California had a different plan...

Well, I thought I would be posting everyday to my poorly mistreated blog while I was in California!! I remembered as soon as I stepped foot off the plane, my husbands little apartment is too far away from the router!! So we don't get internet in his house. Therefore I am in the landlady's house while my clothes are washing typing this post. Maybe I can get over here a few more times.
There has been a lot that has happened since I left Mississippi. I stayed with my grandmother in Reno my first few days out west. She had a few neck vertebra fused and was needing some TLC while her husband had to go out of town for a few days. Trae came up and we had a wonderful few days of resting. The three days before Christmas Eve, we spent in Tahoe!! It was great. We didn't ski, but we rested and cooked and played in the snow! Trae and I had a wonderful Christmas. We exchanged presents on Christmas Eve because he had to work Christmas Day. So it was just me and Bella on Christmas Day. My plan was to spend some time with him at the ER during the day, but the ER was pretty hopping so I couldn't stay. That day started his 5 days in a row stretch, which today is the last of. I am so glad he doesn't have to work for the next 8 days! I am not sure what we will do, but I don't really care either.
My Alabama Crimson Tide is playing in the National Championship game on January 7. I am soo incredibly excited! I have never seen them play for a championship. I have also found out that a guy in my OT class actually personally knows my favorite Bama player, Terrence Cody! I really want to meet him one day soon! As soon at it was official Bama was going to be playing in Pasadena for the Championship, I tried to find out how I could get to the game. I figured since I would already be in California, this would be fairly easy. I layed in bed one night trying to figure out logistics of this trip only to wake up tired and upset that I still wouldn't be able to go. Oh well. I will be able to watch it with my sweetheart and that is enough for me! Well that is all for now!! But I am so glad to be back online!!!

Wait, I have a blog?!

In case you were wondering if I had dropped off the face of the planet, have no fear, I was only in the last few weeks of the hardest semester I am supposed to have in grad school! That's all! I am now done with gross anatomy. I don't have to dissect and study a dead body any more. And I must say, as much of an incredible learning experience it was and how grateful I am to have had the opportunity, I am glad it is over. I have been following my favorite other blogs, but have not had the time, energy, or interesting material to post anything new on my own blog. I have really been enjoying Aunt Spicy's travel posts. I really really really want to go to the UK and her latest London post made me want to take a few weeks off school and just fly there the moment I saw her pictures.

I am so excited for the upcoming month off from school I have. I have a lot planned, like finishing the quilt I started for my birthday this PAST February! I know, please don't be too disappointed. I will be going to California for the month on Monday. I must see my Megan get married first!!!

So after I get to California, regular blog posts will resume. Please forgive my neglect but know I have been watching all of you, missing my daily fill of blog wonderfulness!

Such a blessing!

Even though the only people who look at this blog are the people who I will describe in this post, I would still like to take this opportunity to share my appreciation and love for them (you).

First off is M.W. She is the only other married girl in our group. I love her so much. She is absolutely hilarious and full of life. I really don't know how I would make it without Trae if she was not with me. She has been in my shoes. Her husband was in the Army and served several tours in the Middle East right after they were first married. She knows exactly what I am going through and she knows how tough it is. She actually had it worse off than me. She could not talk to her husband everyday for as long as she wanted. Her time was very limited with crazy hours. She knows exactly what to say, when to hug me, and when to just let me cry a little on those days where Trae seems so far away. I am so grateful for her friendship and support.

Then comes M.S. She is getting married the day after our last day of the fall semester this year. Yes, she is crazy. She is also hilarious and random, which I love and appreciate. M.S. has such a gift for creative paper arts. She is also someone I have to keep an eye out on. M.S. seems to walk out in the middle of a busy street while she is texting or just talking to someone. I have had to pull her back onto the sidewalk numerous times when I thought the car coming did not see her. She also misplaces her phone every day. I kid you not, every day. I have to ask her when we move rooms if she has her phone with her. She misplaced her purse just last week! I love M.S. She is sweet, funny, and always up for an adventure, like going to the local department store and finding the tackiest prom dresses to try on in the dressing room. And yes, she always documents such occasions with pictures. I can not wait for her wedding in December. Just to give an idea of how incredible she is, she has asked the girls of our group to be honorary bridesmaids. When she was telling us what to wear for the wedding, she simply told us that she wanted us to wear nice black dresses, and that she wanted us to look HOT! What kind of bride openly tells her bridesmaids she wants them to be hot! Most brides want their attendants to look nice, but they want to be the best looking thing there. My M.S. will be smoking on the day of her wedding because she is a gorgeous gal already. I just think it is awesome she wants the rest of us good looking too! I love her.

Next is L.S. She is the newest part of our group and we are kicking ourselves for not grabbing her at the start of the summer semester. She is amazing. She is an Office fanatic, which has turned me onto The Office. After today, she is now another member of my fashion consultant team. L.S. is also hilarious, loves coffee, and is single. We will all be very picky, inquisitive, and protective of any suitor that shall try to woo our L.S. I love that L.S. refuses to lower her standards and knows what is acceptable behavior in a man. She neither takes excuses nor wastes her time on someone that doesn't deserve her. She is great and deserves someone that knows exactly how special she is.

When I started school I did not expect to really find girls that I would really get along with and become best friends with. I expected to just be social during class and not really socialize with many people outside of class. God has placed 3 incredible women around me who I see as lifelong friends. They are amazing girls that make school so much fun and life a joy. I am so blessed that I have found them and they see me as a girl cool enough to be a member of their group.

Thanks girls! I love ya! Sorry M.W., you didn't make this picture, you were taking it!! We need to get a good picture of all 4 of us!!!

Busy, busy, busy...

Just as I expected, this semester has been a very busy, learning intensive, and whirlwind of a semester. I am taking anatomy with human dissection this semester. I have this class every day, either lab or lecture. Needless to say, it is taking over my life. I am doing my best to balance this 1 class with the rest of my classes, and most importantly, Trae. I am so excited to report that he will be coming for a few days on October 6th. I can not wait to see him.

I just got involved with something very important recently. Our class is registered as a team for the American Heart Association Heart Walk. Everyone has heard about heart disease and strokes. You may even know someone effected by one of these diseases. My 72 year old grandmother had a heart attack a few years ago. I know that she still lives with fear about having another heart attack. I have lived next to my grandmother for the majority of my life. She is the typical grandmother who showers her love on her family by using any excuse to cook for them, buying groceries for her grandchildren in college, and giving you just about anything you may need. Of course she also gives her opinion freely and without invitation, she had very little tolerance for unruly children in public, and will call someone out about anything she feels need at any time. As long as you are respectful and polite, you will not ever have a problem with her. She is even known in our area as the Pie Lady. She makes the most delicious and

perfect meringue around. She was featured in Mississippi Magazine for her pies. I really don't care for meringue, but her pies are wonderful even without it. I love her dearly and do not know what life would be like without her.

If you have been effected by heart disease or stroke and feel moved to help make a difference, please visit my page on the American Heart Association's Heart Walk donation page here, to donate for someone you know who has been impacted by this condition.

Here a few pictures of what my life has been like since the start of the semester.

I took Camille, my sister, to the back to school party hosted by my school. It was fun, getting together with my classmates. I remember wanting Trae with me. I am so glad Camille was with me, but I know Trae would have enjoyed it. This was Camille and I before we left for the party.

I WENT TO A BAMA GAME!!!!! And yes those are my houndstooth rain boots I have on. My mom and I went to the Bama v North Texas game. This was the first game I have been to since I was a student there in 2003. I had such a wonderful time, despite the very wet, wet weather. It rained up until an hour before the game, was rain free during the game, and as we were walking to the car to leave Tuscaloosa, the bottom fell out and it rained our whole way home. God was smiling upon me that day and let me enjoy a wonderful day in Tuscaloosa. The only thing that would have made the day better was if Trae would have been sitting right beside me.

College Football Season

I have already expressed my love for college football here. I am writing this on the couch as Alabama is playing Virginia Tech for the first game of the season. I have missed college football so much. I have plans to go to a game this year, which I am thrilled about since I haven't been to a game since I was a student. I also hope that Trae can make it to a game this year. He has never experienced the magic and enchantment of an Alabama game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This is an experience that can not be duplicated anywhere and is a completely intoxicating. There is no where like Tuscaloosa on a game day. I know everyone who is a college football fan says that about their team, but I really do think this is true about Bama. My grad school is a part of the University of Mississippi. I have never been a fan of Ole Miss. Everyone in my family has gone to Mississippi State, the in-state rivals of Ole Miss. I still am not a fan of Ole Miss and I actually don't really consider my grad school as a part of Ole Miss. It is so far removed and there are no athletics at my school. I am fortunate that one of my professors went to Alabama and is a huge Crimson Tide fan like myself. So as I sit and watch our brand new quarterback get situated and comfortable as the leader of the Tide. We are currently ranked no. 5, but I am not sure if we will stay at this spot for long. Of course I would love to be pleasantly surprised, but I don't want to expect too much from our new team. I am just excited to watch some football.

Missing Him

I miss him.

Grad School, Fall 1, Week 1

This week is going pretty great so far. We take gross anatomy with human dissection lab this semester. I am excited to get in there and start. We have either this class or its lab every single day of the semester. On Wednesdays, we have both the lab and the lecture. So to say that this is an important class with a lot of information to learn is a bit of an understatement. All my other classes seem to fail in comparison to the importance and value of this class. So another struggle this semester will be putting as much effort into all my other classes as I will for anatomy. I am excited though. I am missing my Trae and my Bella a lot. They got into their new place in California and it is poolside. Bella has been swimming in the pool already and she really likes it, of course. I will put pictures up when I get some. I realized I was back in college again when a spontaneous tye dyeing event took place and not only was I invited, but I was super excited about it and had a lot of fun doing it. There are some amazing people in my class and I am really looking forward to becoming great friends with them. I have also been commissioned to organize our programs girls flag football team. I am also excited about this, but not really the organization part of it, just the participation. Can you imagine Med school and dental school students playing flag football?! Can be pretty comical if you know some of the doctors I know! The picture is of me and my sister at the tye dye party!

My Point of View

This has been my daily scene all week long. And yes, I have loved every minute of it.

This is taken from my default spot at my family's lake, in the hammock. After last week's craziness of remodeling, I was really looking forward to this week of nothing.

Sadly, it is almost over. Monday morning, I start back to school. This semester will be more demanding of time, energy, and mental capacity than last semester. But I am ready for the challenge and the learning. The next picture is of the updated kitchen. We painted the cabinets and replaced hardware on them. We painted the walls a grayish green color. The slate floor is new but was done before we got there. We would like to replace the counter top, but that will have to come when the house funds have been replenished.

This is the small downstairs spare bathroom after its remodel. We painted the walls above the tile. Changed the sink and shower hardware. We also replaced the very outdated medicine cabinet which also housed the only outlet and light in the room. It was hideous. It was wide 70's model and I am so happy with how this came out. It's not HGTV or anything, but we are happy with our efforts.

Just for the record, I do want to brag again about my hammock home for the past week. I will miss that hammock. From that spot, I could watch the clouds form and move to where they were going, birds circle and dive, and planes zooming to their destinations. It was a lovely spot with a lovely breeze that seemed to blow and the exact moment I needed it to so that I was at a comfortable temperature. In that hammock, the tree it was anchored by shaded my head the entire day without having to readjust my position. That place is one of my most favorite places in the world. Oh well, back to school I go. My sweet Trae has made it back to California and starts work on Tuesday. I miss him so much already. This is going to be a really tough semester. I do not know when I will see him again. But it won't be soon enough.

What a Break!

Well, last week was the first week of my break between summer and fall semester. I left straight from school and drove to North Carolina to assist Trae with the remodel rush to finish up all the projects he had started. We were up till 2 am every night and up at 8:30ish to try to get everything done. I am exhausted. We got all the painting, hanging cabinets, replacing fixtures and switches, and cleaning done about 7pm on Saturday evening. We needed to be in Mississippi on Sunday for Trae to do some work on the Jeep before he left for California on Monday morning. So we started our drive out of North Carolina towards Mississippi around 9pm on Saturday evening. We drove all night and pulled in the driveway as dawn was approaching. I looked at the clock as we were laying our head on the pillow, 5:50 am. Yes, Sunday was the most uncomfortable of days. We slept till around 9:30 am when Trae decided to get up to get started on the Jeep work. I got up with him, made him some breakfast and struggled with whether or not to start working on the laundry he needed done for his trip and the packing that I was to do for him. Well we stayed up for a while, I finally decided, or thought I was awake enough for this option, that I would just go lay down in bed and play on the computer for a while. I didn't think I was tired enough to sleep anymore, but my body was tired from the previous week of abuse I subjected it to. I think the computer "resting" plan only lasted about 30 minutes. Around 11:30 I laid my head on my pillow and closed my eyes. Apparently, several people came in my room and I didn't even notice. I am normally a very light sleeper so this always means that I was OUT! I was so OUT that when I woke up at 3pm, I felt fully rested and ready to start my day. I am still recovering, but I am a lot better than I was. Poor Trae had to start his drive to California via Omaha on Monday at 6:30am. I know that when he gets to California he will crash, after he works of course. He is scheduled to arrive on Thursday. His first shift is Friday pm. He will work the night shift for the first month he is there and then switch to a day shift. I feel so bad for him. I know his body is screaming for a break. He has always been able to handle sleep deprivation and crazy schedules a lot better than me. I am trying to get back on my regular school sleep schedule this week. I start back next Monday. Until then, I am taking full advantage of this week of nothing to do and am being lazy, relaxing and plan on reading a book.

I will try to get some pictures of the house up soon, but don't hold your breath, I am relaxing and definitely not rushing to do anything this week!

Mighty to Save

Mighty to save has been running through my mind and heart for the past week or so. I think I need to be reminding myself this lately. I am so blessed and relieved that I serve God, who is mighty to save and has never left me alone. Church was awesome today. Camille and I went to church together today. The message was great. This is part 2 of a series on the Doctrine of God. Today's message was on What is God like? The pastor used the first part of Matthew in the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man to tell of some basic fundamental characteristics we should know about God. First of all, Jesus told the man that his sins were forgiven. The man, nor those who brought him, even spoke at all during this passage. He was lowered down in front of Jesus and was told by Jesus, "Your sins are forgiven." Jesus did not address the physical nature of the man's problems. Jesus is more concerned with the health of your/my spiritual life than our physical circumstances. God can rearrange our situation, finances, physical health, and relationships all we want him to, but if our spirit and heart are not right with Him, nothing will ever be right in our life. Our spiritual life is the most important aspect of our life. God loves to forgive us and He desires to forgive us, but we must come to Him and ask for that forgiveness. He is strong and mighty to save. We have to believe and trust Him, not just believe IN Him.

I was touched this morning and I hope more than anything that Camille will take how she was touched and move forward.

Out of the Funk

Ok.I am out of my funk but am in the middle of some other stuff. School is going great. Trae and I are wonderful and just found out that he will probably have to go back to California until early February. Yuck!!! That does not make me happy, it actually makes me really sad. You know there are just times that you need the Almighty to help you, this is one of those times. I am desperate for his help and grace and outpouring of love.

In a Funk

I'm definitely in a funk. Or at least I was earlier today and have been since Friday. I have been short with my family and even Trae (which is horrible). I will be so excited to talk to him on the phone and I will want to call him just to hear his voice, but when I actually get on the phone, I lost interest and was anxious to get off the phone. Not because of what he was saying, but because I was in a funk. So I talked to Trae about it. Then I talked to my mom about it. Then I looked to really the place I should have looked first. I flipped open my Bible and started reading.

Psalm 119:35:

Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

Psalm 119:50:

Your promise revive me, it comforts me in all my troubles.

How awesome it that I can open the Bible and immediately be encouraged and uplifted by His words and promise!

So be encouraged, EVERYONE!

Back to Healthy

So, I have started it again. Trying to eat healthier with less sweets and smaller portions. I think I have been doing pretty good with the healthier food. My big problem is portion size and craving those sweet little nibbles after dinner. If I am eating a meal that tastes good, I will keep on eating because it tastes good, not necessarily because I am still hungry. I got on a pretty big Sonoma Diet kick last year and I really liked it. The biggest thing it helped me with was portion size. I will probably break out that book today after school and start going through and getting ingredients together for that. The only bad thing about the Sonoma Diet, it really focuses on cutting out sugar for like the first 2 weeks. I have gone a while without sweets and it does become easier to just say no after a while. But I just like them too much. I don't want to give them up. But its ok, I will just have to find alternatives to my 4-layer delights, ice cream sandwiches, and chocolate cake. I can do it.

Midterms...Check!

This past week was midterms and I am glad they are over. Nothing I didn't expect yet still. I am glad I don't feel tremendously stressed or overwhelmed yet. Trae is in North Carolina getting the house ready to be put on the market. I will be so excited when that house is sold so that he can come here and we can live like a normal family. I have been going to the lake a lot, which is such a joy of mine and an escape from school.

Ahhhhh... (Sigh of Contentment)

I have survived the waiting. I have been absent from the blog world to try to soak up and suck every bit of time with the hubby I can while he is still here. He leaves tomorrow to head to NC to get our house sold. Thanks for all the good wishes. It has been a wonderful week of being with him. We had a blast this week and have regained our normal energy, strength, and happiness levels being with each other. Bella has also been a joy to have around again. I really miss her a lot. She has been going to the lake everyday and is slap wore out! She is taking the day off and resting. She passed out on the dock yesterday in the middle of lots of new people and activity. I knew she was tired, she has never just taken a nap in the middle of so many people before. But she did get in a little kayak ride while at the lake this week. It was so funny. Trae also had to use his excellent nursing/suture skills to sew up a friend of ours at the lake. He got hooked by a large bass hook. I have been loving having Trae here. It is perfect. Now we just need to sell the house in NC and he can come here, take a permanent job while I am in school and we can be like a normal couple! That will be nice!

I'm waiting...

... on Trae to hurry up and drive here. I have been so anxious, I haven't really be able to do anything productive all day. I went to church this am with Camille, came back, and have been trying to study for my midterm tomorrow. Well, I did get about 2 good hours in of studying, which I will not complain about. But I am just sitting on pins and needles awaiting his arrival!! Can't wait!!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today is mine and Trae's 4 year anniversary. And yet again, we are not together on the actual day of our anniversary. I was thinking about how our crazy life keeps putting us in different places. I realized that the only anniversary we have spent in the same geographic location together is our 2nd. Every other anniversary we have been separated by internships, jobs, and other commitments in different states. I know, its sad. But somehow we make it work. I guess this is just another way we see God in our relationship, by the fact that we can handle being away from each other. We hate it, but we can handle it, miraculously. It has been a wonderful 4 years and it just seems to be flying by. We have a great lovable dog, no kids, but we have each other and that is all we need. I love him so much and like I have said before, we are the same kind of weird. It just works. He will be here late Sunday night. And I couldn't be more excited!

"... and let it be good!"

Thanks Dad for being the quiet one, so that I have a better understanding of when to talk and when not to.

Thanks Dad for teaching me to ski. It is a part of my life that I love, miss, excel at, and it always reminds me of you.
Thanks Dad for putting in countless hours of boat driving, ballasting a boat just right while driving by yourself and pulling pin at the same time, traveling late into the night, and putting up with sometimes less than desirable people just so that I might have a chance to fulfil my dream of skiing.

Thanks Dad for always knowing how fast, how short, or how wide I need to tell the driver of the boat.

Thanks Dad for ALWAYS being on the shore to meet me when I got out of the water and always saying the right thing.

Thanks Dad for letting me be harder on myself that you.

Thanks Dad for getting me mad enough that 1 time I did my best performance.

Thanks Dad for always telling me, "If you don't want to do this anymore, we will find something else to do that makes you happy."

Thanks Dad for letting me marry Trae, I know you were scared, but I can't imagine being happier with anyone else.

Thanks Dad for your love and devotion to Mom and continuing to grow in your love for her.

Thanks Dad for fixing all the car issues we have ever had.

Thanks Dad for always making sure we have a Chilton's book for every car in the vehicle with us at all times.

Thanks Dad for trying to teach me how to back a trailer, that was the first time I actually saw and recognized your patience.

Thanks Dad for giving up your empty house because I have a crazy life.

Thanks Dad for going to the ends of the earth to show me that you love me, you are proud of me, and providing for me.

Thanks Dad for letting me sit on your lap, still.

Thanks Dad for being exactly who you are and not apologizing for it.

Thanks Dad for always offering to pay for meals.

Thanks Dad for wanting BOPS at 9:30 pm, I know I get my love of sweets from you.

Thanks Dad for being so selfless, I see you give of yourself to anyone in need at the drop of a hat. Whether you know it or not, that is one way I see God through you.

Thanks Dad for requesting the Reader's Digest version of stories, I get that from you too.

Thanks Dad for showing me how to have fun.

Thanks Dad for always taking fun to the extreme.

Thanks Dad for being the Dude.

Thanks Dad for everything.

Thanks Dad for being happy to do all of this because you love me.

I love you BATS Dad!

Update!

I have been so busy with school and trying to find a few minutes here and there to get quiet and not be thinking about school that I have completely neglected my beloved blog!!! I feel so ashamed, but I have been getting a lot of work done and school is going swimmingly. Last weekend was a girls trip to New Orleans. By girls weekend, I do not mean all of the wonderful best friends that I have, I mean all of the women on my mom's side of the family. CRAZY! And yes, the drama ensued and I do not have time to explain all that went on but lets just say, I am glad we haven't planned the next one yet!! I love my family, but I guess they are like all families, crazy! I am off to class till 3:00! (The picture is of me, my sister, my grandmother, and my mom, in order from left to right!) Oh and I am really really missing Trae everyday, still.

Today is Hard

Yes, I am having a hard time today. Being without Trae is so tough. Most days I get by but then I have days like today. No matter how gorgeous the weather is or how great of a day I am having, it all seems sad and I can barely manage to get out a poor excuse of a smile when I am talking to someone. But because I was a church today, it almost seemed worse. We enjoy going to church so much and I associate being with him when I am there. I can hardly pay attention to the message because I want him to be sitting beside me. Then I feel the Lord pour his love and attention on me and I feel a little better. I know that He is my everything and that no matter where I am or what I am doing, I can feel His presence and love surround me. I still want Trae though. So that is where I am today.

WHEW!!

I am beginning to catch my breath after the 8 chapter reading this week. I think I got myself all worked up over nothing. My classes are totally manageable and I have only been introduced to information I will need to really study in 1 class. I am SURE that will change as the semester continues, but for now, I am ok with this. I am beginning to get to know some of the people in my class and I really like them. The OT2 students informed us today that they were told by the faculty that my class has the highest GPA ever accepted in the program's history. That made me feel really good, but I don't know how much of that to believe!! I did learn a few days ago that we will definitely be going to the cadaver lab next semester, which I am totally stoked about! That may not sit well with you, but I really am excited and Trae is jealous!! This weekend will be more relaxed than last weekend. I have 2 quizzes to study for and I plan on getting out of the house, going to the lake and really enjoying family and summer. I will definitely be skiing this weekend! I really wanted to put a picture of a skeleton on this post to correlate to the cadaver lab discussed, but I didn't want to gross anyone out!

Grad School Week 2

So school has started and I am in full swing with classes!!! Just this week, my 2nd week I might add, I have 8 chapters to read just for 1 class! Somehow that ratio doesn't seem right in my head!! WOW!!! I also started my swim lessons that I will have for the next 2 weeks for an hour. I have 4 2-3 year olds who are a hoot and already trying to scare me just dropping under the surface. But I am sure I'll make it through. SO... needless to say, I am feeling just a little overwhelmed, probably more because I am working myself up all on my own. Sorry I have been nonexistent, a poor commenter, and behind in reading my favorite places!! I will get it all under control and gladly be back to post quick little happys every now and then.

Grad School Week 1

Week 1 is under way and going great. My first day was a lot of registration, orientation and waiting. We had to be on campus at the registrar's office at 8 am to sign a form. Then at 10 we had a school orientation. After lunch we broke up into our programs for orientation with our actual professors. Today, we had to be fingerprinted and had id's made. At 11, our first class began. Of course there was the syllabus overview and questions followed, but other than that, it was a pretty relaxed day. I am trying to savor my days of no reading, studying, and projects for as long as I can. I know they will be very short lived and are already very numbered. Tomorrow is my long day; 8-12 then 1-4. I am excited to get into the material! I may not feel so excited tomorrow, but we will see.