You Don't Look Like An "Edith"

A woman told me yesterday that I look like a "Sandra." I was SO relieved she didn't say "Bertha" or even worse, "Fabio."

I Got A Job!

I graduate from college in 2 weeks and have been applying at hospitals all over the Memphis area in hopes that I would find the right position and place for me as I begin my nursing career.

Of the 7 - yes 7 - hospitals I applied to, 4 actually replied to my online application in a timely manner, and I was able to visit these hospitals and begin the interviewing process.

My interest in the nursing profession started a long time ago. I have always been interested in working in the medical field. When I was a kid I wanted to be a dermatologist then a veterinarian, and finally a "woman" doctor. My passion for a social life in high school severely affected my grades and I barely graduated high school with the required 2.6 GPA (I think that was the cut off point, I really don't remember). After high school, I blindly attended a community college - still searching for a social life and a "man" to marry - with no idea what I wanted to do with my life. The idea of nursing crossed my mind, but discouraging words, rumors that the waiting list for nursing school was too long, and a lack of motivation because - remember, my number one priority was finding a man - temporarily stunted that dream.

So I spent a couple of years, and thousands of dollars I did not have, taking dance classes, failing math classes (only because I didn't do the homework - oh and by the way when I went back to school here in Tennessee I kept a 4.0 up until nursing school) and basically WAITING for something to happen in my life. Not that it wasn't fun, but I wasn't going anywhere when everyone around me was moving on - very depressing.

I eventually stopped spending money on schooling that wasn't going anywhere and that wasn't doing anything but putting me further in debt. I got a job doing customer service for "internet on your TV" and then later for Hunter Douglas taking orders for window treatments from dealers. I loved my jobs but I was still sinking slowly into debt as I would spend money I did not have on an attempt to look better (I had way too many shoes at this time in my life).

***Credit cards in the hands of young, impressionable women who were never taught how to budget or be financially stable are a dangerous thing my friends***

I finally found my soulmate in the oddest place imaginable - the Internet. It was very unplanned and unexpected. My husband Paul is one of the most "together," smart, and spiritually "in tune" people I have ever met. The life that we are making together is one of which I have always dreamed. This oneness of purpose is something that I have never experienced, and I am certain that it is rare. I have been blessed beyond my ability to fathom, and I realize this every day of my life. I know that we were made for one another.

In the 5 years we have been married, I have grown in many ways. I have learned much about who I am and what I want in my life... what kind of person I want to be. It took me a while, but I feel like I actually know who I am. Among the many opportunities I have had since my marriage, I was given the chance to go back to school and do something with my life!

I ate up everything I was learning. I LOVED math. I LOVED English, Sociology, Art History, Nutrition, Anatomy and physiology, Chemistry, and even Microbiology! It was almost as if my brain had been starving for 24 years and had finally discovered a smorgusborg of knowledge. It was divine!

Now, here I sit, about to graduate from college with my Bachelors degree in Nursing. It is a proud day in my life. A monumental day.

After much contemplation, consideration, and deep and serious thought, today I accepted a job at a great hospital here in Memphis as a perioperative nurse. I start May 21st, and will have 8-9 months of orientation and training learning everything about perioperative nursing.

It was a big decision for me, and it took a long time. I was actually offered 3 jobs - all of which were amazing - but I picked the one that I felt the best about.

In the end, if you follow your gut feelings about something, you will never fail. I love my life.

4 Things About Me.

4 jobs I have had in my life:
1. Cashier/stocker at Dollar Days
2. Customer service rep at Hunter Douglas Intermountain
3. Nurse intern
4. Babysitter

4 movies I could watch over and over:
1. The Incredibles
2. 50 first dates
3. Shrek 2
4. A league of their own

4 places I have lived:
1. West Jordan, UT
2. Holladay, UT
3. Memphis, TN
4. Bartlett, TN

4 television shows I watch:
1. Heroes
2. King of Queens
3. Wheel of fortune
4. Family Guy

4 places I have gone on vacation:
1. The Bahamas
2. Disney Land - California
3. Disney World - Florida
4. Niagara falls, NY/Canada

4 websites I visit almost daily:
1. I check out my fellow bloggers pages
2. WebCT for nursing school
3. Worth1000
4. google

4 of my favorite foods:
1. Potatoes - baked, mashed, fried, you name it, yummy
2. Pineapple
3. Spanish rice & meatballs (mom's recipe)
4. Broccoli - raw

4 places I would rather be right now:
1. In bed
2. Anywhere my huzzabus (paul) is
3. On a secluded beach with a cool breeze whisping over my face and a fruit slushy at my side
4. laying on a comfy cushion with Paul on a dark, cool night staring up at the billions of stars

4 people who I tag:
1. Shawna
2. Kim
3. Brooke
4. Anyone else who reads this and wants to do it.

Letter To Boomy McBoom Pants Next Door.

Dear Boomy McBoom Pants,

It's been a couple weeks now since you moved in. I saw you outside the other day and you said, "Happy Easter" to me and Mr. Huzzabus. I thought that was really nice and friendly of you. You seem like a nice person. I don't think you have yet made the connection of who I am.

So what happens to you after 10:30 pm at night that makes you think turning up your, probably rockin' awesome, stereo system is okay? You do realize our bedroom is on the other side of your paper-thin wall, don't you? Also, you do realize that when I pound with all of my might and gumption on said wall that it means you should turn your radio down or preferably off, don't you?

We've been through this charade before my Easter-loving friend. So what makes you think turning it up even louder after I pound on the wall is going to solve anything? You really think this makes you look macho? Like you have all the power in this neighborly relationship? THAT is where you are mistaken buddy.

I am keeping notes of all the times you choose to act like an ignorant fool! I will turn in this information as proof and this, in turn, will cause the apartment manager to tell me they will come talk to you about turning your radio off after 9:00 pm. They probably won't really talk to you though cause we live in the ghetto and they are just as scared as I am. But telling on you will feel so right.

You're just lucky I am not a neurosurgeon who will be doing surgery tomorrow on your mother (not that I wouldn't try to do the best I can, just that I would have had no sleep cause of your booms) and that I am a scared, non-confrontational peacemaker. In a perfect world I would come over and knock on your door. When you opened it, I would calmly walk into your living area and remove your radio gently, but forcefully, out the window without suffering any consequences.

Yours Truly,
Edith Annith

P.S. I have always wanted to call someone an "ignortant fool" so thanks.

Drying Flowers. Who knew??

When I loved in Utah... ha! when I loved in Utah... that's funny.... a slip of my subconscious thinking perhaps? I do LOVE Utah, and there are many people that have been, and are still, "loved" by me that reside there... way to draw out a typo eh? Let's begin again...

When I LIVED in Utah, and whenever I got flowers from a gentleman caller or friend, I used to dry my flowers because they still looked extremely decorative and pretty if dried before drooping began. It was so easy to dry flowers in the Utah desert air. It's been a while since I have attempted this. Not that it's been a while since I got flowers... I get flowers all the time from Mr. Huzzabus, I just haven't thought to dry them.

So I got some roses for Easter/Birthday and I decided I would hang them to dry for possible future decor and enjoyment. The result, I'm afraid, was not a pleasant one. They look almost moldy, saturated... it's sad. It has been raining a lot here lately... and it IS Memphis - the humidity is much worse here than in Utah. I should still be able to dry my flowers though. What did I do wrong?

Well! Did you know you can microwave or oven dry your flowers?? Yeah! I have GOT to try that. Also, apparently all this time I have been air drying them the wrong way. Well, in Utah I didn't have a lot of light in my bedroom so I was mistakenly doing it correctly... sort of.

According to proflowers dot com, you need a dark area with good circulation. That explains the moldy, colorless result of my drying - they were hung in the sunlight of my window. Also, you are supposed to use UNFLAVORED dental floss. I used mint flavored... duh. They also recommend spraying them with hairspray after they have dried for extra protection.

picture from Everlastinglifedecor.com

I just love learning new things. My ultimate goal in the area of craftiness is to make a dried flower wreath for my new home, when I have a new home.

Friday The 13th

Today is Friday. It is also, the 13th! Friday, the 13th to be exact. Are you scared? If you are then you have paraskavedekatriaphobia.

A Quotable Quote

"I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.”

- Dalai Lama

Cool, Calm, and Collected.

Yesterday, while downtown for some interviews, I stepped in a crack in the sidewalk. The heel of my high heel got caught and my ankle turned in a "not normal" way. Everything felt like it was in slow motion. I stumbled, flailing my arms about, and resisting a full fledged fall by poking my rear in the opposite direction. It was pure genius the way I balanced my purse and the papers I was carrying. I dropped nothing and avoided making the crack in my ass any bigger. I quickly regained my composure and continued on. Everyone in the vicinity looked at me funny. But I just looked straight ahead into the distance as if nothing peculiar had just occurred... Cool, Calm, and Collected.

Dance!

Tuesday night Paul and I went to see Michael Flatley's Lord of The Dance. It was everything I expected and more.

Paul and I dressed up for the occassion because it's fun. It's not really a requirement to dress up when you go see a play at the Orpheum here in Memphis. Some people wear jeans and a t-shirt, but we rarely get to dress in our nice clothes with work and school so we take advantage of a "night on the town."
There is something about dressing up that brings the gentleman out of Paul. He opens the door for me, holds his arms differently when he walks, and even has a different expression on his face... I almost expect a:

"Pardon me ma-dam, may I take your arm and escort you?"

And I would reply: "Why I do declare, you certainly may you handsome devil you."

These are probably only things I would notice about Paul.

We had really good seats and an awesome view of the stage in the orchestra seating area but closer to the back. I was a little worried about someone sitting in front of us but we were lucky enough to be sitting in a row behind the ONLY row where no one else sat.

When the house lights dimmed and the colorful stage lights began flashing, a surge of excitement went through me. The fancy, phenomenal footwork, lightning fast tap dancing in perfect synchronization, and the amazing singing, flute playing, and violin playing was absolutely awesome!

The only real annoyance of the evening was the man and woman sitting behind us. They were an older couple, probably in there late 50's or so. They were definitely feeling the need to groove and he couldn't seem to control his legs. They were moving all over and banging up against my chair. I was torn between what I should do. Should I turn around and ask this man to stop it? Or, should I just allow him to enjoy the child-like independence he was experiencing? I understand this man's need to tap. The music and dancing that was ocurring on stage caused a deep need to boogie deep within my own soul. How could I interfere?

I finally just did a side look. You know, where you don't really look at the person behind you but you look to the side and pull a face like..."could you please stop hitting my chair you annoying person??" I've done this look at movie theatres all over the country and trust me, it works.

It was a great night.

Easter

Happy Easter!!

Love, Us

"It"

Sunday is my birthday (I will be 29) and "it" is finally happening. "It?" What is this "it" I speak of???? Well let me tell you...

Next Tuesday, April 10th, Paul and I are finally going to see Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. I am so excited!!!!!

300 Kitties

Cute overload posted this hilarious video that was put together using clips of the 300 movie preview and various kitty videos. It made me laugh.

BUT, the PG version of the movie, posted on You Tube made me laugh even harder... check it out.

Pillow Talk

The scene: It's dark. Paul and Edith have just come in from the back porch where they participated in an exciting viewing of a busy rainstorm with wild lightning, and listened to the booming thunder. They're now laying on the bed. Edith is looking at Paul. Paul is looking out the sliding glass window. It is silent.

Edith: "How come you never look at me."

Paul: "What??"

Edith: "How come you never look at me adoringly?"

Paul: annoyed facial expression

Edith: "I never see you just staring at me with a look of sheer and utter adoration and love."

Paul: looks directly into Edith's eyes with a blank look on his face.

Edith: Waiting for a response.

Paul: Continues staring at Edith... minutes go by.

Edith: "What are you doing?"

Paul: "I'm looking at you."

Edith: "You're not looking at me adoringly... your facial expression is flat and annoyed."

Paul: continues staring at Edith for a couple more minutes.

Edith: "What are you staring at? Are we having a staring contest now? Stop looking at me!!

SCRABBLE RABBLE

Available tiles...

O E I K N H S

The word Paul puts down for his turn...

HINKS

"Ya sure THAT's the word you want to put down?"

"Yep"

"Hinks. That's not a word."

"You can't think of ANY OTHER tiles that could possibly be put there?"

"Hmmmm"

"You have an O."

"Ohhhhh yeah... "

HaPpY bIrThDaY mInDy!!!

Happy birthday to one of my best friends!

I hope you have a wonderful day today.