San Antonio, here I come!

I got the word tonight that my abstract submitted to the

Oncology Nursing Society Congress meeting at the end of April has been ACCEPTED.

I'm sooooo excited!!!

That means that I will give a brief 5-8 minute discussion on my research topic and answer moderated questions regarding my abstract and poster presentation.

Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me making this poster.

I'll have lots of help though.

I'm so glad for a husband and co-workers who have done these type things before.

Because I got accepted, Duke will fund my travel expenses and registration fees so this should be an awesome trip!

I'm planning to fly in early & stay maybe an extra day to get in some sight-seeing.

Sooooo exciting!!!

Better get to bed...it's another 6:30 a.m. day to get ready for an 8-5 day in the assessment lab.

Good night!

>

call me crazy...

I have a growing collection of "baby things" for the "one day" when we have a baby.

I think it all started with a most precious outfit I couldn't turn down & has now evolved into a few outfits, a few toys, and mostly books.

Chris thinks I might be crazy...

my co-workers & girlfriends have assured me that I'm not crazy.

I hadn't added anything new to the collection in quite some time, until today.

I aquired this fun toy as a prize from the Opinion Square panel I'm a member of.

I take surveys for them, earn points, and then trade them in for prizes.

They have all sorts of prizes, most of which are things I don't need or already have.

They do have a ton of "baby thing" prizes though.

I figure it's an easy way to accumulate baby things at no cost to me!

This is an Itzbeen baby timer...

With the push of a button you can keep track of how long it's been since you last changed a diaper, fed your baby, & how long the baby's slept.

There's also one other button to keep track of the time of another activity like medication administration.

You can also use it to keep track of which side you last nursed from.

It has a clock and a night light.

I found it to be rather inventive & nifty...

even though I don't need it right yet!

(Hollie, you should check it out...it's very cool!)

putting myself "out there"

I've had a lot going on over the last month.

In addition to school and work, I've been putting myself "out there"...

building my resume,

whatever you want to call it...

just looking for new opportunities.

I took the opportunity to apply for a new position on my unit, the

Unit-Based Staff Educator.

I had the hardest time deciding whether or not to apply for the job.

I spent a lot of time discussing it with Chris & praying about it & decided that the opportunity to move towards an educational role was right for me.

I applied, was interviewed, and found out this afternoon that I was not chosen for the position.

Surprisingly, I am completely o.k. with this.

I know that my co-worker who was chosen will be amazing in this role.

In so many ways she is already our unit educator.

In the midst of this, another opportunity has already presented itself.

I have a friend who is a clinical instructor for Duke's School of Nursing.

She has informally offered me a position as a clinical instrutor beginning in August.

I told her that I'm not ready to commit to anything now, but I'll be in touch with her in May/June to let her know what I decide.

The pay is amazing, and ultimately it would be a step in the direction of where I see myself going with my career.

I'm definitely not ready to leave patient care though, so I would be doing both.

I also recently applied to be a test item writer for the Oncology nursing Certification exam (O.C.N.).

I unfortunately did not get selected (they were only looking for 14 people nationwide).

It was a long-shot considering I have less than 4 years of experience.

It definitely would be cool to do & I will apply again when the opportunity presents.

If that wasn't enough...

I have recently written & submitted 2 abstracts to national conferences.

They're both on research I did surrounding the efficacy of neutropenic diets in myelosuppressed populations.

I submitted one to the Oncology Nursing Society Congress which is in

San Antonio, Texas this year. I should find out if it's accepted by next week.

I submitted the other to a Magnet Conference that will be in Louisville, Kentucky at the end of September...still have to wait a while to hear on that one.

I am excited about all of these opportunities regardless of the fact that some of them have already not panned out.

Atleast I'm putting myself "out there"...

Four things...

Four names that people call me:
1. "Starr:
2. "Babe"
3. "Sarah Parker Tarr"
4. "Sarah"-atleast someone calls me by my given name

Four jobs I have had:
1. Babysitter
2. Sales clerk/inventory manager @ my aunt & uncle's R.V. dealership
3. Nursing assistant at Emory
4. Oncology nurse at Duke

Four movies I would watch more than once:
1. Steel Magnolias
2. Sleepless in Seattle
3. Patch Adams
4. Juno

Four places I have lived:
1. Conyers, GA
2. Milledgeville, GA
3. in an apartment in Durham, NC
4. in our house in Durham, NC

Four places I have been:
1. Alaska
2. Mexico
3. Pacific Northwest---Oregon & Washington
4. New York City

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Lyndsey
2. Courtney
3. My grading faculty for this semester
4. Facebook

Four of my favorite foods:
1. chips & salsa
2. Haribo gummy bears
3. pizza (especially sausage & mushroom or ham & pineapple)
4. fresh pineapple

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. a beach in Mexico
2. in my bed with Chris asleep next to me
3. Italy---I've never been but dream of going all the time
4. anywhere where I'm not doing school work

Four things I am looking forward to this year:
1. finishing my course work for my Master's (just the fellowship next spring & then I'm done)
2. hopefully going to San Antonio at the end of April
3. our 4th anniversary
4. ????---waiting to see what the rest of the year will bring!

Four TV shows that I watch:
1. American Idol (I just can't stop watching)
2. sports---mostly basketball right now; can't wait until baseball starts
3. CNN
4. Hell's Kitchen

*bling*

As promised, here is a picture of my new bracelet Chris gave me for Valentine's Day.

(It's not the best picture, but it will do.)

I'm loving it!

new toy...

This is my new toy...

I'm on a mission to drink more water & this toy is aimed to help me succeed!

It's a CamelBak bottle (BPA-free!) with the bite-valve so you don't have to tip it up to drink it & if you turn it upside down it doesn't spill.

It's a pretty fun way to drink water.

Mine is Duke blue & says Duke Medicine..love it!

not fun...

My week got off to a rough start...

Monday night on my way to Bible Study I was in an accident.

I was turning left at a light on top of a hill with no green turn arrow.

I waited on a few cars, thought it was clear & just as I started to turn an SUV came barreling over the hill.

Good news-neither I nor the driver of the SUV were hurt.

Bad news-my poor car was hurt :-(.

Both our cars were driveable so we cleared them from the road & waited on the police. The officers that came were so nice and attentive. We got things taken care of quickly. The other driver admitted that she was speeding, but unfortunately the officer said because I was turning left and should have yielded that the accident is my fault. He issued no tickets though.

All I could do was cry Monday night.

From the time Chris met me at home until the time we went to bed, I cried.

He did his best to point out the positives and try to make me laugh.

He's always good at doing that, but I was just upset.

I've moved on past the tears now & I'm just so thankful that neither of us were hurt.

The strange part of the story...

The lady driving the SUV is someone I've been dying to meet.

She is the owner of my favorite local restaurant, Foster's Market.

Sara Foster is a world-renowned chef who spent the early part of her career working with Martha Stewart.

I love eating at her adorably quaint restaurant.

They have delicious sweet treats and coffee.

I also love their biscuits and fresh veggies.

This was not the way I envisioned meeting Sara Foster, but I can say that she was as lovely as I imagined her to be and I could not have hit a nicer person (strange sounding, I know).

My car is at the body shop for probably about 2 weeks so I'm sporting around in a dark blue Jetta.

I do miss my Honda and can't wait to have it back!

Thank goodness for insurance and mostly

thank God for no injuries!

Valentine's Day

We had a wonderful Valentine's Day...hope you did too.

The most beautiful part of the day was that we spent the whole day together.

That's a rarity for us, so it was so sweet!

We slept in, well until almost 9:00...another rarity as of late.

I made overnight french toast with strawberries for breakfast... so delicious.

We played some games, ran some errands, took Sadie to the dog park.

We made dinner together: chicken alfredo, broccoli, and garlic toast.

We watched a movie and shared slices of some totally delicious key lime & cookies & cream cheesecake from Fresh Market. (I love that place!)

I gave Chris a historical based book about various civilizations, some chocolate and a card of course.

Chris gave me a sweet card and a very beautiful bracelet. I need to take a picture to post...it's a sterling silver link bracelet with a heart-shaped charm accented with diamonds...I love it!

I'm so thankful to have such a loving husband!

queen of the leaf pile...

We have a huge pile of leaves in our back yard that we need to rake out.

Sadie has determined that it is her throne.

I often go out to check on her & find her lying on top of the pile.

She's too cute!

25 random things...

1. I am learning to crochet.

2. I keep a list of baby names that I like for the future.

I've had it since I was 14!

3. I love pickles...really love them!

4. We have yet to do our taxes.

I'm anxious to get them done so I can see how much we're getting back.

5. I love to make lists…I’ve always got a list going for something.

6. This time next year I'll be completing my last course for my

Master's degree...can't wait!

7. I recently wrote and submitted two abstracts for presentation at two National Conferences.

I am waiting to hear if either will be accepted.

8. I love to read.

The only trouble is all I'm reading these days is my patho book. The authors of this textbook aren't my favorites.

9. I love sports, especially football & baseball although I'm turning into a basketball fan too.

10. My 1st car was a 1976 rust-colored Mercury Comet.

It wasn't the prettiest, but it was a fun car!

11. Hydrangeas are my favorite flower.

Tulips come in at a close 2nd.

12. I love sweet tea.

I tell Chris constantly that I can never live anywhere that

I can't go into a restaurant and order sweet tea.

13. My favorite candy is gummy bears.

More specifically Haribo gummy bears...they're the best!

14. I got a promotion today to a clinical nurse III.

That comes with a 5% increase in pay...woooohooo!

15. My car will be paid off at the start of May...we can't wait to start saving that $300 a month.

16. Abbey & I are currently on a mission to see a game at every baseball stadium in the U.S.

17. I really want a sewing machine...soooo bad!

18. I'm very hungry right now (that's very random).

19. I have an expanding collection of baby and children's books.

I want to read to my babies all the time.

20. We had a very difficult time naming Sadie when we brought her home.

We found her name on a baby website...very random!

21. I am a member of various online survey programs.

That means I take quick surveys online & get points to use towards free stuff. I love it!

22. My co-workers call me Starr.

We have 3 staff members named Sarah so they wanted to give us nicknames.

Since I often sign my name S. Tarr, they decided to call me Starr.

I suppose it could be worse.

23. One day down the road I hope to be a nursing professor and then maybe even the dean of a nursing program.

24. I would secretly love to have 3 little boys one day!

25. I love babies!!!

outlook...

The weather this weekend has been amazing!

It's was 70 degrees yesterday & 72 today!
We enjoyed spending some much- needed time getting fresh air outdoors.

I got curious about how long this nice weather is going to last. The outlook for this week isn't too bad either.
It looks like tomorrow should be our coolest day at 58.

On Wednesday, my off day this week, it's supposed to be 73!!!

Maybe spring is closer than we think...I can't wait!

clean & fresh...

I love, love, love the smell & feel of clean, fresh sheets.

I washed the sheets on our bed today & can't wait to crawl into bed tonight!

I've had a productive day &
I am heading out in a bit to go to the movies with a friend...haven't decided what we're going to see yet...maybe Benjamin Button, He's Just Not That into You, or Revolutionary Road.

Looking forward to enjoying the rest of the weekend...

seasons...

The world-famous groundhog says 6 more weeks of winter...

I'm at least grateful for a beautiful day today with a high of 63!!!

I was thrilled Saturday morning when I headed out to lab and noticed that my yellow croccus have broken through the ground...they're such cute little flowers & no matter what the groundhog may say, they're a sure sign to me that spring can't be far away. I walked out this morning & took a closer look and I also have hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips peeking up through the soil. I'm always amazed when I plant bulbs in the fall & then almost forget they're there until the spring when they pop up!

Even though I'm ready for spring and the changes it brings, I know that I have to wait until the time is right for the seasons to change.

Peppes kindly reminded me today that the craziness in my life right now is just a season in my life that too will pass. I have to learn to enjoy the season instead of wishing it away.

It reminds me of the Trace Adkins' song, "You're Going to Miss This"...

She was staring out the window of their SUV

Complaining, saying, I can't wait to turn 18

She said, "I'll make my own money" and I'll make my own rules"

Mama put the car in park out there in front of the school

And she kissed her head and said 'I was just like you"

You're going to miss this you're going to want this back

You're going to wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're going to miss this

Before she knows it she's a brand new bride

in her one bedroom apartment and her daddy stops by

He tells her "It's a nice place"

She says "It'll do for now"

Starts talking about babies and buying a house

Daddy shakes his head and says "Baby just slow down"

Cause You're going to miss this

You're going to want this back

You're going to wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now but you're going to miss this

Five years later there's a plumber working on the water heater

Dogs barking, phones ringing, one kids crying, one kids screaming

She keeps apologizing, he says "They don't bother me.

I've got two babies of my own.One's 36, one's 23. It's hard to believe..."

You're going to miss this

You're going to want this back

You're going to wish these days hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around you may not know it now

But you're going to miss this...

Thanks to everyone for their encouraging words over the past week!