Long Time Coming...

I meant to write this in, oh, August of 2011.  Sometimes, it takes my brain a bit to catch up.  Also, I had marathon brain the last several months, which (while I have never been pregnant, nor am I now) seems to have the same symptoms as pregnancy brain.

I wanted to extend a huge THANK YOU to Team Pitcher for getting my butt (literally) on track.

I was the gal that thought it perfectly appropriate to have a sugar cookie and a white chocolate coconut mocha for breakfast, and adventure to McDonald's to lunch, and a mini pizza for dinner.  I ate for convenience and not for nutrition.  It wasn't until I enlisted the help of Team Pitcher that I realized just how much what you eat effects how you feel - and ultimately what you do.

With their support and knowledge I was able to pull myself out of the garbage gut gutter, and eat like a person running 40+ miles a week, because I was!!  I felt better, slept better, ran better, and didn't feel the need to have emotional meltdowns every other day.

The new training rules allowed me to still have my favorite treats, but in moderation (ahhhhh, that's the secret).  Working fro-yo into my training schedule was a huge morale boost, and who would deny me that :)

I recommend working with them no matter what your training/life/weight goals are in the New Year.  It will be worth the time and effort (and really, the hard part is done for you).

Hats off to you Team Pitcher - I appreciate you and your guidance so very much!!!

May your day be filled with great advice.

Andrea

Hi I'm Andrea, and this is my speech.

Well, Good Morning to you!!

On Tuesday I got to be a part of a really cool experience.  The Canine Christmas Benefit in Las Vegas.  (No dogs were singing).  BUT, the singers who were singing - were AMAZING!!  All the proceeds of the event went to support the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU.  They asked me to say a few words, and I did.  I didn't barf, didn't faint, didn't fall, and they clapped when I was done.  SUCCESS!!

This is what I said: (and yes, I had to write down my name so I wouldn't forget).

Good Evening, I’m Andrea from Washington State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine.  I would first like to thank Jacqueline, Dr. Pennell, and all the performers for their efforts to make this evening possible.  What an amazing experience.  I would also like to thank each and every one of you for being here.  Tonight, we have had the opportunity to listen to some of the most gifted performers and voices I have ever heard, and in doing so; we are also helping our furry friends battle cancer.  Our pets, in most cases, are very much a part of our family.  I know at our house (much to my dismay) it was the dog who had the most presents under the Christmas tree.  And, while we do all that we can to make sure our dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, horses, etc are safe and healthy – we cannot protect them against cancer.

At WSU our oncologists work diligently not only to fight existing cases, but also to teach and train the next generation of veterinarians so that they may have the tools to continue the battle. 

At WSU our oncologists work to establish and individualize treatment plans for each and every animal.  To provide the best cancer fighting drug or radiation treatment (or both) for that specific tumor.  Each treatment is unique, as is each case, as is each animal, as is each one of us.

In 2000, our oncologists and radiologists had a mission to treat dogs with head and neck tumors, and ended up serving the human population as well.  In this case, at this time, veterinary medicine was ahead of human medicine.  Dogs with head or neck tumors were brought to WSU from all over the world to be treated.  The smaller of the tumors were treated with Radio Surgery and the larger ones were treated using Intensity Modulated Radiation therapy.  By using imaging through our CT, MRI, and high energy radiation producing machine (the Linear Accelerator) our vets successfully targeted the tumors without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue or spinal cord, which at that time, was unheard of.  Today, this type of technology is used to treat women and children diagnosed with brain, neck, or head tumors, and it all began at WSU with the hope to treat cancer in dogs.

We are asking you today to consider helping WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital upgrade our imaging suite; so that we may continue innovation, education, and the eradication of the disease that effects so many of us.  Cancer.

The WSU Imaging center has been a hallmark program for the College of Veterinary Medicine, advancing science in veterinary imaging for over the past 15 years.  We are acknowledged globally as the pioneer veterinary institution leading the world in small animal and equine imaging.  Our equipment is getting older, and is in desperate need of an upgrade so that we may continue to lead the way.

Upgrading our imaging equipment will allow our veterinarians to detect the presence of cancer earlier.  It will also give us a greater understanding of each tumor so that we can adapt and monitor the success of the treatments, as well as the eventual and hopeful triumph over the disease.

Currently there are 28 veterinary schools in the United States, and WSU is proud to serve as the College of Veterinary Medicine for Nevada.  Whether it is protecting communities in sub-Saharan Africa by vaccinating their animals, or learning how to fight heart disease by studying the hearts of hibernating Grizzlies, or developing innovative ways to fight cancer – WSU will continue to exceed expectations, to passionately teach, to continue to learn, to never stop fighting, to do our best every day, for every species, against every disease, to make you proud to say WSU is YOUR vet school.  Thank you again, and good night.

May your day be filled with proud moments.

Andrea

Airports Make Me Angry!!!

I am not sure what it is about airports, but people turn into assholes in them.  Real.  Legit.  Jerks.

Yes, lady, I do want you to stop your walking, right freaking in front of me, while I am full speed walking. I love stopping short.  Oh, and then you must look around like you are a lost little creature.  It's called numerical order - if you haven't heard of it... GO HOME.  Please, take your time walking by me (as I am trying to get around you) so that you can primp like a freaking peacock in the bathroom mirror that is 5 feet away.  I LOVE that.  OH, and you must stand in the bathroom entrance to text your BFF - naturally, everyone knows that is is place to "hang out."

Sure thing sir, I love to hear you smacking and farting as you sit next to me on the plane.  It is my favorite thing in the whole world - and that center console ... why, you should use the whole goddamn thing!!  No, really - I don't need to set my drink anywhere.  I can just hold it.  And really, even though I am sitting in the aisle, you should probably just vault over me so you can be the veeeeerrrrrry first person off the plane.  I mean really, you are *how do they say* muay importante.  Oh, and make sure to ram my lap top and Kate Spade bag with your shitty vinyl computer case to fit it in the overhead bin.  Really, sir, you are AWESOME!!!!

Alright. Done now.

May your day be jerk free.

Andrea

Cat Shit Cookies. My Favorite.

I don't really know what you call them.  Alright, maybe I do.  I think the general population refers to them as "Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies" - "Cat Shit Cookies" in the Farmer Household.

They are by far my very favorite cookies... although if you had one of these and a frosted sugar cookie side by side it may take me a few minutes to decide.

Here is the recipe - eat them as fast as you can.  Don't share with anyone.  Merry Christmas.

• 2 cups sugar
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 cups oatmeal
• Waxed paper

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the sugar, cocoa, butter and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, until cooled and hardened.

May your day be filled with the joy of cat shit.

Andrea

The importance of a good sidekick.

I am usually the sidekick.  It is a position that I relish.  I don't have to cause ALL the trouble.  I can cause *just enough.*  Plus, I am great in the supporting role.

A good sidekick is so hard to find.  You need to find someone that is fun, smart, willing to take a back seat to your crazy antics, and also loyal - you need someone fiercely loyal.  This may be the most important quality, (that and they cannot, under any circumstances, upstage you).

A sidekick is someone you can go to when you have the best idea EVER, and they will put on their magical underpants and make it happen.  All the while, reminding you that it, indeed, is an awesome idea.

And, so today folks, I bring you perhaps one of the best sidekicks I have seen, recently.  Her name is Vicy, and I love her.  She is the ying to Tommy's yang, and by being the best sidekick she could possibly be - she, in my eyes, steals the show. 

(Disclaimer - I first met Tommy when he was ranting about the Norweigan butter crisis.  Then I had to check out "his famous celebrity".  English is obviously not their first language - and they are as good with lyrics as I am)

May you find your sidekick and live happily ever after,

Andrea

Obsessed.

Not all that long ago, I was searching for a good book.  I'm pretty sure that posted such on Facebook - that's really how I obtain all my advice.  Not soon after that post, I received a text from Ms. Katie JG informing me that I should read the Outlander series (If I had not yet done so) and if I do not, then she may certainly die.

Wanting nothing more than to prevent her demise - I jumped right in.  Now, here's the part where I tell you how much I love them.  I do love them.  LOVE THEM.  Did I mention these books are beasts?  Over 1,000 pages each, about time travel, and magic rocks... screaming Andrea (ya - I wasn't so sure about them either, at the beginning).  I don't only love them - I am a little obsessed.  I want to talk about them, and discuss characters, and situations, and Scotland, and OH. MY. GAWD. isn't Jamie Fraser the most wonderful male character ever written.  EVER!!!

I am now on book four, and I really can't put them down.  There are eight in the series (I know what I'm doing all Christmas break!!) I'll keep you posted.  In the meantime, go and get these books.  Start reading, and then find me on Facebook to chat.  Really, I cannot wait.

... and now, I will begin to look for some magic rocks.

May your day be filled with "oh dear golly I can't put it down" books.

Andrea

Downsizing.

This is going to sound incredibly ... jerkish.  Maybe.

I used to be the gal in the office that had a gift for everyone.  The last couple years I have knitted scarves for everyone, knitted wash cloths, made individual goodies, given them spices, and last year I believe everyone got calendars.  I'm not talking one or two folks here... I'm talking 15+.

I should state that I don't give gifts to get gifts - but maybe a "thank you" would be nice.  In some cases, I worked for hours and hours to bring you a nice gift.  You, should maybe, offer some thanks.

This year -  I am limiting my Christmas Cheer.  I'm downsizing.  Big Time.  It gets kind of old - to ALWAYS be the one that goes the extra mile.  I'm not in the mood to be overly thoughtful this year.  I'm sticking to family and close friends, and if the rest of you are bent that I didn't provide you with a holiday gift, by all means, I'll forward you the youtube video that teaches you how to knit.

For you know what they say, "give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day.  Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime."  The same applies to scarves, for reals.