Sunday, February 22, 2015

Fringed Hours - Not With Mother Nature

This has been a odd week - no work on Monday or Tuesday the clinic was closed because of ice and snow. I did get to work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday I had a plan to work on some fun things (trying to incorporate Jessica Turner's Fringed Hours in my life)...mother nature changed those plans.
I was woken up by the Big Man telling me to get up - the garage was flooded. Our personal kennels (home for 11 of our four-legged rescue babies) was flooding. We managed to keep the water out of their room - but we were not successful in keeping the water out of the house.  I spent from 6 AM to after 3 helping the Big Man, dig ditches, remove snow, and move pumps around in the yard.  It was absolutely miserable. 
Mother Nature 1 - Ashs' 0.
Till next Winter - we now have a plan to update the drainage in our yard.
As for the rest of the weekend - I have ordered a new book
I am always looking for way to maximize my time - hoping Jessica Turner can help me kinder to myself and find a few hours to do things that mean the most to me.
Stay tuned this week - I will be sharing some scrapbook layouts with you and more about
Fringe Hours
~ Connie ~
 
 

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

So, What to do?

Once again it has been a week since I last updated the world on my life.  Determination has always been a strong point for me.... I quit high school (long story) but have gone on to earn an associates degree, a bachelors degree, a master's degree, a post master's certificate, open a free health clinic, open my own family practice, a boarding kennel...raise 5 children and kiss a few frogs to find the love of my life....so why can't I find time to do what is important to me????   What to do?

What is important to me???
1. Being a good person.
2. Living healthy
3. Learning to live with less stress
 
Take a look at my book collection. Study Bible, Yoga, Running, Organization, Blogging, Herbal Cures, Gardening, Quilting... all the things I am interested in... so why are my days not filled with things I am interested in...fun things...things that will make me a better person???
 
I guess to answer the question I have to figure out where I spend my day.
Today - I rolled out of bed at 6:30. 
1.  Fourteen four-legged babies up and out to potty.  It take a hour and half (some do not play well with others).
2.Then over to the boarding kennels, today we had 5 boards so another 30 minutes to clean kennels and take them for a short walk.
3. Back to the house -  pickup a cup of coffee, shower, and dress for work (another hour) .
4. Work - walked in at 9 AM - saw patients till noon - lunch at my desk (goofed off, talking with my nurse) - patients again 1:30 t0 4PM. . While at work - rescheduled free clinic due to the weather.
5. Home by 6 (stopped at a new store opening). I did work on the Big Man's concealed handgun schedule on the way home... scheduled 2 classes (thank goodness for hands-free calling).
6. Immediately turned on the laptop and pulled up my classroom. Yes, I am teaching 2 classes (physical assessment and community health).  Time to grade final project papers.
Left to do to night...grade 30 papers, dictate 40 charts...walk dogs, clean the kennels, feed the chicks...thank God, the Big Man is cooking dinner. 
7.  Plan - be in bed by 11 PM so I can do this all over again tomorrow...
 
 
 
So, what to do - hire a personal assistant??? Give up something??? (giving up the four-legged babies are not an option). Move to the full electronic health record so I don't have to dictate?? Quit teaching??  Get up earlier???  So many options......and not enough time to pick one or two.

How do you find time for the things you love?
Connie  


Monday, February 09, 2015

How We Celebrate Birthdays In The South

Today is my father's 87th. birthday.  The celebration started yesterday with a family dinner (minus a few members that had to work).
Dinner's at my home are filled with fun, lots of noise, and food.  Jer Jer (the youngest son) grilled pork steaks and ribs.  I whipped up some stuffed tomatoes, sauteed green beans, twice-baked  cauliflower, mac-n-cheese (got to feed the little ones), baked beans, and stuffed mushrooms.  Heather (baby daughter) baked from scratch a Southern Pecan Cake.  Of course there was gallons of sweet tea and wine.

Now you have to remember we have 6 adult children and they have family - so yesterday after the twelves of us finished lunch - boredom sat in... they need something to keep them busy. So, they decided to put my chicken coop together, since Tractor Supply is getting chickens today.

Even, Baby Girl helped...of course Matt (the perfect son-in-law) was doing his best to tell her how to use a drill...(hint Matt, she took shop in high school). 
While construction of the chicken coop took place, Uncle Jer Jer kept the little ones busy with a little football in the front yard. 
Of course, if you own your own shooting range - everyone has to have a little gun time.
I got to shoot my first gun at age 5.  My Father has been a member of the NRA for more than 50 years. My children and my grandchildren each learned to handle a weapon at the age of 5.
Off to the our range we went. Dad right in the middle of the pack.
After all the fun on the shooting range - every one returned to the house - where we had awesome peach cobbler (thanks to Gary and Suzie Brooks who baked specially for Dad's Birthday). Peach cobbler calls for more Sweet Tea, Coffee or Wine. 
Poor Dad - he was ready for bed by 8 PM, but, he went to be with a smile on his face.
I am always amazed at the things my family can find to occupy their time when they get together - I guess our southern lifestyle isn't so bad - God, County and Family, that is what we are about, Thank you Dad for giving me strong roots and firm beliefs.
Happy Birthday
~ Connie ~