Check in...

[Flynn]

I have been wondering how you all are lately. We've heard from some because they have an impending move or a minor crisis...but how about the rest of you?

How are things in general?
Anyone want to check in and say howdy, here's what I've been up to?

************************************************** ********

We're doing well. After three months of a pretty easy rotation (not easy by surgery standards -- EASY by anyone's, it was great) we're back to "normal hours." It has been ok so far with unpredictable vacations by certain attendings which makes things lighter for everyone.

The kids are great. In about 6 months or less we start looking for a job.

We have a trip scheduled in July to see DH's family -- that will be interesting but I am looking forward to the break and a little sun regardless of the drama that comes with a family reunion.
How are all of you???

[HeartRN]

Re: Check in...

We have a trip scheduled in July to see DH's family -- that will be interesting

I love the word choice "interesting"!! For me, that would infer acid indigestion-ulcer producing!! God bless ya, Flynn...you are so kind. I'm very excited that you guys are nearing looking for a "real job". Best of luck to you!

On our homefront...things seem to be in the beginning stages of "sort of" calming down. DH is doing the revisions on his PhD, and he has almost gotten all of the sigs he needs having already passed his formal final oral defense (WOOHOO!). He walks in graduation for his PhD in late May...(this involves another inlaw visit, which was really ok last time). Stanford is on the horizon in 2006.

I'm still full time in the ICU (3 12 hour shifts). Work is really busy and there are many "issues" within our unit (typical political stuff mainly). I'm hanging in there and trying to actively build my life outside my job and home!!!!

Keelin is awesome....but she has another ear infection On the upside, her ped is "stoked" because we are going to the ENT this week. At the least I'm pretty sure she'll get tubes.

Last but not least, we were married 10 years this month, and a date is still pending to celebrate, which I do look forward to.

That's all with us!!!! Thanks for asking, and I'm eager to hear about other people.

[mommax3]

Good idea, Flynn!

You all pretty much know what is going on with us. Moving in 33 days, but the movers come in just 24 days.....YIKES!!! My last official day of work is the day we leave town. DH's last day of seeing patients is May 20th, and he did his last major surgery here last Thursday.

The kids are all doing well, growing like weeds, and my middle son is eagerly anticipating his 7th b-day at the end of May.....we are having a b-day party for him at a roller-skating rink the Monday before we move, so he will have toys to play with that last week, even though our house will be completely empty! My youngest is still not potty trained completely, but there has been definite progress. And he has made great strides in increasing the number of things that he eats! For the first time in his life, I can confidently list a few things from the meat group that he will definitely eat!

Although DH took a 22K paycut this year in order to get out of the Air Force at the end of May rather than in September, we have kept our heads above water, just barely, but we are eagerly anticipating his "new" paycheck, which we will start receiving sometime in July.

The future is bright for us, but I am ready to be on the other side of the moving process.....

I'm anxious to hear about everyone else!!!!

Sally

Good idea, Flynn! I've been MIA for a while but reposted a couple of weeks ago. We're doing well. DH is doing his 6 week surgery rotation and it is hellacious at times. It IS only for 4 more weeks so I think I can handle that It is so hard to believe that in 2 short months he will be an M4 and have to decide his specialty choice. He is caught between 2 right now. Time flies though!

I am anxious to hear how everyone else is doing. I am also anxious for SPRING for all you midwesterners. I can't believe you are getting snow a week from May! Hang in there.

I too have been sort of MIA. I haven't had much positive stuff to say so I haven't felt like posting much at all. DH has a month long vacation in May and his parents are flying us to Turkey for a much needed break! Yeah!! We leave in almost a week!! I am really excited about this trip and am studying the language basics so that I can practic while we are there. We plan to go to Ephesus, which is the most well-preserved Roman city. It also is the location for the Temple of Artemis! Artemis was the Ephesian goddess of fertility!!!!
Hee hee I hope to get blessed from ol Artemis herself while we are there!

I am still dealing with DH's decision to pursue pediatric surgery and the enormous sacrifice it will take. Moving every 2 years for the next 8 years is still unsettling to say the least.

The weather here has been getting brighter and I have been out cycling several times a week on a trail that runs along the river. It's great and I am losin a few unwanted pounds~ ! We are also putting in a patio in our backyard and hope to become party animals over the summer.
Ok...I lied...geeky party animals that close down at 10pm. It's definately a start though!

I am looking into starting my own home-based business and am good to go except for the money issue. I keep stalling on the business loan aspect of it but I think I will get enough courage to bite the bullet by summertime. Taking on more debt, even with the confidence that it will definately pay off, seems to be my only obstacle.
Gotta take risks! I keep chanting this little mantra!!!!!

This is a really good idea.

I'm kind of laying low, especially compared to what others on the board are doing. I'm painting more than ever, and that has really done wonders for my mood. I also found a place with free access to a wheel where I can throw some pots and I'm so anxious to get back into it. And the really great thing is that I finally saved up enough money to go to Brazil in December to visit a friend I haven't seen in seven years. Yippie!

DH is on OB/GYN. I still can't get over the fact they give you the post-call day OFF to recover. I was totally expecting six weeks of surgery flash-back, and while it is very time consuming, I have been pleasantly surprised at how relaxed it is. DH also loves it, which helps his mood when he is home. He said he would be an OB/GYN if he was single and child-less. He has his M4 schedule and its going to be great. He has only two months that require weekend call. He sure has put in the work this year to earn it.

DD is doing great. She has a huge signing vocabulary and is talking in two word sentances. She also is getting to be very independent. Its still novel enough that its fun to see, though I'm sure it won't be long until that is no longer the case.

Its so fun to read about what everyone is up to!

[SueC]

Good idea!
We're doing well these days! DH is just a few short months away from wrapping up his fellowship, we're trying not to get too crazy with our plans on how to spend his paycheck.
I'm phasing a new person in (and myself out) of my business. After 5+ years of working at home, I'm ready to be a full-time SAHM.
Mitchell just weaned and it was a very easy transition. He went straight from breast to sippy cup and didn't seem to miss it at all. I'm pretty sure this is my last baby, so it's all a little bittersweet. My girls are fighting less (but still fighting!), so the house seems a little more peaceful.
DH and I are spending a lot more time together, I've taken up cycling and when we can get a babysitter, we are getting out together to ride. I'm running as well.
I feel like I'm on the other side of PPD, which is a nice feeling. I still have my "bad mommy" moments, but everybody has those so I'm not beating myself up over it!
Oh yeah, we're taking a cruise in June, which just so happens to fall on our 7 year anniversary!!! We're leaving from Miami and going to Cozumel, Grand Caymen Islands, and Ocho Rios. I can't wait!

[migirl]

It's fun to read how you all have been doing!

We're anxiously counting down the days to the end of this PGY, which will bring the beginning of a full year in the lab (i.e., no clinicals!!! ). DH has opted to do a Master's degree in Health Care next year in lieu of actual lab benchwork, which means that he has to 'pay back' a year at the end of training. (I'm trying not to focus on the fact that that means that this stretches residency out to 7 years of training; at least he'll be junior faculty during that year with his own clinic and operating time, with the pay increase that goes along with it.) Anyway, he'll be in class during the day and home in the evenings and on weekends with no call or hospital obligations. We can't wait!!!

We're taking a vacation next week (first week of May), but decided to just stay home and relax. Well, relax as much as we can while doing various painting and house projects. Still, it will be nice to just lounge around the house and sleep late and order in and not have to be at work!!

I have some, uh, other news that I'd rather not talk about here but will post in the Call Room.

Thank you for starting this thread, Flynn. I haven't posted much lately either because we've been so busy. We went home to California to visit family at the beginning of April and we will be heading back in another 3 weeks for one last trip before the baby arrives.

We have been busy getting ready for baby and, with less than 11 weeks to go, have so much more to do before the big day. Just about the only things we have so far are the crib, car seat, and stroller so we have quite a bit more shopping to do. I've also been busy trying to get the house and yard in order while I still have the energy. We planted 10 trees and a bunch of azaleas yesterday and I am definitely paying for it today with a few aching muscles...I think I need to start slowing down a little, but that's easier said than done when there is so much more to be done before our little guy gets here!

DH is finishing out his first year (has it really been almost a year??) at his new job and he is still loving it. Just the other day he received a gift basket from one of his patients with a card that read, "Thank you for saving my life." I have to say that those 6 words truly made the long journey worth it!

[KCwife]

Great idea. Things are great here in the midwest! Got my vegetable garden in, and all my flowers planted! DH is on Family Med right now, and I love it! He is home ALL THE TIME. The weekends have been awesome: fishing with the kids, flying kites with the kids, etc. DH got his away Urology away rotation set up at the Mayo Clinic in August, so he is very excited about that. Business is going well. Looking forward to summer with the kids!

And I echo the sentiments of other spouses of MS3's above... I am SOOOO glad that fourth year is approaching! Time to move on....

[Auspicious]

I'm getting married in less than three weeks AND someone at work just quit and my assistant was promoted into her open position. So I'm extremely distracted by the loop of wedding anxiety playing on constant feedback in my head, while simultaneously trying to find and hire a new assistant, who either won't be hired before I leave, or will be hired but I will be absent for the first two weeks s/he's working for me.

So I spent all weekend making placecards and centerpieces and worrying about looking like a moron to interviewees (I HATE job interviews, no matter which side of the desk I'm on).

[houseelf]

We are trying to enjoy the final days of DH's lab time. If I'm truly honest, however, tension is starting to rachet up between us. You all know that I love him truly, madly, deeply, but I just about killed him this morning when he had the balls to complain about having to take both kids to their respective drop offs this morning. (He does this ONE WHOLE time a week! <gasp>) This was after I got up an hour earlier than he did to nurse, bath, dress, feed, pack lunches, assemble school stuff, AND put the baby in the car seat for him. I thought to myself, "You have got to be kidding me". I about drop kicked him into next week for his audacity. :> Somehow, I managed to keep my cool and will bring this up at a calmer time to talk. :> :> :> :!

On the upside, we are having TWO date nights this week after having only one other one this entire year! On Saturday night, we scored free tickets to a really posh benefit. ($500 per plate ). It was a fantastic time and I will give DH credit because no less than 5 people came up to me telling me how much DH gushes about me and how much he appreciates my sacrifices. I'm surprised that I didn't let it rip after I downed several flutes of champagne. Anyway, I wore high heel shoes to this function following an earlier 10 mile run. Fortunately, the champagne helped to dull my pain (and my sarcasm!). The other date night is Tuesday-- we have tickets to see the Lion King courtesy of his boss as a belated Christmas present. We are all the sudden a "happenin" sort of couple. It really is fantastic to get out with DH. I know that I've given him a hard time in this post, but I do adore him, even when he is clueless.

The kids are doing fine. I thought that DD was trying to wean because she didn't nurse for several days. Now I see that she was teething and just having a hard time with it. DS has decided that he no longer wants kissyface from mom in the lobby of his school in the morning. We are really enjoying reading the Harry Potter series together every night. He has decided that he wants to go to Hogwarts for school next year. Thankfully, he is too young.

I continue to train for the marathon. The runs really help me to clear my head, but my body is old and decrepit. I feel like I'm a hundred years old some days. I'm sucking down the Excedrin like they're M & Ms. I'm beading a little bit and offering free legal consultation to various family members. In general, I have to say that part-time work really rocks! Oh yeah, and in other news, I turn 32 on Wednesday!

More than you wanted to know????

KB

He has decided that he wants to go to Hogwarts for school next year.

KB

LOL
I want to go to Hogwarts next year too!

Happy early birthday!! :star:

[SuzySunshine]

Hey gang, been quiet myself the last few weeks. Not a lot new going on here. I had to change my ticker because counting until 2011 was depressing me!

We're looking forward to a trip to Lake Las Vegas Memorial Day weekend for a wedding for one of my DH's med school classmates. Then DH is taking the whole week off so we'll hang around the house and get some projects done.

Other than that we're just waiting for the end of June and the end of my husband's intern year. He's on a trauma general surgery rotation right now which he complains about but in my opinion we've been very lucky with his intern schedule so I just keep quiet.

I'm still hoping to find something else to do with my job - I'm tired of event planning. That and I was told my job wouldn't involve sales when I started it, yeh right! I need to find a project managment or business manager job. Something will turn up, or at least that is what I keep telling myself!

We had some college friends come visit this weekend so that was fun.

I need to get some trimming done on my landscaping but other than that my yard looks pretty good considering I have a black thumb.

It sounds like everyone else is hanging in there too! :m

[KCwife]

Vegas

Cheri- I will be in Vegas Memorial Weekend as well! My sister is getting married there!