Keeping my promise

Well, it's almost been one week, so I'm posting.  :D  I am working a 4 day work-weekend, so not a lot of 'fun' going on, but all is good.  Here's the update:
40x40:  I worked last Monday, but Tuesday I met with my trainer (two free sessions for new members) and took my first yoga class in a long while.  I love yoga and it was a great class (complete with scented oils and a scalp massage), but it kicked my wrists (carpal tunnel + down facing dog = excessive numbness and pain).  I'll wear my braces next time to see if that helps.  Wednesday I took my first pilates class (kicked my hips/shoulders).  Excellent class...wore me out.  Thursday, back for 2nd session with trainer.  It has been a LOOOOOONG time since I did push ups...not too shabby.  But holding plank for 1 full minute...good grief. That sucked.  Then I came home and Lon and I did some much needed yard work in 150% humidity...yucko.  Looks good, though.  So...not a bad start to my 40x40 challenge.
Looking forward to 6 days off (yay for a non-traditional schedule) and getting back to the Y.
Friday-Monday = at the hospital.

BTW, Geri Psych can be fun.  Today a patient was calling and feeding the chickens and shooing them off farm equipment.  All with his eyes closed sitting back relaxing in a recliner.  And something (who knows what) got him so tickled, he made himself cry laughing so hard.  I would love to peek inside his brain and see what he sees...but only for a moment.  The brain is such a wondrous and scary place.  Appreciate your intact memory and ability to do your mundane activities of daily living.  They are precious.

RN (official title)

Well, it's official...I have my license number and my ID badge says 'Staff Nurse.' I'm giving meds and seeing patients all on my own. I'm such a big girl now. :D I'm still training, but I'm loving it. My patients are so interesting and fun. Even the ones with bad attitudes can make me laugh. Like I've said before, if you don't want help, why...oh why did you come to the hospital? Regardless, I'm going to do my best to make you well and able to enjoy life a little more. Whether you like it or not. And to my dear, sweet patients who genuinely do want to feel better and live longer, I absolutely love you! In the past week I have gotten a handshake, a gorgeous red rose, laughs, appreciation, smiles and even some flirting....I LOVE my patients. Thought I might want to hit up ICU after a year or so on the floor, but if all the patients are on vents or are non-responsive, Med Surg may be my calling...who knows. I really enjoy the interaction with my patients and their families. That's the great thing about nursing...you can do anything! Work with patients, work with computer programs, IV team, doctors' offices, wound care, travel (my dream!), hospice, home health, school nurse (not for me!), floor, ICU, ER, OR, PACU, kids (hell, no!), adults, geriatrics, mental health (could be interesting), military (I've done it before), administration (maybe later, when we've settled somewhere), ANYTHING!
So looking forward to what life has in store for us...Life really is good.

New Chapter

5600 practice questions, 75 NCLEX test questions, two days of waiting and a PASS on my boards! Yay!!! Rachel H. Jordan, RN at your service. It's been a long road, but one I can look back on fondly. I learned a ton, saw and did all kinds of interesting procedures, made some friends, had some fun. A new chapter is beginning. I've helped numerous nurses care for patients over the last two years and now I'll be the one responsible for their care. It's intimidating, but exciting. I really do love (most of) my patients. The ones who come in with legit problems, call for their PRN pain meds every four hours on the dot, but don't want to do any of the other treatments/tests/meds that will actually help their bodies heal...well, they can be a little frustrating. If you want to get/feel better, come see me. I'll do everything in my power to help you. If you don't, why did you come in today?

Ironically, the same night I found out my 'pass' results, we got our 1st glimpse of Nurse Jackie (Netflix rocks!). We had heard about it...some people were offended that she's a nurse hooked on pain killers, some people loved that she says 'Doctors diagnose, nurses heal.' We had to see for ourselves (and we loved Edie Falco on Sopranos). Survey says: LOVE it!!! We've only seen the first four episodes of Season 1, but so far, so good. It's a drama...it's fiction. But there is truth in it. It's a fun show with some great personalities. A new fave.

This weekend I'm so excited to start converting the office from my study zone into a real office/creative workshop! Yippee! I won't have to move school books or study guides out of the way when I want to work on our vision boards or play on FB (found a new addictive game...Gardens of Time. It's a hidden treasure game-I love those!). It'll feel so good to either get rid of or put away all this excess material, but a little sad too...I have a wall that is covered with cards and notes. It's my At-A-Girl wall that is right behind my PC. Check it out:

Some of them are from my days back in the Navy, most are from the past two years cheering me on, making my day, making me laugh. Still haven't decided if I'm going to take it down just yet. It may look messy, but it makes me smile every time I see it.

Guess it's time to start being productive. Happy Saturday!!!
:)

Trying to dig out...

(Friends from class at The Terminal right after our FINAL final! Tara, me, Mary, & Alissa)

That's what I feel like. I'm trying to dig out from under this pile of "must do's and need to's" I've placed on myself. Why do I do that? Why do we do that to ourselves? I need to do more questions to prep for NCLEX. I need to walk/hoop/do yoga/lose weight/start juicing/minimize. I need to appreciate more/love more/do more/be more. I need to BLOG more. I need to revamp my closet/clean the bathroom/organize everything/declutter the office (that I won't need very soon!!!). I need to get in touch with friends more/see my family more/put myself out there more. Why? Why do I need to do all this? Lon loves me just the way I am. We laugh every single day (quite a bit, actually!) Why, when things really are fine, do I put these pressures on myself that I'm not doing enough? Guess I am my own worst enemy...

Had dinner with a couple of good friends from school last night and their hubbies. We had a great time! One of them has already taken and passed the NCLEX (nice job, Mary!) and the other takes hers right before I do. I'm on track to have done over 6,000 questions in preparation for boards. That's the number I remember them giving us our 1st semester of nursing school. If you add in all the exams I took during school, I'm already well past that. Anyway, I found out yesterday that people from my class are passing boards and did as little as 180 practice questions. WHAT!!! 180??? I'm already over 4,500 with a schedule to do 200/day for the next week and a half. Why am I doing all this again? Can I stop now? No. My brain won't let me. I've had that stupid 6,000 in my head for two years now...how could I possibly stop with all this time left? However, I think if I slow down a bit, take some more time for me (yoga, walk, thrift store shopping???) and maybe hit 150 or so questions/day, I'll still be okay.

I can not wait for boards to be over and done with. When my 'off' days can be all-about-me days. When I have a few days off in a row, we can actually take a little road trip...see the fam or friends. Maybe, finally, go someplace new...like Savannah (are you reading this, Jenn???) We have been in lovely Chattanooga for way too long...we are itching to get moving and see new places, people and things. Three years...we have already been here over three years. Our longest stop yet. And, because I need some real nursing experience before we start our truly nomadic lifestyle (CAN'T WAIT!!!), we'll be here for at least another two. Good God! Five years in one spot...are you kidding me? Don't get me wrong. Chattanooga is a beautiful town. Lots of cool stuff to see and do...but we have seen and done most of it. Time for *new*. We LOVE *new*. Of course, we also do not enjoy summer. HATE this awful heat and humidity. So to move on to a much more temperate climate is something we look forward to as well. Chattanooga is quite pleasant in Spring and Fall...and Winter is almost bearable, but Summer...not a fan. When you start to sweat just by walking out your front door...how is that fun? Love being close to my family, but looking forward to saying 'See ya!' to the SE. At least for a bit. Ready to experience everything else this gorgeous country has to offer (yes, I realize I still have two years, but I'm ready!)

However...I do have wonderful things to say about work. I love working with my patients! And my coworkers are great too. :D Wow...did I ever think I'd say such a thing? No...but so glad I can. Part of me wishes I had realized how much I'd enjoy this when I was still in the Navy...let them put me through school and pay me to be an officer. No student loans to pay back. More money. But I don't regret a single moment since I left the military...how could I? I've enjoyed the last 11 years immensely and I got to marry my best friend...and I wouldn't change that for anything! Now look how much fun we're going to have! And I still have friends from the Navy that we can visit (and we'll even bring our own bedroom!) In fact, together we have friends/family that span the entire country...what a fun bonus to traveling and exploring...getting to visit and hang with good friends along the way.

Hopefully, this long, rambling post has made up a little for the lack of posting the last few months. The NCLEX is almost here and then the studying will be behind me. Life will be working, hooping, blogging, reading, road tripping, and moving forward towards that next chapter...how fun!

A night to remember...

Wow...I know it's been a while since I had a good post, but...well...life happens. The Pinning Ceremony was fantastic! I received a bonus prize I certainly was not expecting. Had a great night with all my 'Mom's'...awesome. (Friday night before Mother's Day and all...) Here's a pic from dinner at The Terminal. Superb restaurant, very cool atmosphere, excellent brewpub!
Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me!!!

Surprise!!!

Shocked. Awed. Flabbergasted. Speechless (yes, me). What an amazing night! Graduating was fantastic, but this...this blew me away.

Still here...

I know, I know...I'm a horrible blogger. The last few weeks have been so busy with my final, starting management (7 12-hr shifts with a nurse for school), nurse tech-ing (shadowing a nurse at work), getting ready for pinning/graduation and just living life. I've started reading 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin and have 'The Art of Happiness at Work' by the Dalai Lama waiting in the wings. Been trying to hoop regularly (quite unsuccessfully, I must admit), but working on it. Finally got an SD card for my MP3/phone so I can download some fun music and get some hooping inspiration! Lon just finished reading 'Blink' by Malcolm Gladwell and that too is on my new reading list (now that textbooks are being sold to Amazon!) My pinning is the same weekend as Mother's Day and I'm going to have all our mothers here in town at the same time! Busy, busy...I hope to blog on a more regular basis once life settles down a bit...we'll see!
Time to get out and enjoy this super pleasant April Saturday! :D

Time flies!!!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted...life has been BUSY! Still busy...shouldn't be blogging. I'm working on finishing a major project for school that's due by Monday, have a test on Monday, have my 2nd hooping class in 2.5 hours, have another school project due Thursday...and here I sit at the computer. Just wanted to pop in to say Hi and that I've not fallen off the face of the earth. In fact, after this weekend my time should open up a bit. I'll do a blog post dedicated only to my hoop class...I LOVE IT!!! School is good, just busy (as noted above) and I only have 30 days until the final and 55 days til pinning/graduation! Just worked my last day as a patient care tech yesterday and will be moving on to nurse tech here in the next week or so. Lots to blog about, lots going on...not much time. Yet. Enjoy the sunshine and warmer temps (hope that's what is going on where you are.)

Til next time (which I promise won't be a month from now!)...

Test 2...done.

High on cold medicine is not my ideal way to take a test, but I feel pretty good about it. I'll find out how right (or wrong) I am in test review in about 30 minutes. The weather has been gorgeous lately and we've had our windows open for almost a week now. The power bill should be much kinder to us next month! Getting excited about what this spring is bringing. A hoop class, completion of a long-time-coming goal, a new career...and beautiful spring weather!!! Last year we didn't get a spring...went straight from winter to summer. Yuck. 2011...it's gonna be a great year! :)

(Later that same day...)Wa-hoo! I was right...had good reason to like that test. Made an A! Two more and the final...and then (dum da dum dum DUM!) The NCLEX.

Summer colds suck!

Yep...I've been fighting one head on for almost a week now. Hate these things. Stuffy head. Mouth-breathing at night = waking up with a sore throat and gross, fuzzy mouth. Disgusting. Need to buy some more generic Nyquil. The Dayquil version is the only thing that got me through one of the craziest days I've had at work yet (yesterday). NEVER a dull moment. Guess that's a good thing. Keeps me on my toes.

Learned something new yesterday (as usual). Ever heard of dementia? Sure you have. Ever heard of Lewy Body Dementia? Neither had I. Here's a great link with all kinds of info. Scary stuff (the brain changing/dying on you), but always good info to know. Will be working with the Alzheimer's Association this summer for a school project. Should be eye-opening...I know it will be heart-wrenching. If you know someone who is dealing with this debilitating disease, here is another link you might appreciate.

Never stop learning. That's my goal. Right now I'm learning the basics of nursing. Once I graduate, I'll learn how to be a good nurse. Then, as I'm honing that skill (for the rest of my career), we'll start traveling and I'll learn how to live in, hook up, tear down and care for an RV. I'll learn how to hoop dance. Learn things I've never thought of from people I haven't yet met. Learn how to live in a home where the entire country/continent is my backyard. Maybe I'll learn the location we want to call home, maybe that will continue to change. Guess I'll find out. I'll learn how other people live, work and play. I'll learn more about myself. And being the perpetual tourists we are, we'll learn about our country, its states, towns, people, historical places, natural wonders, our neighbors (CA/MX) and whatever else comes down the pike.

Goodbye Facebook!

Well, my rollercoaster relationship with the infamous Facebook is coming to an end. It's been fun at times, got back in touch with some 'blasts from the past,' wasted WAY too many hours on a myriad of mindless, but enjoyable games, and learned how many people are out there that I have absolutely NOTHING in common with (other than a school or a bloodline). Needless to say, FB has run its course with me. All done. I'll be deleting that account this weekend. After that I should have more time to blog. Which I really enjoy...especially with a glass of wine or a pint of IPA in hand. Oh yeah, and I'll have more time for studying, too...guess I should be working on that now. Need to review the last year in anticipation for a crazy 3rd semester.

The summer so far...let's see...Mary (my MIL) came to visit us for a little over a week. It was a whirlwind vaca for all of us, but so much fun! We introduced her to our fave places around Chattanooga, played some super fun Buzz Quiz (PS3) and card games (Oh Shit is still the best!), had some good food and tasty adult beverages (of course). Oh! And we introduced her to our all-time favorite live entertainer, Eddie Pontiac! She was instantly smitten...and didn't want to leave El Meson. She and I sang and swayed to every song. (Lon just watched and laughed at us.) She had so much fun we went back the next weekend so she could enjoy his music and antics one more time before she left. Love her! Can't wait til her next visit (hint, hint Mary...October is great down here...)

Been working quite a bit since she left for MI. Time to start organizing last year's notes and start prepping for next year. If all goes as it should, this time next year I'll be a practicing, licensed RN. Crazy, huh? Then only two years til we can start traveling. We have been doing a bunch of research on travel nursing and full time RV living. We're having a hard time finding blogs or forums with truly negative feedback about either of these. Sounds absolutely PERFECT for us! So...that's our three-year plan. For now. Life is funny and has a way of changing plans for you...we'll see. Either way, hopefully in three years I'll be blogging from the open road and a new locale every few months.

Guess that's it for now...plan to update at least a few times a month, but you know what happens to plans...
'So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.' - WW

Four days and a wake up...

...and then I'll take my final! Been a great 1st year. Difficult at times, but always very interesting. On my surgery observation day I was able to observe a bilateral total knee replacement. Bone flying, tissue burning (cauterization), hammers, saws, drills...LOVED IT! Then I saw a ureter stent placement for a patient with a HUGE kidney stone in her ureter. Took like 5 minutes total...amazing. Really enjoyed surgery...just another route I may want to travel as an RN.
My super sweet mother-in-law, Mary, is coming to visit us next Friday and she's staying for 10 days! We can't wait!!! Last time we saw her was bittersweet (good to see her, but heartbreaking reason), but this time is all for fun. We are so looking forward to showing her our city and enjoying her company. And I'll be out of school so we can play every day! I do have to work one day while she's here, but I'm sure she and Lon will enjoy some mother-son time without me. :)
Liberty Shiraz has been opened! And it is tasty...mmmmmmm. It's a very light Shiraz with a little buttery taste and a slight dryness, but a clean finish. It's not the berry-heavy, big mouth feel we're used to with our favorite Australian Shiraz styles, but it's great for spring/summer. We didn't plan it that way, but we're glad it's not heavier. Perfect for a picnic...slightly chilled served with cheeses, crusty bread, olives and some fresh fruit. My mouth is watering already. Maybe we'll have to do that while Mary's here...Once we (finally) get the labels made and on the bottles, I'll post some pics.
Can't believe it's already almost May. Lon told me nursing school would fly by and it sort of is...I've heard horror stories about 3rd semester, so I'll be glad when I've completed and passed it in December. 1/5 of the previous class failed 3rd semester...so it's no picnic apparently. I'll enjoy my time away this summer, but will have to be vigilant in keeping up my skills/meds/studying prior to the fall. Just think...in only one short year I'll be graduating, getting ready to take the NCLEX and get my RN license. Wow. Exciting and intimidating...but I'm loving my classes and clinicals so I think I may have finally found my calling. It only took me 35 years. :)
Til next time, as my good friend Willy has said many times, 'If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it.'

St. Patty's Day = Spring!

I love, love, LOVE Spring! It's peeking around the corner and teasing me right now, but I know it's coming. It'll be sunny and in the low 60's this weekend. Woo Hoo! Just an update as to what's been going on in my world...Exam 2 down. Two more and the final then 3 months off of school, but full time work. Made an A...yippee!

Currently doing my Pediatrics rotation in clinicals. I've worked with a 3-yr old and a 17-yr old. I was really hesitant because I had no idea how working with kids would be, but you know what? They are just patients with different problems and developmental levels. Just like there are differences in working with an 80-yr old client and a 20-yr old client. I am enjoying it...now there's another area I can consider. Good grief, I have no clue as to what discipline I'm going to want to focus on. Guess it's pretty cool that in Nursing you have tons of options! I can try something for a while, then try something else. And the travel option is available for most of those options, too.

My 2010 goal of dropping 50 lbs is going, but slowly. I'm on track, but would have liked to be ahead of the game by now. But now that Lon has exposed me to the world of tasty beers, that's going to be even harder! When I say tasty, I mean having taste. Not that yellow, fizzy, mass-produced stuff that the three mega companies put out. No, I mean REAL taste. Like when you pair a wine with a certain food to bring out nuances in each...did you know you can do that with good beer? It's not just for pizza and wings anymore. I'm currently really enjoying the more bitter beers (IPA's, Double IPA's, bold ales). The stouts and browns are good too, but they are a little too smooth and creamy for my current palate. Much better in the cold weather, like a hearty bowl of hot soup. I'm ready for spring and fresh flavors bursting in my mouth! Of course, the tastier the beer the more calories it tends to have. Oh well...we do what we must. Life is short and should be enjoyed and savored. I'll get the weight off, it just may take the full year. :)

Next week is my Spring Break...and I need it. I'll still have some school work to do and I work a few days, but the mental break will be so nice. Especially if the weather continues to warm up! That will do LOADS for my brain.
Guess that's enough for now. Back to my homework...
Until next time...try something new and different. I think keeping an open mind keeps you young!

Somebody loves me!

Or at least my blog...thank you, Christine (from the award-winning blog at Type A Chronicles), for giving my silly little blog the 'When Life Hands You Lemons' award. I will treasure it dearly!
The rules for this award are simple:
Thank the giver of the award and link their blog.
List 5 things about yourself.
Link 5 new recipients and notify them. So......here we go! 5 things about me........
1. I am addicted to PS3. There. I said it. I am deeply in love with Ratchet and Clank and Lon IS aware. (I think he might even be a little addicted himself...) Looking forward to R&C Future: A Crack in Time and Little Big Planet.
2. I love science fiction. I'm a huge nerd and I'm okay with that. I can't wait for Eureka (SyFy channel) to start back this summer.
3. I know Christine because we were in boot camp, Corps school and Field Medicine Service School together in the Navy. We trained with Marines, punished our livers, flirted shamelessly, and had an all-around blast in San Diego. We even got thrown out of a gay bar...don't know if I should be embarrassed or proud about that one! Love ya, girl! :)
4. I'm a bleeding heart. I cry at those Folgers commercials where the dude comes home from the military and makes coffee on Christmas morning. I cry at sad movies (yes, even the animated ones), sad TV shows and sometimes even sappy Internet news links. However, I think it's funny when an obnoxious child falls and starts crying. Weird, huh?
5. I'm in school to become a nurse, but I would love to build on what little artistic talent I have and paint, sculpt and photograph the world as I see it. Beautiful and rare...to be enjoyed and cherished. Lon thinks being a nurse will open up my artistic side even more...we'll see.

I hereby bestow the following fantastic blogs with the coveted 'When Life Hands You Lemons' Award...
The Artistic Traveler, for going to amazing places, soaking up all that she can and sharing those experiences with us. Thanks, Jennifer!
Jennifer Prince Gallery. Yes, this is for the same Jennifer, but her artwork is beautiful and real (and I'm secretly jealous of her talent!!!) Can't wait to come see the studio...
Hatched, for her honesty and fabulous writing. Tina makes me laugh and always has...she's a wonderful writer and a good friend. She makes the mundane and weird funny and entertaining. Always looking forward to what's next...
Type A Chronicles. Yes, I know she gave the award to me, but she deserves another one. Not only for her adorable private blog of her super handsome kid, G-man, but for persevering in the face of great personal difficulties. She is strong, loving, hilarious and a beautiful person.
*I don't follow many blogs, so I only have 4 awards to give out...oh well. I think my four are as good as five!

A sincere, heart-felt thank you goes out to my 3-4 dedicated followers. You guys are the best!

Jeremiah...he's my friend (and a bullfrog)

Tonight's Riverbend headliner is Three Dog Night with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. My #1, All-Time, Favorite movie is The Big Chill, so I am very much looking forward to tonight. Before they come on The Wailers (from Bob Marley fame) will be performing. Good night to go! My only day off this week too!!! Just worked 3 12's and I'm beat. Yesterday was crazy, but very interesting...I was verbally assaulted by a patient (along with everyone else), met a Saddam survivor and I was even attacked by an IV pole! Nothing broken, just bruised. :) Never know what the day is going to bring...I'll be watching out for those IV poles in the future, though.

Been a busy few weeks

Sorry it's been a while...been a little busy. Started work as a Patient Care Tech at a local hospital. Still in orientation/training, but I'm on the floor now. Also, school just started last week. So between two night classes and 2-3 7a-7p shifts a week, I haven't really been thinking about updating. The header pic is real...one I took when Lon and I visited Arrington Vineyards a few weeks ago. That lunch was delicious! Gorgeous setting and they have live music every weekend in the summer. We left before that started (had been planning to check out the National Cornbread Festival, but traffic was a bitch...ended up at the winery instead!) since we'd already been there for some time. We've already made plans to go back with a picnic lunch, chairs and a sheet to spend a leisurely afternoon. It's just south of Nashville in Arrington, TN if you get the chance to stop by. And they have 'real' wine, not the fruit or muscadine stuff. Those are very popular around here since traditional wine grapes don't like our weather/soil. And there are plenty of people who love those wines...just not us. However, we currently have some homemade wine fermenting and will let you know how it turns out. Gotta find a hobby, right?

It's official....

...I've been accepted to the Fall 2009 nursing class! Woo Hoo!!! There's one worry off my plate. Whew...
Guess that's it for today. We went out for an unsuccessful morel (mushroom) hunting/hiking trip, stopped by a winery on the way home and I got the letter when we checked the mail today. Good day...wish we had found some morels, but maybe next time. Or maybe we'll just buy them off of eBay. Gorgeous day...hope you were able to get out and enjoy it, too!!!