Black Friday Bowling

While up in Colorado we went bowling. Yeah family bowling day. I never bowled really until I met Kevin. My family didn't ever all pile in the car to go bowling. I don't blame my family. I mean, the thought of putting our feet into shoes that 24790325 dirty people have warn and sticking our fingers into a ball with the same problem wasn't that appealing. 

Oh and did I mention that the bowling alley in my hometown growing up was home to the biggest mass shooting my town has seen. Sadly, the murder of 7 people execution style 22 years ago has never been solved.

Wow what a debbie downer I sound like. But seriously. Kevin came around, took me bowling with friends and I had the occasional fun. So we went bowling with his family!

I have a major problem however when bowling. 

My thumbs are really short and stout.

Therefore, when I have a ball, I have to get the heaviest one that I can carry and I end up getting my thumb stuck when I let go of the ball a lot.

Yeah I really shouldn't bowl. Thankfully the worst of my damage this trip was a broken thumb nail. UGH.

Here are the girls at the bowling alley!

Do you like bowling?

Thanksgiving Recap

I actually got time off work and Kevin and I drove to Colorado to surprise his grandpa on his 80th birthday! The whole family went to a restaurant. He was under the impression that he was going out to dinner with some friends...boy was he shocked to see all of us!

A toast to him! Happy Birthday!

Then the next day was family thanksgiving.

Man do I know how to eat and drink and do nothing.

The guys

The table

I need to get back in shape. Thankfully I have my first 5k in January to encourage me!!!

Then the next day we hung out as a family and went bowling. I have a whole post about bowling for tomorrow...

Then we drove back to NM, hung out with my family, and then drove back to Tucson. Since then...I have worked A LOT!

Yesterday was 16 hours. Better go shower now and get ready for work.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my amazing little sister Ellie (She is the one I need the Childhood Cancer Posts on) She is turning the big, bad, and not so little 17! She can always put a smile on your face and I love her to death! 

Tuesday Topics: Anywhere in the World

Today is Kevin's Birthday!!!

If I could be anywhere today, it would be with Kevin. We both have to work, which means we won't see each other today.

Bummer.

oh hey baby Kevin!

You can lick the beaters this year!

I also wrote a little poem (if you can call it that)

for Kevin on his birthday.

*clears throat*

K....here goes:

dear kevin, 

i love you times a million. 

i love that this year on your birthday, 

i get to be your wife & plan everything for you! 

i love how good you already are at being a husband. 

i love your scruff. i love your humor. 

i love how hard you work & how smart you are. 

i love your kisses on my cheek every morning. 

i love how much you care about me and others. 

i love how you would do anything for me.

i love how you research everything.

i love your compliments. 

i love how you share all your 

things with me (including food! :) 

you are such a great friend, brother, son, nephew, and 

ESPECIALLY husband. 

you make everything better.

you are my best friend and the most loving guy there is.

happy 23! i love you!

I have a fun birthday week planned, so get ready for FUN! XO!

As for actual physical places, here is my wish list!

I would like to go to Mexico

I would like to go to Australia

I would like to go to a Denver Broncos game

I would like to go to some Island getaways

I would like to see all states in the United States

Next week is your five favorite recipes! 

I seriously will remember to eat before I read all of your mouthwatering answers! :-)

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Thankful Thanksgiving

I had such a great Thanksgiving that I will be reviewing it in a couple posts!

This first post is just about how truly thankful this Thanksgiving made me.

First Kevin and I hitched a ride with his parents up to Colorado and surprised his Grandpa for his 80th and stayed for Thanksgiving. We drove back on Saturday and spent Sunday with my family and then drove back to AZ. I will have more on all of that later.

This was my first Thanksgiving married. This meant that it was also my first Thanksgiving away from my family. All of my family lived in Ohio. Our Thanksgivings every year was just me, mom, dad, and the sisters. It was quiet, nice, and yummy.

This one was too (except my mom still has THE best stuffing...)

But like I said this Thanksgiving really gave me a lot to be thankful for. Here is what I am thankful for in no particular order.

1. My husband.

2. My family.

3. DVR--how did I survive before it...haha. I have lots to catch up on!

4. t shirts & sweat pants--Best outfits ever...especially when you eat a lot!

5. The holidays---definitely my favorite time of the year.

6. Denver Broncos--They are doing so well.

7. My new home--A new year will mean being in our home. We own it, we made it ours (with the awesome help of my parents). OURS!

8. My job--I am truly lucky to have a job.

9. Food and drink--enough said. This is the only time of the year when you stuff your face, no one looks at you like you are a fatty.

10. Blogging--thank you internet and thank you little blog. This is fun!

And always I am thankful for mine and my family and friends health and happiness.

From our home to yours, we hope you had a happy thanksgiving holiday!

I hugged Kevin a little tighter Thanksgiving morning...

Thanksgiving morning....early early early, my Husband's cousin lost her husband in an unexpected and tragic car accident.

We were all so hurt for her.

She is a year older than me, a newlywed like me, and so nice. I can't even begin to imagine what she is going through.

All I could do when I heard the news was tell Kevin to never die.

Everyone give your husband's (and kids) an extra big hug tonight. You never know what could happen...

Tuesday Topics: Describe Your Perfect Day

My perfect day. This is so hard!

haha who came up with this?! ;-)

I have had my wedding day which was pretty dang close to perfect!

One day I will get to doing a recap of my wedding.

But as for a future perfect day, I would hope to one day go to a Bronco's game with Kevin. That sounds pretty perfect.

via

Afterwards, a couple glasses of wine, a mani, pedi, and massage. 

And basically, any day is perfect with Kevin, family, and friends is perfect.

Next week's topic is: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Have a great day everyone!

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Stories from a Nurse

When I worked in the ER during my specialty semester in school, would have been the perfect time to have a blog. Those patients, those stories, would have seriously shamelessly given me some of my best material.

However a couple nights ago, I had one of those nights. That were just too crazy, but at the same time...funny.

First there were these three patients. All in their own room, two right next to each other and the other right across. 

All three of these patients are kinda annoying. One of the men (who has dementia and even when his dementia is not showing through is a total jerk) starting moaning....really loud.

The girl right across the way (who had her gall bladder removed and is addicted to pain meds) yelled at the other patient to "shut the duck up." Okay she didn't say duck, but you get the gist. 

Then the patient next to her said "both of you shut the duck up!" and then the original guy said "no you shut the duck up!"

Then they all proceeded to yell duck you, no you duck you, duck you....on repeat.

It sounded like a bad chant. 

So my bad, I sat there and giggled. And then directed the patients to be quiet.

They proceeded to make my life a living hell the rest of the shift, but at least the chanting was done.

Then pain girl in an effort to really show me she was in pain, started moaning...right as I was about to leave.

This moaning instead of sounding like a moan of pain sounded like....

yeah....

an orgasm. 

No worries, one of my other patients--who thinks he is some sort of intellectual (yeah I promise I do not work in a psych ward) asked me if I read the book he was reading. Oh did I mention that the book was 50 Shades of Gray?

I said, no old dude, I have not read 50 Shades of Gray. He then proceeded to tell me that it was well written but that he prefers his pornography in a different matter. Sorry dude, if you are insinuating that I will sneak you in some Playboys, you are sorely mistaken.

Meanwhile, pain girl is still having her "pain" orgasms.

Oh a casual evening night as a nurse...

In-N-Out Secret Menu

I am about to share some secrets. I am hoping these secrets entice some of you amazing bloggers to come visit me in Arizona.

Ever heard of In-N-Out Burger?

Of course you have.

Yum.

Well I am about to give away the best kept ordering secrets for In-N-Out Burger.

Here goes:

There four food items on the In-N-Out menu: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Double-Double and French Fries. You can also order a coke and/or three types of shakes: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

But there is so much more than meets the eye. That is not the whole menu. There is a secret menu.

This is not something made up. These items will actually print out on your receipt.

The most known secret menu item is "Animal Style". This adds extra pickles, cheese, spread and grilled onions diced up and mixed together on the grill before getting dumped on your burger. (or fries if you wish) Most people also know that you can indeed order a grilled cheese. (Why?!?)

animal style fries

A “2×4″ is a burger with two beef patties and four slices of cheese. You can also order a “3×3,” a “4×2″, etc... I am not for sure on this, but I believe In-N-Out's policy has it as a 4×4 the largest you can get.

Low carbing it? Try either the Flying Dutchman (two beef patties and two pieces of cheese. nothing else) or Protein Style---my favorite (burger wrapped in lettuce instead of the bun).

protein style

You can also order cheese fries, your burger cut in half, extra any vegetable, extra sauce, and you can also order a Neapolitan!

Yep, can't decide on what shake to get? Common problem for me...order em all by saying you want a Neapolitan shake!

You can also do a root beer float or a choco-vanilla swirl.

This is what I know to be true. There could be more secret items, but if I don't know they exist for real, I won't share it. Nothing could possibly be more embarrassing than ordering something not on the menu.

Another nice thing about In-N-Out (that I am not positive is true, but won't hurt your ordering experience) is that they pay their employees better than min wage. Which is why you get such friendly, nice, and smarter people.

So who is on their way to AZ to visit me?!

Painting Brass and Taking Names!

**UPDATE 5/3/2015** 2.5 years later...they are still holding up well with all the wear and tear we put on these handles. No chips!!

So this new house I bought...there was a ton of brass EVERYWHERE. I was now faced with dated brass on the doors, bathroom faucets, toilet paper holder, towel rods, and shower enclosure! Problem was is that I didn't want to get rid of them and replace them all. I couldn't afford it. So I tried spray paining the door hardware. Boy does it look good! And cheap! And durable!

So instead of this:

I went to this:

I am also terrible at taking pictures to document. Hopefully I can get better. No my hinge did not magically turn into a knob.

We changed them to oil rubbed bronze. A dark oil rubbed bronze.

This costs 6-8 bucks depending on where you go. Let me break down the savings I got while being all DYI...

11 doors. Cost of cleansing the brass buying new: $550

11 doors cost of using spray paint: $15
Difference: $535 (I can buy myself a nice drink and much more with that!)

Yeah for that amount of money and for the ease. Totally worth it.

I took everything off the doors (or rather had Kevin take everything off)

Then I got gloves and used steel wool to scuff up the hardware. Just for a bit, you don't have to go at it for very long or super hard ;-)

Then rinse it off with soapy water and dry them.
Lay them out to paint.

Don't forget the nails!

Then place them over plastic and spray paint!

After a 6-8 hour drying time, they are ready to go back up on the doors.

During this process Kevin let me use a power tool. We were all very scared, but somehow everyone kept their fingers and nothing was ruined!
Thank the Lord!


Try it! You won't be sorry!

Tuesday Topics: Blog Identity

Tuesday Topics is here! Can't wait to read all about your blogs!

Here are my answers:

What is your blog about?

I guess my blog is a little bit of everything. But I think everyone says that haha! More specifically I guess my blog is about my life! I like to share my stories in hopes that I can not only look back and remember something that has happened, but also to be able to relate to and inspire other women who may be looking for some much needed support. I believe we all have something to share that will uplift and encourage others: our perspective. That's what I hope to do with my blog!

Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging to remember a new part of my life. I was just married, moved to a new state, and started my first grown up job. I had always been a silent blog reader, and to now be in it full force was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has been an absolutely amazing journey and I have met so many awesome & inspiring people along the way. I have seriously loved every minute of it! 

What's something your readers know about you?

Hm... good or bad? I'm probably a little afraid of what they know haha! They know that I have a great husband named Kevin that I have been with since high school. They know that I live in the desert and want for cooler weather and trees. They know that I am a nurse. What I hope they know is that I am the same person on and off the blog and that I really do care. I hope they know that I will always be honest and I will always be myself. 

What can't you live without? 

Kevin, family, friends, my laptop, and chocolate.

What inspires your blog posts? 

My life and things that I see and just feel a connection to.

What do you do when you feel uncreative? 

I go out and live life! I wouldn't have anything to write about  if I sat around and was not actually experiencing and enjoying life.  So when I'm in a bind, I go out and just get away from the pressure of writing and that's when I get most of my inspiration.

How has blogging changed you?

Blogging has brought me to remember who I truly am. I often have been that person feeling slightly out of place, and it has been great to see fellow bloggers with similar interests and personalities as me. (if only we all lived in the same city!)  The blogging community has become this amazing blessing in my life!

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

I have three things I would say to new bloggers.

1. Be yourself and don't let blogging take over your life. Go live your life!

2. Be proud yet humble of your blog and your accomplishments

3. Be kind 

Last but not least! What blogs inspire you? 

This is a hard one cause so many blogs inspire me for so many different reasons. I love the bloggers that I have met: Tiffany, Meg, and Kaitlyn. Plus the ones I already know: Jessica, Lisa, Valentina, and Mia. I hope to soon meet Heather! :-)

I also love Hilary and Kayla and Erin because I'm pretty sure I share the same brain with them. I love Kristina she has a beautiful daughter and cheers for the Broncos! I love Sam because she truly speaks her mind and is just so pretty! I love Elisabeth because she is truly inspirational with a great heart. Becky was one of the first blogs I ever read as a silent blog follower. She makes motherhood look so easy! And I could go on and on and on.... there's so many I love! :)

Next weeks topic you ask?
Let's keep it simple! 
Describe your perfect day.

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Weekend Update

My weekend was awesome to say the least! I had Saturday and Sunday off and was able to get a lot done with my family here! My house is shaping up to the image I had in a home! I am so excited! I know I have been a tease about saying I will share my progress, but I have to say it one more time. Get ready for a post about the house on WEDNESDAY! woot woot!

Okay fine, here is a sneak peak of me all painty

I got to start my weekend off right with a blogger meetup on Friday! I could have sat there for an endless amount of hours with these girls talking (but unfortunately I had to rush to work).
I will have to post more on that later...

I also got to eat In-N-Out burger with my family this weekend. Gotta love it! I gotta post all about that later this week too!

Don't forget to link up tomorrow for Tuesday Topics! Tomorrow's is my favorite ever! All about blogging! So looking forward to it! 

Here are the questions we are all answering:

Why did you start blogging?

What's something your readers know about you?

What can't you live without? 

What inspires your blog posts? 

What do you do when you feel uncreative? 

How has blogging changed you?

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

What blogs inspire you? 

See you tomorrow! <3

Yay! and Nay.

Yay!

My family is coming this weekend. I miss them lots!

I am excited to turn my new house around! (I really do promise to have updates soon!)

I have gotten my butt up to try and run a couple mornings this week!

I have a blate tomorrow with two amazing ladies!

I get Thanksgiving off work!

Kevin is getting a work award in December!

Nay.

My car is being funny. Only when I am around. Not when Kevin is around.

I want to go shopping for new clothes, but I spend all my time in scrubs. (And want more of them too...)

Last night I had a discharge, a fall, an emergency transport to the ER (after doing everything I could), a pissed off rude patient, and a lot of patients. Hopefully tonight is better.

I haven't yet made Kevin dinner or ran. Going and doing both after this post.
My meatloaf tonight. Recipe later.

I need a better work out plan. And meal plan.

Okay, those are my thoughts for today! 
Have a good day loves!

Tuesday Topics: One Million Dollars!

Thanks for joining us on Tuesday Topics! I love Tuesdays for this reason!
With one million big ones? I would:
Buy my dream house and Buy new furniture to into that house Invest in a personal trainer Give to charity Invest I could use some new scrubs... I would also get some new clothes! I need some cute flats I would let Kevin buy his new home theater stuff
Ten things...wow this list is getting harder and harder... How about a new car? AND A VACATION or two...or three?! That would be awesome!
Honestly a million dollars could do me well. When someone finds me a million dollars, let me know!
Next Tuesday's topic will be Your Blog Identity! It will be 8 questions about your blog! 

Why did you start blogging?

What's something your readers know about you?

What can't you live without? 

What inspires your blog posts? 

What do you do when you feel uncreative? 

How has blogging changed you?

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

What blogs inspire you? 

 Be sure and join us! I am really excited about next Tuesday's topic!

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What a House Would Look Like Decorated by a Man

Wow sorry guys, I am slacking!
This going between two houses thing and not having internet at one is hard!
I am still learning that balance thing.
I will say I have gotten better about the dinners!
Yay me!

So when we purchased our new home (yay!) Kevin's first words to me were: "Okay now you have to make it pretty for us."

This got me thinking, what would a house look like if we let guys decorate?

Here are my hunches:

There would be bars of soap lying around instead of nice pump soaps

Their idea of decorating a wall in the living room is putting a flat screen on the entire wall. Proportion be damned

The guest bedrooms would either be empty or full of more TVs or gym equipment

It would have one pillow on their bed, none on the couch or on any chairs. Basically, a lot less pillows.

It might be picked up, but it definitely will not be vacuumed as often. (or dusted)

Their choice of couch will be determined by the most comfortable one for watching TV

There wouldn't be any curtains. Probably just some blinds

Unless the walls are super bad, there probably will be no painting of any kind. Looking at those paint swatches is like death to guys

There wouldn't be a lot of color choices in their furniture...white, black, brown, or gray will do

There would not be any decor on their coffee tables

What else would happen in a house decorated by a man?