Squirrel Days: 5/15/2011

Outside my window...
**The weather has definitely gotten more spring-like. The last few days have even ventured into summer-like. The older I get, I find that when daily temperature swings are greater than 30-degrees or so, like from the 30s to the 70s, my body doesn't seem to know what to do. Ultimately, the higher temperature makes me feel worn out and fatigued. I much prefer moderate transitions to the warmer temperatures, but... I'm not the one in control of the weather.

From the classroom...
**Well, I got the results back from my 'Basic Acute Care' assessment exam: 87%.

I confess that this depressed me as I thought I had done better than that. I did take some time to go back through the errors to learn what aspects needed to be refined and worked on. This actually was a good process as it showed me that none of my errors were related to the naming of procedures, medicines, equipment, labs, or pathologies. My trouble seems to be mistranslation of slurry speech. Go figure. Unfortunately, only time and practice will help me with this aspect.

This review also helped me to feel better about the exam overall, and I had to reminded myself that 87% would be a passing grade on the Final Exam. [An 85% is the cutoff point, so 84% would essentially be an "F" grade.] Another thing to remind myself is that the Final Exam offers three opportunities for students to get our best scores. [We are not allowed to take the same exam twice, but we do get one try at three separate exams.]

However, before I get to the Final Exam, I have the 'Advanced Acute Care' module to complete and then I proceed into the Transcription Editing portion of this course. It really is like climbing a mountain!

Stewardship or projects...
**The sunny weather has really started the need to work on the property. However, timing is iffy with the amount of school-time I have to invest. I will need to start figuring out how to fit in even just an hour or two here and there to make some progress. [Once I figure out how, it shouldn't be too difficult to maintain. I already use a kitchen timer to help me be aware of passing time when I'm eating lunch on the front porch or the like. Time really slips by quickly when distractions happen!]

Personal victories...
1.) I faced the results of my assessment exam and took the steps needed to understand my mistakes. This actually prompted some additional research on some documentation rules and guidelines that I had been neglecting. So that was a good thing, too!
2.) With the nicer weather, I've had a much easier time going for walks outside with Mr. Squirrel. [So I guess this could be co-listed under the Fun-time below.] It took a few tries, but we've also gotten back into the habit of taking the camera with us. [This would be listed on his fun-time list, I think, as he's been the shutter-bug on these ventures!] The walks are also an attempt to start getting used to the warmer temperatures.

What I am doing as Fun-time...
1.) Still reading: Book #4 "The Shadow Rising" of Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series.
2.) Aside from going for walks and the before-bed reading, there really has been no time for anything else.

Thought(s) on my mind...
**I am even more grateful for the school extension. This advanced module makes me feel like I've almost started over. I'm heavily leaning on expanding my dictionaries with all of the new equipment, procedures, medications, etc. It is good for me to do this, but it has definitely slowed me down.

Counting blessings...
1.) My school extension.
2.) Everyone who has encouraged me to keep-on-keeping-on.
3.) Prayers for God's mercy and provision.

A picture I would like to share...
**One of the pleasures of spring is the return of the woodland flora and fauna.

I confess that somewhere in my brain I have a "cute and fuzzy" button. When it gets triggered, I turn into an excited 6 year old with a HUGE smile. It is an instant release from all adult responsibilities and cares. Of course, it also makes me want to run outside and cuddle the 'cute and fuzzy', which in most cases would be a bad idea. Fortunately, the adult brain kicks back in and (hopefully) I can make a grab for the camera ;)

This week, I spotted our first itty-bitty bunny of 2011. The evening of May 10th I saw this little fuzzy through our bedroom window just under the edge of our shed. So cute!

The space between pine straw and the edge of the shed is about 4-inches. I think he/she might have fit into a coffee cup.

[Photo source: Me.]

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Sunday musing...

This past week has been an absolute blur. I find myself wanting to write it all down in a Squirrel's Day post, but it just is overwhelming.

So, this morning, I'm sitting in the sunshine that is flowing through the window; just soaking it up like any good cat and letting all that busy-ness disappear for a few moments.

Hmmm. So this isn't a completely boring post, I will share the big victories of this past week with you:

1. I did complete the assessment exam for school. It takes a week for them to return the results, so I should have those back in the next few days.

2. Church cleaning was completed on time with Mr. Squirrel's help.

3. New church offering box and announcement fliers were completed and installed prior to the community concert. [Mr. Squirrel built a beautiful box. It looks very nice!]

4. I received written confirmation that my school extension was paid for and processed. My new expiration date is actually November 15th, but as my unemployment runs out at the end of July, I'm still wanting to get the program completed as soon as possible.

The next few days will continue to be very busy with Mother's Day gatherings, but things should slow down a little bit after that. There will still be many tasks yet to be done (like new church signs, mowing, etc.), but the next due-by-date is the first Sunday in June... NOT next Saturday!

May you all have a blessed day & Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

[Photo source: Clker.com free public domain clip art.]

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Godbless & Godspeed

A Sunday musing...

Having already shared the "big news" with my last post, I thought today would be a good day just to ponder on some things.

1. Can you believe that today is the 1st day of May? I'm so amazed at how fast time is just skimming right along (like a freight-train). I guess being completely absorbed in school has not helped my perspective, because my days are simply blurring together. Any day not spent in school... is Sunday. [The mental picture of my calendar only has two days per week: One day is Sunday... and the other is a really long school day.]

I should also mention that it did try to snow here yesterday, so the mental awareness of the passage of time via the weather is faulty at best... at least this year, anyway. Things sure are getting green though! [Hmmm. I hope it stops snowing long enough to mow! LOL - Now THERE is a mental image!]

2. Speaking of school, I completed another module yesterday. [A nice victory.] The assessment exam on this module is still pending as I didn't want to take the exam when I was tired. I was also unsure if I wanted to take the exam today, or simply put it off to do first thing Monday morning. This is more likely the choice I'll make as I tend to leave Sundays as my "only day off." Besides, with the school extension, I can afford to relax just a little bit... once in a while. ;)

3. This coming week is going to be a busy one. Not only with school, but this is the last of our time to get the church cleaning completed prior to the community concert on the 7th. There are also a few other elements that will be need to be completed, too, as we are in midst of changing the name of our church. We have been thinking about doing this for many years, and just this spring things have been coming together that said "now is the time." [I will detail this action in a future post.] We want to have fliers available at the concert announcing our changes and when the official switch-over date will occur. [Ultimately, this will be our best opportunity to have contact with people who would not set foot in a church except for a non-church community event such as this.]

4. With this flurry of activity, I'm guessing that the final furniture arrangements in our living room will have to be put off for another week or so. That's okay, though. Everything is functional right now, so it isn't something that needs to be done right away.

Well, that is pretty much everything that is on my mind this morning that might be worth sharing. I'm going to start puttering on some domestic tasks and enjoying the day.

Thanks for sharing my Sunday morning!

[Photo source: Clker.com free public domain clip art.]

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Godbless & Godspeed