Tawnibird's Ramblings

Been a while...

2009-02-23T21:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realize it's been a LONG while but it's ok, I'm here now. :o) So...happy exciting news...I FINALLY submitted my passport application on Feb 4th, and to my great astonishment, I received my passport just 10 days later! And in other great news...I filed taxes today! Between Federal and State I'll be getting enough back to pay for the cruise I have in mind!!! What cruise is that you may ask?? Well...it's a 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise leaving from Puerto Rico and visiting St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Kitts. I'M SOOOO STOKED!! Now I'm just hoping to have at least one person be able to join me on this adventure!

What else have I been up to in my absence from blogland...
Work...we finally hit our busy season about a month ago so I've started putting in extra hours of sucking out baby boogies and otherwise saving lives.
Working out...I'm still going to the gym (although not as regularly as I need to), but generally at least twice a week. I'm down about 12 lbs or so. It's not much, but I can feel the difference already. AND...the comments/compliments I get from friends feels great too!
Expanding my social life...I've actually gone hiking TWICE, can you believe it? TWICE in the last couple weeks. On the 14th I hiked Hieroglyphic Springs on the south end of the Superstition Mtn
Sorry, I didn't actually take any pics of the hieroglyphs or the springs...I was too busy chattin it up with some new peeps.
This last Saturday, I hiked the north side of the Superstitions to The Massacre Grounds.

I haven't been hiking in like, THE LONGEST TIME, so even though these weren't long hikes or even considered very difficult, it was still an accomplishment for me!

Well folks, I think that's about it for now.

Celebrity

2008-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

I copied this from a couple friends on Facebook...some funny, some just...??? Feel free to try it out yourself and see how yours turns out!

1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the memo as well as the person you got the note from.

What is your motto?
"I Just Want to Dance With You"

What do your friends think of you?
"American Honky-Tonk Bar Association" (wow, that's scary, I need new friends!)

What do you think about very often?
"(This One's Gonna) Leave a Mark"

What is 2+2?
"Dry Country Girl"

What do you think of your best friend?
"Take Me Down" (like I said, I need new friends!)

What do you think of the person you like?
"You've Got a Way"

What is your life story?
"The Sweetest Thing"

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"When I Close My Eyes"

What do you think when you see the person you like?
"Somewhere In The Sun"

What do your parents think of you?
"Follow Me"

What will you dance to at your wedding?
"I Do (Cherish You)"

What will they play at your funeral?
"Back In My Arms Again"

What is your hobby/interest?
"Who Will Roll The Stone Away"

What is your biggest secret?
"The Truth About Me"

What do you think of your friends?
"When You're With Me

What’s the worst thing that could happen?
"Neon Moon"

How will you die?
"The Change" (Ok, I'm afraid to ask WHICH change)

What is the one thing you regret?
"Hard Workin' Man"

What makes you laugh?
"I'm Little but I'm Loud"

What makes you cry?
"Leap of Faith"

Will you ever get married?
"Boston"

What scares you the most?
"When You Love Soemone" (yeah, can be scary!)

Does anyone like you?
"Once Upon A Time (Storybook Love)"

If you could go back in time, what would you change?
"Bye Bye"

What hurts right now?
"When I Think About Angels"

What will you post this as?
"Celebrity"

Heeeeellllooooooo GYM!

2008-11-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

For a while now I've been talking about getting in better shape and stuff. I say "talking" because I really haven't DONE much to make it happen. I have cut back on the soda intake and generally take the stairs at work instead of the elevator (and I work on the 4th floor), which gives me generally twice up and twice down. Other than that, I haven't done much of anything...until today!! A week ago 24hr Fitness openend a gym a few miles away and guess what I did?!! YEP! I joined today!! PLUS, I signed up for 5 personal training sessions! I've never worked with a personal trainer before so I'm hoping to have better results! I'm really excited because this gym has way more than just your average equpiment. They have pool, jacuzzi, suana, steam room, full-size basketball court (ok not that I'll be using THAT), a "cycling" room (may eventually get to that, but not in the beginning), and another group training class where I'm hoping to get in on some Yoga, Step, Salsa, and maybe Pilates classes. My first session with the trainer is Monday morning! Wish me luck! hehe

Work

2008-10-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Work the last 3 nights has been really rough. My floor is piloting our new electronic medication record and I'm not convinced it's a good change. For decreasing potential errors, it's great. It's also great for making nurse's lives a living h***. There are so many bugs in the system it's sad. And unfortunatley I can see where it's making the chance of some med errors greater than before. Needless to say, it's been pretty stressful. Last night for the first time I actually was SO overwhelmed that I almost burst out in tears. Thank heavens for my supervisor and supervisor in training that were there last night and helped me out a great deal. I actually managed to walk out of the hospital just after 8am instead of 9am like yesterday morning.
I was looking forward to having a few days off before going back Monday night, but thanks to a coworker needing to adjust her schedule, I now am enjoying not going back until Wednesday night! Anybody wanna play?!

2008-09-23T02:55:00.000-07:00

Hey strangers. It's been a while since I've posted anything, but that's really because nothing is going on except that beginning yesterday, my girl Connie and I started our new goal to get into better shape. I won't really call it a diet, but eating healthier and excercising more. Hope it works!!!

Phone Upgrade

2008-08-09T02:04:00.000-07:00

For quite a while I've been thinking about upgrading my cell phone to some type of PDA phone. Well, today I finally did it, I got a Blackberry Curve...and it might be a good thing I have 30 days to change my mind. lol This thing is SOOO aggravating. It's so much more high tech than any other phone I've had and I totally don't understand so much. I did FINALLY figure out how to get the media card in (after like 30-45 minutes of trying/searching the stupid manual). I have my main email address setup to receive email to my blackberry, I think I figured out some basic texting stuff (although that's still confusing to me), I'm pretty good with the calendar feature, and I've figured out how to assign custom ringtones for my address book. Now I want some cool ringtones for everyone but don't want to pay like 3 bucks a song. Anybody know if there are any reputable sites that offer FREE ringtones??

Birthdays Breaking Dawn and other Ramblings

2008-08-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

So, at Connie's request I'm blogging about my birthday, unfortunately you need to be prepared to be bored. I worked Thursday night so I got off at like 7:30 the morning of my birthday. After getting home mom took me to Denny's for birthday breakfast. That was kind of interesting, given that the waitress was training a couple new people and she was just umm...weird. Anyway, we then went to Scrapbooks Etc for like the 4th time that week (5th time for mom I think). After getting home I was pretty exhausted so I hit the sack because I was supposed to go out with a friend later to celebrate. Unfortunately neither of us felt up to celebrating. Instead, we went out to Graham Central Station Saturday night and met up with a couple friends. Fortunatley no nasty drunk guys hitting on us and overall we enjoyed ourselves. So, really not much exciting. And Connie...I'll NEVER be OLD, like you. lol In light of my not so exciting 29th...I'm going to start planning a CRUISE for my 30th. Anybody wanna join?!

In other news...I finished reading Breaking Dawn this morning. Holy cow does Stephanie Meyers ROCK or what?! I still think Twilight was probably the best, but this one was pretty good too! I can't wait for the Twilight movie to come out in December!

And umm...Sarah tagged me a few days ago but I don't have time to respond right now so maybe tomorrow...stay tuned!

New Ride

2008-08-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

Ok so I finally took the picture I needed...a week late. My little truck served me well for 8 years (until the AC quit and started having transmission problems within the last 9 months or so) but it was time to trade up. So bye bye little putt putt

And hello NEW RIDE!! My pretty White Diamond Pearl (yes, it's blingy in person) 2008 Honda Accord V6 EX-L. Oh yeah...let the drooling commence! Happy Graduation, Congrats on passing state nursing boards, Happy early birthday TO ME!!

Didn't win :o(

2008-07-30T22:17:00.000-07:00

I didn't win this week. boohoo! I guess I'll get over it eventually..........Ok, I'm over it. I haven't seen the page that won yet because whoever is taking the pics and posting on the store blog forgot their camera today.
Speaking of cameras and pictures, I didn't get the pic I needed today...so happy news still to come....maybe tomorrow.

Round 2

2008-07-30T00:57:00.000-07:00

Here are the pages I submitted today/yesterday (Tuesday) for the final round of Scrapbooking Olympics...

Turning these in turned out to be a bit wild and crazy. While in the store about to check out we hear screaching tires a couple bangs and then a LOUD metal crunching bang....and then the power went out. I threw my purse back onto the cart with mom and took off running out the door. Just a short ways past the small shopping center was a truck smashed head-on into a power pole. Me...being all new grady nurse like 'n stuff...ran up there to help out. There was already a guy on scene who apparently was an off-duty fireman who was trying to stabalize the guy's neck in case of spinal injury. The guy was conscious and breathing and could move his arms and legs so I felt pretty useless at this point. Once the on-duty firemen arrived I was more than ready to step back. And my thanks for trying to be a good sam...hacking up a lung and nearly puking my brains out on the side of the road....all thanks to the ever wonderful airbag powder that I inhaled while trying to help keep the guy stable and calm.

More exciting news to follow...when I remember to take a picture I need. :o)

I WON!! I WON!!

2008-07-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

I totally can't believe it!! One of my pages ("Cousins") won the Scrapbooks Olympics for this week! I'm totally stoked!!!! Other than my 2 other entries, there were some other really cute pages submitted so that makes me feel so much happier too. So often I feel like some of my pages look like crap, it's nice to create something so cute and have total strangers recognize your work!! GO ME, GO ME! lol

Now I need to get back to creating for the next round!! I'll probably post them next week before I turn them in.

Peace out for now!

Scrapbooking Olympics

2008-07-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

So, the scrapbook store I frequent (too frequently), Scrapbooks Etc., has been doing a scrapbook page contest this month they've titled The Scrapbook Olympics. After seeing the pages that were submitted/won the first 2 weeks...I decided mine certainly couldn't be any worse and so I decided to join in. Today I submitted 3 pages for this week's contest. The winner will be announced/notified tomorrow and gets a $25 SE giftcard. Here are the pages I submitted...

They look SOO much cuter in person! I've already completed 1 page for next week's contest and will hopefully get a few more done.

P.S. Leslie if you're reading this...I've been meaning to ask you for some pictures you took of Layna in her baptism dress. I may have you add them to my Walmart Photo account so I can size and print. :o)

What Flavor are YOU?

2008-07-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

I'm black raspberry...what flavor are you?

You may call me....NURSE Tanya!!!

2008-06-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

WAHOOOOOO!!!! The results are in...and I'm officially an RN!! Now...SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

I would ramble more but I have my 3rd of 3 in a row 12 hour shifts tonight and I'm a little beyond exhausted. :o)

Peace out,
Tanya Smith, RN

State Nursing Boards...the WAIT begins

2008-06-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so for anybody who's interested...I FINALLY took state boards this morning!!! I was kinda keeping it a secret because I didn't want a bunch of people asking me if I was getting nervous and stuff. The test can be anywhere between 75 and 265 questions. The difficulty of each question is changed based on whether your previous answer was right or wrong. I ended up taking the minimum of 75 questions!!

Now the wait begins to find out the results. I figure the earliest I'll know will be Monday evening but that's probably a stretch. It may not be until Tuesday or Wednesday.

So...if a week goes by and there's no post from me...I'm probably drowning my sorrows. lol

Grandma Jarman's Funeral

2008-06-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today was Grandma Jarman's funeral. It was really beautiful. There were tears, chuckles, outright laughs, but most importantly, there was peace. I know that Grandma has been reunited with her parents and brother who have gone on before. I'm sure it's a joyful reunion.

Grandma looked so beautiful and royal!

Grandma's favorite colors were the colors of the rainbow. It was only fitting to have bright, vibrant flowers. (Mom says there was a rainbow in the southwestern sky last night just as the public viewing was beginning.)

Mom's siblings and Grandpa Jarman

You are loved and already missed Grandma

2008-06-24T02:50:00.000-07:00

So, I'm really not good at this blogging thing, but I thought I'd add my two cents in memory of my beloved Grandma Jarman who left our world for one much better this last Saturday morning. I have so many fond memories of spending time with her at the house on Palm Lane, her craft store, the Gilbert house, and Thanksgivings/Vacations at the cabin in Pinetop.

I think we take for granted the time we have with those we love, thinking they'll always be there. Even though I did take the chance to visit her more often over the last year or so than previous years, I still regret that I didn't take the opportunity to visit her MORE often and get to know her even better.

I remember a few years back that I was asked to "grandma sit" while grandpa was in the hospital or something. I felt so weird having nobody there but me and grandma, and yet I cherish the memory that I was able to share the short time with her. I remember that being the first time I told her the one thing I wanted absolute most (knowing her health was declining) was for her to be at my wedding someday (whenever that would be). Then, a year ago when we thought she would be leaving us, I visited with her and reminded her that it was still the one thing I wanted most, and that I wanted her to let me know she was there. So Saturday, as I said my final goodbye before her body was taken away, I gave one final reminder that I want her to be at my wedding and to let me know she's there.

I already miss her so much, but I think what breaks my heart the most is seeing my Grandpa Jarman and the pain and sadness I can sense in his face, in his eyes. He tries to joke about it, but the loss of his companion of 62 years or so is written in his face. And it hurts just as much to watch my mom and her pain of losing her mother.

I'm thankful for the knowledge I have that families are forever, that Grandma is in a better place and reunited with members of her family that she's missed for a long time, and that I WILL see her again someday and be able to give her the biggest hug!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Grandma in her later years. I think it captured so much in her expression and mom's. (Thank you Leslie for capturing this priceless memory for all of us!)

I love you mom, I love you Grandma!

And there was great CHEERING and REJOICING!!!!

2008-04-09T21:33:00.000-07:00

So this is my first attempt at blogging. I don't know that I'll have much to say about my crazy life except that today I am one step closer to my goal of becoming an RN!! The results are in...and I passed my block 4 nursing final!! Can I get a big fat WAHOO!!!!! Now I have to get through a month of precepting to reach graduation and then it's state nursing boards.

HUGE sigh of relief!!