Sorry I've been gone so long!

Hi blog readers! I'm so sorry I've been slacking in my blog writing the past 10 days or so. I went home to ND and when I'm there, I pretty much stop using most pieces of technology and just relax. It felt good to disconnect for awhile.

Anyways, I had a pretty good Thanksgiving break. Here's a recap of the first half of the week (I'll post the rest another day - otherwise this would be WAY too long).

Saturday, Nov 20
I worked in the morning for my University's football game. We usually do not host home tailgates parties but because this game was being played at Wrigley Field, it was a big deal. My job was to work in the 250 ft alumni tent. There were TVs with sound, bars, and most importantly, heaters. I spent 3 hours handing out pompons and signs. The number of people there was insane and it was a lot of fun.

College Game Day was on hand and Michael got up at 3am and went. He was exhausted later that day but he said he had a great time. On Sunday night, my parents and I watched CGD with him and he pointed himself out on TV a few times, which was fun.

Fans waiting in line for College Game Day. The gates opened around 5am.

Wrigley painted their sign purple for us!

Tent - before people started arriving.

Me and some of my cowokers with the Coach Fitz bobblehead.

This picture is from when the team walked through the tent. Lots of people!

Game picture. Pretty awesome if you ask me!

At noon, Michael and I left to start our trip home for Thanksgiving. We made it to MSP in good time because I drive fast and headed to the hospital to visit Adam. If you didn't know, he's been moved to hospice care. I was thankful I was able to spend some time with him that night.

Sunday, Nov 21
Michael and I woke up early to hit the road, only to find out that MSP had been hit with a pretty nasty ice storm the night before. We decided to wait a few hours before we hit the road, which was a good idea. We saw a total of 12 cars in the ditch during our drive to ND. One of them I later learned turned out to involve a fatality, which is so sad.

We stopped in GF to hit up the bookstore to buy the S family some Sioux goodies. We also stopped at The Red Pepper, a dive in GF that drunk college students love. We were home around 6pm and I lost the bet for the temperature. I said 6 degrees; Michael said 4. It was 1.

Monday, Nov 22
Monday was spent projecting and baking. Michael and I made bon bons, one of my favorite holiday treats and worked on fixing the high chair and crib for sweet little Kaden. My dad made a delicious beef barley soup before leaving for work and we enjoyed that for lunch and dinner that night.

Tuesday, Nov 23
In the morning, we ran errands with my mom before coming home to clean and bake to prepare for the rest of our guests. The projected storm didn't stop either of my sisters from making it home, which was great because my family often has awful travel luck. Jessi was home by 5 and the S family landed at 10pm. Since my dad works at the airport, we were able to meet them at the gate, which was a fun surprise for them.

Look for the rest of the recap (with pics) soon!

Sunshines and Creeps

Before I launch into my Sunshines and Creeps, I hope that everyone will do me this favor: please keep my amazing friend Adam in your thoughts and prayers. He will not be with us much longer. Thank you.

Creep to bad things happening to good people.

Sunshine to going home to ND this weekend.

Sunshine to a week off from work.

Sunshine to the Lady A concert last night. I needed a pick-me-up.

Creep to November. Bad things always seem to happen to me in November (deaths, breakups, etc).

Sunshine to seeing my entire family in four days.

Creep to my freezing cold office.

Creep to driving in Chicago. My road rage has reached a new level.

Sunshine to getting new carpet in my office but Creep for having to pack up everything for that to happen. At least they are doing it while I'm gone.

Sunshine to yoga tonight. I am hoping it helps me relax.

Creep to Illinois Masonic Hospital. I really hate your billing department.

Sunshine to being asked to be a bridesmaid in my Girlfriend Johanne's wedding.

Sunshine to Adam. Love you!

Lady Antebellum Concert Tonight

Tonight Michael and I are going to a Lady Antebellum concert. I have been looking forward to this for months so I'm very, very excited. I love country music and haven't been to a country conert in 4 years. Enjoy one of my favorite songs below :-)

Not so smiley

I don't know what my problem is lately but I have had two total meltdowns in the past few days. Maybe it's b/c I haven't cried in awhile but I am losing it lately. I need it to be this Saturday. FAST!

Weekend was fine - went to yoga Friday night, Spin and spent the day with Michael and his family on Saturday, and spent Sunday doing laundry, watching football, catching up with friends, and more yoga. Can you tell I'm a little obsessed at the moment.

The countdown is on - only 6 more days until I'm home. It cannot come fast enough.

Sunshines and Creeps

Finally a week full of sunshines and just a few creeps :-)

Sunshine to Friday - I'm ready for it to be the weekend!

Sunshine to Michael's parents and sister visiting this weekend.

Creep to both Michael and I not feeling well the last few days. Last night, he said "I hope I don't have mono." Yeah, you better not have mono!

Sunshine to being good about working out this week. Now I just need to keep it up!

Sunshine to yoga tonight and Spin tomorrow. I need to stretch and sweat.

Sunshine to my countdowns: 9 days until I'm home for Thanksgiving, 42 days until Christmas, and 230 until July 1 (day I hope to be in MSP by).

Creep to still not knowing my work schedule for next Saturday.

Creep to my poor sleeping habits this week. Daylight savings time screwed me up.

Sunshine to skyping with my sister and my adorable nephew Kaden last night. He is SOOOOOO cute! I can't wait to see him (and everyone else!) for Thanksgiving.

Sunshine to my phone date with my GF Johanne last night. It was great to catch up!

Creep to the nasty cut on my thumb from slicing a bagel on Monday. It still hurts.

Sunshine to the amazing weather we have had in Chicago the last few weeks. What a gorgeous fall!

Sunshine to my first invitation to a holiday party. I love the holiday season.

Sunshine to my Grandma's homemade pizza recipe. YUM!

Sunshine to the flowers I got yesterday from Michael "because it's Thursday." Best. Partner. Ever.

Happy weekend everyone!

November 11 = many things to me

Today is Veterans Day. Thank you to all those who serve and have served our country. Today is the day we honor you for preserving and protecting our freedom.

I loved Google's image today so I had to share.

Today is also the founding date of my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. On this day in 1874, my sorority was founded in Syracuse, New York, by four courageous women: Helen M. Dodge, Frances E. Haven, E. Adeline Curtis and Mary A. Bingham. Thank you, Founders, for believing in the power of women helping other women achieve their potential.  

These are Gamma Phi Beta's founders. Obviously, this picture is not from 1874.

Finally. today is the day last year I found out that I got my job. I am very thankful for this job, the opportunities it has afforded to me, and the professional growth it has given me over the past year. Of course, every job has its bad days, but for the most part, I do genuinely enjoy what I do.

Me, Stephanie, and Bobby

So a few weeks ago, I wrote about how I met the amazing Stephanie March (Alex Cabot on Law and Order: SVU) and her hubby, Bobby Flay. My friend Katie finally sent me our photo so I had to share it with you!

This is my first picture with celebrities :-)

Recap on Tuesday

With work keeping me busy late last week and being off (yay comp time!), I've been slacking on my blogging the last few days. Sorry blog readers! Here's a recap of my last few days:

Friday

• Flew to Philadelphia, then drove to State College for work. Longest drive ever. But it was pretty. PAwas much more mountainous than I was expecting.
• Got to hang out with Caitlin, one my amazing former students. She is in grad school at BG in the same program I was. I miss her and am so glad we have remained good friends. It was great to catch up!

Saturday

• Hosted the tailgate party for alumni and friends before the football game. We had a great turnout - more than 250 people! - and it was a lot of fun. I worked registration and got slammed at the beginning of the event, but overall, it went really well.
• As soon as the tailgate ended, we (me, my supervisor, and my supervisor's supervisor) left because we had a flight to catch home. We listened to the game in the car. It was depressing from the last minute of the 2nd quarter on. This drive was an hour faster - thank God!
• Landed in Chicago 40 minutes early. And Michael was already at the airport waiting for me. Best partner ever :-)

Sunday

• Woke up early, feeling really well rested. Thank you Daylight Savings Time! 
• Spent the day with my LOML - since we haven't had a weekend day together in awhile, it was great to spend time together.
• Went to Target and the grocery store. Our most exciting purchase was a parmesan cheese grater. I got some European parm from my aunt Maria when she was visiting in Sept but hadn't used it yet because I didn't have a grater. Now I do and it is awesome. 
• Caught up on Hawaii Five-0 episodes and watched football.
• Skyped with Jami, Chris, and Kaden. I'm so excited to see them two weeks from today!
• Michael and I made homemade lasagna for the first time. It was DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!! We need to make it more often.

Monday

• Woke up early to say goodbye to Michael.
• Went to Yoga Sculpt for the first time. Got my butt kicked. I have never been that sweaty in my entire life. Kristen - now I know what you were talking about! Sweat was literally pouring off of me. I am sore today, but it was good and I am excited to go again.
• Caught up on DVRed shows from last week.
• Finish laundry and errands.
• Didn't feel all that well so Michael and I scrapped our plans for homemade pizza (will do Thurs on Date Night) and had soup instead.

Not much exciting happened to me over the weekend. This week I have some plans with coworkers and Date Night on Thursday. And two weeks from today, my family will all be together in ND so that's exciting. Is it Thanksgiving yet?!

Is it too early for Christmas?!

Ok, so it's not quite Christmas, but it is November now, and before I know it, it will be December. And that means it's definitely almost Christmas. Can you tell I'm excited?!

Anyways, I started my Christmas shopping yesterday. Today, I decided that it's time to start listening to Christmas music. Thank you Pandora!

What are you most excited about for the upcoming holidays? Only 50 days until Christmas Eve!

K's Bachelorette Party

Last weekend, I was in Fargo for Kristen's (otherwise known as K to me, especially when I've consumed a few drinks) bachelorette party. Not only is Kristen my "longest friend," she is also one of my very best friends. See my posting about Kristen on her birthday to learn more about our friendship.

Anyways, I flew into MSP on Friday night and stayed with Michelle (M - apparently I like to shorten names) that night. Despite getting a tad lost on Saturday morning leaving the city (who knew that 394 doesn't meet up with 94?) and getting pulled over outside of Alexandria for speeding (I was only going 75 in a 70 - luckily, I got a warning - thank you Officer Nice Guy!), we made it to Fargo in one piece.

The party was hosted by her maid of honor Michaela (little sister) and matron of honor Jen (Kristen's BFF). We stayed at a hotel downtown so no one would have to drive. The night started off with some drinks and catching up, since most of us hadn't seen each other in awhile. Then we watched Kristen open gifts and there was some "entertainment." (The entertainment was not a stripper - Kristen's mom, future M-I-L, and 12 year old cousin were there and we would never have put Kristen in a situation that would make her uncomfortable or upset.). We then finished up opening gifts before heading to dinner.



Opening some of her gifts. P.S. Doesn't K look hot!? I loved her dress!



Some of the party-goers watching K opening gifts.



My favorite gift from our friend Steph. SO CUTE!



From K's mom for her honeymoon. It was part of a series of gifts for each night of her honeymoon, and each gift was more conservative than the last. Hilarious!



Brookee and me



K, Steph, M, and Shanna

We then went to dinner. While the food was good, our service was not the best. Half of the table (me, Michelle, Steph, Brooke, and K's aunt and cousin) had the "good server" and everyone else had the "bad server." And she was awful! But we didn't let that ruin the night and we took this picture before we left.


Not the best picture but at least everyone is in it!

After that, we went to a bar known for it's martinis. And let me tell you, they were yummy! And I don't even like hard alcohol that much. There was also excellent people watching both inside and outside the bar. Here a few pictures from that bar.



Cheers!



This is a group of about 15 Oompa Loompas. They did the Oompa Loompa dance outside the bar windows. It was great!

We tried to go to another bar after that, but it was so pack because it was Halloween. We couldn't even get a drink so we went back to the hotel bar, where we sat around laughing, telling stories, and drinks Caesars (only in ND - love it!). At 1:00, we called it a night. Sunday morning, most of us went out for a yummy brunch before we all went our separate ways.

I got two new pictures with Kristen, which we definitely needed, seeing that our last picture taken together just us is more than two years old.

It was a great weekend and I am so glad I was able to attend. I am very excited to stand up as a bridesmaid for Kristen at her wedding in less than two months!!