must...sleep...

Sorry I've been MIA from everyone's blogs this week, but school is kicking my trash!

I had written all of this weeks posts last week, so I really haven't had a chance to log onto blogger since Monday. So please give me the weekend to catch up...you guys were really busy this week, I have over 130 posts to read!!!

I barely squeeked by my first exam, and right after went to take care of V's sick daughter while she went to the hospital to make patient assignments for her team on Tuesday. Then my brain decided not to shut off so I have gotten a total of 12 hours of sleep in the past 3 days.

I really enjoyed my first shift on the PCU (step-down from ICU) yesterday, and I am looking forward to next week. My clinical instructor this semester is amazing & gives great feedback! Since I started Nursing School I have had an instructor hovering over my shoulder while doing ANY procedure, whether it was discontinuing an IV or starting a foley....but now...watch out future patients! We are given much more freedom to do patient care, and the instructor is there more as a reference rather than someone to guard patients safety.

I also want to give a shout out to Vanessa. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!! And, here is something to bring a smile to everyone's face. This is V & I practicing for SPD in our 2nd semester (one year ago).


We took a hot dog, and poked a hole in it long-ways to use as a....well, you know...to practice our Foley catheter insertion. This is a sterile procedure, so maintaining your sterile field is VITAL, and we wanted to make sure we would be ready for testing.

Only 5 short months ago...

...I started blogging here, and now I am at my 100th post. Wow, thanks for trudging through the trenches with me as I learn more about blogger, and its etiquette ;o) I know everyone loves to do giveaways, but I don't...sorry!

So, like my 50th post, here is 100 random things about me.

1. Even though I like to make people laugh, I don't think I am very funny, or even witty.

2. When it comes to work or school I must be OCD organized, but my house is always messy.

3. I don't want to be a full time stay at home mom. Some people call me selfish, but I think everyone is different, therefore everyone's desires can't all be the same.

4. I applaud stay at home moms! You are amazing, your patience & dedication is something I will always envy.

5. I played soccer from the age of 10-17.

6. I always preferred playing rec vs school soccer b/c less was expected of me & I would be less likely to fail or let anyone down.

7. I treat my dog like he is my child. I hold him like a baby, talk baby talk to him, and would keep him dressed up if he didn't fight me so hard.

8. When my dog, Tyler, died this summer I was almost inconsolable...but when I was talking with the vet about my concerns that I could have done more, she said that she wants to come back as one of my pets in her next life. This brought me more solace than she will ever know!

9. I decided to become a vegetarian b/c of my genuine concern for animal life...I really do want to help save the polar bears!

10. When it comes to meeting new people in a group, I always seem to hang out with the guys & carry on a conversation easier with them then with the women folk.

11. I am in love with my new duplex printer, and I don't know how I functioned all these years without it.

12. I too often make stupid snap judgements of others, BUT I love it when they prove me wrong.

13. I hate it when my husband plays devil's advocate all the time.

14. I am terrified and excited for July 21, 2010 when we part ways with the Army

15. I am very critical of myself, and therefore my own worst enemy.

16. Sarcasm is my best friend!

17. When dealing with most of the elderly during my rotations I continue to ask myself, "why delay the inevitable?"

18. B/c of #17, I am getting a living will with specific instructions on what kinds of medical interventions I want done under certain circumstances. If you have never talked with your loved ones about this, please do!!!!!

19. I am addicted to Guitar Hero b/c it's the only thing I can beat Eric at!

20. I truly think Eric looks hot in his Ranger panties

21. I love to sing, but not in public

22. I love to dance no matter who is watching ;o)

23. I didn't start listening to country music until I met Eric....which is when he started listening to R&B

24. Nursing School is the hardest academic journey of my life

25. I didn't really study until I entered college

26. One of my biggest references is www.dictionary.com b/c I hate to misspell words!

27. I threw a birthday party for Koa's 1st/Tyler's 2nd birthday, with all their doggy friends from the neighborhood...and a special sweet potatoe doggy cake

28. I admire people that play instruments b/c I could never seem to master the piano without messing up a lot (even with a good amount of practice time)

29. I have already decided that perfection is impossible, so I embrace my flaws

30. I can't take my morning handful of pills with plain water or I will gag/vomit...and even with juice/soda/smoothie, sometimes I still can't keep them down!

31. Eric really wants to move to Utah if given the chance, but I fear I would never make it through the winter

32. I have lived in Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Carolina, Washington, Hawaii, and Florida. Hawaii was by far my favorite!!!

33. I hope to make a trip to Australia someday

34. I have no desire to ever visit Mexico, South America, Central America, or any third world country. If I have to worry about the water, I don't want to be there!

35. I am a germ-o-phobe ever since growing bacteria from the bottom of my shoe, bathroom stall, & my mouth in Microbiology

36. I am terrified of catching germs, viruses, & disease from clients I take care of

37. I don't know if I would be able to hold myself back if I was ever "goosed" by a client under my care...I keep thinking about how I could spin it as self-defence...

38. I can't wait to graduate, but I'm terrified about how much I won't know!!

39. I really enjoy getting different perspectives of a situation...as long as it is understood that everyone doesn't have to agree.

40. I continue to change my mind on whether I want to settle down in one area, or continue to move every few years.

41. I have never been in a major motor vehicle accident

42. When I was 10 I was riding my bike & hit my friend while she was walking across the street. To this day, all I remember is seeing her about 30 ft away, then the blood stinging my eyes when I opened them & was face down on the concrete

43. I still don't wear a bike helmet, but I always wear my motorcycle helmet, jacket, & gloves

44. I loved having a motorcycle

45. I love scuba diving, even though I am 50% thrilled & 50% terrified

46. The only reason I got certified to dive & licensed to ride a motorcycle was b/c Eric did, and we are just that competitive

47. I did most of the initial pursuing in mine & Eric's relationship, until he decided he just wanted to be friends...which lasted a very short time & then he decided that he didn't want me to see other guys

48. I am excited & terrified to one day expand my family

49. I love mental health & continue to consider it as a future career

50. I realize now how naive and rude I was as a teenager & younger adult, and am thankful for the experiences & people I have met along the way

51. My Blackberry is attached to my hip

52. I am amazed that kids under the age of 10 have cell phones when I didn't get my first one until I was 18!

53. I think the most strenuous sport I ever participated in was Swim Team, and it also kept me in the best shape

54. I would rather try skydiving before I tried bungee jumping, b/c somehow I think it's safer

55. I don't think I will ride a motorcycle after I have kids

56. People that slow down to stare at accidents drive me crazy

57. My first & only speeding ticket was here in Florida 2 years ago, I was driving 70 in a 45...but the officer lowered it to 54 in a 45.

58. While in Hawaii I got our Honda CBR 954RR up to 110mph on H2

59. I love the color blue, all shades of it

60. I don't like pink, it is just a little too girlie for me...but I recently ordered 2 shirts that looked more red online, but ended up being more pink

61. I dress very plainly, partially b/c of cost, but mostly out of laziness

62. I really want to start ordering scrub tops now, but fear that I would be jumping the gun and jinxing myself

63. As an adult, I now realize that there are some people that you just can't get along with...and I think these people should stay home

64. Since turning 26, I am starting to feel old (I know this may upset some of you...but it isn't intended to)

65. I just very recently joined Facebook, and it is so much easier than MySpace!

66. I can't wait to start saving for my "body I truly deserve" fund. (after losing 95lbs, the extra skin makes me gag!)

67. I never knew how many people blogged until I started blogging on Blogger

68. I already have the names picked out for my future boy & girl: Cooper Amos (middle name is for Eric's solder that died in Iraq) & Mackenzie Lorelai

69. I am terrified that Eric will slip in the middle names of King & Pink (since our last name is pronounced salmon) for our future kids, without my knowledge

70. While I joke constantly about being cocky & confident, I am super insecure!!

71. I hate cooking, but I love baking b/c I get to make pretty things...and b/c of my sweet tooth

72. My feet are numb for the majority of everyday, which is why I have a surplus of warm socks & blankets

73. You couldn't pay me to go back to High School

74. I almost shaved my head once for $50, I seriously considered it ;o)

75. I truly believe that my life has been better off b/c of the wonderful angels in furry coats that have surrounded me

76. I love my Wii Fit, even if I don't do it near enough, I rock @ Super Hoops!

77. I was very involved with Eric's unit's Family Readiness Group in Hawaii & FL b/c my first experience @ Ft. Lewis was so bad...I knew the only way to make a difference was to get involved

78. Even though there is a slim chance of Eric getting deployed before he gets out, when I think about him possibly deploying I start to cry

79. I still remember when my older sister would threaten to wipe her boogers on me if I didn't tickle her feet...maybe this is why I have such a hard time with respiratory secretions??

80. I love that I can still call my siblings by our stupid childhood nicknames for each other, without anyone getting angry (Kiss-a-poo, Miguel/Brahmen, Catispena)

81. I love to sing but would never try out for American Idol b/c I know I am not that good no matter who told me I was...some of those people are so delusional!

82. Eventually I would like to live in a semi-rural area. The only thing I like about big cities is the variety in shopping

83. I have been described as "abrasive" by one of my classmates. At first I was shocked, but everyone is entitled to their perspective & observations

84. I learned so much about plants & landscaping while working in the Garden Center @ Lowe's for almost 4 years...but you wouldn't know this looking at my yard!

85. I once had a man stand over me & watch while I loaded 21 bags of 80lb Portland cement into his truck b/c he hurt his pinky earlier that day

86. I don't trust people, especially people I don't know

87. Nursing School has made me lose a little faith in the medical profession as a whole

88. I really want to work in Labor & Delivery partially b/c of how much I enjoyed it, but mainly b/c I am sick of wiping butts on a Medical-Surgical floor!

89. I wish I was more imaginative when it came to crafts

90. Right now, I would much rather work with the laboring mothers than the newborns

91. I learned Sign Language in HS and have been able to use it many times since!

92. I don't like getting a pedicure from a salon when I am the only one speaking English

93. When I go to a store that the employees have name tags, I like to call people by their first name...it always seems to grab their undivided attention

94. Eric & I have the same initials, but in a different order

95. I rarely find women named Mary under the age of 50

96. I feel grossly inadequate to teach Sunday School, especially to High Schoolers!

97. I used to enjoy proofreading...but Eric's classes are starting to take a toll on my poor little brain

98. I was spanked without my parents knowledge in 1st grade...I still don't like Mrs. Bailey!

99. I wish I was smart enough to be on Jeopardy

100. I love reality shows, but mainly the shows with a real competition...I think Big Brother is stupid.


*There you have it...more about me than you probably ever wanted to know ;o)

Are you sure that's not meat?

I have been searching for some great meat alternatives, and have found one I love!! Everyone raves about Boca Burgers...but they got nothing on Morning Star Farms! So far there is no comparison, Morning Star wins hands down.

The only problem is the commissary is the only place that carries it, locally (even if the base is a 24 mile drive). I love all of their burgers, and Eric and I were both completely amazed at how much the mini corn dogs & sausage links tasted like the real thing. In fact, we finally got Eric some turkey burgers b/c he was eating all of my vege burgers! I wasn't too thrilled with the spinach artichoke bites b/c they were really bland, but everything else is great!

So, no matter if you are a vege or meat-lover, I would definitely recommend giving these a try. Hide the package from your family, and I swear they will never be able to tell the difference!

Natural huh?

Well, some form of brown has been picked!! It has only been 3 weeks since I last dyed my hair, so I will have to wait a few more...but I will probably go darker, like my natural color.

I really liked the idea of going black, but it would be a lot of maintenance, and if I ever wanted to go lighter, it has to be bleached first and then dyed the color you want (that's a lot of effort!).

I'm thinking I will probably get some highlights on top, so I won't have to dye everything as it grows out.

So many choices!!! Thanks for your votes!!!

Whipped cream on poo will still taste like crap!

I don't live in the best neighborhood in the area, so some things are just expected. I'm not surprised when I have to pick up empty beer bottles from my yard b/c it is the corner lot. I'm not surprised when I get chased by stray dogs on my run. I'm not even surprised at the cracked out hooker that walks the streets...but this??


When we first moved in, we honestly thought this house was vacant, and possibly condemned. We have been proven wrong through the years as there are random people passing through for a few weeks/months at a time. One of the residents even pounded on our door @ 0100 b/c he smelled smoke and something caught on fire...and he didn't have a phone to call 911 (he also wasn't wearing a shirt or shoes & it dropped below freezing that night).

The picture isn't that great, but they put up new wood paneling without fixing the crappy particle board that lies underneath. Also the bright blue color they chose is, umm, well, horrid! Another great tidbit is that they only did this to the side of the house that faces the main road. Yep, so the other sides are still just painted particle board.

Thank you neighbor for helping my property value drop even more. The house next to it is even worse!! I have seriously considered buying the discounted trees & shrubs @ Lowe's and planting them in front of these houses at night. That way there will be something nice to look at...and in a few years, possibly block the view of their house.

Not what I expected

I recently went to see "Defiance" with Eric, and I'm not quite sure what I expected, and am still unclear if I liked the movie.

I am so used to the sexy Mr. Bond image that it was very hard for me to wrap my head around him as the leader of forest Jewish community. This story was one I had never heard of before, and always related the tales of the Holocaust with 'The Diary of Anne Frank' and 'Schindler's List.'

It takes place in Belarussian forest with the Nazis advancing on one side, while the Russians are on the other. My heart ached for this family, and community, to survive each time they were attacked and forced to relocate & rebuild.

This is based on a true story, and while I would recommend seeing this lesser known perspective, you won't be missing anything if you wait for it to come out on DVD.

And without further ado...some silliness

Kim from The Hancock Family tagged me to share 7 random things about me. Since my 100th post is coming up fast (which you will learn 100 random things about me), I'm going to make this even more interesting by sharing just how crazy my relationship is with my dog Koa.


1. I kiss him good-bye every morning on the cheek.


2. He sleeps under the covers with me, while Eric sleeps in the spare bedroom. (He also sleeps in my bed during the day while he is alone)


3. Since I can't really shorten Koa, I call him my Koa bear. (which if you say fast enough sounds like Colbert...as in Stephen Colbert!)


4. I only give him healthy table scraps like vegetables...and his favorites are carrots & cauliflower.


5. I talk baby talk to him, and frequently hold him like a baby.


6. If Eric & I are sitting next to each other he wants to sit with me.


7. He knows the sound of the truck driving by the house & he will be staring out the window waiting for me to come to the door.





****UPDATE: I came home with a horrible headache, so I grabbed the heating pad and laid down for about 2 hours. Guess who stayed in bed with me even though Eric was making dinner...my special boy ;o)****

Concerns & Confessions

It seems that many people in the blogging world have been offended lately and this made me worry about who I have offended. I have been blogging for years, but only when I started blogging here did people, other than my family, start reading my posts. I love having the forum to write whatever I want without constraints, other than those I apply on my own. Seeing as I have always been one to buck the norm, I am curious about proper blog etiquette. I am still so new to this site that I am curious what the veterans, and everyone else, has to say!

If someone posts on my blog, is it expected that I post on theirs? Since I love comments, I really enjoy it when people take the time to write, so I always try to comment on their blogs. It might take me a few days to catch up & make my comments, but I really do love reading your blogs!! So this means that if you don't comment on every one of my posts, so what...that doesn't mean I won't post on yours. But I do have to admit that I am more inclined to visit the people's blogs that take the time to post on mine b/c I want to brighten their day like they brighten mine! I have found some amazing people out in the blogosphere this way and I look forward to seeing what they write! Which brings me to my next question...

If I started following someone, then stop, am I a horrible person? In one instance I had started following someone, then I found that after a few weeks that I didn't really like reading what they had to say, so I stopped following and stopped following someone else accidentally in the process (remember I am still new to blogger). So...

Can I wait a few more posts before becoming an official follower? Because of the previous instance, when someone comments on one of my posts or I find someone through another blog, I really like to read their blog for a little while on my own before adding myself to their following. I don't have a great deal of time to devote to blogging, so I guess I'm kind of selfish with who I choose to read...it's okay, you can call me a snob!

Am I expected to comment on every post? Some of my favorite bloggers post multiple posts a day (I have even been guilty of that!!), but if I don't really have anything to say...should I say nothing, or devote the energy to one of their posts that I might have a great deal to comment about. Like my sidebar states, I am a comment whore, so I try to spread the love...is that what is expected?

If I don't enter your giveaway, please don't be offended. I think it is a great opportunity to get more people to read your blog! I am just such a pessimist when it comes to these things b/c of my Statistics class...the odds are always against you! I have found some amazing products out there through these giveaways, and have been introduced to Etsy (which I never knew existed), so thanks for the resources, but I just don't like giveaways...sorry!

Mean anonymous comments are stupid. If you are that upset that you want to say something hurtful, stop reading it!! Why be mean and hurtful? I'm not talking about anonymous comments in general, but people that feel that need to be mean without having the balls to attach a name/identity to it. I have heard of "friends" commenting anonymously on their "friends" pages with their "honesty"...but if you can't go to that person with what is truly in your heart, why do it anonymously? If you think the person really needs to hear what you have to say, don't post it for everyone to see, send them an email. If you don't have their email, ask for it! Also, if it is bothering you that much, approach them in a way that is non-threatening if you really want the friendship to continue. If the person asks for your opinion in a post, that is a whole other can of worms...b/c they asked. Just my two cents. I'm not saying that I hate anonymous comments, b/c if I did I wouldn't allow them, and I also have the right to delete them if I feel the desire...and I have ;o) I know it's a lot of if's!

I used to be so envious of Kristina P! She was one of the first blogs I stalked, which I found through her hilarious comments on TAMN's blog...and she has a million stalkers!! I used to feel so inadequate with my few followers, but I am so thankful to those of you that take the time to read my blog!! I wouldn't be able to handle such a massive following, especially with as much poise as she does...I have too much of a temper! AND, she is everywhere, and almost always the first to comment, I think I would need kryptonite to have a fighting chance!

I hope I haven't scared anyone by my tendency to shoot you an email based on a comment you left. I'm normally not at home, so when I get the email on my phone and I want to say something I just reply to your email address. I have had some amazing conversations this way, and I am grateful that my phone service doesn't charge by the # of emails ;o)

Again, I hope I haven't offended anyone, it was not my intent...just some of my very random thoughts & questions. I want to thank everyone that reads and those who share the comment love!! I won't be offended if you stop following, we all have a right to make our own choices!

Have a great week and take the time to do something just for you. I know that I take myself for granted, so embrace the beautiful woman you are (just a shot in the dark since no men other than my brother's read my blog)...and let the world know!!!