Some people have too much time on their hands

Dear Nosey Neighbor,

I realize that you must have too much time on your hands if you felt the need to notify my property manager (which I'm assuming you did b/c you know the owner...or you are just THAT nosey) that "although [my] lawn is being mowed, the flower beds are in need of weeding."

Seriously...SERIOUSLY!!

Did you ever think that I might only have 1-2 hrs on my days off that I can manage to mow my lawn (while the boys are napping)!!

I'm not saying that I didn't need to pull some weeds, but thanks for ignoring the VACANT house next door that I was mowing their front yard because, you know, it's the NEIGHBORLY thing to do.

Whatever. Be a wimp.

Oh, and in case you weren't aware, YOU SUCK!

The Geographical Single Mom,

Mary

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So, for the followers I have left, I've been a little busy. Eric was able to come home for 30 days, and I chose to spend that time with him...and unpacking...and pulling weeds.

We were able to spend our birthdays & 10 year anniversary together. It amazes me how far we've come over the last decade!!

Oh, and I got a new car....a car I've always wanted...in my favorite color!!!

Meet the Mini Cooper S Countryman!!She is a thing of beauty, and drives like a go kart!
I want to give a HUGE shout out to Alan @ Flow Mini in Raleigh for his extreme patience as I test drove 4 different Mini's and working out the trade in for my Honda. All the staff were amazing & everyone had such a positive attitude!!! I'm loving my new car, and Eric can comfortably fit too!!

Work has been great. I'm learning a TON, but I'm also spending most of my time studying for numerous certifications. I'm off orientation the second week in August & I'm excited, but also scared. I'll talk more about that later.

For the few readers I still have left, thanks for sticking around. More help is headed my way in September and should be around until Eric is finally able to be with us again next spring. I am stalking without commenting, but I do try to drop a line every once in awhile.

I hope everyone is having a great summer, and I have a great post brewing about some tips on how NOT to be a moronic parent! Stay tuned!!!

Come join the fun!

The AMAZING Jessica G. is hosting a True Colors Swap on her blog & I'm so excited to finally participate!

I've been super busy lately, and subsequently, super unhappy. I realized I wasn't taking the time to do the things that I love! I haven't been blogging or reading as much, so that is why I was so excited that Jessica put together this swap! I wanted to participate last year, but LIFE happened...so come join us & maybe you'll get a kick-A package from me...so you KNOW it will be good :o)

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Don't forget to enter my Giveaway!!! It ends midnight, May 30th!!

The belly that launched 1,000 stares

The past 10 days have been pretty rough. My legs and feet have become VERY swollen, making it difficult to not only walk, but I can't spend much time at the computer either. Also, by the end of last week I declared that I am no longer driving. It's very uncomfortable and I think I've done a pretty good job driving myself the 30 miles to the military hospital at least twice a week up to the 36 week mark!

So, my buddy Vanessa agreed to take me to my NST on Monday. When I walked out to her van she said, "you still look great!" and then I turned to the side, and her mouth dropped and I think "holy cow" followed. While at the hospital I had at least 3 random people stop to talk to me about how huge I was, which is always something you like to hear! At the end of my NST I had a pretty big contraction that I didn't recognize as one b/c I thought that feeling was just the boys pushing up against my ribs (I thought that feeling of not being able to breath was normal). This got Vanessa VERY excited and she decided that I needed to go into labor that day b/c she didn't have soccer/dance/or any other obligations with her kids...and she was with me (it was so cute how excited she was).

We had to go back down stairs to wait for some medications in the Pharmacy, and I continued to have a few painful contractions down there in the waiting room. After an hour, Vanessa went to see what was taking so long, and they said it should be out very soon. About 20 minutes later the pharm tech was trying to get Vanessa's attention, and I was currently having another contraction, and when she went up to get it he said, "just sign for her, and get her out of here!" I guess my facial expressions said it all.

So, we went to BooksaMillion and then the mall to see if walking around would increase the contractions...instead it was more stares and people asking me when I was due. At one point we split up and I headed to the bathroom and V went into Journey's to pick up some shoes for her son, and a couple came in Journey's talking about the HUGE pregnant woman they just saw!

NOW I REALLY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY HOUSE! I know I'm big...but what woman likes it called to her attention every 5 minutes!

I'm not going to post a picture b/c now I'm crazy self-conscious, but two weeks ago (@34weeks) I was measuring the size of a woman carrying 1 baby that was 3 weeks overdue...hope that visual is good enough :o)

**I did forget to mention that Hoss finally flipped back to being head down (he has changed positions 3 times in the past 4 weeks), and he is currently the presenting twin**
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On a much brighter note, one of my bloggy friends, Kristina, is accepting donations for her "Snuggies for Seniors" drive that will last the entire month of March. Please check it out, as you will be amazed by her compassion and unparalleled wit!

And....we're off!

Just wanted to write a short note to wish all my fellow bloggers a very Merry Christmas!!

We're about 2 hrs away from heading out, and I can't wait to get back home and catch up all on your blogs!

I'm super excited to see Mike & Michelle, and look forward to the endless sing-songs (w/ Mike), and fun crafts & baking (w/ Michelle). But I'm hoping for a freak warm front to grace NC while we are there :o)

I feel so very blessed to live in a country of religious freedom where we can celebrate the Savior's birth without consequence.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

The Silver Lining

I want to first, thank everyone that posted such touching comments. I am truly grateful to have met all of you through this wonderful outlet of blogging :o) !!!

As of today I have completed 128.75 hrs of my 144 hr requirement of my practicum, and I graduate in 7 days!!!! I have learned so much and have been able to connect with so many patients. I have also been able to recognize areas I need more work in & evaluate the care I provide.

So...the good news...well...I was offered a job!!!!!!!!! I was approached late last week about a possible full-time position in Pediatrics on the night shift. I told her I needed a few days to think about b/c my heart was set on L&D, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew this position was going to be the best spot for me. B/c it is a small hospital, when there aren't a lot of patients, the Pediatric Nurses float to the med-surg floor (where I have been for 3 semesters & practicum), so I would be able to stay current with all my skills, and get to take care of kids!! Night shift will also provide a nice shift differential to make up for me being a new nurse, and the fact that nurses don't make great money in this area...and I can attend church no matter what day I'm scheduled!!!!!

I am so excited for my sisters to come on Friday, and my mom to arrive Saturday. It it going to continue to be another busy week, but I'm so ready to be a big grown up Nurse :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!!!