Good lucky Buddy!

My little brother Jeff is playing in a 36 team golf tournament later this week and I wanted to wish him luck. He has been playing really well, finally found his "happy" place :) I won't be there since I will be in Memphis graduating, but I can't wait to hear how he does! Good luck Jeff and get in that happy place! Love you!

This is the Winfield High School Golf team - Ethan, Sam, Will, Taylor, Jeff & Seth

And another story :)

Here is a story about my friend Audra's little girl Lydia. She has been suffering from multiple ear infections since her birth, she is about 17 months old. She had been put on numerous antibiotics but never really resolved the problem but masked it. Audra & Kane (her husband) had been told when she was about a year old that tubes would be the best option for Lydia. They, like all parents, were apprehensive about it but knew the doctor knew best and went ahead with the tubes a few weeks ago. This is the email Audra sent just a few hours after the surgery:

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers! Things went so smooth today. We got there at 7:30 and were loaded and leaving the parking lot at 9:30. Lydia was such a good girl. She didn't even cry when they took her away from us. She sleep half way home and then she was ready to play..yes, play! She didn't miss a beat.

I'm so glad we did this. The Dr. told us that she had a large amount of fluid just hanging out in her ear drum. I can only imagine all the sounds she was missing out on. Even though we didn't notice anything with her hearing..she will probably be a new little girl...but, hey she was great to begin with.

I spoke with Audra tonight and she is just about 10 days after the surgery and has already said 5 new words! This is probably due to the fact that she wasn't hearing as well as she should and now can actually understand what is being said to her and can repeat it clearly. What a blessing! Just thought I would share this story with you. I promise to post canoe pictures soon. So much happening!

Sweet & caring

I just want to share a story with you of a volunteer here at the VA, May. She is not a Vet herself but her husband was and passed away, not sure how long ago. She is so grateful for all the things that the VA did for her husband so to give back she volunteers here by bringing coffee & juice to the doctors & employees. I am always so happy to see her pass through and she always has a smile on her face and is so happy. I am always so grateful for those who selfishly give back. Thank you May!

Tasty Tuesday

I am a huge fan of the ginger salad dressing that Japanese restaurants put on their salads and have always wondered exactly how to make it, well I do not have to wonder any further.


Benihana's Ginger Salad Dressing
1/2 cup minced onion
1/2 cup peanut oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons minced celery
2 tablespoons ketchup
4 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high speed for about30 seconds or until all of the ginger is well−pureed. Makes 1 3/4 cups.

Prom time!

This past weekend while I was in Memphis my little brother went to his first prom! It is hard to believe he is a Junior! Time really does fly. Here are some pictures of him and friends. He looks so handsome, cleans up well :)

I think Jeff is on his phone more than me, hard to believe huh?

The boys

Ashley & Jeff

Wilson, Jeff & Ethan

The whole gang ready for the party

It's a Girl!

Today my friend Amber added another beautiful baby girl to her family, Jillian Ruth. It just so happened I was driving back from Memphis via Tulsa so I was able to stop in and see the new baby. Check out Amber's blog for more details.

She is such a sweet girl.

I think Amber looks great and such a happy mommy, just 4 hours after giving birth! Nice work girl :)

For all those who thought and prayed for me

Mighty Mississippi

Today concluded, I hope, my last set of tests for the National Board of Examiners for Optometry (NBEO). It has been a long day, but want to blog about it before bed. Besides taking a test I got to eat at the 20/20 diner, the cafe inside my school, Kathy (the chef) has the best buffalo chicken salad ever!

After that I went to a bridal shower for my friend Karen downtown at Sauces, they have amazing mojitos!

Here is a picture of Megan, Karen (bride to be) and Lauren

I had some extra time after the shower and got to hang out on Mud Island for about an hour watching the people and talking with Tangee. It was such a pretty day, first day in weeks I have been able to truly enjoy it. That is the might Mississippi River behind me.

After that a bunch of us went to Rio Loco for dinner, is it bad that they know us and always put us in a separate room? Oh well. It was oh so good.

I really enjoyed my victory margarita with Lauren & Ashwynn

This is one of the funniest pictures of Andy and his Monster margarita, puts all the others to shame don't you think?

And then the final picture of the night of me and Tangee, we are so stuffed but you could never tell could you.

Wiplash

I was driving to work Wednesday and look what I saw! It is brand new to the VW lot and I am in love. Doesn't the color fit me perfectly? I am currently taking donations :)

Back to Memphis

Heading back to Memphis for the last of my National board exams. I learned from a friend, and fellow O.D., that Optometry is one of the only professions that do not have national board exams as an option. Thought that was interesting. I hope to take some pictures... now if I can only find my camera charger. Hmmm.

O.D. Video

For those who have not or are not in optometry school you are going to thing this is lame, for those who have been or are you will enjoy this funny little parody. My favorite are the D-15 plates! Obviously Waterloo students do not study as much as SCO students... Or maybe they are just more creative with their time.

MmMmMmMm

Consider this an early wordless Wednesday :)

Say a little prayer for me, please!

Friday I leave to head to Memphis for the weekend to take ANOTHER round of boards. This is the clinical skills part, so not as much studying as is memorizing what exactly I need to do. Please say a little prayer for me that I do well and rock it!