Don't you hate it when you wait so long for something and then once it's here it flies by way too fast?
I spent the weekend of December 18th in Granite Falls to have Christmas with my grandparents. Justin had just returned from his Cowabunga trip in the Northeast and rode with my parents to meet me there. We had a great weekend with presents, chicken pie, and family time. On Sunday, Justin rode with me back to Knoxville to spend a few days before Christmas break. He got to meet Asher, who loved him (though he probably would've loved anyone after being abandoned for two entire days!). He went to the slaughterhouse with me Monday and spent the rest of the day tagging along with me in the lab. He watched me slice embryos, search for oocytes, and do some chores like checking incubators and washing dishes. We met my good friend Emily for dinner Monday night at Downtown Grill & Brewery where we enjoyed delicious burgers and lots of great conversation. We stopped by Mast General Store which is such a neat place! We then went into the Knoxville visitor's center where they were having their weekly Monday night bluegrass jam session. It was just a bunch of people sitting around playing bluegrass music with chords and words projected on a screen. That was really neat!!
Tuesday he decided to stay at the apartment and catch up on some Cowabunga financial stuff since he was the treasurer for the trip. We went to the barn to see Essau for a while, then came home and had my famous chili for dinner! Wednesday was the lab's Christmas lunch at a place called the Courtyard. It was everyone in our lab, Schrick, and two of his grad students, Roper and Mayfield. I had a few more chores to do that afternoon and then we packed up and headed to Marion.
We spent a few days in the mountains visiting friends, spending time with family, opening presents, making Christmas candies, and EATING. I had the most incredible SunDrop pound cake (which I now have the recipe for) along with peanut butter balls, candy covered ritz cracker and peanut butter sandwiches, candy covered pretzels, fudge, puppy chow, chips and dip, sausage balls, and other snackies of the sort. We did Christmas Eve snackies with Justin's Grandma Shirley and family and then opened presents at his mom's house. I got a pretty white fleece along with some cute pjs that say I <3 my boyfriend all over them.
We woke up Christmas morning and I helped Louise cook a spread of food for their traditional breakfast. All of the kids came over and had presents at "Pappaw's house". I got a great black vest with gray zip-in fleece, some really nice fleece gloves, and a clean cotton candle from Yankee Candle Co. It started snowing around 9:00 AM and by 10:00 when we left, there was about an inch on the ground. We drove to Raleigh in the snow, which ceased around the Greensboro area. We went straight to my parents house and hung out there for a few hours until my brother and Sam came over for dinner and presents. We had a yummy pork roast dinner with pound cake for dessert :) After dinner came the presents. I got a macro lens for my camera along with a pretty necklace, a t-shirt, and a few fun little other things. Sam's big excitement was a new bike from my brother. She reminded me of a little kid getting their first bike :) It started snowing in Raleigh around 9:00 PM which made it the first white Christmas since 1947!!
Justin and I went to his apartment that night to get snowed in!! The next week was very lazy and lots of fun. We had dinner with friends, spent some time at the barn, made lots of fun food like snow cream (my first ever), sweet potato pancakes, chicken noodle soup, and popcorn on the cob. It was incredible to sleep in every day and to spend a few days in front of the tv in my pjs. I feel bad for Justin who had to endure probably 6 or so hours of My Fair Wedding with David Tutera. "The Tut" (pronounced toot), as Justin calls him, was just about the only thing on and I love that show (I also don't get weTV in Knoxville)!! We watched a few movies, including Beauty & the Beast (which I got for Christmas from my brother) and DaVinci Code.
Spending all day every day with Justin was absolutely peaceful and was exactly what I needed. Even when we had nothing to do, just sitting on the couch together was enough. It is absolutely true what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder. We are so in love and though distance may temporarily separate us, nothing will ever keep us from loving each other. It was of course wonderful to spend time with my family and friends as well! I really missed them and enjoyed every minute of my break. My time in Raleigh made me miss home A LOT and going back to Knoxville Sunday after lunch was really difficult. There were tears, no doubt, and I was not loving life Sunday evening when I got home to a quiet apartment and when I realized I wouldn't be waking up in the company of friends and family tomorrow. But life must go on and I have a life here in Tennessee now that needs some attention too. If nothing else, this break has given me a drive and push to get through the next semester...hopefully I'll find more pushes to get me through the following two. Oh, so we're getting married 17 months from yesterday...All this David Tutera has gotten me really excited again about weddings!! My mom will be coming during my Spring Break so we can go dress shopping!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! :) :) :)
Here are pictures from the break. Enjoy!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Thursday, December 16, 2010
ZOOOOOOOM!
These past few weeks seem to have flown by! That is by no means a complaint either :) I finished up classes and took my finals, all A's for my first semester!! Last Saturday was very busy and lots of fun. In the morning, my church here did a Christmas Brunch where homeless and less fortunate families and people come into the church, get their picture made, have a hot brunch, get some supplies (laundry detergent, soap, socks, food, etc), and pick up their picture. I was part of the candid camera team and got some great shots! We served over 700 people that morning!!
That afternoon, the lab ladies met up at Becca's house to have a gingerbread house making party! I had never done that before, nor had many of the ladies. It was so much fun and everyone had a blast! My house turned out pretty cute and is currently in my kitchen filling it with sweet gingerbread and icing smells :) We had a snow storm and I got Monday off, which was absolutely amazing. It snowed about 2 inches!! Asher and I spent the entire day relaxing, snuggling, reading, watching tv, etc. He was a very happy kitty :)
This morning I am on a 2 hour delay because we have ice on the roads. That's why I have time to write this :) OH! So Justin is on his cowabunga trip right now, which he is enjoying. They've toured dairy and beef farms, a buffalo farm, and are currently in Kentucky. They went to a horse therapeutic center yesterday and got to see Keenland track in the snow :) He comes home tomorrow (providing the weather cooperates). I wasn't supposed to see him until Christmas Eve eve in Marion, but yesterday driving back from the slaughterhouse an idea popped into my head, which I passed to him via text and which is now the plan! He (again, providing weather cooperates) is going to drive to Granite Falls to spend the weekend with us (me, my parents, my grandparents) for Christmas. On Sunday when I drive back to Knoxville, he's coming with me to stay here a few days. He will get to meet Asher, see the lab, meet my friends, see Essau, and hang out with me until we head to Marion for Christmas! We are both really excited and I am especially excited to have him here! It'll be neat to show him around now that I know the area and am comfortable in my surroundings. We will head to Raleigh the day after Christmas and I'll spend that next week there!!
I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday season, a blessed Christmas, and a wonderful New Year! It's hard to believe it's almost 2011! Stay safe traveling and I hope to see lots of friends when I'm in town!
Here are pictures of the gingerbread party and a few new ones of Asher
That afternoon, the lab ladies met up at Becca's house to have a gingerbread house making party! I had never done that before, nor had many of the ladies. It was so much fun and everyone had a blast! My house turned out pretty cute and is currently in my kitchen filling it with sweet gingerbread and icing smells :) We had a snow storm and I got Monday off, which was absolutely amazing. It snowed about 2 inches!! Asher and I spent the entire day relaxing, snuggling, reading, watching tv, etc. He was a very happy kitty :)
This morning I am on a 2 hour delay because we have ice on the roads. That's why I have time to write this :) OH! So Justin is on his cowabunga trip right now, which he is enjoying. They've toured dairy and beef farms, a buffalo farm, and are currently in Kentucky. They went to a horse therapeutic center yesterday and got to see Keenland track in the snow :) He comes home tomorrow (providing the weather cooperates). I wasn't supposed to see him until Christmas Eve eve in Marion, but yesterday driving back from the slaughterhouse an idea popped into my head, which I passed to him via text and which is now the plan! He (again, providing weather cooperates) is going to drive to Granite Falls to spend the weekend with us (me, my parents, my grandparents) for Christmas. On Sunday when I drive back to Knoxville, he's coming with me to stay here a few days. He will get to meet Asher, see the lab, meet my friends, see Essau, and hang out with me until we head to Marion for Christmas! We are both really excited and I am especially excited to have him here! It'll be neat to show him around now that I know the area and am comfortable in my surroundings. We will head to Raleigh the day after Christmas and I'll spend that next week there!!
I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday season, a blessed Christmas, and a wonderful New Year! It's hard to believe it's almost 2011! Stay safe traveling and I hope to see lots of friends when I'm in town!
Here are pictures of the gingerbread party and a few new ones of Asher
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Thanksgiving
For Thanksgiving this year, I got to fly home to Raleigh since I had just driven two days prior. The Knoxville airport is small, but very nice. I got through security quickly and anxiously waited an hour and a half to start boarding the plane to Atlanta. In Atlanta, I grabbed Quiznos and ate it as I journeyed to my terminal (on the other end of the airport). I also got a quick swirl cup from TCBY before boarding :) Mom and Dad picked me up in Raleigh and took me home!!
Thanksgiving morning I went up to the barn and rode Ivan bareback for 30 minutes at the walk since his foot was sore from a bruise. It was great to be back on him and nice to be at the barn. The rest of the day was spent helping mom cook Thanksgiving dinner. Justin came over shortly after lunch after feeding and milking at the dairy. Thanksgiving dinner was amazing, as always. We enjoyed delicious food and family and friends! Two new recipes that I shared were a peanut butter pie and a new sweet potato casserole (both recipes from Brooke). They were a big hit :)
Friday Justin and I went back to the dairy because he had to put some hay out using the bobcat. We met Margie, Mark, and Gillian Bowles for lunch at North Hills Club (where our reception will be). It was delicious! Justin and I love their family to death and we enjoyed catching up! After lunch, Lauren (the events manager) showed us the ballroom and a few photo albums of pictures from weddings there. It got me all excited again about our wedding :) That evening, Justin and I went to my parents house for leftovers. Again...delicious.
Saturday morning I went and got my hair cut at Bobby Jo's new place. She has been cutting my mom's hair for over 20 years and since Rita (she's been cutting my hair since I was born) was not in, I had Bobby Jo give me a trim. Justin and I then went to the barn where I rode Ivan again at the walk for 30 minutes. We cleaned up, had lunch, and went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 with mom, dad, and Tim. It was awesome!! After the movie, Justin, mom, dad, and I walked over to Lynnwood Grill which is next to the theater and had dinner.
It was great to see everyone at church on Sunday. I got to see a lot of my friends and got a warm welcome from everyone. Jeannie (my maid of honor) and her fiance met us for lunch afterwards at Carolina Cafe and Bakery where I had my favorite lemon poppyseed muffin along with some awesome loaded potato soup. It was great catching up with her and hearing all about her upcoming wedding next Fall. Now she'll be my matron of honor :)
Leaving Sunday was not fun. At all. Of course it was sad to leave Justin, to leave my parents, and to leave my home, but it was not helped at all by the fact that I was flying alone and that I knew no one would be there waiting for me when I got into Knoxville. The flight to Atlanta went smoothly. I grabbed Qdoba and headed to my gate to eat it. The plane we were to board had just come in internationally, so they had to do a security sweep and clean it. That took a very long time and we ended up boarding about 45 minutes later than normal. I got into Knoxville late and then was delayed further by a baggage jam...Finally I made it home to find an attention-starved kitty and my quiet little apartment.
This past week has been fine. Classes ended Tuesday and I had a final exam on Friday. I have one more next Thursday and then this semester will be officially over as far as classes go. I'm trying to stay busy, going to the slaughterhouse, making media, reading articles, and trying to stay focused. As the holidays grow nearer, I'm getting more and more excited about seeing family again. Although it won't be for nearly as long as I would like, it will be very nice to be around the ones I love for Christmas and to bring in the new year.
Thanksgiving morning I went up to the barn and rode Ivan bareback for 30 minutes at the walk since his foot was sore from a bruise. It was great to be back on him and nice to be at the barn. The rest of the day was spent helping mom cook Thanksgiving dinner. Justin came over shortly after lunch after feeding and milking at the dairy. Thanksgiving dinner was amazing, as always. We enjoyed delicious food and family and friends! Two new recipes that I shared were a peanut butter pie and a new sweet potato casserole (both recipes from Brooke). They were a big hit :)
Friday Justin and I went back to the dairy because he had to put some hay out using the bobcat. We met Margie, Mark, and Gillian Bowles for lunch at North Hills Club (where our reception will be). It was delicious! Justin and I love their family to death and we enjoyed catching up! After lunch, Lauren (the events manager) showed us the ballroom and a few photo albums of pictures from weddings there. It got me all excited again about our wedding :) That evening, Justin and I went to my parents house for leftovers. Again...delicious.
Saturday morning I went and got my hair cut at Bobby Jo's new place. She has been cutting my mom's hair for over 20 years and since Rita (she's been cutting my hair since I was born) was not in, I had Bobby Jo give me a trim. Justin and I then went to the barn where I rode Ivan again at the walk for 30 minutes. We cleaned up, had lunch, and went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 with mom, dad, and Tim. It was awesome!! After the movie, Justin, mom, dad, and I walked over to Lynnwood Grill which is next to the theater and had dinner.
It was great to see everyone at church on Sunday. I got to see a lot of my friends and got a warm welcome from everyone. Jeannie (my maid of honor) and her fiance met us for lunch afterwards at Carolina Cafe and Bakery where I had my favorite lemon poppyseed muffin along with some awesome loaded potato soup. It was great catching up with her and hearing all about her upcoming wedding next Fall. Now she'll be my matron of honor :)
Leaving Sunday was not fun. At all. Of course it was sad to leave Justin, to leave my parents, and to leave my home, but it was not helped at all by the fact that I was flying alone and that I knew no one would be there waiting for me when I got into Knoxville. The flight to Atlanta went smoothly. I grabbed Qdoba and headed to my gate to eat it. The plane we were to board had just come in internationally, so they had to do a security sweep and clean it. That took a very long time and we ended up boarding about 45 minutes later than normal. I got into Knoxville late and then was delayed further by a baggage jam...Finally I made it home to find an attention-starved kitty and my quiet little apartment.
This past week has been fine. Classes ended Tuesday and I had a final exam on Friday. I have one more next Thursday and then this semester will be officially over as far as classes go. I'm trying to stay busy, going to the slaughterhouse, making media, reading articles, and trying to stay focused. As the holidays grow nearer, I'm getting more and more excited about seeing family again. Although it won't be for nearly as long as I would like, it will be very nice to be around the ones I love for Christmas and to bring in the new year.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A Wonderful Wedding Weekend
I had the privilege to be a bridesmaid in my friend Jessica Smith's wedding this past weekend (now Jessica Smith Harris). I got to spend Friday night at my grandparents' house, which was very nice. I also stopped through Raleigh on my way to Nashville, NC on Saturday. I surprised my Mom for a few minutes at the barn, loved on Ivan for a few minutes, then had lunch with Justin. It was so weird to be in Raleigh and not feel like I had a place there. I know I have a room at my parents' house, but it was strange being there when my "home" isn't there. Anyway, lunch was awesome and far too short.
I arrived in Nashville about an hour before the rehearsal at Jessica's house. We went over to Rose Hill where the wedding was to be held and had a nice rehearsal, followed by a delicious dinner. Jessica gave all the girls some jewelry that a friend of hers had made that matched the colors of her wedding. She also gave us matching pajamas to wear the next day before we got dressed for the wedding. Everyone was pretty tired that evening and we went to bed a bit early.
Sunday morning, we all got up and headed over to Rose Hill. We stayed there all day getting ready, doing our hair and make up, and taking pictures before the ceremony started at 3:00. There was way too much delicious food around and we all ate pretty much the whole morning. Muffins, brownies, biscuits, cake, mixed nuts, fruit...yeah we ate too much! The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, with adorable, personal touches everywhere! The reception was a lot of fun and Jessica and Jason rode away on a huge John Deere tractor. It was so cute!
It was so awesome to be in a wedding. Firstly, I felt so honored to be a part of such a special day. Secondly, it was really neat to see the behind-the-scenes of a wedding; how things work, what all has to get done, etc. I'm getting some good research done so I'll be ready for mine! :) This wedding has seriously pumped me up about our wedding and I have all these ideas now along with tons of excitement.
I drove back to Granite Falls Sunday night and finished the drive to Knoxville Monday morning. After a long day and a great night's sleep, it is Tuesday and I'm feeling pretty good. Tomorrow I fly HOME and then I get to spend the rest of the week/end with family, fiance, friends, food and Ivan (poor guy, doesn't start with an F). This semester is almost over and I am so thankful that time really does fly. It'll be June 2012 before you know it :)
I arrived in Nashville about an hour before the rehearsal at Jessica's house. We went over to Rose Hill where the wedding was to be held and had a nice rehearsal, followed by a delicious dinner. Jessica gave all the girls some jewelry that a friend of hers had made that matched the colors of her wedding. She also gave us matching pajamas to wear the next day before we got dressed for the wedding. Everyone was pretty tired that evening and we went to bed a bit early.
Sunday morning, we all got up and headed over to Rose Hill. We stayed there all day getting ready, doing our hair and make up, and taking pictures before the ceremony started at 3:00. There was way too much delicious food around and we all ate pretty much the whole morning. Muffins, brownies, biscuits, cake, mixed nuts, fruit...yeah we ate too much! The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, with adorable, personal touches everywhere! The reception was a lot of fun and Jessica and Jason rode away on a huge John Deere tractor. It was so cute!
It was so awesome to be in a wedding. Firstly, I felt so honored to be a part of such a special day. Secondly, it was really neat to see the behind-the-scenes of a wedding; how things work, what all has to get done, etc. I'm getting some good research done so I'll be ready for mine! :) This wedding has seriously pumped me up about our wedding and I have all these ideas now along with tons of excitement.
I drove back to Granite Falls Sunday night and finished the drive to Knoxville Monday morning. After a long day and a great night's sleep, it is Tuesday and I'm feeling pretty good. Tomorrow I fly HOME and then I get to spend the rest of the week/end with family, fiance, friends, food and Ivan (poor guy, doesn't start with an F). This semester is almost over and I am so thankful that time really does fly. It'll be June 2012 before you know it :)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Busy, busy, busy
This past week was extremely busy. I don't recall being that busy ever in my life or if I have, it has been a very long time. I spent most of my time during the days in the lab, continuing my learning of techniques that I will be using for my project as well as making media. We did go out to lunch on Thursday for Dr. Edwards's birthday, which was a nice break. I rode Essau bareback on Monday and have not ridden him since. The days were just so cram packed and when I was finished in the lab, it was pitch black outside and all I wanted to do was go home. He has been fine though, going out in a pasture behind the barn and doesn't seem to mind that I haven't worked him much this week.
I am not sure what all I will get into this week. The Animal Science department is having their annual Thanksgiving lunch on Wednesday so that will be a fun time! I am going to be a bridesmaid in a wedding on Sunday the 21st in Nashville, NC. I am driving to Granite Falls Friday night, driving to Raleigh Saturday morning to stop and have lunch with Justin, then heading to Nashville. The wedding is at 3:00 PM on Sunday and I will be driving back to Granite Falls that night. I will then wake up early and drive back to Knoxville in time for class Monday morning. I then have three days of class and fly HOME on Wednesday evening. I am looking forward to seeing my family, Justin, my horse, and all of my people! I can't wait and hope that this next week flies by so I can get home ASAP! Justin has all of his final exams before Thanksgiving, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It is a very stressful time for the vet students as they have 7 finals in 7 days! EEK! Oh, I get my longhorns back next week in time to drive to Raleigh. I'm so excited to see them and get them home so I can work on finishing them up over break. Yay!
Did I mention I'm ready to come home?
I am not sure what all I will get into this week. The Animal Science department is having their annual Thanksgiving lunch on Wednesday so that will be a fun time! I am going to be a bridesmaid in a wedding on Sunday the 21st in Nashville, NC. I am driving to Granite Falls Friday night, driving to Raleigh Saturday morning to stop and have lunch with Justin, then heading to Nashville. The wedding is at 3:00 PM on Sunday and I will be driving back to Granite Falls that night. I will then wake up early and drive back to Knoxville in time for class Monday morning. I then have three days of class and fly HOME on Wednesday evening. I am looking forward to seeing my family, Justin, my horse, and all of my people! I can't wait and hope that this next week flies by so I can get home ASAP! Justin has all of his final exams before Thanksgiving, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. It is a very stressful time for the vet students as they have 7 finals in 7 days! EEK! Oh, I get my longhorns back next week in time to drive to Raleigh. I'm so excited to see them and get them home so I can work on finishing them up over break. Yay!
Did I mention I'm ready to come home?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
qPCR RT RNA KSOM...it's an abbreviation sort of week!
Well this week has flown by, but it's been a great one! I have been incredibly busy, but not in a rushed, overwhelmed way. I have been spending a lot of time reading about the theory behind all of the biotechnology that I will be using for my research project (qPCR, RT, RNA isolation). While it is difficult to understand some of it without actually doing the process, it has been very helpful for understanding the reasoning behind why it's done, how it's done, and which parts are most critical. I have also been getting some more training in media making, RNA isolation, and did my first qPCR run today. Brooke is an incredible teacher and she explained the process so well! I made KSOM, an extremely important media that the embryos live in, today by myself (with Brooke watching). As long as the pH checks out tomorrow (at 24 hours), then I should be cleared to make it on my own. Check!
I have been learning all of the information about adipose collection and RNA isolation because tomorrow while I am at the slaughter house collecting ovaries for Kim, I will also be collecting a few fat samples in order to practice next week. I am really looking forward to this as it will be the first time I isolate RNA by myself. I will be doing a LOT of this in my project, so it is a great feeling knowing I am learning something that will directly affect my project!
Essau has been doing well, but I haven't had the time to ride him a lot lately. He doesn't seem to mind at all. I rode him on Tuesday and he did really well. Today he got de-wormed and was surprisingly good for it. I really like that Quest Gel! It isn't messy at all! It's so nice to get the de-wormer all in his mouth and none on me! It is supposed to be pretty cold the next few days and nights (lows in upper 20s/lower 30s and tomorrow's high is 45!!) so he has on a warm blankie :)
Asher is also doing well. He got de-clawed last Thursday and came home on Saturday. His surgery went well and he is healing super fast! We had to do 5 days of shredded paper in the litter box (yick) and he finishes up his antibiotics tomorrow. He will most definitely appreciate that!
It's hard to believe this semester is winding down. I have two more full weeks of class, then the week with Thanksgiving break, then 2 days of class after the break. After that, it's two exams and this semester is over! I am really, really excited about coming home for the first time since I've been here. I can't wait to see all of my friends and family, ride Ivan, and spend 4 whole days with Justin!! I just hope that I will have the strength and courage to come back to Tennessee! I actually get to come to NC the weekend before Thanksgiving because I am in a good friend's wedding as a bridesmaid. She is getting married in Nashville, NC (yes it's a real place) on Sunday the 21st. Since I have to come back to TN Sunday PM and go back to Raleigh on Wednesday, I decided to fly home for Thanksgiving so I didn't have to make two 6+ hour trips in 4 days. This will also give me more time at home since I won't have to take 6 hours out of the day for driving each direction.
A few for the prayer list:
* Justin is sick with a double ear infection and sinus infection
* My great aunt Nina has pneumonia
* NCSU vet students have their finals all before Thanksgiving
I have been learning all of the information about adipose collection and RNA isolation because tomorrow while I am at the slaughter house collecting ovaries for Kim, I will also be collecting a few fat samples in order to practice next week. I am really looking forward to this as it will be the first time I isolate RNA by myself. I will be doing a LOT of this in my project, so it is a great feeling knowing I am learning something that will directly affect my project!
Essau has been doing well, but I haven't had the time to ride him a lot lately. He doesn't seem to mind at all. I rode him on Tuesday and he did really well. Today he got de-wormed and was surprisingly good for it. I really like that Quest Gel! It isn't messy at all! It's so nice to get the de-wormer all in his mouth and none on me! It is supposed to be pretty cold the next few days and nights (lows in upper 20s/lower 30s and tomorrow's high is 45!!) so he has on a warm blankie :)
Asher is also doing well. He got de-clawed last Thursday and came home on Saturday. His surgery went well and he is healing super fast! We had to do 5 days of shredded paper in the litter box (yick) and he finishes up his antibiotics tomorrow. He will most definitely appreciate that!
It's hard to believe this semester is winding down. I have two more full weeks of class, then the week with Thanksgiving break, then 2 days of class after the break. After that, it's two exams and this semester is over! I am really, really excited about coming home for the first time since I've been here. I can't wait to see all of my friends and family, ride Ivan, and spend 4 whole days with Justin!! I just hope that I will have the strength and courage to come back to Tennessee! I actually get to come to NC the weekend before Thanksgiving because I am in a good friend's wedding as a bridesmaid. She is getting married in Nashville, NC (yes it's a real place) on Sunday the 21st. Since I have to come back to TN Sunday PM and go back to Raleigh on Wednesday, I decided to fly home for Thanksgiving so I didn't have to make two 6+ hour trips in 4 days. This will also give me more time at home since I won't have to take 6 hours out of the day for driving each direction.
A few for the prayer list:
* Justin is sick with a double ear infection and sinus infection
* My great aunt Nina has pneumonia
* NCSU vet students have their finals all before Thanksgiving
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Crazy Week
What a crazy week it has been! I am not sure I have been that busy for that many days in a row in a long time. This week has consisted of lots of media-making, studying, ovary slicing/oocyte searching, meetings, classes, and lab time. I felt like a chicken with its head cut off most of the week! Tuesday was really cool. The 420 class I TA went to one of UT's research farms in Crossville, TN for the day to pregnancy check cows. We met early and ate at Cracker Barrel that morning. I was just talking to a girl and picked up the little peg game. I normally leave about 5 pegs (ig-nor-a-moose). I wasn't really thinking and just played the game while carrying on a conversation and low and behold, I left ONE PEG! That has never happened and I decided right there that it was going to be a good day (I also had pecan pancakes on the way, which was extremely exciting). It was a long day once we got to the farm and started preg checking. We did not stop until about 3:00 PM and then ate at a Mexican restaurant called Cancun. It was really fun to palpate so many cows and to feel so many babies! When they're this far along (4-6 months), you can bounce them like a basketball. It feels like a water balloon with something inside and it's so neat to feel a fetus!
Asher got de-clawed on Thursday and I am going to pick him up today. The doctor said he was doing great and seemed happy. Hopefully he won't pull any stitches out once he gets home. I have the apartment vacuumed and ready for him so he does not get anything between his toes. He also has pretty shredded paper in his litter box from my paper shredder.
An update on the horns. Jessy went to the slaughterhouse Monday and brought back a BIG set of horns for me! Yay! I took them to the taxidermist that evening and should have them in time to take them home at Thanksgiving so we can sand and polish them! The set from before looks great and I am so excited to see them both finished!
Some other random tidbits. I carved a pumpkin last night. It was not as good as mine last year, but I like it. I am hoping to have trick-or-treaters tomorrow to eat this candy I bought! Essau is doing well. Poor guy didn't get to see me all week because I was so busy! I saw him yesterday though and he was content :) I have an exam Monday which I will be studying for this weekend, but next week should be a bit less hectic, thankfully! I am getting very excited about coming home for Thanksgiving and the next 3.5 weeks can't come by quick enough!
Asher got de-clawed on Thursday and I am going to pick him up today. The doctor said he was doing great and seemed happy. Hopefully he won't pull any stitches out once he gets home. I have the apartment vacuumed and ready for him so he does not get anything between his toes. He also has pretty shredded paper in his litter box from my paper shredder.
An update on the horns. Jessy went to the slaughterhouse Monday and brought back a BIG set of horns for me! Yay! I took them to the taxidermist that evening and should have them in time to take them home at Thanksgiving so we can sand and polish them! The set from before looks great and I am so excited to see them both finished!
Some other random tidbits. I carved a pumpkin last night. It was not as good as mine last year, but I like it. I am hoping to have trick-or-treaters tomorrow to eat this candy I bought! Essau is doing well. Poor guy didn't get to see me all week because I was so busy! I saw him yesterday though and he was content :) I have an exam Monday which I will be studying for this weekend, but next week should be a bit less hectic, thankfully! I am getting very excited about coming home for Thanksgiving and the next 3.5 weeks can't come by quick enough!
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