I received word today that my cousin K passed her nursing boards and is now officially a nurse.
I have cried and cried and cried this morning.
I know her Mom and Dad are looking down from heaven, so proud of her.
My heart is just full to bursting today.
Love you Sis. I am so very proud of you.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Back in Sunny Florida
Whoa, this has been one hell of a weekend. I went from 80 degrees to 60 to 30 to 60 ... and returned to 60 degrees. I drank an amazing amount of wine and promptly passed out cold (5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. will do that to a girl). I slept on a relatively comfortable futon. I was able to hang out with friends.
And, crazily enough, I was treated like a rockstar.
WTF? I mean, I volunteered for this. No pay. No benefits. No nothing, really, just a committment to serve my college for six years.
I've been on a conference call for three hours now. You can imagine the level of my excitement. The damn thing is supposed to last another hour. I will not. I am choosing to get a bikini wax instead. This seems like more fun.
Yes, you read that right, bikini wax over conference call. The conference call is over a grant I will be applying for on behalf of the College. The problem is the conference call has a volume problem (and has since the beginning), the speakers are approximately fourteen kinds of boring and I wish I had just stayed in ATL yesterday to see the presentation. I know, ridiculous, but really, it would be better than Death By PowerPoint as I am living now.
The Handy Guy is coming over for dinner. No romance, people, don't get excited. Just want to cook for someone and he seems convenient.
Had some absolutely X-rated dreams about Rugby this weekend and last week. Not sure why he popped into my head but if he's gonna do that, I think these dreams are a perfectly acceptable way.
Headed to see Lu this weekend in Venice on Thursday night/Friday/Saturday, then off to Dad's on Saturday night - Sunday. I totally spaced Easter.
Yesterday I was sitting in a bar at the Kansas City Airport (shocking, I know) having a beer (even more shocking) when I start talking to the bartender. Apparently he and his girlfriend have been together five years. He is 33 and she is 27. They have never lived together. Then he says they want to get married. I was like, hold up, stop the bus, back the truck up, WTF? Not that I think living together is the ultimate test of a relationship (as I know many that are perfectly happy/good in their marriages without it) but I think the bigger issue is that they've been together five years with no movement towards marriage. It was a fascinating discussion.
So in the middle of this discussion, he has to serve someone else. I was looking at my calendar and discover, Joy of Joys, that I have Friday off. Good Friday! Indeed, it is Good!
With that wonderful discovery, I order another beer. 'Cuz what's a girl to do but celebrate that kind of news!
And, crazily enough, I was treated like a rockstar.
WTF? I mean, I volunteered for this. No pay. No benefits. No nothing, really, just a committment to serve my college for six years.
I've been on a conference call for three hours now. You can imagine the level of my excitement. The damn thing is supposed to last another hour. I will not. I am choosing to get a bikini wax instead. This seems like more fun.
Yes, you read that right, bikini wax over conference call. The conference call is over a grant I will be applying for on behalf of the College. The problem is the conference call has a volume problem (and has since the beginning), the speakers are approximately fourteen kinds of boring and I wish I had just stayed in ATL yesterday to see the presentation. I know, ridiculous, but really, it would be better than Death By PowerPoint as I am living now.
The Handy Guy is coming over for dinner. No romance, people, don't get excited. Just want to cook for someone and he seems convenient.
Had some absolutely X-rated dreams about Rugby this weekend and last week. Not sure why he popped into my head but if he's gonna do that, I think these dreams are a perfectly acceptable way.
Headed to see Lu this weekend in Venice on Thursday night/Friday/Saturday, then off to Dad's on Saturday night - Sunday. I totally spaced Easter.
Yesterday I was sitting in a bar at the Kansas City Airport (shocking, I know) having a beer (even more shocking) when I start talking to the bartender. Apparently he and his girlfriend have been together five years. He is 33 and she is 27. They have never lived together. Then he says they want to get married. I was like, hold up, stop the bus, back the truck up, WTF? Not that I think living together is the ultimate test of a relationship (as I know many that are perfectly happy/good in their marriages without it) but I think the bigger issue is that they've been together five years with no movement towards marriage. It was a fascinating discussion.
So in the middle of this discussion, he has to serve someone else. I was looking at my calendar and discover, Joy of Joys, that I have Friday off. Good Friday! Indeed, it is Good!
With that wonderful discovery, I order another beer. 'Cuz what's a girl to do but celebrate that kind of news!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Observations from Rural Missouri
I'm back again at Cottey C, located in Nevada, Missouri. Nevada (pronounced Neh Vay Duh, not Neh Vaaa Duh) is located about two hours south of Kansas City and one hour north of Joplin. It is approximately ten miles from the Kansas border.
Nevada doesn't really change. Yes, Wal-Mart is bigger these days, as is the Sonic, but some things just haven't changed. Nevada boys still whistle at the women as they cross the street, the eastern part of town still smells like a Post-It note/Scotch Tape (a 3M factory is located here) and the legendary Cottey food is still, well, legendary.
It is weird how this town calls people back to it. Honestly, it is just a small town of 8,000 with a women's college stuck in the middle. My hostess this week, T, was my "senior" (to the uninitiated, she was a year older, and thus, at a two year school, there are freshmen and seniors) and I've been camping on her couch. Last night I passed out (yes, out) on her couch in the middle of a gathering of the Posse (a group of like-minded women all affiliated with Cottey past/present). Never mind the incredibly good wine that was flowing nicely, it was the 21+ hours I had been awake at that point and wa-la, I was passed out cold around 2 a.m.
Two of the most incredible years of my life were spent here. Now I've committed to a two year term on the Cottey College Alumnae Board, with potential to give six years. If my plans hold true, I will gain my Ph.D. just about the time I leave the board. Wow.
Tonight was dinner at Chicken Annie's, a restaurant located in rural Pittsburg, Kansas. The food was incredible. For T and I to have fried chicken dinners and beverages, the total bill was less than $20 with tax. The stranger part was watching the last few minutes of the Butler game at a restaurant in rural Kansas. You might imagine I was in the minority as a Butler fan in a sea of Kansas State fans.
With my future aspirations to be a college president, I wonder if I'll land here. I could live here again, I'm sure of it, as this town as a certain type of charm that truly is indescribable. You'd have to be here to believe it.
Nevada doesn't really change. Yes, Wal-Mart is bigger these days, as is the Sonic, but some things just haven't changed. Nevada boys still whistle at the women as they cross the street, the eastern part of town still smells like a Post-It note/Scotch Tape (a 3M factory is located here) and the legendary Cottey food is still, well, legendary.
It is weird how this town calls people back to it. Honestly, it is just a small town of 8,000 with a women's college stuck in the middle. My hostess this week, T, was my "senior" (to the uninitiated, she was a year older, and thus, at a two year school, there are freshmen and seniors) and I've been camping on her couch. Last night I passed out (yes, out) on her couch in the middle of a gathering of the Posse (a group of like-minded women all affiliated with Cottey past/present). Never mind the incredibly good wine that was flowing nicely, it was the 21+ hours I had been awake at that point and wa-la, I was passed out cold around 2 a.m.
Two of the most incredible years of my life were spent here. Now I've committed to a two year term on the Cottey College Alumnae Board, with potential to give six years. If my plans hold true, I will gain my Ph.D. just about the time I leave the board. Wow.
Tonight was dinner at Chicken Annie's, a restaurant located in rural Pittsburg, Kansas. The food was incredible. For T and I to have fried chicken dinners and beverages, the total bill was less than $20 with tax. The stranger part was watching the last few minutes of the Butler game at a restaurant in rural Kansas. You might imagine I was in the minority as a Butler fan in a sea of Kansas State fans.
With my future aspirations to be a college president, I wonder if I'll land here. I could live here again, I'm sure of it, as this town as a certain type of charm that truly is indescribable. You'd have to be here to believe it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Whooped, Part 2
Slept last night after I finished blogging from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. For those keeping track, that was 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Yep. Lots o' sleep.
I got up, got ready and went to work. Two episodes of nausea/stomach distress and I gave up. Total time at work 3 hours. Went back home and back to bed. Slept from noon til about 4, then laid in bed to watch Oprah and read.
Crawled out of bed, got dressed and met the Handy Guy for dinner at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. It was good and we followed it up with a trip to Home Depot. Ah. Home Improvement Stores. *sigh* I love them.
After that we parted ways and I headed back home. I'm now hot again (sweaty) and feeling a bit blah. I am not entirely sure I should have gone out of the house again today but I'd made the date yesterday and felt bad about canceling.
Nothing else to report. Gotta get packed for my trip to Cottey. Unfortunately my bags will not pack themselves. How Rude.
I got up, got ready and went to work. Two episodes of nausea/stomach distress and I gave up. Total time at work 3 hours. Went back home and back to bed. Slept from noon til about 4, then laid in bed to watch Oprah and read.
Crawled out of bed, got dressed and met the Handy Guy for dinner at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. It was good and we followed it up with a trip to Home Depot. Ah. Home Improvement Stores. *sigh* I love them.
After that we parted ways and I headed back home. I'm now hot again (sweaty) and feeling a bit blah. I am not entirely sure I should have gone out of the house again today but I'd made the date yesterday and felt bad about canceling.
Nothing else to report. Gotta get packed for my trip to Cottey. Unfortunately my bags will not pack themselves. How Rude.
Whooped.
I had two shots today for grad school -- my second HepB and Meningitis. Both arms hurt and I'm not feeling all that well. I should have spaced them out a bit but I was slacking on the Meningitis and knew it had to get done, so I found my way to the Lee County Health Department for that one, then my Doc's office for the other. Went back to work afterward, but felt blah. Came home, started reading a book and passed out cold. Out until 1 a.m., which is why I'm blogging now. Def do not feel like doing taxes now. I don't know when I will make time for that but I need to, asap.
Also bought my Lee County Parks and Recreation parking sticker today :) Good for a year at all my favorite beaches. Woo Hoo!
Out with the Handy Man tonight after yoga class. He's nice. Handy. Good looking. A gentleman. No spark. Poo. Back to the drawing board.
Alright, back to bed.
Also bought my Lee County Parks and Recreation parking sticker today :) Good for a year at all my favorite beaches. Woo Hoo!
Out with the Handy Man tonight after yoga class. He's nice. Handy. Good looking. A gentleman. No spark. Poo. Back to the drawing board.
Alright, back to bed.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Kansas City Here I Come ...
right back where I started from ....
******
This Friday I head to my alma mater, Cottey College, to be inducted onto the Alumnae Association Board of Trustees. I am thilled. I am honored. I cannot wait.
Need to up my collection of Cottey gear (some new t-shirts) and generally hang out with my lovely friends. I have my reservation made for my friend T's couch and am just so pleased to see her.
******
Had a great weekend with Lu. It seems she is doing better (thank God) and appears to maybe even be a little happy every now and again. I am just so happy for her and glad she is making a place for herself in this world.
Going out with the Handy Guy again before I take off to KC. Am pretty sure it is just friendship but one more "date" won't ruin that. He's a nice guy.
Nothing else to report. So looking forward to my weekend :)
******
This Friday I head to my alma mater, Cottey College, to be inducted onto the Alumnae Association Board of Trustees. I am thilled. I am honored. I cannot wait.
Need to up my collection of Cottey gear (some new t-shirts) and generally hang out with my lovely friends. I have my reservation made for my friend T's couch and am just so pleased to see her.
******
Had a great weekend with Lu. It seems she is doing better (thank God) and appears to maybe even be a little happy every now and again. I am just so happy for her and glad she is making a place for herself in this world.
Going out with the Handy Guy again before I take off to KC. Am pretty sure it is just friendship but one more "date" won't ruin that. He's a nice guy.
Nothing else to report. So looking forward to my weekend :)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Laughing Out Loud
A friend's blog today (Plays with Sirens) was incredibly amusing in his thoughts and one question he posed was whether you laugh out loud while you are alone. Do you? I do.
Particularly when my friend's blog mentions how boobs taste like arm.
I am laughing again. Out Loud. By Myself.
*****************
Today was a particularly difficult day for me. I have this incredibly annoying habit of believing the best in people. Typically this isn't a problem -- in fact, it has served me pretty well overall.
Today wasn't one of those days. For the past two months, I've known about a grant that was due today. Not a particularly large or hard grant, this one, but one that my boss (and her boss) recommended strongly that we apply. No pressure there, nope.
My coworker, the main source of the grant's content, ignored my questions for the past few weeks. Ignored my requests for information in person, via email and via phone message. The only thing I had left was a severed horse head in her bed and although I'm typically not violent, this was a consideration. This afternoon I blew a gasket. I happened to see my boss in the restroom. She asked how it was going.
Now I should say that my boss and I have a good working relationship. We understand each other. I spill. I tell her it won't get turned in today (the due date) because I can't make a milkshake if no one has even bought a cow let alone got it milked. She laughed at me and asks me how she can help. I tell her I need her to move things along.
It was like magic.
And wa-la the coworker was at my door, asking to help me. Inside of one hour, the grant was completed and on its way out into the ether. Awesome.
****************
Received the first estimate on my car today: ~$1200.
****************
Working on a job for Maestro.
Seeing Luana tomorrow -- massages scheduled for 11 a.m.
GRE scores should be in next week.
Beers out tomorrow night with Lu, Mary and Lee.
omg, just wrote Steve. Oh friend, dear God, I wish you would be there. I know you'll be there in spirit, but there is nothing I'd like more than one more of your big bear hugs and a closed car door -- just to make sure I'm safe. Miss you. So Much.
Particularly when my friend's blog mentions how boobs taste like arm.
I am laughing again. Out Loud. By Myself.
*****************
Today was a particularly difficult day for me. I have this incredibly annoying habit of believing the best in people. Typically this isn't a problem -- in fact, it has served me pretty well overall.
Today wasn't one of those days. For the past two months, I've known about a grant that was due today. Not a particularly large or hard grant, this one, but one that my boss (and her boss) recommended strongly that we apply. No pressure there, nope.
My coworker, the main source of the grant's content, ignored my questions for the past few weeks. Ignored my requests for information in person, via email and via phone message. The only thing I had left was a severed horse head in her bed and although I'm typically not violent, this was a consideration. This afternoon I blew a gasket. I happened to see my boss in the restroom. She asked how it was going.
Now I should say that my boss and I have a good working relationship. We understand each other. I spill. I tell her it won't get turned in today (the due date) because I can't make a milkshake if no one has even bought a cow let alone got it milked. She laughed at me and asks me how she can help. I tell her I need her to move things along.
It was like magic.
And wa-la the coworker was at my door, asking to help me. Inside of one hour, the grant was completed and on its way out into the ether. Awesome.
****************
Received the first estimate on my car today: ~$1200.
****************
Working on a job for Maestro.
Seeing Luana tomorrow -- massages scheduled for 11 a.m.
GRE scores should be in next week.
Beers out tomorrow night with Lu, Mary and Lee.
omg, just wrote Steve. Oh friend, dear God, I wish you would be there. I know you'll be there in spirit, but there is nothing I'd like more than one more of your big bear hugs and a closed car door -- just to make sure I'm safe. Miss you. So Much.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Several Items Need Attention Immediately.
1. Jim Lehrer is an amazing speaker. I want to hear him speak all the time.
2. It is the official start of the Hoosier Holidays, aka March Madness. I know many people that take these couple days off to truly celebrate fully. I am not, but I sure am following closely. Go Butler!!
3. Went out again with the Handy Guy. I'm thinking that may be his blog name. We had fun, not sure if there is romance there, but there is genuine "like" there, which is never to be discounted. Worst case scenario, we are friends. Not bad.
4. I started a "door war" at work with my Butler poster. I was showing a bit of Butler pride at work with my poster for the tournament when another coworker started floating me a raft of shit. Now we are all posting our bracket picks prominently on our doors to show who rocks the most -- damn, I love basketball.
2. It is the official start of the Hoosier Holidays, aka March Madness. I know many people that take these couple days off to truly celebrate fully. I am not, but I sure am following closely. Go Butler!!
3. Went out again with the Handy Guy. I'm thinking that may be his blog name. We had fun, not sure if there is romance there, but there is genuine "like" there, which is never to be discounted. Worst case scenario, we are friends. Not bad.
4. I started a "door war" at work with my Butler poster. I was showing a bit of Butler pride at work with my poster for the tournament when another coworker started floating me a raft of shit. Now we are all posting our bracket picks prominently on our doors to show who rocks the most -- damn, I love basketball.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Dreams. Weird Dreams.
I have had the weirdest dreams over the past week or so.
Some are, quite frankly, not PG rated, so those won't be discussed here. The weirdest part of them is that they involve a co-worker and I blushed when I saw him yesterday. I pray that the "mind-reading" superpower never comes to pass because I would have been So Busted yesterday. ai yi yi. In fact, come to think about it, the stranger part of that dream is that I don't find him crazy attractive. Nice to look at, sure, but married, thus, non-fantasy-worthy. (sorry married dudes)
The G rated ones are just so trippy that I would SWEAR I am on something. So technicolor and just plain kooky.
Have you ever had a stretch of weird dreams?
Some are, quite frankly, not PG rated, so those won't be discussed here. The weirdest part of them is that they involve a co-worker and I blushed when I saw him yesterday. I pray that the "mind-reading" superpower never comes to pass because I would have been So Busted yesterday. ai yi yi. In fact, come to think about it, the stranger part of that dream is that I don't find him crazy attractive. Nice to look at, sure, but married, thus, non-fantasy-worthy. (sorry married dudes)
The G rated ones are just so trippy that I would SWEAR I am on something. So technicolor and just plain kooky.
Have you ever had a stretch of weird dreams?
Monday, March 15, 2010
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