Table for one?

I'm finally feeling better after two days of being sick... I missed a shift and a half at work... suck. Now I am feeling much better and can eat real food again! Yes! People at work kept teasing me about the possibility of being prego because it "is in the water" around here. Sorry folks- not prego! I better not be anyway! Don't get me wrong- I want kids... just not right now. Matt and I want to wait a couple of years before we have any children. We will stick with our four legged ones for now :D

Back to what I actually wanted to blog about.... Lately I have been feeling so alone and out of the loop. I realize everyone else has a life and that I work strange hours at work, but sometimes I just wanna talk to someone. It is so hard not having my "friends" out here. I feel like I miss out on everything and that I am the last person to know anything.... Oh hum. I realize my friends are super busy, but what can I say- I miss them dearly! Even though we moved out here in July, I'm embarrased to say that I still don't really have anyone that I can go shopping with or to a movie or to have a coffee date with. (Besides my amazing hubby of course.) What I am trying to say I guess is that sometimes a person is just a little lonely.... :( Or as my husband would say- I need a girlfriend around here... he he he.

Sorry about this post- I get a little "friend-sick" every now and then.

Condition Snow

Matt and I did celebrate Christmas on the day before Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful meal together and we actually opened up our gifts on Tuesday night... I must have been a good girl this past year because I got some wonderful gifts from my family and friends! THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!! Matt must have been a good boy too! He he he... Mario and Luigi even got some gifts! They loved their new toys and treats! We had a great day just relaxing and watching movies together. I was fine all day but I must admit that I did cry a couple of times throughout the day. I few tears were shed just because I missed my family so much :( It is so hard to spend the holidays away from your family. Don't get me wrong- Matt is my family now and I was so happy to spend "Christmas" with him. He was so great- he just held me and let me know that my family was missing me too... What a great man I have!

I truly did miss my mom, dad, and siblings! I do love my family with all my heart and it was so hard to go through my first Christmas without them. I know that it won't be the last Christmas like this because I am a nurse and I will be working every other Christmas for a long time! I'm just truly grateful to God for everything in my life, especially my family and friends. I know I am blessed.

Yes I did work Christmas Eve and Christmas day at the hospital. I must say that it was interesting... I guess we were busier than normal for the holidays. I got to work with some wonderful fun people over the holidays so that made the shifts better... Lots of laughter and food was shared over the two days! We had an amazing potluck at work on Christmas day and we had some very yummy food! My crab salad was a hit at the potluck so I was happy about that! One nurse in particular was very kind to me because she knew it was my first Christmas away from my family... She even told me that she would give me some "motherly" love. He he he... Thanks! She will never know how much her words meant to me. Thank you.

During my Christmas day shift at the hospital, a "condition snow" was called due to the weather. Yep- that means all the people who were still working were supposed to spend the night in the hospital to make sure that the patients were cared for during the night and the following day shift. Crazy! I actually ended up being sent home around 9pm because the charge nurse knew that my relief would make it the next day. I wouldn't have minded staying because that would have been some extra money.. but oh well! Plus side was that I was able to cuddle up with my hubby on Christmas night :D

Here is a shout out to the wonderful people I work with that called to make sure I made it home safe! THANKS! That meant so much to me!

Yes- I did work both Christmas Eve and Christmas day at good old RCRH. Yes- it was hard.

Ho Ho Ho- it's Christmas time!

Wow- I can't believe Christmas is a week away! Crazy! Unfortunately, Matt and I both have to work Christmas day so we won't be able to enjoy the Christmas holiday with our family. I am dreading this.... I have never spent Christmas away from my parents and siblings... sad. Matt and I already went home for "Christmas" in the beginning of December. We were able to see most of our family and some of our good friends. This was great, but it flew by so fast! We were not able to stop and see everyone that we wanted to see. I guess we better get used to that since we live across the state now. Going home just warmed my heart. It was so great to be home on the farm... I miss it out there and I really miss my family and friends. Oh man- I got teary eyed every time we left any place to go see the next visitors!

Since Matt and I both work on Christmas, we have decided to celebrate Christmas together by making a nice meal and opening some presents on the Wednesday before Christmas on our day off together. Still thinking about what I should make for the meal.... hmmm. I think that another thing that is going to make this so hard is that I can't go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas. I have never missed mass during the holiday season... I love going to church during the Christmas season, especially because Jesus is the reason we celebrate this holiday.... Oh hum... so many adjustments!

On a happier note- I guess this really is the beginning of mine and Matt's life together as a family... We shall celebrate Christmas as a family with our little monsters, Mario and Luigi! Yes, I did buy the monsters some Christmas presents :D

Thanksgiving follow up

Thanksgiving day was wonderful! I made a wonderful turkey, probably the best I have ever had! My husband and mom helped with the rest of the fixings and we had an amazing meal all together. I think my parents were impressed with my mad cooking skills. :D

I'm so glad that my mom and dad were able to come out for the holiday. Honestly- I loved every minute of them being here. By having them here, I realized how much I truly miss my home and my family. I also realized how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful people in my life. My parents and I have grown closer since I moved away. I know this sounds silly, but I believe it is true! Both of my parents call me more often and they also tell me they miss me and love me (which I never really heard growing up or while I was in school). They are both truly wonderful people and I love them so much! Don't tell them this, but I cried when they left.... Sad I know, but I just really miss them and I was just so happy that they came to visit us!

I am looking forward to their next visit, which will probably be in June...

Thanksgiving is coming!

Yep- tis the season for some yummy turkey and for giving thanks! This is the first year that I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner! Can you believe that?!?! Alaina making a holiday meal?!?!?!? Well, it is going to happen and I will let all of you know how it goes!

Matt and I are grateful that my parents will be heading across the state to join us for Thanksgiving. My parents have not been out here yet, since we moved out here in July, so we are pretty excited to show them around Rapid. I'm kind of excited, but yet nervous to be honest. I feel like we need to impress my parents and show them that we are doing well on our own. I realize how silly that sounds, but it is a pride thing. Even though I think my parents will make fun of our small one-bedroom apartment, I have a feeling that they will enjoy Rapid and our kitties :)

We are excited to have my parents here, but sad that my brothers will not be able to make the trip out here because of work. My parents are staying from Thursday-Sunday! That is crazy for my parents! Unfortunately, I have to work on Saturday and Sunday. Oh the joys of being a nurse.

One more thing- I am not only going to cook the Thanksgiving Day meal, but I am also going to make an amazing ice cream sandwich cake! YUM! I will let you know how everything goes! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Funny story...

I know my last post was kind of depressing, so I decided to write a happier blog this time! This is a funny story from the last night I worked. Enjoy!

As a nurse, I always introduce myself when I go into a patient's room for the first time. I also like to try to get to know my patient so I will ask questions like are you married, do you have children, and/or do you live here in town. Well, I went into my one patient's room and asked my usual questions and was surprised when my patient asked me what I liked to do for fun. I just told him I enjoy reading, playing on the computer, and hiking. He then told me he enjoys playing pool and asked me if I played pool. I told him that I suck at pool and that I haven 't played in a long time...

(Not realizing my patient was flirting with me)

Next time I went into the room to clear out his IV pump- The patient said "hey I was just wondering if maybe I could get your number and we could hang out sometime?" OMG! See, I don't wear my wedding ring to work because I don't want to ruin my ring or scratch any of my elderly patients that have such fragile skin. I realized I had not mentioned I was married to this patient. Since I never get hit on, my face turned super red and my response was- "Actually, I am happily married. I just got married in June. Thank you though, I am flattered..." His response was- "Oh... sorry" Then there was an awkward silence. LOL! Super funny!

I went home and told my husband... His response was- "I told you- you are hot! But you never believe me!"

Perhaps I should just buy a plain wedding band? LOL!

Praying for a miracle

Being an adult sometimes sucks.

I have been fighting with my insurance company to try and get my previous ultrasound and my upcoming ultrasound paid for. My previous dermoid cyst removal is considered a pre-existing condition with my insurance company. After all the phone calls and paperwork, I believe I will be paying for the ultrasounds all by myself! Which is around $1000. This doesn't scare me as much as the fact that I may have to have surgery and the surgery will not be covered. The last time I had a same-day surgery, the surgery/hospital cost was around $20,000 (but I was covered by my parents' insurance).

I realize that me not having health insurance for 63 days prior to my health insurance starting was my own fault, but it would have been nice to know that my previous surgery was going to be counted as a previous condition for this reason. After talking to the insurance company today, I learned that I will have to not have any tests or treatment relating to this issue for a year before the "pre-existing" condition will be dropped. WOW. So if I have to have surgery again, we will have to fork out the cash. $20,000. Where will we get this money from?!?!?!?! Will I have to put off surgery for over a year?!?!?!? Scary.

This has led me to my only other option- praying for a miracle. If you are reading this, I ask that you please say a little prayer for me that my dermoid cysts have not returned or grown. I believe in God and miracles. I know this is minor compared to other things going on in this world, but I don't know what else to do.

I'm afraid if I do have to have surgery and pay for it, the money issue will put a major strain on the relationship between my new husband and I. I know Matt will support me through everything and be there for me emotionally, but I just feel like I will have put all of our goals and dreams on a major hold. All of our extra money will have to be spent on hospital bills, so that would mean we have to wait years until we can save money for our future house and put any money away for our future children. This is so depressing for me to even think about, but unfortunately this is what I think of all the time.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

My new life....

Sometimes I am so amazed where life has taken me. When I was younger, I would dream about where I would be and what I would be doing after college. Now that I am 23 years old and out in the "working world", I know!

I'm now the wife of one amazing man. Matt and I got married in June and I couldn't be happier with him! He is such a great man and I am truly blessed to be married to him. I will have to admit that moving in together has been a learning process. I never realized how much of a neat freak I am until I started picking up after my husband. Can't say I like that part very much, but he is getting better at helping me around the apartment. With starting a new job and the stress that comes with it, Matt has been there for me during the hard times when I come home with the tears pouring down. I'm so grateful for his love and support.

In my last post, I explained my feelings about my new job and all that comes with it...

One of the hardest adjustments for me is being far away from my friends. I always knew that my friends were amazing, but after I moved away from them I realized how truly irreplaceable they are! I still talk to my friends on the phone and whatnot, but I must say I miss seeing them in person! My goal is to stay in contact with my friends and to work hard at keeping our friendship strong.

I'm working on making friends around here. To be honest, making friends is a lot harder than I remember... I know this sounds silly, but making friends is harder when a person is not in school or in an organization or something. Of course I have work. I am meeting some wonderful people at work but the problem is that most of them have families. Well, Matt and I don't have kids yet so I don't really fit in. Oh hum... It just sucks when I have four days off a week and no one to hang out with because my husband is usually at work. Mario and Luigi are pretty entertaining but I need some human interaction!

Those are my thoughts for the day.... Now I think I will go walk around the mall and window shop for something to do. Lame but true!

Nursing 101

While in nursing school, I truly felt as though I was going into a profession where I could make a difference and help people. After graduating in May and starting my career as a RN at a bigger hospital I have learned what being a nurse is actually like. Don't get me wrong- I do love what I do, but I never expected the work to be so physically, mentally, and even emotionally demanding. My job as a RN on an ortho/neuro/surgical unit has been very rewarding at times and at times just exhausting. I LOVE caring for my patients and helping them heal and being their advocate during the hard times. What I don't care for so much is the late night phone calls to MDs or the chaos of day shifts with so many discharges, surgeries, and admits. Even though I have come home many times with tears pouring down, I know in the end that what I do is worthwhile. I realize this when I see the smile on my patients' faces or when I hear a simple thank you from a patient for doing what I do. Caring for people is what I do and what I love to do. I just wish my job would allow me more time to provide the care I truly want to provide to my patients. I'm sure that I am not alone on this one!

My first post...

Hey there. I have decided to start this blog as a way to share my thoughts and feelings with everyone who wants to know. My life has taken me on an adventure that I would love to share... In the future, I plan on sharing my thoughts on being a newly wed, moving to a new place, and starting a new job as a new grad RN. Enjoy!