Here Goes...

Sunny and her baby boy Isaac
Going Away Party for Marc Smith our chief neurosurgery resident

Chris Waltz and I he is our favorite Stryker rep

This is how Ken and I work together

Jamie and I our hostess the Neuro Queen

Marianne and I she was a former neuro scrub who has moved on to sales, she taught me a LOT
Bridgette and I my Las Vegas partner in crime! Also a neuro scrub
Lisa and Connie who work our front desk and Marc Smith the man of the hour!

Joe Aycock male nurse, yes he sometimes answers the phone that way

Taking pictures of each other.

I took Jett to the Old MIll to get some pictures with a 22 month old you really need an assistant to help while you attempt to take cute photos.

Jett loves to talk on the "bome"

Superman!

Lucinda and I for Jules birthday dinner

Her sister came down to surprise her she was looking at all of us being there and did not notice her sister until she stood up.

I took some maternity pictures for Aimee who this week delivered Aliza! Can't wait to see her.

Having fun taking pictures at Emerald Park

Life has been a whirl lately, as you can probably assume since the last time I updated was in oh March. In March I had an MRI on my knee to find that I sprained it in the carwreck and had fatpad syndrome. In your knee there is a fat pad that cushions the joint to keep smooth painless movement. Because of the sprain mine was swelling and causing quite a bit of pain. The Dr's prescription was ice, NSAIDs and physical therapy. My physical therapist said no to the running, but allowed me to run, swim whatever in the pool. As part of PT I had free access to the indoor pool next to the therapy center at UAMS. There is a track around the edge of the pool so on Wed and Thurs after PT I would run about 3 miles around that track. This week was my last week at PT, I will have one week without it and then go to the Dr the first week in June and if I am still doing well I will be done with PT. Because of the amount of pain and swelling my physical therapist would hook me up to the TENs machine at the end of PT every day. I LOVE that machine. He informed me that you can find good TENs machines on eBay that are affordable like $65. I will be buying one I just love those machines. When I was in PT for my back they would always hook me up to it and that was when I first fell in love with that machine.
Work keeps me on my toes. Neurosurgery has been my specialty but I have been waiting to officially take aneurysm call. One of our surgeons who does about 90% of the aneurysms decided that scrubs on the neuro team who take aneurysm call should get incentive, therefore we have to go through an orientation for aneurysms. Not to mention that it is a very intense surgery and you have to know what you are doing and remain calm for it. There are only 4 positions for neuro call and they have all been filled until now. One girl already left for a wonderful opportunity as a sales rep and another will leave in August to work as a personal scrub for our chief resident who is graduating and going off to Texarkana, so I have been on the fasttrack through aneurysm orientation. Krisht seems very comfortable and confident with me so hopefully it won't take very long.
Tuesday I leave for Las Vegas with one of my coworkers we will be attending National Conference for Surgical Technologists. I attended last year in Florida with my classmates. There are a lot of Neuro sessions so our chief of neurosurgery agreed to pay for our flight and hotel. UAMS is covering our registration fees. I am so blessed I will only have to pay for my food and fun.

Dancing with the Stars

This weekend was really busy. Friday I was exhausted after work and ended up falling asleep on the couch around 9. Saturday our friend got married and at the reception we saw our old friend Michael. It had been so long since we had seen him. I had planned on running before the wedding but I did not have time. Michael said he planned on hiking Pinnacle and asked if I wanted to go. I was more than happy to, it was a gorgeous day. So we changed and picked up his friend. We decided to hike up the east side, I rocked those boys could not keep up. Then we went down the west side, ran the Kingfisher trail and hiked the base trail back to the car. It was an awesome workout. We cleaned up and went to an Irish pub to hang out with some friends. Michael decided to make lasagna for after church and an amazing cake.

After church and lasagna, we rested on the couch for a little bit and then went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. When I get off the couch I often stand on the couch and step on the coffee table and then step down on the floor. Michael was right in front of me so I told him to hold out his arms and I would jump and he would catch me. So he did. Then I asked if I ran and jumped could he lift me over his head. He said he was sure that he could so we tried it out. I was amazed that we did it almost effortlessly. We went outside and forgot about it. Outside I just laid in the warm sun with Cala and Julie, while Rachel and Michael played basketball. Later we went to the Big Dam bridge to take a walk. After we walked I told him we needed to show Rachel our moves and to try him lifting me onto his shoulder. That was not the best of ideas to try out on the concrete but we managed without cracking my skull. So when we got home we decided to document our skills.

Here we got a little too much lift so I felt like I was going to go back.

But our moves were successful.

Here is the progression of the big lift. I run, I jump.

Michael lifts me up

and I pull my legs up
He gets me up and we hold the pose.

I grab his arms and he puts me down, next step is to grab his arms and do a handstand, that is a little beyond us for now.

Um Hello

So it has been a WHILE since I have updated this blog. Now is my time to tap back into the blogging world to keep those of you who actually continue to check my blog updated.
I stay busy at work since we have opened the new hospital which included 9 new ORs. It has been a source of much stress for us all now, as we have had to cope with MANY changes along with the new operating rooms. I enjoy neuro surgery although they have thrown me a few curve balls on days that we have lacked neuro cases. Like hysterectomies and I&D's of the buttocks, things I choose not to work in. ICK! But we have to be flexible.
I have started running EVERY day. I really enjoy it, and can run a mile in a little over 7 minutes. On Saturday I went with my roommate to the river trail and proceeded to run about 4 miles total, she ran at least 2.5 of them. When she walked I would run slowly beside her, we were probably quite a sight to see. I had a few problems with digestive issues for a couple of weeks so along with the running I am down to my dream size. The only thing is that most of my clothes are my former size and look pretty funny now. I can keep them on and actually I kept quite a few clothes that I wanted to someday fit into so it works well. I am going to start kayaking too. I have always loved being outdoors and canoing, and my coworker is an avid kayaker and she talked me into it. I was supposed to go to roll practice with her tonight but she is recovering from illness so hopefully soon we will be able to go. I am collecting hobbies right now.

Here is me at Oaklawn with some coworkers.

Today I had an MRI on my knee. It has been hurting since my accident and I talked to one of our ortho residents and had him feel my knee back in January and he said I definitely bruised the bone and to just wait for about 3 weeks to see if the pain lessened. I showed him where the pain was and he told me that could also be an ACL tear, that the pain was right where it attaches on the tibial plateau. So about 3 weeks ago I talked to another resident as we were working and he told me he could order an MRI for me and that would show what damage was done, since I was still hurting. So today was the day. Now I need to call the clinic to get an appointment to get the results. I am thinking that I did tear it or that there is cartilage damage and either way they would scope me and clean it out in there or repair it. So I am probably looking at surgery and some people are floored that I am so very ready for them to cut me open if that is an option. I work in surgery I know how it goes and I am not afraid at all. I have always loved surgery. When I had the cyst removed from my tailbone I actually looked forward to my surgery. Should have known then that I was destined for surgical technology.
Oh that reminds me I also took my certification exam in late December and passed with flying colors. So now I am officially a CST! Yeah. Now I have to keep up with continuing education credits, because if I don't and want to remain a CST I will have to take the test again and it will cost me over double what I paid for the initial exam. To top it all off UAMS refunds us the cost of the exam if we pass it, so now I am just waiting for my refund check.
I also started a little side business at work. I bought one scrub cap and had just planned on making more hats for myself. Then a coworker was asking me about a cap I had made and told her then she asked how much I would charge her if she got me fabric to make her some caps. So I made her about 6 caps and have now been buying fabric making hats and brought them up to work to sell. I am making a good profit on them too.
I have finally started purging the official spring cleaning. I have had all those clothes from when I was selling on eBay and I finally got all the rest of them out and have priced them to sell them at a friend's yard sale. All the baby clothes have been put into the Duck Duck Goose sale that will go on this weekend. So I can get rid of stuff and make some money too.
To help explain the weight loss and conclude this update. I also had my heart broken. January 31st to be exact. Jake had really been struggling with school and some other things and knew he could not lead in our relationship so he broke up with me. My heart still aches. I really had thought that I had loved before and realized that I had not until Jake. I honestly loved him. I wanted to serve him in any way I could I wanted to encourage and respect him and be his helpmeet. It was not just a feeling, and I had never know that before. So this has really hurt. I am still struggling with the pain and trusting and resting in God and His perfect plan for us both. Please pray for me.

New Year

So here is my new car. A 2005 burgundy Toyota Camry! With black leather interior, sunroof, heated front seats, alloy tires. It is beautiful!

I was given some time off to go home before Christmas. I headed out the 17th and planned to return the 21st. My original flight was cancelled from Little Rock to Newark. I ended up being rerouted to Houston and CLeveland. I was supposed to arrive at noon I ended up landing at about 9 pm. Mom was encouraging me to change my ticket since I was given two more days off on my last day of work. She understood my hesitation since I have a wonderful boyfriend at home. We did change my ticket and it was probably the best since the day I was supposed to fly out was the worst snow they had yet.

Rachel arrived on the 19th and was a little delayed due to the snow. So when we stopped to get gas she decided she needed to roll down the window and take a picture of the snowfall. BAD IDEA! DSomehow it knocked the glass off of track and they had to manually lift the glass up and as we rode it shimmied down. I was delightedt to see all the snowfall. I always miss the snow down here.

We headed down to Pepperill to see mom's side of the family and met teh newest member, Alina Rae Gavrichev. She is so tiny and cute.

She was so sweet smiling and cooing at me. A little cousin bonding time. She is my cousin Jennifer's daughter.

She looks so much like her daddy

My Aunt Janice and little Anna

In order Kim, Merle, Jennifer, Ella, Rachel, Maggie and Rick.

Rick my cousin and his wife Maggie. They were married in the spring.

Mom and daddy

Little Anna doing hte Green smile.

I used the 5 S hold on little Alina because she was cranky. Swaddle, side, suck, shake and shush she calmed downa dn fell asleep. Jenn and Pasha said they needed to take me home and have me put her to bed.

Anna and her daddy Michael

Ella and Anna wanted to watch Cars

Enjoying the SNOW falling

Watching a movie it is what dad dows to unwind

The tree

Mom getting some things done

This was the day I was supposed to head home. The truck had been parked there for about 2 hours and there was like 4 or 5 inches of snow on it.

Beautiful BRI

You can run but you can't hide

We ventured out tin the snow to burn some calories. Wow it was cold out there.

Between the wind and snow we were no match.

Snow angels I plopped back and the snow started caving in over my body. It was deep.

The next day we had to measure the snow.

Measuring 24 inches total!

Snow piled this HIGh from the plow.

Sadly it was a flaky snow and we could not build a snowman or in the least throw a snowball.

It sure was gorgeous!

Mom and dad's cute little shed. Mom told Jake that is where they will put him when he comes to visit.

Trudging out in the snow.

Rachel with her video camera and I with my digital.

Our Christmas day. Rachel has to record eery present being opened.

Dad reads the Christmas story

I hand out the stockings and we oepn them first.

I then play the part of the little elf under the tree handing out presents. We take turns opening them. Dad first, then mom, then Rachel and last me!

The whole time I was there dad kept saying he wondered where his kitty was hiding and I kept telling him that his kitten had not hatched yet. Mom is not ready for a cat again. She said in the spring.

My dad is a NUT Mom and dad took a nap. Rachel made a comment on how much mom looked like grandma, she was awake and did not appreciate it.

Annual pictures with the tree.

Mom wasn't sure if she wanted this outfit or not. I told her Jake liked it when I wore red and black so she wanted me to try it on and see if she might want to give it to me. She is not syre.

I came home and unpacked and the next day Jake and I headed to Clinton for Christmas with his family.

Keely and Rhett.

I got Jake this shirt for Christmas and he got me a new UCA hoodie sweatshirt to replace my old and decrepid one.

We had our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve and exchanged gifts. They recieved a call that Jake's grandpa was within hours of passing away so at about 9 we went to see him. And he was breathing like a fish out of water, which is what people do right before they are goign to die. We stayed and chatted with his family until about midnight and Jake wanted to go home and go to bed. About 15 minutes later Howard Kirkendoll took his last breath. I had to head home at about 6 am Christmas day. I got in bed and cleaned the house and went to have dinner with my coworker Renee. I was on call so I had to be within 30 minutes of work. At about 5 I headed to Jake's to get some stuff for the funeral and headed back to Clinton. We hung out with some family and went to bed. The next morning we had breakfast and then we went and Jake bought me a fishing license and we went out with his dad. I just knew I would catch something.

I had about 3 bites that I lost while reeling them in. Then finally I felt a peck and gave a good jerk and reeled my 12 inch Kentuckyy bass in! The first fish of the day. I named him Frank Furter Fish.

Jake loading up new bait we used artifical worms. I used a spinner reel. I had a blast.

I kept talking smack to Jake and Terry and hours later Jake caught a small mouth bass. At just 15 inches. A keeper, he was named Del Icious Fish.

Terry finally found the spot and caught about 6 fish. Our DINNER

Fish kisses

The biggest fish that was caught

We woke Brady up to see all the fish.

The big fish eating my fish.

Filet the fish!

The crime scene!

The bodies...Evidence

Rhett playing in his car seat.

French fries and fish. Rhett kept playing with the ketchup.

Brady ate, played and slept in his Little Lion costume. The only thing was that he did not want to keep his pants on.

The day after the funeral we went to Branson to shop and play on the rollercoasters. We got Terry and Michelle to ride the Powderkeg and Wildfire with us. That was it for his mom.

Michelle is clautrophobic and did not enjoy the weightless feeling you get when you drop. I just love it! I felt like a little kid andI guess I was kicking my feet just like a kid.

Later Jake took Brady to ride on a kiddy roller coaster. And the parade went by.

Can you tell they are related?

The beautiful lights