Back to my blog...

I have had a busy few days. My sister-in-law, Breanna, came to visit with her husband and their 3 kids. It was a lot of fun, but it was the most exhausting day and a half of my life! To be fair, the exhaustion was not all because of our guests. I had worked Thursday night and was only to sleep for about an hour on Friday before company came. Quincy loved having visitors, but Roxy on the other hand is not a big fan of kids. She spent their visit hiding under the bed and sneaking out when the kids were distracted. On Friday, we went to the Public Gardens and went on the Swan Boats, then walked around the gardens. The kids were having a good time being silly. Then, Saturday we went to the beach and had a lovely time. My niece, Laura, wanted me to help her build a sand castle. Let me tell you, there's a reason that I'm a nurse instead of an architect. For more lovely photos of the visit, visit Breanna's Blog.

Then the hospital called and asked me to pick up an extra 8 hour shift on Sunday. I had signed up for a ton of overtime this month, and if I worked the extra 8 hours on Sunday, I will get a bonus at the end of August. I'm not one to turn down (practically) free money. Then I had to work my regularly scheduled 12 hour shifts yesterday and today. Tomorrow I have to go into work- but only for a few hours. It's that time of year again... time to renew CPR! But I have Thursday to look forward to. A whole day off! A whole day to prepare for for our next set of visitors. Another one of my sister-in-laws, Emily, is coming this weekend with her daughter. We have a fun-filled weekend planned including the Aquarium and the Children's Museum! Fun, Fun, Fun!! :-)

Working Nights

Working nights takes a lot out of me. I've worked the past 2 nights and I'm back for another one tonight. A twelve hour day shift exhausts me, but working 7pm to 7am leaves me completely debilitated. But apparently when I work nights, I'm not the only one who is exhausted the next day. Roxy spent her day asleep under the bed (it must be cool under there- my thermometer says that it is 88 degrees in the apartment- we need an air conditioner!). And Quincy spends his day lounging on his favorite piece of furniture. I can't wait for 8am tomorrow! Then I have a few days off. If only I was independently wealthy... I guess I married the wrong guy for that plan to work! :-)

Windowsill Garden

As a child, my parents always had large vegetable and flower gardens. I loved eating the vegetables and having fresh flowers, but other than that, their gardens didn't do much for me. When I would get in trouble, it was not unusual for my punishment to be helping out with the garden (weeding in the spring and early summer, or harvesting or helping to can tomatoes later in the season). I hated it! It was hot, buggy, and not what a little girl wanted to do. Now that I'm older, I have come to appreciate gardens much more. The smell of lilacs always remind me of growing up, and I can't wait for tomatoes to be ready for tomato sandwiches. I bought my mom a peach tree for Mother's Day a few years ago, and I swear that the peaches from that tree are the best peaches that I've ever eaten! However, living in an apartment in Boston, I don't have a garden of my own. I do have an outlet for my green thumb, though. I am all about my windowsill garden. I have a collection of plants- a begonia and a snake plant (notice Roxy sitting in the garden?),
a kalanchoe and bamboo,
ivy,
fittonia
and my Yucca (see Roxy in the background again?).

RSF

I have fully recovered from this past weekend at the best party of the year, The Rosendale Street Festival! I worked with my mom and sister at Eat Me Weiners (where I'm sure I ate my weight in hot dogs), I helped out (well, more accurately hung out) at my sister-in-law's B. Graceful booth (featuring hand made jewelry, bags and skirts), and thoroughly enjoyed raspberry margaritas from The Red Brick Tavern. I didn't get a chance to visit my husband's step mother's booth (I guess she's my step-mother-in-law, wow what a mouth full!). Her beautiful art work helps to decorate our apartment, and I would have loved to see some of her new creations. I also had made some Pineapple Mojito Jello Shots, which were delicious and a big hit. I didn't get to listen to many of the bands, but I did hear Dorraine Scofield warming up. I have seen Dorraine a few times around the Hudson Valley, and as usual, she was awesome. Now I'm looking forward to Rosendale's next big party: The 10th International Pickle Festival!

First Post

I have been addicted to my sister-in-law's blog since she started it. I have had a small blog on myspace, but I never did anything with it, and no one really looked at it. I don't know if this one will be any different, but at least now people who do not have myspace can look at it- if they want to. I don't really have any particular topics that I plan on talking about, just whatever is on my mind. And I don't know how often I'll update this- I work crazy hours. But if you're up to it, you can see what it's like in Kieran's world!