Thanksgiving and Beyond

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Has anyone noticed how the holidays seem to come and go faster and faster? Maybe its because of the constant rushing that begins on the Monday of Thanksgiving week and does not end until the last flakes of confetti fall on New Years' Day. I mean really in a matter of a month (okay a little longer than that), we celebrate many different holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Hanukkah. Well I'm not Jewish, but it still makes the list of holidays crammed into that time frame. Madness! Oh, and let's not forget the other thing that makes the season fly...Christmas Shopping. And also decorating. I love the decorating, however, I observe a strict "Nothing Christmas" until after Thanksgiving. Its just not fair to Thanksgiving. Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity to get our decorations up.  I still have some work to do yet, but its looking good so far. And as always, I had my little helper. Well, he's really not much help but more of a hindrance. He picks exactly where I need to walk next and plops his big butt down and just lays there.

Thanksgiving week was busy as usual for us. We spent some time with Garrett's family on Thanksgiving Day. Then I headed up to St. Louis to see my family, while Garrett and his dad and brothers headed to Land of the Lakes or Land Between the Lakes or something like that, for another hunt. Sunday evening when I went  to pick him up, my lovely sister-in-law, Abby, and I had a moment of aggravation. It just never ends. There is always one more hunt to go on. My favorite part is the, 'but honey, its a once in a lifetime hunt.' Yeah. Right. Cyle got that 'once of a lifetime hunt' in Africa...Garrett's time will come and then just like my sister-in-law, there will be multiple heads in corners of our home. (Who am I kidding? I look forward to that part. I like to try and figure out the decor with heads...we already have two and they are currently wearing their Christmas best...pictures to follow.)  Anyway, so Garrett went hunting, again, and I went to have turkey with my family. It was a lovely week! Now comes the crazy parts: In the upcoming weeks we have many things to look forward to: Pinning on December 11th, Residency Announcement on December 14th, and the rest of the holiday season follows all that!! 

   So many birthdays in my family at this time of year too. My grandma, my godmother, my aunt, and my dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!! I don't know how you tolerate all the crazy women in your life! But the good news is, now you are only outnumbered 5-3...only two more and its an even fight all around!! :)

Until Next Time!

Happy Christmas Shopping!

Lots of Love!!

~A

Nichole's Bacherlorette & Deer Season

Its been a really crazy couple of weeks here!! So many things are going on and now we are diving head first into the holiday season! I have to remember to grab my Christmas cds for my drive back up from Jackson on Friday, because Black Friday is the perfect time to kick off Christmas music time! But before we get to all that, let's talk about the last week or so. 

Last weekend I headed up to Columbia for my freshman roommate's, Nichole's, bacherlorette party! We had a blast! I think whenever a party bus is involved, its bound to be a good time!! We actually started of where they are getting married next weekend for some prepping. We did some minor things that just needed to be done! I'm sure they got all the real work done this week! They are getting married at Serenity Valley Winery.  Its going to be lovely!   Later we went to dinner at Bleu and then it was time for board the party bus! Part of the adventure involved heading to the Magic Tree for the first picture of the year! It was lovely! We didn't know when they lit it up and we were pleasantly surprised! The picture taking involved a number of other Columbia landmark photo ops, but I liked this one the best!!! (Well the one with the magic tree where you can't really tell who everyone is...LOL!)

The only other thing that has been going on has been.....deer season. Yes for the last two weeks I have been a deer season widow. Garrett has barely come out of the woods since the beginning of rifle season on November 10th. (With the exception of when I was sick last week and he came home to take care of me and get me chicken noodle soup! Such a sweet husband!) It was a very profitable season for us this year, which is a nice change from last year! :) Garrett got a nice 10 pointer and a doe yesterday. We are all set up and now for the last two days, Garrett has spent the days cleaning many, many pounds of deer meat! We are so excited to make snack sticks, sausage, and all the other delicious concoctions that go with fresh deer meat!!! I just want it all done sooner rather than later, because its going to cost us a small fortune in ice keeping all the meat cold with it soaks!  I'm sure there will be another post with the sausage making party in the near future!!! 

Good luck and safe travels to everyone!!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy Turkey Day! 

Enjoy the parade!!!

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love!!

~A

Just Passed...

...NURSING SCHOOL!! However, its not quite done yet! But the good news is there is no way for me to fail now!!! After a week of upsets (Garrett's truck dying, Clio had to go to  Animal Control, Neuro test, & the election), its amazingly good to have accomplished this! The only thing that stands between me and my RN license is a preceptor and that little thing they call Boards. Madness, absolute madness!

Now, what to do with all my free time?

Catch up on books that I have been unable to read because of nursing school!!!

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love!!

~A