Santa at the Gas and Go

I saw Santa today, at the Phillips 66 Gas and Go down on the corner of Santa Fe St. and Laurel Drive. He was working the counter, selling gas and diesel, candy, cigarettes and pop to the patrons of the filling station. It must be the price of reindeer chow that has forced him into an off-season career as a convenience store clerk. Well, it can't be the price of gas, after all. He doesn't use any of that...at least I never thought he did.

I pulled in to fill up my car tonight, it was running on fumes, again, and there he was. Chubby, pink-cheeked, gold wire-rimmed specs and a warm smile, Santa Claus. At the Gas and Go. I usually pay at the pump, but when I saw him inside the station, I selected the "Pay Inside" button, just so I could check it out in person.

I put $40 of regular in Dora (I named the car Dora, like "Dora, the Explorer"), and went in to pay. I gave my Phillips 66 card to Santa. "Anything else?", he inquired. "No, thanks", I said. I was trying NOT to stare. He was wearing a shirt with the Gas and Go logo on it, but no embroidered name. Well, it was pretty obvious who he was, so I guess he didn't really need his name stitched on there for all to see.

I was pushing my way out the door, and he said, "Merry Christmas, come again." Oh my.

I saw Santa at the Gas and Go.

Been there, done that.....

This is too funny for words:

LOT OF POKEMON CARDS THAT MY KIDS TRIED TO SNEAK BY ME - (eBay item 130144061675 end time Aug-22-07 12:03:50 PDT)

I could tell several stories very similar, and I only had THREE kids.

Has It Really Been That Long?

I am astonished that my last entry was June 10. Good grief.

Well, we are moved, it was awful. My loan was processed, no thanks to the inept people at Countrywide. I have NEVER had trouble with them before, but they were unreal this time. Asking for all kinds of irrelevant crap up to 24 hours prior to closing. I thought I would have a heart attack--here I was in a motel with 2 dogs, a cat, a grandma, son and daughter-in-law and they were threatening me with no closing on the house. I was about 1/2 inch away from a full blown panic attack. But, it all was fine, I was reminded by those around me that EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT, and it was.

Moving was hell. It always is. Poor Ellie, she didn't even live here and still she did the huge majority of the packing. Bless her, a thousand times, bless her. And Erik and Eunice and the showing of the house in Rockford, what an ordeal. Bless them, a thousand times, also. And Ethan, giving me a place to live for 2 months. And putting up with Harley. Oh my. I have NO idea what I would have done without all of those kids. They are each and every one completely awesome. I am the luckiest Mom ever.

The house is great. I love the 2 floors and the 3 baths. I love the fence which is now done, and the laundry on the first floor.

I am so enjoying my job. I love the time there and the time off is even better. It's MINE, no call, no pagers, no obligations. It's wonderful. I had no idea I was so burned out.

I have hired the lawn people and a cleaning lady. I think life is just about set at the moment. We'll see how it goes. Soon, I will be done unpacking boxes for a while too. And then I can see if I can enjoy a hobby or two. Wow. I might get to sew something. Imagine that..... :)

Here's a photo of my new house! Effective June 20, anyway. Our new address will be 1020 East Pumpkin Ridge St., Gardner, KS 66030.

On the Move, Finally

Well, much has transpired since my last post. The house in Illinois sold...Praise be to whomever! And I found a great house here in KS. I will try and post a picture. It's 99% perfect--3 bedrooms, with a laundry on the main floor. It is in need of fencing around part of the back yard, but that's really all...and some paint. The kitchen is something awful. The colors are ketchup and mustard. Who thinks that's appealing? Oh my....
I close on the house in IL on next Thursday, bring Mom and the dogs to KS, and wait for the closing on the new house here on the 20th. That should be an interesting few days....a hotel, dogs, Mom, me, Ellie, Erik & Eunce....This too shall pass.....
Harley has taken complete possession of me. He thinks I am a cat toy, down to the place where he launched himself off my arm leaving scratches and bruises. I went out and bought him ostrich feather toys, and he really likes them. Maybe he won't feel the need to claw me up again.
My children are remarkable people. Each and every one of them.
Erik and Eunice have been coordinating the move, running Mom all over the place, and managing the showing of the house--No small task, having shown it at least 50 times over a 6 week period. Ellie is giving up her vacation time to help pack and move and tend to the Grandma. Ethan has graciously allowed me to move into his apartment, take over his bedroom, while he sleeps on the futon on the living room floor for 2 whole months. I quite simply do not know how I would have managed this without each and every one of them. They are the most wonderful people I know. And I love them to bits.
I got great news from my friend Pam today--her son and daughter-in-law are adopting again, this time a little boy. She is so thrilled and I am so thrilled for her and her husband Jim. It's the best news for her in the last year!
More later when the family is together again......

Diego's Retort

Hmphhhh. Diego (NOT Dee-Eggo) here. The nice lady has let me use the computer. She read me the stupid stuff that beasty-cat wrote. He thinks he's in charge around here, HA, not likely. I am the TOP DOG.

That nice lady came to visit and she sits with me one the couch and cuddles. I really like here, she scratches my ears and takes me for little walks. She gives me treats. The only thing is that about the same time she arrived, that beasty-cat arrived too. I HATE him. He marches around like he owns the place, jumping the the shelves and furniture, knocking things down. The other day, I was cuddling with the nice lady on the sofa and he must have been jealous, because he got on the shelf behind us and knocked a big Hulk figure down on the nice lady's head, clunk. She sqeaked! I think it must have hurt, because she seemed very mad at the beasty-cat.

I have plans to corner him and bite his head off. If only he didn't have sharp fingers. I will have to consider this. He can be fun to play with, I chase him up and down the hall. And then he makes Meowing noises at me. HA.

I will always be TOP DOG.

The Adventures of Harley in the Land of Oz

Hello, Harley the wonder cat here....I am filling in for the human writer as she has a cold and cannot come to the computer.

I was recently stuffed into a small box and forced on a long trip to a new house. I tried to escape once on the trip, but was foiled by the desire I had to eat kitty treats. Rats. Stuffed in that carrier again. When I arrived after a long day at the new house, I was greeted by this icky litte black dog-like rat creature the humans seem to call Dee-Eggo. He's a pain, but I have successfully subdued him. I steal his toys at will, and glare at him from high places. He lives in fear of my claws. Smelly rat-dog. My life is plagued by the rat dogs, big and small. But I will triumph in the end.

I have spent these last few weeks persecuting Dee-Eggo. It has be fun. I have a new room, and get to sleep with the Mammahead. There's no large rat-dog to growl and throw me off the bed. It's nice. I wake her almost every morning at 4 am to play with me. She bought me a fishing pole toy with a bell and pom-pom on the end of an elastic cord, and I give it to her every morning and she throws it off the bed so I can chase it. It's quite fun. She seems to have some objection to the hour, but too bad for her.

I found a wonderful trick to torment the human Mammahead. The other night, I stole her glasses. She always put them down on the floor by the bed, and so I stole them. She couldn't find them when she got up. It was SO funny. She and the big boy human looked and looked and still couldn't find where I hid them. I laughed all day. The next morning at 4 am, I gave them back to her. I had wrapped them in my fishing pole toy and dropped them on her at 4 am. She was so surprised. HA HA HA

Then, the next day, I stole that silver ticking thing she wears on her wrist all the time. I still haven't given it back to her. Every so often, she yells at me and says "Give me back my watch!" I have no idea what she means.

I will keep you all posted about my further adventures. I have to get access to the computer while the humans are out of the house....

The Latest News

Well, I have officially landed in the land of Oz. I had my first day at work today, and I felt right at home in family practice. I was really observing another NP, but I/we saw sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, ear aches, shingles, back pain, URIs, UTIs and yeast. Even a girl who didn't show up for depo, thought she might be pregnant, and thank the Lord was not, since the 4 (count them FOUR) kids she had with her were terrors. HA!

The house is showing well, altogether 28 groups through yesterday. Darcy things an offer is upcoming soon. We shall see....

I miss everyone in Rockford, Mom, Erik, Eunice, Pam, Deb, my puppy dog. I brought Harley cat with me, and he's doing fine. He and Diego are sizing one another up even as I write this.

I have alot of thoughts about my time in Rockford, but I won't go into them right now. It's good to feel like I am home again, however.

Sorting

I have a new rule. Anything may be brought into the house as long as it will be used or eaten before we move.

I spent this weekend sorting, and pitching. Things are divided into 3 categories--keep, dump or donate. And I am being ruthless. I am not moving a bunch of crap. No, it's not going along. This is a great opportunity to clear out the unnecessary junk cluttering my life.

I think I could audition for Clean Sweep. I'd be great. Not as nice as that Austrialian/English guy, but just as efficient!

:)

THIS is what I have to work with.....

http://fructusventris.stblogs.org/

A New Adventure

Well, after many sleepless nights, much thought and some prayer, it looks like I'm ready for a new adventure.

I am giving up the world of mothers and babies, and will be moving back into family practice. And leaving the frozen north and returning to the great plains.

As of April 13, I will be finished at Cornerstone and on April 16, I will begin working for Take Care Health, in Kansas City, KS. I will work 36-40 hours/week, one weekend day/month, no call, no nights, no surgery. I will have real insurance, real benefits.

There are alot of things I will miss. I will miss my special patients, I will miss my dear, dear friend and partner, Pam. I will miss Deb. I will miss Jodi. I will miss lots of people at the office. Some more than others. I will miss many of the nurses at OSF, a few at RMH, no one at Swedes.

There's alot of work to do between now and then. I should get busy.

Enough Already

Another post on Natural Family Planning from the Mole. Argh. I've had enough.

A Wise Woman once asked me, "What do you call people who practice natural family planning?" I looked perplexed.
"Parents", she said.

Hmmm. Sounds about right to me.

OK, OK, high blood pressure meds are on the way

I have broken the law.

No, I have been speeding, well, not much anyway, and not intentionally.

I have illicitly ordered medications from Canada. Shhhh. Can't tell the Feds. I can get 100 tablets for $79, and in the US it costs me $123 for 30. Hmmmm, something seems amiss here. Why are the SAME meds so much less across the border? I really don't begin to understand.

I ordered them yesterday, and I hope to have them in the cupboard within a week or so. Then, I will take them for a while, and THEN I will let Pam take my blood pressure. Only then.

I love all of you who worry about me. Thanks.

In My Thoughts

I have had a lot on my mind lately. Serious stuff.

I have been thinking about my life and career. I really love being a midwife, being a part of new families, bringing joy into the world. But it is taking a toll on me on a personal level.

I am having trouble controlling my blood sugars. I went back on Atkins just after the 1st of the year. I have lost about 10 lbs, but, even on meds, my fasting blood sugars are still 160, and they should be 90 or less. During the day and my after meal numbers aren't so bad, but that fasting number really sucks. I haven't been able to afford my high blood pressure meds, so I haven't even taken it in months. I just don't want to know what it is. I know that has to stop, I'm going to have a stroke! My knees are killing me all the time, and I desperately need two knee replacements, but with our health insurance at work, the approximate cost would be about $5K apiece, which is ridiculous. To say nothing of the fact that I doubt I would be able to get any time off to do it. Standing for a C/Section about kills me. I did a very difficult one with KZ in December, we worked for an hour and 40 min, and by the time we finished, I couldn't feel my left leg from the hip to the floor. That would be a back issue, what with the 5 herniated discs that I have. My job is physically demanding, and although I love it, I don't think I will be able to do this for another 13 years till retirement.

Ahh, which brings me to retirement, and the fact that I have NONE. According to Social Security, if I work till I'm 66, I'll get just under $2K/month. Hmmm, by then, will I be able to survive on that?? Doubtful.

Then there's the fact that I have not have a raise in 4 years. They were generous the 1st year I was here, and then it stopped. Not that I don't make good money, I do. But some sort of recognition would really be nice.

And then there's the Mole. I positively hate working with the Mole. If this is what my boss wants, perhaps I don't belong here any more.

I really have to think about what to do here. My life may depend on it.

I like Rockford. It's better now that E & E are here, much easier for me. They do so much to make my life better, and I love them for it. I like my house, it's very comfortable, the yard is lovely, the dogs like it. But I just don't know.

This has been bugging me for nearly 6 months now. I have to make some sort of a decision soon. No decision is, in it's own way, a decision to continue in the current path.

I am so lucky to have a supportive family. They all say, do what you need to do to take care of yourself. They are truly the best.

I think of my wonderful friend and partner Pam. What would this mean to her if I changed jobs? Would she follow suit and leave too? I know she would give most anything to be closer to her kids in Omaha, and who on earth could blame her for that?What would it mean to midwifery in Rockford? Would it mean the end of midwives in Rockford. I would hate for that to happen. What would it do to Jodi? What would it mean to her practice? I feel obliged to consider these things.

See what I mean, I have a lot on my mind.

Holiday Greetings

This is just too good to pass up.

Click here: http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

Enough already!

It has really NOT been the best week I have ever had. Let me recap...

Fri, Dec 1 - nasty snowstorm. Arrived at work, cancelled the day from noon on. No one in their right mind should be out in this weather. Went home at noon. To the hospital at 4:00, since Alicia (new midwife) thought the grand multip would deliver within an hour. Slight miscalculation, she delivered at 2 am. I got to spend 10 hours in a small room with someone who knows everything and everyone. Just shoot me.

Sat. Lost my check/debit card. Cancelled it, and had to wait till Mon. to order a new one.

Mon. It will take 2 full weeks to get a new debit card. Now how am I supposed to shop for Christmas??? Ethan called to report he was fired.

Tues - short lunch hour, drove through Beefa-roo with Deb. Got back to the office to find our order was screwed up, and instead of her chicken strips and fries and my turkey wrap, we had one cheeseburger and fries, which we ended up splitting. Good grief.

Thurs - kids left for Virginia. God help me. Mom "cooked". A term I am using loosely, very loosely. Menu: Spaghetti sauce (sans pasta of any sort), a sweet potato, 1/2 artichoke and a bowl of lettuce. Aside from the fact that sauce is generally NOT served without pasta, the combination of things was too wierd for words. The

trash people throwing all of my trash cans in the drainage ditch in front of the house. I retrieved 3 of them, but Erik had to wade in after #4. Damn trash people. They were less than nice when I called to complain.

I called Ellie and told her she needed to hurry up and come for the holiday, as someone was going to be dead--either me, from shooting myself, or Mom, because I lost it and shot her.

Fri - took Mom to hobby lobby. Got a $250 ticket for parking in the handicapped spot and not hanging my tag up. I will have to appeal this one. Things are looking up, Ethan has a new job, working for the legal department of a Title Company. And he still gets to come for Christmas.

OK, time for a new week.

An Ode to Thanksgiving

Was the night of "Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep,
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned--The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey, and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling, so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed throught the ceiling, floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But I maanged to yell as I soared past the tress...
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries please.

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious, may your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.

Courtesy of someone who emailed this to me, no author mentioned.
:)

OK, what I really did on vacation...

Saturday - took Mom to the hairdresser
Sunday - Can't remember
Monday - Had my knees shot with cortisone (OH, that felt goooood), went to the spa, had a facial, manicure, pedicure and massage. Had a terrible headache from the massage, my neck is a mess.
Tuesday - Took Mom to the doctor
Wedesnday - Took Mom to the foot doctor, took Harley to get "Tuetered, no I mean, Neutered"
Thursday - Took Eunice to Doctor, went to Cherry Valley Library.
Friday - Took Brisco to the Doctor, went to the Apple Orchard.
Saturday - Took Mom to the hairdresser
Sunday - Got my hair cut and colored.

There seems to be a theme here--Everyone went to the doctor this week. I spent a lot of time in the car. And I did get to sleep, and the pager is turned completely off.

We'll see when the next vacation is--the week before Christmas.
I wonder how many punch in/out I'll forget this week. How ridiculous.

What I did on my Summer Vacation

Went in search of a few good men.

Couldn't find any, so purchased chocolate instead.

Left them at the office for colleagues so they wouldn't forget me.

:)

Phobias, revisited

Someone asked me about what the exact term for fear of hairy moles is, and so I have done some research.
To the best of my determinations, it is

Chaetophobia (fear of hair) PLUS Dermatophobia (Fear of Moles/skin lesions), so in other words:

Chaetodermatophobia.

There you go, Jim, that one is just for you....
:)