Amy's Nonsensical Ramblings

Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music.....

2009-05-29T21:31:00.002-05:00

Though I'm not doing any big dancing...I am celebrating!! I successfully finished my nursing degree and graduated with my ADN on May 21st. All 400 graduates were sitting on the hot stage in our large, heavy, choir looking robes facing the audience. Now this probably looked very nice to our family and friends able to look at all their graduates, unfortunately for us....we couldn't hear a thing said. It sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher...."whaaa, waaa, waaa, waa" Which led to many of us nursing students in the final row....just having our own conversations :) The ceremony was nice, I recieved my fake diploma, and my nursing pin. I was joined in celebration by Dan, my mom, and Dan's family.

I then was informed the next day that I have a job! I was accepted full time in the ER as St. Alexius Medical Center. So that worry is gone. It looks like I will be working pm's and nights again. It will be nice to be back with my night shift buddies!!!!!!!!!!

Hermitsville

2009-05-06T18:55:00.002-05:00

I think I have traded my formerly social life for the life of a hermit crab. It seems I never so anything fun anymore. I never seem to leave the house except for work and school. If I'm not working or in class, I'm trying to catch up on sleep or have my head stuck in the books trying to learn everything for school. Well....that chapter in my life is ending!!! YEAH!!!!!!

I took my last critical care test today. I have my last clinical tomorrow, my exit exam is Friday. Then my final exam is Thursday May 14th...just in time to celebrate Girls night out. I have an interview for a nursing job on May 19th, very hopeful that will pan out for me :)

Not much new going on here....times are tight as Dan's job is constantly cutting hours and days. Same boat as so much of the economy. The ER is busy as ever, we are seeing record numbers with the Swine Flu pandemic. Luckily for all of us the swine flu is not nearly as dangerous as the regular flu!! And I have learned how truly ignorant so much of the american public is. You cannot get the swine flu by shaking the hand of a man from Mexico, by eating mexican food, or by working with two people who came back from Mexico over a month ago!!!

Now I count down the days. I can only imagine what it will be like to have time to myself again. Woo Hoo!!!!

fever free

2009-03-13T21:18:00.004-05:00

It's been a long week. I was sick all week long. Now granted I didn't get sick for my wedding, and I wasn't sick for the holidays, so I guess it's time. Everyone at work has been sick. I had been avoiding it, but I guess I didn't avoid it well enough. I came down with bronchitis earlier this week and I've been plagued with a fever ranging between 100.6 and 102.2 since Tuesday. I called off sick on Tuesday and only worked a half a day today. I've spent the majority of the last 4 days in bed. Finally this afternoon, I am feeling a little better. I don't feel on fire or have those awful chills anymore. That is much better.

I did venture out Wednesday night to see Dan sing at his contest. I sat in the bar with my water glass and my diet coke with my coat on shivering most of the night. I should have listened to Dan and stayed home, but I wanted to be there for him to see him sing and support him. As always he was great. Below are some pictures of Dan on stage.

Rain Rain Go Away.....

2009-03-08T17:28:00.002-05:00

It's Sunday. My weekend was ruined as I have weekend clinicals every other weekend. No fun. This was the end of our first week. Only two more weekends. In all actuality, only 8 more weeks of class total!!!! 68 days until my final!! Woo Hoo

I am currently in a gimp boot. I did a very gracious Bambi on ice demonstration one very cold morning at the end of January. I stepped out of the apartment and boom down I went on my left side. Now imagine every time you attemp to get up....you slide.. I was a mess!!! Well, what I thought was simply a tweaked muscle causing me pain in my foot while taking dance lessons prior to the wedding, actually ended up being tendon damage from my silly ice acrobatics!! So, now a month later we have figured that out and I will be in the gimp boot until end of March!

Dan is singing in a kareoke competition at the Fox & Hound in Schaumburg, every Wednesday night around 9-930 pm. It's been fun. Some people are totally horrible, some are decent. Of course Dan is awesome! There are 6 weeks left and the winner gets $1000 and to sing the National Anthem at a Schaumburg Flyers Game. We all hope he wins!!

Thats all for now!

We did it

2009-02-02T13:32:00.004-06:00

January blew in and out didn't it. I can honestly say, it was awesome.

The wedding we had anticipated and planned for 16 months came in with a heat wave, up from 18 below to a balmy 25 degrees with snow showers! I made it to the church looking like an oompa loompa, as I had climbed into a garbage bag to keep my dress clean, and my steps were very very awkward.

What a day. I can honestly say it was AWESOME!!! I would do it all over again. I was totally calm all morning, even when one of my bridesmaids was a little late getting to the house. Mom and Dawn were the stress cases...not me. I got a little worked up as I came out of my "holding room" in the back of the church and met my dad. I was standing there, he told me how beautiful I looked and I started to cry. The music hadn't even changed yet!! Then it changed, here it is....my time to walk down the aisle. Oh man, I'm crying I can't take a deep breath, I'm not nervous, just so very very happy. As I walk down the aisle, therer were so many people...but I could only focus on Dan. There he was, watching me with this grin on his face. My love. He held my hand for dear life during the entire ceremony, which if I say so myself, was rather quick! Before I knew it we were man and wife, and off to the reception in our Limo Bus with our wedding party, complete with stripper pole! What a day.

The reception was so very much fun. I don't think I ever left the dance floor, except for Dan's dance with his mom and grandma. Dan wrote me a beautiful song and sang to me at the reception. My mom put together a lovely slide show. The dj was awesome.

Sunday, Dan and I headed downtown for our minimoon. We enjoyed a matinee of Jersey Boys and Dan thought "it was awesome!" We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Signature Room, followed by a couple cocktails. WE then spent the night on the 40 th floor of the Marriott over looking Michigan Avenue. As we packed up the next morning to head home, we got on the elevator and I looked at my husband, and said..."it's so sad, it's all over already." But, life carries on and it carries you right along with it ready or not!

We look forward to our planned honeymoon either October/November in either Aruba or St. Lucia....minor details to be figured out!

Final Countdown

2009-01-14T21:43:00.002-06:00

Somebody told me we were officially at 72 hours until the big day. Holy Cow!! Is that true?? ONly 72 hours until I'm officially Mrs. Eckberg. Hmmm....something to think about. I want to say I have two of the most talented siblings anyone could ask for. My sister, as we all know works wonders day in and day out with her hair stying skills. I can't wait to see how it looks this Saturday. And, my brother, Marty, is an incredible artist. I asked him to do a sketch of Dan and I for me, He did fabulous. Brought me to tears and rendered Dan speechless. This wonderful work of art will be there for all to see Saturday night. If you feel the same way about the talent of my siblings, please let them know. I always knew they were good, I just never quite realized to what extent. Thanks so much Dawn and Marty!!!

Tonight, I sit and watch American Idol with Dan and it's the Kansas City tryouts....it's amazing to me to see the place where I was standing, I haven't seen us yet, but we were there. WE are also seeing some of the freaky people we saw while we visited Kansas City. I laugh as I see some of the people that I have photographed in Dan's American Idol book. Proof that we were actually there.

WEll....I guess thats all my thoughts for now. Back to cleaning my house so I don't come home Monday to a horrible mess!!!!

See y'all on Saturday!!!

Long Week

2008-12-21T21:43:00.002-06:00

Surgery went very well. All procedures successful. I went home with my mom Wednesday after the surgery and re-c0uped there. Dan stayed with me Wednesday night, then had to return to work Thursday. I got sent home with some antibiotics and Darvocet for pain. I don't like to take pain meds, so I push as long as I can without then I regret!

I did well Thursday and Friday, feeling a bit better every day. Then Saturday morning I went to breakfast club and visited with Nana and Margie and the gang before Christmas. Saturday was a rough day...I was more sore than I had been in a couple days, I guess the healing process is more painful. Then we headed home, I was exhausted!! I took a little nap, then the emotions took over. I finally had my breakdown. Now, I thought I had prepared myself well for the emotions, had already had several mini meltdowns. But nothing compared to Saturday afternoon. I curled up in fetal position and cried and cried and cried. I don't even know how to explain how I felt. Part of me felt empty, broken, less of a woman. I had gut wrenching sobs that hurt. It was so hard to look at Dan and know the decisions we had made, although they were for the better. I cried until I was empty and had nothing left. Dan is such a wonderful man, he held me the whole time while I cried, he informed me that nothing had changed, even though I felt "different" Thank god I have been blessed with such a wonderful man. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have him by my side. Eventually I went to sleep exhausted and in pain. I woke up this morning not feeling much better, but less depressed :)

Today I headed back to work and I thought it would be easy. Not so much!! First, my car had been parked since Tuesday, so....it was encased in ice! Thank God Dan got up with me and went to help me "brush" the car off this am. I was on time, barely, but I made it 8 of 12 hours on light duty in the god awful cold today. I think I tried to go back to soon. It was tougher than I thought and I was in more pain then I realized, I think more because I had to be more mobile then I had been and only had the comfort of Tylenol!

But in the positive aspect....27 days til the wedding!!!!!

Finito!!

2008-12-15T14:51:00.002-06:00

I took my final this morning, so I have effectively finished my third semester of nursing school! YEAH!!! Only one semseter left, I can totally do this!

I have my surgery is all set up for Wednesday afternoon. This is an up and down decision for me. I know that it's the best thing for me, but the thought that I am having surgery done to render myself sterile, is still tough somedays. Oh well....it'll all be done Wednesday and I won't have to think about it anymore :)

Recap

2008-11-11T20:56:00.006-06:00

Holy Cow am I behind!!!! Lets see...I'm not going to give any excuses other than pure laziness, and ...I've become a facebook addict. Lets give a quick recap here....

October:

Flew by...school is good, we had a bridal shower with Dan's family at the end of the month. Everything was wonderful and I am truly grateful! Halloween, Dan and I went to see The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D. It was pretty cool, for the half I stayed awake for, then I took a nap :)

November:

November 9th was my Ryan/Karner Bridal Shower hosted by Aunt Margie. Showers of Happiness, that was the theme. What a beautiful shower, I definitely can't complain. Aunt Margie pulled no punches and hosted a lovely day. Good food, perfectly themed decorations, clever favors. Molly and Mary helped their mom by setting everything up so nicely. It was beautiful!! Thanks to all for all their hard work and dedication for the perfect day for me.

November pretty much went by without any problems, school is school and can't end soon enough. We worked on getting all the invitations out which proved to be more stressful than I expected. We ordered 225 invitations, I decided that I loved the way they looked with printed envelopes. After about 10 invitations, I realized that maybe I didn't like that idea anymore, because I had to type each name and invite and load each envelope! Oh well....95% got typed and mailed with minimal errors....few wrong zip codes, couple upside down envelopes, some weird highlighting on one of them....but anyways. They all were mailed the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and we're already getting many back which is so very exciting! Every afternoon I run to the mailbox wondering "how many will come today? Are they coming? Will they make it?" It's totally fun now!!!!

Thanksgiving was different for me. Due to my work schedule, I have to work holidays, and so with having Turkey day off, we headed south to Dan's parents house for the weekend. It was quite different. Imagine, only 5 people total, instead of 60-70!!! Food was wonderful, company even better. It was a wonderful weekend, and I absoulutely cannot complain.

8th annual pub crawl was fun as always! Mainly the same faces a couple new ones. Lots of fun had by all....

December:

December rolled in with snow and bitter cold. School is wrapping up for the semester...Thank God! Final is 12/15 and cannot get here soon enough. This past Wednesday the girls from work hosted yet another bridal shower for me and it was lovely. Lots of laughs, lots of fun, Thanks Mere for giving up your house and cooking all that wonderful food!!!

Sad Face

2008-11-05T20:02:00.002-06:00

Ugh....Monday morning I took my I pod off the alarm clock, then toted it to the car, plugged it in and the screen was frozen. So....I did a manual reset and boom....I got a sad face....:( looked just like that. I was so sad. SO I came home later that day and attempted to figure out a way to reset it....no such luck, it says I have a hardware problem. So I take my sad little ipod to the apple store to get it looked at, was told that the ipod was done, fried, useless, and....my warranty was done...shocking! The salesman informed me that it would cost me $139 to get it repaired. I said no thanks! I can buy a new one for the same cost. And I started to walk away. The very nice gentleman then stated he would see what he could do about it. NExt thing I know he told me that he was going to honor the warranty even though it was over, and give me a refurbished ipod. So, he opened the box and handed me a shiny new ipod....or at least it looks new, no scratches. And, it works!

So...I left the Apple store with my newer ipod and a happy face! :)

Bridal Expo

2008-10-20T15:42:00.002-05:00

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many people, so many boothes, so little space!!! Why did I go you ask? Of course I already have most of my vendors...but, I was honestly trying to win something...flowers, cash, limo...whatever!!!

Our names didn't get picked in any of the big raffles, perhaps I'll win a vacation...I entered just about every drawing possible. So...we'll see.

Dan was a trooper...he walked with me and even carried all the brochures, what a guy!!!! And, I got 4 comments on how cute my shoes were....from men! That was nice

Decisions, decisions, decisions

2008-10-16T19:40:00.002-05:00

you know, I thought all this wedding planning stuff was going pretty smoothly.....

NOw it just seems as there is always a decision that needs to be made. Readings, dance music (actually this one is pretty much done), ceremony music, introduction music, programs, flowers, wrist corsages or pin on corsages, hair styles, coat wear one or not....robe, wrap, whatever? Tuxes vest color and shirt color, ushers...tux or suit?

Maybe we should have eloped.

oh well.....3 months away.

School is well, busy as always.

Dan is wonderful....except his opinion always seems to be..."whatever you like best honey." Which I think is his way of saying....I don't want to irritate you so I'll pick which one you like best!

Engaged Encounter

2008-10-12T21:32:00.002-05:00

Rockford, IL ....Bishop Lane Retreat Center

730 pm we check in, get room assignments and head to our rooms to unpack. A very tiny room with two beds, but I figure I'm first so I get to chose the bed first. I put all my stuff down, collect Dan and off to the retreat. It was not a bad weekend, just long. We had a series of lectures then "discussion questions" followed by "dialogue" Friday night didn't end until midnight, I had been up since 5 and I was exhausted. Off to bed we went.

I got to my room and realized I had forgotten my toothbrush....ewww gross....so I finger brushed my teeth in order to at least get them somewhat clean, and swished vigorously with mouthwash. My roommate decided she wanted to text her fiance all night long, no biggie, except her phone beeped with each depression of a key! Ugh!!!! Up early at 7am the next morning, I showered, pulled the same routine with my teeth, then added gum chewing to the mix. So, I felt totally gross, but then my roomie didnt' shower, and when she came out of the bathroom, she didn't wash her hands!!! I'll take dirty teeth over poopy hands any day of the week!

WE got a surprise visit when at the end of Saturday night the brought in some "extra priests" and we had surprise confession!!! Wow! It had been an awfully long time since I'd been to confession.....thank goodness we had a "review" I, like so many others were a bit lost.

All in all, it was a decent weekend, long, my butt was numb after the end of Saturday, but the last dialogue we did where we wrote a love letter to each other, really brought the whole thing home for us. We got home about 1030 last night and then I had to work this am....It's been a long weekend, but we're getting there.

100 days

2008-10-08T20:33:00.002-05:00

We are down to 100 days!!! Or a little over 3 months! HOly cow....

I have 9 weeks left of the semester, 31 weeks total until I graduate!!!

I started day shift at work, and that is nice. It's so hard to get up at 5 am every day though. So very hard. I hate mornings, just not a morning person at all....

I'm back in mother baby for clinicals, back at ABMC, which is much closer than Childrens. I got to be in the nursery the other day and I had a great nurse who let me do all the assessments and play with the babies, that was great. I just love those little people when they are that tiny. I think I could handle working in a nursery/L and D situation. I thought that last year, but I really believe it now. So if ER doesn't work out for me, there is always L and D!

Dan and I have our Engaged Encounter weekend retreat this weekend Friday night, Dan is going to pick me up after work and we'll head out to Rockford.

We got ourselves all registered and honestly I don't even know what I registered for! It got to the point where we were just adding things...do we need this? I don't know put it on the list....

Well...off to the homework. Hope all is well, will attempt to blog more often.

Busy, busy, busy

2008-09-22T16:54:00.003-05:00

It seems as though everyday there is something.....

School is going well, I don't hate pediatrics nearly as much as originally thought. However, I do hate commuting to Children's Memorial hospital. Traffic totally stinks at 3pm coming home.

Work update....I'm moving to dayshift!! I start October 5th, so thats a good thing. What this means is that I work 7am-7pm now. STill 3 days per week, just not the same days as school. It should work out quite well....

Thats it for us....we are under 4 months!! HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did the time go??/

Summer's over

2008-09-01T12:55:00.002-05:00

WEll, now that it's officially Labor Day, summer is officially over! Yuck yuck yuck.

I guess i knew that summer ended last week when I started school again. School started with a bang, 5 days for the first week! UGH!!!!!!!! But, then again....1 week down 15 left of the semester....36 left til I graduate!!! I know I'm a dork!

Wedding plans are in full swing, We're slightly over 4 months...how did this happen? Now my next question is....do I hire a second photographer to cover the portrait backdrop? Or do I let the one photographer I have handle it? I don't want to miss lots of dance shots, but I also want people to be able to have a nice portrait taken if that what they want to....hmmmm, decisions decisions. Any help would be appreciated. But other than that, things are moving well. We actually have another bridesmaid! We were short due to an unfortuanate circumstances, but Dan asked his very good friend Becca if she'd like to stand up for us and she agreed!

I put in for a days position at work, yeah...days 7am-7pm and I'm actually anxiously hopeing for it. My health has not been well and I'm trying to get into a very strong routine, which involves getting up at the same time every day! I'm up early in the morning for school, would make just as much sense to get up at the same time on the days I have to work rather than several hours later!

WEll, I'm off to the books I've got management, legal, and economic issuses to deal with! OH yeah!

Hang on...it may be a long one

2008-08-10T18:31:00.009-05:00

Lets do a quick recap....

July....went by like a speeding train. Microbiology is over! Ended with a B, can't complain about that.

August started out with a bang. August 2nd was Ray and Annie's wedding, as always a good time had by all. And for Dan and I a big sigh of relief....our weddings for 2008 are over!!! Unfortunately we were unable to party with the Ryans post wedding because I had to be at work at 11am Sunday morning. Although I wasn't drinking all night, I felt like crap at work!

Tuesday August 5, Dan and I loaded the car and headed west, southwest, a little of both? Who konws.....anyway...we drove to Kansas City, MO so that Dan could audition for American Idol. We arrived at Kemper arena at 4:15 am on Wednesday. What a zoo!!! We waited in line for 4.5 hours to register, we were handed a wristband and a ticket and informed to return at 5 am on Friday...but also told the sooner you got there the better your seats.

Thursday was my 30th birthday. We headed over to Worlds of Fun, which is a theme park similar to Great America, rode the coasters, except their biggest one, which was down...damn! Then we drove to Weston, MO for dinner. We found a little brewery out there that had awesome food.

3:30 am Friday August 8th we are in line for the American Idol auditions. 8 am they open the doors and let us in to our seats. Holy cow were there a lot of people!!! The audition process was long and tedious, and they don't inform you that you won't even see Randy, Paula and Simon for a while. It turns out there are 4 rounds of auditions. Those three are the 4th round. If you get the coveted golden ticket....you come back for round 2 another day, then so on and so forth....you don't even know if you're going to Hollywood for months! Personally I thought the whole audition process was unorganized and I felt they didnt' give us the whole truth ever! But....thats Hollywood. Dan sang Broadway by the Goo Goo Dolls, he was informed that he was a very good singer but not quite what the show was looking for. So....we did not get the golden ticket. Oh well. We packed up and headed home, got home about 5:15 am on Saturday.

This video was Dan lip singing to the group song in order to save his voice for his actual audition. The judges were watching us so he was "gettin it to it"

July

2008-07-06T23:09:00.004-05:00

June ended with a bang! We finished up the month with another wedding, my cousin Tom and his wife Julie, much to how we started the month!! As always, fun was had by all. I can honestly say....the best weddings ever, are Ryan weddings. The dance floor was packed all night long, and for once it wasn't all Ryans....good to see the Farrels can party too! The hot dog cart was a great addition, watch out Tom....that idea might be shared sometime in the future! And Fannie Mae was a fabulous little gift to each place setting. Great company + great tunes + great fooD = great time!

The summer semester is officially halfway through. Yeah!!!!!!!! It's hard to believe, but honestly I'm tired. School Monday- Thursday and work 4 days a week is really tough, but I'm surviving! Only 4 more weeks right? Then it's truly summer vacation, at least for 3 weeks!

This weekend was a very busy one. I had to work on the 4th, and it really wasn't so bad. Actually it was so slow that at 4pm I was begging to go home, that way I could meet up with Dan for some friendship and fireworks! Well, that didn't occur, I worked all the way through, oh well....it wasn't so bad. At least there was a good crew, therefore good company that night. Dan spent the day back home with friends, playing volleyball, drinking beer, and shooting fireworks! I begged that he avoid all the fireworks so that he could please come home with all his limbs! I was quite happy to see Saturday morning he had all digits, limbs, and eyesight (though his ears were ringing still :))

Saturday started with the wedding ceremony for a couple coworkers, then onto a 90th birthday party for my great aunt Dorothy, followed by a friends annual 4th of July party, on the 5th! Oh man, we felt like we never stopped. It was nice to get home and get to sleep. J

Today was a lazy day. I got some studing done, laundry, we did more stuff for our own wedding. Plans are coming along quite well. It was wonderful to just be with Dan for the day.

Where or where does the time go?

2008-06-26T22:09:00.004-05:00

June is just about over....where did it go? It's been a busy month and as I'm learning it's that way for just about everyone. I've had nothing but graduation parties, bridal showers, and bachelorette parties!

Three weeks of Micro are down, and quite honestly, I don't hate it. I kind of like it....and I'm doing well! What more could I ask for?

Last weekend was a very busy one, I was invited to two graduation parties, two bachelorette parties, and a baptism...honestly, I made it to my girlfriend Brenda's bachelorette party on Friday night, my best friend Mary's graduation party from Vet school on Saturday and that was it!

I opted to spend Sunday with Dan....just him and I, and it was wonderful. We went to the zoo and walked, looked at the animals, just chilled. What more could I ask for?

Our own wedding plans are in full swing. I think we have all the big stuff nailed down. Dress check, Photographer check, DJ check, church check, hall check, table decorations check, rehearsal dinner booked check! We picked out our invitations, decided on bridal party gifts and parent gifts as well this past couple weeks. I know, I seem like an overacheiver, which I'm really not...I'm just trying to plan the fact that I won't be able to do much once school starts full swing again and my time is really limited, so if I get as much done as possible now....great!

Other than that....not much going on around here. Dan's in back playing guitar, I'm sitting here catching up on all the news that is my family and friends. Hope all is well..........

What a Day

2008-06-09T23:24:00.003-05:00

Today school started. A full two months of microbiology...oh boy! (can you sense my sarcasm?)

It's gonna be a busy semester, class and lab 4 days a week! But my instructor seems pretty laid back which is good, but I think it's going to be a very busy class, lots of reading, homework and 8 tests, several quizes! It's only an 8 week class!!!! I think I was very smart to give up my summer rather than try to squeeze it in on top of my nursing class next semester!

I had to go to the podiatrist today because I got a pedicure a couple weeks ago and ended up with two ingrown toenails! UGH!!!!! I of course tried to fix them myself (I know I'm not supposed to...) well, my right great toe got infected! The doc gave me a good lecture, but had to numb my toe in order to clean up my nail. I almost crawled off the table while he injected the lidocaine into my toe! He was actually really glad to see that I had such good feeling still in my feet....he said "it's obvious you don't have any problems with neuropathy!" Now the meds are wearing off, and my toe is throbbing.... but it looks much much better!

Dan and I had our final FOCCUS meeting with the couple at church tonight. Now we only have to meet with the priest, go to our engagement retreat, and natural family planning meeting. So, we're getting there! Just the other day I mentioned to someone that it's really quite a ways away, but honestly...it's sooner than I like to realize! I know after August, after Ray's wedding, the time will really fly!

til next time

What? It's over already...it just started!

2008-06-08T21:39:00.006-05:00

Get your mind out of the gutter....Thats how I felt about this weekend! It was a whirlwind, and none of it for us :) We started out Friday night with a bachelor/bachelorette bbq in Orland Park. This was for Bill and his wife, one of Dan's groomsmens. It was a good time, great company, excellent food, cold beer, and a late night! It was well after midnight when we headed home.

Saturday, Bridget picked me up in her fancy new car, we headed down the street to the train station to pick up Jeni and then headed north to Woodstock for Ray and Annie's bridal shower. Once again, good company, excellent food, cold water!! It was quite hot that day...I actually left with a bit of a sunburn! Dan and I hung out at home, watched National Treasure 2 and just relaxed.

ON to Sunday...Today was a bit of running around. Today was Bill's wedding. I had long anticipated this day, and due to the fact that Bill is greek, I asked if it was going to be anything like, My Big Fat Greek Wedding? We showed up at the church all duded up for the wedding at 230, and honestly...it was quite similar! The church is very colorful with all ceilings painted, the service was in both English and Greek, we stood almost the entire time. they have a ring blessing, crown blessing, dance around the table 3 times, and wear their rings on the right hand. It was really interesting! Then we headed up to the reception, wonderful time. Lots of greek dancing too! Unfortunately, we headed home rather early because of the fact that Dan has to be at work at 6 am tomorrow! OUCH!!! That's whats hard about Sunday weddings.

All in all it was a really good weekend, just long and I feel like I didn't have much time for myself. I know, I know....pity me!

School starts tomorrow and Dan is back to work. Here are a couple pics.

A deep breath of relief, and a fresh breeze of optimism

2008-05-31T21:04:00.003-05:00

I got my grades Thursday and passed all my classes! Thank God. Thats the sigh of relief!

I also headed downtown to Northwestern Memorial this past Thursday and met with a hematologist there. Immediatly I was given hope. I told him that my doc here said I'd be on coumadin for life and thats pretty much the way of the world, and that I was not happy with that option! They sat me down and informed me that Coumadin didn't really ever work for me, and that's probably why I had a reoccurance. They said if you looked at my INR numbers throughout the 7 months, I was never really in therapuetic ranges. They told me that my doctors should not have given me the leeway of a one month between blood draws, and most importantly....it was nothing I did wrong. Which was not the feeling I had gotten from my hematologist here at SAMC.

They are taking me off the Coumadin!!! Yeah!! I will be taking an injection every day for a year, it's another low molecular weight heparin, similar to lovenox, but not lovenox. They will finally be able to test some other tests, maybe find out some answers. It looks like long term anti coagulation therapy is one year, then a re-evaluation. Sounds to me a lot like better then a coumadin for life! Honestly, I left this doctors office with a whole new outlook. I felt better, there was actually hope....

VACATION!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-25T00:37:00.003-05:00

Finals are finished!!! Thank god. I finished Tuesday actually and have been at work since! Health hasn't been so hot. Last week my INR jumped to 5.8, so they had me skip a dose of coumadin and then scale back on the amount. This week I had an appointment with my hematologist, who informed me that I was having "Idiopathinc Pulmonary Emboli" which basically means they don't know much of anything! He also informed me I'd have to take coumadin the rest of my life. I was very unhappy with this statement, so I asked to be referred for a second opinion. He seemed kind of reluctant and told me "I don't think they are going to give you any different answer then I'm giving you, but I'll give you a refferal." I accepted the refreral and by the grace of God, have an appointment this coming week with a "clotting specialist" at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Hopefully I will find out some better answers!

ON the homestretch

2008-05-19T22:05:00.002-05:00

Last Wednesday I took my last two tests of the regular semester, not including finals. Got a solid B on the nursing exam, which actually surprised me because I came out of the test not feeling so very strong. I also had my physiology lab test, I left this test actually feeling ok, but I won't find out until tomorrow! How rude, he makes us wait a week for test results so you can't find out until right before the final! That sucks!!

I worked most of the weekend. Sunday morning I headed into the city for Julie's bridal shower. I, like most people, do not really enjoy bridal showers, and this day was not any different. A lot of food which dragged the day on and honestly the clock wouldn't budge!! Julie and Tom had a whole pile of gifts, which they actually moved through pretty quickly, thank God! Headed home around 330, to start studying for finals.

Today I took my Nursing final at 955. Odd time don't you think? I'm confident in that final, I know I passed. Several of my classmates needed high scores on this test in order to pass the class! The minimal grade for passing our RN class is 76% Several of my classmates needed at least an 80% or even higher to just pass! Thank god I was in a better position. I needed at 88% for a B, but will pass with a C without any problem. Honestly, I'm very accepting of a C! Actually, knowing that I worked full time all semester, spent another week in the hospital, took this 9 credit course along with 4 credit Physiology, yeah....I'd be very happy with a C!

Tomorrow however is my physiology final. This is non cumulative, however, I have a hard time with his exams. I know the material, but his questioning gets me all flustered and I do very very poorly! I came home from my test this afternoon, took a one hour decompression hour, vegged out in front of the TV. Then I shut the TV off and dove in. I read all of my notes aloud, 3 times! The process I took was study for one hour, then take 20 min break. This worked very very well, until Dan came home as I was reciting the reproductive system notes and mentioned the sympathetic nervous system stimulation causes ejaculation. He came around the corner and said...."honey, did you just say ejaculation? And, why did you just say ejaculation?" Then he saw the notes and somewhat understoon, the look on his face was priceless.

Took a dinner break, watched Dancing with the Stars, then dove back in. I hope I'm prepared! I plan to look at it again tomorrow, test is at 1:45. Pray for me, wish me luck. I know I need it!

Filling the time

2008-05-13T15:29:00.002-05:00

I should be studying, but I need a break. This is it, last week of lectures and next week is finals.

I'm strong in my nursing class, not worried about that, last test tomorrow, final Monday morning. Physiology however.....I'm holding on my a shoestring! I failed my last test, miserably. I'm not truly surprised, however my teacher is a A*&$(%e! and made me take the stupid test....see previous post. I have a lab test tomorrow to bring my grade up and my final next Tuesday, thank god it's not cumulative and I feel as though I'm getting a smidge of a break as the final is on the endocrine and reproductive cycles. I have a little leg up with the endocrine stuff!

Personal life.....Dan's 28th bday was last Friday, he and I went out for dinner then headed south to his parents. Saturday we were met by my family and had a wonderful dinner of fried fish and hash brown casserole, and a bonfire. Good times for everyone. Dan got some lovely presents....his parents and I purchased a Wii.....he loved it and we all got to do a little bowling later that night!

Mothers day we had brunch with the Eckberg's then everyone headed on home. Dan and I decided to venture out to see a movie and when we got there were left with not a whole lot of choices in our time frame, so we saw Made of Honor. It was really cute, definitely a chick flick and I give Dan big props for going with me!!! And, I don't usually find Patrick Dempsey all that cute, he was good looking here!!! Definitly McDreamy....... Ironman is also a pretty good show if anyone is interested and let me tell you....Robert Downey Jr....Hottie!!!!!!!!!!

Health...my INR is not really cooperating it was 2.1 when I left the hospital, 1.8 a week later, and 1.9 last week. Also, I've finished the lovenox shots, and thank god because I've developed an allergic reaction to them and I have bright red circles around my belly!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!! I just can't win....this is a very frustrating time for me and I often break into tears. Thank God Dan and my mother have the patience for me!

Back to the books, two tests tomorrow! I'm jealous of those of you who are finished for the semester.

Almost forgot

2008-05-02T14:32:00.003-05:00

I almost forgot, yesterday when I got home and was crying just because I was so very tired, I received a phone call from work. Initially I felt, "great, what do they want?"

Recently, I changed my hours. I now work 3pm-11pm on the weekdays and 3pm-3am on the weekends. I had recently requested if there was any possibility to work 11am-11pm on weekends, I'd really like that. They called to tell me that it was possible and it was going to take effect!!

As of the end of May, I will not be working anymore overnights! I'll get to sleep everynight in my own bed!!! YEah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was a good phone call.

Home Sweet Home

2008-05-01T21:55:00.002-05:00

So, I'm home, still have PE's, but they let me leave with the drugs rather than sit in the hospital waiting for them all to work. I did not go through the Heparin therapy, this time they gave me Lovenox injections which has the wonderful side effects of bright blue bruises on my delicate white skin. I kinda look like a dalmation with blue spots! Of course, this totally ruins my bikini look for the summer :) J/K

I got released this morning, with an INR of 2.1. School has been very very understanding, for the most part. The nursing program has been exremely helpful, informing me if I wasn't ready for my upcoming test this coming MOnday, it was ok, and I could make it up later in the week. However, my Physiology instructor, wouldn't budge. I had a test scheduled for 1pm this afternoon and I was informed that if I missed the test, I would have to take the retake, which would be all essay and the highest grade I can get is a 75%! What an ass. Of course I'm begging my doctors to let me out because Physiology is a complicated enough class without having to make it an essay test! Which I'm afraid, I would not pass very well. Luckily for me, my blood cooperated and I barely made it out, but I managed to hustle over to Harper and take my test. My instructor assigns us seating during the test. We are in this really big lecture hall with fixed seats that either swivel left or right, I was assigned to one that swiveled to the left, due to a bruise the size of a 12 inch softball on my belly from the shots, I new that that specific seat would be painful because it would cause the table to hit my bruise. So, I requested that I sit somewhere else, the ass said "no, you sit where I assign you!" SO, I fidgeted through my test trying to get comfortable and get through the test. I finished and headed home. I think I'm going to write a letter to the head of the Biology department. I think this guy's a butthead, obviously being in the hospital has to be some sort of extenuating circumstance right? Whatever, it's over. Three more weeks of school....Finals end May 20th.

again? seriously? WTF?

2008-04-30T00:43:00.003-05:00

must make this quick before sleeping pills take ove. I'm back in the joint, same problem. 5 new PE's present in my lungs! This was very distressing for me becasuse, i followed the rules, i quit smoking, quit birthcontrol, take my meds every day, adn here i lie back in the hospital with more PE.

say a prayer for me, please. I'm getting a bit foggy, so I'm gonna sign out.

Spring Teasers

2008-04-13T13:31:00.003-05:00

So, yes...it's technically spring and we had a minor tease, now it's cold, glumy, and it snowed again the other night

Girls night out last night was wonderful. A great celebration....congrats to Dawn who quit her job and her last day was yesterday!!! WE're so very proud of you. Congrats to Jenni on her marriage to Andy and her first attendance at girls night.

We had a wonderful night and discovered all though none of us were very good at Guitar hero, and Dancing with the Stars, it was whole lot of fun and a lot of laughs. Who'd have thought 8 very intelligent and somewhat creative women could be so poor at video games? Well, Holly kicked our asses as Guitar Hero and Kate and Bridget were the consecutive high scorers with Dancing with the Stars, that really doesn't appear liek you're doing too much dancing!!! Just stepping a lot! Bridget scored our only 1o of the night and was quite excited..."I got a 10!!! I got a 10!!"

As always, lots of fun had by all. Only mystery of hte night, where or where did Dawn's remote go????

This week starts the downward motion of ending the semester of my first year of nursing school. Technically 5 weeks of class left, then a week of finals, which, I'm actually done with all my finals by Tuesday afternoon. YEAH!!!

Thats all for now folks!!!

spring is here????????/

2008-04-03T13:06:00.002-05:00

WEll, it looks as though we're finally seeing the whispers of spring. May spring break was short, cold, snowy....ugh! But today the sun is shining and it's decently nice out!

Monday we headed back into the swing of school and I have 4 tests next week....seriously when it rains it pours. I found out I got accepted into the microbiology class for this summer which will take some stress off next semester, that way I'll only have nursing for my last two semesters! Yeah. Who'd have thought I'll be done with my first year of nursing school in 6 weeks! Woo hooo.....

I thought mother baby was going to be a very difficult time, but I handled it very well. In fact I loved the Labor and Delivery part as well as hanging out in the nursery, I didn't so much like post partem care, but then again, for the most people, those people aren't sick! :) As someone coming from the ER, I like sick people!!! I was able to work in the special care nursery which has some sick little ones. I got to take care of a little girl who was born at home at about 33 weeks gestation, and she was dropped off at the police station for "Safe Haven" This little girl only weighed a little over 5 pounds she was so tiny I got to hold her and feed her, let her rest her head on my skin so she could have skin to skin contact....what do they call that kangaroo care? and just talk with her and oh.....I loved it. She was so precious I said to her I would take her home if I could! When she is big enough, she'll be placed for adoption. Although it's hard to believe that someone could give up a baby this precious, at least mom took her to the police department so she'd be safe. This experience re-inforced my decision to adopt children because I can't have them myself. One of God's little miracles and reminders!

Whats new around here? Wedding plans are in full swing! In fact, we're done with just about everything! Yeah!! Now, I'm looking for and thinking about attendant gifts, any ideas?????

Dan and I had one of our pre cana meetings last night and had to delve into that whole co habitation and family planning issue! I guess I should have just kept my mouth shut, but it's not exactly easy when they ask if I attend church, and although I do, I don't attend at St. John's I attend in Naperville! Then it was the whole family planning issue and my health came up. Now they want me to talk with a priest for compensation concerning my health! I can't say I was truly happy with that, but what ever. I'll deal with it, I'll get through our meetings and we'll get married.

In another note, I got my approval letter from my health insurance company for a tubal ligation. They didn't want to approve it because I work for Catholic hospital and it's a sterilization procedure, but after medical documentation was sent, it's been approved. This letter I guess makes it much more permanent. Oh well.....

Thats all for now, I've got a phys test to study for!

it gets better

2008-03-07T02:03:00.002-06:00

First off, thanks for all the love!!!

Second, today was a wonderful day. I was a bit apprehensive as I headed to the hospital today, but I had a wonderful patient. She was my age, literally, 2 days different...had twins via C-section on Tuesay and the babies were in the special care nursery....they needed a little bit more TLC before they were free. But anyways....my patient was awesome, she was very open and willing to talk to me and willing to let me learn. She also opened up to me about how she felt about her beautiful baby girls. I took care of mom all morning and watched as her husband helped her....then I took her to the nursery and got to watch the new parents with their babies.

I guess between having such a good patient today and all your words of wisdom, I found a form of peace. I'm not completely healed, but I felt better.

And, on a side note....my INBOXspiration for the day today is....

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do!" John Wooden

I took this along with what all of you said, that just because I cannot carry a child, doesnt' mean that I won't be be a fabulous parent someday....right?????????

Also, side note...Dawn's official last day at work is April 15th, which means, April 12th is really gonna be it....which just also happens to be GNO!!! I say big Congratulatory party for the Dawniepie!!!!

Nursing Student Breakdown

2008-03-04T15:32:00.005-06:00

Thats right, I had a breakdown in school today. I had my first clinical in the mother/baby ward today, now for most people this would be a very happy segment, not really sick people, cute, cuddly warm pink babies, everyone is happy. Right? Well, I went in with positive thoughts and only made it about one hour before I lost it. {Enter Explanation here...}

When I was hospitalized this past October, my Endocrinologist, Pulmonologist, and Family Practice Doctors all informed me that with all my history and the development of the PE's, children were not going to be an option. Dan and I had discussed this in the hospital and we were both ok. We understood our options were much more limited now. On December 20th, I went to the GYN for my annual and she asked why I was no longer on my Birth control, was I trying to get pregnant? I told her about what happened in October and why I was no longer taking it, she said "well, I guess we'll have to figure out something a little more permanent." We sat and talked about other options such as IUD or getting my tubes tied. Initially she was pushing the IUD, with comments such as "it's only a temporary fix, needs to be changed every 5 years and you don't know what could occur in 5 years, if they find a cure of diabetes...." I then reminded her in 5 years I would be facing 35 years old, and although that isn't old, it's another major step with pregnancy risks. We talked some more and she informed me that although it is possible for me to carry a pregnancy to full term and have a healthy baby, it is highly unlikely that I will. I have so much history that she strongly urges me not to get pregnant. The diabetes was enough a risk, but the PE's were a nail in the coffin, as pregnancy itself is a clotting risk. We discussed the possibility of harvesting my own eggs for the possibility of a surragate mother, the doc informed me that yes this is possible, but very very expensive with less ratio of success. That if it were her, she would put her money into adoption, at least then you a guaranteed a child.

That day I left her office, kinda numb. Then I got home, Dan and I started to talk and I cried, and cried, and cried. I mourned the fact that I was getting married and I'd never be able to have children and give Dan children. He was so sweet...."it's ok baby, we can always adopt. It doesn't matter if you're pregnant or not, it'll still be our baby, I don't want anything to happen to you, I can't lose you" Life carried on and I was fine, or so I thought.....

{} Then I showed up on the Mother/Baby unit today for clinical. As I watched a new daddy carry his little girl to the nursery after birth, and the nursing staff care for that darling little girl, I lost it. Tears ran solidly down my face and I couldn't stop. (One of my classmates knew and understood what I was going through, she and I became close right from the get go and she knew. ) She pulled me aside and the instructor wanted to know what was going on. All the feelings that I thought I had gotten through, came flooding forward and I have been a basket case all day. I managed to pull myself together and get through the day and the instructor informed me that I havne't grieved for myself yet and this could happen again because those feeling continue. But, she did inform me that she'd work with me and do what she could. She asked if I wanted to skip the day in the nursery and just do post partem work. I said no, but be ready to move me if for some reason I had another meltdown.

I guess I haven't gone through all the emotions and from what I see it's going to take sometime. So, I blog to get my feelings out. I'm sitting here on my couch, feeling sorry for myself, but letting the grief out through tears. I'll feel better tomorrow.

Also, a prayer to Joe, Dan's best man, his father passed away Sunday night after a battle with colon cancer.

To a happier blog..................

my oh my

2008-03-02T22:48:00.002-06:00

School is truly in full swing, so much so that of 4 modules, I'm already done with two!!! I did very well on last test, which brought my grade up, I had been hovering with a low B high C and was content, yet a little nervous that I wasn't going to have that edge! I like to have a little cushion to pad myself that way when I feel lazy around finals, I don't have to work nearly so hard, you know? Like last semester when I walked into the final knowing I needed an 11 to pass the class and a 42 for a B. I really didn't study all that hard!!! I'm embarking into a new section tomorrow, MOther/baby. Not my favorite area. I'm truly hopeing that I will find a new love for the art of nursing to the mother/baby population. Currently, not my bag. Lets see how it goes!!!

Wedding plans are forming, I think I finally got all my Save the Dates out....if you didn't receive one or yours was mangled in the mail, please let me know I have a few leftover and will gladly send you a new one.

I hear congrats are due to some of my fellow Ryan Family members who will be tying the knot in '09 just like me....Andy Ryan, Ray Feeney, Mary Kay Feeney, and Ryan Feeney. Congrats to all. I hear so far 09 will be our biggest wedding year yet!!!

Thats all for now folks....I'm praying that the calls for snow tomorrow aren't really true, that actually it's going to stay 50 degrees!!! I can dream right?

snow....yuck!

2008-02-06T23:17:00.000-06:00

Well, well, well....it's been a while.

I'm back in the full swing of school and quite honestly it's very very overwhelming!!! They say this semester is the hardest of all 4 and I'm beginning to agree. I was very stressed the first week. I guess I wasn't quite ready to go back! But, now I think I've got the hang of things.

Today I was hoping and praying for a snow day, actually had myself so psyched up that I would have the day off, when I woke up and saw absolutely no snow....I was very upset. So, I bundled up and headed out to Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove because I had clinical this am at 7. As I drove, the rain continued to pelt down and freeze, snow began and the roads were awful. I got to AMBC about 630, sat and had some coffee and tried to relax for it had been a very stressful drive. People feel the need to be #^$holes when the weather is no good, I had about 3 very close calls. All three people decided they wanted to pass the semi and didn't realize I was in the lane next to them. I was almost side swiped twice, then almost rear-ended! Very stressful day. Then about 830am my clinical instructor notified us that Harper closed the campus for the rest of the day and we would be free to go at 11. Just in time to drive home in the crappy weather. Needless to say it took me about an hour and a half to get home, normally a 35 min drive at that time of day...but no close calls. Thank God.

Went and saw Jersey Boys this weekend and it was absolutely wonderful! Better than I expected. I'd like to go back again, and I'd like to take Dan with me, I truly think he'd enjoy the show.

Movie update....saw PS I love you with mom and Dawn a couple weeks ago, it was a wonderful story! I'll be buying that one for my personal collection. Dan and I had a couple date nights, we discovered the REd Robin, great burgers, not good for a diet! But good food. We also ventured to the movies and saw, No Country for Old Men and 27 Dresses. Loved the second, can't say I truly enjoyed or understood the first!

I bought my wedding dress! I love it!

Thats all for now....I'm off to bed, school and work this weekend!

ONE YEAR!!!!!!!

2008-01-17T23:35:00.001-06:00

One year til my wedding!!!!!!!!! Yesterday, I found the perfect dress! I thought I had found it earlier, but then I found this one and it's even better!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going back on Monday afternoon to actually buy it. I'm so excited!! It feels more real now as I've hit the year mark and found my dress.

Where does the time go????

2008-01-11T20:21:00.000-06:00

Well....here I am again. I wonder where the time rolls away too. It seems as though just yesterday I was finishing my semester and now we're through the holidays, and getting ready to roll into another semester! I start school again on the 22nd, and it's going to be a very very busy semester.

New year, new me right? Right!! I just signed up for the shamrock shuffle 5K walk. I opted for the walk because I know that if I worked my hardest, I don 't know that I could do a 8K run by March 3oth. So...thats ok. I don't mind walking again this year. I also started Weight Watchers today. I have been mulling it over for a while now, and finally I saw a girl at work and all of the sudden I swear she looked half her size!! I said "Monica, have you lost weight? and How much have you lost??" When she responded with 27 pounds, and Weight Watchers, I decided that was it. Maybe I need that weekly reminder and push to do what I need to do. Maybe that weekly meeting will force me with the follow through that I tend to fail so miserably at after about 2 months. I get going really well into the gym, then you take a week off and it's all down hill from there. I can do really well on counting calories and or limited fat and such for about 2 months, then I just give up....fall off the band wagon. Maybe by meeting with other people and forcing myself to truly look at portion sizes, I'll be able to make it work this time. I've got to do somthing. I'm tired of being fat. I want to look fabulous in my wedding gown!!!!! Dan's doing it with me, so that's a huge help. We can support each other in going to the gym and making proper food choices.

Also, we both joing the Ryan Family Biggest Losers.....yeah baby!!!!!!!! Last year I had a pretty good start, I was actully doing really really well.....then it all fell through, we all kinda gave up. Hmmm..........

Settled

2007-12-23T13:50:00.001-06:00

We're finally settled in. Thank God!!! We spent this last weekend cleaning and organizing the last of the stuff. Finally I can get rid of some boxes! Yeah!!

I finished school earlier this week with a B in my Nursing class. Off to a pretty good start I'd say. I'm quite content with that grade. Next semester isn't going to be easy at all, but I'm ready for it. What can I say...1 down, 3 to go!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm off til Wednesday, but I have to work the New Years Holiday's and the weekend before, so that kinda sucks, I'll have to work 5 days straight, which will pretty much lead to a very cranky lady. Dan is off until January 3rd, so that's a nice break for him.

We were supposed to head to the zoo last night, but we had double booked ourselves, my girfriends 30th birthday was last night, so we headed back up to McHenry to visit with friends. It was a nice night all together.

Today I'm sitting here in my nice clean apartment, baking. I'm trying my hand at irish soda bread. Though it'll never be the same as my Aunt Mary's, I'm hoping for some good results.

We have a date tonight with sone of Dan's old friends, we're meeting all of them in Tinley Park. This has been a whirlwind week already and it's just going to get busier!!! As we head in two different directions tomorrow to spend Christmas eve with both of our families.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!!

Follow the List!!!

2007-12-05T03:51:00.000-06:00

Oh my....Dan had his first solo trip to the grocery store this past weekend. What an experience...I had to work, hence why Dan headed to the store alone. He had a list, a specific list of what to buy, so...how is it we end up with so much "other stuff?" There were three things on that list that I really wanted, then a couple things that we needed. The three major things were....a dish rack, a three or four drawer set to put under counter, and mosticolli noodles. I came home from work at 4am to find the counters and cabinets full. Yet, I don't see my drawer set, and I do find a CASE, full case of tangerines!!! What? Those weren't on the list. Next I open the cabinet to find, not one, but two...5lb bags of flour, 2-5lb bags of sugar, 3 cans of veggies, carrots, mixed and corn! Now mind you, flour was on the list, but only 5 lbs, sugar was not on the list, canned veggies were on the list; corn, green beans, and peas (no carrots or mixed veggies). He had bought not one but two napkin holders. One because it had a hole set, napkin, paper towel holders, and salt and pepper shakers. We have all the other stuff, we just needed a napkin holder!

When Dan woke up the next day, I questioned his shopping motives...His response, "it was on sale, honey!" When I asked where the missing items were, his response was..."the cart was full honey, so I just thought they weren't necessary!" So, I had to remind Dan that we were only two people and bigger isn't always better, and the reason he has a list to follow is so that we can avoid a second trip to the store. Lucky for us, we were able to return all of the unwanted items (except the tangerines) to Meijer, with little hassle and he learned how to follow the list. Hopefully next time will be better.

I know we've all had our days when we've missed that one thing we truly need and we all have days where we buy more than was necessary, but...I thought this was so funny. He was so proud of himself. I'm glad he did the shopping and is learning and I honestly don't think that he purposely screwed up so that he wouldn't have to go back. He's learning to become more independent, because he's never had to be.

New Beginnings

2007-12-02T19:55:00.000-06:00

Well, we moved out. We've moved into an apartment in Naperville. Dan was scheduled to move all of his stuff this past weekend 12/1, I had to work, so my plan is to move my stuff next weekend 12/8.

We pretty much beat the snow. All of his stuff was in the apartment right before the snow started, then the downfall occured. They managed to get the truck back in plenty of time and come home on the slick streets. While truck return happend, Dan's mom and I unpacked and organized my new kitchen, and bathrooms.

Unfortunately, I had to work this afternoon at 3pm. Ugh!!! IT took me an hour and a half to get to work!! I was so very tired... I had been up since 730 that morning, and had to work a 12 hour shift!!!! Work went well and I headed out around 330 that morning. Lucky for me the roads were much clearer and I was able to get home in about 30 minutes.

Upon arriving home, my key didn't work!!! I couldn't get in the apartment!!! I had to call Dan and wake him up in order to get in. But, he was actually awake. Why is that? He had set up a carpet picnic....champagne, cheese, apples, crackers!! It was so very sweet, I started to cry, mainly because I was so tired!!!!!! So, I had a glass of wine and a couple crackers and apples, then asked Dan..."ok, can we go to bed now?"

So, we went to bed and then were able to spend a couple hours together on Sunday before I headed back into work.

We get to do it all over again this coming weekend when I get to fill a truck and get all my stuff down to the apartment.

7 years

2007-11-25T20:57:00.000-06:00

Ok, lets do a quick catch up....

Thanskgiving was wonderful like always. Lots of bodies in the Karner household, too much food, good times.

7th annual Ryan Pub Crawl...can you believe we've been doing this for seven years already??? Wow!!!! Once again, a great time had by all, and, I was stone sober the entire night! This may have been our biggest crawling crowd yet.....pictures to follow later....

My health, the pulmonoligist said I'm looking good. I feel good. My last INR last Tuesday was 3! The upper level of the range they want me in, but still good. Yeah!!!!!! I go to the hemagologist on the 6th, but so far, all the tests have come up negative.

School, busy as ever....1 project, 2 tests, 5 clinicals and one final until I'm done for the semester December 17th!! Then I have a wonderfully long month off, which I know will fly by, because that's how things work. But, I look at is as I'm 1/4 of the way through with nursing school....Thank God!!

Work....nothing new to report. I'm back to 12 hour shifts. They could not accomidate me with 8 hour shifts. They informed me they were heavily saturated and couldn't "create" the hours I needed, but if I wanted to lower my FTE (hours per week I work) that we could do. Whatever....I'm doing it. I've requested an 11am-11pm weekend program, working every Friday, Saturday, Sunday. That way, although I'll have to work every weekend, I'll at least get a decent amount of sleep every night.

Dan and I are moving next weekend!!! Yeah~!!! He's moving all of his stuff on Saturday December 1st, because I have to work that weekend, I'm going to move just the essentials that weekend and I'm going to rent the truck and move the bulk of my stuff on Saturday December 8th. I'm so excited though. It's truly been hard for me to have to say goodbye, knowing I won't see him for a week or longer.

Thats all that's new around here.....

Rough week

2007-11-11T13:16:00.000-06:00

It's been a horrible week. I returned to work this week at a decreased pace. Per the doctors, they only want me to work 8 hour shifts, so I can give my body a rest. Ok. I told this to my boss while I was in the hospital, he said they'd work with me. I'm still putting in the same amount of hours, 72 hours per pay period, which equals to 4-8 hour shifts one week and 5 the next. SHouldn't be too difficult right??? WRONG!!! This week, I only worked 24 hours and as of Thursday they still haven't figured out my hours. Now they're suggesting that I work all my originally scheduled shifts, just cut them down by 4 hours each. OK, but I still need one or two extra shifts per week in order to make it work. Now the suggesstion is that I drive in for 4 hour shifts , well, I would need 4 of those per week to make that work. Thats and awful lot of driving!!! Oh, poo....someday we'll get this figured out. If I could cut down my hours I would, but my benefits and scholarship are dependent on my hourly commitment.

On the good side, Dan and I are moving. We got ourselves an apartment, in Naperville. I know this seems far away, but it's really a halfway point between both of our jobs. Until he's willing to move to a job further north, that's where we settle. But, we are moving in the first week of december! Yeah!!!!

Marty celebrated his 25th birthday this past Thursday 11-8. Ralph will be 56 on 11-13, and Dawniepie will be 26, big party in the city for Dawn's bday!!!

I spent the past two weekends with Dan's family, it's been very nice. School is going well, I'm just getting excited to end the semester. Next semester isn't going to be easier at all, it's going to be very difficult, but hell..I can do it!!!!

My blood work has been all over the map again. Thursday my INR was 6.6, technically a critical level!!! No coumadin Thursday or Friday, Start again Saturday, blood work Tuesday! Well, thats all for now!!!

Ugh!!

2007-10-31T15:49:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!

I had to get up today and drive to Harper to take my oral meds test. Not a big deal. I just had to prove that I could look up medications, check they were ok, and administer the meds without killing the patient. Honestly, I had absolutely no worries about it at all!!!! Until I got there, the girl in front of me was pacing because she wasnt' so sure she passed. She was told to wait in the hallway until they could check things out, I listened to her story and started to worry because I would have done exactly what she would have done!!! Then, I took my test. No problems, I passed, I'm done and now I can actually pass oral meds to my patients when I'm at clinical! Yeah!!!

But, I'm irritated with the school. You see, last week while I was in the hospital, I missed 1 class, 1 lab, and 2 clinical dates. This week, I also missed clinical, per doctors order. I had asked what I could do to make up the time so that I didn't get too far behind and such. All I was told was to stay up on my reading so that I didn't get behind there. So, today right before I started my exam, I was given a piece of paper with a make up assignment. To make up the 4 hour lab time I missed while in the hospital. I have to go in on my own time and watch 3 dvd's about patient communication. I then have to write a paper on what I watched, ok no big deal, except...it's due Monday!!! I also have a test Monday morning. I just wished they had given me a smidge more time to catch up....but....I'll just have to get it done. I'm also going to have to make up 12 hours of clinical time....at $30 each section, so $120 total. Trust me, it just doesn't pay to get sick and spend a week in the hospital. It's not worth the effort!!!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful night and the ghost's and goblins stay away!!!!

will it ever be right?

2007-10-30T16:49:00.000-05:00

Went for blood work today, got a phone call about 2 hours ago. INR is 5.8!!! Way too high. They want me between 2 and 3! So, no coumadin tonight or tomorrow. More blood work on Thursday, which throws a little bit of a cramp in my style.

You see, since I'm on the road to recovery, I decided to head to Dan's Wednesday afternoon after my Medication test at school. Now, I have to delay that decision and head down a day later. Not too big of a deal, just less time with Dan. Oh well....we're used to it right? :)

Happy day to all of you!!!!

Success....and Health??/

2007-10-29T21:51:00.000-05:00

To all of you who made it to the party for my parents this weekend, Thank you so much. Dawn did a wonderful job pulling it all together. I felt horrible, for I was stuck and there just wasn't much I could possibly do to help. I think we really got my parents, they truly weren't expecting the party. It was lots of fun, but by the end of the night, I was absolutely exhausted!!!!

As some of you know, I was released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon around 1230. INR 3.25...too high!!! UGH!!! They were going to try to keep me, but, finally they decided that if they tried to get the numbers exact, I could be there for another week and that was just silly!!

So, they released me with a Coumadin dose of 7mg per day. I head back for another INR test tomorrow.

I had made appointments for wedding dress shopping and wasn't sure if I was actually going to make it because I was so tired. But, we did it. Mom, Dawn, Dan's Mom, Dan's Grandma and I headed out to House of Brides and Davids. I did find a gown I love, and I look really pretty in it :) Also, although it's early, we found a gorgeous dress for the girls...Dawnie tried it on and looked fabulous!!! Here's the catch....it's going out of style. Go figure!!! But, I figured that it's a very simple dress that should be easy to alter if needed. If all the girls like it....fabulous!!! If not, oh well, we start all over again, in the beginning of the year.

Headed back to school today. I tell you, I'm having a very hard time with this light duty stuff and trying to slow down. It's a tough recovery. I get winded walking from the car to the classroom, and I removed all the heavy books because I'm on light duty restrictions...no more then 15 pounds!!! I want to do more, but I get tired really easily. But next week I can go back full force. Funny isn't it? I never thought it would really hit me this hard. The doctor told me that my body had gone through a horrible stress and it would hit me even harder when I got home. That's true. I mean, I understood what a stress my body went through, but I didn't think it would be this tiring when I got home!!!

updates

2007-10-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

Thursday's INR 1.6, biggest jump yet. Dr. Fischer says....I think perhaps you can go home tomorrow. Dr. Amin..."nope, perhaps Saturday!" So.....here I lay. Thursday's coumadin dose 9mg.

Saw a hemotologist on Thursday as well, the same one dad sees. He's running some tests, not all th e possible tests because I'm currently on anti-coagulants, so I could have skewed results. Point of the hemotologist is to see if there is a clotting disorder that may be to blame for these clots, more then just the birth control pill and smoking. Eitherway, both of those behaviors have stopped and will never occur again.

Friday....INR 2.1 YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Still in hospital, Dr. Amin's pretty positive to get me out of here tomorrow morning. Some test results are back. I am negative for Factor V Leiden, and the lupus anticoagulants. That doesn't mean I don't have Lupus. They're still going to test for that. THere are a whole slew of blood tests out there being run, and I'll meet with the hemotologist sometime next week to discuss all the results. They'll run another test later for antithrombin III, this is a clotting disorder that my uncle suffers from, but they can't run it while I'm on heparin. So sometime next week they'll take care of it.

Thats it in a nutshell. I can't wait to get out of here.

2007-10-24T23:03:00.000-05:00

INR 1.25, Coumadin dose tonight 7mg, hopes of getting out tomorrow...totally demolished.

Per Dr. Amin, pulmonologist, yesterday's pain and today's windedness, were/are the clots spasming. New funky bruise....to be watched, make sure it doesn't grow any larger. I know the heparin causes bleeding and bruising, but this bruise is in such a funny spot, I wasn't really sure what it was! He said normally 5 days on IV heparin...."but you're taking so long, perhaps 7-8 days for you!" Damn, I said. PTT levels stabilized, so my dose of Heparin is actually less. I'm on 1500 units/hour. I've been on 1600 from Sunday until early this morning.

They want the coumadin level to be abut 2.5 for 48 hours!!! So, Not only do I have to reach that level, I have to then maintain it for 48 hours! So If by chance of luck I manage to double the coumadin dose by tomorrow, I'll be out on Saturday.

I'm off work next week as well. School, the doc and I came to an agreement....I can attend lecture, but no clinicals. He wants me to not be sedentary, but to take it easy next week as well and go from there. He said, if I take it easy, I'll be a little less likely for re-occurance. So, I said...OK. I'll take next week off. My boss was totally cool and he said he'd work with me with coming off the 12 hour shifts, so....thats it in a nutshell.

not much for new news

2007-10-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

Well, It's now Wednesday, I haven't yet see the pulmonologist or family practice docs today. They must all take Wednesdays off!!!

They had to change the Heparine dose again. They've lowered it this time, so therefore, I get more blood draws! Oh joy! They have to have two consecutive levels every six hours adjust the heparin level. Now I just have to wait and hope. My next draw will be around 730 this evening. Lets hope its the same at the 130 this afternoon draw. I have't heard what my INR was today, then again, I keep forgetting to ask!

Yesterday was a tough day. Around 230 in the afternoon, I had a very sharp pain in the right side of my chest and experienced SOB, the doctor happened to be there at that time. My ECG was normal, but my O2 saturation was low again and my blood pressure went up. So, they sent me for a third CT scan. The results of this scan showed no difference from Monday's scan, which showed approximately 70% of the clots were gone. So now my question is why aren't more of the clots dissappearing?? What is going on with my body??

Today, I found a very strange bruise with a lump on my upper left arm very near to my armpit. I informed the nurse, but havne't heard from the doc yet. I've been quite tired today and get worn out easily. I cleaned myself up and washed my hair, and was just pooped! I feel like I get winded easily. I've been taking my laps around the nurses station and just watching everything I'm doing. Today I've been attempting to study. I'm getting some reading done, but not enough. You would think the situation would be ideal, but it's really noisy, the staff keeps on coming in to ask more and more questions, and I'm drinking so much water in order to flush all the CT contrast dye out of my system in order to not have kidney problems, that I'm peeing all the time!!!! If I receive much more contrast, I'm going to be glowing like one of those glow necklaces you get at a carnival!!! My blood sugars have been pretty good, which is a good thing, at least one thing is starting to work in my favor!!!!

I've had lots of visitors and lots of love. There is no shortage of love and prayers which I am forever grateful for. Thanks everyone for your positive thoughts and I'm doing my best to get the hell out of here. I'm really miserable!!!

updates..(and a little whining!)

2007-10-22T21:13:00.000-05:00

OK, had a repeat CT scan of the lungs tonight, per the nurse, the report said....significantly less clots notices. Now, I was actually discouraged by this because I had that TPA therapy, which was supposed to break the clots and my understanding was they ALL would be gone, not just some of them. Well, they're not. So, now I wait to hear what the pulmonologist has to say. Actually, I was crushed because I thought everything was going to work out perfectly and all the nasty clots would be gone. They also repeated the Echocardiogram, now, here they did find some improvements. I don't know what the exact measurements are supposed to be, but they were half of what they were on Saturday, which the tech said was they were now in the "normal ranges." So, that was good news. Also, my INR, which is a blood clotting ratio level, was tested again today. The doctor started me on Coumadin last night, I had a 5 mg pill. Dr. Fischer informed me that he wants to see my INR level somewhere between 2 and 3 before they can let me go home!! Today the nurse came in and informed me that my INR level wasn't even 1! So, once again it was discouraging news. They upped my Coumadin level to 7 mg tonight in hopes that the higher dosage would get me to the levels I need to be in. All in all, the tests don't seem to be heading in the directions that I want and need them to be in in order for me to go home sooner.

All in all, it was a very very emotional day for me. I think all the news hit me like a Mack truck this afternoon. I was extremely tired all day long, and cried at the drop of a hat. I think the fact that this was truly a "life-threatening" problem, hit me today. After I got the results of the CT, I just cried and cried and cried. Thank God Dan was here, he just sat and held me and let me cry. I then called my mom with the results I had and cried some more. I'm scared. I'm truly scared, I don't really know what to do anymore! I'm doing everything they tell me to do, and I guess I just hoped for faster results than I'm seeing. Please just keep me in your prayers. I'm hoping for some miracles and to be heading home by Thursday.

I'm fine....It's just an anxiety attack.....

2007-10-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

WRONG!!!!! No, I was not suffering from sudden onset panic attacks, like I originally thought. It turns out I was really really sick. It started earlier this week. I had a cramp in my left leg. No redness, no swelling, no heat, and I was able to walk on it, all signs that it was just a cramp, literally. Not a clot as I thought. Then Tuesday afternoon, I was feeling a little strange, I felt tachycardic (fast heart rate) and like I couldn't expand my lungs fully. Not short of breath so much, just like I couldn't get a full breath. But, those symptoms went away and I was feeling better. So, I figured I'm beginning to suffer from anxiety attacks. The stress was getting to me.

Saturday night I headed off to work and while I was walking to my car all of about 25 feet, I felt winded. At work, just sitting my heart rate was 120, and really pounding away!!! Finally I had an ecg done and it was normal, just fast. But the Doctor said she didn't like the way I looked and wanted to run some tests...you see, it turned out my heart rate was fast, my respiratory rate was fast and my oxygen saturation was low, and I was pale. After a bit of arguing any stubborness on both sides, the doctor won. I checked myself in. AFter some blood work was run, a chest xray and finally a CT scan of my lungs. It was found that I had multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli....in laymans terms, and the doctors words "lots of blood clots on both sides of my lungs!!!" I was immediately started an heparin, a blood thinner. Then the pulmonologist came in and told me that with my age and the location of the clots, I needed to be more aggressive. They started me on a drug called TPA, it's a clot buster. It breaks the clots up, and can produce bleeding. So, I ended up in the ICU for a night on major blood thinners and major watch. At first they wouldn't let me out of bed at all, then around midnight, they told me I could get up to pee....thank god!!!! Now I'm in a regular room, still on the heparin. I will have IV heparin until at least Wednesday. Thursday is the soonest they'll let me go home. I'll be on coumadin for at least 6 months, then more tests will be run.

So, it's been a whirlwind weekend for me. Hopefully all will be better by next week. I have to talk to the doc, they informed me I have to lower my stress levels. My 12 hour work shifts might be over. I'll probably have to enter the land of normal people and actually work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. That'll most likely work better with school anyways. The school was cool with me so far with all that's involved. So that's a good thing.

Everybody thanks for you prayers, I'm just hanging out at St. Alexius. At least they all know me here, so that makes it easier to deal with some of the stuff. They're extra nice to me. And contrary to popular belief, thus far I have been a wonderful patient. I haven't gotten snotty or mean with anyone...but it's still early! :)

Where does the time go???

2007-10-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

OK, now its the middle of October, which to me as student means....once this week is finished, I'm officially half way through my first semester!!! YEAH!!! That's huge, cuz I've been counting this sucker down week by week, it's the only way I can make it through.

Also, all my weddings for the year are finished. Phew.....you don't understand, we had three weddings in six weeks! Last night being the final one. I'll recap....Mary's wedding, lots of fun, once again a Ryan wedding, never a disappointment. Dan was blown away by the Ryan family, yet, he fit right in. Thanks Mary, we had so much fun....I hope you had a wonderful honeymoon.

Last night was definitely a different wedding. It was a Rock and Roll Wedding, where prelude music included such bands as Nine Inch Nails, Iron maiden, Metallica, Disturbed...the groom walked into MOby and the Bride and bridal party to "Don't' Stop Believing!" by Journey. Instead of a framed photo or a guest book, there was a guitar to sign, interesting. The bride wore Chuck Taylor's, which I thought was genious, because she was totally comfy in gym shoes all night long. Never had to worry about when it was acceptable to take off the heels.... All in all it was quite cute! Tough to dance to though, how do you dance to heavy metal? My fiance got quite excited, you see that's his type of music, and I think was a little crushed when both his mother and I said "NO" to Iron Maiden at our own wedding....Whats your vote? Do you agree with me or Dan?

All in all, thank God it's over! Now I'm just back to the grindstone of school and work. You know, I heard on the news today that there are only 71 shopping days left til Christmas....It's not even Halloween yet!!!!!! Oh well, it all gets earlier every year.

Woe Is me

2007-09-23T01:30:00.000-05:00

Tonight I'm sitting here writing this blog when I should have been celebrating with Mary. Unfortunately, I'm suffering a horrible head/chest cold. I was struck with this nasty disease on Thursday morning. I went to school, suffering, I left early, came home and climed in bed. Then I got up Friday morning for clinical....feeling even worse. I headed to Alexian Brothers and my instructor asked me why I was there if I was so sick. I informed her that I didn't want to have to make up the time. I just wanted to get it over with. She told me early in the day that if I felt that bad, get what I could get done and go home. At 1045, I was hit with a horrible coughing fit, which had me gripping the wall for stability. My instructor sat me down and checked my vital signs! When it was discovered that I had a fever of 102.4, she sent me home for the rest of the day. On my way home, I called off sick to work that night. I got home and crawled in bed, sleeping the rest of the day and most of the night away. I also preceeded to sleep most of the day away on Saturday...I didn't even emerge from my bedroom til almost 4pm....yes, thats right. I had made the decision not to attend Mary's bachelorette party, more in fear of infecting anyone else with this god-awful process, right before her wedding!!!

So, I'm currently sulking, but....everyone else's health is more important. I've heard they're having fun!!!!!

Nursing school....1 month down already. Can you believe it? I'm shocked, where did the time go? It appears to be going well. Hopefully I can just keep it up. Next semester will be tougher because I'll be taking physiology on top of nursing 102...

Dawn's house is up on the market, hopefully it seels soon. You see, the plan is for her and I to head into the city and get an apartment together. Dan is planning on coming with us, so we'll have the Three's company house.

Wedding plans are currently halted. We've settled on a date and a hall, and thats as far as I've gotten! But, I'm totally ok with that. We've got some information on photographers and djs from some of the other weddings we've attended.

I'm seriously looking forward to Mary's wedding next weekend. It's been too long since we've had a Ryan wedding....and it hasn't even been a year!!!! Dan is also excited, he's heard so much about how fun our family weddings can be that he's not really sure what to expect!

Summer's Gone.....

2007-09-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

Long time, no blog. Oh dear, I've been too busy to sleep let alone blog! :)

At the end of August, Dan and I headed north to Garrison, MN with his family for a relaxing week of fishing and basically doing nothing. Unfortunately, Saturday, Sunday and Monday it rained cats and dogs. When we arrived on Saturday afternoon, the owner of the resort said, "nah, we're not gonna get any rain, we're in the middle of a drought!!" Of course, Murphy's law, it rained....a lot. But, we did manage to catch some fish and even get pedicures!!! That was wonderful. Dan's mom paid for the pedicures after I tried, she said..."no! I finally have a daughter to spoil." That was very sweet. Tuesday, we were suppossed to head south to the Twin Cities to see friends and Meg and Joel. Unfortunately, we didn't make it. The weather finally broke, so we decided to stay and get some fishing in. We did manage to get to see my friend Shane and Dan't friend Scott later in the week, we met up at a halfway point. Sorry I missed you Meg! Bad combination of weather, and misplacing your number. We did discover that I am the "greatest fisherwoman ever!" All in all, we had a wonderful week and a lot of fun. It was nice to kick back and relax before life carried on again.

We headed home Friday afternoon and stopped in Chippawa Falls at the Leinenkugels brewery, took the tour, had a couple beers and headed out! Unfortunately, we were there on a cleaning day, so they were not brewing any beer, but we did get to see them do the bottling, that was neat to see.

Saturday, Dan and I had two appointments to view a couple reception halls. Mom and Dad decided to join us on our quest, just in case we wanted their opinions. We had a very productive day, saw two halls, two hotels, one church, and had lunch! All in all, it was a great day.

Sunday we had a wonderful dinner with Dan's family as they stopped to pick up Dan.

Nursing school started Monday August 27. It's kinda tough quite honestly. It's not the content that's hard, it's the fact that this first semester it escentially teaching me to do the job I already have!! I understand it's all a means to an end, but it is tough.

This past weekend, we attended a wedding of good friends of mine. It was so neat be at this wedding, because I had watched their relationship grow from their very first date. It had been so fun to watch them plan and prepare. Here's a picture of Dan and I at the wedding.

Where do I start???

2007-08-05T21:51:00.000-05:00

Had a wonderful weekend. We headed southwest to Oregon, IL to Lake Ladonna Family resort. I hopped a ride with Matt and Tina because Dan was going to be meeting me there a bit later. Fifteen of us headed down, and were on 4 sites. It looked like a little shanty town because there were six couples and then three individuals....a total of nine tents!!!! Couple gazebos, four picnic tables, 16 chairs, six cars, 16 cases of beer, two grills, 40 brats, 64 hot dogs, and a partridge in a pear tree!!! Anyway, we had a wonderful time and all the girls sat and talked wedding stuff, because two of the girls (Adria & Heather) have upcoming weddings, Amalia was just married in July, and then Sam and myself, just dating, and Tina, married 13 years! There was lots of talk of how the proposals went and how the wedding plans were going. Jokingly, I told Dan to take notes :)

We headed home today for an early birthday dinner with the folks. Dad asked me what I wanted and all I asked for was chive potatoes. Dad made a BBQ beef roast on the grill, corn on the cob and chive potatoes. I ate too much at dinner and was overstuffed. I was helping with dishes and mom says to me that we have birthday cake....I said "I ate too much, lets just have cake later, I'm too full now." Then dad was totally insistant that there's always room for chocolate cake. I was not really in the mood to argue (surprisingly) so I sat down at the table. Mom asks if we should sing and Dawn tells me 29 candles is too many to put on the cake. The entire time, I'm sitting at the table and Dan is standing next to me, they all sang Happy Birthday to me and I was about to tell Dan to put the cake down already!!! As they finished the song, Dan put down the cake and I looked at it...it had a ton of writing....Well, I didn't look directly at him, the cake said...."Happy Birthday Amy, Will You Marry Me??" As my eyes welled with tears and I turned toward him, he was on his knee with a ring in his hand, asking me to marry him and make him the happiest man in the world. I said "yes, yes of course I will!!" then of course I planted a kiss on him.

We all celebrated with champagne and the cake that I didn't want to eat. Shortly after all of us had eaten, I asked my parents and Dan....did anyone take a picture of this???? No one thought to take the picture!!!!! I have included a picture of the half eaten cake, please use your imagination with the rest of the cake reading "Will you marry me? I guess Dan asked my Dad's permission to marry me at the Ryan Family Picnic and he's been plotting ever since. Dad was in on the whole thing and Mom found out yesterday!

So, Dan and I are officially engaged!! Yeah!!! No dates are set yet. We have so many Ryan
weddings in 2008, who knows whats gonna happen!!!!

2007-08-03T03:28:00.000-05:00

So, it's been another whirlwind week here. It started this past weekend. Friday night was Mom's bday lots of company for dinner and overall a good night. Saturday I headed to Annet's new home in Bartlett for her housewarming party. I came armed with a tray full of jello shots, which I heard were a big hit! Unfortunately, I could not stay for much more than an hour due to other plans. But, Annet you have a beautiful home, the food was fabulous and the beer cold. What more could we ask for???

Then I headed into Elgin to Holly's new home for Girls Night Out. As always it was a wonderful time. It was a little frustrating before hand because I was driving all over Elgin looking for a grocery store, only to find one blocks away from the house!!!! We planned to head to the Flyers game which started at 620. I think we finally made it at 715!!! Bridget won the first bet and got herself a beer, MOlly was the lucky winner of bet #2 and won $6! We enjoyed some ice cream and a couple beers then piled back into Molly's van to head home. Picked up some pizza and chowed down. As always, we enjoyed each others company, cold beers, awesome pomagranite martini's, taco dip and twizzlers!!!! A long round of 80's trivial persuit and it was time for bed.

Sunday was a recovery day. Thank god, I needed it. Then I started a 4 day stretch at the hospital. I'm trying to pick up the overtime now, before school starts!!!!

Later today I'm headed out to Oregon, IL to go camping with a large group of people from work, ought to be a great time!!!

mom hits a milestone

2007-07-27T10:10:00.000-05:00

Well...it's already been decided that I'm a notoriously bad blogger. I guess I just feel as though I really have nothing new and exciting and my life is actually quite boring and who really wants to read about that??

But anyways....today is mom's 55th birthday. Hopefully she has a wonderful day.

Two weekends ago Dawn, Dan and I joined the Ryans for a camping trip. Dawn proved to be the bags queen. She also made us giggle with her headlamp antics, A*@hole skills, bathroom seeking skills, and her comments about how much work camping is as she watched Dan and I set up and tear down the tent!!! Great time was had by all. Enjoy a few pictures...

Dan had his tonsils and part of his uvula removed last week. The surgery went very well and he's recovering nicely. Plus, he gets the magical benefit of losing 15 pounds in the process....ah, the beauty of surgery! Nah, I'm just kidding, he was a bit miserable for the first couple days but came through like a champ.

Work is work, no changes there.

I officially start nursing school in one month!! It's The Final Countdown...(que in cheesy 80's music)

Looking forward to girls night out this weekend, my work camping trip next weekend, and then I'm off to MN with Dan's family. Meg, Joel, and Jean...watchout...I'll be giving you a call!!!

Are you Dan??

2007-07-09T19:24:00.000-05:00

It was a wonderful weekend. Dan accompanied me on his first (hopefully of many) Ryan Family Picnics. Needless to say he was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of people there!! He later told me that he didn't know if he'd ever remember everyone's name!!! But he felt safe in asking any of the male members of the family if their name was Dan! So, I reassured him that it was ok, eventually he'd figure it out. But a note to the Larry Ryans, and Hagerty's....he's got most of your names down!!! He enjoyed himself tremendously and thoroughly enjoyed soaking me with both egg and water balloon! We also got to reconnect with the Feeney crowd as we don't see them very often. Dennis and his new wife Chelsea were in attendance, and Ray was in from Georgia. As always, good food, good company, great day!

Getting all my stuff together for nursing school. As I mentioned earlier, I have many hoops to jump through before August 1st. I stopped by the school today and realized that my health file is up-to-date, I paid for my security check. Don't you think it would make sense that you do a security background check before they admit you to the program, not before you start classes, because if you don't pass the background check, you are dropped from the program. Hmmm....interesting. All my health check stuff is done, except getting my final TB test read later this week. I have to finish a bunch of computer courses, 20 to be exact, on hospital basics, HIPPA, Patient rights, stuff like that. Now, you see I had to do these exact same computer courses for my job at SAMC, but...they make us do them all over again. Hopefully, I should be done by tomorrow...I only have 4 left!!!

Well, that's all to report! More later....

Back to Basics

2007-06-27T21:09:00.001-05:00

Well, It looks like I'm gonna have to stay on nights. I'm not exactly sure if it's gonna be for the whole time, but in order for me to go to 32 hours per week, I'll only qualify for part time benefits...therefore, I'll have to pay more for insurance and such. So, I'm not really sure how I'm gonna make it work, but I will. Some of my co-workers are willing to do trades with me in order to help me out. If worse comes to worse, I can always work solid weekends, but I really don't want to do that. As it is, I only see Dan every two weeks on my weekend off...if I were to work every weekend, we'd never see each other!!!

Speaking of Dan, he has to have his tonsils removed. He had his final bout of tonsilitis last week. The doc says his tonsils are 4 times the size of normal male adult tonsils! He wants me to spend the week down there playing nurse to him. I don't know yet if I'm gonna go or not. What do you think?

Thats really all I've got for now..

Wish me luck

2007-06-20T12:23:00.000-05:00

Ok ladies and gentleman,

I've decided that working nights is not really working for me anymore. You see, I had a few days off in a row and I realized how convenient it is to live the daytime life. I was up everyday between 4 and 6am, went to the gym, my blood sugar was wonderfully under control! (and it hasn't' been very well under control in quite some time) I mean my blood sugar was under 120 every day!!! That's huge!!! I even lost a couple pounds, didn't feel like such a slug, and was able to communicate with my family, not just live like the sloth in the other room!

I've decided that working nights and going to school full time is going to be a very difficult thing. So, I've decided to cut my hours down and tighten up the budget. I've talked this over with my mom and she agrees. I currently work 3 twelve hour shifts per week at 36 hours total. I'm going to move to 8 hour shifts 4 days per week, 32 hours total. Most likely 3pm-1130pm or 4pm-1230am, while I'm in school. This semester I'm going to be in school Mon/Thur 8am-12pm and Fri 7am-330pm. So, working all night and then going to school, will be just silly. It's gonna be a tough financial decision, but I'll pick up as many hours as I can on my breaks. I think this makes sense right??? The goal is for me to do well in school, and become a good nurse, right? I don't want to spend the next two years of life in an haze of exhaustion.

So, I guess I'm asking that you all say a little prayer for me that my boss is understanding and will do his best to help me out. I'm even willing to bend a little and continue to work overnight 12 on the weekends if I have to. But I really don't want to. Who knows, maybe someday I'll actually get onto a daytime swing and be able to act like a normal human being!!!

What's new

2007-06-18T11:38:00.000-05:00

Not much to report here, but I'll update what I have.

As you all know, I got my information from Harper college. I had to attend orientation and I have to have a bunch of medical stuff like a physical done. So, being the ambitious person I can be, I make the appointment with my physician to have my physical done and my labs drawn. Then I attend the orientation. Now they tell us that we have to have titer levels drawn for all our vaccinations and get shots if our levels aren't high enough. You would think they could have clued us in on this requirement prior to the orientation. Now, I have to have more blood drawn and it'll cost me more money. If they would have given us the initial requirements when they mailed out the health history and physical form, I would have had my doctor's office draw these titer levels!!! UGH. Of course, I can have my blood drawn at Harper for a cost, but their phlebotomist is only on staff Wednesday afternoon 3-6pm and Thursday morning 9am-12pm. Not very convenient when you live farther away and work night shift. Also, I have to have a 2 step TB test done, but they will only administer the TB test on Monday or Tuesday. Does this make any sense??? So, I have to go one day to get the TB test, another to get the blood drawn, another to have the test read, then the second test a week later, then go back to get that read. Now. that's six trips to Harper college!!! Oh man! And, I already checked with work if I could have any of this done there, they said not really, but they would give me copies of what I've had done there so that maybe i can save a little time and money.... I guess it could be worse, but I really hate inconvenience. Oh well, such is life right??

It's gonna be a long two years, but it's worth it!!!

Love

2007-06-11T08:49:00.001-05:00

You know, I knew I was in love with Dan, but if for some reason I wasn't sure about how I felt about him, I got my final notice this past weekend. I spent the weekend with him, and Sunday morning I was woken up with a cup of coffee and Dan playing his accoustic guitar. He wrote me a song!!! And Woke me up by singing to me Sunday morning.

If I wasn't already in love with this man, I'd have fallen head over heels that morning. He promises to record it and give me a copy (so someday you'll all be able to hear it)...in the meantime I had to settle for the lyrics hand written.

The song is called "You're the Better Part of Me" Hmmm...sigh. I'm so happy, I'm in that deleriously happy silliness mode, I've been walking around with a silly grin on my face for two days now!!!

How did I ever find this man who is the sweetest thing??

Sorry about the sappiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to catch up

2007-06-07T01:59:00.000-05:00

Ok, It's been a while, whats new with me?

I was approved by the hospital to pay for school. What this means, is that St. Alexius will pay for me education up to $10,000, and I will owe them 2 years as a nurse once I finish school. Not to shabby! I had to apply for this scholarship/loan after I received my acceptance letter. I received approval earlier this week. Thats a load off.

I ran my first 5K this past weekend. Saturday June 2nd, I ran the Wondergirl 5K down at Montrose harbor. My first one ever. I did not have huge goals for myself...goal #1 finish the race, goal #2 finish in under an hour, goal #3 run the majority of it!!! I successfully accomplished all of the above! Yeah me!! I think I might actually look for another one to train for! The weather was absolutely gorgeous, couldn't ask for anything better. I got a good sunburn, and the only pain I really had was in the heels of my feet. They were really sore for about two days. After that, I was ok.

Later that day I headed up to Roscoe to help Molly celebrate her 30th birthday as a surprise party hosted by her husband and kids. It was a good day, sunshine, good food, good company and cold beer. What more could you ask for???

Dan and I are doing wonderfully. He got some good news himself this past week. He applied for a CAD position in the engineering department at his current job and got the position!! It's a nice upgrade, a bit more money and it gets him out of the hot factory and upstairs to the air conditioned engineering department. If you're anything like me, I had to ask what CAD stood for....Computer Assisted Drafting.

HOpe all are doing well, finished up with their school years and ready to enjoy the summer off!!!

Quick Note, before I go to bed

2007-05-19T09:14:00.000-05:00

I GOT INTO NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!!!

I got my acceptance letter this past Thursday. I was accepted to Harper College Nursing Program. I'll be starting in August 2007 and should be done May 2009. Thanks to all of you who kept me in there prayers as I not so patiently waited to hear the great news!!!!

Hello...Is it me your looking for???

2007-05-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

I'm a horrible blogger!!!

There has been a lot going on in the Karner household lately. Lets see, many of you already may have heard, but maybe not...

Ralph was back in the hospital from May 1st until the 9th. It was a long road. He was pretty sick. He's back home now and doing pretty well. We can't complain too much now. He may even go on his anual fishing trip next week. We all hope he's well enough, but it's a little bit scary to imagine him out in the northwoods of WI, the nearest hospital 2 hours away!!!

Marty got engaged!!! Yeah!!! Colorado wedding....road trip anyone????

I'm still planning on running a 5K in two weeks, but I'm not so sure how I'm going to accomplish the feat. I've been steadily running for 15 to 20 minutes, but thats not even close to 3 miles! :)

I'm still dating Dan and spent a lovely weekend with him for his birthday this past weekend. Things are going very well there and I'm extremely happy!

Hope all are well. Will talk more soon!

Sorry for the delay...

2007-04-23T20:52:00.000-05:00

I'm back!! I realized how long it's been since I've blogged. Oh my goodness, what was I thinking. I kept saying to myself..."I really need to blog, I'll get to it later tonight." and then I never get to it. So, whats new with me?

Dan made the journey from Momence to McHenry a couple weeks ago to meet the family. I forwarned him that I was having a purse party that evening and it might be a little crazy. He was more than welcome to come, but I surely wasn't going to cancel my party. He ventured up here via Metra. Yep, two trains and almost three hours later, I picked him up at the train station. My dad said he must really like me if he's willing to ride the train that long to come see me. I said I was pretty sure he did. So anyways....Dan met the family, and some of the extended family. He got to meet a small group of the Ryans, including..the Hagerty's, Larry Ryan family, Uncle Dan, Gary and Patrick. You see, all the men went to Gary's while the women were here. It was a successful weekend. I'm pretty sure everyone liked him. And those of us present at the Polodori's got to witness Dan's wonderful Kareoke ability, which is better then the rest of us. :) The rest of you can meet him at the picnic and Mary's wedding. I plan to keep this one for a while!!!

I signed myself up for a 5K run on June 2nd. Then I got lazy!!!! I completely stopped training!!!! What was I thinking? I was smoking again, on pretty regular basis and not doing anything physical. So, I kicked the smokes completely about a week ago and did my first run today. It was horrible!!!!! I wasn't too worried about breaking any records, but I really need to get myself back into shape. So, I went back to the old standby and did run 5, walk 5. Thats minutes of course. But I did run 5, walk 5, run 7, walk 3, run 3, walk 4, run 8. Then I was done!!!!! Too tired to continue any further. But I felt pretty good. I just have to do it again tomorrow. I'll be fine for the 5K in June right??? Nice and easy thats the way to get back in.

Also, Dad went back into the hospital today. He started his ATG treatment again today and it's really kind of awful to watch! Last time he got this horrible reaction including muscle tremors that shook his whole body like a seizure. He of course could make light of the situation and called himself the human milkshake! Well, when I got there today, the tremors were just starting. I asked..."oh no dad...are you playing human milkshake again??" I hate this part, but suppossedly I know what to expect while watching this treatment. On the plus side, Dad is healthier going in this time then he was the last time he went through this so, he should take it easier and have better reactions right? That's of course the theory. I personally think he looked worse today then he did the first day of this treatment last July. For those of you who know my dad, you know he's a big, strong, giant of a man, with a heart so big. Imagine this man lying in a hospital bed, shaking from the muscle tremors, looking swollen from all the prednisone, receiving benadryl every hour to avoid allergic reaction, curled up on his side attempting to get comfortable because the medicine makes his back hurt so bad. It's so hard to see my daddy so weak. So, I'm basically a wreck tonight.

A special thanks to those of you who donate blood and platelets. It's people like you who have saved my fathers life last year when he was so ill. I am eternally grateful! Keep up the good work!!!!!

Ok....thats all folks.

Call Me Focker

2007-04-02T08:46:00.000-05:00

Yes that's right, I got to MEET THE PARENTS this weekend. Last week, Dan had invited me to go see his band play in Blue Island on 3/31. Then, he asked me to stick around and come over to his parents home on Sunday to meet everyone. So, of course I agreed, but I was fretting over it all weekend. You see, Dan is an only child, and lives with mom, dad and grandma. So, I was a smidge nervous. I was asked to be there around noon on Sunday. Throughout the week I had asked several different opinions on what to bring. I showed up with mutual friends of ours at Dan's parents house on Sunday afternoon, armed with a box of Fannie Mae chocolates and a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. Immediately his mom gave me a hug and said "oh Amy, it's so nice to finally meet you!" In the back of my head I was thinking...."finally, we've only been dating a little while?" but I rolled with it. Dad was cooking, so he was unable to give me a hug, but informed me to sit down and eat, and handed me a hot cup of coffee. Grandma walked straight up to me, gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and welcomed me. So, my fears were quickly put to rest because everyone was so welcoming. We had a wonderful brunch of "skinnies" known to the rest of us as crepes or Swedish pancakes. Then, we all settled in and just relaxed, watched a couple movies and lounged around. We opened the bottle of wine I brought, it was pretty tasty. The night went very well, and due to the late hour, and the couple glasses of wine, I was asked/encouraged to stay the night. So, I did. I stayed in the guest "loft" and got up bright and early this morning, Dan went off to work and I headed home.

All in all, it was a great day. My favorite kind of Sunday, where you just relax, and chill out all day. Sit back and watch movies not have to rush around anywhere or do anything. When I got home this morning, mom and I sat and had a cup of coffee and she asked if she'd get to meet Dan at the family picnic. I informed her that I hope she gets to meet him sooner than that! :) He's a good egg and I really like him.

Updates Galore....

2007-03-19T15:36:00.000-05:00

Ok, It's been a while and I have many things to update.

Let's start with Nursing school, I did not get accepted, I got wait-listed. I found out that I am in the top 30 on the wait list of 212. So, I guess that good news. The admissions office guy also said that usually 35-40 people get accepted off the waiting list, and I could find out anytime from this week all the way through a week before classes start. I have high hopes. I know that I'm going to be accepted to nursing school this term. I have no question! Actually, I have decided to take this summer off, I'm not going to take any classes at all. It's about time for a break! I have to stay positive.

Dad is being typed and matched for a possible bone marrow transplant. They are also typing his sister and brother now. We are hopeful that there is a match and he can go through with a transplant. Unfortunately we don't know much else right now, they'll educate us more as they have more results and we're sure we're going to head in that direction.

This weekend, my girlfriend and I had planned to meet downtown for the St. Patrick's Day parade and then we were going to see Gaelic Storm at the house of blues. In the meantime, I had met Dan. Due to the distance between us, we do a lot of meeting. I asked him if he's like to join us for the St. Patty's festivities, he said sure. So, we all took three different trains into the city. We booked a hotel room and had a day. The concert was wonderful, so much fun. The parade, fun...I had never been to this parade before, it was a good time. Company was great as well. A little update, it was really cute, Dan asked me what the Claddaugh (sp?) meant, he saw it everywhere but didn't know. You see, he's not Irish at all, a fault I'm willing to look past. I was wearing my ring heart open, free to be taken, upside down. You all get it. After the explaination, he asked me why I was wearing my ring upside down. I asked him "what" He said, I think the dating period is over, will you be my girlfriend. Just you and me? My heart melted a little bit. I mean no one has ever officially asked if I'd be their girlfriend...you know? So, of course I agreed. :) We'll see what happens. He's polite, he had manners, he's kind and good to me. Still taking it slow, but we'll see what happens!

Thats all for now I have another anatomy test to study for!

SATURDA*Y NIGHT!!

2007-03-04T21:07:00.002-06:00

Well, I was supposed to have dinner date on Saturday night. Plans changed. The original plan was to do dinner Saturday night then meet up with a group of friends who's little sister just turned 21. Due to miscommunication, it was decided that the whole group would just do dinner together then the bars downtown. So the group met up at Micah and Bridget's house and loaded into a van to head into the city. Dan and I sat together and chatted the whole ride. He so politely helped me in and out of the van, pulled out my chair at dinner. We partied with the rest of the group, but most of the night we seemed to be in our own little bubble. Everyone was there having a good time, but we just were able to chat and relax and get to know each other. The others probably thought we were being anti-social, but...I don't care!

Then I discovered. He loved Karaoke! yeah!!!....I guess I shouldn't be surprised, he's the lead singer in a band...they usually do enjoy karaoke. And, he's quite good. After a rousing rendition of Black Crowes "Hard to Handle," He asked me what I was going to sing, since there had already been three different renditions of "I Will Survive," and no classic Cher music (ie Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.) I figured I'd just keep to myself and my beer. I did join in on a little "Sweet Caroline" and "Gloria"(that person didn't even know how to do karaoke and stood on stage looking stupid.) Dan politely informed me that I sounded good. I told him thanks, but I didn't need flattery. I know I'm tone deaf and a horrible singer!!!! But I did appreciate the effort!

By four o'clock, we headed home. I got a kiss goodnight and he told me he really liked me and would like to see where this may go. I said we'll see what happens. We live 90 miles apart!!! I'm leaving my options open.

This afternoon, after his band practice, he called me and asked if I was still in the area. I happened to be, so he asked if he could take me to dinner? I accepted. We went out for pizza. So, I got my dinner date after all.

I had a really good time with a very nice person who likes me and wants to see more of me. Lets see what happens!!!!!

Gettin' Anxious

2007-02-27T02:09:00.000-06:00

Most of you know that I applied to Nursing school February 1st. Now, I'm not a dummy, and I do know that it takes a substantial amount of time to receive an answer, but I'll tell you....I'm really getting anxious. I've made a very big decision that I only apply to RN school once. If I don't get in this August, it's just not meant to be. Many of my co-workers have informed me that it's silly for me to give up after only one try. I've decided that I need to get things figured out. I'm 28 years old and need to figure out what I'm going to do when I grow up. So, I'm on the job hunt. My statement is...I'm open to just about anything new, I'm willing to change careeres up until the day I start nursing school. If I get accepted, then I will go through. If not, I'll find something else and start looking at getting my Masters Degree.

In the meantime, I've started a job search. I'm looking for something different. I think I'd really enjoy working with some of the pharmaceutical companies. I'd like something that pays more money, and I'm really looking forward to the paid holidays off, and no weekends. Travel and relocation are not much of an issue for me....any leads? Let me know!

On a plus note...I have a date this coming Saturday. His name is Dan and he's very, very nice. We had the proverbial "hook up" last weekend. I went to see his band play because I'm friends with the wife of the bass player. We chatted, things went well, he kissed me goodnight. Now, we have a date this coming weekend. Now, one of the harder things is that he lives in the south suburbs. I know many of you are thinking..."oh no...he's in a band" Which is true, and I would have worried if he didn't have a college education and full time job. His band is his part time gig. I don't have too many expectations, but we'll see what happens! I'm just happy to be going on a date.

TTFN

Training

2007-02-20T01:46:00.000-06:00

I recently purchased a book called, The Non-Runners Guide to Running a Marathon. Now, let me give you a little background as to why I would buy such a book. People look at me and state...there is no way she's a runner. Which is entirely true. I'm not a runner. I used to be, but was never really good at it and never truly enjoyed it. I can only once remember that runners high....That was back in the day and I felt fabulous because we had to do a five mile run as punishment as for as tired as I was, I was able to do it. Now since then, I've not run much more than three miles at a time, and for the past 5 years, I haven't done any running at all!!!

So, back to my story. I wanted to get back into running. I have no plans of running a marathon, but I really liked what these authors had to say and the training program they had laid out. They started with a beginning training session that was about ten weeks long, starting from beginner to more advanced. I figured I was somewhere in the middle, so thats where I started myself. I started myself with this training regiment...jog 5min, walk 5min, repeat twice for a total of 30 minutes. The first time I did it I thought i was gonna die. Initially I thought...who can't jog for five minutes....I barely made it! The last 5 min segment was grueling. (and quite honestly i certainly wasnt' moving that fast!!!) But, I got through week one. In fact on day three, I actually was able to jog for 15 consecutive minutes. That felt wonderful!!!!

So, this is week two. The temp hit like 38 degrees today, a tropical heatwave from the cold snap we've been dealing with. So, I decided to jog outside today rather than at the gym. This weeks training is jog 10 min, walk 5 min, repeat twice. For a total of 30 minutes. It's so much harder to actually jog outside. In the cold, on the pavement, with hills...I didn't even make my first 10 minutes...I only made it 8. I was a bit disappointed, but then again i said to myself....You're a beginner Amy, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. If you can't run 10 minutes today, maybe you can tomorrow. Needless to say, I did manage to jog my full 10 minutes the second go round. Barely! But, it was a huge accomplishment, for me.

Lets see what the rest of the week and next week bring me. I feel so good after this little bit. I'm going to start looking for some little races to do...like a 3K, not that I'm in for the competition, but something to push me a little bit. I'll start looking for thoses after i know I can jog 30 minutes straight, which at this rate is about 4-5 weeks from now. We'll see.....

I hate Winter!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-13T20:21:00.000-06:00

Ok, So....I had my first anatomy lab test this afternoon. Last night, I hoped and prayed for a school closing due to the weather. I woke up this morning to check the Harper website and it says....morning classes on, check after 10am for news about afternoon classes. Being that my class is at 1100 and my lab at 140pm, I figured I'd check back... But, do I leave early due to the icky weather...(it was snowing and blowing and really yucky with about two inches already) or do I wait and check the website at 10 that way I might not have to leave at all. I chose option number 2. Alas...afternoon classes are on, decisions will be made by 3pm for evening classes. UGH!!!!!!! Now I have to drive through this crap. Harper's excuse..."unlike K-12, we have the ability to make school closing decisions throughout the day and we don't have to close for the entire day"

My answer to this response was....unlike K-12, all your students have to drive to school!!!!!!!!!!

So, needless to say, I drive through all the crap and know that it's only going to get worse as the day goes on!!! I get to Harper at about 1110, not too bad...only ten minutes late, and I didn't have to look for a parking spot which in and of itself is a miracle because usually you have to follow someone from the door to their car and then wait for them to leave.

I go running into class, removing my coat, hat, and gloves before I enter the lecture hall in order to keep my entrance as quiet as possible. Lucky for me, half the class was empty, so I was able to slide into an empty seat in the back row and quiety take out my notes...it wasn't too hard to catch up. Now, as I said earlier, half the class was empty...was this because of the weather or because we had our first lab test and it was everyones last ditch effort to study. I'll go with number 2. SO, on the lecture goes...topic for the next test not even remotely connected with the stuff we need to know for later this afternoon, so therefore no one in class, including me, is paying any form of attention to what he's saying, so he says about half and hour early..."alright, I'm done, no one is paying any attention to me anyways. You guys just keep studying for your test this afternoon. If you don't know it by now, you won't. I'll see half of you at 140 and the rest of you at 330."

So, I head to the lab and sit and wait. I studied nice and hard and hoped and prayed that I was ready to go. The professor let us in about 10 minutes early, I put all my stuff away and went at the test with full gusto! Halfway through the test, he anounces that we all must be done by 3pm, because the school is closing. Now, normally we have lab until 320. I finished the test in about an hour and handed it in. Then I had to venture out to my car and dig it out of the yucky snow and head back home. So, due to Harper's stupid rules, I had to drive through the crappy weather twice and take my test. While the other class got to sit at home and not take their test! Go Figure!!!

I'm really not to impressed with Harper college at this time. I don't think they had the concerns of their students in mind, when they decided to keep classes open today. UGH!!

I'm back

2007-02-06T10:24:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I was so politely informed that it's been way too long since I"ve updated. Then I checked, and it's true.

Whats up with me....I had a wonderful weekend. Girl's night out was prosperous and fun and definitely neccessary. We have to do those more often ladies. We laughed, we ate....a lot! I broke my diet for this fun filled extravaganza and let me tell you, I paid for it. My stomach was so unhappy with me the next day!!!! But I sat and watched my beloved Bears start out a wonderul Superbowl, just to pack it up and go home after the first quarter. Oh well....what's Chicago's famous saying...or maybe it's just Cubs fans....there's always next year!!!

Monday I went back on the diet, lots of chicken and fish, little carbs, lots of veggies. For dinner dad and I had steak...my first red meat in weeks, oh did it taste wonderful. Then I headed off to work. About halfway there, I started to feel nauseas. I thought to myself...ah, no big deal, it'll go away. About two hours into my night I was calling around looking for someone to come in for me. I had several trips to the bathroom in very few hours. Finally I got coverage and now I'm heading home. I've been in bed since!!! I'm dealing with a very unpleasant bout of gastroenteritis. More commenly known as the stomach flu!!! I don't know what I did to deserve this but I'll tell you, I'm absolutly miserable.

Ok, I've updated, now i'm going back to bed! I'm attempting to eat some crackers in hopes that they'll stay down.

New week

2007-01-16T18:18:00.000-06:00

Today I started school. Now, I took Human Anatomy about 5 or 6 years ago at Harper college, and didn't do too well. I was in that "I'm 22, I'm already a paramedic, I know this stuff, so I don't have to study real hard and don't really have to attend class." WAY WRONG ANSWER. I got a D. Newsflash....you do have to attend class and study!!! So, I took a few years to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life and as many of you know decided upon Nurse. So, here I am again. I even have the same teacher, so hopefully I'll be a bit brighter this term.

The Biggest Loser update....My camera was MIA, therefore no pictures yet. But...I found it and the battery is dead! So....It's currently charging. We'll get those pics to you soon. But, I've been a total slacker, not been at the gym in over a week, been eating crappy too. Alas, I'm down three pounds!!!! Yeah me! I know it's probably a total fluke and next week I'll be up 12!! :)

I'm currently battling a head cold. I hate these things. MY head feels as though it's going to explode from the pressure and I'm sneezing like crazy. But I have to have kleenex to sneeze with otherwise I'll sneeze snot all over myslef or other people. I think I should have stock in Kleenex and Purell hand sanitizer because I use both like they're going out of style!!!!!!!

I took my NLN test (Nursing entrance) at the beginning of January. Now, I was definitely nervous about this because it had been years since I had taken any type of standardized test. I Got my scores back...I scored in the 98% overall....so, I did well. Hopefully well enought to get me into nursing school starting this August.

Thats all for now folks!!!

2007 a New Year, New Beginnings

2007-01-04T20:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I had my fitness assessment at the gym. This is where you go in and they weigh you, measure you, test your vital signs, stregth, flexibility, and aerobic ability. Then, they take all this data and put it into a fancy computer program in order to tell you about you!

So, I show up for my assessment after a 12 hour work shift, only to find that I have a young, cute trainer named John. He starts with my vitals. Here is where I was actually happy. My blood pressure was 114/68, pulse 72, respiratory rate 16 and pulse ox of 98%. He says..."your pulse rate is slightly elevated and your blood pressure isn't too bad" What?? I thought that was pretty good considering I'm overweight, a recent ex-smoker, and just worked 12 hours! Also, normal pulse rate is from 60-100 and we don't worry about blood pressure until it's 130/80 depending on risk factors. I was a little perturbed that! I've since talked with a couple of my co-workers...nurses and docs and figured out that I was right, my vitals were just fine!!! So, next is on to the aerobic ability test. This is 5 minutes on the treadmill at a rate of 3.5, the first minute is at no incline, then they have it move to a 5% incline for the remaining four minutes. While I'm chugging away on the treadmill, they ask you to rate how tired you are on a scale from 1-10. 10 being you're so tired you're ready to collapse. I managed to stay in the less than 5 range for the entire test. Next is the fabulous sit and reach test. Now, I've never been very flexible, for as long as I can remeber!!! So, I sit down with my feet against the box and I push the little tab, I think the number I reached was 13. I think this is inches and yes again....not flexible at all!!! Oh well, more to work on. Next was the strength test. I had to do pushups. I did 14, but only 10 of them counted because my form wasnt' very good. He asked if I could do more, but I quickly informed him no....as I could feel my back buckling and my form going to crap. I figured I wouldn't be able to push myself back off the floor if I got all the way down again! Finally I step on the scale and they enter my weight, height, then this fabulous machine measures out your body fat percentage....in my case it screamed...."get off you big fatty fatterton!!! Only one on the scale at one time!!!!" Ok, not really, but thats what I felt like. Now I go back to the gym on Saturday morning for a meeting with John again. He's going to put me through the motions of my workout designed just for me! He already forwarned me that it was going to involve a lot of cardio in order to bring down my body fat. I was strong, but needed to lose the excessive fat. A feat mainly obtained by a lot of cardio work and not a lot of lifting! So....we'll see

I've also joined my own biggest loser campaign with my family. I have three months to reach my first goal. What better motivation then fellow family members, and money??? Now, I wanted to attempt to run the shamrock shuffle at the end of March. This is a 5mile run. I now have come to the realization that I will most likely not be in shape for this run, but I'll probably head down to the city to cheer on my fellow family members who are able to do the run!!! We'll see, maybe I'll do a late sign up, depending on how fast I get my booty in shape!!!! I have hopes to get myself in shape and lose a lot of this excessive weight.

Happy New Year!!!

2006-12-31T17:35:00.000-06:00

Current time: 5:35pm New Year's Eve. Current plans....relax with some movies and the Bears Game.

Although I had a couple offers/party plans tonight, due to the tough night at work last night and sheer lack of sleep today (who know's why I'm not sleeping) I've decided to turn down all invitations for a drunken New Year celebration, in order to relax on my couch in my jammies!

I've got movies, Bears vs. Packers, popcorn and beer...what more does a girl need???

Happy New Year All.....may 2007 be a happy and healthy one!!! I myself am very excited!!!!

bat your eyes like this...and pucker your lips like this

2006-12-29T11:50:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!! Now that all the Christmas stuff is done. Ah...but this year was nice. It was the first year that I didn't have to work one of the Christmas days, which was very nice. We had a wonderful time with the Ryans on Christmas Eve and Karner's on Christmas day. Santa was very good to me!!! I got a gift certificate for an automatic start for my car!!! Yeah, no more climbing into a freezing cold car after 12 hours on my feet at the ER! Yeah, my car will finally be nice and toasty. In reference to the title, I'm currently watching my new copy of "The Little Mermaid" one of the classice Disney films ever made.

Now we look forward to New years. Now, in the past I've had several different New YEars escapades, many of which weren't really all that exciting because they usually involved working. I think my most memorable was seeing The Bodeans down as Navy Pier brining in the new year of '03. Last year sucked becuase I was newly single as of that morning. Now, we are ending yet another year. I think I'm going to spend the evening in Roscoe IL, with the Gorskis. What better way to spend the evening then with family and friends who love you!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has marvelous plans for the New Year!

"be gentle this time"

2006-12-13T20:21:00.000-06:00

Many of you know I've started a new job at Good Shepherd ER as well as St. Alexius. It's very part time, like one shift a month. I figured it got me "in" the Advocate system, which will open some doors and possibilities once I graduate from nursing school. (Advocate owns many of the area hospital and several different trauma centers including...Good Samaritan, Lutheran General, Illinois Masonic, Christ. Lots of hospitals....good system.) So, I started working there sometime last month. I worked in the ER last night from 11pm-730 this morning. We had this beautiful little girl come in sick. Dad said she was vomiting all day and just not feeling any better. This poor little thing was very dehydrated and we had to start an IV. Sandie and I walked in to start the IV, explaining that we were going to put a straw into the tunnel in her arm under her skin, so we could put the water in. We told her there was going to be a prick and it was going to hurt for a little bit, but then it would go away. The poor thing says...."I'm gonna need a bandaid when you're done" So, we go to start the IV, and she is so dehydrated, the vein blows. We explain that we have to do it again because it didn't work. The nurse hands me the stuff and asks me to start the IV. Ok, this little peanut looks me straight in the eyes with her ginormous brown doe eyes and says..."be gentle this time ok?" Oh, my heart broke into a billion pieces. But, we got the IV and that little girl got her bandaid.

On a happier note, I joined the gym, yesterday . I joined the gym that is associated with Good Shepherd hospital. I went the other day and signed my life away for a one year commitment. But, I'm excited and we'll see how it goes. After I was given my membership card, the staff member asked me if I was going to go do my first workout this morning...I polity informed him...no, I'm gonna go home and go to bed. But, I did do my first worlout this morning after work. I did a simple 25 minutes on the treadmill and then followed it up with 10 minutes on the bike. And, while I'm no where near running a marathon, or even a mile....I'll get in better shape. Let me just say how clean and nice the facilities are! Also, the staff nurse called me today to say she looked at my exercise and health questionarre and saw that I was diabetic. She informed me that there are free classes available for diabetics as well as a diabetes workout program made especially for diabetics, and would that be something I was interested in? That impressed me, that within 24 hours, a staff member reviewed my file and contacted me on how to best serve my needs.

Now, I have questions....shin splints and plantar fasciaitis....help!!!!!!!! I know how to stretch out the plantar fascia, but any ideas how to rid myself of it??? Also, shin splints ....what do I do about these?????

Where do I start????

2006-12-10T05:51:00.000-06:00

Pics of 6th annual Ryan pub crawl

It's been too long. Do I blame the end of the school year, starting of a second job or just plain laziness? I'm probably gonna have to go with the third answer. So, here it goes....

I'm sitting here this morning thinking of the past couple weeks. So, lets recap...

6th annual Ryan pub crawl....oh so much fun, dancing, drinking, laughter, and, I made it through the night without one single cigarette! Yeah me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

School's ending. I take my last test for my horrible psych class this coming monday. All I can say is thank God it's over. Next month I start Anatomy. Another busy class, but much more interesting then developmental psychology. Did anyone like that class? Meg, what were your thoughts??

I'm filling out my applications for nursing school. Everything is due by February 1st. I hope I can get in. Say a prayer, wish me luck....whatever it takes!!!!!

Love life....still dormant. I went out with a guy a couple weeks ago, kind of a hey, we're all going out why don't you join us....you know the perpetual "hook up" Problem being, I didn't know I was being hooked up until about an hour before hand. Now, granted I knew this person and had known him for a couple years, nice guy, very cute, but relatively dumb when it comes to girls and not all that quick on the uptake. I just wasn't expecting my girlfriend to say..."hey aim, why don't you date mark...." yeah, thats pretty much how it went. needless to say, mark is a clueless ass... we had a good night and things were going ok until...he asked me if i wanted to go over to the Red Roof in to "scratch an itch." Yeah, thats exactly what he said. What an ass. Let's just say I probably won't be talking to mark any time soon.

In early november I started a new second job at another local ER. I'm working there very part time. But, I'm having a hell of a time getting my schedule together. At first, HR didn't schedule me for orientation properly, so...I only went to one day rather than 4! Ooops....but all was well my boss determined that it was HR's fault and not me being a dumbass. Then I got scheduled for orientation earlier this month and went to about 2 hours worth. I had worked the night befoe at the other ER and left with my eye all red and swollen again. yep, I had orbital cellulitis again!!!! In the same eye! I left early and called to doctor to get a prescription and find out what the heck is going on! So, needless to say I didn't finish orientation this month either. So, I wasn't really sure if I was going to have a job or not. Friday afternoon, I received a phone call that said, yes, I have a job but I must go to orientation in January. Now, I have to rearrange my schedule for my "real job" all around in order to attend orientation which is just a bunch of sitting and listening. It's so hard to stay awake!!!!!!!!!!! But, I want to keep this job because they have a gym and spa which is directly en route to my other job, therefore I have to pass it at least 6 times per week. Plus the membership dues are payroll deducted, so...I'm gonna take advantage of that perk. Get fit is definitely a 2007 goal!!!!

Well, I guess thats all for now. I'll have to be a better blogger!!! :)

2006-11-28T20:39:00.000-06:00

It's coming to the end of my school semester and things are getting a wee bit stressful. Of course, I'm the procrastinator, so I really can't bitch too much!! I have all my video notes due on the 4th of December which is yeah, thats right less than one week away. But not to fret, I'll get it all done. I'm actually starting today!

On a good note, we had the 6th annual Ryan Pub crawl this past weekend. I think it's safe to say that everyone had a good time.

ok, off to the video notes

What a great time

2006-11-20T08:13:00.000-06:00

To those of you who missed Dawn's bday, we had a wonderful time and we're sorry you couldn't make it!!!

We started the night at Dawn's humble abode for some pizza and beer. By the time Mom, Dad and I showed up, the pizza was almost gone!!!

But we were able to surprise Dawn with a limo ride from her house to Hogs and Kisses in Lake Geneva. What a blast!! We danced the night away, had a few libations and had a really good time.

Dawnie, I hope you had a wonderful time, the pictures sure look like you did!!!

Bridget and Kate, we can do it all over again at the pub crawl!!!!! Molly, will you make it this Saturday for the crawl? I hope so, it'll be your first time!!!!!!!!!!!!

See everyone Thursday!!!

Before I forget

2006-11-11T00:40:00.000-06:00

Saturday November 18 is DAwn's 25th birthday. She want to go out in Lake Geneva. We're trying to get something together for her. If you're interested in going, let me know. I have some more plans, but for fear that she might read this, I have not included those plans!!! Hope many of you can attend!!!

long time gone

2006-11-11T00:27:00.000-06:00

ok, so it's been a long week. i quit smoking over two months ago. Now, I've had a cheat here and there, but I think it's like five cigarettes total. Not too bad. My cholesterol is down, so that a really good thing. But...i miss it. I still go outside and visit with my friends when they smoke and I haven't changed anything in that aspect, but there are times when I have a cold beer in my hand that I really want a smoke. Am I nuts? No, I'm just an ex-smoker.

Oh, as promised....pics of my halloween costume....

Oh no, not again!!!

2006-11-02T21:19:00.000-06:00

Have you ever done anything a little on the stupid side and totally regretted it later? Wait, it only gets better....have you then repeated this action thinking that something might be different this time?

I made a poor decision about 10 months ago and regretted it for quite a while, beat myself up over it, then finally moved on.

Only to follow through and do it again....same situation, same players, same results. Nothing like waking up in the AM and saying "oh no, not again!!!"

Guess one too many Juniper Blush martini's clouds ones judgement.

change of plans

2006-10-26T19:15:00.000-05:00

Perhaps I should change my halloween costume from angel to pirate, I'm sitting here on my bed typing this blog with a patch over my left eye. Yep, I'm the one-eyed blogger at this time. Let me explain a little bit better.

Tuesday, as I was running a bunch of errands I noticed my left eye was starting to hurt a little bit. Nothing too extreme, but enough to bother me. Then as the night progressed, the pain got worse. I woke up Wednesday morning at about 730 am and my eye really hurt badly. So, I took a look in the mirror and thought I had pink eye. My left eye was swollen and sore, so I called work and had to call off for Wednesday night because I thought I had pink eye. I called one of the ER docs and asked him to call in a prescription for pink eye. I went to Walgreens, picked up the script and started taking the drops. But the pain was still there, and my vision was a bit blurry, So much so that I was unable to drive!!! I go to bed, wake up at 8ish on Thursday morning, only to find out that my eye looks worse!!! HOw is this possible? I've been taking the drops since last night, how can it be worse. I also noticed that my eye wasn't all crusted shut like you usually see with pink eye, and the inside of my eye wasnt' really pink either. It was just the outside of my eye that looked awful. Never fear, I called the MD and got in to see him today. Five hours later and CT scan, he says it Ocular cellulitis. I guess I had a sty that went a little crazy and caused cellulitis around my left eye. He sent me for a CT to make sure that I didn't have an abcess in my sinus cavity...if I had, I wouldn't be writing this right now, I'd have been admitted in the hospital. So, I'm home now with high dose antibiotics, and a patch over my eye so that I can focus on my reading or the tv. I'm off work until this is all cleared up! The doctor has a sense of humor and informed me that "you Karner's are keeping me in business this year"

I don't know if I'll be able to attend my halloween party this weekend....perhaps I should put a hunch in my back and go as Quasimoto!!!!

daytime population

2006-10-24T20:06:00.000-05:00

I worked the entire weekend, so I had yesteredeay and today off. Yesterday, I had grand plans to stay awake most of the day and go to sleep early in the evening. I did some homework and checked my email. Then Dawniepie came over to visit and we went through some of the mess that is in the basement. But...that discovery lead to finding all my yearbooks, let me tell you that was an interesting trip down memory lane!!! Then I decided to relax, take a little nap because I was very sleepy. I lied down at 2pm and woke up a couple hours later...MIDNIGHT!!! Oh no! Now I'm up for the night! Great!! I was finally able to go back to sleep around 4.

I got up today at 7am. I did some research on my social policy project for a couple hours. Then I headed out into the land of the living. I went shopping. I managed to get my sister's birthday gift. A new bag for my laptop. Dawn's bday gift from my mom. And, I found my halloween costume!!! I went to Party City and they have some fabulous costumes and you're allowed to try them all on, but...they don't have a mirror. What kind of insanity is that? It's in interesting procedure. They have a wall of pictures, all with numbers on assigned to them. You have to find a sales rep and tell them what number costume you want and the size involved. So, I pick out like five different costumes, but I figured I'll only try on two at a time. I went for the Goldilocks costume, it seemed to fit ok, but I couldn't see what I looked like without a mirror. Then I looked at the price tag. $60 for just a dress...no thanks. I settled on costume #2, and angel. It was comfy in the store and in the right price range, so...we have a winner.

Whats your halloween costume?

Weekend Blues

2006-10-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

So, I worked last night and was informed that one of my favorite Charge nurses is leaving us. She has had enough with our directors and their BS and has decided to take leave of SAMC. She is going back to Victory Hospital in Waukegan...take care Tracy, we'll miss you and your non-Nazi Charge RN ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I went to church at my old church. St. John the Baptist in Johnsburg, IL. Now, except for my girlfriends wedding, last October, I haven't been to mass at that church in quite sometime. But I was informed by both my mother and sister that the new priest was wonderful. So, I sat through 9am mass conducted by Father Watt this morning. During the processional, Dawn leaned over and informed me that he looks like Ben Franklin in the movie version of 1776, and indeed he does!!! Also, Father Watt likes to sing. So now I'm in mass over tired and a little warm and I have my mother saying "the turkey is a noble bird" and Dawn acting like she's holding a cane and doing the the little Ben Franklin dance from above such movie! Needless to say, I was very, very sleepy and started an uncontrollable fit of giggling!!!! I felt like a little kid again! Then I got the look from Rose, she was giving me the 'angry eyes' What did she expect? I'm flanked by two of you making me think of one of my favorite movies ever and picturing the singing priest signing the declaration of independence....hello? I know, I know I should be able to better behave myself while in church.

But, overall the church thing went well, I did like the priest and perhaps I'll continue to visit that chuch. And then we came home and Ralph made us all French toast for breakfast. Dawnie fixed my hair and then I was off to bed....snoozeville for the vampire.

I missed a first birthday party...sorry Kate and Maggie, I was napping!

Now it's time to dive back into the wonderful world of Psych. Big test number three this week.

Pass the word

2006-10-14T01:25:00.000-05:00

Not much to post today...but here is some interesting info....

Here is a book, written by my cousin's friend, Alison Strobel Morrow.It's called Violette Between, and can be purchased at

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1578567947Read the first chapter of the book online!http://www.americanfamilysuperstore.net/e/firstchapter.asp?mode=view&index=470

You can also read Alison's blog here. (http://blog.alisonstrobel.com)

Here's a quick synopsis:Violette is the quintessential artist: passionate, emotional and full of life. After suffering a great loss, she finds herself enamored with a new relationship and asking if it is truly time to move on. Christian lost his wife years ago and understands Violette's pain firsthand. He offers her a chance to love once more, and hopes to build a future with the spirited artist. But just as Violette and Christian begin to feel something unexpected, tragedy strikes again. Violette retreats into her past -- and she finds that she may not want to come back. This is a captivating novel that asks what is more precious: the memories of one who is gone... or the memories waiting to be made with someone new?Hope you enjoy it!

It looks quite interesting and I plan to read it. So, take a look and pass the word!!!!!!!!!

The Ultimate Creamer

2006-10-12T15:40:00.000-05:00

My co-workers and I are on a hunt to find the Ultimate Coffee Creamer. I understand this might seem a silly quest to some people, but for those of us who do drink coffee, a lot of it, and can't stand it black. Flaver is the craze. There are a wide variety of flavors out there with which to tease your palate. Here are some of them and our thoughts on each. Please feel free to add your vote to the mix

French Vanillla, Vanilla Chai Spice, Cinnamin Vanilla, Southern Butter Pecan, Original, Carmel Vanilla, Coconut Creme, Creme Bruele
;
Then there are the seasonals....Peppermint Mocha, Eggnog,

I'm sure I'm missing some, but whatever....

Our favorite seems to rank towards French Vanilla, Carmel Vanilla, Peppermint Mocha, and Vanilla Chai Spice.

French Vanilla is a standard stanby...it's always good, can you ever get sick of it??

The Chai one you can only take in small doses.

The Cinnamin Vanilla is good, but just not that good.

Peppermint Mocha is a wonderful flavor that is only out to tease us around Christmas time. This might be my absolute favorite.

I personally haven't tried the Creme Bruele, Eggnog, or Coconut Creme. This is due to the fact that I don't care for these flavors in real life, why would I want them in my coffee???

Ok, I guess there is no point to this blog, but it's fun to see everyone's opinion. Do you have a favorite flavor???? :)

No paradise here

2006-10-11T00:25:00.000-05:00

I have become a creature of the night. I've worked nights long enough now that I am more comfortable sleeping during the day and being up at night. At 1am, no matter what kind of sleep I've gotten, I'm usually wide awake. So therefore, it's very odd for me to work days. Yet, today I ventured out into the land of day shifters and picked up an extra shift at work. We have a shift bid at work called Eshift. This functions much like eBay. We are able to "bid" on available shifts, which pay us more money. The average pay for these shifts is like $6-$8 more an hour. So, I have decided to pick up random shifts here and there. Now, for the most part, I usually pick up shifts starting at either 3pm or 7pm, but today...I picked up from 11 am-7pm. This was absurd!!! Although it was absolutely wonderful to be done with work at 730pm...day shift people are mean!!!!!!!!!!!! In the hospital world, they are needy, and unfriendly. It seems as though everyone is out to help themselves and no one wants to help anyone else?? Is it because we are shorter staffed at night that we work better together? Everyone seems much more willing to help everyone else. I was asked by several of the day shift nurses when I was going to swich to days and wouldn't I much rather work days....I was quick to inform that it would be awhile before I was anywhere close to working day shift. I like my night shift cronies!!! We're more of a team then I witness on the day shift.

Also, just a little note. I don't like Psychology. I'm currently enrolled in Human Development, I find this class absolutely boring!!!! My class is an internet course, so I don't have any fun lecture like Meg where I get to bust out in song along with Meatloaf....you're a lucky lady Meg!!!!

catching up

2006-10-10T00:51:00.000-05:00

I have become a fan of Grey's Anatomy, but before I was only home every other Sunday night and usually forgot to set the tape, or the tape setting malfunctioned. Now, the show has moved to Thursday nights. Consequently, I'm rarely home then either. I asked my sister if she happened to tape the show. Sadly, no. But....Dawn informed me that you can watch it online at abc.com. So....I was able to get completely caught up on the season so far. Yeah!!! The internet is a wonderful thing!!!

closing and camping

2006-10-09T00:41:00.000-05:00

Ok....So, I had my official closing on Friday September 29th!! I am no longer a home owner. I have mixed feelings about this. I had a very short time to collect myself, and move all my stuff out. Two and half weeks to be precises. I gave away most of my furniture, donated it. I learned the true meaning of "one man's trash is another's treasure." As I was gathering everything and placing it out for the AmVets folks to pick it up, my neighbor decided to pick through all my stuff and take what she needed. As I came out to leave for work, she asked me if I was giving this stuff away. I couldn't help myself and I had to play devils advocate...(I know, I'm going to hell) I so inocently said to her..."well, what if I wasn't giving it away? are you going to give me my luggage and crock pot back?" She stuttered a bit and said..."oh, I just assumed that you were giving it all away because it's outside, next to your garage door. " (mind you next to the garage, not on the curb) I told her she could have the stuff and to feel free to take it, but perhaps in the future she should wait to know that it's a give away.

So, back to the begining i left my couch, desk, a coffee table, christmas tree, desk and table and chairs. When I got home later that day. I had found that AmVets decided not to take the desk, christmas tree and one of my neighbors left me their speakers. Funny, there were no speakers when I left for work? Hmmm.....oh well.

So, I get the house all cleaned up and i had my slideshow of memories crying jag as I sat on in the middle of the living room floor s/p cleaning. Then, i left the house.

Friday is here. I show up for the closing and her realator (they buyers) informs me that the house looked absolutly wonderful and clean but I forgot to clean the oven. Ooops!!!

Closing is successful, I'm no longer a homeowner. But, all is for the better. I'm completely moved back into my home with Rose and Ralph. I sleep during the day, they sleep at night, so I just have to make sure not to wake them when I come home at odd hours of the night!

Immediately following the closing, i headed out to Oregon, IL for a relaxing weekend camping with some friends. We had a wonderful time. I learned that I CAN actually put up a tent with minimal help!! Although it was a bit cold, we had a wonderful time.

Everything Happens For a Reason

2006-09-13T06:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my first day back after handing in my resignation. Let me tell you, it wasn't the easiet day! I got run like a dog while other cars sat. Did I expect anything different? No, not at all. But....as I said, everything happens for a reason.

At about 530 last night while I was running what seemed like my 50th call (ok, in actuality it was only about 5) my phone rang. Of course because I was with a patient, I ignored the call. When I was able to check the phone, I had seen that it was my realtor that had called. I really wasnt' so excited about this, because I was sure they were setting up yet another appointment for someone to look at my pad during prime sleeping hours! Well, I checked the voice mail, and it was my actual realtor, not just the office! I got an offer on my house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!! They offered a little less than my asking price, but not too low. So, I accepted the offer! The only draw back is that the new owners want to close on September 29th. I immediately said "thats fine! I'll be out!" I think my realtor was a little surprised in how accepting I was of that term!

So anyways, I guess my point here is...I buried St. Joseph, two weeks ago. I quit the job that causes me more stress and headache and worry than in ever necessary, and I put my faith in God. All things worked out wonderfully for me. So, keep me in your prayers that nothing goes wrong with the contract! And all works smoothly. I guess I'll be back in McHenry by October!!!!

Life

2006-09-10T08:53:00.000-05:00

I have made many larger than life decisions for one little girl lately. Many of you know that my house is on the market, let me tell you, not a good time!! I have also recently decided to resign my position with the ambulance company I work for. I handed in my letter of resignation on Friday September 8th. I did give the traditional two weeks notice, although I really wanted to run in and yell...."I QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA HA!!!" After some thought I figured that would be a little on the unprofessional side, and probably not taken too well. So, I typed up the very professional letter stating my last day of availability would be 9/20.

Although I know that the current company I work for is a poison in my life, it has been a very big decision to quit. The original plan was to wait until the house sold, and then quit. But I couldn't take much more of my boss. Let me fill you in on my boss. Ok, you need a mental picture...he's about 5'8", an ex-marine, and coverered in tattoos. He has a little bit of little man syndrome, so he likes to bluster about and yell at people all the time in order to make them feel inferior to him or at least to cause intimidation. I had never really been yelled at by him, not directly anyways. Then, the other morning I'm at the end of a 24 hour shift, I'm so tired and I'm washing the truck. He is ranting and raving at the top of his lungs about incomptent and overpaid paramedics! Well, I'll tell you, I am far from overpaid and I am absolutely not an "incompetent paramedic." That was the final straw for me. I decided that I don't need to work for a man who doesn't respect the work I do for him. Not when I have the education and ability to walk into just about any other ambulance company tomorrow and will most likely be offered a job on the spot! So, I decided to quit. And a little plus for me was that two other paramedics handed in their resignations as well!!!

So as of now, I'm broke, waiting for my house to sell and down to just one job! I put all my faith in God that he will take care of me and make all things right with the world.

I have arrived

2006-09-10T08:49:00.000-05:00

Well, I've decided to join my family in the world of Blog. I have a blog on myspace.com, but not everyone can read it there. So, I've decided to share the humor that is my life with everyone here. Welcome to my page!!!