Fridays-Weddings and Showers
I have been looking forward to this day for a long time for 2 reasons: first reason is because I get to babysit one of my friend’s kids today. She makes having a baby look like a dream. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her cry. The second reason is because my husband’s best friend is taking us to Rider’s Club Cafe, a burger joint that he has been RAVING about…..I CAN’T WAIT! So much for being a vegan.
My favorite bible verse of the week: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35
{Great idea from a shower I went to: have the guests make a headband for the future baby girl and hang them up on a clothesline for the future mom to choose the best one for a prize}
{Missing my friend that just moved to Texas}
{Apple Beignets from Ramos House Cafe}
{Love this idea of a chalkboard message from the Bride and Groom}
{At a friend’s baby shower}
Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
Disaster night-How to not impress your new coworkers!
When I first started my second job, and was supposed to work my first night shift I had the WORST night imaginable. This was the day when the electricity went out in San Diego/South Orange County and NOTHING was working, including gas stations about 2 years ago.
It’s about 6pm and my shift starts at 7pm. I was on my way to my house on the freeway when I realized the light for the “empty fuel” was on. By the time I arrive at my house and start pressing the garage opener 50 million times I realize that something is terrible wrong. It’s now 620pm and one of my neighbors is also pressing his garage opener unsuccessfully and tells me that he heard on the news that there is a major power outage.
I have no other way of getting into my house! I never carry a key because I always get in through the garage! The only uniform that I have on me is the one from my OTHER job with the name of that hospital right on the front!
I try to call my husband, but it turns out that my phone service is down too! And my neighbors phone service! I cruised around the neighborhood and stopped by two friend’s houses, both of which were not home.
It’s now 645pm, I have no gas, no uniform, no phone service and most importantly: no food! I was going to pack up my dinner at home but I can’t get into the house!
I drive around hoping to find an answer to prayers and I found it! Kind of. A group of cops were a few streets away. It actually looked like they were in the middle of something serious (like taking children away and turning them into social services.) I felt like an idiot when I had to grab one of them and tell him my situation. He was kind enough to let me borrow his phone (different cell company) so I made two calls: one to a local tow truck service (maybe they would have gas?) and another to my work. Turns out, the tow trucks had no gas because the electricity was down. Bummer.
I explained to my brand new job what was going on as best as I could without sounding like a total train wreck, and one of my supervisors said she would come and pick me up!
Mind you, the traffic was hellacious because everyone was trying to get home, and cars were breaking down because there was no gas. So about 2 hours later (to drive 15 miles) she arrived! I have never been so happy to see management in my life! And, she was so gracious about the whole thing! She then proceeded to tell me she that we would stop by her house, pick up gas canisters and that the other supervisor would fill the gas canisters up and take me, in the middle of my shift, to fill up my car!
I have never felt like such a ding-dong in my entire life when I finally showed up to work with my supervisor, wearing a different hospital’s uniform, and the whole department knew what happened. Wow! Just call me Nurse Ding-Dong 
At least the patients got a kick out of my uniform!
Morals of the story:
- Never let your fuel get below 1/4 full.
- Always carry an extra uniform in your car.
- Always have snacks on hand.
- Switch to new cell service.
- Carry keys to your own darn house with you at all times!
- Make friends with people who are home all the time
Questions for you: Ever had your own work disaster or embarrassing story? Would love to hear!
Homemade Panna Cotta
Anytime friends come over for dinner is an excuse for me to try one new recipe. I never like to try more than one new recipe and end up making my friend’s eating something that might taste like egg slop…they might not talk to me again.
I like to be resourceful and utilize ingredients that I have in my fridge as much as possible. The other day I noticed that we had a plethora of strawberries that I had bought from Costco! After some browsing on the internet, I decided to adapt a recipe of Strawberry Panna Cotta! My husband and our friend’s loved it AND it was super easy to make. The presentation of the dessert is key: I was stoked when I realized I have these mini-wine glasses to serve them out of. This allowed the different-colored-layers to be seen. I topped each serving with a little heart-shaped strawberry! Food always looks more appetizing when it has a fun presentation.
Just one word of advice: Don’t do what I did as reenacted in the following sentences
“How are you doing over there, do you need me to pick anything up from the store?” asks Husband while driving home.
“Actually, if you could buy some whipped cream that would be great, we don’t have any, I checked” I said.
“You looked in the side of the fridge and didn’t see anything?” asks Husband.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I said, secretly wondering if he thinks I’m mentally impaired.
Turns out: I am! Husband came home and look what he found in our fridge…Ta daaaaa!!!!
My response? “Thanks honey, I love you!”-said the not-so-resourceful-nurse ;(
Strawberry Panna Cotta
Adapted from Home Cooking Adventure
Ingredients for 4 servings
- 7 oz milk
- 7 oz whipping cream
- 1/2 tbsp gelatin
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 oz fresh strawberries, quartered
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- Canned whipped cream for topping
- 2 strawberries cut in heart shapes for topping (optional)
Directions
- Dissolve gelatin in 2 tbsp cold water and let it swell for about 5 t0 10 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan simmer the cream, milk and sugar to over medium-low heat (Do not boil). When sugar has dissolved remove from heat add vanilla extract and honey.
- Add gelatin in the milk mixture and stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved. Pour it in the serving/wine glasses or ramekins and refrigerate until it sets, for about 4 hrs or overnight.
- In a small saucepan put the strawberries, sugar and water. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat immediately.
- Pour into the bowl of a blender or food processor and blend the mixture to make a smooth sauce.
- Cover and let it cool to room temperature then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a heart-shaped strawberry!
Hope you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!
Beach Chic-”Socked In”
Some of the best beach days happen when it’s socked in. It’s not terribly sunny and it can still be nice and warm. Wearing a colorful, comfortable dress with some gold accessories can brighten any day. One of the best footwear options for Beach Chic is “au naturale” or a pair of sandals. If you are playing in the water “au naturale” is the best!
Windsor Dress, Windsor Vest, Charlotte Russe Accessories
Thanks for stopping by!
Code White
At both of the hospitals that I work, a Code White is a medical emergency for a child and something you never want to hear on your shift. In my career I’ve experienced 4 Code White’s, and it never gets easier and you never forget them .
Even if you don’t have children, you can’t help but feel for the child and the parents. I remember when my very first Code White rolled in. They were brought in by Paramedics: abdomen distended, blue and cold. We were able to get the patient stabilized and sent off to the nearest Children’s hospital. It’s really tough to keep your composure in such an emotional situation. I remember distinctly the parents being inside the room while we were working on the child and seeing their anger, pain and frustration. Your heart aches when you see that. The awesome thing was that we stabilized the patient, and gave the family hope that they would be able to have their child back.
Sometimes that’s all that patients and families need, is the hope that things can get better. I love my job!
Thanks for stopping by!
Life in Instragram-Beach Central
I didn’t post much last week because the children drained the life out of me. When I say children, I mean the 8th graders that we chaperoned on their Washington D.C. trip! We do it every year, and although it’s a lot of fun, it’s a little bit tiring. We took a red-eye to Philadelphia and had a full day planned. This is the third year in a row that we’ve done this trip and despite the lack of sleep, we have a great time! Husband’s best friend is an 8th grade history teacher and that’s how we got connected with this sweet deal.
8th grade…do you remember what you were like in 8th grade? I was probably the biggest dork around. My hair was hideous and my clothes were weird, but I didn’t care because I was too busy hanging out with my friends and playing with POGS….anyone remember those? Anyway, here are some pictures from a few weeks back!
Any RN’s, RT’s, CNA’s, EMT’s or MD’s out there that have a story to share? Good, bad, weird or interesting? Please email me @ Ladiesgofirst85@gmail.com . I’m hoping to be able to post a healthcare story every week
THanks for stopping by!
Beach Chic
My little sister is very fashionable. I have a lot to learn from her. I’ve decided to start a new regular post (hopefully) on all things “beach chic.” My sister is my little model, she always wears things that are cute, comfortable and chic. That’s the style I aspire to have.
It’s so much fun when she comes over because we always end up at the beach, either for a run, to lay-out, to surf our Wavestorms, or to get some ice cream The other day she came over and we went to eat on the Pier. I loved her dress, so fun with the short and long overlay. Perfect for a day at the beach!
Windsor Dress, Forever 21 rings, Isanctuary necklace
Have a great day!
