Ike.
I am writing this in the local Barnes and Noble…because for Hunter and I, this is day 16 without power.
16 DAYS! What?!
I realize we survived Ike with no damage to our possessions…and a non-existent energy bill for the month of September, but I am finding it hard to be thankful for this!
We honestly have nothing of too much value … we are poor. So our enjoyment is not found in our stuff…
And a small energy bill means nothing when we have to eat out every night because we can’t cook. If only Center Point knew the obscene amount of money I would pay them right now to have the power back on…
Ok. Ok. I know I seem like I am ungrateful urma…but lemme just unpack the past TWO WEEKS.
The Friday of the storm, the power went out the second any wind started…awesome. But somehow, I managed to fall asleep with no circulating air. After assessing the damage the next morning we just had some minor wind forced-in water in our front entry way…and no power or water. After playing a game of LIFE and reading a little in our sticky still-aired apartment, we booked it to Katy. (My parents had power; Hunter’s did not)
We spent the next 4 days with Hunter’s parents (we weren’t gonna let them stay there alone with no power)…So the major point here is NO AC. I don’t mind the lights. Lights can be bypassed. I am a fan of candles…I have dozens of them…I do not have one battery powered fan. WHO DOES? Tell me where I can find one…in case of a recurrent Ike.
So, in the midst of this …I do have to brag on Hunter a little. So, Saturday night…at the Gaulke’s...Hunter and I were going to bed and 3 seconds after we hit the pillow, Hunter is out. Me?…I am DYING without a fan. I lay there for 5 hours…5. From 10 PM to 3 AM. Finally, I am so tired and just ticked…that I finally wake Hunter up half crying and half yelling that I can’t fall asleep. So dramatic.
My fantastic husband…simply wakes up gets me a cold water bottle to put under my neck…and tells me to relax…and before I can object…he starts fanning me with a pillow and does not stop until I fell asleep. Yes. I do thank Jesus for Hunter every day.
So the next four days are OK. We went to my parent’s house to watch some baseball and enjoy some AC. You know..it’s Texas. And finally, the Gaulke’s got a generator so we were able to hook up a fan for me at night. GLORIOUS.
So, the next Tuesday after the storm, I have to go to work. So Monday night, Hunter and I drive to our apartment and see the half the building at our complex have power and half don’t. Ours doesn’t.
So we do the whole candle and flashlight thing…but I keep thinking how the heck am I going to sleep without circulating air….and finally an idea comes!...
Ok but I have to save it for the next post… Hunter needs the computer to study for his FIRST TEST tomorrow! :)
Pray for test…pray for power!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What a Wonderful Day...
You know when some days are just flat out good?...
That was my day today ... so refreshing. Nothing went wrong...work was fairly stress free...(which by the way...is an answer to prayer...)
We have been going to this small group from church, and for two weeks now, I have felt the effects of prayer tremendously after leaving!.. I feel like they are super duper prayer warriors and it challenges me so much! I love it...
Anways, I also got to do some extra early Christmas shopping on my lunch break with plenty of time to eat as well...so speaking of my lunch break...
My coworkers and I went to eat at this common area that is usually PACKED with dental students, medical students/residents, PA students, MD Anderson employees, etc. and because it is in a MD Anderson building... it is pretty prestine for like a cafeteria (and again well funded)..and so when you order your food they give you that buzzy thing. So my buzzy thing goes off and I walk up to the counter...
...I am getting gitty just thinking about what happend next....
..so I am waiting in line to pick up my food and this little black boy (maybe like 3 or 4) is kinda wandering around waiting on his dad (who has another baby in his hands) to get his food...and I see him...and of course I just want to steal him...no but for real. And I said, " Hi sweet boy! ". And to my utter shock and pure joy ...he simpy walked over to me and hugged me. HE HUGGED ME. He came barely to my knee, but he just wrapped his tiny little black fingers around my legs and squeezed!!!!!
...At about this time, the boys dad looked at us...(his son... embracing a stranger like it is his mom)... and looked a tad embarrassed...to which I wanted to say...I will take him sir...right now. No questions asked...a child off of your hands...deal? kapeesh? You have two..you can spare this precious bundle full of preciousness...
But I resisted and just hugged back and parted...so his dad wouldn't call security...
This moment caused my day to be wonderful and I thought it couldn't get better...until!
PRESLEY WON GREATEST AMERICAN DOG!! (for further clarification see my very first post)
That was my day today ... so refreshing. Nothing went wrong...work was fairly stress free...(which by the way...is an answer to prayer...)
We have been going to this small group from church, and for two weeks now, I have felt the effects of prayer tremendously after leaving!.. I feel like they are super duper prayer warriors and it challenges me so much! I love it...
Anways, I also got to do some extra early Christmas shopping on my lunch break with plenty of time to eat as well...so speaking of my lunch break...
My coworkers and I went to eat at this common area that is usually PACKED with dental students, medical students/residents, PA students, MD Anderson employees, etc. and because it is in a MD Anderson building... it is pretty prestine for like a cafeteria (and again well funded)..and so when you order your food they give you that buzzy thing. So my buzzy thing goes off and I walk up to the counter...
...I am getting gitty just thinking about what happend next....
..so I am waiting in line to pick up my food and this little black boy (maybe like 3 or 4) is kinda wandering around waiting on his dad (who has another baby in his hands) to get his food...and I see him...and of course I just want to steal him...no but for real. And I said, " Hi sweet boy! ". And to my utter shock and pure joy ...he simpy walked over to me and hugged me. HE HUGGED ME. He came barely to my knee, but he just wrapped his tiny little black fingers around my legs and squeezed!!!!!
...At about this time, the boys dad looked at us...(his son... embracing a stranger like it is his mom)... and looked a tad embarrassed...to which I wanted to say...I will take him sir...right now. No questions asked...a child off of your hands...deal? kapeesh? You have two..you can spare this precious bundle full of preciousness...
But I resisted and just hugged back and parted...so his dad wouldn't call security...
This moment caused my day to be wonderful and I thought it couldn't get better...until!
PRESLEY WON GREATEST AMERICAN DOG!! (for further clarification see my very first post)
How awesome is he!!
I told Hunter every week, that Travis and Presley were on the brink of going home...that if they kick off Presley, I am not watching this show to the end...because I was such a huge fan... but HE WON!! He was by far the most lovable, playful, smart, and full of personality dog on that show! Go Boxer Dogs! as a former and future boxer owner...I always knew they were the greatest American dogs!
So small update:
Hunter likes school...he is learning...not like a ton...which is hard for him. But the classes that are actually challenging keep him suited for now. There are some very interesting people there that we can't wait to love on ...so more to come on that.
I feel like it is hard for me socially to have an 8-5 job. I feel like my socialness is plummeting. After talking to patients for most of the day, I like quiet time. I want to say I like alone time...but I don't know if it is that so much .... just not a lot of talking and chatter. and that's hard...because I miss my beloved friends.
We found a church that we are enjoying sharing community with and learning from. We don't want to stay church homeless for very much longer so...more to come on that.
I guess thats it. Yay for a wonderful day. :)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Bread Winning
So far, I love my job...
This may change...considering I want babies ..tons... of babies.
Babies that do things like this.. http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/2007/02/that-poor-boot.html...
But for now, I like my job. For anyone like.."Ok, what's your job wierdo?"....Basically, I work at MD Anderson recruiting patients for studies to hopefully gather enough research to one day cure their cancer. HOW NEAT!
First of all, I thrive off the medical center. It's huge...it's prestine...it's the best. Second of all, it's MD Anderson...they kill cancer like whoa.
Everything is so ...whats the word....'well-funded' there. Like, I swear their bathroom sinks are heated...LOVE THAT. For every employee, they make a plastic name thingy...which normal people are like..ok? so. But, I am like COOL! A PLASTIC NAME THINGY!...
And I got my own cubicle! and it's big. More pics of that to come.
So, the perks of my job..other than the aforementioned ones are:
I wear a whitecoat
Every patient thinks I am their doctor
I do not HAVE to correct them
Some doctors think I am a doctor
It is probably wise to correct them, but I don't HAVE to
Every day, I am working towards cancer prevention
I am actually using my degree!
I am not mentally exhausted or even tired for that matter when I get home
Hunter and I get to ride into town together and back home together every day
Hunter's school is literally across the street from my office
I get to put Hunter through school while he tries to become the best DPT ever
and
Whitney is near me too!
it is the perfect first job...for me atleast.
Considering how many times Hunter and I prayed and prayed and how I applied to 40 million jobs and got only 2 interviews in 2 months, I shouldn't be surprised to realize how much the Lord knew where He wanted me...but I am.
Finding a job stinks. NO ONE tells you that. There isn't a college course on "the REALITY of finding a job when you leave our comfortable walls! "
For the 2 months of endless job applications, I just wanted to call any # on A&M's website and say..."YOU DIDN'T WARN ME! "...
Luckily, Hunter and I had 2 months of wonderful bonding time. I will forever think of that time as set apart and special. We may have watched a little too much TV and probably could have been classified as bums...but we had fun...
So, cheers to my job. I hope all of those who are trying to find one, find the perfect one...however long it takes.
This may change...considering I want babies ..tons... of babies.
Babies that do things like this.. http://allthingshendrick.blogspot.com/2007/02/that-poor-boot.html...
But for now, I like my job. For anyone like.."Ok, what's your job wierdo?"....Basically, I work at MD Anderson recruiting patients for studies to hopefully gather enough research to one day cure their cancer. HOW NEAT!
First of all, I thrive off the medical center. It's huge...it's prestine...it's the best. Second of all, it's MD Anderson...they kill cancer like whoa.
Everything is so ...whats the word....'well-funded' there. Like, I swear their bathroom sinks are heated...LOVE THAT. For every employee, they make a plastic name thingy...which normal people are like..ok? so. But, I am like COOL! A PLASTIC NAME THINGY!...
And I got my own cubicle! and it's big. More pics of that to come.
So, the perks of my job..other than the aforementioned ones are:
I wear a whitecoat
Every patient thinks I am their doctor
I do not HAVE to correct them
Some doctors think I am a doctor
It is probably wise to correct them, but I don't HAVE to
Every day, I am working towards cancer prevention
I am actually using my degree!
I am not mentally exhausted or even tired for that matter when I get home
Hunter and I get to ride into town together and back home together every day
Hunter's school is literally across the street from my office
I get to put Hunter through school while he tries to become the best DPT ever
and
Whitney is near me too!
it is the perfect first job...for me atleast.
Considering how many times Hunter and I prayed and prayed and how I applied to 40 million jobs and got only 2 interviews in 2 months, I shouldn't be surprised to realize how much the Lord knew where He wanted me...but I am.
Finding a job stinks. NO ONE tells you that. There isn't a college course on "the REALITY of finding a job when you leave our comfortable walls! "
For the 2 months of endless job applications, I just wanted to call any # on A&M's website and say..."YOU DIDN'T WARN ME! "...
Luckily, Hunter and I had 2 months of wonderful bonding time. I will forever think of that time as set apart and special. We may have watched a little too much TV and probably could have been classified as bums...but we had fun...
So, cheers to my job. I hope all of those who are trying to find one, find the perfect one...however long it takes.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Astros, the ER... a good week!
Well, the last week has been hectic and so I (Hunter) get the honors of telling the story. This is my first post, and let me tell you... Ashleigh is so geeked up :)
Last Tuesday night, Ashleigh and I had a little encounter with the St. Luke's Minor Emergency Clinic... Yeah.
It all started (or so we thought) at dinner with my parents earlier that evening. We had mexican food and about midnight as we were going to bed, Ashleigh began complaining of very hurtful stomach pains(and she has a really high pain tolerance). She couldn't sleep and for 2 and half hours she lay writhing in pain while I slip in and out of sleep waiting it out for her to stop hurting. After some nausea and a trip to the bathroom, around 2:30am we headed for the 24 hour emergency clinic. Praise the Lord I had noticed it while we got familiar with Houston!
The clinic was pretty awesome.... We got to see the American women lose the gold in gymnastics again (thanks to poor judges... of course :)) while Ashleigh continued to writhe in pain. Our doctor was really nice though. His name was Jesus Arroyo, but I like to think that Jesus helped us. He got us an IV (overkill?), some pain meds, nausea meds, and we waited it out for the blood work results. It turned out Ashleigh didn't have food poisoning from her delicious enchiladas, but a viral infection in her GI tract (ouch!). Thanks to the meds, we walked out of there pain free and got back in to bed at a groggy-eyed 5:30am.
Phew, am I glad that was over! I was really glad to be there for her and care for her health. I never thought we'd have to go the emergency clinic, but she needed it and so we did it! She's feeling much better now.... In fact, this Saturday we got to go Minute Maid Park to see Lance Berkman talk about the real Jesus (not the dr.) and hear a Stephen Curtis Chapman concert! What a sweet gig and thanks to my wonderful in-laws, it was all free of charge!
Last Tuesday night, Ashleigh and I had a little encounter with the St. Luke's Minor Emergency Clinic... Yeah.
It all started (or so we thought) at dinner with my parents earlier that evening. We had mexican food and about midnight as we were going to bed, Ashleigh began complaining of very hurtful stomach pains(and she has a really high pain tolerance). She couldn't sleep and for 2 and half hours she lay writhing in pain while I slip in and out of sleep waiting it out for her to stop hurting. After some nausea and a trip to the bathroom, around 2:30am we headed for the 24 hour emergency clinic. Praise the Lord I had noticed it while we got familiar with Houston!
The clinic was pretty awesome.... We got to see the American women lose the gold in gymnastics again (thanks to poor judges... of course :)) while Ashleigh continued to writhe in pain. Our doctor was really nice though. His name was Jesus Arroyo, but I like to think that Jesus helped us. He got us an IV (overkill?), some pain meds, nausea meds, and we waited it out for the blood work results. It turned out Ashleigh didn't have food poisoning from her delicious enchiladas, but a viral infection in her GI tract (ouch!). Thanks to the meds, we walked out of there pain free and got back in to bed at a groggy-eyed 5:30am.
Phew, am I glad that was over! I was really glad to be there for her and care for her health. I never thought we'd have to go the emergency clinic, but she needed it and so we did it! She's feeling much better now.... In fact, this Saturday we got to go Minute Maid Park to see Lance Berkman talk about the real Jesus (not the dr.) and hear a Stephen Curtis Chapman concert! What a sweet gig and thanks to my wonderful in-laws, it was all free of charge!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Hey there ya little papasan...
We got a papasan chair!
Ok to preface...we have this strange cubby area in our bedroom that is really hard to decorate if your poor...
..or not really that creative.
So, Hunter and I have gone to Ikea, to Target, to Bed Bath and Beyond...to come up with ideas for this space!...
We found things we liked ...but they are soooo expensive...We almost gave in and bought this chair from Ikea that really was too much ...but we justified it with the fact that we would have it forever ...
UNTIL! We were in Rice Village last week to have some awesome TCBY (1$ cone Wednesdays..YES!) with the Phillips' and we went into Pier 1. Yes. Too-Expensive for newlyweds that are definitely not trust fund babies Pier 1. I like looking...so I drug Hunter in there ..and immediately he is trying to find a place to sit...
...and there...is.. the coolest papasan ever!
I always envisioned papasans as really fluffy oversized looking space-like pods...but this papasan was like revamped. It was modern..it was flippin comfy!
...and best of all ..it was affordable! at PIER 1! Well, being good stewards of our money...we went home to think about it...and got it just in time for good 'ol Edouard! Considering that every channel we have (all 6 of them) were over-covering the "tropical storm"...I read for hours as Edouard did nothing but give us some much needed rain...and give me some much needed book-time. Here is our saweeet papasan! :
Speaking of reading...I just finished 'Four Loves' by C.S. Lewis...
Of course, he is such a good communicator and gives the best literary analogies..but I am not gonna lie it wasn't my favorite book of his.
However, the bits and pieces that were good were REALLY good. Extremely deep and thought provoking...you know classic him. But the rest...I wanted to skim through.
Maybe it might take reading a second time to appreciate...
In other news, Hunter is sicky sick. I am gonna go tend to his aches and pains. :(
Ok to preface...we have this strange cubby area in our bedroom that is really hard to decorate if your poor...
..or not really that creative.
So, Hunter and I have gone to Ikea, to Target, to Bed Bath and Beyond...to come up with ideas for this space!...
We found things we liked ...but they are soooo expensive...We almost gave in and bought this chair from Ikea that really was too much ...but we justified it with the fact that we would have it forever ...
UNTIL! We were in Rice Village last week to have some awesome TCBY (1$ cone Wednesdays..YES!) with the Phillips' and we went into Pier 1. Yes. Too-Expensive for newlyweds that are definitely not trust fund babies Pier 1. I like looking...so I drug Hunter in there ..and immediately he is trying to find a place to sit...
...and there...is.. the coolest papasan ever!
I always envisioned papasans as really fluffy oversized looking space-like pods...but this papasan was like revamped. It was modern..it was flippin comfy!
...and best of all ..it was affordable! at PIER 1! Well, being good stewards of our money...we went home to think about it...and got it just in time for good 'ol Edouard! Considering that every channel we have (all 6 of them) were over-covering the "tropical storm"...I read for hours as Edouard did nothing but give us some much needed rain...and give me some much needed book-time. Here is our saweeet papasan! :
Speaking of reading...I just finished 'Four Loves' by C.S. Lewis...
Of course, he is such a good communicator and gives the best literary analogies..but I am not gonna lie it wasn't my favorite book of his.
However, the bits and pieces that were good were REALLY good. Extremely deep and thought provoking...you know classic him. But the rest...I wanted to skim through.
Maybe it might take reading a second time to appreciate...
In other news, Hunter is sicky sick. I am gonna go tend to his aches and pains. :(
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Date Night
I love dates.
They are vital for any good relationship...including friendships and family.
I am the type of person that needs dates with my friends...my mom...and especially Hunter. I need them. I remember growing up, my mom took us on dates. I remember they halted when I was embarrased of being with my mom in public. (especially when she wanted to hold my hand...do you remember that stage! oh the humiliation)...ok maybe not everyone held hands with their moms, but I did... Well the dates with my mom resumed once I became an adult..and I love them.
I love dates with my friends. Going on candy runs (I always got more candy then everyone else..), watching movies, going to dinner, ordering pizza and bummin' around. Those are dates too.
Individualized set apart time...spent with those you love.
Last night, Hunter and I went on a date...lemme just say, for me, going on dates as a married couple is far superior then when not married. It probably has something to do with the fact that Hunter and I didn't kiss before marriage, and now I can kiss him whenever I want! Before dinner, during dinner, after dinner, before desert, after desert, during the movie...I like kissing.
Also, there is so much fun stuff to do in downtown Houston.
We went to Prima Pasta for dinner.
Then, knowing I adore creme brulee, Hunter took me to Grotto for dessert. Of course, they were out...BUT!! we sat in the fun-happenin cocktail bar area..and the 'Stros were on.... So we watched them and had coffee and tiramisu!
Then! went to the Edwards Cinema and saw WALL-E. Ok seriously, presh. We spent an hour just saying "Waaaaaalllll-E" and "Eve-A". Hunter can do it really good.
Then to top it all off, we went on a candy run! He got 1 package of Reese's and I got 2 Big Laffy Taffy strips, 1 peanut butter twix and a box of Milk Dud's. (Ok, I warned you, I always get more candy then everyone else. ) and I am really not a sweet tooth.
DATES ARE FUN! They are needed. I need them. You might not need them, but I do.
Which is why I am super pumped..more pumped then I can express in words..that Danielle is coming to visit me tomorrow!! We haven't gotten to hang out since right after I got home from my honeymoon. and that wasn't a date...that was me dishing about my honeymoon. :)
ME! + Danielle! = DATE! Tomorrow!
I need this. We need this.
Pumped.
They are vital for any good relationship...including friendships and family.
I am the type of person that needs dates with my friends...my mom...and especially Hunter. I need them. I remember growing up, my mom took us on dates. I remember they halted when I was embarrased of being with my mom in public. (especially when she wanted to hold my hand...do you remember that stage! oh the humiliation)...ok maybe not everyone held hands with their moms, but I did... Well the dates with my mom resumed once I became an adult..and I love them.
I love dates with my friends. Going on candy runs (I always got more candy then everyone else..), watching movies, going to dinner, ordering pizza and bummin' around. Those are dates too.
Individualized set apart time...spent with those you love.
Last night, Hunter and I went on a date...lemme just say, for me, going on dates as a married couple is far superior then when not married. It probably has something to do with the fact that Hunter and I didn't kiss before marriage, and now I can kiss him whenever I want! Before dinner, during dinner, after dinner, before desert, after desert, during the movie...I like kissing.
Also, there is so much fun stuff to do in downtown Houston.
We went to Prima Pasta for dinner.
Then, knowing I adore creme brulee, Hunter took me to Grotto for dessert. Of course, they were out...BUT!! we sat in the fun-happenin cocktail bar area..and the 'Stros were on.... So we watched them and had coffee and tiramisu!
Then! went to the Edwards Cinema and saw WALL-E. Ok seriously, presh. We spent an hour just saying "Waaaaaalllll-E" and "Eve-A". Hunter can do it really good.
Then to top it all off, we went on a candy run! He got 1 package of Reese's and I got 2 Big Laffy Taffy strips, 1 peanut butter twix and a box of Milk Dud's. (Ok, I warned you, I always get more candy then everyone else. ) and I am really not a sweet tooth.
DATES ARE FUN! They are needed. I need them. You might not need them, but I do.
Which is why I am super pumped..more pumped then I can express in words..that Danielle is coming to visit me tomorrow!! We haven't gotten to hang out since right after I got home from my honeymoon. and that wasn't a date...that was me dishing about my honeymoon. :)
ME! + Danielle! = DATE! Tomorrow!
I need this. We need this.
Pumped.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Ok...it is official
We are bored and poor.
I am SUPER proud. I wish I had a better before and after picture. But, I mean first of all..he does not have a mullet. YES. Second of all, he does not have a bowl-cut. YES. I think I completed this with at least a passing grade!
YUMM-O!
Ok we're not that poor. Trust me, I have seen poor. But we kind of decided that we are too poor to get Hunter a hair cut..SO I DID IT!
It started a couple days ago when we were watching American Gladiators...LOVE THAT SHOW..(especially considering Hunter knows the guy that holds the record in the eliminator! Go Tim!) and I noticed that Hunter was pushing back his bangs and seemed miserable with his hair in his face. So I took out some hair ties and played :)
He is so excited..right?
I know how to make boys excited...I told him he looked like a gladiator!
and he got happier..
and we decided that if Hunter were an American Gladiator, he would be the SOURDOUGHER! or the BUFF BAKER! Haha. But since I think he is pretty awesome and muscley and in love with Star Wars, I have him another name. So here is ...the ONE..the ONLY...the INTIMIDATING...SKYWALKER!
Ok so as you can see, his hair is LONG. Like really long. He hasn't cut it in like 3 months. Which for guys, thats nuts!
So , he convinced me to cut his hair so that we didn't have to spend any money on it. Whatcha think!?
I am SUPER proud. I wish I had a better before and after picture. But, I mean first of all..he does not have a mullet. YES. Second of all, he does not have a bowl-cut. YES. I think I completed this with at least a passing grade!
Ok before I go, I wanted to show a pic of the sourdough he made yesterday! IT IS SO GOOD.
YUMM-O!
Oh yes, and shot out to my MFEO BFFE LOML Danielle, from which the baking stone that Hunter bakes the bread on everytime, and this wooden bread thing that Hunter uses to cut the bread came from as a wedding gift! We love you!
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