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.