everyday life

The studying has officially begun!! Hooray! And I have signed up for the exam. So that's good. I was thinking and looking at my calendar and study plan and thinking about a date, and when I went to the state exam sign up site, only one date in all of December was available, and it was the day I had chosen, so that worked out perfectly!

I am still setting up things here around the house.

I tested out my new mixer with some Peanut Butter, Banana, Honey & Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies.

they turned out quite tasty!

I also tested a Brussel Sprout salad

you haven't known misery until you have tried to stir a jar of tahini

rrrr.... annoying.... I did find that microwaving for about a minute softened it up. Anyway, the salad was good.

And September has recovered from her brush with death! I am happy to report she is a little sweeter after we nursed her back to health. Even if that included shooting antibiotics down her throat 2x a day and eyedrops 3x a day, she seems to still like us!

she's eating!

would you look at that?!? - she's snuggling with me!

she's my Becks-substitute study buddy

and mommy's little helper

Otherwise life is studying and house fixing up. I ate some of Liz's delicious goodness. Sunflower cranberry (mock tuna, SO good) spread and jalapeno-cilantro hummmus. Mmmmmm

I'm feeling more and more homeowner-like every time I have to pick this disgusting leftover crap from the drain so our septic doesn't clog. Santa, PLEASE bring me a dispos-all!

I planted these sweet little succulants

doncha go dying on me!!

A couple nights ago we got Thai with Doug's friend(/my bridesmaid) for her belated birthday dinner. I got this Panang Curry. SO GOOD, must recreate!

The restaurant had these really cool tables that the waitress said a guy there had made from pallet wood. I have been planning on scouring craigslist for a table/chairs but am now thinking about asking that guy to build me one. Only downside- I really wanted a table that could add a leaf for guests, and I don't think his design would work that way

Last night Doug and I went downtown for the annual Christmas lighting ceremony. We saw real reindeer and window shopped. And also stuffed our faces with kettlecorn :)

it was fun

we're home!!!

Doug and I got home Sunday afternoon after a couple hours sleep on the flight back. My parents picked us up and brought over dinner. We sat on folding chairs and looked at our pictures together. The plan was for me to start studying for the NCLEX on Monday. But mom offered to come over on Monday and help me unpack the kitchen, so we did that. Then Tuesday I unpacked my clothes and bedroom stuff. Wednesday lots of errands and finding bins for storing things. And today I took little Miss September to the vet. Poor thing. We noticed her eyes were a bit runny, and she is usually all over the place. I have to admit I liked her a little calmer and snugglier, but then I felt awful when the vet today said she had a really high fever, and an upper respiratory infection that has moved down. Poor little girl. So now we have to buy her canned cat food for awhile since she was dehydrated, and give her antibiotics and eye drops.

I do feel a lot more settled and ready to get to work now. I know my mind would have just been wandering thinking about all I had to do anyway. This has also taught me that I am not meant to be a housewife (stay at home mom, maybe, as I'm sure that's busy!). I am enjoying setting up the house, but I've been speeding right along, and when that's done, I know I will be bored.

I think too I am intimidated by this exam, and so maybe the unpacking was some of my procrastinating coming through, but now I'm ready! 4 of my classmates so far have passed, 2 have jobs, and I need to get cracking. My study buddy who already took the exam told me today she thinks I don't even need to study, but I think it will help with some of the test anxiety.

I also want to start posting some blogs about Hawaii, which Doug calls "Anne's Everyday Life - the Honeymoon Edition". But for now, some little things from this week.

plagued by saggy boots?

this handy gadget, and...

Ta-da!!

And I really am a cat mom

wet food, paaaaartay!

And our front door. So pretty. I love wreaths. Here is my new wreath with our new welcome mat. And our wedding pumpkin is still going strong! Actually it's frozen solid, but it still looks pretty :)

Hawaiian honeymoon

We are here in Kauai! My phone won't let me add pictures :( but we are here and having a good time.

Right now I'm laying in bed and listening to the sounds of Hawaiian music on the radio and my husband making me breakfast before we head out on our hiking the Nepali coast adventure!