Monday, July 14, 2014







Jennifer’s Enchiladas

2 cans Wolf Brand Chili no beans
2 cans medium red enchilada sauce
Tortillas
Sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
Pepper Jack cheese, grated
Heat tortillas in package 20-30 seconds, turn and another 20-30 seconds (microwave).

Assemble enchiladas, top with cheese, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Career change fears, unfounded

worked at XXXXX so long that I did not think I could be a "real" nurse anymore. But, I was wrong, and I now have great self confidence in myself as a nurse. I thank Debbie and my husband and family for supporting me and giving me the confidence to broaden my horizons. Initially I was lucky enough to find a part time job at a nursing home in Boerne. The DON was so kind to me, and told me, "you CAN do this!" She is former Navy, and basically gave another Veteran a chance, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

So, my first day I was terrified! Of what? The new insulin delivery systems! As far as I can tell, nothing else has changed. My preceptor, a young nurse in her 20's, was just the ticket to build my confidence. I can now manage the various insulin delivery systems, and treatments for 20 patients, MD orders, etc. I have also managed 2 emergencies. I serve as a resource person to 2 LVN's and a medication nurse as well as 2 CNA's, and my confidence has returned. You know why? The human body has not changed. Not much else has changed either. We CAN do this! We did not lose our minds sitting behind a computer. If anything, we have a broader base of knowledge than when we started at XXXX.

I have just started in a full time hospice RN Case Manager job , and it's going well, and I am making more than I made at XXXX, and in 90 days I get a raise. I was given a bag of all the necessary nursing tools, including a pulse oximeter, cell phone and a laptop. I am ready to go, working in central SATX. Our newest territory is the Boerne area, and  I will move from SATX to Boerne, as their case load grows. I did not give up my part time job, because I love it, and will work there per Diem. I just can't let those residents go, as they have wormed into a place in my heart.

What makes my day now are hugs from my elder patients, an "I love you" from some of them, and hearing stories from one woman who is 100 years old, which are extremely interesting. I would not trade these moments for anything in the world. I have been given the opportunity to remember, why I became a nurse in the first place, and it feels good.

Pat, I know you and I were not the best of friends, but I just wanted to let you know, there is life outside of BRC, should you decide to go that route. 

I am thankful to my wide circle of friends, who took me in their arms,  loved me, and helped me find my way when I was so upset that I did not know where to turn.

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Partially employed for 6 weeks. I did find a weekend job, thankfully, and soon after I lost my job. I don't know why nobody looks at my resume, but the comments I have received were that I did not have enough "current" nursing experience. I am now working in a long term care facility, where I have fallen in love with my elderly patients, and think I am a good nurse, who cares for them and looks out for their welfare.

My project this week is to find a place to volunteer, so it does not look like I am staying home not looking for jobs and watching TV. I have spent 8 hrs a day looking for work for the past 5-6 weeks, so I have not been sitting on my laurels. A report on NPR suggested doing volunteer work to show that you are still a hard worker, etc. to prospective employers and it seems like a great idea. In fact, I had that idea on week 2 of unemployment, but then I go to busy applying for jobs online to do anything else. So...now I am going to takea breather and try to get some volunteer work.

To all my fellow underemployed people...let's keep on trying!!!!

Sunday, January 02, 2011

New journey - weight loss and physical fitness


Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter


With the help of my new app, my fitness pal, and my new droid phone....can I do it?

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Arizona's AB1070, a slippery slope

Pictures from the May Day rally against Arizona bill 1070, a racist bill. We drove down to San Antonio to participate in this rally because we feel very strongly about this bill. It's ridiculous to hear grown white men talk about recognizing "illegals" by their shoes, the color of their skin, and their clothes....and that's the criteria to get pulled over and asked for your papers? Wow. And English teachers can't teach if they have an accent? What kind of accent are we talking about here? I can't understand somebody from Georgia (sorry Kathy, but you do talk funny), and people from Massachusetts can't say their "R's" correctly, and the accent from Wisconsin always makes me laugh out loud. So...which accent are we talking about here? Well, it's pretty subjective, if you ask me.  




Saturday, February 20, 2010

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Turkey day, what's cooking?

Health care, .... not so much. More troops in Afghanistan....likely. Turkey for Thanksgiving....very likely. One question before I start cooking....why are we in Afghanistan and for what purpose and what is the end game?

If we can't answer those questions, it's time to come home. And why aren't the troops back from Iraq yet? Oh, wait, I have neighbors who are working for military contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they are making shitloads of money to send their kids to college, I guess. So, it's better to pay civilian contractors (the greedy SOB's who steal my tax dollars) to make money in US war zones....again, for what ultimate purpose? Greed? Power? Sigh. President Eisenhower was right.

Will they brine the turkeys they serve our troops? Will they be served with love or with greed? I vote greed.

Bring our sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, fathers, mothers, etc.home NOW.

I hope our military service members have a lovely Thanksgiving day and I hope to be able to give thanks again, when they are home.

My nephew will be there soon enough, and selfishly we pray for his safety.