"Birthday Dinner Recap"

Went better than I expected. Something was going on before I got there but it was not shared with me of which I was VERY glad. I took my migraine preventative pills before I got there since one is an anxiety pill/anti-depressant, just to be safe.

I stopped at their neighbor's house first since the lady is 92, always remembers my birthday and I hadn't had a chance to return her call. I thought an in person thank you would be appreciated and it really made her night. One of my sisters hadn't arrived yet so it was perfect timing.

I could tell by the look on my 14 year old niece that something was going on when I walked in the door with how happy she was to see me. She and I get along great, it was her expression and later comments that told me my father was "being himself".
Next year I will probably just treat myself to dinner on my own or if I have someone special to share it with, still owe that to myself. I think my attempts at the "tradition" of the family dinner which my father started as his treat to his daughters and wife is, at least for my birthday, a thing of the past. I can not deal with the stupid stress, it boils my blood! The niece is right: dad is old, what do you expect? out of the mouths of babes...
All the dad's out there. Do not belittle your children or treat them like they are your employee. Encourage them to be and do their best.

Should be interesting when I let the parent's in on one of my job's going away, I'll be back to being treated like I'm five, not trying, etc. etc. When I was finally able to get more set hours dad told me he was happy my "attitude" changed... WTF? Does dad really think I have control over the economy? Over people having job openings, calling me for the interview and hiring me? If I did, I would fly directly to Washington and help Obama or whomever was in office fix it. Of the few jobs I find every so often I am one of 300+ applicants. I am usually at the top of the pile but unless you are in that top ten or so, you don't get the call for the appointment. Everyone thinks medicine (and education) are "safe" fields to be in, that is where all the jobs are but no field is safe in this economy or people would be knocking down my door with my PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Radiography (x-ray) and computer experience.

Not sure where the PET/CT job is going, all kinds of rumors flying about but I do know I can get at least 4 days out of my office job. That is only 4 extra set hours but 28 hours much better than zero and they are looking for more places to use my expertise to help expedite their processes and increase bring their business back as well.

To think I was ending my blog with a happy note with my "Perfect Song" post... Maybe I can move the order of the posts while I listen to "Letters from the Sky" again.

Thank you for all your comments on my birthday dinner post. Family is whom we are supposed to be able to count on but not for stupid stress for love and support... and for them to know when they are belittling you, treating you like dirt, and to stop it. The latter is lost by my father for sure. "I don't mean it like that". I know he loves me, but he really doesn't get it at all!

Peace, love, hugs, meryl xoxo

PS: The posts that do funky things with the fonts start in Word and don't "transport" like they should: Grrrr!

"Stupid Bizarre People: They are downgrading!

Ah yes, more stupid people!

Worked out the conflict with the RN who prompted the original definitions. My now ex-coworker did some wrong things. I think since she had to be inspected with the Geiger counter for radiation on her, which made her vent her anger towards me though I was taking care of another patient at the time…

I needed her help getting an IV started on a patient last time I was there. I told her I did not understand why my ex-coworker did not have her leave the room when he injected the radioactivity, she is not a radiology nurse, does not have the training, does not have the monitoring badges and most important, was exposed to radiation when it was not necessary. She is not required to know this HE IS! It’s common sense, but I seem to remember rules and regulations on this, but to me it’s just common sense: do not expose anyone to radiation unless it is medically necessary: case closed!

My main problem with her is she disrespected me, yelled at me in front of patients and others whom she did not know who they were. In every field but especially medicine, you don’t do that. Now granted if you see a medical professional about to inject a patient with the wrong medicine, for example, you stop it, of course, but you don’t go yelling and screaming. Not with injections, but I had similar cases when I was in school when I would see something that seemed wrong. I would quietly point it out to the technologist and mention oh, I’ve never seen it done that way, point to the screen, motion to something, etc, the error would be seen and corrected: no harm, no foul. It’s really how everyone should treat everyone in his or her jobs, and life in general. Rules, regulations, and procedures do change and can be done differently, but respect and courtesy, always! And if you chew out a colleague in front of the patient, patients may kinda freak out, not a good thing!

Today’s incident was hysterical, never thought I would keep acquiring more stupid people stories (one more stupid than the next), and why I am still talking about it. This happened at my Friday client’s office. I work on a trailer so I have to walk into and out of the building to get me patients, drop off supplies, and use the rest room, makes sense, right? The trailer is parked outside of the MRI area; it is a low people traffic area and perfect, right?

Understandably, they keep the door locked until I knock on it sometime after I arrive. My injections are delivered inside the building, I need to check in with the front desk, get my patient list and the book I need to record my QC results in so the client can keep an on-site record; the trailer is mobile after all. So I go in a few times, the MRI tech who sits right there tells me the wind keeps blowing the door open so he is going to keep it locked. I hadn’t noticed the wind, but what do I know, I am just a dumb kid, right?

Maybe 20 minutes later, I had to go back inside the building to get doses for my expected patients, the door was locked so I knocked 3 times, soft to medium, like always; it is a glass door after all. He opens the door so fast it made my head spin then starts to read me the riot act on being patient, huh? Tells me I had been banging long and hard on the door, he was trying to inject a patient. I get my what the fuck look on my face, told him I knocked 3 times only, light to medium. He tells me no, I was banging the door down, 10 minutes I think the alleged time was. I told him I don’t lie. First time I knocked when I arrived was 3-5 times (it’s not like I keep track of such mundane things) I did not bang door down then or now: I don’t lie, I knocked 3 times. During this tirade, he is almost screaming all this at the top of his lungs, telling me I’m a liar, check with the ladies up front THEY will tell me that I was the banging on the door so hard and long the building was shaking and everyone heard it. What the fuck? This is fuckin bizarre! Is he on drugs? Maybe he NEEDS drugs! He definitely needs a brain scan! Oh and human lessons!

I went to the front desk with my what the fuck look on; the whole place had to hear him ranting, raving and wondering whom he was yelling at! First I ask the ladies if I can smash his head into the wall. I was totally serious! Why not? His brain is obviously not functioning! They knew something was up! I tell them Sir MRI says I was breaking the door down. They shook their heads, went back and told him it was the radiologist that they let into the building, not me.

So Sir MRI “knew” it was me? Huh? He did not see shit, just assumed it had to be me. What a fucking dick! Now how about laying that irate tirade on the lady radiologist? SHE was the impatient one, she was breaking "his" door down.

He did apologize to me immediately. I did write an email to my superiors and his as well. They all know and respect me. I deserve to be treated with respect, the same respect I treat all others (even the undeserving like him).

I do not deserve to be treated like a little shit. I’m sure he thinks I am a young kid and that he has a right to degrade and belittle me. Anyone who knows me knows I am a patient person and give people the benefit of the doubt. There is many the time when he has locked the door, not answered with my short knocks, I cursed, then ran around to the front because I needed the bathroom bad. It was Friday, he assumed it was me and anyone who has seen that Odd Couple episode knows about the word “ass|u|me” only HE was the ass, not me.

To me the incident was so stupid I was in shock that I was hearing such stupidity, that he ranted on and on about it, and how I was lying. Stupid things like this make my blood boil!

He did eat some shoe polish but he is so arrogant and full of himself, you know except for upsetting his little world for a while it made no impact. I wish the radiologist had gone over to him and told him it was her. That might have belittled him for a moment…and been funny to watch!

Peace, love, hugs, Meryl

PS: Happy Anti Valentines Day! It was my birthday February 7, a much more important holiday being the start of the Chocolate New Year! And I am still a kid... at heart at least! :) ALWAYS!!!

"It Snows In January, Duh!"

Ha ha ha!

My co-worker... he has a Nissan Murano SUV with AWD. Our snowstorm was Wednesday into Thursday, I've been able to get to work in my FWD 9 year old Toyota and he couldn't get to our job on Friday.

Ha ha ha! His new name is wimp! Yes, I am enjoying this too much! I do have to say it was easier to work without him. One less person on the trailer and I didn't have to waste my time double-checking his work. What am I supposed to just do it all when he is there? To think he has been doing PET/CT exams years more than I. Each time we work together, I see more and more why the guy who trained me said I picked up things so fast. I am far from perfect but I pick things up fast... especially the easy stuff.

Peace, love, hugs and more big weekly snow storms! ;) meryl

PS: We all know February is the bigger snow month, right?

"Happy Birthday to Me?"

This is actually a great sequel to my last post... "Life Definitions" which caused controversy when I posted the short versions on my twitter feed.

My birthday is February 7. Family tradition is to have a family dinner for birthdays; my dad’s present to the person of honor. You get to choose the place, then we work out the date. Sounds fun, simple... not in my family, or at least for me.

I do my best to pick a place that has at least two dishes that each person can choose from. My mom and one sister have dairy issues (so do I for that matter) Dad is… you can never please him. I pick places where he can get the dishes he always orders, always make sure they are on the menu. (I don’t eat seafood. Others pick seafood only places, hmm!) I try to pick a place located closer to all of them since there is only one of me. I feel I go more than out of my way to please, to accommodate them. Wait, this is for my birthday? Why don't I get the same treatment?

Scheduling is the only part that should be difficult. It’s accounting season so we usually celebrate end of February or in March, fine; sis and her hubby are CPAs, can’t be avoided, I get that. The other sis takes a lot of vacations. When I work Fridays I always get stuck late so that is my only bad night right now.

Now it is my birthday, I am supposed to pick the place *I* want to go to, end of story, that is the “rule”, it is what everyone else gets to do.

In the past I picked a steak place for my annual delicious steak; I eat very little red meat and when I do, I want it to be good. It's one of the few places dad would eat everything on the menu! Has chicken, steak, lamb, veal... This place has great fries, other sides and chocolate mousse pudding: complaints from family it’s too expensive, too far away. A) Steak places are expensive. We are being served huge pieces of very good meat and huge side dish servings. B) Restaurant is closer to me but by all main highways. At most a 40 minute trip for the furthest person.

After a work luncheon, I chose a nice Italian place closer to them. They have more than a few non-cheese dishes and my dad’s standard only things he will order Italian plus seafood dishes he likes. I order the same chicken dish, it is so delish, and the red potatoes with it are great, cooked perfect every time. The desserts, most made in house, are sooo good! Love their tiramisu. Don’t know if it is traditional or not but it tastes great and I get that great rum/espresso buzz from it, sis loves the cannolis. They have a few really great chocolate desserts as well (I hope to introduce K to). Sis and I went there for lunch one time and ordered two desserts: one to eat there and one to bring home! After going there two times for my birthday and for numerous other celebrations and luncheons, sis told me she always gets ill after eating there. I was surprised since I am the one with the sensitive stomach. So we don’t go there anymore, a totally reasonable request; I have no problem with that, disappointed but no problem.

Two birthdays ago, I re-found a Japanese restaurant I love that we used to frequent at one of my jobs; they have great food, something for everyone, dad’s standard sukiyaki, and the best ginger salad dressing ever! Everyone loves the food. The place is a bit of a trip for me, but so worth the ginger salad. Last year all I hear is complaints about the parking. They have a small lot but lots of parking on the street.

It’s the stupid stress. It’s boils my blood. Something that is supposed to be my celebration, my evening, something to put a smile on my face and be fun turns into the worst evening ever.

I have had my fill, more than my fill, I am sick of it. Why do I have to deal with complaints when I do my best to accommodate everyone else? Why is it OK for dad and one sister to pick a seafood place when they know I do not eat seafood but a place I pick with great food that everyone likes is taboo? They do not get why it angers and frustrates me so. Guess I should pick Tavern on the Green: far away and expensive and that would be ok? I guess I have always been too nice, too accommodating and they expect me to give in to everything. No more, well not exactly.

This year giving it one more shot. I now know after my conversation with mom, it will be the last family dinner for my birthday. I will just take myself to my Japanese or another place, and celebrate with Madison and Maverick and one day to celebrate mine and K’s birthday, when he is up to it.

========

My Email to my Sisters and their significant others:

“Since it's always such a, I don’t know controversy, hard time... whatever you want to call it, to have my family birthday dinner at the restaurant of my choice, I am giving 1 more shot at pleasing everyone.

Please excuse my sarcasm, losing my PET/CT job (happy birthday to me) at end of February has me angry & frustrated; love that job!

I have decided 2 try cold cuts & Fireside/Zorn’s chicken & fries at the rents (not relaxing but...) You all arrange the date thru mom with your vacations, accounting plans, etc. My bad night would be the Fridays I work: 2/11 & 2/25 since I always get stuck there. If I'm lucky I'll get the other Fridays *fingers crossed*

PS: not telling the ‘rents bout the job thing yet. I cannot handle the stress. Have a few things in the works but cannot deal with dad's degradation. Then telling me I had a great "attitude change" when the permanent hours finally came thru WTF?!

Kim bought us lunch 4 getting 2 the office today; <>

J feel better & don’t work too hard & ask Kim about her gift from us.

M don't work too hard.

K & K another warm vacation I'm sure, where's my ticket? ; ) Enjoy! E too if she's going.

Been up since 4, need 2 be up at 5:30 I think. Warm, sweet dreams :) meryl

...via iPod touch”

=======

One Sister replies:

“Sorry to hear about the job. Fingers crossed that something opens up very soon.

We are free Friday, Feb. 11th, Sat. Feb. 12th, Sunday, and Feb. 13th, Sunday, Feb. 20th. Let us know what you land on.”

=====

Other sister replies:

“Mom and I were discussing days. Sat and Sun nights are good for us. Karen’s weekends below work for me. Mom will follow up when she decides what day she wants. She was talking about the same weekends.”

What is that I have highlighted in red? Yes, it is MY birthday! True I did tell them to work out the scheduling on their own but that line shows what I have known for some time, it isn’t my birthday after all. So I really can stay 25 like K says :)

Of course, ultimately it is all my fault... I try!

"Life Definitions"

Definition: stupid person - a) person who doesn't think and/or listen and/or use common sense (aka their brain); person with whom you have to repeatedly state the obvious; c) person with superiority complex.

Note: a stupid person has NOTHING to do with "book smart", has to do with respect, common sense, listening, and (maybe more important than listening) hearing.

Definition: smart person - a) person who uses their brain, thinks, listens, hears, uses common sense. They treat others as they would like to be treated; b) person who knows there’s something to be learned from everyone, good & bad; c) person who enjoys learning something new everyday from anyone.

Note: a smart person will not belittle you, degrade you, talk down to you or treat you like a child. They will treat you with respect, they will not force their views onto you. If they disagree with you they will not tell you how to think, they will discuss it rationally, not have a heated discussion, listen to and respect your ideas, even understand your point of view, which may change their view, maybe not. Any discussion will be intelligent and respectful always.

I do not discuss politics or religion with most people. Too many tempers flare, too many people think their way is the only way, or they are trying to save you; think the middle ages and the Crusades? We are all human beings sharing the same planet, continent, country…town. We should all treat each other and our individual ideas and beliefs with courtesy, smiles, and manners common sense, duh?

If you encounter a stupid person who degrades, belittles and/or treats you like a piece of shit, concentrate on that issue and that issue alone, NOT what they told you was wrong. No matter what “issue” instigated them into mistreating you, they are looking for something to supplement their superiority complex, do not help them “get taller”. Be proud by giving yourself the satisfaction that you took the high road, treated them with respect, and did the right thing. These people do not respect themselves. If they did, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

I believe I am too nice. Been thinking a lot lately that I should try to be more of a bitch, maybe that is why this week happened, to show me I am doing the right thing? I respect people, give them half a brain to start off with; may need to downgrade to one third after this week. When people push me too far, such as a sales person not understanding after FOUR TIMES no I do not want to buy anything, no I do not need to buy anything, no meant NO the first time I said it, THEN they experience my wraith, tactful but... I’ve been told after story number one below, I am not a person to be messed with… OK.

When I first finished college I worked at a major company as a computer programmer/analyst/technical specialist/network supervisor and I ran the email system. During a service call, a male engineering technician told a stupid joke which made me turn my eyes, give him my “what the fuck” are you serious look, and see all the other engineers leer at this technician; Engineering had 100% male employees in it. Wish I could remember his first name. Let’s call him Dave for the story.

The more I thought about this, the more it bothered me. I knew if I went to my VP Victor and told him about Dave’s “joke”, Victor would rip out Dave’s eye socket (both of them) and probably give him a free sex change operation. I dealt with the Engineering VP Joe on a regular basis, so I decided to speak to Joe directly. I kept it very professional, adult... (remember I am a kid!)

I called Joe and asked if I could stop by to talk about something privately. Joe apologized, thanked me for coming to him (I didn’t tell him about the Victor part) and told me he would take care of the situation. Later that day “joke” teller Dave, stopped by my desk to apologize. Dave sounded very genuine, polite, and respectful; I accepted his apology. Then Dave proceeded to explain to me why I should have liked the joke… THAT is an example of a stupid person.

I went back to Joe, told him Dave gave me a heart felt apology, Joe smiled. Then I told Joe that Dave then proceeded to tell me why I should have gotten and/or enjoyed the joke, smile disappeared, he started to turn pale.

One more story when I was at same company, same job… My room was in the basement of my parent’s house and it was my birthday. Walking down to my room I had a fresh cup of hot tea in one hand and the phone in the other talking to a friend, wishing me a happy birthday. The stupid carpet pieces my dad put onto the steps, second to last step came loose when I stepped on it, tea and phone went flying. Because of my height, my butt bounced down at least half the staircase, bouncing on each step, my tea spilled all over everything! The phone and mug made it to the basement floor shortly followed by me. VERY PAINFUL!!!

I was considered an executive (first job out of college!!!) hence I was required to wear a suit everyday. I was in so much pain, I wore very appropriate looking black leggings, blouse, black jacket and comfortable, flat, black leather booties; I looked very professional and I could walk around for the most part. As soon as I got to the office, I told my supervisor and Victor what had happened and they both told me to do what I had to do to take care of myself, heal and feel better. As long as my bosses are happy, that is all that matters. So glad they understood but I knew they would (smart people).

Later that day leaving the ladies room one of the managers, Joann, who was part of our group, caught a glimpse of me. Joann called me over to where she was chatting with another co-worker. Joann: “why are you wearing *looks me up and down then with sarcasm* pants?”. I stopped, looked Joann straight in the eye, totally deadpan: “I fell down stairs last night”. Her mouth fell to the ground, she did not even ask if I was OK... I went back to my desk, and almost fell off my chair laughing. I enjoyed THAT too much BUT I did not treat her with any disrespect, she attempted to belittle and degrade me with her self appointed superiority, ready to throw the book at me, get me in trouble, and she ended up tripping herself up.

The lessons I have learned from dealing with stupid, disrespectful, self-righteous people. Just throw the facts right back at them respectfully, do not stoop to their level. If it is yesterday’s issue, deal with the disrespect only. You can never win but you can keep your dignity and your own self-respect and isn’t that what is most important, knowing YOU handled the situation correctly with dignity and respect?

Take care, peace, hugs, love Meryl (and hopefully no stupid people :)

"Pretzels!!!"

Snyder's makes low fat, gluten free, dairy free, casein free, egg free pretzels!!! Only 1 gram of sugar per serving too!

"Brrrr"

Hi all! Welcome to December!

Some places have received snow and/or large amounts of it already, even in November!

I keep my home on the cooler side. I prefer to wear long sleeves even a blanket if I am sitting watching TV than keeping the house too warm. I save money plus I think it helps me to breathe and sleep better. I do have to clean up and crank up the air filters and the humidifier to get used to the windows being closed and the air being drier. I keep the thermostat around 50-55F and use space heaters in the room I am in to bring that room to 60-65. Of course, if I can't shake the chill and my blankets and Maverick are not helping enough, I turn it up. I have been doing this since I returned to school and though the electric bill went up some, the gas/heating bill decreased greatly showing it is helping my wallet.

Since we are on a trailer and have to go into and out of buildings, I wear my long sleeved turtlenecks for my PET/CT job. There is a space heater we put on for the patients since they are supposed to be kept warm for a more effective exam. I'm surprised the AC even kicks in but I guess that is the heat the camera and computers generate. There I tend to feel chilly but I am moving a lot so it usually is not a big deal.

The office is about 75F... quite stifling! I have a fan there and wear light clothes and/or layers. And some people are actually piled up with sweaters, always cold? I don't get it! We have windows all around on the south side of the building so that is why it is so warm in there. I guess some of these people keep their homes at 80F? Hate to see those bills!

Stopped at Whole Foods yesterday for supplies. I found a quinoa based pasta I was going to try but when I picked it up out of my cart at the checkout line, the top had popped open, so I put it to the side.

I am practically living on quinoa, I really do love it! I mix it with other things but sometimes just have a bunch on its own. On it's own, I may have mentioned, I just add a little extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. This week I have been adding cayenne and a little ginger as well: I have a cold!

I have been bouncing back and forth between saying this affliction is a cold/sinus thing or my allergies. It did kick in when I closed all the windows so that leaned me towards allergies. I have be drinking lots of steamy liquids, adding cayenne for it's clearing powers. I am much better but still feel very tired (though I am getting sleep, maybe THAT is the problem ;), did get overtired running up and down the stairs the other day, and I felt a woozy last night before I ate my dinner; might have been low blood sugar, I do that sometimes. I am resting up, kinda want to clean but that always makes the nose unhappy so I have another excuse to avoid that :). I do have a lot to do around here to get ready for the holidays. No I'm not having the family here but someone who is almost like family so I want to place to look as perfect as it can. Madison and Maverick never make that easy!

Hot cocoa this time of year is excellent! I heat up chocolate almond milk with a cinnamon stick inside. After it is heated I add vanilla extract, dash of nutmeg, and coconut milk french vanilla creamer. I also add a dash of cayenne to give it a bite, today I added a little extra cayenne to kick my sinuses! I would prefer to add Baileys Irish cream instead of the creamer but that's milk, and I will pay for that. I may pick up some Irish whiskey if that is gluten free/dairy free/soy free and try that. Used to be 1-2 ounces of Baileys I added depending on the size of the mug. That would warm me up, give me a little buzz, and definitely help me fall off to sleep! :)

I have to get back to exercising since my weight has basically plateaued. I did "start up" a new program on "Lose It" to consider this phase I completed. Phase II has to include adding more exercise and dropping more carbs. It is great I have found a few replacements for bread especially for the quick breakfasts I tend to need, but I need to drop the last of this weight so I can be a happier girl! When I see how huge some people are, it reminds me how much I need to stick to this, and I thank my lucky stars I was not like that.

I also thank my lucky stars for having my jobs, good health, family that is a pain in the butt but loves me, and my special friends.

Love, peace, hugs, meryl