Too many irons in the fire

Needless to say, I have been super busy lately! Last week was our Spring Break and I worked 3 12-hr shifts at the hospital. I also had an extra week to study for my test on Monday, and that took up a lot of my free time as well. It has been storming here the past couple of days, so I hope to get some pictures of the girls up soon. We also made a trip to Wally World for our annual spring gardening tour. The girls and I planted strawberries, tomatoes, 3 kinds of jalapeno peppers, zinnia and sunflowers. I am hoping that our recent showers will help them grow quickly. Here is a picture of the lot we have a contract on. It is 3/4 of an acre; we are really excited about starting to build and being able to move! The girls had fun playing with their cousins last week, who made the trip up from Houston. They are such great entertainment!

A work in progress...

is how I would describe myself. I will be the first to admit that I am not the most positive person. In fact, I tend to lean more toward the negative side; a character trait that I am not very proud of. When my cousin's husband, fellow MHS class of '97 alum and friend, sent me this email, it really made me stop and think of all that you and I have to be thankful for, so I am passing it on for you. Please stop for a moment, wherever you are, whatever your situation, and make your own list of things that you take for granted. It will certainly change your thoughts on many everyday, mundane tasks that could all be gone in an instant.

So read it, be glad, and pass it on. You may just make someone's day completely different, just like Michael did for me.


I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .


FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.


FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ....

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.


FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.


FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.


FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

PUH!

I DON'T DO POOP! I feel for the elderly, I really do. And I know that aging sucks. And someone has to do it, right? Yeah. That person should not be me.

My patient today was a sweet little 87 y/o female. She told me that she thought she needed to go to the restroom, so as I am helping her get her tiny stockinged feet to the floor, I discovered what I really, honestly start gagging at... poop.

It's not the process of cleaning them up; that does not bother me at all. It's the smell. And I have a bit of a cold, so I can only imagine what I would've whiffed with air flow working at 100%. Seriously. And I know they can't help it.... who would want to have to have someone to help you accomplish what most 3 year olds can do by themselves? It's sad. It is. But it makes my stomach jump into my mouth. Literally.

Puke, puss, blood, guts, bring it on. I'll pass the Code Brown to my fellow nurses.

That's just how I roll. And I am really thankful that I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning. God continually reminds me that He knows what He's doing.

Blah...

Had a pretty rough day today. Keek had 101.8 temperature, though she didn't act like she felt bad. She was my saving grace today and kept me from beating the snot out of Tay... she was TERRIBLE today. Talking back, not doing what I asked her to, being mean to her sister.... AHHH! CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! I am not feeling great myself; sore throat, achy, sneezy. So that, combined with a defiant 3 year old, made for one very long Saturday. So I am humbly asking anyone who reads this to please ask God to send me some patience and compassion. Two things I desperately need assisstance with. I am learning daily that I have a long way to go to being a Proverbs 31 woman.

So I popped a couple of Benadryl and am about to crash. I am hoping that we are able to make it to church in the a.m., but we'll have to see how everyone is feeling. I called the sis and begged her to pack up and move back to East Texas STAT! 1) Because 4 hrs apart is just too far and 2) we could trade out free babysitting. The kids play great together and they don't get to see each other often enough. I really could've used that today!

I hope you all have a great relaxing Sunday and a fabulous week. Don't forget to "spring forward" tonight!

xoxo

Our crazy week

The girls and I have been staying with Mom and Dad since I am having clinicals in M-town. Tay started going to school there and she loves it! I will post pics soon. And Keek is adoring the one-on-one attention she gets while Tay is at school!

I got a call today that I got the ER job! I am so excited! I love working where I am now, but I am so much closer to this hospital and the pay is the same, so it's definitely a win-win. Can't wait to post some sweet trauma pics!! :)