Confessions of a Coffee Crazed Nurse

It's that time again! Today will be more generalized. Before I worked at the Birth Center (where I'm at now), I worked on a busy medical/surgical floor. A very tough floor to work on. We saw pretty much every type of patient you could imagine. GI bleeds, overdose, suicidal patients, psych patients, post surgical, wound/infection, trauma, pneumonia, cardiac patients . . . you get the idea. Some patients were very critical, some, uh, not so much (like drug-seekers). I enjoyed working on this floor and learned a ton. Had my share of codes and deaths, good patients and bad. I wanted to work med/surg for a few years before specializing so that I had a solid background and I know I'm a better nurse for doing this. And overall, I don't miss it.

But, there are a few things I DO miss. Here they are:

1. I miss my old co-workers. We had a great team and we all worked well together.

2. I miss doing codes. Sounds weird, I know. But it's such an adrenaline rush and satisfying to see the results of your effort so quickly (I do get similar exposure with "bad" deliveries or moms with post-partum hemmorhage)

3. I miss the doctors I worked with. The docs I saw every day were AWESOME! Caring, compassionate, listened to nurses (that's a biggie), and joked with us and were fun.

4. I miss the little old ladies and men. Little old men are so freaking cute! I'm sorry - they just are! And the little old ladies . . .especially the ones who cussed. I wanted to bring them all home! Especially little old asian ladies. There is nothing more darling! Sadly, my hubby said no . . .

5. Deaths. Why on earth would I miss people dying? Because the deaths that I was involved in were hospice patients. They weren't easy, but it's rewarding to be there for the families.

I don't want to do med/surg any more, and I LOVE working in the birth center. There is a part of me though that longs for the excitement of ER nursing or flight nursing. Maybe one day . . .

Melissa and I in the 10th floor nurses station. One of my bestest friends!

Me and Dr. Monticelli - one of my all-time favorite doctors!

Dr. Harbison and I. Another awesome doctor!

Valerie and I. A fabulous nurse! Though, we had a way of hastening the death of hospice patients. No, not on purpose. We just always happened to be working together when either one of mine or her patients passed. Kind of an aweful coincidence.

Jill and I! With Valerie and Melissa in the background! Jill was nice enough to follow me to the birth center! Yay!!!

Alright, last one. Me and Dr. Porat! Another one of my all-time fav docs! Showing off his novel!! Which is a good read, by the way. It's called The Other Face of Murder.

Lazy Sunday

It's foggy and cold here this morning, and I've been up since 6am with my son. I'm just getting my coffee and wondering what the heck to post. Ayden is watching Wonder Pets. They're saving a baby skunk. So I started looking up skunk stuff on Etsy and thought, "hey, why not share some adorable skunk stuff?"

So here we go! Skunks on Etsy!

This plush skunk from SharryJo is hilarious! Why? Because it's a pin cushion AND has a tape measure in it's butt!

This skunk print from berkleyillustration is darn cute! Check out their shop - amazing!

Here's a cute little needle felted skunk from LittleElfsToyshop!

Awesome plush skunk from BibelotForest! She's the creator of Plushrooms!

Yay skunks!

Halloween!

Yeah, it's still August. But I'm in a halloween inspired mood. I love halloween! My favorite holiday! So I thought I'd share some awsome creations I found on Etsy that remind me of halloween.

First up is Melissa Sue. I love her work. It's amazing. this is Undine.

Next is Yorrik the skeleton mouse from the House of Mouse. Skeletons are always good halloween critters!

It was hard to only choose one from Pumpkin Hollow - I want everything in their shop!

And how about a pumpkin bunny? A bunkin from stringfellowart!

I love me some halloween!

Feature Friday: Paper Moon Gallery

This Friday's featured shop is Paper Moon Gallery. This shop has some amazing needle felted sculptures. And I mean amazing. The creative mind behind Paper Moon Gallery has been crafting since she was a child and has been very successful at it. If you like weird, whimsical, and awesome, you'll love this!

My kind of nurse! Of course I had to show off this piece, being an RN myself.

Oh yes. She has zombies. And we all know I LOVE zombies.

Awww, the boston found a skull! Good dog!

The bunny is my favorite. I don't know why. He's just so unique and creepy and perfect.

All of her work is amazing and worth a look. So please, stop by Paper Moon Gallery. You'll be glad you did.

For the love of Eddie Izzard

Ever have one of those days where you feel particularly uninspired? That's me today. I'm working on a new painting and some ACEOs (to include as freebies with my shipments), but I feel like I'm in a rut. In other words, I'm not feeling crafty today.
So I decided I'd educate everyone in the awesomness that is Eddie Izzard. Don't know who he is? Dude, you're missing out. He's an english, transvestite, stand-up comic. And he's hilarious! He's also in a few movies and tv shows here in the US, but I truly love his stand-up.
One of my favorite skits, Cake or Death?



Yes, you do have to have an appreciation for British humor, but I love it!

Covered in Bees!



Yeah . . . . I have a bit of a crush on him. Weird, I know.

Tattoos and a Bunny

Yeah, it's a silly title. But hey, I'm gonna show you "tattoos" and a new bunny! Which to start with . . .

Tattoos!

Yesterday, unbeknownst to me, my son grabbed a green marker and proceded to draw on his arms. He came running up to me "mommy! Mommy! I have tattoos!"

He's very proud of his tattoos. Even has one on his cheek!

My hubby and I both have tattoos and Ayden loves to look at them. I have a feeling he'll be getting some of his own when he turns 18. At least for now we can wash them off!

And now my new bunny!

I did a custom order for a gal for an "evil" white rabbit (from Alice in Wonderland). Here's a reference shot:

She wanted him in a laying position with sores and blood and red eyes.

I'm pretty darn proud of this guy! I drew the pattern from scratch in about 10 minutes and made a prototype. To my surprise, the pattern didn't need any tweaking at all!

Etsy Owls Team Challenge

Alrighty guys!! I need your help!

Many of you know that I'm a proud member of the Etsy Owls Streat Team. Well, each month we have a team challenge. The theme for August was 'travel'. We had to make a travel themed item - preferably destination specific.

And you bet-your-sweet-bippy that I entered! My entry is Mitch the tattooed rat! How is a tattooed rat travel related? I like traveling to tattoo shows! Soooo much fun!

I'd love for you guys to pop on over to the Owls blog and vote for your favorite! Of course, I'd love for you to vote for Mitch, but I'd really love it if you just go vote!!

Here are all the entries!

anadiazarte

ickydogcreations

jonikay52

lalala08

squarejane

taw0106

So, be sure to stop by the Owls Blog and vote!!

Frogs in my backyard?

There's quite a bit of wildlife around my house, but I never thought we'd have frogs. With all the rain we've had this summer though, the usually dry field behind our house has become a marshland. Over run with frogs.

Quite small little buggers, but there were about 20 in our backyard!

Ayden isn't sure what to make of it.

Well, there ya have it! Frogs!

Hee hee!!

I felt the urge to share this website. Really, you need to check it out! The site is Awkward Family Photos. This site features, well, awkward family photos. It's pretty darn funny. And awkward.




Why didn't I have my prom pic holding a chicken?!

Um . . . why. Why would you do this?

The galaxy background really makes this family seem cohesive.

This isn't awkward or inappropriate at all. Nope.

Damn. These people stole my family reunion photo idea! Curse them!

Need more awkwardness? Visit the site! There's enough for everyone!

Feature Friday: Weird Bug Lady

This Friday's featured shop is the Weird Bug Lady! I can't say enough about this shop! If you love bugs, this is the place for you! Her shop is very unique and offers the most amazing invertebrates. She specializes in plush soft-sculpture (which you have to see to believe) and beautiful artwork done in sharpie markers.

This Giraffe Weevil is simply stunning. She designs these critters herself and they're nothing short of spectacular.

The dung beetle is my favorite! It comes with it's own ball of dung! How awesome is that?! Everyone needs a dung beetle!

June bug sharpie drawing! Love the colors!

Katydid sharpie drawing.

Be sure to check out her shop! And you can see her awesome blog as well!

Weird Bug Lady rocks!

Rats

I love rats. I mean, love rats. I've owned them all my life and they're the perfect pet! Sadly, I don't have any right now. My hubby is allergic to everything with fur except dogs. I'm bound and determined to have rats again though. The office is now my studio, and is my domain. I've taken it over and moved his stuff out. Why not have my ratties in there? Where they won't bother him. That's my quest.

Why rats? Why not! They're cute, smart, clean, and loveable!

Can you deny this cuteness?! Just look at him!

So cute with his red eyes!!

Om nom nom nom! And yes, I like their tails. They don't creep me out. It's part of their awesomeness!

Until I get my own rats again, I'll continue to make them. Well, I'm sure I'll still make them after I have them as well!

I love rodents! I'll scream it from the rooftops!