Lab Rat

One of the perks about working in a research environment is that from time to time I get asked to participate in clinical studies. I decline most of them because I don't really have an interest in having things implanted in me or testing controversial vaccinations with painful side effects. But, every once in a while an "easy money" study comes along. Today was one of those days. It was a study to test a new way to find out if people are allergic to mice. Since I work with mice, I was a good fit because they wanted participants who are regularly exposed to mice.

I just had to have a skin test that would evaluate my allergic response to several things including mice. They also tested certain tree and grass pollens that are common in Middle Tennessee as well as 2 types of mold, dust mites, dogs, cats, and cockroaches (yes cockroaches).

Here's a picture of my arm a few minutes after they started the test.

As it turns out, I am fairly allergic to trees and grass (oak and pecan in particular), somewhat allergic to dogs, mildly allergic to cockroaches (go figure), and slightly sensitive to mice. All in all, it was a very easy way to make some extra cash. Did you know that some people actually make a living being professional lab rats? I guess they're the ones that don't mind having things implanted. I think I'll stick to the skin tests.

Class Picture

I got Harper's class picture yesterday. This is her old class (she's a big kid now, remember?). I continue to be amazed at how much order these 2 teachers are able to establish with 8 little kiddos. 99% of the time, I can't get Harper to look at my camera and simultaneously simile nicely. But these wonder-teachers got 8 kids to stand still, not pick their nose, and all look at the camera at the same time. Miraculous.

Principle

The garage sale was a success! We made more money than I anticipated and got rid of about half of our stuff. 99.9% of the people that came were really nice. 2 people were not.

The first lady wanted to buy something that was marked $5. She asked if I would take $3. I said I'd take $4. She said ok and proceeded to give me $3. I told her that she owed me one more dollar. She pretended she didn't speak English and then said that she didn't have any more money. Then she found something else she wanted to buy and whipped out a wad of cash. Unbelievable.

The second lady was looking at a care bear that was priced at 25 cents. A pretty good deal if I do say so myself. I saw her holding it and showing it to the other lady she came with. Then I got busy with another customer. I saw the 2 ladies walking away. When I finished checking out the customer, I went over to look at the care bear and it was gone. Two middle aged women stole a 25 cent toy. Unbelievable.

Bullet List Friday

This week has been crazy. Not bad crazy, just really busy crazy. Because of that, my brain is a little scattered. Because of that, you get a bullet list.

• We are having our first garage sale ever tomorrow. I'm a little afraid. I really want to get rid of this stuff. It's nice stuff. But, we just don't use it anymore. Please pray that the rain holds off and that we have lots of people come by who want to buy our stuff.
• Harper has been under the weather this week. I took her to the doctor last Saturday. She loves to go to the doctor (I'm taking that as a sign that she's going to be a doctor someday). Every day since then, she has asked to go back.
• Harper is a little obsessed with coffee. Her dad drinks it. I don't. She really wants to drink it and asks nicely for it pretty much every day. Yesterday, she told me that the doctor said it was ok for her to drink it. I'm not buying it.
• Today is graduation at Vanderbilt. Four of the people in my lab are graduating - 2 with PhDs and 2 with master degrees. I didn't go to my grad school graduation. I was all of 8 months pregnant and I just didn't want to do it. I'm still ok with that decision.

All Grown Up

We went to a wedding last week. It was the first one Harper has been to. I can't believe how grown up she looks in this picture. Where did my little baby go?

You Make Beautiful Things

I continue to be amazed at how the city of Nashville is pulling together to help one another. Something that was so devastating is becoming life giving. Something that was so ugly is becoming beautiful.

This is what God does. He takes heart ache and transforms it into joy.

If you let him.

And we're not just talking about flood damage here. He takes broken relationships and restores them. He takes death and creates new life. He takes mistakes and turns them into wisdom.

If you let him.

Saturday Night Fever

On Saturday night, Harper and I watched the new Chipmunk's movie. I'll be honest and tell you that it wasn't the best movie ever. But, Harper liked all of the singing and dancing. In fact, it inspired her to do a little dancing of her own.