Northwest Houston Heart Walk!

We started the morning bright and early with the American Heart Association's Heart Walk! Our GREEN BEAN team had lots of fun walking and chatting together! The weather was perfect! I was just wishing for shorts by the end! :) Now I think its time for a quick nap! *heehee*

THEN--> ON to the dreaded critical pathway!! *LOL* Someone be sure to ask my husband if he still loves me after this Christmas party is done!! Yeah....seriously! :)

Part of the Green Bean Team before the walk starts!
On the way to the starting line!

The Kaminskis are in the house!
Fun along the route!
Hot yet??

Stop! Strike a pose! ;)

Bike Houston's 37th Moonlight Ramble

Happy Belated Halloween Everyone!!! We spent the day preparing for our early morning ride through downtown Houston for some Moonlight Madness!!! :) It was quite chilly at 47 degrees but there were around 1300 other whacky folks that participated in what was termed "a rolling party!"

As my "voyage" organized "open route" ride [which really means "pray-for-your-life-because-drivers-don't-like-cyclists"], I entered the evening with a few nerves! Thanks to all of my cycling angels above....M & I had a safe and superfun ride! It was a short one at 10 miles but energizing in every way! :)

I just have to share a few things I learned last night:
1. Houston Police are SERIOUS about biking rules of the road. NO FUNNY BUSINESS!
2. You MUST give loose gravel and sand on the road proper RESPECT! :)
3. Someone shouting "CAR BACK" means MOVE OVER DUMMY!!!
4. Biker shorts were invented for a reason!
5. I have a new appreciation for an open route especially when involving possibly drunk Halloween party-goers & confused drivers as to why there are ?*##!!^**"?! bicyclists riding in the middle of the night! LIGHT YOURSELF AND YOUR BIKE PEOPLE!! Seriously--why would anyone question the need for that?????!!

I'm hoping to get a gang of friends to participate in this event next year! SO ANYONE interested---> let me know! Remember--> a ROLLING party!! WOOHOO!!



A blurry view of our position at the starting line...I think we were in the 7th wave to start! (Remember my night photo skills leave a lot to be desired!)



AT the finish line!! WOOT!! (My self portrait skills need some work as well! heehee)

Cy-Fair Pumpkins!!

My department at the hospital continues to amaze me! The hospital sponsored a pumpkin decorating contest for Halloween. Rules stated we couldn't cut or carve the pumpkin...and nothing scary or gory either since they would be displayed in the hospital on judging day. One of the contest organizers was quick to tell me that my group has "never really participated" in this event so was I "SURE" that I wanted one pumpkin for each group?? I thought....what the heck....let's give it a shot!(I hate when people DOUBT so easily!) SO--> I left each bunch a pumpkin the night before the event started slap in the middle of their "areas" with copies of the contest rules and a note from me that said "Your challenge is to create this pumpkin into something! My only stipulation is that we all HAVE FUN in the process! Good Luck!" I then left the bare little pumpkins' fate in the hands of my therapists and staff! (praying we would get at least a face drawn on some of them!)

WOW!! Was I THRILLED!!! AND SO PROUD!!! Not only did they all participate but they all GOT WAY INTO IT!!! It was definitely a week of teamwork & FUN with many laughs and LOTS of creativity! The icing on the cake is that we "cleaned house" when the awards were announced! We WON three of the four categories for the whole hospital! YAY SPORTS MED & REHAB!!!!!

Check out these hilarious medically themed pumpkins below:
Introducing Cy F. Banks from Wound care & Hyperbaric Medicine! This guy got the prize for "Best of Show"!! For those of you who may have never seen a hyperbaric chamber---that is what he is laying inside. Poor Cy even got a "staged" doppler study and real MD orders from his physician!
The official medical chart for Cy is what put him over the top! It was really funny! Check out his previous hospital stays! You may have to double click this pic to really see the chart. *LMAO*
Granny D. Licious from Outpatient Physical Therapy! She won "Best Medical" pumpkin
OT and Speech did a spoof on the Pain Scale! No prize for this one but it got a lot of laughs!
Meet Hal O. Cise! He is CRAZY for CARDIAC REHAB!! :) Hal won "Funniest" pumpkin!

They're still going...and going...and going

The boys just kept going and going! They tore down and built back our fence by the house. They replaced outdoor motion lights. It was terrific! I might have to give us a point with all this progress! So I think that would put us at: Malwitzs 1 -- House 7! *heehee*

Dad and I went on a fun thrift store spree! We found a few fun things to use decorating for the upcoming Christmas party!! OH YES--there is a loosely followed critical pathway! :)

I whipped up a YUMMY belated birthday dinner for Dad! Matt helped with amazing grill performance! I hated to see the visit come to an end! I never want to see my loved ones go back home.
My crew hard at work!

Dad to town--PROJECTS ABOUND!!

MANY MANY THANKS to my FABULOUS father!!! I don't know WHY I'm lucky enough to have him?? :) But I'm SURE glad I DO!!

Dad came for a little visit! I got an incredible surprise when I got home by a beautifully decorated porch!! Fall mums...pumpkins...& beautiful Crotons! Thanks for the surprise Dad! You ROCK!

He & Matt worked like crazy tearing down the hideous spa that graced our tiny backyard!! SO PLEASE participate in the quiz--> How many trash bags DO YOU think it took to put an entire 8' x 8' spa into so that it could be placed on the curb for garbage pick up?? OH YES--> the neighbors must be LOVING this one!! (Remember there is a bit of whackiness that runs in the family *ROFL*)

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy it is GONE!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

How many trash bags did it take? Anyone have a guess for me??

Departure day...

It was a nippy morning when we left Wisconsin at 35 degrees...and we did it with two heavy hearts. Leaving family is never easy but this departure was especially hard. Prayers for healing & comfort will be near constant now.

We had a great trip! I really enjoyed getting to see this little town. If any of you want to find a true gem of a town hidden in the North Woods--you should make your way to Antigo, Wisconsin. It is full of my hubby's family history!

Matt is so blessed to have this close knit large family! I loved the tour...the experiences...the stories...the laughter...

Matt & his Mama :) This lady LOVES her boys!

Leaves of Gold

Our visit to the North Woods!

We have had an amazing trip to Wisconsin so far!!! It has been wonderful to see all of Matt's family! Mama Bird and Aunt Mary picked us up when we FINALLY made it to Mosinee, WI around midnight! ACK!! We got to stay in the most comfortable little cottage of the Pineapple Princess! It was so great to soak up the goodness and vibe that is Matt's grandmother! Grandma Dodo is truly an angel with the sweetest smile. She is a beautiful person inside and out! We are so thrilled that we got to spend time with her visiting in the Hermann hometown of Antigo!

Aunt Mary hosted us in her FAB apartment for a fish fry! YUM! She set a gorgeous table and we had a really great visit! Auntie M TOTALLY rocks!

When I say the North Woods are incredible....WOW! Thanks so much to Uncle Bill for taking us trekking in the woods! [We missed seeing Kathy :( but will give her a little HI here!] It makes me realize how little season change we have down south to see the array of COLOR in the trees. (& we apparently missed the best time to see it!)

We also spent a fantastic evening with Uncle Gerry, Aunt Cathy, Kim & Carina via webcam!! I had my first Michelada which is hilarious if you think how close we live to Mexico....and my 1st taste was in Wisconsin! *LOL* We munched down some delicious brats & potato salad! The company was GREAT! We had a good time! Thanks so much you guys!! Ya'll are awesome!
COLOR! :)

I missed the snow by a day! Here is a sneak peek I found hiding by a lake!

I love moss! It's just so pretty, isn't it?