Blonde

Before we got married, Jeremy and I decided to get each other a gift. Both gifts were items we would enjoy together but were clearly designed around the recipient's personality. The gift I got Jeremy was in all of our wedding photos.

It was a custom made Mossy Oak Breakup vest and bow tie. These pictures will be hanging in our home for decades to come. Pretty great gift, huh?

Well, this past week I finally cashed in my gift. We drove to Chicago, entered the Oriental Theatre, and enjoyed watching an up close, 2 1/2 hour, pepto-bismol colored stage, and a fantastically talented cast. LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL! Ok, so it sounds ridiculous, but that is part of the fun. It is actually a great performance and I was so happy to see it.

It was the closest I have ever been to the stage and I will probably never get balcony seats again. It was fun to be so close to the actors that you can make eye contact with them. With those seats, even intermission was entertaining. We walked up to the orchestra pit, watched the musicians warm up, and heard the actors behind the curtain warming up for a very difficult number.

After the performance we went to the stage door. I met Lauren Zakrin who played Elle Woods. She was FANTASTIC. It was really a great night.

A couple life lessons learned at an early age.

I work with 3 year olds. This week a couple of them have learned some life lessons.

Lesson in love: some men are just out there to break your heart.

Little girl: On Sunday I am going to go home and think of marrying [little boy].

Little boy then yells at little girl.

Little girl cries.

Lesson in anatomy: introduction to the digestive system

Little boy after leaving the bathroom: I went poop and pee. My stomach feels better.

Happy Easter!

We went to Minnesota for Easter. It was wonderful. We had to bring the kitten because she had a bad sore on her neck that we had to watch. Hannah seemed to enjoy playing with the kitten though. Here are some pictures:

Post dinner sidewalk art

A wonderful dinner

H insisted on several pictures taken of her

J and C playing on the iPhone

Uncle Jeremy and H

We are all that and...

The kitchen sink clogged yesterday. It was badly clogged. The people living on the other side of our kitchen wall were also effected as we heard their garbage disposal go and watch the water level in our sink rise. Jeremy pulled out the siphon he just happened to buy a couple weeks ago and averted the danger of overflowing for us and our neighbor. Meanwhile, I walked over to their apartment to tell them to stop running the garbage disposal and water through the pipes as it is obviously doing nothing.

Jeremy and I then went to the store where we picked up a large bottle of draino. Neither of us had ever had to use draino before, and there were specific instructions in the fine print for garbage disposal clogs. We worked on in throughout the evening but still, nothing except a slightly more pleasant chemical-smell of the draino rather than the contents of both apartment's garbage disposals. Just as we were turning off the lights in the kitchen to go to bed Jeremy and I heard the best sound: "Swoosh, gurgle, gurgle." We looked over, IT WAS CLEAR!

There will be many big milestones in our marriage, but I like to think this was a small milestone. :)

Sick as a dog.

On my bedside table right now:
-empty glass of orange juice
-empty water bottle
-half empty bag of Ricola
-Vicks Vapor Rub
-DayQuil and NyQuil gel caps
-A roll of TP because I don't buy tissues
-Prescription for antibiotics
-Thermometer

I've been sick for the past 6 days.

It was the flu but now it is a sinus infection.

I'm getting better now.

Entering the Convent.

On Sunday I finally did what I have wanted to do for two years now: I auditioned with a little community theatre in town. I auditioned for three shows, but my top choice was Nunsense. I assumed that because of such a small cast, I would not make it. I am new to the theatre, haven't been on stage for 4 years, and haven't sung solo in front of anyone ever. I guess my singing has dramatically improved over the past 5 years though and my ability to read lines isn't terrible because I was casted!

I am Sister Mary Leo. I am a novice who dreams of being the first famous ballerina nun. Now, ballet... That I have one year experience in, but I was 5... so really, that I have no years experience in... nor do I look like I have any experience in it.

I am nervous about the dance, although I am sure they will keep it simple.

I am SOOO excited about getting back on stage.

Thursday night

Thursday night I had a meeting at work that lasted until 8pm. When I went out to my car there was a box of chocolates and a wonderful note sitting on the drivers seat. When I got home, the table was set with lobster tails, asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, salad (already dressed with my favorite dressing), wine, and a dozen roses.

Jeremy actually surprised me!

Dinner was wonderful and was topped off with cheesecake and a DVD of High School Musical 3 (I bet you are not laughing as hard as I did when I opened the gift).

On Saturday I did all the dishes from Thursday and had a date with Zack Efron.

Today

• Valentines day is postponed until next week due to work schedules.
• Went out to lunch with husband. First time in my life that I didn't leave a tip.
• I watched Penelope. Very cute movie.
• Did some homework.
• Watched Bottle Shock earlier this week which ended with Jeremy and I buying 3 bottles of wine on thursday. I called Jeremy to see if I could open one of the bottles without him. He didn't answer his phone. I drank a glass.
  
• Went onto the NIU website to see what was going on for the anniversary. I am missing the events but it is probably better I stay home since I have no one to go with and we all know how that ended last time (google my maiden name and look at the photos).
• Turned on the TV to see if they would have the night memorial live. Nope, but the chicago car show is on live.
• Went to the American Idol website to find my favorite contestant: Brent Keith.
• Googled Brent Keith and found a CMT music video of him.
• Made some Tea.
• Went back to working on homework.
• Blogged.

A lesson in Psychology: Association

On Saturday I learned this about me:

The smell of cooking pinto beans is associated to the task of cleaning the house.

good weekend

This past weekend was a great one. It was filled with friends. We were at a different apartment each night. We haven't been that social in a while. I fully enjoyed it. Now if only the apartment would get clean...

So Far.

I like my job.

Since coming back from a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, I got to watch two good friends commit their lives to each other. I started my new job. So far so good. I was unaware of just how much stress my previous employment was putting on Jeremy and I. We have been more pleasant to each other over the last week. We have spent the last two days with the TV off, playing Phase 10 and Gin while listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Jeremy's iPod. I also finally got my first deer. This was not from a hunting trip. Jeremy got a call from his friend, Tim, whom said that a deer was wounded on the side of a road not far from our place. We grabbed my bow as we decided that MY tags were much less likely to get used in the cold winter. The deer's back legs were both broken and showing bone. The deer would likely starve or freeze to death in that ditch. I just sped up the process. Tim took it to his uncle's where it will get butchered and the meat will be split between Tim and us.

So far, 2009 is shaping up to be pretty great

quick note

Well, Christmas was wonderful. My Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, their spouses, and their kids were all together for the holiday. It was a full, but happy time. I am still staying at my brother's house with his family. Jeremy is up on the Canadian border, fishing. My time has been well spent. That's all.

Christmas time is here!!!

Sorry, it has been a few weeks. Since I last blogged, several things have happened. Well, really just two.

1. Jeremy, being only 4 months into this marriage, and not yet realizing that eventually he will have to say no to one of my requests, let me get a kitten! The kitten's name is Midnight (Jeremy named it). It is ALL black (fur, paws, even whiskers) with big, bright orange eyes. Our current cat, Sam, is still getting used to Midnight. He and she have a fight about 3 times a day, but they are no comfortable sharing a bed with each other (and Jeremy and me). Midnight comes from the same farm land I used to work at when I worked in a home for adults with disabilities. That brings me to my second point.

2. I got a new job. Starting next month I will be a director at a day care center. The decision to change my place of employment was a difficult one to make and it took me nearly two months to make the decision.

Tomorrow Jeremy and I are making the trek to my brother's house 5 hours away. We will be driving through snow the whole time. Please pray for safe travels for us. I am SOOO excited to see my family. We have not all been together for Christmas for several years now and we all recognize that this kind of gathering will be a happenstance from now on. This is also my first opportunity to see my nephew, Josiah, and my niece, Alexis. I am the last of the siblings to arrive for the festivities and I already feel like I am missing out on so many fun events (happy yesterbirthday David!).

Did you know that blogger reconizes yesterbirthday as a word? Just to be sure of its nonexistance, I checked Microsoft Word... yup, red squiggly line. Dictionary.com doesn't reconize it either but they do suggest yester birthday or yester-birthday. Also, did you know that today used to be spelled to-day. Yup, it was.

Ok, time to do laundry, pack, and do some work.

Happy Birthday!

Welcome to the world Alexis Josephine!

stockings

Our first Christmas is coming up!

I was looking forward to getting to make the stockings we will hang for years to come. I was planning on using the sewing machine that we have from Jeremy's mom, but Jeremy requested that I knit the stockings instead. He always had knitted stockings at Christmas. I decided this would be a good opportunity to increase my knitting skills. I got a pattern from my sister that I decided not to use because I found this one. Sorry, L, I know you went through a lot of trouble to get me that one.

Here they are!

I talk in my sleep

Jeremy informed me that last night I rolled over to face him and said, "Fish! Fish! Fish! Its you're theme! Fish! It's your theme! It's your theme!"

I'm a little frightened by this newly found talent.

FISHY!

Last spring a good friend of ours gave us his old aquarium and everything that went with it (stand, filter, heater, etc.). This past week, Jeremy and I (but mostly Jeremy) set it up. Today we got fish. They are little fish but they are pretty.

Jeremy

I think Sam wants to be their friend.

Here is a video of them... It is kind of soothing to watch

Knitting

Jeremy requested knitted Christmas stockings. Because my skills in knitting are limited I decided to start with a small project using straight needles. Today I made a hat. It is not the best hat, but you can tell it is a hat.

That creepy guy at Wal*Mart

There is a creepy guy at Wal*Mart. He takes a different shape with each visit, sometimes he takes the shape of a woman, sometimes he changes shapes within one trip. Most would argue that this is not one man, but several different characters: I know better. It is not possible that Wal*Mart would be the ONLY store to attract so many creepy characters. No, it must be only one shape-shifting man.

Today the man took the shape of a Northern Wisconsin man with a Texan accent. He wore a thick, blue plaid winter coat. In his arms he carried two DVDs freshly snatched off the $4 rack. He met Jeremy and me at a kiosk filled with poorly crafted candles. Jeremy and I were enjoying the foul smells coming from each candle. The "birthday cake" candle was almost as bad as the "mixed berry". Creepy Guy joined in, stating that some of them are quite pleasing. Jeremy and I gently disagreed. This must have posed as a challenge to Creepy Guy because he then spent the rest of our time at the kiosk handing me candles to smell. At first, I accepted the candles and made small talk about each one. Eventually, I started wondering where he was finding all these different scents. Our time at the Kiosk ended when I shot Jeremy a glance that said, "You are not protecting me. Do your job." Jeremy and I started walking away when Creepy Guy offered another candle to me at which Jeremy remarked, "Well, we'll see you around."

Sad thing is, I know we WILL see Creepy Guy around. At Wal*Mart, Creepy Guy is unavoidable. If you don't find Creepy Guy at Wal*Mart, it is likely that Creepy Guy took the shape of you.

My weekend... just thoughts.

Well, Jeremy got a deer before I did. He got it on Thursday night, but I didn't go with. He got a Bambi, aka "button buck." It was a baby but we got a fair amount of meat off of it. It is tasty. We butchered it last night while our friends Kevin and Becca sat on the couch watching Simpsons and witness the meat grinder do its thing.

Saturday afternoon we went out hunting again. It was unsuccessful, but fun. Jeremy and I got to use the two-person stand at his friend's cow pasture. Jeremy was hoping my first deer would present itself that day so he could get it on tape, but nothing showed up except for several cows. Oh well.

Saturday night we enjoyed at Kevin's (and soon-to-be Becca's) place. Jon and Joce were there too. While the guys were out getting Thai food, us girls sat and talked about the upcoming wedding, jobs, etc... It was somewhat therapeutic. When the guys got back, we enjoyed Margaritas.

Now, it is Monday.

If anyone wants to know how it is really going in my life, feel free to call.