Becky S

says

Liz M says

HI! It is so good to hear from you. Most of the snow went south. They made a big to-do about it...cancelled school and all of this stuff, and then the storm never hit. It all went south. It was pretty funny, really. We got maybe 1 or 2 inches. I have had a couple of weeks "off-service" so that I don't have any clinical responsibilities. Instead I am trying to get as much done on my research projects as possible. Great times. I CANNOT WAIT until I reach a point in my life that doesn't involve "research". Smitty has been really busy, too. Between the cold weather, work and missing home, I am just trying to get through the winter, you know? Day by day. I even went back to my "comfort reading" - British mysteries and a lot of P.D. James.

Got offered a great job here in Boston at one of the Brigham/Harvard hospitals, but I turned it down. They probably thought I was crazy, and couldn't believe I would turn them down! Oh, well- that is a Midwesterner for you:) I think I finally sold Smitty sold on the idea of moving back to Columbia or Kansas City. Those two places are pretty much the only ones on my list. He keeps mentioning other places, but I always bring it back to those two... Kind of like Chinese water torture.

We have to talk this weekend - I miss you! Tell Sean, Ryan and Katie hi for me. Love ya.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Hey Beck. I will call you soon, I promise! Work has been totally crazy, and I am completely exhausted. I just about scared myself when I looked in the mirror today - huge circles under my eyes. It might be starting to look up tomorrow, so hopefully I can get home at a decent hour. Saw your note to Mom - the Fusion is stuck in the snow with the keys locked in it, huh? Can't wait to hear that story! Tell everyone hi for me. Luv ya.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Sandy C says

It's awful. Finally went to town this morning. Haven't been off the farm except to play cards at Montgomery's New Year's Eve, since I got home from work last Wednesday. Dad's having quite a time choring. Rob's water in the little house (in the garage) froze but he got it thawed out by building a fire in the fireplace. We've kept a fire in the stove at full blast non-stop. Have the furnace thermoset on 68 degrees and it comes on in the night. I've been teaching myself to hand quilt. My fingers are sore. Also worked on tax records. BAck to work tomorrow. Also work in Moberly on Thursday if weather's not too bad. Talk to you soon. I sent you a package today - finished embroider on your dish towels.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

I hate it when I think I am going to have so much spare time and then I have NONE! That happened to me when we were back in MO before Xmas. I had all these movies I wanted to see and I didn't see a single one. Pathetic. Try to get some leisure activities in - don't work too hard on your vacation, now... Busy at work, but it could be worse. We are down to bare bones staff, which means I do my job, as well as about two others' jobs as well. Joy. Though I have to admit, it could be worse...knock on wood. No big plans for NYE, how 'bout you? I think we are going to go to an early dinner, have a couple of beers, and be home safely before the rowdiness begins. We are too crazy:) I'll give you a call this weekend, so talk to you soon!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Hey, Beck - I saw on Facebook that Brian Montgomery died? Did you know that? Apparently he was in a car accident 1-2 weeks ago. Sad.

Are you guys heading to Mom and Dad's today? Wish we could be there. Talk to you soon. Oh, just finished a really good book...

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Short delay in Milwaukee, but otherwise smooth as can be. Back to the grind today! How was your weekend? Made plans for January - probably won't make it back to MO. We decided to do the non-stop flight thing from Boston to Denver and have Mom and Dad pick us up at DIA on their way through. Much easier. Finally took the plunge and found Brewsky an appropriately ridiculous doggie B&B here in Boston to use when we go out of town. It only took 6 months to find! We have an interview scheduled to make sure Brewsky is "compatible" with the other dogs. Also found a place called "Fenway Bark" - doggie hotel (literally, the dogs have their own "rooms"). You can get rooms for your dog around an indoor pool. Can you believe it? You ought to google it to see for yourself. Too crazy for us, but I bet it is popular. Tell everyone "hi" for us!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Hey, so I might be able to meet you at the airport, if you'd like. Not sure if you want to try to T with the baggage or if you just want to cab it. Tacos at our place one night will be perfect. I'll buy stuff for them (we can always swing by the market to pick up things I forget, as I am sure I will forgot a lot:) And hey that place with JFK's favority lobster bisque is pretty posh. It might be open only for dinner? I think all of the places you want to go are very easy by walking or the T from our place. For JFK library, you take the T to the JFK/UMass stop, and then you take a free shuttle to the library - runs every 20 min or so I think. You should by a week-long T pass - 15$ and you get unlimited rides, otherwise you pay $2 a ride. Weather will probably be highs in the 40s and low 50s and lows in the 30s. Bring umbrellas and rain jackets for sure. The countdown is on!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Hey!! I am really excited for your visit, too. Will be doing some major grocery shopping this weekend to stock up. We usually run on a pretty empty fridge...and I mean empty. Rather embarrassing usually. But I plan to be fully stocked when you guys get here. Do you know what you want to do for dinners, etc while you are here? Would you want me to call around for reservations or play it by ear? I figure one night we should get delivery pizza from this local pizza place that is all the craze - "The Upper Crust". I thought one night, if we can get the fam to be adventurous, we should try Thai or Japanese or Indian or Korean... But maybe not. And hey, what time does your flight arrive on Tuesday?

And hey, could you bring me your recipe for Hot Fudge Pudding? I think I have only ever made it once, and actually had sort of forgotten about it. Now that you have mentioned it, I am completely craving it!!! I am seriously drooling right now... I also remember having it during the winter back home growing up. Aaahhhh, the memories.

I have been so good lately, and have avoided the library. But it is soooo hard. I have actually managed to read a couple of books I have owned or borrowed. Though a girl at work just gave me a few more books she had and really liked. "Sigh" No rest for the weary.

Smitty is gone through Saturday at a meeting, so I am baching it. Brewsky is lying in Smitty's spot in the bed right now and he keeps tooting. Yikes.

Talk to you later!! CAN'T WAIT until Tuesday gets here!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Sandy C says

I think they will have plenty of vaccine. Not so sure about the usual seasonal flu vaccine though. Made the nutbread. Turned out much better than usual following your recipe. How much sugar do you use in the filling? I put on the butter, then nuts, then about 1/4 c sugar. It was plenty. Mailed 4 loaves (with ends cut off to fit the box!) to Liz today. Told her that if they ate it all, I'd bring walnuts with me and we'd mak'r again!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Hey! I didn't get my seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine - supplies are short, if you can believe it. Guess I will have to take my chances with herd immunity! Yep, Thanksgiving dinner will be at our apartment. It should be interesting, and very, very cozy. Eight people and 1000 square feet... Smitty and I are going to try to buy some games, etc, to keep people entertained. Any ideas? Have you guys thought about what you want to do while you are here? I'll give you a call this weekend, and we can talk details. Glad to hear work is quieter, and glad you liked Suite Francaise. I also thought it was absolutely amazing. Have a good Friday!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Sandy C says

Me too. Working seven days in next two weeks so time will really go fast. I hope you have the sightseeing itinerary decided because I haven't looked at anything. Kinda nice to not have to plan out Thanksgiving dinner. Cooper had is tubes taken out this am at 7:45am in Columbia so Carly and Sam spent the night last night. I took them to school and went by to see Grandma Doris and take back a top she sent home to me to get out stains!. She's pretty cranky and not feeling that well. Heard all about her constipation this morning. Mom and her friends had a really good time yesterday in Atchinson. The luncheon tea was really nice and had birthday cake too. Went to Nell Hill's and bought a few things I didn't need. Weather was great. Talk to you soon - need to work on laundry etc etc Dad burned up the motor on his big combine but no one was hurt. That's another story!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

I think "March" won a Pulitzer at some point. I read another of Geraldine Brooks' books "People of the Book" and I really, really liked it. I have "March" on hold at the library. Work hasn't been too bad this week, but I always pay for it later. Oh, well. Sorry to hear you are working a lot, but only a couple of weeks until you are here!! I am toying with the idea of attempting to make Thanksgiving Dinner here...are you afraid:)

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

I am stealing from your book shelf! And I got one of the BWH path residents hooked on shelfari now, too. I love this website. Talk to you later.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Hey!! No snow in Boston city center last weekend - just very cold and nastily rainy. Snow apparently fell all around Boston, but we managed to stay in the rain zone. Supposed to be rainy again this weekend. Yuck! Good weather for reading and baking. The tree in our patio is an apple tree. We picked a bunch of apples a week or so ago and I have been trying desparately to use them. Even baked an apple pie this last weekend! How are Ryan and Kate feeling? Hope it just a short cold. Carson, one of Smitty's nephews in K.C. apparently has the swine flu! Talk to you later. I'll try to give you a call tomorrow if I don't have to work too late. By the way, did Mom tell you we are going to be home the week of Dec 5th-13th? Won't be coming for Christmas now - too expensive:( Luv ya!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Sandy C says

Just finished "Finger Lickin Fifteen". All Evanovitch's book are so funny. Reading Tallgrass from library - one of Liz's picks. Pretty good so far. Saw 21 patients today - half with the flu. Brunswick school closed for rest of week due to flu. 25 kids went on field trip to KC last Friday...by the end of weekend, 17 had the flu. Going to be a great winter! Started combining beans and yield is great but slow going because beans still tough.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Sandy C says

Not yet but everytime he see's a combine running, he froths at the mouth. He plans to do his beans first. Will probably be putting most of crop in the bins but has contracted 2500 bu of beans for December delivery - last week so he gets check in January! I'll be in Omaha Fri - Sun with my friend Barbara from Shelbina. Looking forward to see the shops downtown and just catching up with public health news. Had a good time at the race and Phil Fay's 60th birthday party wiener roast. Big harvest moon and great bonfire. We need to do that before fall is done. Maybe you can come up in the next few weeks.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Sandy C says

Sounds like you are raising cyote bait to me! (or dog bait).

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Oh, and Smitty says that July would be best for France. June is doable if need be, but July preferable. We will, of course, be fine with whatever dates are work best for all of us!

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

I have 7 library books out right now! Crazy. Too many books and too little time. How is Sean? Any good news? Sorry to hear you are busy. I am holding steady, but some crazy stuff is going on at work right now. Next time we talk I will tell you about it. Seem to be tired a lot of the time, but only because I stay up too late reading! Have also been doing some running - up to 3-4 miles about 4 times a week. Slow as molasses, but at least I am not in agony the whole time now. Tell everyone hi for me. Miss you.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

Liz M says

Just finished "Sarah's Key" and though it was great. Depressing yet not at the same time. Not sure yet what I am going to read next. How is Sean and the whole fiasco? Last few days at work have been a bit lighter, so I am sure I will pay for it by Friday. Oh, well, what can you do. Smitty and I plan a quiet weekend, only two more days!

How is Netherland? I have it on hold at the library, and I think I only have a bit longer to wait. I thought it looked really good.
Talk to you later. Luv ya.

posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )