Welcome to Jennifer's Blog

Just so you know, only crazy people, like myself, stand outside starting at 3:30 when doors don't open until 6:30. Oh yes--between all the texting I did to DJ and Nancy, my fingers were numb by the time I got in the door. I normally rely on DJ to entertain me while we are in line, so I didn't let him off the hook just because he wasn't physically there.

The first person I saw after entering the church was Doug. He looked refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things. No tie, open collar, spiky hair, and a smile I drove 8 hours to see! Hugs and small chit-chat were exchanged and I couldn't have been more excited! Ryan was also sporting the no tie, open collar look along with some pretty snazzy purple threads. I gave him my approval and lets face it...as long as you've got that, you don't need anything else! :P Nah, seriously, I like the new look. They looked more comfortable but still very Siggy-dressy! I didn't see Tim to begin with, but I saw him afterwards at the product tables. He seems to be doing well and by the sounds of it, he IS doing well--all kind of showing out--from ALL of them really.

Frank was working hard, or is it hardly working?? They need to go on vacation more often if this is what we get in return

I am always happy to see David sitting up there on stage! Just seeing him in the spotlight is exciting! Can you tell I was ready for a concert or what? Wayne sounded great on his verse of Reason Enough (but that's a given--they always sound great). Greg is so fun to watch! When I was younger, I always wanted to play the drums, but unfortunately, my hand/eye coordination is somewhat....less than acceptable, and there is no way I could do all that and not sound like a mass slaying of kitchen equipment. I think the "band" really adds to the concert. O What A Savior is really something (more so than usual) when the bass and drums kick in there at the end and Ernie does his show-out thing!! Goosebumps all around!!!

I never get tired of hearing the Influenced material...never. I listen to it on my way to work, at home, in concert--you'd think I'd be just a little tired of it--not the case. Ryan still makes me laugh when he does Old Fashion Meeting and he wows me more and more every time I hear Climbing Higher. Doug, well, we all know what he does to Swinging on the Golden Gate--could anybody top that? Nope. Tim and Ernie still show out on He Made A Change and the "hello darlin" is pretty, um...deep! They sang Walk With Me, which I hadn't heard in a while...perfect! They've made some changes to it here and there, but it's even more beautiful now than before. Ernie really put some umph into it! Just talking about it is making me concert-hungry again. The bad part is I start missing them before I even get into the parking lot, so there's really no hope for me. I'm forever a SSQ fanatic.

During Since Jesus Passed By, Ernie stopped Tim in the middle of his verse and started talking. I can't tell you word for word what he said, and I'm sure I'd butcher it even if I tried. There was something in the way he worded himself, the way he phrased the sentences that had the sanctuary so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Meanwhile, a tearful baritone and a lead singer with eyes closed and head toward heaven stood in the background and Tim was looking directly at Ernie. Then it came--I always forget to bring Kleenex in and I always regret it. Tears started streaming down my face and as Ernie looked at me (or in my direction anyway) he said, "it doesn't matter what you've done" and continued on in his heart wrenching speech. I've done some pretty bone headed things before and every now and then I think about how I could have become so complacent in my life. God was there that night--I know that for sure. He gave those words for Ernie to speak--and trust me--everyone was listening. The night could never be properly described, but it will never be forgotten. Thanks Ernie

Photos are posted under the Concert Photos tab...enjoy!

It's SO hot outside!  So hot in fact, that the neighborhood cats are flocking to take drinks from the pool--they didn't get the memo about the pool being retired.  Now, in addition to the 3 animals I have, there are 2 cats (one scared and one brave) that frequent my porch in hopes of finding a vittle or two. 

Shame on me, I fed them once...they'll never go home now

The nights I am scheduled to work always have perfect weather--sunny, nice breeze, bearable humidity levels, etc...

The nights I am off--scattered showers, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes all over the place, flash flood warnings, humidity so thick that you could suffocate without supplemental oxygen, etc...

Why is that exactly???

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

I found the quote above on an old bookmark I had stashed away in an old Bible.  Those words are so true--we aren't promised that everything will go our way, we aren't promised that we will never fail at something, we aren't promised that life will be easy, but we are promised that all things work together for good for those who love God.  I like that promise!

Those of you closest to me know that I have a rare talent, I can kill artificial plants! It's not an easy trade to learn, but if you follow my teachings, you can kill them too!  I know, people everywhere are jealous, but in all seriousness...look what I have done! 

Who would have ever thought I could do "garden things"  Little soil here, little plant there, lots of Alabama rain, severe thunderstorms,and tornadoes and voila!  Little maters

Let's not discuss the progression of the pepper plants...eek!

Yea, so after about 3-5 years of swimming pool disasters (burned up pumps, holes in the liner, leaks under the foundation, etc...) we finally decided that it wasn't worth the time and money (and headache) to keep up.  What do you do with a pool when you want to get rid of it???  Knock it out and fill in the hole with more deck!  I guess we should stain the wood to match huh?  Now all I need is a good porch swing

Deck party anyone?

There have been a couple of things going on during the past 2 weeks that really make me smile...here they are!

Rocking chairs at Cracker Barrell

Should've been a "Roll Tide" chair...

A little too windy in Louisiana for a good hair day

Signature Sound...can't get any better!

Doug

Ernie, Doug, and Tim. 

More good stuff--Ryan, Ernie, Doug, and Tim

And concert buddies

A few nights ago I had a patient that didn't really need to be in ICU.  He was a very pleasant little guy, in his 60's, and bored to death laying in the bed all day.  As I went in to assess him, he was flipping through the few channels on TV frantically searching for something decent to watch.  He saw an advertisement for a Homecoming special and he got really excited, "Oh yes, the Gaither's are coming on!"  Sorry sir, it's just a preview.

That opened up the door for an hour's worth of conversation about GVB and SSQ.  He was familiar with Ernie from his days with Old Friends and the Cathedrals.  Of course, I got my photo album out of my bag and began to share with him my wonderful experience from Huntsville.  We talked and talked about music for the longest time.  He said that a lot of people my age are not interested in gospel music and he wanted to know how I got into it, how I liked the Cathedrals, did I like George Younce, etc... 

However, all the good conversation aside, he mentioned that a lot of people do not like SSQ because of their "energy" on the Get Away Jordan video.  Unable to bite my tongue, I gave him my "I love SSQ" speech.  I told him all the good things about them that make them "the best".  Don't know if he'll ever give them a chance, but the seed was planted

Gosh, it's 2009 already!  I have been so neglectful towards my blog site these past few months.  Work is taking up a lot of my time...big surprise huh?  Then of course there is the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years chaos that is bound to surface every year.  Thanksgiving was good-spent it with my boyfriend, Christmas was good-broke up with the boyfriend, New Year's was just another night at work...

Hopefully in the coming weeks I will have tons to post about.  I have a couple of concerts coming up this month, which I am SO looking forward to.  I haven't seen my guys since October!!!  January 22 just can't get here fast enough!!!

The things girls will do for a last minute concert appearance...

Why is it that when you go in a store for 2 items you come out with 6 bags of stuff?

Why do you realize you need a buggy when you have reached the BACK of the store?

Why do people pull out in front of you when no one is behind you?

Why does it rain when you forget your umbrella?

Why do you need 2 pennies AFTER you have cleaned out the cup holder in your car?

Why do all these things happen on the same day??

....Well, I don't know either!  It's been a long week anyway, but even worse since I had to do my ACLS certification this week.  My brain is in total overload!  The ugliest words for a new nurse are "mega code".  It's been the most mentally challenging 2 days of my life so far.  Just imagine throwing in about 16 hours worth of information into your brain, shake it up, and try to remember what to do in a life or death situation...it's dang near impossible!  Whew, I sure am glad that's over with!

Contrary to popular belief, it IS possible to reset your internal clock--just start working night shift...you have no other option but to reset that clock!  Day 3, well...night 3 of night shift orientation ended early yesterday morning at 7 am.  Staying up all night is not the problem--I am loving night shift! The problem is driving an hour back home and keeping my eyes open!  A blaring radio and an open window are of no help to the cause either.  What does one do to stay awake? I can barely sit up long enough to drive home--which leads to another issue.  Backache.  It's horrible.  Anyone who says different is lying.  I am a slowly walking, hunched over, moaning, groaning example of why proper body mechanics should always be used for lifting.  I have to get up 20 minutes earlier just to allow time to "get ready to bend."  Trust me, it's a rough spot to be in.  I feel like the muscles in my lower back are in constant "cramp mode" and there's nothing I can do to make them happy.  I've basically OD'd on Advil and Icy Hot.  You'd be shocked to know that a great number of people, regardless of YOUR feelings of pain, will say, "What is that smell?  Something stinks so bad over here....." yea, that would be ME over here with my Icy Hot!  If I could get to you fast enough I'd smack you upside the head....

With October knocking at our door, I wait with great anticipation for the leaves to turn colors.  It's already getting a little cool at night, which I love.  Do you ever walk outside and think, "Ah, smells like fall?"  I do.  A couple of days ago I walked outside early in the morning to let the puppies out to potty.  They ran and played in the freshly cut grass and a gentle breeze passed by--smelled like fall!  I love that smell.  It's a cool, fresh, woodsy smell that always makes me think of a new school year, college football, little ones trick-or-treating, and Thanksgiving gatherings.  It's cool enough to be outside without breaking a sweat, but not cold enough for long sleeves...I love this time of year.  As I sat on the porch watching the puppies play, I looked around at the trees swaying in the wind.  I would love to have a swing or hammock to just lay back in and watch the wind blow.  It's so relaxing!

 

It was only a little over 2 months ago that we increased our family by 2--puppies that is.  Cooper weighed 4.5lbs and Chloe was quickly gaining on him at 4lbs.  The last vet visit confirmed what I already knew---they are gaining weight!  Cooper now weighs 7lbs and Chloe is still catching up to him at almost 6 pounds.  I didn't realize just how much Cooper had grown until I looked at some older photos.  He is due for his first haircut next week...that should be interesting.  Chloe won't be getting any haircuts since she is a Maltese.  I want her to be in full coat--which is beautiful IF you can stand it until it grows completely out.  I keep her hair in a little pony-tail so it won't get in her eyes, but Cooper usually pulls her bows out...it's like having two toddlers running around---CRAZY!

And how could I not mention Jazz...he likes to attack Chloe on a regular basis.  She tortures him though--she thinks he likes her, but she is terribly mistaken...LOL  Jazz likes to hide in my laundry basket--it's his "safe zone":-)

is getting over the loss of a furry companion.  Riley has been very sick for a while now, but knowing it's coming doesn't help the pain.  She went to sleep for the last time on September 13, 2008.  She was such a good dog....and spoiled!  She was the joy of our lives and it still hurts to see her spot on the couch without her in it.  I remember when she was just a little puppy, I remember when she lost her baby teeth, her first haircut, the first bark she ever made, the first time she climbed the stairs, etc...She was such a special dog to us.  She brought us so much joy and happiness.  I have cried until I thought that no more tears would come, but they always do.   I will miss her so much...

Riley Paul Blocker
3/28/96---9/13/08

After 3 days of training, I am starting to think that it's gonna take a WHOLE LOT longer than 12 weeks of preceptorship.  I am like the kid that didn't memorize her spelling words in first grade--LOST!  I feel like I radiate some kind of aura that screams, "Please, please, ask ME all those questions, after all, I am the new graduate and I will know EXACTLY what you are talking about."  Someone says, "Hey Jennifer, bring me a bair hugger set."  So what do I do?  I walk slowly to the supply area and mumble to myself. "What in the heck is a bair hugger set!"

I finally learned my way from my parking space to the unit without having to walk all over creation to get there, found the cafeteria (which I can tell you now...I will not be going there frequently after that fight my belly had with the salad bar), found the lab and bloodbank, and of course I found out that the door leading to the staircase closest to ICU automatically locks--can't access it from inside the stairwell--oh yes....what a nightmare! 

Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will have the hang of things. Hopefully!!

Yesterday I went to my friend's house to help my brother with his iPod troubles and I came home with a child--yes, Lana and I had a sleep over  She played with the puppies until all 3 of them were totally exhausted, which didn't take long.  I wish I had about half of their energy; those crazy critters cannot be still--and neither can Lana!  As bedtime approached, I popped in my copy of Get Away Jordan, turned the lights off, grabbed a few squeeze lights, and pushed play!  Lana's favorite part is the bone song, as she calls it; so by the time she was done hitting the replay button I was absolutely SICK of that song!  After I convinced her that there still good stuff on the DVD, she gave the remote back to me and said, "Okay, Boo....it's your turn."  Just as luck would have it, one of my favorite songs was coming up--Until We Fly Away.  We got our lights ready and just as Doug sang "...hold on, be strong, cause it won't be long 'til we...." we raised our squeeze lights with the audience on the video.  Lana just laughed and laughed....