Attitude Check

My patience for people has diminished this semester; particularly when it comes to flawed logic or lack of effort. The later, in particular, has a way of burrowing under my skin to the point that I can't seem to keep my mouth shut when I observe it. It was recently brought to my attention that this new found characteristic has made some people shy away from me and others perceive me as mean. Both outcomes, in my opinion, are less than ideal, but when you've had it up to your eyeballs with something what is one to do?

I often try to put myself in the other person's shoes and/or reflect on a comparable personal experience so that I can understand his/her perspective. This, however, results in me trying to fix whatever problem the person is facing, which is useful to people open to advice and obnoxious, apparently, to folks who are super sensitive. Although I'm approaching my 30th revolution around the sun I have yet to figure out how to keep my comments to myself....especially when its easy pickings :)

This week in response to my formal acknowledgement of this less than becoming quality, I will actively work at keeping my comments to myself and allowing people to learn in their own time. Personal growth is important to me so what better way to get to the zen status that us mortal folks strive for than to implement a structure for personal growth.

So wish me luck as I try to develop my own mind and refrain from assisting others.

Happy Earth Day!

Crafty times

In honor of passing my proposal defense on Friday, I decided to devote my Sunday to sewing new curtains for our bedroom and den. With seven windows to cover I've got quite a bit of work ahead of me, but the process is the fun part. So let the fun begin!

Here's Clyde in front of the curtains in our den. These were re-purposed from our old bedroom.

Clyde is quite photogenic. Here he is again in our living room in front of a pair of curtains I made and the polka-dot chair my mom recovered.

If you live with an Atwood you will always be surrounded by silly humor :)

Ry's fish tank and our new bedroom curtains. He was supposed to move the fish out of our room, but he "never got around to it".

More B&W curtains for our dining room. They certainly make the space look cozy.

Craft time is so much fun! And this project also makes our home feel a lot more put together.

A day in the life

The past three weeks have been fruitful, but relatively dull. As of this past Saturday I submitted my dissertation proposal to my committee. In two weeks, I'll present my ideas publicly and then the summer work starts pouring in . Life as a graduate student is sometimes really stressful, but it's the slow fun moments that keep me going. The following photos are from the past three weeks. Each event put a smile on my face.

Ryan is reliving his elementary school days by playing floor hockey with his physics buddies. He's in the red shirt with the white helmet about to swing his stick. Go Ryan! 

I wrote and giggled at the physics-nerds playing hockey from the balcony at the gym. Not a bad spot to work at 11 pm on a Tuesday night.

This is the first calf born on our watch here at our new home! Little "Stupify" (we didn't name her) popped out right before we went on our nightwalk to check on and feed all the girls. She was up and walking in no time and even found her momma's teat! Welcome to the world Stupify!

The duck eggs are still rolling in. They are keeping us full and plump :) Duck eggs are pretty fatty, but we can't resist eating them all. They are delicious!

Realignment and work habits

It's that time of the year for me where I have a ton of lab and computer work. Since I'm in graduate school that typically means I am either typing or sorting specimen for 10+ hours a day. So what has this done to my heart, mind and body???

1) Exhausted me to the core
2) Made me a professional procrastinator (hence this post)
3) Caused neck spasms!!!

The third point is why I'm writing today. Three weeks ago my neck cramped up so badly that I had to lift my head off the bed with my hand. After a lot of at home massaging I decided to get a professional massage to try to loosen up all my muscles. The fifty minute massage was well worth the money because I was feeling 80% the next day. Being an active (overly spastic) person I pushed my luck the next day by playing racquetball against myself. After three swings, yes only three, my neck cramped back up and I could barely turn my head. I slept in a bed by myself that night to try to minimize the number of obstacles I have to curl around in the bed (two dogs and a big immovable boyfriend), but I woke up the next morning unable to lift my head with my neck once again.

I went to school for our lab meeting and was convinced by my advisor (it's nice to have an advisor that cares) to go to the doctor ASAP to get some relief. Seven minutes later health services took me in. The doctor poked around for a little while and then stuck her finger in the small muscle nodes right at the base of my skull. These muscles, little did I know, are what enable you to tilt your head front to back and side to side. As soon as she touched the muscles my eyes teared up. I had no idea I had reflexes like that!

She prescribed me some muscle relaxants to alleviate some of the pain, but also suggested going to physical therapy for weekly massages and electrical stimulation (both of which have helped tremendously). She also taught me a great trick for all you long straight necked people out there...sleep without a pillow. Growing up I remember chucking the pillow mid-way through the night, but I always thought that was just one of the weird-o things I did not really a useful one. Low and behold sleeping flat has alleviated more pain than anything else. I'm a no-pillow convert!

Honestly, it was a bit hard to get comfortable the first night because I'm typically a side sleeper, but once I settled onto my back I was off in dreamland with a perfectly aligned, low stress sleeping position. Of course I still have to navigate around the two dogs and immovable boyfriend to get comfortable, but I guess I choose to have so many bed obstacles :)

Now when I wake up I feel rested and with a more flexible neck! Just like in the old days (see below).

I also wanted to give a big shout out to both my parents. You two have been inspirational and so loving in the choices you made in the past few years. I truly hope I can be as loving and kind as you are to Louis and I when I have children. I sure love you both!!

Waving goodbye to winter

Spring is on the horizon. We are so looking forward to starting our garden, riding bikes without gloves, and exploring all the NH swimming holes. This sunset was a nice conclusion to winter (or at least I think it's on it's way out :)  ).

Quack Quack

 Three cheers for us! We officially have all of our belongings at our new home. Today, after 5 hours of prying, loading, sliding, and cleaning we moved our enormous duck coop to our house. So now our ducks are safe and sound in our new yard.

We're planning to buy ~10 meat chicks in the next couple of weeks so that we can raise our very own backyard dinner. Yum!


Ryan rebuilt part of the coop during this weekend's snow storm. What a trooper.

Ito ready to explore our freshly snow covered backyard.

The pups love to put their faces under the snow. I think there are mice under there :)

They'll do this for hours.

Our fresh supply of wood to fuel the fire. It arrived just in time. We were nearly out.

Snow walk pic.

I still can't get over how nice it is to sit in front of the fire after a long day. A special thanks to Mom for sending us the beautiful wool afghan that she knitted. It goes perfectly with our eclectic color scheme.

Living the dream

All tuckered out from an afternoon of playing with Cynthia and Mia. These brothers really know how to dog-pile.

When we need firewood not even 35 mph winds and snow will stop this guy from going outside.

I, on the other hand, am sitting comfortably in front of my computer & heater.