I noticed some signs of fall in the backyard. How nice fall has finally found its way to Southern California, I thought. It's about time. The calendar tells me it's here. The presidential campaign is in full swing. The debates are going on. . . yup, must be fall!
Fickle Mother Nature! Yes, that says 94 degrees and it's after 6pm!!
Taking my walk this morning, I looked around for signs of wildlife. . .
I saw no squirrels, no bunnies (although we have none, maybe someones pet got loose), no coyotes, just the dogs on leashes.
I looked across Silver Lake. The herons have long gone. The birds, well, a few flew by, but usually there are several large gulls in this area. I've even seen a huge flock of geese grazing through the grass near here. No geese.
What did I find. . . the balls. It is hard to see in this picture, but the reservoir above the lake has been filled (almost filled) with balls, black balls about the size of a large softball. The darkness in the middle of the photo is where the balls don't quite cover the water. Why the balls, you ask? Well, the balls protect the reservoir from sunlight, which reacts with the chlorine in the reservoir to produce a dangerous chemical rendering it useless as drinking water. Hence, the balls. I guess no one thought to add the chlorine after it is drained for use. It was a huge community controversy!! The balls won over covering the whole reservoir.
It didn't really disappear, but it goes to school and I miss it because all my photos are stored there. My desktop pc is antiquated, born in the dark ages. I still run windows95!! I can't even load Picasso!
I don't even have a port to upload my pictures. Probably somewhere in the back if I get an adaptor or something, but I haven't a clue.
So, I can only download pictures lately. Until, the boys are home, mostly after 10pm if I'm home.. . or too tired by then.
We've been very busy lately with patients with high acuities. The surgeons have been frustrated at not being able to do all the surgeries the want to because of lack of bed space and lack of nursing staff. Friday, they had it! They were doing all 6 surgeries and we had to take the inutero cardiac diagnosis that was being c-sections that morning. In came the last surgery, we had no bed space, so was placed in the middle of the unit until another patient could be transferred out to the floor. This baby is a very nice example of what most of our babies look like coming back from surgery. This lucky baby came back with a closed sternum, many of ours do not. Can you image putting this precious baby in the middle of the unit so you get home on a Friday evening? The baby did have a room by the time we got there at 7 pm. I ended up staying 16 hrs to help out the next shift.
Today marks the beginning of phase 1 of our kitchen remodel!! The dryer! Now our dryer died a couple weeks ago and we made the conscious decision to base every new change to the kitchen with the remodel ,that is one day going to happen, in mind. This is the first!!
When I am walking, sometimes my mind is completely blank. I listen to my breathing, I feel the hills, the pavement, the dirt. I hear the birds the traffic. Sometimes, my mind is very busy, working out frustrations, emotions or plans. This morning I looked out over "my dream lot". I just stopped and stepped out to enjoy "my view". I felt the cool breeze, listened to the quiet noise and dreamt about sitting on "my deck" and enjoyed the view of Silver Lake.
Terry found me in the middle of a project and noticed that I was looking so happy. He told me if I don't have a project, "you get weird". You look so much happier with a project. I thought about that and looked at my current projects. The table is full of my Halloween party invitations. A project that I need to get busy on.
Then there's the laundry hamper, overflowing. That's another blog about another appliance breakdown. I need to find a new dryer. My dryer just recently died.
Then, right before we left for Virginia, I found this bench. Someone was dumping this beautiful bench and I knew it was perfect for the end of our bed, someday. I am going to refinish and reupholster it. I can't wait to get started.
Then, here is my blank wall in my office.
All these graduation diplomas, pictures and certificates perched on the window need to be on that wall. But, just right. I have a plan, but haven't purchased everything yet to get started. But, I am looking forward to seeing them on that wall.
Terry just told me he has another project for me. He is seriously getting ready for a new kitchen. Next year. . . I have a lot to look forward to ;)
Here it was, just any ordinary day, I'm getting ready to go to work. I had just finished dinner and the phone rang. A little early for Terry to call. He usually calls before I leave. I pick up the phone and it was Carlos from work. Now I know I'm not late. . . was he asking me to stay over tomorrow morning?? No, it was slow, yes, SLOW. They were overstaffed and since I have senority, he asked if I wanted a leave grant, meaning, the night off! That has happened once before to me about 12 years ago. It happened tonight!! I have a whole night that I didn't have before. What would you do with a whole night you didn't have before??
We included end of year Birthday Boys in the celebration!
Eileen hosted an end of summer party
and the end of school for her.
The kids set up the croquet set and had a tournament. The Grandmas cheered them on! Taylor and the guys barbequed up a storm! We even had some philosphical discussions! It was an excellent way to end an awesome summer!
We've been very busy lately with patients with high acuities. The surgeons have been frustrated at not being able to do all the surgeries the want to because of lack of bed space and lack of nursing staff. Friday, they had it! They were doing all 6 surgeries and we had to take the inutero cardiac diagnosis that was being c-sections that morning. In came the last surgery, we had no bed space, so was placed in the middle of the unit until another patient could be transferred out to the floor. This baby is a very nice example of what most of our babies look like coming back from surgery. This lucky baby came back with a closed sternum, many of ours do not. Can you image putting this precious baby in the middle of the unit so you get home on a Friday evening? The baby did have a room by the time we got there at 7 pm. I ended up staying 16 hrs to help out the next shift.
The kids set up the croquet set and had a tournament.
