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!