I think a CHANGE will do me good!

Well I am on the count down until I start my new job. 7 days! Not that I am not nervous or freaked out about it but when it is time it's time.  And that is where I am at.  I already told everyone that I was leaving work like 6 weeks ago and now it is just time.  I started training someone how to be me and the odds and ends for working for two very different doctors with very different expectations and needs.  So that is tiresome in itself.  Everything this week will be my "last times"....

I am super pumped because I was able to talk to Hannah today for the first time through Skype, which means we were able to see each other and it was so much fun!!!!  She is having such a great time and only has 3 weeks left in Vienna.  She gave me a tour of her apartment and I see a little bit of the city.  Technology. what did we do without it.

Speaking of so I bought a brand new cell phone (PALM CENTRO) in May and it big time broke on me last week to where I couldn't get it to do anything.  So I called AT&T because I thought it would be under warranty and they said if it had scratches on it that I would have to pay $255 to get my phone back. hmm let me think about this.....my phone is in my purse most of the time and yes it has scratches on it not a lot but not enough to gamble $255 dollars.  So like a sucker I used my insurance which is $50 mind you on a phone I just paid $300 dollars for and I got a eighties looking blue refurbished phone.  Oh I was not happy.  

Let me just tell you how hard it is to get by without a cell phone these days.  I started to think how did we used to do it? I guess we didn't know the difference.  I felt such a disconnect from the world I am happy to have my life line back.

I also had a run in with the dentist this week and let me just say I think good teeth or bad teeth runs in your genes....because I take great care of my teeth and it seems like every time I go they are recommending things to me like fluoride treatments, sealants....... I know it is worth it but I mean come on why doesn't insurance pay for any of this stuff.  I am learning about insurance companies and I do not like it.  It seems like everything I have done lately falls into some sort of medical exclusion and that stuff is not cheap.  It is starting to become overwhelming.

So I just started my research paper today.  I have been collecting research articles for over  a month now and I have way more than I can read. Oh boy do I have my work cut out for me. I still have to write a 15 page literature review.  Oh boy grad school is so fun. I pick up yet another writing intensive class in October. I better be smart when this is all said and done!

Well I will keep you posted on the new job and hopefully I will be just fine and I will love it.  We will see.

I will attach pictures of Timmy's nephew Bobby he lost his two front teeth I love it!!!!! He is getting so big! Other pictures of more exciting times by the fire. Timmy's favorite thing to do this time of year!

Feraro's Jersey Style Pizza in Soulard

IS My FAVORITE pizza place in the STL.  Timmy took me there last night and we sat outside and it was the perfect night.  If you haven't been, put it on your MUST DO list.  It is a hole in the wall but totally worth it.  Believe me you will thank me later.  

Something else I realized today there are some things in life that I am a total snob about. One being the brand of my Q-tips.  If you have ever used the cheaper generic kind you will know what I mean.  I just can't get myself to use them.  So I forked out $5.00 for a box of Q-tips.  Then I started to think of other things in life that I simply cannot deny myself the luxury of ......using the air condition when it is HOT outside (like right in the beginning of summer), buying a drink/coffee when I am on my errands, extremely hot showers, getting my hair highlighted, breakfast, lunch and dinner, using the a/c in the car, shampoo and conditioner.....

I couldn't think of a whole heck of a lot...so I came to the conclusion that I am low maintenance.....I know my husband would laugh at that. 

So when it comes to wifely duties I am still trying to master things such as ironing and cooking. Cleaning I pretty much gave up on being I live with a type A.  I got the iron out for the 2nd time in our marriage tonight and Timmy was actually like what is that? My motivating factor is that I saw Timmy leaving for work one morning and his pants were soooo wrinkly I felt like it was a poor reflection of his wife.  So I am trying to be better about ironing.  It does take away countless hours of your life though.  However, since I have been avoiding writing my research paper this serves for a good distraction.

When it comes to cooking GOD knows I do try.  I really enjoying cooking it just seems like I have more flub ups than successes. Let's just say Timmy is a major meat and potato type of guy and I could pretty much live without either of those. So I try and compromise! Which on those nights he usually ends up eating chips and cheese or sunflower seeds for dinner.    So tonight I had a success so I am going to share my cheese scalloped potato recipe.  I kind of invented it myself, well it was a spin off from something I found on the Internet.  Here goes.

4-6 medium potatoes peeled and cut into thin scallops

2 Tablespoons flour

1 tsp. salt

dash of pepper

dash of garlic salt

3 Tablespoons butter

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup of half and half

fresh parsley

Panko bread crumbs

Butter a 2 qt baking dish and layer 1/3 of potatoes

IN a small bowl combine 1 tbls of flour, 1/2tsp salt, dash of garlic salt and pepper. Sprinkle mixture over potatoes Dot with butter. and sprinkle cheese with each layer.

Repeat with layers and another Tbsp flour mixture and parsley

heat up half and half in pot and pour over top of potatoes

Cover, Bake 375 for 45 min.

uncover sprinkle cheese and then panko bread crumb(I sauteed mine in a little butter and olive oil for extra crunch) Then place uncovered back in the oven for 15 more minutes.  

It was really delicious.  let me know if you try and like this recipe. 

When I start my new job, which is 2 weeks i am going to do more experimenting with cooking and maybe even take some classes.  Scoot over Emeril here I come...BAM...

I've died and gone to heaven!!!!

And in heaven,..... at least my personal heaven, there is a Whole Foods Market just like the new one out on 141 and Clayton.  The first 20 minutes I just stood there with my jaw on the floor trying to take everything in.  Now keep in mind it was around 10:30am that I was there and they were just putting out the most amazing food I have probably ever seen in my life.  I had 4 employees walk up to me at different times asking if I needed help.  I said no but really I felt like I needed lessons on how to shop at such an amazing place.  I really didn't know what I wanted or needed for that matter. I was besides myself.

  It was funny because what I ended up doing was following people around and when I saw them putting things in their cart then I put them in my cart. I dunno maybe if they like it I will too.  Otherwise I would be guessing anyway.  I wish I could afford to buy everything there but the prices are drastically higher than Schnucks. 

 I can't even do it justice you have to go and check it out for yourself.  I spent a huge chunk of my day wandering around the store and everyone is so friendly.  It also seemed like everyone who was shopping there took care of themselves, healthwise (meaning there were not overweight people).  Kind of a large generalization to make but it is just what I thought.  Wow I will go back there every chance I get!!!

Then I went to Cedar's house which he was as cute as ever talking up a storm.  he has to be the most well behaved 2 year old I have ever seen.  He was sitting at the table feeding himself lunch not making a mess at all.  If anything dropped he would pick it up immediately and say "excuse knee" (excuse me).  He is really getting to be a big boy.

Then I went to go see one of my bestest friends, Meghan, from Middle school and her new beautiful baby boy, Parker.  It was so fun to catch up.  This is her 2nd and her last.  She has the "American Dream" 1 boy and 1 girl.

Tonight mom and I are going to see "The Women" just came out in theatres today!!! Timmy is in Indiana with soccer tournament.  So I am taking advantage of an opportunity for someone to see a chick flick with me!

How to make smores without the marshmellows!

This we learned was not an easy task.  We went to Kevin and Colleen's for a BBQ to enjoy this beautiful weather and we decided to have a fire.  The wood was quite wet from all the rain we had here lately but the boys had this great idea to set the logs across the flame to help them dry out.  Well we ended up with what you could call a bi-level fire! Pretty funny...

  Of course when you have a fire your mind immediately wants smores.  Well all we had the chocolate bars and Ritz crackers so it was time to get creative.  I have never laughed so hard in my life.  Colleen used a pancake flipper and right at the end they all slide off into the fire.  Then Kevin decided to go get her soup spoon, some milk and an oven mitt.  Let's just say it was hilarious.  They were actually quite good at the end we sprinkled powdered sugar all over them.  It was so good seeing them and getting a chance to catch up.  

Friday night Timmy was honored at the football game with his baseball team for the winning state championship 10 years ago. It was nice there was a banquet and everything.  I have never seen grown men get into something so much.  His buddy had his mom bring his high school ring and yes your right he was wearing it. There parents were there and their friends from other schools.  Could  have just been the free beer that they were there for but anywho it was pretty cute.   They all had alumni hats on.  Too bad I forgot my camera.  Oh well boys will be boys.

4 more weeks of work until I start my 3 day a week job.  I am nervous because I really do not know much about the area that I am going into but I am hoping this will make me more well rounded.  Hopefully it will be some of the stuff I will see outpatient at an office when I become the real deal!!  IN the mean time ON WARD and UP WARD.

The weather is so beautiful it is nice just to open the house up.  

Big Changes

Well so now I can spill the beans!!! I am leaving my job  so that I can finish my schooling and start my residency for my nurse practitioner degree.  SCAREY!!!! I hate change.  I am so comfortable where I am I know everyone, I know the processes and the system and it is time for a change.  Well I am at the point in school where it is get serious or get out. So here I am seriously changing jobs.  I have worked with cancer patients for 5 years now it is time for me to get outside my box and become an expert in another area.  So I thought what type of patients will I see as a nurse practitioner in the office. ........ So I am going back to Children's Hospital and I will be on the Pulmonary floor (asthma, cyctic fibrosis, trachs...) working nights, weekends, and holidays.  I remember what I thought to be my last shift on the floor I was so happy to never work these crazy hours again.  I have to do this in order to get to my goal so anything is doable for 2 years? right?   The benefit in this situation will be that I only work 3 days a week.  So what will I do on the other days....... well free work and school...... and maybe some shopping.

I was so afraid to tell my bosses but they were very supportive and kind of figured since they knew I was in school.  So once again I need to make new friends......  I also need to figure out about schools I might switch to UMSL due to the fact that it is half the price of Maryville. The next big decision is going to be my degree either Family nurse practitioner or Pediatric nurse practitioner. I have to January on this one!!!!

We were able to see Cedar over Labor day weekend. I was able to get some pictures but they are not very good.  Keep in mind he is 2 and on the move.  He has a big boy hair cut and is at the stage where he thinks boys are cooler than girls. Well I didn't want to be the one to tell him that it wasn't true.  So I am sure he will come around.  Here are some pictures!!!!

Timmy is back to school and busier than ever and Matt and Carol set a wedding date of May 30TH, 2009 !!!!! YEAHHHHHHH!!!