Heart Homework

I am tooooo busy to blog right now. You see, I have to take an ACLS Course this week-end. For the non-medical among us, that stands for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. I wasn't too worried about it until I learned that I was supposed to have a book and be studying in preparation for it. I could have been studying for weeks but I didn't know. So, I just got the book this week and I am CRAMMING stuff into my tired old brain. I'm sure it will all turn out ok...kind of sure. I just need to focus a bit.

Since I am studying about how to care for people suffering a heart attack, I thought maybe I'd use this opportunity to educate all of you as well. Don't worry. I won't make you study. Just watch this cute video. It is humorous but it makes a good point. There will be a test later. No, wait, I'm the one who will be taking a test later this week. You just watch and learn...

Better to Give

You may be surprised (not!) To know I am proud of my granddaughters. Well, Cordelia gave me another opportunity to admire her sweet little self. No, she is not perfect, but that little girl truly has a giving heart.

Saturday I picked up some crafty things to go do with her. Right away she chose to make two necklaces, one for her Momma and one for me. I told her she wouldn't have enough supplies to then make one for herself. Her answer, "That's OK. I have wots of udder necklaces."

Maria wore her's to church Sunday. I treasure mine and will wear it often!

After Sunday Supper...

wet hair

spaghetti faces

dancing

twirling

thinking

hugging

laughing

sunshine

shadows

Grandpa

dandelions

strolling

crab apples

dogs

snuggles

breezy

love

The Lord is Near

Ronald Reagan Quote

We can't help everyone, but everyone can 

help someone.

Smile-Worthy

That is not snow on the ground, it is hail.

That is not an umbrella on that lady's head.

It is a garbage bag.

It made me smile.

Hearing Bells

Nurses are used to hearing lots of bells and buzzers. When patients push their call button, a sound alerts the staff to come give assistance. When the IV bag needs replaced, another sound emits to alert the nurse to the situation. Monitors on patients go off when something goes a bit off there as well.

It has been so strange, sitting by my Mom's hospital bed, as I'm not a nurse there. She has nurses and aides and respiratory therapists and surgical staff to take care of her. My role has been that of a family member. 

It doesn't stop me from feeling like I need to answer everyone else's call light, though! I was sitting out in the waiting area and the elevator made that ding sound to announce it's arrival. 

Just like Pavlov's dogs, I felt the need to respond...not by drooling, though.

I think I'd feel better if I could do some of the nursing things for my Mom. She is, however, receiving great nursing care. I am so very grateful for those who have helped her. In fact, I am full of gratitude for all the medical care available to us. Really. She has been well cared for and will soon be home recovering.

Get well Mom!

Hotel or Hospital?

It is hard to tell, isn't it?

It is prettier than many hotel lobbies.

Everything looks shiny and polished.

The atmosphere is so relaxed, open and airy.

Even the wheelchairs are artfully arranged.

I appreciate the effort.

Watching Over Mom

My Mom is hospitalized and I am with her today. She is a strong a lady and she will recover. I just don't want to take much time to post today.

A Night at the Roller Derby

Saturday night I went to a Roller Derby bout (not a game, not a match, it is a BOUT). Have you ever been?  I met Maria and Eric and Cordy and Elise there for a couple of hours of rough and tumble fun.


I am going to assume that some of you  do not know much about a Roller Derby Bout. Since this was our second time to attend, I think of myself as rather an expert (ha!). I do know a few things.

First of all, there are no more than 5 players on each team playing at any one time. There may be less if someone is sent to the penalty box. Of the 5 players on a team, only one can score points. That player is called a jammer. Each team also has a pivot player. The other three players are called blockers. Except for the jammers, everyone HAS to stay together as a pack. The pivot players control the pace of the pack. When they start going around, it is called a jam and each jam lasts no more than two minutes.

The jammers (the ones who can score points) have to start behind the pack. The object is for the blockers to help their own jammers get through the pack while holding back the opposing team's jammer.  The jammers make points when they can lap around and pass through the pack again, as many times as possible in two minutes. There's more to it, of course, but just knowing that much made it all more understandable to me.

The bout is not always played in a ladylike manner. The players have names such as "Formaldebryde", "Carry Undertaker", and "RedNeck Breaker". I have a nurse friend who plays and she is called "Nurse You Bet It Hurts!" Yikes!

My friend, Virginia, is the one in the center looking toward the camera.

She is usually a Jammer and she is tough!

The best part is, if she roughs someone up, later she goes and does 

a nursing assessment to be sure they are ok.

Part of the fun is dressing crazy.

Don't worry. We didn't wear the too-short-shorts or 

anything like that.

Eric bought a team sticker for me.

I pretended it was a tattoo.

Elise was really excited!

Some of the officials dress the coolest!

I love this girl who does the countdown each

time a jam is about to start up.

Maria and I want to get tu-tus for next time!

After bruising each other up throughout the bout,

they all did a skate-dance together at the end.

 Now, wasn't that fun?!

Prowell Family Band

These guys will be at our church tonight at 6:00 p.m. For local readers, feel free to join us.

I'm not all that familiar with Bluegrass Music but I like music and I like any color of grass... except maybe brown.  Ha...I crack myself up.

I bet it will be a fun evening!

I'd Rather Be the Nurse

I spent much of last night being sick, really sick. I was fine all day but rather suddenly got sick late evening. That isn't supposed to happen to nurses! We're supposed to stay healthy to care for everyone else!

During those few hours of being violently ill (that sounds kind of dramatic, doesn't it?) I became more and more aware that I am called to be a nurse,  not a patient. Being the helper is way more fun than being the one who needs help!

Before you get worried (Mom and Maria) it seems to have all passed now. I am fine this morning, though maybe a bit weak. There may be some napping in my immediate future!

So, I will use this opportunity to just share two happy photos of Wyoming sunflowers in the breeze.

Have a sweet week-end!

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Do Your Ears Hang Low?
Do They Wobble to and Fro?
Can You Tie Them in a Knot?
Can You Tie Them in a Bow?
Can You Throw Them Over Your Shoulder Like a Continental Soldier?

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Do Your Ears Hang High?
Do They Reach Up to the Sky?
Do The Droop When They're Wet?  

Do They Stiffen When They're Dry?
Can You Semaphore Your Neighbor with a Mimimum of Labor?

Do Your Ears Hang High?

Do Your Ears Hang Wide?
Do They Flap From Side to Side?     

Do They Wave in the Breeze?
From the Slightest Little Sneeze?
Can You Soar Above the Nation with a Feeling of Elation?

Do Your Ears Hang Wide?

Do Your Ears Fall Off?
When You Give a Great Big Cough?
Do They Lie There on the Ground?
Or Bounce Up at Every Sound?
Can You Stick Them in Your Pocket Just Like Little Davy Crockett?

Do Your Ears Fall Off?

We've had our Granddogs, Bumblebee and Miss Betty Sprinkles, visiting us for a few days.

Bode loved having the company!

Sometimes it was kind of loud.

There were sweet moments.

Just look at that face!

They are pretty girls...

...but their ears really do hang low!