tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77272735414643234982012-02-16T05:37:48.719-06:00Adventures of Iron Girl documents the journey of an overweight twenty-something as she trains for her first triathlon (the Aflac Iron Girl), and all the bumps, bruises, and hysterical moments along the way.Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.comBlogger151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-18365952486737206692009-08-27T01:49:00.000-05:002009-08-27T01:49:09.231-05:00

I am sorry I have been MIA for a while...there's been so much going on! My Granddaddy Harkness passed away on July 31st. As I mentioned in my last post, I had just been to see him a week earlier for his 96th birthday, and he didn't look good. While his passing wasn't a shock to our family, it was still very emotional for all of us, especially my Dad. His service was awesome, a real celebration of

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-38983126435467219652009-07-25T09:44:00.003-05:002009-07-25T10:16:48.658-05:00

I am well into week 2 now, and feeling much better. I raided DeKalb Farmer's Market last weekend and am fully stocked with good for me food. I've really been trying to improve my eating habits with tons of fruits and veggies, but, my digestive tract is not thanking me yet. I felt a little lighter, so decided to weigh myself at work. I had gained 4 pounds! I couldn't believe it, but I'm trying to

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-2471146068698437922009-07-18T09:05:00.005-05:002009-07-18T09:56:43.225-05:00

Those of you that have seen me recently know that I am very overweight. I'm not ready to divulge the actual poundage at this point, but it is the heaviest I've ever been. It has been within the last year that I have put back on all the weight I lost in 2007, plus some. I can't really pinpoint it to anything specific, but there are a few things that stick out. Another bad break-up, being

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-20922689180932723402009-07-10T10:44:00.005-05:002009-07-18T09:05:18.910-05:00

I started my PICU orientation on June 1st. As of now, I have been on orientation for 6 weeks. I am learning so much and am really liking it so far. If you asked my mom, she'd tell you that I have the tendency to sell myself short sometimes. I am really trying to not let myself get in the way of my experience here. It can be very intimidating learning all this new stuff. I am definitely glad that

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-29548238077009430762009-07-10T10:18:00.002-05:002009-07-10T10:39:51.665-05:00

The next six weeks after I came home were bittersweet. Traveling didn't work out, as much as I would've liked it to. I really wanted to try and get to California, but the jobs just weren't there, and neither was the money. I was getting offers here and there, but for much less than I could've made in ATL. The most logical and financially responsible decision was to stay in GA (ugh...it sucks

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-2482170157153178502009-07-10T10:11:00.003-05:002009-07-10T10:18:51.464-05:00

I had a wonderful time in San Antonio, but I was so excited to be back home. Being away for three months really made me appreciate everything in GA so much more. My house, my family and friends, and Atlanta in general. Before I left for TX, I was in a weird place. I guess I felt like my life felt temporary, if that makes any sense. I was always waiting for the next thing to come along. I felt

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-29673864788970296812009-07-10T09:36:00.003-05:002009-07-10T10:10:27.798-05:00

My girls came to visit this week! We stayed downtown on the Riverwalk at Hotel Valencia (very nice)! We did the typical SA tourist stuff...the Alamo and Riverwalk. Although I had seen both of these a hundred times by that point, it was really cool to be able to go with my friends. Friday night we did appetizers and drinks (margaritas of course) on the River and then spent the rest of the night

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-31811891739996760192009-04-15T03:45:00.006-05:002009-04-15T04:08:02.327-05:00

Mom and Dad came to visit this week. Mom was on Spring Break and Dad took the week off to spend with her. Their 29th Wedding Anniversary was April 5th! We had a blast while they were here, but we were all exhausted by the time they left. Jake was so glad to see his Grammy and PawPaw, and Georgia met them for the first time. Grammy was a bit overwhelmed by crazy Georgia, but she and Paw Paw got

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-6404074912098222432009-04-15T03:30:00.006-05:002009-04-15T04:07:49.441-05:00

Work remains unchanged. I still like it, but I'm getting ready to come home. Jake and Georgia are still trying to learn to get along. Her philosophy is play, play, play, and Jake's is more like play, water break, rest, play. They are still adjusting, but he definitely lets her know when she is getting on his nerves. It is really pretty funny to watch them chase each other around (more like

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-66938022271316124912009-04-03T19:30:00.010-05:002009-04-03T20:15:00.755-05:00

I had a little scare during week seven. I heard a rumor in the elevator at work that the hospital was going to be breaking the contracts with all the travel nurses and we would have to be out by April 15th. I was skeptical, but at the same time a little nervous because I know there are not many travel jobs out there at this moment. I e-mailed my manager and she put my mind at ease, saying that

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-58054816773906853492009-04-03T18:26:00.008-05:002009-04-03T20:14:36.390-05:00

I know, I know, it's been a while!  But, I have been busy! Work is coming along really well. I am feeling totally comfortable on the floor and with my co-workers.  I have been hanging out with some of them outside of work and having a blast.  I finally got the burger I'd been craving. One of my new friends from work, Diana, took me to Biff Buzby's Burgers. It's a very unassuming little place in

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-77263367983944923362009-03-05T03:00:00.002-06:002009-03-05T03:25:10.844-06:00

I can't believe it's been a month already. This is officially the longest I've ever been away from home all in one stretch. Oddly enough when it was 90 degrees here and snowing at home was when I felt the most home sick. Several people at work commented "aren't you glad you're here instead of in Atlanta?" I was thinking that I'd rather be in the snow! I feel like I'm finally settling in, finding

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-5417611522199256272009-02-17T11:14:00.006-06:002009-02-17T11:42:54.276-06:00

Many of you who worked with me at CHOA knew my favorite little patient was Imelda, pictured above. I knew that she didn't have much time when I met her. But, I tried to let her know she was loved while she was here. Unfortunately, she passed away on Valentine's Day. Although she's no longer with us, I know she's in a better place and she's not suffering anymore. People comment all the time "I

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-19489361627862774102009-02-05T22:01:00.004-06:002009-02-17T11:47:30.991-06:00

My second week in San Antonio started with a bang. It has been about a year and a half since I worked a night shift. My first week on the floor started out with working 3 nights in a row. I did my orientation Friday and Saturday night and I was on my own Sunday night. Orientation went really well, everyone was very nice and helpful. Our patients were similar to the ones I'm used to working with

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727273541464323498.post-7870076200651372832009-01-27T21:04:00.006-06:002009-02-17T11:10:48.909-06:00

God bless my Garmin GPS. I don't know what I would've done without it this week. Even for someone with a self-proclaimed good sense of direction, it really came in handy. It has been a lifesaver more than once. Also a lifesaver was the Xanax and Dramamine I gave Jake for the car ride. Those of you who know Jake, know that he can be a nervous Nelly. But, thanks to a little medication cocktail, he

Stephanie Harknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11651595041585274595noreply@blogger.com13