Here is a video of Bella trying to run off with her ball. At one point she lept into the air with it.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Weekend Adventures
My mom and brothers came in town this weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday. We did some shopping and enjoyed going out to eat but the highlights of the weekend were definitely seeing the movie The Artist and going to the Sixth Floor Museum. This was on Saturday, so all I knew about the movie was that it had been nominated for an Oscar. I loved it! It was one of the best movies I have ever seen. I highly recommend seeing it if you haven't already.
I have lived in the DFW for 10 months and apparently I have driven over the spot where JKF was assassinated dozens of times without even knowing. We went to the Sixth Floor museum and it is something you should definitely visit if you are ever in Dallas. The exhibits walk you through the events and what they think happened the day Kennedy was killed. It was very sad but a great experience. It was the perfect event to preface my new book, The Kennedy Detail. I can't wait to finish it.
Only two more weeks until spring break and I cannot wait. I was able to go grocery shopping today and now cooking a real home made meal! I wish I could tell you the last time that happened, but I honestly don't remember.
I have lived in the DFW for 10 months and apparently I have driven over the spot where JKF was assassinated dozens of times without even knowing. We went to the Sixth Floor museum and it is something you should definitely visit if you are ever in Dallas. The exhibits walk you through the events and what they think happened the day Kennedy was killed. It was very sad but a great experience. It was the perfect event to preface my new book, The Kennedy Detail. I can't wait to finish it.
Only two more weeks until spring break and I cannot wait. I was able to go grocery shopping today and now cooking a real home made meal! I wish I could tell you the last time that happened, but I honestly don't remember.
Birthday Breakfast
Brothers
Here is the sequence of events when I try and take a picture with Max
1. Funny Face
2. Laughter
3. More funny faces. (He helped himself to making this my cell phone background)
X marks the spot where Kennedy was first shot
On the grassy knoll
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Valentines Week
When Taylor and I were dating, we started a tradition of making a romantic dinner at home for Valentines Day. This year Valentines happened to fall on the night before my pharmacology test. The amount of time required for this class can only be compared to o-chem, if you have ever had to suffer through that. So with all my studying, I was a pretty bad wife this year. But of course,Taylor swooped in and saved the holiday. He made a wonderful dinner of grilled ribeye steaks with an onion cream sauce and roasted asparagus. The steak recipe is from the Pioneer Woman. We had tried it once before and he knew I loved it.
After I managed to recover from my pharm test, I made Taylor a peanut butter pie. I have always hated peanut butter in deserts. I can eat a pb&j every day, but I just don't like it in cookies or pies. Taylor has always had a soft spot for these kind of deserts and he loved it. Now this wasn't just any peanut butter pie, the crust was crushed Oreos followed by a layer of chocolate and crushed peanuts (recipe).
After I managed to recover from my pharm test, I made Taylor a peanut butter pie. I have always hated peanut butter in deserts. I can eat a pb&j every day, but I just don't like it in cookies or pies. Taylor has always had a soft spot for these kind of deserts and he loved it. Now this wasn't just any peanut butter pie, the crust was crushed Oreos followed by a layer of chocolate and crushed peanuts (recipe).
Heavenly
My hero
This Valentines Day I chose to rock the "just got out of bed" look
Our new cat condo arrived this week.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Yoga
A little over a month ago I started doing yoga after my spine doctor recommended it and I have fallen in love. I found a great little private studio and since I have been going my back pain is almost completely gone (minus the set back with my car accident). I can finally sleep on my side again after almost a year of not being able to. After each session I feel like I just got done with a massage. I went to a class this morning and one of the instructors was telling me about a special acrobatics yoga class tomorrow. So I asked him what acroyoga was and he showed me. So fun! Who wants to go with me?
Just another day in the yoga studio
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Car Accident
I am just fine. I totaled my car yesterday and spent the day in the emergency room but now I am just really sore. Here's the story:
"When it rains, it pours." On Friday, February 10th, 2012 it poured. This is going to have to be two part post to tell all the grief and heartache I experienced on this day. On my way to school, a truck decided to dodge across three lanes to turn right and I crashed into him. Now first I have to try and explain the deep love I have for my '91 Mercedes. My dad drove that car up and gave it to me on my 19th birthday. It has been with me ever since. I was actually planning on writing a post about my car, as we were coming up on 200,000 miles. My husband had tried to convince me several times to get a newer car and I always refused. I told him we were keeping it forever. I planned to completely restore it once I was working.
So as I was slamming on my breaks right before crashing all I could think about was how to protect my car. (sadly, this is not a joke) Then it was over, I got out to survey the damage and I immediately broke down. I continued crying hysterically through the whole process, Taylor came, the police showed up, the tow truck came. I could tell the police felt really bad but I was too embarrassed to tell them I was so upset because of my car.
My sister then talked me into going and getting checked out by a doctor. We went to a nearby emergency clinic. I had a lot of back, neck and abdominal pain. The doctor ran a urine test which came back abnormal so she sent me to the emergency room. We then spent the day there. They took more samples and sent me to get a CT. Everything came back fine and I am now just really sore. I am very thankful that I am healthy and wasn't injured in the accident.
I am normally not a sentimental person when it comes to possessions. It actually annoys Taylor that I always throw everything away. The only things in my life I am sentimental about is my car and my wedding pictures. I could live without everything else. My family is coming to visit in two weeks and we are going to go get the drivers seat and the hood ornament from the Mercedes. I know I am crazy but when I think about not being able to sit and smell the old leather in of my car I just start crying. I think I just have so many good memories with that car, it has been with me through so much and I loved everything about it. I would not have sold it for any amount of money and I cannot imagine ever loving any car as much.
"When it rains, it pours." On Friday, February 10th, 2012 it poured. This is going to have to be two part post to tell all the grief and heartache I experienced on this day. On my way to school, a truck decided to dodge across three lanes to turn right and I crashed into him. Now first I have to try and explain the deep love I have for my '91 Mercedes. My dad drove that car up and gave it to me on my 19th birthday. It has been with me ever since. I was actually planning on writing a post about my car, as we were coming up on 200,000 miles. My husband had tried to convince me several times to get a newer car and I always refused. I told him we were keeping it forever. I planned to completely restore it once I was working.
So as I was slamming on my breaks right before crashing all I could think about was how to protect my car. (sadly, this is not a joke) Then it was over, I got out to survey the damage and I immediately broke down. I continued crying hysterically through the whole process, Taylor came, the police showed up, the tow truck came. I could tell the police felt really bad but I was too embarrassed to tell them I was so upset because of my car.
My sister then talked me into going and getting checked out by a doctor. We went to a nearby emergency clinic. I had a lot of back, neck and abdominal pain. The doctor ran a urine test which came back abnormal so she sent me to the emergency room. We then spent the day there. They took more samples and sent me to get a CT. Everything came back fine and I am now just really sore. I am very thankful that I am healthy and wasn't injured in the accident.
I am normally not a sentimental person when it comes to possessions. It actually annoys Taylor that I always throw everything away. The only things in my life I am sentimental about is my car and my wedding pictures. I could live without everything else. My family is coming to visit in two weeks and we are going to go get the drivers seat and the hood ornament from the Mercedes. I know I am crazy but when I think about not being able to sit and smell the old leather in of my car I just start crying. I think I just have so many good memories with that car, it has been with me through so much and I loved everything about it. I would not have sold it for any amount of money and I cannot imagine ever loving any car as much.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Symptoms and Side Effects
I am deep in my second semester of PA school, already seriously behind and drowning in my school work. This semester I am taking pharmacology and I have a running list of serious symptoms and side effects of being a PA student. Now there is definite variations between individuals but these are from my own personal experience.
1. Decreased cognition: I have always prided myself on being prepared, punctual and staying on top of things. Not anymore! I cannot remember anything to save my life. I have to set reminders for every little thing. I forget my homework, my lap top, pens, pencils, physical exam equipment. I forget everyone's birthday. I also make frequent embarrassing mistakes. I try to unlock the door to others people apartments at my complex. I put the ice cream away in the fridge. Now I know I have been guilty of these kinds of things in the past, but now it is much more frequent, almost a daily occurrence.
2. Skin conditions: Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad acne. The kind you got when you were a hormone raging 13 year old, its back. I also get dry skin rashes on my torso. My dermatologist told me it was from stress and I didn't believe her until it went away over the Christmas break and came back the second week of school.
3. Food cravings: My diet seems to be exclusively unhealthy food. I crave soda, sugar and fat pretty constantly. I have to have a continual stash of candy and cheez-its at home for when I'm studying. I would have gained 20 pounds if it weren't for the fact that stress seems to boost my metabolism.
4. Sunday night syndrome: A sinking feeling of dread, of the week to come. Can also occur other nights of the week too.
I also have a running list of contraindications for attending PA school, but since that includes everything good and enjoyable, it is too long to write out.
1. Decreased cognition: I have always prided myself on being prepared, punctual and staying on top of things. Not anymore! I cannot remember anything to save my life. I have to set reminders for every little thing. I forget my homework, my lap top, pens, pencils, physical exam equipment. I forget everyone's birthday. I also make frequent embarrassing mistakes. I try to unlock the door to others people apartments at my complex. I put the ice cream away in the fridge. Now I know I have been guilty of these kinds of things in the past, but now it is much more frequent, almost a daily occurrence.
2. Skin conditions: Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad acne. The kind you got when you were a hormone raging 13 year old, its back. I also get dry skin rashes on my torso. My dermatologist told me it was from stress and I didn't believe her until it went away over the Christmas break and came back the second week of school.
3. Food cravings: My diet seems to be exclusively unhealthy food. I crave soda, sugar and fat pretty constantly. I have to have a continual stash of candy and cheez-its at home for when I'm studying. I would have gained 20 pounds if it weren't for the fact that stress seems to boost my metabolism.
4. Sunday night syndrome: A sinking feeling of dread, of the week to come. Can also occur other nights of the week too.
I also have a running list of contraindications for attending PA school, but since that includes everything good and enjoyable, it is too long to write out.
Studying. Can you can spot the two boxes of cheez-its in this picture?
A small part of my candy stash.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Love Letter
If you saw my first blog post, you know that I am a huge fan of Virginia Woolf. I have watched the movie, The Hours, many times and always loved this letter you hear Virginia read. I always thought it was just part of the movie, but my sister recently told me that it was actually a reading of Virginia's Woolf last letter to her husband. Virginia suffered from mental illness and ended up committing suicide. I hope this is not too morbid, but the pure love Virginia had for her husband is so evident and beautiful. The last line is my favorite.
Dearest,
I feel certain that I am going mad again. I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times. And I shan't recover this time. I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate. So I am doing what seems the best thing to do. You have given me the greatest possible happiness. You have been in every way all that anyone could be. I don't think two people could have been happier 'til this terrible disease came. I can't fight any longer. I know that I am spoiling your life, that without me you could work. And you will I know. You see I can't even write this properly. I can't read. What I want to say is I owe all the happiness of my life to you. You have been entirely patient with me and incredibly good. I want to say that – everybody knows it. If anybody could have saved me it would have been you. Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness. I can't go on spoiling your life any longer. I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been.
V.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Room
With Taylor gone working a lot, I have managed to stay sane by enjoying my favorite hobby reading. I confess, I am a total book worm and every once in a while I come across a really amazing book and I just have to share. Last week I finished the book Room by Emma Donoghue. It was definitely one of the best and most suspenseful books I have ever read. I could not put it down and finished it in two days. And yes, I did read the Hunger Games trilogy the week before which I thoroughly enjoyed, but this was better. The Room is a novel written in the point of view of a 5 year-old boy. I thought this seemed crazy but it actually provided quite amazing insight. So if you are a big literary fiction fan, like me, or even if you love thrillers and suspense, you will definitely enjoy this book. I hope you get a chance to read it!
Here is the synopsis:
To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.
Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.
Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.
Here is the synopsis:
To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.
Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.
Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.
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