Seventeen years ago, I entered college with the intent of being a nurse.  I completed all of my prerequisites and applied to the program, but ultimately ended up changing my major and getting a BS in Marketing.  I took a lot of Biology and Chemistry courses along with the required business classes, including Anatomy and Physiology.

When I got all of my transcripts sent to CCCC to apply for nursing, I found out I’d have to retake a lot of classes.  I got credit for English, Sociology, and my Humanities electives, but had to retake 2 psychology courses, a computer course, chemistry, math, and A&P.  I didn’t complain about this.  I figure it’s a good refresher for me after all these years.

But today, I found out that I need a basic biology class.  Which I was told I wouldn’t need.  Which throws off all of my plans.  Which means I may have to drop out of the one class I registered for this semester and that may put me an entire year behind.  Angry would be an understatement.  Livid might be more appropriate for how I feel right now.

I’m praying hard that I can get a waiver.  That my 4.0 average shows I’m capable of doing this without the high school level course they require as a prerequisite.  That my Bachelor of Science Degree will count for something, even if it’s over 5 years old.  If not, this may be the nail in the coffin for me and school.  I can’t afford to put off graduation for another year and right now, that’s looking like the most likely scenario.

I think I’m going to go cry.

Filed under: Back to School, Me Stuff

Have you ever just lost a day?  I did that today.  I had a list of things I needed to do…running, library, post office, bookstore.  And lots of things I needed to do at home.  And I did nothing.  Nothing.

I have an excuse.  A dumb excuse, but an excuse nonetheless.  I took 2 Unisom at 3:30 this morning when sleep looked impossible and I was frustrated and not thinking clearly.  Not only is that a much higher dose than I usually take (I prefer to start with a half pill, then take another half an hour later if I’m still not sleepy.) but I never should have taken that much at that late hour.  Needless to say, I slept.  And slept.  And slept some more.  It was nearly 1 o’clock this afternoon when I dragged myself out of bed.  Thank goodness my husband had planned to work from home!

And not only did I sleep late, but I had a Unisom hangover.  I never did get fully woken up.  I fell asleep on the couch around 5pm and only got up at 6:30pm because it was dinner time.  And now — at 10pm — I am wide awake.  I have a million things to do tomorrow (plus I need to do what I didn’t get done today) and can’t have a repeat.  I think I’ll just go take half of a Unisom and see how that works…

Filed under: Health, Me Stuff, Randomness

Just a few minutes ago, I tucked my 4 year old son into my bed with a movie so he could have some quiet time.  (What I’m praying for is a nice, long nap…the other 2 are already down.)  I leaned over and kissed him, then whispered “I love you.”

His reply?

“I know you do.”

Wow.  I must be doing something right!  It is a powerful thing to know that you are loved.  I’m so happy I’m giving that gift to my children.  Can you imagine how beautiful this world would be if everyone knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that someone loved them?  I know I don’t do everything right…I mess up, a lot.  But they know they are loved.  Score one for the mama.

Filed under: Parenting

Dear People on the Trails at Kiwanis Park:

I love that you’re out in the mornings, getting exercise and socializing.  I hope that I am doing the same when I reach your age.  But can I point something out?  When you walk 4 abreast, you take up the entire width of the trail.  When I’m trying to run and you’re ambling along at a snail’s pace, this is very frustrating because I am unable to get past you.  Can I make a suggestion?

Get.outta.my.way.

Thanks bunches.

XOXOXOX

Filed under: Couch to 5K

Remember how I said I was taking dinner back?  Yeah…not so much.  Yesterday we came home from church and I was getting ready to start dinner when I realized that the box of pasta I was planning to use was no longer in the pantry.  I opened the refrigerator and saw a huge bowl of pasta salad, all ready to go for dinner.  I felt so loved in that moment!  I was home alone all day Saturday with the kids and again all day yesterday and I guess he just wanted to give me a break.  I did take out some ground beef for tonight (though I haven’t decided what I’ll do with it yet) and am outlining a meal plan for the week in my head, so I’m definitely still working on getting back in the kitchen.

If you’re curious, here’s the pasta salad recipe:

• 1 lb box of pasta.  Tri-color is great, but we used a box of piccolini we got free with coupons.  Not as pretty, but just as tasty.
• 1 package of grape tomatoes, quartered
• 3-4 carrots, sliced in small pieces
• 1 cucumber, quartered and sliced
• 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
• 16 oz. bottle of Italian dressing
• chopped leftover chicken from the whole chicken we made Friday (about 1lb)

Dump all but the chicken into a large bowl and mix well.  Refrigerate for 3-4 hours before eating.  When dishing out servings, top with the cold chicken.  It’s a super summer meal and best of all, I still have a lot of pasta salad left over to eat with lunches this week!

Filed under: Food/Recipes