Happy Leap Day!

Congratulations to my friends Rachel and Rhiannon who each gave birth to little girls this month!
Sydney Ann Schepp was born February 13th. She was 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 inches long.
Mallory Grace Blawat was born on February 25th. She was 7lbs 3oz and 18 3/4 in long.

I went to the Running Room yesterday and found that I'm an over-pronator. Who knew? I ended up buying a new pair of running shoes. They are Asics - same brand as my previous marathon shoes, but these have more arch support. And they're very pretty.

I'm off to work now. I hope it's a quiet weekend!

I Burnt My Beans!

The only doctor I've been sleeping with lately is Dr. Beans, my microwaveable bean-filled heat pack. He's been warming up my toes on these chilly nights. Last night, however, I nuked him a bit too long, and I was smelling burnt beans all night. Whoops!
I rented Across the Universe the other night and have had the songs running through my head, CD player, and iPod since. The director describes it as "an original movie musical using the Beatles' songs as its score and inspiration for the story." The arrangements and performances were amazing, and it reminded me of Moulin Rouge!, Forrest Gump, and The Princess Bride all bottled together. So rent it!
I enjoy Mrs. Grass chicken noodle soup. It comes in a little box and is my favorite non-homemade soup. I almost always buy the original flavor, but last time I was shopping they were sold out. I saw there was a Mrs. Grass "extra noodle" box, so I thought I'd give it a try. The box looked identical to the original, with the exception of a big red "40% MORE NOODLES" on it. As I was making it tonight, I noticed that the instructions called for 3 cups of water whereas the original calls for 4 cups. I ended up using 4 cups of water, and it seemed to make the same amount and taste the same. Did Mrs. Grass think I wouldn't notice that? I don't think the price was much different, so what gives?

To shave-a da face!

Saturday evening I played a couple of softball games in the Metrodome! The coed team I play with over the summer got together along with a few extras thanks to Aaron Briner and his crazy connections. We played 2 full games right on the stinkin' field, sat in the dugouts, stood in the on-deck circle, it was great. Here are a few pictures...

And then earlier this afternoon I drove back into Minneapolis to see Sweeney Todd at the State Theatre. It was a phenomenal production. This tale of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street is set in an insane asylum. There are just 10 performers, none of whom leave the stage. But here's the kicker - they also form the orchestra! The level of talent was so amazing.

I can't believe my weekend is almost over. Why so fast? And why so cold? I think the high for today was -5°. Sounds like it's time for some hot chocolate!

And no, I didn't kill anybody!

I had my first 2 shifts all on my own in the ER yesterday and today. Yesterday was a controlled busy; today was verging on out of control. We had a couple of intubations, a cardioversion, and an acute MI among the bunch. I had lots of help, though, and when I punched out at the end of the day everyone was still alive. Huzzah!
But now I am completely exhausted. I am really looking forward to my weekend off, even though temperatures are supposed to plummet. I'm getting pretty darn sick of this cold weather, I tell you what.
On a good note, my sinus infection has just about completely cleared. And just in time, too - I ran out of kleenexes this morning!
That's all for now - I can't think anymore today.

I got a FEVER!

The last couple of weeks I've had a headache, congestion, and a runny nose, all on my right side. Now, I'm not normally one to complain and I have a pretty high pain tolerance. But last night I couldn't take it anymore. I could feel my heart pounding in my forehead, and I did not feel good. So instead of waiting in Urgent Care all day today, one of the lovely Nurse Practitioners I work with diagnosed me with a sinus infection (my first one!) and prescribed me some antibiotics. I filled the prescription at the pharmacy in my hospital, gobbled them up and immediately began to feel better not even 2 hours later. I was able to finish my shift almost pain free! Finally a perk to being an ER nurse!