THE Dress

After much searching, I bought my wedding dress today. It was one of the original dresses I picked out in October-ish, but only finally found it in a store to try on this week. Unfortunately, it was at the very top end of my dress budget, so I left Wednesday without it in hand. My mom and I searched the Internet for any possible option (used, foreign-made, anything...). The shop in Norfolk was willing to sell me the floor dress at a discounted rate, which made it only slightly higher than my budget and slightly larger than I needed. However, this shop offered free alterations and cleaning, which wouldn't be included in any Internet sale I made. (I also received insider info that this designer was raising prices as of Feb. 1, so I feel better just having a dress anyway. Plus, bridal stores prefer 6 months or more before ordering a dress).

Special thanks to my Mom for listening for hours and endlessly searching the used wedding dress sites with me! Thanks to my Mom and Dad for helping me finance, and to Kayla and Derek for their trip to Sioux Falls in search of the dress.

But ugh, I can't recommend wedding dress shopping to anyone... glad this is all only happening once! (I'm sure my family and Cody are relieved as well.)

If anybody cares to see the link, just let me know :)

Lt Mann, RN BSN

I am officially a second lieutenant in the Air Force. My point of contact that handles new nurses in the Air Force cleared me to commission this morning, so after a bit of paperwork, I was able take my oath and sign away the next four years of my life... sorry, Cody! :) Here are a couple pictures:

Major Jurgens administering my oath (no fumbles this time!)

THE salute

Signing the paperwork

Additionally, I was a big fat loser and 'moved home' today. I'm hoping my parents don't charge room and board for the next 3 weeks...now it's just organizing all the items I want moved to Alaska and what I need to take to Scottsdale with me... I'm sure it will be a joy to sort through my things after the way I packed them up to Wayne, ugh.

Commissioning/Moving/Flying

Commission: I took my fitness test to officially commission yesterday (I passed, but it wasn't pretty). I drove a load of my 'junk' home to Wayne so that I could register and license my car (wasn't pretty either). I journeyed back to Lincoln, stopped by a few furniture stores to check sofa/loveseat prices (ok, that was pretty... they were all nicely arranged), and then am settling back into packing/moving.

As soon as my nursing license shows up on Nebraska's registry, I can officially commission. Anyone is invited to attend, although there is much less pomp and circumstance. I'm hoping for a Friday commission, but if not, Monday will do too. Move: Mom and Dad are planning on helping me move my big 'junk' this weekend, and then I'll be gone from Lincoln!

Fly: I was able to book a flight down to Florida to see Cody! (Wasn't sure if that was going to happen... ). I fly down Feb 1 and return the 9th. A few prayers for good travel weather would be appreciated.

Cody continues to be busy in Florida. They just got through with a big tournament last weekend and are gearing up for another one at the end of January. The weather's been pretty good for him, although he likes to rub in his "cold" days (40 degrees!). He's looking forward to squaring things away with our move and booking his flight up to Anchorage (he's hoping for an April 16th flight). He appreciates all mail and care packages, just don't send him ties, he can't handle 'em.  :)

Emlyn Mann, RN, BSN

I passed the NCLEX and am now a registered nurse! I was able to review my results online, since the official state board of nursing results aren't mailed until a month after testing. I'm so very relieved and very excited I'll never have to endure an experience quite like that again!

Study Breakfast

I've been trying to clean out my freezer and pantry in preparation for the move. And after tonight, things might get pretty interesting...

But this morning I made a monkey bread recipe, which used up leftover frozen bread rolls and a bag of pecans. I'd say that's pretty good progress for only having to purchase one ingredient (butterscotch pudding mix).

Below is the link for the recipe (3 1/2 stars, I'd say):

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/ultimate-coffee-cake-recipe/index.html

Bum Toe and Snow

Finally accepting the bandage, but it none too happy about it

I had to take Caillat into the vet for an abcess-looking, dead rodent-smelling sore on her right paw. Turns out it's an infected toenail bed (piece of litter/black cat-bite is to blame). The doc cleaned it out and put the dressing on. I now have 28 pills to administer over the next 2 weeks and a few F/U appt to take her to!

The next pictures are a warm, dry view of our current snowstorm. We're going on about 7-8 inches. I'm loving my 4-wheel drive immensely, but we'll see what the wind will do to it all tomorrow...

Cody's New Job, Wedding, Break, Birthday & Studying!

It has been a busy but exciting few weeks! First, Cody is officially the newest employee of the Anchorage Golf Club! He was hired as the Head Professional, so he'll be in charge of the pro shop, scheduling, interns, and day-to-day operations. He's been in contact with the Golf Operations Manager (who worked this winter in Florida as well) and he had his interview last week. His compensation package just came in, which was just what he expected so he happily accepted the position! They wanted him to start April 1, however, his current employer, Mountain Lake, requested he stay until April 15. Cody's looking into flights from Orlando to Anchorage (now, THAT's a long journey) for April 16 or so. He'll most likely have to stay in a hotel/rent a car for a week or so, before I hope to get up there. Now, we're trying to coordinate travel, moving, and organizing what we will need for our apartment.

A picture of the course I stole from its site

New Year's found me in O'Neill, NE for my roommate's winter wedding. It ended up blizzarding all weekend, but the wedding still went on (although they considered postponing it). It was literally the winter wonderland that she had pictured.

Holly, me and Jenna waiting to eat

The eight of us with the bride and flower girl at the reception (the flowers in the vase were our bouquets, which looked great next to our dark brown dresses... great pick, Steph!)

While stealing Craig and enjoying a few drinks at the bar

This holiday season found me enjoying a long, leisurely time at home (probably the last time I'll ever spend 3 weeks at home again!). Erin and I did some coffee-shop studying, and we had numerous nights of game-playing: pinochle, nerts, aggravation, and 10,000 :( ... we also spent some quality time trying new recipes, including a cream puff tower and spinach-articoke dip!

I celebrated my 23rd birthday yesterday in just my style: low-key. Thank you to all that sent well wishes, cards, or gifts. I'm very grateful, although 23 isn't all that exciting... much like 22 (and I heard they only get worse!). I look forward to spending my next birthday with Cody!

Lastly, I'm now only 1 week away from taking the NCLEX, my nursing boards. Please send a quick prayer when you have a minute this week and especially at 8:00am January 14th!

Now, obviously my study break to update the blog is through... back to the books!

And Happy New Year!

Many blessing to all... Cody and I have so much to look forward to this year... we can't wait to get started!