Thankful Thursday | Chiquita, many ways
This week, I am thankful:
for the many faces of Chiquita
This is why we forgive her for all of her crimes.
that I get to go to a phlebotomy class today
I saw that my hospital was offering this and I said, "Oh yes, please sign me up."
Because as you all know, I do not feel super duper confident with blood draws at this point and I will be very grateful for some instruction.
Hopefully after this, I will be less terrified when I see that little blood draw icon on my patient to-do list at work. 🙂
for the interesting winter sights on my walks
As I always say, this is arguably not the most beautiful time of year in the woods (unless it snows!)
But there are still beautiful things to see.
Especially when there's ice.
And frost.
that Saturday is the shortest day of the year
Woohoo! The days will start getting longer again soon!
Most of us will be happy about that, except Lindsey in Alaska because she likes dark days. 😉
that this pitcher didn't get broken
I found this vintage pitcher for Sonia, and I was a little worried it might accidentally get broken (by Chiquita. Ha.) before I could give it to Sonia.
I delivered it safely by putting it in one of those Amazon bags and buckling it into my passenger seat. Ha.
that some of my credits will transfer to the BSN program
I had a zoom call with someone from one of the schools I'm considering for my BSN, and I am delighted that some of the credits I already have count toward my BSN (like my math and English credits).
(When I graduate in May, I will just have an associate's RN, so I'll have to keep taking classes to get my BSN with another school. But I am not anticipating that those classes will be nearly as intense as what I'm doing now. The BSN program is designed to be done by nurses who are working full-time, so it's flexible and all online. Yay!)
that writing is not hard for me
It sounds like a fair number of the BSN classes are writing-heavy, and that is fine by me. 😉 Writing is like breathing for me, so these classes will not be particularly hard.
that I don't mind the cold
If it's sunny outside, I really could not care less if it's cold. I can always put more clothes on!
Since I don't mind the cold, that makes winter easier; I'm only dealing with my dislike of the short days.
Which, as we have just established, are about to be on their way out!
Don't usually do this, but I'm going to give it a go:
- That I get to mainly work from home. It's so much more pleasant working in a room with a window than in a building with no windows.
- That working from home allows me to go for a walk every day
- For the colder air to walk in. Like Kristen, I hate the heat of summer.
- That I can retire any time that I want
- That I have a boss who is always on my side
- That my husband cooks so that I don't have to, since I hate to cook
- For being able to pay for my new heating/AC unit without going into debt, and the warm heat that it provides
- For my smaller, paid-for-home that was tight raising two kids, but is perfect now for just two adults
I'm thankful:
-For a mental reframe of something that was bothering me about work (felt crushingly overwhelming). Now I have a new plan and outlook.
-For not just the mental reframe, but I'm grateful for the actual situation, and the opportunity to put into practice the idea that "the obstacle is the way."
-For the philosophy of Stoicism.
-That today is the last day of the semester at school! We made it!
-For my membership at a gym that has a pool. It's so helpful for physical and mental wellness.
I'm thankful on behlaf of your future patients! As someone who has never had a pleasant blood draw or IV despite clearly visible blue veins (I'm "burn through SPF 50" pasty), thank you for taking that phlebotomy class. Your confidence and care will be such a boon to you and your patients!
@N, I thought the same! I'm very squeamish and was very thankful for a kind nurse who did a great job of distracting me yesterday during my blood draw. Even though it took two of them and three tries, they did get it and I didn't faint. So a success overall for something I really dread.
@N, I hate going for blood draws but only because it usually takes 4 or 5 tries before the poor technician or nurse can get any blood and over half the time, they drag out a machine to locate a decent vein. Usually the person calls a supervisor first, or someone everyone considers the blood draw king or queen...and then everyone sighs and calls for the machine. Since I have a pretty high pain threshold and have had this happen hundreds of times over my long life, I don't get as upset as the poor tech does. The only blood draws I hate are arterial draws, which I find incredibly painful. Why I don't know, but I have had surgeries that require them and the thought of an arterial draw turns me into a wreck.
@N, I too have visible veins. But I must say as of late, I’ve had good “stickers”. Worst one I had (26 years ago) resulted in a mega bruise on my arm. Don’t know what she did except maybe jab the needle through the vein.
I just wanted to leave a quick comment before I am off to PT. I am so thankful for this blog and its community. Recently another blog I follow has gotten all gloom and doom relative to upcoming changes in the country’s administration. Frankly, I get enough gloom and doom in the news and I consider this blog a breath of fresh air. Thank you Kristen for keeping politics out of it!
@Addy, I agree! I think we may be referencing the same blog. Anyway, I thank Kristen for keeping political views out of this blog!!
@Addy,
I join in the chorus of thank yous for keeping the positivity. I have found so much success in sharing our common goals of intentional kindness and good stewardship of resources. I, too, am finding a favorite blog no longer a judgement free zone. I would love to hear about other blogs more like this one to add to my morning reading. Anybody have suggestions?
@Addy, agreed. I am not reading said blog any longer due to the judgmental comments by the author.
@Addy, I am also thankful that this is a “happy place.”
@Linda M & @Addy,
Add me 3 about that blog (which I believe is probably the same one)....i used to really like that blog a lot, but lately I've been thinking about unsubscribing. Kristen's blog is definitely my absolute favorite!!!
@Gina, and all
Just saying, I love that blog.
@MELISSA B, if I am thinking of the same blog, I don’t find it judgmental, I find it factual.
@Selena, Ditto here. And most often an opinion is not a judgment.
@Cynthia,
Well, now I'm curious. I would probably like that blog too. I wish I knew which you were talking about.
--That today is our last day of school before almost two week Christmas break. The last week is always nuts, but the finish line is in sight.
--That my son does not have basketball practice between now and Christmas, so after tonight's game, we really do have a full week with no out-of-the-house activities. Except church, of course.
--For a very successful fundraising event for our FFA chapter this week. This is the only real event they do, and their profit this year was record breaking. It's a dinner and auction that the FFA kids--which includes my oldest two sons--cook, serve, and facilitate themselves. It's a huge amount of work, so I'm glad it paid off for them. Literally. 🙂
--For the community that comes out and supports the FFA members via the auction. It's a live auction, with an actual auctioneer. That sort of thing is definitely not my scene--so, so loud--but there is no denying it's effective at raising money. Especially if your community members are willing to pay $125 for a pan of cinnamon rolls (and mostly to support the kids, of course). The money raised at this is used to fund the trips the FFA takes to competitions and leadership events, so it's important for them.
--For the Christmas lights. I don't put up many decorations, but I do love lights. I have the ones in my kitchen from about October to March, plus the Christmas tree lights that stay on from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep, and then this year I added some outside lights that make me happy every time I return home in the dark.
--Relatedly, thankful that there are still companies that make incandescent lights, and I can order them online I hate LED lights so much in my house, but I can still find the incandescents online.
@kristin @ going country, now I'm curious: why do yo hate LEDs?
@WilliamB, They are almost always of glaring brightness and at least some of them seem to "pulse" in a way that's too fast for actual blinking, but hurts my eyes.
@kristin @ going country, oooh! The pulsing! We held off for so long on LED Christmas lights because of the pulsing. My husband is not a fan of that in the least.
He did research and research and finally replaced our incandescent lights with LED two years ago after he found sets that met his "no pulse" requirements. And purchased dimmers to add on to the LED tree lights to lower their brightness.
@kristin @ going country, I just read something recently that was talking about the LED verses the incandescent lights (for street lights & bulbs in houses). Incandescent lights are/were made to mimics the sunlight, which is healthier for the human body. LED lights are meant to be ultra brightness for easier to see/read.
While LED lights are useful they are now realizing that LED lights do have negative effects on the human body over time.
I'm glad that I held onto older glass incandescent light bulbs as they are very difficult to find if any left out there. I enjoy the warm glow compared to the super brightness, especially in bedrooms & living rooms.
@Regina, LEDs are certainly unhealthy for my body. I can just add it to the list of things that don't seem to bother most people but make me very uncomfortable: scented anything, artificial sweeteners, the low hum of any kind of system or machinery, man-made fabrics . . . I am apparently a very delicate flower indeed. 🙂
@Regina, I prefer the daylight bulbs. I have them everywhere I can. Eventually I'll replace the ceiling fans w the odd bulbs. I swear every fan has a different bulb size.
@kristin @ going country, Oh, God! Fluorescents are the worst. How is it that other people don't feel themselves having every nerve plucked by those horrors?! And I am also with you on scents, although I do like how Vick's Vapo Rub smells. My husband hates it but when he is out of town I have one that I plug into the bedroom plug. He calls it my grandma fragrance. He is wrong, Grandma rubbed bacon grease on your chest when you had a cold.
@kristin @ going country,
Same here on everything you mention except the artificial sweeteners (which I don't really like, but don't bother me). I used to wear clothing made with manmade fabrics all the time, but over the past 3-4 years? Nope. We delicate flowers need to stick together! 🙂
@Regina, You can now buy LEDs in a range of warmth colors, not just bright hard white. Maybe that’d work better for you?
@kristin @ going country, I wonder if we are related. . . when I was in college, I couldn't stand studying in the library because the flourescent lights buzzed. I agree with you completely on scented stuff, artificial sweeteners (is monk fruit sweetener artificial? I actually like it!), or man-made fabrics (or yarn). Thank you for helping me not feel so much like The Princess and the Pea!
@Regina, I sometimes find “vintage” incandescent bulbs at estate sales and garage or rummage sales. I like them much more although I think I understand that the new ones are more energy efficient so I don’t use them for everything everyday. The new ones are just ugly
I’m thankful:
- that I am able to work from home after my surgery. I went into the office Tuesday for half a day and it was very taxing.
- for DH and the amazing job he has done taking care of me post-surgery
- that grandson got to meet Santa at my office and my coworkers got to see our adorable little man
- that DH is willing to drive us 2+ hours to go on the Santa train ride with darling grandson
- that I got our heat to turn on this morning after it shut off last night
I’m a librarian at a university that has a BSN program and I have this tip—get very comfortable with APA! Many nursing instructors are super intense about grading APA errors, for reasons I have never really understood. I see all nursing undergrads stressing about APA, but especially BSN students. You can manage citations with Zotero (free and easy), Endnote (not free but pretty easy), or you can use citation generators on websites (often free, but depends). However, none of those tools do it perfectly and you always need to edit references manually. The key is to memorize the basic conventions for what you’ll be referencing most of the time—peer reviewed journal articles—and understand the rules about paraphrasing and in-text circulations. And also, remember that APA may seem like the worst thing ever, but it’s not a life or death situation! If you can handle a healthcare emergency, you can definitely handle APA. You will do great at this, I know 🙂
Argh! In-text citations, not “circulations.” Thanks, autocorrect 😉
@Robin, I had to use APA reference and other style at work for 36 years (I'm a retired telecommuting copyeditor for a small NYC-based publisher of mental health and other texts)--and, personally, I prefer it to other reference styles (MLA, Chicago, etc.). But YMMV.
@A. Marie, my previous role at work included a lot of editing at both the grand scale (argument and logic flow) and the minor (Oxford comma). The referencing requirements were hideously exacting - worse than legal docs, even - but to a certain extent were could make up the rules. That was a bit of fun.
@WilliamB, I'm both Team APA and Team Oxford Comma. (The Oxford comma is itself part of APA style.)
And although my job title was always "copyeditor," I usually ended up doing a lot of editing at what you call the "grand scale." In fact, my managing editor admitted after a while that all the worst mss. got assigned to me, because they knew I could handle them!
@A. Marie, my college English profs were so devoted to a certain style manual that they'd have rather spirited discussions about which edition was best. They all looked down on the Associated Press style manual that the journalism students were required to follow. It was the craziest bit of academic snobbisness.
Go Team Oxford Comma!!!
@Robin, Aren’t there programs now where you can plug your text into the program and references and it will format in APA? I would think so. When I was in school, I had to do papers in a “team” (which I hated by the way , I prefer individual work..) and we pooled our money to pay (not cheap!) a local businesswoman who put research into APA format for various students such as ourselves! It was worth it at the time, all of us were full time working RN’s. But I have heard it is easy to do now, on your own.
@A. Marie, I'm Team Oxford Commas as well!
@Robin, et al: this topic? Huh? (It's okay, just thought I'd tease you about it.)
@Chrissy, it's OK. Forgive us editing geeks our trespasses, as we forgive those (mostly illiterate authors) who trespass against us!
@A. Marie, i admire how your posts never have errors. now i know why. i have a tremor in my dominant right hand so typing is a nightmare for me as is writing.
@Madeline, yes, Zotero and Endnote are two great options for managing citations and automatically generating references. Many library databases, like Medline and CINAHL also produce references in several formats, including APA. None of these tools get it perfectly correct, though. One of the most common mistakes I see is that the database will mess up the capitalization and italics. That doesn't seem like a big deal to most people but instructors who care REALLY care and I have seen many a nursing student in tears because of points lost on APA style. Personally, I have APA, MLA, and Chicago styles memorized, but that is only because I do this for work not because I citation styles 😉
@Chrissy, LOL! Some people are SUPER into this! I treat it like a professional hazard, personally.
@A. Marie, I also prefer APA to MLA and Chicago. Especially in the most recent editions of APA, they have really simplified the rules of documentation, whereas Chicago and MLA just seem so fussy! But I help with all the styles because it's my job...
@A. Marie, Hooray for the Oxford comma!!!
@Chrissy, I'm an Oxford comma girl - LOL!
@Dorinda & 3 boys, YES! Oxford Commas forever!!
@Madeline, This was an industry-specific system so none of the OTC programs worked. Someone created a macro but it was so much work to load the info that I found it faster to do them by hand. If I were the one writing them, that is. My editing role was to make sure others did them correctly.
My division’s big, um, internal discussion was whether we A) corrected it for the author, B) corrected and showed the author what we did, or C) made them do it.
I was very anti-A, lest they never learn and we never get credit for the work we do, unless I was damn sure the author really did get it and just had an isolated oopie. I chose C if there were a lot or I had reason to think the author didn’t get it (or didn’t care); B in other circumstances.
@A. Marie, you've probably seen this example to prove the necessity of the Oxford comma: I wish to thank my parents, Mother Theresa and God, for. . .
I can't remember the reason for the thankfulness because of the horror of the missing comma.
@A. Marie, 47F0 F00C from a friend in the dinosaur era (yet financially fruitful these days).
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, now that is funny!
I’m definitely Team APA! As a university professor, I required it and took points off. Plus, I had to use APA for any of my own writing. I did provide resources and some instruction. My own personal APA downfall is due to my age and the shift from two spaces to one space after punctuation marks other than the comma. Muscle memory simply could not shift to one space after all those years. So, I stayed with 2 spaces and when my paper was complete, I simply did a find and replace for two spaces to become one.
I recommend the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for some great tutorials and resources on using APA. If you’re going to do a lot, it’s worth getting the most recent edition. I think over the course of my career, I went through 3 editions!
I’m thankful I no longer have to grade student papers!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
Sometimes I interpret things a little differently. To me, the missing comma makes it look like Mother Theresa and God were working together on a project.
Commas are so important. Just remember the old panda cartoon: Eats shoots and leaves vs. eats, shoots, and leaves. 😉
I'm very grateful that the postal strike here is over. I only have one Christmas parcel to send, which won't be delivered until January, but I do have books to send to readers. (I'm also happy that my nephew thinks getting Christmas parcels in January is exciting!) I'm thankful that the last two storms have brought a lot less snow than was forecast and that we have a short driveway to clear. And like a lot of other people I'm thankful that in a couple of days the light will be returning.
First, I'm thankful for yesterday's post and comments here. And I'm always thankful for anything that brings up good memories of DH.
I'm also thankful for the other truly wonderful man I know--Dr. Bestest Neighbor, who celebrates his 88th birthday on Sunday but looks and acts 20 years younger. (Partly as a rare concession to his age and partly so he can enjoy his own birthday/Chanukah party, he *is* getting help with the preparation of latkes!) Not only is he an excellent neighbor and friend, but he and Ms. BN walked every step of the way beside DH and me during DH's Alzheimer's. Birthday blessings on him!
@A. Marie, you are truly blessed and you even spell chanukah correctly. most of the world does not. enjoy the latkes, they are my favorite part of chanukah.
@A. Marie, I found a recipe that bakes latkes at high temperatures in muffin tins. I am going to try that, since it is the frying mess I hate. Also, they make it easier to put sour cream on them. Hard to believe they will taste the same, but I shall try to keep an open mind.
@Anita Isaac,
I only just found out two days ago about the correct way to spell Chanukah. A high school friend pointed it out, and I politely inquired if the above spelling was considered "correct or preferred". He indicated it was definitely *his* preference, but I think he was just trying not to make me feel bad for spelling it wrong all these years. 😉
@Liz B., no worries. i think half the world does it.
Thankful today that:
--We are mostly over the illness that struck 5 out of 6 of us. Still don't know why DS#3 hasn't gotten it, but nearly everyone is fever-free and feeling better.
--Clark survived his ER vet visit and is over whatever ailed him. He's enjoyed the "bland diet"--no-salt tuna and probiotics--and is getting back on his kibble. Always thankful for Clark, even if I have to wear a hat to bed to prevent him chewing on my hair in the morning.
--That in the face of a possible government shutdown (DH works for the government), we have plenty in savings to get through it.
--That DS#1's wound is practically closed up. He's hopeful it will be all closed before our trip in the New Year.
--That our kids are okay with a low-key Christmas; I have very little Christmas spirit and always have found having to make holidays "magical" stressful.
@Karen A., hope all of your family is healthy for the New Year.
@Karen A., I'm on board with your last one. Sometimes it's a pretty alone place to be, but advance hype and magic too often lead to letdown, and that's worse.
Here's hoping good health returns to your household and stays!
@Karen., Thank you for the well wishes (and thank you to Regina above!) I remember loving the season when I was younger but when my brother died suddenly a few days before Christmas (Saturday it will be 24 years), it was hard not to associate all the lights and decorations and music with that. Time, and Jesus, have healed a lot, but it's never quite the same. I am grateful that even before that--my oldest was 8 months when my brother died--DH and I had decided to do small gifts for our kids on St Nicholas Day, stockings only on Christmas, and larger gifts on Epiphany, to spread it out and avoid the lead up and the glut of one day. I think it worked out quite well. Less pressure on one specific day.
@Karen A., that sounds very sensible. So much build up for one day, a day overloaded with unrealistic unmeetable expectations. It is kind of gross to me.
No frost here, but rain. However, we have a drier for the rain-heavy days, and also I have my shopping done, so I only go outside for excercise. That isn't nearly as bad as having to hurry. I'm thankful that
-our 12 year old cat got a clean bill of health at her annual checkup
-my family are not very invested in elaborate Christmas dinners
-our choir concert went well and that the listeners enjoyed it
-our outside Christmas lights illuminate the door in those dark days.
-the little birds are enjoying the bird food. When the bird house is empty, the blue tits go sit on a branch and look at the kitchen window expectantly.
Look a you! 😉 Keeping up the learning even on break. That's great you can get a quick (assuming) free class in at the hospital. Though I thought that blood draws was only done by those specifically trained & qualified to do it & that's all they do is blood draws.
Thankful for our house & heat that keeps us warm in this winter rollercoaster weather. It went from single digit temps (& below zero) to 50* few days ago which melted all snow (again) back to cold & more snow on way again.
Thankful I had to get gas earlier because gas went up $0.26+ yesterday because it's going to snow again.
Thankful that I got all Christmas cards & gifts out (& recieved). All my friends/neighbors/service people always so happy to get a little something for the holiday. This year I cheated & bought Pepperidge Farm/Starbuck cookie straws (on sale) to gift instead of making (food).
Thankful my Aunt is settling into her new apartment & just figuring out how & where everything will go. Happy she found a store that ordered her a curio cabinet made by Amish (in Michigan) that had made the Grandfather clock brought from Michigan when moved to Florida 30+ years ago.
Thankful was able to pull together Christmas candy for teen to take to holiday Christmas party/event at school. Emptied mini Candy Canes into cookie container & filled small holiday candy container with peppermints to send to pot luck style party. Teen said had lots of everything already signed up for so figured this would be easy button for last school party.
Thankful for teen & rescue dogs who are happy to just hang out at home & spend time together.
Thankful all ready for Christmas (holidays) with teen. Looking forward to spending time doing holiday traditions & relaxing before busy New Year.
Got my few Thank you cards out for gifts already received.
Thankful always for Kristen & her blog where we can learn & share with each other.
Have a great weekend! 🙂
I forgive my dog for all the same reasons, especially when he admits his doggie equivalent of a purr. Or puts his paws on me to stop me from getting up cuz he wants to cuddle more. Or insists on getting on the foot of the couch with me, then stares at me mournfully before jumping up, because he's a princess who wants me to move the blanket out of his way first.
For all the days I dressed just right for the weather, for my exercise walk.
For the new stove even though not all the burners work. At least now I don't need to get on hands and knees to turn on/off the gas to cook.
That the best local auction house is going to take almost everything I want to sell, even the furniture. This is one of the last steps of moving.
That the two things I posted on freecycle went quickly.
@WilliamB, I (grudgingly) forgive my dog for forcing me outside in 16 degree weather to play frisbee. Her one and only job is to keep me moving. Mission accomplished!
I'm thankful for:
- À dentist who filled my daughter's cavity right away. I hate it when they only look at your teeth, charge you for an appointment and make you come back when it's something that can be done right away.
- À last minute trip planned to visit my mother-in-law.
- Good sleep
- I've been thinking about a big change to our family's plans that happened this year. While it was hard, looking back I think it was good. Thankful God was with us the entire time and guiding us through.
That Chiquita is so cute helps. And cats really are just following their whims when they misbehave, so it's hard to be put out with such free spirits.
I am thankful that my husband did fine with an upper and lower GI scope yesterday. He used to have peculiar reactions to sedation but nothing bad happened this time. Also thankful for my college friends, my sweet family, our tribe of so-loving rescued pets, and for a few days of warmer, rainy weather to ease the drought.
Might check and see if whatever hospital you're hired at will cover the cost of getting your BSN (I'm sure this is already on your radar)
Thankfulness:.
Repairman finally came out and ended up replacing burner unit on our gas log fireplace, so hopefully now it will work.
All Christmas shopping has been done for a while, now for the wrapping.
As always for 2 loving daughters & their families.
Husband seems good after his November stay in hospital/rehab.
All the home health people who come to our home to work with him - they are unfailingly cheerful.
Like Kristen, that Saturday is the shortest day of the year and then we start getting longer days!
Yes! You know me...I've already looked into the programs my hospital has to help cover the BSN costs. 😉
Thankful that Christmas break has begun and my son is home from school and has no basketball practice or games until the New Year. This is a schedule break for all of us and I look forward to the break in routine every year.
Thankful that this Christmas looks like it will be a quiet one at home with just us, no big plans, no travel, no hectic schedules and simple joys. Cookies, Christmas breakfast and dinner, a warm fire, games, puzzles, Christmas movies & music. I can't wait!
Thankful that my husband's reaction to the immunotherapy only lasted for one day and he was on his feet this morning. I know he doesn't feel 100% but he is well enough to function and that is a blessing.
Thankful for our churches upcoming Christmas Eve candlelight service. This reminds me so of my childhood and I always look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Thankful for the Lord's provision. We have all we need during this season and for that I am very grateful.
1.Thankful for quiet early mornings in my living room with my cats and a cup of coffee. My spiritual time of day. While everyone else is still asleep!
2. Thankful that we opted out of crazy frantic holidays,years ago.Today I will put on Christmas music and bake my favorite cookies.We’ll watch a Christmas movie on TV tonight.Easey peassey.Fun,relaxing.
3. Grateful for new friends I have made in my rosary making group at church. A beautiful morning every week, of rosary-making (prayer beads) and then lunch at Panera after.
4. Thankful for coming solstice. It means days will be getting longer.Even though I live in Arizona I do NOT like the cold,I prefer the heat..so I am counting days./weeks months till “winter” is over!!
I love that you are trying to learn how to do blood draws well. I've been the victim of too many people who don't do a good job. I know, with your concern for others, you will get very proficient at it, Kristen.
1. I'm thankful that I had a good time with my visiting sister and that she once again blessed me by leaving tiny surprise gifts around the house. I discovered a little blue and white Delft-style ornament hanging on my tree last night, that she hung there. I'm thankful she made it home with no problem in her old, trusty Tacoma pickup.
2. I'm thankful for the 38th birthday yesterday of my son-in-law, who is such a great guy. He's my "date" to the company Christmas dinner tonight, and I'm proud to take him.
3. I'm thankful that I work for a company that gives us a free-to-us holiday dinner at a nice restaurant instead of expecting us to cook and bring it to work for ourselves (and some of the clients!) out of our own pockets, like my last employer always did. Ho, ho, ho.
4. I'm thankful that I have a decent sewing machine. I've been able to sew some gifts without fighting the tension issues of my old machine. I'm also thankful that I found out about a walking foot, which makes sewing heavier layers much easier.
5. I'm thankful for Christmas and all it means to me!
I've been feeling quietly grateful for some of the lessons I've learned here on this blog, and wanted to share them.
1. When I'm at my grumpiest about our small, cluttered, poorly-laid-out-but-so-expensive rental condo, I clean it. It always makes me feel better!
2. I made some amazing potato wedges yesterday by parcooking the potatoes in the microwave. Game. Changer.
3. WIS/WIA really helped me get a good handle on how people actually make and eat dinner, day in and day out. It helped me adjust my expectations of myself.
4. "It doesn't have to be perfect" and "perfect is the enemy of good" are things I repeat to myself a LOT.
Thanks, Kristen! I really enjoy reading here.
Aww, I love this list, Meira! I am delighted that you have found so many useful things here. Yay!
I'm thankful I'm recovering from a nasty stomach bug that hit me Monday and Tuesday.
That I was able to cheer a friend who's going through a rough patch.
That all the holiday shopping (including for food) is done!
For all the birds that come to the feeder outside my home office window.
For a husband who is so easy-going, even-tempered, and patient.
Like Chiquita, my cat also gets away with a lot because he is super adorable. And they can be so funny! And the pitcher reminded me that everything in my else that is glass on a shelf, it is held down with like a poster putty to help my cat not knock stuff over. I have one very large decorative pitcher and I store my 3 lb weights in there haha.
This week I am thankful that all the buying and selling of houses is COMPLETE, and we can now resume normal life.
I am thankful that I will see all of my family (siblings/nieces/nephews/etc) Saturday for a family birthday party
I am thankful that although the second shingles shot made me feel like crud even more than the first, that I am done with that series and shouldn't have to worry about shingles in the future.
I am thankful that the old propane company took the ugly tank out of our yard after a few small threats. I was told some people have waited months and years for them to pick them up. I didn't have my new one buried to keep looking at their old one.
I am thankful my roof repairs are under warranty after a bad leak (brand new roof). They are even going to come back and repaint the ceilings.
Kristen, I am infamous for having “terrible” veins. Example: After childbirth, two nurses gave up (thank goodness) and called for a phlebotomist LOL. I often endure significant pain and have large bruises after a blood draw.
Yet - about 10% of phlebotomists draw blood from me absolutely painlessly. The bruising is minimal. Here are tips:
- Ask the patient if she would like a butterfly needle. ( I don’t know why this isn’t done for everyone.)
- Help the patient get distracted (making conversation is GREAT.) If can’t do that, ask the patient to think/talk about a great vacation, a wonderful holiday meal or why a certain person is a personal hero. When the patient can relax, things go much better because of reduced muscle tension.
-Maybe don’t tell the patient you are new at this - people with “bad veins” get VERY nervous, and tense up. If you miss, keep it light. Say something like: “One more time and you get 137 bonus points,” or “After this, I’m going to buy you a cruise ship, captain included.” Laughter is relaxing.
Hope this helps!
Oh, that is interesting about the butterfly needles; that's all we use on my floor at the hospital!
And yes, I do not ever tell patients that I'm relatively new to blood draws; I don't want to make them nervous.
One good thing about me is that I know my limits; if I inspect someone's veins and don't feel like I have a good shot at getting the draw, I go get someone else. And as a result, I have never had to stick someone twice. I'm staying in my lane until I get more comfortable and more experienced!
@Kathy L, I have had a long history of being a "hard stick" as the nurses liked to call me. When I was a teenager I was turned down at the blood drive, and when I was hospitalized for appendicitis they had to get a nurse from the NICU to start an IV, because apparently I had little baby veins. To add to the irony, when I was pregnant I developed ITP--basically my body decided to destroy my platelets. So I had to have my blood checked first every month, then every two weeks, then every week until delivery.
Your tips are all top notch. I would also add that you can ask the patient if they know the best place to get a draw--many "frequent fliers" like myself remember well the best arm/spot for access. Warming the site with a heat pack helps a lot as well, and I hear there are these new devices that help visualize veins, so ask if your facility has those.
YES! I ask patients, "Where have they been sticking you before?" so I can get a shortcut to the best sites. 🙂
We learned about ITP last semester...colloquially known as It's The Platelets. Ha.
@Kristen, that's interesting that your floor at the hospital only uses butterfly needles (unless it's a children's floor) because when teen had surgery in Spring I was told at (that) hospital that they don't use butterfly needles anymore.
That was super scary for me as that is the only way they can get IV or bloodwork for myself as I have always had problems with my veins & needles. It got so bad that I had to stop trying to donate blood at blood drives, which is too bad because the Red Cross begs me to donate because of my blood type. I'm glad to know that butterfly needles are still being used elsewhere. <3
That's so wild! I have never seen anyone do a blood draw on my floor with anything other than a butterfly.
@Kristen,
I’m grateful for up and coming nurses like you!
@Kristen, as they say in australia good on ya. you have this covered and then some.
It's The Platelets: Ha! Makes me think of this comic by The Awkward Yeti: https://theawkwardyeti.com/comic/platelet-party/
I am thankful that today I will tackle some hard tasks I have been dreading. Then the dread will be done.
I am thankful for my morning coffee.
I am thankful my toddler did NOT have hand, foot mouth after all.
I am thankful for friends who encourage.
I also am thankful that the shortest day of the coming.
@Rebekah in SoCal,
And the things I was dreading were not nearly as big a deal in real life as they were in my mind. I wish this was a lesson that I was capable of learning. 😉
Things I'm grateful for this week:
1) The friends I've made at my workout studio, as well as just the friendly casual acquaintances that you exchange a few words with here & there before class starts. Even though I don't know everyone super well, it feels like a community, which I enjoy.
2) That DS18 is registered for next quarter, after a variety of snafus.
3) That we all had dinner together! This was a goal all week, but the teens have all kinds of plans of there own & it was hard to coordinate. We do more of a Hanukkah style gift exchange & everyone got to open a gift. We are nothing if not practical. The boys got me warm socks. I got DH a few pair of winter printed underwear. DS18 received warm socks & DS17 received a knit beanie. The gifts were each chosen at random from under the tree, and I laughed at how similar they all were. There are a few more fun gifts for the teens hidden away.
4) For incredible friends, who support me no matter what is happening in my life.
5) I sent a couple of messages via LinkedIn to ask about various job openings at companies folks worked for and got back such lovely responses. I know many fantastic & helpful people, and I'm always grateful for that.
This week I am thankful for:
• An easy puppy. I’m knocking on wood as I write this! He’s wonderfully sweet, eager to please, and so smart. He picks up on training cues quickly. He’s very much a puppy and makes mistakes, but he’s so wonderful and I know he’s trying to learn.
• The snow that arrived last night. It is absolutely beautiful outside and it looks like it will stay for a white Christmas!
• How work has slowed down with the end of the year approaching. I’ve been able to catch up on some projects that I put on the back burner. I’ve joked at the office that I’m a “January problem” for most of the people I work with.
• I made it to the post office this morning! I really pushed the shipping deadline this year, but I got the gifts I needed to ship to the post office this morning. I was the second person in line and everything will arrive on time! I’m also thankful that I made it safely there and back. The roads were messy and I drove past a jackknifed semi at a busy intersection.
• Past me for stashing things in the freezer that make busy nights a little easier. I’ll tuck away a serving of soup or other odds and ends that I can pull out when I’m exhausted or there just isn’t time to cook.
I'm thankful for my family and for the ability to help them out in times of need. I have a question. Does the hospital you work for now, offer you tuition credit toward your BSN degree?
Yes! There are a couple of programs there that help cover the cost, and I will be taking advantage of those. I think some of them are scholarship type of things, but I am already well-practiced at applying for scholarships.
Oh, Chiquita brightens everybody's day!
Thankful for yesterday's topic. I have always tried to leave a situation better than it was when I entered it. And have been complimented on seeing need ahead of time. It is not missed by some of younger staff I work with and for that I am grateful
I am thankful that celebrating the holidays is acceptable at different levels. I have been able to put out a little "holiday" without unpacking a load of stuff to just have to put it back. (I am looking forward to a time when that attitude will change and I can do both joyfully.)
I am thankful, that although it is cold, there is no snow. So many people just drive "stupid," making it a chore to get out. I love the beauty of snow and how it hides the imperfections with a blanket of white. But I'm glad we don't have it yet.
I am thankful for the sunshine. We have had some very cloudy, gloomy days That said, my new plant arrangement in the living room with the "conservatory" appearance and grow light is refreshing. I think it will help with my propensity for SADD.
I am thankful to have "caught up" on some good rest. Our Master Gardener Club had it's Christmas party Tuesday night which was in between work nights. We had a fun time. Changing sleep time was ineffective for it but some caffeine was helpful and to be able to sleep after work was more so. Both nights were uneventful and I'm always grateful for that.
Both kids are safely home from college .... my in-laws should be over their bout of covid, so we can have our family get-together .... I'm one of those people who prefers cooler weather over hot weather and I don't mind the chilly temps .... I've done all the big stuff for Christmas prep except for baking .... it's snowing out, which will make the outdoors prettier!
Your winter pictures are gorgeous. You have an eye for seeing beauty in the everyday things. I also had a chuckle seeing you seatbelt the vase in.
I’m thankful for …
1) The spurts of energy these last few days or so to get things done on my to do list.
2) Being able bodied so I can shovel snow off our driveway without much problem.
3) The fellowship, inspiration, and generosity of my staff leader who I help volunteer for at church.
4) My wonderful loving hardworking husband. He works to provide for us which gives me a chance to stay home with our kids. He also helps out around the house like with cooking and chores on his days off to give me rest. In addition, he’s a patient and fun dad to our girls. Wow, I really love this man!
5) Your inspiring blog and the supportive community here. It’s the one I read and have stuck with for a decade.
Awwww kittie!
little kitten twiddle toes
bats with paws imagined foes
watch her as she softly goes
little kitten twiddle toes
see her scamper cross the tiles
pondering with purring wiles
covering her boundless miles
with her guileless kitten smiles
after endless kitten games
conqueror no one can tame
laying claim to her domain
basking in her well earned fame
jumps upon the window sill
purrs and preens with dainty skill
stretches out and suns until
some new fancy suits her will
little kitten twiddle toes
tired of her imagined foes
nestles down and starts to doze
little kitten twiddle toes
@Tiana, I love this! Heart emoji.
@Tiana, Wow!
Aww, this is so cute!
wow more school but you got this you really do.
thankfuls
my 13 and 16 yr old get winter break after tom'w. i love when they are home from school.
their choir concert from third street music school went very well as usual.
my 92 yr old mother in law came back safely from AZ where she visited her other grandkids. she was diagnosed with leukemiia 2 and a half years ago. without treatment she would have been gone in 2 weeks.
i know most of the people in my apt building and they know me. i sometimes deliver pkgs and i try to arrange them in an order that is easy for peeps to find theirs. i teds to tell them to get their pkgs.
a bunch of folks in my building many years after they have gone to heaven, still get mail i contact senders, put deceased return to sender, etc etc. have even called the post office. but the mail keeps coming. i shoulda been a mail lady but many years ago i didn't pass the test. i freeze on tests.
i also deliver pkgs to the other buildings on my block. the mail people are always on their phones so how could they do their jobs correctly? but that's another story.
can't wait to c pics of your graduation. what a glorious day that will be!!
Kristen, your ice photos are gorgeous! I’m always uplifted when you share your nature pics. I try to get a walk every day but your photos make me “see” more than I probably do otherwise.
I’m glad you’re wanting to become more skilled at drawing blood. I have high anxiety about having my blood drawn as , for some reason, my veins are hard to find. I’m always thankful for nurses who don’t get flustered when they can’t get the blood easily. I’m also thankful for nurses who are humble enough to ask for help to get the job done. I really believe you will do so well at this part of nursing!!
I’m thankful for extra time I’ve had with my daughter lately.
I’m grateful for fresh artistic inspiration that has enabled me to create new Christmas card designs this season.
I’m thankful for the progress my husband and I are making in our downsizing efforts.
As other readers have mentioned, I’m thankful for how encouraging this blog is ! Thank you, Kristen!!
Some people just have difficult veins! Even young people; one time I had a pretty healthy patient who was only in her 20s and I though, "Ooh, this is gonna be so easy." But she had teeny tiny veins, so she was tough to get blood from.
Thank you for signing up for that phlebotomy class. Before I was diagnosed with cancer I naively thought that blood drawing was a skill that everyone in healthcare did about the same. Eighteen months and a lot of blood draws later, I rejoice when I learn that a phlebotomist is drawing my blood instead of a nurse. I have had blood draws by phlebotomists that I hardly felt at all. I can tell you your future patients will be very glad for any way you can improve your skills now.
This week I am thankful . . .
-For quiet days to recover from surgery. I'm on leave from work of course, but it is still nice to get almost no emails and have nothing to do but sit quietly. Even if I am working a liiiiitle bit.
-For a more profitable December. Our business has done terribly this year. So much so that my husband is applying to corporate jobs after being a successful business owner for sixteen years. But the numbers were a little better this month that I was expecting and should get even better. So that will carry us another couple months.
-That we both have applications under consideration for good jobs. Maybe the business will improve. Maybe not. Either way, we both need to do something that isn't what we are doing right now. I'm so, so thankful that there are some options out there. And they said you can't have too many irons in the fire.
-For good friends and other people who love me. One friend came over Tuesday night. I wasn't in a good mood, but her conversation is so great that it improved my mood significantly. Another friend had our older boys over on Saturday and is having a baby today! I can't wait to meet the baby. I am reading a book written by another friend. I can't wait to finish it so I can tell her how much I love it.
I would really love to be one of those pain-free blood drawers! So far, my patients have been happy about how gentle I am, but I know I can get better with more practice and training.
HA, Kristen! My first thought when I woke up this morning was...ugh, by Sunday we'll be gaining light. That Kristen is probably celebrating!! It is only one minute a day for a few weeks but then the nights shrink and shrink.
Thankful for:
1. being able to volunteer at the food bank. Honestly, I can go in there feeling like kicking the dog and being around all those cheerful people doing good work improves my mood immediately. They are so good at dealing with folks others ignore (at best) or treat meanly.
2. my ability to read. My husband is extremely dyslexic and by the evening he has trouble making phone calls because, as he says, the numbers keep jumping around. I do so admire that he persevered and earned his doctorate, at a time when there were no audio versions of his textbooks and he had to learn Greek on top of all that. I cannot imagine not loving to dive into a book, the longer the better.
3. persimmons and seeing a grocery ad saying the Sumo oranges are coming.
4. neighbors who put up outdoor holiday lights.
5. the husband, always the husband. How did I ever luck out?
Hehe, I love that we think of each other when we get to the shortest and longest days of the year!
Chiquita's face - so sweet! And PHENOMENAL ice pics.
I applaud you for signing up for a class in your perceived weakness - blood draws, phlebotomy. You'll improve in this skill because you know you need to, and you're seeking out opportunities to learn more.
(Speaking as one who has had many, many blood draws in the past several years!)
Kristen:
You have an amazing eye for beauty - and the ability to capture it with a camera! And Chiquita is adorable- always makes me smile. Thanks!
Aww, thank you!
Check to see if you can challenge some of the BSN courses
I as diploma RN was able to challenge several courses like neuro OB nutrition
Should save you a few $$$
Cut out a year of school at least
Ended up doing an OB clinical on a unit that I had previously worked as an RN. Felt really weird. One shift staff was really short and I ended up doing part of their work as long my student supervisor was not there
Another plus was I wore my own uniforms and didn’t have to buy the student uniform
Yes, I know the rep I spoke to said that there were parts of the courses that I can do at the hospital where I work. So that will be handy!
I am so very thankful that the electricity is back on after yet another unscheduled all-day outage.
Tonight I'm thankful for:
1. Nice people on the phone when you have to call a business.
2. Even though the stock market dropped, I will be OK.
3. The Christmas tree I put up. Haven't done so in many years, but this year it makes the room cozy and cheerful.
4. Sunshine in the afternoons.
5. New eyeglasses.
Yay, 2 more sleeps until the Winter Solstice. I have a headlight permanently attached to my head this time of year. In fact, I almost wore it to bed last night. So silly.
I , cringe, had to trek to Costco to pick up prescriptions. Glad I bought my eggs last week as they went up $7/5 dozen. Ran into a couple of friends and had a nice visit.
Neighbor who lost all of her "free range" chickens to bald eagles, gave me 8 bags of scratch and bales of bedding. Right now my girls are giving me an egg every 3 days or so, so I gave her 1/2 doz as a down payment for the feed. She was thrilled.
My bestie is a former Army medic turned nurse. He taught me how to draw, bless him.
Thankful for the freakishly warm weather. My fall/winter garden is giving us so much produce!
I'm with Kristin in her disdain for LED lights. I pick up bulbs at estate sales.
1 - weather looks mostly decent for out of town kiddos Dr
I’ve next week
2- for a former co-worker who recommended me for my current job. Our prior job was the best but well never see that opportunity again
3- due to #2 and my skills, another financially good year (as in meeting maximum wages for social security)
4- due to #2, the ability to support my local non-secular charities more than I could otherwise
5- for others whose heads are not in the sand re: the orange pox/tangerine menace.
I'm thankful for this cheery corner of the internet. It's wonderful to go to a place that you know will always be good.
Friendships that last decades.
Help from DH today, writing a very difficult letter.
Friends who come to lunch every week.
Cute Chiquita photos - I love cats but sadly am allergic.
This week I'm thankful for:
The "frugal friends" and pleasant place on the internet that Kristen provides for us. Like Meira Bear,it helps remind me of my blessings that many, worldwide, do without.
Our home. If I tidy it, (and don't look @ internet perfection), I will be more content.
Aspirin and a place/time to rest when I have a headache that lasts half the day.
The reason for the season, Faith, family, friends. Focusing on these help me ignore the commercial aspects and be more content.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all "frugal friends".
- When my 3 year old excitedly tells his teacher "it's Pajama day!!"
- When the same 3 year old just wants to play a game with mommy
- the babbles and giggles of my 8 month old
- a husband who tries his darndest to help me reach my goals (even when I'm crabby about it)
- I'm gainfully employed and can (mostly) provide for the family on my own.
Chiquita's little face!!! I heart it! Especially love her darling little pink and speckled nose.