Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Story Time

My sweet neighbors stopped by to say "hi" tonight. We often sit and visit outside, when the weather is nice, but it's turning kind of cold lately. It was fun to have them visit.
Kate decided she wanted to read a book to Bullwinkle. It was very cute. He laid down as if he were paying very close attention. She would pull the pages out from under his paw and turn them. I couldn't resist the pictures!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Nice Compliment

Today, one of my students brought her husband to class. Apparently she has been telling him how much she is enjoying her physics class and he didn't believe that there was a good physics class out there. She kept trying to convince him that my class was a good one so I guess she finally brought him along to convince him. What a nice compliment! They came and talked to me after class and he said he really enjoyed it. Thanks! I appreciate the positive feedback. It's always nice to know I'm doing something well. And it was even on a day when I wasn't fully coherent!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Dr. Bean

I had my last visit with my orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bean, yesterday. He is great! He was so funny because he went through the normal questions to see how I'm doing, etc. and then he said he was a little sad. He told me I didn't have to come back unless I was having problems with something. He told me he was going to miss having me come visit. He told me he always enjoyed it when I came in. It turns out that he studied physics as an undergrad so he was very excited to find out I was a physics professor. I must admit I always enjoyed visiting with him as well. He didn't necessarily talk about physics all the time with me, but that connection seemed to make all the difference. The last time I went in (in September), when he saw me he said, Good, I get to actually talk to someone! He spent a little while chatting with me yesterday. He told me "you know where to find me!" telling me to come back and visit again. Will that require a copay? :)

He is a great doctor! He did my left shoulder surgery 6 years ago so I was definitely planning on going back to him, though he is all the way back in Layton. Well worth it! Granted, I hope I don't need more surgery, but I wouldn't mind visiting with him once in a while.

Another funny experience that I want to remember, so I will write it here: When I went to have my shoulder surgery, my sweet neighbor drove me up to Layton and I had arranged for my dad to come pick me up. I didn't think my dad should have to drive all the way down from Harrisville just to drive back to North Layton and sit for who knows how many hours. Anyway, this left me by myself pre-op (which I was fine with -- it was ok!). The doctor came in to talk to me prior to surgery and ask the usual question (and to write "Yes" on the shoulder he was doing surgery on and "No" on the other one -- I thought that was kind of funny too). Anyway, he asked me where my husband was. I told him I am not married and he didn't believe me. He asked "how can you not be married" (well, I have a lot of explanations) and then he said it probably because I intimidated everyone, being a physics professor and all. He went on with his questions and I didn't think anything of it. Well, when my dad was driving me home, I asked him about the surgery (the doctor told him all about it, but was long gone before I woke up and could find out about it). My dad's answer: "They did a lot on your shoudler". Great! I was particularly curious because if they had done one particular part, then I would have to be in a sling for 6 to 8 weeks, but if not then I would only be in the sling for 2 or 3 weeks. That was important to me. Anyway, I wander......As we continued to my house, my dad told me about Dr. Bean telling my dad he was surprised that I'm not married. Oops -- my dad's "favorite" subject. My dad started telling Dr. Bean how much he wished he could see me married, etc. Well, Dr. Bean told my dad that I'm not married because guys find me too intimidating. Revelation! Apparently my dad had never thought of this before. It was as if the world now made sense. I had to laugh. I told Dr. Bean yesterday that he changed my dad's whole view. He couldn't believe my dad hadn't realized it. Of course, I know there are many other reasons why I'm not married, besides the intimidation factor, but I know that has been at least an issue in the past.

Oh the fine times at the doctor's office! I am truly grateful to have found a doctor that is personable, who cares about me as an individual, and who is very good at what he does. My shoulder is doing really well, though I still have a ways to go. My range of motion is pretty much back, but I need to work more on my strength. I know it will come with time...... Racquetball anyone? I wonder if I can....... I know, I know, I'm supposed to give it up, but I don't think I will be able to, at least not yet.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Spoiled

Bully always manages to find the most comfy places to hang out. Leave it to him to find the best pillows a blankets to cuddle up in!
Not only does he get comfy, but if I get close, he raises his leg so I can scratch his tummy! Please momma! Please!
Yes, he's spoiled rotten. AND he knows it! He's worth it too. How did I get so lucky?

San Diego

The weekend before school started, my lab coordinator Sharon, and I headed to San Diego for a conference. The conference was really good and even better, we had time to visit some beaches. I love the beach! Here are some beautiful pictures.
This last beach was my favorite. It was in Del Mar and it was a doggy beach. It made me miss my boys. I know Rocky wouldn't like the beach, but I wonder if Bully would. It would be fun to take him sometime.
We were able to arrange a late departure on our last day so we headed to the Wild Animal Park. Very cool! I have been to the San Diego zoo a couple of times, but had never been to the Wild Animal Park. I really enjoyed it. The basic admission included a tram ride around an outdoor enclosure. Here are some of the animals we saw:
For a lot more money, you could take tours out into the enclosures to see the animals up close and personal (kind of like an African safari). I would love to do it, but wasn't willing to spend the money. Here is a truck out feeding some of the animals:
All of the animals were amazing. Here were some gorillas:
The workers had spread food throughout the enclosure so the big male gorilla was foraging around looking for the food. He carried the carrot around for a while as he looked for more food.
They had both African and Asian elephants. The main difference is the size of their ears. They are beautiful creatures! I loved seeing the baby elephants.
As we neared the lion enclosure, there were signs about the lion cubs born a while back. I was soooooo excited to see the cubs. But, when we got there, there was only this male (he was beautiful!):

Luckily, as we toured the rest of the park, we had a chance to come back by and this time the male was gone and the cubs were out. WhooHoooo! They were so cute.
One of these cubs was chewing on a bone. A while later another cub came out and stole the bone from this cub. They had a good chase. It was fun to watch, though I couldn't get it on camera. On our way out, we saw these cute monkeys. Notice the baby on the left. It was fun to watch him swing around. Not very coordinated yet.
Our final stop was a section where you could pet some of the animals. Sharon isn't a big animal fan (at least not up close and personal) so only I went in. I was able to buy some food and feed the animals. They were very cute.
I love San Diego! I'm grateful for the opportunity to enjoy some time outside of the conference.

Bullwinkle & Orion

A couple of months ago, Orion came to play for the weekend. Bully has fun playing with Orion! They are hilarious together. When they are done playing, Bully's head is soaking wet with Orion slobber. It's gross, yet funny.



I have a doggy door off the kitchen so I'm used to my dogs going in and out as they please. When Orion was here, I didn't think about having to let him out. The poor dog, after playing hard for a long time, came running up in front of me (I was sitting on the recliner) and looked at me anxiously. Then he started "leaking". I jumped up and was hurrying to usher him out the door. Here's what he left behind (can you see the trail):

I'm glad it was vinyl floor! It was easy to clean up. It's my own fault for not thinking about letting him out. He quickly learned to use the doggy door and let himself out after that. I felt bad that he was trying so hard to keep it in.

At night, Orion would sleep in his kennel, down in the front room. Is was cute because Bully would sleep at the top of the stairs (there is a baby gate at the top to keep him from going down). It was as if Bully was watching over Orion. They had a good weekend together.


Better Late Than Never

I had my basement finished over the summer. I LOVE IT! I've een waiting for it to be "perfect" -- put together and clean, before I took pictures, but I realized that just isn't going to happen any time soon, so here they are. This first picture is in my "entertainment center" area. Both couches recline (and boy are the comfy!).
Here is a shot of the entertainmnet center. I had my cabinets custom built. They turned out so beautiful! I had cabinets put in my laundry room as well, but I didn't take pictures of that yet. It is far too messy! That's where I put the excess "stuff" when I was taking these pictures. :) Here's my vanity. I ordered it from Costco. The contractor told me it would be much cheaper that way, since I had already found one I liked. I ordered a matching mirror, but it was shattered in shipping. I found this medicine cabinet at Lowe's and it matches perfectly. It's kind of a tight squeeze, but that's ok. I should have taken a close up of the faucet. It is so cool! It is like a watering trough. You'll have to see it in person! :) I am not including a picture of the shower because, well, it's a shower. Same with the toilet. Nothing exciting to see (very exciting to have!).
Opposite the entertainment center, I have a small wet bar and then room for my game table (currently filled with "stuff"). The box is my microwave waiting for someone to install it. The big "pillows" are love sacs slowly "poofing" up.

This is the wet bar. The hole above the sink is for the microwave. Thanks to my friend Kathy who suggested I put the wet bar between the two doors. I love it! It turned out so fabulously. Through the door on the right, there is a bedroom. I didn't take a picture of it since it's just an empty room right now. I am very happy with the outcome of the basement finish. I ran out of money (so Christmas trips for me), but it is well worth it. I will be enjoying this basement for many years to come. I hope to share it with any friends that want to come over!