Welcome home Jeep Liberty!

Check out my new ride. After driving through a gigantic puddle in Holland about 3 weeks ago in the Stratus, I decided that I needed a new car. Driving around in the summer with no air, windows, locks or radio got to me fast, I could not take it anymore. Electrical problems are hard to fix and it just was not worth it. Don't get me wrong the Stratus was a trooper and got me where I needed to go, but this car will get me there on time, without having to make emergency "what should I do?" calls to Lance and Dad. Check it out!

4 wheel drive so I don't get stuck every other day this Winter. Take that Northern Michigan!!

Goodbye Sadie

Harley and I are very sad today. Some of you may know that Sadie has been feeling kind of sick lately, she was scheduled to go to the vet today. Unfortunately her poor little gecko body was too weak to go on. Sadie died today just before leaving for the vet. I never knew how attached I have become to my geckos until today. I feel sad; Harley's cute little girlfriend is gone. Lance and I made her a little gecko casket today and held her funeral at the end of the pier. She was such a good gecko, may she rest in peace as she watches over the beautiful bay. I love you Sadie!!

To help Harley make the adjustment to life without Sadie, Lance and I renovated his cage completely. He has a hammock, stone hut, log hut, desert backdrop, bathing pool, and heat lamp. He is going to love his new place and I hope he does not get too lonely!

Today I spent a large part of the day at Lances dad's shop. I learned to change my own oil (completely by myself, I know you are all very proud), and I also got to test out the driver's seat in the new 900 horse off road race truck. It is coming together well and I can't wait to see him running circles around everyone on tv this summer. His dad is sponsored by Monster Energy drink (he will be in the truck with the blue "low carb" decals). Anyway it was a great day up north and I am excited that summer is finally starting to show its face around here. Enjoy the pics.....

Smokes got some new clothes in the mail today. They are handmade with love, by Aunt Jayme. Smokes is way excited for his new spring collar and can't wait to show it off to every0ne that walks by the window to the mailbox. Thanks Jayme for making Smokes so stylish. Here are a few pics of him trying to say thank you!

Here he is being difficult and sticking out his tongue.

And another uncooperative picture. Of course he wont look when you want him too!

Inversion Table

I bought an inversion table yesterday. It feels SOOO good on my back. Lance likes it too. It takes up a bit of space in my small apartment, but I am so excited to have one. I have been wanting one for a long time. Check it out.....

Now I can have traction any time I want.

Spring is in the Air

Smokes even got outside to enjoy the nice day today. The sun was out and the snow banks were melting. Lets hope this continues.

April SNOW showers bring May flowers?

It snowed here last night, can't believe it........I am cold! I guess I should have expected it living in Northern Michigan. So, if anyone has a burning desire to make a snow angel, snowman or snowball, head on over to my place and we will have a real good time!

This past weekend I went to visit Erin in NYC. We had so much fun just hanging out. She took me all over the city to see the touristy sites and also showed me a few of Brooklyn's hot spots. I took my first subway ride, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, took a cab ride all by myself ;) and even ate at a restaurant featured the night before on the food channel. I had a great time and I can't wait to go back!! Thanks for the awesome hospitality Erin!

We walked through Central Park. Erin works in those buildings behind us. Very cool!

Times Square!

On the way to the dog park with Oscar. A view of the city from Brooklyn.

Having a great time in NYC with Erin. Today we walked the Brooklyn Bridge and went to the dog park with her dog Oscar. I will post more once my fun here is over.

One of my lady friends at work lives on a farm and she invited me over this weekend for a visit. I had a lot of fun and it did me good to hangout with the animals. We took her 5 dogs for a walk, a golden, a lab, a GIANT sheep dog, and two average sized mutts. They rolled in the snow, chased deer and ran through the mud. We also played with her 4 cats (Smokes would have loved it!) I didn't know there was such a pretty countryside in Petoskey.

Check out Lewis the parrot. He is so smart and loves to talk. Very neat!

Bonnie has 8 horses. I got to give them treats and such, I am going back this spring to ride them hopefully.
Saturday Lance has a basketball tournament. His team did good and I had a lot of fun sitting in the stands with the other girlfriends.

We got like 15 inches of snow here the other night. I have never seen so much snow at once. I had to work extra hours at the hospital because they had a hard time getting nurses to come in. CRAZY!! I hope this is the last snow of the year, I am ready for spring. I got my car stuck a number of times, but the plow guys were real nice and helped get me out. Hope everyone is having fun in Florida!

Look at how tall my cat grass is getting. Dirty has her eyes on it and after I get off work tonight the kitties are going to feast on this stuff. Smokes has never tried it, but I am sure he will love it. I think it looks pretty, it adds some life to my house. Lets hope they don't make a mess on the freshly cleaned carpet ;)

Smokes is still enjoying the fans and pulled back carpet. I don't think he wants the carpet to dry.

Flood

Woke up to a flood this morning. I called the office here to request the first available maintenance man and by the time he got to my apartment the toes of his boots were covered with ice cold water. What a mess. I have had dudes walking in and out of my apartment all morning. They sucked up all the water and left me with 5 giant, loud fans and a lovely dehumidifier that seems to be shooting out cold air (not sure if this is normal?!) Anyway, they said to leave them plugged in for a couple of days and we will see then if I need new drywall and baseboard. They said they would be back in the morning to check on me (probably to make sure the giant blue thing doesnt suck me up during the night.) I really don't want to move, because this is my home and I can't just leave (ha). So anyway, all said and done, my rugs will dry as will the rest of my stuff that got wet. Nothing valuable was lost and it is absolutely hilarious to watch Smokes' fat pouch blow in the wind from the fans (video to come if I can get a good one.)

Welcome home Dirty!

Dirty moved in today. She is feeling right at home and has already claimed her spot on the bed for tonight. She is one smart kitty, Smokes is too busy sniffing his gal's bottom and checking out her bed to even notice that his usual night time spot has been taken over. Don't worry mom and dad, Dirty is going to love her vacation just as much as you do! Have a great time!!

Smokes says "thanx fo the new bed, I luv to sit in it and sun my ballz" ;)

Proud Mama

Yesterday Sadie layed a huge egg. She is so proud and so am I. Here is a pic of the proud mama!

Lance has been attacked by the cold/flu bug that is going around. He has been pretty sick and I feel bad for him. He has not felt good for almost 2 weeks. If he is not at school, he has been sleeping. I think Smokes kind of likes it ;) I am hoping to stay healthy for the rest of this winter season. It is snowing like crazy here...we have almost 10 inches of new snow. Come skiing and snowboarding everyone!!

Today it was so pretty while driving along the bay. The sun is out and so are the ice fishermen. Here is a random shot from my car. I can't wait for Spring!

Mr, Muscles

Lance made a recent discovery at Walmart in the seafood section. Walmart sells muscles in their shells. Of course, we had to try them. They were good and it reminded me of the Smokin' Oyster Bar in Florida. We cooked them up, got out the Saltines and hot sauce and enjoyed our muscles. So yummy!

Quick Update

Things have been quite busy for me lately and I only see them getting busier in the near future. Here is a quick post before I am off to work for the next six nights in a row....ouch! Wedding plans are moving right along. I have picked out and ordered my dress, picked out the bridesmaid's dresses, booked the reception place, talked with the florist, and photographer and decided on favors. I hope the rest of the planning goes this easy. Mom is awesome and has basically done all the calling and arranging since I am way up here. Thanks mom! Anyway, I am off to work....if you don't hear from me in a week now you know why.

Lance played DJ last night at his friend's party. We had a great time. Here are a few pics of our fun. Lily is his friend's Great Dane. She is the COOLEST dog ever. I want one!

The black lab is full grown. Lily makes her look small!

DJ Down was in the house. What fun!

Guitar Hero....good for more than just a laugh!

This past week while Lance was playing Guitar Hero he got a little excited and the Ikea coffee table cracked under the pressure. Did you know they are made out of CARDBOARD in the inside, not solid wood as they appear? Anyway, it was far worth the laugh and the Ikea table has reached its final resting place in the dumpster outside my building. The good news.........

He bought me a new table at the Goodwill, sanded, stained and shined it to make it far better than anything Ikea had to offer. This table will even allow him to perform the entire Guitar Hero concert on it as if he were on stage. Now I just have to find a way to break the two end tables so I can get new ones to match my table. Thanks Lance!

Lance and I went to see a 3D movie today in Traverse City. We saw My Bloody Valentine. The name explains it all, it was sick, gorey and everything we expected. We had a lot of fun being scared and it was fun to have things jump at us from off the screen. 3D movies are the future and they are a lot of fun. We even got to wear these sweet glasses. The way home was quite the journey, we are getting pounded with snow! I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I got this picture in the mail the other day from my mom's friend and I wanted to share it with everyone. I love it! In the pic we are celebrating my engagement. Finally things are looking up. Work is going well all, I am learning more and more everyday. It is stressful, but I am so thankful to be back to work. I can't wait to get adjusted a little more so I can start planning the wedding. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Betsy and Patrick came to visit me this weekend. We had a good time relaxing and we even went dancing last night which was tons of fun. I just had to try out my "new" back and it did great! I still love my new place and things are still going well. I hope work continues to get easier as I learn more and get adjusted to the new schedule. Lance has one more week until he starts his final semester of school! I think he is going to refinish a coffee table for my living room. I am looking so forward to being comfortable at work so I can start planning the wedding! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

I made it!!

For those of you who were wondering....I made it! I am still standing after my first 12 hour shift post surgery. I have a lot to learn and it is going to be tough for a while, but once I get adjusted I think I will be alright. My back is weak and I was sore when I came home, but I rested and now it seems to be a little better. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. I have such a strong support system! I will continue to update. I work two in a row later this week, so that is going to be tough but I CAN DO IT!!!

Here I go!

Tonight I start work! This should be interesting. I hope I make it!!! I am excited to finally be getting back into the real world, and I am anxious to get on with my life. Please pray that my back holds me up for the entire shift. I have been stretching like an athlete the past hour so hopefully that will help. I hope this goes a little better than it did last June. I will keep you posted. Until then, think of me while you are snuggled tight in your beds tonight.

A new year....A new beginning!

Welcome 2009! So long 2008 I am glad to see you go. I will never forget the roller coaster of a year 2008 was. I graduated nursing school on top of the world, got knocked down hard by a much needed back surgery and ended on a happy note getting engaged to the most kind-hearted, man of my dreams. I will not miss you 2008 for 2009 is a new beginning for me. I start work in two days and I am very excited to get back to normal. This year will be a good one, I can feel it. This year will be an exciting one, the highlight will come this fall when Lance and I tie the knot. Here are some pics of my new place. It is great, I love it!

My entry way! Check out the cuties on the wall!

No stairs and laundry right in my house. My back loves it!

The kitchen, all new energy efficient appliances. Very nice!

Well I hope that everyone had a great New Years, I know I did. I look forward to what this year will bring. I will do my best to continue blogging.