A Doll for Fiona

Today is my granddaughter's first birthday, so I guess it's about time I made a special doll for her. I've been going through my embarrassingly large collection of doll patterns - both modern and vintage - and have chosen a pattern from 1933.

Now I could have gone with a simpler, pancake style doll, but where's the challenge in that? This one has interesting construction (though the instructions are a bit scant), so I should be able to learn something new if I can figure it out. It also looks like it'll be safe for a child - no buttons or small parts to come undone.

When Minutes Count...

Back in December right before Christmas, we received word at the ER in which I work that we were receiving a horribly injured young man from a head-on collison. Scrambling to prepare for his arrival (the accident occured outside Chinook on the Washington side of the Columbia River, and not that far from Astoria) - we feared the worst. The ambulance report was grim. Ben was unconscious and had an extremely low blood pressure. He arrested shortly after arrival, requiring CPR for several minutes while we performed multiple interventions - chest tubes, central lines, squeezing in units of blood as fast as they would go in. Lifeflight was on the ground, and the crew was ready to fly him to Emanuel (the big trauma hospital) as soon as we could stabilize him.

Ben's family and friends started a blog almost immediately, and I have been following his progress since the accident. Ben's case was an amazing example of tremendous teamwork, everything going right, and faith. I'm sure faith played a role.

Yesterday I attended a trauma conference in Portland highlighting three amazing trauma "saves." Ben Suprunowski was one of them. The panel that discussed his case included a First Responder, EMT, Lifeflight crew member, one of our Astoria surgeons, and Emanuel Hospital's trauma surgeon Dr. Long. I even got to comment on the Astoria part of his resuscitation (so glad the 200+ people in the auditorium were behind me so I couldn't see them). The best part of all? Ben was there. What an amazing young man. He makes me believe in miracles. Statistically speaking, cardiac arrest due to blunt force trauma is fatal. It used to be one of the "death in the field" criteria used by paramedics (along with decapitation, rigor mortis, etc.). Guess it's time to rethink that one.

A reporter from one of the Portland TV stations was at the conference:
http://www.kgw.com/home/Teens-recovery-from-crash-is-a-lesson-in-teamwork-118278379.html

I wish all our traumas had happy endings. Here's Ben's van:

Barley's Angels (or What I did for fun on my birthday)

This year my Big Birthday happened to coincide with a gathering women learning all about beer, the production and nuances of beer, complementary foods, etc., taught by Lisa "Beer Goddess" Morrison. It was a fantastic event, held in the Tap Room of the Fort George Brewery and Public House. Above is a photo our new chapter of the organization, which was featured in yesterday's local newspaper. I'm in the front, holding one side of the flag. My good friends Wendy (who is next to me and behind the flag) and Allison (seated to the right of the flag) were also in attendance (and yes, we got Barley's Angels t-shirts).

I was so surprised at the birthday cake presented as the sixth (of seven) courses served. Mmmm...Raspberry Chocolate Cake paired with Rogue Double Chocolate Stout - a perfect combination.

All About Barley's Angels

WHAT WE ARE:

Mission Statement: As the consumer leg of the Pink Boots Society®, Barley's Angels is committed to involving women in the enjoyment of craft beer by creating environments where women can learn more about beer in a friendly, educational and supportive atmosphere, thus creating more women beer enthusiasts, and, ultimately, involving more women in beer- and brewery-related careers.

Purpose: Barley's Angels is a growing collection of individual chapters around the world that work with craft-beer focused breweries, brewpubs, restaurants, alehouses and other public beer establishments to advance the female consumer craft beer enthusiast, resulting in increased patronage and revenue from women, while encouraging education and interest in beer among this often under-recognized demographic group.

WHAT WE ARE NOT:

Barley's Angels is not just a social, beer-drinking club for women. Barley's Angels respect beer and brewing, have a thirst for education, enjoy beer responsibly and act appropriately at all times.