Is it Friday yet?

I feel so jilted.....

2007-06-11T23:49:00.000-03:00

So here we watch Sopranos for 7 seasons with it working up to this big finale and for what....nothing!
The scene was set for what you thought was the end of the line for Tony and possibly his family. Then the TV goes black. I say to Tim-hey what did you do to the TV and then after what seems like 30 seconds the credits roll!
Some may say it was genuis, why do we need to see things tidied up? So it's left for our imaginations or the movie!

The end....

2007-06-07T23:39:00.000-03:00

In 3 days the final episode of Soprano's airs on HBO. Tim and I love this show, we have watched it faithfully since it aired in 1999. Ok-there is not alot of redeeming qualities about this show-the nudity, language, violence, drug use, adultery..... But the acting is incredible. In the end, you like this tough mob boss despite all the reasons listed above. As this season has wound down, it has been sad to see key characters die off.

Sunday will be a sad night, Tim and I will huddled around the TV watching our favorite show go down in a bloody mob fight. My prediction-Tony will be the last one standing. He needs to be left for Soprano's-the movie.

My home makeover!

2007-06-05T23:16:00.001-03:00

Oh-I forgot to mention that over the past few months we have been working on the house. Tim and I refinished the hutch. We did a crackle finish. It was kinda nerve racking refinishing a piece of furniture that was my parent's wedding present. But we are so happy we did it and my mother approves.

We also finally got new kitchen floors which I LOVE! I have looked at the cheap contractor's vinyl for 6 years! I'm so happy with my floors I could sleep on them! Plus the kitchen is painted all red, so it looks like a new room.

I love my house!!

Wow!

2007-06-05T23:06:00.001-03:00

I don't know how the last 2 months have gone by without posting anything. So here is a run down.

I just completed 90 days at my new job, its going very well. I'm getting busy. I love working with two female docs-Go, go girl power!!

Maisy is almost 4 months old and nearly housebroke. I do find little surprises here and there once in a while.

We had a swimming pool installed about 2 weeks ago. Lizzie has been in it everyday since Memorial Day with the exception of today. I was actually happy for the 60 degree weather today. My skin needed a break from the pool water!

We are going on our first camping trip in 2 weeks. We skipped out on our usual Memorial Day camping. We decided to let the gas companies keep a few gallons of gas!!

Well enjoy a few pictures of my babies!

Happy summer!

Our new addition!

2007-04-03T22:20:00.000-03:00

We got baby Maisy last week. She is doing great! Toby loves her a little too much. He wants to play with her all the time and she likes to play a little and sleep alot.

My new job!

2007-03-27T22:45:00.000-03:00

Well I have been at my new job in Chelsea for almost a month now!
Time flies when you are having fun! I love my new job. As I told my mother, I have absolutely no regrets. Working for a female doctor is great, she is also a mother of two young children so we have plenty in common. She is really into teaching so I have learned quite a bit from her in the short time that I have been there. It's a bit more drive time, but its just more time that I get to spend with my iPod and cell phone!

BTW-new puppy.....3 days and counting! We are all very excited for our new bundle of joy!! Especially after spending some time last weekend with Maisy's brother-Pluto Hawkins!

Little Maisy

2007-03-07T21:26:00.000-03:00

Last Friday we picked out our new baby-a little girl.

Lizzie is very excited to get our new baby. We still have about 2 weeks until she is ready to come home with us. Hopefully Maisy will be more taken with Lizzie than Toby. Toby is a mommy's boy!

A day at the museum

2007-02-26T23:27:00.000-03:00

On Saturday we took a little family field trip to the Museum of Natural History on U of M's campus. This was a very cool little museum. It is the perfect size for little people. One floor has artifacts from the dinosaur era. There were a couple of large dinos that were Lizzie's favorites. The next level had displays of critters that live in Michigan-in the water, woods and air. The upper floor has a little hands on section as well as a planetarium. I would recommend this museum for young ones (Tim and I enjoyed it too!). It was not too busy like I would imagine the Hands-On Museum would be this time of year. And of course, once you can find a place to park, its always fun to be on campus!

So how about that Grey's Anatomy?

2007-02-16T00:44:00.000-03:00

I admit it! I love Grey's Anatomy. I guess this should be part of my "things I love" series.

(Don't read any further if you haven't watched this weeks episode)

I can't wait to sit down and veg out for an hour on Thursday nights.

Lately this show has turned me into a cry baby. First there was the episode with George's dad. It was very well done.

But tonight...............I am a mess right now. Will they really kill off Meredith Grey? Or will McDreamy come in and be her knight in shining armour? I hate sad endings, so I hope McDreamy saves the day.

I guess we will have to wait for another week.

Another baby for me....

2007-02-05T22:41:00.000-03:00

The four-legged furry kind that is!!!

After talking with my good friend Michelle, she convinced me that I needed one more dog. Ok-I had been thinking about it since Toby's mom is pregnant and Michelle just gave me the little nudge I needed!! Something about two are easier than one! My mom states that also works for kids, but I don't believe her!!

So Toby's mom is due next week-probably around Valentine's day. And I get first pick of the litter! Hurray for me!! I will probably select another boy. Toby will be in heaven having a playmate.

It's a cousin's sleepover!

2007-02-04T17:04:00.002-03:00

Last weekend my baby brother Justin and his wife Autumn celebrated their 5 year wedding anniversary. Two of their three children came over here to spend the night so they could have some mom and dad time. Lizzie adores her cousins.

Tim and I were brave and took the boys and Lizzie to Cabela's. The boys were very good for us. Those fish are a great source of entertainment!

But I do have a great appreciation for those who have more than one child. I don't know how my sister-in-law gets three little bodies out the house everyday!

How I love thee, Part III

2007-01-26T20:58:00.000-03:00

Here is the last of the things that I love and cannot live without!!

I love my Dansko shoes! In the fall of 2001, I was doing my clinical rotations for PA school. My second rotation was surgery. It was very long hours and lots of standing. I had very unhappy feet and legs.

In all my years of healthcare (14 total now), I had always worn tennis shoes to work. As I looked around in the OR's, no one wore tennis shoes. Most wore Dansko clogs. I indulged in my first pair that fall. These babies are not cheap, but worth every cent!!

I have since added to my collection (my latest acquisition picutred above). I still wear my original pair that are now over 5 years old! My feet could not be happier! I wouldn't dream of wearing any other shoes to work (and these shoes are great for a day of shopping). Plus the American Podiatric Medical Association endorses them!! What more you could ask for??

Happy Friday!!

How I love thee, let me count the ways....Part II

2007-01-16T23:21:00.000-03:00

Now I dedicate this post to my U2 iPod.

This was a Christmas present (ok-present from myself) two years ago. My first download was the U2 digital collection of all their music plus a ton of live songs=450U2 songs! Now that's a lot of Bono, but I do love my U2!

I listen to my iPod everyday, usually in the car and lately on the treadmill. I have most of my CD collection on this little beauty! Isn't technology great? 2000 songs at my fingertips-anywhere, anytime.

Of course Apple has come out with bigger and better-the video iPod-even comes in U2 special edition (Pictured above). Would you expect anything less from Bono and Apple? I'm tempted, but I think I'll keep podding with my old friend.

Now my iPod and I will have more time together as I commute to Chelsea. After long debate (with my head and heart), I have decided to take a job with a female dermatologist in Chelsea. I will begin working with her in March. I finally broke the news to my current doc who I have worked with for the past 4 years. I will be working same hours, more $. My new doc is very cool, a working mom, family oriented and all around nice person!

How I love thee, let me count the ways....

2007-01-14T22:48:00.000-03:00

How I love thee, let me count the ways.
I have decided to dedicate my next few blogs to the "things" in life that I love.
Oh the coffee bean.
My love of coffee started around 1999 in the EMU library late at night studying organic chem, human physiology-the good stuff. Somewhere between work, school and maintaining a home, I found myself experimenting with cappuccino. I started with the french vanilla and moved on from there. The next thing I knew it was regular coffee with flavored creamers, now just coffee, sweetener and plenty of cream. But I’ve always had a soft spot for the cappuccino. When Tim Horton’s opened in Adrian, I found myself ordering a large English toffee cappuccino whenever I passed by.
Now I have a new love (Thanks to Cindy and Tracy), hazelnut cappuccino at McDonald’s! The hard part is that McDonald’s are much more convenient (and open all the time!!) than Tim Horton’s or the recently closed Mustard Seed (very sad to see that very cool and christian coffee shop closed). All I can think about is hazelnut cappuccino-when I wake up in the mornings, when I hit the mid-afternoon slump.....
And what a deal-all that caffeine, sugar, milk and coffee bean somewhere in there for a mere $1.59! If you are a lover of the cappuccino, I highly recommend the hazelnut cap at your local McDonald’s!!

"Life is full of choices..."

2007-01-08T14:48:00.000-03:00

This is one of my boss's favorite sayings. He makes this comment to women who complain about their wrinkles but have a nice tan, teens with acne but won't use their prescription products..
In the New Year, I started thinking about my choices and making choices isn't as easy as it sounds.
For months (more like over a year), I have been trying to make a choice over where to spend my time Monday-Thurs. I have weighed the pro/cons of staying put or moving on. My final decision will be forthcoming. But I have lost sleep, worried and fretted over making the right choice.
Another choice that I am trying to make is where to spend my Sunday mornings. This debate has been going on in my head since May 2005. I have made a choice to find another place to be spirtually fed. This has not been an easy choice because I have spent so much time worrying how my choices affect those around me.
So what's this about free will and choice? I'm beginning to think there is no such thing!

I like that old-time rock and roll....

2006-12-30T23:04:00.000-03:00

Cindy (also known as my other half!) and I went to see Bob Seger two nights ago. It was a great show! I am not a huge Seger fan, but the tickets were free and it included a suite before the show.
But Seger puts on a great show, he played some of his new music which definately rocks and he played alot of his greatest hits. He played his old songs mixed in with his new stuff so we didn't spend the first half of the show listening to songs we didn't know. His stage set up was very simple, no huge video screens (which my fav band is notrious for-U2). It was just Bob, his female back-up singers, the Silver Bullet band and a horn section. You definately have to appreciate an artist who appreciates his fans. And did I mention that he sounds great live!
It was a great night. And next time you see a Bob Seger video-look for Cindy and I in the audience (among 16, 998 others)!!

Short and sassy

2006-12-25T23:36:00.000-03:00

It's ironic that my daughter has long hair. I do not like long hair for myself, way too much work. But her hair is sacred. I would have it trimed, but not much taken off the length. Until last week..... Everyday is a battle to brush that hair and do something with it. So I said enough is enough! And mornings have been so much easier!!!

Quick trip

2006-12-23T11:46:00.000-03:00

Lizzie-visiting the nativity scene at Bronner's!

Tim has been laid off since December 9th, so we decided to take a quick trip up to Frankenmuth. I found a great rate for a room at Zehender's Splash Village which is right next to Bronner's. Splash Village is a smaller version Great Wolf Lodge. It was perfect for Lizzie to get her swinning fix! I would recommend this facility for those with younger children. Being there during the week was great, no crowds at the hotel or Bronners.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-15T00:52:00.000-03:00

Happy holiday from all of us!!

Grandma Liz

2006-12-02T00:07:00.000-03:00

My grandma's surgery went very well today. Her surgeon was able to completely remove the tumor from her liver, no lymph nodes appeared involved so it's looking like she will not need chemo after surgery! Praise the lord!!

Is it really the last week in November??

2006-11-27T14:30:00.000-03:00

So where did this month go? Time flies when you are having fun!
I did get to have some fun this month, I had a conference in San Diego, Ca at the beginning of the month. It was sunny and 70 every day while I was there. It was nice to have 5 days to myself.
Lizzie thinks everything is different now that she is 4! She can do everything herself now because she's 4 now and according to her that makes her a big girl!
A grandma update: she did see a surgeon and oncologist at U of M, the tumor on her liver is her primary cancer (which is rare). The surgeon believes excision plus localized chemo would be appropriate for her. So surgery is this Friday. I pray that her body is strong enough to handle surgery. Please keep her in your prayers.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. Tim and I had all of our families at our house. It was quite a crowd, but it was great to see everyone.
Enjoy this beautiful weather!

The birthday party!

2006-11-07T01:56:00.000-03:00

We had Lizzie's 4th b-day party on Sunday. Classroom critters (aka Paul McCormack) was there with all his friends. It was great. Mr. McCormack does an exceptional job with the kids! It was a blast! Yes that is a snake hanging out with Liz!!

Guess who's 40??

2006-10-31T23:32:00.000-03:00

Saturday is the big day-Tim is the big 4-0! We are inviting friends and family over to watch Michigan beat someone on Saturday (I'm not sure who they are playing yet!!). The game starts at noon. So come on by watch some football and razz Tim about getting old!!
I will have snacks and refreshments.

Nearly 4!

2006-10-31T14:45:00.000-03:00

I nearly have a 4 year old. Lizzie will be 4 years old next Wednesday. Last night as she was running around the house screaming and chasing Toby, I wished for a moment that my house was quiet again. Tim and I were married 7 years before we had Liz. I'm glad that we had those years for quiet dinners, golf vacations, sleeping in and more importantly to me-be able to fufill my career dream-becoming a PA.
Then I decided I wanted to be pregnant NOW! I would ask Tim, "when will I get pregnant?" Ok-a bit impatient because my wish came true about 3 months later. Then towards the end of my pregnancy, I would ask Tim "when am I ever going to have this baby." I know I said those words about 4 years ago. I couldn't wait for her to be with us, we have loved most of our 4 years with the lovely Liz. She makes us laugh with the things that her mind dreams up. Recently she was looking at our wedding picture and asked where did Daddy's belly go when we got married! Those who know Tim are getting a good laugh about now!! (Tim will not be happy for that comment, so shhhhhh!)
Yes, we love her and can't believe that we have a little girl now instead of a baby. It brings tears to my eyes.
Time flies when you are having fun!!

Prayer request

2006-10-03T14:02:00.000-03:00

Last night my mother called me with "that tone" in her voice. My grandmother (mom's mom) had an ultrasound that showed a large mass on her liver, 99% possiblity that's cancer and most likely a secondary site. My grandmother will have another CT but beyond that she does not want any further treatment. So its very sad for us, especially my mother. So I ask for everyone to keep my grandmother in their prayers and a prayer for my mother to have the strength to get through my grandmother's illness.

More of Toby

2006-09-30T23:17:00.000-03:00

I may have to change this blog to "Toby, Toby, Toby!"
But we are having a great time with him!

Let's go BLUE!

2006-09-25T23:39:00.000-03:00

Need I say more??!!

Meet Toby!

2006-09-08T00:05:00.000-03:00

Last week we got our new bundle of joy-Toby! Toby spent Labor Day weekend with us at Jellystone campground in Fremont, Ind. He was great! We could not have picked a better dog for our family. Toby is fun, social, playful and loving and he loves camping! Liz loves him. The housebreaking is going okay-I have spent alot of time outside over the past week. There's been a few accidents in the house, but he weighs about 1 1/2 pds-so its not a big mess! He's even grown on Tim.
Here are some pictures from the past week. One is Lizzie with her friends-Yogi, Boo-Boo and Toby, Toby and Liz asleep in the camper and Toby showing his little pig whose the boss!!

It's been a while!!

2006-08-29T13:40:00.000-03:00

Dear Blogger,
Sorry I have not posted in a while. I had the best intentions when I started this.
Friday we become offical parents of Toby-our 7 week old Yorkie-Poo Maltese. He is darn cute. Liz and I are very excited. Tim is not.. but you know Tim!
Friday we also leave for the weekend to camp at Yogi Bear. So the very first day/night with our new puppy will be in our camper. It ought to be an interesting weekend.
Lizzie finished up swim lessons a few weeks ago. She really improved over the summer. The swim lessons at Bohn pool are exceptional. The instructors are high school/college kids, they did a great job. We will definately be back next year. Our next venture with Liz is dance. I have checked out two local studios. The one I like the best has classes that start too early. These classes are not made for working parents!!
Work is crazy busy!! Even though all these kids have been off all summer, everyone needs their acne and warts taken care of THIS week!!! But work is work, at least I have a job!
Tim continues to sweat his job. His plant is cutting production 20% by the end of the year. He thinks his seniority (11 years) will save him from a major layoff, but he does expect a temp. layoff at some point.
My dear friend's daughter is having surgery this week (tubes and tonsilectomy). Please keep them in your prayers.
Have a wonderful weekend. The weather is suspose to be great after today!
Be blessed!!

Our new baby!

2006-08-01T22:57:00.000-03:00

Today on my lunch hour, I went and picked out our new puppy. He will be ready to come with us in 4 weeks. When I showed Lizzie the pictures, she wanted to know why I didn't bring him home now. I explained that he still needs his mommy. And to that she said,"why didn't you bring home the mommy puppy too."

A pet for us!!??

2006-07-31T13:49:00.000-03:00

After careful consideration, we have decided to get a DOG! For those who know us, we really aren't pet people. We use to have cats that we had for years, when Lizzie came along the cats decided to use our house for a litterbox, so they are no longer with us. We swore that we would not get anymore animals. But... someone at work has this cute little dog that I fell in love with. And now that same breeder has puppies! What kind of dog would we get? According to Tim, its not really a dog, it's a Yorkie-Poo! Right now he is only 2 weeks old. We'll be getting him sometime early September. Lizzie is pretty excited, she is starting to pick out names. On her short list is Roscoe and Gophert (that's not misspelled, that really what she wants). I will get to see the puppy tomorrow on my lunch hour then I will start thinking about names. Any ideas for a cute little boy??

I've emerged!

2006-07-20T12:56:00.000-03:00

I have been on a reading frenzy for the past week or so. In the 10 days, I have read 4 books! In my stack of books that I bought from the library sale, I had a James Patterson series which centered about a female police officer-1st to Die, 2nd Chance and 3rd Degree. There's 2 more in the series that I have to track down. These were great page turners, very suspenseful murder mysteries-a little gory but good. The other book that I read, I have been waiting a year for-12 straight by Janet Evanovich. This is the 12th in the series that centers around Stephanie Plum-a female bounty hunter in New Jersey. These books are laugh out loud funny! My grandmother started me on these books about 4 years ago. I have started several friends on the series. These are the first set of books that I have read that I often have to set the book down because I am laughing with tears in my eyes!! Now time to find something else to read-its been 24 hours since I had a novel in my hands!!

Yogi, Yogi, he's Lizzie's man!!

2006-07-08T00:22:00.000-03:00

We ended up canceling our trip to Higgins Lake and instead went to Yogi Bear in Fremont, In. It's much closer to home (less $$ on gas) and it's Lizzie's favorite place. Lizzie's favorite person there is Yogi Bear. He has rock star status on Lizzie's list. When she spots him, she yells YOGI, YOGI!! It is quite comical! Hope everyone had a great 4th. Tim and I have been off all week, I'll be kicking and screaming when I go back to work on Monday. It's been a great week to be off!

Linens, rugs, bedding, furniture-OH MY!!!

2006-07-02T19:45:00.000-03:00

I made my first trip to Ikea the other day! WOW! What a great store, but it is set up a little weird, must be a swedish thing. First up go upstairs to the showroom to view all of the merchandise then its downstairs to locate it. Both the upstairs and downstairs is like a maze of rooms. I spent nearly 3 hours weaving through the maze. There is everything you could ever think of for the home. If you need storage ideas, this is the place. And the prices are good too. I bought Lizzie an art easel. She loves it. Ikea does have a play area for kids that are potty trained. The smaller crowd is forced to go through the store with lots in it and little they can touch!! So if you go, try solo and just a friend or two. Bring plenty of patience, its still pretty busy! But it was great, now I'm trying to figure out when I can go again!!

Home sweet home

2006-06-28T00:16:00.000-03:00

I can almost remember the day about 5 years ago when Tim and I were looking for a place to live once our place in Ann Arbor sold. My mom said, "Maybe you should look in Tecumseh." And I remember saying, "It's too far out (from Ann Arbor)." But we ended up looking way out here and finding a home that we love. We have been way out here now for almost 5 years and I love it. Tecumseh is such a great town to live in, it has so much to offer-especially since the best friend I could ever have already lived way out here. The walkways that were created last year along Chicago Blvd, the library, the parks (the great splash pad that Lizzie loves!!) and the people make living all the way out here worth it. It also helps that I found a job and daycare very close to home. Tim, Lizzie and I have made such great friends within our neighborhood and church. We are proud and grateful to call Tecumseh our home!

My doll!!

2006-06-09T21:48:00.000-03:00

Isn't she lovely??!!
Yes, the lamb is real!

Hi-ho, hi-ho, off to camp we go.....

2006-05-30T13:44:00.000-03:00

What an absolutely gorgeous weekend!!! We went camping at Yankee Springs Recreational Area just south of Grand Rapids. This area is absolutely beautiful. Jim and Loretta and Tim’s sister and brother-in-law joined us. The weather was absolutely perfect. Lizzie loves to camp, she cried uncontrollably on Monday when it was time to leave. I think she would be happy if we lived in our camper year round. Initially she was disappointed that we were not at Yogi Bear (Jellystone), but she over it especially since she had Auntie and Nana to entertain her. I think she grew gills and fins (Daddy's little crappy) after spending so much time in Gun Lake and Lake Michigan. We have quite a bit of camping planned for the summer, our next trip is to Yogi Bear Father’s Day weekend, Higgins Lake over the 4th. We are leaving our camper at Yogi Bear for the whole month of September, it will be Lizzie’s dream come true. Sometime in the summer we plan on venturing up North to visit my dad just west of Cadilliac. Someone once told me that “camping ain’t easy,” but it is a great time! Tim and I agree that the camper is one of the best things we ever did for Lizzie because she enjoys it soooo much and it’s a great family experience!

Jobs.......

2006-05-22T23:31:00.000-03:00

Well, I love reading everyone's blog, but I often wonder why doesn't everyone post all the time! And now I know, there's just not enough hours in the day!!
Recently I repainted my master bedroom and I remembered how much I dislike painting. And to think there are people who do this for a living!! And that lead me to think about the things I have done for employment..... 1st there was Big Boy-the salad bar and brown polyester!! Good stuff!! Thru high school I had other fast food jobs and eventually ended up at Meijer my first year of college. The job-not so great but that is where I met the love of my life!! Then came my x-ray career highlights included barium enemas, squishing boobs (mammograms!!) and plenty of blood and other bodily fluids. When I was doing mammograms all the time, women would say to me all the time "how can you do this all day?" Which after several years of that I asked myself the same thing and went back to school so now I pop pimples, freeze warts (make small children and some adults cry!!), cut skin tags out of EVERYWHERE and I do mean EVERYWHERE!! But I also make the itching stop and remove skin cancers. And I do love my job!!!
I think we all have a calling and god bless each and everyone who answers that call!!

I finally did it!

2006-05-12T00:25:00.000-03:00

I have been reading blogs for the past year and finally decided to start my own!
Actually the reason I did it is so I can post comments on Tammy's site!
Isn't Jay-Jay the cutest thing ever (well next to Liz!!)