Deedee

My younger sister (by 4 yrs) is turning 40 next wk. She will be at work, in a busy hospital ER, at the registration desk. I really want to do something to call attention to her 40th birthday - she'd gorgeous, in great shape, very active, and has teased me for years about being the older sister. She is trying to downplay it. Now it's my turn! What can I do that won't be too over the top to get her in trouble? I see her there a lot because I am a paramedic. Oh - she will become a grandmother in April. Her coworker said not to send dead or black flowers - the hospital frowns on that, for some strange reason. Any ideas?

I am a female paramedic in my 40's. I make less than $12.00/hr, and have no retirement benefits. No raise in 3 yrs, but I love my job (except for the drunks and OD's that want to fight). I have to work OT just to pay my health ins. It can also be very physically demanding, and I can't see myself doing this 15 to 20 yrs from now. Carrying large patients downstairs, or extricating them from crushed cars in bar ditches can be taxing, and I am trying to be realistic. I am considering going back to school and becoming a teacher. I think I'd probably like elementary ages best. I guess the point is that I am used to no benefits and hard, thankless work. I think teaching would be rewarding. Would you teachers do it again? If not, why? What do you like and dislike? If you work in or near Oklahoma, what can I expect, esp. pay/benefits? How do you feel about online college courses to help me get my teachiing degree? Would my medical background of any benefit in any way?

Have indoor/outdoor dogs, so don't want to hurt them. Currently have gluetraps, and the old-fashioned snap closed wood traps. Any better mousetraps, or poison that is nonlethal to dogs? We have a clean house, but live on acreage, so field mice come in with onset of colder, wet weather. Thanks.