Wednesday, September 30, 2009

This is hilarious!!


OMG so I am looking up midwives in Arizona and on this website someone wrote a book and listed 101 reasons not to have a baby at a hospital, well I have to share some of the reasons with you because they totally make me laugh out loud!!

Here are just a few of the reasons not to deliver at a hospital!!

24 You don't like pain.

47 You don't want to ride in a car during labor.

57 You don't want your pubic area shaved.

58 You don't want an enema.

80 You don't want to endorse the machinery of holocaust.

81 You don't want your child to become a drug addict.

82 You don't want your child to become a criminal.

83 You don't want your child to become violent.

84 You don't want your child to become a schizophrenic.

85 You don't want your child to become a victim of child abuse.

86 You don't want your child to commit suicide.

87 You don't want your baby to die from SIDS.

90 You want to breastfeed your baby.

91 You don't want your breasts to be overdistended.

92 You don't want to have a preterm baby.

100 You don't want to eat hospital food.

101 You'd rather be shopping.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Picture perfect memories

 

(don’t forget to go to the bottom and pause my music player so you can hear this song)

Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor, reaching for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore. And I wonder if I ever cross your mind, for me it happens all the time.

This is one of my all time favorite songs.... I listen to it a million times a day because who hasn't been there? Wondering if you ever cross someone's mind? But what I love most about this song, is it starts out "picture perfect memories" well the truth is there really aren't picture perfect memories, but somewhere in our minds when the relationship is over, what we remember are perfect memories. We some how forget the bad stuff, how? Why?

After I left the Detroit Drink, I had journaled exactly what I was feeling so that I would remember that feeling, the feeling of being completely destroyed after putting all your faith in someone, all your trust, all your love.... But the funny thing is there are still times when I miss the little things that only we shared. There are times were I have to remind myself what he did to me.

Someone else I'm close to keeps giving their ex a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th chance and I keep wondering why, but then I realize that is the way women are, they forget just how bad it was and remember how good it was.

It’s sad that we forget the bad stuff…… Perhaps it’s better that way?

Friday, September 25, 2009

Old blogging site

Thursday, 08 November 2007

Yay for good deliveries!! I had a good night at work last night, we were really busy and I had a happy healthy delivery! I actually enjoyed work last night and I worked with great people.. Well we leave in a week to Michigan! I'm anxious and excited at the same time. I need to start getting things ready so I know what to take and what not. We'll be gone for 8 days, and it will be FREEZING compared to Arizona weather.

The sleep has been so so it's still hard to adjust so we'll see what happens... My friend was discharged last week sent home on bed rest. She's doing good and so is that precious baby. They did an ultrasound when she was there, the baby is beautiful I love the new ultrasounds!

Things have been good with me and Brian, no complaints. We didn't go out on Halloween, we actually both weren't feeling to well so we took a nap and woke up and it was practically time to go back to sleep LOL.. Oh well there is always next year, I was just glad to be there spending time with him....

ASU lost on Saturday :( so sad...

Ok, so yeah, I guess this is all for my current update, I know that isn't too exciting, Brian and I are here watch Jeff Dunhum, so I will write more tomorrow when I'm alone!


Another old post from my old blog

Saturday, 13 October 2007

Amazed

Last night was a interesting night! I had a patient that was flown to our hospital from another city, the city is known for it's upperclass people who live differently, let's just say it's a very "plastic city" anyhow she was being flown to us because I was told she was drunk and contracting.

Upon admission I was told she was term (36 weeks) after an ultra sound we found out she is really only 29 weeks!! Seriously how do you think your 2 months further then you really are? She was drunk as a skunk! She smelt so bad of alcohol that I was actually gagging when she would breathe on me or talk to me... Now in Arizona the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.0 - 0.8. Well get this, her blood alcohol level was .442 yes, I said .442! Amazing, and of course this was the irst time she has ever drank alcohol before... Right!

I signed up for her because I figured, that I deal with people who are detoxing all the times at the jail. What I failed to remember was I'm in a different environment. At the jail I have standing orders to medicate the patients that have dt's, at the hospital, it doesn't work that way! She just had to suffer, my goal was to stop her contracting. However she was a maniac up and down out of the bed, trembling, dry mouth, gagging, diarrhea you name it she was doing it!

Her husband was high as a kite on something too, his pupils were pin point and his eyes were glazed over and red, and he would stumble down the hallway!

Well of course we live in wonderful Arizona and there is nothing you can do about this situation other then try to educate the family. So when she was complaining about her shaking and what not, I kindly pointed out "If you feel like this how do you think the baby feels?" It was apparent by the fetal strip the kiddo was having issues as well!

God help that baby!

So I had no problem staying up. I worked with a girl from evenings who I really like until 0200. And the "Boys" were on so that was fun. There are 2 brothers that are OR Scrub Tech's (they assist in surgery, so when Dr. says "scalpel" they hand it over etc) So we sat around and chatted it was fun. I didn't leave until after 0700. On the way home I stopped and bought Benadryl. I got home and took 2 and laid down! I slept nonstop until a little after 1400. I'm still tired I think I'm
going to lay down again!

I don't think I'll take 2 Benadryl tomorrow morning, we'll stick to just 1..














Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Article about my sister and father!!!

EAST VALLEY Father and daughter Live a life of community service
Boys and Girls Club Leaders Make Lasting Impact on the Community

TEMPE, Ariz– September 17, 2009 – Ramon Elias has been a staple in the non-profit community for over 37 years. He has served as the President and CEO of the East Valley Boys and Girls club for 13 of those years. During this time he and his wife, Mima has raised a family of 4 daughters, instilling an attitude of service in all of them. Eldest daughter Mindy Elias has followed in her fathers footsteps, she is the Branch Executive for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley’s Compadre Branch. Both father and daughter will be honored for their commitment to the community at two separate events.

Mindy Elias has been chosen as one of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Top 40 Under 40. The Top 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 Luncheon will be held Wednesday, September 23 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. The Chamber selected the top 40 key Hispanic business and community leaders for making significant contributions to the greater good of the community. These individuals best exemplify the integration of their best practices and support the community by contributing to society in ways that are an inspiration to others and use resources and creativity to enrich our community.

Elias, a former club member herself, has taken the reins at the East Valley’s largest Boys and Girls Club.

“My parents instilled a sense of service in all of us, it feels so good to work with these kids everyday and to know I’m making an impact in another person’s life. To be recognized by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber is such an honor it also gives me the opportunity to take some of the kids to the event to show them what other successful Hispanic leaders are doing in their communities”, said Elias. In addition to working in the non-profit sector, Mindy is involved with Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scouts. She has volunteered with the House of Refuge East, Polytechnic Elementary School and Willis Junior High in Chandler and is a Young Life supporter.

Ramon Elias, President and CEO of the East Valley Boys and Girls Club be honored as Man of the Year by Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center on October 1 at 6:30 p.m. Villa Siena, 890 W. Elliot Rd. Gilbert.

Ramon was instrumental in helping Fresh Start Women’s services establish their East Valley presence. The organization is currently using the Gilbert branch of the Boys and Girls club as well as Gilbert Elementary School. The model is working well and could be expanded to include other East Valley Boys and Girls clubs. The Boys and Girls clubs are a natural fit as they are serving youth while Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center serves the mothers of those children as well as other mothers.
Ramon is also a lifetime member of the Chandler Compadres. “I am so honored to have been selected by the Fresh Start Women’s Center for their first annual award. I am also very proud of Mindy and her dedication to the youth of Chandler and her recognition from the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.”


About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley (www.clubzona.org) serves more than 30,000 children and teens annually, and continues to grow to meet the needs of today’s youth, providing a positive place for all kids and teens. Serving members in Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, and the Gila River Indian Community, programs are offered after school and during the summer and provide youth and teens, ages 6 – 18, with fun and educational activities, supervised by professional staff. The organization also runs Mesa Arts Academy, a K-8 charter school. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley’s annual membership fee is only $20 dollars a year and financial assistance is available. No child is ever turned away if they are unable to pay the fee.
www.clubzona.org

About Fresh Start
Fresh Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women help themselves. We do that through the work of the Jewell McFarland Lewis-Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center, the first comprehensive Center offering quality services to women seeking self-improvement.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Wedding Planning



Well we are just shy of 6 months from the wedding!! The planning has been fun, there is so much that goes into planning a wedding, well that is IF you want a nice wedding. Of course we have read hundreds MILLIONS of bride magazines and things are coming together beautifully!!

Well we’ve also watched lots of “Say yes to the dress” episodes! I NEVER could understand WHY anyone would want a dress that was thousands of dollars.. However, now I have an entirely new appreciation for the dresses that cost that much. We had a lovely experience at a swanky bridal gown place in Scottsdale. We had one on one service and the gowns were gorgeous. Then later in the afternoon we decided we’d stop into the local bridal salon that is always advertising bridal gown sales, well after waiting over45 minutes for someone to help us, we were crammed into a small corner to try on dresses along with EVERY other person in Phoenix that day! The difference between a few thousand dollars and a few hundred dollars is AMAZING!!! Remember that commercial, the touch, the feel, the fabric of our lives? LOL That is so true when it comes to the feel of a good gown! Now I no longer judge those who pay a lot of money for a fabulous gown, because now I can’t see purchasing anything less.





Well this past weekend we went to a place called Twirl and tried on bridesmaid dresses, it was a fun experience (within reason) Needless to say after trying on over 20 dresses, we found ours for the big event! They will be made and shipped within a few months, how exciting is that, our dresses will be made especially for each one of us! AND it will be a dress I will wear again some day, it is gorgeous! I wish I was allowed to put up a sneak peak to show you all, but I will make you wait the 6 months!!!




Save the dates just came in this week and the kids will be mailing those out this week!! Once those go out I can post a picture of them!

It’s getting more and more exciting as the time draws closer!

Here is the link to the precious couples website: http://www.zackandbethany.com/



Memory Monday




The back of the picture says Jan. 1978, which would make me 4 months old!





Friday, September 11, 2009

Abercrombie & Fitch pitches new trashy T-shirts to America's youth







Send an email to Abercrombie and Fitch. Ask them to pull their sexualized shirts.



Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) continues its pattern of pushing pornographic-themed material into mainstream America. Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has just begun offering their "New College" line of T-shirts.

The first A&F t-shirt pictures a young girl opening her blouse - exposing herself. A&F titles the image: "Show the Twins".

The second picture is of a female running nude. A&F titles it: "Female streaking encouraged."

The next Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt is entitled: "Female Students Wanted for Sexual Research"

Abercrombie & Fitch does not merely sell a popular line of clothing – they sell a lifestyle. And because A&F clothing is popular among teens and college kids, the influence of their sex-as-recreation lifestyle is widespread.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports that Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year— almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age.

TAKE ACTION

Send an email to Abercrombie and Fitch. Ask them to pull their sexualized shirts.

After sending your email, call A&F at 614-283-6500 (press "0" to speak directly to a real person).


AND TO THINK WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE SAYING TO SCHOOL CHILDREN!!!

Faith

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18




Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Humane Humanity

I need a hero…..

031

On Saturday I received a talking to by my father about the type of men I date, and his take on them. Ooooohhh let me tell you how much fun it was having that talk at the age of 32. He of course feels I have never brought home anyone worthy of being in my life. Well I am sure he just feels that way because he is the dad and of course no man will ever be good enough for his girl.

However in a matter of just 2 days later I am having a conversation with a few friends at different times, and I am told that I am “PICKY” I was told that perhaps if I wasn’t so picky with the men in my life that I wouldn’t be single. I was also told that I am very intimidating to men.

So my father thinks I date just anyone or anything and my friends who know me very well think I’m picky…. Interesting……

YES, I have met some pretty great guys in my life, and yes there are 2 that I can now say I should have married when the opportunity presented instead of walking away. However I view marriage as a one time thing. I will get married only 1 time in my life, so I want it to be with the right man. I can’t see myself getting married just for the sake of getting married, I’m not desperate.

I want to marry the person who is all those things on my God List that I pray for daily. Of course it would help if he liked sports and dogs, however I’m ok waiting.

 

(Pause my music player below so you can watch the video)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Update

Some of you may remember back to my posting a few months ago click here about my thyroid issue. Well after finding multiple nodules and diagnosing me with hashimoto’s , I went to have my biopsy and as I lay on the table, the radiologist spent what felt like an eternity looking at my thyroid and said “I don’t think it looks worthy of biopsying, I think your ok.” What a sigh of relief that was back then. I truly felt the power of prayer at work that day. Something that was measuring 3cm’s and was causing crummy side effects, had almost diminished.

Well in early August I wasn’t feeling so well so I went to have more lab work. I waited patiently for 22 days for my doctor to call me back with the results. Finally I decided I was calling the lab and getting the results myself. Well boy was that a BAD idea!!! The results were less then desirable. There were 2 things that stood out, the first is a count that should be <35 and mine registered at over >1000 and the second bad one was the count that is indicative of cancer that should be <45 and mine was reading >650.

I called my doctor and sat on hold for over 1 hour, I quickly changed physicians and called to make an appointment with the new doctor, after explaining the situation, they agreed to see me at 0800 the next day! I was VERY impressed by this new group of physicians. Incidentally I met her while she was in labor, and was impressed with her coping skills so decided I would try her out.

Sorry I’m getting off track. Well I only shared this a handful of my friends and my family. Mostly because I was scared. Usually I will just joke about things like this, that is how I cope. But for the first time in my life, I was scared. I just sobbed one night, because I don’t want to be sick, I don’t want to have surgery, I didn’t want to be on someone’s prayer list. (my friend added me to their list, I am now grateful)

Since that night, I gave it to the Lord, I have left it in his hands. I have prayed and prayed and worshiped through song that this be healed yet again.

Well now we are back to waiting, we are waiting for lab results and an ultrasound report. I am being referred to an amazing endocrinologist, that comes highly recommended by MANY nurses at work.

I thought it was time to finally share where I am in my life at this point. I PROMISE I will keep you updated as things transpire.

TCBOTB



Chicken Asparagus Bake



3 boneless chicken breasts

1 bunch of asparagus

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons chopped onion

Dash of paprika

Salt and pepper to taste



Directions:



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Dice asparagus

Place chicken, asparagus and onions in baking pan, pour broth in pan

Season with salt and pepper


Bake for 45 minutes



Sprinkle paprika on chicken and broil for 10 minutes, just long enough to give chicken some color.



Serve with salad and a fruit.



**A "normal" chicken breast serving is 4 ounces, 1 chicken breast is 2 servings. Also this is a great meal for those on HCG.


True Meaning of Labor Day

Labor Day

NOUN:

The first Monday in September, observed as a holiday in the United States and Canada in honor of working people

Patriotism

NOUN:

Love of and devotion to one's country.

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

As referenced by the US Department of Labor US DOL website

So with that being said, why do people try to tie patriotism to Labor day? You're not being patriotic by celebrating Labor day, you're not being patriotic for working on labor day.

We celebrated my birthday on Labor Day and when we went to purchase a cake for the party, all the cakes were Red, White and Blue. We were perplexed because WHY, do people ignorantly tie it to a “Patriotic holiday”

Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from the labor union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The majority of countries celebrate Labor Day on May 1, and it is popularly known as May Day and International Workers' Day, while some celebrate on the first Monday of September.

The celebration of Labor Day has its origins in the eight hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

I am all for celebrating America, and Patriotism, especially because of our brother, who’s a Marine that fought for OUR country in a war.

HOWEVER it makes us look very ignorant that we tie this holiday to patriotism!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Another post from the past


Friday, 12 October 2007

Ok, So I figured I should tell you a little bit more about me. I am 30, I am a Labor and Delivery Nurse in a Level 3 facility, so we care for moms/babies as young as 24 weeks gestation! This job has changed my life, and my outlook on many many things. Watching a family long for a baby will really change your view on certain issues. I also work part time at the Maricopa County Jails, as a Psych nurse, I love Psych nursing, it is great, and it has also helped me to learn mental illness is a disease just like cancer, diabetes, and alcoholism.

I have an amazing family, my parents are still together, I have 3 sisters, one who lives 734 miles to be exact, away from us! My younger sister and I just drove to San Jose to visit her last week! It was a fun time!

I'm going to go to ASU to pursue my degree further. I would like to be a Womens Health Nurse Practitioner someday. I have a boyfriend named Brian, we have been together for only 6 months. We have ups and downs... We are very different and yet sometimes exactly the same. Sometimes we want the same thing out of life and others we want the opposite. It's hard to know where things are moment to moment.. I know that sounds negative but it's not as negative as it sounds.

I believe the intent of this Xanga will be to share about work, I have a job that has no out, no way to vent etc. and there are some days that you need to share what you can to help stabilize yourself. Below is a poem, perhaps it will give you a look into my world of nursing!

What Will You Take?
By Karen Roush, MSN, FNP, RN

Will you take the newborn's cries,
the toddler giggling though tears?
All the curses thrown through
whiskeyed breath, the blood spots
on your clothes? The coffee breaks
you never took, the end-of-shift reports?
The egos and the maniacs, the stat
requests, the orders left, the monitors
going off across the room?

Will you take the husband's gesture,
reaching for her hand, when he's told
that after loving her 47 years,
his wife will never recognize him,
nor remember their children's names?

And what about the toddler
with the iron branded on his back,
its blistered rows of steam holes
weeping through the gauze?
Will you take his screams of "Mama"
when the police remove her from the room?

You must take the first Code Red,
the run through the halls,
people stepping back
to press against the walls.
The crack of ribs,
the litany
of atropine and epi,
the lungs pushing against the Ambu bag,
the heart leaping
against your hands.

And the woman with the flawless face;
you can't leave her behind. The way
she applied her makeup, perfectly,
only hours after surgery
that took both her breasts.

Don't forget the nine-month-old
with yellow skin, waiting for the liver.
Or how beautiful snow is when seen
from windows of the ICU
on Christmas Eve.

Will you take the words you found,
that first day on the floor, when the doc
pronounced-There's nothing more to do-
then promptly left the room.
Take one last look now back down that hall.
Your shift is done and others wait to take report.







Sunday, September 6, 2009

Saturday, September 5, 2009

It's almost game time!!!








Old blogging site

How weird is this? I signed into an old Xanga account and realized I used to blog somewhere else... I blogged a lot actually... A lot about my relationship with The Detroit Drunk! I started to delete the entries, then I decided I was going to post some of them here, WOW what a different place I was in...


Friday, 12 October 2007

First Post

So after a year of being intrigued by someone else's xanga, and a little nudging from my sister I figured I would start my own xanga. Sure my life may not be action packed, with interesting things people are dying to read, but I have some interesting encounters in my line of work and sometimes it would be good to share with others. So we'll see how this turns out.

Tonight will be my 2nd shift on the night shift. I worked my first over night pm Wed. it was a piece of cake, mostly because Jami was there. She is 90% of the reason I am on nights, we were on evenings together and then decided we'd go to nights together! Well it is so much nicer working with a friend that will watch your strip for you, ask you if you need help, or offer to grab you a drink when your busy in a room! Steff does all that with me on evenings, so now I'm recruiting her for nights! Anyhow, the greatest part of my night was sitting there being bored, because I had an Antepartum patient (a patient we are trying to keep pregnant) and the 2 big doors click open, and I look up, and it was Brian (my boyfriend) It was maybe 0130 in the morning! He had a transport to the Peds unit so he stopped by to surprise me, and boy was it a surprise! Brian is a Paramedic. So I got off yesterday and was home by 0700, I slept from 0800-1100 and then I was wide awake! I just milled around the house, I cleaned up a bit and I met Heather at Red Fish for happy hour. Went back home and made dinner for Brian and I. He worked a 36 hour so he got off at 1930 and so he stopped over after work and we ate tacos and spanish rice and watched the Diamondbacks lose ugh!

Anyhow, so I slept today until 0930, and now I'm up wide awake, I may get ready and run some errands and then try to nap a little later. I work Friday/Saturday/Sunday! YIKES!!






Friday, September 4, 2009

Oh heavens……..

I am so behind on blogging….. I missed Thankful Thursdays last week, Memory Monday this week, Trading Tuesday and now it’s time for Thankful Thursday again…………….

Well……… Some day I will get to all of those…. Here is what is new.. We went to Nogales for Meches funeral it was nice, what was really neat to see was all the special need adults that she took care of that were once special needs children. How wonderful that these adults had a better life because she cared for them!

trip 067

I had a great time with my sister, we literally laughed ourselves silly the entire way there and back… I actually can not wait until her and I get to take another road trip together!!

trip 002

It was fun to be there alone with our parents, we never do things the 4 of us, so that was a nice change of pace. Here is a picture of me with my mom and uncle! Isn’t my mom hot? You would never guess she was the mother of a 34 year old now would you?

7116_127656323165_585038165_2346067_2437985_n

After our trip I worked a lot of the week. Nothing too exciting though! I had a great week with some great patients though! I love my job, I am so lucky to do what I do! I have met a lot of new friends through my job, friends that started out as patients that are now friends.

1977-09-03%20Peter%20Frampton%20Miami

Soo, 32 year ago my mom gave birth to me at the SAME hospital I work at now! How cool is that? Today I spent the day in a NRP instructor course because I’m going to begin teaching NRP! After class my parents and I went out to dinner, we had a nice time!

In just 2 more days, it is ASU Kick off time… That deserves a whole post of it’s own… :)

20060825_sdlaws_11

Saturday will be spent doing ASU festivities and celebrating my birthday! Then on Monday we are going to celebrate with the rest of the family….

Can I mention AGAIN how excited I am that it’s almost game time?!?!?! WOOOOOOOOO