September Vacation

Knowing that our time in this area is limited, the Outer Banks has been at the top of my must-see-before-we-leave list.  In September we were able to make it happen. 

We left on a Saturday, right after soccer games.  Daddy is always on the hunt for more pressed pennies, so we made a few unscheduled stops like this one: 

We stayed the night in Richmond, then proceeded south the next morning.  We stopped in Norfolk at the Nauticus museum.  We almost had the place to ourselves!

We also got a shot with Grave Digger (still looking for those pennies.....)

The kids' first view of the Atlantic Ocean.  The weather was nice for most of our trip.  Sunny, high 70's.  The wind was constant (there's a reason the Wright Brothers chose Kill Devil Hills for their flying experiments), and after the first few days the seas became fairly rough.  But not bad enough to keep us away!

We visited the Roanoke site, learning about the Lost Colony.  

And saw most of the famous lighthouses.  

Bodie Island

Cape Hatteras

The kids also learned to Boogie Board

Currituck Lighthouse

 And of course, we had to visit the Wright Brother's Memorial.  

It was so cool to learn about their process, to walk the path of their first 4 flights, and to see the reconstructed workshop.  I also did not know that this is one of the only national memorials where one of the people it is dedicated to was actually at the opening ceremonies (Orville).  

The details: We stayed in Kill Devil Hills in a condo I rented online.  It was wonderful!  We had plenty of space, and the beach was a short walk across the street.  The condo was equipped with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, board games, books, beach chairs, sand toys - everything we needed.  We spent time at the beach each day, but also explored the surrounding area.  Because we visited after school was back in session the crowds were very manageable.  Still plenty of people on the beach, but it wasn't "crowded".  It was a 4 star family vacation!

Licensing

One of the MAJOR things that has happened this year is that we have gotten Husband's licensing DONE.

This. Is. Major. 

Licensing is important because it allows the Resident the option to begin moonlighting.  And because it's a kick-butt addition to a CV when you start looking for a j-o-b.

Before we started the process, I knew nothing about all the hoops we would have to jump through.  But I can tell you that I now feel like a bit of an expert.

Is it time consuming?

Yes.

Lengthy?

Check.

A lot of Hurry-Up-and-Wait?

Indeed.

Here's how it goes (this is specific to Ohio, so if you are a Resident from another state, the process/ paperwork will vary a bit).

Let me begin by saying that the whole process can easily take 6+ months to complete.  And that's if everyone is on the ball & all forms are completed correctly.  Add in some incomplete forms or a busy time of year, and you may be looking at 9 months. Plan accordingly & DON'T start this a month before you want to start moonlighting.

1. FCVS On-line Application  
1. This is your federal credentialing, and must be done prior to your state license application.  
2. You have to send them a certified birth certificate or your passport.  If you send your passport, it's an extra $25 to have it sent back to you. 
3. Time to process is 6-8 weeks.  Husband's took 6 weeks to complete.  
4. Cost: $400 total - $350 for the application, $50 for your transcripts. 
2. Criminal Background Check
1. FBI, BCI, fingerprints. 
2. Must be done in person; lots of locations to choose from.  
3. Everything gets sent to the state medical board. 
4. Time to process - about a week or two.  Everything gets linked to your state application, so you don't have to wait on anything. 
5. Cost: $66
3. Ohio Uniform Application
1. Print out the application - all items must be mailed back unless otherwise noted.  
2. A portion must be notarized.  Our bank did this for free. 
3. You need at least 2 RECENT passport sized color photos.
4. The AMA physician profile can be completed online. 
5. 10-12 weeks to process.  Husband's took 4 weeks.
6. Cost: $335, paid by check.
4. DEA License
1. Can't apply for this until your state license has been approved. 
2. Application is online. 
3. 4-6 weeks to process.  Husband's took 1 week. 
4. License is good for 3 years.  
5. Cost: $731

We began the process at the beginning of June, and completed it last week.  Because we didn't know how long it would actually take to process everything, we allowed ourselves LOTS of time before he would "need" his license.  We fully expected everything to take longer than it did - especially the DEA portion.  We did not move immediately from one step to the next.  Once the FCVS was done, we spent about a month+ on the state application.  Some of this was because it wasn't urgent, and some was because portions have to be completed by other people - specifically the Residency program, and the certificates of recommendation.  

Anyway, we are DONE with this, and it feels like another gigantic box checked off.  Whew!

Remiss + Christmas

My Husband pointed out the other day that I have been very much remiss in keeping up with my blog.

"Well, I just feel like I don't have much to say these days.  Stuff either doesn't feel important enough to share, or it feels a little too important to share, ya know?"

But again, he wisely reminded me that my original blogging intention was to be sort of a family journal.  And in that, I admit I have failed lately.   And I have plans to catch up and do a bit better in 2014.

Here goes.

First, we bought a real tree this year!!  We haven't had a real tree since we left Oregon.  Our apartment in Iowa didn't allow real trees (fire hazard), and since then we've either been tight on space or money, so we continued to use the fake tree I bought in 2007.  In last year's post-Christmas frenzy I picked up a sturdy tree stand, and have been plotting since then.

On Dec. 2 we went out as a family and chose our tree.  Back in Oregon, we used to do the tree farm, cut-your-own deal.   But this year, instead of Making Memories (aka calling everyone I know in the area to try and figure out where to go, then driving out, getting lost, tromping through the freezing mud, choosing an average tree & paying a heart-stopping amount), I chose to take us all down to Tractor Supply and randomly pick a tree from the stack out front.

And It. Is. GLORIOUS.  

That, my friends, is 7 1/2 feet of pure Christmas joy.   

We put it down in the family room, and it's so big that there is no room for a star, angel, or giant bow.  

Every time I walk downstairs, I smile.  

The smell is amazing.

And at night I like to turn off all the lights and just bask in the soft glow.

Best $20 I have spent in the last seven years!

And of course I had to get some silly Santa pictures in front of the tree.

Merry Christmas!

From the Internets

It was an incredibly long week.  

I was in a terrible mood every day (very much not like me, despite what my husband may think), and plagued by a sense of frustration over not knowing if I'd have my job come Monday morning.  

As long as Gov. Kasich signs the Ohio state budget today (get on it, Gov!) all will be well.  At the very least, I still plan to show up tomorrow.... whether to clean out my desk or put in my 4 hours is still TBD at 6:45pm on Sunday.  

In the meantime, I whipped together a blanket for the newest little girl in the neighborhood.  I took the lazy way out, and simply handstitched a binding on a large piece of marshmallow minky.  Soooo soft I almost didn't want to give it away.  

I was also inspired by this post from eighteen25, and made a Dole Whip Fund jar.  I used the Cricut (love that thing!) for the vinyl.  I did find the Mickey figurine at the local Dollar Tree and used the white contac paper (vinyl) I already had.  The jar was from Walmart so I think the entire project cost me $5, and an afternoon.  

Finally, although I don't believe that (most) everything on the internet is true, I DID test out the "all-natural weed killer" that has been floating around.  

And it worked.  

Honestly, I used the very scientific method of  dumping about half a small bottle of vinegar into a spray bottle, and adding 3 squirts of random dish soap.  I sprayed the weeds dotting the crevices of my driveway, and 2 days later they were brown and shriveled. I was shocked.  And am ready to stock up on vinegar.  Is there anything it can't do?  

PS: post #660! 

Belated Halloween

This year I did not make a single item for their costumes.  It was bittersweet.  I sort of like working with them to come up with an idea, then stitching it together.  But not spending the night before finalizing the costumes was very, very sweet.    

First up: MARIO from Mario Brothers.  

He is obsessed & has worn the hat EVERY. DAY. since.

He did hate the oversized fake moustache that came with the costume, so it was eyeliner to the rescue.  

SuperGirl and Mario at the church Trunk-or-Treat.  

**SuperGirl costume was bought at Walmart after Halloween last year.  Nothing like a $5 costume!

We finally got around to doing our pumpkins on Saturday afternoon (We trick-or-treat the Saturday before Halloween.  Don't ask.  It's weird.).  One carved, the other painted.  Everyone was happy!

Pirate pumpkin.  Arrrrrgggggh!

This was the ONE shot I snapped on Saturday night before my camera died.  

Great planning, Mom.  

This year was fun because Daddy was home!  The kids insisted that I stay on the porch and pass out candy while Daddy walked them around the neighborhood.  Worked for me - I got to see all the little cuties in their costumes (I just love the babies!!) and he got to experience the mad rush of our neighborhood (we get about 100-150 kids door-to-door). Note for next year: put a glow stick INSIDE their bag or bucket.  Gives a little more visibility in our dark, dark neighborhood.  Plus it's easier to see the candy pile up inside.  

Photo Dump and Nonsense

I know, I know.  The blogging break hasn't been intentional, but the last few weeks I feel like I've been barely hanging on.  All the usual stuff is getting done, but none of the extra stuff.  Now that soccer is over (hooray!) I'll have my Saturdays back, plus another free afternoon each week, and hopefully I can pull myself together and get a few more projects done in the next month.  

Speaking of which:

Team "Blue Thunder" ended the season at 5-1-1.  

This was a U-10 team, and had a number of players at a skill level above hers.  I think it was good, as it pushed her to work to improve.  She did awesome! 

And guess who is ready to sign up for Spring soccer?  Let's hope that practice will be on the same nights for both of them.  

Fall has peaked, but is still so beautiful here.  We've been enjoying a bit of Indian Summer (it's supposed to be 81 today), and the local colors have been spectacular.  

I've totally slacked on my William Morris posts.  But I did buy a shower curtain for the downstairs bath!  It's really out of my color comfort zone, but I looooove it and now I can't wait to get the bath all finished up (which means board & batten, painting, staining the vanity, and a new light & mirror).  

Oh yeah, and we bought curtains for the front room.  Amazingly, they go perfectly with the dark brown door and mushroom-y walls.  As you can clearly see I managed to wash them but not steam or hem them yet.  It's on the to-do list.  Yes, it's a long list. And the pile of shoes on the floor?   Just keepin' it real, y'all.  

I signed up for Birchbox and finally got my first box this month.  I was dying with anticipation!

For October there was an option to have the "regular" box, or a limited edition box curated by the folks at Goop.  I don't remember choosing this one, but it all ended well.  

I received a Luna bar, Chantecaille mascara, Eve Lom face wash with a muslin cloth, hair mask, and DDF moisturizer.  It's a win!  And Birchbox makes a lovely gift at a very reasonable price ($10/month) (hint, hint).  

This has been the extent of my Halloween decorating.  It looked weird until we hung the curtains behind, and now it looks awesome.  Also looks amazing when the curtains are open, and the moon shines through the window, casting bat shadows on the inside walls.  Spoooooooky!

I been suffering from a case of "perfectionism procrastination" in the kitchen/ dining room.  I was sure I wanted to paint it blue-ish, and even went so far as to buy color samples.... then didn't like them.  So I've had patches of blue paint on my walls for about a month while I mull over my options.  And this is why I don't have people over very often.  

Blue is out, and I'm about ready to just take the leftover gallon of paint from the front room & swath the kitchen/ dining room in Creamy Mushroom.  Stayed tuned for more (hopefully sooner rather than later). 

Oh hey, since we're talking about the kitchen, let's talk about what happens when your dishwasher leaks all over your laminate floor: Unsightly bubbles and a ruined floor!  Whomever thought laminate was appropriate for a kitchen was w-r-o-n-g.  So now we've got a new dishwasher on order, and have to (eventually) replace the floor in the kitchen.  It's really only bad around the dishwasher, so we're going to hold off until after the holidays ($$$$).  In the meantime I grabbed 2 samples of a faux-cork floor.  My cabinets are a brown similar to the floor (seen here), so I thought these might provide a nice contrast to all.the.brown.  This material is a vinyl plank that looks like cork.  We used the vinyl plank in our master bath, and it is fab and really reasonable in price.  I'm also thinking that the cork would provide a nice contrast against the existing laminate, as we will only replace the kitchen area, creating a transition between the dining room and kitchen (all one area).  

Finally, I've been enjoying the gorgeous weather by taking walks in the evening.  Yesterday I mixed things up by taking M to dance, then parking in a downtown residential neighborhood.  I walked the surrounding blocks, and marveled at the gorgeous homes, fall colors, and unique features of our tiny town.  

This is Mound Cemetery.  The large hill seen here is an "earthwork" built between 800BC and 700AD.  It is a national landmark, and the grounds surrounding it contain, among others, the highest number of Revolutionary War officers of any cemetery in the nation.  

Almost a Year

It's hard to believe we have lived here for almost a year.  Going into this, I thought that 4 years sounded like forever.  And some days it does feel like it.  But I am also marginally astonished that 12 months have passed so quickly.  Then again, I think that we've had something going on every month, so there didn't seem to be a lot of downtime - visitors, new school, new job, new house, new town, new dance school, new soccer league, new friends, new hobbies, new job #2, new preschool, new vacations, new new new.

Our local library

I do want to record some thoughts about our town, just for posterity.

• I feel like I've adjusted pretty well to living in a small town.  With a population of 15,000, the options are limited.  Generally, you can choose between Take It or Leave It.  Often the default choice is Take It, as Leave It puts me back at square one.  While I do not LIKE shopping at Walmart, I have accepted it as my (almost) only option. If other options are available, they usually come with a catch.   For example: our town does not have a soccer league with Saturday games.  In order to find one that does, we ended up driving 80 minutes round trip, 3 days a week.
• I am much more appreciative and active in supporting local businesses.  And we've found a lovely bakery, coffee shop, burger place, summer camp, and more because of this.
• But I still do a lot more online shopping.  What can I say?  I do love the internet.  And especially when it comes to seasonal shopping, the UPS man and I are on a first name basis.  
• And when we do get to "the city" for some reason, the trips often feel rushed because I have the perception that I need to cram in a visit to every possible store because I just don't know when I'll be back.  I find that preparation helps, and will make very specific lists of what I need so that we can hit 4 or 5 stores in quick succession.  Much less window shopping (boo) and much more get in, get out (which the husband appreciates).  I also appreciate those visits much more.  A trip to Target feels special when you only get to go three times a year.  
• I know my neighbors!  I feel so lucky to have chosen this house.  Not only is this neighborhood perfect for our kids, but we're getting to know our neighbors, too.  This is a big step for us.  We tend to keep to ourselves (I think it's a little bit of the "we're not going to be here that long" mentality), and I am enjoying chatting with the neighbors in the area.  
• This area holds strong to the Appalachian values of family, independence, and hard work.  They take care of their own.  
• Poverty lays heavy on Southern Ohio.      
• People here are "wavers".  This took me months to get used to.  Every time I took a walk or stepped outside, I would get a wave from someone.  At first I responded with a slightly puzzled look while racking my brain to recall if this was someone I had met & already forgotten.  But then I realized that is a community of wavers.  It's a friendly change that I have embraced.      

Winter

We were lulled to sleep last night by the patter of rain. 

We woke to the whine of the rising wind, to a world frosted over. 

Snow is rare here, usually flaking and melting in a matter of hours.

Sub-freezing temperatures may allow this dusting to stay.

Skittering over subtly icy roads.

Swirling across roofs.

Blanketed in white, the landscape seems foreign and bleak.

Not enough to play in, but just enough to cocoon ourselves inside.

Watching the flakes dance and swirl from inside our blanket fort. 

Cozy with hot chocolate.

Swathed in fleece.

Covered in wool. 

It's winter inside, too.