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.

Some Exchanges...Part I

--- On Wed, 7/29/09, Rachel Don Valletta
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 6:43 PM

olah! from san jose de jachal...still. we´ve been in and out here for the past couple days. we stayed in this crap ass hotel last night and again tonight lol i can´t wait to tell you guys about it. a hotel is considered nice if there´s a beday...spelling? anywhoser...la plaza hotel is the tackiest thing on the planet. i´ll try to score a pic if i can.

things go well, the weather the last few nights of camping was definitely more fair and do-able. plus we got hot showers last night and again tonight which is awesome awesome...you learn to also appreciate a bed, no matter the level of dirt...ew.

but alas, i hope all goes well at the home front, only 8 days left! tomorrow is greg´s last day with us, then it´s just phoebe and i until i leave. i leave next thursday the 7th at 4.40 and i´ll be in boston about 10.45 friday morning the 8th. but we can talk details later of course.

send my love to every one and spread the word that i´m healthy...maybe getting a little fat from all the sugar and salty foods! all goes well, i´ll call later tonight if i get a chance. also...court hasn´t picked up the last few times i called her, can you shoot her a text and let me know she´s alive and perhaps to have her email me?

love love love!!!! see you guys soon!

rachel

Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:36 PM
To: Rachel Don Valletta
Saaaaaaach

When you need to sleep, you need to sleep !!!

Ummmmmm, Einstein, I've got Thursday as the 6th and Friday as the 7th. Are you not coming into Logan on SATURDAY the 8th?

This fact MUST BE confirmed or I'll be camping out at American Airlines baggage claim with camera in hand for your homecoming and security tends to get rather pissy.

Love love,
Lois

yes yes yes my apologies friday is the 7th and i should be in before 11...i can call from miami airport of course that morning (like 7 or 8ish)

but i can call when we get back to mendoza..on the 6th? and we can finalize plans as it gets closer. well every thing goes well, greg left and phoebe and i are getting along great. i think the last week is going to pass quickly bc we have really good constant convos so that´s awesome. we´ll be in and out of san juan de jachal for the next few days, we found an awesome camping spot and our work won´t be too far from that or the city so i´ll be able to email and perhaps call one more time.

send my love to the fam and i´ll call again when i can...
don´t worry i´m doing well for myself and def pulling my weight. speaking of which my appetite has grown to ENORMOUS proportions, it´s awesome. i love food :)

love you guys!
-the favorite