I didn't run away. I've been busy cramming everything in, so I could have a day off. One project plan, three appointments, a consult, a specialty service visit, four phone calls, one patient portal enrollment, one transferred patient and a grand rounds presentation.
So today, I escaped.The sun came out after what seemed like weeks of clouds and rain. I found my sunglasses and wore them.What a day it was!
I visited friends I had not seen in a long time. I shopped and went out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which meant no dishes for me to wash ALL DAY. It was like being on vacation at a hotel without leaving.
I also celebrated another birthday this week. It was fun. Health IS wealth, and I feel like a millionaire now that I am almost done with my antibiotics (from whatever URI I got around Thanksgiving.)
Hope you enjoy your weekend wherever you are!
More to come...
Showing posts with label day off. Show all posts
Showing posts with label day off. Show all posts
Friday, December 12, 2014
Monday, March 19, 2012
Fritterin' the day away
I had an enormous task today: entertain Bubba and keep him out of trouble on his spring break.
Our task list:
1. Eat breakfast at McDonalds early in the AM. No kids were on any of the Playland equipment. Run, dance and sing in there with reckless abandon. Why not?
2. Go on errands with Mom, which included checking out all the spice blends and providing commentary for other customers: "Oh! Mom, this Greek one sounds interesting." as he read the information on the shelf.
3. Visit the library AND the bookstore. We went out of the way to a different library, so this was a fun diversion. The bookstore moved some of his favorite books, so we went searching for them, and he's been reading it all day.
4. Go to lunch with Mom, don't order anything, but eat about half of her lunch. "Wow, salmon is pretty good."
5. Visit relatives who also happen to be off. Fun times when your retired great aunt gives you the remote control and you watch every cartoon you can.
I enjoyed that, because I could talk without interruption.
6. Come home and help Mom make dinner and dessert.
I didn't do all the things I wanted today (or this weekend), but I did do one thing. I had fun with my family.
Stay tuned...
Our task list:
1. Eat breakfast at McDonalds early in the AM. No kids were on any of the Playland equipment. Run, dance and sing in there with reckless abandon. Why not?
2. Go on errands with Mom, which included checking out all the spice blends and providing commentary for other customers: "Oh! Mom, this Greek one sounds interesting." as he read the information on the shelf.
3. Visit the library AND the bookstore. We went out of the way to a different library, so this was a fun diversion. The bookstore moved some of his favorite books, so we went searching for them, and he's been reading it all day.
4. Go to lunch with Mom, don't order anything, but eat about half of her lunch. "Wow, salmon is pretty good."
5. Visit relatives who also happen to be off. Fun times when your retired great aunt gives you the remote control and you watch every cartoon you can.
I enjoyed that, because I could talk without interruption.
6. Come home and help Mom make dinner and dessert.
I didn't do all the things I wanted today (or this weekend), but I did do one thing. I had fun with my family.
Stay tuned...
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Momma took a day
Yes, I took a day of my own vacation and did everything for me. Got my tires rotated. Went for an annual check up including those smashing tests. Even filed and buffed my nails (ran out of polish, so I decided to wait).
I also did some networking with some very important nurses who happened to be nearby at a networking shindig. Met lots of nice people and they even had really good cookies in between sessions. Some people were from out of town, so I got to tell them about the good stuff in the neighborhood they were staying in, because we all love tourists in our town, especially this time of year, when it's usually slow.
And to finish Momma's day off, I went to a posh watering hole (PoshBar) with some of my old coworkers from my other life. With all the mergers and acquisitions lately, only one or two people are still working at MegaCompany. We had a blast eating all of those cheap appetizers. The waitress even forgot to ring up three sodas I drank. I noticed it on my bill and told her. "Oh, I'm not worried about those."
Consequently, she got a nice tip. I have no idea what PoshBar normally charged for those, but I made sure I covered it on my tab. As I learned in that other life, it's always important to keep your server happy.
Stay tuned...this staycation ain't over yet!
I also did some networking with some very important nurses who happened to be nearby at a networking shindig. Met lots of nice people and they even had really good cookies in between sessions. Some people were from out of town, so I got to tell them about the good stuff in the neighborhood they were staying in, because we all love tourists in our town, especially this time of year, when it's usually slow.
And to finish Momma's day off, I went to a posh watering hole (PoshBar) with some of my old coworkers from my other life. With all the mergers and acquisitions lately, only one or two people are still working at MegaCompany. We had a blast eating all of those cheap appetizers. The waitress even forgot to ring up three sodas I drank. I noticed it on my bill and told her. "Oh, I'm not worried about those."
Consequently, she got a nice tip. I have no idea what PoshBar normally charged for those, but I made sure I covered it on my tab. As I learned in that other life, it's always important to keep your server happy.
Stay tuned...this staycation ain't over yet!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Three dreaded words on a day off
Skunk smelly dog. WildDog decided to wake one up this morning on his constitutional with Dahey.
I'm just tired and don't feel like taking care of a dog today...arrgh!
I'm just tired and don't feel like taking care of a dog today...arrgh!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Some types of compensation
You get right away, like your paycheck. Some organizations, in an effort to save money, give you time instead.
Since Madison makes this time expire, I was very fortunate to have to use some of it this week. Consequently, I have been enjoying a glorious Friday, with beautiful weather, going to lunch with the SU folks at their meeting. I even did some networking.
It is so warm I can actually go out and hose off some of the salt off my car. Since I got back, I have been lollygagging around the house reading some books for class and soon, Dahey and I will be celebrating the weekend and a babysitter by going out to dinner.
Some things are worth the wait. Don't let your good times expire. Stay tuned!
Since Madison makes this time expire, I was very fortunate to have to use some of it this week. Consequently, I have been enjoying a glorious Friday, with beautiful weather, going to lunch with the SU folks at their meeting. I even did some networking.
It is so warm I can actually go out and hose off some of the salt off my car. Since I got back, I have been lollygagging around the house reading some books for class and soon, Dahey and I will be celebrating the weekend and a babysitter by going out to dinner.
Some things are worth the wait. Don't let your good times expire. Stay tuned!
Monday, January 17, 2011
In the news
I'm off today celebrating MLK Day with Bubba, who incidentally, was born on one holiday himself. He's having a grand old time, shopping, buying stuff, and being a little kid playing video games.
We've already been shopping, to Starbucks, and visited Giacomo and his crew, since today really is his birthday.
So while he's busy being a kid, I get to sit down and relax, which means reading away on the trusty computer. Here are some items of interest.
And, in the spirit of the MLK holiday, check out this YouTube montage, complete with Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday to ya.
Enjoy your day, wherever you may be.
We've already been shopping, to Starbucks, and visited Giacomo and his crew, since today really is his birthday.
So while he's busy being a kid, I get to sit down and relax, which means reading away on the trusty computer. Here are some items of interest.
- The perils of the world's most famous liver transplant patient. I cannot imagine ruining financial markets if I called in sick. Just shows you how important (or not) some people are.
- Yes, it's not life or death, but I enjoy reading report cards like this one after the Golden Globes.
- And if you thought your employers dress code was crazy, at least they didn't mandate what color underwear you could wear, like UBS. Thankfully, in the spirit of the New Year, they've decided to rethink things. Just one word...duh!
- What's for dinner? I spend a lot of time looking for recipes online, so I'm especially ecstatic when I find ones I can make quickly. Check out this article on how to make some different and new meals by putting together a few items.
And, in the spirit of the MLK holiday, check out this YouTube montage, complete with Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday to ya.
Enjoy your day, wherever you may be.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Day with the boys...
Should be interesting to see what we do and where we end up...nothing is scheduled.
Anyway, if you really want to see something interesting and very non-nursing related, check out the 2010 worst Photoshopped photos. I'm so glad I don't have the distorted elbow, or I'd feel a bit like an octopus.
Back later...stay tuned and enjoy your day wherever you are!
Anyway, if you really want to see something interesting and very non-nursing related, check out the 2010 worst Photoshopped photos. I'm so glad I don't have the distorted elbow, or I'd feel a bit like an octopus.
Back later...stay tuned and enjoy your day wherever you are!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Sick car, sick day
And it's really supposed to be a vacation day, not a sick day...not fun. Going to hide in bed as soon as I can.
More to come...
More to come...
Friday, November 26, 2010
The kindness of strangers
Yes, I was enjoying my day off shopping on this Black Friday. We shopped early, but enjoyed the lull between the early shopping crazies and the lunchtime shoppers. Bubba had a blast.
When we rested for a short time, I set down my purse. I didn't even notice it until later in the day when I went to look for my cell phone, which also happened to be the most valuable thing in there. (I keep my wallet and keys on me at all times). I started calling around to the stores I was in, to no avail.
Later, I went back to the stores tracing my path. Lo and behold, I found the purse at the bookstore. The lady told me someone found it in the back. I had been trying to call the phone four or five times before I got it back.
"Honey, it's been so loud in here, we never noticed."
Profuse thanks to the bookstore staff. We frequent the store often and will continue. You are all the best.
When we rested for a short time, I set down my purse. I didn't even notice it until later in the day when I went to look for my cell phone, which also happened to be the most valuable thing in there. (I keep my wallet and keys on me at all times). I started calling around to the stores I was in, to no avail.
Later, I went back to the stores tracing my path. Lo and behold, I found the purse at the bookstore. The lady told me someone found it in the back. I had been trying to call the phone four or five times before I got it back.
"Honey, it's been so loud in here, we never noticed."
Profuse thanks to the bookstore staff. We frequent the store often and will continue. You are all the best.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
One more day
I have my work cut out for me. An unscheduled lazy day or two and the rest is work.
It's been fun at the Hotel recently...so much with the crazy, stormy weather here that I feel like I'm getting the dreaded summer cold.
What a way to celebrate some time off!
More later...stay tuned.
It's been fun at the Hotel recently...so much with the crazy, stormy weather here that I feel like I'm getting the dreaded summer cold.
What a way to celebrate some time off!
More later...stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cookin'
That's what I'm doing on my day off, enjoying the overcast skies. If I could sing on key, I'd probably pen an ode to my favorite kitchen appliance.
A little housecleaning, a little shopping and a little visiting with friends will make my day complete.
Stay tuned...it's back to the ranch soon, so more fun ahead!
A little housecleaning, a little shopping and a little visiting with friends will make my day complete.
Stay tuned...it's back to the ranch soon, so more fun ahead!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The weather outside is frightful...
No fire here, but at least I got a few things done today on my day off. More to come...stay tuned. It's back to the old grind tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What happened?
I wonder this often when I work and when I see things such as....
...the urine bags that are always full.
On our unit, everyone is assigned patients, including the nursing assistants. In many places in our grand state, those assistants could be delegated to by folks such as the LPNs and RNs. Our assistants regularly refuse delegation, and often neglect their own tasks, such as this, that seem too "demeaning" or "boring". Or my personal favorite...they'll only do the task for you if they "like" the patient.
One of my patients was assigned to the escapist assistant I mentioned before in this blog. Again, his Foley bag was getting ready to explode. If only the boss paid attention...maybe I can ask Santa for that for Christmas.
...a new patient assessment that is not done at 2345.
This patient arrived around 1130AM and said nurse supposedly did all his documentation. It's not unusual for some of the paperwork to be floating around on people who arrive at 1500 or later, because our daytime people leave not long after that, so we on evenings, finish up whatever they don't do. This nurse didn't do much. We had two lowly notes for the patient: one the H & P from the admitting doc and the generic "patient arrived at xx time" one for the admitting nurse. Not a nice surprise!
...that someone who refused a shot got one.
This is what one of our elderly patients told C. tonight that the med nurse (same as the admitting one mentioned above) gave him a vaccination that he did not want. I guess she missed that class on assault and battery in nursing school.
My trainwreck came back from dialysis in a happy mood. He barely rung his call light all night.
Off I go for off-day errands...back later!
...the urine bags that are always full.
On our unit, everyone is assigned patients, including the nursing assistants. In many places in our grand state, those assistants could be delegated to by folks such as the LPNs and RNs. Our assistants regularly refuse delegation, and often neglect their own tasks, such as this, that seem too "demeaning" or "boring". Or my personal favorite...they'll only do the task for you if they "like" the patient.
One of my patients was assigned to the escapist assistant I mentioned before in this blog. Again, his Foley bag was getting ready to explode. If only the boss paid attention...maybe I can ask Santa for that for Christmas.
...a new patient assessment that is not done at 2345.
This patient arrived around 1130AM and said nurse supposedly did all his documentation. It's not unusual for some of the paperwork to be floating around on people who arrive at 1500 or later, because our daytime people leave not long after that, so we on evenings, finish up whatever they don't do. This nurse didn't do much. We had two lowly notes for the patient: one the H & P from the admitting doc and the generic "patient arrived at xx time" one for the admitting nurse. Not a nice surprise!
...that someone who refused a shot got one.
This is what one of our elderly patients told C. tonight that the med nurse (same as the admitting one mentioned above) gave him a vaccination that he did not want. I guess she missed that class on assault and battery in nursing school.
My trainwreck came back from dialysis in a happy mood. He barely rung his call light all night.
Off I go for off-day errands...back later!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Work is still...work
Yes, one day off after working an evening and then waking up early with a kindergartener is an exhausting experience. After a very nice day visiting my sister, seeing some of my old friends in that second largest 'burb of the county where I used to work and having lunch with C., then coming home and baking a couple of pies, I was too tired to do much around the house. I put my favorite vaccuuming CD on the stereo, cranked it, and vegged for a half hour.
It was back to work today and I felt really slow. First, we had an in-service today on Fragmin. Most of the people were watching the shiny stuff--the pens that light up and the other goodies. Besides being a big sales pitch, it was reasonably interesting. We even talked about the famous debate of "should you blow the bubble". Second, my boss changed my assignment. I was a little perturbed, but I got two reasonable patients and the med cart on the main hall. I was running a little, but it turned out reasonably well considering everything, including an irascible patient or two and an exploding colostomy bag (happily a controlled explosion!).
In the last few days, I've found some interesting sites and articles on the internet. Hope you enjoy them. More items to come...
Check out the patient safety info at this site: http://www.patientsafety.gov/resources.html
The NY Times recently ran an interesting article on Hepatitis C: http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-hepatitisC-ess.html
Can chewing gum may shorten your hospital stay? The jury's still out on that issue, but there may be more research to come. Could Wrigley's be the next sponsor? Stay tuned.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579243
It was back to work today and I felt really slow. First, we had an in-service today on Fragmin. Most of the people were watching the shiny stuff--the pens that light up and the other goodies. Besides being a big sales pitch, it was reasonably interesting. We even talked about the famous debate of "should you blow the bubble". Second, my boss changed my assignment. I was a little perturbed, but I got two reasonable patients and the med cart on the main hall. I was running a little, but it turned out reasonably well considering everything, including an irascible patient or two and an exploding colostomy bag (happily a controlled explosion!).
In the last few days, I've found some interesting sites and articles on the internet. Hope you enjoy them. More items to come...
Check out the patient safety info at this site: http://www.patientsafety.gov/resources.html
The NY Times recently ran an interesting article on Hepatitis C: http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-hepatitisC-ess.html
Can chewing gum may shorten your hospital stay? The jury's still out on that issue, but there may be more research to come. Could Wrigley's be the next sponsor? Stay tuned.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579243
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