Mom and Nikki are December girls! A few special pictures...
Mom's birthday lunch at Bravo:
Jonathan & I
Dad & Mom
Nikki & Ben
And then Nikki's birthday party at our house:
Nikki & her friend Colleen
And because December is not busy enough.... Jon & I went to see Wicked with his family:
Are we not so adorable together? :)
Oh, and we tried to give a "fresh" approach to the annual Christmas card photo by adding Santa Claus. Since Haylie has to be in the picture, the best we could do was PetSmart. Santa was either hungover, high, or just an interesting individual. We found it funny, so yes, this got sent out to 100 of our friends and family:
But this one is my favorite:
All I need, right there. I love our little family. <3
Oh, and a picture of Baby Bug. Just because she's so stinking cute!
While Amanda is still hanging out down south with The Mickey I thought I would send along Happy Puppy Mother's Day wishes from Amanda's most beloved puppy. So I took this picture of Haylie in one of her favorite spots, sitting on my lap getting her belly rubbed. It's a slightly awkward picture but I'm here by myself and Riley the boxer doesn't have opposable thumbs so there's no way she could take a cute picture of us. Even if Riley did have opposable thumbs she is a little slow and probably couldn't figure out my iPhone. Irregardless, I know Amanda is missing Haylie a lot right now *cough* and me *cough*, so I just hope this picture helped brighten her day and is making her anxious for her return home.
Today, Haylie turns 4. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday, I brought home this teeny tiny little perfect thing, yet at the same time? I can't imagine my life without her.
I was never much of an animal person. We always had a family dog, but I don't think I ever cared one way or another. If I had grown up without a dog and then got one later, it probably would have ended up like the fish tank... or the bunny... or the goat I always wanted but never got... all good ideas gone wrong.
So in the fall of 2004, when my world was falling apart, I randomly decided I needed a little dog. I was on a road trip with my mom when I told her my idea. I truly think I was just as shocked as she was.
I sometimes get random "great ideas," and thankfully those closest to me "get" it and know to just wait it out and I'll be over it soon. Ideas, hobbies, whatever... I'm always onto something new, but it usually blows over pretty fast. But if it's here to stay? You'll know it.
Anyhow, I spent that weekend on the internet looking at small dogs and learning about the breeds. (I'm not a dog person, remember? I was clueless. All I knew was whatever I learned from the german shepherd and golden retrievers we had over my lifetime.) I decided I needed a shih tzu, but I wasn't exactly sure if I wanted a purebred. A rescue maybe? A mix? A ha, I found it - something called a "shichon" - a shih tzu/bichon frise cross. They were so adorable, and all I could find was information going on and on about how sweet they are. I randomly ran a search for my area and "shichon" and I couldn't believe it when the top hit was a message board post by a breeder with my area code. Was it too good to be true? Was it destined to be? I grabbed my cell and made the call. Yep, sure enough, a bichon dad and a shih tzu mom were going to have a litter of puppies, and the breeder was right in my area. 20-30 minutes away. Plus, at the time, "designer dogs" - especially shichons were really rare and expensive so what were the odds?? Apparently the breeder had received a lot of inquiries but she said if she got my deposit before the others (which were coming in the mail), I could have first female pick.
So bless my dear parents for not going crazy when I told them that I was getting a shichon and I had to go meet the doggie parents and give this random lady my deposit. Ha! I kind of counted on yelling and reminders of the fish and the bunny but after a "Let me talk to your dad about this," and 20 minutes of a "discussion" (you know, when the parents get all serious, shut the door and you can hear them trying to keep their voices low as they "discuss"?)... they said as long as I paid for her and would help pay for her food, grooming, bills, etc., they were fine with it. What?! I had absolutely nothing to say. That's NOT how my parents are. Ever. Never ever.
What in the world had gotten into them? What was up with this story? It was surely meant to be because I found my crazy-rare breed, I found a breeder who wasn't even a half hour away, my parents were 100% fine with it... It was totally unreal. But later, it all made sense. Both God and my parents knew that I needed this baby girl. I guess my parents somehow knew how lonely I was inside my self-built shell, and I know they were just as shaken as I was over some additional health obstacles that came up just a month or two prior. Although no one ever said a word, I know they saw that I HAD to have this puppy. I needed a reason to get up in the morning. I needed someone to adore. I spent too many nights crying alone, and somehow, I like to think that they saw that in their hearts.
I know God did.
So that's the story of Haylie, the furbaby daughter that no one ever believed I was serious about until they saw that she had every single piece of my heart. That's the story of the little princess who, surprisingly enough, is just like her mommy - hater of mornings, lover of naps, quite a bit finicky and persnickety, either 100% or 0% snugly - never in between, naive, loving, a tad stubborn, cautious, inquisitive, scared, persistent, sassy, and capable of engaging you and melting your heart. That's the story of the 11 pounds who gives me a reason to hold on in the middle of the longest night, the one who lays with me when I'm in pain or coming out of anesthesia. She's been with me through the hardest 4 years of my life, and in return, she's the most spoiled, loved, cared for little princess you will ever hear of. After all, she pretty much saved my life. And that's a big deal for a tiny little girl!
Happy late Monday - even though I wrote this on SUNDAY! :)
So much to cover so hold on tight!
LAST weekend (and Monday... and Tuesday... and Wednesday... and Thursday... and Friday... and Saturday and yeah, even TODAY!) absolutely flew by.... it's been doing that a lot lately!
Last weekend was a normal weekend with extra fiance time... yay! He's helping me redo my nursing portfolio so I'm way excited about that. His way (via Adobe InDesign) is much more efficient and is going to be a life saver since I'm continually needing to edit it and well, my little mess of a document is a nightmare to work with. I started it in Nursing Issues about a year ago, and I really have fun adding to it - it's sort of like my "professional scrapbook"! ;-) Also, Friday I took a webinar through the National Student Nurses Association all about e-portfolios. I guess our dues do go towards something! ;-) It was fun - we watched a live broadcast and could talk and everything. I was the only dork who asked questions and gave suggestions, but that's okay. :) Even though the whole nursing portfolio thing is not new to me at all, I did enjoy seeing amazing ways of putting it online and learning how our field is progressing and is depending more and more on things like our portfolio. (For those of you who don't know, just think of a resume turned into a scrapbook. Basically we SHOW everything we've done instead of tell it. Copies of certifications, journal entries, projects, papers, case studies, care maps, letters from patients, awards..... blah blah blah) Anyhow, it's great to see how nursing is going from exam scores to evidence of optimal practice. I've always hated how nurses are credentialed based upon exam scores - what about the people who just can't take tests well but are phenomenal on the floor?? That's why we're moving towards this portfolio thing. Fun!
In other news, we're cleaning out the basement (slowly but surely!) and I found my old "coin collection" - now don't take it in the literal way, it's nothing fancy. It's just a little box full of money from wherever I've been or wherever my dad has traveled. I am not an avid coin collector or anything, but I am an anal organizer so I have been trying to research how to properly organize and store, well, money! I have no idea if this is the right idea or not, but I ordered some of those cardboard things to put the coins in and then binder sleeves to put those in. For the paper money (my research leads me to believe that collectors refer to my term "paper money" as the more proper term, "currency" lol), I got binder sleeves that are made to hold those. I hope it comes soon because I want to get the plastic box of nasty money off my table!
Oh yes, I gotta tell you about this fiasco I'm in. It's sad and funny at the same time! Well, a week ago, our weather started getting really chilly, and I then realized that I had absolutely no winter pants or nice jeans that fit (I've been wearing capris and stuff all summer) since I've lost a ridiculous amount of weightover the past 5 months thanks to a med I'm on. (I know, I know, I shouldn't complain but I have NOT tried to lose even an ounce, so this really isn't good) Anyways, moral of the story... I had to buy an entire new wardrobe on Friday, and I then remembered how my scrubs seem to be getting huge on me (even though they're already smalls!!) so I placed a huge order at Scrubs & Beyond. Cute?? Umm, YES! Take a peek at my new favorite set (so favorite, in fact, that I got it in 2 colors!)
Then, Mom got the idea of taking a water exercise class... she took it before with her friend because it helped their backs. Since my back is pretty much throbbing all day long these days, she signed me up and well, it looks like I'm joining a pool full of old people to do "exercises" - whatever that entails. Why do I picture a line full of 70-year-old women with those goofy hats doing synchronized swimming?? Oh, my..... My mom and her friend were the youngest in the class last time, so that means I'm going to be like the babyof the group. But anyways, back to my story... so I realized that I don't have a swimsuit that fits. Not a good thing in Ohio in October. Since the pool in question is completely loaded with chlorine, I didn't want to get a really nice swimsuit, so I logged onto Target.com and ordered a smorgasbord of swimming apparel. In the way picked over clearance section, no less. I saw a few sets I adored on Gap.com - cute patterns, low tops = no tan line problems... Absolutely perfect!! But then I got to thinking... did I really want to get a top that low for old-people-swimming-exercise-class? For my backyard pool, sure, but in a pool full of Grandpas?? EWW. Riiiight... So that's why we went with Target. Not that those are much better. But I don't know. I guess I'm not going to fit in with these septuagenarians unless I get a floral one-piece from Sears with an attached ruffle skirt and huge hibiscus flowers on the boobs or something (ahh!!) so alas, Target won. Well sort of. The order came and go figure... it was all too big except for an adorable brown and coral top and black bottoms with a cute white and black floral fake belt thingy. Umm, yeah. Brown + coral on top, black on the bottom (with a tiny bit of white on the belt thing no less) = AHHHH! Fashion trainwreck!! So this should be interesting. Who knows, maybe I'll just have to get a nice swimsuit and get it ruined in the chlorine. (Yes, we do put chlorine in our pool here, but not that heavy duty, way potent public pool stuff.) Absolute craziness.
In other news, I've gone wildly craft happy. More than usual. Like there are no words... I'm knee deep in scrapbooking projects, a quilt, a craft apron, coasters, a few ATC swaps, and some blankets. Yes, seriously. Pictures when I stop starting new projects and actually finish the first, k?
Ohhh and yes, this is BIG news - Monday, my mom volunteered to help me clean out the mess we call my room. We're about halfway through the worst of it - my closet and the half of my dwelling rectangle that I fondly refer to as my "scrapbook room." Not quite finished, but almost!! Here's what the closet USED to look like, and look how it sparkles now! ;-)
Annnnnd (told you I had a lot to say!) just because I love you... here's some fun links!!
Real Simple wallpapers: so cute with inspiring quotes Design Freebies: FAB blog! Links to free wallpaper, printouts, cute things, etc. all over the internet
Top 10 Ways to Organize Your Paperwork: Mia Binn's great new blog with a very informative, creative article! Amy Atlas: She's an event designer/planner. Click on her gallery - you'll be completely blown away!
Thinking thinking.... I know I did way more than that in the past week or so...
Well in school news, had a quiz on Thursday. I didn't do too hot thanks to my previous month of running on about 4 hours of sleep a night. Not by choice. I'm struggling inside and the nights are so hard on me. So yes, my waking hours suffer. And I'm tired all day. And my brain is mush. We'll see on Tuesday what I got on the quiz.
I am excited though, because for that class we all have to do a project on a disease. I, not wanting to adhere to monotony, chose a fascinating liver disease, sclerosing cholangitis. Coincidence, but it's what I have had since I was 5, so I should have known that my slight research and project love and addiction would have combined with the personal aspect to create this huge, like we're talking dissertation huge - research endeavor. Oh man, you have noooo idea. So far I've collected over 200 journal articles and my books? HA! Only a picture will suffice. ACTUALLY, it won't suffice. I couldn't fit all the books in a picture. I have probably about 40 books checked out and a ton more coming in from other colleges in the country. Yes, I'm soooo serious..... But I LOVE this!!!
Told you I'm going overboard. But this stuff fascinates me so much! And when I read one thing, it leads to another, and another, and another.... and by now, I have books on not only PSC itself, but childhood trauma, pediatric issues, pulmonary complications, cardiac topics, reproductive technology, and the impact of chronic illness on a person, families, and spousal relationships. And no, I'm not done. I have a list of more books I want to check out, and my folder on EBSCOhost is packed with more articles I have to look up. I could seriously research every single day. I'm really good at it, too, and it doesn't take a toll on me physically like floor nursing does. I could get a PhD in Nursing Research. Who knows. I do love my patients though. I don't know.... But anyways, I will only need a couple hours to do my little school thing, but this is just so much fun that I won't be able to stop for awhile. :) Plus, since it's personal, I'm learning soooo much and retaining it so well. When I was little, I wanted to be a doctor, and honestly? I'd be great at it. Oh, okay... rambling...
Anywho... ;-)
So yes, our brand new Hobby Lobby opened early (they weren't supposed to until Monday) so my mom drug me in. Mistake. Big mistake. We were on our way to JoAnns for their huge Columbus Day sale (I needed interfacing and I LOVE when the clearance fabric gets double clearanced!) but umm, let's just say we never made it to JoAnns. We did go to Target though. Target puts me in my happy place! Today, I got a clearance nightshirt for $2.49, not kidding, (and not really my style, but in the wintertime, well, what I usually wear tends to be FREEZING so maybe I'll have to embrace the whole sleeves concept), a fun Halloween mask (I have a cute poodle skirt, but since I'm only going trick-or-treating with my lil buddies, age 5 and 3 and not to an event type thing, I'll probably opt for comfy and WARM and wear black plus the little tiger-whatever-it-is mask. Rahhrrr, right? So hot, I know! ;-) I am sad though because this was going to be the year that little miss Haylie was finally old enough to be the French Maid - seriously people, I've been eying this costume since she was a baby!! She's been a ballerina, a pumpkin, umm... I forget what else, but this is what she needs to be... Oh well, there's always next year!
Yesterday and today were extra great because weekends = FIANCE TIME!! Annnd, yesterday, our friend had a housewarming party:
....and then I had to run to the mall to pick up some... well.... newly super-super-tiny me cant even fit in my UNDERWEAR anymore. Poor Boytoy had to go to like 16 stores while I walked around in circles trying to find something I liked. (Shopping with me is nuts... I'm so picky and anyone who shops with me will tell you I walk in "circles" whatever that means) Buuuut, we finally found some... and got a snack... and got "pulled over" in the mall and got CARDED! (Our stupid mall has a rule now where if you're under 18, you have to be accompanied by an adult after a certain hour. So the "forest ranger", aka security guard, came and got us and was kind of embarrassed when he saw that we both have HORIZONTAL licenses meaning in our state, we are OVER 21 (forget 18! lol). Interesting.
Anywho... then we chilled. :) Jonathan had a crazy week, too, so it worked out. I love the weekends when we have extra time to be together. It keeps my crazy mind at rest for a few days at least. :)
So, that's a nice summary for ya. I've been so busy I can't even stand it. I didn't even watch Grey's till SATURDAY!! (YES, I thought I might just die...)
Come on, let's just face it: We are living in a material world, and Haylie is a material girl. So go ahead and thank your lucky stars—Haylie is the one and only Madonna!
Always desperately seeking attention, Haylie is multi-talented and savvy, not afraid to get her paws dirty and experiment with new methods of getting into the groove in order to reach her peeps. She commands respect everywhere she goes, a sophisticated traveler who insists upon the best—and more often than not, she gets what she wants. Appearance is everything for your true-blue diva and while her look may change as often as the Pellegrino in her water bowl does, her commitment to exercise is unwavering. Haylie's in tip-top shape, which makes her age in pet years a non-issue. Despite the hard fur and the no-nonsense approach, she's a softy when it comes to her devoted owner. It's fair to say that Haylie is, yes, crazy for you.
What? My Haylie a material girl? Who would have ever thought?! ;-)
Time for Princess and her mommy to go night-night. Haylie's mommy is way past sleep deprivation, in some kind of alien-zombie mode, and her first final is tomorrow. Kind of scary if you ask me. I have not a second to breathe until Thursday evening, on which I plan to take a lonnnnng nap, and then Friday I am playing catch-up. Hopefully. Might still be sleeping. But I probably should be studying for my other finals and stuff the following week. 3 finals, 2 interviews, 1 concert, 1 sleep disorder, a way over-achieving portfolio that must be perfected (what did I get myself into??), and practicing interview questions... just way too much stuff.
For now I think I will close my eyes, hold on tight, and hope and pray to God that the Xanax kicks in soon!!
I am 22 & currently spend my days nannying my itty bitties + going to college (working on my nursing degree, goal: pediatric oncology) & am honored to be a published writer in a nursing anthology & a contributor to many scrapbooking publications. i love hanging with my amazing friends, sister & family. i love my baby puppy haylie brooke and our silly doggie ri-ri. in my rare spare time, i read & get crafty. i thrive on organization, my mac repertoire, learning & absolute fabulosity. my favorite place in the world is paris. my favorite color is pink. i love being a nurse & i believe each one of my patients is precious. i'm a night owl & wish my lifestyle promoted such habits. i like lazy jammie days. i believe in god and am thankful for his hand on my life. i believe that life is too short to be anything but happy, & i’m thankful that a chronic liver disease + the effects of a car accident have taught me important values that most people learn far too late. i hope that the world will find hope, and my idea of a good day is one in which i made someone smile :)
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While Amanda is still hanging out down south with The Mickey I thought I would send along Happy Puppy Mother's Day wishes from Amanda's most beloved puppy. So I took this picture of Haylie in one of her favorite spots, sitting on my lap getting her belly rubbed. It's a slightly awkward picture but I'm here by myself and Riley the boxer doesn't have opposable thumbs so there's no way she could take a cute picture of us. Even if Riley did have opposable thumbs she is a little slow and probably couldn't figure out my iPhone. Irregardless, I know Amanda is missing Haylie a lot right now *cough* and me *cough*, so I just hope this picture helped brighten her day and is making her anxious for her return home.
