Another December 25th has come and gone again.

Christmas is what we make it. It’s not always about being with family and friends- although that is preferred by most. Sometimes it’s about personal sacrifice and giving to others what they cannot give to themselves. For those of us who work on this holiday- we don’t complain or get negative. We keep our spirits up and remember: It’s not about us.

There’s nothing like working the holidays. In my line of work someone (more like someONES) has to be working 24/7/365…and this will be my 12th year that I’ve spent my Christmas day- a double (16 hour) shift- choosing to care for those less fortunate than the rest of us. It’s a sacrifice- to me, my family and friends. But it’s always worth it.

We get paid triple time today. Not too bad- it’s like working 6 shifts instead of two. We have the same numbers of staff working- the ratio doesn’t change just because it’s a holiday. The doctors are here; the nurses, aides, housekeepers, maintenance guys. In most healthcare facilities doctors and bosses get this day off and take on the coveted “On Call” status. Not where I work. Management laid out a policy years ago: If it’s your scheduled day to work, you need to be there. Secretaries and similar support role staff get the day off but no one else. The VIPS of my facility were at their desks today.

Our patients have the same needs and requirements today- it doesn’t change just because it’s a holiday. Nursing care doesn’t stop or become less important just because it’s a holiday. Meds and treatments still must be given; baths and showers and ROM must still be done; trach cannulas need care and tube feedings must be given and central line flushes are still necessary- these medical needs don’t stop just because it’s a holiday. Vital signs and arterial blood gas levels must be monitored, and ventilator rates have to be adjusted. IV’s still run on holidays too.

What does change, because it’s Christmas, is the attitude of those of us who are here. We’re more festive. We come to work decked out in holiday print scrubs and we bring in gifts for co-workers; each of us agrees to cook a part of a meal we’ll all enjoy.

The doctors always bring in GOOD coffee - the crap they provide up here SUCKS - and this year we got the really good stuff from our MD’s. Our patient’s families tend to be around a lot on Christmas- and they bring in trays of shrimp, boxes of donuts and platters of cheese and crackers. Some bring gifts for their favorite nurses and aides. The unit is decorated but only to a certain point: Most of our patients have seizure disorders and little things like Christmas lights often trigger epileptic episodes which quickly become life threatening for them. So we don’t have lights. We also have to keep in check the very real possibility of items being medically dirty- infection control rules over most everything else. Little Santas and Elves and garlands and the like are not to be seen on these units- they collect dust and germs which are not at all good for the population who resides here. It’s cheerful but not overly done.

We make the best of it on Christmas. This afternoon, we broke up into two groups. Each group sat down in a private conference room and ate a dinner that was really good: Work provided prime rib and each of us brought in various crock pots and pans full of potatoes, gravies, stews, veggies, casseroles, sandwiches, rolls, pies, cakes, cookies and drinks (non alcoholic of course). We had desserts- so many it was hard to pick one to devour. A couple hours after we all ate, we broke up into the groups again. Outside we went to the field in front of our building…to play a game of rough and tough touch football. That’s a tradition here. We strip out of the work gear, don play clothes and go get dirty and have some fun while we’re at it.

That’s how I’ve spent my day today. It’s almost time to go home. My kids spent their day with their Dad and his family…and tomorrow morning they’re joining me and we’re heading to Maine to the beaches and then to Bar Harbor (yes, in December!!). My kids and I will be spending several days together without anyone else… I’ll be back in the area Thursday to prepare for our BIG ASS New Years Party- at the lodge. We have no idea how many people will show up…it will be well over 200 though. I’m working next weekend- and after my shift ends Sunday evening (New Year’s eve)- it’s MY turn to party.

Heather and Kim will be posting here starting tomorrow…be good to them or I’ll kick your asses.

SniperOne got tagged with the Christmas Meme…heh..I haven’t done one of these in a LONG time…the idea is to answer 6 simple questions and TAG 5 others in the comments of their blog. So here we go:

Things I would like for Christmas
1) A couple cases of Blueberry Ale from this place

2) One of these.

3) To spend a couple weeks here, surrounded by my favorite people in the world.

Things I don’t want for Christmas:
1) Money

2) Clothes

3) ANOTHER COOKBOOK!!

TAG!
Michael
Ogre
Kat
Always On Watch
GM

If you’re thinking about getting married, the NYT has an article of questions you should ask before considering…

Relationship experts report that too many couples fail to ask each other critical questions before marrying. Here are a few key ones that couples should consider asking:

1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?

2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?

3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?

4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?

5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?

6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?

7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?

Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?

9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?

10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?

11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?

12) What does my family do that annoys you?

13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?

14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?

15) Do each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?

…my thought is that a couple should KNOW these things, through being together long enough- and not through some stupid Q & A session. Just another LIST of expectations that often put a damper on things. What might be true now could be false later on.
People change. Being in a relationship changes everything as well. And marriage certainly changes just about everything. It’s all bullshit.

I love the rain.

Ever since I was a little kid, I go outside when it’s raining. The heavier, the better. I can still smell the rain too- from those days when I was little and would play for hours at a time…either in the mud pit or out in the woods. The forest- during a rain storm smells different. Mossy. Grassy. Woodsy. Something like it. The fun things to do in the woods included peeling the moss off of rocks and boulders (and putting the green stuff into my pockets to bring home to Mom…); picking up old leaves to see what kinds of bugs lived under them (and putting those into my pockets too, for Mom…) taking the bark off of trees was a lot easier too when they were wet. I remember the birch trees- white peeling sheets that rolled off with ease and little effort. Making forest “stew” out of chunks of wet wood and funky rocks- mixing them with dirt and mud and leaves and twigs. Yummy. If I had a bowl or other container I would make a batch up and attempt to bring it home.

Down the road from the house was a big field with lots of tall dirt pits- that turned into mudslides every time it rained. My favorite place to play during these times. My parents forbade me from doing that- going up those mound of mud- because I might fall into them and be lost forever (so they told me…) but I always snuck up anyway. And I never got smooshed down into the mud either. But I did get dirty as heck- I would slide down the sides of that thing over and over again. It was cold and slimy and wet and I had a great time. All sorts of little creatures lived there too- frogs and toads and water bugs and other insects. They were my friends when no one else was allowed to come out and play. I was a tomboy and then some…getting dirty didn’t bother me in the least. My sneakers and clothes literally turned black everytime it rained.

It was always great fun to walk the trail around the pond too when it was raining. Big maple and oak trees were along the shore of the pond, with huge trunks that hung out over the water. Being wet made for a more fun time swinging on them and jumping into the water…always a dangerous thing for me cause I didn’t know how to swim yet. I did that in an effort to clean up a little before going home for lunch.

My poor mother. No wonder she always had five pairs of sneakers for me and many sets of clothes. No matter how filthy I was, she always welcomed me back home. But I did have to strip down to nakedness and she did spray me off with the yard hose first…she would clean out my fingernails, then she’d wrap me up in a towel and dry me off, bring me in for soup and a sandwich and milk. She would re-braid my hair as I ate and go on and on about what a messy girl I was…then I would get dressed again and run outside to do it all over again. Everytime it rained. Thunder never stopped me. Lightening never stopped me.

At night the lightening used to scare me though. It would wake me up and I would go to my parents bed and snuggle up with them- my Dad always woke up and told me not to worry. It’s weird how it looks so different during the day- lightening- then night.

The ocean is another place I love to be when it rains and storms. The waves are full of anger and strength; the greenish-blue water foams and froths and stirs with incredible force. Crashing, thunderous noises arise with every lightening bolt; it will blind you if you watch it. The lightening seems to come down from the sky and seers the water- which lights up like a million candles.
Huge piles of seaweed make their way to shores, eventually to stuck in some place where there’s not enough water to maintain their life. They dance and whither and move about in strange ways.

It’s much louder at the beach too- these storms. I suppose that’s because there is nothing to buffer the sounds of a violent ocean. The sea gulls don’t seem to fear these storms either as you can always watch them- they dive down into the water looking for and finding fish…and they fly to the beaches and devour their catch. They sing strange songs too during a storm- and one can always hear them over the thunder.

The scent of the ocean is stronger during the rain as well. The salty air can be felt, almost touched. The odor lasts for hours after the rains end.

Rain.
It’s relaxing and calming. It’s been raining most the week up here…and a little while ago it thundered and I just had to go out to play again. I got down into the mud and looked for frogs and toads and bugs and all that- my dog looked with me. I got all dirty and had to shower off when I came in…I hope I never lose my love for the rain.