Black Friday

I have never in my life been shopping on black Friday that I can remember.  I did however work on several black Fridays at Belk's as a gift wrapper when I was in high school, and I should have remembered the craziness.  Well, Walmart had sales starting at 12:01 am on Friday morning.  I really didn't think anybody would be there, so I was not dressed to impress in my pajama pants and t-shirt.  Next year, I will be prepared to see co-workers and church members.  I arrived at about 11:15 wanting a $2.97 Rival 2 quart crock pot.  The parking lot was full.  I couldn't figure out why everybody else came early if the sale didn't start until 12:01.  Well, apparently you get there early and stand in line for the sale items.  I had no clue.  The line at the crock pots was so bad that I couldn't even get close.  I decided to walk around and just see what all was going on.  The Walmart employees brought out a huge display box (covered in black garbage bags so nobody could see what it was) at about 11:30 and placed it right in front of me.  I knew I could get whatever was in the display box, so  I, along with several other women, circled around the display with our hands touching the items that we would throw in our buggy at 12:01.  Guess what it was??  Alabama fleece jackets for $9.00.  Ugh.  I do have 2 Alabama fans that I decided to buy one for, but I had to be surrounded by crazy Alabama fans talking trash the day before the Iron Bowl for 30 minutes.  I didn't let them know I was an Auburn grad, but then a Sunday School class friend walked by and asked if I had lost my mind (She's an Auburn fan too).  Well, at 12:01 people started going nuts grabbing and throwing.  I got my 2 fleece jackets and went towards the crock pots.  Mistake #1:  Never get a buggy.  It is hard to maneuver through a crowd but even harder with a buggy.  I couldn't even get close to the crock pots, and I heard a woman saying  crying, "Everything is already gone".  I was proud I got 2 of the coveted sale items and went towards checkout.  While walking down a random aisle, I spot a lonesome Rival crock pot.  OMG, somebody must have realized that grabbing 20 was a mistake and laid one back on a shelve.  I grabbed it, looked around for somebody to stop me, and took off.  Everybody was waiting until after 12:01 to check out and get the sale price, and I was the second person to check out.  Below is my dashboard after getting back in my car with the loot.

My tight grip on my 2 fleece jackets.  All the women were standing around the bin.  It was kind of funny.

 

Thanksgiving 2010

The day went a little something like this.....

Everything was smelling good.  I was licking my lips and ready to eat.

I was full as a tick and happy.

The tryptophan kicked in and I was ready for my mid afternoon nap.



IBCLC

Since I know you are all wondering (yea right), here is what is going on in the Partain household.....

My days lately have been all about nursing (as in breastfeeding).  No, I'm not feeding a baby every 2 hours....instead, I am studying to take the test to be a IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) in July.  When I first started out my career as a RD (registered dietitian), I was totally obsessed with everything related to diabetes.  I worked for 4 endocrinologist, so I was ALL about becoming a CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator).  As my career path changed, I became really interested in breastfeeding and everything baby since that is what I do now as a WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) nutritionist.  I decided that I wanted to be a certified lactation consultant.  Is there anything more precious and rewarding then helping a new mom and newborn??  Um, I think not.  A lot of people ask me what you have to do to become a LC.  If you are already a nurse or dietitian, you have to have 1000 working hours (involving breastfeeding) and take a 45 hour course on breastfeeding.  I have my working hours, and I have about 5 more hour courses to complete of the 45.  I will have from now until July to study for the BIG EXAM.  The test is offered only one time per year, so I will have to wait a whole year to take it again if I don't pass. Some people (especially Scott) may think that there is not a lot to know, but the anatomy alone is SO COMPLICATED!!  I work daily with breastfeeding moms, so I think being a LC will definitely help when I'm teaching.  It is already hard for a mom to trust me when she finds out that I don't have children and have never actually breastfed, but they trust their male OB/GYN that have never been pregnant and their MDs that may have never had the same sickness.  I think that way to make myself feel better.  I know experience is the best way to learn, but I'm just going to settle for book smarts for now.

In other more excited news, my SIL, Katie, is having her second baby boy due December 29, 2010.  I can't wait to have a new nephew in just a few more weeks!!  Hopefully, I will be making a Miami trip before too long to see Jackson Morris Patterson.

I would say something about how great I feel and how I haven't been in the hospital in over a month, but I wouldn't want to jinx it.

My Crazy Mother

Mom getting a little too close with Craig Morgan this weekend in Nashville. 

Hunting Season 2010

Today is the first day of gun season.  Scott does not hunt with a bow, so I consider today opening day.  He woke up early, early to go to his parent's house.  I brought him lunch and then he was right back out the door to head to the woods.  He wouldn't even stop for a picture.  UGH!!  Hopefully, I will be posting some pictures of him with a BIG BUCK soon.

Gatlinburg

It has been a LONG time since I posted.  Scott and I had a great time in Gatlinburg with his parents.  We watched Alabama lose, learned to play chess, played in our upstairs arcade, took pictures, shopped, lounged, and ate our way through town.  It snowed the Saturday we were in town.  We went up to Ober Gatlinburg to see more snow, but I didn't take one single picture. 

Get Outta Dodge

Scott and I along with my in-laws are going to Gatlinburg this weekend.  The other Mrs. Partain and I picked out an awesome chalet called Get Outta Dodge.  I'll post pics when we get back.  We are hoping for some snow!!