Thankful Thursday | I'm going to bed
Hello!
As this publishes, I will be finishing up my last night shift. Woohooo!!
And then the first order of business is at least a small nap to get me through until bedtime.
Soooo, I will make a thankful list once I wake up and have some more functional brain cells.
I didn't want to leave you guys high and dry, though, so here is a post where you can at least share your thankful lists while I snooze.
I'll be back. 😉
____________________
I'm back! I slept for a few hours and now I'm just going to take it easy the rest of the day. I'm so behind on sleep at this point, I don't think it'll be hard to go to bed at a normal time tonight.
This week, I am thankful:
that my night shifts are behind me
I got through it and I learned a lot, but my goodness, that is not the life for me.
I really dislike being awake at night! There is only one place I want to be at 2:00 am, and that is in my bed with my eyes shut. 😉
that my upcoming shifts are spread out better
I worked over 72 hours in the last eight days, doing night shifts (3 on, 2 off, 3 on).
And before that, I worked 72 hours in 7 days, doing day shifts (3 on, 1 off, 3 on).
(I did not make this schedule!)
But for the next two weeks, I have day shifts Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and that gives me a lovely four days off in between sets of shifts.
WHEW.
for my snuggle buddy
Chiquita is pretty happy to see me after my string of hospital shifts. 🙂
that I did a bang-up job of prepping before my shifts
I got all of my non-hospital-life stuff knocked out before this set of overnight shifts, and that helped a lot! I was grateful to have almost no other responsibilities during my stint as a zombie nurse. 😉
that I'm getting faster at my nurse tasks
On my last night shift, I took care of all five patients almost entirely on my own, and I got all my assessments done and medications given with time to spare.
This was even with needing to use the interpreter tablet with one patient (which takes extra time), and I also had a patient whose meds had to be all crushed and sent through a Dobhoff tube (a type of tube that goes in the nose and down into the stomach). That takes extra time too.
So, I'm feeling more and more confident in my skills as I approach the end of my orientation.
that there are other people who DO like working nights
I do not understand these humans (!!) but I am so grateful they exist. I am not a creature of the night, so I'm grateful other people are!
This week I am thankful
- that I do not have work nights! I have never been in a job that requires this. I have pulled a couple of overnighters for “fun” things – doing the Moonwalk, queuing for access to panels at Star Wars celebration – but I am too old now to be doing those things now.
- a therapy dog called Hope. I was away supporting training again this week and the trainer brought his dog Hope with him. She is an adorable 2½ year old golden retriever who loves going round the room giving and receiving fuss. When I left to come home, she was being taken to one of the units so the patients could spend some time with her.
- the opportunity to do a cookery class on Sunday. I love to cook and I love to learn new recipes. I have done a few classes at a local cookery school and this weekend it was French Cookery. My sister came with me and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
- knowing that while I was out on Sunday my husband was happy to do chores – shopping, hoovering, etc.
- time spent with interesting work colleagues. We don’t meet up much in real life, but it is never awkward when we are in each other’s company. Conversations flow and we always find out new things about each other
- as always, family, friends and my 2 fur babies
@Stacey in UK,
Aren’t therapy dogs the absolute best? One visited my son while he was in pre op - such a wonderful distraction - made my son smile ?
The hospital I used to work at sometimes brought in therapy miniature horses! Not exactly snuggly, but definitely a precious novelty!
@Rachel,
The hospital where I work has special volunteers who bring in their therapy dogs....its just the best! One volunteer showed me her dog's "employee badge", complete with photo. So darn cute! Therapy miniature horses would be amazing!
@Liz B.,
The employee badges are a stroke of brilliance! I got into an elevator once with a Corgi, a
Boston terrier and a Lab - that will turn your day around for sure ?
@Rachel,
They are fabulous. It was my second week of training support with Hope in attendance and she definitely reduced my stress levels! As I left on Wednesday she had been "booked" to go to one of the wards at the patients request. Whenever anyone encountered her (staff or patient) they were instantly cheered by seeing her.
It's wonderful to witness.
I'm thankful your run of night shifts is over.
I'm thankful for continued nice weather. I don't remember that last time we had weeks of great weather.
I'm thankful for a home with functioning HVAC and the ability to pay utility bills.
I am thankful that eye and hearing exams this week showed no significant change in either.
I am thankful for friends and family.
Thankful that I never had to do night shifts, I do not know how people can do that. My body is confused even by doing day shift.
For a random act of kindness, 3 kids gave me candy bars for my grands at our local park.
That we were able to fix our faucet thank you You Tube.
For a family get together during the great weather we had last Sunday.
For my kids being able to come here for a week and a half for Christmas. Yay!!
@Mar, Doesn't You Tube make you feel like an amazingly competent person?! The internet (and You Tube) has a lot of down sides, but teaching about practical things like this is so useful!
@Jody S., except it has taken a financial toll on small independent repair people.
@Selena, and it has added income via YT to many who post repair methods and tips.
@Bonnie, who may or may not report the income.
Today, I am thankful for my farm share and the ability to u-pick. Doing so always makes me so happy. I am also thankful for my supportive family, especially my husband who tolerates all my crazy. We will celebrate thirteen years of marriage this Saturday and I’m so glad I chose him. I got married in my thirties, and he was worth the wait.
@Becca, Happy Anniversary!! May you have many more wonderful years together.
@Becca,
Happy anniversary! I, too, got married in my 30s, and feel the same way about my DH.
@Becca, I waited until my fifties to get married. We will be celebrating our thirteenth anniversary on Sunday. My husband was definitely worth the wait, too!
@Becca,
Happy anniversary to you both.
I didn't meet my husband until we were in our 40s and got married at 50. Best decision I've ever made.
Rest well Kristen!
This week I am thankful for:
1. The great weather we had when we went apple picking last weekend, sunny and mild.
2. The cooler temps are back as of today and it feels like autumn again.
3. Saturday will be nice so we can picnic in the park. (I'm sensing a weather theme here...)
4. The most delicious carrot cake ice cream I had this weekend. BEST. ICE CREAM. EVER.
5. The cuttings I received from a friend seem to be settling and rooting well. Plants make my home feel cozy.
@AnnieH, CARROT CAKE ICE CREAM?? What’s in it?
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Yes! It was amazing! The best way I can describe it is that they made vanilla ice cream and added whatever you usually do to make carrot cake taste as fabulous as it does, and it also had shredded carrot in it. It's a place near New Milford, Connecticut called Kimberly Farm Ice Cream Shoppe. They have a working farm with a farm stand, and their ice cream was so popular they recently built a separate shop on the other side of the road. Unfortunately we don't live nearby, we were in the area apple-picking. (Though maybe it's really a good thing or I'd have to run weekly marathons to work off all that delicious frozen joy!)
Our family used to have an ice cream stand at a produce shed. One of our seasonal flavors was pumpkin which we made with a vanilla base and with pumpkin pie spices, etc...
It was served with crushed ginger snaps on top.
@J in NC, Oh! That sounds heavenly! My husband would have gone crazy for it. He loves pumpkin pie with a ginger snap crust.
All those shift workers deserve respect. I've only periodically had to work mad hours behind my desk (late nights, until break of morning) and looking back I cannot understand how I managed to perform well and also keep up with family and house chores (in that order). I'm 60 now and just cannot do that any longer - I need more recuperation time physically (walks for blood circulation, rest for eyes etc) and mentally (lowering the adrenalin levels to allow for sleep).
This week's thankful' s:
For a job that allows me to work fairly regular hours
For an employer that allows me to buy additional leave on an annual basis
For the experience and insight that I gained in my past career. Coupled with more realistic expectations, I have become a better planner than I was!
For colleagues who look out for one another, and good collaboration to meet our goals
For still being able to enjoy my job after so many years. I hope I will be able to keep going in good health until my pension date, now estimated at 68 yrs 1 month.
@JNL, I imagine there are many people who are very thankful to learn from you at work. My husband and I are both learning about realistic expectations at work. It's become necessary as we have spent so much energy on our jobs in the past 4 years.
I'm sorry you must have night shifts. My oldest had a summer job this year that started at 2 a.m., and that was so hard! Now that I'm on the other side of having babies in the house, I have no idea how I functioned with so little sleep. I'm glad you can have some normal after this for a bit.
This week I am thankful:
*that we sort of had a few vacation days. We went to the beach! The kids and I enjoyed the sand and surf immensely, but my poor husband had to sit in conference rooms at a hotel. So it wasn't a vacation for him (and he's the one who could really use one).
*for growth.
*that my son has been given the opportunity of the flight training scholarship. He was actually the 2nd choice; the first had other obligations that interfered. This will mean a lot of work and an upsetting of our days this year, but it is such a huge opportunity for him. This is a very big thankful thing for me because we absolutely cannot afford to pay for this for him. It is his dream.
*for supportive group of folks who are in the organization that are giving my boy this flying opportunity. They are very encouraging and have a wealth of information about aviation things. It has been helpful that some engineers have been among them and have been able to answer career questions for him because he is considering engineering for college (and I have no experience there).
*for the rain it seems we received while we were gone.
*for all the airplanes and helicopters flying over Virginia Beach. My kids were thrilled. Also that my dad treated us to the battleship, USS Wisconsin. Airplane boy also loves ships. That I was not a man in the navy assigned to a battleship; I would struggle to live like that.
*that, while we've had some crazy traffic situations near us this last year, we do not have anything like the traffic we encountered while away.
*for a wonderful neighbor friend who can handle our cats and chickens for us while we're gone. For our silly kittens. I am NOT an animal person, and when people gush over their cats here, my eyes sort of just skip ahead. But. I get it now. These new kittens have captured my heart.
*that you will be patient with me as I go overboard with thankfuls!
@Jody S., wonderful news about your son. We have pilots in our family and it is truly something they love.
@Jody S., So happy for your son. He will be so grateful for this opportunity & experience.
It is a bucket list item (& overcoming fear) that one day I learn to fly (a helicopter). Maybe one day.
@Jody S., Congrats to your son!! That is awesome. On the news of being the second choice, I was the second choice for an intern my junior year of college. The first choice was disqualified for some sort of class standing issue. I parlayed that internship into my first full time job with the company, where I worked for 15 years, which led me to the next 10+ years of my career. Some things happen for a reason!
@Jody S., Another "second choice" here. I came in second for a job out of college as a translator between the US Navy and their counterpart in Germany. Job was here. The first choice had relatives who didn’t pass the month-long background check. Mind you, the candidate did pass the check, just one or more relives did not. I got the job and loved it.
May that sleep be like a tonic to you!
I'm thankful:
1. Daughter #2 made it back safely from Utah and with no flight problems, which is a welcome change for her.
2. That the snake my dog was flinging about was a garter snake, so it wasn't venomous, plus the dog didn't seriously hurt it - it was able to slip away after it "skunked" the dog, making him drop it.
3. That the promised cooler air may finally arrive tomorrow. In Florida, this is a highly anticipated moment!
4. That technology means when someone used my daughter's credit card number at Johns Hopkins (!?), she was immediately notified and able to respond that no, it wasn't her, and get her card cancelled and replaced. Technology allowed her number to be used, true, but it also kept her from paying for it.
5. That we had a wonderful church anniversary last Sunday, with catered lunch, a wonderful, meaningful service, and fun for the kids outside - rock painting, bounce houses, and more. However, it was sad that we had to have extra security posted in and outside the church. But these days, it seems prudent to do so.
@JD, What an exciting week! Johns Hopkins the hospital?? I'm so glad your daughter didn't have to pay for it but so sad that someone felt they needed to commit fraud to pay for something medical.
@JD, likely was not via physical card and a transposition occurred. I had an adjudicated medical claim show up on my medical insurance from a pharmacy in PA. I am states away from PA. I reported it to my insurance company and it was reversed off.
Sweet dreams, Kristen.
I am thankful for:
1. Cool mornings
2. Warm coffee
3. That the painters next door fixed the loose board in the fence, so that Mr. Snuggly Wuggly Dog cannot escape. Also that I found another hole in the fence before Snuggles did; the second one has a pallet in front of it. Will get someone to permanently replace that board real soon.
4. A good formation (Sunday school) class, and a good Bible study class.
5. I don't have to be somewhere at 7:20 in the morning to substitute in elementary schools. Also, I don't have to put up with disrespectful kids or incompetent administrators anymore. No more subbing but I still have my retail job and my regular/frequent customers are always happy to see me.
I'm so thankful that Kristen gives us a place to exercise our thankful muscles, even when her work hours interfere with a "normal" schedule.
*Pelvic floor PT - first appointment was yesterday and I learned so much. The therapist communicates very clearly, which is so helpful.
* Good health insurance.
* A phone call from my daughter-in-law yesterday while she was waiting for a meeting to start. Texts are great but there's nothing like hearing a loved one's voice. Our kids are so busy, it's so sweet when they find time to call.
* Book club tonight!!
* A husband who like to keep busy making our home better. He's on his way to Lowes for stone to extend a low wall. The need for this became apparent after he cleared an overgrown thicket last week. That's a lot of days of busy.
@Book Club Elaine, what book are you reading with your club? Do people actually read and discuss the book, or has it devolved into “group therapy”? I’ve never joined a book club for those reasons, plus not wanting to read books chosen by other people when my own TBR stack is so endless.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, this month's book is Northanger Abby by Jane Austen. I'm not as familiar with it as other JA books and it's taking a bit of work to get through but is totally worth it.
This year's book club theme is short books. Really! Last year we read Newberry winners, and everyone was happy to have good books that we were sure to be able to complete.
At book club we are completely focused on the book. I had no idea that some book clubs have gotten sidetracked into therapy sessions.
1. Thankful that I can finally feel baby girl kicking and moving around. An anterior placenta has delayed this joy a bit so I am soaking it up now 🙂
2. Naps, rest, sleep in any form that I can get it. Pregnancy fatigue is NO JOKE at 47 years young and I have never been more exhausted in my whole life. Literally at times I am too tired to sit up in a chair.
3. My husband and my son who have eaten leftovers and more sandwiches for dinner in the last almost six months than I care to admit without a single complaint.
4. Cool air that showed up this morning and promises to stick around.
5. My husband's recovery from this last issue without issue, coloring pictures with my son, falling leaves, the -ber months ahead, hope, and joy in all that lays ahead.
@Angie, pregnant at FORTY-SEVEN?? You are a warrior!
@Angie, Dang, I thought I was hardcore having my fourth kid at age 37. (I turned 38 the week after he was born.) You're a rockstar!
@Angie,
You are awesome! I had 4 kids in my forties, and there are so many good things that come as an older parent of a newborn Unfortunately, decent sleep will not be on that list.
Hang in there!
@Angie,
Congratulations! I had an anterior placenta with my third - it was a relief to realize that’s why I wasn’t feeling as much movement. As baby grew, I definitely felt more. I hope you get rest and that everything proceeds smoothly - there is much to look forward to ?
am thankful for you and your blog, for a hubby who does stuff around our apt, a son who loves to cook, and a talented artist daughter who will sell some of her artwork at ComiCon this sunday at the jacob javitts center in nyc. get some shloofy (yiddish for sleep). i prob spelled it wrong. and for our cockapoo buddy who will be 4 january 2. where did the time go?
Brisk mornings to do yoga at sunrise on the front lawn. Will have to move to the porch as we're in for a stretch of rain.
Made a fresh batch of cocoa. It is a staple for the months that end in "r".
Brought over a wood supply for our first wood stove fire of the season.
Made a fall wreath of hydrangea and rose hips and bay laurel, it smells so good.
Neighbor brought up a tractor bucket of large river rock rescued from a landscaping crew. These will become painted rocks that 4 h kids paint to sell at our indoor farmer's market.
Picked up the remainder of gutter guard needed to finish off the project, it was clearance priced.
Ooh, 6 thankfuls. It's going to be a great day!
Thanksfuls:
Cooler weather
More sales of art
Closing the cabin this weekend
Library books
Fantastic local friends (and growing friendships with online friends)
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, oops, THANKFULS, not thanksfuls. Sigh. Typos.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
I think thanksful describes it pretty well: you are full of thanks!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Your life sounds ideal to me. I would love to walk in your shoes for a month or so. Perfect combination of busy and relaxed. And, of course, the art!
@ErikaJS, aw shucks, thank you, but my life also has its difficult side. I just try to not bleed in public.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, It's interesting that you say that. And, it’s true: we all try to put on a happier face publicly. Be interesting to discuss how the degree we do that to is beneficial vs harmful. Subject for another day!
This week I’m thankful for …
• My morning cup of coffee. The mornings are chilly (yay) and a hot cup of coffee is lovely while I’m outside with the dogs.
• My parents. My mom was able to come over to watch our puppy who has kennel cough and not able to go to daycare. (He’s vaccinated and got it from daycare but sometimes that is just the way it goes)
• My parents had dinner with us two nights in a row! I love having my parents over for dinner and I’m always thankful when I can spend time with them.
• These cooler temps – if feels like fall!
I get you, Kristen. I just slept soundly for 11 hours after working the previous two nights. I "caffeined" my way through yesterday running errands.
I am thankful to still be able to work. My coworkers may not appreciate me saying this, but some of the tasks I do, no one else seems to have picked up on, so I feel needed. At least for the time being. I was able to ask one of my coworker's how she managed to never put things in the same place twice in a row, and she just laughed and agreed that it was an issue of hers. I am thankful we can communicate. It hasn't always been like that.
I am thankful for the pleasant family time we had this past Saturday. I am very thankful my closest niece actually went and had a good time. She doesn't like to go to family gatherings and since she is an adult I can't make her go. I did present to her that the walls we have just grow bigger and stronger when we dont take opportunities to maintain relationships (and that I'm not getting any younger and the relationships will be forced immediately after I'm gone.) She actually had fun.
I am thankful that Molly seems to have perked up. She actually came in with the zoomies day before yesterday and I enjoyed every moment. At 16, she doesn't do it very often. And for some reason, she's never been much of a tail wagger and there is an occasional hint at one. She is the most placcid dog from my day one with her. Seldom barks, doesn't run after things, doesn't notice squirrels or cats or other people. She does have a beagle nose and could end up in the next county if she followed it. She loves to be cuddled.
This week I am thankful for...
- Gorgeous fall weather! We've been enjoying true fall weather (mid-60s during the day, down into the mid-40s overnight) without frosts to damage my garden. I am sleeping SO much better with the colder house overnight, but still get my fresh tomatoes, kale, and cukes from the garden.
- that it has only rained on days I don't have class for the entire semester so far. I've been able to bike to/from school every single school day except one when I need to drive because of other errands immediately after class. I love being able to bike!
- that my parents are generally ok with their health. I work in an ICU right now as a PCT, and I see so many folks my parents' age or younger who are completely debilitated or facing terminal / end-of-life diagnoses. I really appreciate that my parents are not only still around, but as independent as they are.
- for my nursing school classmates! We had a potluck today, it was amazing.
@BikerLiz, Congrats on your biking-to-school streak! I was almost 100% until we got a deluge of rain and I had to call DH to pick me up at school. I managed to bike there through the sudden rain, though!
Hopefully after your nap you can try to regulate your sleep schedule again. I don't envy your night then day shifts changing.
Thankful for the 85* until Tuesday. The cold front from Canada with rain dropped the temps 30+* for our high yesterday. Our overnight (8am this morning ) was 33* (yes I turned the heat on). It's already warmed up 20 degrees & heading up to 60*. First frost of the season.
Thankful for our house that keeps us safe & warm.
Thankful for rescue dogs who are always so happy to see us.
Thankful teen vehicle is back to working as it should. Teen will hopefully be more sharing of small problems right away moving forward.
Thankful my Dad is feeling good enough to go back to work slowly. He misses his work colleagues & being away from home. Luckily he seems to be happy to be back at it & taking it slow. 🙂
Thankful my Aunt has made so many new friends (at her apartment complex). It's hard to believe that it's been 1 year (this month) ago that's Hurricane Helene & Hurricane (12 days later) destroyed her house. I'm thankful she's at a safer place during hurricane season.
I'm thankful for the insurance agent sitting down with me & going over my entire policy & explaining everything I asked. I'm amazed at the projected cost it would be to rebuild same exact home at today's prices. Especially considering that the value is less than half of the rebuild costs.
Thankful for Kristen & her blog where we can all share & learn from each other.
I am thankful that my daughter's cold was very minor and did not result in a need to stay home from daycare. (I really needed to work hard this week.)
I am thankful that my daughter loves her new daycare class.
I am thankful that I had a chance to have coffee with a friend I don't run into often.
I am thankful for "cold" weather.
I am thankful that I am going to meet my deadlines before vacation week.
I. To echo others, I am also thankful not to have night shifts in my job!
2. I'm in a somewhat crappy week, so I'm thankful for support.
3. I'm thankful that I have a few days off work next week.
4. I'm thankful for a fun lunch with colleagues last week.
5. I'm thankful that I was able to go for a run and a swim yesterday. I'm also thankful that I feel energetic after going running now - up until recently I would be exhausted afterwards!
@Sophie in Denmark, Take care! There will be better weeks!
@JNL, Thank you! I appreciate that!
I am thankful that you were able to leave an unhealthy marriage and that you saw there was no return in the investment. I am thankful you had frugality skills that carried you through the lean years of rebuilding your like. I am thankful you had the fortitude to go back to school and get your nursing degree and have financial security.
I see the blessings in your life!
Congratulations on making it through night shift Kristen! I worked nights for a few years (including during one of my pregnancies) and I never got used to it. I worked with people who really seemed to be fine, and I enjoyed the culture of night shift, but I was always always tired, no matter how much sleep I got.
Today, I am grateful for:
-Family members who are willing to have difficult conversations. The hallmark of a strong relationship is not a lack of conflict, it is a willingness to navigate conflict with grace and compassion.
-For a smaller, cozy house which is easier to maintain. I have lived in larger, two story homes and they were so much work, and I always felt behind. My smaller one story feels much more manageable, and I feel like we use all of the space.
-And yes, I’m going to mention the weather ? It’s cooled off a bit here on the central west coast, and next week we have actual rain predicted! Fingers crossed it actually happens! I know rain isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I feel much more myself in cooler, rainier weather. Also, the region I live in is prone to drought and wildfires, so rain is good for the environment. I used to joke that I get seasonal affective disorder in the summer (not to minimize the experiences of people with depression at all!) and I happen to live in one of the sunniest places in the US. But I’ve seen other people online talking about similar experiences to mine and it’s made me think it’s not just me.
@Rachel,
You can get SAD because of the hot weather, too.
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I am just learning that this year. I thought it was just me but then I saw an Instagram post from a woman talking about how her mood improved dramatically when she moved from the southwest to the Pacific Northwest. I read the comments (and due to the algorithm, saw more posts) from people with similar experiences. It has been very validating. I like a lot about where I live but I am seriously considering relocating in a couple of years. It gets SO HOT and it’s just too much, along with so many other environmental concerns. I want to experience seasons.
@Rachel, I am the same way. I prefer cooler weather to the heat. DH went to graduate school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and hearing how in the summer it only gets up to the 70s and the summer evenings are in the 50s....makes me want to move there. I know the winters can be rough, though.
@Karen A.,
That summer weather sounds like heaven to me! And when I see photos of that area-it just looks so beautiful. I was once in Door County, Wisconsin in the summer and it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
I know snow is tough. Not sure if it’s tougher than weeks of 100+ degree weather….at least for me…..
@Rachel, are we neighbors??? (Have I asked you this before?) YES to rain, especially because of wildfires. I wonder if next week's will mess with the cotton, raisin, and walnut harvests around here. (the walnuts that haven’t been pushed over . . . sigh.)
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
Yes, I think we are neighbors - or at least within about 2-3 hours of each other, would be my guess ?
I hope the rain doesn’t compromise any crops-it does seem early in the season for this much rain, but I can’t help but be grateful for it, if it happens.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I was shocked to see cotton growing in the Central Valley when driving through last month. I have always thought of cotton as Southern crop.
I hope you are resting well and congratulations on making it through the night shifts! This week I am thankful . . .
-for my confidence. The farther I have risen in life and in my career, I have needed to rise to the occasion more and more often: speak up for myself and others, share my perspective, step out even if others can't. It has never come naturally to me, but at this point I have had so much practice. I was thinking earlier this week how so many things I do these days that feel easy used to not be so at all. I'm just so thankful to my past self for building my confidence one scary brick at a time.
-for good friends. We had a couple of friends over last night and we drank kombucha (a first for me) and talked life and business on the front porch. We did the same thing on Saturday (different friends, different drinks). I am so fortunate to have a rich community of really smart folks around me.
-for progress on our bid to have our public school system place our special needs daughter at a school that is designed to fit her needs. We are desperate for her to learn to read, and we think she can despite her disabilities. We made a little progress, and plan to make more at our next meeting with her IEP team, which is set for next week.
-that I was able to go to a mentor's funeral service on Tuesday. My mentor hired me into my first full time job. She taught me a lot and believed in me. It is sad to lose her, but I was so glad to celebrate her life, see how well her son is doing, and even reconnect with another old mentor at the service.
@Amanda in VA, those are such rich thankfuls. Especially cheering on the progress for your daughter!
@Amanda in VA,
All of these are major thankful' s. I hope your meeting with the IEP team next week goes well.
--I am very thankful for the warm and toasty shirt I picked up off the road a few weeks ago; it did the job cutting the wind on my cycling commute today.
--Thankful also for the cooler temperatures; cool air and sunny days are my favorite.
--Thankful for the school friends I'm making; it makes heading in to class nicer to know there's pleasant people to chat and joke around with.
--I'm thankful for the rain we got this week: nearly 3 inches in one day!
--Thankful that my blood tests came back for my nurse aide training course. (negative for TB and Hep B, hurrah.)
--A little less thankful that the food allergy panel I also ordered on a whim showed that I'm allergic to wheat, corn, soy, shrimp, sesame, and every single nut in the universe except coconut. Sigh. At least I am not allergic to dairy, as I thought! But alas for my love of Asian cuisine. And tortilla chips. But I *am* thankful to have this knowledge and maybe getting healthier going forward!
Congrats on getting through the night shifts getting blog posts up and the rest of your life managed. When I get busy at work so many things fall by the wayside.
This week, I am thankful:
- I get to spend time with my parents
- I am healthy and can do nearly anything physical that is called for on a vacation
- I had a vacation before my parents showed up
- I have the ability to work while hosting
- My parents are okay with managing themselves while I work
Well, for one: happy I'm not on night shifts, although I do take overnight call...
But also, for
*a new therapist who "gets" me, and will help me make it to the next stage
*a new couch which is coming tomorrow! (Eeeee!)
*shoulder pain that dies down as the day wears on. Otherwise, I would be a super ungrateful person all day!
*pumpkin spice things - they are everywhere and I am here for it
*off again next Monday, too! I don't know how I got so lucky, but I'll take it!
@Gina from The Cannary Family, i love pumpkin anything, except tj's pumpkin cream cheese. wegman's has a terrif pumpkin yogurt, i love it.
The nurses I worked with who did nights fell into two camps:
- the ones who did it so they could avoid daycare costs or if they needed to be at home during daytime hours.
- those who ABSOLUTELY loved it, and did it by choice. They shared several reasons like they enjoyed there are less residents/ students/ consultants/ therapists, etc around at night. They hated the constant interruption of this plusdislikes having to be apart of teaching rounds.
Sone just liked being awake when most people weren’t ?. Some really liked the pay differential. Some, admittedly, really didn’t love being around people! (Interesting, given their profession)
So happy you get a break & a chance to catch up on sleep!
1) Thankful I get to spend the weekend with my sister + BFF, doing a race together & having general shenanigans. Grateful my mom will join us for the race & then we will get to have brunch with both of my parents. Especially grateful that my mom can join us on a 10k run at 73!
2) Ever so grateful for my husband, who is working hard to plan a very fun 50th birthday trip for me on Halloween weekend. For whatever reason, I've never asked for a party & really don't like attention like this and did nothing for my 40th (no regrets) but a massage, but I have been feeling this fun. Girl time, a great concert & just general time together. If not now, when?
3) Grateful that we have the money to cover a test DS19 had done at the doctor's office - COVID. He was there for a standard checkup, which was covered by insurance. He wasn't feeling well, they offered to run a COVID test. My insurance declined to cover the test, since you can have it done over the counter, and I haven't met my deductible for optional things like that. It was almost $700... 🙁 Honestly, the test costs $15 at CVS or whatever. How can they possibly charge that? I'd be fine with even $100, knowing people had to carry it around, process it, upload to the system, whatever.
4) I meal prepped this weekend, and I'm ever so grateful that I took the time to help my current self.
5) That it's a long weekend at work, and I get a bonus weekend day!
6) And, that DH got a full time job offer (he's currently on a consulting contract). It's not an ideal job, but it's with a great company, pay is excellent, good benefits, and this will be his last hurrah before retirement.
Happy for you to be in a more regularly scheduled routine!
Your post put me in the mood for work-themed gratitude this week - thankful:
-Not to have a job where I'm on call anymore. As a teacher, I work tons of hours while not at work, but at least I choose them.
-That I find fulfillment in my career even though it is so much work!
-That I'm currently at a work conference learning and experiencing a lot.
-That my meals are reimbursed - although I didn't even manage to spend $20 today so my employer will be happy with me haha. And to the taxpayers of my state - you're welcome. I did add guacamole to my lunch bowl for an upcharge at least!
I'm thankful for:
- An ebay sale today
- found 36 cents I n my run tonight
- my kids
- our homeschool group
All I can say is genetics drive early bird v. night owl. My grandpa worked three jobs during WWII - farmed, milk route (hauling metal cans), and a factory job. For as long as I remember until he retired at 65, he worked a FT job plus 4-6 hours at his PT job. I averaged 60 hours a week with a newborn - my mom picked kiddo up at my house, day in office, pick up kiddo, work after kiddo went to bed. Better half was also competent - could change cloth diapers as well as cook and grocery shop.
You do what you have to do. I doubt you'd slack on patient care if you have to do night duty in the future. Always a possibility and sad to say even more so these days.
As a definitely morning person night shifts sound impossible. Glad you are through with them. This week I'm thankful that -
- Our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter having a very happy time on her "special" solo visit to us one morning. The older one comes over a lot and she was feeling left out.
- We can help out our son and DIL when parenting logistics or health call for it plus giving them some couple time. That is why we moved near them 2 1/2 years ago.
- Being able to revamp my worn out Fall wardrobe mostly from thrift stores with just a few regular purchases.
- Everything in our house is working right now - fingers crossed.
- Pleasant neighbors, a good library system, an old car that keeps running, a dog who is a fun and loving companion.
I am really feeling you Kristen, as I mentioned a few days ago I've worked nights for over 5 years now BUT....this last week was ALL 11 or 12 hour shifts. This is unusual for my job but our sorting machine has been down for over a week AND we don't have enough scanners for everybody who needs one. Since I can look up addresses manually I'm the one who doesn't have a scanner for my full shift. I'm toast, my brain is mush, and while my paycheck will be amazing, I am needing sleep more than extra money
Oh my goodness, this sounds terrible. I hope you get some rest soon!
I am a retired preschool teacher and I had several moms with young ones over the years who were nurses. They would take weekend night shifts while their husband/partner worked a regular 8 to 5 so they didn't have to pay for day care (our preschool was daily from 8.30 to 12:30) I know it was very tiring and a busy season of their life but they made it work.