Monday, February 23, 2009
Update on Renovation
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Renovation Part III
At this time, still no electric to any of the bathrooms and the hot tub lies quiet as well, which I miss terribly. Even if it was hooked up, I have been working so much overtime, I don't have much time to relax and enjoy it. Still studying daily for the CRNI exam, which I will be taking on the 25th of March. Pushing for a 90 overall but will just be glad to pass. Good review and lots of memorizing special points, not my strength, but getting wiser daily. I have lots of other events coming up as well before then so pacing myself is more important every day. The first weekend in March I am off to Charlotte to see Elton John and Billy Joel in concert. A first for me, since my last concert was in high school days. I remember the days when I saw Bobby Sherman live when I was a teen, and screaming like some insane youngster till I couldn't talk a word. Now I know I am dating myself when I speak of Bobby Sherman, but he was hot back then, so I thought as a young girl.
Between all of the excitement of the house, I have been busy working my business, showing business plans and planning skin clinics and getting new customers on my wonderful products. On the road again brings new meaning to the phrase. Racking up the miles on my 95 Explorer, good ole Betty has been good to me, I am enjoying the quiet and reflective time and jamming to the music to stay awake. Now I potentially have another side line of work doing consulting and educating in my nursing line of work. So overall, things are busy and often times only time to sleep once I finally get home. Trying to make sure I am not up past 1 am, as at this pace, I would crash without enough sleep.
Sabrina got her preceptorship for school, a job offer and her internship for her credentially all in one week. She is doing famously, straight A's in school, almost a 4.0 average and dating new people. Might find Mr Right in one of them. She is learning to pace herself as well, and doing well, helping me with meals and shopping for food in the spare time she has. The VA issue and the truck issue is almost resolved, still waiting for the final settlements to work themselves out.
Sabrina, Andrea and Kevin meet next month for a ski vacation in Germany, poor me gets to sit this one out but know they will have a great time and all the rest and relaxation.
Well, that's it for now. Will get the pictures up this weekend on the renovation and an update as I have time. Bless you all. Till we meet again. Au Voir.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Renovation - Part II
I am not liking the fact that I have to work again today, have an inservice to present to the case managers at CFVMC on enteral pumps, drumming up more business, as there is never enough to do already! I still have my regular work to do as well. Not to mention that my boss is having her Gallbladder yank today and now one less person in the office and I am on call this weekend which is ALWAYS hectic when I am on call. Another TPN teach and one can only imagine what else there is to do. I am trying to fit the studying for my exam into the already jammed schedule and hate memorizing the Chemo drug reactions, they all make you sick!
Enough complaining. I am grateful to work with a great group of folks and blessed that Sabrina has cooked 2 meals for me this week and cleaned up the mess as well. She make some kick butt cupcakes for the office which didn't see the end of day before all were consumed and we were rubbing our bellies. JCAHO is coming and I am it, they will be riding with me for the day. Not worried, as I have been through so many in the past, it should be a breeze. Just got to find more time to crack the books and stay awake at night to flip the pages of the masses of manuals I have to study from. Everyone pray I make my 85% mark I am shooting for.
Well, here ends another chapter of my thoughts today, got to make some fresh coffee, already drank the leftovers from 2 days ago. Need the caffeine to pump through the veins to wake up. Arivaderchi! Not sure on that spelling folks!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Smooth Ceiling
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A Stand-Still
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Renovation - Part I
Sabrina has the "installing drywall" instructions from the Internet open on my computer and I guess this will really happen soon, hopefully this weekend, in order that I might be able to start coloring the rest of the room. I never really considered fixtures until just now, but am going toward the brushed nickel look, clean and easy to upkeep as well as being a classic look. I am getting more traditional in my interior design selection, a change from my current contemporary look. I believe age has a way of doing that, becoming more classical and rich looking. The south sure has that appeal here. And the patients whom I visit weekly have provided me with many different varieties of decor and color as well as style.
Had to take a break here to get that first sip of coffee, ah, the delicacy of good coffee. Sorry to get off track here, but need my java in the morning. So wonderful doing the slow raising and welcoming a new day. Will have to stretch and work out next then do my reading.
Back to the house. As noted in Andrea's blog, the house was built in 1985 and has all the original workings except for the new roof, windows and A/C units/heat pumps. All energy efficient, which is evident in the monthly savings on the electric bill. Solar would have nice but the technology has not really been affordable as yet. Upon purchase of our home in 1991, we immediately installed an in ground pool, which has been upgraded with new liner and cover, a must when you live in the humidity here and have small children. During latter years of my children's youth, the pool sat empty and neglected, as they were too busy with boys, school, athletics to name a few, but has recently become the popular hot spot for the neighbors and me. I used that pool almost daily this past summer and plan the same this year. Nothing better than to feel the water on your bare skin during the humid nights. A hot tub has been added to the enclosed deck which also gets a lot of activity year round. It is especially nice when it is freezing cold outside and the steam is all about you and the sun is rising. A new fresh coat of paint sits on the exterior of the house. Kevin has been faithful to maintain this over the years. Gutters will need to be upgraded at some point, but no hurry on that as yet. I believe one could upgrade just about everything if having an endless checkbook. I am looking at the time and realize I must turn attention to other tasks, so I will close on this installment of the renovations. Look for updates soon to come. Have a blessed day, one and all.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Dawn of a New Day
I sit here with my XS drink in hand, enjoying the sassafras root beer drink tickle my tongue. I really don't need the extra kick at this time of the morning, but what the heck, it sure tastes good. Almost considering a dive in the hot tub to feel the warm water but then I may never get back to bed. Will most likely hit the books to study before trying sleep again later.
Will try and post a bit a humor today since Andrea feels my first post was a bit serious but that is my personality. I can be all business one minute and then my sanguine side kicks in. The new item of events happened this weekend when the old frig decided it was time to quit. I didn't even realize this until my company made comments on the melting ice cubes. Lucky, we didn't have too much food in the old frig to worry about, the cold weather sufficed to provide the exact temperature to keep the goods cold until the new one arrived yesterday morning. More room that I imagined and it just fit, and I mean just. No longer can I prop the ironing board alongside the frig, it has now found a new home in the hall closet, less clutter I guess. But what do I do with the junk that used to live on top of the old frig. The dining room now looks like a college dorm room with junk piled high on the table with Sabrina's stuff and the leftovers from the items that used to inhabit the old frig space. Too lazy now to locate a new home for these often used items. Maybe this weekend we will find them a new place to live.
The frig has all the amenities one needs except for an egg tray. Never realized it was not there when I looked at it in the store, got it at Lowe's for a bargain price, nice stainless steel and glass racks inside with the french doors on top and double rack for the bottom freezer. All the frozen items still find themselves in the chest freezer, as we have not moved them to their new home as yet. The ice maker is a added plus on the outside of the door and takes up very little space on the inside for my everyday items. The veggie and fruit bins are huge and temp controlled, something I am not used to and now I am energy efficient. The whole house is being transformed to low energy needs to save $$$$ in electric. Got to save those pennies for retirement one day.
The old frig lies in the garage with yet more stuff from Sabrina's apartment, one could live out there now comfortably now, all the necessities except a couch. I was not planning on being transformed into a storage unit. Motorcycle and my items are at least accessible to get at thanks to Audra, who was gracious enough to reorganize the mess. At least we can walk around in there now.
The issue with the cars is another matter. No word yet as to the final fate of the S-10 truck that sits in Florence, SC in some guys front yard with Sabrina's high tech gas grill. For those of you unfamiliar with the events of the move from New Orleans to NC, please refer to posts by Sabrina on her blog "Another Chapter". The insurance company has yet to evaluate the damage caused by the U-Haul company to determine a total loss or need for only a new transmission. Either way, the truck has seen it's destiny and a buyer has already been found to handle the transaction. Sabrina meanwhile, is using the GG to get around. The Explorer now with over 190,000 miles is going strong, but in need of new tires. Got at least 70,000 miles on the currnt tires since getting them in RI and will not need snow tires this time. The Ford Ranger has a gas seal leak but as long as it is not full to the top, no gas leaks, so we will leave it alone. I could write a book just on car experiences I have had since my first days of driving. May do a humorous book one day just on that topic alone, I could write volumes. Car wash disasters, rolling down hills, engines catching on fire to name a few. This will be another post I am afraid.
The hum of the air filtration system is peaceful and I cherish the solitude it provides during these early hours of morning. I have a zillion things to do but love to just enjoy the quiet and reflect on the upcoming day. I am missing Kevin and our times to just sit and chat and reminisce together and plan our future together. It will not be long before we are reunited in Europe traveling the rail together to some unseen territories again. Europe has so much to offer in its history and ombience. This is truly living life at the fullest to watch the lights of the Vatican while sipping on cappichino and watching the locals gather on the street cafes at 2 am. Such memories of past I wish to relive in my mind.
As Andrea would put it, just another random thought and post, one of many to come. I am trying to post another lighter side of my life here, just for you Andi. Right now I am more reflective and enjoying the XS and root beer flavor singing on my tongue. Will go and study for a bit before retiring for a quick nap to start the "Dawn of a New Day". Peace.