Monday, April 5, 2010

sunny skies and spring!

Spring has finally arrived! YAY! We've had a couple of 80* days last week, along with some t-storms. It's so uplifting to see sunshine, flowers, and green grass! No more snow!

Have had 2 clinical days now. The first one was rough-mainly because we were still learning the charting system, our way around the floor, the meds, etc. Last week went better and I felt more comfortable. My two patients were complete opposites, so they were very different experiences each week. Still enjoying it but have my eye on the end of the semester! (5 weeks!)

Celebrated Easter with Mark's family yesterday. And actually, Christmas too! It was a good day and Isaac behaved pretty well, for the most part.

He's still LOVING preschool/daycare. He's learning so much, he blows me away. He's decided lately though to get up at random times: 3:30 AM, 4:30, 5:15, etc. Hard to get him back to bed after that so last week was LONG and tiring. Last night, he was in bed by 730 (meaning dad and mom were downstairs) and slept straight through until about 6:30! YAY! Easter Sunday he woke up at 7:30, but only after getting up at 3:30 for a while.

Isaac was pretty happy with Easter Basket. He got a new Curious George movie, some candy, some rubber bugs, sunglasses, a new raincoat, bubbles, and coins in his eggs. Even though it's not raining, he had to wear the new raincoat to school today to show his friends. We went to the town Easter egg hunt Saturday morning and he had lots of fun.

Now onto homework...this was my way of procrastinating for a little bit! :)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Spring Break

We got Isaac's trike out the other day! We didn't go far because it was windy, but was nice to be outside for a bit! 


SPRING BREAK! It seemed as if we would never get here! I was so ready for break when it came!
Today is Wednesday, so it's day 3.
Monday-I cleaned my bedroom, folded laundry, put laundry away, sorted stuff for Goodwill. Amazing how good you feel when you sleep in a CLEAN CLEAN bedroom!
Tuesday, my mom, sister, Isaac and I went to the Science Center in Des Moines. Isaac seemed to enjoy it. I've been there before and I must say that it doesn't excite me, but wanted to do something for Isaac.
Today, I've cleaned both bathrooms, including the floors. I got a Shark Steam Floor cleaning thing and LOVE IT! You can use it on wood and linoleum. Which is excellent, since the bedrooms are wood, the bathroom and kitchen are linoleum. Makes the floor super clean!

The sun is shining brightly! I Have a few windows open, although it's only 54*. Mark jokes that I open windows when it's above freezing. I try to wait until it hits at least 50*.

Had orientation for clinical last week. Went well, no patient contact. Just learned their computer system, drug dispensing system and where to find stuff. I'm excited for next week because we actually get to work with people! (Not so excited about being to Ames by 7 AM, though. )

One of these days we need to get out and pick up the branches and sticks that came down in the yard over the winter. All the snow is just about gone and in another month we can burn. I'm excited for spring!
This is on the way home from Ankeny. It's a field!Another field! 

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

1/2 way!

Wow! Last week, I finished up the first half of my first semester! I did well in both classes and was pretty pleased with my grades. We have now started our Nursing Practice class that coincides with the clinical (that I start TOMORROW!). It's going to be a pretty intense class, with classwork, outside stuff, clinical, etc. But next week is Spring Break!

It's been raining here the last 3-4 days. At least it's not snow! And we can see some spots of grass! Hopefully, spring will arrive soon and it will warm up!

Isaac continues to love his new preschool. Can't wait to go every day. They have been playing outside the last week or so (when the temps were warm enough) so he's totally loving that he gets to play in the snow!

It's my "day off" but I have a lot of stuff to accomplish: school work, laundry, cleaning up the house a bit, etc etc. You know, the stuff that gets neglected during the school week! I'm off and running!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Moving Forward!


I can't believe that I am about halfway through my first semester of the PN program! It's gone by fast, yet slow at times. Next week, we have a test in each class (2) and then a day off (we are going to go vent our frustrations by playing laser tag) and then start our Med-Surg class on Friday. This is the class that will coincide with our clinical. I'm excited for clinicals!  I'm pulling high B's in both classes so it really helps my confidence level!

It is an in-service day today for the college so I'm home. Working on the last little bit of homework, getting test guides put together, housework. Fun times!

Isaac started a new daycare/"preschool" this past Monday. He seems to love it and we are so glad! He's transitioned very well (and quickly!) and can't wait to go every day. There are new kids to play with, he gets to play on a computer, a sand table, and if it ever warms up again, they play outside (as the weather permits). It's nice that it's like 1 block from DMACC so he's really close by and I can pop in for lunch if I wanted!

We haven't had any snow for about 2 weeks now, although we were supposed to get some last weekend. I'm not complaining! It's been cold this week, but NO SNOW! Warmer temps on the way next week, but I hear there is a storm coming in for next weekend. Of course there is because I *might* have plans. Never fails!

Taken on Feb. 20, 2010. Isaac and I played outside for a little bit that day!


Nothing else really exciting happening around here! We're anxious for spring, warmer temps and Spring Break!

Monday, February 15, 2010

just sayin'...

I'm REALLY REALLY tired of the snow. And cold. And plain old winter in general.


More snow last week, more snow this past Saturday (because I had plans of course) into yesterday and more snow overnight! 
Local schools have had 10-11 snow days! Some districts around us are extending the school day, others are considering classes on Saturdays! 


My check off went well last week. I got 96/100 and my 4 points were pretty stupid mistakes. Grr. I'm pulling B's in both classes and am pretty excited for clinicals to start in about 3 weeks.


Spent Saturday afternoon down in Des Moines with some girls from high school. Did some shopping, had dinner, caught up. Then I drove home in snow, which is never fun. 40 mph on the Interstate! I was finally into Boone County before I could do 60 mph! That's unusual because normally Boone County is horrible about clearing the highway.


Today is a get everything caught up for school/at home day. Isaac is at day care, which allows me to do school work and other chores undisturbed. Pretty much caught up for the week for classes, except for practicing my med/eye check off tomorrow AM.


We signed Isaac up for soccer this spring. I hope he likes it and I think it'll be fun to watch a bunch of 3-4 year olds running around trying to play soccer! 

Monday, February 8, 2010

Week 4 going into Week 5

About a 1/4 of the semester is behind me already!

Things are going well. I'm enjoying my classes and enjoying getting to know the others in my class. With all the assessments we are learning, we will know each other pretty well in two years!

Tomorrow (Tuesday, hopefully?) is our first "check-off". We are going to be doing a head-toe assessment on our community partner. We need to attain 90% on all our check offs in order to pass the class. This is a big one, as it is literally head to toe. WIth the weather we are having today and into tomorrow, there is a possibility that it may be pushed back.

Yeah...weather. Snow yesterday was supposed to amount to half an inch. We got over 2". Today it's snowing and every weatherman has a different guess as to the amount. So, I'll just say we're supposed to get a lot (I'd say we have about 4-5" as of 1:30 CST) and then the winds are to pick up tonight and into tomorrow.
They are saying that we may beat the snow record from 1961/1962. I guess the amount then was 59". I would think this storm may put us near or over! I've lost track of all the snow, it's just gotten so old.

This was taken from our driveway on Christmas Day. (It was snowing then too!)
Today @ 1:30 PM CST

My feet were covered when I stepped out to take the photo. Brrrr.....

Here's hoping that spring comes quickly!