Last Trip to Houston

My heart is full. We had a wonderful long weekend in Houston. This visit was our last visit before our big move to California in a few weeks. It was nice having Friday off so we got to leave Thursday after I got off work, and since I got off work really early on Thursday, we were able to make it to Houston at a decent time. On Friday morning I was able to go with my mom to her school where she works which just happens to be my old middle school. Some of my former teachers are still there, including my first ever teacher I had in the fifth grade, so I was able to go and say hello. It was pretty wild seeing them and being at my old middle school again. After a quick trip to the vet for Macie for her yearly check up (the doc says she's in great shape!) I was able to go out to my barn and ride with my long time riding instructor and friend Mrs. Adair. I have been training with her since the 5th grade when we moved to Houston! I was able to ride her horse Zee, who is fabulous. I had so much fun and had a great ride. Zee and I were able to do some passage, half-pass, and part of a canter pirouette which was all really awesome. It had been awhile since I had been in a saddle- I went into semi-retirement after getting really burnt out during my tenure with the Baylor equestrian team. Turns out taking time off has been a really great decision because I've rediscovered the fun in just riding for the love of it. It makes me really want to get back to it consistently, and I am so glad that somehow a pair of my riding pants ended up in the pile to bring with us! I am really hoping to be able to find a place to ride in California since we will be there 6 months.

After riding, I was able to go to my hairdresser and get an overdue cut and color. I was this close to cutting my hair short again, but decided not to at the last second. I am really glad I didn't! Friday night we went into Houston to have dinner at my friend Kyrie and her husband Austen's house. It was great to see them again, and we had a wonderful time making calzones and just talking and catching up.

Saturday we were able to meet my whole family at our favorite mexican restaurant, Molina's. It was nice seeing everyone and getting to catch up one last time before we leave Texas! After lunch I was able to meet up with one of my mentors who mentored me in high school. It was great seeing her and getting caught up on everything going on in each others lives! 

Other than that, we were able to just spend time with my parents hanging out and watching football, which is always fun. All in all, it was a wonderful, much needed weekend with lots of family and friends before we move! I can't believe we are leaving for California in less than three weeks. While I am excited, I am also starting to get a little nervous about the new assignment. We have lots to do before we leave! 

Here's to a great week!

Making The Cut

Since we are in Houston this weekend, we had to go back through all our stuff in order to downsize again before we move. Since this was our first assignment, I really had no idea what things we would and would not use. Here are some of the things that didn't make the cut:

1) Our stemware- while we like to be classy when we drink wine and martini's, solo cups will have to do

2) Sheets and towels-originally we weren't sure where we would be staying, and if we were staying in an apartment we would actually need these. However, since we are pretty sold on long term stay hotels, (paid utilities, provided towels, linens, and maid service can't be beat) we don't really need to bring our own.

3) Extra clothing- some dresses and t shirts had to stay in Houston

4) Panini maker- who doesn't like paninis? We sure do, but using our panini maker once in 4 months doesn't warrant taking it with us

5) Christmas socks- apparently, I thought bringing all twenty or so pairs of my Christmas socks was an absolute necessity. In fact, when I pulled the bag of socks and was like "Why did I bring all my Christmas socks?" My husband replied, "Do you really not remember this conversation? Because I clearly remember you going through your stuff and saying 'I really need my Christmas socks'" As much as I really love Christmas socks, they aren't coming with us to California

6) My sewing machine- I love my sewing machine, but unfortunately it takes up too much room so we can't bring it along.

Some things that we added to our inventory:

1) Braden's snowboard- a necessity for the winter! We will be those people with a snowboard on the roof of our car in September.

2) My horseback riding stuff- I am hoping to be able to find a place to ride in California, whether that be taking lessons or volunteering at a therapeutic riding center. Either way, I'll need my helmet, riding shoes,and half chaps. Luckily these won't take up too much room.

Since we are taking both our cars, Bruce and Robin, to California, we should have no problem fitting everything with some extra room for growth if needed. Here's to making the most of our last 3 weeks in San Antonio!

Whistle While You Work

As if you haven't heard me say it enough, I love my job. It is such a huge blessing to work with my geriatric patient, and I think I am way more blessed by them than they could ever be blessed by me. Last Thursday, the rehab department put on a fundraiser in order to raise money to help provide funds for residents who don't have any money to be able to go on outings out of the facility. Some of the residents there don't have family nearby, or don't have money so they are unable to go out to events like lunch at Cracker Barrel or to the movies. We wanted everyone who is able to leave the facility to be able to go out on an outing and money not be an issue, so we had a nacho lunch back in the rehab gym in order to help.

One of my favorite parts about getting to work so early in the morning (by 7:00) is that I get to see beautiful sunrises!

Yummy nachos!

As the only member of the rehab team with a Sam's membership and living near a Sam's Club, I got all the nacho yumminess. The fundraiser was a huge success! We enlisted several patient's help in serving the nachos, taking orders, collecting money, and adding up how much money we had (a great real life cognition activity!). They had so much fun, and so did we! It was a great break from normal routine. The fundraiser greatly exceeded our expectations, and we were able to raise over $250 dollars to help take residents out of the facility on fun outings! One of the biggest surprises of the day is when my recruiter, Amy, called me and said that Advanced Medical wanted to help and would be sending my facility a check put towards the fundraiser. I am so blessed to work for such an awesome company- they not only care about their employees but also care about the people their employees are serving. Even though I am not a permanent employee at this facility (my contract is up at the end on the month!!) I love knowing that after I'm gone, my patients will be able to get out of the facility and do something fun.

In other news, I can't believe that my contract is up at the end of the month! It has gone by so fast, and I can't believe that we have been here for almost 4 months already. While I am excited for our new adventure in California, it will definitely be difficult leaving behind all my patients and coworkers from Kerrville. 

I didn't have a weekend update post this week because I worked all weekend (waa-waa), so we really didn't do much except watch football, which don't get me wrong is awesome! All three of my teams won- Baylor, Arkansas, and Texas, so it was a good weekend for me, although I did want to punch every person who told me that they hoped I had a nice long weekend.

Since I worked this weekend and all week, I was able to get this Friday off, so are going going down to Houston to hang out before we move to Cali. I have to do one more sweep through all our stuff to see what will make the final cut to travel with us. Unfortunately my sewing machine has to go back to mom and dad's house :( Macie will probably have to make some cuts too!

Tomorrow is hump day! Since my department at my facility reached our productivity goal, the company is  providing us with lunch tomorrow- I am probably more excited than I should be about my lobster ravioli! Yum!

Braden's Birthday

Yesterday was Braden's birthday! We had a great time celebrating his 26th. I woke up a little early and made him cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I told him that he could go anywhere he wanted for dinner, and he decided to go to the revolving restaurant in the Tower of the America's in downtown San Antonio. After work we headed to the tower a little earlier than our reservations so we could get happy hour price drinks and appetizers (if you want to experience the tower but don't want to do dinner, this is the way to go!), and then walked down the stairs to the restaurant for dinner. It was a really fun experience!

Here we are at HemisFair Park, right outside the tower

Our view when we first sat down for dinner. We were able to make it all the way around!

Dinner

Birthday boy!

Downtown San Antonio at sunset

It was hard to get a good sunset picture because of the glare off the windows, but this gives you an idea. It was absolutely breathtaking! We rotated around at the perfect time to watch the sunset, and got to see the exact moment when it dropped behind the horizon. The food was good, I got a shrimp linguine and Braden got a shrimp medley, though you were definitely paying for the experience. It was a lot of fun a definitely a memorable experience! After dinner, we went home and Braden had some of his birthday lemon meringue pie. 

This weekend I have to work so we won't be doing anything too exciting, although I am so excited for college football to be back! Can't wait to cheer on my Baylor Bears (Sic em!), Arkansas Razorbacks (Woo Pig Sooie!), and Texas Longhorns (Hook em!). We definitely have lots of affiliations in our house (Braden is a TCU fan) which always makes football fun! I am hoping to make it to one last Baylor game before we move. Here's to a fun week 1 of college football!

Last Week/Weekend Catch-Up

Last week was insane. Work has been really crazy lately because We have a big caseload right now and I am the only SLP at my building which means that I have to see every patient at my building. I would much rather it be busy at work than slow, but being scheduled for 8-8.5 hours of treatment time and seeing around 13 patients a day can get pretty exhausting! We also had an unexpected surprise when we got time dated materials from the company we bought our new car from, saying we needed to send them our Texas driver's licenses within 48 hours. We had been told you had to get your license before you could register your car in Texas, but the opposite is true. You also have to register your car in the county where your address is in, and since our permanent address is in Houston, poor Braden had to drive all the way to Houston to get our new plates, and then fax me the registration so I could get my license up here in SA. It was quite an ordeal, but we got everything done just in time and sent overnight FedEx with only 10 minutes to spare! Phew. We treated ourselves to a nice dinner (and grande margaritas!) at the Alamo Cafe. Friday was, interesting, to say the least. It was pretty good until my scrub pants broke early in the afternoon they spent the rest of the day being held up by a stretchy band and a prayer. It's never a good sign when you walk in the door at home and your husband says "What happened to you?" 

Friday night my college roommate, Charissa, came into town for a visit. I hadn't seen her since our wedding and it was so much fun to get to catch up.  I am really blessed with great friends from all over! On Saturday, Charissa and I went shopping at the outlet mall down in San Marcos. I was offered a job at an Abercrombie type store, and the girl was genuinely disappointed that I already had a job. I am both complemented, and slightly offended at the same time. I found some more really great work clothes, and probably the best sweater ever. Seriously, equestrians are really fashion forward. I have been wearing tights and riding boots for years!

#bestsweaterever

I was also able to find a really good deal on a "custom" Cowboys jersey for Braden- who cares that it's really Felix Jones' jersey and that he was traded? In this case, it is super convenient that we have a common last name! I was also able to get a Baylor decal for Robin, so we can represent the bears even in California! 

This Thursday is Braden's birthday! I am excited to get to celebrate him. It has been pretty busy having company the past three weekends, but we have no plans of slowing down, as we only have 4 more weekends left in San Antonio! Crazy!

Here's to making them count!

Can I hit repeat?

Sometimes I wish life had a repeat button. This weekend was so much fun getting to spend time with a one of my best friends. We used to live pretty much next door to each other while I was in grad school, and I'm super sad I don't get to see her as much, especially since she technically lives in San Antonio, but has been doing rotations in Ft Worth for PT school- talk about bad luck! On Saturday, Hannah and I went shopping because I needed some more 'business casual/professional' clothes for my next assignment, and I wanted to hit the back to school sales. I was able to find some really great deals and some really great cute clothes. I am really excited to get to wear them! Even Macie got in on the fun with a new bed, new extra fuzzy and soft blanket, and a new squeaky toy. Braden joked I'm not allowed to go shopping with Hannah anymore!

Macie was so excited to see Aunt Hannah!

Hannah's first Whataburger experience! She had never been before! If you are in Texas, you HAVE to eat at Whataburger

Macie was so excited for her new bed, blankie, and toy! She is so spoiled.

After shopping, we decided to head downtown to go see the Alamo and eat on the riverwalk. I love downtown San Antonio! It is really pretty and fun to explore. Seeing the Alamo is a really somber and historical experience.

The Alamo!

The inscription says: Legend states that in 1836 Lt. Col. William Barret Travis unsheathed his sword and drew a line on this ground before his battle weary men stating, "Those prepared to give their lives in freedom's cause, come over to me!""

After seeing the Alamo, we walked down to the riverwalk. It wasn't as crowded as the last time we went, but was still busy. It's a very fun experience, and the riverwalk is very pretty. I feel bad for any waiters having to work the outside because they have to carry those big platters and avoid lots of people!

We ate at a restaurant called The Republic of Texas. It was really good, and nice that we didn't have to wait too long. We even got a table right on the river which I recommend because you get to see all the boats and people going by, and because of all the ducks and fish. You can feed them and it's really fun!

Hannah and I with our cactus glass margs!

Braden and me at dinner

Our duck friend that hung out under our table for almost the whole meal.

Feeding frenzy! These fish are ridiculous. And really big.

On Saturday night, Hannah, Macie, and I had a sleepover at Hannah's apartment. It was so great getting to catch up with her! It almost felt like we were back in college again. This morning we went to IHOP for brunch and it was awful. I mean, you have pretty low expectations when you go to an IHOP, but this was just plain bad. We didn't have a waiter, the food was luke warm, and they got my order completely wrong. At least the company was good! 

This week is looking to be a busy week at work, and we have some licensing/registration stuff we need to get done this week which is always fun. Next weekend I will get to see my college roommate Charissa which will be really fun!

Here's to a great week!

Only One Day Left!

This week has been a little crazy. Most weeks are pretty laid back and nothing weird or unordinary happens. Every once awhile, there will be a week when things get crazy. This has been one of those weeks. We have had multiple admits, people discharging to the hospital, and people refusing therapy, all of which mess up schedules and make your day a little more stressful because you have to make up time for the people you can't see, or risk being unproductive (which is a huge no-no). We have also had more than average inappropriate comments this week, which is always fun. Nothing like having a patient stare at your chest for the entire time you're talking to him! Gross. So as I keep telling my co-workers, if Britney Spears can make it through 2007 we can make it through this week!

While I have had more than my fair share of craziness this week, there have been some bright spots. The nursing home I work at is trying to take residents out of the facility for outings and since some of the people going are on therapy, I have gotten to go and help out my patients in a social setting. It is so much fun and the patients love it! We are taking another group to Cracker Barrel tomorrow, and when I told my patient she was going, she got so excited and had the biggest smile on her face. One of my other patients told me today that I was her favorite part of being at the nursing home. Things like this just make my heart so happy, and are a great reminder that even on a tough week, the bright spots are far more numerous than the dark!

I am so thankful that tomorrow is Friday!