Unexpected Blessings

Yesterday was probably one of my best days at work in several months, simply for the fact that I took care of an actual "PICU" patient. To define "PICU patient" I will simply say that the child was sedated on several drips and was on a ventilator. To give LPCH some credit, they have experienced a very low acuity these past few months and this type of patient has been rare, and even more rare for a traveler to have this assignment. I had actually taken care of this patient before and knew the family so it was a very enjoyable day both socially and mentally. On my way home from work I was thinking, "What a great evening to go for a walk...with a dog!". Currently my friend Jason is dog sitting for his parents, and since he has an open door policy at his house I decided to swing by after work. As I was pulling up I saw that his roommate and fiance were already walking little Vinnie but they were kind enough to humor me with a walk as well. Once I got home I checked my mailbox to find that my Starbucks Gold card had finally arrived and also a letter from the IRS stating that they owe me $200 still! And to top it off I got to talk to Em and Jenelle just one week after their visit out here.

Emma Jo, Jenelle, & me @ Cuvaison in Napa

Off to bed I went and morning came all too soon. I looked at the clock, hit snooze, waiting for the phone to ring saying I was cancelled due to low census. When it didn't by 5:15 I got up and started my day. At 5:30 I got a call saying I was cancelled until 11. I went back to bed and woke up at 9 wondering if I should get dressed for work or church. I took a chance and called in to see if they would need me at 11 and explained how I wanted to go to church at 10-12. At first I think the staffing office was shocked into silence at my request and then they explained that 1 person would need to come in...but I could be the one to get cancelled! I frantically got ready for church, and it was a great sermon by Bob (as always), then was able to have a lunch date with my friend Anne. Have I mentioned my love for Anne? She's normal, easy to talk to, understands social norms, is super smart, funny & sarcastic as well as brutally honest, and she is an amazing cook/baker! I then decided to take advantage of being so close to multiple beaches and headed off to Poplar Beach @ Half Moon Bay. I forgot how cold it was at the beaches up here so on the beach I sat with a sweatshirt on! Everyone else was bundled up too. One of my favorite things is to just sit on a beach all day and read a good book. Currently I'm re-reading the Ashley Stockingdale series by Kristen Billerbeck. I originally read these when in high school/early college and felt that I identified with the main character and now years later I again find myself identifying with her (Ashley). The books are based on Silicon Valley, Palo Alto specifically (where I'm currently living) and center on her church singles group filled with single engineers (pretty true, but throw in a few lawyers/IT/grad students) and how she wants more from life (yes, me too) but is trying to make the best of it while being single & she believes in retail therapy at Ann Taylor (I prefer LOFT). There's a little more depth than this description, but not much, it's Chick Lit. I enjoyed my solitude on the beach and headed back to PA to crash a BBQ. Overall, this turned out to be a great wkd! How was yours?