8/29/09

Station Fire


Station Fire
Originally uploaded by slichly.
Although wildfires are a pretty common occurrence in Southern California, it's not very often that you see one from my city. We live over 30 miles away from the mountains and when we stepped onto the front porch, we could actually see the fire from here.

Hopefully, there will be little damage and no casualties.

8/23/09

Comfort

There is something to be said for having a hobby. Having something just for myself. Like a gift or a reward. Crochet and knitting are always there for me. Waiting for me even if I'm too busy to get to it on a regular basis. There's something about creating with your hands. It is therapeutic.

There always seems to be a wave of babies coming via various friends and acquaintenances. So I decided on this pattern. It's an older pattern that I thought I could bring to life with a more modern color. Such as salmon.

Salmon baby blanket

Not sure who will end up with it, but it is helping with the stress relief.

8/18/09

Anxiety

I have learned a few things about anxiety in the last few weeks. It can mess with your temper, your sleeping patterns and even your heartbeat. Sometimes I think being a nursing student makes me a little bit of a hypochondriac but given my medical history it seems a little justified.


There's not too much wrong with me that some good sleep won't cure. I'm just starting to realize that I don't think I've gotten any real sleep for about 12 years. I've tried lots of things. Lavender scents, no electronic distractions, no caffeine after 4 pm, eye patches, ear plugs, making lists before bed. Now with all my Pharmacology knowledge and the desire to not die from ventricular fibrillations, my doctor prescribed me some sleeping pills.

This was the first time I ever had taken a sleeping pill and he warned me, make sure you allow 8 hours and time it right and that your husband is aware because it will knock you out. I was a little nervous at first. Moms always sleep with one ear open. What if a child wakes up in the middle of the night with a bad nightmare or worse, thrown up in their bed? But my husband has always gotten up with me in the past when I needed him and he assured me to take the pill.

I didn't know what to expect. I laid in my bed waiting for abrupt unconsciousness. Instead the most amazing thing happened. Sleep overtook my brain. Like when I was a child. Like when you had a long day at the beach and your shoulders are a little pink from too much sun and you are completely relaxed and sleep overtakes you in a wave from the back of your neck all the way to the top of your head. I had forgotten what it felt like, it has been so long.

I only get to take them when I really, really need them. Right now that seems like I need one every night but I will save them for the nights before tests and clinicals.

I am a big believer in sleep.

8/10/09

August 3 - 9

Rain dance

Since my "good" camera has some lint or dust inside of it causing all sorts of mischief, I have been using my older point and shoot camera. Needless to say, I have been unhappy with the quality of photos but I have continued with my 365 project. This week was a little uneventful so my favorite picture is when the girls went outside to dance in the 5 minute rain downpour we had. It has been so long since we have seen rain that we all danced a little. The lawn is barely hanging in there. Our gardener said we have grubs so I guess that's why the weeds are the only thing surviving the drought back there.


8/5/09

More changes...

I don't really know who looks at or reads my blog. There really hasn't been anything to read lately, just pictures. Since Nursing school is about to start up for me again and I anticipate some serious stress and anxiety, I'm going to make some changes to my postings. I want to continue my Project365, but I will only be posting my favorite picture of the week here. If you are interested in seeing the other pictures, please look in my Flickr account.

8/4/09

July 27 - August 2

Click on photo for larger view

Cookies Buddies Baby grasshopper Granny square My lifesavers Birthday Cake Hiking