Sunday, July 20, 2008

Furniture shopping


I've tearing my house apart, rearranging and cleaning. Today I'm sore and I have to go to work! Oh well. Yesterday, I went to our local furniture store to look at a small dinette set. I have a very large, old table that was my late MIL's. It was her pride and joy and I've kept it in her memory even though the chairs are long since gone. But it's just too big and clunky and I've decided to either offer it to Mike or just let it go. But I digress. I went into the store for the table, found exactly the set I wanted and then proceeded to look around at other things. It seems that most of my furniture (early WalMart) had suffered the worse of it during my last move and my china cabinet was old and it's legs were not in great shape. My entertainment center was in likewise condition. So, to make a long story short (too late?), I walked out with a new dinette set, china cabinet, entertainment center, and a brass headboard for my bed. Everything is being delivered on Friday with the exception of the cabinet. I had fallen in love with one that we found out was discontinued and the floor model had been sold. They were able to locate one in the Gainesville store and it will take 2-3 weeks for it to arrive. So, I can wait because it's exactly what I want. So, I've been rearranging etc and getting excited about the whole new look these pieces will give the house.

I did speak to my son, Mike the other night. The news was about his band. They have been invited to have one of their songs on a Christian CD that is put out 2 times a year. Young people buy these up like crazy because they are a compilation of several artists. It will give them some very good exposure. They are all excited and now deciding which song to use. I'm really happy for them because they've worked for a long time to get anywhere. But, I have to say that I had been hoping it was baby news. Someday.

I had mentioned earlier that I rearranged some of my furniture. One was my bed. I figured that with a headboard, I would need more space at the end of the bed. I don't know about you, but I am such a creature of habit and moving my bed is a very big deal to get used to. I think I'll like it where it is but we'll see. I mean, the clock is now on the other side of the bed! That's traumatic!

We are not anticipating any rain for 2 or 3 days and it's very hot out there right now. The rain at least but the heat a bit.

Hope you all are having a relaxing Sunday. I have a few things to do and then it's on to work. I understand that we admitted a very active patient on Friday so our period of calm may be over.

Take care.

Friday, July 18, 2008

A nice, quiet Friday afternoon


I am certainly enjoying my day off from work today and I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening as my little mood girl shows. I got my first DVD from Net Flix and I'm going to watch it tonight. It's the show "Allegria" from Cirque de Soleil. I remember when it was running at Downtown Disney. The TV commercials were always so interesting and the music from the show was captivating! But those tickets are very expensive. The current show there now is "La Nouba". Anyway, it should be interesting.

We've been having daily afternoon thunderstorms and although it's sunny right now, I see off in the distance some storm clouds so I expect it will happen in an hour or two. At least I'm home today and not traveling to work in it. Temps are hot but have not gone into the 90's this week.

I've not heard from my property management people about the decorating. Even if they don't come through with the okay to paint or the new stove - I'm still thinking up ideas. I want to replace some of my old furniture with some new. It would be nice to have matching pieces in my bedroom. Right now I have a large dresser that was given to me and comes apart if you try to move it. My other smaller dresser is from a mobile home and was inherited when I married Alan. A mobile home dresser that is over 25 years old probably is due to be replaced! I would also love to have a headboard for the bed. So, anyway, I'm checking things out. I can see all my spare money going into furniture this next year. Disney World will miss me!!

I found someone to watch Doc-Boy when I go to Disney next month with Mom. A lady I work with who just loves animals is going to watch him and check in on Thelma as well. She has met them both and they love her. The way I stress out over leaving them you would think it was for a month instead of just 2 days!

My grand daughters in Oklahoma had their first performance of High School Musical last night and it went very well according to my daughter. They are both very talented and I guess this was a major production with lots of singing and dancing. Jill is going to order the DVD for me so I can see it too. Also on the home front, my son, Mike called me while I was at work. He left a message on my home phone and also called my cell but I didn't hear the cell ring so I missed his call. He says he has some very good news for me. I emailed my daughter in law, Stephanie today to ask what it was and she says she doesn't want to spoil it for Mike but that it is BIG news! So of course I'm very intrigued. Mike is a part of a band and they've been trying to get signed with a label and maybe that's it. Or maybe Stephanie is pregnant. The possibilities are endless! He'd better call me tonight!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'll try to get some visiting done tomorrow. Take care

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Chit chat about nothing in particular.


Good morning, everyone. I'm rather sleepy this morning. I slept okay but still could sleep more. I made myself get up and if I'm still tired later on, I'll take a short nap before work.

Work as been calm this week. The patients we have right now are easy with no drama going on. It's a nice respite from the last few weeks. We might get an admission in today or tomorrow which might stir things up a bit. I'm looking forward to being off tomorrow and the next day, that's for sure!

I plan a quiet weekend coming up. Actually I want to do some things around the house and perhaps plan some redecorating projects. I've contacted my property management people and told them that I'm planning on staying after all and with the news gave them my list of things that really need attending to around the house. I also requested permission to paint some of the walls some soft colors. I'm so tired of this industrial white! I also asked for a new stove because this one has many issues and is old. I've not heard back but we'll see.

We've been having thunderstorms every day now and some have been pretty severe. Yesterday, the lamp post outside the hospice house where I work caught fire and the fire department had to be called. They're not sure if lightening struck it or someplace near by. It was quite sensational, I understand. I'm so glad it wasn't on my shift!

I have decided after all to take Mom to Disney in August as I had originally planned. We're only going one night and going to stay at the Wilderness Lodge again. I really would have loved to take her to the Polynesian Resort which is her favorite but it is so expensive! We'll go over to the Magic Kingdom for part of the day and then back to the hotel to rest. If she feels up to it, we may go back to the park later in the evening. She is really excited about it!

I've been thinking of some ideas for decorating the house. If the landlord lets me paint, that will be a bonus. I've decided that if I am going to stay here, I want to make it my own. I can't imagine what any objection would be especially since I offered to paint it back white when I leave.

Well, I've jabbered on long enough. Hope you all are doing well. I'm going to do some visiting now and see how you all are doing! Take care.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Stormy weather and blood sugar blues



My little "lightening" flamingo is in honor of last night. About 45minutes before my relief nurse was due to arrive, I heard thunder in the distance. About 30 minutes after that the thunder was getting closer and the relief CNA showed up. Then the heavens opened and we had a fierce storm. It was blowing so hard, it was raining sideways! We almost lost our power a couple of times and so we were scurrying around getting out the emergency lanterns that we keep in each patient's room. We do have emergency power and if we lose power, a generator takes over and we do have lights in the hall way and nurse's station but none in the patient's room. Carol, my relief showed up awhile after that, soaked to the skin. We were able to find a bathrobe for her to wear while we put her scrubs in the dryer. She looked quite a sight! I sure wish I'd had a camera! By the time narcotic count was done and report given, it was just sprinkling and I got home without any problem. I expected to see tree limbs down when I got home because the wind was so fierce but there were none. Maybe the storm wasn't as bad there.

I decided that I had been foolish long enough and began taking my diabetic med last evening. My doctor had prescribed Metformin or Glucophage and I had tried a couple of times to take it but it gave me terrible diarrhea. I know that's probably more information than you want to know. I would give it a 2 day trial each time and same thing. I know I should have talked with my doctor about it but we've been at odds and I really wanted to try to control things without meds. Anyway, I read on the internet that sometimes you can cut the dose in half if the side effects are troublesome and then work up. So, last night I took half the dose. I felt some vague symptoms but did okay. So, again I took it with breakfast. I'm armed with my Imodium if anything starts. Strange, but the other times it never even occurred to me to take any Imodium. Some nurse I am!

I've been rather introspective the last week or so. As you may have gathered from other posts, I've been depressed off and on and I've just lost my interest in things and my zest for life. Again, being the stubborn person I am, I've refused to begin an antidepressant. I wanted to attack the root of my feelings. I've come to the conclusion that my depression has been simply because I don't feel well most of the time. My blood sugars have been probably higher than I'd care to admit and besides dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms from time to time, I have no energy. That is another reason I decided to begin the Metformin. I need to get these blood sugars down. I'm still convinced that I can eventually get off meds when I lose weight. I guess it boils down to either trusting my doctor, whether it's my present one or a new one.

So much for the medical report! I have mentioned in my previous posts that my house lease is up the end of September and I've been thinking of finding another place. After much deliberation, I've decided to stay where I am. My rent is very reasonable and with my health issues and the economy, I just don't want to get involved in higher rent or a big move right now. I really feel that the next time I move, it will be into a place I own or away from here. Anyway, I am going to talk to my property manager and see just how much improvement the owner of the house would be willing to do. I'd like a new stove. The other one is old with some issues. I'd also like to paint the walls a different color. (I'd also like the carpet pulled up and new kitchen cupboards but I'm not pressing the issue!)

Well, I've run off at the mouth long enough and I'd better get some things done before work. Hope you all are having a lovely day.
Take care.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Almost beat the rain!



I woke up this morning early and the sky was very gray. I needed to go to the grocery store to get a couple of things I forget yesterday and so jumped up and dressed and then went to the store thinking I would beat the rain. Unfortunately, the rain met me at the store and it was blowing and pouring by the time I got there. After it let up a bit, I went on in, got my stuff and left with it just barely sprinkling. Now, that I'm home, it sunny. But I do see more black clouds on the horizon so we probably are in for more rain. So much for my bright idea.

I got my hair cut and had a pedicure done yesterday. My hair salon is quickly becoming a full service spa. They now do facials and they just hired a massage therapist. My hairdresser, Holly does my pedicures and it is wonderful! It even beats the Grand Floridian Spa at Disney (and for a fraction of the cost!). Next month I'm going to get a facial and then later try out their massage therapist. I don't go very many places or do much so I guess this is my splurge! Right now my toes are just gorgeous!

I don't have any big plans for the rest of my "weekend". I rented a video at Blockbuster - Sense & Sensibility and I'll probably watch it tonight. I've been toying with the idea of Netflix. It seems like a good way to rent movies. You can sign up for a plan for about $4.99 a month for 2 movies. Anyone every do that?

Gas prices are going down a bit here. Places that had gas for $4.05 a gallon are now down to $3.99. That was a pleasant surprise. I hope it's a trend that will continue.

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. Stay cool.