almost on the water

About the belly...

2009-11-04T07:27:00.001-08:00

Sticking it out
Originally uploaded by raecgirl

It's week 23 and it has now undeniably popped out. I experienced my first near-stranger belly touching encounter just a few days ago, so I guess yep, it's finally official that I appear to be with child. I used to be a bit incredulous whenever I witnessed this as an outsider, but I actually don't mind. I totally get that it's exciting, even if you have no clue who I am or will not be coming over to make food, change diapers, or do laundry.

I would normally be the sort of person to be photographically documenting this momentous expansion but something about recently being sick, then back to work, and in the midst of many small home renovation projects (with our computer stations very disrupted ) has made regular blogging (and photographing!) a near impossibility.

SO, dear patient readers, I leave you with this one from September. Yes, terrible, I know... I think I am at 14 weeks and my friend Jen at 16 weeks. You'll notice that I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to appear equally belly-licious.

Now I can finally issue a challenge to Jen for a rematch. Just hop on a plane, will ya? =) More photos to come when our computer situation is improved...

Just call me "Heeney"

2009-10-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

I think I'm ready for the drama in my life to stop...like, yesterday. I am perfectly content with a quiet life, thank you very much.

"Heeney" is my new nickname, it is Andrew's phonetic rendition of "H1N1" and yes, I found out on Saturday I am positive for the swine flu, which is much more risky for pregnant women according to the CDC. (As if there aren't ENOUGH things to worry about when you're pregnant, right?)

My symptoms began Tuesday night with just some general body aches (not uncommon for me during the past month as my belly has started to expand a little) and a mild headache. The following morning it was evident I most definitely had a cold--nasal congestion and a bit of a cough so I bundled up on the sofa with my chamomile tea and took the day off work.

However, this seeming 'cold' was nowhere near as awful as the vile cold that knocked me on my butt in August for about a week, so I didn't think much of it. By Thursday I was calling the midwife clinic to get clearance to go back to work on Monday, and when they found out I had one episode of fever 100.9F I was asked to come into the office the following day...my nasal swab definitely showed I was positive.

Fortunately I am doing fine today except for still a bit of a cough, and baby has checked out ok. And, perhaps the best news is that I will now develop my own natural immunity to the dreaded swine flu which will allow me to avoid the whole vaccination debacle. (suspension of mercury restrictions)

Going back to my tea, rest, and other pathways to good health...

I (heart)

2009-10-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

Maybe this has something to do with the rosy glow of being pregnant and in the 'honeymoon' of the 2nd trimester, but there are some things I am just so grateful for lately and had to share. These are the things that make my heart sparkle these days...

little tiny taps and flutters that mean yes, there is a real live child growing inside me.

beautiful fall days perfect for evening walks with Sophie and enjoying colorful sunsets (yes, even in the city)

working with a different team of highly efficient, team-oriented doctors and the same fabulous team of nurses

the delighted look on the faces of children and sometimes even adults when they catch a glimpse of our live teddy bear (Sophie) in the backseat of our car

the cute way in which Andrew will ask "how is the belly (baby) today?"

What are you grateful for today?

Where did it go?

2009-09-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

Summer time is so elusive. Almost as elusive as blogging time. Here's a few picture so perhaps you'll understand why.

We joined the Verdan family for an early August Ocean Shores trip. No car camping this time, we shamelessly mooched the luxury of a time-share along with the usual eating-fest. Did I mention we were almost eaten by a shark? Well not exactly...but there was the requisite tacky tourist store with a funky shark that made a great photo op...except my so-called subjects weren't very cooperative, were they?

It wasn't too difficult to talk Drea into some ferocious Jaws-like action, except the shark sorta got cut out of the picture. Oh well.

We were fortunate to have one sunny day and took advantage of the outdoor swimming pool and hottub. Andrew took this a step further by surfing as I eyed him like a hawk from the shore, cell phone poised in hand. It is a relatively safe area for surfing, but I have a worst-case-scenario obsessed mind. Drea was more than happy to distract me with girlie talk and yummy snacks. Unfortunately we are yet to get a telescopic lens (Christmas hint, anyone?) for our Nikon so I have no rockin' real surfing action photos.

Evening brought about the usual Verdan-eating fest, but they really outdid themselves this time. Here's Drea, the smiling cook whipping up some delicious cream sauce for bacon-wrapped trout and her Dad prepping short ribs for the grill...

All of this activity resulted in quite a feast..succulent Kalbi short ribs, bacon-wrapped trout in sundried-tomato cream sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, grilled salmon. A girl could get used to eating like this!

Of course the day after such an extravagant meal, we went on a morning beach walk. Unfortunately it was more than a little wet. Andrew and Drea saw fit to pay homage to Sophie by chasing birds....And I saw a fitting opportunity to creatively reveal some exciting news...

Dental Office Humor Gone Awry...

2009-07-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

I never used to mind going to the dentist. To me, it was a brief episode of wearing a funny bib, over-sized glasses, and relaxing in comfy chair while my teeth were prodded and then finally polished.... Not too bad of a reason to leave school or work early.

But as we all know, most good things are not to last. A few years ago I became the not-so-proud owner of my first cavity (and since then a couple more molars have succumbed) and sadly my formerly rosy dental relationship is now scarred forever.

I know there's dozens of pop-culture references to sadistic dentists although the only one that comes to mind at the moment is Steve Martin in Little Shop of Horrors. While what I discovered in my dentist's office is not quite as outrageous, I still thought their choice of dixie cups was a bit, ahem...inappropriate.

Let's examine said artifact, shall we?

The tooth on the far left is smiling serenely as it's being...what, polished? I think that's ok, being polished is not so traumatic, right?

Let's move onto the tooth in the middle. It is looking overjoyed at something that resembles a tiny auger that has not yet touched its surface. Hmm...

And it gets better! Let's rotate the cup a bit and see what more goodness is in store for us.

Ooooo-kay. So now we have something that can only resemble a probe scraping some cutesy-ladylike tooth with long, girly eyelashes. I don't know about you, but if I see a sharp, pointed object directed at me I'm going to be most unladylike and get the bleep outta there.

Like a curious kitty-cat, Andrew became interested in what I was doing and saw fit to attempt a rather inappropriate gesture toward the camera. My thoughts exactly, honey. These cups can take it and shove it!

Let's blame it on the weather

2009-07-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Once Seattle turned warm and sunny in early June (much to everyone's delight and surprise) this little ol' blog no longer held much of a draw for me. Perhaps these photos can tell you why....

Layla learned to play kitty chess, here she contemplates her move...

And then presents her ingenious chess strategy! (The chess set was a gift from my Mom to Andrew for his birthday, but now you can see who it really was for.)

The summer hiking season has officially started, enabling us to see places like this--beautiful lower Bridal Veil Falls...

and take short breaks in cool and loamy forests...

After a long trek up , up, up many rocks and winding stairs, we were rewarded with a beautiful alpine lake and some hot miso soup for lunch.

This is also where crazy dogs otherwise known as Sophie go swimming. Let me point out--3/4 of this lake was still under snow cover! She came out one chilly dog.

We've also been catching up with family and friends. On one of my Mondays off (love, love, having every other Monday off. It's amazing how smugly luxurious one can feel lounging in bed until 0830, knowing the rest of the city is gearing up to work the day away) we journeyed down to Puyallup to catch up with my ever-busy little sis and meet her beautiful new horse, Charlotte.

If you think it looks like the horse is snuggling Bree, it's true, she really is! She's a very gentle, curious 4 year old whom my sister has only trained since February.

Bree took pity on us poor horsie amateurs and let us each have a turn around the arena. This would be approximately Andrew's first time ever on a horse and perhaps my 12th or so; however my first in many years since sneaking out at night to trot down to the beach with Necia and her horses.

If you're smitten and would like to see more of Charlotte, try my flickr site. Hopefully we'll be seeing much more of her over the years, as she is by far the sweetest horse my sister has ever been involved with.

So now that this formerly cloud-and-rain soaked Seattlelite girl has finally absorbed enough vitamin D and satisfactory outdoor adventures to at least account for some of our months of gloom, my blogging updates should be more faithful and regular.

Two steps forward, one step back...

2009-06-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

This appears to be the theme today. And here's what I did that made me think this way since I'm sure you're clamoring to know:

1. Purchased two birthday cards, one for a birthday in about 2 weeks, another for a birthday at the end of the month. Came home and found out that birthday girl no 1's cat just died, and birthday card is very cat-centric. Oopsies. Guess I'll have to pick out a different card.

2. Took Sophie with me on multiple little errands at the U Village. We wove in and out of stores including the treacherous Fireworks (lots of break-able at nose height) and she impressed dubious store-owners frequently. I felt quite smug about having such a well-trained dog and loved being able to take her with me on a rather hot day when there's no safe possibility of staying in the car. On our walk up the hill from the condo parking spot, took her off leash and she galloped towards a little tiny girl who just toddled around the corner. Despite my call to have her come back to me. Sophie circled the little kid before turning around. She didn't knock the kid over or anything like that, but the girl looked pretty spooked and Sophie's previous stellar obedience took a little nose-dive in my (now humbled) opinion.

3. Made a quick grocery run this morning for bread and breakfast staples. Was inspired to purchase the makings of a BBQ--steak, corn, and watermelon--but realized when I came home that we were out of charcoal. And when I finally purchased the charcoal, I got the wrong kind. I didn't know there were right and wrong kinds, but there you go. That's why Andrew usually does that stuff.

Overall these are minor things but a good reminder that I'm quite far from perfect. A few years ago I probably would have thrown up my hands and been irritated at myself, but I think I've grown up a bit. Today's a beautiful day that's meant to be enjoyed--despite steps backwards or not--that is exactly what I intend to do.

Ladies of the Sky

2009-05-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I was caring for one of those truly lovely elderly ladies who had just managed to land herself in the hospital for a few days. It was on or very near to D-Day and she was part of the generation where that day was a defining moment in her life. She also (as it turned out) had been a pilot for the US Air Corps.

At first when she told me this I thought to myself....Uh oh, time to get out the haldol...but since she was sharp as a tack in every other way and passed a quick mental status check, I eventually realized that she wasn't joking!

Here's an interesting read for your Memorial Day consideration, in recognition of the little-known female WW-2 pilot.

She might sink

2009-05-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

On a recent stereotypically overcast day, Andrew and I were with Sophie in the park. There's only one thing Sophie loves just as much as chasing a ball and that is swimming to get the ball. (Do you notice a theme here?)

Andrew was lobbing the tennis ball into Lake Washington to the delight of Sophie when a little brunette girl approached him who looked a bit serious for her age....She couldn't have been more than five years old.

She slowly looked up at him and inquired, "Hey mister, is that your dog? What's her name?"

Andrew responded "Yup, that's my dog and her name is Sophie."

She slowly twirled around to contemplate Sophie in the water, curling some strands of hair around her finger. Sophie was steadfast in her enthusiasm to get to the ball before the black retriever that seemed to be racing her and still had about 15 feet to swim before reaching the ball. The little miss took this all in while slowly turning back to us and said, "You know, that's kind of far for a dog to swim."

With just a hint of a smile, Andrew reassured her, "Oh, she's a strong dog and this is what she likes to do. She's gone for much further and longer than this before."

The little girl put on hand on her hip, scrunched up her nose and little bit and sputtered, "Well, well...you shouldn't make the dog go that far...she might get tired and sink!"

Andrew's eyes twinkled as he responded, "It's ok, she likes this. You don't need to worry."

All that got him was a "Hmmmmf" and an abrupt turn on her plastic green boots. She returned to the felled tree on which she'd previously been playing.

You just never know when you might get unsolicited advice from a curious little kid.

While you were away

2009-05-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Don't you ever wonder what happens when you leave your pets at home? For a while after we got Sophie, I noticed every now and then a single sock would appear in some corner of the apartment--but I also could never catch her in the act. I finally caught the kitty toting a sock in her mouth (!) I suppose Sophie's ball carrying antics made quite the impression on Layla.

On our recent trip to Toronto to visit Andrew's parents, we left the princess kitty in the care of a generous neighbor and Sophie went off to "Camp Alice"with our wonderful dog-sitter Lydia.

Now we finally have some evidence of Sophie's activities in our absence. Apparently she has been consorting with "Flat Stanley" as you can see in the following pieces of evidence:

Chilling in the cedar branches is a necessary leisure-time activity in the life on Sophie (on the left) and Dave (on the right). Notice the frisbee is generously being shared with Flat Stanely, it's original colour was yellow but now it's going for the 3-day-old banana look.I'm certain Sophie and Dave were rewarded with dog cookies after the picture, but you have to wonder...what the heck is in it for Stanley?

Someone should have let poor Flat Stanley know that a tie is not quite suitable canine-friendly attire! I hope Flat Stanley enjoyed dirty tennis balls every bit as much as Sophie. The children who wrote back in response to Lydia's letter detailing the adventures of Sophie and Dave were primarily immigrant kids from Mexico--their most frequent question had to do with commenting on the enormous size of these dogs and wasn't Flat Stanley scared?

I'm not sure how Lydia answered that one, but we can all rest assured that Flat Stanley returned home intact but likely in need of a hot bath. :)

Eventually

2009-04-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

The days are getting longer and warmer so my evenings have been full of activities other than blogging....today the weather was tantalizingly beautiful and unfortunately the commute home was nothing short of nightmarish. I was officially out of work at 4:50 and officially home at 6:47pm. Something is very, very wrong with that!

So here I am trying to come up with some sort of birthday plans for my soon-to-be-3o year old sweetie, who doesn't really much celebrate birthdays but I can't let this one slip by... Why are men so difficult to shop for? I'm thinking of a simple gathering of friends at a local restaurant and then closer to his real birthday, a little surprise....but exactly what, I have not the slightest (I have all sorts of incredibly expensive ideas, but sadly our little budget can't accommodate any of the more lavish options at the moment.)

Unwittingly reduced to potty humor

2009-04-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

At the end of the work day yesterday, I had to track down some lab work a patient of ours was supposed to have dropped off at an external lab facility. So I dialed 'em up and got placed on hold for about 5 minutes. I had even pressed the 'for doctor's only' line!

While waiting I daydreamed about the great food we'd had for lunch earlier that day. Since it was the fellow's birthday about a week ago we all snuck across the street to ILOVE SUSHI for a quick celebration. I wound up forsaking my usual nigiri-sushi order for a dragon roll which sounded (and was) fantastic with salty mackerel, creamy avocado, and a tempura-shrimp center.

So there I was on hold thinking yummy sushi-type thoughts. Finally someone answered and I blurted out: "Hi, this is Rae Niculescu RN from the Cancer Center...I am checking on Mrs. Appleby's labs, did she drop off a stool sampler today?"--at this point, I sputtered...."wait, I mean...stool sample?" It was too late, the damage had already been done.

My coworker sitting at the desk next to me started guffawing...I cracked up while also apologizing and reading off Mrs Appleby (not her real name) birthdate. Pretty soon everyone in the office was literally clutching their sides and rolling around in their office chairs. Is there an acronym for that one? (not exactly ROTFLMAO-funny but pretty darn close)

And there I was, still on the phone, struggling to control my simultaneous embarassment and laughter as this poor lady searches through her info despite the uproar in the background. She eventually confirmed that Mrs Appleby had not delivered the expected item.

::Sigh::

That was my unintentional prank call of the day. Clearly food and work (at least my line of work) are an unsavory combination.

a welcome reprieve

2009-04-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

The sunshine is greeting me this morning and it is the most beautiful thing I've seen in days!

Ideas for blog posts have been circulating about in my head, but the evenings have been either too busy or unfortunately gobbled up by the overtime at work monster to result in much blogging success this week.

This place will become more interesting again and quite soon! I promise.

But for now, enjoying the sunshine and a nice cuppa earl grey tea with lavendar is on the agenda. Hope your weekend is off to a lovely start!

Snapshot

2009-03-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

QUESTIONS:
1. What is your first name?
Rae

2. What is your favorite food?
So hard to chose because there's so many! Lately I have been craving noodles.

3. What is your hometown?
Seattle, WA

4. What is your favorite color?
Red

5. What is your favorite movie?
Spirited Away

6. What is your favorite drink?
A double-tall latte with creamy foam.

7. What is your dream vacation?
Perpetual and possibly never-ending: one that goes on for as along as I want and not according to how many vacation days I am 'allotted' by the biig boss.

8. What is your favorite dessert?
Fran's triple chocolate cake. Flourless and just divine--sadly they stopped making these about 4 years ago...even though I believe the recipe has now been published I haven't yet attempted it.

9. What is one word to describe yourself?
Thoughtful

10. How are you feeling right now?
Head-achy, I probably shouldn't even be blogging!

11. What do you love most in the world?
The opportunity to be alive and make the most of each day...

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Continually inspired.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you are interested here's the scoop:

Want to do this, too? Go to Google image search.
- Type in your answer to each question.
- Choose a picture from the first 3 images.
- Use this website (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php) to make your collage.
- Save the image for use in this note.
- Post and tag all your friends.

it's official, not much has changed

2009-03-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

There's a certain anniversary looming this summer...and I can't ignore it any longer cause I just received word that little Stanwood High School class of 1999 is holding reunion festivities this year. You can head on over to here and get the full scoop.

As you can clearly see I was a big nerd then and have continued to be so now....although I no longer wear tie-dyed shirts, thankfully. This is yours truly and Miss Niki (who is now expecting her first little one) at the National Science Olympiad in Chicago, Illinois. All the junk is basically our prized booty from the national 'swap' meet--me with my South Dakota sunflower bobblers and Niki with the ever-coveted cow. Unfortunately for us Washington state was pretty lame for donating trading gear, apple-shaped keychains and samples of Mt St Helen's ash can only go so far.

famous last words

2009-03-14T09:15:00.001-07:00

Over the past few years I've had multiple friends, co-workers etc. tell me how great various on-line social networks are...and I casually waved them away saying, "Oh yeah...I have a blog and the last thing I need to do is waste more time on the internet."

After catching up with my college girlfriend Jen on the phone last week (who is in MAUI right now, lucky girl) I could resist no longer. I had to see what all the fuss was about. I had no idea how easily I would become sucked into the vortex...

Oh look, it's like twitter but fully matured! And oh, look...see all these people I haven't spoken to since high school--and would you have imagined that this girl would marry that guy even though they never dated in high school...aww how sweet....Holy cow, this formerly player-girlfriend-of-the-hour boy settled down and has an adorable family! What's that, Miss L who was one of the top nursing students is now a musician living in Los Angeles? Sweet.

Hmm....something's popped up here...a quiz invitation? And you think you're smarter than me? Methinks not!

And on, and on, and on it goes. ::sigh:: I've had to dose myself like a junkie on a limited budget but sadly my little bloggity blog here has suffered. I'll have to invent an exit strategy...and soon!

There is a gastronomic heaven

2009-03-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Despite the new PHRMA rules, it appears not all free drug-rep sponsored dinners are verboten. And in this economy, if you have a gourmet appetite but a McD's sort of budget, this is a good thing.

I've gone to very few, select pharmaceutical dinners that most applied to my practice and were geared towards patient education and symptom management of gastrointestinal cancers. I think I've attended about 4 in totality in the 6 years I've been a nurse. But when the opportunity came along to go to the infamous Canlis (which I have never been) even though the topic--febrile neutropenia and growth factor use--is a bit less relevant to my patient population, I couldn't resist. I simply had just heard far too many amazing things and I had to confirm the truth of such food porn.

From the first step inside to the last bite of dessert Canlis did not disappoint. The food served had perfect texture, temperature, taste, presentation....(I just ate a large breakfast but am now salivating just thinking of it!) From the delicate little prawn saute in a spoon appetizers, to the grilled mahi-mahi with mango coulis, to the molten chocolate dessert, it was fabulous. The service is superb as well. Servers appear out of nowhere--kind of like a covert attack--except...they deliver much-anticipated food to all your dinner-mates simultaneously instead of raining down deadly blows.

What I truly can't stop thinking about is that molten chocolate dessert ::drool:: The idea of serving a molten chocolate cake with burnt cream and then juxtaposed with a dollop of chocolate ice cream dipped in 3 layers of chocolate is pure genius. And the result is heavenly. Unfortunately I cannot find a suitable photo for you (dear readers who are by now quite hungry) of this amazing concoction.

Guess that means I'll have to go back soon!

Writing helps me deal with sh#t

2009-03-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

No matter how warm-n-cozy I have become with discussing death and dying with my patients, there are some days when it still just really, really sucks. There's every reason in the world to believe that stopping treatment is the right thing to do, that will alleviate unnecessary suffering, so on and so forth.

But today I just can't hack it. I have taken care of this person from the moment they heard the words "cancer" and "malignant". I have seen the ravages of the chemotherapy on his body and the weightiness of his illness preying upon his tender-hearted soul. We celebrated and did the happy dance together when his scans started looking better and his tumor markers came down. Then I received phone calls from his home where he was having difficulty breathing and called an ambulance to take him to the hospital. When the oncologist discussed stopping treatment, I came in the room next to discuss hospice. For the last days of his life, all he wants to do is to be able to visit his children and it looks like he may not even be well enough to manage that.

I told him we would try our best and I reassured him that he had truly given it everything he had..When it gets to this point, many patients ask in an almost child-like way, they want to know--Didn't we do enough? Didn't I try hard enough? If I stop, am I giving up on hope? On a miracle?

I hate when people talk about 'fighting' cancer, it simplifies things far too much and the connotations with 'winners' and 'losers' psychologizes something we have no control over whatsoever. This is not a game, this is not a war, this is someone's life. And if it is meant to end, it will end. None of us can 'win' the fight against the 'end' of our life, no matter what that ending is. We can just appreciate what we have at this very moment.

Life is sometimes so seemingly unfair to the kindest, good-est sort of people which just makes it all the more unbearable to witness. I just trust and pray that it all makes sense in the end, even if not to me.

And so, it's days like this that make me write poetry crap and post it on my blog and hope that it purges the sadder thoughts.

This road is sighing, my old friend.
The sun is waning and the dusk air is chill.
The nightingale sings of our blessings as if reminding us to savor each moment that is still meant to be.

(Be not afraid) the inevitable divide
as this familiar road disappears into the shadowed valley where we can no more walk together.

The tiredness that grips your bones and the nighttime air which spirits your breath
cannot extinguish the glowing flame which I will know always to be your heart.

$8.61 confessions

2009-02-28T11:18:00.000-08:00

This number represents the grand total (so far) of things I have accidentally and unknowingly stolen during my life. Some years ago Andrew and I stopped at a Safeway in BC on our Toronto to Vancouver road trip. I rifled through a magazine that was posted at the cashier's station called "Safeway Gourmet" with contained recipes and advertisements for Safeway brand products. I liked a few of the recipes, so I tucked it under my arm as Andrew paid for the groceries and off we went.

As soon as we got in the car, Andrew smiled a bit and said--"Oh you're smooth. I didn't know you were into lifting magazines. Didn't you see how that cashier was staring you down?"

At first, I thought he was kidding me. Who ever heard of paying for a magazine with mostly Safeway product advertisements and a handful of recipes? And wouldn't the cashier had said something? In disbelief I searched the magazine up and down for an indicator of a price tag and finally found the hefty cost of 99 Canadian cents.

Guilty as charged. But we were already on the road and had a schedule to keep. So off we drove. For a grocery chain which I frequently shop, I just couldn't wrack up any guilt over 99 cents whatsoever. Besides, the cashier clearly saw me with the magazine--so why didn't she say anything or ring it into the sale? I honestly had not a clue it was for purchase.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago--Andrew and I are perusing the household goods section of City People's Mercantile which is filled with all sorts of both interesting (stationery, kitchen gadgets, cutesy bath goods) and practical (door mats, basic hardware supplies, etc) goodies. In the midst of our shopping, a friend I hadn't spoken to in quite some time called me and I chatted with her while following Andrew around. I had one of the items on our list (bath mat 'dots') in my hand. I stood within 5 feet of Andrew as he paid and we both left the store. I was still yakking with my girlfriend up until we arrived at home.

As we we exited the car, Andrew saw me with the package of bath mat dots still in my hand and started cracking up. "Andrew, you did pay for these, didn't you?" And since he was still laughing I realized then that he hadn't paid for them or didn't realize I was still carrying them. Or maybe he just likes to torture me.

So yesterday I sheepishly went back to the store and paid for said item while leaving (this time) empty-handed. Might I point out that as I walked out of the store the first time this item was not tucked under my arm or concealed in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER--I was holding them like an offering in my left hand, plain as day for anyone and everyone to see. I also had to walk by 3 cashier counters in order to get to the exit of the store.

I guess if the economic downturn weasels it way into nursing jobs it looks like I may have a promising (albeit illegal) back-up career!

Daily signs of nursey-ness

2009-02-19T18:24:00.000-08:00

We all know what we do while we're at work. It's the things that spill into your daily life that remind you you're a nurse when you...

1) Wrap your dog's hurt paw in coban--or repair your husband's accidental kitchen knife thumb cut with steri-strips.
2) Barely manage to remember to take your single multivitamin while you tell your patients ALL the time to remember to take their 20-gazillion meds as prescribed.
3) Use alcohol pads for spot-cleaning.
4) Own more comfy, practical shoes than your grandmother and mother combined.
5) Never pass up an opportunity for the wonder drug otherwise known as CHOCOLATE.
6) Wish you had an ativan air wick in your bedroom for those restless nights.
7) After a really long day, hear call bells in your dreams.
8) Get excited over perfect strangers with big, sexy veins.
9) Have been to more 5-star restaurants with big pharma as your date than your spouse.
10) Use a paper towel to open public restroom doors. (egads, remember from your school days the plethora of germs that can be swabbed in public places? I can't forget that. And all those patients you've had to remind to wash their hands after using the toilet? Yeech. )

I'm curious--which work habits have you cultivated (be you a nurse or otherwise) that have crept into your daily life? And do they make you look cuck-oo? I definitely get some strange looks for the paper-towel door handle thing.

the nocturnal pooper

2009-02-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

One of the joys of city-dog ownership is waking up at some ungodly hour of the night to take your furry friend to the loo. Trudging out your front door in the wee smas in your jammies and warmest jacket is everybody's favorite nocturnal hobby. Friends with little babies tell me this is good practice for child-rearing. I'm not so sure. Sophie is a particularly good dog and wakes me up gently just by placing her head on the bag and wagging furiously....but it still is a rather unwelcome interruption to sleep!

Unfortunately, the fact remains that every now and then, no matter how regular you are with the pre-bedtime potty run, the doggie gets the runs.. And this was exactly the case about a week ago, when my cold was at its prime and being exposed to cold air a guarantee of a coughing fit.

So fortunately, my darling husband assumed the unexpected night duty. Coming back to bed, he muttered "Dog...you need a diaper!"

Me, still half-asleep, giggled at the thought and said..."Uh...honey, I don't think Sophie would put up with that for one minute...." Suddenly it occurred to me that Andrew, with his only-child background and no cousin childhood probably had never even had to touch a diaper. I did what had to be done to confirm my suspicions. I asked...."Honey, have you ever even changed a diaper?".

Andrew snickered and said, "Well, now we know what you're here for!".

I think I managed to whack him with my pillow (as I couldn't think of a suitable retort) before drifting off to dreamland.

Buckley's

2009-02-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

You may think of "Buckley's" as the name of a beer , that pub in Queen Anne, or that cute dog that was unfortunately run over by the drug-addled Owen Wilson in the last part of The Royal Tennebaums. Unfortunately the "Buckley's" which I happen to intimately familiar with Buckley's of Canada, which is none of the previously mentioned agreeably cute or appetizing things. This little bottle o'juice is keeping my psychotic cough somewhat contained so I can sleep at night. It is a white, pancake-batter consistency liquid whose taste reminds me of (simultaneously) the odors of pine-sol, charcoal, and something else that is indescribably vile.

All cough syrup is noxious, right? Well at least most of them try to have some semblance of 'flavor' and add a little sugar in to Marry Poppin-ize the entire deal.

Not Buckley's.

Andrew introduced me to the little-known Canadian secret that is Buckley's before we were married and spent weekends either in White Rock or Seattle. It was probably an act of sheer desperation, I imagine his thoughts at the time went something like..."if I have to put up with that cough through another night, she's sleeping in the trunk of my car or off to the drugstore we go ASAP." Like any proud Canadian product, Buckley's contains the genuinely Canadian ingredient of Canada Balsam, yummm. (Also known as TURPENTINE people...I am guzzling trace amounts of turpentine to maintain my sleeping sanity) It does bring a soothing warmth to your throat--kind of the same effect as kicking back a hot toddy but sans alcohol.

I am so looking forward to the end of my kleenex toting, tea-guzzling, and Buckley swigging nights.

Where have you been all my life?

2009-02-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

Ah, succulent fruit with a perfect balance of juiciness, sweetness (but not too sweet) and a bit of tang....how obsessed I am with thee! Let me count the many ways...

69 calories only
22mg of calcium
12 sections to nibble upon
5 consumed in the past 7 days
1 spoon to eat you with (note to self--need to get one of those serrated spoons)
1 knife to gently coax out the best of you there is to have

Sadly, I cast you aside in my youth for sweeter, more artificial things. Such foolishness. Forgive me, my taste buds have matured and my waist line has widened. I am now the wiser and see the error of my ways.

I hope that we may soon meet again.

Flying fingers

2009-02-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Even though I was still sneezing (and occasionally coughing away) I was determined that suffering from a lingering and particularly vile cold would not cause us to cancel our plans to see the legendary Al Di Meola play at Jazz Alley last Saturday evening. So I shed my pj sickie-wear, shaved my monkey-woman legs, donned a colorful purply skirt with a matching top and off we went.

There are many wonderful places to eat in Seattle but sadly Jazz Alley is not one of them. Its menu is limited with only about 8 entree choices. It also didn't help that my fashion accessory for the evening was an ever-present travel package of kleenex that I had emptied by the time the last piece was played. My sense of taste and smell were skewed and my appetite was rather small. We had possibly the blandest calmari I've ever tasted with the most exicting title I've ever heard (Deep Sea Calamari) and our entrees with served with burnt "grilled" veggies on the side. Andrew with all his olfactory senses intact was in agreement with my assessment of the food and he is usually more generous than I with such matters.

Although we were dissapointed in the food that sentiment dissappeared after hearing Di Meola's first piece. This man is a true master of his art. He plays guitar with a technicality and speed that seems almost beyond human possibility, yet is still simultaneously beautifully classical and improvisational. While he has been criticized by some for his focus on speed, I honestly couldn't understand what that hype was all about--perhaps when he was a younger performer this might have been an issue. Hearing him play along with an international assortment of percussion, acoustic bass, second guitar was like taking a mini-vacation to somewhere warm and exotic while sitting in a drab Seattle building on a cold January night. The hour and a half single set passed much too quickly. We were fortunate to be treated to an encore of none other than the Mediterranean Sundance which has many, many versions.

Being a sickie just ain't no fun

2009-01-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

I felt a little 'wonky' all weekend, then relatively normal on Monday (my day off) so I went off to work on Tuesday with every good intention in the world. The clinic I work at has a *very* strict sick policy so I was expecting to be banished to a 'hotel cube' outside of the actual clinic to do phone triage. That was just fine in my book.

But what I didn't pay attention to was the nagging fact that my throat was a little bit sore...and for some unimaginable reason, doing telephone triage for 4 hours straight made a sore throat turn into one that felt as if it was being tortured by a mad, clawing kitty.

So the past 2 days I have been a bum and hubbie has sweetly been around to make hot soups and tea. I've also watched more than my share of animated movies (Finding Nemo and Spirited Away, to name a few) and have generally come to the state of sickie boredom. At least I sound less like a frog for the moment and can sit in front of a computer for more than 15 minutes without my head throbbing!

Signing off for more hot tea and fresh sweet pineapple.