Not home for Christmas.....

We are getting ready to leave this morning for the coast. We will be gone until sometime after Christmas. I'm going to try to get the net at the library while we are down there. Anyway, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. Love you all......Merry Christmas!!!!!

Chemistry Update!

Well the semester is finally over......I'm actually kinda sad though. I have enjoyed chemistry...way more than I had originally anticipated. Anyway, I took my final yesterday evening and made a 103!
I just got an email from Ms. Klahn....my final grade is 100.4! Wow! I'm so happy! Thanks to everyone for your encouragement! And to Ms. Klahn for being an awesome teacher!

My Life's Soundtrack.....

Thought this sounded fun! You should try it too!
Some of them are quite funny.....
Thanks Becky!

Here's how it works:
1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie.

Opening Credits: My Immortal by Evanescence

Waking Up: There She Goes by The Cranberries

First Day of School: Let's Get It Started by Black-Eyed Peas

Falling In Love: Tuesday's Gone by Metallica

Fight Song: I'm A B***H, I'm A Lover by Alanis Morissette

Breaking Up: Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman by Bryan Adams

Prom: Lithium by Evanescence

Life: Stupid Girls by Pink

Mental Breakdown: Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie

Driving: All Summer Long by Kid Rock

Flashback: It Ends Tonight by All American Rejects

Wedding: How To Save A Life by The Fray

Birth Of A Child: Bring Me To Life by Evanescence

Final Battle: Nothing Good About Goodbye by Hinder

Death Scene: These Small Hours by Rob Thomas

Funeral Song: Hotel California by The Eagles

Final Credits: So What by Pink

And Yes I Still Listen To Most Of These Songs....call me what you will!

LOVE IT!!!!!

Kids ZOO!!!!

No, I'm not talking about my house....although it does feel like a zoo sometimes......I'm actually talking about a place in Forest City that we went to for Gabby's birthday party in October. It has batting cages and video games for the older kids and a huge play "area" for the smaller ones.

See there's a ball pit....we tend to stay out of it though.

And this thingy, those are Kojaks hands down there at the bottom, it's pretty far off the ground....this place is really big.


Cameron....ignore the war-like marks on his face...sometimes the boys just don't get along.

Daddy and Haley.....she stopped for the 2 seconds this picture took up.

Cameron


Cameron


James

Cameron

James.
I'm telling you, these kids LOVE Kids ZOO. They have a little snack bar there too with the BEST pizza. And the best part, adults and kids 3 and under get in free. Kids 4-12 are $3.95. It's cheap, it's fun, it's yummy and it wears them out. LOVE IT!!!!!!

Great Holiday Treat

Well, a lot has been going on here in the last few weeks. I've been busy with the kids, school and job hunting. Not to mention the upcoming holidays, Haley's birthday and planning a trip to the coast over Christmas. Hopefully, I will be posting a lot of pictures over the next few weeks but I can't be sure. A virus hit our computer a few days ago and wiped out alot of stuff, including at least 75% of all my photos. I'm not happy....but thankfully I had most of them on disc. I'm coping with the loss of the rest.
Anyway, moving on.....in preparation for the coming holidays I've been gathering recipes and Kojak mentioned one I haven't used in a while. Amish Friendship Bread.
I got it from a friend about 4 years ago and it immediately became a favorite in our family. It takes a little time and patience but trust me when I say...It's worth it! It's perfect for holiday dinners and makes a great little gift wrapped in colored Suran wrap. I'm going to be making some so I will be posting photos as I go.
So, I thought I would share the recipe for the bread and starter. I hope you will try it for yourself.


Amish Friendship Bread
***Do not refrigerate or use a metal spoon***
***Keep in a covered plastic or glass bowl***
***Smells awful-tastes divine.***

Start with one cup of starter……
Day 1 -Do nothing.
Day 2 –Do nothing.
Day 3 –Stir with a wooden spoon.
Day 4 –Do nothing.
Day 5 –Do nothing.
Day 6 –Add 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup flour.....stir well. (will be lumpy)
Day 7 –Do nothing.
Day 8 –Stir with a wooden spoon.
Day 9 –Do nothing.
Day 10 –Add 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup flour. Stir well.
• Put 1 cup of mixture into 3 covered containers (one cup per container)
• I like to use the small plastic Ziploc containers.
• Keep one container for your next starter batch (start immediately or freeze it.)
• Give the other 2 away along with the recipe to friends or put them in the freezer.
• Can be frozen for up to 4 months.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
To what is left in the bowl, add ½ cup oil, ½ cup milk, ½ cup mashes bananas, ½ cup applesauce, 3 eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix well.
***I like to measure out the following ingredients the day before (Day 9) and keep in a covered bowl-makes it easier on baking day.***
In separate bowl, mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 ½ tsp. baking powder,
2 tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. baking soda, 1 cup crushed nuts (I like walnuts), 1 cup raisins, and 1 large box (5.1 oz) vanilla instant pudding.
Add dry ingredients to the liquid gradually stirring. Pour into well greased & sprinkled (sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture) loaf pans. Sprinkle extra cinnamon/sugar on top.
Bake in preheated oven for an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Check doneness with toothpick.
***Only fill pans half full…one batch makes 2 large loaves (5 ½ x 9 ½), or 3 small loaves.***
***Can also add ¼ tsp. nutmeg to dry ingredients if desired.***

Ingredients List
(Estimated)
• milk
• sugar
• flour
• bananas
• applesauce (plain or cinnamon)
• vanilla extract
• baking powder
• baking soda
• cinnamon
• salt
• 1 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans)
• 1 cup raisins
• 5.1 oz vanilla instant pudding
• Cinnamon/sugar mixture
• Nutmeg (optional)
• Wooden spoon
• 3 small containers
• Loaf pans

Starter Recipe
Step 1
2 cups warm water
2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1package dry active yeast
*In extra large bowl, combine above ingredients. Stir well, will be lumpy. Cover and let rise 1 to 2 hours until double.*

Step 2
3 cups warm water
3 cups all purpose flour
**Stir and add step 2 ingredients. Stir well. Cover and let rise until double.**

Use 1 cup of starter for first batch. Freeze the rest in 1 cup containers, use to make more than one batch, or give away with the recipe for others to enjoy.

Had to share.......

Internet meme you say?

Random facts? 6 random facts? Oh mercy! Alright Becky, I'm game!

And for those of you who don't know, an internet meme is basically a fun way to find out little known random facts about your friends. So, I'm gonna give you my random facts and then I'm gonna pick 3 other people to do their own meme.

Ok, here goes folks!

1. I always knew I wanted to have kids but even after almost 5 years I still can't believe I was blessed with my sweet girl and my baby boys!
2. I know it's time to cut my toenails when they cut holes in my socks. Hehe!
3. I have learned to tune out the kids sometimes.....it helps with my sanity.
4. I don't like big cities, never have, never will.
5. I have developed a fear of heights, especially mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is not my friend.
6. I'm just a girl, a girl who wants to be happy. You know, the cute little house, my 3 babies, a career I enjoy and dinner at the table with my family every night.

Well, that's the best I could do. And I choose Beth, Bo and Millie to participate and do their own meme.

100th post coming soon!

Our first carved pumpkin!

I carved our first family pumpkin today! Yeah, I know.....Bad Mommy!
Well, we normally paint a pumpkin but this year I decided we should have a real carved pumpkin!

This is some of the pumpkin innards....I threw it in the yard because the deer will probably eat it up by morning.....if not......good fertilizer. As you can see the green grass has given way to brown as it has been in the fifties here (during the day). It's 32 right now at 12:01 am!

More pumpkin guts and SEEDS! Uh~huh, that's right! I'm gonna dry 'em, salt 'em, bake 'em and eat 'em! Yum! Kojak has never eaten roasted pumpkin seeds.....he's a coastal creature.

Inside......I've never carved a pumpkin on my own before and I didn't realize how hard it was to get all that stringy goodness out of there. Warn me next time people!

Anyway, the kids thought the pumpkin was the coolest thing since Sid the Science Kid (their favorite show).

Cameron and Jack!

James and Jack!

He was very curious!

Haley being dramatic, Cameron acting like he's avoiding the camera, James munching cake.
Mommy says "Say CHEESE"......James says "CAKE".
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Explanation please.........

I LOVE ROSES! And I have been watching my roses closely this year, they have been abnormally large and especially beautiful.

See, this one is just getting started. Man, that pink is awesome!

Wow! I took the above pics today!

This one and the two below I took last weekend! They're kinda blurry because I didn't realize my lens was dirty......Bad Lens! Anyway, I thought they looked kind of surreal so I kept them.

Note: the dew drops just kill me.....leaves me standing there in my bedroom slippers and pajamas thinking how beautiful nature is! *Sigh*
Then a spider tries to crawl across my shoe and I jump 10 feet in the air! Seriously!

Back to the point....as you can see the roses are all pink, light pink to brilliant pink.....but ALL pink!

So, can anyone explain to me how this very small, very WHITE rose popped up on my
PINK rose bush?
Sorry, just thought it was odd!

Portfolio assignment

I have started working on my portfolio assignment for chemistry......wait, have I mentioned this already? I can't remember.....chalk it up to this head clogging cold, no sleep and the 3 blue-eyed short people that keep me on my toes all the day long.
Anyway, I have to do a chemistry experiment and present it to the class on December 10th. I decided to come up with some pottery glazes of my own, partly because I wanted my project to be different from everyone else's. The others in my class are making all sorts of things from perfume, soap and aspirin to biodiesel and aspartame. Don't get me wrong I think those things are interesting but they are in the category of typical chemistry experiments. New Glazes? I love that idea! What can I say? I'm a potter and I love glazes.
Now, I was told a while back that having a degree in chemistry was a plus when it came to making glazes but I thought they were kidding. Well, the weren't....there is alot more involved in this than I anticipated. I think I'm getting there though.
I wanted to come up with some different colors with some special effects thrown in the mix. Right, now I'm working on some recipes for light blue, buttery yellow, pink and purple all with some textured and maybe speckled effects. I'm also working on a turquoise color too but only because I like to hear Haley "turquoise". I need to come up with 5 more recipes.
So, I will most likely be asking you all to preview some of the glazes and let me know what you think. Overall, I'm just hoping to come out of this with an A and maybe a few new glazes.

Okay, Seriously.......

It's 2008, I have 5 people living in my house and I don't own a washboard....nor will I ever own one! I'm a girl who LOVES her washing machine. SO, why is it that people think I can go without it for 3 or 4 weeks? Yeah, it's still under warranty but that does no good when the repair company keeps rescheduling. When they finally show up, they have to order the part and come back a week later. I told them what the problem was when I called for the repair. Now, I say again, what makes people think I can go without my washing machine? Lugging clothes to Mom's house while I'm sick is no fun! Okay, I'll stop whining now!

I'm coping here people......

JUST KIDDING!!!!! Well, I was coping last weekend with the whole "not getting into nursing school thing" but I'm passed that now, I feel better. And what better way to cope with disappointment and feel better than......you ready for this?

Apple Crisp

Cheesecake

And Fried Chicken!!!!
Oh yeah, nothing is better for drowning sorrows than clogging a few arteries right? Okay, you're right, running would do the trick too but I'm not really in the mood for all that!

Yeah I know none of this is good for my diet but the cooking and baking helped me more than anything. I didn't get to eat much of it anyway. Kojak has a tendency to polish food off pretty quickly.
The cheesecake wasn't that great anyway......I'm still searching for the perfect cheesecake recipe.

So, any well loved cheesecake recipes from anyone would be greatly appreciated. *Hint-Hint*
Well, that's all for now.....gotta go study for a chemistry quiz.

I feel a little better now......

I talked with my advisor today and she told me that the 10 candidates that were accepted into the program already had Chemistry done. I was allowed to apply for the program because I was signed up to take Chemistry this Fall. At least I know I didn't do anything wrong.
So, Kojak and I have come up with a plan. We have decided that I am going to apply for the day program that starts in the Fall of 2009. If I get in, I would be finished in the Spring of 2011, which is only one semester later that if I had been accepted this time. In the meantime, I am going to finish Chemistry (which, btw, I have a 90 average in right now), and I'm going to take Anatomy & Physiology II this Spring. The only downfall to applying for the Day program is that I'm going to have to put the boys in daycare....I don't like daycare. Haley will be starting school in August so the only problem there is finding someone who will watch her in case my classes run past 3.
To sum it all up, I feel better, I'm moving forward, I hate daycare but have to suck it up, Haley starts school in August and everything else will have to be figured out as we go along!

Update

Well, I didn't make the cut this time. Apparently, most of the candidates met all the requirements but they could only except 10 for the program. So, I'm going to finish Chemistry, take Anatomy & Physiology II and try again next year. Don't get me wrong, my tear ducts are empty but I'll live. All I can do is try again!

Escaped turkeys.........

While I'm sitting here waiting for "THE CALL", you know.... the call that will either tell me what I'll be doing for the next two years (nursing school) or what I'll be doing for the next two months (crying), I figured I would let you all know what's going on and ask a favor.
You see there are these two "turkeys" who live next door to me. And those two turkeys decided that 40 years this month after their first date they would go on their first ever Carnival Cruise. On a ship with swimming pools, day spas, the open sea, shopping, 24 hour frozen yogurt machine, a room with a balcony and the food....oh, the FOOD! "That's wonderful, you say?" Well yeah, it is oh so wonderful........for the two turkeys. But here at my house, it's just.......well, it's just......just so unfair! The jealousy seeping out my every pore is unbearable. Hehehe! I mean, REALLY, who said they could just take off and leave their 28 year old baby here to fend for herself against her 3 rambunctious, messy making, accident-prone children? The injustice! So, just in case some of you happen to see these two turkeys (pictured below). Tell them that their daughter is sitting at home desperately envious and riddled with despair.

Mom and Dad, I hope you two have so much fun, you absolutely deserve every second of this trip....it is long over due. Be safe, Love you both, call me when you can!

Oh the waiting....

IS EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL!!! I should know before the 14th but, come on, that's a week away! I'm not patient when it comes to things like this! I went Monday to get my blood drawn and yesterday I got a TD booster, Hep B vaccine and TB test. It really was not at all like everyone told me it would be....go figure! I will be posting as soon as I find out something! That is, if I get in the program, so if I don't post anything by the 15th you know that I have elected to stay in bed and feel miserable for a week!
On a lighter note: I think I forgot to let everyone know that I added a slideshow to the bottom of my blog with pictures of the family. Okay, now you know!
And just in case I did actually tell you all about the slideshow already....ignore the above note....I have been diagnosed with LMS, ya know?......that's Leaky Memory Syndrome!
Loves!

One Step Closer

Well, I went to the group interview on Tuesday, although I should say that it was more of a group information meeting. There were no questions asked except by the candidates. There were 16 of us there and the program only allows space for 10. Everything went well so I am hopeful. I got the chance to meet with the Director and Assistant Director of the Foothills Nursing Consortium, both very nice people. I went today to get my medical forms filled out and will be going on Monday to get all my immunizations. Translation: I'm going to get poked about 400 times...okay, only 5 times but.....ugh! Anyway, I should know around the 13th of October whether I will be starting nursing classes in January.
So, for right now I am focused on my Chemistry, which seems to be paying off well. I got a 90 on my first exam last Wednesday. Yeah Me!!!! I'll be starting my portfolio project soon in which I will be developing my own pottery glaze recipes. Should be fun, maybe I'll end up with something really awesome! Or maybe I'll end up with glaze that looks like dried mud, who knows?

I Got A Letter Today......

It reads:

Dear Forever,

You are scheduled for a group information meeting with the Foothills Nursing Consortium Director/Faculty and the Health Sciences Advisor on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 3:15 p.m.

Please bring with you to the meeting a typewritten statement (1-2 paragraphs) on what nursing means to you. Include in that statement what "you" bring to nursing.

This information meeting is a critical part of our decision-making process with regard to admission into the Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program, it is important that you be prompt and present.


So, there you have it people, I'm in the group interview. I cried, of course. (I'm such a sap.)

Okay, I just wanted to update you all! Thank you for the comment Aunt Joan, Hope you all are doing well also. Loves!

The Thief of Always

So, the other day I did a post on my love of reading and in it I mentioned that I couldn't remember the first real book that I read. Since then, I haven't really thought about it much but I was at Walmart with Beth, discussing books, and it just came to me. The Thief of Always by Clive Barker. It was first published in 1992 and was considered a young adult novel but it has since been classified as a graphic novel of fantasy/horror origin. Whatever!!!!! That's ridiculous! Anyway, I just googled it a minute ago and would you believe.....they are making a movie from it that is scheduled to be out in 2010.
Right now, I am reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Beth lent it to me to read and so far it is awesome. Such a wonderful story so far, you should all check it out. The movie for it is coming out October 17th, starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and many more. It should be great!

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Haley and I went to pick up Chris from school today and went down to Lake Imogene to feed the ducks. (The boys stayed home with Daddy).

She had a good time playing around the trees.

Here are just a few of the ducks and geese that started to surround us when we sat down.

This one was a little more curious than I would have liked. Actually, he was quite pushy about wanting his share of bread.

Like I said before, Haley had a good time. At least she did until she grabbed a handful of "ant-hill" dirt. They were all over her shoes in a matter of seconds and she freaked. I think she learned her lesson about ant-hills.

Kojak

Kojak just got back from Piedmont South Carolina where he's been since Wednesday morning. He's going through his training for a job with Direct TV. He will be an installer, it's looking to be a promising venture. Not only is it a good job but the experience will help him out after he has finished his degree. He is home for the weekend and will go back to Peidmont Monday through Friday of next week. Mom is helping with the kids on the days I have class so other than missing Daddy while he's gone, we've been okay.

A Little Help Please!!!!!

Okay, if anyone has any ideas on how I might find the flame test values for chemical solutions, please let me know! I've been looking on the net since last night and can't find what I need!

Confession and Disappointment

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved to read. I don't even remember the first real book that I read but I'm sure it must have been good because I was hooked. Reading is such an enjoyable past time for me. I read pretty much anywhere, in bed, in the bathtub, curled up on the couch, in the car, outside on the porch, on vacation...heck, reading is like a mini vacation. I have read and love to read books of all kinds. (Except Chemistry....not liking that one much right now.) Suspense, horror, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, historical, inspirational, and literature, I like it all! I've even read a few non-published drafts that I loved written by family members . You know who you are people....please move forward with your books they were wonderful.
Bare with me people there is a point here.
The point is: of all the books I've read, the ones that I love the most are vampire books. I've read all of the Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice and all of her connecting books. Amanda Ashley has some really good ones, as well as, Shannon Drake! I was thrilled when a vampire popped up (very briefly) in one of the Harry Potter books. Anyway, I noticed a book that looked promising a few weeks back and decided to pick it up when I got the chance. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It had a little sticker that read "Soon to be a Major Motion Picture". The semester was getting ready to end and I knew I would have a little more free time. I went back to get it and noticed that there were two more in the series. New Moon and Eclipse. Above the display was a sign advertising the upcoming release of the fourth book Breaking Dawn. What luck, I love a series.
So, I brought home Twilight and planned to read a little that night, stretch it out a bit, take it in slowly, enjoy taking in something other than Anatomy, Nutrition or Micro.
That, was all good in theory, I devoured that book like it was a hot fudge sundae. And then I nearly sold my shoes to get New Moon and Eclipse and devoured those as well. (Not really with the shoes but I did sell some pottery.) After that I held my breath until the release of Breaking Dawn. I was blue by the time I got to Walmart. Okay not really but I'm almost done here, stay with me people. I finished Breaking Dawn in record time.
Let me say that these books are not racy or trashy or anything of the sort. They are young adult books and strictly rated PG. They are very interesting and very well written. The main story, the characters and plots are so well rounded and beautiful. They have created a phenomenon among younger and older readers alike. True love conquering even the most impossible of boundaries....and I'm a real sucker for a good "Love conquers all" story.

Stephenie Meyer is being hailed as the next J.K. Rowling.

The main two characters are Bella and Edward with the story being narrated by Bella. However, after finishing the series, Stephenie Meyer decided that her Twilight fans needed to read the story from Edward's perspective and started writing Midnight Sun. Everything went fine until someone she trusted let the partial draft leak onto the Internet. Now, she feels like she doesn't know whether she can finish it or not. You can read about her opinion here. www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html. She did post the partial draft (long after the leak) on her website for her fans to see so they would not have to suffer in longing.
So, I am very disappointed that this story may never be finished because it is such a wonderful version of the first book. I hope that she can find it in herself to forgive and move forward. Until then I will look forward to November 21st....Twilight the movie!
Okay, I'm done now. Thanks for listening....I mean reading my rambling.

An Explanation.........

The Divine Secrets of Stupid Girls!

Once upon a time, there were two girls... Silly and Sillier. They met...they bonded...they were forever friends. They did everything together - shopped, ate, stayed up all night, laughed til they cried, cried because they were sad, cried because they were happy, and even had babies at pretty much the same time. No one ever understood them when they were together!...and they were never like this when they were apart. They were in their own special world...a world no one else would ever be able to enter. Today, you will understand a little more about the life of The Stupid Girls.

Rule #1 - EVERYTHING IS FUNNY - And by FUNNY, I mean HILARIOUS beyond belief. Laughter constitutes tears and the occasional snort from S.G. #1 thus bringing tears to the eyes of S.G. #2.

Rule #2 - MEN ARE STUPID - And YES...we mean ALL men...except for our son(s), fathers and those that we know to be 'smarter than the average bear'...and they occasionally have some tendencies! We are firm believers that a man's brain is located in his pelvic region! The space between their ears is just that...space.
Rule #3 - FOOD AND/OR SHOPPING MUST ALWAYS BE INVOLVED - There really isn't an explanation needed. It just is what it is!

Rule #4 - THERE IS NO JUDGING - What one S.G. does is okay to the other S.G.

Rule #5 - NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS...NOTHING - And if this isn't a perfect example...I don't know what is!

Rule #6 - SILLINESS IS A MUST - Any time, anywhere, always!!!

Rule #7 - And the most important rule of all...YOU MUST ALWAYS LOVE YOUR STUPID GIRL!!!

Stupid Girls are like the bacon bits on a bed of plain ole' lettuce...they spice it up, give it some flavor, and bring a little life, excitement, and joy!

MyHotComments

Haley is home....finally

Note: since their happy reunion on Wednesday night, all has returned to normal, they have resumed their efforts at driving Mommy batty with the bickering. But I really am happy they are all together again.

Haley got home late Wednesday night. She was so excited to be back and the boys were tickled to see her. Here are some picks I've snapped since she has been home.

James Everett

Cameron James


All those blue eyes are just too much for my heart to take!
Lord help me, I love my babies!

Nursing school update.

I took the PSB entry exam today and it went alot better than I thought. I studied alot before hand but most of the things I covered were not necessary for the exam. It was basically a general competency exam, you know, spelling, reading comprehension, basic math, natural sciences. It wasn't what I was expecting. On that note, it is not a pass or fail exam. They don't count wrong answers, they score you by how many questions you answer correctly. A minimum weighted score of 45 is required for consideration and the highest score is like 89 points.
Here's a rundown of what happens next.

• Interview invitation letters will be mailed out on September 17th.
  
• Once this letter is received I have to complete my medical forms which include a physical exam, up-to-date vaccines and immunizations, TD booster, chicken pox titer, Hepatitis B vaccine and 2 step TB test. I have a feeling I'm going to look like a walking pin cushion.

• The "group interview" will be held on September 30th.
  
• Medical forms must be completed by October 8th.
• From that point, the ADN Director makes the final selections based on the candidate's academic record, test results, interview outcome and favorable results of the physical examination.
• Our adviser told us today that we should know around October 14th if we have been selected.

There were 26 of us testing for the night/weekend program today and only 10 will be selected. I think my chances are relatively fair.

I also wanted to let everyone know that Haley is on here way home from her Nannies house tonight. Venita decided to bring her back a day early because of the threat of Hannah hitting the Carolina coast line. I will definitely sleep better knowing she is home. We sure have missed the little blue-eyed baby doll. The boys keep asking me "Laley home?" I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow of her return.
Well, I have plenty more to say but I have plenty of chemistry home work I need to get done. Good night all!

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree........

I have always been a little accident prone. From tripping over cracks in the sidewalk to wrecking four-wheelers, but I usually end up with only minor scrapes and bruises. (knock on wood)
Lately, I'm beginning to wonder if Cameron has somehow inherited my mishap magnetism. I've already posted about his confrontation with the can of black beans and the laws of gravity but since then he's just continued to push the boundaries. They went into the laundry room this morning and somehow the laundry detergent fell off the shelf onto his other big toe. The damage was not quite so bad this time, just a little cut behind the nail. Easy band-aid management. His first toe injury, however, just looks terrible and painful. The blood pocket under the nail had filled to the point that it was pushing his toenail up and it kind of scared me. So, I called the pediatrician, who said it would be fine.
I just don't know what to do. I hope maybe it's just because they are little boys and rough-housing is what they do to make it through the day. Most of all I hope he grows out of it soon.
Well, I guess I better go. Need to make a few phone calls....see if I can find one of those big plastic bubbles....do you think I should try NASA or the CDC first?

Woo~Hoo!!!!!!!

Well, after torturing Mom, Chris and Kojak by making them act like my patient and practicing all my CNA skills on them (good sports they are), I am happy to say Thank You very much. I took my State written and skills exam this morning in Shelby and I passed both. The 5 skills I ended up doing were Wash Hands (believe it or not has to be done in a very specific way), count and record radial pulse, provide fingernail care, perform range of motion on shoulder and make an occupied bed. I was so nervous.
I was an emotional mess this morning, I'm talking a huge bundle of nerves. I called Mom before I got there just for more reassurance. Then Daddy called me to reassure me. All I could do was cry and say okay. Yeah yeah, I'm a big cry baby, I know.
So, all that stands between me and nursing school is Chemistry and the PSB entry exam (taking it Wednesday). Oh and the interview.
Anyway, thanks for your help, well wishes and pep talks.

Pray for me...

I'm going to take my State exam at 8 in the morning....think about me! My nerves are shot. I want to say thanks to Mom, Chris and Kojak for helping me to prepare. I'll post the results tomorrow!

Poor, poor Cameron!

My little man has done it again. No, he didn't get Spray'n'Wash in his eyes or swallow a battery but a few days ago he fell of the bed in their room. He's got a few scrapes from that fall but today he must have decided to torture himself some more. He picked up a can of black beans and dropped it on his toe. He did it while I was at school tonight so when I got home he needed some serious Mommy love. And he got it! He wouldn't let me near the toe to look at it until I bribed him and told him I would take a picture of it. He seemed to think that was fun!
Before he went to bed tonight he was limping around with his big toe flexed up as far as it would go. It was so sad yet so cute all at the same time.

Anyway, I'm going to keep an eye on this little piggy. Hopefully it will start to look better instead of worse. Even though I honestly believe the hospital has a specific room in the ER reserved for the Lupton family (ready and waiting because they know we could show up at any moment), I really don't want to put my baby through anymore torture for a while. So, keep your upper piggies crossed for his lower piggy.

I eat "quantum physics" for breakfast.......

......not really! Quantum physics scare me. Mommy?????
Okay I'm back. As most of you know I started my chemistry class on Wednesday night and it was everything I expected it to be....weird and confusing! We have a new chemistry professor at ICC and let me tell you~~~this woman knows her chemistry! She's worked and gone to school all over the world and has some very interesting stories! Apparently, it was a spur of the moment thing, our old professor left unexpectedly (hint: he and his wife just had a baby) and Mrs. Clauhn took his place. She just moved here last Friday and started work on Monday! Anyway, I think she's going to be awesome.
So, our first class in chemistry we watched a movie on which we are supposed to write a paper to turn in on Monday. The movie is called "What the bleep do we know?" And yes the bleep really is a bleep, it is not a bleep that covers a four letter word! Anyway, this has to be one of the strangest movies I've ever seen. Okay seriously, my brain hurt after watching it. And the funny part is they made a sequel called "Down the rabbit hole". Don't ask me...I have no idea!
Anyway, it was a little far-fetched but very interesting to watch! There were a few believable aspects to consider but I spent most of the movie wondering if a person would need to be high to really understand it all! It touches on some "quantum physics"...help me?
I'm going to make Kojak watch it with me this weekend and get his opinion. He usually has a different perspective on things than I do and that really helps! Kojak is a very intelligent person so maybe he can wrap his head around the parts that eluded me! If not.... I'm in trouble? Mommy? Are you there?

Lesson learned!

Well, I'm thinking that most of you have heard about our latest trip to the hospital but I thought I would post it for those few that have not.
I don't think I was a member of the blogging world when Haley had to get staples in her little head or when Cameron had to had his eyes flushed out. Since then we have learned that jumping on the bed is a no-no and it takes 2 seconds for James to spray Spray'n'Wash in Camerons eyes. (Note: all cleaning products have been moved to the farthest reaches of the cabinets....even I have problems reaching them.)
But I never thought that a 2 year old had lightening fast "grab and swallow" abilities that were far more advanced than my reflexes. Or maybe I'm just getting slow! No comments on that please!
Anyway Cameron snatched up an old watch battery that I was replacing and it was gone before I knew he grabbed it. Poison Control told me to take him to the ER and once there they took an x-ray.

See there it is in his stomach. At this point the doctor on call was worried that it might attach itself to the stomach lining where it would begin to leak its caustic fluid and cause....well you get it. They told me that we would have to take him to Mission Memorial in Asheville where a pediatric surgeon would remove it via endoscopy. So we headed to Asheville. Kojak stayed home with James and Mom went with me and Cameron.
After checking in at the ER, the doctor came out and said that they wanted another x-ray to be sure of the batteries location. They took the second x-ray and left us to wait in the lobby. My nerves were shot by this point. The doctor came out again and told us that we could go home. Apparently, the battery had already moved into the "home stretch" of the lower intestine and past the point where they were afraid it might stay.
So, we came home and he past it the next day!
Aaaaah, the joys of having more grabby little hands than I can keep up with.
Lord, have mercy on my nerves!

Update!

I am currently registered for my last prerequisite class, Chemistry, which starts the 20th. I have to take a PSB preparation class, the 25th -28th. My CNA Challenge state exam is on the 29th. The PSB test is on September 3rd, it's like a general competency entry exam. The board chooses 15 of the best scores to interview and then chooses 13 from those for entry into the nursing program. And if all goes well, I should find out in September whether I have made it into the program, actual nursing classes will start in January and I would be finished the Fall semester of 2010. Yeah, it sounds like a long time but good things come to those who wait, study hard and not have a nervous breakdown. Wait a minute, I don't think that's really how that saying goes but it works for this situation right? So anyway,I'm a little nervous but not......okay, well maybe I'm alot nervous.

Well, that's my update!

Xrays and Grade Reports

It's been a few days since I last blogged, been a little busy around here. I've been trying to finish up my requirements for admission to the nursing program, Venita came for a visit and picked up Haley to keep for few weeks, I've been in the chiropractors office at least twice a week, and our AC broke which has left us mopping up sweat puddles in this high ninety degree weather. On top of that, Cameron and James are apparently warmer than the rest of us because they shed their clothes and diapers every 5 minutes and go streaking through the house like little wild bandits.
I'm just kidding about the sweat puddle part, although it did seem like we were gonna all melt and run together. Luckily, we got the AC problem fixed so we're cool again. As for keeping diapers on the boys...... there is no hope! Yeah Yeah, I know....it's time to potty train....pray for me will ya?
Anyway, I got my grade report last week, I got a B in Microbiology. Yeah ME!!!!! Believe me when I say, that B was not an easy one! The subject was not too difficult but let's just say that full credit was a hard thing to achieve. So, I'm happy with my B considering the limited amount of time I had to study. I would have taken a picture of this grade report like before, but it went through the laundry in the back pocket of my jeans. Ya know, come to think of it, I lose a lot of things that way. At least I know how to get rid of any incriminating documents I have lying around. Not that I have any of those.
Moving on, my CNA challenge is scheduled for the 12th and 13th and then the state test after that (date to be announced). Wish me luck, I'll let you know how that goes!
I went for Xrays on the pelvic/lumbar region of my back last week and went for the results today. Simply put, there should be a nice curve in my lower back where L5 meets the sacrum, I have more of an angle. So, the discs between L4/L5 and L5/sacrum are a little squished. This my friends may just be the root of the numb spots on my foot. So, they are stretching me on the rack.....maybe I'll come out of this taller! Okay, maybe not but a short girl can dream right?
Anyway, in the last week I have finished 2 good books and seen a few really good movies! Has anyone seen the movie "Penelope"? It's really cute and has a nice "moral of the story" thing going on. "The Other Boleyn Girl" is really good too, but I would not recommend it for the kiddos. The books that I read are Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. Both books were very good, I'm planning to read the other books in the Twilight series. I got the Dunant book a year ago for like 50 cent. Best 50 cent I've ever spent....I love it when that happens.
Okay, so other than all that I've been here at home playing with the wild heathens that have taken up residence in my house over the last several years. Yeah, they like to run around here like they own the place. Oh well, I love them so I guess I'll keep them around for a while....... or 20 years.
Alright, so now I'm done filling in the gap from last week. Stay tuned for more of my incoherant babbling, if you think you can handle it!!!!! Mwahahahaha!

Enterobacter aerogenes

Enterobacter aerogenes, that's the scientific name for my unknown bacterium. The last few weeks of the summer semester were spent working on unknowns! Basically, I had a broth culture of bacteria on which I had to run a series of lab tests to determine what it was. So, after all the tests were run and my four page report documenting everything had been written, it came down to Enterobacter aerogenes. Man, is my brain tired? Okay, not really! Anyway, I wanted to actually take my camera with me to class to document the whole experience because it was rather interesting but I kept forgetting my camera. (the result of 3 children nipping at my heels all the way out the door) So, instead I thought I would show you all a few pictures from my lab atlas so you could see some of the things that have kept me busy this summer. The pictures below are of different bacterial species growing on various nutrient agar plates. Overall, I came away from this class with a better understanding of microbes, pathogens, the human bodies response to invasion and the awareness of some wicked little critters that I never want to come in contact with.

So, now it's time relax a little for a few weeks and then it's on to Chemistry! Pray for my brain please!
I'll be back to more interesting things tomorrow! Thanks for stopping in!

Backgrounds and Spider Boys!

Yeah~yeah, I know what you're thinking....."My Lord she's changed the background again!" Call me Flaky as a Grands biscuit or as unpredictable as BigFoot but the truth is I'm really just indecisive and I'm a sucker for color. Believe me when I say this probably will not be the last background change you see around here. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I just took my final exam on Thursday and have more time to do.....to do.....well, to do anything! I've been doing a variety of things that a month ago seemed unreachable like going to the chiropractor (much needed mind you), painting my toenails, I watched an entire movie, and colored my hair. It's been nice having some me time but below you will see some examples of my more enjoyable time.

You see, I've had more time to spend with these 2 and all their 2 year old antics!

More time to spend looking into these baby blues, this girl loves dress up and make up time with Mommy.

Oh and this was the most awesome pizza EVER! I think Kojak fell in love with me all over again, well maybe I'm exaggerating but I sure did fall in love with it! Um, pepperoni, canadian bacon & black olives with pesto, then you dip it in marinara! Oh bless my sweet pizza loving soul! And, among all this I had time.....

...to try and figure out how in the name of cheescake this happened! I have a few theories....either my boys have some spider tendencies or they think they belong on Gilligan's Island!
SOS, SOS, Send help soon please!