So as my sister Liz is crippled in bed because of a recent Gallbladder extraction surgery, favorite little sister Mary will be transcribing an update for her.

MOST EXCITING TEN THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS LIZ HASN'T BLOGGED:
10- Went on a diet and lost 20+ lbs
9-witnessed the death of her dear aunt Colleen
8-praised by her doctor for lining up paperclips in her OCD fashion. Apparently said doctor is also OCD
7-bought an I touch and a new computer ( gave little sister old lap top and old ipod. There was much rejoicing)
6-One of the doctors she worked for was called into the 2nd quorum of the seventy. She now has connections with the man upstairs!
5-Reached over 300 mark of books she owns
4- Contrary to what Mary believed, was fully clothed when she slipped in the bathroom and dislocated her knee resulting in a massive surgery where she almost died on the operating table after asperating her gastric fluids
3-moved out of the parents basement (again) and into an apartment (again!)
2-Mary god home from her mission!
1- Gallbladder extraction (15 gall stones. Yikes!) through the bellly button!

The List!!

So for the past few months, my dad and I have been working on what we like to refer to as.... "The List". This list, is a list of STUPID things. It doesn't matter why they were created. If it's stupid, it qualifies... So if anybody thinks of anything that they deem worthy of THE LIST, let me know. We're open for stupid suggestions. Here's a few things we have so far....

Sporks

High heels foe babies

Combovers

9/10 of a cent in gas

"fun size" candy bars

Wax lips

Blow up lawn decor of any kind

Spare (doughnut) tires

Macrame

Geodome houses

Feel free to add more. These are just a few of the things we have. :)

New Glasses

So I finally gave in.... I got glasses. And WOW! I had no idea how blind I was!! The first thing I noticed was the mountains. I figured they were just to far away to notice any detail. Go figure. And now I can see the street signs when I'm driving before I reach them. I can't wait to help one of my doctors do a procedure!

Trip to Oklahoma

So I just got back today from my week long trip to Oklahoma. It was a blast! I was so excited to meet my cute new nephew Simon. He's the sweetest little boy and has the cutest dimple on one side of his face. :) Isaac and Leah are always fun to play with. I had many tea parties with Leah and got to play transformers and video games with Isaac. My favorite part was Saturday when we went bowling. Isaac was so intense when it came to bowling. He would get a running start and sometimes drop the ball backwards. Leah just could not hold still. She was just dancing and jumping and spinning on the floor. I got some videos. :) It was so fun! I hope to go out there again soon. It's hard having them live so far away, but it makes me cherish the time I do spend with them a lot more.

Grandma

It's about 5:30 am and I couldn't sleep so I decided to write a little bit. Grandma Rose passed away this morning, just a little before 4:00 am. She was 94. It just makes me so grateful for the opportunity I had to stay with her and help take care of her every weekend for a few years. My siblings and most my cousins didn't have that same opportunity that I had to spend so much time with her, and get to know her so it makes me realize how unique and what a great blessing it was for me. I remember my first night staying over there. It was December of 1996. I was at grandma's house with my mom and dad. I don't even remember why, but since my grandpa had passed away that October, grandma didn't like staying home alone in the house all night. Somehow a miscommunication happened, and it turned out that night, there was nobody available to spend the night. I jokingly said to my mom, "I'll stay tonight if you want." and before I knew it, I was handed one of grandma's pink silk nightgowns, given instructions, and was left standing alone in her living room. I was terrified! How on earth could my mother leave her 14 year old daughter alone in a creepy old house with her grandma that she didn't know too well. I remember thinking, what happens if she dies when I'm asleep in the room next door, what do I do? I felt very alone and scared. I think grandma knew how I felt. She showed me where I would be sleeping, made us some soup, and asked me to come and sit on her bed with her to visit. She tried so hard to make me feel at ease and comfortable. I didn't know then that this was to become a weekly ritual with her for the next 4 1/2 or so years. I spent every Saturday night with her from that December after my grandpa died in 96, to the weekend before I left to Ricks College in 2000. There are so many stories I heard from her. I just loved sitting on her bed holding her hand and talking to her. She told me stories of when she was a little girl, things about her mother and father and her siblings. I was supposed to be going there every weekend to take care of her, but she ended up helping me in so many ways. I am defiantly going to miss her. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to get to know her so well and spend so much time with her. With her being the last one of that Hinckley generation, I can't even think of how wonderful a reception she had on the other side. She promised me that she would save a spot for her and I to Rollerblade in heaven. :P I also remember that when I went over one night, grandma had already made the soup. It was split pea soup and I was HORRIFIED! I never would have made pea soup for myself. NASTY! But I didn't want to hurt her feelings, and she had made the soup just for me, so I ate it. And I LOVED it! :p Every time I eat it, I think of her. :) Grandma Rose has a special place in my heart and always will. I'm sure my middle name, Rose, was defiantly an inspired name.

The Human Body!

Don't you think the human body is amazing? I have watched several surgeries and it just never ceases to amaze me! Then on top of it, I was able to go to the Body Worlds exhibit at the Leonardo. My friend Scott was kind enough to humor me and go with me, even though he has a weak stomach. Anyway, it was really interesting. Not nearly as "creepy" as people think it's going to be. I really think that if you have the chance to go, then do it! This exhibit is focused on the Heart and circulatory system. Those who know me know how much I'm in to Cardiology! It was just amazing! If anyone wants to go, and they want a buddy to o with, I know someone who is willing to go again. (hint hint. :p)

New Haircut

Hey all. Well, I did it. I caved in to peer pressure and cut 9 1/2 inches off my hair. My best friend Nicole cut it and measured it. So ignore the fact that it's 11 o'clock at night, I'm in my pajamas and not wearing makeup, and tell me what you think.

It's great to feel appreciated!

So tonight for work we had a Luau to welcome Dr. Kim. A new doctor who joined our practice a few weeks ago. All the doctors, their spouses, kids, and other co-workers in the office were there. It was a blast. There was food and dancing and just sitting around and visiting outside of the hospital setting. After eating, Dr. Fisher came up to me to introduce his wife to me. He also wanted to tell me how great a job he thinks I'm doing and to thank me for working so hard. It feels so great to work with such amazing and kind people and know that they really do appreciate all I do. After my awful experience with working for another doctor in St. George (who really was a jerk) I realized how blessed I really am. So needless to say, I'm loving my new job! So note to all of you... Tell people you care about how much you appreciate them. It'll make their day!

Just a short update...

So I'm three weeks into my new job, and I love it! Dr. Richards and Dr. Fisher are fabulous!! They have been very patient with me as I try to learn the ropes, and thankfully, I'm picking up on things allot faster than I thought I would. Although I did lose a bet to Dr. Fisher and now I owe him a Diet Coke.... I do miss the arterial spray at my old job. I don't get to watch as many surgeries as I used to, but it's still allot of fun. Only thing I'm not thrilled about is dealing with people on the phone. Just in case y'all don't know.... if you just had surgery on your stomach, you start vomiting blood, and you have intense cramping in your abdomen, it might be a good idea for you to call 911 or go to the ER. Don't call your doctors office three times asking if tylenol will fix the problem. It won't. I promise. Gah! Some people!!

New Job

So to all those that haven't heard... Today I got a new job. I'll be working as a Medical Assistant in a General Surgeons office. So I finally get to relinquish my vampire ways and start coming out in the daylight. I've worked night shifts for nine years, so I hope it won't be too big of a challenge working a normal nine to five job. I do LOVE my job at the Thoracic ICU though so I'm hoping my manager will allow me to do part time one night a week in Thoracic. The whole reason I applied for another job was to make a little extra money. The job I applied for was part time, but the manager was so impressed with me he asked if I would be willing to do full time. It was a nice compliment and an opportunity that sounded too good to pass up. So I will officially start my daylight working hours on July 21st. And to the Groves.... Don't worry. When I applied for the job I told them I already had plans for a vacation in August and they said it wasn't a problem at all and to enjoy myself in Durango. So there's the update on the goings on in my life. Wish me luck. :)

Gas prices

So I heard something on the news today saying that they are predicting gas to be over $6.00 a gallon by the end of the summer. That totally stinks. My question is the news says "they predict". Who is "they"? Why are "they" the ones who get to predict? Why aren't "they" on our side? Just the middle of the night at work and some of the nurses and I were having random thoughts....

Visit to Oklahoma

So I just got back from my visit to Oklahoma late Tuesday night. It was allot of fun. It's really hard when I only get to see my sister and her family once or twice a year. Those kids are growing up so fast so I had allot of fun spending time with them. Leah is such a talkative little girl. When she wasn't talking about princesses she was dancing like one. Isaac is doing so good with his reading. He can pretty much read any of the Dr. Suess books by himself. He even read one to me with minimal assistance. Very impressive for a 5 year old. And he asks lots of questions. Why this why that? What's this mean? What's that? It just wore me out listening to him. Thanks to Sarah for letting me come out and visit. It was a blast. If anyone wants to look at some pictures, here ya go just copy and paste the link. There were just too many pictures to post on here...


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42125&l=ece07&id=506386809

Overtime

So I've been working quite a bit lately. In the past 12 days I have only had 2 days off... and I spent those two days painting my parents living room. Can I just tell you how excited I am for my week long vacation in Oklahoma? It is definatley needed! I am looking forrward to a little relaxation. (Although I don't think Isaac and Leah are planning on letting me have much.) I'm still two weeks away from the trip and getting alittle impatient. I WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS HOSPITAL!! And go figure, the night before I leave, I'll be working all night and pretty much be heading right to the airport after work. So I'll arrive in Oklahoma looking all nasty from working twelve hours and smelling like a hospital. Oh well. I hope that Sarah and Mikey won't shun me and will still allow me to stay with them. Hooray for lack of sleep and vacations!!!

Stop setting me up!

Please people, I know you all care about me and my future happiness, but stop trying to set me up with your "available" friends and family. I'm very content with being single right now and I'm just not interested in dating. It seems no matter how many times I say that, someone at work or one of my friends, just don't believe me and insist I "meet" one of their single friends. I promise, I don't need to have a boyfriend to be happy. In fact right now I really don't want a boyfriend. I've even turned down 2 dates the past 3 weeks. Let me be! I beg of you, no more blind dates, I promise I'm happy being single right now!

Just can't sleep...

So it was midnight, I wasn't really tired, so I decided to watch a movie. I start browsing through my collection and decided I was in the mood for a chick flick. I figured I would choose something that was slow paced and I wouldn't mind falling asleep in the middle of. So I chose the six hour Pride and Prejudice. WHY OH WHY DID I DO THAT!?!? So here I sit at six in the morning wide awake because I couldn't pull myself away from the ultimate chick flick, and wondering how on earth I'm going to stay awake during conference thismorning... Well, it's not the first time I've gone almost 48 hours without sleeping. I might be going to game night on Sunday a little on the exhausted side though. So I guess I'll see if I can sleep these next three and a half hours and just see how it goes.

The Utah bubble...

So today I went to the new singles ward that was just organized in my stake. My mom encouraged me to go and check it out and decide if I wanted to stick with the one I'm in, or move on to this new one. Well I went, and hated it. I was probably the oldest one there. Everyone was 21-23 and here I come, 26. So I was thinking, Oh well, I'm here, I might as well attend one meeting, and sat down. The sacrament meeting was good. I've always loved listening to President Call talk, but it was afterwards that things got annoying. To all you single guys out there, just because a girl is over 22 and not married, doesn't mean there's something "wrong" with them. A few guys came up to talk to me, and as soon as they found out how old I was, the conversation ended. They started waking off mid sentence. It was really rude. Is there some code or something that says your not allowed to even socialize with someone who is out of your "preferred age range?" I really don't think 26 is that old, but for some reason, in Utah singles wards, it's ancient. I never had these kind of issues when I lived with Sarah in Oklahoma. There were much older singles in the ward I was in out there, and there wasn't any pressure to get married so young. What is it with Utah?

Happy Birthday to Me!!

So here I am spending the first part of my Birthday at work... How exciting. Ya know, I think there's something sick and wrong about spending the first ten minutes of your birthday cleaning up someone elses bloody poop. I know that was disgusting and you probably never wanted to know that, but I just found it annoying that I rarely have to clean that certain bodily mess up at work, and one of the few times I do, it has to be on my birthday and there's so much blood that the room smells like Iron. Sadly there was also so much blood the guy was rushed to surgery for internal bleeding. Then another patient went into cardiac arrest and we had to do CPR and he didn't make it. Unfotunately they rarely do. Then go figure, someone decides to stop breathing at 6:45am when I'm about ready to go home. And while I'm assisting the doctor with re-intubating the patient, the woman in the room next door decides to pull out all of her IV's, her epidural, her foley catheter(ouch!) and everything else sticking out of her body. So once again, I had to spend over an hour cleaning up blood. So needless to say, my day started out bad. Then when I get home I find out that my parents had to cancel their plans to take me to a birthday dinner because they have to babysit. I guess it's really not that big a deal, I don't mind them babysitting, the boys are fun to play with, but it's just another thing to add to the list. It's only 9:00am and my birthday already sucks! Hopefully things will get better. At least Isaac, Leah, and Sarah called and sang to me. That made me smile alittle. Please say cheerful things. I need them. :-(

10 Months!?!

Wow! I can't believe I haven't blogged anything for almost ten months! Obviously I don't blog often. I guess it's because there's not much going on right now. I work, sleep, work, sleep, read, work, etc... So my life really isn't that interesting at the moment. Since I last wrote, I've moved back up to Salt Lake. I miss St. George allot. Mostly my friends down there. We've had some fun times.

So now, I currently live in my parents basement, hoping that someday I can get enough time off of work to have a social life, meet some girls that need a roommate, and move out. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but after living away from home for so long, it's hard to come back....

Other than living in the cave in the basement, I work in the Thoracic ICU at Intermountain Medical Center. I love it! There's opportunities for me to watch open heart surgeries, and assist in some small procedures. And I never get tired of the Arterial Spray! (Those of you that know me well, shouldn't be surprised I put that phrase in here). It's really interesting and I'm learning allot. I think in all the areas of hospitals I've worked in, I like the Heart. It's just amazing. I wish that some of my friends or family worked in a similar field so I could talk to someone about it and have them be just as excited as me. :) Well, I think that's enough of an update for now. Sorry if it's a little choppy. I just got off working all night and haven't slept yet. I should do that. Goodnight. :)

Stress

I am a bit on the frustrated side this evening. I feel like I'm in high school again!! Talk about Drama! One of my guy friends likes a girl, and my other guy friend decided he also likes this girl.... So needless to say, there is quite a bit of awkwardness and frustration going on. They really need to talk about it rather than ignore each other. It would make things so much better.
And something else that doesn't ease my frustration.... My oldest sister Rachel, and my youngest sister Mary, are currently in Paris. Can I just tell you how Jealous I am? Mary has already been to 3 countries, and Rachel has been to 4 or 5... And here I sit in St. George Utah, trying to afford groceries. I know I know... It's my fault I don't save every penny so I can travel the world. They e-mail me pictures and are always talking about it. I just have the green eyed monster of jealousy living in my head and it's just so hard to just get over it. Oh well... Life goes on..

Hermit

I think I've become a Hermit. I love my roommates, but I find myself spending more and more time alone in my room reading. I read 4 books last week. Doesn't that sound a bit excessive? My little sister will read this and agree that something's gotta change. By the way Mary, I'm glad your back from England, but I'm still jealous and hate you. :P

Well, I guess that's all for now. I'm going to get back to my book... It's a sad sad world in the life of Lizzy Lou right now.