Tommy and I spent this past week with our daughter Alyssa and her husband (our son in law) Sam. It was a wonderful week. A bit on the quiet side but I think that’s what we needed. We could have made it more loud and exciting but meh that just isn’t us. We stayed in a great condo that was perfect for all of us. We were expecting 2 more guests but things didn’t work out, and that’s ok. Shit happens.

We visited Ocean City Maryland. It was really nice. A great shore town. We stayed on the north end of the boardwalk where I had read was much quieter than the southern end. Im really glad I read that before booking our stay. The other end of the boardwalk was your typical loud, shore town boardwalk with games, shops, bars, etc…. And a ton of people. We walked through the south end for a bit before we decided we had enough and turned around to leave.

The beach was very clean; I love the beach. On Wednesday I think, Tommy, Sam and Alyssa went kayaking. I declined and chose to spend the day at the beach alone. It was glorious. It wasn’t too hot and there was this incredible breeze just enough to cool you off. I went in the water which was surprisingly cool. Like cooler than I expected since it is August and we were a little further south. Anyway the water was cool but great. There’s nothing like having the incoming ocean crash on you. I know how to ride waves (Tommy taught me years ago) but I didn’t want to go that far in, wimp that I am.

My husband is great. On non beach days we went for a ride to check out the local Harley dealership. It was really cool, the people were nice. No we did not buy anything. On the way back we/I stopped at Homegoods; oh and we stopped at a Tractor Supply store. They had literally everything for almost every type of farm animal and cats and dogs. I’m the middle of the store were these 3 oval aluminum tubs. Each were full of 2 types of chicks and turkey chicks, chicks and baby ducks and 2 different types of baby chicks. Omg they were so stinking cute. However those things grow up so after our visit with the baby chicks we were on our way.

Of course we visited thrift shops, consignment shops, gift shops oh and the outlets. All the usual places you would find me if one thought I were lost. Tommy was so funny; he’s also very patient when I hit a good thrift store. It’s rare that he accompanies me to the thrift but we were all going so he was a good sport

It’s back to real life and all that it entails. I’m glad we were able to get away and I’m glad we spent that time with Sam and Alyssa. This week I hit the ground running Monday morning with an appointment and it just goes on from there. Here’s to a quiet rest of the summer for all of us!

Finally. Our last day of summer session was yesterday. I can’t say the day flew by, at one point in the morning time was dragging incredibly slow but then things picked up a bit to more of a normal pace. I had an appointment this morning but still slept in to 7:30 ish. I’m good with that. Tomorrow I’ll be up early again to have routine fasting blood work done. I hate fasting. But then it will be over quickly and I can go ahead and have my coffee and breakfast and go on with the day.

Today I went to the Sal Val for some thrift therapy and then on to the mall to have my eyebrows threaded. I did not buy any shoes or bags. Not to worry I feel fine. I didn’t see anything that could compete with all the shoes and bags I already have. And God knows I have a lot of both. The other day I was changing bags, texting Lelly for advice. Getting ready for vacation and Tommy actually said, “How many bags do you have!?” I said you don’t want to know and he answered back, “You’re right I DON’T want to know…”. Its a sickness I tell you, being a bag whore. And he’s not innocent in this whole debacle

Tommy bought me my first new Louis. At around the same time (like 10/11 years ago I think) Tommy had already successfully quit smoking and was getting on my case to quit as well. Of course I hemmed and hawed, I enjoyed smoking cigarettes. Then my husband said those magic words that I’ll never forget. “If you quit smoking; I’ll buy you another Louis Vuitton!” I said you’re on! I quit cold turkey. It was horrible really. To get through the anxiety fueled energy I cleaned, I cleaned out closets, parts of the attic. The sanitation men would empty our garbage pails and I would fill them up again right away. Thomas had a ball cleaning with me. I’m glad one of us was happy. Haha.

I don’t really miss smoking and I love my bag; aptly named my “I quit smoking bag.” Tommy bought me the bag but I wouldn’t use it until I earned it. Meaning until I added up the money I would have spent on smoking until it equaled the cost of the bag. It took about 3 months. The cost of a pack a day habit for 3 months equaled the cost of a Louis Vuitton bag. True story.

To my work family I wish you an awesome, amazing rest of the summer!!! Have a great time whatever you do!

Whooohooo! I know I shouldn’t complain, like really… it’s “only” been 6 weeks but for whatever reason it’s been a long 6 weeks. It’s not the kids, it’s not my co workers; I think it’s that we didn’t have much time off between the end of the school year in June and the start of summer session. We only had like 2-3 days off or something like that. And just because it’s summer it doesn’t make the students any less medically fragile. So my job, with the exception of a few students who don’t attend summer school; really isn’t incredibly easier during summer. We still have students who require procedures, meds, more procedures, etc….

I wouldn’t change working at my school for anything. I have the best coworker nurse that I share an office with, and my school has incredibly great paraprofessionals. They do a lot of work and I really appreciate them. The teachers at my school are so dedicated and show so much care for their students; and they know their students. It’s nice to be in and out of classrooms and perform procedures in classrooms where the atmosphere is so pleasant. It’s funny even classrooms with students that aren’t medically fragile that I’m not in and out of regularly; they never treat me like I’m interrupting them, even when I am. And the students are so polite and funny everyone wants to say, “hi!”. I really love my District 75 students.

So about this summer session; we are paid more money to work the summer yes that is true and only one of my deciding factors to choose to be there. However as far as working as a nurse at my school; it’s not a place you can work without compassion, patience and a heart. In other words you can’t work there just for the money. How can you do a job well if you don’t care about what you are doing? The majority of the students I provide care for depend on other people for just about everything in their lives. And I love being a part of providing that care. I don’t think there are many nursing positions one can work at with the sole reason being “the money”.

So let’s hope and pray for a quiet next 2 days while we wrap this summer session up.