Things About Jersey I'll NEVER Understand

1) Yielding on green.  Was this not required in NJ drivers ed?  I received a shake of the fist for taking MY right of way the other week.  The aforementioned fist lady was turning left into traffic.  I think my neck hairs are still bristling with a twinge of anger....just a twinge.

2)  It's going to snow on Sunday.  I thought I moved to NJ...not back to MN.

3)  Apparently, hospital inpatients still have to share rooms.  I seriously thought that was a phenomenon from the 70's.  No wonder nosocomial infections are so rampant in the USA.

4)  One of the first questions I'm greeted with when telling people I'm not from around here is "What did you move HERE for?"

5)  Apparently, NJ people don't move much.  People give me a very inquisitive look when I explain my past dwelling places.  They scratch their head and say "So, your from MN, but you moved from VA...and now you're HERE." I say, "yes."  (I don't even bother telling them I lived in OH for 2 1/2 years).  The next question that always follows is "How did you EVER meet your husband."  Guess I lead an exciting life folks.

6) People live in castles here and our property taxes our ridiculous.  How is it that people are living in castles?  Come visit me.  You'll see what I mean.  There's actually a house with a mote around it.

7) There have been bear sightings in my neighborhood.  What?  Why are bears living in the most populated state?

8) Why do so MANY middle-aged women born with DARK hair insist on dying it platinum blonde?  I've seen a lot of this since moving here.

9) Halloween.  Whoa.  People REALLY decorate up here.  I passed a hedge filled with fake cut-off limbs.  I threw up a little. Okay. Not really..but it grossed me out.

10) Radio stations.  I don't care if you've "Got the Moves Like Jagger."  I want some real music.  You would think with such a dense population of people you'd have more radio station options.  maybe not.

This is what I don't understand thus far.  Maybe once I've lived here a while it will all become clear to me.  Let's hope.

Wondering what I've been doing since moving to NJ ? Here's my repertoire.   1) Applying for jobs 2) Signing up for certification courses  3) this.

I'm A Nerd. I Don't Care.

I have decided to split my blog.  New In Jersey will be exclusively about our family, friends, activities and pet. So, if that's all you want to read about, stay here.   If you want to read about saving money tips, recipes and ect., go here.  I know.  I'm a nerd and I totally accept that label. What can I say?  Moving is a bit of a transition. I blog when I go through change.  This is the only justification I have for my increased nerdiness of late.  :)

Poll Results and MY Thoughts...

Should I get my MSN?  (Masters of Science in Nursing)

Yes...100% Definitely.

  1 (12%)

More Yes than No.... It's good to have options for a career in the future.

  2 (25%)

More No than Yes....Student Debt takes a long time to re-pay.

  1 (12%)

Definitely NOT...It's time to focus on family...not your career.

  4 (50%)

This poll reinforced the fact that New in Jersey has a lot of lurkers. Whatever.  I'm okay with that.  Feel free to share your opinion at anytime, though!

I was surprised that 50% (plus one verbal opinion) voted that I need to focus on family and not my career.  I do NOT get this feeling when talking to others in the work force, church or any other location for that matter!  I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom and I'm glad that there are SOME people in the world who clearly support that choice.

I voted more yes than no.  I must admit that my thoughts resemble a pendulum from week to week. 1/2 a month ago I looked up every on-line MSN program in my area.  Today I "reminisced"  about the time I was threatened to be pooped on and another moment when a patient tried to strangle me with my stethoscope (they were clearly confused so I have no hard feelings)  I also recalled agonizing days I've been sworn, swung and yelled at.  Don't get me wrong, there were VERY fulfilling moments at my old job.  Some of my patients have really challenged me to be a better person because of the way they responded to their difficult situations.

Joel voted "more no than yes."  I will always appreciate that he finds worth in the fact that I would love to stay home with our future children.  He's okay living with less money and will never push me to work, have children and go to school.  I married a great guy!

That being said, I haven't completely decided my future (fancy that)! I'm positive God will show me what's best....I'm just not sure when!

Hikin' the Appalachian Trail

Our happy little family.

Maddie was such a sport.   We could hardly keep up with her

Joel getting his senior pic pose on.

Perfect fall colors

I think this is the best picture of Maddie we have EVER taken.  It's like you can see into her doggy soul.

Me...makin' our trip a little cheesier

I'm guessing this is the rock that stole our keys (read below)

Yesterday, Joel and I made a mistake that every hiker dreads.  We LOST our keys on the Appalachian Trail. Our house and car keys-GONE. They disappeared and left us in a huge mess.  Luckily, we were with a group of teachers from Joel's school or we'd probably STILL be trying to find our way home.  It was a long Sunday night that will spill into our Monday evening as well.  (Joel still has to go pick up our car in some far away NJ town). The above pic's were taken while we were still blissfully ignorant of what was waiting for us at the end of the trail.  It was still a BEAUTIFUL day and we were able to get to know a handful of teachers a little better.

A Few of My Favorite Fall Things

1.  My husband with Maddie and her spooky scarf.  The bones even glow in the dark.

2.  The blanket my grandma quilted for me when I was 12.  I always think of her when I cuddle on the couch with it at night.  

3) Mini Pumpkins...I'm a sucker for anything mini.

4.  Fall flowers from my Hubby!

I'm lovin' fall in the NE.  I think it's the PERFECT temperature.  Sweaters, Jeans and Sweatpants.  I love it.  Today we are going on a hike...more fall pic's to come!

Saving Money-Day 10

Reading blogs about saving money and personal finances has really motivated me to be frugal.  Last month we cut $100 out of our grocery bill.  I believe we were able to do this because I read quite a few blogs on the topic.  We've also decreased our energy bill by about $90/month. I also attribute this to my blog reading.  There are definitely some quirky money saving ideas out there, but it pays to educate yourself in this area.  
$100/month on groceries=$1200/year
approximately $90/month on electricity (this will obviously change some months due to weather conditions)=$1080/year.

$1200 + $1080=$2,280...that's a pretty good amount!

Here are some blogs I like to read
1) The Simple Dollar
2) Frugal Dad
3) Passionsaving.com

Options...Options...Give Me Your Opinion.

After moving to NJ, I've realized many things about my career.
1)  There is an economic depression going on...and that affects my job opportunity A LOT.

2)  I'm not as marketable as I thought I was. BSN (bachelor of science nursing).  That's the name of the game up in the north...as well as IV certification and countless other things.  I feel like I've moved to a different country.

3) I may have amazing experience in step-down trauma...but I need more...like a masters degree in nursing.

Yikes.  Not sure I'm ready to fork over that kind of money.

It also makes me sick to think about the amount of my life I've spent in school.  Seriously, I could be a doctor by now...I've already spent approximately 8 years in college ( have a BS degree in Kinesiology and a diploma in nursing).

On the more positive side...I could find that a master's in nursing is an absolute fit for me.  Since I moved, I've come to realize how much I love the critical care setting.  Collaborating with doctors, residents and other nurses was such a great learning experience for me.  I miss that huge team  (even if I did laugh at *ahem...with* the resident doctors sometimes [I seriously had a resident suggest I get a rectal temp on a gun shot wound patient when we already knew his temp was well over  101...I definitely still chuckle at this]...)

So, what do you think.  I'm almost thirty.  I want to have a family....but I also want to make sure my life is dedicated to others.  I feel I can do this in the nursing career...I could also do this as a mom. Vote on the poll.  I need your opinion.

One of THOSE Days...

It is almost 4 in the afternoon and I have NOT
1) Brushed my teeth or hair
2) Exercised
3) Showered

I HAVE
1) Talked to my sister, boss, father and husband on the phone.
2) Walked my dog.
3) Thought about brushing my teeth
4) Decided NOT to exercise.

I know.  I'm a filthy creature, right?  Whatever...I'm just glad I got to talk to the people I love (I'm not saying I love my boss...that was a business call!).  I brush my teeth, shower and exercise every other day I'm alive.  One day of rest won't kill me, right?

Kudos to Milt and Linda

Joel and I have been working opposite shifts.  My work day starts at 3 and ends at 11p (or later) and he's at his job from 7a-5 or 6-ish.  Needless to say, we have not really seen one another since Monday....and it will be a while before we do have time together (I'm off today, but he has an evening commitment).  We've been communicating through handwritten notes and text messages.  Here's what he wrote AFTER I requested he do the evening dishes!

"Caron, I miss u! Wanna go on a date on Thurs. for dinner? Heart, me"


Thank you Milt and Linda!! You did an excellent job raising my husband!  What other guy would say they missed their wife AFTER she asked him to do the dishes!

All the Way to TEXAS!

This weekend we flew to Austin, TX and back. We were able to visit with Joel's uncle and 91 year old grandmother (Oma).  Enjoy the pic's. 

One of Joel's high-school friends, Josh, and his family (minus their son).

Joel looking tough next to the tin man

We ate lunch with Chris, Mickey and their kids at El Arroyo

Just in case you forgot what we looked like....

I'm starting to understand what my sister-in-law meant by the phrase "keeping Austin weird."  What's with this bus full of  mannequins?

View of Austin from a far

Another view of Austin

This is what happens when Joel gets a hold of the camera

This is out by Oma's home....

The terrain is much different in TX than it is in NJ!

A donkey on Uncle Dennis' farm

The goats in front of Oma's house

Oma and Joel.  She was really happy we "brought the rain from the east coast with us."

20 Years in Review

Meme

I stole this from this guy who stole it from SEV

20 years ago I . . .
1. was in 3rd grade
2. learned how to tell time
3. wore pants under my dresses...with tennis shoes.  I was cute.

15 years ago I...
1. practiced piano for hours every day....If only I could still play..
2. refused to wear glasses because I didn't like the way I looked in them
3. sent an e-mail for the very first time

10 years ago I . . .
1. went to school in OH. Yeah for meeting one of my best-est friends!
2. almost lost my life on a snowmobile with the friend mentioned above!
3. realized I was not a fan of college cafeteria food

5 years ago I . . .
1. finished my BS degree in Kinesiology
2. went to Brazil

3 years ago I . . .
1. Married my husband...what a great year!

2 years ago I . . .
1. Started working on a trauma floor as a RN...

1 year ago I . . .
1. I spent a week in the OBX

So far this year I . . .
1.  traveled to the Bahamas and Vietnam.
2.  moved to NJ.

1 week ago I . . .
1. hung out with my mother-in-law
2. realized I talk about my old job too much

Yesterday I . . .
1. went to the chiropractor
2. tried to stay up and watch "modern family."   I woke up an hour after the show finished.  Guess I was tired!
3. fell more in love with my husband...he did the dishes for me!

Today . . .
1. survived the "state" officials at work
2. did lots of pull-ups at home because I was too tired to drive to the gym...plus I didn' t want to deal with the muscle heads that show up after work

Tomorrow I will . . .
1. fly to TX!

In the next year I will . . .
1. continue to consider getting my MSN....(master's of science in nursing)
2. learn to navigate through "the Jersey" way of life

 

Saving Money....Day 9

I've discovered that if re-usable canvas totes really can save you money.  I have received 6 "green" bags in the past year....If I take them to Shop-Rite...they subtract 30 cents from my grocery bill every week.  I know that is not a lot, but if you do the math.....

.30 x 52=$15.60 per year...

I must admit that this is not totally accurate for US, though.  Sometimes, I purposely leave our canvas bags at home so I have enough lunch bags for Joel, poopy containers for Maddie and garbage bags for our small trash cans.  We're classy, right?!?  Anyway, as I've said before...it's the little things that add up.

Happy Birthday, Linda!

Today was my mother-in-law's birthday!  She and Milton came up for a quick visit.  We had a great time.  I'm pretty sure I talked her ear off the first day she arrived.  Guess I've missed girl time since the big move.  We also....
1) Drove all over New Jersey.  I'm pretty sure I'd still be lost if she hadn't been in the car with me
2) Went to a movie.  I cried my eyes out.  It was a good one...more to come on that later.
3) Ate Korean food.  Yummy.  I love the rice noodles.
4) Visited a local deli...Valiani.  I think the parent-in-laws enjoyed seeing the Jersey culture at this fine establishment (and the food was to die for of course)

Happy Birthday.  Thanks for coming...don't stay away for too long!