...:::Waves Hello:::...

I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I last posted.  I am mortified!  I have absolutely no good excuse... school is over, life is calm... I don't even know what to say for myself!  :[

I guess I should fill the blog world in on all the happenings of my crazy little life.  First and foremost... I PASSED MY BOARDS!!!  Woot woot!  (does happy dance).  The test was so much harder than I had imagined and I was certain that I bombed it, so I was really shocked to log in to my account on Monday and see the best word ever... "Pass".  I should be starting my new job as an RN sometime in January.

Kevin, Lucy and I drove down to Pittsburgh last weekend to spend an early Christmas with his family.  It was a long, long drive (gets longer every time, I swear), btu we had a ton of fun!

That's really about it.  I have been feeling kind of... well... off lately (for lack of a better word), but am starting to snap out of it... I think.  I'll keep you all posted on that and I will try to be better about my posting.  Yikes!

Uneventful Update

Besides work and... well... work... I really haven't been up to much lately.  I did set a test date for my state boards--- December 16... in Watertown, NY (about and hour and a half away).  If I wanted to take it in Syracuse, I would have to wait until 12/29... which I am not willing to do.  I am super nervous and totally sick of studying already and just want to get it over with.  Immediately after my test, I will be driving back to Syracuse... then packing up and hopping back in the car with DH for a 6 hour trip to Pittsburgh to visit the in-laws.  Next week should be a busy, but productive week.  Biggest problem... I have to finish all of my Chirstmas shopping for Kevin's family before then.  Yikes!

If anyone has any great study tips for the NCLEX, I would love to hear them!  And if you have any T&P and positive vibes to spare next week, I would so greatly appreciate it!!

Happy Halloween!! (2 OOTDs and a Product Rave)

Today was a pretty darn good day, especially for a Monday!   First, it's Halloween!!  Who doesn't love dressing up like a superhero and getting lots of candy?  Seriously.  And second, I graduated (officially now) from nursing school!!  Yippee!!  Cheesy picture with diploma to follow.

So... since I thought I might be able to make it to my graduation (I use this term lightly... but still exciting nonetheless), I thought I would dress a little nicer than usual for work.  My work/graduation OOTD...

 Top:  Target (It's hard to see from this picture, but the neckline is really cute, sort of a loose, cowl neck)
White Tank:  Target  (I own like 5 of these... wear them almost every day, so comfortable ad the perfect tank to wear under any shirt)
Bottom:  guess khaki pants
Boots:  Steve Madden

I also wore a purple scarf for about 1/2 of the day.  Kathy (coworker) got a really cute scarf for me for my birthday/graduation and it made this outfit just "Halloween-y" enough.

As you may already know, Kevin and I are both pretty big kids and couldn't resist the opportunity to dress up and hand out candy for our first Halloween in our new house.  After struggling with ideas for costumes, we decided (at the last minute) to thros on our good old Marine Corps cammies and some face paint.

My second OOTD, obviously compliments of the good old United States Marine Corps.

I have to say... pulling out my uniform was bittersweet for me.  I am so very happy with my life today, where I am and what I am doing... but part of me truly misses wearing this uniform every day.  A very big part of my heart belongs to the Marine Corps and it is still very much a big part of who I am.  Every aspect of putting the uniform on was second nature to me... rolling the sleeves, placing my chevrons... it really felt great to feel like a Marine again... even if it was only for play.

Kevin couldn't resist the opportunity to play drill instructor (did I mention that I LOVE my man in uniform?)  with Lucy.  She was not a very good recruit.  Every time the doorbell rang, she got super excited and went running to the door.

Now for the product rave.  After we were finished handing out candy, I couldn't wait to get all of that face paint off.  About a year ago, I was turned on to an amazing brand called Philosophy.  I use a few of their products religiously.  Tonight, in particular, my favorite facewash came in handy.

Purity Made Simple is my absolute favorite facewash and it took all of that war paint off in a single wash.  Love the stuff.  I don't make any money or get any perks from mentioning products, so when I come across a good thing, I like to spread the word because... hey... it's a good thing!!   I will try to remember to post some product raves more often.  I know I am always looking for recommendations, so I'm thinking give some to get some, right?

Speaking of Philosophy... two of my other favs are the Microdelivery Exfoliating Facewash

Finally, The Present, moisturizer and primer.  I have tried several different primers and this one is, by far, my favorite.  Smooth, light, perfect!

One of the best things about Philosophy is that they have great deals online ALL the time.  Seriously.  If you give them your email, at least once or twice a month they will offer 20-30% off.  Steal!

So... that's about it for today.  Busy, but fun day!

It's time to say goodbye...

... to the ripe old age of 28.

Given that my 29th birthday is Sunday, I originally started off earlier this week with the intent to make a list of 30 things I want to do before age 30 (and I will probably finish this list and post it tomorrow)... but in thinking about my goals I realized that in order to better evaluate what I want to do and where I want to be in the next year... I should take a look at this past year.  

So... I spent the past day or two reflecting on the past year of my life.  What I have done, what I have seen, where I have been, who I have become.  And  so I present....

28 Things I Accomplished At Age 28

1.  Spent my last birthday as a single woman

2.  Finally found and ordered my wedding dress

3.  Planned the wedding of the year

4.  Watched and assisted in the delivery of a baby

5.  Went black Friday shopping at midnight with my BFF and BIL (best.shopping trip.ever!)

6.  Worked most of the major winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas) but celebrated anyway

7.  Saw 3 awesome country concerts 
(Toby Keith/Eric Church, Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown, Lady Antebellum)

 8.  Did not read a single book for fun, but read more Nursing books than I ever thought I would

9.  Bought our first house

10.  Had the best bachelorette party ever 
(wine tour on a party bus with some of the most fun, fabulous women I have ever met!)

11.  Lost my grandmother.  I miss you, Grams!

12.  Married the man of my dreams

13.  Finally got to use the phrase “my husband” and hear “my wife” (still makes me giggle) and put aside the word "fiance"... which I love.  Also put aside all of the anticipation, excitement and stress that comes with planning a wedding, a truly bittersweet sentiment

14.  Went on my dream honeymoon, 7 amazing nights in St. Lucia

15.  Bought a puppy, love my little Lucy bear

16.  Started a blog (and proceeded to spend WAY too much time on said blog)

17.  Attended my first in-home “adult” type party… I was nervous… it was a blast!  
As a matter of fact, I attended my second one about a month later

18.  Spent entirely too much time and money shopping online… and at Target, TJ Maxx, Marshalls… ok just shopping in general… and not enough time with my husband

19.  Hosted my own in-home shopping party and Knottie Get Together 
(Pure Romance… can’t wait to do it again!)

20.  Really slacked off on my Saturday morning trips to the market 
(I blame the move to Liverpool and Kevin working weekends)

21.  Really slacked off on my running 
(I have no one to blame but myself… and maybe the weather a little bit.  
One goal for next year… re-find my motivation and hit the pavement)

22.  Got pregnant and finally understood just how powerful one tiny little “+” can be and the depth of love that develops in the very instant you see that positive

23.  Experienced a miscarriage and understood grief on a whole new, deeper level… 
and more specifically disenfranchised grief… 
what a strange and sad feeling to be mourning the loss of a life that never existed in the eyes of many.  Also found the strength to share my story and give support to other women who have experienced a pregnancy loss

24.  Learned more about fertility than I ever cared to know (what BBT, CM, FWP, BD, AF, MF mean… how to chart, temp, monitor signs, predict ovulation… this could be a full time job!) 

25.  Went to the Great NY State Fair and enjoyed my annual 3 fried things 
(deep fried bacon wrapped snickers, deep fried chicken wing dip, deep fried Reeses) 
as well as a few wine slushies and the most delicious roasted ear of corn

26.  Dug up the “fugly” plants that lined the front of my house and replaced them with mums and pumpkins… found out that maybe I do have a green thumb after all.  Talked my brother and brother-in-law into digging up the equally fugly bushes in the back yard.  The big empty dirt hole is still sitting there.  I need to put my green thumb back to work and finish that job

27.  Finished nursing school

28.  For the first time, really took some time to look back on the previous year and reflect on what I have accomplished and what I have neglected… and created a list of goals for myself for the upcoming year.  I like this!

What I have learned by making this list is that 28 was one helluva year for me.  I accomplished some HUGE things… marriage, house, school.  Seriously, I must give myself a big pat on the back for those gigantic accomplishments.  However, they came at a price… it appears that, throughout the year, I sacrificed and lost sight of many of the little things that used to always be a staple in my day to day life.  I didn’t run anywhere near as much as I wanted to… actually I was not as active in general as I would like to be and this is an area that I definitely want to improve in the coming year.  Thankfully, my waistline has not suffered, nor has the scale, but I do notice a definite decline in motivation and overall energy level which I am not happy about.  Running Monica = Happy (and hyper) Monica… and I really need to get back to my happy/hyper place.  I also don’t recall having many “dates” with my now-husband.  We spent time together every chance we could, but we didn’t date… and that is another thing I really want to work on this coming year.  Lastly, I want to be a better friend and family member.  I want to send birthday cards to aunts and uncles and cousins… ON TIME.  I want to send “Thinking of you” cards to friends for no reason other than to make them smile.  I want to visit my parents in Florida and hang out with my brother wherever he may be.  Luckily, we were fortunate enough to have our friends and family come to us this year for our wedding, but I want to be the one making the effort to stay in touch and grow our relationships.

I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, who I am and who I want to be.  I have experienced some of the happiest and saddest days of my life over the past year.  I have counted my blessings and questioned my faith.  I have taken on new roles and put aside old ones.  I have made new friends and said “goodbye” to some of the people who brought unnecessary drama into my life.  I have grown in my ability to think introspectively and become an overall more caring and understanding person.  I have become a little more “me” than I was last year… and next year I will become even more of the woman I am destined to be.

See ya later, 28.  It’s been a great year, but I am ready to see what I can make out of these next 12 months.  Bring it on, 29!!  

D-U-N

It's official.  I am completely finished with nursing school (except for that whole graduation thing... lol).  But seriously.  I am finished with my classes, my labs, my tests, my clinicals... everything.  The only thing standing between me and my new career is one teensy little (read: HUGE) test... my boards.  I am nervous and excited to take my boards and move on to this next chapter in my life... but for today (and for this whole weekend coming up) I am just plain freaking happy that nursing school is O-V-E-R.

I have sat through overwhelming lectures, taken intense exams, had my every move in clinical scrutinized, gone on little to no sleep for days, cared for ungrateful patients, dealt with rude staff and piss-poor instructors... but I survived. 

I also learned a tremendous amount about myself and what I am capable of, I made lifelong friends and realized just how much I rely on my husband.  I developed a deeper appreciation for all those in the healthcare field- especially nurses and came to understand the true meaning of empathy.  I feel like I really grew as a human being and now care about and for people on a whole new level.

While making the decision to go to nursing school was one of the craziest things I have ever done and was the beginning of 2 1/2 of the most insanely difficult, frustrating years of my life... it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Ok... off my "I'm so finished with nursing school" pedestal....

Yesterday while I was at clinical, Kevin decided to (ahem... finally) rake the leaves in our front yard.  I was beginning to forget that we HAD a front yard because it has been completely... and I mean completely (see below)

covered in leaves.  Ok... I guess there is a little grass over there to the left.  But really... it was crazy how fast all of the leaves fell off our big tree.  In just a day or two it was completely wiped out.  DH said it took him all afternoon to get that mess under control.

He was so proud of himself that he took a picture of his hard work.  He said he thought I might want it for my blog... I think he is catching on to my excessive picture taking and blogging.  Love that guy!

I haven't uploaded any Lucy pics in a while so here is one from earlier tonight... shortly after I caught her chewing a wine cork into a bazillion pieces.  Doesn't she look so innocent?

Oh... I do have to brag about my dinner tonight.  I finally found a way to make my meat and potatoes man enjoy some brussel sprouts.  Really.  lol

Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta

I took 2 handfuls of chopped brussel sprouts and flash boiled them in salt water.  Meanwhile, I browned/crisped some diced pancetta and a clove of garlic in a skillet with a little bit of oil.  Then I strained the sprouts and tossed them in with the pancetta.  I turned the heat down, put the lid on and let them cook together for a few minutes.  They were delicious!

In TTC news, AF came today.  I had that impending AF doom feeling all day yesterday and just *knew this wasn't our cycle (despite how hopeful I was earlier this month).  I was pretty upset last night and shed more than a tear or two on the way home.  She visited in full force today and sealed the deal.  Its really frustrating to watch another cycle go down the drain.  This is only #2 for us, but I am already just so impatient.  I can't imagine how couples deal with IF for years.  This is really just such an emotional roller coaster full of hope and heartbreak.  We will continue trying and, God willing, will be able to start our family soon.

So... tonight... I am enjoying a wonderful glass of Moscato from Villa Bellangelo (Seneca Lake) and hanging with the hubs.  I know we have many exciting things coming in the near future for us, but for tonight... I am just so happy to be right where I am.

Cheers!

Good start to a long week

This is my last week of clinical... 1500-2330 Tuesday and Wednesday (after work).... and that's it.  I can't believe this is really the end!  It seems too good to be true. 

Today was a pretty hectic day at work, especially since I took Friday off.  It never really pays to take a day off because I always feel like I have ten times the amount of stuff to catch up on when I get back.  I truly can't wait to begin the type of work that doesn't follow me home or haunt me the next day.  I can't wait to simply care for my patients the best I possibly can during the day... and then leave and start fresh the next day... not start off with 25 voice mails, 400 emails and a to-do list a mile long.

I am so done with this job, with the .  I am counting the days until I can wear my scrubs, work crazy shifts, and just be a nurse.

To celebrate the beginning of the end, I decided to try out a new recipe.  I made a Wasabi Terryaki Pork Stir Fry over brown rice.

I didn't really use a recipe, just cooked some sliced pork in a wasabi terryaki marinade form Wegmans.  Meanwhile, I cooked the brown rice and steamed some sliced peppers (red, yellow and orange... looks so pretty, doesn't it?) and onions in the microwave.  Once steamed, I tossed the veggies in with the pork and served over rice.  Super simple and super delish!

After dinner, I just enjoyed spending some time with Kevin (I really haven't seen him much lately)... and spoiled myself with a homemade root beer float.  Yum!

3 day work week and a L-A-Z-Y day

So, I had clinical this past Wed/Thus night after work... and have it again this weekend... Sat/Sun (12 hours) then next week after work on Tues/Wed.  I thought I would be kind to myself and take today off and rest before my 7 day work//clinical week starts tomorrow.... which made this week a 3 day work week.  :)

I spent the morning sleeping in a snuggling with Lucy.  The weather is pretty crummy, so DH's softball game got cancelled tonight.  Looks like it is going to be a lazy day all around.... as a matter of fact, I am still in my jammies!

I did manage to get some much-needed laundry done and take some long overdue pictures of our bathroom which I posted on the "Love Nest" page.

And that's about all the ambition I could muster today.  Tomorrow will be 12 hours in labor and delivery... nervous, but very excited!

I'm a bad blogger

Well... it's been a pretty busy week.  I finished up my last 2 classes- Mental Health and Graduate Bridging.  I passed both with flying colors.  I also started my first night of bridging clinical... which went great!  I have been assigned to the maternal/child specialty- which includes ante-partum, post-partum, nursery and labor & delivery.  My first night was spent in the newborn nursery... so wonderful.

Today, DH had to work and, in an effort to avoid spending the entire day shopping, I decided to tear up our front yard and plant some mums.  I got about 3/4 of the way done and lost steam.  I plan to finish my project tomorrow and post some pictures.  Unfortunately, I didn't bother to get a "before" picture, but I will see what I can dig up.

In TTC news, we are now in the dreaded 2 week wait... although FF has not given me official crosshairs yet.  Looks like we'll be testing at the end of the month.  I would totally LOVE a bfp for my birthday!!  Fingers crossed.