note to self

Do not watch basic nursing skills CD-Rom, subject bathing an adult client-perineal care, while 12 year old boy is within a mile. He may be oblivious when you are speaking directly to him, at any time; however, he will pick up the word "rectum", from a distance, as if it were said through a megaphone when in all actuality the volume was at a normal level.

The word "rectum" will send 12 year old boy into fits of disgust and he will most likely be drawn to the source. If you are caught in this situation again, hope that once again, he will just miss the visual of the female perineum.

Thank goodness for draping.

my head might as well be a pressure cooker

For one I have a headache, and have had it all day long, even after taking 2 extra strength acetaminophen, 1 Allegra-D, and 1 ibuprofen. I get headaches quite frequently, and have for many moons. If it'snot a menstrual migraine it is a sinus headache.

The real reason my head is about to explode would be the pending academic obligations that are climaxing as I type.

In class today we got our group presentation assignments, for Nur100. Each group has to present about something medically related, or something we've maybe learned about this semester, but maybe not indepth. My group is going to do animal therapy. We were originally going to do alternative healing modalities as a whole, each member taking on one therapy, but the prof put the big kibosh on that idea. So we will focus on one therapy. It's no fun having your bubble burst!

For my psych class I have to head up the conclusions section for our lab report, as well as complete a lit review for a student who dropped and left us hanging in the lurch. Then I have to combine that lit review and another one a fellow group member is writing up for the same reason, into the lit review we already have started for the report.

I have an assignment due next Tuesday for Nur100. We also have our third exam for Nur105 that day. Hence a need for studying. Luckily it's only one chapter. Don't let the meager number fool you. It is nursing school after all.

I have about 7 chapters to read by this time next week, or really by the 18th. Our next Nur100 exam is then. Of course I'll have had them read long before then and will be studying it all.

Tomorrow I have my hygiene/bedmaking skills test. You know, bed bathing, oral care, occupied/unoccupied bedmaking, blah, blah, blah. So I need to review the CD-Rom for that this evening to make sure I don't miss any of the details or reasons for why we do what we do.

The Phillies will hopefully finish, and win, game 5. It was delayed last night because of rain. If they win Big B is planning on going up to Philly for the parade and such. Normally I could careless, except for the historical aspect of a win for Philly as a whole. I wouldn't mind being part of it. Had they won last night, he would have left today for a parade he suspected would have taken place on Wednesday. Instead they will finish game 5 tomorrow, and a parade would probably happen Thursday or Friday.

Halloween is Friday-must hand out candy.

There are not enough hours in the day, or days in the week!

meet irwin

Getting off the computer here in a bit to go do some reading, but had to share some of my most recent photos. I finally learned how to use the manual focus on my camera. Yeah, lightbulb moment for sure!

This fine looking fellow is Irwin. While visiting the summer of 2005 my mom bought Irwin for BZ. Since then he has become my pet, much to my pleasure! He is a Bearded Dragon.

unlike dazzled, more like frazzled

Just taking a moment to whine. I have oh, about 4 chapters to read before Tuesday, and my first ATI test to take tomorrow afternoon. At least it's not much to worry about, it's just a critical thinking test-nothing that could be studied for.

Weekdays are so much better than weekends. I only have the girls to contend with, not that they're simple or anything.

What else? Oh, yes my psych class lab group had to submit our results section for our study by this evening. All thanks go to one member of the group, who so gallantly took on this task of enormous proportions, being that it was the statistical nightmare portion of the study. The other member of the group and myself have just suffered through a stats class together, this past summer. Stats is not a class to take online, but there really wasn't much choice, since the closest UMUC campus to me is TOO FAR AWAY! Anyway, we didn't really learn much, sad to say. Put it this way, if I were to go further in psych, such as at the grad level, I would take another stats class...in person, nonetheless. So she and I let the boy(well as compared to me, at my ancient age, he is a boy!) do the work. Never fear, we've pulled our weight in other areas, and will do so for the duration.

This coming week we have to complete the conclusions section. We are lacking some sources from our literature review because our fourth member dropped the class without warning, leaving work to be done.

So yeah, add all that together with the upcoming Nur105 skills lecture test on the 4th of November, the necessity of reading the ATI Fundamentals book, and oh let's not forget, an assignment due on the 4th, I'm a bit frazzled. This is all not to mention the family, the dead plants out in my garden, the toilets that need to be scrubbed, catbox needing a scoop or ten, and far be it from anyone else in the family to enter the kitchen and actually prepare a meal for anyone else!

Let me just go pour myself another glass of wine!

in a moment of silence

Last night at the homecoming football game for our local high school, before the American Anthem was played, we were asked to take part in a moment of silence.

October 23, 2008, will be remembered forever by two families as they lost their sons to a fatal car crash that evening. One of the boys graduated this past June, and the other was a senior, both from our local high school.

So in the crisp fall air we bowed our heads and paid respect. I also said a little prayer, hoping to never be the parent who receives the dreaded phone call, or knock on the door.

This really hits home because, if you follow my blog or know us, you know my 15 year old son recently received his learner's permit.

Today ends the annual National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 19-25. By October 24th, seven teens, including the two spoken of above had died in traffic accidents, in Virginia, this year...this week.

That fact alone makes me shudder.

I am extremely proud to say my son is taking part in a club at school that involves this very subject, YOVASO. The club's mission involves teens in making wise choices as they get behind a wheel.

Tonight is the homecoming dance. Before the dance a bunch of us parents are putting on a dinner for our sophomores. I like the idea. For one it's less expensive than them dining out, and it will be an occasion they can remember in years to come. This will be the last year that my husband and/or I needs to chaffeur BZ to his major social events.

This time next year, I'll say good-bye to BZ as he gets in his car to go pick up his date. I will have to take a deep breath, and hope he makes wise decisions. Of course that goes for every time he steps out the door.

I haven't gotten any gray hairs yet? I'll certainly have plenty by the time AW reaches this milestone.

tea time

Received this in an email and had to share:

Cup of Tea

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was
one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I
brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several
cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of
tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure
enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she
watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know.. :)

'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water
is the toilet?

making an entrance

My hubs and I got a big kick out of this sign as we were leaving our small town today. It's posted for our local haunted house. Scarey isn't it? The illiteracy, I mean.

just a little jealous i suppose

Came across another student nurse's blog, and have to share:

Stethoscopes and Diapers

I must admit I'm a little jealous. I don't think our program does the nurse cap thing. Will have to check into it, and if they don't I will suggest it!

Kudos to all your hard work Student Nurse Nancy!

holy cannoli!

No, I'm not really talking about the delicious Italian dessert.

How can anyone be excited about anything other than the Phillies are in the World Series!?

Yes, if you really know me you know that is some sort of BS line.

Literally.

That's not only the degree I'm finishing, but it is also my husband's initials. Haha, you probably thought it meant cow poo.

Nope, the hubs loves those Phillies.



This year, upon seeing some of the finer strengths of the Philadelphia Phillies, I've sort of stepped on the bandwagon too. How could a girl not, with all that there is to admire?

Really now, my hubs is the eternal "tortured Philly fan." Philadelphia sports fans are nothing if not loyal.

Let's just say it has been a long time since any one of their teams has won a season title. They've come close, even in recent years-but no cigar!

It's almost a poetic justice as the Phillies are playing Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series, after the Eagles lost to TB in the 2003 Super Bowl, which was apparently a close game and a truly devastating loss. I wouldn't know, didn't really care. I'm sure I quietly tiptoed around the house for days after the loss, because Big B was most assuredly grumpy.

So the next few nights, while the World Series plays out, as the tension mounts, will hopefully culminate in a win and Philly will be tortured no more.

not a fashion statement

Next semester we start our clinicals. Our class of twenty will be split into three groups, and we'll be going to one of two nursing homes. Two groups will go to one of the nursing homes, and the other group will go to the other home.

I haven't ordered my uniforms yet. Was just browsing online, and am hating what we are being forced to wear. I don't mind scrubs at all, but come on...the ugliest ones available? Puh-lease! Shoot me now! Do they not know that tapered pants went out a long time ago!? Skinny jeans are one thing...but tapered scrubs? And only certain body styles should even wear skinny jeans, and that would not be my voluptuous, hippy curves!

The top is to be white, and so is the jacket. The pants will be khaki.

Cry with me.