The weather is spring-like in Denver, so hubby and I took time for so Geocaching today. But, in respect of those who don't like to have clues, I've created a new blog to post photos and stories of our geocaching adventures.
Please click HERE to see our Geocaching site UNLESS you are a Denver geocacher and don't want to see all the hints, clues, and photos of the local caches.
It's called http://geocachingindenver.blogspot.com/ for those who might want to save it to your favorites.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
January 27, 2011
January 25, 2011
More Geocaching Near Denver, Colorado!
Oh, I've got the bug now - and it's not the one that keeps me sick in bed! I'm getting exercise, enjoying mutual activity with hubby, and sharing my fun with YOU! (Thanks oldest son, Billy, for the GPS Geocaching Christmas gift.)
For the first time in my entire 60+ years of life, I'm not bound to a Monday-Monday work schedule, and I can enjoy all the hobbies my heart desires. I don't have a (ex) hubby who is always worried about money and suggesting that I pick up extra shifts at work, and I don't have my precious little boys needing mommy at home.
It took almost a lifetime of working so hard as a LPN to make ends meet, ignoring my own needs and fun times. Now, that I'm a Registered Nurse, the pay is what I deserve, and the RN Baylor shift assures full time pay without working during the week at all.
And please believe me when I say what a blessing it is to have hubby Jim at my side cheering me one to do what makes me (us) happy, and walking beside me at every turn.
So with that all said, here are some photos of last night's jaunt geocaching. (Also posted on Facebook for those friends there.)
Imagine getting Jim outside at night in 15 degree snowy weather GEOCACHING with me. I found the cache, and he's putting it back where we found it after we signed the log. Starcatcher55 (me) and CatsEye55 (Jim)
This little geocache (closer to home) "Duckie" took us a week to find.
Who knew the cover of the light post would lift up?
Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life
~Linda
January 19, 2011
She Didn't Know My Name...
Before I get to the, 'She didn't know my name' part, I want to let you know that I've discovered a fascinating geocaching blog. She (Erika Jean) left a comment on this blog the other day, and I've been enjoying reading about all her geocaching experiences. It's at http://www.erikajean.com/search/label/geocaching
Today I mentioned that I was looking for a new person to cut my hair. The lady who has been doing it for almost six months now STILL asks me what my name is. I mean she isn't even apologetic about it.
I'll also have a link to her blog on the left hand side of this page (on my blog) so you can continue appreciate the great geocaching stories and pictures that are posted there.
Did I tell you guys that I've started going to a Saloon - No, I think it's spelled Salon. No? Well, that's the place here in Denver where I get my nails "done". One or two of you might remember the days when my nails were always chewed to the quick and usually fixed up with a band aid or two. Now, I can't 'bite' the acrylic, and my nails look pristine all the time. It's something that's important to me, so I afford that even when I can't afford to pay the electric bill. (Just kidding.)
My nail salon is called Rock Star Nails. Actually, the owner, Darnyl, has several girls, and they have lots of teenage friends that go there. One of the most talented nail techs is Darnel's daughter, Taylor.
I've gotten to know all the Rock Star "family'. Today Mark (a fairly new tech at Rock Star Nails) did my nails a real pretty light pink. Mark is funny, laid back, and knows everything about everything. He knows the words to every song that comes over the radio, and he SINGS along with each one. Can you imagine an hour of being serenaded by your nail tech?
Today I mentioned that I was looking for a new person to cut my hair. The lady who has been doing it for almost six months now STILL asks me what my name is. I mean she isn't even apologetic about it."What's your name?" she asks as she waits to look up my hair color in her little book. It just irked me the wrong way last week. After all, she expects all the juicy gossip about every little thing in my life AND HER'S while I sit in her chair, and she doesn't even know my name! So, I didn't make a return appointment as I left.
Bless his heart. Mark not only told me the name of a stylist next to the nail salon, but he took me over there and introduced me to "Cindy". All I ask is that she remembers my name - or at least writes it in her book so she can find it and make me believe I'm important enough for her to have remembered my name.
The funny part is that when I first started going to Rock Star Nails, I forgot Mark's name and called him something else. Today he stopped singing for a moment, looked up from working on my nails, and said, "My name is Mark. What's your name, Linda?"
Who doesn't appreciate being remembered? Maybe that's why some of us are so drawn to geocaching, writing, painting, photography, and hobbies where we can leave something of ourselves for others to remember us with. Just a thought...What do you think?
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life
~Linda
January 17, 2011
Geocaching - Exercise and Fun
A beautiful walk in the park on a pretty winter day in Denver.
We were following the GPS coordinates on my iPhone for this cache.
...And look what we found inside the tree!
Geocaching containers come in every shape and size. Many are film canisters like this one..
"Think INSIDE the box"
Most containers have a some type of log where you sign your name and date
Take Care on the Journey,
"Think INSIDE the box"
Most containers have a some type of log where you sign your name and dateMy Geocaching name is Starcatcher55 at http://www.geocaching.com
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life
~Linda
Dusty Angels and Old Diaries
My Memoir Dusty Angels and Old Diaries by Linda Meikle
~ A book for women who want to be strong ~
Available through major bookstores and at amazon.com
A great gift idea and something nice for yourself!
A great gift idea and something nice for yourself!
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda
January 7, 2011
Denver Geocaching. Our First Find!
I've been talking about geocaching for awhile now! It's a world-wide treasure hunting hobby using a GPS to find little containers hidden (but not buried) all over the world. Today, hubby and I found out FIRST without the use of our new GPS, but going by directions and hints posted on the Internet.
There are several sites where you can look for information on geocaching, but the one I'm a member of and use for obtaining information on hidden geocaches is geocaching.com
You can also get free memberships at garmin.com and others you can google.
Here are the photo memories of our first "find" we did together today. Soon, hubby and I plan to "hide" our own geocaches. Later, my sister and I will hide some in Florida and Colorado.
Hubby opens the small container...
Hubby left one of his cat-eyes marbles in the container.
We weren't sure this was the tree, but it was the closest to the grain depot we were suppose to start from.
The signature log we signed.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
Linda
Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com
There are several sites where you can look for information on geocaching, but the one I'm a member of and use for obtaining information on hidden geocaches is geocaching.com
You can also get free memberships at garmin.com and others you can google.
Here are the photo memories of our first "find" we did together today. Soon, hubby and I plan to "hide" our own geocaches. Later, my sister and I will hide some in Florida and Colorado.
Harder to find than it looks!
Hubby opens the small container...
Hubby left one of his cat-eyes marbles in the container.
We weren't sure this was the tree, but it was the closest to the grain depot we were suppose to start from.
The signature log we signed.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
Linda
Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com
January 6, 2011
My Sister Just Found Her First Geocache!
Writer's Block is how I feel today. It's like being hungry for something and not knowing what it is! I got up early to "write', but can't get the words to start!
However, there are some ideas waiting to push through, and a couple "shout-outs' to post... I haven't figured out a title yet, so you'll have to glance up and see the final decision.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite twins, Kylie and Tony! They turn six-years-old today and they live in Columbus, Ohio! Hey guys, I played that multi-million jackpot last Tuesday night and had all these plans to share it with the people I love the most - you included - but they gave it to those people in Washington and Idaho. Now who in Idaho needs $175 million dollars? Well, we can share the love because I do love you guys so much. >)
Another HAPPY BIRTHDAY to oldest son who turns old enough to know better but young enough to have time to enjoy it anyway! His birthday is tomorrow (Friday). He and Colleen are planning a unique birthday celebration to include Billy's paintings at what I call an 'open-house'. You know I WISH I could be there. Next year we will be better prepared to celebrate more things together! If anyone reading his lives in the Portland area, you are invited. See Billy's FB (if you are a friend) for more details.
THANK-YOU to Bonnie for checking my blog almost every day even though we may never see each other again. I don't have your phone number or address there in a little town near Columbus, Ohio, but my blog site meter records the 'server' of each person who logs in, and I know who you are. There is also a faithful reader in California who checks in most every day. It's for all of you who look for new news on my blog (or posting by email) that keeps me posting at least once a week.
While Bonnie checks in for new postings, I check to see if Bonnie has checked in!!! It makes me feel so lucky to know I have this silent friend who checks my website so often.
For those who got our Christmas letter, I said I wouldn't be working extra shifts, but yesterday I pulled my first middle-of-the-week 3-11 extra shift. It's a long story, but had more to do with letting work know that I enjoy my job enough to come in when they are in a pinch. (Another nurse called off.) I'm posting for all the world to see that I might not be so quick to say yes next time.
On my 32-hour weekend shift, I'm the RN Charge Nurse and respected for that position. And, the weekend supervisor is sooooo kind and professional to work with. My usual weekend 'team' enjoys the camaraderie of being considered the "Peanut Butter and Jelly Team" where we 'need to stick together' and where 'it's sweet to be there'. (I made that up.)
As a fill-in, I was an official nobody but a "med cart nurse".
Yesterday, I realized that because I'm there on the weekends for two shift starting at 6:30 a.m., I have some control of how the day goes. Yesterday, I came in to a lot of unfinished business to catch up on, and never didn't get up to speed with my patients or shift duties! Also, because I was a "call-in" on the floor that I usually work, the staff still came to me with problems like they do when I'm charge nurse even though I had MORE patients (14) than any other nurse because someone making the assignment didn't know how to count.
(I've done a lot of deleting here to keep from getting into any trouble should people from work read this - which I doubt, but anyway.)
I'm just saying, yesterday was a shift from hell that I do not want to repeat. I didn't get home until after 1 a.m. and had not a minute's break for 10 hours! After I got home and was lying in bed recounting my shift in minute detail to Jim (who still can't sleep and isn't feeling up to par yet), I realized that I did a lot of good things with my patients in spite of feeling that it was so frustrating that I had to keep telling myself I wasn't going to cry!
It wasn't one person's fault, but it started with a call-off (never good in nursing), my report starting 45-minutes late, my CNA getting violently sick (he threw up in the middle of the hall), a fall that happened before I got there, but somehow I was responsible for the phone calls and paperwork???, a supervisor who didn't have keys to the laundry room (and didn't seem to care), a new patient who was on her call light at least every five minutes, an extremely high blood sugar, a backlog of pain pill requests, and no treatments done on the day shift. There's much more, but I already vented to hubby, and I should let it all go now. lol
(Except that I just got a call from work asking why I didn't fill out the paperwork and make the calls for the "fall".)
Two thoughts kept me going last night: As oldest son knows because I was talking to him on the phone as it happened, I was offered the coveted parking spot by two employees at work yesterday.
I had forgotten that the afternoon shift always has a challenge to find a parking spot close to the nursing home. When I pulled in, there was one spot left and THREE cars vieing (sp) for it. Being the polite person that I am (sometimes that's not so good), I motioned for the other two staff people to take the parking spot, but both people indicated that I should pull in !!! They waved as they pulled back out onto the roadway to find a parking place a couple blocks away!
More than getting the good parking place, I realized that there is some kind regard for me as a person. That act of kindness (from two of my co-workers) counts for so much!
The other thought that kept me going was the fact that hubby promised to go with me to the mountain today. (I hope he feels like it when he wakes up!)
I'm off to finish laundry and vacuum. Maybe the noise will wake him and the cats, so we can start our day.
BREAKING NEWS: As I was finishing this, I got a text and photo from my sister, Sandy, in Tampa. She just found her first geocache!!!! (On the Gandy bridge, I think. (Later: No, this one was near Sams Club in Tampa.) She has posted photos on her Facebook.
All I can say is that I got her started - but big congrats to her!
Interested in Geocaching? Go to geocaching.com
She and I both got a GPS from Santa, and she got hers up and going. Mine still needs its batteries! We are both geocaching members. I look forward to getting my first find here in Colorado, but I gotta get those batteries in and get started. Congrats Sandy! I'm so proud for you.
Remember, I'm thinking of each of my family and friends. Each time I post here on my blot, I imagine you close beside me as we "chat' here in the Internet of space and time.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life always,
~Linda
However, there are some ideas waiting to push through, and a couple "shout-outs' to post... I haven't figured out a title yet, so you'll have to glance up and see the final decision.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite twins, Kylie and Tony! They turn six-years-old today and they live in Columbus, Ohio! Hey guys, I played that multi-million jackpot last Tuesday night and had all these plans to share it with the people I love the most - you included - but they gave it to those people in Washington and Idaho. Now who in Idaho needs $175 million dollars? Well, we can share the love because I do love you guys so much. >)
Another HAPPY BIRTHDAY to oldest son who turns old enough to know better but young enough to have time to enjoy it anyway! His birthday is tomorrow (Friday). He and Colleen are planning a unique birthday celebration to include Billy's paintings at what I call an 'open-house'. You know I WISH I could be there. Next year we will be better prepared to celebrate more things together! If anyone reading his lives in the Portland area, you are invited. See Billy's FB (if you are a friend) for more details.
THANK-YOU to Bonnie for checking my blog almost every day even though we may never see each other again. I don't have your phone number or address there in a little town near Columbus, Ohio, but my blog site meter records the 'server' of each person who logs in, and I know who you are. There is also a faithful reader in California who checks in most every day. It's for all of you who look for new news on my blog (or posting by email) that keeps me posting at least once a week.
While Bonnie checks in for new postings, I check to see if Bonnie has checked in!!! It makes me feel so lucky to know I have this silent friend who checks my website so often.
For those who got our Christmas letter, I said I wouldn't be working extra shifts, but yesterday I pulled my first middle-of-the-week 3-11 extra shift. It's a long story, but had more to do with letting work know that I enjoy my job enough to come in when they are in a pinch. (Another nurse called off.) I'm posting for all the world to see that I might not be so quick to say yes next time.
On my 32-hour weekend shift, I'm the RN Charge Nurse and respected for that position. And, the weekend supervisor is sooooo kind and professional to work with. My usual weekend 'team' enjoys the camaraderie of being considered the "Peanut Butter and Jelly Team" where we 'need to stick together' and where 'it's sweet to be there'. (I made that up.)
As a fill-in, I was an official nobody but a "med cart nurse".
Yesterday, I realized that because I'm there on the weekends for two shift starting at 6:30 a.m., I have some control of how the day goes. Yesterday, I came in to a lot of unfinished business to catch up on, and never didn't get up to speed with my patients or shift duties! Also, because I was a "call-in" on the floor that I usually work, the staff still came to me with problems like they do when I'm charge nurse even though I had MORE patients (14) than any other nurse because someone making the assignment didn't know how to count.
(I've done a lot of deleting here to keep from getting into any trouble should people from work read this - which I doubt, but anyway.)
I'm just saying, yesterday was a shift from hell that I do not want to repeat. I didn't get home until after 1 a.m. and had not a minute's break for 10 hours! After I got home and was lying in bed recounting my shift in minute detail to Jim (who still can't sleep and isn't feeling up to par yet), I realized that I did a lot of good things with my patients in spite of feeling that it was so frustrating that I had to keep telling myself I wasn't going to cry!
It wasn't one person's fault, but it started with a call-off (never good in nursing), my report starting 45-minutes late, my CNA getting violently sick (he threw up in the middle of the hall), a fall that happened before I got there, but somehow I was responsible for the phone calls and paperwork???, a supervisor who didn't have keys to the laundry room (and didn't seem to care), a new patient who was on her call light at least every five minutes, an extremely high blood sugar, a backlog of pain pill requests, and no treatments done on the day shift. There's much more, but I already vented to hubby, and I should let it all go now. lol
(Except that I just got a call from work asking why I didn't fill out the paperwork and make the calls for the "fall".)
Two thoughts kept me going last night: As oldest son knows because I was talking to him on the phone as it happened, I was offered the coveted parking spot by two employees at work yesterday.
I had forgotten that the afternoon shift always has a challenge to find a parking spot close to the nursing home. When I pulled in, there was one spot left and THREE cars vieing (sp) for it. Being the polite person that I am (sometimes that's not so good), I motioned for the other two staff people to take the parking spot, but both people indicated that I should pull in !!! They waved as they pulled back out onto the roadway to find a parking place a couple blocks away!
More than getting the good parking place, I realized that there is some kind regard for me as a person. That act of kindness (from two of my co-workers) counts for so much!
The other thought that kept me going was the fact that hubby promised to go with me to the mountain today. (I hope he feels like it when he wakes up!)
I'm off to finish laundry and vacuum. Maybe the noise will wake him and the cats, so we can start our day.
BREAKING NEWS: As I was finishing this, I got a text and photo from my sister, Sandy, in Tampa. She just found her first geocache!!!! (On the Gandy bridge, I think. (Later: No, this one was near Sams Club in Tampa.) She has posted photos on her Facebook.
All I can say is that I got her started - but big congrats to her!
Interested in Geocaching? Go to geocaching.com
She and I both got a GPS from Santa, and she got hers up and going. Mine still needs its batteries! We are both geocaching members. I look forward to getting my first find here in Colorado, but I gotta get those batteries in and get started. Congrats Sandy! I'm so proud for you.
Remember, I'm thinking of each of my family and friends. Each time I post here on my blot, I imagine you close beside me as we "chat' here in the Internet of space and time.
Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life always,
~Linda
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