As I was driving to work this morning at around 7am, I spotted a few people out for a leisurely morning stroll. I have yet to understand how this is accomplished. By 6:30 this morning I had already showered, made lunch for the kids and a list of important things to accomplish for the babysitter including, of course, a friendly reminder to have the kids pick up their underwear off the floor. After quick goodbye kisses to my sleepy babies, at 7am I was off to work with a pit stop at WalMart for groceries. There are some interesting individuals who roam the early morning aisles at WalMart, by the way. Lots of little old ladies who probably need an updated vision screen to be behind the wheel.
At the office by 8 am sharp. Ok, more like 8:11, after cramming grocery bags on top of booster seats in the back of my car and peeling out of WalMart parking lot with rest of the little old ladies. So I do Urgent Care because 1) I love urgent problems, 2) I dislike seeing patients repeatedly for the same issues that rarely resolve, 3) so I can clock in and clock out, theoretically leaving work behind me when I am at home with my kids. No, it's not the most super exciting job in the world. Yes, I always wanted to do a second residency in Emergency Medicine and work in an ED. But after our cross country move to an easier life in Boise, Idaho, it will do just fine. After 24 hour shifts as a hospitalist last year in New York, it's a welcome change of pace. I do miss the challenge and excitement though.
Today, I had a moment of inspiration and used the string technique to remove a wedding ring from an edematous digit post-insect bite. No ring cutters here, no sir. I knew I had that dental floss in my purse for a good reason! Who said a little ER background wouldn't come in handy!
So, more coughs and colds to come, my energy is starting to wane. Probably time for my afternoon caffeine infusion. My solution to organized multitasking is writing out schedules any chance I can get in the hopes that I don't forget something. I had no idea how complicated things could get when my girls reached school age and started doing their own activities. In other words, when they started to complain about me signing them up for the same thing at the same time, because they are so close in age I could get away with it. Back to school season is especially tricky, carefully plotting out driving arrangements juxtaposed with my work schedule. School supplies to organize, playdates to arrange, and already plans for vacation time need to be considered. And, it's only Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!
No, not Christmas... (or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa)... the First Day of School!! Most of us working Mommies understand the beauty of sending those freshly scrubbed faces off to school after a long summer of late nights, long days and necessary disorganization. Of course I cherish every moment I have with my little people. And I miss them when I am working long hours, thinking of their bright little faces as I take care of other peoples' illnesses.
What I won't miss is the overwhelming task of coordinating activities for the WHOLE DAY while I am at work. And I must admit that every summer I compile a few lists- one of all the fun things we will do as a family at the beginning of the summer, which we happily check off as the summer ticks by. The second begins to creep into my mind around mid-July, a mental wish list of all of the things I would love to accomplish but must wait until the kids go back to school. Usually organizational projects, writing, articles to read or goals I have set for myself- things that are not easily completed in the midst of running errands or to the chorus of "Mommy Mommy Mommy!"
There is also something very magical to me about the days getting shorter, the smell of crisp fall air, books and papers all lined up and ready for consumption of knowledge. Kind of like the sensation of accomplishment that comes when you arrive at the hospital early and round on your patients before most of the world is awake. Energized by discussions with other like-minded souls over freshly brewed coffee, on those days I am ready to take on the world.
Perhaps this is why the complete antithesis of this, ie: the chaos of summer vacation, can be rather overwhelming to a Type A goal-driven person like myself. I am loathe to admit this in play groups or Mom circles, for fear of seeming unappreciative of my lovely little offspring. The days of youth flee all too quickly, and I realize that this time of shuttling to soccer, ballet and play dates are short lived in the whole scheme of things. I love being able to spend time doing all of these things with my daughters, as my mother worked full time and was not present most of the rest of the time.
But my physician self, my love of knowledge self, my inner nerdy self has a little pile of books neatly piled in a corner ready for that wonderful First Day of School.
What I won't miss is the overwhelming task of coordinating activities for the WHOLE DAY while I am at work. And I must admit that every summer I compile a few lists- one of all the fun things we will do as a family at the beginning of the summer, which we happily check off as the summer ticks by. The second begins to creep into my mind around mid-July, a mental wish list of all of the things I would love to accomplish but must wait until the kids go back to school. Usually organizational projects, writing, articles to read or goals I have set for myself- things that are not easily completed in the midst of running errands or to the chorus of "Mommy Mommy Mommy!"
There is also something very magical to me about the days getting shorter, the smell of crisp fall air, books and papers all lined up and ready for consumption of knowledge. Kind of like the sensation of accomplishment that comes when you arrive at the hospital early and round on your patients before most of the world is awake. Energized by discussions with other like-minded souls over freshly brewed coffee, on those days I am ready to take on the world.
Perhaps this is why the complete antithesis of this, ie: the chaos of summer vacation, can be rather overwhelming to a Type A goal-driven person like myself. I am loathe to admit this in play groups or Mom circles, for fear of seeming unappreciative of my lovely little offspring. The days of youth flee all too quickly, and I realize that this time of shuttling to soccer, ballet and play dates are short lived in the whole scheme of things. I love being able to spend time doing all of these things with my daughters, as my mother worked full time and was not present most of the rest of the time.
But my physician self, my love of knowledge self, my inner nerdy self has a little pile of books neatly piled in a corner ready for that wonderful First Day of School.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Life After a Move
Ok, it took me a year to get back on my feet after a cross country move. Actually, 10 months to be exact. Lots of organizing, planning, and adjusting... fast forward through the sweaty details and here we are, in Boise, Idaho! A new job, new school for kids, new hobbies and a new life.
As physicians, I think we are trained to multitask and make decisions quickly. It's part of the torture of nights on call, where you are so tired that unless the algorhithms are entrenched in your brain time is lost and lives are at stake. As a mother, life is similar, especially with three kids and a home, family and job to juggle. Henceforth my posts will be comprised of short tips for life, from my experiences and ideas generated between piano lessons, orthodontist appointments, and playdates on my days not with patients.
Ideas for a productive day:
1. Get up early.
2. Make a daily list of things to accomplish on that day.
3. Exercise in the morning if possible.
4. Take a few minutes to reflect on personal goals.
5. Remember to have patience, as things will not always go as planned.
6. Give a moment's thought regarding dinner plans, check refrigerator to see if you have the ingredients.
7. Gather supplies you will need for the day: water bottles, ballet clothes, soccer shoes- and put near the door so nothing will be forgotten.
8. Review your calendar for appointments.
9. Check bank account online for balance and outgoing payments.
10. Review Twitter and Linked In updates.
11. Briefly check emails.
12. Remind yourself that you are only human, once again patience is a virtue.
Have a great day!
As physicians, I think we are trained to multitask and make decisions quickly. It's part of the torture of nights on call, where you are so tired that unless the algorhithms are entrenched in your brain time is lost and lives are at stake. As a mother, life is similar, especially with three kids and a home, family and job to juggle. Henceforth my posts will be comprised of short tips for life, from my experiences and ideas generated between piano lessons, orthodontist appointments, and playdates on my days not with patients.
Ideas for a productive day:
1. Get up early.
2. Make a daily list of things to accomplish on that day.
3. Exercise in the morning if possible.
4. Take a few minutes to reflect on personal goals.
5. Remember to have patience, as things will not always go as planned.
6. Give a moment's thought regarding dinner plans, check refrigerator to see if you have the ingredients.
7. Gather supplies you will need for the day: water bottles, ballet clothes, soccer shoes- and put near the door so nothing will be forgotten.
8. Review your calendar for appointments.
9. Check bank account online for balance and outgoing payments.
10. Review Twitter and Linked In updates.
11. Briefly check emails.
12. Remind yourself that you are only human, once again patience is a virtue.
Have a great day!
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