Saturday December 31 2022 New Years Eve

[Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN]

Stars glad you were able to fix the condenser, and that your dh apologized for doubting you

NJ22 happy birthday to your dh

Tweety that seems unfair to get stuck with charge so often

Dianah I don't think I've ever made puttanesca sauce, that sounds good

Thankfully work was fairly quiet yesterday,  could have left an hour early if they had let us, but they didn't 

After work was quiet.  Ran to the grocery store to pick up some stuff for baking, exercised, did some knitting, and watched Star Trek

Decided the first New Years goal for me will be to see the counselor, as I can clearly see my anxiety has been creeping up again.   We emailed last week but she hasn't yet gotten back to me about dates and times.  The second goal will be to extend my social network, once I get the anxiety under better control and am clear on my goals.  I realize I've leaned too heavily on J in recent years, and that even if I do get another romantic partner I need more social connections than that

But that's for the new year.  Today I'll do my usual bird watching, laundry, then lunch with dad.  Will watch Svengoolie,  who has Earth vs The Spider, which is OK.  I'll stay in during the evening, as I worry about drunk drivers at this time.  Have a tiny bottle of champagne will celebrate the ball drop in Times Square then go to bed.

Bit colder today, in the upper 30s, thankfully no rain expected

 

 

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good morning!

Joe, all the best in reaching your goals.  

My social circle has dwindled to me and my best friend mostly.  I used to have a larger circle of friends to pal around with but we've drifted apart, especially during covid.  

I love puttanesca sauce and have made it many times.  I like adding chickpeas or cannellini beans for protein and to make it more substantial.  It's so easy to make.  

Trivia: "puttanesca" means "lady of the night" and the origin has a few explanations.    https://www.italymagazine.com/dual-language/pasta-puttanesca-whats-name

 My retirement is hopefully in about 4 and a half years, but six and a half at the latest.  I don't think it would be that much of a hardship if I went on with my idea of not doing charge anymore because she has some established charge nurses she had before she combined with my unit, and there's another nurse on my unit that wants to do charge.  I'll let it go though since I probably won't be in charge all that much.  Plus I shouldn't let one bad day make me act in haste.   I'm not her go-to charge nurse like I was with my old manager.  One of the techs told me on the side during a tech staff meeting yesterday my name came up as one of the best charge nurses to work with from a tech standpoint, so there is that.  LOL

I redid my budget to reflect a big increase in utilities, escrow and other increases in bills.  Basically I have to lower my discretionary spending and make sure I meet my budget for groceries.  We'll see how it goes.  Lately my spending has outpaced my income and obviously that's not sustainable.

I'll probably be in bed asleep at the stroke of midnight.  Exciting.

 

[dianah, ASN]

Good morning! 

Joe, I hope you hear back from the counselor, once New Years is over and things settle down from the holidays.  Tonight we will be at home as well, not taking to the roads at all.

Tweety, thanks for the link about the origins of puttanesca sauce.  I really liked it, and it was simple to make.  Amazon is my nemesis re: spending. ? Well, I guess it's not Amazon but ME.  ? ? I like looking forward to getting packages, and I like trying new (to me) things.  I kinda go in spurts with the ordering.

Well, it has NOT started raining yet!  Per my widget (revised this morning), rain will begin just after 1pm PST.  Hope so!

We have no plans for today.  Stay safe and warm, and have a good day!

[No Stars In My Eyes]

Hey, all~

Gypsies came back with a vengeance during the early morning hours: left knee was shrieking when I got up to go pee. Back to bed for a few hours and got up with aching hips, shoulders, knees, etc. It has to be the barometric pressure.

I'll be back later~

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

We had a nice dinner last night. We stopped at a little steak house that dh and I used to go to, when he worked close by. Youngest ds was with us, and we celebrated their birthdays. Prior to that, we drove past the bay where there had been some flooding, but it didn't look like it damaged the road, I'll try and get out there for a bike ride this week. I can tolerate mid 40's, if I wear all my cold weather gear. I tried out by new headphones this morning and really like them. They have good sound, but they don't block the ambient noise, so I can hear other runners come up behind me, and I can hear cars better. 

Joe, those sound like healthy, attainable goals. I think I am looking forward to doing the master gardener course in order to meet new people. In the past, most of my friends were people I worked with, but I really have little in common with my current coworkers. 

Tweety, I am guessing they will still want to use someone as organized and experienced as you to do charge. But if you are expected to carry a full pt assignment and charge, that's just not worth it. Yes, we are getting notices about increases in utilities. Sigh. I already have started cutting down on expenses, such as less coffee stand coffee and less eating out. And I won't need to maintain a work wardrobe of "business casual". Good bye slacks & blouses, hello jeans and t-shirts! 

We have no plans for tonight, I generally fall asleep before midnight, and then the neighbors' fireworks wake me up, and I watch the fireworks in Seattle on TV. 

Weather is mid 40s, partly sunny with rain showers, much like yesterday. 

[dianah, ASN]

Dh and I watched Episode 2 of Season 3 of The Chosen, while eating lunch.  Then he got ready for his jam and I was going to read, but went into the kitchen instead.  Baked Cranberry Tea Cake (bread) and threw together a noodle casserole, both of which we can enjoy in the next couple days (and THAT will decrease spending at restaurants or take-out!!  Just joining in on the conversation, here!).

I will probably do a load or two of laundry tonight.  Gotta be clean for the New Year!!

It rained very lightly for a couple hours today, but isn't raining now.  Supposed to start again after 8pm.  I won't complain about ANY rain we get!

nursej22, good to hear your new headphones worked well! 

Happy New Year to you all!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Popping in to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2023!

I enjoy reading everyone's daily adventures.   My total home renovation (new electric, plumbing, 2 bathrooms redone with jetted walk-in tub 1st floor for ME, French doors to backyard,  wall down between dining room so kitchen extended + 6 burner gas stove, etc. )finally complete.  Moved into rental home Sept. 2021 and gave keys back Thursday. Still have boxes everywhere to unpack along with 2 storage units to go through -- items still from in-laws who built home in 1950.

Electrician  back out for 10th time Friday: got telephone line fixed so can fax out, outside lights fixed and CAT5 line for my desktop computer desk in kitchen working;  so expect to be online more and posting more frequently.  Total upgrade ~$ 200,00 including new appliances -thankfully DH life insurance and one 403b covered most of cost.  I'll be able to age in place as only 1 step into home.

I work per diem for a home care agency which provides personal care assistants/direct care workers under PA's Home and Community Based Services program to keep disabled and elderly living independently in their own apt/home.  As RN consultant, provide  Quality improvement, applied for $40,000 state grant to improve electronic communication + caregiver education, and perform periodic consumer and caregiver supervisory visits.

Chef son getting chacuterie board ready to ring in the New Year, I'm adding shrimp so time to get back in the kitchen.

 

 

[dianah, ASN]

So nice to hear from you, NRSKarenRN!  Congratulations on all the upgrades, so glad it is done and you can enjoy it!  Happy New Year!!