Last Cabin Adventure

Matt and I went up to the cabin over the weekend for our last time before we move.  We wanted to see Joe and hang with the family.  We got to play some badminton, go for a canoe ride up the crick, take Joe out for breakfast at the Log Cabin, have fires, eat my Mom's delicious food, and flee the cabin at the sound of tornado sirens which accompanied some severe storms common this time of year.  We also got to hang with Jax and watch him play with his favorite toy at my Mom's house: Grandpa's oxygen cord!

Chateau St. Croix

My sister Regan surprised Matt with an early b-day present of wine tasting at Chateau St. Croix Winery & Vineyard which is located in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin.  I knew Matt would be skeptical at the thought of it so I didn't tell him where we were going on his secret b-day adventure but just punched the address into the GPS on the way up to the cabin this past weekend.  When we pulled in he expected the worst but was pleasantly surprised to find out this Wisconsin vineyard did grow grapes but most of what they make their wines from are grapes they buy from California- yay!  So we tasted a number of wines and had pizza made in a traveling wood fired oven.  Matt got to temp the fire which was 740 degrees!  We also were fortunate to learn a few things about baking pizza in a wood fired oven from the owner and this was very helpful since we plan to build a wood fired oven back on our porch in AZ.  We had a delicious pizza with roasted sweet potato, blue cheese, panchetta and a drizzle of maple syrup- yum!  My favorite wine was the Syrah and Matt's favorite was the Cabernet Sauvignon.  We tried a number of wines including a special Cigar Wine which to our surprise was a rose.  A great time- thanks Reegz!

Matt Loves Tiling!

Okay, the title of this post may be a bit misleading... What's really going on here is that AZ is just around the corner and we are in a mad rush to finish up some work on our MN house in order to be able to rent it out once we leave. In an effort to jazz up our boring kitchen on the cheap we decided to tile the counter tops. Matt doesn't exactly love tiling but fortunately for me he is quite handy and he loves the way tile looks so he is willing to do it! He tiled right over the existing laminate which was in decent shape but quite drab. When we bought this house the kitchen was mint green with beige counter tops that had brick red trim... yuck! Here is how it looks now.Good job, Honey!

Swing Wide The Glimmering Gates

This is my most favorite song.  Ever.



I caught myself looking in the mirror Wishing I was someone else I was born, with a bleeding heart And veins of loneliness I know it, I’ve seen it, I’ve held it in my arms But love can’t seem to break me down I’ve pleaded, I’ve begged, I’ve bloodied my eyes, just to feel it To believe it will stick around (oh whoa) Swing wide the glimmering gates Swing wide the glimmering gates I told myself the habits and secrets were just to get me through To get me through the nights but I got lost in a world of angles in city and greys and lies And I feel it, I taste it the longing to be free (Oh) The joy of believing like a child So you, You then listening Will you send up a prayer for me? To help me find the light Swing wide the glimmering gates Leave your pride and pain Swing wide the glimmering gates And be innocent again Innocent Again Swing wide the glimmering gates One day I believe I will open up my eyes Just to see The good work that was begun And I’ll be The only things I’ve ever wanted to be And I’ll know that I belong Swing wide the glimmering gates Leave your pride and pain Swing wide the glimmering gates And be innocent again Innocent again Be innocent again Swing wide the glimmering gates Leave your pride and pain (Swing Wide) Swing wide the glimmering gates And be innocent again (innocent, innocent again) Swing wide the glimmering gates

Level 1 Sommelier!

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind with my big wine test and trying to get our Minnesota house ready to rent.  Here is the long overdue picture of my certificate for passing the level 1 sommelier test.  Pictured also is the pin they give you and the workbook from the 2 day course.  I studied my rear off for it and so was able to pass easily, thank God.  If you want to hear a bit more about it check out my wine blog.

Matt's Second Job

Last weekend the wine store I work at finally had it's Grand Opening.  We had wine vendors in pouring over 30 wines, plus drawings and special sales.  My boss knew it was going to be busy so he asked if he could hire Matt out for the day.  He put him to work pouring 5 wines.  The grand opening happened on Cinco de Mayo so we played Mexican music in the store and decorated accordingly.  I brought all my Mexican blankets from home which we draped all over the store.  With the Mariachi music playing I almost for got where I was!

Champagne #2 Ocassion: The Job Offer

Arizona or Bust!

PRAISE THE LORD, WHO HAS BEEN PLANNING THIS FOREVER!!!

 







Update: Later that evening we went out to a Spanish restaurant in town where my friend Barbara is the sommelier.  She treated us to my very favorite Champagne, a cheese board, tapas and a flight of red wines- what a perfect way to spend the evening in celebration of Matt's new job!

Champagne #1 Ocassion: The Job Posting!

Career Opportunities: Perfusionist | Artificial Heart (13901)

Req Id 13901 - Posted 05/03/2012 - Artificial Heart - 0570 - Various Locations (Tucson) - Technical/Trade/Maintenance - Full-Time - Varied shifts - Varied shift length

Job Description

 

The University of Arizona has been a world leader in the development of VADs and the artificial heart. The artificial heart program has been recognized as one of the best in the world, and has logged more patient hours on the total artificial heart than any other program. The program has a new emphasis on minimally evasive, transplant, and pediatric surgery of all types.

POSITION SUMMARY: The perfusionist is directly responsible for the cardiopulmonary support of patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery or needing vascular support.  Each perfusionist will be responsible for the selection, maintenance, and use of the perfusion hardware and software.  Each perfusionist will also maintain a database recording of every perfusion case performed.  In addition to the clinical duties, each perfusionist will have well -defined clinical teaching responsibilities and support ancillary equipment associated to the cardiopulmonary support of each patient.

QUALIFICATIONS: Graduate from an accredited perfusion program. Bachelors of Science in Biological Science, Chemistry or Engineering or five years experience with a minimum of 100 extracoporeal circulation cases per year. Must be certified or board eligible thorough the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. At least three years pediatric experience with completition of 300 case preferred. Adult and pediatric ECMO experience preferred.

Please join us in praying that God would take us home to Tucson!!!