Coming along nicely.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!! Many people often stress over what food is going to be made, how much time they have to spend with each side of the family, and what football game is going to be on TV. However, we often over look the simple things. Thanksgiving is about being with family, friends, and the ones you care about. Also, remembering why we are thankful. Granted, you shouldn't give thanks one day out of 365.

Things I'm thankful for:
-a loving family
-a roof over my head
-the chance to receive a higher education
-friends, that no matter how far apart we are....still give me words of wisdom when I need them most
-the ability God gave me to be here today, with a smile on my face.....despite what I've been going through
-THE greatest guardian angel, my Father.

& the house is coming along nicely. Its been awhile since I've posted updated pictures of the house. So beware....there are LOTS!!

Outer frame is done, roof is on.

Upstairs. Husband's "Man Cave"

Kitchen/Living room looking in from laundry room

Looking into guest bathroom & 2nd guest bedroom/my home gym/office  from 1st guest bedroom

Living room & fireplace.

Master bedroom/ bathroom

Future home of stove, countertops, and cabinets.

Guest bathroom with plumbing in

Air ducting in.

HVAC unit

Stairs to the "Man Cave"

Washer/Dryer hook up

More plumbing in

Another HVAC unit??

Upstairs bathroom.

Front door <3

Gables primed

Back of house. 2 car garage, back porch with double doors

Back porch

11/24/10 Brick is going up!

Bach porch

Brick & shingles on.

Front of house. Notice the house number is almost ready to go on!

Future neighbors!

So yes, the house is looking awesome! Work is going well, for both Shane & I. The fall semester is almost over, YAY! & I will soon be a college junior. Its only taken me 4 years, better late than never right. I'm looking more and more into Vet schools, and I've narrowed it down to a few that I really want to apply to: 1) Texas A&M 2) Oklahoma State 3) University of Georgia 4) Ohio State & maybe 5) Virginia Tech.

Its becoming more and more surreal that I'm getting closer and closer to my dream. & also more surreal at how competitive it is to get into Vet school.

For this lovely cold (Its currently barely 30 degrees here) Thanksgiving Day, the husband and I are eating an awesome breakfast (scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns), watching a Harry Potter marathon, eating a kick-butt dinner of NY Strip steaks with garlic roasted potatoes, steamed crab legs, and broccoli (However, we may just go to Golden Corral....let them cook and do the dishes), then heading out to see Harry Potter 7.

Update on THE HOUSE!

The house is coming along nicely. I'm so ready for it to be done. It doesn't help that I work 1 block from the house, so I'm able to see progress everyday....making me more and more ready to move in.

Also.....we had the first snowfall of the season on November 12th. We got a total of about 6 inches. The night before it was only a thunderstorm, and we woke up to snow. The panhandle natives call it a "thunder-snow" Needless to say, I hate snow. & I hate digging my car out and waiting about 30 min for my car to warm up. Here are the pics:

About 7am, already had 3-4 inches.

A change in the wind

Here in the Texas Panhandle the wind blows like CRAZY! I'm not talking about a little breeze every now & then. No. During the spring/summer it was nice to have that 40-50 mph "breeze" to cool you down. However, when its already in the low to mid 60s during the day the "breeze" is miserable. Now, this post isn't just about the crazy Panhandle wind. Its about progress and change.

Progress: The house is coming along. I cannot wait for it to be finished. I keep looking at new decorating ideas, new furniture, and I've already made a wish list on Bed Bath & Beyond.com & at Target.com for the new house. Things that we never got when we got married, things we need more of (like tupperware, it just seems to dissappear), and other things that we've never had (like a super awesome climbing thing for the cats).

The outline for foundation

Foundation is poured!

More progress: The kittens are getting HUGE! They are all about walking around, exploring, playing, and of course eating. Hopefully by next week I can have then either a) drinking milk on their own out of a dish b) eating on their own period c) using the litter box or d) all of the above.  The little man, "Bevo" as he has been named by his possible family, spent a couple hours yesterday at this possibly new home. His possible big brother is still a little cautious of him. Then again I would be to if this little fur ball came running towards me.
Little girl, "Sunni", will be in her new home next week. A lady I work with at the Vet clinic is taking "Sunni", and her grand children are thrilled!

Nap time

Snuggle Buddies

First attempt at eating out of a dish. Only lasted about 5 minutes.

& Change: I'm vowing to change. I want to be a better wife, student, friends, employee, everything. I also want to change my body. I still want to loose about 15-25 lbs. I'm working at it, although it seems to be coming very slowly. When I first began my weight lose regimen in January, the weight came off soooooo fast! I lost 20 lbs like it was nothing. The last 10 lbs were a little stubborn. I officially lost 30 lbs in July. Well since then I've gained back some that I lost. Now I'm determined to lose it, change my eating habits, and be fit.


On a side note, I went to one of my college's football games last night. It was very different. I felt as if I was at a high school football game. Too bad we lost, to the No 2 team, Abilene Christian. It was a fun night with friends.

The crowd

Go Buffs!!

Accomplishments.

Yesterday, October 30th, I ran my first 5k. It was for the Panhandle Caner Cure Foundation and it is only the 2nd year they've had the race. The foundation  helps provide education, prevention, research and patient support to those affected by cancer in the Panhandle. The course had some hills and it was a little chilly, not what I'm used to. However, I finished in 37:21, 115th overall and 21st in my age group. I have another race on November 13th put on by the local Gold's Gym, then another on Thanksgiving Day. This running thing is kind of addicting.

My number tag & "In Memory Of.." tag

Another accomplishment? I get to cross something off my 101 things list. I am currently fostering two 3-4wkish old kittens. When I first got them last week, I was getting up with them every 3-4 hours to bottle feed them, stimulating them to make them go potty, cuddling them, and keeping them warm. They are super super cute! & no, Shane & I are not keeping them.The little girl, gray one, is feisty, talkative, and loves to beat up on her brother and already has a home. The little boy orange and white, is very chill, laid back, and doesn't mind getting a bath and will meet his possible new mommy and daddy on Monday. The only thing I'm asking of the new owners is that they have then spayed/neutered and get them vaccinated. 

Little man.

Little girl.

The process has begun!

Today we met one last time with the builder before construction starts on the house! It was very exciting to see the blue-prints, pick out counter tops, cabinets, wall color, back splash, carpet, tiles, and all the fixings! They have already started leveling out the lot, and they will break ground on Monday! We close on February 5, 2011 which means in 3.5 months....we will FINALLY have a house!!

Also, for tonight's dinner we had "Crispy Ranch Chicken"
Recipe:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 oz pkg ranch dressing mix 2 cups crispy rice cereal 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 egg whites (beaten) 2 tablespoons light butter (optional)

The original directions say to "Mix rice cereal, ranch mix and parmesan cheese together in bowl. Dip chicken in egg whites, then in the cereal mixture to coat evenly. Arrange chicken on greased baking sheet. Bake until golden. 30 to 35 minutes."

However I made a mess up....I didn't have any rice cereal, so I used bread crumbs. I still added some parmesan cheese in it. & I mixed some milk in with the ranch mix. I made it into almost like a paste. I then dipped the chicken in the egg.....in the ranch "paste" then in the bread crumbs.





It was still super yummy! I served it with some roasted potatoes & veggies.

Yesterday....

Yesterday, October 20, was our 3 year wedding anniversary! Its crazy to think that we've already been married for three years! In three years we have survived 1 deployment, bought a house (& then sold it), and moved from the East Coast to the South-West.

Here are some pictures from that day:

The Family

<3 him!

One of my favorites!

This one wasn't actually taken by our professional photographer, but rather a friend. & I loved the way it turned out.

Another Favorite

Taken by a guest..

Another favorite!! Taken by the same friend as above.

Here's to many many many many more anniversaries to come!!

Also, yesterday starts my "101 things in 1001 days" project.
Let the fun begin!

An Amazing Opportunity

A girl I know from NC recently sent me information about these trips that are offered to Pre-Vet and Veterinary students. This group called VIDA takes students to Central America for up to two weeks. In that time the students spay, neuter, and vaccinate pets and livestock. I am hoping to attend one of these trips next summer. It would be an amazing, eye opening experience (plus, it wouldn't look too bad on my vet school apps).

Enjoy the link 

VIDA