I'm the best?????

I received a GREAT COMPLIMENT this week from my Practice Manager, Koren Fay. She came back from a meeting & told me that it was reported that I was the MOST EFFICIENT SECRETARY in the Department of Medicine. This includes all the clinical departments.

A few months ago, they came to us stating that they wanted to try to be 100% booked for scheduled clinics. This means that when someone cancelled an appointment, you were suppose to try to fill that slot with another patient. Sometimes I take most of the day trying to fill slots that have been cancelled. Koren told me that I was around 4% in not being able to fill the slots. That means that I was 96% able to fill the cancelled patients.

Hopefully this will bring a good raise & a nice bonus early next year.

Just a little note

We want to wish all our family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving. We love and miss all of you and can't wait to come visit.

I just want to tell my mom and dad how grateful I am to be their daughter. Thanks for all you have done for me. I miss going to the games with you and just going to visit after work each day. I love and miss both of you. Hope to see you soon - if I have my way, January or February.

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Feeling . . .

a little homesick lately. Eddie - when can I make a trip to Arizona???

(Maybe he'll get the hint!?!)

This morning?

I can't believe it's snowing already!

I'm not ready for this.

I'm thinking --- "long winter":( (I need to get some Arizona sunshine!)

He tried, but . . .

Kale just couldn't make it through dinner last night.

Cassie made Shephards Pie (for the first time) last night & did a great job. She said it was actually the first time she had ever made mashed potatoes. Her meal was delicious!!

Thanks Cassie - even though Kale couldn't stay awake.

Showing signs of giving out!

Trying hard to continue eating.

Perked up a little for just a second!

Still trying, but . . . finally

Just couldn't do it!

Up Up & Away!

This is a small glimpse of the neighborhood we live in. We are really enjoying it here & have wonderful neighbors. Eddie & I already knew the people across the street from us, The Van Bibbers (from church). They will be leaving next June/July, as Mike is finishing up his fellowship in Urology. They will be moving back to Utah. We are very grateful to have such wonderful friends & neighbors.

What is everyone looking at? An amazing site. This hot air balloon had just taken of from the field right behind our house & came flying over the neighborhood. They were really low over the roofs of the houses. Eddie ran to get the camera, & we were the only ones that got pictures of this. The kids were excited to have pictures to take to show & tell at school.

I hope to take pictures of the inside of the house soon & post some. I'm just slow. Things have changed for Eddie & I and I just seem to run out of time to get everything done. I promise I'll have pictures soon.

And Colleen, thanks for the pudding. It did make me a little homesick, but I was alright. You brightened my day, that's for sure.

We love & miss everyone.

Our New Home!

at last for the next 9-12 months!

and we're so excited. We are going to rent this lovely 5-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home in White River Junction, Vermont. And why such a big house, you ask? Eddie & I, along with Cassie, Chris, Kobie & Kale are going to live together for the next little while. Cassie is now working at DHMC in GIM (my old department-and she's doing a great job!) & needs to live closer to work. We are excited to be able to get to know our two grandsons a little better & spend some quality time with their family. Eddie & I know that we will need to make some adjustments, but we feel it is worth it.

We love & miss everyone & now we have plenty of room, so come visit!!!

Kindness begins with . . .

So, Eddie was going to be nice to me today & take me to one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I don't know if I have mentioned this very much, but since there are no good spanish food places around here I love going to Koto's Japanese Steak House. They have wonderful Hibachi meals & they are all YUMMY! Koto's is a little on the expensive side, that's why Eddie does not like to go there very often. Today they sat us at the same table with 3 adults & 3 children. They were somehow all related & of course I have no trouble starting conversations with people we sit with at this restaurant. As we got talking, I mentioned that we were from Arizona. Two of the older kids (I'm guessing around 8 & 10 years old) had some questions about Arizona & Eddie talked to them about the Grand Canyon. We found out they were living in Tennessee, but had a vacation home in Quechee, VT (wouldn't that be nice). They come here for the summers. Well, the kids got finished eating & were starting to get restless, so they said goodbye & went to leave. Eddie & I were sitting there waiting for the waiter to bring us our check, but he came up to us & told us that "that lady has taken care of your dinner". WOW! This has never happen to us before from complete strangers. We didn't even exchange names (which now I wish we would have). We met up with her leaving the restaurant & of course thanked her for the meal, but telling her that she shouldn't have done that. She thanked us for letting them sit with us for dinner. We went outside & the kids got to see our Arizona license plate & their mom told them they could now go write in their book that they had seen an Arizona plate. This little experience made me realize that there are still people living in this world that are generous, kind & thankful people. Maybe there is hope after all. Eddie & I plan to spread this kindness as we are able to. It may not be at an expensive restaurant, but there are many ways to spread kindness. I think we just need to be reminded every now & then. P.S. I wish I could cook like this! I'd be in heaven.

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks Kids for making your Dad very happy this Father's Day!!!

Some of Eddie's children wanted to take him fishing for this Father's Day, so they bought him a fishing pole, paid for a one-day fishing license & off to the lake we went. We went to Sunset Lake in Brookfield, VT. It is better know for the floating bridge (picture is at the end) that crosses it. Eddie & I crossed this bridge in our car back in 1997 when we lived here very briefly - yes, I did get very homesick & we decided to return to Arizona.

Here's Eddie with his new fishing pole.

Brittany also joined in on the fun with her new fishing pole.


Here's Kobie & Cassie. Kobie really loves to go fishing, but his patience needs a little help.

Amber also got a new fishing pole. She's actually the only one who caught anything & it was only the bottom of the lake - but we told her it was a big fish that just got away!

Although I can't take credit for the picture (I took it off the Internet), this is the Floating Bridge. You can't drive over it anymore, but it's still fun to walk across & fish from.

Once again, thanks kids for making your Dad very happy this Father's Day!!!

He loves spending time with each one of you.

Our New Granddaughter

Amelia Rocker Smith was welcomed into our family on May 31, 2009. She was born at 4:31 AM, weighed in at 8 lbs & 12 ozs, & was 21.5 inches long.

Alissa went into labor during Brittany & Ben's wedding ceremony. She was a real trooper!!! She tried to stay for the dinner/reception, but just before dinner was served she decided that it was time to go home. They spent a few hours at home & arrived at the hospital around 1:00 am.

It didn't take long before Amelia was born.

Don't we make a cute little family!!!

Here I am with my grandma & grandpa.

I"ll have them wrapped around my little finger in no time at all.

Introducing . . .

Mr. & Mrs. Rueben (Ben) Escorpizo

The happy couple posing with their wedding cake.

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Brittany is a very beautiful bride. We're so proud of her & all her accomplishments. She & Ben compliment each other is a good & positive way. Let's all wish them a happy life together.

We love you Ben & Brittany!

Happy Anniversary

It's hard to believe that Eddie & I have been married for 13 years. It truly does not seem like it has been that long. We celebrated by spending a couple of days in Boston. I finally found a dress for Brittany's wedding (I know, I was waiting for the last minute). On Monday we went to the Science Museum & took the Duck Tour. I will try to post pictures soon (I'm actually at work & don't have any pictures with me). We got to see some of the historical buildings in downtown Boston. Since Eddie won't drive in downtown Boston we had to take the subway. Very interesting! I don't think that's something I would want to do everyday. We then picked Birttany & Ben up from the airport & headed back to New Hampshire.

I love you Honey - maybe next year -- -- -- Switzerland?

Happy Days :)

We are so excited that Eddie went to work this morning. We've been waiting a long time for this day to arrive. The only sad part is that now I have to drive myself to work every day (or take the bus, which stops right outside our door). I'm just glad that there is no snow on the ground.

Just a little update: Cassie, Chris, Kobie & Kale will be back in Vermont next Saturday. They are moving back from Georgia. We are happy they will be closer to us. Now, for a little while anyway, Eddie will have all his kids within a short distance. Next to come - we're not sure - either Alissa with have her baby girl, or Brittany will get married. We should have a winner by the end of May.

As for Eddie & I, we are doing fine. We miss everyone back in Arizona & love to hear from you. Now that we are both back to work, things should be looking up. I'm really enjoying my job at DHMC. I'm learning all about the kidney's & high blood pressure issues. The office is busy, which makes the days go by pretty fast. Keep us posted about the happenings back home. You know me, I love to hear the gossip.

Changes! Can you spot them?

So, we moved to New Hampshire and I decided that it was time for some changes. So . . .

Here the first one, which you should be able to spot right away. YEP, it's the new haircut. I decided it was time for me to quit thinking about it & just DO IT! I made an appointment with Shannon @ Split Ends (shop inside the medical center) & went up on my lunch hour one day. A few people knew, but most everyone else was totally surprised. They all seemed to like my new look. Also, check out the new clothes (you probably can't tell, but the pants are a size smaller :))

Now the hard part! There are two more changes that I had done.

Can you spot them?

Alissa's Baby Shower was . . .

suppose to be a surprise, but she had already figured it out. We love her anyway. We met at a pizza place in Bradford,VT called Colatina's. They had her birthday party there for the last two years, so everyone figured that if she was told it was for her birthday party she would not suspect anything. However, she outsmarted us!!!

Brittany & Amber made cute cupcakes for the party & handled the decorations.

They did an awesome job!

We missed you Cassie & know that you were with us in thought. We'll see you soon!

We had a good time eating salad & pizza & watching Alissa open her gifts.

Here are a few pictures of the "Mother To Be" opening her gifts.

This is going to be one well-dressed, spoiled baby girl.

A few of the guests watching Alissa open her gifts.

One The Move Once Again!

We packed up the house & got ready to move back across country to New Hampshire.

Thanks George & Colleen for all your help!

Saying "Goodbye"is always the hardest, especially with it's your mom & dad. I really miss them & can't wait to see them again soon. Thanks for all your help & support.

We left Arizona on Wednesday, March 4th right after lunch & traveled to Van Horn, Texas. We spent the night there & ate breakfast at this little truck stop. I just had to take a picture of this place because they did not have any Pepsi products at all (not even in the little store). If any of you know me, you know that Pepsi is my drink of choice & this is the first time I have come across a place that sold only Coke products. I had to walk over to the station next door to get my Pepsi for the road. Imagine that - I could not have made it through the day without my Pepsi.

We spent the next few days traveling through Texas, Lousiana, Mississippi, Alabama & then into Georgia. We arrived in Alpharetta, Georgia on Saturday morning. Cassie & Chris, along with Kobie & Kale, live in Georgia at this time. We got there just in time to see Kobie play an inning of baseball. He's quite the little sports fellow. Brittany had been staying with Cassie, enjoy some sister time. We spent the night with them & we left Sunday morning, bringing Brittany with us this time, to head up north. We got lucky & had good weather all day Sunday. On Monday, we had rain & a little snow in Conneticut, but by the time we reached New Hampshire the snow had stopped & the roads were clear. We had no trouble with either vehicle on the road & feel we made really good time. I'm also very grateful that Brittany was able to come back with us & help me drive. This was the first time I actually had to drive a vehicle for this distance. I have always had the privilege of being the passenger & keeping the driver (Eddie) awake. She actually drive quite a bit & I appreciate that very much. We love having her around.

more later . . .

Remembering Mom, Grandma & Friend

Eddie has always had a heart of gold & that is something that I've always admired about him. He misses his mother very much & talks about her often. She passed away August 5, 2008 after a battle with Parkinson's Disease & the beginning of memory loss. He had a hard time seeing his mother the way she was, but is grateful that we decided to come home to care for her the last few months of her life. Although some people tell us that we need to decide where we want to live (back east or out west), we feel that sometimes things happen that you have no control over & we do what we feel is best for us. Eddie did not want his mother to be without a headstone (his father has decided not to purchase one until he passed away), so he went about getting one ready for her. He bought the wood, glued the pieces together & cut it into the shape he wanted. He had Jill (thanks Jill for your help-It means a lot to us) do the lettering for him. He attached the lettering & sealed it together & went to the cemetary to put in up for his mother. This is the outcome.

He had a hard time putting it up. He dug the hole & situated the wood & started to pack the dirt around it. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes & tells me that he has done this before - probably in his dreams. I then told him that it's obvious that he was suppose to do this for his mother. After he finished, he called his father & his brother Davy to come out to the cemetary & take a look at it. You did a wonderful job! I am so proud of you for always wanting to do something to cheer someone else up.

We miss you.

A Man & His Treasures!

Eddie is very proud of each one of his children & wants them to know that he loves them very much. Although it does not show all the time, he really has a hard time being away from them. He tries to talk to them often & usually succeeds. He tells me all the time that "he feels he failed as a father", but I don't see that. In my opinion, he has been a wonderful father given the circumstances that he has been handed in life. Hang in there honey - we love you. We all know that you have made a lot of sacrifices & you will be greatly rewarded when the time is right. Here is the latest picture we have of him & all six of his children. Back Row: sons Cameron & Brice, Front Row: daughters Brittany, Alissa, Cassie & Amber.

GIM Secretaries (The Ole Gang)

Can you believe these folks once had the joy of working with me?

They are (from left to right)

Back Row: Kristen, Janet, Me, Carolyn, Mike

Front Row: Koren, Heidi, Annette, Melodie

Sitting: Margo

When I first went to work at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, this was the "ole gang" that I worked with. We had won some award (sorry I don't remember what is was, but I know it had something to do with the "Bear" Margo is holding.) Some have moved to different departments & some have simply moved away. It was a joy working with each of them. Koren misses me so much, she just can't wait for me to come work for her (thanks for the job - I'll see you in March).

Birthday?

Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

On January 25th my wonderful husband had another birthday.

He's fifty-something.

Also, Happy Birthday to:

My sister Lori - January 21st

My mom - January 23rd

My brother-in-law George - January 29th

Hope everyone had a wonderful day.

It's Official!

We're leaving bright, sunny Arizona, for this . . .

We will be heading back to Vermont/New Hampshire at the beginning of March. I say Vermont/New Hampshire cuz we're not sure where we want to live - New Hampshire has no sales tax, but Vermont is a little cheaper. I will be starting work on March 16th (thanks Koren for the job) & hopefully Eddie will begin working shortly after that. I'm not real excited to go, but we have to go where the work (for Eddie - I can get job anywhere) will be. He's pretty grumpy when he's not working, and he hasn't worked since November. We'll miss everyone here, & I'll have to find a volleyball team to go watch - maybe Hanover High School or Dartmouth College. Hopefully the snow will stop & the wonderful "mud season" will start. On a good note (for me, anyway), I won't have to put up with the Arizona summer heat. I'll be thinking of everyone while I enjoy nice cool (but sometimes humid) weather. Hopefully Cassie & Chris will visit so we can take their boat on the lake.

More later . . .