Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Laughing in the Stairwell

I have been amiss in my blogging, or rather, lack of. Most likely because my life is not all that interesting. I work, my husband goes to school, we love each other. Not too much you would want to read. However, my sister likes my posts, which is really enough to pull me back to the computer once again and try to think of interesting thoughts. Side note, the title of this post is because my husband just chased me up three flights of stairs with me shrieking and laughing all the way. And since I woke up with absolutely no clever ideas this morning, a good name for this post was pretty hopeless.

Here we go:

I am very proud of my husband. He just started his fourth trimester at Palmer yesterday- and for me, time here in Iowa is flying. (He says it's not going quite as fast for him, but he IS studying all the time, so it's quite understandable.) So, the big news for him is that he was chosen to be in a rather prestigious group on campus- The Guides. I'd explain more, but it's kind of top secret. Not really, but I'm struggling with how to explain what they do. Basically, you will see them at every campus event in matching suit and tie whispering into wrist walkie-talkies. (Minus the walkie-talkie detail. That was my own imagination.) The point is, my husband is wonderful and I'm proud of him.

I love my job. The word love being defined as "I'm thankful for the income and since I have to work, I'm glad for the job I have." Perhaps I will do some comparisons to help you understand why I went to OB and why I am glad I did.

When my patient sees me, she: (ICU) Drools and I use a suction catheter to remove the drainage from her mouth and throat. (OB) Smiles, albeit tiredly, and discussion about her newborn baby commences.

When my patient needs to use the restroom, she: (ICU) Poops in the bed or the bedpan, which I will later rinse out. (OB) Walks to the restroom and uses it.

When I have free time at work, I: (ICU) Rarely have free time, but perhaps will eat some Lorna Doones. (OB) Again, rarely have free time, but will sit in the rocking chairs holding babies in the nursery.

I think the most difficult part of the transition to OB is the lost ICU prestige. ICU nurses get that special nod from doctors or other nurses- they know a lot, handle emergencies, deal with life and death decisions everyday. Now, at the hospital skills fair, I am met with a snotty look and frequently hear, "Oh, you're fifth floor? You will never do this, you don't need to know about it." My response? Don't ever bring your laboring wife to my floor. (This is said very menacingly of course.) Oh well, I am thankful for my job and the help I provide to new mothers on a daily basis. Prestige or whatever else is just gravy.

The big life change we are anticipating right now is moving. Later this month we will be moving to a new residence- a cheaper, larger, closer, wondeful-er duplex. We can't wait to have a basement where Josh can set up his chiro table, a dining room separate from the kitchen, a yard, a one car garage etc etc. The move and new abode will be a separate blog in the future, obviously. Also, when we move? We get Roxie back. Our poor pooch has been traveling around the country from home to home, waiting for us to move into a rental that allows her to join. Word on facebook chat is that she got herself a husband by the name of Prancer. (Apparently, he has yet to figure out she's an it. We'll see how long it lasts once Roxie comes clean.) We are excited to get our dog/rat back.

Also, Christmas is coming! I have been ready since July, so I'm getting pretty pumped now. Today I bought candy canes to sneak into Josh's lunch tomorrow. To let HIM know that Christmas is coming. (To be honest, he knows Christmas is coming and he's a pretty swell guy for letting me be as Christmas crazy as I am. I already dragged him out Christmas shopping, made him watch Elf, danced around him in the kitchen singing carols in my best Etta James voice, and purchased a tin of Christmas popcorn. He says as soon as we move I can put up the Christmas tree, but to not let our mothers know because they will think we are ridiculous.)

I am so psyched to be alive right now.

6 comments:

  1. Great report! This might be the cheeriest thing I've ever read that came out of Iowa.

    I shouldn't be surprised, but I didn't know you were a good writer. Keep 'em coming. I'm glad you're doing so well! Good luck with the move and say hi to your sister and folks for me.

    --Michael Lane

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  2. well my dear daughter I read this and had such a silly, happy grin on my face the whole time! I think you could give mr. buck creek a run for his money :-)
    Thank you for your lovely thoughts and words...it certainly brightened my day..
    Just a couple of notes: Prancer is an "it" also :)
    I will be happy to help you set up Christmas when I come to help you move...

    love you!!
    Momma Pattengale

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  3. Ericka, You have a lively pen--or rather keyboard. It's nice to smile at both your energy and unabashed love for good things. As for Roxy. Sometimes we love her, and other times, well... The time she jump on Joel and the peed all over him was rather entertaining. Cindy and I have been very happily married for a long time, and I've never chased her up stairs and she has never danced around me singing. And she's smiling over my shoulder and after pausing from crunching ice, said, "Nor will she." Given the Christmas season, you might want to watch The Christmas Story and then buy Josh one of those leg lamps. Thanks for sharing. Love you both. Like Roxy. Father Pattengale

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  4. I also smiled the whole way through this post, as well as the comments! What a treat to read everyone's good writing. I feel so left out!--- but that's probably what I get for never reading books.
    I'm excited to see pics of your new place once you move in!...and congratulations on Christmas. :)
    Love you!
    Rach
    PS- I'll have to make an Etta James station on Pandora to see what she's like, I've never heard of her.

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  5. Hi Ericka,

    You will have to set your blog up like Rachel did for me. When you blog it notify's my email. I also was smiling the whole way through. When you write, I am there with you, experiencing the entire thing. All your energy and enthusiasm and emotion is felt. Well at least most of it. I love that both my girls blog. Maybe I will have to try it one of these days. Dad and I are coming to IA the week before Christmas. Can't wait to celebrate it with you and your incredible husband and dog.
    Love you,
    Mom

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  6. I love this post! And I love you! And I instantly had flashbacks of (A) Josh chasing us around APT E with that can of oven cleaner, (B) the amazing Christmas gift Chelsea and I gave to you and Kelly two years ago, (C) Chelsea later dancing in the kitchen wearing the black sparkly hat from Rebash, (D) that mangled live Christmas tree that Chelsea hacked off with one of John's knives, (E) playing fierce games of Boogle, (F) not to be confused with the fierce games of Boggle, (G) that time Kelly farted in the piazza, (H) the Crapper Tracker and (I) I just really miss you guys! Come to Colorado NOW.
    -laura

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