Turkey Caper

Turkey Caper written and created by Don Ostendorf

There was a slight mishap that I mentioned previously on the Thanksgiving blog. Dad being the genious and creative person that he is came up with this, enjoy

Click on the picture for full size view. Easier to read the print. I had to modify pictures slightly so I could get it to download.

Being Thankful

Be Thankful By Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings

Thanksgiving 2011

I was blessed this year with the arrival of my Mother, Father and Son for the Thanksgiving holiday. I haven't seen since June so I enjoyed being close to all of them again. Mom and Dad provided a wonderful and bountiful Thanksgiving meal, as always. There was one mishap on that tranquil Thanksgiving day. Some how a large amount of turkey went missing off the counter. Lambeau was found licking the pan clean...oooppss. Guess he wanted to enjoy his turkey dinner too! It was relaxing and surprising quiet with all of us in the house together. Lambeau reluctantly shared the couch

     It didn't take him long before

he was ready to snuggle

Between me working and Morgan attending school we all managed to get out and about into Lubbock.

 

We went to the Mall, where Nathan got his ears pierced.

We also just found time to sit as a family to eat and talk around the table in the food court there

Dad took Nathan to the local skate park. He said he felt like a "King" here. I guess these Texas boys spend more time in the fields than they do on a skateboard or a bicycle.

The Windmill farm I found to be a little treasure spot.

                                                      

  Me, standing in front of a broken down wind turbine

         A local Lubbock Woman painted a mural in a side building at the muesum.

         We were told it took over 3 years and the mural covers some 6000 square feet.

                                    The "sister" to this windmill sits at the Charolotte Hall muesuem in Prescott, Arizona
          What a small World?

                                                  

 This is probably the closest to a cow that Nathan will ever get =)
 

   

 Mom, Dad and the Kids had a pictionary night. Girls against guys. I heard the girls won. Maybe next time boys!

 

  While we had all of us together we took the opportunity to take some family pictures

 

 

    Overall, I can say this Thanksgiving has been one of the best in years! I have finally come to a full realization the depth of love and gratitude I have for my parents and my children. I love my family! I am forever indebted to my parents for their years of generosity, patience and support. They have stuck by me through the very worst (and I mean BAD) and the very best of times. Thank you Mom and Dad! My children mean everything to me. They are my driving force to continue this journey and be successful so they too will be succesful in life. They are my angels!

Over the last year working as an RN in the ICU I have learned one of the most precious life lessons; enjoy life, love unconditionally and treasure every moment you have with your family and friends. You may wake up one day and they will no longer be with you.  Life is a journey.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

  Marcel Proust

Halloween 2011

My first year to hand out candy!

Morgan and a group of her friends hit the streets to trick or treat!

 Hope (Goth girl), Dane (Justin Beiber), Kelby (Minnie Mouse), Morgan (Minnie Mouse)

Beau at his look out point caught up in the webbing. He scarred the trick or treaters away so he ended up having to spend the rest of the night in the bedroom :( Next year we will disguise him and dress him like a cat, hehe.

Just a Brief Update

Morgan has been playing tennis through school and had her first doubles match the other weekend. They lost both matches but had fun nonetheless. Morgan has never played tennis before and seems to be enjoying herself. She did well on her first report card of the year. I am overally ecstatic with this. She continues to talk positive about school and has many friends. Luckily, I have a good phone plan.

I had my annual evaluation at work recently and all went well.

I couldn't ask for a better Boss to work for or better Unit to be working on. I am truly grateful! My co-workers are the best team mates one could ask for, reliable and playful. Along with all the seriousness we must deal with in the ICU we have a litte down time as well.

 One night a prosthesis leg was placed lying 1/2 in a pt's room. One cannot begin to imagine the array of reactions displayed by fellow RN's and Residents. Oh my! Those naughty ICU Nurses!

I have begun to slowly open the books to study for my CCRN (Critical Care Register Nurse). It will be a test similiar to the NCLEX so I think this is one reason why I have been dragging my heels. The other is every time I open the book I feel as though I need more time working on the Unit to understand the book . My co-workers assure me they all felt the same and to dive in. No time like the present. So once again I will be studying, ugghhh!

Just another...

First Homecoming

Morgan experienced her first Homecoming :) She recently began dating a young man named Jakob.  He is a pleasant and polite boy. As a bonus I work with his Mom and I am comfortable knowing that he comes from a good home. Morgan and her friend Hope were picked up by Jakob and his father and the 3 of them went off the High School football game together and met up with friends. I do not have pictures of Jakob and Morgan. The Dad did not bring his camera and both Amy and I were both at work exchanging report on patients. Sadly their team lost. Nonetheless the kids had a blast. That is all that matters anyhow. Amy, Jakobs Mother made a beautiful mum for Morgan. It was nearly as big as she is. She is getting so mature, it is scary. I am begining to realize that she is not my baby anymore.

Morgan and Hope

The Mum

Jakob...the new boy in Morgan's life

Raider Pride

Eric treated myself and our girls to the first Tech game of season and a fabulous family outing. Eric, his eldest daughter, Morgan and I headed out to see our first Red Raider game up close and personal. What started out to be a hot and miserable West Texas afternoon soon turned into a stormy and predictibly dusty afternoon. Despite the crazy weather we all had fun and Tech won over Texas University! I am looking forward to attending another game soon.

                                                       

                                                       

After the 51,000+ crowd of people dispersed and made there way out of the stadium we lagged behind and caught a glimpse of the Raider band fooling around playing for the opposing teams' band and the few spectators left.