More studying!

Wow, long day. I was in class this morning, then ended up staying for lab today. I usually go on Fridays, but I am trying to switch over to the Thursday lab, just so I can be done earlier on Fridays. After lab was over at 1:00, I grabbed some lunch with a couple of classmates from the school cafe and spent the next couple of hours studying. Even with going over things for 2 hours, we only made it through one chapter. Sigh. However, I definitely understand a few things now that I don't think I would have if I hadn't studied with other people. So that is a plus.

After that, I stopped and got the last part of my TB skin testing done (all negative, of course). So, I finally got to register for next quarter's classes. Aaaaand, as I expected, I ended up with Saturday clinicals...7am-7pm. =( I did get my name put on a waiting list to switch to either Thursdays or Fridays if a spot becomes available, but I'm not going to hold my breath for that to happen.

Now, I need to spend the evening going over the other 2 chapters that I need to know for tomorrow's test. On a positive note, at least after my test in the morning, I'll be done for the week!

My day

Today was speech class. We gave demonstration speeches. In mine, I demonstrated how to make a chocolate cream pie. It turned out pretty well, and everyone really liked it. Some of the other demonstrations were how to tie dye a shirt, how to change the strings on an electric guitar, as well several other easy desserts.

Then I came home, had a decent workout, and ate some yummy roast with potatoes, carrots and onions that I threw in the crock pot this morning.

Now I need to study for my A & P test coming up this Friday. Can I just say that I freaking HATE chemistry?!!!

Good news and bad news

The bad news is that the results from my grandfather's liver biopsy are in, and it is malignant. My grandmother was not sure of what questions to ask the doctor when he called with those results, and apparently the doctor didn't really elaborate much past that. So, we still do not know what stage the cancer is nor what the prognosis is. As I've mentioned before, he does not want to have any surgeries, and my grandma says she cannot see putting him through chemo with all of his other health issues. So, I am not really sure what will happen from here. They have an appointment with their family doctor on Thursday, so hopefully he will have some answers for them.

I stopped by their house for a visit yesterday and gave my grandma a chance to go to the grocery store without having to take him along. He is not really able to stay alone anymore, and he has not been doing well with going out lately. Each time I see him, it seems that his memory gets worse and worse. While my grandma was at the store, he asked me if I have any kids. I reminded him that I do, and pointed to a picture of them on the wall. He asked me for their names and ages because he could not remember them. He also asked me if I have any brothers? I told him yes, and said his name. He then said "oh, I've met him, but I didn't realize...". It's really saddening.

The good news is that I went in for a parent-teacher conference for my younger daughter this evening and got nothing but good reports! The teacher said that she is doing very well in every subject and is always on task. She told me that she is actually pretty advanced in reading and math. In reading, on the scale they use, they want the kids her age to be at a reading level Q and she is at a level V. In math, she always gets 98%-100%'s and is actually helping out other students in her class. I am very proud of her!

Got Sleep?

Why on earth am I still awake? I have no idea. I laid down *hours* ago and was very sleepy. However, here I am at well past 3 am unable to drift off. So frustrating!

2/19

Today would have been my parents' 34th wedding anniversary. I know my dad was feeling down tonight. He sent me a few sad texts this evening. :( We all miss my mom so much! She was an awesome lady.

Aside from that, my oldest daughter did very well in her play this evening. She had 3 lines tonight. Tomorrow she has a much larger role. She and another girl are sharing the role of the "nurse". She is a little nervous since this will be her first time in a play with this many lines. But, I know she will do great! They don't allow video taping of the performances (I don't really know why) or flash photography, but hopefully I'll be able to get at least a few decent pictures.

Pictures

I took lots of pictures of my daughter's birthday party(s) last weekend. So, naturally, I need to post some. :) In all the confusion of getting all the kids out the door to go to the bowling alley, I forgot to grab my camera. I did take some pictures there with my phone, though.

Here are a couple of her on her actual birthday, February 9th:



Opening presents at her party:


Decorating cookies:



Hmm...somehow, I missed taking pictures of the girls making their crafts...

Bowling:




Cake:


Getting ready for "sleep":


Opening presents at Uncle G's house:


Her face in that last one cracks me up! :)

Sick of being sick!

I feel even worse today! Now on top of my increasingly stuffy/runny nose, I have a very itchy throat and yucky cough. My nose is getting sore, too, from using toilet paper and napkins to blow my nose a million times a day. Man, I could really go for some puffs plus with aloe, some afrin, and some dayquil. But, that would require getting dressed and driving to the store. Blah!

I tried to take a nap, but couldn't get comfortable enough to fall asleep before my kids got home. Guess I'll stop being whiny and suck it up and go to the store now.

*sniffle*

How is it that you can be all stuffed up and have your nose running at the same time? I had a difficult time sleeping last night. I kept waking up not able to breathe through my nose. Not cool! I still don't feel like doing anything. I want to take a nap, but I can't breathe when I lay down. =(

I also wish I could stop all the sneezing!

Tired

I'm still not feeling well tonight. My nose is still stuffy, my eyes are burning, and I'm crazy tired. I haven't really done anything today at all. I didn't even get outside to shovel the driveway tonight, so it's going to probably be crazy tomorrow. :(

I did, however, take a hot bath this evening. That was most productive thing I accomplished all day. Heh.

So, now I'm gonna try to get some sleep and hope to be feeling better in the morning.

My weekend

I spent my day Saturday baking, cleaning up around the house, and finishing up some shopping for my daughter's birthay slumber party that night. It went really well, too. I didn't have to break up any little girly fights, so that is always a plus! They had a fun time decorating cookies, doing a craft, going bowling, eating pizza and cake, and running all around my house.

Yesterday we spent the day with family to celebrate birthdays. It was good to see them all, but it's sad seeing how poorly my grandfather is doing.

I started feeling a little icky yesterday evening, though, so I laid down in bed and watched tv for a while, and fell asleep pretty early. I woke up this morning with a headache, stuffy nose and a slightly sore throat. I am also having a little pain in my ear now and then. :( Sigh...not fun. Hope I feel better very soon!

Note to self:

Don't work out with a belly full of chili and 2 cups of water. UGH!

10

My youngest daughter turned 10 on Tuesday. She's growing up too fast! She got a lovely birthday present of a snow day on her birthday, though. So, that made her happy. As a bonus, yesterday was another snow day. So, today I took in a snack for her to share with her class for her birthday. She informed me later that a kid in her class thought I was her sister. Haha! Best compliment I've received in a while.

This Saturday night, she is having a slumber party. Oh joy. A house full of 10 year old girls...that should be relaxing...

Then, Sunday we're going to go spend the day celebrating her (and my sil's) birthdays with the whole fam.

Soo, looks like my Friday night will be full of baking! At least I don't have anything pressing to do for school this weekend.

Ugh

I am really freakin' sleepy tonight. My comfy pillows are calling my name!

Just Shoot Me

I finally got my seasonal flu shot today. I was just going to skip it this year since my doctor's office, as well as a few other places, have been out of them for a while. However, it is required for some of our clinical sites. I can't help but wonder how people who don't believe in vaccinations (or worse, have an egg allergy) get around this. Everyone is making it out as though there is absolutely, NO WAY around getting it. You either get it, or you're s-o-l and can't complete your schooling because you aren't permitted into the clinical sites. That's what they're saying, at least. Whatever, I have no qualms with vaccinations nor do I have an allergy to eggs, so it's really a non-issue for me. Just curious.

Besides that, I passed my first test of the quarter. Yay! I was concerned. I didn't do quite as well as I'd hoped to, but I passed, and scored higher than the class average on it, so I'll take that! This weekend, I have an English paper due and I need to start writing my speech that I have to give on Wednesday. Fun, fun...

Over the river and through the woods

My kids have the day off school today. Not exactly sure why, but they do. So, we are going to go visit with my grandparents this afternoon. My grandfather is not doing very well at all. On top of his progressing alzheimer's, his doctors have done a few different scans lately and have found several masses that are "suspicious of cancer". He is not eating well and is losing weight very quickly. It is hard to see him deteriorating so quickly. It makes me sad that I do not get to see them as much as I did when I lived closer to them.

My grandma has said that he "does not want to be cut on", so I don't believe he will be undergoing any treatments. I am not certain of that though. I know that my grandma wants to be able to keep him at home as long as she can, but I know that it is a lot of work for her to take care of him. As of now, she is still able to get him out of the house now and then for a trip out to lunch or a quick grocery run. I have to wonder how much longer she will be able to take care of him by herself, though.

Procrastinate much?

So, I did play some Rock Band on the wii with the girls last night and I must say: I kicked A$$ at singing Eye of the Tiger. HA! I did not, however, start my English assignment. :( I really should be working on that but, I'm going to go hang out with my dad for a bit and take him out to dinner tonight for his birthday, so looks like I'll be doing this assignment and turning in tomorrow. Nothing like putting things off til the last possible minute. :/ Ah well.

Phew

Just got done with a good workout. I am beat. I tried some burpees. I'd never tried doing those before, they are much harder than they look! I kind of did my own modified version of them. I did 5 of those, then 2 sets of 10 knee push ups, 20-not sure what they're called but- kind of a half side lunge/twist thing with an 8 lb medicine ball (10 per side), and 100 rope turns with the jump rope. I did this circuit 3 times and then did 3 sets of 10 bench presses (65 lb) and then hit the punching bag for about 5 minutes. May not seem like a lot, but I could feel my heart pounding throughout my entire body and am dripping with sweat.

Now, it's time for a shower, then dinner, and maybe some wii with the girls and a friend's daughter that's staying the night. OR, I could always start my assignment for English that's due on Sunday. Hmm...

Lame

I've been feeling rather blah today. =(

I did, however, get in a good workout this evening. So, I guess that's good. I turned the music up loud and did a mix of some free weights, body weight exercises, and dancing to the music until I was completely worn out. Now I'm all showered and ready to just lay in bed and read. I'm so lame.

In the words of Queen...

Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up, I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what you're doing to me?
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just can't get no relief, Lord!
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?


(lyrics found at http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/13168/)

Keep on going

Today I am starting my first class in the RN program. This quarter I will be taking Speech, English II, and A & P II. So, since there are no actual nursing classes this quarter, that means no clinicals! Yay!