This is a blog that contains: struggles, triumphs, crafts, recipes and stories to brighten your day and make you smile, laugh, and say well things aren't all that bad!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

ER: PA school reflections


Mostly in the ER you see people on the worst day of their life. 
I put staples in a guy's head who woke up drunk in the ER and had no idea how he got there. 


I saw a guy who lost both his legs after being run over by a fork lift.


I had to tell a lady that for the fourth time she was having a miscarriage. 


Mostly in the ER you see people on the worst day of their life. 


I stitched up a 45 year old African American lady who had been in a car wreck. Her daughter had been driving and hit the brakes. The daughter was fine but my patient went into the windshield and we thought initially that her face was fractured. Luckily it was all just swelling and lacerations. I sewed up her lip and her hand. To pass the time, we talked about where I was from and where she grew up. A week later I heard "Dr. Longview" being called across the ER. There sat this beautiful lady in a white sundress. She had come back to have her stitches taken out. The swelling had gone down and I was able to see her pretty face. She told me thank you for talking to her and stitching her up so nicely. I couldn’t help it, tears started to well up. No one ever came back must less told me thanks before. It was so fulfilling to see someone look so much better, so much more whole and normal.  It was a wonderful experience and really helped my work in the ER come full circle. 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Honeymooning in Paradise.

When Mr. and I got married a little over a year ago because of the strenous PA program I am in there was no time for a honeymoon. (we literally got married over the 7 day break I had between the spring and fall semesters). We hesitantly chose to postpone our honeymoon until there was more time. I tried to not make a big deal about it but the last breakfast we had on the island that week of the wedding I wanted to cry. We had had a wonderful time entertaining and celebrating with all our family and friends but I had no time to ourselves to share the joy of being in love.

So fast forward a year.... and here we went back to Anna Maria to celebrate our honeymoon. And boy was it worth the wait! Here are some pictures to explain.


Our hotel suite, The flounder!
 Standing in the exact spot where we got married!
 Wishing you were here!
 I had to sacrifice my pedicure but it was worth it.
I surprised Mr. with a deep sea fishing trip. Mr. caught way more than I did. This is him with his favorite fish to eat. Grouper!
 This is us with our Red fish we caught. (over two feet in length and about 15lbs each.)
 I caught two Red fish! I never realized that the hardest part was reeling the fish into the boat!!
Mr.'s honeymoon surprise for me was to order a cake from the bakers who made our wedding cake and get a bottle of wine for the little shop that we bought all the wine for from the wedding. (Mr. also bought me several bottles that are going to be shipped home yum!!)

PS. we got to keep all our fish from the fishing trip. Snapper, Mackrel, flounder, and red fish (the only fish that I contributed to our bounty was a red fish) But I did catch a baby shark!! sorry no pics of that one you will just have to believe me and my fisherman tales! .... Come over and eat some with us ok??

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Book Review/Reflection: The Help

I just put down "The Help" it was an intriquing story that shares the story of women, prejudice, and old fashioned snootiness. The characters are admirable and it is a fun book to curl up with and read. I must say I thought one part was going to turn out differently than it did but all in all I enjoyed the book!

If you are looking for something to read, this is a good choice.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Simple living

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life you look up and say what am I doing... I've recently become interested in simple living. I am at the beginning of my thinking/experimenting with this lifestyle but really I am just interested in distilling my life down to what makes me and Mr. happy and fulfilled.
One of the ideas from the simple living manifesto (posted above) is to come up with simple pleasures and sprinkle them throughout your day. Here is a sample list. and here is the beginnings of my own list.

  •  Coffee
  •  Painted nails
  •  a hot bath
  • a glass of wine
  • baking/creating
  • a good book
  • watching Mr and the dogs play
  • blogging 
  • catching up with a dear friend
  • a massage
  • getting my eyebrows waxed
  • going for yogurt
  • Christmas music/decorations
  • laying on the beach
  • walking barefoot
  • a quiet saturday morning
  • kolaches 
  • fresh baked bread
  • staying up talking 
  • sitting on the porch 
  • a baseball game
  • a nice walk
  • the way you feel after a good workout
  • dinner out 
  • pizza carryout
  • new sheets 
  • planning a weekend away
  • dinner with friends
  • a new piece of clothing or shoes
  • curling my hair
  • JIF peanut butter on bread
  • a clean house
  • clean dogs

I just came up with 33 things in like 5 minutes and just making the list brought a smile to my face. That is what I want my new lifestyle to be about: making myself happy (I hope you don't see this as selfish, I see it as filling my tank so I have more to give to Mr.'s and others), using my time more wisely and not stressing the small stuff. I look forward to adding to the list.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

ER!!

First day of ER! I work noon to midnight. I'm so excited!