Happy Father's Day!

It was a good Father's Day for me and my dad. I took him over some lunch from Qdoba and then we watched the Brewer game together. When my mom got home with my grandma from church and lunch, I gave him his Father's day gift. I told him it was too heavy to bring out of my car so I had him go out there with me. When he opened the backseat, there was an envelope with tickets to the 4th of July Milwaukee Brewer's game! He was very excited. So we will be attending that game and hoping they win!!!

My grandma is here until Wed (she got in on the 6th) so I've been trying to spend as much time as possible with her. She is very funny. She turned 82 on Saturday and we had a party. Instead of having a cake, my mom bought decorated cookies and since she loves baseball, she had a baseball cookie! She loved it. I have pictures I will have to post.

The family reunion went really well too. It was great to see so many members of my family! The day went by so fast and before I knew it, they were all leaving. I can't believe it's another Sunday night and the week will again start tomorrow. I will post pictures soon of the reunion and my grandma's birthday.

To all you fathers out there or to you who have fathers, I hope everyone had a great Father's day. I am very lucky to have the father that I do and today was a great day to remind him of how special he is to me!

Stress...it's not always about making lemonade

I have a stressful job. I don't think anyone could deny that. I really enjoy my job, but there are days when I feel like I put so much into it and get squat out of it. Today is one of those days. I went to the doctor a while back because I had been getting massive headaches. I found out they are actually migraines and now have medication for them. I have only had to use one pill (let me tell you--that thing knocked me out all night!)

People say when life hands you lemons, to make lemonade. Well, I wish it were that simple. Sometimes things are out of your control. I just need to remember that I can not control everything (nor would I want to) and that sometimes my best isn't going to solve everything. That is not something that is easy to grasp all of the time.

I am looking forward to this weekend though. Tomorrow I have an aunt and a cousin flying in from FL and another aunt, 2 cousins and my grandma driving in from SC tomorrow afternoon. I am incredibly excited to see all of them. It will be nice to have another 3 day weekend and to just relax and enjoy some time away from work and with family!

Desperate Housewives

Does anyone else watch DH? If so, what did you think of the finale last night? I won't post anything about it yet in case some haven't seen it. But please let me know what you thought!!! I'll post my thoughts on it later!

April showers bring...no May postings?

Yep, I'm a slacker. Well, actually....okay just a blogger slacker. I've been busy! Work is hectic as usual. But it's a good hectic. It's a hectic where I know my position isn't in jeporady. YAY! I had some visitors at my apartment for a weekend, celebrated Mother's Day by taking in a Milwaukee Brewer game (they won!) and have had some really late nights.

This picture is of my best friend, Erin, who surprised me by coming to town for my birthday weekend. That was fun!!! I had just had a manicure and pedicure before the picture so we were pretty relaxed (my first mani and pedi by the way!) I believe this was right after the cake too--very good cake I might add!

I wanted nothing with my birthday number on it so my mom thought that little saying would be just fine! The dogs also helped to celebrate.

So, all in all, the past few weeks have been really good. Just very busy. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about all of you! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

My birthday

Well, I am another year older. Lets not remind me though. I was not excited at all for this birthday and my mom was driving me crazy reminding me about my birthday and that she planned a birthday "weekend" for me. Needless to say I was ready to go crazy after all that talk! On Saturday morning, my mom said my day would start between 10-10:30am. I am not a morning person. I won't even pretend that I am. So...my parents show up at my apartment at 10:20am and I did not get up. They let themselves in and all of the sudden I hear, "get your ass out of bed!" I shot out of bed as it was my best friend, Erin, who lives 3 hours away. She had driven in to surprise me for the weekend! I, of course, started crying!!! It was such a wonderful surprise!

My mom then had set up a surprise for me and Erin at 1pm. We were dropped off at a salon and got manicures and pedicures. After that, my mom picked us up and we went back to my apartment where my parents had decorated my spare bathroom with Duke University stuff (I LOVE DUKE!) My parents then had a cookout at their house with all of my favorite foods. We had cake too :) We played some Apples to Apples and then Erin and I came back to my apartment and watched "Enchanted." I thought it was a very cute and creative movie!

The next day, my parents had a card with an Olive Garden gift card (my favorite restaurant) for Erin and me to have lunch. Soon after that, Erin had to leave to head home, but it was such a great weekend. I spent the rest of the day at my parent's house just thinking about what a fabulous weekend I had. My mom took some pictures of me and Erin but hasn't sent them to me yet. When I get them, I will post my favorite.

All-in-all, the dreaded birthday turned out to be a lot of fun and I really enjoyed myself. Age is only a number and no matter what I'm doing in my life, I realize how blessed I am to have such a fabulous best friend and parents who love me and care enough to make an entire weekend all about me!

The pictures

Goodness. If you people knew where I lived I have a feeling you would have been beating down my door for these! Sorry this took me so long. Tomorrow is my birthday and between my parents and my best friend, I had the best birthday weekend ever. I will fill you all in later. First, here are the pictures so I don't get beat up :)

This picture was just taken a few weeks ago when I was in Eau Claire visiting my best friend Erin, and her husband, Mike. That was hair before.
Here is the "after." Don't mind the double chin. It chooses to enter pictures at random. But you get the idea of the hair change. My mom took some pictures of me and Erin this weekend that I'll post later (by later I mean probably before the end of the week, okay?)

What does a soggy carpet and hornets have in common?

They are both going on in my apartment. Yes, I am lucky. When it rains heavily, the carpet in my bedroom decides to get all wet. It can't be fixed until it stops raining for more than a couple days. On Sunday, I went into my spare bedroom to get something and lo and behold, there was a very large nasty "bug." My parents happened to stop over and I sent my dad into my spare bedroom to kill the "bug". When he came out, he informed me the "bug" was actually a hornet! Now, I am deathly afraid of bees. They scare the bejeezus out of me! So on Monday when I got home, I went into the spare bathroom and there was another one climbing on my toilet. Yep, I freaked and called my dad to come kill it. He got there, saved the day, and I called the main office to tell them. They sent some guy over with a can (read: USELESS) and he apparently sprayed the outside vents in hopes that this would solve it. Since then, I have left my spare bedroom and spare bathroom doors closed to try to find out which room they are coming in from. My dad is going to come over tomorrow to go into the forbidden rooms and see if there are any more hornets. Thank goodness for dads!!!! If there are more, I may freak. I can't handle having bees in my apartment. I can handle the ucky carpet since I know that will be fixed and it's really not in my way (it's on the side with the window and I really don't walk over there), but bees? I can't handle that!!! So please send happy thoughts.

I took a picture of the new haircut the other day and I think I'm pleased enough to post it. So if my posts are not amusing enough to check back, you can check back for the picture. I'll post before and after pictures so you understand the difference :)

What a difference a....

Haircut makes!!!! I went to have my hair done tonight and announced to my fabulous hair dresser that I was sick of my hair and always put it up!!!!! I needed a different color for spring AND a new haircut. Well....she did it! I never underestimate how fabulous she is. I even had to stop at my parent's house to show them before going home because I love it so much! If I have enough courage, I'll post a new picture soon. I even have sort-of bangs and I love it!

On another front...there seems to be water getting in my bedroom. I'm not sure how, but it soaks the carpet and then the maintenance guy has to come. They haven't figured out how the water is getting in but with all the rain we've had today, the carpet it all wet again so I already called the office. I'm hoping someone will come out tomorrow. I really don't need stinky carpet from the water smelling!

I'm glad tomorrow is Friday. Not that I've had a horrible week, but I'm ready for a weekend to relax. I don't have anything planned this weekend so I'm excited. I need to clean up my apartment, but other than that, nothing. Woohoo!!! Does anyone have big plans???

The things that happen only in WI...or at least only makes "headline news" in WI

Dog chases deer into Wis. living complex
Mon Mar 31, 11:01 PM ET
KAUKUANA, Wis. - Some residents in an assisted living complex had quite a surprise when a deer jumped through the window. A witness told police a black dog was chasing six to seven deer when a deer jumped through a resident's closed window at St. Paul Home Friday afternoon.
"All of a sudden I hear all this glass break and there's a deer standing about three, four feet away from me, and I just, I've never screamed so loud in my life," nursing assistant Dana Hagglund said.
Laura Marquardt, a certified nursing assistant at the care facility, said no one was injury.
The deer ran down a hall and into one of the home's shower rooms, where it was corralled until tenants in the area were moved to safety, Marquardt said.
The deer then was steered toward an open patio door, where it made its escape.
Marquardt said she was unsure whether it was the same deer or a second deer that later ran across the patio and broke a second window but did not gain entry.

Men with blue paint on their heads

Wow, I have been busy lately! It's been a fun busy though. A few weekends ago, I went to see STOMP! and I have to say that it was FABULOUS! We had great seats (2nd row) and were able to see everything. The way those people can make music out of anything really amazed me. It also takes a lot of strength in order to do what they do. I highly recommend it if it ever comes near you. Here is a link to a clip on youtube. Click here to watch the clip! It isn't the same cast as when I saw it but they do just as amazing things.

Also, I went to the Blue Man Group a week ago. I have to say that I was pleasently surprised! I had heard they were good, but I didn't realize how big of a production it would be. I really enjoyed the band too and the songs they played. How to be a Megastar was hilarious and I loved how they incorporated that into the show. It was also very interactive and they brought people from the audience as well. I have heard that the Vegas show is better, but since I have never been there, I felt this one more than stood up to its reputation! I would also highly recommend this if you are able to see it.

Tomorrow, I am taking my mom to see Carrie Underwood in concert. I really liked her on American Idol and continue to really enjoy her voice. My mom really likes her too so we're going!

Other than that, this past weekend I went up to Eau Claire to visit some friends and go out. I had a wonderful time and had some much needed time going out with friends. I hope to be able to do that again soon! Work is keeping me busy but it's a good busy. I really am enjoying what I'm doing and for the agency I work for which definitely helps :)

What's going on with everyone else?

Easter Weekend

Well, it was Easter. This is the first year I didn't have a basket, but my easter bunny (my mom) is in FL so that makes it difficult to hide the basket from there. I'll live though, I swear.

Saturday, my dad and I took my mom down to the airport in Milwaukee. Now, I realized that it being Easter weekend that the airport would probably be busy, but seriously. The day before, all the flights had been cancelled due to weather, so there were people EVERYWHERE. There were also news crews everywhere interviewing people who were "stranded" at the airport. I had printed out the flight information for my mom and we went to stand in line at Continental. Her flight took off at 10:31am and we got there around 8:20am. We were still in line at 9:15am and still about 50 people back in line. I finally went up front and asked a new man what was going to happen with people who needed to get on flights that were in about an hour. He asked which flight I was on so I told him that I was flying to Detroit (no time to explain that my mom was the one flying!) and he informed me that "We don't fly to Detroit". Uhhh..yeah you do, it says so right here on my itinery. Well, he informs me that we've been in the WRONG line the entire time and that we had to go to Northwest. Nowhere on that paper did it say she was flying Northwest. Needless to say, I was angry. So I cut in at the Northwest line to ask a very rude worker what is going on with the flight leaving in an hour and thankfully she (rudely) informed me that there was a small line on the side that they were having for my mom's flight to make sure that everyone got checked in. So, whew. We got my mom checked in, her luggage was set, and she made it through security with enough time to use the bathroom. So, dad and I get back to the car and start the drive home when my phone rings. Her plane had just arrived (10:20am) and they were delayed until 10:48am. Ugh. Thankfully it wasn't a long delay and she still made her connection in Detroit (although she got there, had to find her gate, and get on the plane right away). She is now safely in FL, but who knows what her return flight will bring!

Sunday, we had a really nice meal with two of my cousins and their families. My dad grilled out steaks (marinated...yum!) and we had twice baked potatoes, pasta salad, veggies, macaroni (for my two year old cousin), and dinner rolls. For dessert we had a HUGE chocolate cake. We all rolled away from the table when we were done and then we just watched basketball for the afternoon.

It was definitely hard to go back to work today, but thankfully I have another fun weekend to look forward to!

A Look Back...

When I went to South Carolina in December, we spent some time in Charleston. There was the most beautiful bridge that had been built a few years back to connect two cities (darn if I can't remember the cities though!) My aunt had said that when the bridge was finished, they spent a ridiculous amount of money on fireworks when it was officially opened. But it is beautiful. When we were on the boat going out to Fort Sumter, it was great to look back and see the bridge get smaller and smaller.

South Carolina is beautiful to me. I am really enjoying being able to travel as I get older. I appreciate the trips more and enjoy the experiences of seeing different parts of the country. Having gone abroad to Germany and Amsterdam in high school, it's amazing to see how much there is in the United States. I hope to continue to see different parts of the U.S. and really want to accomplish seeing all 50 states. That does however mean I may have to come stay with some of you! What do you think about that?

Where is one place in the US you want to go but haven't yet? Mine is Alaska!

Busy and dizzy

I'm sick of being lost...not in the psychological sense, but in the directional sense. When I travel for work (which is about 3 days a week), I always manage to get lost. I either get turned around and can't figure out my way back, or I just take a wrong turn or something. Sometimes I think I am completely on track and oh, something happens and I am completely off base. Well, I believe I may have solved my problem today. I ordered myself a GPS. Lord knows if this doesn't work, I am just really in trouble. I am very excited for my new best friend to come in the mail. It will speak to me and tell me when I'm wrong (lets just hope it's not in a man's voice!) It's supposed to be shipped on the 19th so I can't wait!!! I am really excited as it has what are called POI (points of interest) which are hotels, restaurants, ATMs, gas stations, etc to help when I'm on the road and need to find where I can fill my tank! I'll keep everyone posted :)

Yesterday, the high was 48 degrees. Obviously, no where near the 80s I was seeing in AZ, but I'll take it. I'm not stupid enough to think it means that spring is here as I'm sure I'll see more snow before this horrible winter is over. How is the weather near you?

And she's back!

I am back! I wish I was still there, but I'm back. I had a fabulous time in AZ. I flew in on Friday and came back yesterday afternoon (after an hour delay!)

I didn't check my email the entire time I was gone, only talked to my parents on the phone, and read three books. It was extremely relaxing and just what I needed. It was great to see my Grandma along with her brother and his wife. I learned how to play Shuffleboard, Sequence, and Mexican Train Dominoes. I did well with all of them too! My great-uncle thought I should cancel my flight and go to Laughlin, NV with them to gamble since I was so lucky!

I also went to a spring training Brewers v. Cubs game and had a blast! It was so much fun and I couldn't believe all the WI people that drive or fly down to AZ to see spring training. Next year, I am going to take my dad! He doesn't seem excited yet, but I told him I would just book it and then he'd have to come :) I really want to go back to AZ. I've always been told it's a very "dry heat" down there but since I had never experienced it, I wasn't quite sure what they meant. I now understand. There is barely any humidity and it is soooo dry out there. But it makes the heat easier to handle. It was in the 80s while I was there and it was hard to come back to WI where it was in the 40s. (and the 40s are really good for us, but when you were just in 80 degree weather, it's cold!!!)

My biggest surprise was when I returned to my parent's house, my Easter/birthday present was already there. My parents found me a WII! My dad saw it in the Sunday paper at Toys R Us and was the first in line. Then my mom went in after my dad and got one for them too!!! So I can't wait to get that going and play! I was so exhausted last night and didn't even bring it from my parent's house but I will be playing it by this weekend.

Hope everyone else is having a great start to their week. Can you believe Easter is already next weekend? Wow!

And the little one went wii wii wii all the way home!

I want a WII. I can't find a WII. See the problem? I search and search. I swear it has become a new obsession. I can only imagine the people who line up outside stores waiting for them to open just to see if they got a wii in over-night. Okay, I'm not that obsessed, but it's close. If I go past a Wal-Mart, I stop just in case. There hasn't been one there yet, but what if the ONE time I don't stop they have one? Does everyone else have this problem or is it just me? Do other states have tons of them and WI is just slow?

Janet asked if I liked the Melting Pot. I did! I enjoyed being out with friends, and going on Ladies Night (Thursday night) was definitely a treat! The cheese was okay, but the meat, and the CHOCOLATE was amazing! I couldn't believe the dessert trays they brought out! Yummy. I can still imagine all that chocolate. I had a Carmel Apple Martini as well which was good (especially good since it was 2 for 1 martini night!) I would definitely go there again. I think next time I would get a different cheese though. They brought out apples to dip in the cheese. Is it just me or is that weird? I tried it and it was okay, but I seriously wonder who thought, "Let's put some apples with the cheese!" Oh well, we were there for 2 1/2 hours!!! And when I finally looked at the time I could NOT believe it had been that long. Definitely worth it!

Now it's getting ready for AZ on Friday. I can't wait. It's supposed to be 78 degrees the day I fly in. Oh to feel the warm sun again--yes, dramatic but when it hasn't been over 40 in the past 4 months, you would be dramatic too!!!!

Leaving on a Jet Plane..Unfortunately I know when I'll be back

Well, I am getting excited. I'm leaving for Arizona next Friday. WOOHOO!! I know I just went to South Carolina in December, but I am SO excited. After getting this much snow too, I am ready to go somewhere that it isn't all white. I miss the green. I miss the warm. I just miss being able to see if cars are coming down the road before turning.

Work continues to go well. I am just much happier all around. This past weekend a friend from college came to visit and that was a lot of fun. Then last night, my BEST FRIEND, and another old co-worker came into town for a conference so we went to dinner and went shopping for a bit. We went to dinner at Olive Garden (love, love, LOVE it) AND had a very attractive waiter which I have to admit..added to the enjoyment of the conversation, friends, and food!

In other news, the apartment is looking much better thanks to the patience of my mom and dad. Without their help, I would still be living in a pile of boxes, sleeping on my couch. So I am very thankful for that! I've had a bit of a cold which hasn't entirely helped the past week, but I'm just making the most of it.

Tonight, I am going to dinner at The Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant) and I am VERY excited because I've never been to a fondue restaurant before. I'm so excited though. It's also Ladies Night so things are cheaper for ladies (woohoo!!) I have a coupon too so the night will be great!

What's new with all of you? I feel like it's been forever again.

A record-breaking year!

Well, I had already said that 2008 would be my year :) Seems to be quite the record-breaking year...of snow that is! I haven't seen this much snow in I don't know how long. I believe, we have gotten over 80 inches of snow this winter. No, you do not need to adjust your computer screen...you read that correctly. EIGHTY FREAKIN' INCHES OF SNOW! Where are we supposed to put it? It is times like this that I am thankful to live in an apartment where someone else shovels my front walk and plows my parking lot, but sheesh...I can only clear my car off so many times before I'm fed up and want to move to Florida!

I am feeling better about my apartment. I attempt (key word: attempt) to get something done every day. Even if it is moving something or taking something out of a box. It's still progress right? I keep telling myself it is. I went to Kohl's yesterday with my mom (I LOVE that store) and got some organizing things that will hopefully make my closets easier to organize and make it easier to find all my s&*t.

Today I am stuck in my apartment. We are supposed to get 8-12 inches of MORE snow today and authorities have said to STAY OFF THE ROADS. Apparently it rained this morning and then turned to snow so the rain turned to ICE and in turns the roads are HORRIBLE.

I went to a basketball game on Friday night and went out with a bunch of cousins last night to celebrate their birthdays. Now, I am watching "Jon & Kate +8" as there are different episodes than the marathon from last week :) I just LOVE that show. Speaking of shows, the Cosby kids were on Oprah this past week and they are coming out with ALL of the seasons this fall in a box set. I SO WANT THAT! I grew up with the Cosby show and it is still a favorite! Merry Christmas to me 2008!

Have a great week!

8 children? And Still Alive?

Hello out in blogging world! Yes, it's been a slight departure again :) We all have those days, er weeks, right? I'm been in my own world lately and been neglecting my blogging friends and for that, I apologize! I do miss you when I'm gone though. But who can expect my blogging friends to comment on the same blog for 3 weeks? Ooops! It was MY fault that nobody was leaving me nice comments!

I watched a Jon and Kate + 8 marathon yesterday and have to admit, I wouldn't want 8 children, BUT I must say that those parents love all of those children and make decisions based on what would be best for the FAMILY not just for themselves. I was impressed with Kate. Yes, she gets upset and inpatient and may yell at times that aren't needed, but really, the woman has 8 children! She may also yell at Jon when he's trying to help, but really, the woman has 8 children (this could be used for almost any arguement-really!) The kids are adorable and do, for the most part, seem to get a long. I can't imagine having that many siblings or living in a chaotic house. It was refreshing to see so much love in a family and see parents that dedicated to their children. I really enjoyed watching the show and plan to watch more frequently.

On another aside....I did not enjoy the Grammys. I didn't feel they were that entertaining and honestly, I stopped watching. I was even shocked and how ugly a lot of the dresses were! Ugh! Where did those women go shopping?

It's freezing here again. It was about -40 with the windchill yesterday. Needless to say, I stayed inside all day and turned up the heat. I just hate the cold. I don't mind the snow, don't mind winter, it's the cold. The bitter cold that you can't even go outside. The cold that nothing living could survive. Ugh.

I still really enjoy my new job. It's a new adventure, but it's great. I'm still so glad I decided to move back to my hometown. Everything is familiar again and I'm feeling more and more like myself. So, overall, it was a GREAT move for me!

Well, I should get back to work instead of rambling on. What is new with all of you?

Is this thing on?

Where have I been you ask? Well, between starting my new job, moving twice, and attempting (that is the key word!) to settle down in my apartment, I have been busy! I have still been trying to visit, but by the time I get home, I am exhausted! I still can't sleep in my bed since there is too much piled on it, but I do have a kitchen, living room, dining room and bathroom--so hey, I can't complain!

I love the new job. I just feel happier. My mood has changed so much just with the move and the new job. I feel like myself again.

It's been so darn cold around here lately. With windchills -20 to -40. I am just so happy my car has started every morning! We have also been getting a LOT of snow. Way more than I remember having last year. Last year it was fairly mild.

My new apartment is awesome. I have a washer/dryer now which is AWESOME. I don't think I could live without having one in my apartment at this point--not after being spoiled now.

Other than that, I'm good! I'm happy, healthy and ready to continue taking on 2008.

How is everyone else doing???

This is my year!

Hello 2008,

I have been waiting an entire year for you. Last year, when 2007 started, I swore that next year would be my year. Well, lo and behold, here you are. This is going to be my year. Although, I do have to pay my respect to 2007 because although it wasn't an easy year, I did accomplish quite a bit.

I lived by myself for the first time. Although that was not an easy feat, I actually enjoy it now and have a hard time staying at my parents' house for long periods (I'm used to having much more personal space!) I got my Master's degree. This was definitely not easy. I continued to work, go to school and attempt a personal life. I would say the personal life definitely suffered, but I accomplished my main goal of graduating.

I also made it through the day I was supposed to get married. I went to South Carolina and hid for 5 days, but I did it (without tears I might add!) I also moved. I now live back in my home town and just feel so much more at ease. I sleep better, and am all-around happier.

2008 is bringing a new apartment (on January 11th) and a new job (on January 3rd). This will be the first apartment I've gotten on my own and the new job is a new start. 2008 is the year that I've been waiting for. 2008 is the year of my new start, new outlook and new life. I will not forget what I've been through to get here, but I will make sure that this year goes better than last year!

So thank you 2008 for making it here just in time. I look forward to all of the things that are coming and for making this a wonderful year.