really now?

Our first exam for Nur108-Nursing Concepts and Principles is Monday morning. The subject matter for the text includes oxygenation, circulation...and fluids & electrolytes with acid-base balance...and urinary & bowel elimination.

How about your program?

Have they tested you on this many topics/systems at once?




Anyway, found these two gems at Borders yesterday. I had been studying the F&E material and came across conflicting info between the oecture notes (printed from data the instructor had posted online) and the text, so became sort of confused. Turns out it all means basically the same thing. Thanks to the Mosby's Memory Notecards I figured it out!

If you're like me and it's been a while since you took A&P you might find the Cliffs book extremely useful!















All that and if you like romantic comedies you'll love New in Town!

that much closer to forty

And it doesn't scare me! It intrigues me!

I was explaining last night that my friend and I had decided to cut our birthday date short, and just go to the movie. Her son had protested about her not being home for dinner, and quite frankly I need the time to study.

It's my birthday and I'll study if I want to!

aiding and abetting

Yesterday I made reference to the fact that today I had to take someone to the airport. This someone is a neighbor/friend who left her husband, for a man she met at my house last year during Big B's retirement party. I drove her to the airport in her car, so upon arriving back in the 'hood I had to park it in her driveway.

I was hoping to avoid her husband, with whom my husband and I are also friends. He gets home early during the day, but I was arriving earlier then he normally does so I thought I was golden...until I turned the corner.

On the way home I had stopped at a grocery store to pick up milk, eggs and bread, and had to pull them from the back of the car to drag them across the street. Knowing he was home I intended to knock on the door and let him know I'd returned safely with his vehicle, but by the time I'd pulled the stuff out of the back he'd already come outside.

I couldn't feel any shittier than I already do at this time.

It doesn't help that I'm the one that got the ball rolling on this love affair.

She'd asked Big B for his phone number and Big B pretty much refused to give it to her. Then she comes along to dumbass me, and being the gullible nimrod that I am I gave it to her!

Lovely.

Now I must go refocus on my studies...wouldn't you know I'm concentrating on the heart today.

brrrr....it's cold outside

It seems the whole country is experiencing frigid temps this week. Here in Virginia we haven't been spared of any chill, or precipitation for that matter.

The boys were off school Monday and Tuesday for teacher work days, and then we had a snow day yesterday, thus no school, no classes. Today we're all home because of ice. When I say "we're all home" that's actually not entirely true. What's meant is Big B, AW and I are home. But we're all off school or work because of the ice. LB just happens to have spent the past two nights at a friend's house.

I'm going to be spending the greater portion of the next few days studying for two tests. One is the Mental Health Nursing exam we were supposed to have taken yesterday, and the other is regularly scheduled for Monday.

The latter will cover oxygenation, circulation, fluids & electrolytes, acid-base balances, and urinary & bowel elimination. The instructor told us it would be fifty questions evenly distributed amongst the different chapters.

Today we're missing lab. I'm wondering how it will be handled considering the Thursday lab group will most likely have their time tomorrow as I don't think we're in for anymore weather this week.

Tomorrow a friend has asked me to take her to the airport as she's leaving for a few months. I'll drive her up and drop her off after we've had lunch. Then it'll be right back to the books upon my return home.

I know why I've been in a funk the past few days and why I let the negative message a friend sent get to me, even though I came out of it temporarily last night.

Friday's my birthday. I'm not upset like some people get, because they're getting older. What upsets me is, for years now I've been the one in our house who puts her heart into celebrations for everyone. I do it because I love seeing my sons and husband happy. I'm human though and it's nice to be appreciated and receive reciprocation in kind, and well when it doesn't happen it causes morale to take a nose-dive. It's become a pattern over the years.

The hubby's not one for Valentines Day either. Being the romantic I am, I love any opportunity to celebrate love, birthdays, and anything special.

Last week while at Quantico I made a new friend. Come to find out her birthday is also the 30th! How wild is that!? She's turning two years older, and for her this year it's the big 4-0.

We're planning to go see New in Town and go out to dinner after the movie.

Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands!

been in a funk

Yesterday morning I woke up and upon checking messages on my cell phone was greeted by a message that caused me to be a little disgruntled. No need to rehash the message itself. Sometimes things get to me, after all I am pretty sensitive. The message was from a "friend", and well it said something that hurt my feelings. For the past 36 hours or so it's grated on my being, my every last nerve.

Time heals all wounds, and so now the pain has passed.

When I let myself end up in these situations I seek out ways to alleviate the hurt or frustration. Usually a walk down memory lane does the trick.

This time proved as cathartic as any other and I would like to share my journey.

There is no specific order that these photos are in, no chronology. It's apparent to me what could make a person smile when viewing them. Most of them are taken with a Minolta Dimage that maybe wasn't the best quality of cameras, but it preserved memories for me that may not have otherwise been.


















Their expressions are worth a thousand words, and make me bubble up with laughter!

mary jane and her birthday suit

Discussion of a recent teenager related incident brought the following blog I had previously posted on another forum back to memory:


Mary Jane and her birthday suit, June 2008.

She's not one and the same, two separate incidents in my life actually.

I try to make the best of "things" and put a positive spin on everything.

First, I'll tell you about Mary Jane. She's also known as weed, pot, grass, wacky-tabacky, and so forth. Her counterparts are commonly called joints, doobies, bongs, roaches...you get the picture.

Just when you think you just might stay away from this issue, at least until the youngest starts his rampage on the substance abuse world, your world gets turned upside down. We wouldn't know a thing about this except for the snooping habit of a dad. In this case the means is condoned, because the end brought a big problem sharply into everyone's focus.

Last weekend AW came up to me and asked if I knew something about LB and whatever. ?? He had been listening to a conversation his older brother was having, and it peaked his curiosity. I had no idea what he was talking about, so went straight to the original source and inquired. Of course, this irritates LB and he starts telling us to mind our own business. Because he reacted harshly my curiosity also peaked. I went and texted a friend who might know what was going on. See, the kids, her 15 year old daughter, and my 15 year old son, had both been at a party the night before. Her daughter often shares gossip with her so I was hoping she had the scoop.

She too was baffled, and asked her daughter. Later on I was able to bribe LB and he responded telling me that the dad, mentioned above, had wanted him to tell me anyway. (Yeah, I wondered why he hadn't told me prior to then.) The story I got was that this dad was accusing his son of smoking weed. As horrifying as it was it didn't directly affect me so I was somewhat relieved, although saddened for our friends. You might be wondering why this dad was talking to my son about it.

I thought my family wasn't directly involved...wrong!!!

Evidently, as the story has come out it was not only the one boy, but about 7 of them...who I had agreed to let crash at our house the night of our town carnival a few weeks ago. Two stayed back, claiming fatigue. LB was one of the two. He knew what the others were headed out to do, but thank heavens he was "tired". Nonetheless, these idiots went out, on our watch, and smoked pot!

To end this frustrating story, we let the original parents handle the brunt of the situation since it was their discovery. As far as our end? The boys involved, many of whom I love like they're my own, are no longer welcome. It doesn't help that a couple of them have been party to other incidents--but nothing that could end us all up in prison!

Her birthday suit....not Mary Jane's, silly!

Once again, the family 15 year old is involved in this one.

So we drop LB off at his game. He has to be there an hour early, so Big B and I will drop him off and then run to the store for drinks, and snacks....especially needed watching a championship game. It was a good one too! Anyway, back to the story. While driving back to the ballpark we notice he has left his cell phone on the backseat....uh, do we want Mom to look at it? For those of you who think we do a lot of privacy invasion around here, well, if you don't have children, don't judge it's none of your beeswax, if you don't have teenage children--just you wait, if you do and still find it appaling, well aren't you the lucky one to have raised completely perfect angels? Yeah, right.

For one thing when you're paying the bill, you have rights! For another, if they're so worried about their privacy being invaded then maybe, just maybe, they shouldn't leave a picture of a naked girl, whom they know, and is their age, on their phones! Yeah, you read it right. Full frontal nudity! 15! Can we say child pornography?

So let's do the philosphical math...Mary Jane + her birthday suit= teenage hell.

let your voice be heard

This is something I'd like to start, Sound Off Sundays.

According to my sitemeter I have visitors (lurkers) from all over the world. I would like to hear from you! So don't let me down, give me a shout out! Sound off!

If you have a blog and would like to join in the fun, you may use my graphic, but please link back to me!

old faithful

This photo was taken with my Samsung cell phone. It's not of the best quality pictures, but it is one of my favorite photos in my arsenal. I tried finding it the other day to go along with my patriotic post, but it was buried deep within the confines of my files. I just happened to come across it when searching for a different photo.

25 Random Facts About Me

From Facebook:
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

I'm not actually tagging people for this, if you want to play along than start typing!

1. I have an obsession with cows...black cows, spotted, cows, brown cows, baby cows, any kind of moo cows!
2. I've never lived anywhere longer than six and a half years. [I was born in Pueblo, CO; and then we moved to England for 4 yrs; from there we went to Las Vegas, NV, for 4; on we moved to North Richland Hills, TX for 6 1/2 yrs; then we moved up to Co Spgs, CO, where I went to high school, all three years of it, and from there I left for Lackland AFB, in SA, TX for basic military training; after that I went to Sheppard AFB in WF, TX, for tech school and was there a few months; I spent a couple of months in AZ at Davis-Monthan AFB for my clinicals after which I went on to my first assignment, Iraklion Air Station, Crete, Greece, for 18 months. I met the man of my dreams, swapped assignments with someone (was supposed to go to Bergstrom AFB in Austin, TX) and went to Minot AFB, Minot, ND where we became a married couple (actually the wedding was in CO), and had our first child. We spent 3 1/2 years in Minot. Big B went to Greece for a remote and I went back to WF, TX where my parents had moved to to live with them for the year. LB and I visited Big B in Greece, and I came back with a souvenir, my pregnancy with AW. After the year was up we moved to Langley AFB, Hampton, VA for 4 1/2 years. Then we went to Italy for 4, and now we are living in VA, again.]
3. I was a SAHM for 13 years with a couple of out-of-the-home jobs thrown in there. So I've worked a grand total, outside of the home, in my adult life, forabout 7 years.
4. I had gastric bypass surgery in 2006 and although I didn't drop down to "skinny" status I did lose 80 lbs. I would do it all again....but wont let myself get there again!
5. I've been going to school for nearly ten years now and have a bachelors degree to show for it.
6. One of my pets is a bearded dragon named Irwin.
7. For the longest time I wanted to get into movies and television as a make-up artist.
8. I've never drank an energy drink, like Amp, RockStar, Red Bull, etc.
9. I can sew, paint, draw, photograph, arrange flowers, scrapbook, decorate and do all sorts of artsy fartsy stuff. Some talents I do better than others.
10. I love to cook and bake.
11. My favorite color is purple.
12. You'll just as likely find me listening to country as you will rock, pop, alternative, or reggae, as loud as the little ole car stereo can go....or in the house when I'm alone.
13. I demand that the sponges, dish towels and such be used properly in my kitchen. Don't wipe the counters down with a damn towel!
14. I've never had a bikini wax, have only had a few massages, but I get semi-regular pedicures.
15. I garden. I've only done flowers and herbs, but will someday plot and cultivate a veg garden.
16. My favorite movie of all time is Grease. There are a few others that run close behind: What Women Want, Remember the Titans, Howard's End, Pride and Prejudice(older version), Evan Almighty, just to name a few.
17. I've never spent more than a night, let alone any great length of time, away from all three of my guys.
18. Someday I will go to Jamaica, and maybe back to Europe, but definitely Jamaica!
19. I had LASIK surgery in '99, and now ten years later am having to wear glasses to drive at night, for astigmatism, and may need readers soon. All that damn reading!
20. I have friends all over the world, some I've known personally and some I've made through my blog.
21. I have recurring nightmares, some since childhood. My brain is too hyperactive.
22. I am in nursing school, but am leaving my options open as to what kind of nursing I want to do. I do feel a draw toward L&D/women's health.
23. I am a natural redhead. Most of you know this, some don't.
24. I am gullible, trusting and loyal almost to a fault. If you've meant anything to me somewhere in the walks of my life I only hope that we are forever friends. We may not talk often, or have seen each other in years, but you are thought about....remember-hyperactive brain.
25. I believe that everything happens for a reason, but we are in control of much of what we do. You choose to be happy and you choose to be mad.

photo tag! play along!

I'm procrastinating like nobody's business. Should be studying for my Mental Health Nsng exam on Tuesday, but am traveling Blogworld instead! Ever feel like your own worst enemy?

I think the college burn-out goes far deeper than anyone might suspect.

Anyway! That'll have to wait for another blog post!

Jen over at Reflections in the Window was tagged and I thought it would be fun to play along!

To play you go to your photo files, choose the fourth file, and then choose the fourth photo in that file and tell it's story. Easy! and fun!


essence of AW

This is a self-portrait of AW. He must have been fooling around with my camera (without my knowledge) and decided he needed a new Myspace photo. I love it, though. It's a bit abstract, and is just AW.

Jen had a great suggestion. Rather than tagging anyone directly she left it open for anyone to play along as they wished.

Consider yourself tagged and tell us a photo story!

with gratitude

First off, I divulged the fact that I blog yesterday in lab. I was still mad upon arrival that I had to vent out loud.

Must stop or will get mad again...

Anyway!

I would like to thank Undergrad RN for her wonderful blogosphere. Here I've been posting the items or blogs that I come across offering great info and all along I could have been adding for easy reference to my sidebar...and that's what socialization in the profession is all about! Thanks Undergrad RN!

Today I have to go grocery shopping and on the way stop by a uniform shop I've located via the 'net to check out their scrubs supply, oh, and their shoes. I'm hoping they have shoes so I can try some on. It's a must for me to buy some decent quality shoes since I have bad hips and feet...and I'm going into nursing? Go figure!

A friend who has a sister who is an OR nurse recommends MBT, but if you know them you know they're $$$$, and if not go take a look!

After the shopping's done it's back to the books. We have our first exam in Nur203-Mental Health Nursing, on Tuesday. This psych-major-gone-nursing-student isn't taking anything for granted!

what a way to get fired up

Wow, talk about insta-pissed! I was just browsing some other blogs and came across one that will remain unnamed, as I don't wish to point fingers, but I do have to say how sad, and frustrated it made me feel.

We'll start with an example of someone who is not a "fair-weather fan", because this is one of the many things that came screeching into my mind as I read the blog.

When the going gets rough, say for a sports team, people bail. They jump ship all too easily! My husband is not one of these people. He's a Philadelphia sports fan: football, the Eagles; baseball, the Phillies; and hockey, the Flyers. I'm not a big sports person, but admire his tenacity and character for being the kind of person who sticks by through thick and thin. If you know anything about the Philly teams you know that they haven't been the most popular of professional sports teams, and have not had a world championship until this year, when the Phillies won the World Series.

This particular blogger wrote a post on how he/she, after yesterday's inauguration, finally feels that she can fly the American flag.

What?

Times are tough right now in our country. I do not dispute this fact! Many lost faith because our leadership was poor, to say the least. I agree.

How about just simply being proud of being a member of the free world? What about all those who have fought and died for that freedom? What about those who perished September 11th, 2001? What about the marvels of all the good that does happen in this country? Advancement in technology and medicine? Have we forgotten our forefathers? What about the leaps and bounds we've made concerning civil rights?

Did President Obama himself not speak of the future not only being in his hands, but our's as well?

I couldn't wait to return to the United States after living in Europe for four years, just so I could fly the American flag.

Yes, in this free country people have the right to make choices such as to fly or not to fly the Grand Old Flag, but to not fly it because they've lost faith? It symbolizes so much more than that.

I can remember a conversation I had with an Italian whom I lived near, in Italy, and he told me he could look at me and tell I was American. To him I think it was somewhat of a vailed insult.

Damn straight you can tell I'm American, and proud of it....no matter what!

can't not mention today

What a day!

I have to say that today is without a doubt going to be ingrained in many people's memories for years to come. Our county's public schools required the students to watch President Obama's inauguration.

I was fortunate enough to have been able to have been on that two hour break I spoke so highly of last week, and therefore was able to view the inauguration in its entirety.

Whatever viewpoints people have of our new president in this era, they should stand behind him. If nothing else he is human. I don't agree with some of his policies or intentions, but found myself almost enamored with his oath of office and his speech.

My family has another reason to remember this day. Seven years ago my mother-in-law passed away after battling leukemia. No one, not even my husband, has even brought it up. It might be a good time to sit down with the boys and give them a piece of their history.

oh my, oh my!

Any good nursing student, as well as any good nurse, needs a great pair of nursing shoes. Somehow I don't think these would be so comfy after 12 minutes, let alone 12 hours!







What brand/style do you wear?

words of wisdom

Christy posted 20 Things Every New Nurse Needs to Know. Thanks Christy!


I don't know if it's the area I live in, but I find one thing incredibly annoying while traversing the area's roadways, and that is people who don't use their turn signals. There are also the ones who wait until just before they turn to give us the ole blinker.

Sure when you're coming up on a right or left turn and the person in front of you starts braking it's a sign they're going to turn, but wouldn't some advanced warning be nice?

Then there are the people who just love their brakes and feel the need to ride them incessantly....so you're left unsure.

How about when people change lanes? Is it too much to ask to signal first? What do people think that little projection sticking out from their steering wheel is?

Well, it's not just for rainy days.

Grr.

I'm keeping this short today since we're learning about fluids, electrolytes and acid-base balance. I need to spend a lot of time studying.

Story of my life!

gems aka advice

Happened across another great blog, Not Nurse Ratched where a plethora of nursing school wisdom abounds. Here is a list of things Not Nurse Ratched wished she'd known prior to her first clinical experience.

At Mark on the World you'll find a list of tips to survive your time in an OR clinical.

bit of history

I've mentioned before that I've spent some time in the United States Air Force.

This photo was taken during basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, December 1989-January 1990. My parents visited and we toured San Antonio.

A friend of mine, from the good ole active duty days, whom I still keep in touch with via a couple of social networking sites, directed my attention to a group on Facebook. The group is dedicated to the base we were stationed at in the early 90s, Iraklion Air Station, Crete, Greece. I spent 18 months there.

Don't get too excited, I didn't see much other than the island itself. It was great and everything,but let's just say I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to return to Europe for an even longer stay since then and was then able to do some traveling.

I arrived at IAS in September of 1990, as the troops were heading over to the Persian Gulf. There weren't many options for traveling as Desert Storm heated up. Then afterward too much time was spent living the carefree, young, single life (aka partying) that I did. I worked shiftwork as a medic, so I was working three-on-two-off, two-on-three-off, and so on.

That 18 months, at the time, seemed like one of the longest spans of my life. I was homesick. In retrospect I realize it wasn't but a speck of my existence!

The memories are indelible.

Happy 20th Birthday!

Waiting for an ambulance run...doing a whole lot of nothing, more like!

This photo was from my clinical days at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, July-August 1990. Just a couple of goofy girls!
Promotion ceremony, pregnant, days before my separation from the USAF

There ya have it! I spent a total of three years in the AF. I met my soulmate while being stationed in Greece, and he's taken me on such wonderful dates....to all sorts of exciting places, from Greece, to North Dakota, to a temporary stay in Texas, to Virginia, 4 years in Italy and now back to VA! We have a son who was born in ND, and one who was born in TX. We have pets from all over too! Sandi came back from Italy with us, and DC is from our ND days!

come out, come out, wherever you are!

Found this snazzy button over at Lorie's Corner and thought I'd continue the trend!



Have I mentioned that someone in Africa finally stopped by my blog??? How exciting! I would love to hear from them, and anyone else who stops by...so please, de-lurk...don't be shy! Step out and say hi!

flappy happy friday

You know, sometimes you shouldn't even get on the 'net, let alone blog...like yesterday. I was in a bit of a whiney mood and just had to share. I appreciate the support, pep talks, and empathy! Thank you so much!

Today is a better day.

As first weeks of second semesters of nursing school go I have to say I am thoroughly and utmostly happy it's Friday. Thursdays and Fridays will be days I cherish this semester. That's until March 11th when clinicals start; then Fridays will be my only day that I'm able to stay in my PJs all day if I so choose!

Monday our class has 3 hours of lecture, in the name of Nursing Concepts and Principles. By the third hour my fun meter had been pegged, even after taking breaks. Maybe I really do have ADHD!

Tuesdays I hate. I'm usually not really a truly hateful person, but I~hate~Tuesdays!

Wouldn't it make more sense, if you're possibly going to change the schedule, to do it now? I mean, you've currently got one class scheduled from 9-12 on Mondays, and two scheduled on Tuesdays, 9-11, and 1-3...with a two hour break in between. ???Does anybody else find this peculiar?

I personally would rather just have the morning class (you know the one-pharmacology- that is only lasting 8 weeks anyway) on Tuesdays, giving an afternoon off prior to lab on Wednesday for those of us that have lab that day.

You mentioned that once pharmacology is over you might switch the Tuesday afternoon class to Mondays...in the middle of the semester.

It just seems to be better for time management to make the switch now, to me, but who am I but one of your lowly peons.

Ahem...ok, so I steered off into bitchy mode. I apologize.

Right now we're studying O2, Circulation, Fluids and Electrolytes, and acid/base balance. That's all in the Monday class. Tuesdays are Pharm as mentioned previously, and Mental Health Nursing. So far I'm doing well managing everything as far as reading and study guides.

One of my classmates called yesterday to check on me and also reassured me that I hadn't missed much from lab on Wednesday. She'd also made the trip to the uniform store we've had recommended to us to order her uniforms, to the tune of $97. I guess that's not so bad, considering it's for two tops, two pairs of pants, and one lab coat.

The family doesn't have any big plans for the weekend. Maybe we'll take in a movie, probably play the Wii a bit...mainly just try to stay warm in the freezing cold that has consumed the North Atlantic Coast!

Big B and I have work and school on Monday, the boys are off, I think..? Tuesday we all have our respective, regularly scheduled weekly activities.

I almost had to laugh yesterday when LB asked if we were going to the inauguration. We do live about an hour and half away from DC. That sounds like a good distance to me! Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be a part of history, but muddling amongst a katrillion other humans is not my idea of fun! No way, no how! Besides, if this cold weather keeps up hypothermia could be indicated!

stop being so wishy washy

I am overwhelmed.

I am tired.

Part of me just wants to quit.

Part of me knows that in May of 2010 I would face a regretful feeling like no other.

It's been nearly ten years since I started my college career. In the fall of 1999 I started taking classes at the community college near to where we were living at the time. I was in a pre-nursing program working on my prerequisites.

In 2000 Big B was faced with the possibility of non-voluntary cross-training, which for him was not an option. By then he had spent 13 years as a Security Forces member in the USAF. In lay terms, he was a military cop. He intended on being a cop for the duration of his military career. To get out of the predicament all he had to do was attain an overseas assignment.

Family members of people in the military make sacrifices that many would never have to endure.

Being the resilient, flexible wife that I am I decided that, knowing I wouldn't be able to finish a nursing degree while overseas, teaching was my next best option. Long story short, I've since worked in education and well, the desire to become a nurse never ebbed.

Fast forward to January 15th, 2009...

acceptance into nursing school....check
first semester of nursing school..check
first week of second semester.....check
college burn out...........double check

Yesterday I had to leave early from lab. This doesn't really cause me a ton of stress because my instructor assured me that the plan for the day was mostly review. Normally I would've stuck it out, but couldn't with the way I was feeling.

Sunday AW started complaining of a tummy ache, which soon became full on vomiting. He was laid out all day long, when not stooped over the toilet.

Monday night Big B says something like, "Well it's a good thing no one else got sick", referring to himself, LB and me.

Thanks for the jinx.

Tuesday night in the middle of the night I woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a MACK truck.









I felt well enough yesterday morning that I was able to shower, but progressively felt worse as time went on. At about 9:30 I knew I wouldn't be able to go the full day, and why risk infecting my classmates? After arriving at home the rest of the day was spent in bed, aching, but never vomiting....no I was the lucky one to have it come out a different orifice. It lasted about 24 hours altogether.

Does my desire to become a nurse override the desire to succumb to laziness, and get a job? That's a contradictory of terms, but I honestly think less stress would be involved in working than going to school for another 15 months.

I think what it comes down to is fear of the unknown. I've worked with patients before, but it's been years.

There's also the idea that I would love to start working now; bring home a paycheck NOW!

Let's face it I have a son who is 2 1/2 years away from college!

Winter break spoiled me. Having the time off was great, except it gave me too much freedom from studying.

I drive myself crazy.

2008: A Year In Bulletpoints

Stole this from Heather over at Nursapalooza

2008: A Year In Bulletpoints

Q: What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before?
A: was accepted into a nursing program
Q: Did you keep your New Year's resolutions?
A: i don't do resolutions
Q: What would you like to have in '09 that you didn't have in '08?
A: a year and a half of nursing school...O-V-E-R!
Q: What dates from '08 will remain etched upon your memory?
A: Brian's retirement from the USAF and LB getting his learner's permit
Q: Did you suffer from any injury?
A: as clumsy as I am, nope
Q: Where did most of your money go?
A: the exhorbitant amount we pay monthly to the mortgage
Q: What did you get really excited about?
A: getting into nursing school
Q: What song will always remind you of 2008?
A: Surprisingly "Safety Dance", even though it's an 80s song. LB sang the chorus without a glitch...it was cool!
Q: Favorite TV shows of 2008?
A: Grey's Anatomy, Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice
Q: What was your greatest musical discovery?
A: see the song question above
Q: Best book you read this year?
A: The Twilight series
Q: Favorite film of the year?
A: Twilight
Q: Describe your fashion concept of '08:
A: comfy as always
Q: What celebrities did you fancy the most?
A: Hmmm, dunno.
Q: Who do you miss?
A: My mom and dad
Q: Biggest achievement?
A: getting into nursing school and finishing my BS
Q: Did you fall in love in 2008?
A: different types of love with my guys
Q: What's one thing that would have made your year more satisfying?
A: seeing my mom and dad more and my brother and his family even just once

Now you play!

That took the last little bit of energy I have and now I must go rest....full day of classes to day, and yet again tomorrow.

mangled, pumped and beat

On the way to class this morning I passed none other than a mangled, dead deer...blood, evisceration, etc. All I could hope was that it wasn't an omen for how my day would turn out. So far it hasn't been too bad.

I tend to listen to the 80s channel on XM. or at least I'll start out there. Today the channel didn't change at all.

First I got pumped up with Prince's Little Red Corvette (I love Prince), then we had Adam Ant's Goody Two Shoes. I like it when my morning starts out grumpy-like and some music can put me in a better mood.

Now I must say...I am tired, basically beat.

I don't foresee much blogging in the next few weeks.

Fatigue r/t excessive reading will be the name of the game.

I hope everyone else who's started classes this week, or recently, the best. May we all get some rest sometime. HA!

Did/does anybody else ever feel overwhelmed with everything we're taught in nursing school? Like, how in the hell am I ever going to manage all of that.

meme away

Since Tiffany said I'd do it, I figure I'll go ahead and tackle this meme now...since I am procrastinating...

1. Do you like blue cheese? bleck!!!
2. Have you ever smoked? yeah, when I was about 12 I gave it a try, and then in my twenties when I drank I'd play-smoke.
3. Do you own a gun? nope
4. What flavor of Kool Aid is your favorite? I don't do Kool AId, more of a Crystal Light kinda girl. Ya know, it's the calorie thang!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? generally no, as long as it's routine. I HATE the dentist!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I don't eat them regularly, but when I do I prefer them off the grill, slightly burned.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? the animated version of The Grinch
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? caffe latte
9. Can you do push ups? hahahahahahha
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? the emerald and diamond ring Biug B had given his mom long ago, and then after she passed away he gave it to me
11. Favorite hobby? scrapbooking
12. Do you have A.D.D.? maybe a tad ADHD
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? indecisiveness
14. Middle name? Lyn
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
A) I need an income
B) I hope AW feels better. He has a tummy ache.
C) LB goes off to college in 2 1/2 years...how will we pay???
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, trea, Crystal Light lemonade
17. Current worry? my sons
18. Current hate right now? feeling unsure of things
19. Favorite place to be? anywhere with my guys
20. How did you bring in the new year? with my guys
21. Where would you like to go? Colorado to visit family
22. Name three people who will complete this:
A) Am
B) not
C) sure
23. Do you own slippers? Just bought a new pair, after one of the dogs chewed up the old ones!
24. What shirt are you wearing? U of Colorado Buffalo sweatshirt that is about 17 years old, and in awesome condition
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? nope
26. Can you whistle? yes, but not in the conventional way
27. Favorite color? purple
28. Would you be a pirate? arrr....no
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I dont typically sing in the shower
30. Favorite Girl's Name: Calista
31. Favorite boy's name: Garrett
32. What's in your pocket right now? not a darn thing
33. Last thing that made you laugh? LB talking to himself while playing Wii
34. What vehicle do you drive? Chevy Equinox
35. Worst injury you've ever had? toothpick driven into the bottom of my foot as I stepped on it
36. Do you love where you live? the area, yes
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4
38. Who is your loudest friend? me, myself and I
39. Do you have any pets? 2 dogs, 2 cats, lizard, and hamster
40. Does someone have a crush on you? oh, of course! who doesn't!
41. Your favorite book? House of Sand and Fog
42. Do you collect anything? Shoes
43. Favorite Sports Team? Phillies
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Angel by Sarah McLachlan

oh bother

As all good things must come to and end, as Pooh's honey pot empties, so must my winter break come to it's last day.

It's been a great break though! The holidays were very special, having been able to visit with my mom and dad, and my father-in-law and his lady friend. Spending time with my guys was priceless.

I didn't do everything I'd set out to do. Most of the home organizing was accomplished, but I didn't scrapbook at all...for shame!

Overall, I am pleased with the past month and how it has been spent.

Tomorrow begins a new leg of my trek to becoming a nurse.

How bittersweet I feel.

I perused the syllabi for my three classes and one lab, and became very excited about the material we'll be covering. I have a feeling the fun has barely just begun this past semester, as we'll be diving into a more thorough and in-depth mountain of all things nursing.

Bottom line, although I'm excited, I'm extremely nervous.

the end

I finished the Twilight series just now and am so happy to have jumped on the Twilight bandwagon!

dum duh dum dum dummm

I started reading Breaking Dawn yesterday and only got half-way through it. I decided to bake some cookies for the boys knowing both would be coming home off the bus. Normally LB has baseball conditioning after school, so he doesn't ride the bus home. He did yesterday because he didn't go to conditioning.

The big rival basketball game was last night and he'd made other plans for the afternoon with his friends, for prior to the game.

Back to baking...

I found a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that I've come to like. In the past when I've baked CC cookies they either turn out too flat, or just flop altogether. Long ago I had a cookbook, that has since been lost, probably in one of many military moves, where I had found the best CC cookie recipe. I like mine a little more on the cakier side, with more substance.

Low and behold, right there on the back of the Gold Medal flour bag is the Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe that has answered my baking prayers!

I made it a few months ago and loved it. This time I knew I wanted to vamp it up (no pun intended from my latest obsession with Twilight) so I added 2 tsp of baking powder, thinking it would make them more substatial than they already are, and voila! I also added Reeses Peanut Butter chips for some extra added zing.



They turned out scrumptiously! They're definitely substantial, with a crunch when you bite into one. Then they're also chewy.

The dough was very stiff since it might have had more than the 4 cups the recipe called for. I was originally going to double it until I figured out I only had a single batch worth of margarine. I'm not a very precise baker (hence chaos), and just used my 8 cup measuring cup to scoop out the extra 4 cups. Chaos did not erupt with this marvelous baking experience!

My nerves are feeling pretty chaotic, knowing classes start back up this coming Monday!

This is how my schedule will go:
Mondays 9-12 Nur 108 Nursing Concepts and Principles I
Tuesdays 9-11 Nur 136 Principles of Pharmacology, 1-3 Nur 203 Mental Health Nursing
Wednesdays 9-3 Nur 108 Lab

This schedule will go until March 11th, when Wednesdays will change to clinicals at the nursing home from 6:30-12:30, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

One goal I have for this semester is to better use my time during the day for studying, and section my time out at other times to make sure my family is not neglected...or at least I don't hear "Mom, you're always studying!" from AW too often.

I need to read my two chapters for Monday tomorrow, and therefore I need to finish up Breaking Dawn today. I have to admit, aside from the technical errors in writing (Meyer went to Brigham Young University??? and was an English major???)I am loving these books, this one especially!

running ragged

Thankfully the sun came out today!!!!!!! Hip hip hurray! We did have a five minute blizzard earlier though. Freaky weather...

I went to the dentist this morning, and no cavities! I only have 2-3 anyway. Then I proceeded to drive to Quantico to do my grocery shopping. I took some photos along the way. I have this thing for old farms...and cows, but no photos of cows today.