Life in The Sunshine State

Cool Bags & a giveaway too!!

2009-08-09T18:11:00.001-04:00

Check out this blog for a giveaway of a super cute bag!!

Jorden and Kristin: Our First Giveaway!#comment-form

My cousin got married!!

2008-06-09T07:32:00.003-04:00

My cousin got married a couple of weeks ago!! I had the pleasure of being in her wedding. It was so great to see my family. I haven't seen them since Christmas. I had so much fun that weekend in Tennessee.

The wedding was beautiful and Brianna was gorgeous!! Here are a few pics!!

Brianna and her dad walking down the aisle (which was actually stairs)

Brianna & Josh saying their vows

I will post some more pics later!!

I passed the CPNE!!!

2008-06-09T07:29:00.002-04:00

I'm a little late on posting this but, I passed the CPNE I am so happy that is over with now. I can now graduate and take my boards!!! The CPNE was hard but, it was doable.

Now I get to play the waiting game again!!! I need my graduation papers so I can register for the state boards!!!

I forgot to mention...

2008-01-27T16:07:00.001-05:00

I think I will be going for my CPNE in May. I finally got in touch with the testing center in Georgia and the school made a mistake in the computer and marked my application incomplete. So, the testing center did not schedule me for the test because of this. They quickly contacted the school and got it straightened out. It looks like I will be testing sometime in May. I should have an exact date in a couple of weeks.

For all who don't know, I am enrolled in Excelsior College's LPN to RN distance learning program. The CPNE is the clinical portion of the program. It is a super hard, 4 day exam at a hospital.

I am nervous and excited!!!

Yikes...2 months and no posts!! I'm a bad blogger!!

2008-01-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

I did not realize that it has been over 2 months since I have updated my blog. I knew it has been a while but darn!!

I have been really busy at my new job. I am enjoying it but, there are some days when I am ready to pull my hair out. I guess that comes with being a supervisor!!

We are getting ready to go to the 50th running of the Daytona 500 in February. Our best friends from Jersey, JP & Cheri, are flying down and joining us. We are renting a motor home and driving to Daytona and camping out on the infield for 6 days. George & I are so excited!! I have always wanted to go to the Daytona 500. It will be even better this year because my (and Cheri's) favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will be racing for his new team, Hendrick Motorsports.

My cousin Brianna (my maid of honor) is getting married in May. She has asked me to be in her wedding. I am also super excited for that. I love her fiancee, Josh. He is a great guy and I can't wait for him to become part of the family (even if he is a Jeff Gordon fan, LOL). Brie has picked out beautiful bridesmaid dresses and they have been ordered!!

I have also been car shopping. I just got my car about 1 year and half ago, but I am wanting something sportier. I just can't do anything unless I sell my car privately or come up with lots of $$$ to put down because I owe more on my car than it is worth. So, it looks like I am going to be driving the Grand Prix for a while longer. No biggie!!!

It's been a while...

2007-11-11T20:22:00.001-05:00

Since my last post. Let's see, what do I have to write about?

I'll start with my new job. I love it. I am so happy. It is sooo nice to work normal hours. I am really enjoying being home on the weekends. I like the people that I work with. I also got my first paycheck. It was only for one week but, it was more than any check I ever got at my last job!! I am super excited about that!!

I have now been married for nine months!! Nine months!!! I can't believe it. Time goes so fast. For all of you who are wondering how I like married life, I love it!!!

My cousin has asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding in May. I am so honored to be in her wedding. We have grown up together. Even though we lived almost 1,000 miles from each other, we are so close. She is the sister I never had. I am also super excited because I have never been in a wedding before (besides my own).

I bought an elliptical. I bought a NordicTrack Audio Strider 600. It has built-in speakers and a plug for my iPod. I love it!! It is tough exercise though. I am up to almost an hour on it. I never realized how hard it is to work out on an elliptical.

It has been over 2 months since my last cigarette. I have no urge to smoke at all. It is such a great feeling!!

I think that is all that has happened in the last couple of weeks. If I think of anything else, I will post again!!

Today is my last day at my job!!

2007-10-26T11:18:00.000-04:00

For all of the nesties that are reading this, I am sorry. I know you gals have heard me say this like 100 times already today!!

This will be the last day that I have to work at night. No more 3-11 shifts, mo more weekend shifts, and no more holiday shifts. This is the beginning of a new era, so to speak, for me. As a nurse, I am required to work at least every other weekend and rotating holidays. My new job (that I start on Monday) is Monday-Friday, 9 to 5, and no holidays. I am so excited for this. This will be the first job that I have ever had with these hours!!

Tonight will be my last night at my current job. Everyone knows that I hate this job. I love the residents and some of the girls that I work with. But, the management sucks. The place is being managed so poorly. Everyone is quitting. Four people have put their notice in within the last 2 weeks. Two of these people are directors!! You would think this would raise a red flag to corporate but so far, it hasn't.

I hope, for the sake of the residents and the employees that are still there, that corporate wakes up and realizes what is going on here. I feel so bad for the residents. They are the ones that are suffering in the long run.

What kind of blogger are you?

2007-10-13T10:54:00.000-04:00

Click on the photo to find out what kind of blogger you are!!

I finally got a new job!!!

2007-10-13T09:52:00.000-04:00

After months of searching, I finally got a new job. I originally applied for a Unit Manager position with this company. The lady that interviewed me called me on Tuesday and told me she was drawn to my resume and she wanted to meet with me ASAP. We met for my first interview Wednesday morning.

She was very impressed by my background but said she wanted someone with more experience in management for the Unit Manager position. I admitted to her that I knew it was a long shot when I applied for the position because I don't have any management experience. She said to me, "I like you. I like you a lot. I like your attitude. I have the perfect position for you." She told me all about the position and then told em how much it pays (double what I make now). She then asked me if I was interested. It took all of my self control to not jump out of the chair and beg her for the job. I cal my told her I was very interested. She then told me she would let me know by Friday.

I spent all day Thursday pacing around the house waiting for the phone to ring. I was a mess!! Finally, at 2:30 the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was her. My stomach started doing flip-flops. Well, she offered me the job and I accepted. I got off the phone and starting jumping around like a complete fool!!!

I am going to be the nurse in charge of the restorative department and head of patient education. It is a Monday-Friday, 9-5, job. No weekends, no holidays!! I am sooo excited!! I have never had a Mon.-Fri. job. And the best part is, I will be making double what I make now!! That right there, will solve a lot of my problems.

New job offer...

2007-10-05T13:19:00.000-04:00

For George, that is!! He currently delivers for a deli here in the area. He was talking to one of his 6 managers the other day about why there are so many managers and what they each do. Somehow, in this conversation, he told the manager that he is a former franchisee (owner) of a Domino's Pizza. The next thing he knows, he is being called into the office by the franchisee of this deli. The guy starts asking him all kinds of questions like why he is just driving and why did he sell his business.

Well, to make a long story short, they want him to be the catering manager. It is a Monday-Friday, 9 to 5 job. He has never had a job like that!! When he owned Domino's he had to work every weekend most of the time and some days he would have to work all day and all night!! I think it is a great opportunity for him. He told them he wants to think about it for a little bit and then he will let them know.

Hopefully, he will make a decision within the next week!!

Starting life on a budget!!!

2007-09-19T18:55:00.000-04:00

Well, after being here in Florida for 9 months, we got our first proposed tax bill. Since the house was just built before we moved in, it had never been assessed. Well, we were way over assessed and our mortgage is going up almost $500 every month!!! Since we found this out, we have been thinking of ways to save extra money and make some more money.

One of the reasons that we moved to Florida was that the cost of living was supposed to be cheaper. Well, you can buy a house pretty cheap here in Florida. After that, forget it. Homeowner's insurance is the same as what we were paying in NJ, taxes are the same, gas is higher, water and electric are more expensive, there is sales tax on almost everything here, and food is more expensive. And then, to top it all off, Florida pays less!!! Yes, we knew all of this before we moved here, but it is still tough to deal with.

George got a part time job delivering for a local deli but since they are new, they aren't very busy. I am also looking for a second job to supplement my income. I applied at a local Domino's Pizza for a position as a delivery driver. (George used to own a Domino's back in Jersey, so I used to help him out and work for him and I liked delivering.) Hopefully, they will call me soon so I can start making some extra cash!!!

I am also looking for a better paying primary job. I am not having much luck though. I have a fabulous resume (courtesy of http://www.resumebee.com/) and have gone on many interviews. I have even been offered positions but have had to turn them down because either the pay is lower than I currently make or health benefits would cost more and the pay would be the same. I can't believe that with the major nursing shortage, there are so few nursing jobs here. It amazes me!!!

Besides looking for jobs we have also cut costs elsewhere. For instance, we have started cooking more instead of going out, I stopped smoking, and we are selling things we don't need or use on eBay. I have also cut way back on my shopping. I don't buy anything unless I absolutely need it!! And, if I don't have the cash on me to buy it, then too bad, I'm not getting it!!!

So, we'll see how we make out!! I'll keep you posted!!!

2 weeks and still no cigarettes!!!

2007-09-19T16:28:00.000-04:00

All I have to say is WOOOOHOOOO!!! I made it!! I have even been forgetting to take the Chantix and I still have no cravings for a smoke. I am so proud of myself!!!

I keep thinking of all the $$$ that I am saving and how much better I feel. It makes me wonder why I didn't do this sooner!!!

My new adventure!!

2007-09-14T09:20:00.000-04:00

Since I spend a lot of money on candles (I am obsessed with them), I have decided to try to make them myself. Fellow nestie lisaroo over at Life, Love, & Soap has recently started making her own candles. I like the ones she has pictured in her blog so I am going to give it a shot. I have joined a couple of candle making forums and ordered myself a votive starter kit from Peak Candle Supply. I will keep you posted on my adventure!!

1 week without smoking!!!!

2007-09-13T16:38:00.000-04:00

I never in a million years thought that I would be able to do this. I have zero willpower and for me to go this long without a cigarette and not even have a craving for one is a miracle!!! I am so happy and I feel so good!!!

E-A-G-L-E-S...GO EAGLES!!!

2007-09-09T13:10:00.000-04:00

Today is the first Philadelphia Eagles game of the season. Hubby and I are uber excited!!!! We are also uber excited because we actually get to watch it. We weren't sure if the game was going to be broadcast here in SW FL. Donovan McNabb is back after having his ACL surgery last November so it should be a great game!!!

Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory.....

No Chase for Junior =(

2007-09-09T10:03:00.000-04:00

So, Junior didn't make the Chase last night. He sure tried his hardest though. It's a shame that his engine had to blow up. Oh well, he is still my favorite driver and I know that he will continue to race hard for the rest of the season.

Next season it will be weird not seeing the red Budweiser #8 racing. But he is on to bigger and better things!!!

NASCAR...The Race to the Chase!!

2007-09-08T22:03:00.000-04:00

Tonight is the final race before the chase for the Nextel Cup. I am a huge NASCAR fan and I am obsessed with Dale Earnhardt Jr. I am sitting here watching the race going crazy!! Jr. has to finish first in order to make it into the chase. The other two drivers, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch, who are competing with Jr. for the final spot in the chase need to have bad races. I am praying for Jr. to win this race. I know he can do it!!

GO JUNIOR!!!!

Finally...an update!!

2007-09-08T21:09:00.000-04:00

I haven't updated my blog in a while...so here goes!!

August 23rd-28th we went back to Jersey to visit. We had my in-laws 50th anniversary party while we were there. It was a total surprise to them!! We had been planning it for months and we were very surprised that we managed to pull it off. My in-laws were soooooo surprised and had soooo much fun. It was a great night. They got to see people that they haven't seen in 25 years!!!!!

I love the look on my mother in law's face!!!

Celebrating their 50th anniversary really made me think about my future with my husband. I love my husband very much and I can't wait to celebrate our 50th anniversary together (50 years from now!!)!!

When we came home from vacation I started taking Chantix (the pill to help you quit smoking). Since you can smoke for the first week that you take Chantix, my "official" quit smoking date was September 7th. I have not had a cigarette since September 6th. I have smoked for 15 years! I have tried to quit before but have never felt as positive about it as I do now. I am so excited!!! I am very proud of myself for this and am hoping that I can continue not smoking!

Since we just went back to Jersey in August we are not going to be able to go back for Irish Festival. We are sooooo disappointed. I love Irish Weekend in North Wildwood. I am so sad that all of out family and friends are going to be partying it up in a couple of weeks at Irish Fest!!! We haven't missed an Irish Fest in years!! I have been going since I was 17 (that's 11 years)!!! Hopefully next year we will be able to make it.

Still no test date for my clinical exam for school. I hope and pray every day that I will get my test date soon!!

I think I pretty much covered everything that's happened recently =) If I think of anything else, I will definitely make a new post!! I plan to be more diligent about my blog from now on!!!

7 months in Florida!!

2007-08-06T19:21:00.000-04:00

Today marks our seven monthaversary here in Florida. It seems like it's been a lot longer than that!!!

We are really getting used to the Florida lifestyle. We are actually getting used to the heat and humidity too!! We do miss NJ and all of our friends and family though. We will be going back to visit on the 23rd for a few days!! Can't wait!!! I am craving some Jersey tomotoes and corn and a big, fat, greasy cheesesteak!!!

I'm It!!!!

2007-07-26T20:47:00.000-04:00

(Players list 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, players then tags 8 people by posting their names and makes sure they know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at the tagee’s blog.)

1. I love french fries. Every restaurant I go to, I order fries and I eat every last one!! The only fries I don't like are the ones that have that batter coating on them.

2. I love reading books. Any kind of book...romance, mystery, fiction, You name it, I will read it.

3. I talk to my dog. I love my dog!! He is such a good companion. He is so much fun to have around.

4. I love the country band, Sugarland. I want to see them in concert.

5. I never watch movies. Not that I don't like movies, because I do . In fact, I love them. It's just that with my crazy work schedule, I never have time to go to the movies. I catch up on movies on HBO. I am watching The Devil Wears Prada as I type.

6. I miss New Jersey, but I love Florida. It is a big change but I am getting used to it. I miss all of my family & friends but am enjoying my "new" life with my husband and my dog.

7. I can't wait to be done with school and finally be a RN!! I am still anxiously awaiting my test date for the CPNE (the clinical portion). I am hoping I will hear something soon!!

8. I love my husband. He is the most important person in the world to me. He treats me like a queen. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Blogs that I tagged:

OK, every blog that I have a link to has already been tagged. As soon as I find some blogs to tag, I will add them!!

House rented!!

2007-07-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

Our house is finally rented. We found a nice older couple and they have agreed to move in on August 1, 2007. What a relief!! We were starting to get a little worried as we haven't had much of a response to the advertising we have been doing.

Job hunting!!

2007-07-20T16:26:00.000-04:00

Since I am not happy with the drama that is going on at my workplace, I have decided to look for another job. I went on two interviews this week. The first was at a local hospital. They offered fair salary but wanted me to work the 7pm-7am shift. I just don't think I have it in me to go back to that shift again. My second interview was at a local doctor's office. The hours are great, Mon-Fri (NO WEEKENDS!!), but the pay is not very good. I told them what I would need to make and they told me they would let me know. They just called me about 15 minuters ago to schedule a second interview for Wednesday morning. I hope that is a good sign!!

Still waiting!!

2007-07-20T16:24:00.000-04:00

I am still waiting to get my test date for the CPNE. It has been 6 weeks and I still have not heard anything. I called the school yesterday and got put through to a voicemail so I left a message and I still have not heard anything!! I am soooo frustrated with this!! I want to make my plans already!!!!

School Update

2007-07-10T08:31:00.000-04:00

I am currently enrolled in Excelsior College's LPN to RN program. It is a distance learning program. I study for a test, pay for it, schedule it, and go to the nearest Pearson Vue testing center to take the test. I have finished all of my Nursing Concepts exams and am now eligible to take the CPNE. The CPNE is the clinical part. I have to go to a testing center for 4 days and have my ability to perform various nursing skills judged. I sent in my application for the CPNE back in June. I hear that it takes 6-8 weeks to get a testing date. I am hoping to hear something soon. I just want to get this over with!! In the meantime, I am studying for Microbiology (my last pre req that I have to take)!!

Back from vacation!!

2007-07-10T08:08:00.001-04:00

Who would have thought that I would ever consider a trip to the Jersey shore a vacation???!!! Well, I do now. Does that make me a shoobee?? I don't think so...I was born and raised at the Jersey shore!! Anywho, I had a great time!! I ate so much junk food. All foods that you can't find here in Florida...i.e. cheesesteaks, scrapple, creamed chipped beef, Mack's Pizza, Sam's Pizza. It was all soooo yummy!!
It was so great to see all of my family and most of my friends. I wish I had had a little longer to stay so I could have seen a few more people. Being "home" for a week made me realize how much I miss the Jersey shore in the summer time. We went crabbing, went to the sandbar, and went bar hopping by boat!!
Now, I am back home in hot, humid Florida waiting for my dear hubby to get home. He won't be home from Jersey until Wednesday. I have to wait until August for our next vacation to the Jersey shore.

We bought a new home!!

2007-05-03T16:45:00.000-04:00

Just for investment purposes only. Believe me, I have no plans on moving any time soon. It is very exciting, just the same!! It is a brand new (not quite finished yet) home here in town!! It is beautiful inside and out. It has every upgrade, Corian countertops, ceramic tile, laminate floors, security system!! We are not sure if we are going to try to flip it right away or keep it for a while and rent it out. Renting can be a bit of a headache, but we are willing to deal with it for a little bit. I'll keep you posted on the details!!

Hello from sunny Florida!!!

2007-04-28T18:04:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our blog. I thought this would be a great way to keep our friends and family updated with everything that is going on in our busy lives!! Especially since everyone is so far away from us. Now that the wedding is over, I need something else to obsess over so this is it!!!