Thursday, December 31, 2009

Sick and Tired

The title should sum up our last week and a half, but I'll elaborate.

Dan and I are both sick. Nick was sick when we got to Santa Rosa. By the time we left SR, Dan was sick. By the time Christmas in Lodi was finished, I was sick. Fabulous.

Generally, I don't get too bent out of shape being sick. It's winter--everyone is sick! But this season, a little more is riding on our health. You see, Dan cannot have surgery if he is sick. Sick with a cold, sick with bronchitis, sick with whatever...sick means no surgery. Thus, we are mildly scrambling to get Dan better by next week. Luckily, the surgeon has prescribed heavy duty antibiotics for him and says that he should be able to still have the surgery done on the 8th. We were told to check in with the surgeon on Monday to let him know how Dan's feeling. The main problem lingering is a pesky cough. As far as problematic pre-surgery symptoms are concerned, coughs are the worst.

Accordingly, a prayer request (an urgent one) is that Dan would get over this cold/infection/virus quickly and that the surgeon would feel confident in doing Dan's surgery on schedule. So, as much as I am not looking forward to the surgery, please pray that Dan can safely have his surgery on January 8th.

Okay, so aside from sick, we are also tired. It's nice having our families close enough to see both for Christmas, but it's pretty hectic to go back and forth. After living in our little apartment in La Mirada just the two of us, being around so many people all the time can be exhausting. Dan is "peopled-out" for the moment and hiding upstairs playing Madden.
Alas, we have another few weeks before we can even THINK about going home to 14509 Rosecrans Apt A.

I suppose this isn't a very helpful blog as far as updates go, but please pray for us. We're tired. And sick. Bummer.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Surgery

So, about 2 weeks ago, Dan's oncologist called and said that she presented his case to the Stanford Tumor Board (surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, etc). Rather than wanting to do Cyberknife, the Board felt that now is a "window of opportunity" to remove all of the cancer.
That is good news in that there is a possibility of a cure! However, "removing" means surgery.

Dan and I just met with the surgical oncologist and the plans have been made for Dan to have a Whipple procedure on January 8th. Basically, that involves removing the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, some of the stomach and some of the intestine then reattaching passageways for enzymes, bile and food. Along with the Whipple, the surgeon also wants to resect the cancer on his liver. Some of the tumors will be removed in this surgery and the rest will be removed 6 weeks later in a separate surgery.

This surgery carries with it many risks and is accompanied by complications in 50% of patients. Fortunately, Dan is young, healthy and resilient--a combination that usually makes recovery a bit easier. Dan will be in the hospital for around 10 days and then will need to lay low for a while.

At this point, we are trying to enjoy our time with family and friends. It's a blessing to be able to spend the holidays with everyone.

Please be in prayer that this surgery is the right thing to do and that it will be successful.
There are several scenarios in which the surgery would be cancelled: tumors "hiding" from the CT scans, more severe disease in the liver, etc. Pray against these complications.
Pray that the recovery period is free of complications and fairly quick.
Pray that Dan would be able to finish his teaching credential by next year and that I would be able to graduate on time.
Finally, pray that God brings us peace in this situation.
Pray for wisdom as we decide when to return to Southern California.

I will be updating this blog often during and after the surgery.
Stay tuned.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas Morning #1

Dan and I celebrated Christmas morning this morning, as we won't be home until (probably) after the New Year. Though he had to drag me out of bed, it was lovely to sit by the "fire" (heater) and open presents together. I got scrubs as a reminder that I will be a nurse soon! I love how well we know each other and that our gifts reflect that knowledge.
Now, we're packing for a trip with an unknown length and praying that God brings us back home safely and healthily together. Our poor Christmas tree has to be de-decorated and taken out, as it would be a fire hazard alone in the apartment. :(
The car will be full of presents and laundry and such, ready for the long drive north. Before we get there, we have to pick his sister up at the airport and go to a memorial service for his grandma. Then, we're off! Rolling into Santa Rosa around 2 or 3am.
We will be posting quite a bit in the near future, so stay tuned.

Merry (Howen)Christmas-morning!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmastime is Here

As of today, Dan and I are both on Christmas break! Finals and papers are finished, and Christmas shopping has begun. As of now I am waiting for Dan to get home from shopping with Arismendi, so we can go to the nursing Christmas party. It will be the first time all of us nursing students can sit around and relax. Ahhh.

The next few days will be filled with trying to be thrifty while picking out good gifts. It's the thought that counts, right? Having such interesting and creative in-laws makes it very difficult to think of ANYTHING to get them. We'll see what we find...
For one of our presents to each other, Dan and I are going on a celebratory date to Chili's (upscale, I know) and watching It's a Wonderful Life for the first time of the season. Yay! It will be so lovely to sit and enjoy each other without thinking about homework.

We'll technically be going home on Saturday, though we won't arrive in Rosa until the wee hours of the morning. Dan's grandma's memorial service is in Pasadena...then, off we go!

Of note, Monday will be a Stanford day--one for which we would love prayer. We're meeting with a couple doctors to figure out what lays ahead as far as treatment goes. We'll give more information when we have it. Dan isn't fond of hypothesizing, so I won't do any here either :)

I love this time of year, but trust me when I say this is going to be a very crazy next few weeks.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Hoodlums

Well, over a month has passed since our last post and what a month it has been. Let's see if I can catch you up a bit.
In early November, we took a trip to Stanford for Dan to have his first CT scan in over four months. I had been rather nervous, but Dan was fairly confident since his last few scans had shown the exact same thing: no growth. Unfortunately, the scan showed some growth in the pancreatic tumor. Since the liver tumors had not changed at all, the doctor was confident that something could be done besides chemo and scheduled a PET scan to measure the metabolism activity of the growing tumor. We were obviously disappointed to hear the news, but tried to keep trucking along until we knew more. So, we went back to La Mirada to wait for a few weeks and get some homework done.
Thanks to some family friends (the Elliots), Dan and I went to Disneyland to enjoy some much needed magical fun. To the chagrin of many of our friends, we also did homework there!

Anyway, the next couple of weeks flew by with days filled with papers and tests and student teaching and precepting at the hospital and working. We just kept looking towards Thanksgiving break--a time for family and football and rest. But also time for the PET scan.
Finally, Thanksgiving break arrived and we drove up to Santa Rosa, grabbed dinner, went to sleep and then awoke dreadfully early to drive to Stanford again. The PET scan went uneventfully and back we went to Rose town to celebrate with family and friends. We had been told earlier that we wouldn't hear any results until the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.


We met up with my godson Callaghan and his mom and dad as they moved into a brilliant and huge new house. Speaking of huge, Cal is over 2 and a half feet tall now and 30 pounds...at only 17 months! I find myself so sad that I have to reintroduce myself to Cal every time we meet due to the distance between our homes. Hopefully, soon, the Faircloths and the Howens will live in closer proximity.
We spent Thanksgiving Day with my folks, enjoying time with both sets of grandparents and several aunts and uncles. The turkey was amazing, as was the Christmas music that followed Santa coming down 34th Street in the Thanksgiving Day Parade (which was so frequently interrupted by Dan's desire to watch the football games).

After a bit of shopping with Gram and Mom on Black Friday, we drove to Lodi for a genuine German dinner made by Bob and Jamie's German exhange student, Stefi. An interesting evening followed filled with examining Paco the skeleton and watching The Proposal as a family (mildly awkward? yes). Come Saturday morning, we left again for La Mirada, sad to leave our families and a place where leaves actually turn colors.

Fast forward to yesterday. I had to work and Dan had school all day, so we planned that Dan would just call whenever the doctor called. Everytime my phone rang, I jumped to hear what had happened. Instead, I had to fend off others looking for information that I had not yet received. Work kept me busy and distracted, and the day came and went without any phone call from the doctor. Dan emailed her asking for the results, and she gave none, instead asking for the best number to reach us.

Translation: Bad news.

Dr. Cho called this morning to inform us that the PET scan had revealed a great deal of activity in the pancreatic tumor. Fortunately, that tumor was the ONLY one that lit up. The liver tumors still look "treated" from the SIRspheres from a year and half ago. In other words, the liver tumors are inactive and quite possibly, dead.
Now, being completely honest, we received both good and bad news today. We must act on both: remember the good news and praise the Lord AND be anxious enough to take action on the cancer in Dan's pancreas.

At this point, Dr. Cho has contacted the Radiation Oncologist (RO) to get the "go-ahead" for a treatment called Cyberknife. It is a form of highly focused radiation that can treat tumors that are surgically unresectable. The radiation acts like a knife of sorts to "blast" the cancer cells without harming other tissues like skin or healthy pancreas. There are nearly no side effects from this out-patient procedure, which consists of a planning session and 3 to 5 one-hour sessions of the radiation. In research studies, doctors have seen excellent results with some patients having complete eradication of their tumors.

Dan and I are very hopeful that the other oncologist will begin the process for Cyberknife, which would most likely occur in late December or early January. Dan sees this as perhaps God's way of getting rid of the "hoodlums" forever (Dan's earliest term for the invaders living in his liver and pancreas). I certainly hope he is right.

For right now, Dan and I are okay. We were expecting this as a result and are anxious to get rid of the tumor that has been an unwelcome part of our family for over two years. We are enjoying a day of Christmas decorating and grocery shopping. Homework is getting done and movies are being watched. God has blessed with each other and has been faithful to protect Dan thus far. I can only pray that the biggest blessings and miracles are to come.

We appreciate your prayers and support. I promise to be better at updating everyone, especially with medical details. Now, onto to buy a Christmas tree!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween/Indian Birthday/Reformation Day

So, we made it to Halloween with very little pomp. No pumpkins this year, no kids trick-or-treating at our door. We just have so much going on that we figured a day of homework and a scary movie with friends would be great. We ended up watching The Ring with the Wyatts...I hate scary movies. Especially the ones with scary little kids. Eek.

Anywho, on our way home, I peeked my head in the open door of our next door neighbors. I had heard them yell, "Surprise!" earlier and wanted to see what was up. I should have known better because within seconds I was pulled inside to pile up a plate of Indian food. Our neighbors (Abraham and Sangeetha) are from India, have an incredible testimony and are the most gracious and hospitable people I have ever known. Dan and I must look starving...they always want to feed us!
After putting together a plate of food (I was told it's Northern Indian cuisine this time), Sangeetha and her friend put tons more food in baggies for lunch tomorrow. My goodness, my fridge has been overtaken by food with names I cannot even pronounce!
Once the food was gathered, one of the party guests asked Dan about teaching in America and standards and such. In the midst of this conversation, Abraham began to snore. He didn't just doze off, he fell dead asleep! We laughed with his wife and friends as they took pictures of his untimely nap. Finally, we were able to sneak out of the apartment...but not before a piece of cake was put in our hands, too!

Now, we are home. A full day of work behind us and an extra hour of sleep ahead of us. I will leave you with my favorite conversation of the day:

Ash: Happy Reformation Day!
Dan: Happy day of the first wall write!
Ash: What?
Dan: Martin Luther, he posted something on the wall.
(For those of you who get this, bravo. Oh, Facebook.)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Teaching and Oncology

Almost a month since our last post. Shoot, that must mean something is eating our time. What could it be? Oh, wait, I know. School!

Dan is headlong into the credentialing program. Writing papers, hours of observation at Anaheim High, pages and pages of reading. He works so incredibly hard (yet always finds time for football). Thankfully, he'll have his credential in 8 short-long months. (The UCI anteater, left)

I am already into my second preceptorship. After spending 8 weeks on a telemetry floor, I am positively thrilled to be working on an oncology floor at a Magnet hospital (St Joseph's Hospital Orange, below). My preceptor is young and talented and patient. On my first day with her, she threw an IV kit to me and said, "Do it." And I did it :) My patients are incredible and tough, though several have brought me close to tears.
I sought out to keep Dan's cancer a secret from my preceptor and my patients. Unfortunately, that plan has already failed. One patient (my favorite, thus far) needed a neupogen (white blood cell growth inducer) shot and just shook his head at me as I walked in with the needle.
"How many of these could you have possibly given?"
"Quite a few."
"Impossible, this is your first day on the floor."
"Honestly, I gave my husband neupogen shots for nearly 5 months."
"Oh, ok. Here's my arm." Then, he started to cry and pour out his heart as I gave him the injection. It was the only way I could convince him to let me give him his meds!
This same patient has since told every charge nurse that they need to hire me when I graduate. Somehow, all of these nurses know that I want to work at Stanford...I didn't tell them!
It has been encouraging to have people tell me that I am good at what I long to do. My confidence is continually something that I need to work on, so this is helping.
I love oncology...as a nurse.

On that note, I hate oncology...as a patient's wife.
Dan has an appointment at Stanford next week. His first CT in 4 months. I am trying to remember God's faithfulness in Dan's recovery. Yet, being on an onc floor just reminds me of how far he has come and how easily he could be one of those patients. God willing, Dan never ends up on an onc floor again. We'll update everyone next week. (Stanford Cancer Center, below)Time to get to work. Homework never sleeps.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Forgetting

Most of the time, forgetting things is problematic.
Forgetting keys? You're stuck where you are.
Forgetting assignments? You're not passing that class.
Forgetting meds? You're gonna get written up.
Forgetting anniversaries? You're gonna be buying flowers for a while.
This week, though, I found out that somethings are nice to forget.

First of all, during the summer, one of my patients at work pulled away from me and fell. The doctor gave her a clean bill of health. No fractures or anything. Though, she was older so she had bruising and pain. I tried to slow her fall and guide her down. I sat her on the trash can because then I could guide her to the ground. As a pessimist, I think about all the bad things that could have happened that maybe I just don't remember.
Though this was over a month ago, I still get nervous just thinking about her. Did she hit her head on the railing on the wall, but I can't remember? Did I leave something out of the report? Is she going to sue? Could I lose my job or my savings? Does her doctor-son want to pinpoint new symptoms that we didn't see? The list goes on.
Everyone at the hospital tells me to stop being so hard on myself. This lady was no picnic. She threatened many of the RNs and aides that she would make up a story about them and have them fired. She was impulsive and weak--a bad mix.
The House Supervisor (Charge RN over the whole hospital) told me not to lose any sleep over the fall--this lady was not known for making things easy.
The charge RN assured me that the patient would be monitored and that I prevented more damage.
My boss told me not to worry about it because falls happen and we learn from them.
My husband wants me to remember all the good things I've done rather than the one mistake I've made in the past year at my job.
So, I've been trying to forget. I learned a lot from the situation, but I need to get passed it. I want to get passed it. I don't want to be afraid all the time about something I can't change. The good news is, I went a whole couple days without thinking about the patient. It felt good.
(Please join me in praying that no residual problems are left over for the patient. And pray that I can get passed this as a learning situation).

The second thing that was forgotten was not forgotten by me, but by my teacher. During devotional time in class, she asked for prayer requests. One had to do with a man from church with Stage 3-4 pancreatic CA. As the teacher began to express her sympathy for the man's family "because pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis rates and that only miracles can keep people alive, etc" I instinctively looked up to see the pitiful face she usually gives me when talking about cancer. To my surprise, for the first time in this program, my teacher did not mention my husband. She forgot my husband had cancer. I love it when people forget that Dan has cancer.
Someday, I'd like to forget that Dan had cancer. Someday.

Another thing I'm glad gets forgotten are my sins. I don't forget them, but God does. When I repent and ask for forgiveness, He removes them from me. Since He is omniscient, it's hard for me to imagine that God can completely forget my sins. Yet, I know that because of Christ, God sees the cross instead of my sins when He thinks about me. Hallelujah.

Here's to forgetting things. Sometimes, it's good for your health.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Stand Up



I remember the first time I saw Patrick Swayze dance. I was perhaps a bit too young to be watching Dirty Dancing, but I didn't understand the plot yet...just the music and the dancing. Swayze was the debonair camp dance instructor who danced his way into to the heart of a rich girl and proved that money isn't everything. How often have I watched that movie over the years? I cannot count. My mom, my girl friends, my grandma...we all fell in love with the incredibly suave and graceful Patrick Swayze. Now, I can say I remember the day he danced out of this world.
As most know by now, Swayze was diagnosed with a particularly vicious form of pancreatic cancer in early 2008. Due to the spotlight of his fame, the nation watched as his weight waxed and waned, as he tried new treatments, as he fought for hope. His battle was actually far longer than most have the chance to fight against pancreatic cancer. Yet, my heart is heavy to see a figure of hope and perseverance lost. My prayers go to his wife and family.

This post is not actually about Patrick Swayze alone. This is about the unacceptable reality that cancer plays in this world. Swayze was joined by 1499 other Americans who lost their lives to this common enemy. As thousands of fans mourn the loss of their favorite dancer, millions are mourning the loss of their husbands, their wives, their mothers, their fathers, their sisters, their brothers and their friends. My heart is even heavier for them.

I do not have cancer, but cancer is a part of my life.

Half of my grandmother's siblings have succumbed to cancer in the past 10 years. My grandma is a survivor, and one of her brothers is, too. Cancer unfortunately runs in the family.


Over two years ago, Dan was diagnosed with an equally unfriendly form of pancreatic cancer--stage 4, inoperable. The summer of his diagnosis is the closest to hell I can imagine for now (see my mother-in-law's blog from 2 years ago). Though his treatment plan started out rocky to say the least, God blessed us immeasurably with his doctor at Stanford Medical Center (he even received chemo a few rooms away from Swayze!). Now, Dan has beaten many of the odds the doctors placed against him. He still has spots here and there; spots which could be cancer or could be scar tissue. Every CT scan report is a hold-your-breath-pray-for-a-miracle moment. Dan is confident, though I still fear for the day those spots decide to grow. For now, though, we live a happy and normal life with hardly any reminder of the cancer except for his cane.

In the next year, I hope to become an oncology nurse. Nothing has been clearer than the fact that I am called to work with those who have heard those dreaded words. Whether working with those sweet bald children with crying parents or grandparents who have no reason to believe they can pull through. God has been gracious in replenishing our hope for the future. I need to use that hope to help others find hope, also. I hate cancer. I love people with cancer.

Though I have work tonight and homework to do, I have found myself watching the Stand Up to Cancer broadcast from last September. Never before had that many people joined together to attack cancer. Never before had so many celebrities risen up to support cancer research. If you have never watched the broadcast, I urge you to do so. It is full of music, celebrities, and facts. The facts will scare you. I hope they do, at least. Facts save lives.

I am crying now. Crying out of sympathy for those who are losing the battle. Crying out of fear for my husband. Crying out of frustration for the lack of a cure. Crying out of hope.

You don't have to cry with me, but please stand with me.
Learn what you can. Take preventative measures. Walk a Relay for Life lap in honor of someone you know. Remember those who have lost the fight. Pray for those who are still fighting.

Stand up to cancer.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Level 3 and Quarter 1

So, the summer is over. No more sleeping in until whenever we want. No more working without worrying about homework. No more trips up north. No more starting movies at 11p because there's nothing else to do. Essentially, goodbye Boredom. Hello, nursing school.

The only thing not gone from summer is this heat-107 degrees on Saturday. Gross.

Nursing got off and running last week. We've already got a paper and a test under our belts in less than a week! Preceptorships will begin soon, so I'm praying for a nice and patient preceptor. My request for two oncology preceptorships didn't work out, but I'm on a telemetry floor (cardiac). It won't be boring!

Dan is still waiting for a placement for student teaching and observation. We're praying that it's at a local high school close to La Mirada, since he'll be there every day next semester. His first quarter begins on September 14th...and he'll be off and running, too!

Between 3rd year nursing school and accelerated student teaching, we may not see each other much in the near future. That will just make our time together all the sweeter. It sure will be hard to get used to, though!

On a different note, Dan's grandma Mignon passed away last Wednesday at the age of 87. Her doctor said she only had about a year left to live...23 years ago. Amazingly, she died August 26th, 26 years to the day after her husband died. She will be greatly missed :(

Well, this cannot be a long blog because...I have homework. Ugh.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

8-9-09

This is a little late, but we've been busy...

Dan and I have been married for a whole year! Looking back to before we were married, I had a hard time believing God would allow us to get married at all, let alone celebrate anniversaries. This year has been full of trials and obstacles, but with the love we have for each other and God's grace, we have made it through.

To celebrate, we spent in a night in a Hawaiian hotel in San Diego and went to the San Diego Zoo. It was a wonderful time of relaxation and laughter and love.


Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us, prayed for us, supported us and loved us through this year.

I pray there will be many more years to celebrate the unity of Dan and I in Christ.

Human Life

Abortion is legal for any reason you like, if you go to the right places.

Politicians are beginning to wonder how much health care and elderly or terminally ill person deserves.

Birds choking on plastic bottles is more of a problem than people dying of dehydration without the water in those plastic bottles.

Somewhere in our nation's history, the value of a human life has fallen by the wayside.
Only God gets to decide how and when we should die.

Perhaps, if more people paid attention to what God thinks and has shown us through His word, a human life would be more than a number, more than a price tag, and more than an inconvenience.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Prep Time

I am supposed to be a nurse. God has made this calling explicitly and implicitly clear since I was around 7 or 8 years old. The fortunate and unfortunate experiences I've been thrown into have further molded my heart and mind and hands to be those of a nurse. God has not called me to be a nurse for the money or the skills or the happiness found in helping people feel better or even to be someone who saves lives. God has called me to be a nurse to be His hands and His light for His glory.

Dan is supposed to be a teacher. God has made this calling pretty clear in the last couple years. Yet, God has made it very clear that Dan has a testimony to speak and share with those he meets. If you asked him, Dan would probably affirm that God has given him this calling to bring Him glory.

Dan and I are supposed to live in Utah. It is only a matter of time. Thanks to a very flirtatious Mormon in high school, my heart was broken for the LDS. Thanks to Dan's patience, incredible skill in apologetics, my persistence and a trip to Utah, Dan's heart was broken for the LDS.

All this to say, we have been discussing the fact that not all Christians will impact the world for Christ as preachers or street evangelists or foreign missionaries. The harvest is ripe and those serving in the streets with God's call and the Holy Spirit's empowerment are leading people to Christ. I pray that God continues to use these warriors to reach some of the lost.

Yet, I am afraid that there is a common misconception that a Christian is not living up to God's salvation and call on their lives if they do not sell everything they own and preach on the streets or in unreached nations.
(A great reference book on this is Finding Common Ground by Tim Downs.)

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men."
1 Corinthians 12:4-6


All around us are people who do not know Christ. Just because people have heard of Christ does not mean that they are saved or that we have fulfilled our duty. Some people will come to know Christ through long-term relationships with Christians. These people might be those who would shut the door on a fierce Gospel message, but they might be open to being loved and befriended by people who follow fiercely after Christ.

God has not called me to go over-seas permanently to preach the Gospel. If He calls me, I will go.
God has not called me to sell all I own and preach on inner-city streets. If He calls me, I will go (though, it would be admittedly tough).

God has called me to be an active member of a theologically sound church.
God has called me to be a loving and supportive wife in juxtaposition with the adultery and despair seen in the culture today.
God has called me to be an oncology nurse and bring hope to those who have none left.
God has called me to begin dialogues and relationships with those in the LDS church through kindness and an open-mind.

At the moment, I am involved in the first two.
As for the second two, I am in the midst of preparation.

I was talking to Dan tonight about whether or not I should feel guilty about not being more active in evangelism. We agreed that we need to be more open, but also that we are doing what God wants us to do. We are where God has called us to be.

As Dan reminded me, even Paul had prep time before he went forth to evangelize the nations.

For now, I feel like God is molding me and preparing me for what is to come.
(To be a nurse, I do need my RN license after all. And I need a job to be able to move to Utah.)
He gives me opportunities even now to speak His word, but I cannot wait for what He has in store for me.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

People who flap their lips.

I do not know much about Obama's health care reform. I do not fully understand what he wants to do. Some people are scared about socialism. Some people think he has come to save the country from crashing into inescapable health care chaos. Like I said, I don't know enough to choose a side. So, I won't.

I wish people who don't know exactly what they're talking about, wouldn't talk.
There you have it: one of my pet peeves.

In the past few weeks I have discovered a very sensitive nerve that gets hit every time I read or hear something that is just off-base from someone who is overly confident in their "knowledge". Unfortunately, Dan and I both share this pet peeve. Somehow, I generally resist voicing my opinions to these people. Dan is becoming a little more vocal in his corrections.

Case 1: Obama will fix the health care system so that everyone can get good care. Without his reform, people will get no care.
Objections: Really? Everyone will get good care? Really? Show me the facts. And people are obviously getting care now without his reform. So, bad argument.

Really? Is that right? Really?

Case 2: The All-Star game is pointless and more enjoyable for the players than the fans. The Oscars, however, are priceless.
Objections: Who enjoys the Oscar more: the winner or their biggest fan? Duh. Why do All-Star tickets sell out within weeks? Because the players snatch them up? No, fans buy them. Duh.

Case 3: Theologians have mind knowledge, but no heart knowledge. They will learn forever but never truly know God. Oh, and the whole Bible should be interpreted prescriptively. And we don't need to interact with the LDS. They've already heard about Jesus. Too late.
Objections: Yes, theologians just devote their lives to reading books about a God they don't love. Makes sense...not. Some may put more focus on learning than knowing God, but not all. If the whole Bible is prescriptive, sir, please stop eating shrimp and cheeseburgers. Thanks. Finally, I would rather not assume that a group of people who believe in a false Jesus should be forgotten. That is a rather un-Christian thing to do, don't you think? God somehow did not give up on the stupid stubborn Israelites. Why should we give up on people?

Why am I ranting? Because here, in the confines of my blog, no one will see me as mean little girl with too many opinions on the offensive. Everyone is allowed their pet peeves. Mine is people soap-boxing without having firm grounds to rant.

Shooting first and asking questions later basically kills your credibility.
Do some research, then attack.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Bad Bloggers

Well, since the last blog written was nearly 2 months ago, I find it safe to say that Dan and I are bad bloggers. Yet, perhaps the lack of new exciting enough to write about is a good thing!

Between work and weddings and traveling, we have been going non-stop. Since school is out for summer, I have been able to pick up quite a few shifts at the hospital. Though it has been ridiculously busy on the floor, the experience and extra money is a blessing. Due to the intensity of the teaching credential program, Dan has been encouraged to not work during the year he finishes at UCI. Accordingly, he's been the "handy-man" at home. He keeps threatening to put himself on Craigslist, so we'll see.

We have gone to only 3 weddings this summer: Kyle & Kelly Hess (Dan's friends from high school), Jason & Tegan Fuller (Dan's cousin) and Dave & Kasey Lands (my cousin). It's odd to be at weddings now that our wedding was nearly year ago. It's still thrilling to see two people commit their lives to one another, but the thrill of "we're next!" is obviously gone.


All of the weddings were up north, so that meant 3 weeks in NorCal...3 weeks taunting us with the fact that we still live in SoCal. Being near our families and old friends is a longing that gets intensified the longer we're away. Our vacation included a trip to Yosemite and welcoming a new puppy to the Clifford household. Also, my godson Callaghan turned 1! Amazingly, he's already 30 pounds!

As much fun as we had hanging out with parents, siblings, friends, etc. it was always wonderful to get home. We truly do have another family in La Mirada.

In other news, Dan had another Stanford appointment last week. I was still trepidatious, as usual, and God was faithful, as usual. The CT showed no growth whatsoever of the tumors and nothing new. Dr. Cho is very happy with how Dan is doing. She also told us that his recovery has taught many of the doctors at the Cancer Center something. She wouldn't say exactly what Dan has taught them, but my heart says it's something about hope.
No one thought Dan would survive the summer, let alone 2 years. A wedding, 2 internships, 1 job, 1 Bachelor's degree later...Dan is a walking testimony to prayer and the power of God.
Luckily, we won't have to return to Stanford for 4 months this time. Pray with us that the next CT is even better than this last one.

To write about everything that has happened in the last 2 months would take forever...and no one would read it all...so, I won't.

Somehow, we are going to be better bloggers. For now, though, assume that no news is good news :)

Monday, May 25, 2009

Oops!


I somehow forgot to mention....Dan graduated!
It was a hot morning but full of celebration and excitement.
We had a party at the apartment (lots of food) and enjoyed our families and friends.
Dan has a BA in Film with an emphasis in Screenwriting. However, he will pursuing his teaching credential next year at UC Irvine...in math! By June 2010, I will be a nurse and he will be a teacher and we will be outta here!
Thanks for your prayers and support.
Without Christ, I'm quite sure this day may not have happened.

Flags

Every Memorial Day in the past many years, our family has awoken early to hang the flags for the Avenue of Flags in Santa Rosa. Everywhere you look in the Santa Rosa Memorial Park are flags of every size. The usually green cemetery is a visual wonderland of waving red, white and blue. Each flag had a name written very small on the seam...the name of a person whose coffin had borne the flag. Each flag carried a story and beckoned us to remember.

Along with our family, we were joined by Boy Scouts and veterans and military families. Before the sun was high, the flags were flying proudly as veterans told us short stories of their times in service or scolding a young boy for not knowing how to respect the flag. It was always a time to remember the fallen and celebrate those who placed our freedom above their comforts. Later, we would return for the actual celebration and Memorial Day service. Veterans now appeared in their uniforms or wore their service ribbons on hats. From the national anthem to Taps, this was a sacred and important time. Every person present knew that they were in the midst of heroes, though the heroes would never ever accept that title.

Thanks to marriage and a home address in Southern California, I couldn't go hang flags this year. Yet, I was not raised to see Memorial Day as a day for BBQs and good sales. So, at the encouragement of an older friend and veteran of the Korean War, Dan and I went to the local cemetery for their annual service. The flags were not as prolific here, but the veterans were. The color guard was full of WWII veterans, one of which accidentally forgot what "about-face" meant. The service truly honored those who have fallen and offered prayers for the Blue Star families in La Mirada. In a moment of near silence, 3 Gold Star mothers stood. I didn't know them, and I never knew their sons, but I know that they died for my freedom. A Colonel spoke on the hope of today's generation. Amazingly, he sees much hope for the health of our country in the hands of today's youth. Whereas many see America as a land full of malcontented politicians and liberal anti-war protesters and children who do not know the meaning of the flag being at half-mast, I saw a different America today.

America still has its patriots and heroes. If soldiers did not die on the shores of Normandy or the deserts of Kuwait, it is quite plausible that anti-war protesters would not have the ability to protest peacefully. Everyday, a family is burdened with opening the door to two servicemen reporting their regrets. I have faith that the America I live in will not forget those families.

As Dan and I drove home, the notes of Taps still ringing in my mind, I counted the flags hanging outside of homes. In two miles, I counted 3--on Memorial Day. Though saddened, I know this can change. Veterans have the responsibility to pass down their memories and their traditions. We have a responsibility to carry on their memories and traditions. God-willing, Dan and I will raise our children to know about the wars and the flag and how their freedom came to be. They will honor their grandfather for his Air Force service and their great-grandfather for his Army service. As terrified as I might be, I might see one of my children serve his country with pride.

Until then, I can only remember the flags and the veterans and the tears that prove this country still has hope.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Almost Finished

I am taking a break from cleaning the apartment to write an important service announcement:

IT IS SUMMER, AND DAN AND ASHLEY HAVE NO HOMEWORK FOR 2 MONTHS.

Ah, it feels good to say that. Dan is at graduation practice at the moment, while I'm stuck cleaning the mess we allowed to accumulate during finals week. Oh, and I'm also waiting to let the bug guy in to spray our pipes again.
Do we have ants? No. Spiders? Some. Cockroaches? Oh yes.

A couple weeks ago, a bunch of nursing girls came over to watch Pearl Harbor. Monique went to the bathroom, closed the door and I realized I had forgotten to warn everyone about the huge bugs. Oops. As I'm warning everyone else, shrieking and squealing comes from the bathroom. The door flies open and Monique's got her hands over her head, waving at the air. A cockroach had jumped from the ceiling on to her head. Good grief. I'm surprised she still comes to the apartment!
So, Dan and I are finding a few a day in the bathroom. Yesterday, I found one under the kitchen table upside down, playing with some lint. Fabulous. I hate bugs. Dan has gotten incredible at killing them. He's contemplating catching a couple in a jar and letting the duel.
Hopefully, the bug guy will get here before my parents do. Mom had a cockroach land in her hair last time she was here. Oy.

In other news, we are so excited to be done with school for the year. Nursing school piled on the work this semester, so this feeling of relief is extraordinary. As the weeks have passed, I've complained to Dan about how much I'd like to graduate now instead of next year. Yet, last night, I went to Pinning (nursing graduation) and was shocked at how sad some of the graduates were. Slowly, it settled into my heart that graduation means saying goodbye to some of your closest friends. The thought of not seeing these incredible men and women from my nursing class every day is nearly unthinkable. I am thrilled to be a nurse, but scared to say goodbye.

Dan is in the midst of the same dilemma. He's done with undergraduate studies, yet he is through at Biola. As graduation is closing in, he's really parceling out his time wisely. These are people he may not see for a while, and time with them has flown by. In his words, graduating is bittersweet.

Well, I need to vaccuum and put stuff away before the parents get here.
Nothing like both sets of parents visiting to make an apartment get a lot cleaner!
Will post pictures of graduation soon :)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Swine

So, I was supposed to go to Mexico this coming Saturday. After hearing so much on the news about the "Swine Flu," I became a little weary. Dan flat out told me, "You're not going." Then, the CDC said it was fine to go to Mexico--just stay away from the sick people. Great. How were we supposed to run a medical clinic AND stay away from sick people? Several emails and frustrated phone calls from students and parents convinced the nursing program to cancel the Mexico trip. Thank goodness.
As of now, "nonessential" trips to Mexico are to be postponed if you listen to the CDC. 150 people dying of the same flu within a few weeks seems like adequate evidence to keep us away from the border. I really didn't want to bring that bug back to Biola or to my patients at the children's hospital (CHOC). Phew.

Speaking of patients, I have my first night shift at CHOC tonight...on the Peds Oncology unit. I'm thrilled! Though, I'm going to crash when I get home :)

Dan is finishing up his observation hours for teaching and trying to catch up on tutoring hours since kids keep canceling on him. Oh, and he's 3 weeks from graduating. Yay!

The semester is finally slowing down. I feel it. Oh, summer come quickly!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Unremarkable

The CT was essentially unremarkable. There were no remarks to be made about it. It was the same.

Basically, that means nothing new has grown in the past 4 months. Nothing is a good thing, in this case.

3 more months of unremarkableness means I won't check for remarkableness for another 6 months.

This is quite good. Though unremarkable.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Tremble

Tomorrow, I will feel a very familiar feeling. The feeling in which every nerve in my body twitches ever so slightly so that I am never sitting still. Shivers will cascade down my spine every few minutes. My breathing will quicken along with my heartbeat. My focus will scatter and disappear. Every click-clack of shoes walking by will pump more adrenaline into my blood stream. I will probably eat at least 3 pieces of gum in rapid succession.

The CT scan is done and probably even read by now. Someone knows whether or not we will rejoice or mourn. Someone knows whether or not the nervousness welling up in my soul is justified. If only that someone, a radiologist, knew he was so lucky.

As is usual, Dan is confident and calm. I am neither of those--not because I don't trust God to be faithful, but because my humanity doesn't deserve any more grace.

Of course, we never deserve grace, yet God gives it freely.

Tomorrow, we will know. Until then, I tremble.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

8 Months

I'm still having a hard time believing it's really April...but I'm glad it is.
April means baseball season and Resurrection Day and Spring Break and home! As of today, April also means that Dan and I have been married 8 months. (No snickering from the 25 years+ crowd). Pretty exciting to us.

This semester has been a crazy one for sure, but one that leads us both closer and closer to graduation. Dan can actually say, "I'm graduating next month!" I can say, "I'll be a level 3 next month!" Oh, we cannot wait.

We have a lot going on before the cap and gown and celebration. Some good, some not so fun, but all necessary.
Tomorrow: we go home! First Lodi for Good Friday and Resurrection Day.
Monday: Santa Rosa for the rest of Spring Break...including a Red Sox game!
Tuesday: Stanford (CT)
Wednesday: Stanford (Meet with oncologist about CT and deciding when to replace his hip) (I'm nervous, Dan's not. Story of our life.)
Saturday: Back to our La Mirada home.

After break, Dan has teaching observation, papers, projects, etc. But luckily, no more PT. He's on a home regimen until he gets his new hip. By May 23rd...he's a Biola grad!

After break for me, Peds rotation, trying to convince the nursing department to let me do two oncology preceptorships, work, CNSA Treaurer (kind of like nursing school AS), and figuring out how to schedule this summer. By May 23rd...I'm a level 3!

So, as you can see, April means a lot of busyness and hopefulness. It means one month from "freedom."

Oy! If I want to go home tomorrow, I need to pack before work. Apparently, everybody and their brother decided to have surgery today and the floor is packed. It's going to be a busy night.

Good thing Dan is driving tomorrow...that means his passenger can just sleep her way to NorCal :)

Friday, March 20, 2009

Pata Pata Pata

We are tired.
I have pink eye (again) and a puffy face.
Dan has a time-consuming job and a cane.
How old are we?

On a side note, there is a light slightly visible now for Spring Break. 
Dan just watched Titanic out of his own volition.
Somehow, Urlacher is still alive.
Oh, and we have ducks: Leopold and Patricia (they go pata pata pata).

God is good and sustaining.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Pots and Dan

I realized tonight that I had failed to update our little blog since January...then I saw that Dan had helped out with a brief quip that should shed light on our feelings regarding our current area. Perhaps only quietly, I feel like we both our looking forward more than ever to the time when we get to "go home." It is when I feel like this, though, that God's grace gently reminds me that my home is where Dan and I are together. How blessed are we to be surrounded by Biolan friends and and "family."

Well, in case you couldn't guess, our apparent inability to write more frequently must be attributed to school. By the end of the first week, I already felt overwhelmed. But hey, overwhelming might be a synonym for nursing school! I just finished our first clinical rotation: OB! To say that I loved it would be an understatement. To get the opportunity to help moms and dads welcome in new life is an unforgettable experience. Also, I am never the type to turn down bathing, feeding and cleaning babies. My love for babies sometimes concerns my husband, but he generally reminds me of the great Goliath called school.

As I am more than a year from graduation, Dan is closer than ever. He will graduate in May with his Bachelors in Film...how will he use that? Not sure he knows yet! However, he will be going back to get his teaching credential at UCI next year. One of my friends told me credentialing is a rather painful process with pages and pages of papers. For some reason, I am more than certain Dan will excel. He's much smarter than he admits, though he truly loathes papers. By next summer, God willing, we'll be entering the work force at the same time!
For now, however, we are still plugging away at the tasks before us. Nursing school, work (CNA for me and tutoring for Dan), marriage, etc. Unfortunately, we've been pretty busy with doctor's appointments lately. Amazingly, they weren't for Dan!

I was recently diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). My autonomic nervous system is slacking a bit in conducting appropriate messages to my heart to get blood from the lower half of my body to the upper half when I stand. This causes my heart to compensate by beating really fast constantly, which gets worse when I do strenuous activity or even stand up. Thankfully, I've only fainted once, though I've come close often--including once at work. For safety's sake, my boss and doctor have put me on leave from work for a bit. After weeks of tests and different doctors, a very understanding Nurse Practitioner finally started me on medication today. I should feel a difference within a week or two. After another meeting with my cardiologist, I'll be clear to work again! Even better: I've been given permission to start running again :) It's good timing as my legs have begun to literally ache with boredom.

Though I truly dislike visiting doctors for any reason, these appointments have reinforced in my mind the absolute loyalty of my husband. He has taken me to the ER twice, 3 cardiac tests, 2 cardiologists and even an early morning primary appointment. Not once has he complained about the time taken or my limited ability to do things around the house. All I hear from him is how much he loves me. And, very sweetly, he helps me stand up and holds me until the dizziness fades.
How appropriate our wedding song was: Stand By Me.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Sometimes

I feel like LA is Babylon and Northern California is like Jerusalem.
That's all.
---Dan

Saturday, January 31, 2009

XLIII

It wouldn't be doing justice to the name of this blog (see titlebar above) if we didn't talk about football (you can guess which one of us is writing this one).

Super Bowl XLIII is nearly upon us. Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals. Watch more than the commercials, folks, this one will be interesting (disclaimer: I could be totally wrong even by halftime, but that is why we watch). 

Pittsburgh, or Blitzburgh, as it is sometimes called, carries the hard-knocks, smashmouth, hit-em-in-the-mouth mentality on defense AND offense. The defense ranks up there with the 85 Bears and 00 Ravens as one of the best units ever. Then, on offense, there's "Big Ben" Roethlisberger, a quarterback with the size and toughness of a small lineman, and Hines Ward, a wide receiver who plays like a linebacker. "Fast Willie" Parker carries the ball along with Mewelde Moore, who joined the team after Parker was hurt and has contributed much. Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington provide the speed on the outside and TE Heath Miller is as good at finding the seam as anyone, and has great hands to boot.
On the other side of the ball, Pitt's 3-4 is just plain insane. I pity quarterbacks who have to play this squad. Led by D-Coordinator Dick LeBeau, "The Steel Curtain" features four outstanding linebackers: James Harrison, Larry Foote, James Farrior, and LaMarr Woodley. Nose tackle Casey Hampton is harder to move than a congressional bill, and don't even get me started on safety Troy Polamalu. The dude with the long black hair is like a ghost or Nightcrawler from the X-Men: he'll line up on the left side of the line, then all of a sudden be in the right flat or deep middle; and this guy doesn't miss tackles often.
So, Pittsburgh's pretttttty good.

Arizona was the league doormat for ..... ever. Even this year's team didn't get a lot of respect, but they deserve some credit. Sure, they played in one of the league's worst divisions, but they've got the skills to pay the bills. Kurt Warner... need I say more? Aside from being a little fragile at times (his age is catching up with him, and sometimes he can't hang onto the ball), Warner could be the best dissector of defenses. At running back, there is the three-pronged attack of Edgerrin James, Tim Hightower, and J.J. Arrington. James was benched this year because of low numbers but has since regained his mojo, Hightower is a rookie with a lot of power and potential, and Arrington is a midget of a man who is very elusive in the open field. Receiver is the Cards' strong point. Larry Fitzgerald was good when he entered the league, but this year he turned the dial up to FLIPPIN AMAZING. He can catch like nobody's business, he's got speed, quickness, agility, and this dude knows the game inside and out. And THEN there's Anquan Boldin, a beast of a dude who BROKE HIS FACE earlier this year and was playing three weeks later. He's the most difficult receiver to tackle in the NFL, so the YAC rack up with him. Steve Breaston is the speed guy who always seems to get open.
The Arizona defense isn't anything fancy, but don't you dare underestimate them. S Adrian Wilson, DT Darnell Dockett, LB Karlos Dansby, and CBs Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie aren't household names, but they will be making some big plays on Sunday.

My gut is to go with Pittsburgh- it's so hard to beat a team with a defense like that- but you can tell the Cardinals want it badly. All I know is, the commercials will be funny, but I'll be glued to  the couch when the game's going. 

Fun Facts:
If Arizona wins, they will have won their first Super Bowl. If Pittsburgh wins, they will have won their NFL-record sixth. They are currently tied (5-1) with Dallas (5-3) and San Francisco (5-0).
Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt, offensive line coach Russ Grimm, linebackers Clark Haggans and Sean Morey, and tight end Jerame Tuman were all part of Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XL-winning team in 2006.
Larry Fitzgerald and linebacker Gerald Hayes went to Pitt Univeristy.
Byron Leftwich, the Steelers' backup QB, suffered an ankle injury against the Cards in 2005 while a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. After the hit by Adrian Wilson, his career has never been the same.
Arizona won the last meeting between teams 21-14 on Sept. 30, 2007 on a Steve Breaston punt return.
Kurt Warner, in his 3rd Super Bowl, can become the first QB to win a Super Bowl with two different teams.
Edgerrin James left the Colts the year before they won the Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh has three defensive Pro Bowlers (Harrison, Farrior, and Polamalu), and Arizona has three offensive Pro Bowlers (Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin), as well as one defensive player (Wilson) and one special teamer (Morey).

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Urlacher

Dan and I are no longer alone in our apartment. We adopted today.

First choice: a baby.
Pros:
cute, loving, warm. Cons: Nursing school, teaching credential, expensive, takes lots of time that we do not have, takes even more money that we don't have and we should be married for a while longer.
Second choice: a dog.
Pros:
cute, loyal, happy, entertaining. Cons: terrible for apartments and against the rules.
Third Choice: a cat.
Pros:
interesting, quiet, easy to hide. Cons: difficult to apartment-train, non-loyal, Dan hates them, and also against the rules.
Fourth choice: a fish.
Pros:
quiet, entertaining, inexpensive, colorful, easy to care for. Cons: not a baby, dog or cat.

Given these options, it's obvious which we chose.
His name is Urlacher, and he is a fish.
Believe it or not, I chose his name.
Urlacher is a golden fantail from the land of Walmartia.
His best friends are a ninja and a 49ers player.
He will not eat.
He opens and closes his mouth a lot.

We really do enjoy our new addition...Urlacher is our first pet!In other news, school begins again tomorrow. We are both looking forward to it, though we will miss all the time we've had together. May God grant us balance, endurance and fortitude for this upcoming semester.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Our love-hate relationship with health insurance-Part 1

I only say "Part-1" because I am quite sure that this will be something Dan and I deal with for quite a long time. Today's saga? Dan's new insurance switched some contracts that could turn a $0 copay into a $180 copay--thankfully, just for one of his doctors. Yippee. After arguing with not so good customer service reps and listening to phones ringing off the hook, we finally discovered that insurance companies don't actually like talking to their customers. Imagine that.

Yet, on the flip-side of the insurance coin, we are so entirely grateful to have health insurance and to have help paying for it. Between cancer, asthma, bad toes and bad hips, we would be swimming deep in bills without insurance. In fact, this past week has been a showcase of our interesting maladies. I'll begin with last week...

Wednesday: Dan started new meds for his hip and was almost walking normally.
Thursday: Ashley went to the gym to burn off some energy...had some chest pain and passed out. After a ride with Lise to the ER, it was determined she had an SVT. Basically, her heart is beating too darn fast. And yes, caffeine has been eliminated. A cardiologist will be figuring out the fine tuning to be done. Nothing serious.
Friday through Tuesday: relative calm reigned over the apartment. Dan limped less.

Wednesday: Dan started PT, which means he is learning some very strange exercises to do around the house. He says he already feels a difference, though he limped a little more last night.

Today: Ashley had half her toenail removed to prevent anymore problems. The doctor said, "Your toe is stubborn! It takes nearly triple the lidocaine to numb it!" Fabulous. That means triple the needle pokes into the nerve in my big toe. Ouch. Even more exciting: the doc couldn't get it to stop bleeding when she wanted it to. There is now a sizeable bandage in place of Ashley's rather small toe.



Thankfully, our lives don't always revolve around doctors and illness. Actually, this kind of week hasn't happened for a while. We have been spending lots of time together over interterm, preparing for the busyness of the coming semester with some relaxation. Last Tuesday, Dan and I went to the beach to enjoy 80 degree weather...in January! It was gorgeous.



Taking advantage of the warm weather, the Biola contractors built
us a new patio area to prevent the flooding problem we had last month.
It doesn't look that much different, and just today we learned that the contractor did it wrong and will be tearing up all the concrete and doing it again. And, we get a new door!
5 months married and already remodeling :)

If you think about it, we'd love prayer for God to open doors with the insurance companies. And for our hips and toes and hearts.

God is so good.

Monday, January 12, 2009

No drunken stories to tell.

I just got back from work, and I should be asleep already, but Dan must finish his game of Madden. He waited up for me, I suppose I should do likewise.
Work was nuts tonight. One patient had 29,000 wbcs, another was injured because his wife backed into him and still another called herself the "prima donna"...trust me, she earned the name. Oh, and I got to hide a two-year-old in the shower of a room so she could visit her grandma. My favorite finding: my 5'9'', 288 lb patient turned into a 2 and a half month old baby in pink (the baby's dad and my patient was in the bathroom, but still, I was startled!).
Anyway, the shift went by pretty quickly for a Sunday and we ended up talking in the lounge waiting to clock out. As the other CNAs discussed the stupidest things they did while drunk, I read Good Housekeeping looking for new recipes. I listened, though, and was not sad that I could not contribute to their tales. Driving across town while "plastered" or ending up with a broken leg but not remembering how is not something I want to boast about. Regardless, I was always the sober one watching people do entertaining but stupid things. Then, I would drive them home and not remind them of their antics the next day. I think I'm glad to have missed out on some parts of high school.
On another note, I dislike buying nursing books. Especially when the Biola Bookstore gets things wrong and penalizes people trying to be frugal and forward thinking. Thank you, Biola Bookstore. You may lose a fan on Facebook, soon.
Dan has nothing he'd like to add to the blog. He is disappointed in the playoffs, but refuses to complain because at least he's watching the playoffs. He's quite tickled the Mannings and the Patriots are out, but still touchy whilst talking about the 49ers not making the playoffs.
At this point, Dan is trying to make his Madden superstar more agile and marketable. I'm just trying to write coherently. Well, I'm going to bed...he'll get the hint when it gets quiet :)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Home again, home again.

So, after a few busy holiday weeks, Dan and I are back home in La Mirada.
We shared New Years Eve with some friends and shared New Years Day (Football Day) together after I got called off work. Apparently, not many people want to have surgery right before the holidays come along, so work has been sparse the last month or so. Honestly, though, it's been nice to have the time to spend at home.
Dan has been very busy lately...so much football to watch! Seriously, though, he logged some long hours at NFL Network where he was working until today. I finally got to see the office and studios today, and it is quite obvious why Dan liked it there so much. There is football around every corner. One hallway was even lined with Fat Heads. No joke. His boss thanked him for a job very well done and handed him a card. Dan would have a job waiting for him if he didn't hate commuting so much. My husband knows his football, is a hard worker, and it's easy to understand why NFL would want him to stick around :)
After driving around for a while and visiting Gaga (Dan's grandma), we tackled cleaning the apartment. The words "neurotic" and "OCD" were used frequently in reference to me. It is generally on cleaning days that I realize how much I love organization, tidiness, and the smell of Clorox. And yes, I do realize I have a slight problem.
Anywho, the excitement for tonight will be Thank You cards and watching the Patrick Swayze interview with Barbara Walters. After all that chemo, I have to figure out how he still has hair!