Well, here I am in Southwest Minnesota, filling in for some pharmacist shifts in a store that has not found a staffer yet. This is exactly what the doctor ordered: peace and quiet during a usually busy holiday season in the chaotic world of healthcare. When stores open in new locations, it takes quite a while to build the clientele. This has been nothing but good karma for the 60+ hours/week I put in last year around this time at my home store. Not to mention, being able to catch up on continuing education, time to educate the very new and inexperienced staff, and MUCH more time to spend with each patient. If only all pharmacists were this lucky right now.....this is heaven, especially for a type A with frayed nerves like me!

The only downfall, of course, is the lack of BTD-friendly food choices in these rural areas. Luckily I brought with me the Fab 4 (Polyvite, Polyflora, Phytocal, and Deflect). Yes, I'm actually TAKING them after months of sitting on my shelves at home!

Besides the peace and reflection I've gained from getting to work at these brand new stores, I also volunteered to work at these new stores in order to be closer to Nebraska for the big holiday trip to finally meet Grubster's family (it split up the drive better!). This weekend was a fun, heart-warming weekend filled with places and faces that I will never forget.

Grubster wanted to take me to the Henkel farm throughout the last year and he was happy to see the smile on my face when I met this wonderful couple who left the healthcare business and gradually built a free-range chicken and 100% grassfed lamb farm in rural Nebraska! This was so inspiring to me because they have consciously chosen to live off the land with self-sustaining methods. At the end of the "tour" Grubster bought me a frozen chicken (and a dozen VERY LARGE BROWN EGGS for his mom). Those eggs, by the way, are delicious!

Chuck Henkel also poured Grubster and me a small glass of HOMEMADE KEFIR! Wow! It tastes just like rejuvelac! Could there be anything better for the gut flora??? Impressive!

I decided that this winter activity to the organic farm must lead to writing a good country song:

My man can't afford to buy me much

But I love him just the same

'Cause he bought me a chicken

Yes, a free range chicken

Or something like that.

Well, being that I don't have to work like a maniac here in the middle of nowhere, I also have been able to take a much-needed break from my coffee consumption. Tea has been the beverage of choice. Lots and lots of tea. And just when I thought I was going to drink water or coffee again, tea in Nebraska. Grubster's mom is a very cool lady. I could have drunk tea and chatted with her in the kitchen all day (wait, I already did!). Grubster's dad is funny and stubborn and now I know where Grubster gets most aspects of his personality.

Well, I must be getting to work again soon. You'll have to excuse the lack of blogs. I have to use the public library since the hotel doesn't have internet access. More to come, promise!