Rants, Recipes, and Running

Remember how 2 months ago I was going to blog 30 days straight?! Doing this cute little segment/challenge? Well, that was productive. (sarcasm) But I do plan on finishing it. Kind of like I plan on some day finishing the quit that I seriously started 11 years ago. I just like to take my little breaks! And today is goals -- which is a big focus for me lately since there's been so many life changes! First, let me tell you -- that I'm obsessed with goals. I eat, breathe, and sleep goals. Short term, intermediate, and long term. I'm like a walking calendar. Some say that's a "flaw" -- but it's how I like life. So I'll probably keep it that way! Here are my goals that I'm thinking about right now.... Short Term : Make the adjustment to night shift this week without turning into a walking zombie.  (I am SO not a night person!!!) Start taking body combat classes (it's like...kick boxing kind of *I think*) at our new gym Get all pictures,...

Oh, Lord. Get ready for a novel, folks. I'm going to turn this post into a complete political rant. ARE YOU READY to have me talk your ears off on my beliefs on health care, the housing crisis, GM, abortion,  illegal immigration and sb 1070, and the unemployment extension? ......I didn't think so. I had you going for a second, maybe ? I will save those thoughts for the book I write some day titled "Staying Put" (kind of an antonym to Sarah Palin's *Going Rogue*.....) Anyways, so here are a few of things that I BELIEVE: ( some more serious than others ) I came up with this list while I was on my boring 12 mile run this morning. Yes, I said boring. It was. I believe in God. And I believe in the power of prayer. I believe family and husband (who is my family) bring me more joy than anything . I believe Pinot Noir is better than Cabernet Sauvignon. I believe you can take the cheapest, shittiest cut of beef and make it taste delectable with a few ho...

This isn't a very difficult post for me to write about. I am such a "scaredy cat" about so many things. I could quite possibly turn this into a book. I was also the kid that wouldn't go on the monkey bars at school, out of fear that my arms may be ripped out of their sockets. I was the kid who got to the end of the diving board, and then shriveled into a ball at the end shaking in tears. I got to the top-climax spot on a roller coaster, and start saying "Oh my God, get me off this thing. I don't want to do it anymore! Get me off this thing!!" Then I went college, and majored in nursing. I leanred all the horrible ways one can reach multi-system organ failure. If I have too much coffee, and feel maybe the slightest heart palpitation - I am listening to my heart sounds with my stethoscope......... So here's my list of irrational some fears. ;) (some of these may be comical & pathetic to you):\ Heights Vomit (I've gotten better about th...

This day of the challenge comes at a convenient time, as we visited a new place this previous weekend! Bisbee, AZ A little history.... Bisbee, AZ is an old mining town founded in 1880. It has been named one of the most lucrative mining towns (The Copper Queen Mine) in the WORLD, once producing more than 3 million oz of gold, and 8 billion pounds of copper. In addition, they also mined silver, zinc, & lead. In the 1900's, Bisbee was one of the MOST "hopping" cities from San Francisco to El Paso -- filled with beautiful women and numerous Saloons. The mine closed in the 1970's, and many of the employees moved elsewhere. However, the town remained his rich history and buildings have stayed strong. It is now a tourist town, populated with artsy "hippies". Why did we chosse Bisbee..... It's been kind of a crazy few months for us with lots of new life events going on. We wanted to just take a get-away together. However, with how erratic our sched...

Happy Monday, everyone! I was going to skip the "30 Blogs" today to talk about our weekend getaway. However, tomorrow's subject is "A Place You've Traveled" -- so tune in tomorrow to hear about Bisbee, AZ! :) Today I'm supposed to talk about my favorite movies. I'm going to have to be honest and say I'm not a huge movie "buff". I do enjoy watching movies....but.... I'm " That Girl " who gets distracted in the 1st 20 minutes of the movie, so I miss the ENTIRE plot set-up. Therefore, the rest of the movie I'm asking Ryan, "Now who's that character?" "What does she do?" " Where is this movie located??" It's really annoying.... But here are a few of the movies that are favorites of mine... -Waiting for Guffman -The Sound of Music -The Pianist -My Best Friend's Wedding -Cool Hand Luke

After I finish uploading this photo-o-happiness...I will be packing our suitcase for a very unique get-away! We are headed to Bisbee, AZ! It is a historic mining town about 2 hours from Tucson. This town is notorious for being highly populated with some serious "hippy love". In the summer, apparently people are barefoot in the streets selling their home-made goods and singing. Being there is a part of me that is a bit of a flower child-wanna-be....(due to my love for Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, the harmonica) -- I'm kind of excited to see this. After our weekend I will post pictures of the neat places we'll be staying! (since I don't want any creepy stalkers out there reading my blog showing up at our hotel room tonight....) Now onto some happiness pictures..I can't settle with one! This was the 1st time Ryan & I "locked eyes" on our wedding day. I still remember it and how nervous I was! This pictures gives me butterflies.... The Great O...

Before I start my "30-blog-challenge-sibling-post" -- I need to give a shout out to all the Veterans who do such a great service to our country! Ryan and I had our traditional (3rd year now) Veteran's day lunch at Applebee's -- where he got a free meal. I also ran 20 miles prior to this lunch date - so let me tell you I was ravenous!!!!!! Now onto siblings.... I started writing a post 2 days ago on this. But it turned into a book. I started writing about each sibling I have, and the unique traits they have that has impacted my life. But it would've gotten long -- for my siblings are as follows: Chad, Emily, Kevin, Julie, Emily, Jason, Lisa, Erin, Nick, Michael, Alexa, Sophia, and Jack!!! That's a long list! I consider my sister/brother-in-laws siblings too. When you marry someone, you truly marry into their family I believe. So instead of writing a 700 page book on sibling love, I'll break it down into 2 sections 1) My Immediate Siblings: (Chad,...

As you all know, from the Mother's & Father's Day tribute-posts, and the uncontrollable excitement I get about trips home......I have an very close relationship with my parents. There isn't a day where I don't thank God for the parents who raised me. The parents who were a little more "strict" than the "16-year-old know-it-all Abby" wanted them to be. And now, I am SOOO glad they were strict!!! I am SO glad I was the only kid in my class with an 11 o'clock curfew (when all my other friends would stay out until 2). I am SO grateful of how tough of critics they were of any boy I tried to date . They never approved any boyfriend of mine -- until they met Ryan. I think there's a darn good reason for that ;) I am glad to know I grew up in a home where dinner was had at the table as a family every evening. Prayers were said before dinner. We had dinners as a family whenever it was possible -- although sometimes it was impossible with...

So today's post is to talk about your 1st love. But before I get into that, I have news to share!..... My hospital called me Thursday evening at about 6:30 pm with the offer. And I got my 1st pick - Telemetry! At my hopsital their telemetry unit is a cardiac step-down unit from the ICU. So I will get to see some pretty sick patients, but no ventilators! I am very excited to get my skills expanded! :) Now on my 1st love.... I am proud to announce that my 1st real love was my husband. Prior to Ryan, I had never been in love. Nor did I even know what the meaning of love was. Never in my life had I committed or dedicated myself to anyone! It makes me happy to know that he is the 1st person and the only person I will ever share that bond with! But I will share the story of the 1st boy that had me "smitten". It was the summer before 8th grade....at the International Music Camp in Canada at the Peace Gardens. He was 1st chair in the band, I was 2nd chair. He had a real...

"The Adventures of Abby and Ryan" Very compelling blog title. Such depth. I choose this name due to lack of ideas. I've toiled with things such as the following: "Running with Scissors" (this would be because I'm an avid runner, and I'm a nurse...so always have a pair of scissors in my pocket)....but that's kind of cheesy. I've also thought of doing "Recipes, Running, & Rants". -- since that nearly sums up what I talk about on here! This whole blog started back in the summer of 2008, when I was planning my wedding. My Step-Mother-in-Law started this up for me (since I didn't even know what a blog was at this point) -- and dubbed me author. Our original idea of this blog was to talk wedding plans . But I'm going to be honest with you guys, I wasn't that "in" to the whole wedding planning thing . I just couldn't find inspiration to blog about flowers and center-pieces. I am not a creative person...

So I am joininging Kelly in her 30 days, 30 blogs challenge. I often have a tough time finding the creativity to write on something - so here it goes! However, I know I won't be blogging 30 days straight.... so my goal is to just get all 30 in at some point in time! Here is how it works: Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name Day 3-Your first love Day 4-Your parents Day 5-Your siblings Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy Day 7-Favorite movies Day 8-A place you've traveled to Day 9-A picture of your friends Day 10-Something you're afraid of Day 11-Favorite tv shows Day 12-What you believe Day 13-Goals Day 14-A picture you love Day 15-Bible verse Day 16-Dream house Day 17-Something you're looking forward to Day 18-Something you regret Day 19-Something you miss Day 20-Nicknames Day 21-Picture of yourself Day 22-Favorite city Day 23-Favori...