I Came Back!

phira

@melmac86 He's a parakeet (budgie). Very small species, although he's very big for a budgie. He's very talkative, too, although a lot of the time, we don't have a clue what he's saying. He's in love with the weirdest stuff, including my phone, my partner's phone, my old phone that's been deactivated and is now a budgie toy, the TV remote, our engagement rings, our computers, tweezers (?!!), and my Macbook adapter.

CLoGreenEyes

Hi @melmac86, I remember you from my lurking days! Welcome back! (And thanks for the questions.)

1. What was your favorite holiday gift you received this past season? Favorite one you gave? My parents were super-generous and gave each of us kids money this year, and that was SUPER helpful and a huge blessing right now. I was actually pitifully broke this year, so instead of doing individual gifts, I bought CAH, snacks, drinks, and bunch of other fun stuff, and told my family that I was funding a family night to end all family nights. They were surprisingly pleased, so I am looking forward to scheduling our first one soon.

2. What are you most looking forward to in 2014? Graduating nursing school, getting a job, and moving into my own place!

3. If you could go to any concert right now, what would you pick? Lets say a non-current artist or group is an option and money is not an issue. I am so stunned by this question, I don't even know. I'm gonna say Carrie Underwood because she's the bomb.

4. You go to a bar and they're out of your favorite beer or wine - what mixed drink or cocktail do you order? So, I'm not sure what other people call this, but the bartender who made this for me when I studied abroad in Ireland called a kanula. Basically she did a little bit of banana and white chocolate liqueurs and then filled the rest of the glass up with milk. It was like a banana milkshake, and it was heaven. 

5. Do you have any vacations planned for this year? Like a mini-vay. A few of my work friends and I are going to coordinate one of our weekends off in April and go up to NYC for an overnight trip. Other than that, I need to wait until I graduate.

6. What is one of your top embarrassing moments? How can I possibly even choose one??? The one that comes to mind today is when I was in 9th grade and spilled a glass of water, and for some reason yelled out, "My water broke!" in front of the whole cafeteria. I sincerely doubt that was my crowning embarrassing moment, though; that was more just a little awkward.

7. Are you thinking of adding any furbabies to your family in the near future? Hell. No. Maggie is more than enough excitement for me right now. She is technically my mom's dog, though, so maybe when I move out I will adopt a dog. I would looooove a mastiff or some other big dog.

8. What show are you most addicted to right now? I'm not really addicted to anything right now, but I am eager to see what happens next on The Walking Dead.

melmac86

@QuiltingNurse - are you and BF planning to remodel the kitchen yourselves or hire a contractor? One of my favorite types of shows are the house crashers ones where they renovate a certain room in the house. If I could do my life over, I think I'd choose a career in remodeling rooms or flipping houses.

@phira - have you seen Disco the parakeet on youtube? I honestly didn't realize that parakeets could talk that much.

melmac86

Hi @Amapola14! Your embarrassing moment made me lol! I know I've yelled out plenty of embarrassing things, but I think I've mostly blocked them out. haha. Do you have an idea of what type of nursing you'd like to get into after graduating? I've been an RN for the past 6ish years, 4 of them as an RN case manager for the elderly and people with disabilities. My favorite part has been the lasting professional relationships that I've been able to build while getting to know all of my patients so well.

QuiltingNurse

@melmac86 I think we're going to do it ourselves. We don't want to spend too much on it and bf is quite handy (his friends and family are as well) so it should be okay to do that way. And welcome back

melmac86

QuiltingNurse said:

@melmac86 I think we're going to do it ourselves. We don't want to spend too much on it and bf is quite handy (his friends and family are as well) so it should be okay to do that way. And welcome back

Thank you! That sounds like fun to be able to see the progress you guys have made during the transition. Take lots of before and after pics! A friend of mine did this before they renovated their kitchen and the differences were shocking - didn't even look like the same house!

CLoGreenEyes

@melmac86, hello fellow masochist! (Forgive me, that is what nursing feels like right now, lol.) Hm...not sure which area I want to get into just yet. I don't think I'm a mother-baby or peds person, but that's about all I know at this point. OR interests me quite a bit, but I'm also interested in going to grad school at some point over the next 5-10 years for some kind of NP, so hopefully I'll find a job in an area that will help prepare me for that. That's the great thing about nursing; it's so versatile and there are so many options! Finally, a career I know I won't get bored in.

GoldenPenguin

1. What was your favorite holiday gift you received this past season? Favorite one you gave?

BF got me a Kindle Paperwhite, and I adore it. I've already read the entire Divergent series, and I'm trying to decide if I want to read Inferno by Dan Brown or The Shining by Stephen King (so that I can read Doctor Sleep). 

I got my mom a Polaroid Tablet. While I immediately regretted it at first (because of the incessant questions from my technologically challenged momma), she thanked me about 150 times, and I know she really really loves it. 

2. What are you most looking forward to in 2014?

Getting engaged?? HA. No, for serious, doing some really cool things with my job - I just had a great meeting with my boss, and I'm totally energized and encouraged. 

3. If you could go to any concert right now, what would you pick? Lets say a non-current artist or group is an option and money is not an issue.

Garth Brooks, 100%. I have loved him since he started, and I almost peed when I found out he was going back out on tour. I also would DIE to see Jay Z & Justin Timberlake. 

4. You go to a bar and they're out of your favorite beer or wine - what mixed drink or cocktail do you order?

Grape vodka & seltzer. Tastes like a purple popsicle.

5. Do you have any vacations planned for this year?

We're going to go away for Christmas next year, which I'm pumped about. BF & I would like to take a vacation sometime this year, but I'm not sure where. If I go to Aruba again, I might never come back. You've all been warned.

6. What is one of your top embarrassing moments?

Hmmm... I don't get embarrassed easily. I don't have a go-to on this question. 

7. Are you thinking of adding any furbabies to your family in the near future?

Yes! We've been thinking of getting another dog. I am in love with this little sweetheart. We met her once, but Violet was being antisocial, and didn't want to play. I'd like to take her back again to see if she was just being a brat (which I think she was, because she LOVES other dogs).

8. What show are you most addicted to right now?

BF & I watched the whole season of Freaks & Geeks on Saturday & Sunday. I absolutely loved it, and I'm so mad that it was only on for one season. I'm excited for PLL to come back on tonight - I can't wait for my Tuesday night date with @swazzle!!

Swazzle

Hello you! You know me but I'm going to play along anyway

1. What was your favorite holiday gift you received this past season? Favorite one you gave?

Received: My LeSean McCoy Eagles jersey and diamond necklace from H

Gave: KitchenAid Stand Mixer to my mom

2. What are you most looking forward to in 2014?

Hopefully buying a house

3. If you could go to any concert right now, what would you pick? Lets say a non-current artist or group is an option and money is not an issue.

Britney Spears in Vegas

4. You go to a bar and they're out of your favorite beer or wine - what mixed drink or cocktail do you order?

Vodka soda with extra lime

5. Do you have any vacations planned for this year?

I have 2 NEY trips planned: I'm going to DC this weekend and to TX in April. Hoping for Chicago this summer. I'm going to RI for a weekend to see my cousin graduate from college. H and I will likely go somewhere for our 1 year anniversary in May. 

6. What is one of your top embarrassing moments?

I can't think of anything off the top of my head actually. 

7. Are you thinking of adding any furbabies to your family in the near future?

I want another kitten so badly. Maybe when we have a house. 

8. What show are you most addicted to right now?

PLL (which comes back TONIGHT), Breaking Bad (watching it for the first time on Netflix), Grey's Anatomy (I just watched season 4-10 on Netflix), Walking Dead, Revenge, Scandal

melmac86

Amapola14 said:

@melmac86, hello fellow masochist! (Forgive me, that is what nursing feels like right now, lol.) Hm...not sure which area I want to get into just yet. I don't think I'm a mother-baby or peds person, but that's about all I know at this point. OR interests me quite a bit, but I'm also interested in going to grad school at some point over the next 5-10 years for some kind of NP, so hopefully I'll find a job in an area that will help prepare me for that. That's the great thing about nursing; it's so versatile and there are so many options! Finally, a career I know I won't get bored in.

haha! Stick with a hospital or clinic job and every day's a new day. No getting bored, that's for sure!

wink0erin

@melmac86 I LOVE crochet! I picked it up near the end of my relationship with ex and I've gotten pretty dang good at it over the past couple years. I'd post pics of the blanket but I'm at work.

melmac86

@BriSox81 - I hope S gets you the biggest pony EVAR. I was just thinking about JT the other day and wished that I had gone when him and Jay Z were in Chicago. Want to crash a Garth Brooks concert with me?! I don't know anyone else that would seriously consider spending money to go

Hi @Swazzle! House buying vibes for you! You have a lot of trips coming up. I wish I was traveling more this year.  and of course - MOAR KITTEHS

labro

I could do a crochet a long. :P I haven't learned how to knit yet. FI's grandmother sent me two BEAUTIFUL knitted scarves for Christmas and honestly I'm intimidated. If you guys choose a cool scarf or shawl or something I'll try to find an equivalent crochet pattern and join in the fun.

melmac86

lmhollister said:

I could do a crochet a long. :P I haven't learned how to knit yet. FI's grandmother sent me two BEAUTIFUL knitted scarves for Christmas and honestly I'm intimidated. If you guys choose a cool scarf or shawl or something I'll try to find an equivalent crochet pattern and join in the fun.

That sounds fun! I'd love to crochet an infinity scarf for myself. I was considering trying to learn via youtube. I could read, but I'm much more of a visual/hands-on learner.

melmac86

wink0erin said:

@melmac86 I LOVE crochet! I picked it up near the end of my relationship with ex and I've gotten pretty dang good at it over the past couple years. I'd post pics of the blanket but I'm at work.

How did you learn it?! You guys are making me excited to try it.

labro

melmac86 said:

wink0erin said:

@melmac86 I LOVE crochet! I picked it up near the end of my relationship with ex and I've gotten pretty dang good at it over the past couple years. I'd post pics of the blanket but I'm at work.

How did you learn it?! You guys are making me excited to try it.

For some reason I thought I was posting on @KeptInStitches thread. Oops! Shows how much I'm paying attention. I had friends teach me in college but I was able to "remind" myself how to do it again by watching videos on YouTube. There are a lot of great basic beginner lessons available for free!

melmac86

lmhollister said:

melmac86 said:

wink0erin said:

@melmac86 I LOVE crochet! I picked it up near the end of my relationship with ex and I've gotten pretty dang good at it over the past couple years. I'd post pics of the blanket but I'm at work.

How did you learn it?! You guys are making me excited to try it.

For some reason I thought I was posting on @KeptInStitches thread. Oops! Shows how much I'm paying attention. I had friends teach me in college but I was able to "remind" myself how to do it again by watching videos on YouTube. There are a lot of great basic beginner lessons available for free!

Oops, haha! I'd still be interested in something like this, I might just be a ways behind everyone until I catch on. I wonder if the Michael's craft store near my house is offering lessons. I might just look that up!

wink0erin

melmac86 said:

wink0erin said:

@melmac86 I LOVE crochet! I picked it up near the end of my relationship with ex and I've gotten pretty dang good at it over the past couple years. I'd post pics of the blanket but I'm at work.

How did you learn it?! You guys are making me excited to try it.

A coworker taught me a couple basic things which I promptly forgot. The rest I self-taught via the internet. (youtube, tutorials with pictures). I looked up specific stitches at first and went from there. Now I can follow any pattern, and I make my own too (usually for stuffed critters... amigurumi)

melmac86

wink0erin said:

melmac86 said:

wink0erin said:

@melmac86 I LOVE crochet! I picked it up near the end of my relationship with ex and I've gotten pretty dang good at it over the past couple years. I'd post pics of the blanket but I'm at work.

How did you learn it?! You guys are making me excited to try it.

A coworker taught me a couple basic things which I promptly forgot. The rest I self-taught via the internet. (youtube, tutorials with pictures). I looked up specific stitches at first and went from there. Now I can follow any pattern, and I make my own too (usually for stuffed critters... amigurumi)

Awesome! It's reassuring to know that other people have been successful via youtube etc...

phira

@melmac86 Disco is amazing! Our bird definitely can't talk so well or clearly. He does say some stuff that's kind of awkwardly funny out of context. He likes drinking water and juice out of our cups, so we taught him "water" and "juice" (so he knows what we're talking about). He also likes to chew on paper, so he knows "paper," and often he says it like a question (because he's often asked, "Do you want some paper?"

He also learned how to say, "MOM" in a REALLY irritated voice because of how frequently I say it when I'm on the phone with my mom.

GoldenPenguin

melmac86 said:

@BriSox81 - I hope S gets you the biggest pony EVAR. I was just thinking about JT the other day and wished that I had gone when him and Jay Z were in Chicago. Want to crash a Garth Brooks concert with me?! I don't know anyone else that would seriously consider spending money to go

Hi @Swazzle! House buying vibes for you! You have a lot of trips coming up. I wish I was traveling more this year.  and of course - MOAR KITTEHS

YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES.

And while we're on our way, we can continue planning our farm.

melmac86

phira said:

@melmac86 Disco is amazing! Our bird definitely can't talk so well or clearly. He does say some stuff that's kind of awkwardly funny out of context. He likes drinking water and juice out of our cups, so we taught him "water" and "juice" (so he knows what we're talking about). He also likes to chew on paper, so he knows "paper," and often he says it like a question (because he's often asked, "Do you want some paper?"

He also learned how to say, "MOM" in a REALLY irritated voice because of how frequently I say it when I'm on the phone with my mom.

This is the best! Birds, especially ones that can mimic/talk have such unique personalities. I haven't worked out the details yet, because I want to make sure I'm making a proper decision and can handle having a bird with 3 cats. I'd probably have to keep the bird cage in my room so that I feel comfortable leaving during the day (at least in the beginning).

melmac86

BriSox81 said:

melmac86 said:

@BriSox81 - I hope S gets you the biggest pony EVAR. I was just thinking about JT the other day and wished that I had gone when him and Jay Z were in Chicago. Want to crash a Garth Brooks concert with me?! I don't know anyone else that would seriously consider spending money to go

Hi @Swazzle! House buying vibes for you! You have a lot of trips coming up. I wish I was traveling more this year.  and of course - MOAR KITTEHS

YES YES A MILLION TIMES YES.

And while we're on our way, we can continue planning our farm.

Yay! I can't wait for tour dates to be set!

And yes, it'll be the wackiest, most adorable farm to be found. By my count, so far we've got giraffes, goats, otters, red pandas, horses. I'm probably missing some. I should probably get to working on winning the lottery now.

GoldenPenguin

Uh, PENGUINS. Duh.

melmac86

Ohh, penguins. Yes, definitely penguins. I saw this pic again yesterday. I laugh every time. Seal photobomb!

GoldenPenguin

He looks so damn happy!!

HA!! IZ IN UR PHOTOOOOZZZ!

melmac86

BriSox81 said:

He looks so damn happy!!

HA!! IZ IN UR PHOTOOOOZZZ!

Yes! I love when animals appear to be smiling. I think it's by no accident that they smile too.

Peaseblossom55

@swazzle the house next door to me is still for sale.... & FI keeps joking about putting a hockey rink in the backyard.

GoldenPenguin

TwoDimes said:

@Amapola14, if you get a chance to see Carrie Underwood, DO IT!!!!

I saw her last year, and she was amazing. She was getting sick or something and barely had a voice (even cancelled her concert for the next day), and she was STILL awesome!

I've also seen Carrie, and she is SPECTACULAR. She flew around the arena in a suspended truck. 

Shiroyasha

1. What was your favorite holiday gift you received this past season? Favorite one you gave?
My favorite gift was my laptop I recieved.  Favorite gift I gave was a picture frame and music globe to my grandparents

2. What are you most looking forward to in 2014?
Getting my promotion into full swing.

3. If you could go to any concert right now, what would you pick? Lets say a non-current artist or group is an option and money is not an issue.
I would like to go see American Authors.  I love their music so I'd like to see them.

4. You go to a bar and they're out of your favorite beer or wine - what mixed drink or cocktail do you order?
Since I don't drink beer or wine, I usually get either a margarita or a whiskey sour.

5. Do you have any vacations planned for this year?
Probably Las Vegas in June.

6. What is one of your top embarrassing moments? The time I tripped over my shoelaces and fractured my foot comes to mind.  Also the first time I got drunk and vomited all over myself.

7. Are you thinking of adding any furbabies to your family in the near future?
Nope. Our house isn't big enough to house any more furbabies.

8. What show are you most addicted to right now?
Once Upon A Time