2012

Well officially halfway through 2012. July 1st...wow where has the year gone. I got a new job late last fall on the side and started working there in January. I am an education consultant for Smiths Medical and get to travel to hospitals and show nurses and staff how to use their product. A dream job seriously!!! My boss is amazing and so nice and encouraging. Really enjoying my 1-2 times a month getaways to do something different. 


This year Stephanie graduated from Mountain View High School and we moved her into her apartment in Athens where she will be going to Athens Tech for ultrasound. So proud of her!!! Josh is now the last one at home....poor guy! Crazy to think that he will be going to college next year. 


This year has been full of festivals, concerts, birthday parties, annual birthday trip to PCB, cookouts, and lots of time with family and friends. It has been a good year all in all. Looking forward to the next half of the year and all the fall/winter fun ahead after this crazy hot summer. Georgia hasn't seen the 100-106 temps in a while and wow is it hot!! 
Enjoy the summer and until next time...

It's Alright...

"Staycation 2011" is underway and wow is it nice so far!!! I have to say that this was by far the best decision so far. I went up to the vineyards this weekend with my friends Kayla and Cora and thoroughly enjoyed going to my favorite wineries, staying in the nicest Tuscan cottage in Montaluce, and simply enjoying the company and laughter of good friends. It was nice to just get away and feel like we were 100s of miles away from home:) Callie went to camp (as always) and loved it. Her favorite staffer Jenn was there. I highly recommend Camp Bow Wow in duluth!!!

Today after I got home this morning I decided to watch a quick movie (sad to say but I choose Twilight) and ended up getting a nap during the movie:) Then went to Duluth Fall Festival. I always enjoy going to this festival. Today I got my first "real" piece of art and I am soooo excited about it! Imagine a big blue sky with a small red barn in the middle to the side...yes simple but oh does it remind me of my grandparents farm so I had to buy it. It is a local man named Matthew Lee. I am looking forward to putting that up this week along with many other house chores to do during my "staycation" this week.

Update on things since last post (yes it has been almost a year again...really not good at keeping up with blogs)....Grandfather went to Texas for alternative treatment earlier this year for his lung cancer and went into congestive heart failure. He has stopped chemo a few months ago and scans will be done soon to see where things stand. My sister got married to Brian Brown last month on August 20th. I now have 4 nieces and 2 nephews now:) My bestie, Kristen, had her first baby boy on July 27th. Hayden Lucas Buck is sooo sweet and addictive! Love at first sight:) He is so good and already a good little shopping buddy. Poor guy just doesn't know how his momma and I love to shop for bargains...aka all day of finding deals!

Nothing new really happening lately in my life. My side job that I do in the fall is almost over and so grateful to have that extra money for the holidays!!! Christmas is only 3 months away. I saw a sign today at the fall festival that said only 81 shopping days left....so you better hurry!!! haha! I have already started and proud of it...for those of you that know me well I LOVE the holidays and find so much joy in finding the best and unique gifts for everyone.

Well time to get busy on my "to -do" list (making it that is) so I will be productive this week. Until next time...hopefully it won't be almost a year again. Cheers:)

Another year....

Ok wow it has been a while and I don't even have to change my background....opps! Well a lot has happened in the last year of my life. I started 2010 at a New Years party with my bestie Kristen and a group of their friends last year. I remember us telling each other 2010 is our year b/c the previous one was not that great. Well...I was wrong. It has been a year of heartaches and very trying on me and my family. After the new year we found out my grandfather has Stage 4 Lung cancer and my uncle passed away suddenly May 21st from a massive heart attack. With all the other stresses from the economy, life, and drama....you would think that there is only one way and that is up from here. I have caught myself saying "it can't get worse" a lot this year only to find that it has. I am not saying this to have a pity party but just to warn people that I have a new perspective on life with all these hard times this year. I have changed A LOT and already have noticed not everyone seems to like the new changes.

The most important things I have learned:

- I now know who my TRUE friends are

- I am the only one looking out for me so I have to do it

- Life changes in a second

- match.com has given me some good stories

- redecorating a house is my therapy

- goals have changed for my life

- i want to go far in my career so that will take some changes

One of my favorite songs and has been a statement in my life is "You Find out who your Friends Are" by Tracy Lawrence.

All I have to say is "2011" will be a year of change for me. Putting all these lessons into action and moving forward:) I am truly thankful for all my true friends and great family for being there to hold me up when I didn't think I could get through another day after Uncle Steve passed away. I love you with all of my heart!!!!

Flu Season is Here

Well flu season is definitely here!! Yep that is right....I had the flu this week. Tuesday after work it hit me like a brick wall on my way home driving. I spiked a fever of 102 by the time I got home from work. That night I was tired, achy, weak, fever, and my body was restless. My fever broke around 5:00 wednesday morning and I slept for a few hours before I got up for my mom to take me to see Dr. Maxa. I was more nervous about having a lot of dental work last thursday and the risk of infection (for those of you who don't know I have a murmur). He checked out the heart and everything was a ok. So he told me "I think you have the flu, Crystal." You can probably see my reaction, "me, I never get sick. I am a nurse. I have a great immune system" was going through my head. So we did the swab test and yep Type A flu. I got Tamiful (miracle drug) and within 12 hrs I was already feeling way better. Last night I slept great and today I laid around the house and watched movies. So now I am waiting on work to tell me how long I have to stay out of work for...hmm. I am off through Monday per Dr. Maxa since I work in the NICU.

So everyone wash your hands like crazy, get the flu shot, and stock up on some Tamiflu. Oh FYI I had to go to/call 5 pharmacies before I could find one that was not out of stock of Tamiflu. Who knew the flu season would start so early. So definitely get your flu shots and if you want to know where to go just ask me, I will be administering them in clinics this fall!!!

Happy Fall!!!!

Maverick

Maverick (new labradoodle puppy) is home as of yesterday. He is now 8.5 weeks old and weighing in at 12 lbs 7 oz!!! Oh yes, he is a big boy:) Yesterday started off really busy but after I got home it was so nice to just hang out at home, catch up on DVR, and play with my dogs. 

Yesterday morning I took Callie to the vet - double ear infection (pretty bad). She never shows any signs of pain -- she shook her head the other day a few times and has been "cleaning" them a lot more lately. Upon our visit I found out that Callie lost 6-7 lbs so she is now 64 lbs. In doggie world that is a big deal. I would have been jumping up and down if it was me so you can understand my shock when Dr. Boyce was very concerned and immediately wanted to do a lot of tests -- so here we are waiting on those results. I told her to not tell me what she thought it was unless she wanted a lot more questions the next few days from my internet searches. 

After Callie's morning at the vet, I cleaned house really fast and then went to pick up Maverick from the breeder (Mill Creek Labradoodles). Whom not to plug for her but seriously one of the best breeders I have ever met in my life!!! Such a blessing that I met Sandra. So we left after her and her 3 children said good-bye to him. Off to see Dr. Boyce we went for a check-up (routine for breeder health guarantees). Everyone loved him - especially Dr. Boyce. He is "very healthy and looks great" so I was happy to get some good news from the vet after Callie's morning.

Callie and Maverick get along really well so far. There is a little hint of jealousy sometimes but Callie seems to mother him already -- she corrects him when he is chewing on things around the house. He is so mellow and really laid back. He does not mind her barking at him occasionally and follows her everywhere. Yesterday they were either close to each other sleeping or chewing on bones -- made me so happy!!! I am expecting some bumps in the road (one being up every 30 min to hr with a crying/whimpering puppy last night). 

Looking forward to posting many funny stories about these two!!! 

Vacation in Puerto Rico

Vacation time has come and gone. I have to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed having 11 days off -- fun ends tomorrow though:( I did miss chatting with all of my fellow co-workers and doctors though so I cannot wait to catch up with everyone tomorrow.

This year my parents and aunt paid for my plane ticket for my birthday and my aunt used her Marriott points for the resort (hello FREE vacation)!!! I was super excited and so ready to get away to a great vacation. Anyone been to Puerto Rico?!?! Not quite what I expected. We get there and it was dirty, locals were rude, beach was not too nice, water not clear....so I was bummed and aunt was so depressed and sad about it. I was determined to have fun though. The resort was fairly nice and lets face it- again free. We went to Old San Juan to see the historical stuff and where battles from World War II took place -- very interesting for me. Then we went to the Bacardi Distillery -- interesting but not a first choice. 

The next few days I spent time on the beach and by the pool to relax and get my tan on!! I got burned the first day laying out with SPF 30 -- yes this white girl was quite red. Lucky for me it turns into tan fast and I was back at it the next day ( you all know I do not learn easily).  The last day we went to El Yunque which is the Rainforest that is being nominated for one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It was very nice and got a lot of pictures. It was a good place to go once (if free or really cheap) but I would not suggest it to anyone looking for a nice vacation or that wants to do a lot and see a lot. Not too much to the island and honestly there are far more islands that are way better. I was so glad to get home this past Friday and enjoy the last few days of my vacation here in GA. Next year -- I think I will stick to Florida:) 

 

Fight Like a Girl

Hold your head high.....

"You just stand and be strong, 

and then fight like a girl. 

Oh with style and grace, 

Kick a-- and take names. " 

These are words from a newer country song by Bombshell called Fight Like a Girl. This song has been resonating all around me the last few weeks. I am not one that usually is superstitious or whatever too much but I am a strong believer in God putting things in your life for a reason. Everyone has so much going on these days and as you get older you realize all the battles and struggles people go through in life. The last year or so has been quite a roller coaster. So many things going on with or around me -- friends needing crazy surgeries, grandparents aging and you feeling helpless, the economy, my cousin's son who went through a traumatic brain injury and surgery at a few days old, my headaches (grand scheme not too bad). It is a lot to get a girl a little weighed down. Believe me I am totally aware of how crazy life has been for people and all the situations we find ourselves in. My job daily gives me a dose of how great my life is either things with patients or co-workers. So I feel blessed to have gotten where I am and to have good health (relatively speaking - haha). 

Throughout the last two years I have really changed quite a bit. I would say living on my own, dating, and simply growing up has taught me a lot about myself.  I have become independent but know my own strengths/weaknesses. Lately not sure if this one is good or not but quite out-spoken. I have been really trying to figure out where my life is headed and am I where I need to be right now....no particular part of my life just in general. There is so much out there to do and be done. I keep thinking that there is more out there for me to do before God sends me "that person" -- all totally based on God not sending him yet and wondering what I need to be doing so He will send him on. (Sorry a little humor was needed!!!)  So here I find myself in this "twilight" stage between the after school/college/career starting and family life/settling down. So I am doing what this song says....standing and strong - and yes thinking about kicking some butt and taking names;) 

Life in the fast lane...

Well it has been quite a week. My friends Lorin and Preston has their precious baby boy on Wednesday, June 17th. I had the honor of being the nurse on their delivery for baby James -- wow it is so awesome to be able to be there and witness such a blessing in a friend's life. He is doing great and is such an amazing little boy already. 

Then friday at work we were back to our normal pace and craziness (for those of you that haven't been around the last few months - the NICU has been really slow since last fall). It was hard to believe that we used to work at that pace 24/7 around the unit. It was nice to be busy because the day went by super fast!!! 

Also on Friday my best friend, Kristen, had surgery at Northside. Of course, the day I wanted to be able to sneak out and check on her from time to time the unit was crazy busy. Surgery went great and the cyst that was supposed to be about 14 lbs was 5 lbs and they didn't have to remove any of her ovaries - WHOO HOO!!! She is doing good and hopefully will be able to come home today or tomorrow to recover. 

So, now on this Father's Day I will start my busy day of going to my grandparent's farm in Locust Grove to celebrate with the English side. Following that I will go to my parent's house and celebrate Father's Day with my mom and dad there as well as Josh's 14th birthday.  Busy day but I love the days that I can surround myself with my family and be able to visit with the ones I rarely see. 

Life is good....here in the fast lane. Although, I know it only gets faster (words from my friends that have started their families). Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!!!

Rescue

Update on the dog situation....

For those of you who don't know I am very indecisive. This is almost like a conversation with myself or vent session but seriously please comment and let me know what you think. I need clarity b/c I have been around and around in my head and getting nowhere. 

So a rescue organization (Labrador Friends of the South) I met a Petapalooza a few weeks ago contacted me to do a home visit for fostering. They came tonight and I was approved -- shocker b/c everyone wants you to have a fenced back yard -- obviously I don't with a townhouse. I told them my requests were: male, younger preferable puppy or young adult, good with kids and Callie (my dog), and chocolate or black (if possible). If I decide to go this route I would wait until I got back from vacation (July 4-10) to foster a dog. 

Option 2 - labradoodle (multigen) from Tennessee male (chocolate or black) that is non-shedding that is 12 weeks old that is $400 -- way cheap for a labradoodle. OH and those of you like me that are new to labradoodle puppies, they are usually about $1500-2300!!!! Craziness. '

So I am leaning towards a non-shedding dog due to allergies and honestly Callie sheds enough to keep me busy cleaning this house. I am open to anything -- adopting, rescuing, breeder, etc. I also have looked at Shih Tzus because Callie plays so good with my sister's dog Jefferson. So a little progress but not a decision  yet. Any insight or suggestions?

Dog vs. puppy

Ok this won't be a surprise to most but I have been looking for a companion for Callie for well over 6 months now. I was going to adopt a labradoodle named Duncan and that fell through at the last minute - I was heart broken because I got myself all excited for a month and a half. Well the last few weeks I have been applying to all different rescue organizations in the Atlanta area. Most will not approve me b/c I do not have a back yard. They can't say anything about work hours as a nurse because I have a dog walker - thanks to my great neighbor Dana and her daughter. So I started looking at breeders and searching. 

So (drum roll please)....I went to a labradoodle breeder today and bottle fed and played with potential future puppies. It was amazing!!!! I fell in love and cannot decide what to do now. There are 2 liters to choose from - one is 1 week old today and right around 1 to 1.5 lbs and the other is 2 weeks old and all 1.5 to 2.5 lbs. It is like feeding a preemie -- I know, I know but I can't help it b/c my dogs are my babies.  It is so much fun!!! I have the opportunity to be a guardian home for one of the puppies (male or female) and when the breeder is done using them it would be my forever pet. The puppy would live with me and I would raise it but occasionally go and "reproduce" and then come back home. You have to buy the puppy up front but after all is said and done -- the breeder would have the dog spayed/neutered and you get either your money back or 1st pick of another puppy. It is a great way to get a top notch dog for nothing (in the end) or a two for one deal. 

Or...I could wait and adopt/rescue a dog. I have been on this "roller coaster" for over 6 months and really tired of getting really excited just for the door to close. Everything happens for a reason and seriously this is not a huge life decision but it has been a hard few months waiting and being patient. If only I could go ask for a little egg and sperm and then find a donor and "walaa" a puppy for me!!! Oh and I know only NICU nurses are laughing at this -- so sorry for my humor. 

So please stay tuned for future details on a puppy or dog b/c seriously I am determined and focused now:) 

NICU Nurse

This will not come as a surprise to many of my friends or co-workers but I am so lucky to have one of the best jobs ever. I get to take care and play with little babies. I get to help make a difference by taking care of sick or premature babies. NICU nurses are a rare breed. We can go from laughing and cutting up to the next minute witnessing some of the hardest moments of our lives. I am grateful and blessed to work with such great people at the "baby factory" called Northside.