2010....the year in review

2010 has been a year of blessings....and lessons in life for us. But we celebrated our first year of marriage and I wouldn't change it for the world!

In March, Jeremy and I added a new bundle of joy to our family....a male boxer named Duke. Now that he is almost a year old, I don't think 'bundle of joy' is the most appropriate way I would describe him. The vet refers to him as "Monster Nelms" since at almost a year, he is past the 60 lbs mark and STILL growing!

Here he is with Dutchess the day we bought him....within 5 minutes of the car he decided to break in the road trip with us. But he was very polite and only "dirtied" the rubber floor mat!

Two things were certain 1) he liked to eat 2) he wouldn't sit still! The only time I could get a picture is when he stopped to eat!

First yellow snow!!! (I think that jacket might fit his back leg now!)

One of the hardest lessons we learned this year was to let go. In January, we noticed Dutchess had developed knots under her jaw line. The vet (hoped) it was infected salivary glands and loaded her with steroids which seemed to help. In July however, the knots returned and were worse. We had a biopsy done and found out she had lymphoma. It was a very, very tough struggle for us as we watched our baby girl go from chasing squirrels to never wanting to get up. In the end, we decided we couldn't bare to watch her stuggle and in September decided to put her down. I had never realized in my life the impact of that decision and not a day goes by that we don't think about our little princess!

For our anniversary, we decided to go to Vegas. Neither of us had ever gone and well, thought it was time! We had an amazing time and look forward to making another trip. But I learned very quickly that in Vegas, there is no such thing as a dress too short, or heels too tall!!! Oh and when making reservations, if they ask if it's a special occasion tell them it's your anniversary-we got FREE dessert everywhere!!!

Here we are at the Venetian watching the Gondolas (sp?)

I know that isn't much for a year's worth, but it gets the high points. Hopefully 2011 will be filled with many more blessing (and postings!!!)

Resolution(s)...

Given my lack of blogging over the last year, I have decided that my one and only (since I usually don't make them) resolution is to be better at blogging. So for the one (I hope!) reader that may be out there, I will try to be better! Jeremy bought me a new camera for Christmas, which to say the least is WAY too fancy for me to understand! I hope to be better at posting pictures as my photographer (or lack there of) skills improve.

Quick Update

Life has been pretty busy lately. We bought a new little puppy and to say he is a handful would be the BIGGEST understatement of the year. He's name is Duke, he is a 2 1/2 month old boxer (he is a flashy fawn like Dutchess for those of you who have seen her). He likes to terrorize anything and everything in sight. Dutchess was a little unsure of him at first but now she is starting to warm up to him. This whole house breaking thing is for the birds. We had him on a schedule and he was doing GREAT.... then we finished the backyard fence so he spends most days outside. And now he has decided to play/eat outside...potty inside! But we are trying to get him back on track. We get Good Friday off from work, not really sure why since most PT's have to work that day, but no complaints here! Hopefully, I will have time this weekend to post up some pictures of the "kiddos". Other than the devil child, life is great and we are just busy enjoying this lovely 80 degree weather!

Randomness of Paris, TX

I thought this was a story my fellow PT's would enjoy. After work last night, I stopped by the grocery store by our house. So I of course was still sporting my work shirt that has PT physical therapist on it. The young, very, ummmm let's say naive, cashier asks, "are you a physical therapist." To whichI replied "yes." Then cashier asks, "so what do you have to do to become a physical therapist? Do you just have to sign up for a class at PJC?" (local junior college) Yep sweetie just takes ONE course at a JUNIOR COLLEGE to get a master's/doctorate and treat patients. WOW! I think my face was priceless at that point. I wish it was that easy! I could have started all this at 18!!!!

Sorry I have fallen off of the blog-wagon but this last week has been hectic! Not to mention all the snow, but we had to work our first weekend together. That was interesting to say the least! During the week I work at one hospital doing mostily rehab, but also any CCU, psych, or step down cardiac patients while Jeremy sees all the acute/ortho/post op day surgery patients at the other hospital. This way we only see each other at home. Well for the weekend, on Saturday I covered my usual case load and he covered his. But on Sunday I was on his stomping grounds, having Dr. Nelms direct me (first time EVER at the south hospital for me, I was so lost!) Needless to say, 6 days straight without a day off and then working a day together not so good on the marriage!!! But we survived. And at least we only have to do that once every 7 weeks or so. ...

"It never snows here...."

Oh where have I heard that before?!??!! Oh that's right, when we first started up in Amarillo, they gave us the "shpill" about bad weather but stated it rarely ever gets bad enough to cancel school. Well, then it did. Then I moved to Paris and we had forecast for snow. And everyone, even the crazies at work, said "it never snows bad enough here." (insert below pictures) So, the next time someone starts to tell me that I am going to tell them...SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!! Well, maybe not so harsh, but you get the point. Too bad there aren't snow days anymore for us :( We didn't get to play very much in the snow because we both had LONG days at work and the next day by the time we got off work, the bulk of it had melted away.

Yes, Dutchess has become quite the priss. She whines after her bath if we don't put her "clothes" on and Jeremy bought these little booties for....SO SPOILED!

Drs. Jeremy + Stephanie Nelms, PT

So it's official..there are TWO physical therapists in the Nelms' household!!! Jeremy passed back in October, but unfortunately I missed by two questions my first go around. Yes, that's right-TWO questions!!! After several weeks of being supported by my husband (financially and emotionally-talk about testing the limits of a newlywed!) I gave it another try and PASSED!

Okay so here is the run down of what happened in October. Jeremy and I registered for the exact same time, date, and place but somehow the day BEFORE the test, we realized something got messed up in his registration process and he actually MISSED his test date (nightmare)!!! So we frantically tried the next day to resolve the issue, but FSB decided to take the day off. So I was left to take the test alone and a little frazzled. But it all worked in the end....just took me a little longer than expected.

We both took jobs here in Paris. It's a little different setup than most places. The PT clinic here staffs both hospitals and the OP. The idea that started was continuity of care from acute, rehab, to HH or OP services. So Jeremy does acute at the south hospital and I will be in rehab at the north hospital. A little different but nice that we won't see each other all day at work, then all night at home! So we will have a wonderful start to the new year....TWO paychecks!!! All I can say is....HELLO CLOSEST MALL!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

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