Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

We have been celebrating all month at work and although we have silly dress up days and it sometimes seems more about not having to wear scrubs and getting to wear t-shirts, I wanted to just take a minute to mention how important it really is. Mainly because it has so greatly affected my life over the past year. I just had my one year anniversary at Dell a few weeks back and I cannot believe I have been there over a year already. It is hands down the greatest job I have ever had and it flew by with so many blessings and rewards. Childhood cancer is one of those things that you hope never personally affects you and yet I have chosen a career where I am asking it to affect me every day. Sometimes it is a positive effect and sometimes it is so very negative. I just think sometimes people view it as something that they know someone who knows someone who had cancer when they were little or who's child or sibling had cancer. I know a lot of people aren't directly affected by it, but I feel almost lucky to be. This past year has meant a great deal to me because I have been let into so many of my patients lives and families. I have my girls that I just love and keep adding to - Caitlyn, Kathy, Camryn, Perla, Veronica, Yazmin, Sara, Alden. I know this list will continue to grow and change and I know that some of them will grow up and not even remember that they were ever a part of my life, but I also know for a fact that I will never forget their faces or their stories and the impact that they have had on mine. I have dealt with the loss of Veronica and the heartbreak and absolute crushing weight of having her pass away and the re-thinking of if this is even the right job for me. I do believe God put me in this job for a reason and I know that I learn something every day from different patients. A 17 year old who texts me pictures of her chest tube because I am away at camp and can't be there to see it in person. A 3 year old who is in awe of a room I filled with bubbles and proclaims it a "bubble miracle." A 12 year old with the attitude and wisdom of someone so much older. A 2 year old who names her IV pole, Stanley, and then is shocked to see that everyone has a Stanley. These are the moments that make my life and that I am actually getting paid to enjoy and experience. These are the lives that I am supposedly helping out and contributing to and making better when in all reality, I feel as though their contribution to mine has been so much greater. So I just wanted to take a moment and recognize the fact that it is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and to encourage you to be aware and to be thankful for your life and those around you, and really just to put down on paper how grateful I am for the lives of those children that are affected by cancer. I love each and every little bald one of them.

Roomie Robin!!

So...the roommate dilemma has been solved...and Robin moved in!! I am so excited about this!! She has been homeless for about a month now and living back and forth between people's houses while trying to figure out where her boyfriend is going to get a job and move and things still aren't settled, so she has committed to living with me for at least a few months. Super exciting!! I think it is going to be so fun...we both work nights and so we are well aware of day sleeping and being quiet and thinking that it is totally okay to wake up at 4pm. I am relieved to have someone in the house and to not be stressing about it anymore and even more fun that it is someone I actually know and genuinely like!! She moved in 2 days ago and I keep referring to everything as roommate this and roommate that - I think she might want to move out if I keep that up. Hahahaha. I cant help it, I am happy to have her here!! Yea for roomies!!

Lone Star Girls Weekend!!

So, this past weekend was one of the best weekends ever. Hands down. We laughed so hard and ate great food and danced constantly - so much fun. The weekend started on Friday with a quick drive to Dallas and met up with the girls who had just gotten in from California and then we headed out to meet Lindsay's dad who was going to show us around an oil rig. None of us had ever been on one, and since this was the Cali girls first trip to Texas, we wanted to make sure that we gave them the full experience. So, we took a tour of an oil rig - got to go up on it and see how everything works, it was actually pretty interesting and made much more fun by the fact that Lindsay got everyone hot pink hard hats with our initials on them. Hilarious. We wore them in the truck on the way to the rig and on the way home - imagine passing 7 girls on the highway, crammed into a pick-up truck, all wearing hot pink hard hats. We were quite the group.



After the oil rig, we went back to Lindsay's and got ready to head down to the Ft. Worth Stockyards for the night. We donned our cowboy boots and got ready to show these L.A. girls what real cowboys look like. We went and had BBQ for dinner - so good...and then went to a place called the White Elephant Saloon where we listened to live music and watched people chain smoke and two-step. It made for quite the people watching atmosphere and I think everyone had a great time. Besides the smoke burning our eyes, the bar was super fun and very Texas. We went back to Lindsay's and hung out and chatted till way too late and everyone was pretty happy about getting to bed.

Saturday we woke up and were all moving pretty slow so we just went to breakfast in our sweatpants - it was raining from Hurricane Ike so it was actually perfect. Then we went back and packed up our stuff and headed to the hotel. Welcome to the Hotel Zaza. Amazing. We walked in looking quite scrubby all in our sweats and we were staying in the nicest suite in the hotel and the hotel staff was a little confused by us. When asked what room we were staying in, we said 7 and they replied, oh 207, and we said, no 7. And then he said...oooooh, you guys are going to have a good time. Our hotel room was named The Last Czar and it was ridiculously fancy and swanky and beautiful. We were all completely taken aback by how amazing it was and were perfectly happy to camp out there for the rest of the day. Apparently it is where Jessica Simpson stays when she is in town...oooh la la. So, we all put on hotel robes and ordered room service and sat around drinking champagne. Living the good life basically.



Then we decided to get dressed and go downstairs to the hotel restaurant for dinner because we had no intentions of leaving this amazing place all night. We put on our dresses and heels and headed down for an amazing dinner. Everyone had steak and lamb and salmon and we had champagne and desserts. Sooooo good. We couldn't stop eating and we were there for hours just talking and laughing and having the best time. I could definitely get used to that life. Then we were leaving dinner to head back up to our hotel room where we were planning on resuming the dance party we were having before dinner and we passed by a wedding reception that was going on in the hotel. The music was so fun and we were dancing in the hallway when a few of the guests invited us in to dance. I am not sure what made us think it was okay to take them up on it, but we did. And into the wedding reception we go. We are dancing for a couple of songs when we realize that we are definitely crashing a wedding and we don't want to upset the bride so we think the smartest thing to do is leave. We do and then the bride comes out and chases us into the lobby and tells us to come back and dance. Well, you don't have to ask us twice. We go back in and dance for quite some time, even requesting songs. We had the best time and found it all so hysterical.



Then back up to the room and we continued to dance before we were all ready to collapse into the amazingly comfortable beds. It was like heaven to sleep in these beds. Then Sunday came and we went to brunch downstairs before having to leave the hotel. And then after brunch it was pretty much time for everyone to go their separate ways. I was pretty sad to leave, but I had such a great weekend that it was okay. I drove back to Austin and had to work...yuck. Anyway, the weekend was fabulous and I cannot wait until we do it again. The Cali girls want to make in an annual thing here in Texas and we are planning on heading out to L.A. to do a weekend out there very soon. I can't wait!!

Pre-Blog

Never fear, a Lone Star Girls Weekend 2008 recap blog is coming soon...I just got back last night and had to go straight to work, then proceeded to sleep all day and wake up to a full Tivo to which I have been focusing my attention on. Now I am headed to Kathryn's house for a slumber party and to watch the rest of the Cowboys/Eagles game!! We are winning thus far so it is going to be a great night!! I will definitely write about the weekend tomorrow and post pictures...there is much to tell and many great pictures that captured it all. It was one of the best weekends I have ever had. I miss the girls so much already.

What a weekend...

Well, after I got the tire problem solved on Friday, I thought I was in the clear as far as the car goes. Of course I would be completely wrong. Regardless, I get up and drive to Dallas on Saturday for the Counting Crows concert and I was not disappointed. It was totally worth the drive and the concert itself was so surreal and amazing. But, as soon as I got into town, I kept hearing this weird noise on my front tire, only to realize that the tread had completely come off the tire and so I was going to be stranded for the night and have to get a new tire before driving back to Austin. The only place open on a Sunday?? Walmart. So, at 7am on Sunday morning, I was in line at the Walmart Auto Center with the locals and the jolly elderly man who kept trying to force his Walmart coffee on me. No thank you sir...oh okay, fine, give me the dang coffee. The early bird did get the worm in this case though because I was in and out, 100 dollars later, with my new Goodyear tire and on the road back to Austin, in under an hour. Stupid tires.

The concert itself was unbelievable. Maroon 5 opened for the Counting Crows and put on a great show...I thoroughly enjoyed them. Then my band came out and I was speechless. I sat there and stared in awe through the entire concert. It was so amazing to see them live and so different than hearing their albums. It was acoustic and wonderful and mesmerizing. Definitely a life goal accomplished and it exceeded my expectations.

I came back and napped and then worked overnight Sunday, got up Monday and didn't really do anything. I am low on money with the tires on my car falling apart one at a time, so I just hung around my house and avoided the heat and spending money. I did the exact same thing today. I have yet to leave my house or even get dressed. I showered because I thought I had to go to work, but I ended up being canceled. That is okay with me, tomorrow is a long day. I am in the clicnic at 8am for the day and then I will come home and take a quick nap and then I work overnight tomorrow night. Off on Thursday and I will be packing and getting ready because I leave for Girls Weekend on Friday!! I am so excited!! I have been looking forward to this for a long time...it should be a blast!!

Here is the video that I took with my digital camera at the concert of my favorite song...the video isn't that great, but it still makes me happy every time that I watch it.

Counting Crows!!

On may way...in just a few short hours, I will be seeing this....

Still feels like summer...

So I took Addison for a little swim in her baby pool today. Adorable. She had such a great time splashing around and just sat there with a huge smile on her face the whole time. It was a great way to pass an hour and wear her out. Plus, with the weather as hot as it is still, there isn't a whole lot else to do if we are going to be out of the air conditioning.

The day went by really quickly, especially considering I was dreading it because I only slept about 3 hours last night. I was exhausted when I woke up, but its hard to stay miserable when you walk in the door and a 10 month old starts clapping for you. And this is why I continue to babysit - its so good for my self esteem!! Also, I got to take care of the whole tire fiasco while I was watching her, so I was getting paid to go and get my tire fixed. After lunch, I took Addi to Discount Tire and she was a gem!! We had to wait well over and hour and she just sat and played and laughed and talked the whole time...I was so proud of her. Turns out my tire had a "huge piece of metal" in it, but was able to be patched which was amazing news. Mainly because a patch is free. So, the tire is fixed and the world is good again. Took an overly sleepy baby home put her down for a nap and I laid down and took one too. Everyone woke up in a much better mood. Went for a swim and then had dinner and the day was over.

I got home and had intentions of being social tonight, but the tiredness set in almost as soon as I walked in the door. So I spent the night watching TV and reading and listening to music and it has been wonderful. I just took a bath and now I am going to get in bed early and get a great night of sleep. Tomorrow is a big day!! I am gonna head to Dallas and try and see a few people and then its concert time!! I am ridiculously excited!!

One other piece of good news from today - I have been trying to pick up extra hours in our Hemoc Clinic that is attached to the hospital. It is where our patients go for all outpatient appointments and where they go if they aren't sick enough to come to us. I have been trying to get in touch with them and just pick up one or two days a week there for some extra money and a change of scenery. I thought it would be fun to see how the clinic runs especially since I want to get my NP and will more than likely end up in a clinic. So, the lady called me today and I am going to start working there on Wednesdays!! I am very excited about this and am really looking forward to starting next week. It looks like things might actually be turning around for me...phew.

Bacon!!

Today was the day of puppy-sitting!! I got to watch sweet baby Bacon, the littlest and cutest pug ever. My friend Kerry entrusted me while she was at class and work all day and I had the best time. I just held him the whole day and he napped and played and walked and fell over, it was so adorable. It made me want a puppy so badly, but I am not sure Lexi can handle it. She was super jealous all day and at first very afraid of this teeny little thing. I am sure she would get used to it if there was one always around...and oh my gosh are they so cute!! So that was pretty much my entire day and it was great.

Until I got ready to leave for work and noticed the flat tire on my car. Ugh!! Who have I wronged to have this terrible karma coming my way this past week?? I don't get it at all!! Regardless, it turned out okay because I have amazing friends. I called Alyssa in a panic and asked her if she could give me a ride to work and not only did she do that, but she brought her husband, Paul, back over to my house and he put my spare on and then they went above and beyond and brought my car up to me at work. It was seriously so sweet and so amazing. I was very thankful. So tomorrow I will be able to get to babysitting and then I will just take Addison with me to try and get the tire patched or to get a new one. Keep your fingers crossed for just a patch. New tires aren't really in the budget these days.

Other than that, the roommate search is still on, hopefully I will know something by this weekend. Debating driving to Wichita Falls tomorrow now that the tire thing has come up. We shall see. Then its onto Counting Crows on Saturday!! Yea!!!! So pumped!!

It's been a rough week...

Well, a lot has happened in the past few days. A lot. I went to work on Thursday night only to come home to find out that my little brother had decided to move out of our house. And by decided, I mean, just up and left while I was gone. I came home to an empty room with a note. It was shocking to say the least. Regardless, my world sort of turned upside down and I was very worried and hurt and upset, and honestly, still am, but I realize that I don't seem to have a choice in the matter and I have to get over it. Keaton has decided to stay in Wichita Falls...a decision I hope he doesn't regret, but am afraid that he will. Oh well, I guess only time will tell.

So, now I am kind of stuck. Left with a huge house, a rent I cannot pay alone, and 11 months left on a lease. Looks like I am on the roommate hunt. To be honest, a hunt I never wanted to be on again. I gave up living alone solely to live with Keaton, but I don't really have much of a choice here. So, I am hoping something works out in the next few days because I am getting stressed about money and bills and everything else. I have a few options and I am going to try and make the best out of whatever situation comes out of this. Fingers crossed!!

I had a pretty uneventful Labor Day Weekend. I had to work on Friday night and then was still all messed up from the move out so I just kind of walked around shell shocked all day. Then Saturday was lazy for most of the day and babysat for Addison all night...till 2am!! And Sunday I did much of the same lazy and sleeping and napping because I had to work on Sunday night. Got off work Monday morning and went to sleep, woke up and gave Kathryn a call to hang out and she invited me out on the boat!! So exciting. I was so happy to have the rest of the day free so I could spend the day on a boat and in the sun. It was a great day on the lake, I seriously really needed that. I haven't seen Kat in so long and I really have missed her. If only Sarah was still around...

Working the rest of the week, staying busy and trying to figure out the roommate thing. My friend Kerry got a new puppy - a little bitty Pug named Bacon and he is seriously adorable. I went over and saw him after work tonight and I wanted to take him home with me. Good news is that I get to babysit him all day Thursday while she is at school and work!! I am so stinking excited!! I will take many many pictures and post one because everyone needs to see how adorable he is. I love puppies!! And then Friday I babysit for Addi all day and then I think I am going to drive home to WFalls. After this week, I wouldn't mind being able to see my mom and dad and just kind of relax with them. Then on Saturday...a life long goal will be achieved when I go to the Counting Crows concert!!!!! Ahhhhh!!! I absolutely cannot wait!! I am going to try and stop by and visit Julie and see baby Avery-Kate because I haven't seen her since she was 5 days old and she is almost 6 months now!! Crazy!! Then it is just back to work on Sunday...same ol' same ol'. I am glad that I have fun things to look forward to this weekend...I need that. And a present. Hahahahaha.