Frazzled and Fried

Well, hi there!

Yep...the title of this post says it all. 3 more weeks until my first year of nursing school is done. Can't wait. Took too long.

End of line.

Spring is Coming!....sort of

Wow! I can almost smell the spring air as I look over snowbanks....yeah, I guess that's Northern Maine livin'.

I can't believe I have a month and  half left of my first year of nursing school! It has been the most challenging thing I've ever faced academically. I have been challenged every step of the way, had my ups and downs, and sometimes I just wanted to throw in the towel...but I didn't! I'm just chugging along and doing the best I can, and that will have to be good enough, eh?

In the spirit of Spring coming and me always wanting to make healthier changes in my life (some are successful, others not so much, but the effort is there) I have decided to do a 6 week "Life Boosting" program through NutriBullet (from the makers of Magic Bullet). I love the product itself because it's SO easy to clean by hand. I have no dishwasher so it was intimidating to me to buy a juicer or blender because of the bulkiness and the fact that there are many (sometimes hard-to-reach) places to clean. Anyway, I saw the ad for the NutriBullet and I was like, "hey, why not?? It looks to be the size and simplicity I'm looking for!"

So at the moment (while I type this and think of things to say) I am looking at all the recipes that will need to be made ahead of time (because of my crazy nursing-school schedule) and yes, I am intimidated. But, I'm willing to give anything that sounds logical and nutritionally sound a try!

Another challenge will be finding some of the ingredients listed in the recipes as I don't think they are sold this far north of nowhere. ;)

I will try to update at least once a week.

Ciao!

In Memory Of...

Today the world has lost a great man and I have lost a dear cousin. I am sad for my cousin Shirley's loss as Noel was near and so dear to her heart as well as ours. Their love was infectious and just being around them would lift anyone's spirit.

Noel battled metastatic melanoma for a year and a half. He was strong in his mind, body, and soul. We will never forget his courageous battle or his infectious laugh.

I'll never forget the times when I and/or my sister would stop in to see our cousins and we'd talk the night away. Once it was so late that we ended up needed to stay the night! We were always welcomed with open arms and the offering of food, beverage, and a place to sleep.

I love you, Noel!

Please pray for Shirley.

RIP
Noel P. Nightingale
November 21, 1940 - March 7, 2013
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

A New Year & Almost Time to Go Back to Reality

I was basically successful with my "no meat eating" for November. I stopped at Thanksgiving when my sister came up. I messed up three times and they were all innocent mistakes! I grabbed a buffalo chicken salad and after eating it I realized that the salad had chicken...I was thinking healthy! I forgot the other two times, but eh I'd call the diet change a success. :)

I ended my first semester of nursing school with all "B's." No complaints here!

I've been down home now for two weeks. In summary, it's been great! It's been filled with friends, family, and laughter. I have also had a good dose of relaxation the past few days...part of that was due to my truck being in the shop and I had no transportation. I've been out to my favorite restaurants which has been oh so delicious. I've done lots of shopping and I still have more to do! It's bitter sweet to go back up home (down home is CT, up home is ME). I love being here, but I sorta miss my routine and independence as well as my cousins.

I'm split between being excited for school to start back up and being terrified. I'll let you know as the semester progresses. To be continued...


New Years Resolution

I am going to (once again) move towards a "healthier happier" me. I have already gained confidence (and weight) over the past four months and now I want to move in a direction of taking care of myself...which is honestly really hard while in nursing school. It might sound surprising and you might say, "You're in nursing school and you're learning about being healthy so why is it hard?" Being in this school involves countless hours of sitting, hunched over a computer, book, or notes and sitting in long classes. At the end of the day it is extremely hard for me to want to do something active and very hard to avoid the comfort food.

But, as Alison Sweeney said on The Today show, "Take it day by day! If you mess up today, try again tomorrow!"

So there you have it! My New Year update! :)
Love to my friends and family! <3