It's my BIRTHDAY WEEK!

Lon introduced me to the 'Birthday Week' concept many years ago and I still think it's a great idea. You have a whole week to do a lot of fun stuff, a little fun stuff or fun stuff here and there. That way, if you have to work on your birthday or it rains or plans change, you have 6 more days to make up for it! We kicked off my birthday week last Thursday. I picked last Thursday because we have plans to finish it off this Thursday (even though my 'real' birthday is Wednesday). Technically, that's a week and one day, but well...I think I deserve it. I also work every Friday, so I couldn't start last Friday to finish this Thursday, well, you get the idea. After I got home from class Lon took me to one of our fave places downtown, The Mushroom (most of you probably know it as Mellow Mushroom, but we nickname most places we like). Split a yummy toasted hoagie, drank some seriously tasty beer and did our weekly crossword puzzle. (We're going to make a great retired couple, don't you think?) For some reason, we thought it would then be a good idea to head over to a not-so-great Mexican place only because they have a rooftop bar that overlooks the TN River. Of course, if you only order margaritas and queso, they can't screw it up too bad. They really should have people of some type of Hispanic heritage working there...they'd do much better! Just ask El Meson (THE best Mexican restaurant in Chatt!) Anyway, got a table on the rooftop, ordered a pitcher and basked in the sun. Fantastic start to a great week!
For Easter we had a super yummy breakfast (at home) and then went hiking on Moccasin Bend. Got a little muddy, but it was fun to explore a new trail. Afterwards, we went 'house hunting' (really just fantasizing). Watched 'Where the Wild Things Are'. Kind of disappointing. Cute enough, but not one we'll want to watch again. Been let down by several of our Netflix choices lately. The Hangover, Couples Retreat, Four Christmases...all let downs. They weren't bad enough to turn off, just none that we wholeheartedly recommend. Tonight we have Juno. We'll see...
The big finale for my birthday is....drum roll, please...another movie! But not just any movie, a Tim Burton movie...with Johnny Depp. Two of my faves! Yep, we're risking everything and venturing out to the theater (please wish us luck!) We have a new theater downtown (first LEED certified in the country...something to do with being 'green'). It has a VIP theater (with adult bevvies, real food and electric recliners) that comes with a VIP price tag. We will NOT be going to that theater (even though I think it would be cool...the tickets alone are $15-20!) Instead we're going to a matinee (hoping most people have already seen it) on a Thursday (hoping most people are at work/school) to HOPEFULLY enjoy the 3D Alice in Wonderland experience without cell phones, people talking and kicking the backs of our seats. I'll let you know how that goes.
Right now, the windows and doors are open, a nice cool breeze is blowing in, the sun is shining and it's getting up to a record-breaking 90 degrees today! Don't know where this summer weather gets off showing it's sweaty head in April, but we'll have our 60's back by this weekend. Silly summer...just can't wait for June. But it must, it really must. I NEED my Spring! And to think last year it SNOWED on my birthday! I remember...we were at The Dog (Hair of the Dog Pub, that is). This officially starts our 3rd year in Chattanooga...and we still love it! I don't know that Lon and I have lived anywhere (together) for more than two! Crazy...
Guess that's enough for today...hope it's beautiful where you are. :)

Busy, busy...

We have had our Shiraz juice here for over a week (or has it been two already?) and haven't had a chance to mix it and get it fermenting! Either I've had class, clinical or work...or Lon has had class or interning opportunities. We are both enjoying our 'busyness,' but we want this red for the cooler weather! He's at a workshop all day today, so I guess if I want this done I'll sanitize all the equipment today and have it ready for mixing tonight when he gets home. I worked yesterday and I work tomorrow...and with class every Mon, Wed and Thurs it doesn't leave a lot of spare time. Of course, we have also been scoping out rental and for sale homes...our lease is up in Feb and we would LOVE to have a free-standing home. So sick of apts! Our new neighbors are fine, but after having several months of no one below us, the 'walking on eggshells' feeling sucks. Not trying to piss them off...I know these walls are like paper, but would like not to have to worry about movies, video games, etc...
Just watched X-Men Wolverine and LOVED it! Would have liked not to have been worried about the surround sound, though. Hugh is a hottie and I love the X-men series...I'm a sci-fi nerd and proud of it! :)
School is going very well thus far...A's on all three tests! Have my 4th test on 11/23 and the final on 12/16...then off for a month til the Spring semester. Guess I'll be working my bootie off those 4 weeks.
I have a lot to do on my day off...it's about 65 F outside, sunny and gorgeous! I would love to enjoy it, but I have some assignments that might be nice to get done and out of the way...not to mention the sanitizing thing, straightening the house, blogging (that's almost done!), and whatever else distracts me today.
Guess that's about it for now...Fall is absolutely beautiful here in Eastern TN. Think we'll be here for a while. We really love our town. First time we've felt truly at home somewhere...and just an FYI, we are more than happy to show off our fave city to anyone who wants to visit. Hopefully we can find a cool little rental house and actually have a place for potential guests to stay! :)
Hope you're enjoying some refreshing fall weather where you are!

Jeremiah...he's my friend (and a bullfrog)

Tonight's Riverbend headliner is Three Dog Night with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. My #1, All-Time, Favorite movie is The Big Chill, so I am very much looking forward to tonight. Before they come on The Wailers (from Bob Marley fame) will be performing. Good night to go! My only day off this week too!!! Just worked 3 12's and I'm beat. Yesterday was crazy, but very interesting...I was verbally assaulted by a patient (along with everyone else), met a Saddam survivor and I was even attacked by an IV pole! Nothing broken, just bruised. :) Never know what the day is going to bring...I'll be watching out for those IV poles in the future, though.

Dreading the update...

For obvious reasons, I have been procrastinating updating the blog. Not a lot of good stuff to report. We did have a great time seeing Lon's parents, family and friends in MI and we got to see LOTS of snow! That and not having to go back to work have been highlights. Not getting a paycheck, having to file unemployment and having my GI Bill temporarily screwed up (NOT my fault) have been the crappy parts. But as Lon and I always seem to be saying (and it usually ends up very true) everything happens for a reason.
Today is particularly gray & rainy and it's going to get cold enough tonight to have a chance of snow tomorrow. That may be partly to blame for the 'pouty' blog. We did watch a really good movie last night, though...very uplifting and fun. Kung Fu Panda kicked butt! Definitely recommend it, especially if you need a good laugh and a little 'feel good.'
I have my midterm and second exam next week, but I don't feel much like studying. Again...gray, yucky day may be partly to blame. Looks like a good day for a nap, a fire and a bowl of hot soup. Of course, I wouldn't start a fire until I was up from the nap! It's not near cold enough for a fire yet...still in the 40's. Maybe I should run out, grab some hot & sour soup and a firelog (for the morning)....not a bad idea.
I don't mean to sound all gloomy. Lon and I are fine. I'm really enjoying school and have a 101 average right now in A&P II! Woo Hoo! And I'll find out before April about the fall Nursing class. And he's really enjoying finally having a whole weekend off at home! He hasn't had one of those since early last May!
I promise...my next posting will be much more upbeat and happy! Hopefully the sun will be back out, too!!!

As good as it gets...

Just finished watching that movie, again...and it made me realize how good I've got it. I may not have the ideal job or home right now, but I certainly have the most amazing man in my life...and he is a better husband and friend than I ever could have asked for...and that is way more than I ever could have expected. To be married to your best friend...how many people would give their right (or left) arm for that? And I have it. I am so lucky and I know it! Bad days at work make you realize what's important, especially in this economy (thanks, George W!)...I have an amazing marriage to a wonderful man and I would not give that up for anything. I can only hope that my friends and family know what that feels like. Oh...and here's my latest painting...I'm loving that as well! Life is way too short to take your blessings for granted. I am blessed with Lon, my family and my amazing friends. I only wish happiness, health and success for all of you.

T25DOC...Complete!

Here are the pics from 10th to the 25th...I know I'm back tracking a bit, but you're getting pics from my book and summaries this time...I'm glad I did it, but it's definitely a responsibility trying to journal every single day! Lon loves it! I think I'll try this again for our next road trip or significant outing...
12/10, Wed: A&P final, finished Christmas cards, worked on model roller coaster

12/11, Thurs: Rainy, worked on T25DOC, put up Christmas decs at work

12/12, Fri: Worked...watched City of Angels, cried like a baby...again!

12/13, Sat: Bad day at work...already blogged about that. Loved Prince Caspian (Chron. of Narnia)

12/14, Sun: BWW after work with friends

12/15, Mon: Got up, worked..yadda, yadda, yadda

12/16, Tues: Off all day, got lots done, errands/chores/groceries, watched Bed of Roses (great chick flick)

12/17, Wed: Love Ellen...always makes me laugh, got funky bindis to celebrate holidays

12/18, Thurs: Nothing exciting going on...

12/19, Fri: Lon & I both off by 3, went to Rio Picante for drinks, won NFL tickets for Sunday (Titans v. Steelers)

12/20, Sat: Worked all day, people in surprisingly good moods, trying to decide whether or not to go to Nashville tomorrow

12/21, Sun: Road Trip! Went to game, checked out Broadway (downtown Nashville), quick trip, but fun

12/22, Mon: Crazy run on old merchandise...last minute shoppers love discounts!

12/23, Tues: Another good day at work, crazy traffic, Christmas Bonus!

12/24, Wed: Christmas Eve, worked until 4:30, out for Mexican, home to open Christmas Eve prizes...


12/25, Thurs: Christmas Day! Great food, company and prizes...quiet day at home watching movies and hanging out with my best bud and hubby, Lon! Love you Baby...
That's it...all done. :)