Happy Homecoming!

Today Nick is coming home. In celebration, I took Finlay to the groomer, Diva Dogs, for the first time ever. I thought he'd freak out and pout all afternoon following his appointment. Instead, he looked as happy as I have ever seen him when he was done. He's been prancing around the house and yard ever since!

Nick's flight was, not shockingly, delayed out of San Angelo so instead of his initial arrival time of 5:10 he'll be arriving at about 10:30 tonight. Since it will be so late we'll post a family picture tomorrow! Here's wishing everyone a great weekend.

Guest Room Make-Over

Today I finally broke down and did something I've been wanting to do since we moved to South Carolina. I bought new bedding for our guest bedroom. Until today we had no actual bedspreads for the twin beds in there. We have been using some light blue blankets that have definitely seen their better days so when I saw some green and yellow quilts on sale at Target today I went for it. I fell in love with some throw pillows that really add as much as a grown-up touch to twin beds as possible, and I got everything on sale or clearance. Enjoy the pictures - maybe they'll inspire you to pay us a visit!

Comps are over!!!

Fin enjoyed some nice weather last weekend while I studied flashcards.
My friend Susan and I before the test
These guys were my study group for the test. We met every Sunday to study! From the left they are Alicia, Tara, Dave, and Dand.
Yay! We're done!
My friend Kelly and I, in our celebratory crowns and beads, having dinner at Liberty Taproom.

Comps are finally over, and life can get back to normal. I won't find out for three week if I have to do an oral defense so until then I am forgetting about comps. I know I've neglected posting pictures lately so here are a few from today and one of Finlay, just to show you he's still here and still happy.

1 down, sort of, and one to go

Well, one of my biggest challenges for this week is over, sort of. Student Body Elections have made it through round one. I'd love to say they were drama-free, but they weren't. I also can't really elaborate on the drama. If you're curious, check out www.dailygamecock.com. We'll be having run-off election for all three executive offices next Monday and Tuesday.

Friday is my big, Big, BIG, REALLY HUGE test, previously referred to as comps. Please wish me luck and say a little prayer at 9am on Friday (well, 8am if you're on CST)! Until after the test, I bid you adieu!

Happy Weekend

Although I haven't done much this weekend I thought I'd report on the few things I did do. The entire weekend, clearly, has been overshadowed by COMPS fever. I take my big test on Friday so everyone please say a little prayer that I pass!

Yesterday Fin and I went for a walk by the Congaree River with our friends Timmy and Zoe. Timmy is the husband of a good friend of mine who was also out of town this weekend and Zoe is their beagle mix. Timmy took pity on me being cooped up studying, and Finlay had a blast walking down by the river. We'll definitely have to do this as a double date once Nick comes home!

This weekend Nicholas had a mini-reunion with some high school friends in Austin. It sounds like they had a blast, and for those of you wondering he saw Jason, Casey, Jen, and Nathan as well as his sister Andrea and her boyfriend Drew.

Tonight I'll be watching chick flicks in my pj's, doing a mani-pedi, and generally trying to prepare for the huge week ahead. In addition to my test on Friday, as a part of my graduate assistantship I will be helping oversee student body elections on Monday and Tuesday. Ack!

Fin and I are signing off and wishing all of you a wonderful week!

Rose Picture

Sorry for the wait. Here's the picture I promised of my mini rosebush. I'm keeping it in my office since I definitely spend more waking time there than at home. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everybody (well, tomorrow if you happen to catch this post tonight)! Fin and I are still plugging along here, just trying to make it through to Comps. I want to publicly thank Nick, though, for his great Valentine's Day gifts! He bought me a Netflix subscription (since while he's gone I watch movies every weekend night) and had a tiny rosebush sent to me at work in a cute little planter. I'll post a picture tomorrow. What a thoughtful husband! Also thanks to Mom and Dad for your sweet card (and the Starbucks giftcard). I hope you all have a great V-Day!

Roxy

Today Roxy came for a visit. She and Fin seemed to get along ok, but Nick and I will be paying a visit to her foster home in Charlotte, NC before we make any decisions. Here are a few pictures of her:

When it rains...

It pours, right? Which would explain the events of the past 24 hours. As I mentioned before, I am in the midst of preparing for my comps exam in two weeks, so I'm already pretty stressed out. Add to that the fact that Nick is out of town, and I've got a whole household to take care of alone, on top of beinga student and having a job, and I think most would say my plate is pretty full.
So last night when my clothes dryer broke I thought it was just the icing on the cake. I got online to check out some dryers and decided to check out my finances, and hence my ability to purchase said new dryer. That's when I saw it...the red, bolded numbers, on my account balance. Yes, I was in overdraft, something I can honestly say I have never, ever done. I freaked out!
As it turns out, someone who shares my name and lives a few hours away had meant to transfer several hundred dollars out of her account, but it got transferred from mine instead. Lovely.
It was all resolved, but there were several hours of stress before the happy ending!

Tomorrow Finlay will be visited by his potential new sister, Roxy. Her foster parents are still trying to determine if she would be better off as an only dog so tomorrow should help. If she doesn't work out we have a few other options. We'll let you know tomorrow how things go. Wish us luck!

Oh, and everyone please say a prayer for my friend Allison who is recovering from an extended stay in the hospital.

Busy

I take my comprehensive exams (i.e. the only realy barrier between me and my M.Ed.) on February 22 which is keeping me more than a little busy these days. Finlay and I are happy and fine, and Nick's ankle is healing. That's all for now, just trying to keep you updated with the bare minumum! We'll try to blog more this weekend.