Goodbye, so long and thanks for all the fish...

The dynamics of this have changed.

It's no longer what it once was.

It's time to say goodbye.

Take care of you and those you love.

I've had a good time but it's time for me to go.

Peace. Out.

italian training camp

Should have gotten McBride in on this training camp, maybe then he wouldn't have gotten his nose busted.

You Are 72% Lady

Overall, you are a refined lady with excellent manners. But you also know when to relax and not get too serious about etiquette

Are You A Lady?

OOOOooooo........lookit tha purdy colors...

Don't know how I did it, but somehow I sprained my foot. I finally broke down and went to the ER to find out why my foot was hurting so badly. Yeah, some sort of stupid human trick I did when I wasn't looking.

Damn I'm so freakin smart. NOT!!

So I've learned something here....


Plus Equals

Should know more about what's going on next week.

Till then, send chocolate or some reasonable facsimile thereof!

No regrets or sad goodbyes...

It seems that some people steamroll their way into your life, while others tiptoe quietly about it, either briefly or for years on end.

In this case there are two that did both, however for only a short time, for that time I am grateful. As you may or may not remember I told you about Mrs. B at work. While the doctor thought her fall and breaking of her hip would be her undoing, at 103 she was as stubborn as she was old. She did make it back to the facility. For that I am grateful, she proved the doctors wrong. However, in the end, her age and tired body finally gave in to the pain that had eventually taken over her life since her fall. She passed away quietly in the night just a few short hours ago.

Thinking of her now, with a tear streaming down my face, I can't help but smile. Yes, she is the one that just steamrolled her way through my life, however briefly. I'm glad to have had the honor of caring for her and being able to say that I was her nurse. She taught me alot about what it means to be a nurse and to be human. More importantly, how to be humane. For that she'll never be forgotten. I can honestly say now that I'm happy for her she's gone, she's in a place now free of pain and my last hours with her were spent comforting her and giving her the best care I could. To that end, I have no regrets. As well, I can only pray that she's happy, healthy and whole.

As for those that tiptoe about...

I remember what it was like being an aide. The work back breaking and never quite feeling like you were appreciated. Either by the administration, nurses or patients. As a nurse now, I make it a point to thank "my girls" as I refer to them and let them know that I recognize the hard work they do and how much I appreciate them. I never want to be that nurse that I resented who never took notice of the work I did.

When I very first started, one of the aides that I first learned her name was Jameila, I could always remember because she had it tattooed on the side of her neck in pretty script. She preferred to be called Jamie, but I could rarely remember that because I always looked to her permanent name tag as a reminder of what her name was. God I suck when it comes to remembering things...anyways...She always showed up for work when she was supposed to, being a single mom of three adorable children that she lived her life for, she relied on that income. She lived and loved her kids to the fullest. She was always quiet, going about providing some of the kindest care that I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. I didn't get to know her unfortunately, yet I always made it a point to let her know how much it was I appreciated what she did. She always softly laughed and thanked me. I'm so grateful now that I made it my policy to do so.

Wednesday night it was discovered that she and her three beautiful children had been brutally murdered in their home. Now she's gone forever and I mourn for the loss. Only because I never got to know her better. She kept her distance as it turns out from pretty much everyone, preferring to just do her job and go home to her kids. If there could be a silver lining to this dark cloud it's that she at least will be forever with her children and her children with her. If you're interested you can read more about the story here and here and here. All I ask is that you take a minute and read about them, this quiet and unasuming family that loved and lived quietly.

Remember that tragedy can strike at any time.

Live so that you have no regrets or sad goodbyes, that way when you cry for the person lost, it will be for the person and not for the things you should have done.

This just in...

Donald Rumsfeld briefed the President this morning. He told Bush that 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq.

To everyone's amazement, all of the color ran from Bush's face and he collapsed onto his desk, head in hands, visibly shaken, almost whimpering.

Finally, he composed himself and asked Rumsfeld, "Just exactly how many is a brazillion?"

2,996...

Please if you can, join me in celebrating a worthwhile cause...

2,996

"What is this number you keep referring to?" You may be asking your computer screen. Well, the best way to understand it is to go here.

Jen, a wonderful blogger friend of mine is involved and due to how 9/11 has affected me and my personal life, I decided I wanted to partake in this as well.

No better fitting a tribute than to celebrate those loved and lost in my opinion.

Should you wish to do so as well, just follow the directions at the end of the post and I look forward to seeing you on 11 September 2006.