January 2019 – Write From Karen

My nurse has plantar fasciitis in both feet, though her left is worse than her right. I know, by the end of the day, she’s hobbling around and in a lot of pain and has to sleep with an ice pack on her feet at night. I can’t imagine what she has to endure and I’m very thankful I don’t have that problem.

This has been going on for quite some time though when she was pregnant with her girls, the pain only got worse.

She has seen a podiatrist for treatment options but our own neuro radiologist (who is AN EXCELLENT DOCTOR) offered to do a PRP injection on her.

A PRP injection is a platelet-rich plasma injection.

What is platelet-rich plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a patient’s own concentrated platelets. PRP contains a large number growth factors. These growth factors stimulate healing.

What are the goals of a PRP injection?
When PRP is injected, it can aid the body’s natural healing of injuries. The goal is not only to relieve symptoms but to create actual healing. In some cases, PRP may reduce the need for medication and/or surgery.

She wanted me to accompany her and I went. I knew I would feel awkward, and I did, but I went because she’s the daughter from another mother and I wanted to be there for.

I watched as a fellow nurse drew her blood. She seemed nervous. I’ve never drawn blood (thank goodness), but I can imagine it’s nerve wracking to draw blood on a fellow professional. I know my nurse has had to draw blood from our doctor before and she said she was really nervous.

After her blood was drawn, it was put into a centrifuge and spun at high speeds to separate the platelets from the blood.

It was fascinating to watch the nurse put together a sterile environment with all of the syringes he would need for the procedure. I helped, but mostly I feel like I was in the way. But it didn’t seem to bother the doctor that was there with her.

When it’s done, the liquid that has been separated from the blood looks like thick urine making really thick blood.

The doctor numbed her up and then injected her platelets into her foot. The doctor’s nurse helped to distract my nurse but I was left to watch the actual procedure. He was repeatedly stabbing her in the same area while slowing injecting the platelets.

It was a little disturbing to watch but fascinating at the same time.

After it was over, I brought her the wheeled knee walker she will be using to get around for the next two weeks as the doctor has recommended that she not be on her feet for two weeks, after that, she can walk around but will need to wear a boot.

She will be back next week to help with clinics, it will be interesting to see how she navigates around the clinic and helping patients with any surgeries we schedule.

It’s times like that, when I get to watch procedures, that I’m thankful that my job doesn’t require any type of blood draws or other procedures. Not because I can’t do them, I’m sure with training and practice I could, but because I really don’t WANT to that sort of stuff on people.

I’m a spoiled medical assistant, no doubt about.

Daily Prompts

My Life: Day Fifteen

January 15, 2019January 13, 2019 Karen

I’m attempting to force myself to write in my blog every day. I’ve gotten SO BAD at keeping up these past several years and someday I’ll be dead and then what?

I’ll be gone but hopefully not forgotten. (Feel free to use these prompts for your own writing).

Today’s prompt(s):

Would you rather be less attractive and extremely intelligent or extremely attractive and less intelligent? What do you think the pros and cons of each combination would be?

Wow, what a conundrum.

I mean, let’s be honest, if you’re attractive, life is easier. People tend to be nicer. They tend to make allowances and bend the rules a bit more. If you’re attractive, you’re more approachable.

Just don’t open your mouth.

I think being attractive opens more doors than just being smart.

Though if you’re smart and not that attractive, there are ways to MAKE yourself more attractive. And no, I’m not talking about plastic surgery though I guess that might be an option for some. (Not for me). I’m talking more about wearing clothes that highlight your particular body type, having a flattering hairstyle and wearing appropriate makeup.

But can you really make yourself smarter? I sort of feel like you are either smart, or you’re not. You can ACT smart but people typically see through the facade fairly quickly. But would anyone really care if you’re not smart if you’re nice to look at?

I guess one could make a lot of money if he/she was attractive – modeling, acting, etc. Not saying those careers don’t require intelligence but come on, not many people get past the packaging in that industry.

You can also make a lot of money if you’re smart. But I think it would take longer and require more effort to get to that stage since so many people take one look at you and make a judgement.

I think for me, I would rather be less attractive and more intelligent. Hey, I’m smart, I can figure out how to get past the outer flaws and transform myself into something, or someone, to get what I want.

I feel like I do that now. 😉

Through My Eyes

Wishing I was More of a Fashionista

January 14, 2019January 6, 2019 Karen

Here is another obsession of mine lately:

Watching fashion shows on YouTube.

And I’ll be honest, most of the fashions I see I wouldn’t be caught dead in, but there are quire a few pieces in this show that I would actually wear… if I lived on an exotic island and had nothing better to do but attend cocktail parties and exchange fantasies about the hot pool boy.

However, I’m any BUT a fashionista.

I’m comfy in my over-sized t-shirts and swing dresses, thank you very much.

But still, I like to dream. And I not only like to watch fashion shows in YouTube to see what new and ridiculous fashions are being showcased now, but the zombie-like expressions on the models who wear these ridiculous concoctions.

I find that “fashion” becomes more difficult as you get older. I want to wear the hot trendy stuff but let us not forget that I’m old(er) and some of this stuff just looks crazy on me. I LOOK like a woman who is trying too hard.

But in my mind, I’m still mid-30’s so it doesn’t FEEL weird. Just LOOKS odd.

I haven’t given up. I’m still “trying” to find my look but the rate I’m going, I will be 90 before I really find it.

In the meantime, I’m going to live my fashion life through these poor, uncomfortable looking models.

Daily Prompts

My Life: Day Fourteen

January 14, 2019January 10, 2019 Karen

I’m attempting to force myself to write in my blog every day. I’ve gotten SO BAD at keeping up these past several years and someday I’ll be dead and then what?

I’ll be gone but hopefully not forgotten. (Feel free to use these prompts for your own writing).

Today’s prompt(s):

Three things you can’t live without.

Kevin. Blake. Brandon.

Okay, let’s list something else besides my family.

Food. Drink. Air.

Ugh, that’s even more boring.

Let’s think of something unique to ME.

False eyelashes – did you know that I wear falsies? I actually started last year. Since I’ve gone through the change, all my hair grows back really slowly. This includes my eyelashes. They were never super long to begin with, but now, gads, they are short and light so when I don’t wear mascara it looks like I don’t have eyes. I can usually make one pair of lashes last one week. I could probably make them last longer but I’m too lazy to properly care for them so I wear a pair Monday through Friday and then start over on Monday. (I don’t usually wear makeup on the weekends). I’ve gotten the hang of putting falsies on, it took quite a few months but now I love them and I love how they make my eyes look.
My Garmin Fitness tracker – I’m not into fitness, I just like to keep track of my steps. And that’s largely because I get a health point on my health insurance for every 6000 steps I take every day. I’m usually all over the place all day at work so I might as well earn points toward my health insurance, right?
My swing dresses. I freaking love these swing dresses from Old Navy. They are super comfy, super cute, super cheap and look good with either leggings and boots or bare leg and flats. I wear these things to work all the time. I love them. Can you guess why else I like them? Cause they disguise all the love lumps, baby. Ha!

I don’t know if these things are things I can’t live without, but they are definitely my obsessions right now.

Book Corner

Book Review: Tapping The Billionaire

January 13, 2019January 12, 2019 Karen

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you a sexy, laugh-out-loud new series. Are you ready to meet the Billionaire Bad Boys?

Blind dates? Online dating profiles? Been there, done that.

Georgia Cummings has zero luck with dating, and the era of the internet is not her friend.

No matter how fast she runs, how many corners she turns, she can’t find her way out of this weird, alternate universe where men think dick pics are a replacement for small talk and getting to know a girl. One more crotch selfie and she might write men off for good…

But why can’t she stop fantasizing about him?

Kline Brooks is the quintessential billionaire bad boy—dark, styled, short hair, muscles for days, and a panty-dropping smile.

Except—he isn’t.

As his employee, he won’t touch her with a ten foot pole.

But she won’t touch him either.

Too bad their hormones missed the memo.

Disclaimer:
If you’re the type of woman who prefers crotch selfies to small talk, this book isn’t for you.

If you enjoy random men you’ve never met filling up your inbox with dirty words and porn—for reasons focused more towards diddling your donut than laughing at the absurdity—this book isn’t for you.

If you HATE laughing, this book isn’t for you.

If you want your male leads to grunt, thrust like jack rabbits, and have one-track minds that prefer a nice pair of tits to brains every hour of every day for the rest of forever, well, then, this book still isn’t for you.

But.

If you enjoy a good swoon, a hearty laugh, witty banter, and some hot as f*@% f*@%ing, then consider Georgia Cummings your Girl Friday and Kline Brooks your next irresistible book boyfriend

So ………………..

The disclaimer annoys me.

Actually, the whole blurb annoys me and does not, at all, represent the book. I think I would have liked the story better if it had mirrored the blurb.

I mean, I guess I know what they’re going for here – if you like a more serious story, then you may not appreciate the humor in this story.

And there is humor. I personally respond to stories of relationships that have a solid sense of humor interlaced throughout, but I sort of feel like this story DOES contain lots of grunts, growls and other choice sex terms throughout.

In fact, almost TOO much.

I felt like the story spent the majority of time on the sex part of their relationship. And that DOES NOT do it for me.

Let me back up a minute …

This story takes place between a high-ranking person within the company and the owner/boss of the company. Nothing new here. It’s a common fantasy of many women to have a sexual relationship with a powerful man, someone who can make or break your career. There is an element of danger in the relationship, makes it exciting on some level.

But the authors are trying to sell me on the idea that these two, very hot, very attractive, very smart individuals have worked closely together for two years before they really notice each other?

I mean, I get noticing each other, maybe a fantasy or two, but the transition between these two work colleagues to so much more happens at warp speed and that ruins the story for me. It’s like, “Excuse me.” To “Oh HI! Let’s have sex!” I like some build up, some teasing, some friction before going right into the nasty.

Not sexy, at least to me.

And the male character is just too perfect. He’s a gentleman. He’s super hot. He’s super rich. He’s super respectful of her feelings and taking her V card.

I mean, that’s great, too bad more men AREN’T like this, but it doesn’t make for a very good story.

It’s sort of boring.

I wanted to see more intellectual interaction between the two. We get it, THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER AND CAN’T KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF EACH OTHER, but to me, there is so much more to a rich relationship than just sex.

I felt like the characters had potential, I just feel like the authors didn’t take the time to fully flesh them out. Instead, it was all about the sex. Which they wrote in detail, A LOT.

Ho hum.

There are only so many ways one can write about the physical side of a relationship before it becomes … boring.

And the event that temporarily broke them up…..

Come on. Really??? It was so WEAK!

These are two intelligent professionals who both act like children over an event that literally would have taken one phone call and five minutes to explain. Instead, the authors put their characters through some torturous days before clearing the air. It was just trivial and felt contrived. If these two lovebirds, who clearly love each other, have professed their love for one another and crave to be together allow one little text message to tear them apart, are they really meant to be together? What sort of reaction would they have if something really big happened?

I nearly put this story down several times. But then the authors would throw in something funny, or cute, and I would think, “Okay. Here we go. It’s getting better.”

No. Not really.

It’s like the authors know the formula for a cute little romance, threw two characters together, came up with a haphazard back story, a frail, and quite frankly, lame, “deal breaker” into the story and called it a book.

There. Done. Meant our deadline. Whew.

There are two more books in this series so far. I already know who the story in book two will be about based on the epilogue of this book and I already don’t care much for the characters. So I’ll pass, thanks.

I mean, if you haven’t been reading romance for very long, then you’ll likely enjoy this. But if you’re like me, who has been reading romance for years and expects more conflict, more depth, to the story, I wouldn’t recommend it.

It’s all fluff and very little substance.

Daily Prompts

My Life: Day Thirteen

January 13, 2019January 9, 2019 Karen

I’m attempting to force myself to write in my blog every day. I’ve gotten SO BAD at keeping up these past several years and someday I’ll be dead and then what?

I’ll be gone but hopefully not forgotten. (Feel free to use these prompts for your own writing).

Today’s prompt(s):

What happened to our garage?

So, going through my Flickr account (which currently has nearly 8500 pictures on there – and by the way, what is UP with yearly membership being $50 now?? It was $25 – I think it’s time to find another photo storage site – maybe I’ll just bite the bullet and upload them all on my Google photos account), I came across these pictures.

I’m not sure if I ever told you guys this story, so, here goes.

Someone, who shall remain nameless, *cough-Kevin-cough* backed into our garage door. This happened a while back, I think the date on the photo is March 2007.

As you can see, he backed into it hard enough to crack it and put a literal hole in the door.

Kevin has a history of miscalculating the garage door. One time, shortly after we bought our van, when the kids were little and I needed lots of room when chauffeuring them around town, I had backed into the garage and when I was shutting the garage door, I panicked, I didn’t think I had backed up far enough because I was worried that the metal handle sticking out of the garage door would hit my van.

Kevin went to the front of my van, gauged the distance and said, “Nah, you’re good.” So, trusting his judgment, I went ahead and pushed the button for the garage door to go down.

Well, I was right and the van hadn’t been backed up far enough and the next thing we hear is this sickening crunching sound as the metal handle completely annihilated the grill on my van.

I will never forget that sound. It’s right up there with the sickening crunch and grind of metal meeting metal whenever you hear two cars collide.

So no, Kevin and our garage door have not always gotten along.

I don’t know if you can tell the material of our garage doors back then, but there were literally particle board and they were flimsy and rotting anyway, so him backing into the garage was probably a blessing in disguise as we needed to replace them before they simply disintegrated before our very eyes.

Yep, there are quite a few things like this that I don’t let Kevin live down.

But we ended up getting it fixed and our doors look A LOT better. Not to mention, they are more secure.

Another time, he accidentally left the garage door open all night and someone came into our garage and stole a huge, yellow remote control airplane that it took him MONTHS to build, by hand, from a kit. It was a beautiful plane and it worked, though I think he only actually flown it a few times because he was afraid of crashing it.

And then it got stolen.

He was heartbroken.

But to this day, we argue on who actually left the garage door open. I know for a fact it was him, but he insists it was me.

It was definitely him.

Politics

Celebrities Don’t Care About You – It’s All About Agenda

January 12, 2019January 6, 2019 Karen

It always astounds me the number of people who take what celebrities say, or their opinions, as gospel truth. I can guarantee these people could care less about you. It’s about THEIR own agenda or who pays top dollar for them share their opinion.

Let’s get a little perspective, shall we? I PROMISE your brain will not implode if you dare to use it. Ask questions, think it through. Just because someone tells you how to think does not mean you HAVE TO THINK THAT WAY.

This goes for anyone, not just celebrities. Family members, co-workers, even your significant other.

Be smart. Think with your head, not your heart.

It’s called reality.

It’s not always fun, but it’s REAL.