I'm coming up blank in my blogging lately, it's not that we haven't had things going on, in fact, I was joking today that my life will probably not slow down until I'm like 64 or something. But anyway, I just don't have much new "news" to share or anything, so instead, just a few random musings for today.
So I swear there is a black hole I enter into whenever I get in the shower. I seriously feel like I'm in there for barely five minutes, yet I get out and 15 have gone by. It's really only been an issue since it's been colder in the mornings - it just feels too good to want to get out! But then I end up running behind in my morning. I haven't been late to work yet at least.
It's an exciting week to live in Minnesota - first the Vikings, then the Twins and the Wild. Pretty awesome I must say and I'm not even a huge sports buff. I'm most excited about the Twins I have to say. I like baseball alot at this time of year.
We have our Oktoberfest this weekend to give our friends another opportunity to sample Nate's beer. This is the debut of our kegged beer. It's pretty exciting. I am hearing rumors of cold and potential snow for this weekend but you know what, I'm just going to pretend that's not true.
After this weekend I think things calm down a bit for us again. We'll have some Praise Project gigs at a couple of churches and my cousin gets married in a couple of weeks but that's about it. I'm kind of glad, we have yet to go to the apple orchard, I like to visit a couple of wineries around this time of year if we're able, things like that. So I hope to achieve those things soon!
Nate and I are potentially planning a little getaway for our birthday. Probably just a weekend visit to Duluth, where we hope to do some beer sampling at the breweries up there and just get away together. We've been wanting to do this for a couple of years now, so we decided maybe this should be our shared birthday present this year. We'll see how things go!
Our house continues to be in a phase of evolution I swear. We've now moved our fish tank to the basement, moved the old bar out to the garage and moved around some other small pieces of furniture. We're hoping to sell the bar - in fact we have several items we'd like to sell, I may be posting here about a "online" garage sale before we do Craigslist or Ebay. So stay tuned for that.
That's it for today. The sun is shining and that makes me happy. Make it a great day!
10/7/09
10/5/09
I wanted to see pretty colors
So I had an opportunity to go up for a very brief visit to the North Shore. It ended up rainy and cold, which was unfortunate, but the biggest disappointment was the fall colors. I thought they would be more vibrant up there, but nope. The whole state is suffering it seems from the lack of rain in the summer. At any rate, I found one very lovely, pretty tree, so here is all I can share of pretty colors. Maybe we'll still get some good color down here in the cities yet this year!
10/1/09
Thursday Top Ten: Halloween Costumes
In honor of it being October as of today (really? October 1st already? Where is the time going!! Fall slow down!) I am bringing you my top ten favorite Halloween costumes I've ever had. I figure, I'm 27 years old and have dressed up almost all 27 of those years, I have to have ten favorites right? I only wish I had pictures available that I could put online. I do not own a scanner, but my parents do. Hmm, stay tuned, maybe pictures will show up here later. Anyway, here we go!
10. Fairy - I have been a fairy twice in my life, once at my mom's doing when I was just under two years old and again as a 24 year old just married person! Both times, my mom made the skirt though in all due fairness. :) I actually chose a fairy right after we got married so I could wear my pretty sparkly headband from the wedding one more time! I did have pictures on my computer once upon a time and well, somehow I lost them! But it was a cute costume complete with fairy wand. As a two year old I looked like a pixie. It was freaking adorable.
9. Scarecrow - my mom and grandma worked hard on this costume and it really did turn out cute. I was a 2nd grader the year I wore this one. What I remember most is losing my hat somewhere throughout the night but my dad went and found it for me. Cause you know, dad's are awesome like that.
8. Bunny - I have been a bunny more times than I can count. I'm not kidding. I was just under a year old for my first Halloween and my mom gave me bunny ears and a little nose - too cute. I chose to be a pink bunny when I was four and five - same costume fit both years so why not? In pictures it's hilarious though, there are some taken indoors and I'm just this skinny little thing, but then you can tell it must have been cold that year because the outdoor pictures I'm all bulked up with a coat underneath. It's almost like bunny before fattening up for winter and then after!
7. Bunny with magician - Ok I separated this one, this was another time I was a bunny, but this time it went with something. The first year Nate and I were a couple we dressed up as a magician and his rabbit. I did this one very simply - white sweatshirt, white ears and tail. We had a harder time with Nate's costume - in fact, I don't think we ever did find a top hat! Still, it was fun to do something as a couple for the first time.
6. Raggedy Ann - I loved Raggedy Ann and Andy growing up, my grandma had the dolls and I just loved them. So I asked to be Raggedy Ann when I was a third grader. Mom and grandma again made my dress and apron. I believe I also had kickers. We found a red yarn wig and then my mom gave me rosy little cheeks and I was good to go. And it was cute. Added bonus, later that same year when I sang in our church show "The Wells Fargo Wagon" from the Music Man, my mom simply lengthened the dress a bit so it looked like it fit the time period so I got more use out of it!
5. Joker - I still dressed up in middle school, they had costume contests I remember, the best out of homeroom went to the cafeteria and then judged and picked from there. My joker costume was pretty good I thought, my mom found a good pattern and the best part was the hat. It included real live bells and everything. My mom also did my makeup and it was pretty cute as well. I was chosen from my homeroom for the contest, but I didn't win once I got to the cafeteria.
4. Butterfly - I was obsessed with all things butterfly my senior year of high school. I really do not know why. So I decided to be a butterfly for Halloween. It was not too hard to do, my mom helped me fashion some wings out of some old material and we sewed it to a black shirt in a way that when I opened my arms it looked like I was spreading my wings. I found a headband with antenna and was more or less good to go. Nate and I did not coordinate outfits that year - he was Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. It would've been funny for him to be like the cocoon or something though!
3. Luigi - I loved everything about this costume from just last year. Why? Because it was the easiest darn costume ever! And it was Nate's idea! He was Mario, I was Luigi from Super Mario Brothers the Nintendo game. There are pictures on this blog here. It was so simple - I already had overalls from other costume needs in the past. I had a green t-shirt. Nate made our hats. Ali gave me a mustache and we were good to go! We got alot of compliments too! It was fun. Although I still think I should've been Mario because Mario is shorter than Luigi. But still, I loved it!
2. Minnie Mouse - This is my favorite costume from my childhood. It turned out so well, my mom and cousin Cathy made this one. I had the perfect red and white polka dot dress, little yellow shoes and the headpiece was awesome. I really wish I could share a picture, it was an outstanding costume. I loved every minute of wearing it and used to play dress up with the dress until I was too big for it to fit anymore!
1. Rainbow Brite - This was my costume in 2007 and really it is the only one I put together all by myself, so I feel like I have bragging rights and that is why it goes at number one. And lookie here, I just happen to have a picture of this one! I'm just really proud of how it turned out. I took my anniversary edition Rainbow Brite doll and tried my best to match everything. I shopped thrift stores and party supply stores and pretty much put it all together without breaking the bank. And come on, you always wondered how I'd look as a blonde with long hair right?
10. Fairy - I have been a fairy twice in my life, once at my mom's doing when I was just under two years old and again as a 24 year old just married person! Both times, my mom made the skirt though in all due fairness. :) I actually chose a fairy right after we got married so I could wear my pretty sparkly headband from the wedding one more time! I did have pictures on my computer once upon a time and well, somehow I lost them! But it was a cute costume complete with fairy wand. As a two year old I looked like a pixie. It was freaking adorable.
9. Scarecrow - my mom and grandma worked hard on this costume and it really did turn out cute. I was a 2nd grader the year I wore this one. What I remember most is losing my hat somewhere throughout the night but my dad went and found it for me. Cause you know, dad's are awesome like that.
8. Bunny - I have been a bunny more times than I can count. I'm not kidding. I was just under a year old for my first Halloween and my mom gave me bunny ears and a little nose - too cute. I chose to be a pink bunny when I was four and five - same costume fit both years so why not? In pictures it's hilarious though, there are some taken indoors and I'm just this skinny little thing, but then you can tell it must have been cold that year because the outdoor pictures I'm all bulked up with a coat underneath. It's almost like bunny before fattening up for winter and then after!
7. Bunny with magician - Ok I separated this one, this was another time I was a bunny, but this time it went with something. The first year Nate and I were a couple we dressed up as a magician and his rabbit. I did this one very simply - white sweatshirt, white ears and tail. We had a harder time with Nate's costume - in fact, I don't think we ever did find a top hat! Still, it was fun to do something as a couple for the first time.
6. Raggedy Ann - I loved Raggedy Ann and Andy growing up, my grandma had the dolls and I just loved them. So I asked to be Raggedy Ann when I was a third grader. Mom and grandma again made my dress and apron. I believe I also had kickers. We found a red yarn wig and then my mom gave me rosy little cheeks and I was good to go. And it was cute. Added bonus, later that same year when I sang in our church show "The Wells Fargo Wagon" from the Music Man, my mom simply lengthened the dress a bit so it looked like it fit the time period so I got more use out of it!
5. Joker - I still dressed up in middle school, they had costume contests I remember, the best out of homeroom went to the cafeteria and then judged and picked from there. My joker costume was pretty good I thought, my mom found a good pattern and the best part was the hat. It included real live bells and everything. My mom also did my makeup and it was pretty cute as well. I was chosen from my homeroom for the contest, but I didn't win once I got to the cafeteria.
4. Butterfly - I was obsessed with all things butterfly my senior year of high school. I really do not know why. So I decided to be a butterfly for Halloween. It was not too hard to do, my mom helped me fashion some wings out of some old material and we sewed it to a black shirt in a way that when I opened my arms it looked like I was spreading my wings. I found a headband with antenna and was more or less good to go. Nate and I did not coordinate outfits that year - he was Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. It would've been funny for him to be like the cocoon or something though!
3. Luigi - I loved everything about this costume from just last year. Why? Because it was the easiest darn costume ever! And it was Nate's idea! He was Mario, I was Luigi from Super Mario Brothers the Nintendo game. There are pictures on this blog here. It was so simple - I already had overalls from other costume needs in the past. I had a green t-shirt. Nate made our hats. Ali gave me a mustache and we were good to go! We got alot of compliments too! It was fun. Although I still think I should've been Mario because Mario is shorter than Luigi. But still, I loved it!
2. Minnie Mouse - This is my favorite costume from my childhood. It turned out so well, my mom and cousin Cathy made this one. I had the perfect red and white polka dot dress, little yellow shoes and the headpiece was awesome. I really wish I could share a picture, it was an outstanding costume. I loved every minute of wearing it and used to play dress up with the dress until I was too big for it to fit anymore!
1. Rainbow Brite - This was my costume in 2007 and really it is the only one I put together all by myself, so I feel like I have bragging rights and that is why it goes at number one. And lookie here, I just happen to have a picture of this one! I'm just really proud of how it turned out. I took my anniversary edition Rainbow Brite doll and tried my best to match everything. I shopped thrift stores and party supply stores and pretty much put it all together without breaking the bank. And come on, you always wondered how I'd look as a blonde with long hair right?
So there you go! My 10 favorite Halloween costumes of all time! I don't know if I'll be dressing up this year or not, we'll see how things go. For now, the walk down memory lane was fun!
What are some of your favorite Halloween costumes from the past?
9/30/09
Mouse...and I'm not talking Mickey!
So really our story begins a year ago at this exact time. You know how this time of year it can start to get pretty darn cold at night, even as it warms a little during the day? Well, it can lead to some unpleasant things when you have an older home with a large field for a backyard.
Last year about this time I remember it was a Monday and I had just come back from my all girl weekend. I had taken that Monday off and was enjoying a relaxing day with Nate. We were in a good mood because he had been called for a second interview for the job he now has. We had just finished dinner and settled in to watch our Monday evening shows when our Taylor started acting a little bit nutty. She ran into our back room in the basement, which is our office. She didn't come out for the longest time, so Nate decided to go check on her.
He didn't come out of the office either. I yelled back "is she ok?" And he says "yeah" kind of slowly and still doesn't come back out. I decided to go see what was going on. Nate is looking at the floor and moved a box. As soon as he did this large black thing came darting after me. I did what any girl would do of course - screamed and jumped up on the office chair. I thought it was a bug, but Nate said "no, I believe we have a mouse." After a trip to Wal-Mart for some supplies, we had a long night of trapping not just one mouse, but several mice. Sadly all we had was a live trap, so Nate just kept getting up all night and emptying it out. He found holes outside the house where he thought they had come in, patched them all and figured we'd be good to go. And we were. For the whole next year anyway.
Fast forward to Fall 2009.
He had left the live trap just up in the ceiling in the office as a "just in case" type measure. This morning, I got up to do my workout and as I got into the basement I could hear a strange scratching noise. Perplexed I wandered around and made sure one of the cats had not gotten trapped somewhere. They were both accounted for. I still could hear the noise and thought it was very strange. Then it dawned on me.
So, I went upstairs to get Nate out of bed since his alarm had gone off anyway and asked him if indeed the trap was still set. He said "yeah, why?" So I told him about the noises. He checked it out and sure enough, we had a mouse. Nate's rather confused by this though, because he plugged up nearly every hole after this happened last year. I guess those little guys will get in anyway! So we dealt with it as best as we could for this morning, he'll attack the problem more tonight. We're both more calm about the whole thing this year, but I still wish we didn't have to deal with it!
Oh yeah, I've said it before, but I'll say it again - the myth about having cats in your house and not getting mice - totally false!! And yeah, Taylor and Pippin, not the best hunters in the entire world, nor do I think I want them to be!
Last year about this time I remember it was a Monday and I had just come back from my all girl weekend. I had taken that Monday off and was enjoying a relaxing day with Nate. We were in a good mood because he had been called for a second interview for the job he now has. We had just finished dinner and settled in to watch our Monday evening shows when our Taylor started acting a little bit nutty. She ran into our back room in the basement, which is our office. She didn't come out for the longest time, so Nate decided to go check on her.
He didn't come out of the office either. I yelled back "is she ok?" And he says "yeah" kind of slowly and still doesn't come back out. I decided to go see what was going on. Nate is looking at the floor and moved a box. As soon as he did this large black thing came darting after me. I did what any girl would do of course - screamed and jumped up on the office chair. I thought it was a bug, but Nate said "no, I believe we have a mouse." After a trip to Wal-Mart for some supplies, we had a long night of trapping not just one mouse, but several mice. Sadly all we had was a live trap, so Nate just kept getting up all night and emptying it out. He found holes outside the house where he thought they had come in, patched them all and figured we'd be good to go. And we were. For the whole next year anyway.
Fast forward to Fall 2009.
He had left the live trap just up in the ceiling in the office as a "just in case" type measure. This morning, I got up to do my workout and as I got into the basement I could hear a strange scratching noise. Perplexed I wandered around and made sure one of the cats had not gotten trapped somewhere. They were both accounted for. I still could hear the noise and thought it was very strange. Then it dawned on me.
So, I went upstairs to get Nate out of bed since his alarm had gone off anyway and asked him if indeed the trap was still set. He said "yeah, why?" So I told him about the noises. He checked it out and sure enough, we had a mouse. Nate's rather confused by this though, because he plugged up nearly every hole after this happened last year. I guess those little guys will get in anyway! So we dealt with it as best as we could for this morning, he'll attack the problem more tonight. We're both more calm about the whole thing this year, but I still wish we didn't have to deal with it!
Oh yeah, I've said it before, but I'll say it again - the myth about having cats in your house and not getting mice - totally false!! And yeah, Taylor and Pippin, not the best hunters in the entire world, nor do I think I want them to be!
9/29/09
Peace
Much like that content, happy, sleepy kitten above...I am very much at peace right now.
I can honestly say, I think I am in one of the best places I've been in a long time in terms of my life. And it's nice. I'm not so naive to say that nothing bad can happen to me - but I'm just in a happy peaceful place. I am blessed with wonderful family and friends. I am loving this beautiful season of Fall now that it has finally arrived. I have so many good things to look forward to in the coming months. Heck, I have good things to look forward to just in the coming weeks.
Nate and I are in a good place as a couple, our marriage has never been stronger. Not to say that we've ever really been in a bad place. Sure there were rocky moments when he was out of work, but that was ages ago. Or at least it feels like it.
I'm just content with how my life is going. I feel good. Peaceful. It's a nice feeling.
Peace to all of you as well.
9/28/09
Updates from weekend
Updates from the weekend:
I came in 5th out of 11 or so women at our family golf tournament. Not bad for someone who hasn't been out golfing once this year! I even took home a little money - on one hole we have a contest for who can shoot closest to the pin on their first shot - I ended up being the one who took that prize!
Beyond that, Nate and I had some nice quality time together this weekend, including a visit to one of our favorite restaurants (Donatelli's) that we haven't been to in quite some time because we like to go there when it is cold outside. Last night it was quite chilly and it sounded just about right!
Other things this weekend turned out less than pleasant, but I'm putting them behind me because today is starting out to be a good day and I think this week just might be a pretty good week!
I came in 5th out of 11 or so women at our family golf tournament. Not bad for someone who hasn't been out golfing once this year! I even took home a little money - on one hole we have a contest for who can shoot closest to the pin on their first shot - I ended up being the one who took that prize!
Beyond that, Nate and I had some nice quality time together this weekend, including a visit to one of our favorite restaurants (Donatelli's) that we haven't been to in quite some time because we like to go there when it is cold outside. Last night it was quite chilly and it sounded just about right!
Other things this weekend turned out less than pleasant, but I'm putting them behind me because today is starting out to be a good day and I think this week just might be a pretty good week!
9/25/09
Fore!
This weekend I'm going to be playing in a golf tournament with my mom's family. This tournament has been going on for years and years - before I was even born. Apparently it started with my grandpa taking out his sons, it then extended to the son-in-laws and grandsons. It was a tradition that continued after my grandfather died and was dedicated to his memory.
I can remember it from when I was young and we'd always meet up after the golf game for a big luncheon. There are trophies that are handed out each year and passed around, I tell you, this tournament is no joke! The Millers take their golf seriously! My dad's name is displayed a couple of times on that trophy, it was always fun when it was in our house on display.
Somewhere in the mid 90's it was decided that after nearly 20 years they would let the women play as well. They would be in a category on their own, have their own trophy, etc. My dad took this opportunity to teach my mom and I to golf and for a number of years my mom and I passed back and forth the last place trophy. We've both improved a bit - although this year I won't be surprised if I take it home after not getting out once this summer to play AT ALL.
It's fun being out on the course in the cool autumn air, it's a good chance to see family we almost never see and it's just a Fall tradition to me. There have been several years I have missed it, but I've almost always been there since I was eligible to play (must be 13 years or older). Even Nate has played once since we've been married, but I gave him a get out of jail free card on this year since as I said above, we did not golf this summer. He does ok but would be much more comfortable if he'd had a chance to play before tomorrow.
So, I'll be going at it totally cold tomorrow! I can only imagine how it will go, but I could surprise myself, you just never know. Or maybe we'll get rained out, I have heard that is a possibility. Here goes nothing!
I can remember it from when I was young and we'd always meet up after the golf game for a big luncheon. There are trophies that are handed out each year and passed around, I tell you, this tournament is no joke! The Millers take their golf seriously! My dad's name is displayed a couple of times on that trophy, it was always fun when it was in our house on display.
Somewhere in the mid 90's it was decided that after nearly 20 years they would let the women play as well. They would be in a category on their own, have their own trophy, etc. My dad took this opportunity to teach my mom and I to golf and for a number of years my mom and I passed back and forth the last place trophy. We've both improved a bit - although this year I won't be surprised if I take it home after not getting out once this summer to play AT ALL.
It's fun being out on the course in the cool autumn air, it's a good chance to see family we almost never see and it's just a Fall tradition to me. There have been several years I have missed it, but I've almost always been there since I was eligible to play (must be 13 years or older). Even Nate has played once since we've been married, but I gave him a get out of jail free card on this year since as I said above, we did not golf this summer. He does ok but would be much more comfortable if he'd had a chance to play before tomorrow.
So, I'll be going at it totally cold tomorrow! I can only imagine how it will go, but I could surprise myself, you just never know. Or maybe we'll get rained out, I have heard that is a possibility. Here goes nothing!
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