Food City Proposal

I am participating in Kelly's Korner--Show Us Your Life --How I Met My Husband.

I met my husband during one of the most difficult times of my life. I had been separated from my first husband for 5 months, had just graduated from nurse practitioner school and was preparing for my certification exam, and had recently been diagnosed with cervical/uterine cancer--a very rare type called clear cell adenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, I had to have a hysterectomy in July 2004. I was definitely not interested in starting any new relationships during this time... 

One of my best friends had grown up with Robby, but I had never really met him. We had actually went to high school together, but I was a senior when he was a freshman --that's right--I'm a cougar! After my surgery, I began spending a lot of time with my girlfriends. Robby was best friends with one of my best friend's younger brother and so they would sometimes go out with us. After several months, Robby developed a little crush on me and began asking me out. Again, I was not interested in dating during this time, but he was very persistent. He began sending  roses to my work everyday for about 3-4 weeks before I finally caved and agreed to go out with him (LOL--I know he is going to kill me when he reads this). By this time, I really did like him, but I knew I could never have children and I really didn't want him to be with me and give up his chance to have children. We finally began dating in November of 2004 and he proposed on February 12, 2005.

We had only dated a few months, so I was definitely not expecting a ring. We were on our way to dinner when he pulled into the parking lot of Food City (I know--this is hilarious). Because it was just 2 days before Valentine's Day, there was a booth set up to sell roses. Robby told me he wanted to stop and get some roses for his mom. I noticed when he was coming back toward the car, he was carrying a dozen pink roses (for his mom) and a dozen red roses (for me). I can remember thinking how sweet it was that he had bought me roses. When he opened the door, he handed the roses to me. I looked down at the flowers and saw an opened jewelry box with a beautiful engagement ring sitting inside. I almost passed out. I didn't know what to say. Then, the words just fell out of my mouth, "Oh my God! What is that?" Robby just started laughing, then I said yes.

We were married on May 20, 2006 in the front yard of his parents' home. It was one of the best days of my life. I am so grateful to share my life with someone who makes me laugh & smile everyday.

 

                                      

All photos by Suzanne Deaton Photography.

A Woman's Finest Asset

Amazingly enough, I got out of bed with enough time to exercise this morning---I am so very proud of myself. However, the piece of red velvet cake I ate a few minutes ago probably cancelled out the exercise benefit. Oh well, I'm trying. I was off from work today so I went for a scheduled hair appointment, then treated myself to a manicure/pedicure. Relaxation was much needed prior to a dreaded Wal-mart adventure. Does everyone dread going to Wal-mart as much as I do? It is just so crowded and people stand in the middle of the aisles with their carts, talking to one another while blocking everyone else and ignoring you as you stand by patiently waiting for 15 minutes until they graciously decide to move. This is how I envision Hell.

Tonight on American Idol, the show featured Jennifer Garner visiting a rural, Appalachian community within 30 miles of my home. The show was seeking donations for Save the Children. The area of Kentucky, in which I live, is often featured on news programs due to the abundance of poverty in the region. American Idol portrayed an accurate depiction of the area, but people of this community will inevitably be angered by the honest interpretation. People of Southeastern Kentucky, myself included, are proud and often focus on the positive aspects of the region, while ignoring the growing number of neighbors who are now living in poverty. I have lived in this part of the state throughout my life and it is a peculiar culture. You will drive by multiple poverty-stricken homes, which should probably be condemned, then come upon an 8000-10,000 square foot luxury home within a mile of the dilapidated homes. I am not sure this type of economic mix exists in other parts of the country. Providing healthcare in Appalachia has provided a rare opportunity to know & truly understand the magnitude of poverty which exists in my region. The most devastating lesson learned is that poverty often becomes an inevitable cycle in families. Sadly, on more than one occasion, I have encountered parents who want to allow their teenage daughters to quit high school (Please allow me to say this a rare occurrence, but this mindset does still exist in Eastern Kentucky). Their ambition is for the daughter to find a husband and have children. I have probably upset many parents, but I always try to be honest and tell the young girls that there is no guarantee that a husband will financially support his wife and children. Husbands can choose to leave. Women must be prepared to care and provide for themselves. An education, accompanied by financial independence, is a woman's finest asset.

Motivation Needed

Today was actually a slow day at the clinic and I have the day off tomorrow so all is good with the world. We have finally booked our vacation after months of trying to decide where to go. Now I have to worry about the BIKINI! We leave for our trip in just over a month so I decided I would start exercising everyday--no excuses. However, when my alarm clock goes off in the mornings, I have a difficult time rolling my big butt out of bed just to exercise. I just want to sleep! Maybe I should post a picture of Marissa Miller or Adriana Lima on my alarm clock to offer some motivation. This may end up triggering an opposite effect, forcing me to throw my alarm clock against the wall.

Yeah, I am pretty sure if I have to look at this picture early in the morning, then it will just piss me off!

New Beginnings

I have enjoyed another lazy saturday, as usual. Robby joined me for a couple hours of sunbathing this morning (I know the sun is terrible for my skin, but I have an addiction), then I did some light house cleaning and laundry---so the day was not a total waste. I was pleasantly surprised to have my Mom & Dad stop by for a quick visit and was very grateful for the beautiful flowers my Dad brought to set on my back deck. My parents also brought some great news today--they are finally getting to start on their new home. I don't know if you have seen some of my older posts, but my childhood home was destroyed by fire the week before Christmas.

December 19, 2009 was one of the worst days of our lives. My parents lost every material possession they had attained over 38 years of marriage, but somehow God allowed them to walk out of the fire with their lives and so we are grateful beyond measure. The past few months have been so difficult for my parents as every task from clearing the debris to choosing the right contractor has seemed to become an overwhelming obstacle. Finally, the debris has been cleared, a contractor has been chosen, and the initial steps have now been taken in effort to begin creating a new home. I have not been able to go back to the site of my parents' home since the few days after the fire when we were attempting to find any salvageable memories. I think I will finally regain the strength to return once they start building the new house. I am so grateful for the welcome sight of a new beginning for my Mom & Dad.

Show Us Your Life--Teacher's Gifts

I am participating in Show Us Your Life--Teacher's Gifts at Kelly's Korner.

I am not a teacher and I don't have to buy teacher gifts because I don't have children, but my mother was a teacher so I do have some background on this subject area. When buying gifts for teachers, you have to be aware that he/she will probably be receiving many, many gifts so you don't want to buy something he/she will ultimately have to sit on a shelf, put in a closet, or eventually sell at a yard sale. You also want the gift to be something that will show your gratitude while also reminding the teacher of your child. Whenever I have difficulty finding the perfect gift, I always look to the Red Envelope at http://www.redenvelope.com/.

This garden tote can be monogrammed with the teacher's name. I would also add flower bulbs to the gift so the teacher could plant them at her home and all always remember your child when the flowers bloom each year.

I also love this small butterly box, which contains a butterfly garden seed packet. The teacher could plant the seeds at her home. I would also add a thank-you note to the gift, expressing gratitude to the teacher for helping to transform your child into the person he or she is meant to be.

Monogrammed spa slippers along with a Spa Gift Card for a massage, facial, pedicure, or manicure would make a nice teacher gift.

The personalized golfer's cooler bag and monogrammed golf balls make a nice gift for the male teacher if he is a golfer!

The gifts featured on this page are all available for purchase at http://www.redenvelope.com/.

Sometimes, I Really Do Need a Man

Today has been a very eventful day. I am always off from work on wednesdays so I try to schedule any type of appointment for that day. I had scheduled an appointment for my annual women's health exam today with a different gynecologist. I have followed with the same gynecologist/oncologist for the last six years, but I fear he will soon be retiring and I have been cancer free for almost 6 years so I decided to start seeing a different physician. My husband missed work today so he could drive me to my appointment. I am so grateful he decided to go with me because one of the tires on my car went flat about 1 hour into the trip. If I had been by myself, then I would still be sitting beside the road & crying. We still had 60 miles to go to reach our destination and the spare tire was designed to last about 50 miles, so we prayed for the next hour and luckily reached the dealership before the spare tire gave out. Thankfully, the dealership had a shuttle to drive me to my physician appointment.

Like I said earlier, I had chosen to see a different physician than I usually see & I experienced something I had never seen before in a gynecology office. As I was left in the dreaded room with time to undress and prepare for the annual, inevitable torture of being a woman, I took my seat on the exam table and waited for the physician to return. While I was waiting, I started looking around the room for possible reading materials to distract from the wait time. I began to glance upward when I noticed pictures above my head. Over the exam table, pictures of Matthew McConaughey, Harrison Ford, & Keith Urban were glued to the ceiling. I couldn't help but laugh. I had never seen anything similar in a gynecology office. I suppose the pictures were placed on the ceiling in effort to stimulate the female imagination. I found the whole idea to be hilarious.

After my appointment, the nice man from the car dealership returned to pick us up and take us back to our car. By this time, it was about 4:30 pm and we had still not eaten anything at all (no food all day) due to the unforeseen obstacles that occurred during our trip. We were starving & we were grouchy. I thought Robby might kill me before we could find a restaurant. Luckily, some friends met us quickly for dinner and we ended up having a very nice evening.

We are finally at home now, watching American Idol while relaxing on the couch----so glad to be home.

photo from http://www.people.com/

THANKS FOR MAKING ME SMILE TODAY!

Another Day

Today was another busy day in the clinic, but time seemed to pass by quickly so I tolerated the day much better than yesterday. At least I didn't have anyone scream at me or threaten to kill me today (always a plus). We were planning on having lunch delivered by a drug rep today, but he forgot to bring the food--so, we had to order pizza and it was after 2:00 before we finally ate lunch. We looked like animals attacking the prey. We were starving!!!

I finally arrived home at 8 pm and I am exhausted--was so grateful Robby decided to pick something up for dinner tonight. I was really NOT looking forward to cooking anything tonight. Now, I am lying on the couch, enjoying American Idol. So many of my friends have lost interest in American Idol this year, but I just can't turn away---I am still addicted.