Progess, Evolve...

...Develop - My word for 2010.

–verb (used with object)
1. to bring out the capabilities or possibilities of; bring to a more advanced or effective state: to develop natural resources; to develop one's musical talent.
2. to cause to grow or expand: to develop one's muscles.
3. to elaborate or expand in detail: to develop a theory.
4. to bring into being or activity; generate; evolve.
5. Drafting. to transfer the details of (a more or less two-dimensional design, pattern, or the like) from one surface, esp. one that is prismatic or cylindrical, onto another, usually planar, in such a way that the distances between points remain the same.
6. Biology.
a. to cause to go through the process of natural evolution from a previous and lower stage.
b. to cause to progress from an embryonic to an adult form.
7. Mathematics. to express in an extended form, as in a series.
8. Music. to unfold, by various technical means, the inherent possibilities of (a theme).
9. Photography.
a. to render visible (the latent image on an exposed film or the like).
b. to treat (an exposed film or the like) with chemicals so as to render the latent image visible.
10. Chess. to bring (a piece) into effective play, esp. during the initial phase of a game when pieces are moved from their original position on the board: He developed his rook by castling.
11. Mining. to prepare (a new mine) for working by digging access openings and building necessary structures.
–verb (used without object)
12. to grow into a more mature or advanced state; advance; expand.
13. to come gradually into existence or operation; be evolved.
14. to be disclosed; become evident or manifest.
15. to undergo developing, as a photographic film.
16. Biology.
a. to progress from an embryonic to an adult form.
b. to progress from earlier to later stages of ontogeny or phylogeny.
c. to reach sexual maturity.

Origin:
1585–95; < MF développer, OF desveloper, equiv. to des- DIS- 1 + voloper to wrap up; see ENVELOP

Related forms:
de⋅vel⋅op⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅vel⋅op⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

Hello 2010...

You were ushered in with blue skies and cold temperatures. In celebration of this crisp freshness, I rattled my tired, post-holiday brain and came up with the idea that this year I'm going to try: Less talking, more listening. Less stressing, more acceptance. Less them, more us. Less law, more nursing. Less than seven items on my to-do-list at any one time. More finishing of projects in progress. Less carbs, more fruit - maybe. Balancing - more or less - one moment at a time.

Doula-la...

On January 11, I'm interviewing for this:

The Doula/Labor Assistant provides continuous, uninterrupted care for the laboring woman and her partner, helping them participate fully in their birthing experience. This is done by offering physical and emotional support as well as information about the birth process, available technology and alternative comfort techniques. H. Hospital offers a discounted fee to become a certified doula and in return, the doula will provide availability for 8-16 hours per week for 1 year. After one year of volunteer service, the Doula may remain as a volunteer Doula if desired or may end their commitment. If the Doula stays on as a volunteer, then the Doula is expected to cover a minimum of 1 shift per month in addition to attending 6 out of 12 "Meet the Doula" nights. Hours are flexible but the volunteer Doula will be expected to rotate availability to all shifts and holidays. Training includes but is not limited to extensive reading (10-12 books), 3 full day workshops (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), 5 hours of general hospital orientation, attendance of a full Lamaze class series, successful completion of the written exam, written self evaluations of attended births, CPR certification and attendance at 8 out of 12 "Meet the Doula" nights.

Volunteer candidates should possess the following qualities and abilities: kind, caring, compassionate and respectful of the natural birthing process. Able to communicate effectively and professionally with patient, significant other and staff. Ability to bend, stretch or stand for long periods of time and an understanding of medical terminology preferred.

One step (maybe two) at a time.

photo (c) av2009

No Problem...

All dressed and heading into the City - nope - husband took my keys even though he got a ride in.
No problem, get the spare - nope - husband had those in his coat pocket too.
No problem, bring Duch's soccer uniform to school for pictures this afternoon and take the Buick - the morning's looking up - nope - raging headache, I mean really, really painful is this a stroke headache. Who took the two stinkin' Tylenol from my pocketbook?
No problem, survived morning without embarassing myself and outside for some fresh air and a ride - nope - brakes decide not to work on the highway.
No problem - pull into McDonald's, call spouse, eat McDonald's, say hi to spouse, give spouse $5 to get brake fluid - brake fluid topped off and we're good to go - nope - step on brake, hear squishy sound, bend over, get covered in brake fluid. BaLOWN BaRAKELINE. WTF ?
No problem, brake place is down the street - drive in and decide to wait - nope, can't look at it until tomorrow. But I've got a final tonight. Too bad - no car - no final.
No problem - call professor and make arrangements for Monday (acceptable, notwithstanding the 5% reduction) and eat dinner. Just starting to relax - NOPE - two inches of flooded toilet water in my mom's bathroom...hallway...laundry closet...clothes closet...
Will somebody puhleese tell me why I was at the airport when my freakin' ship came in ???

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY, DAD - YOU WERE THE BEST PART OF MY ENTIRE DAY AND I LOVE YOU.

There It Is...

That end-of-year burn to fix all that needs fixing come January lst. I think I'm going to take a novel approach this time. Not sure what it is yet, but it's brewing, and I'm going to marinate this feeling until it forms its own direction organically. WTF that means, I have no idea, but I'm ready for it. Pictures - daily thoughts - meeting deadlines - and maybe delivering a baby or two. I'll start my engines as soon as I find the key.

They Were Here...

and now they're gone. Left behind are empty laundry detergent jugs, cooking laughs, meal squabbles, contented cats and jack-o-lanterns. The house is quiet, and this is one of the few times I wish they were all still little. I told you that your eyes would get stuck like that Duch. xoxo

Nursing Note - Exam 2

90, bitches !!! Sooo much better than Exam 1. For the first time in a very long time nerves were getting the better of me - I actually had the shakes. Note to self - no Large Columbian Coffee with two creams and one sugar an hour before exam time. Up to this point, the information has been straightforward and not so intellectually challenging and by that snooty comment I mean not so hard to understand, but there's just so much of it, pages and pages and pages of it - what do I read, what gets prioritized, what resources are more helpful ??? During lectures and labs we are told to "Know this" - yup, this strategy's a keeper. Tonight, after four weeks in the lab, we begin our actual clinical at a state of the art nursing home facility thirty minutes from home. Not so nerve wracking since we have a good idea as to what we will be doing given the summary from the Tuesday night group. But first, five hours of my paying job. Today will be easy becaaauuuse...I'm coming home to a house full of family and all seven of us will be breathing under the same roof tonight - life is good.