Planning...

It is late and I should be in bed. I have a meeting in the morning and March schedule that needs some serious attention. But I am sitting here at my "Computation Device" about to blog instead.

A few months ago my ward had a Service Auction. Everyone brought canned food for the food bank. "Money" was earned based on the ounces and amount of protein. Then they used said money to bid on acts of service the members of the ward were willing to delve out. It was so much fun and we gave tons of food to the Food Bank. All in all it was a very profitable night. My roommates and I decided to auction off a "Murder Mystery Dinner." All we needed was to have 4 guys in ward shell out the funds and we would show them a party they would not soon forget! We got the guys, we got the game so now the fun begins!

I LOVE to plan parties. Parties of all kinds, I am not picky. I love to pick or be given a theme and just go nuts. I have turned my living room into a 1920's bar with mood lighting and a heavy flapper flare. That same room has been a 1950's diner with a juke box, records, and leather jacket's. We (my totally AMAZING Sisters, Cousins and I) turned my brothers unfinished basement into a 50's dance hall for my Aunt's 50th birthday! We spray painted the cement floor into a checkerboard pattern, Michelle painted music notes on the walls, we had a Record Cake, and Elvis came to entertain. Everyone in attendance wore poodle skirts and saddle oxfords! I love the entire process of getting ready for the main event!! We also had the Mocktail Party that was meant to be a more classy affair. There was not much decorating that went into that one but the planning was so much fun! We planned the drinks we were going to serve, the way to set up the bar and what appetizers to make. All of which is so much fun in my world! I lay awake at night thinking of how we could do this or change that! I LOVE IT!!!

So now it is time again to plan and get ready for another party! We (Launa, Ashlee Katie and I) headed to the big party store ZURCHERS to get some decorations for the dinner on Friday! It is Wild West Theme. So we went all out on this one. There will be a Jail, Wanted Posters, A Long Horn Cow Head, The infamous Skull, Boots, Cacti, tin dishes for dinner, the bathroom will be turned into an Outhouse. And perhaps my favorite part...Saloon doors for the front door and a Horse that will be tied up to the "Hitchin' Post" on the porch! (It is a paper horse so please don't anybody call PETA on us) Needless to say I am pretty excited for this party!!! We will have so much fun and I know the guys that are coming have no idea what to expect. This makes it even better! They will have a fantastic 4 course meal, lots of laughs, do some detective work and maybe even find out they were the MURDER!!! What more could they want??

If anybody reads this and needs a party thrown! I would love to help you! My cousins and I have been saying for years we need to open a business! I am pretty sure that would be the coolest job in the world! But until then I will continue to draw blood, fix the March schedule and go to meetings. But there is nothing to stop me form LOVING every minute of the parties I do get to throw together!!!

I am going to tell you a seceret...

The tourniquet is supposed to squeeze your arm! I know you are all shocked and awed by this secret. But please know that the general public is amazed by this fact. But in an entirely different way! I can not tell you how many times in my 10 hour shift I hear something along these lines... "Wow that is tight." "Is that supposed to be so snug?" "Ouch that really hurts." "That is really pinching my arm!" I just want to look at them and say "Really? That means it is working."

Let me give you a small lesson on tourniquet use.

A tourniquet is a rubber band (for lack of a better term). I being the phlebotomist will tie this strip of rubber around you arm. It will most likely not feel like something you want to wear everyday or for a long period of time. However the 1-5 Min's it will be on your arm will not kill you. I promise you, it won't. And can you even imagine how embarrassed you would be on the other side. And for your response to the "How did you die" question to be "A Tourniquet!" Come on buck up Little Camper!

OK moving on.

Once I have palpated and found a juicy vein. This vein being juicy because the tourniquet is pooling the blood. So when I pierce said vein with a needle it will have some blood to suck out! You see even though the tourniquet is not something you want to add as an accessory to your outfit for the day. It really is your friend and is only there to help you out! Because trying to get blood out a dry vein is not fun for anybody. It is something like trying to get the last bit of honey out of that bear shaped bottle. It is slow coming and can be painful! So my friends next time that rubber band is causing you a bit of pain. Just remember it is really your friend! And remember if it is hurting...it is working!

Become one with your tourniquet. And please stop telling me it tight. You see I know...I tied it!