Finally done!

I honestly can't believe that I'm done with nursing school.  I dreamed about this day for quite awhile (and frequently cursed along the way) but I'm not sure I REALLY thought it would get here.

It's been an amazing ride.  One that I might actually miss a little tiny bit.  I've had my friends and family put up with me, support me, make me laugh, and let me cry.  Without them I know I wouldn't have been able to do this on my own.  I owe them a big huge thank you! 

ADN Pinning December 2013

Pinning was amazing, I admit I'm a sap (as if you didn't know that already).  I didn't really flat out cry but I did get teary eyed plenty of times.  Sitting there listening to speeches and looking around me at my classmates all dressed up and in graduation gowns was very important to me.  I think ceremony is an important part of beginning and ending things.  I don't know that I'll ever feel that way again, filled with joy, pride, excitement and trepidation for the future. 

I know I've said this before but I'll say it again: at 18 I never would have picked nursing as a career, now I can't imagine being anything else.  I know that this is my calling and it will never just be a job but be part of who I am and what I am. 

I've been so lucky to find this fairly early in life.  I never thought I'd be that person.  It is proof that things do fall into place if you are ready for them when they are ready for you.  Thank you to everyone, but especially my husband.  He never gave up on me, he always believed in me (even when I didn't believe in myself), and he has been my rock, my best friend and so much more.  Thank you for letting me use you as a guinea pig and teach you all kinds of gross diseases so that I could learn them too.  Thank you for everything.  Gabe doesn't realize it yet but he deserves a big thank you from me too, for putting up with an exhausted mom, and one who was maybe a little short sometimes, and didn't always feel like playing or reading one more story.  He's an awesome kid and I know that he's proud of me too.  He talked about my graduation the entire week beforehand, and even though the ceremony part was boring (he's almost 7 after all) I know he will understand someday.  I love you both so much. 

Funk

I really dislike the "new" blogger layout.  It's been that way for a bit now but it annoys me.

Anyhow that's not what this is about.  This is about the funk.  You know what I'm talking about, we've all been there.  You get into a funk, and sometimes for no discernible reason, and can't get out of it.  I'm pretty sure I'm in a funk because it's post party week.  I spent a lot of time planning and thinking about the party that I have post party depression. 

I'm attempting to drag myself out of it! 

To add to it I twisted my ankle and had to skip working out for two days, which is bad because then I don't want to go back to working out.  I know I gotta just DO IT! and then I'll feel better, or not but at least it will be done.  I'm frustrated with eating and working out, things just aren't moving for me right now.  I'm pretty sure I'm not tracking food as well as I need to be but I'm tired of it and it makes me annoyed and cranky (which feeds into the post party depression funk). 

Being off for the summer is a double edged sword.  I love not having to stress about school but I have no purpose when I'm off like this.  I make no money for the family, which stresses me out, and I have no goals like I do during school, which makes me feel productive. 

Gabe is busy doing Safety Town this week.  I think he likes it but it's hard to tell with him because he's a grumpy old man and doesn't like to talk about "school".  The teachers say he's a ham and a good kid so I figure he must be enjoying himself.

Currently we are number 4 on the waiting list for our preferred school.  It should have gone by address but this is a weird year and there are too many kids for this school (which is literally across from my house) and not as many in one of the other schools.  We're all in the same district.  I'm just crossing my fingers that things work out because I REALLY want/need him to be across the street from us.  It is one of the big things that sold us on this house.  So cross your fingers and toes, and even your eyes that before September 3 families with kindergarteners move OUT of our area of town. 

Next week Mike and I start our evening water aerobic class twice a week, and I'm really hoping that is fun.  It will be nice to have something to do together that is adult only too, even if it is a little corny.  I'm glad we're doing it together. 

Made it!

I made it, I finished the first semester of nursing school.  I did it with the help of my family and the friends I have made this semester!  Thank you all!  Thank you for the fun, for kicking my butt when I needed it, thank you for making flash cards, and letting me us your notes, thank you for the lunches, and the jokes, and picking on me when I really needed it, thank you for showing me how wonderful people really can be and I know some of us will be life long friends. 

 Thank you to my wonderful husband who never complained when I had to study late, or go to study group, when dinner wasn't made, when laundry wasn't done, when I went to bed at 8pm on a weekend because I was so beat.  Thank you honey, you'll never really know how much I appreciate you.

Of course there are three more semesters to go but I'm feeling great having the first one out of the way! 

This summer Gabe and I will hang out, play in the yard, go to the pool and just enjoy not having to be anywhere before 8 am.  Mike and I are signed up for an aquatic workout 2 nights a week starting Mid-June and I'm looking forward to some "us" time.

I'm looking forward to grilling out and burning stuff with my brother and Sarah now that they are next door.  I'm looking forward to just chilling out some!

I can't wait for the party in just a couple weeks! I'm worried its going to be 900 degrees, or 30, or raining LOL!  But it will be a blast no matter what. 

I'm looking forward to running and working out more! (I hope my hip agrees, its really sore after the first day of running on Saturday).

I just can't wait!!!

Life in a nutshell

I'm halfway through my first semester of nursing classes.  I am stressed, overwhelmed, but I love it.  Really!  I love the information that is being crammed into my brain every day.  I love the stuff that I think is gross.  I especially love the people that I am meeting and becoming friends with. 

Of course today I'm home sick with a little boy who's running a temp and worrying that I am missing a clinical day but overall everyone has been doing well during my "absence".  Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on things and Gabe and Mike are being neglected.  I know its only a short amount of time, and half way through the semester, means only 8 more weeks until summer anyhow.  Oh how I love that count down!!  Then I realize how short of a time that it really takes and it will be over.  How fast time goes!!

Ten years ago (on Tuesday) Mike and I got married.  Then I was a boisterous, funny, skinnier ;), very young woman and at 19 that girl would have never considered being a nurse.  She would have balked at the work, thought it gross, dirty, lowly and not fun at all.  Mike and I got married and had no plans to have kids, heck we were lucky to keep our cat fed then.  Now of course Gabe is 5 years old, I'm in school full time, Mike is still/again at FIS (or whatever you want to call it).  We're living in a great house and doing okay no matter the ups and downs we've had.  This 29 year old woman feels light years older (in a good way) than that 19 year old girl and yet I still feel the same deep down.  I'm glad that we've come this far together and I can't wait for the road ahead for life, school and family. 

To those that have been on this ride from the beginning I'm so happy to have had you there through it all, to those just joining us HANG ON! I hope you stick around for the next chapter(s). 

Milestone today

Today I did something I really didn't believe I could REALLY do, I mean I hoped I could but I wasn't quite sure.  It was so far out of my comfort zone and something I'd never done before.  Now I know that this is the first of many of these milestones.

I am HALF WAY through the C25k program.  Today I ran for 8 minutes (in a row!), walked 5 and then ran 8 more (in a row!) and I didn't die, I didn't collapse, and I didn't look like an idiot.

Of course I'm not feeling ready for the next one which is just to run for 20 minutes (in a row!) but that's really only 4 more minutes than I ran today, just cut out the random walking in the middle and I'd be almost there.  So whether I go straight to that, or I modify it somehow, or repeat today even.  I can do this!  I am strong, I am brave and I was born to be this way (LOL okay I got carried away with some Gaga but can you blame me?!)

So for anyone out there that's thinking "I can't do this" or "I'll never get there" you will!  You can!  It's not going to happen over night and there are going to be rough patches, times you feel like giving up but if you don't give up and you get back up when you stumble you too can do it!!  Every day is a new day and that means a fresh start.

I want to really say thank you to my husband for supporting me, and telling me that I was beautiful and sexy and smart and wonderful no matter how I felt, or how I looked.  I know that's true love ;)  I know that he's my biggest cheerleader (minus the skirt) and will always have my back.  We're a team.  I love you so much honey, infinity plus one <3

The end is near!

Insert ominous music here....

The end of the semester is near, just one more week left! PUSH THROUGH!  Then a month off before it starts all over again.

The end of the year is also near.  That means Gabe will be FOUR!!!!! in just 14 days.  I simply can not believe that he's four already.  Where has the time gone? 

The end of the basement is getting near, we're drywalling on Sunday, please don't snow, please don't snow.  Then just floor to put in and we'll be moving stuff downstairs :D

The end of the year is always a little odd for me now.  I think part of it is Gabe's birthday.  I hate that his birthday is so wrapped up with Christmas.  I hate that people will combine gifts for him and they wouldn't for a kid who's birthday was, oh in any other month.  I hate that the kid thinks the whole week is about him.  I hate the cold and the snow.  I'm seriously dreaming of Vegas.  I hear it call to me every time I have to scrape a car, or freeze my fingers driving or walking.  Someday, someday we will go and we will love it.

For now I need to focus on school and finishing up this semester, then I can start looking at the next one, my final pre-requisite semester!  I am dreaming of the day that I finish school and can start working so that Mike can work less.  I dream of being a nurse and helping people and loving my job.  I never dreamed I'd say that either.  I didn't grow up wanting to be a nurse, it just happened.  Sometimes things happen for a reason.  I know now that it is what I'm meant to do and be. 

I am nearing a new year, a new me, skinnier me ;)  I'm already down 37lbs which is my HALF WAY MARK! I'm feeling better than ever and really enjoying working out (most days).  I have some new plans for weight training and some different things as soon as we're in the basement.  I also have somehow agreed to the Warrior Dash which is something I wouldn't have even considered before I started this journey.  Now I think it might be fun.  It will be something to give me a new training reason come spring too. 

I think I've rambled enough and I still have two papers to finish for microbiology so I better get cracking, oh yeah and I MUST install insulation in my basement today whether anyone helps me or not. 

Day 29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

This picture was taken at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto.  Mike and I had been dating only a short while and my mom thought I was nuts for going to Canada with three guys.  We had an absolute blast and it's still one of my all time favorite trips!

I was about 2 months shy of my 19th birthday here, I can't believe how young we all were. 

Day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

This is most of my family at my Grandparents' 60th anniversary.  They might be crazy but their mine :D

Day 19

Day 19 - A picture and a letter.

A long time ago in a place far far away.... wait that's not quite right.  It does seem like a long time ago though that this happened. 

Mike used to write me letters.  He'd email them or jot down notes for me in books he loaned me.  I never knew when one would show up.  I've come to love this part of him but way at the beginning of our relationship I had no idea that this was a regular thing for him.

So in mid April 2001 I received this letter:

It was written late one night while he sat in a park near his parents' house and froze.  It was also the first time he said I love you to me.  He proposed in a letter even ;)  So today this is my letter AND picture.  I love you honey.  Now and forever and I am so lucky to have found you and to have made it this far together.  I can't wait for the next 41 plus years.

Infinity plus one <3

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is one of my absolute favorite holidays.  I love the decorations and the kids in the neighborhood trick or treating.  We're pretty conservative on candy and sugar for Gabe but this is the one day I just don't care.  He ate way too much candy and had a blast.

It took us awhile to convince him to actually put on the costume for it.  He didn't want to wear pants (men!) But when we did get him into it he was Adorable!

This costume was made by my Grandma about 20 some years ago for one of my cousins for Halloween and I'm thrilled it was saved and passed down.  Everyone in town thought Gabe made a great little skunk, even after the head piece got "too scratchy!"  and had to be taken off.  He filled TWO buckets with candy and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.  He's already asking when we can do it again. 

I can't pass up posting this one of Daddy with Gabe too.

Now it's on to Christmas, where my poor kid gets shafted because his birthday is December 23.  I'm voting to skip the whole thing and have Halloween again.  Christmas just stresses me out anyhow, lol.  He's already asking for a truck cake!

Day 09

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

This one is probably obvious but no one has been there for me like my hubby.  He's my very best friend and knows when to kick me in the ass and when to just give me a hug and tell me it's going to be okay.

Day 05

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.  This was hard how do you pick just one thing?!  There are so many awesome things that I could post.

 March 20, 2002- the day I married my best friend.  Of course all the great memories that have come since then couldn't have happened without this first one. 

I'm horrible at this game...

Sorry I have been slacking badly about updating. I promise I'm still alive.

The basement! Here are some pics of the windows:


1. The Basement is coming along nicely. My dad and brother helped get both the windows in and there is a ton of sunlight down there now. There are two windows, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. They are both 4 feet wide by 5 feet tall.

2. The plumber has done step one and we need to finish two walls for them to get the rest done. I'm dying to get into my heated bathtub!!

3. We're almost done with studs so anyone who wants to help (read PLEASE HELP US!) we will need to set up a weekend for doing drywall. I'm hoping to have the electrical stuff done in the next two or three weekends, so it looks like the end of Oct or early Nov will be drywall.

Me:

School is going well this semester. I'm taking Microbiology, Economics, English, and a health study course. Everything but Microbiology is online and I really enjoy the online options because it saves me a ton of time.

I've been eating well and exercising my butt off (literally). I'm down 18lbs so far and up to 30 min on the elliptical machine 5-6 days a week. I REALLY need to up the weight training but I only have teeny tiny weights and no place to do them all by myself right now.

Gabe:
He's a stinker lately and thinks he's so funny. He's learned some one liner jokes but half the time they come out crazy. "Why did the chicken cross the street" "Get to the other side" But sometimes it's about a car, a duck, a block anything and the answer is still the same. Then we were at dinner the other night and he's wearing bib overalls and my mom tells him that she likes them. He says "I have little bibs and mom has big bibs" Then proceeds to show us his nipples and smack me in the chest. MEN ;)

He has been going sporadically on the potty, mostly right before bed and waking up dry fairly often. Slow going but we're making progress.

Mike:
Uhh he has his own blog but never updates (hint hint) and he should tell you if there is anything exciting going on but he's still kicking.

Over a month?

Image by aussiegall via Flickr

I haven't posted anything in over a month :( Wow I'm sad.

School is great, I'm on spring break now. I've got 2 A- and 2 A's so I'm happy! I really enjoy school. Of course these are the easy classes right? :D It's finally nice outside so I'm thrilled my spring break is later than most colleges too. We're actually seeing the sunshine and warm weather before the humidity kicks in an ruins it.

As for life, well we're FINALLY getting the plans together to do the basement renovation. I'm going to hope we'll be all settled by October in our own bedroom. The plans are in the baby stages and we have to have them approved by the city but we read through things pretty well so I don't think there is anything they wouldn't approve. We're putting bigger than needed windows and we've left enough space next to the furnace and we'll have good ceiling height too.

Anyone who is handy (or dumb enough to take orders from me) is welcome to help us on any part of it. We're going to need hands!

Gabe is getting huge and his vocabulary is EXPLODING so ya really gotta watch what you say around him or you'll be in trouble. We've had to explain that a dam is something beavers build already, oops.

Mike and I just celebrated our EIGHT! wedding anniversary on March 20th. I have such a hard time believing that I've been so incredibly lucky and blessed to have him in my life. He's truly my best friend, the first person I want to talk to every day and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I can't imagine being with anyone else. I love him so much! Infinity plus one ;)

Things get away from me

Image by rosefirerising via Flickr

It seems that the busier I get the less I update even though I should have more interesting things to say right?

I've been uber busy with school, anatomy is definitely a time sink, but at least it's enjoyable. The other three classes are just annoying.

I've been actually keeping up with laundry and putting it away. It's a nice change to be able to find my clothes for once. I got a super cute hair cut which I'm in love with. I just wish that I could get it as flat as the stylist did. I'm sure it's because her flat iron is better than mine and she can see every spot on my head without contorting. I even bought all the products I'm supposed to and they definitely make a difference. I think the hubby is glad to see his wife not in a ponytail too.

Otherwise it's the big V day weekend, we have no romantic plans really but that's not a biggie. Mike brought home an orchid for me spur of the moment on Thursday which he knows I love. General running around and familial obligations to attend to should be fun too.

I just wanted to let everyone know I'm not dead just busy for once.

I am a college student

Image via Wikipedia

I start college for the first time ever tomorrow. I'm 27, married almost 8 years, have a 3 year old son and I'm now a college student. Woah!

I'm excited and nervous just like before any first day. This one has the feel of a long exciting journey though.

I feel ready for this. I feel that I can do this. I have my hubby behind me 110% even when he a pain in the neck I know he's my biggest cheerleader.

I'm going to be a nurse. I'm going to be somebody. I'm going to go somewhere. I'm going to have a job that can support my family. I'm going to finish something I start for the first time in a long time.

I start math first tomorrow, then Friday is anatomy and physiology part 1. English and psych start on Sunday since they are online classes.

If you have one piece of advice for me going back to school what would it be? What was the mistake you made? What made it easier? I have a pretty good schedule written down to self motivate myself especially for the online courses.

What helped you get through those classes?

When the student is ready, the master appears. ~Buddhist Proverb

Master I am ready, I hope.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Now we all know this song right?

The itsy bitsy spider goes up the water spout and then the rain comes and washes him out and that dumb spider goes up the water spout again.

Gabe has taken a liking to this song. It's taken over bed time over Frere Jaques even. So instead of singing it all cute and up beat and doing hand motions we sing is slow and softly now at night.

I am putting Gabe to bed when I'm done Mike tells me that only I could make the Itsy Bitsy Spider sound like a dirge. A dirge? Really? That's a funeral procession song people?! How in the world can I sing that to my child at night to wish him sweet dreams and a peaceful night.

So I got back at Mike. The next time he sang Frere Jaques I asked him if he was part of a church choir because he oversings is so dramatically. Needless to say he didn't make it through the rest of the song he laughed so hard at me.

Point for Mel

Closing date

We officially have a closing date of July 30th at 3pm. YEA! I am excited but I really wish it was a week sooner. I am supposed to be out of my place by July 31st so I'm going to have very little time to do the carpets after moving.

Plus I want to paint!! I was hoping to get a couple days to paint before we moved because it's just easier and then the house doesn't smell like paint when you move in.

I'm crossing my fingers for the closing to be moved up even more but I'm just glad that I won't be homeless (lol).

Today I'm home from work because Mike isn't feeling well. I NEED to bring up boxes from the basement and run to the bank. I should be productive on this random day off. I wonder how many boxes I can still fit in the garage?

Lots to talk about

First let's talk about the house. I haven't talked about the house in awhile and I'm sure that you're wondering what the heck is going on there.

Tuesday we had our home inspection. There were things wrong but nothing that really surprised us.

• The furnace is not currently working (at least it's summer) and the inspection is pretty sure it's the on board computer that needs to be replaced, not horribly expensive at least
• The flashing on the chimney was not done properly so there was water getting in (there was an old leak in the kitchen from it. We'll replace the flashing and be good to go.
• The water system has a leak in it... Where we don't know exactly we're going to be checking that this afternoon when we go.
• There is some mold/mildew in the bathroom. The fan didn't work properly and we're redoing that bathroom right away anyhow. It's not toxic mold so it's not a major concern.

The roof is okay for now. We probably have 5 years before we have to tear it off and put a new one on. The gutters are PACKED with crap from the trees so they are backing up on to the soffets so hopefully when they get cleaned out they'll drain probably and we won't have to redo the soffets right away.

Other than that our closing is still scheduled for the first week in August. We're trying desperately to get it pushed back to the last full week of July so that we're not homeless. Our lease here runs out July 31st and I want to be able to clean my carpets before we have to really be out.

Next item of business....

Mike had an interview this morning with his current company but for a first shift position. Yes you read that right FIRST shift. That's what a normal person works ;) There is a pay cut because he's going from third to first we'll lose that shift premium but I don't care. He's been told he's an front runner but there are a few other interviews that have to be done first.

Third-

I think I'm going to go to school if Mike goes to first shift. Now I have NO college credits. I'm terrified of wading through the paper work and figuring all of it out. I want to do online courses so I can do them while Gabe sleeps during the day, or in the evenings after Mike is home. I'll either go for a medical assistant or a pharmacy technician. I NEED them to give us enough money that I can actually pocket some of it to help with living expenses. I know I need to start with FAFSA but we make LESS this year than we did last year (especially with the pay cut coming) so I have to figure out how to add an addendum to it so that they know that we're making less. ACK see I get scared and then I do nothing.

So as if moving wasn't enough stress we're going to make as many life changes as we can in as short of time as we can apparently. Then people wonder why I'm stressed out right?! I know why some people drink. I swear I need a vice.

Blarg!

So it's hot hot hot, and HUMID too.  90 degrees out still and it's almost 7:30pm here.   

Mike is home from work for the whole week.  He's doing steroids again.  At least they're doing oral again instead of having to go in and get stuck with needles (no one needs more needles).   We have the AC running and we're just hanging out inside now.  

Hopefully the steroids will help, and Mike won't be too cranky on them.  Steroids always make ya cranky.  I did get orange juice which helps with the potassium loss during it.  Now if I can just convince Gabe to not drink all of it will be in good shape. 

Just figured I better update since I mentioned Mike hadn't been feeling great.   This too shall pass.