A Peak at My Life

2010-10-18T18:12:00.003-05:00

Introducing

Here's little miss at 7 weeks

I realize that she will be two months old this week, so I'm a bit behind on this...but here's Emma Grace. Born August 28th, 2010, 6 lbs 5 oz 19 inches long. She was born at 8:51 after a long induction!!

She's the love of our lives, and already has changed so much!! We couldnt be happier, she's a great sleeper and eater and just makes life so exciting and so much fun *and of course work*.

I'm still off work, going back Nov. 11th. I was able to take 10 weeks off, so that's been great. I'm getting excited to go back though, I cant really get a lot accomplished when I'm at home with her. Just small things which kind of drives me crazy.

I suppose, that's really about it. We have a great baby! We're very blessed parents! Thinking of having baby number two (or at least creating said baby) next year. Love you all :) G'day!

2010-05-10T10:58:00.003-05:00

So, as you can see-I've done a bit of developing lately. The first picuture was at 10 weeks. The second, at 23 weeks. Makes me scared for what 30+ weeks is going to look like!

From 14 weeks or so on, I've been feeling great and really been enjoying pregnancy. Very few side effects, minor swelling and just minimal discomfort. So, it's been a great ride thus far. (I'm not disillusioned enough to think it's going to stay this way, I promise). Of course I've been having pregnancy brain, though I've seemed less fuzzy lately. Still have moments where I cant remember shit, drop shit, etc. It's entertaining, I'm sure.

I have one more 4 week OB appointment, and then it's on to every 2 weeks. Luckily, my OB office is just in the parking lot of my place of employment. Score :)

I'm not, however, delivering at my place of employment. I work out West, and am much more comfortable delivering downtown with luxuries like a NICU and neonatologist on staff. A delivery can easily go from great to bad in a matter of seconds, so I've chosen to deliver at Methodist downtown.

Anyway, I realize this is all baby related but that happens to be what is consuming the lives of my dear husband and myself lately.

He did graduate, and takes boards June 4th. WOOHOO! Now lets hope he can find a job!! Love you all, G'day :)

2010-01-31T20:55:00.002-06:00

It has been a terribly long time since I've updated. And really I dont have a whole lot of a reason or excuse. Lack of motivation really. And keeping in contact in other capacities as well.

Thune and I are expecting a baby in September of this year, and are so excited. We have our first OB appointment Feb. 9th, and are looking forward to it very much. *That translates into us being 9 weeks pregnant currently*

Otherwise there really has been not a lot going on. Thune's busy at school and work, and I'm busy at work. Also busy getting over the all day sickness that started right way. Getting slightly better with the tiredness as well....it's all a work in progress to see what makes me feel better and what makes it worse. I am finding that to be hungry makes me sick, and I cant force myself to eat anything that doesnt sound good, or it will make me sick. Also the smell or sight of eggs. Sometimes only the thought.

But, the end result makes all of this worth it. In September, we'll have a baby boy or girl (and we're currently planning on finding out....we'll see if that changes.) Thanks for the great support and good wishes, we love you all :)

2009-06-09T08:16:00.004-05:00

So, as with all the other posts I've had in a little while-not a lot is new.

Thune is away on Annual Training (AT) right now, to California. Apparently this stretch of California had a cell phone tower that was engulfed in the fires out here, and thus I hadnt talked to him in 3 days until yesterday. Even in Honduras last summer I was able to talk to him almost daily. There's something wrong with the fact that he's in the country, but has to walk an entire mile to get reception for his cell phone (even though he sweetly did yesterday and I love him for doing so).

I got to see Sandra and Lilly last week, and plan on doing so again this week. I miss them, and probably didnt realize how much until I saw them for the first time in a long time.

Besides that, absolutely nothing is new. Thune & I are going to Vegas in September, and I'm really excited. We're going with some other couples and my friend Danielle. And as far as I know we're planning on trying to start a family after we return from Vegas. I say as far as I know because I'm back on Weight watchers and havent decided if I want to make lifetime again before we start trying or just try now and return to Weight Watchers afterwards. Hmm...decisions :)

Oh, in my last post I said Thune graduates in Spring 2011, its actually 2010, so two semesters away from having another college grad in the household :)

Have a good day all :)

2009-03-11T04:39:00.000-05:00

Boring ol' married life.

I say this, because there genuinely is nothing exciting going on in my life currently. Thune's three-quarters of the way through the spring semester at Grand View. He'll graduate in April of 2011. It was supposed to be December of '10, but he got hung up on a class and decided to push it back a bit. I was upset at first, but I get to see him more now so it's kind of a wash.

I was originally quite bummed about him pushing back graduation because of one reason: trying to have a child. I've been dying to be a mom, and wife from early on in life. I think I've got the wife thing down, and I have a puppy and cat under my care 24/7, so I think I'm ready to tackle the mom thing. ( I may regret saying this, I do realize). By no means do I think that being a mom to a cat and dog is comparable to having a baby-but it's the closest thing I can relate to it, so it was the analogy that I used. Anywho-I think we've settled on starting to try around Thanksgiving. That'll put us at a little over a year of marriage, and a nice vacation to Vegas (in September) before we start trying. I think it's good-my husband may not agree.

Work is going well. It is what it is-I realize some days are better than others and you're still going to have moments where your sanity it tested. Welcome to healthcare.

My best friend Erin got engaged on Feb 20th (also thune's birthday), and will get married May 20th or so of next year. Allie, another best friend of mine is getting married in a week from Saturday. Wedding age and wedding season is definetly upon us.

Really, that's all I guess. I'm in the middle of a few overnight shifts (hence why I'm blogging at 4:45 am) because I have a wedding in a few weeks and had to ask for extra time off. Crazy me volunteered for a few overnight shifts as a trade for having the weekend off. Oh, and I turned 24 last Sunday. I realize with each year how much harder it is to recover from drinking. No fun it is. G'day all!

2008-12-10T09:03:00.000-06:00

So, we're only three days away from our honeymoon, and I'm so super excited. I've been telling everyone if it snows one more time before we leave (it's up to three times in a week and a half)I'm not coming home!!

I cannot wait to spend an entire week laying around on the beach, by the pool and otherwise exploring things. Yay.

I dont know how much contact I'll have with the outside world. I do know there are some public access computers, so I'll try to check my email while I'm there a few times. I'm also fairly confident that my cell phone won't work while we're there, so phone calls are pointless.

I hope you all have a great week, and I'll talk to you all when we get back! G'day!!

2008-10-10T17:10:00.000-05:00

Meet the newest member of the Palczewski family. Meet Mr. Guiness Palczewski, a purebred yorkshire terrier. His name is guiness because a) we're beer fans and what else would work for a dark colored dog? He loves messing with the cat, and is adjusting to going poddy outside. We're a work in progress, but he's a great little puppy.

2008-09-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

On Work & Marriage

So...I realize it's been quite a while since I've posted anything. And mainly laziness is to blame. I've recently switched shifts at work, so now I'm working 7am to 7pm 3 to 4 days a week. I like it a lot better, because I feel like I'm actually doing something with my days instead of just waking up, doing stuff, going to work, coming home, sleeping. It's different, its not quite as monotonious and I enjoy it. I have a lot more days off too, which is quite nice. There's a slight difference in pay because I'm not getting the shift differential like I was on evenings, but I think happiness is worth a touch less money.

Marriage is going quite well. Thune's back at school (yes Eric, you did see him in the library), so we don't really see eachother much since we're both gone all day, and he works evenings. A lot of days I'm in bed when he gets home, so it's a little tough at times. I didnt expect it to be easy, so I guess we'll just say it's what I expected. I do cherish the weekends, and what little time we get to spend together during the week.

So, I guess that's about all. We're working on getting our wedding album, and I cant wait to see it. Take care, and love you all.

2008-08-11T18:10:00.000-05:00

So....as you can tell....I'm a married woman now. Still struggling with the "husband" label. I frequently call him my fiance, and I frequently sign the wrong last name. Especially at work. It's a work in progress I do suppose.

I couldnt have asked for a better wedding day, really. What guests didn't see is the night of the rehearsal the pastor was missing. As in, "i called the groom and bride and told them I wouldnt be here at the rehearsal" missing. No one called, and I about lost it. Also, my mother in law was saying things like "I want..." to which I quickly put an end to.

It was a magical day, and I married the most amazing person ever. Apparently he was just staring in awe at me the entire time we were at the alter, I couldnt necessarily see it all since I bowed my head when the pastor was praying. But it was beautiful, and amazing, and everything that I had ever imagined it to be.

married life is not that much different than "single life." We lived together, and bought a house together before the wedding, so really not a lot has changed. But, I realize the tough part is ahead, and it's work. But, when you marry your best friend I cant imagine it won't be fun work. At least I'll giggle alot, I suppose.

Really that's all, we're going on a honeymoon in December to the Dominican Republic and we'll be there for a week. We're both back at work already, and life is just going along. Oh, that and we got a 50 inch projection TV. Go wedding money :)

Thank you all for sharing in our day, it was truly amazing because of all of you. We hope that you had a great time, and know that it meant the world to us for you to be there.

G'day all :)

2008-07-30T15:01:00.001-05:00

At the urging of some ahem...(Rob) this wedding information for those of you who lost, misplaced, or just cant find the invitation:

Saturday 4 pm, Luther Memorial Church (On Grand View's Campus) 1201 Grandview Avenue

Reception: 6 pm (apparently you guys cant get in there until roughly straight up 6) Capitol Room downtown, 315 East Fifth Street

Lots of booze, lots of people, lots of music...lots of good food :) Be there :)

2008-07-27T15:42:00.001-05:00

For those of you counting: 6 days until the wedding. For those of you not counting, I get married in a few days :)

I'm starting to get excited. Mainly because of what a great time it'll be, and the people that we get to see come up for the wedding. Also for the fact that it seems like I've waited a lifetime to marry my best friend. The person that I have absolutely no doubt I'm meant to be with for the rest of my days. Mushy stuff aside, it's going to be grand. And a lot of work, as I hear marriage isn't as easy as everyone seems to think it is. Yay work.

Anyhow, that's really all. I work today (Sunday) and then Tuesday and I'm off for the rest of the time, and for a week after the wedding. Yay to vacations. Then in December we take our honeymoon to the Domincan Republic, Puerto Plata at an all inclusive resort. Which I'm WAY excited to have come around, especially when it's december and icky in Iowa.

can't wait to see you all in 6 days. Love you all, and g'day

2008-07-16T19:28:00.000-05:00

18 days away and my name officially changes. CRAZY......

The stress is still about the same level, trying to make sure that everyone is on the same page is a touch difficult. But, we're making it.

Presents have started coming in the mail, and I think that we FINALLY have the final count for the RSVP's. Lets just hope we dont get any more RSVP's for 7 (yes-7) from one family that we dont even know. Yay.

This weekend is my bachelorette party, so I'm quite sure that it'll be a blast. We got a hotel for the weekend downtown, so no one has to drive. A bunch of people from work are coming, as well as friends and my bridal party (and even my mom and grandma) so it ought to be an interesting, hilarious time.

I suppose that's really about it. Farrell's is going really well. At week 5 (last week) I'd lost 9 pounds, 5 inches off of my body. And...people are starting to notice. I had them take in my wedding dress a half inch on each side just to be sure that it'll fit when I do my final fitting on the 25th.

But, that's really all for now. Take care, and love you all. G'day :)

2008-07-01T13:29:00.000-05:00

So that "stress is semi starting to build" is over. Now it's just really starting to build. I'm glad that I handle stress well-because goodness sakes is it tough. The little things (that when added together equal big things) are starting to get annoying. Nothing big yet to deal with, just minute details. I guess the only sort of big thing would be dealing with RSVP's and tracking people down that haven't responded yet. Seriously people, July 1st means July 1st. Now I get to stalk, call, email, etc to find out who's coming. For shame my friends/family/acquaintances, and yes because Amy is such a well loved individual, complete strangers. I know a good chunk of the guest list, but some of them-I have no idea, and neither does Thune.

And don't even get me started on my soon-to-be-husband and his lack of getting his groomsmen motivated to get their tuxes fitted and ordered. UGh....He's literally still on the fence about the last groomsman, if he's coming or not. He says he's got a "seventh stringer" lined up if that guy bails. STRESS...I think so. I'm fighting the bridezilla urge, mainly because he stresses me out :)

So...I have my first dress fitting this Thursday. I held off until now because I'm in week 4 of Farrell's and I've changed some. I realize I'll change more, but hopefully they can negotiate to go an extra inch or so in to accomadate the changes that are still yet to happen. It's a tough program, but the motivation that I needed to get going.

Anyhow, that's really all. Invites for the bachelorette party will be going out. It's July 19th, but as I said they'll be going out tomorrow I believe. Take care, and love you all :) G'day!!

2008-06-14T19:30:00.000-05:00

So....RSVPing to MY WEDDING...might be a good idea. HINT, HINT. Those that read this know who I'm talking about.

Also, I got to see Mom2 for a surprise visit a week and half ago or so. It was great to show off our home, and get to catch up with her for a while.

Nothing else really to talk about, getting closer to the big day and the stress is semi starting to build.

Love you all, G'day :)

2008-06-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

So, here are some pictures from the bridal shower. My friends Allie and Erin gave me the sweatshirt, and I love it! I thought it was so creative and cute!! Dani and my grandma were the planners for the day, and it was a great time, I think somewhere around 20 people came, both friends and family.

We mostly just sat around and told stories, and talked about different things. My mom told a story that made EVERYONE cry...which was exciting I suppose.

Thune flew back on Sunday night/Monday morning. due to the storms here in iowa he didn't get back until 1:40 am. Which was fun waiting for, let me tell ya. I figured out they clean the airport at 1:00 am, which is neither here nor their.

I start Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping this Saturday. It's expensive, but this late in the ball game it's my last resort. I wanna look awesome for my wedding, and apparently it being the biggest day of my life wasn't motivating enough to work out and eat right. So, we'll try this. I hear you get great results, with it being a high protein-low carb-work out 6 days a week program. It starts on Saturday, with the first things being a one mile run to gauge your personal fitness level (not too fit right now) and a before picture in a bikini. I wore one last summer for the first time, and I'm not looking forward to wearing one in front of a camera, 30 lbs heavier. YIKES!!!

But, that's really all I guess. Nothing too exciting, I got centerpieces figured out, and decorations for the church pews done as well. They are ivory kissing balls that I attached some ribbons to the bottom to match our colors (coral and ivory). So, I'm breathing a little more easily. Most of the things are done, with a few more things to buy, assemble and organize.

All is well though, really :)

2008-05-14T22:42:00.001-05:00

Sorry, it's been a really really long time since I've posted anything. I meant to post a bunch of times, but with two jobs and a wedding to plan-intentions didn't get me anywhere.

So....life has really just been going along quite well. We moved in, got a cat and that brings us to now-when Thune is in Honduras for army training until the 25th of May. It's ridiculous, I haven't talked to him in 4 days-and it's killing me. I dont know how people do that Iraq thing. It'd drive me insane. I keep hoping he'll call, its a sad existence living by the phone!

Um...the kitty is great. She's a calico, aptly named Callie. She's sweet, 2 and a half years old, litter trained and doing just great. She's a lot of fun, and keeping me company a bit while Thune is away.

My bridal shower is coming up, the 24th to be exact. That should be fun, I hope to see a lot of people. That should make it remarkably more fun anyhow :) And then in a few months, I wed the most fun, hilarious, amazing man ever. And by that, I mean Thune. Hehe :)

Oh, and Target's being ridiculous, namely Alicia, so I'm quitting. I wanted to just cut down to 1 day a week, but apparently she isn't letting that happen. So I said "my only alternative is to quit-I can't do 60 hours a week anymore between two jobs." Ugh, I never liked her-I dont think anyone has. Mainly, we just tolerate her.

And....I've excited to do farrell's extreme body shaping class before i get married. I'm starting it June 7th, and I'm pretty excited for it. I've been looking at it and the program looks fairly easy to follow (aside from the ass kicking workouts). It's pretty basic, and apparently gets amazing results. Expensive, but I think that's the motivation I need to actually do it. Cant wait to start it.

So far only a few major snafu's for the wedding: the pastor moved to a different church (having to use a different one), the caterer ISNT doing the centerpieces (as previously thought), and the organist isn't calling back. So, i'd consider it an overall success I suppose.

Anyway, that's really all for now. I've gotta get wrapped up here at work, to go home and sleep alone. Boo-hoo...I know, I made it through 15 months of this-but at least I got to talk to him each night. This no contact thing is killing me. At least the cat is there-we watched 27 dresses the other night. Hehe. G'night all!

2008-03-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

So....we leave for vacation tomorrow, and come back on Monday. We're going to a resort north of branson missouri with some friends of ours. They have a timeshare and they're renting a condo/house thing for the weekend. We're pretty excited, because that means I'm off work until Wednesday. After the weeks I've been having here at the hospital, I'm greatly looking forward to it. Spring break=short of staff and apparently no one to cover at all. So it's been ridiculous, and I've been super stressed and overworked here. UGh...

And, the Friday after we come back we sign on the house. Then that weekend, we move. This week I spent putting together our wedding invitation (think printed, put ribbon ties on, addressed return envelopes, and stuffed the big envelopes) 200 times. Thune, as he puts it "Helped." Meaning he printed the addresses onto the stickers. So glad he helped...not :) We'll be sending those out as soon as we move and get all of the address...AHEM..Mom2...I need a few. Check your email :)

So...life is pretty busy. I like it that way, but this week has seemed pretty unbearable. A lot of stuff left to do before the move, and yet more stuff to do for the wedding before that rolls around.

Hope you all have a good weekend, and hopefully I'll have some fun pictures from our little getaway. Love ya'll :) G'day

Life has a way of always being interesting, I do suppose.

2008-03-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

So, my birthday came and went. And with it one mild hangover (yes, mild). Drink offers free drinking for the birthday individuals as long as you bring three friends. So...needless to say we had a pretty darn good time. I've been drinking a lot less lately, like only once in the last month and a half or so, and I like it. A more mature stance on alcohol, I will say.

The house stuff is rolling on. I think we're going to move the weekend after we sign (March 29th-30th). Hopefully all goes as planned.

In other news: we found out that combining our insurance policies for car insurance saves me about $700 dollars in 6 months, which of course the insurance company didn't tell us. We'd been using the same company all along and paying a lot more than we should have. Leave it to corporate america, I suppose.

That's really about all, I guess. Birthdays, moving, working, wedding, etc. Thune's working on getting a job, thank the lord. Enough said-g'night all :)

2008-02-29T17:58:00.000-06:00

We got the house inspected yesterday, which was interesting to say the least. I guess it't interesting to examine parts of a house that you didnt know existed until they have to inspect it.

Everything turned out great, except for a few minor but important things. The main drain line for the house has a small leak over the water heater area in the basement, there is an electrical outlet that needs to be rigged to trip properly in the upstairs bathroom, a wire needs to be take off of a single breaker (because there are two wires on one breaker), and the downstairs bathroom has a leak leading to the downstairs shower. Really minor things, but big hassles if they break and big risks for health if they do so.

So, we're in the negotiating process of fixing them/having them fixed by the current owners and we'll see where this goes. We're still set to close on the 28th of March, barring all major catastrophies.

That's all for now, really.

2008-02-23T18:25:00.000-06:00

We put our bid in today,(clarification: ON THE HOUSE ON MERLE HAY-in Beaverdale practically) and it got dismissed right away. We (by we, I mean I) thought that it would be thrown out because it was very low compared to the assessed value of the house, and the asking price.

So it turned into a bidding war, to which the guy put one last offer out and said if that didn't work then he would see what the open house yielded tomorrow. To me, those were the words that set things into motion. I didn't want this house going to anyone else but us. I love it, more than I could ever say in fact.

So, I talked Thune into what the guy asked on our third try. He's asking $109,400 (originally it was an asking price of $109,900), and he's paying closing costs. Which, really isn't too bad. Every house in the area is assessed or listed at way more than that. So, we're not compltely thrilled with the negotiation process, but we used the realtor that was also selling the house so whatcha gonna do I guess.

We take possession and close on the house on March 28th, and I think will make our first mortgage payment in May. So....it's pretty exciting, yet a little scary because it's a big move.

Now to just furnish the place...hehehe :)

2008-02-22T19:02:00.000-06:00

Yay....we loved the house. So, tomorrow we're putting a bid in for the house. Cross those fingers for us! It's amazing, and I can't wait to see what happens :)

2008-02-22T11:17:00.000-06:00

Mortgage update...

We spoke with the mortgage lender, and go pre-approval. That's really the first step, so now we just have to find a house that we'd like. We are going today to look at house at 1710 Merle Hay Road (south of Hickman, so it's residential) that has been totally redone and is only $1000 more than the previously mentioned house. It's awesome inside, so I think we'll probably be choosing between those two homes. I think....We've looked at about 5, and these two are the ones we agree are the best deals, so we'll see how that works out.

It's been fun working two jobs, and having to keep up with all of this stuff, lemme tell ya.

Anyhow, that's all for now....just crossing fingers we can get this all figured out sometime soon :)

2008-02-19T11:43:00.000-06:00

This pretty little thing is what Thune and I have been working on for the past week or so. We decided that we're tired of renting, and rather than sign a lease again at the place that we live, we would just start looking for a house. our lease is actually not up until May, but we're very actively looking anyhow. We've pretty much set our hearts on this one, it's a cute little 2 bedroom, one and a half bath ranch located just off of Douglas, not yet to MLK and on the other side of Plaza Lanes. The street is actually called 27th place, but it's nestled in just off of where Douglas turns into Euclid. It's a great deal, in pretty good shape and really only needs a resurfacing of the hardwood floors and paint to cover the crazy purple on the walls. We're very excited, needless to say. We're meeting with the mortgage guy on Wednesday, and hopefully we can get these wheels a 'turnin :)

If you want to actually look at the house, I couldn't find it on Prudential's website, but did on Des Moines Register's real estate section. It's 3521 27th Place.

2008-02-06T13:12:00.000-06:00

Sooo.....the title of this week is learning experiences. Example A: last night at work.

I've been a nurse for less than a year. It'll be a year in May. I've been taking care of post-surgical patients for the entire time. We get a few medical people, but mostly they are all joint issues and after they come back from surgery. IE...mostly healthy.

This week I started taking care of an elderly man who had fallen at his care facility and broke his hip (probably the most common thing that happens in people of that age). His family had decided to go ahead with surgery to fix the hip, and then decided the evening before surgery to not go through with it. He had heart problems, and a pacemaker/defibrillator in place, so he had chronic health problems including dementia to the point of not knowing what in the heck was going on, or able to take meds or anything. Monday he slept most of the night and I just gave him pain medication to keep him comfortable and non-combative. He did have a sitter because he was trying to pull out his IV line, and was just generally disoriented.

I get to work Yesterday (being Tuesday) and the family had decided that they wanted to do Hospice care, which we don't offer at our hospital. They have to go to a seperate place for that, usually Taylor House or Kavanaugh House-both in the area. They had decided to do that, and was supposed to go there sometime today most likely (Wednesday). I had casually asked the nurse in charge of the hospital what I was to do in the case that this patient passed, because I knew that he was a no-code, meaning no CPR was to be used to resuscitate him.

A sitter was still in the room, and comfort measures were going on to ensure that he was comfortable. The family had further decided to disable the part of the pacemaker that generates a shock to restart the patients heart in the event that it stops. The doctor comes and does so around 3:45 (mark that, 45 minutes after I got to work). At around 4:15, the sitter comes running out of the room saying that she had looked over and found him not breathing. My heart jumps out of my chest, into my throat and I immediately called the nurse in charge of the hospital to initiate the chain of phone calls that have to be done. Remember, I've NEVER done this before.

I call all the doctors, the medical examiner (because he had fallen), the admitting office, Iowa Donor Network, and various other people (think around 20 phone calls in 10 minutes), and get everything squared away. They had pronounced him dead at 4:50 pm. It was literally a whirlwind of an evening. I never thought that in a million years this guy would pass during my shift, never. I had asked because I'd rather know what to do in the situation than not, but still.

The family was just absolutely astounded that all of this had happened. They left about 10 minutes after the pacemaker had been readjusted, and I had to call them back and give them the news.

So, the evening was just a mess as you can all probably imagine. I've never felt so much remourse for someone who's almost a complete stranger. He went from being my hip fracture patient who was confused to my completely still patient who passed away in the matter of an hour and 20 minutes. I was literally blown away,a nd still am to some extent. I know that I'll get through this, because it's my job to and I'm prepared for things of this nature in my schooling-but it's just mind blowing that things can change so rapidly in the course of a little bit of time.

I know it was God's plan, and I'm glad that he's comfortable now. I just hope that the family can have a sense of peace in knowing that they did the right thing, and knowing that I cared for him just as much as they did at that particular moment.

2008-01-26T10:54:00.000-06:00

Soo.....things are falling into place in regards to the wedding. Here's my wedding dress, I've had it for a few weeks now. All that is really left to plan is the details of the cake, which absolutely feels great. The girls have to order their dresses, the guys have to order the tuxes and things have to be paid for. And...then August has to come and it'll all roll into place.

Really that's about all that's going on in life right now. Thune and I are thinking about buying a house this May rather than renewing our lease here. But, we'll see how that all works out.

I had an interview on Wednesday at Target in Altoona for a part time softlines position, and I am fairly certain that they're going to offer the position to me. Monday I am supposed to hear one way or the other, so we'll see what happens when they give me a call. I was just looking for a few extra hours a week, and I didn't want to pick up some extra shifts at work, cuz I think it might make me lose my mind.

Thune is going to school, and looking for a job currently. No developments, but he's actively looking. I think he likes having a lot of free time, but it'd drive me crazy if I were him.

Again congrats to Eric and Renee, she's a total angel. Luckily I just work a floor below maternity, so I got to see her at 1 hour old. How amazing :)

Anyhow, that's really about all that is going on right now. Nothing too exciting, but I figured I should update anyhow. I hope ya'll have a good weekend. G'day!

2008-01-18T21:36:00.001-06:00

Welcome to this world Miss Caitlyn Veronica Gookin.

Let me tell you, firsthand, that she's adorable and has a great big head of black hair. And of course the parents couldn't be more beaming.

Here's to 18 more years of beaming pride you guys! Love you all!

2007-12-24T22:33:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas to everyone! I'll be spending tomorrow in the car going to minnesota to spend Christmas with Angi's (Ari's girlfriend) and Thune's family, it'll be the first time that I've met Angi's family so it should be fun.

The drive, not so much fun. 4 hours, one way, with a car full of people. Yippity do da :)

Anyhow, I'll wrap this up quickly since I am at work and all. It's been a crazy night, lots of people falling and breaking things. I think it might be the full moon, at least that seems to be the pattern around here anyhow.

Have a great christmas day! Love yall!

2007-11-22T09:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! Mine will be spent at Thune's parents house, then at work for 8 hours, all part of a 7 day stretch at work. Such is the life of a nurse though I guess. Hope you all have a great day! I'll post more when I actually have more to say I suppose. Love you all! G'day!

2007-10-30T17:35:00.000-05:00

Here's my glasses, and my costume for halloween. I realize being a nurse and actually dressing up as a "slightly" naughty nurse is a little cliche, and maybe even a stretch, but it was fun. And that's that.

Not a lot going on really, just working and getting things squared away with the wedding plans and whatnot.

Thune is doing well, just going to school and that's about it. He has a lot of free time on his hands, which proves to be entertaining sometimes. But, that's just him I suppose.

I get my top wisdom teeth out next Thursday, so be thinking of me. I'll be eating soup for a few days and undoubtedly in pain. Booo....the stupid top ones came in after the bottom ones (which were removed my senior year of hs) so of course they couldn't be all taken out at once.

Anyhow, I'll post again when I have more to say. G'day all!

2007-10-10T17:46:00.000-05:00

So...I had an optometrist appointment today. And the verdict is: I'm nearsighted. I knew that I'd been squinting for a while, and having somewhat frequent headaches. Turns out that I am pretty nearsighted in my Right eye and fairly nearsighted in my left, with a slight astigmatism. So, I had to order my first pair of glasses, which was semi depressing. At least I don't have to wear them all the time. I got a cute little pair of plastic DKNY glasses, so hopefully they'll just be a nice little accessory, eh?

Anyhow, nothing else new really. Thune and I are going to the Wisconsin Dells this weekend for a three day getaway. I'm not going to love the drive, but it'll be awesome to get away from home for a while and just relax with my honey.

Anyway, I'll update when I have more to talk about, and when I'm not at work. G'day all!

2007-09-23T20:48:00.001-05:00

So, I thought I owed ya'll an update. You are a captive audience after all. I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated, mostly because life is just going along quite well and free of major roadbumps.

Thune and I secured the church and reception hall (Luther Memorial at Grand View and Capitol Room East Village down town) for August 2nd 2008. So, save the date. I havent decided whether I'm going to send out save the date cards, mostly because I dont know if I want to go to the trouble. But, maybe it'll happen. Depends upon how creative I get with my computer and how much I'm really dedicated to the cause. Regardless, we've already bought invitations, so those will definetly be sent out. Just not until next year. Consider yourselves warned and informed.

Work is going along quite well. Just chugging along, I suppose. Not a lot new there, just a few new people. One is a guy that I went to college (graduated and started with freshman year) so it's pretty fun to have him around. I'm finally at the point where I feel confident in what I'm doing. Of course there is the occasional slip up in regards to calling the wrong doctor and getting yelled at, but I guess that goes with the territory.

Thune is enjoying (think tolerating) school. Life with him is actually quite great, not that I didnt have full faith in us making it living together. I just though it might be harder to adjust than it was. Turns out I was being a nervous nelly after all. I love living with him, it's great and convenient and pretty darn awesome. I don't get to see him a lot during the week though, so sometimes it can be a bit tough.

Anyhow, I suppose that's really all. We're contemplating getting a cat, mainly because I want one. I think it's the next logical step in our relationship, no? In between getting married and eventually (not soon, please don't anyone get excited) having a kid. Gotta be able to make an animal survive before a child, no?

Have a good day all, I'll try to update more often.

2007-08-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

Cutest picture ever? I think so. I think this might qualify for engagement photo status if it wasn't in a bar, but then again, what else would be more fitting for either of us beer lovers? Hm... :)

Anyhow, the adjusting continues. Thune likes to call my Suzy Home-maker, apparently he's amazed that I knew how to cook this well all along and just didnt have the time to during school and work and whatnot. It's interesting though to see him get up for school, and not have to get up and go as well. Kinda love it, a lot in fact :)

Anyhow, that's all for now I guess. Not a lot going on, just working and whatnot. Tom and Miriam, Noah and Denise, and Dani and her friend Annette are all coming down for labor day, so I think it's going to be a blast. I don't have to work the weekend, so I think we're going to go have some fun.

Love ya'll, and G'day!

2007-08-19T14:42:00.000-05:00

So, Thune came home at 7:30 this morning. We "initiated" the new place, if you will :) Then we laid around for a few more hours, he slept: I couldnt sleep. I then decided to go to lunch with my girlfriends because I thought he was going to sleep for a good portion of the day. I guess he decided to unpack, or clean, or sort or something-because when I got home today from lunch-this is what I found.

That whole adjusting to another person being in my intimate environment thing has just risen to a whole new level :) I said all along I'd have the hardest time adjusting, and I was right. I about had a freaking heart attack-this is the biggest mess this place has ever seen. Even the red paint in the carpet pales by comparison.

So, tonight's mission is to clean this crap up and then go grocery shopping. Thune is very excited to have a Casey's close for pizza, so I think we'll have that for dinner. Sounds like a good plan anyhow.

Anyway, thats all for now. I'm so excited to have him home that I can even overlook this ridiculous mess!! Love you all, and G'day!

2007-08-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

I freaking love these girls, but Allie's missing. This was from last weekend, we went to Miss Kitty's. Dani was back in the town for the weekend, so it was time to put the drinking hat back on for the evening. Mom was the chauffer, thanks a million again mom :)

So, Thune will be home in around 12 hours. I've had a stomach ache and the antsies all week. Haven't been able to sit still, or be calm all week :) Love is a funny thing like that I guess. This morning I woke up at 6 am cuz I couldn't sleep, and decided to clean the apartment. I'm sure the neighbors loved that, but oh well.

I'm going to the fair tonight, to take my mind off the situation. Otherwise I might drive myself crazy. Oh, went to the doctor's yesterday and we decided to try a new kind of birth control. Not that anyone wants to think about this, but the one that I was on over two years ago made me emotional, a bitch all the time, and took away my sex drive. So, we're trying a low hormone birth control. If this doens't work, I'm going to go with something non-hormonal. Lets face it, some women can't handle excess hormones. I might be one of those. Anyhow, I thought it was time to adress that issue, seeing as how Thune'll be home soon and I don't need little baby thune's running around any time soon. It's spreading like wildfire these days, on my nursing floor and elsewhere.

Anyhow, I'll post more probably tomorrow when Thune's sleeping and I'm bored. Love yall :) G'night!

2007-08-06T11:41:00.000-05:00

This is blonde creativity at it's best. Thune called me gay, to which I replied "If I was a guy and did that, I'd expect that response, but I'm not and it's cute: so there." I wanted a black and white over the couch, so I made one with a frame and a picture of us. I have a black slipcover on the couch that Willie gave me, and put red throw pillows on the couch, so I wanted another red accent in the living room. And letters painted red seemed like the perfect idea. I painted them, and was talking on the phone with Thune. Then I dropped red paint on the carpet and frantically cleaned it up. Amazingly, it all came out. Score :)

Speaking of little bald polish men, Thune'll be home at least in two weeks, probably a few days shy of that. We're hoping that he leaves next Wednesday, cuz he'll be home by Friday or early Saturday. His last day of work is this Thursday, but the army makes them do out processing which is just stupid and takes forever. So he'll be leaving at least by Aug 17th, which is a Friday and making it back here by at least Monday the 20th. Yay for the end of the deployment. I didn't think I'd make it through, but I did. Looking back it both creeped by and sped by. But either way, I'm glad it's over.

Anyhow, that's all that's going on I suppose. Dani will be coming down this weekend to visit, and I have to work. So I'll be getting off work at 11:30 and joining the rest of my drunk friends whereever they happen to be at the time. It's great having an excuse to be sober :)

Congrats to everyone who's expecting. It seems there's a baby boom going on around me. Makes me a touch nervous....there will be none here for quite a while, if I have anything to say about the matter. I think there's something in the water at work as well, there are three nurses on my floor that are pregnant. Yikes, I'll be sticking to soda at work from now on :)

Happy birthday Robbie!! Hope you're having a great day, I remember you saying you have it off :)

Love you and g'day.

2007-07-28T13:34:00.000-05:00

The sober world, part one :)

I just thought that title was clever. I giggled in my head anyhow. Take it or leave it, I suppose :)

So, I have spent the last few weekends going out, but not drinking. I have to admit that it's refreshing to not be hung over on Sunday. It's sad that I don't remember a Sunday feeling so good before. But, tis the way it is I guess. I did go out this Wednesday, the day of the funeral and spending the entire day on Tuesday at the funeral home. I had two beers then, after consulting with Thune. I had made the promise to him not to drink, and I wanted to make sure it was ok with him to have a few, and just enjoy my friends company. I got a bit of shit from a friend, his answer was "How old are you, you make your own decisions." Um, pretty sure I'm the one with the great relationship: you're single. I think I'll stick with being respectful to my fiance. Again, it was refreshing to drink and not be trashed. So I'm not sure if it was totally psychological in regards to having many if I have one, but my guess is yes. I still plan on not drinking heavily until Thune comes home, but maybe a few here and there. It's been interesting experiencing my friends completely trashed while I'm sober, I'm not sure what I think of that yet. It's interesting, to say the least.

Work has been going well. Same ol, same ol basically. I'm feeling more confident and more in the loop of things at work, which is reassuring. I'm not feeling like such a rookie. I've also had a lot of really good patients lately, so it's been fun. I love my patients, and my co workers are all pretty awesome too. A lot of different personalities, some quite similar to mine :)

THUNE COMES HOME IN APPROX. 23 DAYS. Yay, yay, yay :) Home for good, I can't wait. I should probably stock up on antibiotics now, considering my UTI track record of every single time he comes back to visit. Not that ANYONE wanted to know that, but everyone at work jokes about it so I thought I'd share the joy with ya'll.

Anyway, I guess that's it. I have to work all weekend, so no fun times for me this weekend. And I'm ok with that. I'm feeling pretty tired and run down lately, although I'm not sure why.

One more thing....I got told by a lesbian that I was hot the other day. Didn't quite know how to take that one. I guess she was a hot lesbian (I think, though I'm not expert on the situation) so it was ok, no? Flattering, none-the-less I suppose :) I politely said "thank you," because I figured "You too" would have been a little misleading of my intentions. But whatever, I realize I think things to death. This situation is no exception :)

Now, I promise that's it! Have a good weekend! G'day all!

2007-07-20T08:57:00.000-05:00

So, I got an interesting wake up call today from my uncle John. My grandma (dad's mom) passed away in the middle of the night. I was absolutely in shock, because while I knew she was ill and in the hospital, I had no idea that it'd end like this or this soon. I had spent the last week in the hospital visiting her for about 20 minutes everyday before work. That really has been my mental saving grace in the situation. I went to see her yesterday before work, but she wasn't there and I didn't ask where she was. So, I feel incredibly guilty and/or upset that I didn't truly get a chance to say goodbye.

Anyhow, that's all I guess. Just thought I'd let everyone know, even though none of you really knew her. I barely knew her, unfortunately. Have a good day all!

2007-07-15T20:42:00.000-05:00

So, I've made a rather important life decision. I am going to stop drinking. I made this decision because the root of almost all of my problems in life right now are based upon my drinking habits. Including: gaining weight, getting into bad situations, conflicts with Thune, and problems with friends. So, rather than face controversy and problems I've decided to eliminate the common denominator. I should able to go out and have a good time with friends and not drink. I also should be able to go out and have only a few: but that's not the way it is. I have serious alcoholism genes on both sides of my family and it's inescapable. I used to just drink on the weekends, and now it's becoming more common to drink about twice a week. I cannot just have a few beers and be ok. If I have one, it's followed by 8-10 more. And, as I look back: it's kind of ridiculous. I become someone I'm not when I drink: and it becomes way easy for things to get out of control. I make irresponsible decisions like driving when I shouldn't. Perhaps at some time in my life later I'll be able to drink again, but for right now, it's just not going to be part of my life anymore.

I have to work a 6 day stretch this week, because they called and asked if I wanted to stay home on Saturday. That was ok, but now I have to work tomorrow, and the rest of the week. Oh well, I mean I guess I get next weekend off. I shall survive, I suppose.

Anyhow, that's really all that's going on in my life right now. I'm just working and living and that's that I suppose. I'm getting more used to being on my own, but I still can't wait to have Thune back in a month and 5 days. Yay :) I'll post again when I have more things to talk about. Have a g'night all!

2007-07-04T21:10:00.000-05:00

So, today marks the end of my three days off in a row. I'm pretty glad, actually. Because...I'm super freaking board. It would seem that all of my friends either were out of town for the 4th holiday, or had other plans. So, I would up waking up early, helping mom move....laying out in the sun for a while, then having dinner with mom, her boyfriend and my grandma. And now I'm sitting her eating cookies and drinking beer by myself. Go me :)

Anyhow, I went shopping with Eric the other day. It was great to see him again, after seeing him two times a week and then not at all. It was refreshing :) Really it was more of a "I shopped and talked, he followed and talked back" sort of situation, but it was good regardless. Definetly good to catch up.

But yea, I think I'm going to go now. Got drinking to do, and no one to do it with. G'night all :)

2007-06-30T13:55:00.000-05:00

So, here are a few pictures from last weekend. I cut my hair, because I wanted an actual hair style instead of a just having hair. And I figured to grow it out for our wedding next August, that now would be the time to cut it shorter if I wanted to. I'd been saying that I wanted to for a really long time, but it was hard to talk myself into it. I'm told that it looks realy good, by many different sources, so I thank you all :)

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have updated, and I really have no good excuse as to why it's been so long. I guess maybe the fact that I've been pretty bored for the last week counts as an excuse, no? But, whatever-the-case, I had fun last weekend. Erin and I decided to wear dresses, which worked out ok until I was wasted. Then the cute shoes, and strapless bra thing didn't work out so well. Neither work well with alcohol. I'm just glad I have good guy friends who always look out for Erin and I :)

Anyhow, work is going really well. I'm getting into the flow of things, and people realy like me up there. I'm trying to get down the very specifics, while gaining confidence which is somewhat difficult. But, I'm getting there slowly but surely.Everyone has been pretty amazing up on the floor, and I love the people that I work evenings with. There are a lot of great people with great personalities, and it's pretty much just that: great.

On the weight watchers front, I've been starving when I get home from work around midnight every night, so I eat a snack. Usually I'm still starving and that doesn't help anything at all. I don't get what's going on. I've been working out 5 days a week, before I go to work, so I think maybe the activity that I do at work in combo with my workout might be draining my energy. That's the only thing I can come up with, because I'm eating good home cooked meals for dinner, and my typical diet, so I have no clue what's going on with my body. One thing is certain: I'm not pregnant. I am however lifting and working out a lot more, so my body is changing, it's just not dropping the weight like I would like right now.

I say that because it seems like half the nurses on the floor are: which means I'm going to quit drinking any water up there. I'd have a hell of a lot of explaining to do if I wound up pregnant right now. (easy transition into next topic, lol)

Thune comes home in a little under two months, which will be exciting and scary all at once. I say scary because we're going to have to live with eachtoher, when we never have before: and we haven't seen eachother for months and will have to see eachtoher every day. I will love it, of course: but it'll be quite an adjustment to go from living my life practically single and self sufficient to incorporating another's life into my own. I think I'll probably have the most problem, because as you all know, I tend to be pretty anal in my every day life. No surprise to you all, I'm sure.

Anyhow, it's about time to get to work. This will be my 6th day in a row, and I have to complete 7 before I get a day off. Though, i can't complain about next week's schedule: Monday through Wednesday off, work Thursday and Friday and off again Saturday and Sundy. Pretty sweet, if you ask me :) Being a nurse really works out for those of us that dont have families.

Love you all and talk to you sooner than later, hopefully :) G'day!

2007-06-13T09:27:00.000-05:00

So, as you can tell, I've been having a good time. I got my nursing license in the mail on Saturday, but can't find a frame for it because it's an odd sized piece of paper. I think I'll have to get it customely framed, so I'll get around to that in the next...eh, 20 years or so :)

Work is going amazingly. I am now a full nurse, in the system even. That means that I can pull narcotics, and note my own doctor's orders all by myself. Not a baby nurse anymore, a real full fledged nurse. Of course, this also means there's a touch more liability, like being sued if I screw up. Luckily I had some great preceptors that taught me what's going on :) That, and I catch on pretty darn easily. Everyone is saying that I'm doing swimmingly on the floor, so I think that they're being honest. I'd like to think that if I were failing miserably, they would let me know. But, everything is going smoothly. I love the floor, and most of the people are amazing, except for some of the old Spaz's. They, what else, spaz out about the dumbest things. It makes for an easier night if you plan out your night and just flow through it all. Apparently 20+ years or nursing hasn't taught them that. Instead, they freak out and bite people's heads off, and offend people. It's brilliant.

Outside of work, I celebrated for the last two weekends, with alcohol, my passing boards and getting my official license. This weekend there will be no alcohol involved, mainly because I do love my liver and want to keep it in good condition. But, it has been fun though a bit interesting.

It's still weird for me to wake up at 9:15 every morning and not having something to rush off and do. This relaxing business wasn't made for someone like me, I don't think. Its weird having free time, because I don't have to be to work till 3, and that means I have quite a bit of free time in between getting up and going to work. So, I work out 5 days a week now, watch tv and mess around on the computer pretty much on a daily basis. I guess I shouldn't be complaining, but I'd like to find something more constructive to do with my time. It's difficult though, because 1) I live in a small town now and 2)It'd have to be something that I could do throughout the day, not in the evening. I shall survive my boredom though, I do suppose.

Thune comes back in around 2 months, and I say around because the army is ridiculously un-specific. He gets "relesed" around August 10th, but we assume he'll be back around the 20th, because he has to out process, meaning do a TON of paperwork and whatnot. It seems amazing that it's only two months away, but it's going to be a long two months I have a feeling. The last month has been the most difficult of the deployment I feel, and I think it's because I'm anticipating him being back here. We've had more little bickering and interesting situations come up in the last month than we have in the rest of the year and two months that he's been gone. But, we'll work it out one way or the other. It'll be interesting to live together after not seeing eachother for a while. Shall be fun.

Anyhow, it's time to go work out now. I'll try to update a tad more often, considering I'm bored most of the time.

Love you all! Gday!

2007-06-03T16:16:00.000-05:00

I passed...... I've reached the end of ridculous study periods and studying for a good long while. YAY!!

2007-06-02T13:09:00.000-05:00

UGH! That's all that can be said about taking my boards. Seriously, I can't believe how ridiculous those were. There were a ton of questions on there that I had NO idea how to answer. A ton of meds that I'd never heard of....So I left feeling like I failed miserably. I only got 80'something questions out of the 265 total questions, but that either means that I did really great or I did horrible. So I get to worry about it the entire weekend. Until Tuesday, or even Wednesday possibly.

Needless to say I went out for a beer after the test with a nurse that I work with who took them with me, and we sat at Valley West mall's Kahunaville filling our faces with beer and nachos. And tonight, I don't plan to be even one bit sober. I'm going to be hanging out with friends at home, so I hope to be pretty damn drunk pretty damn early in the night :)

Yay to taking tests....PFFTTT..... Cross the fingers and pray for me everyone :)

2007-05-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pictures of my new place. I realize that the living room looks incredibly empty. I am working on that a bit. I was supposed to have a table and chairs coming my direction, but my awesomely responsible cousin doesn't know where they are. So....they'll have to wait until I get a little bit more stable in the finance deparment. And then I'll also decorate the living room, beacuse it's in need of something to break up the whiteness of the walls. But, it's comfy and I love it so far. Now, if only I had Thune here, it'd be perfect. I'm already bored living on my own...and it's been 24 hours :)

2007-05-23T14:53:00.000-05:00

I know I shouldn't complain...because as soon as I do, I'm going to get slammed at work. But, it's incredibly slow and I don't have much else to do, so complain I will. There is no room on the floor for new patients, because the ones who are here are not going home today. SO, we're stuck in slow motion all day today. Blah...it makes being a nurse incredibly boring. I've done about a million and a half laps around this place.

But, work is going well. I've been learning and growing and having at least a bit of fun getting to know the people. They're all pretty awesome, so that's great for me. I'm going to love it here, I just know it. There is a good mix of new and older people, so we get all avenues of personalities. It is fun, indeed.

I already had to go get my ring fixed, which I'm sure is no surprise to anyone. I hit a wall with it yesterday, and it bent the hell out of the prong. I swiftly took it to Jared's and they had it fixed by 7:15 last night. Yay for extended service plans....Thune knew what he was doing when it bought it obviously. I told Thune that had happened and he said "The way I see it, the extended service plan has already paid for itself." Indeed my love, indeed.

Um...I move in three days. I'm already all packed and I'll be taking a load on Friday after work. Which means I'll have to pack it up tomorrow night....yay for moving. I hate it, almost as much as I hate rain. And I hate rain ALOT.

I got my first paycheck, which was not too shabby. But, I'm moving so all the money is already spent. Yucky for adult world :)

And, studying for boards is going well. I have to force myself to do it, because I take them here shortly and need to do so. But, after it's all over it's drunk-drunk time. Someone asked me what I'm doing after I take boards (hint, it's on a Friday), so I said "I know it'll include alcohol."

That's also the plan for after moving....I promised the individuals who have offered to help me move free beer and pizza. Never underestimate booze and food :)

Rob-thanks for the comment, it means a lot to me. We should get together soon...perhaps within the next couple of weeks. Call me.

That's all for now. Love you all and g'day!

2007-05-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

So...work is going pretty well. I'm getting used to the floor, the individuals are amazing on the floor. So, within a few months I should be good to go.

I do take boards the first week in June, but I don't want to tell anyone the date because they say that that only causes stress when everyone is asking if I passed. So, I take them the first week of June, and I'll call ya'll super excited WHEN I pass, not if.

I found out yesterday that I got the apartment that I applied for. It is in Bondurant, and they are brand new. It's a two bedroom, one bath with central air and a washer dryer. It's on the top floor. I already went on a shopping spree to get dishes and whatnot, because I'm starting from square one. Thank goodness I had already accumulated some towels and bathroom stuff. I have a couch coming from either Ari (THune's brother) or Brad's mom, and a chair coming from Brad's mom. I also bought a tv stand and an entertainment center at a garage sale this past weekend with my grandma. This is exciting and nerve wracking because I have to live by myself until Thune comes back. I've never lived completely on my own, so it should be interesting. I'm looking forward to decorating and being able to do whatever I want, without walking on eggshells for fear of making someone mad. Blah, I say. But, I move in on Saturday May 26th, because I didn't want to move that close to the day that I take boards.

Anyhow, that's really about all. I'll post pictures of my ring, and pictures from graduation, etc when I get my new computer. Thune's brother is building one for me, since it happens to be about the same price to build from the ground up as it is to buy one from some place like Dell. And, it'll be super quiet with way more RAM.

Life is an interesting chain of events this week, and really this entire month. It's shown me what I can take, and is teaching me what I'm made of. Stubborn, determined,and I don't give up without what I want.

Right now all I want is my soldier back, a house to live in, and a successful career. And luckily, they're all on the way :)

Have a good day all!

2007-05-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

So....we were hanging out at the hotel in Riverside (where Thune decided we would spend a few days) after we had gotten massages, and Thune proposed to me. It's a gorgeous, perfect ring! It was cute....and in true Thune style. So, it looks like I get to marry the man of my dreams in a about a year and a half. We're thinking of August of next year (2008). More details to follow, I just thought that I would let everyone know.

Love you all!

2007-04-16T14:10:00.000-05:00

These were taken on Saturday night at Miss Kitty's. I had Allie take a picture of me, because I thought my outfit was cute and to show Thune. He made fun of it, and told me I should listen to his fashion advice. Something tells me a t-shirt, jeans and New Balance wardrobe wouldn't look as cute on me as it does on him. I told him I won't take his advice: he said to stop watching MTV and then following their advice. It's a battle, I tell ya.

I finally got to go out with Allie, it had been quite a while. The kisses picture is to our men, because her fiancee lives in Dubuque, and Thune's far away as well. She's newly engaged, so that's super exciting. Anyhow, just a sidenote :) I then went home from the bar and drank more, right up until 3 am. Needless to say I regretted that the next morning.

This is the last week of classes. I graduate in 12 days, Thune flies in in only 10 days. I just wrote my last paper for my entire college career last night. It was a bit eerie. But, in a good way of course. I'm so excited to see my darlin, and just as excited to graduate. But nervous, because it's a bittersweet moment.

Weight Watchers has been frustrating lately. I gained a bit of weight, because I've been lifting and because I've just been stinking hungry lately. So those two things together have been making me angry. I've been working out a ton, and it's hard to take gaining weight or staying the same just to gain muscle. Oh well, I'll quit complaining. But I am over my goal weight, and had to start paying. That made me angry.

Anyhow, no new word on the job front. I filled all my paperwork out, and have to go get my physical on Wednesday. That should be fun. I just cant wait to get life started...those of you who know me well know I'm not the least bit patient. This is definely no exception :)

I sent out everyone's graduation invites, so I'm sure you should all be getting them soon.

That's all that is really going on I suppose, just thought I'd update a bit. I'm going to Ames this weekend to celebrate VEISHA, I believe so I'm sure there will be stories to be told about that. Have a good week, all.

2007-04-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

So...this is my new place of employment as of the week of May 7th. I didn't want to start when Thune was here, so I'm taking a week and a half of vacation from my current job, then going to work at the hospital. I will work as a Graduate Nurse until I pass boards, which I hope to take the last week in May or beginning of June. That's a whole different stressful issue though, and one that I'm avoiding right now due to other stressors. Apparently the interview went fine, even though I worried for two days about how I did. Thune says "I'm sure you did great...," but who listens to their boyfriends anyhow? lol...Hehe..ahem.

The position is for a rotating 3-11, and 7-3 shifts on an Orthopedic floor, meaning a lot of broken hips, hip and knee replacements. It seems like a nice mellow place to get started in my career, without a lot of codes and crazy hard stuff going on with the individiuals. I decided against the telemetry position because it wasn't a guaranteed full time position, and I explained that if they were offer me a Full time position I would take it. But, that didn't happen and so I moved on. The manager on the telemetry floor said she understood, so hopefully there are no hard feelings there. I guess we'll see though.

Excited doesn't even begin to cover it, because there is nervous, anticipation, etc. all mixed in there. It feels amazing to stepping out into the real world, and making real money. I'm not going to post my wage on here, because I think it's a bit tacky to do so, but lets just say that it's almost twice what I'm making now. I'm excited to actually have money, rather than just making it paycheck to paycheck. It's been a ridiculously expensive semester, and I'm ready for this stuff to be over with.

Anyhow, it's 18 days until I see Thune now, and no I'm not counting down the hours. I've told everyone that they'd do the same in my position, but the making fun of me for counting down never ends. Blah, I say.

Thune has an exciting road trip planned for us to go up to a Casino/Spa south of Iowa City for a few days while he's here. That's probably what I'm looking forward to most because it'll be completely relaxing and away from home. Like a mini-vacation, which I'll need after graduation and my graduation party, etc. He planned it all himself, made reservations and said "Well, you can get a massage like on the second day we're there, maybe splash aroudn the pool...and on the drive back we can stop at that mall that you love..." It shows a lot of effort and sweetness on his part. How cute :)

Anyhow, that's all. I just thought I'd update as to the status of my job hunt. I really didn't have to hunt at all, it kind of landed in my lap. Yay for the medical field and their lack of staff :) Have a good day all!

2007-04-03T23:27:00.000-05:00

Please do a little of this for me this week. I had an interview at the hospital today on an orthopedic floor (hip and knee replacements mainly.) I really, really like the floor after viewing it. I also have an interview on the telemetry (cardiac) floor on Friday, but I'm leery of the situation because it's a part time position, not a guaranteed Full time one. I was promised full time hours, but we all know how situations can arise. Anyhow, I need all the prayers and finger crossing I can get. I think I did just fine in the interview, but I'm nervous.

I find out Thursday about the orthopedic floor, so I'll either be excited or upset then. I appreciate all your love and support!! Thanks everyone!

PS: Thune comes back in 22 days and I graduate in 24....how much more stress can a girl ask for? YIKES!

2007-03-21T11:45:00.000-05:00

So...I apologize that it's been so long since I last posted. There has been a whole lot of stress involved....mixed in with a birthday weekend, and last weekend being St. Patrick's Day.

This week is Spring Break, which really only means that I don't have to go to school. I'm still doing homework, had to take my car in to get the oil changed and it looked at because of the stupid noise it's making. And I had to get all my NCLEX stuff in order, so when I graduate I can actually get liscensed. Oh, and I have to get finger printed. I guess I shouldn't forget to do that, eh? The Iowa Board of Nursing Requires fingerprints for background check and liscensure, at least I think that's the reason.

Anyhow, so it's really not been too relaxing of a Spring Break. I've been busy, and it's only going to be not busy this weekend when I travel with my friends to Minnesota to go see my friend Josh. I'm pretty much excited....lots of good friends will be around,and it'll be a get-away though it's not too far away. Should be fun :)

My birthday weekend was fun...we'll leave it at that. I made it into Juice Magazine, to which I got ridaculed about. There's nothing wrong with doing a shot...the only potential problem would be that there was someone sitting on top of me pouring it down my throat. However, you only live once....so might as well try something new *giggle*

I graduate in a month and 7 days, so that's exciting. Which means I'll also see Thune in a month and 5 days. Woohoo :) I'll be getting invites and announcements out as soon as I get motivated to fill them out. Also, I'll be having a picnic at Raccoon River Park that everyone is invited to, it'll be the 29th which is the Sunday after graduation, because I graduate on Saturday afternoon. I decided to have it on a Sunday because I have pinning Friday, Baccalaurete and Graduation on Saturday, so I thought I'd be pooped. That, and Thune wouldn't like having so many things scheduled in one day either. He gets cranky when I schedule a ton of stuff for his leave. Blah, I say, blah.

Anyhow, I'm nervous/excited/whatever to get the heck out of school. It'll happen soon, but it still feels like a million miles away. Buckle down time, I suppose ;)I guess that's really all for now, I'm tired and I think I should probably go take a shower before I go pick up my car and go to work. Have a good day all :)

Update: The noise was a wheel bearing going out, which was replaced free of charge. Gotta love the 30,000 mile warranty :)

2007-03-06T10:42:00.000-06:00

This is what I feel like this week....like I'm asleep at the wheel...but the car's still moving. This is mostly due to working a full week, being on call and called in all weekend, and having to work all week this week. The organization that I work for needs to put some serious thought into having their Monday thru Friday people taking mandatory on call schedules. I'll only be working for the company for another two months or so, for goodness sake. Needless to say, I'm beat. This week isn't going to help either. Despite it being my birthday, I have to work all week, go to school and have two clinical preceptorship days at the hospital. One of those days is Saturday, the day of my birthday party. So...I'll be nice and tired but equally as ready to have a good time :)

Which brings me to....it's almost my birthday. Two more days and I'll no longer be just 21. I'll be 22....which I realize means nothing, except for that people will quit saying to me "Aww...you just turned 21." Seriously, they've been doing it since I turned 21. Blah, I say.

The semester is really almost over, there's only around 5 weeks left in the thing. It's crunch time, but also a time where things are wrapping up and I'll be getting way less busy for a while. There are something like 29 actual days of class left. Which is exciting and scary. I had to redo my resume, because at the hospital where I precept at, there is a position opening in May and I believe I stand a good chance of getting on there. She said she'd love to have either I or the other studen who precepts on the floor work there. I'm leaning more toward it than the other person is, because she thinks she may want to go out of state.

Only 1 month and 19 days until Thune flies in and I graduate.(Yes, I will get invites and announcements out...) Again, excitement doesn't begin to cover it. I feel like I fall in love with him all over when I see him come down the stairs at the airport. I've never felt so loved, or felt so much love for someone else in my entire life. And yes...to all who said "Absence makes the heart grow fonder.." you were correct. I just wish he were here all the time :)

We had a bit of a falling out yesterday because sometimes I have a hard time accepting that he doesn't care as much about his education as he does. It's registration week for fall classes, and he's "too busy" to deal with it. Nevermind that I told him over three weeks ago that it was coming up, and that he had a bunch of time off for tooth extraction. Procrastination is not how I live my life, and it's frustrating to deal with because I'm trying to help him out. He said last night "I'm not your f-ing kid, and you're treating me like I am." He had a valid point, so I guess trying too hard to help is not a good idea either. He cried....so did I. I think it's a lot of things that compounded together into a culmination of emotions for him last night....I felt really bad to have started it though. Really it's only the 2nd or 3rd actual argument/disagreement that we've ever had, so I think we're doing just fine. He needs to realize that COMMUNICATION is how relationships work though...he'd rather just avoid everything altogether than deal with the issue at hand. Men, I tell ya!

Weight Watchers....is still frustrating. But I wasn't able to go last week or this week, so we'll see how that works out when I go weigh in again. I've been eating well and exercising, so I think I'll be just fine. I want to be down another 5 lbs or so if I can by the time I graduate, just to safeguard myself in my weight range.

Anyhow, I'm going to get down like never before on Saturday. I'm so excited, because it's going to be such an interesting mix of all of my friends and Thune's friends and my roomate, and school friends. It should be good, good, drunken times. My mom is going to drive for us, so that's a blessing. No one has to be sober-mcgee (That's what we call DD at my house).

I hope you all have a good week. Much love to you all and G'day!

2007-02-22T14:22:00.000-06:00

Wow...what a semester.

I've been ridiculously busy. As in, actually have to do a few hours of homework on the weekend busy. Not having my laptop is making it so that I have to spend hour upon hour in the computer lab. In the last two days alone, I've spent around 5 hours researching data for my semester long project.

School is going well, in fact, it's half over already. But that just means that the stress is in full swing, really. The class that Eric and I share is ridiculous, and I'm at the point where I don't much care to read the material any more. I think it's silly and redundant. We always say the same thing every class, and the same individuals complain about whatever it is that they have to complain about. But, whatever, it's my last semester so I guess I'll shut up and deal with it.

Last weekend, we got Kevin to go out to the Loft with Erin, Tiff, Aj, Russ, Sandra, Kevin's Sister Kari, and I. It was pretty good, from what I can remember. And when I say I can't remember...I think we all realize what I'm implying. It was good times, I must admit. I think everyone had a blast...but we all felt like crap on Sunday. I am certain of that.

Thune's birthday was Tuesday, and my brother's is today. Mine is in two weeks from today exactly. Thune got his wisdom teeth taken out yesterday also, so he looks like a chipmunk-but a hot one. If that's possible..lol. He's on oxycodon for pain though, so I bet he doesn't care what he looks like at this point. He's done remarkably well, I was out for three days just on codeine alone. What a champ my darlin is, eh?

Only 2 months and 3 days until I get to see Thune again, which means I graduate in that much time as well. Scary, I realize. I should probably start to apply for some jobs...yikes.

Regarding Weight Watchers...I've been absolutely starving for the last few weeks, and I don't understand why. I've also fluctuated the same pound off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's frustrating...but of course I'm not giving up. I just don't get what's going on.

Oh, I went shopping last weekend. It was good, I got a pair of jeans, three shirts, and a dress from Gap for $150, which is pretty darn good.

I also hit the curb (think curb check, but on ice) and my car is making a noise when I turn the wheel to the left at any speed higher than 35. Hopefully Russ can take a look and figure out what it is....it's nothing serious I realize but it's damn annoying :)

Anyhow, time to head to work. I just thought I would update since I hadn't in a while. Pray for my sanity all. Love you all, have a g'day :)

2007-02-13T11:04:00.000-06:00

Tired doesn't even begin to cover it.

In the past week, I've been the unfortunate reciever of two phone calls saying "The 11 p-7am person called in...I can't find someone else to do it." This was last Thursday and it was ok, because then I had Friday night off. Who doesn't want Friday night off? Then, it happened last night. The big "snow storm" had scared the 11-7 person off (ironically her last name is storm). It was 6 pm when she called in...everyone knows it didn't even start to snow until after 10 pm. She told the scheduler that her and her sister were still sick from last Thursday. I told the scheduler that they were full of shit. They could work Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and then magically are sick again? B-O-L-O-G-N-A.

So, I work the double. No big deal, right? Wrong...I get a call at 2 before 7:00 this morning. I had my car warmed up, everything ready to go. The call says "The 7 am to 3 pm person called in as well." My comment "Are you kidding?" She literally lives less than a mile away from the Ruan's house. They asked one of my co-workers to come in for me, who lives less than 5 blocks away. Her answer was no as well.

Why does everyone love to screw me over this week? No idea...but I'll be gosh-darned if I do anything nice for any of them ever again because going to school after having worked 18 and half hours is my definition of hell. They at least only have jobs for goodness sake. I have 40 hours of work, followed by 20-something hours of school every week. What a way to go into Valentines day, eh?

All I can say is: I hope the snow is done, because I'm tired of them being allowed to call in whenever they want, and not having to answer for it. Leaving early is what it's all about...one can make it anywhere if they leave early, and are prepared for winter driving. You live in Iowa for Christ's sake, get used to it already!!

2007-02-09T16:09:00.000-06:00

This is me, Allie and Erin being ghetto. Hey...I went to Hoover, I can at least pretend, eh?

Well....my computer broke. Not sure what happened, but it isn't working. And I'm not happy, seeing as how I just spent like $700 or something getting it fixed. Blah, I say. Like I told my friend Russ, if my life were boring, it wouldn't be my life. Luckily, Rob is going to take a look at it and see if it's worth fixing or not. I really, really don't want to buy another computer before I graduate, but I might not have an option in the issue.

Not a lot going on. I have to do a ton more homework throughout the weekend since I can't just take my laptop to work and do it. Majorly inconvenient, and really it's stressing me out a lot more.

My mom is going off of her narcotic pain medicine, slowly but surely. I'm very proud of her. She's doing more exercising, and getting out and about more. She's taking control of her life, which I'm not sure that she's ever done before. It's like I have a new mom, I'm pretty excited about it.

Now, for Dad. I got a new restraining order in the mail this week: till 2012. This means I will be married, and well established before he has the chance to come along and cause problems again. That's reassuring to me. It's easier for me to feel less guilty when I know if I contact him I can get in as much trouble as if he contacts me. It's weird when you have to protect yourself from someone you're supposed to love. I wish/hope that no one else has to feel that feeling. It's heartbreaking in the worst way. But, I've spent too much time crying over it. My life is what I've made it, and I'm 100% proud of what I've done, and how I've handled it. The end :)

Weight Watchers is going well. I'm right around my weight goal. I want to lose another 6 pounds to safeguard myself. I've been lifting with the cardio though, so I have to trade off the weight lost for muscle weight gained. I'm not trying to be a body builder, but I do want to be more toned up. The abs are definetly the hardest part....I'm pretty flabby in the belly region. Oh, and the marathon idea got pushed back to next year because I'm far too busy this semester to do it. I do plan on doing a few road races if I get a chance this summer, and maybe in the fall as well. I will get there though, mark my word.

Thune....is doing well. This month we celebrate our 2nd Valentines Day, his birthday. Next month (and all within 4 weeks of time) is my birthday and our 2nd year anniversary. BTW: We're thinking of an August 2008 wedding....and he knows I need a year to plan a wedding. So....who knows what'll happen when he comes back for my graduation (wink, wink-nudge, nudge). :) 70-something days until he comes back to visit again. Yippee for me. That also means 70-something days until I graduate. Double yippee for me.

I volunteered to speak at the Pinning Ceremony for the nursing students, so we'll see how that pans out. I like public speaking now far more than I used to. It's all a crap-shoot right now though.

Anyhow, this is far longer than I thought it would be. Have a good day and love you all :)

2007-02-01T13:59:00.000-06:00

This has to be posted on ASAP.

Today in class was ridiculous (the class that Eric and I are in together). We were supposed to have a debate. It started out being at first an organized (albeit weirdly organized) debate. It then finished with everyone accusing everyone else of something, the majority of people attacking the accuracy of everyone else's facts or what they took to be facts.

I just sat back and quietly listened, until I started getting perturbed. Then I started fidgeting, and readjusting in my chair every few seconds. I have never seen so many people that are supposed to be well educated (most of us gradute college in the next few months) act like complete loons. I understand being passionate, but part of being educated is just listening. Why is that so hard for everyone besides maybe 4 or 5 people in the class? Eric and I being the first two, the other 2 or three are just generally afraid to speak at all, as evidenced by their inability to speak at all and their very few words said throughout the class so far. I'd rather sit back, and not say a whole lot, unless I have a good well-evidenced point than sound like a moron in front of an entire class. Eric is called the "smart guy" after all. Sitting back, listening and absorbing, and speaking when appropriate pays off for us. We're a pretty good team, until we get split up number drawing or side-taking.

Unfortunately the ones who have the biggest problems, or in my opinion the biggest holes in their logic are not necessarily the youngest in the class. A few are young, so they're given a bit more lee-way as far as speaking out of their butts. But National Guard Guy and Sports fanatic are problems because they're 1) older, probably mid to late 20's, and 2) extremely passionate about their ideas. Neither one of them talk with a whole lot of logic....and they usually start most of the drama or arguments in the class, fed by the few younger students mentioned above.

Anyhow, I've never seen a more disorganized class in all of my life. I'm valuing other peoples opinion, or at thevery least listening to their opinion and discerning what I want to value out of what they say. However, I don't have to like what they say or the stupid spats that they start in class for really no reason. And, I'm not given free reign to argue or say what I think in front of the whole class. It's a class: Calm down, sit down, discuss ideas like adults, leave. Repeat the next day. Why is that so hard to understand?

2007-01-26T14:17:00.000-06:00

So.....I have a lot to vent about. Here goes

School....is frustrating. I've never taken more crap classes in all my life. One is valuable, because I get to almost intern (in nursing we call it precepting) with a nurse on a floor at Methodist. I love my nurse, the people, and the patients on the floor. Telemetry is my calling, I love hearts :) But the other classes make me want to throw my hands in the air and say "Screw graduating." For starters, there is a class that they call Professionalism 2 that we have to take before graduating. This class should be called "make people pretend to care about something that they dont." In this class, we have to examine nursing policy making: probably the most boring thing I've ever examined in my lifetime. Seriously, more than 3/4 of the class thinks that it's ridiculous. Prof 1 was just as ridiculous, but a lot easier. I have a semester long project that sucks....big time. Blah, I say.

The other class that I've grown to dispise is the one that Eric has eluded to, because we are in the class together. I used to not hate it so much....then everyone got un-shy and decided to start mini-debates throughout the entire class period. We were to agree upon a subject to debate, and when we had done so and were supposed to start the debate, the teacher and the students (mind you, not Eric or I) said that we should debate something else because abortion (the picked topic) was too emotionally charged. Um....isn't that the point of a debate?? The teacher made a switch-a-roo on us, making us examine the other viewpoint by forcing us to switch sides of the argument and argue for the side that we really don't support. Smart, and that's how you devlop into an examined person: you listen, and decide if the side you believe is true is really what is true. I think the collective maturity level of a large majorty of the class is about the 7th grade level, and the few people that do have good points usually waiver off of them after starting. Usually Eric and I just don't say much....for fear of losing our cool. At least that's why I don't say anything....because those people make me want to choke them for the most part. I know I'll make it through the semester, but it's frustrating none-the-less. So, needless to say we had to choose a new topic and now we're a day behind in the class. There is no sense of organization, and for those of you who know me: I'm an organization by the schedule type person. Chaos does not sit well with me.

Enough of that :) Last weekend was awesome. I got to see Lillian Mae, and Sandra. It was amazing spending time with all of them. They're very happy and healthy and it's awesome. I went out with Sandra and a few of my friends from high school to the loft, and it was drunken good times :) She does dance....by the way :)

Also last weekend, I celebrated lifetime. Around 47 lbs lost since last Thanksgiving, or around 74 lost since high school. Not too shabby :)

Kevin has been gone for the entire week, in Colorado with his family. It's been weird living alone. I figured out I dont really like it. It's kinda eery here at night....and quiet. Quiet is not for me I suppose :)

I almost forgot something. Dad got out of jail. He doesn't know I've moved....and we have a no contact order in place. However, the genius that put it in place made it go through January 31st, and that's it. I guess, let the games begin.

Anyhow, that's really about all. It was a rant, but it had to be said. Have a good day, all :)

2007-01-21T02:21:00.000-06:00

I definetly have some to post on....but not the energy to post. I promise that within the next few days I will post. I promise :) Especially school....and going out with Sandra Jean. Fun times :)

2007-01-01T14:06:00.000-06:00

Here's some pictures from last night. Miriam is the one in the blue shirt, and her sister Liz is in the black shirt. And of course, the cutest couple is Thune and I :)Not that I'm partial or anything :)

So.....Thune's here. :) Not much else to say about that. I love him, and I love having him here with me.

Christmas at his parents was interesting. I didn't feel very well, because we went out the night before and drinking was done. But, it was good to see a lot of people that haven't seen Thune in 8 months. I got a really nice purse and some shirts from Amy and Dennis. We went home and went to bed, Thank the lord. I was so tired....I fell asleep on their couch.

New Years was awesome. We started drinking around 5:30, and we were all mostly drunk by 8 or 9. But the drinking continued. We danced, ate nachos, drank beer, talked and just had good times. And kissed at midinight beneath the balloon drop. I wound up not throwing up before bed, but instead woke up at 6:30 am and losing the entire contents of my stomach into a trashcan in the bathroom. I didn't even feel sick, I wasn't really sure what happened there. Thune threw up before bed, but he hasn't really drank a lot out in Washington, so he's out of practice :) Hopefully someone doesn't hate us for that one. Except for that minor detail, it was awesome.

Today, we're just taking it easy. I may go running later, but that takes a ton of motivation that I don't have right now. I'm afraid this week will not be good for Weight Watchers, because I feel like eating whatever I want. I'm feeling pretty lazy...which is convenient in this house because it's ok to be completely lazy all the time. Tomorrow we are going to the Science center, the art center, and out to dinner with Thune's parents, his brother and his brother's girlfriend. Should be good times.

Anyhow, that's really all for now. This week will be more laid back, because this weekend was busy. Thune didn't appreciate it too much having to go do lots of different things. He just wants to relax I suppose.

2006-12-27T13:31:00.000-06:00

So....for those of you following the countdown: There are two days until Thune gets here. Excited doesn't cover how I'm feeling. I'm already having trouble sleeping. I had to get Thune's present assembled and set up, so I got that done today. Tomorrow I'm going shopping for a dress for New Years. My friend Erin is helping me pick out something extra hot.....just because I don't really get a lot of chances to dress up. And....it'll be exciting to see Thune's reaction. *giggle*

Christmas was good. I celebrated two on Saturday, and another two on Sunday. Thank you to everyone's thoughtfulness. I had a really great Christmas. It was great to see a lot of people that I don't see on a regular basis. There were a few I didn't get to see, but oh well I suppose. I spent Christmas day alone, but that was by choice. I wanted to relax. The only person I really wanted to spend the day was Thune and that wasn't possible, so I decided to just be sad on my own. I went running on the trail behind my house, and did some laundry before going to work at 3. So, it was a productive day, just a lonely one. The holidays definetly are the hardest times to be without the one you love.

The best part of moving to the 'burbs: My car insurance went down $37 a month. Coincidence that I always complained about the drivers on that side of town? Me thinks not....

I guess that's really about all. I will update with some pictures of Thune and I, probably after Saturday because that's when I celebrate Christmas with Thune's family. Should be interesting because my family and his will converge on Amy and Dennis' (Thune's parents) house.

That really is all, I promise this time. Love to you all, and G'day :)

2006-12-21T11:57:00.000-06:00

This is probably the funniest picture that I've ever come across. Ironically, I got it by typing in "sexy santa" at Google. Thanks to http://eefers.blogspot.com/ for the hilarity. Not sure who this guy is, but hilarious he is.

Well, the countdown continues. 8 days from today, I will be with the best man in the entire world. And of course, I'm not biased. :)

In school news: I got straight A's for the semester. To which I'm getting made fun of an incredible amount. The funniest thing of all is that I didn't really try any harder than I have for the rest of college. I guess Thune being gone influenced that. I mean, the pent-up sexual energy had to go elsewhere, eh? Sorry for those offended....it had to be said. *giggle*

I made my weight goal at Weight Watchers last week. Now I'm on maintenance......I feel like I'm living under a microscope. It's kinda weird... Maintenance is semi-bittersweet because now I have to actually try when Thune is here to exercise and eat right still. He's such a bad influence on my eating habits because he doesn't really care, and if I were to gain all of the weight back he wouldn't say a word about it. Oh well, I suppose. Feeling great and suprising him with how much I've changed is worth it, I guess.

I've had to learn how to be lazy this week. This isn't as easy as it sounds. I think I've laid around for 2 hours every day this week at least except for Wednesday when I had to go get my oil changed and finish Christmas Shopping. This house is so relaxed that it's interesting. I think my boyfriend and Kevin are the only two rockstars when it comes to wasting that much time. They're pros....I'm not. I accept it. Luckily, this week and next week are the only times that I have to entertain myself, becuse Thune'll be here next Friday. Next week is Christmas, and shopping for New Years dress, so it'll be easier also. Who knew I'd complain about having nothing to do. I always knew I was weird....now I know why. I can't shut off. I'm always on go. Maybe that'll come in handy when I'm a mom and wife.

Anyhow, that's really about all. Just bored....and doing laundry. I'll probably update after I celebrate Christmas three times this weekend. Have a great Christmas, and I love you all! G'day all :)

2006-12-13T23:45:00.000-06:00

Good Lord, where does the time go? It doesn't seem like a month and a few days since my last post. And I didn't fall asleep like Pam.....or just lose it randomly like Eric. But, alas. I am blonde. Lets blame that...

So, finals are over as of today. I finished one point shy of having straight A's for the semester. BTW: That'd be the first time in my college career of making straight A's. I blame it on Thune being gone, and my lack of being preoccupied and more dedicated. That, and I graduate in one semester and people's lives will be in my hands. Time to take it more seriously, I reckon. Hopefully my teacher will be generous and bump me up the one point, but she didn't guarantee anything. Oh well, I suppose in the giant scheme of thing it isn't that big of a deal. Today was a little discouraging, none-the-less.

Tomorrow, I start physical therapy on my knee. There really is no precise answer as to what it officially wrong with it. The week of Thanksgiving, it started hurting while running and I had to stop about 1 to 2 miles into a run. This is not conducive with my running schedule, so I went to the doctor. An x-ray and MRI ensued, and they came up with the answer that my knee has a bit of fluid on it (that isn't worth removing) and I have a tendon that is shortened and thinned beyond what it should be. Anyhow, I'm hoping that physical therapy isn't too painful, because I hope to be able to run tomorrow afterwards. I want to start training for the Des Moines Marathon and that has to begin in February if I am going to be able to do it at all. I never thought I'd be the one to complain because I can't run....but I am, darnit.

On that note, I'm only 1.4 lbs away from my weight goal. This is why it's so frustrating to not be able to run. I've had to jump to elliptical machines and walking, and things of that nature don't make me sweat near as much as running does. Oh well, I suppose. I don't think I want to work on maintenance while Thune's here anyway, because Tasty Tacos, and drinking will likely be involved in his being here with me. He's such a bad influence on my eating, because he's so gosh-darn laid back.

In other news, I am moving into Thune's room at his roomates house in Clive this weekend. A few reasons go behind this, the most important being that there are situations in my household that are making me feel akward and uneasy, and I don't feel that my place is here with my mom anymore. I don't know how much longer she'll be living her either, because she's moving into my room when I leave. That's not so indicative of a strong relationship, in my opinion. Somethings wrong....but don't care to know what it is. I think that both of us will benefit from being independent from one another. I feel a greater sense of independence lately, and I feel she should start to do that as well. So, Kevin (Thune's roomate) offered me the chance to stay in Thune's room, which is a great opportunity. I have asked Thune, of course.(I get that question far more than I care to say), and I got asked by my grandmother of all people "Are you sleeping with Kevin?" Um....no, because I am not that type of person, and I am madly in love with my boyfriend. I'd never do that to anyone, at any time, ever. I can't believe grandma asked that....crazy grandma. Time for a home *giggle*

Anyhow, this is much longer than I anticipated, but there is very much to talk about. Hope you all have a great week, and I'll try to update after the move. G'day all!

2006-11-11T18:24:00.000-06:00

Then the sun begins to shine....

I know this title is ironic because of the recent snow and crappy weather in Iowa. Stay with me though...I'll explain. Two days ago Thune mentioned in short that 12 guys from his unit here in Iowa are getting deployed to Iraq for a year. He has no chance of going, because he is part of a unit in Kentucky (that's how the army does deploying, yeah-it's retarded). They either deploy as an entire unit, or switch the units and deploy with that unit. Anywho, basically this mean that if my little man were here in Iowa, he'd be going to Iraq right now. Two of the 12 that are going are new fathers, and both are engaged but not married-I do believe. I have never been so ecstatic that he's in Washington. God knows how much I can handle obviously, because while I'm learning to deal with him being in Washington, Iraq would probably spark an emotional breakdown on my part. I'm glad he doesn't trust me that much, because I don't trust me that much either.

I've been literally saying thank you God for the last few days. What an amazing blessing that he's not at home. Kind of ironic considering I declared myself as being agnostic in the religion department. I know there's something out there....just not sure what.

Anyhow, school has been going well. I've hit that "semester's almost over lack of motivation," and this is really the first time I've ever experienced it. I just feel like I need to graduate and move on with life, I'm tired of this school crap. Bring on the degree.... Weight Watchers is going awesomely, I'm 2.4 away from my goal which means I'll hit maintenance shortly after Thanksgiving. Yeah, bad timing on my part. But, whatever. Bring it on....I can handle it. Words don't describe how excited that I am to almost be there....and how great I feel healthwise. Fun stuff :)

Thune comes home in one month and 18 days. Can't wait.....I love him more than life itself, I believe. I can't wait to have him back here, but I shall have to wait anyhow.

Anyhow, that's all. I'm sorry that I've been crap with updates. I'm just tired....and not wanting to deal with computers and updates when I do have free time. I love you all, but my sanity and laziness are priorities :) Have a g'night all :)

2006-10-15T20:16:00.000-05:00

So, here are the pictures from Seattle. These are the main ones, because they show the Space Needle and Pike's Market, which in my opinion are the highlight of Seattle. Besides Thune, that was the actual highlight of Seattle I guess. Anyhow, it was fun fun times, and I loved being able to just relax with him for an entire week.

Now to this week, specifically Thursday night...my computer decided to crash. Which is awesome considering I had 6 hours of a research project on it, and two papers that were due first thing Saturday morning. Needless to say, I shed a few hours worth of tears over that one. And, I hung up on my boyfriend over it. Stupid in hindsight, but hindsight is 20/20. So, I took it to Geek Squad, because really I'd die without my laptop. It is the reason that I'm able to get homework done, because I do it at work. I wound up paying $460 dollars to get it fixed. Luckily, I have an amazing boyfriend who understands that my sanity is worth that amount of money. I had to pay for the inital $200, but he chipped in the rest of the money. Again, he's amazing and I could never say that enough. It got him out of the jewelry part of the bet he lost, too. So, we both win I suppose. He said "Well, you do need the computer to finish school..." when I was thanking him profusely. I don't take handouts well, so I'm working on trying to be more humble about people helping me. It's not an easy thing for me to learn.

So, last night I went out with my friends, because Russell moved to Ames this week. It was like a going away party of sorts. If you can classify Ames to Des Moines as "away." We had lots of fun, I was driving, so I had a little less fun. It was good to hang out with my friends though, and overall it has been a good weekend (minus the HUGE amount of money paid). Next weekend I get to help Kevin babysit, and probably go see Angie and Ari in Ames, which will be good because I haven't seen them in a while. Angie is up at law school in Minnesota and Ari is in Doctorate school in Ames. Yay for advanced degrees. I'm working on finishing my bachelors without losing my mind.

Speaking of...school is flying by, which is awesome. I have a semester and a half until I'm a real nurse. I can't wait. That means I have to get a real job though, and a real house of my own. That part extremely excites me. I can't wait to get a place of my own again, beacuse there is nothing as liberating. I've slready started looking for home furnishings. Yay...

I'm 5 lbs away from my goal weight now, which excites me greatly. I'm sure it'll be the hardest 5 lbs of my life, but bring it on. I'm going to lifetime this time, because there's nothing better than Weight Watchers for free. Yippee...

And....Thune comes back in 2 months and 13 days from today. The countdown has begun because really, that's what army girlfriends do. He'll be back December 29th thru January 7th. We count down to seemingly silly dates to others. We live our lives by them though. It's the way to look forward to the future, and it helps to prevent us from missing them so very much.

Anyhow, that's all. Sorry to wait so long to update, I've been busy and had an overall lack of motivation to upload pics because it takes forever on my home computer. Luckily, my laptop is now wizardly fast, and basically brand new. And, I'm at school right now. That helps too. Yay for late night library visits to finish group projects. Have a good day all.

2006-09-17T16:38:00.000-05:00

I'm back.....

Ok, so I discontinued my AOL account, and forgot that my blog was tied into that account. Ooops. So, I decided to use Blogger, since so many people have great success with it. Also, school started and I've been incredibly busy trying to get into the swing of things again. So there's a double excuse to start off the post...

I started school two days after I got back from Seattle. Seattle was an absolute blast. I got to spend a lot of quality time with Thune, and it was relaxing and fantastic. We did the sight-seeing thing during the days, and by night we were mostly just laying around and being lazy. Which, neither of us had a problem with. It was incredibly difficult to come home though, because I don't get to see him until December 29th, but when I do see him he'll be here for 10 days (until January 7th). It's weird that it's easier for me to deal with him being gone when I don't see him, meaning that it gets harder each time I have to walk away from him. But, I wouldn't give up the time I spent with him for all the money in the world. He's such an amazing person, and it was amazing to spend as much time with him as I did.

School started, and it's going interesting. I am taking my Mental Health in the community rotation, and also my Children in the Community clinical. These are going well. I love the community setting because it allows for more autonomy, and the ability to learn without having someone over you constantly. It also allows for more pride in your work, and more confidence because in the hospital, a nurse is over you during your entire shift as a student, and that gets intimidating. But, I kind of like my mental health class. It is a hard class for me to deal with, because it hits very close to home, being that my father is certifiably crazy. But, I have to deal with it this semester and then I get to move on, and eventually graduate in April. Also, I'm taking a Philosophy class every other Saturday morning, which I love. I've never been in a class that is less about facts and more about your interpretation of those theories and ideas.

I emailed Rob about possibly being his roomate, but word back yet. I'm kind of excited....but we'll see what happens there.

I'm up to almost 40 lbs down at Weigh Watchers. Seattle set me back around 2 lbs, so I've been losing those the last few weeks. I'm about 8 lbs away from my goal. Exciting...but frustrating because these will be the hardest few pounds to lose.

And that takes us to today. I decided to create this blog, and this is my first post. G'day all :)