Our family has started the skiing and snowboarding thing. It had been years since I have skied, but it's kind of like riding a bike, you don't forget. The only thing different is that I am not quite as daring as I use to be. Also, snowboarding was not as popular, either. I guess I'm getting older, but snowboarding does not appeal to me. All that sitting down in the snow and not being able to turn as tight I don't get. However, my boys think it is great. So Nathan, Adam, and Aaron snowboard and ol' mom and dad ski. Too bad it is such an expensive activity, but it is worth it. We are really looking forward to our Tahoe vacation next Christmas break. The plan is to hit the slops and enjoy the hot tub afterwords!

Christmas Memories

I cannot think of one specific Christmas memory that sticks out in my mind as being the "best". I had a great childhood and my parents always made Christmas a special time for the family. Besides Christmas shopping, there was always the decorating, the baking, the family get-togethers, the Christmas TV programs we gathered around to watch as a family, etc. My mom has been gone for a couple of years and had been sick for a couple of years prior to her passing. Christmas Eve Day is always a tough day for me now. Our family did our major celebration on Christmas Eve, so that meant that day was spent preparing for the event. That is what I did for many years. We still celebrate with extended family on Christmas Eve, bit it certainly isn't the same without mom. Now on Christmas Eve Day, my husband, sons, and I have created our own tradition. We decide as a family what movie to go watch at the theater, watch it, then head off to the family Christmas celebration!

MTV

I remember back in the early '80's when MTV first came out. The 24 hour music video station use to be a favorite to watch or just to have on as background music. Some of the videos use to be a little bit much, but nothing compared to what is on TV now. From the brief glimpses of the MTV of today, the two formats of the station seem totally different. Yes, I may seem uncool, but we have the station blocked on our TV at home. I came across this article that is a little more objective than my opinion of modern MTV, but found it interesting anyway.


http://www.NewsTarget.com/022343.html

Issue In Education - School Uniforms

I never gave much thought to school uniforms until I started working as a school nurse in the secondary setting of public schools. Well, well...I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but there are girls who just look like floozies! At least the high school this year the dress code is attempted at be inforced a little more. I feel bad for the male staff who are suppose to get after the girls whose breasts are half hanging out of their shirts. Then some girls want to know why the staff member is looking at their chest! I could only image how uncomfortable that would be for the staff person. As far as the boys go, I get tired of reminding them to pull up their pants. Remember the day when it use to be embarrassing if anyone saw our underwear? We are also starting to see the colored headbands with some of the kids. They are denying any "gang affiliation", but who knows? I guess I am sounding old and grouchy, but as far as I am concerned, bring the uniforms on!!!

www.ed.gov/updates/uniforms.html

"Aha" Moment

I'm still waiting to experience this with some of the students I see at school when it comes to changing health habits for the better. I'm still waiting to experience this with some adults as well. Many times I am asked for advice, but I keep waiting for those who ask to take me up on what I suggest. Maybe someday soon someone will take what I have to say at heart and when they really understand what I am talking about, they will experience that "aha" feeling.

Worst Jobs

Well, I can't say that I have had a "bad" job. There have been nursing jobs that I haven't liked, so I am really having to think about this. When I was in high school, I sarted working for an orthodontist and every summer when I came home from college, I would get to go back to my old job. The only job that comes to mind would be a temporary position I had in high school. For about two weeks one summer my best friend and I woked for some printing company and we had to stuff envelopes for mailers. Not only was it a all day long job, but we had to stand the whole time. No chairs/stools allowed.

I love Lake Tahoe! As I kid my parents took me there several times and that is when I decided this is my favorite place to be. John and I spent our honeymoon there and ended up buying a timeshare. We have vacationed in Tahoe many times and at one point we even thought about relocating there. This past summer we bought another timeshare week . Yipee! The day after we are done with our technology program, we are heading off to my little paradise. Then in December, we plan on using the additional week over Christmas break.

Another place that I truly enjoy is Manhattan Island. It's very different than Lake Tahoe, but so much fun. Now, I don't think I could ever live there, but at the drop of a dime, I would be ready to go and visit again! My family and I vacationed back east last summer for the first time and we had a blast. We did the touist activities, but also did some exploring on our own. Visiting a place that I had only read about and seen in movies and on TV, it seemed almost sureal being there. Because it is such a big city, we just scratched the surface on places to see. I guess I will just have to go back again soon. Debbie