Raystown Lake, PA

Somehow Michael and I got lucky enough to have MLK weekend totally off, so we decided to make a trip to Raystown Lake, PA. We picked this random (and likely unheard of) location because it is halfway between our house and Mike's Dad's house in Cleveland. We were able to meet them in a great cabin in the woods for some quality family time and relaxation.

Mike and I got in late Friday afternoon. We went and had some pizza and did a little grocery shopping while we waited for his family to arrive. They ended up getting in almost 2 hours later than we were expecting them because their GPS took them on a very scenic detour! Once they arrived, we spent the evening eating and talking.

Saturday we got up and went to breakfast and then did some exploring. We drove down to Raystown Lake to get a view and to see what everyone was talking about. The lake is beautiful. It is 32 miles long and surrounded by mountains. It is very easy to see why this town is popular in the summertime. After seeing the lake, we went for a hike. It was a trail that was labeled 4.5 miles and we decided we were all okay to do the whole thing. Well, halfway into it we passed a couple people who said, "Wow, you guys are just getting started!" We all looked at each other and the dogs and decided that we needed to cut our hike short; we were getting tired and hungry and it was already 3:30. Mike and I said how blessed we were to have those people come along the trail, otherwise, we might have kept going and been stuck walking around a dark trail.

Saturday night we went to a little dive restaurant for dinner and then went home to play some games before bed. Sunday was a lazy football and pasta kind of day, with more games and plenty of naps. And finally, Monday morning we all loaded the cars and headed home.

I am sorry to say that I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked. The property that the cabin was on was beautiful, with a creek running in front of the house and plenty of trees and hills around. I guess I was just lazy and only took a few, which I am kicking myself for now. Here are some from what I did take:

On July 11, 2010 the Bianco family will be expecting its newest member! I am 12 1/2 weeks along and finally feeling less nauseous. We are so excited and cannot wait!

It's that time of year again...

I know it's getting chilly outside with I find Emmy Lou on the sofa.

Guess this means we will have to break out the sweaters soon....

Our Second Wedding Day

In our church, we believe that couples can be married for not just time (until death do you part), but for all of eternity.  To have achieve this special denotation, you have to be married within a temple by someone with the authority to perform the sealing (or marriage for eternity).  This is done in a sacred ceremony.

This past weekend, Michael and I were finally able to be sealed for eternity.  We (last minute) picked a date (one when we were both off) and hoped that all of our friends would be able to make it.  Ted and Stefanie flew in from Arizona and really helped organize the entire weekend.  I worked on Thursday night and Mike worked on Friday night, so we may not have been as well rested as we would have liked, but we were awake enough to enjoy and appreciate the day.

We chose the Manhattan Temple, which we have never been to, but I am so glad we went there. It was small and very intimate.  It also only took us a little over an hour to get there.  We were lucky enough to have many friends join us for the ceremony; it was nice to look around the room and see all the faces of the people who have helped us get to this point.

After the ceremony, we ate gyros from a street vendor (Mike got sandwich juice all down the front of his suit) and then drove back home.  We were hoping to get some pictures taken in Central Park, but we ran out of time.

Last night we had a reception to celebrate.  Stefanie organized the whole thing and it turned out so beautiful.  We had italian food catered by one of our favorite restaurants and cupcakes for dessert from a local bakery.   Stef, Ted and I stayed up late Friday night putting up garland and getting the house organized for the next day.  It was all perfect and I loved having everyone over.

All in all, it was a beautiful day and we couldn't be happier.  I am so thankful that out of everyone in this entire world, I get to be the eternal companion of Michael.  We are so lucky!

H1N1 aka "swine flu"

I have been asked by a lot of patients and family recently about the flu vaccine.  I thought I would write a small bit about it in an effort to do my public health education duties.

1) Everyone should get a flu shot (the "regular" flu).  

2) Everyone should get the H1N1 vaccine when it is released in October.  

People most at risk for contracting the swine flu are individuals under the age of 30.  The group most at risk for becoming seriously ill and dying from complications from the flu are pregnant women!

Myths about the flu shot:

1) The flu shot can give you the flu 

FALSE: The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine, meaning that the virus is dead/denatured.   You can, however, get flu-like side effects from the vaccine.  These include fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat.  These symptoms can be managed with tylenol and other over the counter remedies.

2) The flu shot is not safe

FALSE: The flu vaccine is safe in the sense that it does not infect you with the virus.   People who have an allergy to eggs should not get the shot since they could have an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

I got my flu vaccine today and am supposed to get the H1N1 vaccine when it is released next month.  I have been told many times how important it is to get vaccinated.  There are no exceptions for vaccination (unless you have above mentioned allergy) and everyone is at risk of getting sick.

Tips for flu season:

1) Wash your hands often

2) Sneeze into your elbow or kleenex and wash your hands immediately afterwards

3) Avoid heavily crowded public places as much as possible

4) Take care of your body; get enough sleep, eat well, and take your vitamins

Symptoms of the Swine Flu:

It is said to typically begin as a sore throat that is quickly followed (within 24 hours) by a high fever (greater than 102), headache, body aches/muscle pains.  If you feel you have these symptoms, don't go to work, school, etc.  Call your doctor and see if they want to you come in (they may tell you to stay home so you don't infect their office).  The treatment is Tamiflu (if caught within the first 36 hours of illness) and symptomatic treatment.  Remember, this is a virus and antibiotics will not be effective.

For more information, go to the CDC's website.

http://www.cdc.org

Our New Bikes

I am a little late in posting this, but better late than never, right?

Almost 2 months ago Mike and I decided to get new bikes.  In our town everyone seems to have a cruiser bike.  You can look out the window at any time of the day and see someone riding by the house on a bike.  I would look out the window in envy, wishing that I could cruise around the neighborhood on a bike.  I had these visions of me riding to the grocery store, the post office, etc, putting all my goodies into a basket on the front of my bike.

Everytime I saw these bikes, I would tell Mike how much I wanted one.  I would try to explain to him my daydreams, but I am sure I lost him shortly after I said I wanted a bike with a basket. Well, much to my surprise one Saturday in July Mike took me to the local bike shop and I got to pick out a new bike!

We both ended up getting cruiser bikes and have used them quite a bit this summer (when we are home).  I have ridden mine to the library, to get my nails done, to the store and then of course we have gone on many afternoon/evening bike rides together.  It's so much fun and reminds me of being a kid.  

Today the rain finally cleared up and the sun came out so after church we took our bikes out for a ride.  The weather is in the 70s and gorgeous and we had such a nice time.  This is the first weekend in a while that we have both been off and both been home the WHOLE weekend.  It was like a vacation, we loved it!  I am sad that the weekend has to end and that we have to go back to reality tomorrow.

We did get to go out on a date this weekend!  Mike took me out to dinner at this great diner (they had a juke box) and we ate really greasy food and then went to see Julie & Julia.  It was such a nice night!  It makes me so eager to finish this residency so we can have our lives back.  I miss date nights with my husband!  

Labor Day

Even though Michael had to work last night and started his Labor Day out laboring, we were still able to have a nice relaxing day off.

Mike got home from the hospital around 7:30 this morning and got into bed.  I got up about 8:30 and started breakfast. I made cinnamon swirl muffins and the smell of fresh-baked cinnamon got Mike up around 10:00.  After breakfast we went for a walk around the neighborhood with the girls. Would you believe that someone in our neighborhood already has Halloween decorations up?  I think they are a little premature, it's only September 7.

After our walk, we went to the farmer's market and got some produce.  Then we stopped by a nursery near the hospital to get some mums (3 for $15, what a deal).  We did our grocery shopping and I got a new rake at Home Depot (its the little things, you know).

I just finished doing a little raking and trying to figure out the best spot for my new mums. Mike and the girls did some playing and now we are all relaxing before dinner.  Mike is making eggplant and I am making a chocolate cake.  I wish we had more days off together, today has really been so nice!

She purposely wouldn't look at the camera

This year I grew cherry tomatoes on the porch