Christmas- 12 years ago

That is Smokey....or Smokey Joe! Smokey was my Christmas kitty 12 years ago. He's been a great companion these past 12 years. He grew to close to 17 lbs...the vet called him a mountain lion once instead of a cat due to his size. He went to ECU with me for a few months...then got cabin fever...so we call him a college drop out!

Last Tuesday I took him to the vet and found out he's in bad renal failure. I was a mess Tuesday....spend lots of money on a 12 year old cat, or put him to sleep. The vet gave us some antibiotics, some good food and said watch him. Today, my mom said he looked pitiful. I can't let him suffer. So...this is goodbye, which is so hard.

Spring!!!!

I went to Home Depot...looked around for flowers....the the Gerber Daisies were the prettiest ones I saw!!! So I picked up the pink and yellow ones! I also picked up some gardening gloves (can't mess up the recent manicure!) and some pruning shears (because I'm weak!) and I went to town! Pulling out the weeds....getting rid of the dead mums....broken garden stones....I should have gotten a before pic to compare to!!!

and.... TA DAAA.....


Poor frog...It use to say "Bless this Garden"...but the winter took a toll on it....still cute!
Pretty "Welcome" flag I bought last week in Charlotte...flag stake broke but it still standing!


Notice to the left of the daisies are my Stargazer Lillies sprouting up...they will bloom in a few weeks!!!


A colorful entry to our house!


Plus...a new bird feeder I bought a few weeks ago...suppose to prevent squirrels from getting in....well I think it does that and more! I haven't seen ONE bird eating from the feeder...WTF?!?

5K for Lillie!!!

I got to know Lillie when a college friend told me about this amazing little girl. When I started reading the CaringBridge site, Lillie had just been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma....a rare childhood cancer. I followed their CaringBridge blog and really felt like I knew Lillie, even though I had never actually met her. She was an amazing and brave young girl. Check out her caringbridge site below....

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lillieboyte/mystory

And a YouTube video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBs1IuztZ1E

This past weekend, a 5K run/walk and family fun event was hosted in memory of Lillie. This race helped to raise money for Neuroblastoma research. Over 450 people entered the 5K! WOW! It was the 2nd event the family has done for Lillie! After the 5K...there was inflatables for children to jump in, booths with ballons, a concert, and a easter egg hunt! We didn't stay for all of it...just did the 5K.

Josh, my brother ran the majority of the way. My sister in law and I had planned on training for it and running...but it didn't happen! We ran a bit in the beginning, in the middle, and across the finish line! I will NOT post my time, because it was horrible! But, what really matters is that we did it and it was for Lillie and ALL children battling neuroblastoma!!!

Below are some pics from the 5K....


Me, Melissa and Josh before the race!


My brother and his wife at Lillie's poster!


Me with Lillie!

Us...."running"....


FINISH!!!!

Almost as racking as nursing boards...CCRN

Just scheduled my date to take the CCRN!!!

This is a certification for critical care nurses (for you non-nursing followers!) Registering for it was just as heart wrenching as registering for my nursing boards. Those were evil...and I'm sure this will be too!

It is something I need to do...and get over with! I took a review course in September for it...and I'm taking another one in a few weeks to refresh my memory! It's things I do everyday....or could do everyday...it's just the heart content that scares me!

It's now or never....

Cute nursing video....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km6YP7Fec_U

Durham Bulls

So excited for baseball to start..and more excited for the Durham Bulls!

Opening day---April 15th @ 7:05

My favorite baseball songs.. always played at games!!!!

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=we're+talking+baseball+song&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 (my favorite minus the added Yankee part...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmV_YJm5jAc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K3DI07Ibb4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWoD2sQ9LiU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD369DS7UDY&feature=PlayList&p=CAB19EA6FB910582&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7

Hot Dog+Cold Beer+Baseball= Perfect evening!!!

Spring continued...

So last post was about how I love springtime weather....

a downside to it is...Allergies!! Woke up the other morning with allergies in full bloom! Geez!!!

But...I love the flowers and nice weather...so I guess I'll just stayed drugged with Benadryl!!!

J

Sunshine/Flowers/Baseball...

It's that time of year...

Chilly mornings and nights but high's in the 60's!!! All you need is a light jacket!
Daffodils and crocuses are blooming...I think the ones at the hospital were transplanted...but my neighbors popped up just the other day!
NCAA-is starting
Baseball is starting!!!
People are walking around with flip flops.
Sunshine!
Wedding season is in full bloom....I know of 4 weddings already for May/June
Easter basket's in stores

Loving it!!!