So, living with a 1 year old has taught me the importance of many things related to parenting. Now, there are many essential items you need for a baby, but the single, most can’t live without thing a parent needs, you ask? A nook, also known as... a pacifier. You see, when little Nate’s crying and nothing else seems to relieve this temporary tantrum, the sacred nook always saves the day. But, when there’s none to be found and you’re searching everywhere while the laugh/cry (really, it sounds like he’s laughing when he’s crying… I sometimes feel bad when I chuckle as he’s bawling) starts getting louder, it turns into nookulear war.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
How deer* you shoot me! (*dare.... by the way, it's hunting season)
Well, I've neglected you for some time. My excuses for neglect, horrible. I became a grandma and started knitting. Initially it became my obsession, but then Buster (the crazy-haired poodle I now live with) got into my yarn and its a disaster. So I transitioned to excuse number two: my eyes can't handle staring at a computer screen to type about my hectic, and mildly entertaining, life here in Pomeroy.
Anyways, a brief recap of my life:
1. I turned 22. I had a fantastic birthday weekend hiking (see previous picture post of Oregon Butte) and wine tasting with some great gals in Walla Walla. Can you believe that a small, rural community in the middle of Washington could be the next Napa Valley?
2. I moved into town with Ron, Lisa, and Nate, their 1 year old son. Life in the country simply became too... well, disconnected. So for my own sanity, and everyone else's, I now can walk to work and everywhere else. Oh! And I have stable internet and cell service! Wahoo!
3. Explored Seattle for the first time! The city, REI, and space needle, were definitely smaller than I made Seattle up to be in my head. I still loved the atmosphere, people, and Pikes Market. But don't get me wrong... public transportation isn't ideal, and I learned that the hard way. Apparently buses don't actually pick you up where they drop you off... thank goodness for nice people who like bikes and have fancy phones! I made it back safely to the place I was staying. Speaking of which, I stayed with some really great people (a friend of a friend... of a friends) who showed me the town and provided me with an awesome place to stay with great food (they knew that whenever entertaining an AmeriCorps volunteer... feed them!). I sure didn't complain! But the cool part, and reason why I went, was the AmeriCorps launch. Though slightly intimidating when I initially walked in to a crowd of nearly 800 people and most of them were in teams and I was one of the few individual placements and probably only from eastern Washington... I met some really great people and got psyched for the program year! Again, it provided with those small reminders I sometimes forget about why I chose to do AmeriCorps.
4. I went for my first solo hike at Kendall Katwalk in the Snoqualmie Pass going to Seattle. The day could not have been more perfect and I enjoyed the peace and tranquility of going at my own pace... well at least once I hiked high enough that I couldn't hear the trucks barreling away on I-90.
5. Mom and Dad came for a visit. They gave the seal of approval and actually really enjoyed it here. And they couldn't understand why I freaked out so much... even after I took them the scary way when I first drove into town.
6. I became an official registered nurse in Washington and today, I had my first day as an RN. I mean, for real. The hospital recently hired me to spend one day a week helping out as the clinic nurse. An amazing opportunity I couldn't pass up and I'm really excited. Anyways, as any first day for a new graduate should be, it certainly did not lack "duh" moments. For instance, tis the season for flu shots... and I gave my fair share. Except one. You see, by the afternoon I felt pretty good, getting back into the swing of things. I pulled up the solution from the vial, switched needles, got the patient in the room.... and then it happened... "Shit" I thought.... I couldn't get the cap off the dang needle. I swear, they superglue them. And I'm not the only one who has the same issue! But, I forgot what Kayleen (the RN who's training me) said... loosen the cap so you don't have this exact problem. Clearly looking like more of a nursing student, or untrained professional, than a RN, my patient instantly recognized my struggle and the questions began. It started with, "So, how long have you been here?" to "Have you done this before?" to "Uh, can I request to have the other nurse give me the shot." Of course. This would happen. I can laugh now because I'll never make THAT mistake again, but I felt pretty frustrated at the time. I also had another "duh" moment when I -- and I blame fatigue and being overwhelmed -- asked Kayleen, "So how much should I pull up?" Side note: it was a single dose immunization. Of course you draw up all of it! Ohh, just one of those days....
So in a nutshell, those have been the big happenings. I'll try to do better with the updates... the next few weeks involve lots of traveling, training, and hopefully, more writing!
Anyways, a brief recap of my life:
1. I turned 22. I had a fantastic birthday weekend hiking (see previous picture post of Oregon Butte) and wine tasting with some great gals in Walla Walla. Can you believe that a small, rural community in the middle of Washington could be the next Napa Valley?
2. I moved into town with Ron, Lisa, and Nate, their 1 year old son. Life in the country simply became too... well, disconnected. So for my own sanity, and everyone else's, I now can walk to work and everywhere else. Oh! And I have stable internet and cell service! Wahoo!
3. Explored Seattle for the first time! The city, REI, and space needle, were definitely smaller than I made Seattle up to be in my head. I still loved the atmosphere, people, and Pikes Market. But don't get me wrong... public transportation isn't ideal, and I learned that the hard way. Apparently buses don't actually pick you up where they drop you off... thank goodness for nice people who like bikes and have fancy phones! I made it back safely to the place I was staying. Speaking of which, I stayed with some really great people (a friend of a friend... of a friends) who showed me the town and provided me with an awesome place to stay with great food (they knew that whenever entertaining an AmeriCorps volunteer... feed them!). I sure didn't complain! But the cool part, and reason why I went, was the AmeriCorps launch. Though slightly intimidating when I initially walked in to a crowd of nearly 800 people and most of them were in teams and I was one of the few individual placements and probably only from eastern Washington... I met some really great people and got psyched for the program year! Again, it provided with those small reminders I sometimes forget about why I chose to do AmeriCorps.
4. I went for my first solo hike at Kendall Katwalk in the Snoqualmie Pass going to Seattle. The day could not have been more perfect and I enjoyed the peace and tranquility of going at my own pace... well at least once I hiked high enough that I couldn't hear the trucks barreling away on I-90.
5. Mom and Dad came for a visit. They gave the seal of approval and actually really enjoyed it here. And they couldn't understand why I freaked out so much... even after I took them the scary way when I first drove into town.
6. I became an official registered nurse in Washington and today, I had my first day as an RN. I mean, for real. The hospital recently hired me to spend one day a week helping out as the clinic nurse. An amazing opportunity I couldn't pass up and I'm really excited. Anyways, as any first day for a new graduate should be, it certainly did not lack "duh" moments. For instance, tis the season for flu shots... and I gave my fair share. Except one. You see, by the afternoon I felt pretty good, getting back into the swing of things. I pulled up the solution from the vial, switched needles, got the patient in the room.... and then it happened... "Shit" I thought.... I couldn't get the cap off the dang needle. I swear, they superglue them. And I'm not the only one who has the same issue! But, I forgot what Kayleen (the RN who's training me) said... loosen the cap so you don't have this exact problem. Clearly looking like more of a nursing student, or untrained professional, than a RN, my patient instantly recognized my struggle and the questions began. It started with, "So, how long have you been here?" to "Have you done this before?" to "Uh, can I request to have the other nurse give me the shot." Of course. This would happen. I can laugh now because I'll never make THAT mistake again, but I felt pretty frustrated at the time. I also had another "duh" moment when I -- and I blame fatigue and being overwhelmed -- asked Kayleen, "So how much should I pull up?" Side note: it was a single dose immunization. Of course you draw up all of it! Ohh, just one of those days....
So in a nutshell, those have been the big happenings. I'll try to do better with the updates... the next few weeks involve lots of traveling, training, and hopefully, more writing!
Monday, October 4, 2010
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