Bits & Pieces

I'm Not The Only One

2012-01-25T22:31:00.002-07:00

Hillary is catching "heat" for her headband. See, it's not just me thinking this way!

Someone Help Hillary

2012-01-24T22:13:00.001-07:00

Headbands did not work for you in the 90s

and they still aren't working for you now.

She looked really, really bad tonight on the State of the Union, in my opinion. Bad enough that even my brother was inspired to text me a "what's up with Hillary's look" message. Someone please help her destroy the headbands! Let's go back to some looks that made you appear powerful and in charge.

Spring Fever

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Source: anthropologie.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: shopbop.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: anthropologie.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: maxandchloe.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Spring Fashion on Pinterest

H&M Home

2012-01-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hearing about H&M Home for the first time today, and immediately being disappointed to learn they don't ship or have stores in the US (yet!), I still had to share some of these great finds!

2 Pack Guest Towels

Storage Basket

Pillow Cover

Pillow Cases

Linen Ruffle Throw

Linen Blue Stripe Throw

Table Runner

Textile Bag (i.e. Gift Wrapping!)

Golden Globe Dresses

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

I actually disliked most of the red carpet fashions. Never disappointing, and always a stand out winner in my book, is Reese.

Radiant as ever.

Stacy Keibler was also a winner in my book. Must be the year of red.

I can't even say I remotely liked anything else I saw. Here's to hoping the Oscar's will bring out some better looks!

Quick Little Getaway

2012-01-15T14:57:00.001-07:00

Friday morning I decided to head to Scottsdale Saturday morning... Saturday and Sunday for a quick little weekend of relaxation before I have to attend to some last minute business on Monday and Tuesday. Making my decision that much easier was that Brian was leaving Saturday morning for Scottsdale as well! We never get to be in the same place at the same time for work. So, luck would have it that I've been staying with him at the Arizona Biltmore.

I thought I might be soaking in some sunshine, as the forecase was 70s and sunny, but it's mysteriously disappeared since we had lunch on Saturday. Thankfully at the last minute I packed some black yoga pants and my new blue Patagonia pullover (thanks Mom and Dad S!)... I'm sitting fireside right now bundled up in both of them. I've worked my way through 4 magazines, just purchased a 5th, and I'm half-way through my Steve Jobs book. Which, by the way, I find incredibly fascinating.

We were able to have dinner with Brian's Aunt and Uncle last night which is always a great treat. We love spending time with them and certainly love the fact that they're now part-time residents here in Arizona and it's much warmer and sunnier (typically!) here than it is in Chicago. Looking forward to future visits!

Upon research and recommendation, we had dinner at Blanco, which is apart of the Fox Restaurant Concepts. We have NoRth in Denver and love it, especially for happy hour, and hope that they'll bring a Blanco to town soon.

Since I'm technically here "hiding," as Brian is not allowed to have anyone stay in his hotel room while he's working, we've done the whole "walk 10 paces behind me" song and dance and there's certainly no fireside cocktails being consumed in the evening- at least not by him. He's also not allowed to drink at the hotel he is working at. Geez o petes, right? I am going to take a look at 2 hotels and 4 restaurants Monday and Tuesday, but for now I'm also stranded without a rental car. It's been a great way to force myself to relax, actually, so no complaints here.

Back to Colorado on Wednesday...

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Get your hands on the Amy Winehouse version of the above (from the Lioness album), it's fantastic- so soulful! Introduced by my friend Suzanne, I immediately came home and downloaded it from iTunes. A really great cover that I've (of course) been playing non-stop, exactly what I do with all new music that I find and love. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

I've also been listening to honeyhoney non-stop as well. Both the Billy Jack and First Rodeo CDs. Equally great. The band is friends of a friend and we saw them live in Denver in November. I bought one CD there and received the other for Christmas. They're on 24/7 now and I'm learning all the words, which is exactly what I aim to do when I am in my "repeat, repeat, repeat" routine of listening to current favorite music. Drives Brian nuts.

What else is in steady rotation for me at the moment? Well, just in case you have any care at all, I'll tell you. Rihanna- We Found Love, Josh Krajcik- Hallelujah and At Last Live Performances from XFactor, Melanie Amaro- Listen Live Performance from XFactor, Mestizo- Sweet Madeline, Coldplay- Fix You, Florence + The Machine- Ceremonials Album, Pitbull- Give Me Everything, Cobra Starship- You Make Me Feel, Lady Antebellum- Dancin' Away With My Heart, Lionel Ritchie- All Night Long, and Jason Mraz- I Won't Give Up. Quite the mix, yes?

Our Holidays Were Fantastic!

2012-01-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet Ries while being "dog-sat" by her "Grandma."

Family party night with my brother and Brian.

Dad and Amy. Nice shirt (and shorts) Dad!

Mom and Grandma with a calendar Grandma made Mom full of old photos. Such a great gift!

Mom and John

Mom and I

Uncle Loren, Brian, myself, Dave, Mom S, Grandma S, Dad S- Dinner in the Quad Cities.

With Brian's family on Christmas.

Grandma was very good this year, as evidenced by her pile!

We truly had a fantastic time with our families over the holidays, as we always do. Plenty of eating, drinking, laughter, stories, and memories made! We are so fortunate to be able to see everyone during the holidays, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Sparkles

2012-01-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

I was feeling a little crafty while in Michigan so, inspired by Pinterest and some blogs, I decided to embark upon a little project. Of course, now I cannot find the original image I was going to show with the project inspiration, but oh well. It's not that earth-shattering.

I'm not sure how long the glitter will last on the mini-clothespins, but they sure made for some fun gifts that I shared with my friends yesterday. I'm sure their offices will be dusted in glitter in the weeks to come- oh what fun!

All Wrapped Up

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Girls night tonight with some of my favorite gals. I've missed them so much! Going to be a fun evening catching up over the last few months, exchanging gifts, and of course consuming some vino. I'm all wrapped up and ready to go... can't wait to deliver the goodies!

World Market Furniture Sale

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I stopped into Cost Plus World Market last night, just to browse around because I was in the area. Oh my! What a furniture sale! Apparently it's running until January 29 as well. I walked in and could have easily scooped up half a dozen things. I only walked away with one item, and sadly I think it has to go back because it's too short for my desk. Of course it's not on-line so here's the grainy camera phone photo.

My other top picks were...

Lindley Sofa

Aiden Coffee Table

Preston 5-Drawer Table

Tribal Carved Wood Accent Table

Plus the pillows, accessories, kitchen and bathroom linens, etc. It was a rare occurrence to walk through World Market and like so many things- including a scarf and a necklace that I snatched up for a steal.

I think it was all of the bright, spring colors. The blues, greens, yellows, corals. Fresh crisp linens. I'm over winter already and it's only early January. Oh boy.

Gray and Yellow Herringbone Toss Pillow

"I Love You" Wood Block - I might have to return to pick this up. It reminds me of letterpress blocks used in the pressing machines.

Yellow/White Parnavi Towel Collection

Red Basic Ceramic Floral Knob, Set of 4

Small Nomad Glass Tray

Multi-colored Crocus Napkin

As a bonus I even stumbled upon this Christmas runner for next year, at only $6.25!

Yuletide Trees Table Runner

Sophia Grace & Rosie

2012-01-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

I think these little girls are the cutest thing ever and I find this "Sack of Potatoes" video clip to be absolutely HILARIOUS. Brian just does not understand why I find it to be so funny. Come on...sack of potatoes and teeny weenie mouse, in their British accents! Fast forward to the 1 minute mark where it gets good.

Red Carpet video here. Super Bass here. Love them!

My Kind of Town, Chicago Is...

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

We spent two nights in Chicago for New Year's Eve weekend. Fun-filled days of eating (always lots of that in Chicago, it seems!), friends, shopping, and lots of walking and people watching. We've been to Chicago so many times and it always amazes me that we continue to find new things to do and see (and places to eat). This time around we were staying on Michigan Avenue and had a good central location to where we spent most of our time - Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and River North. We didn't even venture south of the river during our visit, which is somewhat unusual as we typically walk in the park or at least down State Street.

We I shopped.

J.Crew

West Elm

And also browsed Jayson Home & Garden, a place that I had heard so much about from bloggers and have wanted to see for myself. Picture a crazy expensive version of everything furniture wise that you see in an Anthropologie. Fun window shopping but so beyond any budget I would ever have. At least I can say I've been there now to see it.

We dined at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, a Chicago trip staple in our books, discovered a favorite new brunch place called Feast, had Saturday afternoon margaritas at Uncle Julio's, and finally New Year's Eve drinks at Sable and dinner at Volare. We capped off the last few minutes of 2011 with drinks at The Peninsula hotel bar. We parted from our friends shortly thereafter and Brian and I enjoyed our hotel's band and one last cocktail before calling it a night at 1 am. It was yet again another great evening- our 5th year with the same friends!

Sable Bar

We're en route to Colorado now, 12 long hours in the car today. We have had a fantastic holidays with our families, but I am looking forward to heading home for the first time since November 12. My own bed, a Saturday afternoon manicure at my little place Ten20, a post-holidays get together with girlfriends on Friday night, Pilates class, and just home in general. It's been so long. Oh, and the mere thought of 60 degrees for several days this week too- bonus!

Happy 2012!

Merry, Merry!

2011-12-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hope that you all have a ridiculously amazing Christmas!! Just not as ridiculous as the guy in the below funny video. Enjoy the magic of the season.

Wishing for White, Fluffy Flakes!

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's "unseasonably warm," 40s and 50s and miserable rain, here in Michigan. Bring on the snow, it's CHRISTMAS TIME!!

Snow in Boulder, CO on October 25, 2011

A few more fun holiday shots from my recent work trip to New York. A rare occasion where I had a bit more time to play!

Rockefeller Center Tree

Plaza Hotel Pink Tree

Macy's Herald Square

Macy's Herald Square Holiday Window

A Big If

2011-12-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

I can't help but already be excited about the anticipation that we might be going to Spain the first week of April! It's a big "if" right now, hinging on finding out February 1 if Brian gets this two week Spain program for work. But, given who the client is, history, etc. it's more likely than not that he will. And I'm running with that glimmer of hope right now, let me tell you!

Cue Amanda going into full blown dreaming/hypothetical planning/researching for the big "if." While talking with Brian over Skype last night (he's in Costa Rica, lucky!), we were simultaneously looking at flights for me and I was weighing the pros and cons of paying a few hundred dollars more to earn all of the miles on my preferred carrier, United. While I was also noticing that the round trip flight was only 60,000 award miles (low!), Brian casually mentions that he has 120,000 airline miles banked on United. What?! He so nicely mentions that he was already thinking of using those for me. This, ladies and gentlemen, means Brian really wants to vacation in Spain.

I'm a dreamer when it comes to travel. I'll throw out, " we should go to Europe" at least several times a year and he's the realist of a) cost, b) cost, and c) cost. Not so much this time around, it's different. I don't think he even questioned or thought twice when I mentioned me coming over and us doing a week. Not so much the case when my eyes wandered the map to other parts of Europe I'm longing to visit... France, Switzerland, England, Germany, etc., etc. etc. He quickly shut down my wistful "how many days could I really take off and where else could we go" inquiry.

Now we just sit and ~~plan, plan, plan~~ wait. February 1. Decision Day. Cross your fingers (and bring on the recommendations)!

All That Glitters Is Indeed Gold!

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Although I'm working a full week, I'm most certainly on the downslope and it feels GREAT! Wrapping up projects, meeting year-end deadlines, and shutting down for a good two weeks off is excellent.

I certainly will not be putting in one hour over 40 this week, freeing up my evenings for some crafty gifts I am making for a girlfriends gift exchange, baking cookies and cupcakes, shopping with Mom, wrapping, and listening to as much Christmas music as I can possibly stand. Tis the season and I plan to fully enjoy every minute of it!

Since the gifts have not yet been swapped I can't share the project details, but I finally found a use for those brilliant Martha Stewart bottles of glitter I so often admire in the aisles of Michael's. Trust me when I say it is just as fabulous as I thought it would be. I don't think I've "glittered" anything since Elementary school and glitter's come long way, baby!

If you don't have any crafts to sparkle up, Sephora's OPI Keep Me On My Mistletoes is my holiday polish of choice after reading about it here. So festive and fun, I'll be wearing it all season long. It's actually not a glitter and more of a metallic with a subtle shimmer. Had a manicure at the end of my program last week and my co-worker and I both walked out with festive fingers.

Put a little gold in your life this holiday season- glitter it up and thank me!

Hello Bright & Sunny!

2011-12-12T14:30:00.001-07:00

Gray and Yellow. A favorite color combo and quite possibly the most "trendy" over done combo out there right now. Oh well, I still love it all the same. Some tweaking to be done here but given my basic HTML knowledge and understanding of graphics and layout, this is what's here to stay for awhile.

Ribbon Lights

2011-12-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Inspired by these, I whipped up a set of "Ribbon Lights" tonight in about an hour. I was feeling a little crafty!

Source: Uploaded by user via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: hayseedhomemakin.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I bought ivory tulle on a spool, gold, silver, ivory, and another type of gold ribbon from Michael's. I cut them into about 6" lengths and simply tied up the entire string of white lights. They are very fairytale-esque and emit a cozy glow. Looking forward to adding these to my holiday decor next year or perhaps even stringing up on a wall in the bedroom somehow. They are hard to photograph, so this is the best I could get.

The Best I Have (For Now)

2011-12-07T15:37:00.004-07:00

Weeks of travel, sprinkled with family visits, work, not being able to access Blogger.com for several days, etc., and this is the best I have. A little "Christmas Questionnaire" I found on another blogger's website. That and a picture of me and a friend at Rockefeller Center the night of the tree lighting. We had a personal NYPD escort right up to the tree and it was amazing.

I am looking forward to my last program of the year coming to an end on Friday, a shimmery gold holiday manicure, many hours of sleep, 6 1/2 more days of work this year (not that I'm counting or anything), family parties, New Years in Chicago, and enjoying CHRISTMAS!

What's your favorite Christmas cartoon?

Rudolph!

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Elf and The Holiday.

What's your favorite Christmas song?

So hard to pick just one! If you know me, you know I'm just waiting until the day after Halloween to play Christmas music. Not the day after Thanksgiving, the day after Halloween! I really like this random piano CD of Christmas songs I bought at Target several years ago. I also love Silent Night... one of my favorites.

Where do you spend Christmas?

A week with family in Michigan and a week with family in the Quad Cities. A flight on Christmas morning as well, likely the only day of the year I am a cheerful traveler!

Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Both, actually. My family has always done the majority of our gift opening on Christmas Eve, so it worked out nicely that we're able to travel to Brian's family on Christmas Day for celebration there as well. We travel to 3 houses plus my Mom's and my Dad's on Christmas Eve, which some people think sounds crazy but it's what we've ALWAYS done. Tradition!

Do you have stockings?

We have them but typically only use them as decor. Although, last year Brian actually hid a present in one for me. A present in a "very small box"... not sure if that was meant to be a funny joke but it wasn't! They were lovely earrings that I wear all of the time though! :)

Which reindeer is your favorite?

Rudolph, of course.

How are you at wrapping presents?

I absolutely LOVE wrapping presents. I wish I was able to put more time into putting together some of the creative wrapping ideas I see on other blogs but given the fact that we either travel with gifts or buy gifts when we arrive, there isn't much opportunity for that. I like to stick with a color theme in my wrapping and the more bows, ribbons, embellishments, and pretty tags, the better!

Do you go out shopping the day after Christmas?

Absolutely not.

Do you buy a Christmas dress/outfit every year?

Yes, we always had a new Christmas outfit growing up and I tend to still dress up for the holidays. I bought a dress a few months ago that I designated my "Christmas dress" although I've worn it for a few work events given my limited suitcase space situation.

Hot Chocolate, Apple Cider, or Egg Nog?

Hot Apple Cider.

Gingerbread man or frosted sugar cookie?

Frosted sugar cookie that I make at home. I love decorating cookies! Chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorites to make too and admittedly I like eating the dough and a a warm cookie more than anything. Once they're a day old, I'm pretty much over them.

Real tree or fake tree?

Fake tree. We've never had a real tree, at least not that I can remember.

Put up your own lights or drive around and look at other people's lights?

Well, if I had it my way we'd deck the house all out but it seems silly since we're not home much. And a funny thing, people in Colorado just don't decorate like I think they do back in the Midwest. There's not much to drive and see. Someday, we'll host Christmas in Colorado and have everyone come to us! THEN, I'll deck the halls!

Honestly not sure if I'll be posting much of anything before the holidays. I'd like to be as "computer free" as possible while I'm off. So, perhaps this could be MERRY CHRISTMAS from me!

November 14 = Five. Years.

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, count it, F-I-V-E. Although unfortunately I cannot be home with Brian to celebrate tonight (darn you work, and ORLANDO of all places), I look forward to celebrating with him soon! I'll say, 5 years really feels like yesterday. It's a true "love at second sight" (yes, apparently we didn't really see anything in each other at the first meeting) story, and it's been an awesome, awesome five years together. Lots of great memories, funny stories, and good times. I could likely go on and on, but I'll spare you all of that.

Just going through pictures to try and pick out some for below, what really hit a spot with me was how much traveling we've done. And really, it hasn't been anything exotic or amazing (i.e. Europe or other far off places - those are on the list though!), but as I opened my folders titled for different cities across the country I realized how special it is that we could share in all of those things together.

September 2006
The night we met. For the second time. Apparently the second time's the charm for us. I don't know if I've ever really shared the story, so I will because it's a little funny and good to think back on. Brian does not really remember eating lunch with me (in a group) for about a week the first time we met on a program in July 2006. All he remembers is that he walked into a work room (aka a meeting room at a hotel that serves as our "war zone" when on-site for a corporate event) and I was using his internet and printer lines- and he had work to do! I have to admit, I didn't bat an eye at him either. Absolutely no interest. I was new at my job, on our largest program to date, and clearly was entirely focused on impressing my VP who was on-site! Priorities, people!

When we met again on "pre-cruise" days in Fort Lauderdale, I must have made a better impression (or something)! After a client dinner, he, another co-worker, and I met up to hit the local German Beer Bar (where I tried beer- again, must have been trying to impress!) and then Howl at the Moon piano bar- to this day, my favorite type of entertainment. We then proceeded to spend 2 weeks at sea, hiding our new found attraction from our co-workers (the hiding from co-workers continued on for another year as well!). Talk about getting to know someone. You try being at sea where there's no escape and you don't really have any choice but to talk. I distinctly remember a call to my best friend Amy (which cost me $50 due to being on a ship!) and telling her I had met the most amazing guy. Brian was in charge of room gifts so he had the "hook up" with the state room attendants and on the last night of the cruise he had a card delivered to my stateroom "officially" inviting me on a date when we docked back in Fort Lauderdale. Cue the Awwwws. For some reason, he was one of the staff slated to stay an extra day (I think to wrap up post-program shipping or something) and I had long ago booked a personal day for relaxation at the beach. Fate, I tell ya! On our day in Fort Lauderdale, before heading to our separate homes I had already booked my ticket to meet him in Chicago the following weekend.

I could go on and on and on about the whirlwind of a first year, and perhaps I will someday, but it involved a ton of meeting in the middle every two weeks and having the time of our lives. There are a lot of great stories in there (including me taking a bus through an ice storm from Detroit to Chicago- what was I thinking!?).

2007
Chicago. We spent so much time there, flying back and forth meeting to spend long weekends together. Lots of great memories in Chicago. On this particular visit we were with three of my friends for a long weekend of sightseeing- The Bean, Giordano's Pizza, Howl at the Moon, and much more. This happened to be the weekend where I also took the bus through the ice storm and arrived in Chicago at 2am!

2008
Should otherwise be known as the year where apparently this is the only semi-decent picture of us and I don't even like it very much. This was Brian's birthday.

2009
Living in and loving every minute of beautiful Colorado! As much as I sometimes beg and plead to move to Chicago, I wake up the next morning, drive down the road, and am still amazed by the beauty of this place we call home. I'm not quite sure I'm ready, or ever really will be, to give it up. We are so, so lucky to live here.

2010
Attending the wedding of some very dear friends in Colorado. This weekend brought together some of our very best friends from across the country. Friends from the company that we were both working for when we met- it was fantastic!

2011
On this particular night we were out with friends, August of 2011. This has become a new favorite picture of mine as well.

So, here's to five years and to many, many, many more.

Eight.

Come Back Tomorrow

2011-11-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

A little bit of ours tomorrow, come on back.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2006 - Chicago

Woo! and Boo.

2011-11-04T23:52:00.000-06:00

Woo to...

-Holiday cups at Starbucks- Yeaaaahh! Tomorrow's weather will be a perfect opportunity to pick-up a hot chocolate in that cherry red cup that is a true sign of the holidays being upon us!

-Getting started on my packing for Nov 12 - January 2, 2012. Yeppers, two suitcases are all I get for that amount of time and the following locales/climates: Chicago, Detroit, NYC, Orlando, and Atlanta. Not too sure how I'm going to get it done but at least I've started.

-Dinner at Pasta Jay's last night as a final stop in the list of "restaurants we must eat at before we are gone for 2 months and won't have them."

-Brian loving the canvas print I had made for him of his California hike. He proceeded to hold it up above the bed and jokingly ask for my approval to hang it right there. Uhhh, no. I don't think so! Beautiful picture but not exactly what I had in mind for prime wall real estate in the bedroom.

-Happy hour with the girls on Monday! The LAST time I'll see them for the year. That part is sad.

-Painting my nails all kinds of fun colors, all of the time! And, a mani-pedi next week at Ten20.

-Ries getting a bath, hair cut, and nail trim tomorrow. Also, her new yellow Lands End jacket that will be coming soon, embroidered with her name. Spoiled little princess!

-Parenthood. The best show.

-Honeyhoney. The great concert I did not want to go to because I had too much work to do. So glad we went, I now love them!

-Brian actually wanting to go shopping last weekend and spending a few hours at the mall with him doing the purchasing of new clothes and not me, for once! He came back with new shoes that I love, khakis, socks, and 2 shirts. He proceeded to clear out some old shirts at home and announce he would like some new ones for Christmas. Yippee! I love shopping for him vs. just hitting "buy" for whatever is on his Amazon wish list.

-Packing my holiday candles as a necessity in my two suitcases. Girl has priorities.

-Going to Target this weekend and hoping the Christmas aisles are done, even if I don't have a reason to buy any decorations this year. I can still buy wrapping paper and transport it via car!

-Brian coming to MI with me for a few days instead of flying right back to Denver after Thanksgiving.

-Finding my perfume in the "roller ball" application type of bottle so I don't have to take my large bottle when I travel. I've been looking for awhile and finally found it at Ulta. Burberry Brit would be the scent and I love when fall rolls around and I can start using it again.

-Finally getting to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and ice rink. I've ALWAYS wanted to go to NYC during the holidays. This technically doesn't really "count," seeing as how I'll be working, but I'll find time to at least go see the tree. Maybe next year we can go for an actual vacation weekend.

-Reformer Pilates! Still loving it and possibly convincing Brian (whose ankle and knee are falling apart, so he says), that it would be good for him since he is not flexible and would like to be. Good stretching in Pilates.

Boo to...

-The weather lately. What. the. heck. 2 snows in October. Cold temps. Thank goodness at least it's sunny.

-Me accidentally cutting a hole in the thigh of a pair of dress pants while cutting out the pockets. Oops.

-Brian being gone until November 18.

-Possibly losing a tree from the first snow storm. Nursery says it likely will rot due to how the branch tore off and we might have to cut it down.

-My keyboard malfunctioning and not always doing the appropriate thing when you hit a key. I.e tab not working, shift sticking, etc. This might warrant an emergency trip to the office store tomorrow due to the fact that I likely have 80 hours of work ahead of me this week.

-The last sentence in the above paragraph. Enough said!

-Thinking about not being home for so long... I'll miss you Boulder, a whole lot!

-Lots of days off over the holidays and not having a list of movies that I want to rent. Seems like it was a bad year for movies. Now accepting suggestions.

-Realizing I'm going to have to buy books for the next few months since I won't be able to return books to the library if I'm not here. Unfortunate because I read a lot.

-Not getting the new bedroom curtains hung up before Brian left.

-Determining that I don't have any black or gray short sleeve blouses/dressier shirts to wear with cardigans for work. Apparently all I ever buy is sleeveless and long sleeve.

-Taking my car in to have the tires rotated before the cross country journey and finding out I need to replace two tires. Argh!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-30T10:46:00.000-06:00

We had a Halloween party to go to on Saturday, which actually turned into two parties to go to, and given our recent travel schedule we did not have costumes and weren't planning on wearing any. An 11th hour rally from Brian and we were at Target and the Halloween store about 90 minutes prior to the party starting. And here you have it, the final products.

The irony, if you don't know Brian, is that he HATES bananas. He calls them disgusting. So, it was quite funny for all of our friends, who know of his dislike, to see him walk in dressed as one. My costume was simply the wig, tights, hat, and black shoe covers. I wore my own black shirt and dress. Easy and fun. I'm so glad we decided to dress up and I've since determined that we must dress up every year and actually plan out really GOOD costumes. I have never dressed up for a party as an adult and we had a great time!

Happy Halloween!

Annual Shutterfly Book

2011-10-28T00:54:00.003-06:00

Shutterfly has this new (at least to me) completely custom photo book builder which is fantastic in that you have total creative control. It's also daunting because I worked on getting a cover (minus a picture so far) plus only 2 pages in the last 90 minutes. Argh! I make one of these annually and I have to say this one will likely take me the longest amount of time just because there are so many options. Good way to pass the time though, and I am really looking forward to seeing the final printed product!

Click here to view this photo book larger

The new way to make a photo album: photo books by Shutterfly.