Road Trips Galore

So, shortly after going to the night shift, I realized that if I never had more than 3 days off at a time I would never be able to travel and spend time with friends (day 1 is spent sleeping and day 3 is spent sleeping, which leaves 1 day in between to go, hang out, and come back...) So, I begged the scheduler to help me out, and she worked it so I could have 6 days off at a time! In order to do this, I have more than one 4-days-in-a-row stretch, which is NOT fun, but worth it! So, this past week was spent having fun!
On Friday, after sleeping for most of the day, I woke up and drove to Chicago to spend some time with my dear friends, Bethany, Julia, and Sarah. Friday night Bethany and I went out for dinner at a local pub in Logan Square and "hosted" as Julia (and new boyfriend) and Sarah (and Fiance) took turns braving the downpour to join us for a drink. We stayed dry and had a great time! Saturday, Julia, Sarah and I headed downtown to shop for dresses we all needed to wear for upcoming weddings. That night Julia and I went to Smoke Daddys, for some BBQ and Blues. Sunday I went out to brunch with the Taylor family, did some shopping, and then went to a lovely birthday party for Colin's fiancee Kristin (Bethany's future sister in law) where I also got to meet Bethany's new man. Sunday night, I drove momma Taylor home to C-U. It was good fun, and I discovered a new hobby: EATING. Seriously folks, I think I ate the entire city of Chicago in 3 days. I mist have a tape worm or something, because I felt ravenous every 2-3 hours, and ate a full meal, non-stop! Hello obesity!
Tuesday, Emily and I both had the day off, and we were super excited to have a FUN DAY! We had big plans to go to Holiday World (in Santa Claus, Indiana) or maybe Knights Action Park, but the forecast called for storms. :( So on to plan B- we would drive to Indianapolis (with a stop along the way) and shop! Get ready: PHOTO MONTAGE!!!

So Excited!!!

We stopped on the way for BEEF HOUSE!!! (Delicious food in Covington, IN)
The Rolls are the BEST part!!!

After making the rounds at the Circle Center mall, we had to stop shopping for a bit and have a snack (obviously, since I can't go longer than 3 minutes without eating!)

Without the help of our friendly "Tom-Tom", we never would have made it there (or back!)

It was a good time, and we just have so much fun together! Last night, I went out for drinks with my dear friend, and now-former-coworker Brittany, who sadly is moving shortly to Iowa with her husband. I'm gonna miss her!

Photo overload!

Ok, ok, without further ado-pictures of our new digs!
Warning: The following post is almost entirely pictures- LOVE it!

One of the first things we did together once all the boxes were unpacked was hang pictures. We were both pretty excited by our creation of "The International Wall"-dedicated to our photos and art pieces from our world travels (complete with a world map, of course!)

Our entry way bookshelf (one of 5 in the house; guess that's what you get living with a librarian)

Our new bathroom is luxurious (complete with whirlpool tub). And Emily let me display my love for HIPPOS in an obvious and adorable way--thanks Em!

My new blue room- it has blinds, pull-down-roller shades, and light blocking curtains--it gets so dark in there, I can't even see my hand 6 inches in front of my face-
PERFECT for daytime sleeping (even without an eye mask!)

Emily's new room- it's pretty and pink!

Two of my favorite pieces, the mirror and the COUCH, made it safely (thanks to some great movers!) to the new house, and look great in our living room.

This is our dry erase calendar. It is going to keep track of when we work, when we don't, and when we might actually get to see each other!

Mom and Dad came over for dinner last night-Em & I made Asiago Encrusted Pork Chops and Summer zucchini and squash with spices, with Apple crisp for dessert! It was delicious!

So, um, yeah, I decided that the blonde was getting a little bright- and to better embrace my vampire-like habits these days-DARK auburn hair (with pasty pale skin!) My new look!

Something new I tried last night while relaxing on the patio at Cowboy Monkey (a local drinking establishment) Smith's Strawberry Ale- Delicious!

New-ness

Hi Readers! As you clearly figured out- I've changed blogs! It doesn't make sense to have a blog where the url includes Oregon St, which I no longer live on- so here's a new one!
The Ward girls are once again under the same roof! We moved on Wednesday and have spent what little time were aren't at work or sleeping unpacking and getting settled. Our new house is much nicer and more newly renovated than my old place so I think we will avoid many of the escapades I had on Oregon St.
Work has been nuts as usual- my boss just told me we have had a 28% increase in patient volume during the last year, which explains the chaos! On Friday night, we had 8 babies between 7pm and 11pm! And today they did 15 discharges! Crazy!!!
Anywho, glad you found the new blogs, and I promise to put up pictures as soon as I can!