I am feeling pretty good today

I had an appointment this morning that I was worried about but hallelujah it went wonderfully more then wonderfully actually. So I am in a good mood :) and it feels great!

I have been focusing on positive thoughts and putting them out into the universe (anyone read the secret or similar books) well you know it really makes you feel good and positive about life, which I think is pretty important.

My daughter starts school on Mon, these holidays have gone soooo fast. I was actually dreading them as they are so long, but it feels like I still have not had enough of a break. I have one week holiday left after primary school starts.

Fri 11:52am

25 things about me

Ok, this is from some of the other blogs that I follow. I hope I can think of 25 things.

1. I am a bit of a clean freak, I have two showers a day, morning and night.

2. I was accepted into Nursing when I was 17 but stupidly did not go through with it, I then started it when I was 20 and pulled out and finally, at age 24 I started it and now I am halfway through. And there is nothing that will stop me from finishing it now.

3. When I was six I named our new cat, after me (yes my Mum let me lol) and she lived till I was 17.

4. My favourite book in the whole world would be Tully, there is something about that character that really got to me.

5. I have never really eaten red meat, apart from mince in patties, lasagna, meatballs, etc.

6. I love eggs on toast, and love the yolk runny.

7. I hate coffee and tea, and only rarely drink green tea or hot chocolates in winter. Otherwise summer it is manly water.

8. I only wear makeup when I go out, to party, etc. This is rarely, maybe a few times in 6 months. And I never ever wear it to bed.

9. I can't see very well so wear contacts or glasses all the time, unless reading.

10. I hate cockroaches and will cry if someone brings one near me.

11. When I was little I loved the Never ending Story and Labyrinth. I named another cat falcoe from the never ending story.

12. And would you believe the cat named falcoe had a sister which I named S (that is my daughters name) OK I am starting to realise how strange this whole cat thing is.

13. When I was pregnant with S I loved the smell of our washing powder and toothpaste, it was so good I wanted to eat it. How ever I did not.

14. When I was 15 I moved out of home for 3 months.

15. I love the beach and wish I could get there more.

16. I want to volunteer in a third world country when the kids are grown. Maybe Africa for at least 6 months.

17. I want to travel to as many places before I die, at this stage I can only count 2 countries on my list of places to go. Opps I mean on my places that I have been. NZ and Australia. How many countries are there? lol

18. I have had two MI's the first April 04 and the second Feb 07. They first thought it was the contraception pill but then the second one happened for no reason. I have had 2 angiograms and I have normal coronary arteries. After many tests which did not show much. They now query a blood disorder or coronary artery spasm. My blood is being tested in Sydney, Texas and here in NZ. At this stage they still have no answers. I am healthy and well and my only medication is 150 mg aspirin daily. I pray I never have to go through anything like it again.

19. As well as that I had a Pyloplasty (I know i have spelt it wrong) in August 06 after, I cant be bothered looking for exact numbers, but it would have been another 6 - 8 admissions with GA, because of blockages, pain, etc. In Nov, the surgeon finally realised that there was a piece of tissue left over from surgery which was stopping urine flow down the ureter. So another stent was put in, this remained there until Jan where I was told I would be in for an overnight admission, and straight forward procedure to remove the tissue. He cut my renal artery and I then spent 10 days in ICU. Missing on starting my nursing, I had to post pone to July. As I was also unable to walk much, due to pain and bleeding, for 6 weeks until the new stent was removed that they put in to make sure I healed probably. This was when I had the second MI also. Needless to say it felt like I hardly saw my children as I was in hospital so much. It was quite sad because it became normal for them that Mum was in or on way to hospital. It was a hard time but I got thorough it and know that the experience will make me a better nurse for it. (that is not to say that people who have not been in hospital wont be great nurses, I am just making that statement form my experiences and what I feel about myself) OK that was a long one.

20. At the same time my partner was in hospital for cellulitus. He cut his foot open on a farm motorbike, the doctor did not give him antibiotics. He was in hospital for three weeks. The nurses thought it was quite funny but they were so nice to us, at one stage we were even on the same ward. I had my own room, they brought us a TV, I was to sick to care, but Simon quite enjoyed being able to come and visit me.

21. I think one day I would love one more baby. I love the names Freya, Roomy (sounds like roamy), and Shelby and for boys Max, Luca and Thomas.

22. I would love to be a flight nurse at some stage of my nursing career.

23. I really want to go on and do post graduate work, I would love to get my masters and then my PHD.

24. I read a really good book called conversations with god and everything just seemed to make sense. I believe that there is more to life then being alive and then just dying and that we are gone forever. There must be more to it.

25. I love thunderstorms and stormy weather.

Oh for the days of being able to stay in bed

Remember the before we had kids days? when you got to choose when to get up, when if you felt the need to go back to bed for a couple more hours you could or when you felt the need to have a pj day and could stay in bed most of the day.

It is Sun morning, and I think it must have been before 7am when I was woken up. My son o just does not seem to have grasped the concept of a sleep in.

Not sure of our plans today, a relaxing Sunday??? yeah right.

Sun 7:53 am

Lovely day

Silly computer ate my post this morning. I was having a whine about someone that is getting to me. You know the type, I call them energy suckers. Anyway it is complicated and they are doing it so subtly that nobody else would have a clue. So there is no way I can say anything, as I would look like the baddie. So I will just vent here. But as I decided this morning I was going to let it go and I did, but I guess not quite yet ha? As I am still talking about it. Anyway moving on.

I had a lovely day, I was invited over to lunch with a nursing friend. I took the kids and we had a really nice time. She is so lovely and I think out of all the people I have met in my lifetime she would have to be one of the most genuine.

I was graced with an actual sleep in this morning, as the kids stayed at their grandparents. Do you think I could sleep in, no way. Always the way a rare treat and you cant even have it. So anyway I decided to get up and I did an hour of exercise. I am also proud to say that this is not my first attempt since my break over the last few months either. I went for a run the other day, which was pretty good. It hurt to walk for two days but I guess that is the price you pay sometimes,LOL, especially when I have not exactly stuck to my exercise plan for the last few months.

Thurs 7:49pm

I think I have it figured out

Every time the rooster came near our fence, I threw cups of water at it, and sure enough it ran off. So as long as it does not hold a grudge and find another way to get into our property, I will keep an eye on the fence and make sure I have a cup of water handy. I think that might do the trick.

Had a pretty good night my parents and grandma (who is over from Scotland) came for dinner, and spent a few hours at our house. We had a game of pictureka (one of S Xmas presents), and just a general catch up.

Tomorrow a friend from tech who is in the same year as me, is coming over. The papers that I am doing this semester, she did last semester and vice versa. So we are showing each other our essays and assignments for the papers we have done, that the other is about to start. It is good, to be able to have a quick flick through someone elses papers, to get an idea of what the lecturers are after. Mind you this only helps if the person has been given a good mark, there would not be much point at looking at someones essay who had only been given 50% or something.

Night
Tue 9:52 pm

Roosters

There are a few farm animals at our new house, and I was OK with this until yesterday when S and I went over to the paddock, so we could clean the windows that face the paddock. The rooster flew at S and pecked and scratched her. Need to say we made a hasty escape. The sheep were nice, all they did were sniff us and lick my feet, Ewww.

Anyway, today we were sitting in the lounge and S came running in and said "Mum the chicken is coming into the house", I thought she was joking but got up to check and it was making its way through into the kitchen, arhhhh. I managed to get to the door and shut it. I then watched the rooster proceed to eat my vegetable garden, so we decided that maybe we should throw water at it to get it to go away. That didn't work, instead it ran at S (she was in front of me) and pecked her again, I didn't know what to do. I just picked her up by the arms and pulled her through the door. I knew that it was not scared of me as yesterday I had tried to scare it but it flew at me as well.

Well the chicken is back in it's paddock, however I am still scared. Is this chicken on a mission to torment us? I have closed all the windows to only a gap, in case it tries to fly in and I have a load of washing ready to go out, but I am to scared in case it comes back.

So how do I make sure it stays away? the cats were useless they just lay on the grass and ignored it.

Tue 2:29pm

Let it rain, Let it rain

It feels like it is going to rain soon, you know that feeling of the air pressure changing and the smell of rain coming. I love that feeling, especially before a really heavy downpour or thunderstorm. I love the rain at the end of the day when all the washing is in and you have settled in for the night, but not sooner :)

Not a very exciting day today, just housework, that sort of thing.

My favourite radio DJ's came back on this morning, they had a three week holiday. I really love listening to their show during the week, when I am getting ready for the day. They have a show Mon to Fri, 6 am to 10am.

Also another show is starting back in about 5 Min's after about a month break, Shortland Street, it is a NZ drama. That I think has been going for about 17 or more years. Not the greatest of television but kinda addictive, with all the crazy storylines.

Mon 7:57 pm

It is hot again, today

about 30 degrees Celsius. We had a really nice swim this afternoon, maybe for just over an hour, really nice. I love it when you hop back into your clothes after you have been swimming, that nice feeling of freshness and that nice feeling of being so comfortable.

I have made plans to go for a run in the morning, at this stage it is all go but you know me, I will let you know if it happened :)

We took my grandmother on another picnic yesterday about an hour away from here, towards Taupo (not that that will mean much). It is an old farm and scrub lands that have been turned into gardens. When you arrive you get given a map and all the gardens have really neat names like the moon view, the Dee, the broad walk, still water pond. There is a cafe and a labyrinth. I made a picnic, it was really lovely. Although I think the heat may have gotten to her though, after all she is coming from winter in Scotland, which at the moment is minus 3 degrees Celsius.

Anyway goodnight, boring post, but thought I would call in anyhow.

Sat 9:27 pm

I brought

some really comfy pants today, and they were half price so that was a bonus. I didn't feel so bad spending money, it's a bargain if their on sale, well that's what I like to tell myself anyway.

I feel pretty organized for school, have my stationary ready, I brought a new bag before Christmas for my books and things. The only thing I have left to do, is print out all my notes for two papers and get them bound. That way I have all my notes together and they are easier to keep track , also no heavy folders to lug around. I stole the idea from a nursing friend.

I started reading one of my textbooks last night, I don't think I will get into another book (fiction) before I start back. I made a pact with myself to only read fiction etc in holidays. It has worked out pretty good, I don't feel torn between having to study but wanting to finish a book. I read a couple of good books these holiday. My highlight was world without end.

And I have actually started my assignment, so that is good. The kids are going to my parents for the day tomorrow so hopefully I can get a real chunk completed.

Wed 1:44pm

Text books

I brought my textbooks today for the semester.

They are:

Patient and person: developing interpersonal skills in nursing (communication paper)

Understanding health inequalities in Aotearoa, NZ and which I
already have: Cultural safety in Aotearoa NZ (these are for Health and Kawa whakaruruhau)

Introduction to maternity and paediatric nursing and the childbearing and children's study guide.

Not to bad cost just under $300.

It was quite funny because previously getting my textbooks was exciting, but the feeling this time was, here we go again heaps of work and study.

I also got my student ID but could not get pack with diary and calender, etc. It is not ready till Feb.

I think I also have to organise to do my first aid certificate. I think it is due to expire in Feb, they only last two years and you can not go out on clinical without one. In saying that though nobody has ever actually checked if mine is valid, wont leave it though, as this time would be the time I bet I would probably be caught out.

Bit late but

anyway.... I am going to try and choose some new years resolutions.

ummmm

1. Stop eating choc and exercise, as I am 6 kg's heavier then when O was 6 months old. I feel quite depressed about it actually, I went out for dinner last night and tried on about 4 different outfits, before I found something that I was comfortable in. If you saw me in person you would tell me not to be stupid, I do not need to lose weight but the fact is, that I am not fitting any of my clothes now and I seem to be buying clothes that I don't look good in and I dont wear them, because my mind seems to be set at the size I have been for my whole life and I think that I will get back there soon. Bare in mind I have been saying this for about a year now, ha ha ha. I know what I have to do but I lack motivation, I cant be bothered exercising, I love food and I know I cant starve myself for long, so I have to come up with a plan. Anyway enough of this, I have never been this person to complain about weight, never, I remember in high school when my friends were dieting etc and I was like ha whats up with that, now I know how they felt.

2. To not sweat the small stuff, don't think I need to elaborate on this.

3. Get my book The Secret back off my friend, read it again and follow what it says.

4. To be a really good mother, to keep going on, the way I began.

5. To keep on track with study.

6. And to try and really get to know my self more, who am I? I think I have learnt heaps about myself this last couple of years (will explain more further, sooner or later why) but still need to know more, and I know that it may take years and it will, but I hope to learn more this year.

Goodnight Sat 8:02 pm

My timetable for semester two of year two....

is pretty good :)

Mon:
10 -12pm Childbearing and families lecture
1-3 pm Sociology of health and kawa whakaruruhau 2 lecture (mouth full I know)
3-5 pm Professional communication in nursing lecture (this will be the worst I think)

Tue:
1-3 pm Professional communication lecture
3-5 pm Childbearing and families

Wed:
8 - 10 am Professional communication lecture
1-3 pm Sociology of health and kawa 2

Thurs:
10-12 am Childbearing and families
1-3 pm sociology of health and kawa 2

I pretty happy, would have been stuffed if all 8am starts, but thankfully not (Sophie/ school etc).

We took my Grandma to the beach yesterday, she is over here for 5 weeks from Scotland. It was a pretty good day, apart from when I didn't think that I would have to worry about the sunscreen on my legs and man you should see them, they are so sore, red and hurt like hell. Should know by now. The kids are fine, wore their rash suits, sunscreen and they always wears hats. NZ sun is a killer, really bad UV's from the hole in the ozone. At schools and day cares they can't play outside if they do not have a hat on. They also put sunscreen on them, never like that in my day but there are so much cases of melanoma now that they have really gotten behind the whole skin care and sunscreen campaigns. Which is really good, there is even an ad on TV, cant remember the exact pictures, just the words on the screen, "never let your kids get burnt" and then really graphic scenes of people with skin cancer, etc. It is quite powerful.

Thurs 7 pm

I love

rum and coke. I have just enjoyed two glasses, in a nice quiet house. The kids were asleep at 6:30 pm, I did the dishes, had a shower and plonked myself down on the couch. Where I indulged myself, with a nice drink. Ever since S was born 5+ years ago, I have not really consumed alcohol, but in the last couple of months. I have really enjoyed having a couple of drinks at the end of the day to relax and unwind, I only do this a couple of times a week, but I really enjoy it.

I went to tech today and sorted out what books I need this semester, I also found 9 (I just counted them, lol) books for my assignment that I am planning on doing these holidays. They are sitting on my coffee table staring at me. I sorted out my study cupboard and organised things. Then I found the info etc, for the assignment. It has already been 5 weeks of holidays and I only have another 5 to go, I am such a procrastinator. Anyway at the moment my plan is to hop of here and get a start on this assignment :) I will let you know tomorrow if that happened, night.

Mon 7:54pm

Yesterday

I finished World without end, I really enjoyed it, and was sad to be finished. Sometimes I do not like finishing books, it feels like there is a empty void. I keep thinking about the characters and then realise that I am finished the book and they are actually fictional. No I am not crazy lol. I picked up a Marian Keyes book last night but after WWE, it does not seem like it will be good enough. I have some other books on the book shelf I have not read yet: Anna Karenina (spelt wrong), A couple of Bryce Courtney's. Above is my a picture of my book shelf, I estimate that I have read about 3/4 of these. There are a few that have been there for years, but sometimes I think that if you do not read a book straight away, you may never get around to it. You know that book shelf seems so much smaller on computer but when you sit next to it, it feels like you have quite a lot of books.

It is hot today

29 degrees Celsius.

Happy new years, we had a pretty good one, I was invited to a BBQ with some friends from tech, it was lovely. She lives at the beach, so we sat in front of the most beautiful setting, and ate and drunk. Then we went to beep beep ( which is a wharf area that has been turned into restaurants, pubs etc) I had not been out for six years for new years, and had a plan to drink responsibly and not have a hangover. I am proud to say it worked. I went to bed at 3am, woke at 7am, and wahlaa no hangover, tired but did not feel awful.

Just over a month to go until I start second semester of year two. I finally got my marks and timetable. I got one A-, one B and one B-, (which was 80 %, 75 % and 65%) not the best, but at least I passed.

Timetable is good only one 8am start on a Wed, so I not too worried about having to get S to school and me to tech. There are a couple of 5pm finishes, I was worried because I heard that S's school was stopping the after school programme, but found out that they are carrying it on,which is a huge relief, so Big S can get her and O at 4pm, when he finishes work.

The only thing I am worried about is that the first lot of practical is three weeks after we start back, it goes for a month and is right when big S is harvesting (80 + hours a week), as he is the one that looks after the kids the most (all grandparents work etc) I emailed the practicum manager and asked If I could be put in the second lot of practicum (in May, this is big S's quiet season and he is going to take couple of weeks holiday for when I do 7am to 3pm, we can manage 3pm to 11 pm, it is just the early mornings with getting kids to school etc). Anyway she said she could not promise anything, she actually really annoys me because I know of so many people that just walk into her office and demand that they be changed for such and such a reason, and when I send her a really polite email way before Christmas, she cant even promise anything. Anyway I have said what is bothering me, so I am going to try and keep it out of my mind and wait until placements are up before I really start worrying.

Fri 3:47pm