Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead to your destiny. -Anonymous 

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is watching A Christmas Story [multiple times] during the holiday. Maybe I should stress ‘multiple-multiple-multiple’ times. I am in the pursuit to add the Hallmark keepsake A Christmas Story ornaments to my collection, and here is my first piece: Poor Ralphie’s One Chance.

And an ’09 Hallmark ornament for the year Oliver was born. I cannot wait to decorate our diningroom tree with all the new ornaments…

Oliver was behind on his scheduled grooming due to his groomer enjoying a family vacation in Florida. He looks like an innocent puppy when his hair is grown out, and looks like an old dog when he is groomed short. He is just too cute.

This morning I met with the director of a facility and was given a tour of the facility, and this afternoon I had a similiar meeting with another director, administrator, and director of nurses in another town. Both of which went very well. A busy, but productive day, and I am so excited to premiere with my business website and information.

Much more to do before this days ends. Here’s to a beautiful weekend ahead of us!

-Jenny

 Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  -Doug Larson

The sun is shining, and currently it is 59 degrees…

Oliver had to sniff around the crocuses, and ignore me as I was trying to take photos of him.

As a special gift to our son for graduating from basic training we purchased this gorgeous ring for him. UPS delivered it this morning. It is beautiful!

I have been purchasing Army themed scrapbook/rubberstamp supplies for a project, and was so excited to find Stampin Up’s Godspeed stamp set on Etsy a few days ago for dirt cheap. The last time this set was listed on ebay it was at $65.00. I paid $16.00.

Time is moving quickly, and for here I must close down and focus on homework due. Here’s to a beautiful week. Until next time…

-Jenny

I am loving my new work schedule. It is so nice to be home more now that I gave up my eight hour position, and moved into twelve hour shifts. This morning my son, and I made a trip to Bangor to pick up a wishing well that I ordered, and a quick trip to Petco. Housework is done, and the remainder of this beautiful day will be spent working on homework assignments.

I have always wanted a wishing well, and now that our focus is on the back yard/back deck this season when I saw a posting on facebook from a young man selling them, I knew I needed one. Once it is painted and set up in the back yard I’ll share photos.

Onward to Petco where we bought Oliver a new sweater. He was groomed yesterday, and looks so handsome!! Of course, like my children, he refused to look at the camera.

Ali Edwards shared a great idea in her Week 1, 52 Creative Lifts newsletter about One Line a Day. She uses the journal to write a personal daily gratitude. I thought about it, but for me a daily thought about gratitude just does not work for me, and quite frankly it would bore me, and eventually anyone who read my journal, to sleep. Finally, I chose to answer a random question about myself/life/family each day, and will add in special memories that happen along the way.

When I first saw the journal that Ali shared, I was not interested. Too blue. Too plain. I wanted a journal that I could decorate and be creative with. Ahhh…you know, another project that will overwhelm me, and I will never complete. I considered this Q&A a Day Journal, but didn’t like the idea of the same questions for five years. So, in the end, the little blue journal was chosen. I did a number of searches, and have found a plethora of daily questions to use.

Well friends, so much more to share/ramble on about, but time is moving ever so quickly, and I have to get my nose in the books. Until next time..

-Jenny

 In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy. – Albert Clarke

I have officially completed the requirements for my BSN, and have entered into the core classes of the MSN program. Patiently waiting for my final grade, and GPA. My newest class, The Nurse Leader begins Monday, and after viewing the videos for Week 1, I am truly excited, and I love this quote:

“A leader is not an administrator who loves to run others, but someone who carries water for his people so that they can get on with their jobs” -Robert Townsend 

Today we took a trip to Belfast, and bought Oliver a new harness, leash, and collar. We walked around for a few minutes, but the weather is pretty brutal out there, especially near the water, and I of course did not dress appropriately.

On the way home we stopped at Silkweeds, a sweet little gift store, and I fell in love with this large sized welcome plate. [Toni chose an adorable bracelet.]

A fun, relaxing day spent with Keith, Toni, and Oliver. I am blessed. Until next time…

-Jenny

There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir, we must rise and follow her; When from every hill of flame, She calls and calls each vagabond by name. -William Bliss Carman

I love daytrips with  my husband. I love not having to think about my responsibilities of school, and work, and gives me a few mintues not to worry about my children. Today we chose to visit one of my favorite spots, Cadillac Mountain, and a walk thru Bar Harbor.

Stopped at the Scrapbooking/Quilting store also. Cute little store with a very, very small scrapbooking section, but I did pick up a few pieces for a project that I would like to create. If I ever complete the project I will share…but we all know that I am more of a scrapbooking hoarder/collector.

Well friends, I have tons, and tons more photos from todays daytrip, but I don’t want to overwhelm this entry.

I return to work tomorrow after having three days off. It is official that the unit I having been working on for the past year will officially close on November 7th. I received my phone call today offering me the choice of two other units. Unfortunately, the two choices do not include the unit that I was hoping to transfer to. Knowing that our hospital will have 16 less beds is very disheartening, but the bigger picture of not knowing exactly what is going to happen to our hospital is of even greater concern…

I have a few things I need to get accomplished before this day ends, so for here I must close. Here’s to a beautiful weekend in front of each of us. Until next time…

-Jenny

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. – Reinhold Niebhur

Reggie arrived safely in Columbia, South Carolina, Monday night to begin basic combat training at Fort Jackson. He is in the Red Phase and I pray he is doing okay. We were able to talk for a few minutes Monday night prior to his processing beginning, and he told me he probably would not be able to make a call for two weeks. Once we hear from him we’ll be able to find out what unit he is in so we can make the plane reservations to attend his graduation.

Tuesday afternoon completed an eleven day stretch at work. Speaking of which, I am loving that my husband is on the dayshift now. I have been sleeping great having him home at night.

This morning I finally took time for me and visited my hairdresser. Yeah, it’s the little things that make me smile. Thinking I should have listened to my daughter sooner when she commented how much grey I had.

Our family pictures came in, and I have to say that my family is just too adorable…

School has been stressing me out recently [okay, I should write: school has been stressing me out more than usual], so in an attempt to run away from my responsibilities I have been reading ROOM. An amazing book narrated by five year old, Jack.

Well friends, for here, I am going to close. Until next time, I hope you are each well…

-Jenny