The Simple Things

I have accepted into the Accelerated Nursing program! Huzzah! Yip-Yahoo-Hooray!!

But I await funding. I interviewed at the hospital this afternoon to compete with the other 46 nursing students for one of the 30 fully-funded positions. The beauty of this funding is that I wouldn't have to shell out a dime for tuition, fees, or books. They would also give me a $500 stipend per month as income ('cause that would pay my bills, right? Yay Hubby!). The only thing I'd have to supply would be nifty nursing scrubs and shoes. :) That I can handle. Oh, and? In return for all of their fundingness, I'd be guaranteed a job at their fine facility for 3 years. In this economy, I'll take free school and a secure job.

In the mean time, I'll catch you up on happenings. Or some of them. I've been vague and non-blogging for too long to cover it all in one post. Besides, it would be way too long for my one reader (sup, ASUjoan!).

We visited my sister for her daughter's 5th birthday. I can't believe my little sister has a freaking kindergartner. Here's a picture of her at the zoo this summer. I love that screwball.



While we were celebrating the anniversary of her birth with grilled cheese and homemade ice cream (Pop's is THE best!), Barley dog got herself into a little trouble. She ate rope and a doll sock and some streamers off my niece's bike handlebars. 'Cause that is appetizing, no? Certainly if you're a lab-girl in the world.

Troublemaker

Lesson learned. She's in a crate at home when left alone. We'll have to always travel with a crate. Even if we'll leave her alone for an hour lunch. Good thing she's so darned cute.

I'll spare you details, and pictures, but 2.5 weeks later it is still working it's way out. We've decided to let nature take it's (disgusting) course because Barley may have trouble recovering from the surgery. The vet is involved and ready to jump in if things go bad, but it would appear that Barley is ...moving things... right along. And I have proof. Which I will not show you. You're welcome.

In the mean time, I'm thankful. Thankful for my mom (her health is steady thus far), my sisters (only a little crazy, but no more than usual), their kids (hilarity ensues), and the rest of my (not-so-normal) blood clan. I'm thankful for my wonderful in-laws (who live closer to the nursing program and have wonderfully opened their home to me as often as I'll need it while in school!) and my husband.


This post is really about him and the little things he does to take care of me and make me happy. These things I really have to remember to cherish right now because their occurrences will be few and far between once I'm in school mode and away from home 6 days a week. *sad*

Little things like how he holds my hand most nights once I come to bed and always warms up my side of the bed for me. And how he will get me cold packs or a drink or medicine when a migraine sneaks up on me. I enjoy just sitting and being with him, whether it's watching a movie on the couch, taking a hike, or sitting in sunshine on the porch. Not talking, just being.

I love how he pretends that he can't hold a baby so that I'll believe that he's horrible with kids. :) I really appreciate how he'll eat anything I make for dinner and pretend to like it even though it wasn't so successful of a venture and then cleans up after. Another thing? I really like how he laughs at the stupid little things I get hung up on, like buttoning the duvet back with the seams hidden. But still does it.

All because he loves me, too.

Yep. I love this man. Even if he doesn't have any idea how to hold a 1 month old baby.

Channeling Sheryl Crow

Barley, Kimber and I were outside yesterday afternoon, soaking up the sunshiney warmth.
Apparently, we weren't the only ones:

"Whatcha getting, Kimber?"


"Is that what I think it is?"

"HEY! That's a ..."

"Aww. It's a wittle baby rat snake!"

I was thinking of ASUjoan when I saw this GIRL

SHE has been hanging out on the same rose on my rose bush for more than 2 weeks. I wonder what SHE'LL do when the flower dies?


Did you see the purple eyes? Creepy!!

UPDATE: She's a Green Lynx Spider. Cool!

Are you ready for some football!?!?

:) I sure as hell am.
GO APPS!!!!

Waiting

I sent in my application to the nursing program yesterday morning. Not sure when I'll hear back.

Please, please, please keep your fingers/toes/eyes crossed for me. But don't do that while walking -- that could be dangerous.

Groceries? Check!

Now, I'm no Grocery Gamer, but I'm pretty happy that I saved $90 at the grocery store today. And? I only bought things we actually use. :) My $225 grocery bill was $115. Not too bad for a month's supply of dry goods, meat for the freezer, cleaning supplies, bath stuff, and veggies that I don't have in my own garden. I think it was worth the hour I spent combing through my coupons and the HT sales flier. I (heart) Triple Coupons.
Speaking of the garden, it has been decimated by squash bugs and blossom end rot. No worries, though. I got a metric ton of zukes and more tomatoes than H and I will ever eat this summer. I wish I knew how to can -- maybe with next year's garden. Any suggestions on stuff to plant for the winter?
On to finish up the rest of my list before we head to the beach!! :)
Wipe your chin. I'd hate for you to drool on your keyboard. :) <3!

Home again!

I'm home again, and hitting the ground running.

My 3 day weekend with family in PA turned into a 2.5 week adventure as a personal chauffeur for my Gram and Mom. Gram decided that she'd like to come down to NC (wonderful!) and visit all of us here. I thought this would work out well, as my 2 sisters decided that they'd like to go back to PA the next weekend. I agreed to drive Mom and Gram home with me, then one of my sisters would take Gram for the week and then drive her back to Pittsburgh.

Except.

It totally didn't turn out like that at all. :) Anyone surprised? Didn't think so. But it was a good visit, even if it was a tad long and completely exhausting. We spent time fixing up cemetery plots for my Pap and sister Erinn (she was a premie born almost exactly one year before me) and went to Slippery Rock to visit Dad's final resting place. In fact, we visited Dad 8 years to the day that he passed. I can't believe it's been that long -- sometimes it still seems so recent. I spent some quality time with my cousins, aunt and uncle, too.

Once home, I didn't have much of a break. Dad's sister and her partner caravanned with me from the Burgh and stayed for a little while. Hubby and I had a few days to ourselves before my family conviened on us for the day Saturday.

I think we're done with family visits for a little while. :) I know H is!! All the same, we do enjoy being with all of them, especially during happy times. It makes the rough spots a little easier to take.

This weekend we're headed to the beach. I'm hoping that Ana/Bill/Claudette behave themselves -- we need a vacation!!!

On the school front, things are moving right along. I've got almost all of my paperwork done. Now I need one more set of official transcripts and a physical with booster shots. Poo. Keep those fingers crossed!!