< two weeks

Yes, in less than two weeks we go back to school, we as in LB, AW and me.

We three spent the day on Friday shopping for clothes and supplies. We did well with saving some bucks during the VA Tax Free Holiday. The boys made it pretty easy. I have to say I'm rather appreciative of the fact that they both chose to shop in the same three stores! LB is more of my athlete/jock type kid and AW is the skater boy. He's not so "emo" anymore and is branching away from the all black repertoire of that culture. PacSun, Journeys and Zumiez are all stores that cater to the skater/surfer/snowboarder types.

Really the boys picked out nothing more than jeans and t-shirts. I found it kind of ironic. In previous years LB has wanted to shop at stores like Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, etc. He's worn polos. Not this year. He'll wear polos he already has, but he had not interest in buying new ones. They both also got their regular shoes and LB got a pair of running shoes.

One might wonder why not just go to Walmart or some other discount chain store is all they're going to wear is jeans and t-shirts. Well, if you have teens you may know how picky they can be about branding.

Anyway...

I checked yesterday and it is official, I made a C in my A&P class. Because I expected nothing more I am not totally shocked, but it is my first college C ever. Hopefully it wont be the norm in the next year. If so, at least it will get me where I need to be, which is graduated with my ADN.

I've received all of my textbooks and have started reading my med/surg book. The first chapter has been nothing more than a review of previous material. I've also added the online supplements for my texts to my study folder.

The schedule will leave me with less time to study during the day than I've had in previous semesters. I'll be sitting down with the guys sometime soon and reiterating the whole be prepared for mom to be a frantically studying, sometimes present-but-not-present being. It goes as follows:

Monday: Second Level Principles and Concepts 0900-1200, Essentials of Maternal/Newborn Nursing 1200-1500 (I guess we'll eat lunch while receiving lecture...)
Tuesday: Health Assessment 1000-1200
Wednesday: Clinicals 0645-1445
Thursday: Clinicals 0645-1445
Friday: no class, just study time

As the days go on I get more and more excited. There are little life experiences here and there that remind me of why I want to become a nurse. These experiences lead me to press on with this ambition and help to put my insecurities at bay.

the simple things

Both boys ended up crashing over at friends' houses last night, which left me to my own devices today. I had my game plan laid out for my retail therapy, and off I went.

The first stop was Wegman's grocery store. I picked up some rolls and cole slaw fixin's to round off the meal of comfort food I have planned for this evening. On the menu is roast beef I had in the crock-pot all day yesterday. It was intended to be consumed for dinner, but with all the running around our family did, we weren't able to sit down for a meal together, at all yesterday. Meanwhile the roast roasted away all day! When I went to take it out of the crock-pot to package it up it fell apart, that's how tender and juicy it was! Tonight I'm warming it up with some BBQ sauce and serving it on the rolls fresh from Wegman's bakery.

Next stop was Ross. I'm not one to spend tons of money on myself, so I'll opt to buy my clothing at discount stores. I found myself a new purse--love it! Bought a few simple knit tops, as I'm all about comfort and basic wash and wear, most of the time. My biggest purchase was a new dress. It wasn't that expensive though, but it was a necessary purchase. The high school booster club is putting on a dance at the end of the month, to raise money for the school's sports programs. Big B and I are attending thanks to our local American Legion, where he is a member and I am supposed to become a member. The American Legion supports the schools. One of the booster club members told me that it's not a formal event by any means, some people dress casual. But heck! I'm calling it a date and I'm wearing a dress! It's simple, nothing formal, or even semi-formal, by far....but a dress saves me from putting together a pants outfit.

From Ross I went, grabbed a bite to eat, and received a call from one of my classmates. She told me the pharm grades had been posted. Here I am stranded about 25 minutes from home! Oh well, trudge on with therapy! The original reason I set out was to go to DSW as I'd found two pairs of sandals online that I liked, and was hoping to find them in the store. I'm so glad that the first part of the day was successful otherwise I'd have been irritated! Neither pair was in the store, oh well-will just have to order them!

What goes up, (me going north to shop) must come down (me coming home, going south). It was a nice relaxing trip out to the retail world. Aside from not finding my shoes at DSW, the rest of the time was splendid indeed!

Almost forgot to mention, I got an A in pharmacology!!! 91 on the final.

brains and feet

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.
-Dr. Seuss

I must get busy!

Today I must use my feet to step out and do some Christmas shopping. I've done none up until last night, when I bought my sons their first gift...it's the big one for the year, and I can't share what it is just in case they happen to read this. WHich is a fat chance...an ice cube's chance in hell...wildebeest's chance in a lion's lair on the Kalahari...

I also must replenish our supply of edibles and family staples. This means a trip to the commissary, which I hate, but the prices are the best, especially now that gas has dropped in price (it takes me about 45 minutes to get there, because of distance).

After I've arrived home, and put everything away it is time to get busy using my brain!!! I must study, study, study!