It's A Reality Now!

Well, it is finally official!!! I went for my final interview with the career counselor at the grant office on Thursday. I received the grant!! I am SO excited. It is now a reality. I contacted the University and they are sending the grant office an acceptance letter and sending me a copy along with my parking permit for the campus parking! I am SO excited. I start on January 4th and will go to school until the middle of June. I'm to report to school "wearing medical attire and bring along a bookbag". Awww, I feel like I'm in grade school again! LOL! I haven't had a bookbag in 19yrs! I can't tell you how excited I am. I'm just so happy it is official. The not-knowing has been killing me. It is now a reality. Thank you all who have been following this journey along with me. I'm just nervous about school itself. It has been a long time. The writing classes I took last year were completely different than this. They were just for writing and they were online. I got butterflies just thinking about it.

Sorry that I have been missing in action. I had a bit of drama last week. I cut my finger (index finger on my left hand) with a knife and luckily I avoided going to the hospital for stitches. But my finger had been wrapped up. So, I was off the computer but playing one handed Mafia Wars on Facebook. I didn't feel like typing anything because my finger was throbbing for a few days. LOL

I will leave you with two cute pictures. This one is Harley after I came home from Whole Foods. Now keep in mind, this is a small shopping bag. Not a large one. He is SO cute sometimes!!! Larry and I went to another wrestling signing last Saturday. If any of you are familiar with WWE wrestling, this is me with wrestler Al Snow (and Head). He used to bring "her" into the ring with him. He played this crazy character. He is SO funny! Plus he is good looking and I kinda have a little bit of a crush on him. This was the 5th time we have seen him but the first time I took a picture with him.

The Cat's Outta The Bag

Larry and I went to Trader Joe's and this is what Harley did when we put the bag on the floor.


Here are some pics from my anniversary. This was before I almost gave myself a concussion.
Larry and Me

Me at the park where I walk

I can't believe my anniversary was already a week ago! The time is flying.

The weather here is horrible. Today (Monday) is supposed to finally warm up. It has been winter-like weather here for the past 4 days. It hasn't gone over 42 degrees. What the heck happened to autumn? HOLY MOLY BUD!

Sunday Stealing: The ABCs of Meme

A- Advocate for: Lymphedema Research

B- Best Feature: Eyes

C- Could do without: Terrorism, Racism, Poverty

D- Dreams and desires: To get my Certificate in Medical Assisting...then to work at a hospital or practice that will give me tuition reimbursement to become a nurse.

E- Essential items: cell phone, laptop, Keurig coffee machine, iPod

F- Favorite past time: hanging out with family and friends

G- Good at: talking to people

H- Have never tried: skiing and I never will

I- If I had a million dollars: I would spend some and save some.

J- Junkie for: Elvis Presley

K- Kindred spirit: My sister Jenny

L- Little known fact: I don't know??? I have 4 tattoos.

M- Memorable moment: My wedding day

N- Never again will I: ??

O- Occasional indulgence: Now that I am dieting I only eat good foods. The worst I have is nonfat ice cream. LOL

P- Profession: Will be a Certified Medical Assistant by the summer of 2010.

Q- Quote: "You'll thank me later" ~ Adrian Monk

R- Reason to smile: Harley cat

S- Sorry about: not going to college sooner

T- Things you are worrying about right now: my bills - unemployment wages suck.

U- Uninterested in: lots of things

V- Very scared of: see letter T

W- Worst habits: Procrastination

Y- Yummiest dessert: right now, nonfat ice cream.

X- X marks my ideal vacation spot: Graceland

Z- Zodiac sign: Cancer

Only This Can Happen To Me

Yesterday was Larry and my 12th wedding anniversary. We had a very nice day! We got to spend it together because he was off of work. Two very interesting things happened to me though. One funny and one not so funny but still turned out to be hysterical.

We went to Target earlier in the day and I wanted to get a cup of coffee. Big surprise. So I waited outside of Target & drank my coffee while Larry shopped. Since I'm broke beyond belief I figured I would sit outside the store in the mall and entertain myself for free. Larry and I were planning to "power walk" the mall when he was done so I could get my daily walk in. I am trying to walk at least 2 miles a day. Ok, back to the point. While I was at the seating area, a woman came up to sit with 3 developmentally disabled adults. She was from a group home. I know this because Colleen used to work for them and they give them day trips to keep them stimulated. Well two of the adults were lower functioning and the other woman was higher functioning. She spoke very well and had a good repore with the woman who was caring for them. Well anyway, as they sat down the higher functioning woman looked up and around at the ceilings and the stores. She looked like she was admiring the plants and the furniture. You could tell she liked it because she kept nodding her head up and down like she was approving. She then turns to the caretaker and says so innocently...."You know, you've got a really nice place here Janice." HOW CUTE WAS THAT? I literally chuckled out loud because it was just so cute and innocent. She thought that the caretaker (Janice) owned the mall. Janice and I looked at each other and smiled. So, just something innocent like that made my day. We take so much for granted.

Later on we went to dinner at our favorite Portuguese restaurant. I brought half of my meal home with me so my mother-in-law could have it. I swear I'm an amateur these days. I ordered a half order of a meal and I only ate half! LOL! Anyway...bringing the meal home is the bad part which turned out to be pretty funny. Ask Sue...she spoke with me right after it happened. LOL! Well, I put the container in the refridgerator and while I did that, I knocked over some of my hubbies containers that he takes to work as a snack. They were in date order. Well, I was bent down fixing them and putting them back in order. I guess I just forgot where I was at the moment. I got up and slammed the back of my head into the freezer door. Hard. Really hard. Well, I literally got dizzy and nausesous. I put myself on the floor to regain my composure. I was literally laying on the floor. Larry comes in and is like, "Why are you on the ground?" He didn't hear me yell when I hit my head. I said..."Oh, it's because I just gave myself a concussion." So he helped me up. I proceeded to lay on the floor in the living room too. That was when Sue called. I told her the story. All joking aside, I really was fine. We did laugh though because we thought of Bud and said that Bud would have said that I could have told a better story about having a "headboard" concussion since it was my anniversary when I really had a freezer door concussion!!! See Bud, we were thinking about you!!! Were your ears ringing? LOL!

Well, I'm off to run errands. Hopefully I won't cause anymore harm to myself. Talk to you guys all soon!!! ♥

Sunday Stealing: The Magical Mystery Tour

1. Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the planet?
Nothing like someone finally getting what they deserve.


2. How do you flush the toilet in public?
With my foot of course. Blech! I totally skeeve public restrooms.

3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
Always

4. Do you have a crush on someone?
As a matter of fact I sure do....Josh Holloway from Lost. Just look at that smile and those dimples. *Swoons*


5. Name one thing you worry about running out of.
My Keurig K-Cups for my coffeemaker.

6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
I don't think I resemble anyone

7. What is your favourite pizza topping?
Meatballs (near my house they grind them up and add them as topping) or mushrooms. Not together though.

8. Do you crack your knuckles?
Yes, and by just your asking...I did.

9. What song do you hate the most?
"Tainted Love"

10. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
No, I'm still thinking about wanting to crack my knuckles again. I really hate that song too much to think about it.

11. What are your super powers?
I wish I had some!

12. Peppermint or spearmint?
If I had to choose between the two: Peppermint. I prefer Wintergreen in case you were wondering.

13. Where are your car keys?
Near the door

14. Last song you listened to?
Elvis ~ "Kentucky Rain"

15. What's your most annoying habit?
Procrastination

16. Where did you last go on vacation?
My honeymoon to Disneyworld 12yrs ago Monday.

17. What is your best physical feature?
My GREEN eyes

18. What CD is closest to you right now?
I have two right near me...1) Elvis Presley: "From Elvis In Memphis" and 2) David Cook's debut cd.

19. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Bottled water, skim milk, and Kraft Fat Free Catalina Dressing

20. What superstition do you believe/practice?
I knock on wood. I don't walk under ladders. I don't put new shoes/shoe boxes on a table.

21. What colour are your bed sheets?
Beige and forest green

22. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
I would rather be a bird. If I could pick the type...a sun conure to be exact.


23. Last thing you broke?
A milestone! When I weighed myself on Wednesday it revealed I lost 101 pounds! That is like a whole person.

24. What are you having to eat tonight?
Since my hubby has off of work Sunday graveyard shift, we are going to take a ride up to Cracker Barrell. The only thing that fits with my diet is either grilled rainbow trout or grilled catfish. So, it will be one of those.

25. What colour shirt are you wearing?
Right now I'm wearing a black shirt.

26. If you could be doing anything else today, what would you rather be doing?
I'm glad my hubby will be off tonight so I wouldn't rather be doing anything else then spending time with him. Monday is our 12th wedding anniversary!

27. Do security cameras make you nervous?
No.

28. If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
"Rinse And Repeat"

29. Last time you went to a cemetery?
To visit my Mom at the mauseloum near Easter.

30. Last concert you went to?
Pearl Jam many years ago

31. Favourite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
Meat Loaf, Melissa Etheridge, and Pearl Jam. I've seen others, but those were my favorite favourite.

32. Next concert you're planning to attend?
I would love to go see Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen or Chickenfoot in concert.

33. Do you talk to yourself?
Yes sometimes

34. Have you ever adopted or purchased a pet?
I was blessed on August 15, 1993 to adopt my Harley cat. He is my heart. He is 16yrs old and spoiled. See the portrait behind his head on the wall? My hubby got that for me a few years ago as a Christmas present. It is my favorite gift in the whole world.


35. Have you ever been present when an animal is being born?
No

Saturday 9: Lie To Me

1. Can you tell when someone is lying to you?
Yes, usually they won't look you square in the eye or their voice cracks. People also hesitate when they are lying so they have "time to think".

2. Tell us about one of your flaws. Do you live with it or try to correct it?
I procrastinate alot. Why do today what you can do tomorrow? Scarlett was right!!!!

3. When was the last time you laughed hard and what struck you as funny?
My sister Jenny and I were watching the comedian John Pinette's DVD, "I Say Nay Nay". I've seen it SO many times but it is still so funny each time I see it. As many of you know, I've been dieting. I now lost 101 pounds! Two people the other day told me that they could "really see it in my face". Well, I just thought that was hysterical since I went down 5 sizes in clothes. In the words of John Pinette, "How big was my head before I started this journey?". When I asked the two people...is that they only place you notice it because I went down 5 clothing sizes. I get, "Oh no, I see it all over but that was the first place I noticed". Alrighty then. Here is a clip of John. The same thing happened to him when he lost 100 pounds. Give it a look at because you will laugh till your sides hurt. Let me know what you think.... "That's John, his head's the size of a manhole cover, we don't talk about it though. Shhhh"...LOL!!!!!!!



4. Tell us about a time when you should have tried harder.
I should have tried harder when deciding my career path when I graduated high school.

5. If you won the lottery, what would you buy first?
Well first I would pay off my bills. My first purchase would be a house so I could answer all the meme questions that deal with owning a home correctly.

6. What movie do you know every word to?
I know this may be weird but..."Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"

7. What was the best thing that happened to you this week?
Getting my appointment to meet with the career counselor for the grant for school. This is where we will finalize everything and they will write up the contract. Yay!!!! October 29th!!

8. What was the worst thing that happened to you this week?
I got both my flu and pneumonia shots on Monday. Tuesday I felt a little achy, but I think I was just over-tired and who knows, I could have been developing the antibodies from the shots. By Wednesday I was fine. I figured I should get both shots since I will be externing at a hospital in January.

9. What do you think is the biggest difference between men and women?
We will ask for directions and our haircuts cost more.

Sunday Stealing Plus

First I just want to say thank you SO much for all the beautiful comments that you all left me about passing my test. I cherish you all so much! From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. This is a very big chapter in my life and I am so glad I am able to share it with all of you. I really feel like I am blessed because not many people are granted a "do-over". So I am very fortunate and thankful.

Onto the festivities...

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
A sip of Diet Coke

2. Where was your profile picture taken?
In my kitchen

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?
I've only played it once. I mastered "I Love Rock And Roll" by Joan Jett. Ok, so it was the easiest song.

4. Name someone who made you laugh today. What was it about?
My best friend Colleen. She is so funny. We had breakfast together and then afterward we went over to my sister Gina's house and hung out with them and my niece & nephew. I can't remember exactly what was said, but Colleen ALWAYS makes me laugh.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?
I think I was up until 1am. I was playing Mafia Wars on Facebook. I tried to go to sleep, but then Larry called me on his break at work at 1:30am. I was talking nonsense because I was "in my sleep". That is all I remember.

6. If you could move somewhere else where would you and why?
Amish Country in Pennsylvania. It is so peaceful there and it makes me happy.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Why yes I have

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
I am very good friends with my cousin Kara. She lives in the next town from me. Colleen lives about 7 miles from me.

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? With benefits?
There is a fine line. I really guess it depends on the situation. I do not keep in contact with any of my exes.

10. Do you like Dr. Pepper?
I like Diet Dr Pepper

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Really hard as opposed to just sniveling?
Week before last when I was watching The Biggest Loser. The contestants had a chance to call home and their phone calls with their families killed me.

12. Who took your profile picture?
My husband Larry

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Well more like with...today I took a picture with my nephew Dominick. He and I are only 8 years apart in age. I ♥ him SO much. He seriously is the best nephew anyone could ever be blessed with. He is just a gentle soul.


14. Was yesterday better than today? Why?
No, today was better than yesterday because I got to spend time with Colleen and took her to go visit my sister Gina and her husband, along with my nephew & niece. We had a great day.

15. Can you live a day without TV?
Absolutely

16. Are you upset about anything now?
Worried about my bills because unemployment wages suck.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Sure

18. Are you a bad influence?
I don't think I am

19. Night out or night in?
These days since Larry works the graveyard shift, they've all been nights in.

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
My cell phone, laptop, and Keurig coffee machine.

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
My mother-in-law back in April I think when she had a little scare with her heart.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
"That's fine"

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
Well besides being unemployed and having bills mount up, I'm doing OK. Excited about school coming up and just starting over.

24. Do you hate anyone?
Hate is a very strong word.

25. If we were to look in your Facebook inbox, what would we find?
Messages that all have been replied to. I'm all caught up.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Of course

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
My husband has called me that once or twice. I think he is nuts. LOL

28. What song is stuck in your head?
"Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis. (you asked)

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m., whom do you want it to be?
I don't want it to be anyone because it would freak me the hell out. I live on the first floor but technically it is the 2nd floor because it is above garages. So, if anyone is knocking on my window they are either on a ladder or on my fire escape. If that is the case...I would be calling the police. LOL

30. Do you (or did you) want to have grandkids before you’re 50?
Here we go again assuming everyone has children. Ummm since I don't have any children and being 37 years old, I sincerely doubt I would ever have grandchildren by the time I was 50.

31. Tell us your Saturday night.
Tonight, I took a nap with my hubby before he went to work. I am doing this meme. The fun never ceases.

32. Do you think too much or too little?
I usually think too much

33. Do you smile a lot?
I sure do because I have alot of wonderful people in my life.

Update

I passed the test for my grant!! I am SO excited! I learned of it this Monday when I spoke to the instructor who gave the test. I was SO worried that I wasn't going to pass. She told me that I got the best scores. It was on a points scale. The most you can get is a 9 in each section. Out of twelve sections, I scored twelve 9s!!! She said that I will do great in school and said to "not waste your brain Jodi." She was so happy with my scores. She said she was a college graduate and didn't score as well as I did, especially on the math section. I crammed like crazy for a whole week. Poor Sue & her sister Dianne had to hear about my nervousness in Connecticut. I met them the day before the test.

I went yesterday to visit two other schools as part of the grant requirements. We must visit three and all the admissions representatives had to sign a visit sheet that the grant office provided. Within the next two weeks I will meet with my career counselor who will write up the contract for the grant. The University I am going to has already accepted me and will fax them an acceptance letter once I get the contract. My class is set to begin on January 4th and last for six months. I will go to school from Monday through Thursday and on Fridays I will be externing at a hospital. I will be assigned one or two patients in hospice.

I thought I would give you all a Jodi update. I'm sorry I haven't been doing the memes. I will probably do Sunday Stealing this week. Tomorrow I am meeting Colleen for breakfast and Sunday I am going to visit my sister Jenny. Should be a fun weekend. I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Here's a new pic of Larry and I. He hates his picture being taken. Good thing he doesn't like to read blogs because he'd kill me if he knew I posted it. LOL!

I have a very important question to ask you all. Have any of you seen the new show "Mercy"? I am really loving that show. I figured since I'm going into the medical field and will be externing in a hospital that it would be a good show for me to watch.

As you all know...the guy above in that picture is my real-life husband. You all also know that fantasy husband #1 is Josh Holloway from Lost. I'm just letting you all know that fantasy husband #2 is James Tupper from "Mercy" (formerly on "Men In Trees"). You know, just in case you were wondering. LOL!

I don't know what it is....just look at this face!