Monday, November 12, 2007
I'm making...
Snowflakes! With thread and a hooked piece of metal! I am learning patience and delayed gratification. Progress is slow, but I have already made one, and now I am on my second. Pics to come soon!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Relaxing Sunday
Today has been a simple, quiet day. Had a lovely restful nap. Ate home-made chili. Watched Cops on tv. And the rest of the evening will not be much different. A little crocheting. Some more tv. I truly am a wild and crazy guy!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
My career in review
WARNING: Seriously icky/gross medical stuff to follow. Don't say I didn't warn you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had said earlier this week that I am resigning from the College of Nurses here. Even though the pay was great, I was never meant to be a nurse: I truly hated it. I was also burnt out. The burnt out/hating it just finally did me in after 13 years. Lately, as this part of my life comes to an end, I have been thinking a lot about all the things I did/accomplished while being a burn/plastic surgery nurse.
I have taken care of so many people: women, men, babies, children, teens, adults and the elderly. I have seen wonderful results from surgeries. I have seen horrendous results of surgery. I have peeled blistered skin away from burn victims more often than I can say. I have done dressing changes that have taken literally hours. I have caused pain, because I knew "it" (whatever "it" was) had to be done, and the patient would get better. I have been thrown up on, peed on, pooed on, "horked" on, bled on, and have had various other body fluids on me. I have been yelled at, insulted, and ignored. I have laughed and cried with patients and staff. I have put tubes in body orifices. I have seen babies being born, and seen people die. I have yelled at doctors when they wouldn't listen to me. Doctors have told me that I did a great job. I have eaten my lunch while discussing icky wounds, burn dressings, and poop. I have taken care of patients with AIDS, Hep C, C. diff, MRSA, VRE. I have taken care of patients with flame (or anything hot, like ashphalt or concrete or oil) burns, scalds, electrocution, chemical burns. I have seen every part of the body burned, including eyeballs. I have given more medication than I can count, including narcotics. I have taken out more staples and sutures than I can count. I know what Pseudomonas aeruginosa smells like. I know what cancer smells like. I have taken care of patients with bed sores so large you could fit your hand in them and touch bone. I have seen patients with breast reductions, with implants, with tummy tucks, with face lifts. I have seen what happens when someone tries to commit suicide with a gun. I have seen the results of abuse. I have treated drug addicts who, when trying to shoot up, missed a vein. I have been kicked at and punched. I have had water fights with the nurses and patients with 60cc syringes in the hallway. I have shifts from "hell" and I have had very quiet shifts. I have gotten to know my co-workers and their families. Over the years, I have worked every holiday. I have brought turkey dinner in on Christmas Day when I was working. I have sung with patients while they were in the tub (Tom Jones on the CD player in the tub room was always a favourite). I have seen so many burn victims "walk out" of the hospital, and I know in my heart that I did my best to make them better, and they WERE better.
The people I have taken care of have all been so different. The great majority were kind, wonderful, understanding and reasonable people. Under difficult and trying conditions, they were true "troopers". Yes, there were a few people who got under my skin (both patients and staff). But they were a tiny minority. Generally, my patients left in better condition than when they came in. Unfortunately, I cannot remember them all, but a few will always have a place in my heart.
The staff? Well, I cannot say enough good things about them. Dedicated. Caring. Reliable. Honest. Hard-working. Caring. Detail-oriented. Caring. Oh yes, did I say caring? They cared not only about the patients but about their co-workers too. Birthdays were always remembered (both patients and staff!) They worried about Nurse Sally's ailing grandmother or Nurse Jill's son. They worried about you. As bad as the work sometimes was, someone "had your back" and you could depend on them at crunch time. Everyone worked extra shifts or overtime if they had to. I don't think I will ever find better people anywhere.
There is so much more I could say; like the hours of worry at home about a patient's condition, the worry about "did I do good enough?", or "did I forget something important?" But now, I never have to worry anymore. I can take a deep breath and say: "It is done. I don't ever have to do it again." I can finally, finally, take care of myself. I now need to be a nurse to myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had said earlier this week that I am resigning from the College of Nurses here. Even though the pay was great, I was never meant to be a nurse: I truly hated it. I was also burnt out. The burnt out/hating it just finally did me in after 13 years. Lately, as this part of my life comes to an end, I have been thinking a lot about all the things I did/accomplished while being a burn/plastic surgery nurse.
I have taken care of so many people: women, men, babies, children, teens, adults and the elderly. I have seen wonderful results from surgeries. I have seen horrendous results of surgery. I have peeled blistered skin away from burn victims more often than I can say. I have done dressing changes that have taken literally hours. I have caused pain, because I knew "it" (whatever "it" was) had to be done, and the patient would get better. I have been thrown up on, peed on, pooed on, "horked" on, bled on, and have had various other body fluids on me. I have been yelled at, insulted, and ignored. I have laughed and cried with patients and staff. I have put tubes in body orifices. I have seen babies being born, and seen people die. I have yelled at doctors when they wouldn't listen to me. Doctors have told me that I did a great job. I have eaten my lunch while discussing icky wounds, burn dressings, and poop. I have taken care of patients with AIDS, Hep C, C. diff, MRSA, VRE. I have taken care of patients with flame (or anything hot, like ashphalt or concrete or oil) burns, scalds, electrocution, chemical burns. I have seen every part of the body burned, including eyeballs. I have given more medication than I can count, including narcotics. I have taken out more staples and sutures than I can count. I know what Pseudomonas aeruginosa smells like. I know what cancer smells like. I have taken care of patients with bed sores so large you could fit your hand in them and touch bone. I have seen patients with breast reductions, with implants, with tummy tucks, with face lifts. I have seen what happens when someone tries to commit suicide with a gun. I have seen the results of abuse. I have treated drug addicts who, when trying to shoot up, missed a vein. I have been kicked at and punched. I have had water fights with the nurses and patients with 60cc syringes in the hallway. I have shifts from "hell" and I have had very quiet shifts. I have gotten to know my co-workers and their families. Over the years, I have worked every holiday. I have brought turkey dinner in on Christmas Day when I was working. I have sung with patients while they were in the tub (Tom Jones on the CD player in the tub room was always a favourite). I have seen so many burn victims "walk out" of the hospital, and I know in my heart that I did my best to make them better, and they WERE better.
The people I have taken care of have all been so different. The great majority were kind, wonderful, understanding and reasonable people. Under difficult and trying conditions, they were true "troopers". Yes, there were a few people who got under my skin (both patients and staff). But they were a tiny minority. Generally, my patients left in better condition than when they came in. Unfortunately, I cannot remember them all, but a few will always have a place in my heart.
The staff? Well, I cannot say enough good things about them. Dedicated. Caring. Reliable. Honest. Hard-working. Caring. Detail-oriented. Caring. Oh yes, did I say caring? They cared not only about the patients but about their co-workers too. Birthdays were always remembered (both patients and staff!) They worried about Nurse Sally's ailing grandmother or Nurse Jill's son. They worried about you. As bad as the work sometimes was, someone "had your back" and you could depend on them at crunch time. Everyone worked extra shifts or overtime if they had to. I don't think I will ever find better people anywhere.
There is so much more I could say; like the hours of worry at home about a patient's condition, the worry about "did I do good enough?", or "did I forget something important?" But now, I never have to worry anymore. I can take a deep breath and say: "It is done. I don't ever have to do it again." I can finally, finally, take care of myself. I now need to be a nurse to myself.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Today, Anne feels...
crappy. So the post I was going to write today will be posted another day. Stay tuned!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Tuesday roundup...
So, I watched the Star Wars movies last night. They were as entertaining and engaging as ever. I loved the one-liners that were peppered through-out. The one thing I hated was how they "updated" them: edited music and some of the characters (wtf?, I mean, it is like colourizing black and white movies! stupid idiots.) It was a nice evening anyway, I must say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had mentioned that I made a little blanket out of the minky materials I got last week. Here it is:
I told you it was small! It is kind of a "security blanket" for me. Works too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I filled out my resignation from the College of Nurses today. I am ready for this. Finally, I can give a sigh of relief. Nursing is "over" now for me. Yay!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Found this video through blog wandering. It's jaw-dropping over-the-top! BONUS POINTS: Can you identify the original singer of the song? Took me a minute or so...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had mentioned that I made a little blanket out of the minky materials I got last week. Here it is:
I told you it was small! It is kind of a "security blanket" for me. Works too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I filled out my resignation from the College of Nurses today. I am ready for this. Finally, I can give a sigh of relief. Nursing is "over" now for me. Yay!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Found this video through blog wandering. It's jaw-dropping over-the-top! BONUS POINTS: Can you identify the original singer of the song? Took me a minute or so...
Monday, November 05, 2007
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
Tonight on tv are all three of the "original" Star Wars. Flashback time...
Zoom back to 1977. A time of white leisure suits and bell bottoms. I was just a kid. No DVD's, VCR's, home computers or digital imaging. Movies were A Big Deal. When Star Wars came out, it blew everyone's mind. I had quite the crush on Mark Hamill, though I know a few of my friends had a thing for Harrison Ford (ahhhh, now I understand!). The time between movies seemed like an eternity. Definitely the LoTR of its time.
Now, I can watch them through the eyes of an adult. Catch the subtleties. So, I am off for evening of good movies. Let's see if they can stand the test of time.
Zoom back to 1977. A time of white leisure suits and bell bottoms. I was just a kid. No DVD's, VCR's, home computers or digital imaging. Movies were A Big Deal. When Star Wars came out, it blew everyone's mind. I had quite the crush on Mark Hamill, though I know a few of my friends had a thing for Harrison Ford (ahhhh, now I understand!). The time between movies seemed like an eternity. Definitely the LoTR of its time.
Now, I can watch them through the eyes of an adult. Catch the subtleties. So, I am off for evening of good movies. Let's see if they can stand the test of time.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Lovely Autumn
Autumn has been lovely here. The colours of the trees have been vibrant; gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows. Even though it is November, quite a few trees still have their leaves. The following pic is of a neighbor's tree.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Product Review- Italpasta Pasta (NOT paid review!!!!!!)
I have to reiterate, this IS NOT A PAID REVIEW!! When I find a good/cool/funky product, I have to spread the word!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A while ago, my best friend Sindy and I were talking on the phone. She kept raving about this pasta (dry) named Italpasta. I kept thinking: "Pasta is pasta. What's the big deal?" I know I should listen to Sindy, because she and I like the same things, but still, it's frigging pasta, if you know what I mean.
In my house, pasta usually is spaghetti (or some other long, skinny pasta if I am cooking for both hubby and I as he prefers the long stuff)or macaroni (what I cook for myself if I am eating alone). It comes dry, in a bag, for cheapcheapcheap. I usually bought a brand name pasta like Unico, because that is what I grew up on. Generally I heat up Prego spaghetti sauce with green peppers and mushrooms (and sometimes add cooked ground beef or meatballs) and toss it on the pasta. If I am feeling really fancy, I might dig out the Parmesan and add a dusting of that. Pasta is not "a big deal" in our house. It's cheap, easy, and fills a hole. I love to cook, but to me, it is not worth it to make pasta as I would much prefer a steak or a roast.
So when I ran out of dry pasta, I thought I would try Italpasta. It is a bit more expensive per bag (about 30-50 cents). But what a difference! It had taste and texture and flavour!
Taste: Before, I had never really thought about how my pasta tasted; it was just a "delivery system" for the sauce. The taste difference between it and "regular" dry pasta is kind of like the difference between Wonder bread and artisan bread. Same ingredients, but totally different experience. It has a kind of bold "wheaty" taste. Do make sure you salt your pasta water, as this boosts the flavour.
Texture: Even al dente, my old pasta was kind of limp and mushy, but I could not cook it any less as then it would be crunchy. Not exactly what I was looking for. Italpasta is truly al dente. Firm to the tooth without sogginess. The texture was actually surprising (in a good way) to me. The old pasta I found I had to cook about 2 minutes less than the package suggested to get al dente. For Italpasta, I have to cook it about 2 minutes more than suggested. YMMV.
No surprise that I strongly suggest Italpasta.
Pros: Flavour! Taste! Texture!
Cons: Slightly more expensive. Takes a bit longer to cook. Well worth the effort.
So, unless you make your own pasta or live in Italy, skip the Starbucks once every couple of months and treat yourself. You'll be glad you did!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A while ago, my best friend Sindy and I were talking on the phone. She kept raving about this pasta (dry) named Italpasta. I kept thinking: "Pasta is pasta. What's the big deal?" I know I should listen to Sindy, because she and I like the same things, but still, it's frigging pasta, if you know what I mean.
In my house, pasta usually is spaghetti (or some other long, skinny pasta if I am cooking for both hubby and I as he prefers the long stuff)or macaroni (what I cook for myself if I am eating alone). It comes dry, in a bag, for cheapcheapcheap. I usually bought a brand name pasta like Unico, because that is what I grew up on. Generally I heat up Prego spaghetti sauce with green peppers and mushrooms (and sometimes add cooked ground beef or meatballs) and toss it on the pasta. If I am feeling really fancy, I might dig out the Parmesan and add a dusting of that. Pasta is not "a big deal" in our house. It's cheap, easy, and fills a hole. I love to cook, but to me, it is not worth it to make pasta as I would much prefer a steak or a roast.
So when I ran out of dry pasta, I thought I would try Italpasta. It is a bit more expensive per bag (about 30-50 cents). But what a difference! It had taste and texture and flavour!
Taste: Before, I had never really thought about how my pasta tasted; it was just a "delivery system" for the sauce. The taste difference between it and "regular" dry pasta is kind of like the difference between Wonder bread and artisan bread. Same ingredients, but totally different experience. It has a kind of bold "wheaty" taste. Do make sure you salt your pasta water, as this boosts the flavour.
Texture: Even al dente, my old pasta was kind of limp and mushy, but I could not cook it any less as then it would be crunchy. Not exactly what I was looking for. Italpasta is truly al dente. Firm to the tooth without sogginess. The texture was actually surprising (in a good way) to me. The old pasta I found I had to cook about 2 minutes less than the package suggested to get al dente. For Italpasta, I have to cook it about 2 minutes more than suggested. YMMV.
No surprise that I strongly suggest Italpasta.
Pros: Flavour! Taste! Texture!
Cons: Slightly more expensive. Takes a bit longer to cook. Well worth the effort.
So, unless you make your own pasta or live in Italy, skip the Starbucks once every couple of months and treat yourself. You'll be glad you did!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Pinky Minky
I got these pink minky materials earlier this week. They are soooo soft! Just like butter. I made a very small blanket out of some of it. Will post pics later.
This next pic is the last of a gorgeous sunset yesterday. It is so hard to believe it is already November! I love the way the sun is hitting the clouds...
Thursday, November 01, 2007
NaBloPoMo
So, last night, I was wandering around Ravelry, when I saw a post about NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). I went off to their website to have a look around. Looks cool, methinks. Maybe I could post everyday for a month on my blog! On the spot, I decided to do it. (Also, note the badge in the sidebar. It's clickable!)
Now, in the light of the morning, I am thinking: "What the hell? It's hard enough for me to do the stuff I need to do everyday, never mind something totally voluntary!" Ok, time to slow down and think this out. Nobody is saying I have to write a novel everyday. Hell, I am on the computer every single day, checking email, reading blogs, and generally wandering around. How hard will it be to write a few lines on my blog? Ummm, not too hard. I know I can blog (see, I'm doing it right now!), now is the time to try something a little different.
So, what do I want to "accomplish" by the end of the month? I know it won't be world domination, huge social commentaries, or deep and exposing personal assessments. Maybe I will try something new, like post a book review. Maybe I will learn something about myself, like when do I prefer to post (morning? evening?). And ya know what? Even if I don't "learn" anything new, well, I will have posted every day for a month, and that is good enough for me!
Now, in the light of the morning, I am thinking: "What the hell? It's hard enough for me to do the stuff I need to do everyday, never mind something totally voluntary!" Ok, time to slow down and think this out. Nobody is saying I have to write a novel everyday. Hell, I am on the computer every single day, checking email, reading blogs, and generally wandering around. How hard will it be to write a few lines on my blog? Ummm, not too hard. I know I can blog (see, I'm doing it right now!), now is the time to try something a little different.
So, what do I want to "accomplish" by the end of the month? I know it won't be world domination, huge social commentaries, or deep and exposing personal assessments. Maybe I will try something new, like post a book review. Maybe I will learn something about myself, like when do I prefer to post (morning? evening?). And ya know what? Even if I don't "learn" anything new, well, I will have posted every day for a month, and that is good enough for me!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween Everyone!
I found this pic at this website. I have no affiliation with this site. I just go there daily for the giggles!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Mystery granny squares
Many moons ago, while I was in university, a roommate learned how to crochet. She was spitting out these huge blankets, and I thought I could learn too. So I went off to Lewiscraft (which is no more, unfortunately), and bought a book, a hook and some yarn.
Mystery yarn and granny squares...
Fast forward to today. I found some yarn in a bag, and at the bottom of the bag I found this yarn and some granny squares. I think I wanted to make a blanket, but I obviously did NOT get enough yarn. Some of the squares I can't use, because I cut the tail end waaaaaaay too short and there was nothing to weave in. The few squares that are left I decided to make another scarf. (Yup, here in the arctic tundra one cannot have too many scarves!) I did an invisible stitch to attach them, and am now in the process of adding a simple dc border. The gauge is all wonky and the squares are all different sizes, but I still like the yarn (and it still looks like new!), and I think it will turn out ok. Will post pics when done!
Mystery yarn and granny squares...
Fast forward to today. I found some yarn in a bag, and at the bottom of the bag I found this yarn and some granny squares. I think I wanted to make a blanket, but I obviously did NOT get enough yarn. Some of the squares I can't use, because I cut the tail end waaaaaaay too short and there was nothing to weave in. The few squares that are left I decided to make another scarf. (Yup, here in the arctic tundra one cannot have too many scarves!) I did an invisible stitch to attach them, and am now in the process of adding a simple dc border. The gauge is all wonky and the squares are all different sizes, but I still like the yarn (and it still looks like new!), and I think it will turn out ok. Will post pics when done!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
My Happy Scarf
The yarn was speaking to me, I tell ya. "Crochet me, crochet me" was its relentless cry. So off to Ravelry (which is still in beta testing) to look around. I found what seemed to be like an easy pattern by Pixeldiva and away I went.
The actual crocheting went pretty smoothly. Somehow, the width of my scarf is 2" as opposed to the stated finished size of 4". Oh well, I don't mind skinny scarves. I attached pompoms a la CrazyAuntPurl for an added happy touch.
That is a happy scarf, if I do say so myself.
I love my happy new scarf. Hmmm, now let's see what the rest of the yarn is trying to say to me...
The actual crocheting went pretty smoothly. Somehow, the width of my scarf is 2" as opposed to the stated finished size of 4". Oh well, I don't mind skinny scarves. I attached pompoms a la CrazyAuntPurl for an added happy touch.
That is a happy scarf, if I do say so myself.
I love my happy new scarf. Hmmm, now let's see what the rest of the yarn is trying to say to me...
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Yarny goodness--on the cheap!
My hubby is just so wonderful. Yesterday, my hubby and I went to do some shopping and general wandering around. We ended up going to Michael's ("just to look" of course) and to do some "yarn touching". I happened to notice one of the clerks putting out some yarn on clearance for $1/skein. There was quite a bit of novelty yarn (i.e. eyelash and ribbon-style yarns), but I noticed in a bottom bin some worsted weight yarn. Upon closer inspection, it was Lion Brand Wool. There were two variegated styles, and a gray.
Gray! Hubby loves gray, and I want to make him a blanket. So with my eyelashes fluttering, I asked if we could get the gray as a starting point for his blanket. I got a "yes", then I asked about the variegated. He said: "Well, what would you make?" and I quickly replied "A scarf, of course!".
I got 10 skeins of gray and four of "Flower Garden" for $14.86; enough for a basic start on the blanket, and a scarf and maybe a small tote for me.
Look at that yarny goodness!
I know that the blanket will be "handwash only", but I still want to give it a go. Will keep you updated....
Gray! Hubby loves gray, and I want to make him a blanket. So with my eyelashes fluttering, I asked if we could get the gray as a starting point for his blanket. I got a "yes", then I asked about the variegated. He said: "Well, what would you make?" and I quickly replied "A scarf, of course!".
I got 10 skeins of gray and four of "Flower Garden" for $14.86; enough for a basic start on the blanket, and a scarf and maybe a small tote for me.
Look at that yarny goodness!
I know that the blanket will be "handwash only", but I still want to give it a go. Will keep you updated....
Monday, October 15, 2007
A GoodDay(tm)
Today was officially a GoodDay(tm). These days come so few and far between. After doing some housework, I decided to make some earrings.
The earrings on the left are clear quartz, and are also my first attempt at wire wrapping (yikes!). They are not perfect, but they will do. The earrings on the right are quartz and polymer clay beads. I like these better.
Yay for GoodDays(tm)!
The earrings on the left are clear quartz, and are also my first attempt at wire wrapping (yikes!). They are not perfect, but they will do. The earrings on the right are quartz and polymer clay beads. I like these better.
Yay for GoodDays(tm)!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Amigurumi Mama
So, I finally tried my hand at amigurumi. Look! I made a bunny!
He wasn't too difficult, although the original pattern had some errors (like missing rows!) in it. But I figured it out, and I did it! I am now in the process of making an amigurumi octopus, pattern from Craftster.
He wasn't too difficult, although the original pattern had some errors (like missing rows!) in it. But I figured it out, and I did it! I am now in the process of making an amigurumi octopus, pattern from Craftster.
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