The cold snap has finally hit Central Texas. It was in the 40's this morning when I left the house to go to work at 7:45. It feels like November, finally. The next few weeks are going to be a whirlwind (I hope!) Some upcoming events...

~ First Scentsy party this weekend... several parties coming up and plans for several basket parties, all before Christmas, you know, for presents. Scentsy is my newest business adventure, besides my regular work.
~ Thanksgiving in Houston at my parents house :) I love all the food and cooking. Did I mention the food?
~ On call the weekend after Thanksgiving :(
~ The Pioneer Woman cookbook signing in Austin. Have I mentioned I totally want to be like her when I grow up. Red hair and all.
~ December 5th - Las Vegas baby.. The AAEP meeting happens to coincide with NFR. I'm flying up at a super early time a day eary for shopping at Cowboy Christmas.
~ Did I mention Las Vegas?? for a whole week?? During the finals???
~ A few more Scentsy parties.
~ Christmas - the boy's family is coming and my family is coming all to my little home here in Central Texas. We'll have a house full and I'm so excited. More.Food!
~ On call New Year's Eve :(

Whew! Going to be busy around here for the next few weeks with all the cooking and cleaning and packing (VEGAS!) and bed-rearranging.
~

I am now a Scentsy Consultant and am very excited for the new possibilities this presents. If you are interested in getting a monthly email from me, hosting a party or a basket party or have any questions, please let me know.

www.jenngrimes.scentsy.us

Thanks Gem for helping me get signed up!

Pretty perfect weekend...

- No work on Saturday (1st day off in 3 weeks)
- Mom & Dad came up so we could all go meet Grandma in Comache for lunch
- Grandma loved the boy - lots of fun pictures
- Clean house
- Almost completed laundry
- Critical patient (that was my 1st time all by myself small intestine anastamosis) - surviving and doing really well (back on food & water & going home tomorrow)
- cloudy/rainy weather
- hot chai tea + pumpkin cake + movie time
- Tex-Mex/Fajita roast in the crock pot
- Yeast rolls rising on the counter
- dogs laying at my feet (quietly!)

As a person on a perennially tight budget. We're talking I make Dave Ramsey and his followers with their gazelle intensity look like they're on a mega shopping spree. I must confess, that after a month of deliberation and contemplation and number crunching (with the associated penny pinching). I went and bought an Iphone. I know you're all thinking, Jennifer, I mean, its only been out for about 2-1/2 years, way to go in having the latest and greatest technology (insert eye roll here). I also splurged and got Direct TV when we moved to Texas, but I must admit, was mostly for the boy (got to bribe him somehow). The app that I'm most in love with - the recipe spinner, and the grocery list maker is a close second.

Copied this idea from Steph.... 5 guilty pleasures ( I couldn't think of 10)

1. Custom made cowboy boots in an exotic skin (Anderson Bean or Rios of Mercedes please)

2. Blingy belts/accessories

3. Pedicures

4. Vanilla coke from Sonic

5. Brand new, never washed Hanes crew cut socks, little boy sized

A nice little lump popped up just behind my right ear about 2 months ago. The lump turned out to be an enlarged lymph node. I kinda forgot about it until a nurse pointed it out the other night while I was radiographing her dog's leg (HBC - fractured tibia). I mentioned it to the boy, who got mad I hadn't had it checked out yet.

Fast forward to Wednesday when I go visit my PCP. He examines it and suggests removing it, the next day (thursday). I also have a few other swollen lymph nodes in my neck he wants to maybe remove at the same time. *Gulp* I have blood drawn for routine blood work + mono test + rickettsial panel (like Lyme Dz, etc due to my occupation).

When I show up on Thursday, he does a local anesthsia (lidocaine) block to numb the right side of my neck from my collar bone to my scalp, including my ear and leaves while it becomes numb. His nurse comes in to set up and scrub for the lymph nodes excision. He comes back with news - no LN excision today.

Evidently the extreme exhaustion I've been feeling for the past few weeks has absolutely nothing to do with the 60 hours + I work each week.

Diagnosis: Infectious Mononucleosis

I have freaking mono.. At least I now know its not Lymphoma (crossed my mind a few times), and have a reason for being so tired all the time, besides not being able to handle my work load/job.

Surgery residency application - round 2 begins today

24 positions posted
Application due December 7, 2009
Match results February 5 at 6:00 am