My New Years Resolution

...is not to blog more. Sometimes I get so busy living life that I forget to write about it. I'll start at the beginning of this year.

Jeremy, Patton, and I had our first big party in the new house on New Year's Eve. We invited over 5 other couples and had a blast celebrating. Needless to say, I ended up getting in a push up contest with the boys before the night was over. Yes, I was in a dress and heels. No, I did not win.





Jeremy let his facial hair grow over the winter break partly to see how he looked but mostly because he didn't want to shave and he was granted permission to be lazy. This was on the condition that he shave it into different styles for my amusement before he shaved it all off.







I turned the big two-eight on the 9th! Jeremy and I had a nice dinner at Toulouse. Cynthia took me to a girls night at Cafe Madrid. And Jackie and John made an excellent dinner and ordered my favorite cake. It was a very birthday intensive weekend.


In other news, a coworker was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo a mastectomy this weekend. She will be in our thoughts and prayers. I made pink ribbons for my school to wear this week to show our support.


Oh, and Sarah-in-law and I ran a half marathon in Houston last weekend. I was so tired the night after the race I fell asleep 5 minutes into watching "Life of Brian." They were sweet and woke me up to put me in bed after the movie was over. Much like Jeremy does every night. I love hanging out with Michael and Sarah!


So that is our 2009 thus far. I'll report back in 2010 ;)

My New Toy!

I just got the Garmin 205 Forerunner, a GPS watch for pacing runs and other sport activities. It has so many features I haven't explored yet, but the basics more than please me. I've gone on two runs since I received it on Wednesday. Patton came with me today. Naturally, he started off in full sled dog mode for about 1/2 mile then he troted at a great pace for a mile. Afterwhich he intermittently switches between full stops and zero-to-60 sprints. He's not the best running dog, but we had fun.

I am starting to settle into my new school. It is really growing on me. I'm making connections with the staff and students. And I finally had time to clean and organize my clinic.

I've been VERY busy at work. A little boy broke his collarbone playing football at recess and the gym teacher also earned himself a trip the ER with a 2 inch laceration to the top of his head. Not to mention the outbreak of lice. Oh, and I have an 11 year old girl who doesn't eat because she thinks her "thighs are too fat." She's rail thin, needless to say. There is so much opportunity to help.

I enjoy the autonomy of school nursing. It is what you make of it! I see everything from small scratches to emergency asthma attacks. The scope of practice for nursing has increased in responsibility. It still amazes me how people underestimate my job. Nursing is truly a rewarding profession!

Wade and Jenny's Wedding and a New Knit

Wade and Jenny's wedding was this past Saturday. The ceremony was at Robert Carr Chapel and the reception at the Reata. The wedding was sweet, simple, and fun. We wish Wade and Jenny a lifetime of happiness together!

Jeremy and I enjoyed hanging out with the McDannel and Walker families. Jeremy and John left early Saturday to shoot guns with Wade and his guys. They made it back intact. Although, Jeremy has a bruise the size of a baseball on his right shoulder that he shows me approximately every two hours. Afterwhich, I reply with a "poor baby," and a kiss. I really think he is milking this for all it's worth. Good thing for him I'm a nurse and a sucker.

Jackie and I were in charge of bringing five dozen Sprinkles cupcakes from Dallas to Fort Worth. We hung out at her house that morning then delivered the cupcakes and had lunch on the square- all without getting lost, which is more than the McDannel men can say. I love spending time with Jackie. I am so lucky to have a mother-in-law that is also a friend.

I especially enjoyed meeting sweet little Matalley and seeing how much Grayson has grown (Jeremy's cousin's children.) Kalley and Matt make parenthood look fun. And I think Jackie and John got a kick out of practicing their grandparent skills. Don't get your hopes up; there are no plans for children in the very near future. I haven't even learned how to knit booties yet!

But I did knit my very first hat!






Next on the knitting agenda is a Christmas socking!!

Tour de Fleur and other news

Michael and Sarah-in-Law came to visit this weekend. We had a great time! Saturday was our second annual Tour de Fleur run, which starts and finishes at the Dallas Arboretum. It's 20K (12.4 miles) around White Rock Lake and through the Lakewood residential neighborhood (which is gorgeous.) There are bands and drum lines set up all along the trail which serve as great motivators for running. More bands play at the Arboretum and there are tents set up with free food, drink, and massages on the lawn. This is my favorite race of the year!

Sarah and I had lunch with her sister, Ginny, at Breadwinner's after the race. Then she and I did a little shopping in the boutiques on Lovers Lane. It is wonderful to have such a sweet sister-in-law. She has a great sense of humor and is always fun to be around. I wish she and Michael lived a little closer so we could enjoy their company more often.

Jeremy got a new chair this weekend. It replaced the hideous blue recliner in the living room. Unfortunately the blue recliner has not gone into full retirement and now temporarily resides in the sitting room.

Patton and I went to the dog park this morning. He met a little girl Boston. They were so cute playing together. I wonder if dogs recognize their own breed. He got a bath and is napping on the couch. A tired dog makes a happy dog owner!

In news at school/work: I had my first 911 call of the year. A little boy with asthma and no medications at school was running outside during a fitness class and came to the clinic in respiratory distress. I did everything I knew to do sans medicine to help open his airways to no avail and ended up calling EMS. He was treated, seen by the doctor and referred to a specialist. I am hoping this scared his mom into providing medication at school so I can help keep her child safe.

Been a Long Time...

So much for my resolution to blog more often, huh? There's a lot to catch up on since Labor Day, which we spent at the Arboretum enjoying Picnic in the Park. We sat on the lawn and watched the sunset over White Rock Lake while drinking wine and listening to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. When it got dark there was a projector showing of The Princess Bride. It was wonderful and free! You just bring your own blanket, food, and drink and they open the park to the public.

Last weekend Jeremy and I had planned to head to Houston for Michael Fest: A Celebration of All Things Michael. Unfortunately Hurricane Ike had other plans. My brother had to call off his birthday party. Michael and Sarah-in-Law made it through the storm with persons and house intact. They are getting a first hand lesson in life pre-electricity and running water. Now they take their Roman baths by candle light.

I am still establishing and figuring out boundaries at my new school. It's a large and diverse population. I'm getting to know all the faculty/staff and students. So far I would say I like them and the job. It's challenging on my patience and my nursing skills, but I feel I learn something valuable each day and help a few people while I do it. I'm sure I've pissed a few people off, but I can't please every one. Over all I have a good rapport with the people of Hamilton Park and feel I have a healthy dose of confidence to get the job done and fear to do it correctly.

The house is great! Sometimes Jeremy and I just look at each other and say, "I love this house." It's really ours!! And it's beautiful! I haven't decorated just yet. We have plans for every room and are saving for well thought out purchases (which is easier for Jeremy than it is for me.) I think Jeremy and I are giving up all gifts to each other and are now only giving gifts to the house. If it's a good house Santa may bring a new couch and chair for the living room this Christmas!

Softball season kind of started again for the KPMG Camels. Although, todays game was canceled for the Cowboy game and last weeks was rained out. I'd say I'll report back at least after our triple header next week but I don't want to write any blogging checks my blogging commitment won't cash.

Busy Bees!

Oh my goodness! It has been such a busy two weeks. I'm still getting settled into my new clinic. It has been quite the challenge and at times I feel a bit overwhelmed, but never out of control. I will be relieved once things settle down. The beginning of the year is always wild.

Bootcamp is going really well. It also challenges me, but on another level. Jeremy and I are still training for the 20k (12.4 miles) Tour de Fleur run on September 21. This is my favorite run of the year and I am looking forward to it!

The McDannel household will be immensely busy this fall but I am going to be more vigilant about updating our blog. Wishing everyone a happy Labor Day!

Tamara Joins the Military

I don't mean the US Military, but Dallas Military Fitness (a bootcamp class.) Sorry for the misleading title. It's reminiscent of fitness magazines that advertise "Eat Everything You Want and Still Loose Weight," only to reveal in the article that the key is to not want to eat unhealthy foods.

Tonight was my first class. It rained the entire time, which was refreshing. The class was a great workout. I am already sore. I hope this pays off, but in the mean time I'll enjoy it.

Me and my "piece" (what DMF calls the PVC pipe filled with sand that they make us hold above our heads while we run uphill):