Thankful Thursday | Oh hey, I'm an RN!
This week, I am thankful:
that I passed my NCLEX!
I took the test Tuesday morning, and it shut off at 85 questions, which means you either did super well or super not-well (so, not a helpful clue as to your results. Ha.)
I got the results yesterday at noon, and woohoo, I passed! I have a real registered nurse license number now.
I can hardly believe it. I have both a diploma and a healthcare license!
that I can mentally put the NCLEX in my rearview mirror
Ever since I took my first pre-req class in the spring of 2021, I have been doing my studies with an eye to passing the NCLEX. It has been looming over me for four years, and to have it behind me is weird, in a good way.
All that studying I did, all the podcasts I listened to, all the practice questions, and homework assignments, all the YouTube videos...they worked! They got me here successfully.
And now, poof! I am in a different phase, and it is almost hard to comprehend.
I really really am on break, whereas before, even on summer breaks, I still felt like I needed to stay fresh to retain information for the NCLEX. So I never felt done with school.
Last night I was cleaning up my kitchen, and I felt like I should listen to a lecture or an NCLEX prep video.
(It's been my habit to do that for the last four years whenever I'm working on a task that requires my body but not really my brain.)
But then I realized I truly have nothing to study for right now. CRAZY!
for the ability to donate blood
Every time I donate blood, I feel kind of in awe of how our bodies can make something so valuable without us even having to consciously do a thing.
It reminds me a little of how I felt amazed to see that my body could grow a whole human, complete with bones. Wild!
Or how it is amazing that our bodies can produce milk that is nutritious enough to grow a tiny newborn into a round-cheeked baby.
I donated 10% of my body's blood volume, and now, while I go about my daily life, my bone marrow will get to work making new red blood cells to replace all of that. So cool.
for my floor fans
My house has no ceiling fans, and as a renter, I am not about to buy and install any!
But I have several Honeywell floor fans that I bought from Facebook Marketplace, and they are a lovely way to bring some moving air to any room I want.
Moving air feels so much cooler than still air.
for cool showers
This is a time of year when I basically never take a hot shower; I'm always showering after a morning workout and in the summer, a post-workout shower always needs to be cool/cold for me.
I always feel so much better afterward!
A bonus is that I save on hot water, but honestly, I am just doing this because it is what feels good. I cheerfully take hot showers in the winter because that's what feels good then. 🙂
for cold watermelon
I ate an entire quarter of a watermelon after my third work shift last week. So good. So refreshing.
I know some people think a whole watermelon is too much to buy when you have a small household, but this is not the case if you are an insatiable watermelon consumer.
Basically, you just have to believe that there is no wrong time of day to eat watermelon.
It's good at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime in between as well. 🙂
for beautiful sights in the woods
The air right now is an atmospheric crime, but beautiful things are growing.
I do try to remember that the wet air makes all this possible.
It is a bit of a struggle, though. 😉
for a new oil furnace
The new one arrived this week; it's not installed yet, but that's ok. It'll be months before I will need any heating help. Yay!
I have a lot of hope that the new furnace will provide much better service than the old one, but still, living with an oil furnace these last few years has made me pretty dead set against ever buying a house with oil heat. Too much headache.
that renting means I face no unexpected house-related costs
I do want to own a home again one day.
But, I did not have to drop a penny on the new furnace and the new sump pump, and that has reminded me that renting does have its perks.
Well done you! I am so pleased all your hard work has paid off, wishing you a peaceful break now, you have certainly earned it.
The formal registration as a nurse - you mention it almost casually but it is a big thing. Congratulations on this well earned certification! I hope you do an inordinate amount of celebration in your remaining summer holiday weeks.
This week I am thankful for pleasantly warm weather, and for meeting with friends and family in good health. And for a lot besides, but instead of looking for the words I will continue work - for which I am also thankful 🙂
Have a great rest of the week everyone!
CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you! The world needs more positive RNs. <3 Your hard work paid off!
First of all Congratulations!
I am thankful for life and all the wonderful things in it.
Everyday is a wonder.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
Felicitations!! So glad all your hard work was rewarded!
I'm thankful that I have indoor plumbing , cats, and modern medicine. Some weeks are very basic!
Congratulations and welcome to the RN club!!! You worked so hard; enjoy your success! Well done!!!! 85 questions and done and no more NCLEX studying ever again. I do recall not studying everyday left a giant hole in my life and took some time to adjust to.
I also admit that I still get a kick out of writing RN after my name when charting almost a year later......
Well done, Kristen!! Congrats!
Congratulations! Even though I had no doubt that you would pass it is still a big deal/major accomplishment.
I am thankful for the ability to walk early in the morning before it gets hot.
I am thankful for AC. I can't imagine summer without it. We had our AC checked the other day and it passed all the testing.
I am thankful for the ability to own and drive a vehicle. It is a modern day convenience.
I am thankful for friends. We have very little family nearby but friends make up the majority of my social life.
I am thankful for smart phones. I have cousin that lives in the Midwest/AZ and she has been texting old family photos this week. We are several years apart in age so we were not close as kids but now that we are much older that doesn't matter.
I am thankful for this exercise.
Whoo hoo! Congratulations! I am so happy for you! You have persevered and now have the reward. I hope you have some fun, carefree and enjoyable times between now and when you start your job.
Congratulations! (Not really a surprise or nail-biter for any regular here that you passed.) Yay!
This week I am thankful:
*that my dad's back pain is at least slightly responding to some of the things we're throwing at him-- 5 different appointments for him this week!
*for the rain because 1) at this time of year, the green things need it and 2) I don't feel obligated to weed a wet garden-- too messy. I don't have time to weed right now.
*for the coffee I'm about to make.
*for being able to go to bed early last night.
*for the pretty things growing outside. Yesterday my daughter brought me a double-headed zinnia (I don't know if that's the proper term). My husband waded into the weed in the field between our house and the cemetery so that he could bring me a new wildflower (it looks to be a pea of some sort). And the volunteer sunflowers right outside my door!
@Jody S., Ha. I only weed a wet garden. Otherwise the weeds just won't come out. I weed when I flood the beds, so it's always a muddy, messy operation.
@kristin @ going country, We can usually wait until the next day because it doesn't get all dried out that quickly in our humidity. But weeding doesn't happen easily when it's dry, for sure.
Congratulations!
All hail Kristen, RN!!
I'm mainly thankful this week for that magnificent downpour we got on Monday, which has greatly refreshed my garden. And I'm hoping for more rain over the weekend (although I'm probably one of the few people who is!).
@A. Marie,
I'm hoping for some rain this weekend, too! My garden needs it. The rain should come on Sunday, though, and not on Saturday, because I'm a volunteer photographer at our town's Pride Festival on Saturday. 🙂
@A. Marie, then you'll have to weed. When I get home Sunday and on Monday as well, my perennial gardens need weeding. One was 3/4 weeded but dang, the recent rains (I dread to see what this afternoon and tomorrow does) kicked the weeds into overdrive. The perennials are done for the season so weed removal before they seed is a priority.
Congratulations!!!
I hope you do something special to celebrate this accomplishment!!!
Hooray!!
Yes you are an RN!!! Congrats on reaching another milestone on the path of "Do hard work. Get rewards."
Enjoy every minute of your time off! You have earned it!
Congratulations! Lovely news and I'm sure it's a relief even if not a surprise. I'm an academic scientist and recent shifts in public support for biomedical funding has many of us wondering if there is a future left in this field. I'm a world expert in topic X, but I don't know if there are many jobs out there that require this expertise. What I'm trying to say is, I have found inspiration that you were able to start a new career in your 40s in such a spectacular fashion.
Yay for you! I'm doing the Happy Dance in your honor!
CONGRATULATIONS!! We all knew you could do it.
Today I am thankful:
That half the family got back safely from a trip.
For Clark, who kept me company while DH was out of town. The first night he slept all night on DH's side of the bed, but the second night I think he was anxious because DH was not yet home, and i was rudely awoken early with a hairball deposited in my bed. Ugh. But he brought me two catnip mice for my troubles, and who among us does not get anxious when the family is not all together?
That I have kids who are willing to pitch in. Do they sometimes not think to pitch in? Of course, they're human. But last night DS#3 got the litter boxes and trash out without being asked, which was great, as I was down with a migraine.
That DS#1 is considered indispensable at work just now. Apparently he's one of the two people who can run certain lab equipment for an important project, so while he's been working a little later nights than usual, he is happy to because it means they need him.
@Karen A.,
Hope you're feeling better and that you got over your headache fast. Migraines are terrible. I get 'em a lot in hot weather.
@Karen A., I know it's just me, and I haven't had my coffee yet, but I got terribly concerned reading that "HALF the family got home safely". My immediate reaction was to yell "What happened to the OTHER half?!!!" Be still my heart.
@JDinNM, Oh my gosh! Ha, can I blame migraine brain for that wording?? DS#3 and DS#4 went with DH to stay at Ravenwood Castle for the latter's birthday, and I was a wee bit worried because a) DS#3 drove for the first time on country roads, and in the rain (and did splendidly!) and b) they had two power outages while they were there! But they had a fantastic time and came home happy. Myself, DS#1 and DS#2 stayed home, because of work and school obligations.
@Fru-gal Lisa, For me it's sleep deprivation (and yes, heat does make them worse) but time it was self-inflicted--when DH is out of town, I don't sleep well the first night and foolishly stay up late, and the second night, I went to bed at a decent hour but Clark decided to puke in my bed UNDER the comforter so I was woken at 5 am thinking, "Why are the sheets cold and wet?" UGH. Cats. But I got a good night sleep last night, and it is better today. Thank you!
@Karen A., you will sleep well when husband returns & is in bed next to you.
Meanwhile get some form of caffeine to help ease the tension.
@Karen A., That's funny you worried about the country roads. My permit-kid has pretty much only driven on country roads, and I worry about him much more in traffic with turning lanes and traffic lights and all than on the (very country) roads he's been driving since he was about 13. It's so interesting to hear about a familiar topic but from a different perspective. 🙂
@kristin @ going country,
I had same feeling as you when kids started driving. Driving 2 lane country roads with little/no traffic was easy. Then in town, even smaller towns with people was a few close misses. Highways where people refuse to move over for oncoming traffic was the worst. And as of recently I see (& heard) that semi trucks are not moving over for anyone because of drivers that complain & cut them off. Which this goes against drivers education/training & test (both liscence & CDL).
@kristin @ going country, Our country roads are the twisty kind, and 2 of my boys think it would be fun to develop (or for somebody else to develop) a driving video game with the roads that we always drive. And it IS fun to drive on them, but it is NOT safe to drive as fast as we would like to drive on them (thanks to many wild creatures and other things which might be just around the next curve or over the next blind hill).
@Karen A., I too, have rolled over in middle of the night to be awakened by "soggy kibble".....YIKES. Its not a fun way to wake up.
@kristin @ going country, The country roads in those parts are very twisty, around mountains and hills! I think maybe your New Mexico roads are straighter, and you can see what's coming at you farther off? In any case, yes, we live in the suburbs so first he learned those streets with lights and turning lanes, and then the expressway (eek), and finally country roads. I didn't learn how to drive on a highway until my twenties, my parents flat out avoided taking me on the expressway.
@Karen A., Whew!
@Karen A., My mother was so eager to have me drive myself to and from high school that she let me drive her beloved gold Mercury Cougar. Highways, byways, rain, sleet, hurricane force winds ... she didn't care!
@JDinNM,
in Michigan you have to drive in winter & spring or fall for your required driving hours for drivers education/training. They want young drivers to be able to handle vehicle in any kind of weather AND you have to drive drive 10 night time/dark hours in addition to daytime driving hours BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE DRIVERS TEST FOR LISCENCE.
For teen driver's education/training class vehicle was a smart car with 3 teens & 1 adult that instructor had kids on highway doing the 75mph. Teen drove my full size newer pick up truck (we could put that smart car in the back of my truck).
Bravo Kristen:)
First-CONGRATULATIONS!!! You earned this!
Second-a new boiler will make a huge difference. I had a very old boiler that gave me constant problems. I had to take so much time off of work to get it repaired and we were always without heat. I finally broke down and bought a new boiler. I've had no problems since (it's been 10 years). I just get my yearly maintenance and enjoy the cozy heat in the winter. Plus, the new boiler was much more efficient and saved us a few $$ in oil. That's not to say I'd **chose** oil heat again. So happy you got a new boiler!
I am thankful that you passed --though not at all surprised :-)--and that you can let your shoulders drop now. Figuratively, anyway. Yaaaay!
Other thankfuls:
--That I do NOT live in a place with regular high humidity. Your description of the air as an atmospheric crime made me smile, but also flash back to failing to sleep in our upstairs, west-facing bedroom on a lake in upstate New York. People think of New York as cold, but those Finger Lakes are not pleasant much of the summer. Absolutely punishing humidity and surprisingly high temperatures. Anytime I saw an overnight low of more than 70 degrees, I knew it was going to be a really bad night, even with a window fan and floor fan roaring away. That really doesn't happen here, and I am so thankful for that.
--Relatedly, that it is never so hot here in the mornings that I can't stand the thought of hot coffee. I don't really like iced coffee, but would drink it on those nasty mornings in New York. Even at the height of summer, I can always drink hot coffee in the morning here. Hooray for the high-altitude West.
--For cherries. I love cherries and always enjoy cherry season. Especially on-sale cherry season. 🙂
--For my amusing children. All of my kids have inherited my husband and my's ability with language, and they play with words in very funny ways sometimes.
--Relatedly, that all my kids read and are all old enough to read independently. Literally the only time the house is quiet in the summer is when everyone is sitting on the couch with a book.
--That my parents and my husband's parents are all still active and healthy. Three of the four are almost 80, and my father-in-law will be 96 next month, so this is certainly not a given.
@kristin @ going country, So much for language ability . . . just ignore that awful sentence construction and misplaced apostrophe+s up there, please.
@kristin @ going country, One more last-minute thankful: For my middle son, who will be 13 on Sunday and still thanked me for waking him up at 6 a.m. to go to a masonry job with his dad. He told me he likes rockwork and would have hated to miss out. I cannot fathom being that pleased about getting up this early to build a rock wall in the 100-degree sun, but I do appreciate his good attitude. So does his dad.
Awww that is so cute of him!
@kristin @ going country, I, too, have kids that are somehow not like me in ways like that. But it makes parenting so very interesting.
@kristin @ going country, I don't think these small errors reflect on your language or communication abilities. I usually assume that little errors are the result of AutoCorrect or AI. I had an instance a few weeks ago when AutoCorrect changed a word and it threw my family into a tailspin
I was in the store when my sister-in-law called and I didn't answer my phone. I sent her a quick text that was supposed to say, "I am in Costco. I will call you when I get home." The AutoCorrect function on my phone changed the word Costco into the word, hospital.
When my sister-in-law read this text, she became very concerned and tried to call me back. Unfortunately, my phone's battery had died. She was worried, so she had called my husband to make sure I was all right and to see if he needed anything.
I vowed to be more careful when sending text messages. One word can make a huge difference in meaning.
Sometimes autocorrect is getting me on my own blog. I look back at a post and see a word and think, "I know DARN well I didn't type that there!!"
@kristin @ going country, guess that son will be continuing in the Masonry business like dad. Good for him for having such good work ethic at 13, because most (young) teens aren't excited to get up at 6 am when has opportunity to sleep instead.
@Bee, Nah, that was all me writing quickly and not proof-reading so I could get off the computer and make lunches for the rock workers. 🙂 I bet that was very concerning for your sister-in-law.
@Regina, Eldest son was never like that, and for sure has gotten even less motivated with his advancement into adolescence, so it might change later for the younger one, too, but I appreciate it now at least.
WOOHOO! So proud of you for overcoming adversity, having the courage to pursue something you've always wanted, and nailing it!
Yay Kristen, RN! Woo woo! I'm so happy for you and I love that you let us walk through the process with you virtually.
I need to get outside and walk soon because the heat and humidity get bad pretty early these days and the bugs make walking impossible in the evenings. So here are my quick thankfuls: coolish mornings, DH feeling better after a difficult April, long phone calls with grown children, late planted seeds are sprouting and YouTube gardening videos.
Congrats to you! How about a FUN bucket list to kick off your true start of summer??
Congratulations Kristen! You have worked hard to achieve this goal. Savor the moment & celebrate your success- perhaps with a watermelon slushy freezy slurpy sort of drink.
A Big Congrations on you passing!
Congratulations!! It is well earned!
WOOHOOO!!! So very, very happy for you. Congratulations. This is a huge moment for you. What a relief. (And, I had no doubt you would pass!)
And there was much rejoicing!!!
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Haha, thank you!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!!!!
that's just wonderful news and you deserve a really-and-truly break.
I am thankful that my gym has gotten rid of the “senior” workout and I now only pay $23. more and I can go whenever I want. As much as I loved the senior workout, I am really enjoying this gym and the type of workouts. This week has been upper body and I sure do need it! And if anybody wants to know, it’s crossfit. Don’t be discouraged by crossfit. The coaching is really well done and they coach you every step of the way. You do what you can do and there is no pressure to do more, which is nice!
Right now I am sitting outside because I have no power. And I am very thankful it is not oppressive out! I am on my porch enjoying my coffee. I guess I should get up and do some weeding tho!
Thankful for Kristen and seeing how all of her hard work has paid off. All while keeping us interactive on this wonderful website. Your future looks really bright Kristen!!!
Thankful that we spent the weekend with our son-in-law’s family at the lake and had a great time. Even our granddaughter had fun with us! And we arrived safely to all of our destinations.
@Maureen, Isn't it funny how "power out" completely changes our days around? Ours is primarily a food preparation issue and toilet usage issue.
Congratulations! What an accomplishment—we are all so excited and proud for you. And thankful for your example — we can do hard things! And there is joy in the accomplishment. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
One more congratulations! Patients and coworkers will be lucky to have you as their nurse.
I’m sitting on the opposite coast early in the morning so right now I am thankful for
- coffee, lots of coffee
- that DH was willing to get up extra early to go drive our son and his family to the airport as they head on vacation
- that we now live so close to said son and his family and our other son and DIL will drive to come visit all of us
- for kind and cooperative neighbors
- that my almost 40 years of living through your type of summers in Illinois and Atlanta are memories vs the other parts of and current life on the West coast. It was always the mosquitoes that were the worst for me
Woo-hoo! Time to celebrate. Congratulations Nurse Kristen!
This week I am thankful for:
1. Folks like you, Kristen, who tackle hard things so that you can use your gifts to help others.
2. I know lots of folks are saying it, but air conditioning, again...
3. A fabulous super short haircut that is helping me stay cool. I hate hair on my face or neck in this weather and can't be bothered to put it up all the time.
4. I'm with Kristen on the cool showers thing. Hot showers in summer just make me feel more sweaty afterwards.
5. My new sandals with good arch support. Most sandals hurt my feet, these don't.
@AnnieH, May I ask what brand your sandals are?
@Jody S., OrthoFeet. They give you additional an extra arch support with all shoes and it's easy to place it under the sandal insole. I bought the Hydra in gray. Cute and super comfortable on the first wear.
With their regular shoes they also give you additional super thin insoles to adjust the size a tiny bit so they fit better.
@AnnieH, Thank you 🙂
Congrats! What a huge achievement!
I’m very thankful my husband had another safe trip this past week. It’s been extra stressful lately. Some of his family members have now started carrying their passports at all times, not just while traveling, to prove their US citizenship and hopefully avoid wrongful detention.
I’m thankful for my dog. His cute fluffy face always makes me smile and he greets us like we are the most amazing people on earth.
I’m thankful for moderate rain. Besides the obvious lack of extreme weather, it’s been nice to have my garden watered for me. It’s a lot less work!
@JenRR,
we looked into getting passports & learned that currently (don't know when started) you can get a wallet (liscence) sized passport for $30. I do not know if you can get without passport book but there is the wallet sized option.
My thought was to have both (wallet size & paper book passport) to be able to have in wallet & passport book in safe/travel bag (not carry every day). I did read that it is suggested that you take photographs (on your phone & maybe email to self) your passport & the back side also in case of lost or back up to process replacement faster, especially if out of country & have to go to embassy.
Congrats, Kristen! Or I should say, Kristen, RN! You’ve worked very hard on your degree, and I’m so excited for you and your future! You can do anything you put your mind to!
I hope you can relax and have a wonderful summer! Summer isn’t my favorite season here in hot and steamy S Florida! It’s quite unbearable here right now, unfortunately.
My dh is now in the rehab affiliated with the hospital. This is day 3 so he is not displaying the right attitude yet so I am thankful for the therapists, nurses and drs. His physical health is close to what it was pre-surgery, so I'm thankful for that.
I am going to ask for prayers for me because if he doesn't cooperate, it will make things even harder for me than they already were and between menopause and 56, I don't want to snap and be a case study on 20/20.
Our son, who moved home because he's dealing with a digestive disorder and lost his job and had to sell everything to stay afloat for a while, has scrimped and saved up and bought a used car year. He did everything without any input and got a great old car for a great price. This will give him another way to earn money and the look of pride on his face brought me joy at a time when I needed it.
@Jennifer, you're dealing with a lot; I'm praying your husband can cooperate and do great with rehab and get you all past this time. And congrats to your son - it's no easy task to find a good used car!
@Jennifer, here's hoping we don't see you on 20/20 (your description made me chuckle, though, I really hope things improve with your dh's situation). Glad to hear that things are looking up a bit for your son!
@Jennifer,
Sending prayers for healing and strength.
Ooooof, that is so tough. Rehabilitation after a hospital stay is hard work, and it's even harder when a patient is not in the mental space to be up for the work. I hope things turn around for him, and that maybe some of the staff can be helpful in that regard.
@Jennifer, Lifting you up and asking God to give you extra patience, grace, strength, and support during this challenging time.
@Jennifer, Oh, it is so hard to watch a loved one go through the rehab. I tried to remember when DS was going through it that he had been on a lot of heavy pain meds and that surgery is a trauma, so that was affecting his mood a lot. Add to that not wanting to be in pain--DS was at first so worried about breaking stitches that he was afraid to move around--and it's a hard thing. Praying for strength for you and for your DH!
@Jennifer,
Wow, you have a lot on your plate right now. Sending you prayers and hugs. I hope your dh can settle in (temporarily) and be more cooperative. And your son did a hard thing, too! Big congrats to him on buying a car!
@Kristen, Here, as in the hospital, I have come across so many angels. If not for them, we both may have given up by now.
I am so glad you guys are being care for well!
Congratulations! We knew you would do it.
How about making agua fresca with some of that watermelon?
My thanksgivings:
1. I'll start with, today is my late father's birthday; he was born in 1918. He was a smart man of many skills. He could mechanic, weld, electrify, build, roof, plumb, farm and garden. He had a dry sense of humor and a strong sense of responsibility to wife, kids, parents, siblings and in-laws. He was a man of faith, active in church. He was delighted to father all girls when many expected men to prefer a boy. He served well in WWII. And he died trying to get my mother out of the house when it burned. She had breathing issues and the poisonous smoke obviously got to her quickly after she called 911 from the bedside phone. Firefighters found him beside the bed where she lay, his cane hooked on the doorknob so he could use both hands to try to pull her up. I will always be thankful for him.
PSA: The smoke will get you faster than the fire. Always get out first, then call. All the plastics/Formica/insulation in your house are deadly poisons when they burn.
2. I'm thankful for the great fireworks show in my little town, and that my daughter who doesn't still live there came with her family to watch the show with me and my other daughter. Hearing the little ones exclaiming over the fireworks made it even better. I'm thankful the rain held off for the show.
3. I'm thankful to see new birds in the trees around my property. First, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, which are new to the area, and then Mississippi Kites, including a juvenile.
4. I'm thankful the darn crows and squirrels were a little late to get some figs, so I have been able to eat a few off my own tree!
5. I'm thankful I am so close to paying off my last debt. Unless something happens, I will be debt free again, after several years of pouring more money than we made into healthcare, hurricanes and the car, by November of this year.
@JD, Your father must have been a brave and loving man. I am so sorry that you lost him in this way, but I think his love will stay with you forever.
@JD, That's a sorrowful loss, but you've expressed such a beautiful tribute to your dad despite the loss. What a great way to think of him on his birthday.
And congratulations on being just about debt-free, and prior to retirement too. I'm sure you're counting the days to both!
@JD,
I miss that my adult daughter used to come back home (didn't move too far away) every 4th of July to go to fireworks with us (as a family). When she moved out of state the first 4th of July without her was the saddest.
I'm glad your adult children make the time & memories to come be with you. Your grandchildren will remember the good times with you during the holiday. 🙂
@JD, Your father sounds very much like my grandfather-- minus the tragic heroic end. Unless you count picking corn for the food bank heroic.
Ohhh, congrats on the upcoming debt-free life. Yay!!!!
@JD, I am sorry about your dad. He sounds like a wonderful man.
@JD,
What a lovely and somewhat bittersweet tribute to your dad. He sounds like such a loving, caring person. Im sorry that you lost both of your parents that way.
And now, time for my dumb question: do you (does anyone) just eat figs straight off the tree? Or do you have to dry them, or something? Just curious. Thanks!
@JD, what a lovely tribute to your father. I am sorry for the tragedy of your parents' fire.
Congratulations! I hope you are able to relax for the rest of your break before you start your new job!
Congratulations!! What an exciting achievement. We pretty much knew this would be the case, but the confirmation is very cool. Like you, I love watermelon. In fact, it was the one thing I craved while pregnant with both of my children. Again, congratulations on officially becoming an RN!
Congratulations, Nurse Kristen!!!!!! You did it! Good for you!!!!Your happy (but not unexpected) news filled me with some much-needed joy! (I would put the meme of Snoopy dancing for joy here if I could. Or play the song "Walking on Sunshine". Can I count that -- and your blog and the commentariat in general -- as one of my thankful items? (I've been very, very sad bc of the Guadalupe River flood, esp. since my college roommate/BFF and her husband live in Hunt. They're OK, but many of their friends and neighbors....)
Thankful that my area escaped the floods, and that we have Civil Defense sirens all over town. Not to mention TV stations with REAL meteorologists and their own radar setups and free apps for your cellphone that warn of upcoming bad weather. (Several years ago, they just had "weathermen" or "weather anchors," guys with only broadcast degrees who hadn't learned about the science of forecasting or anything. Not a good thing in "Tornado Alley.")
Thankful that my flooring was installed and is beautiful (and all paid for); as a bonus, the guys fixed the bedroom carpet, too.
Thankful that it looks like I'm going to be able to get a metal roof installed soon, and financed at an amazingly low (and affordable) APR.
Thankful for my retail job, enabling me to get out of the house and visit with folks (if only to say hello and a few words). It keeps me from being isolated and I'm getting a paycheck albeit a small one. Also thankful for my SS and retirement pensions.
Thankful for my sweet Snuggy. In addition to snuggling with me every chance he gets, he's also quite good on squirrel patrol.
Yes, yes to the Snoopy dance.
And I'm glad you were safe from the floods. <3
Congratulations!
Congratulations! You are such an impressive person and will be a fabulous nurse. It’s been inspiring to watch your journey.
Congratulations!!
Thankfuls:
-The thunderstorm overhead. We are not at risk of flooding and the rain is appreciated.
-Cool mornings. It’s so nice to have weather in the 50s overnight then warmish days. I am so happy to live here. Especially in summer.
-New tires—I’m getting such better gas mileage after replacing my tires. It makes me happy every time I get in the car knowing I won’t have to get gas for a while.
- Sewing with my kids. I pulled out my machine after a long break from sewing and 2 of my kids eagerly asked to sew with me. I love doing stuff with my kids and getting to share hobbies with them.
Hip Hip Hooray! You did it! Congratulations, RN Kristen.
All the congratulations, as in ALL THE CONGRATULATIONS! I was close to giddy when I received my degree, and resumed a no-more-studying life - what a transition!
Hoping you do something just for you in the werks between now and the start of your new RN position - you rock!
Whoop whoop!! So excited for you to have passed such a big milestone. You are awesome, girl!! And you are going to make a positive difference in so many lives through your compassionate nursing care.
This week I'm thankful:
* that I got to go to the store yesterday morning by myself. I miss the weekday morning grocery shopping by myself that I get to do during the school year and yesterday's shopping trip was delightful!
* that we were blessed with such wonderful neighbors the last few years. Our last night in our current house will be Saturday night and we will start staying at the new house on Sunday night, so I'm feeling all the feels right now. But we really have been blessed to have such great neighbors.
* for friends.
* for online shopping. Normally, I'm not a fan! But with everything going on right now, I'm glad it's available. Also - big shoutout to easy-t0-make and freezer meals.
* for the ability to walk my dog in the mornings. I used to walk him at night after the kids were in bed, but it's working out better to do it in the mornings this summer and I'm thankful that our schedule allows it.
Congratulations! I had no doubt you would pass.
I'm thankful for running water and indoor plumbing that works. We just had a major repair done which meant we could not use the plumbing for a few days. It's so nice to have everythimg working again.
Congratulations! We knew you'd do it, but how wonderful to have that milestone behind you.
I'm thankful for the small amount of rain we've had this week. We're in drought, so anything helps, plus the rain cools things off.
For cherries. It's cherry season and I am eating them as much as I can. We also picked 10 pounds of sour cherries yesterday. They're too tart for snacking, but I made some delicious jam, and there will be pies in our future.
For free music in the park. We're going to two concerts this weekend with friends.
For free books and audiobooks from the library.
For this lovely internet space.
Congrats!!!! Never ever a doubt…
@Farhana,
Expressing Antisemitism under the pretense of gratitude is nothing short of obscene.
I'm so excited for this next phase for you!!!
(If you're looking for medical, but fun, podcasts to fill your previous learning podcast slots, I HIGHLY recommend The Medical Detectives. It's been putting rare diagnoses in my brain and teaching me how to ask better questions.)
Ooh, good to know! I just added it to my podcast queue.
Congratulations Kristen RN!!! You are going to be such a wonderful nurse!
I will do my VERY best to knock it out of the park. 🙂
Congratulations!
In the way that something that is expected, earning your RN license, is still a happy-making thing to hear, officially. I award you as many huzzah as A.Marie has in her quiver. And, I’m thankful for you.
Also will bethankful for our son's safe return from his vacation in France with his wife's family, later today.
Congratulations, Kristen, well done! We're excited and happy for you!! Not surprised, of course ;), but excited and happy. The nursing profession is so fortunate to have you in its ranks.
I rarely comment, but congratulations! I enjoy your blog and journey so much. I'm in a different time in life, but reading your blog helps me stay on my frugal track when I really don't have to anymore. I work as a healthcare PM and love working with nurses, I'm always honored when people assume my background is nursing when I have absolutely zero clinical experience.
Aww, I'm glad you popped in to say hi! And thank you for reading. 🙂
Congratulations Kristen! It has been so inspiring to have been reading your blog and following your journey from home-schooling mom to now. I have so admired your growth and honesty as you have traveled this journey. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your fan club, for being an example of walking through hard times with a positive and real attitude.
I hope you are able to allow yourself to slow down and savor this time- you have done so much for so long with so little. Rest and relax and be gentle with yourself as you find your new normal- being done with this phase of school and life. Blessings to you and thank you!
We had the BEST watermelon this week. It was so, so yummy. I can eat a lot of watermelon!
Congrats on your academic success. I'm so happy for you and, as my mom (a retired RN) would say: "Proud to know ya!"
<3
Congratulations! Hurray!
Congratulations (again) on passing your test & officially becoming a RN! 🙂
Thankful that all the bills paid for this month. Besides a few groceries & any gas I might need all the monthly obligations are taken care of. 🙂
Thankful that teen is continuing to be (legal) creative in earning money in addition to part time job. Giving teen sense of pride & accomplishment.
Thankful teen & friends still keeping in touch in spite of summer jobs, college prep & summer vacations.
Thankful for rescue dogs who are always just so happy to see us. 🙂
Thankful no severe weather, just a lot of rain. Lots of moss & mushrooms sprouting up. Luckily our flash flooding from rain is just flooded yards & roads & pretty full lakes & rivers. Our prayers go out to everyone effected by the flooding this last week.
Thankful for the normal 85* temps with not much humidity.
Thankful all my potato & sweet potatoes plants are looking good. I'm going to add more actual dirt instead of compost so that they have more space to grow. In past years some potatoes have poked through the top of soil & turned green from sun exposure, which is not safe to eat.
Thankful my dad is feeling good. He goes in for his blood test soon to see where his levels are at. His doctor is on vacation so hopefully if anything is in need of immediate attention another doctor will be available to discuss options. My dad already told doctors he was going to still go on vacation for August (coming to visit Michigan). Hopefully he is doing good enough to travel across the country from Florida to Michigan.
Thankful for good news about former coworker who has had rough last year but (barely) survived & is slowly making progress. I hope that she gets (& allows) help that she needs as she has adult special needs child that can't walk & barely verbally communicates. This barely 5' 80# woman is determined to make it.
Have a great weekend.
Quick side note--yesterday I learned that Receipt Pal is currently only accepting receipts for current day & 2 days previous according to app information. I guess i missed any announcement about that change from past 7-14 days receipts allowed.
I giggled at the "legal" part, because sometimes when I meet new people and I tell them I have an online job, I always feel it necessary to specify what it actually is, just in case they think I might be running an Only Fans page or something. Ha.
Hip Hip Hooray! Well done!
The fact that You passed might be one of my thankful things.
I am thankful for my morning coffee.
Toddler giggles.
My flexible work schedule and that my daughters daycare is in walking distance.
Hot days (because that means we are NOT in the dreaded cold and flu season.)
Just adding more congratulations on this milestone, Kristen - and hoping you can take some time to celebrate/relax in whatever ways appeal to you!
Also - thank you for those pictures of the downed tree trunks fading off into the distance - they really mesmerized me this morning, so beautiful!
I also appreciate a rental,yes there's things we can't do but there's no repairs,appliances I'm responsible for,no lawn care,in my case no snow to remove,my garbage pickup is also paid for.
Im 71,been there,done that.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I didn't doubt you for a second.
Congratulations! I've enjoyed following your journey, and it's great to see you reach the destination.
Congratulations Kristen on a job well done. It’s good to see all your hard work come to fruition.
Along with other commenters, I'd like to wish you a huge CONGRATULATIONS on becoming an RN!!! Your hard work, perseverance and dedication have pulled you through to this point and you should be darn proud of yourself. I admire you and your tenacity and authenticity. Your blog is my absolute favorite on the internet and thank you making it a safe, judgement free zone!!!
Thank you!!
Adding my congratulations!
Congratsies! Now you are fully and truly an independent girlie! Good for you!
Gah! I completely forgot a very important thankful. DS#3 was informed that he is officially accepted into the RN program at his college, and can start the limited enrollment courses in Fall 2026! This fall semester, he'll be taking the Nurse Aide training, and plans to get a job after that while he continues to go to school. He's gotten a lot of the electives out of the way (all of them, actually). So exciting!
@Karen A., So happy for your son (& your family). You have to love getting those electives out of the way & transfers into the new program. 🙂 What a savings it will be for him (financially & time wise).
We just got teens Biology & Science classes he took at local college/University transfered to college enrolled in already. That particular college/University does not like to handle transfers (in/out). We were previously told by that college/University that can't transfer (2 years ago) but luckily was able to get done---summer help & hours might have helped. 🙂
Congratulations! I love your T-shirt.
Isn't it so perfect? 🙂 What a great gift from my friend.
Congratulations on reaching your goal and thank you for taking us all along on your journey!
This week I am thankful for:
• A lovely rainy morning. I don’t have to leave the house this morning so I can enjoy the sounds of soft rainfall while working. I also got the dogs out this morning before it started to rain so big win there!
• An impromptu date night with my husband. I forgot to defrost the chicken to put it into the crockpot for dinner (which I realized while at work) and it was just the two of us for dinner so I proposed a mid-week date night. I was lovely to spend quality time with him in the middle of a hectic week.
• For our summer staff meeting my company brought in an ice cream truck! It’s a summer tradition at work and it fun to go to work when it’s “ice cream day!”
• Time with my son this summer on my work from home days.
• Lots of puppy snuggles from our two dogs.
Thank YOU for following along! I feel so lucky to have had so many people cheering me on through my nursing school journey.
Congrats-afreaking-julations!!
Congratulations on passing and being DONE! I'm so glad you can have a mental rest from always preparing for that test. I also love your phrasing about the air, "atmospheric crime" makes me laugh. I am thankful for summer break, for super lazy days (last week, I read 4 books and that's about it) and then days I get things done (this week).
Haha, well, that is how it feels to me. Just unrelenting humid air. Oof.
And thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Kristen!! I am so happy for you and so proud of you for passing your nursing boards! I am an RN and have followed your posts religiously over these past two years. I have cheered you from afar as you have overcome so many challenges in your personal life and have achieved such tremendous success in school. And now you're a bona fide RN! Just super thrilled for you, and I can't wait to continue to follow your success in the months ahead as you continue on to the next phase of your journey. Heartfelt best wishes and love!
Whhooo hooo!!! So excited for you!!!
Congratulations, Kristen!!! You have worked so hard and deserve this so much!
This week I am thankful to be back for summer! It's so lovely to be home!
Other things I am thankful for:
1. I ran the 5k parkrun last weekend and for the first time ran the whole thing without stopping!
2. I swam in the sea every day.
3. I went to a spa which was part of a leisure centre and enjoyed the jacuzzi and floating in the saltwater pool.
4. I went to a beautiful island on a day trip and enjoyed visiting the museum there, going to the beach and just walking around and exploring.
5. I finally got my hair cut which I do somewhat irregularly, so I'm thankful I got it done before going home.
@Sophie in Denmark, woohooo on the 5K run! Big Congrats to you!
@Angel, Thank you!!!
Wow I have been following you on this journey of yours and I am so excited to hear that you are now a Registered Nurse!!!! Double Congratulations to you for all your hard work to persevered and do it!!! Now it is time for you to be rewarded for all your hard work done, hang in there and you will see the fruit of all your labor!! You will be an awesome nurse, I am so happy for you!!
Congratulations! You made it.
Big congrats to you!
Thankful that although our original septic company seems to have ghosted us, another one showed up and has come up with a plan of attack to deal with replacing our tanks. Also thankful that through frugal living, we can afford the repairs.
So grateful to see my sister and her family yesterday, while they are vacationing on my side of the state.
Thankful for coffee time with my favorite niece today.
Appreciative of my adult son, who includes me in his life via text/video update. I realize that not all parent/adult child relationships go well, and know that this is no small thing. Ditto for having the opportunity to spend time with my college daughter while she is home this summer. I suspect this may be the last year that she comes home over her summer break, and I am determined to enjoy it.
Yes! It is a gift when our adult children want to share their lives with us.
Congratulations! It's accomplishment to graduate from nursing school and an even bigger accomplishment to pass NCLEX and receive your license.
Celebrate you deserve it!
Congratulations!!! You can do hard things! Such a great role model for your children, your patients, and all of us!
Try Tajin sprinkled on your watermelon. Highly addictive. Add a little feta or goat cheese for more jouz. Congratulations!
Warmest congratulations to you!
Congratulations on passing the NCLEX exam!! I’m thrilled you have your full certification now!!
I’m thankful my husband has received good news on some recent medical tests.
School is done! I hereby give you permission to not be perfect. There is no 4.0 grade in life.
Congrats on passing the NCLEX!
Delurking again from Pennsylvania, to tell you congratulations and I am so happy and excited and proud for you! Hope you can relax a little bit now!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! SO SO SO excited for you!!!
congratulations on passing! My best friend just finished one of her licensure exams too.. but she has to wait 2 weeks for results! talk about stressful!
That is amazing!! So happy for you. And this is a strange comment I fear, but as a total stranger around the same age—I am SO proud of you. What an accomplishment!! You should he so proud of yourself!
Congratulations! You did it!!
CONGRATULATIONS, KRISTEN! BRAVA AND HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
One RN to another....wohoo!!!!!!!
Congratulations!!!!
Congratulations, you rock star!
Congratulations!!! I had no doubt that you would pass. All your hard work has paid off. You have done it and deserve to bask in joy, AND relax!
Calling Nurse Frugal!
Congratulations!!!
I knew you would knock that test out of the park. I wish you many years of being a person who brings light and joy to those you nurse and work with.
mazel tov!!! there was never any doubt. i'm with y ou on watermelon. love, love love it.
sometimes we get a bad one but hubby always gets a whole one.
Is there any cake left? I am late to this celebratory party! just wait until you sign a legal document and almost write RN behind your signature! I do hope you are able to do something special to mark this auspicious occasion! So happy and thankful for you!
I am thankful, my yard got mowed yesterday by my young church friend. He also built a raised bed and brought some dirt from their family's nursery operation. As an organic nursery they are obligated to not use any of the dirt/potting soil that falls to the floor so they sweep it up and use it for themselves or give it away.
So happy for fresh produce. I'm loving the variety of cucumbers I'm growing. Able to eat them just plain and not remember them hours later. I'm also glad I was able to make a peach cobbler for church when the peaches were just right instead of past their prime, So much so that I bought a few more yesterday to make my own small cobbler. I got them when I got sweet corn for which I am also VERY thankful. I thoroughly enjoy sweet corn.
I am thankful for my neighbor's blackberries. He does not care that I pick them. I made him a galette (rustic pie) which I hope goes over okay. I picked almost a gallon.
I am also thankful for AC. I could wish that the power company didn't feel the need to remind me of the increase in usage. Yes, yes, yes. The AC is running nonstop however, I am probably one with the least consumption of power in the neighborhood.
I am thankful for iced tea. I do have to watch how much I drink, because of the caffeine but I like that it is very refreshing and has some antioxidants.
Kristen,
A lot of stores now sell a little screw-in ceiling fan. If any of your ceiling fixtures have the light socket pointing straight down, you can take out the lightbulb and take off the shade and screw in the fan. Easy peasy! I think some of these fans also have lights on them. I have seen them at some big box stores, and I don't think they are very expensive. If you're going to stay in your cute/cozy/comfy little rent house for another year or more, they might be worth your while to get one (or ask Santa for one, LOL!) (or tell your girls you want one for birthday or mother's day or a nurse's graduation gift....)
Congratulations on passing the NCLEX!
Congratulations!! Will you be my nurse?
Congratulations!!!! You have worked so hard to achieve this and I have no doubt you will be an excellent RN. You are an inspiration to so many.
Congratulations, Kristen! It has been such a pleasure to read about your progress, both on the education/job front and on the personal level as you work your way through the pains and wounds of your marriage. Best wishes always.
Re: “an atmospheric crime” — LOL!
My damp air right now is at the opposite end of the temperature scale — where I am, just a mile from the Pacific Ocean in the SF Bay Area, summer days are generally cool with foggy afternoons, and the fog is rolling in as I write this. I grew up about 20 miles south of here in a different microclimate, and I’m so grateful to be avoiding the heat!
Congratulations on passing the test. We knew you could do it! 🙂 Your patients will have a wonderful RN caring for them.
Congratulations! You have worked so hard to get where you are today!
Clapping wildly for your achievements! If I ever need to be hospitalized, I'm going to request that I be taken by medivac to whatever hospital you are at.
Haha, that's a big compliment!
I want to add my name to the long list of people (and fellow RNs) to congratulate you, Kristen. Passing the NCLEX is a very big deal! Being able to sign your name with RN behind it is a privilege that you have earned. I wish you a long and fulfilling career, in whatever specialty you choose.
Congratulations on earning your license! Well done! I hope you are SUPER proud of yourself!! Also thank you for donating blood. As someone with a cancer survivor teenager who regularly gets plasma infusions and whose life was saved many times by the blood and platelets of blood donating heroes I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving lives! You are an inspiration and a reminder of the goodness, kindness and determination that exist in the world.
I'm happy to do it! It is a way to share my good health with others (something that is generally impossible otherwise!)
Congratulations! So very happy for you! It has been great following along with you and I can’t wait to continue watching your journey into nursing. Your patients will be so fortunate to have you caring for them.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Honestly, you are such a clever girl -- we knew you could do it.
I love watermelon. I LOVE watermelon. But Husband, who had more than his share in his North Carolina boyhood, won't eat it. So if I get one, I have to eat it all. (Tried freezing it, and that didn't work too good.) So for a few blissful days, I have all I want -- then pretty much none until next summer.
Congratulations, Kristen! Well done.
Yesterday, took 3 grands to the art museum. They all got in free. I got on the county library website and got a free admission as well. This balanced out the burgers for lunch and fro-yo. Priceless cousin time with grandma!!!
Took visiting grand berry picking. Blueberry U-Pick weren’t open, but we found blackberries and marionberries for $1.50/lb. Shared half with DD’s family. My half are in freezer until later.
Picnics when possible during the visit as we were out and about. Brought our water bottles or coffee/tea.
Cooked rice in the morning to quickly reheat that night for dinner when we got home. Rest of dinner came together quickly.
Line dried laundry.
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you.
Many, many congratulations!!
Congratulations!!!!!! Well done!!!
Waaahhhoooeeeyyy! Congratulations on passing!!
Congrats!!!!!
I saw an event at my local bookstore and thought of you! It’s a medical memoir that will be released in September.
https://silverunicornbooks.com/events/47191
Congrats on passing!
I'm thankful for ...
- A fun date night with my husband. We went on a motorcycle ride and hike in town while my mother and sister in law watches our girls for the weekend. We rarely get date nights except for a week or two during the summer so it's a treat!
- Time to relax and catch up on things that are harder to get done with kids around.
- Sushi!!! It was all I wanted for my birthday in June and my husband finally got me some from the grocery store. I was one happy lady.
- The beauty of nature like the pretty yellow flowers in the fields that adorn the upper mid-west & the lilies, hydrangeas, and Queen Anne's lace that bloomed in our front yard.
I also love seeing the light shimmer through the leaves of our tree on a windy day into our dining room.
- For me and my family's health and God's protection.
CONGRATULATIONS! I m over the Moon happy for you,Nurse Kristin!!! WELCOME TO THE TRIBE.It’s like being a Marine: You are a Nurse forever!!!! WOWZA! I feel like I sweated out each test and paper and project with you!! I hope you enjoy some summer time off, even though you are still working, no tests or papers or projects to do on top of it.. you can bask in glory of your hard work,enjoy your paychecks, and know they will be getting BIGGER VERY SOON!!!! YAY KRISTEN!!!!!!
Thank you!!
I am not a bit surprised, but am THRiLLED to hear it’s official that you passed your test and are now an official RN! Such a huge relief and validation. Your future is wide open in every way, and I really look forward to hearing all the details of your journey!
Congratulations on passing your test! You are an inspiration to so many of your readers.
Congratulations Kristen, well done! I have been following you for a LONG time and I can say it now, I was so holding my breath and hoping you would be able to keep that 4.0 through nursing school. I know that your end goal was to do your best, but I really wanted that for you. After having so much go upside down that was something I wanted to go right for you.
You are such a steady soul and I admire that. I am not - distraction really impacts me. To see you staying steady and consistent really was inspiring. I look for your blogs daily because it is part of my routine at work and you make that morning routine so cheerful. I always look forward to it - even when the content is more serious.
I know your coworkers are lucky to have you as a colleague and I look forward to all of posts about your newfound "free time".
Well done my friend, very well done!
I am late on this, but... congratulations on passing the NCLEX! Welcome to the nursing world! Sincerely, Marivic RN