Just Me!!

I am in love with Mr. Littmann ! He was a last minute graduation gift from my mother-in-law. Boy ever did she hook me up. I didn't even think about checking him out the first time I saw him next to my mailbox. I thought to myself, "oh, I have my old purple model" and it is so much more attractive! Why should I replace him? Well, in my big rush to work this morning the old one got left at home, so I snapped Mr. Litt from his box (stashed in the back of the car)! Surprised by the engraved name tag, I proudly stuck it on and headed in for my first "patient" rotation. At around 1100 my preceptor said, "assess away, this is YOUR patient." Nervous and a little shaky I held my Mr. litt in my hands, warmed him up, and went to work. I was nearly knocked down by the sound that resonated through his black tubing. OMG. No wonder I never knew how to distinguish lung sounds in college (okay, not that dramatic, but close)! I chucked Mr. Faithful the minute I got ho...

Abraham Lincoln nearly escaped with his copper covering intact tonight! Mom: Ethan, let's wake up and go potty (dragging the limp boy from his bed). Oh darn it, you're already soaked. Etttttthhhhhannn. Ethan: (sitting on side of bed, slumped over and ready to head dive into the carpet) He makes some mouthy noises (which are strictly prohibited around mom). Mom: Ethan, Ethan! What is that noise. Are you sucking on something? What are you sucking on? Ethan: "hrgjrdks" (mouthy noise again) and a "splat" produces one shiny Abraham Lincoln copper penny. Mom: Ethan! Do you realize you could have choked on this? Do you want momma to lose her little boy? Mom is worried about you. We DON'T put anything in our mouths (freaking out because he has been asleep for two hours and counting)! Ethan: (Slips into his clean p.j.s, dives back into his pillow without a care in the world.) (I sit stunned at the bedside, picturing all the craziness that might have happened dur...

I am a reader that appreciates a books cover design. I get suckered into a book by the simplistic design and the clean color schemes that professionally yell that this is a "unique, trendy must read." Although I enjoyed the "martha stewart" design of the front cover, I was disappointed by the lack of edible Chinese food inside. In the epic novel, Eating Chinese Food Naked , a young Chinese American moves back into her childhood home after completing college. Mei Ng, the first time novelist, did a wonderful job jumping back into the character's life to insert and reveal the past that created this quirky, non trusting, disconnected young adult. I found morsels of creativity in the text itself, but in the end was forced to have the "now what" reader's conclusion. I wanted to know more. I wanted the novelist to explore her character in greater depths. The end left me dazed and hungry. One piece of advice I did take to heart came from the character...

Nurse, get on the internet go to surgery.com scroll down and click on the "Are you totally lost icon." I apologize blogrollers for my apparent absence from the blogosphere. I have been feeling rather blistless and busy lately. I started nursing orientation and haven't had a chance to regain any type of normal thought pattern. All thoughts have revolved around urine outputs and bowel movements. I hope that you have not scratched me from your sidebars just yet! Although I feel overwhelmed at times, I still can't wait for my first code, or the time when I feel comfortable enough to tell a dr. what he should do for my patients...Heaven! Enough of that, I know some of you are bored listening to me ramble about my daily "hospy" doings! I wanted to send a shout out to Journey for knowing how to really make a person feel welcome! We had a great time mingling in amongst you all! Kristy I am game for the pool whenever you are! Jeff , we are still working out ...

"To think outside the box is the first step to creating a new box."

My new chant.Hey, if Ally McBeal can have one, so can I! I am not as nutty as the quirky, young, anorexic lawyer that aired on Fox some years ago, but I too was in desperate need of a "fukilicious" motivational song! Chris Daughtry's CD (my hubby made this little collection for me, with 22 of his songs) was in the player, my tenny's were on, and I was ready to walk and lay claim to my song. You may not agree with my choice, but that is what makes it mine. It's unique, crazy, slightly fuki, and just me. Next time you see me walking in the neighborhood, cycling at the gym (I joined the hospital's Wellness Center), or attempting kickboxing moves, just know that this little song is repeating itself over and over in my mind (someone please stop the music in my head...)! This song is about active passion. My desire to join the ranks of the healthy peeps! A song that will walk me to freedom and maybe even extend my life by a couple years! A song that emphazes actio...

Twelve years ago today, and your still my first and only passion! Happy "12th" Anniversary, honey!

Things I admire most about my father.... He can fix all things mechanical. My dad has recently rebuilt a truck from the inside out, and a motorcycle when I was younger(we had a blast riding on that blue beauty). He made me a tree house, at both my childhood homes! He taught me the importance of responsibility. He created my thirst for "Sunday drives." He was a hybrid dad, one who knew how to balance work and family! On two family trips he loaded me and my siblings up in the car, and let us pick the vacation spot..both times we chose Disneyland (I think it was our decision?) He taught us the importance of family. We had family meetings, family game nights, family dinners, family devotions, family vacations, and Sunday Drives. He loves my mom, and never neglected to show affection towards her in front of the kids. He taught us the value of hard work. He taught us to respect those around us! He loves me unconditionally! He loves my children with all that he has! Thanks dad for a...

The only exciting thing about " The Lake House" was the lake house!

Name your favorite... 1. Candy: Hot Tamale's 2. Cookie: Chocolate no bake...gooey (mine rarely harden) 3. Donut: Entenmann's Chocolate Donuts 4. Cold Drink: Tall iced hazelnut latte, light on the hazelnut 5. Hot Drink: Coffee with a slight hint of creamer (flexible on flavors) I was tagged by Itchybits to join in on her weekly "Friday Fever", and since Kristy and Mark are still working on their 100 things...I am tagging Lee Ann and Shannon ! Have fun! Shannon no plagerizing answers (he hee).

The two week, nerve wracking, early morning, swim lessons are over. The kids received a tan, a certificate, and a pretty "generic" blue ribbon! The finale ended with Ethan successfully swimming underwater, and Valerie swimming across the deep end without any help (I think everyone in the county heard my excited scream) . I am so proud of both of them, and may even end up taking them to the pool today just to see their "new" accomplishments! Apart from Val having a crush on her swim instructor (good eye, Val!) and having him force her off the diving board, they both had a really good time. I didn't have a chance to get a picture of Val swimming across, but if you look in the background she is getting ready to go!

Did you ever wonder where it all started? The "shaving of the legs", I mean? I had a moment the other day as I was searching to shave every last leg hair. They like to hide until I'm done, and when the shaver is safely away and I've dried my legs, then sure enough I find I've missed a patch right in the middle of my shin! Oh man! Pre-Wedding day, I shaved four times in one day! Does this happen to anyone else? Anyways, the "moment!" I sat there wondering "why" do we do this! What crazy person started this ritual. Trusty internet to the rescue! It all started with the popularity of the shorter skirts that arrived back in the 1940's. One would need to call upon "Heckatea" (no I am not a wiccan) to curse the woman who started it all...Betty Grable. The photo shown above is the historical marker to the woman's shaving movement. After this photo was released it was hip and sexy to show your silky smooth gams in public. Start cursi...

We were hot and bored on Sunday so we went on a family drive that led us straight to the Crossland Zoo. The zoo houses 50 different types of animals and reptiles! Every time we visit this free zoo (donations accepted) we shudder at the way the animals are cared for. I don't believe that it is the Zoo's fault rather the patrons that frequent without donating (I have at one time, been one of those people as well). I cringed when I saw the wolves ears being eaten by insects, and the sheep's hair caked with mud and bugs! This is my plea, if you are rich or know Mr. Bill Gates please take a second to donate and contribute to the lives of these forsaken animals. It would be awesome if they had an unexpected donation...that would help improve the wildlife's habitats! If you are down in the South and have never ventured out to this zoo, I urge you to go and see for yourselves the need of these animals. Crossland Zoo 1141 Parkway Drive Crossett, AR 71635-3819

Did you know that the major motion picture "Brokeback Mountain" was created from Annie Proulx book that was a mere 55 pages long! The movie itself, as I discovered on Internet Movie Database , is 2 hours and 14 minutes! I finished the book in 1 hour and have or had no desire to see the movie. The book is less subdued than the movie, so I am told! The ending came quick and brought with it a second of sadness.

How many children does it take to eat a T-Rex birthday cake? Rinn , I made this for my daughter's 5th birthday! I really enjoy being creative, but this was a hard one to think up. She still remember's getting to eat his eyeball (it was a junior mint). Tip for anyone using fondant-don't roll it out on the same surface that you laid fish on the day prior, not matter how much you've cleaned the counter!

I just finished watching a small portion of the Yearlykos conference called, “Progressive Movement and the Internet” presented on CSPAN. I think I am getting too politically addicted to the question I consistently hear, “Is blogging such a good thing, and is it safe?” The blogosphere (adding word to the computers spelling bank…writers take note) is growing rapidly and sucking into it the great leaders of our times. Don’t believe me, search Technorati for famous bloggers, or catch a look at the star studded line up for the YealyKos conference in Las Vegas. Among the panelists; Ambassador Joseph Wilson former ambassador to Baghdad during first Gulf War, and married to the ousted CIA operative Valerie Plume, Dan Froomkin, Jane Hamsher, Larry C. Johnson, Christy Hardin Smith, Murray Waas, and Marcy Wheeler. The discussion was pinpointed around the Patrick Fitzgerald scandal (releasing to the public, the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plume), forcing some light into the darkest politics...

Big "thanks" to dailypie for tagging me! I really enjoyed coming up with this list(had it done in a hour, but didn't want to post it in fear that no one would accept my free magazine offer below-posted now because tired of waiting). I actually made it to 105! Enjoy getting to know my life... 100 things… 1. Born in Puyallup Washington 2. Favorite Drink: Nonfat Iced Hazelnut Latte, light on the hazelnut 3. Pushed out of a cherry tree at age 9, and had to have surgery because of it 4. Married my cousin Ross at age 5 5. Went to Japan on a missions trip in 1992 6. Asked a college boy on a date (during girl ask guy week) while visiting my sister at her college. 7. Took my sister-in-law to Puerto Vallarta Mexico and had a little too much fun 8. First kiss was when I was 14, riding back from North Dakota unchaperoned on a train! 9. In high school my best friend admitted she was going to commit suicide so called and told her parents-friend hated me ever since! Friends don’t rat…I...

Jeff over at Notes from the Trail recently blogged an amazing offer of a free magazine subscription to the first four people to comment on his blog! My husband was lucky enough to benefit from Jeff’s generosity, and I have since thought of ways to “pay it forward” to my readers! After much consideration and creative thought I have come up with this exciting offer. (Hold up: before rushing to my comment section please stop and read my friend, Kristi's blog ! Trust me, it is all related!) Now that you’re back, this is the offer! I am giving away a two-year subscription of either Scrapbook Etc. Magazine , or Memory Makers Magazine , to the first three people (commentors) who agree to pledge the specified amount per pound to Kristi for her missions trip. Her goal is 10 lbs! I am offering the first free subscription to the first person that comments here and agrees to pledge $3.00 per lb. toward Kristi’s weight-loss-a-thon. However, you must “act fast,” because if you’re second, the n...

I, like the rest of my sidebar buddies, are addicted to comments! I know that sounds crazy, but when I use to use an “Amish journal/diary” to harbor my thoughts, I would secretly wish someone would find it, and read the craziness that was me. Although the entries were usually about weight loss, boys, in-laws, and the like, I still hoped that someone would stumble on it (even tried leaving it out, just in case that person didn’t like to dig for it)! I have a couple of lurkers who are shy about using the anonymous commenter . They either have forgot their passwords, or just didn’t have the time it takes to sign up (quoting “BM” time is far more important - - 1 minute common!). Now, you know I am just yanking your chains! You do have one, right? So, I thought I would reply to your emailed comments via my blog because emailing is so yesterday! Dad wrote, “My password seems to have been forgotten by blogspot so I can't log in -- I ran out of time and am therefore using direct e-mail. I ...

You could’ve seen me at Hollywood Cinema last night. I sat fourth row back from the front. Second seat in. I was the one with the black hoodie stretched over my head, shielding my eyes from the latest release of The Omen . A friend’s suggestion, backed by “Julia Stiles is your favorite actress” from my husband, persuaded me to see the newly released flick! I wasn’t even conscious of Richard Donner’s 1976 version! I now know there was a reason for that! At least I got to watch the preview for the upcoming movie called “ The Devil Wears Prada (What’s Prada though. I’m so not the fashion girl!).” Are we obsessed with all things evil? What was I talking about? Oh right, the movie! Sitting, watching, and ingesting all things evil (mom is shaking her head saying, “I can’t believe she saw that junk, we raised her better”). I came to the conclusion that evil doesn’t need a number! Evil is evil is evil! 666 is just numbers! Chew on that, as you eat rich, salty, buttery popcorn. By the way, why...

Pictures worth a thousand words! There's two thousand for ya! Longest blog I ever wrote! Thanks Dailypie for the link!

The weather cancelled our swim plans! Frugality has been our friend lately, so we went home and whipped up some homemade donut holes. I love this idea! Take dinner rolls, cut each dough piece into fours, drop it into oil and then roll it in whatever type sugar you want! They were eaten as fast as they took to make. Super Simple...unless you feel the need to make your own refrigerator dough. I have that recipe too! Brown sugar or powdered? The kids love this part! Fingers get sticky and taste sweet! Must lick fingers...! This was the conversation. "Look at this crazy dragon book, Ethan! Valerie, I drew those pictures! No, it says Eric Carle did! Mommmm!" I was even able to get in 20 pages worth of pleasure reading! We had Mozart playing, and all was peaceful, just as it should be! Now for the rest of the day... Watched Milo and Otis Valerie's boyfriend (the one that isn't interested in kissing her)and a girl down the street came over to play for a couple hours. Went to...

It was the first day of summer vacation! We spent the early morning participating in swim lessons at the local pool! Junior auxiliary provides the kids with lessons for 10.00 a week. There is only one hitch, the pool is packed with at least 100 eager children screaming for the attention of the swim instructor's. Maybe this mom is a bit of a worrier, but they could have a near drowning while the instructors are socializing! I chant, "I will not worry, I will not worry, I will not worry." I refrain from yelling out..."please watch my daughter, she thinks she can swim" because you know how 7-year olds exaggerate! I calmed those crazy nerves by reading..but I staggered over every sentence and reread each word 10 times. I closed the book and gave into that anxious inner person! Finally when they were safely back in the car, I breathed (not literally folks...please think with the left side of your brain) ! I know this is why Mark refuses to go with us to the city poo...

My Deadly Sins Pride : 40% Sloth : 40% Greed : 20% Envy : 0% Gluttony : 0% Lust : 0% Wrath : 0% Chance You'll Go to Hell : 14% You will die from faulty botox injection. How Sinful Are You?

I am totally digging this filmloop! It allows my mom to see tons of pictures at one time! Anyways, the kids and I enjoyed the day at the city pool with my friend Wendy and her kids. We had a great time relaxing, swimming, talking, and trying to get a little sun to darken the whites of our legs. Ethan spent the whole time walking, not diving or jumping, off the diving board. He is my daredevil. Valerie spent most of her moments practicing her underwater swimming moves! She is close to becoming a unsupervised swimmer! Although when I left her in the shallow end she decided it wasn't for her and put her floaties on! I did have a Shanny moment later on when I came home and found that my husband didn't instantly, verbally appreciate me for taking the kids away for three hours! I don't know if I am the only one who feels this way, but when do I get three hours alone in my home by myself? I wouldn't know what to do with myself! A Queen in her castle alone...one can only DREAM~...

Saw this over at ItchyBits and liked it alot! Check it out: JCB Song.

What did I learn today? 1. Mark and I are complete opposites-discovered by taking the personality tests located on the sidebar! 2. I know Mark better than he knows me-discovered by taking the same personality test but for the other person! 3. Generating daily plans are a chore-discovered by the group circle we created to get ideas from everyone in the family! Mine being the best of course! 4. The public library has suspended and denied my husband a library card-discovered by the look on the librarian's face when she announced he still has a book that he checked out a year ago! 5. The snow cone has a new treated...a stuffed snowcone-discovered by signs plastered on the wall of the trailer announcing it's refreshing, delectable flavor! 6. That I have no business creating any type of graphic design-discovered by the description of my personality trait and confirmed by the 4 hours it took to revise my blog! 7. I will be bannerless until I seek profession help from NobleDesign (if...

Ethan had to get his immunizations (3) today! After his sister scared him to death with tales of "long pointy needles" and watching her get a cortisone injection (having three of us hold her down) a couple of weeks ago, he was not enthused. He begged, pleaded, and repeated how much he would love me "if I would cancel his Dr. Appointment." After explaining why I was taking him (I go into too much detail about the diseases he could get and such ) he was still confused and Leery. After waiting an hour to see the doctor, we were directed toward a room to speak with the nurse. This it the conversation that my son had with the nurse: "Are you the nurse?" "Yes" "Do I have to get a shot?" "Yes" "Go get your best worker, okay?"