Bug's Blog: The life of a (frazzled) social worker soon-to-be-mom!

Time is flying...

So unprepared for this...

Important life questions....

And the baby is a ...

Being a social worker...

Do you think I look puffy too?

I knew that me and Ashlee Simpson were destined to be friends...

For real?

New book

Movie Reviews!

I'm back!

Trazodone blues...

Pharmaceutical companies...

Updates..

Umm..the Oscars were WHEN?

Canceled???

I do surveys on myspace...why not here?

Terrible formula...

Perfect formula...

Umm...am I ahead of the class?

Photo Album: Pregnancy Photos!

Photo Album: Christmas party 2007

Photo Album: Random October Pictures

Photo Album: Anniversary trip - July 2007

Photo Album: Camping at Lake Cascade!

Photo Album: New purse pics

Photo Album: Alaska pictures!

Photo Album: Purse Pictures!

Photo Album: Random pictures May 2007

Photo Album: My new car!

Photo Album: My dogs!

Photo Album: Halloween Trunk or Treat

Photo Album: Graduation Pics

Photo Album: Hiking and Camping!

Photo Album: June 11-pics of dogs and me!

Photo Album: Some random pics from my wedding...

Custom List: I'd like to go to...

Custom List: Awesome blogs

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:58:26 GMT

I'm in total shock about how quickly summer is passing by. My last posting was July 6, meaning I've known about my little girl for three weeks now! WOW! (and yes, I have several pink outfits now).

Things have been pretty consistent. I'm working a couple days a week and loving my job. I'm getting big/hot/uncomfortable, and yet I worked 34 hours from Friday to Tuesday, and still left each day with a bounce in my step. I am so proud to be a social worker and I really enjoy my job/coworkers/clients. In a few months, I may feel different as I get huge, but for now, I'm so blessed!

Today is my 4-year anniversary which is also amazing. I can't believe how lucky I've been to be married to such a wonderful person for 4 years. And this year is especially wonderful because we both have wonderful jobs, and our little girl is less than 20 weeks away!

The one thorn in my side (though its a small one) is that our house is on the market. Its been about 2 months and I DESPISE running around every morning cleaning for realtors who are here for 5 or 10 minutes. One woman today called me just as I had gone down for a nap (hey, I am pregnant!) and said "can we come by in a half hour" and at the end of the call said "so i'll see you in 45 minutes." She didn't show up for an hour and 15 minutes. Then was only here for a few minutes.

I'm so tired of the house being on the market. I am grateful that I can live in a big beautiful house, but its getting harder to clean and bend over! All in God's timing....

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:12:23 GMT

So we had another ultrasound and the baby is for sure a girl! Hooray! Our number one name right now is Olivia June.

So there are moments when I feel ready for this baby and there are moments where I'm so in over my head. Like when we decided to register at Target (you can always check out our registry and buy something if you want...). And I was standing with the gun and the list of what I should buy and my husband by my side, I stared at the bottles and realized I know NOTHING about what to buy a child! I was staring at all of my options (drop-in, big, little, etc.) and as we stood there together for 20 minutes look blankly, we realized how unprepared we are. Interestingly, my husband worked at a daycare for 5 1/2 years, BUT did not really work with infants (he worked with two-year-olds and up), so although I thought he'd know what to buy, he was lost too!

So we got our registry started. I'm sure there is stuff missing, and really, is the bathtub we registered for THAT much better than the others? Who knows, but it humbles me to think that maybe I still have several months of learning to do...

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:21:50 GMT

So I've been reading the articles that talk about Amy Winehouse has early-stage emphysema. My first thought was how sad. And then the important questions like "how much crack do you have to smoke to get emphysema in your 20s?" I didn't even realize until just now (thanks to google) that she's only 24! She's only two months older than ME! So my second question is "how long and how much crack do you have to smoke to reach that point?"

Ironically, one of the articles said she lit up on her way out of the hospital. I don't know whether to be disgusted or just feel bad for her. I was a smoker and quit several years ago after some health issues. Trust me, that was a big motivator to quit ASAP. So we'll see if Amy cares enough to quit soon. Hopefully this will show young people that cigarettes + crack = BAD!

As my husband put it last night, "maybe when they asked her to go to rehab, she should have said yes, yes, yes."

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:13:43 GMT

A girl? Its not 100%. The ultrasound tech asked if I wanted to know the sex and I said..."no, I'll wait for my husband." But then I thought I saw *ahem* boy parts. So I asked her to write it down and put it in an envelope so me and my husband could find out together! Since she wasn't directly looking for anything, she said its not 100% and she'll check for sure at my next ultrasound on July 3 (two weeks away!). But she was pretty sure its a girl!

Its wonderful! I want a girl. My relationship with my own mom is one of the most important in my life, and I want to have a relationship like that with my daughter one day as well! So I'm pretty excited!

Ooh, I'm watching a preview for Wall-E. I'm SO going to see that!

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:29:18 GMT

One of the searches that brought up my page was the phrase "i hate being a social worker." Not exactly sure what the person was searching for, but I thought I'd briefly talk about it! The entry that it brought up was one I wrote right before starting graduate school (August 2006) where I questioned our decision to go into this field. So I'll pull it together since I'm done!

Two years later, I am happy that I picked social work. Its a beautiful profession that combines advocacy both politically and for the individual with counseling and compassion. At church, we were studying "40 days of purpose." I had such a difficult time with it because I already have a purpose! I am so blessed that I get to combine my career with my purpose in life (to serve others). That meaning is what gets you through horrific painful stories and bad days!

It is very stressful. Especially with adolescents...the stories I hear, the emotional meltdowns I see, and sometimes the parents I meet make this a tough job. There is a lot of evil in the world. Whether its a conscious thing or not on the part of parents, humans do terrible things to each other. However, the kids I work with give me such hope. They are so resilient, caring and compassionate towards each other. And getting the chance to listen to them and having them open up to you is an incredible feeling. A teacher told me that when working with drug addicts, never forget that we as social workers should be honored that the addict is including us in their journey to sobriety. People do not always have to open up to us, but they do, and we have to respect that and be humbled by that. On days when we have awesome group therapy or I get a brief chance to encourage a struggling teenager, I am honored that they allow me into their life, even if it is only briefly.

I may be focusing more on motherhood these days, but being a social worker is truly a part of who I am. It will influence not only my career, but my faith and how I raise my own children. I definitely love being a social worker, even on the bad days, meaning I'm extremely happy with my choice to go into this field.

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:15:25 GMT

Things are going well for me! I work one day a week meaning I'm amazingly bored, but I'm grateful to have a job. At this point, I would rather work a job sporadically where I'm respected. I don't remember if I told you all, but I had to quit my parks job due to some major drama, issues and unfair things. I was at fault for some things (nothing big) but they treated me so badly that I decided to leave. So I'm just doing one day a week and some fill-in shifts here and there at my social work job!

On the pregnancy front, I'm doing okay. Feeling pooped, my thyroid's all crazy, so that's probably contributing somewhat! My all day sickness is now just morning sickness. Interestingly, my neck's all puffy cause of my thyroid. I went to my mom's house, thinking I was looking pretty good. Later the doctor said my neck was puffy. I told my mom and she said "oh yeah, I noticed your puffy neck too, I just didn't want to hurt your feelings." ???!!?!? So its a bit of a conspiracy - what part of Hilary is puffy and why hasn't she noticed it yet?

I got to have an ultrasound last Friday and my mom came since my husband had to work. It was truly amazing. We were just watching the baby and suddenly, it reached its hand up and "waved" to us! Watching its tiny fingers move was truly life changing. My mom squealed and we got all teary and emotional! WOW!

I'm posting some ultrasound pics cause they are truly amazing! Every morning I wake up and just briefly think about that tiny waving hand! I'll be getting a series of sonograms to monitor my cervix (its "insufficient" apparently) so I'll keep posting as the baby grows.

Lastly, Sex and the City. was. amazing. Go see it if you haven't. It was incredible!

Fri, 30 May 2008 23:43:48 GMT

I found out that me and Ashlee Simpson will be due around the same time! Most of me doesn't care that much, but a little part of me thinks that's pretty exciting (I know, my celebrity obsession is lame!).

I passed the 170-question licensure exam. I passed it on 4 hours of sleep. I passed it in spite of having diarrhea and vomiting all morning. And I passed it with a higher score than my husband! I got 84% (you need a 70% and he got a 77%). My brain was awesome in spite of the waves of tiredness and stomach gurgling that I dealt with.

Within the next few weeks, I'll be getting my license and I'll be Hilary, LMSW! (Lots of fancy letters huh?).

Wed, 28 May 2008 17:04:48 GMT

Wow! My last posting was a MONTH AGO??? Time is flying by AMAZINGLY quickly! So here's the update/scoop/news/everything:

Yes I finished grad school. What a freaking ordeal that was! I graduated with a 3.979 (I got one stupid A- which brought it down). I am officially Hilary Cobb, MSW! Hooray! I have my licensure test this Friday which is frightening for several reasons. It is 150 questions. I've just started studying last night for it. If I fail it, I may lose my job (I'm not sure) because you have to wait 3 months to take it again. It is almost $200 which you lose if you fail! Luckily, I'm not doing much this week so I plan on studying a bunch!

My job: awesome. I love working with kids! My only gripe is I only officially have 1 day per week scheduled, but I fill in when needed. So in June I have 9 days scheduled. I'm not bringing in a whole lot of money, although I'm making good enough per hour to still clear some decent paychecks.

My husband got a job working as a social worker for the state with children with mental health issues. He's pretty excited! Its a great job, pays super well, we get state benefits in 30 days and I will finally have dental insurance again so I can get my teeth cleaned!!!!

The benefits is especially important because we're HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!!! (that's the most exciting news by far!). The end of my first trimester is this Saturday. I'm due on December 13, and I've had an ultrasound that looked great and I heard the heartbeat last Monday! I already have a "bump", though its probably all bloating! I got my first pair of maternity pants last week, so there's no turning back!

By the way, maternity pants are INCREDIBLY comfortable. I don't know if I'll ever go back to "normal" pants again.... :) I'm home (and bored) a lot more now, so I'll be posting often!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:39:38 GMT

I'm back! Actually, I had not gone anywhere except buried in books and final projects! I'm ALMOST done (two weeks of school left), and my internship offered me a job starting at the end of May! I'm extremely sick with a cold/cough. I have some other things, but I had to post this. My sister-in-law sent this to me. It makes me a little ill.

How to Be the Perfect Grandma: Rules of the Game (Paperback)
Book Description
“You speak for all of us who are tearing our hair out about the generation that separates us from our beloved grandchildren.” —Grandma Sally, Moorestown, New Jersey Being a grandmother, writes Bryna Nelson Paston, is not one of life’s free choices. “You can pick your pet, your alma mater, and your spouse. You can decide when to have kids and how many, if you’re careful. You can be a doctor, lawyer, mountain climber, or plumber. But when and where you become a grandma is your kids’ decision.”

Becoming a grandma is like getting a subpoena. You don’t expect it. You don’t know how to respond. You know you must be mature and accept it. Being a grandma, though, is as close as many of us ever get to perfection. There is only one little problem—the generation in the middle. “Dealing with your child and his or her spouse while you become the most relevant person in your grandchild’s life is tricky at best and downright impossible at worst.”

From that unique point of view, Paston has written a delightful book that explains the rules for grandmothers to assure they will be an important part of their grandchildren’s lives. “We have a window of opportunity as grandparents,” she writes, “usually five years, or maybe more if you’re lucky. So you have to make your move fast and decisively. Your kids and their spouses will intrude, interrupt, and interfere. But persevere. Circumvent them, do exactly what you want, and lie—with dignity, I might add. Whatever it takes. Promise anything, but get the kid.” How to Be the Perfect Grandma is a humorous, anecdotal gift book for grandmothers, grandmothers-to-be, grandmother wannabes, anyone who has a grandmother—and, of course, grandfathers.

This had better be satire, because I think its disgraceful to lie to your children about how you are treating your grandchildren. How disgusting.

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:13:56 GMT

I'm finally catching up on some movies (instead of homework) and I've seen like several great ones in a row! I thought I'd share my opinions since some of these movies did not get good reivews, and you might write them off. But they are worth checking out!

Here's the breakdown:
30 Days of Night - GREAT! The plot was sound, I didn't feel like it had major holes. They set up the characters well and there was great tension. Scary, but not too scary.
August Rush - WOW!!!!! This movie was incredible. Go rent it immediately if you haven't already it. It was incredible - well directed, good plot, good acting, and awesome music. WOW AGAIN!!!!
Definitely, Maybe - Again, GREAT! I just saw that tonight and it was awesome. Cute movie, good acting, good plot! I saw it at the dollar theater, which helped somewhat, if I had spent $8 on it, I don't think I'd be as thrilled. Price has a lot to do with my movie reviews.... :)

Any other good suggestions? Three great movies in a row makes me happy. :)

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:59:24 GMT

My Clearwire box went crazy and I had to get a new one...meaning I was without internet for FOUR DAYS! It was rough...really. I couldn't research (or check my MySpace). Ugh.

Other than that, nothing new! I'm still truckin through school, loving my internship and stressing constantly! I am just finishing my spring break, but I spent it working, doing my internship, cleaning my house (we put it on the market on May 1 and I have not been dutifully cleaning it over the last two years), and doing homework (supposedly). In fact, its Friday and I have YET to crack a book or start a paper...(shhh, don't tell my teachers!).

I've also started looking for jobs, though its still too early to apply (I still have 7 weeks). Probably mid-April, I'll start applying for different places. Scary stuff!

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:34:07 GMT

So I'm having some major issues lately including poor sleep and high levels of anxiety. I cannot afford Lunesta or Ambien, so I tried Trazodone. Holy cow...it has been TERRIBLE. I'm sleeping better, but I'm shaky, agitated, twitchy and fearful bordering on paranoid. So I'm dropping it after a few days. But I checked a lot of sites to see what the side effects are and this one scared me:

"Trazodone HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OCCURRENCE OF PRIAPISM. IN MANY OF THE CASES REPORTED, SURGICAL INTERVENTION WAS REQUIRED AND, IN SOME OF THESE CASES, PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT OF ERECTILE FUNCTION OR IMPOTENCE RESULTED. MALE PATIENTS WITH PROLONGED OR INAPPROPRIATE ERECTIONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE THE DRUG AND CONSULT THEIR PHYSICIAN." (http://www.drugs.com/pro/trazodone.html)

Priapsim is an erection that is 4 hours or longer. I'm mostly disturbed that surgical intervention is necessary. Thank God I don't have to worry about that side effect....(just the rest of them).

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:48:51 GMT

Okay all, its been a while but here is my rant for the month...

I have terrible health insurance through Boise State, and they have a $400 YEARLY maximum for prescriptions. To deal with this, they have an assistance program for prescriptions to cover that gap. However, I did not have time to meet with the person, and they never called me back about setting up an appointment to qualify for the program (which you have to do each year).

So I went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription. My Lamictal was $217.69 for ONE MONTH. That's straight bullshit. The drug has been around for a while, this is not a brand-new drug that needs research and development in a major way. I DESPISE pharmaceutical companies in America. I'm paying a horrendous amount so they can use my money to distribute clipboards, pens and coffee mugs to hospitals and doctors across America. I realize that's an oversimplification, but it still infuriates me. If I didn't have the money, I would have had to not take medication and would end up in a psych hospital eventually.

My dad and I debate the housing of dangerous mentally ill, but we could help people now simply by reducing medication costs. The pharmacist at Albertson's got me a voucher that dropped the cost to $150, but it was totally shitty to pay that much for ONE MONTH's medication. Especially, when I need it the most right now.

Sorry for the language, but pharmaceutical companies represent the negative side of America's capitalism. Multi-millionaire CEOs screwing people like me who NEED these drugs. This is not an optional drug for me. I was furious last night, and still stewing. Screw you Pfizer, don't air bullshit commercials that make you sound more alturistic than you are. You may have wonderful people working for you, but you are a deceptive company (just like your other pharmaceutical buddies...).

Thank you for listening. :)

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:57:37 GMT

Its been like two weeks since my last post, so I thought I'd say hi and tell you I have not disappeared off of the face of the Earth! School has been okay. It was crunch time for a few weeks, but its slowed down finally, so I was able to go out a few times this week. Its been nice to go out with friends and see movies, or go to a hockey game, or "bar-hop" (does two bars, one of which is actually a restaurant count as bar-hopping?).

My internship has been incredible. I am so blessed, I love the kids, I love my co-workers, my agency, my supervisor. I am now leading group therapy one to two times a day (always interesting/nerve-racking). I only have 2 months left and I am crushed, I am going to cry my last day there. I look forward to going each day, and would love to just do my internship 40 hours a week (even if it was still no-pay!). I am going to compose a letter in the next few weeks to my director telling her how much I want to work there and what my qualifications are.

Any suggestions for this letter of interest????

Also, my mom's family is having a family reunion, the first one since 1979!!! So when my mom said this is a once in a lifetime event, she was not kidding! Its in Los Angeles which is awesome. My husband has only been there once when he was 5. So we're stoked. I get to see the beach, and I'm kind of hoping that we can do one of those star homes tours! Is that lame???

So I have graduation (May 16), putting our house on the market (May 1), buying a house (as soon as the house sells), Los Angeles in June and the stress of finding jobs! Wow! What a crazy summer!!!

We're still back and forth on the baby thing. Apparently, this is not one of those times God is going to give me a clear sense of what I should do. :)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:11:45 GMT

This morning, someone asked if I watched the Oscars last night. Huh? What?? I totally spaced them being on. Admittingly, I was at work and would not have been able to watch them. But still! I don't know how I missed that...though apparently, millions of other people did as well, it had the lowest ratings EVER this year. Meh.

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:36:28 GMT

According to MSN's TV Filter blog (which I LOVE!), the "season finale" of Las Vegas was the last show. NBC canceled it and won't bring it back. I'm crushed because:
I love Josh Duhamel...
When you don't have cable, there is nothing on Friday nights...
And they ended it with a pregnant Molly Sims bleeding! Oh no, the suspense will never be resolved!

Have you ever had a show that was canceled abruptly? I lost Girlfriends and Related this way as well.

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:59:13 GMT

No, I was not tagged, I just thought I'd do a survey (since I can't write about much else!)

Two Names You Go By: Hils and Bug

Things You Are Wearing Right Now: Comfy gray Old Navy pants and a pink Old Navy fleece (no the coordination of brands was not on purpose and it sounds much more stylish than it really is!)

Two things you want (or have) in a relationship: Respect and Affection

Two of Your Favorite Things to do: Applebee's appetizers with friends and cuddling with my husband.

Two things you did last night: Went out to Thai food with parents and walked my dogs.

Two people you Last Talked To: Mom and husband!

Two Things You're doing tomorrow: Homework and homework...

Two Longest Car Rides: 2300-mile road trip to Grand Canyon and back (there were lots of stops!) as an adult, 2700-mile road trip 'round the West with family

Two Favorite Drinks: Non-Alcoholic: Dr. Pepper, milk with ice in it Alcoholic: Whisky sour, caramel appletini

Two Things About Me you may not have known: I have very low self-esteem and I talk to myself CONSTANTLY.

Two jobs I have had in my life: McDonalds (yum!) and administering satisfaction surveys to Hispanic people on the city bus (and no, I don't speak a word of Spanish beyond Hola!)

Two Movies I would watch over and over: Notting Hill and Center Stage

Two of my favorite foods: Sushi and buffalo wings!

Two places I'd rather be right now: Tropics in an all-inclusive resort with unlimited drinks or the beach in Northern Cal.

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:48:29 GMT

Sinus infection + new glasses that are a MUCH stronger prescription + Amoxicillin + coffee + not enough food = really nauseous and vomity today.

I left my internship early which I HATE to do since I love it so much! Ugh, I just need to be well!

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:33:31 GMT

New glasses + medicine for my sinus infection + a free afternoon to sleep off the sinus infection = One happy girl

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:41:58 GMT

This morning, one of our teachers told us that after Spring Break, many of us would come back to school with basically a "screw this" attitude (he illustrated this by flipping "school" off).

Huh, after Spring Break?

I've been at that point since the first day of school. Maybe I'm still an overachiever.

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:37:27 GMT

Pregnancy Photos!

baby at 8 weeks

14 weeks

baby on side with back to us - 14 weeks

baby profile at 14 weeks

Baby waving with its tiny hands - 14 weeks

baby waving - 14 weeks!

Me at 14 weeks!

18 weeks pregnant!

Me, my husband and the baby on 4th of July!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 03:57:02 GMT

Christmas party 2007

Me and Jessica

jenna and david

jess and noelle

jess and zach kissing for web.jpg

me and jesse.jpg

me and zach for web.jpg

toes for web.jpg

my husband for web.jpg

super smash.jpg

party time.jpg

More Photos...

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:03:44 GMT

Random October Pictures

Gorgeous on the way to Eugene, OR!

Me and Rick at Wedding!

Super cute husband!

Us at wedding!

ME!!!

Halloween at my internship

Funny Halloween faces

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:12:14 GMT

Anniversary trip - July 2007

View from our back deck

Dottie being a water dog!

far back view of yurt

Inside the yurt

Jesse cooking breakfast!

Looking off of our back deck!

The night sky...

The outside of the yurt

Secret agent Roo

Roo was mad that he had to be leashed in the river.

More Photos...

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:58:44 GMT

Camping at Lake Cascade!

Tired Roo

Makin' smores!

Roo pretending that he is a hunting dog

Lake Cascade, ID (absolutely gorgeous)

Our campsite

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:53:55 GMT

New purse pics

Soft bag!

Green tote bag with real bamboo handles

Inside of green tote bag

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 02:27:26 GMT

Alaska pictures!

Beautiful waterfall

My mom and husband at the Alaskan Brewing Company!

We got a free tour and tons of free beer!

The sun setting over Canada!

The Tracy Arm Fjord on our way to Alaska

Me and the giant horse statue and my fancy Alaskan Brewing Company sweatshirt!

Me and Jesse on the way to Mendenhall Glacier!

Fish and chips at a Canadian pub!

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 02:17:58 GMT

Purse Pictures!

My cherries purse!

The lime green inside (the camera didn't catch the color well).

Even doggies love purses! (That's Dottie...)

Sat, 26 May 2007 02:51:51 GMT

Random pictures May 2007

Dogs in scarves are too cute!

So cute!

He carries his stuffed dog around with him in the backyard.

He really does sleep this way in the afternoon!

I love this picture!

This is a very cool picture of our duck!

Me planting stuff!

My husband! So cute!

1st attempt at a purse...too floppy, didn't use enough interfacing.

Simple, taking on my cruise!

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:56:28 GMT

My new car!

My new Chevy Cobalt

I'm so in love!

It gets 30 mpg just in the city! :)

More car

I love you! :)

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 00:01:22 GMT

My dogs!

Dottie (the dachsund/rottie mix)...so cute!

Roo with his stuffed dog.

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 05:14:55 GMT

Halloween Trunk or Treat

Me!

My husband's a Star Wars nerd!

Us!

More us!

Here's our trunk (we were on a limited budget!)

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:23:32 GMT

Graduation Pics

Me in front of my house

Getting ready to go..

Me and my family!

Me and a family friend!

Walking across the stage (so blurry!)

me and jesse

me in front of fountain

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:09:45 GMT

Hiking and Camping!

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 18:46:42 GMT

June 11-pics of dogs and me!

apron

dottie on lawn

me and jesse

roo face

roo looking peeved enhanced

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 03:45:07 GMT

Some random pics from my wedding...

Me and my husband!

Me and my fabulous mom!

U of I watertower

Me in the arboretum

another great pic of me and mom

me and jesse looking cute

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:52:01 GMT

I'd like to go to...

Thailand
Great exchange rates, tons of history and tropical temps!
London
Been there once, but I'd love to go and explore the nightlife.
Southern France
Actually all of France, but I especially want to see the places that inspired Van Gogh's amazing paintings.
Italy
Have you seen Il Postino? I want to visit the brightly colored tiny fishing villages along the coast.
Florida Everglades
Manatees, enough said.
Costa Rica
I had a teacher who had loved living there and I've been interested ever since.
Chile
After reading almost everything Isabel Allende has written, Chile fascinates me. I want to see first-hand the landscape she beautifully describes.
East Coast in the Fall
I want to rent a car and drive through Vermont and New Hampshire in the fall and see the beautiful leaves changing color!
Brazil
I did a project on the Amazonian rainforest and was inspired. I would love to explore the city of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.
Ireland
I saw Scotland, but Ireland is supposed to be even prettier.

Virgil Phillips Park

Husband and dogs...

Virgil Phillips Park

Me and Dogs at Virgil Phillipis Park

The Palouse is so pretty!

Laird Park

Camping at Laird Park!

Our campsite!

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 04:17:26 GMT

Awesome blogs

My dad's blog
I have to put my dad's blog on here, very interesting but fairlypolitical.
Confessions of a Student Nurse
This is a great blog, she has great stories...
This Fish (at ivillage.com)
I read this blog every day. Fish is a wonderful writer in NYC!
Fighting Insanity
This is a great blog from a young mom with two daughters, a husband and a large black lab! She always makes me laugh!
The Barnyard
A funny and inspiring blog from a teacher in Arkansas who loves shoes as much as I do!
Carrie's Coffeehouse
I love Carrie! She's a great music teacher who loves crafts and shopping! Check out her cute pictures!