Sulley and his Snow Spots

While the rest of the midwest is enjoying the "warm" weather (barely above freezing), Sulley seems to still be mourning the lack of snow.  He has spent all winter going outside in it and is willing to play a bit while Boomer and Mia try their hardest to avoid going out altogether   The snow has melted in the last few days and Sulley seems completely confused about where to do his "business" outside.  The poor thing doesn't seem to know what to do without a pile of snow to pee on.  As the patches of snow grew smaller and smaller, he diligently hunted them down in the far corners of the yard when he had to go.  Now, with no snow at all, he wonders aimlessly for a bit before reluctantly settling for soggy grass.  I think he will be the only one excited when the next polar vortex hits tonight and tomorrow.  ;)

This was on one of our -45 degree days when all the dogs had trouble with cold feet.  We passed the boots around all day.  

Big Dogs

Well, we seem to have adjusted to life in the dog house, though I had my doubts that we would get to this point.  Everyone seems to be a part of the "pack."  Play time can get a little rowdy with three little dogs especially now that the puppy can fully hold his own.  He gives Mia a run for her money when it comes to tug-o-war and chase.

Care Packages!

As many of you know, I have a love for snail mail.  There is nothing quite like getting a letter or package in your mailbox when you least expect it.  I just wanted to share a couple of the fun packages I sent out last month.  I had fun with them.

A box of sunshine

A "Heart Attack" for Valentine's Day

Three years

It's hard to believe it's been three years already. Some days it feels like a lifetime. We've lived a lot and learned a lot the last few years. 

Ronnie took me on a surprise anniversary/New Years eve date. How sweet is he?!?  It started by  visiting the spot where we got engaged. We got there right at sunset. Breathtaking. Then we went to Prime 47 Steak House downtown. It was delicious!  And they even gave us a free dessert!

I'm lucky to have married the man of my dreams.  I love you, babe.

Christmas

The Christmas Season is already drawing to a close. I am sad to see it go so quickly. Between the late Thanksgiving and the hospital move, I feel like I hardly got to enjoy it! Ronnie had a great first Christmas living at home. He decked the house out in lights and helped me make the interior warm and festive as well. We were able to entertain a few times in the past few weeks which also brought cheer to our home. We spent our Christmas up in Ft. Wayne with my Grandma and my mom's siblings this year. It is always so fun to get together with everyone and goof off a little bit. The DELICIOUS Christmas feast never hurts either. ;)

Christmas decor

This year we have so enjoyed decorating the house. Since it's Ronnie's first official Christmas at home, even he has been in on the fun!

Historic Times

This week has been full of packing, moving, unpacking, and strange schedules as Wishard Hospital makes the historic move two blocks west to become Eskenazi Health. As we leave this grungy old building for a shiny new one, we have been reminded at every step of the rich history of Wishard Memorial Hospital. With over 150 years of service to the community, Wishard has played many roles including being a place of healing for soldiers during the Civil War and a place of learning as one of the nations first nursing schools. Today, Wishard-Eskenazi stands out as the regions top burn center and level one trauma center, and I couldn't be more proud.

While I'm sure I wont miss the basement cockroaches and speratic leaks and breaks, I will miss the secret passage ways and stories that go along with this old building. You see, Wishard has history for me too; history that began even before I started working here. Both my parents worked here in the Wishard basement after graduating from college; my mom as a cytology tech and my dad as a med tech. I've heard stories about their days down in the basement and I even work with some of their past coworkers now! But leaving Wishard is only the end of a chapter and I for one am beyond excited for our new home as Eskenazi Health.

The new Eskenazi boasts individual rooms for each patient, a new Clinical Decisions unit, a rooftop garden, the second largest parking garage in Indiana, snazzy art pieces, and all the latest innovations that earned it a green leaf certification. And best of all... the lab is NOT in the basement! We graduated all the way up to the second floor! After several tours and a bit of wandering, I have learned my way to most of the most necessary locations: lab, locker room, breakroom, cafeteria, and of course Starbucks. I'm so excited to be a part of something so amazing, and while it has been a bit stressful, I can honestly say I have enjoyed the ride.

All of our boxes arrived at the lab yesterday and a select few of us spent the evening unpacking and organizing each lab bench. Today, the instruments are being set up and validated. That leaves a scant few of us here at Wishard today to run the few samples that trickle in from the ER and units. Tomorrow is the big day. Over 200 patients will be moved, with the help of the Indiana National Gaurd and Navy Reserves as well as EMS, volunteers, and police, to the new hospital. We will be working from 2 locations starting tonight until everyone is out. Yes, this is a legistical nightmare that we are just begining to comprehend. It comes with a 12 hour shift starting at 3am tomorrowm, too.

Wish us luck and say a few prayers as we end this move and begin this exciting new chapter!

For more info about our move, check out:

• WTHR:  Eskenazi facility rises above old Wishard
• IndyStar:  Eskenazi Hospital prepares to open
• IndyStar: Eskenazi Hospital Tour

Meet Boomer

So I just realized, that I never officially introduced the world to our new (old) dog, Boomer! Yes... you heard right... we have ANOTHER dog. Boomer is Ronnie's childhood dog that we decided to take in. We brought him back with us after our trip to Oklahoma in November. He seems to be adjusting well to the house of energetic little dogs. He jumps right in and runs around with Mia and Sulley. He even tried to play tug of war with them the other day despite his complete toothlessness.

Little Lady Turns One!

We made a quick trip to Oklahoma for our sweet little niece's first birthday. It was so fun to hang out with our little lady and the rest of Ronnie's family. Ronnie was able to visit his sister and brother at their jobs and we got to spend time with all his grandparents (Keep his papa in your prayers as he is having a dificult time recovering from heart surgery). Little miss Brooke had a lot of fun with her birthday cake and really seemed to like the play food we got for. A girl after my own heart. ;) We miss them all so much already and cant wait until the next visit. 

Halloween Puppers

I know this is a little late, but we had a fun Halloween this year.  I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in Indy, Halloween was postponed due to severe storms.  All the trick-or-treaters came around on Friday night instead and the puppies were ready for them.  Sulley was the world's cutest baby seal and Mia was a pig.