Baby It's Cold Outside

It's cold inside, too. We are trying to keep our bills down, so my feet are freeeeezing. But I have the feet of an eighty year old man, so nothing new.

Aaaaah.... Finally Christmas Break. I can't believe 2011 is coming to a close, but I am so stoked for 2012! And because I am sooo good, I even made us a Christmas wreath this year. It shall hang for about 2 weeks, but at least I finished it:) I mean, our fall wreath hung for an entire year, including Christmas last, so I think this is a big step up! Here it is:

We also went out and took some pics so I could make a Christmas Card... It's our first year doing one. Sorry to take the excitement out of you getting it in the mail...

It was sooooo cold that day. People kept walking by and smiling. One girl even congratulated us on our engagement.?? We said thanks...

We had a blast in the city and even went out for some Asian food... Ever had a BAO? They are scrumptious! I apologize, I was too busy eating to take a picture....

Here's another one of us instead:)

Our tree looks like it's being choked to death, I just realized. No worries. I fixed it.

Well, that about says it all. I feel bad for ruining the surprise of your card, but not really because in all honesty, the one we printed isn't the one I had wanted to send. My mistake. Now you get multiple shot! Lucky dogs:) I think they turned out well. We were going to print our little family newsletter on the back of the card, but as we were brainstorming things to put on it, it was just getting ridiculous.... Check it out.

1. Liz continues PA school

2. Alan continues working

3. uuuhhhh, and that's where we get stuck

So, now you are up to date with us, and you know that we love and miss you. Really there was nothing else to put on the card. Hope you are enjoying this holiday season. I know I am! MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and Imma go put some socks on...

Officially Christmas time! Finally.....

For me, it has been Christmas since around September. Nice of the rest of you to catch up with me! ANyhow--- I am back from Indiana, passed my exams yesterday, and am really excited to be able to enjoy this holiday season back here at home. I had a great experience in Marion, and actually truly enjoyed all the opportunities I had to learn and grow there. I was right... I DO love surgery... So I guess we shall see what the future holds for me. I got to come home for Thanksgiving and during the weekend Rachelle and the boys came up to see us. I was so excited to get to hold those cute boys again, and here are some pics of the adventures we had:

Just a few Thanksgiving memories:

(Don't worry Arielle, I'll get you copies asap!)I have lots more....

Oh Arielle, I love you!

Amy and her turkey leg. She is so fun! We are so grateful for them and their kindness. This was year two spending Thanksgiving in their home, and they are some of the greatest people we know.

Aren't her little turkey cookies adorable?! Funny story for the night was when Megan came up to Kyle at dinner and asked if she could has some turkey. Now, anyone that knows Megan would realize how unusual it is for her to ask such a thing! He said, "Of course." and she responded cunningly, " Oh, I mean turkey cookies." Such a wily child:)

We love this little guy. He gives the best "lick kisses!"

Ode to Jeremy the chef:

How you stuff the turkey so tenderly and fine

Is completely beyond my understanding

For the duck was juicy and the chicken plump

It fell right into my belly and now shows on my rump!

I bow to your greatness....

Rachelle and those cute boys of hers. (We missed you Luis!)

Before they left...

I know I look tired, you don't have to tell me...

He's wearing my running shoes.. so cute!

We went to the zoo and had so much fun. I will post more pics later, but fyi: That little black spec in the lower right hand pic of the boat is an actual live cockroach! Rachelle and I were pretty creeped out. Sorry if the pic isn't great, but we wanted outta there!

Dolphins

He kept kissing her... And then finally head butted her in the face--thus ended the kissing game:)

WE LOVE MONKEYS!

This, in fact, is NOT staged. Jackson would not go to sleep, so finally when he had been quiet for a bit, we checked on him and found he had pulled some light reading material from the bookshelf next to his bed. If you can't tell, the book is called "Principles of Macroeconomics", and underneath was a book of case studies for finance....So funny! Alan was proud

We put up the tree. (More later)

I honestly had no idea two boys could be so entertained for so long by cars.

By the way Rachelle, we found two of 'em and figured we could just regift them for Christmas! hehe. We miss you and loved having you here. Can't wait till next time!

You need to blog

I want all of you to know I have checked for blog updates like 8 different times today... I am disappointed in your dedication to blogging for my personal satisfaction. My life hasn't/doesn't change, and I depend on you to make the time go a little faster. Because of your lack of commitment to this task, I have been forced to study more than I would have liked today. I hope to see a change come about tomorrow, if you don't mind:) That is all.

MAC

Alan asked me to "PUH-LEEEEASE" record this apparently very funny moment in time. I guess you can decide if it's as funny as he seems to think it is:) If not, that's ok--it's mostly just here for our own memory of the event.

We were able to get together last weekend for a couple days, since I didn't have to be on call until Sunday again and desperately needed to see him... So, we walked around this outdoor mall for a while before getting some dinner. He had mentioned that he wanted to stop by some computer store and check out the Mac's/Iphones, etc... I jokingly told him 'no way' and we went into a Tiffany&Co instead so we could pretend we were rich enough to buy something there. Honestly I don't think I could afford a keychain from there if they were handing them out for free! BUT--It was really fun to try on the most expensive jewelry to ever touch my finger... So fun. Anyhow-- as we left the store, I saw a store sign that said MAC, and thought I would graciously tell Alan that we could go in to see the computer stuff....

MAC does not in fact have computer things, but rather, is a makeup store... Who knew?!

For how tired and lonely I may seem... isn't Marion, Indiana just so pretty?! This is the 4 mile trail I run on daily. It is my sanity these days. I wish I could tell you more...

I never claimed to be an attractive runner....

I thought you might get a little jealous of my housing arrangements.... yes, that's all of it...

This is my charming chair made of blue vinyl....I am pretty sure bare butts have been where I sit to study.

As you have now experienced what my life consists of these days, there isn't a whole lot else to share. I have been on call about every other day, and have had a lot of great experiences. I have stood in as first assist on 3 different C-sections, which of course made me desperately want a child... They are so stinking cute! But then they start crying, and that reminds me of how not cute they can be:) ANyhow, aside from C-sections, I have scrubbed in for multiple ortho cases(total knees, patellar fractures, ankles/digits/tibia), a few abscess drainages, hysterectomies, D&C, tubal ligations, and lots of plastic surgery cases, which I have loved. It is pretty amazing the way you can change someone's life with reconstructive surgery. I know the cosmetic side of plastics has something of a negative name, but there is something so gratifying about the reconstruction of someone's face or body and watching them walk with a new confidence and outlook on life. I have been somewhat surprised at the number of breast mass excisions and mastectomies. It really opened my eyes to just how prevalent breast cancer really is. In a strange way, surgery really inspires me to take better care of my body. So... with that--off I go for a little run and dinner. But, oh how I wish I could make my own dinner! Well, 4 more weeks. Till then, Love you!

Marion, IN

I know... Can you believe it? I am in this cute little town, living in a hospital room and eating cafeteria food for the next six weeks! I am tired, on call every 3rd day, a little lonely, but absolutely LOVING the surgeries. I have gotten to assist in a number of surgeries and am finding a new found love and appreciation for ENT/plastic surgery. It's really pretty amazing the things you can do with the skin and body. Definitely grateful I live here in the hospital because I don't have to commute each day and can instead spend my saved time either in surgery or studying.... or sleeping. Those seem to be my three options. I have managed to get a nice run in every day so far, though, right along a pretty river with all the colorful trees. Today might be a walking day since I am pretty pooped. I will be able to go home for Thanksgiving day, which is nice, and then the next weekend I come home! And that will be my half-way mark through all my rotations!!! Crazy to think that's it! I feel like it's flying right by, but each day seems to move so slowly. Thankfully surgery is all hands-on for the most part, and I have excellent teachers who really seem to enjoy explaining what they are doing. I am sure Alan is Loving the hotel bed he gets to stretch out in while I am gone, meanwhile I have yet to get a good night's rest in this midget sized hospital bed (yes, literally a hospital bed...) and if I don't get some good sleep tonight, I may just die.... Dramatic?! I will post some pics from the last couple months, and maybe I will be able to sneak a shot or two of myself while I'm here, and you can just fantasize about how hot I am in my mask and gown.... hahah. MIss you!!!

Our friends, Kyle and Aubrey came for a visit. We hit up all the sites, and even went to the cutest pumpkin patch/hayride/pig races/petting zoo. Sooo fun. And little Brock was the talk of the town with his adorable pumpkin outfit and hat!

I know... He is too cute. I took hundreds of pics of their cute little family. I will have to post some of those later.

Alan fell off the Sears Tower/Willis Tower. I will miss him so.

Project House

I was inspired in the last few weeks with desires to fix up our little home and make it feel more organized and spacious. We had been struggling to decide whether or not to move into an actual 3 br house that seemed so perfect for us and was just a little bit more expensive than our 1 and 1/2 bedroom apt now. For some reason, it just didn't feel right, and we feel good about deciding not to do it. HOWever -- it left me antsy for more space and more of a 'home' feel to our apartment, and I set to work. I am tackling one room at a time, and first off was our room. I only took pics of the closet, and it may not look like much, but trust me--It feels like a HUGE improvement.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I built the cubbies and drawers all by myself. Purses hang on a hook I built onto the drawer side. The drawers have all accessories ie, belts, hats, gloves, and scarves....

Moved all my coats from the front coat closet and then I even added a second rack lower than the top for extra hanging space!

Cutely lined baskets for all sweatshirts, etc and a shoe rack below the shirts. I was going to put a pant rack there, but found those hangers that let you hang like 6 pairs at once instead. Much cheaper.

Last move is to go through all the hundreds of t-shirts Alan owns and get rid of all the ones he never wears. I swear the boy collects t-shirts, yet insists on wearing his favorite 4....

I am feeling empowered. I even started on the closet in our den, and hung curtains in the rooms, as well as re-did some of our kitchen. I have been trying to make the most of my free time to do this all. ANyhow--as a reward, look what my sugar bought me!:

AAAAh!!! I have literally wanted my red kitchenaid mixer since I was 16 yrs old and we could not have gotten a better deal on this Ever! I am in love with it.... the only thing is I am thinking I would prefer the 5 qt Artisan with the tilt head rather than this 6 qt with a lift. It seems like the lift would be a little more of a pain when there is lots of dough in it--having to remove the attachment before getting the bowl out. Suggestions? Obviously I am in love one way or another--I think it comes down to preference. But I don't know what I prefer. We do have some time for me to decide, but I am leaning towards the tilt. Can you believe how spoiled I am?! Now what am I going to start dreaming for?