Seven survival skills

Stuff I've taught Bubba over the Christmas break from school so far...

1. This is a washing machine. This is how the clothes go in (adding detergent, etc.) I don't know if he's old enough for it to stick, but it can't hurt trying.

2. This is the dryer (refer to #1).

3. These are sharp knives. Be careful (as I nick my finger with the chef's knife I just got sharpened today.)

4. While Mom and Dad drive old cars, you need to know how to get out when the doors are locked. These old fashioned things are called buttons. Pull them up to get your door unlocked. If that doesn't work, slide across the seat to the other door. Voila! It opens (even if it sets off the alarm). Do not sit unattended in the car  in the driveway and cry when you can get yourself out.

5. This is a key. It opens the door. Use it.

6. Life is too short not to have pumpkin pie, cookies and cakes for the holidays. Be certain to add in a few fruits and vegetables, too.

7. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Be kind. Say please and thank you. And tell your family and friends you love them when you see them. You may not get a second chance.

I'm raising a barbarian

Bubba: (extremely loud belch) "That's how you burp, Mom". "A, B, C, D..."

Me: Excuse me? I could have lived without that, dear.

(head bang on desk)

My child hasn't left grade school, and he's perfecting all the things he'll need if he ever joins a fraternity, like Dahey.

I'm so glad I'm sending him to school tomorrow...

Stay tuned...a mother's work is never done!

Developing a good reputation...

Takes more time and effort than a bad one. Working hard daily with your patients to develop a system that works really is work, even though Manglement may not reward you for it.

So, you have to go out and motivate yourself, even if no one else will.

Per Hotel policy and procedure, I had to fill out extra paperwork for a free CE thing I'm doing, but I figured while I was at it, I may as well let the boss's boss know what I'm up to. Yes, I am getting my master's degree. Yes, I am a certified specialty nurse, and yes, I need to do these CE things (including out-of-town ones that I get scholarships to attend).

Stepping outside of my little box on my little unit at the Hotel helps me to do that...and see the country.

And I take pride in developing a good reputation, even if it's a little inconvenient on occasion. My patients deserve it.

Thanks so much Mr. I. for saying I was your "number one nurse" while you stayed with us when I packed you up ready to go. I work hard to earn that reputation from you, and all my patients.

Swimmingly

While I'm not lounging at the pool today, I'm having a good day. Going from one task to another in between the excitement that is work.

School started and getting lots of inspiration from here, there and everywhere. Traveling partner and I are busy planning our next trip. Can't wait to escape the Hotel again. Just wish we weren't the Rodney Dangerfields of the unit in some ways.

Where are the Click and Clack boys to dope slap a few people when we need them?

More to come...stay tuned.

By way of Grumpy

Something only a mother (or any parent really) can love at the start of the school year, from mothershandbook.net

The Mother's (2nd annual) 12 step Back to school program

BTW Grumpy, our DragonMaster (a patient who's been a longtime Dragon user) loved your latest Dragonisms.