Sunday, July 31, 2011

Times They Are a Changin'

Today has been my last official day of being 7 on 7 off. I took full advantage of my last week off! Tuesday I went to the river and hung out with some family. I watched the kids innertube and have a great time. I went shopping and got some awesome deals at M@cys, ate lunch with friends and family, cleaned my house, played with the pups, watched a lot of Sex & the City, sewed, monogrammed, and just hung out like I didn't have a care in the world.
Tomorrow I embark on a new chapter in my life. When I started my nursing career, I worked evening shift. I did that for a year before I went to "the dark side." I've been working nights for 7 years. I've only worked 7 on 7 off my entire career. Tomorrow I start being a full time employee working every week and to top it off, its day shift. That means getting up before the sun, doing something that I have said on numerous occasions I "will never do."
I will definitely miss my girls on nights! I've made great friends throughout the 7 years and will continue those relationships no matter what! I've seen many people come and go and now I am transitioning with them. I will see my night shift friends still, but I can't lie and say that it will be the same. I know it will be different, but I have no doubt in my mind that this is the right thing for me to do. Not only for myself, but for my husband. Honestly, he is more excited about this than anyone. It's been so funny to listen to him talk about this and it's been amazing to see his true feelings shine through.
This entire week, I have had so many thoughts about all of the changes that will be taking place as I transition to "normalcy." I mean, I have to actually wear makeup, have some kind of breakfast options, and I will have to set an alarm clock. I haven't done that on a regular basis since college.
All of that said, I am excited to see what a difference this will make in me. So, tomorrow, I will rise with the sun and drive to work on my least favorite road, with everyone else in Shelby county. I'm just praying that we start of on a good traffic foot!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Completely Random

-The other night as I was trying to catch up on SYTYCD, Kent starts making fun of all of the wardrobes. He can't understand where they come up with any of the outfits and thinks that they just throw stuff together. Therefore, he decides he will go and find his best dancing outfit. He comes back from the closet wearing one of my tshirt dresses, his lounge pants, a scarf tied around his waist and a neck tie. I thought I was going to pee on myself I was laughing as he came out from the bedroom doing ballet turns and bows. Believe me, there is never a dull moment!
-I made corn chowder the other night for the first time ever and it was delicious! I've been getting the Cooking Light magazine for around a year now and finally made one of the recipes.
-My sister sent me a video text of my 4 yr old niece singing If I Die Young by the Band Perry. That sound pretty awful, but I'm telling you it's the cutest thing. She emphasizes several words and even gets the "ooo-ooo" at the perfect time. She's the sweetest thing EVER!
-Four of my friends from work are engaged and getting married within the next year. I've been looking at dresses, cakes, flowers and really wish that I could get married again. To Kent again of course! But the planning for our wedding was so much fun! We plan to go to Vegas next year for our 5th anniversary to renew our vows at a little chapel with Elvis, so I'm thinking I'm going to get an awesomely ridiculous dress. It's gonna be FUN!
-In less than 3 months we are heading to Cabo! Words cannot adequately describe how elated I am about our trip! We had so much fun on our honeymoon that I can't wait until we are there again and reminiscing over our 4 years of marriage.
-I'm really excited about my side business and some of the outfits that we are planning to start making. Our crab and houndstooth hat outfits have been a big hit and I'm ready to start making more little boys clothes!
-This post has absolutely no direction, but I really don't think anyone is really reading.
-I've read 5 books in the last two months and will probably make is 6. I really have no idea what has gotten into me! I haven't actually watched a lot of TV this summer which is so unlike me! The only shows I've watched consistently this summer are SYTYCD and Swamp People. And if you didn't watch Swamp People, you missed out! It quickly moved up to one of my all time favorites!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Not His Plan

You don't always get what you want...

Recently, I applied for a different job that would ultimately change my entire schedule. It was a day shift position working Monday thru Friday, no weekends, no holidays. I've been working night shift for over 7 years now and I have felt that I was being led in that direction. I really thought that I had a really good chance at getting the position. Well, a little over a week ago, I received the call to let me know that someone else was offered the position. I will not divulge what the situation is, but I will just say that it was a huge kick in the gut. I was quickly thinking about being in elementary school and being the last one standing when teams were picked for kick ball. It's amazing how our insecurities manifest themselves.
I was never the most popular girl is elementary school. I had some really great friends, but the scars are still there from being a bit heavy and being called "thunder thighs" as I was sitting on the monkey bars in PE. I digress...
Since this situation occurred, it has made me rethink some things. Like I said, I really felt like I was being led into this position. Now I can't help but wonder if it was really God leading me or was it my own voice just wanting something so bad that I convinced myself that it was God. I did have some reservations about working Mon-Fri since I've worked 7 on 7 off for 8 years and have never actually worked that schedule before. But I know that it is something that I could handle. I would love to be on the same schedule as the hubs and not stress so much around the holidays trying to work and fit in 2 family events. It's just tiring. Night shift is starting to get rough. I'm so happy that I have the schedule that I do, otherwise, I just don't think that I could function on a weekly basis.
Its been a rough couple of weeks! The day after I found out about the job, my father in law passed away. He had been in ICU for a week and is no longer hurting or living through the struggles he has had for 3 years since his massive stroke. During this time, I have been so blessed by the love shown from our families, friends, and coworkers. There is no doubt in my mind that the things that happen are for a reason and He has my best interest in hand. When God closes one door, another one opens. For now, I think that I just need to be quiet. Be still and listen-not to my own wants, but to His direction.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.