Well, not really sleepless. This past weekend took me to Seattle and it was a quick but fabulous trip. Then off to Salt Lake City. I will be working here for the next few days. Yucky fast food so far in SLC but I am hopeful tomorrows dinner will be better.
I am being introduced to 6 new offices this week. Part of the merging of two companies. I do an hours worth of talking, hoping everyone stays awake. The people I meet are great, compassionate and hard working people. Their questions tell me most of what I need to know.
Off to bed but first a huge thank you to my few readers!
Travel trip: Airline Club Lounges are nice but not necessarily worth the money...unless you are there for the free drinks.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Travel and Sleeping
I have a great deal of difficulty sleeping in hotels, as I have previously mentioned. Unfortunately I fell asleep tonight at 6:30CT. Now I am awake and it's midnight. Ugh! Plane to catch in the morning.
It's been a long but interesting ride so far integrating two organizations. That is something I am no stranger to since we have done this 3 times previously. This has been the best one so far though I am grateful to say. Which is saying a lot because we are doubling in size with this transaction.
So far this week I have been involved in navigating 4 critical issues, and we are only two days into the week. The next two days are meetings with the rest of the senior management team to discuss integration and progress on other fronts so far.
As much as I hate being away from my family, and I really hate being away from them, right now I am happy to say that I once again love what I am doing. Part of that comes from the way the new owners seem to have faith in me to do my job. They ask me to do something and know it will get done. I appreciate that. A lot of nurses are not born leaders and I am no exception. I am grateful for the mentoring I have had from the prior CEOs.
This is by far the most transparent group I have worked with. That is hard to come by. Many organizations try to be transparent, or say they are, but this is the first time I have really seen it. I think it will go a long way in integrating these groups and forming a very cohesive senior team.
So, excitement aside, I must now seek the sleep that will allow me to rise in the morning ready to go! Have a fabulous day!
It's been a long but interesting ride so far integrating two organizations. That is something I am no stranger to since we have done this 3 times previously. This has been the best one so far though I am grateful to say. Which is saying a lot because we are doubling in size with this transaction.
So far this week I have been involved in navigating 4 critical issues, and we are only two days into the week. The next two days are meetings with the rest of the senior management team to discuss integration and progress on other fronts so far.
As much as I hate being away from my family, and I really hate being away from them, right now I am happy to say that I once again love what I am doing. Part of that comes from the way the new owners seem to have faith in me to do my job. They ask me to do something and know it will get done. I appreciate that. A lot of nurses are not born leaders and I am no exception. I am grateful for the mentoring I have had from the prior CEOs.
This is by far the most transparent group I have worked with. That is hard to come by. Many organizations try to be transparent, or say they are, but this is the first time I have really seen it. I think it will go a long way in integrating these groups and forming a very cohesive senior team.
So, excitement aside, I must now seek the sleep that will allow me to rise in the morning ready to go! Have a fabulous day!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Tennis Anyone?
As promised I will tell you about why we spent Tuesday night in the ER.
Tuesday was as gorgeous as a summer/fall day could be. After dinner I went back to work in my home office and hubby loaded up the family and went to the park. A lively and humerous game of tennis began. After watching how poorly everyone was doing my soon to be 89 year old mother in law decided she could show them a few things. Much fun was had and they spent most of the time laughing. That is until she went for a serve that was way over her head.
Hubby's brought her home to me and I performed an assessment for a concussion. She didn't have symptoms of a concussion but her hip was hurting and the size of the knot on her head was that of a baseball. Off to the ER for another opinion.
The triage nurse was one I went to nursing school with. When Grandma said she was playing tennis the nurse looked at me and said "seriously?"
Dr. Said no concussion and the hip X-ray was fine. Unfortunately, the doctor WROTE concussion on her discharge papers and she is pretty stressed out about it now. We will get her a follow up to ease her mind. Three days later she asked me why they didn't ask her about her supplemental insurance! Who knew?
Life is always interesting. I hope I will try to play tennis at 89.
Tuesday was as gorgeous as a summer/fall day could be. After dinner I went back to work in my home office and hubby loaded up the family and went to the park. A lively and humerous game of tennis began. After watching how poorly everyone was doing my soon to be 89 year old mother in law decided she could show them a few things. Much fun was had and they spent most of the time laughing. That is until she went for a serve that was way over her head.
Hubby's brought her home to me and I performed an assessment for a concussion. She didn't have symptoms of a concussion but her hip was hurting and the size of the knot on her head was that of a baseball. Off to the ER for another opinion.
The triage nurse was one I went to nursing school with. When Grandma said she was playing tennis the nurse looked at me and said "seriously?"
Dr. Said no concussion and the hip X-ray was fine. Unfortunately, the doctor WROTE concussion on her discharge papers and she is pretty stressed out about it now. We will get her a follow up to ease her mind. Three days later she asked me why they didn't ask her about her supplemental insurance! Who knew?
Life is always interesting. I hope I will try to play tennis at 89.
Country Music
This week finds me in Dallas and Nashville. I told my mother in law, who took up residence with us in June, that I was going to Dallas to get cowboy boots and a cowboy hat and then off to Nashville to be discovered. Of course we all know that will take a while since I can't play an instrument and certainly can't sing. Oh well, guess I will just have to keep working.
I haven't seen the inside of an emergency room in about a decade but made up for lost time this week. Last Sunday our oldest daughter was in a dirt bike race. It was her first and I am sure not last race. Unfortunately, right out of the gate some bikes piled up. She almost missed it but as she was passing one of the bikes flipped and caught her. She kept going but after the race she came up to me and said "I think I broke my finger". Being the good nurse that I am I immediately went and got the paramedics that are always standing by at these races. They said to take her to the ER but she wanted to wait and see the rest of the races. They just stared at her and said "most men would be crying by now!". We couldnt talk her out of waiting but eventually we got her taken care of. Not broken, but it did require 6 stitches! She's a tough one. 10 minutes on the track, 5 hours in the ER.
Our third daughter, also a nurse, saw the injury and almost passed out. Her husband had to bring the car around to pick her up but only after she got sick and fell on the ground.
Tomorrow I shall tell you about our next ER visit. For now just know that all is well.
I haven't seen the inside of an emergency room in about a decade but made up for lost time this week. Last Sunday our oldest daughter was in a dirt bike race. It was her first and I am sure not last race. Unfortunately, right out of the gate some bikes piled up. She almost missed it but as she was passing one of the bikes flipped and caught her. She kept going but after the race she came up to me and said "I think I broke my finger". Being the good nurse that I am I immediately went and got the paramedics that are always standing by at these races. They said to take her to the ER but she wanted to wait and see the rest of the races. They just stared at her and said "most men would be crying by now!". We couldnt talk her out of waiting but eventually we got her taken care of. Not broken, but it did require 6 stitches! She's a tough one. 10 minutes on the track, 5 hours in the ER.
Our third daughter, also a nurse, saw the injury and almost passed out. Her husband had to bring the car around to pick her up but only after she got sick and fell on the ground.
Tomorrow I shall tell you about our next ER visit. For now just know that all is well.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Home Sweet Home
I am working from home this week! Last week I was in Scottsboro, AL, Rock Hill, SC and Charlotte, NC. Next week will be another doozie so I am enjoying my week at home. I really appreciate having a home office at times like these because it allows me to be, well, home!
I haven't done very well making travel arrangements, mostly due to the fact that my plans have been last minute. My favorite hotels have been booked and I have had to settle for less than favorites. The beds were fine though and that plus cleanliness and safety are all I really care about.
Next week will be Dallas and Nashville. I really like home, can't I please do this from home?
I haven't done very well making travel arrangements, mostly due to the fact that my plans have been last minute. My favorite hotels have been booked and I have had to settle for less than favorites. The beds were fine though and that plus cleanliness and safety are all I really care about.
Next week will be Dallas and Nashville. I really like home, can't I please do this from home?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Books
When I travel I love to listen to audio books. I get them at the library and also from Cracker Barrel where you can rent them for $3.99/week. I also love to read my Kindle. Unfortunately, I can't find my Kindle. I hope I didn't leave it in Nashville, which is the last place I remember seeing it. Perhaps in my haste to pack I left it at home. I was really enjoying "Promise of the Wolves" as recommended by Cinderella.
Did you know you can disable a Kindle? You just call Amazon and they shut it down so noone can use your account to order books. I am not sure if they can totally stop it from being used but at least my card won't be charged for someone else's enjoyment.
So far this week I have traveled to Virginia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Too much "windshield time" as my boss likes to call it.
So my question today is: How do you sleep in a hotel? I have tried Tylenol PM, Advil PM, a glass of wine, a book, etc. I even used to bring my own pillow but that is too much trouble. After 7 years I still have trouble sleeping in a hotel. I like home. My bed, my family, everything. I do admit that I sleep extremely well on a cruise ship. The rougher the water, the better. Of course my family is always there too.
Tip for today: Disable that lost Kindle.
Did you know you can disable a Kindle? You just call Amazon and they shut it down so noone can use your account to order books. I am not sure if they can totally stop it from being used but at least my card won't be charged for someone else's enjoyment.
So far this week I have traveled to Virginia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Too much "windshield time" as my boss likes to call it.
So my question today is: How do you sleep in a hotel? I have tried Tylenol PM, Advil PM, a glass of wine, a book, etc. I even used to bring my own pillow but that is too much trouble. After 7 years I still have trouble sleeping in a hotel. I like home. My bed, my family, everything. I do admit that I sleep extremely well on a cruise ship. The rougher the water, the better. Of course my family is always there too.
Tip for today: Disable that lost Kindle.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Oh So Weary
Great day today but these merger meetings are exhausting. Sometimes I look around conference tables and wonder how I got here. Was I in the right place at the right time? Certainly that played a role. I like to think my upbringing, filled with lots of work ethic, got me here. It is amazing how many people just go to work but never invest themselves in their organization.
My blog title really describes me today. Weary. It's all good though. (I accidentally typed "Its all goo though. Ha!) That might be true as well.
I will be traveling to Lynchburg tomorrow. 11.5 hours from here since I need to get home and retrieve my boys first. They will be traveling with me. I love when they travel with me! Mommy/Son time rocks!
See you next week! Love to all of you who wander here....
P.S. My hotel, the Marriott Cool Springs, was great. The concierge host was friendly and the room was spotless. The shuttle took us to dinner so we didn't have to drive. Love that service!
My blog title really describes me today. Weary. It's all good though. (I accidentally typed "Its all goo though. Ha!) That might be true as well.
I will be traveling to Lynchburg tomorrow. 11.5 hours from here since I need to get home and retrieve my boys first. They will be traveling with me. I love when they travel with me! Mommy/Son time rocks!
See you next week! Love to all of you who wander here....
P.S. My hotel, the Marriott Cool Springs, was great. The concierge host was friendly and the room was spotless. The shuttle took us to dinner so we didn't have to drive. Love that service!
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