Cramp

I just had a cramp in my calf muscle. Oh my god was it painful. I'm so thankful I don't get those very often! Worst pain I've had in a long, long time. I got it to go away enough to hobble to the kitchen to make up some EmergenC. I'm sure it was from going to yoga today and not having enough electrolytes. Yikes.

X-rays and Birding

Today my parents were super nice and drove down from Salem so that I could use them as x-ray patients. I was hoping this would make it more relaxed, but I decided to do two new techniques on them, so I was a bit out of my element. My mom's mouth was difficult because she has had a very sore TMJ lately, so she couldn't open very wide. Let's just say it was the first time I got a film stuck in someone's mouth. My dad's mouth was easy, but I used direct digital on him, and the sensor is huge and has a wire running out of it. All in all it was good though, just stressful. But that's usually how that class is anyway.
Afterwards we got some delicious Thai food and then went on a search for a Mandarin Duck that has been hanging around Eugene. While searching I took a few pictures of the Canada Geese and mallard ducks.



I know mallards are so common, but they really are pretty still.


Then we found him...what a crazy looking bird! So much going on all over the place. He seemed to have found a friend in a female mallard and they stuck together. She must have been the popular girl to get such a handsome mate. Or no one else would have her, not sure which, but they seemed happy. Check out the crazy wing feathers!




He was very beautiful though and tolerant of my picture taking, which I appreciate.
Then we went to an antique store and to Harlequinn Beads before they headed home. I wish I could say this week was over...but it's not at all. I need to be on campus tomorrow at 8 am for observation and to get my teeth cleaned. Then Saturday there at 8:15 am for a class and a free sealant clinic for kids. I'll be happy to keep Sunday all to myself :)

Nice Sunday

I met up with Lauren and Ashlee for a hike today near Marcola. It was raining, but not a big deal. It wasn't too cold out, and it made everything lush and green and smell good. We also saw a few rough skinned newts crawling around. Ashlee decided to rock the cropped pants with tall socks, we laughed at first...but not at the end when she was the only one with dry pants!


Sharing ham with Zuki. She was not interested in eating it.


Home grown ham from the Jones residence, it was really good and has made me rethink ham. I have been known to say that I could never eat ham again and be perfectly happy. I think this still might be true, but I would gladly eat this again if presented with it. The potatoes with it were perfect.


Fresh baked blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream. Super good. Thanks Jesse and Lauren for feeding us!


I have my first legitimate cleaning tomorrow. I am a little nervous, but thankful that my first patient is a second year student that will walk me through everything. I also have one Tuesday and Wednesday. I am becoming a hygienist!!!

Springtime in Corvallis

Ashlee and I drove to Corvallis this morning. I am happy to report, I do not feel sick. I really think that Cold Eeze is amazing, and I don't think I've come down with much of a cold since I've started using it (if I remember to take it). I was a bit slow this morning, running late and driving two blocks past Ashlee's house, as she watched. But then we were off. We stopped briefly in at the water lab, then went to the French bakery. It did not disappoint. I had a raspberry tart and Ashlee had a ham and Swiss croissant. Everything I've ever had there tastes so fresh and like it's made with the highest quality everything.


Then it was off to the lambing barn. Since it was a sunny day, I actually got a few pictures that weren't blurry. I did manage to narrowly miss a birth, for I think the 4th year in a row. I didn't even know any of them were in labor. We came back as the baby was being carried away to be numbered and tended to. Next year is my year...

Getting kisses from mama


Climbing on the highest thing around. You can see the lamb's dried up umbilical cord.


Sleepy one


We then stopped by the OSU lab to hang out with Wendy for a bit. I have secured a summer job there! So that was great news. We went downtown for some Vietnamese baguettes, which were super good as well. Then to gelato for birthday cake gelato. I was so excited, it is by far my favorite flavor there. Ashlee also fell in love with it.


One of my favorite things...when the crocus come up through the grass in two places in Corvallis. I just think it looks so magical.


This baby was pushing for that milk to drop. I'm glad human babies don't do this. I love their little wiggly tails. Adorable.




Tomorrow I am going to yoga, and I'm excited to feel better after!

Sick

It's been all around me in various forms for 2 weeks now. I think I finally caught something. Half my throat hurts. I've gargled with salt water, taken a zinc lozenge, and drank an Emergen-C. I think I'll netti before bed, and really it's probably already way too late. I'm off to Corvallis tomorrow with Ashlee to watch lambs being born, hike and eat some good food. I hope I'm feeling ok.

Aaron's blog

Aaron has decided to re-enter the blogging world.

Check it out here.

Happy Valentine's To Me!!

I got my Valentine's package from Aaron today...filled with wonderful things!

A set of Hazel Atlas mugs with hot cocoa, we can drink out of them together in 2 months when he gets home!


These sweet little Fire King ramekins, endless possibilities!


A huge stack of onesies, to add to my already huge stack, I have some serious batiking to catch up on. I've been slacking.


This card has basil and chive seeds embedded in it. You just plant and water and they grow, what a good idea!

He also sent me the cables to run movies from my Mac to my tv. Thanks baby, love you :)

Valentine's Treats

I mopped my floor tonight, something I don't do very often for how much I really like clean floors. The reason stemming partially from this mess below. I read Bakerella's blog, link on side, and she is always making cute things out of these "cake pops" as she calls them. They sounded super good to me, so I decided I would make some Valentine's Day ones. These are not as easy as she would have you believe.
I chopped up Dove chocolate for Aaron and Megan.


Made two cakes and crumbled them into some cream cheese frosting to make a slurry. Note: This never really got that firm, even after going in the freezer, so it was hard to work with.


There was red all over everywhere. This reminds me of Castaway...Wiiiilsooonn!


Forming the shapes and dipping them


For Aaron


For Ashlee




Aaron's set

I really liked decorating them, of course, the easy part. I was so sick of these, smelling them, working with them, that I didn't even try one that first day. So I was giving them out without knowing if they were even good. Luckily they were, but I think next time I would use a different cake mix, even though the red looks pretty. The flavor just didn't cut it for me.

Early Valentine's

My classmate made me this special Valentine's cookie! And it was delicious, peanut butter oatmeal with chocolate chips. I like Valentine's treats a lot more than Christmas, they are just so happy with all the red and pink, hearts and sparkles.

Spring-like

It's starting to feel springy around here. And I like it. I heard that P. Phil saw his shadow today. Seems like that's all he does lately. Never any good news from Pennsylvania.

These photos are from a walk I took yesterday. I am happy to say that on "Superbowl Sunday" I went for a walk and went to yoga class. Perfect day if you ask me.

There was a random flock of seagulls on my neighbor's house. I'm happy they weren't on my house, those guys are noisy. I think it was because their neighbor had put out some sort of bird food, so not only were the seagulls swarming, but pigeons too. Glad they aren't my next door neighbors.


I walked a different way than normal and found some trails pretty close to my house.


Kind of mixed among suburbs. Some teenagers had obviously snuck out and met up in the forest to drink and play Uno. There were cards and broken glass strewn all about.


Now those who know me well, know that I am not a huge fan of the squirrel. But look at this one's ridiculously fluffy tail! Top 3 fluffiest I've ever seen.

I went to Slumdog Millionaire tonight with my aunt and uncle. I highly recommend it, and I am truly thankful to have my life.