Let's catch up!!!!!

[PrincessFiona]

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. We've had so much going on! The website was hacked, so that provided me with my online entertainment while I tried to copy things over and play with new software. (Forgive me, but it will be ages before everything is copied over properly!)

I also started teaching again and so the last two weeks have found me prepping and meeting with the professor and TA's...The kids are also back to school now (yippee!!!) I'm so happy with the teachers that they got this year. Things have really started out on the right foot!

How is everyone from Florida? Are you surviving down there? SueAnne, I know that your husband is in Grenada? Is he ok? Is everything alright?

What have you all been up to??? Let's catch up!

Kris

[mommax3]

Okay, here is my update......

Things have been really crazy here since school started. I am still trying to get accustomed to my new schedule, since I am now teaching in the afternoons. Basically, I don't have much time to waste anymore, and I have realized how much time I was wasting before I started working. I try to grade papers and get ready for the next day before I leave school so I don't have to take anything home, and usually I don't leave school before 4:00, which means that my boys don't get home until 4:00 either. It has been hard for them to get their homework done (and piano practiced) before soccer and swim practice starts. Additionally, I am trying to really clean out every room in the house in preparation for a huge garage sale at the end of October. We are trying to de-clutter since we will be selling our house in the spring. So, lots going on but nothing too exciting.

Something that IS exciting is the news we got today......the last of the pesky details of my husband's contract for his new job has been settled, in a way that makes him happy, and we are planning on moving to Indiana as soon as school gets out in the spring......he will start his new job (in a brand new office attached to a brand new hospital! ) July 1st. So we had a big old celebratory dinner at......Pizza Hut. Not a whole lot of choices in this town, and we ate at Red Lobster yesterday, for DH's birthday. He is really excited about the job and I am happy for him.

The only other thing I can think of to share is that my "baby" turned three last week. A little bittersweet, but I think the benefits of moving out of the baby stage outweigh the little pangs I have every once in a while. We had a really nice summer and got to do a lot of things as a family, without me staying behind with Nathan. I still have my moments of baby-longing, though......

I am anxious to catch up with everyone else!

Sally

[PrincessFiona]

Sally,

Yippeee...It worked. Your life sounds as hectic as mine does. I went back to work about two weeks ago too....I'm just going in 3 mornings a week for ~3 hours so it gives me a break from the house and the kids but still lets me "be there" for them. I have to say that after my first two weeks at work I just can't imagine how I have managed this long without a good consistent time alone for myself. I've basically not been away from the baby except for the rare trip to the grocery store or something in 10 months!!! I am loving the time to develop myself and find that I am really spending good, productive time with the kids when I get home. I'm motivated to clean my house, play games, etc......I really didn't realize how much I needed this outlet for myself and I'm so glad at the end of the day that I did accept the position. I felt so guilty about leaving the baby and now I feel that this was a good choice for us!

I taught my first lab class today...which was a big challenge...I have such a tough time speaking in front of groups and my face was beet red the whole time...not to mention the fact that I stuttered ...AND I had other people in the room observing me (of course)! But still, it was a lot of fun and has given me something to look forward to and work towards improving.

We ended up deciding on Montessorit for Alex's Kindergarten, btw...and he loves it...I think it's awesome..I'll be going in to volunteer one morning a week starting next Wednesday. I am looking forward to it.

The big news???? Aidan started walking. I took a video clip of it with our digital camera and as soon as I figure out how to download it all, I'm going to post his first steps on the website

I can't wait to hear how everyone else is doing!! How are you enjoying the teaching? That is so awesome about the job...I'm sure you are relieved to have the decision made! You and jlynnb will have to go househunting together!

kris

[Michele]

We survived Frances...as did our parents in Palm Beach County. Charlie missed us and Ivn is going to miss us too. We ended up with a lot of down trees in our neighborhood, but we luckily didn't have any fall on us or too near us. We had a minor leak in our 2 year old roof grrr.....but it was small and Russ thinks he found it and patched it....we've had tons of thunderstorms before and no leak so hopefully it's isolated to the strong winds of the hurricaine.

Russ started rotations and he's loving them. The hours are long which is taking a toll on him, but he's surviving. He's got family medicine next which he said will be a welcomed break. He's changing his focus again! He's decided he doesn't want to work that much. He wants a 9-5 ish type job....he's going to end up a financial advisor or a hospital manager or something! Who knows...we have plenty of time....

As for me.....


I have big news.....


I applied for an internship! Outside of the match. (Yes we have the match too.) My GPA is sucky...esp for UF students...I'm 60th out of 78 in my class....pretty bad....I'm smart and it doesn't reflect me...but it was going to make a match impossibile....so I finally got up the guts to talk to the hottie surgeon guy and he's the head of the internship committee! UF has 2 paid and 2 unpaid spots, and they are trying to fill the unpaid spots outside of the match because after the match they are harder to fill. I told him my story (Russ is going to be at UF one more year and I have to stay with him, but really want an internship.) I talked to him on Thursday. The committee was meeting on Friday and after the meeting he told me to get him an application by Monday....so this weekend I busted my butt creating a kick ass CV and Cover Letter...and yesterday he told me that the committee's current reccommendation has me in an unpaid spot! :!: I won't know for sure until the end of Sept when UF officially declares the number of match spots it has and he writes the official letter to me saying I've got it, but right now it looks promising!

This was going to be one hell of a shot in the dark trying to apply and match at UF....now Russ and I will have a shot to match for residencies together next year.

I don't know how we are going to survive on one set of student loans. But if I get this internship, we'll figure it out somehow. Staying together next year is the most important thing....and if I get to do an internship too........well it will be just awesome!


Oh and I got a tattoo It's a honu (hawaiian sea turtle petroglyph) with waves around my ankle. I'll take and post a pic sometime this weekend....I have a busy week coming up....

Great to have the board back....even though I'm not here that much I missed it!

[twinsmom]

It is so good to be back and to hear how everyone is doing!! You all have started such exciting paths of teaching/internships/etc! Things here are pretty much anti-climatic compared to that. DH is LOVING his internship... and I am hating it . Last week he worked 96 hours (NOT counting a 'volunteer' health fair they made him do for 4 hours AFTER his 36 hour Call shift!!!). It didn't help that the flu circulated through our whole family... not too fun. In hind site, though, the flu was a blessing because after going through it, the morning sickness is a welcome change .

The pregnancy is going well. We have been planning a trip to Guatemala over Christmas time (I lived there about 10 years ago and all of the volunteers are getting together there to re-unite and visit all of the families that we worked with). When I talked with my OB, she gave me the "are you COMPLETELY out of your mind?!" talk and pretty much told me that at 32 weeks gestation it was not the most ideal time to leave the country. It was sad to face the reality of not being able to go, but the up side is that my parents are going there in March for 2 years to do some volunteer work, so we are going to go visit sometime while they are there.

The other up side is that now we will be able to be with both sides of our families over the Christmas holidays. I am planning a trip out west for a MONTH to be able to get some TLC from mom, and then dh will come when his vacation starts on the 21st (how lucky were we to get his two week vacation slot over Christmas??! That is the definite silver lining in out internship cloud!!).

Other than that, I just started teaching aerobics at a few clubs, so that gives me at least a breather during the day to get some exercise and get some adult interaction - even if it is while we are jumping up and down to music at the time... .

Well, I better head out and see what the kids are up to. I can't wait to here from everyone! Have a great fall!

Jen B.

It's great to be back and to catch up on everyone's lives!

I quit my job last month, which was a difficult decision to make. I'm still trying to figure out what I would like to do next, as I've come to realize that I need to be in a less stressful environment (i.e. I don't want to be constantly worrying about job security) and I want to feel more in control over my performance. That's just not going to happen in the stock market. I'm leaning towards market research, but I don't know much about it yet.

I've been really enjoying my time off. At first it was nerve wracking and scary and I didn't realize how much I defined myself by my career. Job hunting is definitely still scary, but I've relaxed a lot more and I've had time to catch up with friends, travel, and read. I definitely didn't take enough vacation in the last 3 years.

I'm also taking the GMAT next month and I'm thinking about applying to business school. I think I would get a lot out of a full time program, but I think BF has enough debt for both of us!

BF is 2 1/2 weeks into a tough 2 months at the VA. He's exhausted constantly. We're going to the opera on Saturday for my birthday, and I'm worried he'll fall asleep because he'll be post-call (and it's the opera...)

-Esther

[houseelf]

So glad to hear about everyone.

It has been three weeks since we brought our new baby home. We are all adjusting well and are thrilled with our little punkin. It is weird to be back in the baby stage again.

My son started school for the first time and he seems to be doing well. I *hope* that we made the right choice with his school.

Finally, I met Nellie and her beautiful family today. She is just as cool in person as in cyber space.

Kelly

[Flynn]

The CT fellowship is going well for DH. The hours have been reasonable and he's thrilled almost everyday at what he's allowed to do.

We (hopefully) have only two weeks left in this pregnancy and I'm thankful for that. I am curious as to the gender of this kid!!!! I took the garbage out myself today and pulled a groin muscle...grumble grumble.....PLUS I just transitioned into that "really hard to sleep phase" which I could do without. I have easy it easy compared to the rest of the world when they are pregnant so I am not complaining...just ready to have this kid and attempt to get my body back!

The nursery is just about done and I went WAY overboard but it's pretty darn cute if I do say so myself! (minor comfort at 2 a.m. but hey I'll take anything! )

Our daughter is delightful....will be 2 in October so it's been fun shopping for her birthday. She cracks me up to no end. Today she wanted to wear her sandals but it was cold and rainy so I suggested her boots and she said, "good idea mommy!" and proceeded to give me a high five!

In a nutshell things are good and we are lucky people indeed!!

Wow! Glad to see the website back up!
I'm about to fall out of my chair from exhaustion so it will be quick.
Anna is crawling and busy, busy, busy. Seems that crawling is the best way to find good stuff to pull up on. This happened too fast! Two new teeth have been interupting her night time sleep.
Bryn started pre-k and says it's "boring and nervous" but can't wait to get back tomorrow to see if her teacher brought in "Norman" the bunny. She seems so grown up these days....and so very 4.
And the *highlight* of my day -- meeting Kelly! So fun to meet her in person and see her beautiful babe who is becoming quite the little chubbykins. Why did we meet Kelly? Whirlwind trip to the upper midwest to see DH's father who is in all likelihood dying from lung cancer. Last time for me and Bryn and Anna to see him. Eric will probably be making another trip to see his dad and again and continue to sort out legal/financial issues for his mom. In short, it's a mess and we are feeling completely stressed and overwhelmed by it all. One day at a time and we'll get it sorted out -- that's our new mantra.
Can't wait to catch up with everyone!

Darn, Kelly -- I forgot to take a pic!

[Auspicious]

Yay, it's back! Wow, everyone's been really busy--it's only been two weeks!

I survived the Republican Convention being in town, which was surreal but ended without any major damage to me personally by delegates, protestors, or terrorists.

We then got to go to Massachsuetts for Labor Day weekend, and it was SO nice to be out of the city. Man is it beautiful up there--I can never get over it. We got to do a little light hiking, hang out with all FH's sibs, see their new houses (both his brother and his sister bought houses this year), visit all of FH's college haunts . . . it was a good time.

And that was the last hurrah before FH started his surgery rotation. I've seen very little of him since then--he's often asleep by the time I get home from work and always gone long before I wake up, plus I had a big freelance project I was doing in my off hours so it's been nose to the grindstone for us this week.

Glad to hear what everyone's been up to.

[migirl]

It's been so fun reading about how everyone else has been doing! I also can't believe it's only been 2 weeks, it seems like it's been forever!!! (Honestly, I don't have a problem... )

Today is the last day of our vacation , but it's been a very fun and relaxing week so I guess I can't complain too much about having to go back to work. We spent a long weekend in Toronto, what a great city! We timed our vacation to coincide with the International Film Festival, so we caught a couple of small, independent films. We didn't get to see any celebrities, though we weren't really looking. We've spent the last 3 days at home just relaxing and sleeping in and hanging around. It's been fun.

DH is at the VA this month, which means easy days and dinners together for us. Ah, the little things...

As soon as I can get back into the Call Room I'll have to post something else that's happened to us (really, it's not that exciting so don't get your hopes up , I just don't want everybody and their brother to be able to read about it).

[Meenah]

It is so nice to be back online, thanks Kris & Ron.

We have been very busy, working alot of overtime. My daughters are great, Caroline started her second year of college. Amy turned 21 (yes I am only 30!!!!!!). She loves her job, she manages a "high end" boutique in Princeton (one I could never shop at). On Monday she went to New York and did buying for the Spring. I don't think she tells them her mother favors Target. My stepson Alex started college, University of Florida in Gainesville. My step daughter Rachel graduated from Harvard and is planning to go to graduate school.

That is why we are working alot of overtime!!!
Luanne

[Vishenka69]

I haven't been around for a while. Too much going on but things have finally settled. We moved to the Bronx, DH started a new program (which he's not too crazy about) and I started a new job.

We went to Napa for Labor Day and absolutely loved it. We both gained tons of weight but the food was so delicious we just couldn't help.

[DCJenn]

Not too much here in the way of excitement- We are still waiting for word on the adoption referral although with all of the horrible things going on in Russia and Putin acting like he's still a part of the KGB, I'm slightly more concerned than I was originally. But- we'll see. We have a picnic next Saturday with the adoption agency and all of the families they have worked with (adoptions from Russia, Ukraine, China and Vietnam) so that should be fun.

My husband is in the third of a three-month long class on EEGs and how to read them. It's been nice for him because it's normal hours. He's learned quite a bit as well.

I'm still traveling weekly- it's getting old but I still love what I do!

Jenn

[samssugarmomma]

Wow! Everyone has been so busy!

DH is finally done with his "dreaded" internal medicine rotation. He doesn't enjoy IM so it has been a long 3 months for him. He's on to OB/Gyn for the next 8 weeks. He's already so protective of me and the baby, I can't imagine what it will be once he's in the rotation.

I think we must have lost our minds because we are seriously considering buying a house - we've already picked it out. DH only has ~2 more years of medical school and we're hoping to *not* match here. What are we thinking??

Our subjects finally started their bed rest so I'm traveling a lot between the office and the hospital. So far our customer is pleased with how things are going, which always makes life better!

Kate