Finally...

It's been too long since I've posted an update so this is my attempt to catch up on my blogeddy blog blogging (per request of my one adoring follower-Jennifer)  I started working on the Psychiatric ward at OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) at the beginning of November which is the main reason for the time lapse in blogging.  Work combined with school is always a delicate balance that doesn't seem to leave much time for anything else :(

I had a few weeks off over the holidays and was able to go Shana's house for Christmas which was a blast.  It was so good to see family.  I flew the SLC early Christmas morning and while we were flying over the Rockies the sun was coming up and it was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen.  Every color in the rainbow was in the sunrise....incredible.  I loved spending time with Carson, he just makes my heart melt.  I've started wearing glasses since I saw him last and he asked me if the reason I had to get glasses was because I sit too close to the T.V?  -how cute!  The first night I was at his house he came to snuggle with me on the couch and said "Ashley, I missed you a thousand."  I miss him a thousand too!!  That Callie is pretty cute too! It was so fun to see them.

I started classes again on Monday and also applied for the Funeral Service program this week.  I won't find out until the end of February or beginning of March if I get accepted but I'm 90% sure I will...unless there is a huge influx of applicants...you never know.  This semester I'm taking Survey of Body Systems, Business Law and Accounting.  After this past week I realize I could have planned an easier term but at least it's only ten weeks long.  One down, nine to go!

Work is always interesting.  We had a patient who for her entire stay thought I was Sarah Palin.  She always told me that she would have voted for me over Hillary Clinton because I wear pink and Hillary doesn't.  She also told me one day that I had white angel wings on but that they were tarnished and the only way to get them clean was to go to 'Red Robin'(said in a loud singing voice!!)  There is always good comedy relief on a psychiatric unit.  I don't mean at all to make light of mental illness, it just occasionally provides for some laughs...much needed ones :)

I'm still loving Oregon even though one little snow storm can shut down the entire city.  It snowed a few inches one afternoon and people freaked out.  There were abandoned cars all over the roads because people just got to scared to drive.  I just wanted to say like Dory in Finding Nemo "just keep swimming, just keep swimming."  It was quite hillarious and frustrating all at the same time.  I have a new appreciation for the ability to drive in snow. 

That's all for now--I'll try and be more consistent, I promise!

Adventures as Lucy

My best Lucille Ball...

I look at Halloween as another excuse to wear fake eyelashes and red lipstick, two things I think you should do whenever possible!!  I went to a dance with some friends that night which was more than uneventful but I still felt fab as Lucy...good times.  I couldn't quite get her signature expression down but I did my best and everyone knew who I was which is all you can hope for, right??  Hope you all had a fun Halloween!!

Random Crafts

I've been needing something for one wall in my bedroom and I just couldn't find anything that "felt right."  I sketched out the sillouette of a bird that I thought was cute and decided to try and come up with something based on this bird.  I traced out five birds on chip board and coordinating decorative paper then used Mod Podge to put them together.  I looked at the birds for a few days while I was trying to decide what should come next.  I came up with embroidery hoops.  Here's what it looks like....

I used ribbon for the center and hot glued the birds to the ribbon.  I lined up the hoops and hot glued them together then simply hung them up.  I thought about painting the embroidery hoops but didn't want to take the time.  Maybe another day :)  Who knew that wooden embroidery hoops were going out of style?  I had to go to three places to find wood ones, most stores only carry the colored plastic types...just in case you were wondering.  I ended up hanging the birds on a different wall than originally planned.  I thought I would put them in my bedroom but I liked them better in the living room.  I hung the pictures that used to be above the t.v. in my bedroom, moved a lamp, and finally things "felt right"....happy day!

While I had my craft stuff out I decided I should try and come up with some seasonal decorations.  I've had these random chip board letters for a while that I bought for a project that never happened.  I also had two boards, one red and one black, also from another abandoned project.  This is what I came up with.  Again, I used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the board and the letters then I embossed the words jingle and bells on the letters.  Nothing fancy but it will do, I actually really like them.  I think when it comes time to hang them I might attach a fun ribbon and hang them from the ribbon....we'll see. 

Clock redo and Glee

I've needed a clock in my bathroom for a while but I just couldn't stand looking at the one I have.  It's plain and boring in every sense of the word--you know, white backgroud with black letters.  I'm sure I didn't spend more than five dollars on it so I couldn't have expected more but I really hate it.  I kept thinking about a way to jazz it up and lo and behold I came up with scrapbook paper!!  I found a cute paper I liked, took the clock apart inserted the new paper and walla--a cute clock that I love to look at.

I don't know how well you can see the words on the clock but who doesn't want a clock that screams, gorgeous, funny, beautiful, intelligent, angelic and happy while you're getting ready for the day.  I think it's a two in one time teller and confidence booster.

Got Glee?

On another note has anyone seen the new show Glee?  If you haven't you need to. It's so funny and just what I imagine my perfect life to be--you know, randomly being able to burst out into a pitch perfect song and dance at the drop of a hat.  Not to mention great group names like "The Accafellas" and a high school counselor with some seriously sassy clothes and red hair-a girl after my own heart.  In other words I highly recommend you check it out :)

Tatertots and Jello

I saw this post at Tatertots and Jello and just had to share. I fell in love with these stars and now I'm wishing I would have bought some at Tai Pan when I had the chance so I could have sassified my own. They are so fun!! I want to hang one on my front door. Check out her blog, it is very cute. She is a lover of all things Mod Podge like myself :) How cute would one of these be on your Christmas tree?

Weekend Project

I have always loved fancy door knobs and switch plates and thought that when I own a home I would invest in them. I came across a post on Design Sponge for a DIY switch plate and decided to try it out. Since I'm living in an apartment and couldn't use the "original" plates so I went and got what I needed at the hardware store and spent less than $5.oo. I already had craft paper as well as the glue and tape I used. Design Sponge suggest that you use glue. I used Mod Podge for the first plate but it ended up being tricky to use. I used double stick tape for the rest and it was much easier to use and less messy. I switched out my plates with the original and walla! I'm super happy with the results, it adds just a punch of color. I didn't do every switch in the house, just a few. I think all the paper I used were from Amy Butler's collection, I think she's my soul sister!! If they made wallpaper out of the blue and green print it would be up in my bathroom--I love it.

Heather Bailey

You must check out Heather Bailey's latest post. These are the cutest pincushions I have ever seen, Henrietta and Edna are my favorite.
P.S. I want to be Heather Bailey when I grow up :)