Thanksgiving in the Carolinas...

This picture is from a random moment stopped to enjoy the beauty of color last week. I just had to show you the glory of God that I got a chance to enjoy.

This was my first taste of sweet potatoe pie, made by Myrana, everyone liked it...

My holiday feast provided and shared with co-workers.

I experienced my first Thanksgiving in the Carolinas.
Last year I did the road marathon to visit friends & family in VA, MD & PA which was wonderful, busy and the first time I've participated in so many Thanksgiving meals in one extended weekend.
This year I took my turn, on duty in the ED. It was steady for the first half of the day but slow in the afternoon.

Our charge nurse got organized and had everyone sign up to bring in different food to have a holiday meal here. He made turkey and sliced it up nicely for everyone. At his request I cooked ham and made a pumpkin pie. (Side note: Let me tell you -- those plastic baking bags that you can cook a turkey in -- they work well for throwing a ham in and baking it. I was able to throw the ham in the oven and go back to sleep for another hour. :) A great thing since I got off late last night and then went to the gym and got home around midnight & had trouble falling asleep last night.)

We had a variety of foods -- turkey, spiral sliced ham, mac&cheese, mashed potatoes, greenbean casserole, fruit tray, bread, italian wedding soup, cranberry sauce, and for desert pumpkin pie, sweet potatoe pie and a bundt cake.

I have never eaten sweet potatoe pie before. I think it tends to be a tradition of the south. Recently I was talking with someone who said that sweet potatoes pies and casseroles were a must have tradition as part of the southern Thanksgiving. I tried a piece and it was fabulous --It was very moist and lots of the same flavors of pumpkin pie. And I had to laugh that it was one of our registration girls, Myrana who made it for us. She moved from Ecuador last year and knows how to make this southern dish already and I don't. She did an excellent job so I asked a few questions.
Now I can say I have experienced a traditional southern/ Carolina Thanksgiving -- sweet potatoe pie and all...
I pray God blessed you all with special moments and good food today & safe traveling for all those on the roads and in the air.

Top Ten list for a better holiday

Its time for the Holidays... I figured why not continue my previous year tradition of sharing my lessons observed in the ED for a better holiday experience.

Top Ten list for a better holiday

#1 Wash your hands often and especially before that special family meal or food prep- you don't know where those friends and family hands have been -- wiping kids noses or scratching skin coated with MRSA (okay I had to throw in that word :) to spread more paranoia - You all must realize by now that we almost all have probably been exposed by this point)-- But seriously -- wash with water and soap but the key is the friction of the rubbing the hands together for 20 seconds or so.

#2 Avoid unnecessary cuts ----Stop opening cans with knifes or fingers -- what is it with trying to use hand held can openers that don't work completely so I will try to pry it open.... (famous last words let me tell you)

#3 Drink more water -- it helps you stay hydrated while traveling -helps give you energy to deal with additional stress and helps your immune system fight new germs and may help avoid hangovers for those who dip into alcohol

#4 Don't leave the turkey thaw on the counter or in the sink and please please please refrigerate left overs-- let me introduce the concept of food poisoning and not leaving the bathroom for the next 24-48 hours... enough said.

#5 Watch out for the pranksters... there's always one funny one in the group -- make sure the chair is there before you sit etc...

#6 Watch for uneven pavement and unexpected steps in homes while visiting family or friends especially when our parents and grandparents may be around and need more help with stability-- they have a way of jumping up and knocking people down

#7 Be careful if children are visiting homes with dogs that they are monitored as old dogs may not tolerate tails being pulled or untrained dogs may not tolerate children near their toys or food. A dog bite is traumatizing to everyone involved.

#8 Remember to plan for time to kick back and have some quality time with friends and family. These are opportunities to build relationships and memories -let go of little things and use your time wisely. Love your friends and family and chose to use this time to "Encourage one another daily"

#9 If you get talked into the traditional family games such as basketball or football -- remember to have fun -- but warm up and stretch to avoid injuries.

#10 Take time to thank God for the good things in life (you can always find bad things but I think everyone can find at least one good thing and its amazing how focusing on the positive can change your attitude and stress level -- Like -- Thank God I have a job (despite the fact I have to work Thanksgiving). Thank God I have friends who take pity on me and bring me food and co workers who creatively plan ahead to share our own holdiay meal.

-- And my prayer is that you all have a great Holiday season and it does not involve visits to the ED.

Whether to come...or Whether to go ... Weather for sun .. or ... Weather for snow.

I SEE SNOW!!!!!!

Flurries that is.

Weird... considering I was sweating in a tank top while weed wacking and raking leaves just yesterday. The temperature was in the 70s yesterday. At least this year I learned to clean out my gutters before it froze.

It feels like winter....

Where can wisdom be found?

Last night I was praying for guidance. I really want to have the ability to know the future and therefore make wiser decisions when it comes to life... But little do I really comprehend that burden. Instead God guided me to pray for specific guidance and for me to come to him for each of the decisions in my life. And gave me peace that He would provide me guidance at the times when I need it most. And to trust him when I don't know what to do. He is faithful in all ways. He can recover any lost ground and lost opportunities when He desires it.
Today I was scanning some verses on Bible gateway at work. I was filled with annoyance at a patient who was not faithful in taking meds prescribed to them. They even had the meds in their possession that would probably cure their ailments. What do they not understand about that?
It made me reflect back on my life. How often do I make decisions that do not help me? And how often do I forget to go back to my resources (the scripture) highly available in my own life. The Word that brings life. When I am searching for wisdom why not go to what God has already given me?.... Maybe I am more like that patient than I wish to be. "There but for the grace of God go I" was a fitting statement. And as I looked I found this beautiful scripture.
May it encourage you as it did me.

Job 28: 12-28
"But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?

13 Man does not comprehend its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, 'It is not in me';
the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed in silver.

16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or sapphires.

17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.

20 "Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?

21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds of the air.

22 Destruction [c] and Death say,
'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'

23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,

24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.

25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,

26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,

27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.

28 And he said to man,
'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.' "