Cha, Cha, Change

I quit my job a year ago to take a giant leap of faith and return to college after 20 years.  I had goals lined out from A to Z….I’m a list maker and had everything written down.

I would go to the local community college for a year of prerequisites and then enroll in the Nursing Program of said community college.  I would pay for everything out of pocket and own nothing at the end of my college career.

I have only 2 prereq’s left and will be eligible for the Nursing Program.

But not so fast.  The tiny community college only lets 60 people into their program and I have been notified that it will be Fall of……what? 2016 before I can rank to enroll.  They simply do not have enough spots. That means I will be out of school for 1 year and 9 months before I could start their program.

I love when you have everything laid out and God decides to show you that He has even bigger and better plans for you, but it may take a bit more effort on your part.

I have decided to take the entire year of 2015 to take an abundance of prereq’s for a BSN program.  I will finish ALL prereq’s required for both a BSN and for Nursing at the end of the year.  In September, I will apply to

I will then start their nursing program in Spring 2016 🙂

Never in a million years did I think I would go to a University and obtain my Bachelor’s Degree.  I guess I figured I was just too old to achieve so much.  But seems God has shown me that He has bigger plans for me than I planned out.  (He’s great that way)  I will start the Nursing Program at the University when I am 42 and will graduate with a BSN as a Registered Nurse when I am 44.

Goes to show that as long as you are breathing, you are living.  Never, ever think you are too old to make a difference or to achieve new goals.  Don’t ever limit yourself.  God just might show up and prove you are wrong and capable of oh so much more!

Happy New Year!

No sugar New Year!

I am not a new year’s resolution kind of girl.  I believe every single day is a new day….a day to right your wrongs…a day to start fresh….a day to decide to start fresh….each day is an opportunity to do anything you want, need, have to do…..each day is a day to make the best out of the short life you have.

Today is day 106 for me!  I have not eaten ANY sweets in 106 days!  In the past 106 days, I have experienced Halloween, Thanksgiving, my 18th wedding anniversary, Christmas, New Years and many gatherings that were full of sweets.  And yet I have remained steadfast.

My motto:  Don’t put anything in your mouth to satisfy your sweet tooth other than fruit.  Nothing.

I have completely 100% omitted artificial sweeteners.  Those are bad for you anyway, so why toxify your body with them? I no longer drink any sweeteners in my coffee….who knew that was even possible!!!!  I just have 2% milk and coffee.  And it’s actually good.

I have no words for how much better I feel.  I wake up more alert, I have more energy, the “fog” is gone.  I no longer have a 4pm energy surge, my head feels clearer, and my digestive system loves me.

Can you do it? Can you go without any sweets for 30 days?  The first 4 days are the hardest because you have to detoxify your body from the addictive sugar.  Sugar; more addictive than cocaine!!

I dare you.  Not because it’s New Years.  But because you want to.

Keep me posted and let me know how you do.  If you need support, message me.  It’s awesome and feels so free to no longer be addicted to something I couldn’t live without.  And…..I’ve lost 15 pounds!!!

Happy Dance

I have the best A&P I instructor ever!  He gave us our Final Grades after our exam!

I made a 100 on my Lab Final and a 96 on my Lecture Final! Overall, I made a 97 in the class!  Woohoo!  Doin a Happy Dance like it’s no ones business! Life is good!

Last day of school was Tuesday and I haven’t stopped even once.  I have been making picture frames and such.  Money is super tight with me not working and being a one income family….put Christmas on top of that and we are over the top on monthly expenses…..but God always provides and this month is no exception!

I have received a whole lot of orders for frames and wooden projects.  I’ve been painting and putting stuff together since Tuesday afternoon.  I am so excited to be able to contribute to the bank account for once in a very long time!  The highlight of my day yesterday was going to Costco and picking up a huge thing of toilet paper and paper towels…..oh the things we take for granted when we have a regular source of income.

I am freaking out just a little because I paid for and set a date for my NLN exam.  I think I will start studying for it starting Monday.  That way I won’t feel overly rushed and I can go subject by subject.  Really wish the whole thing was on Quizlet so I could study, study, study flash card style.

Last night, Reece (my 10 month old  grandson) stayed the night.  His daddy got to go to a very surprise concert to see Garth Brooks!!  Totally a win-win for me!  Hubby and I (Pops and DeeDee to Reece) got to have playtime, dinnertime and bath time with Reece.  He slept all night long (12 hours!) and woke up playful and smiling :o) I sure do love that little boy … even in spite of the 2 dirty diapers he has blessed me with today.  He is down for nap time (9am sharp) and hopefully will rest for about 2 hours.  Then his mommy will pick him up and take him to her office Christmas Party where he will be smothered with sweet kisses and big hugs!

Then its more projects for me!  Until then, I need to jump in the shower while Reece sleeps!!  He is a handful these days.  Not quite walking yet, but climbing on everything and curious about the entire huge world.

Happy Friday!  Have an awesome day!

Giant Leap

I finally got up the nerve to apply for the nursing program!!!  I paid my fee for the NLN entrance exam and scheduled my appointment for January 16, 2015!!!  All of a sudden, this “dream” became a reality.  I am really doing this!

My final for this semester is tomorrow.  I laid in the tub with a glass of wine and lecture notes for about an hour.  It was nice to unwind even if I was still studying.

Now I am making 6 loaves of banana bread.  I will take one to school tomorrow for my instructor.  He is the best instructor I have ever had.  Very chatty and conversational, yet very challenging.  He makes you laugh even though you are learning a butt ton of new information over a 3 hour class period twice a week.  I am so happy I get to take another class of his next semester.  I will also stop by the library and drop of a loaf or two to the ladies that are always there and know me by name cause I’m always there studying!  Speaking of….

Gotta get back to studying.  Just wanted to post that it’s official.  I applied to be in the nursing program!!!  Test in January.  Results in April.  And Hopefully start the program in September!!

Stay tuned 🙂

Clean, clean, clean

I am so excited that this semester is just 2 days to being over.  I have spent an enormous amount of time studying for my final Tuesday and feel pretty confident that I will pass the class with an A!

My Wednesday is going to be awesome!  I will sleep until I wake up.  I won’t crack a single book and I may just put my phone on silent! To think of not having to deal with any outside stimuli for a 24 hour period! Oh the joy!!!

I have not cleaned house much at all since school started….and we have no where to put a Christmas tree until the clutter is cleared.  I plan on cleaning….and maybe even rearranging…the house after my final! I am so excited to have a clean house again! Cleanliness makes me so happy and stress free.  It will be nice to clean clutter and put everything back in its rightful place.  I am a pretty OCD person most of the time….but when school is in, the house goes on the back burner….like the backest burner there is! LOL

I haven’t painted my nails (fingers or toes) in over 6 months.  I am going to soak in the tub for over an hour….then get out and put lotion on and paint my fingers and toes the prettiest color and get in the festive spirit.  I will blare Christmas music on Pandora and run through the house with my dogs.

I have no words for how excited I am for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this next week.  No school, no worries.  Life is good.

And come Monday, I will start studying my booty off for the NLN entrance exam. But until Monday…..Woohoo!!!

Happy Holidays ya’ll!

Finals Week

Hello lovely people of the world!  It has been a little bit since my last post.  We have gotten into the comprehensive meat of the subject matter and I have been studying an enormous amount of time.

It seems like yesterday that this semester started.  This is the first time a semester has flown by for me…..maybe it’s because I really enjoy the subject matter.  I went to the school library yesterday to study with my classmates and as I was leaving, I found myself feeling accomplished.  I smiled to no one but myself as I walked across the parking lot to my car with a spring in my step.  This semester is almost over.  One lecture final and one lab final to go.  Then I get a few weeks off to enjoy life and people until it all starts over again…..and probably a bit more hectic since I’m taking microbiology.

I would like to go ahead and take the entrance exam for the nursing program that starts next Fall.  I need to order the study book and set up an appt to take the exam.  I am super nervous and yet excited at the same time.  There is no guarantee I will get selected especially since I haven’t finished all of my sciences before test time.  I have an awesome GPA and I have finished 1 science…..by the time the Fall program starts, I will have finished all my sciences….but not before the entrance exam…and we are ranked by our GPA, our sciences completed, and our grade on the entrance exam.

I think I will go ahead and take it anyway, hope that my GP will put me into the higher ranking, and pray I am selected into the program.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  I send you all a Happy Thanksgiving wish!  Enjoy the day and count your blessings.  May you eat lots of food and take a very long nap!

Blessings to you all.

Picture Frames DIY

I have pretty much taught myself how to make some pretty cool picture frames.  I was hoping they would be a source of extra income while in school, but I haven’t had time to go that route just yet.  Instead, I have made several for my house to hang on my walls.  I plan on making some as Christmas gifts since I was able to get free wood from a neighbor and then my BIL cut it all to size for me.

What you need:

• Wood (literally, whatever kind you want.  I’ve used plywood, wooden planks)
• Paint (You can buy awesome sample sizes of ANY color for $2.98 at Lowes)
• Paintbrush
• Stencils
• a make up sponge (this is the best tool ever for stenciling)
• Plexiglass

Start with a piece of wood and cut it to size.  I cut this to a 10″ x 10″

Paint a base coat on each piece of wood.  Be sure to paint the sides.

Let base coat dry completely.  I use a fan to make the paint dry faster.

Then pick out a stencil to use for the design on the frame.  I buy mine at Michael’s

Line up the stencil and use the makeup sponge to blot the paint evenly and thinly onto the frame.  I use a piece of painters tape to hold the stencil in place.

Once you have painted the stencil, set it aside to dry.  You can easily do several others while you wait for the paint to dry.

Once the paint is dry, paint the stencil onto the remainder of the the frame.

I used a 10×10 piece of wood and printed a 5×5 picture.  I got a large sheet of plexi glass at lowes and had them cut it for me.

    

I made 3 light ones and 2 dark ones.  I hung them on my wall in alternating colors.  I love it!  Quick, easy and fun!!

Here are a few more I have done:

          

Go for Broke

I feel like I am sometimes living a bitter sweet, double edged dream.  I love college…learning all the amazing things about the human body and having so many new experiences.  I seriously thought since I was 40 when I returned to college, I wouldn’t be able to learn many new things and I’d do good with a C.  I have learned that I’m actually an exceptional student and I make A’s.  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be a smart college student.

But let me tell you….It certainly does not come naturally.  I study almost every waking hour that I’m not in class.  I quit my job in December and I haven’t looked back.  This entire year has been college focused and I’ve loved every minute of it.  After being in the work force for 20+ years….man, it’s so nice to be away from grumpy people and drama, drama, drama.

The downside?  I’m broke.  Normally by October 1, I have all my Christmas presents bought and wrapped.  But this year, I have only purchased 3 things.  I am dreading presents this year.  We barely have enough income to pay our bills, buy gas, and purchase groceries.  There is nothing left at the end of the month.  Nada.  I just want to skip presents for the next 3 years and then start gift giving once I’m finally working again.  This whole “not having money” thing is for the birds.

I was able to get some scrap wood from some neighbors and have made some reclaimed wood picture frames.  I will give some of those for Christmas gifts.  Other than that, I will probably make some candy and cookies to hand out as gifts.  I think I can find some little gift boxes on sale at Hobby Lobby.

Being broke really does help bring the focus back to Christ at Christmas.  It really isn’t about the gifts.  It’s about Christ being born into this world as our Savior.  And so, with that, I will choose not to focus on being broke, but rather being the richest girl in the world because Christ has come.

Recently I have had several times that I could have been discouraged.

My husband had a procedure last week and while he was in recovery, I was talking to his male nurse (RN). He said nurses are a dime a dozen, there is no longer a shortage, and finding a good job in nursing is difficult.

I live in Memphis, TN. Home of some of the best hospitals out there. We have St. Jude, The Regional Medical Center, Lebonheur Children’s Hospital….not to mention several Methodist Hospitals, St. Francis Hospitals and Baptist Memorial Hospital.

I am a glass is full kind of person. I don’t choose to focus on the negative….there are too many people out there that do that for me already.

At first, when the nurse told me that nurses are a dime a dozen, I felt a little deflated. I am working super hard in school and I love every minute of it. So far, I have made great grades and stayed focused on my studies and pretty much given up any social life with family or friends that existed before January.  So, why would this guy want to deflate me?

The conversation I had with said male nurse makes me wonder if he is a little burned out and in need of a break. It reminded me to always encourage people to follow their dreams and to NOT blow their candle out. It takes people so long to finally determine what they want to do with their lives….look at me….I’m 41 and in college pursuing a dream. So, I heartily appreciate the reminder to encourage others, cheer them on, and support them in whatever endeavor it is they have chosen as their life’s mission. I will not blow their candle out and send their dreams into darkness. I will help them, motivate them and send them well wishes. After all, one day I will be a nurse. I have a heart full of compassion and a love for humankind. I want to help people and to inspire people.

Blessings :O)

Comprehension

I have the best A & P instructor.  He lets us know what tests will be the hardest and what will be the easiest. Up until yesterday, both lab and lecture have been a lot of memorization.  Anyone can memorize stuff if they study it enough.  But now, it’s all comprehension.

I never really put much thought into memorization verses comprehension.  Well, let me tell you…there’s a lot of differences.  You memorize where you live, how to drive your car, where your moms house is, where the grocery store is….etc.  You don’t even have to think about it.  You do it automatically.  Easy peasy once you’ve done it a few times.

Comprehension…..well, it’s a bit different.  It’s the difference in just driving a car verses knowing why the car starts, what causes the fuel to go to the engine and what do the spark plugs do and how do the wheels align and stay that way and on and on and on.  WHY?

We had our hardest lab test yesterday and I feel certain I got an A.  I studied a lot of hours to not just memorize the data, but to know it.  I mean, you can memorize it for the class, or you can “know” it for your life as a nurse.  So, I really try to know the information so that when I am a nurse, I can be the best nurse I can be.

On Nov. 18, I will take the hardest lecture test we will have.  It’s 100% comprehension.  The breakdown of the muscle fibers, the contraction and relaxation, the joints and movements of the skeletal system, and the breakdown of the entire central and peripheral nervous system.

I have been really busy studying for the lab exam.  Now that it’s over, I will focus my time on the lecture exam coming up.  I seriously feel like I am living my life in 2 week increments right now…..and I don’t see an end in sight anytime soon!

But honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  It’s hard.  But I love proving to myself that even though I just turned 41, I am smart enough and compassionate enough to be one of the top in my class and the eventual nurse I dream of one day being.

If you’re a nursing student…keep your head up!  All your very hard work, endurance and passion will pay off one day soon.  After many years in school, you will one day look back and it will have passed in the blink of an eye.  Be sure to make friends along the way.  Enjoy the studies you are learning.  Get to know it….not to pass it, but to be smart and informed.  The human body is amazing!!!  Get to know it for yourself, not for anyone else and not just for a grade.  You’ll thank yourself for it later in life.

Have a blessed day everyone! Remember to stop and enjoy life along the way.