Santa Claus

We were having some great girl bonding time at Easton Mall today. It climaxed when Courtney saw the sign for FREE pictures with Ol' St. Nic (free if you use your own camera, which the digital copy is better anyway, so why not?) Imagine Santa's face when 5 girls walked up & we were all trying to figure out how to place ourselves around him. I asked, "So...can I take that knee?" Courtney asked for the other one and the rest fell in place. 

Merry Christmas!

Best Christmas Surprise

I'm a sucker for Christmas lights, anyone who's ever been around me for 2 seconds at Christmastime knows this. I literally squealed with delight when we pulled onto this street in Picktown, OH last night. 23 houses all decorated & then synchronized their lights to dance with a Christmas radio station.


Picktown Lights from Jim Hern Productions on Vimeo.

I'm taking requests for those who want to live on the same street as me & do this in the future. Any takers?

he he he (bre)

So this isn't very Christmas-y, but it's my favorite House quote. No matter how many times I watch it, I giggle every time.


sorry it's not better quality, I don't care enough to search hours on end for a good cut. you get the picture

ta-da

 my happy little tree

Chantelle's tree. Her star looks like bug antennae he he he

Christmas tree in a box

I got home from my Thanksgiving vacation this evening ready to do everything Christmas, but my efforts got me as far as Pandora Christmas music as I unpacked & cleaned. So not cutting it. I wanted lights, popcorn, cinnamon & pine smells, and a TREE. I took Miss Gertie on a walk & stopped by the mailbox. My most amazing brother sent me this lovely gift in the mail. Yep, my eyes totally filled with tears when I opened it. I was that happy. I was really excited about the gift, but mostly happy that my big brother totally gets me & knows how to put the best smiles on my face.

THANK YOU THOMAS!!

Visitors Welcome

Just look at that hunk of baby goodness. This is Caleb, he belongs to Nicole (& Tyler...) They came to Columbus today & I was the lucky girl that got to spend a whole 3 hours with them! I've been smiling ever since. Nicole is such a great friend & is really good at giving me perspective. & I got to meet her son, finally, after stalking the cutest pictures of the tyke for the past 7 months (& yes, those blue eyes are as brilliant in person as they are on film) He was so soft & squishy & smiley that I couldn't keep my hands off him. All in all, a perfect Saturday: sunshine, just shy of 70 degrees, and the best company I could ask for. Hope to see you again soon!

I cheated

Yesterday, I got really excited for Christmas. Thanksgiving is typically my favorite holiday so I never do anything Christmas until the day after because I don't want to overshadow it. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not spending Thanksgiving with my family this year & so I'm looking that much more forward to Christmas, or if it's that crisp autumn chill, scarves, sweaters, and boots that are now my main wardrobe, or what...but yesterday I went to the mall and was so happy to see everything Christmas-y. It was wonderful. And I went in to Bath and Body Works & was giddy, that's not normal for me. But they have the most festive little holiday goodies & a yummy new smell, Secret Wonderland. AND last night I was making cookies but got 1/2way thru the recipe only to find I didn't have any baking soda...so I got in the car & started flipping thru the radio stations & 93.3 is already doing non-stop Christmas music. Usually I wouldn't have listened yet, but instead I turned it up!!!

Now I want lights, a little tree, and those yummy cinnamon smelling pinecones...just a few more weeks!!

T9Word, you done me wrong

Everyone says that spell-check is making the general population dumber. That may be. But I reached a new low today. I am sitting here (bored out of my mind by the way) writing a history paper on The Evolution of Pharmaceutical Care, and as I type long words like pharmaceutical, practitioner, pharmacist, commitment, etc over & over again, I find I'm slightly miffed that I actually have to type the whole word out & that Word doesn't just guess & provide me with it. Definitely a new level of lazy.

stressed=desserts

I can't believe I just realized this for the 1st time. Stressed = desserts spelled backward! Which is really perfect since all I want to do after a stressful day is come home & eat something sweet & yummy that will make all the bad things happy (remember Wendy's Wednesdays?) & that's what happened today. I had a very stressful day, following a tiring weekend, & a stressful last week. I was so happy tonight to put everything aside/behind & go with Courtney to see Ace of Cakes LIVE!!! w/Duff & Geoff. It was perfect. & there was cake.

 O-H-I-O

Happy Halloween!!!

*Hint: It follows your mouse.

2 girls, a car, & some sleep deprivation

In the pursuit of being a "good student" I've been successfully neglecting the rest of my life. I'm happy to say I think it has paid off as I've finally felt relief leaving an exam rather than the usual post-test anxiety. I'll tell you though that I thought it a cruel irony I was sitting up late 2 nights in a row studying the physical & psychological benefits of SLEEP

1. Body's time of repair
2. Time for consolidation of learned information
3. Dreams are of psychological and/or emotional importance

Hmmph.

I resolved to take the day off  (once I took my last exam...that I may or may not have nearly fallen asleep in. It was so hard to focus on all those printed words!!) The day got better when I told Jamie I'd help her with her car. Ya, 2 girls taking care of a car...we should've known. We met Donny at Auto Zone who told us it was the alternator, not the battery. Doug gave us a jump after we looked for an hour in the cold for the battery leads under my hood (for some reason Saturn thought it'd be fun to stick the actual battery in the trunk? Not funny.) The negative lead is nowhere to be found still, even after calling the dealership. We ended up taking her car to Dave at Japanese Autocare (that's a story for another day!) They are now fondly referred to as our 3D's & we secretly love them all.

Then we came home & watched The Holiday, which always makes me feel like it'd be a lovely idea to kiss the next man that knocks on my door...

My Ultimate Comfort Food

I had a long day. I came home after 8:00 famished. I looked in my cupboard for something delicious & incredibly low maintenance to top off my day. I spotted it. There at the top. My favorite cereal. But wait? Do I have a banana to go with it? Otherwise it's not worth it. I looked over my shoulder & saw with relief that 1 of the 4 bananas sitting on the counter was still cereal worthy (hasn't crossed over to the smoothie/bread side yet). Phew.

2 Original Shredded Wheat biscuits with 1 sliced banana drenched in milk.

I feel much better.

President Obama

President & 1st lady Obama came to The Oval last night. I went to watch/listen. It was my 1st time ever seeing a US President in person, a little surreal. A group headed over after Church & waited for 2 hours listening to all the Democratic propaganda...some amusing, some frustrating to me. I sat on the blanket, took a nap, got a back rub (it's a hard life, I know) & listened from below. Don't worry though, I definitely stood up when "The Eagle" arrived. There were a lot of "OH-IO"s shared & I clapped when he claimed that more than being called Democrats or Republicans we are proud to be called AMERICANS!

If I knew how to draw an arrow to point him out for you I would. But he & Michelle are on the far right by the podium, if you feel like playing an altered version of Where's Waldo? 

Angels among us

My friend, Jamie, saved a man's life last week. While out for an afternoon walk, enjoying a little sunshine while it's left, she crossed paths with an elderly man & had the distinct feeling that he was not ok. Instead of dismissing it, she paused & watched him on his path. I am so proud of her for not giving in to the temptation to walk away & reassure herself that he would be fine. Then, as she watched the disoriented man fall, she ran to him. She caught the attention of 2 road maintenance men who then saw him & ran to his aid as well. The 3 of them were able to care for him & get him safely home (a nearby nursing facility he'd escaped from).

I was so touched when she shared this experience with me, & I was so grateful to know her & call her my friend. I was reminded of the words of Elder Holland
  
But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with - here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.

Jamie was this man's angel. I couldn't help but think of my own dear grandpa in his last days with dementia & how grateful I am to all those who loved & cared for him. My mom told me a story of a young man, maybe 12 years old?, who would sit by my grandpa every week in church. One week my mom & Auntie Lynne showed up & sat behind the 2 of them. Not knowing who these women were, the young man turned to them & asked if they wouldn't mind watching his friend while he stepped out to use the restroom. They said they'd love to. It was something so small, but knowing my grandpa was loved & watched over brought such peace. This man's family will likely never know about the service Jamie offered, but regardless they will always be grateful for a young woman who had the courage to follow her heart.

Just when you thought it didn't get any better than Flight of the Conchords

My friend sent me the link to this video & I laughed. It may have been due to the late hour I watched it combined with severe lack of sleep...but now you get to enjoy too. My friend's short message said, "Note that the pretty girls are the ones in the school of pharmacy." So, I ask you, Really...how could I resist? I'm a sucker for science humor.

*View original Flight of the Conchords here. My brother would be so proud.

Ace of Cakes

I am going to see Duff & Geoff LIVE.  

Another reason to love OSU. FREE events with my buckID. On Nov 1 I have 2 exams, so I felt that this would be the perfect way to wind down from the stress. I can't wait!! I hope there's free cake :)

10/10/10

This day already had the promise of being the coolest day of the year. BUT, it got even better when we found out it was also NATIONAL CAKE DECORATING DAY! So that's what we did. We decorated cupcakes & watched Mean Girls & had a ball. I love these girls!!

 

 Jamie going for it with BOTH hands!

Courtney's always the most focused 1 of the 3 of us

and for some reason I'm only content when sitting in a ball

 My witch! I was so proud of her! I know she looks like a smurf in a turban...

but humor me

the day also celebrated our 3 week anniversary of knowing each other!

Gertrude

She is 8 1/2 months old & we made her 2nd emergency room visit, though it counts as her 4th trauma. When I wouldn't play with her anymore yesterday afternoon, because silly me, I thought I should do some homework!, she went on a little scavenger hunt in the front room. This is what she found:

I'd had 1 piece previously, she took the rest. THE WHOLE PACKAGE. The trick with sugar-free gum is that it contains Xylitol, which just happens to be highly toxic to dogs. She ingested 23 pieces in record time. So we flew down to the emergency room & they were ready for us. The doc came & got her from me before I'd even started any of the paperwork! That made me nervous...

She's home safe & sound today, though she had to stay the night under their watchful eyes & care. All the staff loved my adorable girl, I think they were sad to see her leave...until she started making a racket in the waiting room barking at all the other dogs. Why won't her owner teach her some manners all ready?!

XYZ

eXamine Your Zipper

This is one mishap I feel really levels the playing field for all social classes, it can happen to anyone. It's happened to you, it's happened to me, & we've all snickered & pointed at a plethora of people caught unawares.

I was at a Career Fair last night, made a stop in the restroom, &  came out with my fly down. When I realized it, I giggled. It made the evening that much more exciting (& let's be honest, a Pharmacy Career Fair can use some excitement.)

But when do you tell someone what you've noticed, & when do you not? I stand on the ALWAYS TELL side, but having large groups of people around doesn't make for the best venue. It goes right along with letting someone know there's a booger hanging out of their nose or something green still in their teeth.

GO BUCKS!

I went to my 1st OSU football game last week. I've been to college football games before, but only at BYU. This was not the same. At all. It took me more than a 1/2 hour to get thru Security, & they had me running from 1 end of the stadium to the other. I felt like screaming, "It's a FOOTBALL game!" But then I thought if I said that, they really wouldn't let me in.

But I felt like a lucky girl when "the best damn band in land" (it's not cussing if I'm quoting) came & played right next to me! Like, not just in the aisles, I was surrounded. It was awesome.

I'm grateful for friends with extra tickets, sunny afternoons, & red t-shirts.

October is American Pharmacists Month

Who knew? My profession has a whole month dedicated to how awesome we are. Usually, in the past (& kinda still now I guess) I've felt like days are given to really important people who've done an incredible & very memorable service i.e. mothers, fathers, Martin Luther King Jr., veterans... & months are usually given out to those that really just need to feel better about themselves & so try to promote their causes (sorry if you find this politically incorrect, but I'm only incriminating myself here) i.e. women's history, vegan awareness, & just about every minority out there.

So to celebrate, we're supposed to put a new Pharmacy Fact in our Facebook status each day for the month of October. But you all know me, I'm not really that into Facebook status updates so instead I'm posting the link here & if you really care or are so bored that you'd rather read through this than do any of the other 27 things pressing for your time...please enjoy.

Know Your MEDICINE. Know Your PHARMACIST.

*For a complete list of some of the most ridiculous months click here. Highly entertaining.

Because my girl has no manners

Gertie broke her collar on our walk this morning. She took off running with her newfound freedom & I was left to look the idiot chasing her. Luckily, there were no cars as she fled from one grassy patch to another. I finally caught her because she had to pause to potty.

Now, she gets to sport the stylish body harness. I need to get a good doggy training book since I can't really afford obedience classes. And usually I just think she's too cute to discipline. So maybe what I need is a doggy OWNER training book.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Right. I will try to remember that as I look in my planner already full for the next week with at least 10 items I still need to check off from the last 2. After watching the 1st session of Conference, my favorite speaker was President Uchtdorf (I'll link his talk as soon as it's posted!) who talked about getting life down to the important things & basically sieving our days so that we are spending our time where we really want to, where it will make the greatest difference in our lives. One of my favorite things he said was that in families love is so often spelt T.I.M.E.

Ah, bliss

I have been living in Columbus for 2 weeks & 1 day & this afternoon finally accomplished the one thing I've wanted since leaving Las Vegas.

I took a nap.

A nice poem I stumbled upon

Mary T. Lathrap (1838-1895)
A WOMAN'S ANSWER TO A MAN'S QUESTION.

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the hand above—
A woman's heart, and a woman's life
And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy,
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Man-like you have questioned me;
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars,
And as pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;
I require a far better thing.
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts;
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,
And a man that the maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did the first
And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade
From my soft, young cheek one day,
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give all this, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this — a laundress and cook
You can hire, with little to pay,
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

Enantiomers

We were reviewing some sweet stereochemistry in biopharmacy yesterday & so of course went over the subject of enantiomers- 2 molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other (i.e. your left & right hand look the same but aren't) I came home & was organizing my computer & came across this pic

& laughed realizing that my mom & I are enantiomers. Exactly the same, but definitely our ownselves...somehow. The way our bodies sit in this candid looks the same! I was shocked to see how much I act like my mom without knowing it (it's a good thing Mom! don't worry)

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore

I've been saying this a lot lately,  but it's changed to, "Gertie, we're not at BYU anymore!" I've got a 7:30 am Physio class everyday so granted our professor's got to do something a little innovative to keep our attention, or at the least to keep us awake. Yesterday he started comparing the cell structures of endothelium to a 24 pack of beer, tight junctions and all. I was the only one that laughed at his joke. Because it was funny? No. Because I have to keep reminding myself that I now live in Opposite Land.

Oh hello

I am alive & well in Ohio. I've been busy having too much fun that I haven't made time to blog. It's a lot like when you don't write in your journal & then feel guilty/overwhelmed at everything you've missed but you still want to tell about that you keep putting it off...indefinitely. There's so much I want to share but if I did it all none of you would read my blog any longer because you'd start singing "This is the post that never ends Yes it goes on and on my friend!" (name that tune!!) But so you all know, we survived the drive, the move-in, the adjustment, the weather (including TORNADOS), & my 1st week of Pharmacy school (yes I'm announcing that last 1 a day early but I'm confident in the outcome). Phew. I've met some way nice people here & the take home message is...drumroll please...

I LOVE OHIO

Have a nice day.

Phototime

Driving Miss Gertie

Nothing says Colorado like a flannel shirt & french braid

We enjoy being dorks

Nauvoo, Women's Monument. We love each other.

Mississippi River

Carthage Jail. I love Joseph & Hyrum Smith.

Who's the boss?

...

Never thought I'd hear the words, "WOOOOOOO YEAH NEBRASKA!!!!!" come out of my mouth, but they did. Today we crossed over the Colorado state line & I was so pleasantly surprised (if not totally relieved!) that I let out a big whoop & holler. 

I love Lortab

It's my 4th day on the happy little pills, blessed narcotics. As much as I detest taking medicine, I am sure glad there is some good stuff to go around when I'm in the most excruciating & unrelenting pain of my life. They say passing a kidney stone is like child birth. I think next time, I'll take childbirth. You get an epidural to numb your lower abdomen (though there's still some discomfort sure) AND you get a baby at the end! Way better than calcium build-up the size of a grain of rice, if that.

Sweet opioids, thank you for taking the edge off the pain, making me drowsy enough to sleep through the rest, & providing me with a state of mind that makes the whole thing comical.

PS- Rachelle, I love you too.

Chumlee

As I've mentioned before, this summer has turned me into a Pawn Stars fan, my favorite character being Chumlee. I can't help it, whenever he's on screen I giggle. Whether he's really the village idiot or just playing it up for TV, I don't care, I think he's so funny.

Now it's the family joke that I wish he was my new boyfriend. Truth be told, if he asked I wouldn't hesitate to go out on the town for a night! (though I don't think he'd know what to do with a little Mormon girl! ha)

Maybe a t-shirt for Christmas will suffice...

They're back!!!

...and I got a pair.

Stirrup pants were my fav's when I was in, what?, the 2nd grade?? My favorite pair were lime green. I'll see if I can dig up a fab pic for you all (don't hold your breath though because I just remembered I don't own a scanner...) AND THEY'RE BACK!! I can't wait to sport them in public. My auntie & I were walking in the mall & I spotted them through the window to the GAP. Both our mouths dropped instantly. So far, I've tried them on for my auntie (thank you Auntie Lynne) & for my friend & his roommate, both of which gave me the thumbs-up so I'm feelin good to go. HOW FUN!

What a difference a day makes

Gertie last night helping me pack. She was in the middle of all the action.

Gertie this evening after her little hysterectomy.

It takes all her energy just to open her eyes.

2 Weddings & a Baby

Last week was a busy week, but one that I will cherish FOREVER. I was happier last week than I have been all summer. It felt so good to be with close friends & to be celebrating the happiest moments life has to offer with them.

Tuesday 10 August
The Woodrows! The day was perfect & I cried so much (happy tears). I am sure that this time with Bre & her family is some of the very best of my entire life.

Oh hello Woodrow's!

Ashley & me, we were inseperable

The 3 Amigas!

Welcome to the fam John

Thursday 12 August

My middle child from the mission was married in the Salt Lake City Temple. I apologize for no picture due to a dead camera, but believe you me, she was STUNNING

I had to leave Haylie's festivites early because I got a phonecall from my best friend Laura saying she'd gone into labor!!! Since I missed her wedding due to being in New York, I promised her NO WAY would I miss out on this!

Friday 13 August

The boy is born! I cannot think of a more sacred experience than that of welcoming a brand new beautiful life into this world. Laura was so brave & hopeful & loving through the whole process. I am proud to be her friend.

Beautiful Mama with her son

Me with the most precious boy in the world 

Attention all NYRM-RM's

We have a new blogging buddy, Laura Day. We all know she was our favorite on the mission (heck, Saxon & I even paper-rock-scissorsed for her on transfer day!) & now we get to continue to enjoy her post-mish. You may visit her at laurannday.blogspot.com & encourage her to keep posting with your enthusiastic comments :) Love you all. Especially you Day.

Thunder in the Grand Canyon

My favorite weather is thunder (actually it's the sun, but I don't consider that "weather" I think "weather" is what's out of the ordinary & since I'm from fabulous Las Vegas...sun's normal). Ok, back to THUNDER.

When I see a flash of lightning I hold my breath & start counting til I hear the thunder. I remember when I was little & my big bro would tell me the angels were bowling in heaven- I mean, who doesn't like to bowl? We'd sit on the living room wall & he'd keep a fake score for me so I wouldn't be scared. What a guy. Nowadays, thunder doesn't scare me. It's a little embarrassing but a good wind storm will freak the bijeezies out of me, but  thunder causes me to smile as I listen to the sky shake my bones.

This morning at work we had an AWESOME thunderstorm!! The rain came in hard- so much in fact that we couldn't see the Canyon wall not 10 miles away. The lightning flashed & I couldn't think to start counting before I heard the crack of thunder overhead. It was breakfast time, overcast, with the smell of rain, just a few guests & my family...life doesn't get much better.

Sunburns hurt

I am 25 years old. You would think after this much time I would learn that my fair skin soaks up the sun like a sponge. Have I learned yet that a layer of sunblock saves a few days of hurt & aches & OUCH?? Nope. Now, after just a few hours of fun at Toquerville Falls,  I'm in bed with HOT tomato red skin. But I know I'll like the look of the tan it turns into tomorrow & so will inevitably do it again next year.

Good Talk

You should read this.

Too true

So I know the whole urbandictionary thing was way overdone a few months ago, but one of the definitions for me is so spot-on accurate it makes me laugh.

ad-die add-dee -noun. Death for all mechanical devices or apparatuses she happens to come into contact with.

Seriously, I think someone I know submitted this definition.

Bathroom Decor

Since I'm a big girl now & have my own place (well signed my own lease, even if I haven't quite moved in yet) I have been having a ball DECORATING! (please imagine saying the word decorating with the verbal equivalent of jazz hands)

But I am stumped on my bathroom.

How do you decorate a bathroom?? The options are minimal. I didn't want to do blue because, hello? how unoriginal is that? What's in a bathroom? Water. Oh...so it should be blue, or seafoam, or the like? And I hate seashells so count all that out. And yellow? NO WAY! Why don't I just make it look like there's pee all over the floor with a nice pale yellow mat? No thank you. Unfortunately, I've just about covered all the typical options out there. I found some awesome towels that I fell in love with that are brown, with blue. So now the dilemma-do I go blue for the accessories?? To go brown  towels, mats, shower curtain seems so dark & I can't go cream because that's the color of the counters & it would just look bleh. So I'm back to blue, exactly what I pledged I wouldn't do.

Life is just so hard.

Hold still

We took to the mountains last night for a picnic. Silly me, I wanted to take a few pics. Whether they were the subjects or the photographers, these 2 Baby Boomers were hopeless.

Mom's attempt

Jeff's attempt

self-timer. I kept yelling "Don't move til after the 2nd flash!!"

Tourist in my home town

No, I didn't wear the mega-camera around my neck, or sport rad Mickey Mouse ears, but I DID have a fabulous time with one of my best friends doing a little non-traditional Vegas sight-seeing.

oh ya! we went to the Pawn Shop (AS SEEN ON TV!!)

unfortunately, no Chum Lee

got a pic with the mortar though! that was the 1st episode I saw

Bre w/her homies. she runs w/a mixed crowd...

in all my 25 years, this is my 1st pic with this sign. thanks Bre

after many failed attempts I finally introduced Bre to Luv-itz

best frozen custard that only the locals know about

Other activities included swimming, shopping (ahem), seeing Eclipse (a silly tradition for us), eating (a favorite pastime for sure), Redbox, and laughing nonstop. Sorry we missed you Ash, but thanks Bre for the fun!!