So now I'm getting Facebook messages that I need to blog (you know who you are and are) so here I am blogging my really stupid argument with my husband this morning. Let me first confess, I may have been a touch cranky.......
Isaac got one of those Happy Meal toy characters from the movie "Night at the Museum" (or whatever that movie is with Ben Stiller). He (Isaac) was playing with it at breakfast and Jason asks, "who is that"?
I say, "I think it may be Amelia Earhart".
He says, "It can't be, look at the plane, it's gotta be one of the Wright brothers". --- and he, as far as I'm concerned, could have added, "you moron, don't you know anything about aviation history" He denies it, but it's really the condescending tone he took.
uh, yes, I am PMSing, why do you ask?
I say, "No, I really think it's Amelia".
He says, "It can't be".
I'm disgusted and leave the room. He later leaves for work.
One of the boys finds the card that goes to the toy and would you look at that, it's AMELIA FREAKIN' EARHART....
I WAS RIGHT.
So I call him. I was dialing the phone, mumbling something about being right about the stupid McDonald's Happy Meal toy and Jake, the NINE year old asks, in an all too sane voice for my particular taste this morning, "Mom, are you really going to call Dad to say you were right about the toy?"
I say, "yes," in a voice that portrayed an air of dignity, as if to convey this is really how adults behave and I was being EVER SO FREAKIN' MATURE.
Jake just shrugged his shoulders and walked away (smart boy---uh, must take after me).
Jason answers the phone, I tell him we now have proof (proof, get that you engineer....PROOF) that it's Amelia Earhart.
He pauses......and says,
"Well then she was flying one of the Wright brother's planes".
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Don't fall over, I'm back....
I finished my last presentation for my very last class ---- woo hoo. Now I just have to pass boards and I'm an RN (this should happen sometime in June). I have to say, although I received the education promised, this was one of the most soul-crushing, ego-busting, miserable two years of my life.
Whatever....
So....cute story about one of the kiddos....
Don't know why we started in on this conversation (and really, as parents don't we often wonder how some conversations came to be?) but the boys were asking Jason and I why sisters and brothers can't get married.
I said, "because it's illegal."
Jake asked, "why?"
I said, "because it's gross and nasty."
Jake said, "Mom, picking your boogers is gross and nasty, but that's not illegal."
hahaha -- very true, but I wasn't ready to get into a genetics lesson with the nine year old.
Have a great day!
Whatever....
So....cute story about one of the kiddos....
Don't know why we started in on this conversation (and really, as parents don't we often wonder how some conversations came to be?) but the boys were asking Jason and I why sisters and brothers can't get married.
I said, "because it's illegal."
Jake asked, "why?"
I said, "because it's gross and nasty."
Jake said, "Mom, picking your boogers is gross and nasty, but that's not illegal."
hahaha -- very true, but I wasn't ready to get into a genetics lesson with the nine year old.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
something funny
a quick catch up:
got a c in my last class (boo hoo)
love my current internship
looking forward to may 15th (graduation)
strained my ankle on Sunday, only non-skier to be injured over our ski weekend in Winterpark
otherwise, had a good time.
okay, something funny:
ACTUAL SENTENCES FOUND IN PATIENT'S MEDICAL:
Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.
The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
The patient refused autopsy.
The patient has no previous history of suicides.
She is numb from her toes down.
While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
The skin was moist and dry.
Occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.
Patient was alert and unresponsive.
Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.
She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.
The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
Skin: somewhat pale but present.
Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
Have a fabulous day everyone!
got a c in my last class (boo hoo)
love my current internship
looking forward to may 15th (graduation)
strained my ankle on Sunday, only non-skier to be injured over our ski weekend in Winterpark
otherwise, had a good time.
okay, something funny:
ACTUAL SENTENCES FOUND IN PATIENT'S MEDICAL:
Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.
The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
The patient refused autopsy.
The patient has no previous history of suicides.
She is numb from her toes down.
While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
The skin was moist and dry.
Occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.
Patient was alert and unresponsive.
Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.
She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life, until she got a divorce.
The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
Skin: somewhat pale but present.
Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
Have a fabulous day everyone!
Monday, March 23, 2009
My Last Med-Surg Test
It's my last test in this horribly hard class (my last clinical will be this Friday)....I really really need a 94 to get a B....(it's that weird and unfair grading scale where a B is 85-92)....and so, even though I've been super really bad about keeping up with all your blogs and you could say I've been a very bad blog friend (fyi, I've been a pretty bad real-life friend too) it's for a good reason (and seriously if I'm ever your nurse you'll be glad I studied this much)...oh, back to my original thought, even though I've been a bad blog friend, please please, think good thoughts, pray, rub the buddah belly, hug a goddess....whatever floats your boat...that I do well on this test...10 am mountain standard time...okay, back to studying (not that I don't trust the power of prayer, it's just always good to have a back up plan)....
And yes, I know above sentence/paragraph is a run on sentence...for an English major I have horrible grammar and spelling...go figure.
And yes, I know above sentence/paragraph is a run on sentence...for an English major I have horrible grammar and spelling...go figure.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
my funny husband.....again
Either my husband is really funny or my horrible housekeeping skills gives him a lot of ammunition or both....but the other day he comes running down the stairs yelling, "Call 9-1-1, call 9-1-1" I didn't even ask why because he sounded so concerned. My finger was on the 9 on the phone when he said, "someone stole all your clothes".....I had spent the day, a day out of my SPRING BREAK mind you, organizing the closet.....I laughed any way---mostly because he was just so proud of himself and he is so darn CUTE.
A couple nights before that report cards came out. He handed me Isaac's (I was doing a 12 at the hospital and so he got to the back packs first that day). I freaked out, it was all about what a problem child he was, how he's not even reading at a kindergarten level (he reads above level by the way)...it was sooo not what we were expecting...I mean it even said he didn't get along with his classmates or teachers....I was about to explode when Jason said, "look at the name" ---- well no wonder it didn't sound like our child, there was a mix up...whew, but mean Jason for doing that to me....I still laughed, I can't help it, he's so darn cute! This is why I can't really discipline the kids that well either, they're so darn cute, just like their dad. Anyhow...Jason told me that he got to the comment section and even read the other kid's name, and instead of thinking it was another kid, thought it was some strange pet name for Isaac....hahhaha, now that's funny Mr. Smarty Pants. (FYI...Isaac is doing fantastically, he gets along well with others and his teachers, he just can't keep his desk organized....hmmmm, I wonder if he ever cleaned it out if his teacher would yell, 'call 9-1-1).
A couple nights before that report cards came out. He handed me Isaac's (I was doing a 12 at the hospital and so he got to the back packs first that day). I freaked out, it was all about what a problem child he was, how he's not even reading at a kindergarten level (he reads above level by the way)...it was sooo not what we were expecting...I mean it even said he didn't get along with his classmates or teachers....I was about to explode when Jason said, "look at the name" ---- well no wonder it didn't sound like our child, there was a mix up...whew, but mean Jason for doing that to me....I still laughed, I can't help it, he's so darn cute! This is why I can't really discipline the kids that well either, they're so darn cute, just like their dad. Anyhow...Jason told me that he got to the comment section and even read the other kid's name, and instead of thinking it was another kid, thought it was some strange pet name for Isaac....hahhaha, now that's funny Mr. Smarty Pants. (FYI...Isaac is doing fantastically, he gets along well with others and his teachers, he just can't keep his desk organized....hmmmm, I wonder if he ever cleaned it out if his teacher would yell, 'call 9-1-1).
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
I should have gone to design school
Each test is getting progressively worse and I may actually get my first C in a class.....(still above 80% but they have that wonky grading scale and I need to be above 85 for the B). GRRRRR
Okay, enough, just a quick update, thank you for your well wishes! I have to rush to the tutoring center...where by the way I'm the Tutor...hahaha, if those first semesters only knew....but before I leave I thought I'd share with you about my funny husband's phone call this morning:
ring ring
"Hi Jason"
"Hi honey, I don't know why I get on these thought tangents but I just want to apologize for wearing a gray tux with burgundy tie at prom.....I must have looked like such a dork"
"hahahahha, but I still married you, didn't I"
"and thank you for that"
Have a fantastic week everyone...I'm swamped --- clinicals at our local county hospital, where by the way, last week some guy tried to purposely pee on me....really I kid you not!
Okay, enough, just a quick update, thank you for your well wishes! I have to rush to the tutoring center...where by the way I'm the Tutor...hahaha, if those first semesters only knew....but before I leave I thought I'd share with you about my funny husband's phone call this morning:
ring ring
"Hi Jason"
"Hi honey, I don't know why I get on these thought tangents but I just want to apologize for wearing a gray tux with burgundy tie at prom.....I must have looked like such a dork"
"hahahahha, but I still married you, didn't I"
"and thank you for that"
Have a fantastic week everyone...I'm swamped --- clinicals at our local county hospital, where by the way, last week some guy tried to purposely pee on me....really I kid you not!
Monday, March 02, 2009
Test Today
Okay, I have a test today, and I should be studying instead of blogging....but I figured I could implore the 2 of you that read my blog to wish me good luck around 1:30 Mountain Standard Time.....because sometimes it feels like no matter how much I study, I still don't do well (well-- my definition of well)......
That aside...who out there is an avid follower of the HBO series Big Love...well oh my gosh, this season is the best so far, amazingly intense, visually appealing, plots and twists....emotionally gut wrenching....WOW.
Okay, that's it for now -- I seriously have to get back to studying.....
That aside...who out there is an avid follower of the HBO series Big Love...well oh my gosh, this season is the best so far, amazingly intense, visually appealing, plots and twists....emotionally gut wrenching....WOW.
Okay, that's it for now -- I seriously have to get back to studying.....
Monday, February 23, 2009
my funny husband....
So Jason and I were sitting in front of the TV watching some show and there's a woman brushing off a picture and table and he shouts, "Oh my gosh what is she doing"....
I burst out laughing..."dusting, and you are SO lucky I have a sense of humor!"
Monday, February 09, 2009
Total Writer's Block
Don't know what's wrong, but I've had a serious case of writer's block! I can come up with one liners for Facebook but that's not much to blog about....here's what I've been doing.. studying, cleaning, hanging out with the kiddos, cooking, facebooking, studying (oh, yeah, I already said that one)
flippin' exciting
no one's done anything funny lately...well ok the kids did draw a smiley face on the dog's bottom and it took a couple of washes to get it out and now there's a faint red circle on Hannah's rear...but other then that, NADA. I was invited to do a Meme of what's in my purse by New Diva On The Blog but other then a wallet with zero cash and a couple receipts...nothing interesting.....
Sigh...I'll leave you with the following cartoon....maybe it'll give you a chuckle....sorry I can't offer much more...but in the mean time I'll check out all of what you've been doing and maybe get some blogging mojo back for it....
flippin' exciting
no one's done anything funny lately...well ok the kids did draw a smiley face on the dog's bottom and it took a couple of washes to get it out and now there's a faint red circle on Hannah's rear...but other then that, NADA. I was invited to do a Meme of what's in my purse by New Diva On The Blog but other then a wallet with zero cash and a couple receipts...nothing interesting.....
Sigh...I'll leave you with the following cartoon....maybe it'll give you a chuckle....sorry I can't offer much more...but in the mean time I'll check out all of what you've been doing and maybe get some blogging mojo back for it....
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Turkey-onion-apple pot pie w/ cream cheese pastry
So I made a comment on Rock Chef's blog about a random savory pie I made ages ago (but it was really good) and next thing I know I'm getting an email requesting the recipe...so because I have nothing to post --here you go...enjoy, I think I'll make it this week...maybe even post a picture? (oh and FYI, Rock Chef is having a contest, so it's worth visiting his blog to see if you can win)
Cream Cheese Pastry:
Combine
1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 Cup butter, cut into chunks
1 3 oz package of cream cheese
when coarse crumbs form add
1 large egg yolk
stir until well formed, pat into flat disk about 8 inches wide and wrap and refrigerate it.
Pie:
2 onions
2 golden delicious apples
1 yam (or sweet potato)
1 tbsp of butter
1 1/2 lbs of ground turkey breast
2 tsp dried sage
1 1/2 tsp caraway seed
1 1/3 c fat-skimmed chicken broth
2/3 c dry sherry
3 tbs cornstarch
salt and pepper
1 beaten egg
Peel (and core) apple, onion and yams and slice all, thinly.
Melt butter over high heat and brown turkey
Add onions, apples, yams spices and cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
Uncover, turn heat to high, stirring often until liquid is evaporated and onions are starting to brown (5 min)
In small bowl mix broth, sherry and cornstarch, add to turkey and stir until it boils and thickens, remove from heat, add salt and pepper and let cool fro about 30 minutes...stirring occasionally. Spook mixture into shallow round 2 quart casserole dish or 10" pie pan that holds at least 6 cups
On lightly floured board roll pastry into round about 2 inches wider then the dish you are using, center pastry over filling, trip edges, overhanging 1 inch, fold overhang under pastry flush w/ rim. Flute pastry firmly against dish and slash top or cut decorative shapes into top (I use a small maple leaf cookie cutter and add the cut outs to the rim of the pie.
Set pie on a foil lined baking sheet, brush w/ egg
Bake at 375F until pastry is well browned and filling is bubbling 35-45 minutes, can cover rims w/ foil to prevent them from browning more then the rest of pie.
This recipe originally came from Sunset Magazine
Thankfully I got tagged in a MeMe by the witty writer of Say Anything So I'll have something to write about later this week. I'm in one bit of a dry spell.
Cream Cheese Pastry:
Combine
1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 Cup butter, cut into chunks
1 3 oz package of cream cheese
when coarse crumbs form add
1 large egg yolk
stir until well formed, pat into flat disk about 8 inches wide and wrap and refrigerate it.
Pie:
2 onions
2 golden delicious apples
1 yam (or sweet potato)
1 tbsp of butter
1 1/2 lbs of ground turkey breast
2 tsp dried sage
1 1/2 tsp caraway seed
1 1/3 c fat-skimmed chicken broth
2/3 c dry sherry
3 tbs cornstarch
salt and pepper
1 beaten egg
Peel (and core) apple, onion and yams and slice all, thinly.
Melt butter over high heat and brown turkey
Add onions, apples, yams spices and cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
Uncover, turn heat to high, stirring often until liquid is evaporated and onions are starting to brown (5 min)
In small bowl mix broth, sherry and cornstarch, add to turkey and stir until it boils and thickens, remove from heat, add salt and pepper and let cool fro about 30 minutes...stirring occasionally. Spook mixture into shallow round 2 quart casserole dish or 10" pie pan that holds at least 6 cups
On lightly floured board roll pastry into round about 2 inches wider then the dish you are using, center pastry over filling, trip edges, overhanging 1 inch, fold overhang under pastry flush w/ rim. Flute pastry firmly against dish and slash top or cut decorative shapes into top (I use a small maple leaf cookie cutter and add the cut outs to the rim of the pie.
Set pie on a foil lined baking sheet, brush w/ egg
Bake at 375F until pastry is well browned and filling is bubbling 35-45 minutes, can cover rims w/ foil to prevent them from browning more then the rest of pie.
This recipe originally came from Sunset Magazine
Thankfully I got tagged in a MeMe by the witty writer of Say Anything So I'll have something to write about later this week. I'm in one bit of a dry spell.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
My interview from Chief Rock Chef
My first day of class went well...well the lecture went well, but I failed my math test (a test you need 100% on to pass) so I retook it today and passed...woo hoo. Anyhow, I'm thinking this semester is going to be my favorite yet. I finally feel like I have a rhythm to my studying, I know the teachers and I only have two classes....it's the home stretch and I'm stoked! Soooo, Chief Rock Chef sent me some interview questions and I thought I would share them with you....for those who requested interview questions, I'm in the process of getting them out and those who haven't yet, please do! It's fun to think up questions and no worries, I'll be very polite, no weird stuff!
Here you go.....
1.- Soon after we "met" you sent me a prize (an amazingly well chosen prize at that) and I remember you commenting that you like trying to buy good presents for people. Have you ever bought something that has fallen totally flat, turned out to be absolutely the wrong thing?
I'm very glad you liked your prize. It was very fun trying to pick something out. But, you were actually very easy to buy for. I never seem to find the right thing for my sister-in-law. She would never ever say otherwise, she's too polite, but sometimes you just know. I once bought her a heather gray sweater and leggings only because I thought she would look fantastic in that color. I hadn't realized at the time that she never wore much color, she stayed with some pretty basic whites and blacks and sometimes tans...it never occurred to me that this color would be out of her comfort zone, but it was. Most of the time I buy her gift certificates, she has most of what she needs and wants.
2 - You have committed yourself to the wonderful, stressful, often thankless world of nursing. If you were suddenly able to switch to a new career (no training, studying, etc needed) what would it be?
If I could be anything....I'd be an interior decorator. I love color, furniture, paintings etc and like to see how to put them all together to make a comfortable livable room. My favorite channel on television is HGTV . I would also like to be an artist, preferably a sculptor.
3 - Looking at old posts, you seem to get a lot of bad weather where you are - Colorado I seem to recall? Do you enjoy this or would you prefer to live somewhere with a kinder climate? Where would you go?
Colorado is a pretty awesome state. Even though we do have snow (not much lately, it was 70 degrees F today, we had the windows open and the kids were wearing shorts) we also have more sunny days then California. The snow rarely stays on the ground for more then a couple of days. We have the beautiful Rocky Mountains just a few minutes away. I love having all four seasons too.....BUT, I would actually love to live in the Pacific North West, a place with actually worse weather then ours because of the amount of rain they have...but I love rain and I love green. They also have mountains but in combo with the ocean.
4 - Long ago I had did a post about a TV show that I wanted to do - a cooking show called Rock Chef which would feature a different rock star guest each week. Have you ever thought of yourself doing a TV show? If so, what sort would it be? Who would be on it with you?
Whatever show I'd do, it would probably end up a comedy....I'm not really comfortable being the center of attention like that so I think most likely I would produce rather then host a show. I think it would be fun to do something Martha Stewart like but with REAL people and ideas for REAL life. Seriously if I spent hours creating marzipan turkeys for Thanksgiving I'd have a fit if someone ate one....Martha Stewart is just nuts.
5 - If you are having a bad day, what thing is most likely to cheer you up, or are you doomed once a day turns bad?
Sadly, I often turn to food, but it doesn't cheer me up, it makes me feel worse....but a lot of times my husband can joke around or poke fun at what I'm doing and I can usually cheer up. I'm rarely doomed....but the days that I am, I usually leave the family and crawl into bed so that they don't have to witness it.....
Thanks John for the interview questions they were fun to answer. And for the rest of you...check out the directions in my post below should you wish to be interviewed (and I so hope you do!).
Here you go.....
1.- Soon after we "met" you sent me a prize (an amazingly well chosen prize at that) and I remember you commenting that you like trying to buy good presents for people. Have you ever bought something that has fallen totally flat, turned out to be absolutely the wrong thing?
I'm very glad you liked your prize. It was very fun trying to pick something out. But, you were actually very easy to buy for. I never seem to find the right thing for my sister-in-law. She would never ever say otherwise, she's too polite, but sometimes you just know. I once bought her a heather gray sweater and leggings only because I thought she would look fantastic in that color. I hadn't realized at the time that she never wore much color, she stayed with some pretty basic whites and blacks and sometimes tans...it never occurred to me that this color would be out of her comfort zone, but it was. Most of the time I buy her gift certificates, she has most of what she needs and wants.
2 - You have committed yourself to the wonderful, stressful, often thankless world of nursing. If you were suddenly able to switch to a new career (no training, studying, etc needed) what would it be?
If I could be anything....I'd be an interior decorator. I love color, furniture, paintings etc and like to see how to put them all together to make a comfortable livable room. My favorite channel on television is HGTV . I would also like to be an artist, preferably a sculptor.
3 - Looking at old posts, you seem to get a lot of bad weather where you are - Colorado I seem to recall? Do you enjoy this or would you prefer to live somewhere with a kinder climate? Where would you go?
Colorado is a pretty awesome state. Even though we do have snow (not much lately, it was 70 degrees F today, we had the windows open and the kids were wearing shorts) we also have more sunny days then California. The snow rarely stays on the ground for more then a couple of days. We have the beautiful Rocky Mountains just a few minutes away. I love having all four seasons too.....BUT, I would actually love to live in the Pacific North West, a place with actually worse weather then ours because of the amount of rain they have...but I love rain and I love green. They also have mountains but in combo with the ocean.
4 - Long ago I had did a post about a TV show that I wanted to do - a cooking show called Rock Chef which would feature a different rock star guest each week. Have you ever thought of yourself doing a TV show? If so, what sort would it be? Who would be on it with you?
Whatever show I'd do, it would probably end up a comedy....I'm not really comfortable being the center of attention like that so I think most likely I would produce rather then host a show. I think it would be fun to do something Martha Stewart like but with REAL people and ideas for REAL life. Seriously if I spent hours creating marzipan turkeys for Thanksgiving I'd have a fit if someone ate one....Martha Stewart is just nuts.
5 - If you are having a bad day, what thing is most likely to cheer you up, or are you doomed once a day turns bad?
Sadly, I often turn to food, but it doesn't cheer me up, it makes me feel worse....but a lot of times my husband can joke around or poke fun at what I'm doing and I can usually cheer up. I'm rarely doomed....but the days that I am, I usually leave the family and crawl into bed so that they don't have to witness it.....
Thanks John for the interview questions they were fun to answer. And for the rest of you...check out the directions in my post below should you wish to be interviewed (and I so hope you do!).
Monday, January 19, 2009
My Interview from Ali
OH MY GAWD, SCHOOL STARTS TODAY....TODAY...AND IT STARTS WITH A MATH TEST! so instead of freaking out (okay, who am I kidding, I'm freaking out) I'll leave you with my answers to Ali's interview questions:
Ali, at Idiosyncrasies of a Gemini Mind (Isn't that a great name for a blog....oh wait as a Gemini myself, maybe I'm biased) sent me some interview questions (and in case you're wondering, so did Chief Rock Chef...I'll get to his on Wednesday)...so here are the answers, and should the whole 5 people who read my blog wish to be interviewed by ME....just see below what to do....
1. Once school is over and you're "officially" Nursey McHealthypants, what are you going to do to celebrate?
Well, I think I'll start off with sleeping for a week....I'd like to take a family vacation, not sure where --it'll most likely depend on our finances, so it could be a week away in our lovely mountains or a cruise in the Caribbean.
2. What's one of the funniest situations you can remember being in with your hubby - where you both laughed yourself silly?
Jason and I have known each other a long time, but the one thing that strikes me as one of our funniest moments, is also quite embarrassing to me.....but what the heck, I'll share it anyway. Jason and I went to an improvisational thing one night and someone on stage was revving up the audience. He would yell things out like "what high school did you go to" and everyone would yell out an answer. I was very caught up in the moment and when he yelled out "who did you lose your virginity to" I yelled out "JASON"....but no one else said a peep, so it was my lone voice in the crowd yelling an answer-- then a roaring burst of hysterical laughter on the announcer and audience parts....color me beet red...but, no, it didn't stop there. Later the announcer came around in the audience asking questions and he came to me and asked who was sitting next to me and in a shy, contrite voice I had to say, "Jason" which made the audience and the announcer laugh that much harder.
3. Do you ever wish you weren't such an unpredictable/feels everything Gemini? I only ask this because obviously I am one myself, and sometimes it's exhausting.
Oh my goodness yes...and the quickness a mood can change for me is sometimes confusing and irritating...but the good news on that front is that I can come out of a funk pretty easily (especially if humor is being used). What is most aggravating though, is the whole fence sitting thing...I'm really good at seeing both sides and often agree with both sides of almost any issue. I really admire those who can take a stand for something because they can move forward where as I am still debating in my head which is the right thing to do...
Jason does joke with me about which personality is coming out to play, or he'll ask if I'll consult all the people in my head before making a decision....he's a funny guy.
4. Your favourite thing about being a mom to your two little boys? And do you think they're easier than girls?
The hugs....I love those spontaneous hugs and "I love yous" from them. I know that they are going to get less and less in the coming years so I eat them up now. I love smelling them when I hug and cuddle them, almost like I can breath in their essence.
Not having had girls, I'm not sure what would be easier. I've heard that girls a more mellow at this younger age, but harder in the teen years? Boys at 9 and 6 are certainly exhausting! I think I'll still have the worries about teen peer pressure with smoking, drugs, alcohol and sex that a mom of girls would have in the later years, so I'm not sure I'll have it easier then then a mom with girls?
5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? And what would your superhero name be?
It would be 'super fix-it woman' and I would get my house remodeled....I would love to channel Carter Osterhouse (or whatever his name is..the real cute carpenter guy on HGTV) and have my house actually completed within the next year...seriously we are now over a year on our master bath remodel.....grrrrr
Not very creative or romantic, but there you have it!
Thanks Ali for your fun questions! And if any of you would like me to interview you, let me know and see rules below.
The only rules are that you have to link back to the original post and you have to put these rules in your post:"Want to be part of it? Follow these instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions."
Ali, at Idiosyncrasies of a Gemini Mind (Isn't that a great name for a blog....oh wait as a Gemini myself, maybe I'm biased) sent me some interview questions (and in case you're wondering, so did Chief Rock Chef...I'll get to his on Wednesday)...so here are the answers, and should the whole 5 people who read my blog wish to be interviewed by ME....just see below what to do....
1. Once school is over and you're "officially" Nursey McHealthypants, what are you going to do to celebrate?
Well, I think I'll start off with sleeping for a week....I'd like to take a family vacation, not sure where --it'll most likely depend on our finances, so it could be a week away in our lovely mountains or a cruise in the Caribbean.
2. What's one of the funniest situations you can remember being in with your hubby - where you both laughed yourself silly?
Jason and I have known each other a long time, but the one thing that strikes me as one of our funniest moments, is also quite embarrassing to me.....but what the heck, I'll share it anyway. Jason and I went to an improvisational thing one night and someone on stage was revving up the audience. He would yell things out like "what high school did you go to" and everyone would yell out an answer. I was very caught up in the moment and when he yelled out "who did you lose your virginity to" I yelled out "JASON"....but no one else said a peep, so it was my lone voice in the crowd yelling an answer-- then a roaring burst of hysterical laughter on the announcer and audience parts....color me beet red...but, no, it didn't stop there. Later the announcer came around in the audience asking questions and he came to me and asked who was sitting next to me and in a shy, contrite voice I had to say, "Jason" which made the audience and the announcer laugh that much harder.
3. Do you ever wish you weren't such an unpredictable/feels everything Gemini? I only ask this because obviously I am one myself, and sometimes it's exhausting.
Oh my goodness yes...and the quickness a mood can change for me is sometimes confusing and irritating...but the good news on that front is that I can come out of a funk pretty easily (especially if humor is being used). What is most aggravating though, is the whole fence sitting thing...I'm really good at seeing both sides and often agree with both sides of almost any issue. I really admire those who can take a stand for something because they can move forward where as I am still debating in my head which is the right thing to do...
Jason does joke with me about which personality is coming out to play, or he'll ask if I'll consult all the people in my head before making a decision....he's a funny guy.
4. Your favourite thing about being a mom to your two little boys? And do you think they're easier than girls?
The hugs....I love those spontaneous hugs and "I love yous" from them. I know that they are going to get less and less in the coming years so I eat them up now. I love smelling them when I hug and cuddle them, almost like I can breath in their essence.
Not having had girls, I'm not sure what would be easier. I've heard that girls a more mellow at this younger age, but harder in the teen years? Boys at 9 and 6 are certainly exhausting! I think I'll still have the worries about teen peer pressure with smoking, drugs, alcohol and sex that a mom of girls would have in the later years, so I'm not sure I'll have it easier then then a mom with girls?
5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? And what would your superhero name be?
It would be 'super fix-it woman' and I would get my house remodeled....I would love to channel Carter Osterhouse (or whatever his name is..the real cute carpenter guy on HGTV) and have my house actually completed within the next year...seriously we are now over a year on our master bath remodel.....grrrrr
Not very creative or romantic, but there you have it!
Thanks Ali for your fun questions! And if any of you would like me to interview you, let me know and see rules below.
The only rules are that you have to link back to the original post and you have to put these rules in your post:"Want to be part of it? Follow these instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions."
Friday, January 16, 2009
Finally some good financial news...well for us at least
Had to pay my tuition...that was hard, BUT it's the last semester I have to do that...WOO HOO (ok, until I go back for my BSN and MSN)...anyhoo, the good news is that in this disaster of a year, our ARM, the very first and only one we've EVER done and only did because we owned two houses at the time, is coming up at a time when interest rates are going down so our rate is also going to go down and locked into that reduction for a year so we don't have to scramble to refinance and hope our house held at least some of its value so we can stay in the 80% range and not pay PMI....YAY! Now if only the stock in J's company would go up (could you all go buy some stock in Perficient and help that along please, I'd really like a new kitchen).
Again, I have nothing to really write about...if someone (Chief Rock Chef) would email me some really interesting interview questions...I'd so have something to write...sigh....(how's that for a guilt trip, CRC)as it is, I'm having a block...or maybe I'm just living that uninteresting of a life.....hmmm, something to ponder, but later I'm off to attend a seminar on how to read for nursing school...this might have been more helpful in the beginning of the program, but maybe I'll pick up some good tips... (thanks, Martha, for your sage advice on Facebook).
Again, I have nothing to really write about...if someone (Chief Rock Chef) would email me some really interesting interview questions...I'd so have something to write...sigh....(how's that for a guilt trip, CRC)as it is, I'm having a block...or maybe I'm just living that uninteresting of a life.....hmmm, something to ponder, but later I'm off to attend a seminar on how to read for nursing school...this might have been more helpful in the beginning of the program, but maybe I'll pick up some good tips... (thanks, Martha, for your sage advice on Facebook).
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Recipe for Cuban Black Beans (well my version at least)
Since I have nothing to complain...er...write about I thought I'd just post my recipe for Cuban Black beans. Not as good as my mom's (according to the rest of the family) but she won't give me her recipe because she says she doesn't know how she does it, she just does it....So my recipe is a combo of cook books and the few times I've observed her....here you go and hope you enjoy, if you decide to try it....
2-3 pieces of bacon
1-2 chorizos, thinly sliced (I use La Abuelita Spanish Style Chorizo --not so much the Mexican version which tends to disintegrate)
1 yellow sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 green pepper, finely chopped
1 small jar of pimientos
3-4 cloves of garlic
4 cans of black beans drained
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups of beef broth
2 tbs ground cumin
2 bay leaves
2 tbs of oregano
2 tbs red wine vinegar
2 tbs sugar
salt and pepper to taste
(if you want a healthier version, forget the bacon and chorizo and saute the onions, green peppers, garlic and pimientos in olive oil and serve with brown rice)
Cook bacon and chorizo, push to side of pan and saute the onions, green peppers, pimientos and garlic in oil of bacon. Add everything else, mix. cover and cook over low heat for an hour or two. Serve over white rice (I like the short grain-- sushi rice is good for this recipe).
2-3 pieces of bacon
1-2 chorizos, thinly sliced (I use La Abuelita Spanish Style Chorizo --not so much the Mexican version which tends to disintegrate)
1 yellow sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 green pepper, finely chopped
1 small jar of pimientos
3-4 cloves of garlic
4 cans of black beans drained
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups of beef broth
2 tbs ground cumin
2 bay leaves
2 tbs of oregano
2 tbs red wine vinegar
2 tbs sugar
salt and pepper to taste
(if you want a healthier version, forget the bacon and chorizo and saute the onions, green peppers, garlic and pimientos in olive oil and serve with brown rice)
Cook bacon and chorizo, push to side of pan and saute the onions, green peppers, pimientos and garlic in oil of bacon. Add everything else, mix. cover and cook over low heat for an hour or two. Serve over white rice (I like the short grain-- sushi rice is good for this recipe).
Friday, January 09, 2009
My Husband Makes Me Laugh
So I finally made dinner last night, we've had a week of eating out and ordering in (bad mommy). Jason enjoyed the meal (grilled thinly pounded seasoned steaks, Cuban black beans and rice and a tossed salad) so I laughingly and sarcastically said, "So, it's okay if I make home cooked meals more often?"
To which he replied:
"Yeah, and I'll even throw in that you can do the dishes after"
Me: Seriously (said with glee), oh that would make me so happy....you know there are households that if one person cooks the other does the dishes.
Him: I think that's an urban legend.
Him again: Anyhow, those households don't get to see this (he sweeps his hand up in down in front of himself) naked
Me: (can't talk because I'm laughing so hard)
Him: Well you didn't have to laugh quite that hard.
To which he replied:
"Yeah, and I'll even throw in that you can do the dishes after"
Me: Seriously (said with glee), oh that would make me so happy....you know there are households that if one person cooks the other does the dishes.
Him: I think that's an urban legend.
Him again: Anyhow, those households don't get to see this (he sweeps his hand up in down in front of himself) naked
Me: (can't talk because I'm laughing so hard)
Him: Well you didn't have to laugh quite that hard.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
I got CARDED--woo hoo
I'm at the grocery store buying stuff for a dinner I was having for three other couples (I did a potato bar, it was awesome, I mean when you're having a vegetarian, someone on Atkins and a couple who is pseudo-kosher it's really difficult to figure out what to serve -- Atkins friend, ate the fixin's w/out the potato, vegetarian friend ate the potato without the meat fixin's, pseudo kosher couple were more pseudo then kosher so did have some of the ham)....Now to the important part of my post....
I was at the grocery store, buying stuff for dinner and threw in a six pack of Coronas. I was checking out and the clerk asked for my ID. I gave him a blank stare and asked, "why". He answered because I was buying beer. I exclaimed, in SHOCK, "you're CARDING me?"
and he says....get this...
"We card anyone under thirty"
So I tell him I'm forty. He got all flustered...
Unfortunately I didn't actually have my ID....
so he proceeded to lecture me about driving without my license, apparently he was going to the police academy and was very concerned about my breaking the law....
No beer (no worries, we did have wine), a lecture...but no problem because SOMEONE THOUGHT I WAS UNDER THIRTY.
I was at the grocery store, buying stuff for dinner and threw in a six pack of Coronas. I was checking out and the clerk asked for my ID. I gave him a blank stare and asked, "why". He answered because I was buying beer. I exclaimed, in SHOCK, "you're CARDING me?"
and he says....get this...
"We card anyone under thirty"
So I tell him I'm forty. He got all flustered...
Unfortunately I didn't actually have my ID....
so he proceeded to lecture me about driving without my license, apparently he was going to the police academy and was very concerned about my breaking the law....
No beer (no worries, we did have wine), a lecture...but no problem because SOMEONE THOUGHT I WAS UNDER THIRTY.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Happy New Year
I wondered what I should do about this post, should I reflect or should I look forward....hmmm, well in Gemini fashion, I've decided to do a little bit of both.
This last year is such a hazy blur, I've been trying so desperately to succeed in the nursing program. Torn between being a wife, mother, homemaker and student and trying to do well at all. Sadly, I've not done exceptionally well at any, but passable at all (well not so much homemaking, really sometimes washing the cabinets can be mind numbingly DULL).
My husband? Well he has outdone himself in picking up the slack (well, not so much about the homemaking, mostly because I think he might agree about housework being mind numblingly dull -- picking up the toilet brush is not quite as exciting as programming--uh, well for him at least). But he's been fantastic at watching the kiddos when I couldn't, playing with them, working out his very busy schedule to give me the time to study and go to school. He's been very patient with my moods, even those moods that overwhelm me around test time. He's an amazingly supportive, wonderful man!
My kids...well they're great, I can't help it, sometimes when I look at them my heart just hurts with love. I feel overwhelmed by happiness and I feel like I could burst right open. (Hmmm, why is love often times explained in aspects of pain....a different post perhaps) In January 2008, they resolved to not eat fast food for an entire year, and THEY DID IT. Both Jason and I are so proud of their being able to stick to something like that. They are healthy, smart, active boys who keep me on my toes but have taught me about love in only the way that having children in your life can.
What's in store for next year? Well, thankfully I'll finish my nursing program in May and I'll be an RN. It's terrifying and wonderful to think about. I can't wait AND I hope it never comes. It's hard to explain --to want something so much yet be terrified by it also. It was that way for me when I got pregnant, I wanted the baby to hold so much but also was so scared I walked out of the L&D department, while telling Jason I changed my mind. I feel the same way about nursing.
This year I'm resolving to take care of myself. I'm not going to diet. I'm not going to beat myself up. I'm going to be as forgiving of myself as I am to others. I'm going to go get that massage, pedicure, facial, whatever. I'm going to say yes to fruits and vegetables and cake and say no to artificial sweeteners. I'm going to take leisurely walks with the dog and kiddos and not see it as a chore, or a way to lose weight but a way to enjoy nature and play with the kids. I'm going to live my life like I think my life would be lived if I were already thin.
This year I will most likely be saying good-bye to my mother. Seeing her slowly die will be very difficult, especially knowing that the cumulation of choices she has made in her life has brought her to this end. I am thankful that this last year will be spent here in Colorado, where I can spend time with her and get to know her. I haven't lived in the same state with her since I was nine, so this is an opportunity to get to know her better before she leaves us and for the kids to have memories of her, even if brief. I'm going to look at this as a gift, not a loss. I'm going to concentrate on the gifts more then the losses in my life, life seems more full that way.
These are the things that are on my mind on the first day of 2009. I'm happy with them, the good, the scary, the sad. These are the messy things that make up life, a life I'm happy to be living.
To all of you, I wish you all happiness, prosperity, love and a little bit of mess for your lives this coming year.
This last year is such a hazy blur, I've been trying so desperately to succeed in the nursing program. Torn between being a wife, mother, homemaker and student and trying to do well at all. Sadly, I've not done exceptionally well at any, but passable at all (well not so much homemaking, really sometimes washing the cabinets can be mind numbingly DULL).
My husband? Well he has outdone himself in picking up the slack (well, not so much about the homemaking, mostly because I think he might agree about housework being mind numblingly dull -- picking up the toilet brush is not quite as exciting as programming--uh, well for him at least). But he's been fantastic at watching the kiddos when I couldn't, playing with them, working out his very busy schedule to give me the time to study and go to school. He's been very patient with my moods, even those moods that overwhelm me around test time. He's an amazingly supportive, wonderful man!
My kids...well they're great, I can't help it, sometimes when I look at them my heart just hurts with love. I feel overwhelmed by happiness and I feel like I could burst right open. (Hmmm, why is love often times explained in aspects of pain....a different post perhaps) In January 2008, they resolved to not eat fast food for an entire year, and THEY DID IT. Both Jason and I are so proud of their being able to stick to something like that. They are healthy, smart, active boys who keep me on my toes but have taught me about love in only the way that having children in your life can.
What's in store for next year? Well, thankfully I'll finish my nursing program in May and I'll be an RN. It's terrifying and wonderful to think about. I can't wait AND I hope it never comes. It's hard to explain --to want something so much yet be terrified by it also. It was that way for me when I got pregnant, I wanted the baby to hold so much but also was so scared I walked out of the L&D department, while telling Jason I changed my mind. I feel the same way about nursing.
This year I'm resolving to take care of myself. I'm not going to diet. I'm not going to beat myself up. I'm going to be as forgiving of myself as I am to others. I'm going to go get that massage, pedicure, facial, whatever. I'm going to say yes to fruits and vegetables and cake and say no to artificial sweeteners. I'm going to take leisurely walks with the dog and kiddos and not see it as a chore, or a way to lose weight but a way to enjoy nature and play with the kids. I'm going to live my life like I think my life would be lived if I were already thin.
This year I will most likely be saying good-bye to my mother. Seeing her slowly die will be very difficult, especially knowing that the cumulation of choices she has made in her life has brought her to this end. I am thankful that this last year will be spent here in Colorado, where I can spend time with her and get to know her. I haven't lived in the same state with her since I was nine, so this is an opportunity to get to know her better before she leaves us and for the kids to have memories of her, even if brief. I'm going to look at this as a gift, not a loss. I'm going to concentrate on the gifts more then the losses in my life, life seems more full that way.
These are the things that are on my mind on the first day of 2009. I'm happy with them, the good, the scary, the sad. These are the messy things that make up life, a life I'm happy to be living.
To all of you, I wish you all happiness, prosperity, love and a little bit of mess for your lives this coming year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Boys....
The boys and I were watching TV (it's disturbing how many times I start out with that line, but we can discuss my parenting another time) and we saw a boy pinch a girl's behind. I gasped, looked at it as a learning opportunity and told the boys that that was disrespectful (thankfully they didn't point out that daddy does that to mommy all the time) and that girls really really didn't like that and it could end up getting them slapped.
So Isaac says, "yeah, well boys REALLY like it"
hmmm, can't argue with that.
So Isaac says, "yeah, well boys REALLY like it"
hmmm, can't argue with that.
Monday, December 29, 2008
What have I been doing....
Well I would love to have pictures to go with my post but my computer is down and I'm so totally frustrated with it right now! So I'll have to add pictures later....and maybe, just maybe I can talk hubby into a very cool Apple laptop I spied today...I mean it would be my environmental duty to purchase it, it's mercury free and recycled and a bunch of other good 'green' stuff...and it's CUTE, but I digress....
I had my annual ornament exchange party and it was FUN FUN FUN, I'm so glad I did it. Twenty-nine lovely ladies came by, we talked, we ate, we made bawdy jokes. I so love my friends, my neighborhood friends, my dear friends from the past, my new friends. They are all a lovely bunch of women and I'm blessed they are all in my life (even the ones that couldn't make it).
Then a couple days after that, I had about another thirty people over for Christmas Eve. I didn't do a traditional dinner (seriously, I'm just a little insane, not out of this world Martha Stewart insane). I made up three different types of chili (green, meat and vegetarian), threw them in crock pots, had some fixin's and let people munch at their leisure. It was a mix of family and friends and we ended it with a Dirty Santa gift exchange (where you can steal a gift or take one from under the tree). Our friend's sister was visiting from England and she has decided to single handedly introduce this tradition across the 'pond'.
Christmas day was spent in our PJ's the kiddos were supremely happy with Santa's visit. Jason and I loved our gifts from each other. More importantly we had a good time in each other's company. We trudged down the block to my sister-in-law's in our PJ's for a nice Christmas breakfast, came home, played games and then my brother and sister in law visiting from Seattle came with my parents and we visited and munched on leftovers....very satisfying.
So I can't say we've been doing anything exciting, or anything really worth writing or reading about but for me it has been a beautiful week with family and friends. A reminder of how truly blessed I am.
I had my annual ornament exchange party and it was FUN FUN FUN, I'm so glad I did it. Twenty-nine lovely ladies came by, we talked, we ate, we made bawdy jokes. I so love my friends, my neighborhood friends, my dear friends from the past, my new friends. They are all a lovely bunch of women and I'm blessed they are all in my life (even the ones that couldn't make it).
Then a couple days after that, I had about another thirty people over for Christmas Eve. I didn't do a traditional dinner (seriously, I'm just a little insane, not out of this world Martha Stewart insane). I made up three different types of chili (green, meat and vegetarian), threw them in crock pots, had some fixin's and let people munch at their leisure. It was a mix of family and friends and we ended it with a Dirty Santa gift exchange (where you can steal a gift or take one from under the tree). Our friend's sister was visiting from England and she has decided to single handedly introduce this tradition across the 'pond'.
Christmas day was spent in our PJ's the kiddos were supremely happy with Santa's visit. Jason and I loved our gifts from each other. More importantly we had a good time in each other's company. We trudged down the block to my sister-in-law's in our PJ's for a nice Christmas breakfast, came home, played games and then my brother and sister in law visiting from Seattle came with my parents and we visited and munched on leftovers....very satisfying.
So I can't say we've been doing anything exciting, or anything really worth writing or reading about but for me it has been a beautiful week with family and friends. A reminder of how truly blessed I am.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Cookies, cookies and more cookies
These are the cookie platters I'm delivering to the boys' teachers for Christmas. I'm also adding a little gift certificate to Barns and Noble. I never know what to do for the teachers, they deserve so much, but I don't have a lot to give.....
I've been doing some baking....This was one day, I didn't take pictures of day two...just think double what you see here.
Aren't these cute! I made a peppermint cream cheese filling for these guys.
Cranberry shortbread cookies for the cookie exchange party a neighbor is giving this Saturday.
We decorated gingerbread men the other day, and yes, I got a little naughty with one of them (OK, OK, I know I'm a bad influence on my children). So Jason said, "Mommy's mind is in the gutter" and Jake says, "No, YaYa's mind is in the gutter" (that would be Jason's mom----hahahaha) She'll laugh when I tell her....
"No Daddy, I haven't been eating any of the cookies"
my very own goofball! I'm blessed....and I'm not even being sarcastic!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
I'm here! I made it
Jason's Christmas party...I think I'll frame this one and give it to Isaac's first girlfriend....
jeeze, trying to get the kids to smile or be good for the camera is insane....they're really much cuter then the pictures may indicate....so I finished...and hey I finished with two B's and an A woo hoo! Not bad for someone who was almost failing one of those classes....
I barely had a chance to breath and then caught the stomach flu...in a bad bad way....then got a call from the school because Jake threw up on the play ground (yuck, I know). But youth is so wonderful, he was fine that night (actually he was fine after he threw up, but the nurse didn't believe him....and I probably wouldn't have either...so this time crazy school nurse had a point).
I'm now needing to spend a week of baking, cleaning, cooking and shopping...but shall have fun doing it!
and the following...well it's a lesson to Not ask your husband to save you blog draft for you....he might decide to contribute (he's a funny guy, I laugh all the time!)......
Did I mention, my husband ROCKS! He is the most handsome, talented, intelligent and sexy person I know. I worship him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
OMG, kill me now ,Nursing school is hell!
I was thinking about just repeating...Dec 9th over and over, that's when I'm done, that's when I'll have a month of freedom that's when I can burn my Pharm book and dance around the flames like some Puritan at a book burning of the Scarlet Letter or something....but if I did the repeating of Dec 9th in may be too reminiscent of The Shining where Jack typed 5 million times whatever it was he typed...but it was creepy and I don't want to be creepy....I just want to sleep.
I'm so procrastinating my final project, I've played of facebook, I'm updating here and saying absolutely nothing, I even cleaned off my computer desk top and organized my word files.
I need help!
Anyway......If I can stay sane until Dec. 9th, I'll be a happy camper......
Saturday, November 29, 2008
finally, photos, fun and a dilemma
Finally, some snow!
Yesterday we went hunting for our Christmas Tree. And darn it if I can't figure out how blogger downloads so these are backwards......ooooh, can anyone say 'child labor laws?'
The mighty warriors have conquered their prey
Jason, going in for the kill
seriously, can't figure out how these got in the order they did, it's not how I downloaded them...any way...a new use for a bike rack...it actually worked really well...Love my engineer husband.
This is the one...after an hour of trudging around
Nothing to do with trees or Christmas, but the tree farm was also home to a bunch of Alpacas...oh my gosh they're cute...
The finished product...hmmmm, looked less crooked in the forest of trees...and what's with that bald spot..oh well, we had fun picking it out, bringing it home and decorating it
Now for my dilemma......Every year I give an ornament exchange party. This year I've been so stressed about school that I was thinking of forgoing this one festivity. But then our tree went up and I got a bit melancholy about not doing it....so I said to Jason, "maybe I will do it" he answered, "only if you're not going to drive yourself crazy". So here's the deal, I can do electronic invites (did that last year, no one scoffed) I can do pre-made platters from the deli and bakery....this is out of my comfort zone, because one of the things I can do well is put on a spread of homemade goodies and I soooo enjoy hearing the ooohs and aaaahs....cooking for me is an expression of love (probably a major cause of my current weight issue but that's another post)...so it would be difficult to give that up...but having the pre-made stuff will cut my work down by a million percent and it really is about the gathering of friends....I can do the spread next year when I'm less stressed.....
So, should I do it? Should I throw the party minimal style and ask my guests to forgive the meager store bought offerings? Aimee posted pictures of last years festivities here should you need more information to help me with my decision.....
Thursday, November 27, 2008
oh hello there! miss me?
and you better say, 'yes'.
So what have I been doing?
1. School is kicking my behind! There is some good news on that front recently...because I've been using my blogging time to actually study, I got an 85 on my cardio test....which doesn't seem that great but it was the highest in the class (and yes, Blaire, I know I'm a b#*ch---but you did great with half the studying). And for this I'm very thankful (do you like how I worked that in). I also got a 100 on my pharm test. Now that, was truly a miracle, because I was so busy studying for the cardio test I only read half the chapters in pharm....I seriously prayed before during and after that test...so I should say, God pretty much got the 100 but I'm very thankful it's on my grade book. I have only two more tests and I'm done for about a month...WOO HOO.
2. I finally got caught up on reading all your wonderful blogs...I feel like such a slacker and I really have been thinking about reading all your wonderful, touching, funny stories (all of which I love to read and for which I am thankful)....but it's like cookies, I can't just read one, so I haven't been reading any. Today I took a few hours -- because Thanksgiving is at my sister-in-law's -- for which, by the way, I am soooo thankful----and I took the much needed time to read and read and it was so good to hear what has been happening to you all.
3. My clinicals are awesome. The people I'm meeting are amazing. I'm learning so much about the ins and outs of being a nurse, not the book learning thing, but the real people stuff. And I love it, and seem to be pretty good at it....at least the people stuff. I am so thankful for that experience and for the ability to be able to talk to just about anyone....finally all those reports that came home throughout my school career about being a 'great kid but talks to much' is finally something that is to be cherished and not something to 'work on'.
4. I spent the day with the boys yesterday, I took them and my niece to the movie Bolt,then to Cold Stone , it was fun. When Jason asked how the movie was, I told him I cried. His response, "You cried at a cartoon" to which I answered, "Shut Up" and he just raised his eyebrows at me....oh pulease, did he just not hear me say shut up? Does he not know that raising eyebrows is akin to SHOUTING......he chuckled then hugged me, I laughed. I'm thankful for 16 and half years of marriage and for knowing this man for over half my life and appreciating that he can laugh at me, I can laugh at him and we both laugh at our kiddos.
5. The boys are healthy, joyful, polite, and wild and just as they should be. It amazing how well they do, even with the poor mothering they've received lately...oh who am I kidding, most of the time....I am truly thankful for the boys they are.
6. I have come down with a cold...so I'm headachy, sneezy and a bit miserable, and I am thankful it happened AFTER the cardio test. And even though it's not serious, I've decided to 'rest' and it gave me the opportunity to play on the computer (oooh and along with catching up on blogging, I got my sister's, mother's, sister in law's and other sister in law's Christmas gifts ordered, and the boys Christmas pajama's....woo hoo).
I hope that this day finds you (even those of you across seas who don't celebrate this day) thankful for what you have in your life.
So what have I been doing?
1. School is kicking my behind! There is some good news on that front recently...because I've been using my blogging time to actually study, I got an 85 on my cardio test....which doesn't seem that great but it was the highest in the class (and yes, Blaire, I know I'm a b#*ch---but you did great with half the studying). And for this I'm very thankful (do you like how I worked that in). I also got a 100 on my pharm test. Now that, was truly a miracle, because I was so busy studying for the cardio test I only read half the chapters in pharm....I seriously prayed before during and after that test...so I should say, God pretty much got the 100 but I'm very thankful it's on my grade book. I have only two more tests and I'm done for about a month...WOO HOO.
2. I finally got caught up on reading all your wonderful blogs...I feel like such a slacker and I really have been thinking about reading all your wonderful, touching, funny stories (all of which I love to read and for which I am thankful)....but it's like cookies, I can't just read one, so I haven't been reading any. Today I took a few hours -- because Thanksgiving is at my sister-in-law's -- for which, by the way, I am soooo thankful----and I took the much needed time to read and read and it was so good to hear what has been happening to you all.
3. My clinicals are awesome. The people I'm meeting are amazing. I'm learning so much about the ins and outs of being a nurse, not the book learning thing, but the real people stuff. And I love it, and seem to be pretty good at it....at least the people stuff. I am so thankful for that experience and for the ability to be able to talk to just about anyone....finally all those reports that came home throughout my school career about being a 'great kid but talks to much' is finally something that is to be cherished and not something to 'work on'.
4. I spent the day with the boys yesterday, I took them and my niece to the movie Bolt,then to Cold Stone , it was fun. When Jason asked how the movie was, I told him I cried. His response, "You cried at a cartoon" to which I answered, "Shut Up" and he just raised his eyebrows at me....oh pulease, did he just not hear me say shut up? Does he not know that raising eyebrows is akin to SHOUTING......he chuckled then hugged me, I laughed. I'm thankful for 16 and half years of marriage and for knowing this man for over half my life and appreciating that he can laugh at me, I can laugh at him and we both laugh at our kiddos.
5. The boys are healthy, joyful, polite, and wild and just as they should be. It amazing how well they do, even with the poor mothering they've received lately...oh who am I kidding, most of the time....I am truly thankful for the boys they are.
6. I have come down with a cold...so I'm headachy, sneezy and a bit miserable, and I am thankful it happened AFTER the cardio test. And even though it's not serious, I've decided to 'rest' and it gave me the opportunity to play on the computer (oooh and along with catching up on blogging, I got my sister's, mother's, sister in law's and other sister in law's Christmas gifts ordered, and the boys Christmas pajama's....woo hoo).
I hope that this day finds you (even those of you across seas who don't celebrate this day) thankful for what you have in your life.
Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 02, 2008
update
1. Failed the test (74---yes that's failing)...arggg, could not have studied more....got a couple phone calls and I'm not alone! I don't even CARE right now as long as I'm still passing the class --well barely, I'm at a 78 and yes, that's barely passing, a 77 is the cut off for failing.
2. Spoke with Jake today, we had some alone time and I asked him what he felt when he was getting together the plates...he said, he just read it and did what the letter told him too and didn't think much else about it. I asked him if his feelings are hurt or he feels sad that I'm back at school and not spending as much time at home. He said, no, we still do fun things and he does things with dad. Then, and get this, he's such a great kid, he asks ME if I'm liking school and I tell him very much and he says that he's glad that I'm happy DON'T YOU JUST LOVE HIM! I DO. He said he hopes he has fun in college too and wondered if there was a college where you could just learn baseball......and then the conversation disintegrated to discussing bodily functions...he is a boy after all.
3. Went to the movies with my family and had a nice dinner with them....test be damned, I wanted to spend time with my family! Glad I did. We saw The City of Ember, it was actually pretty interesting. And very visually interesting.
2. Spoke with Jake today, we had some alone time and I asked him what he felt when he was getting together the plates...he said, he just read it and did what the letter told him too and didn't think much else about it. I asked him if his feelings are hurt or he feels sad that I'm back at school and not spending as much time at home. He said, no, we still do fun things and he does things with dad. Then, and get this, he's such a great kid, he asks ME if I'm liking school and I tell him very much and he says that he's glad that I'm happy DON'T YOU JUST LOVE HIM! I DO. He said he hopes he has fun in college too and wondered if there was a college where you could just learn baseball......and then the conversation disintegrated to discussing bodily functions...he is a boy after all.
3. Went to the movies with my family and had a nice dinner with them....test be damned, I wanted to spend time with my family! Glad I did. We saw The City of Ember, it was actually pretty interesting. And very visually interesting.
I'm gonna whine!
I need to study, I have a test tonight and I'm so unmotivated, this class is unfairly hard especially for a 2 credit class. I don't know what to expect on the test. I've failed two tests and did well on two already and I can't find a pattern to my success or failure. I'm not alone in that, most of the class is grumbling. So instead of being motivated to do well, I feel at a loss right now. I hate that. I'm tired, I miss my family, my family misses me. I just want to clean and bake and do something creative and artsy.
ugggg, sigh, poor pathetic me....
okay on to my other boo hoo moment...
Ms. Martha, is the room mom for Jake's class. And she's been very supportive in letting me do things like just bring paper plates instead of some fun home baked contribution. A couple weeks before, I emailed her with my request so I wouldn't have to compete with any of the other moms with the easy peasy contribution. I got her the plates late Thursday night after a twelve hour clinical shift at the hospital. Meanwhile, Jake read the letter that he was supposed to bring plates and he, in a self-sufficient moment, got some paper plates out of the cupboard and brought them to class (which according to Ms. Martha saved the day because there was a lack of serving plates). Here's where I'm torn...I love that he took the initiative, he read the directions, he figured out what to do and he did it. But was it because he didn't have faith that his mom would do it? Is he feeling a burden of making up grown-up decisions because I'm not as available. Is nine too young for this type of independence? Am I just driving myself crazy over nothingness and just really feeling sad because he's growing up? Does anyone else drive themselves this crazy over something seemingly so benign?
It's these things that make parenting so hard for me...wondering if my decisions will help or hurt the boys emotionally. Hopefully when they grow up they'll know that they were loved.
well, okay, I'm going to take a hot shower and hope that I can get rid of this headache (oh yeah, another thing to whine about, I feel a bit illish) and hit the books!
oh, thanks for the suggestions....I went with buying a whole bunch of snacky foods and then a 10 dollar gift certificate to Wallymart, so if they feel the need, they can buy more food or she can get something fun for herself....About half the people brought a small gift for the birthday girl along with the contributions so it all felt very comfortable.
ugggg, sigh, poor pathetic me....
okay on to my other boo hoo moment...
Ms. Martha, is the room mom for Jake's class. And she's been very supportive in letting me do things like just bring paper plates instead of some fun home baked contribution. A couple weeks before, I emailed her with my request so I wouldn't have to compete with any of the other moms with the easy peasy contribution. I got her the plates late Thursday night after a twelve hour clinical shift at the hospital. Meanwhile, Jake read the letter that he was supposed to bring plates and he, in a self-sufficient moment, got some paper plates out of the cupboard and brought them to class (which according to Ms. Martha saved the day because there was a lack of serving plates). Here's where I'm torn...I love that he took the initiative, he read the directions, he figured out what to do and he did it. But was it because he didn't have faith that his mom would do it? Is he feeling a burden of making up grown-up decisions because I'm not as available. Is nine too young for this type of independence? Am I just driving myself crazy over nothingness and just really feeling sad because he's growing up? Does anyone else drive themselves this crazy over something seemingly so benign?
It's these things that make parenting so hard for me...wondering if my decisions will help or hurt the boys emotionally. Hopefully when they grow up they'll know that they were loved.
well, okay, I'm going to take a hot shower and hope that I can get rid of this headache (oh yeah, another thing to whine about, I feel a bit illish) and hit the books!
oh, thanks for the suggestions....I went with buying a whole bunch of snacky foods and then a 10 dollar gift certificate to Wallymart, so if they feel the need, they can buy more food or she can get something fun for herself....About half the people brought a small gift for the birthday girl along with the contributions so it all felt very comfortable.
Friday, October 31, 2008
In lieu of
Jake and Isaac got an invitation to a birthday party this weekend. It's with a family I don't know, which isn't a big deal because the party is at one of those fun party bounce houses (ANOTHER business I wish I had thought of...but I digress). Here's my issue. They're requesting that instead of a gift we bring a food donation to their favorite charity. I think the charity thing is a great idea, what a wonderful gift and a great lesson for a child who probably has enough anyway (I'm assuming -- since we live in the burbs in a middle class neighborhood).
Here's my dilemma -- should I still give a gift to the little party girl? I was thinking a birthday card and a gift certificate to one of those girly boutiques where they sell glittery, pink stuff...a good excuse for me to go into one of those stores...since I live in a testosterone dominated house...but would the parents find that offensive? I'll bring a ton of dried food for the charity, but I also want to acknowledge the girl's birthday
arggggg
so here's my question to you all...how set in concrete are the 'in lieu' of's in a kid's birthday invite?
Here's my dilemma -- should I still give a gift to the little party girl? I was thinking a birthday card and a gift certificate to one of those girly boutiques where they sell glittery, pink stuff...a good excuse for me to go into one of those stores...since I live in a testosterone dominated house...but would the parents find that offensive? I'll bring a ton of dried food for the charity, but I also want to acknowledge the girl's birthday
arggggg
so here's my question to you all...how set in concrete are the 'in lieu' of's in a kid's birthday invite?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Booing the neighborhood
Our neighborhood has a fun tradition every year around Halloween. We "boo" each other with a bag of goodies. The deal is, you put together a a couple of gift bags of candy, a couple little fun things and a copy of the directions and a ghost...I added a candle, some glow in the dark sticks and Halloween sprinkles. Then you make a copy of a little 'boo' poem with directions (will add full poem below) then you go to houses that don't have a ghost on their windows (to show that they've already been 'booed' and leave the bag of goodies on their porch then ring and run....it's seriously fun for the kiddos....really it's all about the kiddos, I had no fun at all.
Here's the poem:You have been "Boo'd" !!!!
The air is cool, the season fall.
Soon Halloween will come to all.
Ghosts and goblins, spooks, galore...
Tricky witches at your door.
The spooks are after things to do.
A spook, in fact, brought this "BOO" to you!!!
The excitement comes when friends like you, copy
this note and make it two.
We'll all have smiles upon our faces.
No one will know who has "BOO"ed
whose places!
Just two short days to work your spell.
Keep in secret, hide it well.
Please join the fun, the season's here
So spread the "Boo's" and
Halloween cheer.
Oh and an update on my test...88 woo hoo...seriously I'm going with a B is the new A...hahaha.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
trying not to hyperventilate.....
and this time it's not about my 401K statements.
Test at 1pm today (mountain standard time) so if you have a minute....pray, wish good thoughts, rub buddah's belly...whatever floats your boat...I need all the help I can get to pass my first test in med-surg (medical surgical nursing)....it's on fluid and electrolytes, acid base balances, hematology and immunology....
fun stuff
you are sooo jealous, I know.
Test at 1pm today (mountain standard time) so if you have a minute....pray, wish good thoughts, rub buddah's belly...whatever floats your boat...I need all the help I can get to pass my first test in med-surg (medical surgical nursing)....it's on fluid and electrolytes, acid base balances, hematology and immunology....
fun stuff
you are sooo jealous, I know.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Isaac Isaac, what am I ever going to do with you?
My second child is so impulsive, I'm not sure if it's the age (just turned 6), his personality (his father's) being a boy? Jake, Isaac and I are just sitting there watching some TV, waiting for the Chinese food to arrive (I was studying all day yesterday, did like 5 million loads of laundry, some dishes and made beds....I WAS NOT GOING TO COOK TOO), and Jason was at the store buying a mouse trap....don't ask. Isaac got up off the couch, went up to his brother and slapped him on the face. (I am such a horrible mother, I'm laughing now, just even thinking of the expressions on both their faces) Jake looked at me with a 'what the heck' expression as I was trying to blurt out Isaac's name in a voice of authority and reprimand (but couldn't because I was laughing too hard). Isaac turned to me with a "I have no idea what I just did face" and all three of us rolled around the floor laughing. Between my giggles I tired to impart that even though I was laughing I was in no way condoning his behavior.
I think he got the message.
Probably not the right one though.
Sigh, parenting is hard, even if it is very very entertaining at times.
I think he got the message.
Probably not the right one though.
Sigh, parenting is hard, even if it is very very entertaining at times.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Jason's so funny sometimes
Let me share:
As some of you know, Jason and I sit on the opposite side of the political fence....which is funny because on most issues we agree, I think we just can't agree on how to get there....anyhow, we were having dinner and were talking about church and politics and how I pretty much keep my mouth shut when we're at church because my political leanings are very much in the minority at the church we attend. Then I said to Jason, "I can tell that I must be doing pretty well keeping my opinions to myself (well at church, not so much here on MY blog) because most people at church assume I'm Republican"
here's where it gets funny:
Jason: Well you look like a Republican?
Me: Uh, I do? How?
Jason: Beautiful and intelligent.
bwahahahaha, made me laugh as much as when he introduced us to other Republicans as "I'm Republican and my wife is just wrong"
It's a good thing I'm a Democrat with a sense of good ol' fashioned self-depreciating humor.
As some of you know, Jason and I sit on the opposite side of the political fence....which is funny because on most issues we agree, I think we just can't agree on how to get there....anyhow, we were having dinner and were talking about church and politics and how I pretty much keep my mouth shut when we're at church because my political leanings are very much in the minority at the church we attend. Then I said to Jason, "I can tell that I must be doing pretty well keeping my opinions to myself (well at church, not so much here on MY blog) because most people at church assume I'm Republican"
here's where it gets funny:
Jason: Well you look like a Republican?
Me: Uh, I do? How?
Jason: Beautiful and intelligent.
bwahahahaha, made me laugh as much as when he introduced us to other Republicans as "I'm Republican and my wife is just wrong"
It's a good thing I'm a Democrat with a sense of good ol' fashioned self-depreciating humor.
Friday, October 10, 2008
OH MY GAW----GOSH
Holy moly, quarterly reports are coming out and did anyone else almost pass out when they got their 401k statements.....oh wait I have to go hyperventilate in a bag again....I'll be right back.
OK, back,
Thank goodness there's still Social Security....
yeah, I crack myself up too...
OK, back,
Thank goodness there's still Social Security....
yeah, I crack myself up too...
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Conversation with the school nurse
and I wish I was kidding:
Ring Ring
Me: Hello.
School Nurse: This is nurse blah blah, don't worry the kids are fine, I'm just calling about Jake's epi-pen.
Me: OK
School Nurse: I lock up the nurse's station at 3:30 when I go home and DayCare Guy has a key but he's worried about finding Jake's epi-pen during an emergency.
Me: OK, I'll bring an extra one for DayCare Guy.
School Nurse: Oh, Hold on there, you're two steps ahead of me. (what is this? An algebra test, where I have to show all my work?) What I was saying is that it's all locked up, it'll take too long in an emergency to get his epi-pen. (yeah, you just said that, why do you need to say it again?) And DayCare Guy and I were brainstorming about what to do about this situation. The teachers take epi-pens with them on field trips, so we thought maybe we could do something like that.
Me: Uh huh (because, really, I think maybe I'm not actually supposed to come up with a solution)
School Nurse: But then we thought maybe it might be better to have an extra epi-pen for the day care mobile. I know it's expensive (like I'm going to begrudge my child the 45$ for medication that could save his life). But we think it may be a good idea.
Me: So, do you want me to bring in an extra epi-pen?
School Nurse: Yes, don't you think that would be a good idea? (well yes, it's why I said that 5 minutes ago)
Me: Yes, it's no problem, I can do it later this week.
School Nurse: Well there you are jumping steps ahead again (are you freakin' kidding me!) Discuss this with your husband (Discuss it with husband? What? In case he objects to life-saving measures being put in place for his son?) And then decide (What exactly am I to decide here? Should Jake have --- let me say this again --life saving measures -- easily accessible to those who care for him --- hmmm not a hard decision---would any of you out there need a minute to decide this?)
Me: Ah, Okay. (OH MY GOSH, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RETIRE LADY!)
So glad my kids are healthy.
Ms. Martha...seriously consider taking over....you would make the most awesomest school nurse and my kids love you!
Ring Ring
Me: Hello.
School Nurse: This is nurse blah blah, don't worry the kids are fine, I'm just calling about Jake's epi-pen.
Me: OK
School Nurse: I lock up the nurse's station at 3:30 when I go home and DayCare Guy has a key but he's worried about finding Jake's epi-pen during an emergency.
Me: OK, I'll bring an extra one for DayCare Guy.
School Nurse: Oh, Hold on there, you're two steps ahead of me. (what is this? An algebra test, where I have to show all my work?) What I was saying is that it's all locked up, it'll take too long in an emergency to get his epi-pen. (yeah, you just said that, why do you need to say it again?) And DayCare Guy and I were brainstorming about what to do about this situation. The teachers take epi-pens with them on field trips, so we thought maybe we could do something like that.
Me: Uh huh (because, really, I think maybe I'm not actually supposed to come up with a solution)
School Nurse: But then we thought maybe it might be better to have an extra epi-pen for the day care mobile. I know it's expensive (like I'm going to begrudge my child the 45$ for medication that could save his life). But we think it may be a good idea.
Me: So, do you want me to bring in an extra epi-pen?
School Nurse: Yes, don't you think that would be a good idea? (well yes, it's why I said that 5 minutes ago)
Me: Yes, it's no problem, I can do it later this week.
School Nurse: Well there you are jumping steps ahead again (are you freakin' kidding me!) Discuss this with your husband (Discuss it with husband? What? In case he objects to life-saving measures being put in place for his son?) And then decide (What exactly am I to decide here? Should Jake have --- let me say this again --life saving measures -- easily accessible to those who care for him --- hmmm not a hard decision---would any of you out there need a minute to decide this?)
Me: Ah, Okay. (OH MY GOSH, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RETIRE LADY!)
So glad my kids are healthy.
Ms. Martha...seriously consider taking over....you would make the most awesomest school nurse and my kids love you!
Monday, October 06, 2008
Quirky Stuff
Although I was not officially tagged by Ms. Martha, I am still going to play along with her Meme and list off some of quirky things I do. Sadly, unlike Ms. Martha, I had NO problem coming up with six things, as a matter of fact I could have gone on and on.
Number 1. I think Vincent D'Onofrio as the detective in Criminal Intent, Law and Order, is hot. There's something about a really smart, quirky guy that is a real 'turn on'; come on have you met my husband...He's Vincent but shorter, darker and with a beard.
Number 2. I enjoy more the planning rather then the actual execution of said plans.
Number 3. I like to mix mustard and ketsup and dip my fries in it.
Number 4. When I lock any door and put my keys in my bag, I'll reopen my bag and check that the keys I just put in are still there, then I start to close the door, but right.before.it's.closed I open my bag again to absolutely make sure the keys are in the bag, then I shut the door, but hold my breath, check my bag again and breath a sigh of relief. Periodically, through the day, I'll check for my keys...ok, this is really more OCD then quirky, but we all have our dirty little OCD secrets...(don't we, please say I'm not the only one).
Number 5. Sometimes when the kids are playing nicely I'll scream at the top of my lungs and giggle hysterically while they looked shocked, scared and totally freaked out. They are so going to need therapy.
And, Number 6. When I've done something nice for someone, I'll go buy a lottery ticket, because really, don't I deserve a million dollars for having been so thoughtful to have cooked someone a casserole?
I hope that revealing some of these things haven't completely turned you off from reading my blog.....and if not, please clue the rest of us in on those quirky things you do....Teresa, Chief Rock Chef, Ali and Terri in particular (Danielle got tagged officially by Ms. Martha...but here's another plea to hear what you have to say.)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Damn Drivers....
Dear Lady in the Blue Honda blocking the intersection at the grocery store today,
While I appreciate that you did stop your car to talk on the cell phone while simultaneously consulting a map, could you have done it, say, in a parking spot rather then the entrance to the grocery store parking lot. Me and the 3 cars behind me weren't really thrilled to wait while you got your sh...stuff together. And what was with the honking, did you really think I was going to pass you going against oncoming traffic? And isn't honking really supposed to be reserved for, oh, I don't know, the people who are doing it RIGHT to point out to the idiots that are doing WRONG that they should beware . I should have been honking at you. But whatever, maybe it was opposite day?
Sincerely,
Someone who is glad she didn't have ice-cream in the trunk
While I appreciate that you did stop your car to talk on the cell phone while simultaneously consulting a map, could you have done it, say, in a parking spot rather then the entrance to the grocery store parking lot. Me and the 3 cars behind me weren't really thrilled to wait while you got your sh...stuff together. And what was with the honking, did you really think I was going to pass you going against oncoming traffic? And isn't honking really supposed to be reserved for, oh, I don't know, the people who are doing it RIGHT to point out to the idiots that are doing WRONG that they should beware . I should have been honking at you. But whatever, maybe it was opposite day?
Sincerely,
Someone who is glad she didn't have ice-cream in the trunk
Monday, September 29, 2008
For Sale...
The boys have out-grown the play set and want a trampoline. They've had a lot of fun out in the back yard playing on this thing. We (as in Jason) repaired, cleaned and restained it. If you know anyone who wants one, we're selling ours. We'll help (we...hahaha, Jason'll help) with the dismantle; getting it home and remantling it is up to you (is remantle a word? it should be if dismantle is one, right?) Unless you're still up for it Mrs. Kravitz, then Jason'll be happy to help Mr. Kravitz.Yeah..those are weeds in the back ground...our back yard is next summer's project...why did we buy a fixer-upper at the same time I decided to go back to nursing school, have two young kids and a husband who works 60+ hours a week? Oh yeah, I'M INSANE.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
I must be stooopid.....
I'm not really and expert on high finance, I mean I can barely balance my checkbook (although I do do it)so bear with me when I ask this really stupid question....
When did bankrupting a company and then having to be bailed out by the government become something you would get millions of dollars worth of bonuses for AND not be punished?
We're writing this big check to make sure our economy stays stable and we all jump on the bandwagon and have emergency meetings right NOW (what? no one knew this was happening? we couldn't have foreseen this?) and we have to make a decision right.this.very.minute about the bail out....and only after some stalling -- which pissed some people off, we concede to limiting executive payouts....but only if.we.make.a.decision.right.this.very.minute. Oh yeah, limiting...that would be government poking their noses in big-business...and why should government do that, I mean, big business is being run by such moral upright people (hey on both sides of the political fence, I want to be fair here, they're not all elephants)....right? Anyway it's more fun to mess with individual rights -- those pesky things that get in the way of running a tight ship.
So ---700 billion to save some companies and our country from financial disaster....but we whine and complain about fiscal responsibility blah blah blah, when someone wants a vote about a bill for oooh, say health coverage (because really we want people with schizophrenia on the streets without meds...I mean really if they wanted the voices to stop, then they could really get them to stop if they just try hard enough); Social services for the elderly and Oh My Gosh...do we really want to be soooo irresponsible to actually give an extra dime to the schools?
Again....I don't claim to understand...I pay my bills, on time, I have some debt (hey I'm in school, the kids have to go to daycare and I'm not working), My husband and I paid HUGE amounts of taxes this year (don't freakin' get me started...we paid taxes on stock that we could not cash in at a value of 20 a share and now they're worth 5 a share and so even if we could cash them in, why bother!) We paid 20% down on our house and didn't get more then we could afford...even when we were told we could afford 200k more (who does that?). We've been putting money in our 401k's since our very first paycheck at our very first jobs out of college.....we have college funds for the kiddos. We give to our church and charities (I know, I know what are we to do with the bleeding hearts like me). I'm liberal (not a dirty word by the way) and because of that I'm fiscally irresponsible?
Again...I guess that's just me being stupid.
Consequences? What are they?
3rd grade teachers who are sued because little joey can't read coming out of high school?
Schools lose money when their test scores are low? Isn't that punishing the victim?
Nurses lose their jobs and pensions and who knows what else when they give a wrong dose of a wrong medicine after taking care of 5 critically ill people, with no break, and a on double 12's (because we're not really in a health care crisis and we have plenty of nurses, doctors, hospital beds to go around -- hope ya'll are healthy).
If you don't pay your mortgage you lose your house.
If you don't pay your bills you have sucky credit.
BUT if you're a CEO and take millions of dollars in bonuses from 2003-2007 even though technically you really aren't making a profit and it's all about to go poof...nothing happens.
hmmmmm
Sucks to be the average joe (or josephina).
I'm not bitter or anything, I just DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Here's an idea, stop calling me names or people like me names, and let's all work together and make this country a better place!
I so wish (and I know my conservative brethren, if they haven't already stopped reading by now, are going to gasp) McCain would have picked Lieberman for his running mate. I mean that's seriously putting your money where your mouth is (and not in the pockets of bankrupting execs) when you talk about bi-partisan politics. I could so see how that would bring this country together, we could heal and we could make solid decisions about our economy, the war (ok, I'm not so liberal here -- but that's a different blog entry), about health care etc....
If we just worked together, prayed (in whatever religion you choose) for guidance, got our big fat egos out of our big fat hmmm, well you know -- I think we could make this work...
But, that's that pesky, pie in the sky, hopeful, non-pragmatic liberal in me talking....
Ooooh, sorry honey (yeah, yeah, hubby and I are on opposite sides of the fence, November every four years is a fun month in our house -- and before he gets credit for the financial decisions above...that's my territory...yup, the liberal).
oh you all know you still love me.
And I love you too!
We're all in this together.
When did bankrupting a company and then having to be bailed out by the government become something you would get millions of dollars worth of bonuses for AND not be punished?
We're writing this big check to make sure our economy stays stable and we all jump on the bandwagon and have emergency meetings right NOW (what? no one knew this was happening? we couldn't have foreseen this?) and we have to make a decision right.this.very.minute about the bail out....and only after some stalling -- which pissed some people off, we concede to limiting executive payouts....but only if.we.make.a.decision.right.this.very.minute. Oh yeah, limiting...that would be government poking their noses in big-business...and why should government do that, I mean, big business is being run by such moral upright people (hey on both sides of the political fence, I want to be fair here, they're not all elephants)....right? Anyway it's more fun to mess with individual rights -- those pesky things that get in the way of running a tight ship.
So ---700 billion to save some companies and our country from financial disaster....but we whine and complain about fiscal responsibility blah blah blah, when someone wants a vote about a bill for oooh, say health coverage (because really we want people with schizophrenia on the streets without meds...I mean really if they wanted the voices to stop, then they could really get them to stop if they just try hard enough); Social services for the elderly and Oh My Gosh...do we really want to be soooo irresponsible to actually give an extra dime to the schools?
Again....I don't claim to understand...I pay my bills, on time, I have some debt (hey I'm in school, the kids have to go to daycare and I'm not working), My husband and I paid HUGE amounts of taxes this year (don't freakin' get me started...we paid taxes on stock that we could not cash in at a value of 20 a share and now they're worth 5 a share and so even if we could cash them in, why bother!) We paid 20% down on our house and didn't get more then we could afford...even when we were told we could afford 200k more (who does that?). We've been putting money in our 401k's since our very first paycheck at our very first jobs out of college.....we have college funds for the kiddos. We give to our church and charities (I know, I know what are we to do with the bleeding hearts like me). I'm liberal (not a dirty word by the way) and because of that I'm fiscally irresponsible?
Again...I guess that's just me being stupid.
Consequences? What are they?
3rd grade teachers who are sued because little joey can't read coming out of high school?
Schools lose money when their test scores are low? Isn't that punishing the victim?
Nurses lose their jobs and pensions and who knows what else when they give a wrong dose of a wrong medicine after taking care of 5 critically ill people, with no break, and a on double 12's (because we're not really in a health care crisis and we have plenty of nurses, doctors, hospital beds to go around -- hope ya'll are healthy).
If you don't pay your mortgage you lose your house.
If you don't pay your bills you have sucky credit.
BUT if you're a CEO and take millions of dollars in bonuses from 2003-2007 even though technically you really aren't making a profit and it's all about to go poof...nothing happens.
hmmmmm
Sucks to be the average joe (or josephina).
I'm not bitter or anything, I just DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Here's an idea, stop calling me names or people like me names, and let's all work together and make this country a better place!
I so wish (and I know my conservative brethren, if they haven't already stopped reading by now, are going to gasp) McCain would have picked Lieberman for his running mate. I mean that's seriously putting your money where your mouth is (and not in the pockets of bankrupting execs) when you talk about bi-partisan politics. I could so see how that would bring this country together, we could heal and we could make solid decisions about our economy, the war (ok, I'm not so liberal here -- but that's a different blog entry), about health care etc....
If we just worked together, prayed (in whatever religion you choose) for guidance, got our big fat egos out of our big fat hmmm, well you know -- I think we could make this work...
But, that's that pesky, pie in the sky, hopeful, non-pragmatic liberal in me talking....
Ooooh, sorry honey (yeah, yeah, hubby and I are on opposite sides of the fence, November every four years is a fun month in our house -- and before he gets credit for the financial decisions above...that's my territory...yup, the liberal).
oh you all know you still love me.
And I love you too!
We're all in this together.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
WW--I can't believe my baby's SIX
From this....sweet, darling precious bundle to.....
"THAT'S RIGHT WORLD, I'M SIX, I'M WILD AND IN TEN YEARS YOU'LL HAVE TO LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS...WOO HOO"Friday, September 19, 2008
Answers
ok, so if you want to know what we Parkview moms were doing with that box check out http://sittinginsilence.blogspot.com/
so excited that she finally got her welcome to the neighborhood package...yes, she's across the ocean but we Parkview bloggers have all adopted her and are slowly trying to convince her to move state-side!
I'm now back in Denver, grandad's funeral was so nice, more importantly it was so nice to reconnect with cousins and my aunt and uncle. There were bitter sweet moments --my grandad is buried next to my grandmother and my father, my great-grandmother, great aunt and another cousin are all in close proximity. It was such a reminder of what our family has lost. I hugged my kiddos a LOT that day.
Now I'm studying for a test coming up this weekend. Wish me luck -- and, yes, I will slowly catch up with all of you!
Thank you for your well-wishes, thoughts and prayers.
so excited that she finally got her welcome to the neighborhood package...yes, she's across the ocean but we Parkview bloggers have all adopted her and are slowly trying to convince her to move state-side!
I'm now back in Denver, grandad's funeral was so nice, more importantly it was so nice to reconnect with cousins and my aunt and uncle. There were bitter sweet moments --my grandad is buried next to my grandmother and my father, my great-grandmother, great aunt and another cousin are all in close proximity. It was such a reminder of what our family has lost. I hugged my kiddos a LOT that day.
Now I'm studying for a test coming up this weekend. Wish me luck -- and, yes, I will slowly catch up with all of you!
Thank you for your well-wishes, thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Snow?
Benson Cabin, Shrine PassYup, forecast for the mountains, snow. Here on the plains, just a bunch of rain. I LOVE THIS SEASON...seriously, I love rain, I love cloudy days, I love cool breezy weather. Have you heard of Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder (SAD)? It's where you get all gloomy and sad in the winter and happy in the summer. I used to joke around that I had reverse SAD. Well, turns out it's less common but there are people out there who do (just read it in my psych book). That's me! Anyhow, I'm seriously procrastinating writing a paper for my psych clinicals. I had to hang out with a person who has schizoaffective disorder for a couple weeks and then write up a whole paper on him. I had to chat with him before I read his file and when I talked to him, it was this fun conversation about nothing real, since he's totally delusional, but he was clever and nice. Then I read his file and he was there for physically assaulting his last nurse. YIKES. This clinical has really really been a hard one. I feel so awful for these guys, in a different way then the people who are sick with physical ailments. Mostly because there's not much I, personally, can do for them. I think it's a very special person who can be a psych nurse. I am not that person.
Anyhow...we went to Breckenridge last weekend to celebrate Jason's 40th. He's not one for parties and fan fare so this was a perfect way for him to celebrate this new decade of his life. I thought I'd leave you some pictures. And if you want another clue, you'll have to look at my vacay photos...bwahahaha, evil laugh.
Anyhow...we went to Breckenridge last weekend to celebrate Jason's 40th. He's not one for parties and fan fare so this was a perfect way for him to celebrate this new decade of his life. I thought I'd leave you some pictures. And if you want another clue, you'll have to look at my vacay photos...bwahahaha, evil laugh.
View of Holy Cross from the observation deck, off of Shrine Pass. When it snows you're supposed to be able to see a cross in the rock. It's hard to see without the snow though.This deck is actually a very nice hike and wheel chair accessible. It's a new project they're doing, making hiking paths that are available to all.
Isaac had the camera, it was pretty cold and we were huddled together.
Isaac acting crazy...as usual
We took another hike up to Holy Cross City...but it turns out that was a good four hour hike (one way), so we didn't make it. I actually only hiked an hour, went back to the car to study and the boys explored some more. It's a really hard hike, and probably best to have actual hiking shoes, not tennies. Next summer, we'll try that hike first. Holy Cross City is completely abandoned but at one time had 300 people there, a school, church and post office. There's still a bunch of mining equipment left along with the houses and buildings. There were no roads to the town, they had to hike in or use horses.
Let's see, another clue....hmmmm, Across mountains, valleys, rivers and oceans
Oh, alright, I've procrastinated enough...off to write my paper....ugg
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
I've typed like three different things for my title and I just can't think of one....
I have a request of all you who I so enjoy reading...STOP POSTING so that I don't miss anything while I'm stuck studying and taking tests....I was only able to catch up on a couple of you (and I'll catch up with the rest this weekend) but then when I catch up with the others, I'll have to go back and start all over...So, I just need you to post according to MY schedule...I'll post that later.
I totally failed my first math test, but was able to retake it, yay, and got a 90, yay (so now if I am your nurse you can be assured I'll get your medicine dosage right...well at least 90% of the time). Took my first psych test and it was a 92....also yay (however, in nursing school they both equate to B's) Anyhow, my point is, school is starting out okay. Well, at least the academic portion of it...my clinicals? Well, I'm not sure how to even explain it? Except, being on the pysch floor for the past couple weeks makes me realize that my family is most likely more on the eccentric side rather then the crazy side.
I'm so all over the place...but this was cute...Jake was reading a book on myths and he blurts out, "Mom, Jason is a god", I replied, "well, he certainly thinks so" Then Jake goes on to read that Jason fought off lions and Isaac blurts out, "I could totally see dad doing that" and he was serious. I love that both our kids still think we're still cool, smart and fun....I'm not looking forward to when we are idiots to them.
And, we have another 40th birthday in the household..Jason's FORTY today. Happy birthday honey...I love you and believe you can fight off lions too.
I have a request of all you who I so enjoy reading...STOP POSTING so that I don't miss anything while I'm stuck studying and taking tests....I was only able to catch up on a couple of you (and I'll catch up with the rest this weekend) but then when I catch up with the others, I'll have to go back and start all over...So, I just need you to post according to MY schedule...I'll post that later.
I totally failed my first math test, but was able to retake it, yay, and got a 90, yay (so now if I am your nurse you can be assured I'll get your medicine dosage right...well at least 90% of the time). Took my first psych test and it was a 92....also yay (however, in nursing school they both equate to B's) Anyhow, my point is, school is starting out okay. Well, at least the academic portion of it...my clinicals? Well, I'm not sure how to even explain it? Except, being on the pysch floor for the past couple weeks makes me realize that my family is most likely more on the eccentric side rather then the crazy side.
I'm so all over the place...but this was cute...Jake was reading a book on myths and he blurts out, "Mom, Jason is a god", I replied, "well, he certainly thinks so" Then Jake goes on to read that Jason fought off lions and Isaac blurts out, "I could totally see dad doing that" and he was serious. I love that both our kids still think we're still cool, smart and fun....I'm not looking forward to when we are idiots to them.
And, we have another 40th birthday in the household..Jason's FORTY today. Happy birthday honey...I love you and believe you can fight off lions too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)