Supporting the Local Market

My sister, Kim, and I are hooked on something we both experienced for the first time today...the Mountain Home Farmers Market! We had a great time looking at all the fresh produce, baked goods, homemade salsa and jams, and a few crafts. We both stocked up for the week and hope to make it a weekly tradition. This will save us some money, give us access to the freshest produce, and most importantly, support local farmers and the local economy.

I'm a little picky about my tomatoes. Many vendors (eg. grocery stores) refrigerate tomatoes at some point to reach and maintain an appealing color and texture, and ultimately, make them last longer...great for looks, bad for taste. Refrigerating tomatoes zaps all of that fresh-from-the-garden taste from the tomatoes (and isn't that what we are looking for in a tomato?). These tomatoes are organic, locally grown, and FLAVORFUL!

I spent about $18 on all of this...

But when you consider these two items were $9 (half of the total), I did pretty well on the produce. Homemade salsa and jam...so worth it!

Support your local farmers!

We're here!

I just want to let everyone know that we made it to Arkansas safely! We were worried about running into storms on the way, but other than a few sprinkles in Alabama, the trip was sunny and beautiful. The rain left behind much cooler temperatures here. We are waking up with temps in the 50's this morning! Cooler weather is very welcome for all the work we have to do this weekend!

We haven't even started unpacking yet, but it's for good reason. We had a very special lady to celebrate last night. My grandmother had a birthday on Thursday, so we celebrated last night. I bet you can't guess how old she is...

This picture of her with Clara could not have turned out any better!

Never got a round TUIT...

As my time in Birmingham nears a close, I am left with the thought of all the things I wanted to do while I was here. Living in or near a large city, you have access to all sorts of entertainment and cultural events. There are always "off Broadway" plays...I missed every single on of them. The Birmingham Ballet would be great to see. I really wanted to see the Nutcracker...for the past three Christmas's that I was here...I've heard the Birmingham Zoo keeps getting better through the years (I wouldn't know first hand). I didn't even visit Birmingham's most notable landmark, the Vulcan (I could see it across the city from my job on the 9th floor of UAB hospital though). The shopping is great. I did take some time to wander around the 3 malls (there are probably more that I don't know about) but could probably count on one hand the items of clothing I actually bought for myself over the past 3 years...Okay maybe 2 hands.

I could go on and on about all the things I would've loved to do, but I have to remind myself that there was a good reason that I didn't get to do those things. Number 1: I was a graduate student who was also working full time (part time for the last year) as an RN... Which puts a strain on both time and money. And 2: During the periods of time that I did have a few days off, I tried to use those to go spend time with family.

Although it sounds like a lot of lost opportunity, the most important thing is that I gained so much more. Sure I wish I could have done more while I was here, but I did finish a graduate degree which ultimately will get me much further in my career, and I will be able to take vacations to other cities with even more to do...or less if that is what I'm in the mood for. My future will be much brighter due to the sacrifices I've made over the past 3 years, or 7 if you want to get technical.

Plus, who could forget, I did find and marry my best friend who put up with me through some of the most stressful years of my life...and I didn't even need someone to give me a round tuit to get to that!

For Sale: 3 bed, 2 bath home in Helena!

Our house is finally listed today! Even though we've known for a month that we would be moving, it has taken some time to get the house ready for the market (plus I was a bit preoccupied with studying for about 3 weeks, so I didn't get much done during that time). Check out the listing, and let me know if you know of anyone needing a home in Helena! There should be pictures posted today or tomorrow...enjoy!

-Melissa

Looking ahead..

We have been in Arkansas again for the holiday weekend and to bring a few things to the house that will become our home for the next year or so. We were fortunate enough to have my parents' rent house become available just in time for us to move. They have offered to let us stay there until our house in Birmingham sells and while we prepare to purchase a house here. So if you are trying to picture our living quarters, here is a picture of the house:
And a picture from the back deck...a large yard and shed:

I am still waiting to find out an exact start date for work. It may take a few more weeks for the paperwork for my licensing to be processed, etc. Many people have been asking what type of clinic I will be working in, so here is a link to the Burnett-Croom-Lincoln-Paden Clinic . It is a family practice/internal medicine clinic plus they are also an outpatient clinic for the VA, so I'll be seeing a wide variety of patients in all age groups. I am so excited about my job...and a little nervous too! I have a feeling that I couldn't ask for a better place to start my career as a nurse practitioner.

I hope everyone had a very happy 4th of July! We are headed back to Birmingham tomorrow. I have two final days of work in the Trauma/Burn ICU this week and a lot of packing to do!

-Melissa