Two days down....

oh i don't know, about a hundred to go. The days, they ain't so bad, it's the mountains of forms, papers and assignments! As one of my friends often writes, GAAAAAAAAAAAH! So the first day, she was okay...but day 2...STRESSFUL. Yesterday, we went from 7-1930! Full of meetings, and explanations of what's due this semester in clinicals. Ya know, I've gone through this before, but now I have a different CI. Well let me tell you (say it as your mother would), sooooo different. Last semester, I had a CI who disliked the mountains of forms/paperwork, so we had very little. THIS semester, my CI wants every bloody frickin form. Now the forms ain't so bad, but it's what we must do to fill out said form. I won't go into details, because it would effect you more than an overdose of Valium. I am feeling completely overwhelmed..had you noticed? Well praise God, I've got today to detox. And praiser God that we have a 3 day wknd as well. Yes the praiser was intentional, you know, praise, praiser, praisest.

So today i will get my handy dandy calendar out, and fill out my life for the next...oh 100 days or so. And then I will attempt to breeeeeeeeeeeeeathe through it. I will tell myself, a time or two or 200, that I WILL MAKE IT.But I'm telling you yesterday, I kept hitting wall after wall. EVERY time I got in my car I went the wrong direction. Honest. On the freeway, on the off ramps, on every bloody street. I did U-turns yesterday at least 20 times. I am honestly not exaggerating. Not once, the whole day did I drive in the correct direction.

Oh and you know what? I failed the math competency yesterday too. Bad start to my day, I'm telling you. I buzzed through it. Thought it was easy. BUT the instructor at the beginning of the test said to round ALL ml to the tenth. NOT just the ml/hr! So I did as she instructed, and missed 3 of them! And then 2 others because of a stupid 0 mistake I made. So I will have to retake it, which is STRESSFUL because if I fail it a second time, I'm out of nursing school completely! Yeah, I'm about crying right now. I can't believe I failed, I was so damned ready for it! GAH.

So...I should just shut up, I know I'm bringing this party down. If you could, I would appreciate any and ALL encouragements you could send...and prayers of course. I will tell myself once again, 'God is in His heavens, and all is well'. "Ummmm....God, a little help here please."

I hope your day is completely wonderful. And please do forgive my overindulgence of angst.

Countdown

(click on picture to read comments on pic.)
So this is my last wk of boredom...I mean freedom. You know, as far as free time goes, some of us love and utilize each minute. And then... there are people like me who KNOWS I should be slaying dust bunnies, smiting evil smudgy windows, making flash cards for the semester, and yet... I continually waste time. When I am busy with school or work, I am much more efficient in the use of my time. I get much more accomplished. Ah well. I did get a few things accomplished so I will have to be satisfied with that. I will start back to school a wk from today, and I will be in absolute shock. "What? What's this? A power pt? Huh? p o w e r p o i n t?" Oh, it'll come back to me, but the first 2 days, I'll be walking into walls with a dazed look. A wk from now, I'll be asking y'all, "what's a care plan again?" Dang, I've only made like 30 or 40 of them! (OKAY, I might've exaggerated here a bit...I've made about 15-20, but it feels like 30 or 40. But I have been in nursing school for 4.5 semesters, so it adds up.)

But this wk, my goal is to hit the gym 3 times, to get my back ready for those 12 hr days, that we will have on day 2. And I've gained 3lbs back (seeeee, I don't do well with too much free time!), so I hope to get that back on track as well. I also want to go see my mommy, which is always sooo hard. And I'll try to finish a few more romance books. Right now I'm reading, Lynsay Sands, Devil of the Highlands. Yup, per fluff.

Well off I go, I must put on some spandexy type leggings for the gym. Have a lovely Monday.

Ever have one of "those" days?

Of course you have. Nothing interesting, just lots of lil' things. Vajayjay appt, dog appt, daughter appt, returning stuff.... Get home, eat dinner, breeeeeeeeeeathe, go pick up kids from across town. I'm tired. Well this made me smile, so there.

25 things...

I know you didn't ask, but you must be DIEING, absolutely DIEING to know 25 random things about me. I am stealing this idea from Kirsten, so you can thank her.

After reading, TAG! You're it! You write 25 things on your blog, or email them!

1. I love the color orange, bright orange.

2. As a little girl I wanted to be a go-go dancer, with shiny boots.

3. I taught Jr. High History for a few years. Loved the kids, hated history.

4. I have Bachelors in Sociology. LOVED the major. I thought I’d never use it, but it’s coming in handy now.

5. I am ADD, and I talk a lot, and I do mean A LOT.

6. I love old music, big band, and country rock. I CANNOT tolerate ‘80’s music.

7. I have been to Europe 3 times, and would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to live a few years in France. Two of the times I went, I was on a summer mission.

8. A couple years back I wrote part of a book I hope to publish one day. It is a romance.

9. Foremost in my life, I want to love Christ more, and share His amazing grace.

10. Chocolate does NOT thrill me.

11. I love to read fiction.

12. I am 4 months away from finishing my RN program. Praise God!

13. I will go to school as long as I can breathe.

14. I LOVE to learn languages, new vocabulary, read dictionaries. French is my fave, next I want to learn Italian.

15. A day of bliss would include hitting old dusty bookstores and finding a really hot deal.

16. I don’t like to decorate my house. If it were up to me, once stuff is hung/placed etc. it will be there for the next 30 years.

17. I love sex.

18. I absolutely love getting together with my scrapping buddies and laughing till I cry.

19. My hubby is the best.

20. I pick up languages easily enough, just don't ask it to be grammatically correct. And don't ask me to write them. I could speak french well when I was there. Now? Dang, I've forgotten soooo much of it. I also speak Teacher and Waiter spanish.

21. I can’t stand to listen to perpetual victims.

22. I love museums, and the hunt for ever new artsy hobbies. Next? I want to learn glass blowing. Doesn’t that sound like sooo much fun??

23. I love teenagers. Mood swings and all. They crack me up, and I love the challenge of reaching them.

24. I love to cook when I’ve got time.

25. I hate, absolutely HATE talking on telephones, ANY type of phone. Can’t stand it. I turn all ringers off in our house, and only pick it up if I HAVE TO after listening to phone message. And derned if I can get off the dang thing when I do have to pick it up, because…. As I mentioned earlier…. I can blather on and on and on….

CERTIFIED

Yup, I passed the exams for the ACLS class today, whooo hooo! I am now certified. Aaaaaaaaand... the best part? I can put it on my resume. Geeps, I hope I never have to use it, it was haaard!

ACLS

So I've been in an ACLS class this week. Aaaaaaaaaand, as much as I've been dreading it, it has been an excellent class. For those of you in nursing, I totally encourage you to look into this certification. If for nothing else, it will absolutely help you with cardiac in nsg. school. Maybe you aren't like me, and you fairly whizzzzzzz through cardiac, then well, it should help you get a job.
This is one of the forms that we memorize. I hope I do okay.


Anyhoo, tomorrow is the testing, which seems really tough, but we'll see. Send up good wishes, prayers

homemaker monday

because once a wk is about all i can do......
I stole this from Lorie

On my bedside table: clock, water and glasses..not so thrilling

On my TV: nothing, but my boy is listening to something cartooney

On the menu for tonight: Steak and baked potato, yum.

On my To Do List: sweep the fur from the bathroom floor. and um...no, it's not from animals.

New Recipe I tried last week: Goat cheese and Leek Quiche. It was very yummy, if I do say so myself. (Except I used low fat milk instead of whole milk)

In the craft basket: I'm finishing my Christmas album...you remember...

Looking forward to: reading for fun, a nice romance.
Tip for this week: I will cook a whole bag of frozen chicken breasts with salt pepper and garlic salt, tear it up and freeze it. Then I'll use it to pack my lunches for salads or roll ups. I try to stay away from lunch meats, and this is just as fast.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): Tiffany she is so honest, and just so happy with who she is. Love her, and her blog. (and she makes me laugh!)

Lesson learned the past few days: God wants to bless me, so I don't need to constantly try to bless me, myself. ?ya know?

On my Prayer List: Mary who has new lungs, and is having digestion problems, and my boy who is sick again with head/chest cold.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: I've been reading the life of David. Right now I'm in Samuel, and I'm surprised and delighted to see that he wasn't ALWAYS so righteous. That he had periods of mediocrity in his faith. It's just amazing to me that the man that God loved made mistakes, was Luke warm and even blew it...More than once, and God continued to love him, teach him, admonish him, but He never forgot him...NEVER.

Scotland Teen Missions 1980

egad, I just aged myself! Here ya go Matthew, which one are you???

And for those of you who visit, and are saying, "what the...huh?" I went on a summer mission back in 1980 to Scotland, and am attempting to visit with some of them hopefully...here. I was 18, I'm in the front row standing first on the right with long dark hair parted in the middle wearing a jumpsuit. Egad, I guess my nice clothes must've been dirty! It was an amazing summer, I learned so much and totally fell in love with Scotland.

2008 in review

2008: A Year In Bulletpoints

Q: What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before?
A: Worked in an emergency room for one day.

Q: Did you keep your New Year's resolutions?
A: Yes, it’s easy… don’t make ‘em!

Q: What would you like to have in '09 that you didn't have in '08?
A: an RN after my name.

Q: What dates from '08 will remain etched upon your memory?
A: A couple days that God reminded me to just let go and trust Him alone.

Q: Did you suffer from any injury?
A: nope.

Q: Where did most of your money go?
A: Monte Carlo.
jk

Q: What did you get really excited about?
A: Getting BACK into school.

Q: What song will always remind you of 2008?
A: Love Story by Taylor Swift.

Q: Favorite TV shows of 2008?
A: Bones, Fringe and 30 Rock

Q: What was your greatest musical discovery?
A: Taylor Swift. (Qualifier here: I know she can sing terribly off key, but I am totally impressed with her writing ability.)

Q: Best book you read this year?
A: Twilight. Pathetic, aren’t I?

Q: Favorite film of the year?
A: Twilight

Q: Describe your fashion concept of '08:
A: “Will this chafe?”

Q: What celebrities did you fancy the most?
A: I know he’s just a boy….but I swear I’m 16… okay, I’ll admit it…Robert Pattinson and Tina Fey, but not in a baaad way.

Q: Who do you miss?
A: Most days are okay…but a question like this just knocks me for a loop again.. I miss my sister, Rene who died @ 5 yrs ago. She was so very joyful and tender hearted, and silly.

Q: Biggest achievement?
A: Failing without falling apart.

Q: Did you fall in love in 2008?
A: Absolutely. Over and over again with my hubby. It doesn’t happen just once.

Q: What's one thing that would have made your year more satisfying?
A: To have passed that darned semester the first time! But I know, I know, God can teach me so much more, when I’m forced to trust Him more.

Now you play!

finished it

I am sad to say, I just completed the LAST book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. It was soooo good. And the fourth book is just about as good as the first in my opinion. The only thing that would improve it is more sex, more details thereof and maybe pics of Edward. But other than that it was perfect.

So...now what to do.... alright, alright I'm going to start studying. It is hard to be motivated with nearly a month to wait, but I'll try.

Other than that... I've been setting up appts for Dr, dentist, gyno, and well that covers it. not thrilling. do you hear crickets here too? I do.

I do have about 5 or 6 other romances i can read, but I dare not start one, or I will be sucked in, and get NOoooo studying done whatsoever.

As of right now, I have clinicals assigned at a great hospital where I might very well like to work. But at the same time, I am also the first one who can get bumped to another hospital, so I am holding my breath until after I've been there a few wks.

That's it for now, have a good wk.

mine meme

Everything you never wanted to know:: This has been borrowed/stolen from Kristen and Tiffany.

1. Do you like blue cheese? Not often, but every now and then
2. Have you ever smoked? nope
3. Do you own a gun? nope
4. What flavor of Kool Aid is your favorite? Hawaiian punch
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? no
6. What do you think of hot dogs? On occasion, covered in chili and amer. cheese
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas in Connecticut
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? Coffee w/sweet n low and coffee mate
9. Can you do push ups? only bras
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my long gold chain, it kinda sparkles
11. Favorite hobby? Scrappin'
12. Do you have A.D.D.? Yup, I definitely do.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? fickle
14. Middle name? Duffy (it was my maiden name) and before that Marie.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
A) ummmm that tuna was good
B) do I have time to squeeze in a little nap before picking up kids...
C) I guess I'll need to brush my teeth again..
17. Current worry? Making it through last semester of nursing school
18. Current hate right now? People that blather on and on all their complaints, very negative people.
19. Favorite place to be? comfy chair with a good book
20. How did you bring in the new year? Me and my boy watching the ball drop on TV.
21. Where would you like to go? Italy
22. Name three people who will complete this:
A) Laurel
B) that's it
23. Do you own slippers? Yup, I got new ones for my anniversary with little hot pink dingaballs on them. Yes, I said dingaballs.
24. What shirt are you wearing? A soft brown long sleeved T with brown sweater that's stained.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No, they're too derned slippery!
26. Can you whistle? Yes
27. Favorite color? Orange and yellow
28. Would you be a pirate? Is there a good retirement plan and dental?
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? none
30. Favorite Girl's Name: Fiona
31. Favorite boy's name: Jesse
32. What's in your pocket right now? A used tissue, and some fuzz.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? The movie, GhostTown. Sooooo funny.
34. What vehicle do you drive? Ford white mom van
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Knee contusion, owwww
36. Do you love where you live? Yup, usually.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Egad, 5.
38. Who is your loudest friend? Laurel, though I can't hear her anymore bc she's in GA!
39. Do you have any pets? yup, one shihtzu, one gray kittie, and a large 6 yr old goldfish
40. Does someone have a crush on you? Oh yeah, my hubby's got it bad...
41. Your favorite book? Oh so many. Um....Jane Eyre I guess.
42. Do you collect anything? coffee spoons
43. Favorite Sports Team? nada
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Jaws

And noooo, I didn't misspell birtday

it's just how I grew up saying it. You know, some people like to keep there birthday's quiet, unassuming. no, not me. I was the baby in my family, and so I was ridiculously spoiled on my birthday with stuff. I no longer have such high demands, but I do still love feeling just a tad wonderful. Think about it... I'm 47 now, and still get happy at birthdays. I ordered my birthday present yesterday, bc my dh just couldn't pick it out from the list I gave him. Don't worry, those little things don't matter at all to me, I'm extreeeeeeemely practical. So, I was looking for a Celtic cross since I was a Duffy before marriage, and love most things Irish. Well I discovered that most of those crosses looked just a tad too manly for me. I began looking at all these other crosses and the stories behind them, and came across this one. It had the neatest story with it, so I had to get it. Yup, this is my birthday present, and I can't wait to get it. If you are interested in her story, here it is: St. Brigid. Most of them (the stories) are fairly long, but in short, she was very caring to the poor, and shared Christ to those around her in ways that they could understand. That is my life's goal of course, more than nursing, wiving or even mothering. That I could be used by Him. So this cross seemed a perfect reminder for me.

So...what will I do on this momentous day? Cover my gray for one, and get hair trimmed. I'm fine with turning 47, but derned if I'll be completely gray by 50. I can't do a dang thing about the wrinkles and sagging b...... but cover the gray I will! Later dh and ds will take me for a little treat before I head out to scrap. As I've mentioned somewhere before, my daughter also shares my birthday, but she is gone on an Ag. convention until tomorrow night. So, we will go out as a family Sunday night. I still get to do my favorite thing tonight...well one of my favorite things....and then I still get to party Sunday.

so..you have a fun day too, K!

RE-registration..again

So I went back to school today and RE-registered for my classes. With God's help, this will be my LAST nursing school semester! I will have clinicals at St. Josephs unless there are problems and I get switched to Hoag. Geeps, I hope not, it's so dang far, and the clin.instructor is sooo intimidating. Now, I just have to find all my paperwork to RE-submit, bc they don't have my files since they have been RElocated temporarily. Ah well. I'll have to head over to my Dr.'s to have him RE-fill out my physical. Luckily he is very easy going and will do it for me. I am very relieved to have gotten in, and sad too, for a few of my friends who did not get back in. I am still hoping that some of those who were called to get back in, don't so that they have a chance. Does that make sense??

Um...that's about all for now. Other than I finished Midnight Sun (at least what's published on her site) yesterday and am almost halfway done with Breaking Dawn of the Twilight series. I have to finish my joy reading since I'll be back in the real books soon.

I'M BACK IN!!!

I am soooooooooo happy and relieved! I am crying I'm so dang happy! Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes!

I guess I need to start my pre-study for reals now....

Halleluja!!!

sooner or later

It will be time to put the decorations away, throw out the tree, and gather up the school books. No boohooing... the fun must end. Hey... how's that for a depressing start to the new year?!! Of course I'm just kidding anyhoo. There's still plenty of vacation left for this girl. The new semester doesn't begin until February IF I get back in. BUT... I really must start my pre-study that I've put off. My hubby and kids are back to school on Monday, so I will begin then... after I get my new permanent crown put on. I've had a temp for a few weeks.

And new years resolutions? I don't believe in them. But.. I do love a good goal. My goal will be to grow in godly humility. (which seems funny to me, because I'm sooo silly, and humility seems so serious. But I do believe I can combine them with nooo problem.) I would love to do kindness without wanting any attention/accolades. I don't believe this goal to be an easy one, or a year's resolution, but just a lifetime goal. So there ya go, there's mine.

Yesterday I went scrapping for 10 hours. I got a good amount of my Christmas album done. I wasn't feeling great, so my brain seemed to be in second gear most of the time, or I might've been able to finish it. Yeah right. But I did get to see some friends that I hadn't seen in almost a month so that was very nice. My dd and her lil' friend came too, which is always nice to hear them chattering and giggling all night.

That's it for now. Everyone have a nice/fun/relaxing/exciting/catatonic weekend! (Circle the best answer)

Happy New Year's Eve!

I hope you all enjoy your last day of 2008 today. Tonight my hubby, boy and self will be celebrating with some friends at our local downtown for a "First Night" celebration. It's a no-alcohol family night with lots of free entertainment, and food booths. We've never gone before though we only live less than a mile from it. So that should be fun...though me and hubby have been fighting allergies, and don't really feel like getting down....with our bad selves.

now, onto turkey talk:
So, I brined my turkey after defrosting for 3.5 days. I brined over night with this here Turkey Brine recipe that turned out AMAZING. Yup, my first turkey ever, and we all agreed, it was the best turkey ANY of us had ever tasted! Wow! How amazing am I??? Hee hee. Honest tho, it turned out good because I followed some great recipes. I kind of threw together 3 different ideas. First, I brined with that thar recipe, then when I cooked it, I did the Laurel method for the first 1/2 hr. Then I covered with foil TIGHTLY just like P.W. said too, and I baked and buttered according to her Roast turkey recipe. Maybe that sounds complicated, but here's the summarized version:

1. brine night before

2. first 1/2 hr 450, then 275

3. follow P.W.'s recipe completely
Is that easier?


Here's a pic of my beautiful turkey! That whole there on top was from where I had to fork it...and then of course i had to taste it, bc it tore off a little. (btw, it was a Zacky turkey)


And ummmm... a beautiful me...dang I'm looking pale.


And you can see here, the tryptophan was doing its job by successfully knocking out my BIL later that evening.
See, it had to be good.


In other news, my fam went up to the local mountains for some snow fun. This is me spinning down a snowy hill.



My boy racing down.....

Me and my honey at a little coffee shop we went for lunch...





My whole little family... I forget to tell my boy to take off his goggles dang it.





So, there ya go, I've updated you way MOOOOORE than you EVER really wanted! So.. How was your Christmas? Do tell me what you made. Probably something waaaaaay more exotic than the silly turkey I made. Anyone try for prime rib??? Yumm that sounds so good right now. Did anyone try making any new desserts?? Do tell....I'm waiting right here until you do.



I'm still waiting.....

brining and a turkey

I have always been frightened out of my head to make a turkey, but I'm 46, and by-gum, it's time to try! The biggest fear is the defrosting. I started defrosting Sunday, and tomorrow night, hopefully, I will put it in a brining solution. Yup, two brand new things for me! Then...with many prayers, ashes and sack cloth..I will have a turkey look just like this: Dontcha think??

The rest of the meal will be pretty conventional. Pretty Thanksgivingy, more than Christmas I guess. But I hate ham, so I have to give this a whorl. Is that actually a word?? Ooooh, I just remembered I haven't planned dessert. Hmmmm, I'll have to pick up something. I hope you all have a great christmas!

Sunday before Christmas

So...the last few days I've been mixing, cooking and finally yesterday baking. I LOVED the lemon cookies, and the whoopie pies..... were o....kaaay, (they are the chocolatey looking ones in the plastic wrap) but a way bit toooo sweet for me. On the other hand, those folks that LOVE sweets, went on and on about them, and how amazing they were. Of course I say that with all humility. My platter, trays, gifts came out darned cute if I do say so myself, as you can see here.

Got together for family gift exchange last night at my Auntie's. It was nice to see everyone. Some of these folks I only see once or twice a year, so that was nice. I'm always shocked at the little ones who sooo drastically change in one years time. And it's always nice to hear about new romances that have popped up, and sad to hear about a very possible break up of my niecey and long term boyfriend father of their child. (man it would be sooo much easier to just say hubby, but they aren't married...)

The hard part of the evening was explaining many times over, that NOOOOOOOOO I'm not a nurse yet, nooooooooooooo, i'm stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiill not done with nursing school, yeeeeeeeeeeees, I failed and must repeat. So danged embarrassing, and humbling. Ah well, whatcha gonna do. They were all very nice and understanding, and hopeful for June. Dang I hope I get back in...

So I am not thrilled with this camera in which you see these pics. My daughter bought one less expensive with seemingly better outcomes. I am thinking of returning, though I've had it quite a while. And it got scratched up in my purse due to a file floating around with it. I wonder if Costco would take a return after over a month??? Just thinkin'. What do you think of these pics?

Well I do pray that ya'all are having a lovely Christmas season. That you are not toooo harried, and that you are eating something good and fattening. Other than that, praise God for sending Himself to this very imperfect world to save us VERY imperfect people. Merry Christmas.

rubber face...

Yep, that's how it feels. Got a crown done today at the dentist. I am talking funny, and I feel like my tongue is 5 inches thick. Don't you just hate that feeling?? And I guess it's justice that I LOOOOOVE to give shots, but I'm a big ole baby when I get them.

About graduation? That day is passed, and I am feeling better. Lucky for us (those of us who didn't pass) it's the holiday season with lots to do, see and have fun with.

Today I am planning on a bake day. I like to make baked treats to give as some of my gifts. Here's what my semi-plan is:

Glazed Lemon Cookies,

Spiced Pecans,

Whoopee Pies (from a cookbook at home; America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook).

Or if you have any ideas concerning packable "salty" or "savory" ideas, I couldn't think of anything else.

graduation today

So today is feeling much harder than I had hoped. Today my class is graduating. I wish I was there. So, any prayers, thoughts, sent out to me today would be greatly appreciated. My head knows this time can only be a benefit to me, my faith knows that God is using this "no stress" time to help with family stuff etc. My heart on the other hand is breaking today. No poor poor pitiful me, just some tough truths. God is in His heaven, and tomorrow will feel better. Thanks y'all.

scrappum frustrations...

So I've been working on that Xmas scrapbook and you know what I've found out? As your kids get older ~remember, mine are 13 and almost 17~ you do less Christmas stuff. So I'm taking a picture a day like your 'spose to, and have discovered that my pics are like...the gym, Del taco (tonight), the farm, my daughter home sick, some tupperware of soup...you get the point. And as you can see, these really don't lend themselves to looking very "christmasy". Maybe this is a mistake.... um, maybe I shouldn't take a picture every day like you're supposed to, OOOOOOOOOR, I could just cut out some pictures from Martha's magazine and paste it in my little book. At best the book will be a lesson in what not to do. But I've already made the skeleton of the thing, so I will continue and finish dang it. Just don't expect much, I mean really, lower those expectations...

Well we have decorated our tree and house, so there have been that, but um.... that's about it. Most of the shopping is done, all I need to do is wrap. OOoooooh that'll be a good one eh? And I still need to some Christmas baking...there's another one, yipee.

I met w/dean of nsg, but didn't find out much more, other than we'll find out if we're back in, in January. So I will enjoy my time off in the meantime. The graduation for my class is Friday, and I'd like to see everyone and the slide show, but I have reserved the right to chicken out at the last minute. I don't know if I can actually handle it.

So what's new with you?

so far..

A quick picture of our home on christmas last year. No really, it is. Shut up, I'm not lieing. Alright, I photoshopped in the tree on the left, but that's it.

Never mind, moving along....
just thought I'd share how far I've come on my album... worked all day yesterday on it... okay, so this isn't actually myyyy mess, I googled it. But I did make quite the mess, but here's some actual scrap pics... you might wanna laugh at. (you have to click on it, to see what is written I think)

But honestly though, here's a pic of myself, Brenda and Cheri scrapping our little hearts out yesterday. My hubby kept letting me extend my time until I was there from 12 noon until 10pm! Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh it's good to be out of school!

Although I am DIEING to dig right back in today, I WILL NOT. There, I put it in caps, so I can't go back on it. Since I wasn't very domestic yesterday, today I am paying penance by making some Cockie Leeky Soup, and no, I'm not kidding, check out the recipe. I changed my mind on the potato leek soup, bc i am just not in the mood for a creamy soup. And, I think I might even clean a little. Yup, just a little, I don't want to go too far for pity sakes. Although I have been just goofing around on the computer until oh... noon. Shame on me, I'm gonna go, so I can at least have the appearance of getting something accomplished. I hope you are having a lovely Thursday.

On the first wk of Christmas...

So I hit some of the black friday sales, and got a chunk of my shopping done. Though, the gift thing has never been gigantic, like some folks I talk to. Some have to shop for all their aunts, cousins, uncles, grandparents etc, here and away. We shop for our nuclear fam, get gifts for wee ones, and all the rest, we pick a name. Easy hah? Yup, pretty stress free really. And luckily no one expects expensive stuff.

Gosh, I hope I didn't sound braggy.

My goal for this wk, is to make some sort of potato leek soup or cockie leeky soup. But it has to stay cold for soup, so we'll see. I also want to make a christmas album.
Here's the site if you want to take a look-see. December Daily Album 2008 It's kind of a look at your life for the month of december.

Studying? Well I've gotten rather lazy about that so I bought a new calendar, and a MON-FRI list to get myself going. I know what I want to get done, but it is hard to be motivated when you don't even know if you'll be back in school in the Spring! It will be by lottery since there are so many of us. But I need to get back on track. If I don't start in the spiring, then I will definitely go for the LVN boards and try to get a nursing job, so I don't forget everything!