Management We Need You - STAT!

Another grueling week has passed at work, and medical staff has now concluded that this is truly a crisis situation. As some have stated, "it's sink or swim time." With recent developments involving management, we are all coming to the realization that a major team effort is mandatory in order to make it through some tough times.

I recently ran across a saying by JFK that I have posted above about crises - danger/opportunity. It is obvious that some co-workers looked at the situation and saw only danger. These are the few who have "abandoned ship" or moved on to "greener pastures." The remaining staff have apparently seen this as the opposite - a time full of opportunities; a chance to grow as a team.

And the team effort has been impressive! Staff members have been volunteering for extra shifts to help with coverage. Communication has vastly improved. Laughter & smiles are returning. Overall there seems to be a sense of relief and a willingness to "make it work." It has been refreshing to see the "old team" back in action.

It has been an unfortunate chain of events, but has resulted in a better team environment. Hopefully this next year brings even more opportunities for growth & team development. I believe that the only place to go from here is UP.

Peace, Love & Happiness in tough times!

Dream Deferred

"What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?"

~L. Hughes

Sometimes, no matter how many times you think it, wish it, or say it....delusional dreams will not become reality. I know this may pop a few bubbles out there, but facts are facts and life continues on.

Fun Times...

...at the kitty shelter! Here are some of my favorite pics from recent adventures with Miss A, Ms. K, and Ms. S:

Eleanor (a.k.a. Buffy)

Bogart ("Bo")

Moose (the 27lb. resident "greeter")

New babies headed to a foster home

Untying a shoe in the "geriatric" kitty room

And one of my faves....Moose's brother, so regal!

Peace, Love & Happiness to all!

Really?!

I am still stunned that one would randomly quit a decent job with the current job market the way it is....over one tiny little evening shift. Really?! And the logic went something like this: "well, if I have enough warning I can have my family make sure my child gets to all of the events, gets fed, etc. I just know the schedule will get worse. I was hired to work days only, no weekends or evenings! I mean, if I end up getting a job with an evening shift, at least I will have time to arrange childcare with my family."

What??? Did you just say that you would rather risk having to work full time EVENINGS than work 1 single evening a MONTH away?! And all this in the name of childcare for your 17-year-old. Can your 17-year-old not make a PB & J for one night & make sure he/she makes it in to bed one night?! I just wonder what is going to happen when this kid graduates & goes away to college next Fall.

Guess you gotta do what's best for you...and it really doesn't have to make logical sense to the general public. Here's to quirky characters!

Peace, Love & Happiness!

A Happy Birthday!

What a fun time spent celebrating my Love's birthday with family & friends! We couldn't have asked for a more entertaining evening! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!

Peace, Love & Happiness!
~Vix

What If?

There it sits, wind-blown, sun-bleached, alone. The silk flowers wilting from weather and age. The paint peeling, wood warping, and leaning slightly to the left. The lone cross casting shadows on the dried grass as the rush hour traffic zooms by. A memorial of one lost, not forgotten.

You've all seen one, planted alongside a winding mountain road, posted on a telephone pole near busy intersection. A wooden cross, a sign, a painted white bicycle...a memorial placed at the site where someone lost their life. As you drive by, do you ever say a silent prayer for the lost soul or wonder how their family is doing? Maybe you contemplate your own life and what your family might do if they lost you. But have you ever wondered 'what if...?"

What if we placed memorial symbols in every place where someone has passed away? I know, it's completely morbid, but so is the idea of repeatedly visiting the exact site of your loved one's sudden death! Can you imagine meeting up with your realtor to find a new house & walking in to find a memorial posted on the wall marking the room where someone passed away earlier in the year? Or maybe getting admitted to the hospital for a minor procedure, and the room you're admitted to has a big ole cross on the wall (or maybe a few) denoting that someone died in that room? Would that boost your confidence in your doctor or your chances of making it out of that room alive?

Don't get me wrong, I do believe that we need to remember those who have passed before us. But, that does not mean that I want to go to my grandmother's house and sit in her living room, on a hospital bed, remembering those last few moments of her life. I want to remember her living life! I want to remember those vibrant moments that made me smile, laugh, cry. I would rather not focus on those last few moments, as her emaciated body struggled with her last breath.

So, the next time you're in the grocery store, at the bank, or walking into your public library....just imagine if we plastered the world with memorial plaques any place where someone took their last breath! Just wondering "what if...?"

Half-Your-Age-Plus-Seven

"The 'half-your-age-plus-seven rule' is a mathematical formula used to judge whether the age difference in an intimate relationship is socially acceptable."

So that means....divide by 2, carry the 1....Phew! We just made the cut off! :)

Peace, Love & Happiness on this sunny Autumn day!

"Where's you gavel? Your jury?
What's my offense this time?
You're not a judge but if you're gonna judge me
Well, sentence me to another life"

~Paramore

Plumb

I fell in love with a song the other day! I've been rockin' out to a remix of Damaged by Plumb for years now and the other day, while wandering through the endless tunes on the "HD of Doom," I stumbled across a new favorite Plumb song. If you were ever in search of a great life soundtrack song here it is (especially for any of you parents out there):

In My Arms

Your baby blues, so full of wonder
Your curly cues, your contagious smile
And as I watch, you start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight

Knowing clouds will rage
And storms will race in but you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down, waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Story books full of fairy tales
Of kings and queens and the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see the truth from lies

When clouds will rage
And storms will race in but you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down, waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
But you are never all alone
Because I will always, always love you

When the clouds will rage
And storms will race in but you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down, waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms, in my arms

~Plumb

~>Peace, Love & Happiness<~

Guide to Inking

For any of you out there planning on getting some ink...here's a little guide to help you decide which bodily part to decorate:

On the agenda for this week:

• work
• dinner guests
• housework
  
• music fun
• more work
  
• and fun times!

Hope you all have a great week!

~Peace, Love & Happiness

We've had some rainy days in the City of Trees. I love the way the weather changes here. Last week we were roasting in the 90s and this week everyone is breaking out the sweatshirts & hot cocoa. I only wish we had had some good summer thunderstorms this year. Nothing beats a warm, stormy night.

With the change in temperature comes the need for warm winter-wear. M & I had fun taking the kiddos shopping today for winter coats and warmer shirts. We were much more successful than the earlier swimsuit shopping adventure this spring! Found a toasty warm coat, jeans, shirts & boots for A...and some shirts, tanks & boots for J. Adorable girls! And no shopping trip is complete without a lunch date. A's eyes were HUGE when the waitress came out with the Mile High Mud Pie slice...even between the 4 of us, we couldn't finish it. We were stuffed!

I'm glad we could help their proud papa out...at least give him a break and a boy's day with his baby boy. Plus it keeps M from going through kiddo withdrawals. :)

Wishing you warm days with family & friends!

~Peace, Love & Happiness

Evil Cats

And my very own "evil" kitty...Ryoko.

Coming Soon To A Blog Near You...

UPDATES! That's right folks...the time has finally come to update this dusty ol' thing! With the Summer fun winding down I should finally have some time to bring you some fun facts, Psych Series, and random ramblings. Check back soon!

Peace, love, and happiness!

God's Promise

"God didn't promise days without pain,
Joy without sorrow, or sun without rain.
But, God did promise strengths for the day.
Comfort for tears and light for the way.
And for those who believe
In His Kingdom of love.
He answers their faith
With His peace from above."


We love you and miss you, but are all glad you no longer suffer and have finally found peace!

R.I.P. ELB

When I'm Gone

"When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile

Forget unkind words I have spoken
Remember some good I have done
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day

Then forget to grieve for my going
I would not have you sad for a day
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay

And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the West
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best."

~ Mrs. Lyman Hancock

Gone From My Sight

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: 'There, she is gone!'

'Gone where?'

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: 'There, she is gone!' There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: 'Here she comes!'

And that is dying."

~H. Van Dyke

Says The Reaper to a Family...

"Your acceptance is not required to validate my existence." ~F.M.S.

Makes You Stop And Think...

After reading this article in a local newspaper today, I realize that many people take for granted the safety of their children when in the care of a significant other. It baffles me that anyone could or would harm a child in such a way!


Nampa man accused of breaking toddler's arm twice in two weeks

"Mario Gonzalez Jr., 23, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated battery Wednesday in connection with the repeated physical abuse of his girlfriend's daughter over a two-week period.

Canyon County Prosecutor John Bujak said Gonzalez was charged with aggravated battery as opposed to felony injury to a child because the maximum possible penalty for battery is 15 years in prison - five years longer than the maximum penalty for the other charge.

Nampa police began investigating the case Friday after getting a call from an employee at Mercy Medical Center, which was treating the child for a spiral fracture in her left arm.

Police interviewed Gonzalez and the child's mother, but no arrests were made, according to court documents.

Medical reports later showed that the toddler had suffered another broken bone in her arm about 10 days earlier.

Nampa police interviewed Gonzalez at his home in the 200 block of Shoshone Avenue on Tuesday, and he admitted he picked up the toddler by her left arm May 29. The toddler's arm went behind her back, and Gonzalez lifted her up about 3 to 4 feet and dropped her, according to court records.

Gonzalez also admitted to grabbing the toddler by the right arm and pulling her straight out of the crib on either May 19 or May 20. After pulling the toddler out of the crib, Gonzalez burned her on her toe about 15 times with a cigarette, saying he was frustrated that she wouldn't stop crying. Gonzalez also told officers he shook and hit the baby several times.

Gonzalez told police he was frustrated with the toddler every time he struck her and knew he was the one who caused her injuries.

He was arrested and booked into the Canyon County Jail. A judge set a $250,000 bond for Gonzalez, who will have a preliminary hearing on the charges later this month.

Bujak said Thursday the mother of the toddler will not be charged in connection with the case because she fully cooperated with police once she figured out what was going on.

Bujak said the toddler was left alone with Gonzalez when the injuries occurred and that the mother appeared to believe Gonzalez' initial explanation for what happened until she was confronted by police, at which point she began to cooperate with law enforcement."

Don't you wish all parents or parents' significant others were such model caregivers?! It's unbelievable! I suppose this just reminds us all to give kids extra hugs, more of our time, and a lot of patience. There will never be a rational reason to injure a child in such a way! Appreciate what you have, distance yourself from unhealthy relationships, and give your kiddos tons of hugs & love!

Just remember...

War, recession, disease, death. With all the bad news circling around us in these times, it's not hard to take on a negative view of the world.




Yet, somehow, there always seems to be a silver lining to those stormy clouds. Sometimes you just have to look at it from a different angle...change your perspective.

And now...back to the daily grind of the average work week.

Still I Rise


You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

~ Maya Angelou

The Death-Bed

He drowsed and was aware of silence heaped
Round him, unshaken as the steadfast walls;
Aqueous like floating rays of amber light,
Soaring and quivering in the wings of sleep.
Silence and safety; and his mortal shore
Lipped by the inward, moonless waves of death.

Someone was holding water to his mouth.
He swallowed, unresisting; moaned and dropped
Through crimson gloom to darkness; and forgot
The opiate throb and ache that was his wound.
Water--calm, sliding green above the weir.
Water--a sky-lit alley for his boat,
Bird-voiced, and bordered with reflected flowers
And shaken hues of summer; drifting down,
He dipped contented oars, and sighed, and slept.

Night, with a gust of wind, was in the ward,
Blowing the curtain to a glimmering curve.
Night. He was blind; he could not see the stars
Glinting among the wraiths of wandering cloud;
Queer blots of colour, purple, scarlet, green,
Flickered and faded in his drowning eyes.

Rain--he could hear it rustling through the dark;
Fragrance and passionless music woven as one;
Warm rain on drooping roses; pattering showers
That soak the woods; not the harsh rain that sweeps
Behind the thunder, but a trickling peace,
Gently and slowly washing life away.

He stirred, shifting his body; then the pain
Leapt like a prowling beast, and gripped and tore
His groping dreams with grinding claws and fangs.
But someone was beside him; soon he lay
Shuddering because that evil thing had passed.
And death, who'd stepped toward him, paused and stared.

Light many lamps and gather round his bed.
Lend him your eyes, warm blood, and will to live.
Speak to him; rouse him; you may save him yet.
He's young; he hated War; how should he die
When cruel old campaigners win safe through?

But death replied: 'I choose him.' So he went,
And there was silence in the summer night;
Silence and safety; and the veils of sleep.
Then, far away, the thudding of guns.

~Siegfried Sassoon

Psych Series #6

Psych Series #6: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Ever feel as though you are better than others? Do you fantasize about your own power, success, or attractiveness? Do you have trouble keeping healthy relationships? You may be experiencing symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Personality disorders involve personality traits that can cause an individual to feel and behave in a socially distressing ways. These traits can also limit a person's ability to function in a healthy way in relationships, at work, at school, and in other areas of his/her life. Personality disorders are categorized into three clusters:

• Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behavior (i.e. Schizoid, Paranoid, or Schizotypal Disorders)

• Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior (i.e. Antisocial, Borderline, or Narcissistic Disorders)

• Cluster C: Anxious, fearful behavior (i.e. Avoidant, Dependent, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder as a mental health diagnosis first appeared in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). According to the DSM-IV-TR, this disorder occurs in approximately 2 to 16 percent of the "clinical population" and less than 1 percent of the "general population" (APA, 2000). Narcissistic Personality Disorder is more frequently diagnosed in men than women.

Signs & Symptoms

• Lack of humility

• Grandiose sense of self-importance
  

• Exaggeration achievements and talents

• Lack of empathy; unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

• Fragile sense of self-esteem

• Appear "tough-minded" or "unemotional"

• Envy; being envious of others; believing others are envious of him/her

• Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships

• Sense of entitlement; unreasonable expectation of favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his/her expectations

• Arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

• Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

• Interpersonal exploitation; takes advantages of others to achieve his/her own ends

• Easily hurt or rejected

• Set unrealistic goals.

Clinical Picture

• "Individuals with narcissistic disorder appear to lack humility, being overly self-centered and exploiting others to fulfill their own desires. They often do not conceive of their behavior as being inappropriate or objectionable. Because they view themselves as 'superior' beings, they believe they are entitled to special rights and privileges (Townsend, 2003)."

• "Though often grounded in grandiose distortions of reality, their mood is usually optimistic, relaxed, cheerful, and carefree. This mood can easily change, however, as a result of their fragile self-esteem. If they do not meet self-expectations, do not receive positive feedback they expect from others, or draw criticism from others, they may respond with rage, shame, humiliation, or dejection (Townsend, 2003)."

Risk Factors

• Overindulgence and overvaluation by parents (i.e. parent living vicariously through child)
  

• Unpredictable or unreliable care-giving from parents

• Severe emotional abuse in childhood

• Being praised for perceived exceptional looks or talents by adults

• Learning manipulative behaviors from parents

• Excessive admiration that is not balanced with realistic feedback

Treatments

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - helps identify unhealthy, negative beliefs/behaviors and replace them with healthy positive ones

• Family Therapy - therapy sessions involving the entire family exploring conflicts, communication, and problem-solving to assist with relationship issues

• Group Therapy - therapy sessions with a group of people with similar conditions; helps with better relating to others; good way to learn how to listen to others, learn about their feelings, and offer support.

If any of these signs/symptoms/definitions sound familiar, you can find assistance or more information through your primary care provider, local mental health clinic, or on-line at mayoclinic.com.

Wishing you all peace, love, and happiness this year!

Funnyz

The Road Not Taken
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
~Robert Frost

It's About Bloomin' Time...

More floral shots from this weekend for you all to enjoy. I had a few more tulips sprout and my lilacs are about to bloom!

Viburnum (this one smells delicious)

Lilacs

The Tulips

I love the yellow feathering effect on the petal edges.

"Waking Up"

"Snooze"

Red

Check out the red speckles on this one

Bright, sunny day in Boise!

Peace, love and happiness to everyone! Hope you are all enjoying Spring!

"I live the life I love
And I love the life I live."
I Love The Life I Live

"I'd rather you hate me
For everything I am
Than have you love me
For something that I ain't"
Never Enough



"I'm taking her home with me, all dressed in white
She's got everything I need, pharmacy keys
She's falling hard for me I can see it in her eyes
She acts just like a nurse with all the other guys"
The Nurse Who Loved Me



"But I don't have time for your distorted esteem..."
***
"Well I confess, you were too much stress
I'd have a heart attack at best"
***
"Stop talking down to me
Your war is old, your game is over
So here's my coldest shoulder"
Say It

PBR 2009

After much ado, here is the official posting for PBR 2009, Nampa, Idaho. We had a blast checking out the competition this year and made it to the finals this time. Todd won the chance to play Out of the Chute - bull riding game for the Wii - on the big screen during one of the intermissions! Todd won with a 0.2 second lead on his fellow competitor. It was hysterical!

Back to the real competition...we got some great shots of the action! I present them here for your enjoyment:

Idaho's own Wiley Peterson

Brazil's Guilherme Marchi - 2008 PBR World Champion!

Crash Cooper & Me

Our winning "signature" t-shirt!

Hope you enjoyed all the fun pics! Check back for more updates often! Wishing you all health, happiness, and good times!