New Highway

I remember going to Silver Dollar City with Aunt Fleta when we were kids -- at least a few times. I always remember everyone talking about the 'traffic.' Traffic can still be hectic on the way but I think it must be some better with this new highway. I think Greg told me this is the tallest bridge in Arkansas. I think it's fun to drive under it and listen to traffic. 

Pool is OPEN 

The Fence

Greg got the fence completely finished. I must say for his first fence building experience he did a fine job. Here are a few pictures of it.

He also installed an electric wire around the bottom to keep Rocky from digging under it. As of right now he is definately afraid to get anywhere near the edge of the fence. I say good job Greg!

Me at work

A few weekends ago we had to take a picture of a lady that looked like her face had been run over by a Mack Truck. Turns our it wasn't a truck but her husband. I guess he got tired of taking care of her and decided he'd beat her to death instead.

The nurse that took the pictures decided to take a picture of me. I had been caring it around for quite a while and I finally remembered to bring it home. This is why it looks so shabby -- and it was a Polariod. 

My weekend

Well, it was an ok weekend until last night. And then all hell broke loose.

I don't know why it's like this when our patient load is down. If we have 30 patients (nearly max) it is good -- nothing bad seems to happen. With 12 last night I felt like falling in the floor and throwing a Dr. Chu look at me fit.

I admitted a new patient at 8 pm last night. I was the only RN on the floor but with plenty of other help. It shouldn't have been so tough. Of course it was an involved patient. The doctor wanted all sorts of consults, scans and even a lumbar puncture. I made it through it all ok. I felt like I was actually doing a good job...

And then Dr F. came on the floor. Dr F. had been consulted on this new patient. He wanted to know where his urinalysis results were.... "Well, MR so&so hasn't voided yet, but we will send the specimen to lab when he does..... " Dr F got upset that I had started the guys antibiotics before we got the specimen. I apologized and he said it was unacceptable. I felt like cursing at him and if any other person had talked to me in his tone I would have.

I went to talk to the patient (this is all at 1.am.) He was a younger guy. He couldn't void. He hadn't drank anything in a day or so. His wife was upset. That doctor wants him to pee and he can't. I guess the doctor was even rude to the family.

Dr F waited around a while. I guess he thought the patient would void since he'd given him an order to. Just like a man.... He finally left. Later that morning I asked the next shift about it. The nurse said "Did you have an order to do the UA first?" Of course I didn't. She told me I didn't do anything wrong. I even called the patients primary and he said it was ok. "No problem" I guess some people just have to be jackasses.

To each his own -- I hope this doctor never has to depend on this nurse to take care of him. Because I'm keeping a list.

Eric and Siggy

A long lost picture of my favorite brother in law... wait I have another one. I forgot about Greg's brother, don't tell him I said that. 

another story about Rocky

Greg left for work. That means I am responsible for Rocky. I hate being responsible sometimes. I was sitting at the computer blogging -- I heard a noise. It sounded like someone was breaking in. I went to investigate. I saw Rocky in the dining room. Eating a biscuit.

It took me a while to notice that my tablecloth was askew. I didn't give him the biscuit. The bloody dog got on the table (which I hadn't cleared from dinner) and turned the corn and biscuits over. I didn't get too upset. (I was thankful nothing was broken.)

Kind of funny he didn't get the extra chicken fried steak I had left on the table. I've locked him in the computer room with me. I just noticed that he was laying on the airconditioning vent. No wonder it is getting stuffy.

Scrap's

I don't like to scrapbook. I do like to frame things. I finally managed to frame a few things from our honeymoon and wedding. I think it turned out pretty well. Now if I could only figure out how to frame those doillies and potholders I've been picking up at thrift stores and fleamarkets.

I made chicken fried steak tonight -- and remembered to take a picture. It looked beautiful and tasted wonderful. We had corn and mashed potatoes. Greg won't eat any other sides with his meat. Once he did agree to eat 2 green beans. It seemed like a big waste though, so I haven't made green beans in a long time. This will be the last 'inside' meal for a while. The kitchen got real hot. We are gonna have grilled pork chops tomorrow night. 

sisters

A few pictures mom didn't get to see. These girls are completely different. Amazingly they get along pretty well most of the time. We had a good time yesterday. And I got to take lots of pictures. We made a game of it -- looking for different things to pose by. too bad little sister wasn't available. 

Travel

I've been thinking about travel nursing. I'm very dissatisfied with my job. They gave new sign on RN's a raise to a certain amount. I got a raise too -- 5 cents more than new fresh out of school nurses. But anyways. I'm just thinking about travel nursing. Not realistic. My ears are already burning from mom's comments. I can just imagine. I filled out a few online applications late last night. When I woke up today I had 17 messages on my answering machine. Greg said he didn't think I'd have trouble finding a job. 17 messages! plus about 12 emails. Right now I'm stagnet -- no worries Mom. I'm just testing the waters.

One Flower

I did find a flower in one of my flower beds. I dont know where it came from. Next year I'm going to pull up all the bushes and make a few 'rock' gardens. If anyone has some rocks they want to donate let me know. I guess we could call it a snake garden too. 

Brownies

I made these at about midnight last night. I have to admit they were really good. 

Weeks almost gone

I have been extra lazy this week. I work every weekend -- nights. Normally, sometime on Monday and Tuesday I alternate from nights to days. This week I have not done that. I havent done much of anything productive. Unless you count cleaning up my messes in the kitchen -- 0nly that i've made new ones.

I have started collecting old church and community cookbooks. I've got about 15 to 20 right now. I love going to flea markets and I've decided this will be something inexpensive to pick up during my trips around the area.

Greg's worked the past two nights. Tomorrow he plans on fixing our fence some more. He is trying to fence in the backyard so we'll have a more suitable dog environment. I think he's doing a pretty good job. I've been hiding in the house avoiding the manual labor.

Ramon Castro

Ramon Castro died today. One of my daily routines is to read the obituaries. Morbid I know, but it's the only way I know how to find out if my patients pass on or not. I didn't think Mr. Castro would die this year.

He told me a few months ago (he'd just had a heart attack) that he was afraid it was all for not. I asked him what was he afraid was for not. He said coming over on the boat. He said he tried so hard to raise his family and start over -- all to die. I gave him a big hug and told him not to give up -- told him to think of his family. I also told him I'd pray for him. He smiled at that and said please do.

Now it makes me sad. Such a nice man. I hope his family knows of his woes.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day mom, here's your present. I love you. 

Oreo Cake

Here's a pretty Oreo cake I made today. I don't like oreos all that well so I thought it might not be too tempting. Hopefully someone will eat it. 

Sock-It-To-Me Cake

I made this pretty cake on Friday afternoon. I was dying to bake something, I don't know why I get that way. I've been trying to lose some weight, but I went ahead and made this. I ate only a few pieces and Greg ate a few. Saturday night it was just too tempting to eat it all up so I took it to work and let the girls eat it. They liked it.I decided not to put the frosting/glaze on it because Greg is so picky. I'll post the recipe -- but I can not be held accountable for leaving any ingredients out. Sometimes my fingers and my brain don't work together while typing.

The recipe comes from "the Cake Mix Bible." I do have an addiction to cookbooks for some reason. I've got almost a whole bookcase full and there are a gazillion others that I'd love to have.

Streusel Filling
1 package Butter Cake Mix - divided (calls for Duncan Hines -- but I used a Walmart brand.)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Cake
4 eggs
1 cup dairy sour cream
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 375. Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan.

For the streusel filling, combine 2 tablespoons cakemix, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Stir in pecans and set aside.

For cake, combine remaing cake mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, granulated sugar and water in a large bowl. Beat a medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour two-thirds of the batter into your tube pan. Sprinkle with the streusel filling. Spoon remiaing batter evenly over filling. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan for 25 minutes. Invert on a serving plate and cool completely.

I'm leaving out the glaze recipe because I suspect you all know how to make glaze. But I liked it without the glaze.


 

I saw this pretty hutch/china cabinet on a drive through town the evening. I think I'll go and check it out in the morning. The price tag says 195.00 but I'll try to 'jew' them down some if it's nice enough. 

This is on the corner of Ridge and Cherry -- 50? S Ridge.  

I'm not perfect

This is what happens when you leave a flyswat on top of the toaster oven. I guess it was an unsanitary habit anyway. I think I can still use it to kill flys -- big flys. Little flys would probably escape through those giant holes.
This is what happens to store bought cinnamon rolls when you turn your back. I was eating cereal when I smelled this foul odor from the kitchen. I told Greg he could make his own cinnamon rolls. 

a House for Helen

This house has two front doors. I found it before you said Rush street. I noticed what might have been a few Magnolia's down the street. I'm not all that sure what a Magnolia looks like. We found a few more on our way home from Branson, but my pictures came out too dark. 

Rain

I think the rain has finally let up. I think we'd had solid rain for at least 2 days. 

THE dog

I've never actually wanted to shoot Rocky -- until now. We woke up at 1:30 this morning. He decided he needed to go outside. Normally, I would have put his shock collar on him. Not this morning. I put the leash on him.

My front porch is a couple feet up off the ground.

When I let him out Rocky spotted an Armadilla. He took off after the Armidilla. I guess I was still asleep because I went with him -- not down the steps. I went off the porch and on top of a bush. I saw my life flash before my eyes.

I thought I would have to be on disability or something. Unfortunately I just skinned up my knees and one hand. I think I'll still be able to start IV's and do CPR. Darn.

I did let go of the leash -- after I landed on the bush. I managed to muster up the strength to yell at Rocky. I'm lucky this Aramdilla didn't run away or Rocky would have ran off. Darn again.

I called Greg at work to let him know this had happened. He just happened to be on his break -- how convenient. He didn't sound too upset. I have a feeling this has happened to him.

Roses

These are my mother-in-law's pretty roses.