Weddings

Weddings.  So many different kinds.  Different kinds for different folks.  Some are simple, some are fancy, and some are dramatic.  I feel like the type of wedding you and yours choose says a lot about your relationship style.  

My first one was relatively mellow, but combined with the trappings of a holiday.  I'm not really sure what that says about the relationship.  The fact that we're now divorced (almost) seems to say a lot more.  

2 years ago I said I'd never do it again.  Funny how now that it's not an option, I feel disappointed that it's not.  Feeling that way about a couple things lately.

That's just me being melancholy.  And it's silly.  These are things that I can't change.  And I'm happy with my life.  

Guess it's just human nature to want what we can't have.

Back into the swing of things, a genreal Life update

After a week of Orientation, or what I like to refer to as "Death By Powerpoint"  I am finally back in an ICU.  I am happy to see that I haven't lost my ICU skills, and that as much as I thought this would be stressful, it isn't.  It is certainly a bit different from what I'm used to, but it's not a bad different.  Just a "different" kind of different. 
Everyone here has been extremely kind and welcoming.  I've even been tagged by one of the nurse educators that did my first week of "hospital orientation" to help teach a new Blood Administration class sometime this fall.  The Unit Culture where I work is very similar to where I came from, even though the ICU here is smaller in scale and quite a bit less busy.  I am getting the hang of things in the new place, and feel like I made the right choice and that this is a good place for me, now... and long term.
There are definitely some skills I need to brush up on, and I've already started doing so, but all in all I feel very comfortable with my skills, and clearly so do those who are orienting me.  My first day I was basically told that since I had significant ICU experience that they were going to see what I was "made of".  They weren't going to let me sink, but they wanted to see how well I could swim.  And threw me into the deep end of the proverbial ICU nursing pool.  Well, I think I did a hell of a lot better than they expected me to.  That's not to say I didn't need a bit of help, because the paperwork, computer system and charting are all quite a bit different that what I'm used to, but for my first day I know I exceeded my own expectations and I hope I exceeded theirs.  Today was day 3, and I am functioning almost completely independently.  I'm pretty happy with that.
At some point, probably when my official "orientation" wraps up, and I am really cut loose on my own, I'm going back to school for my bachelors degree, and maybe farther. I was lucky to get hired where I am with only an associates degree, and don't have a lot of advancement opportunities (read this as raises in my salary) without furthering my education.  I also, sorta, kinda, maybe, might be interested in teaching at some point, which makes an advanced degree a necessity.  I'm thinking online nursing program, with an RN to MSN track.  (If anyone knows of a good one out there, I'm willing to entertain recommendations.)
On the home front things are looking good.  BFB has a job offer, and will hopefully start work soon.  Right now he has a bit of time off, (probably not enough), and can hopefully relax a little after the stresses of the past few months. 
Still waiting for the estate to settle, this has become significantly more than a painful thorn in my side that I am looking forward to getting rid of.  Enough is enough already.
The divorce is reportedly only waiting for a judges signature.  That was supposed to be finalized by the end of September, but I've yet to receive paperwork to that effect.  My lawyer however, has been very prompt in sending me his final bill. 
(I'm sure no one is shocked)

Off to hit the books.  Happy Fall everyone.

Back to being an adult.

The last 6 months or so have been pretty busy.  Moving, new job.... Ok NO job.  Sick family, funeral, family drama to the max.  Another short term job, and permanent hire at a new job that I had to wait to start (government red tape), divorce delays and dean, continuing family drama, boyfriend getting laid off, girlfriend having surgery, and starting a new job, and now boyfriend starting a new job... (Also waiting on the gov't red tape)

Tomorrow is my first day at the new job.  I'm hoping to hell this works out, because I'm tired of moving around, and for the immediate future and likely forever, travel nursing no longer holds an appeal for me.  I'm nervous but hopeful that today is a new start.  There are plans in place for the future.  But regardless of plans or timing... I have found my forever.

Back to the day to day

Back home for a week and back into the day to day routine.  It's a bit different, as at this point I'm the only one not working. (At least for now). My gainful employment doesn't start for another 5 weeks. So I'm cheif cook and bottle washer for now.  I really don't mind, and actually enjoy taking care of BFB and GFB.  I like cooking and I'm doing a fair bit of it.  Nothing impressive, but tasty nonetheless.  

I also started the process for my newest volunteer gig.  Going to spend some time at Kansas City Hospice.  Interviewed today and saw the facility, which is fantastic.  Paperwork and the like is in progress.  Love taking care of things at home, but need to talk to other people, and get out of the house too.  I'd like to make some friends too.  Because since I've been here, I really haven't had the opportunity to make any.  

Adventure day #11

Day 11 starts before sunrise.  I have quite a way to go in total today, and want to get an early start.  Today is Sans Dunes National Park.  Also want to be early, because apparently the sand can get pretty hot. The views there were fantastic.  I made the mile and a half hike to the top of the first large dune.  Took me 2 hours.  Sand is tough to walk uphill in!

Next stop, Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak.  I had no reservation for the cog rail that goes to the top and figured I'd be waiting till the next day, which was fine, because I had a hotel room for the night. Surprise, but they can get me on the next train.  Boards in 30 minutes.   Score.  Made the very long ride to the top.  Where we get to stay for all of 30 minutes before going back.  Took some pics, peed, bought a t shirt.  Back on the train for the ride back.  Didn't notice the altitude so much as I did in Flagstaff, but I am now exhausted.  Back to the hotel, and a call to have pizza delivered.

Ate an entire small pizza from dominos.  They have gluten free crust, and they deliver. Both make me happy. After dinner a shower and bedtime.  It was 7 pm.  Fast forward to 10 pm.  Wide awake.... Definitely not going back to sleep.  It was in this moment tgat I came to the realization that the only place I wanted to go now, was home.  I wanted my own bed, and familiar smells, GFB and frank.  And BFB snoring in my ear.

So, I checked out of the hotel.  The clerk was the same one who checked me in.  Gave me a strange look.  Started driving. Google says it's 9 hrs.  I can do this.  And I'll surprise everyone.  GFB will have already gone to work, but BFB should be in bed, as he's working tonite.  Around 530 when I start getting my good morning texts from GFB, I realize that it's a nice idea to surprise BFB, but as we own guns, and they're easily accessible, perhaps I shouldn't be sneaking into the house and into without warning him.

I do this, and he is still surprised.  Home at 830 am, and right into bed.  

Yep.  This is my place. The only place I want.  I belong right here.

Adventure update days 6-10

Yellowstone was absolutely amazing.  The place is huge.  The thermal features , pools and geysers were fantastic and I got some good pics. (Sorry I'm not posting them, I have a serious lack of ambition and it's all I can do to write this!) I stayed there the entire day, from 8 am till 1030 pm.  I saw Old faithful at 840 pm, the last time to view before it got too dark to see.  And I showed up just a few minutes before the eruption, so I didn't even have to wait long! 
I know many foreigners say that americans are rude, and I tend to agree, however the foreigners aren't any better.  walking 3 abreast and not leaving room for others to go around, and being generally obtrusive.  But the Americans were doing the same thing.  My biggest gripe is with people whose children are obnoxious loud and whiny.  The park is very serene and quiet, and more than once
(and more than once by the same child) my serene walks and communing with nature were interrupted by the shrieks of an out of control child. 
OK.  I'm off my soapbox now. 
Night 6 was spent in my car at a roadside picnic area in Gardnier Montana.  It was too late to get a room, too expensive, and I was too damn tired. It was almost freezing overnight, and only 42 degrees since I woke up. 
My plan for day #7 was to meander down to southern Colorado to do Mesa Verde before heading east across Colorado the next day.  I realized when planning this trip that southwestern Colorado would place me roughly 5 hours from my bestie in Flagstaff.  After realizing that she likely wasn't on call (I can't really say what she does... but lets say she works for an agency with a 3 letter acronym and carries a gun to work while dealing with bad guys).  So I decided to take the most direct route to Flagstaff, via Utah.  Needless to say it was a very long drive.  I arrived around 330 am Flagstaff time.  Which is weird time as that part of Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings time.  And neither does part of Utah.  so I went in and out of areas that did observe it.  The time on my phone flipped back and forth several times on the journey.  Very Strange.  I was also very tired.  I stopped about 2 hours from her to get gas. I was apparently on the Indian Reservation.  She meant to tell me not to stop there in the dark.  She forgot.  Some Tall Large Native man attempted to sell me drugs.  Aggressively attempted to sell me drugs.  The fact that I had possession of a particular "Item" was apparently enough to make the gentleman decide that "No" really meant "Get the hell away from me right now I don't want your f#%king drugs a$$&@le!"  About 40 minutes after this incident I was just too tired to drive anymore.  There was not any real place to stop, so I pulled over in a small roadside pull off to nap for an hour.  Needless to say I slept with my "Item" in my lap.
Finally I arrived at besties house, had a drink and a nap.  We had a fantastic time
Saturday night and Sunday night.  Saturday night involved alcohol.  I did not take into appropriate consideration that the elevation might affect my alcohol absorption.  I ended up a bit more buzzed than intended.  Oops!
Left this morning.  Day #10.  Tried to stop at Mesa Verde to see the cliff dwellings, but it was monsooning at the time, so I made a brief potty stop and meandered my way east through Colorado.  I am now stopped about an hour from Sand Dunes National park, which is my first intended stop tomorrow.  I am now in a cheap, but not too sketchy motelish type place kinda off the beaten path.
The plan for now is to watch a bit of tv, have a snack, and then go to bed.  My "Item" will be easily available.  The place isn't really sketchy, but... It'll make me feel better all the same.

Adventure Day #5

Today was a very long day.  Glad I slept in.  Got up at 0730, and showered and was on the road by 0815.  First Stop.... STURGIS.  Yes, I know, Crazy.  It was extremely crowded, which I usually hate, and it took me 10 minutes to find anywhere to park.  Walked down Main Street.... completely in awe of the sheer number and types of bikes.  It defies imagination.  I really wasn't looking for anything in particular, just wanted the "Sturgis Experience".  Or at least however much of the experience I can get without a motorcycle!  During the day, its actually pretty tame.  I get the impression that after dark.. it gets a bit more wild.  I've been meaning to expand my Angel Tattoo to include "Gpa" under the "Gma" that's already there.  What better place to get tatted?  So I got a tattoo at Sturgis!

Second stop of the day... Devils Tower, Wyoming.  Awe inspiring and impressive.  I could see it for miles in the distance before actually getting there.  And the first glimpse I got of it coming over a rise in the road....  I immediately started to hear the tones from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".  After I posted a pic on FB, BFB was nice enough to include that via post from youtube.  Thanks B!
Side note, I was NOT abducted or probed, and I will not be playing in my mashed potatoes!

After that I made the very long, long, long trip toward Yellowstone.  It was a very long drive.  But that being said...  The drive was phenomenal.  Indescribably beautiful.  By far the most amazing part of my trip so far.  The rock formations in the Black Hills were towering, and very impressive.  You never knew what you were going to see around the next turn.  The road was twisty, windy, steep, narrow, and sooooo fun to drive.  I would've given damn near anything to have been on the back of a bike, and able to just watch all the scenery go by.  I feel like I missed a lot, and couldn't properly appreciate it, because I had to drive.  I feel really bad for everyone who was stuck behind me with no passing zone in sight.  I'm sorry, but I'm not likely to ever see this again, I want to see as much and appreciate as much as I can!  I stopped lots of spots to take pictures, but I wanted to stop all the time.  If I'd done that I'd never get anywhere.  So many of the great spots are just memories in my head.
From there I went through The Bighorn National Forest's southern edge.  The forest here was spectacularly primordial.  It was so beautiful and quiet and unspoiled and pure.  The sky looked more Blue, the air smelled clean like the pines.  I could've stayed forever.  Then I came out of the forest and over the hill, and the landscape was dramatically different.  It was dry, arid, and almost desert like with bluffs, and buttes, and scraggly brush, and rolling hills, sky you could see for miles and miles, and mountains in the distance.  And then the long desolate stretches of road, with nary a town, or building for tens of miles.  I had the radio off for most of my drive, and didn't really miss it.

Tomorrow, Yellowstone.