True Blood Season 3 Countdown

This post extended off of Brandi-girl's "Loving:: Vampires" post. I love True Blood and everything Vampire. I'm a nut. I've been drawn into the Sookie Stackhouse books. You can see what I've read so far over in the right column on my Shelfari list. I just finished "All Together Dead". To my dismay, my husband packed my books *sigh* and they aren't here. So, I've decided to continue my lust, I would make a daily post as a countdown until June 13th, the first of Season 3 on HBO. So.. on to the show..

My "True Blood" - inspired etsy finds...

"Once Bitten Earrings" by foamywader

"True Blood- Upcycled Tusk and Bullet Assemblage Earrings" by DanielleRoseBean

"Red and Black Button Necklace" by SmallButtonBigHeart

"O Positive/Blood Tag Necklace" by JustDuckieDesigns

"Sookie Stackhouse Necklace" by iCharm

"Vampire Love Handmade Card" by monkeyminddesign09

"True Blood Garnet Gemstone Cufflinks" by idlehandsdesigns

"Hidey Hole Bite Me Necklace" by matsudabunch

New House to Consider

We have been considering a house that is further out in Ft. Myers towards Labelle area for a couple of reasons: a lot of land the boys can go outside and play in, it's on the Caloosahatchee River, it's serene, I can have a garden, it's 5 minutes to my in-laws, its huge, it has a pool & spa and we can grow into it. It's either for rent or rent-to-own so we haven't seen what they actually want for it but our realtor says he's sure its in our range and we trust him since he's a friend of the family. This house has some old charm to it since its brick. We are told it's completely remodeled on the inside. My husband goes to see it on Monday. I wish I could be there but if its not all that great, its a waste of gas for me to drive all that way, and he's already going to be down there for work. We really want something we can put roots down in and not worry about moving but also want something we don't have to do any work to right off the bat. Of course, it has to have an extra room for my bead studio. Here are the picture from the property appraisers website:
In the meantime, I've been home with Matthew doing a lot of cuddling. He's had a fever of 101.9 the past 3 days and up at 3 am. He has 3 big teeth coming in. Poor guy. Can't wait for Daddy to be back tonight. We miss him. And we'll be packing this weekend and hopefully moving next weekend. Have a great day! I'm off to do some blog hopping :D

A lot on my mind recently

Well, some of you know that I've been dealing with a lot with my back being messed up. Those of you who don't, I was pushed by a patient at work (who WAS in her right mind and did it on purpose). I hurt my back really bad and have had steroid injections, physical and massage therapy and have been pretty much flat on my back on lots of pain meds (i HATE taking pills for ANYTHING). I did start back to work light duty recently and has just made me feel miserable day in and day out. I've been doing my best to stay positive and laugh as often as I can. Its really frustrating not being able to do the things you enjoy everyday or not being able to make plans because I'm not sure I'll be better by then, etc etc. This has been giving me lots of time to think, think, think. Not to mention, I'm going through my Sookie Stackhouse novels pretty darn fast. I'm finishing up my Bachelors this semester to go on to my Masters in Anesthesia. I've been thinking about this and thinking about my true love, art. I mean, don't get me wrong, I've loved my job as a nurse but this whole back thing has put a bad taste for nursing in my mouth. All the helping people, day in and day out and no appreciation. Sometimes, I think its just not worth it. That's why I want my Masters in Anesthesia. I don't really have to deal with patients that are just rude and unappreciative. I'll be respected, have status, and get paid well. My dilemma lies in all the work to get accepted and stress related to it and wanting to just do what I absolutely love instead but not get all the perks of being a CRNA. I mean, 28 months of full time school, little time for family, stress about finances, etc. The pay off in the end is so worth it, I'm told. I haven't met one CRNA that hasn't loved their job. With my back injury, its making me just want to relax and destress and do what I enjoy. I do go through this a lot. The back and forth and weighing whats for the best. I can't help it. I'm constantly re-evaluating the situation. I'm just so close to the application process and doing all the final things to get ready. Even though I interviewed, I decided I want to wait until at least January to start to save money and enjoy the 2 paychecks for awhile. I have so many artistic endeavors I want to do to help me de-stress. I think I need a pampering too, manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, etc, to help me get in the mode. Maybe after the move and a little bit of spa treatment, I'll be recharged and ready to head it on and I won't be worrying so much. Yea, I'm glad I decided to write this post. That's what I'm gonna do. Get RECHARGED!

Chit-Chat

I just finished this week's homework and I also finished the Charlaine Harris Book, Dead to the World. On to her next book in the "True Blood" or "Sookie Stackhouse" series, Dead as a Doornail. We got a lot of boxes to start packing and the realtor just sent us another rental listing that intrigued us. Its a completely furnished home, 4BR, 4BA, living room, family room, dining room, den, pool and spa, 3500 sq feet for $1950 month. We weren't thinking we could do a furnished home (it actually never crossed our minds) until now. We were going to sell a lot of our furniture anyways and buy new when we got there because we didn't want to have to move a lot of stuff. A furnished home would take a lot of the stress away of having to buy all that furniture when we get there. It's actually sounding a bit delightful. The hubby emailed the realtor to ask him a few questions about the home so its sounding like the hubby is interested just as much as I am. I am getting excited about the move but I'm getting scared at the same time (A tad stressed too because of the whole back, worker's comp crap). It will all work out. This year is the year for moving up in the world. I've been thinking of all my creative endeavors I'll be making after the move and that's getting me more excited. I'll have my studio indoors so no more windy flame or bugs. YAY! I will also have more money to play with while taking on my lil hobbies. I started to learn knitting a couple of months ago and I'm thinking of going to town with that. I want to buy a few books and learn how to knit socks, sweaters and baby hats and booties. I love colorful, funky, knit socks. I was also thinking about getting into ceramics and make ceramic beads and plates. I drooled over a large kiln I saw yesterday and that was all she wrote on that! I want one and I want to fill one. LOL! I'm so silly. I'd like to have my own handmade gift boutique one day and offer my handmade items as well as other people's items that I buy wholesale. Maybe.. one day. Off to make a few beads before bed.

Things-a-changing

Things will be changing soon. I have lots going on. As much as I want to get over my camera fear and blog away with many pictures (it WILL happen!), we are going to be moving soon and things are going to be a bit crazy for awhile. My hubby just finished his Associates in Nursing. HOORAY! He will be starting a critical care internship June 1st in Pt. Charlotte. I am so proud of him! He sits for his state boards June 18th. I have no doubts that he will pass with flying colors. I can't wait to have 2 paychecks coming in for awhile. That will be nice. We will be moving to Ft. Myers around the 15th of June. I am hoping to either get a PRN or "temporary" position and float to different adult ICU's or getting a full time position in Open Heart ICU. I haven't decided yet since this year will be a year of enhancing my resume. There are a lot of things to weigh. I need to study for my GRE and CCRN this year. I'll be graduating with my Bachelors in Nursing in 9 weeks (I already have my associates). Then I have to retake my Chemistry II this fall. As you can see, we will be a tad busy over the next month, maybe 2. We've been looking at houses. Here is the one we have our heart set on, its 4 bedrooms, 4 bath, with a den and pool. The den will be my studio *big grin*

Sunsets at Pier 60

Well! I just have to tell you how my first night went. First, because I'm new, I watch how the lottery is done to determine where we set up our tables. When everyone is done picking their spots, they take me to END of the pier. For those of you who need a picture of the end of the pier, its not the very end where they do the fishing, but its about the middle of the actual pier, just the end of where the artists are set up. It's very windy so, so much for a nice display. Everything kept blowing. Took off my hairclip to clip the table cloth to the front of the table so it would stop blowing up the cloth and push everything to the middle of the table. Even though, they tell me when I jury in that jewelry category is closed, people were expecting jewelry. I had a few pieces of jewelry to show how to use the beads but really, people didn't want to buy beads. I felt I was there to sort of be a show, rather than sell anything. Everyone loved my beads, but then only 2 bought beads that fit their Pandoras. Thanks for that, because at least it wasn't a total failure and I made my booth fee back. A lot of people were looking to see if I had beads for Pandora, so maybe if I go out again, I'll make more beads for those. Even though the girl next to me, who made guitar pic jewelry, was very sweet and explained not to base my sales on the first night being all the way at the end, she still has had to lower her prices since she's been there and I don't wish to do that. I spend way too much time sweating in front of a torch to make my cute lil pieces of art to drop my prices to make a few bucks. Overall, I had lots of fun, teased my boys who came with me and helped me set up and spent some quality time with them and my mom. I'll probably just keep my clientele online. I'm happy with them. :)

I really need to be more consistent

I haven't blogged in awhile because of getting all this lushious time out at the torch and trying to get tons made for Sunsets at Pier 60, yet I still haven't gotten down there. I was juried and approved but didn't realize how much went into getting ready. Needless to say, there are some last minute details to still get done. I haven't blogged much because I feel there is a need for blogs with pictures. I love reading when there are pictures involved and I'm camera deprived. I have the camera but I don't really feel like taking the pictures and doing all the picture manipulating. Am I lazy? A little. Am I busy and feel its not that important? Maybe. I guess I just enjoy looking at other people's pretty pictures instead of sharing my own. Plus I doubt many people read this thing anyways! LOL!

I did just get my website up. Still need to work on the shopping cart but its there. www.karencolaneri.com. Tell me what you think!