Perfect Sandwich: Tuesday's Tip #12

Don't you hate it when the corners of your sandwich are all bread and no meat? Here's a handy tip on how to remedy that problem!

Brown, Blue, Green or Gray: Friday's Fun #11

I love being a brown-eyed girl, I really do! But just last week I got to thinking... hmmm... what if I tried out coloured contacts just for the fun of it:? So after piano lessons this morning off I went to Bouma's Vision Center and picked up some samples. What do you guys think?? 

My original beauties ;):

Brilliant Blue:

Green:

 Sterling Gray:

Turquoise:

I personally think I'll go for the turquoise or gray coloured ones. These were just cheap samples so of course they don't look perfect and I'm hoping they'll cover all of my iris (right now the pupil area in the contact is too large and you can see quite a bit of the brown still).

Loons and Moons: Thursday's Things #11

One of my cousins read this joke to a bunch of us Up North when we were gathered in the gazebo one evening playing games. It was hilariously funny at the time, and although now that I'm reading it again to myself it doesn't have the same humorous effect, I think if you read it aloud to someone - a friend, coworker, or spouse (or better yet, group of people), you will hopefully be howling (or at least chortling) with laughter! Enjoy :)

The Psychiatrist and Proctologist

Two doctors, a psychiatrist and a proctologist, opened an office in a small town and put up a sign reading:
"Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones: Hysterias and Posteriors."
The town council was not happy with the sign, so the doctors changed it to read,
"Schizoids and Hemorrhoids."
This was not acceptable either, so in an effort to satisfy the council, they changed the sign to
"Catatonics and High Colonics."
No go.
Next, they tried
"Manic Depressives and Anal Retentives."
Thumbs down again.
Then came "Minds and Behinds." Still no good.
Another attempt resulted in
"Lost Souls and Butt Holes."
Unacceptable again!
"Nuts and Butts?" Not a chance.
"Freaks and Cheeks?" Still no go.
"Loons and Moons?" Forget it.
Almost at their wit's end, the doctors finally came up with:
Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones, "Odds and Ends."

Everyone loved it.

*you probably want to keep this joke reserved for adults! :)

Is Nursing Girly? - Wednesday's Woe #11

I'll be the first to admit it. When I hear the word 'nurse' I generally think of a female. Likewise, when I hear 'doctor' I usually think of a male. Thankfully things are changing as more men enter the nursing profession and many females are becoming doctors. However, I think the common misconception that nursing is a girly, feminine job still prevails. When you think of nursing maybe an old-fashioned picture arises in your mind, one of the Florence Nightingale type soothing the fevered brows of dying soldiers.

 Or maybe -due to the ignorant media- another image of a nurse pops into your mind - this one of the over-sexualized, objectified nurse in a little white dress flirting with her patients and the doctors. 

Thankfully however, nursing isn't either of the above. With new technology evolving everyday and advances in science and medicine keeping critically ill patients with multiple co-morbidities alive longer, nursing traits focus less on compassion and caring and more on excellent assessment, critical thinking and organizational skills. Not that a compassionate heart and caring attitude aren't important, BUT, being on the frontline as the one primarily responsible for my patients, it's imperative that I have the knowledge and skills to effectively advocate for them.  

Here on the NeuroSurg floor I work with several male nurses and enjoy the different perspective that they lend to my profession. Besides, it's nice having a set of strong arms around when you have a lot of heavy turning and repositioning to do!

I looked up the history of men in nursing and interestingly enough, only men were considered "pure" enough to enter what is thought to be the world's first nursing school, which was founded in India about 250 B.C. For the next two millennia, nursing remained male-dominated and it took warfare in the 19th and 20th centuries to transform nursing from being considered a man's job to a women's profession.One of the biggest shifts in the profession came in 1901 when the military nursing corps was reorganized and men were no longer allowed to serve as nurses, furthering the process of the feminization of nursing. It wasn't until the 1950s that men were again recognized as nurses and allowed into nursing schools!

So, the point of my post? I'm hoping the view of nursing as a "girly, feminine" profession will soon die out! 

Lost and Found: Tuesday's Tip #11

Isn't it so annoying when you drop and lose tiny objects? Be it a pin, earring, or screw, this handy tip will help you find it in a jiffy! Just secure a nylon with elastic around your vacuum hose and get to it!

Anticipating Autumn: Musical Monday #11

Another song by the Piano Guys. I love their arrangements, and this setting in the woods makes me anticipate cool fall days and long romps through the woods in the nearby conservation area.

Pride in Profession: Friday's Fun #10

I've finally framed my diploma! I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2 years and 3 months ago, and belatedly resurrected my diploma from it's dusty envelope four days ago.

I rather like how it looks hanging on my wall. Do you think it's awfully proud and boastful to have it hanging there? I like it because it reminds me that all those hours spent bent over my books and behind the computer screen have achieved a tangible result, and that I AM doing something worthwhile with my life, even though I don't always feel that way.

Tickled Pink: Thursday's Things #10

A FEW THINGS THAT TICKLE ME PINK:

- feeling super squeaky clean and hairless after a good soak and scrub in the tub - especially if I had been feeling exceptionally gross, grimy and greasy beforehand

- clean, natural toenails after removing months old, chipped polish 

- applying a fresh coat of shiny, smooth polish to the aforementioned nails every once in a while 

- "shopping" in my own closet and finding a new way to pair clothes together to make a new outfit 

- waking up early feeling refreshed and recharged after a good night's sleep - doesn't happen enough!

- bestowing random, anonymous acts of kindness on people. Ok, I have to admit it. I don't think I've ever done this. But I just thought of it and know I WOULD enjoy doing it and I think I'll make it my goal to do this once a week! 

- hearing the "ting" of my phone go off when I'm not expecting a text from anyone

- spontaneous outings with friends - call me up for a coffee or walk anytime! 

- second-hand shopping or gift store browsing with my mom  

Storage Solutions: Tuesday's Tips #10

This weeks handy tips will focus on storage solutions!

 Look up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.

 

 

A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant. 

 Brilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. Genius!

 

Forever losing your bathroom essentials? Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door

Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.

 

*from http://www.thedailybuzz.com.au/2011/11/25-clever-ideas_household-tips_storage-ideas/#.TreQpeBy7SY.facebook

Lead Me Lord: Musical Monday #10

Lead Me Lord by Gary Valenciano

Making Applesauce

Jeanette came over last week with the first pickings from her apple tree and with Mom's help made some applesauce. A necessary finishing touch for any good dutch meal!

 

 

 We also helped mom a little with making her Concord grape juice. Mom says she has never worked so hard as the last few weeks. We've had an overabundance of pears from our pear trees and the Concord grape harvest was good too, so mom's been busy from dawn to dusk peeling and paring, cooking and juicing, and our house is now awash with fruit flies. A small price to pay :)