Someone Call a Doctor, I Think I've Gone Crazy!

Well, I did it. Tonight after dinner I signed up for my first race, the Sunburst half marathon. I have always wanted to run a marathon but every time I start to train I feel as though the goal is too large, get discouraged and quit my training. But now I have a goal, I've paid an entrance fee and I have 19 weeks to train for this little "jog" around the city. My friend Sarah has been kind enough to sign up with me so I am not completely crazy alone.

You might be wondering, why a half marathon? Why not a 5k, or a 10k? Well, because I think I can do it. I believe that if I put my mind to it, I will achieve this goal. And it's all mind over matter, right? I have 19 weeks, 19!, and, as of the 18th, 137 days to prepare myself. I can do it!

Would Anyone Like A FlatTop?

Last night Bobby and I met some good friends for dinner at the new FlatTop Grill in Mishawaka and let me say, it was wonderful! A few years ago I went to the Mongolian BBQ in K-zoo and liked it so when I heard about this new place, it was a must try.

You start by filling your bowl with rice or noodles, veggies, add some different sauces and then choose your meat. Then you can turn your dish into a unique experience by adding bread, moo shoo wraps, lettuce wraps, tofu and even shrimp to your meal. Set your bowls on the counter and the chefs cook it up for you on a huge griddle. Your stir-fry is brought to the table- enjoy!

One of the many great things is since you make it yourself, if it's not good, go make another bowl. The difference between an all you can eat bar and a single bowl was $1, so why not? There were plenty of choices- veggie, meat and sauces. And if you were unsure of which sauce to pick, there's a sauce person that allows you to sample- who doesn't like to sample?

We really enjoyed our meal. I really liked that we weren't rushed and that we could sit, visit and taste our food. I guess they offer a breakfast bar on the weekends and I am very excited to try it soon. You can make omelets, scrambles, pancakes, french toast and don't forget the bacon and sausage. Someday we will try breakfast, we just have to make sure we are able to crawl out of bed early enough, since breakfast ends at 11. Restaurant

A Winter Wonderland

According to WNDU, the airport reports that since Thursday, we have received 38.6 inches of snow. Before I left from work on Saturday morning, I cleaned off my car (6:30). As I went to leave at 7, I had to do it again. When I got home from work Saturday morning I had to wade through the snow that was mid calf. CRAZY!

So yesterday afternoon, Bobby and I went over to his parents to pick up the snow blower. As we were driving through the city of South Bend, I was really surprised to see so many people out walking around in the street. I guess I think that if the sidewalks are not clear and have that much snow on them, I probably wouldn't go out in the snow. But hey, that's me.

The main roads were pretty clear but the side roads were not. People were driving on the side streets down the center of the road, trying to stay in the ruts, and when we would meet on the road they were not very quick to get over.

After we left his parents we went over to his grandma's to dig her out. It was amazing to see all the snow that had fallen. Bobby said that he had been there the night before and used the snow blower to try to get ahead of the snowfall. Hard to believe from the picture.

Right now the snow has stopped and the sun [was] shining. Hopefully we are done with the snow for a bit- when is spring?

My Husband's a Winner!

Well, we already knew that, at least I did. But today when I got home from the gym he said, "Hey, come here and listen to this," and he hands me his phone. As I'm listening, I recognize the radio DJ and then I hear him say, "What's your name?" and it was Bobby! While I was gone, B100, the local country radio station, played movie trivia and Bobby knew the answer! So he won 4 tickets to the RV show that's sometime in the near future. Should be fun!

My Great Husband

For Christmas, Bobby said he wanted to make me a bird feeder to put up at the lake in the summer. Last night he presented me with a beautiful feeder that he made. I am so lucky- he is such a thoughtful guy!

I love it! I think it's so cute! I can't wait to hang it up at the lake in the spring.

The Year in Review

It's hard to believe that 2010 is at a close and tonight we welcome in 2011. This is the first New Years Eve that I have actually been excited to begin the new year. This has been a crazy year and I have so much to be thankful for so I thought I would give a quick year in review for all those events that didn't get their own posts.

2010:

January: Bobby and I rang in the New Year with family and friends and then a few days later found ourselves at the IU Med Center in Indianapolis. In late 2009, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery at the beginning of the year. The surgery was a success! and his follow-up appointments have gone well. Bobby was great and stayed with my mom and I and then drove my dad home in a horrible snow storm. That night we were so tired, we both practically collapsed in bed. Just as Bobby drifted off to sleep, he yelled out, "BUMP!" and jerked the whole bed.

April: Bobby and I celebrated our first anniversary! Marriage is tough and it is a lot of work but it's worth it. Bobby is a great husband and takes good care of me.

After several months of rotating partners at work Josh was TDY'd to Medic 12 for the month of April. He then decided to stay another month, then another and finally said he would stay and be my permanent partner. I am very fortunate that I have someone that I can rely on that not only has excellent patient care skills but is someone that I can be myself around. It makes for a very looooonnnnnggggg day when you're working with someone that is difficult to get along with. I have had the opportunity to get to know his wonderful family and consider them an important part of our lives.

May: I graduated!!! It's official, I am a college graduate! I graduated from IUSB with a BA in History and a minor in Anthropology. Bobby, my parents and grandmother all attended the ceremony and saw me walk across the stage- what a great feeling!

June: Bobby and I headed to Florida for a quick, 4-day trip to visit Jen and her kids. Ryan, Jens hubby and proud soldier in the US Army, was stationed in Germany and she and the kiddos were following shortly. I medicated my husband for his first flight and we arrived in St. Pete where I had a surprise for him: a convertible. Well, somehow the car rental people saw me coming because the offered us a 2009, yellow, Corvette convertible, at an affordable price, of course. It was a great time and we got to see Jen and the kids just before they left.

July: Bobby and I took our annual summer vacation at the lake and this year decided to take on the project of painting the cottage. It was a long process and there are still some things left to be finished but it looks GREAT!

It was a Hertel/Price fun night in July when we ended up in the ER with my dad and Bobby. Bobby broke his toe and dad had to be cardioverted because of A-Fib. I was back and forth between both rooms all night. Talk about an evening of fun...

September: After many wonderful, relaxing days and nights at the lake it was time to bring our summer to a close. The pier was taken out, the water turned off and leaves were raked ending another great summer.

November: Bobby went on disability after his shoulder surgery. The doctor said that it was not as bad as he thought initially so instead of 6 months, he should only be out of work for 3 months.

December: Christmas came and went and I finally found my Christmas Spirit! Bobby decorated the house and put up a little tree in hopes of helping me find it and it worked. He's a great guy!

I am excited about this coming year. To all my friends and family, may you have a healthy, safe and happy 2011. Please be safe tonight and use a designated driver- it's not worth the risk.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I have finally lost my Grinch-like attitude and just in time for Christmas! I didn't get excited until I gave Bobby his first gift on Wednesday but after that, it was on! (I know Wednesday was a little early but I can't wait to give gifts!)

Funny thing happened the day after I made my last post: I last posted about how I was just unable to get into the Christmas Spirit and didn't even have any Christmas decorations up at the house. Now, mind you, Bobby does not read my blog... When I got home that next morning Bobby had spent most of the night decorating the house. He took the skinny tree and pulled out all my old childhood decorations and decorated it. It was a nice surprise! He is so thoughtful- he said he did it just to try to get me into the spirit of the holidays. I am a very, very lucky girl!

Update!

My mother keeps wanting an updated blog, so here goes:

Bobby had shoulder surgery November 4, and is recovering quite well. The doctor said that his rotater cuff looks great and there was not major repair work that needed to be done. He's out of work until the first of February and in therapy twice a week to regain his strength. But, he's soooooo ready to go back to work. I think he's bored at home- no, I know he's bored at home.

Christmas has come and this year I am a Grinch! Sad, but true. Usually I am singing Christmas carols right after Halloween but for some reason... nothing. We didn't get a tree and I didn't put any of our Christmas decorations. I think the main reason is that this year I have to work on Christmas Eve and that's when the family celebrates.

I have been sick over the past few days. Last Sunday I hurt my back and had trouble getting around. Then I began feeling sick and, after several months of being pain free in my neck, I began having horrible pain and throbbing headaches. I had to miss the (big) Willis-Temple Christmas (which is always a blast because everyone is there and even Santa comes!) because I was so sick and hurting.

I came back to work today and it started off rough- I was very sick. But as the day has gone on, I have been feeling much better. Bobby even stopped by with a surprise from Paisano's, the lemon tort with kiwi sauce- my fave!! It was really thoughtful of him.

I am going to try to post more frequently. I always say that but I really want to try this time, even thought we don't do much in the winter.

Straight No Chaser

Tonight, Bobby and I were lucky enough to see Straight No Chaser at The Morris. These guys were AMAZING!! They are a group of guys (www.sncmusic.com) from IU Bloomington, who preform a wide variety of music A Cappella. They are fantastic! Their show is a must see if they are in town!

Sent from my iPhone

There's Just Something About A Fall Night

After another wonderful dinner at our favorite Three Rivers restaurant, Paisano's, Bobby and I came back to the cottage for a relaxing bonfire. As I walked out to hang up our towels, I took a few minutes to take in the lake at one of it's most peaceful times.

As I looked through the trees above, it looked like I could see almost every star in the clear night sky. The lake was calm, reflecting like glass the house lights from the other side of the lake with the occasional light from a rotating lighthouse across the way. The air was cool- crisp, reminding me that summer has gone and fall is here to stay. The buzzing insects also welcomed the fall with their chirps and noises, drowned out for a brief moment by the howls of a nearby coyote pack. A large, low half-moon appeared just over the trees, deceiving, almost like it was close enough to touch.

All too often we go through life without appreciating the beauty around us. I am thankful I have a place where I can stop to enjoy life- a place where I have peace. I am so thankful that my grandparents found this place so many years ago, and that my parents allow us to use it as much as we do. I appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that have been made so that we can take time here- thank you.

Sent from my iPhone