TIRED~

1. Worked like a mad woman this whole weekend.
2. Got a patient in uncontrolled atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response with pressures in the 70's who happened to be a prominent physician's father. Pushed Dig, Cardizem, started a gtt and still no rate change or conversion.
3. That physician was there the whole time.
4. My charge nurse was annoying as hell and tried to make me look incompetent. Didn't work.
5. Right before clocking out at 1 am, I got a call to our unit that someone needed an iv started on the oncology unit. It was on a man who was 530 lbs. Couldn't see a damn vein...but got it on the third try.
6. Am exhausted from mental overload and need these next two off.

THIS IS SO TRUE YET SAD~~

The most unique baby shower to date~~

So this past Saturday was my sister-in-laws baby shower. It was Halloween themed and so interesting. It really was entertaining. I've been to showers that were so boring the people just sit around with a glazed look in their eyes. This one was so not the case. As you can see, this is my family. We won "best in show", like dogs, and took home a decapitated skeleton award. It is proudly displayed next to Brendan's Emmy in our living room. My mom (the gypsy) handmade Chloe's crown. I took an old flowergirl dress (look familiar Andrea?) and just built off of it. The tulle took forever to stitch with fishing wire on the dress! I think I went through about 20 glue sticks. Brendan's costume was made from felt scraps and thrift store goodies. I love the way his monkey cap turned out! Shae's costume was store bought, so that relieved me. My costume was from the thrift store as well. My family had trouble looking at me that day given my heinous face. Some latex nose and chin pieces with spirit gum did the trick. Brendan had a ton of fx makeup from film school, so we played around with that as well. Overall, this shower was so fun and Tori looked adorable. She had an all black catsuit thingy with the belly cut out and the earth painted on her tummy. Colin went as an astronaut. I hope these pics don't freak you out too much....

Pics~~

Yes this is our one bedroom cabin
Yes I'm playing with an 8 mo. old black bear cub
Yes, I'm crazy.

Pics~

Just some more from our trip. Brendan took an astonishing 600 pictures....it was starting to get annoying as hell, but I can't complain when I look back at them. He is amazing. I'll be posting some of "nature" that are unbelievable and we will probably be selling some as well.

Vacation ~

This is of our recent vacation way up into the upper peninsula. We were literally in the middle of nowhere. One hour away from the nearest Wal mart or fast food (which was fine with me). During this particular day a bald eagle was flying right above us, we caught perch, bass and pumpkinseed fish and made such a wonderful family memory. There are very few pics of Brendan and I that I like and this is definitely one.

Tra la la~

So I've been thinking about Christmas lately and realized it's only a couple months away! We don't go overboard on gifts. It's very minimal. Ever since I was about 10 yrs old, my mom and I would go to the mall and take one of those angels off the tree. The angel was an underprivledged child who, through the salvation army, got presents since their family was too poor. My mom instilled in me, at a very young age, that doing things for people less fortunate is the best gift of all. Growing up, I always had wonderful Holidays and pretty much anything I asked for for Christmas was given to me. I am an only child so that helps:) One of my favorite things to do was to get a present for a child. I remember some of items were typical; cars, dolls, trucks etc...but the ones that really stick out in my mind were for socks, a pillow, winter coat and gloves. We always bought the essentials and of course toys! I always put in the gift a story of what the real meaning of Christmas was as well. I have carried on this tradition with my girls and they love going and getting an angel and shopping, wrapping and dropping off the gifts. Too many people get obsessed with the shopping and buying more "crap" that they don't need. I have a minimalist mindset when it comes to Christmas. I probably got that from my dad. He has always made me stop and think before buying stuff. Do you really need it? Are you really going to use this? My frugalness comes from him and I'm glad he brought me up that way. I was never a spoiled brat and had to work for a lot of my indulgences. He taught me that if you don't have the money you don't buy it. He raised me to be independent and through his hard work we had a very nice life and never went without. Needless to say Brendan and I haven't used a credit card in 6 yrs!!!! My point is that I wish people would get in the spirit of giving to those that are really in need. Don't get me wrong, I love getting a nice bottle of perfume or lamenator(what I want this year) but that's it. A couple of items is just fine. So before everyone gets all "crazy" about the holidays, stop and think about what you truly need and about the quantity of presents bestowed to you. Instead, ask people to donate it to a favorite charity or shelter. Then the true meaning of Christmas will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.