Last Weekend of "Freedom"

Last week, I had orientation at Longwood University for the full time 09 cohort graduate speech language pathology program. It was Thursday and Friday. Long days, but I enjoyed meeting my new classmates (one of whom is TWENTY YEARS OLD, WHAT?!?!?!) and my new professors. I learned the campus a little and was reminded was college textbooks are like (expensive and heavy). All that paired with an hour commute each way...I was ZONKED after those two days. Some friends sent Mike a PF Changs gift card as a get well gift, so we had a last minute date night.

I was almost disappointed when I discovered that the cucumber lemongrass gin drink was no longer on the menu. I don't remember what it was called, but fortunately the bartenders remembered how to make it. If you ever go, even if you don't like gin, order this drink. Its better than a mojito. We had a blast...people are not shy about asking what happened to Mike's arm, maybe because its safety cone orange wrapped in maroon ;)

Saturday, I got up early(ish) to run (4.5, not far) and then started working on the house. The new bedroom suite and mattress were scheduled to be delivered and I knew this would be the last weekend for a while where I could REALLY clean. So top to bottom we scrubbed this place (yes, we, I didn't MAKE Mike do anything, I think he's just really excited to be ABLE to help again). I also trimmed the giant unwieldy bush outside, long sleeves and gardening gloves and all...probably should've waited until it was 85% with 72% humidity and full sunshine, but oh well. The bush looks great now. The mattress and bedroom were delivered. But the company sent the wrong rails. So the bed is only half put together. The mattresses are on the floor, but sleepable. hmmm, sleepable is most definitely not a word. Oh well. The dresser and mirror and nightstands are set up. So it actually looks like a real bedroom now! After all that, we cooked steak and fresh green beans and rice. Holmes is definitely excited to be able to cook again (I am too, of course!). We started to watch freaks and geeks (we are getting the series from netflix) but ended up pausing it and talking and looking at old pictures all night. I'm so lucky. I can't express how wonderful it is to be married to him.

Sunday morning we went to church. On our way, Holmes wondered aloud how we were going to top the last two nights. It was a pretty fantastic weekend. Church was great, I'm really enjoying it. Then we found this new little barbeque place for lunch. I studied and ran errands the rest of the day. Holmes made chili and broccoli cornbread. See, I told you he is excited about cooking again!

Today I start school officially. I'm going to campus early to get my ID and parking pass, etc. Class is at 6:15. I also need to start knocking out my 68 graduate assistantship hours before the end of September. I'll be on campus a lot. My other classes are Tues and Thursday at 6:15, Wednesday at 9:15. I also have "clinic" hours. I'll be working with middle and high school students (NEW to me!!!) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in one of the nearby counties. There are some Weds at 5:30 meetings, seem to be once or twice a month. Three Mondays I will go work with a severe to profound class. I don't have many details on that. Tonight's class is an aphasia class, I'm thrilled to learn more about this.

I started my day with a run and some yoga, so my day should be ENERGY FILLED. ha. maybe.