Lazy, lazy

Well, I've obviously neglected to post ANYthing lately! A bit has happened though. I spent a marvelous week and a half sick as a dog - I seriously thought that I was knocking on Death's door. I spent a night in the hospital - hated every minute of that! This, of course, all took place when Jed and I were supposed to go to Spokane, (yeah, I missed that trip.) I started prednisone yet again - lucky fat-faced me! We had a great Thanksgiving visiting my family in Salt Lake. We hit a few early morning after Thanksgiving sales; all electronics purchases. (Oh, wait! I bought a cute purse - actually 2 - but I am still recovering from sticker shock on one before I actually put it to use if you know what I mean!) Jed and I went and saw Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. It was excellent! I really, really liked it. (I must say that before this film, I thought that Hugh Jackman was good looking, but I didn't go ga-ga over him. Now I know why he's sexiest man alive this year.) I had a biopsy on a mole in my belly button. Surprise, surprise! I have to have it excised because it's what? Abnormal? What a shocker. Good thing that I've met my deductible, and quite possibly my out of pocket max for insurance this year! I don't want this post to sound like a downer, because it's not! I'm so excited for Christmas! We haven't put our lights up, and they probably won't make it. We still need to go get a tree. I can't wait to decorate it! Either way, I'll post some pictures of last years lights and tree. They're pretty great!

Trick-or-treat

Halloween has come and gone. What happened to the good old days when people went trick-or-treating to neighbors' houses instead of the (lame) trunk-or-treat? Is it really safer? I say "NO!" While trick-or-treating, I can go to those houses of friends, ward members, etc. - basically, people that I know won't poison anyone. Or I could go to a trunk-or-treat where there can be just as many people that I don't know. I personally think that it's a poor excuse for a lazy parent. It has it's place, but I don't think it's necessary for most communities.

Next on my agenda of complaining is the bratty trick-or-treaters themselves. Many that came to my house didn't even say "trick-or-treat!" Next, on offering them what I considered pretty good treats - fun size (not mini, mind you) - Snickers and Reese's peanut butter cups, I was asked "How many?" Are you joking me? Are kids not taught manners these days? If I wanted you to take, say, four candies, I would say so wouldn't I? Many kids had to be prompted by there parents to say "thank you." Even then, they did it half-hearted. That's if the parents even said anything! Come, on parents. Get it together! Teach your kids some manners. (I guess this only helps if you have manners yourself.)

Now, I must admit that there were probably SOME that didn't act this way, and to you kids, I say thank you. Halloween used to be such a fun day. Everyone used to get in on the fun. Now, it just doesn't seem the same. Sorry to sound so grumpy, but I just had to get that off my chest.

Next year, we may just turn off the lights.

2 Days and counting...

Jed and I love 30 Rock. We've even prepped ourselves for the new season (which starts in 2 days, Thursday the 30th) by re-watching last season. We finished it last night. (Jed: "one more episode?" Me: "yes" Jed: "one more?" Me: "Of course! Must watch more...") Anyway, it's a great show. So great, in fact, when I was in New York last month, I HAD to visit 30 Rock. Every episode is fantastic, every character is hilarious, and you just can't help but laugh - a lot. Anyway, watch it. 2 days. Do it. You'll wonder what you ever did without it.

infliximab and I are tight

It has finally happened! I had my first infusion of Remicade on Friday. So far, I feel the same. A little sore, maybe. Hopefully this will do all that it needs to do so that I can feel normal again. At least so that I have flares less often. I was at the IV home health office for about three and a half hours for the first infusion. The first hour of that was paperwork and consent forms, etc. Usually, it will take about two hours. The scary thing is, they gave me two Benadryl and I didn't fall asleep - and I drove myself home! (However, I went to bed at about 8:00 pm) By the way, infliximab is the generic name for Remicade.

Dental Dreaming Dilemma

The past few nights, I have dreamt about my ISU dental hygiene days. The fact that I graduated THREE years ago doesn't seem to make any difference on my REM sleep.

Two nights ago, I dreamt that one of the faculty members came to tell me that my grade had been calculated incorrectly and that I got a D instead of what they thought I got. This meant that I would have to retake the class. They also wanted me to retake my clinical boards. I told them that I PASSED my boards and I would NOT retake them. What a nightmare!

Last night, I dreamt that I was at work and I had bleach trays in my mouth, as well as fluoride trays, and I was drooling all over the place and one of the faculty members was there judging me and giving me the evil eye.

We'll just have to see what tonight will bring!

Jerky, anyone?

Jed and I went on our (semi)-annual hunting trip. Jed, the mega-shot, hit this deer about ten minutes after we left the truck. He spotted it, shot it, and then we headed towards it. We were prepared in case it took off, wounded, but then a HUGE guy took off towards the ridge. It was moving too fast for both of us, neither of us got a shot off. Jed was freeking out because he was sure that he'd hit the deer in his first shot. We decided to see if he'd hit it and we could track it and, low and behold, there was this guy sitting there. Jed had hit it in the head. I gutted it (or attempted to) and it took us the rest of the day to skin it and all other required things before we could take it to be processed into jerkey (Mmm. Mmm.) After all the work, we were both so tired and sore that we aren't ready to do any hunting again anytime soon. (We'll probably forget this all by next year though) The last deer we got was six years ago. We decided that every six years is enough!

(I originally posted this in the Schmidt family blog, but Jed wanted me to post it here as well. We have recieved our jerky - and tons of it! Jed said when he picked it up he got a BIG box as well as a grocery bag full of jerky. Everyone else that was picking theirs up at the same time had much smaller boxes. I kind of had to laugh about that!)

Fantastic Fishing Fanatic!

Jed and I went fishing this weekend with the Bartschis. (Correction: Jed went fishing. I sat in the boat and read - quite a bit actually!) Because in years past, we never have very much luck with the fishing at Henry's Lake, I decided that I would bow out of the experience this year and I didn't get my license. Well, well, well. If the fishing wasn't the best EVER! Jed caught four or five and his brother, Jason, caught four or five as well. We actually lost count! Jed was determined that we should run into the gas station and get me my license so that I could get in on the action. They also decided that next year, Jed's nephew, Ethan would have to come so that the limit (in total) would increase.

It was beautiful weather (probably the last we'll have until next July!) All in all, it was a fun and eventful fishing day. Plus, look at the surprise we found when we got home!

Snowy Sunday

We woke up this morning to snow - a lot of it! It's October for crying out loud. (The picture shown is last night's snowstrom - before all the "sticking" of the snow.) I also got a new calling this morning. Let me just mention that on my way to the church to get this calling, I got pulled over. Yes, I was apparently going 52 in a 40 mph zone. I did NOT get a ticket though (thank the heavens!) I'll be team teaching with another sister in the ward. Sunday School; 14-17 year olds. Jed made me go today (I was planning on one last Sunday of leisurely listening and not really having to contribute to a lesson). Low and behold, there wasn't a teacher there, so I randomly had to teach! I didn't know where to start, what they'd been learning, who they even were! Let's just say I'm not so good on me feet like that! I'm not even good WITH preparation time!

Eight is great

Jed and I celebrated our eight year anniversary on Monday (October 6th). Wow! Time flies. I went to this cupcake place in Rexburg after work because we've been wanting to try them for a while now. My plan was to get eight cupcakes - one for every year we've been married. It just ended up being cheaper to get a dozen (I thought about eating four all by myself and giving Jed the eight still, but that would have been bad!) We celebrated that night by going to dinner together - and we've been enjoying cupcakes all week! The flavors I got included: red velvet, chocolate cheesecake, ultimate brownie, pumpkin chocolate chip, oreo, and coconut-lime. Mmm! They've been delicious! Happy anniversary to us!

New York, New York

Well, I spent (10?) days in New York with Alicia, Sarah, Zach, and Dave. They took me to see almost everything there is to see in the big apple. Poor Sarah had to walk everywhere while Zach got to ride in style. We went to the Museum of Natural History (I didn't see the Relic for those of you that read Preston - Child novels), we went to Central Park, Wall Street, China Town, Little Italy, the Empire State Building, 5th Avenue, 30 Rock (the greatest show ever!), Times Square, Grand Central Station, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and more I'm sure. While there, Alicia and I caught a live filming of the Martha Stewart Show (with very exciting surprises: see Alicia's blog) and we also made it to the Today Show, which is my favorite morning news show. That was a PACKED week and a half! I'm positive that the Vawdrey's were pretty sick of me at the end of it.

A New Yorkers life is definately different from an Idahoans: you MUST have a purse that will hold at least three gallons of milk. You MUST have an ipod (you couldn't possible ride the subway or bus without one). It is absolutely NECESSARY to wear leggings or a scarf - if you're a woman, of course. 1$ bills are a MUST of you ride the bus. Umbrellas need to be on your person at all times. You need to be able to understand multiple languages (well, at least the accents - I sat by this guy on the bus and he kept talking to me but I didn't understand a word -0 even though it was English - I THINK!

Anyway, I had a great time there thanks to my great tour guides. I would love to visit again sometime! (With all that I saw, there actually is still MORE to see. Can youbelieve it?)

With one accord

If there is one car that I would definitely love to have. it's a new accord. Can you get anything better? My old '88 accord lasted me throughout many a troubled times and lasted FOREVER! In the time that Jed and I had old snowflake, we replaced an axle and the belts - that's it! No alternators, no (whatever else you may need to replace in the life of a car). We maintained it and it was great up until we sold it. Even though you needed to keep your foot on the gas (and clutch) as you braked, and it make a wonderful screeching sound, it was a great car. If the new accords are anywhere remotely as reliable as that thing was, I'd take one in a heartbeat. I just have to be able to afford it first.

Humira out: Remicade in?

So, I got the letter from Blue Cross today denying me in the use of Humira injections for my ulcerative colitis. It is listed as "Experimental and Investigational," therefore not covered under my plan. What a surprise, my insurance company not coming through. I did actually have hope after I had spoken with someone on the phone about it, but no guarantees, right? Next, I'll have to see if they'll authorize me for Remicade. It's going to be much more spendy, but if it does the trick, it does the trick.

Additions to the top ten

Here are some additions that I'd like to make to the top ten, or some funny new shows to look for this fall:

• Miss Guided


• Eureka


• Chuck

The Windy City

I must say, the wind in Idaho Falls has to compete with that of Chicago. I have never lived anywhere so windy. Personally, I'm sick and tired of it. Seriously, how many places can you live and experience wind (regularly) at 15-25 mph (yes, this is from today's weather report.) Let me repeat that: fifteen to twenty miles per hour! This being the case, you just can't get anything done! Just walking to the mailbox is a test of strength (or weight for that matter)! And it never lets down. I parked my car earlier today and was just sitting in it for a minute and the whole thing was jiggling and vibrating like it just might take off! There's no point in doing your hair. The garbage can blows across the street. All I can say is I hope that our house is properly built and the roof remains intact.

Reno or bust!

Jed and I drove to Reno, NV last weekend. Nine hours of fun-filled driving bliss (one way)! I had a good friend, Trista, from hygiene school who was having a wedding reception there. We had a pretty good time. Reno is a lot bigger than I had expected. We shopped, went to a movie, shopped some more, had pulled pork (from best in the west ribs winner BJ's BBQ). We hoped to catch them filming an episode of Reno 911 (is it really filmed there?) We had good intentions to maybe play the slots or something, but it never happened. We also discovered a truly great invention: the portable DVD player. We borrowed one from Jed's sister, Melissa, for the drive. Of course, we thought that it was so great that we bought one while we were there! (Sweet! Now I can take it to entertain me for my future travels to NYC next month!) Any future road trips will require movies and popcorn now!

Tomatoes, Anyone?

I just finished reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. It was a great book! Now, I need to rewatch the movie. It also is pretty cool because Jed and I ate at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Georgia. (Of course, we had grilled cheese instead of the fried green tomatoes!)

I also reread one of my favorite books of all time: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. This was brought on by the fact the Jed and I just watched the movie with Johnny Depp. When I first saw the movie, I thought that Willy Wonka was a bit too weird. (Although I do love Johnny Depp!) The second time around, he was still a little bit weird, but I could appreciate it. The movie follows the book really closely - (With the exception of the additional traumatic dental scenes, of course.) I think I need to reread (and PURCHASE) all of Roald Dahl's books. He is still my favorite childhood author. How can you not love his books?

It's a JUNGLE out there!

Literally, a jungle. Today, for the first time, I mowed the lawn in its entirety. It took me two hours. There are sooo many weeds. This picture doesn't do it justice. Our lawn is HUGE! (Why did we think that MORE property was better, again?) Surprisingly, the grass is quite a bit taller where there are more weeds. I think I mowed a thousand ladybugs down this morning. To the untrained eye, it may not look like the undertaking that it has been. We brought in three dump truck loads of dirt, one (or two?) loads of road base. Two rentals worth of a bobcat, one ditch witch - pipe puller, a grater, the purchase of a landscape rake, probably over a thousand feet of polypipe, hundreds of feet of funnypipe, over twenty additional sprinkler heads, over nine thousand square feet of hydroseed and lots of waterings later, we do have the semblance of a lawn! I think it'll be worth it!

Top 10

I don't really care for TV Drama. No CSI, SVU or 24 for me. I prefer comedies. These are what I consider the top 10 Comedy series of all time. (In no particular order) However, some you must see from the first season. They just get better and better.

• Psych


• 30 Rock


• How I Met Your Mother


• Freaks and Geeks


• Arrested Development


• The Office


• Rules of Engagement


• Pushing Daisies


• Scrubs


• The Simpsons


• Dexter (Okay, this is probably a Drama, but it's also number 11, so who cares right? It also MUST be edited)

10 Years

A few weeks ago at work I had a patient that I was talking to about school. (I work in Rexburg, therefore I have a lot of BYU-I students that I see.) He asked me if I was going to school. I informed him that I was done with school - "I went to school here when it was Ricks college, then I graduated from ISU," I said. "Oh, well then you're QUITE a bit older" was his response! Holy cow! I'm still not sure on how I should take this - does this mean that I don't look quite THAT old yet, or what? Anyway, I thought it was pretty dang funny.

Speaking of old, my ten year high school reunion is coming up next month. Wow! This makes me feel old. I got onto the website for it and saw what a lot of people have been up to. It's a bit weird seeing who married who and what they're doing now. Hopefully Jed and I will make it to the reunion!

Back In the Saddle again

So, I'm on prednisone yet AGAIN! Not even off for two weeks and already having problems. I'm almost at my wits end! I will be having an appointment with a nurse practitioner on Tuesday, but who knows what the result of THAT will be. I'm almost to the point of considering the double wham-o expensive infusion Remicade. We'll see how my appointment goes and then go from there, I guess.

The Girl With No Shadow

The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris was a pretty entertaining read. It is a follow-up to Chocolat. I will admit that when I first began reading, I was somewhat confused: the story is narrated by three different characters - no way of differentiating who with each chapter until you've read some ways into it sometimes. Because I didn't read Chocolat, (I've only seen the movie) I think that I missed a few things there as well: this story is in modern day; there must have been some differences in the ending as well. Overall, I really did like the book. It was really interesting and it definately kept me turning the page. Character development was really great, but also an important key to the story. I would recommend this book, but now I think that I have to go back and read Chocolat as well!

A Great Read

I just finished reading The Island by Victoria Hislop. It was a great read! It's about a leper colony on an island off of Crete. I would highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading this author's next book called The Return - however, I have to wait to read it because our library here doesn't have it! Next, I'm going to start The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris. This is a sequel to Chocolat. I'll let you all know how it is.

In the "ZONE"

(Prednisone, that is) So, I started it: 40 mg on April 26th. Still on 40 mg, what? Three weeks later? It's going okay at this point. I'm keeping track, weekly photos to moniter the progress of the fattening face. It's already a little fuller, but I'm managing my cravings (somewhat) and really exercising so that I don't go crazy and fatten up.
Jed and I have been working in the yard. We had road base brought in and built up an RV pad in the back by the shed. We got a landscape rake and I raked out half the yard. It's a lot of work! I have no memory of helping in our yard other then collecting rocks up at the farm for the retaining wall - oh, and putting grass clippings on the front lawn in the bitter morning before school. Landscaping? No go. I'm convinced that the next yard we get will either be smaller or complete!
I've also been thinking of attempting to put togeter a family recipe book, you know, that includes all the family greats (grandma Crane's green jell-o, grandma Schmidt's English toffee, Mauri's caramel brownies, etc. I think I'll send out a e-mail to you all to gather and collect these, then compile them as best I can. SOund good?