Birthday memories

SO today is my BIRTHDAY! I know as we get older a lot of us don't like to necessarily celebrate our age. I will admit, I turned 31 today! And have spent much of today reminiscing the past. Past birthdays and the past year of being 30. 30 was VERY good to me! My biggest accomplishment in the year of 30 was graduating Nursing school and landing an RN position! I decided last year on my 30th birthday that I was going to SLOW DOWN in life and ENJOY! My 20's were definitely 'roaring 20's' and flew by faster than I wanted! So I am making it a priority to enjoy every moment, to enjoy friends, to enjoy family and take my time, to not commit to a million things and if it will take away family time or relaxation...perhaps I should re-valuate it!

I have chosen to take today to myself! I have stayed home and organized, cleaned, napped and just sat down to watch a little t.v. Maybe I should have rented a good classic movie...but for me, the peace and quiet, the stillness of the house, the cloudy rainy day outside made for an amazing pajama and nap day!

I have been reminiscing about past birthdays, primarily from my childhood. I wish I could post the pictures I have in my head for you to see from my childhood birthdays! Before I could invite friends, birthday parties were filled with family! It started early in the morning, or the night before. I remember my mom and grandmother sitting in the kitchen boiling potatoes and peeling and chopping pounds of them for home made potato salad! I can hear the sound of the ice cream churning while my parents made their famous home made ice cream recipe! I remember how embarrassed I was to sit in the middle of the room with my cake and candles and everyone singing 'happy birthday' to me! I HATED to be the center of attention! I hated unwrapping the gifts in front of everyone and loved it when someone struck up conversation so that for a split moment their attention would be on someone else. Yes, I am an only child, but my home was filled with 20-30 family members on my birthday. Mom and Dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close family friends sharing laughs, stories, hugs and good times. It's days like today I wish so badly, so much so it makes my heart hurt, that I could go back to those birthday celebrations surrounded by the people who loved me most! Making memories and eating the best home made food on the planet!

Birthday memories as a child are amazing. And today I spend reminiscing all of them!

pretty toes!

For the month of April I am looking for 3 people to have a 'pretty toes' pedicure party! Who ever has the most friends in attendance wins a free pedicure set. See below....

Limited Edition! Body Care/Fragrance Sets (while supplies last):

LTD. ED.! Pedicure Set (Includes relaxing foot soak, soothing foot balm, pedicure brush/pumice stone and coordinating zippered bag)

Invalid Amount: Min=0 Max=999

Fashionable feet. Fabulous value! the Pedicure Set helps your customers get sandal-worthy feet for spring. They can skip expensive spas and come straight to you for a beautiful bargain.


I have a couple of AWESOME spring/summer nail polish colors to go along with this awesome set!

Any MK orders from now until May 12, I will donate 20% to the Mary Kay foundation for cancer research.

Let's have a "pretty toes" party!!

Friday Firsts....on Saturday

I know it's Saturday, but it STILL counts that I THINK OF and COME UP with what I'm going to say on my Friday Firsts...on Friday! This post is a post of EDUCATION! Be prepared to learn something today! :) This weeks firsts: #1 - Dropped my first NG tube. In the world of nursing, 'dropped' used in this context means 'inserted' - an NG tube is a naso (nose) gastric (stomach) tube inserted through the nose and down the throat to the stomach. In this case to suction any stomach juices that shouldn't be hanging around! Not too bad for a first time 'dropper'! It was successful! - #2 -Set up and ran my first 2 blood transfusions! Not for me...for someone else. - #3 - Shed my first tears over a patient (short hand for 'patient' is PT) Not that my PT passed away...they were in a LOT of pain. - #4 -This morning I downed my first Hazelnut latte...my first coffee of the week! (I'm trying not to rely on caffeine to keep me going...but today I HAD to have it!) It's been a busy work week. 5 days down, 1 to go and then a day off! Yes...A DAY...then it's time to hit the floor again! Hope you've learned at least ONE thing new off of here! Leave me a comment and tell me what you learned that you didn't know before! It's ok....you can be honest! ;)

and the winner is....

Jill Williams! The name 'Margo' was selected by an unbiased person!

You will be happy to know little miss Margo is doing well. Getting fat and feisty!
Thanks for your participation in the name suggestion and selection for our new addition!

Stay tuned...you never know when there will be another contest! :)

a new addition needs a name

That's right! We have a new addition to the family! A sweet little girl!

A little girl goat that is! And she needs a NAME! Our mama goat Gretel surprised us with a baby this morning! We went out to feed them and there in the middle of the pen was this sweet little baby goat! I am not a big fan of goats, my other half has them for some reason.... but I AM a fan of the babies!

So...I need help coming up with a name! I'll run a contest until Thursday, March 24. Leave a comment and a name suggestion. Winner will receive a $10 gift certificate for Mary Kay. To be used on my website or in person.

She's pretty cute!(sorry if you were looking for an announcement of my pregnancy.... no such thought of an announcement exists at this time.) :)

Friday Firsts

And another Friday Firsts posted on Saturday. Oh well. I have GREAT intentions on getting them on here on Friday...just hasn't worked out thus far!

Thursday was my first day on the hospital floor...as a NURSE! The first 6 hours are a blur! It took me sitting down and eating lunch to kind of loosen me up and reassure myself all will be OK! I CAN DO THIS! Friday I was a lot more comfortable....yet nervous. Each day will get better and I will fall into my role a little more each day.

Friday was the first time I accessed a port. If you don't know what a 'port' is... here's a link that explains it! Pretty nerve wracking experience because you can't see through skin...but one that I will do millions of times in this career with my patients. Just open a new page and copy and paste the link into your address bar at the top.
http://www.allina.com/mdex/ND2301G.HTM

Finally, I came up with my first motto for why I do what I do.... plain and simple.

"I HATE cancer....but I LOVE my cancer patients!"

Friday Firsts

I'm 24 hours late on this...but I didn't feel like staying up late to post the fun activities for Friday Firsts.

Here are a few activities which happened for the first time this week:

Tuesday I bought my first two pair of work scrubs and shoes! We have to wear navy or white. I can handle that! I look good in both! :)


Friday I rode Jake, my horse for the first time in a quite a few months. But this time was a little more relaxing...for the first time in 2 1/2 years I didn't have the constant reminder of school in the back of my brain. I wasn't constantly thinking 'get the ride over with because you have hours of studying to do!' I COULD RELAX AND ENJOY MY RIDE!

Friday night was the 'Father/Daughter banquet' at our church. It was the first one for Justin and Aubrey. My dad is visiting us for a week and just happened to be here, so I was able to take MY daddy to the banquet as well! It was a nice 'date' night for Aubrey and I with our daddies! Enjoy the pics! (My daddy isn't in the pic! He's the photographer...but we did get a 'professional' photo together at the banquet, no worries!)