Where is our Red lady???

[monster]

Reddddd, where are uuuuuu???? I don't think she has been sleeping well at night, or maybe like me up all night and sleep half the day. Please let me know you're okay, you know I'm a worry wart kind of like someone else I know, hee hee

[red1030]

I guess I better answer this one first. I am sorry, I should have told everyone what I was doing today and then you would all know why I am not on the computer as usual. Today was a big day at our house. And the best news is, I managed it myself. I am absolutely exhausted, but it is a nice exhaustion because it has been a long time since I was able to have people in and I did it all. My house was lovely, the kitchen smelled wonderful and the only thing missing which isn't anything at all in the mix of good friends and family is my beautiful china.

My friend from DS (daily strength) another chat forum brought her family over, and my son and his daughter Sabrina and then my daughter and her family. This made about 15 people with 4 of them being 3 or under. That was fun. I made all the food, well except for the prime rib, my husband gets the credit for that accomplishment. I made home made rolls, mac and cheese for the kids, sweet potatoes, greenbeans that were simmered for more than 2 hours in bacon sauce, and then baked potatoes, and a large salad. I made a vegetable tray and fruit tray. Then we made brownies, me and the 4 three year olds and all of us ate them hot with home made ice cream and chocolate syrup. Wow...that is a lot for me. I use to love to have big parties for my staff, but I have not been able to do that since I left. I have not had the energy for to much of anything until recently. I am going to pay for this tommorrow and the next day but it was really worth it.

Then the big thing was that I set up a room for the kids. I took all 6 kids and we made a halloween canvas bag for trick or treating. Some of the kids painted pumpkins and some painted ghost or the letter BOO. I made stencils for them and had it all set up for them to just paint. Then we made fall flower pots. We painted them and I had cut up two large containers with fall silk flowers and for them to make an arrangement in. Then we made pumpkins out of clay. I made the leaves because weeding is very difficult for a child and then I use a razo to cut it with so I don't want a child to use this. Then they put the leaves on . I baked them, thank goodness I have a double oven for all of this baking I did today. The the kids painted the pumkin faces on, and I cooked them with wires so they could put them in their flower arrangements. Then last but not least, we made a wooden mask of princesses for the girls and puppies for the boys... They kids did so well, but OMG....I am exhausted. I think this is it for the year for me. lol.

So that is where I was and as I said monster worries about me just too much. She is a beautiful monster, isn't she. Can't help but love her with everything inside of you. She is a princess in heart, but on monster at the computer..lol... Thanks monster for your concern and care. I appreciate it. Love you all Red

[MJC]

Red,

I am exhausted just reading what you did today. Phewwwwwww I am tired and going to bed now. Happy to know you were alright and having a fun day. Love ya sweetlady. Nite Nite!

Cajun Hugssssssssssss,
MJC

[CRABBY]

MJC i'm with you...red I don't know how you find the energy or the time to do all that you do..it's amazing...I'm so glad you had a great day today....nice to hear....I feel like a slug listening to all that you accomplish....

[red1030]

Maybe I should have explained this better. I have been getting this all ready to do for a week now. All I did to day was put it all together... Red

[Tuffy]

Red, For me there are not enough hours in the week to do all that you do. You are like the energizer bunny, Here, there, every where and in between. You go girl. and thanks for being you.

[red1030]

Tuffy...it is so funny that you call me the engerizer bunny....because my boss always called me that on my job. He always said, you have MS and I could never keep up with you...where do you get all this energy. I don't have any energy now that is the funny thing. I have a schedule that I keep too and that includes two naps during the day except yesterday no napping for me. I always say that I am well organized and focused. That is the ticket I think.... I have always had to be. Tuffy you went to nursing school so you will appreciate what i am going to say. I worked at least a average of 60 hours a week, went to school full time through most of it, (12 years of full time college while working full time in 33 years of marriage) three children with all their activities, and many more things. I have always been very busy and now I am not. This is not busy for me, however, yesterday was. I wish I did have the energy of the energizer bunny...that would be great .... not now that is for sure. Just planned and focused...Red

[monster]

Red, sounds like a lovely party and what great things you do for others, especially the children. Sorry to worry and make you write all that. I guess I lied when I said I would try not to worry about you so much...when I didn't see you all day I was worried but should have known better. I am glad you had such a wonderful time, the food sounds delicious and your patience and creativity as well as your strength not only amazes me but humbles me as well. Please get some rest and then you can start all over, LOL

Love ya, monster

[Tuffy]

Red, I hear ya lady. I was divorced, raising 2 sons, Nursing school full time and working full time as a na on the pm shift, at the local hospital. Those are the days I would not want to do over again, But for the grace of our good lord, I made it. but retirement is good also. but I miss nursing and all the excitement of not knowing what was coming next. I did home health care assesments,for 2 different companies, worked in a nursing home and the last 22 years in a large Hospital, The first 8 years Nursing registery and floated, then in the addmissions nursing unit. Then thanks to a lower back injury I had to give it all up. Nursing was my love and all I have ever known as I started as a NA while in high school. My mother was a Labor and delivery nurse untill she retired. I have seen many changes over the years and find it hard to give up my scrubs and etc, you know what I mean............

[red1030]

Tuffy...the most difficult thing I ever did was to give up nursing. I have finnally decided not to renew my 5 licenses in 5 different states and my nursing home administrators license in Nj. i could not do it the first two years, but coming to know all of you and finding a new way to do what I love about nursing has helped me so much. I love nursing. I had not worn scrubs in abotu 10 years or more when I retired, but that never stopped me from doing what I had to do at the bedside when it had to be done. I felt that I could do a lot more for nursing from a desk per sey which in turn helped the residents. I always said to the staff, it is your job to make sure our residents have the best and it is my job to make sure that you do. I loved my staff like I loved my residents...I know exactly what you mean...love Red