New year, new post!

:) Kind of. It still counts as it's still January, right?

School has begun. I went to orientation the first week of January and spent the ENTIRE next week fixing all of the problems that came up. Fancy how I can be accepted into one of the university's most difficult academic programs, but the University itself screwed up my admission... And that was just the beginning! At any rate, it's all sorted out (for the most part). I still have to reapply to the university in a month, but they will have to drag me out of my classes if anything else goes wrong.

Classes started January 12th. We hit the ground RUNNING. I'm in class 4 days a week, 8 am to 4 pm with an hour break for lunch. I've got 3 classes and 2 labs. Oh, and my first exam? It was that first Friday. Yep. For real. On material covered that first Thursday. Did I say running? I mean an all-out-mad-dash-sprint. But that's what "Accelerated" means, right? It means "running ragged" and "sleeps 3.5 hours per night. I look like hell by Friday morning. There isn't enough makeup in the world to cover up the dark circles under my eyes. And the stress-acne!!! There aren't words.

There are 41 of us in this program. Everyone seems really nice so far. Thankfully I've gotten into a reliable study group. There's no physical way I can read 50 chapters of nursing books each week. We're really good at splitting up the work and teaching each other what we know. I think that will be the key to getting through this.

I have 8 more weeks until we begin work on the floor in the local hospital. H is pretty excited about being my guinea pig at home. Next weekend I'll practice all of my Intro skills on him in preparation for my final exam. He'll get a sponge bath as well as a linen change while he's in bed. He's all up for that homework, but not so much for the Foley or rectal temperature skills. :) Can't say I blame him!

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!