It's All About Me...Yes Again

I know I already played the 5 question game, but I think it's fun. So guess what...I got more questions from the fabulous Julochka so I'm going to answer them darn it. Be sure to check out her blog if you haven't yet. She's an amazing photographer and has wonderful taste in shoes...


1. what does your ideal vacation look like?
This is a tough one. I think an ideal vacation for me has to have a bit of an educational slant. I like to know things about people, cultures, religions, etc so when I go to a new country I want to know how it's residents got to be there, so having someone knowlegable with me is a wonderful bonus. However I also want to get a feel for the residents by going into pubs or other local hangout. I think my ideal vacation would be in Europe...but not necessarily. I've traveled quite a bit...well, for an American anyway, I think people in other countries probably travel more, but that may be a misconception. But I digress. I travel as often as I can and I love going to other countries, but Europe keeps calling me back. Maybe it has to do with my heritage.

2. if you could only buy one brand of purse for the rest of your life, what brand would it be? (you can buy as many of that brand as you want, but only the one brand.)
Agghhhh! Another tough one! You know what, I'd actually probably have to go with Coach. It's sort of a cliche now I think because everyone I know has one, or usually more than one. But they are well made, they come in everything from bright pink patent leather to a basic black handbag. I have owned a couple of the more expensive brands, but I don't like the whole line like with Coach. I always wanted to have a Versace and I was determined to buy one in Italy a couple years ago. I couldn't find one I liked. Honestly. I mean I was prepared to put down a boatload of money (it was going to be my only souvenir) and I was so disappointed. I went over to Gucci and bought one on clearance. It made me happy, made husband ultra happy, and I got to bring home a few other trinkets with all the money I saved.

3. who is your favorite muppet?
Oh my gosh, can't you just ask me about my sex life or something??? Actually I was more of a Mr Rogers fan than a Muppet fan. But if I had to name one I'll say Beaker. Or maybe Cookie Monster. Yeah, me like cookies.

4. harkening back to the early days of reality t.v. - would you have tried/did you try to get on Real World or Road Rules?
Haha. I am NOT a reality tv fan. No I have never tried to get on a show. I think I may have seen a couple minutes of both shows, but I don't really know enough to say. I did want to be Martha Quinn or Nina Blackwood (MTV video jockeys)

5. when they make the movie of your life, who will play you?
hahaha this is a great one. And yet I have no idea. How about Audrey Hepburn? I just asked my husband and he said Sandra Bullock. I'll go with that one.

Hope you learned something new about me today. If you want to play along just let me know!!

Rocking the Tiara

Thanks so much to The Ice Queen for awarding me the Awe-Summmm Award. I think she is pretty awesome too so be sure to check her out!

Unfortuately we all know you cant get somethin for nuthin' so here's the rules folks...

1. List 7 things that make me awe-summm!
2. Pass the award onto 7 bloggers that I love
3. Tag those bloggers to let them know they are now Queens too (and link back to the Queen who tagged you

7 things that make me awe-summmm!

• I spend a good deal of my time doing volunteer work. It started a few years ago at Christmas when the kids kept asking for stuff and kept getting it. I realized that they have no concept of money and husband and I thought they needed a good dose of reality. We had them volunteer anywhere they wanted for a few hours. Then husband and I realized we were pretty hypocritical since we didn't do anything either. Since then we have become involved with several charities in our area; I'm on the Board of our local Habitat for Humanity and the Family Selection Chair, I am a member of the local Junior Service Club which is a non-profit organization that helps needy families in our community, and I volunteer as often as I can at Hope Animal Rescues (which is where we got our Jenny).
• I, like Ice Queen, also always pick up after my dogs. I can't stand that some people think I won't mind stepping in a big pile of dog shit poop, but really I do mind it. Especially because I really like my shoes. The point is, if you are going to have a pet you need to be responsible for cleaning up after it when you are in public places like bike trails, parks, etc. Now, in my own yard I don't go pick it up. I figure that if you're walking around my yard then a) you know me well enough to know that I have 2 dogs and b) you are careful enough to look for land mines.
• I am surrounded by teen age girls and have not shot, stabbed, maimed, marred, or damaged any one of them.
• I dress for the weather. I'm sorry but one of my pet peeves is seeing someone in a pink suit in the middle of december with sleet and snow and slush. Umm, your pretty pink pumps don't look right in that puddle of grimy snow melt. That also goes for the woman wearing the black velvet dress when it's 95 degrees out. Yes, I saw this woman at the pharmacy on friday. I wish I had my camera. Black velvet. On the hottest day we've had so far. That's just nuts.
• I never ridicule people for wearing inappropriate clothes...at least not to their faces. I only do it in the blogosphere. And, in my defence, I really would never talk about someones ability or inability to afford clothes. It's only that really, how about a t-shirt and shorts? Is black velvet all you had? In the middle of the day? When it's hotter than hades out??
• Crap. Now I feel all bad for being catty about this woman and her clothes. See, I am nice. Usually.
• I love almost all dogs. There are some that I think personalities just don't mesh, but for the most part dogs just want to love you and to be loved and there are no strings attached. Same with kitties. I love kitties but I have a daughter that is highly allergic and we just can't have them in the house. She's a senior in high school though so maybe in a few years...

Ok, now I have to tag seven people. I hate this part cuz I don't want anyone to feel bad about not getting tagged, but I also don't want to annoy people who hate getting tagged. So here are my tags and I hope it doesn't make anyone unhappy.

• Spud at Chez Spud
• Ali at Inner Ramblings...
• Jules at Just Jules
• Polly at Sotto Voce
• Willow at Willow Manor
• Liz at The Fragrant Muse
• Stepford Dreams

A Day in the Life

I've been thinking about the name of my blog and thought I should share what a Day in the Life of a Would-Be Bambi really is. Well, I don't really know exactly what it is. But what I do know is what a day in my life is like so I thought I'd share a little with you.

The first thing I do is wake up at the butt-crack of dawn 5:45 and take Jenny, the oh-so-elegantly sprawled dog to the left, and Juneau (my favorite child ---shhhhh!) on their daily walk. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, we stumble out of bed and go for a walk. Ok that's not true. If it's raining I usually say "screw it" but then I always pay for it later. The deal is that Jenny, our rescue dog, has to poop in very specific places. I can't just shoo her out the door and expect her to do her business. It's a very methodical process and everything has to go just right. God forbid a bird should happen to call, a mild breeze should blow past her butt, or a hapless fly should happen by, poor Jenny wont poop. Trust me. I know. Although what goes in must eventually come out, and if she doesn't poop on the morning walk , I know it's coming out somewhere in my house. Again, only in special places (like on the rug I bought in Turkey, or in front of #6s room - much to her chagrin. Teenage girls do not like poop. Especially not stinky fat dog poop.

After the morning constitutional takes place, I quickly shower and dress for work. At least lately. I do relief work, so luckily I have many days that I can move a bit slower. However I am taking over for a pharmacist on maternity leave so I actually have to get up and go to work most days. It kinda sucks.

My next stop is non-negotiable. I think we all know where this is heading. My neighborhood starbucks. I usually get a grande skinny caramel latte, but lately I've super-sized to a quad venti skinny caramel latte. Must be because I know that it's going to be 98 degrees out I feel the need to get as much coffee in me at one time. Or because working 5 or 6 days a week (when you're used to 2 or 3) kinda sucks.

After I have purchased my mega-latte (ok and sometimes I also purchase a cinnamon scone, does that really make me a bad person???) I begin my commute to work. This is not usually too bad as I tend to stay in a 30mi radius (I prefer the 4mi radius, but I follow the money...) This summer my job is 11 miles from my house, so it's a pretty easy commute. Or should be. If it weren't construction season... (this isn't my photo, but the credits are in the link)

Anyway, my drive to work is usually uneventful and I have time to ponder speed limits, life, or myself in an Audrey Hepburn 'do...

Once I get to the pharmacy the real fun beings. I get about a bazillion calls from druggies wanting to know if their vicodin/xanax/lorcet/soma/ativan/ultram is ready.

In addition there are the many calls of the regualr people wanting refills on blood pressure, cholesteral, or any numerous medical condition medicines. Dont forget there is also the endless phone calls from doctors, nurses, etc wanting to know specifics about medications, dosages, pregnancy classifications, etc. I get calls on many different issues and usually I am more than happy to help the caller out.

Some days I even get to do the crossword puzzle...but I can't always finish it. Darn it.

After a fun filled day in the pharmacy I get to go home to one of several things, depending on the season of course. Sometimes its soccer or field hockey games,

Sometimes it's hanging by the pool...

Sometimes it's working out to relieve stress, or maybe to make myself feel better about all the wine flab squishy parts of me my wonderful husband has to hold on to.

Sometimes it's believing they all really exist...

And sometimes its just being grateful for the most wonderful person in my life...

Random Favorites

Thanks so much to Seaside Stories for tagging me in this post! So here are some of my faves:

Favorite Films

• Braveheart
• Casablanca
• The Breakfast Club
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High
• Breakfast at Tiffany's

Favorite Songs
I don't think I have 5 favortie songs...it totally depends on my mood. So I'm cheating.

Favorite Music to Listen When...

• I'm exercising: techno, 80s pop, Aerosmith, Lady Gaga, some Fergie, anything that'll keep me moving
• I'm cooking: Frank Sinatra
• I'm lounging: Erin Bode (jazz)
• I'm by the pool: 80s, 90s

Favorite Crushes

• Husband - seriously, he's really my number one.
• James Alexander Mackenzie Fraser and look here too
• Phil Mickelson - I have a think for nerdy golfers
• Mel Gibson - I'm thinking Braveheart here

Favorite Books

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
• Oops, really I'm all about Diana at the moment. Sorry. But you can see what I like to read by going here
  

Random Favorite Things

• Chardonnay in the summer
• Cabernet in the winter
• Starbucks grande skinny caramel latte
• Time alone with my husband (although ask me again in 4 years when we're empty nesters...maybe I'll want some kid time)
• Tiramisu
• Shoes shoes shoes...and hangbags

Now I'm supposed to tag others...
Judith at Chez Spud
Liz at The Fragrant Muse
Hit 40 at Sane Without Drugs
Michel at Facts are Strictly Optional
Sharon at Dances with God

thanks for playing!

Don't forget to keep up the Pharmacy questions...I'm working on fridays post

Questions from a VEG

Well, B did it. And VEG did it. Extranjera too. And since we all know I really want to belong, I'm doing it too.

Here are the questions VEG gave me:

1. Given the overload of girls in your home, did you ever wish for a boy?
Ummm, when I was pregnant with #2 (that is now #6) I thought it would kinda be cool. But my sister always said she imagined me with 3 daughters. Now that I have twice that amount I can say I'm happy I didn't have boys. I mean, the equipment is so different, and they are loud and smelly and like to fart at the table... Don't get me wrong, I love my nephews, but boys are so...so...boyish. Give me a princess and a tiara and puppies and kittens over toads and bugs any day.

2. If you had to give one up, would it be Starbucks or wine?
Haha yeah right. Actually, funny you should ask. Over Lent this year I was supposed to give up Sbux on tuesday, thursday, and saturday, and wine the opposite days. Ummm, never happened. I gave up soda 2 years ago for Lent and stuck with it. I think I've probably had 3 sodas since then, all of them recently and all of them because there was nothing else readily avialable. The first one was in feb on a cruise that was very choppy, I had a ginger ale to calm my stomach.
So no. I refuse to give up either one. Sorry. Aint gonna happen.

3. Name one thing you really regret and wish you could do over again.
This one is tough. I guess I'd say I wish I could take back all the mean things I've said or thought about people. Everyone is just trying to make it in this crazy world, I hate that I have been catty.

4. Do you ever wish you lived somewhere else?
Only every freaking day. I long for some excitement. Although if you made me pick a place I really wouldn't know where I'd pick. I think that's why I love to travel so much, but I think the grass is always greener on the other side. Plus there are good points and bad points about everything. If you find Utopia let me know and I'll live there...

5. What are your hobbies?
I do a lot but I don't do anything well. I like to shop, read, workout, and scrapbook. I just started (TODAY) piano lessons, I like wasting way too many hours blogging and reading everyone elses blogs. I enjoy my walks with the dogs, both solo and with my friends. I enjoy wine with my husband by the pool.
BUT really with this maternity leave I'm taking over and watching my nephews while my lucky duck sister is roaming around Scotland, I really don't have time to do any of that.

That's about it for me!
Want to play too and be part of the cool kids? Let me know and I'll send you some questions too!

Pharmacy Friday #3 (on Sunday)

This past friday I had an extremely stressful day at the pharmacy. As you my know, I don't have my own pharmacy, I do relief work. Most days I love it; I set my own schedule, I work only when I want shoes a paycheck, and I only work at stores that I like the techs and the customers. I tend to go to the same pharmacies over and over, so a good proportion of the patients know who I am and trust me with their medications.

But this post isn't about me. This is about you. Yes, you. Doesn't everyone go to a pharmacy, at least occasionally if not monthly? Well, maybe if you or your husband is a doctor, then you probably have samples, but for the most part I think a pharmacy has to be at least a small part of your life.

My plea is this: PLEASE DON'T ASK YOUR PHARMACIST TO BREAK THE LAW FOR YOU.

You may be thinking "Me? I'd never do that!" But I wonder if you realize how many times we get asked to do just that.

• Your little sleeping pill that you didn't realize you were out of refills. I can't fill that without the docs ok. I know he's going to say yes, you know he's going to say yes, but I need it authorized offically before I can give it to you. I'm sorry.
• This also goes for the sweet little old lady that I know is not an addict. I really am sorry, but I'm not willing to risk my shoes license over a couple alprazolam.
• To the druggie: I know you're seeking, I know what to look for, I know how to spot a fake script (sometimes I am fooled, mostly I am not). I will not fill it. Furthermore, I will not give it back to you if I can prove it has been altered.  

Here's a good one (and partly the reason for my bad day on Friday).

• If you are going out of town, please take care of medication refills a week ahead of time. I can call the insurance company and get an overide, BUT I might not have time to take care of it right this second. Also, it usually takes a day or two for the insurance co to get it to go thru. And thirdly, while I value you as a patient, you are not my only one. Please understand that I have several things going on at any one time.

And most importantly, KNOW THE LAWS FOR CONTROL DRUGS.

• Heres the scenario: Your son as ADHD and is on a C2 (that's a narcotic that has the strictest laws for dispensing...there are no legal C1s). States differ in their laws regarding C2s and your pharmacist has to abide by those laws. There are also Federal Laws, but if the state law is stricter, then that's the one that has to be followed.
• In my state, C2 prescriptions are only good for 7 days. That's it, no exceptions.
• The C2 rx MUST be handwritten...NO FAXES!! Hospice and emergencies are exceptions, but I'm not talking about those right now.

SOOO, LETS PUT THE STORY TOGETHER:

• I get a faxed C2 rx for an ADHD med that I can not fill.
• This is not hospice or an emergeny
• I call the doc and tell her that I am not filling it.
• She says the mother brow beat her (I'm sorry, which one of you is the professional? ) into writing and faxing the script, but it was my call if I wanted to fill it or not.
• Apparently the family was leaving on vacation and needed the rx, but the mother did have time to drive to get the written prescription.
• I'm sorry, this is my fault how exactly?? How long have you known you were going on vacation?
• I've had a run in on this same issue with this same biotch woman in the past. She says the regular pharmacist would fill it. So I guess I'm irregular?
• I told her I thought it was extremly rude that she'd even ask the regular pharmacist to break the law, but I wasn't doing it.

Here's the facts:

• Does anyone really care? Ummm, only the pharmacist whose license is on the line.
• Do they really take licenses away for that? Maybe not the first time, first there will be a fine, maybe a suspension. It really depends on how many times it happens and how serious the offense is.
• How often do they check? That depends on several things. But at any given time a federal or state agent can come in and check your logs. C2s better be accounted for.
• If I'm not going to break the law for my own husband on his sleeping meds I'm certainly not going to do it for YOU.

I hope this wasnt too harsh sounding and cranky, but it really irritates me that some people think I'm just being mean when I wont give them what they want. It has nothing to do with how I feel about a patient as a person. Pharmacists work very hard to get where they are. Some will bend the rules, some will not. Some go to jail, some do not.

Do you ever get asked to break the law? How would you handle it?

All About the Shoe Love

What is it about that perfect pair of shoes? You know the ones I mean. They are the shoes that can lift your spirits just by the sight of them. The ones that bring back memories of the perfect date. Or maybe they're the ones that inspire dreams of your perfect day, perfect job, perfect life. Whether that day is spent shopping, lunching with friends, out on the town, or the underbelly of a cruise ship, the shoes are an integral part of your life.

Recently several posts (here I'm combining everyone into the Blog Campers, actual or fantasizing, rather than name everyone) have been talking shoes. Chucks to be acurate.Yellow Chucks. As I've said before, I have purchased many pairs of Chucks in all different sizes and colors, however I have yet to own a pair of my own. Therefore I must be content with the shoes I can find in my own closet.

I don't consider myself a shoe freak. I'm not the type of woman that gets stopped on the street and asked about her shoes. However I often will stop other women and comment on their shoes, so maybe that makes me a freak after all.
I'm also not a brand hound on shoes the way I am with other things (jeans, handbags, makeup, cereal, wine...) but they do have to be decent shoes. I've bought my fair share of crappy shoes and they just don't last. But you have to admit, there is something orgasmic wonderful about buying those shoes you've been wanting needing eyeing for weeks. Actually, I do have one pair of Prada shoes. I have also purchased both Manolo's and Jimmy Choo's, but had to send them back. Europeans must have small feet!! Ahh well, at least they were mine for a day.
As a pharmacist, I am on my feet 8-10 hours a day. Very rarely during the day do I actually get the chance to sit down and give my feet a rest. Therefore, a good deal of my shoes are loafers, flats, sketchers, and sneakers. But I crave love heels. There's something about the way my legs look when I'm wearing heels that brings out my inner Audrey Hepburn. All I need is the little black dress and the pearls and I'm set.
Since yellow Chucks were the inspiration for this post, I feel obligated to show you my favorite (and only) yellow shoes.

If I were going to name brands, I'd say they were BCBG, but that's not the important part. What is important is that I was shopping with husband (and probably a couple teenagers) in Louisville, KY. I saw these shoes and they called out to me. JUMPED out at me actually. I initially wasn't going to purchase them, but I couldn't help it. I had to. These are actually the only shoes I can remember anyone commenting on...of course I was wearing pink fishnet pantyhose at the time (it's a long story, but a pretty cute costume).

These shoes (Anne Kline) were another impulse buy. It was late fall, heading into winter. I loved the red plaid, and I loved the black lace over the top. These shoes needed to be in my closet, and I needed to make them feel loved. This purchase occured probably 2 years ago. I've worn them once, but I love them and am ever hopeful of finding occasion to wear them again. Holiday party anyone?

Oddly enough, I bought these Micheal Kors shoes thinking I probably wouldn't wear them much, but I ended up wearing them several times last fall. Maybe it's the wedge shape, but they are really comfortable. Well, not pharmacist comfy, but definitely shopping comfy. And I love the brown zebra stripe. They are the perfect fall shoes, and Autumn is definitely my season. Oddly enough, I found a handbag that matches perfectly. Must be kismet.

These Coach shoes were also an accident. Well, like my mom says about me, they were a "pleasant surprise." I was out shopping with husband and teenagers and my jeans were just an inch or so too long. Like any sensible woman, I have jeans I wear with heels and jeans I wear with flats. Unfortunately, like any modern woman, I was waaay behind on laundry, so all my shorter jeans were dirty. It was making me insane with rage that my jeans kept dragging on the ground, so I went into a store, saw these, and bought them. Actually with the wooden heel I didn't think they'd be an important part of my wardrobe, but they turned out to be a great pair of shoes, and, like myself 30-something years ago, have become an integral part of the family.