4 weeks from today

4 weeks from today...I will be done with school. Isn't that the most beautiful thing you've ever heard? Well, it's beautiful to me! No one will have to listen to my tales of woe involving this horrid adventure I call the last 9 months of my life. Will my life suddenly destress because this part is over? Absolutely not, but it might seem a little easier! I hope in four weeks I'll start seeing the benefit of all this torture...but not yet!

I'll have a new job 4 weeks from today. A new set of co-workers. A group of beautiful friends from a past job that will still love me and support me in my new job.

4 weeks from today my car will be fixed. I won't have a big dent in the back constantly reminding me of my stupidity.

4 weeks from today, I will have acquired a new wardrobe. My beautiful collection of scrubs will hang in my closet as a reminder of the carefree wardrobe I used to require. My closet will consist of grown up girl clothes, which I should have acquired long ago...but never have.

I will have attended a women's retreat...which my soul desperately needs. I will amazingly not be working weekends, which will allow me to regularly go to church, something I haven't been able to do in quite awhile. This going every other week thing is for the birds.

What else will be different in four weeks? Only time will tell.

And the beat goes on...

Well, I'm still in limbo about my job. I'm sure the guy who is supposed to fix the whole budget thing is back from vacation...but now my manager is out. So who knows? The manager of the solid organ transplant program says that I'll be on call when my fellow TC is at a conference, but I'd like to know what I'm doing before then! That would be nice right? :) I've gotten so many encouraging words from my friends and family about this new endeavor, and that's really a blessing to me to know that all those people think I'm going to do great! The patient that I saw transplanted actually went home yesterday (EIGHT days after transplant!), and I was able to do all the discharge teaching, so it's great practice for me!

Other than that whole job thing, I'd REALLY covet your prayers about my school situation. I've got five weeks left, and they are going to be really hard. I've got a lot of papers and projects due, but thankfully no more tests! :) I'm so burned out right now, and it is taking all of my strength and determination not to just give up now! But I CAN'T! I'm SO close to being done!

That's pretty much it at the moment. Trying to figure out what's going on...both with work and school!

First official duty!

Well, I'm really not in my new job yet...but yesterday, I sure got to act like it! I was minding my own business, sitting in Employee Health doing my Community Health clinicals. (ICK!) I saw my fellow coordinator coming down the hall, very purpose driven! Well, it turns out that a transplant was set to occur that evening and she sought me out so I could be a part of it. See, we don't always have someone waiting on the list, and even though this was the 6th transplant this year, they don't normally happen so often! It's important for me to see how it all works, so she wanted to let me in on that. It's such a long process! I found out at 1200 and we didn't end up actually getting to the OR until 6pm! I watched the whole thing...and what an amazing experience! The native heart (the heart the patient had to start with) continued to beat, even after it was removed! It just sat there in the preservation liquid and kept on going! Finally, it figured out that nothing was happening and stopped...but what a sight! To see a new heart, pulled from ice and VERY grey, be sewn in, warmed up, and start pumping blood all on its own! How amazing! And I got to be a part of that! :)

I am not in my official role yet, as there are some budget modifications that have to be done, and wouldn't you know...everyone is on vacation! That's okay though, I'm content to just finish out my days on the floor with my friends. That's gonna be the hardest part! Those women are my family and it's tough to say goodbye...although I really don't have to! I'll still interact with them on a daily basis, but is strange knowing that I'll be there and don't have those same responsibilities. That's my first nursing job, and it's weird to think I'm not doing it anymore. I'm so thankful for the almost 2.5 years of experience I have! This new job is absolutely a God-send! Who knew that they'd take someone without a masters with only 2 years of nursing experience! Hooray for me! :) I'm not sure when I'll actually start...but one would hope they will let me know SOON!


Okay, well seeing as I didn't get home last night until 1:30 and had to be up early this morning for work, I am EXHAUSTED. I will happily sleep...until 6:30....but that's a long time from now! :) HOORAY!

It finally happened!

Today, I got the call...and it's official! I'm the new heart transplant coordinator! AMAZING! More details to come...mostly cause I don't know much yet...but I'll let you know as soon as I know! HOORAY! :)

6 classes left!

After today, I only have 6 classes left! HOORAY! Of course, those classes will be filled with one test, about four papers, and endless hours of droning on by the most boring teachers around, but hey, I am still looking UP! I'm sitting outside the classroom right now, waiting for everyone else to finish today's test. I think I have another one in two weeks...then that's it for the testing! I turned in my "graduation application" today...which is just another fancy way that UTA steals money from me. I love that...you have to PAY to graduate, as if you haven't already given them every blasted cent! Alright, so Children's has given them all the cents...but whatever. You see my reasoning. :) Let's just say that 2 months from Saturday, I will officially be Stephanie Emerson, RN, BSN...and OH SO HAPPY!

I have been in SUCH a horrid mood the last couple of days! I guess it's because I've been at the hospital 9 out of 10 days, either working or doing something else class related. I'm finally done with my management clinical hours and am moving on next week to Community health. I'll be slaving away for free in the employee health office, so that is just fun. ICK. My teacher keeps saying that I need to do my clinical hours somewhere I am interested in, but that's just not going to happen. I am all about getting stuff done. At this point, I just want to be finished! :)

I think that's all that's been going on. Work. School. Puppies. That's it. It's just Oliver and Liberty playing together lately, and poor Lib is missing her sister...but she can get over it. This morning, someone delightfully puked in my bed. EW. Disgusting. Now I have to go wash my sheets when I get home. Nasty.

Tomorrow, I am goign to get my car serviced (Oh so fun!), then back to work for skills day AGAIN. If I could only get away from that place :). I haven't heard anything about the job, although I did have two more interviews last week. I'm FINALLY done with those, so I'll hear sometime either end of this week or early next. I did call the Transplant manager, just to make sure. I didn't want to bug her, but I have a right to know, right? This stupid thing has been going on for a blasted MONTH! It's been long enough! :) At this point, I just want to know. If I am supposed to have it, then WONDERFUL...but if not, I'd like to just get on with my life.

Well, I suppose I should go back to my classroom now. I think everyone's done with the test, although we have a bit before class starts! Have a wonderful day!

Comparisons!

SO, here are some pictures of my trip! I thought the first couple were crazy! Look at the differences in weather! These pictures were taken 2 days apart!


This is looking down the mall towards the Capitol building. The building on the right is the Smithsonian Castle.






And the Washington Monument...in the snow picture, you can hardly see it!

Stranded!

SO, I was supposed to be on my way to the airport right about now. Unfortunately, this morning, DC got about 6 inches of snow dumped on it in about 3 hours or so! While it IS beautiful, apparently planes don't like to take off in it. Michael and Jen's plane was cancelled too...so now we are sitting in a hotel room, getting ready to watch the Oscars. My plane leaves tomorrow at 6:40ish and theirs leaves in the afternoon...so we'll hopefully all be home for dinner...or at least to pick up our puppies from the Pets Hotel! This morning, I got a call from Becca while walking through the INSANE amount of snow...she's in Fort Lauderdale in 80 degree weather getting ready to leave on a cruise. It's a horrid comparison...me in my 32 degree and big giant snowflakes and her and the sunshine and 80 degrees! Ah well...so I guess my idea of vacation involves lots of snow...at least this time it does!

I've had a really great vacation, and I'm still not ready to go back to work! I guess I should be...but I'm not! I have not heard about the transplant coordinator job yet, although I really wish I would know something. It's been almost 3 weeks since I interviewed, and I am SO impatient! I know that patience is always something I need to be working on, so I PATIENTLY wait...and hope.

It's finally stopped snowing, but the snow piles are still much bigger than we EVER see at home. Please pray that the runways will be nice and clean tomorrow so I can get home to my precious puppies! I'll post some pictures as soon I get home and find the cord!

Awake...and not happy about it!

EW! It's 4:48AM, and with the exception of about 30 minutes, I have been awake since 10AM yesterday morning. I'm currently sitting at the airport, unhappily blogging away while I listen to Desperate Housewives on ABC.com. I have no idea why I couldn't sleep last night. I tried all my tactics...TV, silence, and then by the time I figured out those weren't working, it was too late to take anything to put me to sleep. I thought that sleeping through my alarm and missing my airport shuttle at 3:15 this morning would not be a good plan. SO. I sit here. Awake. And tired. I did make a split decision to upgrade the long leg of my flight up to "business" class. I have no idea what this means, only I am sure it means a bigger seat. And maybe some food that's more substantial than the typical cheddar whales. I will NOT fall asleep and miss this opportunity. Guess I can fall asleep on the way to DC from Atlanta.

That's pretty much the extent of things going on here. I took Oliver and Liberty to doggy day care on Friday to get them used to the place they will be boarded next weekend. I was SO paranoid that Oliver was going to attack other dogs, but he was SO good! They said he did not snarl, bark, or even growl at other pups. I was so happy! This means that when he goes next weekend...he will behave! :)

Okay, well, they are getting ready to call my row. I'd better go. Bon VOYAGE to me! :)

No work for 2 weeks!

Hooray! I don't have to work again until the 28th! This makes me HAPPY! :) I've had a really rough couple of days, with the precious patient on the verge of death (who told me I was his Valentine yesterday...but I think he told everyone that!) and a really terrible intern I am trying to train. I'm really glad to be given this break...and hopefully I will have a brighter outlook when I return. I have to do two leadership clinicals before I come back...and that does put me at the hospital, but I'm not going to go up to the floor or anything. I need a clean break! :) Sometimes, it just gets like that! I LOVE the people I work with, and it's not to be rid of them...but mostly just away from the day to day routine! :)

I haven't heard whether I got the new job yet, but I do know they are still interviewing and will make a decision by the end of next week. I'm really at peace at this point because I know I did the best job I could. I don't believe I left anything out, and I think I effectively communicated my love for transplant! I'll just wait peacefully to find out and if I don't get it, I'll go back to work without a regret because at least I TRIED! :)

Sunday morning, at the ridiculously early hour of 5:34AM, I am flying to Virginia to go play with Kimberly for a couple of days. I'll be with her at her newly purchased house until Thursday, then drive back to DC to hang with Michael and Jennifer at their fancy Ritz Carlton for the next couple of days. I LOVE Washington DC and am so excited to go again! It's a lot of walking, and it's sure to be cold, but that's okay...museums are heated! :) While at Kim's, I won't have access to internet and my cell phone service probably won't be the greatest there...so it will be interesting! :) BUT, I know my sister wants to show me around her new life, and she's worked really long and hard to get a bunch of overtime hours so we can have fun in the afternoons! :) Liberty will be having tons of fun with her brother and sister at Becca's house for the first part of the week, then she'll go with them to the PetsHotel to be boarded so Becca can leave for her cruise. I'm sure they will be a WILD trio when I pick them up Monday afternoon! I'm kind-of afraid of what they will do to me!

Perhaps I should get back to class....or maybe not. :) I guess I should, especially since I'm learning about how not to be sued for malpractice! :) That would be HORRID!

Reaching deep inside

Have you ever cared for a dying individual...a person who truly is on their last days? I have cared for children that I didn't know were dying...and died suddenly. Those are always hard because it's like a cruel surprise. I've never been there, being the primary caregiver for a dying child. It is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

This child I have had the pleasure to care for this whole weekend is a child who is well known to me. I've known him the entire two years I've worked as a nurse...and it is hard to see him on what we know will be his last admission. It takes every ounce of me to not burst into tears every time I see him in his deteriorating condition. He's still the same sweet boy...who loves music and Beyonce...and yet it's hard for him even to speak anymore. He's so scared and nervous, and I have to be strong for him. He can NOT see how upset it makes me when I have to do EVERYTHING for him when I know that 2 weeks ago, he was doing this for himself. He says thank you every time I leave the room, and doesn't want to be alone...which I totally understand.

Death is not a journey I wish for any person's child. Parents should not have to outlive their children. As a nurse, I see the entire spectrum of grief...from all the family parading in to say their final goodbyes...to the mother who can't figure out how to say good-bye. I am expected to stay strong...and not waver. But that's just not possible. I am human after all. The last two nights, I haven't slept well...and am having all kinds of bizarre dreams. I find myself wanting to call up to work to find out how he's doing, both afraid of the bad news I'll hear but not wanting to be left out of the loop.

So, I sit and wait. And pray. Prayers for his family, prayers for his nurse today, but mostly prayers that he will cross into Jesus' arms without being afraid and without pain. I think that's the most we can offer any human, but especially a child.

My interview!

WELL, so most of you don't know that I applied for a new job this week. Since I started at the hospital, I've been really interested in the transplant program. I absolutely love taking care of our transplant kiddos...and have aspirations of one day being a transplant coordinator. That position follows the kids from before they are transplanted until afterwards and forever! It involves time in the operating room, the heart clinic, the floor, and the ICU. It is a really big promotion, but does take me away from the bedside. Well, a spot opened up as the heart transplant coordinator..and I took a leap of faith and applied! It was actually for a nurse practitioner, but the current coordinator told me that I needed to apply. Today, I had the marathon of all interviews. I had SIX interviews...lasting from 8AM until 6PM. I had a break in the middle of the day, but it was still the longest interview I have ever been on. I thought it was going to be just this little thing....and it turned into a huge thing! I thought it went really well, and I don't know when I'll find out anything. SO, after that long rambling paragraph...I'm gonna ask everyone to keep this situation in your prayers. I felt really calm about the whole situation, but I'm not exactly sure it's what I'm supposed to do...but I did feel at peace during the interviews. If I don't get the position, I'll still happily work on my floor because I really do love it. I'm not applying for this job because I don't like mine. I LOVE my floor, but this is a really big deal! SO...that's that.

Other than that, I am SO tired right now. I'm counting the minutes until I can go get in my bed...and I hope it is soon! :(

Winter weather continues...

Well, the cold snap has gone from a snap...to a forever long streak! Not that I mind, I would actually rather it be COLD than HOT! I just wish it would be cool, rather than cold! :) It's not all bad...even though my apartment usually feels like the Arctic Circle!

School is still chugging along. I have technically finished the class time for the first one...Nursing Research. EW. I have to turn in a paper tomorrow and then edit and comment on another paper due next Thursday. Now, I'm getting ready to start Nursing Leadership and Professional Nursing. Not my favorite classes, but I am SO glad that research is over that it doesn't really matter what the alternate classes are! :) I have to do some clinical hours for one of those classes, so I'm not really looking forward to that, but at least I can do it at my hospital. I'll be shadowing the manager of the Cardiology clinic...so at least I'll get to see all the kids I take care of!

Tonight, I'll be hosting a Mexican fiesta/Grey's Anatomy party for whoever wants to come and crash! I figure, I've been doing nothing but typing for the last two day (trying to finish papers!) and I have to work the next three...so the fun might as well happen tonight! I switched so someone could be off for the superbowl, but that puts me at three in a row...which everyone knows is my ABSOLUTE favorite! :) Oh well, it could really be worse. I could be doing five in a row! :)

Well, the teacher is saying something about actively participating in class...so I suppose I should actually pay attention...or something! :)

And life goes on!

Things here have been a little nutty. Okay, so make that ALOT nutty! School is back in session in full force. My classes are blocks of time, so that we're only doing 2 classes at a time. Well, this semester, they start us out with a research class for the first three weeks. Then, we move on to doing the 2 at a time class thing. Well, I despise research. I always have. I am glad there are people who want to do it because it is NOT me. :) BUT, for this class, I have to pretend to be interested...cause if I'm don't, I won't be motivated! ANYWAYS, I have these two big critiques due on Thursday...so keep me in your prayers. Tomorrow, I'm planning to start the work...at least I have an article to critique now! :)

I've been so productive today! :) I've made a cake, been to the store, been to Weight Watchers (lost 1.6lbs!), decorated some brownies, and am now waiting for my hair to dry. I know, for all the people that have kids, that might not seem like a lot...but it certainly is for me...on my day off! :) I really need to tackle the kitchen and laundry...perhaps I'll do that later.

I'm making the cake for a girl at work's birthday party. I love parties. I really love the people I work with, so it's always fun to celebrate with them! I've made yellow cake...and am eagerly waiting to put chocolate frosting on it. I even bought that snazzy decoration frosting...hope the restaurant we're going to doesn't mind! :)

Puppies are well. I have Oliver for right now, and he's busy making Liberty's life crazy. He's always attacking her, or stalking her...or stealing her toys. She loves it though. The last couple weeks, I've noticed that if I'm in a room with him doing something, she'll be in the other room and start barking for him to come play with her. It's the same bark she does when she's been sentenced to bathroom time with the door closed and lights off. She's a nut.

In less than a month, I'm going to go on VACATION! :) I work Valentine's day...then not again until the 28th! :) This makes me very happy. I'm going to see Kimberly and her new house, then will meet Michael and Jennifer back in DC to spend the next couple days at the Ritz Carlton (and eating out of the mini bar!) and playing around DC. I'm sure it will be FREEZING, but I'm going to be prepared! :)

Anyways. That's probably more information than you wanted to know. Oh well. Happy day! :)

So interesting!

In 1977 (the year you were born)

Jimmy Carter becomes president of the US Most of the 10,000 Vietnam War draft evaders are pardoned by President Carter Singer Anita Bryant starts her "Save Our Children" crusade against gay rights Elvis Presley dies in his Graceland bathroom Congress creates a Department of Energy Anwar Sadat flies to Jerusalem in a dramatic gesture of willingness to discuss peace Orlando Bloom, Shakira, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liv Tyler, and Ludacris are born New York Yankees win the World Series Oakland Raiders win Superbowl XI Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Swedish music group ABBA passes The Beatles as having most records sold Star Wars is the top grossing film The Shining by Stephen King is published "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone spends the most time at the top of the US charts Three's Company premieres

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

And the cold continues....

We're currently in a winter weather watch at the moment. It's been about five days of less than freezing temperatures, and I've pretty much enjoyed it. The hospital went crazy over the weekend, buying hotel rooms for employees and feeding them...and then it didn't turn out to be that bad. Monday morning it was pretty icy, but was fine by that evening. Then, out of nowhere, I woke up to snow and ice this morning! My school was cancelled and it was 24ish degrees outside. It's still pretty cold, but Liberty and I are keeping warm. I've been organizing my stuff all day for school, and I'm getting pretty tired of printing things right now!

I'm spending the day watching movies and getting out of my electric blanket wonderland as little as possible. So far, I've watched Cars, Material Girls, and Cutthroat Island. I've got The Break-up too...so I'm sure the marathon will continue. That is, unless I decide that bed is more important...which I could very well do!

I have school tomorrow...BLECH! Thankfully, I also have therapy, which should take my mind off my brain pain! :) Therapy is actually going quite well. I don't enjoy it, but I have a really nice therapist and the facilty is full of great people. I recommend Baylor Plano to anyone who needs PT or OT! Next week is my last week, supposedly...unless the OT thinks I need more. My favorite thing she does right now is put my hand in this sawdust machine. It circulates warm air/sawdust around and is used to decrease the exitation of the nerves. I think it's really useful, and I'd love to have one at home! It's called fludotherapy..or something close to that!

Well, my movie is calling, and I must go turn up the heat. My hands are FRIGID! :)

SARS!

I believe I have SARS. Thankfully, I think I'm on the tail end of the disease process. It's going around at work, and I'm not the lasst one to get it, I'm sure. My friend Amanda has just last night contracted her very own case of SARS. I loaded her up with my own potion of echinecha and vitamin C, which I'm not sure if it actually works, but it couldn't hurt. I think medicine does better than all those stupid herbs, but perhaps in conjunction with the drugs, it might do some good.

Yesterday, I started my occupational therapy. The OT says I have very decreased sensation on the top of my hand, but it should be able to be resolved. She is using some ultrasound to help desensitize the nerve. I haven't seen any progress yet, but that is probably because I've only had one treatment! :)

It's been a really exciting week at work. We've had some BIG wishes come true for some of our favorite patients! These precious people still need lots of prayers, but they are making baby steps towards a new life!

The other exciting news is that I started back to Weight Watchers last week. I knew I needed to for a couple of months, but having all my "skinny" clothes start to be too tight was NOT something I was prepared to deal with. They're supposed to get loose! So, after one week on the program, I've lost 6.8! Some of that probably is monthly water weight, but it is encouraging to see that much come off! It shouldn't be too long before I get back to where I was before. Hooray!

School starts next week. PLEASE pray because I am not looking forward to this semester as I've heard it is wretched. I've really enjoyed having my time off. Oh well, it's only a couple months, right? :)

It's a beautiful and COLD day in my neighborhood...what's it like where you are?

VERY interesting!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 78 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Is it the new year already?

MY HEAVENS! Time really does fly, right? I can't even believe I haven't posted on here since Christmas! I really am a slacker, right? :) Things have been happening...I guess I was just busy! :) Oh well, at least I can update now...that I have a free moment!

Let's see...my parents came to see me Christmas day, which was really nice. I wasn't planning on getting to see anyone, so it was a wonderful thing they did...driving all that way to see me for a few hours before I had to go to bed early for work! I worked the day after Christmas too, so no shopping for me! It was a good thing though, it made me NOT spend money, which is always beneficial! :)

I spent the rest of the week having doggie day care in my tiny apartment. Sam came over to play during the day since Michael was working and Jennifer was still in Missouri. Oliver and Sam play quite well most of the time...and then they will start chasing and Liberty will start refereeing and Sadie will hide. It was a fun time. :) They are NUTS. Oliver and Sadie are gone to Becca's now, and I don't think Liberty knows quite what to do with herself. She's kinda lonely, I think!

I spent New Year's Eve at a friend's party up in Wylie (which is REALLY far away!). We had a great time playing games, hanging out, and eating ourselves silly. I had to work the next day...so after being up past 1AM, I was really dragging. BUT, I got time and a half, so it's all worth it!

I rejoined Weight Watchers this week, which is a very good thing! :) I'd put back a little of the weight, plus I still have some to lose! It's actually much less daunting this time. Now, instead of 125lbs to lose, I only have about 60! It's very encouraging. I cleaned out my freezer/fridge/pantry of all the bad foods and started writing down what I eat again. That REALLY helps me be accountable~

Anyways, that's the fun of my last couple of weeks. Not much excitement, but a lot going on. I'm hoping that 2007 will be a little less eventful. I'd prefer not to move...or get dumped...or get yelled at...or pretty much anything bad! :) HAPPY 2007!

Merry Christmas!

Wow, guess it's been quite awhile since I decided to post something on here. I wish I could say that I'd been busy, but that's just not really the case. I've really REALLY been enjoying myself, now that school is out for the semester. I ended up with 2 A's and 2 B's...which is good considering I worked full time as well! I really need to get cracking on my reading for next semester, but I just don't want to. I'll probably start after the year...gotta get my books, but right now, I don't have any money to get them. Hopefully, I'll have some money set aside after the new year! :) It's all good! :)

My parents are coming into town tonight, which is always good. It's nice to see at least some family over the holiday. Our holiday schedule here at work absolutely disgusts me, and hopefully it's about to change. Right now, I have to work one day of every major holiday...so I can never really go anywhere. I'm working today...then new year's eve. I'd love to be sitting at my grandma's house, stuffing myself full of turkey and dressing, but I also had to work the 23rd...which doesn't leave me any time to go anywhere. Oh well...

Right now, since Becca's on vacation in South Carolina, I have all the puppies. Sadie, Liberty, and Oliver are absolutely driving me up the wall with their zaniness! :) Yesterday, while I was in the middle of massive bedroom cleaning, Oliver decided to mark everything in the house. He NEVER does this at my house, which is how I know he's stressed. He marked the floor by the tree, the couch, my bedroom floor, and my BED. Beast. At least my house is clean now...after all the scrubbing. Crazy pups.

The biggest thing going on this week, besides the lovely holiday, is my newest bout of steroids for my hand. Since the nerve test didn't show any nerve damage, the doctor wanted to try and see if steroids would help reduce some of the pain. The bad thing is that steroids make me CRAZY. I'm hot, hungry, and tired. I'm not sleeping well...and that doesn't help me have good holiday spirit...but I am trying! :)

Well, I suppose I should get back to work. I just saw Santa walking around, distributing presents...so maybe he has one for me!

Stupid nerve test.

Ow OW OWIE! Stupid nerve test has scarred me for life. Okay, so that may be a slight exaggeration...but it was not the most fun thing I've ever done in my life! :) Right at the end, after the doctor had been putting needles into my arm for 10 minutes all the while I am tearing, she says "Don't worry, this one is the last one..but oh, it does hurt." And the others weren't supposed to hurt? YIKES! Guess I had tears rolling down my face for no reason! :) The good news is there's nothing wrong with my nerves. They are still just angry from the initial agitation and it will get better with time and some occupational therapy that I'm supposed to start after Christmas/New Years. Lovely. :)

Today, I got most of my presents wrapped, and I have to tell you, it wasn't fun. Normally, I just get the biggest kick of picking the perfect paper, bows, and tags...but not so much this year. Who knows. Maybe I'm just going a little crazy...or it could have been all the volts they shocked my sad hand with today! Maybe some escaped and went to my brain. :)

Both dogs are completely passed out right now. They spent the day at the vet for their annual check up, and it always wears them out. Oliver apparently spent a lot of time howling, so much in fact that they put him all the way in the back because he was bothering others! Oh well, he has to learn that his shrieking is bothersome to many!

I have to work tomorrow. I don't really love just working one day, but at least if I have a bad day, it's over quick! The weekend wasn't too bad, and it was made better by dinner with an old friend! That's always entertaining!

I think that's all that's going on right now. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know! :)

75 degrees in December

That's right. That's the temperature, here in the great state of Texas. For crying out loud, will the weather just make up its mind? I really love the cold, and wish it would come back. It's much more comfortable to snuggle up in blankets! There's a slight breeze, but in the sun, it's downright uncomfy! It's just so ironic...staring at the blazing hot sun through my patio door, right next to my Christmas tree...it just doesn't fit!

Beyond that, things here are just trouncing along. It's been really nice not having school, although I really need to get working on my next semester's school stuff. Apparently, it's a wretched one, and not really something I'm looking forward to. I am REALLY looking forward to my grades all being in so I can get my money back from Childrens...only to turn around and give it back to UTA for next semester! I really wish they would cover books too! Perhaps I need to ask for those for Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas, I have NO idea why I'm not more excited about it this year. Maybe I need to sit down and watch a bunch of Christmas movies...or listen to Christmas music...or something. I usually have already bought all my presents by this point...and I've only bought 5. This is not good. I need to get cracking, but don't really have any desire to do it! It could stem from not having any money...but I don't really know. This is odd because I LOVE to buy people presents. I really get a kick out of buying someone the perfect present...and this year I haven't really wanted to. I might need therapy! I did get my Christmas cards out today, though! That's impressive! :)

Oliver's back at the house now, and making Liberty's life fun again. Last night, he ran around with the carcass of a skunk toy for at least 10 minutes...and Liberty wasn't even playing. She was just sitting there watching him, no doubt thinking he was crazy. He's really going nuts anytime I leave him, so I am looking into one of those dog pheromone things. My friend Lorin says that you just plug it in and it really helps to calm the puppies...and I think Oliver would benefit from that. So, I'll be attempting to get my hands on one of those!

Well, I guess that's all that's going on here. Lots of working. Lots of puppies. That's it! :)

Laying low....

SO, I have three days off...and I will not be doing much. I really REALLY need to go Christmas shopping, but that requires money, and I have none! Oh well, I have things I need to do around here, like folding and hanging the most amazing pile of laundry that's been accumulating for about a week! :( I also need to send my Christmas cards...and the list goes on. Right now, Liberty and I are hanging out, waiting for the cable guy to come and switch out my cable box.

This morning, I went to the doctor about my hand. I knew she wasn't going to really be able to give me any answers, but I did need her to direct me to the next step...which she gladly did because she's wonderful! She's going to schedule me an appointment with a neurologist for an EMG, which will test the nerve function in the hand and arm. I don't know when I'll go in, but hopefully, it won't be too long. The guy she's sending me to supposedly gets people in pretty fast...and that would be most appreciated. She called it "Left hand parasthesia"...which is just a fancy word for funky numbness and weakness. She did say I waited the appropriate amount of time to come in. If I had come in any earlier, she would have just advised me to wait longer and see if it resolved on its own.

Other than that, I'd say my life is pretty unremarkable. I wish there was something more interesting to say...but not so much! :) I'm sure my day tomorrow will be alot of sitting around the house...mostly so I can't be out spending money! I think I have to go into work Friday for a skills check off...but that's it. So, thrilling times are ahead for me! :)

After the chopping....




A motley crew....




Mid decorating...still got more decorations to go!

Christmas tree hunt!

Well, the search for the perfect Christmas tree is over! Michael, Jennifer, and I drove up almost to Oklahoma to the same Christmas tree farm I went to last year. Last year, I came away with a tree and a new puppy (Oh, Oliver!). This year, just a cute little 6 foot pine tree that smells amazing!

I was in the Neiman Marcus Adolphus parade yesterday. This year, I actually got to be in the parade...not just helping out behind the scenes. I walked with "Jack the Rabbit" who is the new mascot for Children's. I was actually televised, per my mother, who called me screeching today that she saw me on TV in Houston. It's actually supposed to be telecast throughout the US...so check out www.childrensparade.com and see if it's going to be on your stations!

Anyways...that's all that's going on. I've got to work Monday and Tuesday this week...then off until Saturday. Hopefully, I'm going to get my Christmas shopping done, especially since I have to send presents to Virginia.

I'll attach some pictures from the day....wish I had some from the parade, but I couldn't take any!

SNOW!

Winter is HERE! FINALLY! :) It has been snowing/sleeting all day, and I am SO absolutely excited about it! It's freezing cold out (last weather.com check said 29 degrees with wind chill to 17 degrees) and I am very happy. For once, I do not have to work on a great weather day! I have the freedom to sit at home, decorate my house for Christmas, and stay warm! Unfortunately, I have discovered that I have the most pitiful collection of Christmas decorations! Guess I either got rid of them or sold them in the amazing garage sale. At last count, I have my Willow Tree nativity, a Veggie tales nativity, 3 stockings, and 3 votive holders....plus a tablecloth and some placemats. And a stuffed Santa Tigger and 2 Christmas pillows. This is sad. I don't even have something to hang on my door! I really need to go to Garden Ridge (cause Target has NOTHING!) for more decorations, but I don't really want to go that far today. Especially when there's so much sitting around and staying warm time to be had!

I took some pictures of the snow at the apartment...isn't it just BEAUTIFUL outside?




Tonight, I'm supposed to go downtown to a parade meeting at the Adolphus. This is sad for multiple reasons. It is SO cold outside, but I'm sure it's 10 degrees colder downtown with all the wind shear and stuff. Also, there's no good way to get down there. If I take the DART, I have to walk multiple blocks to the hotel. If I drive, I end up getting stuck in Valet traffic and not getting to eat or buy my sweatshirt! It's also Thursday...and having a meeting tonight means I have to miss part of Grey's Anatomy. This is TERRIBLE! :( Much reason for sadness.

Guess I'll be going...It's the perfect day for a nap! I also took a picture of my beautiful nativity scene...I just think it's fabulous! :) SO glad I don't have to buy any more of the pieces this year! Whoopee! :)

FREE FROM CLASS!

I am SO excited. Today, I turned in my last 2 papers of the semester and took my last test. It was a truly exciting experience. I still have to stick around for the rest of the class day (something about a participation grade), but I have no more grades to turn in! Ta DA! :) This afternoon, we are watching "Outbreak" and I am completely freaked about it. I started to watch that movie at LeTourneau, and only could get through about 20 minutes of it. I ended up dreaming about monkey bites for the rest of the month. It was not a good time, and I'm really not interested in watching it....and I wouldn't, if I didn't have to be fabulous for a participation grade. So here I sit, dreading my afternoon!

I'm finished with work for the week after working three in a row. ICK. I have a skills check off on Friday, but otherwise, I'm free until Monday. I think I am taking my car into be apparaised on Thursday. Hopefully they will tell me they can fix it...so my poor Nessie doesn't have to be ugly anymore! One would hope...that is. I'm also watching my friend baby Samuel this week while his mom goes on a job interview. How fun is that? I love babies!

Yesterday, I got a very welcome surprise! A friend of mine flew into Dallas for the night for work, and he and I got to go catch up! It was great seeing him, and sadly he had to get to bed so he could go fly a plane at 5ish this morning...so he needed to be well rested! But we had a great time, as we always do, and both of us wished we would have had more time! Stupid jobs. They really seem to get in the way, you know? :)

Besides work and school, nothing is going on. And I mean, absolutely nothing. I've been having some hand numbness related to a choice I made a couple weeks ago, and I'm gonna have to go get it seen. Apparently, having a numb spot on the top of my hand isn't normal...and I should probably do something about it. I'm just REALLY praying there isn't anything that needs to be surgically fixed, because I really can't do that right now! But, knowing my luck, something will be drastically wrong and I'll lose function of my hand if I don't have surgery...but let's not think that! :) Let's think happy thoughts! :)

Anyways, my school break is almost over, and I'd better get back into the classroom. Tons of fun! :)

Holiday fun!

Well, the lovely Thanksgiving has come and gone...and I didn't even get any leftovers! How sad is that? My family came into town late Tuesday night. Mom brought Kim over to my side of town Wednesday for fun and games. We ran around town, grabbed Jennifer, and met my friend Tammy over at Grapevine Mills for shopping and movie fun. It was good to hang out with her again...especially since it's been so long! :(

Thursday was spent with my family at my aunt and uncle's house in Saginaw. We stuffed ourselves and laid around to watch the Cowboy game! I even weasled out of having to do dishes! I RULE! :) I came home last night, watched Grey's Anatomy, and fell asleep REALLY early. I'm such a weenie!

I'm at work today, and it's really not too bad. It's very quiet here, mostly because no one is here today. Apparently our floor is staffing the whole hospital, so even though we only have about 12 kids, we had to send three of our nurses to other floors in the hospital...cause they don't get their own staff. Retards.

The only BAD part of the whole week was my own stupidity on Wednesday night. After dropping Kim at Grandma's house, I really thought it would be fun to back up into a parked car on Grandma's street. Needless to say, Nessie HATED it...and now has a beautifully scratched up bumper and dented back end. I'm goign to get it appraised next week...cause I just can't life with a pitiful looking car! :(

Anyways, that's pretty much all that is going on. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful...and just remember...there are only 30 days until CHRISTMAS! :)

Busy, BUSY life!

I've been so busy lately, but it's been a good thing! I did work this weekend, of course...seeing as I work EVERY Sunday in November. ICK! Just when I'm getting into a church I love, I get pulled away to make life better for children. I was busy, but not too bad.

I did get to go to this fabulous concert with Crash on Saturday night. It was the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with this jazz chick. I haven't gotten that fancy dressed up in quite awhile...and it was nice to be all cute! :) The Meyerson Symphony Center downtown is so beautiful inside and the acoustics are amazing! Anyways, we had a great time, and it was such a great concert! I should have gotten pictures...but I'm such a retard...I forgot. :(

Tomorrow, my family drives into town...and I get to see them Wednesday! Hooray for
fun! :) I do have to work Friday, but that shouldn't be too bad.

The puppies are in a ball on the chaise lounge. They have both burrowed under this amazing blanket I have...and are quite happily sleeping, with the occasional licking outburst.

Anyways, I should probably get going. Things here are fading fast...and I think my heated bed is calling me! Good night! :)

Hooray for days off!

Well, I think I'm pretty much recovered. I've spent a lot of time relaxing and sleeping the last two days. It's been a welcome change from the busyness of work! Today, Jennifer and I went shopping for a winter coat, which I still haven't found. I'm at a completely frustrating point in my weight loss. I'm exactly between plus size and misses sizes! Plus sizes are too big, and misses don't exactly fit just yet. What on earth amd I supposed to wear? This is SO frustrating!

Besides that, I haven't really done anything noteworthy. I had school yesterday, and now only have one more class day in the semester! I'm SO excited about that! I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing with myself when I don't have school for 6 weeks...but I know it will be SO much less stress!

My sister and her husband (and dog!) are flying to Texas on Saturday. I haven't seen Kim for a year, so it's going to be really exciting to see her. I know she'll be in Houston first, then come here to the metroplex mid next week. I think she wants to meet all the people I've been talking to her about...we'll see if she gets a chance to meet all my crazy friends.

Oliver and Liberty are chasing each other around the house. Oliver hasn't been here for 2 weeks, and he's trying to get all that play time he missed in the first 24 hours. He's a nut.

Well, I must be going. I have things to do...people to see...

Meltdown alert!

WOW. The five days is over. It's been a really REALLY long couple of days, and now I'm glad to be through with it. I thought I was going to make it through without having a big meltdown...but it didn't happen.

The meltdown occurred this evening, at approximately 8:15pm. All I wanted tonight was sleep and turkey from Dickies. All I wanted in the world. I got my yummy food, put it in the car (in the way back) and went to CVS. Liberty came with me for the car trip because I felt bad leaving her alone at home again. SO, I came back from the store only to find Liberty nose deep into my food. She had eaten the entire thing...and chewed through the hard plastic container to get it. My delicious turkey, potatoes, and black eyed peas....sitting happily in my dog's stomach. That did it. I completely burst into tears and proceeded to cry, right there in the CVS parking lot. I even had a woman come up to me and see if I was okay. Tears EVERYWHERE!

Well, I'm okay now. I'm planning to do a lot of relaxing over the next few days...so feel free to visit and hang out...cause that's all I'll be doing! :)

Is the end near?

I am TIRED. It is taking every single effort in my body to stay positive...and some of the time, it's still not happening! :) I really feel okay, it's just long and draining...but I knew it would be. Right now, I've just eaten lunch after one of my more busy afternoons. BUT, the end is near! :) I'm more than half way through! For never even having done four in a row, I think that I feel good! Normally, by the end of the third day, I am dead...but not so much yet today! I'm counting on a certain someone to make my day later on so that I can know that all does not revolve around the hospital. Without that, I seriously think I might hurt myself...or at least Liberty! :)

I really don't have anything else to say! What else have I done? NOTHING but work! :) I'm hoping for a quiet afternoon, but at this place, who knows?

COLD!

No, not the weather outside! It's supposed to be in the 80's today! I'm sitting in class today, freezing my rear off! It's HOT outside and below 60 in this classroom! I need to start bringing my own space heater.

I'm soaking up every spare minute of non work time this week. Yesterday, I did have to go into work and do skills day. This is where they set up all the equipment we are already supposed to know how to use and quiz us on it. It takes just over 2 hours, mostly because there's always that one stupid nurse who doesn't know how change a tube dressing. My personal favorite station is the defibrilator station. Now, as a cardiac nurse, I really know how to use this fabulous machine. If my child is coding, I better darn know how to shock them. BUT, it's SO important for every nurse to know how to use it because codes happen on every floor. Nurses don't know how to use it! They sit there, and flounder over how to how to even turn it on! RETARDED! THis frustrates me, because I hope that in a code situation, my child will have a nurse that actually knows how to turn the darn thing on.

Tomorrow, I have to finish a paper during the day, go to a class at work (only an hour long! EW!), and then go to Crash's house for my standing Grey's Anatomy date.
Hopefully it will be relaxing...with no stress...as I prepare for the five days of work! :) I'm going to need lots of people being sweet and encouraging in order to ward off the evil attitudes that will no doubt surface by the end of day 2!

Tonight is Teenie's graduation from puppy class! It is going to be so sweet...and I hope he behaves! He's been with Becca this week, and they've been working on his trick to show the class. He and I worked on it last week. He's going to do a spin. We got one spin down, hopefully he's going to spin around more than once. He'll do anything for meat paste. I'll make sure to take pictures of him with his mortar board on. He'll be fabulous!

Anyways, seeing how I am currently IN class, and not paying attention, I should probably get back to that. The study of old people nursing has absolutely no bearing on my job, but I guess I should maybe pay attention? NAH. No thank you! This class is horrid! Today, we got our schedules for next semester. I will have class every Thursday and will be taking 16 hours. ICK ICK and TRIPLE ICK! At least I get a month an a half off! From Nov 29 to Jan 18 is free time! Hooray!

K. I'm done here. I'm sure I'll have a frantic post around Sunday, requesting urgent happy thoughts to come my way before I hurt someone! Just keep me in mind!

Gracie's styling...and apparently stripping!

Cold and dreary!

I really don't mind the cloudy skies, but I'd rather it be cold and GORGEOUS out there! It's really nice weather out! I can still have my back door open, and I'm not frozen!

Today, I'm behaving myself...which is rare. I went grocery shopping this morning, and am now currently involved in laundry, house cleaning, and book report writing (am I in grade school again?) all at one time. I figured I needed to be productive on my days off...for reasons I am about to divulge! :)

SO, this next schedule is absolutely horrible for me. I have to work every Sunday, which I hate, no Saturdays (which I'd rather work than Sunday!), and 2 weeks, I have to work three in a row! I hate that! :( So, here comes the upcoming dilemma. A friend of mine has tickets to a college football game this weekend. I willingly switched to work Saturday for her...cause I know how much she wanted to go, and I really don't mind switching with people I know will help me out later. SO, I switched off Thursday and on to Saturday...no big deal. I didn't even think about looking at the next schedule (which was on the next page) because I figured I worked Sunday..and Fri/Sat/Sun isn't that bad, even though I hate three in a row. Well, my schedule next week is Sun/Mon/Tues....so that means I'm now working Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. I'm going to be such a nice person after it's all over with! :) I do not mind helping out a friend, so I'm just going to work, and try REALLY hard not to complain. Well, maybe I'll just complain only to myself. Needless to say, no one will be hearing from me over those five days...cause I'm going to be only working and sleeping. I probably won't even eat!

Today, I bought Liberty a new sweater. She hates it, but at least she is staying warm. I'll post some pictures of her in it...she's so cute! :) She can still sneak her way out of it...but at least this one is long enough! I also bought her a new sheep to shred. Teenie did a great job of shredding her squirrel and hedgehog to absolute bits...and I ended up throwing the carcasses away last week, so she didn't have anything to play with. Today, in the couple of hours she's had the sheep, she's already managed to rip its face open and start removing fluff.

Well, I had better get back to being productive. Tons of fun for me!

Cause for celebration!

I'm so excited! My brother passed the bar exam! He's now officially a lawyer! SO FANCY!

Other than that exciting news, it's been a pretty low-key day. I cleaned my apartment, which was in desperate need of attention. I also went shopping with Jennifer and bought some new sheets! I love flannel! :) I didn't have any that fit, on account of the new sized bed...so this was a very exciting experience. I also bathed Liberty...mostly cause she really REALLY smelled...and needed to not smell like Fritos. Do any of you have dogs? Smell their feet! They actually do smell just like Fritos! It's nasty!

Today, I finished my Grey's Anatomy marathon. It was a bittersweet ending, mostly because now I'll have to find something else to amuse myself with. Perhaps my assigned school book? Nah. Definately not that. What else can I do? Hmmmmmm.....

Tomorrow, I'll probably do laundry and finish the clean sweep. It's a wonderous life I lead! I work this weekend, so I'm sure I'll be just having SO much fun. I am excited because my friend Ashley is back to work after her wedding, and I am so excited to see her! :) Okay, so I just used the word excited a lot, but that's okay...cause it's a fabulous word! :)

Anyways, I'd better get going. I have somewhere to be....and a show to watch! :)

Addiction

I am so completely addicted. I really REALLY tried not to be. I resisted for almost 2 years. I said to myself, "Self, we will not watch that show. We will not become completely entangled in the plot lines. We did it with Friends and Will and Grace...and now we will have a break!" Sadly, this is not the case. Now, I go to work every week and discuss the wonders of my addiction. I love Grey's Anatomy.

My dogs are possessed! Oliver is currenlty rolling around the floor, howling and growling at Liberty, attempting to entice her to play. She is NOT interested. I'm absolutely tired of them shrieking and throwing themselves at me. I've separated them for the moment...both of them are sitting now in their cages, having some rest time. No one is shrieking now! Hooray!

I'm really not wanting to go to school tomorrow....but it does mean that after tomorrow, I only have three class periods left in the semester, and then I'm half done! Isn't that absolutely NUTS? I can't believe it's gone by so fast! Soon, I'll have my grades...and then Children's can pay me back that giant wad of money I paid for tuition! Hooray!

By the way, my pie turned out FABULOUSLY...and the evening was pretty wonderful too. BUT, I'm sure ya'll don't want to know all those details...especially since my parents read this. They really don't NEED to know those! :) (Love you, Mom and Dad!)

Anyways, It is exactly 11:42pm...and I have school tomorrow. Guess I should go to sleep now. I've turned off the addiction for the night...I'm sure it will be back tomorrow! :)

Sunshine, glorious sunshine! :)

I love the sunshine! Today, it's around 80 degrees and wonderfully sunny! There's not a cloud in the sky, and I don't have to work! It usually ends up that I have to work on gorgeous days like this...and today I don't! It's such a happy time!

I've had a wonderful weekend! I did not have to work, and I've definately taken advantage of the time off! Yesterday, I did absolutely no school work! It was a blessed change! I read non school books and watched Grey's Anatomy all day! Last night, Becca and I ate lots of mexican food, ice cream, and injured both our wrists bowling like champs at Main Event. I guess taking bowling in college doesn't really help 8 years later. I don't think I scored over 80 either game. I'm so sad. Oh well...such is life!

Today, I'm currently in the middle of attempting to bake! I'm having dinner with a friend, and promised to bring dessert. SO, I'm making a chocolate buttermilk pie thingy. I'm wretched at cooking, but since he's making the rest of the dinner, I figured I could at least attempt. I am really hoping this doesn't end up in a complete flop and force me to bring store bought cookies. That would be horrid. Think very good thoughts for my pie! :)

Now the pie is smelling REALLY good. I like pie crust.

Other than my pie making and watching HOURS of Grey's Anatomy, I really don't have much going on. I'm still really happy with the way things are going in life...and keep a prayer going for what is coming up! School is only four more weeks this semester! HOORAY!

DRAMA

I'm sitting here, on my beautiful chaise lounge, watching the rain. It's at this absolutely freaky angle, almost sideways! It almost never rains onto my porch, which is good, seeing as I have a papizan chair with fabric cushion out there! It's the perfect temperature outside, with just a little bit of wind. It's really beautiful outside.

Aside from the beautiful weather, I've been doing a lot of uninteresting things today. I finished one paper for school, and got halfway through another. I don't have any tests this week, so that was a nice change. I have school tomorrow, then work on Thursday and Friday, YIPPEE! :) Today, I also went and surprised Jennifer after work. We went to the Grand Lux Cafe (SO YUM) for a really late lunch. I also got some fabulous wine glasses at Pottery Barn, and some delicious olive oil at Oil and Vinegar! Hooray! :)

I'm really sleepy now....maybe I should go to bed. I slept really REALLY well last night, which is surprising. Hopefully, I'll have another night like that tonight!

Samuel loves BOPPY TIME!

We're chilling....

He's either yawning...or talking...

A precious start...and wretched end! :)

I had a great day today....irregardless of what the subject heading says. I spent the morning with precious baby Samuel! He is such a cutie, and already such a little heart breaker! He's got his parents completely head over heels for him, and I can absolutely see why. I'll post some pictures of the little guy before this post. I brought Kris "Babywise" so hopefully, she and Joe can get some much needed sleep.

After baby time, I went and got a massage with Jennifer. She had a perfectly wonderful time, while mine was rather interesting. Let's just say that I don't REALLY enjoy having my rear massaged. It was quite a freakish experience.

I picked up Sadie and Oliver at Becca's house, since she's out of town this weekend on a retreat. The three are all happily coexisting again...Sadie's hiding in my bed, Liberty is begging for food, and Oliver is shredding a toy. Lovely.

Tonight, Tammy and I were going to go see the Guardian. When we got there, Tam changed her mind and we ended up going to see Marie Antoinette....a perfectly wretched movie. There were some funny parts, and some sweet parts, but the movie was wholly disappointing. I had looked forward to seeing it, and I really didn't enjoy it. That was the sad ending to my day!

Tomorrow, I'm going to the fair! :) I love the fair! It will be a fun day...and I'm excited! Enjoy the pics of Samuel!

SO sweet!

I love CAKE! :)

Amanda and I...we're SO good at taking our own pictures!

The fabulous women I work with! :)

And the days fly by...

Can you believe it is already past the middle of October? Halloween will be here soon...then Thanksgiving, and my personal favorite...CHRISTMAS! :) I love decorating for Christmas! :) It's also exciting to note that I only have five classes left in the semester! Five weeks more of stressing, although my stress level has drastically dropped since my 2 ickiest classes are over. I have one more paper to turn in for the 2nd one, but they are both basically done. Now I move on to more interesting teachers, although not really more interesting content. I worry so much about my papers and tests, and I am consistantly getting wonderful grades! I am so blessed! :)

I'm in the midst of a bunch of days off...which is SO good for me! I originally was upset that I was scheduled to work Sun, Mon, Tues...but I don't regret it now! I was a little nasty for a couple of those days, but my outlook is much better now! I have a paper to write for next week, and I've already started the research...shocking! I had a class today, and then Jennifer and I went to the Allen outlet mall. I have no winter/fall clothes...and needed some! Let's just say I am SO addicted to brown right now! I think everything I bought was some fabulous shade of it. It's insane. Oh well, at least this season, brown is REALLY in...and since I look good in it, I can find a lot of it! Now, I'm just hanging out with Gracie, who is viciously eating a Diet Dr Pepper bottle. Her brother isn't here to steal it...so she's pretty darn happy about that.

Tomorrow, I'm going over to play Mommy relief to my friend Kris. Her son is 2 weeks old, and when I talked to her today, she seemed WAY frazzled! :) I'm so glad to be able to help her out! In the afternoon, Jennifer and I are going to get massages. Jen's never had one at a massage school, mostly because a friend of hers told her she had to be half naked and walk around in front of lots of people. I don't know what kind of crack pot school of massage that girl went to, but that's SO not the way it is at mine! Scary! Saturday, some girls from work and I are going to the fair, which is ALWAYS exciting. I haven't been back since the very beginning, so it will be good to go watch the pig races and all! Other than that, it will be a lot of doing nothing with all the puppies, Sadie included.

I'm gonna find some pics from the wedding to post on here...that way you can see just how pretty it was! East Texas really is lovely! :)

I think Friday the 13th is retarded...usually. I don't get into the whole superstitious thing, mostly cause I think it's crap! Yesterday, it was just not my day! It started out awful! For some unknown reason, I am sleeping terribly the last month or so. I think it really has something to do with my level of school stress...but I could be wrong. I just wake up several times a night with the major inability to go back to sleep. Anyways, so I woke up not very well rested. I get to work, all ready to actually take patients...and I had to sit in the telemetry room. Yes...that tiny little room that has nothing but heart monitors and incessant BEEPING. It was absolutely the WORST thing! :( It did turn out to be not a bad day after all...the most fabulous charge nurse called someone in and sprung me out of that horrid land. I ended up being the transport nurse for the rest of the day, which doesn't really bother me. I really like helping my friends, even when I am busy with my own kids...so it was all okay. I DID have a good ending to the day! The charge nurse let me go home early! I FINALLY got my grocery shopping done, and Amanda and I went to the dollar movie. Hooray! :)

Right now, I'm all dressed up and ready to go to East Texas for Ashley's wedding. I found a dress in my sister-in-law's closet, which really looks CUTE on me! :) I did have to buy shoes, which I did this morning. I think I ended up paying more for the shoes than she paid for the dress! Oh well, I probably needed to expand my cute shoe collection. Amanda and Tammy are headed over here, so we can all be cute together. I am really excited to see Ashley get married! :) I am sad, though, that it falls on the same day as my friend Cat's daughter's first birthday. Cat was my preceptor at the hospital. I got to be around for the very beginning of her pregnancy, since I was stuck to her hip for the first 4 months I was there! I saw Kate soon after she was born, and she's just so stinking cute! Her birthday party is today...but I'm sure that she's not going to remember any of it! I made sure to get her a fabulously loud present and sent it over with her uncle, who I have been hanging out with a lot lately...hence the perpetual happiness. BUT, I get yelled at when I start out on the happy tangent...so I'll move on!

I have to work the next three days, so I'm sure I'll be a bundle of joy early next week. I have a test this week, with almost no time to study, but my grade in that class is pretty stable, so I'm not worried. I did have my GIANT practicum assessment this past Thursday, and ended up not getting any points taken off! Just think, I spent all that time stressing for absolutely no reason! My instructor does say that good stress is healthy, but I don't think that sleep deprivation is healthy...so we'll just forget about that.

Well, I should probably get moving, seeing as I have to go finish getting ready. :) Have fun today...in whatever you do!

Happy times! :)

It's been SUCH a good weekend! I didn't think that it was going to start out that way because I felt kinda rotten last week towards the end. I was just feeling exhausted and my chest was hurting from all the weather changes and stuff. I finally got my asthma under control and now I'm HEALED! :) Let's see...what have I done this weekend. Well, I had a date :), went shopping with Michael and Jen, went to a pajama party at Becca's, went to church, worked on my paper, went to go watch the football game (stupid STUPID game!), and just had a great time NOT at work! :) It's been quite awhile since I had that much time off, and let me tell you, it has done wonders for me! :) I'm back at work today and tomorrow, then off to school the next two days. I've got a huge check off this week, so keep the prayers coming!

My house is actually starting to look like a home now. I'm getting more and more pictures put out, but still nothing on the walls. I'm working up to that. I put up curtains in the bedroom, and that's pretty impressive for me! I'm not a big interior decorator, so I usually need lots of assistance...and prompting to get it done!

I guess there's not really anything else going on. I'm happy right now...we'll just leave it at that.

The end is not near...but I'm still hanging on! :)

OH heavens. Why did someone not sit me down at the beginning of the semester and attempt to talk me out of this madness? This is probably the silliest thing I have ever done, and that includes working and going to nursing school together the first time! I don't know why it is so crazy, except for the mountains of paperwork and tests to study for. But I'm hanging on, so I really can't complain too much. I'm close to finishing 2 of my 4 classes for the semester. I think that will really make a big difference in how my stress level is. I'm not too sure what to expect from the second 2, but I do know it can't be as bad as this! :)

I took a test this morning, and am not waiting for the rest of my classmates to finish their tests. I think I have until 10AM to sit and just play on the computer, which is shocking. I never get a chance to do that anymore! :)

Work is going well. It's been relatively quiet the last couple of days, which is shocking. I've had so many bad days in a row, that the nice days are a little hard to believe. I am starting to feel the physical drain of school and work, though. I'm not really feeling that great today...and I don't know how to stop the progressive illness that is no doubt coming on because of the lack of sleep and high stress level I'm subjecting my body to. I'm taking lots of vitamins...but I don't really know if it's helping or not. I think it just makes me hyper. :)

Oliver goes back to stay with Becca this week. It's so fun having him around because Liberty always has a playmate, even if she doesn't want one. Yesterday, I was right in the middle of talking to Jennifer, and Oliver let out the most pitiful howl I've ever heard. He REALLY wanted Grace to play with him, and she wasn't ready yet. Ironically, she became ready about 15 seconds later...but she still let him howl. They've been really good about going outside and not barking at strangers. I'm glad, because it was starting to get really old!

My friend Ashley is getting married next weekend! :) I'm so excited, yet panicked because I have no idea what to wear. It's probably going to involve a shopping trip, which only stresses me. I'm at a horrid predicament right now, that plus size clothes are getting to be too big, and regular sizes just don't quite fit right yet. What am I supposed to wear? I'd really love just to wear pajamas all the time, since that's pretty much the only thing that fits right now...but apparently that's not acceptable. Retarded.

Anyways, I suppose I should go mosey upstairs and see if anyone else is done with their tests. Or not. I'm really not bonded with any of the people in my class...and maybe I should be. Oh well, I'm not going to stress about it! :) I'm sure I'll blog again some other day...hopefully before the end of the month... :)

Going quietly mad....

I can't believe it's been almost a week since I blogged. That is so unlike me! It's mostly due to the fact that I have absolutely no free time. My time is very precious to me right now, seeing that it's disappearing before my very eyes! :) When I think I've finally finished a paper or taken a test, there is always something looming. It's either another test, another paper, or heaven forbid, WORK! I'm wearing myself out, and it's not even October! I have a major check off for my assessment class in 2 weeks, and hopefully, once that is over with, my school year will start to slow down. It's just a mile a minute these first couple of weeks. I've been in school a month, and already I've done 3 months worth of work! :)

Today, on a precious day off, I had to go practice for my check off all the way over at UTA. I did find a quicker way to get there though, and it only took me 45 minutes instead of the normal hour. Hooray! :) I guess all my hard work is paying off. I did great on my first test and paper. I just took another test this past wednesday and turned in another paper, so we'll see how that goes.

Tonight, I am absolutely not doing work or school. I'm going to hang out at a friend's house for some much needed time off! Sometimes, I just have to forgo working and school for some sanity time.

Oliver is doing really well at obedience school. He's a lot less agitated when he sees other dogs, and more times than not, wants to play with them instead of rip them apart...or just make them think he will. He's letting all kinds of people pet him, including men, which have freaked him out before. They are really enjoying the beautiful weather because they can sit out on the patio all morning and guard it. They are truly ferocious.

Not much else is going on. Work School Work School Work. That's pretty much it. Hopefully, I'll find something else to take up my time that's more interesting!

Settling in...

It's been a great week of CRAZINESS, but I'm enjoying it for the most part. I'm all moved in, most of my boxes are gone (thank you Lorin!), and there's only a wee bit of disaster still present. I've just got a lot of those finishing touches to do...the picture hanging (which reminds me, my pictures are still at Nathen and Kerrie's!), the cute little candle holder placing, and the picture frames on counters. I think I just need some time to do it, time which I really don't have! Being in school is really cramping my style, but it's completely worth it..I hope!

This week, I've got a test and a paper due, as well as three days of work, and a day of practicing for my major assessment practicum in 2 1/2 weeks. I'm sure that there is more looming in the schedule, but that's all I can think of right now!

Liberty is finally adjusting to the apartment, and she's doing great! She's pottying outside instead of inside (I know you're thrilled to know that!), and is barking less at every little noise she hears. I do need to work on her random barking when we go walking, but it's a work in progress. I've figured out why Oliver gets so upset when he sees people/other dogs. He's trying to protect his sister! How sweet is that! Earlier this week, I had friends over to watch the Gray's Anatomy premiere. When they each got here, of course, Oliver barked like he was going to rip them to shreds. Once they both picked up Grace and loved on her, his attitude completely changed and he wanted love too. It's an interesting habit I hope to discuss with the trainer this week at his class.

I really should be studying for my test right now, and I guess I should get back to it. How much do I really need to learn about male/female parts anyways? Keep me in your prayers this week as have the test and paper due...with not much time for either.

Home sweet home...sleeping angels.

Bedroom, complete with sleeping Oliver.

From front door, to bedroom...

Dining room/Kitchen from in the living room.

Here's the living room from the front door...

NO MORE MOVING! :)

I'm so happy to be all moved! I despise moving...and now it's done! I live in a new place...that's all mine. It's very bizarre. It's been an exciting 48 hours, but hopefully things are going to settle down. Oliver's having an interesting time...especially starting this morning when he chased someone! HE IS VERY SWEET, but gets scared with people he doesn't know. That's why we're working with him and taking him to school. He's a little confused, but he'll get it. Liberty is doing fine. She's adjusting well. I think she remembers apartment life.

I have school this week..and then some more work. LOVELY! It seems like the last couple of weeks, I've just been working weekends. I don't really like that, but my schedule is just too crazy right now with school. I've got this enormous paper due on Thursday as well as a big assessment project! Hooray for papers! :(

Anyways. PLEASE pray for me, as I'm starting to get sick. I've got some sort of chest cold, which does not need to develop into anything more serious. I'm already hacking up a storm and not sleeping. That doesn't do well for the whole stress school/work/moving complex!

I'm gonna post some preliminary pics of the apartment. I'll post more once it gets more decorated and stuff...but figured people might like to see it! Enjoy!

My birthday cake at work! :)

363 days and counting...

Friday, I turned 29 years old. Hooray! :) On one hand, it was a sad day. Sad to think that this is the last year I can put a 2 in the front of my age. Sad because my 20's have been wonderful....crazy, but wonderful! Sad because there's a lot of things I have left to do...and sometimes, it doesn't seem like I'm going to get them all done! :) It was also a happy day. Happy because I only have one more year in my twenties...and I've heard the 30's are better. Happy because I am really content with what's going on in my life right now. Happy because I have friends and family who love me! :)

I did have a good day on Friday. I got my hair cut! Hooray for haircuts! :) I love them. I also went and hung out in my bare apartment with Tammy and Manda. They brought me a plant and chocolate. I love chocolate...and I'm going to try not to kill the plant. I can't promise anything... Then I went out to dinner with Michael, Jennifer, and Becca. Afterwards, we went and played board games...something I dearly love to do. My mom flew into town really late, and so I went to bed late...but it was all okay. Saturday, I was getting report when Whitney brought me a flashing princess crown and a birthday girl button and instructed me that I was to wear them all day. She'd also brought CAKE and strawberry shortcake! :) Hooray for us! :) So, I got to wear a tiara all day...and feel fancy. After work, my mom and Michael and Jen picked me up and we went to eat Indian food. YUMMY. Today, I went to work...and got a phone call from Tammy around lunch time, volunteering to come in for me so I could go spend time with mom before she flew out. Hooray for friends! :)

Tomorrow is the big move. I've got a lot of stuff done already, thanks to my wonderful family who slaved away while I was at work. Tonight, I've been getting all the last minute stuff done, so that when the movers get here and packed, I can just throw Gracie into the car and go with them. I don't really want to have to come back over here to pick up little stuff if I can help it. I'd rather do it all in one trip. My movers come from 12-2, Cable/Internet from 2-5, and furniture from 2-6. Hooray! :) Tomorrow night, I'll hopefully be on my way to the land of unpacking. Oliver will come over and join the madness...it will be quite the adventure. Moving stresses him out, so I'm going to try my hardest to have a lot of the boxes gone so he doesn't stress out. Liberty has been doing really well. So far, her only sign of stress has been that she's extra clingy...but I can deal with that. I love it when she's in snuggle phase.

So, since I should really be finishing the packing, I'll be off...Somewhere amidst the packing, I have to finish a HUGE paper for school. I'm 75% done..so that's always a relief! Anyways. I'm off....to return later from a new destination...

Stress revisited!!!

The weeks of stress are continuing! I've gotten through the bachelorette party (WAY FUN!), 2 days of work (ABSOLUTE TORTURE), and the test (not too bad!). I've also started writing my major paper that's due next week. Tomorrow, I'm going to sign my lease and get my keys. Friday (a completely uneventful day!), my mom is coming into town to help me pack. I work Saturday/Sunday...then the movers come Monday. I'm holding up okay right now, mostly due to lots of prayers and very supportive friends and family!

I am still into the Friends marathon (now Season 4, Disc 1) since I have no cable. I'm really sad about it too...especially since I'm starting to miss some of the season premieres! I did not get to see Dancing with the Stars...with the likes of Joey Lawrence, Mario Lopez, Jerry Springer, and Emmitt Smith...but I heard it was good. I like to live vicariously through my friends!

Well, I'd better get going. I'm absolutely certain there's something else I should be doing...like packing...or studying...or working on my paper...

What happens at the lake house....

It is Sunday morning, 7:21AM...and I can not go back to sleep for the life of me! ARG! I'm in rustic Longview, Texas, sitting on the most beautiful back porch I've ever seen...wishing I was still asleep. Why does my internal alarm clock just HAVE to go off at this time? I don't really have any idea what time I went to bed, seeing as how there are absolutely no clocks here. I've got the best view, facing the lake with the sun rising over my left side. It's so pretty! :)

I'm the only one up right now, as everyone else is happily sleeping away. We've been having a great time, and I'm not ready to go back to the reality of mi vida loca at this point. It's kinda nice just being here and pretending it doesn't exist...

So, that aside, I'm going to have a pretty crazy couple of weeks. I have to work Mon/Tues, take a test Wed, practice with my lab partner and sign my least/get my keys on Thursday, try to have fun on my birthday and pick up my mom on Friday, then work Sat/Sun, and move on Monday. EW EW EW! :( My mom is coming into town this weekend, in attempts to destress my life, and I am SO thankful for that. Other than the boxes that Becca and I packed while we were splitting stuff up, I haven't packed a single one....I just have no time. I've already decided that I need a couple more days in the week...just so I can find my sanity. The next couple of days are going to be spent with my textbook and notes, frantically studying for my looming test. I haven't done tests in almost 2 years, so I'm sure it will be interesting. All the former students of this teacher say the 1st test is the hardest....yippee for me. I think they might just say that because you have to get used to how to take tests again, and stuff like that...but I really have no idea. It will be interesting, to say the least, and I would HOPE that there'd be lots of prayers headed my way...not only for the test, but the rest of the crazy stuff going on.

It's now 7:29...and no one is up. I don't really anticipate seeing anyone for awhile, so I guess I'll have lots of study time. EW! At least I have a pretty backdrop...

Love the rain BUT....

Oh heavens. The rain is fabulous. The mud, however, is NOT. It probably wouldn't be such a big deal if I didn't have 3 dogs traipsing in and out of the house. What makes it even worse is I have hardwood floors. There's really nothing for the mud and dirt to get wiped on. Even if I am very careful to wipe all 12 paws, something still gets tracked in. My bed is SO disgusting right now. I have mud streaks and dirt clumps all over everything! EW! I spent a lot of time wiping down the floors and door this afternoon, but I know in several hours, it really won't have mattered.

Tomorrow, I have school again. I'm really excited because I transferred to the Presbyterian Dallas campus and it's going to cut my commute by about 45 minutes! :) Instead of having to drive to Arlington, I just have to drive down Greenville Avenue and I'm there! :) I still have to go over to UTA 3 Thursdays for labs, but that is SO much better for myself and Nessie.

This weekend, I'm going to my friend Whitney's lake house in Longview. She, Tammy, and I are hosting a bachelorette party for our friend Ashley. It's going to be SO much fun! :) I love that house, and I really enjoy playing out on the lake! There's going to be a lot of my friends from work there, so it will be tons of fun! I'm sure I'll wind up with a fabulous sunburn, no matter how much sunscreen I lather on myself. Maybe I'll just try hanging out under the canopy of the boat. HA! :)

Anyways. My cable's out until I move...so I'm at the beginning of a mega Friends 10 season marathon. Right now, I'm on Season 2, disc 1. I've got a lot more discs to go....Hooray for me! :)

No labor on labor day!

I don't have to work! I know the thought that me not working on a holiday is a foreign concept...but it's true! HOORAY!: ) I'm actually going to see part of my family today! My parents have been visiting my grandma in Fort Worth this weekend, and are coming on over here today to see me (but mostly the puppies!). Again, Hooray! :)

This past weekend was one of the most quiet I've had while working at Children's. Now, don't get me wrong, I will really REALLY miss those days in the next coming months when RSV is running rampant and our beds are never empty. It was, a little monotonous this weekend...but still okay. I worked with great people, and that always makes it better. We didn't crack out any board games, but the talking and laughing was enough to make the time go by...

The puppies are being very needy this morning. They are all trying to jump into my lap at one time, and keep putting their noses against my leg as if to say "PLEASE LOVE ME!". Liberty's now laying on the ottoman, licking her paws and staring at me because I've got the computer in my lap and not her. Big baby. Now she's just licking the fabric. Disgusting.

Well, guess I should get ready for the day. There's not really much point in getting fancy, especially with the lovely rain that's drizzling down. I will NOT complain about it, since we haven't had much at all this summer. I will be thankful! Hooray for rain! :)

End of an era...

When I moved to Dallas in 1999, I was scared, yet excited about starting a new life. I assumed I'd get teaching, get involved in a church, and teach for awhile. A year went by...and I was still happy. Loved my job...loved my apartment...and I was loving life. I'd even picked up a second job on a labor/delivery floor of a local hospital. It was a great life. Then, something started to prod at my heart..."This isn't what you're supposed to be doing. Don't be satisified with the ordinary...go for the extrordinary" The summer before what would end up being my last year of teaching, I decided that teaching wasn't going to be a long term career. I wanted to be a nurse. I knew I couldn't afford to do it on my own, especially since I was going to have to quit teaching. I needed a rescue. That rescue came in the form of one of my friends from college deciding to move to Dallas and go to school. At the time, she wanted to be a nurse, too...or so she thought. We poured over the apartment guidebooks and the internet, scouring for that perfect dual apartment. I was excited because I was getting a roommate, she was excited to be out of East Texas. We found jobs at the same hospital, only 1/2 mile away from our apartment. She moved to Dallas...and the fun began. She had a dog, I got a dog. The next years were filled with LOTS of school, lots of vacations, and generally a lot of laughter. Some of the time my sister joined us...sometimes my brother. We even rescued a couple of dogs...Heidi went to live with my grandma and Oliver stayed around here. We changed apartments twice, went to live in the duplex with the worst insulation, and finally moved to the absolute suburbs to another house. 10 years I have known this woman. We've seen each other through the hatred of our first year of acquaintance...straight through to this growing up part where we move apart and open another part of our lives. She has always been there for me, and I know that even though she's in a separate place, she'll always be there for me...whenever I need her. Our dogs, which are like our kids, have grown up together and will always need to see the other. I'll always stay in contact with her, even though she sometimes not-so-secretly fears that I won't. We'll get our own places, our own new sets of friends, and at a point hopefully sooner than later, our own families. Things will change...separation always does that to people. BUT...to you, oh wonderous friend, some things will never change. I'll always remember that you were there for me through all the boy heartaches. We'll still travel and our puppies will still see each other. You'll always be one of the first people I call when good things happen...when I get that elusive ring or have that even more elusive offspring. You can't disappear...and I won't let you.