It's official....FOOTBALL is BACK!!!

I love this time of year. Fall is on it's way (even though we may not feel it weather wise yet), kids are back in school and bringing fundraiser packets to your door, and FOOTBALL is on the tube! I love football, probably because it is so closely related to my favorite season - fall. There is something about wearing a sweatshirt supporting your favorite team while screaming fans surround you on a cool fall day watching as Brenda Gordon would say "all those tight-ends." J/K!!! LOL LOL LOL, she is crazy. Our country is so football crazy I think it's kind of fun!

Well it's Labor Day weekend and it's the first time Luke and I have both had the entire weekend off together in 4 years. We don't have much planned seeing as I have to study for my first test for the semester but at least we have the possibility of doing something! It's also one week closer to the State Fair. =) Funnel Cake here I come! I love going to the fair not only for the food but for all the people watching too. I could sit and watch for hours and hours.

As for work, it's good. The ICU gets a little better every day and not as frustrating. I'm still not sure if I'm an ICU nurse but I'm working on getting there. I do like all of the people I work with but soon I will be the only full-time nurse on, which is a little scary! EEEKKK! Oh well, one of life's challenges that will only push me forward. I think this is where the survival of the fitest applies? Guess I will have to start working out more then. =)

Going back to this weekend...Blake and Shelly were here and it was so nice to have them here. I miss hanging out with them and goofing off. I feel like Luke and I smile more when they are around. =) We had a good time. We didn't do much but it was the time together that counted. I really wish we lived closer to each other but convincing Luke to live in Tulsa would be like pulling teeth from a grumpy bear. Probably, just not going to happen. That is okay, I love my house and I love being close to his parents and sister, so it is okay.

Well studying is calling me. Oh joy!

-bre-

Pathophysiology and theory...hmmm

Well it's official, school has started for the fall semester. While this is a good thing because it means I am one more semester closer to my NP, it is still school. Boo. I do love pathophysiology but I just haven't been in the school mindset. Theory is an icky subject and not something I consider worth the time. Oh well.

Luke and I are currently watching the men's beach volleyball gold-medal match and I'm lovin' it! I'm so glad people are starting to get interested in volleyball and realize it is a true sport and not something you do at a family picinic. Not that playing at a family picinic is bad it's just not to the level of even middle-school volleyball anymore. It's very exciting to see! Even though Brazil is kicking the US's butt! How do you play against someone who is 6'8? Seriously?!?

Well life as an adult is continuing to frustrate me. It feels as though we have had a multitude of things go wrong at our house and maybe have an end in sight-hopefully. =) Work is going okay. I think I have decided I'm not meant to be an ICU nurse. I will continue in the unit probably until I finish school but I've figured out (which I think I knew all along), ICU is not my thing. Granted I have learned a lot and appreciate it but I miss hearing those blades on the helicopter as they are coming in, and the thrill of getting a trauma or an active heart attack. I know that sounds sick to the rest of you but it's an adrenaline thing.

Anyhoo, time to go to bed, work calls early in the morning! Hope everyone has a good end of the week and weekend. Enjoy!

-bre-

the Olympics--YEAH!!!

I love the Olympics. It makes me feel giddy inside. I love to hear our national anthem play when someone wins a gold. I think because I have always been sports fan, the Olympics are the ultimate goal. I mean sure the Super Bowl is great but mainly because of the commercials not necessarily the football. Last year was the first year in a while that the Super Bowl actually had some good football. Anyhoo...so I have greatly enjoyed the Olympics and everything that comes with them! Someday I hope to go back to the Olympics. My brother and I were able to go to the 88' Winter Olympics in Calgary and it was AWESOME!!!! Loved it!
Okay, so I am very grateful for the cooler weather we have had lately and the RAIN! I'm not nearly as cranky as I was when it was a 110 outside. =) I wish the weather would stay this way for the next few months then slide right into fall. I would be very very very happy if it would do that. Once again we are one more day closer to fall!!! Yahoo!!!
Well, Luke and I went to Branson this weekend and had a pretty good time. We stayed at the Branson Landing (which is a great new addition to Branson). It is a really really neat place and it was so nice to get away for a weekend. Made me appreciate how special my little four-legged monkeys are!
This week and next week are going to be busy weeks so it was nice to have a short little vacation prior to them. In an update to work I was informed yesterday that if they hire enough people, I may not have to work weekends again!!! YEAH!!! Very excited about this. It may be a while and I may still have to work them occasionally once everyone is hired but I'm okay with that! =)
Also, I start school on monday. I'm ready but I'm not ready at the same time. I'm ready for pathophysiology but not so much on the theory. (boo). OH well, one semester down, one more about to be down!
Well i must get to my wonderful comfy bed so I can put in another day tomorrow!

-bre-

p.s. Shelly Ann, think about the colors you want! Love ya!

Not sure about this whole adult thing...

I've decided being 4 was a lot easier than being an adult. As a 4 yr old you don't have to worry about who is going to cook dinner or do dishes. You don't have to pay bills or worry about financial things. All you have to worry about is whether or not you get to watch Sesame Street or not. I happen to miss Oscar the Grouch. He always intrigued me. In fact I have figured out a way to be Oscar for Halloween this year. I just don't know that I will be allowed to wear it at work if I have to work. I know I probably shouldn't but i love Halloween. What better holiday than one where you get to dress up to be something other than yourself and get candy for it! Besides, it always gets cold around Halloween and the summer heat is making me cranky. Did you know it is proven that the summer heat causes people to be crankier and the crime rate goes up because of it? I find that an interesting fact. It helps me in fight to prove I'm not crazy! =)
The reason I guess I am so frustrated being an adult is all the responsibility that comes with it. Our stupid dishwasher started leaking, so we called the home warranty people they told us the part we needed was about 1/2-3/4 the cost of a new dishwasher. So we bought the new dishwasher, installed it today, it worked for about 45 min then started leaking just like the old one did. Very very very frustrating. And our air conditioner hasn't turned off all day because it is sooooo freaking HOT outside. I hate to see what our electric bill is going to be. AAAGGGGHHH!!! Don't get me wrong I love my house but why do they have to be so expensive? Sorry I am venting, just frustrated.
Anyways, Luke and I had a good weekend. We went to see his grandma in Kansas and go to the fair. It was a little crazy driving with five dogs in the car! They didn't like the ride too much but handled it well. I think I was just as excited as they were to get out of the car! Anyhoo, we went to the fair on Friday night and had a pretty good time. Once again, it was so HOT outside but we still had fun. We watched the Figure 8 races and ate sno-cones. (Did you know they have a homemade ice cream flavor? It tastes just like homemade ice cream, it was great!). The Figure 8 races were fun. One guys axle broke off! I don't think I have ever seen that in any of the other races I have watched- so fun! And to top it all off, a guy in a station wagon got second place! Ha ha ha, knew those station wagons were good for something! And to end the night, we got a funnel cake-YUMMY! Saturday we worked out at luke's grandma's house all day then drove home. We were pretty tired Saturday night. Today we installed the dishwasher and we all know where that got us.
All in all a pretty good weekend minus the dishwasher. This week, I have a class in Norman for two days, then two days of work, then we leave for Branson! Pretty excited about Branson, hoping it all goes well.
Well I need to go to bed so I can go to class in the AM. Hope everyone has a good week.

-bre-

finally a day off!

well today is july 31 and once again that much closer to fall. I'm very excited about this! It seems it is just getting hotter day by day and that much ickier. Soon, very soon, cool weather will come our way!
So this past week was my second week at Edmond Medical. Things are going well. I like the ICU and everyone I work with. There are only a few draw backs. One I miss everyone at OU and how familiar I was with everything. I'm just not very patient when it comes to wanting to know everything I can. I know it takes time to adjust to a new job and everything that goes with it, but I want to know it all NOW!!! LOL, I'm just like my mother! =) I also learned I will only not have to work weekends for another 4 weeks then it's back to every other weekend. I am not excited about this at all. One of the main reasons I applied for this job was the fact I knew I would not have to work weekends. Also, they "float" the ICU nurses to other areas in the hospital that are short. I don't particularly like this either. I didn't sign up to be a floor nurse, I signed up to be an ICU nurse. Now....Edmond is trying to make some changes, including hiring more nurses so maybe we won't have to float so much. They are trying to make being a full time nurse more of a benefit than any other positions they have. I do like that they are trying to make their nurses happy. It's nice to know they appreciate us.
Anyways, enough about that. It really is nice to work there. Well, school is over for the semester and I have a few weeks before I start back for the fall. Luke and I are going to be going to a few places while I have the time off to catch up with family. I'm just excited to get away for a few days!
Not much else is going on. I got a new dishwasher today and am pretty happy about not having to do dishes by hand any more! We are also watching my in-laws dogs so our house is pretty much a zoo!
Well I must go buy some water hoses. I hope you all have a good week. =)

- bre-

July and one month closer to FALL!!!!

Maybe it is completely wrong but I was so excited to see July role around because that means it is one month closer to the Fall season!!! Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I love all the leaves changing and the crisp cool air. I love being able to wear a sweatshirt and flip-flops at the same time! Oh I can't wait!!! And then of course all the fun holidays...Halloween (one of my all-time favorites), Thanksgiving (who doesn't love all that food?), Christmas (need I say more?), New Year's Eve (one because it's the ending of year and the start of a new; and Luke and I's anniversary-four years this year)!

I was also excited to see July come around because I'm starting my new job tomorrow! I'm a little nervous but also excited to see what all I can learn. Everyone I have met so far is incredibly nice. In fact today the entire group went to eat together! Crazy - I have never had this with a group of people until way after orientation. I think Edmond will be a good thing for me and for my family. I have already planned out my next four weekends because at last I don't have to work weekends! And every weekend I have planned is with family. =) I have worked weekends since I was 15. I'm not sure I will know what to do with my time!

Yesterday was my last day of school for my summer semester. It went by so quickly. I enjoyed the class for the most part except that it did have to do with healthcare policy and politics. Not exactly my favorite subject. I did learn a lot though, which is good since that is the reason I'm going back to school. My next semester starts on August 18 and I will be taking Pathophysiology and Advanced Nursing Theory. I can't wait for pathophys. I LOVE anatomy and physiology!!! Not too excited about the nursing theory but oh well.

Since school is over and I'm finally getting on the unit at Edmond, I will be able to have a little free time for a while....so.....Luke and I will be going to the county fair in Winfield (great little fair) and to Branson with his family the second week in August. I can't wait to get out of town for a weekend or two. I will also get to see my family this weekend and the weekend of Wilder's second birthday. I can't believe my little wildman is going to be 2! And my little gwyni is going to be 1! CRAZY!

Well I had better get to bed since I have a full 12 hour day ahead of me in a brand new unit! Hope we all survive this nasty heat. Remember we are one month closer to Fall! yahoo! Have a good one!

- bre -

Summer time in Oklahoma = blah

I've decided I'm just not a summer person unless I am allowed to sit by the pool all day drinking lemonade or by the beach. I just don't like the hot. period. Anyhoo, I do love the mountains though! I've decided that when I win the lottery (I have to play first, =) I am going to live in the mountains. It's just very rarely hot there. I think there is something to be said about being able to put clothes on. You can only take off so many clothes before people start talking and the police show up.

Okay enough ranting about oklahoma heat. So I'm very very very excited...I start a new job on July 14th. I can't wait simply because I consider a new job a new learning experience. There is always something to learn and that is what I love doing! Speaking of learning I also started my masters three weeks ago! That is a learning experience definitely. Not just the knowledge I learn but also figuring out how to do all my schooling online! It's most definintely different. So back to the new job....I currently work at OU medical center in the ER and have been there for five years. My new job will be Edmond Medical center (way closer to mi casa) and in the ICU. I am very excited about a new area and a new hospital. Edmond is much smaller than OU and the patients are a completey different breed. And yes I did just say breed. I can't wait to feel something towards my patients again! Don't get me wrong I have definitely taken many many many things away from OU but they weren't all good. I will miss everyone I work with but I'm at the moment trying to convince them that they all need to come work in Edmond. They are all like a second family to me. I think there is a lot to be said about that. Another reason i am so excited about working at Edmond is that for right now I will have weekends off!!!! I get to go to church again and not feel like a heathen! LOL!!! I can't wait to get back involved in church. I have most definitely missed it.

Okay, so not only did I get a new job and start school but I also got a new car and a tattoo! I know, I know a tattoo? Really? yes really. It is on my left foot and it is tiny footprints with Isaiah 40: 28-31 on it. The footprints are from the poem footprints and the verse is one of my very very very favorites.
As for the new car, it is a Honda element! It looks like a baby elephant. So I need some ideas on names. If anyone has any, let me know, please!

Well, there's not much else going on in my life. Luke and I just got back from Tulsa visiting the family for father's day and shelly's birthday. I had a blast. I love spending time with my family. The kids (Wilder and Gwyni) were so cute. It makes me want to have kids, especially to see how luke is with them. He will be such a great dad some day! I've always told him if being a Vet doesn't work, he should go be a pediatrician.

Well i have to run, we are at luke's parents house for his dad's father's day. I hope you all have a great week and stay cool. Remember, Oklahoma heat=bad. J/K.

Live well. Laugh Much. Love Often.

bre

tuesdays with Morrie

wow it has been a while. I always forget about which accounts I have checked or haven't checked. I guess I should get rid of some! Well it has been quite busy for Luke and I this past month. It seems like every weekend we have had something going on. I like it though, it means that I am connecting with people that I haven't been able to connect with either due to work, winter, or schedules. I was so excited two weeks ago, I was able to spend a day with my neice and nephew and then the evening with my wonderful sister-in-law. Then the girls (my mom, shelly, me and gywnni) went to Ms. Jacksons in Tulsa for a spa day and some shoppping. It was so great!!! Then I got to go a wedding of a friend I have not seen in a while and it was so cute! She looked absolutely beautiful!
Anyhoo...I wanted to share with you guys ( I don't know how many people read my blog other than shell but oh well), a book that I just finished reading. It is tuesdays with Morrie. If you haven't read it you NEED to. It is such a great book on life and what really matters most. I took a quote from it that basically states to invest in people, to love those you love and who love you. What a different world we would like in if we did in fact invest in people. What a difference we could make in someones day simply by stopping to ask them how they are doing and waiting for the answer instead of walking away as they yell it at us. This book made quite an impact on me and especially how I view my job. My job does get to me as my first blog stated, simply because we as humans don't really value each other any more. And I am just as guilty of it as the patient who simply refuses to say "please" and "thank you." I realized after reading this book that my job gives me an opportunity to change that. I have the ability to sit and talk to a patient who may simply be lonely, not necessarily hurting. There are people that I may touch by providing them comfort in a time of need. What a huge change on my view of my patients. I had forgotten that even though they may gripe and whine and be rude, it my be because they don't feel they are any more valued than I. I'm doing my best to change five years of thinking quickly. I'm hoping it changes my outlook on my job and they people I touch.
Well, I guess as "ah-hah" moments go that has been mine lately. And I'm going to finish this quickly because luke and I just got a new toy and I'm going to go play it with him. I still firmly believe any time with your spouse, family and friends is way more important than any e-mail could ever be! Adios and i will write soon, I promise.

bre

ps. I will expand on tuesdays with Morrie later. There just isn't enough time now.

Welcome?

Hi! Well this is my first blog. I've never blogged before. I know how to myspace and facebook but I've never blogged. It's new, it's exciting, it's a break from work!!! Speaking of work, I wish I could win the lottery and never have to go back to work. There is something to be said about enjoying what you do. It definitely isn't about the money, it's about waking up in the morning and not feeling like you are going to puke because you despise the thought of going to work! I applaud all of you who have taken the leap to do what you love simply because it makes you happy. Anyway, wow what a bad way to start a blog. Sorry. I actually do enjoy my job most times, it just happened to test me today, many many many many times. Okay let me get away from the job because it will only frustrate me more. I started this blog because of my amazing sister-in-law. I have to say I wish I could be near her and my brother and niece and nephew more. I miss them and hope they know what they mean to Luke and I. Speaking of my husband. All I can say is: I'm lucky. All of you should applaud him for putting up with me. LOL!!! He didn't have a clue as to what he was getting in to. =) He's an amazing man and loves me more than anything (except maybe our dogs)!!! They are definitely our children right now until we have the two legged kind! They make me smile. Well, I have to cut this short. My bed is calling me name for the short 6 hours I get before a 12-14 hour work day. Oh the joy. I hope you all have a good week and I think as my last thought, "thank you shelly ann, I think I'm going to enjoy blogging." OH and one more thing..."live simply, laugh often and LOVE deeply."