Future Rock Star

This is my boy during one of his rare "live shows". He is singing with a friend from school during
their annual talent show. He is an amazing guitarist!

Prom Night 2007

This is my "baby" and his best girl heading out to the Junior Prom last night. What a handsome couple! It's hard to believe this man is almost 18, ready to take on the world! He wasn't excited about going but as the day got closer, we picked up the tux and flowers, he found himself looking forward to the evening.

When his girl arrived, he was all smiles as she got out of the car and walked towards him. Suddenly it wasn't just a goofy dance - it was a big deal!

He finally came home at 12:20 tired but very happy.

CAN I GET A CHORUS OF AMENS?!

I PASSED!!! I PASSED! I really REALLY passed!! When I finished my test this morning, a little screen popped up and said 'PASS' in bold letters. I was floored! I called the test proctor over and said "WHAT'S THAAAAAT MEEEANNNN?" She laughed and said, "it means you PASSED".

So now, I'm officially a certified Phlebotomist! YAY ME!!!!! I called my instructor and I'm the first one to pass the certification exam in all the time she's taught the class. It wasn't terrible but I can see where if you don't study tubes and additives, you'd be bummin!!!

Watch out world! I'm ready to poke and I'm certified!!

The Dreaded "NIGHT BEFORE THE BIG TEST"

It is the dreaded night before the big test and I'm sitting here going over my notes one last time before I shut off the lights. I'm both nervous and excited - tomorrow's test could dictate whether I become a full fledged phlebotomist or if I head back to the "drawing" board (sick phlebotomist joke there) and try again at a later date.

I've most definately been putting in the study hours - my girl-friends have called from time to time asking "who or what is keeping me so busy that I don't come out to play pool anymore?"! There is no one - just my beautiful certification review guide with which I am absolutely in deep passionate love. LOL... KIDDING! I HAVE been studying like a nut though and alternate between being very sure and very unsure of my knowledge. Clinically I know I am fine - I have a good number of "sticks" under my tourniquet so I'm comfortable in a clinical setting. I just stink at tests! Guess I suffer from test anxiety! I've also been keeping up with my other classes that are winding down for the summer. Not sure if I'm taking any classes this summer - I'd much rather go fishing and canoeing if no one minds!!! My 'baby' is just waiting to get wet (I actually put new foam floats on it during the one weekend it was nice but not nice enough to put her into the water). Yes the hair IS getting long! I haven't cut it since November '05. Sure, there are more grays but I think they're not all bad :)

The results are due in 10 days from tomorrow. I will post the results then for those who have been following this journey. For those who are praying for me, keep up the good work! I'm holding on tight to my 3.85!! Not quite a 4.0 but hey, it's not bad for a moderately old woman!!

Well...it's broken in

I had my first accident today with my new truck *sob*. It's snowing, raining, sleeting, and all that rot. I was heading to a volleyball game, going very slow since the roads were slippery. Anyhow, my rear end fishtailed and the next thing I knew I was wrapped around a tree and axle deep in soft dirt. I was ripped! Then I started to do the girly thing - I burst in to tears. The passenger door is dented, the front fender is half off but the damage looks light.

Tomorrow I go down to the police station and pick up an incident report, then take pictures, see the insurance guy and see about getting my baby fixed.

I have a bit of surprise news - rachel has been awarded the Junior Member of the Year award by our local gym. She doesn't know it yet - it's being awarded on the 21st of this month at a special awards banquet. She's going go nuts!! Her friend won it last year.

Keep your fingers crossed - I have signed up for my phlebotomy certification exam scheduled for the 18th. Wish me luck! I'm studying like a gal possessed! I just hope it wasn't $100 wasted and I pass with flying colors! Will update when the grades come in.

THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS

The Knights won it all! My daughter is on a fourth grade all girls team. They played three games (32-2, 20-19, and 25-5) and won them all! Today? She played one playoff game (won 25-5) and then the championship game, which the team won 15-9.

She was rebound QUEEN! catching most of them and actually getting fouled twice. Also made two baskets and scored two foul shots. Everyone here is stoked for SURE!!

We're all proud of her hard work (and her teammate's hard work!) All the girls played remarkably well! WATCH OUT NEXT YEAR!!

My fish tank

This is my fish tank! I realized today that I've mentioned it in previous posts but never posted the photo of it. It's a 39 gallon fresh water tank, with several kinds of fish: there are two platys, three white high-fins, three medium black high fins, five tiger barbs and three gold fish (thanks GB for starting me off with these guys!!!)

It's been a nice, relaxing hobby in a life full of chaos at times. There are more plants in it now than when this picture was taken - the goldfish keep EATING the plants I put in; they either like what I choose or HATE IT!! I swear they move them around when I'm not looking. Somewhere in the tank are two lily bulbs that have not sprouted at all. They've been rolled all over the tank. I first put them in on the right side; one day they're on the left side of the tank, the next, they're in front. I'll have to post a newer picture when I get a minute.

More Phlebotomy News

Today I received my verification letter from the college stating that I completed my coursework (with an overall grade of A!!) and completed my clinical rotation. So now, I can apply for my certification! There goes another $100 in the blink of an eyelash!!

I'm excited yet nervous. What if I don't pass this test? I'm studying already and I'm feeling very confident that I know my tubes, additives, procedures, veins, etc etc etc. I'm excited that I'll be able to work in this new field.

LPN training starts in August - now THERE'S some tough stuff! 4-10pm four nights a week plus every other weekend 7-3pm. talk about no free time at all for 10 months!! I hope my kids don't forget who I am!!! It's going to be a struggle for all of us but I do have their never-ending support and encouragement! That's what keeps me going!

WOW! What An Experience!

It's three days since my phlebotomy practicum ended and I'm totally psyched to keep working in this field! I learned more in three weeks that I thought possible! I started off doing very little and ended up doing quite a bit. I did get my 100 venipunctures and 25 dermal sticks (finger sticks) in a relatively short time. Actually, my ending numbers were 175 and 40 respectively! I am quite proud of my work; I feel confident that I can be a great asset to any practice or hospital as a phlebotomist.

My next stop is certification; I'm turning in my application this morning along with my reference letter and the required $100. Then, I'll get an appointment to take the test in either Concord NH, Worcester/Springfield MA or Providence RI. You know I'm hoping for Worcester/Springfield! It's the closest site to my house.

It was a great three week experience. I can't say enough about the providers and staff at my site. Everyone was so helpful and encouraging!! Only two fainters the entire week and of course they weren't the little guys - both were men well over 6' who went "down like a ton of bricks" when I was done doing their blood draw. At least I didn't end up with the 6'2 guy that hit his head on the FLOOR requiring three stitches to close the gash in his head! That guy was with the other student. THAT in itself was an EXPERIENCE I do NOT want to go through again thank you VERY much!!!

I Think I'm in LOVE!!!

This week, I've been doing my phlebotomy practicum at a local family practice and boy, I think I'm in LOVE!! This job is such a challenge! Every day brings new skills, new experiences and new people! I haven't enjoyed anything as much as this in a very long time.

My first day, I "drew" 12 people successfully. Not too bad - I was pretty happy with that figure. Wednesday was slow - only 8. Thursday was interesting - I reached for gauze, the patient moved his arm and the needle fell out. Blood spurted across his lap (which made for cleaning up interesting!) and ran down from the hole in his arm. I do NOT need to say how many heart attacks I had when I EVER looked down and saw all that blood!! It was NOT pretty! Thank GOD he was good natured about the whole thing! I was drawing 5 tubes of blood and this happened on the 5th tube (OF COURSE IT DID!!)

Anyhow, today I learned how to do strep cultures (yes, I know - not phlebotomy related but it's a busy practice!) Interesting! I can hardly wait until LPN training starts in August! I'm excited and yep, I thinks I'm in LOVE with this job!!!

Post Holiday Madness

The storm called Christmas is now over - the grandparents are on their way home to Florida and I am left with a house full of papers, boxes, new toys and new pets.

We were thrilled to have Nana and Grampa here to visit for a week, as well as Uncle Dave and his new wife and their children visit twice. The entire clan went out for dinner one night and had a great time breaking bread together (we don't do it often enough we've decided). Christmas eve found us at church together for a beautiful carol and candle service. Nana and Grampa stayed home so it was just the kids and I. I've always liked the Christmas Eve service; somehow you can feel the Spirit floating throughout the sanctuary. Very peaceful...very nice.

Christmas morning the kids woke up to a tree overloaded with gifts both large and small. It took the better part of two hours to open all the lovely gifts that Santa left, as well as the gifts from Mom and Dad, the kids' gifts to each other and my gifts to everyone. It was lovely. The living room looked like Macy's at 10pm on the day after thanksgiving but we cleaned up quickly!

Dinner was interesting - I made a huge 20lb turkey with everything. Funny how it takes so long to cook yet is eaten in 30 minutes or less! Anyhow, I made four pies for dinner; a blueberry (for dad and my FIRST ever!), a pumpkin, a chocolate pudding pie and a rather decadent egg nog pie (which we will repeat but with not so much rum next time!!!) I collapsed for a few minutes after lunch and then started on the mountain of dishes!

The day after Christmas found me back at work and all the kids home with their grandparents. I got home at 1pm to find Uncle Dave and his family here for a visit! They had been invited to join us for a post holiday dinner so back in the kitchen I went to make a ham dinner for 12. No biggie!! Another two or three hours of cooking eaten in 30 minutes! I'm glad it's over though! I'm tired of cooking and have announced that I will be taking two days off from cooking so get ready - it's leftover city until Saturday!!!

So now the new year is upon us once again. For my family and friends, those near and far, I wish only good things. May blessing rain down on each and every one of you!

Christmas Picture

These are my beautiful 'babies' standing still for 30 seconds! Everyone was home, decently dressed and ready to smile for their dear old mother. Can't believe I have such big kids. They're 16, 15, and 10 already. The time has flown for sure! They're great to hang out with and are the nicest kids I know (nah, I'm not too biased am I?!)

Christmas is Upon Us

It's the middle of December and yesterday was my son Brian's 15th birthday. He came into this world quite suddenly at 9:45 pm on December 20, 1991, nine weeks premature. It's hard to believe that this strapping young man struggled for the first few days of his life. He's over 6' tall, over 200 pounds and handsome as all get out :) I think he looks like a young Marlon Brando, don't you???

Post Holiday Madness

It wouldn't be the Day after Thanksgiving if I didn't embark on the "day after" shopping experience with The Girls! We figure out at lunch that we have been making this pilgrimage for six years as a group. Without one, the trio doesn't have as much fun. With the quartet, watch out!!!!

I was the designated driver this year (we rotate each year) so I had the pleasure of getting up at the ungodly hour of 3:15 am to begin picking up at 4:00. Picked up Wanda at 3:45 am, Heather at 4am and Carrie last at 4:15 - we were at the local Wally World by 4:30 am, along with about sixty other nuts! At precisely 5am, we were let in and I'm happy to say that it was a rather mellow morning. No running, biting, pinching, screaming...actually, lots of laughter and "we must be C-R-A-Z-Y for doing this!"

We spent a better part of the day shopping, laughing so hard that we made Wanda snort Coke up her nose!!! I think Carrie needed a bathroom break every hour (or so it seemed). Poor Heather; she had an upset stomach at first but we shoved a hot tea down her throat and she was FINE!!! I ended up with a bear of a headache at about 4pm so I downed four tylenol and kept moving!

We drove 90 miles; spent the better part of 15 hours together and we are already making our plans to do it again next year! It's our one day out as girls; not as moms, but as girls on a mission! Crazy? You betcha! FUN? ALWAYS!! Can't wait until next year!! only 364 days left until next year :)

Holiday Memories

As we get ready for yet another feast of Thanksgiving, I remember the happenings of the past year. It's been a year of many changes, some positive, some negative.

My divorce is done as of October and I am now a single mother raising three kids alone. It's been an emotional roller coaster for the last month as I struggle to balance kids, work and school. I have been plagued with doubts but thank God I have a good therapist and someone to pat me on the back when I need it.

I have discovered quite a bit about myself and what I'm all about. There are several parts of me that I've been pulling apart and closely examining. The biggest thing I've discovered is that while I have three kids that are with me basically 24/7, I do miss the companionship of a guy. I don't need a guy to complete me; just nice to have someone to hang with, go out for a meal, see a movie. It's fun to do all these things with the kids too; sometimes it's just nice to be a girl for a while and not Mom. I'm getting used to being alone even though I don't like it.

I spent most of today running hither and yon picking up kids, dropping off kids, chasing dogs..lol I managed to make eight loaves of zucchini bread as well as a chocolate pudding pie (that MAY last until Thanksgiving but I seriously doubt it will!). Tomorrow I'm making cookies and a pumpkin pie (that WILL last until Thursday because it's not the kids' favorite pie). Dudley has requested several of the zucchini loaves (in fact, he just stopped by to pick up three of them!) I consider it payback for rescuing this damsel in distress Friday night. I went out to the movies by myself (the kids were with their father for the night) rather than stay home alone and stare at the dog. I even bought myself dinner!

Coming home from the movies, the car sputtered and died on the side of a rather dark, lonely backroad here in town. After waiting for about an hour, I broke down and called Dudley to come rescue my backside. He came and towed me back to my house. An 18-minute trip home from the movies took TWO HOURS!!

So anyhow, the holidays are upon us again and it will be our first as a new family. The kids and I will be spending half with my friend Wanda and her family and half will be with their dad. Christmas should be interesting - my parents are coming from Florida and my brother and his family will join us for dinner. AYE! More people than this little house can hold but we'll squish in.

So to all who may read this, I offer this Thanksgiving blessing to you and yours: may there be room at the table for all, food for each belly, and love to blanket your homes.

Updates

I just got my grades from last week - holy cow! I got a 92 on my pharmacology test, a 98 on my Phlebotomy exam and a 90 on my procedures test. Boy is it too much to ask that I got a good grade on the dreaded A&P? I won't know that one until next week.

The settlement check arrived and now I'm paying bills like a woman possessed! Hopefully we'll stay on budget and not mess this whole thing up! LOL I can dream can't I?!

Baby's First Halloween

Here she is! Ms Piglet in her first Halloween costume. Isn't she just the sweetest little thing?!

Updates

It's been close to two weeks since I wrote - it's been a very busy time here, what with moving, the divorce, school, the kids' schedules. Life has bordered on hectic but it's been a different kind of hectic. The drama has lessened considerably since we've moved. I have actually taken the night off from my Medical Office Procedures Class to do the trick or treat thing with my daughter, my girlfriends and their kids. We had a ball - four kids with six adults trailing along! Too funny!

I've been studying hard too. My pharmacology mid year was a 92! I was shocked to say the least! The only down side is that I OD'd an 11 month old baby on paper with Dilantin. Oh ya I used the wrong formula all right! Poor kid should have gotten a dose of 7.8 mg, not 47.8!! OMG I had to explain myself in class this morning! Glad it was on paper though and not reality!

Tomorrow is Phlebotomy and I've studied as much of that as I can. Thursday is the dreaded A&P Exam II, which I have studied but will NOT stay in my head! In fact, I'm going to search out the on line tutor momentarily to see if there's some way to make sure all this stuff stays in my head! One would think I would have it memorized since this is my second time through the class!

Nursing school applications are being accepted starting tomorrow! Yes, I have mine filled out and ready to rock! I just hope I get one of the 100 spots (actually there are 60 night slots and 40 day slots). I think I'm in the position to take whatever spot I get! I also have no clue what I will do if I don't get in this time. I know last semester there were people that had A's and didn't get in! No one in API got in last year at all and there were 16 of us applying. NOT ONE got accepted. Maybe the selection committee will take pity on my old age and let me in. I'll be a good nurse, I'm sure of it most days. I know I'm capable of working hard enough; I worry I won't be smart enough to handle nursing school. Keep the fingers crossed and keep the prayers flowing.

Closing an Old Book ... Opening a New One

Today my divorce was granted. It's a mixed day; I've wavered from being very happy that the whole process is finally over to crying over 22 years done in the bang of a gavel. Yes, I started this process and I'm glad it's over but it's still sad that no matter what I tried to do to fix things, this was something I just couldn't fix.

I'm happiest that I have custody of all three children - I'm glad they all decided in the end to move in with me. This house, while little, is working out quite well. The kids have adjusted their schedules ever so slightly. My daughter is in an after school program so she's busy two days per week at school; my sons did not have to change their bus routes so they're happy. The dog is even thrilled with his new back yard where he can run loose and bark his little fool head off. This is what I've wanted for the last I don't know how many years - why does it seem so damned lonesome? It's not for lack of company - because there are certainly enough people in this house at any given time for me to chat with...I guess it's because for all these years, in bad and good, there was someone there just for me - even though he wasn't there for me much these past eight years or so. He's locked in his own world right now and that's fine with me. There wasn't room in it for me anyhow.

So tonight I open a new book - my life as a single mother. Strange to see it written out. I've also received my first piece of mail addressed as "Ms" and not "Mrs." It looks funny but I'll get used to it.

A New Chapter

Today I'm starting a new chapter in the world of Twinkielight. I am finally moving into my own house! All week, I have slowly been moving things to my new home across town with a tremendous amount of help from my daughter. Together we have moved a lot of our accumulate things into this house. Today we are scheduled to move two dressers and three beds, plus our clothes. The goal is to sleep in the new house tonight. Let's see if we'll get there!

She and I both have the day off from work/school so we have no time limits. Right now she's watching tv and I'm taking a blog-break. I have a court date in five days to finalize the divorce and it's a good thing to be moving. The tension here is too thick for me to deal with on top of work and school. I had to get out so I took a gigantic leap of faith and signed a one year lease on a small, three bedroom home with a large fence in yard across town. The kids don't have to change schools and I live about a breath away from my job. It's going to be a good thing. The best part is that all three of my children are coming with me! I was nervous because my middle son was going to stay with his dad but in the end he's decided to come with me. I'm happy that he's made the decision on his own; I couldn't make it for him because he's old enough to make that kind of decision on his own. I'm just glad he's coming! It wouldn't have felt right without him...kind of like having an arm cut off and feeling the phantom pains. Just wouldn't be right.