november occupations

November was a great month!  It deserves multiple posts, but I got lazy because I was keeping super busy.  Here are a few highlights from the last month of being a 20-something single girl...

In early November, I switched my front door decor to Thanksgiving with this pilgrim hanging from TJ Maxx for $4.  I love holidays!

My welcoming entrance

Summer boxes turned into fall pots with lingering purple sweet potato vine, yellow + orange mums and mini pumpkins

November 8, I went to my grandmother's for a weekend, supervised while she blew the leaves out of her driveway, and drove her through the gorgeous mountains to Highlands for a day trip.

Do you know any other 89 year old ladies who do this?

Trying on furs in a mountain shop

November 12, I bonded with a couple of new friends over a couple bottles of wine... I haven't laughed that hard in a loooong time.

New friends!

Throughout the month, I made several amazing delicious recipes, including Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna (from Southern Living), Cauliflower soup (from the Pioneer Woman), Corn Pudding (from Southern Living), Pecan Bars (from my late grandmother's recipe box), and Cranberry Salsa with Sweet Potato Chips (from Coastal Living).  I've had so much fun learning more about cooking this month!

Cauliflower Soup in pre-stages - It smelled amazing!

Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna - This was a LOT of work

Corn Pudding with Goat Cheese and Basil (Amaziiiing!) and Yummy Pecan Bars

November 22, I played hookie from work and drove to Ohio, desperate for some hometown fall flavor, bonding with my parents, and a Friendsgiving celebration with some high school friends, since I was going to be working throughout Thanksgiving week.

Me and my two high school "BFFs" - with accidentally coordinating outfits

Our anthro-inspired tablescape with antique crocheted linens, silver candlesticks and party crackers.

About the bad karma from playing hookie..... I totally got a speeding ticket going 78/60 through Nowhereland, Ohio, 5 hours into my 8.5 hour drive.  Bummer!

I had the privilege of working this Thanksgiving and serving 11 patients with fun therapy sessions and a smiling face.  There is a different feeling in the air at a nursing home on a holiday.  It is a little calmer, employees are a little more friendly and patients are a little more excited to have some attention.  Of course for others, they are wondering why they can't get "one day off" from therapy...  I really don't mind working holidays when I don't have anything I am missing because of it... in fact the day went by sooo fast and practically nothing went wrong! That says a lot about the attitude you have when you start work on non-holidays. :)

My version of watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade....

Probably half of my caseload that day were patients/residents who weren't getting to see their family until the evening (and so were along all day), or weren't going to see any family at all.  Many just stayed in bed all day.  My second patient of the day, around 8:00am, was obviously not doing too well when she hadn't touched her breakfast, could not form a sentence and was not responding to any commands.  None of my therapy team had arrived and no nursing personnel were anywhere to be found (per usual in our facility, as we are very short staffed).  Thankfully, my PT colleagues got there shortly after, and I pulled them into the room.  They agreed with my assessment that she needed more medical attention.  Within 30 minutes, this lady ended up being taken to the hospital.  With such small staff, especially on the holiday, I wonder what could have happened to this lady had we not intervened that early in the morning.  (I haven't heard an update about her condition since Thursday...)

Thanksgiving night, I came home and reheated a few leftovers from Ohio Friendsgiving and cooked a chicken breast.  I tore down all my fall decor, threw out my pumpkins and packed up my cornocopia.  Out came the Christmas decor, and on came the holiday music!  (More to come...)  By 7:00, most of my decorations were up, dinner was cleaned up, and I was caught up with my shows on Hulu/Netflix.  So I waited for 8:00 when Target opened and went shopping in the craziness... that was very interesting.

Thanksgiving for 1.

The best part of Thanksgiving night, however, was a phone call from my big brother to announce that he and his wife are expecting a baby boy in May!  Sooooo excited for a little guy being added to our big fam!

Among other November occupations included lots and LOTS of shopping (although not so much buying...), several shifts of volunteering at the thrift store, lots of fun phone calls with Mom planning for Thanksgiving/Christmas (it's never too early...), singing in the choir (rehearsals/Sunday mornings), and finding out that my official PRN job offer at the Orthopedic Hospital is going to be coming my way any time now.

November was pretty good to me and I'm so excited for my one of my very favorite months of the year!  Much to look forward to, and lots of pretty pictures to post!  Cheers!