Thursday

Look! Another post! Already! I had forgotten how nice it is to just sit and type. Sometimes you get fluff. Sometimes not. I'm still not sure how this one is going to go.

I watched Big Brother tonight. Meh. Whatev. The show I've really enjoyed this past spring? Coming Home. Guaranteed tears every time, but so worth it. Lifetime, you now have me for 2 hours a week. I was telling my dad about it tonight, and about the woman in Texas who every day meets troops at the airport to welcome them home and thank them for their service. He told me about the Vietnam time, and soldiers being cursed, spit at, threatened, and belittled. I have talked to MANY people who have said that while they don't support the war, they do support our troops. I think that is so important. My friends son is in the Reserves, and he said that while he didn't like being over there, he and his companions wished that we could at least finish what we have started so that they don't ever have to go back.

I've been following the trending topic #40thingsaboutme. I started with my first one tonight - "I'm adopted, and I don't care about finding my 'real' mother. I've always felt like I'm right where I belong." That's usually the first question I'm asked, "Do you want to find your real mother?" Why? Is she lost? My real mother is the one that has dealt with me and my joys, heartaches, drama, and successes for the past 35 years. And, last I checked she's in California. I'm curious about my biological mother, simply for medical history reasons, but nothing more. I've been told as I get older I'll get curious but it simply hasn't happened yet. My adoption was never a secret. My grandmother has told me that once while in a sandbox, I asked another child, "Did your mother have you or did she get you?" It's just something I've grown up knowing. If you've stumbled across this somehow because of my tag, I'm happy to discuss my feelings and thoughts on the subject. Otherwise, it's time for a little WoW. 'Cause I'm something of a geek like that.

Wednesday and Hellgrammites

Welcome back to my spot. The thing tonight is I want to vent about certain issues, but given the fact that anyone could stumble on this or point certain other people to it, leads me to edit my thoughts. I'm leaning more and more towards an anonymous blog, but then, how could my friends see what I have to say?

Instead, let me share this little gem from a week or so ago. I was on a structure fire call, working rehab. Firefighters HATE rehab. They make up every excuse in the world to avoid having their vitals checked, but we're persistent, and had several guys hanging around cooling off. There had been several sightings of Hellgrammites. Oh, you haven't seen one? Let me enlighten you.

In finding that picture, I learned that the babies are Hellgrammites, and the adults are actually dobsonflies. Either way, they are a scary looking critter. And, that picture is NOT life size. When I stretched my thumb and pinky out, I couldn't cover the thing. That's well over 5". And those antler things? They pinch. Hard. And it hurts. Anyway, this critter was flitting around, and just as I pointed it out so people could watch for it, the stupid thing flies up and lands on, well, my girl chest-y parts. Deep breath, deep breath, don't freak out. I gritted my teeth and begged one of these big, tough firefighters to PLEASE get this thing off of me! Wanna guess how many immediately jumped up and volunteered? None. Not one. I had to beg and plead to get one of them to finally very carefully pinch its wings and get it off me.

Blood? Guts? Trauma? Not a problem. But the Hellgrammites could very well end up being the end of my volunteering days!!!

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

Thank you Glenn, for the kick in the tail to get me to writing again. Such changes in my life, in the past month or so. One of my co-workers left in May to pursue a different career path within our company. Unfortunately, he was also our manager. Then, one of my other co-workers left to assist another branch that was lacking in experience. Yesterday, another of my co-workers left to fill a full time position. All good things for them, but scary things for me. Selfish, aren't I? I've been on a cleaning tangent lately, and now my house is mom-clean, my yard clean, and my freezer clean. On top of that, the dentist that I have been madly in love with (for professional reasons only, I assure you) is leaving for family reasons. I can't take anyone else leaving my life!!! So, yeah. There have been things to write about. But tonight, let's tackle one of Mama Kat's suggestions, since it directly correlates with the previous.

"How are you becoming your mother?"

Cindy would tell you rather quickly it's because I'll cry at the drop of the hat. That's my Mama. But, what's been more interesting, and what she would have NEVER guessed when I was 15, that I am becoming quite happy with things being clean, and organized. I like that everything has a happy place, and I like simple. Not a lot of clutter being out, or knick-knacks out everywhere. Who would have thunk it?

Regarding previous dentist. I had, prior to him, bad dental work. I had a root canal and a crown done with no post, so that crown is put into place every day with fix-o-dent. The same tooth, on the opposite side, the bad dentist did a partial root canal and then a filling. Needless to say, that didn't last long and the tooth broke at the gum line. For years I simply made a wax tooth every day out of orthodontic wax to cover the hole at the edge of my smile line. This new dentist moved into the area and assured me he could fix it. He worked with my insurance and my budget, and $3500 later, I had an implant completed. You shoulda seen the smile . . . for 4 weeks. Then, one day, that new tooth moved. Bad. Bad bad. So, into the dentists office I went, dental implant removed, and healing began. Did I mention this dentist warranties his work? Yesterday, his replacement started MY replacement. This time, it has been more painful, by about 10 x. This post has been brought to you courtesy of Percocet.

How's that for rambling?

Couple of words

I can't comment on Facebook on this one, because that's what my gripe is. And, yes, before you say anything, I realize that autocorrect is most likely the cause. But, still. Here's a couple of examples.

"I'm trying to sale my car, if anyone is interested"

"I've been called an angle, but I think I have them fooled"

Sell, people, sell. And, ANGEL. Amazing what a difference the location of letters can make.

On another note. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been spring cleaning my house. Floorboards, curtains washed (and starched), comforters cleaned. Once I got my house cleaned, I started in on cooking. Brownies, chicken salad, egg salad, homemade salsa. Then, when I ran out of things I wanted to cook, I started in on my flower beds. Re-mulched, new flowers put in, flowers actually put in to my pots, etc. Today I actually have clothes hanging out on the line. Nesting, I've been accused of. And, before anyone says it, no, I'm NOT pregnant. However, in the past month, I've had big change in my life. My manager left for a better position. One of my favorite co-workers is transferring to another branch. Heck, even my dentist is moving away. Lots of change. I feel like the only thing that I have any control over is my house, so it's going to be under control, dag-nab-it. It's not working. I have a friend who has suggested that now would be a fantastic time to re-evaluate my life as it is. Am I truly happy? I don't know that I have a solid answer for that.

Writer's Workshop

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!
The Prompts:
1.) One pet peeve that shouldn’t drive you crazy, but does.
2.) Share 10 “Must Haves” this Spring!
3.) What were you blogging about last year at this time? What has changed?
4.) What inspired you this week?
5.) Perform a random act of service. And then tell us about it.

I'm really trying to get back in this blogging spirit thing. I used to really enjoy writing, even if I have friends who are much better at picking the right words. So, I'm going to use some helps to get back in the swing of it, and maybe turn off a few of the filters along the way.

3. What were you blogging about last year at this time? What has changed?

The reason I chose this, was that the answer is actually *nothing*. And, the reason for that is filtering. What was going on in my personal life, dating life, was pretty rough. And, there's a very good chance that person could stumble on my blog, and I didn't think he would much care for me to have it out there. But, in the year that we were dating/talking/together (what DO we do in the 20 something year?) I discovered I filtered a lot of myself out, and that wasn't fair to me OR to him. I like McDonalds food. And I like country music. And I believe in God. And I have no problem with my dog sleeping in my bed. And if any of those are issues to the guy I'm dating, they are HIS issues. I can negotiate on brands of toothpaste, but there are some things that just are what they are. And I have spent the last year learning to like, and to be ok, with those things about myself. The strange thing is? There are people out there who like me just the way I am. Country music, french fries, and all.

I've made a really good friend over the past year plus or so. He told me this week I'm a growth stock. Now, being a banker and all, I found that rather funny. He said he'd buy my stock. There are some days you might feel like you're losing your shirt, but if you stick with me long enough, you're going to come out ahead. I'll take that.

Professional Responsibility?

I read an article today on CNN.com about too few doctors telling their patients they are overweight. Can I get a little amen? There’s no secret that I’m not a skinny girl. I don’t always eat right, and I don’t exercise every day. However, I’m working on it. And, I have a LONG way to go. But. I wonder if my trip might not have been shortened by a doctor 13 years ago saying, “Hey, you’ve gained 10 lbs since your last visit. What’s changed? You need to keep an eye on that.” Instead, you know how I realized how bad it was? When during one visit, the nurse left my chart in the room with me. There, in the doctor’s notes, it clearly stated, “Patient is obese.” And, I’d been seeing this doctor for a couple of years! Not once, in any check-ups, ‘I’m sick’ calls, or any other time, did this doctor mention it to me. The only way it got discussed was when I said, (after reading that), “Hey. I don’t like being fat. What do you recommend?” He then promptly put me on Meridia, and that was the end of it. When I have a client come into the bank and do a transaction, how upset is that client going to be if I don’t mention, “We didn’t receive your loan payment.” Or, “I see you got a service charge last month. Let’s do something about that.” If the professional that you are working with sees that there is a problem, don’t they have an obligation to SAY something about it? Yes, being overweight is a sensitive, touchy subject. But, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be addressed. And, I would have much rather had 10 lbs to lose, than what I’m faced with today. So, yes, doctors. Please say something sooner, rather than later, to your patients!

Oh, and yes. I’ve switched doctors. To one that regularly does blood work, takes the time to discuss my current personal situation, and keeps me in check as far as diet and exercise. Isn’t that what they are getting paid to do?

Nothing much . . .

To say. See, here's my problem. I'll think of something during the day (where blogging is strictly forbidden), and by the time I get home, I've completely forgotten about it.

I can tell you this. I'm tired. I was out late last night on a squad call, and up early this morning. Now, I don't mind calls, but when the patient gets to leave the hospital before I do? Fail. I was told when I started running calls the time would come when I wouldn't jump to answer everything. I laughed. I need to hunt that person down and tell them that they were right. Even now I'm listening to tones go off, and making no move to go answer them. The call? MVC. Vehicle off the roadway, engine still running, no one around car. Now, before people jump to anything, we do have an assigned crew, so someone is going. It's just not going to be me.

On another note. My poor Britney dog has had a heck of a time lately. Last week she suddenly wouldn't tolerate standing, and was "gimpy" as she walked. Fortunately, I have a totally awesome vet who saw here less than 12 hours after I called him, and she is now taking Novox every morning. The only problem? She now thinks she's a puppy again! Crazy thing.

This weekend will be busy. Racing, BIG racing. If you're in the Southwest VA area, Natural Bridge Speedway is going to be the place to be . . . come see us!

Hey. At least it's a post. :-)