Blogging about the things that I love to do including learning and implementing homesteading, sustainability and permaculture practices into my daily life. I also use this blog as an online journal writing about the day in and day out happenings in my life which include balancing family, work and the needs of the homestead, all while keeping in mind that you have to stop and smell the roses and count your blessings along the way.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The first week in ICU
Spending a lazy morning sleeping in and reflecting on the whirlwind that has been this week.
I am pleasantly satisfied with all of the new experiences that came my way at work this past week. I transduced an arterial line, pulled a sheath, learned about Central Venous Pressure, what do do with some really lethal but lifesaving medications, and probably a hundred other things I did not know before. It's not rocket science, but it is definitely more technically challenging stuff then I had previously been exposed to. I watched a family greive the loss of a beloved mother with grace and dignity and I prayed that I would have such a family by my side when my time comes. I am reminded that life is a precious gift not to be wasted.
Coming home nightly to my little chunk of land I feel the need to simplify even further, shed the unnecessary clutter in my life and get even more back to basics. I read a blog somewhere out there describing the simple satisfaction of grinding your own coffee beans and percolating them on top of the stove in a simple old fashioned coffee pot, somehow that appeals to me a great deal. The problem I see with trying to simplify is dependency on the consumer machine.
Even if I decide to get back to basics and grind my own beans and even go so far as to brew them over a campfire or a wood burning stove, I have to get those beans from somewhere right? The challenge is to find local sources for such items. I think that might be harder to do then I can even imagine.
I am pleasantly satisfied with all of the new experiences that came my way at work this past week. I transduced an arterial line, pulled a sheath, learned about Central Venous Pressure, what do do with some really lethal but lifesaving medications, and probably a hundred other things I did not know before. It's not rocket science, but it is definitely more technically challenging stuff then I had previously been exposed to. I watched a family greive the loss of a beloved mother with grace and dignity and I prayed that I would have such a family by my side when my time comes. I am reminded that life is a precious gift not to be wasted.
Coming home nightly to my little chunk of land I feel the need to simplify even further, shed the unnecessary clutter in my life and get even more back to basics. I read a blog somewhere out there describing the simple satisfaction of grinding your own coffee beans and percolating them on top of the stove in a simple old fashioned coffee pot, somehow that appeals to me a great deal. The problem I see with trying to simplify is dependency on the consumer machine.
Even if I decide to get back to basics and grind my own beans and even go so far as to brew them over a campfire or a wood burning stove, I have to get those beans from somewhere right? The challenge is to find local sources for such items. I think that might be harder to do then I can even imagine.
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Hi Laura, just wanted to thank you for following "Happy Days". I read your profile and wanted to tell you that I was a nurse in ICU for about 5 years. I loved it. Before that I was in Neuro-Surg. But that was a long time ago...now I'm a Granny and have 2 wonderful grandgirls which you probably know. Thanks again for following...debbie
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! Welcome to the blog party. I, too, work full time in a hospital- as an Occupational Therapist. My children are still fairly young and we're all on the same adventure with you. Trying to find a balance between our old habits of consumerism and self sufficiency. I don't think we'll ever get it completely right- but it's fun trying! I wish you luck.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Hello Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping into our homestead blog,"The Never Done Farm".
I'm blessed in the fact that I don't have to work outside our homestead, my Dh makes enough, living frugally, for me to stay at home. My MIL is an ICU RN in a rural hospital in ND, she enjoys the pace, before ICU she worked in a nursing home facility, but it got to depressing for her.
If you have any questions, about anything, other than goats or sheep*wink*, which I no zip about, please feel free to contact me.
I remember what it was like starting out with little to no experience in many of the homemaking/ homesteading skills.My Mom was NOT domestic in any form, so I spend years reading and asking questions.
We too only have our youngest home, she's 18 yrs old and looking to spread her wings and fly, but selfishly I want to keep her here. I've already experienced what it is like without her for extended periods of time, let me tell you that I ran my backside off trying to get everything done, as one person, verses two. Whew and I thought I would get a breather when she was gone, wrong!
Blessings and productivity for your weekend.
Kelle