Deep Thoughts

Isn't he a handsome boy?  I think he's such a pretty color!  In this photo don't you think Bode looks as if he is having some wise, deep thoughts?

Actually, he is likely realizing he shouldn't have eaten those 4 or 5 cupcakes, wrappers and all, when I left the  kitchen.

Seeing Red

Before we begin, maybe I'd better provide a disclaimer.  This is kind of a nurse post.  You may as well know, nurses are not always appropriate.  It isn't our fault.  We are trained that way.


Nurses have to chart EVERYTHING about their patients.  We chart a lot about potty and poop.  I know, it's personal.  Have you ever been hospitalized? Well, I don't want to creep you out but somewhere there is likely a chart about how much you urinated and how many bowel movements (bm) you had.  Sometimes there is even descriptions regarding size, color, consistency.  I'm not kidding.  

Are you getting nervous?  If so, feel free to quit reading right now.  I don't want to damage anyone.

OK.  Anyone still reading?

First, let me start with a food review:

These chips are yummy!  Mike & I munched on them on a recent picnic.  The bag contains orange chips made from sweet potatoes.  It also has red chips made from beets.  I was proud of Mike for tasting one of the red chips as he is not a lover of beets.  I DO love beets!  The chips certainly do taste like their originating vegetables so it wasn't a surprise that Mike didn't so much enjoy the beet chips.  I did not mind that Mike gave me all the red chips to eat.  I thought they were delicious!

Several hours after the picnic, long after the taste of the chips were gone from my mouth, I experienced a worrisome symptom.  I wasn't sure what to make of the red color in the toilet bowl.  Surmising I likely had bladder cancer I am just glad that I hadn't already made a doctor's appointment.  Yep.  Once the beets were through my system everything returned to normal.

Marriage Goal

On the news last night I saw a couple who have been married for more than 70 years.  They had no words of wisdom to offer.  They just liked spending time together and they were fortunate enough to both live long, healthy lives.  It made me wonder if I would have any words of wisdom for people regarding marriage.  Later, I was reading a book and came upon the following quote.  It seemed worth passing along.

The goal in marriage               

is not to think alike, 

but to think together.

         --Robert Dodds 

The Thing About Loyalty

Today, we are celebrating our country.  I have always felt blessed to have been born in the United States of  America.  I know our country has a lot of flaws, but I've also always known that there was a lot of good about being an American.  I also know that I had a lot of opportunities available to me simply based on my country of origin.  I am grateful that I am an American.  I feel loyal toward the United States of America!

Loyalty is a good thing, right? Whether it be family loyalty, school spirit or national patriotism, it seems humans have a need to be proud of something bigger than themselves.  It gives us a sense of "belonging".  Perhaps it makes us feel special, maybe even protected and secure.  I think there is a lot of good that comes from that.  Loyalty helps us work together toward common goals.  


For some reason, though, we humans have a hard time being loyal while still seeing the big picture.  Somewhere along the way I realized that feeling loyal toward one group led me to feel that other groups were inferior or maybe even a bit evil.  Oh come on, don't judge me!  You've probably done it as well.  Maybe you come to feel loyalty toward a sports team and then feel obligated to dislike fans of an opponent team.  Perhaps you love the state where you live and laugh when others make disdainful jokes about the idiots from the next state.  In Montana I heard North Dakota jokes.  In New Mexico I heard people making rude comments about Texans.  Here in Wyoming I hear people making blanket negative statements about people from Colorado.

Do you see where I am going with this?  We seem to draw circles around ourselves and see those outside the circle as "others", not as potential friends.  Our circles may be based on country, age, race, religion, financial status, what side of town we live in, what team we cheer for, the list is unending.  Why do we do that?  It is so limiting.

So, today I am celebrating being an American.  I am so grateful for the freedoms I have and the opportunities made available to me through the efforts of others before me.  I am feeling proud of all that is good about our country.  Even so, I am going to make the effort to notice outside that circle, to see the goodness in "others" because ultimately my loyalty belongs much higher than to just this one country.  

One of My Favorite Things

Probably the time in my life when I felt the most like "me" was 

when I was rocking my babies to sleep.  

They are all a bit big for that now and those days seemed behind me.  

However, grandmotherhood (if that is not a real word it certainly should be) 

gives me a chance for a bit of a rerun of one of my favorite things.  

I love that!

A Word From Pastor Mike: Top 10 Reasons to Worship Weekly

Yesterday Mike began his sermon with the "Top 10 Reasons of Why You Should Worship Weekly."  I thought you might enjoy them.

10)    Going to Worship is better than listening to someone scrape their fingernails on a blackboard.

 9)     People who worship have fewer cavities than people who don't brush at all.

 8)     Worship promotes weight loss.  No big meals - only low calorie bread and wine served at      communion.

 7)     Worship provides aerobic routines for you... stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down...

 6)     Worship provides another place for you to sing other than the shower.

 5)     People who worship cut down their exposure to dangerous ultra violet rays.

 4)     Baptism provides the side benefit of clean hair.

 3)     Candle lighting at worship provides a safe environment for your children to play with fire.

 2)     Worship exposes you to some of the nicest people and the greatest sinners.  Have fun by guessing who's who.

 1)     People who worship receive free grace, unconditional love, and a great retirement plan.

Yes, most of it was tongue in cheek.  That last one is a kicker, though, don't you think?

Mike's sermon spoke of God's ability to change and transform lives.  He spoke of Jesus welcoming imperfect people.  He spoke of how he strengthens the faithful, forgives the sinner, gives hope to the hopeless and changes stubborn minds.  I think most of us need to hear these words.

Scenes From a Wyoming Golf Course

Shopping Day

I don't really like to shop too much.  I thought I wasn't quite a natural woman but as it turns out, I've heard other women say they don't like to shop.  How about you?  Do you enjoy shopping?

Perhaps I should qualify my statement about shopping.  The truth is, I LOVE to shop on line.  It makes me feel guilty, though.  I feel I should be supporting local businesses, especially the small ones.  Do you feel that way?  So, today I am going shopping and I am leaving my living room to do it.

First on my list is a new washing machine.  Our's came with the house.  When we bought the house 8 years ago I thought the washing machine looked like it was on its last leg.  It died a noisy death this week. It has carried us along for 8 years, though, so I won't complain.  I wouldn't likely buy a washing machine online, either, so it makes sense I'd have to go out and about for that.  I'm not looking for fancy or pretty.  Our machine sits in our basement laundry room where looks are not important.  I just want clean clothes.

Next, I have to shop for work shoes.  Previously I've worked where I could wear closed toe hiking sandals, even without socks.  I've loved that for Summer!  However, I now work at a surgical center so the rules are more strict regarding staff footwear.  I'm really, really tempted to shop online for shoes.  I've had some great luck with Zappos and places like that.  If the shoes aren't quite right they are easy and free to ship.  They usually get them to me in 1 to 2 days as well!  I like to reward good practices such as that but I am determined to shop locally first.  Nurses out there, any advice on work shoes?

I probably  need to stop at a grocery store today as well.  I don't really know what I need just yet, but I am sure I need something.  I always do.

The first bit of shopping to be done today, though, is to hit a giant yard sale (garage sale).  Do you call it a yard sale, garage sale or something else?  Our whole subdivision has one week-end every summer where they pool their advertising resources and do their yard sales on the same day.  I do NOT enjoy having a garage sale, do you?  However, I actually do enjoy attending yard sales so that part of my shopping day will be delightful.  Do you enjoy garage sales?  Maria and Cordy will be garage sale-ing with me so that will make it fun.  Cordelia always adds a touch of sparkle and class to any adventure.

(file photo)

(file photo)

I can hear the traffic in our neighborhood already picking up.  I don't feel the need to join those out for the early finds.   I'm content to look over the left-overs when I get there.

So, although I don't really enjoy shopping, I think this will be a good day.  I hope it is for you as well!

Andy Mason Concert

Yesterday I picked up Maria and Cordelia and we headed to an Andy Mason Concert.  He's been here in town for a couple of days and Maria and Cordy had already been to at least one concert but were eager to attend again.  Andy is actually a friend of their's and has been staying at their house so they got to enjoy some private concerts as well.

Maria and Eric, in fact, were hired to create one of Andy's videos.  One of my favorites was a song about making a burrito.  Cordy's little diaper clad bum was featured in that one.  It was pretty cute!

Andy does more than entertain little kids and their parents and grandparents.  He wrote a song, sung by Amber Wiley, called "Smile".  ALL the proceeds go toward an organization called Smile Train.  Check out their site here.  They work to repair cleft palates for children around the world, giving them a reason to smile. I love that Andy does this.  If you want to help, go to Andy's Site, scroll down and purchase the song, Smile.  I'd recommend his other music as well.  It's just fun!  Let me know what you think!

Cordelia had such a good time at the concert!  There were lots of children there and they really got into it.

Andy, Warming Up the Crowd

 Cordy Doing Some People-Watching

 Cordy Making Friends

 Chillin'

Where There is Smoke There is Fire - Somewhere

Yesterday morning I felt like I was driving to work in a fog.  No, I don't mean I was sleepy.  It really, really looked foggy.  It wasn't, though.  For one thing, it is dangerously dry here right now.  I wish it had been fog, but it was smoke.  Every direction I looked was a smoky haze!  I couldn't tell for sure the direction or origin. I'm still not sure as there are fires to the South of us, West and North.  Again this morning the smoke is making my eyes water.  It's really a breathing hazard as well.

We aren't really all that close to any of those fires, not so far this year anyway.  Several years ago the mountain near us was on fire, though, and it was close enough that we had ash dropping in our yard.  It was just a little taste of what people all over the western U.S. are experiencing right now.  So many lives are disrupted; so many people are worrying about their homes.

Fire is so strange when you think about it.  It is so scary and so destructive.  It can be life-saving or life-endangering, used as a campfire or storming along as a monstrous wildfire.  It is also very beautiful and very powerful.

When I checked on Facebook this morning I found a lot of photos, such as the one above. I am a bit ashamed to say that I am mesmerized by the photos.  The power of fire is just so incredible.  However, it makes me so grateful for people who have taken the time to learn to battle fires on our behalf.  It sounds like one of the worst jobs in the world to me.  They purposefully run toward the danger while people like me just want to get far away.


I can't imagine what it would be like to look at a photo such as that knowing one of those houses was your's.  My heart goes out to those folks.  And worse, I see video on television of people unable to cross the barrier to get to their neighborhood to try to get to family members, not knowing if they are safe.  I am certain I would not handle that very well.

Looking at so many photos of all those fires made me realize how small and insignificant people are in relationship.  This world doesn't even really need us; maybe we just get in the way.  That makes it all the more incredible to me to know that God treasures us and cares about us.  I don't always understand why that is, but I am ever so grateful.

Starting My Morning Off Right

My new job requires me to be up and about plenty early.  I got up at 4:50 yesterday and left the house about 40 minutes later.  Although sleeping a bit longer would have been lovely, I don't really mind because right now I am getting to enjoy the sunrise on my way in to work.

As I drove I was listening to KLOVE, as usual.  One of the songs I was hearing was Alive, sung by Natalie Grant (click on the second arrow to hear a taste of it).  My view was a magnificent as the song!  What a lovely beginning to the day!

On Being the New Girl

My first day at my new job was just lovely.

There are some good things about being the new girl.  For one, your new co-workers aren't yet sick of your scrubs.  All my uniforms will be new to them, well, at least for about 10 days.

Another good thing, not much was expected of me the first day.  Of course I didn't know the routine and mostly I was just to follow people around, observing what they do.  That was fun.  Today I will go with one patient (I've been assigned to a child) from the beginning of his journey until he's ready for discharge.  That includes being present with him during his surgery.  That will be interesting!

The part about being a new girl that can feel most awkward is the same part that was difficult as a new kid in elementary school... lunch time.  Having only 30 minutes didn't give enough time to go out to lunch.  I'd brought along something I could eat, though, and was happy to just go outside and sit at a picnic bench.  It was fine but it did make me remember those awkward new girl days from childhood.

Recess and lunch were the most scary that first day at a new school.  In the classroom you pretty much knew or were told by the teacher what to do, but lunch and recess had less structure and more time to look awkward.

I hadn't brought much lunch yesterday.  I just prefer to eat real light when I might be in a stressful situation.  That's a Crohn's strategy.  That's kind of why I avoided the staff lounge.  I didn't want to have to already explain why I wasn't eating much and all the Crohn's stuff.  Funny, huh?  Especially since I am ok with telling it here on the internet for anyone to read.  Go figure.  Anyway, 30 minutes turned out to be much more time than I needed to eat.  I texted Mike.  I texted Maria.

I texted my sister, Tina.  I texted my friend, Kerry.  I still had some time so what did I do with it?  I pulled weeds near the picnic table.

See what I mean about looking awkward?

Lord I Lift Your Name on High

I love to sing.  I love to hum.  I do it a lot.  As I clean, as I drive... I'm sure that is not unusual.  Music has a lot of power!  It has so much power, I've decided to be careful what music I listen to as it influences me so much.  Several years ago I decided to keep the radio in my car set on KLOVE.  Why?  Well, they refer to their music as being "positive and encouraging".  Hey!  That's what I want to be!  I learned that if I listened to that on my way to work, I was able to maintain a positive and encouraging attitude a bit more throughout the day.

  

I am also on our Worship Team at church.  I enjoy that a lot!  

(stock photo from 123rf.com)

OK, that photo may not be of me but I'm pretty sure I look kind of like that when I sing...except I am older...and I would not wear sunglasses in church...and my microphone is on a stand which I am scared to approach... I don't usually wear a hat because I think my head is already kind of large... and the wind machine is not ever on me when I sing... there may be a few other differences as well.   OK, I'm no more than an average singer, I'm middle-aged and I generally sing standing very still with my hands to my side.  Even clapping when singing is difficult for me.  Other than that, I pretty much look like this person.

Seriously now...

Music has come naturally to me when helping a really frightened patient.  Whether starting an IV or wiping a bottom, humming lightens the moment.  Maybe it just lightens my mood but I think it helps the patient focus on something besides the task at hand as well.

I was once called to the side of a young adult patient nearing the end of her life.  She was conscious and uneasy.  She'd previously told me she was a Christian so with her permission I prayed for her.   Then, knowing she had been active in her congregation, I asked if she wanted me to sing to her to help her relax.  She said that she did.  I started singing Amazing Grace  then moved on to the The Old Rugged Cross.  She listened politely but I didn't feel it was calming her that much.  Then, I decided to sing Jesus Loves Me.  Even though she could only barely make sounds, she started to sing along!  I kept singing but tears were rolling down my face.  She looked and sounded so beautiful to me.  

I thought she fell asleep at the end of that song so I sat quietly by her side for a bit.  When I was about to leave she opened her eyes and whispered a question.  I had to ask her to repeat it several times but finally realized she was asking if I knew the song, Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.  I was so happy because it is a song our worship team sings so I knew all the words.   We sang that song over and over and over with her voice only a whisper and mine choked with tears.  The quality of our voices did not matter.  Finally, she was tired and able to rest.  I left quietly, fully aware that I'd just been allowed to be part of something truly beautiful.  

Maybe I will have the opportunity to sing with her someday in heaven when we will have strong, pure voices.

To hear a sample of the song that meant so much to her, click here.

New Job Day!

I have been kind of quiet about my career swerve since mentioning that I resigned my position at Hospice.  I've been feeling like a quitter.  The last two weeks, after I gave my resignation, have been rather brutal.  I'm not talking about the patients. I love, love working with hospice patients!  I also enjoyed working with some very wonderful co-workers.  The long hours (sometimes 14 or even more) and the increasing patient load were just a bit much for me.  OK, they were a LOT much for me.    I don't know if it is because I have Crohn's that I seem to get more worn out but I'm going to use that excuse.

Anyway, it is time that I look forward.  I will be working at a surgical center.  I will not be working the long shifts.  I will be home on week-ends.  I will get to start a lot of IV's (yes, don't be scare of me but I do like starting IV's), and I will get to calm and reassure people.  I have a dear friend who already works there and I look forward to working with her again.  She speaks highly of the other personnel there so I know I am going to meet more friends along the way.  I will have a lot to learn but it will be great!

Here's to new beginnings!

A Word From Pastor Mike: Christians are Messy

Over the years I've often heard people say they believe in God but don't want to belong to a congregation, they just prefer to worship on their own.  I think worshiping alone can be really satisfying and precious time.  I also think there is a reason that Biblically we are given examples of worshiping as a community.  In our recent church newsletter Mike speaks to this...

"For several years now, as the weekend approaches, I have been praying for people to come and
worship. As I drive to church on Sunday, I see the cars parked in our neighborhood and I pray, “Stir
them up, Lord.” I believe that we all need weekly help for our faith journey. God strengthens our
spiritual lives in Word and Sacrament worship."

What do you think?  Do you feel the need for weekly worship?  Maybe even more often?

Another thing I've often heard is someone stating they don't want to attend church because it is full of sinners,  perhaps naming names and pointing out their sins.  To that I say, "Of course!"  Sinners need a place to go for redemption and to receive the gift of God's forgiveness and grace.  I once heard a quote that a church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints... or something like that.  Mike had some words about that as well...

"Life is messy. Christians are messy. Church institutions aren’t perfect and they never have been. So
why worship? Why shouldn’t we be a bunch of Lone Ranger Christians? Why not worship by yourself
in the great outdoors? Well, the Bible certainly encourages times of personal devotion and prayer
but the Bible never conceives of worship without people in community. We need each other and we
all need God."

Sometimes Pastor Mike is a pretty smart guy, huh?

He and I have also been talking about being authentic people.  One way to do that is to be more open about our shortcomings.  Sometimes people believe a pastor and his family all lead crisp, clean and well-managed lives.  I kind of like letting people believe that, actually.  That is because I am a prideful person and I am working on that.

OK, so I am here to tell you that we goof up also.  We make mistakes over and over again.  One thing about writing a blog is a person can just put up a few pretty pictures and it looks like all is wonderful.  We do have a really nice life, but we do not have a perfect life.  By showing our shiny side on my blog, I worry that someone will think they themselves lead a lesser life.  So, let it be known that like everyone, we are sinners.  Like everyone, we are offered a chance of forgiveness and healing.  Now, isn't that what it is all about?  I think I will head to church now to be with all the other faulty people.  I fit in there.

Cordelia Fun

I have been fortunate enough to have some Cordy Time this week.  Yesterday she was out and about with her parents.  Maria texted me and I found out they weren't far from my location at that moment so I made sure our paths crossed.

Cordy was so excited and hugged me say, "Grandma, you are a surprise!"  Then she turned to her parents and said, "These are my friends, Mommy and Daddy!  They are my family!  And Baby _______ (you'll have to wait until her birth to learn her name) is going to come out and she is my sister!"

The day before that I enjoyed some shopping time with Maria and Cordelia, followed by swimming time and a picnic.  Mike took a lunch break to join us for lunch.  It was one of those weather-perfect days and the morning was pure delight.  I hope you enjoy the photos...

I will forever be grateful for my family.

Ben, Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Some of you may look at this photo and just see a smiling, handsome guy.

Some of you may know you are looking at a very intelligent young man 

who already has made an impression on the banking world.

Some of you may know this young man recently followed through 

on his dreamof starting his own investment advising business.

Some of you know him as a fun and loyal friend.

One of you knows him as a kind and caring husband.

One of you knows him as the lovable little brother you fiercely protected.

One of you knows him as the big brother who spent hours teaching you

how to play Nintendo, beginning when you were too young to sit up.

One of you knows him as the son who loved for you to push him higher and higher

and give him "underdogs" on the swing.

One of you knows him as the little grandson who snuggled with you

while you read "Jerome" to him...and  continued the custom

even when he was in high school.

One of you knows him as the grandson who lived nearby

and came to enjoy time with you many Sunday afternoons.

I know him as the little baby I first held in my arms 27 years ago today.

I know him as the little guy who climbed my Grandma's plant stand at the grand old

age of 8 months old and has been climbing things ever since.

I know him as the sweet boy who said, "I will always live with you, Mama!"

I know him as the 16 year old boy who still said, "I love you, Mom" in front of his friends.

I know him as the college student who came home because he

worried about his little brother being lonely.

I know him as the college student who met the love of his life

and proudly brought her home to meet the family.

I know him as someone strong enough to follow his dream.

I know him as a man of integrity.

I know him and I love him.

Coolpix

My new Nikon Coolpix L810 arrived!  I haven't yet read the instructions and I know very little about photography but I'm having fun already!  These photos represent about an hour of yesterday evening as I went in search of beauty.

I Dare You!

We all know who Susan Boyle is now, but we didn't always.  I dare you to watch this all the way through without smiling...

Susan Boyle's Debut

(photo from Huffingpost.com)

Is There a Support Group for Multitaskers?

Are you a multitasker?  It is a good thing to be able to multitask, right?

I am a big time multitasker.  That works out for me in my nursing career.  It is a rare thing for a nurse to have the luxury of being able to focus on one thing or even one patient at a time.  Multitasking is not only helpful but it is a necessary work skill.  I'm sure that is true in many professions.

Like all good things, though, moderation is important.  Multitasking can also become an obsession.  It can get so ingrained into your personality that it is nearly impossible to do one job at a time.  I'm sure many of you have experienced that.  It can reach a point of being totally disconcerting.

For instance, I might decide to do the laundry this morning.  As I go to get the hamper to take it downstairs, I realize I need to stop in the bathroom to get the towels to wash as well.  After I grab the towels I see my ponytail holder and grab it, planning to pull my hair out of the way.  Spotting a few items of dirty clothes on the bathroom floor I snatch them up.  With towels over my shoulder, dirty clothes under my arm and my pony tail holder in my hand I head down the hall.  I notice the photo on the wall is crooked and so I reach up to straighten it.  I see that it is dusty so I turn to get the dust rag from the hall closet.  After dusting the photo I keep going, dusting the rest of the photo frames and moving on into the living room to dust there.  I pick up the magazines that are on the coffee table and start back down the hall toward our room where the magazine recycling box is in the bottom of the closet.  Right by the closet I see that the little waste basket needs to be emptied and so tie it up to take to the larger trash bin in the kitchen.  On the way there I see Bode waiting at the backdoor to go out to do his business.  I go to wrestle with the sliding glass door, realizing I am carrying wet towels, dirty socks, old magazines, a bag of trash, a dust cloth and a pony tail holder.  I empty my arms by dumping all that stuff on the nearby table.  Have I accomplished anything?  Oh yes, I did manage to dust a few things.

OK, so that hasn't happened yet as I'm still sitting in the rocker typing my blog.  It will, though.  It might not go down quite like that but it will be some form of me flitting around and likely not accomplishing all that I expect.

One of the weirdest multitasking issues I have regards brushing my teeth.  Why do I think that I must do other things while brushing my teeth?  It is really quite counter productive but I almost never JUST brush my teeth.  I do it without thinking.  Maybe it is because brushing my teeth requires only one hand and I don't think the other hand should be lazy.  I don't know but I've found myself doing dumb things while brushing my teeth.  I really do take towels to the laundry while brushing my teeth.  That is dangerous!  I could fall on the stairs and get the toothbrush jammed through my throat!  I've even discovered myself out getting the mail with the toothbrush in my mouth!  Do the neighbors really need to see all that? That is just silly but what can I do?  I don't plan it.  I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time.

(stock photo from 123rf.com)

Ooops.  Now I am in the kitchen, computer on the counter, stirring oatmeal in between typing sentences.  That may have something to do with why my computer is held together with duct tape.  When will I learn?