Over and Over

I have this song stuck in my head right now... enjoy!

Overwhelmed and Underpaid

I recently had a decision to make, one that will change the course of my life and the course of the life that Dear Hubby and I are building together. It will change my time with The Rapscallion, it will take my focus away from hobbies and friends. It means that Dear Hubby and I will continue the balancing act we preform with our finances, it means I will continue with my adventures in retail sales and work most evenings and weekends.

The original plan was for me to be done with my dental assisting certificate this spring, my friend Jules and I would be graduating at the same time and we were planning a girls get-away weekend on a short Mexican cruise to celebrate our accomplishments. Now I may still try to go but it will be to support her and celebrate her accomplishments because when I would return it will be back to another semester.

I have decided to pursue Dental Hygiene as my major. I will still finish my dental assisting certificate and sit for my national boards but while I am doing that I will be completing my pre-requisites to get into the Dental Hygiene program. I am looking at about 3-1/2 more years of school (counting pre-requisites) if all goes as planned I should be done with school before I am 35.

I felt a little backed into a corner in regards to this decision, I was told by the college that I had too many existing credits to continue to receive financial aid for my dental assisting certificate (I had taken about 3 semesters of college before I was 21) I was told that if I wanted to pursue a higher degree program I could continue to receive financial aid as long as I am taking pre-requisites towards my stated major.

So I talked; I talked to my Mom and Dad, who have graciously supported me and Dear Hubby during all of this. I talked to Dear Hubby, who offered his unconditional support and love about whatever decision I made. I talked to friends, I talked to my college counselor, to customers, to my coworkers, I might have even had an in depth conversation with Puppy Butt. I called GiGi, who is Dear Hubby's father's wife (did you follow all that?) she is Dental Hygienist and I had questions that I felt like only she could answer. Everyone said basically the same thing, I had their support.

Then I talked to Bean's boyfriend, I was driving him and Dear Hubby home from a party and he laid everything out in black and white for me. Financially the decision to continue my education will significantly change where Dear Hubby and I will be in the future, for me it has never been just about the money. I love dentistry, I love working with patients, I love everything about this field (ok some maybe not the smell of an infected abscess which had to be drained before the tooth could be pulled, that was pretty rank) it hasn't been about the money but I can't ignore that the salary difference will allow me more freedom later in life.

So there it is, that is where I have been. Overworked, overwhelmed, underpaid and having a slight mental breakdown. I am back, I hope to post more regularly. I missed you.

How To Identify A US Census Enumerator

If you don't send back your form, you may receive a visit from a census taker. If a census taker visits you, here's what you should do:

First ask to see their ID. All census workers carry official government badges marked with just their name; they may also have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag

Note that the census taker will never ask to enter your home If you're still not certain about their identity, please call the Regional Census Centers to confirm they are employed by the Census Bureau.

Answer the census form questions for your entire household (you must be at least 15 years old to answer questions) so that the census taker can record the results for submission to the Census Bureau.

Census takers visit local homes several times to capture resident information for the 2010 Census. If you prefer, you can schedule a visit with your census taker. Should the census taker come when you are away from your home, they will leave a contact number. If a census taker has not visited your home or you have a question about your participation with the census, call your Census Office,

Any questions?

Feel free to visit the 2010 Census Website for more information

Get Along Little Kitty

I picked up a second job for the summer, it will no doubt provide me with endless anecdotes for you all, but unfortunately I am not really at liberty to share most of it.

I can tell you that my first grade math skills will finally be put to use, I am working for an entity that many consider "big-brother"ish and 10 years isn't going to be long enough for me to forget the last 3 days.

I can explain it easily and creatively this way:

Cat Rodeo

Ponder that for a little while and I will talk to you soon!

Almost

...over!

Tomorrow is my last final for this semester and then I can enjoy the summer.

I am wishing for sitting out by the pool

Playing Frisbee golf in the park

Hiking in the trees

Playing with Puppybutt and her new friends at the dog park

Barbecues and sitting on the porch with friends

I am not looking forward to; working weird hours, being left out, being stressed about school in the fall, waiting for my grades, allergies and all this wind, super-hot summer and no air conditioning in my car, sitting outside in the heat and sun watching baseball games with people who I barely tolerate, weeding the front yard, the pool being over crowded, being self conscious in a bathing suit.

Green Smoothies

I have been drinking these green smoothies for the past couple of weeks, I won’t lie I did get the inspiration from Miss AmyK. They are wonderful, I have put my own spin on her recipe and I thought I would share.

I don't have exact measurements, I kind of eyeball things.

The Rapscallion loves these, he had no idea there were veggies in it. He does now but still loves the smoothie so much he drinks one every morning with me. This is our usual breakfast (usually I give him a piece of toast with peanut butter or Nutella on it) I will have to share our recipe for Nutella banana’s another day.

Green Smoothies:

1 big handful of fresh spinach (probably around one cup)

1/2 cup of carrots (or a handful or baby, or a small fresh one)

1 medium banana (I freeze them when they start to spot and get brown, so I always use a frozen one just peel, break into pieces and store in a plastic bag in the freezer) bananas make the smoothie creamy, fresh bananas will make the smoothie taste creamier but don’t use ones that are too ripe, they are too starchy and will make the smoothie taste weird.

Berries, this varies according to what is fresh; I use around 5 or 6 medium strawberries or around 1/2 cup of blueberries or 7 blackberries or a combination of any. When fresh berries aren't available (or when I have bought a bunch on sale, I freeze them) I use frozen, around 1/2-3/4 of a cup (Important the berries and the banana hide the vegetables flavors)

Other fruits you could add: mangos, pineapple, grapes, apples (I would peel them and I don’t suggest freezing them) oranges (but fresh squeezed orange juice is probably easier to use in this recipe) watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi’s, again if you freeze the fruit you get the benefit of making the smoothie cold without watering it down with ice.

1/2-3/4 a cup of liquid, I use almond milk but any juice, milk or coconut water would work also, you just need something to get the whole mixture moving in the blender but don't use plain water it will water down the mixture and taste funny.

2 tablespoons of ground flax seed, I use Bob’s Red Mill Ground Flax Seed Meal.

1/4 - 1/2 cup or organic yogurt (I don't always add this, but it makes the smoothie creamier and the variety of yogurt I use is high in protein) I use Mountain High Original Style Vanilla but they also make a low fat and fat free version.

Blend until smooth, if it is too thick add more liquid, if you can taste the spinach too much add a squirt of honey or agave nectar (I use agave nectar, it is better on your blood sugar and tastes great) you could also add your own "boosters" if you wanted too; powdered vitamin C, protein powder (I would use vanilla) even liquid vitamins but if you are going that route, I suggest using chocolate somewhere in the mix (chocolate milk, chocolate protein powder) I have found that chocolate hides the vitamin taste better.

This recipe makes about 2 smooties, it is enough for me and The Rapscallion to share in the morning or for me to just have for another meal.

Have fun and happy blending!

So I participated in Shortmama's Spring Swap!

Look what I got from Lacey over at the The Fowler Family

I love little beauty goodies and I got a box full of them! Wonderful scented candles, seeds to grow bell peppers, lipstick, hand sanitizer, nail polish, cushy socks, mascara, hair goodies and a beauty book! What a fun swap package! Go over and check out Lacey's blog to see what I sent her!