It's a merry belated Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas
and in the Arkansas fog
not a creature was stirring,
not even a dog.

The stockings were filled
with plush squeaky toys
that delighted the dogs
and filled rooms with noise.

I needed my coffee
there was no caffeine in sight
Poor Jenn hates the morning
cause she stays up all night.

We opened our presents
stacked under the tree
and examined them all
as we smiled with glee.

Then we piled up the wrappings,
to the trash they did go
and since it's Little Rock Christmas
I sure missed the snow.

The pictures were downloaded
to the desktop with care
and I posted them here
so my blog readers could share!

Yes, I know it's the 28th, but this morning was our family christmas. I worked nights all this week and I just couldn't imagine it being a "Christmas" without getting out of bed in the morning and opening gifts. BJ and I both did quite well with Santa this year which begs the question - how good are his sources for determining naughty and nice? Not to incriminate myself ... I'm just saying.

We all had stockings on the mantle, but all I mean us and the three dogs. For their Christmas breakfast, they each got a special canned dish as opposed to their normal kibble as well as a new toy in their stocking. Each dog took his/her toy and did their typical thing.

Oakley just held his in his mouth for hours
Cleo hoarded her's in her crate
and Tosca killed her's as quickly as possible.
The fur carnage will undoubtably be found in the carpet for days.

Of course the dogs weren't the only ones getting to play, we got some fun things as well. Some of the highlights include my furry dog slippers, BJ's new back massager, clothes for the both of us, candy, and a pretty red Kitchen Aide stand mixer!! (We've already used it to make cookies we were so excited to have it.) To see the rest of my album, click here. When it's all said and done, I feel that I've been very blessed this year by my family - including all the new additions!! - and my friends. It's been a very Merry Christmas indeed.

Happy Holidays to Everyone :)

Merry Christmas!

Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings!

Can you name the movie? Come on, it's Christmas - it's almost a gimme!!! :)

I'm working nights all through the holiday, but I got up early this afternoon and BJ and I lounged on the couch and watched our TIVO'ed version of It's a Wonderful Life before I had to get ready for work. Nothing says Christmas to me like watching that wonderful, nostalgic, Frank Capra classic.

The ending reminded me of an excellent SNL sketch back from the
days of Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Phil Hartman. Merry Christmas to everyone and please enjoy the "lost" ending to It's a Wonderful Life!!!

Evil Genius Christmas

This is completely, utterly bogarted from JJM's blog, but I HAD to share! If only I had the money, I would totally send this to someone (one possible victim who would love the sheer genius is my cousin Travis). You've got to check out this ebay auction, it's the best thing I've seen in a while!

In traditional Jenn fashion, I've waited until the last possible minute to shop. This year my excuse is that we moved right before Thanksgiving and have spent a RIDICULOUS amount of money since moving. I kept wanting to wait until the next paycheck ... then all of a sudden realized there are no more paychecks. This weekend I'm at the in-laws to be in Fayetteville and BJ and I were quite pleased that it was relatively uncrowded at the new outdoor mall in Rogers. We've managed to finish all of our shopping - well WE have but I haven't. I still haven't got BJ anything, but in my defense we're not celebrating until the 28th and I'm thinking my money will go so much farther if I wait until the day after Christmas!

Job Woes

Sorry folks but today is a day that I have to vent.
As a travel nurse, one of the benefits is that in general I don't get too involved in the local politics of a hospital, the staff vs. management conflicts, day shift vs. night shift, physician vs. nurse ... basically the nitty gritty that you are invested in when you are a staff member and that's *your* unit. I've worked at places that gave excellent care, places that the staff were awesome and friendly, and places that were downright scary (please for the love of god don't EVER take your child there!) with evil co-workers. As a traveler, I always have known that after my 13 week contract - I decide in the words of the famous song by The Clash "should I stay or should I go?" I had a list of places I wanted to see, and from talking to other travelers, recommendations of great hospitals to work for.

Now I'm in Arkansas ... and I'm getting married.

It completely changes the dynamic of my career.

When I started traveling, I was getting burned out on NICU (neonatal or newborn intensive care) and I thought that traveling would give me a fresh perspective. Most of my burnout was related to the environment in the unit where I was working - a very patriarchal unit with no autonomy for the nursing staff, and a very ineffective nurse administrator. Traveling really has been an awesome experience because I've learned a lot, incorporated new skills into my practice, and recovered some of the joy I have for taking care of my patients. When I get the chance to help a new parent learn how to take care of their baby, or am the first to sit down and actually explain - in words they understand - what is going on with their critically ill child, I can tell that I'm making a positive impact.

My current problem is that now I know I'm stuck here. Don't get me wrong, as far as personal life goes - I've never been happier. But no matter how hard I've tried in the past, I have a difficult time seeing my work as just a job to pay the bills. I am passionate about what I do and why I do it. Without going into details, we'll just say that my current assignment causes a lot of frustration. There are times where I'm able to just let it go and spend my 36 hours a week giving the best care that I can to my patients and ignoring the issues around me. Then there are times where all of the politics creep in, and I get frustrated by having zero autonomy and being treated like an idiot by the medical staff. If I were still just traveling, I'd be looking at the end date of my contract and thinking ... hmmmm, where to next? Now I'm geographically limited and even more limited by being in such a specialized field .

So I'll do my best to accept the status quo for the time being, but I'm sure one of these days I'll get myself into trouble, because when you know what's right, what's wrong and what's good practice - it's hard to just sit by.

Oooo, Pretty Lights!

Is it just me or has Christmas really creeped up on us? I kept feeling like I had TONS of time for shopping and all of a sudden I realize that it's next week - YIKES! Of course I'm working all through the holiday - scheduled for night shifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the night after. In lieu of that, BJ and I are celebrating after my three shifts so that I can actually enjoy it without being bone tired and needing to sleep all day.

This weekend we got in the holiday spirit by traveling down to Hot Springs to see the light display at Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was perfect weather for it, a nice wintry chill but no wind. We have been there before, but it was very cool to walk around and see all of the amazing lights wrapped around the landscape. They even had marshmallow roasting (they're always best if burned in my opinion) and hot chocolate and cider. Afterwards we drove through downtown Hot Springs - the lights there were anticlimactic after Garvan - then headed home and made microwave smores. The roasted marshmallows put a taste in my head that had to be fulfilled! Nothing is better than an almost exploding gooey marshmallow from the microwave ... I swear the irradiation make them even better!!

If you want to see the rest of the light pics, click here

Just a happy girl

It was foggy and overcast most of the day, it's two weeks to Christmas and so warm that I'm wearing a t-shirt and flip flops, our icicle lights just can't manage to make their way onto our rooftop, I haven't bought one present yet, and BJ killed a ginormous brown recluse spider in our garage yesterday and now I'm fearing an invasion.

Despite all this, as I as lounging on the couch early this evening next to my love, I realized that I'm more happy and content than I've ever been ... and quite simply - life is good.

(Here's a favorite pic I don't think I've ever posted)

mmmmmm .... cookies!

I'm sure I've mentioned at least once that I'm not much of a cook or baker or candlestick maker. What can I say? I never aspired to be the "little lady" or a stay at home type so I ignored Womanly Duties 101 in college. Despite this fact, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take part in a holiday cookie exchange. I mean cookie goodness and an opportunity to socialize in my adopted home town with someone other than BJ? What's not to love.

**And to clarify, I thoroughly enjoy spending time with BJ, but I've been here four months and have had no girl time since I really haven't made any of my own friends yet. Some of BJ's friends and spouses are kind enough to tolerate me - but given my crazy night shift schedule and my overall terrifying fear of socializing with strangers, it makes it hard to meet new people. **

So given my shortcomings in the kitchen and the need for six dozen cookies, I stuck with what I know best - no bake cookies. This picture makes it look like I hardly took any, but this was the second tub and wasn't filled. They're a recipe from my great-grandma Sophronia that I've made a few times before and in my opinion taste fabulous! Even though they're not baked they actually are rather labor intensive. I was hoping that BJ would help with the process, but alas he was snoring on the couch when the cookie laboring was needed.

Though I was tempted to say "Screw you" when he asked for some of the cookie bootie, there really is no way that I could eat a whole bucket full of cookies on my own without injuring myself in some fashion.

And even though it was a "ladies" kindof outing, BJ came along because he's good friends with the esteemed hostess and her charming other half . He regaled BJ with tales of how awesome it is to have a brand new MacBook Pro and later on when the guests left, they showed their true ages. Just goes to show - simple minds, simple pleasures which is why I love him so much :)

Lazy Days

I know I missed Thursday's trip down memory lane, but it was towards the end of three shifts in a row, and any nurse can attest to the fact that doing three 12 hours shifts back to back really sucks away your life. It's basically a matter of work, drive and sleep - and when you're on the night shift, it seems even worse. So I'll get it at it next week.

Today I'm in that completely lethargic mode that you have when you FINALLY have a day off. I got home about 7:50 a.m. this morning, hit the couch and then slept for about five hours and am still trying to wake up so that I can go be a productive member of society. I have stamps to buy, Christmas cookies to make, errands to run and all I can think about is curling up in my jammie pants on the couch and vegging out the rest of the day. It's overcast and has been raining outside which doesn't help the matter.

But I will resist the sloth!! I will actually put on real clothes and leave the house. For those not familiar, it has happened that I've been off a full two days and never once put on real clothes - I mean I do change my jammies and sweats - it's not like I'm hillbilly! but two full days can go by without me even leaving the house. That's the kind of exhaustion and anti-sociability that comes from saving lives. Or maybe I'm just a lazy ass?!?!?!

off I go ..

I feel pretty! Oh so pretty!

You know how sometimes I'm a vain blogger talking only about me, me, me?? ... though in retrospect isn't what most bloggers do? Write about their lives and their interests as a way to avoid irritating all of their friends and co-workers with banter that they don't care about?? It gives you an outlet to brag and expound and people only have to read it if they're interested.

With that in mind, I'm not going to feel guilty at all about this post ... Look at us, aren't we pretty?!?!? :)

We just got our pictures from our engagement photo shoot and I am SO HAPPY with how they turned out! Since this is my first (and last) engagement, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I've seen some that were clearly done in the Sears Portrait studio and have that stiff, formal look which is totally NOT me - or us for that matter.

We were very blessed that BJ has a good friend who is a full-time junior high teacher and part-time fabulous photographer! She was kind enough to offer to shoot these as a wedding gift and when asking us what we wanted, we just knew that we wanted it outdoors with Fall colors around.

She suggested the train cars which are down by the Arkansas River at the Big Dam Bridge, a place we are very familiar with since we run the trail there frequently.

It was very surreal looking at these pictures because I normally hate the way I look, especially on film. A few weeks back I posted a snapshot that I hated so much, it spurred me on to a weight loss and fitness transformation. When I saw these, all I could think was, "Wow, those make me look like I'm really hot!" I still don't believe I'm hot, or think it when I look in the mirror - but damn I LOVE these pictures! If you haven't already been bored to tears by all the ones I threw in this post, you can see more here. (broken link has been fixed ... sorry!)

and to not be soooo vain, I think BJ is handsome and adorable and sexy as well!!

A HUGE shout out to Amy Cary of Amy Cary Photography!! She does all types of portraits, engagement, family, children, babies, bridal - is awesome, sweet and very reasonably priced. If you're in the Little Rock metro area and interested, the link to her website is here.

Jingle Bell Rock!

You might be thinking, "Wow, Jenn hasn't blogged about running lately. I wonder how her training is coming?" Well the short answer is that my training has been supplanted by unpacking, decorating and all other sorts of working around the new house. I'm sure it's not the smartest thing to take two weeks off, but it's just the way it's happened so no point in going on about it.

Yesterday, BJ and I participated in the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis which is a national series of 5K events. I had signed up for it last year when I was living in Denver, but it was ridiculously cold and I had worked the night before so I skipped it. This time around, it was about 45 degrees and sunny when we left the house and by the end of the race I was wishing I hadn't worn long sleeves it was so warm! Since I hadn't been running lately I didn't approach it as a race. I went no watch, no heart rate monitor and in the end no timing chip (I lost it somewhere between my warm up run and the start of the race ... stupid zip ties!) I just wanted to go for a run, breathe the cool air and enjoy the atmosphere! Since I had no watch I had no clue how fast I was going, and I was actually shocked when I brought it in at just under 34 minutes on the finish clock. To be honest, I was going pretty slow and I didn't feel like running - if BJ hadn't been registered as well I would have stayed home.

I'm glad I went though, it was a pretty fun event with lots of costumes, santa hats and reindeer antlers. It was also one of the few family friendly races that welcomed jogging strollers and dogs. I didn't run in the hat because it's a little too loose, but we did have jingle bells on our shoes and my pony tail holders. So it was 3.1 miles of giddy up jingle horse pick up your feet, jingle around the clock. Mix and a mingle in the jingling feet, that's the jingle bell rock!