Our New Addition!

Well, times change, and you move on. Joe and I, of course, have been going through a lot lately, but we're trying to keep a positive attitude about things. This week, we went up to the car dealer to see if the part was in for my Mariner. As Joe went to the service center, I decided to look around and see whats new since my lease for my car was going to be up in June. I've been in two accidents with my Mariner, and honestly, I was ready to move on and away from that car as soon as possible.

We talked to a great salesman, Ron, who I've talked to before about my lease and how things were going with everything. Anyways, it was brought to our attention that the dealership was willing to buy back my lease early, particularily because I had very low miles on the car. Well, of course!! Joe and I decided to we would buy his car, the Jeep Patriot, and I would continue to lease so we'd always have a new car around. So, looking around I found what I wanted. We've looked at the Nissan Murano and the Rogue a couple of times new, along with the Toyota Matrix, Highlander, and RAV4, as well as the Honda CR-V. I've also looked at the Saturn Vue, but that really didn't ride well at all.

Low and behold, yesterday Joe and I drove away with the Nissan Rogue. It is great. I has awesome saftey features, All Wheel Drive, Vehice Dynamic Control, side airbags, privacy glass, a moon roof! And we got this for a great price, something we can afford, irregaurdless of our financial situation. There are many more features, but these are the ones that make the car great!

As you all know how I am, I like to name things. Unfortunately, we have not come up with a suitable name! So if anyone has any ideas, please send them my way! All are appreciated!

Here's To A Better 2009

2008 has been a year of many trials. Especially the last quarter. I know we all want the best, but then again, life throws you a curve ball and some how you get over that hurdle, and another one gets tossed your way. The past couple of months have been difficult and I'm not sure it's quite over with yet. First it started with my uncle getting sick. He is still struggling with things, but slowly getting better. Then I had a bit of a scare at the hospital that almost left me jobless. Needless to say, I was able to retain my position, but at a little less pay that previously. A week later, Joe showed up at the hospital unexpectedly with horrible news. He was permanently laid off from his full-time job. Thank goodness for Starbucks and Joe's supervisor being able to give him some more hours; however, that is not enough to get us through this time. A week after this happened, my mother fell outside of her work and sprained her back and broke her ankle. Seriously, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

As of right now, my mom is doing well. She is moving around better than before, but the non weight bearing is difficult. Surgery went great and she has a doctors appointment on Monday to see how things are holding up. She hasn't left their house since the Monday before Christmas. Christmas itself wasn't the best this year, but it was great to see my sister and family and just spend some quality time with them. My uncle, well, is good. We're keeping our fingers crossed the infection is gone. As for Joe, we are both looking hard to find a job. We've applied several places but a lot of them are gone and on vacation until after today. So hopefully we'll hear something soon. If all else fails, he'll be working in the Cities and commuting. (At that point, just an FYI, I'll be getting a puppy to keep my company if this happens.)

It has been difficult to keep a positive attitude right now, but we're both doing our best. We really didn't celebrate the new year last night, but I did spend an hour with my good friends Zack and Mike and Zack's brother Abe. Other than that, the New Year hopefully will be better than the last. So, I wish you all a great start to another year. And please keep us in your prayers during this time and keep your fingers crossed we find something sooner than later.

Fun Activities Needed

What can I say. Sometimes life throws us curve balls and we all have to deal with the ups and downs. Today, Joe and I put up at small, and I mean small, 3ft christmas tree. Nothing big, but something to hopefully get both of us in the christmas spirit we're having a hard time finding. Other than that, things have been better.

So a question to everyone:

What are easy, fun ways to spend time together with friends and family that are inexpensive? Better yet, free! So if you have any easy, fun ideas, please pass them our way. It'd be greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

The 1st Day of December

Last week was nice. I got to go to my parents for thanksgiving, although Joe was unable to come with. He had to work at Starbucks. But, it was still nice to see my parents. Emily was unable to come up but she was there in spirits. She had to work as well, but was able to share Thanksgiving with Kyle and her other friends. Thursday was spent at my parents and my grandparents and aunt came over. My uncle Jim called about 11:30 saying he wasn't going to be able to come over. He said he wasn't feeling very well. He then followed it with, "My jaw is swollen, too." At that point, I told him to go to the ER to be checked out. With his recent hospitalization, he couldn't afford another infection. He, unfortunately, he didn't make it over, and I ended up leaving around 3pm. When I got back, I stopped at Starbucks to see Joe and got a call from my parents, "Uncle Jim in an ambulance, on his way up to St. Mary's." My jaw dropped. Somehow I knew that was going to happen. But it's a good thing I told myself. It meant the doctors in Ashland knew enough to send him back to the doctors that were already involved with this massive infection. So, he was readmitted to St. Mary's again, for medical care.

Friday, I got up nice and early and started shopping with Donna (Joe's mom) and her friend Betsy, her two daughters and daughter-in-law. We started at Younkers, headed to Kohl's then Target. We also hit Sam's Club, and a couple of other small shops. After shopping, Joe picked me up, we hung out with my parents for a few minutes, and then went down to Ski Hut. I've been looking for ski boots for about four years now, but just haven't found a pair that actually fit. Well, Joe had a surprise for me. Upon trying on a pair of boots I've found that fit fairly well, he told me they were mine. He bought me a pair of ski boots!!! I couldn't believe it! He said he was sick of me finding a pair and not buying them, so he just bought them. It was going to be a surprise, but he couldn't wait. So, yeah, I got a new pair of boots!!!

All weekend I worked, which was a busy, and I mean BUSY weekend. But good. Our co-worker had her baby! Congrats, Kristi and Thomas on baby Abigail. She is so adorable. It was werid. I got to hold her and for some reason it felt good. And almost natural. I'm sure those of you who have children may have an idea of what I mean. But it just felt good. I didn't want to give her back. It's a werid feeling to describe. Just good. After visiting them, I found out another co-worker had her baby. Baby Taryn Jane. She was adorable too!! It was a baby filled weekend!

As of today, well, I called in sick to work. I didn't feel well and not feeling well and being around other people who don't feel well doesn't go good together. So I stayed home and relaxed, slept and worked on my case study that is due on Friday for my class. Tonight I talked to my parents and they had good news for me. Uncle Jim was on his way home. Although this infection is still present, the doctors placed a PICC line in him and will be receiving home antibiotics for several weeks now, in hope of getting rid of this anaerobic infection that just won't budge. So it's good to know he's on his way home and hopefully on his way to recovery.

So, I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Just think: only 24 more days until Christmas. Happy holidays.

Rehashing Memories

This morning I work up and had a memory from college. I was thinking about the night a bunch of us, I think it was Kelly, Amy and April and then myself and Destinie, were in our apartment on campus. And Kelly said, "I'm eating peach ice cream and I don't care what you think," directing that comment to me. As you all remember I can't stand peaches and to this day, still haven 't had one since kindergarten!

I remember the day I got my first pound puppy, it was the day my sister, Emily was born and his name is Sparky! Yes, I still have this little guy too!!

Barbies. I use to have a suit case full of them, outfits to dress them in and accessories to accessorize them accordingly. And don't forget Ken, too. But I never had a car for them. Then, I start thinking about my grandmother. She use to play with me and my barbies all the time. I really do miss her. A good memory I have of my grandmother is her playing with me in the jungle gym by her house at the age of 75. Oh, and her dumplings she use to make. And her little smile and way she even smelled. It's almost as if she is still here.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with the Boys, more for the fact that I got a long with them better than females. But that's besides the point. Anyways, we use to play flashlight tag in our yard and also up in cemetery that's by my parent's house. If we weren't playing there, we'd be playing tennis-baseball at the park a block from my house. And then there were the times we'd have a little festival at our house of fireworks. Everyone in the neighborhood would come over and it'd be a great show. Even when the cops came up. Ahhh, memories.

College, memories both clear and hazy and don't forget those you'd like to forget. Let's see, Freshman year:

1. The best roommate, Kelly Pieters. Need I say more!?
2. Kelly's alarm clock that was so annoying, but I loved it!
3. Getting my nickname, TwoCan. I earned that name, that's for sure.
4. Kelly's mom getting sick and not being able to do anything to help her out.
5. Kelly walking in on Chad K. and I laying on our bunk bed. Honestly, Nothing was going on between us! I was just hiding him from the RA's that were walking around, I PROMISE!!!!
6. Oh, Halloween and dressing up as a doctor with Jess, then drinking a bottle of Bacardi Lemon....Oh, that wasn't the best idea.
7. Decorating the dorm hall ways. Ours looked like a fish bowl, it was great!
8. Falling asleep in Amber and Lori's room with Screech, or Aaron. No, nothing happened that night. I just didn't want to go back to my dormroom drunk, so Amber offered me a place to sleep. Does anyone remember his last name?
9. Oh, how about hanging out with Sarah L. And being infatuated with Russ.
10. Going to Canada with everyone. And then going there with Sarah and Russ.

Sophmore year:

1. The Chemical free floor. Don't need to add any more on to this one.
2. Celebrating my 21st birthday.
3. Drinking at Stargate.
4. Drinking at Grandma's.
5. Meeting boys.
6. Going to the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra with Suzanne.

Junior year:

1. Applying for PT school
2. Getting into PT school.
3. Hmm, I'm sure there was something else that happened.

Senior year and grad school:

1. Living with Amy, April and Kelly in Maple.
2. Experiencing the terrible attacks on Septembe 11. Although I do remember and will never forget the birthday dinner everyone put together for me. And the great dinner that was made. Bad event, but it turned out good in the end.
3. Drinking to help me get through PT school.
4. Ok, Brad wasn't the best choice, but hey, we've all made them before.
5. Graduating with everyone with a bachelors degree.
6. Living with Mariah down on 1st street in Duluth.
7. Living out in Las Vegas for my first internship at an acute care hospital. What happened in Vegas, had to stay out there. *grin*
8. Andy and Suzanne getting married, and walking down the aisle with Joe as bridesmaid and groomsman. (Been with him ever since.)
9. Traveling out to Seattle with my sister for my third internship and then traveling back with my mom. Man, that's a long car ride.
10. Attending my last internship down in Rochester, MN at the Mayo.
11. Experiencing the loss of my first patient.
12. Graduating from PT school with a master's degree.
13. Moving in with Joe in our first apartment in Duluth.

The rest is history.

I know there are other memories, but these seem to be the ones most prominent today. I often think about things and wonder how they may be different. But the thing is, I'm glad they're not. If these things haven't happened like they did, I probably wouldn't be where I am today, or, for that matter who I am.