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.