It's been a long time...

I want to start by saying that I can't believe how long it's been since I posted. I have let my life get in the way again!

I have started a new semester-I forgot how much work 12 credits is! I have only taken 6 or 9 for the last couple of semesters, and have returned to full time this semester. I would like to finish this BS eventually! I will survive though!

The boys are doing well...Zach has finally chosen a major (outdoor recreation with a minor in youth ministries) and hopes to eventually run a camp or similar program for teens. He continues in the ROTC program, and plans to work off his scholarship through either the National Guard or the Reserves.
Colin is in 8th grade and just took the SAT's for the Johns Hopkins talent search. He scored a 1050, which is around the average score for high school juniors. Now we head into the fray of trying to ensure that as a talented youth, he receives all of the challenge that he wants and needs to continue to achieve. His report cards have about a 98% overall average! I'm not sure where the brains come from, but I believe he is definately blessed!

Frank & I continue to do well and wish the best to all of you...until next time....

Time to Get Serious!

Well...it's a new year, so I decided that it's time to make a new start. I have to work on some things in my life. I have struggled with my health this year, and I think 90% of that is related to my weight. So...when I get back from vacation on January 6th, I have to renew my Y membership and get serious about exercise. I have to stop making excusing about why I don't have the time. I have to change how I eat. I have to make this a concious decision, or I may not live to see my grandchildren some day.
I seem to make time in my life for all my other commitments...time to make this a priority!
I'll keep you all posted!

Christmas is almost here!

It's now the 21st of December and I am NOT ready for Christmas! I still have a load of baking to do, I haven't finished wrapping, and I still have shopping to do-groceries and gifts! Where did the month get away from me? Between work, final exams (papers) and all my other miscellaneous commitments, I just ran out of time! So, I get to spend today, Monday and Tuesday running around like a crazy woman getting everything done.

At least the only gift shopping left is like a video game for one of the boys, a few gift certificates/gift cards, and Frank & I are doing the grocery shopping this afternoon.

It's snowing again, and I don't know about he rest of you, but I'm sick of the white stuff for right now! I love a white Christmas as much as the next guy, but I've seen enough for one weekend. I have to work the next 3 days, and I have a couple of patients that live in the boondocks-not easy places to get to in the snow. I trust my car though-there haven't been but a couple of places that she won't go! Who would have thought a Taurus would be so good in the snow!

Anyway, I am happy that Christmas is this week! I get to see my brother Wayne for the first time in almost a year, we go to NYC on the 31st to see my in-laws, which is ALWAYS a nice time. They are very generous, kind people who treat me as if I was their daughter, not a daughter-in-law. I always have fun there-very relaxing too! I am also looking forward to NYC shopping! My best friend and her boyfriend are coming down on January 3rd to go to Manhattan with us for the day-can't wait!!!

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and that Santa brings you what you're wishing for!

It's Christmas time!

I love Christmas and look forward to it all year! I love the gift hunting, the music, the wrapping presents, and the excitement of my kids when they open their presents! I have to admit though, that Midnight Mass is probably one of my favorite Christmas "things". I find a certain peace and serenity at that time that seems to elude me at other times. I think I feel closest to God at that time.

Now, I just have to find some "spare" time to decorate my house! I put some of the outside stuff up on Sunday, but the 6 rubbermaid totes full of stuff and the tree box, along with the 3 garbage bags of white Christmas bears that I collect are stacked in my VERY small living room. I'm hoping to get to it this weekend. I have an enormous Christmas village that takes about 3-4 hours to set up. I think that is what takes the longest. I always do it by myself too. I think my husband and sons are afraid to do it-I'm a little OCD in case you didn't know that.

I hope your holiday season is wonderful!

Why Me?

Ok...so this post is going to be a whining session...if that bothers you...stop reading now!
I am just feeling sort of overwhelmed with some new health issues that have come up with me. On top of dealing with the whole GI issue since my cancer in 1997-1998, and all that early menopause brings, now I have been diagnosed as a Type II diabetic. I can't believe my luck (or lack thereof) sometimes. I know it's not like I'm going to die or anything. I just know that as a nurse, being diabetic brings with it a whole bag of possible complications. I also am not sure how self-disciplined I can be with my diet. I guess I really don't have much of a choice. My first step is to figure out what to eat, and how much. I am going to ask my doctor to refer me to the diabetic educator at the hospital. I know her from when I worked there, and she's very knowledgable, and very nice. I guess all I can do is take it one step at a time.
Until next time...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

I just thought that some of you would like to see some pictures of the family. These have all been taken in the last year or so.

The boys are getting so grown up now. Zach is a freshman at Houghton College on a full Army ROTC scholarship and Colin is in 8th grade. They turned into young men before I knew it! I am very proud of both of them.

The bottom picture is from my RN pinning ceremony in May 2007. I completed my AAS at Morrisville State College, and am now working on by BS-N from there as well. When I finish that (Dec. 2009) I plan on starting my masters in either Nurse Practitioner or Nursing Education at either SUNY-IT in Utica or at Binghamton University. I would love to be able to teach some day.

Right now, I'm just looking to survive the semester and get through the holidays unscathed!

More pictures will follow when I have the time!

I've had this blog for about 3 months, but haven't done anything with it! I think it's time that I do so!

I am busy working most of the time, I hardly have time to breathe! Between work, school, and family stuff my days are packed. I love my life, but just want time to slow down once in a while.

I am looking forward to the holidays now. Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I'm itching to get the decorations out and start decorating! I'm going shopping today and maybe some more over the weekend. I have always found the hunt for the right gift a challenge. I try to find something different and unique that no one else will by the recipient.

I think what I love most about the holidays though, is the time I spend with my family. I'm now passing down recipes to my children that came from my parents and grandparents. As I get older, I find that family traditions are becoming more and more important to me. I want my sons to have that same sort of grounding as they become adults and someday have their own wives and children. I hope that someday they explain to their kids that "those sugar cookies are made with the same recipe that your great-great grandmother used."

Happy shopping and Happy Thanksgiving to all!