Operation Spare Bedroom

In trying to figure out what Derick and I wanted to do for our Memorial Day "vacation," we decided to stay home and work on projects around the house that needed to get done but that would take some time on our part. First off, the office/spare room. I thought it was high-time to organize it once-and-for-all! So, we measured, planned, and moved furniture around the house to accommodate the "new" room. Derick and I went to my parent's house and picked up my childhood bed, brought it back and put it back together in the room. It really helped pull it all together and I have to say, I am pretty happy with how things are turning out! We had to do a bit of moving and condensing items, but it works, and makes it seem like there is more room than before! We are almost done with the room. I have to go through some papers that I have been piling up and placing in folders, but have not put away or, better yet, thrown away!

I took Tucker to the dog park today among the sprinkles of rain that threatened the time, but all in all, we stayed pretty dry! It was nice to get outside, as I was antsy from being inside for the majority of the day today and yesterday moving things around.

Tomorrow looks like another day of relaxing...bowling in the morning and then coming back home to finish off some house chores and then some relaxing time. I had forgotten just how tiring moving things and organizing things could be! Yikes! Also, it probably didn't help that I had spent the night the night before, on my feet, painting with Jacque! I felt like an old person when I got up the next day!

Ok, I am going to sign off, and try to tackle one more box of things to sort through! I can do it!!

-L

Getting in touch

I think this post spurs from a small conversation that I had with a friend over Google chat earlier.

It wasn't anything earth-shattering, just a quick exchange on how things are going with us - your usual friend "catch-up" on life, since we haven't talked or seen each other for awhile.

I am getting together with her to do something that I used to LOVE doing, but have since stopped due to working full-time and not having any room to leave out the supplies, or make a big mess, painting! I am SO excited! Firstly, to see her again and secondly - to engage in an activity in which we are both passionate about! The arts!

I am thankful for friends.

Especially when friends come out of the woodwork and remind you that they are there and that you need some friend time!

Friday night was another one of those realization moments!
Derick and I hosted our very first "couples hang night" at our place. It was a lot of fun! We had over three different couples. We talked over some light appetizers and then broke out Battle of the Sexes around 9:30pm and played till 12:30am! It was a blast! The conversation came easily and everyone was involved. It was concluded at the end of the night that we should do them more frequently and maybe switch-off houses and hosts. I hope that it works and we can carry-on this new excitement!

Derick and I are trying to plan out our long weekend coming up this weekend. We have started a list of things that we were thinking of doing. It ended up looking more like a summer "to-do for the house" list than anything! I am also starting to think that planning a trip or a vacation is often more work than the actual going and taking said trip or vacation. I am hoping at the end of the summer - or the start of the fall, I will be able to go and visit my friend Ben, in Texas for a few days! I told him that I would come and visit when he moved down there and that was almost 2 years ago...but it all depends on our money situation and what I am able to do and when. Can't really do anything or go anywhere right now. Soon, hopefully, soon!

Alright, well, I think that is about all of the updating that I can do for now. I just really wanted to get an update up!

-L

Getting to Friday...

Last full day of the week! And boy do I need it this week! Things have been crazy at work (ok, I know I am sounding like a broken record to some of you...but it's true) and the crazier it seems to get - just when you think things cannot get any more nuts!!

One good thing about this time though is the fact that we have moved to our summer hours - so we work about an hour longer a day per Mon-Thurs and then get to leave around 12:30 on Fridays - given that our work is finished and we cannot help out anyone else in the department to get their work done.

Last night while Derick was podcasting, I turned into a baking machine! I made a couple small loaves of banana bread and then a bunch of mini cupcakes which will be frosted tomorrow afternoon.

The banana bread was for tonight - a small group of us get together for themed movie nights - tonight's feature is the Breakfast Club, so we're having breakfast for dinner! Yum!

Then, Friday night, we are having a couples hang out night at our house! A few friends from work and one other couple will be coming over after dinner just to hang out, relax, maybe play some games. I bought battle of the sexes for the occasion and am pretty excited about it!

Let's see what else is new...

Derick and I obtained the first season of Glee and have watched it to see what all of the fuss is about and if we would like it. I think the feeling is mutual that we both enjoy it. Another show that we have to start watching is Parenthood.

Saturday I have to run out to the store and take photos of the fashion show for work. The ladies are pretty entertaining that run it and are involved, and it only usually lasts about an hour. No biggie. Other than that, minimal plans for the weekend. I want to get some bowling in as well as a trip or two to the dog park. I might even break out the bikes and hit the trails. Slowly, of course.


Well, I guess that is about all the new news for the moment!
-L

Headcolds and Gilmore Girls

So the title just about sums up my life for the past three days. I was home yesterday and today from work. Sick. I cannot believe that I have a head cold AGAIN!!! I think it is work - stressing me out. It comes around VMU time as well, so maybe that has something to do with it. I have spent all day yesterday on the couch - watching Gilmore Girls. I almost made it through an entire season the other day and today looks like another re-run of yesterday. I think I am going to try to sleep though today. I think it is sad that being sick is exhausting. Who knew that lying around the house all day could make someone tired and worn out.

I need to be better tomorrow though. Amber's wedding is tomorrow afternoon that I NEED to go to! I missed her bachelorette party because I was sick and now I am sick again! Her and Jenny are going to think that I am sick ALL the time!

Alright, I am going to go work on that - getting better.

have a good weekend everyone.

A list of awkward happenings in the workplace - a female perspective

So, one of those awkward things happened to me the other day and that got me thinking...I should make a list of all of the other awkward things - especially around a workplace - that I have witnessed or have been told about happening... enjoy!

A list of awkward happenings in the workplace - a female perspective

1. Bring called pregnant (and you are not) and watching them try to recover.
2. Going into the restroom at the same time as another person when either you or the other or both have to do #2, and the awkwardness at the sinks afterwards. (I think each corporate office should have a copy of the Everybody Poops book on hand AND has a radio playing in the bathroom..
3. Bringing salad for lunch, realizing you forgot dressing, decide to use someone else's bottle for a "quick bit" and they walk in and catch you in the act (thanks for this gem Katie!!)
4. Talking about someone (good or bad) and having them come up behind, near you or call you.
5. Trying to disguise (insert your choice of "feminine product" here) while heading to the restroom during that week of the month. Bonus points if A: you get stopped in the hallway or B: run into a male coworker.
6. Being in the restroom the same time as someone higher up in the company - think director level and above - they finish, and just walk out, not washing their hands. Gross.
7. When female co-workers decide to wear thongs, and guess what, it's your lucky day because they have made it their day to constantly bend over near you.
8. Getting into a car accident right out front of work (on the way in or on the way out) with one of your fellow employees. (I actually haven't seen or heard of this one happening, but I am sure it has happened, and how awful and awkward!)
9. Writing out your 2-week notice
10. A coworker shares too much personal information with others...
11. When you hear (not by choice, but by their sheer volume) all about a coworker's personal life, the lives of their children, ex-husband and mother-in-law because they can't seem to shake it from their heads that they do not in fact have a cone of silence above their cubicle.
12. After having been to the restroom, you are sitting at your desk for awhile, get a feeling or somehow notice, that your zipper, is in fact, down.

Well, that is about all that I can come up with for the moment.
Feel free to comment and add some from your own experiences!
-L

On the road again...

So unexpected plans for tomorrow, Saturday! I will be picking up my mom, and driving over to their cabin. Tucker will be in the back seat of my car - so we'll see how that goes. First time for a longer drive in the backseat of my car!!

Derick will be (hopefully) be hearing his boat roar this weekend! After all of the labor and parts that have gone into it thus far- we are hoping that it works just fine now!! His cousin Joey and his new girlfriend are also going to be joining the festivities, so that will be interesting to meet her.

I will get to go see my grandma in the nursing home there, and my mom mentioned that I could help them "artistically" lay out the stone work for the bottom half of their garage exterior walls. So, that will be interesting. I might even get a chance to read a little bit while I am there, which is always a good thing. I just started another one of the Hannah Swenson Murder Mystery series (Sugar Cookie Murder).

Derick and I had "date night" tonight. We had a coupon for Ruby Tuesday and both decided that we both deserved a little nice dinner out, and the coupon sure helped :) After that we walked through Target a little while and stopped, deciding, for a long while about whether or not to get a PUR water filter for our kitchen sink faucet (which we did end up getting). So that was our new "toy."

I am getting really excited about camping this summer (already!). I went and looked on a few websites looking for some checklists as far as what to bring camping. We are going to be packing differently this year! And I wanted to also look up some recipes for camping - specifically so that THAT part of things would be easier and we would not be having hot dogs and marshmallows for every meal! So we'll see how that goes and what interesting concoctions I can come up with!

Have a great weekend!
L

Hump Day Slump Day

I think I used up all my motivation last week.

This week during work it has been hard to keep myself motivated.

Derick came back into town Saturday night, and pretty much showered and went to sleep. I got up Sunday morning and went to my parent's church for their Easter breakfast at 9am and then service at 10:30am. After that, I ran home to pick up Derick, and we went over to my parent's house for Easter lunch. My Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Dale, cousins Craig, Keith, Eric, Aunt Gail, Uncle Dan and cousin Nathan were over as well, Jana and her boyfriend, Matt were also later to breakfast at church and then the service as well as lunch at my folks' place. It was nice to eat and catch-up a little with them. It is amazing just how tired you can get though from eating a big meal, sitting around and talking!

I have a few things to look forward to later this month! In fact, it is all in the same weekend!!

Saturday, April 24th my cousin Liz and I organized a cousin's bowling night! We are making trophies for the winning and losing teams and everything!

Sunday, I bought tickets to go to Christopher Straub's (from Project Runway season 6) Premiere runway show at the St. Paul Hotel! So far Lissa and Emily are going with me. I am super super super excited for it! I actually bought one of his belts that was for sale on his website and asked him to sign it- which he did!! I am excited what else he has been up to and where his vision has gone post PR.

I am not sure what really got me thinking about it, or excited about it, but I was already getting excited for the State Fair! I think I might know what is to blame - I was looking at pictures of when Jana and I went to the fair together and made a day of it a few of years ago. But believe me, I can WAIT until the end of the summer thankyouverymuch! I am usually the normal person who enjoys living in the current season, not thinking too far ahead to the next. Only in the case of the extremely long winter will I want to look ahead to spring and summer! I am a live in the moment season girl.

Oh, I did end up taking Tucker to the dog park EVERY DAY after work last week in the back seat of my car! He actually did really well! I think he liked it because he could lay down against the seat and relax, rather than ride along in the back of the truck. There was only one time when we were getting ready to drive back home when it was wet and muddy and I told him to sit and wait so that I could pull the blanket back across the seat and tuck it in to make sure that he didn't get my back seat all dirty. Well, he was a little too impatient and jumped in the front seat, passenger's seat and back out of the car again and then into the back seat. my car was FILTHY! But other than that little mishap, it went really well. It is nice to be able to get him outside and let him run around awhile. It tires him out and gets him out around other dogs and people.

I think that is about all the updates for me for now.
-L