So glad it's the weekend, and a long one for me. All the chores I don't cram in today, will work get worked in somewhere later.
WildDog is reveling in the ecstacy of his favorite rug's return to the house. (after the annual trip to the carpet cleaner for cleaning, deodorizing and dogproofing.) Right now, he's passed out on it. WildDog is from a rescue program and he is domestic to a certain point, but he absolutely will not sleep on a dog bed. He was looking a little forlorn lately, so I was happy when the company called to ask me to pick it up.
Since there was a special on rug cleaning, I took the substitute rugs to the cleaners today, so he's happy again.
Dahey is reading an article I'm writing for a publication (related to an industry conference). He's my favorite copy editor. Cross your fingers that I get selected.
Now to vegetate for a bit while the laundry chugs away in the laundry room...
Stay tuned.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
TGIF!
Yes, I'm glad it's Friday. The heat and stormy weather may be back, but the weekend is here.
Hooray!
Stay tuned...who knows what fun Bubba will find this weekend.
Hooray!
Stay tuned...who knows what fun Bubba will find this weekend.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
There's no DISLIKE button
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
It could have been worse...
I could have had a whole lot of meetings today. Two big ones were cancelled, so I HAD to do my required education at my desk and close the door to keep the rabble out all afternoon
But, never fear, friends, I still had lots of other entertainment at the meetings I did attend.
I got to hear about Dr. R's trip to the Big Ditch and the ride on the mule. In some spots, you can't see the bottom. Good thing for that sure footed creature!
We got to discuss our patients in our weekly meeting (that's what rehab centers have to do on a regular basis). I got to discuss my interventions from my office to keep some patients out of trouble. (Always fun.)
I couldn't do anything about the character offering to "help" another patient with his stash of marijuana.
No matter what we do, some of these folks just don't get it that we are not in a state that allows Mary Jane for medicinal purposes (keep driving west, please!)
And for a finale to my day, I heard rain outside my window. It was only S, the rec therapist with the patients watering the garden below. Everything was fine and dandy, and S. went back to her office and brought patients inside. Well, we thought they all came in...Mr. G., a particular character decided he was going to move the sprinkler. When he did that and started rolling in the front door, he started dragging the hose inside underneath his electric wheelchair.
A man in the lobby saw Mr. G. coming in and helped him get the hose out from under the chair, just as he was dragging the sprinkler inside. Thankfully, only Mr. G. got wet. A Good Samaritan turned off the hose, so Mr. G. wouldn't flood the whole front entrance.
All in all, it was a pretty good day. One (or even two) less meetings in life is a very good thing.
More later...
But, never fear, friends, I still had lots of other entertainment at the meetings I did attend.
I got to hear about Dr. R's trip to the Big Ditch and the ride on the mule. In some spots, you can't see the bottom. Good thing for that sure footed creature!
We got to discuss our patients in our weekly meeting (that's what rehab centers have to do on a regular basis). I got to discuss my interventions from my office to keep some patients out of trouble. (Always fun.)
I couldn't do anything about the character offering to "help" another patient with his stash of marijuana.
No matter what we do, some of these folks just don't get it that we are not in a state that allows Mary Jane for medicinal purposes (keep driving west, please!)
And for a finale to my day, I heard rain outside my window. It was only S, the rec therapist with the patients watering the garden below. Everything was fine and dandy, and S. went back to her office and brought patients inside. Well, we thought they all came in...Mr. G., a particular character decided he was going to move the sprinkler. When he did that and started rolling in the front door, he started dragging the hose inside underneath his electric wheelchair.
A man in the lobby saw Mr. G. coming in and helped him get the hose out from under the chair, just as he was dragging the sprinkler inside. Thankfully, only Mr. G. got wet. A Good Samaritan turned off the hose, so Mr. G. wouldn't flood the whole front entrance.
All in all, it was a pretty good day. One (or even two) less meetings in life is a very good thing.
More later...
Monday, August 20, 2012
Yes, I had a Monday
Power outage, rascally equipment, surly coworkers, you name it. It was a Monday.
But I'll also probably have one of those Tuesdays (meeting day from Hell-back to back for four hours), Wednesday (hump day) and Thursday (madhouse clinic day).
.
I am so glad the folks at the BBC could find researchers willing to solve this terrible problem of Mondays, by saying it's not just Mondays.
Still makes me want to go buy a winning lottery ticket and/or look for some other random financial windfall so I can stay home when I don't want to work.
Stay tuned.
But I'll also probably have one of those Tuesdays (meeting day from Hell-back to back for four hours), Wednesday (hump day) and Thursday (madhouse clinic day).
.
I am so glad the folks at the BBC could find researchers willing to solve this terrible problem of Mondays, by saying it's not just Mondays.
Still makes me want to go buy a winning lottery ticket and/or look for some other random financial windfall so I can stay home when I don't want to work.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Acoustic Sunday
Heard this while driving around this morning on a local radio show which plays acoustic versions of various songs.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Weekend madness
You know your weekend is going to be interesting when...
Friday afternoon you take time to attend a sick relative's consult appointment which is only 30 minutes. Talk to MD and he orders lots of labs (most of which he/she actually needs)...but the phlebotomy people in their office are gone for the day. Go to the outpatient center. Find out they close at 5PM. Then walk completely around the hospital campus to main registration, then to the main lab. Wait for nearly an hour while they call the Mayo Clinic to figure out which tube they want the oddball lab to go into. Finally, help phlebotomist get lab drawn after two sticks (not her fault...just thick blood and 8 tubes to fill). Elapsed time: nearly 4 hours, including the traffic jam on the way home.
Today, wake up and favorite coffee maker breaks. It's 13 months old and has a 1 year warranty. Make coffee in backup pot (hallelujah!). Eat breakfast.
Child is sitting with geriatric dog in living room and screams. GD had accident. Hustle him outside to complete the task. Child runs outside to get away from smell and vomit in bushes. Clean up dog poop and deodorize.
Finally, get in the shower and enjoy the water running over your head. Meditating under the shower head is very, very nice after a wild morning.
Now I'll just cross my fingers that Dahey can hold down the fort while I go run errands...stay tuned!
Friday afternoon you take time to attend a sick relative's consult appointment which is only 30 minutes. Talk to MD and he orders lots of labs (most of which he/she actually needs)...but the phlebotomy people in their office are gone for the day. Go to the outpatient center. Find out they close at 5PM. Then walk completely around the hospital campus to main registration, then to the main lab. Wait for nearly an hour while they call the Mayo Clinic to figure out which tube they want the oddball lab to go into. Finally, help phlebotomist get lab drawn after two sticks (not her fault...just thick blood and 8 tubes to fill). Elapsed time: nearly 4 hours, including the traffic jam on the way home.
Today, wake up and favorite coffee maker breaks. It's 13 months old and has a 1 year warranty. Make coffee in backup pot (hallelujah!). Eat breakfast.
Child is sitting with geriatric dog in living room and screams. GD had accident. Hustle him outside to complete the task. Child runs outside to get away from smell and vomit in bushes. Clean up dog poop and deodorize.
Finally, get in the shower and enjoy the water running over your head. Meditating under the shower head is very, very nice after a wild morning.
Now I'll just cross my fingers that Dahey can hold down the fort while I go run errands...stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
On your last day
Of summer vacation, you could just veg out and play your video games all day.
Nope. Bubba hung out with Dahey and had a grand old time. First, the daring duo headed to Ye Old Pancake House, where Bubba did a number on a Two of Everything platter (2 eggs, 2 sausage, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes) and helped Dahey eat about 1/2 of his waffles.
Next, after that big meal, Bubba and Dahey headed to the links at the driving range/golf course. Nothing like hitting a bucket of balls with Dad, then using him as your caddy on nine holes. Dahey says at least Bubba's not putting with his shoe like Granddad who often cheated, I mean "shoe putted". This was one of the first things I learned about my father-in-law when I got married from his brother.
Then Bubba and Dahey went to lunch. (yes, after all of that!) I called at actual lunch time (about 1130ish) and told them I was ready to leave the Hotel after my training in the morning. I came home, took them to one of my favorite lunch places where Bubba decided he needed to eat half of my bag of potato chips and part of Dahey's brownie.
I took them home after lunch and went back to work. The boys vegged the rest of the afternoon and played baseball after Bubba had dinner.
"I had a lot of fun with Dad, Mom." Bubba said. And both of them looked content.
So it really was a great way to spend the last day of summer vacation: dad bonding with lad.
Nope. Bubba hung out with Dahey and had a grand old time. First, the daring duo headed to Ye Old Pancake House, where Bubba did a number on a Two of Everything platter (2 eggs, 2 sausage, 2 bacon, 2 pancakes) and helped Dahey eat about 1/2 of his waffles.
Next, after that big meal, Bubba and Dahey headed to the links at the driving range/golf course. Nothing like hitting a bucket of balls with Dad, then using him as your caddy on nine holes. Dahey says at least Bubba's not putting with his shoe like Granddad who often cheated, I mean "shoe putted". This was one of the first things I learned about my father-in-law when I got married from his brother.
Then Bubba and Dahey went to lunch. (yes, after all of that!) I called at actual lunch time (about 1130ish) and told them I was ready to leave the Hotel after my training in the morning. I came home, took them to one of my favorite lunch places where Bubba decided he needed to eat half of my bag of potato chips and part of Dahey's brownie.
I took them home after lunch and went back to work. The boys vegged the rest of the afternoon and played baseball after Bubba had dinner.
"I had a lot of fun with Dad, Mom." Bubba said. And both of them looked content.
So it really was a great way to spend the last day of summer vacation: dad bonding with lad.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Ways to lose your license in RehabLand
Yet, another version of MiddleOfNowhere SBON Newsletter appeared in my mailbox recently and it has the most interesting revocation notices in it. Sadly, most of the infractions noted are due to drug diversion or alcohol abuse. Once you have substance issues and get caught, you have report to monitoring agencies in order to complete probation and get your license back.
Some things, though, are downright scary. You can lose your license if you do the following:
1. Threaten bodily harm. To other staff members, to patients, to visitors. Probably the worst threat overheard and recorded: "Oh, don't worry about X (an obese patient) for evacuation. He/she will just have to die if there's a fire, since we won't be able to get the bed out of the room."
2. Prescribe drugs for your family, that your license does not allow.
3. Forget to tell the Board about that conviction you had several years ago for drug dealing and embezzlement. No, kids, you didn't just forget...
4. Get a facility handbook from your hospital system that says, "no loafing" After that, proceed to sleep on the job and get caught not documenting on your seven patients on multiple occasions.
And finally, if those weren't scary enough:
Work as the only licensed nurse at an assisted living facility, when you're listed as a resident AND you're disabled enough to have your own guardian, who thinks you're just filing records all day in the office.
Some things, though, are downright scary. You can lose your license if you do the following:
1. Threaten bodily harm. To other staff members, to patients, to visitors. Probably the worst threat overheard and recorded: "Oh, don't worry about X (an obese patient) for evacuation. He/she will just have to die if there's a fire, since we won't be able to get the bed out of the room."
2. Prescribe drugs for your family, that your license does not allow.
3. Forget to tell the Board about that conviction you had several years ago for drug dealing and embezzlement. No, kids, you didn't just forget...
4. Get a facility handbook from your hospital system that says, "no loafing" After that, proceed to sleep on the job and get caught not documenting on your seven patients on multiple occasions.
And finally, if those weren't scary enough:
Work as the only licensed nurse at an assisted living facility, when you're listed as a resident AND you're disabled enough to have your own guardian, who thinks you're just filing records all day in the office.
There is a God in Heaven...
At least for me...the planets have aligned and I've been given what I'm due. The scholarship program I was enrolled in (and thought I'd lost when I went to the SU) has to be given to me. Program director told me recently, "You earned it, they (meaning Human--aka Useless--Resources) haven't changed anything for you so I have to give it to you."
The psycho woman can't take that away from me if she tries. Relief! Yes, it was indeed a Happy Monday!
Stay tuned.
The psycho woman can't take that away from me if she tries. Relief! Yes, it was indeed a Happy Monday!
Stay tuned.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
I'm ready
To jump/Don't look back now, baby.
There's only so much you can learn in one place.
Can you tell I have senioritis? And the last semester hasn't even started yet!
Back to grooving away until the last classes start at the end of the month.
There's only so much you can learn in one place.
Can you tell I have senioritis? And the last semester hasn't even started yet!
Back to grooving away until the last classes start at the end of the month.
Weekend delights
Child who stays up late wakes up early...at 0500.
Why? There's a leak in his room from the dehumidifier he noticed when he got out of bed.
Husband's cell phone has an annoying chirp whenever the battery runs low on power. This started going off before 0500.Trying to hunt it down in the dark was a treat, since it only beeps every 30 seconds.
Dog is now barking, because, don't you know it's 0600 and you people usually feed me by now.
Will be so glad when they leave to go to the driving range so I can go back to sleep...
Why? There's a leak in his room from the dehumidifier he noticed when he got out of bed.
Husband's cell phone has an annoying chirp whenever the battery runs low on power. This started going off before 0500.Trying to hunt it down in the dark was a treat, since it only beeps every 30 seconds.
Dog is now barking, because, don't you know it's 0600 and you people usually feed me by now.
Will be so glad when they leave to go to the driving range so I can go back to sleep...
Friday, August 10, 2012
Childhood memories
One day when Bubba was little, he made a collage from magazine photos. It has all sorts of random stuff on it, so I asked him to explain his artwork.
He carefully pointed to each item and explained every item and its significance to him.
On the last one, he said, "And Momma, that's a coffee cup, because when I see one, I think of you."
He carefully pointed to each item and explained every item and its significance to him.
On the last one, he said, "And Momma, that's a coffee cup, because when I see one, I think of you."
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Reflections and observations
My reflections aren't going to be nearly as meaningful as these from atyourcervix, but here goes...
They don't say it in so many words, but the bigwigs are rationing access to training and travel at the Hotel. I had the pleasure of meeting with a committee recently set up following one of our illustrious inspections by random credentialing agency.
This committee is now auditing how the travel and training committee allocates funds and is structured. How was it before...let me just say this: we paid for "observation" at a resort in a tropical state. Why? Because one of the cyclical meetings that goes around the country was coming to the Hotel and this committee member needed to "observe" how the proceedings were held before we had them in our backyard.
I'm sure the observation was via chaise lounge with a mai tai...or could have been a whiskey sour. She "observed" a lot, and a few other people, including one of my coworkers, did most of the scut work, like running the planning committee, registration and volunteer section when the meeting came to the Hotel.
Now, as a result of the uproar from that "observation" (which the psych nurses say should have occurred in restraints) is that ANY training out of town has to be vetted for necessity, etc.
If you're new in your job and can get out of town training, you'll only be sent if your a manager level staffer.
The peons (who run the ship BTW) like me will just have to fend for ourselves.
Nice! How many more years am I stuck here since I took that puny sign on bonus to pay student loans? Can't wait until the chains are loosened.
They don't say it in so many words, but the bigwigs are rationing access to training and travel at the Hotel. I had the pleasure of meeting with a committee recently set up following one of our illustrious inspections by random credentialing agency.
This committee is now auditing how the travel and training committee allocates funds and is structured. How was it before...let me just say this: we paid for "observation" at a resort in a tropical state. Why? Because one of the cyclical meetings that goes around the country was coming to the Hotel and this committee member needed to "observe" how the proceedings were held before we had them in our backyard.
I'm sure the observation was via chaise lounge with a mai tai...or could have been a whiskey sour. She "observed" a lot, and a few other people, including one of my coworkers, did most of the scut work, like running the planning committee, registration and volunteer section when the meeting came to the Hotel.
Now, as a result of the uproar from that "observation" (which the psych nurses say should have occurred in restraints) is that ANY training out of town has to be vetted for necessity, etc.
If you're new in your job and can get out of town training, you'll only be sent if your a manager level staffer.
The peons (who run the ship BTW) like me will just have to fend for ourselves.
Nice! How many more years am I stuck here since I took that puny sign on bonus to pay student loans? Can't wait until the chains are loosened.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Complaint department
I'm near a busy spot in the Hotel, not far from the lobby, so I hear a lot of the comings and goings among the staff, patients and visitors. Here are a few of the more memorable ones.
The employees complain about complaint procedures. Fill out this form in this many days and wait.
The patients complain about the food. While our food wasn't quite as scary looking as this, the dietitian tries. You just never know what that kitchen staff will do.
The visitors complain about the parking, the signs, the lack of wheelchairs in the lobby. One of our housekeepers remarked that he heard patients took our wheelchairs home. "Of course," I said, "Do you know that's why they don't have those folding wheelchairs at Saintarama and other big hospitals."
Tomorrow, I'm getting a sign like this. I'm sure someone will complain.
The employees complain about complaint procedures. Fill out this form in this many days and wait.
The patients complain about the food. While our food wasn't quite as scary looking as this, the dietitian tries. You just never know what that kitchen staff will do.
The visitors complain about the parking, the signs, the lack of wheelchairs in the lobby. One of our housekeepers remarked that he heard patients took our wheelchairs home. "Of course," I said, "Do you know that's why they don't have those folding wheelchairs at Saintarama and other big hospitals."
Tomorrow, I'm getting a sign like this. I'm sure someone will complain.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday madness, part 107
Oh, I love Mondays, when they go quickly without incident. When does that happen, you ask? Maybe once or twice a month, if I'm lucky.
Today just was classic.
1. You're waiting for two patients to show up. One shows up for clinic. One doesn't show. The four calls you made to his/her nursing home to get him/her to the appointment were a waste. I really love transportation companies when they screw up!
2. The crazy specialist you have to work with forgets how to code his encounters. The coding staff are off today. He/she decides to do something crazy and puts his notes in incorrectly. Nice...
3. You forget your lunch at home...in the fridge. All the while, as you wait for Dr. Crazy, you're dreaming about lunch.
Despite the weirdness that appeared, disappeared and reappeared, things did get better.
1. I escaped! Out of the building! For my ENTIRE lunch time. Hallelujah!
2. Since all the patients were done for the day, I drove down the road to my favorite coffee place and got a pound to take home and a drink. I was running late so a lady waiting for another store gave me her place in line. I thanked her profusely and gave her my coupon for a super cheap drink while she waited.
3. I finished the day, slowly, surely and very nicely. And away I went...
Stay tuned...
Today just was classic.
1. You're waiting for two patients to show up. One shows up for clinic. One doesn't show. The four calls you made to his/her nursing home to get him/her to the appointment were a waste. I really love transportation companies when they screw up!
2. The crazy specialist you have to work with forgets how to code his encounters. The coding staff are off today. He/she decides to do something crazy and puts his notes in incorrectly. Nice...
3. You forget your lunch at home...in the fridge. All the while, as you wait for Dr. Crazy, you're dreaming about lunch.
Despite the weirdness that appeared, disappeared and reappeared, things did get better.
1. I escaped! Out of the building! For my ENTIRE lunch time. Hallelujah!
2. Since all the patients were done for the day, I drove down the road to my favorite coffee place and got a pound to take home and a drink. I was running late so a lady waiting for another store gave me her place in line. I thanked her profusely and gave her my coupon for a super cheap drink while she waited.
3. I finished the day, slowly, surely and very nicely. And away I went...
Stay tuned...
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Virtually cool stuff
Every day, there's something interesting to read about. Efforts to help our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan makes sense for many reasons.
There are even games that can make a difference when we take care of patients by reducing pain when drugs can't.
We live in an interesting time and I love it!
Stay tuned for more goodies...
There are even games that can make a difference when we take care of patients by reducing pain when drugs can't.
We live in an interesting time and I love it!
Stay tuned for more goodies...
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Flashbacks to the last conference tonight when Bubba played this
Now, just imagine a hundred or so nurses, young and old, hamming it up in a stuffed shirt old money style ballroom.
Ah, memories! Cheers boys and girls!
Ah, memories! Cheers boys and girls!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Turning the tables...
Usually, I have lots of stories, so I decided to turn the tables and tell you all about some of the stories I've heard on the unit from people passing through the Hotel.
I don't check for veracity, but I do enjoy a good story, true or not. And no, I'm not going to tell you about the stuff they tell us to get drugs. (The ER nurses like my classmate Q. get a new one of those every day.)
Police stories:
Dim bulb
In some professions, people developed a heightened sense of awareness of things. Police officers are trained to be highly alert, but some of the scenarios Good Cop (he called himself that when he roomed with another former cop--Bad Cop) told me about were just crazy.
GC was out on patrol one night and noticed a guy had his license plate light out (an infraction that would win a ticket in his town). Once GC got to the window and took the guy's license he said, "I didn't do it."
GC said something about the way he said that wasn't right. He asked again, and the guy says the same thing and "I didn't rob that liquor store."
GC asks Mr. Chatty to step out of the car. GC proceeds to cuff and stuff him. Before he knew it, the call came out on the radio about the robbery. GC calls his coworker back and asks him if he wants him to bring Mr. Chatty back by the liquor store (about 4 blocks away). Coworker says "come on over." Meanwhile, Mr. Chatty keeps talking...
Mr. Chatty is identified as the perpetrator by the store owner, and off he went to the police station and booking.
Get it straight
GC pulls over a man for speeding. Mr. Lam is apologetic and GC says, "I almost let him go. Just seemed like a really nice guy."
But Mr. Lam was not a nice guy. He was a fugitive wanted on federal warrants for murder. The warrants were 16 years old.
So how did GC figure out Mr. Lam wasn't who he said he was? Well, if you give a bogus drivers' license to a police officer, make sure you sign the same name that's on the drivers' license you give to the officer. If you sign your real name (not your alias), someone, like GC, might figure you out.
I don't check for veracity, but I do enjoy a good story, true or not. And no, I'm not going to tell you about the stuff they tell us to get drugs. (The ER nurses like my classmate Q. get a new one of those every day.)
Police stories:
Dim bulb
In some professions, people developed a heightened sense of awareness of things. Police officers are trained to be highly alert, but some of the scenarios Good Cop (he called himself that when he roomed with another former cop--Bad Cop) told me about were just crazy.
GC was out on patrol one night and noticed a guy had his license plate light out (an infraction that would win a ticket in his town). Once GC got to the window and took the guy's license he said, "I didn't do it."
GC said something about the way he said that wasn't right. He asked again, and the guy says the same thing and "I didn't rob that liquor store."
GC asks Mr. Chatty to step out of the car. GC proceeds to cuff and stuff him. Before he knew it, the call came out on the radio about the robbery. GC calls his coworker back and asks him if he wants him to bring Mr. Chatty back by the liquor store (about 4 blocks away). Coworker says "come on over." Meanwhile, Mr. Chatty keeps talking...
Mr. Chatty is identified as the perpetrator by the store owner, and off he went to the police station and booking.
Get it straight
GC pulls over a man for speeding. Mr. Lam is apologetic and GC says, "I almost let him go. Just seemed like a really nice guy."
But Mr. Lam was not a nice guy. He was a fugitive wanted on federal warrants for murder. The warrants were 16 years old.
So how did GC figure out Mr. Lam wasn't who he said he was? Well, if you give a bogus drivers' license to a police officer, make sure you sign the same name that's on the drivers' license you give to the officer. If you sign your real name (not your alias), someone, like GC, might figure you out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)