The first snow is officially here.....

.....Pushing fall right out

A World of Hurting People

Every week, I take time out of my schedule to watch Extreme Makeover online. Some of you may have your own opinions about these type things, so be it. Almost every episode finds me in tears, having a new enriched desire to help others in need. I realize more everyday just how blessed we are, how blessed I AM to have a roof over my head, food on the table, family support & love, friendships, etc while so many others struggle with things beyond my imagination.

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Everyday, I walk into work.. Im in touch with lives and their emotions, their families, their struggles and trials... and Im reminded of just how good God has truly blessed my life.

Im reminded of things I seem to take for granted, things so minor, but find so easily to complain about. Im reminded of all these things.

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To me, sometimes it seems like I live in this little box, secluded from all the hurtful things, hardships people face everyday. Believe me, I've thought that before.... especially when my eyes were officially opened through the medical field. You may think... Im eluding that my life is perfect, but surely & truly it isnt. Im just learning to appreciate those precious moments and blessings that others take for granted and far often, lack.... and share them with others.

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I obviously don't have the talent to build/design a home, but I can always do something to help others, starting with a smile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIME.....
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Sometimes, we do things at such late hours (or early if you like to think it as such) because there is no other time where we can all be together. SO... after Ange and I got home from work at like 12:30am... everyone came down to celebrate Mom's birthday, except for Ash.. as she had to go back to college in the am.

Ange made the cake before work on Monday.

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WE LOVE YOU MOM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM !

(click on poem to get larger font)

Oh To See This Day Again

Those of you who buy Regular.... I thought I'd never see the day again... As of last night, this was

our first gas station in my area to hit $2 something! I was so impressed as you can see that I had to take a snapshot on my phone of the moment.

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It's definitely sad when we(or I) do this over gas prices!

Medical flub ups

You know those forwards that sometimes go around where there is a collection of medical statements written with some VERY obvious/scary errors noted by "professionals?" Well, this week on MY unit, there were a couple statements made by a nurse and nursing assistant that I thought just might fit in a collection like such.

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Nursing assistant runs out of the room after answering a call bell pushed by a patient due to their IV pump beeping and says.... " The IV pump in Room ____ is having a collision. =) INSTEAD, she should have said that the IV pump is showing there is a occlusion (meaning either the tubing is kinked or there might be air in the line.)

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Nurse says to another nurse, Pt's IV pump is running 100 miles an hour, INSTEAD of 100 ml/hour.

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Nurse documenting on computer at end of shift = Polident brought in by pt's teeth....., INSTEAD of pt's son.

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Not that there is any excuse for such errors, but what can you expect when you've litterly been running in every direction and trying to juggle everything that needs to get done + answer lights. Sometimes I'm suprised at how sane we nurses stay.

Burlington, VT

Back during the summer months, a VT trip was discussed for an upcoming time. We finally were able to pull it off this past Saturday spending most of the day in VT. Unfortunately, work was too hectic to be able to get friday off, so I left 6:30ish Saturday morning after about 3 hours of sleep.

Due to never taking a ferry before, I was anxious to get the opportunity to on this trip. This ferry was the smaller/shorter of the 2 we could have gone on and lasted only about 20 minutes.

Jon, took this snapshot on my camera... but Im curious to know what was so funny?

We, females love to shop most times. Yes, we do! The part that shocks me is that after a full day of shopping, I walked away with absolutley no purchases, other than food.
Church Street Market
Now, this picture is a VERY mild shot compared to when we were there, which means.. I did snatch this pic from the internet seeing I didnt have my camera with me at that time. The place was packed with all sorts of people.. people that made Jon a bit uneasy about being there! So, we walked the 4 blocks for a little bit, but didnt stay long.

We hit some more shopping = Walmart and Michaels and then headed for dinner at....
There was such a long line that it took about 45 minutes to be seated. This was after several people decided they weren't waiting any longer and left. We left about 8:20pm to get back to the ferry for what was the last ferry out at 9pm! Yes, I know.. the sign in the first pic says 9:30, but that was for the other side.

All in all, we had a good time together. Sunday was pretty much spent at church and then over to the "Catton" residence for lunch with the Saxtons! Headed for home Monday morning in time to go to work!

Thanks for having me, Jon & Leah!

I'm BACK....

Mixed Emotions.. to say the least...

It's been a little more than a month now since I started having some major issues with my computer, and wasnt sure if it was going to "pull through" or not. Some rays of hope would be noted, but then it'd take a turn for the worst again. I guess if I'm honest, deep down inside I had hoped it would last a little bit longer even though I've had it for several years now, due to come reasons that have been very dear to me. The sad news is..... last night, I officially took the computer apart to replace it with another desktop.

Now, the amazing thing was.... Circuit City was offering free shipping which was to take about 2 weeks or some other pricey options to choose from! I had debated on spending a little extra money to get my purchase here sooner, but thought... I've waited this long, why not wait a bit longer?! Anyways, so I chose the free option. To my surprise after ordering one morning, mom called the following morning at 9am and told me that a big box had been delivered to my doorstep. I couldn't believe it!!!! I know I never would have known this, but if I had paid extra to "so call " have a quicker delivery.. they would have definitely ripped me off of money, and then I wouldn't be very happy.

So, I'm officially back in business, but still feel a bit saddened due to the changes. I will never forget my very first computer.

Hope IS The Reason For The Season

***There is NO finish line until we find a cure!!!!!***

Yesterday, September 20th, 2008 was the 2nd of 3 "Relay For Life's" in Lake Placid, NY I've attended since Aunt Ruth and Mary Jane Fuller had been diagnosed with cancer. These are 2 VERY special people, who have had a great impact on my life. Unfortunately, this past late spring, MaryJane lost her battle to cancer, but ultimately won the spiritual war as she crossed over to meet her Savior.

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Cancer is such a heart wrenching disease when you look around you to see so many suffering/hurting individuals fighting. The fighting MUST continue to go on... and that is what this Relay was all about!!!!! Over the course of this day, more than $55,000 dollars was raised to help in the continuation of cancer research. The goal had been exceeded, which was such exciting news.

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The day turned out to be absolutley gorgorous. It was pretty warm compared to last year, as I froze. I came a bit more prepared this year in attire. Very greatful in the end... as it once again cooled off a great deal.

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Here are just a few of the many pictures that were taken for this special occassion....

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This saying was attached to the group's table under their tent!
VERY TRUE!

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Cousin Jon, feeling a bit engulfed with some Survivor balloons. Notice the different numbers on each of the balloons. Each survivor was handed one of these, which signified how many years they had been cancer free.

Look real close... you'll see Leah and I near the top. Now, below is a close up!!

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Uncle Ralph & Aunt Ruth... so proud and happy for her!!!!

She definitely deserved such a special day... and I pray many more of these days over many years to come!

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Mike Fuller, who recently lost his dear wife to cancer.

This was his first time attending an event as such, but seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. He never failed to add some picking and teasing amongst the group, which helped keep everyone lively. It was so nice to have you attend such an event that had such meaning for EVERYONE there!

Now, the flower arrangement that he's holding, I believe came from Jon & Leah after the first "Survivor" walk. That was so thoughtful of you guys!

Mom & Auntie

These tents were set up all around the oval to stop and eat, buy, pick up free items, etc.

And.. this is some of the scenery noticed as we walked. Of course the pic doesn't do justice!
Here's everything lit up after dark.... all around the oval were the lumineria bags filled with sand and a candle lit. Such a pretty sight!
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Then, Sunday evening as Mom & I were heading towards home, we decided to stop and visit "Gana's" grave site. If Im not mistake, this would have made only my 2nd time visiting since her passing in 2002! A bit ashamed, to say the least! I do miss her dearly. Her phone calls that sometimes seemed a bit overbearing (3-5 times a day- and just as you were walking out the door), but you know.. I'd take back EVERY last time I thought this... because now, my days pass by without getting any phone calls from her. She always loved to talk to her children & grandchildren.. and she always made a special attempt to let each of us know how much she loved and cared for us. Lots of her time was spent with family because she didnt like to be left alone - Rides to town, out to dinner, family visits for weeks on end, etc. She was my very special Gana.. and forever will be held close in thought.

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Cherish every moment with loved ones... for you never know when it will be your last moment with them. Guard your tongue in conversation, laugh often, and never forget to let them know how much you appreciate them, whether its in words, actions or deeds!

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Gana, I Miss & Love You lots... Can't wait to talk with you again =)

..RIP..

Computer illness

You think the light at the end of the tunnel is near...

and then domino theory happens all over again.

Very sick.... I don't know if its going to make it.

Random things...

Ok, so my computer still isn't in operation at present, but I decided that by the time it was, more time would have passed for me to catch up. Here are several randoms posts in 1. Mostly pictures with very litle side notes.

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This afternoon, Ash came into my room as I was about the lay down for a nice little Sunday nap to ask if I would snap some shots of her for a new look on facebook. It took a bit of convincing as she pounced on my bed, but I finally gave in. About 75 pictures later, we concluded that it was enough for today. Here are just SOME of the results, obviously.

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Years ago, we had a good size church youth group as I talked about in earlier posts. About a year ago, I was weeding out some things and came across a 3 1/2 floppy disc of some scanned photos of some of the young people who once attended. It was amazing to see who the originals were and how everyone had grown, and so... since we have started this new group of young adults, I thought it'd be nice to get a snap shot of our first attendees to compare to once the group grows. This was taken at our second meeting.

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Left to Right- Aimee, Liz, Dan & Ben

Liz has been one of my dearest girl friends since we met at age 13/14.

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I spent an absolutely gorgeous day here in Niagra Falls recently & then spent the night in Syracuse with Ash !

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How's this for a Burger King?
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My Computer

I havent fallen off the face of the earth just yet;) for I've just had some MAJOR computer problems over the past week or so. So, you ask... how are you able to write this post? Well, I am using another family computer at the moment, but it's such a pain when you dont have access to your own things on your own computer. There are several posts I can/plan to make as soon as things get back in operation like they should, but until then..... I'm on hold.

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Another note, Im learning to stay away from virus software....even if I might have one. If the virus wasn't in full bloom before the software, it definitely activated things since then, ultimatley taking important files with it. It's been domino theory since. If it's not a virus, then I just have some MAJOR OS issues caused by other things.

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No one has to worry though if I've sent something your way.. because it's not from MY computer. Relax.

FTD Response

Thank you for your recent purchase from FTD.COM for Heidi S. We received your email regarding a substitution to your first choice selection and apologize for any misunderstanding regarding our substitution policy. Substitution is sometimes necessary to ensure your gift is delivered in a timely manner. When it is necessary to substitute, the utmost care and attention is given to your order to ensure that it is as similar as possible to the requested item. For floral arrangements, our policy allows for flowers of equal or greater value to be substituted to convey the same overall look, feel, and color scheme of the arrangement.

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A more detailed policy on substitution may be found on our website. 1) From the Home Page, click on "customer service". Then, click on "What is FTD.COM's substitution policy". 2) The substitution policy may also be viewed from the product page. Click on the words "Substitution Policy" underneath the large picture of the product

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Thank you for shopping with FTD.COM.

Sincerely,
Lynnae
http://custserv.ftd.com/

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I knew this was going to being what would give them a leg to stand on! I know there is always fine print regardless of what you are ordering, etc.. but my goodness... who always reads the fine print?! I don't. When you've done this multiple of times and havent had near the problems, especially having something so vastly different delivered, I guess you dont think about the possibilities of it happening to you.

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Where is professionalism anymore? Wouldn't it be out of curtesy to at least notify me of the changes before going ahead to give the ok for something I DIDN'T order?!?!?!?

Anyways, the issue is over & Im letting it go now... but I've definitely taken a lesson from it.

BEWARE

An addition to my last post with the floral arrangement that I had sent this week, it dawned on me about as soon as I had sent my order in that I never signed my name so they would know who it was from! Some websites I had been looking at, had an extra slot where you were required to sign "something" in the signature box, but as far as FTD.com, I had to just put it within the message. Obviously that slipped my mind. I wasnt sure what to do at this point...and because it was going to be delivered the same day, I couldnt edit my order. I mean you feel weird calling to somehow feel someone out to see if they recieved any delivery, let alone make someone feel pressured to say thank you. It is always nice to have someone appreciate something you have done for them, but it means so much more to have them say so themselves. Ya know?! Anyways... nothing had been said all week, and I guess I shouldn't have expected to get a phone call, when they wouldnt have a clue as to who sent them in the first place... without a name! At the same time, something just didn't feel right about the whole thing, so I gathered enough nerve to call and see if it would come up in conversation. Most important, I wanted to make sure the delievery was made! Then it happened.......... My world turned upside down for a little while. This is how it went....!

Nothing came up on it's own about getting any delivery, so I just had to ask! "Heidi, did you get any deliveries this week?" Actaully, yes... she goes.. " I got an arrangement of flowers on wednesday, but I dont know who they are from because there was no name!" So, I played along.. and asked, well what did they look like?? Well, it has a clear vase with little flowers painted on it... and the flowers were dark red, pink, yellow and white, with baby breath and ferns. I knew right away something was wrong... and I was fit to be tied. You mean, the vase isnt green with a purple pokadot ribbon tied around it?? No, she said. I just couldnt believe what I was hearing... I then went on to say they were actually from me and tried to explain exactly what I ordered and that it wasn't even close to what was delivered. I was soooooo embarrassed, mortified, and upset!

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Who could get an order that WRONG????? Here are the 2 pictures so you can compare what I ordered versus what was delievered. I had her take a pic on her cell phone and send it to me right away.

I was so upset... I mean, whats the point in spending time online to find something that you really like, spend the money for it to help brighten someone else's day.. and find out that what was delivered wasnt even what was ordered! I have my own tastes as far as arrangements go and would have NEVER picked that arrangement if it were there to pick from! Im definitely not a fern person, the flowers looked so different, and SO incredibly SLOPPY!!!!!!!! Heidi, gave me the phone number to the local florist that was picked by FTD.com to deliver my arrangement. Now, mind you... I am not one to make phone calls to order things or go to the a place to tell them exactly what I want, when I really havent a clue, knowing I have people waiting in line behind me. I hate the uncomfortable feeling that this brings on. Im not one to create problems/ or be vocal about them, but would rather go on my merry way staying out of people's way. I mean, it's just who I am. IF it were someone I were really close to, that might be a different story. I know it can be unhealthy to just let people walk all over you...for there are times in which you need to stand up for whatever the case may be.

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ANYWAYS, this is becoming a long venting matter to say the least, but Im trying to hurry. We all know, when I talk.. every detail needs to be said or else I dont feel like I've told the story=)

So, I got on the phone and made my case with the lady in the florist shop. It appears that the one I had talked with, was actually the one that made the arrangement. She was the sweetest, most understanding lady.. and explained what happened. She said... FTD.com sends the name of the arrangement that was ordered and the recipients information to send it, but will not send any of the "buyers" info because they do not want "Randolph's (The local florist) to take me as their customer. She went on to say.. "I knew I didnt have a green vase like that or some of the flowers.. and I didnt even know what the arrangement was to look like until I did some major searching on the webite to find it. I called FTD.com and told them that I didnt have what was needed to make this arrangement.. and they gave me the ok to substitute other flowers/vase within that price range to create a new bouquet." Then I piped in... and said..well who are THEY to give the ok to substitute another arrangement... they didnt buy it?!?!?!?!?!? If they refused to give any contact info to you guys.. then they should have at least made me aware of the situation to let me have the final say! I could have then decided whether to go ahead with the new arrangement or cancel my order... to then find another place! The lady perfectly understood... and strongly encouraged me to never go through a place like that again, and to go directly through the local florist, where they can have access to the contact info.. to do things the professional way. She said that she had done everything she could with the limited info she had.. and that ultimately, I would have to contact FTD to get to the base of the problem! I thanked her for her time etc.. and got off.

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I checked the FTD website where they gave an email address through customer service and wrote them a nice little email. Waiting to see what they will do about it.. my guess is nothing.. because in the fine print in one of their policies I was made aware that they can give permission to substitute another arrangement. The situation wouldnt be so upseting if they wouldnt have taken it upon themselves to make my decisions. It's like... why bother look/decide on arrangements to order if you know that you wont be ultimately getting it in the end anyways.

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BEWARE.... of websites that pick your floral shop to deliver like FTD.com

So, FTD is afraid of Randolph's taking me as a customer, eh? Well, FTD just LOST me as a customer because I WILL NEVER go through them again!
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ALSO... always check up with the people who recieved the arrangement, have them explain what they recieved and take a picture. FTD apparently didnt think someone like me would check up on them! Boy, were they WRONG!

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It's so pathetic!

Another bouquet

A friend of mine and her family were in a pretty serious car accident a couple days ago! Thank the Lord there weren't too much as far as injuries to note. Some minor wiplashes, blocking out for several minutes, glass found in skin, and a few more. If the one that hit their car came just seconds before, the mother very well could have been pinned to the back of the car, for they had stopped on the side of the road to get some medicine out of the trunk for the baby and as soon as she got back in, the car was hit from behind. The driver was talking on a cell phone and never saw them stopped! The impact of the hit, sent my friends family into a telephone pole and then the pole snapped and landed on the car. Car totaled!

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With that being said, I decided to send this bouquet of flowers which consists of purple Peruvian lilies, mini-carnations with Yoko Ono button pompons to them. I love the colors purple and green. Now, my scapbooking eye comes out with the pokadot ribbon to help accent the arrangement!