My new job!

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

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

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?

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....

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!

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

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

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....

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..."

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....

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

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

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!

Happy holiday from all of us!!

Grandma Liz

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??

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!

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??

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!

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

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.