New job

I just started working at Clarian West, which has been one of my goals since nursing school. So far, it is everything I hoped for. The facility is beautiful and the people are so welcoming. I will be starting night shift tonight, but am starting off working 8 hrs the first couple nights so I can ease into it. Can you really ease into night shift? I sure hope so. I am nervous and excited about the change. I will keep everyone posted on how I do ;)

Back to Blogging!

Ok, I am going to try hard to do this! I have a lot going on in my life and want to share! I also have friends who blog and love to keep up with them too. So, just letting you all know that I hope to post regularly!

Spring Break

Well, this week is coming to a close, but I still have the weekend!! This week was Spring Break week at Ivy Tech and have really enjoyed the time off. Tim still got me up every morning, but that was ok....naps are one of my favorite pastimes! I am heading to the movies with friends today to see the new movie I LOVE YOU MAN....I have been waiting for this movie to come out....the previews look hilarious.

Please keep Tim in your thoughts and prayers. He is really struggling with the job thing, and although he is grateful he has a job in this economy, it doesn't make it any easier dealing with all the personalities and obstacles he faces there each day. He has been networking a bit, so hopefully something good will come out of that. =)

Saw this on Yahoo.....

10 Ways to Improve Your Memory--we could all use a little help, right?

1. Move It or Lose It
As if fitting into your skinny jeans weren't motivation enough, working out also raises levels of essential neuro-proteins, which "lead to more brain cells that are better connected," says physician Mark Hyman of Lenox, Mass. "It's like Miracle-Gro for the brain." For best results he recommends 30 minutes of vigorous cardio activity, four to six times a week.

2. Sip Some Red
Don't wait for your next spa visit to indulge in vino-therapy: Studies show that drinking red wine in moderation (no more than one glass daily for women) slows the buildup of plaque in the brain, which can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

3. Stop Stressing!
Attention, Type A personalities: Put down that Blackberry and strike a downward dog pose. If you don't learn how to relax, stress hormones will shrink your brain's memory center, the hippocampus.

4. Ban the Sugar
Wish you could wipe last night's sugar binge from your memory? Keep it up and you might be in luck. "It's clear that sugar and refined carbohydrates, like those found in processed foods, cause cognitive damage and memory impairment," says Hyman. In fact, diabetics are four times more likely than nondiabetics to suffer from dementia.

5. Curry Favor
Flavor isn't the only reason to expand your spice rack. Studies found that turmeric -- the yellow spice that gives curry its distinctive color -- increases brain function when eaten at least once every six months. To reap the benefits, Dr. Andrew Weil suggests stirring one level teaspoon into soups and stews.

6. Close Your Eyes
You snooze, you lose? Not when it comes to your brain. A study at Harvard Medical School showed that a 45-minute nap of non-REM sleep boosts recall of information.

7 Skip the Edamame
Soy has its virtues, but aiding memory isn't one of them, say researchers at Oxford and Loughborough universities in England. A recent study concluded that eating two or more servings of soy products each day can decrease memory function by as much as 20 percent, particularly among vegetarians and elderly women.

8. Be a Social Butterfly
Say goodbye to Sudoku, hello to your BFF. A University of Michigan study found that talking to another person for 10 minutes increases your memory as much as doing a brainteaser.

9. Binge on Blueberries
The food equivalent of flash cards, this popular fruit improves short-term memory better than other antioxidant-rich foods, such as kale, spinach and strawberries, according to scientists at Tufts University. Experts say one cup a day is all you need for the brain boost.

10. Get Scent Smart
Set the mood, yes. But who knew lighting candles could help you learn French? "Our studies show that smelling a mixed floral scent increases the speed of learning by 17 percent," says Chicago neurologist Alan Hirsch. Subjects in the experiment sniffed freesia, gardenia, lilac and rose, but almost any blend will do (we like Belle Fleur's new floral candles). Just skip lavender blends, says Hirsch. They adversely affect learning speed.

Getting organized!

The start of a new semester is approaching too fast! I spent all day yesterday going through old binders, notes, powerpoints, etc. in an effort to get organized! I am starting to feel really good about this semester for some reason. Maybe it is because I know I will graduate this year and can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, or if it is because there is a chance we may only have to go to school two days a week this time. (don't know the schedule yet!) At any rate, I am organized and ready to go. =)

Florida Pictures!

Here are a few pictures!
Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center

Umm....the Incredible Hulk perhaps????

View from our condo

Daniel and Ericka having fun!

Sandcastle that Ericka helped to build.

One of the cool stores across the street from condo

Daytona Beach
Stunt show at Hollywood Studios

The buildings you see are made of plaster...it looked so real!

Hollywood Studios

Ooops! How did we end up at Universal Studios??

At least I took a group picture there!

Daniel--after being attacked by a gecko. I guess they all aren't like the ones on the commercial! =)

The pool!

Two of the four geckos that were captured.

In the process of capturing geckos!

A visit to the flea market! I bought fuzzy socks there!

And yes, the FLOWBEE!

Our Florida Vacation

Our view from the airplane!

**We all had a great time in Florida this year. Of course, we can't ever go without someone in the family getting sick. This time it wasn't me. The morning of our flight Kaitie was at my bedside screaming and crying hysterically because she had a bad earache...four hours before our flight. I called the doctor's answering service and luckily was able to get her some medicine, although she cried during most of the flight. Poor thing. Good thing kids bounce back pretty easily.

**There are geckos in Florida....everywhere. Of course, the kids loved catching them, but Daniel was a little afraid of them. The video Daniel took of him being attacked by the gecko was submitted to America’s Funniest Home Videos…..I couldn’t resist. **Ok, so anyone heard of a Flowbee? Well, sure enough, Tim's mom bought one just so Tim could cut her hair. I didn't think people used those anymore! You should have seen the look on her face when she thought Tim have shaved her bald. **Tim's mom had reward credit to use at any Disney Theme Park. I planned the trip and had printed the address out to put into the GPS. Well, no one told me that Universal Studios and Hollywood Studios were NOT THE SAME THING. We paid to park two vehicles, walked who know how long to the entrance gate just to find out we were not at a Disney Park. Ooops, talk about feeling stupid. We did make it to DISNEY'S Hollywood Studios just in time for lunch. =) It was a good day though. The park is very interesting! It is a kind of "behind the scenes" movie making adventure park! We saw a lot of movie props and a stunt show!

**It was weird having Christmas in Florida....it was 82 degrees that day. We went to Daytona Beach and spent two nights there. The beach was wonderful and the weather was a little cloudy and rainy the first day, but it cleared up. We stayed in a very nice condo on the 14th floor. It was roomy and perfect for our large family. One bathroom was rough, but we made it! Corey started to get a sore throat and I could tell he was going to need antibiotics...luckily there was a Wal-greens right across the street, so we "nipped it in the butt" as he says.

**We shopped at some neat “beach” stores and took some fun pictures. We spent $52 for breakfast at Denny’s across the street. Ouch! That is what we get for taking seven people to breakfast! **We rented golf carts and rode all the way down the beach and back. It is amazing what you see.......side note: I do not know the unsuspecting man in the green "buns o steel" shorts. (see pic!)

**The security at the Orlando Airport is a little stressful. Especially when a 15 year old doesn’t listen. Daniel tried to walk through the metal detector with an ipod and cell phone in his pocket….ummm….that is scary. So, he took the cell phone out and walked through again, leaving the ipod in his pocket. I thought the security guy was going to give Daniel some flashlight therapy!

**Overall, this was a nice family vacation and I will be ready to do it again in say like five years?!