New Plan for work

Go In To Work Early!

If I go into work early, then I get to leave early. This has two effects. One - I only have to be around negative energy for about 1-2 hours that way. Just when she's getting rolling I'm on my way out the door. That works for me. Second - I was home at 11am today and I felt like I had the day off work!! It was awesome. I accomplished a lot of stuff that has been needing attention.

I had a REALLY terrific, feel good about what I got done, day.

I TIVO all of my TV that I choose to watch. I have an aversion to commercials, so I have made fast friends with my DVR (that really isn't a TIVO anymore) ANYWAYS.... I recorded the Oprah final show awhile back. I'm not a huge Oprah fan, but I've watched from time to time over the years, so I thought I'd see what she had to say for her last show. It was an interesting show - she basically shared what she has learned from the people in her audience and her guests over the years. There was one thing in particular that I found really fascinating and inspiring. She had a guest on the show years ago that had had a traumatic brain injury and was talking about the energy that people give off as they came and went from her hospital room. Happy, Sad, Negative, Competent, Indifferent. She couldn't speak or communicate or see, but she could tell what and who was in her room by their energy. She said everyone gives off energy and that we are responsible for our own energy and it's message. Now, don't think I'm all new age-y or anything but I totally get what she's talking about. When you interact with people you are impacted by their energy. The negative people can bring you down, the happy people can bring you up, the optimists can change your mind. I think most people are unconscious of their energy footprint. We don't realize how our energy spills over to those around us.

Well - I'm going to try to surround myself with positive energy. If I'm around people who cannot seem to find a positive thought - I will counter their negative energy with my positive thoughts and comments. I am choosing to be cheerful and positive. I don't want to be anything else.

Lovely weekend

What a beautiful weekend! Amazing sunshine, the kids have gotten along so far without a single real fight. It has been relaxing, nap filled, peaceful and restorative.

I'm going to call some landscape companies this week to get some bids. I have been trying to 'get to it' since we moved in 18 months ago now. It's not happening and I think it's just too big of a job to do by myself. So - I'm going to get some bids and see if I can get some weed control and some neatness in our outdoor space accomplished. I'm excited by the idea. I'll take some before and after pictures.

I also have my midterm coming up this week. I want to do really well on it so I'll be busy studying this week. It should be a good week.

Anyone have some creative ideas for Father's Day? My husband is so deserving of something fun and special. **Thinking**

The Crud

I'm sick. I don't get sick very often or easily. All those years of working in an ER I suppose. However - sick I am. I still have good things about this day tho:

1) I was mostly in my office alone today and I got a lot done.
2) My husband and my eldest took care of all the chores today. They took care of me. They allowed me to just crawl into bed when I got home. My honey even gave me a back rub to help me relax. It is so amazing to be loved by the men in my home. My nap was lovely.
3) I had some really nice quality time with E this afternoon going to his drum lessons. I just really enjoy him and he cares about me deeply. He showed awareness and tried to take care of me too. He has good examples.
4) I love that my best friend called. Just because I'm loved.
5) The day is rounded out with Elleri all snuggled up with me in my bed. She buries her head onto me and tells me I'm the most 'comfortable thing ever'. I'll take it.

gOOD dAY

My day started at 4am this morning. I was showered and at work starting my day by 5am. It felt amazing .... for the first few hours anyways... I got a full 4 hours of work in that were really productive. I was starting to feel the 5 hours of sleep and early start but then I ran off to the zoo with my precious baby girl. I 'chaperoned' on her field trip and get this - best chaperone day ever on a field trip - I only had my own child. We were teamed up with a friend of Elleri's and that little girl's mom. I liked her - she was fun, the girls had no drama - it was a great field trip. Great weather, cute animals. I like their new exhibit and fell in love with the Caracal cat. So pretty - here's a googled pic - but the one hanging out at the zoo today was stunning.

Elleri had a fun day. When I thanked her for inviting me to the zoo with her, she said.. I just wanted you mommy. *happy mom* Too sweet.

I went back to work this afternoon and was again crazy productive. My grumpy co-worker was even happy with me for once lately. Sigh.

Now I'm home - my kids are tucked in and kissed on. I'm heading to bed. I am going to be having early starts as a routine from here on out. We'll see if it helps the office tension.

Here's some pics of Elleri at the zoo:

This is our self portrait - not the best picture, but we look happy. I like happy.

It's felt like Sunday ALL day!

I didn't go to real work today. Therefore - it's been Sunday in my head all day. This morning seems really far away too. We started early heading into the oral surgeon's office for Elleri's extractions. Babygirl did fabulous. Then home, set up mom's room since the paint is dry and get ready for family to arrive. Spent the afternoon hanging out with my 4 cousins. I haven't seen them in years and years. It was awesome! I love them all so much and have such great memories of them in my childhood. It was just great to spend time with them. This evening, Elleri and I snuggled on the couch with the cat curled up and Ethan on the other side. It was a wonderful parent moment. This week is crazy busy. I'm hoping that I remember to go to school in the morning since it feels like Sunday night right now. I hope I don't forget.

It was great to be home today. I wish I could be a full time, stay home mom. I think I'd stay busy and happy. I could get the yard cleaned up, the pictures hung, the laundry room cleaned up. It seems so appealing. Is the grass always greener? I have much to be thankful for in spite of having to go to work. I'm going to work on appreciating the green grass under my feet. I bet I might even find a flower or two mixed in.

Electricity and other good stuff

1) I rushed off to work this morning to do patient care. Yep - I actually took care of patients today. It was nice. Great family to work with and she was sick so there was lots for me to do. Felt good again. it also made me really grateful for my normal flexible hours. There is normally no stress about getting out of the house if I am running 15 mins late for not. If I get in a bit later - I work a bit later. It all works out. Patients need you to be there when you're supposed to be. Just a different morning dynamic that made me appreciate my normal flexibility.

2) I left electricians at my house. They were pulling some outlets for us. I just love anything to do with construction. I adore the process. It was exciting to come home to change.

3) My husband. AMAZING. He spent quite a bit of time today doing my chores so when I came home from work today I could have a relaxing evening. I know - most people thing chores are a shared thing - most things are - but laundry and dishes are a clear division. I do all the laundry. I don't fuss about picking up clothes where ever they land. I make sure his drawers and closet are full of clean and ready clothes. He, on the other hand, does all the dishes. I don't even have to clear my spot at the table. He will come home from trips sometimes to several days in the sink and he utters not a word, just cheerfully does the dishes while I unpack his suitcase. It works for us and there is rarely a variance. Today - he folded, washed, put away, did it all. I came home to a beautiful clean room rather than the one that was full of laundry - clean and dirty - I was behind on. True Love.

4) So You Think You Can Dance - anybody watching?!?! It's going to be good this year - next week starts Vegas week. We LOVE this show!

Torrential Downpour

I LOVE it when it just pours! I love the sound of it on the roof, I love the look of it through the windows. When Jake and I lived in Costa Rica six months of the year is the 'wet season' and six months of the year is the 'dry season'. The wet season was beautiful weather per normal except for between 2p-4p. During those two hours the skies would open, these huge rain drops would pour down, thunder and lighting everywhere, the streets would have flash rivers running down them... it was phenomenal. Then it would stop, the sun would come back, the blue sky would shine and the day would continue. Jake and I always tried to be home when the deluge started. We would sit on our covered patio in a rocking chair. We would count the seconds between the lightening and the thunder, we would watch the water pour down, we would cuddle and chat. They were precious moment. This afternoons downpour took me back. I love that little boy. He just grabbed me and wrapped me up in a huge man hug. He's not so little anymore, but I'm thankful that he still loves to snuggle.

I was going to post pictures of Jake and I in Costa Rica on the porch, but my husband and my boy want to snuggle and watch So You Think You Can Dance. So - I'm off. Pictures can wait for another day. HappY JunE!