Contentment

Today I feel surprisingly content. I didn't dread work like I normally do on a Monday morning and I feel pretty happy about where I am in life right now...at least today. I have a decent job, great friends, wonderful family, an inspiring class, a church I love. And, I'm coming off the "high" of a week of skating. Smile. Life is good.

Saturday, SB and I woke up at the ungodly hour of 6 o'clock to "beat the crowds" down to the Convention Center to skate on some world-class ice. We arrived at 7am to discover there were no crowds to beat. In fact, we were the first ones there! As a result (and undoubtedly because we're two adorable redheads), we won the door prize...a 2002 U.S. Olympic vest for me and a U.S. Figure Skating CamelBak for SB. There were no sightings of Scott Hamilton or Nancy Kerrigan (as I had originally been told), but I have no doubt that the autographs of Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang that now adorn my ice skates will someday be worth millions...well, maybe thousands, at least. Sigh. I've had my brush with fame for the year, now. Wink.

Pictures of the two gorgeous ladies mentioned above will follow soon. Mirai and Caroline even agreed to pose with them! (He he!)

I Was Right!

This morning I saw the results of the junior ladies skating championships (the same ladies SB and I got to watch on Sunday). As I predicted, Mirai Nagasu (the cutie pie pictured in my previous post) finished on top! The other star of the evening, whom we both loved, was Caroline Zhang who earned the silver medal. What fun! I wouldn't be surprised if, within the next couple years, both young ladies went on to win at the World Championships or some other international event. (Then we can say, "We knew them when....") Their futures are bright!

Skating Heaven!

Last night, my friend SB and I went to see the junior ladies short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Our city has the proud privelege of hosting the event this year and SB and I were able to go to the event for free (thanks to two patients who blessed us with free tickets!). It was amazing! I don't know quite what I expected - maybe little kids skating around - but it definitely exceeded my expectations.

This cutie skated to first place after the short program and was an absolute joy to watch! Her music (from "Swing Kids") was perfect for her spunky personality, which was very evident in her skating. I wish I could see the final, but I have no doubt that she will be up at the top! What fun!!!

It just might work out for SB and I to catch another event (ice dancing) after our "Perspectives" class tonight, too...if we can get tickets. I sure wish I had planned way ahead and bought the whole package so I could enjoy skating all week! Note to self: if you don't know what the heck you'll be doing in 2 years and you hear about an event like this that far in advance, plan on going anyway! Even if it doesn't work out, somebody will buy your tickets from you!

Watch It!

You may notice that my previous diatribe about work has been amended. My very wise sister advised me to watch what I say about work in my blog, just in case it got back to my coworkers. So, I will attempt not to say anything incriminating about my job. ("...If you can't say anything nice....")

I Spoke Too Soon

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty lousy day at work. So, today I decided to watch "The Devil Wears Prada" and remind myself why some people have it way worse than I do. As nice as that is to think about, it doesn't help much when I remember that Monday will come whether I like it or not. At least my friend Holly will be back from her short vacation. I've missed laughing with her this weekend....

On a much happier note, our Hudson seems to be improving more and more every day. The last MRI revealed no tumor and, if all goes well, he should be able to return home in about a week! Finally, an end to this drawn-out, difficult ordeal seems to be in sight. God is so gracious. Thank you all for praying. Please keep it up!

Crisis Averted!

I came to work this morning expecting things to fall apart. This isn't an uncommon expectation with my job. Thankfully, it looks like some adjustments are going to be made that will be agreeable to the majority of people. I want to believe that things will work out with this job. I love the people I work with (most of them) and I want everyone to be happy and enjoy what they're doing. This isn't too much to ask, is it? I don't think so.

What's the Deal??

Is it Friday the 13th? Was there a full moon last night? Today has been such an off day. Patients have been crabby. Patients have been late for their appointments. Coworkers have been grouchy (partly because patients are late for their appointments). It's a stinkin' good thing it's Friday!! All I want to do is plant my little hiney on my couch, watch TV, and do absolutely nothing. (Either that, or I want to play another aggressive - and potentially dangerous - game of "walleyball" and hit something!)

Hope For Hudson

Our sweet Hudson continues to improve little by little. The swelling in his tummy has subsided and he's even sitting up again. Please continue to pray!

God is Gracious

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for Hudson. Your prayers are working! His liver has begun to function again and the swelling in his abdomen has started to go down. Please continue to lift up Hudson and his family. Perhaps our prayers make a greater difference than we will ever realize.