Yuba Community College Fall 2009 ADN Graduating Class

Prayers Needed

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sammiehartsfield

AC Barker

Jason on the job.

The Story of Tank

Have your tissues handy, you’re going to need them! The Story of Tank

They told me the big black Lab’s name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. the shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I’d only been…
The Story of Tank –

Wow....that's all I have to say!

Small Town Coach, Big-Time Hero

People like this make me want to be a better person. Rest in peace Keith Howard, you made this world a better place. No one can ask for more.

Small Town Coach, Big-Time Hero

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Diabetes

Last week I went for a physical. I had several things about my health confirmed...aka officially diagnosed, things that I already knew in the back of my mind. Because I am overweight I have developed diabetes. I knew it was coming, since I had gestational diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes you are at a 60 percent greater risk of developing Type II diabetes than someone who did not have it.
My weight is something I have struggled with since high school. I have had success when I followed Weight Watchers and exercised. But, I always seem to find an excuse to "take a break" or get too busy. My favorite cartoon shows a doctor speaking to his patient; "What fits your busy schedule better, exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours day?" That pretty much sums it up!
I am in my final semester of nursing school, you would think I would know better. Which, I do. I know I am not the only one. There are plenty of overweight healthcare professionals! I don't want to be one of them. One of the most important things that nurses provide for their patients is teaching. I don't want my patients to look at me and think "Yeah, right, you don't follow the rules, why should I?
I found a website/blog that really motivated me today. http://theantijared.blogspot.com/
This guy has it figured out!

Latest Endevours

I have passed third semester in nursing school. After our final, most of the class got together for a celebratory lunch at a really great bar and grill in Yuba City, the Happy Viking.

In the fall I begin my preceptorship here in Woodland. I am so happy to not have to drive to Marysville so much anymore! Fourth semester also includes a psych class. The instructor is a former nursing supervisor for Woodland Memorial who I adore, so I am really looking forward to that class.

Since school ended I have been decompressing. I have been just enjoying my family and hanging around the house. Although it may be a little late in the season we have put in a garden. My father has been so wonderful, doing all the rototilling and teaching me all about the plants. Thanks Dad! I also fulfilled a long time dream and planted an herb garden. I ended up using an old animal trough that has been in the barn since the last great depression!

Firefighter of the Year

Jason was chosen to be Dixon Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year. The award was bestowed upon him at a dinner at Dixon Fire last week. This week there was another dinner for all of Solano County's Firefighters of the year. He received a plaque from Dixon Fire, a trophy from Solano County, and several certificates of recognition from the California State Assembly, the California State Senate, the County of Solano, and the United States House of Representatives. It was very cool. I am very proud of my husband.

Jason accepting the award at the Dixon Fire Department's Awards Night.

At the Solano County Dinner in Fairfield.

Winter Break

I pretty much shut down during the Winter Break. I did nothing related to school (until this weekend). I spent time with the kids and became a computer and video game addict. My latest "drug of choice" has been Animal Crossing, City Folk on the Wii. I also managed to get Jacob and Mark addicted.

I went to a couple movies, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Bedtime Stories. Both were great movies. I wanted to see Marley and Me, but never got back to the movie theater.

The boys, Jason, my parents and myself spent a day in San Francisco. We met Mark and Ari there and Mark showed us the "Full House" house. You know the row of Victorians during the opening credits.

Ari, Mark, and Jacob

To keep a promise to Jacob, we headed over the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum near Fisherman's Wharf. It was interesting, but not really my cup of tea. Definitely interesting to a 12 year old boy, however.

My Mom and Jacob

We headed over to one of my favorite restaurants The Cliff House for lunch. The food is great and there is such history surrounding the site. I always have a crab sandwich called the Ben Butler Sandwich. Then we wandered around taking in the view. I would have loved to have been there years ago when the amusement park was just down the road.

Jason and I in front of the Cliff House.

Jacob checking out the pelicans on the rocks.

My Parents near the Camera Obscura (picture by Jacob)

After lunch we went down the road (Highway 1) to Golden Gate Park. I had been dying to go to the Academy of Sciences that just reopened in September. It holds the Steinhart Aquarium, a Rain Forest Biosphere, and Planetarium. We missed the Planetarium show but we really didn't have time since there was so much else to see. It was really an all day trip squeezed into half a day. I need to go back this summer!

Jacob checking out the T-rex skeleton

Mark and Ari checking out the starfish at the tide pool.

Jacob in the Rain Forest exhibit.

Nana and Popie check out the roof of the California Academy of Sciences building.

The roof is a living roof...all 2.5 acres.

Well, that is about it! I will keep you posted and share how school is going!