Just as the Girl Scouts have their cookies, Boy Scouts, Cubs, and Venture Crews sell popcorn. My son's troop has chosen alternate fundraisers because we don't want to interfere with the Cub Pack affiliated with our troop. They raise their entire budget with popcorn sales. We try to support them and they, in turn, support our fundraisers. Since there is a great deal of overlap between the families, we're better off with that strategy.
This year, it is possible to support our military while supporting the Scouts. The order form includes a $25 slot for "Support the Troops" popcorn order. You can support the Troops while you support the troops. I think the Girls Scouts got there first with their cookie sales, but it's still a good idea.
If you have a local Scout unit, please support their efforts - even if you don't eat popcorn. If you don't have a local unit and you'd like to take advantage of the "Support the Troops" option, let me know. I can put you in touch with our Cub Pack and we can get that popcorn out to some young men and women who just might like a snack.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Finished!
The table top and chair above originally had green legs. The table top was badly scarred and the finish had been damaged. I used a citrus-based stripper which eats through old finish (and vinyl gloves) very quickly, but which doesn't have an offensive odor and doesn't strip off skin. Thank goodness.
The project would look better if I'd done what I normally do when finishing furniture, which is to stain first, then add polyurethane as a protective coat. I don't much like the combination product. It works, but it is NOT faster. It is cheaper, proving that you often get what you pay for.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Cake Wrecks
I just spent 25 minutes I couldn't really spare reading (and looking at pictures) on a web site called Cake Wrecks. Some of the cakes are funny, some are creepy, some are amazing. A few definitely require a "No eating or drinking while reading" caution.
Contents - 'professially' prepared cakes that have gone horribly wrong.
Contents - 'professially' prepared cakes that have gone horribly wrong.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Stripping
If you're allergic to latex, do NOT believe the nice salesperson at the paint store when they tell you that vinyl gloves will protect your hands from paint stripper. I'm thinking maybe nitrile, but I'm open to suggestions
Odorless mineral spirits aren't. Well ventilated location was definitely a good idea on that one.
Photos to follow when the furniture is finished.
Odorless mineral spirits aren't. Well ventilated location was definitely a good idea on that one.
Photos to follow when the furniture is finished.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Countdown
The wedding is in about 16 hours. My middle son will marry his childhood sweetheart.
Actually, they didn't much care for each other the first 10 years, but they first met when they were 7 and 10. Pretty much normal reaction for kids that age.
People keep asking them if they're nervous. They think that's funny, and a little annoying. They know there will be adjustments, but they're looking forward to them with anticipation rather than trepidation.
They found an apartment this week. A little last-minute, perhaps, but it's a good location for both of them, fits their budget, and is roomier than most in that price range. It's also upstairs from the landlord.
I spotted the ad in the local paper last week. It took a few days for them to reach the landlord and make an appointment to check the place out. They invited me to go along, so I did.
Turns out the landlord is a local elected official - one I'd voted for, and will again. She spent some time talking about how folks in this part of town just 'go with the flow', taking things in stride. She even gave examples from her work. She talked some about the stores and churches in the area. We're already quite familiar with those, since we just live a few miles away. Then she mentioned that if my son had any interest in the local Knights of Columbus, one of their most active members is a neighbor.
Oh yes, we know him.
The landlord made it clear that she had other prospects to interview, but stood outside and chatted with us for another 20 minutes or so. While we were standing there, the neighbor stopped to wish my son and his bride-to-be congratulations on their upcoming wedding.
When the landlord told my future daughter-in-law they'd been chosen, she said that the other couple, much decorated tattoo artists, frightened her and would likely frighten the neighbors. It's got to be easier to 'go with the flow' in your office than in your home -- and the personal reference from the neighbor certainly didn't hurt.
Then there were all the moms, grandmoms, and friends who have been asking St. Joseph to intercede on their behalf. I don't think the other couple had a shot.
Actually, they didn't much care for each other the first 10 years, but they first met when they were 7 and 10. Pretty much normal reaction for kids that age.
People keep asking them if they're nervous. They think that's funny, and a little annoying. They know there will be adjustments, but they're looking forward to them with anticipation rather than trepidation.
They found an apartment this week. A little last-minute, perhaps, but it's a good location for both of them, fits their budget, and is roomier than most in that price range. It's also upstairs from the landlord.
I spotted the ad in the local paper last week. It took a few days for them to reach the landlord and make an appointment to check the place out. They invited me to go along, so I did.
Turns out the landlord is a local elected official - one I'd voted for, and will again. She spent some time talking about how folks in this part of town just 'go with the flow', taking things in stride. She even gave examples from her work. She talked some about the stores and churches in the area. We're already quite familiar with those, since we just live a few miles away. Then she mentioned that if my son had any interest in the local Knights of Columbus, one of their most active members is a neighbor.
Oh yes, we know him.
The landlord made it clear that she had other prospects to interview, but stood outside and chatted with us for another 20 minutes or so. While we were standing there, the neighbor stopped to wish my son and his bride-to-be congratulations on their upcoming wedding.
When the landlord told my future daughter-in-law they'd been chosen, she said that the other couple, much decorated tattoo artists, frightened her and would likely frighten the neighbors. It's got to be easier to 'go with the flow' in your office than in your home -- and the personal reference from the neighbor certainly didn't hurt.
Then there were all the moms, grandmoms, and friends who have been asking St. Joseph to intercede on their behalf. I don't think the other couple had a shot.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Slow Learners
A friend told me that she just got her first speeding ticket -- 2 months after replacing her older, rattly car with a newer, smooth-riding model. Steep learning curve, that one. Not as steep as some people find when they get to traffic court, though.
A few years ago, I accompanied my son to traffic court. He had lost control of his car - we think due to a mechanical malfunction. He was uninjured. His car was totaled - and so was the guard rail that had kept him from spinning into oncoming traffic. The Trooper told him he had to write a ticket so the state could bill our insurance company to replace the guard rail, but that he shouldn't worry about it. When his case was called, the Trooper declined to testify against him and the judge threw him a big enough hint that he realized he should plead not guilty.
Most of the rest of those who appeared before the judge that day fared better by pleading guilty - often guilty with an explanation. The judge lowered fines and points all around. There were a few slow learners in the crowd, though.
The same State Trooper had written citations for about half the crowd in the courtroom that day. For speeding violations, he started his testimony pretty much the same way:
At X time on X date using equipment that I calibrated at the beginning and end of my shift, I recorded a speed of (20- 50 MPH above the posted limit)..........
Most people accepted the Trooper's measurement of their speed, but one defendant wasn't so bright. He started his 'defense' with "Your Honor, I don't know exactly how fast I was going.."
BANG!
Down came the gavel and the judge said "You may not know how fast you were going, but I have the sworn testimony of an officer of the law using calibrated equipment. He measured your speed at (40-50 mph above the posted speed)." No mercy for that defendant -- maximum points AND fine.
It was hard not to snicker at that one, but 4 or 5 defendants later, another man tried the same stunt -- with exactly the same results. I was glad we were sitting in the back of the courtroom, because I really didn't want to get caught snickering at him.
The third time it happened, only fear of being found in contempt of court kept me from laughing out loud. I can't imagine being stupid enough to try that story the FIRST time if I was caught on radar, but I truly do not understand what defendant #3 could possibly have been thinking.
A few years ago, I accompanied my son to traffic court. He had lost control of his car - we think due to a mechanical malfunction. He was uninjured. His car was totaled - and so was the guard rail that had kept him from spinning into oncoming traffic. The Trooper told him he had to write a ticket so the state could bill our insurance company to replace the guard rail, but that he shouldn't worry about it. When his case was called, the Trooper declined to testify against him and the judge threw him a big enough hint that he realized he should plead not guilty.
Most of the rest of those who appeared before the judge that day fared better by pleading guilty - often guilty with an explanation. The judge lowered fines and points all around. There were a few slow learners in the crowd, though.
The same State Trooper had written citations for about half the crowd in the courtroom that day. For speeding violations, he started his testimony pretty much the same way:
At X time on X date using equipment that I calibrated at the beginning and end of my shift, I recorded a speed of (20- 50 MPH above the posted limit)..........
Most people accepted the Trooper's measurement of their speed, but one defendant wasn't so bright. He started his 'defense' with "Your Honor, I don't know exactly how fast I was going.."
BANG!
Down came the gavel and the judge said "You may not know how fast you were going, but I have the sworn testimony of an officer of the law using calibrated equipment. He measured your speed at (40-50 mph above the posted speed)." No mercy for that defendant -- maximum points AND fine.
It was hard not to snicker at that one, but 4 or 5 defendants later, another man tried the same stunt -- with exactly the same results. I was glad we were sitting in the back of the courtroom, because I really didn't want to get caught snickering at him.
The third time it happened, only fear of being found in contempt of court kept me from laughing out loud. I can't imagine being stupid enough to try that story the FIRST time if I was caught on radar, but I truly do not understand what defendant #3 could possibly have been thinking.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Enter the Collective
We're rolling out a new computerized charting system and I was conned into being a "superuser". Flattery will get me to do too many things against my better judgment, and so here I am.
In order to learn the new system, I had to orient on one of the floors already using it. An adult medical floor. My preceptor was a very knowledgeable and very upbeat nurse who'd been using the system for nearly a year. She loves it. She's sure everyone will.
Resistance may be futile, but some days, it's my middle name. Eventually we will all be assimilated.
I have seen and toyed with the system. She's right. We will eventually come to like most aspects of this system. It has a few flaws, but overall it's pretty well designed.
The first part of the system we'll be using is the medication administration record (MAR), so off we went to find, administer, and document medications. Generally this went smoothly as there's no stopping to locate labs before you give medications. Coumadin? Click a button and there's your INR so you know whether it's safe to give the dose. Insulin? The blood sugar is there too - and you have to prove that you read it by entering it as you enter the insulin dose. The system even includes a spot for the second nurse to co-sign insulin and other meds which require that.
Most of the meds given, we were off to see her last patient. She pulled up his MAR and scanned his ID bracelet and the medication. They matched.
"Mr. Jones, we're here to give you your medications."
"What did you call me?"
She knows this patient. He's been on her floor for several days, but she did not simply ignore the question.
"Sir, what is your name?"
"I don't know."
"Do you know where you are?"
"No"
"Do you know what year it is?"
"No"
To me, "You ask him his name" (so I did)
Again, "I don't know"
To me, "I'll show you his diagnosis later. This isn't unexpected."
To the patient, "Mr. Jones, I have your medication."
"What's it for?"
"It's for your stomach."
"What's it called?"
"Protonix, it's for your stomach. For the acid."
"Why are you giving it to me?"
"Your doctor prescribed it. It's for your stomach."
"I don't know if I'm supposed to be taking that."
And on for several more minutes before she simply asked him to open his mouth, which he did. She placed the pill in his mouth and spent the next several minutes coaxing him to swallow.
THEN she told me that she'd thought about working in the NICU, but didn't think she could do what we do. Right. Those of you who care for confused elderly patients have my undying admiration. I could probably learn to do what you do, but I'm not sure I could learn to love it like she does.
In order to learn the new system, I had to orient on one of the floors already using it. An adult medical floor. My preceptor was a very knowledgeable and very upbeat nurse who'd been using the system for nearly a year. She loves it. She's sure everyone will.
Resistance may be futile, but some days, it's my middle name. Eventually we will all be assimilated.
I have seen and toyed with the system. She's right. We will eventually come to like most aspects of this system. It has a few flaws, but overall it's pretty well designed.
The first part of the system we'll be using is the medication administration record (MAR), so off we went to find, administer, and document medications. Generally this went smoothly as there's no stopping to locate labs before you give medications. Coumadin? Click a button and there's your INR so you know whether it's safe to give the dose. Insulin? The blood sugar is there too - and you have to prove that you read it by entering it as you enter the insulin dose. The system even includes a spot for the second nurse to co-sign insulin and other meds which require that.
Most of the meds given, we were off to see her last patient. She pulled up his MAR and scanned his ID bracelet and the medication. They matched.
"Mr. Jones, we're here to give you your medications."
"What did you call me?"
She knows this patient. He's been on her floor for several days, but she did not simply ignore the question.
"Sir, what is your name?"
"I don't know."
"Do you know where you are?"
"No"
"Do you know what year it is?"
"No"
To me, "You ask him his name" (so I did)
Again, "I don't know"
To me, "I'll show you his diagnosis later. This isn't unexpected."
To the patient, "Mr. Jones, I have your medication."
"What's it for?"
"It's for your stomach."
"What's it called?"
"Protonix, it's for your stomach. For the acid."
"Why are you giving it to me?"
"Your doctor prescribed it. It's for your stomach."
"I don't know if I'm supposed to be taking that."
And on for several more minutes before she simply asked him to open his mouth, which he did. She placed the pill in his mouth and spent the next several minutes coaxing him to swallow.
THEN she told me that she'd thought about working in the NICU, but didn't think she could do what we do. Right. Those of you who care for confused elderly patients have my undying admiration. I could probably learn to do what you do, but I'm not sure I could learn to love it like she does.
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