Been a lil while....

SORRY!! It's been a lil while since I wrote last.  Things here have been GREAT!  Shaun and I have been doing and seeing so many exciting things.  We have found 3 lil pubs around town, that are a lot of fun to just relax and have a drink or two.. or 3 or 4 while listening to some great music.  The first one is an IRISH bar, which I'm predicting will be our temporary residence on St.Patty's day...

It's a tiny hole in the wall, but the people there are great!

ASIDE from pubs and bars our little towns have tons of little shops and mom&pop restaurants to explore, I went walking around town the other day and snapped a few pictures.

This is the tomato lady! She has a mobile farmers market, It seems that EVERYTHING is always in season around here. (I know your jealous of my tomatoes momma!) :O)

The weather has been a lot like the weather at home lately, RAINY!  The temps have been warm mainly in the 65-70 range, but boy has it been WET! I'm soo ready for the sunshine and the heat! Hopefully, It's sunny this weekend and Shaun and I can go to the beach...... maybe just sit by the water and relax!.   

In other news, our  house closing got pushed back a week :O( stupid VA loans..   Their trying to schedule closing for next week now, so keep your fingers crossed.... :O)

I have now officially completed 2 weeks at my new job... I think I'm really going to like it there, the people remind me so much of my coworkers at Clark.. Everyone is very friendly and helpful! I even have made 2 new friends, Jennifer and Ashley.. They are both nurses with me, and about my age. Seems were going to be having a lot of fun this summer because their both beach girls.. Every day at lunch they add to my "places to see/eat/drink list" It's getting to be pretty long, so I'm sure Shaun and I  will be pretty busy exploring....

I also have FINALLY found some running trails!! I was soo excited the other day when I FINALLY came across them.   I have been trying to run on the road but it is SO BORING! These trails are like 5 miles from the house, and they are PERFECTLY SAFE! (so no worries on your part momma!) 

Its actually a Frisbee Golf course, so its always full of people, but the sign says trail runners welcome... So I look forward to getting my running legs back!

Besides bars, shops, restaurants, and trails... I have also discovered DOGGY DAY CARE! It is amazing... Living in this apartment kind of sucks for Toby. He's used to a big backyard that he can play and run around in.  Lately, I have been taking him to the Dog Park, which he loves, because its like 2 acres fenced in and full of dogs for him to compete with for the perfect pee marking on a tree. 

He loves the park, and its not uncommon for there to be like 15 dogs in the afternoons.... BUT on a rainy day (like every day lately) whats a girl to do with a bored dog in a little apartment.... .. After a little asking around, that's when I discovered  'Go Play Pet Service', basically its a doggie day care. They have a very large facility, and it's 1/2 indoors and 1/2 outdoors.  You basically drop your dog off, along with their vet records, and they get to run with other dogs and play all day until you pick them up, the best part is its CHEAP, or at least I think so.

You can even watch the web cam from your home or cellphone to check in on your dog though out the day... Toby went on Monday for a few hours, and seemed to love it!  Once we got home, he slept all evening....

On another note, please say a prayer for the fallen Coast Guard members in Tuesday nights helicopter crash in Mobile Bay, a lot of the people in this area are Coast Guard members stationed here, so it hit home for a lot of people, as of today they have one body left to recover from the water. 


Well, that's all the updating for now.  Hope everyone at home is doing well.... and I'll be thinking of you! We are coming home at the end of March for Travis, and Shaun's wedding, So I look forward to seeing everyone then...... :O)

a lil catching up

I looked back and it's been 9 days since I posted last... 9 DAYS! You'd think I have a ton to talk about or lots of new pictures to post , but in reality I really don't..... Lets see..... Shaun and I did go to a Mardi Gras parade. It was a lot of fun, I can't remember ever going to a parade before.. We were joking that we should have worn safety goggles because these float people really launch the goods! They were throwing beads (of course) and stuffed animals, and every now and then the "knights" would hand the pretty ladies a stuffed flower... WELL I GOT A FLOWER!! The man that gave me mine was like 60+ years old.. but at least I have some game left right??? They also threw Moon Pies into the crowd, apparently they are the "food" of Mardi Gras....

These are just a few of the floats,,,, someone forgot to charge the camera battery :O(

Other than the Mardi Gras Parade,not too much else exciting has taken place... Of coarse we had Valentines Day... I just fixed a nice meal at home and we watched a movie.... After getting up at 5am and working all day we didn't really feel like going out.... My birthday was a few days later... It was fine I guess, nothing really exciting took place. Shaun did get me the gift I was wanting, so that was a plus.  As far as the day itself went, it sucked.  Shaun went to Mardi Gras for a friends bachelor party so he left the morning of my birthday, I had computer training for my new job all day, then I just came home from and set with the dog... I know pathetic right?  I haven't really been homesick or sad till that point.. but something about being all alone on your birthday really sucks... I'm just used to going to dinner and going out with friends, and since I haven't really made any new friends yet (other than the 60+ year olds at the dog park) I didn't have anyone to go out with........... So I was starting to feel a little down... BUT THEN-> -> -> I HAD MY FIRST DAY OF WORK ON SATURDAY! It was GREAT! I was really only planning on shadowing someone and learning where everything was, BUT I guess the RN in me took over.... I ended up taking care of a patient all day... I know ONE patient isn't alot, but for my 1st day I thought it was pretty good... and on a usual day the RN's here only have 2 patients... So that is kinda nice.... They are completely computerized in everything they do... which I really like, and the people are FANTASTIC! They all work together and help everyone out, just like my friends at Clark do! Next week, I work Tues, Wed, and Thur so hopefully I have good days,,, we'll just wait and see.  Hope all is well at home, and love you all!

Fairhope & Pensacola

I am READY to go back to work! I have enjoyed my time off, but now I'm starting to get BORED!  I went Monday and took my drug test, so as soon as that comes back I can be scheduled for a "mini orientation" then I can start on the floor.   Hopefully, my test comes back quickly! In the meantime I have just been hanging out with Toby, taking in some more of the local sights.  On Tuesday, I drove him down to Pensacola... I thought since he was 7 now, it was about time to see the actual ocean.   The weather was bright and sunny and around 72 degrees, so it was perfect...

I really think he enjoyed himself... We walked around FOREVER, and he got to get in the ocean.. he kept trying to bite the waves....... 

We also spent some time in Fairhope  this morning, which is the next town south.... I've been taking Toby there everyday to the dog park.  Yesterday there were about 20 dogs when we went.  He mainly just pees on everything, but every now and then he'll run around .... usually that lasts all of about 3 minutes then he's tired and out of breath.... today though instead of the dog park we went to the bay park.... They even have Tulips in FEBRUARY!!!

Someone told me in the Spring/Summer this is covered in rose bushes....

They also have a duck pond.... The ducks are really friendly!! Toby was terrified of them... They would walk right up to you.... and the closer they got, the farther away Toby tried to get....

Even though I'm having a great time checking all my new surroundings out,,, hopefully I get to start my job next week..... That would be a great birthday present!

Gulf Shores & Steamed Shrimp

This weekend was a wet but fun one.  On Saturday, we drove down to Gulf Shores.  It was really cloudy and even spit a few rain drops here and there.  We mainly just walked around and took in the sights....We went to the pier, where lots of people were fishing... I told Shaun we need to get some fishing poles.... but I don't know how my ol' bobber fishing skills would do in the ocean.....

The waves were pretty big in Gulf Shores, which made both of us want Surf Boards really really bad! It could have just been the weather, but if the surf is that good most of the time I think we'll be buying some boards in the near future..   After looking around we were gonna go to the "Floridabama" bar but they were having a huge Chili Cook Off, and the crowd was a little too old for our liking.... We ended up going to this bar/restaurant across the street, and it was really good.  We had steamed shrimp and it was so good! So good in fact, that we stopped on the way home at the local fresh seafood market and bought some more for dinner.   Cooking fresh shrimp was something new for me.  I'm used to the frozen variety that is already peeled and deveined.  Anywho after I got the hang of ripping their little legs off and cracking that shell it went pretty smoothly..... Sunday (today) was  a lazy day full of errands and Toby time.   We took Toby to the dog park again today. It was funny because these two female dogs were kind of fighting with each other, growling and such...Toby would stand back and watch then run up and let out a howl, then run off again... The other lady said "Toby, is like the kid on the playground yelling fight fight fight" It was funny to see how he was acting....That's about all the excitement here this weekend, hope everyone at home has had a good weekend as well.  And..... GO GIANTS!

And tomorrow, is sort of my 1st day employed!!! I go for my drug test/ hippa/orientation stuff... I think I'll get my schedule too, and find out where I can buy my new scrubs...... So anyone back home interested I may have a bunch of prints I can't wear anymore....

I GOT A JOB!

I GOT A JOB!
I GOT A JOB!!
I GOT A JOB!!!
no seriously I GOT A JOB!!!!

I am so excited! It's not just any job... I turned three of those down already, I got THE JOB!  The job itself isn't anything tooo spectaular, its an ICU RN job, like I had, but the hours are what MAKE the job. It's dayshift, which is what I wanted, and it's NO WEEKENDS! I'm not opposed to working weekends, but if Shauns working Monday-Friday, then I'd love to be off exploring all there is to see on the weekends.  I mean living by the ocean is great, but not if you can't enjoy it with someone. .... So now that we're going to be off together, I'm thinking its time we look into some surf boards...... Last August, we took a lesson in Cocoa Beach, Fl and LOVED it! We were both able to pick it up pretty fast.  I do have to admit I rode a wave before him.... but his was much longer of a ride.....and had more style.  So back to this job.. I go Monday to do my drug test, and fill out more papwork, get oreintation schedule, etc etc etc, so hopefully I'll get to start on the floor next week... I'M EXCITED! I guess you never really considered how much you like working, unitll you havn't done it for two weeks. I'll keep you updated on  how it goes..... ONTO MORE EXCITING NEWS........... Today, I came across the Fairhope Dog Park.. Fairhope is the next little town south of us, about 4 miles away... and boy do they know how to build a dog park....It was HUGE! Toby, who has never been to a dog park before, LOVED IT! He was running with all the other dogs, there were about 20 of them total....... He enjoyed chasing them, and rolling around in the mudd, one dog even shared his tennis ball with Toby. I think their going to be BEST friends... His name was Oscar, he was a terrier of some sort... It could be that Toby is just naturally good looking, or the fact that Toby would stand their perfectly still and let Oscar hump him for like 10 minutes at a time.... anyways they were inseparatable... and I think they're now best buds.... So all in all its been a good couple of days, besides the constant rain we've had. We're both doing great, and I hope all is well for everyone at home... Tomorrows the weekend, and I think were going to Gulf Shores, and Orange beach. Hopefully its pretty and I can take some good pictures.. Much love!

Out&About

I NEED A JOB!..... I'm not desperate, but my DOG is getting SPOILED! He's used to Shaun and I both working 12 hour shifts..... now that I've been off for two weeks, he thinks he gets to go for a car ride, and a billion walks every day...   On the job front, I've gone on four interviews. I have received 3 offers, and the 4th one should come tomorrow.... HOPEFULLY... I met with them for the 1st time on Friday, then met with HR today for a Dosing calculations test?? ... and to go over benefits etc... I REALLY WANT TO WORK FOR THE 4th ONE!  They were all great offers, but this one is most like Clark ( and the schedule is Mon-Thur, 3 days a week... NO WEEKENDS!!!!) .... All the time I worked at Clark, I loved it, however I used to think that Clark was small, and If I worked somewhere bigger like UofL or Nortons I would learn more/ do different exciting things.... BUT now I've realized... little ol Clark Memorial.. is pretty kick ass...Of all the facilities I've toured in the last week, not even one comes as close to being technological advanced, or as robust in the types of patients they care for.. it's kinda crazy how many skills I've developed in the last 6 years that are so desirable to these new facilities... To all my old co-workers, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! 
Besides.. the never ending job interviews... I've been going to the local beach... like almost every day... Toby loves it. The other day we packed a little lunch and had a picnic...

I also came across this place called "Alligator Alley" It's basically this river that flows thru  Daphne, that supposedly has gators living in it... there are all these bridges/walkways above the water so you can get an up close view of the gators.. Today I only saw one, but he sure looked BIG!

They also had tons of signs that said .....

Besides going to the beach and seeing Gators... I found the most AMAZING grocery store... It has all the same brand names, but for WAY CHEAPER!  I might be in retail heaven!

And who needs Mt.Dew when you can have:

Shaun said their good, but he won't take them too work, nor will he pack his lunch in a Piggly Wiggly bag... maybe he needs a call from his Momma!

And yes Mom I've been going to the gym

SO.... hopefully in the next day or so I will be employed again.... Even though it's been nice being off, I'm starting to miss the daily conversation of adults... I mean I love my

but sometimes 12 hours a day with a dog leaves you wanting some ADULT interaction.  Hope all is well at home, and if any one is interested we will be coming home on March 23rd, for two weddings, and we plan on going out the 24th, so anyone that wants to join us leave your schedules open.  Love and Miss you all!

1st Trip To The Beach!

Today we went on a little road trip to :

It wasn't a bad drive at all. Mostly interstate so it only took about 35-40 minutes... which isn't bad for a day trip at all!  Once we got there we felt a little out of place.. both of us wore long sleeves and jeans because it was in the mid 60's,... Almost everyone else was in shorts and T's, some CRAZY PEOPLE were even in bikinis and swim trunks laying on the beach... Now, I love to lay out, but I think I need a little warmer weather than mid 60's to do that.   ....First we went to the Pier, which google said was the longest pier in the GULF.... and we all know GOOGLE doesn't lie! ... It was beautiful!

There were tons of people fishing...

After the pier, we walked around a bit, and found a nice little restaurant along the beach that had outdoor seating, and $2.50 Sex On The Beach.. so of course I had to just stop in for a bit....

They were delicious.... AND oh so relaxing.... After our little time out we looked around a bit at the boardwalk shops, then hit up this restaurant for lunch, that was recommended to us by this drunk/stoned guy on the pier... It was a local seafood restaurant owned by two brothers..

It was really good... except I don't think we're a fan of Oysters!  The shrimp/grouper was really good though... After our lunch.. and a margarita.... we drove around a bit more then headed home to Toby... Overall, it was a great day..... AND we also accepted an offer of the house today!!!!! If everything goes through on the buyers end, this will be the 2nd time that we list a house and it sells in the 1st week of listing!!! At the moment we could not be more happy!.... I also saw

which makes me HAPPY! Hope all is well with everyone at home!

Tornado.... Interview... Tornado.....

Tornado's everywhere..... or at least that's what the weather people were reporting today... like almost ALL day..... This morning I had a job interview over in Mobile... So to get there I get to take the I-10 and cross the bay...

It's normally a beautiful drive (we'll I've technically only done it twice), but today it was awful! I had just gotten on the I-10 ... basically the point of no return, headed to my job interview this morning, when the radio announcement said we were under a tornado warning... I was like, do i stop? Keep going? I know you're supposed to take cover, but a long long flat bridge, doesn't provide much in the way of protection..... No one else on the road seemed too concerned so I just kept going..... It's really neat once you get to the city of Mobile, instead of weaving around downtown like most interstates do, the I-10 goes right under it! It's kinda neat if you ask me... and

good protection from a Tornado...... So the interview today went well I think... It was more of just an informative meeting, and a nice tour of the units.  Again, the people there were exceptionally nice.. It must be the whole "southern hospitality" thing... Tomorrow I have two more interviews. One of the hospitals is a Catholic based facility ,and the other is really close to the beach... like its surrounded by PALM TREES! I already told Shaun our next Christmas tree will be a mini-palm! I can't wait.. I also want my very own palm tree to put on my patio... However, I'm unsure if you could keep one in a pot?? While I'm on the subject of gardening does anyone know if Knockout Roses can live in a semi-tropical environment? I really would like to plant a few around my patio..... ANYWAYS.... so after my interview, I was getting ready to leave and we were under another Tornado Warning!

 I should have stayed at the hospital till it passed, but the cable man was coming to install cable today, and I couldn't miss him. If Shaun had to go another day with the "welfare 8" he would have DIED..... Needless to say , I'm writing this now so you know I made it home safe and sound... and Toby survived the storms as well!

Job Hunt.....

Some of you from back home have asked how the job hunt is going... so I figured I'd just let everyone know at once... Yesterday (Tues) I had an interview for a shift administrator position, I did this at Clark for a while prn so I'm fairly comfortable with the duties. This hospital however, is only licensed for 50beds, and usually runs with 35 of them occupied.... what the #$%@? Is what I was thinking at first, 35 beds???? After talking to the DON there, I find myself becoming more intrigued with the position. Yes they are much smaller than what I'm used to, but I would get to be more hands on in more departments here. The interview lady said I would get to directly participate in the care of patients in the ER, OR, PEDS, ICU (all 4 beds ha!) and L&D..... So even though this facility is small I feel I could learn a lot about different nursing departments, and learn some new skills..... Everyone there was very nice, and went out of their way to introduce themselves.  Another pro on this facility is it would be Tue, Wed, Thur, day shift..... I would love that, since Shaun will be working Mon-Fri..... Overall, I feel it was a great interview, and the lady said I should hear something by the end of this week, or 1st thing next week...... So maybe say a lil prayer for me..... :O)........ I have 2 other interview/tours lined up as well... On Thursday I am meeting with the nurse manager at Spring Hill Medical Center, this position would be for day shift doing open heart recovery, or general ICU. We did  a phone interview about 2 weeks ago, and she said I could pick which department, and which shift I would want...... On Friday I have an interview at Providence Hospital. This position is for Medical ICU, its day shift as well..... So hopefully out of these 3 I can land a job LOL....... I have filled out so many applications, and I'm just now starting to hear back from people, I'm having a hard time remembering and keeping the jobs straight when they call me for an interview..... I'll let you all know how they went! Maybe soon I'll be J Hornung RN again! :O)