Beautiful Snowy Day on 3/6/2008

This picture was taken with my digital camera that is only a 4.0 megapixel, and it really turned out beautifully. I took about 10 or 15 pictures that day and this was one of the top pictures that came out of the lot. I love the depth, detail, winter life showing through the shot, and ability to see the snow falling. I was just totally amazed with the outcome. The Lord must have put a special focus on this camera that day. I hope all who are able to see this picture enjoy it as much as I do.
Guten Abend!

The last eight weeks of RN-BSN school

Today is the beginning of the last eight weeks of RN-BSN school. The previous eight weeks were pretty ruff. The main course that was excrutiatingly tough was Philosophy. I thought this course was going to be a lot of fun, but it wasn't. This may have been because it was an online course crammed into an eight week period. However, I did gain a brief hands on in the relm of volunteer work that will forever stay with me. Volunteering has to be one of the best gifts that you can give to others and receive a feeling of warmth in your heart that was unexpected, but extremely appreciated. Out of all of the chaos and confusion in this class, there was a huge reward and enlightenment received. I suppose the stress of it all was worth it. Advice from what I have learned is to volunteer at least an hour a week of your time to your community schools, government, churches, girls and boys organizations, whereever you think you can help at all, and do so selflessly. I guarantee you that you will become hooked! If you are not quite sure where to start, read your weekly or daily newspaper and see where help is needed, or call the local Department of Human Services, Chamber of Commerce, local library, schools, parks and recreation, local Red Cross chapter, churches, and you will receive some feedback. The first step is the hardest and this is just DO IT, or begin. Once you begin the commitment of volunteering you will be glad you did. Also, if you have children, this is an excellent example for them about what is important and help them get envolved in volunteering with you.

Procrastination, Organization, Imagination

I'm procrastinating imagining what life will be like being totally organized. Disorganization isn't really all that bad when your younger and have less in your life to be disorganized about, but this would be a crucial time to begin learning the tricks and values of organization. Instead of the have too's because of a life time of procrastinaion in this area. One of the biggest values of being organized is peace of mind from knowing where everything is! My New Year's resolution is to become organized and I have made a little progress in this direction. However, I have a loooong way to go before receiving peace of mind. Have you ever tried to find something and just could not find what is was you were looking for? Some misplaced items can be tolerated but when it comes to important documents, NEVER! Make yourself a file system for all of your important papers (deeds, stocks, birthcertificates, passports, etc.) and keep them in their special spots. Also, it would be a great idea to have back-up copies stored in a special place, maybe even on your computer or some type of back-up media. Make sure to put all of these IMPORTANT documents in a fire proof something for further protection.
Around Thanksgiving my husband had a document that needed to be placed in a special spot, and I told him that I had the perfect spot. Possibly at the time it probably was, but now I cannot find the document. I believe in between writing numerous papers for school, I was trying to sort through some (IMPORTANT) items and give them a designated spot to begin the organization process. Well apparently I must have imagined this spot because I no longer know where this perfect document spot is. I feel like I am having a lot of brain flatulence lately, and I hope it is just the stress of everything going on. I have most definetly found a couple of things out about myself and they are: I can only do one thing at a time and get it right. Multitasking only works if the extra things I am doing have no thought process involved like breathing, blinking, urgency, I think we all get the picture. If I am doing 2 things that need any type of memory involved you can forget it. I will probably remember half of one thing and possibly half of the other, then together
neither one makes sense.
As we get older we have more information to stir the pot with that can help and hinder the memory recall. "Never put of for tomorrow what can be done today" is a true quote that I need to practice more to help detour my procrastination trait. Procrastination is setting yourself up for the panic cortisol stress release of the fight or flight syndrome to get something done at the last minute, and if you grew up this way you believe it to be normal. You didn't really know that doing things early takes away this effect and allows one to live a more peaceful and sanctual life. Another plus is that you have the extra time to become really creative with and about your dutiful outcome.
I have to let you in on a little secret right now, I am suppose to be finishing up my critique on a research article for class that is due tomorrow. I do have it three fourths of the way finished, but I guess I better get off of here right now and finish this project up. Getting finished early with the project, which should only take me about another 2 hours at the most, I can revise as much as I would like to create an even better critique of the research article, and I will not be stressed out about not being done. Sounds like a good plan doesn't it.
Until next time, try to get started on being organized in your life, and if you already are please send me some tips! I could really use all of the help I can get, and THANK YOU!

Philosophy and Nursing Research

These are the two classes I have been in for the last 4 weeks now. There are only 4 more weeks of philosophy and nursing research. I can't believe these two classes are half way over already! They both have been pretty interesting and cause for much thought. Changing the subject matter here, we have been having some really odd weather for the months of January and February in Oklahoma, but then again I guess that is why most of us love Oklahoma. If you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes and you just might get what you want, or at least a change. One constant in this weather is the drought. We really could use some rain, about 2 inches per day for about a week would be good, not 2 feet in a day or two. Last June and July we were having flooding around here, but before the flooding we had been in a drought for almost 10 years! I'm sure most people would try and chaulk it up to global warming, and it probably plays a part. But we must admit the weather all around our grand USA has been odd for the past 7 to 10 years. We will just have to wait and see what kind of cycle we are in weather wise. Guess this is enough about the weather, (one last note) this weekend it is going to be in the mid 60's all weekend in February! Now that is what I'm talking about, waiting for the weather to change. Guess I better go for now, not much said but at least its an entry.
Bye!

Schools back for the 2nd semester!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas break from college and the holiday festivities. Now it is time to get back to class. Philosophy began today and nursing research begins tomorrow. These two classes are only 8 weeks long with a lot crammed into them. It will go by FAST! Just like the first semester, and then there will be graduation in May! Our 11 year old daughter is almost finished with basketball and looking forward to track. We usually make one trip a week, but try to make it two, to the Chiropractor for her Scoliosis treatments. Two would be preferred by the Chiropractor and myself, now that school is back in for all of us we can settle into more of our usual routine again. I have been checking into fast pitch softball camps, basketball camps, and golf camps for girls in the age ranges of 11 and up. I believe sports is extremely beneficial for girls in helping with self esteem and social interactions, and because it is a lot of fun. I may have to get a few books and videos and give it a go because I do not see very many choices or programs in the Tishomingo Oklahoma area. I have come across a fast pitch camp possibility for 11 year olds at the University of Oklahoma. I have also found a basketball camp that looks excellent coming to the Ardmore Oklahoma area. As for golf, we have enough land, and our son has set up a make shift driving range that we can practice on. We also have a nine hole course only 5 minutes away to practice putting and to play on. I really don't have any reason to keep us from doing these activities other than lack of energy at times, and lack of motivation at times. I need to psyche myself up and get to it for the little one. We both need the exercise and companionship, that extra mother daughter together time doing fun stuff. Will try to get things in order and we will see what happens by the posts. Guess I better get back to work. Have a wonderful day everyone!

Me at a very young age

Poem by ME called "Sounds too easy doesn't it"

Simply believe in yourself,
sounds too easy doesn't it
Well it isn't so do it!
Stop beating yourself up for no reason,
love yourself, take care of yourself,
have faith in your ideas, your feelings,
your truths.
Stay positive with your self talk,
take in a huge deep breath of positive kind feelings,
and hold them inside for a few moments,
then slowly release to allow the
positiveness to permeate within and without.
This is a great way to begin and end a day,
sounds too easy doesn't it,
Well it isn't so do it!

Saving old journal notes to this blog for keeping

3-14-06
Today I'm going to try to cut my sugar intake down to almost none. I'm gong to try to eat mostly protein and vegetables, drink water, and get 30 minutes to 1 hour of walking in daily. This is the first day of my plan. I have quite smoking for over a year now. I rarely drink alcohol anymore, and now I have to tackle this weight problem full force. I weigh around 200 pounds, would like to lose from 65 to 70 pounds. Would like to try for about 2 pounds per week. 70 divided by 2 equals 35 weeks divided by 4 equals 8 and 3/4 months. I have the tools to accomplish this goal. I have the knowledge of proper diet, exercise, and now I am also ready mentally. Will document my progress weekly. Need to get measurements and exact weight documented by next entry. Need to eat 5 or 6 times per day with 200 to 300 calories x 5 or 6. Need to learn to de-stress without food especially SWEETS. Also need to check with an Endocrinologist, or do research concerning hormone balance. Need to get eyes and teeth checked. Should have appointments for all of this by next post.
The only thing listed on the next post was one word: cholangiocarcinoma, this was the diagnosis given to my step dad the following week. So guess what happened next, well you know that I didn't begin my plan. It was time for researching this cancer to make sure my step dad received the best care possible. My Mom was still recuperating from Lung Cancer so she wasn't able to help much with my step dad other than try to help him nutritiously, but this was very little help because she was still week and still SMOKING! No matter what I try to do for this lady at times it is never enough but the smoking after LUNG CANCER really pissed me off in a HUGE way.
All I can really do is pray for her, my step dad died, and she almost died again with respiratory failure in May of 2007. After this episode she quit smoking for almost a year but I think she is trying to sneak it back into her life. I am not going to deal with this CRAP anymore. I will help from afar, I don't want to say good bye to my mother this way but I can not stand to be around her if she is going to slowly kill herself in front of us. I just will not watch, it touches me to the core of my soul. Also my daughter is missing out on her grandmother but it is her grandmother's choice, she never wants anyone, especially children to visit. I believe her main reason is to sneak in her little smoke times and she does not want to hear it from anyone. Well I guess she is getting her way.

New Year, New Beginnings, All is New that is not Familiar

Happy New Year Everyone! I like beginning a new year because it is like starting with a clean slate. Each day is filled with hope of accomplishing more than the day before, becoming more than one thinks. Hoping to make wiser decisions the older we become, knowing that we are all in this world together for better or for worse. I think this is enough of the philosophical side for today.
Right now my youngest daughter is in the living room playing her guitar hero 3, which plays 70's and 80's old rock tunes like "Schools Out for the Summer" and "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." She is really doing a great job at it and it sounds like she is enjoying it tremendously. She has finished all of her homework for today and we have made our trip to the chiropractor today to treat her Scoliosis.
We are using conservative treatment, Chiropractic, because the curvature is small at this time and we are hoping to correct the curve through Chiropractic treatments. So for she is benefiting from the treatments. We try to go to the Chiropractor twice weekly for adjustments. I usually request an x-ray to check progress every two months of treatment.
I have an older son that has Scoliosis also and when he was around 10 the doctor said that the curve wasn't enough to worry about for correction. This was about 18 years ago. He has also tried the Chiropractic treatments, but has only had a few and he appeared to benefit from them. He needs to return and complete treatments to rid his back of the curve that he has. I didn't know about Chiropractic back then or I would have taken him.
My mother was the person that introduced me to Chiropractic Care and treatments. My Mom had been to numerous doctors for over 2 years before she was finally diagnosed with Lung Cancer. One of the treatments before she was diagnosed with the Lung Cancer was Chiropractic Care to help relieve some of the excrutiating pain she was having.
While we were taking Mom to the Chiropractor, my sister and I were having some neck and back pain so we began using the same Chiropractor with great results. Mom was not getting a whole lot better, but was getting some relief. This is how we began using Chiropractic Care. Anyhow this is probably enough about Scoliosis and Chiropractic Care.
Once again, Happy New Year Everyone!