A CNA doing nice things, pass it on...

Yes, I know there is a movie about doing nice things for people but, I am talking about at work. I work in a nursing home and the tension is horrible sometimes. We have what I call "shift wars". Day shift hates Night shift, Eve shift hates Day shift and Night shift hates everyone and is the bastard shift of the building. Anything that can be blamed on them is.

I recently went to Night shift and promised myself I was not dragging the war with me. I am not playing this game. Instead, I vowed to do my best and to do extra to help out the next shift. These things may not apply to your nursing home but, here are some things I do to help out the next shift and hopefully help mend working relationships.

1) Answer call lights! It's state law, we have to do it... but I see plenty of off going CNA's walk out without answering call lights. Take a minute on your way out and answer it! Sometimes it's as easy as opening blinds, getting a hard to reach brush or turning on their TV and will give the on coming CNA the time they need on their hall.

2) Lay out clothes. Even if you aren't dressing your resident, you can take the time to lay out an outfit for them so your on coming CNA has one less thing to do. Pick out socks, arm protectors, TED hose, bras, panties and all. This way your CNA will have the extra minutes they need to get everyone up and to breakfast on time.

3) Get extra people dressed. I'm not saying to pull everyone out of bed and make them get dressed. After 4 AM, if someone gets up to go the bathroom, I ask if I can help them get dressed. Even one extra person dressed will help the on coming CNA have extra time to help others in the morning.

4) Make a bed. I have a few residents that get up early. If I have an extra minute, I'll make their bed for the CNA.

5) Tidy the closets. My process if pretty simple and fast. Pull all the empty hangers and put them on the right had side of the closet. Next, pull all the pants and put them next to the empty hangers. Finally, pull all the sweaters and put them on the left hand side of the closet. This will make it easier for the day shift CNA when they are in a rush and have to grab a new pair of pants, shirt or sweater.

6) Stock everything. With my shift, I usually have enough time to stock items so the next shift doesn't have to worry about running out of items during their shift. I stock enough gloves, wipes, briefs and personal items for each room. My rule of thumb is to stock everything plus one. That way if they run out, there is still another pack waiting for them.

7) Check for trashcan liners. While stocking, check the trashcans and make sure they have enough can liners to last through a few days. Not having to run to get liners mid-shift will help out the CNA's during the day.

8) Tidy the bed side tables, sinks and night stands. Not only does this help out the next shift, but it also makes a better impression for family members and guests. Spend a minute or two straightening up the room so the next CNA doesn't have to.

9) Take your trash with you. When you leave, don't forget to take your trash with you and toss it in the dumpster. I have worked other shifts as a CNA and day shift really doesn't have the time to empty the trash barrel if it's full.

Working together as a team is a huge deal to many nursing homes. We night shift graveyard workers can encourage teamwork by doing a little extra to help the next shift. If you have any ideas that help, leave them in the comments.

Happy blogging!

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May 21, 2011 The World is going to end tomorrow! Are you ready?

I am all excited and giddy right now! Tomorrow May 21, 2011 the world is going to end! Or that is what some extremists think. If it does, my life will be a lot easier. I won't have anymore debt, I won't have to go to work, I won't have to worry about my allergies and I won't have to worry any more about not having any money saved up for emergencies. But, if it doesn't end on May 21, 2011 (like I am thinking) I am going to have a party May 22, 2011. BYOB! If you make it through the apocalypse, leave a comment! I'd love to hear that I am not the only one that survived. After all, I KNOW I am not going to be one of "God's chosen".

There are plenty of Facebook pages and events popping up. I joined a few of them in honor of May 21, 2011. So far I have joined I am going to laugh when the ruptured doesn't occur on May 21, 2011, Post Rapture looting (Hell YEA!) and After Rapture Party. (BYOB)

If you are still here on May 22, 2011... Don't worry! There will be many more end of the world dates. Mark your calendar for the "It's the End of the World Again Post Rapture Party!" on December 22, 2011. I am pretty damned sure I'll see you there. (Something about sinning)

Surfing the Net at 41,000 Feet. Thanks Southwest

We are flying to San Diego today by way of southwest airlines. After we took off, they announced that we could surf the web using their Wi-Fi. I totally had to try it. Updating my blog at 41,000 feet is something I have never done before… and probably won’t do again. I hate flying. But Southwest is making this flying shit really fun for me. Internet, puke bag, Bailey’s Irish Cream to calm my nerves of Jell-O, Air flow vent sent to the “hurricane force winds” setting… did I mention the Irish Cream? Oh good.
Thank you Southwest airlines for making my flight a lovely flight. I am enjoying this very much. I’ve drank, I’ve messed around on Facebook, I’ve crocheted… the only other thing I haven’t done at 41,000 feet is… WOAH! AWESOME VIEW!
I better go, this is so beautiful! Clouds! I am so ordering more liquor.

Enjoying a Weekend in the Country!

We are house sitting in the country, about 10 miles outside of Libby, this weekend. I really love it out here. My friend has land out here as well and we are both talking about buying trailer homes and moving out to her property. That would be AWESOME! Now, those of you who know me and my experience living in BFE in Tennessee are probably thinking "What are you thinking? How will this be any different?" So let me so you the difference!


In Tennessee we lived 10 miles from anywhere... 
In Montana we will be 10 miles from the town that is 90 miles from anywhere. See... way better.


In Tennessee, we have 8 acres of land with a creek. 
In Montana, we will have 2 acres of land that is right near a huge bit of land that has a creek.


In Tennessee, the land had almost no trees at the top, then sloped down to the most beautiful piece of property you have ever seen. It had a lot of trees, a mossy path, a lot of blackberry bushes, a small meadow... everything that would make it a dream piece of property that was breathtaking!
Here in Montana... well, it has trees! And it's next to the road. And, um, it has trees? Did I mention the trees?


In Tennessee, I spent about 8-9 months out of the year indoors. It was too hot and humid to go outside. I enjoyed the month of winter, the week of spring and the 2 weeks of fall. But beyond that, I was resigned myself to the fact that I was trapped indoors for the rest of my life. Depressing.
In Montana, the weather is perfect for me. Okay, sure, August and September (and sometimes October) just sucks for heat. But I can go outside 8-9 months out of the year. Yes, it is mostly at night or dressed like a freak to keep from breaking out in a rash. But, the point is, I CAN GO OUTSIDE!


This next is the most important part. 


In Tennessee, I had very few neighbors, hardly any friends, no support network and I was lonely. I was isolated and alienated. I had no one to turn to when I needed it the most. Leslie was my ONLY true support network that I could depend on all the time. She was my heart sister, she was family to me, my best friend... and the only person I felt was truly my friend 100% of the time. When she died, my world ended. My best friend, my heart sister, the only person that was like family to me in that very lonely state... was gone. I was left alone and sad with nothing. No friends, no family around, no support and no best friend. I really, truly was alone and I never really felt like Tennessee was home. It was just a place I lived and an experience I endured.


In Montana, I would be living on a property with my best friend as my neighbor. Her mom would be a quick walk away. My family would be a 20 minute drive away. My friends would be 20 minutes away. My HOME would still be here, in Libby. My support network would still be here for me. I would not feel like I was lonely. I have so much here that I would not give up for anything.


The most important things in my life are not money, or if I have the most toys. I don't want to be rich if it means I have money and no friends. I would much rather live with no money and a lot of friends and support. I want to be happy and feel life and that is more to me than any amount of money. 


I don't give a crap about the Jones' or keeping up with them. I just want to be a Latham. Happy, funny, full of life, surrounded by love and family... isn't that worth more than a dream property that is lonely? I think so.

Happy 8th Birthday to The Baker's Acres!

Wow, I didn't realize how long this blog has been up and running. Eight years ago, I was sitting at home in Tennessee on bed rest after my hysterectomy. I was bored, antsy and trying very hard to keep my butt firmly planted in my living room chair. I found something about blogging and checked out blogger.com... at that time it was blogspot.com.

I have been posting on and off for 8 years ever since then. Wow. I can hardly believe it. EIGHT YEARS! My blog is EIGHT YEARS OLD!

I just had to share that with all of you :)