Friday May 19th 2023

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · May 19, 2023

J22, I've often thought a xanax would make dental appointments easier. Especially if I need to have work done on a tooth.

I need something that makes it easier to make a call and schedule an appointment with a new provider. The last time I saw a GYN I wasn't impressed and don't want to go back. But I should probably see one again... as SIL's soccer-ball sized tumor reminds me. Her only symptoms were GI-type discomfort.

Well, okra. I grew up eating it fried in cornmeal. Not breaded, just dipped in cornmeal and fried. And I like it that way (but squash is better). I don't think of fried okra as slimy, especially if you slice it fairly thin. We never had just boiled okra (ugh) but once we discovered gumbo soups we have always used okra (you know, gumbo) to thicken them and I like it. So if I tried natto I might or might not actually like it, but the description doesn't make it seem particularly appealing. Hubs bought an okra plant for our garden so we might well have some okra this year. He hasn't ever grown it so I explained to him that you want to wear gloves when handling the plants and harvesting the pods. My mom used to pickle okra, too. Pickled okra does have a sliminess to it and I wouldn't say it is one of my favorite things but I don't refuse to eat it, either.

No Stars In My Eyes, LPN · May 19, 2023

I had to look up natto. I would try it, but not as it was described as having for BREAKFAST, adding soy sauce, mustard and ?'bunch onions'. I'm pretty good about trying one taste of something, but I don't know if I'd like this or not. I mean sauerkraut makes me shiver, but I still like it okay; 'we' don't eat it very often. Maybe one day I'll have a chance to taste some.

Well, I stayed up until 3 AM trying to finish a book, but when I looked at the clock, I knew there would be no getting up early, so I turned off the alarm clock. But I do want to start a routine of going to sleep earlier and getting up earlier. I am not just going to stress myself over it. I do think it would help me. Well, I mean, no matter what time I go to bed, I do sleep 8 hours, so I'm not suffering sleep-deprivation. I was on a 3-11 schedule for so many years, and my body liked it, so maybe it's trying to replicate 'the old days'. But that was before I became ...whatever it is I am now: married, not getting a paycheck, being loaded with the household tasks, and trying to take care of two adult babies.

Anyway, I am doing laundry AGAIN. Hubby told me to wake him up from his nap at 4:30 or so. Nannie is sleeping open-mouthed, blessedly quiet.

I have to go put out the birdfeed ---- a squirrel came up to the back glass- door and leaned on its paws, peering into the den. I can take a hint!

Editorial Team / Admin · May 19, 2023

Hello all!

Joe, my son the bartender (and a musician), ALWAYS carries ear plugs with him, and wears them PRN so he can work relatively protected, even in a noisy environment (open mic nights, karaoke, etc).

Yesterday I had to go to a locksmith to get keys for the RV duplicated. I wasn't able to do it at Lowe's, so found a locksmith in the area and they were wonderfully helpful. We returned the RV to its storage spot and dh made it home in time for his online jam. I got to read a little. I am starting to mentally plan meals for our June trip, when we will be gone two weeks. Granted, we won't be out in the middle of nowhere, but once we get parked at the festival, we will stay "put" for a week -- which means no trips to the grocery store unless our friends will take us (and we will have several friends there, so that is a possibility). I think I can plan enough in advance to keep us well-fed for that time. We can also purchase food from the vendors, once the festival gets in full swing. We will be there a few days before anything is set up, as they allow early entry for jammers and others who are taking special classes focused on their instrument. Then on the way home we will stop at a RV resort to do a load of wash and take care of emptying the gray and black tanks, and then spend three days at Mammoth Lakes area, one of our favorite areas to visit. Hopefully all the snow will be gone from the campground, elevation 7800 ft. Mammoth Mountain will keep its ski resort open through July (and possibly longer; the mountain peak is at 11,053. Last couple times we camped there, we took the shuttle from the campground to the Village, then took the tram to Mammoth summit, and enjoyed the 360 views as skiiers whizzed by us!

My little garden is doing well. The tomato and bell pepper plants are twice as big as when I planted them; the basil is doing well (I need to harvest some, and chop and freeze it); the onion roots I threw in the soil are sprouting! I am contemplating getting a large tub and planting some potatoes... Small-scale, indeed, but it works for me. While we are gone I hope the house-sitter will enjoy whatever is ripe.

Today I have a couple small errands to run, and some cleaning to do. Sunday dh and I and fiddler will meet at Oak Glen for their hymn sing. Fiddler, K, also is an accomplished pianist, and will be playing for the singing. We have been asked to do 3-4 songs as well, so will do those on the fly, having not had time to "practice."

nursej22, good the echo hasn't changed.

Ado, I hear ya, about the Xanax and appointments...

I can't eat slimy things. Just can't. I have had okra when it's breaded and fried (no slimey-ness). Can't eat runny eggs. I don't think I could eat natto.

Have a good afternoon and evening!

nursej22, MSN, RN · May 19, 2023

Good afternoon. The weather is a balmy 70 degrees. There is a bit of a haze in the air; smoke from fires in Montana and Alberta have drifted in. It's not bad enough to make one cough, and sunsets are really pretty. I went for a short ride this morning, which felt good, until the end when I was riding into the wind. I was so tuckered, that I put my helmet on top of the car, and then sat a few minutes before I loaded my bike into the carrier. And then I drove off, and immediately heard the sound of my helmet bounced off the road. Oops. Better that than a coffee cup, I guess. I been planting and weeding, and spreading some fertilizer, and telling the roses to bloom! I was going to use the gas-powered seedeater, but I couldn't get it to start. The grass really needs to be cut, and dh says he's going to do it, but I doubt it will get done. And I've done 2 loads of laundry. And now for a little break. I have been struggling to get rid of some weight and I was afraid I was retaining fluid, but doc says no. So I am resolved to get 10 pounds off!

Dianah, your garden sounds like it is doing well. I love freshly dug potatoes.

Joe, that seems healthy to move on to other relationships.

I used to work 3-11 and liked it. But my body has switched itself to waking up at 530 every morning. I was really hyped last night after doc visit and driving, and was still wide awake at 1030.

The only problem with getting anxiety medicine for doc visits, is I have to go to see a doc to get it. Yuck.

Yes, Annie, do get a checkup! I never liked GYN exams. And I know I'm due for a boob squish (can I write that here?). Another reason for xanax.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 19, 2023

nursej22 said:

I love freshly dug potatoes.

Honestly, I have never had fresh ones! This (if I do it) will be a first! A treat!

Good you got your exercise, and that nothing worse than bouncing your helmet around occurred!

I got groceries, got gas in the car, and retrieved the mail from the post office (large multi-household metal mailbox is still out of order). Dh just finished with his online jam.

Again, have a good evening!

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · May 19, 2023

Twin B woke me early this morning to report that Binx had been coughing a lot overnight. Then Hubs called me later in the day to say the same thing so I called the vet. Now he's on lasix and an ACE inhibitor for heart failure. I'm a little nervous about a housecat on lasix.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 20, 2023

Ado Annie said:

Twin B woke me early this morning to report that Binx had been coughing a lot overnight. Then Hubs called me later in the day to say the same thing so I called the vet. Now he's on lasix and an ACE inhibitor for heart failure. I'm a little nervous about a housecat on lasix.

Ooooo, poor Binx. Hopefully when he has to pee he will just pee in the litter box more frequently. Bless his heart, literally. ❤️

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 20, 2023

My late Ellie was on Lasix, Verapamil, and something else for her heart failure. She did well for a couple of years.

I got some major attitude from a social worker when I suggested she ask the nurse what time is best to schedule a pick up. She laid into me that she is not required to ask the nurse...blah blah blah. I thought it was settled then got called by my manager about it today. Apparently the SW tattled on me and said she didn't appreciate being accused of delaying a discharge. (The ambulance came and we weren't ready so they left and I never said it was her fault, it was nursing's fault but we had a low blood pressure and another patient getting blood and couldn't get around to having the patient ready. It happens). Most other SW's check with the nurse prior to calling an ambulance to transfer a patient was all I said. Anyway I reeled about it all day. I really can't handle Gen Z and their feelings. But I'll let it go.

About four hours into the shift they pulled a nurse to another unit to cover an emergency and my day proceeded to suck even worse. LOL

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · May 20, 2023

Sorry, Tweety. What a day.

We had a patient who was coming in for daily antibiotic infusions. She had a midline that was suddenly not there when she showed up for a treatment. I heard that the family was upset but I only have 2nd or 3rd hand info so I don't understand why they were upset or what we could have done to prevent it (except keep her inpatient, and I'm guessing the reason the doctor didn't was related to family wishes)

Editorial Team / Admin · May 20, 2023

So sorry, Tweety. What a busy time it was!

Ado, midline "was suddenly not there"???? That's bizarre. And she didn't know what happened to it...

Dh didn't want leftovers for dinner, so I suggested grits. He LOVED them! He put maple syrup and craisins in his. Glad he liked them!

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · May 20, 2023

dianah, guess I could have mentioned she has some dementia. Surely the doctor talked through all that and had reason to think the patient and family could handle it. Or maybe not and *that's* why family was so upset.