Heads or Tails Tuesday

Today's theme is "Key(s)" and Skittles has chosen Tails....so that means we can choose to do what we want with it. The first thing that comes to my mind was the saying "the Key to success is......" To me the Key to success is perseverance....and that success can be whatever you set your goal to be. Today I can say I met a goal, and I am proud of it. I ran the farthest I have ever run. When I started out I didn't know how far I was going to run. What happened was I had a destination in mind....the climate was perfect today for a run. I sort of told myself last night that today was going to be the day. I got up this morning, did some of my online homework....and a little procrastination...then I told myself.....self ....get out there and run......and run I did......I ran 13.1km......I am ecstatic.....never once on the run did I feel short of breath....by the end of it my hips were hurting a bit....but never short of breath....never a "is this going to end soon" nope I just plodded along until I came to my journey's end. Yes today the "Key" to my success was meeting my goal!

If you would like to play along, please click on Skittles name above and that will connect your to her sight and give you the directions on how to play.

I won't be posting much this week and certainly not next week.......I am going on a holiday. Yup starting Thursday I will be on holidays until the beginning of October. Hubby and I will be going to Mexico with our girls. We are all so excited. I have so much to do between now and then.....I work tonight and tomorrow night which then brings us to Thursday....I will get home from night shift and have to go to a doctor's appointment...I would have cancelled it but I have been waiting 3 months to see this doctor....then I have to go and do banking for the trip....come home pack....and finish up a group discussion and summary that I am responsible for in my course for our group. So I have a pretty full plate. So forgive me if I don't get around to say hello.

My holiday unfortunately won't be starting off on a very pleasant foot. I have mentioned in a previous post that my sister who got married in the summer her mother in law was very ill. Well her mother in law passed away on Sunday and the funeral services are on Friday. So I have to get up early on Friday to take the ferry to the mainland so we can attend the service and pay our respects. She was a very sweet woman and I am happy that her pain and suffering has come to an end. I know she will be truly missed. God bless your Nonna.

So my friends I wish you all well, and I will post when I get back. I think I should be saying something Mexican here but the only thing that comes to mind is Ole and I know that isn't right....so I will leave you with a picture of a beautiful sunrise over Qualicum Beach.....

Do you know the signs of a heart attack?

Yesterday a dear blogging friend of mine instant messaged me...I didn't get the message right away but when I did I contacted her right away.....we addressed each other with the usual social niceties when I said, how are you doing...her response was.....I don't know....not sure.......of course my immediate response was ....what's up?....she responded by telling me she hadn't been feeling well.....she went on to describe symptoms she was having....nausea, vomiting,cold sweat, pain between the scapulae(shoulder blades)elevated blood pressure...and slightly low heart rate.....hmmmmm...of course this could be a variety of things...however my dear friend does have a cardiac background. How are you feeling right now....tired, dizzy and weak was her response.....her family had wanted her to go to the ER but she didn't want to. I suggested strongly she listen to them and go. I told her she could be having a cardiac event and that it isn't something to sit around and wait to see if something else happens. I told her that if she had called 911 and gave them her symptoms I was sure they would tell her to go to the ER. In the ER they can hook you up to a cardiac monitor take some blood work and quickly rule out if you are having a cardiac event. To many people wait far to long before seeking medical attention for cardiac symptoms....they don't believe anything is wrong...it will pass. In the medical field we have a saying..."Time is muscle" if you are having a cardiac event the sooner you present to the ER the more cardiac muscle can be saved.....that being if you are having a cardiac event there are certain drugs that can be given but they need to be given within a certain time frame....so "Time is muscle"

So, after my friends incident last evening, I thought....how many people don't even know the signs or symptoms of a heart attack. So I thought I would do my public service and post information which I got from the Canadian Heart and Stroke foundations. Below are the signs of symptoms of a heart attack and what to do.....please take the time to read....

"Thousands of Canadians die from heart attacks every year because they don’t get medical treatment quickly enough. Learn to recognize the signals of a heart attack, so you can react quickly – to save a life."

Pain
-sudden discomfort or pain that does not go away with rest
-pain that may be in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, arms or back
-pain that may feel like burning, squeezing, heaviness, tightness or pressure
in women, pain may be more vague
-chest pain or discomfort that is brought on with exertion and goes away with rest
-shortness of breath
-difficulty breathing

Nausea
-indigestion
-vomiting
-Sweating
-cool, clammy skin

Fear
-anxiety
-denial

If you are experiencing any of these signals, you should:

-CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately, or have someone call for you. Keep a list of emergency numbers near the phone at all times.
-Stop all activity and sit or lie down, in whatever position is most comfortable.
-If you take nitroglycerin, take your normal dosage.
-If you are experiencing chest pain, chew and swallow one adult 325 mg ASA tablet (acetylsalicylic acid, commonly referred to as Aspirin®) or two 80 mg tablets. Pain medicines such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®) do not work the same way as ASA (i.e. Aspirin®) and therefore will not help in the emergency situation described above.
-Rest comfortably and wait for emergency medical services (EMS) (e.g., ambulance) to arrive.

QUICK ACTION SAVES LIVES

So my friends please don't ignore the symptoms.....as health care professional we would recommend you come to the hospital and be able to tell you your heart is OK rather than the alternative .....you not make it to the hospital.

I wish you all good health....

If you would like more information you can check out the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation or American Heart Association

Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt

This weeks theme is "Plastic" now that is a tough one. Seeing as we are to obtain these photos from our library of photos I am finding it hard to find something. The first thought that came to mind when I heard that the theme was plastic was the photo I saw over Skittles place...it was to funny and very plastic..which then got me to thinking about performers, artists and people who I think are plastic...like Tammy Faye...but then I don't have a personal picture of her in my library so that wouldn't count.

So what I came up with was this....when my sister got married in the summer one of the items that was put on the table for everyone was little "Plastic" bottles of bubbles made to look like champagne. I had found them at a store and asked her if she would use them as part of her theme...so I sent her pictures of the bottles so knew what they looked like....so without further adieu....here is my version of plastic......

Happy hunting all!

If you would like to join in on the fun please check out tnchick for all of the instructions...I hope you do....cheers all!

Something to Ponder....

I came across this quote today and it got me thinking.......it has to do with Being in Charge.....

Never retract, never explain, never apologize....get the thing done and let them howl.

~Nelly McClery~

What are your thoughts on this?

Have a grand day all!

Friendship and Peace Initiative

I think after yesterday, posting this just seems so appropriate.

Here's a new concept, started by fellow blogger, Vic Grace, from British Columbia. As we are all aware, blogging does give us the opportunity to reach out and yes, "touch someone" by our words, pictures, links in our blogs and by our comments to fellow bloggers as well.

Think about this - in a world today that is too often filled with news of wars all over the world, fears about terrorism, following newspaper and tv news reports about crime, gangs, and you name it of all the bad things we hear about everyday, wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if we, each of us blogging in our own little space, could actually spread the word through friendship and help, through that little bit of effort, to bring people together, united in a common goal of international friendship?

If you like this concept - and who wouldn't, really - then add this badge to your sidebar, along with the link Vic has provided there. Then copy the text below and put this into a post on your blog. Follow that by tagging other bloggers to start sending this message around the world- hopefully, in less than 80 days too!

A good way for a blog to get established is to have backlinks. All you have to do is copy this post with the list of links below and add your link at the end. As others do the same we get the word out about a lot of great blogs. Eventually we may circumnavigate the globe.
That’s it, then just sit back, and watch the links grow, over time.
That's it folks! That's all you have to do to take part in the friendliest effort yet in the blogosphere!Here now are the bloggers I am tagging to help get this movement on its way.

Vic Grace at "Cariboo Ponderer"Me, my life, my gardenAuthor blog

A little piece of me

The BiPolar DiariesTurning the Pages of Life

Debo Blue at "A Blue State of Mind"

Sasha at "A Day in the Life of Sasha Stinerova"

Maddie at "Whitterer on Autism"

Singing Owl at "Pastorette Ponderings"

Barb at "Skittles Place"

Mau at "It's About Time"

Jen at "Creatif"

The Meloncutter at "Meloncutter's Musings"

Sognatrice in Calabria, Italy at "Bleeding Espresso"

Keith at "10 Years Running Blind"

Dave at "Rather Than Working"

Linda at "Are We There Yet?"

Dorothy at "Overthehill Boomer Chick"

Patois at "Whee! All The Way Home"

Stine at "Mother's Home"

Smalltown RN at "A Place I Call Home"

Shelby at "Time With Shelby"

Any ApplesBoggyWoggy's CacheErika JeanMy Dogs Keep Me SaneRambling ShanRandom AutumnessThe Turtle ParadeDottie's Place
Michael C at The Wonderful World of Nothing Worthwhile

OzLady’s Ramblings

Tinkerbell -

Chicken's Life-

Echos of Grace

Tales From a Former Michigander

KSHIPPYCHICMeeyauwA Purple Shade of Black

Dare to Get Organized

"And Miles to go Before We SleepBeth & Cory's Mom

The Middling MonettesTwist & Skewer

A Day In The Life of Elle

Tea Time Ramblings

Bubba’s Sis

Jeni at "Down River Drivel"

So I am going to add a few blogs to this list;
Akelamalu
Buzzqueen
Josie
Leslie

Now, Everyone, go forth and spread the word!

In Remembrance......

I know today is going to be a pretty rough one for many. Some of you will be participating in 9/11 ceremonies or events, others have opted to make posts in remembrance of someone who was lost on that tragic day. I know my dear friend Skittles has asked that for Heads or Tails Tuesday we write about what we were doing the disastrous day, where we were and how we felt about it.

I wasn't going to post at all today and I will explain why a little further on in this post. I can't actually remember where I was, I think I was at home doing laundry, the TV was on, I was watching the news. Then came the the news flash the twin towers had been hit. I was in disbelief no this can't be, and then watching over and over the twin towers being hit and the Pentagon and then the other flight...this can't be, it was like watching Armageddon. I sat and I cried, and I cried some more....I couldn't imagine the fear the horror that those people felt. I can't imagine knowing that any moment they were going to die and never ever see their loved ones again. What would have gone through their heads. It was tragic and senseless loss of life.

The saddest thing and what I find so terribly disturbing is that the killings continue. Nothing has been resolved. Innocent people continue to die every day and for what? The wars continue. Terrorism continues. It is not dead. It will never be dead as long as there are differences of religious beliefs and radical behaviours and lack of tolerance and a sincere desire for peace, it will continue.

Since before the time of Alexander the Great and Ghengis Kahn, wars were driven by greed and power and often disguised in the name of religion. The Crusades the Holy wars. Man has always wanted what he could not have, it is as it if it is an innate sense of being. An almost right of passage.

Remember in the play grounds. Tommy wants what Jimmy has so he bullies Jimmy until he gets what he wants. Jimmy can chose to give in and give Tommy the toy or stand his ground and fight Tommy for it. If he gives in some might see Jimmy as coward. That maybe so...maybe Jimmy just didn't want a blackeye, or what about this....maybe Jimmy can see the bigger picture and realizes that it's not worth the fight, maybe Tommy was never taught to share or ask kindly to play maybe no one took time to "Listen" to Tommy and find out where he is coming from. But that day Jimmy did. Jimmy decided to listen to Tommy found out that Tommy had always been bullied and had things taken from him and that is all he knew. Jimmy offers to share and to play together. Things improve.

This may seem so simplistic and ideological to many. But truly the basis for peace is kindness, and tolerance for in differences, not bullying back. I recognize when someone has been hurt at the hands of someone else your initial reaction is to fight back... the fight or flight... or revenge. But revenge is not the answer. We see first hand that it is not. Innocent people continue to die.

As cliche as this may sound, if I only had one wish I truly would wish for world peace and that the human race would just be kinder to each other.

To those that lost a loved one in 9/11 my deepest and sincere condolences. I hope some day you can find peace in your heart. It is the people who suffered the loss of a loved during 9/11 that could be the instruments for change. They could demand peace in the name of their loved one knowing that even in their loved ones death they continue to bring light to this planet, the light of hope.

I mentioned at the beginning of this post, that I wasn't going to post today. But as I sit here and I look up on my computer shelf I see the picture of my wonderful mother. Today, I celebrate her life. She left this world two years ago today. I know that she is looking over me and guides me, she was and continues to be my driving force to do what I can to promote peace in my surroundings. She is my "Wild Irish Rose" Love you Mum......

To all of you, I wish you peace.

"When we reach out to one another, we have the possibility of remembering that we are one, we are the same."

~ AnneWilson Schaef~

A Sunday Culmination......

Last week my friend akelamalu had a little game up she called the Nursery Rhyme game. She only gave you the first letter of each word in the name of the rhyme and you had to figure it out....oh my gosh it wasn't easy. I don't remember how many I got but I know it wasn't very many...but anyhow anyone who got one right she gave a badge to...so here is my badge...I call it my participation badge...you know like you use to get in school when they didn't want to make you feel like a loser so everyone got something....anyhow...thank you akelamalu for the badge..and hey don't make them so hard next time..... Then there is my dear friend Skittles who says my blog makes her smile. She gave me this wonderful badge that she had received and passed it on to me...thank you Skittles...I shall post it proudly and pass it on....

So I would like to pass this onto.....

Grandmocha
Janet at life in west cliffe
Jeni
Misty Dawn

Thought for the day.....I was reading from a book I have called "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much" by Anne Wilson Schaef. This book is presented in days of the month and each day of the month is a theme...a thought...she uses quotes from famous people and then provides her own interpretation of the quote. This one for some reason just spoke to me today...it has to do with Healing...

Healing takes time. Healing is an every day affair. Some traumatic events in our lives require physical, emotional, and/or spiritual healing, and sometimes we just need to let the nicks, chips, and the dents from everyday living heal. Doing the work we do and holding things together the way we do takes its toll.When we need these healing times, there is nothing better than a good long walk. It is amazing how the rhythmic movements of the feet and legs are so intimately attached to cobweb cleaners in the brain. And we must take a long walk, because at first we think about our problems. These thoughts dissipate over time, thus allowing the healing to begin and we are less focused on our thinking. ~ by Anne Wilson Schaef~

What made me think about this is, is that issomething I tend to do every time I go for a run....I run to clear my head....I run to burn off anger and frustration.....I run to help heal the inner me. Today when I went running....I started thinking about things I need to to....a conflict at work that will have to be dealt with....then before I knew it I was half way through my run....then on the way back I was able to enjoy my surroundings...the breeze off of the ocean....my surroundings...and the sun ....so warm on my back......

Hope you are enjoying your day......

Another week draws to an end.....

Good day all...the weatherman says we should be in for some fine weather over the weekend....great, I go back to work today...isn't that what the call Murphy's Law....and who was Murphy anyways and why did he get a law named after him?

Yup another week has come to an end.....whew. It has been a busy and productive week. I started my course this week and I couldn't be happier. After learning how to maneuver around the on line system we are to use, and getting into the course I a happy camper. Our first week is really based on getting to know each of the classmates and then an online discussion on our philosophy on nursing and a vision for nursing. It's been interesting reading and talking about our life and nursing experiences. It's also intriguing that we all come from very different nursing background. Let me preface this by saying there are only three of us taking this particular course on line this term, so it makes it very easy to have dialogue. Anyhow, one of the nurses comes from a Long term care background and works on a dementia unit, the other nurse currently is a lab assistance for the department of nursing at one of the local colleges. She is responsible for setting up the lab classes for the nursing students when they come in to practise a particular skill they are learning that week. And here we are all taking this course for a variety of reasons.

Being the goal orientated person that I am, I have been marching along in this course. As I said we are only on week one, but I am half way through the assignments for week three. My instructor nicely pointed out to me that I was farther ahead than my cohorts, and that until they got on board and started posting in the discussion forums I might be feeling isolated. Well that doesn't seem to be true. I am happily marching along doing my research, writing my observations and interpretations of the material laid before me and things couldn't be more grand. I think what I enjoying so much is the use of my gray matter. Getting the brain thinking why we do what we do as nurses what is the foundation of nursing and the theories that go along with it. Last night my husband actually engaged me in dialogue about my course and asked me a very poignant question. He said..." If I were an instructor, teaching the material I am doing in my course now would I also practise those skills in the hospital environment?" Without hesitation I gave a resounding yes. I so very much believe in the concepts that we are reviewing right now and the skills that are used to reinforce those concepts. He said good, because he felt that to many nurse or people in general learn something but don't transfer those skills into their work environment. Yes it has been a good week, and I am eager to engage in what lays ahead.

So I will leave you all with a thought for the day.......

~ Wonder is a gift of living, Living is a gift of wonder~ Anne Wilson Schaef

Our Children

Yesterday,was an emotional day for me. I think it stemmed from the Heads or Tails meme and the theme for the day which was "School". After visiting many blogs and reading what everyone had to say, I got nostalgic and teary. Although I only have one daughter now who is of school age I was missing being there for her on her first day of school.

Like most of you, when my girls started school it was a big thing.....taking their photos and preparing them for the special day. It's so funny at the time I don't think we really appreciate what we have. We just see it as another day of rushing, getting the kids up and going, making breakfast and lunches, walking them to school and then rushing back home to do chores and so on. How time truly does fly. I can remember when the girls were little and their grandmother always use to say..."they are only little once, enjoy them while you can". I never really took what she had to say to heart until recently. Now that they are not with me full time I pine for them. I miss them so much. I loved hearing about their daily adventures or misadventures...I loved being there when they were sad. I loved watching them learn new things....but I didn't appreciate it then....I was just to busy doing what I thought I had to do.

How I wish I had gotten down on that floor more often and saw what they saw....or splashed in that puddle and let the dirty water get all over me and just laugh about it rather than thinking about the extra laundry it caused.

I have always loved September. Going back to school and the change in the season. This time of year brings back some memorable childhood events, the smell of autumn in the air, the crispness of pears and apples and my tin lunch box. Early September when the leaves started to fall I use to take the girls to the park and we would collect leaves and press them between pieces of wax paper and then cut them into shapes and make window decorations. It was a time when I started to use my oven again and bake pumpkin cookies and bread. I love the colours of the fall the vibrant oranges and yellows and reds. I loved to decorate for autumn, the autumn wreaths and the strands of autumn leaves would be strung around the windows or door frames and the girls were always there to help decorate.

So many fond memories. I am thankful I have them. I treasure them. For those of you with school age children, try to enjoy this time...it truly is gone in a flash. The bake sales will soon be a thing of the past, the cub meetings and soccer practises will be done and over with in a bat of an eye. And before you know it, they will have out grown those activities that you thought they would participate in forever. Their wanting to hold your hand as they skip or walk their way to school, stopping when they do, and admire that something which drew their attention. Yes it will be all be a memory before you know it.

Appreciate your little munchkin(s) for all that they bring to this table of life. It is their energies and passions that is our future let's encourage them and love them and thank god everyday for them.

Heads or Tails Tuesday

This weeks theme is "School"

Please check out Skittle's Place for instructions on how to play.

Me ....before I started school.....

Me graduating from high school.....

Today I embark on a new chapter in my life....I am going back to school to finish my degree in Nursing.

Shout it out........

My dear blogging friend Skittles has a post called "shout it out" I like that.....and I hope she doesn't mind if I borrow the title.....today I have a few things I want to "Shout Out!"

This morning I awoke early at 0530...not being able to sleep any longer I got up, made my coffee and got a start to my day. I decided today I would have to get myself registered online for my course and review the overview material and start on week one's assignment. Well it was a bit more challenging than I thought. I have never done a course online and it presents a whole new realm of learning strategies that I am unfamiliar with....but after almost 4 hours online I got my self registered...did my introduction....familiarized myself with the course outline and the maneuverings of the site that I will have to work with...it was all a bit daunting at first...but I think I can do this.....so I am shouting it out for me!!!!

Next, I have been on a personal pursuit for losing weight. To date according to the scale I have lost 23lbs....My weight seems to fluctuate daily up a pound down a pound....anyhow....one of the major things I have been doing to lose my weight is running. I use to run a lot, but when I moved to the Island I got out of the habit and never found a comfortable place to run. Anyhow, I started running...subconsciously setting goals for myself, gradually working myself up to my ultimate goal. After working on line for 4 hours I decided I needed to go for my run. Today, without planning I reached my goal....actually I exceeded my goal by 1.24 km. Yup today I ran 11.24km. There is the route that I run and I have had a goal that I wanted to make it to a certain point and back....well today I did that.....I can't tell you how happy I am.....I think this picture will give you an indication as to how happy I was.....

Now only 8lbs to go and I will be at my goal weight and be a very happy camper........Yippee!!!!

Now onto a completely different topic. Hubby reached a goal as well. He wanted to get out fishing. The salmon are running and my oh my there are fish to be had. Hubby and his dad went fishing last week and look at what they caught......

And on Friday they went out.....and here is what hubby caught.....

Hubby cut and cleaned it and well needless to say we had bar -b- qued salmon for dinner last night.....yummmmy!

So there you have it....my version of Shout it out!.....cheers all