Wii Bowling Champion and Catch Up

Long time no blog! I’ve been rather consumed with another project....which will be another blog. At work I did win bragging rights as the Wii Bowling Champion. Yes...with the high score of 278! I know....blog worthy? It is in my household! We are quite the competitive group with this bowling! I challenged the CEO of the hospital weeks ago and have talked “trash” about it for even longer. It was for charity and there will be another tournament with the next fundraiser the hospital does for sure. I suspect he doesn’t like loosing.

My Dell computer crashed last week. I had had it for probably close to 4 years so I knew it was time but I was irresponsible and didn't back up anything but a few important emails and my pictures. So...hard lesson learned. I took it in the Best Buy and went to the Geek counter. While at the counter, it literally took its last breath and the mother board died. So, I headed to the computer area. I was greeted by the worse customer service. No one was interested in showing me their computers....I got a brief overview and then was told I would absolutely hate the Macs. Well...I am my father's daughter people....I left and THAT store wasn't getting my money! I went to the Apple store. The guy spent 35 minutes with me going over their MacBook and didn't once try and sell me a more expensive one that I didn't need. Yep...SOLD. Went back the next day and made my purchase. They even gave me a discount :) Seriously, it's all about the CUSTOMER SERVICE!!

Matthew was sick on Friday and missed his Halloween party at school and of course was totally crushed. Poor kid, I remember missing Halloween one year due to getting the chicken pox. Fortunately he was just sick for a couple of days with a max temp of 101.4. He was a little mad and said...I thought by getting the flu shot I wasn't going to get sick! Well.....who knows what he had. I got the H1N1 shot last night at work after much debating. I talked it over with my doctor and with as much exposure as we nurses have and will have, and with me NOT wanting to bring anything home, I got it. It hasn't hurt as much as the other shot but today I've had the chills but I'm feeling much better after napping most of the day.

Next blog....The big Union vote!

Are you a Leader or a Follower?

Are you a leader or a follower? Are you just content to complain and do nothing about your surroundings or are you just one of THOSE people that really if you gave them a million dollars, they would STILL complain that it wasn't enough. They are never happy with anything. I am seriously tired of all the negativity. If you don't like your job, don't let the door hit you on the way out. Stop bringing the rest down. If you don't like where you live?? Move. If your house is a mess.....clean it. Are you a leader or a follower? Can you make decisions for yourself.....yes. You don't need anyone else speaking for you. If you lie with snakes, eventually, you too will become one. My dad taught me YEARS ago that you are whom you associate with. It goes both professionally and persoanally. Are you a leader or a follower??

Just this week I was a witness and first responder to a car accident. I was sitting at a light to turn left onto a busy highway to head home to mow. It was such a nice day, I was in my own little world. Then I saw this car, in the middle of the intersection, trying to turn, totally out of place. He could have easily hit me. I was was first in line to turn. He turned into the street I was turning out of....a truck hit him and he hit a light pole head on. Crunch. I parked my truck. Turned it off, locked my purse and got out. First on the scene. Not my usual role for sure. I think to be honest....I prefer the bedside nurse role. An off duty paramedic had a bag of stethescopes...so while waiting for the cops...we did vitals, got a history...and WAITED. What would you have done....drove off?? Are you a leader or a follower??

I can't say I'm any kind of leader all or any of the time. Who knows how I am really percieved out in the real world. lol. I know I have several roles....mom, friend, daughter, nurse....I'm trying to raise a son who is respectful to others, to me and knows right from wrong and is a joy to be around. He's my legacy. Lead by example. That is a tough one. I haven't always...can't always....but I'm trying. Are you a leader or a follower??

Be the Best. Care the Most. Are you content with complacency? Just doing enough to get by? Be the Best...Care the Most....Lead or Follow, it's up to you.

The Cheesecake Factory and Goodbye...

I really hate goodbyes. Perhaps more so lately but still the same. Today I had lunch with my college friend Stacy, aka, my concert husband. I have dragged her with me to more concerts in the heat than she probably ever cared to go to! We met the fall of 1989 at William Jewell College as suite mates there and have remained friends ever since. So why was lunch today any different? Her husband has been promoted to a judge and they are moving to Florida. As soon as they find a house, move in...I will somehow get over my fear of flying, get a script for some xanax and get on a plane and go for a visit. I mean there are afterall palm trees, beaches, sand, sun, the house of Mickey, sun etc there too. Stacy, you have been truely a dear and treasured friend, I am really going to miss you. I still laugh at all the fun we had in college going to the Hallmark store and just reading cards, shopping, going to games and all of the fun time with the "gang"..and then of course all of the hot July Rascal Flatts concerts. Now, find a house so we can have a girls weekend!

Wii Bowling...

A couple of weeks ago, Tula from work came over. We had lunch at Red Robin and then we had to teach her Wii Bowling. If I'm going to be addicted...more will be too! It is crazily fun!

Swim Lessons

Its been another busy few days with swim lessons. Matthew is like a fish in the water and LOVES to swim! Sometimes he'd rather horse around than learn the actual strokes but he's learned if he wants to advance in the program, he has to listen to the instructor...whom he of course immediately liked!! He passed this level and is begging to take more lessons with her. Today, the last day, they got to jump off the diving board. He was second in line and I thought he'd be scared. He was...a little....but jumped right off! It does look like a lot of fun, I wish my pictures had turned out better but he went so quickly...lol!

Heart Walk 2009

I am still behind on blogging...so a little catch up is in order before the summer is over and done with! On Saturday May 30th, I took the day off and participated in the American Heart Walk. The hospital corporation I work for was a huge sponspor so it looked like a sea of red at their tent. I, however, was in blue. Uh??? Funny story. So, my friend Tracey gets me to do this walk...swears to me we will ONLY have to do ONE mile. So, we sign up under the CEO, who asked us to be on his team...I'm guessing he won't again...lol. Well, he didn't hold back any shirts for us. So, I go to administration and they have big shirts or childrens shirts left. The lady in administration looks at me and says....can't you sqeeze into a childs medium?? Keep in mind Matthew wears a childs large now. I smile, get Tracey her shirt and leave. At this point, it is JUST a shirt, I decide for fun...and since the CEO is a huge Duke fan, I will wear a KU shirt for fun to the walk. I changed my mind...not wanting to get fired in this economy and all and wore a Royals shirt instead. After arriving in the sea of red shirts, his wife found me a shirt. Hmmmm.....outside, at a park....TONS of people...where am I going to change??? Lets just say some boy scout troop is going to need a lot of therapy and I was wearing a sports bra! Moving on....

The rest of the day I felt like I was playing hookie from work. We went out for breakfast, went to the pool, brought dinner home and watched a movie. So...this is what "normal" people do on a Saturday. I had totally forgotten!!

FYI...DB..National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is rapidly approaching....what IS the hospital going to do this year?????

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day...yes, I realize today is June 1st and I am a little behind in blogging...anyway....we went on a short, 45 minutes to be exact, railroad trip. I have a patient that comes in every weekend for IV antibiotics. I have it down to a science and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour. He calls the pharmacy, promising he really is coming in, they mix up the drug and we have a room ready and his diet coke and graham crackers are waiting for him! The first weekend I wondered why he kept wearing the same shirt with this railroad logo on it......so, as an ice breaker, I asked. Now, several weeks into this antibiotic trip he has to endure......and putting up with my bad humor and stories I end up telling him....the nursing supervisor, her triplets, her husband, Matthew and I made a trip out there on Memorial Day. As luck would have it, he was having too much pain to come out and missed us. It was a chilly and rainy day and thankfully I had a jacket in the truck. Apparently Florida sent us their rainy weather....uh, thanks! The kids had a great time and Matthew is still quite perplexed about the whole triplet concept. LOL. Of course the real reason for Memorial Day is to that all the Veterans...past and present for their service...they are the reason we live in a country that is FREE! It's not just a day to be off work, make extra money, grill out or goof off....Hopefully everyone remembered to thank a veteran or service man. Trust me, nothing is more breath taking than going to a National Cemetery.....WSM 5-11-91.

KC Royals Ladies Night

Last week I was invited to go with a group from work to Ladies Night out at the K. Part of the proceeds went to the Susan G Koman foundation so, of course, I was all over that aspect of it. We got to the ball park early, got our "free" hat, our charm braclet, strolled through the newly renovated stadium...which is really nice....enjoyed the free chocolate fountain and then watched the game. I was bummed they lost but it was nice to go to a game and the weather was PERFECT!

Plaza Field Trip

Wednesday two of the third grade classes went on a field trip to the Country Club Plaza. Normally when I've gone to the Plaza, it's for a meal or shopping. This time it was to take in the architecture of buildings, find fountains (which Kansas City is KNOWN for) and learn about some of the history of the Plaza itself. I enjoyed it...the kiddos kinda got bored after a while. Two of the boys we had to work at keep at keeping out of the street and the fountains. Who would have thought they would have thought it would be a thrill to STEAL money OUT of the fountains. Is this a boy thing or just that age? So, when it was all over I looked up at this one building, that I think is Halls and saw this animals on top of pillars....they looked like gargoils....and told the kids that they monitored the fountains and if anyone stole money out of the fountains, they would have bad luck forever. One little girl had a look of horror on her face and said..."what if we put it back?"....Then you should be fine...but if not...it's stealing now isn't it. Ah...toying with little minds. She put a handfull of coins back in the fountain! Sheesh! The weather was perfect, the bus ride was super bumpy and on the way back to school.....Matthew did NOT want to sit with me. No, instead, he wanted to sit with a girl. lol!! He's growing up way to fast!!!!

Swiss Stuffing Chicken

I tried a new recipie I found on Kelly's Korner blog....see the link on the side of the main page of my blog that says "Miracles Happen". I will say, I should have cooked it uncovered so the stuffing on top could have gotten browner and crunchier....but over all, the chicken was super moist and very tasty!!

4 large skinless boneless chicken breasts

6 oz. Mozerella or Swiss cheese slices

1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1/4 cup white cooking wine (apple juice or chicken broth)

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup herb-flavored crushed up Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix

1/2 stick butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place uncooked chicken in shallow buttered casserole dish. Layer cheese on top. Mix soup, wine, salt, pepper; pour over cheese. Sprinkle stuffing mix on top and drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 1 hour.

Let Me Entertain You!

Really...I know...a month since my last blog! Not too much going on here exciting to talk about. It's Spring Break and I've been doing some serious cleaning. Monday I mowed up 3 bags of leaves...Tuesday my back hurt I could hardly get out of bed....Wednesday I cleaned out Matthew's closet and the hall closet and got two large bags of trash! Vaccumed the whole house and have dusted this week. I know...I hear Travis' cleaning system calling my name!http://www.pracharfamily.blogspot.com/ I am thinking her way is better than my way of killing myself doing it a few times a year...... So... check out her blog with me!!

I did find some super cute placemates a couple of weeks ago....and yes, I enjoy leaving the table all decorated. That way, if anyone ever wants to come over for dinner....I'm all prepared! :-) Speaking of entertaining....head over to one of my favorite blogs for a giveaway. They are these super cute aprons and be inspired by her blog while you are there! http://www.reluctantentertainer.com/ Can't you just see me wearing one???

William Jewell won their game last night. They went into the NAIA 1 as the 32nd seed, played the number 1 seed and WON!! Gotta love that! Go Cardinals! KU plays Friday so it is quite a fun time to be a basketball fan!

Winter Grilling!

Who says you can't grill out in the winter here in the midwest?? Obviously not I!! I am still playing blog catch up and it was New Years Eve I believe when I grilled out last...but it was cold and at night....but it was GOOD food for sure! And...if anyone can tell my WHY blogger is getting my pics out of order...I'd appreciate the tips!!!!

Lunch at Applebees

It will be our last lunch for a bit with Tracey as she started her new job today. So, on the last early release day we we went to Applebees to 'break bread'. Matthew absolutely adores Tracey and is very proud of her getting a new job that is day shift and is more money. Heck...who doesn't WANT or NEED a raise?? I'm just saying!!!!!

Matthew turned NINE!

Yes...the little man turned nine..ah...yeah...LAST MONTH! I know...I am behind on the blog documention. But...drum roll....I do have some pictures :-) Where has the time gone??

M- Makes me laugh each day--thank you!

A- Always tells me he loves me :-) I am so blessed.

T- Talks....ALL the time! Seriously...why did we think we needed speech therapy?

T- Tender--very sensative little man...yes, we did cry at American Idol when David Cook won.

H- Always there with a HUG when you need it!

E- Energy--full of it...no idea where he gets it but wish I had some of it!

W- William is his middle name after my dad...I see my dad's eyes in him everyday :-)