Where did 2009 go?

It feels like 2009 flew by! It has come and gone! New Years day last year, I was shadowing a CRNA in the OR!

This past year was full of:
Shadowing in OR
Studying and taking the GRE
Applying and interviewing for grad school
Took a trip to LA
Met a boy there
Spent a lot of time in DC
Started studying for CCRN
Kyla moved back to NC
Kempton moved into Finley Forest
Started having girls nights frequently
Dinner parties full of wine and games such as UNO and Taboo
I turned 25
Learned to crochet
Had my tonsils out
Took Liz and Ben to Salisbury for the weekend...
Dated and broke up
Joined Match.com
Had a few dates...will continue in 2010
Worked a lot at the hospital
H1N1 scare
Good movies, good friends, good times...

New in 2010:
I want to get in shape (always on the list!)
Cruise in May with the girls
Dating
Focus on getting my CCRN certification
Raise my GRE scores more
Apply for graduate school

I'm sure the list will grow! I'm off to Williamsburg, Virginia today to spend New Years Eve with Katherine! Katherine has been living in LA for what seems like forever...finally moving back to the East Coast soon!!! Pictures will follow!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas where ever you are this season! I am spending my Christmas in Salisbury with family and friends. It is a busy day full of love, friends, family, food, gifts etc.

I wanted to share a picture of the snowman my brother and his wife made! They live in Winston Salem, NC and they got close to a foot of snow the other week! Defiantly better than the snowmen I tried to make!!!

Merry Christmas!!!
Jancie

Snowflake

After looking for different patterns and trying out a few, I found a great pattern that made this beautiful snowflake!!! I'm proud of how it turned out!

In my spare time...

Hi all! Just wanted to post an update...

In my spare time I've been crocheting hats! I learned to crochet over the summer at Great Yarns in Raleigh NC. During class I learned the basic stitches and made a washcloth/dishcloth. After I attempted to make a scarf and blanket, I realized those projects take a long time to complete. So....I'm on a hat kick! Here are a few pictures of some hats I've made. I also made a baby hat while at home in Salisbury....but left it there! :-( The pictures are made on the floor since I don't have any models...yet!

Big weekend coming up!

Hey guys...it's been a little bit since I posted! I have a big exciting weekend coming up this weekend. Friday night, my girl friends Liz, Kempton, Kyla and I are going to see New Moon! Liz and I went and bought our tickets today! We're all set...earlier this week we re-watched Twilight since it's been a year!


Tonight is our weekly Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice girls night! It normally happens over a bottle of wine, with girl talk during commercials...always a fun time!

Saturday night, Liz and I (with the help of Momma Schliebe and food network) will be cooking a TURKEY! We're having a big group of friends over for Thanksgiving dinner! The menu has been set and it's looking delicious! I have to work on Thanksgiving day, so I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving early with friends and family this year.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas too around here....I've seen people setting up Christmas tree stands, Santa is ready to take pictures with at Southpoint Mall, Christmas music on the radio, all the decorations are up...but it just doesn't feel like it's that time of year yet...its warm and not even Thanksgiving yet! It will be here soon though!

Jancie

It's November already?!?

Isn't this a good looking Halloween party?!? I'm so thankful for the friends I have here in Chapel Hill. I told one of our friends that was at the party, anytime I'm feeling discouraged, I look at one of the video's that was taken called "The Boot Dance" and I can't help but smile and laugh! This group sure does have fun together!

We had 3 trick or treaters! It was the same three kids from last year too! I remember the mom was carrying one of the kids last year, but this year they were all walking up! I remember one was a ninja, one was a cat and one was something scary with a mask on! Cute! I remember that was the best part of Halloween...going around to friends houses and trick or treating!

Today was suppose to be my first day back to work since my tonsillectomy...but since I am overtime this week and we were low on patients, I was told to stay home. Today, I've spent lots of meaningless time looking online at shoes (Thanks to Oprah!), but also got some CCRN studying done! The cardiac portion on the exam is kicking my tail! It's not quite 6pm...and it feels like I should be putting on my pajamas...day light savings!!!

While eating dinner I heard this story on the news...

http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/6332427/

You don't think a tree will fall do you?!?



52 days till Christmas! Have you started shopping?

And the waiting period begins...

This past Wednesday I headed North to DC for a graduate school interview. Last week I got an email saying that I had been granted an interview with Georgetown University's School of Nursing! I was thrilled! I went to Georgetown on Thursday morning cool calm and collected for the interview. Everything was great until I went to do my personal interview. This is when the nerves set in! As I walked down the stairs to the interview room I said a little prayer to be calm and to let everything be ok. I bet the interview didn't last but five minutes or so...but geez was I nervous! My voice was quivering...my hands were visibly shaking...I was a nervous mess! I believe I was so nervous, because I really want this...and I had been thinking about it for so long! After it was over, it was back to calm Jancie! The whole process....faculty presentation, Georgetown tour (patient simulator and cadaver lab!) etc was great....the school defiantly has a great program!

Since I was the first group of applicants to interview, I have to wait until the Holiday's to hear. They take 42 students. Which is more than a lot of NC programs I think. Waiting on this news will be hard!

On a another note...I'm back to work Monday!!! I have recovered from surgery without complications! It's back to the regular routine...no more sleeping in and being lazy! I'm excited to be back...I've missed it!

Sorry to report no DC pictures....camera battery was dead :-(

H1N1...

This morning I received an alarming email from my sister in law about the H1N1 vaccine...

A Washington Redskin cheerleader received the vaccine and had horrible side effects...of course no vaccine is completely safe, but here's the link.

http://a11news.com/2477/h1n1-flu-shot-cripples-cheerleader/

As I emailed this story out to friends, many sent back reply's which sparked my interest to look further into it.

WebMD talks about the swine flu vaccine and compares it to the 1976 swine flu vaccine...

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/is-the-h1n1-swine-flu-vaccine-safe

Although the risk is low....Guillian-Barre Syndrome is no bueno! The last I heard, my employer UNC Hospitals was out of the vaccine. Who knows if they will get more and when that will be. Will I be in the line...I don't know.

(Thanks to Kyla for her lovely picture of the pigs from the NC State Fair this year!) You can follow Kyla at http://adventureswithkyla.blogspot.com/

Hello again...

I just read through some of my blogs I wrote while I was "out of commission" with my surgery...so funny! I was cracking myself up reading my own blog! I guess you can say that the pain medicine got the best of me during those days...sorry if you read that and thought...WTF?!?!?

I am doing much better! I saw my surgeon Friday and he was pleased! I am back to eating pretty much whatever I want. YAY! I didn't realize how limited I would be for that long. In the meantime, being away from work, I've kept busy studying for the CCRN exam. I took a review course in the DC area towards the end of September which was helpful, but still have plenty of studying to do.

I will keep this short...you may be saying....WTF!?!?

Until next time...

J

Fall is here!

I'm so excited to see the Fall come....the past few days here it has been chilly! One day there was a steady rain. It's mid October, and this is how it is suppose to feel! Liz and her family went to a pumpkin patch last weekend and brought home some pumpkins! That combined with the fall flower arrangement I got for my birthday, it's all Autumn like here at the 206!

We've decided to have a Thanksgiving dinner party here at the 206. Details to come soon! I'm excited to be able to eat a good meal by then! Tentatively scheduled for November 21st.

Watching Pearl Harbor today...such a good love story!

Friends!

Just a few pictures from the other night! I love you guys!

I'm officially 25!

I'm officially 25 today, October 11th, 1984 I was brought into this lovely world. Not sure of the time, I'm sure Momma Webb could recite that one though! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes on Facebook and many text messages I've received. Unfortunately due to my tonsillectomy procedure I can't talk very well...so thank you's are in the form of electronic messaging! What would you do without electronic messaging....email, text messages, blogs...I know I would be able to exist and proceed with life, but things would take a little longer for sure!

Today my mom came to visit from Salisbury. She just left me on Friday, but felt the need to see her baby girl on her birthday. Mom's friends Stephanie and Mr. Bias also came over. We had some birthday pudding pie and opened gifts. I had mentioned to my mom that I wanted some family pictures, but apparently today was not the day to bring them. As soon as she mentioned a picture I wanted of my dad I started balling. So she took the pictures home, I'm assuming she'll bring them back when I'm not so emotional. Crying hurt the most, just think how many muscles you use in your neck to cry! I was like ok...I have to stop this hurts! Unfortunately, when I cry, I CRY...and it's hard to stop! Mom got me some cute pajamas and her friend Stephanie got me a Pandora bracelet...really cute! I'm thankful to be loved by so many people.

I talked to my doctor yesterday and got my pain medication switched to something a little less powerful! The previous medication had me in a zombie state constantly. At least with the new stuff I can function. I do not have much of an appetite...tried to eat some pudding pie today, a potato, and some jello. Sweet tea is the best thing so far..that and gatorade! I'm pretty much tired of the food that I can eat! No fun! I keep seeing commercials on TV...like today one about a taco salad/nacho from TacoBell...looked soooo good, earlier I got a craving for Triscuits and cheese....yeah, can't have that for awhile!

Luckily, postseason baseball has kept my attention! I've watched most of the games so far....what else is a girl to do when she can't drive, go anywhere, or hold a conversation? Watch baseball...movies...DVR'd TV. Right now, I'm multitasking watching the Yankee vs Twins, typing this blog and listening to the new Harry Connick Jr. cd! I love his version of "Can't help falling in love with you".

I'm a sap for love songs! I guess it's just every girls want to fall in love with the perfect guy and dance to these songs at your wedding. One day right?!? Here lately my girlfriends and I have had our Tuesday/Thursday girls night, which consists on MTV Hills and The City on Tuesdays and Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice on Thursday nights. These nights also include gossip on the latest dates/drama with friends, guys etc. I have come to the conclusion that as much as we love guys....girls and guys are so different! We think differently, we need different amounts of attention, things that seems important to one may not be so important to others, you may call us a stage V clinger but we're soooo not....etc.

People say that for a relationship to work you have to work at it. How much work should you have to put in it...shouldn't it fall into place? I mean, you can't force something that is not there right? So many questions! I never knew growing up would yield so many confusing topics!

This blog is going lingering (and who knows if it makes sense)....so until next time...Love!
Jancie

Day 2 & 3- Tonsillectomy

So, life has gotten a little more rough since the day of my tonsillectomy. Day 1...not so bad. Ate some creamy chicken soup...ice cream etc...with little problem. Day 2, I looked like I was getting a goiter! My neck is so swollen! And what happens when you neck swells....you can't talk....and your ears hurt! Ekk! Last night...was the worst night of all, woke up frequently, couldn't talk, dry mouth but it hurt to drink, and just unable to get comfy! Booo!

Just a few random thoughts that come to mind...

Sleeping a 1/2 hr at a time is NOT ideal sleep

Apparently I have a speech impediment....even though I feel my pronunciation is fine! (I have a white board now!)

After awhile, icecream/italian ice gets old

Pain medications work, but I can't keep my eyes open when I take it!

I'm defiantly not use to people waiting on me hand and foot...and I'm not really a fan!

As my eyes are closing now, I will end this post before it gets confusing!

J

Day 1

So, today I went to UNC to have my tonsils removed. I had to be there at 6:30 to check in. It was weird getting up and getting ready and not being able to put on "my face" aka, makeup, or deodorant, perfume etc. I didn't feel complete. Liz laughed at me to see that I was rolling my hair with hot curlers prior to surgery, but hey a girl has to have good hair, right? Mom and I left, got her some breakfast (which smelled so good, but I was NPO!), and checked in. I don't think I left to go back to the operating room until at 8:30. Before leaving, a few ENT doctors came to talk to me, the OR nurse, and the anesthesia team. Everyone was so nice! All I remember was getting a little Versed and being rolled back to the operating room. After that...I was out! I was ready to leave UNC tonsil-less and awake at 11am! I was shocked at how fast everything happened.

The worst part of the day was driving around to three different pharmacies to find one that could fill my prescriptions. I guess the liquid pain medication threw them off...really? First I took my mom to Harris Teeter because she could get a few things to eat while waiting for the prescription, but they didn't have my medication. Then Rite Aid...nope! The pharmacist at Rite Aid called another store and found that they had it. So, close to 2 hours later and some TCBY, mom and I were ready to head home. I was still so asleep from the anesthesia and pain medications, my bed was calling my name! Once I got home, I got in my bed and napped for about two hours. After that, I felt much more awake!

It's been an afternoon of movies...Maid of Honor, You've Got Mail, Notting Hill, and TV...Say Yes to the Dress on TLC and MLB baseball!!! I've napped off and on. I really feel ok...I'm just hoping my pain doesn't get much worse! The worst feeling is the feeling of "cotton mouth"...if you have had it you know what I mean!

That's about it....that's day 1! Hopefully things don't get much worse before getting better! :-(

Not sure who reads this, but maybe I'll update tomorrow!

Mwah!

Jancie

Birthday

Since I'm having surgery a few days before my birthday, friends came over last night for a early celebration! Kyla's birthday was Friday too, so we had a dual party! Fun times!

Saturday started out with Liz surprising Kyla and I with getting manicures/pedicures at Southpoint Mall....then lunch at Cheesecake Factory! Fun day...we all realized why we don't get our nails done...b/c we're working women and nail polish chips! But...it was a fun girls day and our nails look fantabulous! Friends came over later that night, great friends and great times! Some pictures included below...I love my friends here!

DMV

Ok...I know everyone hates the DMV, shoot...I was not thrilled about going, but driving is a privilege. Today I had to go renew my license since it expires this month. I was smart and woke up super early..on my day off to get in line at the DMV. I got there right at 7:30 to notice a line already at the door. There were about 5 people in line ahead of me...before the door open! Crazy! Turns out, school was out today in Orange County and every parent was there with their child to get learners permits, driving licenses etc. I had enough of the 15-16 year old attitude. I was in amazement of some of the looks given to the DMV employees by these teenagers! I know if I would have done that, my mother would have taken me back home...with no license! Drop the attitude kids!

I hope when I have kids...in a hundred years...they will have a little respect for their elders!

I got my license renewed with little difficulty and only an hour spent at the DMV!

What else....today I went back to the doctor, this head cold is not going away...so today I got more prescriptions! I've been trying to lay around and rest up...back to work tomorrow for 3 days! Hopefully I'll feel alive and able to care for others worse off than me! Lizzy and I are going to see Love Happens this afternoon...I'm excited, it looks really cute! That's about all for today...low key day!

By the way...I'm loving this fall weather...and I hear it's only suppose to be nicer this week!!! YAY!

Janc

Where did September go?

Can you believe September is almost over?!? It's been a busy month...I just got back from spending the week in Vienna, VA. Vienna is about 20 minutes from Washington, DC. I spent two days sitting through 7 hours of class/day on how to pass the CCRN exam. The teacher was crazy funny and really helpful in preparing you for the exam. I received approximately 200 pages of nursing information. I hope to study through the information while recovering from my tonsillectomy.

While in DC and not in class, I shopped around a little, realized that most people do not have jobs as everyone was at the mall on a random Wednesday afternoon! I also learned how to drive in the city! Crazy! I can't even tell you how many times my GPS said "recalculating". It was defiantly an experience. Unfortunately, while driving and not knowing where I was I spent a lot of time sitting in traffic. But, the time spent sitting in traffic was well worth every minute spent in DC.

I have been recovering this past week from the common cold that everyone seems to have. No fun! I should buy stock in tissues! Hopefully it goes away soon!

12 days till my tonsils get yanked...

16 days till my 25th birthday...

Before you know it, it will be CHRISTMAS!!! I can't wait!

Best,

Jancie

9/11

I woke up this morning to watch the new coverage on 9/11/01. I can't believe it was 8 years ago. I can remember exactly where I was at that time. I remember sitting in 2nd period at East Rowan High School in math class. I remember a friend had gotten a phone call from her mother telling her about the attack. I remember being confused by what was happening...who could have done this...and why? School went about the rest of the day...some students went home early...but mostly we watched news coverage the rest of the day. I remember hearing about all the church prayer services that would be occuring that evening. After school I remember sitting at home with my family watching the horrible news coverage of the plane crashing into the buildings. Very sad day!

Last summer I was actually in New York City and we went to Ground Zero. I was there for a work conference, but we escaped class for some site seeing. I will post pictures from my trip. I remember seeing flowers, names, American flags, candles, and prayers left by the site. Construction was in process. It's amazing how one horrific event can change America!

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones during the attack and to those who had their life changed because of it! God Bless!

I love......

Just got home from the movies...went to see Julie and Julia today! Ever since I saw the previews it was on the "to watch" list! Such a cute movie! I always loved Julia Child...she was a real woman...one who didn't let things get to her...just laughed it off...wasn't afraid to try new things... Oh to be like Julia! During the movie I started thinking....oh to live in the city...to fall in love...to take on a new adventure! I'm sure I don't have the blog followers like Julie did...but this is me getting my thoughts down.

My next adventure...I have dreams, but have to wait for things to fall in place. Graduate school vs travel nursing. I could see myself doing either...I would love to travel to Seattle, New York, Chicago, Hawaii...and many more! But, doing the school thing would provide a better life down the road! Positives and negatives to both. Unfornately and fortunately, those decisions are not completely in my hands! Who knows...neither of those things may happen. I guess thats the uncertainty of life. You never know what may come your way!

Woke up this morning and thought...is Josh Groban going on tour anytime soon...new album...? So I went to his webpage and watched his video blog...how cool right?!? I love Josh! He's so talented and such a goober! I never realized how funny he was until my first concert! Sadly, nothing new coming out right now...but he's working on a album I think! So...in the future!!! Needless to say, my Itunes has been playing Josh all day! Love it, love it, love it!

The other thing I love is this weather we had today! I went out in jeans, a short sleeved sweater, and a scarf! Not a winter scarf...just a springy one...but still...the air was crisp, not sticky! Today is September 1st...where did August go? It's crazy...but I'm ready to welcome Fall! Pumpkins, Mums, Changing of the leaves, pumpkin pie, Halloween...tonsillectomy (not really ready to welcome that...but it will be here before I know it!).

That's it for now....I would say Bon Appetit, but nothing is being cooked...

Best!
Jancie

Studying

I never realized how hard it would be to get motivated and study again! I'm studying for the CCRN test (Critical Care Registered Nurse) and I'm just trying to get through the cardiac section! Ugh! 32% of the test is cardiac...just great...what I love!

Woke up this morning...looked outside to the blah cloudy day and said to myself, today is a study day! So, I'm sitting at the Chapel Hill Public Library (b/c what would I get done at home!) and what else am I doing besides studying...checking facebook, reading blogs, did a survey for a coworker, and freezing! Why does the library have to be freezing?!? I did do some work...made it through Angina...but there is plenty more of cardiac to get through!

September 22 & 24th, I'm heading to Falls Church, Virginia for a CCRN review course...which I hope will be helpful. Two days where I HAVE to study! I feel that I need to know a little bit before I go though! I don't want to look incompetent there!

Back to studying!

Update

Things have been pretty busy since my last post...just a short post to catch everyone up...

Mailed in one application for graduate school. I really am excited about the fact of returning to school and getting my Masters in Nursing. Well...let me rephrase, the school part will not be fun, but doing it now will be better than later! Getting my Masters is defiantly on the "list to do". Just waiting on a few more things before I mail my other application in. Getting into anesthesia school is really competitive, but I'm hopeful!

I watched "Notting Hill" for the first time this past week...what a cute movie! It's been a movie that everyone was shocked I haven't seen...but of course there are alot of movies I haven't ever seen...but that is checked off the list of movies never seen..and added to the list of favorites! On the list of favorites...You've Got Mail, Bull Durham, The Notebook, Steel Magnolias...etc!

During my yearly physical this year, my doctor said my tonsils need to come out...so this past week I went to see a good friend at UNC and he looked and agreed! So, the OR scheduler called and set up my date. I'm having my tonsils out October 7th. Right before my birthday...great! But, I told everyone I'd rather have them out in October before the holidays! So...say a few prayers for me! Hopefully the recovery will be fast! :-(

Tonight, I'm going to a goodbye party for a co-worker, Shani I wish you the best! Tomorrow I'm heading home to Salisbury for my Grandma Lowery's 80th birthday party! Can you imagine living to 80 years old? I feel like I'm falling apart before my 25th!

It's pouring down rain, I really need to run some errands, but the rainy weather outside makes me want to crawl back in bed with a good book!

Best!
Jancie

Salisbury weekend

This past weekend I headed home to Salisbury! I had an engagement party to go to for a high school friend. Andrea and Bryce are getting married next June! It was nice to catch up with friends that I haven't seen in awhile...some I hadn't seen since 2002 when we graduated high school! Wow...7 years already? Lots of good food, drinks, and friends! After the party, I went to the Kannapolis Intimidators (minor league baseballl) and saw some old ballpark friends. It was nice to see old friends and talk about how things use to be. They are celebrating 15 years this year, and I was there for at least 6 of those years as a season ticket holder! They had awesome fireworks after the ballgame too!

Sunday I went to church with mom, which is a huge treat for her. I realized that the last time I was home was for Easter! So, maybe I am a stranger to the church back home! We met up with my brother Josh for lunch in Winston Salem afterwards! My brother and his wife just put hardwood floors in their house, and they are gorgeous! It's amazing how different a house can look after you take the carpet out and put down hardwoods! The house looked so much bigger! Their little dog, Charlie, has a hard time running on them, but it's entertainment.

Speaking of dogs, I watched Marley and Me for the hundreth time this weekend, and I balled my eyes out again! That movie just touches my heart! Afterwards, I had to pay a visit to Gunny and MoJo (the dogs at my moms) and give them some love and attention...ie dog bones! I want a dog so bad at times, realistic...not so sure!

Anyways, time for me to get things together for the week ahead...work work work! Until next time....
Jancie

July 4th

This 4th of July was full of new and exciting things! I left on Friday and caught the Amtrak train to Alexandria. This 6hr-ish train ride was nice and relaxing! I spent most of the train ride crocheting and listening to my ipod (Michael Jackson of course). I got to the train station in Alexandria around 6pm and Peter was there to pick me up and get me checked into my hotel. It was nice to get off the train and see him there, since it's been a few weeks since we were together! We went to get dinner at Indigo Landing and sat on the patio overlooking the Potomac River! It was a gorgeous setting with the DC skyline in the distance. The Washington Nationals set off fireworks after the game and we were able to view them from where we were having dinner! Talk about perfect timing and a great night!

Saturday we spent most of the day walking about Old Town Alexandria! Such a cute town on the waterfront! They have a trolley that goes around the town which is super cute! There were lots of people out walking with their family and dogs! This really made me want a dog! A boat is on that wishlist too.... There were people on the sidewalk playing patriotic tunes, people doing magic tricks, and a parrot stand (why I don't know). The people watching was unbelieveable! We went to one of his friends house for a cookout that night...watched the fireworks and socialized.

Sunday we went to a Washington Nationals game, which they won! Exciting because apparently they aren't that good! They played the braves and won! The weather couldn't have been better the whole weekend! It was warm during the day with a breeze and cool at night!

Overall...I had a great weekend!!!

Southern Village

Last night, I went out to see the NC Symphony at Southern Village. Liz and I got there more than an hour before start time and it was already packed! I guess I wasn't expecting such a large crowd. We met Liz's dad and brother there and had a picnic. It was fun seeing how everyone else was picnic'ing...one couple had a large table with a tablecloth and flowers in a vase...others had small tables and sat on a blanket. Interesting! (If you're a people watcher...this was the perfect event for that!)

We took with us, subs, pasta salad, and coleslaw for the meal, with white wine and peach torte for dessert. Everything was yummy! The symphony played lots of movie music so everything was recognizable.

We got a handout with future events at Southern Village including Movies on the Green and concerts in the park! I think I'll defiently be checking out more events!