Day 124: Little Miracle, Big Comedian

Aha:

I had NO DESIRE to go to work today. I wasn't feeling great to start but Mondays are just not my favorite day. It took me a while to get out of bed but I managed. Then when I got to work I was really distracted and blue till about 11am. I went into the bathroom and said a prayer, asking Heavenly Father to help me through my day. When I got back to my desk I felt refreshed and encouraged. My day improved (so did my health) and before I new it the day was over and I was headed home.

So thankful for these types of quickly responded to blessings. :)

Haha:

I just overheard Clinton talking with his mom about a patient he had who accidentally hit himself in the shin with a hammer. He didn't break anything but had a hard calcification under the skin (pretty painful).

Anyway, Clinton, in his best bedside manner said to the patient, "You know, there's been a lot of research about this actually and they say you really shouldn't be hitting yourself with hammers."

And then he started laughing.

His mom asked what the patient said and apparently he wasn't too impressed. lol

Day119: Comfort and Chuckles

Aha:

I was talking to a friend of mine today about fear and how it seems there's always someone put in your life who's been through something similar to help you through it.

We both agreed that it's typically not fate that brings people together, but a watchful and mindful Father in Heaven.

I am thankful for the people who have been placed in my life at various times when I needed help or reassurance or a good laugh or cry. And I'm most especially thankful for a loving god who sent them to me.

Haha:

Yesterday I mentioned to Clinton that we never gave Peter a middle name.

He: Sure we did.

Me: No, it's just Peter Logan.

He: Let's see, how about Peter Poodle Logan?

Me: (laughing)

He: Or it could be, Peter Hogan Logan.

Me: (laughing)

Both great options, but I think well just stick with no middle name. :)

Day 111: A Stroll Down Current and Memory Lane

Aha:

Work has been very busy this week and I'm loving it! I would so rather be busy than bored and I've been a bit bored lately. I seem to be catching on to things quickly and have avoided any major flubs.

I still love where I am!

Clinton is on his last week of obstetrics and he couldn't be happier to be almost done. He has no desire to deliver babies as his profession and I can't say that I blame him. Next week he'll start his LAST ROTATION of the first year of residency! One year and one month left till he's DONE!!!! 

Keep up the hard work, HB! I'm super proud of you!

Haha:

I asked Clinton if anything funny happened to him today so I could use it for my blog.

He: Yah.

Me: Ok, what?

He: (in his ultra-sarcastic voice) Remember that one time?!

...That was it! Always the helpful fellow. Lol.

Day 104: Ketching Some Rays

Aha:
The weather was beee-utiful today so Petey and I got out to enjoy it for a bit. I even took off my sweater and walked around in short sleeves! I LOVE WARM WEATHER!!!!

Haha:
Clinton was rinsing out an old ketchup bottle to put in the recycling and this is how the conversation went.
He: I remember trying to make a water bottle out of an old ketchup bottle when I was a kid.
Me: Ew, why?
He: The water tasted a lot like ketchup.
Me: I bet it did. Why did you do that?
He: I didn't have a lot of toys back then.
Me: A water bottle isn't really a toy.
He: All I had was my water bottle, some sticks...and a Nintendo.
Me: Uh, a Nintendo is a pretty big toy.
He: Yah, well, I still had to be pretty creative.
LOL.

Day 103: The #1 and #2s in My Life

Aha:
Happy Birthday to my H.B.!!! Clinton celebrated his 33rd birthday by sleeping in, mowing the lawn, changing his tires, going for a walk, watching ALF (I bought him the complete series, as well as three more seasons of The Simpsons to add to his growing collection), and eating key lime pie. Doesn't sound like the most exciting birthday to me, but he got to pick all of our doings so he must've enjoyed it!
At any rate, I am so thankful to be married to such a wonderful man and I love that I have at least one day a year to celebrate him. Love you, H.B.!!

Haha:
TMI WARNING: I told Clinton at one point today that I felt like I needed to go #2. A moment passed and then I said, "Yep, I can definitely feel that I need to go."
And then he started singing, "I feel it in my fingers...."
To which I promptly responded with "Ew." and laughter.

Day 94: He's Always So Happy

Aha:
I was in a bit of a mood yesterday and every time my grumpy pants showed themselves, Clinton would say, "Awr you feewing gwumpy again? Awr you Ms. Gwumpy Pants?"
I'd either stare at him or look away as my reply; while inside I was thankful for his positive attitude.
I can't say his baby talk helped or hindered, but I can say I am grateful he didn't let my grumpiness affect his happiness. I really love that about him.

Haha:
During one of my grumpy bouts, Clinton reminded me of a joke. Now, if you know Clinton, picture his getting-ready-to-tell-a-joke-he-thinks-is-especially-punny face/voice.

He: Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"

And then he did his I-just-told-a-punny-joke prideful chuckle.
Boy, I love my Clinton!

Day 85: Making a Difference

Aha:
I called around today scouting out pricing to change out my winter tires with some new summer tires. When I called Walmart a very nice man named, Greg, answered the call. He got the information he needed about my tires, told me of a few options, then when I told him the ones I wanted he pulled them from the shelves, put them in a cart and set them aside for me so that when I got to the store I wouldn't have to wait 30 minutes for someone else to do it.
Above and beyond.
Sure enough, when I got to the tire center there was my cartful of tires.
While the tires were being installed I asked to speak with the store manager. I told him about my interactions with Greg and how impressed I was with his kind actions. He smiled and said, "Yep. Doesn't surprise me. Greg's a great guy."
On my way out of my parking space I heard a little voice, "Danielle!"
I turned and saw, who I assumed was Greg, running my way.
"I see you got your tires. Right after I set them aside for you a gentleman came in wanting the same tires. I gave yours to him and then went right away and got you your set. I put the cart in the tire center and said to the crew, 'These are for a young lady named, Danielle. Don't give these to anyone but her.'''
I again thanked him for being so above-and-beyond helpful. He gave me a real big smile and said he was happy to do it.
Anyway, this just really made my day. There are so many good and kind people in the world. I think it's really important we say "thank you" and take a moment to also notify those people that can make a difference in their lives (supervisor, parent, etc.).
Thank you, Greg. You made a big difference in my day.

Haha:
I overheard Clinton on the phone with his dad.
Clinton: What'cha up to?...You're demolishing your bathroom?...Is that someway of saying you're taking a giant dump?
Oh, Clinton.

Day 84: Things That Are Warm

Aha:

Sunshine and warmth! I took two walks today with Peter and we were in heaven! I noticed blooms on the trees and tulips coming through the ground. Spring just might actually be coming...but it'll still be a while yet...though tomorrow will be lovely, the snow and cold weather will be back just in time for the weekend.

At least I get to enjoy the thought of spring for one more day!

Haha:

Clinton was venting to me a bit tonight about the spelling of Canadian medical terms. He said, "It's frustrating because it's like they're trying to spell things the British way but they want to put their own spin on it. Diarrhea for example, it's a whole mess of vowels. Vowels, not bowels!" Lol

And for your reference here's the spelling: diarrhoea (this is the British spelling used in Canada).

  

Day 80: Snowfallen in Love

Aha:

Woke up to more snow. Fortunately the temperature was "warm enough" to melt it as soon as it hit the ground so the roads were clear.

Clinton and I used the clear roads to run a few errands and have some McDonald's for lunch. I'm really loving this whole eating dairy freely thing. My two ice creams cones were lovely.

Another nice weekend with my HB!

Haha:

This morning Clinton, Petey and I were all lounging in bed. I was snuggling the pup and giving him kisses.

Me: Oh, Petey, I could just kiss you all day.

Clinton: I wouldn't do that, that's how I got that lip fungus.

Me: Well, I'm not worried about that cause I'm not kissing his butt!

Clinton: Huh, I see.

Lol!

Day 78: I'll Scratch Your Back if You Massage Mine

Aha:
I haven't been sleeping well the last couple nights and have woken up in the most contortionist-y ways. Needless to say my neck and shoulders are super tight. Fortunately, Clinton was kind enough to rub my sore muscles and remove the severity of the tension. I'm looking forward to a much better sleep tonight!
Thank, H.B.!!

Haha:
Our parking pad is located in the back of our property, however the only way to get in is from the front door--unless someone is home to let you in the back slider.
Well, I was taking a nap on the couch when Clinton knocked on the slider door.
Grumpy and groggy, I opened the door and said, "What? Are your legs broken or somethin'?"
He, laughing, "I could ask you the same thing. You just didn't want to get off the couch."
True. I didn't.
Turns out two lazys don't make for a very strong fight.
Ha!

Day 76: A Glimpse at the Logans

Aha:

Work ended early for Clinton today so we had the whole late-afternoon to ourselves! We watched some reruns of a Golden Girls, and Seinfield before heading out to Subway for supper.

When we got home he did some maintenance stuff around the house and let me veg on the couch.

I gotta say, it was a pretty sweet evening. :)

Haha:

I have been exceptionally bloated for the last week or so. Last night I was slouching on the couch with my shirt pulled up (exposing my belly), my pants unzipped, and a look of utter displeasure across my face. 

Upon seeing this, Clinton quipped, "Always the lady."

Ha! And what a lady! I was far from ladylike and I know my appearance was comical. Now if only my laughing at his comment had caused "things" to shift around enough to "relieve" my bloating--that would have been an even better story!

Day 64: Hairy, Scary Move

Aha:

Huge shout out to Clinton for all of his hard work getting our new rental ready (during what was supposed to be his vacation week). This place is/was a huge, dirty mess and Clinton's been scrubbing everything down and cleaning all the carpets and floors. In addition, he's been shopping and buying replacements for all of the things we sold/donated before we left Milwaukee. 

Thank you so much, Honey!!

Haha:

As Clinton was cleaning out the drain in the bathtub upstairs he said, "The person who lived here before must have had a lot of long, blond hair. There's enough in this drain to make a donation to Locks of Love."

(Shudder)

Day 53: Fast Sundays Are Anything but Fast, but Clinton's Quips Always Are

Aha:

I've never been a very good faster (of food) and I don't do it very often because I typically get pretty awful headaches. Well, I decided I wanted to fast today and sure enough a fairly nauseating headache set in early in the day. Determined to finish my fast I took one ibuprofen and hoped for relief.
Well, if the miracle of relief I received from that one ibuprofen is any indicator of the success I may expect from the prayers associated with my fast, then I'll be one even-more-thankful girl!
I am thankful for prayer. I am thankful for the power it holds to work miracles. And I am thankful that my desire to fast was sustained.

Haha:

Ok, here's what I wrote about today...

***

During sacrament meeting today, I asked Clinton if he could see the backcombing in my hair.

He: No, but your lack of reverence is certainly showing.

Lol

***

And when I asked him if "reverence" was the word he used, he said, "No there's more to the story." Then he took my phone and added in the following. Mind you, he wrote this during Sunday School—blatantly ignoring the spiritual lesson and spirit to be felt therein. :P

***

During sacrament meeting today, I was more focused on my hair than listening to the prayers of the holy sacrament of the Lord God Most High.  I forcibly told my husband to look at my hair and tell me if he could see the backcombing.  He said that there was one spot at the back, so I overtly began trying to comb it out with my fingers.  I commanded Clinton again to tell me if it was showing.  "There's still some showing," he replied.  "Where?!" I snapped. "At the same place where it was before," he gently replied. I angrily began trying to comb my hair with my fingers and then turned the back if my head back towards Clinton (in a rude way).  "Okay, now is anything showing?" I asked.  "Just your lack of reverence," he said, wryly.  

I hate him now more than the day I married him. 

***

Uh...lol!

Day 42: It Only Takes a Second

Aha:
As I was walking into the grocery store tonight I passed by a girl on her way out. She glanced up at me and then stopped in her tracks, turned to me and said, "Um, you have really beautiful hair."
Me: Oh!...thank you!
She and I parted our separate ways. She to her car, and me?...Cloud 9.
I guess the moral of the story: If you have a chance to pay a compliment--do it! Why not make someone feel like a million bucks? It only takes a quick second.

Haha:
Before I wrote the above, I asked Clinton to help me remember exactly what it was the girl said as we passed each other. Without skipping a beat this is what he said she said.
"I believe it was, 'You're blocking the doorway.'."
LOL, how the heck does he come up with this stuff so fast? Ha!

Day 34: Long Hours and Big Appetites

Aha/Haha:

Clinton successfully finished his first 28-hour shift! He was dog-tired when he came home and the first thing he said to me after "Hi.", was, "Can you be sure to go get me some Wendy's so that I can have it when I wake up?" Lol.

This is going to be a really long month for him and I just hope it goes by quickly! 

Good job, HB; I am sorry it sucks sometimes, but I am very proud of all your hard work!

Day 32: Sweet Dreams and Fuzzy Teeth

Aha:

Let's just say I'm thankful for late start church during day light savings. I got to sleep in and was able to take my time getting ready for church, even with the hour loss. I even took a nap when I got home! Great day of rest!

Haha:

The other night I asked Clinton if he wanted me to leave the fluoride rinse out when I was done.

He: Nah.

Me: Aren't you going to brush your teeth? You've had a lot of sugar today.

He: Oh no, I don't like to brush my teeth too often. 

Me: Ew.

He: I like it when each tooth is covered in it's own fuzzy coat.

Me: (laughing) Ew!

Lol. Thank goodness he was just being funny! Fuzzy coats...gross.

Day 31: The Alien's Landed...in Saliva

Aha:
In case you missed it earlier on FaceBook...say hello to Canada's newest permanent resident!

After eight months of waiting and a three-hour drive down to the border, I am officially landed as a permanent resident of Canada! I can't believe this day has finally arrived! I would be remiss to not thank God for all of the divine help and guidance we have received through this whole process.
Clinton and I were commenting during the drive home how perfect much of the timing has been--
1. Cheap/free rent that just happened to end near the time I was able to work.
2. That whole debacle with my visitor record and the many miracles surrounding its timely approval
3. My first friend I made in Calgary is also going through this same process and has been a great sounding board and buddy through it all.
4. There were two officers at the border today and we got the nice one. She was really nice and even let us ahead in line and so we got through very fast!
5. We found out last week that Clinton will be doing a rural rotation in Cardston, Alberta next winter. What town did we drive through today to get to the border? You guessed it! So, we stopped for a photo opp at the Cardston LDS Temple.

Very pretty, and very OLD temple (ca. 1920)

The drive was pretty boring and stinky in parts. Here's a pic of Clinton and I breathing through our mouths in a desperate attempt to avoid smelling the nearby livestock farms.

The day was great all around. What a great day to become a permanent resident! :)

Haha:

Clinton and I went to supper at Extreme Pita. While we were eating, Clinton looked up and past my shoulder and started laughing. I asked what was so funny and he said, pointing to an advertisement behind me, "Doesn't that slogan seem like a bad idea?"

He: Just take the "t-i-o-n" off the first word and you've got a pretty gross confession.

Me: (laughing)

Day 30: AHHHH! & Hahaha!

Aha:

I had a horribly scary nightmare last night. One of those that makes you feel like...you're not alone in the room when you wake up...catch my drift? Anyway, when I woke up I immediately rolled over, snuggled right up to Clinton, calmed down and fell back asleep. I was so thankful to have him there. My unconscious but comforting protector. Aren't husbands the best for that?

Haha:

Conversation between Clinton and me before bed last night.

Me: I'm funny.

He: You're your own worst critic.

Me: Yah, but I'm your worst critic...ya dummy!

He: Oh yah? You're a dummy.

Me and He: (laughing)

Love that we can make each other laugh.

Day 20: Rediscoveries and Discoveries

Aha:

I don't know what it is about taking naps but they are seriously one of the best wonderful-feeling inducers. If given the choice, I'd normally rather sleep-in than take a nap, but today I got up early and took a nap instead...and all this before noon!

I felt like a whole new woman.

Why did I fight these so much when I was a kid? Napping would be my new hobby were it socially acceptable. My mind was clearer, my energy renewed and my overall well-being was increased two-fold. I love naps. I am grateful for them. They are good to me. I recommend them highly.

Thank you, God, for naps. I love them, and you, very much!

Haha:

I was on the phone with Clinton asking him how things were today, after a while I asked him how Petey was doing.

He: He's fine. Just resting on the floor beside me.

Me: Aww! Is he cute?

He: Nope. He got ugly while you were gone.

Me: (laughing)

He: Yep, it's the damnedest thing.

Lol. My husband's hilarious sometimes.

Day 14: Fourth Day in California--Sea World in San Diego

Aha:

Another fun day. This one was extra fun because we met up with my brother, Anton, and his family at Sea World! We haven't seen them since last summer so it is so nice seeing them!

The weather was great and we had fun watching all the shows and riding the rides. Here're some pics from today.

(There was a whole acrobat show on top of the dolphin tricks...really neat!)

(Splash zone!)

(Waving to the audience at the end of the show.)

(Pretty but very smelly.)

(Petting the black bat manta rays.)

(Anton and I on the roller coaster. We had a good laugh at Anton's rather effeminate pose.)

(So close!)

(Victory! Felt just like a wet rubber mat. Pretty cool! I've pet a dolphin!)

(Beluga whales.)

(Waiting for a close up that never came. :)

All in all it was a pretty great day. We had lunch at In-N-Out and decided the burgers were fairly good but the fries were nasty. Clinton described them as tasting like oily sponges. Not worth it.

We had Chick-Fil-A for dinner and though they're still not our favorite they were much better here than in the Minneapolis airport (shudder).

Last but not least we also drove past the San Diego temple on our way into town. So pretty!

It's been great being with my brother and his family; looking forward to another day with them tomorrow!

Haha:

We arrived at the San Diego military base and when we got to our room Clinton turned on the tv. And guess what was on...M.A.S.H! 

We thought that was pretty funny. :)