tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86879567179153072622023-11-16T08:14:30.417-08:00Driving Aunt BeeMrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-63003606028650577072010-09-16T19:46:00.000-07:002010-09-16T19:52:20.132-07:00I'm failing my assignment...... to record compassion every day!<br /><br />What I have learned in the past week is that I am consciously making the decision to not involve myself in situations where I feel compassion toward that person/those people. I am feeling better for that... I'm not brooding over their situations that are really none of my business!<br /><br />I note the compassion ("that's horrible... I feel badly for them") and then I mentally move forward. It doesn't mean I don't care... I just don't brood about it.<br /><br />This has left me with more time to practice compassion towards the people closest to me and to myself. I've noted a greater patience toward all things that my "roommates" do and say. I also having been allowing myself to think "it really sucks to be me sometimes", learn from that experience, catalog it, and move forward.<br /><br />Compassion... so many days I've lost count... I bet my mind knows :PMrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-53795264843778256112010-09-09T19:12:00.000-07:002010-09-09T19:26:20.001-07:00Compassion, Days 6-7-8Seeing both sides of an issue is a good thing. <br /><br />In terms of this battle with compassion, I find myself being increasingly aware of my compassion towards others but backing off when it takes over and blocks out my own self-compassion. <br /><br />That sounds like double-speak! This is what is happening...<br /><br />I see a situation taking place. My normal reaction is to feel compassion for the "victim" and then expend a lot of mental energy on my reaction to this situation. My new reaction is the same process but I catch myself doing an "eval" of the scenario, determine whether or not I need to be involved somehow and to what extreme, and then coming to a "solution" or "finale" and moving on from that situation. I also found my brain working over the situations and checking the "file cabinet" for a past experience of feeling compassion in a similar scenario.<br /><br />End result? I haven't experienced a stress-level that I was feeling before this experiment began. This past week I've experienced some intense situations and kept my cool through it all. (well, my principal told me I was a "Mad Momma" the day the stereo and woofers were stolen from Tyler's truck... but I thought I stayed fairly calm considering...)<br /><br />Compassion: keeping your emotions in check and telling yourself "this really sucks and it's awful to experience this!" Or, something like that :)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-48963768646764611702010-09-06T13:36:00.000-07:002010-09-06T13:40:49.584-07:00Compassion, Day 3-5A difficult afternoon Friday... I managed to identify a certain level of compassion for myself in the midst of the chaos. <br /><br />A switch of the mind on Saturday... I consciously forced compassion to the front of my other feelings.<br /><br />Sunday... some trouble feeling the compassion for myself.<br /><br />Monday... remembering to deal with the compassion for my own issues before that of others... feels weird.<br /><br />I'm probably not journaling as instructed but it's a busy life I lead. Writing down each instance of compassion that I witness / feel would be complicated.Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-67519320778795887162010-09-03T10:30:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:38:52.570-07:00Compassion, Day 2Compassion, Day 2.<br /><br />There has been this reminder in my head all day to note compassion.<br /><br />So far, I've noted the compassion of a student concerned about his friend's well-being, the compassion of our counselor for the well-being of a student and for the future of our seniors, and I've even noted that Tyler was compassionate to his little brother (after calling him "Fat Boy").<br /><br />My compassion? I felt compassion for the husband, the small child, the large child, and for several of my students during their interactions with their peers. I'm still struggling with feeling compassionate for myself.Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-16951641092644534452010-09-02T18:20:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:30:13.122-07:00Jake Quotes, Vol. 2One of Jake's classmates was complaining of a stomachache after lunch.<br />Jake: "It's probably your appendix. It's going to burst!" (pandemonium follows...)<br /><br />Mrs. Mays explains that certain cleanliness should be practiced after going to the bathroom.<br />Jake: "I didn't wash my hands before OR after I went to the bathroom. THAT'S why my apprendix burst!!!"<br /><br />After Daddy got pulled over by the highway patrol...<br />Jake (pulling up his shirt and talking to the patrolman): "See this scar? My appendix burst and this is where they took it out. See this scar? This is where my drain tube was. See this PICC line? I get my medicine through this!"Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-31988959789032616512010-09-02T18:16:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:41:33.498-07:00Jake Quotes, Vol. 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaQcsb-8Az1bPBTN-qQhPCx_eCgW0BwTSupceaQTFmf-tHf-DjewhH8TiJhf5N6eRNRATWxisNRR_1M5G8rYh3Uc-8AX96a-3n2knWq5APgENP2HF2Vd6Md5wrRxGfJjAUSz0yjZW1cU/s1600/Branson+141.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512496181703168930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaQcsb-8Az1bPBTN-qQhPCx_eCgW0BwTSupceaQTFmf-tHf-DjewhH8TiJhf5N6eRNRATWxisNRR_1M5G8rYh3Uc-8AX96a-3n2knWq5APgENP2HF2Vd6Md5wrRxGfJjAUSz0yjZW1cU/s320/Branson+141.jpg" /></a><br /><div>#1.<br />Mommy: "How did you get Tyler to buy you a Lunchable?"<br />Jake: "A boy has his ways."<br /><br />#2:<br />Jake (seeing his big brother for the first time in the morning): "Hi Stupid!"</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>That's Jake TALKING on the boat while on Table Rock Lake...</div>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-49325256073359074502010-09-02T18:14:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:16:14.536-07:00Jake #1Today my child told his teacher that he didn't get his homework done last night because his grandmother was dying (today) and he had to go to the hospital.<br /><br />Of course, completely false!!!<br /><br />This child is going to make me old quickly.Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-52439636589084012812010-09-02T17:53:00.001-07:002010-09-02T18:13:21.782-07:00Compassion, Day 1My assignment this week after my BEST therapy is to journal all my experiences with compassion. <br /><br />I think compassion is a sense of empathy that I feel toward others and that empathy occurs when I am aware of their discomfort or distress. <br /><br />Compassion toward myself is much more difficult. I've always refused to feel sorry for myself, even when I have been miserable, lonely, scared or depressed.<br /><br />That's probably why I am literally making myself ill.<br /><br />I am supposed to get an official definition of compassion:<br /><br /> 1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. (<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/compassion">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/compassion</a>)<br /><br />I guessed most of the definition. Apparently, I have some trouble with the second portion...<em>accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering</em>... to the point that I cannot feel compassion for myself b/c I'm too busy trying to alleviate the suffering of others.<br /><br />That's not so far-fetched. I spend the better part of my day watching the social and anti-social behavior of people. <br /><br />Since my "diagnosis", I have experienced the feeling of compassion /or/ watched acts of compassion /or/ stopped anti-social behaviors at least 100 times. Do others see these acts of compassion all the time??? Am I ultra-sensitive to compassionate acts or instances where I feel I must step in with compassion???<br /><br />IDK. Compassion day one... sigh...Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-27860632884481257042010-08-24T18:46:00.000-07:002010-08-24T18:48:18.570-07:00again from "Eat, Love, Pray"<strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gilbert: 'I seriously believed David was my soul mate.' </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Richard from Texas: 'He probably was. Your problem is you don't understand what the word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you will ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave.'</span> </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><em>Gilbert (2006: 149)</em></strong>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-35331015297270312642010-08-11T11:39:00.000-07:002010-08-11T11:43:12.735-07:00From "Eat, Love, Pray""Learning how to discipline your speech is a way of preventing your energies from spilling out of you through the rupture of your mouth, exhausting you and filling the world with words, words, words instead of serenity, peace and bliss." <br /><br />-- Elizabeth Gilbert (p. 190, 2006 ed.)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-14307340068754937582010-08-01T20:16:00.000-07:002010-08-01T20:36:22.591-07:00TiredI haven't slept through the night since June 16th. I blame the trip, the hospital stays, staying up with the sick kid, and the dogs barking at the fox in the backyard.<br /><br />I love sleeping! I hated naps as a kid, but I loved the process of going to sleep at night and I still do. I usually read and relax myself to sleep. Right before I fall asleep, I catch myself turning onto my stomach and pulling my right leg up at an angle. My mother always said I must have been that way in the womb and my baby pictures show me on my tummy, right leg angled up, and my left thumb in my mouth.<br /><br />Nights full of dreams aren't relaxing. I dread those nights. My ideal sleep night is going to sleep and waking up on my own (no alarm clock!), fully rested and ready for the day.<br /><br />I guess there is too much going on in my life and my brain can't relax enough to get into that deep sleep mode I'm missing right now. A few days this week relaxing on the water and in the sun will hopefully be the recipe for some great sleep!!<br /><br />I think I'm going to go and sleep now. :)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-65775860936403311302010-07-26T19:52:00.000-07:002010-07-26T20:11:33.487-07:00Air Condtioning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BuZn_uKaz1yIWNeIL6yaSmAIfHCRc5F5KDakcuYlMytj-4Th7NX9MoW-UtDpR8KUYdRTSdzijmB_V5xyQlERIQmJ3DBuHzl3UkqkbTL4n8X8Xh0sqZBdUQ3t5sQ3SVpGmdFD39YwbVk/s1600/thermometer.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 215px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498418073470992082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BuZn_uKaz1yIWNeIL6yaSmAIfHCRc5F5KDakcuYlMytj-4Th7NX9MoW-UtDpR8KUYdRTSdzijmB_V5xyQlERIQmJ3DBuHzl3UkqkbTL4n8X8Xh0sqZBdUQ3t5sQ3SVpGmdFD39YwbVk/s320/thermometer.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We are members of an rural electric cooperative. We were eligible for a huge rebate to replace our heating/ac unit last winter, so we kissed the 20-year-old unit goodbye and thought we had eliminated our problems for a while. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Last night at 11:30, our air conditioning stopped. When the repairman arrived at 5:30 today, it took him only 10 minutes to determine that a piece of wire was to blame. It had shortened out and gotten against some other wires, causing the horrendous smell that made us think something was on fire. And apparently, we came close to having that happen!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tyler, Jake and I were here today with no air. No a.c. makes for a very cranky mother and crankier sons! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Until 3 or 4 years ago (time is getting away from me), my workplace was UN-airconditioned. I remembered today that my favorite complaint to my principal was that "it's 9:30, my underwear is soaked through... it's time to go home!" </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I would rather be cold than hot. I kept saying this in Paris as we "froze" in the sixty-degree temperatures. My theory is that you can always put more on if you're cold, but if you're hot, there is eventually a limitation to what you can remove!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The AC vent is right beside me here at the table... brrrrrrrrr.... loving it!!!</div>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-43091899553469491422010-07-25T18:53:00.000-07:002010-07-25T19:10:55.215-07:00"Blog Light"If you are looking for deep thoughts in this blog, look elsewhere.<br /><br />My friend is using her blogging for lengthy, introspective discussions... she's doing a fantastic job and I enjoy taking time to pause and study what she is saying... but <em>my </em>personal blog is my writing surface for whatever crosses my mind as I sit at the computer during a lull in my day or when I'm getting ready for bed.<br /><br />I think the blog is my newest "doodle" page. The blog replaces:<br /><br />the notes I wrote on notebook paper during class and then folded into some origami shape to pass along when the bell rang...<br /><br />the doodling I did during college classes when the "lectures" became endless parades of sound going in one and out the other...<br /><br />the "notes" I take during faculty meetings and share with my colleagues seated near me ("ask your PERSONAL questions on your OWN time!!!")<br /><br />Deep thoughts are reserved for the other blog that I write. This one is "blog light". LOL!<br /><br /><em>Jake has come in and joined me at the table with his watercolors. He's painting a house. Without the ability to read/write, he uses art for expression. It's a great way for me to know what is going on inside that brain :)</em>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-83030260941008079312010-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:002010-07-25T08:02:27.676-07:00BackgroundsBesides his baking skills, Rentel is also handy when my mind doesn't understand my computer (which is often).<br /><br />Thanks to Kevin for saving my backgrounds from "The Cutest Blog on the Block". <br /><br />He has my username and password... if strange blogs that don't sound like my bits of wisdom start showing up, he's hacking my pages :)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-10197502555921054232010-07-24T19:53:00.000-07:002010-07-24T20:05:02.167-07:00"I don't want to be on 'Hoarders'!!!"I think that was what I said today when I explained that some serious purging needed to be done in the "master bedroom".<br /><br />I sacrificed... I put 12 bags/purses in the "go away" sack. <br /><br />The biggest purge was makeup and lotions whose expiration dates have long passed. They were taking up valuable space and I was amazed (and thrilled!) by the space that we gained with all that removed from the shelves!<br /><br />My ancestors were hoarders... my grandma... my dad... so it's only natural that I would become a hoarder, but fortunately my OCD-tendencies make it impossible for me to be comfortable in chaos. This gene bypassed me but has landed squarely in my oldest child who refuses to part with anything and has the bedroom (basement, garage, truck interior) to prove it.<br /><br />Who knows what I will find in the next round of purging??? I found some pictures tonight that I was missing. I was glad to see them again. :)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-16008342922535453202010-07-22T19:14:00.000-07:002010-07-22T19:26:46.324-07:00Rentel's Chocolate Chip CookiesThose of you who know me well know that I do not concede defeat very easily.<br /><br /><strong>I concede defeat to Kevin Rentel's baking abilities. </strong><br /><br />Kevin has this INCREDIBLE chocolate chip cookie recipe. He makes the cookies and brings them in to school. There are actually audible heart palpitations among us when he whispers "I brought cookies!" (He has to whisper it b/c if the students heard him, they would storm his desk area searching for them. He can/does reward the kids with promises of baking cookies for them.)<br /><br />They are like little puffs of heaven with chocolate chips delightfully distributed through them. They literally melt in your mouth like every proper chocolate chip cookie should. I got one warm from the oven tonight... fabulous!!!<br /><br />(Another blog will have to be devoted to his Lemon Blossoms, aka The Cupcake Bastards, but the recipe for those can be found on Paula Deen's website. Kevin has altered it a bit. )<br /><br />Once upon a time, he gave me the cookie recipe and I attempted the chocolate chip wonders. My husband, who had been previously gifted with Kevin's baking, said "Leave the baking to Kevin". <br /><br />Apparently, Kevin has the magic touch with his culinary skills. :)<br /><br />It's good to work with younger and talented people!!!Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-61754407982621736622010-07-21T20:25:00.001-07:002010-07-21T20:35:12.423-07:00My blog backgroundsApparently, my blog backgrounds expire Friday. <br /><br />Apparently, I need a degree in computer science to read the HTML to redesign this.<br /><br />This was a much easier process when I created these blogs.<br /><br />So, if you read this on Friday, you may see a white background to my ramblings. Maybe I can make Kevin figure it out :)<br /><br />No more transfusions in my future so I have to start on school work. ugh.Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-17356193065093987362010-07-20T15:57:00.000-07:002010-07-20T16:15:58.341-07:00A Tower in Pisa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR94LRHuUeRuBr-rl9AEsy1c53DDywgqTSMc6OvglEXa3128ymMXEY5xRb79ydtyrScWqnAadOMNztfaZel2hxHviXf8A6l-RKr_kaXm5YO_kbQCIUmOeGClscA1KMiAoCP6CoNFF10E/s1600/Riviera+142.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdMqfsCZDdjf-r_aWNrv_7rMDALZU-56KCoeTZmxwD4ndmx2zm3EYPDdDj8ttFdgU10qPLHYHy_XGUBLjAt9nY_zZBKotbUjEDpwSigg0ebRvbIf4Tw43qOyMzuIDkIq3fOhV1Hr6lI0/s1600/Northern+Italy+and+Pisa+147.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496128150457560866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdMqfsCZDdjf-r_aWNrv_7rMDALZU-56KCoeTZmxwD4ndmx2zm3EYPDdDj8ttFdgU10qPLHYHy_XGUBLjAt9nY_zZBKotbUjEDpwSigg0ebRvbIf4Tw43qOyMzuIDkIq3fOhV1Hr6lI0/s320/Northern+Italy+and+Pisa+147.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I love this picture! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There was a huge area of grass around the Tower surrounded by chains and with signs that read (in ENGLISH) "Do Not Step On The Grass". So, of course, there were hundreds of tourists all over the grass!!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We did the right thing and stayed on the sidewalk. :) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Christy suggested this pose and I am glad she did because I loved it the minute I saw it in my camera! It only took us one try to get that shot!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-41837742617613441412010-07-20T15:36:00.000-07:002010-07-20T15:54:35.779-07:00Choosing European pix<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0ZBUq4GEMwPZ_Kvx9fLUSANimvj3MHpXi01AuAgK0rSi8Mtg8WosCITUQOpksO-X4OXhukHd7mprpIFiOlG3-bOqdwPC_f7q4xDqaZJlJ5w1sIGPVKdNdgQmrnvloODUDD0-CBtoe2Y/s1600/Northern+Italy+and+Pisa+041.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496124586303764082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0ZBUq4GEMwPZ_Kvx9fLUSANimvj3MHpXi01AuAgK0rSi8Mtg8WosCITUQOpksO-X4OXhukHd7mprpIFiOlG3-bOqdwPC_f7q4xDqaZJlJ5w1sIGPVKdNdgQmrnvloODUDD0-CBtoe2Y/s320/Northern+Italy+and+Pisa+041.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We finished our 7th infusion today. Hopefully, we will complete the LAST one tomorrow morning. Then we are off to St. John's for bloodwork and hopefully, the PICC removal!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today I sorted through my pictures from Europe and determined which ones I want to print. I also sorted through Christy's and "stole" some of hers. I sorted through about 1700 pictures and chose <em>only</em> 90-some pix to send to mpix for processing. :P</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I think my choices are unusual from what I normally would choose. I chose people pix with the monuments, some of Tyler just being himself, and where we posed in front of a great scene/backdrop. But the majority I chose were architectural... Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa... but also just doorways, windows, views we took from heights, etc... I'm going to put some of them together in a wall collage, but I chose a couple of shots that I'm going to enlarge and put on my classroom wall for those "mini-mental vacations" I try to take about once an hour. :) One of my favorite shots is pictured here... I took it from the top of the castle that Tyler, Christy, and I climbed in a little town in Northern Italy. </div>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-8558681821686666282010-07-19T15:26:00.000-07:002010-07-19T15:54:22.658-07:00To Blog or Not To Blog...So many thoughts... do I really want them all out there in cyberspace for all to read? <br /><br />Self-editing has to occur... and I can't self-edit very well (as can be confirmed by my English-teaching colleagues who must edit my written work -- LOL!). I really need someone to pass my ideas by and that person can say "nope, you can't write that in your blog!"<br /><br />So... I stick with "safe" topics that won't offend or get me in trouble with anyone. Hmm... kind of boring.<br /><br />But what to write about today??? I could discuss football helmets that don't fit... or entertaining a restless 6-year-old i.v. transfusionist... or DirecTV's "service"... or the fact the dogs barked at something all night long...<br /><br />Everyone needs a way to communicate their ideas/feelings/concerns/frustrations. A blog seems a peaceful way to piece everything out... and then... if you are feeling adventurous... you hit the "publish post" for all the world to see. <br /><br />I was told today that it's a lot cheaper than therapy and that's certain! It also saves me from verbalizing something "from the hip" and gives me that time to "self-edit" that I so desperately need :)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-176473772397320592010-07-16T19:10:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:11:23.193-07:00Christy's blogChristy is writing great blog material! Follow hers too!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://skinnygirlconfess.blogspot.com/">http://skinnygirlconfess.blogspot.com/</a>Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-41393348622094671372010-07-16T17:44:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:53:36.655-07:00FacebookI have a co-worker (that would be Kevin Rentel) who swears Facebook is the work of the devil. Being Catholic, I'm sure he has more knowledge of the Devil and his works than this life-long Methodist, so I've got to listen to his reasoning :)<br /><br />Kevin thinks nothing good comes of using FB, and after he's had to rid my computers of the viruses encountered through my FB usage, I will contend that he could be correct.<br /><br />HOWEVER...<br /><br />(you had to know that was coming Kev...)<br /><br />I have 372 FB friends. I used FB to communicate each day's progress while Jake was hospitalized in Springfield. Some of the people who followed it...<br /><br />my other son<br />my family, including some family I only see once a year these days<br />my friends in El Do<br />my friends from elem/high school/college days<br />my co-workers/friends<br />my former students, some of whom I had not heard from in a long time<br /><br />...and all these people followed the posts and sent well-wishes and most importantly, offered prayers in Jake's behalf.<br /><br />They also conveyed prayer requests at their churches in El Do and Nevada and I know the power of all these combined prayers helped heal that horrible infection. We are so grateful.<br /><br />A dear friend of mine also used FB to challenge all of HER FB friends to make their daily post a get-well message to Jake. I read over 40 posts to Jake that night from people of all ages. It certainly brightened Jake's night to hear what people were wishing for him!<br /><br />So... Kevin might be right that FB is the work of the devil and where the viruses are concerned, I might agree. But I also think that God is at work on FB, providing a way for people to convey needs and having those needs spiral through our community :) <br /><br />(just think of what FB did for Makenzie's Google Doodle!!! :) )<br /><br />Here's to careful FB usage :)Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-10465613889613757072010-07-16T17:13:00.001-07:002010-07-16T17:22:55.971-07:00Greetings From The Funny FarmI rode a school bus for nine years and seven of those years, I was driven by a fantastic guy by the name of Mike Clark. Since I was one of the last kids to be let off the bus each afternoon, I got to know Mike well as we would move to the front and visit with him after the large group of kids got off in Harwood.<br /><br />Our bus was outfitted in a stereo and speakers in the front, middle and back of the bus. I rode a lot of miles listening to WHB out of Kansas City. All of the kids knew each other well, but sometimes fights would begin and Mike would dole out his punishments to the offenders. <br /><br />One year, I gave Mike a Garfield poster for Christmas. It was Garfield and Odie in a padded room with the phrase "Welcome to the Funny Farm" written on the bottom. Mike put that poster up in the front of the bus and it was still hanging there the last day he took me home on the bus before I transferred to Nevada for high school.<br /><br />I've been thinking about that poster. I think I'm going to be placed in my own funny farm before school starts. With Jake feeling better, he's able to talk, talk, talk and complain about not being able to do everything he wishes to do... like play with his construction vehicles in his compost pile. My sanity might be iffy as it is and I'm not sure I'll survive until he's fully recovered. :OMrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-58682527222559213132010-07-16T16:47:00.001-07:002010-07-16T16:59:03.939-07:00IV'sFrom the hospital, we arrived home with a PICC line inserted in Jake's right arm. <br /><br />It's my job once a day to infuse my son with two medications via the PICC line.<br /><br />Day One was nightmarish. My training occurred 30 minutes after I arrived home from St. John's (and after 6 days there... and several days of a sick kid... and 12 days in Europe... and 18 hours of trans-Atlantic flight). It was a blur as our home health nurse ran thru the instructions. She left him hooked to the machine and I got to disconnect and cleanse.<br /><br />Day Two and it's my turn to do this solo. I had several questions and no luck calling the support staff. Thankfully, I have the cell number of an RN in my phone and he was able to answer my questions and reassure me that I could get the job done. (He's always been one of my best cheerleaders! :) )<br /><br />Day Three went smoothly as I felt more confident in what I was doing.<br /><br />Day Four had the nurse visiting while Jake was doing his infusion. Jake's vitals were great, the PICC line looks great, and she told me I was doing a great job with the IVs. If only the patient were not feeling so spirited!!! It's getting hard to keep him slowed down!<br /><br />Only four more days to go! It takes nearly 3 hours for the entire process from start to finish. The nurse gave me permission to speed up the IV a tad and we are going to start earlier each day so the patient won't be as restless as the time wears on...<br /><br />I'm praying that his blood work will be terrific on the 21st... otherwise I have another week to look forward to of infusions. School is going to start soon and Jake hasn't even been in the water... pool, lake, White Water, anything!!! Poor kid!Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8687956717915307262.post-54741106821281798972010-07-16T16:12:00.000-07:002010-07-16T16:47:00.493-07:00NursesJake was so sick. After the appendectomy, an abcess grew in his lower pelvis. That 5 cm nightmare made our baby feverish - 103.5 degrees at one point - and I found myself growing frustrated as I tried to make him comfortable.<br /><br />One shift of nurses promised pain relief. The next shift also promised. The third shift explained that a decision had been made not to medicate him so that the procedure to remove the abcess could be performed ASAP. <br /><br />These women were only doing what they had been told to do. They didn't realize that I didn't know the doctor's decision. But, they worked hard to help me take care of him and they worked hard to keep me calm and patient.<br /><br />I cannot believe the working conditions they endure. One of our nurses was there every day that we were so she worked 6 days in a row, either 8 or 12 hours per day. She was running back and forth between the pediatric floor and the PICU. The census (number of patients) was low, so the two floors were sharing nurses. (????!!!!!!????) At one point, they were caring for a 10-day old baby on the pediatric floor. He stopped breathing and they rushed him to the PICU, 3 floors down. His nurse had to go with him but she was still responsible for the other patients back on the 7th floor. (That baby was eventually intubated, still did poorly and was flown to St. Louis.) <br /><br />Another of our nurses worked a 3-11 shift one afternoon/night. I wandered out to the nurses' station at 2 am and she was still there. She didn't have time to do reports on her shift, so she had to stay and complete them after her shift "ended". <br /><br />I didn't hear a single nurse complain about anything. AND, every single time they came in our room, they not only asked Jake what they could do for him, they asked me and anyone who was visiting us, if they could help us or get us anything.<br /><br />They let Jake scream and cry (without telling him he had to stop disturbing others), they encouraged him when he wasn't feeling well, and they thrilled in the fact he was feeling sooooo much better after the procedure was complete and the drain tube was doing it's job.<br /><br />I was so impressed! I appreciate their dedication to their jobs and their love of the children for which they care each day. <br /><br />Thank you to the St. John's Pediatric Staff!!Mrs. Becky Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09397944015210386179noreply@blogger.com0