It's Christmas Time......

I love Christmas! I didn't take advantage of the nice weather to get my lights put up outside, and I slowly got our Christmas tree up and decorated. I'm slowly adding things to our tree, I'd like to get a few more ornaments on here next year -- different kind of ornaments, not just plain bulbs. Our colors on our tree are purple and silver -- Purple is the only color that Nick and I agree on. So I bought some purple-velvety ribbon the other day and hopefully get a bow made for the top and possibly wrap some of that ribbon around the tree (I think I bought enough) next year. It's a work in progress I guess.....

I absolutely love our nativity set!!

New Technology

Nick and I purchased new phones this past weekend -- our contract was up so we needed to re-sign up for one and Nick was in desperate need of a new cell phone and I've been wanting a more text-friendly cell phone. Nick got an LG Rythm which has an mp3 player and lets face it anything is better than was he used to have! I decided on a Blackberry since they had gone down in price that same day, I thought "what the heck!". It took me a little while to get used to it and get it set up the way I want with ringers, contacts, and my icons where I want them, but I think I have it figure out. And as of now.......I'm addicted to my Blackberry!!!!

Flashback to my youth......

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 will forever be marked in my calendar as the day I finally saw the New Kids On The Block live in concert (cheesy I know). But to be honest, it was one of the best concerts I've been too. I've been to many concerts and I think that the best ones, are the ones that you are singing right along with the artist to every song! I've been to 3 concerts like that and now a fourth.

I left Wayne with my friend Nikki and her sister around 4:45 (concert starts at 8). First objective once we got to the Qwest Center (after the bathroom of course) buy myself a T-shirt! I was really surprised to see how many fans (wide variety of ages), wore old New Kids t-shirts. I even saw a couple girls with banana clips and their jeans tucked and rolled (oh god, did we really used to do that?!?!?). I waited in line for about 10 minutes to get my t-shirt and walked quickly to the gates (thank god they were allowing cameras!), ran into the bathroom to put on my new digs and found my seat -- Row 29 on the floor (I wouldn't have settled for anything further away!!). I had purchased tickets for my friends in Des Moines, so they were already there -- in their old school t-shirts!! AWESOME!!! Here we are before the show -- Karla, Kara & I.

Concert started right on time at 8 p.m. with the first opening act -- Lady Gaga. Wasn't too impressed with her, she was kinda weird, but whatever. The second act was Natasha Bedingfield who I was very familiar with and liked her music. She was even better live! She played until 8:45 and said that there would be a 20 minute intermission until the boys came on stage. At 9:05 the lights go down and the screaming begins....LOUD screaming....you could definitely tell the majority of the crowd were women!! They came on stage and they looked just like they used to, but a bit older of course. All still very good looking and they still can dance and sing the way I remember them.

They started off their show with a newer song from their new CD "The Block" (which I listen to a lot!) but the majority of the music was their old stuff, which I was surprised I still new the words. About half way through their show in between songs the lights went down and the next thing we knew they were on a round platform right behind us!! It just couldn't get any better!!

It's hard to pick just a couple pictures, I took about a hundred!! If you're interested in seeing all of them you can see them on my shutterfly. I also took 2 videos, one of them singing "The Right Stuff" and another singing "Tonight" when they were in the middle behind us -- that one is a little more fun because I got them talking before hand.

I was sad when they finally had to end their show...they came out with a 2 song encore with "Hangin' Tough" being their last and final song. When the lights came on all 3 of us said that was one of the best concerts EVER!!! And we were talking about it all the way home and I STILL have their songs in my head!! I think I will always be a New Kids On The Block fan!!! Along with about a million other 30-something women!!

Keeping Warm.....

Wow, 3 post in one day -- I'm on a role!!

I left work and walked outside in the dark to find it raining/sleeting. It's definetely winter outside. I'm waiting for Nick to come home from a meeting and then my plan for the evening is to lounge out on my couch and watch my Monday night TV. I've got a crock-pot full of Chili that's been bubbling away all day, I've slipped on my Taz Slippers to help me keep warm, now all I need is my blankie!

Weekend Getaway.....

We ventured on a little Road trip to Iowa Friday afternoon. Our first stop was in West Des Moines to the Jordan Creek area. We stayed a really nice, I think fairly new Holiday Inn, our room was Ginormous!! There was a Johnny's Steakhouse in the hotel and with our stay we received 2 complimentary drink tickets (um, hello of course we're eating there) It was so good!! After dinner we drove around a bit (tried not to get lost) and ended up at a movie theater where we saw "Eagle Eye" -- great movie!!

Saturday we drove up and over to Waterloo/Cedar Falls and met up with a classmate of mine and Nick's really good friend Stephanie. Her and her husband, Jom, just had a baby girl the end of August -- Olive. She is super cute!! It was also the weekend of Steph's 30th birthday and Jom had a plan to surprise her at this local bar that they hang out at. First was dinner with another couple Bambi & Jeremy. Jeremy was in Wayne while Steph and I were in High School, but he left before our Junior Year. We ate at this really awesome Japanese Steakhouse where they prepare the food on a flat grill in front of you...it was really fun and the food was excellent!

The rest of the night was spent at the bar, catching up, drinking and meeting new people. We had a blast! It was a nice getaway from work, Wayne, and adult duties!! :)
Thanks guys for a great weekend and we'll be out there again sometime soon!!

Bambi, Jeremy, Jom, Stephanie, Nick and I

Getting My Rock On....

Thursday night Nick and I attended a Metallica concert. We saw them 4 years ago for the first time and so when Nick found out they were coming back, he was there! Now...I'm all up for concert going but for some reason I just wasn't as excited to see this concert as I am to see New Kids On The Block this coming Wednesday (a blog post to come!!) I like Metallica and all, maybe I just wasn't in the "rocker" mood...But I went.

The first two band were a little hard core -- I don't even remember their band names, I do remember that the second band consisted of two former Pantera band members (from what Nick told me). The first band was all yelling, and I couldn't make out the lyrics...the second band was okay, still a lot of yelling and dropping of the f-bomb by the lead singer -- every 3rd word mind you.

Metallica finally got on state about 8:30 or so with a good stage presence of lasers and pyro. They sang 2 or 3 of their new songs but mostly their old stuff, which most of them I knew, so I was pretty pleased. They sang my two favorite songs "Nothing Else Matters" and "One". I have to admit that I did enjoy them and I threw up my Devil Horns during one of the songs. Maybe it was just the second-hand pot smoking that was going on infront of us that got me in the Metallica mode. I was not too please with getting pelted on the head with soda from the upper deck (at least that's what I hope it was) and all the drunk people that had to stand behind us in the handicap section instead of attempting to find their seat -- which they paid money for, but whatever. And everytime we attend a concert there is ALWAYS a line of people at the elevator and 3/4 of them are able body people and can walk down the stairs -- instead they are too drunk and stupid to try, so we are usually waiting at the elevator for at least 30 minutes before we actually step foot on one (at this point Nick is complaining). We were finally out of the parking lot at Midnight and to our cousins house by 12:30 and by the morning, we still didn't have our hearing back!!

Zoo Fun.....

Nick and I woke up at 6:30 am to hit the road for Omaha on Saturday to go to Henry Doorly Zoo. We got there right before they opened the gates at 9:30 am, which is always nice because it's not so crowded yet, and the weather on Saturday was just perfect, not too hot, and just enough breeze to keep it nice and cool.

This was the first time this year we've gone, so I had been anxious to go, I LOVE the zoo!!! I was even more anxious this year because they just opened the Butterfly Pavilion and I LOVE butterflies!! This exhibit has to be one of my favorites -- besides the Aquarium (I can't resist the penguins!). The butterflies just flutter around you and just too cool for words!

If anyone has been to the Henry Doorly Zoo you have to know that it is full of hills! This is okay for some people, but since 90% of the people that attend the zoo are either pushing strollers or pulling wagons -- in my case, pushing a wheelchair, it can get very tiring, very fast! But this time was different -- we recently inherited a motorized wheelchair from Nick's aunt LaRene (Thanks Rene!). This came in really handy for our zoo trip, no pushing Nick up steep hills and Nick had more freedom to roam around. He was a little hesitant going into some of the exhibits, only because he wasn't quite used to this new chair and it's got some speed! (he about ran me over a couple times!)

I think if we lived in Omaha or were closer than 2 hours I'd probably go to the zoo every weekend!! Here are a few pictures, I couldn't post ALL of them, but you can check the rest out on our Shutterfly.

Nick's new ride!

The Desert Dome

One of the many butterflies

This one was nice enough to pose for me!

Long Time No See.....

It's been a LONG time since my last post -- Sadly not too many
things have happened -- I lead a very boring life!!!!

One exciting thing that happened -- Marisa came home for a week and a half for a visit from Taiwan at the end of July. We had a great time catching up with her and I think she had a good time home, but was ready to go back to what she's been used too the last year!

Nick and I FINALLY bought a new car!!!

After months and months of looking and getting shot down with cars we finally found and bought a 2008 Chevy Impala. This car will mainly be Nick's, but I'll get my share of driving it!! :) We are in the process of getting a wheelchair topper for the roof of the car and hand controls. The topper is an enclosed case that will hold Nick's wheelchair, so he is able to drive a 4 door car. This is definitely an upgrade from what Nick was driving (an 1989 Buick LeSabre) and has a TON of room to travel with instead of my little Chevy Cavalier! I'll make sure to post before and after pictures once it's all finished!

I turned 29 the end of August.....celebrated with my friends with dinner and a movie, it was nice and low-key. Next year I'll celebrate with a BIG PARTY!!!
(mark your calendars for Aug. 29, 2009)

Flowers Make Me Smile.....

My flowers are looking exceptionally good this year! (Thanks mom for making me go buy some memorial weekend). I love the colors of purple and yellow together, and pink is a happy color! Hopefully I can keep them looking this good throughout the summer!

Summertime....

Summertime is here! The days are getting hotter, the fireflies are out, crickets are chirping, watermelon is in season and the fireworks are going off!!

Tag Your It....

I was tagged by Jenn.
Looks fun, so I thought I'd try it.

My joys:
*My family
*My Friends
*My Family & Friends

My fears:
*Loosing someone I love
*Dying before I experience everything on my list!
*Big Dogs

My goals:
*Have Children
*Keeping my friendship and love for everyone in my life
*To travel new and exciting places

My current obsessions/collections:
*Scrapbooking - being creative
*Pictures & taking pictures
*Concerts - Music
*The Internet - staying connected with family & friends

Random surprising facts about me:
*I'm obsessed with reality TV
*I have Four Tattoos, but I'm too chicken to get my ears pierced
*I sleep with ear plugs

And so now I tag...

Nicholas -- Because even after 10 years, I'm always learning new things about you!
Marisa -- I'm always anxious to hear what is going on with you and even though you're miles and miles away I think about you every day!!
Scott -- Because even though we aren't related by blood, you will always be my Big Brother!

...you're it!

Road Trippin' to the Windy City

1,362 miles + $120 in Gas + $6.65 in Tolls = One Awesome Vacation!

We LOVE Chicago! We hadn't been to Chicago for a couple years so it was long over due. This is the one city that I could go visit every year and not get sick of it. I don't know why I love it, I just do!!

Day 1: Our road trip started Wednesday around 9:30 am with a drive to Grinnell Iowa for our first stop to visit some close friends of the family. Scott, my 'adopted brother' and Jenn, who has been in our family since they were going to school at WSC, we figured it had been 14 years that we have known them. They grilled pork chops for us and introduced us to The Dairy Barn for some ice cream. It was great to see them and to play with the girls and I wish we had more time to catch up.

Day 2: We spent Thursday driving to Ottawa Illinois with a couple stops along the way. We drove in and around the Amana Colonies. Which was a beautiful drive, but got interupted by some flooding, so we couldn't drive all the way around them. We also made a pit stop at the World's Largest Truck Stop for a snack. Our second night was in Ottawa to see one of my best friends, Heather and her family. We went out to eat at this really good Cajun restaurant, called the Cajun Connection. This place was out in the middle of nowhere, but awesome! They had everything on the menu from Fried Gator, Gumbo, Fried Crawfish, everything! I had a Fried Gator Po-Boy Sandwich that was awesome!!! (Thanks Curt for taking us there!). After dinner we drove around Ottawa and then later in the evening Heather and I went out for a drink and caught up with things going on.

Day 3: Friday we met up with Heather again to we drove up to Starved Rock State Park. A beautiful drive and lots of scenery to look at. Then it was off to The Windy City!!! Got to Wheaton about 12:30 to Nick's Aunt's house -- Dee and Becky, Nick's cousin. We just chilled out for awhile, watched a baseball game and went out for pizza that evening. MAN, this is what I have been waiting for!!! Giordano's STUFFED PIZZA!!! Even better than the last time I remember!!! There's something about Chicago pizza that just puts Pizza Hut or Godfather's to shame!! My mouth is watering as I'm typing!!!!

Saturday we spent the day in the city. We went to Millennium Park, saw 'the bean' and played in the Crown Fountain -- that was so fun!! Then we went to Navy Pier for a few hours and got some food!!

Sunday was spent at Wrigley Field for the baseball game -- The Crosstown Classic. The Cubs vs the White Sox. Nick is a huge White Sox fan so we were really excited to see this game. Although....the Cubs swept the Sox so it wasn't that much fun!! But we got to see Wrigley Field.

Monday was spent driving, driving and more driving. We left Wheaton at 8 a.m. and got home about 5:30 p.m. So we made great time, but we were both exhausted. All in all it was a fantastic trip and we both can't wait to go back!!! If you want to see ALL the pictures we took you can check them out on my Shutterfly site. Enjoy the summer!

Ma'am....

Ma'am: noun, Used as a form of polite address for a woman.

I hate this word!! I rented movies last night and I got called "Ma'am" 5 times when I was checking out. Now I can see being called "Ma'am" if you're in your 50's or something (sorry mom!), it just sounds like a word for older women.....but I'm only 28!! It just gets kind of annoying and what makes it even more annoying is when the person that is calling you "Ma'am" is just about the same age and yourself. So why can't they use a more younger sounding term, like "Miss"??? "Miss" doesn't make me feel like an old hag. I guess I'll never figure it out.....

Chicago vs. Chicago......

On Wednesday, June 18th, Nick and I are driving across Iowa and most of Illinois to Chicago! Well, Wheaton, a suburb of Chicago. Have baseball tickets to see the Chicago White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 22nd at 7:05 p.m. (they play Friday, Saturday & Sunday) Of course we are hoping for the White Sox to win all three games, but mostly to win Sunday night. Both teams right now are in the top of their division so it could be a good game!!
The plan as of now is to take off sometime Wednesday morning and just take our time getting to Wheaton. We'll make our first stop in Des Moines around lunch time for a couple hours to visit with a friend I used to work with and who used to live in Wayne. Then we'll travel another hour or so East to Grinnell, IA and stop and see my "adopted brother" Scott and his family. This will be our first overnight stop. Hopefully with some good catching up chit chat, playing with his girls and maybe some Guitar Hero?!?!?

Thursday we'll get up (not too early) and get back on the road and head to Ottawa, IL (with a few stops along the way). Ottawa will another overnight stop and we'll be visiting one of my best friends, Heather and her family. This stop will be over faster than I'd like it to be!!

Friday we'll head to Wheaton and spend the next two days touring Chicago. We've been to Chicago many times and have seen quite a bit of the city, but the two things that we have not seen and I've always wanted to, is Millennium Park and Navy Pier. Those two things are a must!! Otherwise we'll spend most of those days relaxing and taking it easy. Sunday night is the baseball game and hopefully it won't go into extra innings because we'll be getting up bright & early to hit the road for the long 9 hour drive home!!

Tons of pictures to follow!!!! Wish us luck!

Little Discoveries.....

I woke up Sunday morning and went to open our front windows and noticed this little Robin's Egg sitting on our railing of our front porch. It's perfect, not cracked that I could tell. I didn't want to mess with it too much and I couldn't find a nest anywhere. I guess the momma just decided this was a good place for her egg.

The calm before the storm.....

This was the view from my parents back yard Saturday (June 7, 2008) evening before we got hit with some rain and lots of thunder & lightening. This was too beautiful not to capture!

Something new.....

So as you can see, I've changed my blog a little....new name....new look. Thought it was time for a change.

He Did Good.......

Nick and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary yesterday. Nothing too exciting, just dinner downtown with our parents, which was nice! We did a day in Omaha the day before with lunch and movies.

Check out the awesome flowers Nick sent me at work.
He did good.....Thanks Honey!!
(I just wish they stayed like this forever!!)

Movie Mania....

Because it's a 3-day weekend and the weather outside is not so perfect (rainy and very windy) I rented a few movies. So....that's what we'll be doing this weekend (along with the occasional load of laundry and a few dishes).

We're hoping the weather is nice enough sometime this weekend to go to the cemetery to say hello to a couple relatives. Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day and gets to do some fun things!!

New Toy....

This is our new camera. I've been wanting to get a new one for the longest time (it's an anniversary present for the both of us). It's a Kodak EasyShare Z1285. It's a high definition 12.1-megapixel with a 5x optical zoom. I haven't had much time to experiment with it yet because the weather outside is not co-operating with me this weekend. But from the messing that I have done I think I'm going to enjoy this camera a lot!

Coloring....

Coloring is one of my most favorite things I like to do. I don't usually color unless I'm coloring with someone -- Usually between the ages of 2 and 5. But on occasion I will get out my coloring books and crayons our and do a little coloring.

But, coloring takes practice....

and TOTAL concentration!

Childhood Friends

A couple weekends ago Nick and I drove down to Omaha to meet up with my friend Kelsey and her husband, Simon. It had been 5 years since we'd seen each other. We email quite a bit and exchange Christmas cards, but we hardly ever get together. So this evening was long overdue. Kelsey and I have been friends since we were maybe 12 years old. Our fathers were both in the autobody business and every summer they had these camp-outs that we would attend so we would always enjoy playing, swimming, just having fun. I also used to go down during the summer to Omaha and spend a couple days with Kelsey and her family.

It's funny that after 5 years we still had plenty to talk about and it was really nice to sit down and catch up. We both said we'll have to do it again and hopefully it will be soon and not 5 years down the road. Thanks Kels for a good evening of catching up!

One of the summer trips to Omaha. I think we are 14 or 15 here

This picture cracks me up!! I have no idea what we are doing!!
Kelsey, Me & Alysha, Kelsey's younger sister.
This was during one of the camp-outs for Autobody.
Not sure how old we are here, maybe 11 or 12. I had some bad hair!!! ha!

I Wanna Rock & Roll all night......

We have discovered this new band, called The Away Team, they are out of Kansas City. The drummer, Chris Sweetland is a native of Wayne, Nebraska and also a classmate of Nick from High School. Chris had called us up and told him they were coming to Wayne to play a show at Riley's and asked if we could spread the word (pass our flyers, cds, posters, etc.). We were more than happy to help them out. They are really good...Their CD is awesome, but they are so much better live!! They like to compare themselves to Jimmy Eat World -- They are a mix of Rock and Alternative with their own sound. Here are a few pictures from the long, awesome night we had with them. And I say long, because we ended up having them over to our house for a little after-bar party and we didn't get to bed until 4 a.m.!!!! Good times!!

We told them we wanted our picture taken with them, so when they get ridiculously famous we could sell this picture on Ebay!!

Me, Cindy & Mindy enjoying the show!The 3 Amigos -- Amanda, Nick and I

Jeff Limer - Lead Vocals & Guitar

Q Schmidt - Bass

Chris Sweetland - Drums