Mid-semester Update

Sorry I have been MIA!  Nursing school has been crazy busy with at least one exam per week since school started.  Last week was spring break for me, but it was not a break at all, since I had a test the Monday and Tuesday after spring break.

I finally have a tiny, little breather, so I will provide a quick update:

Bs are the new As.  I've discovered that I am mediocre, and I have to be okay with it.

Clinicals have started, and this Friday will be my first clinical where I get a patient.  I've been assigned to the bariatrics unit, where most patients are in for gastric bypass surgery.  So far, nothing crazy has happened, but I have been informed that if my patient goes into surgery, I can go with.  A classmate is in the orthopedic trauma unit, which sounds so much more exciting!

I can't believe this semester has flown by so quickly!  It's almost summer again, and I feel like it was JUST summer.  Before I know it, I will be graduating.  Until then, I'm already looking forward to the end of the semester.  It's tough to explain to someone who is not going through the program how rigorous it is.  I honestly would not survive without a study group.  My study group consists of 3 mothers and myself, and they are truly amazing.  To be in this program and have kids at home is an accomplishment in itself.  I am so grateful for them!

These shirts pretty much sum up my feelings about nursing school:
T-shirt #1
T-shirt #2

It might be a while before I post again, but I'll try not to go 2 months without a post. :)

You Put What, Where?

Holy moly.  I just watched a video on foley catheter insertions.  I thought, surely, that doesn't go where I think it might go.  It DOES!  Once inserted, you are supposed to ask the patient if they feel any pain, and if they don't, you can finalize the insertion.  Umm...I don't understand how you can NOT feel pain.  Ouch!

Silhouette Cutter Giveaway

Ever since I was introduced to the wonderful world of vinyl, I have been obsessed with this Silhouette Cutter.  Today, I have a chance to win one, courtesy of House of Smiths and Silhouette!  I hope I win!!  You can enter too.  Check it out.  If the link doesn't work, copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://bit.ly/f7pz6v

 

Several other blogs are giving away a Silhouette machine:

I Heart Naptime

Shabby Chic Cottage

My Blessed Life

All Things Thrifty

Lemon Tree Creations

Beneath My Heart 

Design Dazzle

Craftaholics Anonymous

I'm sooo glad I'm trying to win a Silhouette machine instead of studying.  Note the sarcasm.  But really, the time I have invested in winning a Silhouette machine will pay off if I do win!

Reduce Reuse Recycle

I found the perfect use for my old business cards!  Hehehe

 Drawings for free meals!

Extreme Makeover: Pantry Edition

Wheee!  My vinyl letters from Wonderfully Wordy finally came in!  I've been waiting for them all week to complete my pantry makeover!

Shelley over at House of Smiths does the best home makeovers!  I was inspired by her pantry makeover and decided it was time to clean out my own pantry.  Really, I just want her pantry.  The gray paint and the sophisticated white vinyl pattern are simply gorgeous!  However, I wasn't willing to paint (tried this before...my back hurt for days) nor drop a cool $200 - $300 to achieve her patterned vinyl look, so my pantry doesn't look quite as nice.  But it's organized now, and I love how all my baking supplies are on display.

BEFORE - an unorganized mess

 AFTER - doesn't it look so much brighter?!

Top Shelf: reserved for rarely used items (liquor, styrofoam plates)

Shelfs 2 & 3: baking supplies.  I threw a lot of half used bags of chocolate chips, coconut, marshmallows, etc in a basket that was on the very right but was removed when this picture was taken

Shelf 4: coffee, tea, breakfast stuff

Shelf 5: canned goods in FIFO order, holla!  For the non-accountants out there, that's 'first-in, first-out'

 LOVE these jars!

I'm super annoyed that I put the 'powdered sugar' label on crooked.  Can you tell?!  I even used a level to make sure it was straight!  Argh!!

I so, so, so wish my pantry looked like Shelley's, but I constantly have to remind myself that this is not a permanent home.  This is my I-hate-traffic-I-need-to-live-inside-the-loop-home.  When I move into my dream home, I can spend $300 on a pantry makeover.

New Beginnings

Yesterday marked a new chapter in my life.  I left my job as an IT auditor to go to nursing school.  I'm not thrilled about having no income for the next 1.5 years, but I'm so happy with my decision and so excited about the future.  To celebrate, Alan and I went to happy hour, which is a rare treat.  Then, we topped off the night with Truluck's chocolate bag.

Here's to a new year and a new life!