Just Me!!

I don't know if I inherited this revulsion to sock folding from my mother, but she is the best answer I can come up with when my husband is staring at my sock basket with disapproving eyes. I absolutely hate folding socks, usually when I get to the end I will most assuredly have a dozen or so that do not have a mate! I am pretty sure a sock monster lives in that basket! It is a basket that is never completely empty! So I ask all of you, are you afraid of the sock monster? Does your sock basket look like mine! Stand up and be counted!

Enough Said!

Caught you! You continued reading because you thought the word was immigration! I am not at all sure what my beliefs are on that subject nor am I prepared to share the ones I do have! Integration on the other hand, let's discuss! Six years...that is the length of time we have lived here. The later three of the six years we have tried to integrate (as much as possible for Yankees) into the "Southern Culture!" If anyone of you knows how it feels to try to integrate into this culture then you understand my reasoning for blogging! When we first arrived, we received all the "Southern Hospitality" you could imagine. They ranged from housing Mark for three weeks before he could find us a place, dinner invites, a whole week of meals (provided by people we hardly knew) for our family after the birth of our son, and tons of information on the town and it's quirkiness! I was extremely excited by this new culture that was interested in us, in people! Unfortunately that...

Do you know how it feels when you want to say something but want it to be worded in the correct way? My husband does! He always agonizes over the right way to express his thoughts or ideas so that he can create a piece of work that clearly demonstrates his point! I am just the opposite! I say what comes out of my heart without usually thinking of exactly how to say it! This week I have tried to revert to his approach. I have thoughts to say, but I'm not sure how to organize them. I have neglected my blog to imprision those thoughts: whether it has been to feed them or starve them, I can't be sure! The subject of my thoughts: Blogging in this new generation. Are we safe to post our thoughts, hopes, dreams, and our daily bits of life for the world to see? It all started last Sunday when my mother in law (her name was not used in order to protect her identity from the internet stalkers) suggested that my blog was too revealing. She wanted to know if the kids would be safe, and wh...

Is this accurate or what? (of course, minus the bland comment!) I am Tofu Okay, so you aren't exactly meat. And that's fine with you. Even if people think you're a bit bland. There's a good chance you're veg - and even if you aren't, you secretly think meat is gross. What kind of meat are you?

I wish I had this whole tub of will power for the changes I want to make. Today marks the 10th mile I have walked this week! It was extremely hard today, and I did grumble a bit the last few days! If it wasn't for Mark prodding me to accomplish my goal, I would still be in bed sleeping! Why is it that some people have will power and others don't? I thought about this as I was walking (the conversation I was having in my mind got me through the last grueling bit)! I came to the conclusion that we don't all have will power, it is something we work at. A trained runner doesn't start out kicking 15 miles in one day...they slowly work up to the 15 miles a little each day! Sorry to dispel the theory that others have more will power (even though I still think that way sometimes). I googled will power and found two well versed quotes! Hope you enjoy them! A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at."- Bruce Lee ***wish I had kno...

I wish I had read this book before I went in to early vote at the court house! Instead I stood there dumbfounded and angry at the fact that I wasn't able to vote for city mayor! Let me tell you what happened? We went to the court house to change our address with the county clerk, and asked if we could vote early for the primaries. The clerk asked what party we were with, either Republican or Democrat! We told her Republican! She handed us the ballot and sent us to the back room to "fill in the circles." As we finished with our ballot we noticed that there weren't any candidates for Mayor! We turned in our ballots and then asked for the ballot that contained the candidates for the Mayor. They preceeded to tell us we needed to have asked for the "Democrat" ballot. I guess all three candidates are running Democrat, with no opposing Republican. So whoever wins the primary is the candidate who will win the elections in November. Primaries are for the parties to d...

Today I have successfully walked 6 miles (2 miles each day)! My sister was right about one thing! It is easier to walk in nature than on the park path. For all those who don't know, there is a 2 mile trail out in the back of the college! It is beautiful out there, and well maintained! Today we (Mark and I) opted to go to city park to walk and I struggled through every bit of 2 miles! I'm glad it's over and now I can relax and grab myself a bowl of carrots! I have enjoyed having Mark here with me everyday...we walk, then get to spend the rest of the day doing whatever we want (okay Mark, I admit I wasted 3 hours yesterday blogging! Happy?)! Who can beat that...oh plus my house is staying clean!!! What a great Hump Day this is(Wednesday is the middle of the week, thus with the name Hump)!

We recently received a phone call from Nielson T.V. ratings requesting us to be included in a T.V. survery. I eagerly said yes (before I knew about the 15.00 for participation) and couldn't wait to begin. I thought our T.V. was hardly ever on, boy was I wrong! For the most part, Mark and I enjoy watching movies together! We are avid fans of Netflix and love going to the movies as well! I thought I would share with you my weekly line up...So grab a seat on the couch, get some popcorn and be prepared to laugh! Buffy the Vampire Slayer Monday-Friday 6am I know that is a little early for y'all, but it well worth the early morning wake. I suggest starting this one at the beginning as well! Joss Whedon is the director and creator of this exciting drama. He created the Buffyverse which the show is known for! If you haven't experienced this language, turn it on and be prepared to laugh. Yes, I know it has vampires on it but the show is so much more than that. If you google the t...

Pinning Ceremony May 11th 2006 The night was filled with fond memories of the last two years. Memories flashed on the power point screen of crazy conventions, health fares (which is where I won Valerie's new bike), clinical, skills check off, and celebrations on our last day of clinical! Although I didn’t win “The Most Caring Award” or “The Spirit of Nursing Award” I felt much honored to have accomplished my goals. “Dr. Eu”, as he pinned me, reminded me that he expects great things from me. By that he means for meant in the way of continuing my education. I have to have 1000 hours of practical experience before I can begin work on my Master’s degree. I would love to pursue the path to become an Advanced Practical Nurse. That aside, I am pinned! I have my temporary license for the State of Arkansas and begin my career June 1st! Graduation Ceremony May 12th 2006 I didn’t expect this ceremony to be as exciting but it was! Wearing the gown, hat, tassel, and holding the diploma felt so ...

I can't believe my husband grabbed my blog idea! I am obsessed with the camera lately, and take it everywhere we go. So thus the pictures of the kids getting coke at the local Save-A-Lot. Actually my take on it was this, Ethan's desire for change! Every time he finds change he always asks me..."mom do I have enough for a diet coke?" He's addicted. Takes after his grandmother, he does! I feel better today, not that the movie helped much! I won't spoil it for you if you are planning on seeing it. I got one night of sleep without interruptions (okay, I know Ethan is too old to be waking up in the middle of the night but he gets scared)! I have been trying not to sleep in there with him, and it's seems that tucking him back in and assuring him that mommy is next door does the trick. He is my last one, so back off all you out there who thinks I need to stop babying him. Did I just say "last one?" Aargh. Mark and I talked about how things are so nice ...

That was the question of the day! What can I do (asked to each one in the family) to de-stress mom? I am having a horrible time of coping with my emotions. I look into the faces of my loved ones and want so badly to share with them how much I love them, but then ten seconds later, I am yelling. I don't know what is going on! I think the last two years of stress is eating me up. I want to just have a good "cry out" but it won't come. I tired, exhausted, happy, relieved, and I fluctuate through all those feelings in a matter of seconds. Does anyone remember the story of my first postpartum breakdown after I had Valerie? Okay, I will remind you! I lost Mark's keys, he blamed me for being irresponsible (he was very polite about it) and I took that remark and cried in the bathroom for a good 30 minutes! I think my sister witnessed the insanity! Anyway my point is, that is how I am feeling now. Out of the control of all my emotions! It is driving everyone crazy around ...

King of the Jungle was the name of Ethan's program at Grace. As you can see, I wasn't the best photographer present but at least you get the picture (ah haa, I made a funny)! We thought Ethan did a great job and were very proud of him. He is definitely a performer! The second picture is his art work...can you see the big volcano in the middle? Aside from the wonderful distraction last night, I complete my final task for graduation...the Hesi test! Many of you know that I have feared, fussed and refused to believe I would pass this ultimate challenge. The Hesi is supposed to be presumably harder than NCLEX! I am very excited and very relieved, and ready to bolt everything up and come home! I can't tell you what a wonderful encourager my husband and mom has been. They both made feel (prior to the test) that I could succeed. So I owe a lot to you out there, who have been praying, supporting, and encouraging me along the way! Thank you so much...Now off to the couch for family...

I was just reading a post on a blog that I'm addicted to reading. She had been "tagged" by a friend to do these lists on her blog. So here's mine(sorry for plagiarizing Kristy)! 5 things you'd find in my fridge:huge pot of chili Mark has been chipping away at, two packages of Tofu, Hummus, Tortilla's, homemade quiche! 5 things you'd find in my purse (bookbag): 3 x 5 note cards, pens (free pens from hospitals seeking new RN grads), alcohol pads, drug book, and a stale diet coke. 5 things in my closet:My skills book bag (needles, catheters, IV kits), 2 large file boxes with papers I had to write for nursing school), sewing machine, several ugly white UAM nursing uniforms, and a 9-drawer stacker full of scrapbooking supplies! 5 things in my car: A Buffy love card from my husband, Buffy the Vampire musical CD, insulated food bag (for those trips to Sam's Club), two matching booster seats, parking tag for Medical Center of South Arkansas in Eldorado (where ...