Family

My parents had a lovely time at their anniversary party. The whole day was just wonderful - not a single glitch.

I am a bit behind though in posting pictures about the party. But is is for good reason. I have been spending time with family instead of being on the computer. I promise to get more pictures up as soon as I can ~ but here are a few teaser photos.

Speaking of family - yesterday 21 of us went to Disneyland (and yes, we waited forever to see that new show 'light magic'. It was really good...but I do think that I like Fantasmic more.) It was quite an adventure just getting everyone in, organized and trying to meet the needs of a variety of age groups!

I had to share these photos though....

Lily's favorite movie is Monster's Inc. It is one of those movies that she watches over and over and even says some of the words. She chose to take her little "Mike Wokowski" with her when we went to the park yesterday.

Imagine her delight when she saw Sully...she ran right up to him to show him her Mike. She was not one bit intimidated by his size

Then she even hands over her Mike to Sully.
Sully was so kind to bend down to her level so they could share Mike. Lily loved the whole interaction!
She was equally excited to see Mikey and Minnie.

We all had a fun, if not exhausting day!

Debbie

Happy 50th Anniversary

My parents are celebrating 50 years of marriage today!50 years...that is an entire life time. So much has changed...from outdoor bathrooms to beautiful indoor ones. From big black and white TV's that just get a few channels to flatscreen, fancy, color TV's with hundreds of channels to choose from. From phones that had a party line on them to small cell phones that we all carry with us. And of course, this fun thing called the internet where we can stay in touch with friends and family across the country. I think the only thing that has not changed is my dad's hair style.

My parents met in 1959 on a country road in Ohio ~ over a flat tire. Dad had to stop and help the damsel in distress. Little did he know that God was orchestrating a love connection that would last a lifetime and produce 4 children, 8 grandchildren and a great grand-daughter. But God knew...

They were married in a small country church on a Wednesday afternoon in 1960. Dad had to report to a new job out in California so they packed up all they owned in the trunk and left that very Wednesday to drive across the country. What trust and love my mom must have had in her new husband!!!
Off to California they set - to the land of sun, beaches, Hollywood and that new adventure park called Disneyland. I can only imagine their disbelief when the showed up for that new job in El Centro, California.

Lucky, Dad had gotten a job with the airlines so they were able to travel frequently back to Ohio to visit family.

My parents have stuck it out through thick and thin for 50 years. They have been a shining example of love, sacrifice and forgiveness. They still love each other today as much as they did back in 1960...maybe more...

They raised a beautiful family. Teaching us right from wrong. They modeled love and instilled in us the importance of family.

They also maintained many friendships over the years. Friends from the neighborhood, work, church and even friends from Ohio that stayed as close as family across all of those miles. Relationships were and are important to them.

Today we are having a celebration party to celebrate their marriage and commitment to each other. 50 years - that is quite an accomplishment. We are having a big, reception type party that they never had when they got married. Family and friends have traveled many miles to join us and I know it is going to be a fun time.Congratulations Mom and Dad on 50 years of marriage and a life well lived! May you have many more anniversaries to celebrate (just don't ask me to throw another big party like the one we are having today). I love you both!!!Debbie

An Important Break

I needed to take a few days break from being on line...mostly due to the fact that I've had a sick daughter here at home. Yes, she came home from the hospital and was doing a bit better but there have also been some set backs. She saw her doctor on Thursday ~ and part of the abscess had turned necrotic (dead) so he had to remove part of it. While removing the dead area - it left an open wound. So, of course Erika's pain has been quite high. I had to call her doctor and he obliged by ordering her dilaudid - which seemed to do the trick. Today was the first 'good' day she has had. She was able to eat and the pain was controlled with medication. We were even able to get out of the house for a little bit.

In the meantime - I got tagged so I just thought I'd do that for my post today since I am almost too tired to go in to all of the details of this week.

1.What was the last thing you put in your mouth? - popcorn

2.Where was your profile picture taken? - at my wedding rehearsal dinner(guess I should update the photo!)

3.Can you play Guitar Hero? - never tried, don't really have much interest in trying.

4.Name someone who made you laugh today? - my niece Kaitlyn

5.How late did you stay up last night and why? - 11:30. On 'vacation', if that is what you want to call this week! And had too much to do so I didn't get to bed very early

6.If you could move somewhere else, would you? -yes - would move to Oregon and have a little land and a horse!

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? - yep,first date with my husband, which was at Disneyland.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you? - the Kuykendalls

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? - for sure, Randy and I are a prime example. It was way better for our children that way.

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? - I like it, infact had a glass today

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? - really hard?? don't remember when. I tend to stuff my feelings

12. Who took your profile picture? - my daughter

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? - Lily

14. Was yesterday better than today? - No, today was better since Erika felt better

15. Can you live a day without TV? - of course, I hardly watch TV

16. Are you upset about anything? - not at the moment

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? - of course!

18. Are you a bad influence? - I would hope not

19. Night out or night in? - night in

20. What item could you not go without during the day? - my cell phone

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? - Erika

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? - a text from my son Jon asking how Lily was doing since I was babysitting today.

23. How do you feel about your life right now? - it is good

24. Do you hate anyone? - Naw

25. If we were to look in your Facebook inbox, what would we find? - lots of old messages

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? - absolutely

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? - um yes...especially in regards to paperwork at work

28. What song is stuck in your head? - A song from the movie Spirit

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who would it to be? - I'd hope my son..not some emergency

30.Wanna have grandkids by the time you're 50? - already have one and it has been a very good thing :)

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow? - finish last minute details for my parents 50th anniversary party, get Lily a dress, go to a 50th b-day party and then to my parents for a get together with family that are flying in tomorrow.

32. Do you smile alot? - yes, I think so

Now to tag a few friends...Holly, Bethany, Heather and Alice!

Debbie

Erika is Home

Erika is home!!

She left the hospital on oral antibiotics and pain medication. I am happy to have her home - I only wish that she were feeling better! This has been one long flu and now on top of that she has that painful abscess. Vicodin helps with the pain. Her nausea is better and she is able to keep food down again.

I am just hanging around home incase she needs anything. I had planned on doing things with my sister and her girls....but Erika is my priority. I have been able to finish scanning photos for my parents slide show for their 50th anniversary party. Praying that Erika feels better by Sunday!!!

Part of me is bummed that this is how we are spending 'vacation', yet another part is glad that I already had the time scheduled off of work. That way I can just hang out here at home. Maybe I should just go sit in the same room with her and read a good book....

Debbie

Vacation ~ Hospital??

Today was my first day of vacation. I got to sleep in and went to church. It was Father's day and I had planned to spend the afternoon with my dad and the rest of the family.

But, that isn't how the day went exactly. I was able to go over to my parents for a short little bit but then Erika said that she really wasn't feeling well and felt like she needed to be seen today. I had been trying to encourage her to just wait until tomorrow to see her regular doctor at a regular doctor visit. She had seen him Friday and I just thought we could follow up tomorrow. I just hate to go to the emergency room if it really isn't urgent. Ask my kids - one of the draw backs of having a parent that is in the medical field is that you need to be really sick before we pay attention. Like the bone better be sticking out of your broken arm!

Erika doesn't complain much though ~ so I knew that when she said that she couldn't wait until tomorrow that she must be really hurting. Yesterday I posted about how she has been sick all week. She really wasn't getting better.

I made a few phone calls and we headed to the emergency room. Her doctor was actually looking for her in the back before we even got through admitting. Erika thought that was cool...that she was seen so quickly. She thanked me for my 'connec

tions' to getting her in without any delay. Not many physicians meet you there! Thank you Dr A.!!!

Long story short...she got admitted for IV fluids and IV antibiotics.

They were able to get her pain under control with a little morphine and her headache under control with some tylenol. She was still running a fever when I left but feeling better - probably due to the drugs and the IV fluid (she was a bit dehydrated).Hopefully she will be home soon. We are waiting on some lab work and cultures. Obviously her immune system is a bit compromised at the moment.

That is how I spent my first day of vacation - at my place of employment...someone that doesn't seem quite right!

Get better E! I'll see you in the morning :)

Debbie

LAKERS!!

Need I say more?!?!? They rock and are champions again!
Great game tonight!!!!

The MVP - Kobe Bryant

Now if I can just get a Lakers sugar daddy to take me to the games next year :)

Or even better - Kobe and his wife need to have another baby but they need to have it at our hospital this time...not the one down the freeway! And after I take care of them I can have season passes..wouldn't that be a cool dream come true!!

Debbie

Girls Night

Cousins are here!!

My sister and her girls came down this week. They live up in Oregon and are here to help celebrate our parents 50th Wedding Anniversary (more on that later).

It was so good to see them last night. It was a girls night out!! My sister has 3 daughters, one of which is just a little older than Lily, and I have two daughters...so it made for a fun night of girls.

Lily loves playing with her cousins. She even borrowed a nightgown from Nikki and kept telling me that she was 'barring Nikkis gown".

I am looking forward to spending time with family these next couple of weeks!!

Debbie

Disneyland

Erika and a couple of her friends from Biola wanted to go to Disneyland... So since Lily and I had to drive over there with them ~ we decided to hang out a bit.

Erika took my camera so I didn't get any good pictures...like the one where Lily got to go in the parade. And instead of holding the little rope like all of the other kids, she just went and grabbed Pinocchio's hand and walked with him instead. It was quite cute. That little girl just thinks she is 'all that' and doesn't have to do what all the other kids are doing. She is independent to say the least. I wonder what she will do when she grows up?

We weren't there all day - just a few hours this afternoon. Long enough to ride the merry-go-round, Peter Pan, Dumbo and the teacups.

Of course we had to go on the ride of Lily's most favorite movie ....

Monsters Inc.

Lily was so excited to see her friends Sully, Mike and Boo.

We also watched the Alladin stage show and had a private meet and greet afterwards. Here is Lily meeting her new favorite princess - Jasmine

Lily told me that she "loves her" and "wants to kiss her"

She wasn't too sure about the Genie though - perhaps he was a bit too blue for her.

The cast

I love spending time with Lily, whether we hang out at home or have special times at places like Disneyland. We are so lucky to be able to go when we want. Next time we are going to Toon Town to find Mickey and Minnie!

Debbie

Randomness

I worked on antepartum today...my favorite place. Oh that is so not true!

But I can't even begin to explain why I struggle with working out there. The pace is just different and the patients have more medical needs vs. obstetrical needs....which often leaves me feeling so very inadequate. I did my turn though...with a smile on my face (remember I was trying to have a better attitude about working out there.)
Actually it wasn't so bad today - I think I am luckier than some staff nurses for I also do relief charge. Lately I have done my fair share of relief charge days so I have gotten to know the antepartum patients from receiving report as a charge RN and visiting the patients in that role. When I went out there this morning I felt like I already knew my patients which made my day go much smoother. I was able to get both of them discharged home so spent the last couple of hours of my shift just helping out in labor and delivery.


Update on yesterday - my day off with so much to do and no desire to do those things -I got them all done, plus cooked a yummy dinner (I don't cook much anymore since the kids have all grown up) and I got to read a little before I went to bed. Good day off I will say.


And as for school finals - I did just fine. My friend, Debbie says I stress too much and she says, "you always do fine. Why are you worrying?". She helps me stay focused and grounded. I passed both tests. Aced the speech exam. Not really sure how I did on the algebra exam but I got an A in the class so I must have done OK.


GO LAKERS!! Just had to throw that in there since every TV in this house is on the game.

I will end this random post with a couple of pictures of the cutest granddaughter around.

Debbie

Much to Do

Ever have one of those days where you really have so much to do....but you just don't feel like getting it all done??? I am having one of those days today.

I should be:

Cleaning.

Getting a gift for a friend having surgery this week.

Running by my parents house.

Going to the grocery store.

Planning what to cook for dinner.

I want to be:

Reading a novel.

Laying out in the sun.

Taking a nap.

Doing nothing at all.

Free Blog Makeover

I just saw this contest on mastomama's blog site about a free makeover...but the contest ends tomorrow.

I have been thinking about doing a blog makeover for a little bit and I really like her designs.

She lives somewhere here in Orange County and has some interesting medical issues that prevent her from working outside of the home. Therefore, she designs blog makeovers from home. You can read all about why she designs blogs here.

And of course you can check out her design site by clicking on mastomamamakeovers.

Wouldn't it be fun to have her do a makeover for you?

On-Call

I got an unexpected day off today - well, so far anyways.

Work called this morning to ask if I wanted to stay home. I said yes, without hesitating. Normally I refuse the on-call and just go in to work. But, I was ready for an unexpected day off.

I've been so busy with work, school, and extra stuff at home that having a little free time has been quite nice!

I organized some work stuff on the computer.

I booked my flight and hotel for an upcoming conference.

I read some of this past weeks newspaper.

I played with Lily.

I started to clean off the kitchen table (so we can actually eat there!)

I re-organized notebooks for school and tossed out the stuff I no

longer needed.

I organized a few things for my parents anniversary party.

Productive? - yes Needed? - yes Wasted? - no

I think I will be ready to go back tomorrow :)

YIKES

Yikes - I have finals tomorrow and I am so unprepared..or at least that is how I feel.

I am stressed.

I am nervous.

I am trying to study but keep getting distracted.

I really just want to read a good book.

I just want to hang out with my children and grand-daughter.

I want to be with my husband.

But I will continue to try to learn this crazy algebra stuff....even though it doesn't make me a better nurse!

Incase you are wondering...let me explain why I am back in school...

I started my education as a psychology major way back a hundred years ago. Then when I had Jon and was exposed to the hospital and nurses, I decided that I really didn't want to just sit around and listen to people's problems. I thought that a nurse would fit my personality so much more. It was challenging enough to keep my interest, and I could use my empathy listening skills to care for people. I still listen to people's problems - I just get to do it while starting an IV or some other task now.

So, back to the school thing...I ended up just getting an AA in nursing, since that is all I needed for an entry level job way back then. I worked about 5 years in med/ surg then did an internship to learn how to be a labor and delivery nurse. I always wanted to go back for that BSN (bachelor's in nursing) but then I ended up being a single mom for many years and going back to school just wasn't a priority for me. I needed to work and all of my spare time was spent where it should be - and that was with my children.

Once both of my girls graduated from high school and embarked on their college journey's I decided to go back along with them. (Erika is attending Biola University, Michelle is at California State University @ Long Beach, while I am saving pennies and attending the local community college)God forbid they get a bachelor's while I sit around just dreaming that I had one. I had to take a couple of pre-reqs to get in to an RN to BSN program. I could do the program at the same time as my pre-reqs but I decided that I still wanted to have a life so chose to do it one step at a time. Hence the algebra class....thank goodness it is my last algebra class. I still have statistics to do during the RN to BSN program but I will deal with that when I get there. I have a couple of minor classes to take and hope to be in the program next spring.

Some days, like today, I wonder why the heck I am doing this.

Then I have to stop and remind myself that I have always wanted this and hopefully it will make me smarter, some how a better nurse, and maybe one day I can even strive for a MSN.

I think the girls will finish way before I do - but I won't be far behind!

Debbie