Remind Me to Keep My Big Mouth Shut

I've been doing patient transfers for the last couple of days. That means I escort a patient from one hospital to another for tests, Dr. appointments, etc. Stable patients are transferred by Medivan and unstable patients by ambulance. I usually opt for the stable patients.

Yesterday afternoon I got called in for an escort. My patient needed to go to Health Sciences Centre for an MRI. Everything went fine until the end. Right when he was ready to go, I called the Medivan for a pickup. No problem. But a few minutes after that, the Doctor called saying to stay there until he could come down and take a look at the films. So I cancelled the pickup.

I was sitting with my patient when I heard the phone ring. The MRI girl sounded frazzled and called me to the phone. The dispatcher was incredibly displeased that I had called "before my patient was ready". Now he had sent out a vehicle and he couldn't get ahold of them, which meant they were probably in my building. I tried to explain that it was most unusual that a Doc look at the films immediately (my patient has significant status and I believe got some special treatment here). That the plan had been to do the test and take him right back. There was no reasoning with the dispatcher. He stopped short of calling me names and questioning my competence, but not by much. I was just about in tears and the MRI girl and I agreed that he must be a terrible human being.

This morning I did another trip. One of the guys with the Medivan was someone I'd done transfers with numerous times. He sat with us in the back and the other guy drove. We started chit-chatting and I said "I got an earful from a NASTY dispatcher yesterday."

Lo and behold, a familiar voice piped up from the driver's seat "Are you Val?" I said that I was and he informed me it was him, and that he'd had good reason to be nasty. And we relived our argument, just a little politer for the patient's sake. But I stood my ground on the action I had taken. He had been ready. Plans changed at the last minute. "No, obviously he wasn't ready." Ya da ya da.

What are the chances?

Next time, please remind me to keep my big mouth shut.

Ethnic Night

One of the most wonderful things about cross-cultural marriages is the food! I am Mennonite. The Husband's family hails from Guyana, South America. His ancestors come from India. Family gatherings on his side always promise a variety of foods from various ethnic roots. My mother-in-law knows how to whip up extraordinary dishes. Always without a recipe.

When we first got married, I promised the Husband that I would learn how to make his favorite kind of roti. Roti is a kind of flat bread and there are many different varieties. I asked his mom for roti making lessons. She happily agreed. I watched as she measured everything by hand. Then she would pour it into a spoon or cup or whatever so I could write a recipe down. She taught me how to tuck and roll the dough, and how to make sure the texture was "just right". After cooking it on the stove she gave it a few seconds to cool before throwing it in the air and clapping it to make that flaky texture. Very tricky!

Tonight I shall make roti. I have done this once on my own before and I have been searching for company to give me the excuse to give it another go. The Sm'allards will dine with us tonight. The Husband swears it's a close second to his Mom's. The Husband, of course, is in charge of the other ethnic dishes. Tonight's menu includes chicken curry and baji - a spinach dish.

YUM!

Can't Help But Wonder...

There is a little bar close to my house. They have a little sign near the highway that has specials on it or whatever. Most recently while driving past I noticed that they were advertising "Erotic Bingo" on Thursday nights.

Don't try to tell me your mind doesn't wander imagining what that might consist of.....

Anger

For most of my life, I've thought of anger as a negative. Hatred as a "sin". Anger and hate are feelings I shy away from. They scare me.

With the recent turn of events around here, I'm understanding anger in a different way. Anger can be self righteous. Hatred can be neccessary. Anger and hatred together can be fuel for positive changes. The passion of these feelings can be the driving force to do what needs to be done. It demands self respect and in turn increases self esteem.

Anger and hatred are required right now. But not forever. Eventually those feelings turn caustic and eat you up. But for now, go with the passion and energy it's providing to set boundaries and change life for the better.

And that, is a new perspective for me.

Illiterate Auntie

Make that Abigail Elise Salome Funk. I got 2 out of 4 of the names spelled wrong in the earlier post. Whoopsie.

And isn't this the most beautiful picture of Daddy and Daughter? The rose is from Grandma Funk, who insists that every baby girl needs one perfect rose.

Welcome Additions

Abigail Elyse Shalome Funk.
6lb 11oz August 16/07

Born to my brother David and his lovely wife Kendra. Little sister for Ethan! I'm so excited for another wee one added to the family. Too bad Calgary is so far away... we'll visit in a month or so.

Also, wecome to Kedusha! Increasing our human household population to 3. So glad you're here. We hope you find yourself comfortable and at home here very shortly! Bentley is thrilled for another walking buddy.

Growing Things

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin... Matthew 6:28

Who Put the "FUN" in Funeral anyway?

Over the last week or so, I've been searching for places and things give me solace. My soul feels a bit ragged around the edges and my person doesn't feel like myself. Here are a few that I've found:

- The Farm
- The Husband's arms
- Bentley's watchful gaze and head in my lap
- Work. People are a wonderful distraction.
- Long walks
- Strong cups of coffee
- Loving Parents and Grandparents
- My Aunt spending an evening with me
- My Bed
- The musical stylings of Blue Rodeo
- Hot Baths
- Siblings and friends calling, emailing, text messaging

I'm really blessed. It's just that I don't always feel like counting my blessings. Hopefully I'm back to blogging more faithfully soon...

Snapshot of Death

It always surprises me

That when things or people die

That life around them

Just

Keeps

Going

When all I want to do

is

Stop

For a little while