Bring on the tissues!

I seem to have a bit of a cold.  My nose is stuffy and runny at the same time and I keep sneezing. Hopefully it won't get any worse than this.

This afternoon, I have to make tacos for my oldest daughter's color guard team and then pick my younger daughter up early from volleyball practice to take her to the high school to warm up with her middle school band who will also be performing during half-time at the football game tonight.

Before that, I need to work out and go to at least three different stores.  I need a few things from the grocery store, I have to pick up special make up for my oldest daughter (for color guard), and it would be awesome if I could find a pair of jeans that fit me!

Busy day for me! :)

Not my best of days

My son missed his first day of school for the year today.  He has had redness around his eyelid for a couple of days and has been complaining that it hurts.  This morning it was looking puffy too.  So I took him to the little clinic inside of a Kroger because the doctor has, in the past, not been available to see us on the same day and I wanted it checked out today.  Well, after going down there, waiting, being seen, the nurse practitioner there said it is not pink eye, and it looks more like an injury or infection and she would suggest seeing his pediatrician...

Okay, so, I called the doctor's office, and (as I figured) he had no available appointments today, but they could get him in to see their nurse practitioner.  So, I took that appointment because I didn't want to have to keep him out of school for another day if I didn't need to.  She mentioned thinking it is a chalazion, which is similar to a stye.  From what I have read since, chalazia don't generally hurt, but I guess we will see if this treatment works.  At least it's not contagious, and he can return to school tomorrow.

Before we left Kroger, I went through the self check out and got $20 cash back.  My daughter has a game tomorrow evening (every Monday and Wednesday, actually) and I knew I would need some cash to get in.  I figured I'd get that out of the way.  Well, somehow between the time I selected to get cash back and actually getting the cash, my son distracted me and I walked off without it.  In fact, it wasn't until about two hours ago that it even clicked in my head that I had forgotten it.  I called the store and, of course, no one turned it in.  So, I'm just outta luck.  And $20.  :(

Then, just now, I went out into the garage to get something from my car and killed my knee on a bike pedal.  Sigh.  I'm ready to just go to bed and call it a day.  Hoping my daughter's team can win tomorrow.  They came sooo close at last night's game!!

I survived

I made it through another weekend at work.  Saturday afternoon, around 3 pm, the nurse that was scheduled to come in at 7 pm called and said she couldn't make it in until 11 pm.  Well, after calling around and finding no one else willing to come in for four hours, I told her I would stay until 11 pm if she would work until 11 am today.  She agreed, so I worked from 6:40 am to 11:10 pm on Saturday.  It was a long day, but at least it wasn't crazy.  It was actually nice not to have to get up crazy early again this morning.  Fortunately, the nurse that came on tonight got there on time and I was able to leave right at 7.  Today would have actually been pretty awesome if I hadn't had to do an admission, but oh well.

Next weekend, I'll be off work and spending time with lots of family that will be in from Missouri and Virginia. Looking forward to seeing an aunt and cousin I haven't seen in a couple of years. :)

Gah!

Well, I made it to the gym this morning.  I didn't stay quite as long as I wanted.  I just ran out of steam and was hungry.  So, I left and grabbed a protein bar. Now I'm home and gonna go out and ride my bike for about a half hour, shower, then get some grocery shopping done before my little man gets home from school.  Tomorrow starts my weekend-o-torture.  :(  Gah!!!

Love it!

On Sunday, I did a little shopping and used some coupons I had for Victoria's Secret.  At checkout, they gave out samples of lotion from their new "love my body" line.  I have to say...I freaking LOVE this lotion!  Not only does it smell really good (I have the scent from the link: jasmine and water lily), it makes my skin feel really soft.  I will totally be buying some of this next time I go to the mall!  Good stuff.

Back to it

So, after a long weekend of crappy eating, I'm back to trying to be healthier.  I didn't go to the gym yesterday, but I did go on a 5+ mile walk.  Part of which was in the rain, but I didn't mind.  Today, however, after spending the morning being lazy and watching reruns of Gilmore Girls and Still Standing (both great shows, btw), I forced myself to go work out at the gym.  As usual, I feel better after getting in a good workout.  Now I need to get a shower and get ready to go watch my girly play volleyball at 5:00!  :)

Chocolate and the zoo!

Bad weekend for my diet.  My girls and I made buckeyes on Saturday and with the leftover chocolate, I covered pretzels and raw almonds.  I've been pigging out on those all weekend and not counting calories. :o  But, tomorrow, I'm back at it!

Today, my little man and I went to the zoo. He generally does not like to have his picture taken, but today, he wanted me to take his picture with everything!  Here are a few:







Love that kid!

Mmmmm....

I found these at Meijer yesterday.  All I have to say is...YUM!  They are so gooood!  :)

My girls

Awww

Volleyball

Tonight was my daughter's first volleyball game of the season. Her team played really well and was up for a little while, but ended up losing the game. They are all still learning, so I was really impressed with them. In fact, the 8th grade team played after the 7th graders, and they were not nearly as good. My daughter said they have scrimmaged each other a couple of times and the 7th graders won both times. Doesn't make much sense to me since, presumably, most have them have played before. Anyway, here is a little video I was able to sneak in during the game. My girl is number 5.

Obviously not the most exciting part of the game, but it's something. :)

Really?

Yay, my weekend of torture is now complete!  It actually wasn't too bad this weekend, fortunately. No admissions this time, and no one tried to die, so that's a major plus!  Part of my job is to answer pages from residents who live independently in the apartments attached to my building.  Every apartment is equipped with alert buttons throughout that, when pushed, sends me a page.  If they fall or need assistance or whatever, I have to go to their apartment and check them out.  I am not allowed to pass them medications or anything like that, all I can do is take their vitals and call 911 if needed.

This service is supposed to be for emergencies, however a lot of older people seem to consider things to be emergencies that really aren't.  (I've actually seen charting on residents who have called because their toilet needed plunged or they needed help reaching something off a high shelf).  Today, I received three calls from the same residents (two of which times I was forced to go up to their apartment) because the wife was having diarrhea...  Yeeeeah.  Old people.

But, work is over for another 2 weeks. :)  However, I'm starting a new class online tomorrow.  :(

Aww

I love that my little boy still wants me around. I mentioned a couple of days ago that he should find out what time he eats lunch and maybe sometime I could come in and eat with him.  He decided that he really wanted me to come in the next day.  So, yesterday, I went in and visited him at lunch. When he got home, the girls were both at their after school practices, so he and I got on our bikes and rode to a little ice cream place for a cone.  All in all a little over 4 miles there and back.  He mentioned how much fun he was having at least 3 times during our ride.  Then, this morning, he asked if I could come to his school again today.  Aww, I love that he still wants me around and isn't embarrassed of me yet. ;)

Today I am trying to enjoy my last day off before going back to work for 24+ hours over the weekend. :(  I know it seems I shouldn't have much to complain about with only having to work 4 days a month, but I still dread it so much!  I think if I liked my job a little better (perhaps in a different environment) or if my shifts were shorter (or both!) I wouldn't hate it so much.  Sigh.

So, I guess I am going to do my best to enjoy today.  I'm going to go hit the Y, do a little Krogering, and be home to spend some fun time with my little man. And, dang it, I'm ordering pizza tonight! :)

Proud of my girly!

Today was the third, and final, day of volleyball tryouts for my younger daughter.  I'm proud to say she made the team!  So, yeah, another activity for me to play taxi for. ;)  But, I wouldn't have it any other way!

This is already getting REALLY old!

So, I have been at my new job for a couple of weeks now.  Already, I have had no less than 5 requests from two other nurses to switch shifts or pick up a shift for them.  Ummmm, no.  Sorry.  I did switch one day with a girl and am working this Friday in exchange for her working Sunday for me. However, I am not going to continuously switch my schedule around.  I took this job because the every-other-weekend schedule really appeals to me since I still have three kids that I have to taxi around to and from activities throughout the week as well as still being in school myself.

Ughhh!  I hate telling people no.  And I don't want to tell these people no so many times that if I ever need someone to switch a day with me that no one will. I, however, don't plan on making a habit of doing that as it seems these other people do. :(

Not for me

So, high protein/low carb = not for me.  I tried it in the past and I hated it.  I couldn't stick to it.  I tried it again, knowing I wouldn't stick with it forever, but thought maybe a couple weeks or a month.  Nope, I lasted 2 days.  I find it way too difficult to get enough fiber eating this way and by last night, I went to bed feeling like I swallowed a brick.  After each meal, my stomach hurt.  I felt like vomiting almost all weekend and I felt sad. This morning, the thought of eating sausage or eggs made me want to gag.  So, I'm back to doing less calories consumed than burned.  I feel more freedom this way.  I will, however, incorporate more high protein snacks into my diet.  Especially on workout days.

Other than that, I spent a good portion of my weekend back-to-school shopping for my kiddos.  They all still need shoes, supplies and haircuts, but we made good headway in the clothes department!  Just 2 more weeks from today until they go back.  This summer has flown by!

What to do...

I have been kind of stuck in my weight loss recently.  Once again.  I know that it is due to not eating as healthily. Mainly while at work.  (We get free employee meals, not to mention all the crap that residents' families bring in for us...chocolates, cookies, brownies, pizza, etc).  I have been trying really hard not to go overboard on junk.  Though running around all day will help me justify a little junk.  ;)  Anyway, I haven't so much been gaining any weight back, but I do fluctuate within a few pounds putting me anywhere between 68-70 lbs down since last September.  While I am glad I'm not gaining weight, I still have some I'd like to lose.

My problem now is that I'm wondering if I need to switch things up a little bit.  Up until now, I've mainly been concentrating on calories and making sure I burn more than I consume.  I'm seriously debating if I should attempt some sort of a higher protein, lower carb diet.  I know that this cannot be a permanent diet change for me as I like food too much. What I've done so far has been working because I know I can still eat whatever I want, as long as I'm making up for the extra calories in exercise.  I haven't really felt deprived and I think that is what has helped me to be successful.  So, because of this, I fear attempting something new knowing that it would be something that I will not be able to stick with for an extended period of time.

Lately, however, I've noticed that I have been lacking energy once again.  Not that I ever feel like I have an abundance of it, but it was better for a while.  Not only am I always tired again, I am always hungry.  Always. (Ok, that's not really new either, but it seems to be getting worse). Today, for instance, I ate breakfast and also had a snack before going to the gym, and my stomach was still growling something fierce during my workout.  I felt so tired and hungry that I didn't end up getting as good of a workout as I would have liked.  So, I am really going back and forth in my mind as to whether I want to temporarily try out a new type of diet and see if it helps with my energy level as well as help me to feel full longer.

Hmmmm......

Diving

As of this year, the community pool we go to is now owned by the same people who own the community YMCA.  As always, with new management comes new rules.  Well, this year, they implemented the rule that if you are under the age of 15, you must pass a swim test to be permitted in the 4 foot pool without an adult in arm's reach or to use the diving boards.  In the past, my son has not ventured over to the diving boards and I'm usually at least by the edge of the pool when he's in the 4 ft pool, but he has been wanting to take the test all summer because he finally became interested in the diving boards.  However, he has been afraid he wouldn't pass it so he's been putting it off. So, we practiced and practiced and today he took it.

The swim test consists of being able to swim 2 laps in the pool without stopping or touching the side of the pool, then going to the 13 ft pool and treading water for 45 seconds.  Well, he passed the test and finally got to go on the diving boards.  I took a video.  This is of his first time on the "high dive" which, frankly, isn't even all that high, but don't tell him that. ;)  After the first time, I had a hard time prying him away from them to leave.  He was having so much fun!  


I love this boy SO much!!

Work

Today was my first day on my own at work.  I ended up getting a couple extra days of training on Thursday and Friday, then today I was alone.  Things have gone pretty smoothly on every one of my training days and wouldn't you know that today, it was one thing after another! I was told I wouldn't be given a new admission for a long time because of how detailed the process is and the massive amounts of paperwork involved.  Well, guess who got an admission today...  :(  On top of that I ended up having to send a patient out by squad to the hospital and had a resident in the independent living fall and bust her lip open and I had to go to her apartment and check her out. Those, along with several other things, made it a long, non-stop 13 hour day.  Ughh!  I hope and pray that tomorrow is a much, MUCH better day!  This work thing is not all it's cracked up to be. ;)

Uggh

Working three 12's in a row is no fun.  One day off tomorrow, then back for two more.  I am SO glad I'll only be working every other weekend.  Actually, I'd be happier if I was just working the same amount of hours on weekdays because I'm kind of sad that I'll be missing half of my weekends.  But, it is still much better than having to work schedules like this week all the time.

My shoes didn't come in until yesterday, so I wore them for the first time today.  They're not bad.  Aside from a little red, sore spot on the top of one foot (which, I assume is just from the mere fact that I'm just breaking them in) they were pretty comfortable.  And, my back did not hurt at the end of today like it did after yesterday.  Probably due to the fact that I'm on my feet for a good 75% of my day, at least.  So hopefully this will mean they were worth the price! ;)

I'm excited to get to sleep in a little tomorrow and spend the day with my babies.  I couldn't work like this all the time.  It's hard going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for 8 years! Knowing it's just this week is making it bearable (especially after this morning when the fire alarms kept going off during my morning med pass - which means stopping what I'm doing, and going through the unit closing all doors, moving patients to their rooms, etc.  Not.  Fun.).

A little nervous...

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job! Tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, I will be training.  Then the following weekend, I will be on my own!  As in, the only nurse in my department on duty with 3-4 STNA's that I will basically be in charge of.  I'll be the one that, if something goes wrong, is supposed to know what to do!  That is an incredible amount of responsibility.  Thirty patients' lives will be in my hands.  I really hope I can do this!  AHHHHHH!!

On a side note, I had to go out and buy some new scrubs because all of the scrubs I had were way too big.  (I'm not complaining though.)  I also bought some Dansko shoes that I have heard so much about.  If you look around, you'll probably notice about 90% of nurses wearing this type of shoe:  

Image retrieved from http://www.lydiasuniforms.com/scrubs/products.asp?sku=406&cat=613&t=nursing_shoes_-_dansko_professional_patent_clog

They are apparently awesome.  I tried some on yesterday while I was out shopping and then ordered them online.  They should be here tomorrow.  Hope they're as good as I've heard!