Thoughts From a Frazzled Mind

It was my turn to work Labor and Delivery on Thanksgiving this year, so I wasn't able to attend a family dinner.  I missed all of the family togetherness, but the hospital fed us a very nice turkey dinner while we were at work. Robin, Ashley and Kenzie started their Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving afternoon.  I have a hard time starting my shopping on Thanksgiving and making people give up their holiday just for shoppers so after work I drove to our motel and took a nap.  The girls came back to the motel, dropped off a load of shopping bags, and picked me up to start my shopping at about midnight. We wore matching "I Love Black Friday" shirts Kenzie showing her joy at shopping Ashley and I with our tired faces We found massage chairs that helped to rejuvenate us! We filled two vehicles completely!  Crazy! Before we checked out of the motel, we decided to go for a refreshing swim in the pool.  Suddenly we decided to show of...

As usual, Kim finds us the best pumpkins to carve.  This year Kalel proved that he has his Grandpa Bob's talent for carving.  He carved two pumpkins all by himself! Shandra and I decided that we would create creepy faces for ourselves on Halloween.  It was so much fun!  And, for amateurs I think we didn't do to bad! Zombie! A doll whose face is coming unzipped We had a ton of fun!

A great grandpa does super fun things! Although it was October we were experiencing a very nice Indian summer and the temperatures were just perfect for an outdoor camp out in the yard. Grandpa Bob pitched a tent on the grass and rolled the sleeping bags out.  He made sure that the all important flashlights were working and within reach.  Then Grandpa Bob and Bubba settled down for a very uncomfortable yet very fun night.  Kalel had a wonderful time!  He created hand shadows on the tent roof using the flashlight.  They told "scary" stories, and they even peed outside! Who could ask for anything better than a back yard camp out with grandpa?

 I had just a fun, quick visit to San Diego to visit Tasha and Zane.  As soon as I arrived they drove me straight to the beach.  It is absolutely amazing how many beautiful beaches are near their house!  This time we went to Ocean Beach - one of their favorites because it has a large area where dog are allowed.  We saw this group of young people practicing some balancing moves.  It is a kind of yoga, I think.  One of my favorite things about my son-in-law is that he likes to give hugs.  Here we are hugging with the beautiful ocean in the background.  I was absolutely amazed at all of the beach volleyball games going on!  There must have 50-70 courts with teams playing.  It appeared that there were several organized tournaments going on as well as many people playing just for fun or practice. I am in awe of the sport of beach volleyball, how the players can run, jump, and land in the sand is nothing short of amazing! ...

Shandra, Ashley and I had the opportunity to see performed by the Odyssey Dance Company I have never seen a performance by the Dance Company, especially one based on zombies and such so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. As we were getting to our seats we found that there were many zombies among us. Ashley and I doing the "Curse of the Mummy" dance Zombie Faces Curse of the Mummy Salem's Mass Jason Jam Pictures taken from odysseydance.com The dances were so creatively choreographed and the dancers so talented that the evening was unforgettable.  The production was enjoyable from start to finish.  Some of the numbers were comedies and all included a macabre element in keeping with the Thriller theme.  One of our favorite numbers was a Mr. and Mrs. Frankenstein number in which Frankenstein accidently broke the neck of his bride.  The last half of the number was performed with the "bride" totally limp as if she was de...

l have three sisters, Roxane, Robin, and Ashley.  It was difficult when we we growing up because we only had one bathroom and we all had to share.  Thinking back I'll bet it was hilarious to see all of us crammed into the bathroom trying to share the sink, the tub (we didn't even have a shower - only a bathtub), and the mirror at the same time.  It was an unwritten law at our house that we had to climb up into the sink to put our make-up on. I also have an "un-papered adoptive" sister (as my dad says).  Julie started hanging out at our house when we were young and has become one of the family. Today I just feel like giving a "shout out" for my sisters who have faced difficult trials and struggles in their lives and have accomplished so much!  There have been struggles with clinical depression, anxiety, addiction, marriages, children, and health issues.  I'm so proud of the way they have worked to overcome and deal with their trials, and I...

I'm done .  I have reached the end of my formal education.  What an amazing journey.  I honestly had no idea when I decided to go back to school where the journey would take me.  Who knew I would go from having a teeny inkling to become a nurse that I would far surpass that and actually obtain a Master Degree in Nursing?  Not me, that's for sure! The story progressed like this: January 2009:  I was busy working and helping to take care of my mom with all of her maladies caused by diabetes.  Suddenly the thought came over me that I should complete the classes to get licensed as a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant).  I assumed that I was given that inspiration in order to better help my mother. March 2009:  Woke up one day with the knowledge that I HAD to go back to school and become a registered nurse (RN).  It didn't make sense because I had a wonderful job that I planned to retire from and I was still investing a lot of time ...