Do I Remember How to Do This?

Alright, everyone. It's been awhile. With good reason!

I started orienting at my first job as a registered nurse on Wednesday. I worked every day, Wednesday through Sunday. It was incredibly tiring, and I'm very glad it is over, but I learned a lot and was able to enjoy my patients every day.

I am surrounded by old people every day; I love it. I have found my niche with the elderly once again. I can't help but chuckle at the things they say and do. This is their home! This is where they live, which means they can do just about anything they want to do or say. A good bunch of them have Alzheimer's, which means I get to have the same conversations over and over.

Things I heard this week that had me rolling on the ground: (please note that the majority of these are said with Southern accents)
"You have to watch that one! She spits out her pills when you ain't lookin'."

"Who am I? Do you know me? Do I live here? Who is that? I have a roommate? Does my family know that I'm here?"

"Don't you all know that there's gonna be a murder?" (This was my personal favorite, mostly because it was followed by a chuckle.)

I am really enjoying myself. It feels so good to be a nurse. It feels so good to feel like I'm making a difference in someone's life, even if it is just for a moment. It feels good to do all those little things that really make people feel happy, no matter how small. I am a big believer in that doing the small things really make a huge difference, just because it shows you care.

Keeping that in mind, I also realized how quickly I can move when patients are chucking their inhalers at me. Yes, this happened on my second day. I now have to work myself up in order to enter that room every time now. It gets my heart pumping, that's for sure!

I am very excited about bringing home some bacon for our little Lazoritz household. I feel like I am now actually helping out a little bit with bills, and not just around the house (not that there is anything wrong with that). It has been very hard to balance managing the house and work, though. I have found that it's really difficult to get my mind off work once I am home. I am constantly thinking about what I need to do for my patients when I get back. I feel like this will get better with time, but I do need to get there. I haven't been sleeping well and I have the worst dreams!

Last night, for instance, (and I love how I do this to myself) but I wake up from one bad dream and think to myself, "Don't dream about zombies. Don't dream about zombies."

So what do I do?

Dream about zombies.

And then I really can't sleep.

Not to mention I've been a little stressed out with all the hub-bub of life, so I'm having terrible acid reflux as well as a bit of an irregular heartbeat (something that used to happen in high school but rarely does anymore). Oh the joys of getting older and having responsibilities.

I feel terrible for the dogs. They were in their kennels for almost every shift of mine. :(

Last night was rough without all the extra crap. I was raging because I was overly emotional and tired, but I got really fired up over a post on the Quantico Spouses' Facebook page. Someone was asking for directions, I didn't read someone's response correctly so I said my piece. I said something about the "OCS Gate" (there is none) and all of a sudden all the spouses who hadn't been trying to help MAGICALLY had something to say about it. Quoting me and tagging me and making me feel like an absolutely idiot.

Boy was I fiery. I mean, the red hair fits me in moments like that.

Honestly, the fact that a bunch of these wives don't want to help to be nice, they just want to be the ones that are right and know everything just completely infuriates me. What happened to being nice and helpful and understanding where new wives were coming from?

Chris told me not to get so butthurt so I threw a full-on adult-sized tantrum. I tried to hide from him behind the kitchen table because I didn't want to talk to him or see him, and he found me and dumped half of his water bottle on my head.

I'm glad he did. I needed a bit of a reality check.

Moriah, what you are doing is ridiculous. Please stop acting like you are five years old.

So, I slept like crap and didn't get up to run when I wanted to. That meant I ran AFTER the gym, which was desperately hot. I don't know how these Marines do this every day. Exercising outside on a day like today was too much for me. I felt horrible. I ran about 4 miles and realized that I had a dentist appointment in half an hour, and I was two miles from my car. Crap. I was exhausted, had blisters, and was sweating profusely. I made it back to my car and into the shower and was just a couple of minutes late for my appointment. Win!

This was my first dentist appointment in about three years. Oops. I thought I was going to get yelled at but they were incredibly nice there. Plus, you get your own TV and you're in control of the channel. By the grace of God I didn't have any new cavities and the dentist was able to smooth out the tops of my bottom front teeth and bottoms of my top front teeth. He also suggested that I look into braces and a couple of other things (Cosmetic dentists-shake my head). Honestly I know that I need some serious work when we can afford it, but Chris says I can't have braces until he is deployed. That is fine by me. I am planning on being comfortable and unattractive while he is gone anyway, so it will work out for everyone!

After my TWO HOUR dentist appointment, I was completely out of it. I didn't eat before I ran, so when I got back my place my blood sugar had probably bottomed out. I wanted a BLT but I sure wasn't going to wait that long! I went into zombie mode until I had eaten and recuperated a bit. Then I headed out the door again to go to Rachele's pool. I had such a good time hanging out with the girls. I probably talked all of their ears off, but I can't help it when I haven't been around people my age in a week! And Chris isn't a great listener unless it's important stuff.

I actually got a little color (I think), although tomorrow it will probably disappear because it usually does.

As for cooking this week, we had Buffalo Wild Wings one night, which was pretty delicious. I can't take responsibility for that. What I CAN take responsibility for was tonight and last night's dinner.

Tonight was from the Food Network Cookbook, a very simple but very delicious stir-fry Moo Shu Pork. I had mine on lettuce leaves and Chris decided that was not for him so he wrapped his in a tortilla instead. God forbid his food be straight up healthy!
Last night's dinner was unbelievable. It was from the Rachel Ray Book of Burger, called the "Fire Eater Burger". Hamburgers with pepperjack cheese, doused in a pepper sauce, topped with some jalapeno jam and balanced out with some Greek yogurt.
I wasn't even hungry and I wanted two. I unwillingly sent the fourth with Chris today in his lunch.

I love cooking. I think one of the hardest parts about this job is going to be not having the time to make such great food, although Chris did tell me that it would be fine for me to feed him "Chili Mac". One, I don't even know what that is. Two, gross. Three, no. I hope he doesn't forget that I have to eat it, too. Which means none of that easy gross stuff (SORRY MOM) but Red Baron pizzas and Tater Tot Casserole are off the table for the rest of my life. Also, Chris' mom makes a casserole that I'm not too fond of...I think it might be called "Company Casserole"?

Not my thing. I don't think I am a huge fan of casseroles in general, unless they are incredible.

Although, I wouldn't mind a little of my dad's goulash. Even if it's just for the memories.
(Hamburger, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni. Fancy stuff.)

I'm a Nurse!

Well, two days of being a real-life, actual registered nurse are done. I have been training at my place of work for two days. Eight hour shifts are really fabulous, and I am appreciating them now knowing that I probably won't have the luxury in the future.

I felt a little guilty for not getting up with Chris at 0400, but I knew I'd never be able to get back to sleep for work. So I let him take care of himself this morning-even though I made a breakfast casserole so all he really needed to do was use the microwave, but hey, things happen. He must have survived because he sent a few texts today.

Work has been going really well. I feel like because I am so new and so ready to work that I am a bit more motivated than most. I am very concerned with making connections with the patients and making a difference in their lives. That is all I have to say about that.

Today had both ups and downs. The highlight of the day was the way a lady clung to my hand when we pulled her PICC line, and the worst part of my day was right in the beginning of the morning. It worked better than coffee. A patient chucked his inhaler. I don't think he actually meant for it to come my way but I moved so quickly I don't really know if it was aimed at me or not. He still took his pills, though, so that's a win.

Tonight we are hopefully going to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner because I DO NOT FEEL LIKE COOKING.

Standing for 9 hours a day is a different feeling! Having a job is a different feeling! I forgot what it feels like to be a productive member of society. I am really having fun connecting with patients. This is what I was born to do. This is everything (besides marrying Chris) that I have wanted for years. Life is good.

I said "connecting" twice. I sound like an episode of the Bachelorette.

Exhaustion

I'm back on the get-in-shape train. Today I ran six miles and then did abs, arms, and some legs. Yuck. I feel like Jell-o. I am so tired. I ate too much for dinner because my metabolism was at an all-time high. Plus this afternoon I was in the sun and pool for a few hours.

A fellow Marine wife broke her foot in three places; she has an 8-month-old at home as well as a 3-year-old. She is SO busy with them plus now she's having trouble getting around their house. I offered my help today and tomorrow because I start training at my job on Wednesday! So today I got to take her son, the 3-year-old, to the pool. He is so calm!

We had some good conversations on the way to the pool. He had me cracking up.
Tommy: "Whoa, this car goes fast!"
Me: "I'm driving the speed limit!"
Tommy: "You better slow down."

Tommy: "Is your daddy with my daddy?"
Me: "No, but my husband, my friend is working with your daddy."
Tommy: "My daddy is a good guy. He beats up the bad guys. He kicks and punches them. And shoots them."
Me: "So he's like a superhero?"
Tommy: "Yeah... like Batman. Or...or...Spiderman!"

Me: "I like your floaty!" (Pink floaty, mind you.)
Tommy: "That is not mine. That is Ten-ten's." (His adorable baby sister.)

It was really fun to take him to the pool and just do the fun stuff with him. His mom deserved a break! When I pulled up to their house he gave me the biggest smile and wave. It was seriously adorable. I took him back to the pool where Rachele was working and soon was met by one of the other spouses who has her own son and a baby girl on the way. That woman is like my "Momspiration". She is teaching her two-year-old how to swim, and speak Spanish, and sign language. And to throw away his own garbage. And her husband is ridiculously nice as well-when I met him for the first time he had a heart-to-heart with some of us young wives about making the most of the time we had together as friends as well as with our parents.

My nephew, Benny, who is three, is not calm like Tommy. For instance, he would be diving into the deep end of the pool. He would love it if I spinned him in his floaties. And he would be out of my sight before I even realized he was gone. So when Tommy didn't care to spin today, I thought, my goodness my nephew is a little nut!

I miss him a lot. So when I got back to my car and checked my phone to see a photo of him in a message, I had to call. He answered my sister-in-law's phone and said, "Hi Rye-ah!" I love how he says my name. He told me something about his own bed and he was trying to show me things around the house because he thought we were on Skype, even though we weren't. He is so sweet. Apparently he wanted my sister-in-law to take a picture of him and send it to "Rye-ah".

It was a busy weekend. The boys got done Wednesday night but couldn't leave the barracks, so Morgan and I went to get a case of Budweiser and 11 beefy crunch burrito things from Taco Bell. I also sent some homemade Twin Bings. The boys got done the next day in the morning. Chris came home and it was the first time I was able to see how rough of shape he was in. He was riddled with heat rash and trench foot. I felt terrible because he must have been absolutely miserable-he would wake up in the morning soaked from rain, dry out, get super hot, sweat and drench his cammis, and then get poured on again.

Every day.

For four days.

I got to play nurse on our friend's feet, though, because his callouses had cracked open, exposing inner layers of the skin that you shouldn't see. The skin on his pinky toe was a flap. I did my best to pad it with gauze and wrap them so he could at least walk around. It helped, and we left the wrap on for a couple of days. Then we cleaned them out when we got home.

We got to watch the fireworks in the National Mall. Chris didn't want to go for the longest time because he actually thought the National Mall was a giant shopping center. Dork. Everything was closed down so we struggled to find a place to eat and drink before and after the fireworks. Our hotel had a decent bar, though, so we ended up back there. We watched the fireworks from a spot near the main building of the Smithsonian. There was a crazy amount of people there!

We attempted to go into a bar not too far from our hotel, but the cover was $20.

I don't think so, Tim.

We went back to the hotel to sleep.

The following day we got up and went for an early lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. After that we ran around finding things to look at, attempting to avoid people but see lots of things in the process. The World War II monument is my favorite. It is absolutely breathtaking, regardless of all of the construction in the area.

I wanted to run through the reflective pool and yell, "Forrest", but most of it was closed off due to construction.

And it was dirty.

We stopped in Dumfries to go to a place called "Brother's Encore", a sweet little Italian place that I loved. I wanted to lick my plate clean. When Alfredo tastes just like butter and cream, you know it's good Alfredo.

So delicious.

Aside from a fight Chris and I had in D.C., it was a fairly good weekend. I feel like he and I can top that Fourth of July, though, so I guess we will have to work on it next year.

When we got home the boys came a few minutes behind us girls with drinks because they wanted to hang out. So we played some drinking games and a game called "Curses", a game that would leave one of our friends being able to talk only while biting the end of his tongue while his palms were stuck to his forehead while imaginary mosquitoes swarmed around his head. We had a blast giggling at each other doing a bunch of ridiculous things. The boys can't wait to play it again!

Saturday and Sunday we just kind of sat around and recuperated. Chris was, rightfully so, exhausted, and I was worn out from the drive. I drove in D.C. on one of the busiest weekends of the year. That's right. I really could have used a Xanax but I drove all the way there and back! It was terrifying.

Chris had an MOS mixer tonight and got to hang out with pilots. He was enjoying it, but hoping he could come home after. He LIED and said he wouldn't be home, so I set the alarm and headed upstairs. He set off the alarm and should have scared me but I had a feeling he might come home.

It was a good surprise.

More Than Nightmares

Have you ever noticed that things are a lot scarier when your significant other isn't around.

For instance, I am terrified of getting snuck up on while vacuuming, but at least when my husband is home I know he is the one sneaking up on me. The same goes for blow-drying my hair. There is something especially terrifying about bending over with your hair flipped over your eyes and hoping no one sneaks up on you. Also, when you see a bug and you aren't sure if its inside of your window or out of it.

It also makes you stronger. It means that you suck it up when that bug IS on the inside and you kill it. And you vacuum but keep one hand clenched in a fist--same goes for blow-drying your hair. I can't really help the nightmares; they come and go as they like.

I will say that the house stays a lot cleaner with only me here. No trails of dirty clothes or chin hairs in the sink. Also, I could live off of thirty dollars of groceries a week, but I don't know that Chris could last more than two days with that.

I have been trying to keep myself busy. I've been hanging out with one of the wives who just got here this week. She had to finish up some school stuff. I've been able to introduce her to some of the other girls.Last night we had a Master Chef competition, and the rules were that you had to make something from home! So I made homemade Runzas and homemade Twin Bings. I also bought KoolAid to bring along, but I completely forgot it at home. I didn't win, but I did get first place in presentation. :)

Dammit. What am I going to do with 20 Kool-Aid packs?

Oh that's right, my man child comes home tomorrow late or early Thursday. And then we get to go to D.C.! And it's my most favorite holiday ever!

I am determined to get back in half marathon shape. I ran 6.3 miles this morning, but it needs to be more! It was slow and I am so incredibly sore now. I had to soak my feet in Epsom Salt because they were hurting bad when I got home. I definitely have some blisters on the way as well. I was already sore from weightlifting yesterday. Chris will be proud when he comes home, though. :)

Tonight the spouses are getting together for a dinner at a sub place and then going to see Monsters University. I am very excited to go see it since we didn't go on my birthday. Plus I get to hang out with some of my most favorite people.

For now, I desperately need a nap. I don't sleep well when Chris is gone. I mean, he wakes me up all of the time between stealing the covers and accidentally hitting me, but I don't mind because he looks so cute when he sleeps. And he smells good. And he is great at cuddling.

Sigh, I need to stop before the mush takes over.