in a moment of silence

Last night at the homecoming football game for our local high school, before the American Anthem was played, we were asked to take part in a moment of silence.

October 23, 2008, will be remembered forever by two families as they lost their sons to a fatal car crash that evening. One of the boys graduated this past June, and the other was a senior, both from our local high school.

So in the crisp fall air we bowed our heads and paid respect. I also said a little prayer, hoping to never be the parent who receives the dreaded phone call, or knock on the door.

This really hits home because, if you follow my blog or know us, you know my 15 year old son recently received his learner's permit.

Today ends the annual National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 19-25. By October 24th, seven teens, including the two spoken of above had died in traffic accidents, in Virginia, this year...this week.

That fact alone makes me shudder.

I am extremely proud to say my son is taking part in a club at school that involves this very subject, YOVASO. The club's mission involves teens in making wise choices as they get behind a wheel.

Tonight is the homecoming dance. Before the dance a bunch of us parents are putting on a dinner for our sophomores. I like the idea. For one it's less expensive than them dining out, and it will be an occasion they can remember in years to come. This will be the last year that my husband and/or I needs to chaffeur BZ to his major social events.

This time next year, I'll say good-bye to BZ as he gets in his car to go pick up his date. I will have to take a deep breath, and hope he makes wise decisions. Of course that goes for every time he steps out the door.

I haven't gotten any gray hairs yet? I'll certainly have plenty by the time AW reaches this milestone.

tea time

Received this in an email and had to share:

Cup of Tea

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was
one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I
brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several
cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of
tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure
enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she
watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know.. :)

'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water
is the toilet?

making an entrance

My hubs and I got a big kick out of this sign as we were leaving our small town today. It's posted for our local haunted house. Scarey isn't it? The illiteracy, I mean.

just a little jealous i suppose

Came across another student nurse's blog, and have to share:

Stethoscopes and Diapers

I must admit I'm a little jealous. I don't think our program does the nurse cap thing. Will have to check into it, and if they don't I will suggest it!

Kudos to all your hard work Student Nurse Nancy!

holy cannoli!

No, I'm not really talking about the delicious Italian dessert.

How can anyone be excited about anything other than the Phillies are in the World Series!?

Yes, if you really know me you know that is some sort of BS line.

Literally.

That's not only the degree I'm finishing, but it is also my husband's initials. Haha, you probably thought it meant cow poo.

Nope, the hubs loves those Phillies.



This year, upon seeing some of the finer strengths of the Philadelphia Phillies, I've sort of stepped on the bandwagon too. How could a girl not, with all that there is to admire?

Really now, my hubs is the eternal "tortured Philly fan." Philadelphia sports fans are nothing if not loyal.

Let's just say it has been a long time since any one of their teams has won a season title. They've come close, even in recent years-but no cigar!

It's almost a poetic justice as the Phillies are playing Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series, after the Eagles lost to TB in the 2003 Super Bowl, which was apparently a close game and a truly devastating loss. I wouldn't know, didn't really care. I'm sure I quietly tiptoed around the house for days after the loss, because Big B was most assuredly grumpy.

So the next few nights, while the World Series plays out, as the tension mounts, will hopefully culminate in a win and Philly will be tortured no more.

not a fashion statement

Next semester we start our clinicals. Our class of twenty will be split into three groups, and we'll be going to one of two nursing homes. Two groups will go to one of the nursing homes, and the other group will go to the other home.

I haven't ordered my uniforms yet. Was just browsing online, and am hating what we are being forced to wear. I don't mind scrubs at all, but come on...the ugliest ones available? Puh-lease! Shoot me now! Do they not know that tapered pants went out a long time ago!? Skinny jeans are one thing...but tapered scrubs? And only certain body styles should even wear skinny jeans, and that would not be my voluptuous, hippy curves!

The top is to be white, and so is the jacket. The pants will be khaki.

Cry with me.

l.w.a.i.

living while ability impaired

That's me, today. Dare I get behind a wheel and drive an automobile, or speak to another person, or or or, take a nursing exam? I really, seriously thought about calling my instructor to see if I could schedule to take the exam some other time. Then I thought better of it, that would be a hassle. So I hopped in the family roadster, drove the 14 or so miles in to town, none of which is remembered, and attempted to take the test. It turned out not to be such a bad deal. Checked for my score online earlier and it had already been posted--33/35. That would be a 92%.

Yeah, see...I really shouldn't even be typing! Here I am babbling on and haven't even mentioned how my abilities are impaired! Ehh, who knows? Flu? onset of sinus infection? ...just basically feeling like crappola deluxe!

Time to go crawl back into bed, and attempt to watch an episode of House.

needed a breather

Last night Big B, LB, LB's friend BR and I set out for an evening of haunting and chills. AW opted out, and spent the night at his friend MS's house. Our local amusement park, Kings Dominion, puts on a fright fest of sorts, called "Halloween Haunt."

In the past I have always loved Halloween. Maybe it's the stress level, but this year I'm just not feeling it as much. Don't get me wrong, we had a great time. We met up with some friends, rode some rides, dined on overly expensive food-2 cheeseburger combos, 2 chicken sandwich combos, 4 drinks, because they're not part of the combo=$50!, and then stood in lines to go through the mazes.

This is where I'm baffled, it it weren't for HH, our friends' teen daughter, being incredibly frightened by the bumpities and spookables it wouldn't have been any fun to go through those mazes! Is it that they really sucked, or am I sensitized to "horror" after viewing so many movies, haunted houses, and such over my lifetime? The mazes appeared awesome, and the park goes to great extremes to make them so. There really wasn't a lot of activity inside the mazes, as far the real people were concerned. Their outfits were spooky, but their acting skills left alot to be desired. They would saunter up to you and just be there. It was very passive and mellow. There are about 6 mazes altogether, "Club Blood", "Blackbeard's Revenge", and "Big Top Terror", to name a few. Walking through "Big Top Terror" was a blast because it was hilarious to watch HH continually freak out when one of those scarey clowns would appear out of nowhere. Maybe I was just to caught up in watching her.

Before you think I'm horrible for laughing at the horrid plight of a young girl, you must know she went into the mazes completely voluntarily. Her parents, brother, boyfriend, my husband and I all got a kick out of her screams of terror. Horrible, I know.

Sad thing is I didn't get many pictures, two to be exact. Only one of them was of the haunting nature. Check out Jack in the Box. All of a sudden, when you least expect it he would pop up and start playing some eerily, frightening music.


The other was just a shot of the KD version of the Eiffel Tower.

Later in the evening, after walking many a mile, my hips started aching. It suddenly dawned on me in a near-epiphany, how am I going to handle being on my feet for 8-12 hours a shift when nursing? This is pretty serious.

I've never mentioned this before in this blog, but I had gastric bypass surgery in 2006, and lost quite a bit of weight. I was nearing 300 lbs at an alarming speed. So it stands to reason that my hips would hurt after all that pressure on them. I didn't lose all the weight I needed to, wasn't one of the lucky ones who drops half their body weight. The pain is noticeable only after walking long distances, for long perids of time, such as a day of shopping at the mall, or an evening spent roaming an amusement park.

Interestingly enough I am losing weight again. Stress? You guessed it. Who wants to eat when they're under so much pressure, and there's no time to do so anyway? Rest assured I do get 3 meals in a day. They may not be substantial, but necessary because of what must be a slight case of hypoglycemia.

Well, speaking of stress, we have our next Nur105 lecture test on Tuesday, and the next two days will be spent as usual...studying! Whodathunkit?

I'll leave you with some photos from the country-side near where I reside. Enjoy the fall foliage. Peaceful isn't it?

don't have a cow, man

What do you call a grumpy cow?


moo-dy!

Forty-six days

On December 5th I take my final exam for UMUC, for my B.S. in Psychology.

It's been a long time coming.

I am a military wife, an Air Force wife to be exact. My husband retired from the AF, this past August after 21 years and 21 days. As any military spouse will affirm, we make many sacrifices.

Up until recently I've followed my husband from Greece when we were newly engaged, to North Dakota, to the Virginia Peninsula, to Italy, and now back to VA-this time Northern VA, supporting him in his military career.

In 2001 we left the good ole U.S. of A. for a four year assignment to Italy. Prior to this I had been in a pre-nursing program, but had switched gears with the orders to go overseas. I started with UMUC soon after settling in to our new home. Not wanting to write any more papers than necessary, I opted not to go with a major in English, for one in Psychology. At this point I was leaning toward a career in education, and figured a psych degree would articulate toward education or if I changed my mind, again, nursing. There were no other suitable choices for me anyway.

Now that Big B's retired I am able to press on with my career aspirations. After working in the public school system for a couple of years, and always yearning for a career in nursing, I've come full circle and whilst starting that endeavor, am finishing up the B.S.

There are many times I have found that abbreviation fitting.

It is time, and you will hear me from afar as I shout for joy.