I went today for my yearly eye exam and contact lens prescription renewal. I also bought eyeglasses; mine were about 8 years-ish old, and I can't see doodly out of them anymore. Yes, it's time for bifocals, but I will make do for now with the contacts and the kooky Wal Mart cheap reading glasses. Typically this requires several hours worth of boredom and time wasted, as the good people at WalMart Vision Center struggle with an antiquated computer
ordering system. BUT it is where my insurance says I must go.
But it was also the highlight of my day to meet the new optometrist, who had originally come from Puerto Rico on a program that trains physicians and sends them to practice in underserved areas. He's brand new here in Richmond...and he had never seen snow in his whole life. This 40-something grown man walking over to the door, and staring with child-like, wide-eyed wonder at the falling snow...I got such a kick out of him, I had to forgive him for running 1/2 hour late. As we walked into the exam room, I told him about how I take pictures of the snow with my phone and email them to a friend in Houston who has never seen snow. Again this physician looked at me, and said, "Oh! Could I do that?" I said, "Sure. Go take a picture." And out he scampered, was gone for a moment, then returned, with snow in his hair, and began the exam.

Hi friends.
My brain was engaged until the wee hours this morning (Mostly non-productive worry), so this morning the pre-coffee fog still lingers. I need to get out of this house. But it IS a gorgeous morning, with the sun, and the glimmering snow everywhere...

Some points to ponder (or not) till I am conversant:
Random Thoughts for the Day:

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately
clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you
realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I
was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How in the world are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? (Sorry guys,
I can AND it comes out square.)

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm
pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how
the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at
work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive
for the rest of the day. (in Sharon's case, it's often the moment I pull into my driveway
at 10 pm)

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray?
I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it
asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that
I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash
this -- ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but
when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail.
What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not
seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know
not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what
would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How do I respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

20. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday
or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

And a new one from me ---

21. What does it mean when my cat is looking me straight in the eye,
purring AND stretching her front claws at the same time? Am I about to
get a good back scratch or just shredded to pieces? :):)

Author unknown, some email thing.

Christmas Meme: Post one picture of your decorations!

Amy made cookies. I love the one with the little suspenders.
They didn't last long, unfortunately.

Good riddance to this month. I'm feeling pretty damn fried, and can't even
deal with the usual "holiday stress" at the moment. I'm over it.
In less than one month:
David got laid off. I am for now the sole breadwinner, with 2 of 4 kids in college;
We said goodbye to Missy, our 15 year old Laborador, my "5th child";
We said goodbye to David's Mother, who passed away Sunday night, as I held her
hand and watched her slip away.
I don't think I'll ever get used to feeling a heartbeat one moment, then the next feeling it fade away.

Some brighter notes:
My blood sugar is well-controlled;
I am going to sit for the Bariatric Nurse Certification
Exam in January. Which means I gotta get my rear in gear...
I WILL pass.
I had an amusing hour and a half of one-on-one with my son (picking out
glasses at WalMart yesterday in the chaos...hey, ya gotta get it when you
can...)
I made a right tasty amaretto...
My friend said as his son was horsing around and fell on the ice, "That which does not
kill you makes you stronger."

I remember when she first came into my life. I was about four years old. My mom brought her home from the Richmond SPCA. I was frightened at first and clung to the white column which supported our front porch. She was merely a black blur as she zoomed around her new home. All I could see was a dark blur. I was scared. This was the first dog that I had ever truly known. I remember when we named her. I wanted to name her Diamond, because of the white spot on her chest. I remember Christmas. Nathan had gotten a new train set. Missy placed herself over the train tracks and made a bridge with her legs. Every time the train passed underneath him, she would bark at it. I remember Fourth of July. My family would have a cookout and light fireworks. I was in charge of keeping Missy under control while the fireworks went off. Unfortunately, Missy escaped from my grasp, and headed straight for the fireworks table. She barked at each firework as it shot off. We had to stop the show and put her into the house. I remember when we came home one night, and there was a snake on the porch to greet us. Missy pounced at the snake and kept it busy while my dad went to get the shovel to kill it. I remember Missy always coming into my room, just so she could sleep with someone. I loved having Missy sleep in my room. I remember the baths, the walks, the holidays, and all of the other precious memories. She was my faithful pet, and best friend for 15 years. I love her very much, and she will always have a special place in my heart. RIP Missy.

I got her from the Richmond SPCA one Saturday morning, and surprised everyone. The kids grew up with her. She was very protective of them, and of me, and once a snake had slithered up on the front porch at dusk, and as the kids piled out of the car and ran towards the porch, Missy jumped on the snake and held it at bay till we realized what it was and David could run to the shed and get a hoe. She loved to dig, (No azalea or petunia was safe) loved the water, and loved her family. Amy and I were with her when it was time to go.


Good Dog.

I didn't get to go to David's family Thanksgiving Friday due to being on call in the afternoon, so I found myself with some free time this weekend. I took the opportunity to head to Baltimore and visit the Walters Art Gallery Saturday. It was an AMAZINGLY good day. As with any large museum, it's best taken in over several visits, and after taking in the entire medieval collection, including Byzantine, Islamic, the Migratory peoples, the Icons, the 15th and 16th century, Indian, as well as the Greek Hero and the Ancient Americas exhibits, my brain was FULL. I was disappointed that the manuscript gallery was closed, but that would warrant another trip after the New Year, perhaps with friends...;) The Byzantine and Islamic exhibits themselves were incredible,and worth the trip. To see an illuminated Koran...or a centuries-old Madonna and Child intricately etched into a section of elephant tusk...or a figurine of a Hindu god as a small child, holding balls of butter that he swiped from his mother's pantry...I was filled with wonder at having the privilege to view the examples of love, devotion, and humanity, and to think about the people who created them.

Learning to Fly
Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I
Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone
A soul in tension that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night
There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I

Pink Floyd

My Grandma is having a mastectomy tomorrow. I have to work
tomorrow and the weekend, so depending on how it all goes, I'll head to
Lynchburg on Friday.
I have GOT to stay healthy...
It's always interesting to trade roles...to go from being
a healthcare professional to being a patient or the family member
of a patient.
Not a fun thing, but a good lesson, nevertheless.

Apple Glazed Pork Loaf

1/2 cup apple jelly
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 small apples
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 pound ground pork
1 medium sweet potato, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I used 1/4 and
it was plenty)
2 ciabatta rolls

For glaze,microcook jelly on high 30 seconds, stir, repeat.
Stir in mustard. Set aside. Core and chop one apple. Combine
eggs, pork, half of chopped apple, and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper.
Form into 4 loaves, 6x2 inches and place on greased 15 x 10 x1 inch
pan (I used a 9x12 ). Spoon some jelly glaze over loaves. Bake 10 minutes
on preheated 425 oven. Thinly slice remaining apple. Top loaves with apple
slices and drizzle with more jelly glaze, Bake 5 minutes more or until internal temp is 160 (F)
(I cooked a little longer-about 8 more min)
In bowl microcook chopped sweet potato on HIGH 4 minutes until nearly tender. In skillet
cook potato and remaining chopped apple in oil on med high.Sprinkle with salt, pepper,
and cayenne. Cook 3 minutes or until tender. (I added a pat of butter)
Serve pork loaves on ciabatta with sweet potatoes. (I skipped the rolls) Serves 4

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens. I made my own jelly with SureJell and apple cider
to avoid the high fructose corn syrup present in all things commercially prepared.
Easy and yummy.

Friday at work was beyond brutal. I was in charge, did staffing, had patients of my own, and supervised a student. One of my patients, an elderly lady, was pretty sick, and had kept me running all day with back to back IV meds and transfusions. At 5:30 p.m. she and another patient of mine, plus another one started going down the tubes all at the SAME TIME, with a fourth one having some kind of allergic reaction. We had 3 Rapid Response calls to the floor in rapid succession, and we got my lady to CVICU, then straight back to the OR, my gentleman to ICU, and the other person to CCU and on to the cath lab for a pacemaker. All in 2 hours.
To have 2 patients try to crash on me at the exact same time...haven't been that stressed in...hmm. Don't remember. But I didn't know if I'd see that lady again.
ANYWAY...my lady came back to me yesterday evening. At 5:30. In a wheelchair, hair all poufed, talking about how much she likes the "pretty corn." (Indian corn. Well, it IS fall.)

"I work... therefore, I brew."
Isabel Henry

I made a Southern style Red Velvet cake for Amy's birthday. She specially requested it "just like Grandma used to make". I had never successfully made the fluffy white boiled frosting as a teenager, and today I NAILED it. It turned out great.
In honor of Amy turning 21, she wanted to go to a winery, so we went today to the Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery in Nelson County, a small family owned operation that also makes MEAD.
They have an excellent lavender metheglin, and we came home with a bottle of perry for Amy and a sweet mead and the lavender metheglin for me. I'm gonna try my hand at it.
These are very nice folks, and turns out they do associate with the SCA in their spare time. They give a 10% discount on purchases if you show them your Military ID OR your SCA membership card. A win-win for me! And it was gorgeous up there.

Sometimes the Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness just...
sets me OFF. At weird times. Like today, in the middle of
Dick's Sporting Goods. I had just picked out a pair of dance
sneakers for my Zumba class, and was looking around for something
for Amy's birthday Friday (She'll be 21.)I saw some pink and white
ladies' UnderArmour workout shirts that I thought she could wear to her job
as a gymnastics coach. I pulled one off the rack, and it had the little
pink ribbon on the front, and printed on the front was "She's a FIGHTER..."
and I lost it. I'm sure the employees were wondering why the customer
was weeping over the merchandise...it's expensive, but Jeez...
*&%$*@ PMS. (Yeah, THAT'S it.)
Miss you Mom.

I went to Ferrum today to see Sam. She had to show her original social security card to show that she's eligible to work(?), and needed some khakis to start the on campus job she just landed, so...road trip for me. The campus is gorgeous, out in the middle of nowhere Southwest Virginia. One of my favorite things is The Blue Ridge Institute on the Ferrum campus, a museum that tells the history of the old-time bluegrass music tradition along "The Crooked Road" through Franklin, Patrick, and Henry Counties. (My Granddaddy was a bluegrass musician from Patrick County.) The museum has an exhibit now called "The history of Rockabilly", which was fun. Yes, this is a young Jerry Lee Lewis.

Home from a long workday, still shaking my head in amazement at people. At work we see people all the time with medical issues that they will not or can not take care of until their situation becomes critical, and then their treatment becomes more complex, more urgent, more expensive. And we will do whatever is needed for them.Such was the case of my patient today.
But her family and her visitors were the ones that burned my biscuits. They all trooped in to the patient's room this evening, grown women with several small children, with buckets of fried chicken, and were having a picnic in my patient's room. They didn't bother with purchasing anything for the kids to drink, because they knew my patient could ring for the nurse, and demand that ice and sodas be brought in for everyone. (In our spare time.) And then, to emphasize her point, one of the women began to cough on a piece of chicken, and exclaim, "Yeah, I'm choking here...you wouldn't want THAT on your hands, now...having to do CPR, and all..."
What chaps me about it the most was that these children were learning two very disturbing lessons:
1)Get everything for free that you can, even at someone else's expense, even if you have not earned it;
2)It's okay to not take care of yourself, to do harmful things to yourself, and generally not be responsible for your health. And when things don't go well, it's the nurse's fault, your doctor's fault, society's fault. (and yes, as a nurse I have been held responsible when people disregarded instructions or treatment and did some really stupid things to themselves.)

I'm tired and cranky. Off this weekend. At this moment i'm planning to get my butt out of bed in the morning and go to JTTC. And Monday someone bravely taking charge of their health
will inspire me again.

What time did you get up this morning?
5:00 (yesterday)

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Don't wear either. I like garnets and amber.

3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
I honestly don't remember. It was a long time ago.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Mad TV.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
coffee, Kashi whole grain bar or fruit

6. What is your middle name?
Lynn

7. What food do you dislike?
Not many, to my chagrin...however, eggplant does not seem
to like ME.

8. What is your favorite CD at moment?
But there are so MANY...Ben Harper and Relentless Seven,
the latest stuff from Death Cab for Cutie, Derek Trucks
(that's just in the rock category. I could go on...)

9. What kind of car do you drive?
1998 Ford Windstar Van...and the pickup when I can wrest it
away from David.

10. Favorite sandwich?
Granny Smith apple on brie, grilled, with onion chutney.

11. What characteristic do you despise?
back-biting, two-facedness.

12. Favorite item of clothing?
Black cotton/spandex and lace short nightie

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
I want to ride the Caledonia sleeper train from London to Aberdeen, Scotland.

14. Favorite brand of clothing?
Don't care.

15. Where would you retire to?
My screened back porch and herb garden.

16. What was your most memorable birthday?
At MY age, I can barely remember the last one.

17. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Women's basketball.

18. Furthest place you are sending this?
Where is LJ based? Out went somewhere?

19. Person you expect to send it back first?
I have no expectations tonight. It's one a.m.


20. When is your birthday?
January 5

21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
It varies hugely.

23. Pets?
3 sweet mutts

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
I'm learning Rapier. Ooooohh!
I'm teaching a History of Ale class! Ohhhh!
My kid's Jeep is fixed. No more carpooling for a while. Yaayyyy!


25. What did you want to be when you grow up?
An actress

26. How are you today?
Very no-drama, actually.

27. What is your favorite candy?
Hershey with almonds.

28. What is your favorite flower?
an Iris. They are SO sensual.

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
Saturday will be good. I'm off.

30. What are you listening to right now?
It's QUIET. Everyones asleep. No phones, no call bells, no pages, no IV pumps.

31. What was the last thing you ate?
Stoneyfield Farms' O'Soy chocolate yogurt.

32. Do you wish on stars?
Nah.

33. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
magenta

34. How is the weather right now?
Dark. Cool.

35. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?
the Pharmacy.

36. Favorite soft drink?
Ginger Beer

37. Favorite restaurant?
That Indian restaurant in Lynchburg.

38. Real hair color?
Brown.

39. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My record player.

40. Summer or winter?
Mostly I like the ushering in a new season.
Usually happy for a change of pace.

41. Hugs or kisses?
I hafta choose?

42. Chocolate or Vanilla?
chocolate

43. coffee or tea?
Both

44. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Not about THIS, but a "Hi" is always welcome.

45. When was the last time you cried?
Last week sometime.

46. What is under your bed?
Books and shoes. And probably a boogeyman. He's a sound sleeper.

47. What did you do last night?
Went to fighter practice, and chatted.

48. What are you afraid of?
Diabetic complications, having breast cancer like my Mom and
Grandma, Alzheimers

49. Salty or sweet?
sweet

50. How many keys on your key ring?
about 8

51. How many years at your current job?
13 years

52. Favorite day of the week?
No preference, they change from week to week.

53. How many towns have you lived in?
A lot.

54. Do you make friends easily?
Yes

55. How many people will you send this to?
It's right here for anyone caring to read

56. How many will respond?
No idea.

She's MOBILE!
I was chauffeured around today while we shopped for
school items. Up and down Midlothian Turnpike.
(Time to buy hair color...)
Lived to tell the tale, and the parking is getting
BETTER. She "stuck the landing" at Wal Mart, and was
very pleased.
She's heading back to school Sunday. I've enjoyed
having her around this summer.

Me again. A two 'fer.

I just got a phone call from my brother.
My Grandma has breast cancer.
The same breast cancer that killed
her daughter  (my Mom) at age 61.

I  want this to STOP.

Just some ramblings, since I haven't posted in forever...(or pre-Pennsic)
Seems I have a new alarm clock. For the past 2 days we've been awakened at
5 a.m. sharp by a barking, snarling, yapping dog ruckus between our Lucy and
some neighbor's little yap dog who is let out and decides to come to our front porch
for a heated exchange on either side of our front door. Our Missy is deaf and no longer cares
about who is at the door. Lancelot will bark if someone comes to the door, but is a chicken
("Lancelot the Not-So-Brave"), and barks and hides...so IT'S ON between Yapper and Lucy,
with her deep, ferocious  ROWWF. 1st wake-up call  I had to get up in half an hour to go work a 12-hour shift,
and the 2nd....well, I was off, and COULD  have slept later. I'm thinking of sleeping on the futon tonight so
Lucy and I can meet Yapper in the morning, find out where he lives...entertaining evil thoughts of letting
Lucy "escort" the little beast home ;

Pennsic was good, overall, once I got past leaking tent , soggy ground, and swamp feet.  Camp Mates
were wonderful. Took  classes in Thrown Weapons, gardening, and drumming, and did the usual 2 hours-
a-day Known World Choir rehearsals for a concert on War Week Thursday.  For once I wished for a little more
time to see everyone and do everything I wanted to.

Samantha is 19 today.
She did an amazing thing the other day.
A true example of "What goes around comes around."
One of Sam's friends' parents has been
extraordinarily good to her, sending her
goodie boxes while she is away at school, and things
like that. The sad day came on Tuesday for the
friend's family dog to be put to sleep, as she
was blind, deaf, and had suffered a stroke. The
vet was coming to the house, and the family
asked for Sam and another friend Sara to
come. The family and friends gathered around the
disoriented little dog so she wouldn't feel alone...
then afterward Samantha carried the body to the
vet's car for the family.
As Sam told me this story, I had this incredible
moment of having succeeded in raising a caring,
helpful human being.
Happy Birthday.
Love, Mom