Mouse ears RULE! :)

Drowning in snot...

Isn't that a lovely title? So gross...and so true! :) I started feeling bad yesterday evening, and it really hasn't gotten any better. I've got something going on in my sinuses...which is ironic since a friend at work and I were just saying that we haven't been sick in awhile. Thankfully, I do not have to work for three days. I've literally laying in bed all day, watching News Radio DVD's. It's not very nice out, so I don't feel bad that I'm laying around. The puppies are enjoying it as well, especially Liberty, who has spent most of her time licking the stupid bed. Again, she's not a rocket scientist...but I love her! :)

Now I'm watching the Santa Clause. I have seen this movie a hundred times....but at least it's peaceful and I don't have to concentrate. The amount of goo in my sinuses is preventing my intense thinking. I've got lots of movies...I'll be good.! :)

Broken

I just got some devastating news. The little boy I've been taking care of the last week (5 days out of 7) was transported to Houston today for care we weren't able to offer him. He went into respiratory arrest in the plane on the way there, and then full cardiac arrest. His body made it to Houston, but his soul didn't. He was 8 months old, with the most sweet smile you could ever see. Please pray for his parents, grandparents, and 8 year old brother. They are so sweet, and I know they are truly experiencing a terrible loss. All the staff at my hospital are crushed, and I can't even imagine what his family is feeling. Keep them in your prayers...they certainly need it.

Long three days...

Oh heavens...I really HATE three in a row, but I continue to do it anyways! I never request to do it. Sometimes it just happens. Othertimes, I agree to switch a day, which is what happened this time. This is the funny thing, though. When I switch my days, I always look for someone that the switch would benefit. You know, that they'd get a better time off schedule, or not have to work so many days in a row. This time, this switch did not benefit me...but it doesn't always have to! Instead of working two on, two off, two on, I'm working three on, one off, one on, four off. I guess it does benefit me somehow..but I haven't quite figured out how yet. Right now, I just want to collapse into a pile and fall asleep! Tomorrow is not going to be very productive. I'm sure it will be filled with laundry folding and room cleaning. My room is a disaster. I kinda trashed it after I got back from vacation! :)

Yesterday was a good day at work, even if I did have busy spurts. A fellow nurse and I decided the way to whisk away the boredom was through playing games all afternoon...and I do mean ALL afternoon. We played 2 games of Memory and a game each of Scrabble and Monopoly. It was a fun time, especially since she needed a break from thinking and I needed a boredom break. Games are so much fun. I've always been addicted to board games. My favorite is Clue, but I can never find anyone to play it with me. Michael and Kim always lose, so they don't want to play. I can occasionally twist someone's arm into playing, but not too often.

I think I'm going to take Gracie to the dog park this week to get her ready for the races. I just need to find something to wave around that she'll run too. I'm thinking about her squirrel...but I have to be careful that her brother doesn't destroy it first. I'm still thinking of things to dress her up as for the contest. My parents are making Jack a pirate...I wonder if he'll have a wee earring, too? :) I don't have any idea what to do for Liberty...maybe I should do some research. She does have this fancy party dress....Maybe she can wear that. Who knows.

I am so hungry right now. I would love some food. I'm thankful that it's almost time to eat! :)

Weird dreams

I had the WEIRDEST dream last night. I dreamed that I was back in Pennsylvania, at my old school. My school crush (from like 7th-10th) grade was there, as well as all the people I went to school with. Strangely enough, they'd all aged appropriately, even though I haven't seen them in 10 years. Anyways, apparently there was some sort of party in my honor. I think it was a welcome home party. We were at the school, waiting for some bus that was supposed to take us to the party. I was sitting in a corner with my crush...we'll leave him nameless :) It was a very surreal experience...and I don't remember much about it except talking some very deep conversations with that man. Strange... I haven't thought about those people in a long time, but I thought about them all day today. I need to do some emailing.

It was a pretty good day at work today. I was busy, but not too bad. Surprisingly, the day FLEW by! That always makes for a fabulous start to a three day in a row week. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep the same kids all three days...that makes for a great week! :)

Oliver is being an absolute terror today. He's been chasing the girls from the second I got home. He went after Grace first. He was batty pawing her, growling, howling, pouncing, and being a general bother. After he tired of her, he moved on to Sadie, under the covers. He's now running around the house growling to himself. He's out of breath, but he just doesn't seem to want to stop going. Today, Becca gave them baths....cause they are stinky. Anyways, Oliver ran off with Liberty's collar and decided to make it his new chew toy. It's now in pieces. It's really what I get for buying her an expensive collar. At least she got almost 2 years out of it. Now she's back to an old collar...with hearts and flowers.

Well, I should be getting to bed. I don't want to lose sleep on the 1st night! Tomorrow, we're making Smores! :) I may not eat one...but I can still smell them! :)

Produce crazy.

I really don't enjoy cooking. I do it because I have to...definately not because I enjoy it. I don't like thinking up menus...I think it's boring. However...I do love to buy produce! I spent a good hour at the farmer's market this morning, just roaming around like a kid in a candy store. It's the same one I went to a couple of weeks ago...and it's good again today! Hooray for healthy food! :) I don't really care about "natural" or "organic" foods, but it's fun to pick out produce that's pretty...and cheap! :) I personally think that organic is just a fancy way of saying "more expensive produce". I'm a cynic...I admit it! :)

Oliver is currently going mad. He is literally jumping around the bedroom, trying to entice his sisters to play with him. They are not interested in that! :) Now he's peering over the comforter creepily. I think he's gone off to bother Sadie, since Liberty thinks she's immune now that she is sitting in my lap. It's madness. Earlier, all three of them were sleeping in a big pile in my bed. It was precious! :)

I am so glad to be off today! The last two days were madness! I do have to go back to the hospital today to visit the friend of a friend (that makes no sense!). Apparently, this person I'm visiting is from Longview and was airlifted to my hospital this morning. I have to be very careful in my visit, because I don't want to violate any HIPPA crap...but, it's not like I will be wearing scrubs and badge, right? I didn't find out from the hospital, I found out from my friend. I think I'm safe! :) HIPPA is stupid anyways. Dumb privacy practices.

All is calm in the house again. Apparently Oliver has decided that it's time to nap, and that's more interesting than beating up his sisters. I'm sure the sisters are thankful. I can see Liberty's head under the covers, licking the stupid bed. I have no idea what's so thrilling about it...but she really loves to do it. Fool.

This house is FREEZING. I have no idea why it's decided to get cold again. I wish it would go away. I like when it's 70's and sunny....not 40's and overcast. BRR!

Excitement already...

It's been a wildly exciting day already....and it's only 1:31pm. Oliver has spent the last three hours chasing this giant fly around my bedroom window. He's actually stalking it. Of the many things he has done while chasing it, the most interesting is throwing himself onto the window sill. I think he may actually break the glass. Crazy dog. The fly is still alive, suprisingly. It is now buzzing louder than earlier...I think he might have injured it. Now he's gone outside, no doubt to eat crap he finds on the ground.

I've also spent a good amount of time on the phone with the insurance company. I applied for short term disability this year to prepare for something I'm planning to do later this year. ANYWAYS...apparently I've been denied because A) I've had carpal tunnel surgery, and even though I have no residual problems, I'm a risk to file a claim and B) I'm too fat, even though I am dedicated to a weight loss regime and a futurely skinny lifestyle. It was an extremely frustrating experience. I wanted to hurt "Nancy" and "Iris"...but I chose to hold my composure and hurt them with my words. I was as nice as I could...despite the circumstances.

Anyways, there's not much else going on. Oliver has just successfully killed the fly. He then ate it. Retarded pup.

Back to the grindstone...sadly!

Well, I finally came back...kicking and screaming! :) I did not want to come home today! Florida was fabulous! We had a great time in Disney and Florida in general. The parks were so much fun...as they always are. I did learn many valuable lessons which I will now impart to you! ( I know you're thrilled)!

1. Strollers are not just strollers. They are "two wheeled death machines". They WILL run you over without an apology.
2. It is NEVER too early for a Mickey Ice Cream Bar.
3. The thought of getting on a ride first turns absolutely normal people into running, screaming, and sometimes swearing (yes, even in Disney) crazy hooligans.
4. You can survive all day in the hot sun on Slim Jim's and Diet Coke. You may not pee for a whole day, but you can do it!
5. Don't ride the Tea Cups when you're hot and a wee bit dehydrated. Headaches may ensue.
6. When staking out your turf for a parade, take up more room than you need since people who don't stake out for parades will try and steal your spot at the last minute.
7. When a Disney employee approaches you and says "Are you going to sit there for the parade?", always answer no...since they will tell you to move anyway!
8. Apparently, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are now part of Disney. Who knew!?!
9. When leaving from the Orlando airport, please arrive at least 3 hours before your flight leaves. Otherwise, you will be running like a maniac to your gate. Out of breath is not a good way to end your vacation.
10. There is no point in taking your small children under about 4 years of age to WDW. What do they remember anyways?
11. Even though Disney is the "most magical place on earth", there are still people who will mow you down for a chance to see Mickey.
12. 50% of all cars you see have Florida license plates...which means they are rentals. 10% are from all over the US...you name it, we saw it. The remaining 40% are from Ontario, Canada. Who would drive from Canada? Have they not heard of planes? That's torture! I hate driving to Houston...let alone thousands and THOUSANDS of miles! We literally saw about 8 cars from there in about 5 minutes...driving on one road.

These all came about from personal experience.....sadly enough! :)

Anyways...now I'm home, and the work continues. I don't work tomorrow, which is very nice. I have a lot of straightening and cleaning of the clothes to do. BLECH. The puppies are very excited to see us...manic almost! :) Liberty's not limping at all...which makes her ready to start training for the Weiner Dog races..... :)

Must find glasses and take out contacts....

Parting Shot...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Rockin' Epcot Ball thingy

Cinderella's Castle

MGM water tower

Very cool Narnia thingy.

Welcome to MGM!

Fabulous!

Pooh!

Tree of Life

Animal Kingdom, Day 1

Babushka Pup

The Countdown Continues....

Less than 48 hours....until plane time! :) I'm so excited! :) I'm really just excited to get out of the state...and start having fun! :) Tomorrow, I have the dreaded weigh in...and then freedom! :) It's not going to be pretty...but few things are when it's that time and you want to eat everything in sight! :) Ah well....such is life. My body always goes through these kinds of fluctuations. I think the key is not to get down about it! The weight, even if it goes on, will always come off! :)

I think work must be really, REALLY desperate this week. I've received calls twice in the last two days to come in extra. Sadly, both times I had plans....but at least I answered the phone! I wonder why we've been so short lately...it's a mystery. I haven't called in, but someone else sure has! :)

My brother and sister in law are coming tomorrow! I always love when they come to visit, but I'm especially glad they are coming this week because that means the puppies can stay in their own house. We've never both left Oliver before...so I'm not quite sure how he'll tolerate it. He's a big dorky baby. Tonight, he's been writhing around on the bed with various toys he's destroyed. Right now, it's this rope thing, which is now shredded all over my living room. It's impossible to keep this place clean because of his shredding habits. I've been cleaning and straightening all afternoon. Jennifer's dad is coming to stay here with them at the end of next week...and that makes me need to clean a wee bit better than if it were just Michael and Jen. I've got the kitchen, guest bedroom, and my bathroom done. I just have to vacuum and tackle the living room...which is strewn with Oliver's carcasses.

Apparently, the puppies have had a hard day because they are both crashed on my bed. They look retarded.

I'm sure I won't be blogging until I get back, but I'll sure post a lot of pictures....see you in a week! :)

I'm supposed to be on vacation! :(

Okay...so I am supposed to be on vacation. Instead, I'm sitting at work...at 10:28 at night. I volunteered to come in for four hours tonight to help out the floor. Apparently everyone and their brothers decided to call in tonight, and the floor was left very short handed. At least it's only four hours! :) It's not too bad. I just spent an hour in a patient's room, desperately trying to get him to drink his medicine. It was a fun hour, and really made the time go by fast!

Today was extremely uneventful. I went on some errands...came home...watched some movies...and then came to work. It was a rockin good time. Tomorrow, I really do have to work on school. I have to take at least 1 nutrition test and write 4 essays. I really don't mind the work, I just always have to get motivated to do it.

I did find an amazing grocery store today. It's actually a farmer's market in Plano. The produce is absolutely amazing! I've never been so excited to buy vegetables! I guess maybe I was so excited because they were inexpensive. I got two HUGE red bell peppers for a dollar! I have no idea what I'll use them for, but I do have to cook tomorrow night. I think I'll be able to use them in something. I also got broccoli, snap beans, spring mix, spinach, red new potatoes, and something else that I'm forgetting.. It was a good produce day. It was SO good that dinner tonight was only 8 points! Hooray for George Foreman turkey breast, broccoli, and sauteed spinach and onions! :) Tomorrow, I think I'm going to find a way to use those peppers. I'd like to make some kind of stuffed pepper...we'll see how well that turns out. Or if it happens at all. After all...I need to work on school! :)

Well, I'm gonna get going. My replacement should be here soon. Hooray! :)

I love my sister

Pups at the trough 

I wish time would go faster!

Oh heavens. I am so unbelievably bored right now. I should never EVER say that. I should be absolutely thrilled that I am not busy...but somehow I am not thankful. Usually, when I say things like that, my day turns into crap. Oh well. Such is life. I'm actually pretty bummed because I might have to float tomorrow. I hate that. I do not under any circumstances wish to float, but it might be my turn. I really don't like floating after I've been working with the same kids for the last two days. BLECH. Let's hope for no floating! :)

I really wish that something exciting had gone on...but it hasn't. It is only 3:45pm and I still have 3 1/2 hours left. This whole weekend has been slow, which is a nice change. The last couple weekends I have worked have been absolute chaos...so it's nice to have a different day. I think we only have 11 kids on the floor right now...Yippee. Yesterday, by this time, we were already playing Jenga out of sheer boredom. We haven't started the games yet, but they are out on the counter. I've already helped the Unit Coordinator straighten her hair, sat for telemetry a couple of times, and solved a mini respiratory crisis. Other than that, nothing.

So, vacation starts in precisely 7 days! :) One week from today, at this very time, I will be in my condo, awaiting the start of the nacho/fajita/penne pasta party. Isn't that the most bizarre combination of tastes? Oh well, for only 5 dollars, we can enjoy all this. I'm sure it will be fabulous...what a way to continue the weight watcherLESS week :) I've got the rest of this week, after tomorrow, to get ready. I do have a class on Friday, but it's about transplant...which I'm all about recently. It should be interesting.

Well, it's now 3:51pm....and I'm minutes closer to the end. Hooray! :)

I'm sure all of you are sick and tired of finding out about my life right about now...but too bad! :) I'm so addicted to these right now! I love reading them about my friends, too! :)

Four jobs you have ever had in your life:
1. Nanny
2. Telecounselor
3. Labor and Delivery Tech
4. Registered Nurse

Four places you have lived:
1. Friendswood, Texas
2. Macungie, Pennsylvania
3. Dallas, Texas
4. Longview, Texas

Four tv shows you love to watch:
1. Scrubs
2. American Idol
3. Will and Grace
4. How I Met Your Mother

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Walt Disney World (my 6th time is in 8 days)
2. Washington, DC (more times than I can count!)
3. California (San Francisco, Los Angeles)
4. Carribean (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Barbados, Dominica, Aruba)

Four websites you visit daily:
1. myspace.com
2. CNN.com
3. WAMU.com
4. msn.com

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches
3. McDonald's double cheeseburger (haven't had one in months)
4. Any kind of chinese food.

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. Barbados
2. Walt Disney World
3. Washington DC
4. Not working

Four of your favorite smells:
1. chocolate
2. the grass after it rains
3. bacon
4. Cool Citrus Basil (may it rest in peace...stupid Bath and Body Works)

Four sounds you love to hear:
1. Oliver's "You stole my stuff" howl
2. My favorite music groups in concert
3. babies laughing
4. Sometimes, the sound of quiet is nice, too :)

Four sounds you hate to hear:
1. That stupid alarm clock.
2. Large amounts of dogs barking/shrieking
3. trumpets playing TAPS
4. People crying

Four of your favorite memories:
1. LeTourneau...need I say more?
2. The vacation my family had at the beach house this past summer.
3. Camp Orchard Hill and Victory Valley as a child.
4. All my Disney memories...

Four times you wish you could forget:
1. My sophomore year at LeTourneau
2. When I started a new school as a junior
3. When my roommate when crazy my senior year of college
4. The last year of teaching

Four bloggers you track regularly:
1. Becca Christy
2. Dana Huber
3. Chris Hubbs
4. Jacob Mowl (cause he's so CUTE!)

This one's a bit more disturbing...see below for an explanation!

They are NOT kissing...merely fighting to the death for a stick. 

Sunny days! (but not blazing hot!)

So here's the scene in front of me. I'm sitting outside in the absolutely beautiful weather. It is 79 degrees, according to weather.com....and the wind is blowing at the most perfect speed. I've got the most interesting drama going on in front of me. I'll put pictures on the blog showing these two fools. Liberty and Oliver are locked in a deathgrip over a two inch stick. Grace is holding it halfway out of her mouth, and Oliver is latched on to the part that is sticking out. He's also doing a lot of his "You took away my toy" howl. It's pretty sad. I was worried earlier about Liberty's leg and the fact that she's still limping....until I saw the two of them tearing around the yard crazily at insane speeds. They are nuts. I just got the treats out...and I think they may eat me alive.

Today's been SO beautiful outside. I'm so excited because I never get to be home on the nasty days. I'm always at work...and then when I'm home it's usually rainy or TOO hot...or just icky outside. I hope it's this nice in NINE days when I'm in Florida! :) Beauteous! :)

Oliver has just been yelled at because he started diggin in the dirt. He has nothing to bury...he doesn't need to ruin the yard. Psycho.

I weighed in today....drumroll please? I've now lost a grand total of 73lbs! I can't remember the last time I weighed this little...it was probably almost 10 years ago at LeTourneau! It's nutty. I bought some new scrubs online last week (of course they were on sale...I can't buy full price!), received them today, and promptly sent them back because they were too big! How sad! I was especially excited because they had dachshunds on them. I can NEVER find weenie dog scrubs. Now I just have to wait until they come back in a couple weeks in a smaller size. Sadness...but oh so happy! :)

Well, I'm getting my hair done tomorrow...highlights...lowlights...cut...the whole shabang. We'll see how it turns out! Until then...

Here's my transplant kiddo...she went home today. See me in the background? :) For more of her story, you can go to www.childrens.com

Now it's your turn! :)

Name: Stephanie Lynne Emerson

Birthdate: 09/15/1977
Birthplace: Webster, Texas
Current Location: Dallas, Texas
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Red with some highlights.
Height: 5'6
Weight: 210...and very proud of that! :)
Piercings: Two in each ear. I'm a rebel...according to my mother
Tattoos: None
Boyfriend/Girlfriend: Oh dear heavens.
Overused Phrase: that's FABULOUS!

FAVORITES
Food: Either Dickies or Panda Express.
Candy: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Number: I have no favorite number. How retarded.
Color: Green and maybe purple.
Animal: My precious puppy
Drink: Diet Dr Pepper
Alcohol Drink: Amaretto Sour
Bagel: Cinnamon Sugar from Einstein Brothers.
Letter: Again. I have no idea.
Body Part on Opposite sex: Eyes

THIS OR THAT
Pepsi or Coke: Neither...Diet Dr Pepper
McDonalds or BurgerKing: McDonald's
Strawberry or Watermelon: Strawberries
Hot tea or Ice tea: Iced, I guess
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate...I'm an addict.
Hot Chocolate or Coffee: Hot Chocolate...cause it's all about the chocolate.
Kiss or Hug: I like hugs...haven't gotten a lot of kisses lately! :)
Dog or Cat: puppies
Rap or Punk: Neither
Summer or Winter: Winter
Scary Movies or Funny Movies: definately funny
Love or Money: Love :)

YOUR...
Bedtime: 10pm when I have to work...whenever when I don't.
Most Missed Memory: Singers Tour
Best physical feature: Maybe my smile?
First Thought Waking Up: Dear heavens...I need to go back to bed.
Goal for this year: Start my BSN.
Weakness: Chocolate.
Fears: Not ever finding the man I'm supposed to.
Longest relationship: I think maybe a month? That's sad...
Ever Drank: Yep
Ever Smoked: Nope. EW EW
Pot: um...no.
Ever been Drunk: Nope
Ever been beaten up: Do cat fights with my sister count?
Ever beaten someone up: Again...do cat fights count?
Ever Shoplifted: yes...stupid Michael ratted me out.
Ever Skinny Dipped: Nope, not yet.
Ever Kissed Opposite sex: Yep
Been Dumped Lately: Nope

IN A GUY/GIRL
Favorite Eye Color: Blue/Green
Favorite Hair Color: I don't care! :)
Short or Long: Short
Height: preferably taller than I
Style: Casual....but not TOO casual.
Looks or Personality: It's all about personality.
Drugs and Alcohol: See you later...punks.
Muscular or Really Skinny: Neither...can't I have a mix of both?

RANDOMS
Number of Regrets in the Past: 2
What country do you want to Visit: Austria
How do you want to Die: Knowing I did everything I was supposed to.
Been to the Mall Lately: Yep. Yesterday.
Do you like Thunderstorms: Yes, I love them.
Get along with your Parents: Yep.
Health Freak: I'm a Weight Watchers Diva...need I say more?
Do you think you're Attractive: Most of the time I don't
Believe in Yourself: Yep
Want to go to College: Been there, done that.
Do you Smoke: Nope
Do you Drink: Not on a regular basis
Shower Daily: Nope...my hair goes crazy if I do! :) Maybe that's nasty...but oh well.
Been in Love: yep...or what I thought was love.
Do you Sing: Yes
Want to get Married: Yes
Do you want Children: Yes
Have your future kids names planned out: I have names for "suggestion"
Age you wanna lose your Virginity: Right after I walk down the aisle. (well, maybe not right after)
Hate anyone: nope