Sex and the City
Six Feet Under
Slings and Arrows
Smallville
Small Wonder
So Weird
South Park
Spaced
Spongebob Squarepants
Sports Night
Square Pegs
St. Elsewhere
Star Trek
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Enterprise
Stargate Atlantis - New season
Stargate SG-1 -Newseason
Superman
Supernatural
Surface
Survivor
Taxi
Teen Titans
Teletubbies
That Girl
That 70's Show
That's So Raven
The 4400
The Addams Family
The Andy Griffith Show
The A-Team
The Avengers
The Beverly Hillbillies
The Bionic Woman
The Book of Daniel
The Colbert Report
The Cosby Show
The Daily Show
The Dead Zone
The Dick Van Dyke Show
The First 48
The Flintstones
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Golden Girls
The Jetsons
The L Word
The Love Boat
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Mighty Boosh
The Monkees
The Munsters
The Mythbusters
The O.C.
The Office (UK)
The Office (US)
The Pretender
The Prisoner
The Real World
The Shield
The Simpsons
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Sopranos
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
The Twilight Zone
The Waltons
The West Wing
The Wonder Years
The X-Files
Third Watch
Thirtysomething
Three's Company
Top Gear
Twin Peaks
Twitch City
Upstairs, Downstairs
Veronica Mars
Wings
What Not To Wear (US)
What Not To Wear (UK)
Whose Line is it Anyway? (US)
Whose Line is it Anyway? (UK)
Witchblade
Will & Grace
Wonderfalls
Wonder Woman
Xena: Warrior Princess
Young Hercules

If you wish to play along -- and if you're reading this, consider yourself so challenged, the easiest way to do so is to copy the list above to TypePad or NotePad so that the boldface or italicized formatting will not copy with it, then you can adjust as necessary on your own blog.

Bo Bice: Valley of Angels

2006-09-01T00:18:00.000-07:00

See Bo Bice's new video: Valley of Angels

Pictures of My Family

2006-08-30T02:06:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone was curious. ;) De