Remember My Name

I have a problem with names. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to keep an orderly compartment for them in my overly-cluttered brain.



I'm not sure how this problem started. I actually used to be very good with names, back in high school. I prided myself in being able to remember just about any name that was introduced to me. Well, that department has long since filed for bankruptcy. And I don't think there will be a bail-out any time soon!



I typically see about eight patients a day, so I see a fair number of names come and go in my chair. As I look at the schedule in the morning, I see a lot of names I recognize, but I just can't seem to put the name and face together. To my mortification, the girls at work are able to talk about the upcoming patients with ease. "Oh, Tom's coming in! Great! I'll have to ask him how his fishing trip went!" Or "I really need to get that pickling recipe from Sheila today!" All from looking at the schedule. I feel so stupid. Why can't I do that? Sure, I know them when I see them.....I remember full conversations, as well as treatment plans under way, but can I for the life of me remember their name?!



My work is across the street from a Safeway, and I am continually running into my patients there during my lunch break. They usually look at me with a I-think-I-know-you-but-I-can't-figure-out-from-where kind of look. I attribute this to the fact that I am not walking around in a white lab-coat, gloves, mask, and protective eye-wear. It makes me a little harder to recognize. But of course, I can't even greet them with a "Hello Jan!" because I can't remember their name. I must resort to the "Hiiiiii! How aaaare you?!"



Since I am such a ditz in the name department, I am always impressed when someone remembers my name. It makes me feel honored, as a matter of fact. I am generally a sit-on-the-side-lines-hope-no-one-notices-me type of person. So when someone goes out of their way to remember who I am, I am flattered.



The other day when I was bringing a patient back to my chair she called me by my name. I immediately felt great, and it made the entire appointment a positive experience. After she left, I told my boss Kristine, that that was my favorite part of my job -- getting to know the patients and feeling like I have made a difference in their lives. I mentioned that my previous patient had even remembered my name. Kristine then pointed to the bright, shiny name tag pinned to my chest and said with a smile, "Well, it couldn't have been due to that!"



Duh.

Fun Day

Today was such a gorgeous day! Eric took his dad on a chartered fishing trip this afternoon. They couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather! Although they did catch several fish, they were too small to keep, so the men returned empty-handed. However, Brady mentioned it was still a successful trip considering he didn't get sick!! I'm sure it was also a great memory for the two of them to share.

While the men were out fishing, the rest of us made a trip to Mukilteo Beach and enjoyed the water and sunshine.

Erica was timid at first, but was soon splashing around in the water, no fears. She got soaked! She especially loved to eat the wet rocks, sucking on the salt water. A few times she tried out the seaweed as well. Heidi said she must be a sushi girl, because she seemed to like it!



Jen and Brayden
Brayden wasn't quite as sure of the water. He had fun, but I think the waves frightened him a little. He loved to throw rocks in the water and watch the seagulls.

Since Erica started walking last week, she thought she was expert enough to manage in the water on slippery rocks. What a pro! Elise enjoyed splashing in it as well.

Grandma and Grandpa with their Girls

Jen, Brayden, and Brady

I am so glad that Eric's family was able to come and stay with us this week! It has been a lot of fun to spend time with them. I hope they had fun, despite the cramped quarters! We made lots of memories, and that is always what counts the most!!

The Cursed Computer

So, for those of you who may not have previously guessed, I have a serious addiction to my computer. Ah, the internet, how I love to roam....


It is pretty much the first thing I turn on in the morning, and the last thing I turn off at night. There have been many a night with Eric heading up to bed and me saying,"I just need to check my messages...." I simply must know the instant a new email comes into my box, or what my friends are saying on Facebook, or who updated their blog, or what the sale at Barnes & Noble is, or aimlessly wander the golden halls of Amazon. I tell you, it is getting ridiculous.


So what do you suppose would be the worst possible thing to happen for an internet junky like myself?


Total System Failure.


That's right, my beloved friend has contracted a serious disease of unknown origins. I am devastated!


Now I am reduced to getting my fix through stolen moments on the office computer, or suffering through the inconsistent connection of our miserable laptop.


Luckily I have a do-it-yourself type of husband, who has been able to call on computer expert friends. Of course, he also can't resist giving me a jab about "if I wasn't online all the time,"or that I "probably got it from my Iranian friend," who the day before the crash, left a bizarre, multi-lingual comment on my blog.


Yes, yes, I know he's right. But does that mean I will stop?


What do you think?

Not Quiet....

My house is NOT quiet....



The kids are home again, and I am glad. I called Heidi a few days ago and told her that I really missed her. She matter-of-factly said, "I know. I read your blog." So much for sentimentality.



I think the kids got a little homesick, though. Neither of them wanted to admit it, but they showed the signs. They are also glad to be back.



The kids brought with them some more houseguests for us. Eric's parents, along with his sister Jen and her little boy Brayden, came up for a visit this week. Eric and his dad are going on a chartered fishing trip this Thursday. We'll just have to be sure to bundle Brady up really well, since he gets cold so easily.



So now instead of a quiet house, with me wandering around talking to myself, I have a full and busy one, with kids and diapers and toys and clothes and beds and wet hottub towels....



It may be crazy, but I like it better that way.

The Jobs Your Mother Never Told You About

I had all these plans of things I wanted to accomplish while my kids were gone, visiting family in Idaho. Mostly the plans consisted of cleaning out their rooms, and painting Ethan and Elise's room. The cleaning out business is always best done when children are absent. There are inevitably invaluable treasures which they feel must be rescued from the "donate" pile, or what's even worse, the "get this crap in the garbage" pile.



The last two days were spent working on Ethan and Elise's room. Two huge boxes, four garbage bags, and a trip to Good Will later, the task is finally complete. Next task: painting. Unfortunately I have run out of steam. Yes, here I am dinking around on the computer rather than tackle that almost insurmountable task. I have discovered that trying to complete any chore of a lengthy duration is next to impossible with my two "babies" mulling around downstairs unattended. It's like having twins. They are into anything and everything, battling each other to the death over who has the best access to the baby gate at the front door, and needing constant attendance to their poopy pants and bottomless pits of tummies.



So the room will remain unpainted. I feel bad about it. The room was previously Heidi and Elise's together, but Heidi was promoted to the tiny little room that can only hold one bed. All by herself. She is in heaven. So poor Ethan is stuck in a cotton-candy pink room, with adorable white accents and stuffed animals coming out the ears.



Well, soon enough he can be swimming in his neutral, gender-friendly green room. Maybe next week, or next year....



So now while I sit typing, I am waiting for my date with the pizza delivery-man. I should be cooking, or cleaning, or doing laundry, or some such busy nuisance that we mothers are eternally plagued with. Surely that can wait until next week, or next year....?

Politics and a Sweaty Lounge Singer

Today at work I saw a gentleman (and I use the term loosely) that I always dread seeing on the schedule. You just never know what is going to come out of the man's mouth or what schizophrenic thing he will do in your chair. He's the patient that I referred to previously as being an Al Gore look-alike, in a crazy, hairy way. Trust me, it fits.



The first time I met him we had an argument of a political nature. As a general rule, I don't talk politics at work. I think it is unprofessional. But he sooo got on my nerves! Luckily, he doesn't remember a word of it. This will make more sense as I continue....



He is a starving musician, and would be literally if his lovely wife didn't support the family. He just can't seem to find it in him to find a vocation of a different sort, since all he wants is to be a lounge singer. Yes, a lounge singer. He currently has a weekly gig at a retirement home.



So now when I see him I steer clear of politics and talk music, since that is a topic we can both be enthusiastic about. Too bad he is insane!



The last time he was in the office was for a toothache. We have a lovely assistant, Tasha, who just happens to be the one and only young and single gal of our crew. She is cute. She has the sweetest personality and everyone loves her. Unfortunately, that can lead to undesirable consequences. As she led Mr. "Gore" back to her chair, he kept repeating he was just so hot, sooo hot! Then he asked her if she minded if he changed his shirt because he was sweaty. He then proceeded to take his shirt off right in front of her (those poor little virgin eyes will never be the same!), wiping himself off. He put another shirt on and she matter-of-factly tried to proceed with the exam. We were all standing in the hall by this time, trying not to laugh as she mimed a gagging motion.



So we all knew he was crazy. I just found out today why. At the beginning of the appointment I asked him about what medications he was taking. After rattling off Prozac, etc., he conspiratorially leaned forward and said he is also taking a "prescription" of cannabis.



(Just in case, that's ummm, marijuana....)



Ahem.....that explains a lot actually. I just wonder what street doctor "prescribed" that one!

Young at Heart

I just watched a fantastic documentary called "Young at Heart." It's about a group of senior citizens who perform various pop and rock songs, touring around the world. The documentary follows them as they attempt to learn some new pieces for an upcoming concert series. It also focuses closely on some of the individual performers, telling their story.


I laughed, I cried, I spontaneously clapped my hands to the beat! There is something magical and mesmerizing about how music can connect people. The music these people performed often kept them going through many health issues, and gave them a valuable direction and lease on life, keeping them "young at heart."


Here is the trailer for the movie. I know it will make you want to see it! :)






And here is a "music video" that was part of the documentary. It cracked me up! It shows the character and liveliness of these guys!

Quiet....

My house is very quiet.



Heidi and Ethan left yesterday to go on a trip to Idaho to spend two weeks with their grandparents and cousins. They were so excited. I was so excited for them.



But now my house is very quiet.



It's funny how taking away two of the four children in this household can make such a difference. And it's not only in the noise level. It just feels.....different.



I am starting to get an inkling of an idea what it is like when the kids grow up and move on. My dad told me it's fun to watch them grow and you are excited for them and the new adventures they will start, but it is also hard.



A part of you is missing, a part so integral you didn't even know it was there.



I miss them.