WFH

WFH-work from home

It's a new term I've used a lot in the last several months. One that has been fairly uncommon in my language because it's hard to WFH when you work in a hospital. I have had the opportunity to spend most Fridays over the last couple of years officing out of my home, but never did I imagine I would move my entire work space home. 

But then again, never did I imagine much of what is happening right now. We are living in unprecedented times.
It's scary, it's unpredictable. 

It's unbelievable. 

And it's hard. 

My mom as well as a friend's dear mom both recently sent me handmade masks to bring in on my last day of work to donate. Allina asked the community and then received many amazing donations of masks. 

Some of my coworkers then spent countless hours helping sort as well as assembling face shields as we prepare for these most challenging times.  

My last day inside the walls of the hospital, I was issued a face mask. It's terrifying and sad and emotional and exhausting. 

It was then decided, in an effort to preserve those precious masks, to move myself and most of my team to our homes. 

It is not ideal. 

But nothing is ideal right now. 

I left my beautiful office (and dual monitors!), my amazing office-mates, the comfort of work, seeing my patients face to face and working side by side with doctors, nurses, therapists and the rest of the rehab team. 

Instead, my revised "sit to stand" desk (aka the kitchen island) now holds my tiny laptop and I have never felt more disconnected from my patients and families. 

We have spent hours upon hours this week helping to troubleshoot IT problems, submit tickets for new apps/access, and learning a new-normal. 

I'm a pro at blocking my cell number during outbound calls. 

We zoom meetings. 

I'm "connected" in a whole different way. 

No one knows how long this will last. 

And while I (and my whole family) feels safer to have me WFH, 

I'm optimistic that some day, we will get back to our old routines. 

For now, 

I've traded my typical lunch workout at the hospital gym, 

for walks around the block with my new "coworkers"....my family :) 

Stay safe everyone. 

Twas the week of Christmas....

,...and everyone was stirring!

We had a whole lot of busy-ness happening the week of Christmas. With three busy children and two full time working parents, there is never a dull moment around here.

Somehow we squeezed in all sorts of Christmas prep.

 

Sidney got to baking and whipped up all sorts of treats and goodies for us to enjoy. She (not so excitedly) let Lincoln help make cut out cookies one day.

 

 

Some fair weather days allowed us to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. We went sledding, played at parks and even went on scooter rides around the neighborhood.

 

Our elf-Ellie and her reindeer "tiger" had all sorts of tricks up their sleeves, which Lincoln thoroughly enjoyed.

 

Regan and Lincoln had class parties. They let me volunteer and I was happy to snap a few pictures with their friends. These fifth graders who freely roam hallways, have a much different party compared to the kinders.

 

All grade Kindergarten "snowball" fight....see Lincoln in orange in the middle of the gym having the time of his life tossing "snowballs" at his classmates!?

 

 

I got to see some of Lincoln's work hanging in the hallway :)

We hosted a variety of friend get togethers, and I'm so thankful that both groups enjoy Lincoln and let him tag along with any outdoor activity.

First it was Regan with her friends

 

Then Sidney and her friends

 

Ryan and I took Lincoln tubing at Buck Hill. He loves tubing and was begging to go; so one day while the girls were lazy and, we went without them. We had a great time!

 



 

My team pulled together and enjoyed an ugly sweater-white elephant gift exchange. I appreciate these people so much!

 

But in the thick of it all, we still enjoyed time at home together, under the lights of the Christmas tree (even if it was balancing the checkbook!).

 

 

It is a busy Christmas season, and we did all we could to soak it in. 

My favorite 4 legged friend

I know I've mentioned it before....I have a 4 legged friend who doesn't belong to me but treats me like he does! My good friend at work has a service dog-Baylor, who I love just like my own! He sure makes being at work so much more pleasant, who wouldn't love having a dog around the office!? Every morning, while Angie scoots past my office door to the printer, he trots in for a good morning hello. Some times, after a long weekend, or a vacation, he will bounce in like a bunny, ears flopping and all excited to say hello! Seriously, he cracks me up. It makes me giggle when I scroll through my photos in my phone and find pictures of Baylor like he was my own :) 

Sometimes he sits at my feet, sometimes he follows me out the door. No matter what, I love that fluffy golden and am so glad Angie doesn't make me abide by his "no petting" sign! 

Random thoughts

I still haven't broken out my camera from hibernation this week. So iPhone pictures will have to do for this oh so random post.... 

I enjoyed a little extra time with my favorite 4 legged creature this week. When Milo's owner, who happens to be my bestie at work, is seeing a patient with an allergy (or dog fear), I'm #1 babysitter. Oh he is just so pretty and I could curl up next to him and lay on the floor. 

Ryan scored some sweet deals from the on-site store set up at work. One of his perks. Every so often, they hold a sale and sell things for super cheap. The girls and I always love attacking him when he comes through the door carrying bags of goodies. We never quite know what we will find, and this week, the girls each scored over-sized Tinker Bell coloring books and bubbles/soap. 

Not only did Regan have her very first snow day this week, but she also had an already-shortened week with Thursday/Friday off! Man what it must be like to be in first grade these days. So this morning, as I got ready for work, she hung out and danced around in her PJ's. She took some extra time, pulled on my boots and struck a pose, just for me. 

And later in the day, Ryan brought the girls to the hospital for a lunch date. He needed a break (rough day with the two of them I hear) and I wanted to see my loves. They love playing around in office chairs, perching near the window to color me pictures with highlighters. I remember doing similar artwork for my mom so many years ago.

And with a bit of permission from Angie, Milo got a little LOT of loving!! 

I had to laugh when I looked down and Sidney asked "what does this say?" pointing to the "Please Don't Pet" sign on his back and there were oodles of hands petting away. 

Happy iPhone pictures; I will try to do better with bringing out the camera and taking some shots of life before it passes by too quickly.