Its that time of year again. Funny how it comes and goes in the blink of an eye. Everyone running around like there is not going to be a tomorrow, only to get all that they want done by that fateful day.
For some reason the real meaning of this time of year has disappeared. The want for material things has taken over and made everyone greedy. Children now expect things like I Pods, TVs, Game consoles and Computers all which cost as much as most working people make working a full work week if not more.
The children of today have no idea of the meaning of a dollar. It use to buy so much. Today, you can barely buy a cup of coffee for that 100 pennies.
My idea of what Christmas means has changed over the years. It used to be so much fun being around my family and friends for the holiday week. We would go out and have fun in the snow, skiing, sledding, and just having snow ball fights. It was so much fun. Everyone would end up in the house at the end of the day wet, cold and tired, but smiling and laughing about all the things we had done.
The first part of December we would all pile in the car or truck and head for the bush to find a tree. We would trudge through the snow for what was the perfect tree. Funny, no matter what the tree looked like when we got it home, it was beautiful.... the tree would sit in the corner of the living room for a day to warm up and let the branches relax. Then the fun started.
Dad's job was to put the lights on the tree. Each had to be placed just so. He had three little girls(at least till my brother came along 16 years later) telling him where the open holes were that needed to be filled. Then when the lights were all placed and the garland was wrapped around the tree, it was our turn.
We got to put all the decorations on the tree. Mom would drag out the boxes of glass balls that she would put the wire hooks through and hand to us for careful(ya right) placement on the tree. Hand made decorations were added at the end, and other things that we had put together, like strung popcorn and candy canes....then it was Mom's turn.
Mom would carefully place each and every strand of tinsel on the tree, one or two at a time. She took great care in placing them just so to make the most of its beauty. Mom would move some of the tinsel around to make sure there was no holes. Then the Angel or Star was placed on the top. We would stand back and admire our accomplishment.
Over the next two weeks presents would appear under the tree. We were not allowed to dig under there, but always managed to find the ones that had our names on them. Our own special stockings with our names on them would be put out, either on the mantle, or on the back of the couch. Then night would arrive and we would be in bed early and up just as early the next morning. I was always the first out of bed and still am. Out to the living room to find the stockings and be awed by what we would find. We were allowed to take our stockings back to our beds and dig through our wonderful stuff. We always had candy, candy canes, Japanese oranges (or clementines as they are known here). The oranges were special as we could only get them during the month of December. Special little things were always in the bottom. The giggling and play would start and mom and dad would get up.
We were lucky. Mom and Dad allowed us to open our gifts before we had breakfast. Most of my friends were not that lucky. We would pass all the gifts around and then when they were all out from under the tree, we would start tearing. Mom and Dad would sit there and smile till we were done. They opened theirs when were done. I can remember the old camera that mom used to take pictures while we were buried in paper and boxes. Home made gifts, scarves, mitts, socks, clothes were wonderful to receive. We always got a new outfit, new shoes and toys. We were not rich by any means, but no matter what was there, we thought we were lucky. We had a ball. We did everything together.
After all the Christmas day hubbub came Boxing Day. That was the day everyone you knew either got a visit from us or they came to our house. Everyone showing what they had been lucky enough to get. The special doll, outfit or other item. Back then no one got tons of stuff. There were items that made you happy. It was a time of happiness, love and hope that the new year would bring health and joy to everyone.
Like I said earlier, we were not rich, but we were rich in what we had in each other. Our family has always been fantastic, fun and people have always wanted to be around us when were together. We have a great time and to us there is nothing more important than family. Things are just that. Lets get back to the simple times.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Helpless and scared, a life without computers
Have you ever felt helpless? Did you want to do everything you could to help and couldn't? Do you have more than one computer, phone or electronic gadget in your home and life. Well I have, I did and yes I do.
One of the worst things that has ever come into my life, was the computer. Not for the reasons you may think. Most people would think it is because I hate working with them. I am on them all the time when I am at work, putting in tons of information and looking up multiple things on most people. You see I'm a nurse. That is part of my normal daily routine while working. The computer supplies me with the information I need to do a great job of taking care of my patients. Problem is when something is omitted from that information. That is when the problems arise. I am lucky, over the years, I have learned to trust my gut instincts.
When we arrive at work, the first thing we do is cuss at the computer, because it will not do what we want it to. We try to enter the names of the patients that we will be caring for during that shift. For some reason, there is usually some swearing and huffing and puffing associated with that task. Then the report is received from the off going nurse. Now the work starts.
We trudge from room to room with a cheery smile and dragging a cart that is our "Mobile work station" or what used to be our "COW" ( computer on wheels). That name was quickly changed when a pleasantly drugged patient thought we were talking about her when someone said "get that cow out of the hallway". HAHAHAHAHA good glory, people can be so self absorbed. Anyway, we drag these lovely machines in and out of each and every patients room. Our medications are passed and scanned with the aid of a documentation program. Our dressings and medications are all carried in these lovely machines.
Any hoo I digress. Not sure what we did before all these contraptions. Nursing was so much simpler back then. You looked things up in the chart, not the computer. The doctors actually spoke to you not through you. The reports were read and entered into the charts. Now everything is black and white and on a screen in front of you.
Funny, I never thought I would ever have a computer of my own, till we started our business. OMG, now I have two lap tops, two desk tops, two phones that are Internet accessible, and an I Pod that can get on line. When does it stop. The technology of today is so vast and overwhelming.
I spoke to one friend of mine today that said that she did not have a computer, and had no intentions of getting one anytime soon. She also runs her business on paper. It is nice to see that there are some simple things in life that are still around.
Where does it end. Everyone has a phone, computer, i pod, mp3, nook, kindle, I pad, notebook and the list goes on and on. What happened to playing outside and having fun. Computers in the schools, work, home. We are becoming an automated society. Not sure where it will end.
Never thought I would say this, but I am lost without it now. My phone is attached to me no matter where I go. Wonder what would happen if there was a massive power outage. Would people know what to do, where to go, and lord help us all, what would we do without our internet access. Pretty scary isn't it? Maybe we should not be so reliant on the electronics of today. We seem to be helpless with out them.
Anyway, here is to the self reliant people who have held out. You know the ones, with no gadgets hanging on their belt, in their ears, or purses. To the ones of us who rely on the computer age for everything, you need to befriend one of the dinasours of the computer age. They will be a good friend to have when all these electronics crash and we are helpless. Those friends may pull us through and again teach us the old ways when we were not helpless and scared when the lights went out. HAHA. Put down your blackberries, your laptops, your IPads and go outside and enjoy life. A life without computers.
One of the worst things that has ever come into my life, was the computer. Not for the reasons you may think. Most people would think it is because I hate working with them. I am on them all the time when I am at work, putting in tons of information and looking up multiple things on most people. You see I'm a nurse. That is part of my normal daily routine while working. The computer supplies me with the information I need to do a great job of taking care of my patients. Problem is when something is omitted from that information. That is when the problems arise. I am lucky, over the years, I have learned to trust my gut instincts.
When we arrive at work, the first thing we do is cuss at the computer, because it will not do what we want it to. We try to enter the names of the patients that we will be caring for during that shift. For some reason, there is usually some swearing and huffing and puffing associated with that task. Then the report is received from the off going nurse. Now the work starts.
We trudge from room to room with a cheery smile and dragging a cart that is our "Mobile work station" or what used to be our "COW" ( computer on wheels). That name was quickly changed when a pleasantly drugged patient thought we were talking about her when someone said "get that cow out of the hallway". HAHAHAHAHA good glory, people can be so self absorbed. Anyway, we drag these lovely machines in and out of each and every patients room. Our medications are passed and scanned with the aid of a documentation program. Our dressings and medications are all carried in these lovely machines.
Any hoo I digress. Not sure what we did before all these contraptions. Nursing was so much simpler back then. You looked things up in the chart, not the computer. The doctors actually spoke to you not through you. The reports were read and entered into the charts. Now everything is black and white and on a screen in front of you.
Funny, I never thought I would ever have a computer of my own, till we started our business. OMG, now I have two lap tops, two desk tops, two phones that are Internet accessible, and an I Pod that can get on line. When does it stop. The technology of today is so vast and overwhelming.
I spoke to one friend of mine today that said that she did not have a computer, and had no intentions of getting one anytime soon. She also runs her business on paper. It is nice to see that there are some simple things in life that are still around.
Where does it end. Everyone has a phone, computer, i pod, mp3, nook, kindle, I pad, notebook and the list goes on and on. What happened to playing outside and having fun. Computers in the schools, work, home. We are becoming an automated society. Not sure where it will end.
Never thought I would say this, but I am lost without it now. My phone is attached to me no matter where I go. Wonder what would happen if there was a massive power outage. Would people know what to do, where to go, and lord help us all, what would we do without our internet access. Pretty scary isn't it? Maybe we should not be so reliant on the electronics of today. We seem to be helpless with out them.
Anyway, here is to the self reliant people who have held out. You know the ones, with no gadgets hanging on their belt, in their ears, or purses. To the ones of us who rely on the computer age for everything, you need to befriend one of the dinasours of the computer age. They will be a good friend to have when all these electronics crash and we are helpless. Those friends may pull us through and again teach us the old ways when we were not helpless and scared when the lights went out. HAHA. Put down your blackberries, your laptops, your IPads and go outside and enjoy life. A life without computers.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Laugh till you cry......
Nursing, what a hoot. Have any of you taken care of anyone that is confused, demented or drugged? OMG what a riot. Have you dealt with family that can't see what is in front of them? This is something we deal with ever day and laugh till the tears run down our legs(sorry had to steal this one).
Nurse come quickly, there is something wrong with my mom.... we run down the hall thinking there is a major problem. Coming around the corner of the room, we see something that at any other time than right now, would make us laugh hysterically. That is not something you can do when family is standing right there.... for some reason they do not find it funny when a drugged up family member is sitting there with their gown up over their head and they are talking to the IV pole like someone is standing there. You ask the patient in a caring manner who they are talking to..... "can't you see them, they are right beside you".... then they begin picking at the air.
The family is distraught. Mom has never been this way... sometimes she is a little confused, but this is really scaring us. The nurse tries hard to explain, that it is probably the medications either from surgery or the pain meds that they have been taking. Poor mom is picking at the air trying to grab things that are not there, she is talking to people that are not there, and she is taking her clothes off..... she never does things like that. You help her get her gown back on. Show her that no one is there but her family and try to calm her, only to have her do it again once her family goes home.
Throughout the night she is crawling out of bed, climbing over rails, pulling out IVs, walking down the hall naked. It is something we laugh about when we see it, but it is so unnerving to a family that does not want to believe that there is anything wrong.
As nurses and medical persons, we see some weird things, some funny things and some really alarming things. The most alarming thing that we see is when families cannot believe that there is anything wrong. You can explain until your voice is hoarse. If it is not something that they are willing to accept, you are not ever going to get them to believe what your are telling them, even when they see it with their own eyes. This is when our job gets really hard and sometimes sad. You have to explain that the family cannot take them home. They need to be somewhere where someone can watch them all the time. That is when the family becomes defensive and can attack. Be patient and understanding. In time they will see there is an issue.
The laughter will return and the smiling will begin again. Tomorrow there will be another drug induced delirium that will make us forget the day before. We will again laugh till the tears come. We will giggle at the person walking down the hall with their butt uncovered and try to nonchalantly go to cover them.... the whole time snickering. Our jobs hold so much sadness, but also so much joy. The craziness is part of what we do... so when we can we laugh trying to not hurt anyone's feelings. Making light of the sadness or laughing at silly things is just the way we cope.... So in my case, I prefer to laugh till I cry, it is my way of coping with the ugliness and lack of hope at times......
When you see me crying, a kind touch is appreciated. When you see me laughing, laugh with me... It makes it so we can continue what we do..... Many times we laugh until we cry.......I'm a Nurse and proud of what I do....
Nurse come quickly, there is something wrong with my mom.... we run down the hall thinking there is a major problem. Coming around the corner of the room, we see something that at any other time than right now, would make us laugh hysterically. That is not something you can do when family is standing right there.... for some reason they do not find it funny when a drugged up family member is sitting there with their gown up over their head and they are talking to the IV pole like someone is standing there. You ask the patient in a caring manner who they are talking to..... "can't you see them, they are right beside you".... then they begin picking at the air.
The family is distraught. Mom has never been this way... sometimes she is a little confused, but this is really scaring us. The nurse tries hard to explain, that it is probably the medications either from surgery or the pain meds that they have been taking. Poor mom is picking at the air trying to grab things that are not there, she is talking to people that are not there, and she is taking her clothes off..... she never does things like that. You help her get her gown back on. Show her that no one is there but her family and try to calm her, only to have her do it again once her family goes home.
Throughout the night she is crawling out of bed, climbing over rails, pulling out IVs, walking down the hall naked. It is something we laugh about when we see it, but it is so unnerving to a family that does not want to believe that there is anything wrong.
As nurses and medical persons, we see some weird things, some funny things and some really alarming things. The most alarming thing that we see is when families cannot believe that there is anything wrong. You can explain until your voice is hoarse. If it is not something that they are willing to accept, you are not ever going to get them to believe what your are telling them, even when they see it with their own eyes. This is when our job gets really hard and sometimes sad. You have to explain that the family cannot take them home. They need to be somewhere where someone can watch them all the time. That is when the family becomes defensive and can attack. Be patient and understanding. In time they will see there is an issue.
The laughter will return and the smiling will begin again. Tomorrow there will be another drug induced delirium that will make us forget the day before. We will again laugh till the tears come. We will giggle at the person walking down the hall with their butt uncovered and try to nonchalantly go to cover them.... the whole time snickering. Our jobs hold so much sadness, but also so much joy. The craziness is part of what we do... so when we can we laugh trying to not hurt anyone's feelings. Making light of the sadness or laughing at silly things is just the way we cope.... So in my case, I prefer to laugh till I cry, it is my way of coping with the ugliness and lack of hope at times......
When you see me crying, a kind touch is appreciated. When you see me laughing, laugh with me... It makes it so we can continue what we do..... Many times we laugh until we cry.......I'm a Nurse and proud of what I do....
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