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It's starting to get nice out. Wait. Let me re-phrase. It's starting to get sunny out. Well, except for today. And yesterday. Whatever! I know it's coming (it HAS to be coming) and I don't want to waste one lovely Spring evening. When Russell and I moved in to the house, we ate dinner outside on the camp chairs every night. In the summer, we would wait until it was cool enough outside and eat dinner late. This year, I am decorating the porch - I think we can do better than camp chairs. I got my Sunset magazine this week and of course they have some awesome outside porch decoration ideas. I'll try to keep you informed on the progress. I have a hard time doing this kind of project because I just want to hurry up and have it be done. I'm going to try to take my time and get it just right. Wish me luck!

Especially you, Cm.

I am going to tell you a story so cute, you might just want to throw up. My neighbor came over in his scout uniform last Monday with an invitation to the Blue & Gold dinner. I told him that I already planned on going and that I was really excited (I really love Costco cake). He whispered that the invite wasn't for me, it was for Russell. His Mom said it was totally his idea; to put on his scout shirt, come over, and hand deliver an invitation. For Russell. Go ahead. You can throw up now. Pretty much the cutest thing I've ever heard.

I thought that when you got old, you didn't care about sleeping in anymore. I just realized this very moment why I have that misconception. I never once heard my parents complain about getting out of bed and getting to it. You guys either deserve a big high five or I am so much lazier than I think I am.

I have to say, it's been especially bad lately. I started working nights AND I got a new memory foam mattress pad. New schedule = extra sleepy, new mattress pad = super comfy bed. Bad combo. I don't want to do anything else. But I'm old...

So, I'm trying to get used to working nights on the weekends and still doing daytime stuff (you know, school) during the week. Thursday I have class from 8am-3pm and I work from 11pm-7am. Tricky. I decided this week to stay up late on Wednesday night so I would be ready to nap/sleep Thursday afternoon. I gave myself a little project so that I wouldn't be tempted to crawl in to bed. I ripped out all the seams of a scrub top and used it as a pattern and made my own (right now I'm doing the arm pump thing and yelling whoomp, whoomp, whoomp)! I bought the cheapest fabric that I could find (because I was sure it wouldn't turn out) and got to it. I think I will totally do it again. And next time I'm sure I could bust it out in half the time - maybe 5 hours instead of 10...

Tonight is my first night working as a real nurse. I had class this morning so I came home and tried to take a little bit of a nap. I had a dream that I was walking down the isle at Target and there was a man in distress on the floor. I rushed over and knelt down next to him and told him not to worry, I'm a nurse.

It's completely official.

I have some news...

I don't officially have a license number but I took the NCLEX on Tuesday and got my results this afternoon - I passed!

Let's hear it for Mondays off!!

We went for a drive up to where things are snowy and then we went for a hike (with Russell's trusty new handheld GPS) and then, heaven. A hot spring. And it wasn't all gross and slimy. We saw TONS of deer. Russell said I must be some kind of good luck, that I might have to come along for next years hunt. He wishes.

Now, you should be ashamed of yourselves! Making me blog at a time like this. I am supposed to be studying...

There is something that feels so good about getting everything all cleaned up after Christmas. (Or is it just me?) Hope yours was as lovely as mine.

It seems like we've had so much going on around here lately. First (and totally most exciting) I graduated! I am practically officially a nurse. I have to take board exams which is still kind of a big thing, but the school part? Check. My pinning was on Thursday and this picture is courtesy Gramps who made a special trip up just to attend.

Next, I was released as a primary worker and, today, sustained as a counselor in the primary. I realized today that I accepted this calling without knowing what it entails at all. Seriously. No idea. But I think it'll be fun (right?). I think so because the prez said we would have primary presidency girls nights out except we wouldn't call it that because that was too dorky.

Okay, what else? I totally got a job already!! They offered me a job on the telemetry floor at the same hospital I work at now. I am really excited and really nervous. I am feeling more pressure to study up than I ever felt as a student. Okay real quick, let me tell you. One weekend they were short staffed and I had to float to that floor (as a nurse apprentice) and this guy totally passed out in the bathroom and he just had open heart surgery so I couldn't do the "sternal rub" which was my first instinct so I just stood there like an idiot. I really hope the charge nurse doesn't remember me...

One other thing. I started an etsy shop. Duly Noted. Any advice? Input? Suggestions? I'm open.

This and another picture very similar to this one are the only two that I took the entire Thanksgiving break. I really don't know what these "exercises" are all about but they are absolutely hilarious to me and I am just going to go with it.

Thanksgiving was so much fun. Mom and Dad and Patrick came to hang out in Boise. I didn't get to set a fancy table, which I wanted to do, but it really had more to do with logistical problems than anything else (I don't have a lot in the way of counter space). We ate caramel corn, pie, strudel, cookies, donuts. We ate real food too but everyone eats that stuff so who cares, right?

Now. I have about two weeks left of school. I am looking for a real grown up graduated from college job. That's it.

P.S. Wanna ask me your weird health related questions? I like it when people do that. If you need a reason, I think it would really help prepare me for board exams...

$20 bucks says I get drug tested before the semester's over...

The conclusion to my research paper:

Supporting the advancement of research into the use of marijuana to relieve cancer pain and other associated symptoms is advocating for a vulnerable population and the duty of the oncology nurse.

Some totally random (and totally awesome) stuff to tell you:

- I did a clinical day in the ER last week and got all my IV's on the first poke. YAY me! (Seriously, that's pretty hardcore)

- One of the Sunbeams said to me, right out of the blue, "my dad used to have earrings but he doesn't anymore but he still has holes in his ears." Hilarious, no? In just 2 1/2 short months those Sunbeams will be mine.

- Russell killed a deer again this year. I'm going to go ahead and apologize once now for the complaining that will now commence for the following year until the deer has been completely consumed. Or given away. Anyone want some venison?

- I made Ina's tzatziki again. I had to do it secretly while Russell was at ninja because he swore that the last time I made it, everything in the refrigerator tasted like cucumbers. He hates cucumbers. Anyway, it's good enough to score one of the pages in my recipe book and I don't just give those things away...

This is me wondering if Russell's attachment to old articles of clothing is his way at getting back at me for something.

Case in point. Shoe

This is Otis wondering why I am on the ground taking a picture of Russell's shoe.

I wrote a letter to Bride and told her that we were all listing our top 10 Beatles faves. She jumped right in on the action - I swear I've never gotten a letter back from her so quickly. Here they are:

1. Blackbird

2. All My Loving

3. Can't Buy Me Love

4. Strawberry Fields

5. I Wanna Hold Your Hand

6. Got to Get You Into My Life

7. I Will

8. Obladi Oblada

9. I'll Get You

10. It Won't Be Long

She also included a list of 6 runners up and added the stipulation that the list may change at any time, especially upon her returning home. FYI.

I know you were looking for another shot of me at the library yesterday. Sorry. I've been at the library, I was just actually studying last time. Here's some new stuff:

1. The actually ID'd a wimp gene. Like, you feel pain differently that other people. More of it. Interesting, no?

2. Adolescent mental health is probably more than I can handle. Adults can remove themselves from unhealthy situations at home. Kids can't. Otherwise, I could be a psych nurse.

3. I got my spot in the ICU at the VA. I'll be there in November. I am so nervous. Every time I think about it I get all jittery.

4. I've been thinking about blogging a journal reflection once a week. I keep going back and forth. First I said forget it, no one will want to read it. Then I figured I wouldn't be forcing anyone to read it. I'm still on the fence.

5. My neighbor's baby is home from NICU.

6. If a patient presents with symptoms of a possible MI, you give morphine to reduce anxiety.

You know that part on Big Daddy when the kid is finally asleep and Adam Sandler is trying to chew as quietly as possible so he doesn't wake him up? That is me right now except I'm on the silent floor at the library and I'm trying to finish my cheetos and greek pita wrap - both crunchy and loud to eat. Do you think the other "silent floor" patrons are swearing at me in their heads?
(Someone took my usual "quiet floor" seat. Jerk.)

Do I look bored? I am. I rode my bike to school today and I don't want to go home yet because it's bloody hot out there. I'm at the library and I do have homework to do but I was thinking about reading this book instead.

P.S. I applied for graduation last week...