Year in Review

There were so many changes this year. But, it has been a good one.

We moved
I got into nursing school
Dave got tattoos ( Heather and Theresa did, too)
Drew got his driver's license
We got 2 black cats
We got a new(er) car, a 2009 Pontiac Vibe
Dave and I celebrated out 10 year anniversary in Vegas
Dave quit his job at the boys home
Theresa graduated
Heather and Theresa moved out
I turned 36, Dave is now 41. Heather is twenty, Theresa is 18 and Drew is 17
Dave got a job with the Detention center in St George
I finally got an ipod
I commute to Colorado City at least once a week for school
We emptied our storage unit

We have so much to be thankful for. I know more good things are coming. Have a great 2012!

The Most Important Thing

Family

Time together, swapping stories, practicing traditions, sharing meals, hugs and laughter. It always great to get together with my family--in laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. It's my favorite part of Christmas

Mack Family Christmas 2011

String Addiction

Roger and Allen

Roger-and his bunny tail fluff butt




We need to have a string intervention with Roger. It starts in the morning when I put on my robe....attack the tie. Then I do my hair...........attack the cord to the curling iron. When I get dressed....attack the tie on my scrubs AND my shoelaces as I tie my shoe. I try to wait until he's distracted to put them on, it's a good day when I can tie my shoes without his "help". Anything even remotely string like (hair, clothing, cords, dental floss) gets attacked if it moves. He also loves to steal Q-tips and contact lens case lids. He can't get through 10 mins without a string fix. I'd kill him, but he's so darn cute. As I type this, he is curled up and (thankfully) sleeping at the computer where the fan blows out hot air. We had to nix the Christmas tree this year and put all the presents well out of reach, lest they enable his addiction. Maybe it's his lack of tail that fuels his need to have long, tail-like things.









Dave just had to have him...........ugh!

29 and still holding.........

At the beginning of the school year, one of the kids in my class was shocked to hear my real age. " I thought you were 29 or 30, tops." he told me. I told him he just made my year! But, I got good genes, I guess.

Anyway, I am older and wiser. I know the satisfaction of realizing a life-long dream. My life is good. I have some things to work on, more goals to accomplish, but I'm on my way.

New for me this year:
Nursing School
Thai food ( I am mad that I have missed out on it for so long)
Pretty purple car
meticulously written patient care plans

My constants:
"polyanna" out look on life
reading--not as much fiction as I would like, however
anything orange
un-ruly curly hair

Ways to de-stress

I may have become something of an expert in this subject :)

• Break big tasks up into little steps


• Organize and plan out as much as possible. I am a list maker and I like to cross things off as I complete them


• Take a 10 min break when stress levels rise if you can, if not take 5 deep breaths and regroup- I have found this really helpful when I'm taking a test


• Learn to laugh--at yourself, at the situation, have a good sense of humor in general


• Take a night off-- you deserve it. Go out to dinner, watch a movie, don't even think about work/school


• Do something physical- I like to clean the house after I have studied so that I can think about the material and allow it to absorb. Going for a walk helps, too


• Take a long, hot bath to relax. This is another place where I think about things I have studied and make connections


• Prioritize and let small things go. I have learned that I don't have to vacuum every week, school is more important right now


• Play with your pet-I have learned that a purring kitty in my lap does wonders.


• Take a break every hour or 2 to get a drink or snack, let things sink in. It helps to go back to the material/job with a fresh mind