WHUCK is over my head and why does it feel like I need an umbrella??

I called off from work today. Yep. I had it yesterday. 5 different patients:

2 transfers out to the ICU,
1 discharge,
1 admission from ER who clearly should have been ICU not stepdown but, "we know you can take good care of her*" and "putting her in the ICU will just make her less of a person" are the comments you get from the MFDs (referring to physician's degrees - I'm sure you can all decipher) when you question her status, and
1 transfer from med floor with a whopping 160 heart rate, SOB, clammy and hypotensive

REALLY??? WHUCK is over my head and why does it feel like I need an umbrella??

So, I got home, ate, showered, took a muscle relaxant b/c I couldn't stand hearing my back yell at me any longer and went to bed. UGH.

But, here I lay now, in bed, after 1100am, awake less than 1/2 hour and pondering what to do with the day. Here's what I've come up with:

1. Nothing
2. Start up on the laundry since DH is having a bad week and you do have an unexpected day
off after all
3. Watch more Doctor Who
4. Pack for this weekend's BHI trip with my girls
5. Nothing
6. Finally finish up that damn book so that you can start this month's book club selection
7. Work on the girls xmas gifts which you are to present them with this weekend (see #4)
8. Finally put out this week's flex team newsletter for work so that you at least make SOME pesos today.
9. Nothing
10. Work on DH's felted clogs that were due to him since last Fall

I think I like 1, 5 and 9 the best. We'll see how those go and then decide from there. Hey, 3 out of 10 ain't bad right?

*So, BTW, this is a blog written by an actual, practicing, 4 year degree, registered nurse with over 20 years of critical care experience under her cap (just kidding, I hate those damn things) so, let me give you all a piece of advice. NEVER, EVER, EVER ask a nurse to "please take good care of Grandma, Mom, Son, Cousin, Hubby, Sister, Priest, self, next door neighbor, WHOMEVER!" Why you might ask? Well, would you tell a chef at a restaurant to "please be sure to actually cook my meal correctly" or a Salesperson to "please scan my item the right way" or to the dentist "please drill the correct tooth" or to your doctor "please give me the right prescription" (OK, you might have a point with the last one but you get what I mean).......

It's an insult. If a nurse wasn't going to take good care of your X,Y,Z she wouldn't have shown up to work. OK, sometimes there are nurses that might make you question that but DAMMIT, not all of us and that sure as hell better not come out of the mouth of some snot-nosed, yet to be independent, I've been a nurse almost as long as you've been alive, just out of internship, I've saved your ass on more than one occasion resident who thinks they don't sound condescending as they say it to you.

I'm not sayin', just sayin'.

Back to taking care of 1,3 and 9. Isn't it great to be productive?

As time goes by.

he, he, he, just when you thought it was safe to blog. She's back!

Seriously though, how does time go by so fast when you don't expect it to? I mean, look at the date of my prior post. REALLY???? How the heck did THAT happen? I mean, especially when time goes by soooo sloooooowwlly when you are waiting for something. Like a trip to France.

Yep, knittingnurse et al are going to France this summer. FRANCE people! I'm positively giddy about it. What's even better is that DH has been doing his research (as usual) and we then had the following conversation:

DH: "We can't just wear shorts and tennis shoes, people will target us as tourists and we are more apt to get robbed (pick pocketed mostly)".
ME: "Um, so what are we supposed to wear pray tell?"
DH: "Well, it says people dress properly and care about style. Tennis shoes are for tennis. Shorts are for physical exertion type activities, etc. So, we need to dress nicer."
ME: "Examples please"
DH: "DS and I will have to get nicer khaki type pants and buttoned/collared shirts. You will need to wear some summer dresses and such."
ME: "Does that mean??????"
DH: "Yes, you get to go shopping."
ME: {squeals}
DH: "Glad to help."

I've now gotten about 4 adorable dresses all in no iron type fabrics so that they will hold up well in the suitcase. OH, and we are all going to get some "nice" comfortable shoes for walking. Tee hee! Shoes too people!

France, clothes and shoes!

SQUEAL!

Still alive and knitting!

Yes, yes, the rumours are true. Knittingnurse is indeed alive and KNITTING! Whew. So much to say. Well let's see. Um, DH and I are still wrestling insurance companies et al re: the total loss on our 7 day old car! Which, btw, now looks like this:




But, again, we are all safe and sound. That's what matters and dealing with this stuff re: the car doesn't seem so bad in light of what could have happened to us.

Since then I have been knitting and have finished 2 pairs of felted clogs, a pair each for DS and DH. I have the wool to make a pair for myself, but, that's been put on the backburner. Uh, let's see. I've started and have woefully not completed SOTS2 - Savannah. I am making the original or Savannah version of the stole but may turn around and make the charleston version (with beads) as well. It's a lovely stole and a great pattern to follow so, we'll see. I haven't completed her b/c I got sidelined with the clogs and about 6 dishcloths that I've made as giftees. Um, I have also started (I know, I know) and am halfway to completing my first Baby surprise jacket. I am using up the rest of my blueberry & pistachio Cotton-ease for this one. It will be gifted to a neighbor for her newest addition. I have been good and have also picked up a few old and until recently ignored UFOs. Of these, I am working on completing a pair of socks started waaaaay ago as well as a few other UFO's which I won't jinx by writing about.

I will take photos of these and post when I get a moment (not too soon probably).

Knittingnurse and fam went on vacation over DS's spring break to Montchanin Delaware and NYC!!!! First we spent 2 nights at one of my favorite Inns of all time, The Inn at Montchanin Village . This was our 2nd stay but the first had been so memorable that I had wanted to return since we first left. DH planned it into our trip and I had just as lovely a time as when we were there the first time. We will return once more. When? Who knows, but it will happen. It's quaint and quiet and beautiful and I love it there.

But now, onto NYC!!!! We stayed 5 nights in Jersey City at a Marriott right next door to a path station which conveniently took us straight into Manhattan. We spent the last 2 nights at a Marriott in Manhattan to top off the trip. DS and I had never been and it had been years for DH. What a great time was had by all. DH took me to 3 different shops while there and I did get some 'souvenir stash' to bring home. (Too much really to be called just souvenir stash, but, vacation yarn doesn't count right?). Anyhow, I will write another post detailing the trip later and will post some pics of the trip as well. It was great.

Glad to be backed. I missed writing to you. Hopefully you are all still there as well!

One last thing, please go over to Nautical Knitter and wish her well and send some prayers and love her way. She really needs it right now. Thanks!

Safe and Sound

Aaah. Back home after vacation. Made it early enough to even be able to pick the puppy up for the Vets (they board her for us). Had a great time.

There WAS knitting.

There WAS yarn shopping (OMG - it was bad. Hauls. 3 shops. Sock Yarn and sweater quantities (yep plural) and patterns. OH MY!)

There will be pictures. But not now. Now there is unpacking and laundry and lunch making (tomorrow is after all a work day - bleck!)

Glad to be home.