2 years, 1 year, and 6 months to go.

November 2nd has marked some fairly notable milestones:

2 years since the bonfire in which Rock and I really became friends

1 year since I moved into our house with Rocky

and 6 months to go till our wedding.  

I was sitting on the couch last night, all cozied up in our king size super soft blanket, with our rustic twiggy lights all dimmed, just looking around and recalling what that living room looked like a year ago.  The floors were unfinished plywood, the walls were in bad need of a coat of paint (or cherry boards, like they ended up getting), and there wasn't a decent lamp or light to be found in the house (just the one that fried bugs and made the house smell).  Over the last year, our house has changed a lot, just as it had the year before that.  And although there are some days where we feel like we're getting nothing done, when we look back and see how far we've come, its just a really good feeling.  Today our house is truly a cozy little home, complete with fuzzy (and one not so fuzzy) critters and lots and lots of love and happiness.  Yeah yeah, i know you're thinking *gag*.  

Even with Rock on the high road to recovery after his back surgery, we're still managing to make some progress.  We got our new furnace all installed and its keeping the place nice and warm when we don't have the fire place burning.  We got our new outside doors hung, so not only do we have a lot more light coming in, but a lot less cool air coming in as well.  We also managed to get a couple good loads of firewood this weekend.  Or rather I loaded while Rock moved the truck around.  So..it looks like we might make it through the winter after all.  

So....6 months to the wedding.  Yikes.  I think I'm doing okay though.  We have the locations all taken care of, my dress is in progress, I have a lead on bridesmaid dresses, and I have a few small things ordered and in hand (my ring, toasting goblets, unity candle, head piece, tapestry for behind the wedding party table) .  I have to verify with the music group to make sure they are available, contact the photographer, and florist.  I know what kind of flowers and decorations I want, and most of already all planned out in my head or my mom's head.  I've been slowly working on the playlists for the reception.   I Still have to go talk to our preacher, and the lady for the reception hall/food/cake.   I think we have a good start.  We need to book our honeymoon soon.  Yay Caribbean cruise!!

*sighs*

Well, after 2 months of Rock going through hell after hurting his back again, on top of about 10 years of back pain, the doctors have finally decided he needs back surgery.  And they're not waiting around for it now either - he's scheduled for Tuesday morning.  Its stressful, but its the best of the 3 evils that could have come from the appointment:  1) We can't do anything, 2) we can cover the problem up by giving you more drugs, or 3) we can try to actually let you live your life and fix the problem.  So....although its extremely stressful and causing us both a fair deal of anxiety (although each one of us is trying not to let the other in on that), its the best thing that can be done in the situation, especially in the long run.  I just really really really hope it helps him out a lot so that he can actually enjoy something again.  I've been joking around with him, saying that at least now if he has to drink a bottle of bacardi to marry me, it won't be because of his back.  :-P  

So, the plan is to go up there Monday evening, surgery Tuesday, stay over Tuesday night, and they'll let him come home early Wednesday.  And then Thursday, I have to leave to go home for Jamie's wedding.  Which I'm excited about, but feel terrible for leaving my baby.  His parents are coming up, so his mom will take care of him...but still...I feel bad.  :-(

But, here's hoping everything goes great and we'll be wishing he had done this long ago.  

Renaissance Festival

Gas contribution to Holly, Michigan: $10.00

Admission to RenFest:  $18.50

1 Barbarian Burger + Pepsi: $8.00

Getting winked at by a guy in full leather armor and chainmail: Priceless

UT Med Center Sucks

Okay....for nearly a year now, I've been trying to get the med center to recommend me to a chiropractor for my poor little screwed up neck.  But no...they'd rather just give me large amounts of Ibuprofen and muscle relaxers (none of which I can take) or send me to get X-rays hoping to shut me up, which 1) no one looks at, 2) don't show anything anyway and 3) cost me $300.  Well, guess what.  My neck is still screwed up and I'm still getting massive headaches that can last up to 3 days at time.  Thanks.  Needless to say, at this point, I'm ready to rip someone's head off.  And then maybe they'll complain about their neck hurting, and I'll tell them to just take some ibuprofen and muscle relaxers and they'll make everything okay.  Bastards.   *huff*  

Back in High School again.....

Have you ever had one of those damn dreams where you're back in High School?  Yes?  Well, I'm currently living that dream, although, thankfully, as a teacher, and not a student.  

My job this year, and next for that matter, is to help teach a High School Biology class, in lieu of a college level ecology lab.  Judging from my own high school experiences, I didn't think it would be bad.  I way over estimated Toledo public school.  These kids are terrible!  The scary thing is that I'm at one of the top TPS schools -- the kids actually have to apply to get it, AND they can take college level class, earning up to 60 college credits before they even go to college.  Half of them are failing classes, they don't listen, they don't care.  I have students listening to iPods during class.  Now, when I was in high school, we talked and goofed off before class started, but when that teacher was ready to get started, we sat down, shut up and payed attention.  And if I remember - we cared and wanted to do well.  At least most of us.  

On top of all that - I'm teaching a biology class, right?  Which usually entails going outside and doing labs and stuff, right?  Well....these kids are afraid of dirt.  Yes...you read right...dirt.  Dry, sandy, maybe-at-the most-an-ant-in-it dirt.  And they whined and moaned and complained about how gross and ..... well, dirty, the dirt was.  One of the kids found a cicada.  You would have thought Godzilla was on the loose.  And, oh yeah, they think their drinking water comes from the sewers.  Close...but not quite.     

Needless to say, Its going to make my job of teaching them and giving them hands on experience in ecology a bit tricky. 

Some things can be amusing though.  Like listening and seeing all the drama that high schoolers have in their lives.  It makes you realize just how naive they are, and how naive you were.  I definitely do not miss high school.  We had some good times, but you could not pay me enough to relive that time.  I remember people always telling us - high school will be the best days of your life.  Well, they certainly weren't for me.  And if they were for you, then I am truly sorry, because your life must really suck.  

Anyway, its time to get back to work, so I can get my PhD and never EVER have to teach high school kids for a career.  

HUGE update

Alright - for everyone who really believes I'm dead this time - I'm not.  

A lot has happened since I last posted, and to all of my friends who I've pretty much been ignoring lately - I really am sorry and I still love you all.  

So - the biggest update of all is that Rock and I are now engaged!!!  *huge grin*  It happened on April 16, on the beach of Lake Erie across from our house.  My ring is beautiful and perfect.  We set a date for May 2, 2009, and its going to be a beautiful warm sunny spring day - because I say so.  

The second biggest thing is probably our new addition to the family - Griffin - our mostly yellow lab puppy.  We found him at just 6 weeks old under the our other cottage.  The mother and father, each belonging to different neighbors.  He was given to us to find him a good home, and well, we found him one.  He's already spoiled rotten.  He's a good boy though, full of spirit, and a bit of piss and vinegar too.  Definitely a stubborn streak.  He's also going to be huge - probably 80-100 lbs by the time he's all done growing.  But thats cool - I like big puppies.  

Anyway, on top of wedding planning and watching the puppy - who is every bit as much work as having a real baby - I've been spending all other time working, keeping up on the typical house chores, remodeling the house, and other such stuff.  So, i've been busy.  

Rock and I went to Canada with my parents and had a great time.  Very relaxing and a much MUCH needed vacation.  We're ready to go back.  

Last Friday, my parents came up to visit and stayed till Saturday evening.  On Saturday morning, Rock's parents, sister, brother-in-law and 2 nieces, and their dog came up.  Yes....thats right, that makes 10 people and 5 dogs in my tiny house Saturday.  It was INSANE.  Or at least I was.  Rock's Sister's family left Sunday evening, and Rock's parents have yet to leave.  *laughs*  not that thats a bad thing, their fairly unobtrusive as far as in-laws go - but I think Rock and I are ready for a little peace and quiet.  I think they're planning on leaving sometime Sunday.  I've had a bit of a stressful week and a half to say the least.  

Other news - a Bass Pro shop opened up about 25 minutes from our house.  Only one word can describe that - DANGEROUS!  It's awesome, but we've already spent a fair deal of money there.....we need to start staying away......

Anyway, I should get to work.  I know I say this every time, but I'll really try this time, i swear - to post more often.  

Till then....cheers. 

Yes, I am still alive (and very much so)

So once again, its been a short ice age since I've posted. But I have some pretty good reasons for that. Mainly just the fact that my life is full and happy and I'm constantly busy doing things I like to be doing, that I don't feel the need to spend hours on the computer doing nothing. In fact, I'm really only posting right now because I have to show off my new baby - Wilbur, the sweet and oh so adorable hedgehog (see picture - adorable, huh? *cheeky grin*). I just got him Saturday, from a hedgehog breeder about 2 hours from where I live. It was so awesome though, having 8 little baby hedgehogs crawling all over the place - so much better than going to a pet store to make a pick out of 1 or 2. Plus, I know that he's healthy and genetically sound and all of that stuff. And, he's still just a baby yet, having just been weened from his momma last weekend. He was born Dec. 7. But yes, I am quite happy. And, as I find to be the usual, he picked me.


So, just to give an update on what's been going on in my life....Lets see.....I successfully defended my Masters degree in August, and 'graduated' in December with my MS. Now, I'm working on getting my paper out for publication and writing the proposal for my PhD. So, that has kept me pretty busy. Enough about work now. I have officially moved in with Rock as of November. I couldn't be happier. I can't believe how easy living with him has been. In fact, I can't think of a single bad thing. And to make things even easier, my parents are actually really cool with it. In fact, I think they're actually quite happy with it too. The kids (Radar and Deizel) are also quite happy, although they do get into trouble a bit. But they're just like two siblings. Its quite funny.

Anyway, I suppose thats the big general bits. Till next time, keep in touch.