Katy vs. the bookcase...Take 2

Several months ago I went to Target and on my cheap nursing school budget I found a bookcase for $40 in the college section. I thought this was a fabulous idea and would be the perfect addition to my office. Boy, was I wrong...I don't have any pictures, but I got the thing together, sat it up to move it and the entire 5 shelf bookcase collapsed to the floor....

So, needless to say I was a little nervous about trying this again. This time I went with a pricier bookcase which would hopefully be better quailty. I actually got 2 of them because they're only 2 shelves, but I only attempted 1 tonight....

So, here we go! It's me verus this box....

At this point I'm thinking....you can do this!!!!

And this is what I ended up with....

Not bad if I do say so myself :) I can't wait to have the other one done so I can have them all organized and not messy looking :)

Merry Christmas (belated, of course...)

I just realized I have NO pictures from Christmas....what happened??? I think my brain was still recovering from not finishing finals until December 22nd.....yes, the 22nd!!

However, I had a great Christmas and spent tons of time with my family! My 2 aunts from PA came into town and I spent lots of time with them helping them cook, among other things. My sister, her husband and their 2 children stayed in town and I spent Christmas Eve night at their house so I could watch the boys open presents on Christmas morning. Then we had a big Christmas lunch at my parents. My brother, his wife and their 4 children were in Northern VA visiting family and came home around lunch time on Christmas day. So, after lunch we went over there to watch them open presents. That evening we had leftovers and opened family presents. It was a great day. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

This Christmas was extra emotional for me and I'm not really sure why! Could it be because i'm still single and both my brother and sister are married with oodles of kids? Possibly. Could it be because I've been a big ball of stress from finishing the semester and it was finally over? More likely. I think that I was so ready for the semester to be over and to enjoy Christmas and all the sudden Christmas was here, the semester was over and it's almost like I didn't know what to do with myself! I think I'm finally starting to decompress from school being done....and enjoy the next week off that I have (yes, I go back on Jan 4th...)

So, Merry Christmas (belated) to you and yours...hope you had a wonderful day!!!!!

Here's my little blessing and her picture from last Chirstmas!

1 year down...

It's hard to believe that my first year of nursing school has come and gone and I only have 15 months to go. 8 weeks into this upcoming semester I will be halfway done with the program...craziness!!!

Nursing School has seriously been one of the hardest, most stressful, confusing times of my life but with that said, it has also been the most rewarding. It's something I never pictured myself doing, but now that I'm in the middle of it all I couldn't be happier that this is what i've chosen to do.

This year I've made some awesome friends at school who understand at all times how I'm feeling and what I'm going through and it's a great thing. It's truly something that you can't understand until you're going through it. My sister went to nursing school right after high school, and now seeing what she went through I have so much more respect for what you have to go through to become a nurse and respsect so much the amazing nurse she has become.

So, with one year down and the next starting up January 4th I can only pray that I will continue to be as successful in the 2nd year as I was in the 1st!!!

A look back...

I was taking pictures of my latest project this evening (post to come later) and I found some photos of the Jeopardy game that I put together as a study group session for some people in my class. Though nursing school has been BY FAR the most stressful thing i've ever done in my LIFE....we try to have as much fun as possible...so, without further ado, my version of Nursing School Review Jeopardy!!!
I cleared that wall of some pictures and put up all the questions...needless to say, writing the questions was my own version of a review! I think this was from the end of my summer semester...my how time flies, another semester down!!

F.I.N.A.L.S....AND a deal!

4 hours of work tonight, a weekend full of snow and studying, 2 tests on Monday, 1 on Tuesday and an evaluation with my teacher and I will be FREE for my 2 week break.....I'm beyond ready for this semester to be over, it can't come soon enough! It has been the most stressful yet, though I'm happy to say that my first YEAR of nursing school is soon to be behind me...first year?!?!?! where did it go?!?!?! Be thinking of me over the next few days, I just keep telling myself "YOU CAN DO IT"!!!!!

On a more interesting note....

I've been wanting a new Christmas wreath and on the Today Show yesterday, they showed some wreaths from Z Gallerie that were $19....well, I went to the website to check them out and low and behold, they were on sale for $9.98...so I ordered myself 2 new wreaths! I love them....

And, I got a set of the garland in platinum! I just couldn't decide which wreath I liked more...1 is more traditional Xmas colors and the other is just fun! So, I got them both...I'm sure I'll use them :) I can't wait to get them and I can't believe I got such a deal!!! 2 wreaths and garland for under $30...my kind of shopping!!!
Hope you're all having a great Holiday Season...I can't wait to REALLY enjoy mine next week!!!

Stressed spelt backwards is Desserts...

In the past 2 days I have eaten 3 mini chocolate tarts from Ukrops....(and yes, I'm currently on Weight Watchers)...why, you ask??? School is STRESSING me out!!!!!!! My semester is not over until Dec. 23rd (I know, crazy, right)....and in the next 3 weeks I have 5 tests, a project and a 6 page research paper to write. Add in work, family and the bazillion holiday parties I have been invited to (not that these don't make me happy) and I don't know how I will ever have the time to get it all done...successfully!!!!!! Please pray for me over the next few weeks, I'm going to need it...and I'm sure I'll be MIA...story of my life!!! Is it May 2011 yet????

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I type this, it's so weird to look over and see the countdown to "New Moon" say 15 minutes...I can't believe it, I feel like i've been waiting for this movie for months....oh wait, I have!!!

Friday at 4:30 I will finally see it! Would I have liked to have seen it at midnight? Yes! But, I have a test to make it through tomorrow before I can see it. So, after my test from 1-3, I'll be settling in at the theater with my friend, Beth, and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Anyone else participating in the same friday evening fun as myself?? If so, enjoy :)

Super Boring Post...

I just realized it has been almost a month since I've posted anything! Life has been crazy, to say the least. Between my 16 hours of work a week and then the endless hours of school and school work, I don't have much free time. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving because after a 2 hour class that Monday morning, I have nothing the rest of the week! Granted, I can catch up on reading for school, etc...but I will not be required to be ANYWHERE, thank goodness!

I can't even begin to recount what has happened in the last month....

This is a super un-exciting post as I have no pictures to share or anything...but hopefully soon I'll have something good to post about :)

Until then, have a great weekend!!!

Busy!

I have not written in a while, I've been so busy between school and work! I have worked a ton this week, it has been great but very tiring! I only lost 0.6 pounds this week, but better than gaining!

Also, my brother and his family were featured in an article in the New York Times yesterday. It's all about the pay cuts pilots have been taking and how it effects their lives. Unfortunately there were some misquotes and twisted information that don't necessarily put them in the best light (and a lot of comments were made about them being materialistic and greedy)...but I assure you this is not true in the least. They are a fabulous family, they have 4 kids and are very satisfied with their life! My brother was asked to tell his story abouthow losing 55% of your pay can affect your life, and he obliged...sad that so many people had to chastise them for this! Check it out!!

This weekend I'm off to RELAX up in Wintergreen with some great friends and I can't wait. Other than a quick trip to Nags Head in June, I haven't been out of town since I started school...and I couldn't be more excited!!

LOSE it...

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday b/c I went to bed early (well, tried to) for my first day of work today! I survived my first 12 hour shift, phew! But, had SOOO much fun...LOVE the mother/baby unit!!! I can't wait to learn as much as I can!!

So, I weighed in last night and I lost 3.4 pounds....woohoo! Gotta keep going...I need to lose a lot, but I'm already starting to feel better! Definitely headed in the right direction :)

That's all for tonight, gotta get to bed...I'm exhausted!!!

Procrastination...

This is what happens when you're putting off studying for a test. I put my glasses on Paylin and seriously laughed for about 10 minutes.....she, on the other hand, proceeded to jump off the bed and ly on the floor. I guess she didn't think my antics were as funny as I did!

I have my first test for NUR 102 tomorrow about the different stages of surgery and am having the HARDEST time studying for it. A couple friends came over and we put in about 2 hours, but it was pretty painful. I'm just hoping I'll somehow survive the test, since I'm definitely not as prepared as I could be.

I had my first Pathopharmacology test last week, which I managed to get a 91 on, and I think it completely used up my brain power for the week. I think my brain needs to recharge before it can work again!

So, be thinking of me at 8am tomorrow and pray that I can pull off a decent grade on this test...I'm going to need all of the help I can get!

Can't help it...still laughing about Paylin and the glasses ;)

I'm going to LOSE it

I finally did it, I broke down and joined Weight Watchers last night. My weight is at an ALL TIME high...I've gained 23 pounds since December, and I was already at a point that I needed to lose. Needless to say, I'm not very happy with how i'm looking and feeling right now. Thus, I reached the moment (FINALLY) where I need to do something about it. I will be weighing in on Mondays (for the most part) and will report my progress on here.

Wish me luck, here goes nothing!!!

Working Girl!

Today is my official start day for my new job! I have orientation all week (both online and on-site) and then I should be able to start orienting to the unit. I'm so excited.

My sister and I went last week and I got new scrubs for work....I have to wear all navy blue scrubs as a tech. I got a couple pairs of pants and several cute scrub tops (as cute as I could find in navy blue)! My next task is to find shoes to wear..I refuse to wear my white Danskos if I'm not required to :) I love my Danksos, but white ones are just not cute!

So, Happy 1st Day to me :) First day and I don't even have to work, fabulous!!

Online classes, friend or foe?

I can't decide how I feel about online classes. I definitely love that they give you the flexibility of not having to go sit in a classroom for several hours a week...however, I'm not sure that they give you the full learning potential.

Last semester I took an Anatomy class online...the teacher was great, I really did feel like I learned things...but probably not as much as I would have learned in the classroom. Now, with that class I did have to go take proctored tests in the testing center...so, you have no choice but to study because you have to know the information to pass! However, this semester I'm taking Development Psych online and 2 out of 3 of the tests are taken online at home. They are open book and open notes and you have 1 hour and 15 minutes to take them. AND, the test was only 37 questions. Thus, I had no motivation to actually study because I just sat down and took the test with my books and got a 100. Now, don't get me wrong, I love getting A's...but I just feel like there's something missing with these classes!!

I know that by doing it this way and not truly studying the material I'm only hurting myself, but with the amount of work that has to go into my Nursing and Pathopharmacology class I really have no choice! I really think I definitely get more out of a traditional class...of course for the sake of flexibility and scheduling, I'll probably take a couple more online classes.

Any thoughts? Which do (or did) you prefer?

Birthday!!!

I realized that I never posted a recap of my birthday!

Last weekend was great! I started out having dinner friday night with a group of friends. It was tons of fun. There were about 10 or 12 people there and then throughout the night different friends dropped in to have a drink with us. It was definitely a late night...I think we got home around 2:30AM, but we had a blast. I only have 1 picture which is from later in the night...the group that held out until the end :)

On Saturday, my good friend Maria (we went to VT together and were Chi Os) came into town and hung out with me! My parents had my huge family over and we had pizza, cake and ice cream for lunch. My 1 niece and 5 nephews were there along with my parents, sister, sister-in-law, her dad and my friend Maria....(my brother (pilot) and brother-in-law (firefighter) were working)! We had a lot of fun. My sister got me this adorable wine holder that is in the shape of a high heel! Here it is...
My parents got me a new duvet cover, the Serafina Duvet from Pottery Barn:
From friends I received some super cute VT coasters, Vera Bradley hi-liters (which I didn't even know she made), some note cards with a "K" on them, a gift card from Pottery Barn (which I used toward the cranberry pick stich quilt!), and of course my new blog design :) I also received lots and lots of cards and Love!!!!

On Saturday afternoon, we headed to a friend's house to watch the VT vs. Nebraska game. We had tons of fun and were on the edge of our seats literally until the last seconds of the game! But, it turned out great and the Hokies prevailed :) Hopefully they can do the same today against Miami!!!

After the game I headed to get some Mexican food w/ Maria and my friend Callie...it had already been a hectic weekend, so we were pretty low key. Then, Maria and I decided to go see "Love Happens"..it was pretty good, were were just so tired and it started out kind of slow!

I had a fabulous birthday!!!! I had so much fun with everyone, I have great friends :)

I am looking forward to this being a low key weekend though :) Just lots of studying and school work!!! Don't worry though, I'll be taking a break to watch the Hokies....GO HOKIES!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for making my birthday wonderful :)

Life is about to get crazy...

Earlier this week I was offered a job as a Tech in the Mother/Infant unit at the hospital. I am beyond EXCITED at this opportunity. This is where I want to work post-graduation and it's HARD to get a job there as a new graduate nurse. I knew from the day I entered nursing school that if I had any hope of working in this unit right after school, I would need to get a tech position while I was in school.

Since starting school in January, I've stalked the website...day after day I checked for new jobs and very few were posted. FINALLY, about 2 months ago they posted a new position and I jumped at the chance to apply. After a phone interview, I was heartbroken to find out that they had already offered the position to an internal candidate...SUCH DEFEAT!!! (But, at least the phone interview was out of the way!!)

I kept watching and within a week they had posted another position....none for months and then 2 within several weeks, what are the odds??? Again, I jumped at the opportunity but also emailed my advisor, who is the OB teacher at our school (such luck)! She helped me out and to make a long story short, within a couple weeks I had an interview with the Nurse Manager on the unit. The interview went fabulously and 3 days later, I received a call with an offer!!

While I'm extremely nervous about the idea of adding work to my increasingly busy school schedule, they're super flexible about hours and school and I couldn't be more thrilled to have this opportunity. It's such a relief to know that as long as I show them what a hard and dedicated worker I am, I could easily slide into an RN position post-grad.

Next week I'll be juggling a week-long orientation, several classes, clinical and a test...and preparing for a test the next week. Guess I'm starting out with a bang! Luckily, the busier I get the more focused I become....and I'm sure going to need A LOT of focus for the next 20 months :)

A New Look...

What do you think of my new blog design?? I absolutely LOVE it!!! My fabulous friends, Grace and Beth, gave me a new blog design as a birthday gift and it's an awesome gift. It was so much fun to make all of the decisions and Erin at Designer Blogs was such a PLEASURE to work with...I would recommend them to anyone who wants a fun new blog design!!!! I think having this new design even gives me more inspiration to write posts more often :) I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I do!!!!

Kid at heart!

(photo from www.nintendo.com)

I know it may be childish (b/c my 10 yr old niece and 7 yr old nephew have them) but I REALLY want a Nintendo DS. I've been dying to play that Brain Age game for probably a year now. I'm such a nerd...I think school is bringing out the brainiac in me :) So, if anyone wants to send one of these little babies my way, I'd gladly accept!!

2 months from today...

I'm obsessed, I'll be the first to admit it. I LOVE the Twilight books. And, I couldn't be more excited about the quickly approaching release of New Moon. 2 months from today, November 20th, the much anticipated movie will be released. I, along with many girlfriends, will be in attendance that night. We're planning a New Moon party beforehand and then we'll all head to watch the drama that is New Moon unfold on screen. I. CAN'T. WAIT. I just found out that tickets are already on sale for that night and as soon as I have a quick consulation with one of my partners in crime for the evening we'll be purchasing our tickets! SO EXCITED!!! Anyone else feel the same way about this?? I mean, I am 27 now but I don't even care...I'll be right in there with all the 13 year old girls oohing and aahhhing at the screen :)

Happy Birthday...

...TO ME!!! Yep, today is the big 2-7. I dont know why, but saying I'm 27 just feels a lot different than when I turned 26. Oh well, gotta get older! I'll update what the weekend held in a couple of days :)

Why I love Fall...

I love fall for many reasons. I love the weather, it's perfect. I love the leaves changing, it makes everything so pretty! I love the fall scented candles - give me anything pumpkin scented and I'll be a happy girl. I love hot chocolate, the temperature starts to drop low enough at night that I can enjoy that treat :)

But, one of my most favorite things about fall.....FALL TV SEASON PREMIERES!!!!!! Tonight, is no exception with 2 of my favorites. LOVE LOVE LOVE One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl. I'm not yet sure how I feel about One Tree Hill without Lucas and Peyton, but I did enjoy tonights premiere. It was as entertaining and drama-filled as ever! What are your favorite fall shows?? This is just my Monday night lineup :)

(One Tree Hill Cast - www.cwtv.com)

Happy Birthday!

This post is a little late, I thought I had scheduled it, but I did not....SOOOOOOOO, a belated

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend, Beth! She celebrated the big 2-7 yesterday (the 7th). I am quickly following behind her, as my birthday is on the 19th of this month...yikes! So, again

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!!! Hope you had a great day :)

GO HOKIES!!!!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of it all...College Football Season!!!! My Hokies are playing in Atlanta and taking on Alabama! It will be a tough game, but it should be a good one. I'm jealous that many of my friends are in Atlanta for the game. I wish I could be there! Unfortunately, being in school leaves me with NO money...but I will be right in front of the tv cheering them on all night long! Some friends of mine are having a luau and at 8pm we'll move to in front of the tv :) So, yay for football season being here....I can smell fall and Hokie football in the air :) GOOOOOOO HOKIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Another semester done!

My 2nd semester of Nursing school is OFFICIALLY over! yaaaaaaaay....I survived another one! 2 down, 5 to go. I passed with flying colors and am ready to move onto Nursing 102....however, I'm looking forward to the mini 2 week break I get before that. I'll be taking 1 niece and 2 nephews to PA to visit some our family for a few days. It definitely won't be an action packed "vacation" but I'm looking forward to just getting away. BUT, first I have to get better AGAIN! That's right, I'm sick again.... I have some sort of virus, i've had a fever that has hovered between 100.3 and 101.8. Yesterday it was down for a little bit and this morning it seems to be sticking around 98, but I'm not out of the woods yet! So, I'll probably be spending the whole day in bed resting, with these ladies...

(photo from www.rankopedia.com)

They always make me feel better! Apparently I'm a germ factory these days.

So, here's to getting better!

Kourtney & Khloe

(photo from www.anythinghollywood.com)

I have a secret. I LOVE the Kardshians, they crack me up. Their summer special promises to be just as entertaining as Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I love watching useless television...its the only time I can really forget about school and all its stressors and just relax and laugh! Yay for another fun Sunday night show!

Friday Fun

With College football season quickly approaching, I couldn't help but share...

(photo from http://www.techsideline.com/)

I am totally a Miller Lite drinker, but will put that aside to sport these fabulous

VT Orange and Maroon

Bud Light cans this football season! Apparently they'll be sold at Kroger this fall!!

Who will you be rooting for this fall??

I'm a Hokie through and through and proud of it!!!

Home, Sweet Home

I have the best parents in the world.

Since I was horribly sick this week and trying to survive a check-off and test at school, my parents offered to take Paylin for a few days so I could rest, study and try to get better. Clearly, I took them up on this. It's hard enough when you're sick and can't get out of bed...but then to worry about my baby being locked in her cage and having to make my way down 3 flights of stairs to take her out every few hours....yikes, especially since I could barely move! I definitely felt a lot better knowing she was hanging out with my parents and running through their back yard all day :) But, since my school week is over (A and all!!!!), I went and picked my little Paylin up this afternoon, and ever since we got home she snuggled right in her spot right next to me on the bed....

I'm so grateful that my amazing parents help me like they do, but I definitely missed my little nugget and I'm glad she's home! I think she knows I haven't been feeling well, she's totally up for a relaxing weekend too!

Being sick agrees with me...

I managed to pull off a 94 on my nursing test today, being sick and all! I don't know how I managed that one, apparently being sick agrees with me. OR it could be the hours of reading that i've been putting in the past few weeks....either way, I'll take it! That's actually the first A i've gotten on one of my nursing tests, they're SUPER hard! Now I deserve a little R&R this weekend :) Happy Thursday!!!

OH...I know I've been slacking on "weight loss wednesday"...I was changing some things up, rejoined the gym and then got sick...so I'm thinking of changing it to "Slim Down Saturday"...either way, it will be back soon!

Giuliana & Bill

(picture from www.mystyle.com)

I just love their new show on the Style Network. I think they're so cute and so funny! You should check it out, just something light-hearted to laugh and enjoy!

And, this show totally makes me want to live in Chicago! I went to Chicago for work when I was an event planner and I loved it and have always said if I ever moved, I would go there. Granted, I don't plan on moving, but I always thought it would be fun to live in that city!

Sick and Tired

I've been down and out with a bacterial throat infection since early Monday morning...maybe strep, but they weren't positive what the bacteria was without a culture. Between the sweating and the chills, I somehow managed to make it to school this morning to pass my head-to-toe assessment check-off. Now I'm spending the evening in bed with a milk shake (love that it numbs my throat), some ginger-ale and Zac Efron....

(picture from www.impawards.com)

Still a teeny bopper at heart! Hopefully I'll be feeling better before my test on Thursday...not the week to get sick!

Another weekend gone...and a giveaway!

So, it's sunday evening and there is not much to say for this weekend! I had 1 roommate move out and a new one move in, though that was pretty unventful...always happy with easy moves :) I really didn't get much school work done, and I really need to get on it! I actually spent the majority of my time watching Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2 over and over on ABC Family...I just can't get enough of those movies :) They are so cute and funny....definite faves of mine! Hope your weekend was a little more eventful than mine :)

Hurry on over to oofa luffa le and enter her giveaway that ends tomorrow! It's a good one!!!


Hope you're ready for another week! I will leave you with a picture of my precious puppy who is turning 1 year old this week!!!! My little girl is growing up :)

Sashay

Check out my new shop on Etsy! I've been making really cute bachelorette sashes for good friends of mine for a while and decided to try and sell them! I figured it might help to make a little extra money while I'm in school. We'll see what happens!! So, here they are...

If you need one for an upcoming event, let me know!!

Weight Loss Wednesday

Another week has come and gone! Sadly, I did not lose anything this week....BUT, I also did not gain, so that's a good thing! So, that brings me to my tally....

This weeks weight loss: 0 lbs
Total weight loss: 5.0 lbs

I really need to get myself motivated to get back to the gym, every day I say tomorrow is the day....hopefully that will be true soon!

Until next week....

It's like Christmas in July :)

The giveaways are happening like crazy....head on over to The Design Girl and enter her blog for a free blog makeover!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my good friend, Grace! Grace turns the big 2-7 today. We've been friends since high school, were college roommates our Freshman year at Virginia Tech and I was the Maid of Honor at her wedding. This has been a big year for Grace, she welcomed her first son...an adorable little boy, Bryce! Hope the next year is just as great for you and your family!!!

Happy 27th Birthday!!!!

Sneak Peak!

I haven't completely finished decorating my newly painted bathroom, but here is a sneak peak....a picture of my beautiful new sink and mirror that I Love!!! I don't have a before picture, but it was your basic, builder grade, white pedestal sink....and now, I have this.....

Not the best picture (sorry), but it works! It looks like a totally different bathroom, and it's wonderful!!!! Enjoy :) More pictures to come soon!

THE Shoes...

I realized a few days ago (after a comment on my blue shoe post) that I never posted the results of my quest for THE BLUE SHOES in Virginia Beach. Well, not only did I FIND them...but I fell in LOVE with them!!! They are fabulous. Who knows what i'll wear them with, but I am happy always knowing that these beauties are just waiting for me in my closet whenever I need them.....

Aren't they fabulous???