Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Dear Europe
The new "stats" feature on Blogger has allowed me to see where some of my readers are located. It has indicated recent readers from Russia, Spain, Latvia and Slovenia. I would very much like to know how you got to my little blog. Are you trying to find something and can I help you find it? Or are you just surfing the world wide web? If so, I hope you have enjoyed your visit.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Bonafide
I have worked my way through my College of Nursing acceptance to do list. I had to sign up for my background check, do some online HIPAA training, get med records for my immunizations, etc. The real important thing was to deliver my signed letter of intent and check for tuition down payment, which I did Friday afternoon. Its official, I'm going to school. I am finally on my way to being a nurse.
The next big step for me is to tell my boss, which I'm going to do today at our 10:30AM meeting. I'm going to plant a seed for her to let me stay on as a part-timer. If not, a'CNA-ing I shall go. Then I need to get my packet turned in for the scholarship. Honestly, I kind of hope I don't get it so I don't have to be tied down here for another 5 years by force. But then again, I can't say no to free monies. Such a whore for nursing school. :)
In other news: Jeanette Walls is coming to Lexington this week to do a talk/benefit event for the Hope Center. If you haven't read her bio, The Glass Castle, please go do so immediately. Her's is an incredible story and is heartbreaking and inspiring all in one. If I had been an English teacher it would be required reading for middle/high school students.
More to share...later.
Love,
Molly
The next big step for me is to tell my boss, which I'm going to do today at our 10:30AM meeting. I'm going to plant a seed for her to let me stay on as a part-timer. If not, a'CNA-ing I shall go. Then I need to get my packet turned in for the scholarship. Honestly, I kind of hope I don't get it so I don't have to be tied down here for another 5 years by force. But then again, I can't say no to free monies. Such a whore for nursing school. :)
In other news: Jeanette Walls is coming to Lexington this week to do a talk/benefit event for the Hope Center. If you haven't read her bio, The Glass Castle, please go do so immediately. Her's is an incredible story and is heartbreaking and inspiring all in one. If I had been an English teacher it would be required reading for middle/high school students.
More to share...later.
Love,
Molly
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Grit-ing My Teeth
Hi, my name is Molly and I'm real excited about the Coen brothers' remake of True Grit:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/true-grit/1430122/trailers
I'm not big on remakes these days. But if this one had to be made, I'm sure as hell glad it was done by these boys. I believe John Wayne would agree.
Have a nice day.
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/true-grit/1430122/trailers
I'm not big on remakes these days. But if this one had to be made, I'm sure as hell glad it was done by these boys. I believe John Wayne would agree.
Have a nice day.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Little Sister
Little Sis has her big recital tonight. Baby girl, we wish you the best and
we'll be with you in spirit.
we'll be with you in spirit.
Live boldly, be courageous and seize the day. You'll always make me proud, no matter what you do. Just keep being you.
Big love,
Sissy
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Fortune Cookie
I grabbed a few things from the pantry and threw them in my bag on the way out with Bebe today. One of those things was a fortune cookie from take-out weeks ago. I know Bebe likes them, so there. After our mall adventures, I loaded her into the car and took a moment before heading off to the groceria. I cracked open the fortune cookie, gave her half and I took the rest. It read as follows:
Stop worrying and take a chance. Poignant, no?
I'll take it,
Molly
P.S. Thanks to Little Sister for her wise words. You are right.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Money Sucks or Its Molly's Friday
Yesterday I had a bit of a panic attack about the prospect of going back to school full time, quitting my job and taking on about 70K in debt in two short years, followed by my husband going back to law school and taking on another 30K, at least. Lets punch the numbers:
1. 70,000 (Me) + 30,000 (Hubby) = $100,000 in student loan debt when we currently only have about $5K.
2. Lets pretend that in 5 years my husband and I have both finished school and have successfully obtained jobs in our chosen fields. Not only do we still have a mortgage and car payment (let alone every day living expenses) we have $100,000 in combined student loans to pay down. So have we really improved our living situation? I don't know.
3. I'm scared to take this on at this point in my life. Many of my friends say, "Just do it, its what you want. You'll regret it." That's a real easy thing to say when you don't have a kid to think about. And baby, we do.
In closing: If we both go back to school, we'll both potentially have that career satisfaction thing going for us. I just wish there was a way to do it that wouldn't force us into $100K debt. Which brings us to our next point: There is a school about 20 minutes from my house that has a nights/weekends track nursing program. I'm not real clear on all of the details, but hope to speak to someone today or tomorrow. It might be the solution I'm yearning for. Its a possibility.
Meanwhile, back on the farm: Today is my Friday! Woot! Tomorrow just cleaning and baking and enjoying not being here.
Have a great weekend, nerds!
Molly
1. 70,000 (Me) + 30,000 (Hubby) = $100,000 in student loan debt when we currently only have about $5K.
2. Lets pretend that in 5 years my husband and I have both finished school and have successfully obtained jobs in our chosen fields. Not only do we still have a mortgage and car payment (let alone every day living expenses) we have $100,000 in combined student loans to pay down. So have we really improved our living situation? I don't know.
3. I'm scared to take this on at this point in my life. Many of my friends say, "Just do it, its what you want. You'll regret it." That's a real easy thing to say when you don't have a kid to think about. And baby, we do.
In closing: If we both go back to school, we'll both potentially have that career satisfaction thing going for us. I just wish there was a way to do it that wouldn't force us into $100K debt. Which brings us to our next point: There is a school about 20 minutes from my house that has a nights/weekends track nursing program. I'm not real clear on all of the details, but hope to speak to someone today or tomorrow. It might be the solution I'm yearning for. Its a possibility.
Meanwhile, back on the farm: Today is my Friday! Woot! Tomorrow just cleaning and baking and enjoying not being here.
Have a great weekend, nerds!
Molly
Friday, October 1, 2010
Remembering....er Rambling about Christmas
There are a few distinct memories that stick out about Christmas from when I was a little girl. Prepare for rambling...
My dad owns a small construction company and he did bigger projects when I was a little girl, houses, restaurant remodels, etc. So he and mom would usually host a small company Christmas party every year. He'd invite all the boys that worked for him, a few clients, neighbors, friends, family, etc. There would be cold beverages, hot Italian olives, crackers, sliced Italian meats, mom's hot crab dip, one of those cheese balls rolled in pecans and sometimes mom would get this little crock filled with really yummy cheese. She had to order it from a catalog and it was coveted in our house.
I remember the glow of the freshly mopped hardwood floors, lights down low until the guests started showing up, fire in the stone fireplace rolling. Dad would be shined up and in his dress jeans, cowboy boots and nice button up shirt. Mom would have her hair all fixed (blonde, hot rolled and feathered to perfection) and dressed in something casual but festive. The Christmas tree would be completely covered in lights and ornaments and shining in the window. I remember this little candle holder that mom had that was a little stained glass Christmas tree that you set a tea light candle behind. I would just sit and look at that thing. I remember how the light from the candles, tree, etc would reflect off the floors and windows. Such a warm feeling.
I also remember all the preparation at church for the big Christmas play every year. It was always such a nightmare (for our youth leader, Martha) getting the kids to settle down and run through the script. I remember making Chrismons (ornaments) out of white Styrofoam plates cut into shapes and then decorated with silver and gold glitter, pipe cleaners and other shiny things. So sparkley on the tree with white lights. And the advent candles, a new one lit every week at church leading up to Christmas by an individual or family who would read a little reading. Ahhh, and the Christmas cantata by the choir (of all little, old people), led by the fabulous Greta Mae. Some years good, some years not good. There was an older couple in the choir that were operatic and they held them together. There was also the ever dramatic piano player, Laverna. She was a bit up tight, but she could play with religion, flare and more flourishes than you could ever imagine. No one played those old hymns like she could and no one every will.
I remember all of us watching Christmas Vacation about 2-3 times while we put up the tree at home, usually the day right after Christmas. Dad did the lights until I took over in middle or high school. I remember him getting frustrated again and I kicked him out and took over. After that he took over the outside lights. Dad is our exterior illumination expert. He taught me everything I know. Heh.
I remember Grandma and Grandpa's house. They had one of those giant stereo systems that looked like a piece of furniture. It had a record player and an 8 track player hidden in side. She always played this one tape called Christmas Bells or something to that effect. It was so pretty to listen to in the living room. I remember driving up to the house and seeing the little electric candles in the windows. She always used the colored bulbs, very old fashioned. She still does it. She also used to tape this Santa doll to the bottom banister of the stairs. It would constantly get knocked off, but it would always end up back up there with masking tape on the bottom of his black boots. She was very determined. I think she has a new Santa now, but its not the same.
I remember the glow of the freshly mopped hardwood floors, lights down low until the guests started showing up, fire in the stone fireplace rolling. Dad would be shined up and in his dress jeans, cowboy boots and nice button up shirt. Mom would have her hair all fixed (blonde, hot rolled and feathered to perfection) and dressed in something casual but festive. The Christmas tree would be completely covered in lights and ornaments and shining in the window. I remember this little candle holder that mom had that was a little stained glass Christmas tree that you set a tea light candle behind. I would just sit and look at that thing. I remember how the light from the candles, tree, etc would reflect off the floors and windows. Such a warm feeling.
I also remember all the preparation at church for the big Christmas play every year. It was always such a nightmare (for our youth leader, Martha) getting the kids to settle down and run through the script. I remember making Chrismons (ornaments) out of white Styrofoam plates cut into shapes and then decorated with silver and gold glitter, pipe cleaners and other shiny things. So sparkley on the tree with white lights. And the advent candles, a new one lit every week at church leading up to Christmas by an individual or family who would read a little reading. Ahhh, and the Christmas cantata by the choir (of all little, old people), led by the fabulous Greta Mae. Some years good, some years not good. There was an older couple in the choir that were operatic and they held them together. There was also the ever dramatic piano player, Laverna. She was a bit up tight, but she could play with religion, flare and more flourishes than you could ever imagine. No one played those old hymns like she could and no one every will.
I remember all of us watching Christmas Vacation about 2-3 times while we put up the tree at home, usually the day right after Christmas. Dad did the lights until I took over in middle or high school. I remember him getting frustrated again and I kicked him out and took over. After that he took over the outside lights. Dad is our exterior illumination expert. He taught me everything I know. Heh.
I remember Grandma and Grandpa's house. They had one of those giant stereo systems that looked like a piece of furniture. It had a record player and an 8 track player hidden in side. She always played this one tape called Christmas Bells or something to that effect. It was so pretty to listen to in the living room. I remember driving up to the house and seeing the little electric candles in the windows. She always used the colored bulbs, very old fashioned. She still does it. She also used to tape this Santa doll to the bottom banister of the stairs. It would constantly get knocked off, but it would always end up back up there with masking tape on the bottom of his black boots. She was very determined. I think she has a new Santa now, but its not the same.
I remember the first year Santa meant anything to my little sister. When I was little, my ass was up at 5am to see if Santa had come and what I got under the tree. So of course, I was sure that she'd be all up in that as well. Nowadays, my sister is known far and wide as a "heavy sleeper" (see comatose), so it took a bit if rousing. But she was into it once we were down stairs. It was magic. I can't wait to see Lilly's eyes this year on Christmas morning. But I promise I won't wake her up at 5AM.
I hate to admit it, but this year was the first time I started to imagine what it would be like to have Christmas in my own house. I know that's not likely anytime soon. I think my mom would come down here, pack our bags and drag us home if I tried it. But someday, it might happen. For now, I'll continue to relive the old days at mom and dad's house. It suits me just fine.
Merry Christmas,
Molly