This afternoon at the mall...

Bre and I went to the mall to do some shopping for sunglasses. Since I am getting ready to switch to contacts (I got them last week but one of the trial pair was torn so I had to order another one) I want to get some real sunglasses.

We were standing in line at A&W for our lunch, and this older well dressed man, came over leaned in front of me and asked the clerk who was waiting on me "how much are your small sodas?". It kind of took her by surprise and she stuttered out $1.69... he said "WHAT? $1.69 for a SMALL soday? thats ridiculous!!! " then he turned to walk away. I told the girl "and how rude of him to interrupt our transaction!" she agreed, laughed and filled our order.

Fast forward to Breanna and I sitting at a table eating our lunch, when the same old man came up, grinning like a baboon, carrying a black book of some kind and he interrupted (again) and said "SO, do you ladies want to know the question of the day?" I looked at him, right in the eye, continuing to chew, and said... NO, we are eating. Then he said "YOU are eating, she isnt eating, and again I said "NO". He turned to Breanna and asked "Would you like to hear the ladies question of the day???" And I said a little louder "NO we do not want to be interrupted!!" I am thinking what kind of a freaking weirdo is this. And his response to me was "Well I guess YOU are some kind of control freak"... WTF??????

And then he walked away... where is that tazer when I need it?

New format

How do you like it? If anyone knows how to get rid of this black background here where I am typing please let me know. I tried to edit it under fonts and colors but it isnt listed there.

I finally made it through another week from hell in the ER. Had a hospital employee try to pull some bullshit and complain about Saturday when she brought her husband in and he declined to be triaged. These employees who are just a little educated and a lot stupid are really getting on my last nerve. I told my manager to get this persons ass down to her office and I will confront her face to face! My manager said no, she would handle it. LOLOL

The days are getting longer and the kooks are reproducing. I dont know where they are all coming from but we have had our share this week! I hope next week is better.

Not a lot of news on the homefront, Bre ended her first year in college, passed and will go on to her 2nd year. She missed finishing Freshman year by 1 credit, so she will be a one semester sophomore. She is working at a different pool this summer, same boss, but they just took on another pool. She seems to like it.

Dana had a job interview this week with the city for a paramedic job. keep your fingers crossed for him!

Gotta run, will write more later!

Taking it to a whole new level..

The internet has certainly changed our world. This story was all over headline news yesterday, apparently some elementary school girls decided to make a youtube video about how to "kill" one of their classmates. This video was obviously done as a form of cyberbullying.

Unfortunately, bullying has been around since the dawn of time. When I was in elementary school we had a "slam book" made of construction paper, where kids wrote something to slam another person. Cruel, yes. Childish yes, but was it too much different than what these girls did? With one exception, we didnt have a tool to communicate our feelings to the entire world like they do now.... (and I dont really remember anything about wanting someone dead, but I dont really think these girls want this person dead)

I am not sure this is a huge deal, especially since the girls have now apologized and are obviously in big trouble at school. What do you think?

Lets thank them all!

If you read facebook, you might have already seen this, but I am going to post it here for all to read. I heard this a couple of days ago on the radio. It was quoted by a mom of an Army soldier who had been killed in Iraq in 2004.

" Our flag does not fly due to the winds that blow past it,
Our flag flies due to the final breaths
Of the Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors
Who have died fighting to protect it"

When I heard this, it struck me right in the heart. There are many families in this US who are observing this memorial day with heaviness and sadness in their hearts. Many parents, brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives who are missing their loved one who gave his or her life for this country. For our freedom, so that our flag could fly with pride.

Lets thank them all today.

For those of you who pray, please say a prayer for the safety of our servicemen and women who are serving all over the world, and for their families who are anxiously awaiting their return home.......

Today we stepped back in time..

Dana and I took a trip to the desert again today, to do some petroglyph hunting. I LOVE petroglyph hunting, it is becoming one of my favorite pasttimes.

I really do need to get more informed on the meaning of the petroglyphs and learn how to tell the difference between Ute drawings and other tribal drawings, but right now, I just love the hunting and the finding.

Today we drove about 14 or so miles out of town and then went back into the mountains about 3 or 4 miles. This area is a bit out of the way, but very easy to get to. We even ran into 2 school buses from the Aspen area, they were on a field trip to float the river, not to see the petroglyphs so we went in two different directions.

After a little hike across an arroyo and into the mountains a little bit we ran onto this shelter. It has obviously been there for many years, look at how the rocks are meticulously stacked.

Around the corner, there lies a large wall of petroglyphs. This area was obviously an encampment of some sort, the river is close, and there are rock barriers to serve as a wind break.

The Utes would write on the walls of the canyon that are covered in "Desert Varnish" a dark coating that is penetrable with a sharp rock.

Enjoy the drawings. We have identified the obvious, mountain goats, men on horseback, bear claws and even a mountain lion. Can you find the mountain lion?


I am working 6 of the next 7 days, (no holidays for nurses) but I will try to post every now and then. And one more thing before I go.... ADAM LAMBERT WAS ROBBED!!!!! After the horrendous mistake (in my opinion) that America made on AI last night, I am taking solace in the fact that over the years with the exception of maybe 2 or 3, the AI winners all flopped and those who came in 2nd made it big. 'nuf said.

If They Had Just Brought Their Signs...

Saying "I am stupid", then we would know that they were stupid and we could have made plans to accomodate them. But they left them at home, I guess. Or in the car or on the bus or whatever means of transportation brought them to the ER.

On Monday, the patients coming to the ER just about did me in. It was a gorgeous Monday in western Colorado, the temperatures were reaching 90 degrees. A day to spend out in the sunshine, breathing in the mountain air and being thankful for the blessing of wonderful weather that we are given on a daily basis.

Did these people go outside and enjoy the day? NO! They came to the ER. Without their signs....

I swear I have never run into such morons in one place, as I ran into on Monday!!
We had people coming in for various reasons that were, I am sure, very emergent to them, but had our staff in an uproar!

Patient #1, pulls up with her boyfriend, gets out of the car with a 32 oz giant styrofoam cup of pop in one hand and a half smoked cigarette in the other hand. They are young (about 23-25) and walked AROUND the other side of the building and into our door with NO problem. She walked as steady and straight as anyone you can imagine, we watched her on our video screens as she made her trek, wearing a knee immobilizer, that was riding about 6# too low. She was here for her 4th trip to the ER this month...... for KNEE PAIN! Did she go to see her family doctor? NO, she doesnt have one, (she can just come to the ER and use it as a clinic, right?) Did she follow up with an orthopedist like she was told to do on her last 3 visits? NO, she didnt want to. It was easier to come to the ER on HER schedule. Did she wear her immobilizer like she was told on 3 other visits? NO, she doesnt like it. But she did wear it today to prove that she had it..... Here's your sign!

Patient #2- 28 yr old male with a sore throat. For 3 weeks. Did he see his family doctor? NO, they want him to PAY to be seen. So he comes to the ER to see the doctor, "he doesnt have to pay at the ER".. What???? Of course he smokes 2-3 packes of cigarettes per day, so he shouldnt have to PAY to be seen by the doctor, right?? .... Here's your sign.

Patient #3- 51 yr old female with chronic pain. needs prescriptions refilled. Why cant her medical doctor refill them? See patient #2's excuse.. she also smokes heavily, 1-2 packs per day. Now where did we put that sign???

So, this is my frustration! I have been seriously thinking it would be healthier for me to go to work at the VA where they can send people packing if they dont need to be in the ER. LOLOLOL

***disclaimer... none of these patients actually exist, they are a compilation of several of the patients that we see on a daily basis. Hence no HIPAA violation.
Just sayin'....

Time to start scratching!

WAF

WASHINGTON — The biggest bedbug outbreak since World War II has sent a collective shudder among apartment dwellers, college students and business travelers across the nation.

The bugs — reddish brown, flat and about the size of a grain of rice — suck human blood. They resist many pesticides and spread quickly in certain mattress-heavy buildings, such as hotels, dormitories and apartment complexes.

Two shelters have closed temporarily in Charlotte, N.C. , because of bedbugs, a Yahoo chat group dedicates itself to sufferers and countless bedbug blogs provide forums for news, tips and commiseration. State inspectors say that more emphasis may be needed to tackle the creatures.

Federal officials have taken notice of the resurgence. Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency held its first-ever bedbug summit, and now a North Carolina congressman wants to take on the insect.

Ok this is just gross!!!! We have seen several people in our ER with bedbugs, most of them from local hotels. Ick.

It all makes me want to scratch!

SHINGTe biggest bedbug outbreak since World War II has sent a collective shudder among apartment dwellers, college students and business travelers across the nation.

The bugs — reddish brown, flat and about the size of a grain of rice — suck human blood. They resist many pesticides and spread quickly in certain mattress-heavy buildings, such as hotels, dormitories and apartment complexes.

Two shelters have closed temporarily in Charlotte, N.C. , because of bedbugs, a Yahoo chat group dedicates itself to sufferers and countless bedbug blogs provide forums for news, tips and commiseration. State inspectors say that more emphasis may be needed to tackle the creatures.

Federal officials have taken notice of the resurgence. Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency held its first-ever bedbug summit, and now a North Carolina congressman wants to take on the insect.

Ramblings...

Hey Everyone! I finally have a day off, so I thought I had better get busy and make a blog post!

I am sure summer is almost here! The temps have been inching higher and higher each day and tomorrow it is supposed to be 90! Can we say WOOT??? I love warm days and cool nights, and they are now upon us. We can all be thankful for this beautiful weather.

My dad has now been transferred to a "transitional floor" that is attached to our local VA medical center. It is a unit for those who are transitioning home or to a nursing home. He is on hospice, and completely unable to walk. He is in a wheelchair and is accepting it. My sisters and I are hoping that he can stay there until the end. We are not sure how fast moving his cancer is, but he isnt in pain right now and I am thankful for that.

Breanna is now on summer vacation. Working as much as possible because she has a big trip planned in July with friends to an anime convention in California, so I predict June will be a big working month for her.

Work is dramatic as always, people leaving, people coming and I am trying to stay out of the drama. I do not want to get involved simply because I dont want the hassles that I have had in other hospitals. Wish me luck! LOL

My blogging goal is to be blogging on my days off. Lets see how it works! LOL

I want to leave you all with a question, that I have really thought about and the subject matter really pisses me off. Here is the question... WHY are the people who ride the scooters at Walmart always hugely fat??? Shouldnt they be walking to get some exercise? I think they make all overweight people look like slobs.

See you all on tuesday!

Still alive and kickin'

Believe it or not, I am still here! It seems like I have been running in reverse lately. Finding myself on Facebook for a short period of time and not taking time to come over here and really apply myself into writing a blog entry.

Sometimes I suck. Anyway, here I am, with an update on life as it is happening to me.. Breanna just finished finals, her first year in college. She says her grades are good. At least she is smiling and working and enjoying herself, as she should as a happy 21 yr old.

Last weekend Dana, Bre and I went to Denver for the weekend. It was AWESOME! we got to stay at a great hotel, with a hot tub and indoor pool. We got to shop at my favorite mall (Parkmeadows mall), we bought Mrs Fields cookies, sat and read books at Borders, saw the Denver Broncos drumline and Breanna had her pic taken with Miles the Bronco mascot.

We also had some great meals out, and saw the Rockies kick ass on the Florida Marlins! Even though the weather didnt cooperate and the temps were in the high 40's at game time, Mothers day and the Rockies game was incredible!

I am ready to go back to see another game!

My dad has been in declining health, and fell twice yesterday. He was transported to the ER last night and admitted to the hospital. He is going to have to face the reality that he cannot live alone any more. It is a sad situation, please keep him in your prayers.

I hope you all dont lose faith in me when I have these breaks in making posts, blogging has just fallen to the back burner for a while, but I am not giving it up yet!

Have a great week, see you next time!

A word from Frankie...

He wants to audition for this commercial..... He is a dreamer.

How did she know?

I got this in an email. It is supposedly written by a teenager with cancer. I didnt snopes it, I dont know if it is really written by this person or not. I dont even care. What I wonder is how whoever wrote this poem knows that I do these things?

I wish I knew how to slow down....

SLOW DANCE


Have you ever
watched
kids

On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to
the
rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a

butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the
fading
night?

You better slow down.

Don't
dance so
fast.

Time is short.

The music
won't
last.

Do you run through each day

On
the
fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear
the
reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie
in your
bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through
your head?

You'd better
slow down

Don't dance so
fast.

Time is
short.

The music won't
last.

Ever told your
child,

We'll do it
tomorrow?

And in your
haste,

Not see
his
sorrow?

Ever lost
touch,

Let a good
friendship die

Cause you
never had time

To call
and say,'Hi'

You'd
better slow down.

Don't dance
so fast.

Time
is short.

The music won't
last.

When you run
so fast to get somewhere

You
miss half the fun of getting
there.

When you worry and hurry
through your
day,

It is like an unopened
gift.....

Thrown
away.

Life is not a
race.

Do take it
slower

Hear the
music

Before the song is
over.

A day off !!

Yesterday, Dana and I took advantage of one of the few days off that we have together. We packed up the cooler, grabbed the cameras and took off for places unknown. Well, really we had a place in mind but we didnt make it all the way there because the road ended. Kind of.

We were headed for a ghost town about 12 mi north of Grand Junction. It was built in the late 1800's as a town for mine employees and it prospered to the point of having a railroad built leading into town, then the founder died, and the mine closed and the town just fell down.

This is the road that we traveled on to get to where we had to stop.

I dont know if you can tell, but the ruts are about 3' deep in some places. We have some guys here who jack their trucks up about 6' off of the ground and then they put HUGE ass tires on them and then they go slide around in the mud.

This is what they have done here. Why they chose to slide around on a road that was passable before they ruined it, I dont know. There is 100 of acres of off road area that is just as good to slide around on, but oh well...


So anyway, this is the road ahead. Unpassable because of the deep ruts made by the aforementioned morons. We decided that the road can only safely be traveled by horseback, or dirt bike/ATV OR... my brother in laws Argo. hmmmmm

Anyway, this is where we want to go. Roughly 4-5 miles ahead up to the base of the mountain.


Anyway, we stopped, did some hiking and took the cameras and metal detector and looked around.

This is our valley from the north, Mt Garfield looks totally different at this angle.


The ground was covered with green grass and wildflowers. There are all kinds of rocks covered with lichen, many of them with nature-made holes in them..





Can you find the lizard in this picture??

This is an arroyo that can get filled with water when it rains very hard. I can imagine the ancient Ute Indians on horseback look out over this valley from here.


We also spent some time in Rabbit Valley in the afternoon, I will post about it later. enjoy!