If only things were more simple, there are so many semantics that go along with every decision and every goal.  I want to become a nurse. I want to get my bachelors in Nursing… before I can do that I need to get into the Nursing program, but instead of being able to just apply and go – it has to be difficult, I understand having classes that need to be completed before you can apply, totally, I appreciate that, it makes sure you are serious before you can begin the program… BUT do they really have to only allow you to apply once a YEAR? Because I have ONE class left to finish I can not apply to the Nursing program next month. The program will not start until Summer, by the time I started the program that one last math class will have been done. But because I can’t apply I now have to wait a YEAR, NEXT march to apply. Adding a whole year to my schooling before I can work. 

The other option is to try to apply to another school 45 minutes from here, but that has a whole new set of problems, I have to work out the transfer, financial aid, credit transfer, just a lot of hassle. I am going to do it, it is worth it to finish my education a year sooner.  But it does not make it any easier to deal with internally.  Just so much stuff to work out…. 

That does not include the house cleaning, organizing, budgeting, a three year old that I swear is a 13 year old me in a tiny little body- so much attitude comes out of that little girl!  The biggest blessing is that Joseph started working again, my goodness that has been amazing, the level of stress that cured was outstanding.  I was terrified that he wouldn’t find a job- or that the job he did find would have crazy hours, low pay, and be worse than before. But by the grace of God he got his old job back, and it seems to be going well. Normal hours, more pay than unemployment, less stress, ahhhhhhh…..  

It will work, I will get a degree, I will stay in school until I do- and I will love every minute of this crazy- stressful life!

First we have Bathtub Adventures by Faith True Originals

Next we have Girls Night by Amber Shaw- love the colors!!

And one by Plum Dumpling Designs called He’s My Valentine

For some reason I am having trouble finding any companies here in town, and the last time I hired someone on craigs list they did a worse job than my husband would do- maybe I just need to look into finding a way to move to Dallas! Here is a moving service dallas I could use! 

Hopefully I will get the hang of my new schedule soon, I haven’t had time to scrap book or anything since I started back in school. I am having fun in my classes though, the hardest one is Public Speaking but only because I so do not like to speak in front of people so there is a lot of anxiety involved in that class! I am also taking a math class (so far so good) and a Development class and finally Anatomy and Physiology class that I am loving, after all I will use that the most as a nurse- even the next few years in College- I still have to take A and P 2 and microbiology. 

I plan on applying to the actual nursing program in March even though I will still have another pre-requisite class to take, but with my GPA and having finished the other classes hopefully they will let me in and not make me wait a whole year to apply again.  Crossing my fingers but I can not keep stressing about it, all I can do is apply and go from there.  If it happens it happens, if not then I will just keep plugging along and see what happens! 

I think this new theme will help with that; the old theme required a full post every time, otherwise it just looked funny.  With this new format I can post a quick update, a gallery of images (scrapbook pages maybe), or any sort of post and not mess up the design. 

One thing I really want to focus on in 2012 is not stressing so much, the quote pictured here sums up how I feel about all the stress I have;  it’s a waste.  So what if the bed does not get made, or if I cheat on my diet; tomorrow is still going to be here and I need to enjoy today; regardless of what is going on in my life. 

I start my next semester of college this week, I actually pick up my books tomorrow! I am super exited about that (a little nervous too!) I am really hoping to get accepted into the nursing program in March even though it will be a long shot because technically I am not eligible until NEXT march I still have one prerequisite to finish. However, I have a 4.0 GPA and have already completed many of the classes that didn’t have to be taken until after I start the program.  It all depends on how flexible they will be… it wouldn’t be such a big deal if they took applications more than once a YEAR!

How is your 2012 going? Any big changes planned for the year? I would love to hear about them!

As long as you don’t neglect ‘real’ life to play online games then it is all good- find a place that relaxes you and use it- that is what they are there for.  I stopped smoking on Thanksgiving and these online games have been a huge help- instead of stepping away for a smoke, I can step away and play a quick game or two.  (and bingo does not kill you!) 

What online games do you like to play- any you recommend?

I got the chance to get a consultation from a great doctor on 2nd.MD last week and after talking to my primary doctor today about everything he said, I can say with confidence that the service is very helpful.  Once I logged onto the site I searched for a doctor with my main problems as keywords (insomnia, sudden dry skin, fatigue, mood changes) and found several that treated those problems.  After reading about them all I finally chose Dr. Aron Tendler as he specialized in depression, insomnia, and hormone related problems. 

He was very professional and asked all the questions I would expect a doctor to ask, even more. At the end we talked about what I should get tested for and what he thought the possibilities were for my issues.  Because he is a specialist I didn’t get the typical suggestions I have been getting for years (depression, insomnia) he suggested a few things that I had never thought of- I knew the thyroid gland could cause all of that but he also wants my doctor to test my other glands to see the functionality since in the past my thyroid was normal.  

My main (1st doctor as 2nd.MD calls him) was impressed with the information I came with and happily ordered the tests I told him about, as well as a few others. I am exited to see if anything turns up in these.  All in all I am really impressed with them and plan on using it again once I get my test results to let Dr. Tendler know how it went and see his suggestions.  You can see an amazing video about how they started here. 

Thank you again to 2nd.MD for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about 2nd.MD. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #Clever2ndMD #spon

The ordering process was super easy, just drag and drop pictures into the pre-made pages, or for digital scrappers just choose the full-page template and drag your layout to the book.  The bleed areas were very small, the areas I thought would be cut off were not, and the ‘preview’ you get before you order was very accurate! I have pictures below to see the quality I need a better camera these pictures do it no justice.  The colors were right on with what I expected; no tint or anything abnormal like I got with other printers in the past. 

Oh, and even though it is the 8.5 inch size it seems at least an inch bigger than my 8 inch books as you can see in the comparison picture above.  8×8 seems too small, 12×12 too big, but I am loving this 8.5 inch size!

The Giveaway: 

The great people at Mixbook have offered one reader a free 20 page 8.5×8.5 photo book! This giveaway is super simple- just tell me what you would print a book of in the comments and you get one entry.  If you blog, facebook, or share this post online; leave another comment and I will add another entry.  Good luck! (Giveaway Closed- Winner is Paula M.- Thanks everyone!)