Warm Weather Teaser

Alan and I went home to Knoxville this past weekend, and it was sunny and beautiful 65 degree weather. I didn't realize how much I had missed it until I walked outside Saturday morning with shorts on! We had a wonderful time catching up with our family and friends, but it was hard to leave Sunday night to go back to 30 degree St. Louis. Now I can't stop thinking about springtime and it getting warmer outside! It probably won't get warm in St. Louis for a while, but I am so looking forward to our CRUISE in March with Elizabeth and Patrick. Here are a few pictures that keep me focused on the countdown...42 more days!

Beautiful Ship

Fun Itinerary

Monkeys in Roatan Honduras

Ruins in Cozumel Mexico

Snowed In!

Alan and I woke up this morning to 5 inches of snow on the ground. Boo! He has class and I have work, and this much snow has made it impossible for us to leave our apartment today. Alan tried to get out earlier this morning to go to his 10 o'clock class (his 9 o'clock class had already been cancelled) but after seeing 3 wrecks right outside our neighborhood, and realizing the interstate was also a nightmare, he decided to forgo trying to get to Wash U today and just come home. I'm so glad he did! We are still sharing a car right now as we have not found a car for me quite yet, so something potentially happening to Alan's car also at this point would be a really bad thing! I took a personal day today (because my store was still open despite the weather) so we are both at home safe and trying to get some things done here. Saint Louis is also suppose to get more snow tonight. Boo again! Pray for us that God will continue protecting us during this scary winter weather. The picture at the top is from a blog about the Saint Louis Botanical Gardens (which we haven't been to yet, but it's on our list of places to go) and I liked it because it's of a "Cardinal" in the middle of winter...cheesy I know. The rest of the pictures are ones we took today just outside our apartment. Love to you all, stay safe and warm!

Icicles on tree branches

Sidewalk right outside our apartment

Recovery Update

I have been going to Eye Care Associates of Saint Louis for follow up visits as my eye continues to heal. The Ophthalmologist I have been seeing, Dr. Breit, has been wonderful. At my appointment yesterday, I was taken off the Atropine, which are the dilator drops, because at this point, the chance of a re-bleed or scar tissue forming is extremely low. The Pred Forte, which are the steroid drops, was decreased from 4 times per day to 3 times per day. Over the next week, my pupil should go back to its normal size and my vision should clear up dramatically. Dr. Breit said there is a very small chance that the pupil will stay the dilated width after a trauma, so I do covet your continued prayers for a complete recovery, and will keep you updated!

Resolutions

Get organized...

Learn something new...

Lose weight and get into shape...

Spend more time with family and friends...

I get a little bit overwhelmed when I think about all the things that Alan and I look forward to this year and hope to accomplish in 2011. Wikipedia defines a New Year's Resolution as a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit. It is further set apart from other aspirations in that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. I wonder why it is that I so often put things off in December and say to myself, "I'll start that after the first of the year..." Why is that date so important?! Why not just begin right then?! I am excited about what 2011 will bring and pray Alan and I are up for the challenges, but also that as new possibilities arise we won't put them off, but start right away!