Day Seventy-Two

Today was a pefect day for warm home made soup! It was cold and still lightly snowing. There won't be many days left for warm soup. Although I would probably still eat it on a hot day just because I like soups so much. It was hard to get a really good picture of the steam. It was moving so fast it looked more like a blur than rising steam.

Day Seventy-One

I was inside all day at work, but this is what I came home to find. Snow on the first day of spring. I'm hoping there aren't any more freak snow showers. I'd like to turn my flower pot up right and start planting some flowers in there! Arizona game me a good taste of the sun and I'm ready for it to come to Oklahoma.

Day Seventy

                                     

Since we were traveling during the time change none of our clocks at home were changed until Friday. It was a little confusing to wake up on Friday morning and not know what the real time was. Thank God my cell phone automatically changes! PS- my duct tape watch finally died a couple weeks ago. This is the replacement. I miss my old one!

Day Sixty-Nine

While in New Mexico, Mal and I had the chance to catch up with an old friend, Candace! Candace and I had a random chance meeting on Myspace about 3 months before I left for college. Yes, it does sound crazy. I don't remember who found who or how, but we found out we would be freshman at the same school so we started chatting. When we got to school and met for the first time it was like we had been friends for years, not at all like random strangers on myspace. It was great to have the three of us back together for a little bit. It brought back great memories of late night laughs! I hope that the next visit will not take as long to happen as this one did!

Day Sixty-Eight

Meet our trip tour guide Gwyneth. What would we do with out a GPS? Maps are great, but having a gadget that tells you were the gas stations and resturants are is almost priceless when traveling. It was really like traveling with a tour guide through every city.

Day Sixty-Seven

I do not think I have ever been more happier to see the sun rise than I was the morning on the mountain! It was a beautiful sunrise. It had been a crazy night. After the sun went down, the heat went with it. I put on basically all the clothing I had brought up, which wasn't much. We then started a fire for some heat. After that died down, we decided to head to our tents for some sleep. Thats when the wind started. I'm not sure what the wind speeds were, but it was enough to break one of our tents and threatened to break the other one. With one tent broken, we stuffed all five of us into a three person tent. Cold was no longer a problem, but trying to find a comfortable way to lay with five sardines in a can was. Even inside the tent, the wind was blowing dirt and sand in. If my head wasnt covered I was eating dirt. At some point I managaned to cover my head and fall asleep. As soon as it was light out, I was out of the tent. It was proabably the most unfomfortable night I've ever had. We all survived and I think I would do it all over again. Next time, I will be better prepared.

Day Sixty-Six

We made it to the top! It was quite a day of hiking. The first part was basically out in the open trekking up a steep hill with the sun blazing on us. I think it took us about 5 hours to climb to the top overall. We took lots of water breaks and time to let our legs rest. Towards the end of the hike it became more like rock climbing. There were parts that seriously seemed vertical. I had no problem going up, but I was more worried about getting back down the steeper parts. The one mistake I made was not buying hiking boots/shoes. I just wore an older pair of running shoes that still had some tread left. Unfortunately that was not enough. I felt every rock and didn’t have much traction. I really enjoyed every part of the hiking trip. Some of it was hard, uncomfortable, and not glamorous, but there is just something about strapping weight to your body and climbing to the top of a mountain. It was very empowering.

Day Sixty-Five

Welcome to Arizona! Our first night we stayed at a KOA camp in Apache Junction just out side of Phoenix. After two long days of driving, we settled in for a nice sleep on the ground. Even though I brought a pillow for the car, I wanted to prepare myself for the night on the mountain so I let someone else use it. I got creative and balled up my extra clothes for padding. It wasn't too bad. Having a mummy sleeping bag really helped. The only thing I needed was a hat to cover what wasn't covered by my sleeping bag. I woke up early to the sounds of babies and kids crying. I had serious de ja vue and thought I was back in Africa. I had a night just like it, in a tent, hard lumpy ground, and the sounds of kids surrounding our tent all night long. I slept a little better in the KOA camp than I did in Africa. Both are good memories.

Day Sixty-Four

I'm going to be honest, I do not know what state this is in. It could be Texas, New Mexico, or Arizona. There wasn't a whole lot to look at during the drive for most of it, but I didn't mind. I've never been past Oklahoma going west so all of it was new to me. I love visiting new places and seeing new landscape. I'd like to vist all 50 states before I die. When I say visit, I mean drive to the state and actually see what is there. Catching a connecting flight there doesnt count for me. If I only counted airports then I would be a little over half finished with my goal. I think I've got about 30 states left on my list!

Day Sixty-Three

The car is packed and we are ready to go go go! Five of us are heading to Phoenix Arizona to hike/climb/backpack up Superstition Mountains and camp on Flatiron. It's going to be a long car ride, but well worth it for the adventure!

Day Sixty-Two

It's like micro knitting. I'm amazed at how these tiny stiches are made!

Day Sixty-One

In 2008 I spent a month in Uganda. The only contact I had with anyone back home was 2 emails the entire time. However, Kevin made this book for me before I left. He wrote me one letter for every day I would be gone and put them all together in this book. I loved reading those little notes every day. I found this in a bag while packing for Arizona. Kev and I had a good laugh over some of his funny letters. It was much better reading and laughing over these letters with him next to me than it was thousands of miles apart.

Day Sixty

I just had to go to Bass Pro today. We’re getting ready for our camping/backpacking/hiking/road trip to Arizona and I needed to get a few items. I have no problem getting to Bass Pro… but every time I come back I get lost! You would think it would be easy, just come back the way I came. However, I always manage to make a wrong turn and end up far away from where I need to be. Today getting lost cost me 85 cents (plus gas). I was about 5 miles from home, went to get on the exit I thought was the one I needed, but instead ended up on the turn pike. I only had enough change to pay the toll once, so I couldn’t turn around. I was somewhere 30 minutes south of home. I was about to call Kevin and ask him to google my location and tell me how to get home when I saw a sign I recognized. I made it home, but I was slightly panicky for a few seconds!

Day Fifty-Nine

The Perfect Push Up. I came home to Kevin raving about them and how sore his arms were. I tried them... yeah I failed. Three days in and he's been sticking to his workout plan. I think I should start using them as well. It was obvious I have no upper arm strength. Maybe in a couple months I'll be able to give a better report on my push up abilities!

Day Fifty- Eight

This is a placemat that we received as a wedding gift. I really like the contrasting light color with our dark stained table. Someday we will have a bigger table and will be able to use all of them!

Day Fifty-Seven

At Thanksgiving, the hospital I work for gives out free turkeys to all their employees. We never had the chance to cook it until now. So we had an early Easter Celebration Dinner! I basically spent the entire day cooking. It was a work out! I was so tired by the time the food was ready and everyone was here to eat. Kevin and I had fun getting everything ready together. This is an apple pie that Kevin insisted on decorating the top. I think he did a pretty good job!

Day Fifty Six

Friday night Kevin and I hung out with our friends Tim & Mal. Eventually the guys started playing a game called Pente, which is a long, thinking, strategy type game. Mallory and I looked at each other and decided to we would do something girly and dye my hair. However, as I have learned whenever two girls go to a store to get hair dye with only one initially wanting to do it, the other one usually decides to do it as well. I've normally always done it myself, but I can say it was a lot better with a friend. Plus it felt like a mini head massage! I think we were both happy with the results.

Day Fifty-Five

These are my favorite spices to cook with; dill, cinnamon, basil, and garlic. I will usually add one of these to whatever I am cooking or baking. I like alot of flavor, but I try to not use salt for everything.

Day Fifty- Four

While eating this cracker (it started out whole) I got the bright idea to take an up close picture to see if I could get the small details. I looked at Kevin and said, "Here hold this cracker while I take a picture of it" (okay, I know it sounds like a weird request). I took about 3 pictures and was unsucessful at getting a good focus with the lighting. Before I knew it Kevin crunched with cracker into these pieces. I wish I had a picture of the confused look on my face! Thats what I get for making weird requests like, "Hey hold this half eaten cracker while I whip out my camera! Thanks!". This picture turned out better than my original idea.

Day Fifty-Three

Today, the weather has been really nice. Kev and I went for a walk to enjoy some of the nice weather. This is what a picture looks like when you try to take it while walking. I tried to stop to take it, but I guess I had used up all my stopping time earlier in the walk. Kev said I stopped to much. Well, anyway I got a cool picture out of it and I got some good time with my hubby. : )

Day Fifty-Two

On part of my run today I went over these yellow things on the sidewalks. My first thought was that they look like giant lego blocks in the concrete. I used to play with legos all the time growing up. It was like we were on a lego craze back then! Of course, I wasn't busy building rockets or guns. No, I was always building neighborhoods, houses, cars, and furniture for the houses the built. I guess these yellow lego things are used to keep me from slipping out into traffic when it is wet or icy. I guess instead of legos, these are life savers.

Day Fifty-One

We werent driving when the picture was taken, so don't be alarmed! We were just sitting in the parking lot waiting for traffic to clear out so we could leave after church. It was a good picture oppertunity on a great sunny day! I feel spring coming soon!

Day Fifty

I have been studying for NCLEX (its the board exam I have to take to become an RN). Pharmacolgy seems to be a weak area for me right now. So I got these two books that focus just on Pharmacology. One of them is just 1000's of NCLEX style questions about drugs and the other one has all the important info to learn about the drugs. I'm a hands on learner. If I have worked with the drug, then I usually know about it, but ask me about a drug I've never given or come across during clinicals and I would have to look it up. Hopefully after studying these books for a couple weeks, pharm will become a stronger area!

Day Forty-Nine

I love cantalope, it makes me think of summer! I'm ok with the cold, but I am looking forward to warmer weather and summer foods! : )

Day Forty-Eight

Pumkin Custard mmmm! It's really just a pumkin pie without the crust. I was in the cooking mode making dinner and I decided to do a little baking. My parent's make this all the time at home, so I had to call to make sure how to do it. I think I will be the only one here that will eat it. Kev is more of a candy type of sweet eater... not so much baked sweets. Not me! Take me to a bakery and skip the candy store! At least I won't eat the whole thing in one sitting. That makes me feel a little better!

Day Forty-Seven

It's ice bath time! I have been very sore the last few days from running. I decided it was time for an ice bath. However, it was not quite like I remembered! I got the water ready, put the ice in, and stepped in... well, my big toe made it and I was out again. It was a lot colder and more painful that what I remember! I think my memories are better than what actually happened and I some how blocked out how horrible ice bath's really are. I spent about 5 minuets trying to psych myself up to get back in the tub. I tried a second time and actually set down in the water but didn't stay there for long. I did several more dips and then called it quits. Even though I didn't set down in the water for the whole amount of time, it did help. Next time I'll just try cold water and leave the ice in the freezer where it belongs.

Day Forty-Six

The latest craze at our home... Sudoku. We've some how inherited a sudoku puzzle book. Neither one of us can figure out where it came from. I've only worked one puzzle, but Kevin has been doing them like crazy. I guess trying to figure out assignmens for school has been enough puzzle for my brain right now. He's concentrating hard here... I'm not even sure he knows that I snapped this picture of him. I'm sure if he noticed I would have been met with some resistance. Suprise! Your on candid camera!

Day Forty-Five

I like purses, but I don't own very many of them. I really like the ones with one strap that go over the shoulder and across the chest. That way my hands and arms are free, but I can carry what I need. My next choice would be a backpack. I just get annoyed easliy with other bags;sliding down my arm, or my arms to big because of my coat so I have to carry it. I like to have free arms!! This one is probably my favorite, it's nice enought to take to nice places, holds just enough, and the best part was I got it on clearance for about 40 bucks cheaper than sticker price. I love good finds!

Day Forty-Four

This is my favorite grocery store. I kind of felt like a weirdo taking a picture of the store in my car! Today was grocery shopping day. I seriously have never liked a grocery store so much. It's so clean and the staff have always been very polite. The stores I used to go to were ALWAYS out of something that I needed. It was like every time I went to get something specific, it was never there. Reasor's has a great produce section and a large selection of organic and gluten free foods. I don't buy everything organic, but I do apreciate having the more choices when I do.

Day Forty-Three

Surgery! Today during my externship I had the chance to follow one of my patients into surgery. The surgeon was great and explained every thing that he was doing. It was an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Basically that means he removed the disc that is between the bones in the spine and then fused the bones together. The disc had ruptured compressing the spinal cord causing a loss of function in the arms and legs. When the disc is removed, a piece of bone from the hip is placed in the space and a plate is screwed into two remaining bones keeping the piece of hip bone in place and releasing the compression on the spinal cord. Hopefully now some function in the arms and legs will return. I liked the experience but I don't know that surgery is my area!

Day Forty-Two

This pillow was one of the first 'home things' that we bought before we were married. Kev moved into the apartment with basically his clothes and a few dishes. We have come far over the last year! We bought a comfy chair is an 'as is section' at a furniture store, fixed it up and bought this pillow for it. I think this is one of my favorite pillows and I hope to be able to keep it for as long as its still holding together.

Day Forty-One

I've been doing my runs in this area lately. This tree sits out in flat grassy area near the river. Most of the trees are smaller and newly planted. This one stands out alone towering over the others. I don't know how old this tree is, but I'm sure its been around for awhile. If trees could talk, I'm sure this one could tell stories about all the changes in the area over the years.                               

Day Forty

I decided to take some pictures of patterns and textures. These are one of my favorite pairs jeans to wear. Not to much to write about for today, but I do like the up close look at the pattern in my jeans.

Day Thirty-Nine

Bruschetta! I usually do NOT like raw tomatoes. However, I have started making my own bruschetta and I acually really like them. Well, in this dish atleast. Not over all. I watched Julia & Julie and got the weird craving to make my own bruschetta. It's fairly easy to make and I've sort of experimented and made it my own way. It's just ripe tomatoes, little onion, olive oil, some spices, a dash of salt and pepper. For the bread I just put a little olive oil on them and toast them in a pan on the stove. This one is topped with asiago cheese because thats all I have, but I like to use parmesan as well. Mmmm I'm getting hungry again! : )

Day Thirty-Eight

This was my V-day present! Okay, so I know that its not extravagant, but seriously I couldn't have gotten anything better! I have been wanting a new pillow for so long. We were going to both get new ones when we first got married, but other things took priority and it never happend. A couple weeks ago I mentioned it again and today I have it! I seriously am not even sure how old the one I had was (gross I know ok). It looks really puffy, but it my head just sinks into it and it almost conforms around it. I had such a hard time pulling myself out of bed this morning... I was very comfortable. I would say it was a success Kev! : )

Day Thirty- Seven

Valentine's Day I woke up to a breakfast and a rose. : ) Before my husband, I spend every Valentine's Day single. I've dated, but they had always fizzled out long before V-Day rolled around. So, I have no memories of some other valentine other than the ones my dad would give me, but those are good memories. I know it can seem silly to have one day where we are supposed to do special things for each other. Sometimes people write off V- day because we should be doing things all year long for those we love. I agree to this, however, life happens everyday, all day and sometimes big special things just can't happen all the time. I like to pay attention to the small things that Kevin does do everyday, like kiss me goodbye before he leaves for work- or always stopping what we are doing to greet each other when one of us gets home.It's nice to have a special day set aside to focus on each other. Maybe, Valentine's Day should be once a month.

Day Thirty-Six

This seems to be a common question in our home. Usually after Kev agrees to relieve me of my ichiness it goes something like this, "No, to the right. No, the other right. Over!! Down, yes right there! No, go back you missed it! Ugh, please scratch right there!!". It usually ends in him laughing at me and commenting about how we need a back scratcher. To which I reply, "Thats why I married you". It's a common cycle.

Day Thirty-Five

This is at the request of my husband. I didn't shoot this gun, but he did. He was very proud of his abilities to take out the target. His best friend just purchased a gun to use at shooting ranges. Now, he is begging me for Gun. I'm not sure why he begs, I'm not against it. We just need to save up some muulah for it. I've only shot two guns in my life time. I'm sure it was very comical to watch. I closed my eyes when I pulled the trigger and shot up above my target. Laughing, my dad quickly took the gun out of my hands, he said 'before I killed someone'. But unless they were really tall and towering over me, I would most likely miss them. So it seems like I need to work on my aim, but probably more keeping my eyes open so I can aim. 

Day Thirty-Four

This is Mallory... or her hands anyways. Mal and I became instant friends 4 years ago when we both moved here to go to school. We were strangers assigned to live together and met for the first time randomly on the parking lot. I remember she looked very well put together and I was in running clothes with my hair pulled back :). I've always wondered what their first impression was! I had no idea that day of how close we really would become! I met my husband at her wedding... he just happened to be the best friend of the Groom. We all live very far from our families so we have formed our own little family. It's crazy how getting the 'family' together really helps relieve the homesickness that we all battle at times. I made Mallory a nice warm cup of peppermint tea while they were over. She was laughing while I was shouting 'act natural'! I guess it is alittle unnerving when someone whips out a camera and says their going to take pictures of you... just act natural! 

Day Thirty-Three

This is my lacerated arm. Today was nursing disaster scenarios. We had to come up with a disaster, act it out while another group responded and then we switched. Our disaster was a plane crash. It was actually pretty fun. We used alot of makeup, fake blood, and other props to really make it seem a little realistic. I spent much of the time in a panic mode... screaming and breathing hard. My face actually became numb and I got the chills. It was not hard to act in distress! My major injury was a severly broken lower leg... but without the right props, it was mistaken for an amputated leg. : ) Overall, it was a really good training session!

Day Thirty- Two

There is a creek that runs around my university and its been underconstruction for the last couple of years. They are widening it and putting in a retatining wall to help with flooding. In order to get from the parking lot to the buildings, you have to cross over the creek... unfortunately the bridge closest to the building has been under construction for a long time. After driving to school, the lot is usually full, leaving me to the far end of the lot...the opposite side of the usuable bridge. It feels like it takes 20 minuets to walk to my class (yes, I am exaggerating). It's not really a problem unless I am running late... I use to hope the construction would be done by the time I graduate, but seeing how thats like 70 something days away, I'm not counting on it.

Day Thirty-One

Tonight was a cuddle on the couch with your honey and watch comercials from the super bowl on the internet. There were some pretty good ones... and then some that left us scratching our heads wondering why so much money was spent on a confusing 30 seconds. I know this popcorn looks like its buttery, but its pretty much plain, which I didn't know when I purchased it. The box said low fat... heart healthy... etc. I didn't realize that was code for plain. I'm okay with those wierd health foods people usually run away from, but I was hoping for some flavor. Kev took one bite and bluntly told me it was gross. : ) Thats okay... more for me!

Day Thirty

This was taken with my cell phone inside of Bass Pro. Have you ever been inside a Bass Pro shop? If not, you could seriously spend and entire day inside looking at everthing for outdoors. We werent shopping for ourselves, we were just tagging along with some friends. Even though it was super bowl sunday, the store was pretty busy. It was only 2 in the afternoon though. I figured everyone would be at home cooking or prepping... or whatever it is people do before the superbowl ( its obvious I haven't celebrated many super bowls). Apparently, its go to Bass Pro and buy a gun day or buy boots- those seemed to be the busiest areas! Wait, I take that back- people were buying just about everything. Clothes, kayaks (I wish I could say I was the one buying a kayak), boats, camping stuff... you name it, it was being sold! Anyways, this is Kev enjoying the glass elevator between the floors.

Day Twenty-Nine

Today I caught up with a friend. I meant to take a picture with her, but we were so busy talking and catching up on the last few months I completely forgot. It was great to sip on something warm and hear how a friend was doing. Sometimes its seems so easy for me to not spend time with friends. I get easliy distracted by life! I think I should make this a saturday tradition. Every Saturday I spend some time catching up with someone either in person or by phone for those who I am far from. Sounds like a wonderful plan to me!

Day Twenty- Eight

In the excitement and fear of taking english riding lessons, I have riding boots. My excitement stems from learning something completely new. My fear is more practical. Horses are large, my feet are small and I don't like risking the chance of getting stepped on while wearing old mesh top running shoes. I hope to be able to continue this new adventure of riding for awhile. Riding and controlling a trained animal that could for whatever reason defy control and do it's own thing is a thrill and a risk. Part of me finds it relaxing and the other is getting a small adrenaline fix.

Day Twenty-Seven

Today I came home from a full day/week and inspite of a full to do list... I slept. My body was saying something else, I chose to listen.

Day Twenty-Six

The ice and snow of last week has come and gone. The only evidence left is the occasional ice patch. I must admit that the aftermath of ice and snow melting is pretty ugly. I could have taken a few pictures of mud patches but I felt this one was a little easier on the eyes. Looks like we are expecting another round of snow and ice in the next few days. I cannot complain about the weather. I love all the seasons and spring will come soon enough.

Day Twenty-Five

I believe Frosty has seen better days. I noticed him the other day although he looked much different. He was standing up straight, proudly displaying his rock buttons, red scarf blowing in the breeze, bright black eyes, and a happy smile. Today, Frosty looks as though he has been betrayed. Standing a little lopsided, shrinking arms, evidence of being poked with sticks and let me not forget the giant pole sticking out of the right side. I wish had taken a before and after picture. It was quite the transformation. I think Frosty would appreciate being put out of his misery.

Day Twenty- Four

Today was D day, D being for dentist. My poor husband, I put him through the agony of a dental cleaning. After his childhood nightmare experiences, he has made taking care of his teeth a priority.  It is not so that the dentist will be proud of what a wonderful patient he is. No, this strict regiment of dental care is so he never has to go to the dentist. Unfortunately today, I broke his 3 year streak. In order to feel powerful over the evils of dentistry he allowed them to make him a referral to have his wisdom teeth removed and another appointment in 6 months. Although this seems like a normal thing to do, he has no intention of doing either. His wisdom teeth are straight, have plenty of room, and cause no pain. And as for the check up in 6 months... we will be living in another state at that time and I can assure you we won't be coming back for the dentist. Yes, he showed that dentist who is boss! I'll be calling them soon to cancel.

Day Twenty-Three

Taping the vents only worked for a short amout of time. We had to upgrade to two air purifiers and the highest quality furnace filter there is. Good news is I can now be in the apartment with out burning eyes, headaches, and a throat that feels on fire. It still ocassionally has a funky smoke smell... but it is nothing like what it was before. I think we can at least last thru May...after that we will be looking for some where else to call home.