The Long Awaited Blog Post

Okay, so I admit that I've been unusually slack with the blog lately. Like, 6 months slack. But that's okay because, for now, I'm back. It could be a temporary return, but I've had this blog for 8 years so I don't foresee it ever really going away permanently. There's been a lot happening, but for whatever reason(s) I never had any desire to talk about it on here. This past year was probably the roughest in my short lifespan and as I've gotten older I've felt less inclined to complain for the world to see; I reserve that punishment for my loved ones. However, since I know some people are curious, I'll sum up the past 6 months with my beloved bullets. After this post the plan is to participate in NaBloPoMo for September in hopes of getting my groove back.

• I dropped out of grad school. At first I was pretty embarrassed about it but now it doesn't bother me at all. I wasn't meant to be a nurse practitioner and, despite doing really well in my classes, I spent a good chunk of my time crying out of sheer misery. Which leads to...
• I went through about a year of full blown anxiety and depression. We're talking therapist and shrink visits, many (MANY) psychotropic medications, and lots of $$$ (not to mention a butt load of weight gain from all of those super nifty meds). Not shockingly, once I dropped out of school, it all just stopped. Now I'm med-free and feel perfectly fine again. Damn school was my mental breakdown trigger. It just goes to show that you shouldn't force yourself to do something you hate.
• I had to make the excruciatingly tough decision to let Stetson go back in May. His mobility had gotten worse, and while he was still happy, eating, playing with toys, continent, and taking [slow] walks he had a lot of trouble getting up, would fall down sometimes, and dragged his back feet more and more. I had to carry him (at 70lbs) up and down the steps every night because they were too steep for him. His quality of life wasn't that bad, but after giving me almost fourteen years of unconditional love I felt I owed it to him to let him cross the Rainbow Bridge on a good day rather than wait until he started truly suffering. When he passed (we found a home euthanasia vet) he did so surrounded by people that loved him, in his home, with a belly full of steak and Chick-Fil-A nuggets.
• I've started working out and have stuck with it for 3 months, almost religiously. I've been doing cardio and strength training, and while my muscles are getting bigger I haven't lost a single pound. Alister likes to call me "Beast Mode" and squeeze my biceps, and whenever I complain about still being thick he says "Who cares? You can kick major ass now". I guess it's a decent trade-off.
• I'm studying for my personal trainer certification. It's a slow process but the goal is to be IN-SHAPE by the time I'm certified. Who wants a chunky PT?
• I haven't had any more issues with kidney stones, so yay for that. I'm hoping that my 1 beer and 100 ounces of water a day is preventing future ones, but those hopes aren't very high given my history with them.
• I've slowly been getting better at wake boarding, and this summer I finally started jumping the wake as opposed to just riding in the center. Because of the progression I've also had some impressive face plants. My current state of whiplash is proof.
• I'm still at the same job, ie one where I don't have to touch strangers' butts and I love it. Eventually I'll go back to bedside nursing (or find another career) but for now I'm in limbo as I wait to see if Alister gets into CRNA school or not (which would decide whether we move next summer...or not).
• I've gotten to spend some wonderful quality time with my husband, immediate family, and in-laws at the lake these past few months and it's a good reminder that I'm very blessed to have those people in my life. Especially since I'm antisocial and can't stand making other friends. And I'm too lazy to maintain the friendships I already have. I'm such an asshole.
• I'm looking forward to my sister, Sam, marrying her wonderfully awesome fiance, John on Halloween of this year. My sister is a handful (well, that's one word for it) and anyone who can love her for who she is is a winner to me.

NaBloPoMo Prompt #7

Prompt: Where is your happy place?

This may be the easiest prompt I've ever had: floating on the lake with a beer or glass of sangria in my hand, a few clouds in the sky, hardly any breeze, a nice warm 80 degrees, and good company.

(I just sighed in contentment thinking about it)

What's YOUR happy place?

Autumn Equinox, Fall, & Randomness

Tonight at 10:29pm (in Raleigh) the Autumn 2014 Equinox will occur. It will mark one of two days during the year when the length of day and night is almost equal. Of course, after that, the days will become shorter and the nights will become longer. I've heard many people say that they experience seasonal depression during this time (and into the winter) but I'm the absolute opposite; I LOVE fall. It's my all-time favorite season with spring coming in a close second. And what happens the day after the equinox? That's right: fall officially starts.

The weather cools down, but not so much that I have to break out my beloved down jacket. We're still able to squeeze in some more lake days, but the dogs can now run around without overheating. The leaves start to change, especially in the mountains, and the night time temperatures up there make it the perfect time for camping and hiking. You can drive with the windows rolled down and it's perfectly acceptable to wear boots or flip flops.

Also, it becomes the season for apple cider, pumpkin EVERYTHING, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. I've always been a fan of Halloween, and while I don't go out to parties or have kids to take trick-or-treating, the decorations alone make me happy; Alister and I even have inflatable Halloween decorations for the yard! Thanksgiving is synonymous with family in my life, and I always look forward to stuffing my face while spending time with loved ones, whether the crowd this year grows smaller or larger. As for apples and pumpkins, I can never get enough. If I'm not eating it or drinking it, I have candles that smell like some or gourds stacked up in and around the house.

So, for those of you who are mourning the passing of summer, don't worry- it will be back. For those who love the fall like I do, I suggest a trip to the mountains while the leaves are changing, a campfire, and some fresh apple cider. If you can't do that, a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte may suffice.

Random Updates:

• Indy went to the vet on Friday. He lost another 1.5 pounds. On the flip side, his kidney values had all improved and he's not considered in kidney failure anymore. We also did full body x-rays and he doesn't have any masses or blockages. On paper he looks healthy so the vet said for now keep offering him all different foods and eventually he'll eat something b/c she can't find a reason why he's not.
• I went to the urologist today. I have 5 small stones in the right (from the broken down large one) still and apparently one forming in the left. Sigh. I told him we could do the ureteroscopy over winter break.
• I worked all weekend. I love my job.
• Alex, Laird, and Kris seem to be adjusting well and now have a place to live on the AF base. She has a blog so if she's invited you and you never accepted the invitation, please email her; her pictures are very pretty.
• I have 2 exams this week, a discussion board, and a case study due. I think this school is trying to off people in the first semester.
• #100HappyDays

Chocolate torte

My parents

A hat my coworker made me

My poopers

EDITED TO ADD: Today I found out that my Groupon acct had been hacked. Someone got access to my account and tried to buy a laptop. Luckily my AmEx that I had saved on there for purchases denied it. When I attempted to logon to Groupon it kept denying me, and when I requested a new password it told me that there was no account with that email (which is bullshit). After doing some research online I discovered that Groupon hacking is not only common but that it occurs on the weekends usually when Groupon customer service is closed. Long story short, Groupon says they were unable to give me access to anything because the account with my email "wasn't traceable" once the hacker changed it so I just called my card companies (that had been used with Groupon) and had to report them stolen. I've lost any unused purchased Groupons too (grrr). While I still love the website, I HIGHLY suggest that no one store ANY cards on there for quick purchases, which may be common sense but sense which I ignored and then paid for. I will say that I'm disappointed in Groupon's lack of security. Someone can log on to an account, change all of the basic info, but use the cards without having to re-enter any specifics (card's full number, security number, etc)? Fail.

Instagram Day at the Lake

Stetson needed some fresh air and Baer just needed to RUN:

Blogger Fail

So I'm realizing that when I work 4 days in a row at the hospital, and then come home at 9pm every night only to turn around and walk the dogs and then run/ellipticate, that I don't have much time to blog during the week. I also have no time to cook or be crafty so that totally puts a damper on my blog awesomeness. This past week was rather stressful; work has me wanting to pull my hair out and that's a bad thing seeing as though my hair is too thin anyways. I managed to exercise every day except for Wednesday and doing other cardio exercises is definitely helping with my breathing issues.

This weekend AB and I are headed to the lake (huge teardrop for boating season coming to an end, especially since we won't be here next year for it!), cooking out with my parents, cleaning (boo!), and I will attempt my canvas project I found on Pinterest. Get psyched for an update.

Kerr Lake

Baer and cousin Bella

Boats

Swim buddies (they did this all day)

2/3 dogs rode the kayaks with us

Like glass

My old man

Pretty lake view from the dock

Perfect boarding water

The lake house

AB & I's private accomodations

Chloe and Damon

Pooped puppies

Uncle Alister and Jake

End of summer bonfire

Mimi & Damon



I do my hair a lot

 

Jake and Maddy

The kids and mom getting ready to roats marshmallows

Family s'mores making

AB

Brothers

In-Law Pictures

My sister-in-law on my husband's side of the family really wanted some pictures that included all 3 of her kids and me. While up at the lake she managed to convince everyone to have some photos taken this morning, and they ended up being fairly good. The photographer gave us the rough drafts on a DVD so I'm adding my favorites below- just keep in mind they haven't been cropped or edited. I definitely plan on sending the photos to my sister to Photoshop before I use any as our Christmas card this year.

The Family (husband's side)

A2

Silly but totally using for Christmas

Tomorrow we're headed to the boat show, to Best Buy to [hopefully] buy me a new computer, and to Whole Foods so I can stock up on "Paleo" type food for the next week. My "Whole 30 Program" begins on Monday so I'm finishing the book up as quickly as I can and trying to get psyched about not getting cupcakes anymore!

Something Sweet

I just had smores over a real bonfire at the lake. I consider that sweet. I will post pictures when I figure out how to get them on AB's computer.

Worn Out & Thud

Work was long and busy, which was totally NOT what I was hoping for after a nice weekend at the lake! I did manage to wake up early enough this morning to run but I was a total wuss and only did 1 mile. I know, I'm never going to make it to 3 miles if I don't increase the mileage and it's frustrating that I've done it before. I'm a slacker. I need some motivation, and yet somehow the thought that after running I get to go to work (yay!) makes it even less exciting.

Meanwhile, my sister and I are still contemplating costumes for the 5K in October; I was thinking about being a fairy Godmother (since my nephew/godson will be in a stroller during the race) but my sister also mentioned the idea of an "Alice in Wonderland" theme. I'm kind of feeling both so as soon as my brother-in-law gives his input the decision will be posted. I guess the biggest thing is making sure I can run that far (damn my lungs) before strapping wings to my back.

Also, despite that I recovered an ungodly amount of patients today, I have no good patient stories...because I can't remember any of them. I really need to work on my memory.

Oh, and Thud, our snail, actually did die yesterday. RIP Thud: 3/2012-8/2012 (so much for a 2 year lifespan)

Lake Pictures

I'm stealing my husband's computer right now because my Dell has officially died. I'm not actually sure how to upload my camera's pictures on here but I did manage to get some of the ones from my iPhone.

Stetson looking out over the lake

Water almost glass-like

Cousins Baer and Bella

Kid overboard (on purpose)

I created something out of Lego's- now I want more

Blands on a boat

Sunset and perfect water

While we were gone our pet sitter from Raleighwood Pet Sitting came to take care of our cat Indy and I can't say enough good things about her. When we originally requested a pet sitter from them, the owner matched us to a woman that lives fairly nearby and she is awesome. For what we pay (which is crazy reasonable) she not only feeds, scoops the litter box, and refreshes the water but she also takes out all trash, wipes down counters, puts away dishes, waters plants, brings in the mail, plays with Indy, feeds the fish, and does a few other random helpful things which she details in a list that she writes out for every day she comes. I can't stress how nice it is to come home from vacation and have everything in order!

An update on running- I didn't actually do any over the weekend. I took my running clothes and shoes and even set my alarm on Sunday morning to get up before the heat got to bad, but after getting very little sleep Saturday night I just couldn't bring myself to do it (AC quit working, AB was snoring like a freight train, and my dog was being a spaz). Tomorrow I'm back to my regular schedule so I should be able to stay on track for some upcoming 5K's.

Also, our snail Thud likes to play dead. I think he may actually be dead this time (he seems to be hanging out of the shell more than usual) but he floats, sinks, and sticks to the filter in all sorts of weird positions for endless amounts of time. I'm glad we always wait a few days before burying him because one minute he's playing possum and the next he's booking it across the gravel. He does seem rather...not alive this time...

Adventure

AB and I are headed to Kerr Lake for the weekend with his family. His brother, sister-in-law, and 3 kids are coming down from Jersey so it should be a good time. I will post pictures when I have some. I'm going to try NOT to miss blogging tomorrow (for NaBloPoMo) but it may not be much since the internet up there blows.