Wednesday W #2

I’m starting Wednesday W’s as a way to give short updates of how I use my (new) extra day off per week. I am curious about what I will do with that extra day, and think blogging about it might prompt me to make sure I take advantage of it.

When did I wake up: 5:30 am, we had a very loud bird outside the bedroom window, greeting the dawn. I did not fall back asleep. Alarm went off at 7:01, as we have workers coming to the house today to replace our downstairs carpeting, any time after 8.

Who am I spending time with: Lots of medical people, with visits to the pharmacy (I couldn’t get there before they closed on Friday); the dentist and dental hygienist (scheduled); and then the optometrist to pick up new prescription sunglasses (they came in today, my first pair in >1o years. They are a huge improvement!).

What did I do for work: I took the bus into work, while our carpeting was replaced–I would otherwise have been boxed in and unable to get to the dentist. I spent 3 hours working at my desk, and still didn’t clear all the patient messages; though I did complete student evaluations and skim through a few papers. Later in the evening, I spent about an hour catching up on professional e-mail digests.

What project am I working on, now I have time:

Catching up at work, mostly.

Though tonight Mr. PiN and I may work on going through all the stuff we had jammed into our front closet, which had to be pulled out yesterday. Our sofa is heaped up with more things than I could imagine were hidden away.

What did I do to “fill my bucket:” I lay down in the afternoon, that early morning wake-up knocked me out.

What else was good about today:

The bus ride was awesome: not too crowded, with great air conditioning. I could see the seats even have USB ports for charging.

I treated myself to a take out breakfast: pricey, but a fun change.

The best was coming home to new carpeting on the stairs, so plush and comfortable.

Which meme has made me laugh recently:

Woman in an intricate lace collar, with lace hat and lace cuffs. Caption: Sarah was banned from the office kitchenette, because she couldn't be trusted with the coffee filters

Patient Reactions To My Cutting Back

As I may have mentioned a few times on this blog, I am cutting back on clinic hours, starting this month.

The effects on scheduling have been apparent quite quickly: whereas it never used to be a problem scheduling out 3 to 4 months for follow up, this is now a huge problem. (I imagine it will be less of a problem in a few months, as patients decide they can see someone else; or move away; and are not replaced by new patients.)

I have therefore been telling patients that they should lock in a follow up appointment now (at check out), since I’m reducing my clinic hours and it may be harder to schedule going forward.

I have found the reactions of various patients very interesting.

Continue reading “Patient Reactions To My Cutting Back”

Is It Time To Start Spending?

I always get grumpy right before I start working in the hospital.

I suppose I should cultivate a better attitude, but the prospect of working many days in a row, taking care of very sick patients, makes me anxious.

Once I’m in the thick of it, I’m usually more cheerful (at least the first week, before the sleep deprivation kicks in), but somehow the anticipation is worse.

Making things worse this year is the fact that the stock market rose recently, and I am pretty sure I have again “hit my number,” and likely surpassed it by a bunch.

At the same time, I had to attend a refresher course for attendings, full of bureaucratic nonsense and a safety course (reminding us that in Massachusetts, a health care worker is assaulted every 36 minutes. Ugh!)

Why, I might have asked, why am I still going to work? Who needs more money when you could be assaulted, have to give bad news to patients, and/or have to manage interns who (possibly) aren’t ready for the job?

In my grumpy mood, my answer was: well, you get paid well for this.

Another grumpy thought noted that I save most of it after paying for necessities.

So, I started wondering: if I have hit my number and am still working and earning money, should I try making my life more pleasant by spending some of that money I theoretically don’t need?

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Fitness Log #348, Friday Firsts And Fabulousness

I have been keeping track of my exercise every Friday for 6 years, and plan to continue doing so.

Since the pandemic started, I have been keeping track of “firsts,” and more lately, I have been trying to note good things (“fabulousness”). It’s a good way to pay attention and not let life slide by.

Continue reading “Fitness Log #348, Friday Firsts And Fabulousness”

Wednesday W #1

I’m starting Wednesday W’s as a way to give short updates of how I use my (new) extra day off per week. I am curious about what I will do with that extra day, and think blogging about it might prompt me to make sure I take advantage of it.

When did I wake up: 8 am, per the alarm, as Mr. PiN needs to be somewhere this morning.

Who am I spending time with: Mr. PiN, mostly. I did see a former partner this afternoon–we caught up, and she showed me her new (to her) house.

What did I do for work: I checked in to the electronic medical record several times today, spending nearly 2 hours authorizing med refills, reviewing test results and managing messages. I also skimmed through several journals (a double duty task: work and decluttering).

What project am I working on, now I have time: Nothing huge today, mostly managing bills and errands. This might be because I cleared out several grocery bags’ worth of journals and magazines over the weekend.

What did I do to “fill my bucket:” Catching up with my friend was great, as was watching competitive tennis (live!) at lunch time.

What else was good about today: I made myself lunch (nothing fancy) instead of eating out of my lunch box.

Which meme has made me laugh recently:

A painting of Salome with the head of John the Baptist on a platter, with the statement: when someone tells me women must serve men.

Fitness Log #346, Friday Firsts And Fabulousness

I have been keeping track of my exercise every Friday for 6 years, and plan to continue doing so.

Since the pandemic started, I have been keeping track of “firsts,” and more lately, I have been trying to note good things (“fabulousness”). It’s a good way to pay attention and not let life slide by.

Continue reading “Fitness Log #346, Friday Firsts And Fabulousness”

The One Mistake You Should Avoid With Your Will

I admit, this is a total click bait title for the post.

I am sure there are multiple mistakes you should avoid with your will–this is why you should absolutely work with a lawyer on this sort of thing.

(Perhaps the biggest mistake you might make is having no will at all, but that’s a different story).

Anyway, I was prompted to write this because my very close friend died, and her family could not find her will.

Continue reading “The One Mistake You Should Avoid With Your Will”