Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

This hospice job of mine has a few perks, the biggest of which is that I rarely work holidays anymore, and I have every single weekend off. These benefits help balance the fact that I no longer have 4 days off a week. In the past, I worked every other weekend and holiday, and for several years in a row, I worked Mother's Day.


To take the edge off working these special days, the staff always had a potluck in the ICU. The food was always great and the camaraderie even better. There are a few hellish memories of these days in the unit, when ancillary staff was limited, and we were overwhelmed with sick patients. Really sick patients. Still, we muddled through somehow. Medical residents would always find their way to the food, too, and the overall atmosphere would be pleasant.


These days, I don't have to worry about who will cook for my kids while I'm working. Last year, to celebrate the fact I wasn't working for once, I didn't cook, and my kids and I went out to eat for dinner. A mistake. Everyone else had the same idea, food service was rushed, and the quality was not as good as what I could whip up myself.

In preparation for tonight's dinner, Leo and I made the sauce for lasagna last night. More accurately, I made the sauce and Leo supervised with his nose. He was waiting patiently at my feet for something, anything, to drop out of the pan like a gift from above. Today, I only have to assemble the dish, pop it in the oven and make a salad. Sounds easy enough.


In the meantime, I'm spending my special day knitting away on the Fiesta Shawl. I started the decrease rows last night, and only have 256 rows left. With the chilly Detroit weather (the high is only 57 degrees today), it would be nice to have it done, but with nearly 500 stitches still on the needles, I think you can see how daunting 256 rows really looks to me.

Here's hoping that however you celebrate this day, you'll find a little special time for yourself.

Happy Mother's Day!

13 comments:

Jane said...

I can't get over the colours in this shawl, it's absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait to see it in all it's glory

The Crusty Crone said...

Happy Mother's Day to you. I'm with Miss 376...the colors of the shawl are, indeed, gorgeous!

debra said...

Happy day to you. I just linked to you xo

Stephanie V said...

Happy Mother's Day, Rudee.
I had a flashback to the days when our golden retriever would happily stand wherever the food was being prepared. Absoultely a gift from above.
Enjoy the lasagna...I hope Leo enjoys his share, too.

Silliyak said...

Condolences re: Red Wings. I'm not rubbing it in, honestly! Nor am I smirking, REALLY! Enjoy mom's day!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

that is really coming along nicely!!! happy mother's day to you too honey...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Catherine said...

What a beautiful shawl - I would eat it first I think! Anyway, don't plan on trying just yet, have a cricket vest to finish for son. Hope your thumb is ok and steri-strips suffice. Typical nurse! And we don't have mother's day here now, it was hubby's birthday yesterday instead. We had it March 15th (it's a moveable date -a Sunday in March).
Catherine.

Gail said...

Beautiful shawl...almost, almost as pretty as Ruby.

I can't say enjoy your meal because I read the last post first.

Brenda said...

Happy Mom Day!

Ruth said...

Hope you had anice Motherday day and got lots of knitting done.
We too have decided not to go out on these sort of days - they usually charge more than normal and the food service is not as good.
We celebrated at home here everyone brought something and we had my Mum, daughter her partner , daughter in law son and me my brother and the 2 babies so many mums. Itwas very nice.

Celia said...

Wow! Your dog has gotten tall. Reminds me of bambi legs.

Jane said...

I LOVE this shawl!! You're so talented!

Finding Pam said...

Ouch! I hate knives. I did that same thing when I was younger and it really hurt.

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. We cooked the day before and ate leftovers on Sunday.

Leo is looking good. I love your shawl, the colors are pretty.