I love good finds.

I love a good find. And, with moving and looking for things to go in our new place and all, I've found quite a few of them! We spent the last week or so giving make-overs to our good finds, and I'm quite happy with the results.

Corner table: donated by Grandma Jeanne, found at a thrift store. Used to be a "blah" light wood color, fixed up with a bit of paint. Total cost: $1.

Antique mirror: bought off Craigslist for 99 cents. Used to be a strange gold, now a lacquered white. Total cost: $1.50.

Letters to spell "EAT": bought from Urban Outfitters in sale for $4 each. Came in black, dark green, and red--not really our colors! Repainted to match. Total cost: $13.

We didn't do anything to this sucker but find it! Brand new from IKEA, last one (floor model), bought for $15! Now we just need a grill to complete the back porch...

Anyway, I love good deals! Andrew does a lot of the work finding them as well, so many thanks to him! Best husband ever.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful person in the world! Today Elyse turns 24, and I wish her the happiest birthday!

Hola.

We're back! We went to Cancun for a week with the Rasmussen gang and it was such a blast. It was especially relaxing to have no school, work, or NCLEX to worry about! It was super humid, which took some getting used to (how I ever lived in Florida, I don't know...), but my dry skin and lips enjoyed it. It's boring to read text about it, so I'll give you a description via pics!

I love this picture on Braxton. Anxiously awaiting our departure, but a little sleepy due to the early hour!

Part of the crew waiting to leave SLC. Jace is also showing some signs of fatigue!

Andrew and I in our hotel room. I'm looking rather short--which I am, but I swear my legs are longer than that. Thanks to the humidity, this was the only day I wore my hair down!

Jenna with my oh-so-cute niece, Ashlyn. She was the diva of the trip.

Waiting for our sushi at the yummy Japanese restaurant! Don't worry, Carissa didn't have any (she's pregnant!).

One of the perks of an all-inclusive resort: unlimited drinks (seine alcohol in espanol). We got at least two at every meal. Delish!

I love me a pina colada. Notice the frizzy hair--arg, humidity!

First day damage: I obviously did a patchy job of applying my sunscreen. I looked diseased.

Heading to Wet'N'Wild, unaware of the crazy faces behind us!

Jenna and Brennan reading and enjoying one of the "pool beds".

Also enjoying our pool bed--maybe a bit too much. I look out.

A building at Chichen-Itza, which we visited (after a 3 hour bus ride with an over-talkative, slightly drunk tour guide).

Andrew, looking ready to conquer the city.

The Chichen-Itza crew, minus Dad. Not everyone came (Carissa for obvious reasons, and the kids). It was bloooody hot, so it's a good thing they didn't! We look happy in the pic (which we are), but you can't tell that we are about to die of heat stroke! Okay, slight exaggeration.

As I said, diva. She had to have the Dora sunglasses to match her light-up Dora sandals!

Andrew, enjoying his idea of a good book (we differ in this area!). It's all about digital marketing. Thrilling! Ha. I, on the other hand, read the second Hunger Games book (Catching Fire)--AMAZING!!!!--and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Long name, but a darling book.

Anyway, that's all the pictures I have! It's my goal to start taking more pictures, so I can document fun happenings a little better. We'll see how it goes...

Home Sweet Home

So, as I said earlier, we recently moved to Pleasant Grove. We love our new place and are excited to get things organized and settle in. I LOVE organizing things, so I'm like a kid in a candy store. Here are a few pics of the parts that are currently decent!

The kitchen--so much counter space! I love it!

Family/living room

Guest bathroom

Elyse Garlock, RN

I did it! I kicked the big, bad NCLEX's toosh, and am now a licensed Registered Nurse! I can't fib, the test was hard--there were a few medications it asked me about that I'd never heard of. But, after many hours of studying and a stressful morning of being lost and almost missing the test (everyone who knows me well will not be surprised by this), it is done! My chapter as a student can finally close, and I can move on to the next chapter, whatever it may be. I've got to thank my husband for putting up with my endless hours of studying and the countless times I said, "let me just do ten more questions". I think he's glad it's done as well!

Happenings.

The next couple of weeks has a lot coming up for us. Here's a sneak peek on what we'll be doing:

1. Moving. We're actually in the middle of it right now, and it's coming along nicely. I'll post pictures once it's a little more presentable. Note to self: don't move ever again. I was never one of those kids who moved around a lot, and I really don't like it!

2. Testing. I'm taking the NCLEX next Tuesday morning--ahhhh! I'm stressing out, but trying to stay calm. I've been doing practice questions like you wouldn't believe for the past couple of months, so hopefully all the hard work will pay off. I just want to get it done, stop studying (since I have graduated for goodness sake), and be a licensed RN finally!

3. MEXICO! We are taking a trip with my family to Cancun for a week and we leave this upcoming Thursday. It's an all-inclusive resort and is going to be a heavenly combo of sun, Diet Coke, lots of food, and reading books I actually enjoy!

4. Starting my new job. I'll start when we get back from Mexico, and I am exciting for a change of routine (mostly not including constant studying).

We'll post pictures and such as things progress and fun times are had!

Pillows!

So, I made these patterned pillows to go with the orange ones I bought for our new couch, and I am quite excited about them! I think they look pretty darn good for someone who hasn't make pillows in a loooong while. Now, I just need to put our couch together--oh boy. We're moving throughout this week, so hopefully I'll have some pictures of our new place in presentable shape in not too long!

Time...

That's what I've had on my hands lately. And a lot of it. Graduating from nursing school was so exciting, but the time since then has been anything but. I had a bit of an identity crisis when Andrew started full time work, and I had nothing to do, and I was used to being busy busy with school. I think he got kind of worried about me (woops), but it only lasted about 2 days. Now, I've been trying to be productive with my time, and making the most of my free days while I have them. Here's just a taste of my exciting life:

• Scanning. I scan medical records for an ENT practice that's going paperless with their charting. I've been doing this for other practices all through college, so I'm pretty much an expert scanner. It's quite monotonous work--it was great motivation for me to graduate.


• Preparing to move/interior decorating in my mind. We are moving to Pleasant Grove at the end of May, and I'm itching to get in and decorate it. I've had plenty of time (while scanning) to think of what I'll do with the place. Needless to say, these ideas have led to a lot of listing on Craig's List, online shopping, and other shenanegans. I've also purchased fabric to make pillows for our couch (or future couch). I assured Andrew I'm a total pro at this, because I am--I've made one pillow before. How hard can it be?


• In conjuction with the interior decorating, I've taken up knitting. At least, I have as of yesterday. I have a vision in my head of a lovely throw draped across my future couch. Buy one, you might say. But no, I bought some yarn and knitting needles and literally googled "how to knit". After about an hour of "training", I now know how to knit and my throw is already in production. So, if you ever come over to my future place, please notice it :).


• Reading. A lots of it. I've re-read some of the Twilight series, finished The Hunger Games (amazing!), finished the whole Confessions of Shopaholic series, re-read Pride & Prejudice, and have just started Sarah's Key. I got a KINDLE for graduation from my awesome in-laws, and that has opened up a whole new world for me.


• Prepping for Mexico. We leave in about three weeks, and I am SOOO excited! I can't wait to be warm and tan. I've got my suits, cover-ups, and hats all ready, and I am just counting the days.


• Watching TV. Favs right now are Biggest Loser, Modern Family, the Office, Parks & Recreation, and Community. Sounds like a lot--probably is, but it helps the weeks pass!


• Finally, last and probably most important: preparing for the NCLEX. I GOT A JOB! I'll be working at Timpanogos Hospital in the Mother/Baby unit. BUT, I can't start until I pass the NCLEX. So, I've been doing practice questions like a madwoman, and scheduled my test yesterday. June 1st is the big day--wish me luck!

That was long, but I needed a break from scanning. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the beginnings of summer!

PS: Gotta try these.

Pretzel-filled M&M's. You heard me right. We discovered them this week, and they're out of this world. Try them for yourself at Wal-Mart, and get ready to be amazed!

Happy 25th!

Happy 25th Birthday to my great husband. He unfortunately has to work all day, but we plan to celebrate tonight with some Tempanyaki and this weekend with some fun activity--he suggested camping last night (as a joke). But, I'll do whatever he wants because I love him! Even if it means sleeping in a tent. He's the perfect husband for me and I look forward to another year with him.

2-4.

2 pm - 4 pm is one of the best times of my day. Why, you may ask? Sonic happy hour, that is why. It is a simple kind of pleasure knowing I can escape the monotony of my day to get my medium diet coke with lime for 87 cents. Bless you , Sonic.

Food is good.

Andrew and I hit up Communal last night to celebrate his new job, and it was deeeelicious. It's from the makers of Pizzeria 712, which we thoroughly enjoy (we went there on our 3rd date - Valentine's day). We've been waiting until Andrew was hired somewhere to go, and it was well worth the wait. We highly recommend it!

Hired.

Just wanted to proudly announce that Andrew has been offered a job for the advertising firm, Struck/Axiom in Salt Lake! He will be starting April 12th as a Junior Account Manager, and we couldn't be more excited! We've learned a great lesson in patience and perseverance over the last few months, and we're so grateful for all the prayers on our behalf. So, YAY for Andrew!!

I'm a bad blogger.

Sorry. We really are alive. I'm just busy/lazy lately, as is my wonderful husband (he's just busy, not lazy). But, we're looking forward to graduating soon, getting jobs, and starting real life--finally!

We're going with my family to Mexico in the beginning of June, and I already have a book list started. Has anyone read The Hunger Games series? I've heard they're good...and think I'll probably get into them ASAP once I'm done with my last final next Friday!

I'm Published!

So, I had to write a "Letter to the Editor" for my Community Nursing class regarding a public health issue. For my clinical in that class, I am working with the Teen Pregnancy Council on creating a pamphlet for parents of local teens regarding how to talk to them about sex. Recently a bill was brought up (and totally shot down) that would have increased sex ed in Utah schools--right now they're only taught abstinence, and the teen prego rates have doubled since 2007. Anyway, sorry this sounds like a school assignment, but I had to give you some background.

I wrote my letter about this bill and sent it in to the Salt Lake Tribune...and I got published! I know it's small, but it is cool to see my name underneath and read all the comments (60+ !). You can check the article out here.