I have been slow to update my blog, sorry about that.
My cousin went into surgery last week and when the surgeon went in to remove the tumor, it turns out it wasn't a tumor. He found a large pus pocket in her brain. Very large from the descriptions I have received. It is a streptococcus infection that was originally an ear infection that spread. She went home with a PICC line (a long term IV) and she will be on high dose IV antibiotics for at least six weeks. She is also going to be receiving physical therapy to help overcome some of the disabilities caused by the pressure of the "tumor" in her brain.
It is awesome that everything worked out so well. When she went to surgery, my uncle had been told to say his good-byes because they weren't sure she would make it through. We are all very grateful to the happy ending.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sad News
My cousin, Lauren, who is 26, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor today. She is going to surgery tomorrow to have it removed (or as much as possible.) She will then need chemo and radiation. Please keep her, and her family, in your prayers, as well as the surgeon who will be operating on her. My uncle is not handling this very well according to my mom. He has remarried and has two little boys aged 5 and 4. Lauren is single, but has a wonderful boyfriend who has been with her through all of this.
I think I am rambling now, but just please keep everyone in your prayers.
I think I am rambling now, but just please keep everyone in your prayers.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Jimmy Kimmel/Ben Affleck
Jimmy's response to Sarah's video. LOL!!! PLEASE don't let your kids watch. My four year old walked by as this was playing and said she liked this song and asked if I could make her a CD (of course, the answer was no!!!) LOL! Again, if you are easily offended, please don't watch!!!!!!
Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon
OMG! This is so funny. Of course, please don't watch it in front of your children, it really isn't appropriate. Of course, it is a catchy tune, so please don't sing "I'm F*cking Matt Damon" in front of them either...LOL! Also, if you are easily offended, please don't watch.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
McCain and Obama!
Wow! If the nominations go the way things are leaning now, I am actually looking forward to a Presidential race.
I have liked John McCain for a long time now. I have also developed a huge amount of respect for Barack Obama. For the first time, I feel the two major parties may actually nominate someone interesting.
The Bush/Gore baloney was an embarrassment. Bush/Kerry was just more of the same old, same old. McCain/Obama has the potential to be something different than the usual politics.
I dated someone for a while who was very involved in politics. He was a member of the North Carolina Young Republicans and dating him helped me develop more of an interest in politics. He was MUCH more conservative than me, but that was okay, we had great conversations.
I have been a registered Democrat, a registered Republican, and I have been registered as Independent. In Georgia, we didn't need to register with party affiliation, which was great, I much prefer that. I am not sure yet about the process here in Vermont, I am going to register when I get my driver's license changed. I just hope I don't have to claim party affiliation...the reason being, I can vote either way depending on who is running.
I am very opposed to the party system and party affiliations. I could never identify myself as a Republican without cringing when the image of George Bush or Dick Cheney entered my mind. At the same time, I could never identify myself as a Democrat without cringing when the image of Hilary Clinton or Barbara Boxer entered my mind.
My politics vascilate back and forth between moderate to conservative and moderate to liberal. I definitely don't fit any "definitions." I am against abortion, for the death penalty (sometimes), for gay marriage, and am lenient on my views of immigration. I think the war in Iraq is wrong and the president lied to us. I think we should be more worried about our own economy, housing issues, credit concerns, etc. I am so split down the middle, that the only way I could find a candidate who represented MY views would be if I were to run for public office...which I am not EVER going to do.
I have never, and probably will never, vote straight down any party line. I always know who the candidates are (even for small positions like sheriffs or other local offices) and I research those running. I do my best to learn as much as I can through research and vote my conscience, whether that be Democrat, Republican, or Third Party.
Okay, now that I have offended ALL of my friends (on both sides of the aisle,) I am going to shut up and watch the political landscape over the next few months. I have NO idea who I want to vote for in the upcoming election, but I do know that I am glad that the individuals that I would NEVER vote for have either dropped out of the race or will not get the nomination. Now, lets do something about Hilary and make sure she is out of the running!
I have liked John McCain for a long time now. I have also developed a huge amount of respect for Barack Obama. For the first time, I feel the two major parties may actually nominate someone interesting.
The Bush/Gore baloney was an embarrassment. Bush/Kerry was just more of the same old, same old. McCain/Obama has the potential to be something different than the usual politics.
I dated someone for a while who was very involved in politics. He was a member of the North Carolina Young Republicans and dating him helped me develop more of an interest in politics. He was MUCH more conservative than me, but that was okay, we had great conversations.
I have been a registered Democrat, a registered Republican, and I have been registered as Independent. In Georgia, we didn't need to register with party affiliation, which was great, I much prefer that. I am not sure yet about the process here in Vermont, I am going to register when I get my driver's license changed. I just hope I don't have to claim party affiliation...the reason being, I can vote either way depending on who is running.
I am very opposed to the party system and party affiliations. I could never identify myself as a Republican without cringing when the image of George Bush or Dick Cheney entered my mind. At the same time, I could never identify myself as a Democrat without cringing when the image of Hilary Clinton or Barbara Boxer entered my mind.
My politics vascilate back and forth between moderate to conservative and moderate to liberal. I definitely don't fit any "definitions." I am against abortion, for the death penalty (sometimes), for gay marriage, and am lenient on my views of immigration. I think the war in Iraq is wrong and the president lied to us. I think we should be more worried about our own economy, housing issues, credit concerns, etc. I am so split down the middle, that the only way I could find a candidate who represented MY views would be if I were to run for public office...which I am not EVER going to do.
I have never, and probably will never, vote straight down any party line. I always know who the candidates are (even for small positions like sheriffs or other local offices) and I research those running. I do my best to learn as much as I can through research and vote my conscience, whether that be Democrat, Republican, or Third Party.
Okay, now that I have offended ALL of my friends (on both sides of the aisle,) I am going to shut up and watch the political landscape over the next few months. I have NO idea who I want to vote for in the upcoming election, but I do know that I am glad that the individuals that I would NEVER vote for have either dropped out of the race or will not get the nomination. Now, lets do something about Hilary and make sure she is out of the running!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Vermont
Well, we made it to Vermont safe and sound. I love it here. I love the snow, the area, everything. After spending most of my life in the south, I am very surprised to find people here more friendly and gracious and hospitable than any I have met anywhere. Mountain View, CA, is a VERY close second though. I don't know if it is that we live in a small town, or if the people are just that much nicer, but I definitely appreciate it, especially after the minor catastrophe yesterday that could have been a MAJOR catastrophe, and would have been back at Sam's old school. Drew has found the high school to be a great change from South Cobb in Austell. He also says there are a lot of cute girls (well, he is almost sixteen, so this would be a priority.) Sam is getting settled into his kindergarten class and adjusting well to the half-day routine as opposed to the all day kindergarten he has been used to. One OUTSTANDING thing is that Pre-K is in the public schools in our district AND they had room for a new student. Olivia had her first day of school yesterday and loves it! Pre-K is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a half day. She is in afternoon Pre-K and Sam is in afternoon kindergarten, so it works out great.
Snow has been the name of the game since we got here though. Last Wednesday schools were delayed by two hours. This Wednesday (today) schools are canceled completely. Every school district in the area, both on the Vermont side and the New Hampshire side are closed. We have had a huge amount of snow overnight and it is still snowing pretty heavily. There is some expectation of ice accumulation as well today, so I am glad we have nowhere to go at all. I am SO glad that I was able to take care of my errand to the capitol of New Hampshire was able to be completed yesterday afternoon. My only frustration is how long it is taking to obtain my NH nursing license. I hope that my errand to Concord yesterday corrects everything and I am licensed in relatively short order.
We live in beautiful condos. This is a resort area and many of the homes are second homes. Our condo is 2300 sq. ft. so it is very nice sized. There are three buildings adjacent to our parking lot and each building has four condos in it, all with separate outside entrances. The picture to the left gives an idea of the outside. None of the other 11 units around us are occupied full time. Most folks come up on weekends for skiing (or golfing in the summer.) It is interesting (strange) to be the only full time residents. Of course, some of the other condos/homes in other sections are full time homes, but it is very strange having no immediate neighbors. On the weekend the parking lot is full of CT and MA cars (in addition to our Georgia cars, of course.) The downtown area is about two blocks in length and the post office appears to be the hopping spot. Of course, that could be because there is no mail delivery and everyone has to go to the post office to pick up their mail from their p.o. box. That is a very strange phenomenon to me.
Oh well, I have rambled a lot now, I should probably be doing something else. I hope everyone is well!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Saying Goodbye
I am 34 years old and I am too young to say goodbye to my friends, my generation. I am too young to die, so are my friends. Way too young. However, age doesn't always matter. Cancer doesn't care how old you are. Neither does any of the many things that can take our life.
You might be wondering why I am struggling with this. I am a nurse in a Pediatric ICU, I see death in children all too often. I have lost some patients that I have come to care about. Little Miss LPD, Mr FQ, and Mr YJ, all have become angels, all I have cared about so much. Do I think it is fair? Not a chance, the oldest of the three mentioned above was two, all were much too young to die. However, I saw them all struggle and fight. I was there for their battles. I was there for one of their final moments as he was held in his mother's loving arms. I have hugged so many grieving family members and it never becomes any easier.
However, on my way home from work this morning, after spending the night caring for a little boy who may not live much longer, everything was challenged. I found out that one of my peers, a beautiful young woman who was 36 years old, has died after a battle with breast cancer. Suzie was a couple of years older than me, and I adored her when I was a kid. She was the most beautiful girl in the world. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and looked like a model.
As I grew up, she became a source of great strength to me. She had her son Zach around the time I got pregnant with my son Drew. Zach was born in September (I believe) and Drew was born in February. I was alone, Drew's father left, and at that time, Suzie was a single mother. She lived at home with her parents after Zach's birth and she was such a great friend to me during the time I was pregnant, and scared.
As it happens, so often in this life, she moved on and so did I. She married Zach's father and moved away. I moved away, became a nurse, and got married. My mom would keep me updated on Suzie and her family whenever she heard news. Last spring, Suzie's father died after a massive heart attack. Don Varela was a wonderful man and it hurt so bad when he died. However, he was in his sixties, and sometimes people in their sixties die, even though sixty is still young in my book (the older I get, the further away old gets.)
However, fate is sometimes cruel. Suzie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer???? What? I know. I really do. I am a nurse, I used to work with adults. I worked on plastic surgery units where I would take care of MANY women after reconstruction post-mastectomy. My grandmother lost both of her breasts, one in the 1980's and one in the 1990's. I know that cancer doesn't care who you are, how beautiful you are, or how old you are. Breast cancer is deeply devastating to women and their families.
I don't know how to say goodbye. I can't even wrap my brain around that fact that Suzie Varela is dead. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a dozen years, but I can't even imagine that she is not a part of this world anymore. I can't say goodbye, I don't know how to. Maybe someday.
You might be wondering why I am struggling with this. I am a nurse in a Pediatric ICU, I see death in children all too often. I have lost some patients that I have come to care about. Little Miss LPD, Mr FQ, and Mr YJ, all have become angels, all I have cared about so much. Do I think it is fair? Not a chance, the oldest of the three mentioned above was two, all were much too young to die. However, I saw them all struggle and fight. I was there for their battles. I was there for one of their final moments as he was held in his mother's loving arms. I have hugged so many grieving family members and it never becomes any easier.
However, on my way home from work this morning, after spending the night caring for a little boy who may not live much longer, everything was challenged. I found out that one of my peers, a beautiful young woman who was 36 years old, has died after a battle with breast cancer. Suzie was a couple of years older than me, and I adored her when I was a kid. She was the most beautiful girl in the world. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and looked like a model.
As I grew up, she became a source of great strength to me. She had her son Zach around the time I got pregnant with my son Drew. Zach was born in September (I believe) and Drew was born in February. I was alone, Drew's father left, and at that time, Suzie was a single mother. She lived at home with her parents after Zach's birth and she was such a great friend to me during the time I was pregnant, and scared.
As it happens, so often in this life, she moved on and so did I. She married Zach's father and moved away. I moved away, became a nurse, and got married. My mom would keep me updated on Suzie and her family whenever she heard news. Last spring, Suzie's father died after a massive heart attack. Don Varela was a wonderful man and it hurt so bad when he died. However, he was in his sixties, and sometimes people in their sixties die, even though sixty is still young in my book (the older I get, the further away old gets.)
However, fate is sometimes cruel. Suzie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer???? What? I know. I really do. I am a nurse, I used to work with adults. I worked on plastic surgery units where I would take care of MANY women after reconstruction post-mastectomy. My grandmother lost both of her breasts, one in the 1980's and one in the 1990's. I know that cancer doesn't care who you are, how beautiful you are, or how old you are. Breast cancer is deeply devastating to women and their families.
I don't know how to say goodbye. I can't even wrap my brain around that fact that Suzie Varela is dead. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a dozen years, but I can't even imagine that she is not a part of this world anymore. I can't say goodbye, I don't know how to. Maybe someday.
Friday, November 09, 2007
BON JOVI CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!
I just got my tickets for the Bon Jovi concert here in Atlanta. The show isn't until April and the tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, but I got a password for one of the pre-sales and got my tickets this morning. Olivia and I will be going to Bon Jovi!!!
We are on the floor, not right up front, those tickets were too pricey and weren't available for the pre-sale anyway. I got the tickets from the second price level, which is still more than I wanted to pay, but the tickets from the third price level weren't what I wanted. I kept trying to pick new seats from Ticketmaster, but none of the options they gave me were what I wanted. So, I went up to the second price level....and damn, I got some good seats!
Thomas is going to pay for my ticket as part of my Christmas gift and Olivia's ticket is going to be part of her Christmas gift from me and Thomas!
I am so freaking excited!!!!!!!!!
Did I ever mention that I love Richie Sambora? I have? Well, maybe once or twice...LOL! Olivia loves Jon Bon Jovi, so we will be a good pair.
Oh, speaking of Olivia, she has decided that "One Wild Night" is her favorite song now. Her favorite song changes often, generally between Bon Jovi songs and Avril Lavigne songs, but "One Wild Night" is just not the most, well, appropriate song for a four year old to have as her favorite. Oh well, it will probably change in a few weeks. Her last favorite song was "Bed of Roses," and I couldn't blame her on that, it is one of my most favorites too.
I have wanted to see them in concert since about 1987 and haven't managed it yet, so this is definitely going to be a first for me...hopefully well worth the 20 year wait (21 years by 4/30/08!)
We are on the floor, not right up front, those tickets were too pricey and weren't available for the pre-sale anyway. I got the tickets from the second price level, which is still more than I wanted to pay, but the tickets from the third price level weren't what I wanted. I kept trying to pick new seats from Ticketmaster, but none of the options they gave me were what I wanted. So, I went up to the second price level....and damn, I got some good seats!
Thomas is going to pay for my ticket as part of my Christmas gift and Olivia's ticket is going to be part of her Christmas gift from me and Thomas!
I am so freaking excited!!!!!!!!!
Did I ever mention that I love Richie Sambora? I have? Well, maybe once or twice...LOL! Olivia loves Jon Bon Jovi, so we will be a good pair.
Oh, speaking of Olivia, she has decided that "One Wild Night" is her favorite song now. Her favorite song changes often, generally between Bon Jovi songs and Avril Lavigne songs, but "One Wild Night" is just not the most, well, appropriate song for a four year old to have as her favorite. Oh well, it will probably change in a few weeks. Her last favorite song was "Bed of Roses," and I couldn't blame her on that, it is one of my most favorites too.
I have wanted to see them in concert since about 1987 and haven't managed it yet, so this is definitely going to be a first for me...hopefully well worth the 20 year wait (21 years by 4/30/08!)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
I AM SO F-ING MAD!!!!!!
Okay, so I just read an article on MSNBC.com that was talking about people LYING about religious beliefs in order to avoid immunizations for their children. As a nurse who works in a pediatric ICU, I have seen a number of children come in this year for pertussis. I even had to take prophylactic antibiotics because I was around this child for an extended period of time before s/he was diagnosed with pertussis!
I, personally, don't think there should be a religious exemption, or any other kind of exemption for immunizations except for medical exemptions. Medical exemptions are allowed only for children with medical conditions that would interact poorly with immunizations. YOUR beliefs could make MY child sick even though my child is immunized. IF you lie about RELIGIOUS BELIEFS and your child makes my child sick, I will sue you for the medical costs of caring for my child. Even children who have been immunized may get sick, even if not to the extent of the full blown disease.
YOUR RIGHTS MAY NOT IMPINGE ON MY RIGHTS!!! You may not choose to make decisions that may harm my children. You may not drink and drive, or you go to jail. If your children make my children sick, AND YOU LIED, I will pursue every criminal and civil court in the nation and you will pay for lying and your lie making my child sick!
These people who are LYING are evil, in my opinion. Their irrational (read: stupid) fears about vaccinations are the reason there are laws in place requiring vaccinations!
I, personally, don't think there should be a religious exemption, or any other kind of exemption for immunizations except for medical exemptions. Medical exemptions are allowed only for children with medical conditions that would interact poorly with immunizations. YOUR beliefs could make MY child sick even though my child is immunized. IF you lie about RELIGIOUS BELIEFS and your child makes my child sick, I will sue you for the medical costs of caring for my child. Even children who have been immunized may get sick, even if not to the extent of the full blown disease.
YOUR RIGHTS MAY NOT IMPINGE ON MY RIGHTS!!! You may not choose to make decisions that may harm my children. You may not drink and drive, or you go to jail. If your children make my children sick, AND YOU LIED, I will pursue every criminal and civil court in the nation and you will pay for lying and your lie making my child sick!
These people who are LYING are evil, in my opinion. Their irrational (read: stupid) fears about vaccinations are the reason there are laws in place requiring vaccinations!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Still Alive and Well
Life has been hectic. Since I last blogged, Sam has turned five and Olivia has turned four. The boys are back in school now, Sam is in kindergarten and Drew is in his sophomore year of high school. Let's see, I am at work right now for an overtime shift and I worked extra last Sunday night as well. We moved our unit to the new building the hospital just opened and we have been very busy getting used to everything. The biggest challenge is finding where things are, I think.
Thomas is working on an album, hopefully it will be finished soon :o) The girls are growing so fast, it is hard to imagine that Sofia is almost 2 now, time flies when you aren't paying attention.
Well, I should end here, hopefully it won't be five months before I blog again.
Thomas is working on an album, hopefully it will be finished soon :o) The girls are growing so fast, it is hard to imagine that Sofia is almost 2 now, time flies when you aren't paying attention.
Well, I should end here, hopefully it won't be five months before I blog again.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
So Busy
I haven't been on here in quite a while. Life has been busy.
We started using a new computer charting system at work, so I had been taking multiple classes to learn the system. I am one of the many "superusers" in the hospital. It means that we are helping everyone else with their charting and not taking care of patients ourselves. Finally I got to do patient care on Friday and Saturday nights this week, which was wonderful as that is why I became a nurse. It was also nice to actually use the computer charting system while there are superusers around to help me, but I have to admit that I really liked it and it was much easier than I thought...at least with two "easy" PICU patients. Easy is in quotes, because they are never "easy" but everything is relative.
My mom came to visit on Mother's Day and stayed until that Thursday, we went everywhere and had a blast.
On Tuesday of last week, we drove to Birmingham, AL, to visit a friend in the hospital. He has been in nine weeks now and is lucky to be alive. He spent over a month in ICU on the ventilator and continuous dialysis. He is still having dialysis three days a week and is going for a biopsy this week to determine if he will ever regain kidney function. Please keep him in your prayers (and his wife as well.) We left here after we dropped Sam off at school, drove straight to Birmingham, visited about 45 minutes and then had to come back so we could pick Sam up. It was definitely worth the long day though.
My other new "venture" is that I am now running a MySpace Baby Contest. I used to enter my beautiful babies/kids in this contest, as well as others, and had a blast doing so whether we won or not. It is just fun. However, the lady who ran the contest was not going to be able to do so anymore, so she gave me her MySpace contest page. This, in and of itself, takes a bunch of time, but it is so much fun. I have met so many moms on MySpace and it is great having folks online who share so many interests. I love MySpace, even prior to the contests. I have made friends all over the world and they are great. It is neat to interact with people all over the place.
Okay, I am sharing some wine with my hubby. I just wanted everyone to know that I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth. Have a great night.
We started using a new computer charting system at work, so I had been taking multiple classes to learn the system. I am one of the many "superusers" in the hospital. It means that we are helping everyone else with their charting and not taking care of patients ourselves. Finally I got to do patient care on Friday and Saturday nights this week, which was wonderful as that is why I became a nurse. It was also nice to actually use the computer charting system while there are superusers around to help me, but I have to admit that I really liked it and it was much easier than I thought...at least with two "easy" PICU patients. Easy is in quotes, because they are never "easy" but everything is relative.
My mom came to visit on Mother's Day and stayed until that Thursday, we went everywhere and had a blast.
On Tuesday of last week, we drove to Birmingham, AL, to visit a friend in the hospital. He has been in nine weeks now and is lucky to be alive. He spent over a month in ICU on the ventilator and continuous dialysis. He is still having dialysis three days a week and is going for a biopsy this week to determine if he will ever regain kidney function. Please keep him in your prayers (and his wife as well.) We left here after we dropped Sam off at school, drove straight to Birmingham, visited about 45 minutes and then had to come back so we could pick Sam up. It was definitely worth the long day though.
My other new "venture" is that I am now running a MySpace Baby Contest. I used to enter my beautiful babies/kids in this contest, as well as others, and had a blast doing so whether we won or not. It is just fun. However, the lady who ran the contest was not going to be able to do so anymore, so she gave me her MySpace contest page. This, in and of itself, takes a bunch of time, but it is so much fun. I have met so many moms on MySpace and it is great having folks online who share so many interests. I love MySpace, even prior to the contests. I have made friends all over the world and they are great. It is neat to interact with people all over the place.
Okay, I am sharing some wine with my hubby. I just wanted everyone to know that I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth. Have a great night.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Potter Puppet Pals in
This is hysterical. My friend Monique at work told me about this and, she was right, it is too funny!
Monday, March 26, 2007
My Girly Girl
Olivia would seem like the ideal child to be a girly girl. She is small, petite, and curvy (already...sigh!) She has beautiful long brown hair and huge brown eyes. However this is not to be. She has adamantly stated that she wants NO DRESSES for summer. She is revolted by the beautiful Easter dresses we have shown her. She just says that she wants shirts and pants only. Her newest imaginary friend is Mr. Beacon, a great big, black, furry wolf.
God did see fit to give me a girly girl though. She has blond hair, blue eyes, and dimples. She is the chubbiest, juiciest baby you could ever imagine. She has been name Polar Bear by her sister. However, this girl likes all things girly. She sleeps with a newborn Cabbage Patch Kid. She loves soft, fluffy animals. AND she adores the beautiful Easter dresses and gets upset that we don't give them to her to hug all the way through the store.
Last night we pulled out a couple of boxes of spring and summer clothes that we had put away last year. We pulled out a beautiful pale yellow dress with lavender flowers on it. Olivia was disgusted. Sofia was enamored. It was size 18 months, which doesn't generally fit Sofia and we were pretty sure it wouldn't fit at all. However, she was determined that we were going to take off her jammies and put her in this beautiful dress. So we did, and it fit for now. It won't fit for long though. She was so excited when we picked her up and allowed her to see her reflection in the mirror, that was the biggest smile ever.
God did see fit to give me a girly girl though. She has blond hair, blue eyes, and dimples. She is the chubbiest, juiciest baby you could ever imagine. She has been name Polar Bear by her sister. However, this girl likes all things girly. She sleeps with a newborn Cabbage Patch Kid. She loves soft, fluffy animals. AND she adores the beautiful Easter dresses and gets upset that we don't give them to her to hug all the way through the store.
Last night we pulled out a couple of boxes of spring and summer clothes that we had put away last year. We pulled out a beautiful pale yellow dress with lavender flowers on it. Olivia was disgusted. Sofia was enamored. It was size 18 months, which doesn't generally fit Sofia and we were pretty sure it wouldn't fit at all. However, she was determined that we were going to take off her jammies and put her in this beautiful dress. So we did, and it fit for now. It won't fit for long though. She was so excited when we picked her up and allowed her to see her reflection in the mirror, that was the biggest smile ever.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
My Girls
Olivia decided we needed to go to the playground today. She wanted to go, and as it was about 75 degrees and sunny today, who could blame her?
So we got everyone in play clothes, piled in the car, went through the McDonald's drive-thru and got lunch which we ate at the picnic tables at the playground. After lunch the girls got to play for about an hour before we went to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone, which they LOVED.
The girls had so much fun going down the slides, there are five at this playground and Olivia went down them all. Sofia is seen above being caught by a friend she made at the playground. The little girl kept trying to play with Olivia, but Olivia was very much on her own today. Well, on her own with her current imaginary friend, Gimli. Now for those who don't know, Gimli is a dwarf from The Lord of The Rings. Hard to picture a dwarf in full body armor playin at the playground, but Olivia insisted. (She even took our Gimli action figure to bed with her tonight...strange girl, I know.) **See Gimli below as play by John Rhys Davis in the movie version of LOTR.**
The girls had a blast and Olivia is already talking about our next trek to the playground. Unfortunately, Mama has required classes to take for work most of next week, so it may be the week after :o(
So we got everyone in play clothes, piled in the car, went through the McDonald's drive-thru and got lunch which we ate at the picnic tables at the playground. After lunch the girls got to play for about an hour before we went to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone, which they LOVED.
The girls had so much fun going down the slides, there are five at this playground and Olivia went down them all. Sofia is seen above being caught by a friend she made at the playground. The little girl kept trying to play with Olivia, but Olivia was very much on her own today. Well, on her own with her current imaginary friend, Gimli. Now for those who don't know, Gimli is a dwarf from The Lord of The Rings. Hard to picture a dwarf in full body armor playin at the playground, but Olivia insisted. (She even took our Gimli action figure to bed with her tonight...strange girl, I know.) **See Gimli below as play by John Rhys Davis in the movie version of LOTR.**
The girls had a blast and Olivia is already talking about our next trek to the playground. Unfortunately, Mama has required classes to take for work most of next week, so it may be the week after :o(
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Seriously Offended...
Okay, so someone with too much time on their hands (or whatever,) decided to come onto my blog and criticize me for being offended about things regarding Harry Potter. There are many things that offend me, number one being stupid people who wish to criticize me for being offended about Harry Potter.
This is MY blog, if you want to criticize people get your own blog and do it there. If you want to read about serious things, skip over the fluff posts and read about the Iraq War, babies requiring CPR, etc. I post enough serious topics on this blog, that there should be no reason to criticize me about my Harry Potter post.
Any further comments such as the one I received last night will be deleted. There is enough crap that I have to deal with, I don't need it on here! Especially from someone who won't even cop to who they are and leave the post anonymously.
This is MY blog, if you want to criticize people get your own blog and do it there. If you want to read about serious things, skip over the fluff posts and read about the Iraq War, babies requiring CPR, etc. I post enough serious topics on this blog, that there should be no reason to criticize me about my Harry Potter post.
Any further comments such as the one I received last night will be deleted. There is enough crap that I have to deal with, I don't need it on here! Especially from someone who won't even cop to who they are and leave the post anonymously.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Severus Snape
I must admit my confusion. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan, I love the books, I enjoy the movies, and I am impatiently awaiting July 21. However, I must admit that I thought that JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books, not the Severus Snape books. I do recall Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and soon Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The only book title that relates to him at all (so far) is the Half-Blood Prince. Seven books and only one title that mentions Snape. Seven books titles mention Harry Potter, and not in riddle, they straight forward mention him.
Now, there are other characters in the books. Some I love, some I like, some I dislike, some I loathe, and some I am apathetic about. On the love/like side are the Weasley's, Dumbledore, Hermione, the members of the Order, Seamus, Dean, the Creevy bros, etc. On the dislike/loathe side, there are the Malfoy's, Crabbe, Goyle, Voldemort and his Death Eaters, most of the Slytherins, and Dolores Umbridge. The apathetic feelings are with some of the other characters.
Now, granted, JK Rowling has created a wealth of characters and there are many I would enjoy knowing more about, however these books are the Harry Potter books. AND ALL OF THE CHARACTERS ARE CREATED BY HER AND LIVE IN THE WORLD SHE CREATED!!!
I take serious offense at people who claim not to "trust the character of Snape in JKR's hands." I take offense to people who claim they don't want to read the last book because they are worried Snape may die. I seriously take offense at people who gripe about the movies because Snape didn't have a big enough role. I thought the books (and the movies) were about Harry Potter and his world. I thought the other characters were there to move the story ABOUT HARRY POTTER along, both good and bad. I never realized that the whole series was secretly about Severus Snape. I never realized that ANYONE thought that JK Rowling must write her characters and her world and her books in such a way as to not piss off the Severus Snape fans.
My first, and only, foray into the discussion boards on one of the Harry Potter fanfic sites brought about only disgust. Yes, I have my favorite characters. Yes, I can tell you who my favorite character (aside from Harry) is. Yes, I can tell you what it feels like to see that character get murdered. I can tell you what it feels like to have that character murdered by the "adored" Severus Snape. I would rather see Snape dead any day than to have Dumbledore dead, but JK Rowling didn't ask me, nor did I expect her to. I think people need to get over the idea that they own these characters and this world. The characters, and world, belong to JK Rowling and we can play in it with some fanfic, but the canon belongs to her and we must respect that.
I do more than respect it, I adore it and I am furious at the people who would claim not to read the books because Severus Snape may die. Dumbledore died, the only way it could get worse would be to see Harry die, and that is a real possibility and I am prepared to deal with that if that is what JK Rowling throws at us. Her world, her characters, her stories; thank you JK Rowling for all you have created for us. I, for one, am forever grateful.
The only book title that relates to him at all (so far) is the Half-Blood Prince. Seven books and only one title that mentions Snape. Seven books titles mention Harry Potter, and not in riddle, they straight forward mention him.
Now, there are other characters in the books. Some I love, some I like, some I dislike, some I loathe, and some I am apathetic about. On the love/like side are the Weasley's, Dumbledore, Hermione, the members of the Order, Seamus, Dean, the Creevy bros, etc. On the dislike/loathe side, there are the Malfoy's, Crabbe, Goyle, Voldemort and his Death Eaters, most of the Slytherins, and Dolores Umbridge. The apathetic feelings are with some of the other characters.
Now, granted, JK Rowling has created a wealth of characters and there are many I would enjoy knowing more about, however these books are the Harry Potter books. AND ALL OF THE CHARACTERS ARE CREATED BY HER AND LIVE IN THE WORLD SHE CREATED!!!
I take serious offense at people who claim not to "trust the character of Snape in JKR's hands." I take offense to people who claim they don't want to read the last book because they are worried Snape may die. I seriously take offense at people who gripe about the movies because Snape didn't have a big enough role. I thought the books (and the movies) were about Harry Potter and his world. I thought the other characters were there to move the story ABOUT HARRY POTTER along, both good and bad. I never realized that the whole series was secretly about Severus Snape. I never realized that ANYONE thought that JK Rowling must write her characters and her world and her books in such a way as to not piss off the Severus Snape fans.
My first, and only, foray into the discussion boards on one of the Harry Potter fanfic sites brought about only disgust. Yes, I have my favorite characters. Yes, I can tell you who my favorite character (aside from Harry) is. Yes, I can tell you what it feels like to see that character get murdered. I can tell you what it feels like to have that character murdered by the "adored" Severus Snape. I would rather see Snape dead any day than to have Dumbledore dead, but JK Rowling didn't ask me, nor did I expect her to. I think people need to get over the idea that they own these characters and this world. The characters, and world, belong to JK Rowling and we can play in it with some fanfic, but the canon belongs to her and we must respect that.
I do more than respect it, I adore it and I am furious at the people who would claim not to read the books because Severus Snape may die. Dumbledore died, the only way it could get worse would be to see Harry die, and that is a real possibility and I am prepared to deal with that if that is what JK Rowling throws at us. Her world, her characters, her stories; thank you JK Rowling for all you have created for us. I, for one, am forever grateful.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Mad As Hell!
Eve Of Destruction
Lyrics by P.F. Sloan
The eastern world, it is exploding
Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’
You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’
But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say
Can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away
There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave
[Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin’
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, it’s the same old place
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace
And… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction
Mm, no no, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
This song was written, recorded, and released in 1965. It was performed by Barry McGuire who did an amazing job in my opinion. I heard it for the first time as a teenager and thought it was a great song that captured the essence of the Vietnam/Civil Rights era very well. A great Vietnam War protest song.
Listening to that song tonight, I realize that 42 years later we are in the same damn position. Our boys (and girls) now can vote, but are still sent to kill and be killed over some old men's disagreements. I guess our president forgot history, so we are now repeating it.
Maybe we should look toward Selma or New York or Washington, DC, or any other city in America and clean up our own problems and take care of our own people before we take on wealthy oil dictators. What about the evil dictators in this world that AREN'T sitting on a pile of oil? Why aren't we ousting them and helping the people they are terrorizing? Oh, right, oil, never mind!
All I have to say is January 20, 2009, can't get here fast enough.
Lyrics by P.F. Sloan
The eastern world, it is exploding
Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’
You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’
And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’
But you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say
Can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away
There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave
[Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’
I’m sitting here just contemplatin’
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation.
Handful of senators don’t pass legislation
And marches alone can’t bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin’
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’
And you tell me
Over and over and over again, my friend
Ah, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
Think of all the hate there is in Red China
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama
You may leave here for 4 days in space
But when you return, it’s the same old place
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace
Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace
And… tell me over and over and over and over again, my friend
You don’t believe
We’re on the eve
Of destruction
Mm, no no, you don’t believe
We’re on the eve
of destruction.
This song was written, recorded, and released in 1965. It was performed by Barry McGuire who did an amazing job in my opinion. I heard it for the first time as a teenager and thought it was a great song that captured the essence of the Vietnam/Civil Rights era very well. A great Vietnam War protest song.
Listening to that song tonight, I realize that 42 years later we are in the same damn position. Our boys (and girls) now can vote, but are still sent to kill and be killed over some old men's disagreements. I guess our president forgot history, so we are now repeating it.
Maybe we should look toward Selma or New York or Washington, DC, or any other city in America and clean up our own problems and take care of our own people before we take on wealthy oil dictators. What about the evil dictators in this world that AREN'T sitting on a pile of oil? Why aren't we ousting them and helping the people they are terrorizing? Oh, right, oil, never mind!
All I have to say is January 20, 2009, can't get here fast enough.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Something To Think About
Okay, I have been a nurse for almost eight years, and in this time I have been a part of multiple code situations (more than I can count, probably more than I can remember.) However, in all of this time, I have NEVER done chest compressions on anyone. I have bagged, I have run for supplies, I have started IVs, and I have done the charting. Yet, I had never done chest compressions, at least not until two weeks ago.
I had two patients that night, one of whom was extremely busy and extremely sick. Thankfully the other was doing very well and was just waiting for a bed to come available so he could get transferred out of the PICU. My sick baby, four weeks old, had "misbehaved" when I was at lunch and once when I went to the bathroom. Of course, I had left another nurse in charge of him, so he was okay when I got back to the room. The other nurses teased me that he didn't want me to leave him.
Well, last thing before I leave, his heart rate starts to drop and I end up doing chest compressions on him. It is very strange to do chest compressions on someone who weighs all of six pounds. Very strange and definitely life altering. I have to admit that I struggled over the next few days with all the psychological implications of having to do these chest compressions. I am very grateful I was there, the respiratory therapists at the bedside gave me the positive reinforcement I needed after he was stabilized. Thankfully this was never a full blown code situation and his heart rate was back up, on its own, within 30 seconds. However, the affect on me has been profound! That little guys life was literally in my hands, that is a very scary place to be, thankfully I didn't have time to think about that until AFTER the fact!
I had two patients that night, one of whom was extremely busy and extremely sick. Thankfully the other was doing very well and was just waiting for a bed to come available so he could get transferred out of the PICU. My sick baby, four weeks old, had "misbehaved" when I was at lunch and once when I went to the bathroom. Of course, I had left another nurse in charge of him, so he was okay when I got back to the room. The other nurses teased me that he didn't want me to leave him.
Well, last thing before I leave, his heart rate starts to drop and I end up doing chest compressions on him. It is very strange to do chest compressions on someone who weighs all of six pounds. Very strange and definitely life altering. I have to admit that I struggled over the next few days with all the psychological implications of having to do these chest compressions. I am very grateful I was there, the respiratory therapists at the bedside gave me the positive reinforcement I needed after he was stabilized. Thankfully this was never a full blown code situation and his heart rate was back up, on its own, within 30 seconds. However, the affect on me has been profound! That little guys life was literally in my hands, that is a very scary place to be, thankfully I didn't have time to think about that until AFTER the fact!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
79th Annual Acadamy Awards
Last year, the Acadamy Awards were very enjoyable for me. My husband and I chatted online with another individual, we talked about the nominees, the winners, the dresses, it was very enjoyable. I can only hope that they will be as nice this year. I must say that I am looking forward to the Oscars' and I have my favorites picked, though I doubt they will win. Oh well, I may be pleasantly surprised.
