Changes

They say change is inevitable. I would agree. I look back over what I would still consider my short life and I can't believe all the changes that have taken place. Technology being on the top.

When I was in High School, we didn't even have computers. I learnt to type on an old manual typewriter which looked very similar to this one here......

I got up to 45 words per minute on that thing. Unfortunately, I didn't concentrate enough on the numbers row and to this day I have to look at the keyboard for the numbers.

I remember after I graduated I was going to go to college and become a Legal Assistant. Well that all fell by the wayside as I got employment with the Federal Government doing a clerical position. I got that job primarily because of my typing skills and well I think the female manager who hired me liked my story about my brother who has Down's Syndrome. I digress.

I worked for the Government for 10 years. During that time I saw amazing changes. Facsimiles machines had this rolled paper that you had to fit into the machine when a call was coming through...we all know what they look like now...compact and you just dial and send that's it. Back to the typewriters.....during my years in the office I saw the typewriter change dramatically, to the electronic....then the ones that had the mini screens and memory banks...and then yes the computer.

My colleagues at work marvel at how quickly I can type....most of them went straight to nursing school and didn't have to have typing skills. But now days you have to be able to have some command of typing or you won't survive.

Change is inevitable that is for certain. The manual typewriter to the computer. What about computer games. Now I never was one that was very big on computer games, but do you remember Pong? That was that game where the ball went from one side of the line to the other. You could adjust the speed with a dial. I can remember one Christmas when my parents bought that for the family. We had family Pong tournaments. It seems so funny now when I think back on those days.

Look at what I call our implements of torture. Our housecleaning products. The vacuum for instance.....
Here's an old Hoover.....and look at what you can get today...


this nice robotic vacuum. My goodness how things change. I could go on but I won't. I just wanted to demonstrate how significantly things have changed in our life time.

Just as technology changes, so does the workforce and how we perform our work in that environment. For the past ten years as nurses we have been told that we will be going to electronic charting. I know it has happened in many areas, but not in the province that I practise. It's interesting and mind boggling how things can be so different from even fromone health authority to another all in the same province. Case in point....when I left the mainland we were already inputting lab work and tests etc electronically. The only time we used a requisition was if the computers went down. Six years later working in my small town, we still do paper requisitions. The results however, are provided via the computer. So not only do you have to have typing skills to acess the information but you need a basic understanding of computers in order to retrieve the information you are looking for. I personally don't have an issue with that....but I know nurses who are just 5 years older than me have difficulties with the computers. Most of their nursing career was performed in a completely different work environment. These nurse who are now only a few years away from retirement are having to learn all this new technology. They have no choice. In order for them to maintain their practice they are forced to change their ways and learn a different way of doing things.

This doesn't seem to be such a challenge for the younger nurses. They grew up on computers and electronic mail and such. But nurses in their late 50's early 60's not so much. That in itself presents some major obstacles for some nurses. Our senior nurses bring so much to the nursing environment it seems a shame to lose them because they can't keep up with the techonology. Of course when it comes to direct patient care you need to stay current. But learning data entry and things like that seem a little over the top for me.

I embrace change. What I don't embrace is when the technology it being crammed down my throat. I believe that is what some of the more senior nurses are feeling. They were still able to care for a critically ill patient without all the gadgets. Sometimes I think we do ourselves a disservice and put to much faith in technology. We need to remember the basics...look at the patient...how are they responding to the treatment....do the numbers reflect what I see and if not then why not.

Yes change is inevitable. What I find to be very important when change is about to occur is to include your staff. Let your staff become change agents. If employers are set on change they can be proactive and make it a positive thing for everyone.

What changes do you find you are faced with? Do you wish you had some consultation before the change occurred?

Food for thought....don't you think?

SkyWatch Friday

I love sunrises....this is another series of the sunrise, the view is from my back yard....I was in awe of what looked like some kind of sphere in the sky.....

If you would like to join in on the fun please check out...SkyWatch Friday

Let's talk hormones.....

Ok....we have all know or heard about Premenopausal Syndrome(PMS) and it's symptoms. Those of us in our 40's and generally in our 50's have heard of Menopause. I think even our male counter parts have heard of both of these medical terms. However, rather than trying to do their research to understand this syndrome and change in life, they tend to tease the female gender about their symptoms....and comedians make a fortune off of our natural and uncontrolled hormonal changes.

I remember years ago talking with my sisters about male menopause. Yes male menopause, this is not a medical diagnosis but I and my sisters were convinced that our male counter parts experience a form of menopause.

Well I can tell you I was nothing but surprised when I saw an ad on the TV the other night about TRT(Testosterone Therapy Replacement) for men. Then the following evening what should I come upon but an article in the March edition of Reader's Digest about Testosterone and men. Of course the article didn't have a catchy title as it would have had it been directed at women... it was titled "Can Testosterone Restore the Aging Male". Needless to say my curiosity was piqued and I had to read on.

According to research Testosterone levels decline gradually with age, according to this article they say it declines One percent a year after men reach the age of 40. At 70 they say that men have about half of what they had in their 30's. It goes on to say that with less testosterone , sexual function and motivation decrease, muscle mass shrinks, fat deposits grow, bones lose density and are more susceptible to breakage, and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes rises.




Well fancy that. Doesn't that sound familiar ladies. Surprise Surprise.....men do go through a hormonal change.....wow!!! And they thought it was only women.....or of course our male counterparts wanted us to continue to believe it was only women who went through a change. Well wouldn't you know it...science comes along and poof men now are faced with very similar hormonal issues as us women.

I don't believe this to be earth shattering news. I think us women had our suspicions about this all along...but our male counterparts were to afraid to let this news go public!! . Well the word is out now gentlemen and you are now just as susceptible to humiliating taunting and teasing as us females have had to endure for so many years. Of course, science and the pharmaceutical companies have to capitalize on this and true to form they have come out with a pill(hormones) men can take to replenish the decrease in testosterone....why fancy that...Ladies, now doesn't that sound alot like the female version of HRT??? Hmmmmmmm. Ok, maybe I am being a little cynical about this, but all these years men have teased and taunted us women for our hormonal changes and blamed us and our moods for relationship issues. Well guess what men.....we now have TRT to throw right back at you.

Another thing I found interesting about this subject is that from a pharmaceutical perspective they market their products as a cure for decreased libido...and their focus was to improve the male sexual drive. Again, it makes me wonder who is marketing this drug...and why are they only looking at one component. I think I know why.....do you? I think it's because sex sells. Doesn't matter what it is...if it is sex related it sells, and they even glamourize it by titling a movie by it. With men so focused on their libido and performance, they forget about the other part of them that makes them attractive to their female counterparts....that is their brain.




If you are interested in learning more you can always google the topic Testosterone Replacement Therapy.....or check out the March 2010 issue of Reader's Digest for more on this topic.

Addictions......

I think we all know someone who either has an addictive personality or is addicted to a habit forming substance. Merriam-Webster defines Addiction as:

1 : the quality or state of being addicted
2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

Addicted: 1 : to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively ed to gambling>
2 : to cause addiction to a substance in (a person or animal)

There are many kinds of addictions. Jesse James, Tiger Woods and Clinton with their sex addiciton. All addictions are destructive, and disruptive in one way or another.

As a nurse I have seen my share of patients who have abused their bodies with the vast number of habit forming substances. I can't tell you how many patients I have nursed that have come through the ER doors and end up in ICU. These patients are usually on ventilators as a result of drug overdoses or as a result of their bodies being so abused from these substances, that it can no longer fight off the aliments that have bombarded their bodies.

We talk about the impact these substances have on the individual and the health care costs that are expended to treat addicted individuals. What we don't often openly talk about is the impact these addictions have on the people around the addict.

Let's just think about this for a moment. I recognize that addicts come from all walks of life. From the well to do families to the poverty stricken street person.

I use to think that circumstances played a large role in who would become an addict or had the potential to become an addict. But I am not sure of that anymore.

Again let's look at Jesse James and Tiger Woods for example. They have a huge support network. They have caring loving and supportive families, church networks, and even fellow workers. Yet their addiction controls them and almost destroyed them and their careers.

Addicts start to isolate themselves or only associate with people of like mind. The addicts with a stronger constitution somehow manage to maintain their social network, but for how long? They make themselves an outcast. They slowly remove themselves from the social network that is trying to support them. The families become overwhelmed by the addicts behaviours and feel lost, betrayed and even isolated as they feel they are the only families going through this. Some feel embarassed to let others know that they have a family memeber who is an addict. Addiction not only affects the addict but the family around them. Addiction is like a wildfire consuming and destorying everything in it's path.

Sometimes I wish I could get into the mind of an addict. What draws them to their demon. The demon that robs them of living their life to the fullest. The demon that makes relationships challenging. The demon that causes them to have extreme mood swings, and finally the demon who robs them of their physical health.

If genetics play a role then why do some family members become so inflicted when others are not? Science is helping us understand the chemical changes that occur in the brain as a result of substance abuse. Science is also investigating and helping us understand why some people have the addictive behaviours they display.

Unfortunately there is no cure for addiction. Drugs can help control cravings or behaviours, but they won't cure it. The only cure....is abstinence. A complete cessation of the demon that holds the addict hostage. Some folks have found AA to be of great assistance, others go to rehab programs or seek counselling. Some programs attempt to help the addict find the root of their addiction and teach them life skills. Ultimately...it's all about "you" the addict. What do you want? Do you want to beat the demon....can you find the internal fortitude needed to wake up each day and tell yourself "today I am not going to......."

We can point the finger for the causes of addiction. The legally advertised cigarettes with their carcinogenic addictive properties or the alcohol companies with their tantalizing spirits to the drug lords and politicians and their ill intended policies. But ultimately, don't we as individual have to take some responsibility for our own behaviours and choices regardless of our socioeconomic environment?

SkyWatch Friday

These photos were taken last summer. We had just finished going out and picking up our crab and prawn traps. What a glorious evening it was!

If you would like to join in on please check out Skywatch Friday

Sky Watch Friday

These photos were taken last month looking East towards the mainland(Vancouver).....a storm was brewing......

If you would like to join in on the fun please check out.....SkyWatch Friday

Tradition

Tradition.....you know the problem with tradition....it's just that...it's a tradition. It's one of those things that conjures up both good, happy fond memories, along with sad memories. Traditions as much as I love them... cause me angst.

I was raised in a family full of traditions. Tea and crumpets on Sunday afternoon, special dinner items only cooked for special occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Halloween and the bon fire and fireworks with the neighbours. Getting our new Easter and Christmas outfits. Regular visitors we would have for the holiday celebrations.

Then there were the Birthday's. Rule number one....if you were the birthday person you didn't have to do any chores .....Rule number two....you got to sit at the head of the table in Dad's chair for dinner. Rule number three there would always be jello, ice cream and cake for dessert! It was your day!

I grew up on so many traditions I never realized that traditions were in the making until I started repeating them when I was raising my own family, at which point I found myself starting some of my own traditions. For my girls for their 16th birthday I would have a huge family gathering I would rent a hall and decorate it to the nines, music food and dancing. I also made a big deal for the Prom night....I always had their friends over....I'd make appetizers, and have bubbly for the graduates....they would have the limo pick them up at our house....I felt so privileged to be able to share this with my girls and their friends.

My girls call me the queen of festive decorating. From fall to summer I would have the house decorated for the season. When the girls were little I would take them to the park and we would pick up leaves bring them home...I would iron them between wax paper then cut them into shapes and put them on the windows....they soon began to expect the house to be decorated...and if I hadn't started the decorating for an occasion they would tease me.

Another tradition was at Christmas...when my girls were little and two of my older sisters had smaller children as well. My sister Eileen would have all the children over and we would make gingerbread houses. Eileen would have made all of the gingerbread pieces from scratch for the houses...it was the best gingerbread I have ever tasted. I know my girls could hardly wait to go to Aunty Eileen's. At Christmas when my youngest was about three I started a tradition of reading them the book Polar Express. It is now compulsory to them that this story be read every Christmas Eve...my eldest is now 24 and she still expects to hear it.

So where is the problem with all of that? Well sad but true time marches on....people we have loved and who have been such an intricate part of our lives have passed away and with their loss some of those traditions have gone, and are now only memories.

As much as I love spring...it is also a difficult time for me. My father, my sister and my niece all passed away in March and April. Then along comes September and the fall and I think of my mom who passed away. Losing more traditions and thus making more memories.

So my problem with traditions is that they bring fond memories but also sad ones. This past Easter I was spending it with my stepsons and my hubby's family. My girls were with their father and my family. My sister hosted Easter dinner for 28 people. Her husband had sent out a request to all who were attending asking them to make a little presentation. Well apparently it was a great success. My girls grandparents who are 84 and 85 years old performed a song. Grandpa played the harmonic while grandma sang Springtime in the Rockies....I am told there was not a dry eye in the house. It just so happened that I called my sister's place to wish everyone a happy Easter at the same time these festivities were taking place...they put me on the speaker phone and I ended up reciting the St. Francis of Assisi poem I had posted on my blog....but rather than read it...I sang it as I was taught in elementary school. Ah....yes more memories in the making. I just wonder if brother in law is now going to make this an Easter tradition?

Here's to tradition and memories. Although they cause me angst I treasure each and everyone of them!

My Easter weekend

What a wonderful Easter weekend it was. My weekend started after work on Thursday. My stepsons arrived from Ontario and were here for the weekend. The primary purpose of their visit was to come see their grandma while she was still well enough to enjoy visiting....and then to spend time with their dad and I.

I arrived home Thursday evening and my hubby had cooked the most amazing dinner. He used the smoker and cooked up some of the best tasting ribs I have ever had, he made a variety for grilled seasoned veggies and curry rice. Oh it was all mouth watering and to die for. After dinner we all watched a movie...it was a great start to the weekend.

Activities for Friday were based on the weather. If it was calm hubby and the boys were going to take the boat out for it's inaugural test run...or we were thinking of going skiing. Neither of these two events happened as the rains and gale force winds were upon us. We started our day out without any power. Hubby got the generator going so I could have hot water for coffee....youngest son got the fire going....so even though is was miserable outside we were nice and toasty inside. We decided then that we would do indoor things. Laser tag and cosmic bowling. So off into the truck we went and headed into town. First stop Laser tag.

Have any of you ever played laser tag? You go into this room that is dark except for black lights...the room is a bit of an obstacle course having old cars and stuff to hide behind or in so you don't get tagged. They give you these plastic guns which shoot laser beams at your target..if you hit your target(your opponent)it tells you...it also tells you when you have been hit. Well being the only women in the group I think I was the main target....they got me good. It was a lot of fun...and it was nice to do something like that with the boys. After laser tag we decided we should go have dinner ....now was it going to be Greek or Mexican. Greek it was. So off to this nice restaurant which over looks the bay. We had a lovely window seat. Being Good Friday and not eating meat I had the Calamari and a spinach salad. It was very tasty...but way to much food...too much food for all of us and so needless to say there was plenty to take home.

We left dinner and headed to our prebooked bowling. Now this wasn't your everyday bowling....oh no....the music was playing the light show was happening....oh yeah you could down right boogie on down as you attempt to throw that huge ten pin ball down the lane. Oh we had some great giggles. Lots at my expense.

Eldest son showing us his bowling style

Youngest son showing us his form

Although this is a little out of focus I love this photo of eldest son and I

I had bought myself these slip on/loafer type shoes, my hubby said they reminded him of something Helen DeGeneres would wear...then he said I was dancing like her as well. My question to him is....How does he know what kind of shoes she wears? Anyhow, it was a lovely evening all around.

Saturday the weather was much improved so the boys went and took the boat out....hubby called me he was so excited....you could hear the smile on his face, I could imagine him grinning from ear to ear ...it made me so happy. So whilst the guys were doing their thing I opted to do mine. I exercised, cleaned house...took Bert out to the beach and then came home and baked. I made a pumpkin coconut cheesecake, a pecan pie and cinnamon buns......I was on a roll. The pecan pie was for my father in law. It's his favourite it was my Easter treat to him.

The boys with Mom/Grandma

And here they are with Grandpa

Easter was a lay low kinda of day. Eldest son slept in until the afternoon. We ended up going over to the in laws for dinner. Father in law made a wonderful Easter dinner. The conversation was upbeat....grandpa regaling us with some of his survival stories. It was a relatively early evening as the boys had to be up by 0600 to start their journey back home. They have a very long day ahead of them.....a 1 1/2 hour ferry boat ride, a bus ride to the airport and then a 4 1/2 hour flight home. With the 4 hour time difference it will by almost 11pm by the time they get home and then it is off to school the next morning.

Yes it was a pleasant weekend indeed. It was such a treat to see them....now only 3 months till we see them again.

Happy Easter Monday to you all and I hope the week ahead is full of all good things!

Happy Easter

Just wanted to wish all my blogging friends a wonderful and joyous Easter. I hope you are able to spend it with the ones you love!

I'll leave you with the prayer from St. Francis of Assisi.....I remember learning this as a song when I was a little girl in elementary school.

Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.

~ St. Francis of Assisi~

Happy Easter to you all!

Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt

This weeks theme is "Sweet" How appropriate with Easter being tomorrow....there will be lots of sweets around!!!!

This was my great-nephews Birthday cake....his daddy decorated it in a pirate theme....it was nice and sweet!

And here is the birthday boy.....now he is really sweet!

If you would like to join in on the fun...please check out tnchick for all of the instructions....Happy Hunting all!!

SkyWatch Friday

Last summer hubby and I were at one of our favourite spots. We had gone there for some evening fishing...when almost instantly the sky started to change.......and electrical storm that was better than any light show I have ever seen soon appeared and lasted for a couple of hours....these shots are of the changing sky....some photos are a little dark but I think they give you a feeling for how things changed so quickly......

I never did capture any of the fork lightening that occured but there was lots of it...like I said it was an amazing light show!

If you would like to join in on the fun....please check out Sky Watch Friday

Humour Thursday.......

I use to do a post called "Humour Thursday" I haven't done that in awhile......So I think I will do that today

If any of you have done online dating I am sure you can relate to the above cartoon....just to funny...

Yup and somedays....don't you just feel like this.....

Have a great day all!