I'm thankful for my pancreas

I have homework to do tonight but I am trying really hard to procrastinate by making an overdue blog post....

This first semester of school has been AMAZING so far! I love school. My biostatistics course has been a breeze and my advanced physiology course has been overwhelming. I have read most of the textbook for physiology and have learned so much. I had to laugh when I realized this week's topic is the gastrointestinal tract, perfect for Thanksgiving week. I am thankful for pancreatic enzymes that will digest and neutralize partially digested chyme as it enters my small intestine about 3 hours after the feast. It seems that every week I learn something that totally amazes me. This week the random amazing fact was that oral glucose works faster that IV glucose. The hormone GIP is released when glucose enters the mouth and it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin. With IV glucose, the glucose has to circulate until it directly comes in contact with the cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin, a slower process. WOW, how did I not already know that?

I have done very little related to sewing, quilting and crafts since school started. It hasn't helped that my quilting comrade Ashley has been on an assignment in Alaska for 42 days now. (She never asked if I was ok with her leaving for a few months but I've decided I'll still be her friend when she gets back anyway. I've missed her too much to hold a grudge.) I did however make it to one shop and the Las Vegas Quilter's display of the The Hoffman Challenge during the annual Shop Hop. I love shop hop but didn't buy a scrap of fabric this year... I wasn't sure what fabric was for anymore because there is so much dust on my Bernina. I didn't even make Halloween costumes this year, a first since giving birth 6 years ago. I did carve that vampire pumpkin to go with my vampire daughter so I'm still identifying as someone with a little bit of artistic ability.
I hope Thanksgiving finds you all healthy and surrounded by loved ones. I am so thankful for the amazing people in my life!

Countdown

Do you ever have those days where you feel like you've gotten nothing done even though you really have? I had a hard time falling asleep last night, woke up early to get the kids to school and have been running ever since. I still feel like I'm dragging. School starts for me in 6 more days. Tuesday my mom stopped by while I was in the middle of orientation. One of the "tips for success in an online program" was to get organized. I told my mom their recommendation as I was laying on the floor at my computer. She laughed for like 10 minutes and I joined in. It was well deserved. I decided to paint my master bedroom, retreat and bathroom before school starts so I can have a nice place to study. Getting organized is an understatement. The upstairs in my house has been a wreck as I have been painting this week. Thankfully I still have a little time to get my house in order, play with my kiddos and take pictures of flowers.

Just when I'm feeling comfortable, life throws a curve ball

I finally got all the parts and pieces turned in for my grad school application on Tuesday. Nurse Practitioner school here I come. It was only 4 days past deadline, but they still accepted it. No I wasn't dragging my feet, what's 4 days anyway. They didn't seem to care. College is like painting a bedroom. It is so much work but when you are finally done, you realize it was all worth it. Grad school has been in the plan forever but the idea had been buried for so long, it has hit me smack in the face. WTF am I getting myself into? Just as I am getting comfortable with the idea of it, I was sitting in my manager's office Friday and told her the exciting news. Her response, "Are you sure you really want to do that?" Thanks for crushing the dreams I have been trying to get excited about all over again. I decided it was time to go back to school because I've been an L&D nurse for 5 years. I've seen it all right? Nope. Recently I delivered a dead baby by myself without the doctor making it for the joyous occasion and pushed emergency medications down a patient's IV as she was seizing while holding her on her side so the baby inside her might still get some oxygen. I would love to lay out the details but HIPPA prevents that. How the hell am I supposed to process this crap if I am not supposed to talk about it? I am one of those people who can't watch scary movies because I can't separate myself from the characters. That applies to work too, I treat every patient as if it was me in the bed. Sure it makes me a good nurse but when bad things happen, it takes me a long time to get over it.

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a ballerina but my parents kept telling me that I was too smart to just dance. When I grew up I still got into the arts- fiber arts. But I am trying to walk away again for intellectual pursuits. I don't think a career as an artist is any less stressful, just different stresses with much less risk. Artists don't usually deal with life and death situations at work. I hate seeing nurses in the news getting scrutinized because it is not an easy job. I want the judges and journalists to run around a busy unit trying to manage the care of several patients at once before they cast judgment, oh yeah and now that the night shift nurses are here to take over, don't forget to write everything down that you did over the last 12 hours so that you can defend yourself if anyone decides to sue you for taking care of them or their loved ones.

I really do love my job. I wouldn't have done it for so long if I didn't. Some days as a nurse suck and I just needed to vent. Now I feel better and can go back with a smile on my face.

My Johnny

Today John, the kids and I went to BYU. Walking around campus brought back a lot of good memories. John and I spent our engagement and first year of marriage on that campus. When John and I were dating, he would often say that I made him want to be more than he was. Over the years, I have to say that he has been the one that has inspired me to be more.
I don't know what adventures lie ahead, but I am glad I get to experience them with him. He is my dream come true.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu

Summertime Adventures

I miss my customers but I am so glad my husband talked me into a little more freedom this summer! John and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on a cruise ship! I've also been working on some projects around the house and I've actually been piecing some quilts! For the fourth of July we went camping at Bridger Lake. Doesn't John look great in a cowboy hat?

Another birthday has come and gone!

At the end of April, I got another year closer to 30. So close that I have to categorize myself in the late 20's bracket. Late is the part that hurts. The occasion got me thinking about how I view my age and whether or not I am really seeing myself age appropriately. There is no turning back, I will never be a kid again. I had such a perfect childhood, thanks to good parents, a religious canopy protecting me, and a whole bucket full of ignorance. Many days I find myself thinking about days gone by. This bday I intentionally looked at the present and future. My life really is good. The biggest problem I have is figuring out how to make housework a little more exciting. I have lead a very busy life always and it is finally starting to wear on me. "You don't want to burn your candle at both ends," my dad always used to tell me. I am finally starting to believe him. I am trying to focus on priorities and putting more effort into those instead of a million things.

This weekend I drafted out a letter of resignation to my customers. I have loved longarm quilting for others and love the people I do it for. This week I received my 600th order and it is hard to think of letting this all go. So why would I walk away from a successful home business I have poured my heart into over the last four years? I am going back to school for my masters degree to become a nurse practitioner. The reality is that the time has come for me to pursue this dream and I can only put so much on my plate. I have children to raise, a husband to love, a house to keep, friendships to nourish, and a job to work. I am going to trade running a business for school. Here it goes.....

Raw edged applique flowers at Fabric Boutique

Last week I had the pleasure of quilting this darling quilt for Fabric Boutique! I used an all over pattern, Flying Paisley, from Willow Leaf Quilt Studio for the background. Many of the fabrics including the backing had heart prints so in the center of all the flowers I quilted a heart with a scalloped edge. If Fabric Boutique ends up selling this as a kit, I wouldn't change it at all. It is a great pattern and the fabrics were perfect together.

Valentines Day!

I have to brag just a little about the wonderful man I married almost 7 years ago, yes this year will be our 7th anniversary, crazy how time flies! Yesterday I took my daughter to dance class and when we got home, on the kitchen table was a dozen red roses, chocolate and a hand written note- a complete surprise. He is so sappy and I love it! He writes the best love letters!
The night before, I had hit the local grocery store. I got stuck crying in the card isle. I was reading valentine cards and couldn't pick just one. I love my Johnny so much!

This week my kids have been sick but Friday morning my kindergartner woke me up to tell me it was time for her to go to school. She was dressed with her teeth brushed and trying to convince me she felt well enough. The truth of the matter was, she couldn't wait to get to school for the Valentines Day Party. It is strange how candy can make children well. Maybe all those sugar pills they use as placebos for studies really can make people better.

I was happy to see her smiling. I gave her a dose of ibuprofen, some breakfast and sent her to school with these....


These home made candy rings were a hit at school even though they didn't stay assembled long. I simply twisted chenille stems into rings, hot glued candy on top and twirled the remaining ends around a pencil. Instant smiles.

Happy Valentines Day!

2010 Specials

The numbers are in..... In 2009, we quilted just a few shy of 300 quilts! Thanks for all your support! I have loved being a part of your quilting experience! I am looking forward to another great year of quilting your quilts as always with a Guaranteed 2 Week Turnaround!

2010 has come and so have new quilting specials! Click the images to view larger

Free Cupcakes at Retro Bakery

TOMORROW February 10th is the second anniversary of my favorite bakery in Las Vegas! They are giving out free cupcakes all day. These cupcakes are an amazing one of a kind. See you there!

Retro Bakery

7785 N. Durango Dr. #130
Las Vegas, NV 89131
702-586-3740

Monday-Thursday: 8AM to 6PM
Friday: 8AM to 7PM
Saturday: 10AM to 6PM