Things

*We are doing fine down here in Florida.  My kitchen is still about 1/4 painted and I keep telling myself I'll get it done, but.... it's not happening.   Maybe next week?

*As for my 101 in 1001, I was hoping to start working on my 20% grocery reduction but I think I should probably have a set budget first, and I'm still getting used to the food costs here.  It's unbelievable!  I'm lucky if I can find milk for under $3.85... and that's just an example, because EVERYTHING is more expensive here.  I think that's probably because there is only one chain of grocery stores here, Publix.  Publix is like the most expensive "regular" grocery store there is (compared to Kroger, Food Lion, etc here in the South), so it totally stinks!  So basically, first I've had to "up" my budget from last year, so I'll see how that's working out, THEN I'll try to reduce it.  But to be honest I'm not sure it'll happen.

*My mom is coming to visit in late September... we are so excited and already starting to count down the days until she gets here.

*We are going to Savannah this weekend.  It'll be a short trip but it'll be fun because Garrett's grandma is in town from AZ.

*We just found out that Garrett has to work again this year on Thanksgiving Day, and the day after.  ALL day both days.  We're bummed, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do.  I mean, I could just drive up to Savannah but I really hate the thought of Garrett coming home to an empty house on Thanksgiving!  I think his shift gets done at 8, so we actually could celebrate this year (just a little late in the day).  Last year that wasn't a possibility because he worked until 10 pm on Thanksgiving, but 8 isn't too bad... right?  Still thinking of the options.

*Garrett's schedule isn't too bad so far.  He has to be there at 7 each morning and he is usually home by 6 or 6:30 (well, lately it's been around 7/7:30)... about what we expected.  I mean, yeah that's a really long day (especially since he doesn't really get a lunch break), but it could be so, so much worse.  He doesn't have to work weekends (yet) and that is wonderful and makes a huge difference.

*I'm a little sad that summer is coming to an end but really it won't make much of a difference here since no one's in school yet, officially.  The play groups we attend will be smaller but that's probably a good thing.  We had an end-of-the-summer pool party this morning with the play group from Church.  There were probably 40 kids there, it was crazy!  So, it'll be nice to have a smaller group.

*One thing I love about being a Mormon is that the world is small.  You are always meeting people who know people you know, and making connections.  When you are in the medical community, that world gets even smaller. UF is such a big place too that people are here from all over.... Madison, Milwaukee, Ohio, Phoenix, Provo, SLC, Virginia, Indiana, Georgia, Idaho.  There's a lot of "Oh, do you know...." so-and-so.  It's fun, and interesting to meet people from all over (especially since each person is from lots of places: the place they grew up, undergrad, medical school, intern year, residency, fellowship... these people have moved lots of times, so there are lots of connections to be made.)  Over the years I have met people who did school/residency at Dartmouth, so we've made connections and know some of the same people in New Hampshire.  Garrett's also been able to make connections with people who moved here from Wisconsin, where Garrett lived for 8 years when his dad was in medical school/residency. Small world - I love it!  As far as specialties go, Garrett's definitely in the minority as a radiologist, though.  Most everyone at Church is in anesthesia (1/3 of the anesthesia program at UF is LDS).

*My brother and his wife are have TWINS!  It's a pretty huge shock (twins aren't in either family) but I am over the moon thrilled.  I can't really speak for Mike (I think he's pretty nervous!) but I think it's pretty darn exciting!!

Well, that's all for now.  I'd better go - dinner is ready and I just glanced out the window... the girls are sitting in a dirt pile and pouring dirt over their heads!  Looks like it's a bath night (which Garrett gets to do, since I have to be somewhere at 7!).