RehabRN book club: Fall edition

Yes, the days are getting shorter, and since I'm burning the lights anyway, I might as well read. RehabLand has wonderful library folks, so check out your local library. You'll enjoy it and it's cheap.

Here are a few items on my current reading list:

1. The Great Escape by Angus Deaton. The newest Nobel laureate's book is on economics, but unlike it's common description (the dismal science), this book is very readable, even if you haven't sat through one, two, three (or like me, even more) economics classes. Professor Deaton writes a readable book that even a rehab nurse who's thinking of going to the dark side (insurance or anywhere outside the Hotel) could love.

Highly recommend this, especially if you want to learn something new, without trying too hard. Thank goodness he has a sense of humor.

2. The Joy of Work by Scott Adams. Dilbert at his 1990s finest.  Reminds me of the good old days before I was a nurse. Gives me street cred with the technical folks, even though many of the tricks mentioned are dated.

My favorite escape book: I keep a copy of this in my bathroom.

3. My secret fetish lately: cookbooks. I read any and all for ideas on how to snazz up meals and bake new cakes, cookies, etc. Bubba is becoming an eating machine (and a picky one at that) so this helps keep him fed and out of my cabinets (for a while). Yes, you can get these recipes on the internet, but since my kitchen is too small for a computer and dangerous for an iPad, etc., I'm erring on the side of caution with a real book.

My current favorite: the old, reliable, Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. I got a healthy one from work, but haven't tried it out yet.

Hope you enjoy these. Will keep you updated on the next exciting book. I will be attending a meet and greet at a bookstore this week, so I hope to have a new review soon.

Happy reading!

A little weekend fun

Bubba has gone to camp. It is suddenly quiet in our house. WildDog keeps looking at me as if to say, "Mom, where is he?" He looks in his room and around the house and sees no kid couch surfing or playing on the computer.

Alas, since I've had a few moments of quiet, not interrupted by movie reviews or the infamous game, "I'm hungry, what can I eat?" I surfed around and found this interesting article about women in economics and the next Fed chairman (or maybe -woman).

It gave me flashbacks to college, when, yes, I was contemplating going on for a master's degree in the dismal science. (Hey, I can still draw that diminishing marginal utility curve and explain it with the best of them!)

However, the best thing I found meandering around looking for information on women and economics was Economists Do It with Models. When you can use Dilbert cartoons as your lead-in for stories on long-term unemployment, you definitely have arrived.

That is all. Hope you enjoy the moments that are left of your weekend. I will, too.

Stay tuned...

I really feel like I'm in one of these

Two words: Dilbert comics.

Here are some of the classic quotes. "You want THAT? I'm not going to jail!"

"I'm not in charge of credentialing." said the human resources director of, you guessed it, the credentialing department (every hospital has one!)

Yes, I'm really sure they won't take you to jail for doing your job, which is not illegal, immoral or even fattening.

Stay tuned...

Vacate for a vacation

Yes, it's true, I've been enjoying mine for the past week and I have to go back to work tomorrow. However, I can't imagine not having any time to recharge and renew. One or two days in a row is just not enough.

I read an article recently that stated, "According to an Expedia.com survey, 35 percent of Americans don't use all of their vacation days each year." Sure, some places may pay you for saving up your vacation days and cashing them in, and in this day and age, it wouldn't be too bad, but I cannot imagine doing that anymore. I just need my sanity. Sanity involves leaving the premises and not coming back for a few days.

The best thing I read about vacations was this list: Signs that you need a vacation. Reminds me of the Dilbert book I read at the store the other day: What do you call a sociopath in a cubicle?

Another article talked about how vacations can help you with job performance. I totally believe this. While I'm expecting to get the most demanding assignment on the floor when I get back (they like to do that to people returning from any time off on my unit) right now, I feel as if a rest will be helpful in dealing with it. Having memories of quiet time, coffee, good books and bubble baths, even now, makes me feel relaxed. If that doesn't work, a good time-out never hurt anyone!