Christmas and What Not

This holiday season has been INSANE (in the membrane :) )!!  Of course it always is, but it seems as we get older, the more hectic it really becomes.  I didn't take a SINGLE picture during our get togethers, so I'll have to steal (I mean borrow) some from some unsuspecting family members later on.

Christmas Eve Chris and I had to work...just till the afternoon, though.  And let me tell you (if you don't already know), working on Christmas Eve is awful!  Just awful, and it's even more awful when you realize you really are in the real world and part of the real world means working on Christmas Eve.  Even so, after we made it home and gathered our gifts, we headed to Hot Springs for Christmas Eve.  My family, for as long as I can remember, have always spent Christmas Eve at my Grandma and Grandpa's home, with all of the extended family.  Except this year, my step-Grandpa (my Peepaw), is in the hospital not feeling so hot, so Christmas Eve was held at my mom and dad's.  It was tons of fun and the house was bursting at the seams, but some of the Christmas Eve traditions were lost.  For example, no broccoli supreme to fight over with my cousins.  No pottery to steal from an aunt.  And no jumping up and down on the beds with my little cousins and nephews.  Other than that, we had a wonderful time and maybe we'll make new traditions at mom and dad's.

Christmas Day was without the usual traditions as well.  Normally, we are all at my mom and dad's, get up in the morning and open presents.  Then dad makes a big breakfast and feeds us the most awesome food ever.  This year, we got up, met at Jon and Kricia's, without a big breakfast, and opened gifts.  James wasn't able to come this year :(, but we all sent him goodies to make him feel like he wasn't missing out.  We opened gifts with the boys and let them open all of ours as well.  Chris and I got Grant a Little Tykes digital camera, and he LOVED it.  I was so pleased, and he let Chris teach him how to use it.  Jon got all of us tickets to see the Hogs play in March when the 1994 Championship Team has their reunion during halftime, and mom and dad got 3 new photos to replace the old ones of us in the hallway.  

After we did all that, we headed to NWA to do traditional things with Chris' side of the family.  Jon and Emily were able to be there and we had a great time!  Jon and Jim grilled some not so traditional Christmas food (like shrimp) and we had a wonderful meal.  We opened gifts, took some silly photos, and had a great time.  Baxter got lots of treats and some new toys.  We are going to have to buy a new toy basket for him, his is stuffed!

We stayed in NWA a couple days and took care of some business.  We shopped, ate yummy Italian food, great pizza, and headed home yesterday.  We were so exhausted this morning, we slept in, which never happens with Baxter.  Looks like it's going to be a beautiful week and a wonderful start to the New Year!  Hope you all had as much fun and craziness as we did!

An addition to the rules

Do you remember when I blogged about the rules while visiting your friendly neighborhood audiologist?  Well, I feel the need to add two.

Rule #6.  When you come to purchase a hearing aid, please do not bring your crazy friends with you.  Especially if they enjoy spending your money.  

Rule #7.  Please do not allow crazy friend to call me 3 times in one day when she doesn't even comprehend the words that are coming out of my mouth!

Thank you,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Audiologist

Life

Chris and I seem like we haven't seen each other in forever!  With Chris' schedule being nutty this close to the holidays, it seems like we are always passing each other.  So, today is our fun day.  We have lots of fun things planned, like buying bubble wrap, sending a box of goodies to my brother, and then tonight, babysitting our nephews.

Earlier this week a professor from my school came up for a site visit.  We took him to the Flying Fish to eat (well, we drove, he paid) and then the next day he came up to my work to check things out and meet my supervisors.  It was a little pointless, but it was fun to catch up on all the gossip.  

Last night we played with some friends, Jennifer and Joe.  We went to eat, had ice cream, and then came back to watch the 'House Bunny'.  Which, by the way, was totally NOT worth the dollar it cost to rent it.  We invited some other friends, but they had plans with family (party poopers), so we'll have to do it again when we are all available!

Oh, and I know you were all dying to know, my foot is healed!  Well, at least so far it is.  

Happy 5 days till Christmas!

Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Today, I got up and did the Jingle Bell Run/Walk with my mom and some teachers from her school.  Our team name was the "St. Nick's Chicks".  Cute, huh?  My mom walked it last year, and I was in Texas so I couldn't, but I joined in this year and it was so fun!  The Jingle Bell Run/Walk benefits the Arthritis Foundation, and I think I may have stiff joints when I wake up in the morning!

The Run/Walk is 3 miles long from the River Market to the Capital, and back.  My mom is a speed walker, so it took me a little bit to catch up to her pace, but I did it!  Our final time was 51:38!  Ok, that may seem like forever to some of you in shape people, but for me, it was a miracle to come in under an hour! :)

My number

Mom and I before  the walk with our antlers on.

The 'St. Nick's Chicks', plus Craig O'Neal

After the race...exhausted!!

After the race, we all went for a yummy meal at Macaroni Grill.  Then mom and I bolted and went to Target and then to Kohl's.  I came back home, because now I have some serious pain in my right foot.  But that's okay, better to be waited on :)

A Letter

Dear Creepy Guy,

Yes, you really were creepy.  So creepy, in fact, I tried to get out of testing you.  I tried to find a male audiologist to test your creepy hearing so that I wouldn't have to.  But, guess what?  They were busy.  So I sucked it up, gathered my nerves, and dove in.  And I accomplished what I set out to do!  I conquered your creepy self with your creepy hearing, and I'm better off for doing it.

I don't know where you learned it was OK for being creepy, but whomever taught you, they were wrong.  Real wrong.  It's not OK to be creepy to other people you have never met, let alone a woman you have never met.  It may work in the bar, but not in the Audiology world.  

When you propped your leg up so I couldn't move, I thought "This guy is STRANGE". 

And when I glanced at you, you put your leg down and told me I needed to get you something to prop your leg on.  And again I thought "This guy is STRANGE, and WIERD".  

Then I proceeded to tell you that I was going to give you some words to say, and you said "Just as long as you don't talk dirty to me" And I thought, "This guy is STRANGE, WEIRD, and on the verge of CREEPY".  

But then, you looked right in my eyes and said "Well, maybe you could talk dirty to me a little bit."  And I thought, "This guy is STRANGE, WEIRD, and CREEPY".  No doubt about it.

So that's when I left the room for a good 10 minutes.  To hunt down another audiologist to take you off my hands.  But then I learned that I was going to have to learn to deal with your kind, so, like I said before, I gathered all my strength and walked back in.  

And do you remember what I saw when I walked back in?  You were spread eagle in the chair, leaning back as far as you could to spread your legs as far as you could in your semi-acid wash denim jeans.  But I tapped on the window to wake your CREEPY butt up, and I tested your hearing.  

So, dear creepy guy, please don't come back to see us.  I can't handle anymore of your CREEPINESS.  

Thank you,

The Creeped Out Audiologist

Don't go Ninjin nobody don't need Ninjin

And if you don't believe me, here's your proof

Seriously, go check it out!  And let me know if you peed your pants watching it.  It's that good.

GO HOGS!  BEAT LSU!

Happy Thanksgiving AND 100th Post!

Just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  Have a wonderful family/friend day and eat some yummy food, and think about all we have to be thankful for!  Loves to all!

Note to Self, Part 2:

When you stick your finger in a puddle of super glue and reach for the solvent to clean it off with...make sure you grab the solvent and not, well, let's say, tubing cement.

Because then it just turns into a whole mess.

And yes, today I super glued my finger and then put tubing cement all over it...before realizing that I grabbed the wrong bottle.  But luckily the solvent has gotten most of it off :)

Note to Self:

When your patient says they can't hear out of their hearing aid...make sure it's turned ON!

Yes, I demo'd 2 hearing aids today with them OFF the whole time.  And I realized it about 5 minutes after I got home.

It was definitely THAT kind of day!

Back from Vegas!

Chris and I left for Vegas Thursday afternoon and had a GREAT time!  I went for a conference, and Chris got to come and play.  I learned a ton and Chris won 15 bucks!  The flight there was great.  The sky was so clear and we got to see the Grand Canyon as we flew over.  Chris was so excited because he's never been.  

The first couple of nights we stayed at the Green Valley Ranch Resort.  We had a huge tub, a separate shower, a huge king bed and a great view of the parking deck!  It was a beautiful resort, but the bed and pillows sucked.  

A friend I go to school with was also at the conference, and she brought her hubby along, so we got to see both of them and got to go out and play Friday night.  We always have a great time with Shannon and Jeremy!  We walked from one end of the strip to the other, and back again!  I thought Chris was going to have to carry me at one point, my butt hurt so bad from all the walking!!  We shopped, watched the fountains at Bellagio, saw the show at Treasure Island and had a great dinner!

After the conference, we checked out of that hotel and moved to the Hilton on the Strip.  It was kind of ghetto, but the bed and pillows were so comfy!  The hotel has a tram from the hotel further into the strip.  We rode it to the MGM Grand, saw the lions, Paris hotel, the Venetian, M&M World, and the Coca Cola Factory before going back to the hotel.  Later that night, we ate at Benihana in our hotel, went to Fremont Street, and crashed!  Sunday we flew back, unpacked, and we haven't stopped since!

The East tower of the Green Valley Ranch Resort

Overlooking the pool at the resort

Chris and me in front of an alligator playing the sax at The Orleans

Sweet Golden Arches.  We had to have a McDonald's fix!

Chris with Jeremy in the background

Chris and myself overlooking the Strip

Chris, Jeremy, Shannon, and me at dinner

In front of the Bellagio

Benihana.  Oooooh.  Aaaahhh.

Fremont Street

We had a great time, but we are so glad to be home and back in our comfy bed!  We didn't leave enough time to see a show, but that gives us an excuse to go back!

Gratitude Cafè

I work at the craziest place in town!  Today, something crazy happened (and I'm not in any liberty to discuss it) in the pre-op area and the police had to be called!  It's something every week...I could write a book!

In light of what happened, it made me think of how grateful I am. 

I am grateful for my loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  

I am grateful for my loving parents who raised me to be respectful of others and open-minded. 

I am grateful for my awesome husband and to his parents for raising him to be respectful of others and an all-around gentleman.

I am grateful for my brothers (and nephews).  They are so different, but they always make me so happy!

I am grateful for my education.  It may sound lame, but I really believe that having a wonderful education contributed to who I am today. 

I am grateful for all those in my life (present and past) because I've been able to learn something new from each of them.

I am grateful for my religion.  Even though I'm not the best LDS person to ever live, I have a testimony and that's good for me.

I am grateful for my job.  It's really helping me become more confident as a clinician.  And without confidence, I'd just be another bumbling idiot.

I hope everyone's Tuesday was less chaotic than ours!  Enjoy the rest of the week!

It's a Wonderful Life!

Last weekend, Chris and I took a quick trip to NWA.  We stayed Friday night with Jon and Emily, played Wii Fit and Ticket to Ride (mine and Chris' favorite board game recently).  We had breakfast at Calico County Saturday morning with Jon and then headed to Fayetteville to watch the Hogs play.  Unfortunately, we lost, but it was one heck of a game!  We stayed Saturday night with Chris' parents and Sunday we went to lunch at Eddie Haskell's in Rogers. 

Being pirates.  Argh matey.

After our trip we were exhausted and didn't do anything this past week but work and sleep.  Last night I went to a friends' home for a Halloween party.  Pam and Micha and their two girls were Velma, Daphne, Scooby Doo and Freddie from Scooby Doo.  It was too cute.  Jennifer and Joe's little boy was a giraffe and he was too cute!

Pam, Jennifer and me

This morning I went over to Jon and Kricia's to help Kricia get the boys in their costumes so we could get some pictures.  Grant was Curious George and Jude was The Man in the Big Yellow Hat.  Jude can now say: kite, duck, and hoorah.  They are too cute!

Curious George

The Man in the Big Yellow Hat and Curious George

Chris and I went to vote this morning.  The line was stretched around the corner and down the block!  We waited in line for an hour before casting our vote.  I don't like to share who I vote for, because it's a personal decision and believe you have to vote based on your own ides, beliefs and decide what candidate best fits that.  So don't ask :)

Waiting in line

I've got to go run some errands now, so hope everyone has a great weekend.  GO HOGS!

Dell or Dale?

Do you say Dell and Dale differently?  I know I have a southern accent, but when I say these, it sounds exactly the same.  And today, I had a lesson on the difference.  Not that it stuck, but still.

Today has been crazy at work.  I guess it's spilled over from last week.  You think it might be from a full moon, but the moon phase says it's only a half moon.  If that's the case, I'm dreading what might happen when the full moon arrives.  Last week, we had a sweet patient come in to be fit with a hearing aid.  She walks to the counter to check in, and when that's done, she casually says "Also, I think I'm having a stroke."  A STROKE!  and she said it so calmly!  We, of course, continued to freak out, hunting down a nurse and keeping her talking until we could find someone.  

Today, morning clinic had to be cancelled for a doctor because he was called in for emergency surgery.  Then after lunch, another doctor had to cancel afternoon clinic for emergency surgery.  And we had a hearing aid patient come in to have his tubes on his aids changed, and said, "I think I'm having a heart attack."  A HEART ATTACK!!  and he said it so calmly!!  We, of course, continued to freak out, hunting down a nurse AND a doctor to help.  Luckily, another one of our patients was sitting next to him and happens to be a doc himself, so that was helpful.  

It's only Monday, and I'm scared to go back to work tomorrow.  Pray for NO moon :)

Also, if it's not to much to ask, please keep my Grandma in your prayers.  She had a double knee replacement a few weeks ago, but now she's not eating and is real week.  She's been admitted to the hospital and so we'll see what happens, but in the meantime, the prayers would be greatly appreciated.  

Hope you had a better day than me!

Creepy!

Do you want to know what's worse than running into a spider's web?

Running into the spider spinning that web.

And that's exactly what happened just now.  I opened the bedroom window, turned around to walk back around the bed, and came face to face with a creepy eight legged spider.  Yuck.  And the other bad thing is the only thing I could find to squish the little creature was a clean sock.  I had to break up a pair of socks to kill the creepy eight legged spider.  At least, I thought I had killed it.  I took it to the bathroom, opened up the sock, and it was crawling toward my palm...the part not protected by the sock.  I finally gathered my wits and got some tissue and squished the creepy eight legged spider and flushed it into the watery abyss.  Good riddance.

So to recap:  One dead spider.  One dirty sock.  One clean sock.

Now for the important question:

Do I put both socks in the laundry?  'Cause I know I'll forget that the clean sock is on the dresser by the time I get around to doing laundry again.

I've been tagged!

I haven't posted in what seems like forever, and nothing really blog worthy has occurred since my last post (except hanging out with some awesome friends and family), so I thought I'd fill out a 'survey' that I got tagged for.

7 things that I can do:

1. Tell you what your hearing is like

2. Sell you a hearing aid

3. Make you dizzy

4. Walk the dog

5. Almost (but not completely) burn the house down cooking bacon

6. Travel

7. Shop

7 things I can't do:

1. Surgery

2. Cook bacon

3. Fix stuff

4. I can't get into the Twilight series...yet

5. I can't stay awake past 9 lately

6. Speak Spanish

7. I can't let my hubby grow a beard without complaining

7 things that attracted me to Chris:

1. His sense of humor

2. His ease around new people

3. He never forgets a face

4. He plays the sax!

5. He loves Chicago (just like me!)

6. His muscles :)

7. His devotion to his family and me

7 things that I say most often:

1. Hi, my name's Clare...

2. You're going to here some words/sounds

3. Let's go mark charts

4. Was Baxter a winner?

5. Will you iron my clothes? (most often the response is no)

6. Baxter, stop it!

7. Babe (in my most whiny voice ever and with the most syllables I can make it)

7 people that I admire most:

1. My dad

2. My mom

3. My grandma

4. My brothers

5. My hubby

6. Our church leaders

7. My friends

7 favorite foods:

1. Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2. Steak

3. Sausage and Peppers

4. Mexican

5. Brownies

6. French Bread Pizza

7. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

7 People I tag:

1 -7: Anyone who feels the urge to do this!

Rules.

After the events of the day, I feel it's necessary to lay out the rules for patients visiting their audiologist.

Rule 1.  Do NOT squirm, jerk, or make any sudden movement when the audiologist has something in your ear.  If it goes through your eardrum, it will hurt.

Rule 2.  Do NOT throw yourself off of the table during vestibular testing.  You WILL be body-slammed back onto the table, where you will be forcefully held until we deem fit to let you loose.

Rule 3.  Do NOT grab your audiologists' hair or anywhere near their 'parts', or you will be held even tighter on the table.

Rule 4.  Do NOT disagree with your audiologist or doctor.  They are right.  They are not lying to you.  They have nothing to gain from lying to you.  

Rule 5.  Do NOT decide to take equipment off of you or out of your ears, unless your audiologist gives you the OK.  It's annoying when you decide to 'help'.

There you have it.  Please review this, type it up, laminate on a wallet sized card if you have to, for your next visit to your friendly neighborhood audiologist.

Last Weekend and Today

Last weekend, Chris and I hopped in the car and drove to Russelleville  to meet up with Chris' parents, brother, and sis in law.  Jon and Emily, as well as Jerl Dean, are photography fiends and so we couldn't all get together without a few pics.  We met at Whataburger (not the chain, people.  This is a family business that's MUCH better than the chain) and after devouring our hamburgers and fries, we went across the street to Arkansas Tech University, found a picnic table, and the picture taking commenced.  We had a great couple of hours goofing off, and then home we came.

Goofy family picture.

Emily and me.  Did I mention earlier we had cupcakes?

We did, and we decided to wear them :)

We found these awesome old desks outside the Physical Plant Building.

We lined them up, and it brought back the old days (not so old for me).

I immediately fell asleep :)

Today was my friends sons' first birthday.  Chris couldn't go, so I took Grant as my date instead.  We had a great time, and he was shy at first, but he played well, and when it came time to head home, he was saying 'Go Hogs!' for everyone.  We stopped at McDonalds on our way home and had apple juice and a hamburger.  I love that I have the opportunity to scoop him up and take him for some fun!  I didn't get ONE single pic of us today, can you believe it?

Test your knowledge

If you had to take the oral exam to become a U.S. Citizen, could you pass?  

For the first time since 1986, the Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated its' questions to test people for citizenship in the United States.  You receive a list of 100 questions AND their answers.  The questions quiz your knowledge on the U.S. Government, American History, the rights of citizenship, and geography.  (You also have to pass an English writing test)  When your day arrives, you are given an oral exam of 10 of those 100 questions.  You must pass six of the ten questions to pass.  

FOXNews.com went to Time Square in NYC with 10 of these questions and asked 10 people.   Can you answer enough to pass?  (Without cheating and googling them)  

1. What does the Constitution do?

2. What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?

3. Name one branch or part of the government.

4. We elect a U.S. representative for how many years?

5. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

6. How old do citizens have to be to vote for president?

7. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

8. There were 13 original states.  Name three.

9. Who was president during World War 1?

10. Name one U.S. territory.

The results of the persons asked at Time Square:

3 of 10 persons asked the 10 questions got 9 correct. (All American born U.S. Citizens)

2 got 8 of 10 correct (One of these is a naturalized citizen)

3 got 6 out of 10 correct.  (One is a British citizen hoping to become a U.S. Citizen, the other 2 are a 5th and 8th grader)

1 got 5 of 10 correct. (American born U.S. Citizen)

1 got 4 out of 10 correct.  (But come on, he's a 3rd grader)

For the full list of questions, look here.

Happy Birthday's All Around

Happy Birthday to Jon (Chris' bro, not mine) and Jerl Dean (Chris' mom, not mine)!

Hope ya'll have a great day and don't party too hard till the weekend :)

Had a blast with ya'll on Saturday, can't wait to do it again!

Happy  Birthamaday!  (From Chris)

You asked, now you shall receive.

So here's mine and Chris' story...in a nutshell.

1998.  When I started thinking about going to college the week I was supposed to leave home, I was terrified.  I had  to be at school a week early because I was in the Razorback Marching Band and practice, or Early Week, began then.  My friend Evan and I met up and navigated our way through the chaos.  We had to have measurements for our uniforms, get our music, etc.  Some upper classmen were there helping, and Chris says we met then...but I don't remember him.  

When we met on the practice field, I was relieved that Evan and I were marching close together.  I'd at least have my safety friend around if I didn't get along with anyone else :)  We were marching in two's and I was next to a girl and Evan was marching behind me and Chris was next to Evan.  

In September, we were running through the half time show and Chris asked if I'd like to go out sometime.  I was thrilled!  My first college date!  I got back to my dorm that night and told my roommate.  He said he'd call and we'd go out, so all weekend, I was manning the phone (I know, what a dork).  Well, after a week of waiting around, I got fed up and so I told my roommate that guy that asked me out was a jerk.  She said that if I wanted to go on a date with him, I should be up front and see what was going on.  I took her advice.  So on Thursday of that week, I walked up to him and said "Are you going to take me out or not?"  He was bumfuzzled.  I caught him off guard and he said "Tomorrow night OK?"  "Sure, call me".  

We dated all through college and I knew he was 'The One' for me.  When it came to my final year in college, I wasn't really seeing any progress in our relationship and was starting to doubt his commitment to us.  So I told him that I was going to start seeing other people.  He was NOT happy with that, and things got better.  He proposed in April of 2003 of my senior year.

I got home one evening from work and there was a note on my door.  It told me I had to go see his brother at the band hall, he had something important for me.  I was tired and all I wanted to do was change and relax, but I did it.  I got to the band hall and Jon hands me another card.  It says to go to the practice field.  There was another note attached to the big stand the director and drum major's stood on to direct the band.  That note told me to go to where we had our first kiss.  Outside my old dorm.  He was waiting there for me, and that's where he proposed!

Of course I said yes. :)

We got married January 10, 2004.  We lived in NWA for a while, but I was working in Hot Springs and I was sick of commuting, so we decided to move to Hot Springs.  Chris was terrified to tell his family, but it was the best decision for us, so I told them.  With the help of my parents, we moved into a beautiful new home, Chris found a job, and I was working 2.  With my mom as an SLPA and then at Early Head Start.  I soon learned that I HATED working at Early Head Start.  So I started studying for the GRE to send in applications to graduate school.

We moved to TX in August 2005 and were there until April/May of this year.  Chris came and stayed in April when his dad had his heart attack.  I was still in school, so I shacked up with some friends and moved back in May.  

We've had our ups and downs, but mostly ups.  He's the love of my life.  He puts up with me, he even moved to Texas for me (you can't get love like that anywhere, people).  

That's our story...in a nutshell.

For the record...

I HATE electronic medical records.  HATE HATE HATE.  

We started electronic medical records on Monday.  And it seems like a HUGE waste of time...thus far.  Who knows how it will end up, but so far, it seems to really take too much time in my comfy world of Audiology.

And the reason I probably HATE it so much, is because it doesn't seem like anything was really thought through.  

On a different note, Chris and I have been together for TEN YEARS today.  Yes, you read right, 10 years.  I won't bore you with our sappy love story on how we met, or our first date, or our wedding day, but I want too.  Really bad :)

Happy 10 years together snot face!  I'll paper rock scissors you for the remote :)

Happy Birthday, Jude!

Jude, our youngest nephew, turned 1 today!  His birthday party was yesterday and it turned out to be a nice day, despite some misty rain in the early a.m.  I can't believe he's already 1!!  

Jon bought a new play set for the boys and had the old one taken down a little more than a month ago.  He enlisted the help of Chris to set up the new play set, and after a couple afternoons of laying out and labeling all the pieces, figuring out the best spot for it (that got solved thanks to me),  and getting all the right tools, it finally got put together the day before the party!  It turned out great and the boys LOVE it!  Grant said 'Yeah Daddy!'  

Here are a few (ok, more than a few) photos of his party!

Jude swinging

Paw, Jude, and M

Grant and his 'cuhtie' (cookie)

The birthday cake

The cake...before

The cake...during

The cake...after

Jude swinging again after eating cake!

Happy Birthday, Jude!  We love you, sweet boy!

Vegas, Baby.

I finally made our hotel reservations at Green Valley Mountain Resort and sent off my registration for the conference, so it looks like we're headed to Vegas in November!  The conference is all on private practice and everything you need to know to run a successful private practice, which I REALLY need to know :)

And you know what they say!  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

WhoopsyDaisy

I've come to realize that I forgot about some VERY important events that I did not mention in my last several posts.  These events happened during the last Razorback game (which we attended and stayed till the bitter end to see us WIN).  After the game, we met up with some awesome friends, Ed and Kate, and had a late night dinner at IHOP.  Our waiter sucked.  He had a major attitude, and when I asked if we could get our drinks...20 minutes after we ordered, he told me they were coming and we had to wait our turn.  After all, he did have a whole section of 3 tables!  And when he finally brought them, he started running his mouth and I told him I didn't want his excuses, just our drinks.  He got real pissy then and handed off us to another waitress, who was nothing but pleasant.  We had a great time visiting with our friends, though!

I did end up going to the Emergency Preparedness fair yesterday.  It was actually pretty interesting, and I got some good ideas.  Last night we were SUPER bored and so we went to Pam and Micha's for dinner and games.  We played Scrabble, and when that gave us all a headache, we played Friends Scene It.  We played in husband and wife teams.  I won't tell you who won, but I will tell you Pam was NOT happy about it :)

Off to church!  After Chris makes breakfast, of course!

Are you having withdrawals yet?

I mean, you must be pulling your hair out at my lack of posting this week!  Ok, probably not that drastic, but you gotta be missing me, right?  

I haven't posted since the power was out and we were in a hotel last week, and nothing fun or interesting has really happened since then.  We've really only worked and enjoyed having power :)  Last night, I was invited to a Beauty Control party that was being held at my friends home.  It was fun, I got to do a pedicure and use this stuff on my hands that made them super soft, but I'm not one to buy, because I'll never use it at home.  I know, I'm a party pooper.

I was supposed to go to the Emergency Preparedness fair at Otter Creek today, but with the HUGE hike in gas, I think I'll be sticking around town.  It should be pretty big, I think my mom told me there were going to be about 56 vendors to talk to you about identity theft, food storage, 72 hour kits, etc.  All things we should know about and have done, but I'll just let my mom pick up the info since she HAS to be there!

Have a good weekend!

Power's Out

It's raining

It's pouring

The old man is snoring!

Ok, it was raining and pouring, and Chris isn't snoring anymore (hehe), but our power IS out, and has been since Wednesday at 4 a.m.  This morning I took my 3rd cold shower, and decided I couldn't do it anymore, so we're shacked up at a hotel tonight.  Entergy originally said our power would be on by 8 p.m last night, then it was 12 a.m., and now it's either tomorrow or Saturday.  It wouldn't be bad if all of the apartment complex was out of power, but only 5 of the 10 is out.  Baxter is in H.S. with my parents.  

So, to all you energy hogs, count yourself lucky.  And be glad you don't live next door, 'cause you know I'd be there like the guest who would never leave!  At least not till her power came back on :)

Whoa Baby!

After our trip to SETX a few weeks ago, we met up with friends Joe and Jennifer for a night of fun!  Well, first Chris had to help Joe move some furniture, but then the fun commenced!  We went bowling (which I suck at) and then we had a peanut butter chocolate mess at MarketPlace!  We always have a great time hanging out with them!

Joe and Jennifer
Chris and me

Sunday, Chris and I met some of my extended family for the Travelers game.  It was our first Minor League game, but we had a blast!  My cousins told us a really creepy story about their stay at the Crescent Hotel in E.S.  and we just had a chance to visit!

Dickey Stephens Park

Cousins Shane and Jennifer

Shane and Jennifer's son, Ethan

Aunt Susan and cousin Aaron

Aunt Susan, Uncle Robert, and Kathleen

Today, when Chris got off work, we drove to H.S. to have dinner at my mom and dad's house.  Mom made potatoes and salad and corn, and dad grilled steaks.  They were delicious!

Attack of the big brother!!  Jon, me, and mom

Jon and me

Mom and me

Dad and me

Jude

Grant

Jude with Chris' sunglasses on.  

Grandma

Kricia

We had a busy Labor Day weekend, but we had a great time!  We don't wanna go to work!

3-Day Weekends!

I'm so excited to get a 3 day weekend!  Now that I'm in the working world, I never get out for the school holidays/closures like Spring Break, Christmas Break, summer.  It's kinda depressing to tell you the truth!  But so far we've been busy with our Labor Day weekend!  I don't have any pictures to share (I'm a picture slacker), so stone me later.

Friday, Chris and I got to have a date night.  We didn't do anything special, but we curled up on the couch, watched a movie, ate pizza, and cuddled.  It's been a while since we had a night to ourselves and I didn't have to study or do my other wifely duties (laundry, dishes, general cleaning all around).

Last night we were invited to a friend's home for BBQ.  Chris and I brought chicken, Joe and Jen brought teriyaki beef (super yummy) and Pam and Micha made grilled shrimp (also super yummy).  We also had rice, potato salad, green beans, deviled eggs and watermelon.  It was so cute watching how Joe and Chris took over the grill.  I think Micha was okay with that, he got to come in and watch some of the Michigan vs. Utah game.  After dinner we played yet another new game.  I don't remember the name of it, but the board is a big map and you get 3 cards with destinations on it, and you have to get your trains to all the destinations.  Joe won...snot.  It was fun, Chris and I may have to buy that one!

Tonight we are going to the Traveler's game with my family.  We probably won't stay too long, but it'll be fun anyways.  Then tomorrow night we're going to H.S. to BBQ at my parents house.  I love it when we get together there.  My mom makes the best BBQ beans and deviled eggs EVER!  

We have some friends having to evacuate for Hurricane Gustav, so I hope they make it to their destinations safely and that no harm or damage comes to their loved ones or property.  It sucks having to evacuate.  Chris and I lived in SETX almost exactly one month before having to evacuate for Rita.  So good luck everyone!

Jack-a-roo update

Jack is home from the vet this evening.  My dad was so upset he couldn't be with him last night, but he was heavily sedated and today they finally got his hip back in place.  He's in a sling so he can't move his hip too much, but he's loving on my dad and my dad's loving him back.  I asked mom what was going to happen to that lab, and the owner offered to pay for Jack's vet bills and they are going to put up an electric fence to keep him in the yard.  Thank you for the prayers!

On a lighter note, we had a woman at work today who was prescribed green pills, but refused to take them because she doesn't take green pills.  Strange, but today was strange all around.  One patient seemed high, a woman insisted she be the only person to translate through sign to her brother (she spelled EVERYTHING out), and we had a super moaner.

And it's official!  We are finally...ARKANSANS again!  (you thought i was going to say pregnant).  We got our tags and licenses today.  We've only been driving with expired tags all month, so it was about time.

After we did that, we went to the mall to have my rings checked and I also wanted to stop by Dillard's because they were having 75% off shoe sale.  And let's face it, every girl needs a new pair of shoes at 75% off.  So I got 3 pairs.  We walked to the men's Dillard's and they were only having 50% off, but we found some cute ones for Chris and got those, too.  There's nothing like a little shoe therapy!

WOO HOO!  It's almost the weekend!

Jack-a-roo

My dad's dog, Jack, was attacked today by a golden lab.  His back leg is torn up, the dog tore his hip out of socket, and has torn some ligaments and cartilage.  He'll be okay, once the vet is finally able to put his hip back in place, but Jack's outdoor running time is long gone.

My mom called and said a dog tore Jack up and he was at the vet.  I originally thought he had been mauled and was just barely hanging in there.  Then I talked to my dad, and he explained what his injuries were and that he'd be okay, but he probably won't be himself.

Baxter loves Jack and Jack is the only dog Baxter really loves.  Jack is 8 years old in human years, and he is super fast, which is probably a good thing, because that's probably how he got away.  But the neighbor found him barely being able to walk and carried him home and got in touch with my dad.  

So please keep Jack-a-roo in your prayers.  I know he's a dog, but he's our family, too.