Rants, Recipes, and Running

Feels as though it as last Tuesday minutes ago! Wow the week flew! 1) What was the last concert you went to? Dashboard Confessional back in 2006 with my sister Lisa! It was a fun sister date before I headed off to college! We went running shoe shopping, out for sushi with our brother, and to the concert! Oh...and she took me to Starbucks. It was the first time I had ever drank coffee before! (I just realized that....) Thanks Lisa, you officially started my coffee addiction! :) I don't know where I'd be without it! 2) Is it easy to make you cry? That totally depends on who it is. I can be extremely talented at being very stoic with no emotion. And then there's days where I'm like a water hose of tears! But I rarely do the whole "happy cry" thing. 3) Do you ever feel like people underestimate you? Yes--I think. I don't know if " underestimate " is the correct word for this. But being I'm young, and I'm the youngest in my family, and I'm...

So I am stealing this idea of the "monthly recap" from my sister Lisa! I think it's a cool idea to get the latest news! It is just crazy to think that this month is gone. It was super busy and SUPER FAST! But I am ready for December to be here. I love the Christmas season. AND Ryan and I get to fly home to see the family for 10 days!!!!!!!! (*Pause...while Abby jumps up in down in cart-wheels-of-glory) So here it is! Current Book(s): Nursing Care of Children & Infants by Hockenberry & Wilson. Very exciting. But seriously, December 14 is my final. Then I get almost 3 weeks off!!!! (Allleluia!) So I am looking forward to doing some reading. So to you "Book Worms" out there, I am open to suggestions. Otherwise, I'm reading "Going Rogue". I dont care what you think, I think Sarah Palin is an amazing woman, and I would love to read her book! I am a proud fan! Current Music: Christmas, Christmas, and More Christmas! However, I shouldn't soun...

Ryan & I celebrated our first Thanksgiving as the "Nastase family" cooking our 1st feast! And looking back, I feel safe to say it was a success! We did take photos of some of the events, but being I purchased a new computer (thank you, Black Friday)...I don't have the energy to upload photos. I'm tired of "uploading" stuff! But I will recap on the great day! Let's start with the prep : Growing up my mom hosted Thanksgiving nearly every year. She has a giant family (8 kids) -- so Thanksgiving was very, very plentiful with lots of family, tons of food, and great memories! I remember she was always a little..... tense ....the days leading to this holiday. I always thought, "Gee, Mom. What's the big deal?! It's just Thanksgiving. You're family will love you no matter what!" Now I hosted my first thanksgiving, for a much smaller crowd. And let's just say I was also.... tense . This week I officially became My Mother's Daughte...

So it seems to be the trend this year to do a post on your choice of social networking to state what you are most thankful about. I thought that was a really night idea -- but never got around to starting to do it! Besides, I'm more of a "list" person. So here I am going go list, in NO particular order, my blessings in life that I am ever thankful for! My husband . He is essential. It's pretty amazing to get to call your best friend your husband , or vice versa. Coffee . It gets me through extraordinarily long periods of studying & 5 hr lectures! My health . I am reminded of this blessing every day in every aspect of nursing. Target . I would say 75% of my wardrobe is Target. My house . Since I have moved away, I learned that I was kind of sheltered (in a good way). I had never really seen a homeless person before. Now I see them every day, and have even had them has patients. I can't imagine the utter fear of not having a place to go at night. Education...

Here's my 10 for the week! Enjoy! Or ignore, b/c you're probably sick of hearing about Abby by now ;) Hope your week is wonderful!! 1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? An Architect. I floated between architect and nurse. I even had this architect program on the computer where I would design houses -- but found I was more interested in the horticultural aspect of designing houses. The houses eventually had no walls -- just flowers and plants. 2. Name 3 of your irrational fears. -Vomit. I'm going to be a nurse too. When I have a patient get sick -- I still get reallly jumpy. -That I am forgetting to clean something in my house. Like there is a corner somewhere that I am consistently missing. And then one day, I'm going to find it and it's going to be infested with germs. However, with how crazy I am about cleaning -- I'm hoping this doesn't happen. But I check diligently every week!!!! -Having someone break into my house when Ry...

Here is my Ten on Tuesday. Yet another list of random questions. They are fun for me to do -- don't feel obliged to read! 1. What are some of your family traditions? Dotzenrod family - I must agree with my sister -- Christmas Eve is so full of amazingness in my family! Oyster stew (even though I don't eat it), tons of crab/shrimp/seafood, sardines (probably my favorite), lots of family, and just an all around amazing time! Words cannot explain how happy I am to be able to get Christmas with my family this year! My new family (with Ryan) tradition -- Valentines Day. We celebrate it a day early! It's b/c we are just so excited to celebrate our love. Okay, so really it began 2 years ago when we both had a test that week and needed to be spending V-Day buried at the library. So we had our day of love on the 13th. It was great! Restaurants aren't packed, and it's just ... different! :) 2. Do you know how to change a flat tire? Why, yes I do! I cry, get on my phone and c...

Today I am blogging a tribute to probably my favorite ingredient. This is not just an ingredient for the kitchen, but for your whole household! Often, this ingredient is looked down upon. People smell it, and say"ick!" Not I. I feel such an inexpensive staple is underestimated..... ....Vinegar! Here are some of the things I use Vinegar in my daily life!: Food uses : I always soak my meat in a variation of Vinegar & Herbs to make it it's tenderest. Balsalmic? Red wine? Rice? Apple Cider Even plain ole' White Vinegar. It is the best topping to a delicious & nutritious salad! Can't do just plain white? Try Red-Wine vinegar. Still too strong for your tastes? Dilute a dressing such as "French/Catalina" with some vinegar! Mix some Balsamic with your asparagus and throw it on the grill!! Laundry uses: Every month, I run an empty load in my washer on the HOTTEST temp, and a few tbsp's of White Vinegar & some bleach! It keeps my clothes smelling ...