This SUMS it up!

Between music school and medical school ....... 

this is a glimpse of our life 

in under 3 minutes.

Back to School......Again!

It's February 4th and I'm completely back in the swing of things.  I'm taking 16 hours this semester and I'm super swamped already.  My favorite classes are chemistry, nutrition, and algebra.  My least favorite are abnormal psychology (video) and interpersonal communications (internet).  

I did great with the scheduling and only have to drive to UMSL on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Tuesday I go from 8am-4pm, so I'm exhausted by the time I get home.  Thursday I only have chemistry in the morning, so I've been spending the afternoon working on homework/studies and doing laundry.  It seems to be working for me.

I've met some really neat people in my classes.  A few of them graduated high school when I graduated with my masters, but it doesn't feel like there's that much of an age gap.  They're fun and very hardworking.  I have also met a couple of RN's in my chemistry class.  They're taking the course as a refresher before they apply to CRNA school.  I'm just really amazed at how friendly everyone has been at UMSL.  They're some of the sweetest people I've met in the last 1 1/2 years.  This is going to be a great semester.

David has been back to the grind for a month now.  He just finished Renal and is now studying GI.  I have been studying GI in my nutrition class, so I'm sure we're going to have some real interesting conversations here before too long.  Want to join us?  = )

David has to perform a full physical examination on a patient next week.  I'll probably be his practice subject this week. We're really romantic, aren't we???

There is one bad thing about me attending school at UMSL this semester.  David and I don't have spring break at the same time.  His break is the week before mine.  We're still not too sure how we're going to handle it or what we're going to do.  We do have a close friend that's getting married on the 21st.  I'm really looking forward to seeing her walk down the aisle.  She's going to be a beautiful bride.

Ethan is doing good.  I'm pretty sure we finally got rid of his ear infection.  He's been battling that for awhile now.  Poor guy! 

I think he misses his uncle Jasper.  And sometimes I think that he'd like a sibling, but that's not an option right now.  We're able to provide very well for Ethan, but 2 dogs would be just too much for us to handle.  I'm reminded of this when I take Ethan in for his annual shots and when he gets sick.  I love my little Ethan to pieces.  We play fetch and tug with him a lot.  I think he stays pretty well entertained.

I haven't put a real update on my blog lately, so I figured it was time.  Now it's time to hit the books again.  I have a pile of notecards just waiting to be put to use.  

Take care!

SUPER(bowl) SUNDAY

I never cared much for football, but SuperBowl Sunday has had a special meaning since 2007.  

We adopted Ethan on SuperBowl Sunday 2007 (February 4).  We had some friends over, but I stayed back in the bedroom most of the time doing my daily puppy search. One ad stuck out to me and I called about the puppy.  

Minutes later I left home by myself to go check out this puppy.  The couple that had him lived very close to the school where I worked so it wasn't far.  As soon as I walked in the door and saw the little guy I knew he was either coming home with me or I was staying there with him. He was the sweetest little thing ever.  

Here's a picture of me and David 

with our newest family addition, Ethan.  

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY 2007  

A Glimpse of the Future

Hang On Little Tomato

I've officially decided for the millionth time that I'm obsessed with tomatoes.  I may have a huge Vitamin D deficiency and have calcium problems, but by golly I sure don't lack lycopene.  

I made some salsa yesterday that was supposed to be for a dinner party that I'm attending this Saturday night.  It was so good that I have been putting it on everything.  I had it with my grilled chicken and peppers last night.  Today I poured salsa all over my romaine salad that was topped with last nights leftovers.  Delish!  While preparing tonights dinner (100 calorie can of soup and a grilled cheese) I dipped broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots in the salsa.  It was a healthier decision than tortilla chips would have been.  Go Me!  

So, I have officially consumed 32oz of salsa in about 36 hours. I guess I'll be making a much larger and fresh batch for the dinner party.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I also had fresh tomato slices with my last several meals.  How crazy is that?  

I like tomatoes so much that I had to mention the song "Hang On Little Tomato," that's on the Pink Martini album.  I LOVE that song.  

Moral of the story:  I LOVE salsa!  I LOVE tomatoes!  

I doubled the recipe, but here it is......  ENJOY!

Salsa

• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes and green chiles
• 1/4 cup sliced onions
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons sliced jalapenos
• cilantro 

Put all ingredients except jalapeno peppers into a blender. Process for only a few seconds. Do not blend too long. Make sure tomatoes are still slightly chunky. Add jalapeno peppers last and blend for about ten seconds. Let flavors blend for a few hours in the refrigerator. 

Vermont in a Nutshell

I recently went to visit my bestie in Vermont.  We have been friends since 6th grade!  I'm so thankful and blessed for being able to go spend time with her and her family.  

It's pretty interesting that both of us are from Oklahoma, but our husbands have taken us different places for different reasons.  Hopefully we'll be able to live close to each other again one of these days.   

Here are a few things from my trip:

1.  Monday: I caught my flight out of STL, had a layover in Cleveland, finally got to New Hampshire around lunch time, we stopped at a Chili's for lunch, drove (through what I consider to be a blizzard) to my besties home in Vermont, ate some awesome homemade cheesy ham and potato soup for dinner.

2.  Tuesday:  We went to Montpelier and shopped, bought my sweet glittens (fingerless gloves/mittens), Jordon got me a sweet handmade mug for my Christmas gift, had a late lunch (clam chowder for me!) at the New England Culinary Institute, were told by a couple of people throughout the day that we didn't look like we were from around there because we had cute hair, clothes, and wore make-up..... ha!  

3.  Wednesday:  I saw Lake Champlain, spent the day at a mall with my bestie and her adorable and extremely well-behaved son, ate lunch at Applebee's and had some chocolate therapy from Ben & Jerry's.

4.  Thursday:  Lazy Day!  We hung out at the house all day and relaxed while watching it snow out the window.

5.  Friday:  drove up to Norwich University to have lunch with my bestie's husband, saw some covered bridges, went to another little mall and a walmart, had some delicious homemade chicken marsala for dinner.

6.  Saturday:  I woke up and was soooo sick all day, had to have a doc call in a script, my bestie's sweet husband picked up my script and lots of gatorade for me.... they are lifesavers!

7.  Sunday:  Still sick, but slightly functional, spent the day trying to recover.

8.  Monday:  Drove from Vermont to New Hampshire to catch my flight, flew back to STL, VERY happy to see my hubby after being apart for a week, and my dog was so happy to see me that he must have licked (kissed) my face for an hour, went to bed.

We had planned on having a Girl's Day on Saturday, but my sudden illness kept us from doing anything.  Some of the events on our list were Ben & Jerry's, Cabot Cheese, a maple syrup company, an apple cider mill, and some other places I can't currently recall.  Sight seeing was not a priority on my list, but those things would have been fun.  The point of my trip was to spend time, catch up, and live life with my bestie and we did just that.  My trip was absolutely wonderful, but I just wish I hadn't gotten sick.

Thanks so much for everything, Jordon and family!!!  XOXO!

Jordon & Me, 1996?

July 2007 (Jordon's baby shower)

Bridges of Vermont

A Vermont Photo

BrrrMont!

I'm currently visiting my best girlfriend, Jordon, up in Vermont.  I flew up here yesterday and am having a wonderful time.  It's so great to spend 24/7 with Jordon and her family.  Her son is the cutest little curly haired blonde I've ever seen.  Seriously!!!  

We braved the cold and went to a few shops today.  I purchased a pair of gloves/mittens that are now my absolute favorite.  I am in love with all the winter wear that is available up here.  I enjoy the seeing the assortment of coats, scarves, gloves, and hats.  I'm constantly reminding myself that I don't need clothing that warm back in St. Louis.  It gets cold, but not that cold.  

We went to the New England Culinary Institute for a late afternoon lunch.  I had a bowl of clam chowder.  It was delicious!

Vermont is so much different from St. Louis and Oklahoma City.  I've never seen so much snow! We're expecting a bad winter storm to roll in tonight.  I hoped I packed enough warm clothes. 

= )

4 CHRISTMASES

We had 4 Christmases this year.  It was fantastic!

Christmas #1:  Me, David, and Ethan had our family Christmas at home in St. Louis on the evening of Dec. 20 (my last final was over at noon). We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans for our Christmas dinner.  After dinner we exchanged gifts.  I found out that none of us sticked to the Christmas budget like we'd planned, but it all worked out.  We had a wonderful time.

 

 

Christmas #2:  We had Christmas at my parents house on Christmas Day at noon.  We exchanged gifts as soon as everyone was present.  All I asked for was a new pair of shoes and some socks, but my parents always give me so much more than I could ever imagine.  My brother and his girlfriend gave us a nice gift card that was very much appreciated.  The dogs all received gifts and had a great time with their new treats and toys.

I made Jambalaya for our Christmas lunch since we'd be having our big meal on Saturday when more family was in town. My dad loves jambalaya and has only had it a few times in his life.  He was super happy that I made this dish for him.  He went on and on about how good it was.  I wish I was able to cook for him more often.  

Christmas #3:  We went to David's parents house on Christmas at 5pm.  We had a traditional turkey dinner that was phenomenal.  My mother in-law cooked a turkey since my brother in-law, Chris, was in Saudi Arabia during Thanksgiving.  He came back to the States just a couple of weeks ago.  I also made his favorite rolls just for the occasion.  After dinner and dessert, we had a fun gift exchange. David's parents gave us a ticket package for the Cardinals Baseball games.  We're so excited!

Christmas #4:  My Grandma came to Edmond to see me and the rest of the family.  I haven't seen her since my graduate recital in July 2007.  It has been way too long.  If you know me, you know that I love my grandma very much.  She was even my maid of honor at my wedding.  I have learned so much from her over the years and treasure every moment I have with her.  My Aunt Mellodie and Aunt Linda also came with her.  I haven't seen them in ages!  All of us ate, visited, and enjoyed each other's company.  It was excellent!

HOPE ALL OF YOU HAD A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HOPE YOU HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!