Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

I want to wish you a Happy Birthday and a Happy Father's Day.  I want to thank you for always believing in me. For giving me the guidance, the patience and the encouragement....even when I didn't always want to hear it. I can't believe that 14 years have gone by. I think about you often, and sometimes I worry about if I would recognize the sound of your voice, but I need not to worry. I know that you and mom are watching over me. I am trying to go on the best I can, but there are times that I miss you. I wonder what you would say about different things. I wonder what you would have said when I graduated from nursing school? I'm guessing I told you so :). It hurts to know that you won't be there for the future big moments in my life. But, I know you are there in Spirit.  I miss trying to figure  what I'm going to buy you for your birthday, fathers day...and even getting you a birthday card. I try to visit you as often as I can, but you know and I know how I feel about cemetaries. And I know that you are not there.  But I love you always.

                                                                               Cindy









This was a song that you told me reminded you of your Dad. In a way, it reminds me of my realtionsip with you too. There were lots of things I didn't get to say....."The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics."

Fun with Facebook.

Last year I tried the Facebook application my year in Status. This one is called My Year in Photos. Funny thing is, its from 2010.  I'm a little behind the times. But I thought it was kinda fun to do. So here it is...in 2011 my 2010 year in photos. It was a good year.  :)

Stuff.

                                                                    So...I'm a nightshifter.

I work at night, and I am having a terrible time going from my night time schedule back to the "normal people" schedule . No problem while I'm working, its coming off of my three days, that has me here staying up all night. So here I am blogging tonight. My night sky has never looked liked that, but I thought it was a really neat picture. My night was so weird..I think that sometimes you get to the end of your workweek and you're thinking Jimmy Crack corn...and I don't care. I was thinking these things...but again I'm super grateful to have a job that I love .

                                                                    Shower Power.

Wouldn't it be nice to have showers like these? It looks so nice..I have to share a little story. My patients wouldn NOT take showers for anything during the daytime. So I come on shift, and I tell one she really should take a shower. She says she doesn't want to...and so I ask her why her concerns. Her Mom told her she would get gas from taking a shower. Its true, I don't make this stuff up...I tell her its a myth, hop on in. So she did.  The next one spoke Spanglish, and I tried to get her to take one as well..it took me 12 hrs, and a few oh nos...but I convinced her. She said she felt so much better.  And no, I haven't personally seen showers like these, maybe in those fancy Hotel suites, though!  :) And its days like these, that make me feel like I make a difference.

I can't believe that May is almost over. Its gone by so fast. I have had some letdowns, but as I have said time and again...these things are apart of my journey. My class didn't go as well as I would have liked. Its such a struggle. But I have had and aha moment. I didn't want to go in the first place. I went out of necessity, as I felt at the time. I'm feeling better..but what I realized is this.  While I was working a job and going to college before, I was driven. My mom would tell me after I had a bad bought with a class, that there is nothing wrong making a living with what I'm making. But, I was thinking..yes there is. I can't support myself on it. And I still don't know today how people make a living on that income. The facts are this. I came from a good family, but my mom and dad didn't go to college. I see it like this right now...if I can pay my bills, tithing, and be ok, then thats fine with me right now. I want to be more secure financially before I do it again. I seriously right now, don't have big aspirations to go higher. Its honestly how I feel right now. Will I go back? Probably. But not now, when I'm ready..i'll know. For now, I'm on a hiatus.

Lastly, I need ot discuss Idol. Oh my gosh, they were all amazing. I can't believe its almost over. And now, I can say, I'm super excited for Scotty and Lauren. I wasn't a big fan of haley, but she rocked it. But Scotty and Lauren are both country artists and the youngest finalists in idol history, so thats cool.  Team Scotty!! But here's a pic of the final 3 Pause my soundtrack to hear.

                                                    


Two of my faves...

So, my post isn't your traditional blogging thing to do. But Jimmy Crack Corn....;-)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following

1. Grab your current reading



2. Open to a random page



3. Share two (2) sentences from that page




4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS



5. Share the author and title, too, so other TT participants can add it to their TBR lists if they like your teaser.

Who:   Alan Christofferson, successful ad agent,  recent widower.
 
What:  What would you do if you lost everything-your job, home, and the love of your life-all at once. It happens to this man. Tempted by his darkest thoughts, a bottle of pills and nothing to live for, instead of ending his misery, he decides to take a walk. Al leaves everything behind, only taking the barest of essentials, he leaves all that he's known and heads for the farthest point on his map from Seattle- Key West Florida. The people that he encounters along the way, and the lessons they share with him, will save his life. And inspire yours.
 
Where: The United States
 
"My name is Alan Christoffersen. You don't know me. 'Just Another Book In The Library.' My father would say. 'Unopened and Unread.'  You have no idea how far i've come or what i've lost. More important,  you have no idea what i've found." - from the Prologue, pg. 3
 
I am looking forward to reading this. Although I think i'll probably cry with this one. I also think that i'm going to relate closer to this character unlike any other book so far. We'll see.

Sharing Time- Bountiful Basket Recipes

                                            

It's been a few months....but, its Basket Day!

I also ordered with my basket this time the bread...its sooo good. And freezes great.

      The artichoke. Came in my basket...time to cross something off my bucket list. Don't ask.


For those who aren't familiar with Bountiful Basket let me fill you in. Its a food co-op . People pool their money for fresh produce 50% fruit 50% vegetables.  You have to order online by tuesday at http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ and place your order. Then you go to a location of your choosing and pick up way early on Sat. morning. The beauty of this is you get something different every week, and its all locally grown. Several states participate now, but look up the site.

Back to me. The purpose of this post is to write down what I did with my stuff in my basket...well it will be eaten of course, but I have a hard time sometimes eating fruit. Veggies no problem, and its not like I don't like fruit. I do! But I want to be creative to what I will do...so here goes.

I got two artichokes. I have NEVER actually ate one fresh, only in spinach artichoke dip that is always prepared. But if you haven't like me here goes: 1. Wash in cold water. 2. Whack off stem and cut off the top, just a little though. 3. I seasoned mine with a garlic paste that I discussed earlier Gourmet Garden, best stuff ever. 4. Boil or microwave, I heard friends tell me 30-40 minutes, and another friend told me abt the microwave...so thats what I ended up doing. Cover sm bowl with a inch or so of water, doesn't really mater. But I also added a couple slices of lemon to the water, placed the artichoke in and covered with saran wrap.  I microwaved for 5 but maybe 6 minutes next time. 5. I had alot of opinions on this one, butter vs. mayo? I did mayo mixed with a little lemon pepper and sea salt.  Verdict- it was fantastic! The trick to eating one is to suck on the petals, the meat is on the bottom on the petal and you kinda scape with your teeth. The heart of the artichoke is the middle and the more you get down into the better. Try it!

Next, I got cucumbers. I made a italian salad with one..here's the recipe..

4 roma tomatoes
1 cucumber peeled and sliced
1/2 onion or less sliced, or diced.
1 bell pepper sliced
1 can black olives drained
drizzle of olive oil, more or less to taste
A capful of applecider vinegar
1 tbsp good seasons italian dressing mix, to taste
Salt and Pepper

All of the veggies, except for olives came from the basket as well. Mix well. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Its one of my favorites! I also got some lettuce, no prob eating that.

Next extra cucumbers...this recipe comes from http://www.livinglifereal.blogspot.com/  Thanks Google!

Refrigerator Dill Pickles


3 cups water

6 tablespoons vinegar (we prefer cider vinegar over the white vinegar in the original recipe)

3 tablespoons kosher salt (I used canning salt; religious standards aside, they are interchangeable)

Cucumbers, cut into spears (I cut some spears, some slices, some chunks)

Minced garlic

Fresh dill sprigs (I found this great dill paste in the produce section and used it-Gourmet Garden)

Dried red pepper flakes (optional)



Combine water, vinegar and salt; stir until salt is completely dissolved.



Cut cucumbers as desired. I cut some into spears, but also cut some into slices for sandwiches, and some into chunks.



Place about 1/4 teaspoon of minced garlic and a dill sprig (or about 1/4 t. of dill paste) in the bottom of a pint jar. Fill jar half full of cucumber pieces. Add another 1/4 teaspoon of garlic, another dill sprig and fill the rest of the way with cucumber pieces. Pour brine into the jar, making sure all cucumber pieces are covered. Cap and refrigerate for two days before eating.



That's it! Just repeat with as many cucumbers as you have, making more brine as needed. For variety, adjust the amount of garlic and dill to your taste, try different kinds of vinegars or add red pepper flakes to some of the jars for spicy pickles.

Good luck people. I'll let you know how that goes.

As for the fruit, mangoes, blackberries, pineapple, a cantaloupe and a bag of apples. If you have any apple recipes, besides pie...let me know! Or..an apple a day keeps the doctor away.  :)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.  Anyone can play along!  Just do the following

1.  Grab your current reading

2.  Open to a random page

3.  Share two (2) sentences from that page

4.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS

5.  Share the author and title, too, so other TT participants can add it to their TBR lists if they like your teaser

Who: Lexi Smart, amnesiac.  Former struggling working girl to high powered corporate big shot...complete with gorgeous husband.

What: Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember?

Where: London 2004-2007.

"So maybe things aren't as perfect as I thought. Maybe I've fallen out with my friends; maybe Bryon is after my job, maybe I don't have a clue who Tony Dukes is. But I can put it all right, I can learn my job. I can build bridges with Fi and the others. I can google Tony Dukes."

I actually finished this book this weekend. Come back tomorrow for my review!

Nosy Rosy..

I shopped in my favorite store...

Have you ever peeked over in someone else's cart? C'mon now....

I saw this and was intrigued. I was a nosy rosy. I couldn't see it all..or that it was a box of tissues.

I thought this box of whatever said.."I'm there for you when you stink"..I thought how clever for a box of laundry soap...and then it got flipped over, LOL.

And MOST importantly I discovered these..reminds me of my cruise...ahhh. Birthday cake for my grandma..with rasberries, to dress it up.

And I even made this for the first time...it was amazing! Eggplant parmesan. Recipe coming soon!

A Happy Mother's Day to all...and to my Mom, love you lots and miss you so!

Nurses

 A nurse's job goes on and on,

doing tasks from dusk to dawn.

 There's meds, there's records, and requests to write,

 running tests all day and night.



A nurse's job goes on and on,

and on and on and on and ON,

There's screaming patients down the hall,

In 13, Aggie's had a fall.



 Though busy with input on computer lap,

 they fluff up pillows so I can take a nap.

 The nurse of today is the doctor's right arm,

 guiding the patient through sickness and harm.



Our pillows are all canvas-coated,

Concrete-filled and rather bloated,

We try our best demands to meet,

But - this sorry doctor's all left feet.



 A compassionate nurse in word and deed,

 is always there in time of need.

 It's from A to Z the jobs that you do,

 we can't make it through life without assiatance from you.



They never come when he's unwell -

I'm hammering this *******' bell!

How'm I s'posed to get a bottle...

(This screaming child I'm about to throttle.)



 I've seen this nurse in many a land,

 from hospital ship to war's blood soaked sand.

 Through pain and sickness; lost hope and dispair,

 the corpsman, the nurse, you are physically there.



My dearest dream, my fondest wish -

That my next nurse be speaking English!

Through ten long hours, no how, no way,

Couldn't understand a word she'd say.



 I may never need a nuclear tech.

 But without a nurse my life's ship is sure to wreck.

 Praise the Lord, your heart cries a nurse is here.



Life's ship be damned, my 'roids are smarting,

Leave off your senseless, endless charting!

Ring cushions by the truckload... oi!

That electric wheelchair's not a toy!



 It does not matter if you're young or old,

 the touch of a nurse has the warmth of gold.

 I'm just, as you see, an old military guy,

 but I've received your compassion from land, sea, and sky.



The old ones moan, and wheeze, and creak;

The young ones dither, far too meek

To drag me off this comfy bed

And walk me, like the doctor said.



 As I'm finishing life and all my friends have died,

 give me a blessing from God and put a nurse at my side.

 Yes, praise the Lord my heart cries as I glance through a tear,

 it's like back in Mom's arms when the Nurses are here.



My nurse is fully six foot three,

No mother in compassion he,

But "mother"'s what I call him when

He treads on my damn oxygen!


------------------

Brian Short

WORLDWIDE NURSE: The Internet's Nursing Directory

wwnurse.com/


HAPPY NURSE'S WEEK!

Have you seen this?

I don't usually write a movie review on here. I thought of something tonight. Wouldn't it be fun to share a movie review like you do with a friend or a family member after you walk out of the movie theatre? Puts a different spin on it. If you're looking for a critical review, then read no more. I actually read Water for Elephants last year, and was surprised how much I liked it.  Its about life in the big top. Sometimes the ugly side of the circus business. I am a fan of Rob Pattinson, twilighter here...although I haven't seen any other movies besides the Twilight franchise and Harry Potter. Reese Witherspoon, big fan. They both did a fantastic job. The surprise for me was how perfectly they casted  the role of August, played by Christopher Waltz. He was exactly how I visioned him. And I loved Rosie., the elephant. It is unlike any movie currently out right now. Beautifully shot. My only let down I guess is the big scene at the end. I won't spoil anything, but the scene in the movie is not the same as the book. But, I guess thats why there's a book and a movie. Oh well. But go see it. You will like it.  =)