Shopping Cart

Since moving to NY I have switched from shopping on large grocery stores to shopping in the small organic markets and specialty foods stores. Surprised? Sticker Shock? Well, believe it ot not, for the kinds of foods that I purchase and eat, it's cheaper for me to go to these smaller markets. Don't get me wrong, I still clip coupons (pretty dorky for a 23 year, hunh?), but I have also devised a system for conquering the money pit that is New York. I have my list of 4 Markets where I shop. When I first moved here I did some price comparisons and made up a little chart of who had the cheaper stuff. Now, I rotate my markets by the week, stocking up when non perishables are on sale, and taking advance of what little storage/cabinet space my cozy Manhattan apartment provides.

This little experiment of mine reminds me of the posters hanging at the checkout lines of Trader Joes. It's amazing how much money you can save with a little planning. I've tried really hard to avoid the impulse of running to the market to grab something, becuase let's face it, one thing turns into two things, which turns into a $40 cart worth of stuff you really didn't need and inevitably you forgot the one item that you actually went to purchase. But I digress...

I've always found it very interesting to ssee what others are buying at the store. No, I'm not a crazy stalker, but if food says anything about the person who is buying it, you can learn a lot.

Just what sort of things will you find in my cart? Here's some of my favorites:

Nasoya
8th Continent Light Soymilk
Tofu
Baby Carrots, Celery, Avocados, Eggplant, Tomato, Cucumbers, Baby Spinach, Poratbella Mushrooms
Apples, Navel Oranges, Green Grapes, Blueberries, Strawberries
Wasabi peas
Hummus
Better'n'Peanut Butter
Orange Marmalade Click this link to buy fresh from the NY farmers market. YUM!!
It's SOY delicious
Kashi Vive
Raisins
Frosted Mini Wheats
Just Veggies
Stevia
Eggs
Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cubes
Tofutti Chocolate Fudge Treats
Frosting (hey, I have a sweet tooth and there is nothing like a spoonful of sugary delight when you need a little *kick*)

So that's my cart. What does it say about me? And much like the Capital One saying, "What's in Your Cart?"


A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

Four Foods on Friday

#1. What is your favorite kind of cheese for snacking?
Laughing Cow Light Swiss Stlye cubes

#2. What is your favorite kind of jelly?
Orange Marmalade...the chunkier the better! The local farmers markets have the best stuff around.

#3. Yogurt. Regular or custard style?
Regular, with lots of fresh fruit added.

#4. Share a recipe for a stew or soup.
Caribbean Bean Stew from Vegan Village


15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups mixed red, green and yellow peppers, chopped
14 oz can chopped tomatoes
4oz / 100g mushrooms, sliced
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp oil
2 sticks celery, chopped
2 small sweet potatoes, chopped
1 carrot, diced
1 TB tomato paste
1 TB soy sauce
4 drops of tabasco sauce
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
black pepper
3 cups vegetable stock

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a large pan and gently fry the onion and garlic until softened. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and soy sauce and cook until pulpy.

Add all the remaining ingredients and stir well. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the bay leaves and serve. Delicious!

My Life as a Vegetable

So I am currently reading this book. It's not quite eloquent, as it was originally a blog, but it's "cutesy and quirky", a light read, and a welcome change from all the heavy books of my college years. About four chapters into the book, the main character, Julie, makes reference to her friend Sally as "the artichoke", referring to her lifestyle and datability.

I read it. Paused. Re-read it. Started thinking...Wow, that's so interesting; I wonder what me and all my friends are?!?!

Alas, for your reading pleasure, here are the highlights of my friends and I as vegetables...a mighty tasty salad,if I do say so myself.

LH- The Cucumber. Comfortable in her skin, but not afraid to shed it either. Calm and even tempered, mixes well with most groups. Rarely spoiled, a safe bet as a friend and constant; however, can be a little spacey and sometimes lacks kick...

NV-The Chili Pepper. Sassy and bold, this girl knows what she wants and will not take any sass. Occasionally gets under your skiin and you just can't quite get the taste off your buds. Can be counted on to spice any situation up and oh yeah, can make thos boys cry...

JS- The Potato. Think strong, versatile, and enduring. Able to balance it all and always even keeled. Complacent with all things familiar, holds on to past comforts...

EM-The Zucchini. Generally well accepted, mixes well with various groups, holds up under pressure. Just doesn't appeal to some. Ok in the mix, but sometimes scraped to the side...

AT- Corn. Sweet and energetic. Enjoyed in various situations and forms, really can't go wrong choosing it. Can get stuck in your teeth and can never quite be done with her...

LR- The Carrot. Sweet, spunky, adds a little crunch to any situation. Comfortable plain, or all dressed up. Usually a baby carrot, when you don't have to peel off the tough skin...

SS-Sweet Potato. Basic enough on the outside, but warm, fluffy, and sweet on the inside. Can be sweet or savory, a timeless classic. Skin is hard to peel off initially...

VH-Jicama. Oddly intreaguing. External appearances can be deceiving. Once you get past the oter skin, the inside is sweet, crunch, crisp, and makes you say, "hmm....". Always keeps you coming back for more. Some don't want to make the effort to get past that yough outer skin...

AZ- The Tomato. Senstive and delicate. Delicious raw or artfully made baked up. Can complement any group or dish, but sometimes is quite sour and makes you pucker...

KK- The Mushroom. So basic, yet so complex. The layers of personality and flavor alwyays revelaing themself. Prefes to stand alone and doesn't like to blend into the background. Dominant in all situations...

KH- The Pea. cute and petite. Always there, tested and true. Just enough sweetness to tide one over. The one your mom nags you to try. Maybe tried by just a few too many...

LC- Spinach. Strong and full bodied. So many uses, able to withstand the heat, even if it does take a slightly different form. May taste a bit too gritty for some...

and finally,

ME- The Eggplant. Soft, tender, and versatile-enjoyed by vegeterians and meat eaters alike. Give the outer skin a little time to soften and inside is all that goodness waiting to emerge and be enjoyed. Maybe a little too intimidating for some to try.

And there you have it. Salad is served.

What about you? What's your veggie style?

And I Thought He Wasn't Listening

"R? I'm going to change J. I'll be right back."

No response as he continues to watch the PBS info special about saving water and recycling.

3 minutes later as J and I come downstairs...
"R?...........R?..........hello?!?!?" I look all around the downstairs and then I hear that little "devlish" belly laugh.
"He'z down da stairz Nurse Miss Kew-wee"
"Yes, J. He is. Let's Go!"

I turn the corn and what do I see?
****R, standing on the top of the stool, peeing (or at least trying to aim) into the trash barrel.****

"R! What are you doing?"

"I'm peeing into the barrel . I'm saving water Nurse Miss Kelly. Just like the TV said."

Now folks, how do you argue with that?

4 Foods Friday. Better Late Than Never

#1. Bacon. Chewy, crispy or burnt?
Um, none for this vegerterian, but I do LOVE the way it smells when it's snap, crackle, and popping away on it's way to crispness

#2. Mayonnaise or miracle whip?
Wow, really striking out this week. Neither. Nasoya

#3. What green vegetable is used in Italian Wedding soup?
Spinach

#4. Share a recipe that you use Italian sausage in.
I made this once for my family...they licked the bowls clean

Sausage Soup

INGREDIENTS
1 pound Italian sausage (mix sweet and spicy)
2 TB minced garlic
2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 (14.5 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
2 small zucchini, cubed
2 small yellow squash cubed
1/2 each red and yellow pepper
4 cups baby spinach
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
In a stockpot or Dutch oven, brown sausage with garlic.
Stir in broth, tomatoes and carrots, peppers, and season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
Stir in beans with liquid and squash & zucchini.
Cover, and simmer another 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
Remove from heat, and add spinach.
Replace lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves. Soup is ready to serve after 5 minutes.

F.Y.I....the don't's in life

DON"T.....
1. serve peanuts on an airplane...even if it's equipped with an AED, intubation box, and an RN & MD
2. east tuna fish on a train...PLEASE be considderate of your fellow travelers
3. try to text message while running at 8mph on the treadmill
4. wear your cashmere coat to the playground
5. rub your eyes while working with chili peppers
5. assume that becuase a kid is potty trained that they will tell you they NEED to go the bathroom....get very good at picking up on the "pee pee dance" and/or winkie grab
6. settle for less than your deserve
7. forget that just becuase you are an OCD, anaile retentive, perfectionisit who like order and organization that when you are tired it' OKAY ro drop your dirty clothes on the floor and just go to bed
8. wear low rise jeans and a high rise thong...REALLY not flattering
9. put aluminum in the microwave
10. try to put on nylons if you haven't filed your nails
11. tell someone on the first date that you are madly in love with them, can see the cathedral length train of your wedding dress, the white picket fence of your future house, and hear the screaches and pitter patter of the children you are destined to have
12. go for an 8 mile run after a 20 hour work shift...total disaster
13. apply eyeliner while walking down the street
14. go to st*rbucks without your wallet...even if they know your order by heart and say it'sOK for you yo pay next time.
15. shave your armpits dry...ouch! the chaffing

Four Food Friday (I stole the meme)....

Came across this meme from O's post, thought I'd give it a whirl...

#1. What’s your favorite kind of crepe?
Sweet- apple, banana, cinnamon, honey & "BAM" of powdered sugar. You get the crunch of the apple, mellowed by the soft banana, the tang of the cinnamon, and the honey makes everything better.

#2. How do you make ziti?
I don't really eat much pasta, but I make a mean baked ziti with sun dried tomato and eggplant

#3. What is your favorite thing to put on toast, and which flavor if more than one?
Orange Marmalade. the chunkier, the better!

#4. When wok cooking, which oil burns the slowest? Peanut, vegetable or safflower?
Safflower. I'm a dork, I know. It smokes around 235 degrees. Thank you Emeril!! Peanut oil smokes at a lower point but is generally more well received for it's flavor....minus all those with the nut allergy.

Role Reversal

Today I was the patient.

As I lay on the cold crisp white paper with the fluorescent white lights shining down on me, me heart beating steadily in my chest, I began to think...so this is what it's like.
No, I wasn't facing large surgery or death like many of my patients (thank God) but I was facing a few unpleasant minutes of being numbed up to have 2 suspicious moles removed.

Now maybe I have a jaded view of health care, but here is what I observed about my appointment today...

1. I was taken ON TIME
2. I was addressed as Miss S
3. I was properly instructed on how to wear the gown. *You'd be amazed at how many people leave the opening in the front*
4. I doctor washed her hands IN THE ROOM before and after patient contact

5. Despite being taken ON TIME, I was seen 45 minutes LATER
6. The consent for biopsy wasn't explained to me, but rather shoved in my face by the medical assistant while said she said, "Sign and date on the line. It's so we can 'do' your stuff"
7. The medical assistant had to come in and out of the room 4 times to set up for the procedure...
8. I was freezing lying on the table
9. What the heck is the point in knocking as you open the door...so much for warning

All in all, my experience wasn't that bad. Actually, I think it was a good thing for me to experience. It helps keep me grounded and mindful of what it's like to be a patient.
Things I will remember...
-despite the long term stays of my patients, always check to see what the patient wants to be called
-if the curtain/door is closed, knock-PAUSE- enter
-don't just witness consents, ensure patient understanding, clarify, and obtain the doctor if necessary
-be prepared when you enter the room, it's annoying to go in-out-in-out
AND
- for the love of noscomial infections, wash hands BEFORE and AFTER patient contact

I'd love to hear your role reversal stories and just what they helped you remember

All Grown Up

Despite having graduated from college, passed my boards, moved to a new city, and started a challenging new career, until recently I didn't really feel "like a grown up." However, after my biatching and moaning, and then lovely visit home after the holidays, I suddenly feel grown up. Weird?!?

Things have happened and I stayed calm. I've juggled new challanges and put myself out there.

Just what have I done so far in 2008?

-"De-decorated" after the holidays, and not liking the nakedness of the apartment, went out and bought new decorative "chachkis" and even some furniture.

- I booked a vacation (not a spring break!!!)...St. Maarten here I come!

- Set up appointments with new docotrs and specialisits,, clearly I need a PCP, dentist, dermatolosit, ob/gyn, etc.

-Obtained information about retirment, savings, and investment...it's NEVER too early to save for the future.

AND

-Started scoping out some boys....2008 will not be as *dry and dull* as 2007

Maybe I just needed to leave 2007 behind, but so far, 2008 is off to a good start.

Random but True

1) Who is the last person you high-fived?
Natasha

2) If you were drafted into a war, would you serve?
If I could serve as a nurse, then yes

3) Do you sleep with the tv on?
I know, it's a bad habit. Effects melatonin production

4) Have you ever fresh squuezed juice?
Obviously

5) Have you ever won a spelling bee?
Let's just say I should have bought stock in "spell checking" software

6) Have you ever been stung by a bee?
twice

7) How fast can you type?
still not as fast as my mind thinks, thus my frequent use of (...) to join my thoughts

8) Are you afraid of the dark?
no

9) What color are your socks?
tank, pink, and red cashmere argyle. Hey, they were on sale after Chrismas!

10) Have you ever made out at a drive-in?
Do they even have drive in's anywhere around here?

11) When is the last time you chose a bath over a shower?
When I was home over the holidays. Nothing like a jetted bubble bath to ease the stress and tension of the holiday season.

12) Do you knock on wood?
Yes

13) Do you floss daily?
(Mom, don't read this) *I TRY*

14) Do you wanna Fanta?
No soda for me

15) Can you hula hoop?
My hip swirling would make Shakira proud

16) Are you good at keeping secrets?
Yes

17) What do you want for Christmas?
A nice guy with reasonable fashion taste, a good sense of humor, who is close to his family and nice to his mom...I know, keep wishing

18) Do you know the Muffin Man?
Nope, but I have met Cookie monster

19) Do you talk in your sleep?
I am not accountable for anything that I say

20) Who wrote the book of love?
I don't know, but I'd surely like to have their knowledge level

21) Have you ever flown a kite?
Every summer on Cape Cod

22) Do you wish on your fallen eyelashes?
Yup

23) Do you whiten your teeth?
Nope

24) Can you tell by smell what's cooking?
Most of the time

25) Have you ever asked for a pony?
No

26) Have you, or would you ever, donate sperm/eggs?
I think that question is more complex than yes or no

27) Can you juggle?
HA, no

28) If you could enact any new law, what would it be?
wow, I need to think about this one

29) If you had only enough energy left in you for one last smile, who would you give it to?
To anyone who seemed deserving of one...a smile is contagious

30) Are you ready to rumble?
Bring it!

31) Have you ever been suspended or expelled from school?
No, but I did get detention in 6th grade

32) Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes, I got locked in the bathroom

33) Have you ever eaten dog food?
When I was little, I was convinced it was yummy

34) Can you handle the truth?
It hurts, but yes

No Title

Although I secretly thought that I would be better about my posting frequency, I’m not off to the best start. Oh well, hopefully the content will make up for the quantity.

Just to recap, I worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then took a 6 am train home on the 26th. I had an amazing visit at home with my family and when I arrived back in the city, I was refreshed and recharged, ready to take on the world again.
Work this past week was GREAT. Staffing was the best I have ever seen it (it’s the beginning of the year, NO ONE takes vacation and there are NO restrictions on OT).

Despite the fact that I still had crazy patients (i.e. the lady who thought it was a good idea to smoke while wearing her oxygen, the person who tried ironing their clothes WHILE wearing them, and of course pt #1 from this post), my days were pleasant and enjoyable. Tomorrow, Sunday, I go back to nights. Ahhh, the bliss of working days is done, but I’m a big girl and need to get a grip about having to work nights. One day (night) at a time, right?

But okay, this all sounds too perfect, yeah?
So true.

My roommate is currently in L.A. traveling on business, so it’s just me in the apartment. I have been de-decorating from the holidays (so depressing) but really haven’t spent much time hanging around the apartment. I never wrote a post about what happened last time A was in LA on business, but pretty much I got locked out my apartment, the super was away on vacation, and the key cards that I had to get spare keys made in the case of a lockout WEREN’T for the current locks on our door. Main jest, we each only have 1 set of the apartment keys and the super doesn’t have any. A had just said before she left for L.A. that she was going to get another set of keys made, “just in case”…

Flash forward to Friday morning in the middle of burn care and central line changes…

“Kelly, pick up 60828.”
5 minutes pass, I can’t get out to the phone.
“Kelly, PLEASE pick up on 60328”
“I’m in the middle of burn care, can you take a message?” I yell out.
“No. It’s urgent.”
My pulse quickens and I bolt to the phone.
“Oh my God. It’s me….”
“Yeah, hey. What’s up. Wait, isn’t it like 6 am in LA?”
“ Okay, you need to go home. I keep getting these frantic calls from the super that there is a flood coming from our apartment and he doesn’t have keys. Clearly, I’m in L.A. and not much help. What can we do?”
“Umm, well, uh, sh*t, let me see if I can get someone to cover me and I’ll try and run home and drop off the keys. I’ll have to call you back. BYE.”

I hang up, clearly white with panic, thinking the worse, and ask a co-worker if they can cover my patients for 10 minutes (I hope) while I run home. Thankfully, Dennis agrees and I fly to the locker room. Yeah, I gave almost ZERO report on what was going on with my patients, I know that was not safe.

I raced to the locker room grabbed my keys and cell phone and flew down the 8 double flights of stairs (in my clogs) and out the back entrance. It was all of 20 degrees here in NY, but I Didn’t zipper my coat, put on my gloves on tie my scarf. Instead I RAN down York Ave, all 6 blocks, in my blue scrubs, blue clogs, coat flapping in the wind, and oh yeah my surgical cap. Yup, completely forgot to take it off….I must have looked absurd to all those out and about yesterday morning.

I made it home in 2 minutes, I really don’t know how I made it that fast!

I buzz the super and he grabs my keys and bolts up the stairs. He is so flustered that he can’t open the lock and I do it. We go in, expecting the worst, but only see damage in the bathroom. By some miracle, the “flood” was over the bathtub and draining down the drain just quick enough to smei control the outpouring from the tub.

Seeing as the plumbers needed to come, and I HAD to get back to work, I left my keys with the super and he said that he would let me in when I got home from work. This was only after he gave me a hassle about not having a copy of the keys. I profusely apologized and said that we would take care of it come Monday.

I raced back to work, and threw my stuff in my locker, slammed it shut. Oh crap! My coat is caught in the hinge and isn’t going to open. Oh well, deal with that at 8pm.

My day just sort of went by. I was in a fog and distracted about what was going on in my apartment.
Finally, after giving report and prying my locker open with a screwdriver from the “environmental services” person I leave. I call the super, to get my keys but he tells me that he won’t be home for 30 minutes because the plumbers just left. GRRRRR
I try and kill time but cannot focus. I attempt to grocery shop, but all I buy is a bottle of ketchup, a green pepper ,and 2 oranges. Yes, that will not make any semblance of a meal.

I finally get let in and here is what I learn…
There was a leak in the wall pipe that sort of affected my apartment, but that it collapsed the ceiling in the apartment below me. I currently have ½ a bathroom ceiling, the rest is plastic and tape, and no water. WTF?!?!?! Supposedly, they are keeping the plastic up for a week, to see if it leaks again, then they will fix it. The water was in the process of being turned back on.
I go up to my apartment and look at my bathroom. There is dirt, dust, and grit EVERYWHERE. Everything that had been in the bathroom is thrown on the floor in the hallway, including my toothbrush. GROSS!

Thankfully, the water was turned back on and I hopped in the shower to cleanse myself after work. Ehhh, that wasn’t the best idea. The drain must have been filled with the grit because the tub filled with gross brown water and was up to my ankles.
When I got out, I scoured the bathroom from top to bottom, and then went to the store to buy a new toothbrush.

11:30 pm and I’m finally trying to sleep. “RING. RING. RING” I picked up my cell phone. It’s N. Now if I thought I Was having a rotten day, hers was worse. I talked to her for 30 minutes and then finally fell asleep.

2:55 a.m. “Chirp. PAUSE. Chirp. PAUSE.”

What the heck? I’m not at work, that’s not an IV pump, and it’s not my alarm.

Oh my G0d, that’s the Carbon monoxide detector! I jump out of bed and race into the living room. I look up at the detector.

Okay, I don’t think it’s “alarming” but it’s definitely making noise. Oh crap, what am I going to do? I really didn’t want to do it, but I picked up my cell and called the super.

“hello??????”
“Hi Charlie, it’s Kelly in 7f…I think my carbon monoxide detector is going off?”
“Is it alarming or just beeping?”
“It’s been beeping like once a minute.”
“Oh, ehh, that’s just the batteries! Take it off the wall and take out the batteries, we’ll replace it in the morning.”
“Umm, well. I would but it’s up at the ceiling and I can’t reach.”
“Sh*t. I’ll be right up.”

He comes up and takes it down. I thank him and go back to bed.
Not 10 minutes later the chirping begins again. WTF???? AGAIN??!?!

I go back to the living room and follow the noise. I look up near the bathroom, behind the sophet and there is another detector. Gotta love quality assurance. The batteries were put in at the same time and now they are dying at the same time. Knowing that I can’t call the super again, I drag out a step stool, put a phone book on top and REACH on my toes to take the damn thing down.

Mission Accomplished.

Finally back to bed.

I woke up this morning at 8am and went for an amazing, de-stressing, 7 mile run.
Upon returning, I was ready to once again face the world.

2k8

Happy New Year All!

Here's the new motto: "2008 is looking GREAT".

Stay positive, stay strong...one day at a time.

The 12 Pains of Work

**In the Burn Unit, At Christmas Time**


The 1st thing at work, that's such a pain to me...
Is not having time to pee

The 2nd thing at work, that's such a pain to me...
Answering the call bell,
and not having time to pee..

The 3rd thing at work, that's such a pain to me...
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell,
and not having time to pee

The 4th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
Dealing with the residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell,
and not having time to pee

The 5th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell,
and not having time to pee

The 6th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

The 7th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
Central line changes,
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

The 8th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
Multiple intubated patients,
Central line changes,
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

The 9th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
No meal breaks,
Multiple intubated patients,
Central line changes,
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

The 10th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
The computer system,
No meal breaks,
Multiple intubated patients,
Central line changes,
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

The 11th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
annoying family members,
The computer system,
No meal breaks,
Multiple intubated patients,
Central line changes,
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

The 12th thing at work that's such a pain to me...
Codes at change of shift,
annoying family members,
The computer system,
No meal breaks,
Multiple intubated patients,
Central line changes,
Q 1 hour finger sticks,
Five beeping pumps,
Dealing with residents,
Signing out narcotics,
Answering the call bell ,
and not having time to pee

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
2008 is looking GREAT!!

How to Host A Cookie Party: Manhattan Style

In case you were wondering how my Cookie Party went last Sunday....

1. Send out a survey via email of potential dates at least a month in advance to gauge availability on certain dates

2. Follow-up that email, requesting that people actually respond

3. Send out a "Save the Date" email with a note-"details to follow"

4. Expect that 1/3 of the people who said they were available, will bail on the actual party

5. Request that guests arrive at 1:30 if you want them to show up by 2:30

6. Don't put an end time, otherwise you kill the spontaneity of city living

7. As the party gets closer, start inviting people who aren't "cookie swap type" people...

8. Tell the people from #7 that there will be alcohol, lots and lots of alcohol

9. Request that guests bring 3 dozen cookies, if you only want them to bring 2 dozen...no one reads carefully

10. Expect that 3/4 of the people will show up with STORE BOUGHT cookies, when the whole idea is to bring homemade cookies/the recipe/and their special story

11. Laugh hysterically when one of the guests honestly tries to pawn off Entemanns chocolate chip cookies as "homemade"...NO home made cookies are THAT perfect

12. Don't be shocked that all the people from #7 are the first to arrive, and make an immediate b-line for the bar set-up

13. Know that your mimosas will be the hit of the party but that none of the guests really care that you spent an hour making the fresh squeezed OJ...in the future, unless Martha Stewart is on the guest list, screw the fresh-squeezed and grab the Tropicana

14. a) if you want to stay true to the idea of the party-Have the actual cookie/recipe swap BEFORE your guests get drunk
b) if you want to be a laid back hostess and enjoy the party, have the swap AFTER the bar runs dry...the stories are MUCH better

15. Don't forget to leave extra rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom, otherwise one poor guest will have to shout out from the bathroom for some ...

16. Don't stress that you only have official seating for 8. People WILL sit on the floor cushions that your mom so fabulously made you

17. Don't be shocked that your friends mesh fabulously with your roommates friends

18. Consider inviting boys...it's a great way to show off your domestic skills

19. Figure that your guests will take the party to the local pub for an "after cookie" party and yes they WILL get looks when they stroll in with Tupperware full of sweet treats

20. Smile, as you let out a sigh, while wiping up the last crumb and putting away the last dish at midnight

Up, Down, All Around

What have I been doing?
Better question: What haven't I been doing?

Well for starters, last weekend my little sister and her friend Alex were here for avisit. My dad drove them in on Saturday. We spent the morning exploring Central Park, my dad took us out to lunch, he drove home, the girls and I went shopping, I took them out to dinner in Little Italy with my friends, they shopped on Canal Street, we shopped more and more on Sunday, and then I took them to the Amtrak station and sent them on their merry little way. It was the first time I had seen my dad and sister in over 5 months! I savored every moment of that weekend and I didn't want it to end.

I worked Monday and Tuesday and picked up OT shifts on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday was my first day off, but I babysat, I worked Saturday, and Sunday I met with my trainer, ran errands, did laundry, and hosted a holiday cookie party.

I guess it doesn't sound like much, but working four 13 + hour days in a row is hard. Did I mention that Winter is the burn unit's "busy" season?? We were VERY short staffed. I did not get lunch ANY day this week, and on Thursday the first time I was able to use the restroom was 5pm. (Yes, I do get to work at 7:15 a.m.).

I'd like to give you a summary of my patients this week...

Pt # 1- a 260+ pound man with scald burns to his lower legs as a result of testing hot bath water and having diabetic neuropathy. This man is intubated, sedated, has a history of 3 heart attacks, 3 strokes, diabetes, uses cocaine, and who has been having serious cardiovascular issues. In a healthy person, we like to see a blood pressure of 120/80, MAP's of 80, and heart rates in the 70's-80's. Well this man goes from having BP's of 220/190 to 56/30, HR's ranging from 55-120, and no matter what we do medically, he continues to have these episodes. The real issue? We are drying to dieures this man, he's retaining over 20 water, but whenever we pull fluid off of him with a diuretic, he drops his BP, we have to bolus his with fluid and he ends up being more overloaded than the day before....

Pt #2- a 57 year old woman with diffuse burns over her body after she lit her house on fire. She's got a history of IV drug use who gets ENORMOUSLY high doses of methadone every morning. She is so out of it, that there is no reasoning with her. Despite the fact that she is in post operative splints from her skin grafting, she tries to get out of bed, and karate chops at your head with the splints when you even attempt to get near her. Oh yeah, she says very UNKIND things. Let's just say that her favorite term for me begins with a "C" and rhymes with "punt"...yeah, I know.

Pt #3- a 79 year old man with Alzheimer's who burned himself while smoking. Best part of the story? This is his 2nd! time admitted to our floor for smoking burns. Honestly, what is a man who cannot perform his own ADL's doing smoking anyway?
So this patient also has a very diry mouth. However, he prefers to use the above mentioned name with tha adjective "f*ck*ng"...he tries to bite, pinches breasts, and spits. Because of that he's in 2 point wrist restrains, and soft mitten restraints. What a pleasant, pleasant man.

Pt #4- the 67 year old new admission with 65% burns after she set her bathrobe on fire in an attempt to kill herself. Even sadder? This was her 3rd attempt at suicide.

Any one of these patients alone, wouldn't be that bad, but we were short staffed with 5 sicks calls leaving 7 vented patients and 12 non vented patients for only 7 nurses.

Here is how ONE DAY of my week went down...

While dealing with one of pt #1 BP episodes, the cardiology fellow came down to consult on the patient. The cardiology fellow got into a verbal argument with the burn fellow outside the patients room, leaving me to deal with BP issue. During the 45 minutes that this was going on, pt # 3 managed to free himself from the restraints and rip out his central line (a type of IV surgically inserted into a great vein, in his case, the subclavian. When I went in to check on him (thankfully after stabilizing pt #1), he was half way out of bed with his post operative splint hanging over the bed... on the verge of falling. When I called for someone to come help, he started with the dirty mouth, pinching, and spitting. I no sooner got him back to bed, when I hear pt #3 screaming at the top of her lungs that she needs to get out of this "F*ck*ng $hit h@ll hole to get to the Western Union to get some money to save the men from the things who get that stuff done". (I mean, you know those people, right?) When I try and calm her down, she starts with the karate chopping.
saving myself from the karate chops, I get paged overhead to the phone to deal with the irate wife of pt #3 because she doesn't agree with the patients medication regime (honesly, not much IC an do about that...I'm not writing the med orders.). I calmly explain to her that when the doctors round at 3:30 I will address this issue with them. She isn't satisfied, demands that it be dealt with immediately, and I tell her that the doctors are in the OR but that the issue WILL get addressed.
I no sooner hang up, but then nuclear medicine calls up to ask me why pt #1 isn't down there for his V/Q scan. V/Q scan what?!?!?! I know nothing about this supposed scan, but I do that he WILL NOT be going b/c it's at least a 2 hour ordeal where myself, the fellow, and a resident need to leave the floor to transport the patient and then stay for the entire test. Right, and my other patients will just take care of themselves.
I page the fellow, have him d/c the scan,and also let him know that pt #3 took out his line. He requests that I stick this man for his noontime labs. Now there is nothing I love more than poking a man who can't sit still and screams bloody murder. Thankfully, I got it on the first shot.
Now back to dealing with pt #2. She needs to have her dressings taken down, but we are too short staffed to take her to the tank. And so begins to dressing change at tbe bedside. 2 hours later....
As if all of this isn't bad enough, at 5:30pm, I get a call from the ER that I'm getting an admission. To add to the mass confusion, I pass off my patients and prep for the new admission. I won't bore you with the details, but I'll sum it up as TRAIN WRECK. The circumferential burns required emergent escharatomies of the abdomen/chest/arms. Nothing the like the smell of freshly cauterized flesh.
As sh*te proceeded to hit the fan, I plugged on.

I clocked out of work at 9:45 pm. 2 hours and 15 minutes after my shift ended.

And that, folks, is what I have been doing.

when it rains, it pours

wow, I certainly have been MIA. I have a large post in the works, but for the same reasons that I have been mia, my post isn't done. stay tuned.

Double Take

I feel as though, lately, I have seen a few things that I would like to comment on...

I was caring for a 20-year old newly diagnosed insulin dependent diabetic who was extremely non compliant with blood sugars ranging from 50-700. Trying my best to illustrate what sort of complications can arise from uncontrolled blood sugars, I listed some potential complications via case scenario.. blindness, kidney failure leading to dialysis, testicle removal, and foot amputation....Do you know what is reaction was??? "How can you live without testicles?"
*no words, sheer pity

At the gym, at the little counter behind the stair climbers, sat a man delicately slurping his split pea soup, gently crumbling saltine crackers into, reading the paper, and oh yeah- he had a placement. This man does not work there, nor was he working out.
*are you kidding me? I hope all those sweaty germs taste delicious...no salt needed

Ina Garden on her cooking show commenting that even the kids would lover her spinach casserole? What where the ingredients? sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, cheese, fried onions, and oh yeah spinach.
*Umm, two things. 1) can one even taste the spinach in that dish? 2) Don't kid yourself people, 15 pounds of spinach wouldn't cancel out all those *other* artery clogging ingredients

The people working at Dunkin Donuts who did not get any one of the five orders ahead of me correctly. (I.E. regular tea instead of a vanilla chai, Salmon Cream cheese instead of Lite Veggie, a dozen munchkins instead of a dozen donuts, a large hot chocolate filled half way, instead of a medium cup, and an untoasted plain bagel with onion cream cheese instead of a toasted onion bagel
*I went safe and ordered a medium decaf coffee BLACK

The traffic cop who was talking on his phone while directing traffic. The light actually changed 4 times before he turned around to let the other side of the traffic pass by
*if I weren't in a hurry, I would have called his supervisor

The enormous Christmas tree in one of the apartment buildings lobby...decorated with menorah ornaments and blue lights
*oh come on people, do we have to be SO politically correct?

Enough of that. I'm done. Just thought I'd let you in on some of the sight and sounds of life in the Big Apple

I'll Rub Your back, If You Rub Mine

Hi my name is Kelly and I am perfectionist. (Admitting you have an ‘problem’ is the first step, right?) Don’t get me wrong, this trait has been beneficial, but I do see where it has been a problem. Gee, I sure wish I had a Venn diagram right now.

I have a drive to succeed: leading me to graduate #5 in my class and onto a Ivy League College gradating with Magna Cum Laude honors; however, many nights (more than I care admit) I missed out on fun things because I was on a different one-track. I pay meticulous attention to detail: I always cover all my bases; nevertheless, painstaking amounts of time have been lost when it really wasn’t necessary. I don’t shy away from a challenge: I swam competitively for 13 years, never once being the best, but I got so much satisfaction from giving it my all; I’m stubborn and won’t back down, even if it is a hopeless cause. I aim to please: I can work a crowd and talk to most anybody; I hate confrontation and will often not speak up with my opinion for the sake of avoiding an argument.

I think you get my point. I’m not really sure why I am writing this post, but I guess lately I have been giving my habits a lot of thought.

At the beginning of my orientation for work, I was precepted by a nurse “the bi*itch” who was so demeaning and belittling to me that I almost quit (eating their young, anyone?). She called me useless, yelled at me in front of a patient, and told me to get it together. So now, now that I am a real nurse, all on my own, I do everything with this nurse in mind. I write detailed anecdotal notes, I clean and organize my patient’s rooms, I keep them [patients] clean, I label and note everything, I write report before giving it verbally, I do everything like I am preparing to handoff my patients to the b*tch. I guess I have her to thank for this, as everyone is impressed with my organization and efficiency, convinced that I have worked before, astounded that I am a new grad.

Not going to lie, I get that warm and tingly feeling inside when people pay me such a compliment, but I sort of feel guilty. I’m not acting in such a way for other people, I do it out of my insecurities. I’m afraid of looking weak and vulnerable, of looking incompetent. Over the years, I have learned that it’s OKAY to ask for help, especially when charting unknown territory, but when I can figure something out on my own, I find it more satisfying.

More than being a perfectionist, I am extremely independent. For this, I can thank my parents. They provided a warm, loving, and pleasant environment, but they taught us how to be self sufficient. For example: In the 4th grade, I simply refused to put away clean clothes and would just toss them back n the dirty clothes piles after I decided not to wear them. My mom kindly gave me 3 warnings. Then she took me to the store, asked me what detergent I best liked the smell of, brought me home, took out the stool, and said, “Kelly, this is how you do laundry. I am sick and tired of putting all that effort into your laundry and having you be that disrespectful of my time. From now on, you will do your own laundry.” I’ve been doing laundry 12 years.

Or when I was complaining about what we were having for dinner, my mom took out the cookbooks and let me pick the sides (yes, there were nights when we ate salmon with carrots and stuffing or lasagna with cranberry-walnut rice) but she kept me involved in the process and allowed me to feel included.

I always ended up doing the work for the entire group project when others slacked, I was the first to volunteer for tasks others didn’t want to do, I would give anything a shot before I asked for help-sometimes proving disastrous i.e. rake the lawn (only to learn that my dad had fertilized and that I had raked up the strategically placed leaves to protect the grass).
This independence and perfection has played out into my dating life as well. My first boyfriend treated me like a princess, and I liked it- to an extent. But I got annoyed when he wouldn’t think of letting me get my own glass of water, put on my own jacket, etc. I loved the chivalry of opening the doors and pulling out chairs, but I hated feeling like I was smothered. I need a little space. However, I also don’t need to take on another project. I’m not looking for some schlepy guy who couldn’t be bothered with anyone but himself. I feel like I’m a good catch (god this always sounds so conceited) but I’m fun, funny, driven, compassionate, organized, smart, love adventure, and can cook. I’ve been told numerous times, that maybe I just intimidate guys, but why?

At a carnival I had my fortune told. She said that, “Someday you will meet a man who you don’t overpower.” At the time, I laughed it off, but it’s looking more and more like this is the case. My perfectionism is making my pickings too slim and my independence is preventing me from being swept off my feet.

In a day and age where women are out in the workforce, proving their equality, and not settling for less than the best, I find myself torn between giving it my all, and letting someone give me a little.

Take Me Back to that Place

There Are Places I Remember…

The words to that Beatle’s song always tug at my heart, they just seem to fit with whatever is going on in my life, the transitions, the changes, etc.

After my whine fest about not being able to go home for the holidays, I received a VERY generous invitation to head to my Pennsylvania “Family.”
After some heckling with the prices of Amtrak tickets (oh yes, I succumbed to the public transit system) I found myself at 30th Street Station at 3:00 Thanksgiving Day. Despite the fact that I had already been awake for 29 hours, I couldn’t wait to see the gang. Walking into the house I was a) greeted by the dog, b) given a warm welcome by MEMEgrl, and c) hit with the aromatics of Thanksgiving-and how soothing and yummy it was!

When R & J awoke from their naps, I got big hugs and smiles. I really do miss these boys…they are growing up so fast! T took R &J to the party, and I finished up in the kitchen while O got ready. I forgot how nice and luxurious it is to cook where the handles of the pots don’t bang into your back while you are at the sink!

We had a lovely evening and I finally met the entire extended L family. Apparently, they have heard just as much about me, as I have of them, because we were able to pick up conversations like we were old pals. No, I’m serious…it was easier conversation than any ones I’ve tried to make with a person at a bar.

When I took R out of the car last night, he asked T “Is tomorrow a daddy day?” Unfortunately the answer was no. However, I did tell R that I would be there, to which he replied, “A nurse miss Kelly day? Can we have pancakes?” My dear little R…how could I say no to that? And true to my word, this morning we had pancakes. Yummy, whole wheat pancakes, of which each boy at 4. Whole grain….who knew?!?!
Although the afternoon’s plan to make a lasagna was put off, we spent a GREAT afternoon together. Cue the Beetles song! We went to Penn. Yup, I was back at my alma matter. O’s neice is looking at schools and she is up from D.C for the holiday, so of course today was the perfect day for an impromptu tour. After all, she had two alums (one of who is gainfully employed there) to narrate along the way.

When we got out of the car, I got a twinge in my stomach, that little feeling of warmth that happens when you remember all the good and none of the bad. Indeed, I was walking down memory lane.
With leaves crunching under my feet along Locust Walk, passing years of IVY stones scattered along campus, and seeing all things familiar of the past four years, it hit me- my times at Penn were definitely the best four years of my life (thus far). Hill College House- the fortress of my freshman year, The library- study hours during pledging, the Button- I swear I never took place in the infamous acts said to have gone on there, College Hall- where it all began in the admissions office, the Bookstore- oh the things you can Bursar around the holidays, Locust Walk- flyering, oh the flyering, Kappa Sigma Fraternity house-okay, you don’t need those details, Phi Delt- leather sofas + spring weather + boys playing guitars= amazing afternoons, the McNeil Building-home to the writing seminar from Hell and the TA who told me I had a “penchant for writing superfluous nothing”, Huntsman Hall- Chi Omega chapter meetings, class board meetings, the only place where you can find people 24/7 during finals, etc., etc. As we were finishing up our tour, we walked through the Perelman Quadrangle. At one point, when no one was looking, I just stood there and closed my eyes. As I opened them, I slowly spun around….The Amphitheater Steps--- Houston Hall---The big Quad Shield---College Hall and my IVY stone…all the while music box music played in my head...I teared up a little. And then there were the flashbacks: Convocation, the dessert buffet, Bid Day/ Bid Day Night, lunches on the steps, STEP night, Hey Day, the Ken Kweeder convert, and last but not least graduation.

These are just a handful of memories of my four years at Penn and only from this one spot. I’m sure that I could fill volumes with my memories, but I don’t think I’m meant to. I think those memories, those places, are for me to keep and hold onto. They are meant to take me back to that happy place, no matter what is going on in my life. Because it’s just like the Beetles say,

“There are places I remember/ All my life, though some have changed./Some forever ,not for better/ Some have gone and some remain/Though I know I’ll never loose affection/ For people and things that went before/ But know I’ll stop and think about them/ In my mind I love them all".

When I got dropped off at the train station this afternoon, I realized something. Just because I broke tradition, I still had a superb holiday! I got to see my other family and go to my happy place.

I hope you all had an excellent Thanksgiving and that maybe, you too, were able to go back to your “Happy Place.” I’m sure glad that I did.

Total Randomness

Question #1: Something that keeps you going everyday?
my morning workouts

Question #2: Do you own a gun?
that would be a no

Question #3: Do you like who you are?
for the most part yes

Question #4: Do you have A.D.D.?
no, but I can be really random

Question #5: Any food preferences?
Vegeterian-nothing that oinks, moo's, baaa's, cluck's, gobbles...but I will eat eggs

Question #6: Aren’t thunderstorms awesome?
yeah. when i was little my mom told me it ws angels bowling in heaven

Question #7: Who is your cell carrier?
at&t

Question #8: Would you rather be rich or famous?
rich, so i could do good deeds anonmyously and stay out of the tabloids

Question #9: Do you like the cold?
only if it's a tasty refreshing beverage

Question #10: Are you happy you are alive?
yup

Question #11: Do you think gay marriage is wrong?
in a religious context, I guess it's taboo, but I do think two people have the right be unionized

Question #12: Do you like looking up at the stars?
of course

Question #13: Would you ever cheat on anyone?
no, becuase I've been cheated on and it sucks

Question #14: Do you want to move?
for the time being, I am quite content where I am

Question #15: Do you burn or tan?
BURN baby BURN

Question #16: Are your parents still married?
26 years and going strong

Question #17: Are you happier single or in a relationship?
guess that depends on the status of the relationship

Question #18: Do you have any children?
not that I'm aware of, haha

Question #19: What other languages do you speak?
I'm fluent in 'Spanglish' and, of course-whiny patient

Question #20: Do you daydream a lot?
it's the best way to escape

Question #21: Do you like swimming?
love it

Question #22: What is the make and model of your phone?
Samsung Sync (but for the record, its a POS and I am not al all happy with it)

Question #23: Would you ask your crush out?
maybe after a glass (or two) of wine

Question #24: Do you like the ocean?
its amazing how one thing can span the entire world

Question #25: What are your thoughts on stay at home moms?
as long as they are happy, who am I to judge

Question #26: What are your thoughts on abortion?
I think it's something personal to the people it affects

Question #27: Do you floss?
I try to everyday (okay, when I remember)

Question #28: Who did you last get angry with?
the customer service rep at Apple

Question #29: Do you still live with your parents?
no, but I do miss them

Question #30: Coke or Pepsi?
no soda for me, but back in my Hey Day, I was all about Coke Zero and diet Pepsi

Question #31: How many credit cards do you own?
1

Question #32: Liberal or Conservative?
i'm undecided

Question #33: Would you ever go skydiving?
i'm hoping to do it this upcoming year

Question #34: Have you lost any one close to you?
sadly, yes

Question #35: How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock this morning?
none

Question #36: Do you think you are smart?
I think I have some natural abilities, but I worked my tail off in school

Question #37: Talk to any of your ex's
yes, still not sure if its for better or for worse

Question #38: How old were you when you got your first kiss?
(mom, cover your eyes)...6...you neve should have let Jeff and I alone on the swings

Question #39: Do you do your own laundry?
I have since 4th grade

Question #40: Do you want to get married?
a black tie affair

Question #41: Do you want kids?
if it's in the cards, of course

Question #42: Are you shy?
i'd say more reserved

Question #43: How many times have you moved?
states, twice. residences, five times

Question #44: Do you hear voices?
if you are questioning my hearing, I only ignore whiny people

Question #45: Who is the last person to call you?
my mom

Question #46: How many e-mails do you have?
490

Question #47: What is in your nightstand draw?
flashlight, bandaids, eye glasses, chap stick, coasters (hey, I don't want water rings)

Question #48: Are you religious?
i would say more yes than no

Question #49: How do you feel when someone betrays you?
bewildered