Shopping rules, super glue fixes, and DIY torches, er, candles

I have a rule.

When I find something, whatever it may be, and decide not to buy it, but continue to think about it for days, then I know I should have it. Such was the case. I found a pair of pants that I really liked at The Loft, which is very rare because I've never liked pants from The Loft. Well, surprise!, I do now. They are orange! A pretty orange. PERFECT for fall! I tried them on during my shopping last weekend, but didn't buy them. Liked them, may have loved them, but decided I didn't want to pay full price. BUT THEN!, I got an e-mail on Monday that The Loft was having a sale so I went back and had a horrible pants experience (for whatever reason I was feeling bold and decided to try on some jeans...no dice), so I bought nothing and vowed I would never buy jeans or pants again. Never. It was the emotion of the moment. Don't lie, you've been there. Then I called my mom and we talked about shopping and pants and ranted and vented about how awful it is shopping for pants and I felt better....aka my self esteem was back in tact. Bruised badly, but back. 

Despite the rollercoaster of emotions regarding pants this week, I decided that since I could not stop thinking of those orange pants, I needed to see them again. So I headed back to the mall today (this is the most I have ever been to the mall in...ever?...twice in a week?!!? Yeah, I know. I'm that girl) and tried them on and I loved them. I started envisioning fall outfits, and that alone made me giddy, and they were still on sale so I bought them. Done. I am very pleased. 

AND!!! I have been told from at least 6 people in the past week that American Eagle jeans are awesome. Since I am not longer in high school, I didn't feel I was "of age" to be shopping there but feeling bold after my success at The Loft today, I went in and tried on some jeans. I was very pleased. No purchases were made as I had other things to buy today, but I will try them out again.

AND!!! I got a coupon in the mail for 40% off at the Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy outlets and what do you know, I just happen to live near Tangor Outlets. So after my mall excursions, I headed to the outlets and got some wicked deals. Love it! 

All this and I saved $96! YAH! 

Now, I did have one minor casualty today. I was wearing my new shoes that I got for a steal of a deal last week. Please see my previous post for details. Well, as I was exiting the mall, all of the sudden something felt weird on my left foot. My shoe felt loose. I looked down to check the strap and it seemed fine so I kept walking. But it still felt weird!!! Once I got outside, I sat on a bench and upon further inspection, and to my dismay, one of the straps on the left side of my left shoe had come OUT of the shoe and that's why it was feeling loose. Basically my shoe was partially broken. I was devastated, but it looked fixable. And since you couldn't really tell, and the shoes were still functional, I decided instead of going home and switching shoes, I would continue on with my shopping endeavors. Once I got home I busted out the super glue, which got all over my fingers of course, and poured heaps of glue onto the strap and shoved it back into the slit of my shoe. And then poured more super glue over it just to make sure that bugger wasn't ever coming out again! 

I let the glue dry and then a little while later tugged on it. It seems to be stuck but we'll see the next time I wear them. Hopefully this did the trick or I will be very, very sad.

My pals Amy and Jen, and I like to have Ladies Night, which usually consists of dinner and a Pinterest craft. This past Friday we decided to make our own mason jar candles. They seemed simple enough. We even added some essential oils (lavender!) and they turned out great. 

The only thing is the wicks are HUGE. About as big around as my middle finger. That's fine and dandy and all, but apparently it's safest best to shove the wick down as far as you can before you light it. Amy did not do this initially, and her candle was our guinea pig, so when she lit her candle, it was like a torch. I'm NOT even kidding you. The flame was probably 6-8 inches high. Jen and I were on the floor laughing as Amy tried to carefully carry her torch candle to the sink to blow it out without singeing  her eyebrows. Again, Jen and I were holding our stomachs on the floor laughing. Ah Ladies Nights are always a blast. 

And let it be know that this week I will finally get to see my fiance after almost 2 months of being apart. THANK. THE. STARS. I am ready to burst with excitement! We will be taking our engagement pictures!!!!!! But seriously, I'm just happy to see Mark again. 

Holy Pictures Batman

This is going to be one of those posts with a lot of pictures complete with Gabe-ified commentary. 

First. I have yet to completely finish a book. I have checked out probably 20 books from library in the past 6 months and can say I haven't finished, or even make it through half of them. Isn't that the pits??? I'm in a slump. I requested a book I saw in a bookstore while I was home, The Postmistress, and started it yesterday. It seems interesting so let's hope this one turns out to be a winner. However, tonight I found myself reading one of my favorite things: 

cookbooks

Yes I read cookbooks, from cover to cover. It's fun! 

Anyway. I went home last week (here's where I blow up your screen with pictures)!

I brought Scotty back to New England and into the loving arms of my brother and sis-in-law. He's back to stay. Lucky pooch!

 So. To make this brief, I was going to give Scotty some happy meds to make the flying experience a little better for him (because last time it most definitely was NOT enjoyable). Well, we were sitting a few gates away so Scotty wouldn't freak out being around a lot of people and all of the sudden they made a final boarding call over the PA system and that the doors were closing. FREAKOUT!!!!! So I ripped open my bag and tried to get Scotty to eat his happy meds. Well. He didn't, but he did eat his treats. Punk. I shoved the stuff back in my bag and ran to the gate, boarded the plane, got situated, and then realized the pills were in my backpack. In the overhead compartment. And I was sitting in the window seat. Great. Once again we were flying with Scotty un-medicated. I was so nervous that my leg was shaking and shaking so hard that the nice elderly gentleman next to me kept looking at me. Oh boy. Well, by some miracle, Scotty was actually very good on the plane and even managed to sleep for 45 minutes. He was none to happy with me as we tried to get off the plane but I can't blame him. I hate his stupid carry-on bag too. But we made it and that's all that matters. WAHOOO!!!!

Cuddling safely in my bed at home. Cutie. 

To say I was happy would be a vast understatement. 

 

 

 I got to have Squamscott Soda! 

The raspberry lemonade is delish!

 

 On one of our adventures, we went to Newburyport, MA. I love this quaint little place, especially their antique shops!

And whattayaknow I found this while I was thumbing through some golf cards-Prestwick is in Myrtle Beach! Whaaaaaat?

I bought some new sandals. Don't mind the outfit but daaaaang I love those flats!

We went into the Best of British shop where Emma and I coveted Hunter rain boots and then we overwhelmed our noses with the delicious scents of Crabtree and Evelyn. I want this new one! OHMYLATNUS it smells sooooooooooooooooooo good!!!!!

 And I also had to get my pound of chocolate covered raisins from the general store. I opted out of getting 2 pounds because I'll be back next month (bad sadly they are already gone...maybe I shoulda gotten more...?) 

I found this in my favorite antique shop, Flukes & Friends & Finds, and fed my anchor obsession. My mom also found an anchor skirt at a consignment shop...$12 later it was mine. Oh happiness! And thank you Mom for letting me get it!

Miss this furball. 

I was delighted to be a part of the surprise retirement party for my high school English teacher Mrs. Miles. 

She taught at my high school for 40 years. I doubt I will see that kind of commitment with my generation. The lives she has touched! She's a dynamic lady, if I've ever met one. A rare gem and a woman who has influenced me in more ways that I could ever say. It's a very special thing being part of a small community that becomes your family and I just can't describe how happy I was to be a part of this special landmark and to celebrate this amazing woman with the rest of our Sanborn family. 

Now. Tangent time. This is my grandmother Barbara.

She's a babe and also one of my absolute favorite people in the whole world. She's the best cook and baker I have ever known. She's also sassy and funny and I hope to be as witty and awesome as she is when I grow up. Whenever I go visit we like to go through her closets and play dress up in some of her old fur coats and things. She has the coolest clothes. I LOVE HER. I actually found that picture on my mom's phone (thanks Mom) and then as I was going through some of my old things from college, found some old pictures she had given me during a visit while I was in college. So, it's throwback Thursday time.  

Eh hem. Back to New England.

I like my traditions. And for the love of ice cream I have only be thinking/talking/dreaming about my favorite ice cream place since Christmas: Lago's. My mom tried to talk me out of it. Have you lost your marbles???? 

                          

 I got cookie monster and oatmeal cream pie with chocolate jimmies!

 It's all homemade ice cream and the flavors are sinfully wonderful. I can't wait to go back!

Home was great. Wonderful. Amazing. Exactly what this girl needed. I honestly can't be without New England for greater than 6 months and even that is stretching it. Someday New England, someday we'll be together again.

Can we talk about surprises for a moment? I love surprises (good ones...obviously). I have been and am being tortured by upcoming surprises. My mom has a surprise which she is very elusive about and usually I can crack her for information. Not this time. I'm going nuts. Then, Mark has some surprises and won't tell me, though I have been given some useless hints. My curiosity-meter is OFF.THE.CHARTS. I'm going to go mad!!!! THEN a few weeks ago, Amy said she had a surprise for me too but I would have to wait. Let me tell you friends, I cannot crack her. Nope. She is tight-lipped. She doesn't even humor me. Well. I got home Sunday morning and she came over with my surprise because she finally got it and couldn't stand waiting any longer!!!! 

She got me a Garmin. 

OH.

MY.

LANTUS.

I teared up after she left. 

A) That's extremely generous. EXTREMELY. B) Ohmygosh it's a GARMIN. That's for legit runners. And Amy, who I respect, admire, and deem a legit, hardcore, and amazing runner, called me a runner and said it was time for me to have one. That's a high compliment friends. Whoa buddy. C) She even got it in the color I had been eyeing. I've already used it a few times this week and it's SO COOL!!!!!

 I get to see Mark in 3 weeks.

FINALLY. 

By the time we see each other it will have been 3 months. Three. That's practically an eternity. I am not a fan. If I could even tell you how excited I am, if I could even somehow allow you to feel the excitement and anticipation that are bubbling inside of me, I would. But I cannot. 

Plus. We'll be in New England. Together. HAPPINESS!!!!!

AND! He's never been to New England before. 

He doesn't even know what's about to hit him.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And. I went to the doctor's today. I don't think my experience is blog appropriate so I won't share (sorry), but I will just say, Brian Regan was right. When they say, "you're going to feel a little pressure," IT'S A LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy catscans. Lies. But it was hilarious, albeit someone embarrassing. Jeepers.

Oh! And I  have a Dr. W story from today. I had a patient who was ordered to start TPN today (total parenteral nutrition aka feeding someone through a vein where they just absorb the nutrients because it's already "digested" for them). TPN is more of a last resort option and really only for patients with a gut that don't work because of surgery, obstructions, fistulas, etc. This patient does not fall into the TPN-appropriate category but some doctors love to order TPN willy nilly, which drives me NUTS. It's expensive and really not that great for the body in the long run. Well. I get really riled up when some of the docs order TPN because 80% of the time it's not appropriate. I was riled today because it was absolutely not appropriate. So. I fumed with the pharmacist about the TPN and had my case ready to argue. My argument was rock solid. I was ready to fight this one. So, I patiently waited for Dr. W to finish chatting with a patient and then said hello to him and asked about the patient and started to argue my case (calmly, despite the fact that I was totally ready to bust out the facts, especially since this patient is rather complicated), when 3 seconds into my prepared argument Dr. W said, "You had me at Hi Dr. W. That's fine. Cancel it."

That's it? That's all?

Why can't all doctors be that awesome?!?!? I'll admit I was speechless for a second and then skipped (yes, yes I did skip) merrily down the hall to the charting room to inform the pharmacist that there would be no TPN.

Gabe-1 TPN-0. SUCCESS! 

Week in Review

This has been a craaaaaaaaaaaaazy week! Good crazy. 
Read on for pictures and stories!

Sunday my best gal and I had a Skype date...while we baked...brownies (unplanned!!!)

I miss her badly. It was looooovely to catch up and to share the very exciting things going on in our lives (boys! food! job bashing! get together plans!). It was so much fun. Clary. A year ago this time you were here...during black biker week...ehh....at least we suffered through it together (and binged on "Once Upon A Time")!

THE (secret recipe) brownies

Now I was making brownies because I was asked to participate in a career fair at one of the middle schools on Wednesday. This is my second year and it's pretty fun. Last year they paired me with the woman who runs the Edible Arrangements here. She is so sweet and we had so much fun. She even had some chocolate dipped fruit delivered to me at work. So, to repay her for her kindness, this year I made the best brownies on the planet my mom's infamous secret recipe brownies...coveted by all who taste them. I've made a few tweaks of my own and LOVE these things. They are not for the faint of heart and even the most seasoned of chocoholics must pace him/herself. Mmmmmm mmmmm! I had left over peanut butter frosting from some cookies I made a few weeks ago and decided to spead that on a few brownies. I've decided PB/choc is THE BEST combo EVER. Ohmylantus so good!!!
The career fair was fun BUT this year I was left on my own. I was so sad. HOW in the world can I possibly make nutrition/dietetics exciting for a group of middle schoolers? Uh....Nutrition Jeopardy! Oh yesss! It worked! Well, they at least had fun. I think. 

On Monday, some pals and I from church decided to have a cake decorating contest. I made 2 confetti cakes, cut them in half and we went to town! 

The finished products.

Two of our other friends arrived late, as we were finishing up, so we declared them the judges. Which is your pick?

We decided this one looked like a frog!

The winner was the first one. And that was mine!!! WAHOOOO!!!!! Then we ate them with ice cream. Mmmmm. I love ice cream. We will discuss this later.


Next. Tuesday I went for a run and as I was walking back to my apartment, I turned the corner to walk up the stairs and there IT was.

A big black SNAKE.

Coiled up at the bottom of the stairs. Friends. I freaked. Except I didn't. I froze and mentally stuttered and I'm prettysure my heart stopped. I'm pretty sure I nearly had a moment of fear-induced incontinence. (Nearly. I didn't actually). I have never been a huge fan of snakes but this confirmed how much I detest, nay, abhor them. And I am not exaggerating when I say it was probably 2-3 feet long. I DO NOT DO SNAKES. After about 10 seconds of no brain activity, gawking in fear, shock, and amazement, and the flight-or-fight kicking in (which resulted in me just standing there, frozen. So much for flight!), all I could think was I can't get to my apartment. Well don't worry. After I remembered to breathe and got my brain function back, I remembered I could always go up the other set of stairs on the other side of the building (oxygen does wonders for the mind!). So I took the steps 2-3 at a time mentally screaming WHAT DO I DO!!!??? WHAT DO I DO?!?!!?? Now, my intentions were pure, ok? Let's get that straight. This sick, nasty creature was sitting a mere few feet from my sweet elderly neighbor's door and all I could think was, heaven forbid she opened the door, either the snake would lunge at her or she'd drop dead of shock. AND THEN I thought of all the dogs (uh, HELLO, SCOTTY!!!!??? and his pal Poppy, who lives next door) that live around these parts and what if I had been walking Scotty and unbeknownst to the poor pooch, he walked right up to the snake and it bit him?? So at this point I'm panicking. Sweaty, stinky, and freaking out. So I ran down the stairs again (only to the second floor because I was at least distancing myself by a flight of stairs) to see if the snake was still there and decided to...yup this is pure genius, I know...through a pebble at it to see if it would move. It did and it hissed. Great. At least I knew it was alive because there was NO WAY I was touching a dead snake. Well that still didn't solve my dilemma!!!! So then I called the HOA and left a message about this grotesque creature. I mean what if there was a nest nearby. AND WHY WAS IT THERE???? WHY???? Then I wanted to take a photo so I ran back down again and...

IT WAS GONE.

GREAT. What if it was now lurking under the stairs? OR in the wall??? OR in the bushes??? I decided I was never leaving my apartment again. Then I realized I was being overly dramatic and really, really, really girly. Mark called, after I sent him a frantic text about a snack (darn autocorrect) lurking at the bottom of my stairs. And being the awesome guy that he is, he called to tease me to calm me down and make sure I was ok. What a stud! :) Mostly we just laughed at how silly I was reacting. BUT SERIOUSLY. A SNAKE!!!! GROSS!!!! AHHHH!!!! Let me just tell you, that evening when I took Scotty out before we went to bed, he was not allowed in any bushes. Strictly asphalt and grass. I still look around whenever I walk down the stairs, waiting for it to lunge out of its hiding place. I have an overactive imagination, I know. I haven't seen that thing since and the director of the board of my complex returned my call the next day basically making me feel stupid for freaking out. He reminded me there was wildlife (he emphasized this, apparently thinking I didn't know this) around us including frogs so snakes are sometimes common. What I wanted to say, but didn't, was that A) I am from New Hampshire and grew up surrounded by plenty of wildlife and am well aware of what wildlife is and B) don't talk down to me mister. I did tell him I had been told (and this is true) that there was a nest of snakes a few buildings down and to be careful when walking my dog AND that I had never ever seen a snake around this area. So take that, crackerjack! 

Thursday Amy and I made our live TV debut. We're going to be famous!!! Local celebrities. Watch out. I joke. But we really were on live TV. We were asked by the local news channel if they could interview us about healthy grocery shopping for 2 live segments (~3 minutes each) . It was such a blast. Albeit, frightening and terrifying, but fun. We refused to let our manager come, but the director of marketing, who helped set up the times and details, came. Uh. Hm. I appreciate the support but I was not so much a fan. I didn't want an audience. Plus, she intimidates me. I didn't need the address stress!!!! Overall, we were pleased at how well it went over. In the first segment, you can tell we were nervous the first 30 seconds and then we took off and did well. I liked the second segment better. Overall, it was actually really fun. If you so choose, you may watch the interviews, but before you do, please remember I do not enjoy public speaking, my hair is huge, yes I talk with my hands and really fast (genetics...), and don't be too harsh, ok?  
Healthy eating Interview 1 Healthy eating interview 2
Afterward, our manager said we could go out to dinner but it has been so blimey hot, we decided to celebrate with... Sonic. I confess. I have only been to a Sonic maybe 3 or 4 times in my life. I got a strawberry creamslush....mmmmmmmm mmmmmm good! The next day, Dr. W asked me how it went so I said well, and then later---after the marketing lady POSTED the interviews on the hospital's website....YIKES!!!!---when I came back up the floor, Dr. W EXCLAIMED how well we had done. I blushed. Aww shucks! 

So let's talk ice cream for a sec. As you may or may not know, I. LOVE. ICE CREAM (soft serve, hard ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato...let's just lump it into one category because I love 'em all). It's summer, well not technically, but it may as well be here because it's HOT and all I want to eat is ice cream. Every day. Amy had to run to the doctor's Friday and she brought us back each an oreo McFlurry. It's been SO long since I've had a McFLurry. It was DELICIOUS. THEN Mark sent me a picture yesterday of a chocolate frosty he got from Wendy's (my second favorite fast food dessert, second only to In N Out's chocolate shakes, which are the best shakes I've ever had. To date.). I was jealous. So at 9:30pm I almost left my apartment to get either a chocolate Frosty or a vanilla cone from McD's but then I remembered it's Black Biker Week, and I refuse to leave my apartment unless I have to work or someone is dying because it's scary out there. Wrecks galore, too many fatalities, scantily clad women, awful drivers (I do believe the middle line separating two lanes of traffic DOES NOT COUNT AS A MOTORCYLE LANE!!!!!), gun-happy idiots, and the like have come to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. Not leaving my apartment. Looks like chocolate chips it is! 

I'M GOING HOME IN 9 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My time with Scotty is coming to an end. It's bittersweet but I'm happy about it. He'll be happier with Hemma (Heath + Emma, my brother and sister-in-law), in NH where he can run free and be spoiled rotten by Hemma, our neighbors and their dog, my parentals! I'm also TERRIBLY in need of a excited for a vacation. I get to see my family again (FINALLY, since I have been shunned while living in southeast where no one wants to visit me *insert very sad face here) and be home. Pure happiness. I can't wait! Along with lobster, Lago's, SHAKE SHACK (my first time!), seeing the Atlantic (and hopefully sea glass hunting), and all the wonderful things I can't list (because the post will be infinity long) that come with being home in New England, I cannot wait. I just have to survive the flight home...with Scotty...who hates flying...*gulp*

AND. Sara Bareilles is FINALLY coming out with a new album! I have been waiting FOR AGES. Whenever I hear her music, I think of baking because I always seem to listen to her stuff when I bake. I have already pre-ordered her new album. YESSS!!!!!! Also, her music always makes me want to live in a city. So then I dream about living in *Boston* or NYC one day. *sigh* Maybe one day. A girl can dream. 

Today is Sunday. Sunday means baking day and I can't think of one thing I want to bake. Well actually, that's not true. I wanted to make my copycat of Levain Bakery's dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookies but alas, I don't have peanut butter chips. FOR SHAME! I thumbed through all of my Pinterest recipes and flipped through my trusty recipe binder and couldn't find anything. This saddens me, greatly. I did make enough dragon noodles to last me through the week. Mmmm....I have a new found love for sriracha! But jeepers creepers it's Sunday!!! I need to bake something!!!! I'll have to look again. 

Today is the day of lists

I'm a list person. I have To-Do lists, a bucket list, shopping lists, to-get lists, lists of books to read, music to get, places to go, lists of birthday present ideas. I like lists.

So, alas, a list:

1. I'm about to get on my soap box for 3 minutes. Three. That's all. I walked into a patient's room today to ask a quick question and the patient told me they were a nutritionist. Now, I mean no offense to nutritionists. You are great people, I am sure. But it does make my blood simmer a little when I encounter some nutritionists. SOME. NOT ALL. It's like a med student vs. a doctor. Sure you know stuff and have learned stuff and have researched stuff, I'm not discounting that. But please don't diss my hard work and my credentials that I worked wicked hard to get. You see, anyone can claim to be a nutritionist, but it's against the law to claim to be a dietitian without the proper schooling, training, and credentials. I worked hard for this so don't discount that. It was interesting. That is all. And now I am done. *steps off box*

2. This is what I wanted to do today:

Yes, face plant into a pillow and go to bed. It was a long day. A stressful day. Not a bad day, but just a tiring and exhausting day. Scotty is a cutie isn't he?

3. Hi. I'm 25 and my favorite afternoon snack is peanut butter and graham crackers OR graham crackers and applesauce. Just stick me with the toddlers; we'll get along great. 

BUT. Check THIS out!!!! Twice this month I randomly broke my crackers (for better dipping of course) and randomly got these shapes:

  

Vermont and New Hampshire!

This made me a little bit homesick for New England. Gosh I miss that place. I love it so.

4. I have an obsession with anchors. It might be kind of silly but they've become a symbol to me. They remind me of home, of my beloved New England--there is something so majestic and captivating about that placec. I have an anchor necklace and I wear it almost every day; it's a little piece of home I have with me and it just means a lot. Anchors also remind and motivate me to not only stand but to be anchored in holy and good places. And, they just make me happy. I saw this on etsy and fell in love. Had to have it!

5. I am going to attempt to knit a blanket/throw and my friend let me borrow her knitting needles that she used to make one. These are the biggest knitting needles I have ever seen. IN MY LIFE. 

And now, a funny story. I got the needles from my friend right before I had my staffing meeting so I quickly grabbed them from her and tried to stealthy walk into the meeting with the needles in my lab coat pocket. Yeah, well, I couldn't exactly be discreet with 16 inch needles protruding from my pocket so I slide into my seat and tried to hide them in my lap only to hear Dr. W say, "Uh. Gabe. Are you planning on hunting vampires?" Bahahaha! The meeting stopped and I had to explain myself but don't worry, for the rest of the meeting (which lasted about 2 hours), the topic of my stakes, er, knitting needles persisted. And let me tell you, Dr. W was in fine form that day-the jokes! 

6. Confession. I rarely indulge in retail therapy. Rarely. And if I do, I don't go crazy, honest. And rarely do I buy clothing. Usually shoes. Or hair stuff. Or, my favorite, cooking/baking-ware/home goods. Today, however, I had an unplanned, though much needed, therapy sesh. I went to Williams-Sonoma looking for a kitchen gadget...but sadly they had run out of it so I decided to just (riiiight) check out Anthropolige. Well. Check out I did! I can honestly say I have never purchased an article of clothing from them but I do like their home goods section, specifically their dishes. I was wondering around the bowls and cups and all of the sudden I spotted an oven mitt with anchors on it. HAD TO HAVE IT. AND THEN! I found a matching apron. Done. I also found a cute bowl to add to my collection and a new hot chocolate mug that I fell in love with.  

I am so pleeeeeeeeeeased!!!!!!!

I love the colors, the patterns, everything!

And then I suddenly felt much better. Aaaaah nothing like a good retail home goods therapy. I was tempted to go home and bake something BUT, I had other things to do. 

So, that concludes the end of my list. For now. This girl is off to do some packing for a weekend trip! Yay!

Oldy Goldy

 So can we talk about how sore I am for 1.34 minutes? I'm sore. Wicked sore. Going DOWN stairs is the worst thing ever. My coworkers make fun of me because when we go down for lunch we have to go down 3 flights of stairs and they fly down them and then tease me and tell me to hurry up. It's actually amusing. I laugh at myself (as tears form in the corners of my eyes with each step I take). I look like a toddler going down stairs for the first time by myself. But it's a satisfying and good pain. A well-earned pain. 

Yesterday I was sitting at one of the desks charting and one of the infectious disease docs was sitting next to me. He turned to me and asked if I was with the nutrition department and I said I was and perked up thinking he was going to ask me to see one of his patients. He then replied he saw me walking around with my friends and assumed I was one of them [dietitians]. I told him we travel in packs (true statement) and introduced myself. He then introduced himself and then said my name must be short for Gabrielle (pronounced GAB-ree-elle...ick but I wasn't about to correct him. It was late in the afternoon, I was almost done with my patient and just didn't have the energy to correct him and explain). I said yes and then he said, "You have an oldy goldy name! So does my daughter. Her name is Betsy." I laughed and wasn't sure what to say. Uh...thanks? Yes? But I thought it was kind of a cute. I have an oldy goldy name. So I commented on his daughter's name, which I really do think is cute. I was amused and pretty happy to have talked to this doctor. I see him all of the time and he intimidated me, but now we know each other. Cool! And because he's the infectious disease doc, this may open up a door for me to pick his brain and shoot him a few questions in the future. SCORE! Now if only I could get in with some of the surgeons. One department at a time...

Now today. I swear I had a sign somewhere that said something like "if you have a complain or want to take your frustrations out, please take it out on Gabe," because that's what happened. I had an alcoholic patient with swollen legs who ranted for 15 minutes about how swollen his legs had become ever since we repleted his electrolytes. I wanted to say, well maybe if you didn't drink excessive amounts of poison, er, alcohol and screw up your electrolytes and your liver this wouldn't be a problem now would it? I also nearly BUSTED up laughing when he stood up, lifted his pant legs to show me his swollen legs, which he kept referring to as hams. It really was funny. Maybe you had to be there and actually see him and his "hams" but whew, it was giggle-worthy. I waited until I left and was walking down the hall to giggle. 

And the best part of my day. I have a 101 year old on one of my floors. Yes you read that correctly. TRIPLE DIGITS. 101 years old and she is as sassy, spunky, and sharp as ever. I ADORE this patient. I hope and pray and aspire to be like her. I was in her room listening to her talk for about 45 minutes. She sews aprons (which are beautiful) and makes "sock monkey dudes and sock monkey ladies" (they are legit), calls herself "The Butterfly Lady" because she hands out butterfly clips to everyone, you know, those cool clips that were popular in the early 2000s? Yeah I had tons of them. She told me about how she met her husband (SUCH a cute story. I felt a few pricks of tears as she was telling me). I wanted to stay and listen and ask tons of questions but sadly her lunch arrived and I remembered I still had 13 patients to see and it was already noon. I just have to share this one story. She was telling me how she broke her hip a few years ago and was inching her way to her phone (she lives independently!!! Isn't that impressive?!?!) when she remembered the emergency button-necklace thing they advertise for elderly people to wear around their neck and when they push the button, the ambulance is dispatched immediately. She thought it had fallen off but then discovered, it was hidden in between "the great divide." It took me all of 5 seconds to realize she was referring to her chest. I couldn't help it and burst into belly laughter for about 2 minutes and she was giggling along with me. OH MY GOSH!!!! She kind of reminds me of Betty White, though not as....crude. This woman is hilarious. I can't wait to go see her again. 

And finally. I used my food processor to make crust for the first time. WHOA this is a historic event!!!!! This week for staffing I am making apple cinnamon hand pies. I decided to make the crust tonight and I will assemble them tomorrow. Pictures tomorrow of the finished product. For now, please allow me to beam about making my first pie crust for the first time in my food processor. 

Baking tunes: 

--"Daylight" by Maroon 5 (their new song; I have come to the conclusion that Maroon 5 is officially one of my favorite bands. Congratulations guys, I'm fickle about having "favorite" bands and you made the cut. Well done!)

--"Le Flair De Celmar" and "Sur Les Points De Venise" by Note Manouche (jazzy and wonderful. Madre--youtube this band, you'll like them)

--"Numb" by Usher

--"We Run" by Havana Brown ft. Pitbull (I actually do NOT like Pitbull but Amy created a playlist for my half marathon and this was on it and it's catchy and I can dance to it). 

That is all. Covert Affairs is one tonight. YESSSS!