Des Moines.

Monday, the night before boards, a friend and I spent the night in Des Moines with every intention on studying and getting a great night of sleep. Now when we opened our nursing books we got nervous and began to dread the big test in the morning. To calm our nerves we went to Olive Garden for a great meal and of course a drink or two.

We went back to the hotel and there was an ice cream shop in the hotel and I seen beer bottles lined the shelf behind the bar. We went in and took a seat when I asked the waiter if this was the only place in the hotel to get a drink. Within a minute a very nice man approached us to explain that there was a bar on the second floor and was nice enough to show us the way.

We sat in that second floor bar for a good hour or two having a few more drinks. After awhile we decided that getting drunk the night before your nursing boards was not the best idea so we decided to take a swim in the pool. We were the only ones in the pool and it was great but all we could talk about was the 'big scary test'. We got interrupted with a man banging on the door. (I'll leave that for a different blog)

Needless to say we got back to the room around eleven and thought we should study. We got out our review note cards and all it did was get us worried. So we put them away and shut off the lights.

Neither of us slept well at all; a lot of tossing and turning. Nerves, were getting the best of us. Six am and the alarm was going off. We showered and checked out. I drove us to the testing center and it hit us--we did not study at all!

To take the boards you have to have your Authorization to Test, your ID and fingerprints. They won't let you take anything into the testing room--not even a Kleenex.

The questions were hard and my nerves were shot. You have no idea how many questions you are going to have; the range is 85-260 questions. You have 300 minutes to complete your test. When the computer reaches the amount of questions that you are to take it shuts off. My test ended at 115 questions.

We both left Des Moines knowing we failed. It was a quiet ride home. We made it home by lunch time which is good beings our test started at eight in the morning. We enjoyed a very quiet lunch together and than went on with our separate days.

Yesterday while I was at work my friend text me and stated "I passed!" knowing that she got online and paid to see her test results just made me anxious to know mine. I came home and entered all my information just to find out...I passed my boards.

Nursing boards...

As all of you know I took my nursing boards this last Tuesday. What you might not know is that it was the HARDEST test that I have ever encountered.

I am only confident of 25% of the questions that I had. Another 25% of the questions were over medications that I am unfamiliar with. Now the next 25% of the questions involved religion and if you know me I know very little, if anything, about religion. The last 25% was over diseases and nursing priorities that I singled down to two answers.

Seriously I walked out of that testing center knowing that I did not pass. It was a very long and quiet ride home. Now it takes 2-4 weeks to receive my results in the mail. That is a long, long time to wait for a test like this.

So I did what anyone in my position would do....pay the extra to get the results in two days. I received my test results a few hours ago...

A week has passed...

...and I haven't posted!!

I wanted to quickly get on and say I'm still here and alive. I will be back...no fear. It has been a hectic week and I haven't had time to get online except for a quick e-mail or my online classes.

I will be on soon to post...but I think I have writers block! Haha!

Testing, testing...

I'm nervous, I just booked my hotel for Monday in Des Moines.

Tuesday I have my nursing boards. I really do not know why I am posting this; I mean if I fail my boards you will all know now. Whoa...a big ole reality check.

A friend and I decided to make our testing times for the nursing boards at the same time that way we can get a room on Monday and Tuesday not make the drive to take that big scary test. Smart, I know.

Anyway, it is less than a week away and I haven't studied at all! That is a huge confidence booster! Ha ha! I work all this week so I am sure that I won't get much studying done but maybe I can study a bit this weekend...I'm not scheduled to work.

So Tuesday at 8 am I need everyone to cross their fingers for me. Passing my nursing boards is the only question that I haven't asked my magic 8ball. Hmm...

Dun, dun, dun...

Watermelon.

Today I ate watermelon, not any watermelon, seedless watermelon. It was good.

The kids and I went to their school to meet their teachers and they had a watermelon feed. I thought it was a great way for a teacher-student introduction. It seemed everyone was enjoying themselves.

Tomorrow school starts, my kids are excited and nervous. I work so I don't get to take them for their first day of school or pick them up. That disappoints me some but I think I will live...hopefully.

I'm charging my camera so in the morning I can take pictures of the kids for their first day of school.

I never sleep well on the night before big events...

What is your perfect date?

I was asked last night what my perfect date would be and I had a hard time answering this question because I can ultimately enjoy just about anything....with the right company. Don't get me wrong even with the right company I couldn't enjoy a Jackie Chan movie fest but anything else I think I can handle.

Now before I go on I need to ask what is your perfect date?

After a night of thinking about it I couldn't come up with an exact activity that would be considered a 'perfect date' for me. There are signs that I think that a date was going well and I guess if those signs are there, to me, that is a perfect date.

What are those signs you ask...hmm...

Laughter. That is simple if people are laughing they are smiling and having a good time. I love to laugh.

I should honestly back up to the arrival. My perfect date would arrive on time. I hate tardiness. I don't like to admit this but I would almost judge the date on if they arrived on time or not.

A good conversation. Nothing is better than being around someone you can hold a conversation with. It's okay to tease.

I notice all the small things, for example, is he looking at anyone else or if he drops me off at home does he wait till I get inside or does he pull away without knowing if I got inside. Things like that I tend to notice.

I'm sure that I can go on and on...but as you can tell I didn't have a specific date in mind...no picnic on the beach here or sunset walk.

Do people actually have a 'perfect date' in mind? I mean to me that is crazy. Let's say my perfect date was a picnic on the beach, and I guarentee it's not. Okay, I go on a date and this poor guy did the dinner and a movie date, would that be disappointing to me if my 'perfect date' was a picnic on the beach?

I decided I don't think I like the question "What is your perfect date".

Sleep...who needs it?

Oh the joys of having my kids home...

Today I have an all day meeting at the hospital so knowing this I sent the kids to bed around 9 so I could head to bed about 10. Well it was a great plan...

Around 11:30 my daughter woke up to a 'noise' so I made her a bed on the couch.

Around 1:00 my youngest had a 'pain' in his ankle.

Around 2:30 my youngest thought he needed to get up and run through the house.

Around 3:30 my middle child thought it was time to 'play' with the dog.

Around 5:00 my alarm decided it was time to get up.

Needless to say I am freakin' tired.

I am not quite sure what got into my children last night. They have been home since Thursday so they have slept here before. I don't get it. I am hoping that at daycare today they don't let my kids nap so they will sleep good tonight because I surly need the sleep. I can't run off of 3-4 hours of sleep anymore....I need sleep to function correctly.

How long...

I have recently been asked this question to which I couldn't reply like the person wanted. The question is:

"When do you let someone meet your kids?"

My answer was:

"When I feel comfortable introducing someone to my kids."

The person that asked me this question was almost irritated about my 'vague' answer. They wanted a date or a time frame or better yet an actual number of days. I tried explaining to this person that the time frame doesn't exist in this aspect of my life. Some friends never meet my kids while others meet my kids from the start. I was interrupted because it obviously was not concerning a friend meeting kids it was a possible significant other that would be meeting kids.

All I could do was go back to my original answer. I could hear the frustration in their voice. It was not what they wanted to hear.

I'm just curious about others...when would you allow your kids to meet someone? If you don't have kids than when would you expect to meet someone else's kids?

Now, this person that asked me the question was a female friend that is irritated that the guy she is interested in hasn't introduced his kids to her yet. I told her I thought that was great on his part and that got her angry. You see, she doesn't have any kids and well thinks that they have went on a few dates this last 6 weeks and wants to meet his kids.

I calmly explained to her that if he respects his kids that much...maybe she should respect him.

I also tried explaining that if she is going to demand to meet his kids she might as well kiss whatever possible relationship there could have been.....gone. She doesn't see it the way I do so maybe it is just me. I have been wrong before...but I doubt I am now.

Feeding the ducks.

This morning I got up and mowed. I guess I didn't know how difficult it was going to be with my kids. They were shooting me with water guns, Nerf guns, and of course running circles around me. At least the mowing got done.

We all got cleaned up and ran and rented a movie and I ended up buying four others. After picking out movies we went to Wal-Mart to get some popcorn, water, juice, and ice cream. As soon as we got everything put away we took a walk around the neighborhood and up to the kids school.

As we approach the school I hear someone yelling my name, hmm, I don't know too many people, I turn around and it was a lady that I work with at the hospital. I felt a bit stupid for not recognizing her. I tell you I am really bad at remembering people or names.

The kids and I walked back home and ate some cake and ice cream than sat down to watch a movie together. My daughter picked out 27 dresses. If you know me I am not into the girlie-girl movies. I will watch them and smile or laugh. All it did was make me want to plan my next wedding....how ridiculous is that?

My best friend stopped by with a present for Dalton. He received a metal detector. I got it put together and off the kids went. They didn't get out the door yet and the thing was going insane. The kids thought they hit the jackpot and I had to break the news that they were on the door jam. That's my kids. It made both my friend and I laugh.

My kids are now sleeping and I am just relaxing with my bud light. It's been a great weekend.

Busy day.

The kids and I got up fairly early to conquer all of the running we had to get done today. We got most of it accomplished. The kids got hair cuts, new shoes, birthday cake, and a great night of swimming.

We just got back from Family Fun Night at the Y. On Friday's they have open swim with either a huge air-filled elephant or alligator or a rock wall that you fall off into the water. Tonight it was the rock wall.

There was only one other family in the pool tonight and of course the one lifeguard. My kids attempted that rock wall all night...and got pretty high up. We raced and played basketball and than I decided to check how far my kids can swim underwater. All three kids made it from the deep end to the shallow....which is a long way. In fact the lifeguard came up to me and asked me how long my kids were in swimming lessons...in which I replied I taught my kids to swim myself. They did swimming lessons at the Y about 3-4 months ago and they were bored because it was under their skills. The lifeguard recommended that the kids take private lessons....hmm. He stated that normally private lessons accommodate 2 kids but he would make an exception and give lessons to all 3.

The kids got about 3/4 of the way up the rock wall and could not get that final stretch. My daughter can make it up to the top on the normal rock wall, but she had trouble with this one. I cheered them on and even tried to bribe them with ice cream if they could touch the top. Nobody could make it and not because of lack of effort though.

It was a great night and tomorrow the kids want to go play basketball and afterwards a movie and ice cream.

It is funny how hearing my kids playing and feeling their hugs can make me feel so important and so loved. I am so thankful to be their mom, they are great kids.

My kids are....home!

Last night my kids made it home. They all look so much bigger and they got tan-very tan.

My day today:

Spoil my kids rotton.

Catching up on laundry. I have so far done 6 loads of laundry.

Going to the Y to register the kids in activities.

Getting haircuts.

Buying shoes.

Mowing the yard.

Eating birthday cake.

But most of all I am going to smother my kids with kisses and hugs!

The waiting game...

It is now 4:32 pm...where are my kids?

It's not looking good. I might be making the trip in the morning. Hopefully it is just my ex-husband trying to be mean and will have the kids here soon. Of course he wouldn't answer my call or text concerning if he was bringing the kids down.

I called my daughter's cell and left her a text message but my ex-husband does not let her hold on to it when she brings it. Even when the only reason she has it is to stay in contact with me. Only emergency numbers are programmed in it.

I guess I just have to wait....

A possible upcoming warning

Last night I had a hard time sleeping. I tossed and turned throughout the night. It seems that I had let my emotions get the better of me. Well, not now. I'm over it. Well, I am not over it but I accepted the facts. A bit of a difference.

So a prewarning...I might not be around the end of the week through the weekend. It seems that I might be driving across the state to get my kids and see my friends and family. If I go I will take some pictures...if I remember to charge my camera!

Today I start the day shift at the hospital. I'm nervous but I'm sure everything will be fine.

I'm sure I will update how it went.

I promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth...

I feel angry...yup...my emotions are getting the best of me tonight.

My ex-husband is flat out refusing to bring my kids home. I have went all summer with out seeing them and I was super excited on seeing them when I got off work on Thursday.

He is telling me that he is not bringing them home and that I can drive up and get them. He states he pays too much in child support so he is not going to make the drive.

I have tried since Friday to get a hold of my kids and he won't let me talk to them. He refuses to call me back and won't respond to any text messages concerning my want and right to talk to my kids.

At the beginning of the summer we made an arrangement that he was going to drop the kids off at the end of the summer. He knew this and agreed to it.

I won't be able to pick up my kids on Thursday because I work and so I will have to make the trip on Friday, my youngest child's birthday.

It just makes me so angry that he is this way all the time. I am not perfect, far from it, but I do know I put my kids first and I am a good mom. To see this man do the opposite is just disappointing.

How do I know he can't afford the trip? I don't. I assume and that is wrong on my part. He has a two income home and she also receives child support. It's just me here. He races stock cars, gets new toys all the time, and I feel like I make all the necessary sacrifices to give my kids a better life.

On the flip side I will be able to see my family and friends if I make the trip up to Sioux City. I will be able to go to my favorite place in the world...the tattoo shop. My dad has my graduation present up there that he wants to give me. So it wouldn't be a bad thing to make the trip. It's more of the way my ex-husband goes around to do this sort of thing; like last minute with a side of guilt.

Anyway, supposedly he is getting a lawyer which means we will be going to court again.

Statistics, mexican, and shopping...

So today after my long day at clinical I ran out to get my books for my online classes for next term. Taking the classes online is going to stretch out my nursing degree a couple more semesters but I really don't have much of a choice beings I am a single mom and want to be there for my kids. Got to take the pros and the cons.

I picked up my Statistics, Art Appreciation, and Advanced Pharmacology books at the college bookstore. Now, I love math but after flipping through the pages I have become slightly intimidated. I took up to calculus in high school, so I believe that I will be fine...but that was so long ago! Statistics is transferable for my bachelors too.

After getting my books a dear friend called to invite me to a bar-b-que tomorrow, which I gratefully accepted. I am looking forward to my extra burnt new york strip. Yummy. Shortly after making plans for tomorrow a different friend asked me to supper tonight. We had some good ole mexican. MmmMmm.

I ran to the mall and ended up doing some not needed shopping. Oh well, you only live once right? That is my excuse.

I have recently decided that I am going to join the gym. I know that the kids and I will greatly benefit from having a gym membership. So at dinner tonight I did what I do best...talk...and now have got my friend wanting to join. Yea-I might have a partner to go with. I do plan on joining this week so hopefully if i don't kill over from my body going in to shock of exercising I will post about my triumphs and some bumps that might be in the road.

Life sucks... get it over it.

We all have been around and some even have been one of those people that go around stating and restating how bad life is. My advice to these attention seeking people....get over it...stop looking for pity. Everyone has rough times in life. Now, I think I said it harshly. It is okay to vent or talk to a friend when you are down in the dumps or depressed, but when all you do is go around and play that sad song on the violin....err...that just gets to me.

Life is not out to get 'revenge' on people. I have had a few crappy years in my life, and I am expecting that I will have a few more. Fact: Life is not fair. So when you start feeling sorry for yourself, simply, STOP and realize some of the good that you do have. Believe it or not there is someone out there that has a worse life. Everyone has positives about themselves, some are hilarious, some are intelligent, some are great communicators, etc. You have something great about yourself. And to someone you might be a huge influence. Everyone matters to someone.

Now I am guilty of this times a million. I live my life for others most of the time. This is different than doing something for someone else. I am finally realizing. You have got to figure out what it is important for you in life; get to know yourself. Yes, I know my friends, family, kids, co workers better than I know myself, most of the time. I live to make people happy. Now I just have to shift that a bit to make sure I am living my life for me. In a nut shell, take care of yourself or you can't take care of anyone else.

If you find yourself comparing your life to someone else, remember you never know what goes on behind closed doors. They may not be as happy as you think. They may have a huge house, fancy car but could be on the verge of bankruptcy. It is all on how a person portrays themselves.

Whenever you hear yourself thinking a negative comment about yourself try and instantly replace it with a positive one. Just don't get lost in self-pity. Remember you have the ability to change your outlook and your situation-it sometimes just takes work or change.

I write this today because I, myself, was starting to play the old violin, and decided not to. I enjoy life to much to get down over something so trivial.

Why do people lie?

I'm curious, and please answer, why is it that people lie? I will be honest, I have lied a time or two in my day, and I probably will again. My lies are not huge lies, they are just little ones like "Oh, I like that shirt." I don't go off the deep and and say I'm not dating someone when I am or vice versa.

Why is it people think that it is easier to tell a lie than to tell the truth? If you met someone new, would you lie to your significant other and make up some other reason to break it off or would you just explain that you met someone new?

Would you tell someone that you liked them but only a few days later withdraw that notion?

Do you tell your friends that you are going to be there and you are not?

Do people lie because it is easier for them or they may think it is easier for the other person? Or maybe they lie to fit in. Or because they don't want to let someone down.

Why are some of the reasons I have lied? Good question.

I have lied to spare someones feelings. Go back to the "Oh, I like that shirt", does that really effect the person that I lied?

I have lied to spare myself from getting lectured. "No, I didn't go out of town." It was easier to just pretend it didn't happen than to endure a 3 hour lecture about how dangerous it was.

Anyway, no matter the reason of lying and I know everyone has lied, but my question now is how did lying make you feel?

I have always felt like I betrayed someone or belittled their intelligence. To me it just isn't worth it. I like to talk way too much to be able to keep lies straight anyway!

My "shopping list"...

Do you have an ideal partner sketched out in your head? I think most of us do to some extent, I know I do. Of course honesty, intelligence, sense of humor, stability, communication, and the want to work on a relationship (whatever type of relationship this is) are on top of the traits that I look for. As you can tell looks appear nowhere on my list. I am not shallow. Obviously I am more attracted to an intelligent man with great communication skills over the man with the bod of steel. That is just me.

Now, I went a bit further with what traits that I am looking for in that potential partner. I challenge you to do the same.

Obviously I want someone that has a positive outlook in life. There is nothing worse than being around a "Negative Nancy". In this so category I would look to see that they focus on the solution rather than the problems, they see good in others and in other situations, and than they can turn a obstacle into an opportunity. A positive outlook in life rates high up there in my shopping list of a potential partner.

I'm also looking for someone that is able to keep a clean house and can handle their own finances. They hold up their end of a promise or commitment. They are timely and don't let people down. This shows that they have respect and are responsible.

I am also attracted to someone that has the want of personal growth as I do. I am always looking for a way to be a better partner and I am wanting someone that cares enough to do the same. Basically you have got to have goals for some sort of self-improvement. Nobody is perfect and everyone can improve one way or another. Life is a learning opportunity....so take advantage of it.

Honesty. This one is self explanatory I would think, but just in case I will explain. I want someone who is not only honest to me, but honest to themselves. No playing games....unless it is connect four. Playing games with someones feelings or emotions hurt and I will not tolerate someone who participates in those acts.

I thrive on stability. I don't think money is everything...in fact I could care less about what type of job someone has...as long as they are stable. So I want someone who is stable in life.

Communication of feelings. I love to talk as most of you know. I spill my feelings, thoughts, wants, ideas openly. Now, I am not asking a potential partner to do the same but I would expect they can communicate with me. I may not have the answers but heck it sure does make a person feel needed and wanted if they communicate about everything. Oh, a disclaimer: I do not talk about intimate conversations with anyone else, I leave those to the bedroom.

Anyway, I get asked a lot what is it that I am looking for, and I usually rattle off honesty, communication, sense of humor, etc. I decided to go in better detail, not only for others, but for myself. I like to see things on paper.

Like I said earlier, I challenge you to do the same. Make your own shopping list for a potential partner and go in more detail. Oh, don't forgot to examine inwards to yourself.

I must be cheap!

Twenty-eight dollars is all it must cost for these "sexual favors".

Last school fund raiser, my daughter sold candles, and my best friend wrote me out a check which I found to be hilarious. I wonder do you think the bank even notices things like that? I dunno.

The best candy bar....EVER!

Of course I was sifting through pictures and came across these, Twin Bing. This is my all time favorite candy bar, and look it is made in my hometown...good ole Sioux City, Iowa. I can't find Twin Bing's around here so every so often I talk my ex husband in bringing me a case. I tell you what, they don't last long around here. If my adopted mom or some friends know I have them...they are gone... and quickly. I used to mail my aunt in Texas some throughout the year because she too loves them but they do not sell them in Texas. It's been awhile since I had one...hmm...I might have to do something about that.

Texas

I talked to my aunt today, who lives in Texas and she is adamant on trying to get me to move to the large state. In fact she thinks that I should come visit and get a Texas drivers license. See if I get a drivers license now than I can move down in 6 months and be a Texas resident so I can get the in-state college rates. She has it all figured out.

Don't get me wrong, I love my aunt, and I know she is just wanting to help. She said we could live in her house and she would watch my kids while I finish my degree. Don't get me wrong she has a very nice house and it is big enough for us all. But I think I want to do this here, in Iowa.

So thinking about our conversation I started to look at the pictures from the last time Tiana and I visited her over this last Christmas.

When we were there we visited my favorite era....Medieval Times. I went there when I was 14 and was crowned the Lady of Luck for my red knight. He gave me his colors and a rose. I thought that was the most amazing thing ever. Tiana got a carnation from out yellow night this last time.

I always have fun visiting....but my home is in the good ole midwest...at least for now...

In remembrance of "bladdy" my gallbladder.

Two years ago today I had my gallbladder removed. I remember it as it was only yesterday…

I was living in an apartment with my kids after my husband and I separated and it was about, oh, 4 in the morning on August 7th when I was awaken by a stabbing pain in my stomach. I tried everything that I could think of to relieve this pain. I tried pacing the hallways and soaking in a hot bath, which really worked before. After about an hour the pain just brought me to tears and I knew I needed to see a doctor.

I called the kids dad and asked him to come get the kids so I could go out to the hospital. He told me he would be right over. I sat on my couch for hours and finally I lay on the floor, for some reason the hard floor was more comforting than the couch. Time just kept passing by and no sign of the kids dad. It was about 10 in the morning and he finally showed up and seen that I was laying on the floor and said if you were in that much pain why didn’t you just call an ambulance. I muttered back because I have 3 kids and their dad was going to be right over to watch them.

I ended up driving myself to the hospital where I must of looked sick and in pain because immediately they started an IV of morphine, my first time having any strong narcotics. After the IV I got carted to the ultrasound room where it was confirmed I had masses of gallstones both in my ducts and gallbladder. I asked the nice person observing my gallbladder to print me off a picture, in which they did.

I was going to need surgery. The surgeon came to my room and explained the procedure. He explained that I had a lot of gallstones and that he was going to try and do laparoscopic surgery but if when he tries and can’t get all the stones he will have to do open surgery.

I remember very well his voice and very well the complications to surgery…death. He explained that any time someone is under anesthesia there is a chance in death. I sat there alone thinking that the doctor told me I was going to not survive surgery.

I called my kids, mom and dad, my sister, my friends and told them I would be under the knife in less than 2 hours. I was seriously scared.

An hour passed and the nurse came in to tell me that they were going to postpone the surgery till tomorrow, August 8th, because there was an accident and the surgeon is, well, in surgery. Phew…this relieved me a bit until I thought of the date.

August 8th is my unlucky day. I just knew I wasn’t going to make it out alive. “Bladdy”, my gallbladder, had won; he got the best of me. Of course, I kept all these fears to myself.

The next morning I was prepped for surgery and I remember being asked if I had any jewelry on because it would have to be removed beforehand. I cringed and mumbled, yes, I have jewelry on. The nurse looked at my ears and my hands and asked where. I explained where and told her I was not removing my jewelry. She talked to the surgeon and he said we had to put sterile gauze over my piercings and I could keep them. Thankfully.

I remember being wheeled into the surgery room, I was still awake! Usually they sedate you before getting you to the surgical room. Than I hear count back from 100. So I did 100…99….98…97…I was out.

I woke up from surgery sick; anesthesia got the better of me. I was returned back to my room where I was afraid to look at my stomach, as I didn’t want to know if I had laparoscopic or open surgery. The surgeon came to visit me and explained everything when quickly and great. I had laparoscopic surgery.

It’s funny because a friend of mine visited me right after surgery and said her back was hurting and I joked it’s your gallbladder. Well it was. She had hers removed the next morning and was sent home within 4 hours of surgery, and I was left in the hospital for 5 days.

So thank you “Bladdy” for going on your merry way. I would love to say you are missed but that would be a lie. You caused much pain in my life and frankly I am glad that you are gone.

Winter is around the corner...

With school starting soon and summer coming to an end I decided it was time to find some of my winter pictures. These were taken last year during the big ice storm that kept us out of electricity for 5 days. Talk about bad luck for someone who still has a nightlight to sleep because she is afraid of the dark!

I believe winter is so beautiful; I love the ice on the trees and the untouched snow. Than comes the shoveling and well it is freakin cold. Last winter I attempted to sled and went over the retaining wall at my adopted mom's house, thankfully it was only about a 3-4 foot drop but I slid right into the doghouse. I was seriously sore for a week. This year I might sit on the sidelines....I doubt it!

I should get a toboggan so the kids and I can all fit on the one sled. Growing up we had a toboggan that fit about 5-6 people and I was forbidden to touch. It was my father's and he broke his leg on it when him and some friends attempted to sled and went off a steep wall, I believe. So of course that meant that I could not touch it growing up.

I was about 14 and I took that toboggan outside and climbed to the top of the hill we lived on and man that thing went fast. I got in trouble, obviously, for disobeying. I'm not even sure if my father still has it.

Hmm...I wonder where one would get a toboggan....any idea?

Emergency calls...

This afternoon I had received a hysterical phone call, my best friend’s son was unconscious and they were on their way to the hospital. I asked do you need me at the hospital or at the house; I was told to the house. So I went over to the house and sat with her boyfriend and her two other sons. After a bit I received a call asking me to come up to the hospital, so I did.

When I got up there everything was fine; he was up and moving around. He has a history of seizures so it is thought he had a seizure and fell of his bike. I know from personal experience it is horrific, Ian has had seizures and lost conscious too. It is a horrible feeling to have something go wrong with your child, or any child.

While I was waiting in the room one of the paramedics, that I knew, waved me in to the hallway. He asked me if everything was okay and asked me if it was my child. I explained it wasn’t but I appreciate the concern. My adopted mom came out to the hallway and said Heather, can’t I take you anywhere? I can’t take you to Wal-Mart even without someone hitting on you.

I was so embarrassed and I introduced her to the paramedic, who happens to be in nursing school with me. Oh, was all she replied and went back in the room. So of course the paramedic is giving me grief on “not being able to take me anywhere”. I’ll never live this down. It was funny though, embarrassing, but funny.

Kids are precious and times like this makes me appreciate my kids so very much more.

Now that is what I am talking about...

Hey Heather!
You scored 145 on our IQ Test.
Your IQ Range is Above 140 and you are EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT.

Congratulations on completing our IQ test! Based on your answers to the test questions, your IQ is above 140. IQ scores are based on a scale where a score of 100 is the average score. By scoring higher than 100, you have shown that you have a higher than average intelligence level. Your score range of above 140 is the highest category and indicates that you are extremely intelligent, so again, congratulations are in order! Your intelligence level can say a lot about how you approach life. By having a high score, you are someone who can face their challenges and often overcome them easily. You look at the world and are able to make sense of it by fitting together the pieces of the puzzle.

Thank you for taking our fun IQ test!

Down to one...job that is...

Last night I went to work a bit early to explain my situation to one of the managers...I went in to quit. I, of course, gave my notice and explained I will be there to finish my schedule.

With getting the full time day position I don't want to work an additional part time job and go to school. I explained I went and am going to school in health care, and I couldn't pass up the great opportunity of not only getting the hospital job but working days as a single mom...I can be with my kids.

The manager that I talked to congratulated me and told me that they understood and they appreciate that I will finish out my schedule. I clocked in and told myself I wasn't going to tell any of my co-workers. About a hour later a different manager came up to me in front of my co-workers and said we are going to miss you here are you sure you can't work a couple of days a week or every other weekend. I, again, explained my job offer from the hospital and how I could not turn down that opportunity. I was asked to come talk to the managers on Friday, my day off, I agreed to do so. After that I heard something about my leaving every 15 minutes from my co-workers. The majority of them wished me the best of luck and congratulated me on my job offer.

This brings me to I hate quitting a job. I always get nervous and somehow feel that I am letting someone down. I know that the job will go on without me, I am only one person. The 15-20 hours a week that I was there can easily be replaced.

On another note, and more importantly, my kids come home in 1 week! This summer has gone quickly and I am down to my final countdown on my kids returning home. They are just as excited as I am.

We have got a lot to get done before school starts. In fact I went down to make sure that everything was okay with the kids transfer to the new school, and it was. I just am over anal about checking and rechecking things. I was explained that the teachers list will be posted on the 15th and on the 19th there is going to be "meet your teacher" night with a big watermelon feed. So I am sure the kids and I will go and participate. I like to participate in as many of the school activities that I can throughout the year.

I think tonight...fresh squeezed lemonade and a good book. Nothing like enjoying a summer night.

Knee pads.....anyone?

Today was my last day at the mental health facility that I was at. It was a great clinical rotation and I learned a lot.

We played volleyball with a few patients today and well I must have thought I was back in high school, I dove for the ball...and hit it...but not thinking my knees hit the gym floor. They are all red and have skin abrasions. Small price to pay for what playing volleyball does for these patients. It gets them up moving, laughing, smiling and it helps with concentration and motor skills. Oh and it is fun!

Not a negative experience at all during mental health.

I still have 2 days of mental health left but that will be when I job shadow a mental health case manager next week. Sounds like it is an interesting job; you get to set your own hours, days off, etc. Hmm...and it deals with mental health...

Is there gold at the end of the rainbow?

Well, I called the lady who makes the hospital schedule today; she bluntly asked me if I could work days. Are you kidding me? I would LOVE to work days over second shift. Not only that she gave me a heads up that a full time position, days, is available and if I want it to call the boss tomorrow and fill out a piece of paper and it can be mine.

I couldn't believe it. I didn't think I would ever get days. That saves me so much in daycare and time away from my kids. It's been a hectic summer but I do believe the sun is shinning now.

Hopefully I get a hold of the boss in the morning to tell her I want it. If I end up getting the full time position I might be quitting my other job...I can only hope!

Now, of course, I'm trying not to count my chickens before they hatch....but it isn't easy to do.

I must consult my magic 8 ball....

I have a question...

Can you be too committed in a relationship? Now theoretically speaking this is a realtionship with a good foundation and everything is just dandy. Do you think people over commit themselves? How? Why?

I'm just curious of what others may think. I know some of you reply back to my e-mail instead of leaving a comment and that is fine. Whatever the way I would just appreciate a response.

I think I am an over committer. Is that even a word? I won't go into my thoughts about this but I will respond to the ones that I get....like always.

Enjoy your day!

Bye-bye plastic

Today I had to run to the bank to cancel and reissue a debit card. I don’t know what it is about misplacing that specific piece of plastic, but I have been doing so often this last year. In fact I have prided myself of never losing anything of the sort. Now, in the last 12 months this is the 6th time I lost my bank card. What is going on? Can I seriously be misplacing that card every 2 months? I guess so.

I haven’t lost anything else, checks, credit cards, license, social security cards, they are still there. What is it about my ocean scene bankcard that I keep losing it? Anyway I should have a new card in a week they said. Good thing I can keep my same pin because losing it that often I don’t know how I would keep track of what pin to use.

I hope that everyone enjoys their weekend. I get to work. I also might clean the basement, hopefully…well maybe…we will see.

Date or else.

My adopted mom told me two days ago that I need to start dating; that either I find someone to date or she was going to.

Now with her saying this I want to know why she thinks I need to date. Am I being grouchy? I don't think so. Am I complaining of not having a guy? Sometimes...I make a few comments now and again. But why does she want me to have a guy around so bad? I don't know.

I am a fairly busy person. I go to school, work two jobs, keep up the house and yard, and I have 3 kids. Does she think I need help with something?

Anyway, it has been one of those days....you know the kind you don't ever want to repeat. I tell you what I really wish my ex-husband would grow up slightly. There is nothing that I hate more than trying to talk to someone and they hang up because they don't like what you have said. It seriously frustrates me!

I don't ask for my ex-husband to do anything more than needed when it comes to the kids. He pays his child support and I support the kids with that money. School time comes around and I have already bought all the school clothes and supplies for my kids. I asked him to get the kids a hair cut because I am sure they need one, they have been up there all summer. And he said that he pays child support so he doesn't feel like he should have to do any extras. Can you believe that? I pay for swimming lessons, clothes, food, all of lives essentials, and I ask him to get the kids a ten dollar a piece hair cut and it is too much to ask for?

Yes, I know he pays his child support. And I am thankful for that. I have went out of my way for this guy even after we got divorced. Heck, he couldn't have bought his last car if it wasn't for me. I have been flexible with visitations to work around his needs. And a haircut was too much to ask. It's not that I don't have the money to get my kids a haircut, I'll get them a haircut, it's that my kids have been gone all summer and need a haircut and they are not here for me to take them to get one....and he is their dad.

And my adopted mom thinks that I need to date. Please.