It's getting hotter!

So it's summer. It's hot. It's dry. And I find myself complaining about the heat. Again. It happens every year. In the winter I complain about the snow. It's beautiful but I don't like to drive in it. I also spend most of the winter being cold. I wear socks to bed, I wear sweatshirts and wrap up in blankets. You would think that when cold is gone, I would be happy, but no - I complain about the heat and humidity. I know I am spoiled. I read a blog by a missionary nurse in Haiti and I don't think the people there complain too much about the heat. They have other things to worry about - like just staying alive and keeping their families fed. So this week, I am going to make a conscious effort not to complain. This week I want to enjoy God's creation. He has created an absolutely beautiful world for us to live in and I don't think it gives him any glory when I complain about things that are pretty small in the whole realm of things. I challenge anyone reading this to take a look outside and thank God for his creation, even with heat and humidity!

If you want to think a little more about snow, visit this site. You can make your own snowflake. The best part is, when you do this on the computer and you make a wrong cut, you just have to hit the undo button. Have fun.

It's time for your yearly...

Yes - today was the day. It was time for my yearly physical, except in my case it had been more than a year. More than 2 years - closer to 3 years. So...I got a letter from the Dr's office saying that if I did not come in I could no longer be a patient! I admit it. I'm a terrible patient. I should know better, in fact I do know better and I really have no excuse. I went in and faced the dreaded scale and was poked and prodded. It really wasn't bad, but as usual I had to wait. In a little gown. In a cold room. With a thin paper sheet. The good news? I have lost weight since the last time I was there. The bad news? My blood pressure is borderline. I will be starting on a new med and I have to have my BP monitored. (This means you, Nancy!) The Dr had the nerve to tell me that he wanted it watched and he didn't want me to come back in a year and say I hadn't followed through or wasn't feeling good and hadn't called. I can't believe he would think that of me! He told me he had another nurse in this morning and she was not the best patient either. I then informed him that I had taken care of a few Dr's and they were also not great patients, to which he laughed and agreed. I left with a new prescription and orders for a mammogram and blood work. I was saved from one thing though. He told me I am young enough that I don't need a colonoscopy yet!!! Seriously, I have a great Dr who I both like and respect and I will follow through with his orders. God has blessed me with good health and it isn't something to take lightly or fool around with.

My life at work

Many of you know that I work in a long term care facility or what is commonly known as a "nursing home". People that are not familiar with these facilities often have ideas about what they are like. I have had people say to me that it must be boring or depressing, and many have said "I don't know how you do that". Well - it is neither boring or depressing. I am blessed to work with some great people. The facility I work in has employees that truly care about our residents, and they show it by the care they give them. They show it by goofing off and laughing with them. They show it by taking them out on their own time, and buying things for them with their own money. We really get close to many of our residents and their families and it is hard on us when they pass away, but I wouldn't want to miss out on knowing these people. This is a picture of myself and Nancy. She is one of the nurses I love to work with. She is dedicated to her work and also loves the residents. (She recently started a blog - you can check it out at http://inmyneckofthewoods.blogspot.com/ ) Below our picture is a picture of 6 of the aides that work with me. These are the girls that work my weekend with me.
Here is a picture of me with Georgia. (Permission was given to put this on my blog for HIPAA reasons). She is one of our 60 residents. She is also one of the reasons my work is never boring. I could write a book on funny things that happen or are said and the many things we laugh about. Georgia has a great sense of humor and we never know what she is going to say next. We also have residents who come to us to recuperate after an injury or surgery and it is great to see someone get well and be able to return to their home. I can truly say I love my job and the people I am blessed to work with!