Decorated Office

Ok, so I haven't had my own space in a long time at work.  I loved my tiny office during my days at the VA hospital.  It was tiny but I had it decorated and I spent many hours in that tiny office.  I had so many pictures of friends and family and I think it helped me not be quite so homesick or lovesick (I really didn't like being so many hours away from Matt!).  Anyways, I now have an office again so last week, I got it decorated! 

Before pictures:

After pictures:

The job is going well so far.  It's always hard starting a new job because the first few weeks are a lot of training, observing, orienting (Yuck!  I hate the word.), etc.  So, for the impatient person (Not me?!!), it makes it a little more difficult.  Anyways, I'm learning a lot and I really am excited as it seems that I'm working with great staff.

Rewind to last weekend...

So, I've been tardy with my posting yet again.  We had a wonderful time last weekend with the Wheawills in Massanutten.  It was the perfect relaxing weekend that was much needed.

Since it was my first trip, everyone did a great job giving me a tour. 

We got an amazing view of the mountains and also the ski slopes and tubing.

After a few family pictures, we headed to Dayton to do some shopping and then to Harrisonburg to the JMU bookstore for Courtney.  Of course, we had to stop for a quick grocery stop and we made it back for some heavy snacking.

.

(Notice the cute flowers on the Wheawill women!)

We relaxed and visited the rest of the day which included watching the olympics, working a puzzle, eating the best delicious french onion soup, and playing a couple games of Sequence.

(I became obsessed with the puzzle and was very motivated to finish it before leaving Sunday!)

 

Sunday, we got to go tubing. We had a blast going down on our stomach all 3 of us attached together. Courtney is much more of a dare devil than I. I don't think I would have ever gone on my stomach if she hadn't first and then talked me into it!

(I love Matt's hair!)

We had such a fabulous weekend. I was very sad to say goodbye and leave them but Matt and I had to return to our child and to the working world.

Wally was exhausted from his visit at the pet resort but happy to see us!

Happy Birthday Courtney!

Courtney, just thinking about you on your birthday.  You are a great friend to me even though we don't see other as often as we would like. 

Hope you are having a fabulous day!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Dad, I hope you are having an excellet birthday and am sorry I just can't be there with you to celebrate!

I'll always be Daddie's little girl.  Love you so much!

Happy Birthday Ali!

So, as you can see by the trend, February is a busy month to celebrate birthdays!  So, to my best friend, Ali, I hope you have a great birthday.  Ali has definitely put up with me when no one else wanted! 

I hope you have a great day and that you are enjoying some rest today!  (The old people need their rest, so I hear!)

Too bad my camera battery died on Saturday night.  I planned on taking pictures at the big WheawAli party but that didn't work out so well.  Anyways, I think the birthday kids had a great time!

A week full of celebrations....

Matt was able to celebrate his birthday a couple of times throughout the week. I think he turned out to have a pretty good one!

We had a wonderful birthday dinner with Matt's mom and dad in honor of his birthday.  Here are some from the declicious dinner with Matt's parents.

Matt got a VT cornhole set from his parents and sister. My parents finished it out with the bean bags.

Dinner and dessert was wonderful as always!



Then, on his birthday, Matt decided he wanted steak, mashed potatoes, and bleu cheese salad. Then, I made his mom's pound cake for dessert.

Matt really wanted to get the Comcast baseball preview. So, I made him a little baseball coupon so that he can sign on to get his full season of baseball. To fit the theme, I got him a magazine so he can brush up on the 2010 season.

More pics of the birthday boy opening his gifts....

Wally was very interested!

Tonight is the big annual WheawAli Party where both Matt and Ali will celebrate turning 30. I can't wait to celebrate my 2 very best friends big 30th birthday!!

Happy Birthday Matt!

Matt, I hope you have an excellent 30th birthday.  I am excited about celebrating this big birthday with you.  You are a best friend to me.  I love how happy you make me everyday! 

My happiest day was marrying you, my dear!


Happy Birthday my sweet sweet husband!

Happy Birthday Diane

Today, is my old roomie and great friend, Diane's birthday!  We lived together during pharmacy school and even though, we aren't in the same city, I still value our friendship very much. 

Thinking about you and hope you have a great day today!!!  I hope you are having a good one in Chicago.

More Wally in the snow

Happy Monday!

Chicken Marsala

A delicious simple recipe given to me by a very good friend, Anne.  Thanks for the recipe.  We have fixed it several times and it's a favorite around here.

(I fixed it once thinking that I probably wouldn't fix it again since Matt didn't eat mushrooms but he asked for me to fix it again so don't be fooled by the mushrooms. They add taste and can be easily picked around and saved for those that love mushrooms. In other words, the picture above is most definitely my plate!)

4 chicken half-breasts (1/4 inch thick--use meat hammer)

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

pepper, dash

1/2 teaspoon oregano

4 tablespoons oil

4 tablespoons butter

1 cup slide fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup marsala wine

cooked rice or pasta (we use egg noodles)

Combine flour, salt, pepper, and oregano and blend well.  Heat the oil : butter in skillet until bubbling lightly.  Dredge the chicken in the flour and shake off excess.  Cook the chicken on medium heat for about 2 minutes on the first side, until lightly browned.  As you turn the breasts to the second side to cook, add the mushroooms around the chicken pieces.  Cook about 2 more minutes, until lightly browned.  Stir mushrooms and add wine.  Cover the pan and simmer about 10 minutes.  Serve over rice or pasta.

Whoever is praying for snow, Please Stop!

So, this was on a sign at a local church in Grundy, and I thought it was too cute. 

Here is what Wally thinks of the snow.  He's saying "Not again!".

Last weekend, we were in Grundy for the big Richmond snow.  We were lucky enough to miss it traveling which I'm thankful for.  For one time, I think Richmond got more snow than Grundy.  Only 6-12 inches in Grundy and I heard 12-18 inches for Richmond folks.  Virginia Department of Transportation tends to work those roads and mountains heavily in Grundy thankfully.  And, I was happy that we didn't lose electricity or water like the previous snow in Grundy around Christmas time. 

With all of our traveling, Matt and I managed to miss the snow that then hit us again this weekend. I am so thankful to not be on the roads in the bad weather.  Right now, I'm happy to be home and safe.

While Wally may get a close up view... 

I plan on this being my view of the snow:

This family is ready for Spring!

More from Grundy...

I see a trend with my blogging.  I don't blog for a while and then I post 2-3 times in one day.  I'm going to try to do better about spreading them out, but it's snowing more right now so I thought I should play some catch up.

While in Grundy, I did manage to have time to visit with family.  Not much to post about but figured I would show you a little bit of pictures from the trip.

My wonderful husband turns 30 this week (He's older than me! haha...just had to add that.).  I will have many more birthday pictures to post.  I think we will manage to make it a full birthday week, if not birthday month before it's over.  Anyways, mom made him a carrot cake.  Dad was concerned about burning down the house with 30 candles.

Here are my parents children now that Meredith and I are not living there any longer.

Oh, and take a look at this puzzle.  (This is for my Aunt Susan and Matt to see it finished.  They had to leave in the middle of mom and I working hard.)