Miscellany | An A, but barely!
Hello, hello! All I have in the tank for today is some miscellany, so buckle up for some randomness.
I got a 90% on my exam
WHEW. I was kinda expecting another 86% or so, but I pulled out a few extra points this time. Yay!
I have only two more big regular exams and then the final so maybe, just maybe, I will end up keeping my 4.0 through graduation.
I went into nursing school expecting to lose my streak promptly, but it's never happened. And now that I am so close to graduating, I do feel a little invested in maintaining my GPA, if only for my personal satisfaction.
But the important thing is to graduate and pass the NCLEX, even if my GPA sinks a little on the way. 😉
The exact amount of time left, as of this typing:
I had an exam nightmare
On Monday night, I went to sleep just fine, but then I woke up at 3:00 am from a nightmare in which I opened my exam score and discovered I had only gotten a 68%.
Guys, I cried in my dream because I was like, "OH MY GOSH how did I work this hard only to get a 68%???"
I was so very relieved when I woke up from the nightmare and realized it was just a dream. And then a few hours later I got my exam score and felt even better.
Nursing school has taught me that I should never play poker
In almost every semester, a professor has called on me because they have seen an expression on my face that indicates I have something to say.
So I have concluded that I have the opposite of a poker face; my face always gives me away!
I want to do some protein and cost calculations
Ever since I worked with Ben last summer, I've been thinking about protein more, and you know what I really want to do?
I'd like to make a comparison chart for myself of various protein sources, their cost, and how many calories they come with.
I was thinking of figuring it out using, say, 10 grams of protein as a comparison.
I thought of this because I realized that an ounce of Parmesan has about 10 grams of protein and 110 calories, which is a better protein/calorie ratio than some granola bars. And I think it might be less expensive than some granola bars too, if I buy the big Parmesan block from Sam's Club.
It made me curious what the cost/calorie/protein gram data is for, say, chickpeas, rotisserie chicken, cottage cheese, liquid egg whites in a carton, and more.
Anyway, if I do this, I'll definitely share with you guys.
But it might have to wait until school is done!
I think I'm gonna buy myself a car soon
I have always said that once I got through nursing school, I was going to buy myself a non-minivan car. I have been driving a minivan since 2003, and since it's just me driving myself around almost all the time, I think my minivan days can safely come to an end.
My plan has always been to buy a sporty little Civic (my Very Attainable Dream Car), but I need to test drive one and see if I actually like it as much as I think I will.
When I made this "buy a smaller car after school" plan, it seemed so far away. And now I feel almost surprised that it's coming up so soon!
The good thing is...I don't have to buy myself a car. So if the prices are prohibitively expensive when I graduate, I can just keep rolling along in my van until I find the perfect next car for me. 🙂
I forgot I was getting paid for my hospital shifts
I am so used to going to clinical and not getting paid, I sometimes forget that my patient care tech shifts are actually for pay.
The money automatically goes into those checking accounts that I opened to get a bonus, and I haven't even looked at the accounts in months. But yesterday I looked and was pleasantly surprised at the little stash of money that has accumulated.
I only get paid $20/hour and I only work a few shifts a month, but still, it adds up!
And this reminded me....oooh, I will get paid for nursing shifts too. Which yes, is sort of a "duh!" thing, but being in school gets you used to this weird situation where you work yourself to the bone and you pay for the privilege of doing so.
But after I graduate, I will get paid instead of being the one paying. SWEET.
Right now, though, I have three big projects I have to finish before clinical on Saturday. So I'm gonna go work on those even though Wednesday and Thursday are technically my weekend days this semester.
Thanks for attending this session of Miscellany with Kristen. 😉
Excited for you as you think ahead to graduation and possible change in vehicles! We're all super proud of you. Congrats on the recent test!
Lmk if you are up for a FG gathering 2025 / graduation celebration early this summer, and I'll get going on the logistics.
Btw, we have a trusty minivan, a very old Honda Civic, and then my husband's car. I prefer driving the small civic if it's just me 🙂
Yes! I would love to do a gathering!
@Kristen, I'll check in via email
@PD, Thanks for doing the organizing for another meet-up! It was so much fun last time!
@PD, if you have it in nyc i willl pay for the venue and the food. i don't drive or have a car. someplace a train goes would be nice.
@Anita Isaac, what a generous offer! Will keep this in mind as we brainstorm. Thanks!
@PD, my apt complex has a place called the river room that is very reasonable to rent. i live in stuyvesant town in nyc.
Congratulations on your A!
Congrats on your excellent mark!
Another check in the box for you 🙂
I’d love to see the protein sources price breakdown. A lot of things touted as being good sources of protein, don’t seem that great for how much you’d have to eat/spend to get the equivalent amount of protein from more standard protein foods.
I have definitely noticed this with a lot of "high protein" granola bars. I'm thinking, hmm, I could just eat cottage cheese or tuna and get way more protein for less money!
@Kristen, Add in that many of the "high protein" bars also have sugar added (or artificial sweeteners that may not sit well with many a digestive system), and it's closer to junk food than a nice cup of cottage cheese is!
Have noticed this also. Plus, adding beans to things is supposed to be quite good for you, but not every bean gives a lot of bang for the calorie.
@Karen A.,
They add the sweeteners so it doesn't taste like sawdust. Ha.
@Karen.,
Beans *are* quite good for you, and they definitely help "stretch" things like ground beef dishes and soups, plus add fiber to your diet. I agree, though, as far as how much protein beans offer per calorie. Some are better than others.
I enjoy the maneuverability of the smaller car but like the greater visibility I gain in the higher/larger vehicle. Where we live almost everyone is driving mid-size to honking huge SUVs and it is really difficult to see in some driving situations in the small car.
@Jan in GA, I agree! My Chrysler 200 sedan was totalled in a car accident in December. Luckily, I got a good payout through the other driver's insurance, and with money I had in savings, I bought a gently used 2018 Ford Explorer. It's so nice to be able to see so well when I'm driving and especially backing out of a parking space. I will never go back to having a sedan.
I purchased my vehicle through the free AAA car buying service. It was so easy and stress-free! I recommend it for AAA members. I'm told Costco has a similar service.
@Beth B., so sorry, Beth, but thankful you were okay and able to get a great replacement vehicle. We’ve had two cars totaled in the last three years, thankfully not the fault of our teen drivers and no one suffered injuries.
To add a miscellaneous thought, I just wanted to thank you Kristen! I realized yesterday that most of my "regular rotation" cooking has been coming from you! I regularly make granola, chipotle chicken kebabs, baked french toast, Aldi imitation chickpea salad, and lately butternut squash soup.
As an added bonus, your recipes seem to consistently make fewer dishes, too!
We have baby #3 coming in June, so we have finally accepted the inevitable and are buying a minivan. I hate driving large vehicles so I'm not looking forward to it.
We had a Civic but our year turned out to be a dud. But we have been extremely happy with our Toyota Camry! One day when we are not in the midst of the small children era, we will go back to sedans. :-)
@Carla G,
Oh, I hope you come to love it! Visibility is good when you're sitting higher up. And there's room for stuff! I had to keep my sedan for a while with 3 kids in car/booster seats- not fun! I like the sedan when I'm traveling with just one or two kids- easier to manage and park- but the minivan has my heart for anything else.
@mbmom11, yes, I know it will be more functional for our family. We will still have our Camry as our second vehicle and it will be challenging in the rare cases we need it to transport 3 kids. I'm sure I will appreciate all the nice features. But I hate trying to park and maneuver in a bigger vehicle. And as someone with a sedan now, I find large vehicles a little obnoxious at how they impact visibility for others more than appreciating the better visibility for themselves. :-) But there just aren't any sedans on the market that can reasonably fit 3 car seats across so it is what it is.
Don't forget seitan as a protein source. I'd be interested to see the cost breakdown (especially since it's likely you'll have to make it).
There's also tofu.
@Mary, I was going to say the same! I think Kristen would get a kick out of making seitan. I’m always amazed at the transformation from powder (vital wheat gluten) to a small ‘roast’. And maybe some baked tofu cubes for salads?
@Mary,
I know you can find seitan at some stores like Fresh Thyme and - maybe - Whole Foods? I once looked for *smoked* seitan to make a recipe one of my sisters shared with me, and couldn't find it anywhere (and smoking it myself was/is not an option. :-))
I loved my little hatchback Subaru because it was great on gas and I could fit so many things in the back, but it was easy to fit into any space or small street. Now I share a big work truck and it's not my favorite.
The protein comparison would be interesting!
@Shelly,
I had a Subaru Forester many years ago, and I think it was my favorite car ever. My DH and I are now Toyota loyalists. 🙂
If you’re thinking of buying a car you might want to do it sooner than later due to impending tariffs. ( Update from Motor city news sources).
Great job on your test!
@Stephanie, I was coming in to say the same thing. The tariffs will raise prices on new cars, which may cause havoc in the used car market like we saw during Covid.
@Stephanie,
I agree after last’s night presidential address!
@Stephanie, I was also coming to say the same thing about the tariffs! I have 2 meetings today regarding price increases to our product due to tariffs. Everyone buckle up, its going to be a wild ride.
Congrats and good job on the test! I have always played a mind game with myself, telling myself that I did poorly, so that I can be pleasantly surprised when I do better than I expected. Basically, I hate thinking I got an A and then finding out I got a B. Better to brace myself for, say, a C and then be happy about my grade.
And I get called on a lot in class, too, always have. When I was a kid it was because I got impatient with the rest of the class for NOT raising their hands, when the teacher was just waiting there for people to volunteer. Now it must be because, as Kristen says, the teacher can see it in my face, or I'm nodding or something. Good thing I'm past caring if the other students resent me for always answering questions! 😉
For anyone invested in the vacuum situation here (probably about 0.0001% of the Commentariat), DH came home with a Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Reach. (The most unwieldy name for anything, ever.). It ticked all the boxes for him: Made in Indonesia, which at least is not China, was reasonably priced, and was available today. I got to test drive it last night, and let me tell you, I thought Clark didn't shed much because we never *saw* the fur on the rugs, but OMG the fluff I got out of the living room rugs with one pass was unreal. Point being that the old vacuum was pretty good at picking up crumbs and visible stuff, but not the Commodore's nearly invisible fur. He's a stealth shedder, that's what. I can't wait to vacuum again today.
After years of a vacuum that only turned on when you plugged it in (the switch relay broke years ago and CH bypassed it), it was so funny to plug in the vacuum and have it NOT turn on, for a split second I thought it was a dud out of the box. 😀
@Karen A., 20 years ago, we had an oven door that would fall off if you opened it all the way. My husband and I still open the new oven 3/4 of the way, and we call each other out on it and laugh.
@Ann on the farm, It's funny what you get used to! The old vacuum also had a busted hinge on the bottom of the canister, so when you emptied it you had to remember how to "fit" it back on. I was showing DS#2 the new vacuum, and how much fluff I had vacuumed out of our small bedroom, and he said, "Oh, this one has a *normal* canister door!" Ha.
Given what is going on with tariffs, you should start looking at prices right now if only to get an idea of what the pre-tariff prices are (Even if you are purchasing an American made car, it may have parts from a country with tariffs.) so you have an idea when you go to compare if you buy months from now. I'd research whether it makes sense to purchase sooner than later given tariffs. (Not a car buyer but I've heard that car prices, among many other things, will be going UP UP UP.
@Irena, EVERY car has parts from multiple countries with multiple tariffs. They make multiple round trips among Canada, Mexico and the U.S., before yesterday without tariffs, because of the agreement signed by Trump in 2018, and now ... add another $7,000 plus to the cost of the car.
What to do, what to do...I guess I will just have to see where things are when I graduate because I don't know that I have the time/brain space to think about buying a car right now!
Who knows, perhaps my car will have to wait until I get my BSN. The future is quite uncertain here in the US right now.
@JDinNM, I hear you can get a good deal on a used Tesla these days. 😉
@Ann on the farm, Economist Paul Krugman wrote a column today titled "America is Trapped in a Burning Tesla", a metaphor about the economy referring to the fact that people have been burned alive inside Teslas when the engines catch fire because Musk designed them to open electronically without manual releases.
@Ann on the farm, so cute, thank you!
@JDinNM, I’ll check it out!
@Ann on the farm, Take a fire extinguisher with you!
@JDinNM, Also, firefighters hate electric car fires because the fires are quite literally nearly impossible to put out, due to the type of batteries they use. So it's like the Apollo 1 capsule fire.
@JDinNM,
One of the nurses I worked with died when her Tesla caught on fire (a few years ago). Heartbreaking.
Big congratulations on your grade!! AND<I will anxiously await the protein blog, as I have also made a point of switching up my diet and adding more protein, this past few months, and wow, what a difference in satiety, and energy. I also found adding some protein cut my sugar cravings almost completely!
You’re on the home stretch now!!!!
I bet you get a job offer from the hospital where you are already working! Do they have an OB department? Would you like working there after school is done?
What online programs for BSN have you looked at, or is that too far ahead to think about right now??
GREAT JOB Kristen!! On so many levels!!
I love cars so I'm super excited about your upcoming purchase. I can't wait to hear about it and I'm so excited for YOU that you'll get to buy exactly the car you want.
Regarding protein: I'd love to see the comparison, too, whenever you get to it. Lately, I've been making canned tuna with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo, for an extra protein boost, and adding chopped celery and curry powder for an interesting twist. I love it. Sometimes I also throw in a few pecans. Overall, a relatively inexpensive way to load up on protein, I think.
Congratulations on the A!!!
Have fun car shopping--you've earned your sporty ride and then some! A gentle reminder to take maintenance costs into account. One of the many reasons I adore my '89 Buick is that parts are ubiquitous and relatively inexpensive, plus any mechanic can work on it since electric windows and door locks are as fancy as it gets.
@N, I love to find people that have older daily drivers than I do. I have a 99 Honda Passport and a 04 Scion xB. Parts for the Scion are easiest to find but because the Passport was really an Isuzu with a 'slipcover' parts are much harder to find.
Have you checked out She's a Beast? There's a great breakdown of protein sources on there.
@Sophie in Denmark, here's the link to it - hopefully you can access it without a subscription:
https://www.shesabeast.co/protein-sources-ranked/
Also, congrats on your A!
A colleague recently told me that my "face has subtitles". I also get called on and called out regularly. It used to bother me, but I'm okay with being terrible at hiding how I feel.
Haha, yep, that's me!
@ProfesoraHB, So funny. I never really played cards so I don't need to worry about the poker face for that but my husband says that everything I think just scrolls across my face. He used to say Honey don't ever lie: it won't work.
@Kristen and ProfesoraHB,
Me too! I was once nonchalantly watching our airline steward walk down the aisle serving the meal. When he came near me he said, "What, you thought I was going to skip you?!" I was gobsmacked. That’s exactly what I was thinking.
Kristen, you said you want to buy a house someday. If that someday is within a year or 2, and if you are going to stay in your local area, you might want to hang on to the minivan a little longer. It is a LOT more convenient to use a van to haul your own stuff (not the bed or fridge or washing machine, of course, but smaller furniture and boxes). Otherwise, you'll have to get someone with a bigger vehicle to help you move....not very convenient, esp. if you have to pay them. You'd have to make dozens of trips in the Civic to haul the "smalls" vs. fewer trips in the van for both small and medium-sized things.
That is true! I had considered hanging onto the minivan and keeping the bare minimum insurance on it even if I do buy a smaller car. I don't know...so many things to think about!
@Kristen, I have a spare car. I recognize the privilege. It is so handy when one has an issue. I also share it when a single car friends gets in a bind.
I would love to see your protein break down. My first thought was that a protein bar is more filling than some parm (and I never snack on parm), but using parm to bump up the protein in a meal is more satisfying overall. I’m sure there is already a study/chart/graphic on this somewhere, but it means more if it reflects your personal diet.
If you give up your minivan, what is your plan for picking up furniture to refinish? Not that you would keep a van just for that purpose but the question is still there! My son is a year and a half away from getting his driver’s license. Since he’s already working (he’s a referee) and he has practice a zillion days a week we have decided he will be driving my car as it will be paid off by then. I’m excited that it means I will get my “dream car” but I’m nervous how much car prices will be going up. We can only wait and see.
We are waking up to blizzard conditions this morning. School went to e-learning (students only get one snow day per year now that e-learning is available), my office is closed (still working from home), but my husband had oral surgery scheduled for early this morning and braved the roads to get there.
The protein comparison is a really interesting idea! I hope you'll also consider how likely it is that someone will eat the quantities of food necessary, if that makes sense. Sometimes I see these lists where they're like, "Chia have twice as much squeezium as chicken breast!" But a serving of chia seeds is 1-2 tbsp--you'd have to eat, like, five chia seed puddings to get the equivalent amount of squeezium (a nutrient that I made up.)
Yes! That's part of why I'm going to consider calories in this too.
And I have the same thought when people talk about the protein in spinach. Like, how much spinach are you gonna have to eat to build muscle? More than most people can get down!
@Kristen, I keep getting hung up on the fact that some proteins are “incomplete” because they don’t contain all the requisite amino acids. I.e, black beans are not a complete protein unless eaten with rice. I’m wondering if those proteins are sufficient to count toward our daily protein requirements.
@Meira@meirathebear, you got me on the swueezium! I try to stay up on current nutritional news but am constantly bombarded with new ingredients or nutrients to worry about.
@Book Club Elaine, hahaha I thought about using a real one--the bugbear for me is iron as I'm chronically deficient (even with supplementation)--but it was just too complicated to do the math on the bus! And with iron (this is probably less true for protein) different forms are less bio-available or have to be eaten with something high in vitamin C...argh it's so complicated!
@Meira@meirathebear, I live in perpetual culinary confusion.
@JH, I believe that as long as you eat the complementary proteins the same day, or thereabouts, it's not as critical to get them in the same meal. There's nothing magical about eating things together at exactly the same time--it takes time for our bodies to break down food anyway, so it will get utilized.
@JH,
My understanding is that if you eat an incomplete protein (black beans) at one meal, and eat a food with complementary protein (rice) at another meal, it counts as complete protein for the day. Not entirely sure of all the biochemistry involved there.
@Meira@meirathebear, I laughed out loud at "sqeezium." Thank you for that! 🙂
(Now, back to making sure I'm getting sufficient squeezium in my diet.)
Congrats on your A! My son struggled with math in college and had to take several high level math classes to graduate. . He once passed a class with a “C” and we told him we were so proud that he was average!
I’m late to your blog so don’t know much about your program. Is it a 2 year program and are you earning an RN?
I have driven Hondas for 30+ years and won’t buy anything else.I had 2 Civics and then upgraded to their CRV. You might consider a good used one to save with recent tariffs slapped on cars. Tell everyone you know you’re looking for a car and you’ll come up with one.
There are lots of protein charts available online to get you started on one that includes the foods you prefer, and adding in the price per gram will make yours even better. As for small(ish) cars, I’ve had two Mazda3s and my daughter also has one. We LOVE them, especially because they’ve all been manual transmission. So fun to drive with lots of pep!
Congrats on your A!
I did a comparison of price per gram of protein a few years ago and it was eye-opening. Some foods I had thought of as expensive were a surprisingly good bargain when looked at that way, and others turned out to less cheap than I'd thought because they were not such good sources of protein. Prices have changed a lot since then, and I'm sure I would get different numbers if I did the same thing now.
I was looking for gluten free oatmeal and noticed Bobs Red Milk has a high protein oats. The only ingredient is oats but a higher protein variety. 10 grams protein per serving.I’m sure they cost more but if you’re so plush you don’t even notice you get paid you can probably swing it.
Someone whom I helped with decision-making, bought a Civic last year. I can tell you with confidence that they're very good cars. Even with my help there were almost no deals to be had and a two-year-old used Civic was only a little bit less than a new one.
I also want to tell you that they don't come with spare tires or donuts, only run-flat tires and a repair kit. The deal I negotiated for my friend was for an actual spare tire and mounting kit.
Yes! My kids have had multiple Civics and they've been such good reliable cars. I love the low stress life of owning a Honda or Toyota!
The worst time to buy a car is when you have to. So if you can find a car to buy used in cash but don't *have* to buy it now, then you're golden. If you like the Civic and aren't 100% married to it as a model, then don't sleep on the Corolla or Mazda 3.
If you can find some extra in the budget to squirrel away as a "car payment" to yourself, definitely start that now. Then if your van blows up some day before you were ready, you will have that dedicated nest egg for the car.
@Battra92,
I would also recommend a Mazda 3. We drove a 2016 Mazda 3 quite happily and had no problems. (We sold it to a friend after our baby came and we realized that we needed a little more space.)
Congratulations on the test score!
You have hit the sweet spot of being paid for what you are passionate about. Congrats!
I made a pretty daring decision last night to go with a cream and black, Harlequin tile pattern in the foyer and kitchen of my River House 1912 renovation. There will be a "tile rug" black border feature. After looking over thousands of pictures it is my best chance at "timeless." Most of the dark walnut wood of the gorgeous staircase, built ins and panelling is in great shape ( including dark wood ceiling beams.) We are refurbishing wood floors where possible but a 70s remodel of avocado green laminate ruined some places.
Thoughts?
@Mary Ann, it sounds beautiful and timeless! would love if you were able to share some photos of your work when renovation is complete!
@Mary Ann, my only thought is how much I’d love to see your River House!
My favorite kind of post from you!!
1. Do you know of any nurse who has graduated with 4.0?
2. I have a similar facial situation. When I was in college, I was working very diligently on a sketch of the professor. I must have been making a face, because he called on me saying I looked confused and what was I wondering about. I had no idea what he had been talking about because I was drawing him!!
3. I bet you can find a protein comparison/analysis online, or maybe even a dozen, all with contradictory information.
4. As a proud owner of nothing but Honda Accords since 1983, here are a few thoughts: Hondas have more road noise than Toyotas, Accords are better than Civics, NEVER pay for a brand new off-the-lot car (there are many statistics about how quickly a new car declines in value), used cars are expensive right now because of high demand, and finally, the best value in a car is one around 2 years old. (The newest I’ve ever had was five years. . . current Accord is ’96 with 254,000 miles, and my heart will break when I have to replace it.)
5. Sometimes when I am doing something I love and getting paid for it, I forget about the “getting paid” part.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
My sister graduated nursing school, 10 years after I did, with a 4.0. Her individual test scores were nearly always over 100% (bonus points). She lived with me, and we raised her baby while she attended school and studied. I graduated with a healthy mix of A's and B's (with 2 young children and a husband working 2 jobs and playing sports, which I watched more often than I should have haha!). I had to take my pre-reqs during the first year of school (a practice they stopped allowing the next year), so, taking 21 credits with A&P, Microbiology, Psychology while taking all of my nursing classes. I was happy with my A's and B's because I knew I gave to my family what they needed too during that time. In the end, it's about the NClex, and no one knows who barely passed, and who aced it. I do have to say though, when I hear someone say it took them 3 tries to pass, I often think, "Ahhh, now it all makes sense!" They are often the nurses with no critical thinking skills, poor nursing and organizing skills or who need frequent coaching or help.
I was never more happy for masks than when I realized it hid my facial expressions. Every single thing I'm thinking apparently rolls across my face! Right now, I get to enjoy every thought until our masking goes away!
Kristen, Your running 4.0 is as impressive as your packed work food. I congratulate you on both, a testament to your tenaciousness in the face of some major hurdles.
Man, would I love to see your analysis of protein sources! I have a condition that is alleviated by having enough protein in my meals and snacks throughout the day (as opposed to all at once). It’s kinda the opposite of having a food allergy where I need to add protein to keep it at bay. Your chart will be so helpful for me.
So much usefulness in one blog and coming here among good people is joyful as well. Thanks for keeping it up!
My recommendation for a small car is the Honda Fit. It's a hatchback, and you can fit a ton of stuff in it. We had 3 people and all of our camping gear, or 2 people and 2 big dogs, plus gear for a week at a cottage. I've had dressers, loveseats, chairs in it. I had mine for 10 years before I sold it. It's zippy too. It was good in the snow too!
@It's me, Sam, Honda stopped selling them in the US in 2020. Mine is a 2010 model. So cute, so thrifty, and it's like a Tardis with how much stuff fits inside it. It's also the perfect size for someone only 5 feet tall.
@Ruby, that is sad news.
I miss my fit...
Yes, please do the protein counts when you have time.
I loved my Civic so much. It was so much fun to drive. When we replaced it, my husband really wanted a Toyota so we bought a Camry. I really like it too but it's not nearly as much to drive as the Civic.
Congrats on your A!
All you need is to pass your nursing boards. I believe the exam “shuts off” once you have attained a pasding score!
I’m a lifelong Honda Civic (now CRV) owner. I’m hopeful you will love it. Civics used to be very utilitarian; now they are much more luxurious!
I’d love to see the protein comparison whenever you get to it! i might add Parmesan to my Costco list today just for this… I have such a hard time with protein!
I love your miscellany posts! Keep doing these when you can, please.
My husband, son , daughter and I all drive Hondas and have for years. In our experience, Hondas are reliable and fairly inexpensive for maintenance. Three of us have civics and my husband drives a crv. He loves his vehicle but when he drives my civic, he always remarks how fun it is to drive. We don’t buy new but we haven’t had to buy many cars through the years as the Hondas hold up so well.
Ha! Every day is miscellany now that I don't have kids to raise and feed now! (: And it feels wonderful, I must say. Discovering money you forgot you had has to be among the top ten best feelings.
I'd love to see your protein comparison!
If you had one thing you would buy to help you with nursing school what would it be? My daughter starts a nursing program next spring and i always see all these cool things on social media but not sure if they are gimmick or beneficial .
Hmmm, that's a good question! Does she have a watch with a second hand? Those are usually required. A stethoscope? A clinical bag? I have used all of those things all the time!
I met with my health coach today and we were talking about protein and she sent me this chart to use to make better protein choices. And I was like "Frugal Girl was *just* talking about making a list like this!" The list is at the bottom of the blog and also as a printable PDF. https://reallifenutritionist.com/high-protein-foods/
I love my 2018 Civic, bought used, of course.
Congrats on the good test score!
I've been looking at used cars, too, but mostly because I would like to upgrade a bit and hopefully have it be my last car to purchase. I forsee my present car needing work or failing me as time goes on and would rather invest the money in something "sturdier." I like being able to see over the hood and prefer a more elevated model. But it has to be one I can easily get in and out of. I also like to haul stuff.
The "bang for buck" protein listing sounds like a good idea. The idea of eating a block of cheese makes me wince for "digestive" reasons. I do have slightly anemic lab values. I do take pro-fe and vitamin c. I know I need to up the iron intake with food but cooking that includes red meat seems to be one of my downfalls. And I really like beef!
I woke up from a dream this past week where I was working at a place of former employment with hinderances greater than the ones I endured. A slight panic mode has remained since and I have always been one to just roll with the flow.
thanks for writing the post when you have so much to do. sorry you had a nightmare. i sometimes have nightmares and i make a little noise and hubby wakes me up and says anita you were having a nightmare. i say thank you. sometimes i wake him from a nightmare. he says thank you.
right now he is having prostate issues. he had the operation years ago, but it grew back.
i am older than he is but i hope all goes well. the operatiom is 3/25. our nanny is not doing so well after surgery to remove a kidney. things are piling up but i hope i can handle it.
check out carvana, carmax, and all the other car buying sites. also rental agencies sell used car. get a mechanic to look over the thing before you buy. although i don't drive or have a car i have a bunch of car stocks. and love to read about them. can't wait to c the photo of your new to you car.
don't be so hard on yourself. you launched your kids well. and you willl launch you well too!!!
Amused me greatly, Kristen! I was in school for Elementary Ed for some time. (One more class and student teaching - then I would have had a certificate. Changed my mind. But I still use what I learned.) I worked very hard as a classroom aide -- and wasn't paid a cent for it. All in the turf.
We have been driving a huge truck for years longer than we should have, in great part because we lived in a 32-foot fifth wheel for more than 5 years. But now that the Social Security Fairness Act has passed, and we just got our back pay, we can actually afford to start saving for a smaller, better-mileage car! (Used, of course. The Hollander blood runs strong.)
Back story on this: Husband worked 28 years at 'private' jobs, then nearly 20 at a 'public' job. (Douglas County Schools) Because he hadn't put in 30 years at a 'private' job, his SS check (and mine) were penalized nearly $800. A MONTH. For more than TEN YEARS. He just didn't want to go back to work after he'd retired, and I knew, with care, we'd be ok, moneywise. (Remember the Hollander blood?)
Yes, we lost a lot of money via the System. But we made it. And now I am so grateful we can start to build up an emergency fund, thanks to this pay raise.
Excited for your protein comparison when you get there!
Excited for your future car!
Keep up all the good work <3
Congrats on your A. In the scheme of life, the fact that the A was "barely" will not mean anything. Be proud your hard work paid off.
I used to get those test anxiety dreams, too. Mine were mostly that I showed up for the test and there was NOTHING on it I had studied, or I had simply forgotten to study at all. I'm long past my doctorate degree but STILL occasionally get dreams like that. LOL!
I'm not a huge fan of using protein powders instead of eating real food. The way they make those protein powders is they liquify the proteins, then spray it through a fine screen and dry it. This highly oxidizes the proteins and other components, and that can't be good for your overall health. It would be OK on occasion, but I know some people drink protein shakes regularly in lieu of eating unprocessed food, and that doesn't make a lot of sense. Our bodies are not bomb calorimeters. It's the nutrient density, not the calories, that give us satiety so we aren't constantly hungry and craving ever more food of poor quality.
Advice: wait until you have your first job to buy a car. Then you will know if you have a commute or not. A hybrid vehicle gets GREAT in town mileage (a little over 40 mpg), but not as good (still much better than a mini-van) on a freeway commute.
I have a 7 year old gasoline powered car (my husband talked me out of a hybrid then because they were much more expensive) that gets so-so mileage in town (around 28 mpg) but on a freeway trip I get as much as 49 mpg (which is more than the newer hybrids my husband and older daughter now own!). That would be wonderful IF I had a long commute, but I don't. It's 2 miles via city streets in my gasoline powered car and I rarely go on the freeway. So match your new car to your driving habits. If you get a nearby job, a hybrid is a great option. It might still be a good option for a longer commute, but keep that in mind when you are choosing a new (or new to you) car. Honda does make a Civic Hybrid
I keep my cars for a long time (my youngest is 24 and she is still driving the Toyota I bought new when I was pregnant with her!). But there are good lightly used hybrids out there, too.
Yes to your thoughts re: protein! As a registered dietitian I talk about this often with clients. The market for “healthy food” is so wild right now and the marketing concepts and tactics the food and wellness industry uses can really create a lot of confusion. Something might say “high protein” but actually not contain much protein at all or a food that is naturally high in protein (milk, eggs, etc) might not include that as part of their marketing or labeling. All I can say is that it’s a wild world out there when it comes to health and wellness trends and we need to be educated; sometimes I even find myself having to stop and ask myself what am I paying for or what am I actually getting out of this product? Yes, convenience is a need at times (as I just purchased a box of Rx Bars lol) and so I may reach for that packaged protein shake or bar or something, but most of the time I find their are more affordable and nutritionally similar options out there!
Kristen, I’ve done a lot of nutrient analysis and comparisons but never price/protein so that would be interesting and you may have just inspired me to make a chart for my clients who are on more of a strict budget - thank you!
I look forward to your protein data!! I drove a Honda Civic for 19 years and loved it. The most reliable problem free car I've ever owned.
I can’t wait for the protein cost comparison. My elderly Mom could use that info!!!
Hey! Love your heart to research the protein thing. Wanted to let you know that there's a blog called "Efficiency Is Everything" that has a protein per dollar chart already made; however, idk if it's updated with the numbers from inflation. I'm curious to see what that would look like.