She's Baacckkk!!!!

Special Friend went home to see her family, and left Lucy in my care. Sam has his own Special Friend back. Thankfully, he will be occupied for the weekend.

Adventures in Homebuying: One Year Later

One year ago today, I closed on my house. A monumental occasion to be certain.

Sometimes, I sit in my living room, look around, and can't believe it's mine.

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Thursday Blather

I worked last night as a result of getting Sunday night off. At the beginning, it seemed everything went well.

Then, crap started to fall apart about 6:30am, and by fall apart, I mean I started to have technical difficulties.

I'm just going to chill out at home tonight. Poke through my many boxes of Christmas decorations. Try to figure out if I want a real tree or a fake tree.

Maybe the weekend will be better.

I'm so glad this NaBloPoMo thing is almost over. It has sucked the joy out of blogging. Nothing ever becomes fun and enjoyable when you have to do it. I'll be happy to go back to blogging when I feel like it. Then, I can stop posting boring shit like this very post here.

The Most Craptastic Thing This Week

I was home, recovering from Sunday's festivities, flipping through some channels, when I stumbled upon this little gem of a show on CMT. It's called Mobile Home Disaster and is essentially the equivalent of Extreme Makeover for the trailer park crowd. Because of my unhealthy obsession with trailer parks, my eyes just glazed over and I watched.

The family featured a mom, a dad, and their six children...all living in the crappiest trailer I've seen. Well, maybe not the crappiest, but certainly in the top five...top ten. It was really crappy. The three sons slept on the couch, the three girls slept in their own little room on beds that didn't have sheets. Instead of curtains, they had blankets and sheets up. The place was as stereotypical as one could get as far as mobile homes go....so was the family, whom I am confident could tell you the glories of government cheese.

So, Bill Engvall and his team go in and pretty much rebuild this trailer and make it southern fried fabulous. The boys get their own room, the girls get their own room (with sheets on the bed!). The parents get their room redone with curtains (it looks like a hotel room). The end result doesn't look bad, and it's a HUGE improvement from their living conditions before.

The family returns to the trailer park for the big reveal. The entire trailer park turns out and you'd be hard pressed to spot a woman wearing a bra in that group. Mother (in her bleach-blond, black-rooted goodness) blathers about how she's a new person with this new house. She's a new Mom now!!

What?!? They just redid your house, they didn't give you a personality makeover. You're still a dumbass on welfare.

With all the new things that came with the newly remodeled trailer (flat panel plasma television, computer, gas bbq grill, all stainless appliances in the kitchen, furniture, etc), the thing that the parents are most excited about...they have their own soda dispenser in the shed.

I've only seen the one show. I don't know if they have any others, but I checked the website. If the show wasn't entertaining enough, you can peruse the message boards. Everyones got a sad story to tell, and everyone wants to know how they can get their trailers made over as well. It's enough to make me salivate over the prospect of new trailer park shows on the horizon. It's like being able to observe life in the park, without the fear of being caught.

It's awesome!!!

I Got It Like That

Lets101 Quizzes - Blog Quizzes

Game Day

So, I went to the Chiefs-Raiders game on Sunday. After working all night. Without sleep. Did I mention that I hadn't had any sleep??

Brother and Special Friend, Mom and Mr. Recommendation, and myself plus a girlfriend from work (Jen) who is fun to hang around. Redneck Brother was supposed to go as well, but in true form, he flaked out at the last minute. His wife probably didn't want to get out of bed that early. Redneck Brother used to be a Man's Man. Now, he's the biggest Pussy-Whipped Candy Ass I've ever seen. It's enough to fill it's own post.

Anyway, everyone rides in Mr. Recommendation's minivan to the stadium, where we park far, far way and walk to our tailgating party. Free drinks, free food, and a lady selling purses was also passing around jello shots.

A few hours and three trips to the porta-johns later, we finally went into the stadium. We found our seats: nine rows from the field next to the end zone, and found some older guy camping out in our chairs. After told him he was sitting in our seats, he just stood there and stared at us. What? Like we're going to go find different seats? He finally realized we weren't going anywhere and he left. Some douche bags are like that. They pay for the cheap seats, then hone in on better seats that might not be occupied. Only this guy didn't care if they were occupied.

The game commences and I fight to stay awake. That's how exciting the game was. I didn't see anything amazing happen on the field, so I just sat there, waiting for the next time I had to go use the toilet.

Lucky us, the Chiefs Preening Squad has set up shop right in front of us. I thought they might be better than last year. I thought wrong. It's not just me, either. At one point, Mom leaned over to me and said, "The Chiefs Cheerleaders don't have much rhythm." Agreed. Out of sync, out of lines. I concluded that our cheerleader squad's only real function is to pose for swimsuit calenders. Oh joy, Creepy Seat Grabber guy returns and parks in the seat in front of us after some other guy took his little boy to the bathroom. Mom told him they would be returning, but he ignored her. Sure enough, Dad and Son come back. Dad waves creepy guy off with a large hand attached to a muscular arm.

Halftime! They start laying tracks and when kids on bicycles appear, it's apparent they are going to do tricks. I remember a time when the Chiefs used to invite high school marching bands to do halftime at Arrowhead. What happened to those days??

The second half goes with as much excitement as the first. I'm still trying to stay awake, and I have used the bathroom twice since the game started. No lines the first time, the second time, there was a line, in addition to a female employee of the stadium that was directing women to empty stalls. Much like those guys at the airport direct the planes to the terminals. It leads me to wonder: How do you land a job directing bathroom traffic? What are the qualifications for such a job? What kind of training do you get?

Jen and I decide we want something to drink. Some people were drinking fruity looking beverages out of football shaped glasses. It reminded me of fruit punch, and I wanted one. Jen and I go to the vending areas and I see that the fruity drink is a Chiefs Hurricane, and is $8.50. My miserly sense overcomes my thirst for fruit punch (which I'm sure is all it tasted like). Jen buys an iced soda and puts her youngest child up for collateral. I stand in the hot chocolate line, but decide I want a funnel cake instead. And some cotton candy for later after I go home and read a book. The young girl working the stand tells me my total is $10.25. I give her a $20. She grabs a fistful of money out of her cash box then pauses. She looks at me, looks at Jen, looks at the money.

"Did you give me a $20?" she asked. I nodded. She stares at me for a minute, then her money. I cast a look to Jen, who is trying not to laugh.

My change: $14.75. She must have been a product of the Kansas City Missouri School District.

We spot KC Wolfe and Jen wants a picture with him. So, we amble up, along with everyone else. Jen is suddenly designated picture taker of the stadium as people thrust their digital cameras in her hands. When it's her turn, KC Wolfe takes off. Jen, not to be deterred, runs after him and almost jumps him. I catch up and Jen finally gets her picture taken with the mascot. Success!!

We return to our seats to find Mom fuming. Creepy Seat Grabber had returned shortly after Jen and I left and proceeded to homestead in our seats. Mom told him to go away because those seats were taken and we would be returning. He didn't believe her, and he just sat there, saying he would wait and see if we came back. Asshole. Mom tells Mr. Recommendation to go find security, and Creepy Seat Grabber splits. Later, we all decided he definitely put off the Chester the Molester vibe, and perhaps that was why we found him so creepy.

The game ends, and the redneck fans are pissed. While we were waiting to leave, some blowhard is yelling insults to Raiders fans, calling one a "hook-nosed bitch". Classy! He was flipping off anyone in Raiders garb, including children. I'm surprised he didn't get his ass whipped. He would have deserved it. Raiders fans had a right to gloat. Had the Chiefs won, you know that same asshole would have been rubbing it in to them.

We make it back to the van, but Mr. Recommendation is starting to look yellow with all the beer he has consumed, and therefore, unfit to drive. Mom is going to drive us back to my house, but she is not used to a vehicle with so many buttons and gadgets. She goes to put the van in gear, and turns on the windshield wipers. Mr. Recommendation is busy being the Obnoxious Funny Drunk Guy...only he's not really all that funny. This embarrasses Mom because he's yelling his "jokes" to other people. Brother is in the backseat with Special Friend being much funnier. Jen is sitting beside me laughing her ass off at the whole situation. I'm sitting there thinking we are all going to die before we get home because Brother points out that most accidents occur within 1-2 miles of your own house.

Finally, we make it home. Mom and Mr. Recommendation leave, Jen a short while later. Brother and Special Friend decide to go take a nap, and I think that's a fine idea. I'd been awake for 26 hours straight. Sleep was in order.

Overall, I found the most enjoyable part of the game to be the tailgating. It's really interesting to see the extent some people go to for their tailgating experience. I told Mom that next year, I would be willing to do some tailgating, even without the tickets to actually see the game.

Hell, if all else, we could tailgate, pack up our crap, then go home and watch the game in our pajamas. Anyone else game?

Something Fun

Which MASH Character are you?

You are Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan!
Take this quiz!

Tired!!

I had to get up early this morning to take Mom to a doctor's appointment. See what a good daughter I am!! After getting there, we waited for almost an hour in the waiting room before she was called. I was pissed...and it wasn't even my appointment! That's a big pet peeve of mine. Tell me I need to be somewhere at a precise time, and then make me wait. If you say my appointment is at nine, I expect to be seen at nine...not ten-thirty. Grrr.

Afterwards, Mom and I had lunch at Corner Cafe where I bought a bag of their delicious homemade croutons I can have in tomato soup later tonight. Lunch finished, I dropped her off at home before stopping by my storage shed and picking up more boxes to take to the house. Most of the boxes this time had Christmas decorations.

Right now, I'm going to take a nap. Then, I am going to get up, make neat and tidy around the house, then assess my Christmas decorations and see what I want to drag out. Everything else will go in the attic.

Confuzzled

The Border Wars is over. Thank God. Getting to work last night was a challenge as I-70 was clogged more than Mangino's arteries.

But speaking of Mangina...I keep hearing these references to cupcakes. Because it is mentioned so often, I figure there has to be a story behind it. No one I work with could figure it out either.

So...what's the story with the cupcakes???

I Don't Mean to Gloat...

But...

My Heart Will Go On and On

For the love of God and all things holy!!

Didn't people learn anything from Titanic??

Cruise ships + icebergs = bad vacation

Next time, book in the Caribbean. The only ice you'll find there is in your drink. Just the way nature intended.

Black Friday

I didn't feel like a glutton for punishment, so I opted out of Black Friday shopping this year. Having to deal with the mass of overzealous shoppers is not worth saving $2 on a pair of socks.

Instead, I just stayed in my nice, toasty house. In my nice, toasty bed.

Around the Dinner Table

First off, I have to give hats off to X-Man for selling me his dining room table. Without such a gesture, this day might not have been possible.

Mom arrived first this morning, and we immediately set to cooking. I had gotten up around 5am to put the turkey in. However, my oven has the power of a small nuclear reactor and the turkey was done in 3 hours. It just had to chill out in the over on warm until dinner time...which was 1pm.

So, there was the turkey stuffed with stuffing. We made the obligatory green been casserole, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, deviled eggs, rolls, fruited jello (we are Mormons, after all), and various pies.

Brother invites his Special Friend for dinner. There's also me, Mom, Mr. Recommendation, and his little girl who spent the better part of the afternoon tormenting the cat.

If there is one universal truth in my family, every word, no matter how innocent, can be construed to be something naughty. Dinner begins and Brother makes his little remarks, Mom joins in...all innocent words with hidden meaning. Then, Special Friend blurts out that Brother needs to start drinking more pineapple juice.

I went deaf shortly after that.

Aside from the TMI, dinner went well. I actually managed to stay awake long enough to package all the leftovers (lots of turkey!), load the dishwasher, and have the table and island cleaned off. Then, I fell into bed for a 3-hour nap.

For my first Thanksgiving dinner...big success!!

I had considered going to the Plaza Lighting Ceremony, but then I thought about how I've never been to the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. So why break with tradition? The excess crowds would only piss me off.

Brother, on the other hand, has now disappeared, probably over to Special Friend's house for a sleepover.



I hope he remembered to stop by the store and pick up some pineapple juice.

Yay for Turkey

It's 8:30am. I've been awake off and on during the night. The entire house smells of the baking turkey...and fish sticks (Brother's idea of breakfast when he got home this morning from his booty call). A late night, last-minute trip to Walmart revealed a store looking like a dead carcass, picked over by buzzards. Not a can of cherry pie filling in sight.

Mom and Mr. Recommendation are en route.

Brother is currently in the shower, sucking all the hot water out of the 40 gallon tank.

Sam is in the back yard, barking at leaves.

I need to get dressed and go make pie.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

More Crap

Taco Night was a big hit. I, on the other hand, fell asleep on the couch and was unable to stop by the store to pick up a brownie platter. Not even time to stop by Starbucks.

Overall, the night went well. I got slapped with the charge nurse hat again. Fortunately, there was a good team of nurses working, and I didn't have to worry about gross negligence. Unfortunately, patients will do their own little thing, and one decided to code before the end of the shift.

I hate it when things like that happen around the holidays. God should have a "no expiration rule" starting from November 1st to January 15th.

Crap...

It's 3pm.

I just woke up.

I have to start getting ready for work early because I remembered that today is Taco Night.

I haven't prepared jack.

Looks like a stop to HyVee on my way to work is in order. Maybe I will just buy a big, fat brownie platter.

Monday's Musings

Well, I got through the first weekend of computerized charting with no permanent wounds. It was sort of disappointing because I felt like that was all I was doing. Instead of seeing my patients, I was charting. Just when I thought I was done, I discovered I had ten other things I missed.

Our unit has a bunch of computers on wheels, which we call cows (Computers On Wheels). In an effort to bring some light in a rather painful experience, some of us nurses named some of them. It not only made for smiles, but also enabled us to tell who's computer was who's for the shift. We only got three named: Mac and Cheese, Lil Devil, and Rastus.

The next night, we reported for work and the fun little name stickers we made were gone. We queried as to why.

Day Nurse: We felt it was not very professional looking.
Me: I heard no such complaints.
DN: One was even offensive.
Me: Which one??
DN: Rast Ass.
Me: You mean Rastus? Rast-Us? Can you not read??
DN: Well, we're going to give them numbers instead of names, and we're going to use the little label maker.
Me: Prude.

And they wonder why morale sucks? Because some people suck all the joy right out of our jobs, and relish in doing so. These people are Bossholes in training.

Not that just the night nurses were mumbling about the killjoys of the unit, but I heard day nurses mumbling as well. So, it's not a shift thing.

I've really got to get my transfer papers in order.

****************************

Mom just left the house. She came over and we went on a preemptive shopping strike. Everyone waits until Wednesday to buy their Thanksgiving meal crap. We thought we'd be clever and go tonight. Our first stop: Costco, where their turkeys were roughly the size of small chickens.

After that, we went to the dreaded Land of Sam where thousands of people had the same idea. Fortunately, the turkeys were bigger. Unfortunately, we had to wait in the checkout line forever...and we still didn't get everything we needed.

This will mark the first time I have hosted the Thanksgiving feast. Mom is going to help with food preparations. It should be good. I'll try to take lots of pictures.

Now, I must do some cleaning, staying up as late as possible. I'm working extra tomorrow. Christmas is approaching, and I haven't even thought about buying gifts yet.

**************************

My old hometown has a myspace page. Actually, to call it my hometown is a bit of a stretch because I only lived there for two years then got the hell out after I graduated high school. Population under 800, no stoplights, one-car police department, and the only thriving things about this place was the gas station/grocery store, and the local pub that I waited tables at during my junior year. Incidentally, farmers are the worst tippers. Ever.

So, I get this email from the person who created this hometown myspace tribute. The county rag is doing a blurb in their paper about the myspace page. Apparently, a slow news week. At any rate, the letter beseeches us to post a comment about the town, a memory, something that the county paper could possibly include in this news story.

I sat back and thought about what sort of comment I could write, something worthy of mentioning in paper (probably next to the school lunch menu for the week). I couldn't come up with jack. Truth be told, I really hold no love for that place. Too many bad memories crammed into two years. And the town was full of really strange people. Yeah, it can boast that the guy who was the lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders was from there, but there was also a guy who would walk through town wearing combat boots and a loincloth. I don't think I could put that as a comment, though.

Maybe I could write: "Whenever I think of this place, I get nauseated and my ass twitches." I'm sure they wouldn't print it, but at least it would be an honest answer.

Captain Tripps

People are dropping like flies on my unit. It starts with a voice that goes raspy, sore throat, and then it knocks you on your ass. Bosshole is also afflicted. I merrily reminded him that I'd been sick for three weeks, and I'm still trying to kick the bug.

Good luck with that.

Computer Woes

Our place of employment just implemented a house wide computer charting system that has aged everyone ten years in the matter of five days, and I'm fairly certain that someone has kicked their dog as a result. There were tears, nuclear meltdowns, and nurses vowing to enroll for classes that will put them in the exciting field of fast food preparation.

I nearly bit the head off one of the Happy Helpertons who was trying to help me figure out why I couldn't do the simple task of printing labels. When you see a sick nurse trying to manage a new computer system that has more bells and whistles than a spaceship, it's not a good idea to be perky, happy, and cheerful. That is almost begging to get your ass kicked. Or at least coughed on.

Technology sucks.

Friday Blogthing

I totally borrowed this from Emaw.

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

I also read Einie was good in the sack...I'm just sayin'.

A New Calling

Pop culture is now spurning the dollar because of its losing value. It's not cool to have dollars. You are not trendy unless you are dealing in Euros. JayZ is now flashing euros in his new crappy video instead of dollar bills.

I understand that the dollar isn't as strong as the euro. I understand that. However, I don't need dumbass celebrities telling me that I'm not cool because I still deal with dollars. I care about that about as much as I care about Sean Penn telling me who he's voting for and why I should vote the same way.

Because I'm a kind and generous person, I am willing to step up to the plate and offer a home to the unwanted, unsavory American currency. I will open my home to all the Bens, Georges, Andrews and Abes who want a warm place to stay, roof over their heads, and food in their bellies. And when they regain their strength and self-esteem, they can happily resume residence in my checking accounts.

Heather's Home for Unwanted Dollars

I'm sure I could come up with some people who would also be willing to volunteer their time, even their own homes. It might be a struggle, but I'm sure we could get by.

The Countdown...

Thirty minutes until the official shin-ding begins. There's enough alcohol in my fridge to sufficiently pickle the livers of a dozen nurses.

Details later...

Awesome Find!

I first discovered the practice of a name-brand company packaging their products with the name of other stores during my time in cosmetology school. You would be surprised at just how many labels the Matrix line covers.

This same practice applies to any store that has their own label: Target, Walmart, Costco.

I heart Gray Goose. However, I don't heart how much it costs.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that Costco's Kirkland Signature Vodka is bottled by Gray Goose (and confirmed by many sources). 1.5 liters for $30 when 1 liter of GG is $50. I bought a Costco membership just so I could buy the Kirkland Vodka.

Now, I can provide my house visitors with good vodka beverages without it breaking Heather's checking account.

I still heart GG, but that bottle is not for general consumption.

A Visit to the Doctor's Office

Yesterday, I called the doc's office to see if they could see me. Yes, they could, but I would have to see some other doctor that I'm unfamiliar with. Would that be okay? I croaked it would be fine.

So, I go to the doctor, and am ushered into an exam room. The nurse takes a swab of my throat and does a rapid strep test. Negative, she happily tells me. No shit! I had a series of strep occurrences five years straight once. I know all about strep throat.

Then, some other doctor comes in, and I suspect she's related to the doctor who saw me when I gouged my hand open. She tells me to open my mouth, but isn't happy that she can't see, so she tells me she's going to have to "be a meanie". She grabs a tongue depressor and proceeds to pry my face open with it.

"Oooohhh! You still have tonsils!!" she says. Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into?

She goes on to tell me that she can neither tell if it's bacterial or virus, but would I like a prescription for antibiotics anyway? Ah. She's one of those doctors. My PCP is from the school that antibiotics should only be a last resort. I'm along the same way of thinking. I prefer to allow my body's immune system to fight stuff off. If you ask me, antibiotics are overused WAY to much for every sniffle, cough, and sneeze. This is why we now have problems with crap that antibiotic resistant. At least I can rest easy at night. I didn't contribute to this problem.

The doctor then waves a bottle of Flonase in my face and tells me to use it to help with the congestion. "What congestion?!?" I whisper. At this point, I'm really sorry I can't yell. The good doctor looks puzzled for a minute.

Doc: You no want Flonase?
Me: No. It doesn't work.
Doc: You can take this home and try again!
Me: I have three of those things at home already!!

The doc then puts away her Flonase, writes me out a prescription (even though I didn't want it), and tells me just to get lots of rest and drink lots of water. Before she leaves, I catch her attention and whisper one word: mono! She pauses like this never occurred to her, but then tells me it could be mono...but there is no cure for it because it's a virus.

Well, no shit, Sherlock!

I tell her I want a mono test ran to rule it out, and she agrees. Before she leaves, she offers some parting advice.

"If it mono, don't play any contact sports because you can rupture spleen."

What!?! Look at me!! Do I look like I play contact sports??? (Although I did have a high school history teacher/football coach always say making out was a contact sport...he was later caught stealing Playboys from the local Gas and Go.)

Before I leave the office, I stop at the lab and they draw my blood. Because I dehydrated, my veins suck and the lab tech struggles. She gets a little blood and we both decide it's going to be enough. I'll be damned if she's going to go fishing in my veins again.

So, now I wait for the results of the test. If it is mono, I'm S.O.L. There is no treatment for it...just ride it out. If it is mono, I just have to refrain from kissing anyone, or sharing drinking glasses. And take lots of naps.

Random Observations

Having the new found freedom of a vehicle at night, I took full advantage of it and went on a late-night shopping excursion. Casa de Heather was running dangerously low on toilet paper as Brother found my secret stash and raided it. If you ask me, that boy uses way too much toilet paper. A whole roll will last him a day, depending on what he's eaten. And I can't ask him to be the supplier of toilet paper for the house because he will go out and buy a case of the cheapest toilet paper on the planet. You know the type: half-ply, rough as sandpaper, and it really takes a bunch to get the job done. No, I am the designated toilet paper purchaser of the house. Brother just reimburses me.

So, I'm wandering around the store when I feel like someone is following me. I use my peripherals and my suspicions are confirmed. I pull into the juice isle, hoping to lose him, and pull off to the side. I spin around and he is practically on top of me. Unable to curse obscenities at him, I just cast the glare of death. Unapologetic, he reaches behind me and grabs a bag of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Tubby didn't realize that he almost got kneed in the junk for Peanut Butter Cups. Douchebag.

Moving along, I stop by the frozen food isle. It's amazing how many low-fat, low-calorie, low-flavor frozen dinners there are to chose from...and they all taste like ass. Right there in the middle of the Healthy Choice and the Lean Cuisine, were the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Sandwiches in the seasonal flavors. Way to go assholes. Somewhere in Kansas City, is a person who is binging on Egg Nog ice cream sandwiches when they actually meant to buy the Baked Chicken and Roasted Pepper dinner.

After purchasing toilet paper and a couple other necessities, I leave the store and right there in the handicap spot is the ugliest, most ghettofied car. Ever. A white, late model Ford Crown Vic with the biggest dubs I have ever seen. So much, the car was higher off the ground than most pick-up trucks. To make it even more hideous, the car was decked out with a shit ton of chrome. Even at that hour, people were stopping to look at it, but not out of admiration. I saw one black lady shake her head and say, "Hot Ghetto Mess". I'm sure she would have liked to have found the owner of the car and smacked them upside the head for making the entire African American population look bad.

I feel the same way whenever I watch Jerry Springer.

A New Kind of Torture

I've had sinus issues for as long as I can remember, and all the wonderful things that go along with it. Brother is the same way, which leads me to wonder if it's not genetic.

Anyway, resident suggested I get a bulbous sucker thingie and try to irrigate my nasal canal that way. So, I bought the nasal sucker thingie and tried it. Didn't work. I was lamenting my sinus problems last night when Toph suggested something called a Neti pot. After some brief research, I thought I would give it a try. So, I stopped by Walgreens on my way home and bought one.

I was sorta hoping to find the kit with the cute little blue pot, but instead I ended up with the kit that looked a lot like a gravy boat. I hurried home with my purchases, let the dog out, and set up shop in the bathroom. I took the little gravy boat, filled it with warm water, emptied a packet of sinus wash mix into the gravy boat and stirred it with the little plastic spoon that came with the kit.

The whole premise of this pot is to flush out your sinuses using salt water and gravity. I wasn't sure how it was supposed to look, so I looked up a demonstration on YouTube. It was helpful because I at least had I an idea if I was doing it right. If I did it and salt water leaked from my ass, we would have a problem.

It worked exactly as described, but I'm not too impressed with how it felt. I took swimming lessons as a kid, and would get water up my nose all the time. I hated that feeling. When I did the first nostril, I was flooded with images of me learning to float on my back when I was 8 years old. I was disappointed that copious amounts of sludge didn't come forth as a result (I've been battling a sinus infection as well), but my nose didn't feel as stopped up. After clean-up, I downed a shot of ThermaFlu and crawled into bed.

While my sinuses seem to be clean, whatever I have has uprooted and moved further down the respiratory tract. My voice is completely gone. I'm so tired, that when I walk from my room to the kitchen, I feel like I should stop by the living room and take a nap on the couch.

The best part? My house is playing host to a home decor party. A friend is using my house for the shin-ding because her house is being remodeled. From the sounds of it, everyone from work is going to be there. If I don't feel any better, I think I shall just lock myself in my room and let everyone else do whatever they want in the house.

Meanwhile, I'm busy making homemade chicken and noodles. Complete with some homemade dumplings.

Something To Get Excited About

A week in Miami during the coldest time in Kansas City.

All expenses paid.

Don't hate the player...hate the game.

Elementary, My Dear

I was a pretty advanced Elementary school student. I'm not a hater, though. I'm all about the chocolate milk and naptime.

This Can't Be a Sign of Good Things To Come

I've been having allergy issues for the past two weeks. It's sucked.

But now I'm wondering if this is maybe not an allergy problem, but rather something more sinister.

My throat feels like someone rubbed it with sandpaper. My tonsils (what's left of them) are the size of golf balls, plus I feel like my airway is smaller than it was last week.

Other than that...I feel fine from the neck down. I'm not running a fever or anything.

I don't want to be intubated or anything, especially since the respiratory therapy department is giving me the cold shoulder right now.

A Day When the Heavens Sang

The skies opened up, and angels from on high began to sing glorious songs. Rays of sunshine beamed onto my driveway.

Oprah is insured! The best part (aside from getting my car back all to myself) is that I got a multiple car discount with my insurance company. Woo hoo!

Brother is now going to unleash her upon the streets of Kansas City...right after he washes my car.

May God have mercy on your souls.

I Still Love Technology...Always and Forever

For the longest time, I had an innate fear of cell phone contracts. What if I signed one and the service sucked so bad, then I was stuck in a contract with a crappy phone service? I guess you can say I was bit of a commitment-phobe when it came to cell phones.

So, I started out with one of those Virgin Mobile phones where you have no monthly contract. It worked well for me. Because I had no social life, I hardly used the phone except for emergencies.

But then, I made friends who are all but surgically attached to their cell phones, and they started calling me on my cell phone instead of my home phone. Then, I would return calls. Then, I discovered the new world of text messaging, and my world opened up to all the disgusting things Brother would forward to me, and I would forward to everyone else. I mean, it's not everyday you get to see a guy with the 2 liter pop bottle protruding from his ass??

Needless to say, what started out as a cost-saving measure proved to be not so thrifty. I conceded that I should get a real cell phone, contract and all.

As for the commitment issue? Well, let's say that signing yourself to a 30-year commitment on something running into six figures is sure to cure you of that real quick.

Tuesday, I called my trusty phone carrier and inquired about adding a wireless phone to my bundle that already consisted of DSL, Dish, and land-line. A half an hour later, I had a cell phone en route because they were running a free-phone deal. They said the phone would take 5-7 days to get to my house. So, imagine my surprise when the Fed-Ex guy delivered it this afternoon.

Today, I've spent the entire day trying to figure out how to use the damn thing. Bluetooth? Isn't that something you really ought to see your dentist about?

I suspect I will have my head buried in the owner's manual for the duration of the weekend. If you need to get a hold of me, just call and leave a message. I should know how to retrieve it by next Thursday.

Nurse Follies: A Lesson in Diplomacy

Sometimes, I get to play the role of charge nurse. Some people relish this position to the point that I've seen them throw bipolar tantrums when they don't get it. Other people, run from that task because for all the bullshit that comes with the title, it's just not worth the extra $2 an hour. A few people say they don't want the job, but secretly covet the position and work in secret combinations so they can get it. Everyone else just doesn't give a flying rat's ass either way.

Can you guess which category I belong in?

What does it mean to be a charge nurse? You have the standard staffing decisions...which nurse takes which patients. You have to decide where the new admits go. You get to talk to cranky residents who demand to speak to the charge nurse. There's extra paper work involved. Once in a while, you get to serve as a mediator between unhappy patient, and frustrated nurse.

Doing the staffing doesn't bother me too much. I just throw some names down on the paper, and usually the day nurses are content...unless it's the ones who complain about everything. You could tell them that their job is to stand outside the parking garage and wave to everyone as they left...and they would complain that it's too much work. I've been known to tell the chronic whiner that I'm not fielding complaints that morning before they have a chance to start in. I don't pour over the assignments too much. From my personal experience and observations, there are some things in life that you just fuck up even more because you've given it too much thought. It pisses me off when someone agonizes for hours on assignments. I've had many a crappy night due to their brilliant skills in deductive reasoning.

Assigning admits isn't too bad. You have an empty bed, you stick a patient in there. Not too complicated. The only time the charge nurse needs to actually grow a pair is when those trolls down in admitting try to slide a patient in that is not suitable for our floor. Sneaky bastards, they are. Because I'm notorious for being an asshole and catching them in their nefarious schemes, I'm confident they have a picture of me posted down in their office that they routinely throw darts at.

We don't come across cranky residents too often, and when we do, usually it's from a misunderstanding. The residents have grasped the general idea that when they are mean to the nurses, we are going to hang their asses out to dry the first chance we get. Everyone plays nice and gets along...for the most part.

It's that last part of charging that I hate.

There are those occasions that arise where the nurse and the patient are just a bad match. Or when the nurse is a complete dumbass and the patient has figured this out within the first five minutes of meeting them. Sometimes, the patient is unhappy because we are not fulfilling their narcotic requirement in a way that is pleasing to the patient (but probably illegal in most states). Whatever the case may be, patients will sometimes ask for another nurse. Sometimes, they will ride out the shift with the nurse in question, then just request not to have him/her back. In more extreme cases, the patient demands a staff change right then and there.

(In one case long ago, a patient was racist and didn't want a black nurse taking care of her, despite the fact that this nurse was one of the best ones on our floor. The charge nurse (and my role model) then assigned the dumbest nurse on the floor (who happened to be white) to take over their care.)

Such was the case recently when I got to wear the charge hat. I was approached by a nurse, who had the misfortune of being flagged down by an unhappy patient. She reported that this patient didn't like her nurse who was taking care of her...just on sight alone. Therefore, she wanted another nurse. If she wasn't going to get a different nurse, she was threatening to leave.

Heavy sigh, and I go to the patient room. I introduce myself, and prepare to hear the tirade of why this nurse in question was so evil. She was mean. She was rough. She was rude. Etc. Etc.

Patient: I was in the ICU, and I saw her there.
Me: Uh hmm
Patient: And she and her whole group were smoking crack in my room. There were at least a dozen of them.
Me: Uhh.....WHAT?!?
Patient: Yes, they are just a bunch of crack heads, and I've had crackheads before. And I don't want any part of it.

At this point, I really am rendered speechless (if you knew the type of environment our ICU is, you would know this to be impossible), so I sputter that I will investigate the matter further and come up with a viable solution. I leave the room and find the nurse in question (did I mention that she probably could qualify for the seniors discount at IHOP?).

Me: Uhhh...your patient in room 10...
Nurse: Yes?
Me: Well...do they have any, uh, psych issues?
Nurse: Yes, a few. Why do you ask?
Me: (dryly) Because you really need to stop smoking crack in front of them. All twelve of you.
Nurse: WHAT?!?

Because we are insanely busy, I decide to take this over this patients care. The patient is over the moon that the charge nurse is now taking care of her. She now feels like a VIP. Situation solved!

I hate psych patients. They teach you all kinds of "therapeutic communication techniques" in nursing school...none of which work in the real world. Psych patients are live happily in their own little reality, and there is nothing you do or say that is going to change that.

God only knows what the patient told day shift about me the next day. That I drug a stripper pole in the room and practiced for a part time gig at Diamond Joe's or that I had a wild orgy with twelve circus midgets in her room.

Further Proof of My Masochistic Tendencies

I signed up to work extra tonight.

What the hell was I thinking???

A Day of Errands

Today, I went out and stopped by a beauty supply store because I wanted a new, big, round brush. After all I've been through, I think I deserve a new, big, round brush. I love going to the beauty store. I love all things hair and nails: combs, gels, shampoo. I guess you could say it's one of my fetishes. It ranks right up there with school supplies. The clerk tried to persuade me to buy a nail buffer, but I did exercise some restraint. I already have three of them at home.

After that, I drove to Walfarts to pick up some items, namely carpet shampoo because some furball barfed on the carpet. First, I wandered back to the seasonal stuff to look at Christmas stuff. You know, I could actually get enthusiastic this year. I have a house, and I have room for decorations. I could even hang lights outside if I wanted to. I'd really like to find a Festivus Pole to put in the front yard.

After that, I grabbed the things on my list and found a line to wait in.

Walmart has a shit-ton of check out lanes. On any given day, where they might have 50 registers, only five of those are open. Naturally, I end up in the line behind the family that has three carts LOADED with groceries. To make it even better, the clerk was new.

So, I stood there. Perused a couple magazines, watched the family unload their mountainous carts (and judging from the content, their house is the home of fabulous home-cooked Hispanic dishes), pondered the meaning of life, and tried to figure out a way to get invited to that family's house for dinner sometime. Finally, an hour later, it was my turn to check out. I'm sure my frozen burritos had fully thawed by that time.

Another clerk appeared and the two began to squabble about the fact that the store is out of bags. This went on FOREVER. The Great Walmart Bag Shortage of 07!! The older of the two clerks sighed.

"All jobs come with stress." She looked at me, "I bet you have stress at work, too."

"Yeah," I said blandly. "People die."

Yes, I know. I'm an asshole.

On a side note, the Redneck Brother has been calling the house all day, leaving messages for Brother to call him. Considering that Brother worked last night and has been sleeping, and that I also work nights, I have the courtesy to wait until he wakes up before telling him to call Redneck Brother.

Knowing him, he either wants money, or he wants to try to get Brother to trade him Oprah for a bicycle or a sleeping bag. Redneck Brother is such a shiester. It comes from Dad's side of the family.

I think I'm going to turn in for a nap now.

It Fluttered Like a Pigeon Having a Heart Attack

I LOVED Bubba Ho-Tep. So campy, yet so deliciously fun.

There's so many lines in that movie worth repeating.

I think I'm going to have to buy this one for my collection.

Happy Voting Day!

Today is Election Day. Yawn. Everyone is all in a lather about some schools located in Independence wanting to leave the KCMO School District, and join the Independence School District. That would make sense.

Opponents are trying to make it into a race issue. Whatever. KCMO School District sucks wet donkey nuts, and I don't blame parents for not wanting their children in that system. During my college experience, I encountered people who had graduated within the KC district with a perfect GPA, only to not be able to read past a sixth grade level. And isn't the KCMOSD still not accredited?? Nice.

If I had kids, I wouldn't want them to attend any of the KC schools. It's not because of some conjured up race issue. It's painfully obvious that the KCMO School Board cares more about money and power, than whether or not your kid can pass the ACT.

When I went through the whole house-buying process, I paid attention to school boundaries, even though I don't have kids of my own. Why? Because I know that's what people with children pay attention to when they buy houses. To not be on that inept school district means I have a better chance of selling the house (when that time comes).

I've always felt the KCMOSD was too big to manage. Too many kids fell through the cracks. Maybe if it were smaller, people would find it easier to maintain...just like the 'burbs. I think that once those schools are out of the KC clutches, we're going to see just how bad the inner city school are in terms of test scores. Maybe it will force people to address an issue that they have been ignoring until now. It shouldn't be about taxes and property values. It should be about education.

I don't think I can vote on the succession issue, but I would vote for it if I could.

What Strike?

So the Hollywood writers went on strike. Boo hoo. Most the shows on television suck anyway. Might I suggest that Hollywood tap into the vast resources of writers on the internets for some fresh blood. I can think of a bunch of people who could crank out some must-see tv, all of them bloggers.

I just got home from dinner with Mom and Mr. Recommendation at Fuddruckers. I had never been there before, and I am happy to say I will be going back. The best hamburgers. Ever. However, I'm so full, I feel like I could take a good purge...and I didn't even get a big burger. However, the girl at the next table got the one-pounder, and inhaled it in less than 10 minutes. The thought of that makes me want to take a purge as well.

Mr. Recommendation reports acquiring tickets to the Chiefs-Raiders game later this month, including parking passes, and before/after game tailgating hosted by one of the vendors (i.e. free food and beverages). All I need to do, is find a date. Any takers?

Instead of subjecting myself to reruns tonight, I'm going to slip into my pajamas and watch Bubba Ho Tep.

Thank you very much.

Monday's Musings

This morning, 'bert pulled into the driveway with Oprah. My heart sang. The truck was here AND I didn't have to drive Brother to BFE on Friday to collect her!

Brother and 'bert stood in the driveway and tweaked with the engine, and I watched from the porch, heart swelling as Oprah roared to life. Such good times with that truck. Good times. Brother's done a lot of work nursing her from the brink of death. I'm so proud. ~sniff~

Brother estimates he will have it properly insured and with new tires by the end of next weekend. He's excited to have a working vehicle of his own. I'm excited I get to have my car back, which means I can resume my late night visits to the gym, instead of going during the day.

I don't know what I will do with myself.

*************************

Work wasn't too bad this weekend. I had an orientee last night, and it was a bit of an effort to refrain from just jumping in and getting stuff done when she fell behind. It's the pitfall of being a new grad...you haven't quite mastered that time management thing.

*************************

I think I'm the only person in Kansas City who doesn't have tickets to the Garth Brooks concert. I haven't decided if it is something I would want to see. Considering he's the new anchor tenant of the Sprint Center, I think I will have lots of opportunities if I ever change my mind.

*************************

My allergies are acting up in a big way. I hate the cold weather, but until we get our first good cold snap, my allergies are going to be hell. My voice is all Kathleen Turner with the extra mucous and dry, red eyes thrown in. Sexy phone voice it may be, but it's hell on my singing career.

So Much for Continuity

I signed up for NaBloPoMo....which essentially means I'm supposed to blog every single day for the month of November. As you can see, I've missed a day. However, I think I should be allowed some reprieve because I posted four separate entries on Thursday.

That should count for something, I think.

It's never too late to get started. I think this would also be a good thing for Kant to do. She blogs once a month, or maybe a quarter.

I just got home from work, stopping by Land of Sam to pick up some more Kleenex and bread. Because I live close enough to Arrowhead that I can actually hear the groans, I also get to contend with the traffic that comes with it. People in red all over Walmart, and most of them converging by the hot dog buns, or the liquor isle. One family came in wearing Green Bay colors. I wanted to wish them luck.

So, I finally made it home after a 13 hour workday. An extra hour doesn't seem like much, but I'm convinced that extra hour actually tacks on an additional four hours, but manipulates the clock in some manner that we only think we are there for just one more hour. Fortunate for me, I took the iPod with me and got to listen to some tunes while I charted on bowel habits.

Brother is supposed to come home today because he has to work tonight. It's still up in the air whether he comes in the truck. When I spoke with him last night, he said they had just put the new transmission in the old girl. Not to mention she's not insured right now. And she needs new tires.

Looks like I'm probably not going to get full control of the PT until next weekend. I'm going to make Brother wash it. And clean the inside out.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go turn in for the day. Good night!

More on Trick or Treaters

I've read from various other blogs that the number of trick or treaters wasn't that great this year. Initially, I didn't think I would get any, but they started trickling in eventually. Then, it got to where I was getting engrossed in something on tv, and one would ring the doorbell, then I would be pissed because I was interrupted.


Funny thing, though, it seemed that maybe half the kids that stopped by the house were dressed in costume. The rest in street clothes. What's the deal with that? Some girls wore cheerleading outfits that looked suspiciously like official uniforms. That's cheating! That's like me dressing in scrubs and going out as a nurse. Kids have no imagination today. I blame video games for that. And Barney.


When I was younger, my brothers were the epitome of industrious, imaginative children. They would dress up, go out and hit up the neighborhood. Then, they would return home, change into different costumes, and go out and hit up those same houses again.


But back to the street clothes...


Two boys came to my door, carrying backpacks instead of Halloween buckets or bags. They were dressed in normal street wear. I opened the door and they stood there. Having this expectant look on my face, they both muttered "trick or treat". (That's another thing...a lot of kids didn't say "trick or treat"...they just stared at you with blank expressions and held open their bag...)


Me: What are you two dressed as?
Boy#1: mumbling incoherently...cartoon...more mumbling...booty...more mumbling
Me: Booty scratchers?!?
Boy #1: No...booty snatchers!
Me: (to Boy #2) And what are you supposed to be?
Boy #2: Oh, I just got my ears pierced today.


I turned off my porch light shortly after they left. It was getting late and the children seemed to get weirder and weirder every time I opened the front door.

So this is what Halloween has become? If that is the case, then I am very sad.

Thursday Activities

Tonight, I went out with Red for dinner. She's leaving for Arizona on Saturday, and we decided to make this our last hurrah. Her boyfriend(?) also came, as did Toph from work. He came because Red and I both owed him drinks from graduation. I guess he figured if he didn't collect now, he would miss out on free drinks.

Anyway...

We decided to go to Hibachi on the Plaza. I had never been there before, but I read good reviews. And I love Japanese food.

I was prepared to dislike Red's boyfriend (?). Eight years of being together and no ring, I guess I would have split long before. After having met him, and socialized with him, I did concede to Red (who had been trying to convince me all along), that despite his obvious commitment phobia, he was a nice guy. Instead of just leaving outright, there is now an option for Red to return after her travel stint. The sugar tree has been shaken, and it seems that her boyfriend is starting to come around. Whether things pan out between those two or not...everything usually ends up for the best. As with all things.

At any rate...dinner was good, the service was great. I must say, the place was quite the sausage-fest. International House of Sausage! Not that there is anything wrong with that, but frat boys and hipsters blitzed on saki bombs don't quite do it for me.

Toph was even in rare form as we started down the path to Raunch Land, only to put the kibosh on it out of some respect for the boyfriend we really didn't know well enough to expose him to our true nature. Someday, we're both going to find ourselves on the business end of a sexual harassment lawsuit. Mark my words.

In the morning, I have to drag my ass out of bed and drive Brother to 'bert house...some 70 miles north. Then, I have to drive home, toss some laundry in the washer, go to stupid employee health so they can drag out the dog and pony show. Come home, and try to salvage some sort of nap before I go in to work.

Tomorrow is going to be an awesome day.

Employee Health Sucks

I just got off the phone with the fucktards in the employee health office. Ever since I pulled that muscle in my shoulder, the whole experience that followed has been nothing short of psychological terrorism.

First off, I can never get an appointment to see them when it's most convenient for me. No. Those bastards always schedule at the most inopportune times, one of which being tomorrow mid-morning...even after I told them that under no uncertain terms, I couldn't come in at that time. When I called the reschedule, I get the whole "if you miss this appointment, you'll be deemed non-compliant, and you won't be able to work, and it will go on your record". If I don't make tomorrow's appointment, I will not be cleared to work for the weekend. While a weekend off might sound good, I neither have the PTO to cover it, nor can I afford the penalty.

I then told the lady that she ought to drag her ass in to work at midnight and see how she liked it, because that is what my appointment time amounted to. Brazen of me, I know, but I wasn't on the clock at the time I said it.

Plus, I'm going to have to tell Brother that he needs to find someone to take him to his truck as I will be unable to. Instead of helping family, I'm being blackmailed by my employer.

Fuckers. They are not happy unless they are not only screwing you, but everyone in your house.

You know what I think? I think corporations make the process as painful and complicated as possible so you think twice about reporting an injury the next time it happens. I didn't ask for this to happen, but I just LOVE how I've been made out to be the bad guy here. Like I'm trying to bilk the hospital out of something. Sure, there are some people that do, but not me. I just want all this to be over and done with. So much, that I'm going to demand they lift my restrictions tomorrow. The workman's comp counselor told me that looking at my file, she thought I needed another week or two of therapy. She can take her physical therapy and shove it up her ass for all I care. I'm done with dealing those assclowns.

I'd rather deal with an achy shoulder than the emotional distress these assholes have inflicted upon me since I signed my name on that incident report three weeks ago.

I'm so angry right now, I'm worthy of the red hair.

Where's that hot curling iron??

Presenting: The New and Improved Redhead

Because you know you want to run your fingers through it!

The Day After

Initially, I didn't get any trick or treaters. I was pissed. Then, they started to arrive shortly after Brother left for work. Were they waiting for him to leave? I don't know.

At any rate, I got roughly 30-40 kids. At one point, 7 of them crowded my front porch and I couldn't even get the door open. My overflowing candy bowl has been drastically reduced to a handful of candy bars. Less for me to be tempted to eat. I'm not too worried, Brother will have it taken care of by the end of the week.

Red stopped by later and we sat and talked. We had planned on going out, but thought of all the people that would be out and about, and decided it was safer to just stay in and visit. Besides, we'll go out tonight. She's leaving at the end of this week for Arizona, and her boyfriend isn't taking this well at all. We're all having boy problems as of late.

Brother just came and told me that he's going to go to 'bert's house this weekend to finish his truck and bring it home. Of course, I have to drive him there first. But this is joyous news! I will finally get my car back.

Yay!!!