Oy Gevalt...

We spent more money than we'd planned to. I'm most seriously considering extending my contract here in Show Low a few more weeks to pad the cushion.

It's the very LAST thing I want to do. Few memories here that aren't bad ones, from the overwhelming physical fatigue of those long days at work, to the bed bug infestation with those three weeks in that cheap motel, to the loneliness and silence.


The last week has been busy as ever. I worked Monday through Thursday, 11-12 hour days, and we shared our clinic with the clinic in Whiteriver who had lightning hit their water plant. Total chaos. Then I drove to Tucson to attend to some medical issues at the VA there. That drive to Tucson is a wild, white-knuckled adventure. They could make an X-Box game based on it. Elk popping out, semi-trucks careening aroung blind curves, rocks and boulders to dodge, and a 40 degree temperature hike as you descend.

Yesterday and today I've been cooking.

Yes, me, cooking! I made a huge pot of Oxtail Stew yesterday. Today I made a Spinach Quiche, a giant batch of Pico de Gallo, and Barbequed Pulled Chicken for sandwiches. It's a tad spicy.

I also did three loads of laundry, vacuumed, washed the dishes (they were both dirty) and in between, I walked the cat.

Fig wants out all the time now. He cries at the door. He likes to roll around on the sidewalk, scratching his back, then I drag him over to the gravel. He'll walk on the gravel to the woods, and then goes nuts: Pouncing on bugs, chasing birds, eating anything green, and stopping to roll in the duff. I have to carry him home, he balks at the very thought. I've created a monster. This morning he brought me his leash in bed. When we're not outside, he's a glutton for attention and action: throw the toy, fetch the toy, pet me, rub my tummy, throw the toy...

There's also trouble in Paradise: robberies in our neighborhood in Kino. One was almost vicious, destruction for no reason other than meanness. Everyone there is on edge, accusations flying, tempers hot. I'm thinking it's a mistake to bring Ron here, leaving our home unprotected, hence the "Oy Gevalt" title of this post. We'll think on it some more.

Here's my new Johnny Depp coffee mug I had made at Wal-Mart's Photo Department:

And here's where my heart is ALL THE TIME:



Dylan, Jon, and Nora



Only one month to go!

One month sounds shorter than 4 weeks, doesn't it? Yes, I'm well-ready to go home. While glad to have been able to earn my last summer's wages in a shorter period of time, it's been mostly a rush hour traffic snarl of headaches and frustrations:

• Two corporate entities trying to coordinate services: miserable failure. My travel nurse agency vs. the dialysis company. From the first day (where and when is orientation?) to the last few weeks, where they suddenly can't manage to fax my timecard to the right number. And running throughout, the pervasive themes of short-staffing and contract-breaching. 
• Bed bugs. This is day #12 in a cheap motel without a kitchenette. (Turns out my agency has a $70 cap for nurses on temporary lodging rates. They have contracts in larger cities with extended-stay chains, but not here.) Last night, the phone call saying the extermination is finished, but it will probably be another week to remove the furniture, clean the apartment, move in NEW furniture, and get that furniture inspected by the bed bug wranglers. Sigh.
• Homesick. VERY homesick. Miss my house with the bright colors, my cat, my ocean, the smells, the garden. Oh, and my husband.

I do love the White Mountains, though. Gorgeous pine woods (now that the fires are out) and quirky touristy shops (when I'm not too exhausted to go shopping) and lovely mild temperatures (between smoke-filled skies and the current monsoons).

Plus I have this for entertainment:

He was timid and a bit snooty at first, not for long. Fig's been my salvation in this motel room. He watches for signs of my waking up, then brings me toys to play with him. He's sort of a night owl, while I'm not, but it's been great. There's the mystery of the catnip mice, though: they disappear. Don't know where they go, maybe he eats them, or buries them in his litter box, or the housekeepers throw them out? We're on batch # 4 now...If his people don't return to claim him before August 6, I'm keeping him. He's been VERY curious about the birds and smells outside, so I bought a harness and leash to take him out for a walk.Very steep learning curve for this cat, though. It's a drag, not a walk.

Today is day 2 of a three day weekend off for me. Yesterday I had to go to work for a few hours, however, to "Do The Labs". Review the monthly blood tests and make changes in the IV medication doses, and document it all in their stupid antiquated computer program. My manager and the other RN both were off all week.

And so it goes. Now accepting "orders" for stateside shopping to bring home to Mexico. You know, stuff that's not sold there: printer ink for American printers, diet tonic water, Mountain Dew, certain specialty grocery items.  Soon, very soon!