Dear Parent Scheduler

It's really nice to see that you can send and read e-mail. I've noticed something lately,though, of which you should be aware. If you notify the guy who MAKES the schedule two weeks beforehand, he won't schedule your kids to participate in the service on the weeks you are busy.

I know it works because I've told him each time we go on vacation, and Bubba isn't scheduled that weekend. Problem solved.

I know that means all of us on the mailing list won't know EXACTLY where C and J and your family are going on vacation, or dance competitions, or band recitals, but we will just have to live with seeing you every so often on the weekends, so we can ask about you in person.

Hope you enjoy trying it out.

Pleasant journeys (and you don't need to tell me about them, if you don't want).

Sincerely,

RehabRN

Vacation: the inevitable

It's not close, but vacation will end. I know it. I still have a ton of things to do. Even if I were off for a month, I'm sure I'd harbor some regret for what didn't get done around the house, but I'm doing my best.

I continue to work on getting the outdoor work done: packing up yard waste for pickup, cutting down and mowing stuff. I haven't mowed in years, and yes, I have the mosquito bites to prove it (despite everything, they love me).

Bubba decided he really didn't want to go to the CityPark pool again with camp, so since he crashed into another kid yesterday and got a huge bump on his head, I decided to keep him home. The camp  forced me: they called in panic mode yesterday and made me pick him up. It worked out well that I told Dahey where I was going, because they called him at work when I didn't answer and he had to find me at the movie theatre where I was trying to be a grown up and watching a grown up movie (Amy, the documentary on Amy Winehouse). Luckily, there weren't too many other folks around (and I was able to get a voucher to come again).

Since Bubba was on sick leave, and I'm on vacation, we went on a placid stroll in town at the gardens, then we went to lunch and had cupcakes. He even went to a local house featured on Ghost Adventures. Thankfully, he was sufficiently scared by some of the stuff he saw for sale in the gift shop, that we won't be going back.

Now, I just have to take him to a boy movie (Ant Man) instead of Dahey. We're going to an interesting old theatre, and this time, I'll make sure to leave the phone on vibrate, just in case.

Stay tuned.

RehabRN's Book Club: Summer vacation edition

No, I did not just pick up any old trashy romance novel at the airport newsstand. I actually went to the library (my favorite place to pick up books). Here's what's made it to the reading list this vacation week.

1. The Power of Less by Leo Baubauta. What's my favorite part of any book? Brevity and clarity. If it's short, I'll read it from cover to cover pretty quickly.

I wasn't quite able to sit  down and just read it until it was done (as Dahey often does), but I did  finish it today, and finishing any book in three days for me is a sprint.

Next on my list,

2. The Book of Joan by Melissa Rivers. Okay, it's as close to a trashy novel that I'll get. It's always interesting to hear what kids have to say about their celebrity parents, especially ones who were as famous as Joan Rivers.

Finally, for number 3, I always have Lewis Grizzard's Last Bus to Albuquerque on my night stand as my go to book. When I need some comic relief, I just pick a page, open it and start reading. I also start laughing and thinking that this interesting character has been gone for far too long. What would he think of the Kardashians and all the internet/Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram world we live in?

More books are on order at the library, so stay tuned.

Vacation weekday 2: Cram session

How much maintenance can I cram into one day? Almost as  much as I crammed into this weekend.

So far, I'm clutterbusting while the HVAC tech checked my air conditioning (it's hot as blazes here in RehabLand, so that's good), the bricklayer is here to work on the chimney and the other estimator will be here soon.

To be continued,,,

Vacation

All I ever wanted. Free and escaped from the Hotel for more than seven days. That alone is enjoyment!

To start off this week of merriment, Bubba and I hopped in the Family Truckster (not an actual truck, we call it the big fat Silver Bullet) for a whirlwind trip to Memphis. Thanks to the fine Friendly Neighborhood Tire Store, the Truckster was cleared for takeoff, tires rotated and balanced and away we went.

Dahey got some important correspondence (aka the check the boss said was in the mail since the fourth of July) late Friday, so we left at 0800, since we had to visit our friends at the local bank. After that business was transacted, with our special mix of candy in hand (Swedish fish, saltwater taffy and Jolly Ranchers included), we took our time driving down the highway.

Some people used to count Slug Bugs when I was a kid, but not anymore. Bubba decided to bring the iPad along when he got tired of counting dead armadillos (still not too common in RehabLand) and use up all of my high speed data for the month (luckily, that message didn't come until we were nearly home). Sadly, we noticed 10 armadillos who died on their way to meet Elvis.

Our trip was uneventful and we made decent time, so we decided to head straight for the night's lodging. I decided to try something different, as the captain and chief hotel steward: we went for glamour and fun. As a result, since Bubba wanted to go to see Memphis's favorite pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le, we figured we'd better see some other famous critters while we are there. The Zoo has packages where you can stay at the famous Peabody Hotel downtown and see the ducks, in addition to tickets to see their zoo.

We took them up on it, and had a blast. Bubba was roaming around in the terry cloth robe looking like a Rockefeller wannabe. Thankfully, he didn't drink any of the expensive water in the room ($7) or take the rubber duck toy package home (a mere $9.95 plus tax). He wanted to keep the robe, but at $50, he didn't want to part with his allowance he had saved.  He was happy he had internet and the Travel Channel so he could watch Ghost Adventures.

However, we did leave the room. We are baseball fans, so who doesn't want to go out into a heat index of 106 and see Santa Claus? We did since it was Christmas in July at the ballpark. The players had an ugly sweater uniform (thankfully not wool), they played Christmas songs, and Kris Kringle himself was available for photos. Bubba looked funny and Santa had a good time holding his BBQ nachos (a park specialty). For a moment, I thought Santa might eat them.

The other bonus to the hotel proximity: no driving to and from the ballpark. This was especially appreciated, since I chose to indulge in a couple of cold frosties while I was there. Also, since it was so beastly hot, I made sure to have some iced water at the top of each inning. Bubba ate a huge snow cone, so that helped him, and neither of us got dehydrated. Thankfully, the home team won, and after the game was over, we had fireworks. It was a fun time, even though Bubba missed Dahey a lot.

On Sunday, we finally got to make one of  Bubba's longtime dreams come true: he got to meet a panda. It wasn't like we expected (only one of two showed up in view), but he was happy he got his selfie with Ya Ya while she was behind the glass. Ya Ya must have had one heck of a Saturday night, because she slept right through our visit. As the keepers who do some education outside the exhibit mentioned, pandas like to eat, sleep and poop.  We got a great view of the sleeping part. Maybe next time we'll see the rest.

Bubba was happy to hit the road, but he was hungry and nothing looked good at the zoo. Never fear, our kid loves barbecue and the sides that go with it. He has yet to find a place that doesn't have mac and cheese as a side, so we ordered that as a side for the trip. We got a slab of ribs plate for two to take home for our dinner. They were excellent!

All in all, we had a fun time on the road. Just wish Dahey could have been along for the ride. He was busy this weekend keeping an eye on a coworker wandering over the border in Tijuana.

Stay tuned. Vacation continues...

Stress relief

As many articles mention, stress can kill you. It can also have some nasty side effects, like weight gain, and depression.

What I've found lately are two things that help me deal with stress. One is quiet time. I have to have time to be quiet and reflect. It doesn't have to be a lot of time, I just need time. Most often, it's right before I go to sleep at night or if things get crazy at work, I just take five minutes to myself.  Sometimes I have to hide to get those five minutes, but I know that if I have them, I will be able to keep myself on track.

I've also been exercising. The scale's not moving (probably because I've indulged) but I'm finally getting some definition back in my arms, legs and even abdominal area. I'm not lifting heavy weights, but I'm consistently exercising and doing strength training with cardiovascular exercise.

My favorite exercise class right now is cardio kickboxing. I believe it's a double duty exercise because it's a great way to relieve stress. All those stupid things people might say to me--BAM! The dirty looks--BAM! I box and kick it away.

So as my favorite t-shirt says, "Don't let the turkeys get you down." Reduce stress in your favorite, most constructive way, and take care of you.

You deserve it, and so does your family, friends, and even your irascible coworkers.

More later...

Rain, rain, go away!

The weather magicians, er, meteorologists, haven't had much luck lately in the predictions department.
It's rained so much here in RehabLand, that the grass can't handle it any more. Neither can the trees.

I have to rethink my vacation plans and just get some wood and start building an ark.

More to come...

So many things

I've had a lot of really diverse things going on. Is it busyness? Not really, just a lot of disruption to my regular routine.

Am I happy? I'm just rolling with the changes.

I'm working to get things done in my little world in the Hotel. Some things are incredible (technology IS nice) and some will be game changers for how we care for our patients. Many of these things have been done elsewhere, but no one's sharing a lot of info about how they did it. I'm trying to keep up with everything I can and make sure I avoid the potholes others have already run into on this road to modern health care.

My work has taken me out on the road--literally. That part has been fun. I've been out and about with staff I don't get to work with during my normal day.

I hope to write more in the next couple of weeks. I have some time to think. I can't wait.

I hope to see you again soon. Thanks for visiting. You are always welcome.

Stay tuned...

The end of the week

This is almost the middle of July. I hear the siren song of summer, since here in RehabLand, Bubba and the other kids will be in school before Labor Day early in the morning (clutching pearls).

I have many warm memories of starting school in September (when it was still blasted hot) and one year, I dreaded going to school since my classroom was on the second floor. I was in fifth grade. I had horrendous headaches that year. I figured it was the ragweed (since all the windows were open way back when).

The Hotel was hopping this week, and so was I. I actually got to go out on a field trip. That part was fun. When I wasn't busy doing that, I was getting some groundbreaking work done. Since I volunteer for pilot projects (because our boss volunteers our department), I got to work with some new stuff. It was so cool to make care work anywhere! It also helps that the patients like it, too!

I'm going to stop here. It's time to relax and enjoy what I have of the weekend: housework and a little fun. Vacation is in sight. I can't wait.

Stay tuned!

Happy 4th!

For all of you celebrating US Independence Day, enjoy! For all of you working today, I wish you a boring night and a good view of the fireworks (if there are any in your neighborhood).

More later...

How you know it's Monday

Signs in the Hotel that it's Monday.

1. Patients are moving around. Can you say bed bingo? No one is where you expect them. I really wish Santa would have brought us private rooms instead of so many doubles (thank goodness triples fell out of vogue).

2. Coworkers get flat tires. Not one, but two of them. Craziness.

3. It rains yet again. I don't care if it's knee high by Saturday, it will get mowed when I don't have to go to work the next day.

4. You find things you don't need to see (or hear about) in the office photo copier, especially things that are not yours.

On we go with the rest of the week. Stay tuned.

The weekend is here again

Next week is a short one. Dahey returns from his travels. We have a holiday.

Can you say stress? RehabRN hits the road to visit patients in their homes (I occasionally see patients with our super home care team) all by myself. Yes, I'm going in a company car and I'm a nervous wreck. I have to get to the farthest patient first, see the next one (who can be a curmudgeon) and see if I can get the last one in before that day is over, so I don't have to go through the "request a company car" thing all over again.

I admire all of you in home care who do 5-6 visits per day. I don't know how you do it.

However, it's now Friday night. I am off this weekend, which makes me incredibly happy. I'm not going to be stressed about getting ready. I'm just going to do what I can with what I have.

Hope you have a happy weekend too, wherever you are.

2.7 billion ways

There are that many ways to say "oops!" I find it hard to believe that they just "discovered" this. Decimal points in the numbers do make a difference.

It would be nice to get what you need to do your job (i.e. supplies, etc.), but with an outfit like this, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Stay tuned. Another oops method can't be far away!

Little things

Lately, little things mean a lot, or little things can get on my nerves. I'm working hard to let the latter ones go.

Bubba waits for making decisions and it drives me crazy. I almost had a heart attack over him changing his mind about a field trip. I forgot important stuff and had to come back home before I could go to work. A little stop and check would have solved everything.

Some people get on my nerves at work. It might be their attitudes or habits or anything. I just think sometimes, it gets magnified. I am singing that song "Let it go" in my head a lot lately. I can't fix them, so I have to let it go. I'll let them fall on their faces first, because no matter what, they are right. Once they get scraped up, they'll get it.

It's time to live for the good little things, not the bad. Savor the good and let the bad ones go.

Channeling another time

Enjoy the sweetness this Sunday. Cheers.

Heartbroken

I just cannot believe it. One of my childhood friends asked me a while ago about getting another heart surgery. She had had several strokes in the past and wanted to get her problem fixed. I mentioned to her that ANY surgery is risky and to consider that in her plan. She agreed.

She went in for that surgery, and never came out. Her husband and four children, the youngest is Bubba's age (a preteen) are left behind.

She was almost 46 and a half years old. One year and months older than my own mother when she died.

The last time we saw each other was at a funeral for a relative of one of our classmates. We said we'd get together after she had some time to process her own loss. That time will never come.

I hugged Bubba tighter today. And tonight, I pray for all of them.

Hug your kids (and friends) today. You just never know...

An unwanted visitor

Dear Brown Recluse Spider:

Hanging out in my shower is not good. Especially after I just spent an hour fighting with a lawn mower in heat and humidity, with grass stuck all over my lower extremities.

There is a reason why I wear heavy soled shoes. The only good spider (in my house) is a dead one.

Sorry (but not really, because I'm sure one of your relatives will come and take your place soon enough no matter how much I clean).

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

On retirement of a dear friend

Dear Bette:

I'm so happy you're retiring. I know you are, too, even though you say it's bittersweet. Much of life often is, to remind us to be thankful. You've been through a lot the last few years, but you always smiled, even though, being sick often sucks. You were a trouper. It was my pleasure to work with you.

I'll miss you coming up to get coffee in the mornings and discussing all the interesting patients we'd see at the Hotel. You have the uncanny ability for people to trust you and tell you EVERYTHING, even things we didn't really want to know.

You made us realize that our folks are multidimensional people, and to only look at them from one side, was doing them a terrible disservice. Thank you. I know my practice changed from the time I spent working with you.

I will never forget your pioneering spirit, embracing new projects and treatment methods, and I'm sure the rest of the Hotel won't, either. (I promise I won't give your phone number out when some of those providers ask what you really think of those treatment methods, since you are an expert).

You hopefully, will be healthy and stress-free very soon, too, as you leave the hallowed Hotel halls soon for retirement.

I will miss you terribly, but I will never forget you. You are braver than any other person I know, and have given so much to me, our staff, and our patients with your presence.

Godspeed on the rest of your journey.

With warmest regards,

RehabRN

Learning every day

I tell my patients and other nurses that I learn something new every day. Lately, it's been very true. So many things in my life, at home and at work are precipitating the changes. I'm hoping they are all for the better.

While I'll never become a maternal/child nurse, I learned about STABLE the other day from one of my e-mail groups I belong to related to technology. This course is provided virtually for those nurses who are in rural areas who cannot attend in person, due to time or expense.

I'm learning more than I ever wanted to know about some new technologies. Just because it's expensive, doesn't always mean it will work. A long, arduous task was made harder. However, I shouldn't complain. I have a technical guy with a lot of history, who can figure out just about anything. I am extremely lucky.

I have to remind myself of that very fact, too. I am lucky to be able to learn so much.

More later...

Not just nice

Sometimes, it's necessary. Introducing yourself to the specialist who may be visiting your unit is not just a common (really uncommon) courtesy, it's important. Especially to your patient who needs him/her and his/her expertise.

Thank you Suzanne Gordon for reminding us of this very important fact.

Remember, look up and introduce yourself. Your patient is worth it (and so are you)!

Stay tuned.