February 28, 2011

I Am Fine: MyComputer Is Not

Just a note to let my cyber friends know that my computer was invaded by something that has hubby pulling his hair out trying to fix it, and me scurrying off to the library for a Colorado library card and access to the Internet that is my link to life, it seems!

Whatever took over my laptop. secured by Microsoft Essentials Security by the way, won't let me get onto the Internet.

The weather is lovely here in Denver this week.  60 degrees and sunny, is nice winter weather. We are going to get out and about for some more geocaching and new photos to post on the geocaching blog (click HERE ).

My weekend at work was unusual...I had a rooster in my pocket that attracted some attention - and kept me on time with IV's and scheduled meds. I'll post more when I have unlimited time. I'm using the last few minutes of someone else's card here at the library.  I have to figure out how to use my brand new card on the computer.

Hope your day is going good and you're feeling well. Several of my family and friends are sick.  So sorry. Get well soon.  :)))

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

February 23, 2011

Reminder to Visit My Geocache Blog

I've been posting more geocaching photos on my other blog. Click HERE to see them, or go to http://www.geocachingindenver.blogspot.com/


 Called, "Mondo's 'Ol Tree", there's a Geocache in here somewhere.
It took a few minutes for the GPS to catch up, but can you see it (at the foot of the tree)?  Click photo for a close-up view. We would have been in chiggers and stickers if this had been summer.

See more at http://www.geocachingindenver.blogspot.com/

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda


Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

February 21, 2011

My Busy Guardian Angels This Weekend

My Dusty Angels were busy Saturday night...

I witnessed a horrific car accident on the way home from work Saturday night, and the beauty of my life-long, busy, guardian angels. The car came within a hairs-breath of smashing in to ME.

On the freeway, the car next to me suddenly swerved out of control, slid around backwards and hit the cement median, flipped on its side and was headed straight towards me sparks flying like a glowing monster. One moment I'm calculating my speed and what my options are, while wishing I had time to say goodbye. The next moment, the car flipped back onto its wheels, careened off the road and slammed into a bunch of trees.

Yes, I was the first to stop to help although in shock myself. No one was seriously injured, although as four or five people scrambled from the smoking, crumbled, car, they were yelling and screaming at each other. The accident was caused by a couple who were fighting and she had grabbed the steering wheel.  At first I was cautious to get near the car for fear it would catch on fire, or I would be accosted by the angry victims.  I waited while another Good Samaritan ran up to offer help and told him they were alive enough to be fighting mad.

I found a passenger who was standing away from the car crying and complaining that something hit her chest, so I put her in my car (still intact) until - it seemed like 100's - of medics, firemen, police, and other Good Samaritans arrived.

Due to my shock, when I got back on the road to continue home, I got off at the wrong exit and drive straight through a red light!  A good example of people in shock and not realizing it. 

Needless to say, I got little sleep before it was time to get up at 4:30 a.m. and go back to work for 16 hours.  I had to really concentrate on my work all day. My mind kept seeing this screaming fire monster headed straight toward me.

It's Monday, and I'm glad to be back as I promised in my Friday post on Facebook. 

I'm appreciating my angels a little more and very grateful for life today.

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life
~Linda
Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

February 18, 2011

Fiery Sunset - Google Geocache



The sunset is easy to find. The cache will take a bit more surveillance
Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda

February 17, 2011

Geocaching With Google

I know I have my geocaching blog HERE for these things, but I had a bit of fun with Google today, I thought I'd share the photos all over.

The cache was listed at http://www.geocaching.com/ as "Just Google It" with the GPS coordinates only a few blocks from where we live, so off I went searching for the cache while hubby stayed home warming his toes by the fireplace.

"I didn't even know we lived near a Google business," commented my toasty-warm hubby as I dashed out into a strong, north, wind that cut to the skin.


Yep, there it was!  I drove around it three times trying to pinpoint the hiding cache.  I finally had to park and get out of the car and stand next to this sign in order to get the coordinates to line up. Someplace on this sign is a hidden geocache...


I have seen better sunsets, but this wasn't too bad for such a dreary, cold, day.


In case you were looking...It's under the edge on the top left-hand corner...

Oh, here's a non geo-related photo...

Another Happy Valentine's Day greeeting...from Little Toes and Ceasar
Not such a great picture light-wise, but the cats insisted I posted this for you.

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

February 14, 2011

Many Versions of Valentines' Day

My Valentines gifts to you enclosed here. I am aware that a special day like today can be the most painful for some. This little angel is for you.

  Angel hugs to all who pass this way.

 Pass it on to someone you love - every day.


May your life be filled with
beautiful roses and open hearts...

This hug is for my friend, Ginger, who loves bears and hugs!




To my friend, Juanita, who has a laugh that will bring a smile anywhere, and who often leaves me a nice comment here on the blog.

 This rose is for my sister, Sandy, who loves cats and roses (and ME).

 To all my Dusty Angels' family and friends... Don't forget to...


To Denise who loves our son. We love you too.


 Guess who this is for?


To the strongest woman I know. She gets the most birthday wishes on Facebook! Enjoy the day, and have two diet cokes on me!

Glitter Graphics
To all the grandchildren in my life. Including Zach, Victoria, Kammi, Collin, Kylie, Tony, and Brayden.  Grandma Linda loves you very much!

Glitter Graphics To Colleen...who brings sunshine and love.

glitter graphics

I tried to find "I love my boys", but they know how much I love them, and love to make them happy...Billy, Philip, and John.  Happy Valentines Day today and every day.

Valentines To Shelley. You have brought all things beautiful to my son.  Thank-you

Valentines 
And to my hubby to loves me above all things.. 
I love you always, ~Your Angelwings

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

February 9, 2011

Dinner in Denver

This is so cute. If the pictures don't load, I hope you'll go to the website. HERE

Those golden fall leaves still cling to the porch under the patio chair. Today, they look like someone sprayed Dream Whip all over them.  Oh wait, that's snow!

Notice the tiny little paw tracks? That was a red squirrel looking for food.

You'd never guess what he's looking at through the window...
(Apologies for the trash bags. That's where it goes in -20 degree weather!)
"Come'ere you little rat!"

Never mind the cat, I found some cache!

Anybody know how to get out there?

If I can't see you, maybe you'll go away...

Come back another day
Take Care on the Journey,
~Linda


Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

February 8, 2011

In Case of Emergency Call This Number

This is a message for my children, but also important information for everyone.

I'm asking each of my children to please put a little card near their Drivers License ID that says, "In Case of Emergency, call my mom, Linda Meikle, at 614 329-7513."

Even though we currently live in Colorado, I still get breaking news from former hometowns of Berrien Springs, MI and Columbus, OH. The reason why I do that might take a room full of physiologists to figure out, but I've always enjoyed being up-to-date on current events, the weather, and changing events of people and places I know.

Today, the breaking news in Columbus was a truck that went into the Olentangy River at I-270 and S.R. 315. This is the exact route I took on my way to work at The Ohio State Medical Center when we lived there.

Reading that article took me to the comments about the story posted by readers. I was shocked at how brutal people can be to each other on this public forum, but at the very end I noticed a link at the end of a comment. I clicked on that link.

Interestingly, I noticed from the news photos that it was a white Cadi just like ours that was involved in the accident (but not in the river). The truck was hauling mattresses, of all things. Two men were rescued, but no life-threatening injuries after that 20-foot drop from the ramp into the icy river.

The LINK from a comment is what piqued my interest. http://www.money-burge.com/  is a mother's website that was created after her son was killed in a car accident, and the manner in which she was notified.

Not that I ever expect to get any bad news of my sons, but I want to know immediately and without any hindrances if there's ever a problem I should know about. I think I'll even put the numbers of my boys with my drivers license too!

The two men who were pulled from the river may even be on national news tonight, but I hope their closest relatives find out sooner.

Maybe this will help someone else.

Take Care on the Journey,
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

February 4, 2011

A Little Geocaching After Supper

I've been looking for this one at the wrong spot.
Tonight, hubby and I walked almost straight up to it on a little after supper walk.
  Nice little cache right near our home.

 Maybe you don't see it yet? 
NOT part of the fence.  lol
A tiny magnet holds it to the fence.
It took tweezers to get the little log out of the container, so we could sign it and put it back. 

Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com

February 3, 2011

Denver Hits -17 Degrees At Our House

Just for the record, it got all the way down to a bitterly cold -17 degrees. According to the local news, this was one degree shy of the record set back in 1997 of -18. As most of you know, anything below about 10 degrees all feels the same unless the wind is blowing.  We stayed inside and kept warm. Thankful that neither of us had to get out in the frigid weather for work.

We felt very sorry for the homeless and any furry critters out in the unbearable temperatures. Denver opened extra shelters, and the Red Cross helped those stuck at the bus station.

They say that Denver usually gets only one real cold spell during the winter, so if we've already been through that, maybe it's all uphill from here. :))

Unfortunately for us, something in the back of the washing machine froze up, and last night when I put a load of clothes in the washer, it all backwashed right back !!! A tub full of wash water flowing under all the surrounding walls of a two-bedroom apartment can cause a lot of damage and frustration.

Thankfully, our apartment maintenance acted very quickly, so we already have new carpet in place and a big (giant), noisy fan drying out the rest.  I just spent $20 and half the day at the laundromat washing all the towels and sheets we grabbed to initially soak up the soapy water. Whew!

It's snowing lightly outside right now, but that's suppose to stop tonight. Then warmer tomorrow. (Friday).

I'll download photos from the mountain snow and our latest geocaching soon.

Stay tuned...

Take Care on the Journey,
Your Friend in Life
~Linda

February 1, 2011

Denver -7.3 degrees

Yep, it's THAT cold here in Denver!

The good news is that the sun is shining brightly outside as my feet shiver under the desk and my fingers are cold to the touch. Through the window, I see tiny ice crystals swirling and glittering through the frigid air.

Schools are closed from here to the east coast!  (Sorry Buffy! And on your birthday too!!!!) All the kids are home and bored to the bone. This massive winter storm covers 2, 200 miles across the United States. Even President Obama had to cancel a trip because of the weather.

If all the kids across the USA are bored, I'm REALLY bored, and I'm the mother!

I might auto start the car and take my coupon book to the grocery store. Kroger AKA King Sooper has some great 10/$10 deals this week. (Buy 10 participating products and get $5 off at checkout.) I'd like to get tomatoes, cream cheese, Del Monte vegetables, All laundry detergent, Uncle Ben's Rice, and more.

Geocaching is cancelled today due to the weather. Or is it? If I check the geocaching website, and know exactly where to look. Maybe I could do some "cache and dash' locations. (Except they're never 'cache and dash' for me!)

A drive to the mountains is not safe according to the mountain traffic cams I have saved to favorites on my computer. I can check road conditions up there with a click on my desktop. Oh yeah, everything is all white and snow-covered on US HIghway 119!

Hubby is snuggled under the electric blanket. Smart man. I would have stayed there, but my back hurt too badly for me to lay there awake with a head full of thoughts and ideas. (Yep, it is so nice not to have little ones running around getting into things and forcing a parent or two out of bed before you're ready!)  The playful cats are bad enough! Little Boots jumps up on the bed with his bottle cap in his mouth hinting that he wants someone to play with.

Work this weekend was interesting, so that helped the time go by quickly. I had several admissions and time to make the charts 'shine'. The Unit Manager left me a note saying what I great job I have done with admission paperwork. (There are about 50 kinds of paperwork to fill out, these days, for each admission. Regulations require massive amounts of paperwork!)

For some reason, the aides couldn't get along. I felt like Solomon as I tried to calm the bickering and separate them.

Well, I'm not great in wisdom, wealth and power like Solomon was, but there's the story of when two women came to him both claiming to be the mother. He ordered the baby cut in half, knowing that the real mother wouldn't allow it.

When an aide wouldn't clean up a BM mess on the floor this weekend, claiming that it was housekeeping's job, and housekeeping argued that it was her job to 'sanitaze' the floor AFTER the aide cleaned up it, they both came to me asking me to make the decision.

Thankfully, I didn't have to go there because it was ALREADY CLEANED UP (by the housekeeper who then had to change out all her water and discard the mop). I told them to drop it and NOT SPEAK TO EACH OTHER for the rest of the shift because I didn't want patients to hear them bickering.

I'm still trying to come up with a good solution to that one.  It was a very big (stinky) mess, and I don't think I was expected to do it. I don't think it was the housekeepers job because she was going from room to room moping all the floors with nice, fresh, sanitizing water. (As she said.)

But, we were short one aide and this one was very busy and way behind in her work. I don't think there's a policy written for that. Guess I could have 'helped' the aide by providing supplies and making her feel like she wasn't alone, because I do believe it's her job to get the floor ready for the housekeeping 'sanitizing' mop when there's a mess on the floor. (This doesn't happen very often. A new patient had been given THREE laxatives before he left the hospital.)

The 34-hour weekend (with only 2 or 3 hours of sleep) really does wear me out, and I'm no good for anything on Monday. I love my job. Hubby is happy that we can be together during the week. I'm thankful for the Baylor shift. I wouldn't want it any other way! But, it sure does hang me out to dry for a day or two afterwards. Hubby always greets me at midnight with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a big thank-you for going to work. He spends the weekend cleaning, doing laundry, and catching up on his 'honey-do' list.

Well, since I can't catch a plane to Tampa where it's 76 degrees today, I'll nudge up the thermostat and find something useful and fun to do. Little Boots has brought me his most favorite bottle cap to chase.  ha ha  NOT!

Take Care on the Journey
Your friend in life,
~Linda

Linda's E-mail: bestnurse@usa.com