Talkin' Shop...Volume 4...Dissecting Reader's Digest.

Ready for our next installation of Talkin' Shop...Dissecting the Reader's Digest?

Last month, when I received this month's issue (why is that? Why do you always receive this month's issue last month? Wait. What? Never mind...I just confused myself.) of the Reader's Digest, it boldly displayed this:

Bah. And to think I wasn't invited to play. ;)

So, I decided to do what anyone would do...cut it apart. Look at it from another angle. Get down to the guts of it...dissect it. Which, basically, means I'm just saying what I think about it!

This week's quote from the Reader's Digest "50 Secrets Nurses Won't Tell You" (Michelle, Crouch. "50 Secrets Your Nurse Won't Tell You." Reader's Digest. November 2011: 132-42. Print) is this:

"When a patient is terminally ill, sometimes the doctor won't order enough pain medication. If the patient is suffering, we'll sometimes give more than what the doctor said and ask him later to change the order. People will probably howl now that I've said it out loud, but you have to take care of your patient." -A longtime nurse in Texas

First things first...I don't work with the terminally ill. I work on the other side of the life spectrum, so I'm probably not "qualified" to speak about this one, but I will anyway.

As nurses, we are our patient's advocates. And, while we are talking about advocates, if you feel your nurse is NOT advocating for you, speak up...okay, sorry for digression. As our patient's advocates, we need to speak up on their behalf and work for what is right for that patient.

As nurses, we are "acting" under doctor's orders. THEY have the medical degree, THEY practice medicine. Giving a patient more medicine than what is ordered (even if the patient requires it) is acting outside of our scope of practice. So, while it's probably the right thing morally (i.e. decreasing the suffering of a human) it is, well, basically illegal.

Like, "lose your license", illegal.

But again, I don't work with the terminally ill, maybe there's some kind of different "code of ethics" involved there, I dunno.

The most serious pain I deal with is that of an 8ish pound watermelon trying to squeeze through a tube sock. It hurts (like a son of a gun) but it's not "unnecessary" suffering. Labor and delivery is truly a "no pain, no gain" kind of a gig. Pain is necessary for the amazing end result.

And, totally worth it, in my opinion!

'Til next week...

I don't know what the hell happened...

But last night, I started to organize like a mad woman.

We were still at about 60% for our "Operation Get Rid of all This Crap" and had totes and piles and bags of toys scattered throughout our basement. It was The Pal's comment of, "Are you ever gonna finish this? 'Cuz you know what's gonna happen? It'll be December 23rd and we'll be scrambling to get the house clean and we'll just end up shoving it right back into the cellar."

And you know what?

He was spot on. That IS what would totally happen if I didn't get my behind in gear!

So, when the hubs popped in a movie for the kiddos (they have an unplanned day off...more on that later...) I decided to tackle the mess. At about the time a mouse scampered through the living area downstairs, much too close to Hambone for his liking ("Mom, I seriously almost peed my pants.") I had reached about 85%. That, coupled with the rodent amongst us, prompted me to call it a night.

I went upstairs, content to make it to bed early, when the sty that is our room just got to be too much. And tackle it I did. At 10:30 p.m. I had tossed something out the door, nearly smacked the Mr. and he proclaimed, "I'm getting out of your way! I don't wanna stop this!" (It's not too often that the cleaning bug strikes me.)

And so, the moral of the story is: "When the cleaning bug bites, scratch that itch."

Scratch it I did...and today, I'll scratch it some more!

A Quickie.

It's late, but I feel like such a blogging flunkie lately that I just wanted to post something...ANYthing! So, here you go...a quickie for you!

Thanksgiving was wonderful...a low key event at my parents on Thursday, followed by a more festive celebration on Saturday with the extended family! Was fairly hard to get into a celebratory mood, as little Jack's funeral was Saturday morning.

Wow. That was a tough one. I am amazed at the strength his mama possesses (and dad and brother). Her faith runs deep and she knows her baby boy is being taken care of up in Heaven, but wow.

It has certainly made me more conscience of soaking up my kids. Of hugging them close...in fact, Baby Girl got a little exasperated with me when I asked her (for probably the gazillionth time), "Hey Baby...know what?"

Baby: "What?"

Me: "I love you."

Baby: *sigh* "You say that all night long." *pause* "I love you, too."

Now, she doesn't even ask "What?" after my "Guess what?"...she just says, "I love you, too!", without even giving me the chance to say it first!

Today started off great. Church, a photoshoot with some family friends, then off we went to get our Christmas tree.

We were setting it up (and if you follow me on Twitter, you know what's coming...), the Mr. always does the lights and garland, then the kids and I take over with the ornaments, and I asked him (very nicely) a couple of times if he would please tie up the Christmas tree, since last year's debacle was still so fresh in my mind.

He reassured me that (since, you know, we had just gotten a new fandangled stand) it was fine. No need to worry, that tree wasn't goin' anywhere.

Not 5 minutes (coulda been 4) later, I was about to put an ornament on the tree when I realized that the tree was falling down on TOP OF ME! I screamed, caught it mid fall, felt my socks getting soaked with water from that damn new stand, and started yelling for SOME DING DANG HELP WITH THIS!!!

Lemme tell you guys something...it was hard (like really, really, really, really hard) to bite back the "I told you so!!!!" that wanted to spew forth from my lips!

The tree is now tied down, temporarily, as the carpet needs to dry a bit more before we can move the tree back to where it's supposed to be, and I'm guessing that next year we either A) Have a fake tree, or B) Have a real tree that is immediately tied up.

Okay...forming coherent sentences has officially become VERY difficult, which means it's time for me to hit the hay!

Talk with you tomorrow (at you?) tomorrow (or, later today, I guess...seeing as it's 12:23 am!)!

Five Question Friday!! 11/25/11

Well? How was it for you? ;)

My Thanksgiving (waaaaiiiiit...just what did YOU think I meant?!) was wonderful. Good food, great conversation, a little competitive gaming (Taboo, anyone?)...how could it be bad?

Santa comes to town tonight! Our town's annual "Santa Parade" is this evening, and the kids are PUMPED! The Christmas season is in full swing, now...there's no denying it or resisting it anymore!

We have another Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow...more fun, more food, more wonderful people.

And then? A year-long nap please. *yawn*

Okay, onto the task at hand!

Welcome to 5QF...the perfect answer for when your muses have gone and ate too much turkey and refuse to get off the couch. Lazy bums.

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Don't forget the very most important rule of all: HAVE FUN!!

Questions for Friday, November 25th: (Special thanks to @katieb38, @gasfamily,@mamaphan, Sharayha and little ol' me for their [our] question suggestions! I love linking y'all in 5QF...offer up a question suggestion in my community or watch for my Twitter shout out on Thursdays and I'll link you up if your question is chosen! If you go the Twitter route, remember to@5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF!)

1. Is there a special dish you prepare that you are famous for?

2. Are you (did you) go Black Friday shopping ?

3. What are your strangest holiday traditions?

4. Pecan or pumpkin pie? (She actually asked "Apple or pumpkin?" I just T-giving'ed it!)

5. When will you put up your Christmas tree?

------------------------------------------------

1. Is there a special dish you prepare that you are famous for?

Well, yeah, kinda. I mean...if you can call it a "dish".

See...my brothers demand that I bring my taco salad dip. Legend is that I make it best (I think that's code for, "I really like it but don't want to have to make it."), so I bring it to every family gathering.

I have also, however, started bringing (courtesy of a sister-in-law) Buffalo Chicken Dip...which is now a huge, dare I say "huger" (I know, I know...not a word), hit than the taco salad dip.

So, now I bring both.

I know...I'm known for my dips.

2. Are you (did you) go Black Friday shopping ?

Did not, have, would potentially given the right company.

Was planning on doing a bit of on-line Black Friday shopping, but my eyes are tired and my body is yelling at me to SLEEP!!!! So, I think I've gotta listen to them.

Besides, the deals will be there tomorrow. There's nothing that I can't live without

, so I'll sleep well tonight and fire up the ol' computer in the morning.

3. What are your strangest holiday traditions?

Trick question. No fair.

'Cuz if a person celebrates them, they probably don't think they're weird. No?

Seriously tho...I don't think I can think of anything off the top of my head...maybe I'll come back to this one if I think of something!

4. Pecan or pumpkin pie? (She actually asked "Apple or pumpkin?" I just T-giving'ed it!)

Pecan. Most definitely.

Although, my mom makes a "luscious" pumpkin dessert that we have on Thanksgiving that is...well, de-LUSCIOUS!

5. When will you put up your Christmas tree?

Sunday, baby! Long standing tradition.

We go to a tree farm and cut our Christmas tree down the Sunday after Thanksgiving. So, Sunday it is!

----------------------------------------

Sorry my answers are so boring...I'm feeling a little punk and don't have much of a sense of humor right now! Blah. Have a great weekend though!

Thursday Night 5QF Sneak Peek!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! When I decided to do a Five Question Friday for this week, it only seemed right to do a Thanksgiving themed one!

Hope you are all enjoying time with your families and lot's of great food!! Unless, of course, you don't live in America, in which case I hope you had a good "same as any other day" day!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Don't forget the very most important rule of all: HAVE FUN!!

Questions for Friday, November 25th: (Special thanks to @katieb38, @gasfamily, @mamaphan, Sharayha and little ol' me for their [our] question suggestions! I love linking y'all in 5QF...offer up a question suggestion in my community or watch for my Twitter shout out on Thursdays and I'll link you up if your question is chosen! If you go the Twitter route, remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF!)

1. Is there a special dish you prepare that you are famous for?

2. Are you (did you) go Black Friday shopping ?

3. What are your strangest holiday traditions?

4. Pecan or pumpkin pie? (She actually asked "Apple or pumpkin?" I just T-giving'ed it!)

5. When will you put up your Christmas tree?

-----------------------------------------------

I hope you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving! And, if you go, good luck with your Black Friday shopping!!

"They're just ours to take care of..."

You know that feeling you get when someone is hurting and you just want to HELP? That pull to try to ease the pain that a fellow human being is feeling?

That very pull has gotten me involved in coordinating a (small) part of sweet Jack's funeral. I have never been one to get very involved prior to this...but you know what? It feels good. It feels right. It feels like I actually AM helping, in a very small way.

I had a conversation with a complete stranger tonight. I could tell by her voice that she had many more years of experience on this earth that I had, she was wise and warm and kind and I immediately felt at ease talking with her.

She and I talked "business" at first, then shared what our mother's hearts were feeling. The tragedy, the hurt, the knowledge that a family in our church is living every parent's worst nightmare.

She has 5 children. I have 5 children. She shared with me something that gave me goosebumps...she told me that as she and her husband stood marveling over their first born, in utter awe and wonderment and completely over the moon with him, that she said to her husband, "He's ours!"

And her husband quietly replied, "He's only ours to take care of."

Jack's mom said essentially the same thing in a CaringBridge post when she said that she believes Jack was "on lease" to her from God.

Our children are a gift from God. "On lease" from Him. Entrusted to us by Him.

"They're just ours to take care of."

Eight.

Eight years ago today, at 2:47 in the morning (although it could be 2:49...there are differing opinions. Guess I should verify what the "official" one is...), an amazing little boy was born.

His delivery was one of those that books are made of...calm, controlled, I watched him emerge via a mirror and the doctor encouraged me to reach down and deliver my baby "all the way" once his shoulders were out. Seriously...best. delivery. ever.

The warm fuzziness never ended.

My E.W. is a sweet, soft hearted lug of a boy with a penchant for Legos and Chicken Nuggets. He has the most amazing laugh...one that, even when he's "forcing it", is still so infectious, you can't help but smile and chuckle along.

He's a brute of a kid...we joke that if he gets his dad's build and his mom's height...well, scratch that...make that "his mom's family's height" (I have brothers that are 6'2" and 6'4") that he could be...well, he could be one huge dude.

But sweet as can be...like the guy on "The Blind Side"...huge and nice and sweet.

E.W. rocks it in math and loves paying attention to the "little details" in his work. He's the kid who notices when dad comes home with new tires (or a new dent) on the truck. Persistent to beat the band, he is relentless in his questioning until he gets a hard and fast answer to his question.

He loves to play catch with his uncles, hang out with his cousins, and pester his big brother. He is, by far, my hardest worker (he gets that from his dad, too!).

The world is a better place because of this sweet boy...and I am so blessed to call him mine.

Happy 8th Birthday E.W.!!

I love you so, so, so, so, so much!!

Love,

Mom

Itchy Scalp? Listen up!

Living in MinneSOOOOOOta, I get to experience all sorts of things...hotdish, lutefisk (actually, I've never had it), triple digits below zero, walking on large bodies of water, saying "pop", "youbetcha" and "dontchaknow", and dry, itchy winter skin.

I know, I know...don't everyone rush here all at once. You know you want to.

As soon as the weather cools down, it chases away any and all of the moisture in the air, which, to be honest, coming off of the summer we just had, really isn't always that terrible.

Except for the toll it takes on your skin, including that on your scalp.

Enter Head and Shoulders, the shampoo that promises to ease the dryness, itchiness and sensitivity associated with dandruff.

So, what, exactly IS dandruff?

Well, it's a combination of scalp oils, a fungus called "Malassezia globosa" (doesn't that sound appealing?), and your body's reaction to that fungus. (Grody. I know) And while I don't suffer from dandruff, exactly, I sure do get the itchy scalp syndrome that comes along with the cool, dry, frigid Minnesota winter weather. (And, if I'm going to be honest, it always makes me wonder if the kids brought home lice. Double grody. And, you're welcome for the itchy/scratchy/buggy feeling I just gave you when I mentioned "lice".)

Knock on wood, it's never been the bugs (and so help me, if I blog about lice next week...ugh. Knock on wood for me, will you?), just the dry, itchy scalp of winter. So when I got the chance to try Head & Shoulders Eucalyptus Itchy Scalp Care, I was willing to give it a go!

After a few weeks of use, I can say that I do see a difference! The itchiness is less, which is a bonus all in itself, but I was also happy to discover that Head & Shoulders leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean and healthy, and smelling wonderful!

The eucalyptus leaves a cooling, tingly sensation after I've washed, which I love! And the scent of eucalyptus has always been one of my favorites. Not overpowering, not soapy, just fresh. And clean. And wonderful.

Did I mention fresh? ;)

Would you like a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card, courtesy of BlogHer? Then tell me, how do you change your beauty routine in the colder winter seasons from the warmer season? Answer in the comments and you're entered for a chance to win! Easy as that!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 11/21/11 - 12/22/11

Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Want more great tips for winter hair care? Check out the newest “Looking Your Best” post in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com.

Five Question Friday!! 11/18/11

It's my weekend to work. 3 days away from my fam for the majority of the day...it's a good thing I love what I do!

I'm happy to say that I've gotten a pretty good start on my Christmas shopping this year. Kind of sad that I need to cut back a bit this year due to my bro's wedding in Mexico in January, but it's not about the gifts, right?

E.W's birthday is on Tuesday, I always need to take a step back, clear my mind of Christmas, and focus on just his birthday! Should be fun...I think he's going to be happy with what he gets!

Okay...let's get to the questions!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Don't forget the very most important rule of all: HAVE FUN!!

Questions for Friday, November 18th: (Special thanks to @gasfamily, @_mycrazy4, @trooppetrie, @katieb38, and Sandy for their question suggestions! I'd love to link you in a future 5QF, so c'mon over to my BlogFrog community and offer up your best question suggestions...or watch for my weekly shout out on Thursdays and offer 'em up that way! Remember to@5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF!)

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood?

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one?

3. What are you thankful for?

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today?

5. Do you wait until the "low fuel" light comes on before you fill up the gas tank?

-------------------------------------------------------

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood?

Well, typically, anything by the Zac Brown Band makes me happy...specifically "Toes" or "Chicken Fried" or "Whatever It Is" or...well, yeah. Anything.

HOWEVER. At this time of the year? Gimme Christmas music.

Love me some fun Christmas music.

WAIT. Wait, wait, wait. Wait just a minute. I need to clarify.

MOST Christmas music.

The Carpenter's, however? They make me depressed. The way she sings is absolutely nauseating. Gives me shivers...and not in a good way.

May she rest in peace.

But, "Merry Christmas Baby"? "Rudolf the Rednosed Reindeer" (Ray Charles' version)? "Colorado Christmas"? LOVE them. Makes my heart all warm and fuzzy and happy and makes me crave Christmas cookies and hot chocolate (with Khalua in it).

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one?

Well...up until this happened (oh, yeah...and this) I thought fake trees were about the worst thing a person could ever do. Save for homicide and consumption of black olives.

Then...well, then we experienced a carpet made of pine needles and, well, let's just say that I no longer think artificial trees are evil.

Still haven't succumbed, but they are becoming more and more appealing. (Doubt I'll ever do it when my kids are still young...) We do have a set of 3 small artificial trees that my Belle got for Christmas one year when the only thing she wanted was "candy canes and Christmas trees"...and one small fake tree for our basement.

3. What are you thankful for?

Oh, wow. So much. So, so very much.

I know I've mentioned it before, but my kids go to school with a little boy who is waiting on a miracle...or for God to come and get him. His accident and what his parents are going through have put so much into perspective for me.

I am thankful for my children and my husband. I am thankful for today. I am HOPEFUL for tomorrow.

Actually, I just wrote a post about this yesterday.

Hug your kids, your spouse, your family and friends. Tell them you love them every chance you get.

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today?

Phew. Done with the heavy question!!

I totally wish I could wear blazers with big, giant shoulder pads.

Okay, I lied. WHOEVER thought THAT would look nice?! "Hi, this is my wife, her shoulders are broader than mine, but doesn't she look HOT?!"

Here's one look that has made a comeback that I wish I could pull off: leggings with long tops. I just feel funny in them...from the mid-thigh down, my legs are allright, but they're a bit top heavy. Top heavy legs do NOT look good in leggings.

Period. End of story. You can't change my mind.

Good bye.

5. Do you wait until the "low fuel" light comes on before you fill up the gas tank?

Oh, wait. Not good bye...one more question.

Well, DUH! Of course I wait 'til the "low fuel" light comes on, when ELSE would you fill up your tank?

Actually, I take it a step farther. I drive for as long as I can with the "low fuel" light on...I like to call it "gas tank roulette". "Can I make it to the next station?" HELL YES I CAN! And the one after that, too!

I'll admit, in the winter I try to be more cautious. Word on the street is that if your gas tank isn't full enough and the temperature gets low enough (which it does here) that your tank could actually freeze up.

Now, wouldn't THAT suck?

Hmmmmm...speaking of gas, you just reminded me that my "low fuel" light is on and now I need to leave for work extra early so I can fill up with gas. Fer dumb. I wish cars ran on vegetable oil. Or, better yet...water.

----------------------------------------------------

Enjoy your weekend, my friends!