Hey there Ladies...

Eve, how’s that ceiling? Hmmmm. I bet your neck is getting sore. From position to work on it. I’m very excited to see pics as I don’t think I’ve seen this type of ceiling before. Do you have to paint it? You go back tomorrow to work? Also, that is pretty cool how your uncles passed on letters. Stuff we take for granted nowadays. All the family news from snail mail. No writing and cc’ing, etc. No group Zoom calls. I did that with my sisters on Tday and Christmas and it was fun. Better than nothing and fun to all see each other. My kid takes this kind of stuff for granted. 
 

Ok, so, thank you for the nice things you both said. It is good to hear that. I will say though, and I think I speak for all the folks I work with, we don’t see ourselves as any kind of heroes. We really are doing what we’ve always done, which is take care of folks the best we can. Want to hear something funny? That RN I found crying (I adore her) she had this T-shirt on under her scrub top that I saw when she came in that the front said “First, Do No Harm” and the back said “Second, Take No S**t”. Was just funny cause she is a tough and seasoned cookie. But finding her like that, in the supply room, sobbing. Broke my heart. Made me see such a human-ness and vulnerability. Is this what folks are forgetting? That we are simple humans just like them? And not all folks are mean for sure. But when a few are it can really spoil the day and make you feel defeated. So I said to the “plane to catch” lady who asked if I “just didn’t hear her or was stupid”, I looked blankly at her after that for about 10 seconds (I was a bit dumbfounded), and then said, “I heard you, and I’m trying to process how your irresponsible choice to gather with 18 maskless people is now all of a sudden my emergency and I am wondering how you now justify putting me and others at risk. Will you sleep on that flight?” Yup. I said that. Will probably get a complaint about it. 6 months ago I probably wouldn’t have dreamt of saying something like that! Of course 6 months ago we weren’t really being treated like we are now either. Anyway...thank you. Just doing my job and wishing I had gone into Veterinary Medicine or Computers or... And...I am truly grateful that I have a job right now and we all think about and talk about this too. There is a lot that makes us lucky. Even with the 20% paycut, we are still some of the lucky ones. Actually paycut is done January 1st, woohoo! So now I get paid the same again to take crap! Always look on the bright side of life, do, dado, da do da do da do! Hahaha! Now maybe I won’t pick up so many extra shifts for a while. 
 

Peggy...a separate thank you to you. I know that it was hard to postpone your family. And maybe since they all stayed well you all look back and regret not doing it on actual Christmas as that always is the best. Please don’t though. What you did was the right and responsible thing for all of us in the moment. Somewhere down there is a Provider hearing one less story right now about how someone gathered with family, etc and now everyone is sick. I heard this out of so many people my first days back. I thought of you and all the others on here who waited or made provisions or was lonely or sad missing folks on the holidays. It’s ok. It is very much appreciated in my line of work. In the grand scheme of things...take heart. We have hope 2021 Christmas will be different. Anyway, thank you. You did the right and responsible thing and if everyone were doing that, this will get better more quickly. And like I told Eve before, Practice Safe Six!!!

Oh yessss! Aunt Georgie!! Got a call from her this morning when I went back to sleep and need to call back. I’m kind of afraid to as I’m hoping she isn’t gonna say “I’m on the train!”  I have a touch of PTSD from that visit, but fond and funny memories too! Is too soon for another visit though. Especially since I’m not walking as much right now!! Oh boy. And I still have Max. Still no Riley coming out from the haze. Still,some folks gathering at times downtown but not me. I am very fine in my own little world these days. Partial Cave is good. Soooo good. 
OK...will call Georgie now. Stay tuned! Ack!!

So still not done the ceiling, have to order more because went a different direction then planned on. No biggie. You will just need to wait a lil longer on pics. So doing this by myself is time consuming, but yes I will need to paint, especially since I made marks all over, but it comes primed already. But love how it’s turning out. Yep, back to work tomorrow......ugh. We are supposed to be tested weekly. Hmmmm

Did you call Aunt Georgie? How she doing? Is she still eating her edibles? Lol, I know you have PTSD from her, but BOY DID I LOVE THE STORIES!!  It kept me SO ENTERTAINED! 
 

I think people are just so fed up with living like this that they forget that you are human also! And you are more at risk then they are. Crazy that lady having to go to Mexico. I applaud your response though! I hope it made her “think”, but most likely not! 
 

I wanna win the lottery!!! Lol 

Well hope you have a nice night! Heading again to Home Depot, after shower! Hugs

oh Peggy your gathering sounds fun and I echo Lores applause of putting it off! Better safe and 6feet away! Lol

You are a very sweet soul. And brave. 

Sooo....just when you’re at the end of your rope, thinking all the World is chaos and there aren’t good things left, comes this delivery today at work. The picture isn’t great, and don’t mind the urinal vase (all we had) but I had just texted a Dear friend asking her to send me some hope and then comes this lovely floral delivery from a person I took care of this past weekend. There was the most beautiful, thoughtful, sweet card thanking me for being there in what was a dark and uncertain moment for her. She said she was grateful and told me how much a difference I made for her that day and how she was truly thankful for the the care she received. Well, with this bouquet and the text of hope and encouragement and inspiration from my friend, I will go to bed tonight with some faith and hope restored in humankind. Also needless to say, I just cried and cried. I am touched beyond words and wanted to share with all of you who may have been reading how lately some folks have been very difficult and challenging and how I was having a hard time making sense of what is going on with the World. Well...I’d say there is still some good going on for sure. Hopefully sharing this brings some hope and faith in humankind for you all as well. 

That’s wonderful! I’m so happy ! 

Thanks for sharing and LOVE THAT VASE hahaha!. Yes there are some awesome people who do show us their gratitude. One cancer patient who comes to talk to us daily, left us a huge sandwich plate from a local deli. It's people like her that make our jobs worth the hassles and making sure only those having procedures enter the hospital. Onto another day and staying in the battle zones. Stay safe!! 

"Quitting isn't for Sissies!" I quit poisoning myself Sept. 27, 2013

How wonderful that person is! Some are thankful but they don’t always let us know. Yes, there are beautiful people in the world. You must be such a caring nurse! From experience I know what it’s like to be in the hospital, feeling alone and scared. A kind word or gesture just makes all the difference. It’s people like you, Lor, and people like your patient that makes this world truly a better place. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m so uplifted!

Made my day. Truly. How was first day back for you? Did you get tested? Also known as “the nasal assault “ Usually in those situations, here anyway, it is the rapid test or the one that goes in the nostrils, so not quite as bad. You can do it Eve! Will make you part of the special club!

Ahhh, the vase. Priceless, right? Where would us medical folks be without a bit of our “off” sense of humor? Yes, the battle zone...when we take care of someone who’s been in a car crash, we at least know that same car isn’t gonna jump out and hit us too. Not true with Covid. You stay safe too Debbie. Yes, always grateful for the goodies and smiles and things that make it worth it in the end.