Why haven't you finished your dreams?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Western Governors University. The opinions and text are all mine.

Well, today is my last day in my full work week stretch.  It’s been good, yet incredibly busy. The house is a mess, I’m behind on a bunch of stuff, and I am thoroughly exhausted. Whenever I fill in for a stretch of more than a couple of days I really begin to appreciate that I don’t have to work outside of the home full time, at least not while the kids are little.

Even though I’m glad I’m not out busting my butt forty + hours a week away from the kids, I’m forever grateful for the decision I made to go back to school and become a nurse. I may have mentioned it before a long time ago, but when I was pregnant with Anika I was young, scared, and broke. I knew I needed to find a job that would provide me with a stable career and above minimum wage pay – so I took a class and became a C.N.A.  (Certified Nurse’s Aide).  I worked as a C.N.A. for many years, moving my way up to working in the hospital, and I had always tossed the idea back and forth whether or not to go back to school. I knew I couldn't do the physically demanding work that I was doing forever, and I was close to maxing out on the top of the pay scale, but I was still scared to make that leap.

2008 was a challenging year for us – we had recently purchased out home, Miss Emma was born, and Wayne lost his job. I didn't know what to do at that point – and then towards the end of the year I did it – something inside of me knew now was the time - I applied to school to finish what I had started 5 years prior. Everything fell into place – one of my co-workers at the time ended up getting accepted into the same program as I did and she lived in the same small town, so we commuted together. I was blessed and found the best babysitter I could ask for and she lived within the school bus route so Anika could ride there after school.

It was incredibly hard for me to leave my 1 year old as I went to school every day, but I kept telling myself that it was just for one year and then I would have the flexibility in my schedule again so I wouldn't miss out on things. I knew that if I became a nurse I could always financially support my family if I had to, and that if Wayne ever had job problems again I wouldn't have to work twice as much just to make the same pay.

I graduated the course in November 2009, and passed the NCLEX on Dec. 31, 2009. I was fifteen weeks pregnant with Noah at that time.

Now I am confident that if anything ever happened that I can take care of my family. When we had our pinning ceremony I had never seen my dad so proud – you see, he himself had never graduated from High School, and I know that it's been a hard thing for him to live with, but by me graduating he had felt like he did accomplish something - and he did. He always worked his hardest to support us, and I know that he has always done the best he could to support his family, and I wanted to do the same.  It made me feel good that I had stuck with it and finished, that I could show my kids if I could do it, anyone could.

Since I became a nurse I've worked part time and on call and it’s turned out great. I can work here and there and make a little extra money to help out, and I have a flexible schedule so I don’t have to miss any of the kids’ activities.

If you've been thinking about going back to school, Western Governor’s University is one worth checking into. They are a nonprofit, accredited university and have a unique approach to learning. Their goals are to address the obstacles facing those who are looking to advance or enter a new phase of their career – such as budget and scheduling restraints.

Western Governor’s University excels in four main areas:  Business, information technology, education, and nursing. They have a competency based learning schedule – meaning it’s not about the hours you spend sitting in a classroom, but about the knowledge you have! WGU is half the cost of other online schools and a lot of flexibility, and right now they are even waiving their enrollment fee when you use the code: WONDER .

What's been holding you back from finishing your dreams?

~Melissa

Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Western Governors University. The opinions and text are all mine.

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Bruschetta

I seriously can't believe it's already Sunday you guys, where did last week go? We haven't had much of a routine this month with all of the events that has happened, and now it's nearly October. Now that Feast is finally gone I've been going through all of the other photos I've taken this month and organizing them - and I came across these - a simple bruschetta that I made one night a couple of weeks ago when Wayne decided to crack open a bottle of Pinot Noir from Walnut City Wineworks.

(1.) I used a fresh wheat bread from one of our local bakeries and sliced it into bite sized pieces. 

(2.) I then lightly toasted it on both sides under the broiler so that it wouldn't get soggy. 

(3.) I diced up some of the cherry tomatoes that I harvested from our little garden, finely sliced a red onion (from one of our wine barrel planters) and then sliced some fresh mozzarella cheese.

(4.) I then chopped up some fresh basil and placed it all on the bread and popped a cookie sheet full of them under the broiler until the mozzarella melted and the tops were slightly browned. 

(5.) I took the pan out of the oven and drizzled just a tad of olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top.

I know it's a classic appetizer, but it's just something that never gets old - I could seriously eat these things all day!

What is one of your favorite appetizers to make? (And eat!)

~Melissa

Create.Simplify.Inspire. #86

Hey everyone! Today was a pretty good day - my little miss Emma had a special Student of the Month breakfast at school that consisted of cinnamon rolls and orange juice, ( quite the breakfast, I know ), and then I had a work meeting and got all caught up on PTO stuff - I'm trying to finally get things all organized so this year will be a better year. It's already off to a much better start than it was last year.

This weekend I'm not doing much besides working. One of the other nurses took a week off, so I'll be working the swing shift until Tuesday. When I work that many days straight it really makes me feel blessed that I don't have to do that all of the time. I'd miss out on all of the family stuff and school events.

What are you up to this weekend? Hopefully you're not working and are out having some fun!

This link up to to share anything and everything that inspires you. 

           ~Melissa

Create.Simplify.Inspire. #86

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Feast Portland in Photos: Day Two

Yesterday I shared photos from my first day up at Feast Portland , and today I'm throwing the rest out there for you. Saturday Wayne and I drove up to Portland to stay the night (it was sort of our post-anniversary celebration). Emma had her first soccer game of the season, so we didn't get up there until nearly 2:00 pm - and I just had to show him around the Oregon Grand Bounty Tasting at Pioneer Square. I rushed him around to all of my favorites and then we sampled others that I hadn't had a chance to try the day before - and then it happened: he finally had his first sample of Salt and Straw Ice Cream. If you are a local Portland-er you probably just gasped. Salt and Straw ice cream is only some of the best ice cream around, but to be honest I hadn't even some myself until last year. They are famous for their unique flavor combinations, although their Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons sure can't be beat. Wayne tasted their seasonal Apricots and Citra Hops and became an instant fan. 

We had about two hours to browse around until we needed to check in to our hotel and get dressed up for our evening event: The Oregon Media Group High Comfort at the Nines which began at 6:00 pm, and I had also been invited to a media happy hour with some of the best Oregon wines around, which ran from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. 

For whatever reason I didn't take a single photo over at the happy hour, but we were greeted by my new friend Marlynn from Urban Bliss Life and we introduced our husbands to each other. Then, in a room with less than 20 people someone called out Wayne's name - one of his friend's wife who was working at the event - and she just happened to have brought her husband along for the evening with her. 

It's a small world. sometimes.

As we sampled some of the best wines around (Some of my favorites were Hawk View Cellars 2013 Oregon Pinot Gris, Columbia Winery's 2012 Syrah, and R. Stuart & Co. Winery's 2011 Ana Vineyard Riesling), Wayne just happened to drum up a conversation with a couple of people and long story short ended up meeting the wife of a winemaker he used to work with a long time ago. 

All in a room with like 20 people. 

At 6:00 pm we headed a couple blocks down to The Nines Hotel for the big event. 

We were greeted in the Champagne Room and handed a glass to enjoy. The Hama Hama Oyster Company served an endless supply for those who partake. ( I just can't do Oysters myself), and Proscuitto di Parma was serving fresh slices to feast on. 

We mingled in to the grand ballroom where the High Dinner was served. It's not a sit down dinner, but a walk-around-and-mingle-kind-of-evening, while you sample fine wines and food from some of the most talented chefs around. 

Unfortunately I ended up leaving my bulky camera at the hotel, so these photos don't do the event justice. A couple of my favorite bites from the evening was a Flatiron Pastami with asiago and cacao from Chef Matt Christianson, Urban Farmer, and a Fried chicken and watermelon salad bite from Chef Vitaly Paley, Paley's Place. 

Music was played and the room was filled with conversations - the only downside was all of the body heat - it was pretty toasty, and then I found the Hendricks Gin bar in another room dubbed the comfort lounge.

Photo c/o Urban Bliss Life

I met other Portland Bloggers and the photos started snapping as we all laughed and had a great time. Then before I knew it the clock struck 9:00 pm - closing time for the event, and we all cabbed over to an after party, where we were treated like VIP with limitless drinks, a caviar nacho bar (I seriously didn't even know it was there until my Wayne told me the next day!), a massive celebratory cake, a Tillamook Ice Cream truck, even an on site tattoo artist inking up some brave people. (For the record Mom, I thought about it, but no, I didn't). The massive party continued on throughout the night. 

The ticket price for the High Comfort event is definitely on the more expensive side - it'll cost you $175 out of your pocket, but for an all out, all evening VIP affair with the opportunity to meet and mingle with so many wonderful companies and people it's an incredible experience - just make sure you're staying the night in Portland because there will be no way you'll be able to drive afterwards!

Feast Portland was everything I thought it would be and more. Mark your calendars for Sept. 17th-20th 2015 when the celebration returns!

~Melissa

*Full Disclosure: I was given a complimentary blogger pass to Feast Portland events in exchange for my event coverage. No other compensation was received. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Feast Portland in Photos: Day One

I came, I saw, I feasted. I'm sure you've heard me talking about Feast Portland at some point or another over the past month, and this last weekend it finally arrived. I felt like one of the lucky chosen bloggers who received a blogger pass to attend many of the main Feast events. I've been to quite a few food events over the past year thanks to this little online space I've created, but I've learned that each event is slightly different and has it's own vibe, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect this time. 

I got up bright and early Friday morning and headed up to the Urban Farmer for a media only breakfast. Every kind of tasty treat you could ask for was calling my name, and I had the most delicious eggs Benedict and cinnamon rolls around. 

After my leisurely breakfast I checked in and officially got my blogger pass, then decided to tag along with a couple of my fellow blogger friends to check out the Yahoo Food Media lounge, since we had a little downtime before the Oregon Grand Bounty Tasting. 

We arrived in between their breakfast and lunch setup, all provided by Imperial catering. I was still stuffed from breakfast, but I had to sample a few bites anyways. There were plenty of charging stations, overly-comfortable couches provided by Boys Fort, and a full bar (of course, right?) Out of all of the events I've been to, I have to say, Feast really did the best job making sure their media folks were comfy and happy!

After all our phones were charged we headed over to Pioneer Courthouse Square, where the main (and most affordable) event was held - The Oregon Grand Bounty Tasting. For $60 you could eat and sip as many tastings as you'd like from noon to five, which really is a terrific price considering! There were a bunch of local wineries and restaurants, seriously a little something for everyone here. There was also live cooking demonstrations that you could watch as well as some other fun surprises like USA Pears who did a little pop up restaurant which seated guests every 15 minutes and allowed people to sit around their bar and be served several courses to try.

And then of course there were photo booths for entertainment, this one thanks to Travel Oregon.

One of my most memorable bites definitely came from the collaboration of Salt and Straw with Cacao drinking chocolate. Cacao drinking chocolate was poured over a scoopful of Salt and Straw's vanilla ice cream and topped with cookie crumbles and it was a match made in heaven. 

After a couple of hours spent at the Grand Tasting, I headed over to the Red Star Tavern where I was invited to a media Washington Wines Tasting, where of course more delicious hors d'oeuvres were served. I seriously wasn't even able to visit everyone, but I did sample a few wines from Woodward Canyon, Pacific Rim and Terra Blanca. I loved Woodward Canyon's 2011 Estate Reserve Red Bordeaux Blend, and I had no idea that Pacific Rim made so many Rieslings - which have always been a favorite of mine. I sampled their sparkling Riesling and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. It was dry and really well balanced.

 After I spent an hour meeting new Washington friends, I made my way back to the Yahoo Food media lounge where a happy hour was being served and even though I didn't try everything, I had a plate full of some delicious morsels.

Many people continued their food celebrations on into the night with one of the many dinners around town or the USA Pears Night Market and all of the after parties, but I headed home around 4:30 to pick up the kiddos because Wayne was helping harvest grapes and hey, someone has to tuck them in, right? :) Plus Saturday I was heading back up for more Feast celebrations and had decided to make a date night out of it with Wayne for our anniversary....and boy did I celebrate! Stay tuned for my Feast in photos: day two tomorrow! 

~Melissa

*Full Disclosure: I was given a complimentary blogger pass to Feast Portland events in exchange for my event coverage. No other compensation was received and as always all opinions are my own.