Wow.....

HOLY COW!  It has been FOREVER and EVER since I've gotten on my computer to post.  I miss it...I've come to enjoy the opportunity to "spill" my thoughts and (hope) that you guys enjoy reading what I have to write.

The last week has been busy!  Here is a recap of the last 10 days, eak!

Work:  Busy busy Busy.  This is a good thing...usually we see the number of patients we see drop as summer comes upon us, however this year it was completely different!  I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that the economy is so bad right now, that the vacations patients typically took before school started, didn't get taken.  That's ok with me...I'd rather be busy then slow.  And with what I do, it means I get to meet that many more people :)

Home:  I feel as though I haven't been home in DAYS!  The evenings have been quite full with the usual activities:  small group, errands, drs appointments, babysitting, etc....  This is the first night I've been home able to relax in ~5 days, it's been busy busy busy!

I got to go away this past weekend for a long weekend to visit my best friend from college!  It has been a long 10 months since I was able to make the 2 hour trip to Abbey's house (pathetic I know, but we have both been so busy that there haven't been any free weekends!)  Here is a picture from Saturday night when I got to spend time with Abbey and Risa (her friend, who has quickly become my friend!)

                                                         (Abbey, Risa, Me)

The trip to Erie, also meant that I got to do some basic shopping.  Sticking to my Dave Ramsey Budget, from Financial Peace University, I was able to pick up some great bargains off the clearance rack!!  

The other highlight from the weekend was....

            THE BUFFALO BILLS WON!!!!!

              WE BEAT NEW ENGLAND!!!

              WE BEAT NEW ENGLAND!!!

The Buffalo Bills haven't beat the New England Patriots in 15 consecutive games...that is a streak that goes back to 2003!  I was a high school freshman the last time we beat this team...holy cow!

(If you are a New England fan, please understand that I'm just super excited, and not trying to rub it in your face.)

I sat watching the 4th quarter (missed the rest driving home from Erie) and couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.  There were many key moments in this game, and ultimately my team got the win!!  (I literally didn't move for several moments, I was in complete shock!)  I knew my team could do this, but realized they would be up against a tough opponent.  Congratulations Buffalo for not getting yourself down and for showing New England, and the world, that we are in fact a great team, even if we are the no-name Bills!



So...that is a quick recap in my life.  I have a few nights where I plan to catch-up on household things:  laundry, cleaning, etc...  PLUS I also need to catch up on some blog reading!!  I'VE MISS YOU!!!

Music Monday

Been a few weeks since I've done a Music Monday entry...gotta admit.  I've been super busy, and there haven't been any worth-while song to share. 

So...without further adu: 

"Remind Me" by Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood

I Remember...

10 years ago, the world changed as we knew it.

10 years ago, I sat in my 8th grade classroom at Portville Baptist Christian School, going about the typical Tuesday morning activities.  That was, until the school secretary came into the classroom, and informed my teacher of what was going on.  She did her best to explain to us what had happened, but I'll admit, I didn't realize the vastness of this, until I got home from school that day.

See, the school I went to didn't have TV or Internet.  (It was in a Church, and didn't get internet for another year or so.)  I tried to look things up in an encyclopedia, but they didn't give me clarity to the situation at hand.  I was also "picturing" another "style" of building in my mind, and boy was I off.

I remember hearing on the radio about the amount of potential lives that had been lost when the buildings fell.  As soon as I got home from school, I turned on the TV and sat amazed at the destruction that had taken place on my nations land.  The visual images of what really took place that day are forever in my mind.

I remember crying.  Crying for the innocent lives lost, for the hatred shown towards us, and the heroes that were slowly emerging from the numerous situations. They gave me hope, that we as a nation, would over come this. That we would recover.

And now....fast forward 10 years.  I can't believe that much time has gone by so far, so fast.  9-11 has since become a humble day for me.  I tear up when I hear "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner".  The love I have for this country, for the freedoms I have here, are so imbedded in who I am, that I struggle to grasp what this life would be like if we didn't have them.

So here, as I sit 10 years away from the greatest tradgedy in my life-time, I want to say thank you.  Thank you to those who risked their lives on that day, trying to help and save others.  Thank you to the first responder firefighters, police men, and all the every-day people aboard flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania.  Thank you also to the service men and women fighting around the world, that I might continue to have the freedoms in America I am so accustomed to.  If it wasn't for men and women like you, the world would be that much more different.

So as you sit here reading this and reminiscing about the past 10 years, would you please pause for just a minute, and remember those who died, and those who are currently sacrificing their lives for you??  If it wasn't for them, we might not be here.

One of the best days of the year!

OK...gotta admit. Today is one of my most favorite days of the year. Granted the date changes from year to year, but one thing remains the same....

YUP!!!! It is opening night for football, and I couldn't be happier!

(Well, I guess I could be...if my team decides to show up this year.)

See...I am a die-hard fan of the:

                                          BUFFALO BILLS!!!

Yes...I know most of you probably just inwardly cringed, however, when you live where I live, professional sports are kinda lacking in quantity.

But you know what?? I am not ashamed one bit to say that I LOVE BUFFALO!!!  

And here is something pathetic.  My favorite people on the team are:  Brian Moorman and Rian Lindell.  Know what their job is?!?  To punt the ball down the field when we have done a 3-and-out, or to get a field goal so we can at least have 3 points, lol!

I'm still optimistic that Ryan Fitzpatrick can join my list of favorite players this year.  I think he had a promising outlook at the QB position, so I choose to be optimistic!
So...here is to opening night in a football season I honestly wasn't sure would even start late!!!

Happy Football Rooting!! 

Labor Day Weekend

We spent labor day weekend at my Aunt Julie's cottage, near Lake Ontario!  What a great afternoon/evening!!  Here are some pictures...enjoy :)

Music Monday

Music Monday is back....it's been several weeks since I've had a song I was DYING to share. 

So, without further adu, this weeks song is going country:

Lady Antebellum:  We Own the Night

Lazy, yet productive Sunday

Today was my ideal Sunday!  I got up, went to church, ran some errands, and then cuddled up on the couch with a book! 

I didn't quite read the WHOLE book (I read up to chapter 5 yesterday), but I took advantage of a quiet house and finished it tonight :)

So, what book did I read that allowed me to become one of the characters, and have difficulty putting it down even for dinner?!?

There is something about his books that captivates me in ways I don't expect to happen.  I know a lot of it is that I'm a hopeless romantic at heart (no surprise if you know me!).  And in each of his books is a love story so unique I am sucked-in by about page 30, lol!

I am also captivated by the way he uses words to describe the beauty of North Carolina.  This is where he has each book set, along the beaches throughout the Carolina coast.  (And since I've never been to North Carolina, I'm that much more engrossed in the book by the descriptions!)

I also appreciate the fact that he doesn't sugar-coat anything...his characters are real.  The situations they find themselves in, are very possible for my life.  I love getting to the end of the book, and reflecting on it, trying to think of how I might handle myself should I end up in a similar situation.  (Thankfully, to date, no similarities in my life!)

Finally, what I love most about books in general, is that I finally feel as thought I've had a successful, yet resting day...which is exactly what I've been craving/needing the last few weeks!! 

So...a book and a glass of wine (my new favorite kind!).  That was how I spent late Sunday afternoon/evening.  What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

P.s.--Here is my new favorite wine, you should definitely try it :)