You Might Be a Redneck (or married to one) If...

...you hang a motor from a tree.

I love my husband; he's awesome. He's just a good ole' country boy from Iowa. And if it wasn't for that midwest accent, you'd swear he was staright out the trailer park in Johnston County, (or JoCo as us locals like to call it) North Carolina.

Without a doubt, my country boy is a true redneck at heart. You know, I love you babe!

You may remember the blog I posted several months ago about our disabled boat. Husband, being the awesome man he is, saved us mega money by fixin' it himself. He loves this sort of thing. He loves tinkering and fixing things. But, I think, more than anything it gave him a reason to drink beer and "redneck it out."

I can't even describe the hot mess we had going on in our yard. I'm surprised our neighbors didn't pack up and leave. This is better explained by way of pictures. Enjoy!

But in the end, who gives a damn what our neighbors think. And baby, I love you just the way you are. Cheers to you!

My Stanley Hotel

The hospital can be a scary place for many. I'm there 5 days a week and yes, its still scary for me too. But probably not for the reasons you may think. I'm not scared of blood. I'm not scared of sick people. I'm not scared of machines. I'm not scared of needles (as long as I'm doing the sticking) I'm not scared of death. But I am scared of ghost children. I know...you're thinking WTF. Let me explain.

Every few weeks I have to drop off equipment to be picked up for off-site sterile processing. It is on my way to this drop zone I pass by the creepiest place I've ever seen. Its in the basement of the hospital which in itself is not scary like you may think (our dept is actually in the basement). This particular place is where old or extra beds are stored. Its a huge room thats always dark with this one light constantly flickering. Mostly there are baby beds in there. For those who don't know, in the hospital, baby beds have bars all the way around them. So the tots don't roll out of them. They just look creepy to me. There are also these gates that separate different parts of this storage room. I wish I had a picture because I know it doesn't sound scary but TRUST.

Every time I roll by there I'm scared to look in but I always do. I'm always expecting to see ghost children flying around, climbing the fences, shaking the bed/cribs. Or this:

These tiny bitches give me the heebie jeebies. Always have, always will. I'm terrified of ghost children. Give me adult ghosts, dismembered ghosts, demon ghosts any time. But ghost children, count me out.

So the moral of the story, kids...the hospital is a fascinating place. I love it there. But come the day I see a ghost child, I'm tucking my tail between my legs and I'm peacing out.

Sidebar: In my research of finding these scary tots, I found out they are "The Watson Twins," from Britian. And my maiden name is Watson. CREEPY!!!

You Had Me at Flip Cup

"The Bachelorette" has done it again. ABC has sucked me in and has me longing for Monday nights to see who Ali Fedotowsky makes out with, gives roses to, and who she gives the boot to. Of all the bachelorettes and even contestants, she has been my fav. And I have to admit that I may even have a tiny girl crush on her. I think she's just awesome!
Ali is one lucky lady. For the most part her suitors are pretty hunky, successful men. In my single days I would have loved to have 15 sex-ay men longing after me, fighting for me, all the while trying to impress me and win my heart. Not to mention, the fabulous dates they have, traveling the world. Le sigh...

From the get go I have liked Roberto. He's a hunk and speaks several different languages. He's cultured and charming. He also got the first impression rose. Atta girl, Ali!

Can you say yummy?

Okay so last night Ali had some alone time with Chris L. who I might add has this nice New England accent. Now he's no Roberto when it comes to looks but during his and Ali's convo before the rose ceremony he stated that Ali needs to come to the Cape and play some Flip Cup. Now this is a guy after my own heart. Her reply...I love Flip Cup!

I heart Chris L.

Ali keep handing out those roses to Chris L. Any man who plays Flip Cup is worth keepin' around. And oh yeah, Ali, you're invited to our next Flip Cup party.

~M

Baby, You Get My Motor Running

I have to admit that I've been a little depressed lately. Summer is here. Memorial Day Weekend, for me, is the best weekend ever. Its the beginning of summer which means weekends at the lake.

This year I haven't been looking forward to it at all. It was just a reminder of the deep, dark depression I've been it.

It all started on an unusually hot Friday afternoon. Good Friday to be exact. Dustin and I were out on the boat with some friends, Leigh and Jeff. It had been a wonderful day. I was about 6 beers deep and we were returning from the "Stansion," a campsite named after our dear friend Stan and his gang of misfits.

All of a sudden the motor turned off.

And it wouldn't start.

We had no oars to row.

The water was a cold 52 degrees.

I had to pee.

We sent out a SOS.

Nothing.

Jeff and Dustin, hero'd up, tied themselves to the boat and started swimming. Leigh and I waved and shouted. We showed boobies...not really but it would have been funny. Finally someone helped! We made it.

But then depression started. We needed a whole new motor. We have no money. No money equals no motor. No motor equals no boat. No boat equals no summer. How the hell am I going to make it?

After several long, dark weeks, the sky has parted. We got the money together and the motor arrived today. So in just a few weeks we'll be back. And I predict the summer will be the best ever. The Redneck Yacht Club is back in business. Stansion here we come! Below is my summer prediction in pictures:









Hope yaw'll can come hang with us this summer. I promise it will be an experience you'll never forget.

Comic Relief

Just when you think you can't take anymore, sometimes you're hit with some much needed comic relief.

This week has been intense. I've spent a total of 26 hours this week in lectures discussing modes of mechanical ventilation, weaning parameters as well as non conventional methods. Don't worry...I'm stopping here. Yes this can be quite boring. But anyway...I went to work this morning the first time since Monday due to these said lectures.

Now, most days at work my day is boring and dreadful. I'm an equipment tech for the Respiratory Dept. at a fairly large hospital. What this means is I clean and set up ventilators and put away materials when it comes in. This has been valuable and I'm very fortunate to have this job. But it is BORING most days.

Well now that I'm a little further in school and I've proven to not be a complete idiot, I'm now starting to help more in traumas, codes and other procedures. Which leads me to the purpose of this post today.

So we had an 18 year old male come into our ED today for a conscious sedation to reset a fractured leg. Basically the leg was set incorrectly yesterday and he isn't ready for surgery yet due to swelling. So it had to be redone today. Now its much safer to do a conscious sedation than to put someone completely under. Basically the patient is given Diprovan (yes that is what killed MJ) but in much smaller dosages. The patient is pretty much asleep but conscious. Get it?

Ok...so this particular lad required quite a lot and fought the drugs so he never feel asleep. We couldn't give him too much of the meds so unfortunately he did feel a little pain but not too much. So the orthopedic surgeon is there resetting his leg and all of a sudden he sits up, and shouts, " You mother f&*@ers are hurting me. Please, please stop...I'll give you all my weed. Just please stop."

Of course we all started laughing and feeling extremely glad that we had asked his parents to leave the room.

We do this job every day to make other people feel better. But every once in awhile, a patient makes you feel better...whether they remember it or not.

~M

Just a Shout Out

A shout out to all my lovely friends near and far. I love you all. Here's hoping today, tomorrow and always bring you nothing but the joy and happiness all of you deserve. Here's hoping all your dreams and wishes come true. I'm so lucky to have you in my life. And here's hoping I see all of you soon!


xoxo,
M

Two Down, Three To Go

Today starts a new semester. It is sure to be the most challenging semester yet. And from what I've been told, this is the make or break point. Many people will not make it through the summer; either for grades or just realizing they aren't meant to do this. This semester is dedicated to mechanical ventilation or as most of you know it as, life support.

For me, I can't be more excited. Up unitl now, we've been slinging nebs and working on our patient assessment skills. As beneficial as this was, quite frankly I was bored to tears. But from now on I will be in the critical care units, both in adults and pediatrics. As sick and unfortunate as these patients will be, I can't wait to glove up, gown up, poke, probe, stick, suction and pull tubes!

Many of you probably think I'm sick in the head. Perhaps you are right. But it takes all kinds to make this world go round. I've come to "appreciate" blood, guts, snot, and boogers. And it kinda makes me excited.

And you probably wonder why I didn't choose nursing; they make more money and get more recognition. One simple reason. I don't do poop!

Its so comforting to know that I've finally found my calling in life. A few years ago, I would have never thought I could do this but I was so bored doing office work, I needed a new challenge. And a challenge it has been. I defiantly stepped out of my comfort zone on this one!

Off to class I go. So until next time, just breathe! Because if you don't, I'll have to tube you!

~M