This Side Of Town

turned a hundred posts today.

I truly didn't mean to celebrate.

But my neighbor Carol (of the tamales) chose this night to knock on my door again.

This time, she waved a plateful of delectable roast beef complete with garnishings in front of me. (I seriously MUST work on my Spanish - and quick.)

I took one look at my man. He took one look at me.

Then he went to the kitchen and reached for a bottle of red wine.

Come, let's clink glasses!

(photo source: Google Images bettyboop-a.doop.com)

Sunday Stills - The Purple Color

Halloween is in the air, I guess. Can you tell?

My Six-Word Saturday

(picture source: Funny Pictures of Babies)

is MOM!

It is the most popular word in the house, and this being a Saturday, it reverberates around the walls, at maybe 100mph.

'Mom, look!....'

'Mom, I said milk.'

'Mom, how does meat feel in your hands?'

'Mom, where are the scissors?'

'Mom, c'mere!'

'Mom, the house is on fire!' ~~~okay, I made this one up.~~~

******

I haven't joined in a while. I hope this pretty much explains it. (grin) Have a good one, everybody!

Conflict

Have you ever been in a sticky situation, where it called only for split seconds to make decisions? I often find myself doing that.


I once had to do a straight catheter on a man who had urinary retention. He'd been calling all shift for assistance to the bathroom, each time with zero output. Bladder scanning revealed 306ml of urine. I obtained an order for a straight catheter, which would immediately empty his bladder and offer relief. I was right INSIDE, about 4-5 inches, when a CNA slowly knocked on the door and whispered to my ear, "Sorry to interrupt, Cherie, but whenever you are done, Ms. X in Room So and So had died."


WHAT? The nearest nurse was a floor away. I told her to call the Supervisor. BUT at the same time, I had to do something, immediately. Pronouncing the dead was one thing. Making SURE that the person was truly deceased was another. To top it all, leaving the present procedure you are doing right in the middle of it just complicates everything else. What to do?


The urine by now was NOT flowing. (And to this day, I wonder why. Catheterization is a very easy procedure, and one I'd done countless of times prior to this incident.) I inserted a little more. Thirty seconds more. None. I decided to withdraw, and explain to my patient that there was an emergency. I said I was going to be back as soon as possible.


I rushed to the said room with my stethoscope, and did my assessment. The patient in Room So And So was really gone. I pronounced her dead by 1:45am. The Supervisor did not show up till after 20 minutes after that. I couldn't have waited that long.


In the meantime, no action from Mr. Catheter's room. Then, about 30 minutes after I left him, his call bell rang. The patient had GONE on his own, for some reason. My earlier poking must have stimulated his bladder, and as a result, he went and WENT, wetting his bed, and everything. By this time, he had also been waiting for me. But the CNA and I were busy with the body. And then I had to do the necessary notifications. It was all bad timing. The CNA rushed to him as soon as she was done. I was fortunate to have worked with a good one.


Needless to say, the gentleman was not very happy. To him, I would always be the nurse who left him, and from that day onwards, would not allow me to do any catheterization on him, although he would let me stick his arm for blood work.


Looking back, given the same unfortunate circumstance, I don't think I would have hesitated to do exactly the same thing. But it is instances like this that leave me bothered, wishing in my heart that things could have happened differently, but also knowing that just at that very moment, couldn't. And I am often left feeling bad about myself, sorry for the whole sick situation.

The Lord's Commandments, Interpreted

Matthew writing ways on how to keep holy the Sabbath day



Our son is enjoying his Sunday school. When they first learned about the Commandments, it was most interesting how the kids interpreted them. They were even taught a song to help them remember all 10.

When we got home, M set to work. I was wondering what kept him up. He said he was writing house rules. He was writing rules on how to get closer to God. He put them up the kitchen wall for everybody to read. Here they are:

1. No pushing.
2. No punching.
3. No fighting.
4. No yelling or screaming when a person is sleeping.
5. No teasing.
6. No bad words.
7. No scaring.
8. No breaking.
9. No scratching.
10. No switching of lights on and off.
11. No panicking.
12. No worrying.

Now, I have no doubt he means his brother and himself. But isn't it amazing how little kids can actually translate the fears of the adults, too? Worrying, for instance, which Catholics (like our family) seem to have a monopoly on. But I guess no one is exempt.

We all know too well that the Commandments can be summed up in one word: LOVE. The sad part is, sometimes we need kids to remind us about it.

Skywatch

The clouds looked like sharks fighting, at the break of dawn.

I think this is a better shot, taken just a split second later.
Closer now.
A few turns and moments later

Finally, at the beach.

******

We went to Wrightsville, NC, and enjoyed the beach two days ago, with friends. We've been to three different beaches this summer, and had a great time!! Thank God for good weather!!

LOL

My friends, I have a thousand and one things on my plate right now, so I can't blog long. Instead, I'll leave you with another one of our family anecdotes:

We all brought Matthew to school today. And it just hit me! One surefire way to keep Aristotle awake in the car is:

NOT coffee
NOT Red Bull
NOT rolling the window down an inch when the aircon is on
NOR music, NOR plenty of talk:


JUST let Cherie drive. Wee-heeeee!!!

^-^

Hope everybody has a fabulous day ahead, and gets to finish his/her tasks!

Wordless Wednesday - Big Boy Joy

paid for it himself with his own money
had himself harnessed
and up he went

~~~~~~

Sorry for the blurry images, guys. I wasn't EXACTLY thrilled.

Before I continue,

here's a CELTIC BLESSING I found while cleaning up some clutter today:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rain refresh you on your way.
May you go with God for all your journey,
now and forever.

~~~~~~

This is dedicated to all of you who read my blogs, that the Lord may guide you in your decisions in the coming week. God bless, my friends.

My Weekend Memoirs

We spent some time with friends over some traditional food. Below are two of my favorites. Please bear with me, if you don't like them.

Philippine rice cake, wrapped in banana leaves

Fish stew, with garden-fresh vegetables

US residents, let's enjoy our long Labor Day Weekend!

Nancy Saves a Feral Cat

I just love Nancy because she is all-heart. She is one of our most devoted, hard-working clinical assistants. She works double shifts as much as she can so she can enjoy her time off with her animals, all of which she has acquired by adoption.

She moved to NC from New York about seven years ago, and settled in this old house by Jordan Lake. Soon after she moved in, she's noticed several dogs milling about her area. Those were hunting dogs. One day, she tracked them back to their owner, and, long story short, the owner didn't want them, and Nancy had her first pets. Not long after that, she found a goat and I think two horses in her property. Whatever happened, they are now hers and thriving. In time, she also became the instant owner of two stray cats, one of which I named Boots.

Well, about a week ago, she was telling me about this feral cat she saw by the side of the road. Two nights ago, she was saying, she's finally trapped it, and took it home. It wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink. But scratched her like the devil.

Yesterday, she had the poor thing spayed. The reason she took it she said, was, she noticed it was TINY, but that there was a litter of kittens beside it (wherever in the woods), and a few more older-looking ones. So Nancy thought, this cat may have been pregnant twice already. Well, guess what, she was pregnant again when the vet spayed her. Of course, she's lost this litter now, but, hey?

What's with all these pregnancies? Can we do something about feral cats? It just tears me up! Is there a way to catch all the tomcats and have them neutered?

I am not a cat person, but I care for animals just as much as I care about people. It is a very sad situation, just leaving all these animals at the mercy of the environment. It's sickening.

Today

I received a call from one of my closest friends in college, which is eons ago. It was so good to hear from her. We fell into good-natured reminiscing.

I received an email from one of my schoolmates in high school (er, double eons ago) about helping someone from our hometown (in the Philippines) write an essay.

I also received a message in my Facebook inbox from a co-worker, apologizing for her crass behavior the day before, and thanking me for pointing it out to her in private. (Her attitude affected the team.)

A few minutes ago, a friend had popped up in my yahoo messenger, and we played catch up.

And last but not least, you've all written comments on the dangling legs/feet picture, so I am writing this to divert your attention. Hahahaha!!

YOU ARE ALL AS 'DEER' TO ME AS CUPCAKES! THAT'S WHY I CARE ABOUT YOU! KEEP ON CALLING! KEEP ON WRITING! BE SAFE!

May God bless us all.

Wordless Wednesday

We were enjoying the ocean view from the balcony of our hotel room, when upon looking up, we saw these. While we sat on chairs, these kids sat right on the floor and dangled their legs. Fun is just spelled in so many different ways.

Friday Reflections

A few nights ago, Matthew asked me, "Mom, which do you prefer, Death or Glory?" I said, Death. He said, why. And I said, so many people want glory. Glory is fame. Glory is popularity. Sometimes, in order to be famous or popular, people fight. They betray their friends. They become proud and act irresponsibly. For fame and glory, many will sell their souls to the devil. It is not worth it.

Whereas everybody dies. And God does not care whether you are famous or not. What He cares about is if you have betrayed a friend or were proud and irresponsible or if you have sold your soul to the devil. He is the Eternal Glory, and in dying without the pursuit of fame or glory on earth, we glorify ourselves in Him.

It took a lot more words to expand on all the concepts but I think my son pretty much understood. After our discussion, I asked him, which do you prefer? He said, Death.

Matthew is also very much concerned about where he and AJ will go if Aris and I died at the same time. Those were his exact words. I said that we had already taken care of that, and told him the plan. He was most serious, after which he covered his face with his blanket (for we were in bed) and sobbed that "if that happens, I will miss you."

I consoled him with the fact (in so many words) that we all will be together again in heaven.

Little children have the purest thoughts, and in their most vulnerable, need to see that we are sad along with them, but at the same time, have firm convictions, to assure them that all is (and will be) well.

******************************************************************

Today's news highlights on Ted Kennedy alongside that of the Dugard girl have affected me so much, for various reasons. There was much discussion in the family afterwards about love, and unity, and education, and safety, and trust, one no more important than the other. And it didn't matter that the children are young. Our sons are always a big part of everything that we do.

Looked Like Jesus

When I was very new working in the States, and we were still living in Pittsburgh, PA, a member of the staff told me one morning, "We have a new patient in Room ___. He looks like Jesus." Eventually, that man was assigned to me. I knocked and entered the room. I looked. True enough, lying there in bed was "Jesus." He was white, gaunt, with shoulder-length sandy brown hair, and a bushy face. He looked very handsome in his sleep.

I remember feeling scared because whenever he was awake, he had that serious demeanor and a look in his eyes that told you he was thinking. He was as curious about this "Asian girl" as I was of him. He was soft-spoken when he talked of his family growing up, hippie days, a broken marriage, about brushes with the law.

He had Hepatitis C. Incurable. And he was always bleeding from somewhere. As I said, I was very new so it made me nervous going inside his room. He liked to follow me around, too, not only with his eyes, but physically. So I was always afraid he might slam the door one day and attack me. Really. Such thoughts on "Jesus." But I was always firm though kind, and he was compliant. At one point he said, I was becoming more and more Pittsburghian, and I didn't need to do that. He said to keep being Asian. What he didn't know was I was truly scared so I think I may have upped my act a little bit to gain some confidence.

He was homeless. I guess he found solace in that little room, and the consistency of the staff that cared for him. But one day they moved him to another floor. That day, I was assigned to other patients. But he requested that I transport him. I did. He looked very sad.

Within one week, "Jesus" died.

**************************

The kindness that we do today goes a long, long way. (I'd credit the person but I don't even know who said this.)

Wordless Wednesday - Love ya, Little Brother!

(picture also featured on other blog)

Matthew blowing to cool down the hot piece of pizza AJ bit off

The First Day

It was Matthew's first day of school. I was in much anticipation, and wanted to get off work quickly.

I fed him his breakfast.
Aris fixed his snack.
We reminded him to be kind to new classmates, be respectful and helpful.
He said he wanted cafeteria food, and I said not to use catsup (okay, only a very little bit).
I told him (for the millionth time) about the importance of handwashing (which he is good at - NO WONDER, did you say? ;o).
I asked him not to forget to pray at mealtime.
We all walked him to the room, where a few kids and parents already milled about.
We knew some of them and said hello.
I met Ms. Willingham again, his soft-spoken, smiling young teacher, and wished her all the best in my heart.
I also met the assistant teacher who was much older, Mrs. Richardson, who lived in the Philippines with her missionary parents when she was three years old and stayed there until she finished high school.
Mrs. Richardson blurted about Pancit right away, which was kind of fun.
Aris came in after parking the car, lugging all the materials asked of second-graders: several big black binders, crayolas, bottles of glue, clorox wipes and boxes of tissue, notebooks, among others.
We were only asked to have a few notebooks, one writing pad, one box of crayons, a ruler, a set of pencils, when I was in second grade back in 1977.
Aris and Mrs. Richardson fell into animated conversation about Filipino food.
The boy plopped on a seat next to his best friend, another Filipino boy who LOOKS like him.
They both started working on the paper which was laid out on the table in front of them, amid excited chatter.
AJ got busy introducing himself around the room.
He then settled on a chair in front of his kuya (big brother), AND 'worked' on the paper meant for the kid assigned to that table.
It was our cue.
We all gave Matthew an extra squeeze and kiss, and bid everyone good bye.
He was going to have a wonderful first day.

Saturday Sibling Frolic

My kids love to play, waddle, walk, run, dive, name whatever it is, into anything, well, let's just say, unconventional. For example, instead of walking calmly on the sidewalk, they would rather tramp on the grass. Instead of leaving a good pile of autumn leaves alone, they would plunge onto it complete with Indian whoops, things like that.

Well, today, it rained.

Aris DOES NOT like them doing this on account of WORMS. And he said dog-owners sometimes let their dogs pee over them. But these puddles were NEW and FRESH. Not THE ONE (we all know it) where the worms were.

So when the little boy jumped in (see how happy he was, he even removed his slippers!) the kuya (big brother) joined in. Was I gonna say no? Not this momma. So they went from puddle to puddle and splashed with gusto. Daddy STILL said something. And of course, since mom is Ms. Sanitation, it was straight from the puddles
to the bubbles!

You bet I scrubbed them good, especially the little toes!

Clunker Blues

We were at Crown Honda yesterday, said our last good byes to Old Reliable,
and said hello to shiny, sleek youngster up there.

There was much mourning all the way home.