I can survive this....right???

working two night shifts in a row.....tonight and tomorrow night....7p to 7a......nervous......please pray that I don't fall asleep!!!

"DOMINOES?!?!?! The worst kind!!"

That is what Daniel said when he found out what the "little things with the color dots" are called....thought it was hilarious, and wanted to share!!!!


Michael and I say that to each other now, "DOMINOES.....the worst kind!!"

Please Pray For Baby Bennett

A friend is in need. My friend from High School, Elizabeth, has a long time family friend who needs your prayers. Here's a cut and paste from her latest blog : (PLEASE PRAY FOR BENNETT!!!!)


From Elizabeth's Blog :

Pray for Bennett
Everyone out there.....I covet your prayers. Please pray for baby Bennett and his parents, Travis and Kelly. Kelly is a life-long friend of mine....we've been friends since kindergarten. She delivered baby Bennett on Monday morning by emergency c-section due to infection, and he has had numerous complications. He is currently on ECMO, which is a heart and lung machine. It acts as his heart and lungs, giving his body a chance to heal and strengthen. This is a very scary process for a mom and dad to go through, so please lift up your heart to the Lord in prayer that he will heal little Bennett. They have two websites with updates:

http://prayingforbennett.blogspot.com

and

www.totsites.com/tot/bennettmitchell

Meet Penny Lane

Say Hi to Penny Lane, our rough coat Jack Russell Terrier Puppy :

she hates it when I make that sound....

she loves her "quackie" and her "wope"

obviously, she's a miserable puppy ;)

I found my camera!!!!

I dreamed where it was, can you believe it?!?!?!?!?!

Daniel, thinking

Zoe, plotting

Penny, dogging

10 Things I'm Thinking Right Now...and an update

1. I'm tired

2. I wish I could find my camera :(

3. I want a tattoo

4. I have popcorn stuck in my teeth

5. I have most likely the cutest puppy on the planet

6. I miss my children when I go these long days without seeing them

7. I need a vacation

8. I enjoy Hospice nursing

9. I need a shower

10. I'm tired of coughing


Now for the update :

Michael and I took a big step Sunday. We went back to Church...our Church Home. And I've got to tell you, it felt good to both of us. It's taken us awhile to be able to get back there, but it feels very good. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing, and it feels good to give the forgiveness and to get rid of the junk in our hearts. Carrying around that heavy load does something to you. So it's feeling good that we're back where we belong.

I worked at my Hospice job this week. It was an amazing experience. I met some truly wonderful people, both nursing staff and patients as well as their families. In addition, I met a truly caring and wonderful physician who is going to start taking patients at Kindred! YAY!! He's fabulous, and I was awestruck at the way he dealt with the patients and their family.

I'm working at Kindred Friday and Saturday days so if you are looking for me on those days, that's where I'll be.

Here's to overtime

10 Things I LOVE About Being A Nurse

1. Job satisfaction

2. I'm proud of myself and the job I do

3. Helping people maintain dignity during a very difficult time

4. Helping family members come to terms with the disease process their loved one is going through

5. Teaching without the hassle of dealing with children

6. Watching students' eyes light up when they make that connection from the classroom to the clinical setting

7. Watching patients leave the hospital, and seeing them walk back in to show us how well they're doing

8. Knowing that I'm giving people their lives back, or helping them at the end of their lives with the grief work that everyone should go through

9. Meeting interesting people from all walks of life

10. Working side by side with other people who feel the same way I do

Things You Most Likely Don't Know About My Kids

1. Daniel said his first word at 7 months of age ("Hi" and then "kitty") and his first sentence at 8 months ("Hi Kitty").

2. Zoe said her first recognizable word at 11.5 months of age ("bubba")

3. My favorite scent in the world is the smell of my children wearing sunscreen (specifially the pink bottle instant protection sunscreen)

4. Daniel used to call snowmen "nonies" and dinosaurs "daddydoos."

5. Zoe calls socks "hawks" and her blanket is a "quackie."

6. The children have taken to this new puppy like flies to poo (and likewise her to them)....they're all over her and it's mutual love at first sight!

7. They are both obsessed with Veggie Tales (so are their mommy and daddy, though!!)

8. Daniel is allergic to seasonal pollens, horses, cats and raw tomatoes.

9. Zoe appears to have the same seasonal allergies as her brother and father.

10. Daniel tells anyone who will listen that his best friend is Zoe

11. Zoe is madly devoted to her "bubba" she follows him around everywhere and wants to share everything with him

12. I bought them some new soap and lotion and they smell so amazing on those kids!!

13. Zoe is trying to potty train herself right now....she'll be 2 on Oct 11

14. Daniel didn't potty train until Feb 15 of this year...3 days after he turned 3

15. Both kids play better with other kids when they're not with each other....is that typical or weird?

16. Daniel decided that when Zoe cries shes a baby, and when she's not crying she's a big girl

17. Zoe loves shoes....she's almost as obsessed with shoes as I am!

18. Daniel typically doesn't take naps during the day, but when he does it's heck getting him to bed at bedtime!

19. Zoe goes to bed around the same time every night, regardless of when her nap was.

20. If they don't have naps BOTH kids become holy terrors by 6 pm.

21. They both go to the same school, and they both LOVE it...it's awesome to see them loving school

22. Daniel says the funniest things at the most appropriate times and sometimes they make sense!

23. Zoe discovered today that "Courtney" = "Mommy." She got a big kick out of calling me "Courtney" while at Memaw's house.

24. The kids will only eat a select few vegetables : broccoli, edamame, green beans (sometimes), spinach, and raw carrots.

25. Both kids have runny noses, head colds, and really bad allergies that have turned to sinus infections right now and they're both miserable!! (They've given them to mommy and daddy too, so we're a sick little family right now)


I'll post some more later. I like blogging this way. Maybe next time it'll be funny things the kids did this week....

Satan 50, Newberries 2

So, in the midst of everything falling apart two things have gone RIGHT :

1. got my raise today!!
2. got the puppy today!!


So, take that Satan, you and your powers of evil will NOT keep us down.


Michele, I got your voicemail and I will call you back. I PROMISE.

100 Things

Here is a list of 100 Things about me that most people do not know. I'm basically tagging everyone in my friends list here to do the same!!!!


1. I'm deathly afraid of cockroaches/waterbugs...have you SEEN how big those suckers can get here in TX???

2. I want to adopt a child from India, but looking into it - it's a logistical nightmare and most likely wouldn't happen because neither me nor my spouse are "NRI" (Non-Resident Indian), and the NRI folks in America get first shot at adoption, and that breaks my heart.

3. I was raised by my grandparents, and they taught me more about life than most anybody else could have.

4. My grandparents took me on special trips, we went on vacation every summer and when something special occurred we went! I saw Haley's Comet when it came trailing through the night sky and I REMEMBER that little trip!!

5. I visited South Dakota before they finished the Crazy Horse Monument, and there is a picture of me in front of a sign that says : "To be completed 1997." I don't think it's yet been completed.

6. I secretly enjoy "Johnny and The Sprites" because it reminds me of "Fraggle Rock."

7. I have a secret obsession with Jimmy Smits....I think he's a very hot 50 year old man.

8. I'm reading "Underneath it All : The Traci Lords Story" autobiography by Traci Elizabeth Lords. And

9. I'm realizing there is so much more to her than just a "porn star." (Google her if you don't understand what I'm talking about)

10. I was a competitive swimmer for many years, and had a personal goal of Olympics in the year 2000....I probably could have made it, too had I been a little more disciplined and a little more dedicated.

11. I battled (and still do, to this day) an eating disorder in High School and again struggled in College. I fight every day not to fall back into that habit, especially when things are out of my control in my personal/professional life.

12. I'm a control freak : I HAVE to have things "just so" and they HAVE to be the way I want them to be, if they're not.....I pout.

13. I have a deadbeat father who never showed up at my custody hearing when I was a baby and has never shown interest in me since....except when he tried to shove all the blame for his being out of my life onto my saintly grandparents and mother....all of this on what he mistakenly thought was my 18th birthday (it was really my 19th) and he only made contact then because he's never paid a red cent in child support......I gave him an earful and sent him back on his deadbeat way.

14. I have at least one half-sibling that I've never met, but would like to meet without my deadbeat knowing.

15. I have a whole paternal family side that I've never met, but would like to....I think. I just can't believe I've lived almost 28 years without knowing them, and the thought of that makes me sad.

16. I'm a Sagittarius.

17. In my work life I'm obsessively organized, at home I'm a clutterbug.

18. I love to dig in the dirt, plant flowers, and I actually like to mow the yard. If only I owned a lawnmower that works!!

19. I want a puppy for my children to grow up with.

20. One of my favorite movies of all time is "Milo and Otis"

21. I have a secret obsession with office supplies.....especially pens....I love pens

22. I'm writing a novel, I just haven't started writing it down yet.

23. I've always dreamed of becoming a famous novelist

24. I grew up wanting to be three things : Famous Author, Marine Biologist, and Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon

25. Potty training is the hardest thing I've ever done. (Not me potty training, but actually potty training a child....)

26. I LOVE to work out, it makes me feel all-powerful and strong.

27. If I could plan the perfect vacation it would be one of two things : Family -- a trip to San Diego to visit my family, Sea World, Wild Animal Park/SD Zoo, Disneyland, and up to Hollywood. Couple -- 17 night Meditteranean Cruise

28. I picture myself in 5 years in a much better spot than I'm in now.

29. It's been 10 years since I graduated High School, I was one of roughly 24, and I somehow managed to lose contact with just about all of the other people from my class. We were so close back then...............what happened??? I'm usually so good about staying friends....

30. I want plastic surgery - tummy tuck, lipo, and breast lift/implants...if you'd like to contribute I'll start a donation website like that girl.......

31. I love to sing, but I'm painfully shy in front of crowds....

32. I wanted to audition for "American Idol" but knew I'd freeze up and didn't want to end up as "one of the worst." So I just didn't do it....

33. I love to be onstage, it's one of those places where I feel most at home but I haven't had the opportunity in a very long time. I think I'd like to audition for some shows again......but now I don't have the time.

34. I have a fear of becoming one of those women who grow old and grow to not care what they look like, and I DON'T want that.

35. I want to get a tattoo.....I just don't now whether or not I can tolerate the pain, and I don't really know exactly what I want....I want 2, actually one that incorporates my children, and one with my favorite Bible verse "Romans 8:28"

36. I have a passion for animals, but I don't think they're "people too," and could never be a vegetarian....I love to eat meat.

37. My favorite restaraunt to eat out at is Texas de Brazil, because it is so darn tasty, and of course it celebrates gluttonny....kind of ironic considering the fact that I don't want to grow up overweight....

38. I've started a wall of crosses in my house, and wherever we go on vacation I'll bring back a cross to hang on the wall

39. I have a secret wish to be a mermaid, and used to pretend I was one in the bathtub as a young girl

40. I ate lobster.................and HATED it

41. I'm allergic to shellfish, TRUE shellfish.....mussels, mollusks, scallops, clams, oysters; but I'm not allergic to crustaceans (crabs, shrimp, lobster, mudbugs, etc)

42. I love all things pharmacology....I enjoy reading about mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, etc

43. My favorite place to hang out is the Zoo

44. My favorite people in the world to be around are my family

45. I have a low tolerance for stupidity....I cannot stand it when people feign ignorance, nor can I stand it when people feign intelligence. You shouldn't have to work at being dumb....or smart

46. I believe if you are going to move to a country whose native tongue is not the same as yours, you should learn the language of that country

47. I am a Democrat

48. My favorite Holiday is Christmas

49. I started Kindergarten when I was 4, skipped 1st grade, and "repeated" 4th grade when I started at SCS otherwise I would have graduated High School at 16 in 2006.....can you imagine??

50. I want my children to have everything I didn't growing up....I want to be able to give them the things they need without a second thought, AND I want to be able to give them the things they WANT too.

51. I want the new Nissan Altima Coupe when it comes out, in black, with leather interior

52. I love to be outdoors, I love to camp and hike, and I want to instill that love in my children......................and in my husband

53. Someday I will buy a lake house, a boat, and a sea doo or 2

54. I drink coffee all day long at work, and until this weekend, NEVER drank it at home....I've made a pot every day since Thursday

55. I love to cook, though I very rarely have time since working so much

56. I have 2 belly buttons.....

57. #56 was a joke, just to see if you're still reading.....I have a twisted sense of humour

58. I spell the words "colour" "humour" "theatre" "grey"

59. Speaking of "Grey" my favorite TV show is "Grey's Anatomy"

60. I'm addicted to bizarre reality TV : "Rock of Love," "Age of Love," "The Pickup Artist" to name a few

61. I have all my own natural teeth, they are precisely as they were when they came in, and the only thing I've ever had done inside my mouth was having my wisdom teeth cut out of my jaw

62. I not-so-secretly still have no idea which career path I'm going to follow -- do I get my advanced practice degree for nurses (nurse practitioner, CRNA, etc), or do I try my hand at Med School and fulfill a lifelong dream??

63. I would love to speak with teenagers about the importance of remaining true to themselves so they don't lose sight of their goals....no matter who tells them differently

64. I believe all people worship the same God....some cultures call Him different names and some religions split Him up....but I believe Jesus truly did come to Earth and is the one true Son of God.....and I believe everyone will have the opportunity to receive whatever "proof" he/she needs upon their death....and....

65. I believe Hell is reserved for those people who receive their so-called "proof" and still choose not to believe.....so I have no idea who is or isn't in Hell, though I find it hard to believe that anyone could see all the proof they ever needed and STILL choose to deny God...

66. I believe George Bush and Criss Angel are two antichrists

67. I love to just sit and watch Walt Disney movies....with OR without my children present

68. I cannot play any musical instruments, though I took piano lessons for years as a young girl

69. I've always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but I've never had the patience or the fingertips for it.

70. When I was in High School there was a red tailed hawk on a phone line near my school who was there every morning....I named him "Fred."

71. When I was younger I had a crush on the Kratt brothers, of Zaboomafoo fame.

72. I have a new puppy - she's a Jack Russell Terrier and she's ADORABLE

73. I got a raise at work today that makes me happy

74. I broke my leg when I was six and had to walk on it into the school because my teacher was, like 80 and couldn't carry me. I am a sheeeewoman!!

75. I got to ride a wheelchair to school for several weeks when I broke my leg, it was awesome. And I used the casted leg to be a pirate that Halloween!

76. My grandmother is my hero

77. My Faith is what gets me through the day

78. I tend to throw myself 100 percent into relationships, and very often get burned because of it...I am an all or nothing kind of girl

79. I spent three hundred dollars (and that was WITH insurance) on my splurge : Bulgari glasses...they're gorgeous and hey, I have to wear them EVERY DAY so they should kick tail right??

80. I like Italian Margaritas : they're your basic tequila, triple sec, and margarita mix margaritas with Amaretto mixed in or floated in as well!

81. I have never smoked a cigarette or done illegal drugs

82. I have broken major laws before, and very rarely gotten away with it

83. If I could I would eat Italian food or Mexican food at every meal

84. I pray for my patients when I get home at night, and I cry when they're discharged.

85. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and even though they suck sometimes we're meant to experience them all

86. I am terrible with money, I don't save well, and I spend it on stupid things....but I'm vowing to get better at both

87. I LOVE prunes

88. My favorite sweet thing is my Memaw's red velvet cake

89. My birthday is December 4

90. The only time I ever used a pressure cooker I cooked beans and somehow managed to explode them all over the kitchen

91. My husband's grandmother makes chicken and dumplings that are the most amazing things in the world, second only to her beef stroganoff and I've had a hankering lately for both so I think I'll make one or the other for dinner tomorrow

92. When I can't sleep at night I think too much, and sometimes I find myself crying uncontrollably because I am all of a sudden overwhelmed by the enormity of life and all that is sad in it.

93. My favorite tree is the magnolia tree

94. I have never had a desire to own any sort of bird or avian creature, they make too much noise and they are very messy creatures.

95. I have a desire to go camping and hiking in the mountains, but I have a lot of convincing to do before that'll happen....

96. I fell out of bed when I was younger and broke my collarbone, I had to wear a goofy looking back brace....couldn't tell you how old I was but I REMEMBER that stupid brace!!

97. I carry grudges

98. I have a "birth control baby" -- that's right folks, it DOES happen : say hello to Zoe :)

99. If I had a label maker I'd label everything because I'm just that obsessive

100. My favorite juice is V8 juice...I think it's AMAZING and I could drink a quart or two all day long it's so great!


I hope you enjoyed a hundred things about me....it was fun to write!!


YOUR TURN!!! Leave me a comment with a couple of little known things about you

A Bumpy Road

Trust....what does it mean?? Who CAN you trust??? Who SHOULD you trust???? In the past week or so I've learned a valuable lesson. You can only trust the people you KNOW. And sometimes, the people you THINK you know, turn out to be the least trustworthy of all, and that is when you discover the meaning of the word.

Let me back up a minute. Recently, we found ourselves at the mercy of others. We trusted someone to help us out of the spot we found ourselves in. And that's when we saw their true colors. It would seem that their only thought was of themselves, and they gave no thought to the promises they made to us. And now, we find ourselves screwed. And not through any fault of our own, but strictly for relying foolishly on the promises of people who have sworn to love and protect us. But the joke is on them, we're going to come out stronger on the other side, possibly more so than anyone ever thought we would. Just you wait and see. We don't need you and your crappy half promises and falsehoods. Go screw yourself!


People who don't keep their word suck ass.

Oh Yeah

this shall be my new tattoo...

Q and A with Daniel

What's your favorite color? Blue
What's your favorite food? *points to his plate, containing chicken and fries from Sonic*
What's your favorite story? Optimus Prime
What's your favorite movie? Optimus Prime and Barricade and Bumblebee
Who's your best friend? *points to Zoe*

Awww how cute is that?!?!

One of my worst nightmares......

And they said it would never happen. I'm so creeped out by this whole collapsed bridge thing that I can't even really read about it without getting the heebie jeebies. I mean, you look at a bridge : and it's steel and concrete and whatever else it is that a bridge is made out of....and it's supposed to support a TON of weight, and it's not really supposed to ever come crashing down around you. Right? I have always had what some people call an irrational fear of a bridge collapsing....and people will look at me and say "Oh come on now, you know a BRIDGE won't collapse." Well, this one did....and it killed people. And now I say to you, my fear is not irrational.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy, may God bring you Peace and Comfort in your time of great loss. I'm so sorry.