Wednesday, December 24, 2008

No sleep . . . . .

Family can be so inconsiderate at times. I have always had them not call me when something is going on as they are afraid to wake me. Today, they weren't afraid to wake me!!! I lost it when they came over to my house and started tapping on my window!!!!

On Christmas Eve, we always have gotten together at my Grandma's. I seem to have to work which I do again this year. I really wanted Dec. 23 off but didn't get it so I could at least spend the afternoon at my Grandma's and then go to work. It wasn't going to happen that way this year as my family was getting together at noon. We had drew names this year and I had my cousin's name. I wasn't able to deliver the gift but just thought I would mail it. No big deal to me but my family thought they needed it . . . . . . so here are the events leading up to no sleep!

I worked all night last night and got off about 0715. I came home and let the pup play and got ready for bed. I also needed to give Chloe her meds but she was hiding. In the meantime, I finally got lights on my tree. Then she finally resurfaced and I could give her antibiotics and head to bed. By this time it was 1030. Way past my bedtime for having to return to work that night!!

Then around noon I was sleeping and the phone rang. I hadn't been alseep that long and didn't realize it was the phone, just an annoying ring!! It stopped. I got up and put my phone upstairs so I couldn't hear it anymore. I had a message but went back to bed not listening to it. About an hour later, I had barely fallen asleep and my doorbell is ringing. I wasn't going to answer it since I was trying to sleep. Then there was tapping on my window!!! I lost it . . . . I opened the door and it was my sister and just went off on how I have to work again that night and that I didn't appreciate being woke up like this. She was coming over to pick up the gift for the person's name I had. I hadn't wrapped it yet since I wasn't going to be able to make it to the gathering. It really made me mad that no one could have talked to me about picking up the gift before hand. I had talked to my Mom a few times the night before and no mention of trying to pick up the gift. They wait till I am asleep and decide to call and then stop by my house.

In the process of all this, the puppy was awake and wanted out of her crate.

I have had 1 1/2 hours of sleep and have to get up in one hour and 10 minutes to get ready for work. This is going to be a long 12 hour shift tonight!


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Sunday, December 21, 2008

It isn't nice to steal things that aren't yours!!

I have a rude awaking today. It is Sunday and my bank is calling me to verify a charge on my debit card. It was for a large amount through a paypal account. Someone was using my debit card number in a paypal account to make purchases. I was lucky that my bank caught all this before it went through. Everything has been cancelled now. I just wish people wouldn't be mean and do things like this. This had happened to my sister a while back with her credit card. She was lucky also as her bank caught it before they went through. I hope they are able to trace who did this and get them.

Anyways, I am at the Mudhouse and a back door is open when we are having negative wind chills which is making it FREEZING in here!!! They are closing early today so they can have there annual Christmas party. I wish we could close the hospital to have a Christmas party with everyone! That will never happen! :-)

I took my furbabies to see santa at Petsmart this afternoon. It isn't easy to get 3 cats and 1 puppy loaded up and into the pet store! I did it! I got two pictures done this year. One with the cats and one with my pup. I would love to have them all together but didn't think that would work out very well. I saved santa from getting smacked by a cat!

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Phoebe enjoyed santa! She instantly gave santa lots of puppy kisses! It took her a while to get calmed down to finally get the pic we got. Then she was finally sitting on santa's lap when they were printing the picture I choose!

After her picture, I took her to the grooming department and had her nails trimmed. I really didn't think she would let them but was going to try. The last time she had her nails trimmed, she acted up quite badly! I was surprised that when I got back to the grooming department after paying for the nail trim, she was done! Her nails are so much better! I need to get me the pedipaw system to learn to do this myself to help save money.


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The cats weren't to thrilled about this experience. Chloe is on santa's lap and was just being calm. Pandora (the blonde kitty) was doing pretty good but could tell she wasn't to sure about this. Felix is always the one to act up which he did good but was making these low meow's to let us know he wasn't happy! He kept slipping out of santa's arm and I would have to reposition him. We finally got a pic with all of them looking! That was a task!


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Friday, December 05, 2008

I am in love with the art of photography!

I have really been enjoying my photography classes that I have taken so far. I am sad that next week is my last portrait photography class. I have learned so much and looking forward to taking intermediate photography and then the lighting class to learn even more!

I have also started reading Popular Photography & Shutterbug to pick up on other tips. I picked up a Digital PhotoPro magazine today as it was the masters special of great photographers. I have also been saving lots of photographers blogs to watch and learn what they are doing in poses and composition. I got some fun ideas today in class watching a video of a photographer doing a senior portrait session. I wrote down some ideas and want to take my nieces on a photo shoot now! I just wish the weather was warmer. I can't wait for Spring!

After tonights class, I came home and started to google ways to make your own lights. I ended finding not only that but how to make a ghetto photography studio from things you would find at the hardware store. I even added some of this to my Christmas list and looking forward to making my own affordable photography studio. I even have a perfect spot in my living room to set this up. WOOHOO!!!

I learned recently about bokeh. I have the perfect lens to make bokeh and learned something tonight on how be more creative with this. I have a great idea on the use of Bokeh and my puppy! I need to get all my Christmas stuff out and I can give this a try.

Diana Memorial Fountain

Today before class, I finally took time to merge three photos I took of the Diana Memorial Fountain in London, England. It turned out pretty good. I thought one part was to dark but my instructor told me that it actually matched the trees and didn't notice it till I pointed it out. Yeah!! I am glad that I thought about doing this while I was there!! I had found panorama photo paper for $3 at an office supply store just recently! I hope to print out some of my Eiffel Tower photos as panorama's! If you click on the photo, it will take you to my flickr photostream and you can see this pic in panorama. I made the photo fit my post and it is squished now!

I am going to finish watching Grey's Anatomy and then head to bed.

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Monday, December 01, 2008

Tagged . . . . .

I have been tagged by a couple of people for the same thing. I am going to be a rebel and just link to something a did a couple of years ago! Instead of 6 interesting facts about me you will get 100!!!!

100 things about me


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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Friday Fill-in



1. My stomach __aches___.

2. _Stuffing__ is what I ate the most of on Thursday.

3. The yard __is full of leaves___.

4. __The beach____ is where I'd rather be at any given time.

5. The smell of __MK new perfume warm ambers____ reminds me of __sugar cookies_.

6. __To be able to keep fluids down___ is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _Nothing, working__, tomorrow my plans include _sleeping but woke up and couldn't stop vomiting__ and Sunday, I want to _feel better_!


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Friday, November 21, 2008

Friday Fill-Ins



1. The last band I saw live was __a random band on Halloween____.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is __taking pictures__. (if you don't celebrate thanksgiving, insert your favorite holiday)

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is __non-existent____.

4. Thoughts of __student loans___ fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear __Sandals (I miss warm weather!)_.

6. Bagpipes __at the bridge near the London Eye/Big Ben in London__.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _nothing, I am working____, tomorrow my plans include _going to the grand opening celebration of the dog park with my pup Phoebe___ and Sunday, I want to _not go to work___!


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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Sneaky Mohela

A few months ago I got a letter from Mohela stating what my payments would be with different plans they offer for student loan repayment. The 10 year plan showed that my payment would be about $122. I thought not bad and decided to leave it alone and not do the other plans. I found out last week that my student loan payment is actually going to be almost $400 a month on the 10 year plan. They want the first payment in December. I am not happy with this payment that they want!! I am having to make cuts in things to be able to afford this. I only got a 50 cent raise when I graduated - not enough to compensate for a $400 student loan payment!!!

I am actually still paying for RN school. I am closer to paying that one off but I still have a payment with them. I am hoping to all Mohela tomorrow to see what is up with this and what can be done. I must have misunderstood something in that later I got a few months ago. I still have a copy of it.

I did google loan repayment for RN's and found something that should become available again at the beginning of the year. I could get 60% of my loan paid for if I agree to work where I am for 3 years. I am really considering it! I am going to see what other options are out there to see what I can do. It is time to redo the budget and cut some things that I can do without.

I was going to work on my budget while at the Mudhouse today but can't find my Quicken 2007 disk. I have it on my desktop so I will have to work on that later tonight. Instead I have been working on my photography homework. I got my wireless remote out and did some pics outside this evening. Here is my fav of me:

Me

I was having a hard time figuring out where to stand! There were times that I was out of focus but the background was in focus. Kinda cool but not what I was going for!

Phoebe was having a blast running outside! I was running and playing with her which got her even more wild! I think she loved playing in the leaves on the ground!

Phoebe

Today she was going to be graduating from intermediate class. I had miss one class because of Phoebe's hip surgery and another couple have missed some too. We all decided to work on what is going to be on the test and graduate next week. I need to work with Phoebe on heeling. She does pretty good but yet she likes to take off sometimes! We have homework to do this week!

Next Saturday the dog park opens here!! I plan to go to the grand opening celebration with Phoebe. I am looking forward to see what the dog park will be like!

I am off to go home and work on my budget and things I need to get done.

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Thursday, November 06, 2008

Getting back into the groove!

It has taken me a while to get back into the swing of daily life. As soon as I got back, I ended up sick! I had taken a few days off before having to return to work and ended up needing those days to get better. I need longer than what I had but I am finally feeling better. I had a hard time getting back on my night shift schedule and felt like I might have had jet lag all week!! I had a hard time staying awake at work and then falling asleep in my car before pulling out of the parking lot. Last week was much easier and I felt like I did before I left for vacation.

Phoebe

I have an update on Phoebe. I had posted a little on what happened before I left for my trip. Just two days after I picked her up from the vets, she ended up dislocating her hip again. The vet gave me two options to either do another closed reduction or to do surgery. He told me he would be unable to do a total hip replacement since Phoebe is a small dog and didn't have enough bone to work with. He suggested FHO - Femoral Head Ostectomy. I have taken care of hip pts before and know that when a hip dislocates, it is easier for it to happen again. I opted to have the FHO surgery. The vet told me that small dogs do good with this surgery and normally recover in a week. After he performed the surgery, he called me to let me know how it went. It turned out that Phoebe had actually broken the ball of her hip and this was the surgery she needed. I felt better that I made the right choice!! Other than that, she was doing good. I wouldn't be able to take her home for a few days. I have had to do Physical Therapy to her leg and she hates it! I don't blame her for not liking it. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since the surgery and she is doing much better! I am looking forward to seeing what the vet thinks of her recovery. I hope he doesn't have to sedate her but we have had to every time so far.


Here she is holding her leg up. She is finally using her leg a little more but still favors that leg.
Phoebe

I can tell from this pic that some of her hair has grown back. She still has a way to go!
Phoebe

I hope to start updating my blog more often. I never meant to be such a blog slacker but I also don't spend as much time on the computer since I got done with school. I am loving the relaxation and free time I have on my days off though!


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Sunday, October 19, 2008

Back home :(

I was actually sad to be leaving Paris and London to go back home. I wasn't done seeing everything I wanted. Paris and London are huge and it is hard to see everything in a few days! I really believe I need to go back and see more!! I hope that the value of the American dollar gets better. It was quite expensive. I was looking at my bank statement this morning seeing how much I actually got charged. I had an idea but the banks go off the current exchange rate. I had a pretty good idea!!

I got home last night and was looking forward to actually checking my email and my internet isn't working. My wireless router won't connect. I tried to connect directly and still couldn't get on the internet. I spent some time this morning calling tech support and finally got internet working but it isn't wireless. I need to figure out what is going on. Things were working just fine when I left. I even turned all my electrical things off. Why that has to mess everything up I have no idea!!

My flights too and from Paris and London were good. I did have a little issue with a lady on my long flight home. It was a huge plane with two seats, an isle, three seats, an isle and two more seats. I was sitting in a window seat on the way home enjoying the view. About 4 hours into the flight a lady asked the flight attendent to ask me to close my window. This lady had been asking her to close other peoples windows also. It was kinda dark in this area of the plane because of all the windows shut. The flight attendent said to me that she realized I was looking out the window but if I could shut it a little so I could still see out but then it would be darker. I did do that. Shortly after that this lady yelled at the flight attendent, "She said NO!!". I was in ear shot but sitting like I wasn't hearing anything. I heard the flight attendent tell the lady that I was wanting to be able to see out the window so she shut it halfway. This lady is sitting with a piece of paper over her face after this. I put my headphones on and started watching TV shows from my ipod touch and continued to enjoy the view from my window! I was sooo ready to get off that plane and her attitude towards me. I kept my mouth shut and didn't say anything.

Today my ears are bothering me and my allergies just a bit. I had a headache from the flight and my sinuses. I was so ready for bed last night!! I went to bed and brought my cell phone and placed on my headboard. I had forgotten that I still had it set for Paris time with the alarm set to wake me up at 7am. So at midnight my time, my alarm went off! I did get to sleep till about 0630 and I started getting ready to go pick up my puppy.

Right before I left for my trip, Phoebe dislocated her hip. I found out while I was in London that her hip was back in place and the vet only had to do a closed reduction. She keeps walking with that left up. They told me she has been doing that and it is okay. I have puppy class with her today and afraid!! They said I can walk her on a leash but she isn't to be running for at least 3 weeks. I hope we will be able to finish our intermediate class! The trainer I have been working with I won't see till next week. She has been on vacation too. Another trainer will be teaching today. I brought Phoebe home and she was soo excited!! She kept wagging her tail and looking at me! All my babies were happy for me to get home! The cats kept purring and wanting my attention last night.

I think I might need a nap! I am going to have to readjust to the time change again. I hope to be able to finish uploading pictures and adding post about my trip. It was an AWESOME trip and would do it all over again!!!




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Monday, October 13, 2008

London!!

I meant to make a post before I left but time got away from me. I have been in London for a few days and going to be in Paris in a couple of days. I have lots to tell but not the time to sit in an internet cafe to update my blog. I am currently in an internet cafe uploading pics. I am unsure how long this is going to take as I selected 232 MB worth of pics. I hope it doesn't take too long!

London Underground

I have been using the London Underground the last few days and it was scary at first but not to hard now that I figured it out. The very first time I used the underground, I got on the wrong train! That is typical for me! I realized it before I got outside the zone my ticket was for! After that I learned to watch the board on where the trains was going! :-)

Then today I decided to take the red line and I had to go down 3 very STEEP and LONG escalators!! That freaked me out and realized that this train was truely underground!! I did snap a picture of the long escalators and then got told that no pictures were to be taken in the underground. Not sure what taking a picture of the stairs/escalators was going to harm. I was glad those were there or I would have passed out from climbing the stairs!

Today I started at a tube station near my hotel and got off to see the Marble Arch. I walked down Oxford street where there were tons of shops! I ended up in the Soho neighborhood with very posh stores. I went to a few stores but the prices after the exchange in US dollars wasn't worth it! Much cheaper in the US. I really enjoyed Muji which had some stationary items that would be good for altering. I did get a couple of blank notebooks for making scrapbooks out of! I asked if they had any scrapbook stores in London and I got looked at like I had three heads!! So, I have given up on that!

I have realized that sparkling water is a big hit. I have some crystal light packets with me and have always thought it would be good in a fizzy drink. They have my hotel room with sparkling water so I tried it and it was good! I don't like it plain very well though.

About 25% of my photos have uploaded. I have some already uploaded and hopefully I will get these uploaded. I am not going to take the time to describe the photo fully till I get home I believe. Takes to much time!

I am off to send some emails!

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Sunday, October 05, 2008

Camera Critters!


Camera Critters


Nappin' Phoebe

This is my pup, Phoebe. She was taking a little nap on her pillow!

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Rockin' Sunday!

Yesterday didn't go quite as planned but it ended on a fun note!! A friend I hadn't seen in awhile called me - which I missed her first phone call. I got up early yesterday but decided to lay back down till my alarm went off at 10 am but slept through it till 1412!!! I was disappointed on seeing how late I woke up as I had a list of stuff to do. I went ahead and got showered and dressed to at least accomplish some of this list. I actually got none of it done but it was all good!!

I realized about 1600 that I had a missed call and a voice mail from my friend. I called and left her a voice mail and finished getting ready. When I was ready to leave the house, my phone rang and it was my friend! We ended up going out for a drink, dinner and a movie! She told me it was all on her as a graduation gift to me! We had drinks at Ruby Tuesday, dinner at the Olive Garden and then went and saw "Burn After Reading". That was a funny movie! Brad Pitt played an airhead guy and it cracked me up!! It was a great night!!



This morning I was woke up around 0630 as the puppy decided it was time to get up!! I got her out of her crate and put her on my bed. It was so cute as she laid on my bed wagging her tail! :-) I better not let her sleep with me too much as she will expect it! She was wanting to play! She had been sleeping longer since I got home kinda late so she had rested all she wanted! I decided I would enjoy me some Kid Rock this morning, blog and let Phoebe play! We are having a nice little morning! I don't plan to go back to bed so I can get on a somewhat normal schedule!

I would love to see Kid Rock in concert and wouldn't it be cool if he was playing in London when I was there!?!?! I saw that he is going to be in London on November 30th but I think he needs to move it up a bit!! :-)

The agenda today is to mow the yard!! I have been meaning to do this for a week! I like mowing it late at night about 1900 but it is too dark then. I can do the things I need during the day and then end it with mowing the lawn. I am going to start my day so I don't have to end it short by coming home to mow. I really hope that I don't have to mow it again till next year!

I also have intermediate puppy class today. I might fit in some shopping in between mowing and puppy class depending on what time it is. I really want to hang out at the Mudhouse today. I haven't done that in a long time! I need some time to review my paperwork for my trip as it is approaching rather quickly!! I want to make a list and a tentative schedule for myself. :-)

I am going to finish the LO I started at the crop Friday night and then it might be a better time to start mowing my yard!

I am off to enjoy the day!!!

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Saturday, October 04, 2008

Scrappy evening!

I have been slacking in the blogging!! One reason is that it is hard to when you have a puppy eating all the paper in sight!! She is cute but oh my! She gets in trouble quickly!!

Tonight I went to a scrapbooking event with my sister. It was fun as usual. I never get that much done as they have demos and make-n-takes to do. I always have to go to all of them!! I almost got a 2 page layout done of the trip we took to Six Flags last year. I had a pic at home I wanted to add so I did everything but the pics on the 2nd page. I will have to post it later! I even won some chipboard for having a Six Flags picture!

I even learned something at one of the demos that I wouldn't have thought of. If you want photos in a smaller size but want to print other than at home, you can add them to a blank 6x4 document in photoshop. She was adding 6 photos all in 2x2 in size on a 6x4 document. Then she can upload them and have them printed for the price of a 6x4! I am going to have to try this for some small mini books!

Phoebe in September got spayed. She did great! I picked her up and she didn't even act as if she had surgery! On the ride home, she was sitting like it hurt though! It was kinda funny. I had pain medicine to give her once we got home. Once she got out of the carrier, she was chasing the cats again! She has her stitches out now and had no problems!

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I took Pandora and Felix for there yearly check-ups and they did good!! Last year Felix acted up as he normally does. This year he let them do everything and the growled about it. Then when it came to vaccinations, he growled and was trying to escape! They both were champs!! Chloe will be next in a few months.

I leave for my trip in a few days!! I have been trying to decide if I want to rent a wide angle lenses. I really hoped to have one before my trip but it is a little pricey but them renting is too!! I could save the $100 and put it towards a lens. I am just trying to think what I want to do. I need to decided by tomorrow!

I did order me a crumpler camera bag and it is adorable!! I decided to get the 5 million dollar home! I already put it to use today! I hope to get more lenses someday and will need a bigger bag then. I am excited to take that on my trip!

I have lots of planning and things to do before I leave. I am glad that I have a week off before leaving so I can get these things done! I hope to be able to have computer access in the hotel. I might be updating my blog while I am gone but not sure. I won't be able to upload pics so I might wait till I get home to update!

It is late, my puppy is chewing on my chair and won't stop sooooo, it is time for bed!!

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Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Dog Diary vs. Cat Diary

I found this on a pug MB!!

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!


CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. *******s!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

This morning I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now...

Cat

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Sunday, August 31, 2008

My crazy Monday

I had one crazy day last Monday. I started my day waking up at 0700. I was wanting to sleep more but Phoebe needed my attention. I took care of the furbabies and then made me a smoothie and toast. I am loving these strawberry smoothies!!

Luckily, I had slept 8 hours and was going to stay up for a few hours, watch a movie, let Phoebe play and then go back to bed for a few hours till I had to get ready for work. My plans got changed at 0747 - the time on the police report of the incident. A watched a big truck drive down my street, then all of a sudden I saw blue flashes of light and a pop. I had no electricity. I step out on my front porch to figure out what just happened. I saw power lines on the ground Of course, I wasn't dressed!

I was talking to my dad on my cell phone when I stepped outside to figure out all the damage - still in my nightgown- when the police came up to me. I just saw that the main power source to my house was cut. The police took my name and told me they would be back to talk to me. I got off the phone and then got dressed!!

Wild day

Then I have a guy from my electric company telling me I needed an electrician as they couldn't re-hook my service back up. My mast (or whatever that thing is called that your power is hooked to) was bent to the point it needed to be repaired. He said if he hooked my power back up it could cause a fire. So he gave me a name that he recommended. I call this company and tell them the situation and she said it was considered an emergency. I got a call back right away and they were at my house a few minutes later. He took a look at the damage and then got supplies to fix it. I was impressed that they actually got all this taken care of that quickly!!! I actually got power back at 1315.

I didn't realize that I didn't have phone service till I remembered that I still had 10 hours of dial-up service a month through AOL. I was going to pay bills online this morning and really needed to get that done. Then I didn't have enough battery power in my laptop as I forgot to turn it off after I was dealing with everyone being on my front lawn! What is a girl to do that has no internet, no TV?? She cleans!! While I was cleaning off my dining room table, I still have my old laptop there that was plugged in!! Score!!!! After I got it all hooked up, that is when I realized I had no dial tone. I started making phone calls to the phone company. I was glad that I had charged my cell phone the night before!!

Wild day

After I called the phone company, they said I didn't need to be home for them to repair the line. I went ahead and got dressed for work and went to the Mudhouse. I had a little lunch, my fave frozen coffee and used the free wifi! I was able to get my bills set up on my bill pay. Phew!! When I arrived back home, the phone company was at my house and they got my phone/internet working again before I had to head to work.

I had one of my neighbors afraid I had been robbed. She came over to make sure I was okay. I am so glad that I did get 8 hours of sleep last night as I have to work my normal 12 hour shift tonight and won't get my normal nap time in.

The cop told me it was my lucky day as it just affected my house. I was glad that I was able to get everything back in working order before leaving for work. I was exhausted that night at work! I was so ready for bed when I got home the next morning.

Now, I am just waiting for the insurance company to call me. I have already notified them and they said they would be in contact. I think I need to call them this week so I can get a fax number to send them some receipts.

I had originally planned to be in Europe the week this happened and glad that I was home to take care of this situation.

I keep looking at these power lines that connect to my house that run across the street. I see big trucks drive down my street occasionally and I am puzzled on how this really happened.

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Friday Fill-in



It is actually Sunday, but here it goes!!

1. When I'm sick I'm _grumpy_.

2. When I take a walk, I think about __things I want to do or need to do__.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can _make traveling the world easier__.

4. Cotton makes me _comfortable__ and leather makes me _want to hide it from my puppy_.

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was __I don't know___.

6. My favorite color these days is _pink__ because _it has always been my favorite color_.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _nothing, I had to work Friday_, tomorrow my plans include _relaxing_ and Sunday, I want to _go see a movie_!



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Paris and London here I come!!!


After a very wild week, I ended it with something exciting!!! I still need to share about my wild week. Maybe later today when I hang out at the coffee shop!!

After a year of talking about planning a trip to Paris and London, I finally booked my trip!! I am soooo excited! I didn't get to as many days as I wanted in Paris but I decided to take what I could get! I am spending 5 days in London and then 3 days in Paris. I was able to google my hotels I am staying at and see what they are near. I am going to start planning what I want to do in each city! If any one has tips for me, comment me!!

I also want to get me a camera bag that I can also use as a purse. I have a Canon 40D and it has to go on this trip!! I don't want to carry my purse plus my camera bag. I want to combine these!! I also can only have my carry-on and one personal item for my flight. I have thought about getting a crumpler camera bag. I can't decide from the 5 million dollar home or the 6 million dollar home. I have some research to do! I might find another camera bag that would work better but I love the looks of the crumpler bag!

My allergies have been in high gear lately. It is ragweed season and that is my worst season!! I was doing find till last night I drove with my moonroof open. Then I couldn't breathe! I still feel that way today. I have got to get my yard mowed with or without these allergies! I might have to get my mask out today.

My pup Phoebe has fallen asleep next to me! She has finally worn herself out and has decided it was nap time. She has sooo much energy and it takes her a while to poop out!

I need to take my allergy medicine, let it kick in and then start with my fun day!!

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Lazy weekend . . .

I was looking forward to my 4 days off and I really haven't accomplished much!!! Thursday I did sleep most of the day. I couldn't seem to keep my eyes open. I did get up at a decent hour on Friday and got some errands and a little shopping done. I couldn't stay awake that evening and fell asleep around 2030 in my clothes and my contacts. I woke up at 0200 and got ready for bed. I did let Phoebe play for a couple of hours before heading back to bed.

Then Saturday, I woke up around 0930 and took care of my furbabies and actually got dressed to go mow the yard. I was feeling quite sleepy so I decided to take a little nap. I should know that my naps don't turn into little naps!!! When I woke up, it was to late to mow the yard and get done the things I needed to. So, I thought I would mow the yard on Sunday.

I woke up this morning and my nose was running and I couldn't stop sneezing. Great!! My allergies are acting up. I took some Claritin and tried to get some sleep. I finally just got up as the sneezing was keeping me from sleeping. I finally took a Benadryl and that helped. I took a shower and I just had to lay down! My allergies always make me more tired and then adding my night shift sleep schedule. It just wears me out!! I ended up sleeping till about 1700 and finally got up and dressed.

I am currently at the Mudhouse just relaxing. I will be heading home soon as my furbabies will want my attention. Phoebe is slowly getting potty trained. I just wish that dogs were as easy as cats are. I have a puppy pad in my closet in my extra bedroom and she has figured out that after she gets out of her crate, that is where she is to go. She will run down the hall!! But if she is playing for a while she doesn't run to the puppy pad, she just goes where ever she is. That is where I need to work with her!!! I did get her signed up for intermediate training at Petsmart. I am looking forward to getting started with that next month.

I have been trying to get my Europe trip planned and I am a bit frustrated about that. My original plan was to spend one week in Paris and one week in London. It was getting to expensive. I moved my trip from August to October to help with the cost. Then my travel agent told me that I could decide how many days I wanted to go. I sent her an email in regards to going only 5 days in Paris and London. She gave me a price and it wasn't that much cheaper as I was hoping. Then she could only get the company to do 3 days Paris and 5 days in London. I really just want to see the Eiffel Tower and ride the London Eye. She said for me to call her and she would explain some of this better to me. I am going to call tomorrow and hopefully have a better insight on what I might do. I might just go ahead and do an 8 day trip. I just know I need to hurry up and decided as October will be here before I know it!!!

I am not looking forward to work tomorrow. I have to work with the nurse that I have take a non-liking for. I even had a fellow nurse call me to tell me that she was talking about me and what she said. It just proves my point she can't be trusted. She told me that she did leave out the part that she kept going into my patients rooms telling them that she was there and if they needed anything, let her know. It makes for a long night when I have to work with her anymore. I don't trust her as she always turns things around to make her look good. She is still trying to kiss my behind though which makes it hard to mind my own business!!

S & J

I have been having a little fun playing with the photoshop actions I downloaded a couple of weeks ago. I am loving this one pic of my nieces I took the beginning of August. I keep adding different actions to it and printing it. I might work more on that tonight or I might actually scrap!! I really need to get my pics more organized so I can find them more easily. I am learning some of the tricks of Adobe Bridge. I am excited that I ordered Adobe Lightroom 2.0! I should be getting that this week. I was able to get this at a student rate since my activation is less than a year old.

S & J

S & J

I am starting to sneeze again so I think I will head home. I will add the pics I have been playing with today!

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Monday, August 18, 2008

Memories . . . .

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This LOL cat pic made me laugh so hard when I saw it!!! It reminds me of a friend of mine that now likes overseas. He loves Michael Jackson and would follow what he was up too. Michael Jackson actually lives in the country that my friend lives in. Or at least the last I heard he still was there. My friend would come over and would do the moon walk in my living room all the time since I have hardwood floors. He would always make me giggle! Then one morning he stopped by for a visit and we started taking pictures and he was making funny poses and one was something Michael Jackson would do! I kinda miss those fun little visits that he would make. I hope that someday he can make it back to America!! I actually need to take some pics of the town for him to show him some of the differences in the last year since he left. I realized some of the changes that he might not be aware of. That will give me a chance to play around with my camera! I hope to do that this weekend!

I am off to the post office for a bit and then back home for a nap!

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Sunday, August 17, 2008

An icky week needs LOL cats!!!

I have been working every other day for a week now. I am have been exhausted of all the events from the last week and haven't been able to do my plan of sleeping all day and staying up all night. I have been sleeping a few hours and then sleeping all night. *sigh* I am sooo ready for my 4 day weekend!!!

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Last Tuesday was a great day! I had to work the night before so I got a few hours of sleep and meet up with some SJ friends! It was great evening reconnecting with my SJ friends!

Events that happened on Wednesday has got me furious!! There is a particular nurse that I work with that seems to want to socialize with people more than be a nurse. A few weeks ago I had an incident with this nurse going into one of my patients rooms and I overheard her say that she was there all night and if they need anything to let her know. She wasn't the nurse, I was!!!! I was upset but I didn't say anything.

Then last Monday night I was rather tiffed at this same nurse. She kept going into my pts rooms again and not taking care of her own. She had one of her pts furious because she was in pain and she wasn't bringing in the pain meds. The pt came up to me but then she heard it and made it sound like no one had told her. We are always telling her that her pts want something and she takes forever to get them pain meds or whatever they are asking for. Every time she tried to talk to my pts or the family, I would jump in and let them know I was the nurse and what could I do to help them? I finally made it through that night and thought nothing of these issues.

Wednesday night comes around. I ended up with a new team because that nurse had my team. I thought to myself that might be good since she kept wanting to take care of those pts the other night. But she had also had a few pts that I had which I didn't know. So here we go again with her talking to my pts and my pts family members. Every time I turned around she was in one of my rooms. She came up to me and told me that one of my pts husband wanted her as the nurse. I just looked at her and then walked away. I hadn't had any problems with my pts all night till she started talking to them. I had never meet that husband for him to be able to compare me to this other nurse. He just stopped by to see his wife on his way to work. Then it all hit the fan when another one of my pts - which she had been talking to the family of this one - asked if they could have her as the nurse as they didn't know me that well. I blew up and I was talking to another nurse in the hallway about this situation that she is causing me. And guess what?? She was in one of my pts rooms when I was discussing her with the charge nurse that evening. She might have heard my frustrations but I was trying to be quiet and not cause a scene. I had a talk with the family of the one pt and she just told me that they had her the night before and just wasn't familiar with me. They still had me as there nurse.

Later, the charge nurse told this nurse about the situation that she was causing. She tried to come up to me later and pat me on the back. I told her to leave me alone. All night she was kissing my behind because I was mad at her. She was trying to get me to go to lunch with her. No way was I going to have lunch with her after that!! I don't trust her as she has been in trouble before for things and tries to turn it around on someone else.

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Thursday, I had a dentist appointment which went good. I had only had two hours of sleep!!! My pup, Phoebe wasn't letting me sleep that day. I am just glad I didn't have to go to work that night! I of course slept that night.

Friday, was a busy night but I ended up with a new team again. This is one of the downfalls of working every other day is that you end up with a new team almost every time. It has worked out for me that way! It started out with a bang!!! I was told I was getting a pt from PACU and then found out I was getting another. Then while I was getting report from day shift, PACU was wanting to call me report. I was finished up with the day shift nurse, the second nurse from PACU called to give me report on my other pt. I got on the phone and told who ever the lucky nurse who got me first that I was the nurse for the other pt too and to tell them to just hang up and talk to me when she was done. That is what we did. I almost asked to bring them up at different times so I can get each pt settled. But I didn't, and I should have. They both came at the exact time!! They both wanted the nurse at the bedside. I announced I was the nurse and whoever gets in bed first, I will be in that room and then will go to the next one. It actually went quite smoothly and was able to get everyone settled.

While these pts were getting settled in there rooms, the roommates weren't happy that they were getting roommates. a family member of one made a scene at the nurses station because they wanted a private room. Then the pt of in the other room stormed out of her room because of the new pt. She wouldn't go back into her room and the charge nurse took care of that situation while I got my surgery pt settled. We had to move her to another room because of her attitude. I had a difficult time with her later also. She was just rude! Then she decided she was going to be good she told me. I was thankful for that!!! I didn't have anymore problems after she said that.

I finally got everyone settled and happy! It was a busy night but it wasn't a bad night. I had pts happy I was there nurse and telling me that they liked me. That always makes me feel good after night like Wednesday!!

I really need to take a nap so I can get prepared for my night shift at work!!!


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Monday, August 11, 2008

Ready, set, ACTION!!!

Yesterday I finally sat down with the latest issue of Digital Scrapbooking and went to the websites to get actions for photoshop. I have never used actions before but have been wanting to learn since I finally got Photoshop CS3. I had no idea that they would be free!!! I have found a ton more that are free! Now I just need time to load them on my desktop and actually play around with them some. I might get to that Tuesday evening!

I got my Blackberry delivered from Fed Ex already!! I am attempting to restore my old phone into my new phone. It seems as if the program has froze or something. I really hope this will work!! I just figured out how to separate my emails from my text messages. I hope I can get back to working order soon!!!

My lists notebook

I actually need to ge getting some more sleep. I only slept about 4 hours and then Phoebe wanted up! She is actually taking a nap at my feet so now would be the perfect time!!

I am finally getting around to posting my a little notebook I made for my list I like to make! I saw this on the cover of Papercrafts magazine and had to make one!!






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Sunday, August 10, 2008

Relaxing Sunday

Today is a nice and relaxing day! I love days where I can do what I want - no appointments or anywhere to be. I can just go along with my business without worrying what time it is. It seems like these days don't come often enough!!!!

Lighting and exposure

It relaxes me to know that school is starting up and I don't have to go back!!! It makes me feel like I have really accomplished something. I have enjoyed being able to take continuing education classes for no credit. I am learning things that I want to learn. I really love photography and want to learn more!! I am planning to sign up for a portrait photography class later this year and just got my work schedule fixed so I can. I really want to take intermediate photography but I will have to wait on that. I would love to take a photoshop class but they are all in mac format. I don't have a mac so I am not sure if these classes will benefit me.

This week I have a CRAZY work schedule!!  I am working every other day for about 1 1/2 weeks.  When you work the night shift, that is hard on you!  I also have a hard time getting anything done since I am sleeping all day and don't arouse till late.  I am going to try to make the best of this and maybe stay up and scrapbook or something.  I have a few challenges off a few MB that I could work on.  I really want to start on Phoebe's album.  

Yesterday, I woke up and decided I had better get my yard work done.  I had a tree limb fall in my front yard from my big tree.  This limb was more like a smaller tree!!  I realized I wasn't going to be able to move this thing on my own!!  I worked and got the smaller limbs trimmed off and mowed around it the best I could.  I called my Dad to see if he would be able to cut if up for me so I could get it out of my yard.  He came over later and cut it into smaller pieces for me.  I am glad that this limb that has been in my front yard for over a week is gone!!!!  I got my yard work done just in time as it started to sprinkle when I was finishing mowing my lawn and then it rained the rest of the day.  The clouds made for it being much cooler to mow!  

I have been working every so slowly getting my house more organized.  I am trying my best to get myself back on track of how I did things before I went back to school.  I wasn't totally organized then but I was much better than I am now!  I am almost done getting things looking more organized.  I just need to finish with the kitchen.  I tend to lay things on the counters and my dining room table to look at later and before you know it, it has piled up!  I am tempted to opt out of some of the mail I get.  That would help out a lot!!!  It seems like I shred most of my mail I get!

I had a little mishap with my Blackberry Pearl on Friday.  The trackball has quit working.  Or it won't scroll down!  I can only access the first 4 icons on the phone but then I can't scroll down to select anything.  So frustrating!!!  AT&T wouldn't let me get insurance on this phone since they consider it a data phone.  I am glad that it is still under warranty or I would be out of luck!!!  I called and they are sending me a replacement phone.  I am not sure if it is going to be refurbished or not but I just hope nothing else happens!!  If this happened outside of my year warranty, I would have to get a new phone.  I really really want the iphone but trying to hold out till I can upgrade!

It has gotten a little quiet in the Mudhouse.  Soon, the colleges will be back in session and it won't be as quiet!  I need to enjoy it while I can!


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