Christmas 2008 - Charleston, SC

Britton and I spent Christmas eve opening presents at his mom's house. Two traditions were maintained: 1) Britton and I gave his Grandmother a framed picture of our wedding to add to the collection of grandchildren's wedding photos on her piano, and 2) I received the Golden Eagle Ten dollar coin pendant, which has been traditionally given to each woman in the Rodwell family (Grandmama's family) to be worn during holiday celebrations. Originally the coins were given to all the grandchildren by Grandmama and Britton's late grandfather. Britton gave me his coin (how sweet...), and Ann gave me a beautiful gold necklace to carry the pendent. Carter was the only kid in the house and definitely took home some loot of his own!
On Christmas day, Billy, Kathy and Grandmama came over for lunch at Ann's house.

Later that day, the Rodwell family gathered at Grandmama's house for even more food. Tommy went around videotaping everyone (his new toy) and we enjoyed the musical productions of Carter Call and Zalynn Rodwell, future rock stars, no doubt.

We caught an ADORABLE picture of Zalynn whose personality is really starting to show this Christmas as she turns from cute baby to beautiful girl just like her older sisters.

Also captured: a precious moment with Bryan and Keah.

This was a great first married Christmas for us even though I've had study for several hours every day. We are both enjoying each other, our families and the season!

Done with interviewing!

At the end of the week, we went down to Tampa, Florida for the last of ten residency interviews. Britton really liked the city and the program and the hospital is beautiful (almost makes you want to get sick?).

Friday night we had dinner with my grandparents and my Aunt Helen in Clearwater, which neighbors Tampa, and we forgot to take pictures again!

Now we are back in Columbia...studying. Britton has a test tomorrow for his surgery rotation and I am studying for the PT boards (scheduled for Jan. 7). Before we left for Tampa, I had an interview at a great job opportunity for me (working for a newly opening pelvic floor physical therapy program at Lexington hospital). They accepted the fact that I would be in Ecuador in Feb. and would be relocating in June and they still want me to start in Jan! I'm very excited about it, additional motivation to study for the boards.

Graduation - Dr. Lauren Crigler

On Saturday, my parents came up for their first visit to Columbia since helping me move here in the summer of 2005. I guess they figured they'd wait until I gave them a good reason to come back.

On Sunday night, Bill and Pat Crigler came over for dinner and then later some of our friends came for dessert and some pre-celebration festivities. The parents went off to bed and the young'un's had a little too much fun (no such thing!).

Monday Dec. 15th was the big day! It feels great to be done! I am going to deeply miss my friends that have struggled through this degree with me, the memories will last a lifetime. I can't wait to find out where everyone winds up!

Our visit to VA

Dec. 6-8th, we went to Virginia to visit my sister-in-law, Julieann, and her family and to have a residency interview in Norfolk. Our visit with Julieann, Sam, and Caleb was very nice and Julieann was a truly a gracious host. We are kicking ourselves for not using our camera, darn it!

The next stop was Norfolk for the interview and then home. Britton also interviewed in Gainesville, FL later in the week and really liked my alma mater.

Thanksgiving 2008

We spent Thanksgiving in Charleston with Britton's family. We gathered at Grandmama's house before the Turkey day 5K race with the other family race participants. (picture: Kathy, Foster, Leslie, Lauren, Britton, William, Billy, Julieann, Caleb). [For the record: Elizabeth and Joe met us at the race and Joe kicked everyone's butt.] After the race, we all went to Ann's house for Thanksgiving dinner (yum!) and then to Grandmama's for Thanksgiving Part II (barbeque? for Thanksgiving? sweet! bring it on!).

(We were terrible at remembering to take pictures with our camera so I may add more when I get other people's pictures.)

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!

On Thursday of last week, Britton and I traveled to Winston-Salem for a residency interview at Wake Forest. On Friday, Britton interviewed at Duke in Durham, NC while I checked out a women's health PT residency program offered there. We were both impressed with what we saw at Duke, while Wake Forest also seemed like a nice option.

This morning I turned in my 3 official, signed dissertation papers on 100% cotton paper for binding. 85 pages each with 1 1/2 inch margins on the left and 1 inch margins on the right, Roman numerals to start, switched to Arabic numerals, on and on... there were five pages of instructions given to us on how the paper should be presented! Those who have been in my shoes are LOLing about pagination stresses, I know. Anyway, it feels even more official now.

I have begun reviewing for boards and will probably sleep with the book until I sit for the exam. ;-)

Free at last!

I am officially done with my dissertation and my defense went really well! The presentation was smooth and I wasn't even nervous because, after working on this for about 16 months, I actually know what I'm talking about! ;-) I received very nice compliments from my committee members and my program director and I am officially ready to graduate on December 15th! My wonderful husband is back home and we will celebrate tonight when Tabitha and Nima come over for dinner.

For the rest of the year, I will be working in the lab (designing and performing physical therapy interventions for people with neurological insults) and studying for boards. I will also be going to some of Britton's interviews with him and having a couple interviews of my own.

Precious!

Britton is in Nashville and I'm working on my PowerPoint presentation. Just sharing a new pic: My mom crocheted this big yellow blanket for me when I was about 15 and I'm sure she would be pleased to know that Samantha treasures it too!

November 4th, 2008 Barack Obama makes Prez

The line for free "I voted" Krispy Kreme donuts was long too!

This evening we watched the 2008 Presidential outcome with Alicia, Tabitha and Nima.

Voter turnout was higher than expected which is thrilling because it shows that people are tuned in and have an opinion. Some will be disappointed with the outcome and feel uncertain about the future. Others are excited, looking forward to this wonderful change of life.

We are, of course, referring to the election that appointed Samantha as our family cat [wink]. She ran a good campaign, supported mostly by representative Britton Crigler. Samantha won the popular vote by a landslide 14 to 3. She will strive to improve our health care by lowering our blood pressures, shore up our economy by going on a diet, and promote job creation by tossing kitty litter on the floor.

We are very pleased with the outcome! Thanks to all of you who voted!

Voting 2008

My friend Mary Carol took a year off from med school to work for the American Medical Student Association in Washington D.C. writing health care legislation. A citizen of SC, she drove down yesterday to vote early today. We decided to wait in line to vote together and catch up. We stood in line outside for three hours on this drizzly cold day!

Britton interviewed at USC today and he feels it went well. It was good preparation for future interviews.

Don't forget that there is still one more day to vote both here and in your district! Meow.

On Saturday evening we drove up to Greenville to have dinner with Foster (Britton's cousin and BM) and Leslie. We tied in our pool playing abilities and practiced complicated yoga poses.
We also booked our tickets to Ecuador! No puedo esperar!

Getting closer to graduation!!!

Yesterday was my LAST day of internships for the entire program and I got to celebrate with two PT student friends and my sweet hubby as treat-or-treaters showed up in small numbers at our house. I had a really great experience at this internship so it was a bit sad to leave but I'm really excited about having one more thing checked off my list. Now my focus is on finishing my dissertation (I defend on 11/13!) and studying for the boards (which I'll take some time in December...?).

Foster Parents

Last weekend we were suckered into becoming temporary foster parents for a cat. The PT that I'm working with volunteers for a local animal rescue and this kitty was in a bad situation and needed a home. Her name is Samantha, age: 2? 3? She is spayed, de-clawed, a bit chubby and fluffy with minimal shedding. After a couple of shy days, she has become a very sweet kitty. She comes when called and loves being pet. She even takes naps with Britton. What do we do? Keep her? Give her back? We turn to our viewers to decide...Please cast your absentee ballot by poll closing on November 4th. (side bar)

The art opening

Here is a picture of us at the fine arts opening event for the SC state fair. Britton is famous!

One interview done and lots of learning!

On Saturday Oct. 4, Britton and I hung out with our friends Nema and Tabitha at the Columbia Music Crawl where we had fun watching local talent.

On Thursday we headed down to Jacksonville where Britton interviewed on Friday at Shands Jacksonville and I took a 3 day continuing ed course - Pelvic Floor I. Britton felt very positive about his interview and I learned a LOT and am even more excited about women's health! Britton took this picture while exploring Jacksonville while I was in class...I'm not sure why he's topless...

News Brief:

Great news! Britton's macaw photograph was accepted at the SC State Fair's fine arts section and will be viewed starting Monday!

Britton is starting the interview portion of the residency match program. To keep everyone updated, we will add the interview dates and locations in our side bar as interviews are set.

Back in Columbia

I finally finished my clinical internship in Murrells Inlet, SC. I learned a lot about the treatment of lymphedema and pelvic floor problems; these are both majors issues in women's health physical therapy so I'm happy to have gained the experience. Let's just say, I also learned a lot about what not to do. Bill and Kathy were amazing hosts in Myrtle Beach, so kind and generous - they put up with me for 6 weeks!

It's good to be home! My sweet husband had a nice little homecoming planned for me on Friday night. On Saturday we ran around all day doing errands and then tailgated for a bit with Britton's dad and Pat. Today (Sunday) we are studying and getting ready for the week. This week I will start a new internship at an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Columbia and Britton is taking Step II of the boards on Friday.

This afternoon we went to the fair grounds to drop off a picture that Britton took on our honeymoon to be entered in the SC State Fair photo competition. The photo is our favorite souvenir: the red macaw pair picture.

A tour of the south

Last Thursday evening, I traveled to Columbia after working in Myrtle Beach. I wasn't evacuating from Hurrican Hanna (which turned out to be quite minor), but the timing was fortunate!

On Friday, Britton and I went to Chattanooga, TN for my Uncle Scott and Aunt Susan's 25th wedding anniversary party! They really planned a nice event...a black tie ball with dinner and dancing. Since Scott and Susan and many of their friends are fabulous dancers, we were a little out of our league but we loved it! We spent the day on Saturday hanging out with family at Scott and Susan's house and their daughter Sarah put on a fashion show. Later, we went downtown and explored the riverwalk.

Saturday night, we went out for sushi in Atlanta with Audrey and Joe and spent the night at their house.

Sunday, we went back to Columbia where I printed the first draft of the brochure that I've been working on for...ever! Then I headed back to Myrtle Beach. Now, I'm creating a questionnaire to accompany the brochure before I send it out to breast cancer patients and clinicians for feedback. I may finish this dissertation after all...I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. :-)

Weekend in Charleston

After four weeks of being apart, Britton and I finally met up in Charleston. It was so wonderful to see him! We spent time on the beach building a sandcastle with Julieann, Caleb, Elizabeth, Joe and Carter. Caleb was cute as can be in his castle/mini pool! Thanks to Ann and Grandmama for hosting us this weekend!

Britton is now back in Columbia doing a cardiographics rotation and studying for another board exam and I am in Myrtle beach for the next three weeks finishing my clinical rotation.

Todd and Shu-Fen in SC

Todd and Shu-Fen are flying to Taiwan in 2 weeks for several new beginnings. Todd will be working toward a PhD in electrical engineering at the University of Taiwan starting this fall. Shu-Fen will soon start working toward an MBA and they will be living in Taipei.

They stopped in Myrtle beach to see their little sister and we had a fun day hanging out at Billy and Kathy's house.

I will miss them both dearly but I'm so excited for them!!!
Will they miss Vermont? Probably not the winters...
I can't wait to see pictures of them in Taiwan (hint, hint).

My First Posting

Hello family and special friends. When my beautiful wife first began thinking about "blogging", I was skeptical but since then I have been very impressed with her blog skills. This will certainly be a wonderful place to have an online diary of our experiences and families as it grows.

As Lauren posted earlier, I am down in Jacksonville on my OBGYN rotation. I have certainly enjoyed myself and am quite confident with my decision to go into this field. This weekend, I chose to be on call since I wouldn't have to compete with the 3rd year medical students who were busy studying for there subject exams. It is quite nice being a 4th year. Fridays seem to be quite popular for having babies and needing c-sections. I was up all night but had a great time assisting in 2 cesarean sections, several vaginal births, and delivering 4 placentas. I still have not managed to deliver a baby on my own, but know my time with come. This week I will be on Labor and Delivery, so I am sure it will happen.

Looking forward to August 29th, I will be meeting Lauren in Charleston. Julieann is supposed to be coming to Charleston too so it will be quite a weekend. Very excited about it.

So sweetie.... now you can't say I haven't posted on our blog. :) Love you bunches.

--
Britton Crigler
USC School of Medicine
Class of 2009
Phone: 843-425-4161

Myrtle Beach!

I just completed my first week at my new clinical rotation in Murrells Inlet, SC. The clinic sees mostly patients with lymphedema, as well as some pelvic floor patients and orthopedic patients. The patients are wonderful and I'm learning new things... but this will be a tough six weeks. I'm happy to be into the weekend with just five weeks left. :-)

I do really like being in Mytle Beach with Kathy and Bill (Britton's aunt and uncle), especially since Britton is away in Jacksonville. So that is my silver lining right now.

Britton is continuing to enjoy his rotation in Jacksonville and really seems to like the area. I will get him to blog on here someday. ;-)

Painful paper & petite peppers

Britton left last weekend for Jacksonville, FL to do a clinical rotation in ob/gyn. He is learning a lot, scrubbing in on surgeries, working in the clinic and enjoying the team-like atmosphere at Shands Hospital Jacksonville.

I am working on my dissertation night and day (8000 words and still SO far from being done) but somehow I still find time to miss Britton about every other minute. ;-)

Lest one think that only my tomatoes are beautiful, I must also show off the peppers.

Hilton Head Island, SC

Wednesday through Friday,

we went down to Hilton Head Island, SC to visit with my parents. We rode a trolley, checked out the shops, and lounged by the pool. Britton and I saw the views of the south end of the island from atop the lighthouse.

A picture is worth a 4800 words (so far).

I'm working on my dissertation... a picture of me looking thrilled to be writing about research!

Usually I blog about the fun stuff but to be true to life...I decided to blog about what I do during MOST of my waking hours these days (when I'm not working in the lab). With my proposed project approved, I'm in the "gathering info for the product" phase. I'm 4800 words in and slowly chipping away...

Oh, and for Alicia, Sarah and Janna, I do have to show off my nice little tomato harvest.

Praying Mantis!

Yikes! I saw this guy (or gal) in my garden and, though he is a little scary looking, I had to welcome him because he is a bug who eats other bugs. He's protecting my pepper plant!

mojito challenge, friend farewell, garden update

Last night, Britton and I joined some friends at Columbia's "Bacardi Mojito Challenge" benefiting the Special Olympics of South Carolina. Eleven restaurants participated, allowing attendants to sample a mojito and vote for their favorite.

This was also Alicia's last night out as a resident of SC, so it served as a nice send off. This morning she left for Chicago, moving back to her home state. (Me, Erin, Alicia, Jennifer)

What's happening in my
garden these days...
my tomatoes are finally
turning red and my
jalapeños are multiplying!