New Beginnings!

As you all I'm sure have noticed, I haven't been keeping up with the blog very much lately. I have two very good reasons for that. One, everyone that reads or follows my blog is also on my Facebook (that's where I post everything now, including pictures). Two, I've been thinking about either revamping the blog or just discontinuing it all together.

My life has changed a lot over the last year. I started '09 with a resolution of losing weight. I'm proud to say that a year later, I've lost a total of 54lbs, to date. I then started a new chapter & journey by going to nursing school....which I will be complete with in April!

Another big change has happened in the Madera household. As most of you already know, but for those that don't, Chris & I have officially separated and will be getting divorced. Chris did return home from Iraq at the end of October & he made it safe (which I am blessed about). However, things between us were no longer working and we thought it was best for the two of us to continue on our own journeys without each other.

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing fine. I'm still going strong in school, still working out & loving it, I'm still working part-time and am enjoying my time with my family & friends! 2009 wasn't the easiest year for me by far, but I'm confident & positive 2010 will be great for me!!
So, until I decide what to do about the blog, you can always find me on Facebook! I hope everyone is doing well, had a great holiday, & that 2010 brings nothing but happiness & good health to all! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!! Enjoy the day with family & friends and always remember what you're thankful for!

I'm Still Alive.....

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I've been incredibly busy with school, work, studying, and just day to day things! Most everyone that follows my blog is also on Facebook...you can always find updates & pictures on there as well.

With only 5 1/2 months left of school, it's getting very hard & VERY stressful! Most days & weekends, school is my life! All I keep telling myself is it will all be worth it in the end!! I'm still continuing to do well and pass each class to move onto the next month. With having the holiday this month & next, my schedule for school & work has had to be rearranged which is making things even more difficult. But I'll make it through......

I will do my best to continue posting on the blog, but also please check out Facebook for any current updates.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Happy Halloween!!

I hope everyone has a Spooktacular Halloween. Be safe & have fun!! Stayed tuned for pictures.....

Happy Birthday Jennifer!!

I wanted to wish my big sissy and very Happy Birthday! Not only was I blessed to have an amazing sister, but over the years we've become best friends and I couldn't have asked for anyone better.
I Love You Jen and hope you had a great day!!

Weekend Getaway-NC!

This past weekend, I went to North Carolina to visit friends Krissy & Blake. It's been a long overdue visit, we haven't seen each other since March! It was nice to enjoy the weather, see other friends and meet new ones.

Krissy & I

Blake & I

Roxanne & I

Jack & Colton

Krissy & Blake playing cornhole

Krissy & I

Gretchen, me, & Krissy

Roxanne, Colton, Blake, Gretchen, & Krissy

Krissy & Blake's babies-Charlotte & Chloe

Thank you Krissy & Blake for everything....I had a great time!! :)

Birthday with Friends!

After my exciting day of skydiving, I met some friends out at a local sports bar for some dinner & drinks. It was another great birthday spent with wonderful friends! :)

Birthday Girl!!

Me & Michelle

Getting Happy Birthday sang to me!

Stephanie, Me, Laura, & Peanut (Erin)

Latoya (I miss her) & Me

Laura, Theresa, Me, Ashley, Michelle, & Holly

It's a Bird, It's a Plane....It's Julie Skydiving!!

There's always been one thing I've always wanted to do....skydive! One of my good friends' twin brother has really gotten into the sport in the last few months, we got to talking a couple of weeks ago and I said I wanted to go with him. So we planned the trip! So what better time than my birthday. That's exactly what I did to celebrate my 28Th birthday....a perfect way to always remember! It definitely is an experience I will never forget. The feeling is so indescribable....it's something that everyone needs to experience. I had SO much fun, I'm already planning my next jump!

Waiting my turn

All geared up & ready to jump!

My friend Kyle & I....let's go!

Me & Daddy (he's going next time)!!

Taking off....

There I am!!

After a safe landing!!

A little paint goes a LONG way!!

We've lived in our house 3 years this October. Since we moved in our house desperately needed painted. Well, you know how it goes...you do things when you have the money! As time went on and all of our lovely Ohio weather kept hitting the house, it was getting worse and worse as the seasons changed. So, last weekend the house FINALLY got painted. I was VERY pleased with the outcome...it looks completely different and SO much better. It was a mess to watch, but the crew I had here was great! Hope you like our 'new' house as much as I do!!

Before-Front

Before-Side

Before-Back

Before-Front

Before-Front Porch

During

During-Back

During

After!!!!!!

If it's hard to see, the colors are a lighter brown & a maroon.

It's 1,000% better and I love the way the colors came out!

Happy Labor Day!!

Wanted to wish everyone a great Labor Day, even though this marks the end of summer! Enjoy all the picnics and relaxation with family and friends, but most of all enjoy the day off of work and school! :)

A Piece of Paradise!

In our backyard we have a big flower bed that we weren't real sure what to do with. It was nothing but overgrown weeds, that seemed to NEVER die. We couldn't plant anything there because it doesn't get much sunlight. So with some brainstorming and a lot of help from my parents, we created a relaxing atmosphere that anyone can enjoy. Not to mention it makes the backyard look SO much better!





Thanks Mom & Dad for all the help....I really enjoy sitting back there! :)

Honor Roll!!

A couple weeks ago, I'm sitting in class when all the sudden the Dean walks in and said she had some awards to pass out. I'm proud to say that my name was the first one called!! For last semester I made the Honor Roll in Nursing school! Considering how crazy my schedule is and everything I have on my plate, I was still able to maintain a 3.51 GPA. :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I want to wish my dad a very Happy Birthday today!
You're always there whenever I've needed you and I know I can always count on you. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me in the past and everything you continue to do for me. I continue to ask myself what I'd do without you....I know for one thing, I don't ever want to find out! Have a great day dad, you deserve the best of everything!
I love you very much!! :)

Hands-On!

Every Thursday & Friday at school we have lab days. During these days we do hands-on procedures. We've learned how to move a patient in & out of bed, how to give patients a head to toe bath while in bed, how to care for and change colostomy bags, how to administer enemas, how to administer & change IV's (I got blood on my first stick, I'd like to add) and many more. While in lab, I was nominated to be our 'picture taker' to collect for graduation. So I wanted to share some from the last couple of weeks.

My class learning how to change a colostomy bag.

Me administering an enema.

Mrs. Simmons (my lab teacher) going over the enema procedure with us.

Leena changing a colostomy bag.

Mrs. Simmons teaching us again.

Mrs. Simmons helping Michelle look something up.

Kim sleeping....somedays it's hard to stay awake while waiting for your turn!

Mrs. Simmons waking Kim up with a fake hand....it was very funny!

On of our manikins....we call him Johnny, some days Charlie, or even Billy Bob!