Contentment...or something kinda like it...

My brother is always doing this thing where he waits around. He is always in a state of "about to"...about to start school, to start a business, to move out on his own; about to get serious about this girl. He's always on the look out for a better car, better clothes, better gadgets...he's always taking gifts back for a better model/version. It DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! He comes to me for advice about what he should do with his life and I find myself always telling him to "go for it". Whatever "it" is...whatever his ambition, I try to encourage him to get started and accomplish whatever will make him happy or get him excited about life. OR if it's a goal that's a little too lofty for reality, my advice is to be still and find happiness...or at least that all elusive contentment in where he is or what he's doing. But ALAS...he just waits. He waits just in case the timing is not right or just in case something better comes along. He doesn't commit so that he'll be ready to take that better opportunity when it arises. GRRRR....

As frustrated as I get with him, I'm finding myself not having much room to talk these days. I have been in a state of transition for quite some time. I've been in school, out of school, learning new jobs, moving around, back in school, out of school, moving, learning new jobs, moving..new jobs...see a pattern? So now I've been in one spot for a while. Things feel like they are falling into place. But now I find myself feeling a little of what my brother must feel....I'm feeling this need to find something new....I can't figure out what it is...I DETEST moving but I'm looking at houses...IN BIRMINGHAM!!!! I love what I do! I can't imagine being anything other than a nurse...a critical care/cardiac nurse. But again I'm thinking about finding something new.

I can't tell if my spirit is being stirred by God...that I'm feeling the urge to move/change because I am SUPPOSED to or if I'm just giving in to the discontentment that seems to plague others in my family. I believe in following where God leads and will GLADLY do so. I just wish He worked in neon signs and road maps! I'm not asking for much...If I am supposed to go somewhere else or do something else...great! FINE!!! Otherwise... if not, I need a little contentment or something kinda like it....

I'm getting excited!

I am SOOOOOO ready for football season...can you tell? My kitchen is all decked out and my flower bed has the most adorable flag! Bring on the tailgating! A little early but..... WAAARRRR EAGLE ya'll!!!

Do we really need.......

SPREADABLE BACON?????? Really folks???

maybe a sign...but for what?

i just found out that my brother's girlfriend (of all people) is going to buy the house that I had my eye on.....SERIOUSLY had my eye on!!!! I'm just wondering if this is stop sign from above blocking my attempts to buy, saying I should wait....ORRRRR is it a sign saying get a move on... if I don't make a move, someone else will... hmmmm am I overthinking this... should I just jump in and hold on for the ride????

A lot on my mind...

I have some big decisions on my mind right now and have no idea what to do about them...really just one that I kinda feel pulled around about...

I want to buy a house... I think. No I'm pretty sure I want to buy a house. I know the economy is kinda perfect to buy a house right now. But here's the thing. The economy is also forcing my job to cancel all contracts. I am a contract nurse. So that means I am going to lose a good portion of my income... VERY SOON! I am told that upon expiration of my contract, I will have the option to become a full time employee of my hospital or...hit the road. Becoming a full time employee is where the pay cut comes.... If administration actually holds true to their promise, I won't have to worry about a pay cut until March 2010. HOWEVER, I've heard rumor that all contracts are going to end THIS October no if's, and's or but's. (Usually, I don't pay attention to rumors but at this hospital...and especially money rumors, tend to come true... so I listen). So I'm thinking I need to delay the house hunt until I know for sure what my actual pay is going to be. I don't think it would be a good idea to base financial investments on something that is probably going to take a nose dive shortly. That being said, the problem with waiting is my lease is up at my apartment in November. That's about 4 months folks! My roommates and I have decided that all 3 of us together is not the best combo, although we love each other dearly, living together...NOT GOOD!!! But then again, I am torn because one of us benefits GREATLY from having a rent that is divided and split bills...I hate the idea of leaving this person strapped...I know how that feels. I am ready for my own space again. I want to make decisions and not worry about how it affects 2 other people. We argue a lot too and I am WAY to old for that! I know conflict is inevitable from time to time but COME ON!!! If I can have a conflict free (or greatly reduced) life... believe me I'm on board!!!

....I'm thinking about changing jobs. I LOVE LOVE LOVE bedside nursing. I HATE HATE HATE how tired it has made me and how out of touch my life has become. I NEVER get to see my family. I've lost touch with friends. I can't see my boyfriend much. I can't go to church enough to reap the benefits of having a community of faith. Working 12 hour nights (7 in a row) keeps me almost completely out of touch with the real world. I would be so sad to leave my job but my friends and family are what make my life. Having no time for them has changed me.... not for the better. So with my contract ending, I would love for it to be a transition into a new job.... one that is more in line with the rest of society. Health care in general is usually not in line with the rest of society in a 9-5 kinda way...seeing as how people usually can't predict when they are going to need our services. But I really want to be back on a schedule that will afford me more time to be with people. 9-5 kinda schedule in health care usually means something like a doctors office or outpatient services... I CANNOT imagine not working in a hospital!!!! I would die of boredom in an office I think. Home health... no thanks! So..... I don't know what to do...

I did get to go to church the other day. The sermon was about waiting on and listening to God. So that's what I'm going to do for now. I am going to try to quiet my my spirit and allow God's voice to direct me on where to go... its no fun though....just so ya know

Blizzards in March... of course

Not much is blog worthy in my life these days. But the weather sure is news worthy...see for yourself

Winter Wonderland outside my house
Buster the mini snowman
Frozen palm trees...not a sight you see everyday
view from my balcony
Nothing like it...
pool side
Another aerial shot

Funny thing is, earlier this week it was a balmy 73 degrees...and yesterday we were bracing for tornados... go figure...