Peace out 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

Cleaning and some chevron

new chevron keyboard cover!

Today I was interested in doing anything other than working.  Man was I successful.  I vacuumed, cleaned the office and my desks off, organized a new to do list and decided I need a new system for my craft closet.  It's a hot mess.  Also, I need to get going on my crafts list.

I went shopping with my Kati tonight and it was great.  I made a bunch of returns, scored a great deal on some nail polish I've been lusting after and had a great dinner.  I also bought my man some new sheets.  He has 1 set, so now I'll never had to wait for them to dry.

Now it's time to research some fried food items for tomorrow night and try not to freak out too much. Thank goodness alcohol exists to calm down my nerves.

Cupcakes and couches

I was told the birthday girl loved them!

She even ate the cake and not just the frosting.

• I'm starting to get the hang of making cupcakes and getting a cute not complicated design when frosting.  My man was impressed but really sad he didn't get to eat one.  There wasn't a one leftover.
• Couch shopping was a total bust.  I really want to go to Macy's and check out their inventory.  They have a grey velvet on line that might just be perfect.  After watching 2.5 games of football on mine today it's time for something better.
• I don't need a new car but I've been looking just to look.  I found my perfect Lexus for a steal and ridiculously low mileage.  Depending on what work looks like tomorrow I might go check it out!
• I grilled my man about my family and what he could expect for NYE.  He just laughs because he can tell how much it stresses me out, and he's not worried one bit.  That man is cool as a damn cucumber and I'm sweating buckets.  I'm sure my worrying is all for nothing and it will be a great night out (in my dad's shed frying up every food imaginable).
• Packers made the playoffs and I nearly had a coronary.  1 more week of football for this fan!!
• I made a delicious roast with red wine, garlic, onions, mushrooms and potatoes for dinner.  My man was happy and so was I.  I enjoy having his freezer at my disposal, he enjoys having someone who knows how to cook it all up!  Pinterest is my secret weapon to making yummy new meals.  Up next pork chops, ribs and some stroganoff!
• Last night we watched the final Hangover movie.  My favorite line is still "too-da-loo mother fucker!"  Classic Chow!!
• Now it's time for bed.   I'm learning to sleep with my man's snoring, but only average about 4 hours to his 8.  He also took a nap today while I cleaned the house and made dinner.  I kinda like being a housewife just not this no sleep situation!

Christmas Wrap Up

From Devil to sour puss to normal baby! Pretty much sums up our 36 hours of celebrating with Boo!

World's Best Gift!!

My sis started in Oct and put on every single rhinestone!!!

• Passive Agressive Christmas 2013 is in the books.  My parents were fighting and not talking so that was super fun
• Boo was pretty good, a couple melt downs, but overall darned cute.  She wore piggies in her hair and every time I looked at her I died of the cute
• My sis pulled off some excellent gifts for me.  In addition to my football I also got a monogrammed long sleeve t-shirt and the Martha Stewart 20 pack of glitter.  I'm gonna make my house sparkle!!!
• I got to see my man Christmas night and that was perfect.  Everything I wanted when I dreamt about having a BF during the holidays.
• My man even agreed to NYE at my parent's house.  I was so damn shocked I went into a full on panic attack about it yesterday.  Thank my stars for my BFF and Clint to talk me off that ledge.  Clint made the best point: as a female you know your man really likes you when he agrees to things he wouldn't normally do.  He only wants you to be happy and will go to the end of the earth to make you feel that way.  It must be true, as my man is going couch shopping with me tomorrow.
• My house if officially back to normal, you'd never even know I decorated.  I love Christmas, but this year I wasn't really feeling it.  I'm happy to have my house back to normal.
• I got my first ever bakery order today!  A friend from high school has asked me to make cupcakes for her daughter's birthday.  It's a bit of a rush, but they'll be fresh and delicious for her party.  I'm delivering so I may get to see some of the family that helped raise me in high school.  I really need to work on making some business cards and a menu.

Merry Christmas!!

I'm winning at being an Auntie!

Super Sara and Prince Danyal

Super Twins, wonder powers unite!!!

Reading about some silly snowmen

Pure Christmas magic totally describes my holiday celebration with the BFF and her family.  The happiness of new toys and being able to hang out with Auntie is pretty awesome.  What a great way to spend a snowy afternoon!

Holiday Week in full affect!

I remember when I bought this and they both fit in it!!!

The last couple days have been pretty amazing.  My man came over on Thursday and didn't leave until this morning.  I loved every second with him and I made sure he knew it.  I'm having so much fun getting to know him.  Yesterday we did his Christmas shopping and it's so interesting seeing what he bought.  His family is all about practical and I like it.  I was even nice enough to wrap his gifts for him, don't worry he thanked me :)

Today was Christmas with my mom's family.  My sister did a fantastic job of decorating and cooking.  I'm still stuffed hours later.  And she did it all with a very sick Boo.  She's got a double ear infection but was such an angel today.  I even got extra cuddles as we watched Bubble Guppies.  It's always fun getting together with my aunts and uncles, lots of laughs and great conversations.

It's time for bed because I get another Christmas celebration tomorrow.  I'm celebrating with the BFF and the twins.  I cannot wait to give them their gifts and take lots of fun photos!  The kiddos are at the perfect age for Christmas, it's all wide eyes and smiles!  Pure magic!!!

Holiday Mani

My holiday nails.  I used all gel polishes except for the stripes, regular red glitter polish that I free hand did the stripes.  OH yeah I got skillllzzz.

That's all I accomplished today.  Lost my voice as soon as I got up and felt like a big pile all day.  I managed a trip to to the post office and a car wash and that's it.  I spent the day on the couch napping on and off.  After dinner I had a bit of energy so I spent it all doing my nails.  Now I'm back to the couch and thinking about getting into bed already.  This is after sleeping 10 hrs last night and a 2 hour nap.  Fuck you sinus infection, little snot monsters making me cough all the time so I pulled a muscle in my back and my ribs always hurt.  FUCK YOU!!!

sick lazy or both

Gusties in training

Beat em bust em, that's our custom!

Cheeto creeper?

this apple didn't fall far from the tree

Sorry I've been MIA, but it turns out I have a sinus infection and it's really kicked my ass.  I spent Sunday with my man watching football and having the sexy times.  It was such a good day.  I've spent the last 2 days just trying to stay alive.  My sickness and laziness combined forces yesterday and it was a bit ugly around here.  I cough so hard I start to choke and/or pee my pants.  Now that's hot huh!  I really want the antibiotics to be working now!  After 3 weeks of being sick I'm over it.  I've got a new work project and I'm excited to be doing something different.  Not so excited because I have zero voice and need to call 30+ agents tomorrow.  Yep, good times!  Now it's time for bed, because well I'm sick and I can!

So much Christmas!

Boo and Grampa coloring before dinner

I don't have any photos of her during her program but it was adorable!  She didn't really sing a lot but she knew her hand motions and looked adorable!  It was crazy busy and I know for next time early isn't early enough.  Mom got there almost an hour before and got us seats 6 rows back.  Crazy!!

Afterwards we went out for piztha (said in Boo speak).  I feel the photo above really summarizes family time.  A can of High Life, in a bar, with pens and a grocery list to color on.  What you can't see is the massive appetizer sampler my sister and I were devouring.  It was a great evening.

Today was all about Christmas treats.  I have 4/8 made, but I'm not so sure about 2.  I need to get a pizelle iron from a friend, but she's in TX visiting her dad who's in the hospital.  I started at 1pm and finished about 6:30 and I still have half a pan of caramel to cut and wrap.  My back was really killing me so I'm going to do the rest on Monday.  

Tomorrow is all about spending time with my man.  His plans changed for the weekend so he'll be home tonight and tomorrow we are going to watch football and work on cleaning up his place.  I'm a sucker for organizing and his kitchen really poses a great challenge for me.  Plus I just want to hang out with him.  Yesterday's time together just wasn't long enough, and I'm finally starting to feel better so I'll be decent company.  OH and I plan on taking him treats.  Who can resist that?

Tis the Season to share Germs

Photo shoot before their program.  She was trying to kiss him not strangle him.  I didn't attend but they did well according to BFF and Mom 2.  Oh and Danyal played his own version of where's waldo during the performance.  The video is hilarious watching him dance around.

Sickness is a kid in a poncho with pudding.  Oh and her auntie on the couch all day coughing like a seal.  Things about winter I hate #774, illness!  I'm starting on my 3rd week of being ill and I'm so over it.  Now I've got a stuffy/runny nose and a cough that could deafen small children.  I hope this part passes quicker than the congestion and sore throat part.

While laying in bed the other night I started tickling my man.  He then quoted Stuart with a nooooo, dooooon't and I about died.  I'm not sure if that increases our chances of making this work out, but we sure have the same sense of humor.

The last couple of days have been uneventful yet again.  It's been bitterly cold and I have a wicked head cold.  I'm hoping I start to feel better tomorrow.  I really want my man to come visit for a little bit before I have to go out for family time.  Boo has her Christmas program at 4 then we are having family dinner to celebrate my sister's birthday early.  The rest of the weekend is all about baking and trying to see my man.  I'm pretty sure I can bribe him with cookies once he's done snowmobiling.

Looking back

A year ago I officially started my current job.  I was so scared of what this year would hold and how my life would work out.  What I didn't expect was so much good to come out of it; more time with friends and family, a mostly rewarding work experience, awesome new coworkers, the ability to meet my man, and the best part, being home more!  I try to live my life as regret free as possible and this certainly isn't one of them.  Best choice I've ever made!  I'm healthier and happier than I have been in a long time.

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday: date night, steak was good and so was spending time with my man.  My face hurts every time I leave his house, and it's from smiling!  He makes me so happy.

Saturday: errands and some family time.  Decorated cookies with Boo.  She was a pro with the sprinkles, but really just wanted to eat all the M&M's.

Today: wrapped the gifts I have and am watching quite a pathetic football game.  My man is at a work brunch and I'm really hoping he comes over later.  I doubt it happens, but I can keep hope.

I really need to get to the grocery store but I just don't know if I have it in me to go out in this cold.  Plus it keeps snowing!  I should be making some banana bread with the rotting bananas I have, and it's national brownie day, which doesn't sound bad either.  Or I'll just keep sitting on my couch watching football and snuggled in my blankie.

Freezing it all off

My last 2 days have been so uneventful, crappy weather has a tendency to do that up North!  I took out the garbage and recycling and am pretty sure I have frostbite on my face and hands.  Holy moly I forgot how cold 5 is!

I've been trying to find some creative Christmas cards and have had an epic fail.  I refuse to pay $100 for 40 non photo cards!  My friends may get really plain and ugly cards from me this year.  Or maybe I scrap the whole thing.  I'm not really feeling it this year.

My man made us reservations for tomorrow night.  I'm so excited, we are going out for steaks.  I've had the weirdest craving for a good steak all week, and that's not a food I'm skilled at making.  Date night is on!!

Feeling Festivus

Oh Christmas let me confess my love for thee!  House is decorated, lights are up and snow has fallen.  Gifts are still being delivered and I'll be having a wrapping party this weekend.  I love everything about Christmas, even the religious part because, in my opinion, it's an awesome story.

Last night I went to my man's house despite some sketchy weather.  It was totally worth it, he makes me so happy.  The more we get to know each other the more things we have in common.  Despite me being country and him being suburb raised, we have so many similarities in our up bringing.  We both have food issues and below is one of his favorites.  He actually prefers the traditional zebra cake, I'm more for the fancy holiday style ones.  He eats his frozen, I eat my swiss cake rolls frozen.  Funny, yet relatable.

Baby Girl's Babydoll crib from Pottery Barn

My First Backpack from Pottery Barn for Boo

As my man pointed out I may be going to for best Aunty ever.  I told him since I'm their only Aunty, I automatically win as best ;)  That and I do totally spoil them rotten.  I'm starting to think I should take out stock in Pottery Barn.  Everything I've bought for Baby Girl I'm going to start buying for Boo too.  For them not being my own they sure cost me a lot of money.  It's a good thing I get rewarded in hugs and kisses, oh and songs.  Danyal made up a cute little song about how much he loves me.  I seriously melted!

Thankful Round Up

Day 1: Thankful for my family's health.
Day 2:  Thankful for good weather.
Day 3: technology!
Day 4: thankful for transportation
Day 5:  thankful for being able to work from home. 
Day 6: Thankful for being an Auntie!!!
Day 7: thankful for first dates and subsequently first kisses
Day 8: thankful for HVAC technicians
Day 9:  thankful for the wonderful city of Mankato for having Hobby Lobby, Shopko AND Mexican Village.
Day 10: thankful for glitter!
Day 11: thankful for intimacy.

Day 12:  This!  Just this!

Day 13: my birthday treats

Day 14: super glossy magazines.

Day 15: thankful for delivery services.  Domino's really isn't that bad when you are starving.
Day 16: thankful for the ability to afford air travel!
Day 17: thankful for sunshine and pools.

Day 18: Sunsets

Day 19: Thankful for creative sand artists

Day 20: thankful for this view every single day this week

Day 21: thankful for the ocean breeze I'm enjoying from my balcony

Day 22: thankful for a perfect morning to go on a harbor cruise and seeing a whole school of dolphins!

Day 23: thankful to my Aunt for sharing this beautiful island with me.

Day 24: thankful for perfect Sunday's like today

Day 25: thankful for my ability to bake.

Day 26: thankful for movies. 

Day 27: thankful I can afford to be pampered.

Day 28: thankful for my family

Day 29: thankful for my friends.

Day 30: thankful for my man.

Some Final Thanks

Day 29: thankful for my friends.  They are more amazing that I can ever ever state.  They make me feel loved every single day and know all my craziness, and still love me.

Day 30: thankful for my man.  After almost a month we've decided to go steady :)  Yep we are going old school and it's perfect for us.

Despite having the stomach flu, he still make the dinosaurs attack his castle

Happy Thanksgiving

Day 27: thankful I can afford to be pampered.  I had the most delicious facial yesterday.  Even the man noticed I was glowing!

Day 28: thankful for my family!  All their love and support mean the world to me.

Queen of the Castle

and she cried when we passed the platter around, she thought it was her plate.

Last night was so great.  My man cooked me dinner and I got to play sous chef!  It was delicious and he can cook for me anytime.  It was everything in my power not to jump his bones halfway through cooking dinner.  So sexy when a man can take care of me.  We even had a great convo about what we want and don't want and even some mentions of future stuffs.  These are huge huge steps for me.

Today was a bit of a struggle.  After getting home way too late and up way too early I did accomplish quite a bit.  I walked a 5 mile race with my mom today in 1:24.  I was pleased with that and have 2 new blisters.  Yay me.  I made 2 yummy new desserts, watched a horrible football game and had dinner with the family.  For about 30 seconds I debated going shopping tonight and the oncoming cold I'm getting vetoed that idea.  Now I'm in bed all doped up on cold meds and ready to sleep forever!  I hope everyone had a great day celebrating and appreciating everyone around them.  I know I did.

Terrific Tuesday

Day 26: thankful for movies.  I saw Catching Fire tonight and it was amazing!!!  Words do not do it justice.

Pretty Pretty Princess

This boy melts my heart

He was so sincerely happy to see me today.  He gave me the biggest hug and was just so genuine.  We watched some Little Einstein, had some cuddles and then he ran around like a crazy person.  His sister was equally as sweet.  She offered to protect me from Danyal, gave me lots of hugs and I taught her how to do an evil laugh.  I'll post it when I get my phone to sync again.  It's hilarious, and she's so freakishly good at it.  Twin 3 year olds really give you a much better perspective on life, today it was just be happy!

Baking Therapy

Day 25: thankful for my ability to bake.  

The first day back after vacation is always the hardest.  Today just sucked extra because it's the Monday of a holiday week and I simply didn't want to work.  Oh and to make it even better my computer won't download shit.  Yeah all I do is download and upload things all day.  FML  Tomorrow it's off to the office to try and fix it and see my friends for lunch.  I'm also hoping to get in a visit with the twins and fix my personal computer.  I know I need to break down and get a new one plus a new phone.  Dropping it on the pool concrete and tile floor last week has not helped it.

OH and I did not get to see my man tonight.  He finished work too late :(  He is making me dinner on Wednesday!  I'm on daycare duty that afternoon so I hope Team Ingram is quick at their doctors appt.  I have a man cooking for me and I don't want to miss a minute of it.

An Almost Perfect Sunday

Day 24: thankful for perfect Sunday's like today

Yesterday helping daddy celebrate his birthday!

Today was full of so much good.  My face hurts from smiling I'm so happy.  The boy came over to watch football and it was just perfect even though it was a tie game.  Come on!  We had couch/cuddle time, me cooking for him, lots of kisses and such.  So happy.  I had dinner with the family and my sister made an amazing meal.  Boo was hilarious and fully entertained me.  Now I've got my nails all done and it's already time for bed.  I'm hoping to be up at a decent time so I can tackle work early and be done early.  I've got a tentative date with my man tomorrow and I really don't want to cancel it.

Island Life

Day 22: thankful for a perfect morning to go on a harbor cruise and seeing a whole school of dolphins!  Also a happy Birthday to my co-worker Mike.

Day 23: thankful to my Aunt for sharing this beautiful island with me.  I have a lot of family but very few that I actually claim relation to!  I'm sad to be typing this from the airport but I'm ready to get back home and back to a little bit of normal life.  And today's Happy Birthday goes to my bro-in-law. Darren.  Also good luck to all the deer hunters today.  It's freezing cold so I hope they all get their 30 point bucks quickly.

Sandcastles

Day 19: Thankful for creative sand artists

Day 20: thankful for this view every single day this week

Day 21: thankful for the ocean breeze I'm enjoying from my balcony.

Sunsets

Nothing like a pretty sunset off Pier 19.  Oh SPI I love thee

Sunshine

Day 15: thankful for delivery services.  Domino's really isn't that bad when you are starving.
Day 16: thankful for the ability to afford air travel!
Day 17: thankful for sunshine and pools.

Happiest Birthday to ME!!!!

Day 13: my birthday treats; cupcakes from the boy, unicorn poop cookies from Team Ingram.
I can't even begin to express how wonderful my whole day was.  Lunch with Sue-bee followed by some great shopping.  Got my hair did, dinner with the boy and then cuddles on his couch.  Super fun awesome sparkle birthday!!!

Day 14: super glossy magazines.  Gift guides are here and I cannot wait to tear into them.  Oh the simple things that make me stupid happy.

Is this the Real World?

Day 11: thankful for intimacy.  Holy moly are we compatible.  I cannot wait to see him again!

Day 12:  This!  Just this!

Random story from dinner last night.  We went to my favorite local place Agave Kitchen.  As we were eating I knew the owner would be meeting with a congressman to receive a flag, as a sign of the appreciation of all the work he does for veteran's in the area.  Soooo we were enjoying our nachos and said congressman comes downstairs.  It's Sean Duffy, he of Real World fame.  The even odder/funnier thing is that he grew up in Hayward WI and used to compete in lumberjack competitions.  He had on a typical red/black plaid jacket and I soooo couldn't help but giggle.  Way to feed into my perception of a lumberjack.  And also, you are not my congressman, you will ALWAYS be the dude from Real World Boston!

Birthday Week begins!

Helping Auntie blow out her birthday candles

Day 10:  thankful for the wonderful city of Mankato for having Hobby Lobby, Shopko AND Mexican Village.  So much fun and laughter!  I truly have the best friends and family a girl could ask for!  I got wonderful gifts and cannot wait to put them all to good use.

Day 11: thankful for glitter!  I made a couple Pinterest crafts today and they all involved glitter.  Copious amounts of it, like house and person covered in it, glitter!!!  Once I decorate for Christmas you can see them all completed.  Right now they aren't much to see.

Tomorrow is 2nd date night and I'd be lying if I wasn't stupid excited.  It's been a pretty constant stream of texts since Thursday night and we are really hitting it off.  We both agree that it's a mutual attraction all the way around.  Now I have to be good and pace myself, otherwise good, yet bad things will happen way too quickly!  Anticipation is a good thing, and I have to keep telling myself that.

Feelin' Frisky Friday

make a fort out of your slide!

Day 8: thankful for HVAC technicians!  Turns out my furnace had a clogged filter causing it not to stay lit.  Had I let it go any longer I would have been without heat.  That is a no bueno situation.  So $110 later my furnace is running as good as new and I can finally turn the heat up to a tolerable level.

Last night's date was good.  Oh so good.  He's hunting this weekend with his family, so I won't get a 2nd date until Monday.  I have a feeling things are going to go really well.  I have the gift of flirty texting down and he's falling for it hook line and sinker!

Tomorrow begins my week of birthday celebrations and I cannot wait.  Food, friends and Hobby Lobby.  All things I love love love!!!