Free kittens?

About 9 weeks ago, our cat had two kittens. 1 male, 1 female. Both tiger stripped, with a solid color stomach. Very cute, playful, and affectionate. If you know of anybody who needs a
kitten, please let me know.

New Office - Check

In preparation for my return to school, Pete and I decided a few weeks ago that I needed a larger study area. We have been looking for a desk/office furniture. Yesterday, we located the perfect desk set at Habitat for Humanity-- a 4 piece office furniture set. It is in wonderful condition, and certainly large enough for any of my needs.

After we brought the desk set home, we cleaned up the house a bit, and moved Hondo out of his room on the main floor (relocated him to the end of the second floor hallway, next to window and third floor stairs), and moved the furniture into the space. I also went and purchased a few office supplies and drawer organizers -- I am certainly looking forward to starting school!

Here is a look at Hondo's room before:

















And my new office after! I still need to get a few decor type items, a laptop/printer/etc., and a desk lamp. I believe Pete may also be making another book shelf or two.

Starting our next adventure

Pete & I have been working on starting our next adventure... one of us being a student again. It should be an interesting journey! :)

After finding out I will be attending school this upcoming fall, the following things have been done:
-Party to celebrate being accepted to medical school
-Meeting with the financial aid office
-Deciding to stay in our house (instead of moving toward selling our home)
-Notifying my work of my impending departure (last day is August 13th).

Additionally, our summer project list has been updated.
It now consists of:
1) Converting Hondo's room to my office
2) Cutting up a few more dead trees for firewood this winter
3) Re-painting the outside trim, and repairing any loose siding.

Hopefully, we are able to accomplish the above items in the few weeks remaining before school starts. This blog will now chronicle both things -- school adventures & home renovations as both will be projects the next few years.

Accepted

This morning I found out some news that will undoubtedly change both Pete & my life... I have been accepted to medical school. I was trembly, I was shakey, and I had a smile on my face all day. It is good, but scary, news. And I could concentrate on little else.

I will start school again in August. It has been 7 years since I last loaded up a backpack with notebooks and pens/pencils with the sole goal of mastering a subject and passing a class. I have been told that returning to school is "like riding a bike". Is this really true? Is it really that simple? I hope so, with one caveat... I hope to take school more seriously the second time around. This time, people will one day be counting on me to know the subject matter.

Despite my nervous thoughts, I have been absolutely gleeful all day long; feeling like I did the day I got engaged... like I could not stop smiling! It is a powerful thing to see your dreams start to come to fruition. I am fortunate to have a husband who is very supportive of my dreams and has encouraged me to follow them. We are very excited to begin the next phase of our journey, knowing that in a few short years I will be what I wanted since I was young... a physician.

Busy, busy days

Our lives are full of fun! :)

Last week was spent enjoying time in Minnesota; Pete with his buddies and me with my family.

We traveled to the land of 10,000 lakes for a wedding -- Pete was best man in his friend Jeff's wedding. It was a very beautiful wedding -- lots of tulips and spring-time colors. True to past weddings (in his group of friends), the bachelor party lasted longer than a single night... Pete got to spend time with Jeff (and others) starting Tuesday through the night of the wedding. It sounds like they really had fun times together!

I spent the week with family, and it was fantastic.
* On Tuesday, for instance, I got to spend the day with my dad. I probably have not spent a day with my father since I moved out of the house. We had a great time talking as we traveled north to visit Grandma S., some aunts and uncles, and stopping at my sister's apartment on the way home.
* Thursday was my sister Kristen's baby shower. I was so happy to be home for this event. When I live so far away, I miss out on so much. It is simply not possible to be home for everything. I have made my peace with this fact, but certainly enjoy it when I can make it to these celebrations!
* Friday, I spent the day at Como Zoo with my mom and Grandma D. They have this crazy toad that looks like a dead leaf... there are so many interesting animals out there!
*After the wedding, on Saturday... my family had a surprise early 26th birthday party for me. It was fun ~ best 26th birthday party I've ever been too! :)
Aside from these things, I was able to get to each of my sister's homes, and spend a bit of time with my sister-in-law!

Other than the above trip... We have been on the road quite a bit lately. Pete has been traveling for work, Texas for the two weeks following his trip to Vancouver/the Olympics, and myself to Marquette for a girl's weekend with the L. family.

In between these trips, we have managed to stay busy with house projects... I have now completed my curtains for our bedroom (which are still waiting to be hung), and Pete has removed the big rocks from the flower gardens (in preparation for mowing them over). Our house project is coming along nicely, and I am looking forward to a few weekends at home this spring!

Olympics

February certainly flew by...

This month we have made progress on our home -- Pete finished wiring the second floor. With more outlets on the second floor, I have been able to set up a sewing area. And, I have started to make curtains for our bedroom. I have completed 1.75 curtains for our bedroom & am fairly pleased with the way the curtains have turned out -- especially with how they block out sunlight in the morning! I will post pictures when I get all 3 curtains finished.

Pete just returned today from Washington state. He had been there this past week for work. Fortunately, he and his co-worker finished up their project a day earlier, and were able to head up to Vancouver for a day to enjoy the Winter Olympics.

Pete in front of the Olympic flame.

Waiting in line to get into the curling arena -- notice that its through a residential area of town...

Next picture -- China wins the bronze in Women's curling!

Pete with the Finnish bobsled team.

Snow Day

It's absolutely beautiful today...

There's about 10" of fresh snow on the ground, and as I am stuck at my house (until I get plowed out)... today feels like time has stopped. Granted I have been working on things from home. And granted I have been getting other things done (unpacking from recent trip to Scottsdale, laundry, etc.). It feels cozy -- like the world has been wrapped in a white fleecy blanket. How lovely.

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I went to Scottsdale over the weekend for work. It felt completely amazing to see bright sunshine and feel 70 degree weather (remember short sleeves anyone?). I also had an opportunity while I was there to see an old friend, Emily. It was wonderful to catch up with her -- I have not seen her since college. Funny how time can pass so quickly by!

I used to dread going out of town for these meetings -- I think I have rather come to enjoy it. Perhaps, its because Pete's not travelling as much that these short trips are enjoyable. Or perhaps, I have become more comfortable with venturing out on my own. Maybe, its both. Whatever it is... sometimes spending a few days away can be refreshing.