Daily Diary

Hullo, We (all 3 of our kids, SIL, and 2 grands) took dh to the local minor league baseball game yesterday afternoon. It was sunny and warm, I got a sunburn for the first time in years, and dh burned the tops of his knee, but we had fun. We take camp chairs and sit on the grass berm and the kids can run around. Came home and grilled some chicken and potatoes on the barby. Fell asleep watching as husband surfed around on the TV-interview with pres, a murder mystery on PBS, and 2 different baseball games. I often don't even watch telly with dh because the constant channel change is irritating. Back to work today. There is a hospitalized r/o TB that our seasoned TB nurse has been showing me all the info she needs to gather for reporting, even though we are not seeing him, yet. Need to know when and how all cxs were collected, what meds and doses have been given, any exposures and contact investigation started, and any underlying conditions, like HIV. Joe, I thought you were in Indiana, but is it Wisconsin? I hope stars is getting some pain and stress relief! Good day to all, j22

Good afternoon! It's just another Monday. It's not too busy, but busy enough so I'm not bored. Yesterday was cool and rainy. DD stopped by for a while. We had a good chat. I will see her again before she leaves for the island. Fiance went to the movies with his DDs. I chose to stay at home and enjoy the solitude. Hope all have a great day!

Good morning nurses! We had a good Father's day Son and DIL choose a restaurant that accepts dogs on the patio. Their dog is very well behaved. He did lick my toes under the table. They have never fed him from the table, so he doesn't beg.

Good Morning! Joe, hope work at the new job goes well for you today. Supposed to rain some here today too, but that's typical for us this time of year. Supposed to only get to 84 because of the rain. Usually it's at least 90. Slept in and just have some odds and ends type chores to get done. Hope to exercise. Yesterday was a cheat day at work and had junk food that I enjoyed.

Morning Yesterday was nice...church then J and I took dad to brunch. Walked around the arboretum aftewards...lots of mosquitoes due to all the rain. Came home and tried the custard pie recipe again and then relaxed Today it's back to work, not sure what I'll be doing today, will be interesting to see Dates for the family reunion next year have been decided, I already made reservations for me and J. We'll be going to Indiana again. Hopefully this time we wont' have another trip beforehand like last time. Hopefully no rain today or tomorrow but the rest of the week looks pretty rain. Rather tired of the rain

So what kind of nursing are you doing nursea? I was around when there was paper charting and 8 hour shifts, and things were no better then. At least at the facility I've worked at the last...cough...cough...27 years....It was bad then and it's bad now. Here I sit at 10pm having dinner after a long 14 hour shift. Nothing horrible, just a busy group of five, discharged two and got one in, plus I was charge. They floated two nurses off to another unit and left me short a nurse so I had to take a full load. Guess that's why I make the big bucks. My problem is, I don't hate it, and can't imagine a job where I don't have 4 days off a week and am not in motion. Maybe when I age, but I just turned 60 and am not ready to leave the bedside just yet. But it is a bit demoralizing to have so few "good days", and see what the baby boomers have become...a bunch of whiny, cry baby entitled, opiod tolerate sick folks. The boomer aged guy that refused to leave was saying "you guys take an oath to take care of people, and you don't even do it". Forget you. My two best patients were millennials. One was a 26 year old with a kidney stone that said as she was leaving how wonderful everyone was and this was now her hospital of choice. Another was a 36 year old that was a nurse, but the sweetest patient I've had in a long time. The elderly I can stand, but my own generation...forget you. BC, sorry to hear the concert was cut short. He he's okay. Like you said, he's put in a lot of miles on that body. He hasn't looked healthy for a long time. Guess you remember he's the father of Melissa Etheridges ex-wife's children when they were married back in the day. Happy to be off for three days. Steph, hope the day brought you good times. Joe, hope you enjoyed Father's Day with your dad. I think it's cool that you guys meet up so often.

Good morning! Not sure what the day will bring. Husband is out on a tractor, which is his idea of heaven. He retires this year from being the Mosquito District Manager and will do farm work for a local farmer. The farmer is grateful for someone who actually knows what they are doing. Farming CAN be a lost art. herring - I love Star Trek and Star Wars. As you know. Glad you had fun. BC - that dinner sounds wonderful. I almost. . . almost fell off the low carb wagon when my son brought home a watermelon for his dad. But . . . it ended up looking kinda mushy so I didn't succumb. Headed to church shortly. Not sure what the day will bring. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Happy Father's Day!

Good Morning! Happy Father's Day to the father of your children, the father's reading this, and your father whether here in person or not. Stars keep venting. It's not ever going to get better. Working today. I requested not to have the freeloading complaining patient that I gave a lunch to at supper (yeah I was wrong for that, but it was an honest mistake and he didn't die). My empathy for him sucking up the resources of the good taxers is at it's end. I'm all for healthcare for all but just don't take advantage, and show some gratitude. Anyway, that sounds judgmental, and I hope I'm not like that. Hope everyone has a great day.

My workday breakfast is oatmeal, papaya and a fresh raw green smoothie. Steph, sounds like a challenge work wise, but how fortunate they had you there to talk to. I still get amused when you guys say "I have to pay bills" as a chore to get done, as I've said before that I don't pay bills. They pay themselves. Welcome back nursesea, hope you continue to post. Good luck on the new job. Nel, that sounds dreadful. Hate when one thing after another goes bad. Rehab patients are indeed med-surg patients these days. We have a rocky patient that was on 3 liters of "high flow" oxygen. Med-surg is more like an ICU. Had a nice but busy day. Had four patients and discharged three and moved the one left. The one was supposed to be an overnight stay and home on Friday. Turns out he has no home and is using every excuse in the book to stay. Now he's contesting his discharge, as Medicare patients can do. Surely they will reject his plea. During the transfer his dinner didn't make it but he excepted an "extra" tray by me. All I saw was "extra" on the ticket and heated up the burger and soup that was on it. Turns out it was from lunch. He read the ticket and my name was trash. It was still pretty fresh, but he's an annoying, entitled, complains about anything man. Kind of ruined a very good mood. But I can't let him have that power.

Stars, I don't eat oatmeal! I have a two-egg, onion, cheddar cheese, mushroom, spinach omelet, nearly every morning. Sides include cottage cheese and avacado. The exception being mornings when I go out to breakfast with co-workers. Gray Boy, the tank of the parking lot cats, was waiting by my car, this morning, when I exited work. Yes, he knows my car. Waits by it, and screams when he sees me. He is kind of mean to the other cats, so I have to reprimand him, to remain in his lane. He only likes Little Gray. And he can be mean to her, sometimes too. They are usually always together. If I ever leave my job, I will have to continue to feed these cats. So many cats! Cats everywhere!!!

Welcome back, nursesea! And a hearty good morning to one and all! I came home yesterday, crawled into bed and went soundly to sleep. Until about 9 pm, and then I was wide awake. I think I am letting nutty co-worker get to me. She wasn't scheduled to work yesterday, and yet, there she was, at her desk in the wee tiny office that we share, muttering about how terribly busy she was and could never catch up. And then prattling on about her personal life, like I give a rat's patootie. Yup, I bet she will turn into Nannie as she ages. She was terribly miffed that the clerks returned some paperwork back to her to correct and proclaimed that those things needed to come to me. A patient came in for a med refill and she made her usual disparaging remarks that she makes about all the patients. I declared that I really enjoy this pt's visits, and she hmphf'ed. (sp?) Today looks to be another cool day. Coffee is done, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me " so time to putter in the garden. I don't know if everyone can open links, but I saw this on Twitter this morning from the Baltimore Sun, where a writer comments on how people same the same thing twice, like "safe haven" or "added bonus". These are called pleonasms. https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/columnists/mcintyre/116864980-132.html

Hi nursesae! Are you the person who lives in Louisville area? Welcome to our small, yet dedicated group!

Good Morning! I did something last night. It's a "four letter word". It begins with a "W". What was it? What was it???!!!?? Oh yea!! I did WORK!! Started out floating to the E.R. Yep! There were patients there. Lots of them. They kept coming and coming and coming. No one was admitted because no one was sick enough to be admitted. (Well, there was one transfer to another hospital, though.) Gratefully, at around 0300, people stopped coming to the E.R.. I guess they wanted to sleep and gain energy to come to the E. R. the next day. So. . . I went back up to the ICU where I turned into an ICU Nurse. However, there was only 1 ICU patient. My co-worker was taking good care of that patient (who safely slept throughout the night, with his heart a-beatin'). (The monitor shows sinus rhythm, rate in the 80s.) So, I did on-line edumacational stuff. Work. So ends my vacation. It was a pretty good night. I just woke up from First Sleep. Gonna have some lunch, then attempt Second Sleep. Hope all have a nice weekend! Ted

Morning Tweety Work was less busy yesterday. Got pulled off the project we were working and onto another one helping Utilization, this time with nursing home authorizations. Found it a little easier than the other project...fewer calls and then only to nursing homes....plus kind interesting. I've never done utilization work before but it's interested me Met J for dinner at one of our usual places afterwards This morning the environmental group is meeting. The rest of the day will be rainy so I'll stay in and cook and exercise. Dad is out of town so I won't be seeing him Will be seeing dad tomorrow, J and I are taking him out to brunch for Father's Day after church Skipping Svengoolie tonight....Attack of the 50 Foot Woman seems kinda dull

Work SUCKED last night. Eight med-surge patients, until 0100, then NINE med-surge patients, including one, who used to weigh 600 pounds.. He is still big. His ostomy had to be changed five times. It kept leaking, I literally couldn't leave his room. The stoma was bleeding. Lots of blood. Called resident at 0500. "Oh, we'll be rounding in an hour. We'll look at him then." Okay. He was sent out at 0720. Two developmentally challenged patients, in the same room. One is nice, the other completely rude. Such an awful night. My Italian friend helped me with the ostomy, as did the charge nurse. I needed help because I also had three patients with IV infusions. Yes, I work rehab!!!! It is med-surge, minus the ER admits. I am also applying at my local health department. Hope you all have a good day.

Good Morning! Nel, good luck with the job application. J22, hope the fatigue passes and you're not getting sick. Stars, hope Nannie can understand the septic tank needs cleaning. Was happy about no termites. After that didn't get a whole lot accomplished, other than washing the sheets, and cooking. Watched a few shows on Netflix while cooking. Slept good with some pharmacological aid. It's so nice to sleep and turn the mind off. Working the weekend. Hope everyone has a great day.

Tweety: I'm glad you don't have termites.

Neighbors. . . We live in a rural, wooded area. When we moved to our home here, 14 years ago (in 2005), there was nothing to see but trees and more trees. Back then, the nearest neighbor was down the road from us, about 1/5 mile walk from our home. It was just the way we wanted to be when we moved here, 14 years ago. About 3 years after our move here, we began to hear construction on the property next to us. As the construction carried on that year, it became apparent that our new neighbors, a retired couple from Long Island, were building their new home toward the edge of their property line, next to ours. When the leaves fell from the trees that fall, we could see their log home. At the edge of their 6+ acre (!!) property line. Next to us. Amy was NOT pleased! We almost sold our home back then! But, 3 years later from when we purchased our home, the housing market tanked. The re-sale value of our home dropped nearly $100,000 bucks!! We owed too much to sell our home back then. (This was back in 2008.) A year or so later, Amy asked the "new" neighbors why they built their home close to their property edge. (Next to our property edge.) The wife answered that, being from Long Island, they were used to living close to their neighbors' homes. Because of this, and because they moved to a more rural area, they felt "safe" being able to SEE our home. Amy was not pleased. . . . Yet, she kept her comments to herself! L O L! It's now 2019, 11 years later since the "offending home" was built next to our property. Since then, the trees have grown longer and wider. This is good during the late spring, summer, and early fall months, when the more mature trees with their leaves hide that neighboring house. Since then, the original owners of the "offending home" sold their house. Why? Because they didn't like living in such a rural setting. The next family, who purchased that home, lived there for only 1 year before they put that house on the market! Apparently, the living was too "rural" for them, too. The house has been on the market ever since then! For about 8+ years! A lovely young couple is renting that "offending home", at least until the owners sell it. Neighbors. . .

Good morning this Friday! Tweety: I live directly across the street from the apartment building. The new couple live two doors down from us in a building with a privacy wall and a nice tree in front. From their address they can't even see the balcony where the Italian speakers talk and smoke. But they walk their BIG old friendly slobbery dog and will jay walk to go talk to anyone on the sidewalk. I like to walk on errands and shop with a cart as many old people do. Even when coming home they walk up to me and start talking about other residents of this block. And try to get invited in. They ask, "How about you make some coffee and invite us in?" I told them about the low cost senior lunches at the nearby park. She said, "That is for old people. We aren't ready for senior activities." (They are both 65 and recently retired. Sold their house and rent a condo. How do I know? She told me.) I know whatever I tell them they will likely tell the whole neighborhood. That is OK because when they ask about other neighbors I say something like, "Nice people." Others can tell them what they want, but people I've known all their lives are now tired of hearing about the smoking and foreign language on the balcony. The last few days I wave and say, "Hi" calling their names and then walk away, go to my car, or in the house as if I were in a hurry. PS: You here in this "Club" know more about some of my wonderful current and past neighbors than I tell other's on the street. PS: I went out to get husband's WSJ and they both opened the gate, came into the yard, and told me about a new Facebook named for our street they want us to join. I told them I don't do Facebook. The flyer has a screen shot of the Italian man across the street on the balcony balcony with his phone. One thing I can say is that they say the same to me that neighbors tell me they said to them, "She is so strange not wanting a smart phone. How can she live like that"

P.S. Weird thing I noticed . . . two notifications with the thumbs up for posts I made back in 2008 when I was using a different name. Someone must be perusing old posts.

Good morning Tweety, Joe and Ted . . . and all who follow. I only see Ted down below. Having 2nd coffee. Contemplating my week. So very busy and yesterday our young mom in hospice died. This was a tough one. We were busy with her, her kids, her family all week. She was spirited and funny and could be pretty darn stubborn. I am worried about her kids but especially the 13 year old. The other one is 5. They will live with grandparents, where they've been for the last 6 months anyway since that is where they moved when mom got sicker. So, tough week in many ways and I've been off the net. Except last night went on FB and saw post about JFK, Jr and Jessica Biel here in CA mischaracterizing a bill about vaccines. Made me frustrated so of course I had to comment on the facts. . . and counter the feelings of anti-vaxxers. Let's see . . . progress on the old house is proceeding well. We did have some tools stolen overnight though from our back porch room. Scary to think people were in my house. On a bright note, my mother-in-law is doing so very well after starting her Parkinson's med. One of the hospice nurses is sick so I took her call last night and this is my weekend on call which means . . . I'm on call from last night at 5 p.m. until Tuesday at 7 a.m. But Ted, we must not get as much to be on call as you do. There are no scheduled nurse visits today; we are Monday and Thursday. But it is HHA day (Tues/Fri) so I might ride along with her to see a couple of the patients. Enjoy your Friday folks. Hug the kids in the family.

Good Morning - Tweety - About 10+ minutes ago, I saw you "down there". Glad you finally posted here. I waited to post until you posted first, saving all kinds of work for the moderators to combine today's "Good Morning" thread. L O L! Regarding that "psycho nurse". Damn! I'd be royally pissed off if a nurse was On Call and didn't respond to a phone call or text message to come to work. I hope that nurse is held accountable. I certainly trust your word that the nurse was On Call, and not Called Off. Damn!! Joe - I saw you "down there" too, and waited until you posted! L O L! I can see how it can be stressful, as you start a new job, and as the new division formulates new policies and procedures. Hopefully those new policies and procedures won't be too stifling. In the meanwhile, enjoy your dinner with J tonight! Been up for a couple of hours, now. Already drank First Coffee. Will have Second Coffee before I go to work tonight. I'm working tonight, which will be the 1st of three nights in a row. I took Call "Without Pay" (which is a choice), earlier this week. It was nice not having to go to work that day. It "extended" my planned summer vacation. BUT, being On Call "Without Pay" (due to no time in the Earned Time Bank), is very expensive. I'm losing a good $500+ by doing this. It makes paying monthly bills a challenge. So, it'll be a while before I take Call Without Pay. Ugh! I need to build up my Earned Time Bank. Again. Regarding my decision to remain as Music Director for my church. That decision was with much thought and self-reflection. There still remains part of me that would like the freedom and proper sleep (every other weekend) that would be offered by resigning as Music Director. That lack of sleep thing surely is an issue. But I actually started thinking about remaining on as Music Director after my father passed away, a few months ago. This church is my "home church", and a source of emotional and spiritual support. In the meanwhile, we were getting applicants for this position. We got three applications, actually. This was encouraging! But two of these applicants were from different parts of the country, one from California, and the other from North Dakota. The person from California ended up taking a job in Texas. The person from North Dakota, who, apparently, is moving to this region of the country, decided not to pursue this and other Music Director gigs "for now". A 3rd applicant was actually from a near-by city, which would be about a 20+ mile commute to our church. Unfortunately, this person does not drive. This person couldn't even make it to a planned interview because her husband (or boyfriend) needed to go to his church that day. In addition to getting weird and unreliable applicants, the church is going through its own stress as it seeks a new Pastor. Adding stress to an already stressed church is something that I do not want to do. But the bottom line (and that bottom line has changed, admittedly), is that I do like being Music Director. This holds true despite that lack of sleep every other weekend. I like the few individuals that remain in the choir. I like the creative opportunity offered me as I play my own improvised music each Sunday (during various times of the service). So, I'm staying. At least for now. Yesterday. . . I modified our church's sound system to accommodate the important interview process, this Sunday, for the Candidate seeking one of the two positions as full-time Pastor. Although I won't be there during the interview process (because I need to sleep before going to work Sunday night), it felt nice being a part of the process, preparing for this important interview. I felt part of a larger community as we work to continue on as a community. Well. . . Gonna have me some breakfast! Hope all who travel here today have a pleasant day! Ted

Good Morning! Joe, hope work continues to be productive and rewarding in whatever way. Sorry you couldn't see J. Ted, if being the Choir Director is something you enjoy, and obviously you are good at, and they need you, I hope it works well for you. My issue would be when you work back to back 12 hour shifts, your commitment to getting up and going to church is just crazy. I wouldn't do that. But I'm older than you and can't handle it. Hope you enjoy your fast internet. Nel, as I was reading your post I was saying to myself "he needs a mood stabilizing medication". Sounds like the coworker that quit recently rather than float. His personality, especially since I do charge a lot, is one I could not deal with very well. Not getting along and complaining about 4 people would be a red flag to me in HR that the problem isn't everyone else, but him. Herring, why would neighbors spending time on a balcony across the street annoy anyone? J22, I see the work drama continues. Always something. I had a flash about the pyscho nurse when I saw her last night. I told her "are you talking about the time I called you in when you were on call and you never answered or came in? Yes, I did talk about you that night. I said you were wrong for doing that" Her answer was "yes, and you canceled me you didn't put me on call and I have evidence on my phone". I asked to see it and she showed a text of a message she said was from me which didn't say anything about being canceled. I said, I didn't leave a message, we talked live and I put you on call. So it's basically her word against mine. I never cancel, I always put people on call. She also was a no-call no show a few weeks prior to that. Of course, she's going to get away with it, but hopefully will be held accountable. Anyway, she stuck her nose up in the air and scooted off. During our bedside report we are all smiles with each other in front of the patient at least. Off today and the termite inspection is this morning. I'm hoping for good news, but the pessimist in me knows pretty much it's going to be bad news and costly. But the optimist in me hopes not. The realist in me is sitting still and taking what comes. Other than that, I hope to work out some, cook and relax. Working this weekend. Need to straighten up before the bug person gets here. Have a great day.

Morning guys and gals, Tweety, I would watch your back around that co-worker. I worked with someone like that who was bizarro, made multiple mistakes and then made a formal complaint about me. She said that because I didn't make a point to find her at the beginning of the shift and greet her, that I was being hostile. Joe, that is good news about getting your Michigan license. I hope J recovers quickly. Ted, good news indeed about finding a new pastor candidate. I am not surprised you are staying on as music director, but you should allow yourself some time off when working. Just my opinion, but I bet your congregation would agree. Herring, I love how you predict that you may be avoiding certain people. That is pretty cheeky of them to tell you what apps to use. Whew, it got pretty warm yesterday, I guess a record was broken. Today should be a little cooler. We are meeting for lunch today for a co-worker's last day. Her fiance graduated from the local university and they moving across the state. I will miss her. Nutty co-worker faxed a patient report to the city parks and recreation department, instead of a provider office. And now everyone is in an uproar. And our medication supply is being audited by the state. That is stressful, but it needed to be done. Our new supervisor wants to get most meds via a pharmacy and I agree. But 2 long time people are having difficulty giving up control. I am am keeping my head down. Hi to everyone who comes along, hope your day is pleasant.

Good Morning! Nel, I used to be a good letter writer as well. Work was quite busy. They pulled a nurse we could have used to work Rehab. I got lunch at 3pm and clocked out at 9pm. Came home and ate, too a sleeping pill and didn't move until the alarm went off, so that was good sleep. Needed it desperately as today is "The Dreaded Thursday". I'm trying to be more positive as I approach Thursdays, but meh. It is what it is. One of the night shift workers, a very immature 30 year old pyscho said something to a few us sitting there "I heard all about it..you guys talking about me". I said "I don't think I talk about you anything I haven't said to your face. What are you talking about". Her: Never mind, I'll just mind my own business. Me: So you were gossiping about me behind my back saying I was gossiping about you behind your back, but won't talk it about now? Her: skunks off silently, nose in the air. Whatever. Have a great day.