Chicago National Teaching Institute for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses

Nicole and I on the bus with Chicago in the background

My work picked me to go to an amazing conference in Chicago. I learned so much, and had a wonderful time. I have never been to anything like that before and couldn't believe how much there was to see and learn. I was torn between critical care classes and mentoring/leadership classes.  The group I went with had a lot of fun. One of the fun things we did was a double decker bus tour where we toured Chicago. We got off at the Navy Pier and had lunch. I thought that was a lot of fun. Chicago is really interesting city. I was expecting May to be warm and one day it was but it was actually chilly and windy. The park in the middle of the city is so cool, I can see how people love that area. The Buckingham Fountain was also very incredible famous from Married with Children which I dislike but still really cool!

The conference sponsors a fun night, and this year they sponsored a night at The Field Museum which was really cool. I was so excited to see Sue the first T-Rex skeleton ever found. I knew Jason would be so excited so I got pictures and a magnet. There was a mummy exhibit which was really cool and creepy. Part of me doubted the realness of the mummies but then there was one that was unwrapped, and it was a real skeleton.There were also a lot of really cool things there!
I was so excited because one of my really good friends who I used to work with Kari lives in Chicago and she came with us to the Museum with me and I was so happy to finally see her!
I couldn't believe how much stuff I came with reps wanting you to buy stuff, vendors giving away stuff, learning materials. It was awesome but required an extra suitcase. 

Kari, Nicole and I !

The Stuff

There were classes I wanted to go but didn't make it. I couldn't believe how tired I was after the conference. We stayed at a really nice hotel but I was really surprised at the stuff they didn't include. They wanted $10 a day for a gym and $20 a day for internet, no breakfast. For the amount of money that was paid for our rooms I couldn't believe how little came with the hotel. Maybe I am not used to fancy hotels and that is what happens. One really cool thing there was moving being filmed at the hotel and we got a picture with Kelsy Grammar. I stand by the fact that taxi drivers are psychopaths and should have their licenses revoked. We had two of the scariest rides of my life. Ayo one of the nurses from the ICU told the driver to slow down. It was he and Nicole's first ride and they were terrified.

Year in pictures

A photographer friend on facebook is doing a 365 of pictures, she has posted pictures of her kids, family, friends etc, I love the idea and really want to do one, I've been meaning to work on it unfortunately with school, work schedule, and all the craziness that has ensued,  I am really behind, however, I am going to work on it. I have lots of posts to catch up on. So be paying attention for many more posts because this is something I don't want to fail on.

This is one upcoming post, my trip to Chicago for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses National Teaching Institute It was amazing!

 Another preview is the wedding I was just in Pittsburg! It was one the best weddings i have been to and I am so excited to share about the week. This adds to my collection of 27 dresses....

Aunty Lala

 This is an old post I just never got around to publishing it....
This past week was amazing I got to spend it with my nephew and sister. My sister went into labor on Saturday and I got the call in the evening on Saturday and left work for a family emergency. I arrived at the hospital at midnight stayed for a couple of hours and came back on Sunday after he was born. My sister and brother in law choose to just have them in the room. My brother in law had to leave for his job on Sunday night and unfortunately was going to be gone all week which gave me the opportunity to stay with her and help her. We haven't spent time together in a really long time so it was so nice.
Will is a really good baby, he is sweet and cuddly. I loved watching him and his funny facial expressions. My sister and I agree one of his best is when he's sad and he does this sweet pouty face.
Reading Will Harry Potter, he was crying during a funny part when something was happening to Dudley, I looked at Will and said, "No Will this is a funny part, Dudley is getting what he deserves." This caused Maya and I to laugh our identical jiggly poof laugh. At one point she was nursing and I made her laugh, she said, "This isn't jiggly poof this is jiggly boob."

At the hospital Will found his thumb and started sucking. It was amazing to see a two day old baby with such dextrity even if it was accidental. As he has no control he quickly pulled it out and literally threw a baby fit temper tantrum because he was so frustrated. He would be frantic trying to get his thumb back in his mouth, sticking fingers, fists in. It was so amazing to watch him attempt, he managed to do it one or two other times but we quickly learned that he needed something to soothe himself. Maya did some research and gave him the binky depsite her best efforts to prevent it.

When we took Will for a second weight and bili check I was going to take his picture, he totally posed and raised his eyebrows, this became one of my favorite pictures.

I was totally affected by Maya's hormones, during this week and had sympathy hormones.

When Maya showered I took the time to tell Will all about his Mom and how wonderful she is. It was amazing to see my little sister become a Mom, she is amazing. I loved watching her with Will. How sweet and caring she is. Will is all boy. Almost everytime we changed him he would end up peeing all over the place. At one point i had him on his side as I was wiping him and looked up to see pee by his shoulder and on the pad.. Boys will be boys I guess.
I was outside cleaning my car and Maya came to the door to tell me how he was having the biggest poop and it was really funny listening to this tiny boy make so much noise.

Aunty Lala came from Maya when she couldn't say Michaela. I will be Aunty Lala or Aunty Mic. One night we were laying in bed talking and I told Will on his fourth birthday I will buy him a puppy. I was talking to Maya and can't wait until Will is old enough for the three of us to go to Disneyland (it's a tradition for an aunt and mom to take the kids.)

SNOW

 Late late and a little bit later. We had so much fun when it snowed... The first morning I woke up Jason and made him get up and play with me in the snow. I don't think he was thrilled that it was early and we were up but sometimes you just gotta get up and play! This is one of the branches in our driveway and our light post.

Aries is getting old but he still had a lot of fun out in the snow. Junior was the funniest I have ever seen him. He was the epitome of a kid a in a candy store. Both of the dogs would burrow their faces in the snow and end up with SNOW FACES!!

 

The worst part of this was I was called into work on Monday night.  I was so happy thatto drive me. Our normally very short drive took over an hour. Going to work we had to drive down one big hill that was a disaster zone cars in all directions, cars high centered on the median. King County made a big deal out of their snow plan, it ended up that Pierce County's snow plan was to close roads if you live on a hill. Jason also took his Grandma home, on his way home he realized that all of the roads to our house were closed.

We've had snow a few more times, nothing like the first time. I
wish it did. The other day Jason and I went outside of Wilkenson  in attempt to take pictures of Mt. Rainier, we never got those pictures but we definitely got some cool pictures of the snow. The dogs were in heaven and so was Jason getting to drive Red in the snow.

Back to the Island for the grape harvest.

This past weekend  (a couple of weeks now, I started this and never finished) was the grape harvest at the island. Jason's aunt and uncle own a cabin which is undergoing a total makeover. The cabin is on Stretch Island in Grapeview.  Unfortunately I worked on Friday night and Jason worked on Saturday morning and so we didn't make it out in time for most of the harvest however we got to see some of it. What I saw I loved and I want to be there next year for it all! Jason was given a part of his aunt and uncle's grapes, You can really see how the grapes that haven't been neglected are doing so well. We are hoping that in the next couple of years all of the grapes at the cabin will thrive. Part of why I am enchanted with cabin is it reminds me of the beach cabin. They bought it with the hopes that everyone would come out and enjoy and have a place to relax. Which is what I think about the beach cabin.
Jason and I got to the island as they were doing the last harvest, the residents all gather and go collect the grapes from everyone's vineyards. I can't remember the people's names but I am so envious of a) the garden b) the outdoor kitchen and c) their backyard.

The outdoor kitchen reminds me of Jayme and her family who have cabins and the BullShed @ Lake Mayfield.

 This picture was just perfect I thought. This was the last bunch of grapes from 2010.
The garden is huge they have everything. Jason's aunt and uncle end up with baskets of veggies throughout the summer and fall. I am so excited to have a garden.

The backyard was one of my favorite things, what you can't see is the Mt. Rainier across the water, an area with the bbqs and tables, exercise equipment, amazing windows, sitting area. nice big yard to play in.
I got to watch the men using the press, and got to taste the juice as it came from the press it was awesome.

I can't wait until the next time we go back.

My latest adventure... working out.

Last year I signed up for LA Fitness, and got a personal trainer. I think I went maybe four times.. I've been paying for training all this time. Yu-Gi-Oh just didn't do it for me. He was obsessed with my arm size discrepancy and made me feel really uncomfortable. I just didn't feel it. Also I went to night shift and from there my working out went to hell. During the spring and winter Jason and I were hiking and sometimes running the trail near the apartment, not consistent enough. A good thing is Jason and I have really worked on our diet, and although cardio wise I am out of shape I didn't gain to much weight because of the diet changes we have made.

About two weeks ago I decided enough was enough and it was time to get serious to get back to pre-nursing school weight and fitness level. I decided that at least three times a week I will go to the gym after work. I also decided to use my personal training that I have saved up. I am currently working out with Brittini two times a week and trying to do cardio before my sessions and a couple of other times a week. I like Brittini, she was about 40 pounds overweight and pre diabetic, one of my being over weight fears, she also seems to understand that because of my burn I don't have full range of motion, she pushes me like I need to be pushed.. I am sore but feeling good. One really good thing about working out after work is that I am sleeping better because I am so tired.

Some of my sessions I am disgusted with myself because of how weak I am other times I am starting to see a little difference. I will keep updating on the changes that are happening.
Yesterday for cardio I did Spin class. I forgot how bad spin hurts my butt. It was a good workout and I am looking forward to going again.

a couple of adventures

A couple of weeks ago Jason and I went canoeing on Lake Tanwax.We explored a little back part and then headed out onto the lake. It was really fun. the weather was almost perfect not hot, not to cold, we were bundled up just to be safe. There were a couple of fishermen didn't seem like they were catching to many fish. There were lots of lilly pads blooming. Lots of cool cabins and docks in the back canal we explored. While we went out in the main lake I was looking at so many of the cool houses.

A good part of the day was while I was having to use the brick sh!t house Jason started talking to these two men who were leaving the lake. The elder gentlemen was really interested in the canoe and was telling Jason that he used to canoe. I bet he had a lot of good stories to tell. I always like when we connect with people while we are out adventuring

We also took Aries with us in the canoe. He did a really good job only moved around a couple of times making me think he was going to flip us.

Jason likes to use kayak paddles he feels that he has better control I wasn't sure about this since I grew up using a paddle in the end it turned out nice.

The worst part was we ate like crap before canoeing and we both could totally feel it, we were dragging and felt like we were mucking through sludge. Since we have really been trying to improve our diets we feel when we eat like crap and that day really was one of those days. Given I am out of shape but still I noticed what a huge difference eating healthy makes.

After canoeing we went to Silver Lake in Spanaway and tried to fish, it was a very unsuccessful day although I learned how to cast when fly fishing. We headed in knowing we wouldn't catch much as it was the middle of the day and there were no fish jumping. It was still fun to be out with Jason and work on casting so one of these days I can catch a fish. I have a lot of fishermen and women in family and hope to be able to live up to their legacy.

A couple of weeks ago we baked lamb chops with this vegetable medly. It has zucchini, green peppers, acorn squash , yellow squash. This turned out really good and made me look forward to fall to be able to cook with more squash.