Rejuvenated!

Ahh. I feel human again. This week has been a little-okay, I admit it, a lot-exasperating around here. The terrible twos? Frankly, they've got nuttin' on the sassy threes. And teething is just plain for the birds. Ug.

It's amazing what a little walk followed by coffee with a couple friends can do for a person. Even if the coffee is only gourmet Mc-java. We seriously need a real restaurant open later around here. This morning, in spite of a little lack of sleep, I don't feel like the rope I was clinging to so desperately is gonna ravel right out of my fingers.

This morning, I woke with a renewed sense of calmness, and the two cherubs have been much more pleasant. Ahh.

And that weekend trip to Duluth is only a day away. I just might survive until spring!

Job, shcmob

You know what I absolutely hate? Job searching. I've picked up this ball again over the last few days, and still detest it.

The job I'm working right now as a Private Duty Nurse has pretty much run it's course for me. On the one had, it's decent income, and pretty much stress-free. (and in these economic times, simply, a job) On the other, my brain is turning to mush. I have a burning need to learn, to expand my boundaries. To do. (I'm at work as I type this. Does that tell you anything about the low activity level??)

I hate applications and resumes. I know they need some way to see your qualifications, but as a relatively new nurse, I just don't really have a whole heck of a lot to put down on paper. Saying that 'I'm eager to learn and grow' just can't compete with 10 years experience. So I always feel like I'm sold a little short when I click the 'submit' button...and start the waiting game...

Another thing I dislike? Interviews. They make my heart go into palpitations. But, I'm ready for change. Change is good.

May one of those recently submitted apps find its way to the top of a pile;)

So, this leads me to a question for you-What do you look for in a nurse? Do you have stories to share from your own personal experiences? What makes a 'good' nurse versus a 'bad' nurse? I'm curious, and always enjoy filing away these little tidbits for future use!

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P.S. I love to hear comments, if you don't have an account, you can still comment as 'anonymous.' Just sign your post, please, so I know who's there!

42 Degrees!

An oldie from last spring-Doesn't this look nice??

The snow, it is a-meltin', the puddles, they are a-growin', the boy, he was a-splashin'...the pants and boots, they are a drippin'. Spring is in the air!

Running errands is a trip with two mobile, eager puddle jumpers in tow. The library was one stop, I've been in need of a few new books...hopefully the one book we brought home that doesn't have pictures will be enthralling. I simply grabbed it off the 'new arrivals' shelf as I chased my not-on-good-library-behavior kiddos out the door. Humpf. I was looking forward to a nice stack to enjoy at my leisure. Shucks, anyways.

And, boy, that down-spout at the grocery store? That was enthralling.

We finally moseyed on home, and both are snoozing peacefully. On, to other motherly tasks. The laundry pile, it is a-growin'.

Enjoy this wonderful springful day!

Do you ever feel as if you could scream your wishes from the rooftops, dance a jig and do cartwheels, but no matter what, you just won't be heard???

There are some people in my life that tend to make me feel just that way. And you know what? After a while, it gets darn hard to overlook things again...and again...and again. It makes me want to BURST at the seams. But, burst I have done before, and that, my friends, is counterproductive.

So tonight, I kept it civil. Then came on here to let off a little steam.

Thanks:)

-39 degrees. I'm looking forward to it.

Or to spring. Yup, pretty sure I'd like spring instead.




Chuckle of the day: Yesterday this goofball noticed my shirt riding up when I sat down, and laughing his head off, poked the skin, saying "Mom! You losing you britches!!!" Here, he's enjoying a Sunday nap.

It was a good weekend! I started Saturday with an ambition to paint a living room wall. I had just set up some babysitting when I got a phone call with an even better option-visiting! Evelyn was in town, so I spent much time this weekend enjoying the company of friends- always a wonderful past time! Some other locals and I also came up with a plan to meet at least once a week to go for walks. A little exercise is always more likely to happen when others are involved. We were planning on starting Tuesday...but with a forecast of highs of -10 and windchills of -39 to -44 or more, I'm not so sure it'd be the wisest idea. Humpf.


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My brother Steve recently posted some pictures he took over Christmas on his Flickr. I took liberty to steal many of them, and here are some of my favorites. Isn't the lighting (by that I mean not 'flashy') and quality just great? A good camera and talent does wonders:)

Elsa and her Mom

I love the way the light plays off her hair in this one.


This one's just great. I don't think he ever succeeded in blowing it up.
These were just a few...great job catching lots of fun moments, Steve!

Gingersnaps

They're my favorite cookie. But they've got to be soft, homemade. They just go so wonderfully with both milk and coffee. Of course I had a helper...and this was one of those times the helping actually didn't make me want to pull my hair out by the end. Yum.

The last few days I've been starting to wonder if I'm taking after the rest of my family with food allergies. (I'm almost expecting it to hit me at some point, but holding out till I have to make diet changes.) So I don't have to say how glad I am that the tummy ache, tiredness of yesterday had passed by this morning. Some sort of bug I guess, and I hope the kids don't get it!

On the great side of the being sick thing-the kitchen was a complete disaster, since I worked all weekend and didn't feel up to it yesterday. When I got up this morning, there was soup simmering in the crockpot and the place was sparkling. Knew I kept him around for somethin'!!

Cheers to thoughtful hubby's!

I just fried my teapot.

Guess what happens if you put tea water on, then sit down and blog-hop?

You just might kinda forget and fry your teapot.

Oops.

Any ideas on how to turn a copper teapot copper again?

One marble at a time.

I'm loosing it.

The calm, relaxed, enjoying the holiday season feeling of a few weeks ago? It's gone. This week has completely done me in.

What had been a very regular-you-can-plan-on-not-changing-schedule for work all of a sudden became, let me see-the best way to put it, is AAAAHHHGG! I ended up with a new client as of this week, and the shifts were nights; also I'm doing two weekends in a row (this was NOT something I agreed too..) Add to that being stranded for a few days in the snow, a previously planned bring-mom-to-the-dr./shopping trip, (which worked out well for all; but before hand, I was starting to feel a little anxious at hardly having any shopping done..or cards, which I also picked up.) Multiply all that by the fact that I didn't get to make it to the ladies Christmas party (always a rejuvenating experience) and will not be at the program on Sunday (also due to work), and, oh yeah-the fact that they've got me Christmas Eve and the day after, and I'm starting to feel like my chance to enjoy all the parts of Christmas have been snatched away!

On the plus side, my shopping is done, and so are those cards I just picked up yesterday! There was one good thing about working last night.

Then there's also part of me wondering if it pays to decorate that empty tree that showed up in my living room today, since I don't think I'll be home much...but, I don't think I could go without a tree, so I will, Tonight.

My ultimate question is, who decided to gang up and completely change my nice, lesiurly schedule THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS?? Someone out there is watching my last few marbles roll across the floor. Hope they're enjoying it.

Oh, yeah, they're enjoying it. I just heard forecast of another blizzard coming our way this weekend. If I get stranded again...


In spite of it all-MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Six Things...

We went for a walk this evening, it was beautiful out, and the sunset worth watching. I never got around to buying a double stroller, but the kids don't seem to mind this method. Maybe they're warmer this way. heehee.









Jen tagged me to put six things about myself that you might not know...here goes:

1. I hate using cheese graters. I'm always scared I'm going to grate my knuckles, and yesterday, I did. Ouch.
2. I enjoy the site Pandora.com. On it you can enter the artist, song or type of music you want to listen to, and it plays similar songs. Lately, it's been all Christmas songs around here! A free way to enjoy great music.
   
3. I just got a batch of Young Living Essential Oils, and am excited to start using them. So far around here, they've gotten rid of skin rashes, dandruff and helped constipation...
4. This was the first fall that I didn't go back to school since I started kindergarten. I must say, I really enjoyed it and look forward to many more!
5. I ran Grandma's Marathon once, and plan on running more...the problem is, both times I started thinking about training for one, I ended up pregnant.
   
6. My nose is still wrinkled about the toilet water thing. They seem no worse for it, however.

There you have it. Six things about me. And now I have no secrets left.


Would you look at that, Oliver just fell asleep on the couch for the first time ever. And Elsa's sleeping too. Looks like a nice, quiet evening in store. GRIN. Maybe I'll go make more of this yummy mulled apple cider.

It would be nice...

You know what I'd love? A camera that takes the picture the moment you wanted, not the goofy looking moment after. With these two, quick reflexes and lots of anticipation is what it takes to get a good photo...and even then, you miss all those 'cute looks' you wanted...ah, well, someday.

Simple Gifts

Ah! Something that made me say "my thoughts exactly!" I was just reading Better Homes and Gardens (turns out we're getting one decent magazine for free) and came across an article about kids' toys. Turns out they actually do enjoy those simple, boring, non talking/flashing/beeping toys more! I've always thought this, and now the 'rest of the world' has discovered the simple truth. I had to chuckle at the little girl in the article who left her fancy doll at a friend's house, and said, 'that's ok, mom. That doll talks to much.' I guess it's more fun when you can tell your doll what to do, rather than the other way around.

This made me think of something we talked about at ECFE one day last year. It stemmed from a MPR report about the decreasing ability of kids to 'self regulate.' A study done since I don't remember when has measured the length of time kids of different ages are able to stand still, without moving. Today's 7 year olds are preforming at the level of the 3 year olds of 50 years ago. (I might be off a little on the age...but you get the drift. They fidget.)

Why is this? It's being attributed to the increase in structured play and elimination of free playing time, along with stricter limits. Back in the day, the area kids were aloud to roam covered many city blocks. In a recent Reader's Digest article on the same sort of thing, a dad 'let' his 12 year old daughter play in the driveway by herself. Gimme a break.

I see a corrolation with increasing ADD/ADHD...do you?

So...my conclusion? Yes! Not only are the blocks or other simple toys my kid-o's will probably get for Christmas cheaper and less annoying-they're making them smarter!! And then, when they start to drive me nuts with their antics, I can send them, (or right now, mostly Oliver) outside by himself and consider it at least one parenting job well done.