Closing out the year

I'm taking an idea from my blogging friend as I look back on the year that was...

What books and or magazines did I read this year?

This year I rediscovered the joy that comes with reading a good book. I've read a lot of books...some great (The Help, Friday Night Knitting Club, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and Island Beneath the Sun ) and some only so-so (House Rules, Knit 2 and Knit the Season). No matter how busy the week is, I always find time to read my People magazine (hubby calls it my porn). I'm also pretty excited to see how our PV Book club turns out. It remains to be seen if we'll actually talk about the books or just socialize, but really either way is a win when you are spending time with your neighbors and friends, right?

What movies and or tv shows did I watch this year?

As a family, we've discovered the humor of Big Bang Theory. What rock have we been hiding under that we missed the first 3 seasons of this very funny show? Also, continuing to enjoy the NCIS series (HELLO: just like my hubby, Mark Harmon just gets better looking with age!). The big change in our viewing habits has to be that the boys are now old enough that we can watch more shows together as a family. As for movies, we said goodbye to Blockbuster Home delivery and welcomed Netflix into our lives. And just last month, I experimented with Red Box. While I enjoy the $1 price, I don't care for the need to return it to the store vs. dropping it in the mailbox. I end up spending more $ in the store (D"UH...their marketing strategy works).

What special days did I celebrate and how?

In July, Hubby and I became parents of a teenage boy. Not sure how that happened (as it seems like just last year we brought the big headed baby home from the hospital). In November, we celebrated 15 yrs of wedded bliss. And let's not forget March 8th. That was a big day for both hubby and I: we both found ourselves with new jobs on the same day!

What gifts did I give/and or receive?

The most memorable gift I gave was to my friend Judie. This summer, she had a series of very unfortunate events and found herself moving into a new place.. I organized a "shower" for her...filling her new apartment with all sorts of fun and practical things. It won't heal all the hurt in her heart, but I hope that this simple gesture on our part showed her what a gift her friendship means to all of us.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

I've enjoyed good health as has the rest of the family. Thing Two took a couple tumbles this year that reminded us what a blessing it is to have affordable insurance and access to health care. Luckily, none of his visits were major concerns but the financial costs could have really weighed us down had we not had insurance.

What fun things did I do with my family and friends?

The boys and I took two trips to spend time with my dad, sister and nephew. Exploring cities that are new to us, visiting places with my kids that I once enjoyed as a kid.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this year?

3 words: sleigh ride martini.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

2010: the year of the electronic gadgets. New laptop, cell phone, t.v, and camera (though technically it belongs to hubby)

What were my accomplishments this year?

After 10+ years of being a (mostly) stay-at-home-mom, I put on the working-outside-the-home hat. I'm proud of how we've all pitched in together to make it work. Everyone has made compromises and taken on more home tasks but I'd have to say...it's been worth it.

Anything else noteworthy to record?

I'm looking forward to the new year: continuing to work on balance, moving forward in some home improvement plans and settling into the new chapter of our lives. 2011? Bring it on...I'm ready!

Are they trying to tell me something?

3 friends...3 gifts.

Was it great minds thinking alike, great sales or Ewww....she needs to take a shower?!

3-0

Day 3 of Winter Break.
Day 3 of a mid-day nap.

Life is very good indeed!

Nothing wrong with HIS self esteem...

Thing One just came down in his lounge pants.
Winter Break has officially begun and he is determined to lounge in such attire as long as we'll put up with his foolishness.

He proudly proclaims "His gorgeousness has arrived...admit it, you cannot dispute my awesome qualities!"

Oh my...will we survive two week of him and his ego?

A very special visitor came a callin'...

Around 1, who comes a knockin' on the door of my clinic...none other than Santa himself!

Seems our visiting Santa has lost some weight since last year, and his pants were falling down.
He stopped in our office, knowing we had pillows.
Would we mind if he borrowed a pillow while he visited with the daycare kids downstairs.
You know, it's not good to have a Santa with droopy drawers.

Made up for the other situation I was dealing with.
A young lady...high on marijuana for sure...but there seemed to be more.

Some days? I love and hate my job all within the same afternoon!

It's a sign..

that you aren't THAT sick...when the nurse offers you a throat lozenge and you have the nerve to ask for a different flavor.

Enjoy that one, sistah. Next time you ask, I'm totally out!
Yes, I will be there for you, when you need me
But, when you have enough energy to complain about the selection of comfort items I'm offering?
Go.back.to.class!

'Tis the Season...

This is my first Holiday season as the school nurse. I am sort of taken by surprise by a 'trend' I've noticed this week.

High school kids and depression.

All in a Day's work...

E. came in telling me she had a tummy ache. A polite young lady, I offered her some of the usual crackers and some water. Just as I was sending her back to class, Grandma called me. Seems E. had sent Grandma a text that suggested more was going on...texting the grandma that "life is not worth living, I should just give up". Thank you Grandma for calling me (she'd tried the counselors but they were all at their convention, so in a panic, she called me, not knowing that E. was already in my office). "Let's take a walk" and I escorted E. over to the psychologist (who had just returned briefly from the conference). E. was transported to the ER for a more thorough suicide risk assessment.

Then there was C. C. is one of my all time favorite kids. he's had multiple back surgeries and last spring he and I had breakfast every morning while I gave him his IV antibiotics. Started as a shy young man and really opened up to me. C was feeling flu like symptoms yesterday and as we chatted, he started to tear up "I just need to be home today, we're being evicted tonight". OMFSM: seems his family has fallen on hard times, and they fell behind in their payments. He's 17...he's been handed so many stressors and now this.

And I finished up the day with M. I had known that M.. suffers from PTSD and had heard rumors about the triggering events that resulted in this condition. But most of my encounters with M. have been basic...headache, itchy skin...nothing too exciting. Yesterday, he came to me in the midst of a panic attack. When it resolved, he opened up about Christmas...and how he is tired of people asking him what he wants for Christmas...nobody can give him what he wants so instead he just wants a package of gum. He starts to tear up. Seems his father died on his birthday and ever since then, Christmas and birthdays are just pointless. (and the death was apparently a violent death, witnessed by M: that's the part I'd heard about through staff).

I left work yesterday...not just physically exhausted but emotionally drained....and yet also feeling very blessed. I joke that this job just fell from the sky when I needed it most. But, I also see where there are many life lessons for me to learn...this week? To be humble...to know the many gifts I have in my life...a roof over my head, a father for my children and a job that I find rewarding in ways I never imagined!

for those of us raising teens/young adults...keep your eyes and hearts open to the worries that our young adults are facing. We all know that for many adults, this is not necessarily the most wonderful time of the year. And sadly, I fear for some of our youth, as they grow up so much faster than we did, they too approach the holidays with more sadness than joy!