Home, Home on the range!

We are back, again. We just returned from a wonderful week in Oklahoma visiting the hubby's family near Tulsa and my sissie in Oklahoma City. It was a very lovely Christmas!!

We are absolutely exhausted & have lots of unpacking, laundry, & cleaning to do. I think tonight will be a lazy night. Therefore, I am keeping this one short.

I promise to blog more about our OK adventures in the next day or 2. Too lazy right now. ;)

So, more later...............

Again, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to say a quick Merry Christmas. We've been crazy busy with family. I promise to BLOG more in a few days with updates & hopefully some pics, too.

By the way, I am now allowing anyone to comment on my blog.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Weemee

Thanks to Tracy for making a Weemee of me.....

How cute!

www.weeworld.com

We're Baaaa-aack...

Well, we had a fun time visiting western NY state! Unfortunately, it did not snow AT ALL while we were there. That was a bummer! Luckily, the Peek N' Peak resort was able to make some snow for some of their ski slopes. We got one really good day of lessons and skiing in & then only a couple hours a few days later. But we had a great time. We both made it without bruises, broken bones, or broken spirits. I fell a few times, but nothing serious. If anything, it taught me how to get up with skis on. Not so easy!!! :) Other than some skiing we enjoyed some good food at little local restaurants in various small NY & PA towns in the area....sometimes we were the only customers! Very peaceful & romantic. The hubby even tried an antelope burger! Other enjoyed foods were delicious Lake Erie Perch, some good homemade Italian eggplant parm, spicy fried shrimp, NY strip steak, etc. It was great! I also introduced the hubby to a local brewery, and tried some of their yummy pale ale with a tasty lunch. We also visited some cute little local shops buying some local art pieces, maple syrups, candy, etc. I also was able to meet up with a few old friends for lunch and a trip to a local winery (one of my favs) for some tasting. At the ol' English Tudor style resort, we stayed in a quaint room that had a nice fireplace. As you can imagine we got in plenty of lounging by the fireplace reading, watching movies, and enjoying some good wine. On our final night there, we did some laps in the indoor pool, and enjoyed a nice soak in the outdoor hot tub. My muscles were definitely in need of that...there were sore muscles that I didn't even know I had!!!

We forgot the digital camera. DOH! So, I'll have to get the old-school 35 mm photos developed and placed on a disc before I can post them. :)

Perhaps the next ski trip will be in Colorado, Utah, or Wyoming! Looking forward to trying it again. It was a blast!

Give a little bit...

I really love to support good causes/charities when I can. I have been involved in raising money for/ supporting various cancer research, cardiac research, funds to women in war-torn nations, and AIDS research/awareness.

One neat thing about some of the organizations, is they offer gift ideas that allow you to support their fundraising efforts.

Here are some cool ideas for gift giving & giving to great organizations....

(RED) http://www.joinred.com/default.asp

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center's Children's Art Project http://www.childrensartproject.org/

Women for Women International http://www.womenforwomen.org/bazaar.htm

Making an elf of myself......

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=4b3d60987f54e871f173230G20061211

Keeping the holiday spirit isn't always easy...

So, we finished most of our Christmas shopping. THANK GOD!!! I actually enjoy shopping and love buying things for other people, but it is difficult to enjoy it this time of year!! I don't know what it is about holiday shopping that brings out the stupidity and evilness in people. People all of sudden lose the ability to drive (not that Houstonians are very good at driving anyway), they shove through people in the malls, and just are oblivious that there are others walking near them. Some are just plain RUDE! The hubby & I went to dinner the other night with my parents at Cheesecake Factory in The Woodlands, and as we were patiently waiting in line at the hostess stand to request a table, this JACK@$$ cuts not only in front of us, but also the ELDER gentleman in front of us to request a table. I thought this was a holy and happy time of year. WHY does it bring out the scroogy, rude, stupid people???? grrr!

Also, this time of year at the mall also reminds me how much I DO NOT want any children of my own. Now, please don't think I hate children. I don't. I think they can be absolutely adorable. BUT too many cranky, screaming children in crowded areas just reminds that I definitely don't want any of my own. I don't know how parents do it. I just don't think I would have the patience for it. I definitely admire those who do it & do it well. :)

Sorry for the rant. I promise I am not a scrooge. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas...it's my favorite holiday!

Well, I better get started on gift wrapping & prepping for our ski trip. Just a few more days.....

Half way there...

WOOHOO! I am all done with school for the year. I finished my Medicine Block exam this morning. It was a doozy, but it's over!! Now I can rest for a month....although knowing me, I will probably slip some studying in so I don't feel like a slacker. BUT I will mostly be resting and having fun with our vacation plans.

I chatted for a bit with the director of our program today after the exam, and he told me that as I rest over this break to take some time to reflect and realize how much I have grown over the past 15 months. I have actually done a little of that already, and it truly is amazing just how much I have learned in such a short period of time. I know I still have A LOT more to learn, but I realize that will be a life-long process. PA school, as I have said many times, is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done and there have been some moments here and there where I have questioned my decision and my abilities. This is very normal! And I think most of us PA students go through that and then realize how strong we truly are and that we LOVE it! WE love to be challenged, and ultimately, we love to help others......that is what drives us. I hope that I as I progess further in school and then in my career, that I will always keep that as my driving force.

Peek N' Peak

We'll soon be learning to ski at Peek N' Peak in Findley Lake, NY (between Erie, PA & Buffalo, NY in Western NY state). FUN! FUN! Not sure about snow boarding just yet.....one sport ata time. :) Check it out!

ugh!

Going cross-eyed from all the studying!!!!

Today was my last day in clinic for the year. One more day of reviewing and then the BIG exam. THEN..... ONE WHOLE MONTH OFF!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO! Almost there!!!!

The snowy hills are calling....

Happy Happy & Oink Oink!!!

We had a nice birthday celebration on Thursday night for the hubby @ Perry's Steakhouse, AND ETK was able to join us to make it even more fun. She was in town for business and stayed with us a few nights. We always enjoy a visit from her. :) Friday we all got off of work early, did some Christmas shopping, and had some famous PEPRONI rolls (yes, that's how it's spelled) at DOUBLE DAVE'S!! MMMM!! They are dee-lish!! Definitely a favorite meal in this household. ;) Saturday morning the hubby made us some delicious blueberry pancakes, turkey bacon & Starbucks coffee. What a good hubby!!! :) ETK then had to head back home to Atlanta. That afternoon the hubby pulled out the dusty Playstation (we never use it) and actually played a video game while I got some much needed studying in (5 days until the big exam!!! EEK!) Then we had another night of more great-but-really-bad-for-us food as we attended hubby's company Christmas party at Buca di Beppo. We had a great time. Lot's of great Italian food, good red vino, mingling, and a white elephant gift exchange. Good times were had by all.

It's been a great week, but WOW I feel like I need to go on a diet now. It's so hard to be good & healthy this time of year!!! Oink-oink!

Hi friends,

Friday December 1st is World AIDS Day.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (drug company) will donate 1 dollar for every visitor to their site who lights a candle .

GO LIGHT A CANDLE NOW!!

https://www.lighttounite.org/