. . . . sigh. . . . . .

So, I haven't done this in a long time, but I am getting back to it now. Finished my nursing degree. Trying to get the house organized, but also relax since this is the first vacation time I've had since summer. It has been wonderful to catch up with friends I haven't seen in a sweet eternity. Although, there are those of you that I still need to catch up with!!! Anyway, now that I have time, I am spending time looking at crafting and organizing my home and crafty ways of organizing my home, hee hee.

Tonight

Okay, so 2 ball games tonight. Collin's at 6:45 and Caleb's at 7:15. Usually Lee and I help with some part of the coaching, which we DIG! The kids and I stayed home today so I could work on the house. . . we'll go to the pool tomorrow. We are enjoying the new place and all the running around room, but it's SO hot this time of year. I'll get out and enjoy the big yard in a couple a weeks. . . . . Gotta make sure all the parts and pieces of the uniforms are ready. . . . Later!

Um

Okay, so I have been out of school since the 14th? er something. Anyway, we are moving, of course. And I have to do taxes. And my cat is super ticked at me right now cuz she gets NO love and everytime she finds a nice sunny window to sit in, here come the STUPID DOGS!!! But she's a bit of a stupid cat, too. She has gotten stuck in the duct work at the new house 3 times in the last week and a half!!!!! (We had to take off the return air vents to paint).

Caleb helped us paint my scrapbook room tonight. Lee was cutting in below, Caleb had to paint the "line" in the middle of the room, and I cut in to the ceiling. Lee said he could FEEL Caleb dripping paint on his hat. Aaah, Family Time.

Collin is at Mom's learning to give wedgies, getting better at fishing, and playing with my cousin's puppies. He has been up there nearly a week, and I MISS HIM. I am getting a lot done, though.

My sister in law is moving into my brother's house cause he lost his job and moved up to my hometown.

Lee's parents are going to California for the summer to get their house and Grandpa's Hayward house on the market.

Stephanie is getting married in October.

I am starting to get a chance to catch up with friends. We have been invited to a lot of dinners, but I haven't invited anyone over yet. I feel a little guilty about that, but I'll make up for it when we get all moved in.

My friend Akara is in New York for a 13 week stint as a traveling nurse and she tells me I MUST come see her there. Whadya think? Could this MO girl handle NYC??

We are gonna get a male cat from my friend Callie. I have Maddy Kitty Catty, and we'll get a little boy kitty. Name him Manfred, call him Manny Kitty Catty.

We have 4 bathrooms in this house. Guess how many work. . . . . . . No, really please guess.

After 15 years, Lee's Grandma's Closet was emptied. Guess what we found? Nursing shoes. Never worn. Lee said she wore those to work all the time. Found her smock from work. Kinda cute. People called her "Phil" (Phyllis), his grandpa was "Bill" so, Bill and Phil. And, my Mom's parents are "Jim and Gerry". Kinda confusing for a little kid.

One of Caleb's favorite buds-Gage, whom I LOVED moved to the coast with his momma who just finished school to be a pathology assistant er something.

Um. . . . let's see. . . that's all for now. . .

Oh, wait, um, Lee and I have NO TV. We are trying this thing were we watch no tv. . . . . . . . . It is harder for Lee than for me, but even for me it is hard. I used to watch it while I ate lunch. He is sitting here by me reading a book. It's kinda cute. The kids don't seem to miss it at all. Interesting. I figured it would give us more time to pay attention to the kiddos.

Disneyland

We are in disneyland! The internet has been down at my hotel the last two days. So here's a glimpse. I will post more later.

Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Yep, that's where I was today. It was pretty interesting. I got to spend yesterday in there, too. Boy, talk about moving at a different pace. It was amazing to see the orchestration and high acuity cases.

I don't really have time to do this, but wanted to at least post SOMETHING. My sister got engaged yesterday. I don't know if I mentioned I'm the second counselor in the primary (albeit a useless one right now). Lee and the kids and I are healthy.

Grandpa passed away 2.5 weeks ago. They say he went in peace and in no pain. Thanks goes completely to the hospice nurses for that. Lee had a pretty rough time with it and I think sometimes he still has moments, as he will for a while. Even I have them, and they come more often now because I am usually up on 6 West, which is Family Practice. I was exceedingly uninterested in Family Practice before, now I'm just ready to kick myself in the face. That's why this break in the CICU was nice. After Thanksgiving I have two more weeks on that floor (4 Clinical Days). I will write more over Thanksgiving break.

Thanks for your comments and checking in, guys! Love and Miss y'all!!!

Med Surg

I am taking Med Surg now and it promises to comprise most of my life for the next 7 weeks. I am to spend 46.5 hours per week on this class. I am hoping only to survive it and then to try and get back to spending some kind of quality time with my family.

Ultimately, I want to only work part time after I graduate, but most suggest I shouldn't for at least 6 months. I really don't know what to do. I knew from the beginning I would only use this degree on an "as needed" basis. Makes it hard to kill myself studying for these exams.

Kids are doing well. Caleb is Harry Potter for Halloween and Collin is a spider. I am a coffin witch. Lee didn't dress up this year. Bummer.

The Countdown

Got till the 25th.  Then it's back to the grind.  Really it's back to the grind before that cuz I have to read a lot to prep. . . . Finally bought my books. . . got a new backpack from R.E.I.  Caleb starts school on tuesday.  Caleb will be playing fall ball.  Wish I was. . . . .

That's okay.  Watching the kids play ball is good enough for me. .. . 

Had the weekend to ourselves (our tenth anniversary) cuz mom had the kids.  They will be back in a little bit. . . . The kids had "the best day" friday according to him.  I took them to the pool and then they got to go to grandma's for the weekend.  Here's the link to the pictures.  

http://web.me.com/kimberlyriley/Site/Day_at_the_pool.html