Sisters, Silliness and a little dog

The Angriest Woman in the World

2010-09-27T14:18:00.001-07:00

What do you do when your air mattress is bigger than your tent? Blame your husband.

Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

2010-09-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

So, this past weekend, Emily and I went with a group of friends to whitewater raft the Upper Gauley in West Virginia. Now, I have rafted the Upper Gauley about 6 years ago and I can only come to the following conclusion: I was just young and stupid enough back then to not know what the hell I was getting myself into. I am under no such illusions this time around. To give some background, the Upper Gauley is a section of river in West Virginia that is known for its Class V rapids. The Gauley is impounded by the Summersville Dam to form Summersville Lake. Downstream of this, recreational boating occurs. Every fall, for 6 weekends starting the Friday after Labor Day, the Army Corps of Engineers provides a series of twenty-two controlled releases for the express purpose of downriver recreation. These releases are collectively known as "Gauley Season" and water is released at approximately 2800 cfs (cubic feet per second). It is reverently referred to as the "Beast of the East" to serious rafters and kayakers. That being said, I am not a strong swimmer and now firmly believe that I have no business on the Upper Gauley. Four days before we went, a female student from the University of Illinois died on the Upper Gauley. It took them 7 hours to fish her body out. Two days after this, a seasoned kayaker was also killed on the upper Gauley. To keep it short, I was tossed out on the second of five class V rapids on the river. I went for a DEEP swim, popped up downstream and had to be rescued by a park ranger in a kayak. The only thing I could think was, "I'm trusting my life to a stranger and I'm completely okay with that." I was skittish/paranoid from that point on. Thank goodness our guide, Rose, was excellent and kept me from dumping the rest of the day. All things considered, it was fantastic sightseeing, an intense day of rafting and a fun weekend camping.

Kings

2010-09-27T13:53:00.002-07:00

Em and I went to see Kings of Leon in Indy a few weekends ago at the Verizon Amphitheater. I had an absolute blast. Em was disappointed, though. There were three songs that she REALLY wanted to hear... They didn't play ANY of the three. Bummer. We still had a blast:).

2010-09-27T13:53:00.001-07:00

Emily loves Figment?

Saturday Football

2010-09-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

the visit (cont)

2010-09-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

Catching up...

2010-09-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

Well, there has def been a lot going on since the last post. (I actually don't think that I even completed all the posting from the trip - but I am forging ahead:P) First off, Mom and Dad came to visit Emily and I on their extended anniversary weekend. I think the pics say enough.

Oddities from the Journey...

2010-08-22T18:28:00.001-07:00

Emily and I encountered quite a few strange things/people on our trip. We took pics of a few. One of them is actually just corn in the back of a truck, but we had never seen corn transported this way, so... we're geeks:). The construction guy/kid is sitting at the end of an exit ramp and there is no construction for MILES. He is sitting there by himself, in flipflops. Huh? The sign is from our hotel room in Grand Portage MN - which by the way, one of the tour guides there thought we had Australian accents. Again, Huh? Enjoy and draw your own conclusions:).

2010-08-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

Oh - and I nearly forgot an unexpected bonus this week! Em and I timed our drive just right so that we were able to play chauffeur to the niece and nephew:). It started with some sleepy kiddos who were trying to figure out why they were riding with Aunt Julie and Aunt Emily instead of Momma and Dada. First half of the ride was filled with some chatter about going to Papaw's and Gamma's and seeing Miss M. The aunts did their best to sing some songs but let's face it: we're a little out of practice. When Sisaye Claire started to insistently say Momma!, I figured it was time for another diversion. Unfortunately, my story-telling skills are even worse than my singing skills. I proceeded to butcher the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. My apologies to the author. However, my fave part of our time with the kids was Saturday morning when I woke up to hear Sisaye Claire saying this: "Come ON, doggie! Let's go!" If only I could have gotten it on tape... The funny part was that M was actually following her:). Love.

New friend!

2010-08-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

I know we just met, Rob - but thanks for sharing your lap:).
Miss M

For whenever you have a case of the Mondays...

2010-07-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

I think I should go through this mantra every morning.

Nursing humor.

2010-07-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this may only be comical to fellow nurses and medical profs but I enjoyed this one so much that I had to retell it. This story is about the parents of a friend of a coworker. An elderly couple arrived to the ER one night after the man had passed out while on the toilet. After examining him and running a few tests, they sent the man home. The man returned the following evening with the same problem. The physician examined him again and reviewed his medicines, ran a few more tests and sent him home again. 45 minutes later, the man returned, stating that it happened AGAIN. At this point, the medical staff began to suspect that perhaps the wife was poisoning him somehow or causing these episodes. The attending assigned a nurse assistant and a resident to monitor the man and his wife. A little while later, there was a code blue called to the gentleman's room. When the attending arrived, he was told that the wife had taken the man to the bathroom and that he had passed out again. The attending turned to the wife and said, "What are you DOING to him?!" The wife tearfully replied, "Nothing! I was just putting his hemorrhoid medicine on him!" Upon closer inspection, the "hemorrhoid" cream was actually NITROGLYCERIN.

Bee sting:(

2010-07-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was riding home Thursday after work and it was a beautiful day. Mid 70s, almost no humidity, the sun is shining, the music is up-beat and I am relaxed. Can't wait to get home and love on the little dog, work out and head to a softball game. I get home, snap the leash on M, and we're off for an awesome walk. We get halfway down the block when I realize that M's left eye (ok - so where her left eye SHOULD be) is slightly swollen. I wonder if she's run into something that day and bend down to examine. At this point, I realize that it's not just her eye, but her jaws and pretty much her whole face are swollen. I try not to panic and immediately turn around: ABORT WALK. Next step: the vet. By the time I got back down the block to the house, her face has more than doubled the original swelling. I'm totally freaked out at this point and trying not to panic. I mumbled a few words to Emily that I think barely made sense and Emily carried her to the car while I ran behind her. By this point, M looks like she has a giant peach in each one of her jowels. Long story short: $70, a steroid shot and a lot of benadryl later... it was a bee sting to the left side of her face. Turns out this is very common, although it has never happened to M in her lifetime. My education continues... (oh- and these pics were taken a couple of hours AFTER the steroid shot, after much of the swelling had gone down and I was no longer in panic mode)

Misc cont'd

2010-07-03T09:36:00.001-07:00

Miscellaneous

2010-07-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

The month of June: a birthday, blueberries, visits, etc.

The Holiday

2010-07-03T09:25:00.001-07:00

As with most dogs, Miss M is not a fan of thunderstorms, fireworks or really any loud obnoxious similar noises. They result in the above pics (documentary of a recent thunderstorm) as well as whining and serious panting. Yay for this 4th of July weekend. Oh joy.

Sleepers. Chapter 524.

2010-07-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

Warrior Clips

2010-07-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

The art of gardening...

2010-07-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

This is Emily's attempt at gardening thus far. I wish I could say that I too have growing plants but sadly, a friend, in an attempt to be neighborly, decided to "weed" the garden and accidentally removed all of my 6 week old plants. There will be no fresh veggies for Julie this year. Our hopes rest entirely upon Emily and her carrots.

A bit of kindness

2010-06-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

At work this week, I had the fortune of caring for an elderly gentleman while his heart was evaluated at our office. I spent the better part of the day recovering this patient, talking with his wife and family. This is always the part that I miss about working in the hospitals: the rapport we establish with one another. In nursing, we are constantly trying to remember our impact on patients, focusing on and hoping that we are leaving a positive one. As I walked my patient and his wife to the car where their son was waiting, they both turned and hugged me and left me with a small heartfelt reflection of their time with me. Then they turned, hand in hand, and finished their walk to the car. I often forget the positive impact that my patients have on me.

Emily... what?!

2010-06-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sheer Fun

2010-06-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

After Joe's graduation, the whole family stayed for the weekend. When I say "whole", I mean it. All eight of us made it home along with spouses, boyfriends and kids. Sisaye Claire loved the animals. Dinkeneh only wanted to play basketball. We picked strawberries, drank margaritas, had a bonfire with s'mores and there was a serious wiffle ball game. I love you guys! And I can't remember EVER such a great weekend. Love.

A Proud Moment

2010-06-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

For those not familiar with the blog, I am one of eight children and the second oldest. In my family, the 5 girls are the oldest. The little brothers are 14, 16, 18. Joseph is 18 and this Memorial weekend, he graduated from high school. Joe, I am so proud of you and am super excited for what the future holds. Well done, sir.

Myrtle Beach #2

2010-06-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Myrtle Beach #1

2010-06-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

I am way behind on these posts. My apologies, Kate. At this point in time, i don't think anyone else is reading. To recap: I went with 3 of my 4 sisters on a road trip to Myrtle Beach. It was a much needed, well-deserved break for all of us. I can only speak for myself but it was exactly what I was looking for. I am only sad that all fun things must come to an end. Enjoy the pics, Kate. I will send a CD soon:).

CANDLEBOX

2010-04-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

So, apparently we just can't get enough of the live music these days. Last night, just one night after our Will Hoge experience, Joe and Bryan took a shotgun trip to Louisville to see a fave band of theirs and ours: Candlebox!! It was a perfect night to be outside listening - the sunset was beautiful, the atmosphere was perfect and the music was rocking. The only negative: we all came back to reality with a bang. No rest for the weary. Ah well - we enjoyed our mini-visit with two awesome brothers. Thanks bryanjoe (as Michael so lovingly used to call them:)!

Woooooo!!!!

2010-04-29T11:28:00.001-07:00

Em and I had the pleasure of seeing Will Hoge in concert last night at the waterfront here. Whoa. My. Gosh. I may become a groupie. He has some serious talent... and lyrics that speak to my soul:). Enough with the dramatics. Here are some of the pics. I'm too impatient to upload my videos. Can't wait til he does a concert in the area again. A few of my fave songs (since I now have every song he's ever done - to my knowledge): Sunshine Burn, Woman Be Strong, It's A Shame, Break Your Heart, Lover Tonight and Dirty Little War. They are all must-listens. Oh - and Em and I have found another friend who is quite possibly more in love with Will Hoge than we are. Last night we went with JohnE and his sister Ashley - we were quite the sibling foursome. Good times.

Mini-Marathon ... Check.

2010-04-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Emily and I both ran the mini-marathon this past weekend. All of our hard work was finally put to the test. We started out with trash bags and styrofoam visors on due to the rain. It was a light to medium rain for the first four miles and then the sky cleared a little and we even saw a little sun. The last nine miles were all dry. We lost ten minutes waiting at a porta potty and actually ended up running into some random lady's house. Thank heavens for good samaritans. We ended up splitting up at the 10 mile marker but I think we both felt remarkably well and kept our own paces. Good job, girls. Next up: Warrior Dash on June 20th. Standby. (I added the after party pics as well here).

Aunt Emily's Birthday Cake

2010-03-10T18:37:00.001-08:00

I tested my new cake skills today: Voila!!

For Aunt Emily: the many faces of Sisaye

2010-03-10T17:12:00.001-08:00

For Aunt Katie: New Outfit

2010-03-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

A Mini-Break

2010-03-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

I took the last week off of work and traveled to Minnesota to see Aunt Katie. Along the way and along the way back, I stopped in South Bend to see the kiddos. I'm always so impressed to see how quickly they grow. Sisaye held a toy up to me and said "Hep me this!" which is absolutely adorable and amazing. And D and I played "slam dunk!" and did many chest passes. He gets more fun all the time. I only wish that I lived closer to all of my sisters:(. We just have too much fun. Here are a few pics from the trip, although sadly - Kate and I never took any of us!! Boo.

Cake Class.... Check.

2010-02-27T05:41:00.000-08:00

During the month of February, I took a cake decorating class at one of the Michael's stores here in town with three other girls from work. I think I seriously underestimated the art of cake decorating. It has been a lot more work than I anticipated and I am happy to say that - while I enjoyed learning a new skill and spending time with friends - the class is finally over. For some reason, I attracted the attention of the very nice instructor who ... just didn't seem to care for me very much:). At one point, she yelled at me to sit up straight (CAKE class...right?) and on the last day she announced to the class that "Jennifer's being difficult over here" - this is AFTER I've told her repeatedly that my name is Julie. After she says this, the girls (again who I work with) chime in with "tell us about it - we have to put up with her everyday":). And then all of them started calling me "Jen". Ba ha ha. We are still giggling about it. I put a pic here of my final masterpiece. Now, the true test will be next week when I try to make Em's birthday cake. (On a side note - after I made my roses and complained about how terrible they were, Emily looked at them and said, "I would be PROUD to have these on my birthday cake!!:)-) Just one of the many reasons I'm glad we're roommates:).

Cuddlers and Sleepers

2010-02-27T05:36:00.001-08:00

Why is the little Missy such a snuggle bug?

Oh... Joe!!

2010-02-15T17:44:00.000-08:00

Joe came to visit me and Em a couple of weeks ago. Highlights: a band at the casino, a visit at U of L (I tried to be objective) and a night of bowling. I totally got my butt kicked. Oh well. Thanks for visiting Joe! We miss you already! Next please...;)

Epic Sledding

2010-02-09T19:22:00.001-08:00

Clearly, with 8" of snow... Em and I can have some serious sledding now. The last pic is miss M snuggling afterwards. Please note the very large third space/seat at the end of the couch. She had to be squeezed in between the two of us. Little dog...

A little laughter...

2010-02-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

This story is second-hand from a patient of mine today. This gentleman is a maintenance supervisor at a nursing home. After about six months of getting frequent tasks to fix a clogged toilet in the same resident's room, he decided it was time to replace the toilet. Upon removing the old toilet, however, he discovered an item that was occluding the flow of water: dentures. After speaking with the nursing staff, he learned that the resident had actually lost her dentures a few months before. The resident actually WANTED the dentures, so they were sent away to be autoclaved (i.e. sterilized). The resident received her dentures back and went on her way. A couple of weeks later, however, she began complaining that the dentures were hurting her mouth. She was then taken to the dentist where they made an astonishing discovery... the shitty dentures... were not hers. BA HA HA. It must be the sick nursing humor.:)

Sledding... badly

2010-02-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

Cuteness.

2010-01-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

Miss M was trying to get in on the action as Aunt Emily cleaned the fridge of outdated food. She has also taken to leaping (yes, like a gazelle) onto the couch. Em and I have been in fits of laughter over this. The little dog is truly ridiculous sometimes. Maybe I can catch in on camera in the next day or two:).

Visitors!!

2010-01-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

Miss M and Ricky had quite a time this weekend:). Thanks for visiting, Megan!!!

Parks are for adults, too.

2009-12-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Tumbling

2009-12-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

Fun times with the kiddos...

2009-12-08T17:37:00.000-08:00

Em and I had some very special visitors this past weekend: Sisaye and Dinkeneh!! (oh - and Christina and Chris:) I think the pics sum up our weekend. Pancakes and Banana Bread, Naps, Parks, Naps, Christmas lights, Ethiopian food... oh - and naps:).

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and I did a 5k turkey trot this morning before we mealed all afternoon. (It helped ease the guilt QUITE a bit:). Good times. I think the rest is self-explanatory... except for the last pic. That's Joe and Bryan discussing the word "verbivore". ?! I know...

A 2nd Surgery

2009-11-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

Well, for those of you who don't know, Miss M developed glaucoma in her remaining eye about 3 months ago. We have struggled with it ever since and due to the pain it's caused her, I decided to have the final eye removed. I based this decision on the pain it's caused her and the fact that she has adapted to getting around without being able to see. When she's in familiar surroundings, more often than not, you would not even guess that she couldn't see. However, it's often hard not to second-guess your decision, even when you think you're doing what's best for the one who can't tell you. So, this post is for the little dog.

Recap

2009-11-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

Just to recap, this is a pic from a post made approx 2 1/2 years ago. I think Emily is handling it better with time.

Scoot-ie BOOTIES! Scoot-ie BOOTIES!

2009-11-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

More scootie booties ... and NO more scootie booties. Emily has a pair of ... shoes?... that I find less than attractive and I have dubbed them "scootie booties". Fortunately, Emily is no longer allowed to wear them at work. We have now bought NEW scootie booties to wear around the house. I'm a little sad that she doesn't wear the original ones anymore - it is entertaining to make fun of them.

Sunday in the park

2009-11-08T20:39:00.001-08:00

Emily and the bird poop saga... continues.

2009-11-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

For some reason, Emily is a beacon for birds to poop on.

Expression of Boredom or Act of Rebellion?

2009-11-08T20:36:00.001-08:00

Motto

2009-11-06T13:55:00.000-08:00

My motto of the week: Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.

Oh! Miss Katie!

2009-11-02T18:29:00.001-08:00

Katie and Brandon came to visit a week (week and a half?) ago. We had a lot of fun, just sad that it wasn't for long. We love you, Kate! Come see us again! Or wait - does this mean it's our turn now?:)

Not so much a watchdog...

2009-11-02T18:27:00.001-08:00

Sick of AT&T

2009-10-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

I'm 6 months in to my 2 year contract with AT&T and I am already disgusted. why? Why? WHY?! did I ever go back with them? Didn't I learn my lesson the first time??? Why must I make things hard on myself?! For the last four billing cycles, I've had to call and dispute charges of anywhere from $6 to $15. The thing is, I'm not even doing anything. There are random charges that are coming through, showing that I'm accessing the internet at 2 and 4 o'clock in the morning. ?! I'M NOT EVEN AWAKE, PEOPLE!!! It's physically impossible. I ****in' DESPISE AT&T.

10k Run

2009-09-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

Emily and I will be running a 10k on October 24 for a charitable organization, Home of the Innocents. I've included an informative excerpt from their website to acquaint you with their purpose. I spent some time working in their facilities as a nursing student and the work that they do is incredible. We're trying to raise money in addition to our own donations and we appreciate any help that we can get. Donations can be made at www.homerun2009.com

*******************************
Where can I feel safe?

Where can I get the special medical care I need?

Will I ever find a ‘Forever Home?’”

I’m pregnant. Where can I turn for help?

Why can’t anyone understand me?

No child should ever have to ask these tough questions. The truth, however, is that there are hundreds of children right here in your community asking these questions every day. Fortunately, Home of the Innocents is here to help.

The doors to our Childkind Center are always open for children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. Some of these children live with us at our Joan E. Thomas children’s village. While here, children receive round-the-clock care and counseling. We also see that children continue their education, take part in community events, and have time just to be kids.

Our Childkind Center also provides services throughout the metro Louisville area. We help heal families on the verge of breakup due to a variety of issues. We are providing in school and in home support to autistic children and their families. And our Therapeutic Loving foster Care program is dedicated to finding forever families for many of these displaced children.

Home of the Innocents is also there for children who are medically fragile, technology dependent, or terminally ill. Our Kosair Charities Pediatric Convalescent Center is this region’s only long-term residential facility for kids, ages infant to 21, with physical and/or developmental disabilities.

Our clinical team of medical professionals sees to the unique needs of each child and we also become an extended part of each child’s family.

For 125 years, Home of the Innocents has been the answer for many of your community’s vulnerable children. If you would like to see for yourself the positive difference the Home makes on the lives of so many, visit our Schedule a Tour page.

Mission Statement:

The Home of the Innocents, a community of dedicated people and those they serve, provides the skills and opportunities by which vulnerable children, youth and their families may improve their lives.

A Weekend at Mom and Dad's

2009-09-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Em and I both went home this weekend. (Does it surprise you that we're still doing almost everything together?) Emily got together with Rachel and I got to see Lauren and Megan, as well as go to the spa for an awesome pedicure. Michael ran a cross-country meet on Saturday and came in 6th place. Woohoo! Dad and Bryan golfed most of the weekend. I brought home Larry's cookies from Marion... and I can FEEL the jealousy already:). Everybody (except Dad) went to the fall festival on Friday night. And Mom and Emily and I shopped at Gordman's while Joe scouted out Guitar Center on Sunday afternoon. Oh yea - we drew names for Christmas, too. Wooptee doo. Now I have to think about this for 3 whole months. There are some things I'd just rather wait until the last minute for. Now I have no excuse for getting a crappy gift. It's so much pressure!! Anyway - I think that cover it. Oh - and Miss M had a GREAT time. Loved all the attention and milked it for all it was worth. *Sigh. Getting ready for another week...

Sleepers

2009-09-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

This is a frequent scene around our house...

M and the Rug

2009-09-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Emily and I finally disposed of this old rug that has definitely seen better days. AFter rolling it up, though, it still sat in the house for a couple of days. Wouldn't you know that miss M would just absolutely love the rug, now that we're getting rid of it? Such a silly sweet dog...

New Roomie

2009-08-23T16:51:00.001-07:00

Well, Emily moved in about a month ago and things are going well. The other day, we went into a store together and Em looked at me and said, "You know, eventually we will get tired of each other." And Katie called the other day. When Emily answered, I heard her say "What? The vein?" Apparently, Katie (with her experience living with me) knows how neurotic I can be. For anyone who doesn't know, Katie was referring to Monica on Friends and her forehead vein that sticks out when things aren't going her way. Unfortunately, that isn't too far from the truth sometimes. Poor Emily:).

Wineries, Canoes and Gardens... Oh My?

2009-07-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

When thou hast no computer, thou cannot post!

2009-06-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

So, a quick rundown of events the last few weeks: Moved into the new apartment, still sparsely furnished but working on it. Canoeing, wine tasting and a broken laptop. Yes, the ^@!* piece of %@!^* finally died. (A sigh of relief in some ways). So, I was forced to buy a new computer and - as anyone who knows me - if you're going to do something do it right. So, I type this from my brand new (drumroll, please) ...macbook pro! SWEET!!! To sweeten the deal, I took advantage of the new promo which gives me an 8gb ipod touch FREE. SWEET-ER!!! Since this is my first night with my new toy, I am still learning and will not be posting pics tonight. Hope everyone is doing well.

Creeper.

2009-05-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy this pic that Joe slid into in "classic Joe-style" - he's between Elizabeth and me. Joe, you are awesome.:)

The Fredericks

2009-05-24T14:34:00.001-07:00

Graduations... CHECK.

2009-05-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

So, the last two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of family. Christina and Emily's graduations both went very well and I think we set a record. The whole family was together for two weekends in a row for the first time in... I don't know how long. Well done, guys. Here are a few pics of the festivities. Miss M came back to Louisville with me this weekend and we'll be moving in to our new place next Wednesday. Could we possibly be this close to resuming the life that we used to know?! So exciting.. yet unbelievable. It's been over a year since it was just M and I. We won't know what to do...

Yay!

2009-05-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Big plans coming up: this weekend is Christina's graduation which I am totally excited about for MANY reasons, including 1. that she's graduating!:) 2. seeing little squirt!! and 3. one of my fave people EVER, Jon (Chris' bro) is going to be there, too. I haven't seen Jon since... last spring so we are way overdue for some good conversation. And the following weekend, Emily graduates! Suddenly I feel dumb, as I am doing nothing to further my education. I am really going to have to do something about that... Lastly, I have an apartment! I'll be moving in June 3 (although "moving in" would imply that I am Actually moving items in to the apartment - sadly, I don't have much in the way of furniture so it should be interesting). However, I did find this awesome futon in the Free section on CL (amongst other equally quality items).

A quick update.

2009-05-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Day 5 of the new job and all is going well. I'm learning tons but I really like the position. Yay! Now, if I could only find an apartment and get Miss M... life would be normal? again. Hope everyone's having a good week.

A prayer.

2009-04-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share a prayer from St Therese that I have found extremely calming over the last few months. I hope that it will bring peace to those who read it.
*****************************************
May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

If I could only audibly record my screams...

2009-04-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

I. HAVE. A. JOB. You heard me, sit down before you fall down. It has now officially been...6 months that I've lived at Mom and Dad's. I interviewed for a job on Friday with a group of cardiologists in Louisville - and I now have a job. Aaaaaagh!!! More details to come. I start this Thursday so I am frantically searching for a place to live. Emily and I did finish the mini-marathon on Saturday and there will be a post to follow shortly. A sincere THANK YOU to all who have prayed for me and sent words of encouragement over the last months. They have been much needed and greatly appreciated. I am now breathing a huge sigh of relief and excitement.

#3 ... and counting?

2009-04-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

Well, a few days ago, Joe had his THIRD surgery on his arm. And we hope his last. He seems to be recovering well and following the doc's instructions so we remain hopeful. Still no word on the job front. Next up: Emily and I are doing the mini-marathon in Louisville this Saturday. We strive for completion;) and our motto: Live fast, Run slow.

Nanny for a week... or something like that.

2009-04-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

Ah, the life of the unemployed. Yuck, yuck, yuck. However, I have had the most awesome opportunity to watch Dinkeneh (aka Aiden:) for the week since his normal sitter decided to take a week off. SO - Miss M and I have invaded the Frederick household and - time out! I just heard Dinkeneh yell "Uh-oh!" from the next room. Damn it! I am a bad babysitter:). Pictures hopefully to come. Hope everyone is having a great week.

Birthdays, Visits, Science and Old Smoke Detectors...

2009-03-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

This post is a collection of missed posts from the past week. It's been a little hectic! Last weekend was Em's birthday - Happy Birthday, Emily! (and today is Michael's birthday but we won't be celebrating until tomorrow). Then, Aunt Cindy came for a visit and she helped to even out the male/female ratio at least for a few days:). Thanks, Aunt Cindy - it was fun! Friday marked the kick-off to qualify for regionals in Science Olympiad for Joe and Bryan. I came in Friday night and there was pure madness: gadgets and gizmos and crazy projects everywhere. When I finally found Joe amongst the rubble, he had a wild look in his eye as he was completely immersed in it! Lastly, we have finally gotten rid of the last dinosaur smoke detector in this house. Again, I just shake my head at the crazy outdated things I find in this house...

Woo hoo!

2009-03-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

Emily and I went to the Eric Church concert in Evansville Thursday night. Woo hoo!!! It was such a completely awesome night. We had so much fun that Mom had to come and pick us up. We even convinced her to take us to Taco Bell afterwards. THANKS, MOM! For anyone who even remotely likes country music: he is a must-listen. His new CD comes out next week!

Ew... brothers.

2009-03-11T13:11:00.001-07:00

Since returning to Mom and Dad's, it's been quite an adjustment to get used to not one, not two, but THREE teenage boys in the house. This is definitely not the same Massoth household that I remember. There have been frustrating and down-right angry moments off-set by several fits of laughter on occasion. If only pictures told the whole story...

Making changes...

2009-03-09T14:34:00.001-07:00

Hip, hip, hooray!!! Hip, hip, hooray!!! The Massoth house is undergoing some changes. We are fixing, Fixing, FIXING!! The most exciting fix-it project is the upstairs bathroom. (See below). As Dad hauled the new toilet in the bathroom last night, he said (and I quote): "This thing is top-of-the-line and boasts that it can flush 40 golf balls... Joe, I DARE you to clog this thing!" (Gasp, I'm crying I'm still laughing so hard:)! Hopefully, long gone are our days of keeping the plunger at toilet-side. Ew. This has, however, presented a new problem for me. You see, Dad and the boys are now holding a discussion over what the old toilet should be used for. ?!...?! Bryan seems to think that they could use a new flowerpot. (If I have to haul that son-of-a-***** to the dump in MY little car, I will do it.) Meanwhile, the yard has become the garbage pail for the remnants of our fix-it projects... In that last picture, you get a full view of the mangled, broken swing in the background, the roof tiles that have blown off to the right and obviously, the new flowerpot at the forefront.

Fun Times at the Massoth house...

2009-03-08T03:18:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE to purge. Definition: go through (any house, really) but most recently, Mom and Dad's house and throw or give away ANYTHING I can get my hands on and convince them they don't need anymore. This need to unclutter (word?) is amplified by my unemployment. A girl has to stay busy!! So, here are a few pics of what I've uncovered lately. (Some make me shudder.) Oooh, and if that isn't enough, tell me the difference between the two couches: Yes, the first one is Mom's couch from the family room. The 2nd one is the used couch that she just bought to REPLACE the first one. I sigh.

Fessing up.

2009-02-17T07:44:00.001-08:00

Well, as some of you already know... I hijacked it out of North Dakota as fast as that little Civic would take me and M. We took refuge at Miss Katie's for a few days. The weather was horrid in ND and the job was just not great enough to make it worth my while. So, I am currently BACK at Mom and Dad's although I just recently made a trip to South Bend to see my favorite nephew! .. and watch my Cardinals be completely destroyed by Notre Dame:(. All in good fun, though. I say - rematch next year! I am currently searching for a permanent job in several cities in the region and am waiting to see which one presents itself. The new plan: back to school. It's time to move forward. The pic is from my recent trip to see D and the family. (By the way, I taught him the word "clock"! When he goes past it now, he points and says Clock!) He's so smart:).

Minot.... North Dakota

2009-01-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

I arrived safely to my destination yesterday, just in time to watch the Cardinals snuff out the Pitts winning streak! Sweet!!! My trip was surprisingly uneventful. I had already braced myself that I WAS going to experience car trouble of some sort, be it mechanical or an accident. The good Lord must be watching over me. I was a little concerned last night as people began hooking their car heaters up by extension cord. Hopefully, I will have mine installed soon. Highlights from the trip: MASSIVE snow, herds of buffalo, people driving snowmobiles ON the STREETS, funny signs and pheasants EVERYwhere. (I'm assuming this HAS to be a huge sport up here.) Mom, there are 5 catholic churches up here with all different schedules... I have absolutely NO excuse for missing:).

A little humor

2009-01-15T05:52:00.001-08:00

After a very trying week (and it's not even really begun for me!), I am hoping that my luck improves as I start out for North Dakota. First stop: Kansas City. Miss Mollie! Miss M will be so happy to see you:) And speaking of pets, this cartoon can only be Petra and Matilda. Christina and Chris, this is what I think they REALLY do when you're not there...:)

What?!

2009-01-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, favorite uncle, that does mean a visit from your favorite niece:). I will call you to confirm details. Secondly, WTF?! This is an excerpt from the Minot newspaper this week. And more snow is expected tomorrow... perfect. I'm hoping this means that they will have it all cleaned up by the time I get up there and they'll be set for the winter with no more big snow. Keep dreaming, Jules. Keep dreaming. This will for sure be an experience to remember. So when is everyone coming to visit?;)

Life is normal...?

2009-01-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

So for those of you who haven't noticed the change in my current location above, I will be starting work in Minot, North Dakota in two weeks. The above are accurate portrayals of my shock at how I ended up with North Dakota. Long story short: I'm impatient and money speaks. I am ready to work and this was the fastest, best paying job I could get to. I am very excited as I will ONLY be 7.5 hours from MISS KATIE! and I will be 4 hours from several new friends in Winnipeg that I met on my tour of Europe. So, I am already planning reunions and I am excited to finally be getting my own place again. *Sigh*. I love Mom and Dad dearly but God did not mean for us to live in the same house forever. So, life will be back to normal... for me.:)

Before... and After.

2009-01-06T21:27:00.001-08:00

Well, Miss M had her surgery today and all went well. However, additional stitching was needed as I had her teeth cleaned at the same time. Unfortunately, there were a few rotten teeth that needed to come out. Ew. M is tolerating the events remarkably well although I sense a little bit of anger from her:). She is currently wearing a cone on her head until at least tomorrow morning and has therefore been a source of amusement to the boys. I have to admit, it is a LITTLE humorous to watch her bump into things with that stupid cone on her head. The alternative is risking her ripping her stitches which I have no desire to deal with, so... the cone remains. The good: the bad eye and teeth are out, she should be more comfortable on a long-term basis. The bad: this may not save her last good eye; it may eventually succumb to the glaucoma. The ugly: the latest look that we're sporting. All in all, I'd say M came out the winner.

By request...

2009-01-05T10:36:00.001-08:00

Kate, here are the Christmas pics you wanted.

Sigh

2009-01-03T21:37:00.000-08:00

I sometimes wonder if I shouldn't let my blog die completely. As unhappy as I am about my current situation, it is even worse to continually talk about it. However, I will update my pitifully few readers on it. First off, I decided to forge ahead with the job in Louisville. Much to my dismay, 3 weeks in and one week before Christmas, I discovered that I despised that job. The final straw was coming home one night at almost 10 pm, in complete tears. No job is worth that. The thing is: I am a competent nurse. Not the best, but certainly far from the worst. I am extremely capable at what I do. This job... reduced me to the poorest work I have ever done. I felt inadequate the entire day, even as I struggled to meet needs, skipped lunch and only was able to use the bathroom once in a 15 hour day. So, after serious thought - I decided: NO JOB was worth the sacrifice of my peace of mind or emotional health. I am now (again!) unemployed and currently searching for another travel position. I'm not really quite sure what I want to do, so ... I think my best option is a short-term one that will allow me some time to re-evaluate before making my next move.

Secondly, Miss M's eye is getting worse so her surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday at 0730. I am worried about my little missy, but I have been saying some prayers. Her bloodwork was drawn on Friday and it appears that her kidneys, liver and thyroid are working well. Hopefully, there won't be any other surprises when she goes under anesthesia. Thanks to all who have been asking about her - your thoughts are appreciated!

I will update again on Tuesday about Miss M and hopefully I will have an update on the job as well! Good luck to all as you return to work and school this week:).

Aaah... Joseph.

2008-12-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

Well, for those readers who don't know: Joseph is my 16 year old brother and he had a car accident on November 30th, the Sunday following Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the details are (and I'm afraid will always be) etched in my memory. To make a long story short, I will let the pictures do the talking and will simply say that I am very very very thankful that he is still with us in person with only two broken arms as lasting effects of the crash. I sat down in church this last Sunday and as I gathered my thoughts over the last week, my foremost prayer was one of thanksgiving for the gift of my brother and life. But as I started to pray, I was suddenly struck by how inadequate my prayer seemed. How does one express appropriate gratitude for such a tremendous gift? I can only say that this incident has brought a new awareness to my day-to-day thoughts and life suddenly has a silver lining. Perspective is vital and I have certainly found a new one this week. So, here's to the TRUEST Thanksgiving that I have ever known.

SHT SHT SH*T

2008-11-25T19:58:00.000-08:00

Shit. Well, to my scant loyal readers who have not received a post in absolute AGES... I am in complete despair. I have started a job in Louisville that is at will, meaning that I only work when I tell them that I want to. My intent was to try it here for 6 months and see if I liked living in one place again. I am two days in to my job (orientation only!) and I am having serious cold feet. I want to run so far in the opposite direction that I think my feet have already taken off and I am clinging desperately to a railing, attempting to make an honest and fair effort. I am trying to remain calm but I am desperately fighting the urge to lay down like a child and wail my misery. I have one foot in the boat and it is already drifting from shore... while my other foot is firmly planted on land - I must make a decision or I WILL end up in the water! I hope someone is getting some humor from these horrible analogies. *Sigh* Any advice would be welcomed...

Europe!

2008-10-22T09:36:00.001-07:00

Well - I am finally home and I guess it's time to post on my trip. I cried when I left London. I was not ready to leave my new friends or come home yet. But I guess all good things must come to an end. Here is a quick itinerary of the trip:
London, Paris, Beaujolais Wine Region of France, Nice/Cannes [into Italy] Florence, Rome [into Greece by ferry] Corfu (for 4 days!) [back into Italy by ferry] Venice [into Austria] Vienna [into Germany] Munich [into Switzerland] Swiss Alps for 2 days [into the Czech Republic] Prague [back into Germany] Rhine Valley/wine region of Germany [into The Netherlands] Amsterdam!. And on the final day, we drove through Belgium on our way back to London. Countries that I saw in transit: Liechenstein, Monaco, Vatican City, Belgium. Grand total: 14 countries in 30 days. yay! I cannot say enough about the friends that I have met on this tour. This has definitely been a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will forever stand out in my memories. I wish I could put all of my pics on here, but...:). There are over 3000, so - enjoy what's here.

Prost! from Germany and into the Swiss Alps!

2008-10-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

On my way into switzerland today, having a great time but definitely getting tired of living out of a suitcase. tomorrow im traveling to the highest post office in the world on top of the jungfrau mountain. yay for snow!!!!

Sad to say goodbye to Greece

2008-10-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

Well - I'm only in Greece for about 12 more hours:(, of which most will be spent on a ferry. But we had a fantastic 3 days on the water, laying on the beach and getting some sun. I was able to do some reading and have a toga party!!:) I did some swimming in the Ionian Sea! I'm having a great time, trying to bolster myself for the 2nd two weeks of the tour. It's really hectic! We go to Venice tomorrow, can't wait to ride a gondola. Thanks for all the comments - can't wait to see everyone.

Tomorrow Rome!!!

2008-09-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

Things are going well ' in Florence tonight and then its off to Rome tomorrow. havenàt been able to figure out how to post pics from my camera yet so i think the pics will have to wait until i return. climbed the duomo in st maryàs church today ' fabulous views of florence!! canàt wait to show everyone pics! Give miss M hugs for me, mom!!!

FAST POST FROM NICE, FRANCE

2008-09-22T02:20:00.000-07:00

Having a great time here: everything has been so hectic; this has been my first opportunity for a post; paris was awesome; climbed the eiffel tower; saw notre dame; headed to italy tomorrow - another stamp on the passport!!! was in monaco last night; went to the monte carlo casino and drove on the grand prix!!! florence for two days, then rome for two days then corfu greece and fun in the sun!!!!

Home at last.

2008-09-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Joe and I finally made it home. (Minus a mirror!) And unfortunately, my internet is not currently working, so the posting has been put on hold. I am currently sitting in the parking lot of Panera in Evansville IN. It's amazing what I'll go to for internet!!! At any rate, I am starting to pack for Europe - 3 days, people! I am having anxiety but not like I thought I would. I'm starting to develop a calm: the most important thing is to have fun. PLUS: I received my travel documents and it has a list of 10 commandments for traveling. #1: Thou shalt not worry. I'M CURED! The pics here are of random Seattle art that I meant to post before. Cheers!

Excitement. Awe. Disbelief.

2008-09-09T01:38:00.000-07:00

So, my brother Joseph flew out to see me in Seattle. My assignment in Seattle is completed and Joseph came out to drive home to Kentucky with me. The trip started out well with a visit to the Experience Music Project in Seattle. This was followed by a visit to Twin Falls ID to see some much-missed friends of mine. We had a great time and Joe was treated to a great view of the scenic Snake River Canyon. Proceed to day 2 where we traveled through the Grand Teton National Park where we watched the sunset and stayed in cabin in the park. Translate to: almost complete solitude, no telephone, no internet, not even a television. Hello card games. Day 3: Today! We drove into Yellowstone where we proceeded to have a GREAT day. We made an impromptu decision to leave the park from the Northeastern entrance and travel slightly north into Montana to catch I-90. This was great in theory and turned out well but took a little longer than expected. The road was the Beartooth Scenic Highway and for those who don't know it, this road is only open for a few months out of the year. There was still several inches of snow in many places. So, gorgeous drive; we stopped in Billings MT to eat at Cracker Barrel. Sweet! Then we're (sing in tune) "ridin' along in our automobile..." and ... it's approximately 2215 about 20 miles west of Gillette WY and I say "Oh my God, Joe!" and Joe says "Oh my God!" Me "Oh my God!" Joe "Oh my God!" Well, he must have heard us because we got by with just a few scrapes. About 200 feet in front of us were 2 deer. The speed limit is 75mph here and I'm cruising at 82 mph. I slam on my brakes and by the time we get to the deer, I'm only going 30 to 35mph, but... at the last minute, the deer decides to turn into my car. To the point: I have a dent in the left side of my car and I am now missing a side mirror. No major damage and considering, I think we came out smelling like a rose:). Enjoy the pics here. A quick recap of the highlights of our trip: moose, buffalo, antelope, Old Faithful eruption, hitting a deer, a drive to the top of a gorgeous mountain. 2 days left... we'll see what happens!

Bust.

2008-08-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I visited Mt St Helens on Friday, but... sadly I was unable to see much of the mountain or the crater caused by the eruption in 1980:(. But, here are a few pics that you might still enjoy. I did spend some time with two very entertaining and lively gentleman who watched the mountain erupt. It was an experience unlike any other. Nothing beats a first-hand account. 17 days and counting to Europe! (For those of you who haven't seen it, there's a countdown on the bottom of the page!)

Update!

2008-08-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, for those of you who haven't heard: I am going to Europe after I finish my assignment in Seattle. I fly out of Louisville to London on September 16th and I come back on October 16th. Yeeee! Can't wait! Oooh - AND - Joseph is flying out to see me on September 5th and on the 6th, we are driving home to the big K-Y. Proposed POA: Big Sky country, through Yellowstone, across South Dakota, (perhaps a stop in to say hi to our favorite aunt and uncle?:) and then across Missouri. I am completely excited. Any advice on traveling in Europe and avoiding jet lag would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

The Sadness:(

2008-08-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Well, Christina left today... and in a rush. We woke up at 0600. I was supposed to be at work at 0700 and take Christina to the airport before I went. We - Are - Awesome. Christina made her flight and I made it to work by 0710. I won't even begin to describe what I looked like, though, or how tired I am now. . . Or how sad I am to come home to an empty place. It's been a fun summer, Christina. However, M is letting me know (in no uncertain terms) that she is not happy about the family breakup. Here is what I found when I came home tonight:

OH - and here's a pic of our last night together at the Mariners' game! You suck, Mariners! Cards fan for life!

This is why I'm falling in love with Seattle...

2008-07-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQeX7h40ugo

Success! ... and Pain.

2008-07-20T20:19:00.001-07:00

Well, Christina and I climbed to the top of Mt Si today in North Bend, Washington. Elevation: approximately 4000 feet, total 4 miles one way. Arduous journey but definitely worth it. Enjoy the pics!

Go Mariners! and Naked Bikers?

2008-07-17T22:01:00.001-07:00

Goodbye, family...

2008-07-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

Quick updates: The job is going very well, the summer weather is great in Seattle and so far, it's been a fun summer. Well, for the last four weeks, Christina and I have been in very good company. Mom came out with Aiden for almost two weeks and then left two days after Chris arrived. Chris was here for 5 days when Jon arrived and today, Chris, Aiden and Jon flew out. We are very sad to see them go. It's been fun having the kiddo here:). Here are a few pics of our time together...

Visitors!

2008-06-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Mom and Aiden are visiting for a couple of weeks - yay! Here are a few pics of late...