It's the little things

I've been cranky and kinda down all week. I am so sick of this weather and of being cold. I don't think I ever warmed up yesterday. And then when I'm cold and hibernating all I want to do is eat so I feel fat in addition to cold and cranky. It's a downward spiral. This morning as I was waiting for my bus transfer downtown I see a guy furiously sprinting by me to catch his bus. I chuckled to myself because I have been there and had to do the sprint. It hurts when it's this cold...As I looked a little closer I realized that it was my friend Jeff. That turned my chuckle into a full laugh and ever since I have felt better. No more being cranky, who cares if I'm a little bloaty, and my heater is cranked on high so no more being cold. The weekend is almost here and it's going to be great!

Now onto what I really wanted to blog about...THE BEST OF THE BEST RESTAURANT WEEK!! It's back! I am so excited. If you've never heard of this you need to check it out. For a week, a bunch of restaurants around the city put out a limited/set menu for a fraction of the cost of a normal meal. It's such a good deal if you want to try out some of the expensive restaurants. Last year Justin and I went to R. Norman's, which might be called 7 Steakhouse now. Not sure. It was FABULOUS! The menu's aren't posted yet but at least the list of restaurants are. I can't wait to see what they are going to serve and pick a restaurant or 2 to try. There is nothing better to me that a great meal. mm mmm mmmmmmm!

I need help...

Every winter when the weather gets really cold and I don't feel like leaving my house I get a puzzle out and set it. I picked one up at a garage sale last year that I thought would be challenging. It's 2500 tiny tiny pieces with a mountain scene and wild flowers. It was only a couple bucks and had never been opened...now I see why. It's sooo hard. I have never been so frustrated with a puzzle. I'm usually really good but this one is killing me! And the thought of just putting it away in the boxes make me sick to my stomach. I can't not finish it. It's a compulsion. So help me! Anyone who likes puzzles come over. Just for an hour or 2. You might get 3 pieces together in that amount of time. :) Funny but I'm not kidding! I might just glue this one together and frame it when I finally finish it.

The box cover.


My progress after a months work...

Izzy Updates

This past weekend Justin and I headed down to Cambria for the Jovle family Xmas and for Izzy's baptism. My niece is getting cuter and bigger every time I see her. She's about the size of a 1 year old now and is only 7 months! We were trying to teach her how to crawl. She's really close - can push herself up really high just isn't sure what to do with her legs yet. I think Amanda's been secretly teaching her yoga. She kept showing off her up dog and cobra pose to me. :)

Izzy playing with her ball.


Helping Mandy open up her xmas gifts.


In her beautiful baptism gown.

Brenda turns 40!

I meant to blog this before I left for the weekend but forgot! Happy 40th Birthday Brenda!!! Hope you had another weekend of celebrating. Last Sunday night a bunch of UMFers took Brenda out for a night of drinks and karaoke. We made friends with the locals at this place. Brenda even got her own balloon animal hat/outfit. Unfortunately I don't think you can see the fornicating dogs in this pic.



Our dear friend Fritzy singing with us - Brenda, Abbie, me.


Kris, Adam, and I.


Thanks to Anne for letting me steal her pics.

Ellie Marie Moehring

Congrats to Kristen and John on their baby girl! She was born Monday at 12:27 pm weighing 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Last night Justin and I got to visit them in the hospital. She is a clone of her mother and such a cutie with her blonde hair.





Every time Justin held her she started wailing. His usual magic touch with babies wasn't happening with this one - or maybe it was the needed diaper change and bottle feeding. She's just about to let a big scream in this pic.



The happy family.

Happy MLK Day

Thank you Mr. King for changing our nation and giving us an excuse to not have work! And there is no better way to celebrate than to go shopping! Stimulate the economy a little, right? Now before you start quoting me on my New Year Resolution let me first say that I set a strict budget before going out and I stayed in it! Cari and I headed to Albertville to find an empty parking lot and HUGE sales. I don't think either of us paid over $20 for any items and $20 was a splurge! 70% off clearance everywhere. Here was my favorite item of the day. I have been eying this vest for a couple months now and finally went for it. I went to the Gap and they only had one left in this color and it was my size. So meant to be! I know it's obnoxiously pink and bright but I am so exited to wear it.




Hope everyone else had as fun of a day too even if you had to work.

Nothing like a good cry

There are 2 movies that I will never, ever forget. Not because I liked the plot or thought they were outstanding but because they made me cry for hours afterwards. The first one I saw when I was in high school: White Squall. All I really remember from it was there were many hot guys with shirts off and at the end the boat sinks with the captain's wife still on board. Seeing her face thought the window of the sinking ship has stayed with me for over 10 years. The other one is PS I Love You. I was crying in that before the opening title was on.

I knew watching Marely and Me was going to be sad. I read the book, so before going to the movie I mentally prepared myself and brought a purse full of Kleenex. It still wasn't enough. I had a few tears in my eyes as soon as the movie started in anticipation of what was to come. By the end I couldn't stop the tears from streaming down my face. I held myself together for the ride home but as soon as Conner ran in to greet me it started all over again. Luckily he was full of puppy kisses to make me feel better. I still have to say I recommend the movie. It's not as good as the book but there are many laugh out loud points. Just prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster...

Simple Pleasures from the weekend...

1. The Sun beating down on my car and warming it up. I was soo ready to put the top down and go for a drive. It might've been JUST a little too cold for that.

2. Running into friends at Target AND Cub while doing my errands. I love the unexpected catching up and waves in the cars as you drive by someone you know.

3. Eating an absolutely delicious meal and having great talks with the hubby about all that life will bring us.

4. Finding that shirt I have been looking everywhere for AND it being in my price range.

5. The beauty of "Edward Cullen" on screen.

Weekends are so great...Too bad Monday has to ruin it. :P

Pictures

I have been quite the slacker on my website recently. I do have an excuse for this week. Our Internet at home hasn't been working and Justin hasn't had time to fix it. We've been stealing from our neighbors but it's not very reliable, especially for uploading. But as for the past few weeks I really have no excuse beyond that it was busy! :)

Here's the events that I've missed.

Christmas

Anne's 30th

New Years Eve

TCF Bank Stadium

Andy, a coworker of mine, has a friend who is the director of stadium operations for the new Gopher Stadium. Thursday, he invited us to come and take a tour of it! It was really sweet to see how far along they are and how awesome it is going to be. I took quite a few pictures. Here are some of my favs:

View from the outside looking in.


View from the 6th floor press box.


Gopher Locker room. Notice the "M" on the ceiling.

Back to work?

It's amazing how quickly 12 days can go and how quickly you forget your regular routine...
I forgot how early 5:30 feels and how painful it is to make myself get out of bed. I forgot how cold the wind is before the sun comes up. I forgot what time I need to leave my house in the morning and ended up missing my bus. oops! I also forgot to charge my iPod last night and had nothing to listen to on the way in. Hopefully I start remembering stuff soon or it's going to be a loooong day!

Vacation was great. I need to post my pics and get the links up. Should be done soon. Enjoy your Monday back at work!

New Years Resolutions

For the past couple years I've tried to make fun new years resolutions. 2 years ago it was to take more pictures and last year it was to wear cute clothes that make me feel good in them. I also added a bonus one of having Justin smile better in pictures. I think I've done pretty well with both and we're still working on Justin. :) Along with continuing the past years, this year I've decided to be boring and cliche - I want to spend less and save more. I know, lame, but I think it's fitting for this economy. So if anyone has great tips on little ways to save let me know, I'm all ears! Also it would help if you discourage me from all those starbucks trips, and tell me that I don't need to spend the Express coupon just because it's a great deal. hehe. Happy New Years to all!