2 months..

Wow. It's been exactly two months since my last blog. I figured that once I got out of school and adjusted to a new career, that life would slow down. Based on my blog frequency, I guess it's obvious that...well. I was wrong. Life continues to stay busy. With what you asked? Let me give the random update.

I've landed myself as captain of a dart team. Like everything it has it's highs and lows, fun and frustrating times. Mostly it's busy.

Work has improved. I'm off of orientation/training and a regular staff nurse! I'm still not crazy about cardiac, but hey it's a job until I can get on in the children's hospital. I've switched to night shift which I actually love. It's less stress, less physical labor, much more pay...everyone's asleep for the most part, and my coworkers are awesome. I have a new boss who is also awesome, so I really can't complain about much...except for the fact it's not peds. For now, it'll do.

Being a "staff" nurse is a little scary. Ok. A LOT scary. I never really thought of the stress that goes into this career. Now, granted, I never thought it was gonna be a walk in the park. However, knowing that I am responsible for a patient surviving the night is just terrifying at times. I don't mean that towards my skills or knowledge..just scary in general. And it's not like you only get one patient. Heart monitors going off, meds to pass, assessments to do, oxygen levels dropping.... and when it rains, it pours. It's not like all of this is stretched out over the 12 hrs. Ohhhh no. When one heart monitor goes off, I'm convinced they call or text message each other and time it so that numerous monitors go off at the same time.

With a new shift comes a new lifestyle. The girl who the night before work was in bed by 10, is now the girl that the night before work, is up all night until 4 or 5 am. And it's hard to be quiet. Even the simple tapping of the keyboard right now seems super magnified and I'm convinced that when I breath too loud it will wake up the whole neighborhood. I seem to get in a cleaning mood around 2am...dishes, laundry, vacuum.... but I dont' want to wake the hubbs up. I know when I'm sleeping at 2pm after a night of work (2pm is a night shifters 2am), I certainly wouldn't want to wake to the "lovely" sound of a vacuum.

It's also football time in the bluegrass!!!!! For the past two seasons it's been hit and miss on my availability to attend games, and games I could attend..... tailgating was super limited!! This season, we've tailgated and been to every game except the very first game... the UK vs UL game tickets were so expensive so we had a cookout/party at our house and had a blast. The weather was perfect, the food was awesome, and the company rocked... and the CATS won. Needless to say, that win thing hasn't happened as much as I had hoped. There are 5 games left, and 2 of which are home games. We will be at the game this coming sat vs EKU. Surely to GOD we will win this one. The last home game is vs TENN (booooo rocky top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). It's on the weekend of thanksgiving so our attendance to that one is up in the air based on weather, tix, and what we are doing for the holidays since I have to work the Wed night (7p-7a) before thanksgiving.

In new and developing, and worrying news, my mom received a call late tonight from her dr's office that her mammogram came back bad. We don't know anything other than that at this time and will hopefully hear from the dr for more news on this soon.

Well, not much interesting stuff going on in this post..... guess I shall catch up some DVR shows and try to stay awake for a few more hours.

Another Birtday!!!!

Yesterday was my hubby's Bday!! I'd like to wish the man I married, the man I am spending forever with, and my best friend the greatest bday ever. (I'm late blogging it, but still). We went out and celebrated all the way until nearly 3am this morning. SHEW. I'm pooped. Guess I really AM getting old????

In past on Ashley's bday, I've posted poems, songs, etc.... this year it's gonna be a song.. and it's one that he probably has never heard as he isn't much into country. It came on my ipod last night and just seemed like an appropriate bday lyric blog!

My Wish- (rascal flatts)
I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,
But more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you,
and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you,
and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
This is my wish

I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Happy birthday to me!

There are a few times throughout the year in which I like to reflect on the 365 days leading to that event. New Years is a huge one. My Birthday is the second biggest time of the year that I reflect. Where I'm going, Where I've been. Yes. I did quote Forrest Gump. Totally.

Wow. This is my LAST 20 something birthday. Where does the time go? I've been informed by the hubbs that starting next year is when everything starts to go down hill. Lovely. Looking forward to that!! Cause, I was already beginning to wonder if there was a manufacturers warranty on this ol' bod.

I'm ending this quick lil post with a Jimmy Buffet song that I really like, and for the past SEVERAL years since I first heard this song it has been my own personal bday anthem. I figured it was time to share it with my blog friends. :)

Thanks to everyone for their bday wishes via phone calls, texts, facebook, and emails!!! My cup runneth over.

Trip Around the Sun (Jimmy Buffet, Martina McBride)
Hear 'em singing Happy Birthday
Better think about the wish I make
This year gone by ain't been a piece of cake

Every day's a revolution
Pull it together and it comes undone
Just one more candle and a trip around the sun

I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning
And it's good to know it's out of my control
If there's one thing that I've learned from all this living
Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go

No, you never see it coming
Always wind up wondering where it went
Only time will tell if it was time well spent
It's another revelation
Celebrating what I should have done
With these souvenirs of my trip around the sun

(Chorus)

Yes, I'll make a resolution
That I'll never make another one
Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun
Just enjoy this ride ...Until it's done

Warning: Long Over-due Post.

I suck at updating my blog this summer!! Perhaps when it gets colder and I have less desire to leave our warm cozy home I'll post more. I do think about posting frequently. I enjoy it, and have had things I wanted to blog about, but some of the things just weren't appropriate for a blog. As much as I do discuss my personal life, some things are just *too* personal for the internet.



So lets sum up. I read my last post to see where I had left you hangin' last... (lol). Let's start with.......work...... sigh. The job has gotten a little better. I have a new person training me and that's making a huge difference. I had a realization that my entire career in medicine (10 yrs now) I have always said I NEVER wanted to do Cardiac. Ever. Not that I don't feel I'm smart enough for it, it's just not the thing I want to do with my life. Give me peds or neuro (strokes, brain stuff) and I'm just in a lil bit of Nursing heaven. Cardiac. Puke. Well, one day on the elevator ride up to the unit, it dawned on me..... I AM WORKING A CARDIAC FLOOR. How the hell did this happen? I basically accepted the first job offered to me just to get experience... so here I am. Insert F Bomb here. Thanks. December I am eligible for a transfer. So, ALMOST half way there...... wait.. ONLY halfway there?!?!!? Insert another F bomb..... here. Please, and thank you.



The good news is that I get to remain on Dayshift. I was suppose to go to night shift on August 1st, which is what I was hired for, but not that exciting to someone who's typically in bed by 10. So I just said to my boss in like the second week that if there was ever a dayshift opening, I was interested. Three weeks later it happened. I'm happy about that!! Plus, it's still only 3 days a week. I'm also picking up a part time job picking up some extra money doing flu shot clinics. Great money, make your own hours, etc. That'll be easy money...can't resist...



The money will be helpful since I just bought a new car!!! (yes, I'm excited!!) I just bought a Nissan Murano on Tuesday and I'm loving it. It's fully loaded and power everything. The engine has sooo much get up and go...which is taking some getting use to...but I'm managing ;) . It was my graduation/bday present to myself. :)



Birthdays. UGGGHHHH. I turn 29 this week. I'm realllllly not liking that this birthday is my LAST 20'something birthday. AT. ALL. I guess it beats the alternative...but... I like being in my 20's!! Plus, I feel like I didn't get to enjoy the first 3, so I want those back. I guess I should submit that request in writing??? To who??? I need to google that....



I'm also a tad bummed because I discovered two kick ass shows this summer, Nurse Jackie and Hawhtorne. (yeah, leave it to someone in healthcare to watch the new nurse shows!). Season's are already over!??!?!?! Damn it.



Tuesday was a super busy day because Bailey had to go to the vet due to limping. Verdict was it's arthritis and she has some joint pills and needs to loose weight. Bad news is she is not happy about the weight loss, and was far from happy with mommy, as she had to be left for several hours for xrays/sedation/etc. Yeah, I think she's still bitter.



Last weekend we went to Nashville for a huge dart tournament and for a couples getaway. We had so much fun, and I SWEAR I've never laughed so hard in my life. It's so true that my husband IS my best friend. Despite anything we go through, and everything we've been through, he's still my rock and the love of my life. Nashville was the best thing that we could've done. In a way, we rediscovered each other and our love for each other. It was great.



The hotel we stayed at was the Millennium Maxwell Hotel. Pretty nice hotel... the tournament was there so that was a plus...but who else was there??? The Tennessee Titans!! This is the hotel they stay at when they have a home game... lemme just say...these boys are b-b-b-b-bigggg. I came to their midchest and their arms were as big as my waist. As I've said before about this..mama like...mama like....lol.



Well, I think that should getcha all up to date... for now. Will do better about posting.... well, I will TRY!! :)

Where does the time go??

Well, as much as I'm on Facebook, I don't know if I truly have an excuse on lack of posting.... well, then again, most of my posting has been from my Iphone. I lohohove the facebook app... love love love it.

Let's see... started new job, and have a lot of mixed feelings about it. The person training me isn't really doing a good job of it. Matter of fact on my first day I was told "you pass the meds, I'm gonna go smoke". Ummm.. I didn't even know the drug cart CODE yet, policy for certain meds, etc, etc. I could go on and on and on... as I sometimes tend to do even when I say "long story short" (lol)..but I am gonna stop there on the trainer subject. The rest of the job is good. It's super long days, hard work, and I come home exhausted and around 8p.m. or a tad after.... I leave home around 630a.m. These were things I knew going into the career, btw. Just noting it's a defiantly loooong day. I work 3 days a week and it varies every week so I'm *really* having trouble keeping up with what day of the week it is, and when I have to go back in. It's very strange. And, only working 3 days means FOUR days a week off. Now THAT has got to be the best part of the job!!! :) I've been able to enjoy hanging with friends at the pool, chillin at the pool solo, shopping, relaxing, house work... just been really nice! I have one more month of training before I go to night shift... yuck. The extra money for nights (esp weekend nights) is what is really motivating me to buck up and work 7p-7a.

Worst day ever on the job?? So far it's been a day of being cussed at all day and having cups and stuff thrown at me as I leave the room. Why? Because the patient wasn't getting the drugs he/she wanted. The first couple of hours I spent being really nice, big smiles, "I'm on your side, I just can't do anything without the doctors orders..." etc, etc. Around 10 when the first cup of ice came flying at me...that was it. No more miss nice girl. I wasn't rude, but I realized there was no winning this guy over. If you did what he wanted, he STILL wasn't happy. Unless I brought him his magical drugs, nothing was gonna make him happy. Finally around 6pm I said to him "look bud.. I'm exhausted from having stuff thrown at me and being cussed at all day. So I'm gonna request for my last hour that you do not cuss me or throw anything. Got it?" He nodded.. I left...and at 745, I was out. I know that doesn't sound like the WORST thing in the world, considering extreme illness/death that occurs in a hospital...but so far, I've been lucky and the worst day has been a jerk. I *know* I just jinx myself, too.

June 8 was boards. June 10th I spent the entire day refreshing the screen that said either "your results are not available at this time" OR "your results are ready for you to view". Anytime after midnight the results could be available. I spent the entire day in a class room in orientation with this website pulled up on my Iphone. FINALLY at 3pm results were ready. I excused myself from the class and went to the pc's in the cafeteria to be able to access the results quicker. What magical words appeared??? PASSED. I was sooooo freakin' excited...and even more relieved. I just had it in my head that the first attempt I would fail and have to wait 45 days, study even more, and retake the devil's test called NCLEX. So glad that is behind me!!!!!

So, that's the quick update on my world. In other news.. today I woke up in a MAJOR need of a vacation. Not sure if I had a dream to provoke this itch or what. I'm talking an all inclusive fun and relaxing vacation..... hmmmmmmmm......... I'll have to ponder on this one!

Well, I wouldn't have an official blog if I didn't at least comment on the craziness of all the deaths in Hollywood, would I? I kinda have mixed opinions on the whole thing..... and agree with some of the comments I've heard. First off, they say deaths happen in three... So Billy Mayes started a whole new cycle.... everyone in Hollywood is giving each other the shifty eye wondering who's next, I'm sure. I WOULD be. Second of all, I think that Ed McMahon and Farrah got totally shafted by Michael. Granted I haven't been able to watch a lot of t.v. coverage of all this..but when I have had the t.v. on it's been Michael, Michael, Michael.

Everyone is mourning over the king of pop. Now, did I like MJ as a kid? Yup. Grew up listening to thriller, Billie Jean, LOVED Beat it and Black or white. I even had an MJ Barbie Doll. However, once he got..well...weird, I as well as most of the world lost interest. With the molestation charges, and everything else.... just... um... yeah wasn't a fan anymore. I was reminded last night that he was never found guilty. But, who is gonna pay 25 million bucks for something they did NOT do? I don't know.. I wasn't even remotely sad when I saw it on the news. I think it's more sad that this talented man got lost in a world none of us will understand to become the person he became...that nobody understood.

Well, that's enough on all of that... I'm now curious about who will finish out the notorious "three"..... lord knows there are plenty out in Hollywood in the running.....

Well, hubby and I are going to movies/dinner tonight...off to pick my poison!! muahahahaha...

Hope everyone is doing well out there in bloggerland! Until next time....

Time for an update, huh?

Well, life has remained busy and hectic on this side of the blog. However, I am pleased to announce that I have FINALLY graduated from Nursing School!! Yah! My hubby and our family came to both the RN Pinning ceremony and the graduation ceremony.. it was a busy weekend!! We even had the mothers day celebration that same weekend. It was a busy, but a really enjoyable weekend. Everyone had a nice time, I think.

I have a new job that I start in less than 2 weeks, and am really excited to start this next chapter of my career. I really really REALLY wanted in the children's hospital. Even interviewed and was their "top choice".. however, the job was cut for budget reasons so, well, I didn't get the offer. Booo. So, now I've moved on and somewhat accepting I will be working with adults. This job will allow for many opportunities and a great start.

Turning in my 2 week notice, especially after my boss never gave me a letter of recommendation (why? Because she's upset I'm leaving..)...... Now THAT was sweet. So sweet.

I take my boards on June 8th.. and let me just say that I'm nervous as CRAP about that beast!! I really gotta hit the books and get some more intense studying done!

So, while this post isn't overly exciting, just wanted you to know that yes, I'm still alive. Will hopefully post some fun entertaining things soon. :)

Signing out...

NURSE April. ;)