... are what I am now working on. I've decided that making a resolution at the beginning of the year is more committment than I am able to, well,.. commit to. I am a list person- when I clean house, the first thing I do is make a list. I love the feeling of accomplishment when I can mark something off my list and know that it is completely done. Therefore, I am combining my list-a-bility and my desire for a new resolution, and doing a Monthly Resolution. Hopefully, four weeks of working on a new resolution will start a new, good habit for me and it will become a lifetime resolution instead of just a monthly thing. I'm picking two small, easy to do goals for this month, since this month is halfway over already.
#1. Drink more water. I never drink enough water. I don't really like it. I'd so much rather have a tall glass of semi-sweet tea. Granted, my sweet tea is nothing like everyone else's. I put about 1/3 of the sugar most people do, and I buy decaf tea, so it's not the caffeine that I'm addicted to. It's the tea taste- the way it tastes like summertime, the way the condensation forms on the outside of the tall glass and drips down it's sides in slow motion like drops of summer rain tracing the outside of my bedroom window panes. Water is so much less romantic than a tall glass of tea, but right now, there's not much in this world that is more unromantic than my hips, so I'm choosing to drink the H2O and end my affair with my tea. My measurable goal is 6 full glasses of water a day. Baby steps, people! Baby steps! I may increase from there, but 6 is the minimum.
#2. Be early for everything. I have the curse of the Holders, and I'm late for everything. I will be late for my own funeral! I've been doing alot better about it lately, but I would like to make this an official goal to not be late for anything at all (as it is within my power of course) for the rest of the month. Whether it is work, church, bible study, meeting friends or whatever, I am going to be more than on time,.. I'll be early! I've been driving to work about 20 minutes early for a few weeks, and I sit in my car and just chill out before going in to the rat race, and I'm noticing that I'm less stressed, and in a much better mood throughout my shift. I don't have to worry about speeding to get there, or hunting a parking spot, and I can do little things that I normally have no time for (today, I trimmed my fingernails and organized my purse). I am hoping to keep this up and apply it to everything else I do.
I hope you are all having a great April and stay tuned for my May Resolutions!! What is the one thing you would work on for a solid month in hopes it becomes a daily habit?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Spring Fever!
There are few people in this world that are as excited that it is April as I am! One of the things I love most about living in SC is our seasons. We have 4 very distinct seasons, and for someone who gets bored easily, that's a blessing. When asked what my favorite season is, I always say "whichever one is coming up next" because I anticipate it so much- the foods, the festivals and activities, the holidays, the weather, the clothes- and then about halfway through it, I'm done. I'm ready to move on and get to the next set of foods, festivals, holidays, etc. haha. By late August, I'm craving pumpkin pie and Halloween parties. By early November, I want Santa- Now! When January hits, I start looking at fabrics of daisy print and shamrocks. Now that it's officially April, and the dogwoods are blooming up and down my street, I am tickled pink!
When I have time, I like to organize my grocery list in two parts- things that I must get at Ingles, and things I can get at the Dollar G. Paper products, shampoo, cards, canned goods- usually come from Dollar G. Meat, produce, etc- from Ingles. I'm not sure if it saves me all that much money, but I feel like I'm being smart, so I do it. On occasion, I walk through the book section to see if there are any cute coloring books I can spoil my neice with. Yesterday, I found myself in the garden section. I was amazed at how much stuff they carry! Ever since we got married, I've wanted my own little garden. I tried growing tomatoes in a planter on the porch of our first apartment, but they didn't do so well. I tried growing peppers in a planter on our back porch last summer,.. again,.. it was a flop. I'm thinking I should move onto something else,... like flowers. I love flowers! All kinds, all colors, all shapes,.. I love love love them. I also love the cheesey tacky garden ornaments. Not so much the ceramic gnomes, but I did see some wire flowers that you stick in the ground and they were really tall. I thought that was cute. And chimes,.. there was an awesome chime I saw yesterday there too. They even had potting soil! I started on my garden at the end of last summer, but didn't finish it. It's small, in front of our house, and needs alot of work. I think it'll be a great summer hobby for me. I can't wait to finish what I've started! Pictures will definitely be coming soon!!
Also, this weekend, we (myself and Dan, Lavinia, Natalie, a friend, and my parents) are all going to Lake Jocassee. We're taking a boat with us, so we can travel around the perimeter of the lake and see some waterfalls. I can't wait,.. I love waterfalls as much if not more than flowers. Flowers along side a waterfall? Wow. I may not be able to contain myself! haha. Spring time,.. I love you!
Come back soon for some pictures of me and my spring time bliss!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hatorade
It isn't often at work that I get to press the panic button. The panic button is located just under my desk, where I bang my knee on it every time I cross my legs. It seems like every hour at work, I'm thinking "Ouch! Stupid panic button!" as I rub my hurt knee, but Monday, I was so glad it was there. Panic Button, I will never call you stupid again!
It was about 4:00 pm on Monday, which is also the time that all of my help leaves to go home and I am all alone, when a young woman came up to my desk to ask about her father's surgery. I explain that it wasn't time yet for me to call for an update, but I could call in 40 minutes and I would if they don't call first. She seemed appeased. She sat back down with her family. Maybe 10 minutes later, she returned, with another family member, and asked me again. This is not unusual. I find myself repeating things to the same people dozens of times a night. So I didn't think anything of repeating to her that at 4:40 I could call and check on him, but not before. We certainly would not want to take the surgeon's attention away from the patient anymore than was absolutely necessary, and I would be so happy to call at 4:40 if they hadn't called me first. She didn't say anything, but sat back down. Not 5 minutes later, she returned, nostrils flaring, hands on hips and in her best Bon Qui Qui ebonics, said "I wanna speak to your manager!".
My manager is Judi and is a sweet, mild tempered lady. I call Judi, and tell her to explain to this woman that I can't call back until 4:40, I think she'll understand. Boy, was I wrong! I said "Ma'am,.. this is my manager, Judi, on the phone..." and handed her the reciever. Please imagine this going on in a quiet surgical waiting room, and in the most ghetto dialect you can muster...
"Yes, Miss Judi? Um, yeah, I would like you to know that this thang you got up here is rude and dont need to be working here. Yes, this,.. what yo name? Trody. Trody, she don't be helping no body and I dont like her. Mmm hmm. I'm gonna say it, she racist. She dont be helping the black people. She racist."
At this point, I am totally in shock. A RACIST?! What?!! I tried very hard not to react to her statement, because I know that's what she wanted- she wanted me to react so she would have something to say. I just sat at my desk and stared at my ink pen in disbelief. Meanwhile, a sweet white woman (about my mother's age) had heard the whole thing. She decided to chime in.
"Oh please! That is uncalled for! She was not racist with you! She's doing her job. Leave her alone!"
To which Bon Qui Qui replied "I am not talking to you, Woman! You just hesh! I was talking here to dis Miss Judi!"
The conversation is getting more and more heated by the second and Bon Qui Qui's nostrils are flaring in rage. Necks are rolling, gums are smacking, fingers are pointing. Time for Panic Button. My shaking fingers are searching blindly under the desk for that little white button of hope. Where is that button! I bang my knees on you all night long and now you want to hide from me when I need you! Where oh were is.. ahh!! There you are! I press it several times in a row.
Within seconds, I get a call from security guard, Anthony, who confirms that I need some help right away and sends me three officers while we are on the phone.
By now, Bon Qui Qui has slammed the phone and gone back to her seat, out of sight from my desk. Simultaneously, my boss shows up from her office and sits with me for a minute to get an idea of what in the world is going on. I show her my documentation of where they've been updated more frequently than any other patient we'd had that day, and how it simply wasn't time for another update yet. She tells me to stay in my seat and she'd go talk to her.
Minutes pass by,.. and it feels like an eternity before Judi reappears at my desk. Guys, this is the best part of the story...
"Well, I talked to her and she's calm now. She's still pretty upset with you, and I want you to know you handled this well and did nothing wrong, so don't worry about that."
I breathe a sigh of releif that she is on my side.
"Well, I just wish I understood where she got that I was being racist. I mean, that's a horrible accusation to say about someone. I haven't been anything but polite to her."
Judi shakes her head and says, "Don't even think about it. She's crazy. (which Judi NEVER calls people crazy) She also said you tried to jump her and fight her, and had the white people in the waiting room helping you."
WHAT?! Jump her?! Fight her?! What?
Now, today is Friday. Her father is still in the hospital. Every night this week, they have walked by my windows in the waiting room, staring me down. I go to the cafe, and they are there, staring me down, pointing at me, talking about me. I sit in the main lobby to catch a 5 minute break, and they stop and stare at me. Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture? I can't wait for this man to be discharged so I can work in PEACE!!! Will this work week ever end?
It was about 4:00 pm on Monday, which is also the time that all of my help leaves to go home and I am all alone, when a young woman came up to my desk to ask about her father's surgery. I explain that it wasn't time yet for me to call for an update, but I could call in 40 minutes and I would if they don't call first. She seemed appeased. She sat back down with her family. Maybe 10 minutes later, she returned, with another family member, and asked me again. This is not unusual. I find myself repeating things to the same people dozens of times a night. So I didn't think anything of repeating to her that at 4:40 I could call and check on him, but not before. We certainly would not want to take the surgeon's attention away from the patient anymore than was absolutely necessary, and I would be so happy to call at 4:40 if they hadn't called me first. She didn't say anything, but sat back down. Not 5 minutes later, she returned, nostrils flaring, hands on hips and in her best Bon Qui Qui ebonics, said "I wanna speak to your manager!".
My manager is Judi and is a sweet, mild tempered lady. I call Judi, and tell her to explain to this woman that I can't call back until 4:40, I think she'll understand. Boy, was I wrong! I said "Ma'am,.. this is my manager, Judi, on the phone..." and handed her the reciever. Please imagine this going on in a quiet surgical waiting room, and in the most ghetto dialect you can muster...
"Yes, Miss Judi? Um, yeah, I would like you to know that this thang you got up here is rude and dont need to be working here. Yes, this,.. what yo name? Trody. Trody, she don't be helping no body and I dont like her. Mmm hmm. I'm gonna say it, she racist. She dont be helping the black people. She racist."
At this point, I am totally in shock. A RACIST?! What?!! I tried very hard not to react to her statement, because I know that's what she wanted- she wanted me to react so she would have something to say. I just sat at my desk and stared at my ink pen in disbelief. Meanwhile, a sweet white woman (about my mother's age) had heard the whole thing. She decided to chime in.
"Oh please! That is uncalled for! She was not racist with you! She's doing her job. Leave her alone!"
To which Bon Qui Qui replied "I am not talking to you, Woman! You just hesh! I was talking here to dis Miss Judi!"
The conversation is getting more and more heated by the second and Bon Qui Qui's nostrils are flaring in rage. Necks are rolling, gums are smacking, fingers are pointing. Time for Panic Button. My shaking fingers are searching blindly under the desk for that little white button of hope. Where is that button! I bang my knees on you all night long and now you want to hide from me when I need you! Where oh were is.. ahh!! There you are! I press it several times in a row.
Within seconds, I get a call from security guard, Anthony, who confirms that I need some help right away and sends me three officers while we are on the phone.
By now, Bon Qui Qui has slammed the phone and gone back to her seat, out of sight from my desk. Simultaneously, my boss shows up from her office and sits with me for a minute to get an idea of what in the world is going on. I show her my documentation of where they've been updated more frequently than any other patient we'd had that day, and how it simply wasn't time for another update yet. She tells me to stay in my seat and she'd go talk to her.
Minutes pass by,.. and it feels like an eternity before Judi reappears at my desk. Guys, this is the best part of the story...
"Well, I talked to her and she's calm now. She's still pretty upset with you, and I want you to know you handled this well and did nothing wrong, so don't worry about that."
I breathe a sigh of releif that she is on my side.
"Well, I just wish I understood where she got that I was being racist. I mean, that's a horrible accusation to say about someone. I haven't been anything but polite to her."
Judi shakes her head and says, "Don't even think about it. She's crazy. (which Judi NEVER calls people crazy) She also said you tried to jump her and fight her, and had the white people in the waiting room helping you."
WHAT?! Jump her?! Fight her?! What?
Now, today is Friday. Her father is still in the hospital. Every night this week, they have walked by my windows in the waiting room, staring me down. I go to the cafe, and they are there, staring me down, pointing at me, talking about me. I sit in the main lobby to catch a 5 minute break, and they stop and stare at me. Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture? I can't wait for this man to be discharged so I can work in PEACE!!! Will this work week ever end?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Cooties!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM
So I've had this nasty cold since Friday night. I mean nasty! I literally can't go 3 minutes without blowing my nose and coughing up a lung. Today is going to be my first day back to work since Friday night, and I am dreading it! And I wouldn't be going back today, if it weren't for my new friend Mucinex D (but of course, I had to sign my life away at the pharmacy to get it. Do I look like a meth head to you? Don't answer that. I'm sick, okay?!) So what have I done with my two days off from work (other than sneeze and hack)? I've gotten a jump start on my spring cleaning. I know, not really smart, seeings how I'm sick and should be in the bed, but it started out innocent enough. I wanted to "decontam" the house so Dan won't get sick, so I started in our kitchen, sterilizing everything I've touched since Friday. Then I moved to our bathroom, and well, I was on a roll and one thing led to another and before I knew it, I had cleaned out our closet, lots of old papers and notes that I had kept (for some unknown reason) and washed all of the laundry (including our pillows). Our bedroom hasn't been this clean since,.. well, I'm embarassed to say! But I feel so good that I have gotten that major chore accomplished and that feeling is the best medicine! If I can do that, I can certainly handle a few angry hospital guests tonight, right?
By the way, tomorrow I am turning in my application for school. I am nervous that I will forget or something, or that I have the dates wrong and it's really due today and I've already missed it (I've checked the school's website twice today already) or something will happen and I won't be able to get there, like a flat tire or something. They only allow you drop off the application between 8am-12noon tomorrow. Period. I should know by mid-April if I'm in. If I'm in, Dan and I will definitely go celebrate in a big way. Not sure what that will be yet. And if I don't get in, well, let's not think that for now, okay?
I hope you are all having a great week,.. and stay away from the cooties (they're everywhere apparently).
So I've had this nasty cold since Friday night. I mean nasty! I literally can't go 3 minutes without blowing my nose and coughing up a lung. Today is going to be my first day back to work since Friday night, and I am dreading it! And I wouldn't be going back today, if it weren't for my new friend Mucinex D (but of course, I had to sign my life away at the pharmacy to get it. Do I look like a meth head to you? Don't answer that. I'm sick, okay?!) So what have I done with my two days off from work (other than sneeze and hack)? I've gotten a jump start on my spring cleaning. I know, not really smart, seeings how I'm sick and should be in the bed, but it started out innocent enough. I wanted to "decontam" the house so Dan won't get sick, so I started in our kitchen, sterilizing everything I've touched since Friday. Then I moved to our bathroom, and well, I was on a roll and one thing led to another and before I knew it, I had cleaned out our closet, lots of old papers and notes that I had kept (for some unknown reason) and washed all of the laundry (including our pillows). Our bedroom hasn't been this clean since,.. well, I'm embarassed to say! But I feel so good that I have gotten that major chore accomplished and that feeling is the best medicine! If I can do that, I can certainly handle a few angry hospital guests tonight, right?
By the way, tomorrow I am turning in my application for school. I am nervous that I will forget or something, or that I have the dates wrong and it's really due today and I've already missed it (I've checked the school's website twice today already) or something will happen and I won't be able to get there, like a flat tire or something. They only allow you drop off the application between 8am-12noon tomorrow. Period. I should know by mid-April if I'm in. If I'm in, Dan and I will definitely go celebrate in a big way. Not sure what that will be yet. And if I don't get in, well, let's not think that for now, okay?
I hope you are all having a great week,.. and stay away from the cooties (they're everywhere apparently).
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Fresh as a Daisy!
So I'm starting over on this blog bit, because something really weird happened to my old blog (www.danandtrudy.blogpsot.com), so now it's www.danandtru.blogspot.com (creative, I know). I will try to post some more great stories from work, life, and maybe even a few more chapters from my ongoing novel project. I've been writing some more lately, and now I've completed somewhere around 15 chapters so far.
Just wanted to let you know why there's a new Trudy blog and why the other one has nothing on it.
Blog on, my friends! Blog on!
Trudy
Just wanted to let you know why there's a new Trudy blog and why the other one has nothing on it.
Blog on, my friends! Blog on!
Trudy
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