11.5 weeks and counting

11 more weeks of school. It is so bizarro to think I will be done by summer and it will be the first summer I can relax, work part-time and hang out...and you know what? I put it in writing, hung it on my mirror and I'm holding myself to it. I want to do a little yard work, hang with the kids...you know do that stuff you other moms do...Go to Starbucks, wander around Target aimlessly, go to the library, hit the pool and be home to make dinner. I haven't done that in sooooo long. I can hardly wait. Bobby thinks I'll be bored outta my mind...Whatever happens, if you guys notice me start blabbing about signing up for some other "real school" (if it's paint a pot, don't worry)...stop me...please.

ohhhh M Jacobs...

If you hadn't been such a nerd all those years back in punk rock days...wearing your khaki pants and long flowing hippy hair...you would have known we were all about the Catwoman eyes, in 1987.

Just ask Soo Catwoman

it's ok...i still adore you...and your Simpson Tattoos

360 days of my life #47

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

I brought you in....I'll...

I feel bad...
I had it out with my 13 Y.O. I just couldn't take his nonchalant attitude towards school anymore. I asked him yesterday where his notebooks for school were. He actually looked me in the eye and said,
"I only have one."
Seriously...let me do the math....7 classes, full year of work and you have ONE EFFIN notebook? not even a 3 ring binder? REALLY?????? Why the hell do I go school shopping if we can just use one NOTEBOOK for the next 6 years!!!!????
and by the way, you little shit...I'd like to point out to you, that I have NEVER...ONCE....seen a graded paper from you. NOT ONE!!!!!!!! Where are they?
"Ummmmmm, I recycle them."
(nice terminology)
You mean you throw them into the garbage?...
I will kill you...do you get it? I have that ability, I am your mother, and as you know I brought you in; I can take you out, and no one will even question it...if you don't start bringing shit home, doing your homework, and using more than ONE EFFIN FOLDER for 7 classes...I will kill you....I will.
I seriously will.

I quit drinking yesterday...
I could have used a cocktail before and after that conversation.
Oh well...I treated myself to a Bubbly Water with a lime wedge.


I will kill him...seriously

360 days of my life #46

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #45

mudpuppies, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

the dinner of .....cajuns?

Try to be a halfway decent Mom...just for once

i'm really trying to be a good mom this weekend...it's my last weekend before I start all my clinicals and hard ass stuff. With that said I headed to Sally hair crap supplier and picked up some stuff for my all ready pasty skinny kid who has been wanting to do something a little more Punk" with his hair.
I told him as long as he gets it trimmed up I would fix it...while I did his, the Awesomely awesome Mom that I am, did Olive's.

then we sat and ate the only mudpuppies I could find in land locked Colorado. The kids didn't know the difference...I did, but why ruin a good thing?

Next on the agenda...take Olive to get a new wardrobe for under 60$ made by overworked, under paid Chinese children from Old Navy...and try to be friendly...to everyone, because this is it...after this weekend the shit hits the fan nursing school wise for the next 10 weeks

360 days of my life #44

360 days of my life, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #43

360 days of my life, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #42

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #41

360 days of ,y life, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

Conversation with Kris...oopsie

Kris, hope you don't mind...it was funny to me.
On Feb 17, 2010, at 8:30 PM, Myssi Graves wrote:

> Thank you so much!!! And Bobby said that I have to apologize for Olives ill behavior when she left. Shees. Sorry. She said she had the best time.
> Anyways... Are we knitting this weekend? I'm off all weekend:). Let's get together


What??? No. She was great. We loved having her. Just as I thought, they entertained themselves and having her over made things easier. I love when low maintenance kids come over.

Yes! Let's knit this weekend. I read your blog. Are you giving up alcohol? If so, we can meet anywhere.

Kris

On Feb 18, 2010, at 9:14 AM, Myssi Graves wrote:

not giving up until LENT!!!

do you wanna post the SnB on ravelry?

Myssi

Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 9:23:35 AM
Subject: Re: Oopsie

Lent started yesterday. You're funny.

Yeah, I can post it. What time works for you?
kris

On Feb 18, 2010, at 9:40 AM, Myssi Graves wrote:

shit...really??...I guess that is right...FatTuesday...then lent...my gosh my mind is a goner.
Do you think God will forgive me if I wait til Monday to quit?
I just bought a box of wine ...and you know...it will go bad. maybe I should have a "drink the Box of Wine Before God Knows party"...then quit.

hmmm
normal time is good for me
Oh yeah...is Haley going to that skating party? Olive can't skate, I mean, I could just strap em on and send her out, but she has been pretty moody lately and she may have a break down.

Myssi

Well, I'm not an expert since I'm not religious... but I think God will be fine with whenever you want to start. She probably wouldn't want you to waste the wine anyway. Or you can give up something that you didn't have yesterday and go from there... like cheese? or chocolate? or bacon?

Well, I have to try Shred still. I opened it 2 days ago... just haven't stuck it in the DVD player yet. Guess I should go do that. But I only have 5 lb dumbbells. And I'm really weak...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is why I love my friends...they are problem solvers and realistic...my friends rock

To all that may be involved.

Hi there…(written to all the directors at my place of employment)
I work in the Med Pavillion as a financial counselor, suite 190.
What is going on with the paint color? I don’t usually think twice about things like this, but man, this morning when I came in…it was like Las Vegas.
I guess we will get used to it, but I’m sure, if you take a stroll down this hall you will have the same thought.
Kind of like Big Bird Gone Bad.
Thanks for listening

Liver Liver on the wall

I feel like the past 4 days all I have done is have cocktails and study, well, plus work. My liver hurts. I never even balk at a cocktail but yesterday when Synda called to see if I wanted to hit up the local brewery Wednesdayfor a drink after she is done with school I wavered. Bobby and I had just dropped off Olive at Hip Hop dance class, and he wanted to go have a beer. I thought to myself, " I had a beer all ready." but the weak fool that I am...I went. so when Syndalicious called I wavered, then said OK. It's tomorrow after all. As Bob and I were sitting at the Tasty Weasel i remembered I had told Leslie that I would meet up with her on Wed. too, but at 5ish (synda is at 7ish). My liver raised an angry fist...my kidneys nephrons wadded up in anger.
hmmm what's a girl to do?
I guess I will have a Non alcoholic drink...but it is Mardi Gras week and I was actually thinking of giving up drinking for Lent. Hmmmm decisions decisions.

UPDATE :)

the Children's hospital hematologist said everything is fine. The kid is pale and thin...but better than overweight. his B is a bit low, but nothing to worry about. She wasn't sure what that other test was about, but for his size and weight...he's fine. I can relax. and I won't have to kill his dad and curse his demon sperm.

not feeling well

not sure what it is...stress, period, school, work...combo possibly. I'm taking a sick day.

I feel pukey.

Ilin goes to Children's Hospital tomorrow to the hematologist to check his blood.

low reticulate, count low WBC's...not anemic,no D deficiency...just a recommendation from the pediatrician to take him to Children's (which is never what you want to hear)..

Really?...what could be the chance 2 kids have leukemia in the same immediate family?

I'm going to keep in my mind that it is a growth spurt. His blood is just whacky right now. He's a skinny kid.

We haven't talked to him about it...just told him he needs a check up.

He spent the weekend in the mountains boarding with his dad.

what he doesn't know won't hurt him, it will just kill me.

360 days of my life #40

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #38

360 DAYS, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #37

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

the beauty of a love/hate relationship

new nurse diatribe 101

I worked last night. 7p-7a...a long long shift, especially when you are running around all confused. I said my normal mantra before I left the house, " tonight you will lear, relax, and enjoy the new opportunities." well just by saying that I am pretty sure I ruined my entire night.

When I arrived I was given my assignment.: 5 patients,1 student nurse and 1 transfer coming form another floor. Ok...I know...all you grown up nurses are saying , "you big cry baby, why don't you come to University where we give 6-8 patients?! quit your belly achin" well, I don't work at University I work at poedunk community where it's usually 4-5 patients....and on top of that I'm a new nurse...not even an RN...I'm an LPN working the same job as RNs, with RNs, for less pay...

nevermind that.

The first 3 patients were Ortho (had hip surgeries) fairly normal and at night my golden rule is Medicate and Monitor...sleep babies sleep...I made this golden rule up but is very valuable for night shift. I had one nursing student who took care of one of my patients for part of the night. This is always awesome, but quite confusing when they leave, you feel like you have never seen the patient before.

Then a spleen injury and a telemetry patient (my first heart monitoring!!!) he was a mess.

so here is one: snowboarder vs. tree.... spleen laceration...which totally sucked...but the bigger issue was at this point he hadn't crapped in 4 days, which was making him nauseous, pissy, gassy and just plain old sad. his tummy was sticking out like a beach ball and hard a s a rock. (something like this minus the stitches)
He was peeing and his labs looked good, so I didn't think he was bleeding out on the inside...just needed to take a crap....but didn't want to listen to me. Just whined and complained about the stomach pain. I finally had to tell him, at 4 am, " get up and WALK!!! you have 2 legs..quit pushing that morphine button, drink some water and walk...fart...take a shit...I swear it will change your world right now." he grumbled and got up.

Last patient: transfer....my first Telemetry (Heart monitor) patient. He was going through alcohol withdrawal, had Hunnington's (which makes you shake), and sinus dysrythmias (crazy ass heart beat), . Oh yeah...and explosive diarrhea. yep...

they barf,shit, shake and see things...funny while in college and you can dump them on a doorstep somewhere...not so funny when they are your responsibility.

so while my charge nurse and the 4 other nurses had 2-4 patients...I had 5-6...I'm not even an RN...i'm an LPN...working as an RN.

whatever. at one point I heard the charge nurse say(under her breath), "she is driving me crazy running around like that." Boy howdee...I swung around on my heels and said, "You know what?..I apologize to YOU if I am bothering you....but I am a new nurse. I am busy...and I like to make sure my patients stay alive on my shift." She came and apologized later. I knew she was embarrassed that I heard her...but oh well. This new nurse is not going to be eaten by her own kind.

I am here to learn, laugh and like I said keep my patients alive...for a mere 12 hours...thats the rule....

then i go home and drink.

thanks for listening to my new nurse diatribe...

how can we hold on?

how do we hold on to beauty?

As I round 40 I realize it is nearly impossible. It seems to me that 40 is a weird in between stage. I remember Oprah talking about how great 40 was...how much even better 50 was...but where does that leave me? The 30's slipped by so fast and unnoticed. I can't figure this age out. I feel like I'm in the wrong spot, wanting to age gracefully, yet not caring for how it is happening. Ageism is a real thing and I am guilty of it myself...to myself. I often feel like I am in the prime of my life. I enjoy my body and the way it looks, as far as 40 goes...then I think of how I can help it age more gracefully. Do we do this by just allowing things to happen? or do we help it along.

I will ponder this...hopefully for not too much longer, because I need an answer quick

360 days of my life #36

so he says to me, Hey Mom...I lost a big tooth...looks like Hobo teeth huh? pretty cool, huh?"

Yeah kid...real nice.

(puke)

hobo teeth, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #35

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

360 days of my life #34

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

In the depths of the phone...

I found this:

olive baby, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

it appears the pixels are off...but it cracked me up, buried in the depths of my crappy ancient phone was this blue eyed doe. Chubby cheeks and all.

I look and this and try to remember that I do love kids.

although it's hard when she is upstairs screeching at how mad she is right now.

you know...

she is older and obviously much wiseassier now.

she sure was cute.

was being the key word.

joking...she still has her moments.

360 days of my life #33

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

on the way to work

today on my way to work I saw:
A white hippie guy...with a dreadlock turban...
I thought it was a ski hat...
but it was not.
He was driving a Suburu...(more reliable than a VW)
and when he pulled up next to me...
at the light...
I got a contact high...
because medical maryjane is legal here...
He didn't look sick...

But I bet his hair smelled sick.
he kinda looked like the guy below

http://www.pbase.com/mad_monte1/image/65880156

he did have a dog in the back...
do you think the dog was high?
does the dog need a medical marijuana card?
well...
at least it wasn't his kids in the backseat
i guess

360 days of my life #31 & 32

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

And all of my tax return...thanks IRS

hairs did and low expectations

i got my "hairs did" last night. It was too much money. It made me more depressed than happy. Figures huh?
Murphy's Law at it's best.
Then I came home to hear that my older kid's school conferences went as usual.
" Kids gifted...super smart...just doesn't seem to think he needs to turn in the work...which causes him to make C's...but he's still a great kid...and like we said , super smart".
thanks teachers.
That kid will be the pre-death of me and the little sassy one will kill me for sure and all this stupid schooling and extra work I have been doing for the past 5 years to make our family more comfortable will be a mute point.
Olive had her first dance class yesterday. It was some sort of ballet,jazz, and hip hop blend...(don't ask). She was beyond excited stuffed into her little leotard like a wrapped piece of candy.
She announces she wants to dance like Lady Gaga and Pink. (do they even dance?)
fine
as long as you are not booty bangin like Beyonce in that class I'm all for it.
When she came home she had angry eyes and said they didn't do any hip hop...just ballet.
"Soon", I said..."you gotta warm up to it. Snoop Dog started with ballet too,honey."
I remember when I was her age and took iceskating lessons all I wanted to do was the "Hammil Camel" I had practiced with and without skates for months. When I got to class I was soooo ready.
All we did was skate around in a circle...slowly... i hated it.
Expectations way too high...which is why i try to nip all expectations in my household in the bud immediately.
gotta get to work, so that I can go home and sleep for a bit before I gotta come back to work at 7pm.
remember...
keep your expectations low, then it can only get better...
hopefully

360 days of my life #29

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.

It was the 70's...what can I say...
39 years ago?
wowza...and that really was my brothers room,
it was across the hall from the red velvet bathroom.

this picture explains a lot about me

Beer, it's yummy

I need a job where I can just drink beer while I work :). I think it would help me be more productive...well, that might be debatable, but I KNOW it would make me want to go to work more often.

Picture it: Walking up the steps to your desk job with beer in hand.

" Hi Sam, Hi George"

clock in...

carrying your cooler with 2 more icey cold ones inside.

MMMMM

I don't even drink that much...but I like to have a beer once in a while.

At work...my office tries to make it conducive to working. We have the Potlucks and the occasional FAC...but I think a beer or cocktail at the desk would totally trump those. Actually in my mind I know it would trump those.

I just finished med surg class and had an Exam... I missed 6, i think she's dumping one of the questions, and I got 3 extra credits right...should put me at about an 88%. Good enough for me...

Now if she would have let me had a beer while taking my exam, I could have relaxed and I betcha I would have made a 95%.

I'm just saying.

360 days of my life #28

360 days, originally uploaded by v8grrl.