tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31576837827901631282024-03-04T21:37:09.893-08:00The Young Familybeckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-28189236864160550402011-11-26T16:25:00.000-08:002011-11-26T16:29:25.429-08:00another book teaser<span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >so</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >i went to my very first nanowrimo write-in today. i was nervous, didn't know what to expect, so i almost didn't. dan got home from work early, so i packed my binder of edits up and headed out.<br /><br />what had i been so afraid of? it was great talking to other people who were writing like crazy fiends, just like i am. people who just...get it. they realize the passion for writing, they own their passion, just like i do. i felt immediately accepted and it really inspired me to keep on keepin' on.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />Secrets of Truth</span><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />by Rebecca Young<br /></span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Who says you can't go back?</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After her father decides that life in Boston isn't all it's cracked up to be, Gabriella Hunter finds herself back in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, where she spent the ninth year of her life. Now at seventeen, she just can't seem to be able to let the friends from her past back in, not even her best friend, Cooper Linton. </span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gabriella can't figure out why everyone hates Cooper and his friends, and she can't understand why Jackson Palmer is so weird around her. How much can things change in eight years?</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">A lot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapter 5 Excerpt:</span><br /></span><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" ><br />“What are you talking about, Cooper?” I was suddenly uneasy. We were out in the middle of nowhere, my cell phone was in the Jeep and the way that Cooper was acting was making me very nervous. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">There are a lot of things about Cooper that not many people know…things that I can’t tell you, </i>Jackson’s voice whispered in the back of my mind.</span>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-46756405115613797242011-11-19T23:36:00.001-08:002011-11-19T23:54:54.322-08:003 AM MusingsIt's three in the morning.<br /><br />I don't have a sick baby, I haven't been partying like a rock star, I'm not studying for a test.<br /><br />So you ask, "Why, Beckie? Why are you awake at such an ungodly hour?"<br /><br />I'm getting myself ready for working nights. While it's just my practicum (*scoffs*-JUST my practicum), I am thinking that this is going to help me prepare for the inevitable night shift that I will have as a new graduate after taking the NCLEX next month.<br /><br />Next month? How the hell did that happen?<br /><br />Yeah, nursing school (at least the associate's degree part of it) is over. I finished my last ATI test Friday, had my last final the Friday before that. Now it's onto practicum on the Labor and Delivery floor.<br /><br />The hospital that I'm going to is 45 minutes away. And it's night shift. But I'm so freaking happy that I'm getting to work L & D that I don't care what the shift is! I don't care that I have to work until 0715 on my birthday, I get to help bring babies into the world! I am really hoping for a good experience, and for a chance to see that this is what I really do want to do with my life.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure that it is. I went into nursing school knowing I wanted to deliver babies. I'm leaving nursing school knowing that I want to deliver babies. Granted, I've picked up some other loves too - like pediatrics, oncology and that infatuation with how much a patient craps (seriously, it's an amazing assessment).<br /><br />I've made friends, I've lost friends, I've moved on, I've found myself. I've accomplished something that's pretty damn hard, with a husband and two kids depending on me.<br /><br />What's upcoming in the future? I don't know. I'm hoping that I will be able to get a job here, but thanks to the 8 different nursing schools in the area, I don't know if that will happen. Thanks to compact states, I can practice in 21 other states with my South Carolina license... New Hampshire being one of those states. I'd love to get my bachelor's degree ASAP, so I'm enrolling for two classes for the spring, just English and Spanish. There's an Assessment class I'd like to take over the summer, and depending on where I end up, I'd like to start my BSN work in the fall.<br /><br />My ultimate dream is to get my Master's at the University of Michigan (go blue), maybe even my doctorate- Dr. Young, anyone? I know it's a long way off, but my goal is by 35. My goal is to be out of college by the time Lindsey goes into college.<br /><br />Funny how time flies, right?beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-62526668957319537322011-11-07T06:30:00.001-08:002011-11-07T06:49:07.053-08:00Secrets of Truth - Chapter 4<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">gooooooood morning!<br /><br />i'm off from school today, snuggling up with my sick husband. the kids are off at school and i'm curled up in my pajamas watching "That's 70's Show" on netflix.<br /><br />i have lofty goals of cleaning out my kid's bedroom, mopping the kitchen floor and scrubbing toilets, but for now, i'm going to sip my coffee, wrap myself in a snuggie and bring y'all the next excerpt of my book...<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">THAT I FINISHED SATURDAY NIGHT!</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAE_Eb6f6t2Fcbjcok29EUIL0LfJguCcVZeyss7Qd9P9KmfBs7jLbuwB5qsFANYol9LiMooP9_9kp9JFfd36gL5bXq7aaoXak_W5soPJBptmqOwkmeRlYRJ__ybCmDyDitBrdvgK2MsE/s1600/CarltonDanceGIF.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAE_Eb6f6t2Fcbjcok29EUIL0LfJguCcVZeyss7Qd9P9KmfBs7jLbuwB5qsFANYol9LiMooP9_9kp9JFfd36gL5bXq7aaoXak_W5soPJBptmqOwkmeRlYRJ__ybCmDyDitBrdvgK2MsE/s320/CarltonDanceGIF.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672265737954581298" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">first round of edits begin today.</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />Secrets of Truth</span><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />by Rebecca Young<br /></span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Who says you can't go back?</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After her father decides that life in Boston isn't all it's cracked up to be, Gabriella Hunter finds herself back in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, where she spent the ninth year of her life. Now at seventeen, she just can't seem to be able to let the friends from her past back in, not even her best friend, Cooper Linton. </span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gabriella can't figure out why everyone hates Cooper and his friends, and she can't understand why Jackson Palmer is so weird around her. How much can things change in eight years?</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">A lot</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.<br /><br />Chapter 4 Excerpt:<br /><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" >Sputtering out a mouthful of snow, I looked up at Cooper who was doubled over from laughing at me. “What part of touch football is so hard for you to understand?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" >“Cheat to win, baby,” he said. “Are you okay?”</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" ></span>“I’m fine. Filthy cheater.” I spat, wiping the snow off my face. </p><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" ></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" >"</span><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;" >You missed some snow, right here…” he said, wiping his glove over my cheek. I stared into his dark eyes, so beautiful against his skin reddened from the cold. His face leaned closer to mine and he pushed a lock of hair away from my cheek. “Gabs…” he whispered, and I closed my eyes in anticipation of his kiss. </span></p> <p face="Calibri" size="11pt" style="margin: 0in; "><br /></p><p face="Calibri" size="11.0pt" style="margin:0in;">Chapter Word Count: 7828</p> <p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Book Word Count:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>26991</p>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-29881257799896183842011-11-06T07:42:00.000-08:002011-11-06T07:43:40.909-08:00Secrets of Truth - Chapter 3<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Secrets of Truth</span><span style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br />by Rebecca Young<br /></span><p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Who says you can't go back?</span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After her father decides that life in Boston isn't all it's cracked up to be, Gabriella Hunter finds herself back in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, where she spent the ninth year of her life. Now at seventeen, she just can't seem to be able to let the friends from her past back in, not even her best friend, Cooper Linton. </span></p> <p style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gabriella can't figure out why everyone hates Cooper and his friends, and she can't understand why Jackson Palmer is so weird around her. How much can things change in eight years?</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">A lot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chapter 3 excerpt:<br /><br /></span> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:Calibri;">I noticed that a few people were staring at us, but I couldn’t figure out why. Was it the whole “they never </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">hang with people not in their group thing”? Cooper didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he obviously didn’t </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">care because he just kept walking like everything was normal. I laughed at his ability to ignore everything around him and playfully bumped into him just as we got to my locker. I was shocked to almost </span></span><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">ricochet off him and suddenly go sprawling before he caught me around the waist.<br />“</span><span style="font-size:100%;">Gosh, you are like a human force field. I can’t even bump into you without being taken out,” I joked as I rubbed my shoulder and took off my coat. </span></span><br /></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><p style="margin: 0in; font-family:Calibri;font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chapter Word Count: 5454</span></p> <p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Book Word Count: 19163</span></p>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-57160195475827120512011-11-05T04:16:00.000-07:002011-11-05T04:16:00.144-07:00Secrets of Truth- Chapter 2<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 100%; font-family: georgia;">Secrets of Truth</span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: georgia;"><br />by Rebecca Young<br /></span><p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Who says you can't go back?</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">After her father decides that life in Boston isn't all it's cracked up to be, Gabriella Hunter finds herself back in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, where she spent the ninth year of her life. Now at seventeen, she just can't seem to be able to let the friends from her past back in, not even her best friend, Cooper Linton. </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gabriella can't figure out why everyone hates Cooper and his friends, and she can't understand why Jackson Palmer is so weird around her. How much can things change in eight years?</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A lot.<br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />Chapter 2 excerpt:</span></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt">“Cooper Linton is your study partner? He talks to you?” the red haired boy at the end asked. I was pretty sure that his name was Jason. </span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt">“Um, yeah?” I said timidly. Well, we had talked about studying together. Briefly, and at some point in the future. Actually, it had been more like a thought that had occurred in passing. 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You don’t want to hang out with them…any of them. They just aren’t like us,” Ashley said, sounding snotty and superior.<br /><br />Chapter Word Count: 7384<br />Book Word Count: 13709<br /></span>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-90515594243872305512011-11-04T08:08:00.001-07:002011-11-04T19:16:03.776-07:00I am WRITING again!<span style="font-size:100%;">It's November, which means that I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month, affectionately known as NaNoWriMo.<br /><br />Working on this:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Secrets of Truth</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />by Rebecca Young<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Who says you can't go back?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">After her father decides that life in Boston isn't all it's cracked up to be, Gabriella Hunter finds herself back in the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire, where she spent the ninth year of her life. Now at seventeen, she just can't seem to be able to let the friends from her past back in, not even her best friend, Cooper Linton. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Gabriella can't figure out why everyone hates Cooper and his friends, and she can't understand why Jackson Palmer is so weird around her. How much can things change in eight years?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">A lot.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chapter 1 excerpt:</span></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:16.0pt;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-mso-font-kerning: 14.0ptfont-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;" >I wanted to know what had happened to my first crush…what had happened that turned him from a sweet boy who would smile at me from under his bangs to this angry man who was more complex than a thousand-piece puzzle.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: 16pt;"><span style=";font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;" >I shook my head, wondering what his deal was, and then wondered why I cared. I got the things from my locker and then walked to the Jeep alone, trying not to pay attention to everyone standing around talking about me. I didn‘t understand why they didn‘t just ask? With a shiver and a sigh, I climbed in, dropped my backpack on the passenger seat, and started the car. I raised my cold hands to the vents, hoping the heat would start pumping soon. Once the car and my hands had warmed up, I pulled out of my parking spot, passing Jackson as he walked through the lot to wherever his car was. I glanced out my rearview mirror just before I pulled out of the parking lot, and saw him stop and look back at my car. I wondered if he knew it was me. Then, somehow, I figured he did.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:16.0pt;mso-line-height-rule: exactly;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-mso-font-kerning: 14.0ptfont-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;" >Chapter word count: 6118<br /></span></p>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-32068890967116128202011-08-06T08:10:00.000-07:002011-08-06T08:28:59.757-07:00Potty Training, Day 15For the most part, potty training has been a successful endeavor. Jake is now wearing underpants during the day (except nap time) and he's using his words to tell us that he has to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4CO3vXDO3Ij8XmPmp7Mfc1-hoyN333EWDh1xU_BdO3A3PdB902BwY3TQcbF_h4OZpu6C-enSEqxhwyY03BwIojsQU97LGl2yUcSGHNMxf8O63JtgidSocpQioRKGG8URQ6vfBeje48c/s1600/i+have+to+pee.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4CO3vXDO3Ij8XmPmp7Mfc1-hoyN333EWDh1xU_BdO3A3PdB902BwY3TQcbF_h4OZpu6C-enSEqxhwyY03BwIojsQU97LGl2yUcSGHNMxf8O63JtgidSocpQioRKGG8URQ6vfBeje48c/s320/i+have+to+pee.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637761592241464370" border="0" /></a><br />He reminds me of a patient that I had in my first clinical of nursing school. She had the awful sensation of always needing to pee (if that happens to me-shoot me) and would scream at the top of her lungs "I HAVE TO PEE! I HAVE TO PEE!" She didn't seem to realize that she had been catheterized and in fact, did not have to pee.<br /><br />Anywho, he was moved up into the 3rd level of the 2 year old class at his daycare, and he seems to be doing well there. We like the teacher a lot, and Jake seems to be very happy.<br /><br />Lindsey came home, and after two days of bliss where the two kids were so stoked to see each other that there was absolutely no fighting going on, shit hit the fan. They're still happy to be together, but they've been fighting and fighting and fighting...Jake doesn't want Linds to play with the trains, Linds doesn't want Jake to touch her books or her Nintendo, they can't agree on a television show...but I'm so stinkin' happy to have both my kids with me that any hair that has been torn out has been worth it.<br /><br />I passed my first RN level class. Nursing 222: the class of the devil. High-risk OB and high-risk psych together. I agree that many high-risk OB patients are also psych patients for the duration of their gestation, but why in the hell would they put those two classes together?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images6.cpcache.com/product/67763716v4_480x480_Front.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 227px;" src="http://images6.cpcache.com/product/67763716v4_480x480_Front.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bottom line, the class was hard as hell and I was lucky to make it out alive. Now I move on to Nursing 224, which focuses on cardiac and GI issues. I'll be learning how to place an IV, anyone wanna volunteer to help me practice??<br /><br />MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-27783767548782531972011-07-24T09:36:00.001-07:002011-07-24T09:52:34.949-07:00Potty Training, Day 3.Potty training Friday was okay. We had two "accidents"...and I say "accident" because I am almost positive that my evil child just wanted to change into a different pair of Thomas the Train unders. Then my in-laws came and took him for a couple of hours and since they were going out, I put him in Pull-Ups to make it easier on them. Probably a mistake.<br /><br />Day Two was so-so. He really seemed to be getting it, you know? I put Cheerios in the toilet and told him to get them. We went through only two pairs of unders, but we did run around naked for a while. When Dan came home, he was able to help out a little.<br /><br />Today is Day 3. And today sucks so far. We've had too many accidents to count, and I'm pretty sure he's clenching his butt cheeks together in an attempt to not poop.<br /><br />As far as Mommy goes: I haven't showered in three days, I haven't shaved, put contacts in or changed my clothes. I am resembling a hairy-pitted, stinky hippie feminist. My house hasn't been cleaned since Thursday, trash is piled up and dishes are overflowing from the sink because every single time I try to clean I hear "Mommy, I have to pee". Just during this blog post, I've been told "I HAVE TO GO POTTY!" three times.<br /><br />I'm pulling my freaking hair out. I'm exhausted, I have to finish a care plan and start doing notes but I can't even get into them because Jacob's tiny bladder will suddenly give him the urge to produce urine. No lie. As soon as I sit down.<br /><br />I need a drink.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-32218434464001639732011-07-22T06:28:00.000-07:002011-07-22T08:39:00.544-07:00Potty Training, Day 1.It's the moment that I have been waiting for since I changed my son's first meconium stained diaper. It's potty training day.<br /><br />I've been through mustard, seedy breastfeeding poops. I've been through the lime green poops my son gets every time he gets a tummy bug. I've been through the corn, the watery, the varying colors (hey. honey! come look at this purple crap that Jake just had!). I've been peed on more times than I can count, been grossed out by poo getting on my hand, and now it's time to say goodbye to diapers and the inevitable bag that a mom has to carry when her child is small.<br /><br />I'm armed with 14 pairs of underpants (Lightening McQueen and Thomas the Train), Cheerios for aiming practice, random treats that include some chocolate chips and Easter candy corn (what? I forgot to get a different kind of treat), Resolve for accidents that I'm sure will happen, and sheets for the furniture that I would like to sit on after this weekend is over.<br /><br />Pray for me.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-245636587721962252010-08-22T06:12:00.000-07:002010-08-22T06:19:54.409-07:00Psyched to be a Psych Nursing StudentI'm taking a break from my fifteen bajilliion pages of care plans to update my blog. I know I should get better, but I just don't really have the TIME.<br /><br />Between school, work and the kids, life is just hectic beyond belief. I'm trying to establish a routine, but I'm failing miserably. I don't know how I can make the most of my day. I need some kind of computer program or something that will give me a calendar. And I need to stop reading fanfiction so I can focus on actually doing responsible things.<br /><br />I haven't been able to write very much lately. I want to, but I just don't have the energy after I've been in school, worked five hours, taken care of two kids and done two hours of homework. I don't know how I can fit it into my day.<br /><br />Back to care plan. I'm hoping that I can come back on here later and update more.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-26915323795342574712010-06-25T10:15:00.001-07:002010-06-25T10:16:05.746-07:00YAY for a new design!My very good friend Penny did a new background and banner for my blog and I love it!<br /><br />In other news, school started again, so I'm too busy studying to blog.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-46650665533790008182010-06-02T13:46:00.000-07:002010-06-02T14:02:43.060-07:00junethree times of posting in one week is unheard of for me. just so you know.<br /><br />our memorial day weekend was uneventful. dan had to work, so it was just me and the kiddos. i tried to do some cleaning, but while i was doing some organizing, jake went and dumped all the fish food on the floor and threw a matchbox car on the floor. this was after he broke a jar of green beans on the floor. so i gave up.<br /><br />lindsey found her recorder. not that i had hid it from her but...well, let's just say that i hadn't gone out of my way to look for it. so she's been walking around the house alternately playing that or strumming on her guitar. i'm happy that she got the musical gene but dear god, i'd love it if she could actually play rather than just make sound.<br /><br />last night some of my friends from school came over for a barbecue. dan and vanessa's boyfriend kenny braved the rain and went out to use the gas grill by the pool for burgers and dogs. i made my yummy pasta and potato salads and some corn on the cob. vanessa and kenny brought cake, bonnie, jessica and mark brought appetizers, then kristin and christie brought chips. it was great. we ate and played apples to apples until almost midnight. the potato salad was well received. it's so easy that it's pathetic and i always get compliments on it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">beck's potato salad</span><br /><br />6-8 potatoes, peeled, cubed, boiled (about 10 minutes-ish)<br />6 hard boiled eggs, chopped into pieces<br />1 cup-ish mayonnaise (i kind of eyeball it, enough to coat)<br />1/4 cup mustard (again, eyeballed just until it begins to turn yellow)<br />salt and pepper to taste<br /><br />makes about 12 servings. and 1 serving equals about 209 kcals.<br /><br />so dan is at work again today and tomorrow, then we have a weekend with him all to ourselves. can't wait!beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-56204204075869719142010-05-30T15:25:00.000-07:002010-05-30T15:52:00.736-07:00two days in a row? that must be a record.nothing has happened, it was a rainy day today, just one of those blah days where you don't want to do anything. kids played, i read a little bit, watched some tv, fooled around on the internet.<br /><br />the reason i'm coming on here is to share my banana nut muffin recipe! YUM.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">beckie's best banana nut muffins</span><br /><br />Ingredients<table style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" border="0" cellspacing="3"> <tbody><tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">1/4</td> <td>cup butter, softened </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">1</td> <td>cup white sugar </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">1</td> <td> egg </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">3</td> <td> ripe bananas, mashed </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">2</td> <td>cups all-purpose flour </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">1</td> <td>teaspoon baking soda </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">1/2</td> <td>teaspoon salt</td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="50" align="right">1</td> <td>cup chopped walnuts</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Directions<ol><li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<br /><br /></li><li>In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and mashed bananas. Mix in flour, baking soda and salt just until combined. Mix in chopped walnuts.<br /><br /></li><li>Pour into muffin cups.<br /><br /></li><li>Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. If top begins to brown too quickly, decrease heat slightly. Center should be soft and chewy, while the outside, crisp and crunchy. Makes about 18 muffins<br /></li></ol><br />they are AWESOME, downside is one of them is 180 calories, even worse when you slather them with butter. eh. sometimes the kcals are worth it.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-79042214098943679162010-05-29T09:46:00.000-07:002010-05-29T10:04:26.874-07:00I forgot I had a blog.see what happens when nursing school takes over your life? you forget that you have a blog and then come on to find 33 new followers. so HI new followers! i'm glad that you found me.<br /><br />we moved into an apartment a couple of weeks ago. i love it. it's nice to have all my stuff around me again. my dad and sisters came this past weekend and i thoroughly enjoyed having them here. we explored greenville, went to a drive baseball game, hung by the pool and went out for hibatchi, along many other things. it was great.<br /><br />i picked up a new book to read at the pool and i'm in love with it. the series is called The Hunger Games and it's by Suzanne Collins. i really enjoyed reading about a strong and self-reliant heroine rather than a girl who is so dependent on a man to make her happy like bella in the twilight series. i also read percy jackson and the olympians while i was finishing classes, and what a great series. i love to read, so any suggestions for books would be greatly appreciated. i'm enjoying this break from school because i get to read and write for a little while.<br /><br />as far as writing. i've done some stuff, but i haven't worked on my book at all. i keep meaning to, but alas, it just doesn't come. i'm about 2/3 of the way through it though. i'm sure i can finish it by the end of the year if i devote the time to it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">***<br /></div><br />so i tried out a new recipe the other day for breakfast at dinner (aka "b at d" at our house), and it was so tasty that i'm going to share it, partly to share, but mostly so i can remember what i did the next time i make it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">beckie's breakfast skillet</span><br /><ul><li class="ingredient">6 slices bacon (i used turkey bacon and it was still tasty)<br /></li><li class="ingredient">1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper</li><li class="ingredient">1/4 cup tablespoons finely chopped onion</li><li class="ingredient">6 cups cubed cooked potatoes</li><li class="ingredient">1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese</li><li class="ingredient">6 eggs<br /></li><li class="ingredient">salt and pepper<br /></li></ul> in a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. remove the bacon to drain. pour off all but 3 tablespoons of dripping.<p>heat the drippings remaining in the pan until sizzling. add the bell pepper, onion and potatoes; cook, stirring gently, until the potato cubes are browned.</p><p>make 6 holes in potato mixture and drop 1 egg into each hole, then cover. let cook until eggs are firm (it took about 6 minutes i think). sprinkle the shredded cheese and bacon over it and cook until melted. season with salt and pepper. serve immediately. makes 6 servings.</p><p style="text-align: center;">***<br /></p><p>my husband brought this to work the day after and he said that it heated up really well, even though i'd had my doubts. it was a win with my kids too. i just made sure to serve it with ketchup because my disgusting family members like ketchup on their eggs and potatoes *vomit*.<br /></p><p>i'm going to *try* to blog at least once a week, but i'm not holding my breath.<br /></p>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-37768879074335438902010-04-12T13:50:00.000-07:002010-04-12T13:51:36.992-07:00March of Dimes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">On May 10, 2008, the scariest thing possible happened to me. Only 16 weeks into my pregnancy, I went into labor. I was immediately put on bedrest and had surgery to stitch my cervix closed. Then, on June 24, I went into labor again...at 23 weeks pregnant.<br /><a name="more" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "></a><br />I was at a loss. I had a 4 year daughter at home, and we were all alone. Fortunately, the March of Dimes stepped up, and they gave me information about what to do to stop premature labor, options that we had, and resources for people in our position.<br /><br />When I left the hospital, I was sent home with a terbutaline pump and a contraction monitor that had to be on me several times a day. I remained in bed for 6 months of my pregnancy, trying to keep my son safe. I was able to stop the medications, and I didn't have to use the monitor once I reached the "safe" point of 37 weeks, and my son Jacob was born at 37 weeks...at a whopping 10 pounds!<br /><br />Thanks to help from the March of Dimes, dependent on donations for research, my son was born healthy. But millions of children born every year aren't so lucky. 1 in 8 children born in the United States are premature, and one in every two babies in the NICU won't go home. Those statistics are still too high.<br /><br />I'm raising money and devoting my time to help support this amazing cause, and I'm asking for help from my friends here in the fandom. All the money raised supports MOD research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and help babies begin their lives healthy. It also goes to families who need help, whose babies are in the NICU.<br /><br />You can find my page at <a href="http://www.marchforbabies.org/beckiey8">http://www.marchforbabies.org/beckiey8</a>. Please help me thank the March of Dimes for their part in seeing my son into this world by raising money for much needed research and support that will benefit other hopeful, growing families.<br /><b>~Beckie </b><b><a href="http://twitter.com/beckiey8">@Beckiey8</a></b></span>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-20677032728297451772010-03-31T15:58:00.001-07:002010-03-31T16:16:51.303-07:00Out like a lamb.i'm embarrassed to admit that i've only blogged once this month. and that sucks. this whole new year's resolution thing is failing epically. i can only say that i'll try harder, but i'll fail. i can't help it. it's inevitable.<br /><br />let's see. i'm on spring break from school this week and i'm enjoying it. we took a little mini vacation and stayed with friends up in charlotte (read: we drank way too much, sang american idol on the wii and passed out) and we made some really yummy easter rice krispy treats:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=35614&MD5=d5397a6a73224069379a3f4b1da58bd3&W=220"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 143px;" src="http://www2.kelloggs.com/ServeImage.aspx?BID=35614&MD5=d5397a6a73224069379a3f4b1da58bd3&W=220" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">easter egg rice krispy treats (microwave)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 tablespoons butter or margarine</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 bag of jumbo marshmallows</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6 cups of rice krispies (or the store brand works great)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">melt the butter and marshmallows together in the microwave for 2 minutes, stir, then heat for 1 more minute in the microwave. add the 6 cups of cereal and mix well. scoop 1/3 cup of mixture at a time onto a piece of wax paper and shape into an egg with buttered hands.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">let cool for a little bit, then dip half of the egg into melted chocolate and put sprinkles on top. put them in the fridge so the chocolate to cool, then enjoy. YUM</span><br /><br />we're just hanging around for the rest of the week. i have a to-do list a mile long, but i've been crossing things off left and right. my mother in law made dinner tonight, perhaps living with the inlaws is quite nice in some aspects :)beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-53920919172515827522010-03-03T04:32:00.000-08:002010-03-03T04:40:41.658-08:00Pork recipe and Fall precautions<div>I hurt myself yesterday. Basically what happened was that while carrying the baby in one hand and the computer in the other, I slipped in the mud, fell in a hole and twisted my ankle. I started to go down but I didn't want to hurt the baby so I did one of those weird try-to-save-yourself moves. And I hurt. </div><div><br /></div><div>My ankle swelled up like a baseball, but I didn't hear any cracking or anything. I can't put weight on it and it is black and blue and not pretty. So I decided I would elevate, ice, compress...it still hurts like a bitch today. So after class i'll be heading to the doctor to make sure there isn't a fracture there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anywho...Tonight I will be making:</div><div><br /></div><div>Super Yummy Pork Chops!</div><div><br /></div><div>2 cups italian dressing</div><div>1/4 c soy sauce</div><div>minced garlic to your liking (i like a lot)</div><div>1/2 onion</div><div>1/4 teaspoon pepper</div><div>boneless pork chops</div><div><br /></div><div>Mis dressing, soy sauce, pepper and garlic in a bowl. Brown chops in olive oil for a couple of minutes, then place in a glass dish with sliced onions. Pour sauce over top and bake at 375 for about a half an hour. </div><div><br /></div><div>We'll be having this with some rice pilaf and yellow squash. Yummmm. </div>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-72882397431393498532010-02-28T07:45:00.000-08:002010-02-28T07:49:33.222-08:00February updateSo today is the last day of February. Wow, times goes by quickly! It has been a really hard month. We've decided to move in with my in-laws to both save money and get some help with childcare. it's great in one way because there is always someone around to watch the kids. i don't have to worry about childcare and i know that my kids are being taken care of.<br /><br />having said that, we have absolutely no privacy and i miss being able to walk from the bathroom to my bedroom nekkid. but i'll get over that.<br /><br />Classes are killing me and i wonder what I was thinking when I decided to go into nursing school Care plans suck and I study ALL THE TIME. No time for anything else.<br /><br />I've transferred to another Publix up here in Greenville. Dan's started a new job in a town called Cowpens, whose only claim to fame is that there was a significant Civil War battle there. Whatev. He's got his hands back on machines, that's all he cares about.<br /><br />I'm homeschooling Lindsey again, and while it cuts into my day and study time, it's worth it so that she doesn't have to switch schools again.<br /><br />That is all. :)beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-32101337901467166012010-02-10T15:52:00.001-08:002010-02-10T15:58:12.766-08:00RecipeCheck out what I'm making for dinner tomorrow!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Awesome Crock-Pot Pot Roast</span></span><br /><br />Ingredients:<div class="directions" style="margin-top: 10px;"> <ul><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup<br /></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 package onion soup mix</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 1/4 cups water</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap">1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap">1/4 c red wine</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap">1 cup beef broth<br /></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 5 1/2 pounds pot roast</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap">carrots, celery, red potatoes and sweet onion</li></ul>Directions: <ol><li><span> In a slow cooker, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, Worcestershire, wine, broth and water. Put pot roast in crock pot and coat with soup mixture. Add in vegetables.<br /></span></li><li><span> Cook on low setting for 8 to 9 hours. </span></li><li><span>Serve with some crusty bread...YUM.<br /></span></li></ol> </div>beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-6578853038130695962010-02-10T15:42:00.001-08:002010-02-10T15:47:00.147-08:00We're moving.So Dan got a new job...again. So we're moving...again. This is the second time in six months. The job situation here in South Carolina is not pretty, so we're doing what we can to stay gainfully employed.<br /><br />After many discussions we've decided to take Dan's parent's offer to stay with them while we get back on our feet. We've decided that this will help with childcare while I'm in classes, help us get rid of our debt and get us back on track. We're not putting a cap on how long we'll be there, we're simply going to see how we do.<br /><br />We hate to do it, but we're not the first, nor are we the last people to move in with our parents. Life will go on and we will adjust, just like we always do.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-82446811089458902602010-02-06T21:12:00.000-08:002010-02-06T21:29:12.241-08:00Why is it...That is get really embarrassed when people find out that I write? I'm in the middle of writing a book right now and it's like I'm almost ashamed to admit it.<br /><br />I think that it's because I put so much of myself into this story. blood, sweat and tears literally pour from my fingertips and onto the Word document. These are my characters, my plot, my surroundings...I think what I'm afraid of is something I've always been afraid of: being made fun of.<br /><br />I was not a popular person in high school. Sure, I had friends, I had a couple of boyfriends. But I never felt like I fit in exactly. Always felt like I was on the outside looking in. Hell, I still feel that way most of the time, except for when I'm with my husband. I'm lucky enough that he completes me and that I don't need to fit in anywhere else.<br /><br />So I decided that I don't care any more. I'm 25 years old. I'm a wife, mother, student and employee. I'm a reader, a tweeter, a facebook addict, a Twilight-aholic. I love to write fanfiction...and people think that I'm talented and enjoy what I write. I've decided since to try to use my talents in a *real* scenario. My husband is supportive of anything and everything I do, so why should I even care if someone who thinks that they know me judges me for the person that I am?<br /><br />I'm a good person, a loyal friend, a caring and devoted wife and mom. Who wouldn't want to be friends with me? And sure, I write about Bella choosing Jacob instead of Edward at the end of Eclipse, but really, who the hell cares? What difference does it make? It doesn't change the kind of person that I am.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-82238260458142416442010-02-02T04:32:00.000-08:002010-02-02T04:43:47.169-08:00February updateIt's already February? What's up with that? I feel like time just flies by now. It's so unfair. I've only got 11 more months to finish my resolutions! Unfortunately the whole blogging thing seems to be an epic fail.<br /><br />Maybe that can be my new February resolution.<br /><br />I don't have that much crap to write about. My life is a bit depressing. Work, school, kids, husband...yeah that's about it.<br /><br />Today is my Grammy's birthday! She's the big 7-0 today. I hope that she has a wonderful day and I wish that I could be there to help her celebrate. My mother is also having surgery, another reason why I wish that I could be in New Hampshire. But we made our decision to live down here so I need to suck it up.<br /><br />Oh, so I'm trying this recipe today:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pizza Tater Tot Casserole</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /> Ingredients</span> <ul class="directions"><li class="ingredient">1 pound ground beef</li><li class="ingredient">1 medium green pepper, chopped</li><li class="ingredient">1 medium onion, chopped</li><li class="ingredient">1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted</li><li class="ingredient">1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained</li><li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon Italian seasoning</li><li class="ingredient">2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese</li><li>1 package (32 ounces) frozen Tater Tots<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br />Directions<br /><br /></span></li><li>In a large skillet, cook the beef, pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the soup, mushrooms and Italian seasoning. </li><li> Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top with cheese and potatoes. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.<b> Yield: </b>6-8 servings.</li></ul><br />I've got a crapload of stuff to do today, so I'll blog more tomorrow.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-49304213616908736842010-01-27T07:26:00.000-08:002010-01-27T07:41:58.070-08:00Happy Chocolate Cake Day!January 27, 2010 is National Chocolate Cake Day. In celebration, I will share a delicious recipe I have come across and tweeked for my own benefit.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Too Much Chocolate Cake</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.media-allrecipes.com//site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/big/152771.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com//site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/big/152771.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px;"> <h3> <span style="font-size:100%;">Ingredients</span></h3> <ul><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 package devil's food cake mix</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 cup sour cream</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1 cup vegetable oil</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 4 eggs</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 1/2 cup warm water</li><li class="plaincharacterwrap"> 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (i use the mini ones because they don't sink)<br /></li></ul> </div> <div style="border-top: 1px dotted rgb(204, 204, 204); width: 300px; margin-top: 20px;"> </div> <div class="directions" style="margin-top: 10px;"> <h3> <span style="font-size:100%;">Directions</span></h3> <ol><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). </span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan. </span></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap" style="overflow: visible;"><span> Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate Top with chocolate frosting, garnish with strawberries.<br /></span></li></ol> </div><br />I've been having a lot of issues with Jake lately. He's been kind of sick, running a low fever, runny nose and cough. He's such a brat though. He's into everything, he doesn't listen when we say no...he's an extreme baby. He literally drives me insane. However, this morning I finally figured out why he was being a complete tool today: he popped through 4 molars. I bet that freaking hurts!<br /><br />Jake is my high maintenance kid. Like I just had to stop blogging so I could stop him from putting his fingers in the outlet. and i just had to yell at him for pounding on the desktop keyboard. and to stop messing with my papers on the end table. and again with the keyboard. I take things away but he just finds something else to get into and then i have no idea where my shit is.<br /><br />Lindsey was a good baby. She listened, stayed out of trouble, and cuddled when I wanted her to. Now I've got this hellion and I'm wondering what I was thinking.<br /><br />And also wondering why when I'm away or he's napping...I miss him and just want chaos back.beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-31688932638857519282010-01-26T04:55:00.000-08:002010-01-26T06:35:13.888-08:00Gah, a week-long fail.It has been a week since I posted. That's an epic failure on my part. In my defense, Lindsey was home sick Friday-Monday, and I had class and work. And I started reading Harry Potter fan fiction. (*sigh*)<br /><br />HOW 'BOUT THEM COLTS?!?!<br /><br /><br /><br />I am so stoked. Unfortunately I had to work so I was only able to see the last half, and even then Dan was so superstitious that I couldn't WATCH it, I had to check it covertly online. I died. I was dying the whole time and I couldn't tell him that I was looking at it or he would have beat me. So I silently cried, cheered and ultimately died. I'm desperately in love with Peyton Manning, no matter how many people tell me he is unattractive. They can all shrivel and die. Haters.<br /><br />Dan and I had a *date* on Friday night. We had gift certificates to the Olive Garden but with Lindsey being sick we didn't want to go out or get a babysitter, so we got takeout. Olive Garden does an awesome takeout. We also got some snickers cheesecake from Publix. It was tasty. And doing it after the kids went to bed assured us of quiet evening. It was awesome. Having time like that lets us focus on us, on our relationship, and what's important to us.<br /><br />Dan went out with a couple of friends on Saturday night so I stayed home with the kids. I needed to do some cleaning so I went to town. It's hard for me to clean our bedroom because whenever i'm home it seems like dan is sleeping. So I lit some candles, hoping that the bathroom and the bedroom would smell a little nicer when Dan got home. Then I realized that it wasn't doing a good enough job of destinking the house so I used the Lysol room deodorizer. BIG MISTAKE. I set off the smoke detectors. Not exactly sure how it happened, but Lindsey and I ran around the entire house blowing out candles and fanning the detectors. I had this fear that the fire department was gonna come busting into my house while I was cleaning in my little tank top and shorts. Luckily they didn't. Or maybe I would have had some hot firemen carrying me away. DAMMIT!<br /><br />Classes are kicking my butt. There is soooo much reading and soooo much homework. I'm really fortunate that I read so quickly, but being that i'm one of those people who learn by writing things over and over, my hand is killing me. Not to mention I'm killing trees with my need for nursing.<br /><br />Good news is that I was finally inspired for my book. I'm back to writing again. WOOT!<br /><br />Today I'm off from both school and work so I'm doing schoolwork and housework before going to the grocery store. I'm wanting to play with playdough with Lindsey today so I need to get everything done this morning. I figure i'll even take a nap while Jake does, because I'm not sleeping well. Le sigh. There's always something, eh?beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157683782790163128.post-90534521104797499962010-01-19T17:11:00.000-08:002010-01-19T17:15:54.154-08:00OMG SCAMPI!So I made yummy shrimp scampi and since my little sister has been begging for the recipe, I figured I would share with everyone. Everyone loves my scampi. Every time I go up to New Hampshire I end up making it for my family :)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beckie's Super Scampi</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">depends on how much shrimp you have but...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 sticks of butter</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1/2 c-3/4 c white wine</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 cloves of garlic (ish)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 T flour (for thickening sauce)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 1/2 T scampi seasoning if you have it. if not, it's okay. still tastes yummy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">41-60 count shrimp</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">mix together, let shrimp cook all the way through then pour over cooked noodles. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Serve immediately with vast quantities of white wine.</span><br /><br />So in other news, I finally organized my coupons and cleaned Lindsey's room. This is big. Now I'm in the middle of writing a little something, it appears as if my writing block is over. WOOT!beckiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06992347442833967035noreply@blogger.com0