The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[Poolrat]

WAAAAAAAAHHHOOOTTTTTTYYYYY!!!!

Got my A by literally 1 point.

86%= good enough!

OH, and one more tidbit of cool news... the grade that was actually posted was an 87%. Somehow they must have given a point back due to a badly written question. I did actually challenge (politely with a good rationale!) a question to the head instructor on my way out. Who knows... waiting for a response from her as to which question it was. But that gives me a 90.5%. A FULL point above what I needed as they round up at .5%. But as one of you already said: An A is an A.

As if there was any doubt.

And now were at the ER. Zach fell at school. Of course on the last day of school and the day I'm the point person for an event for 500 people in 4 hours.

What fun would it be it if there was plenty of time for you to get prepared? Hopefully it all works out.

For a clean x-ray and just a sling for a few days.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh my! God does have a sense of humor. Character building at its best. I hope Zach heals quickly without too much pain.

And congratulations!!! Nice job on the A

 

[glennbo123]

I hope Zach is okay, but that sounds like speech material for a group of nurses if I've ever heard it!! Sounds like your speech is writing itself.

 

[Steppesister]

** tap - tap- tap **
I'm heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere!!
Good being back on the boards (having earned my ears in 2012 & again in 2015, I now have something to contribute -- guessing I'd better change my "motto"!) and hoping to reconnect with my Dis pals (Hi Leisa, Glenn, Jen, Rosie and each of you new-to-me peeps).
For now ...

Well, well, well!!! Lookie who's here! I'm SO glad to see you've come out to play- I've missed you... here anyways. Most of the "old" Peeps are still here, Glenn, Rosie, etc.... @jordanyosh is mostly gone, buts pops in and out as he can, and Jen is taking a break from what I understand. But plenty of fun and some new friends too! (Hi @afwdwfan- Andy; and @pkondz- Still Mr. Ruby as of right now)

I know there's a lot to catch up on here. I will be steadily updating throughout the summer, and hopefully, it will be more Trip-focused. I'll be starting work on my Trip Notebook soon, will be doing a bit of research to add to the plans, etc... Then when school starts again, it'll be a bit less and I will need to buckle down and re-focus. But summer is here, and I hope to get some REAL planning in! Woot!

You are soooo close!! I'm sure the yearning is tough though....but you have so many amazing things to look forward to!! You can do it!! I'm sure it was so hard saying no to doing fun things with family all the time...but they sound like a pretty awesome bunch and I'm sure they are cheering for you and will be there to celebrate when you are done!!

It has been a long road, and I am breathing a (temporary) sigh of relief. Summer has some fun plans, aside from actually putting some meat to the Trip Planning. YAY! I look forward to next year, but also dread it too. We have already been doing some fun things, as I'll update about later...

 

[Steppesister]

Wow. My stress level just rose reading all that. Good luck.

I can't believe it. By about 3 test questions out of 350, I got an A. Unbelievable.

I love that. Your kids seem to have a great grasp on reality.

They do. What at least one doesn't have a grip on reality about it how bad a 5 foot fall onto a forearm can be.

Does it really matter how many people you look like a fantabulous moron in front of?

You have a point. I think I pretty regularly look like one to my family though.

Actually, I think you should just walk up there, grab the mic, say something short and to the point, then drop the mic and walk off the stage.

It was on a stand. I suppose I could have taken it off the stand and aimed it at the few closest.

You're worried about looking like a fantabulous moron in front of 500 people and now you're inviting more to come see it? And possibly having it recorded for posterity???

I was told it went well. The Dean and several instructors did find me and complement me afterwards. So I guess at least they didn't think I looked like a moron.

I will be nowhere near Oregon, but thanks anyway. I do wish you my best on your final and the speech/pinning ceremony. You'll do fine, I'm sure!

Thanks! Apparently, it was just what I needed as both seemed to be at least adequate.

I get where you're coming from. It will be so nice to have it all behind you and move on with life. Just don't get too carried away wishing your life away. October will be here before you know it and before you're ready for it, I'm sure.

It's odd... I do LOVE Nursing School, especially learning new things and the practical application of that, but the stress of deadlines, exams, etc... is definitely something I'll be happy to be done with! ANd first things, first! I have a weeklong camping trip coming up soon, an Internship in July, a trip to Kentucky in August, and hopefully a job in between all of that!

It's almost here...and I'm sure you will do great with your speech. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Coming up soon!

Amen Sista!!!!

Great Job!

Whooyu think you're kidding? It is more like...................

Yikes!! That bad, huh?

I thought this was Nursing School???

Well, we DO know how to have a little fun. Once in a while. When we're not anxiety ridden over this or that.

Good Luck with your final tomorrow! I would be worried for you, but I know all the fretting and such is hokum.............you'll do great like you always do, and wonder why you were so worried!

Well, I think next year may very well be a different story altogether. Hence, the commitment of our group to study at least once a week all summer long.

Dang, just maybe like two states too far.............. Love to see the video though if you get one!

Well, crap. So close. ( I just asked... we'll see...)

 

[Steppesister]

I guess there is always the look at your watch and count method....

Yes, there is always that.

Yes Light at the end of the tunnel and it is NOT the train coming.

Toot, tooooot.

Wish I was close I would so be there.

Me too, Pat!

Well that isn't so far away but Oct 2016 is just a little further.

Ok fine. Just make it a year longer to wait. Sheesh. (My bad.)

YOU WILL make it through and as much as you want it over, you need to savor the minutes and the fruits of your labor. Good luck on that final, and giving you strength for the speech during the pinning ceremony. You will be fine and even though there is more heaped on you than should be, it will all work out.

Loving the freedom already. Picked me a heap of strawberries today and I'm tired, but an "I worked hard physically" tired. Which is sometimes better than an "I'm mentally tired" tired.

 

[Steppesister]

I'm not sure why I haven't been getting notifications........Congrats on the upcoming Pinning!! Hopefully things will settle down once that is over with and you can enjoy your summer!!

I have noticed that once in a while I go a spell and not get them too. I am so behind, I"m not sure it'd even matter. I think I just need to carve out a whole day and camp here. But not tomorrow. Tomorrow is raspberry jam day.

Uh oh. You hate to see it get to that point. Sorry you got left holding the bag. Ugh.

People. Sometimes they make me That's why I come here.

Whoa! Kids can actually say stuff like that?? What's your secret?

They got a little older than yours. If I'm right about your family and its values, they will say amazing things too. Amazing parents make amazing kids.

My wife and I were just talking about that the other day. We were talking of living paycheck to paycheck and longing for a time when we could tell the kids, "Yes, we can go out for dinner tonight." I guess that's what our vacation is for.

Yes, that is what vacation is for. We RARELY take the whole family out anymore. It's tough to go anywhere, even McDonalds, and get out for under $50. Not worth it.

Guess what? It's Tuesday! Just get through today and the end is in sight!

I did it! I got through Tuesday, Wednesday, AND a long Thursday of picking strawberries and canning jam.

Wait--what?

Oh sorry. Just a Figment.

 

[Steppesister]

That's awesome!!! Congratulations!!!

As I said on FB, I knew you would do it.

Hi Just Jamie!!




An A's an A!!! Congratulations! Good to know that your hard work has been rewarded letter-wise.

I KNEW I could count on this Family to make me a party! Thanks, Everyone!! Remember next year, that B's deserve a party. That's what I"m shooting for then!

 

[Steppesister]

Wow, you must be so relieved to be done! Enjoy your little break and we'll be here when you get back!

Thanks; it's off to a fantastic start already! Over 20 (haven't finished yet) pints of jam in the pumphouse ready for all winter long.

Major Congratz on your A. You put in an awful lot of time studying this semester and its nice to see that it paid off! Now relax for awhile and have some ME time!

Thanks!!!! I did put in countless hours; FAR too many to count. And all of them worth it. Had me my first eyebrow threading. Trippy.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I hope it is nothing serious.

Posting about this soon with the story.

Well, at least you're in your element at the ER now... if we can put any kind of a positive spin on things.

I hope everything turns out ok with him and there are no crises that necessitate the point person.

Way to spin it. And as you said, VV down there, yes, I actually needed something like that to take my mind off stewing about it all for the day. We were out of there just in time for me to change and put some make up on.

Well, at least up until that point. At least now you have other things to occupy your mind than thinking about the speech.

^^ see up there.

Oh noooo!! I hope that everything works out ok and you can get out of there on time!!

Barely. ^^see up there.

 

[Steppesister]

As if there was any doubt.



What fun would it be it if there was plenty of time for you to get prepared? Hopefully it all works out.

For a clean x-ray and just a sling for a few days.

Another party!!

It was not a clean x-ray. By a long shot. 2 breaks... Post coming...

Oh my! God does have a sense of humor. Character building at its best. I hope Zach heals quickly without too much pain.

And congratulations!!! Nice job on the A

Indeed He does. So far, not a lot of pain, just an elbow that won't bend so well. And an appt. after he was supposed to leave on a camping trip.

I hope Zach is okay, but that sounds like speech material for a group of nurses if I've ever heard it!! Sounds like your speech is writing itself.

True enough, except that I'd already written it, and didn't have time to add it in a way that didn't sound like a moron in the 1 1/2 hours I got between the ED and getting ready.

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm glad your speech and the ceremony went well. And even more so that it is finally behind you. Have a great weekend!

 

[Steppesister]

Z is for: Zippity Do Dah, My Oh My, What a Wonderful (?) Day
​

Z brings us to the end of a school year. Not just any school year, but the end of my first year of Nursing School. You didn't have to be around here long to hear enough of my ranting and fretting over just how difficult and yet rewarding this past 9 months have been. There have certainly been enough ups and downs to give Everest, Space, BTMRR, and the Matterhorn a run for their money. I mean Disney does that to us every single day- running with our money. But I digress....

Every good story has a beginning, middle and ending. Let's start the story of my last few days, which as you can guess, has be extremely full and all a culmination of the milestone of a the school year ending. As you already know, Tuesday was my final exam which netted me the A I had truly hoped for. It came right down to the wire, and as it turns out, only by 2 exam questions. Phew, was that close! What better way to celebrate than with a Lemon Drop and Friends??





We had a great time just relaxing and sharing our collective relief at passing our year! YAY, Us!

The next morning came early as I didn't sleep worth a crap because I was mostly up stewing about the Pinning Ceremony the next evening. Had I known what was to come next, I'd have been stewing about some altogether unforeseen events that would steal my attention and stewing. I give to you:





At 10:30, just a few minutes before a final run-through of our Ceremony was about to begin, I got one of those dreaded phone calls: "Is this Liesa? Your son's been in an accident at school. You need to come get him right away and take him to the ER; we're pretty sure he has a broken shoulder."

Nice. That's just awesome.

I cut my meeting short. WAY short, cuz I am a mom first and a student second. However, I did send that pretty lady up there, the one sitting next to me in the second picture^^, to get him from school, and we met at the ER.

She and I, being brand new nurses, interrogated him fully (eh hmm.... assessed him in Nurse-speak) and agreed, I'm embarrassed to say, that it probably wasn't broken and just a bad sprain. We suck. Yep, complete moron nurses who don't know crap. I stayed because I had already done the check-in procedure, and what's another $500 OOP down the toilet? No big deal.

And then I saw the x-ray. I released my Mom-of-the-Year Award to those more worthy years ago, so I wasn't too sad to see it slip between my fingers yet again. Ah well. The good news is that it wasn't his shoulder. Nope. It was his wrist.



And his elbow.


Although not a bad break, it was in a BAD place on his wrist. So the lucky kid not only gets a cast for the majority of his summer, and missed leaving on his camping trip with his Grandpa today, he also gets a FP+ to the Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday. The only bright side is that he gets out of mowing lawns all summer. And I get to instead. Oh yay.

The other only bright side of that day spent in the ED was that it absolutely took my mind off of my speech. Except once or twice when I did pull out the notes and read through them. With only an hour and a half to spare, I raced home with just enough time to take a quick shower, throw on my dress, put on my makeup, grab my stuff and go. Then I started stewing. I think I had IBS and Irritible Bladder as bad as one can have them. Luckily no one saw my knees literally shaking up on stage, and I was told my voice didn't quiver or crack once. They are either really nice or really good at fibbing.

But I got through it, and it was a lovely Ceremony. I am officially done with the academic portion of my first year of Nursing School. Now to just pass the NCLEX-PN in a few weeks.







It was a lovely event, but they did not video it. Sorry, you can't watch me look like a fantabulous moron. Please contain your disappointment.

Afterwards, my family celebrated with a lovely dinner out at an Italian place I hadn't tried. I think I have a new favorite restaurant in Salem. OH. MY!



Yes, that is me being a dork. As usual.

So, now that I have had a few days off, I am finding it a little hard to relax and let the stress off. I keep having this nagging feeling that I should be doing something or be somewhere, or that I have a deadline! Meantime, I've canned a ton of strawberry jam, bought all of my deck flowers and am slowly planting them, catching up on grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning. My back feels like that of a 97 year old.

Hope you are all well, and I will slowly catching up on your threads... it may take a bit, but I'll be there.

Next up is a re-start of the Alphabet which continues to serve my purpose well. But the next portion should contain a WHOLE lot more Disney and a little less personal life.

 

[KathyM2]

Wow...what a whirlwind of a crazy end of the year for you. I'm glad you are getting a breather!

 

[Poolrat]

Well Bad news for Zach but.... he has no schoolwork he has to figure out how to write.

My DD has a buckle fracture of the writs - left wrist writing wrist and I broke out the amazing typing device for her to insert her homework and type. At she thought it was neat for a while and a new invention. Yes folks the typewriter lives.

See Zach was keeping your mind off the ceremony and you worrying about the speech and all. He just didn't need to do it so well.

Sucks about the summer being compromised but i hope for a simple recovery.

 

[glennbo123]

Congratulations again! It looked like a great ceremony and time of celebration. I'm glad Zach is okay!

 

[Steppesister]

Wow...what a whirlwind of a crazy end of the year for you. I'm glad you are getting a breather!

It certainly was! PHEW! Now I am onto getting this house back in order. What a pigsty!

I picked berries 2 days in a row, and I feel like crap. My hubby reminded me that you can't sit around for a year and then expect to be in shape enough to do stuff like that. Thank you, Dear.

Well Bad news for Zach but.... he has no schoolwork he has to figure out how to write.

My DD has a buckle fracture of the writs - left wrist writing wrist and I broke out the amazing typing device for her to insert her homework and type. At she thought it was neat for a while and a new invention. Yes folks the typewriter lives.

See Zach was keeping your mind off the ceremony and you worrying about the speech and all. He just didn't need to do it so well.

Sucks about the summer being compromised but i hope for a simple recovery.

True enough. Now if we can get him to figure out how to stack wood with one hand.

That is genious! How funny that you pulled that out and it was just novel enough to keep her entertained.

I do too, but his elbow sure is swollen today. WOW! I am glad now I put my foot down and didn't let him go camping. He really does need to get in on Monday. I am sorta expecting an above-the-elbow cast.

Congratulations again! It looked like a great ceremony and time of celebration. I'm glad Zach is okay!

Thanks, Glenn! What a whirlwind! But now is the time for a bit of rest. Although, I am in gear now for looking for a summer job, still need to pass those National Boards, and have a 50 hour interneship lined up for July. I have to keep in mind that this is a marathon.....

 

[KatMark]

My dear, Liesa, congrats again. So very proud of you.

I still can't believe what Zach did. I'm sure he's not disappointed about not being able to cut the grass.

I'm glad you found a new place for dinner that you had never been.

I look forward to the next alphabet countdown (you might have to poke me on FB when you update as I won't be here much as you know).

 

[GoofyFan1515]

As you already know, Tuesday was my final exam which netted me the A I had truly hoped for. It came right down to the wire, and as it turns out, only by 2 exam questions. Phew, was that close! What better way to celebrate than with a Lemon Drop and Friends??

A Margarita at "The Ditch" in Epcot.........with Marv??? Congrats again on your "A"

And then I saw the x-ray. I released my Mom-of-the-Year Award to those more worthy years ago, so I wasn't too sad to see it slip between my fingers yet again. Ah well. The good news is that it wasn't his shoulder. Nope. It was his wrist.



And his elbow.

I'm sure being misled to focus on his shoulder had a lot to do with it............

But I got through it, and it was a lovely Ceremony. I am officially done with the academic portion of my first year of Nursing School. Now to just pass the NCLEX-PN in a few weeks.

Um, don't they usually have the tallest in the middle and work their way out towards the end???

Congrats on getting pinned.........."Twice!"

It was a lovely event, but they did not video it. Sorry, you can't watch me look like a fantabulous moron. Please contain your disappointment.

That's okay, I have a great imagination...........

So, now that I have had a few days off, I am finding it a little hard to relax and let the stress off. I keep having this nagging feeling that I should be doing something or be somewhere, or that I have a deadline!

Planning a trip........to Disney............ October 2016???

 

[pkondz]

But the light is a freight train of a speech in front of 500 guests. I don't like this tunnel right now. At all.

Ah, but you did well, apparently.

On my FB page; you'll have to friend me.

Sorry, I just don't FB. I've got enough on my plate with the DIS!

Purple.

Well, I looked through the drawer and... no purple.
Guess I'll have to go find some.
Wait. You're done school for now, how about you look for some for me?

I am yearning for this year to be over so I can can jam and pickles.

Did someone say pickles????
As in food of the Gods?

I know you just pictured me as a doll in the France section of IaSW.

Yes.
Your point?

Maybe I should buy a cute little frilly skirt and line my little minions up as we work in the kitchen and kick our legs up in unison?

Pictures?

I am yearning for getting outside and breathing the fresh Oregon air, camping with my friends, and re-acquainting myself with my family again.

That, is a wonderful thing to yearn for.

"Dad, I feel like, you're the best dad. I mean, you're, like, better than all my friend's dads. You don't always give us what we want and that's made us better kids. We would be spoiled brats otherwise." I absolutely have the best family ever!

Sounds like you guys are doing a good job with the parenting duties.

If you're in Oregon or close-ish by, it'd be awesome to have you join us for the hour long event.

A. Missed it
B. Nowhere near Oregon. Went East instead of WSW.

WAAAAAAAAHHHOOOTTTTTTYYYYY!!!!

Got my A by literally 1 point.

86%= good enough!

Way to go!!!
I knew you could do it!!! Congrats!!!!!

And now were at the ER. Zach fell at school. Of course on the last day of school and the day I'm the point person for an event for 500 people in 4 hours.

You didn't have to be around here long to hear enough of my ranting and fretting over just how difficult and yet rewarding this past 9 months have been.

I'm sorry, I must have missed that.
Did you post something about it?

I mean Disney does that to us every single day- running with our money.

I thought everything was free at Disney?

No?

We had a great time just relaxing and sharing our collective relief at passing our year! YAY, Us!

Sounds like a nice time. You guys deserve a little unwinding!

I got one of those dreaded phone calls: "Is this Liesa? Your son's been in an accident at school. You need to come get him right away and take him to the ER; we're pretty sure he has a broken shoulder."

Oh, my God.
That is just about the last thing any parent wants to hear.

She and I, being brand new nurses, interrogated him fully (eh hmm.... assessed him in Nurse-speak) and agreed, I'm embarrassed to say, that it probably wasn't broken and just a bad sprain. We suck.

Sorry, I know it's not a laughing matter, but... just the way you tell it.

So the lucky kid not only gets a cast for the majority of his summer, and missed leaving on his camping trip with his Grandpa today, he also gets a FP+ to the Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday.

I hope everything will work out with the surgeon.
It's a real shame that he has to miss everthing.

The only bright side is that he gets out of mowing lawns all summer. And I get to instead. Oh yay.

Look on the bright side!
Think of all the fresh air you'll get!!


No?



Hello?

They are either really nice or really good at fibbing.

Probably telling you the truth.
I'm sure you were terrific.

Now to just pass the NCLEX-PN in a few weeks.

Which is what?

Sorry, you can't watch me look like a fantabulous moron.

Awwwww.....

Shoot.

Please contain your disappointment.

Okay. But it ain't easy.

Yes, that is me being a dork. As usual.

Thanks for all the updates!

 

[KathyM2]

It certainly was! PHEW! Now I am onto getting this house back in order. What a pigsty!

I picked berries 2 days in a row, and I feel like crap. My hubby reminded me that you can't sit around for a year and then expect to be in shape enough to do stuff like that. Thank you, Dear.

Ha!! Picking berries is hard work though lol! I'm always sore after that!