DIY Hair Ties

I heard about Emi Jay hair ties which are the ones that don't crease your hair. My hair creases if I even look at a ponytail holder so I was completely intrigued. I bought some that were like 3 for $10 or something ridiculous but I thought if it worked it may be worth it. I am pretty hard on my hair ties so these 3 didn't last long. I was faced with a decision: pay an insane amount for 3 little hair ties or make my own. I decided to look to Pinterest for some options and I struck gold! I made like 50 of my own for $10 (much better deal I think!)

DIY Hair Ties

Materials:

• stretch elastic (I purchased mine here) **They have a million colors so have fun choosing!
• Each yard makes about 6 hair ties

Instructions:

• Measure elastic equivalent to wrap around the circumference of your wrist, leaving an extra inch on each side
•  Cut the elastic (a sharp scissor is best to avoid fray; cut on a slight angle)
• Hold the two ends of the elastic together and wrap them around one finger. Pull the two ends through the loop. (do not pull on the edges of the elastic or it will fray)
• Enjoy your cheap cheap hair ties!

Have fun making your own and saving some dollars!

Potato Soup

I made a batch of my favorite potato soup the other day and I said something about it on Facebook and has a ton of people ask me how to make it so here it is!

Potato Soup
Potatoes  (5 lb bag with 3-5 removed)
Potato flakes (I use 1 little pouch of whatever is cheapest)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick butter
2 large cans evaporated milk
1 can chicken broth
16 oz velveeta
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Bacon pieces
Shredded cheddar cheese
Green Onions

Peel potatoes and cut into small cubes (the smaller the quicker it takes to boil them). Place in a large pot, cover with water and add the seasonings (no specifics just toss some in). Boil until done but not too mushy. In a separate pot, melt butter and add flour. Whisk together over low-medium heat until smooth. Add evaporated milk and stir until it thickens (about 2-3 minutes). Slice velveeta and add a couple of slices at a time (*only do a couple at a time and make sure you keep stirring! It is easy to burn this step!). Pour some water out of the potatoes until slightly covered. Add the chicken broth. Add the other pot's mixture and stir. Add the bacon pieces and ~1 cup of cheese. Stir in the potato flakes to desired thickness. Top with cheese and green onions and enjoy!

Easy Peasy! This recipe makes A LOT of the soup so you may want to half it. It reheats well so if you like leftovers this is a good recipe to eat a couple of times!

breaking point

We are officially done with our P3 fall semester! We had our finals week the week before Thanksgiving Break and then we had to come back to take our OSCEs (clinical exam) today. Towards the end of the semester, I hit a point (a dangerous point) where i didn't care what my grades were, I didn't care to study, I didn't want to do anything (see how that can be dangerous?!). I was so burnt out on everything school related that I was emotionally done come finals time. Our semester is split into 2 "Phases". Phase 1 ended mid-semester and we had finals then. I did really well in Phase I. I ended the phase with an 89.2 and no they did not round me up at all. That is a whole other story. When Phase II started, I did not do too well. I did worse on my quizzes, I did more work throughout the week, and I didn't really understand a lot of the more detailed topics. Working like a dog in Phase I to still get a B and feeling defeated because, despite studying, I was doing worse only made me even less motivated. I took my finals after barely studying and then had to work Friday night until 11pm after staying up all night Thursday night studying to take a 3-hour final. Needless to say, I was on the verge of a complete breakdown. I might have been borderline depressed (after studying I think I met the criteria). I slept for long periods and still woke up tired. I barely talked to anyone. I literally needed a break or I was going to go insane.

And then Thanksgiving break came.

The past week was exactly what I needed to be normal again. Slowly but surely I was getting back to being myself. I got to see my entire family. I got to go back to my old high school where I first met Joshua to watch my brother play basketball. I got to sit and laugh with my friends for hours. I got to go black friday shopping. I got to hang out with my parents. I didn't see anyone that I didn't want to. It. Was. Incredible. It was exactly what I need

I came back, took my OSCE, and now I am officially on Christmas Break! Hallelujah! Now I keep spending all of my money on christmas presents. This is going to be the best 6 weeks ever!

Day 9-11

Day 11: Today I am thankful for all of the veterans. At our football game yesterday they had all of the veterans stand and I got a little emotional. It is incredibly awesome what those men and women put on the line so that I can have freedom. Sometimes we forget exactly how great of a sacrifice that so many people have offered up for our country. They defend what I take for granted. I will forever be thankful for them.

Day 10: I am thankful that Alabama lost. Sorry to all of my Bama friends but I am glad someone finally knocked you off your high horse. I know Auburn is really terrible and we will more than likely still lose to Alabama this year (reason #1 that I sold my tickets) but I find a tad bit of joy for this football season in the fact that I do not have to hear any National Championship junk from some people for just a little bit. No doubt Bama is insanely good but hearing Jordan Hare Stadium erupt when they showed the final score of the Bama Texas A&M game up on the scoreboard might be just a little bit better :)

Day 9: I am thankful that Joshua records Duck Dynasty and re-watches them with me every Friday night because I do not have time to watch them on Wednesday. It is one of the funniest shows I know of. It is good, clean, family fun.

Day 8

Today I am thankful that one week from right now I will be studying for the last night until January. One more week of this semester to go!

Day 7

Today I am thankful than I am a part of an incredible company like
People Water. I think it is so awesome what they are doing and I am honored to be a campus ambassador for such a giving company.
Watch this video and then go buy some water!
Use promo code AU-RB-001 for 10% off everything!

catching up

I have been saying what I am thankful for on Facebook but I am going to do it on here too! so I will catch up now and keep up after this.

Day 1: I am thankful that I got my journal club over with today so that I can have a version of senioritis next semester!
We have to do these presentations all the time starting now that are called Journal Clubs. Basically you just have to review a study that was done. I will spare you the details but it isn't a fun thing to do. We have to only do one for one of our classes and I volunteered to do mine last week so that I do not have to do it next semester. Since that is our last semester of classes, having one less thing I have to focus on will be nice!

Day 2: I am thankful that I got the opportunity to know Summer Kempfer. She has poured so much into my life over the past 7 years. I am forever changed by that relationship. She was an incredible example of Christ's love and she is greatly missed. (see previous blog)

Day 3: I'm thankful that I have a job that lets me work enough to make some money but not too much that I lose my mind. I'm thankful that I work with really great people too.
I had to work Friday 5-11pm and Saturday and Sunday 8:30am-6:30pm. Needless to say, if I hated my job I would have had a HORRIBLE weekend. I love my job. The people I work with are awesome. I feel like it has really spoiled me and when I get out and I am a pharmacist I will have high expectations. 

Day 4: I am thankful that I got to sleep in Monday morning because I had afternoon IP (after working all weekend and staying up to do homework this was a huge blessing)

Day 5: I am thankful for coke. It is delicious and refreshing. Enough said.

Day 6: Today I am thankful that no matter who wins the election that Christ is still working all things for good.

...and I am going to write Joshua in for Sheriff :)