"Hello, I'm Fiona!"

"I'm Peanut's new cousin. I like chewing newly installed wood trim, wriggling out of your hands, wearing Halloween costumes, and snuggling! Snuggling is my favorite! I am giving Aunt Kara and Uncle Jeremy puppy fever and making Peanut very, very jealous."

"Seriously? What part of 'only child' don't you guys understand?"

An Apple A Day...

Is what I'll be eating for the next 6 months.

Recently, Jeremy and I picked over 20 pounds of delicious Suncrisp apples at the Lynd Fruit Farm.

Our friends Erin, Ryan #1, Kim and Ryan #2 also picked a haul.

Jeremy, as an evolutionary superior human specimen, is very useful for getting the best fruit at the top of the trees. He will thusly survive the winter, aided by the fact his mate has lots of time on her hands and will be preserving apples and pie filling in the following weeks.

Unfortunately, Erin and Ryan #1 lacked the genetic codes necessary to get to the highest branches. However, their superior intellect and human ingenuity allowed them to avoid natural selection once again.

Ryan #2 and Kim are getting married! They are so cute and happy together. I am sure these soon-to-be newlyweds will have progeny galore ensuring the passage of their DNA to future generations. Its the law of averages. :)

Pumpkins were also a steal--$1 a piece. SMASHING, darling. The pumpkin patch was a little picked over...but we found a few beauties.

Peanut is NOT so impressed.

A Marathon October

When I think back on October, this image comes to mind:

Was it a fast-paced race? Or a terror-filled flee from a pursuer drawing ever closer? Or was simply a blur? I am still not sure.

Really, October just BUZZED by. I can't believe its nearly November! We were busy bees this month. Notably, Kristin completed a half-marathon with her friends. (The picture above is actually the male race leaders, of course.)

Way to go, Kiki! It was wonderful and inspiring watching you and your friends! Maybe one day I'll run another marathon, but probably not. You are the family athlete, now, my dear.

Later the same day, Kristin's husby Adam did a marathon of his own, nearly conquering the Dagwood Challenge at the Ohio Deli. That feat involves hammering down the Dagwood and fries shown below. Within 30 minutes. (Cue shock and awe.)

BEFORE

AFTER

Less than 25% of the sandwich left! (Cue shock and awe second time.) Adam said he wasn't really even giving it 110%. Sounds like a rematch is in store! I love how he's still smiling! Ahh, the Ohio Deli, with its reasonable prices and hometown feel. I recommend the patty melt and fries! No pesky stopwatch needed. :)

Picasa Problems

Okay, I just realized my photo collages from Picasa didn't load to my "Work and Play" posts. Rats! I think the problem is fixed, but now I can no longer find the Picasa application on my desktop. FRUSTRATED.

Kara is: a GOOD DENTIST

Kara is not: a GOOD I.T. PROFESSIONAL

Last night we went to the movies, and the nice man at the ticket counter had an iPad. I inquired about it, and he was VERY thorough in showing me all the cool things it can do! (In the words of my BIL, Adam, "He told you how the clock worked, not what time it was." It was bordering on uncomfortable. Macaholics. So endearing.

Anyway, the iPad is now my latest obsession!

"Jeremy...

...can I have a bite of your sparkly donut?"

"Um, no, Emersyn, I think you've had enough."

Clearly.

Work and Play

Its nice when those two things aren't so far removed from one another, isn't it? Recently it seems there have been lots of after-hours work engagements. And that's cool because I really do love the people I work with at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and really, evenings are pretty quiet these days with the absence of Mr. Morris.

Without sounding too chipper, every day I feel blessed to have my job at the pediatric dental clinic at Nationwide. I have to say that I genuinely feel like the people I work with are family, and the institution itself is a second home. I love that the department runs so well. I love that the residents are so motivated and so hard working and so fun to teach. I love that in any given day, I have a half dozen professional mentors pass by, and they are never too busy to chat or offer professional (or personal!) advice. I love that the job is challenging. I love that I leave at the end of the day feeling energized and not drained.

(But there is also this small voice in the back of my head saying, "You still have a lot left to learn, don't you? What do you think you're doing, young lady?")

At the end of the day, I am but a small part of a big machine that simply aims to care for children. Benevolence has its merits.

Speaking of benevolence, and mentors, here's a great example of both: Dr. Ashok Kumar:

This was taken at Indian Oven, which could also be described as the Pediatric Dental Department Cafeteria. On a magnificent autumn evening, the whole department got together to celebrate the arrival of Dr. Kumar's Green Card. Now, after 15 years of patient waiting, he will get to return home to India, see his mom and sister, and enjoy all the perks of being a law-abiding member of American society. Next stop, citizenship, my friend! No one has helped me more during my years of pediatric dental training, but he should already know that. And, I have already made him a big list of items to bring me from India...I know, I'm so grateful.

NOTE: I have just discovered Picasa and will be glued to my laptop evermore, I fear.

Now for the "play" part of this post! Jeremy and I had a busy weekend in the Akron/Cleveland area last weekend. In 48 hours, we watched our good friends Kaye & Neil run the Akron marathon, celebrated our anniversary with Carla & Craig, and met up with Jeremy's law school cronies Jen and Mike (and Mike's new baby, Sydney!). We had a GREAT time. Lola was everything we'd hoped!

Oh, and did I mention it's fall? Hooray!

One Year Later...

and we are still married!  

(I think we look a trifle Stepford here, but whatev.)

:)

Happy Anniversary to my husband, who remains all the things that I mentioned HERE. 

And also, he has tremendous faith in our heavenly Father.

And also, he still really REALLY hates vegetables, but is trying really hard to learn to like them, for my sake. 

And also, I'm teaching him to love yardwork and home renovations.

And also, we're going HERE for our anniversary dinner!

For better and for worse, indeed!

I love you, Schmoopie.