birthday weekend!

My post-birthday weekend is off to a fabulous start. Homemade guac and bacon wrapped chicken last night - delish! Plus, Felipe got started on some antibiotics which is a gift all in itself (it's hard work taking care of a sick hubbie!)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Guacamole/Detail.aspx?prop31=2

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Feta-Cheese-and-Bacon-Stuffed-Breasts/Detail.aspx?prop31=2

This morning I took my car in for an oil change and tire rotation where I heard some bad news. But you know, I decided to make lemonade our of my lemons. My rear struts are going out and need replaced which costs a bit under $500. Which is a substantial amount, especially when your car is only work $1000 and change. So the lemonade part it - I now have objective evidence that I need a new car. I'm thinking it would make a great valentines's day present!

For lunch I ate at one of my fave hot spots, Thomas. Prime rib sandwich and homemade french fries with oodles of catsup - double delish! When I got home I had a lovely suprise on my front porch - my DVF luggage. After lugging all 22 kilos up my stairs and ripping off yards of wrapping I was faced with the most fabulous luggage I have ever seen in my life. Gorgeous! Very sophisticated and fun - just like me! lol! And it has the most fabulous red detailing that you can barely glimpse on the outside, then you open it and red everywhere! Sassy (which is probably a better descripter of me than sophisticated.)

Tomorrow mom, dad, & brento arrive for a weekend of fun. I'm making them ham & beans with butterscotch bread pudding for dessert. Rather than a birthday cake, I'm doing an upside down cranberry coffee cake. Definitely going to have to get the espresso maker out.

Happy weekend!

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

I think good Mr. Lincoln had it right. And in my 27 years I've lived a lot of life and had many fine adventures. Today was a lovely birthday day. I got to sleep in until the ripe hour of 7:15, which was a good start. However, it quickly turned rocky when the garage door froze shut again, with Felipe's car inside, and him needing to make it to his boards. Luckily we knew how to get in and with a little help from our downstairs neighbor he was off and my day was back on track.

Today, I was with home hospice and I got to visit one sweet patient with the warmest hands I have ever held. I was sent home at lunch to go celebrate my birthday, and the celebration began in style in my flannal pj's on the couch watching wedding television. Later, Felipe took me to a lovely happy hour at the Melting Pot where we shared some divine cheddar fondue made in front of us at our table. For dessert was Yin & Yang fondue, a lovely swirl of white and dark chocolate. Delish!

I also got tons of kind words on facebook, a lovely e-mail from my fmil, phone calls from my parents, and 2 birthday cards (one from gma and one from mom & dad.) Funny enough, both of them had pink and shoes - guess you guys have me all figured out!

It has been a lovely birthday celebration. Thank you for the kind words and well wishes. Can't wait for another year!

Happy Birthday to me!

Luggage! DVF luggage! Diane von Furstenberg luggage! 4-piece set! Jamaica here I come!

(If you can't tell I'm super excited about my birthday present.) My heart started racing when I found a fabulous deal on Ebay this morning. So much so that I called Felipe 3 times back to back, and then called my fmil too to get "permission" to purchase my own birthday present. Luckily Felipe got home just in time to click the "buy" button. Unfortunately it won't get here wrapped and ready by Wednesday, but soon enough. I went to a trendy bridal fair called "Wedding Hive" last week with Annie my super-bridesmaid. I got a free candle, a glass of bubbly, and some yummy lemon-blueberry cake. I also happened to meet these fabulous photographers (http://www.lemonlimephoto.com/) and won a portrait session with them during the charity auction. Sweet! I'm so excited to have wonderful photos of me and felipe to treasure forever and ever.

sundays are for hanging out with the girls

Chick flicks, yummies, and best friends. Overall, the perfect Sunday afternoon.

Peach-Basil Sangria

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peach-Basil-Sangria/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

Garbanzo Bean Chocolate Cake (aka flourless chocolate cake)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Garbanzo-Bean-Chocolate-Cake-Gluten-Free/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

Extra Easy Hummus

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Extra-Easy-Hummus/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

saturdays are for napping

Much deserved naps. . . .

First, a little catnap in the sun.

Felipe studies for Step 3 by osmosis. I think he is having sweet dreams of the Kreb's cycle.

I like to cuddle:)

save the date!

Mark your calendars!

-April 21st: our holy matrimony

-May 16th: hooding ceremony!

-May 17th: wedding reception brunch

-June 6th: hutchinson reception

Can't wait to share these exciting moments with friends and family!

new furniture

Went on a bit of a shopping spree yesterday -

First to Big Lots for a lovely leather bench and then on to NFM for our sofa table. We even score a price adjustment because the table was on sale! We got home and went right to work putting things together. I was in charge of the bench, which was super easy. 2 bolts later, it was looking good and ready to go. Poor Felipe with the sofa table - 2 hours later he determined it was missing a piece. After phone calls to the manufacturer and NFM, they are shipping us a new piece. It should arrive in the mail in the next 8-10 weeks! Luckily it is not crucial to set the table up, just crucial for support.

And a quick pic of Felipe's GIGANTIC new double diploma frame.

my week (from a medicine perspective)

My week in a nutshell:

• break bad news
• not leave the hospital until 730
• family meeting
• transition a patient to comfort measure only
• eat lunch at 2:30
• counsel a grieving family
• stay at the hospital until 7
• arrange for hospice care
• fall asleep in the study lounge when I should be studying
• enjoy every minute of it

Counterintuitive as it may sound, I enjoyed working with the palliative care service. It has been such a rewarding experience and something I see myself doing in the future. Rather than seeing it as sad (which it is to some degree), I frame it as an opportunity to provide comfort to both patient and family and a smooth transition into a different phase of care.

This morning, I submitted my rank list. What a weight off my shoulders. Well, light-weight. I'm very confident in matching at KUMC, so now its just a waiting game until it becomes official in Mid-March. I got a lovely call from AHEC in Arkansas this week from one of their soon-to-be chief residents. I do hate to disappoint people and I can see myself being happy there close to my family but KUMC is without a doubt the place for me.

I love my house husband!

So, as you all know Felipe is on vacation this week. But what you don't know (and I had no clue about) is that he is the best "house-husband" ever.

Case in point,

• Monday - He calls while I am still rounding at 5:3opm: "Honey, I'm making dinner." I arrive home at 6:30 to find the best dinner ever - spicy chicken wings with french fries, ranch, and celery sticks. Delish! The house is clean, the dishes are put away, and he tells me I am beautiful.
• Today - I arrive home to find a few suprises. First, he has bought a GIGANTIC diploma frame. This frame is half as tall as I am and twice as wide. He totally talked the bookstore into a deal which I am totally impressed by. Second, he order a sofa table from NFM to match our dining room table. We've both been wanting this for the past few weeks and I'm so proud of him for taking the initiative. Third, he talked to our neighbor about selling his adorable red pontiac vibe complete with sunroof! I'm definitely going to have to "get the specs" as Felipe puts it.

We had our good friend Jill over for dinner tonight. I threw together some hashbrown casserole with ham and baked it in individual ramekins so everyone got their own serving.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ham-N-Cheese-Potato-Bake-2/Detail.aspx?prop31=1

We are already fighting over the leftovers!

ps We got a new furnace this week! No more 55 degree mornings. Brrrrrrrrrr!

muy guapo!

The handsome Dr. Rosso enjoying his first day of vacay. He has such wonderful talent, I really enjoy listening to him play. Last night's dinner - my specialty: Chicken Fettucini Alfredo with salad and garlic bread. You can just barely see the fettucini hiding behind Felipe's massive salad (with Good Seasons dressing, of course!)

Happy Friday!

Hope everyone had a lovely week back in the swing of things. I made it through and rather enjoyed seeing patients again, though getting up before the sun has not gotten any easier?

Any big weekend plans? Tonight Felipe and I are having date-night in. I'm making chicken fettucine alfredo and we are going to lounge on the couch, watch a movie, and sip on our new year's champagne (that we have yet to open!) Tomorrow I've got a ton of errands, but I also have a party for KUMC Family Medicine. It will be a great opportunity to see my friends and meet my fellow applicants. Felipe starts vacay as soon as he gets home from call; I forsee lots of couch naps and PS3 in his near future.

Of course the groom has cold feet. . . . .

Haha! Came across this cartoon this morning when I googled "cold." Which I totally am, cold that is. And I literally have cold feet. When I woke up this morning the house was 55 degrees! Brrrrrrrrrr. Of course I didn't want to get out of bed. Our furnace has broken again, twice in 2 months. And we just might get a new one this time. I've got my fingers crossed! That was my first trial this morning. Then, Miss Elo puked all over the rug. (I think she was nervous from the cold. ) And then, I arrive to school this morning at 8 to find our first patient isn't until 9. You know, its not all bad. They have a coffeepot close by with mediocre coffee and their heat is working so I'm starting to thaw!

2 observations about my love

1. He puts things down at the exact location he is standing when he is done using it, whether this is its most sensible resting place or not.
2. He could go through 3 boxes of Fruit & Cream oatmeal and 3 boxes of Twinkies a week if I would buy that much.

Whew!

My first day wasn't all that bad - I even got off early and made it home around 3ish. Not too shabby. Tonight we crunched and munched on some chicken caesar salad (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-and-Fast-Cajun-Chicken-Caesar-Salad/Detail.aspx?prop31=5) while watching this wonderfully spooky spanish film which translates into "The Orphanage." I highly recommend it if you: a) likely spooky movies, b) speak spanish, or c) don't mind subtitles. I also started reading this interestingly fabulous book called "Happy Times." What a lifestyle! Maybe someday I will be half as glamorous and interesting. Not a bad goal.

Here's mine with extra cheese:And Felipe's with extra chicken:

Ciao!

the end of the best vacation ever!

I'm sitting here eating my warm bowl of high-fiber oatmeal and dreading my first day back at school. I'm embarrassed to admit, but my alarm woke me up a full 4 hours earlier than I crawled out of bed yesterday. Ugh! I really hope this turns out to be a good rotation. On the bright side I have a lovely dinner of chicken caesar salad to look forward too.

Happy Monday!

A simple meal on a special day. . . . .

Turkey Sloppy Joes, french fries, felipe's special tomato salad, and fresh cranberry waldorf. Delish!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Waldorf/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Turkey-Sloppy-Joes/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

2008 - a year in review

Looking back, it has been quite the eventful year. Top 10 adventures of 2008:

1. Felipe matching urology at KU. Had to use all my powers of persuasion on that one.
2. Getting engaged to the love of my life. Lovely proposal, even lovelier ring.
3. Surviving 3rd year and being inducted in AOA! Believe me this was no easy task.
4. Felipe graduating medical school top of his class. I'd like to thank the surgery department and their generous award for providing our tv stand.
5. The Garber & Rosso familes meeting for the first time (and getting along!)
6. Moving into to our first place in a gorgeous tree-lined street.
7. Choosing my future career path. Family medicine, here I come.
8. Emily & Brian's New Years Eve wedding. Beautiful, yummy, romantic.
9. Wedding planning - Jamaica mon! Sunshine, surf, and sleeping in.
10. Spending time with family & friends (I like you all SO much, my resolution is to spend even more quality time with you in 2009!)

Happy New Year!

My one year blog anniversary - and what a exciting year it has been!