This past week has been pretty good overall. Thursday evening our department held a conference at the hospital, inviting practitioners, clinicians and other staff. We had an amazing speaker who provided information on Credentialing - the reasons why we are so stringent when it applies to staff at our facility. There are governing agencies, corporate policy and bylaws that determine the documentation which must be submitted by the medical staff in order to obtain or maintain privileges to work at our facility. It was really interesting for me, still somewhat of a “newbie”!
Friday, we had a staff meeting regarding the new forms for (those dreaded) Performance Evaluations which are handed out each year! Corporate had come out with a new form this year and we were given the option of using the old or the new form this year - and Boss D wanted our input. Since I started last year, I have only had my 90-day evaluation and had not really taken the time to look over the form.
The meeting was “interesting” - with several of us giving our opinion of the form and, actually, I’m not even sure of the final decision. Because of our conference the previous day, held from 4 - 6 pm, we were going to leave at 4:00, but ended up not leaving until 4:20. Still an early and much needed day for all of us!
Saturday, I met with J and then decided to stay in Edmond to do some shopping. I’m still looking for things for my new apartment - moving in two weeks! I shopped all day and found a few things at some great sales. I made my way through Target, Kohl’s, T J Maxx, Gordman’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond and a couple more!
My “oil change” light had come on in the car on Thursday and I intended to get my oil changed here in town where Michael and Elizabeth take their cars. In Edmond, yesterday, I passed by many oil change places and never thought once about pulling in, that is until about 3:00, when I passed a small oil change place that for some reason, caught my eye! It turned out to be a “fun” experience.
I pulled in and they immediately started working on the car - with me right there able to watch the whole process. I like that because I’m always a little apprehensive about being taken advantage of because I’m a woman. It certainly was not like that! They changed the oil, pulled the air filter and showed it to me. It was really dirty! It was closing time and yet they looked through the shop looking for my particular air filter and when they didn’t have it, the owner (who looked quite familiar to me) drove to a part store, brought it back and put it on my car.
While the owner, “Phil” was gone to get the filter, I was talking to the guys working on the car and discovered that Phil was my 8th grade history teacher! Now, of course, he looked a little different - after 30+ years, but I knew he looked familiar! He was one of my teachers who really made an impact on me. He was young and had only been teaching a year or two at that time and was actually still working on his degree. Can you believe - “back then” - you could teach even though you were not quite through with your degree?! Well, when he came back with the air filter, the guys told him what we had discovered and he came over and we chatted a bit about “back then”. It was fun to see him after all these years and I was also very impressed with the service I received - with or without “Mr. Phipps”. I will definitely be going back there when another 3,000 miles rolls around! If you’re ever in Edmond, America and need an oil change - I highly recommend Phipps Phast Oil Change!
Last night, about 10, my sister called to let me know that one of my Dad’s brothers was very near to the end of his life. One of my aunts who attended my niece’s wedding three weeks ago had told us that he was not doing well and had been put on morphine. I knew then that I wanted to see him, but had never taken the time to do so. All of my Dad’s brothers and their wives were an intricate part of my life - while growing up still to this day!
I told Elizabeth that I was going to go down first thing this morning to see him and my aunt and she and Michael want to see him, too! We will be leaving here about 9:00 this morning and say our goodbyes. It’s so hard to lose people we love. I know it’s a part of life and at my age, it will happen again, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I feel like I am grieving so much these days. Then end of 2006, my uncle passed and then one of my aunts and then, of course, my mom a year ago. Now I am grieving the death of my marriage and working so hard to develop positive coping skills.
I wish that I had gone to see Uncle L three weeks ago, as I had planned. I told myself I was busy, but would get there as soon as I could - even though I know I “make” time for those things that I deem a priority. I pray that I will be able to see him and tell him goodbye this morning. If ever there was a reminder not to put off seeing loved ones and letting them know how we feel about them, - this is that reminder!
After we see my uncle and my aunt, we are going shopping again! Michael and Elizabeth are looking for a new dining table and I have a couple of things I need for the apartment.
Then tomorrow, a new week starts and everthing continues as “normal”!
In His Love and Blessings
annb
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