Just an Update

We finally have our computer back-woo hoo! I feel as though my thumbs have been returned to me. It looks like new too, which is a definite plus. Just thought I would give everyone an update as to what has been going on here in rainy Portland.

I am currently in my diabetes rotation with my favorite preceptor and it is going really well. I've also been able to see eating disorder patients which I'm finding energizing and draining all at once. After this rotation it's all hospital for a while. Eeek! In other news, I am so excited to report that yesterday morning I had the VNUS procedure on my right leg. After years of dealing with chronic leg pain I am hoping that this will fix it right up (at least for a few years!). It went really well-had some painful moments, but all in all I'm good to go. My leg is all wrapped up and I can't take the bandages off for 48 hours. I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I can take a gander at my battle wounds. Thank you for the prayers and texts (and flowers, Mom!) they all made a big difference in settling my nervous tummy.

Dustin has been so helpful, taking me to breakfast, bringing me water, fixing my plate, fluffing my pillows, calling me a gimp-he's such a sweetie. Other than taking care of me, he has been working hard and is still enjoying Le Hana. Speaking of...sushi sounds pretty good for lunch or dinner. Hmmm...

No Computer = Sad Thompsons

After all of the take downs, spills, drops, and oops-a-daisy moments, our laptop finally had to go in for repair. The repair man looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if he could get the spaghetti sauce out from under the mousepad. I guess he doesn't realize what we Thompsons are capable of! So this is my excuse for the lack of posts, and this one is coming from the OHSU library, hence the lack of pictures.

Just to update, we had a lovely trip home to Texas and Arkansas, and were able to spend much needed time with friends and family. We were sad to go, but have plans to return next summer for a wedding and hopefully some more time at Jeannie and Joe's new farm! I really hated having to use that soaking tub-I mean who enjoys relaxing like that?! : )

Dustin is back in the swing at Le Hana, and I'm slowly starting to get my act together for school. One term down and two to go. I'm starting to get a bit nervous because this is the part where all of the clinical knowledge that I have long since forgotten comes into play. Say a few prayers for me please!

We are all moved into our new apt and absolutely loving the east side of Portland. It's so much more "us" and we have had so much fun exploring it. All in all we are doing well. The only downside of Portland is the "no sun" policy they have strictly enforced. I don't mind rain too much, you just get used to it-but when there aren't ANY sunny days it starts to wear on you just a bit. Maybe I should invest in a sun lamp? I heard someone refer to the rainless days as those when the "beast is sleeping." Clever. True.

Our family stockings, thanks to our sweet Aunt Helen! That's a dog bone attached to Adel's.

Met up for drinks with Anna, Audrey, and Candace-and if you couldn't tell,

I've gotten fat since moving to Portland. : )

We are super excited to now be in the Belmont district of Portland!

Dustin cut us down a Christmas tree and put it into a planter-ha! It's my very first REAL tree! No Sis around to be allergic, so we took advantage...and it smells fantastic!

Who's that cutie amongst the Christmas trees?

Shauna, me, and Sam after that tree to our right fell on us.

Soaking up the fresh air in the mountains

Christmas carolers! And they even sang "I want a hippopotamus"

My first attempt at meringues. They tasted amazing! Yum Yum!

Happy Tofurkey Day!

Plate #1, using my save the planet napkins (thank you Megan!)

Punkin Pie anyone?

Field Roast (the equivalent of ham, without missing an oink!)

The infamous Tofurkey, stuffed with goodness

Celebrating the new tv by playing with the box while Dustin did set-up

Adel enjoying some time in the dog park

We celebrated Tofurkey Day in style this year. We pot lucked with our neighbors and friends. The food and wine were flowing and had a great time. We took a long walk yesterday (a feeble attempt at working off some of the pumpkin pie calories?) and soaked up some long awaited sun. We hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving break, and of course GO HOGS!!!!

Adel sneaking up for some love while I am blogging, had to add it!

Me, Anna, Audrey, and Candace getting ready to tour Sauvie Island Organics Farm

Picking fresh peppers to snack on!

Farm cat wanted a pepper too!

I couldn't quite reach the ripe pears

Sarah, Jamie, Nicole, Candace, Me, Kelly, and my sweet Brittany at the Food Innovations Center

This week has been lots of fun. Instead of rotations or class we went on field trips to an organic farm, a food innovation center, and P:EAR, a homeless shelter for teenagers. We were able to break into the OHSU kitchen and make the kids at P:EAR vegetarian shepherd's pie with fresh produce from the organic farm. A great way to remember everything Dustin and I have to be thankful for. Even though we won't be with family tomorrow on Turkey Day, we are renaming it Tofurkey Day and pot lucking with a bunch of vegetarians! That's what I'm talking about! Pics of the infamous "tofurkey" to come. : ) Happy Thanksgiving to all! We love you!

You'd think I forgot...

Slash and his vamp wife...so sexy, yes.

Risky business meets Portland hipster meets drill bit handlin' Candace meets airline official meets vampire queen. That equals a typical weeknight in Portland!

You can be jealous of my mad pumpkin skillz

See the creepy man behind me in the red flannel? Didn't know he was there

and he scared the mess out of me after the picture was taken.

The guy in the straw hat was just a bit goofy (if you can't tell by the girls' faces).

So I promise I didn't forget that I had a blog. This term has been a bit crazy. For the internship we had to plan a conference for dietitians from the area. It occurred on Friday-finally. It ended up being great-144 attendants. Long story short though, it was tons of work. Plus I've been back at WIC, which always makes for a tiring week-driving the 2 1/2 hours roundtrip.

I'll stop whining though, and catch you up on our festivities! Jeannie and Joe came to visit us for a long weekend, and it was so much fun having family here! Made me miss home a bit though, that's for sure! We took them out and about in Portland, and tried to expose them to the greatness and not so greatness of the city (but mostly just how flipping awesome it is in general). I think it was quite a shock : )

They left to travel down the coast and fly out of LA. Jeannie said the coast was gorgeous and worth the drive. So if anyone wants to take a scenic excursion down the pacific coast, feel free to stop by Portland first and we'll take you to brunch and show you a good time before sending you off on your way.

Halloween was the next exiting activity. We spent an evening in Sauvie Island at the haunted corn maze. Although Dustin made fun of me the whole time and laughed when I jumped, I made it through the maze alive and well, and Dustin came out with only a few bruises on his arm from my grip (and maybe a few smacks for laughing at me). I'm sorry, but went demented clowns and chain-saws come and chase you, it's a bit frightening. We also stopped by a Halloween party at my friends Anna and Lucy's house. Fun to see the internship girls outside of class!

Moving on-there's not much else to report. We have just been working lots and lots, and eating lots and lots too. Just for the record-if no one recognizes us at Christmas, don't feel bad for calling us your old "obese friends." We won't be offended. We did it to ourselves-all that IPA and sustainable food they force down you out here. : ) So miserable I tell ya. Ha!

Me and Athena

Jeannie and Joe

Stop taking my picture, I'm on the phone

Dustin and his Mama!

Pictures Pictures Pictures!

Go Hogs!! Dustin is also sporting his new mugs compliments of Jessica.

Some shots from our roof this morning. The leaves

are starting to change!

One day when you visit, our home will be up on that hill,

looking down at the city with all the other yuppies.

Skyline as the sun rose

About to take Dad to Isabel Pearl-our favorite

place for brunch.

After riding the ariel tram, looking down at the city from an OHSU terrace

I was freezing, but Dad didn't seemed too bothered....as usual. : )

Self-shot

After we dropped Dustin off at work, I took Dad to the Rose Garden,

where they grow over 10,000 different kinds of roses.

Although it was the end of the season, there were still some

beautiful flowers in bloom.