What Is My Favorite Part of Winter??

THE SNOW!!!!!!


Last night I left for work in a world that was slowly turning white.

And the world had that awesome silent snow thing going on.

The 12 hours later I walked out of work to a world of mostly white (it was sadly only 1/2 inch or so)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE  the SNOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!


I guess that is what happens when you live in a place with "the greatest snow on earth" for 4 years!


Anyway...not much today other than my love of the snow!!!!!!!

Be Happy Be Healthy!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I've always been a fan of this song.
But I have always been an ANTI-fan of James Taylor

 Until this year. When I have come to very much like his version of it


 



At the risk of being all woe is me and depressing....I would like to point out that the rosey Christmas-y world painted by most Christmas movies and songs and shopping commercials is not the majority of people's experiences.

For many people Christmas is a time when thoughts are not turned to happy things.  They are not thinking about packages, boxes, or bags.  They are not thinking about mistletoe, holly leaves and yule logs.

They are thinking about the ones they have lost.  They are thinking about how in a time when they are supposed to feel loved and warm, they instead feel cold and alone.

Some people have to work on Christmas.  Others are sick and in the hospital.
And most for various reasons don't get to be with the ones they love.

Then there are those who don't even have the ability to afford trees and presents and cookies.


BUT

That is why I like this song.  It has hope.  Next year will be better.  And until then we will muddle through.  But next year we can be together and all will be well.

And I like that hope!

So have yourself a merry little Christmas everyone.  Even if it isn't all Irving Berlin and Burl Ives.
Next year will be better.  I promise!

dear boys....boy

So you got my phone number from a friend of my Dad's

Baby Sister didn't provide the best phone message environment....oh well

Wish you could have gotten my cell phone number instead of my family's landline   (too many potential AUEs involved)


They say you need 20 seconds of insane courage.  Well apparently that for you means 40 seconds.

Call again.  I'm a chill chick who is game for the awkward grandma set up.

It'll make for a great story

Plus my dating life is so pathetically dismal that I am getting desperate.


(clarification....desperate as in eager to have social opportunities cause my life is SUPA boring....not desperate as in will marry anything that is male and breathing)


sincerely
me

Bless All the Dear Children

I have been trying to come up with a good way to approach the recent tragedy in Connecticut.  I feel like I cannot ignore it.  Too many mothers and fathers and friends are missing their sweet little ones this Christmas season to ignore it.

But I have not felt like my words were adequate.  

The depth of the sadness and the grief seems insurmountable. 

So this evening I choose to steal the words of others, who are able to say it so much better than me.  

The first, a clip from a fictional television show.  Though it is not an exact fit...it meets my feelings and expresses them in a way I cannot.

"The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight."

"This is a time for American heroes.  They are our...TEACHERS"

"God bless their memories"

The streets of heaven truly are too crowded with angels tonight. 

But these sweet and beautiful angels are safe now.  They are protected.  

And now my only prayer is not for those who have left us.  I am sure of their peace and comfort.  

My prayer is for those still here.

The mothers and fathers who will have unopened Christmas gifts.

The families who will have one less person at the table.

The children who will have to go through the painful and frightening process of returning to school, with friends and teachers missing.

And so I end with this Christmas carol.  And repeat the words of the final verse

 

Hug those you love extra hard this Christmas season.

And pray for those who cannot.

And as always-Be Happy Be Healthy

Degrees of Interest

My life is often riddled with people making jokes about setting me up with people (hazard of being single in your mid twenties).  However, lately things have gone to a whole new level.  It is not just the older marrieds wanting me to get set up....the single friends have joined in!

It has recently become apparent that I can not talk about a boy without getting the eyebrow wiggle.  And so for the benefit of all--The Degrees of Interest

Degree 0....Complete and Total Lack of Interest  EEEEEWWWWW gross!
You are not interested in being their friend.  And you are not interested in being their girlfriend.   For any number of reasons.  They are a weirdo.  They are a jerk.  They are just not someone you are even remotely interested in getting to know better.

Degree 1...Aesthetic Interest   You find them attractive.
The phrase "He's cute" or "He's yummy" or similar comments on someone's LOOKS is merely that.  A comment on their looks.  This indicates that you are not opposed to meeting them and getting to know them better...but you are also equally content to admire them from afar!  This is NOT romantic interest!  I have aesthetic interest in Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds.  Doesn't mean I want to date them (ok well...if the situation some how presented itself.......)

Degree 2....Friendly Interest  You find them nice.
This is simply means you...find them nice!  You would like to be their friend and get to know them better because they seem..wait for it...NICE.  Again NOT romantic interest!  Many of the people I have met lately fall into this category.  Bell Boy, New Bestie, even Tall and Lanky.  But just cause I would be interested in getting to know them better does not mean I am at the "Take me I'm yours" spot just yet!

Degree 2.5....No Romantic Interest  You find them delightful in the most platonic way.
This might be known to many as the friend zone (which, never fear, will be discussed further at a later date!)
aka....the majority of all opposite sex people in your life.


Degree 3...  Intrigued   Oh I would like to get to know them better!
Generally this means you find them moderately/adequately attractive and think they are nice.  you wouldn't mind a date or to spend some more time with them.  But if not...meh who cares. Friend, boyfriend, acquaintance-all acceptable outcomes in your mind. Still not romantic interest...simply interest.

This degree can be somewhat confusing to most people.  Both observers and those in the degree.  Key indicators that this is your level of interest include but are not limited to: asking around about someone, FB stalking them, attempting to casually run into them at social events you both "coincidentally" are attending...etc.


These first three can happen in a variety of orders and usually occur within the first 1-3 interactions with a person.  The remaining take a little bit of longer time!


Degree 4...Moderate Interest    Ok we need to go on a date.
This is degree 3 on 'roids.  You REALLY want to go out with this person and see where it might go.  This is romantic interest, however it is not even remotely a point of no return.  This romantic interest could end with whip-lashing speed....or might grow to something a little less volatile.

Degree 5...Full Blown Interest  Lets go on more dates
This is the point when someone continues to intrigue you and you want to continue getting to know them.
Again not a point of no return, but your interest is much more stable.


NOTICE this is still not in the dating/marriage realm!  This is still just GOING ON DATES (see HERE for further explanation of these realms!)


Degree 6....Beyond Interest   Alright I've gotten to know you enough....now I just like you.
THIS is when you really like someone and you want to get more serious.




Alright now that we have the definitions....may I be allowed to share a little bit of application for us???

The only degrees where meddling and/or intervening and/or facilitating without prompting are 3 and 4.  Other than that only assist if asked specifically by the subject.

(PS...subjects....use others sparingly...it is always better to do it yourself  sooooo much less drama!)

ALSO  others please do not confuse discussion of a guy (ANY GUY) with interest.  Just because they are brought up in casual conversation DOES NOT mean you are any more than 1 or 2 degrees with them!


Enjoy....share your thoughts below!


Be Happy Be Healthy!!

Alright We Needs Us Some Funny

Cause for reals this has been a disaster of a day.
Lost phone
A house that lost power 1 or 2 minutes before my alarm clock went off leading me to wake up 30 minutes too late (REALLY!!!!! what are the odds!!!!)
(Other possibilities a malfunctioning alarm clock that turned off instead of alarming...aliens or bad karma)
And class all day.



So some funny for us!!!!!  Enjoy

Source: wanelo.com via Jenevra on Pinterest

Source: everythingfunny.org via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: ilovefunnypics.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Just Had to Share This One.....A Real Post Later

Source: you-dont-know-him-like-i-do.tumblr.com via Becca on Pinterest

AUEs...Is it Me??

So we have a problem...the number of AUEs (see definition HERE) I have had recently has grown exponentially.

Being a normal human being my first thought of course is..."Well its not me!  I must just be meeting lots of awkward people."


However, logic would indicate that the common denominator in all these interactions... MOI!!!!!!


UH OH!!!!!!  Am I awkward???????  (Perish the thought!!!)


Have you ever heard the phrase "Things are only as awkward as you make them."?

True...sort of.

Somethings we make awkward.
Other things (and some people) are inherently AWKWARD!!!!  (Type AWKWARD into a Pinterest search box for proof!)

And sometimes there is a double whammy and you get THIS........

Its like exponential awkward!!!!!

And so I would like to announce that it appears I am a SUPER awkward person.

The person I used to be was socially competent with the occasional awkward moment.

AND NOW...the occasional has become frequent.

So now I must revel (????) in the awkward.

Who would like to revel with me????

Let us EMBRACE the AWKWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once upon a time it was the end of the year.  Everyone was all introspective thinking about the year that had passed.  Thinking about where they were a year ago.


Some people are very happy with this inevitable thought process.

But others are saddened by it.

I have been thinking about this a bit lately.  And the other day a good friend posted this on Pinterest and I had an EPIPHANY!!!!

FTF--Don't Dream Its Over

Its been a lazy Friday....slept all day from working last night, which led me to have this song be my Favorite Thing




I've created a new phrase....melancholy resolve.

I think some people are under the false idea that melancholy people have given up.
But I disagree.
I think you can be sad about your situation, but still be resolved to make the most of it.
I ALSO think you can be resolved to make the most of a situation and still realize the sadness of your situation.

And this song is all about melancholy resolve........

To those who are in situations that kinda suck.  I'm sorry.  Its hard to be there I know.  But make the most of it.  Or at least live through it with as much grace and poise as you can muster.

It'll be over soon.  Don't stop dreaming till its over....

DISCLAIMER:
Don't judge, I think Glee often takes a really great direction with their covers...and they have a talented cast (or talented musical engineers!)
Plus some songs just sound even better with a choral harmony boost!

Dear Boys...Cause Its Been a While

Its Wednesday....
Its been a while...
Why not?????


dear mister eligible
WARNING...I have stalked you a little and people have been talking to me about you.  so you don't even know I exist...but I know several details of your life.  I apologize in advance if we ever meet.
which I hope we do....cause you seem like you could be an interesting character!
love
savvy information gatherer


dear cute grandson of my patient
too bad I had to be all professional and take care of your grandma.  cause you were cute and would have likely been fun to flirt with.  oh well.  the fact that your dad asked me for my phone number also made it slightly awkward too....killed the mood.
love
the nurse with the tomato face


dear medicine man
uh oh.....you are going to rope me into another AUE aren't you???  this is going to be terrible!!!!!!
love
girl who would like to request that you stop sitting by me making it look like we are a couple..AWK


dear tall and lanky
NOPE this friendship seems like it is just not gonna happen.  unless you stop giving me a "why are you talking to me" look every time I talk to you.
love
girl who is giving up!


dear bell boy
glad we got to chat.  you are a fun kid.  lets be friends.
love
girl who was...lets be honest...SHAMELESSLY flirting with you just for the fun of it!


dear new bestie?????
thats what you said we were...so I guess that is what we will have to be.  I'm down with that...
love
girl who will take all the friends she can get






Be Happy Be Healthy!!!!!

WORST DATE EVER

I wrote this a while ago

And I thought I would bring it back.....with an INVITATION.

Write about your own worst ever date and put it or the link to it down in the comments section.

Can't wait to hear what ya'll have been through.

Best story may get a guest post spot!!!!!!  ;)

so here we go...hold onto your hats.

DISCLAIMER:  Names and places have been changed to protect the pathetic.

Tonight I went on a date with A GUY I know from church. He's a very sweet boy. He wanted to show me a place called CAVE here in town. Apparently it is a place you have to see if you are living HERE. So we went to go see it and hike around the park it is in.

As we were going along we stopped for a break and he literally pulled out wine glasses and sparkling cider. Yes my friends...we apparently fast forwarded to the proposal part of our relationship ;)

We chatted for a while just about random things. And then started to head back to the car. And this is when the wheels came off the wagon. There was another trail that apparently lead to a sink hole we thought might be interesting to check out. So we followed it. And kept following it. And kept following it. We started on a "green" trail, and suddenly found ourselves on the yellow trail. But of course....we had started on this second trail around 7 PM. So we were now racing against time hoping to be able to get out of the interesting predicament we were in.

As we kept walking it kept getting darker. We were so turned around and lost it wasn't even funny. He kept turning to me thinking that some how I was the more spiritual of the two of us and would get a sudden prompting leading us down the right path. But like I had any idea. I might have been praying the entire time to get out of there...but I don't know if

"Oh my gosh I am stuck in the woods in the dark with a kinda weird 25 year old who hasn't done much with his life yet and I am likely going to DIE...PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE" 

is really the best method of getting spiritual guidance. 

I've gotta say my favorite part of the night was when he suggested we start singing hymns. Not sure if the purpose was for comfort or bringing the Spirit. I mean I love singing..and love hymns...and I know we were lost...but still on a DATE! 

Lets not sing...lets focus on getting out of this FREAKING FOREST!!!!!

I wanted to call 911 but he seemed to be protesting and not wanting to call. I think it was a pride thing. He wanted to get us out himself I guess. MEN! (insert serious eye roll here) So I called my family hoping they could look up a map or give us a number for the park ranger who could point us in the direction of the parking lot. They couldn't really help us out. And by this point it was about 8:15 and seriously dark. He tried his family. But they preferred to make fun of us in our woe and couldn't help either. 

Suddenly we saw a light...a light that looked like a street lamp. So we starting going for it as fast as we could. Then we realized there was a fence and a HUGE field between us and the light. Yeah we had likely make it to the WHOLE OTHER END OF THE PARK!!!! At this point I had had enough. I didn't care if I wounded his pride. I was NOT going to be stuck in these woods for another minute. I was tired..and hungry...kinda thirsty..I had a blister (found a few more later that night)...and I will be honest...I HAD TO PEE!!! And there was NO WAY I was going off into the unknown woods...ON A DATE...even a bad date!!!!

And so I called and talked to a very nice operator who was very understanding and kind. I described as best I could where we were and how everything had happened. And assured them at least 20 times we were ok. Not too cold, not wet, not injured, not starving or dehydrated (not that this info was completely true...but I was on a date...so I had to be positive!) Then they triangulated my signal (THANK YOU VERIZON!!!!!) And we stayed on the line roughly 45 minutes (it began to rain at this point ps!) until the search and rescue  came to get us. They helped us hop the fence and then we walked across the field to their truck. They then drove us about 10 MINUTES back to the parking lot where the car was. WE WERE SOOOOO LOST. But thankfully were rescued.

As we pulling into the parking lot, we were greeted by a fire truck, ambulance and several police cars, plus the park rangers. HOLY COW!!!! We got bombarded with questions amongst flashing lights. I felt like I was at a crime scene. But after getting all our information for their reports we were able to head out.

The guy I was with asked me if I wanted to get dinner. And call me rude...but I told him "I think I need to get home" It was 9:30 and we had left my apartment at 5:30. And first dates should not be marathons!
I felt bad....because of all the people to get stuck in the woods with..he was better than most.
He is a perfect gentleman and did not take advantage of the situation like some guys might have. And he remained upbeat and cheerful instead of cranky. And he wasn't an obnoxious person to be around.
And he felt SOOOOO bad! The poor guy was not planning on that being the way the night would go. But it was certainly a memory.

So when I got home...I called my mom to assure her that I was ok (hindsight being 20/20 I prolly shouldn't have called my mother and worry her...better to tell her the story afterwards right??) And I explained more of the story to her. I also texted my best guy friend and made him come give me a hug...cause yeah it had been a LONG night.  He I would have enjoyed being lost with!  His response to my statement..."I wouldn't have gotten us lost!"



And I know what you are all thinking.....no none of this was made up.  You can't make this kind of stuff up!!!!!!!

Can't wait to hear yours!

Be Happy Be Healthy!

Notes From a Nurse:Tummy Troubles

So have you ever had a stomach pain and been unsure of what you might have?

And be honest...you went on Web MD
And then thought you were going to die.......


May I help with this problem??
First let me start with this picture....which may do more harm than good



Now for many of these there are no easy home determinants or remedies and can only be taken care of by trained medical professionals

Now I ask you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE save yourself some trouble and money and don't go rushing into the ER un-necessarily (ER nurses send me patients...and I don't want them mad at me!).

At the same time though...use your best judgement.  If you think that the pain you are experiencing requires medical attention....GET TO A HOSPITAL!!!!!!!!!!!

But if it is just a little uncomfortable.....may I make a few suggestions??


Upper abdominal pain is often caused by heartburn.  Heartburn SUCKS....TRUST me!
There are MANY anti-acids out there on the market.  Tums...Pepcid....Zantac....
Want to know what we use most often in the hospital?  GI cocktail.  Basically its Mylanta with a little lidocane to numb you up a bit.  So my best suggestion for an acute attack is liquid anti-acid.  They tend to work more quickly than others.
If you are doing this frequently however, you may want to discuss options for controlling the problem with your primary care doctor

Lower abdominal pain is sometime gas.  But more frequently, its constipation.  Now at the risk of being gross....nurses deal with this almost constantly!  Narcotics and bedrest are master stopper-uppers.
So when I have patients feeling a fullness in their lower abdomen I suggest the following...in any combination.
1. Caffeine (gets things all hyped up!)
2. Apple juice (ever seen a baby who drank too much of this??)
3. Prune juice (nature's laxative!)
4. Warm drinks (warm stimulates)
5. Walk around  (your instinct is to curl up in a ball and whine...don't!)


AND FINALLY my secret trick...taught to me by a former nursing mentor.........
WARM PRUNE/APPLE JUICE

Gets you three in one!  And the apple juice makes the hard working prune juice a little easier to swallow

Last Christmas

In honor of December.......A Christmas post


You've heard this song before right?????

I've always been kinda meh about the song in general.  HOWEVER....I really like this version.

(Judge away... I think Glee made a GREAT Christmas album (volume 1 though not volume 2))


ANYWAY....

Last Christmas there was all sorts of drama.  Boy drama.
Clark Kent....Farm Boy.....NotN.....

It was a mess.  I was a mess.  I was all woe-is-me and pathetic.
Boo.  Not so beuno


But this year???


We are DRAMA FREE PEOPLE!!!!!!!




It is a beautiful thing!


Although...Mister Eligible may or make not make an appearance in my life.

And though I don't care one way or another.....
the thought makes THIS song a little more fun.

Cause the first one is kinda a downer!

ENJOY  and Merry Christmas

Favorite Things Friday: Drive Home List

Alright so picture yourself after a long 12 hour shift.