Christmas Blizzard

Last Wednesday and Thursday Denver had one of the top-10 blizzards of all time. The official total out by my house was 37 inches! Needless to say, I was stuck at the hospital working for a couple days.

But when I got home on Friday morning, I had to shovel the 3 feet of snow in the driveway so I could get out and go back to work that night. It was very tiring...

Before:

After:


There's just enough room there for my car to get out. I'm counting on the sun to help me out with the rest!

However, we were looking at the weather online at work last night and groaned when we saw the next big storm heading our way. They say it's following the exact same track as the last one did and might dump another big load of snow on us. Not exactly what I had planned for my week. It's supposed to start on Thursday into Friday - the exact time I'll be working again. Great - another overnighter in the ER. I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on this one...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...if, that is, Christmas looks like a blustery snowstorm and a blizzard warning until tomorrow! It's 23 degrees outside and, needless to say, I will be staying inside today.

We've already gotten about 4 inches of snow with another 10 predicted. And I have the dreaded task of shoveling my driveway before it piles too high still ahead of me. But it's dark outside and blowing too hard yet. And my fire is nice and warm...

The Evolution of a Christmas Tree

My house smells so good right now!

Yesterday cousin Michelle came over and we put up my very first Christmas tree in this house. It's a 9 foot fir that smells delicious! And combined with the cinnamon candles, it's like Christmas in your nose in here. Trust me, that's a good thing and not as disgusting as it sounds...



And what would decorating be without chai tea and boeter koeken? (Thanks Katie!)


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving

What a great week in D.C.! There was nice weather, great food, my family and of course the world's cutest 2 year old - what more could you want!

It was cozy at Katie and Alec's with Mom, Dad, Bob and I there - but a good cozy. Oh yeah, and the cats made their appearances too! After a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving dinner (YUM!) on Thursday, we relaxed and watched football and/or Luke - which ever was more entertaining at the moment.

Then on Friday Bob, Mom, Dad and I took the train downtown and went to the National Art Gallery and the World War II memorial - pretty impressive.

It's fun to see how much Luke has developed since I last saw him. He now has his colors, animal sounds and numbers down - up to 14, the number of steps in their house! And he isn't afraid to show off his talents to curious relatives! Can't wait to see him put sentences together the next time I see him! Oh yea, and Katie was pretty cute herself as she's nice and pregnant with my niece!

Things to do in Denver...

Wednesday night my friend Jason and I went to a Nuggets' game. In the almost 4 years I've lived here in Denver, I have yet to go to any of the many games available to us Denverites. But all that has changed! The Pepsi Center where the Nuggets' and the Avalanche play is super nice - clean and good seats from anywhere!

And it was a great game! The first half was pretty boring - unless you count the annoying little junior-higher next to us commentating and yelling "Snap!" after every play. But by the start of the second half my ESP was working and they began to play a little defense. Jason repeatedly told me that the players couldn't hear me from way up there, but I think it worked. Denver ended up being down by 2 with less than 4 seconds on the board. They threw the ball in play, got it to the man on the post, he shoots - he misses! But I'd rather go to an exciting loss than a boring shut-out any day.

Up next...an Avalanche game!

Some days just suck.

So tomorrow's a big day: I'm quitting my job.


It's almost 3am and I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. Too much of the last two days is tumbling around in my brain.

I was vividly shown on Sunday night that authority may be given, but respect is earned.

I learned that just because they may be qualified, not every one should be a charge nurse.

I wish I could develop a test of character that would allow you to see how someone will react before they are in a situation where their character will be tested.

I wish people would respect the managerial-scratch that-Biblical code regarding the chain of command and actually follow it instead of going right to the top when the person at the bottom hasn't even been approached.

I no longer feel loyal to the hospital where I began my career. And my friends will stay with me no matter where I work.

I am glad there are enough jobs available in this city so I can find one where I'll be respected, and one where I can respect myself for working there.

I'm so lucky to have friends who call me three times in one day just to see if I'm ok, and then take me out to dinner just to make me laugh.

I'm scared of what I have to do tomorrow, but I'm excited about what opportunities are waiting for me after that.

I wish I could sleep...

Exhausted

Things I learned this week:

...60 hour work weeks suck.

...the end of a 16 hour shift feels strangely similar to the end of a 6-pack.

...working 7 days in a row means you don't get a weekend.

...my week starts all over again tomorrow.

...I love my bed.

Fall Into Autumn

The Colorado Trail is a long, winding path through the mountains leading from Kenosha Pass in Fairplay all the way down to Durango. Smaller and slightly less well-known than it's Appalachian cousin, but quite the hike nonetheless.
This is where Michelle and my friend Seth and I spent last Saturday. We discovered Middle Earth, South Park, snow and the joys of pirating (don't ask about the pirates; that's completely Seth's doing.)


Needless to say, we only hiked 5 miles of this colorful trail - Durango was not the destination as we had only an afternoon to complete our trek instead of the three to four days it would take to cross the entire trail. But we were handed a beautiful, early fall Colorado day complete with the bipolar weather for which this state is so well known. Cold and very windy, we began our journey with windbreakers, hats and mittens to block the needles of cold attempting to reach our resisting bodies. Then the sun broke through and we threw off our coats, only to return them to our shivering shoulders when the snowflakes began to float from the fog that rolled up from the valley.

We found tee-pees which reminded Michelle and I of building our own and singing in Navajo with Grandpa Art and Kathy Auntie on the banks of some lake in Iowa long ago. We sat in long grasses and ate our peanut butter and honey sandwiches and trail mix while comparing what heaven is like in each of our dreams. We imagined Rohan, complete with fluttering banners, on a perfectly New Zealand-looking rock conjured up in the vivid imagination of Seth.

We found and savored the perfect red-orange Aspen, the definition of a Colorado Autumn.

We hiked. We talked. We laughed. We enjoyed.

Ealasaid

I love languages. Learning new words and phrases that roll off your tongue in a completely new and different way thrills me. And today I learned a new variation of my name.

My friend Seth and I went to dinner and saw Superman Returns - MUCH better in 3D IMAX! He's very Scottish and speaks Gaelic. In fact, he hopes to return to Scotland someday, and I will absolutely be visiting him there.

We got to talking about Gaelic words and he taught me my name. Elizabeth in Gaelic is Ealasiad - pronounced el-a-setch. And it sounds even better in Seth's brogue! So now when we work in the ER he said he's going to call me that. How cool!

Oh, and his name in Gaelic is "Heh". Mine is so much better!

To make amends...

I was informed of a gross oversight yesterday while eating lunch with my friend Mike (mmm...sushi...). It appears that in all my excitement to relay to you what Mom and Dad and I accomplished on their visit, I overlooked one more big asset to the flooring project. So please accept this feeble attempt to remedy the situation.

On Thursday, my dear friend Mike came over for a few hours with his miter saw and created beautiful trim pieces for the awful corner angles in the hallway and kitchen. Even though it took us longer to figure out the angle measurements than it did to actually cut the wood, it was worth it in the end and it looks amazing! He also lent us some muscle so we could move the fridge out of its little corner - much appreciated.

So this is my thank-you to him, and now everyone else knows that he gets a little credit for the floors, too. And I'm glad you still read the blog, Mike.

Can't sleep...

Yes, I know what time it is. Maybe this will help with my blasted insomnia...

Ten Favorites
Season: Fall
Color: green
Time: 3am
Food: Thai
Drink: lemonade or beer
Ice Cream: strawberry
Place: mountains
Sport: football or hockey

Nine Currents
Feeling: tired but not sleepy
Drink: water
Time: 4:13 am
Show on TV: VH1 videos
Mobile Used: Verizon
Windows open: none
Clothes: Pajamas
Thought: I wish I could fall asleep!

Eight Firsts
Nickname: Beeper/Bee
Kiss: mom or dad ?
Crush: Derek Wilhoum in kindergarten
Best Friend: Erin DeYoung
Vehicle I owned: 1987 Ford Mustang
Job: babysitter
Date: Jason VanGoor in college
Pet: Molly the cat

Seven Lasts
Drink: Water
Kiss: Mom and Dad when they left on Monday
Meal: Burrito
Web Site Visited: Yahoo mail
Movie Watched: Ladder 49
Phone Call: Mike
TV Watched: Night Rider re-runs

Six Have You Evers
Broken the Law: Yes - stealing road signs
Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Not that I know of
Been in the Middle of/Close to Gunfire: Nope
Skinny Dipped: Not yet!
Broken Someone's Heart: Maybe...

Five Things:
You Hear Right Now: ceiling fan, TV
On Your Bed: Sheets, quilt and pillows
Things You Ate Today: cheese and crackers, burrito, grapes
Things You Do When Bored: take walks, read, watch TV
Things You Do For Comfort: talk to friends, journal, watch favorite movies

Four Places You Have Been Today:
home, car, work, home

Three Things on Your Desk Right Now:
lamp
Jelly Bellies
paper clips

Two Choices:
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Spring or summer: Spring

One Place You Want to Visit:
Scotland

Parents for Hire!

Although it appears that I used and abused Mom and Dad on their trip out to Denver, it really wasn't that bad. My friend said they should charge for all their hard work, but luckily Dad said it was his pleasure to help out with my house projects!

And help out they did! We started last Tuesday by going to Lowe's and picking out all the flooring and padding and trim we would need for the new floors in the hallway, kitchen and family room. While we were out Mom offered to mow my very bushy lawn. It looked great when we got back - yea Mom!



Then Dad and I spent the rest of the day pulling out all the old carpet, leveling the floors and laying the padding. The next morning we got up bright and early to start laying the floor. Meanwhile, in the dungeon of the basement, Mom was busy covering the cushions on the couch a friend gave me and sewing new curtains for the kitchen and family room. I lucked out with some on-sale fabric and a pretty talented seamstress for a mother.







By Friday we had it all done and I am so crazy about the results! Jake and Megan came over for dinner and baby Joshua got some "Grandma and Grandpa" time. Whew! All that work really paid off - it looks amazing!




But it wasn't all work. We went to see Pirates on Tuesday, spent all day Saturday doing nothing except watching movies and then went out for dinner Saturday night.
Nice one, Dad.



Sunday morning we went to church and then headed up to Estes Park for a mini-Bosscher reunion with Uncle Dave and Aunt Rose, Michelle, Kathy and Deb. I can't remember the last time I've seen some of those aunties, but it was great to catch up!



We hiked about 5 miles up around Fern Lake and talked and talked and talked... Michelle and I introduced the rest of the family to our tradition of the Question Game while on hikes. This time it involved super powers - apparently Mom would like to go back and change the past while Aunt Kathy would like to be telepathic and know what her teachers really thought of her. On second thought...



The old folks didn't do too bad, despite the heat and altitude - we finished the hike in less than 3 hours. Yea Bosschers!





Back and the Daining's cabin we grilled burgers and talked some more. And of course there was chocolate. It isn't really a Bosscher get-together without lots of the dark sweet stuff. The best part was Dad and Uncle Dave photographing the table full of chocolate!





Then it was back to the city and to bed. Mom and Dad left Monday morning and I headed out to help some friends move. It was a great trip, but much too short. I realize how blessed I am to have the kind of relationship with my parents where a week is neither too long, nor a challenge for any of us. Can't wait for the next one!

Totally creepy. And I promise I wasn't trying to sway the answers! I thought by the end of the questions I would end up Italian or something. Weird... I wonder if it will work for the rest of the Bosschers...

Your Inner European is Dutch!

Open minded and tolerant. You're up for just about anything.

Who's Your Inner European?

...and the blood to prove it!

I feel like a real Coloradan now. Saturday I bought my first mountain bike and tested it out this week. Monday I rode around Barr Lake which is about 20 minutes north of my house in Brighton. Stupid easy trail, but it let me adjust the bike a little.

Then today my friend Ryan from work and I went up to Evergreen and rode the Three Sisters trail. It totally kicked my butt. All the biking I've done over the years proved no help in preparing me for the world of pedaling up a mountain. Even with all the roading I've got under my belt and all the charity races we did in college, I still felt like I'd never sat on a bike seat before.

The technique is so totally different - you have to sit differently, pedal differently, gear differently - but it's so much fun! The fast drop down is completely worth the agony going up. But the trail did try to win today. We were going downhill and came to a switchback. I tried to pedal it but took a total digger on the turn. Good thing I was wearing my helmet (always) because my head landed on a rock, my knees were all bloody and I ripped a fingernail off. But the worst part is I had chapstick in my pocket, so now I have the perfect tube-sized bruise on my thigh surrounded by road rash.

And yet I can't wait to get out there and do it again. (And hopefully not suck as much wind next time.) Woo-hoo!

New Arrival

Joshua Richard Beeney
June 10, 2006
9:17am 7lbs.12oz.

I thank you God for most this amazing day.

For perfect feet and even smaller hands that reach out for my own.

For squinched up cheeks and cashmere hair that already have my heart.

For quiet sighs and sleeping breaths that remind me breathing's all it takes to be a miracle.

For tired Mom and beaming Dad who's gift of love has only just begun.

For the patient months of waiting for this perfect babe that proves this to be the best day yet.

I thank you God for most this amazing day,
For the blessing that is a child.

A Michelle Kind of Day

Saturday was definitely a Michelle kind of day. Our dear cousin got a job for the summer up in Estes Park working for the National Park Service doing children's education programs - how exciting! She officially moves up there today, but we spent Saturday together as it was the only day we both had available! Busy girls!

We went out for dinner - mmmmm...Red Lobster... - and then went to the Denver museum to see and IMAX film about Mystic India. Very intriguing and of course that theater is awesome!


Then we drove up to Boulder for the best ice cream ever! It's called Glacier Ice Cream and it's all homemade. Well worth the drive, and we got to chat and sing in the car like we usually do!

I'm going to miss not seeing her around all the time, but this gives me an excuse to head up to the mountains more often to see her. Plus she'll have the opportunity to scope out some great new trails for us to hike!

The Return of the Iowa Farmgirl

As the transformation of my house and yard continues, the number of helpers I recruit increases!

Thursday I had 2 friends, Ryan and Mike, come over to help me prep my yard for a real lawn.

We tilled the clay that was the backyard, and hauled about 4 tons of dirt from the driveway to the back. Backbreaking work, but well worth it!

Mike was very impressed that I not only knew how to use a big machine like the tiller, but that I had the guts to actually get behind it and work! I guess that's part of the lessons I learned on the farm, right Dad?

Then this morning I had 3 friends help me lay the sod.

Noah, Justin, Ryan (he came back for more torture!) and I put down all 1,400 square feet of beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass sod in about 4 hours! Their cheap labor was definitely worth the pizza I bought them for lunch.

The end result was something I've waited for ever since the snow melted and I realized I had a giant sandbox behind my house! Great green grass! And we fixed all the sprinklers so that I'm not watering my neighbor's lawn. It was a lot of work, but we had a good time. I think now I'm expected to have a BBQ or something...

You know you live in Colorado when...

...you take a walk on April 23 and get sunburned because it's so hot outside. Then you get off work on April 25 and you have to scrape the inch of snow off your car, surrounded by the green, blossoming trees in the parking lot.

When work is scarce...

A strange and unfamiliar thing happened the other night in the ER. So there I was, working a typical Sunday night shift when I was confronted with a rarity that I have not had to deal with in a long time: no patients. It frightened me at first, and we all sat around the nurse's station waiting for the other shoe to drop - the inevitable 30 patients that would walk through triage or be wheeled in through the ambulance bay at any second. But they didn't come. 2:00am...3:00am...4:00am.... Out of 12 beds on the red side I had the only patient. And there were only 2 on the blue side. So very strange...

So we created our own entertainment. Bad idea. For some reason trauma nurses have a sick sense of humor. We started by tying up one of the docs with bandages.

And we took every quiz in every girlie magazine in the whole department.
And we made fun of the ER director as he fell asleep on the counter out of sheer boredom. (Ooh - that's going to end up in a slideshow somewhere!)


And we laughed.
And we were thankful for a night where there were no traumas, no COR's and no drama.
And then we came back the next night to the regular hustle and bustle of a major trauma center.
And we were thankful for the traumas, the COR's and the drama.

Birthday Party!

To celebrate my 25th birthday (Ah! Quarter of a century!) I had a great birthday party with many of my great, awesome friends! My friend Patty (from the hospital) came over in the afternoon and we went shopping for all the great grilling foods needed for a BBQ. Then she made it a true birthday party by hanging streamers and balloons all over the house!

We had lots of great food and friends and fellowship which is exactly how I wanted to spend my birthday.

And of course it was wonderful to talk to all the Bosscher sibs and parents that day, too. It just isn't a birthday until you've had those 4 phone calls.

New Furniture!

Oh, how this house has changed in the 3 1/2 months I've lived here! Last Friday I had all my new furniture delivered and now it's so cozy!

I bought a living room set for the family room. It's a gray/green microsuede and so comfortable!

The new kitchen table is counter height so it makes a nice room divider between the kitchen and the family room.

And the new king sized bed is so awesome! I get to stretch out and my back doesn't hurt at all anymore when I wake up. Amazing!

Of course now that I have a new bed, I actually have a guest bed, too! So hurry up family and come out for a visit!