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."