So I've officially entered the contest!

Yes, I've decided on a few pics to enter in the contest. Normally I'm not much of a soliciter... but I would very much love it if anyone who reads this blog would vote for my photo:


http://www.weatherphotocontest.com/bin/Rate?image_id=1008401751

Thanks!!

Photo contest

So I'm entering a little photo contest and I'm having difficulty choosing the best photo to submit.
What do you think of the following? (all images copy right by me)

A.)

B.)

C.)

D.)

E.)



F.)

G.)

H.)

I.)

What a gorgeous day!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to drop in with a little update.

Just got home a few minutes ago. I've had an awesome day today!

First, around 12 o'clock, I went walking with my sis-in-law Angie and my neicy poo Carrigan. We walked the green belt and it was absolutely perfect weather! Breezy and 72. I think we ended up walking around 2.7 miles today! It was wonderful walking around and enjoying God's beautiful creations!



ck up a few extra things to make taco soup with later this week.

I'm trying to go walking a few days each week so I can work my way up to my ultimate goal: running!!

Anyhow, I must go now and renew my license tag as well as do LOTS of cleaning.

Take care everyone!

Wow, it's been awhile since I last posted!

Okay, so I haven't updated with an ACTUAL post since summer, and I apologize.
My priorities have been else where (ie: work/health stuff)

Anyhow, I'm home from work today with a stomach bug (insert Pepto song here, minus the heartburn) lol
I'm mainly laying around chewing on toast and listening to the fall breeze coming through the windows.

I am so glad fall is finally here! The average temp this week is around 72 for the high.
There is something about fall that invigorates me. The colors of the changing leaves from gold to crimson. The corn mazes and hay rides. Football season and marching band competitions. Apple cider and scary stories. For some reason it feels as though my mind and body can relax during fall.


What is your most favorite thing about fall time?
Here are some of mine:

Remembering 09/11/01

Life as we knew it, changed this day. So many people died...so many people left alone to mourn for their loved ones. No matter what happens, always remember this day. And continue to pray for those who are left behind.
glitter-graphics.com

glitter-graphics.com

True Beauty :
Do you think that a California girl is supposed to have curls and wear a jean size 3?
All the curves in all the right places, spray tanned faces just like on TV?
And we read in the gospel of Vogue that we're all suppose to dress and move and be
Visions of perfection
Such a misconception
'Cause the real connection is deeper than the eye can see

What's inside of you
What's inside of me
The hands that made the moon and stars
The mountains and the seas
Made you wonderful, beautiful, marvelously
Let the whole world see your
True beauty

Don't know much about Dolce & Gabbana
Seems like a lot of drama to me
And you can keep all your red high heels
And open-toed shoes - I'm good in my bare feet
Let's gown to the nitty gritty
Enough sex and the city
What about purity?
Skin is just the surface
The passion and the purpose that's burning down inside us
Is really what we need to see

Doesn't come in a bottle, doesn't come in a box
You can't spray it on, you can't wash it off
You can't nip and tuck, you can't sew it up
So don't waste your time
It's the love in your heart, the peace in your soul
The hope in your smile lets the whole world know
This little light - you gotta let it shine

Sorry for the hiatus...

Hey everyone! Sorry for not writing, but I've got a lot going on here lately.
Still in the process of moving *Lord knows that takes awhile*
I've also been finishing up requirements for the GBS *click here to read blog*

I started my training for Labor and Delivery yesterday. My manager is having me train in O.R. for the next few months *practice for C-sections*. I am to study the surgical instruments used, practice scrubbing in and of course sterile technique
It's awesome to be back in L&D, esp as a nurse this time! I can't explain it, but I felt like I "came back home". It just feels right to be back in L&D, very peaceful.
After a few months of training in O.R. I will then start training for deliveries for 2 or so months then the last month I will be training in the Nursery and learn to 'receive babies' during the deliveries.

I've also been studying and practicing more Photoshop editing techniques. Thankfully I'm getting the hang of things. Here are just a few pics I've taken over the years freshly edited:

Wow, long time no post!

As usual, God never ceases to amaze me! I got a call last week from human resources while I was working. There is a lady in the department that I love who has helped me through my changing promotions at work over the years. Anyways, she called to tell me there is another opening in labor and delivery for night shift and that the manager wants to offer the job to me!

**Keep in mind that I interviewed twice for a night shift position 2 months ago and it was given to another girl with lots more experience** Oh yeah, did I mention that openings in L&D are few and far between??

Anyhow, naturally I said yes! My last day in Med/Surg will be the 19th and then I will start my training in the O.R. for a few weeks to get experience for C-sections and then I will be training to deliver babies after that!

I'm so excited but more over greatful that God would bless me with such a wonderful opportunity, I know He wants me there.

On a side note, later that day as I was leaving work I listened to a voicemail from a manager at a neighboring hospital...and she was offering me a job at their L&D!!
God does have a sense of humor..

Anyhow, I must get off of here and get some sleep..I've got a day of packing and errands to run tomorrow.

Finances and Moving

Well, I've been a registered nurse for almost four months now...sheesh time has flown! Even though I am making more money, I've discovered that keeping up with finances has been somewhat difficult. Don't get me wrong, I'm paying all of my bills and things but as far as saving money goes....NADA!
Let's see there's rent, electricity, cable/Internet, groceries, medicine, gas, car payment, credit cards and NOW I get the pleasure of paying back my student loans. I know there are more expenses I've not listed...but it's late and I'm tired. lol
On a side note, my lease runs out in August and I was planning on moving into a nicer apartment, keeping the same rent price I currently have too!
Anyhow, I went to my financial guru, Mom, and she helped me put together a budget. Keeping in mind that I will hopefully have my surgery this fall/winter and will be out on medical leave from work for at least 6 weeks. To make a long story short I will be in financial trouble within the next few months if I do not do something soon. Mom suggested that I move back to her and dad's house for a few months until I get my car payed off (November), have my surgery and save a little more money.

At first I was in shock because...well the financial trouble part kind of sucks, but moving back into my parent's house at first felt like a step backward for me. Don't get me wrong, I definitely am thankful for my awesome parents and the opportunity for the much needed help. I just can't shake the whole, "I'm 25 and moving back in with my parents" thing...it sounds kind of lame.

Stepping back and looking at the whole picture, it is a good idea and the only one I can think of that would work right now.

I feel better about the whole situation now that more details have been worked out. I will be paying rent at my parent's house, assisting with groceries and cleaning. Dad and I have started cleaning out the spare room downstairs. Dad plans to put in new carpet, patch up a few holes and paint the walls.

Anyhow, I've started packing a few boxes...God knows how much stuff I have...it will take me awhile. lol

Well as Mom says, "It's time to start a new chapter in your life!"
I love how optimistic my Mom is!

A quote that hit home

Something at work has been bugging me for a long time. It is a subject of skill...I mean, it is a staple...a foundation of nursing ....something that takes practice and patience.

What am I talking about?? I am talking about starting IV's.


In the beginning, as a lowly Nurse Intern I wanted... and even craved to start IV's. As sad as it sounds, I would find any viable excuse to start an IV. The best part was that I could start almost ANY IV, especially the ones seasoned Nurses could not get.

Well....now that I am a full fledged Nurse, you would think that I would continue to have the confidence and skill to continue starting IV's with no problem.

Huh...sadly I am in the rut of "I suck at starting IV's"...a place I NEVER thought I would be. I feel like I have this rain cloud of bad luck that follows me as I go to start an IV. Even if the patient has the most AMAZINGLY GINORMOUS veins....I poke only to find the vein blows....
*sigh* Anymore, my courage...my confidence is zilch and I feel defeated BEFORE I even start.



Well, tonight I was praying to God and asking Him to help me start my IV's and to get out of this rut. I prayed for a simple answer, one that would make sense and one that even I could understand....



****NOW comes the part of the post-title*****
I was going through my email this evening and stumbled upon a cute email of quirky smart quotes. As I was reading, one quote in particular stood out to me concerning my IV-problem:


"If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished"

Maybe....just maybe the reason I am doing so poorly with IV's lately is because I have a 'defeated' attitude towards it. It makes sense.

God is awesome.....
I truly TRULY believe I will get out of this crappy IV-less rut!! By God I will!

Great movie

Okay...so maybe this is old news to some of you but, being as I am no longer in school I have decided to get caught up on some movies.

The subject of this evening:





Okay, I must admit that I'm not a big musical fan...but this is ONE of two exception, the other being Mame.

Ahhh the story...good vs. evil... trust your heart or trust your head..... and of course the romance!

(Thank you Gerard Butler!!)


CLICK HERE for more information on the movie

Better late than never

.........My late post for Memorial day....................

Thank you to all of our military/war veterans, because of YOU we are able to live in this country. Thank you.

Note worthy Words!

"God is not unjust, He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."

Hebrews 6:10

Stomach bug...

Bleh...I've got some nasty stomach bug right now. I had to call in sick to work last night, something I absolutely HATE doing.

At first I thought it was my body trying to adjust to a new medicine my doctor put me on, but after not having the medicine for over 24 hours and I still feel like this...I'm going to guess that's not it.

I hate feeling sick...as a matter of fact I hate feeling helpless in general.

Yes, I know that I work in a hospital, in which I am exposed to all sorts of germs and icky things...but still..I'm suppose to be super woman! lol

.....Okay, enough of the rant.

Aside from feeling like crap, life is great. I am thankful for my job at the hospital, I feel as though I am truly where I need to be, as far as my career is concerned. I will be switching to night shift pretty soon if not on my floor, another one. I just like working nights for some reason. Don't get me wrong, it's still crazy busy...but the hustle & bustle at the nurse's station is diminished somewhat.

Spring is in full force right now and it is absolutely gorgeous! I love Tennessee in the fall and spring time. The mountains are absolutely gorgeous!

When I start feeling better I want to go hiking soon and do a little photography while I'm at it.

Anyhow, I hope everyone is doing awesomely. Take care

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

glitter-graphics.com

WARNING...work related venting

To make a VERY long story short, I received report on 6 patients I was to have for the remainder of the shift. The nurse lost most of his information on the patients....he didn't give 3/4 of the patient's medicines today....he left me to do a transfer with no patient information....4 out of 6 patient's had not received pain medicine that they needed due to surgeries....one was left in pee for a few hours and to top it off he was looking up stuff on ebay on the medicine cart computer.


Okay, I'm usually a very upbeat individual that likes to spread peace and love wherever I go...

however when it comes to my patient's I am VERY protective of them.
I was LIVID...

I knew I was mad especially when half of my co-workers that have never seen me mad were backing away from me while I vented in the breakroom.
No one....and I mean NO ONE deserves to be treated that way ESPECIALLY when they are sick in the hospital.

Grrrrr!!!!

Okay, I'm done.....

Great words to live by

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Phillippians 4: 6-7

Awesome song!

A song that says it all....by Francesca Battistelli...awesome

Finally! Some photos!

First of all I must say, Happy Birthday to my Momma! I love you

Today was a gorgeous day! Absolutely amazing! Sunny and breezy...warm...with the scent of freshly mowed grass in the air. *happy sigh*

Took my camera to mom and dad's and found a few subjects that caught my eye.