Ok, this just kills me that this even happened. Saturday night after work my fellow traveler and I decided to get dinner. I had a coupon at Macaroni Grill so we decided to give it a whirl.
We were seated quickly, but then had to wait some time before anyone showed up to get a drink order. We ordered our meals from David and dug into the bread. Our meals came out and I felt like something was missing on mine. I had ordered the Mama's Trio, which should have had a Chicken and mushroom Cannelloni, Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna. I had the Cannelloni and the Lasagna, but where my Chicken Parmesan should have been was just some spaghetti. Where's the chicken? So we hailed David and I asked what was supposed to come with what I ordered and he began to list it while looking at my plate. He trailed off as he realized the problem. He offers to take my plate back but I've already almost finished the Cannelloni and ask if he can't just bring out a piece of chicken. Why should I have to stop eating?
DeAngela ordered the Chicken and Mushroom Cannelloni and about halfway through the first one she says something's missing. Where's the chicken? And the mushrooms? I had already finished my Cannelloni and realized mine hadn't contained any chicken or mushroom either. It had tasted like spinach and cheese and was great, but not chicken and mushrooms. We hailed David again. She explained the problem and he offered to get the manager because he has no idea since he doesn't eat that meal. He seemed to be getting a little frustrated.
The manager comes to the table to explain that they have updated the foods they served but not yet their menus, and David should have informed us that they no longer have chicken and mushroom cannelloni but instead are serving spinach and cheese cannelloni. So she bring DeAngela a piece of chicken as well. DeAngela was not impressed as she would have ordered something different given that information. David then comes back and explains that the update was on the website and he hadn't looked at that. Not I'm thinking David isn't too bright or is lazy, I'm not sure at this point.
We decide to get salads to go for leftovers at work on Sunday and ask for the dressing on the side. In order to use the coupon we come up a quarter short so we add on a loaf of bread to go. The salads come out with the dressing on the side but no lid on the dressing...because they're out of those. Paying the check becomes a struggle when David says he can split the check between us (which I was pretty sure with the coupon wouldn't work) and sure enough we lost the discount when he split it. We finally get the check paid (and I was not returned my original copy with the survey offer, which I think was a deliberate move on Davids part, I'm leaning more towards not too bright) and we realize we didn't get the to-go bread.
I walk over to the manager because I'm quite certain David is now scared of us and not coming back to our table, and tell her we're missing the bread. I mention this wasn't my best dining experience ever and she asks to see the receipt. I explain I only have the copy of the payment as the original receipt was not returned to me. She appeared to be trying very hard to not roll her eyes, but she wasn't quite successful. She tries to reprint the receipt without luck and so catches someones attention and tells them to get David. She hands me the bread and asks me to wait. She then goes and gets the original receipt with my survey offer from David and makes sure I have it before leaving.
DeAngela and I agreed the food was good, but the experience was a disaster. She of course blames it on me....because I was there and these things happen with such frequency in my life. We had wonderful leftovers at lunch on Sunday and laughed as we shared the story. I think we should have gotten something free for as much work as it was just to get what we ordered. I will definitely mention that in the survey!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Magic milk
So it's been a while, but that doesn't mean nothing has happened! As always my life is full of random moments that keep me laughing.
I'm currently in Augusta, GA and so far it's been great. I'm only 3 hours from the grandparents and family and have been there twice already. While I was here last week we picked up grandma's car from an oil change and on our way to the grocery store discovered the speedometer wasn't working...we appeared to be going 80 in a 45. Later that day I was driving the car and realized the speedometer was telling us kilometers per hour instead of miles. She'd recently had the battery changed and somehow it has converted to the metric system. At least it was an easy fix.
Last week I walked into a patient's room, and the patient's son was looking out the window that looks at the ER, and he exclaims "I can't believe my neighbor is going to the ER!" This cracked me up because the poor neighbor is probably going to get grilled about that later! There isn't much privacy in the South sometimes!
And finally, I have magic milk! I am living in a "corporate apartment" which also functions as a bed and breakfast. I had bought some milk and put my room number on it and left it in the fridge in the shared kitchen. I was gone for a few days and when I got home I realized there was definitely less milk than when I left. No biggie, it's just milk. That night I get home and put something in the fridge and I have way more milk!! It's like magic! But I don't really want to drink that milk now.
And here's a link to my latest hiking adventure. Tallulah Gorge is so cool, even if the stairs will almost kill you! I think it was definitely worth it. https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3DPPEr
I'm currently in Augusta, GA and so far it's been great. I'm only 3 hours from the grandparents and family and have been there twice already. While I was here last week we picked up grandma's car from an oil change and on our way to the grocery store discovered the speedometer wasn't working...we appeared to be going 80 in a 45. Later that day I was driving the car and realized the speedometer was telling us kilometers per hour instead of miles. She'd recently had the battery changed and somehow it has converted to the metric system. At least it was an easy fix.
Last week I walked into a patient's room, and the patient's son was looking out the window that looks at the ER, and he exclaims "I can't believe my neighbor is going to the ER!" This cracked me up because the poor neighbor is probably going to get grilled about that later! There isn't much privacy in the South sometimes!
And finally, I have magic milk! I am living in a "corporate apartment" which also functions as a bed and breakfast. I had bought some milk and put my room number on it and left it in the fridge in the shared kitchen. I was gone for a few days and when I got home I realized there was definitely less milk than when I left. No biggie, it's just milk. That night I get home and put something in the fridge and I have way more milk!! It's like magic! But I don't really want to drink that milk now.
And here's a link to my latest hiking adventure. Tallulah Gorge is so cool, even if the stairs will almost kill you! I think it was definitely worth it. https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3DPPEr
Friday, June 20, 2014
Everything really IS bigger in Texas
So last year when I left Texas I drove to Arizona. I discovered that everything is bigger in Texas, including nothing! Last week I learned that even the hail is bigger in Texas. I know hail exists in the baseball to softball size but I have never witnessed such an event. I hope I never do again.
Last Thursday while I was at work the hospital was beset with hail that ranged from golf ball to grapefruit in size. It was not pretty, at all. My car was totaled, as were many other cars of employees and patient families. I used garbage bags and gorilla tape to patch the Journey up to get back and forth to work until I could get a replacement. Today I flew home to Des Moines and tomorrow I will drive my new Journey back to Texas.
On the plus side some pretty funny stuff happened at work. I had a student notice that a patient was charted as pregnant and lactating. Not the biggest deal except they were an octogenarian. I told the student to call the Guinness Book of World Records! Turns out the admitting nurse had trouble with the admission profile scrolling and clicked those options on accident. She and the patient had already had a good laugh about it.
Another funny thing was catching a patient trying to make a break for it. I had seen the patient in a wheelchair being pushed by the unit clerk from a neighboring unit. As I went to check on one of my patients I saw the same wheelchair patient alone, wheeling casually through the waiting room. I watched as the patient turned the corner towards some offices and immediately increased their speed. I quickly caught the patient and asked where they thought they were going. I returned the patient to their unit, which I think did not make that patient happy.
And finally. I had a patient on a breathing machine with a mask. It is very difficult to understand what anyone says into the call light when they wear that mask, so I went to see what this patient needed. They told me they could chew the pill in their mouth and needed to spit it out. This concerned me as I had not given them a pill. So I took off the mask and the patient spit out their lower dentures. They looked a bit surprised by this, because they had been certain they had a pill in their mouth.
If you haven't seen pictures of the car, here is the link. I included a picture of my new one.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/sets/72157645263630951/
Last Thursday while I was at work the hospital was beset with hail that ranged from golf ball to grapefruit in size. It was not pretty, at all. My car was totaled, as were many other cars of employees and patient families. I used garbage bags and gorilla tape to patch the Journey up to get back and forth to work until I could get a replacement. Today I flew home to Des Moines and tomorrow I will drive my new Journey back to Texas.
On the plus side some pretty funny stuff happened at work. I had a student notice that a patient was charted as pregnant and lactating. Not the biggest deal except they were an octogenarian. I told the student to call the Guinness Book of World Records! Turns out the admitting nurse had trouble with the admission profile scrolling and clicked those options on accident. She and the patient had already had a good laugh about it.
Another funny thing was catching a patient trying to make a break for it. I had seen the patient in a wheelchair being pushed by the unit clerk from a neighboring unit. As I went to check on one of my patients I saw the same wheelchair patient alone, wheeling casually through the waiting room. I watched as the patient turned the corner towards some offices and immediately increased their speed. I quickly caught the patient and asked where they thought they were going. I returned the patient to their unit, which I think did not make that patient happy.
And finally. I had a patient on a breathing machine with a mask. It is very difficult to understand what anyone says into the call light when they wear that mask, so I went to see what this patient needed. They told me they could chew the pill in their mouth and needed to spit it out. This concerned me as I had not given them a pill. So I took off the mask and the patient spit out their lower dentures. They looked a bit surprised by this, because they had been certain they had a pill in their mouth.
If you haven't seen pictures of the car, here is the link. I included a picture of my new one.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/sets/72157645263630951/
Monday, June 9, 2014
My umbrella's broken
So last month we had girl's weekend in Asheville, NC. As always there was no shortage of laughter. You cannot take my mom and I anywhere, seriously! But it was a great time with family and a most beautiful wedding with a breathtaking bride.
My mom, my aunt, my grandma and I went to the Biltmore Estate because I just love that place and wanted to share it with these women. We took to the scenic route up and it was so a great drive through the mountains. We ate at The Gourmet Chip Factory in downtown, and if you ever get to Asheville I highly recommend it. They make great chips and the sandwiches were quite tasty.
When we got to the Biltmore it had started raining, and that's really where the drama started, too. Thankfully most drama in our family is hysterical. This drama involved an umbrella and a shuttle of people who got to watch the craziness unfold. My aunt had two umbrellas and said "one of these doesn't work" and proceeded to hand one to my mother. We see the trolley coming and my aunt and grandma head over there immediately. Mom is still trying to get herself together.
She opens her door and tries to open the umbrella. This is less than successful so she closes her door, because it's raining. Meanwhile my grandma is partway on the trolley, my aunt is standing with her umbrella just looking at us like we're crazy. I have a hood so I'm outside the car waiting for mom the get out of the car. She opens her door again, umbrella doesn't open again and she shuts the door, again.
I'm now trying to find her jacket in the luggage. Grandma is now on the trolley and Julie is still watching us like we're crazy (and unbeknownst to us is telling grandma to get off the trolley). I find the jacket, and get the umbrella open and we dash for the trolley. My aunt and grandma are now seated and I sit behind them. Mom gets on and now can't get the umbrella closed. No one on the trolley is talking, just watching the drama continue. In an effort to not get everyone wet mom turns the umbrella upside down, but now it's blocking the aisle and she can't get around it to sit by me.
There is an empty seat across the aisle from my aunt and she finally tells my mom "Sit down, you're embarrassing me" to which everyone in the trolley start laughing. Mom and my aunt proceed to argue about which umbrella is broken (it wasn't the one my mom had). At the next stop everyone but our group gets off the trolley.
After all that we enjoyed our tour through the house and gardens. Saturday they shopped their way back to Georgia and I was able to attend the wedding of a dear friend. It was a perfect day and perfect place. She was a beautiful bride and it was a great ceremony. I am so happy for her and so excited I got to be there!
My mom, my aunt, my grandma and I went to the Biltmore Estate because I just love that place and wanted to share it with these women. We took to the scenic route up and it was so a great drive through the mountains. We ate at The Gourmet Chip Factory in downtown, and if you ever get to Asheville I highly recommend it. They make great chips and the sandwiches were quite tasty.
When we got to the Biltmore it had started raining, and that's really where the drama started, too. Thankfully most drama in our family is hysterical. This drama involved an umbrella and a shuttle of people who got to watch the craziness unfold. My aunt had two umbrellas and said "one of these doesn't work" and proceeded to hand one to my mother. We see the trolley coming and my aunt and grandma head over there immediately. Mom is still trying to get herself together.
She opens her door and tries to open the umbrella. This is less than successful so she closes her door, because it's raining. Meanwhile my grandma is partway on the trolley, my aunt is standing with her umbrella just looking at us like we're crazy. I have a hood so I'm outside the car waiting for mom the get out of the car. She opens her door again, umbrella doesn't open again and she shuts the door, again.
I'm now trying to find her jacket in the luggage. Grandma is now on the trolley and Julie is still watching us like we're crazy (and unbeknownst to us is telling grandma to get off the trolley). I find the jacket, and get the umbrella open and we dash for the trolley. My aunt and grandma are now seated and I sit behind them. Mom gets on and now can't get the umbrella closed. No one on the trolley is talking, just watching the drama continue. In an effort to not get everyone wet mom turns the umbrella upside down, but now it's blocking the aisle and she can't get around it to sit by me.
There is an empty seat across the aisle from my aunt and she finally tells my mom "Sit down, you're embarrassing me" to which everyone in the trolley start laughing. Mom and my aunt proceed to argue about which umbrella is broken (it wasn't the one my mom had). At the next stop everyone but our group gets off the trolley.
After all that we enjoyed our tour through the house and gardens. Saturday they shopped their way back to Georgia and I was able to attend the wedding of a dear friend. It was a perfect day and perfect place. She was a beautiful bride and it was a great ceremony. I am so happy for her and so excited I got to be there!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Change of plans
Virginia didn't work out, so I am back in Texas. And while Abilene wasn't my favorite town, I did really love where I worked and the people I worked with. I'm not on the same floor, but I like where I'm at and have already reconnected with local friends.
The big benefit is I'm only on nights for a few weeks and will be back to a day shift. I have learned as I get older I function better working days. I'm a complete sun addict after my stint in Arizona. It's been pretty windy so far, more so than normal according to locals. If that lets up I shouldn't be crazy at the end of this assignment.
The drive down here went well, with a humorous siting of a truck pulling a trailer of tires on the side of the road with a flat tire. And I truly love driving through Kansas, I think it's beautiful, especially The Flint Hills. So far in my travels the only place I have not enjoyed driving through is Nebraska!!
Anyway, I'm looking forward to adventures and funny stories while I'm in TX, because I truly believe it's all in your perspective. Or maybe I'm just blessed with a great sense of humor and knack for being in the right place at the right time (or wrong place at the wrong time....however you see it).
The big benefit is I'm only on nights for a few weeks and will be back to a day shift. I have learned as I get older I function better working days. I'm a complete sun addict after my stint in Arizona. It's been pretty windy so far, more so than normal according to locals. If that lets up I shouldn't be crazy at the end of this assignment.
The drive down here went well, with a humorous siting of a truck pulling a trailer of tires on the side of the road with a flat tire. And I truly love driving through Kansas, I think it's beautiful, especially The Flint Hills. So far in my travels the only place I have not enjoyed driving through is Nebraska!!
Anyway, I'm looking forward to adventures and funny stories while I'm in TX, because I truly believe it's all in your perspective. Or maybe I'm just blessed with a great sense of humor and knack for being in the right place at the right time (or wrong place at the wrong time....however you see it).
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Feel free to go somewhere else, please!
So in a little over a week I have driven over 2500 miles with the briefest of stops at home and Cincinnati. I'm looking forward to July and being home for a little longer stretch, but I greatly enjoyed the time I was able to spend with friends and family.
I am now in Danville, Virginia. For supper last night I went to Subway, and I admit by the time I got there I was a little hangry. The guy in front of me seemed indecisive, and then I realized that he would ask the price of an item, and when told he would say he could go to the sub shop up the road and get it for less. He did this repeatedly, and I looked at one of the workers and mouthed "So go somewhere else" and she nodded back at me.
Turns out, he does this all the time. The poor Subway people have to deal with him frequently. I do not get it. The prices aren't going to get cheaper suddenly, and the person making the sandwich isn't the one determining the price. I call that an exercise in futility. He finally said he was going to the other sub shop because it was cheaper. Maybe he owns that shop and was casing the competition?
Anyway, I figure if that was my first experience in Danville I am in for a real treat of nonstop laughs the next three months!!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Home, sweet home
So I was sent home early my last shift after I discharged 75% of my patients, so I had a two hour head start on my trek home. It was quite the adventure. I am home, in one piece and with no go fast awards gained on the way. We will call it a success!
So that's what Mesa looked like as I left. It was gorgeous, except that it decided to rain for only the second time since I've been there. Not really a big deal, but I was driving through mountains, as it got dark, and I'd never been through there before.
Once I got passed Payson it decided to fog from the the road up, there were "beware of elk" signs every ten feet and sleet. As I continued to gain altitude the road became more slushy and my speed dwindled, making a mockery of my two hour head start.
By the time I got to I-40 it was a full out blizzard. I know I was on the highway, going the right direction, by mostly had no clue what lane I was in as I could see nothing. Thankfully a semi flew past me and I just followed his taillights and made up some time.
It cleared up once I got passed the Continental Divide, except that's when the crosswinds kicked in. I decided to keep going because it was too cold to get out of the car. I made it to Albuquerque, which comes up really sudden. You know there's a city from the light ahead, but then you crest a hill and boom, there it is!
The picture doesn't do it justice, but it's a pretty cool sight to see at night. It also meant I was stopping for the night. It was only 2am local time. I slept a few hours and got back in the car and decided I was going for broke and making it all the way home.
There were flurries to start out the morning, followed by a dust storm in Texas. I stopped in Amarillo for coffee and discovered that all Starbucks in Texas towns that start with the letter A absolutely suck. And I must have passed half the snowbirds from Mesa before Kansas city. Good news is they don't drive at night, which meant no traffic after 8pm!
This will all be quite the surprise to my mom in the morning as she thinks I'm somewhere in Kansas. Dad was in the know and Truman was in the basement, so he's already had his big reunion. Hopefully I can walk in the morning, because after 15 hours in the car I'm a little stiff!
Once I got passed Payson it decided to fog from the the road up, there were "beware of elk" signs every ten feet and sleet. As I continued to gain altitude the road became more slushy and my speed dwindled, making a mockery of my two hour head start.
By the time I got to I-40 it was a full out blizzard. I know I was on the highway, going the right direction, by mostly had no clue what lane I was in as I could see nothing. Thankfully a semi flew past me and I just followed his taillights and made up some time.
It cleared up once I got passed the Continental Divide, except that's when the crosswinds kicked in. I decided to keep going because it was too cold to get out of the car. I made it to Albuquerque, which comes up really sudden. You know there's a city from the light ahead, but then you crest a hill and boom, there it is!
There were flurries to start out the morning, followed by a dust storm in Texas. I stopped in Amarillo for coffee and discovered that all Starbucks in Texas towns that start with the letter A absolutely suck. And I must have passed half the snowbirds from Mesa before Kansas city. Good news is they don't drive at night, which meant no traffic after 8pm!
This will all be quite the surprise to my mom in the morning as she thinks I'm somewhere in Kansas. Dad was in the know and Truman was in the basement, so he's already had his big reunion. Hopefully I can walk in the morning, because after 15 hours in the car I'm a little stiff!
Monday, March 31, 2014
Next stop: Danville, VA
Wow, been a while since I shared. This contract in AZ has been incredible, and busy. If I'm not at work I am out running around or hanging by the pool. I don't think I've ever been this tan! I did make it to the Grand Canyon, but need at least a month there to do everything I want! Still so much to explore...next winter!
A couple of funny things have happened that I had to write down to share. Apparently I am supposed to be psychic along with all my other nursing skills. I walked into the nurses' station and the doctor was watching the telemetry monitor and asked me what my patient was doing that had his heart rate elevated...because I can look into my crystal ball and tell you! Instead I told him I would go check, because I had no idea what my patient was doing.
Later that day I was charting and a slightly panicked tech requested help in a patients room. I run right in there and immediately bust out laughing. The patient had been sleeping in the recliner with the footrest up, had slid off the stack of pillows in the chair onto the footrest of the chair and tipped the whole recliner forward. She was laughing so hard! She said it was the most fun she'd has since getting to the hospital!!
And last, I had an admit that I needed an order for so I paged the physician. When he called I got the order I needed and asked about some additional labs that I had not seen ordered. He asked why I would want those and I stated my case and he dismissed my concern. I hung up the phone, refreshed my screen and he had ordered one of the labs I had asked about. Good thing he has a nurse to do his job for him!
So today is packing day. I need to have everything loaded tonight, but still leave room to pick up a friend and her luggage from the airport...this could get interesting. Then I make a mad dash across country to Iowa, hang with the family for a few days and then head to Cincinnati for some R&R with dearest friends before finally arriving in Danville, VA for 3 months. I'm excited to be back in that area for a number of reasons. I already have my travel books ordered and am sure many more adventures will be detailed here!!
Monday, February 17, 2014
What's that smell?
If you are easily grossed out, this is not a post for you. If you are a nurse you will die laughing, after you finish retching.
Friday was Valentine's Day. It was a great day for me. I had an unexpected present from my parents and an unexpected email that had me smiling all day. And I can happily say this story did not happen to me.
It was towards the end of shift and a a patient had decided to have a GI Bleed. For those not in health care this produces a very distinct odor. The nurse of this patient continued to complain that she could still smell it, even though those sitting by her no longer could. Just before end of shift, as night shift was arriving, she happened to look down as someone commented on her badge only to realize she had GI Bleed on her badge and shirt. This produced quite a bit of hysteria for her and muscle cramping laughter for the rest of us, even as we tried to fix the situation. Guess she wasn't lying about that smell.
And today I found a reason no hospital should have double rooms, ever. I was getting an admission into a semi-private room. There are really only 2 rules for patients in semi-private rooms according to our unit secretary: neither patient can be in contact isolation and they must be the same gender. Doesn't seem too complicated, really.
My patient arrived while I was busy giving medications, and the patient was placed in the room. The patients daughter approached the desk shortly after their arrival to notify the charge nurse that the patient who was already in the room was not the same gender as my new patient. Thankfully my patient had a good sense of humor about it and we shortly had them in a private room.
The best part was the cardiologist sitting next to me. His comment "Welcome to Obamacare, we are all just citizens" I told him that comment would end up in my blog, he said he didn't mind being quoted.
Anyway, I think from now on I will try to avoid working 4 shifts in a row during the full moon. I am just not sure what else to blame for all the craziness that was the last four days. I just know I don't know how any of that actually happened.
Friday was Valentine's Day. It was a great day for me. I had an unexpected present from my parents and an unexpected email that had me smiling all day. And I can happily say this story did not happen to me.
It was towards the end of shift and a a patient had decided to have a GI Bleed. For those not in health care this produces a very distinct odor. The nurse of this patient continued to complain that she could still smell it, even though those sitting by her no longer could. Just before end of shift, as night shift was arriving, she happened to look down as someone commented on her badge only to realize she had GI Bleed on her badge and shirt. This produced quite a bit of hysteria for her and muscle cramping laughter for the rest of us, even as we tried to fix the situation. Guess she wasn't lying about that smell.
And today I found a reason no hospital should have double rooms, ever. I was getting an admission into a semi-private room. There are really only 2 rules for patients in semi-private rooms according to our unit secretary: neither patient can be in contact isolation and they must be the same gender. Doesn't seem too complicated, really.
My patient arrived while I was busy giving medications, and the patient was placed in the room. The patients daughter approached the desk shortly after their arrival to notify the charge nurse that the patient who was already in the room was not the same gender as my new patient. Thankfully my patient had a good sense of humor about it and we shortly had them in a private room.
The best part was the cardiologist sitting next to me. His comment "Welcome to Obamacare, we are all just citizens" I told him that comment would end up in my blog, he said he didn't mind being quoted.
Anyway, I think from now on I will try to avoid working 4 shifts in a row during the full moon. I am just not sure what else to blame for all the craziness that was the last four days. I just know I don't know how any of that actually happened.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Still shaking my head about that...
So I think I must say "did that really just happen" more than the average person. I cannot believe the list of things that have happened in the last week that I'm still not sure actually happened! I now wonder if I wander around looking confused all the time because of all the things I see that make me double take and shake my head.
Last week at work I had a few of these moments in one day. I was reading a physician dictation that said the patient had failed a medication treatment in the future. I still haven't figured that one out. And then the psychiatrist saw my patient and came to me to tell me the patient was acting really weird. Isn't weird his specialty??
My folks got to enjoy Arizona weather for a few days, and I was off to enjoy it with them. Another shaking my head moment here: I go pick them up from the airport. I pull up beside them and they are still looking at the oncoming traffic. I guess 5 weeks is all it takes to forget what the car looks like.
We did have a wonderful whirlwind time. We saw an Esteban gig (concert seems too formal), we visited Sedona which even cloudy was gorgeous. We took the scenic route up to Flagstaff and decided we were not appropriately dressed for snow once we got there and promptly headed back to Scottsdale. Sunday was my favorite, dad was the speaker for the IMPACT church service. He did a great job and I cannot explain how humbled I am by God's direction in my life that allowed me to be here and experience that. I do feel awful they had to go back to the arctic, but still thankful I got to stay here to soak up more sun. I'm trying quite hard to get enough Vitamin D for everyone back home.
Today at Starbucks I watched with some alarm as a man went straight into the women's bathroom. I almost said something, but am so glad I didn't, because the girl next to me moved and I saw the sign on the men's door saying out of order.
Tonight at Albertsons was my favorite moment. I was getting in line to pay and I noticed an employee open the refrigerated beverage unit, pull out a water, take a drink and put it back. It truly took a few seconds to realize I had indeed just seen that happen. So I backed up a few steps to take a look and she had her water laying on top of the drinks for sale. I guess that's how she keeps her water cool, but I think it's disturbing and I will not be buying beverages from the end unit ever again.
If you want to see pictures of the latest adventures here is the link. There are some from Esteban, Sedona and the Biosphere 2, which I saw yesterday with another gypsy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/
Last week at work I had a few of these moments in one day. I was reading a physician dictation that said the patient had failed a medication treatment in the future. I still haven't figured that one out. And then the psychiatrist saw my patient and came to me to tell me the patient was acting really weird. Isn't weird his specialty??
My folks got to enjoy Arizona weather for a few days, and I was off to enjoy it with them. Another shaking my head moment here: I go pick them up from the airport. I pull up beside them and they are still looking at the oncoming traffic. I guess 5 weeks is all it takes to forget what the car looks like.
We did have a wonderful whirlwind time. We saw an Esteban gig (concert seems too formal), we visited Sedona which even cloudy was gorgeous. We took the scenic route up to Flagstaff and decided we were not appropriately dressed for snow once we got there and promptly headed back to Scottsdale. Sunday was my favorite, dad was the speaker for the IMPACT church service. He did a great job and I cannot explain how humbled I am by God's direction in my life that allowed me to be here and experience that. I do feel awful they had to go back to the arctic, but still thankful I got to stay here to soak up more sun. I'm trying quite hard to get enough Vitamin D for everyone back home.
Today at Starbucks I watched with some alarm as a man went straight into the women's bathroom. I almost said something, but am so glad I didn't, because the girl next to me moved and I saw the sign on the men's door saying out of order.
Tonight at Albertsons was my favorite moment. I was getting in line to pay and I noticed an employee open the refrigerated beverage unit, pull out a water, take a drink and put it back. It truly took a few seconds to realize I had indeed just seen that happen. So I backed up a few steps to take a look and she had her water laying on top of the drinks for sale. I guess that's how she keeps her water cool, but I think it's disturbing and I will not be buying beverages from the end unit ever again.
If you want to see pictures of the latest adventures here is the link. There are some from Esteban, Sedona and the Biosphere 2, which I saw yesterday with another gypsy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/
Friday, January 31, 2014
I will be a snowbird for life!
I cannot get over how sunny and warm it is all the time here in Mesa. I totally get the snowbird thing so much better now. Forget waiting until I'm older, I think I want to do this every winter from here on out!!
So far I have been to Tombstone with family and friends, Sedona with a group of gypsies, hiking in the Superstitions with gypsies, shooting in Tonto National forest and out to eat at some fantastic new restaurants!
Tombstone was such a fun day. We did see the OK Corral reenactment and it was worth it. I wouldn't mind seeing it again! Sedona was a blast and so beautiful. I could definitely go back there. Hiking in the Superstitions was absolutely breathtaking, literally, and I will get back there to see some more. Shooting was a wonderful experience. I've shot rifles, but now feel confident with a handgun.
Work is going well, too. I know I could probably pick up OT, but I am having way too much fun running around outside to want stay inside. I have met some wonderful people from all over as many of my patients are snowbird. I even had some folks from Fargo and the wife and I reminisced about sauce from Mexican Village.
Funny story so far, I was helping an older gentleman to the bathroom and he was hooked to the IV and it was finished. He was eager to go and I kept saying wait and he kept moving. I finally said it more loudly and firmly "Wait!" and he said "That's what made the bridge fall" I cracked up, he did as well. It was so fun.
If you want to see my photos so far, here are the links. I don't know if you need an account or not!
Tombstone: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/sets/72157640354491573/
Sedona: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/sets/72157640352472465/
Tonto National Forest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35077813@N03/sets/72157640353128435/
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Enjoying the sun
So here's my flip flop shot that I promised everyone before I left. With getting moved in it took a few days to get a pedicure, and I really did feel a little bad that I was wearing flip flops during the arctic blast my northern friends were suffering.
While I was getting my pedicure I was asked if I wanted a sea salt scrub. I said "maybe next time" which I guess sounded like "that's fine" because I got the sea salt scrub. During the manicure I was asked what color polish and I said none, so I got clear. But it was really cheap and completely relaxing, so I am definitely going back!
Quirks I've noticed while driving is many people seem to be in the wrong lane, usually by several lanes. I find that very unnerving. Also, I see blinkers go on to merge into a lane, someone is there so the blinker goes off and the person comes over anyway. Keeps me alert for sure!!
This is Charlie, my roommate's dog. He is not as cute as my grandpa Charlie, but he is a pretty good dog. He rarely barks, he doesn't beg too much, and he is friendly. My roommate is great, too. She has great stories to share and she is funny.
Anyway, I'm off to try yoga with some other travel nurses. I'm a little nervous and promise I'll share if it all goes horribly awry.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
New Year, new locations, new people
Happy New Year! What is it about this day? It's a Wednesday, normal snowy day in Iowa. Yet it's a day that has so much significance to so many people. A fresh start on goals. This year I will.....?
Well, today I will not attempt to start a diet as we have snack food galore ready to go for all day football. Today I will enjoy the snow falling because I know that come Monday, when the high in Des Moines is forecast to be -2, I will be in sunny Arizona wearing flip flops!! Today I will cheer for the Hawkeyes in the Outback bowl, and I most likely will not start an exercise regimen. Today I will enjoy a day with my folks, because these are few of these left this visit.
Next up is Mesa, AZ. I am so excited about this contract. I know people in the area, I know people that will be visiting the area and it's going to be warm!! I get to work day shift which means I may even get a slight tan, or at least look a little less pasty.
And here is a laugh to start off your new year:
I was watching the heart monitors and realized my patient had leads off. I went in to check and found said patient in the bathroom, with the heart monitor on the floor, IV line on the floor, pulling off various dressings. I stood staring unsure what to even say or where to start and the patient looked at me and said "It's a mystery"
Well, today I will not attempt to start a diet as we have snack food galore ready to go for all day football. Today I will enjoy the snow falling because I know that come Monday, when the high in Des Moines is forecast to be -2, I will be in sunny Arizona wearing flip flops!! Today I will cheer for the Hawkeyes in the Outback bowl, and I most likely will not start an exercise regimen. Today I will enjoy a day with my folks, because these are few of these left this visit.
Next up is Mesa, AZ. I am so excited about this contract. I know people in the area, I know people that will be visiting the area and it's going to be warm!! I get to work day shift which means I may even get a slight tan, or at least look a little less pasty.
And here is a laugh to start off your new year:
I was watching the heart monitors and realized my patient had leads off. I went in to check and found said patient in the bathroom, with the heart monitor on the floor, IV line on the floor, pulling off various dressings. I stood staring unsure what to even say or where to start and the patient looked at me and said "It's a mystery"
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