Reflections of 2006

Hard to believe that another year has come and gone. Hard to believe it is the beginning of 2007. I remember when I was thrilled to see the year 2000. Lots has happened in the year 2006 some bad, mostly good though and I will look at the year in review with fond memories....
I have a lot of "New Years" resolutions to work upon and I'm sure some will come easier than others. I have a feeling that 2007 holds a lot of change, experience, and opportunities for me and Bill. In 2007 I hope I am less quick to pass judgment, forgive a little more, practice patience, and realize just how much I have to be grateful for. Time will tell, but 2006 has been good to me and my family...I hope 2007 is even better!!

Wishing you all health, happiness, and much success in the new year!!

Holiday Greetings!!

Merry Christmas!! As I was catching up on old emails and christmas cards it dawned on me that I haven't written in over a month. So much has happened in December. Shopping, Parties, Dinners, Gift exchanges, and of course the day when Santa visits! My family was here and we did "our christmas" on the 23rd, it worked out for everyone's schedule the best.
As we were opening gifts I realized just how lucky I am, not because of the gifts I received but because my whole family was together. I looked around the room and everyone that I love the most surrounded me. That's the greatest gift for me!
I have a feeling good things await me in the "New Year" I am looking forward to lots of changes and lots of adjustments to come my way, but I'm confident I will handle all with gusto!!
I wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons....laugh too much, love with all your heart, and above all cherish those around you!!

A "real scare"....A "Better Me."

I just realized that I haven't written since Halloween and so much has happened. First and foremost, I'm working on being a "Better Me." I had found a lump to my left breast and after significant ultrasound testing and a series of mammograms it turned out to be a "lymph node." However, for about 30 minutes of unknowing what the tests showed, I was completely horrified. Tons of emotions and "cancer" scenarios were running through my head. What if I have cancer? What will I do? How will I manage? Thankfully, I had my mom and Bill with me for support. I realized no matter how old I get or how strong I feel, or how independent I am, I will always NEED my mom. She's a constant rock and by far the most AMAZING person I know.
Along with that scare came the realization that maybe I'm not the most compassionate and/or caring nurse I could be. Now, I'm working hard to change that, be more compassionate, treat patients with more respect, quell their fears of coming to the ER. If I can just be that one person that makes them feel more secure and less scared I will know that I have made just a hint of difference!
I feel it's fitting this Thanksgiving that I'm working on a bettter me. I have so much to be thankful for and I'm so incredibly blessed to have this amazing life. I need to enjoy it.

Halloween

Can't believe it's Halloween already!! This year is flying by. Last night Bill and I carved our first pumpkin together. It was late in the game considering today is Halloween however, it was fun nontheless. It turned out pretty well too! Tonight, we will have friends over for dinner and it will be nice to catch up.

Hope everyone has a good Halloween!

Sunday lunch

Wow, it seems like such a long time since I have written. I wonder if this blog gets read by people anyways? Either way, it's a bit therapeutic to sit here and jot some thoughts. Today I had lunch with Sissy(my future sister in law) and it's always fun when we get together. I was happy when she called and suggested lunch. You know it's funny the way things work out, when I first met her I thought wow, we would definitely be friends however it turned out for me and Bill. She's a beautiful person both inside and out. She came into my life at a great time and I'm certain that God put her in my life for a reason.
So now I'm back at home doing some cleaning and some relaxing. It's nice to just be able to relax and enjoy my home. Both professionally, and personally I'm very busy so to have a lazy sunday at home is great.
Until next time...

Life is so precious

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to make you "wake up," put things into perspecitive and realize just how lucky you are and how life is so fragile and so precious. I got a startling phone call today at work and I was informed that one of my best friends had been in a terrible car accident and was at a downtown hospital. A million things run through my mind, is he conscious? what will he look like? will he make it out of this okay? what will I do if he doesn't make it?

Fortunately, I was able to leave work early and get down there to see him. I was taken aback when I first saw him, and I had to fight the tears back. Here was this grown man with a terrified little boy look on his face when I saw him. His face all cut up with multiple abrasions on his arms, legs and chest. Be strong, that's what I kept telling myself. I had to reassure him that he was going to be okay. His family was going to see him in a matter of hours and we had to get him cleaned up so he wouldn't look so mangled and they wouldn't be so scared.

I spent a few hours there at his bedside today, we recounted old stories and talked some about the accident. He didn't remember too much of it, which I figured was a good thing. He will be in the hospital at least until Sunday and then they will release him. He has a lot to deal with ahead of him. He's a strong person, he can do it. My prayers are with you TG I love you !

Sometimes I wonder if these bad things that happen are like a warning to slow down and enjoy this journey called life, don't rush so much, take time to realize what's important, smell the roses, talk with your family, tell people you love them....maybe these are all just signs to really Enjoy life???

Overall a good weekend....

This weekend came and went way too fat, it always seems that way. My sister and her boyfriend came to visit us for the weekend. It was good to catch up, eat good food, and catch a round of golf. We usually play couple vs couple and this time Bill and I won one which was quite a boost for our team!

My sister only lives an hour and a half away and we are fortunate that we get to see each other quite a bit but I'm still always kinda a little sad when it's time to say goodbye. I don't know maybe I'm too sentimental, maybe I worry too much, and/or maybe I'm overprotective. I just know that I'm so fortunate to have her in my life. Truth be told, I'm a better person for having known her and having her and my parents in my life.

There's so much to be said about having a great family. They are the ones that are always there for you.

Until next time...

Where does the time go????

Geez, it seems like my life is in constant motion, like the days pass faster than I remember when I was younger. Maybe I do more these days, or perhaps time moves faster the older you get?? Who knows? Well, a lot has happened since I have last written.

Sunday, October 8th Bill and I had a picnic near a lake at our house...what a magical night. That also happens to be the night that Bill asked me to marry him. I was totally blown out of the water, I didn't expect it at all. What a great surprise! We have been together a little over a year and now we get to spend "forever" together. I can't wait. We are preparing for a wedding next October so that gives us a lot of time to plan and save for our big day.

I am gonna try and write more frequently as I do enjoy this blogging thing...it's neat.

Until next time....

Saturday...

A beautiful Saturday in Clermont, Florida and I sit inside a triage office at the hospital. That's right, I'm an ER Nurse. Typically weekends are relatively quiet here at the hospital. However, it was all I could do to pull myself out of bed, get dressed, and drive to work. I so wanted to stay in bed and wake up leisurely, drink coffee and catch Game Day on ESPN.

There are a lot of good football games on today and hopefully I can catch some of them while being out here. GO GATORS!!! I think my sister and her boyfriend are going to catch the game up in Gainesville so that should be fun for them.

As for Sunday I think my boyfriend and I will be going to the beach for the day which will be nice. Perhaps, a pinic on the beach during sunset...how romantic. I will hand it to Bill he does come up with such romantic things for us to do!!

Alright, until next time!

First time blogger....

So I write this first blog on a beautiful night in Orlando Florida. Presently, I am watching the FSU/NC State game with my boyfriend, Bill and his brother Bob, and sister in law, Sissy. This is my favorite time of the year. Beautiful fall weather, friends, football, and fun times!! It doesn't get too much better than this, I guess it doesn't take too much to please me either.
"A House Divided" pretty much says it all. I am a graduate of the University of Florida, and Bill is an FSU(Free Shoes University) graduate. This being our second football season together, we have definitely had many friendly conversations as to who is the dominant school. Obviously, we have differing opinions. It's all in good fun though!!
Well, I do think that I will enjoy this "blogging adventure." It will be neat to scribble a few thoughts daily and see what people think. It will be interesting to see how it goes....
Until next time.....