Life is like a day planner...

...everything is "penciled-in." Or penned, highlighted, doodled or sketched. (At least that is what my planner looks like). I have just been feeling rather "planned." I mean, I write almost everything down. I think people could quote me as saying, "Let me write that down so that I don't forget." I have a to-do list and a to-do list for my to-do list at times! It gets to be insane! I mean, I have come to terms with the fact that I have inherited the "antsy gene" from my father and his side of the family, ok, I get it. I have a hard time sitting still and doing nothing unless everything that I can think of, or that is on my "list" has been accomplished and is put away. Out of sight, out of mind eh? (wow, if I keep up at this rate, I will have all of the cliche sayings in this one entry!)

But the things that I write down aren't always:

A. The most important
B. Things that make me happy
C. Things I need to do right away (I tend to think about things sometimes too far into the future when planning)

I sometimes wish that I could break this cycle, but for work it is EXTREMELY necessary as there are many "drive-by" conversations where someone will ask/tell me to do something and I have another person come by 5 seconds later and ask me to do another thing. I would go bonkers if I had to remember all of the stuff that they tell/ask me to do! Yikes!

Even as I am writing this blog, I stop to think about what I want to accomplish this weekend while I have the house to myself for tonight and tomorrow. (Derick is in Medford celebrating his Grandma's birthday! I could not go because the party was earlier this afternoon, and I could not leave work as we have a floorset first thing Monday morning that I had to stay late to prep for anyway.)

So it is just me and the puppy tonight. I think he is bored with me. Since I got home later than normal, he has wanted to play whereas I have wanted to eat, change into comfy clothes and catch up on my Project Runway from last night.

Well, I guess that is all for tonight. I will try to resist the list. We'll see how I do :) I might have to break open one of the books on my nightstand that keep piling up. (I think I have 5 now that I want to get to reading!)

-L

"If God is trying this hard to talk to me, I'd better pick up the phone..."

So, I am not sure if you have ever felt the presence of something greater in your life, but for the past few months, God has been trying to whack me over the head and tell me to listen up. Other people have been praying for me in my current life situation and in the past few months, two of those prayers have been answered. Crazy. You know how things also tend to happen in threes? Well, I am now waiting on my "third thing."

All of the things that have come to be have been really good for my life - work life, me,life and I think just general overall life. I don't feel that I need to go into much detail here (and that might just kill some of you) but if you really care, we can take it offline and I can fill you in.

I just wanted to share that sometimes when you are really feeling all alone, that there is something bigger than all of us out there. And sometimes, all it takes are a few too many "phone calls" before you look and say, "Hey! I hear ya, loud and clear! Thank you for letting me know you are there!"

Really, that's all I got.
-L

Happy Holiday...break!

Ahh the great feeling that is Holiday Break time! Derick and I were blessed to be able to enjoy Christmas this year with many family members! Here is a small run-down of what we did!

Friday, December 18th
This was the day of our CBK corporate holiday party! It was a lot of fun because me and three other girls from the "Culture Keepers Committee" dressed up and were the hosts and MCs for the game! It was a really fun time at the Radisson hotel in Plymouth. The food was good and there were some really nice prizes given out at the end of the day, not to mention that we were all released from work at 10:45am and then at the end of the party at 2pm! whoo hoo!

Meet: Miss Ginger Bread, Ms. Holly Berry and Miss Candy Cane!

Saturday, Dec 19th
We drove out to Menomine, WI to watch Joe graduate from Stout University! Derick and I watched the ceremony from the comfort of swivel chairs in the student lounge - since Joey didn't have enough tickets for all of the people who wanted to watch him graduate! It was a very chilly day in Menomonie, and being that close to the lake didn't help! We met Joe, his dad, sister, Steph and Carol and Larry at Applebees where we had a celebratory lunch for Joe (and also a mini birthday celebration for Derick and Joey).

Sunday, Dec 20th
We traveleld with my parents over to Amery, WI to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We meet every year at Lucky's restaurant to eat and watch the kids open gifts. There was a small twist this year when I introduced the First Annual Nordquist White Elephant Gift Exchange! It was a big hit and a lot of fun to watch what people were trying to get rid of. I think the highlights of that were my cousin Dave, who ended up with a high-heeled shoe candle. He tried to persuade everyone who had their turn after him that they needed to take it from him! The other one was my cousin Eric, who ended up with an angel rose clock! That thing was so funny looking, it was ridiculous! After some chatting and eating and laughing, we headed home.

Monday, Dec 21st
It was Derick's birthday! I gave him his present right when we woke up, because I knew that he would want to play with it right away! I got him 2 video games and 2 movies (thank you Black Friday sales!). My assumption was correct - he played and played and played games all day! I made him a "Better Than Sex" cake for his birthday - his request. For dinner, my parents and sister came over and we headed to the 5-8 right across the street from us. Their food is SO good and cheap! At least there is a good thing about being married to a gamer - it is usually pretty easy to buy gifts for them!

Tuesday, Dec 22nd - Thurs, Dec 24th - Christmas Eve
We packed up and made the 3hr drive to Medford, WI to spend time and Christmas Eve with Derick's family! We stayed at his aunt Steph's house and spent a lot of "couch bonding time" with Steph, Ratt and Megan and Cassie. I also finished one more of the book series that I am reading! I was able to experience High School Musicals 2 and 3 with Cassie...that was entertaining. I had Cassie singing every song right next to me, and when I had confessed earlier that I had not seen the second or third one, I thought her jaw was going to drop through to the center of the earth, and she proceeded to drag me into the porch to educate me in the ways of High School Musical sequels. Christmas Eve, we went to church with the almost entire family! (man, can we pack a few pews!) When the time came to light the candles, I looked down the row and saw, what any normal person would expect to see...straight candle, straight candle, straight candle...curvy candle...wait...yes, Ratt had softened the wax between his hands during the ceremony and then curved the candle. I wish I would have gotten a picture. It was pretty funny. Then we all trucked back through the snowstorm to the house for Christmas dinner and the chaos that is gift opening! I helped Dawn slice about 20 Granny Smith Apples for her Snicker Apple Salad and a lot of other prep and finishing work on all of the yummy food! After we had stuffed ourselves, we all sat down again and then the present pass-out began and then the insanity that was the unwrapping.

Friday, Dec 25th - Christmas Day
We packed up and left Medford Friday morning before the weather was supposed to get worse. It was pretty decent conditions getting home; we didn't hit snow until Hudson, WI! When we got back, unpacked the car and showered, we headed over to my parent's house to celebrate Christmas with them and my sister. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with our stockings that "santa" had delivered. Then we ate (more food!) and talked for awhile. We made our way downstairs to light the advent wreath, read the Christmas story from the Bible and then open gifts. I got many gifts this year! Derick got a lot of clothing (which he needed to round out his teaching wardrobe). I think one of the highlights was my Top Chef cookbook and new baking utensils! From my sister, we got Mario Brothers for the Wii and Mario Party 8 for the Wii as well. I have been playing both games like crazy since we brought them home that night!

Saturday, Dec 26th - Day after Christmas
On the day after Christmas, we woke up and went right out after Christmas shopping! We headed over to Maple Grove to the Walmart to spend our gift card from Derick's mom and step-dad. From there, we trekked to Hallmark for me to get some small things for gifts for next year and the Snoopy ornament for this year. After that, it was off to Target in search of the lighted moose lawn ornament (which sadly, we did not find) and "my" snowflake First Frost dishes! (which we did not find either). Since we did not find those things at the Maple Grove Target, we decided to run to the Champlin Target where (yay!) we found 2 dinner plate sets of my dishes and 2 bowls! No moose there though either, which we were bummed about. People were CRAZY shopping! It was almost worse than shopping on Black Friday! After our shopping trip, we spent time at home, cleaning up our gifts and our house that looked like it had exploded with Christmas gifts and decor! And when I say we, I mostly mean me. Sometimes I think that most men cannot tell when things are out of place or need cleaning and straightening up, until, in my terms, it is almost a lost cause to do so! We're talking catastrophic World War zone here! Not that our house was that bad...

Sunday, Dec 27th
Just another day of being lazy and playing with our presents!

Monday, Dec 28th - Tuesday, Dec 29th
I spent these days easing back into the little thing called
"a corporate job." I am glad that I only had to work 2 days this week! I actually didn't really mind coming back into work. I think too many days at home would have bored me to tears! But, on the other hand, I do have one design project to start and finish as well as a stack of books to read from my new series of interest as well as a few new video games to play...hmm...maybe I jumped to that assumption too quickly. Good thing that there is a weekend coming up!

So that, in a nutshell is what we were up to this Holiday season thus far. My uncle and three cousins are in town from North Carolina, and we will be getting together with them during New Year's. We will also be getting together with some family friends- the Sunnarborgs during that time as well! There is no rest during this busy time of year!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Wow, Christmas time is really upon us! I heard on the radio..."Christmas is only eight days away!" Yikes! With the snow that finally came, the decorations in my house and the cookies baked, it is really shaping up to be Christmas time!

The other day we decorated our office area for the Christmas decorating contest. We were able to use many resources that no one else had access to - Old Acorn holiday decorations and the current stores garland and things. It turned out really nice! I made about 20 huge 3-D snowflakes that were hung up in the ceiling. I hope that we are able to keep the ceiling part up for the entire winter season!

So Thankful

I am so thankful for the things that I have, the family that surrounds me and the friends whom I cherish.

I was reminded of this again today - specifically this morning as I decided to go out into the madness that is: Black Friday. (dun dun dunnnnn!) I went out around 7:15 am this morning to see what there was to see - mainly to go to JC Penny to get myself a new coat that was on sale. I did that - and a few other things (which ended up being my Christmas presents from Derick). But back to the point, the people were actually kind, courteous and most of them NOT on their cell phones and actually aware of themselves, their kids and their carts! It must have been a day after Thanksgiving miracle! I purchased my things at JCPenny, then off to Game Stop (to take care of Derick's birthday present) and then a random trip to Target (which is always a blessed occasion - although my wallet would like to disagree). I had never seen so many big HD TVs rolling out of a place! When I entered the store, there were 2 42" tvs on a dolly waiting to be placed into vehicles, and then there were 4 more I saw in carts while in the store, and 2 more large ones on my way out of the store! Since Target was going to be my last stop, I really was in no rush, and found myself sucked into the aisles. For a brief moment I was even in the toy section - I know, crazy! But Hallelujah I am done with Derick's birthday and Christmas presents!

Although Black Friday can be a bit insane - it is actually better when you go earlier, but not so early as to be considered one of the "crazies" that gets up to go to the 4am open of a store...There is not enough coffee in the world for that one... I kind of like the quick fast and furious burst of shopping. It gets me more in the Christmas mood and ready to tackle the beasts that come with - decorating the house, making plans for parties, making cookies, wrapping gifts, making Christmas cds, listening to said cds... *sigh * And the weather is even getting colder - a sure sign that Christmas is on its way!

For Thanksgiving yesterday, Derick and I watched almost all of the Macy's Day parade before we traveled over to Maple Grove to my parent's house. It was my parents, my sister and her boyfriend (Matt), my uncle - Dan, aunt-Gail, cousin - Nathan, uncle-Dale, aunt-Marilyn, and their three boys - Eric, Keith and Craig. It was a fun time to get together and eat some of the best food that I wait anxiously all year for! YUM! After "dinner," we continued a newer "tradition" of getting our family Christmas card pictures taken. I took Dale's family's pictures and also Dan & Gail's family. That got me thinking that I need to look through and see which photo(s) I want to use in/on our cards from this year!

So, yes, thanks for all of you out there who have had something to do with me in my life! Whether you know it or not, you have influenced my life in a big or small way that has shaped me to be who I am today.

THANKS!

Welcome to the Board...

Say hello to the newest member of the Board...of the townhouse association!

Derick and I went to the annual meeting of our townhouse association tonight. I am kind of glad that we did...they needed 10% of the people to be present that live in our townhomes and we made up for some of that! We also got to express a concern about snow removal and hear some behind-the-scenes things of our association that other people don't normally get to hear about. They are a funny group, but it will be fun. I am the new Secretary for the Douglas Commons Home Owners Association. The time commitment isn't much, so it should be pretty easy and just a chance to get to know some of the people that live a stone-throw away.

Tomorrow is FRIDAY! Or, at least for me it is! I took off Wednesday just to relax into the Thanksgiving weekend! I am so looking forward to it. I have nothing planned, have not looked into any sales for Black Friday and I think that is just alright with me! Although I wish that we had a little extra cash sitting around. I think it would be nice to have a couples massage day. We both need it, and it would be a nice break and something to do together. Ha that's funny...going out to do something. That is the crappy part about being an adult and having a lot of bills...owning a house...on and on and on it goes. I am just thankful to have a good job and able to pay the bills. Though very tight after that, we still are able to pull it together somehow!

So, Happy Turkey Day everyone! Be thankful for what you have (that is the moral for my story above!)

Here I AM! I have not fallen off the face of the earth!!!

Alright, so it has been a long long long time since I have made an update!

I guess that isn’t because much NEW has been happening, but more along the lines that things have been busy and the same!

Work

Work is still work – glad I have a job and have some great people I get to work with; though ALL of them are not so much a picnic to be around. I am becoming more in

tegrated with the “Marketing Creatives” working with assets of the website and doing very minor revisions to some of the site buttons featured on the website – the OAS buttons. I am excited about the possibility that I might be more integrated with designing something that may “go live,” but a little hesitant. I am sort of feeling like a rag doll caught in the middle of the Visual, Marketing and Ecommerce teams. Some days it is exhausting and I am literally RUNNING around the office.

We are having a Halloween potluck today for Marketing, Visual and Ecommerce departments, so that will be fun! I made tuna salad and brought that in, so I am sure that m

any people brought good food, as I can smell it sitting at my desk! Yum!

I am getting together with a friend from work tonight just for

some low-key hang out time and baking recipe swapping! We both identify with many of the same things and often call ourselves “pot and kettle” because we say things like, “You shouldn’t be working that much…” or “You should be getting more sleep,” just to have the other person say, yeah like the pot calling the kettle black. It is a good time.

Derick has been filling more of his days with subbing for schools. On more of his “off days,” he even has been getting the early morning calls to come in for a school, so that is more uplifting that he is getting on those special secretary call lists! Nothing on the full-time front yet though, which we are both bummed about and waiting for.

Family

Derick recently was over at my parent’s house helping my dad

with yard work that needed to be done before the snow fell. I met them there for dinner after work and it was fun to see them. Even though we only live 10 minutes away, it seems like I go a long time before seeing them aside from Avon nights.

I think we should be planning a trip to Medford soon to see Derick’s family – as it has been since September since we last saw them! Crazy how the time flies! I cannot believe that it is almost Halloween already! Yikes!

Other

Derick and I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary on October 18^th! We went back to the Chart House, where we were married a year prior to have dinner. We walked in, and before we sat down to dinner, Derick told the host that it was our 1 year anniversary and that we would like to run out to the back and take some pictures before we ate and it got too dark to do so. He was more than accommodating and said to go out, take our time and then he would help us when we came back in. It

was a lot of fun – our little impromptu photo session. Thank goodness for automatic camera timers! Yeah! We had a great dinner – Champagne Chicken (which was one of the things we had at our wedding buffet). And for dessert, they gave us complemetary ice cream cake – probably not what you think of when you think ice cream cake, but it was interesting, nonetheless.

Derick and I decided that we were glad that we had been married there the year BEFORE, rather than this year, as the weather was much nicer our weekend than that same weekend this year. It was much windier, colder and the leaves were pretty much frozen off the trees this year, thanks to some quick snow and frost!