Political epiphany

I’ve been feeling like quite an odd duck politically for years now. I’m very conservative in some ways, and very liberal in others. I can’t even say I’m fiscally conservative and socially liberal, or some other variation that’s as simple to explain.

I finally figured out how to explain how I feel. I am a libertarian at heart, because I think that more federal government power = more red tape, more bureaucracy, and lots more unnecessary spending. And let’s be honest, why would ANYONE want to surrender their freedoms to the federal government? Do you trust that everyone in the federal government is a “good guy” and has your best interests at heart? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

But, as I said in a Facebook post today: “My libertarian side that wants less government intrusion into/control over our lives takes a backseat to my Christian beliefs when it comes to issues like health care and welfare. I don’t think Christ would be very proud of a society who let its poor starve to death and its people with treatable medical problems die from lack of ability to pay for treatment.Obviously the most ideal situation is for “the church” to fill the role of caring for these people. As I’ve said before, since the church isn’t able or willing to fulfill this role in our country for 100 percent of these cases, there has to be another solution. This is idealism vs. reality.”

That’s not to say that I necessarily think that our healthcare reform laws are well-written. But healthcare in our country is screaming for reform. I wish both political parties could put aside their partisanship and work out some real solutions for this issue. There are so many different players in the healthcare industry … we need to think outside the box about real solutions that don’t leave the less fortunate out in the cold.

Oh, my poor sad, little neglected blog …

I have a good excuse for being away, really I do. I’ve been eating, breathing & sleeping all things nursing for the last year … but now I’m 3 weeks away from graduating!!! I’m ever so slightly a little bit excited.

I’m pretty sure this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. This year I’ve done 3 semesters of 22-24 hours of nursing classes, plus 24 hours a week in our “main” clinical PLUS specialty clinical rotations on top of that. I think I squeezed a couple of hours of sleep in there somewhere.

But now that I’m within spitting distance of the finish line … I’m SO glad I went this route. And I’ll have a BSN to boot. I plan to get my master’s degree at some point, but I have to find my nursing specialty niche first.

I would have never done it without major, major support from my husband, kids and extended family. My husband … God bless him. He’s done a lot of dishes, laundry, house cleaning, homework, cooking and general tending of the kids. And he’s done a really good job at it.

My kids are ready for me to be done, especially Mikaela. It breaks my heart every time she tells me she misses me or asks me to play (and I have to say, “no, I have to study.”). I want to take them to Disney next year to say “thank you” for sacrificing Mommy for a year. Or maybe to make up for my guilt. I still think it (going to nursing school) was the right thing to do, and I know we’ll all be better for it in the long run, but God, was it ever hard.

People that went through this accelerated program last year told me that everyone has a breakdown at some point. Mine hasn’t come yet, but I have a tendency to have a level head in a crisis and fall apart later. I may just take my NCLEX (the nursing board licensure exam I have to pass to earn my license), then go sit in my car and cry.

If you are considering attending an accelerated nursing program, especially if you have kids, feel free to email me and ask questions. I can give you info on Texas Tech’s one-year, web-based, BS-to-BSN program as well, if you’re interested in that. You can reach me at jayandmelanie AT hotmail D0T com.

My prayer

Hillsong From The Inside Out

My prayer ….

Mother’s Day Giveaway

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a really great mother’s day giveaway … go check it out!!

Where have I been?

Going back to college, and taking the first steps to a nursing degree, Lord willing. I’ll know soon whether this is going to work out if I passed the entrance exam and/if I got approved for the student loan. I’ll keep you updated!

Well, I guess it was the thought that counts

You remember that floral arrangement that I did a few weeks ago?

Well, I was just standing in the bedroom sorting laundry and Mikaela walks up, freshly-plucked plastic flowers in hand: “I pick for YOU, mama!”

Personality tests

I’ve been a fan of psychology ever since I took it in high school. I especially liked one class I took in college, Personality Theory, where I learned about the theories of Jung, Freud, Skinner, Watson, Bandura, Maslow and others. I was fascinated, and I remember reading my textbook from cover to cover.

Since then, I’ve been infatuated with personality tests. Most of the personality tests you find for free online are cheesy and not very scientific, but there are a few pretty good ones. Like this one and this one. (In case you want to compare notes, on the first one, I’m an ESFJ, and on the Ennegram, I’m a 6.)

Is this thing on?

I think my problems are resolved! Woohoo! I’ve missed you, internet.

Still working on it

This changeover to the new blog has been like pulling teeth. Through the nose.

I am still working with Dreamhost customer service and I hope to have things working really soon! I’ll post again here when things are all up and running. Sorry!!!!

- Melanie

Technical difficulties

I has them. Please stand by.

Surely you jest

 

Dreaming

I know we’re on a budget, but here are some of the design elements I’ve been batting around for inclusion in our new home:

I like these a lot better!

This is what the photo-upload “simpsonize me” resulted in (I tweaked my hairstyle a bit) … here’s Jay’s new pic too:

Spring tree

Merry Christmas

Greetings from the trenches

Well, my first blog. I’ve given a few other sites a-go, but to no avail. I shall try this one and see if it sticks.

About me – short list: I’m happily married, a proud mom, a writer/designer, a talker and outgoing. I love to talk about politics and religion. I love Tex Mex and my husband’s cooking. I work from home. I love cool music. I am opinionated and passionate. And last but certainly not least, I’m a seeker of God and his will for my life.