When I moved to Omaha 20 years ago I was exposed to all different types of people and cultures.

Where I grew up, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The U.P) there was a large population of Finnish people. My grandfather came over from Finland in the early 1900's. My dad speaks both English and Finnish.

We were raised to be very proud of our ancestry.

Today I made Finnish food for Hook.

Pasty

The Pasty, pronounced pass-tee, (pictured above) is one of the staples of the Upper Peninsula, brought here by the copper and iron miners from Cornwall, England.

The pasty is a sort of portable beef stew folded into a purse of pie dough and baked to a rich, golden brown. Warmed on a shovel held over a candle, the pasty provided the miners with a nourishing, well balanced meal no matter how far underground they were working.

Pasties in the U.P. have an unusual history, as a small influx of Finnish immigrants followed the Cornish miners, in 1864. These Finns (and many other ethnic groups) adopted the pasty for use in the Copper Country copper mines.

About 30 years later, a much larger flood of Finnish immigrants found their countrymen baking pasties, and assumed that it was a Finnish invention. As a result, the pasty has become strongly associated with Finnish culture in this area.

I watched my Grandmother and Mother make pasties when I grew up. There is no family recipe because my grandmother used the little bit of this, little bit of that method.

I am proud to be a Finnish American...... I made 2 pasty pies, I didn't feel like rolling the crust for 20 or 30 pasties.

It smells like home!!!

~Nursey~

As we begin the holday season and as another year closes I can't help but reflect on how things change, how each passing day brings you closer to who you are, why you are, and what you may become.

Embrace your strengths.

 Live, laugh, love.

 Hold your family close, tell them they are appreciated.

Don't take things for granted.

Don't be angry, try to forgive.

It's been a rough year, but as I reflect, I am stronger, wiser, and looking forward to continuing the journey.

~Nursey~

There are only

 31

more shopping days til Christmas!!!

Just Some Thoughts

What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?

If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

Whatever happened to Preparations A through G?

If the pen is mightier than the sword, and a picture is worth a thousand words, how dangerous is a fax?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

Why do they put Braille on the drive through bank machines?

How come there aren't B batteries?

 How do "Do not walk on the grass" signs get there?

How do you throw away a garbage can?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Happy Shopping Everyone!!!

~Nursey~

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) ~

Hope everyone has a great holiday.

~Nursey and Hook~

I'm running on empty. This past week has been trying, exhausting, a challenge. Best part is, I think I'm going to survive it.

You really find out a lot about people and your priorities when you are pushed to your limits. This week has taught me plenty about what is important to me. What I need in my life and what just isn't working.

I cancelled Thanksgiving. I feel bad, kinda.. but we were expecting 15 people for a big meal Thursday. I can't do it and I'm making no apologies. I'm just tired.

There are people in our lives that are using us, whether it be for monetary reasons or just as fair weather friends. Hook's sister and brother-in-law spent nearly every day with us while we sat..waiting. SarahBoBeara offered to do my shopping. His brother and his wife called daily and visited.

Hook's children didn't call which hurt him. His eldest son (20 years old) was aware of his surgery only because he's "borrowed" nearly 2 grand in the past month. It's the only time we see him, when his bills are due.

Hook's ex-wife decided she had to be concerned and called...now that just burned my tail. It's been 8 years, no concern of hers...she was just wondering if the child support would continue to be sent.

People amaze me as well as disgust me.

I went to day shift this week. Something I really don't care for, on top of the fact my schedule is so out of whack, it was a rough day.

I had one of my residents go completely unresponsive today at about 4 p.m. Eyes fixed, drooling, coarse breathing. I handled it exceptionally with the coolness I'm known for,  giving direction, reassuring staff and other residents. I'm good at it. After it was over, with my exhaustion, I wanted to curl up in a corner in the fetal position.

I didn't.

I'm going to be okay. Hook's going to be okay......

~Nursey~