Southern Culture that I've embraced:

I'm going to write mainly on things in the south that is second nature to them, but to a northerner, rather odd. And as I am writing this Oscar is running the complete length of the house and top speeds, running into the walls (because we have no carpet and he can't stop) then turning around and going the other direction. All of this because it's too hot for him outside. He goes out, pees, and sits back at the door giving us one bark to tell us that he's through. Yesterday we tried to go to the farmer's market, and were only there for 45 minutes. We pick out our fresh veggies and left because it was 9:30 and 88 degrees. Yesterday we had a couple over and at 10:00 pm it was 82....but felt like 87. Needless to say, we ate inside in the air conditioning. Hot and humid, and I really wish it'd rain because I'm sick of watering my flowers.

Anyway, back to the subject. These are the things I've absolutely fallen in love with in the south. First, let's start out with the way they dress. For the men: polos, shorts, and loafers. A lot of boys and men have the comb over swoop, which I think is funny. One patient's mom told me, "I can't wait til his hair get's longer and I can part it." I giggled. (Dave hasn't conformed to the loafers, his feet get too hot) The women I've noticed always wear dresses, and now I understand why: it's cool. I have went on a shopping spree when it comes to dresses. I no long buy shorts/ jeans, just dresses. If I go out, more than likely I'll have a dress on. They're so easy, you don't really have to put an outfit together, just pick out shoes and jewelry. And speaking of jewelry: Pearls. Here's the thing with pearls, they can be worn casually, but are also classic. Love it. That was Dave's best purchase for me. Oh~ Also, the smocked dresses on little girls, with bows in their hair. My girls will wear this attire, even if we are back in Nebraska!

On to the next thing, and that would be ferns. I have 7 hanging fern baskets. They line the carport and it ultimately incloses it. This is one thing I DON'T like, there are a TON of carports! But back to ferns, they make me feel happy inside, and I'm not sure what it is about them. I also love the tree's down here! Well, there's TONs of trees, but my two favorites are the Magnolia and Crepe Myrtle's. I wish we could have them up north, because they're beautiful!! However, the climate doesn't allow it. Darn winters!

People down here obviously speak a little differently from us. I don't think I've picked up the accent yet, (I do say y'all quite a bit) but another thing is Miss, Mrs., and Mr. For example, one of the nurses I work with is named, Miss Ruth. I don't think I've ever called her just Ruth, it just sounds wrong. I'm trying to get in the habit of doing this all the time, like saying "Yes ma'am, no sir" etc. I don't want people to think I'm being rude.

Anyway, that's really it for now, or all that I can think of. Hope everyone's doing great!

Dave's on Cardiology....enough said.

Well, followed by the great weekend Dave started one of the worst rotations. There are however, only 3 more weeks left of intern year! Hooray for that! He gets a week off so one of his friends is coming down and they are going to spend the weekend in Atlanta. They'll go to some breweries and hit up some Brave's games. I can't get any time off because two people are out on maternity leave at work and it's just hard to get time away. But anyway, when he's on these rotations with time intensive call, I find myself getting very emotional and cranky. Let's hope that since this is the last month, it'll be a smoother for both of us!

This week I went to see Sex and the City 2 with a few girl friends, all of whom husbands are also interns. It was nice to go out and to share our complaints. One girl, bless her heart, just took the bar in February, passed, but cannot find a job to save her life. She was a lawyer and had a great job back in N'Orleans, but was uprooted to come here for her husband's surgery residency. I feel terrible for her, because I know that feeling of not being able to find a job. We decided we needed to get together often, just for our sanity.

Oscar is doing well, we got him this bark collar that when he barks he gets sprayed with citronella. It's kind of funny because it scares him.

Oh, sad news. Thursday when us girls went to the movie, another girl that will usually hang out with us was at the beach with her kids and family and said that started to smell the oil. She was at the same beach, Orange Beach, that Dave and I were just at last weekend. I guess they're also seeing tar balls. It makes me sick to my stomach, those beaches are so beautiful, not to mention those poor people who's lives and income depend on the ocean. Sickening. Anyway, I suppose that is all for now.

Random note: Sometimes I wish I was a teacher so that I'd have summers off....just saying.

Memorial Day Weekend Extravaganza!

This was the first year that I've ever missed the Pawnee City Fireman's Pancake feed. It's usually my birthday weekend so I'm home, but this has been a year of changes and firsts. Not that I can complain about my weekend. It was full of friends, food, beach and beverages.

Dave and I left for the long weekend Friday after I was done with work and drove down to the beach. He had a conference down there that he had to present a poster on one of his patients. It was titled "An Uncommon Heachache" (or something to that extent.) I really can't tell you what it was completely about because I, of course, was on the beach at 8:30 am and stayed all day. No worries, I wasn't being a terrible wife, because all the other wives and children were right there claiming their lounge chairs and umbrella's with me. Dave did his 30 minute presentation, we ran to Publix (the local grocery store) to grab some food and beverages, then returned to the beach for a day long drink/lounge fest. There weren't really any wives down there that I knew, but as long as I have my iPod and celebrity magazines, I'm totally entertained. (I somehow forgot a good book.)

Although Dave was under the umbrella 95% of the day, he still managed to get burned....with sunscreen! Our poor children have no chance to be good tanners, unless some recessive gene presents itself. It was a good time though, we came home Sunday because Dave had to go in on Memorial day, but good thing we did. My friend who was also down there said it took her 9 hours to get home because of beach traffic all heading back north on Monday. Usually it takes 4 1/2. Did I also mention that we didn't have to pay for it? Since Dave was presenting UAB paid for it. That made it even nicer!

Monday we went out to on of our friends parent's house. They had a pool and we BBQ'd and it was wonderful. Oscar gets to go to, because Harper's mom has 4 dogs, one of which is Oscar's half sister, Anna Belle. So, needless to say, Oscar got to try the whole pool thing. He was terrified, and wouldn't go back in. The water was a little chilly, so I'm hoping he'll warm up to the idea. Harper and Matt's little daughter, Hannah Kate LOVES her "Ostar" She call's him her Ostar buddy. You can her here in the video too, saying, "poor baby, poor baby" My mom loved this video, so hope y'all get some enjoyment out of is as well.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day! Our little town put's flags in the island on the main highway, it is really beautiful. It makes me smile.