Ries's Day At The Office

Date: Today
Time: 2:06 PM
Location: Home Office/Guestroom
Subject: Ries working on perfecting her sleeping skills (as if she won't get enough sleep in the car these next two days!?) in her new favorite spot- snuggled up on the layers of pillows on the bed in the office/guest room. It's almost like "Where's Waldo" finding her on top of that dark brown pillow. She sleeps all day long like this. Oh, a dog's life!

Catching Up

Well, let's see, it was a busy work week. I have several little projects going on that are keeping me busy between 8 - 5. On Thursday I started not feeling well with a cough, runny-nose, sinus pressure, etc. I left work early and was asleep by 6:45pm- only waking to take doses of Sudafed. I was thankful that Friday was a work from home day, albeit a full one, but it was nice to get up at 8, stay in my sweats, and take an nap during lunch. I don't care what they say, "non-drowsy" Sudafed certainly makes me tired. I was asleep again by 6 and only woke up to watch Finding Neverland with Brian and go back to bed for 12 hours. Saturday I would say I was feeling about 60% and today about 80% so I'm hoping for a nice big 100% tomorrow! I was sick last year over Christmas and it was the worst ever to be feeling so down in the dumps on a holiday... I'm determined to be well for this week.

Brian and I ran some errands and did some Christmas shopping on Saturday evening, and I was hungry for the first time in two days and had a taste for pizza from The Sink. It was soooo good. Probably 10x better than usual because I was actually starving! I also finally got the Christmas decorations up! Everything is still not put away/sold on Craigslist, so I gave in to wanting to get everything else done first because it just wasn't going to happen... we don't have a "home" for all the extra furniture yet so I just worked around it with my holiday cheer.

Tonight, we were going to see Elton John & Billy Joel but found out on Thursday that it was cancelled because Billy Joel is sick! I'm extremely bummed because I have been waiting to see this for so long but it's been rescheduled for February 22. I just get nervous that they will cancel it for some reason or another. Instead, we were invited by our neighbors to a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with about 25 of their friends. It was such a good time, we met a bunch of people since we only knew the two who invited us, and the host actually passed out Christmas Carol sing along sheets after dinner! We did an actual Christmas sing along, and that right there gives it an A+ in my book!

Tonight we packed up the car to begin our journey to Illinois. We'll make it about 4 hours tomorrow night to North Platte, NE- woo hoo! Here I come Holiday Inn Express! I researched and researched to find the newest hotel in each city for our Thanksgiving and Christmas drives home and it happened to be Holiday Inn Express each time. Mind you, my choices were nothing even of the Marriott and above caliber. We're talking Best Western and Holiday Inn on the top of the scale.... Microtel and Super 8 on the bottom. Lovely options!

To all of the friends and family in Michigan that I will not be spending Thanksgiving with- I miss you and hope that you have a wonderful day, I will be thinking of you! Not a holiday goes by that I don't wish I was there with you. I'll be home in exactly a month now, I can't wait!!!

I need to to get my "road trip" playlist created and get off to bed so I can be up for work tomorrow. So for now I leave you with some pictures of the Christmas decor...


Coffee table display that I set-up on a white serving platter.




My feather tree and a sparkly reindeer I found at Hobby Lobby.












Yes, wrapped presents! All ready to head home for the holidays!

Picture Post

Some pictures from the last week, as promised. Nothing too exciting. I'm actually steadily busy at work right now which is a welcome change- I thrive when my entire day is jam packed. That leaves not much time for anything else! I can't wait until next Monday night when we leave for vacation for Thanksgiving- yahoo!


Dinner at Colterra


Yummy dessert from "Whole Pay-check"


Playing with the Macro (or is it Micro?) Digital setting on my camera, this is the wine from Germany.


Door desk, as is for now!


I "made" all three things in this corner. The lamp was re-painted, the charging unit was re-papered, and the file holder was painted and fabric inserted from an old CD crate.


Thanks to Tiff for that neat painting. Currently residing on my desk until I can figure out if it needs to hang on a wall somewhere.


I love my new Anthropologie cup holding my writing utinsels and my Capri Volcando candle in the pink jar. I've managed to even keep my succulents alive, as you can see. What an accomplishment!


I've also managed to cram the closet full- it was a challenge to get everything in there. Is that a problem? Probably.


Results of my 2am decorating spree last Saturday night.

Oh Boy

That pretty much sums up moving weekend. Where in the heck did I acquire so much stuff from in 2 years?? Let me remind you, when I moved out here Brian moved me out in a mini-van. I understand I didn't have any furniture, but I only lived in a one bedroom 700 square foot apartment these past two years! How much stuff can one fit in there? Apparently a lot. Whew!

We rented a 10' truck becuase that's what they said you needed for a one bedroom apartment. We showed up and both took one look at it and said no way. So, a 14' truck it was. Filled to the top and to the door. Mind you, it also snowed 8" here between Saturday and Sunday, so moving was just a real joy.

We finally got the beds all swapped around, the washer and dryer installed (2 trips to the store later) my couch upstairs, my office 80% set-up, and of my closet is 90% organized! Tonight Brian built another pantry shelf which should be ready to paint tomorrow and install on Tuesday. I have my desk area all set-up and will have to take some pictures tomorrow to share. I have some "makeshift" legs on the desk until I figure out what I would like to do with it permanently but it works for the time being. I love the "door desk," it's going to work out perfectly and it goes well in the room too! Of course, the first priority of last night was for Brian to install my TV. I think that's the only thing he's happy I brought with me!

The sad part of today... no Christmas decorations went up. I did, however, get to listen to Christmas tunes all day long! Hopefully this week we'll get everything arranged and unpacked and I can put up some decorations after work.

The rest of our weekend was great as well. Brian's surprise dinner reservations on Friday were up in Niwot (which is an adorable little town I've discovered... a return trip to the three antique stores is planned!) at Colterra. It appears to be an old house (or houses) turned into a charming and cozy restaurant with a huge and adorable patio for warmer weather- I can't wait to return for Sunday Brunch outdoors next Spring!



We had never been to this restaurant or Niwot before so it was a perfect choice. We started out with some cheeses, then tomato soup, and for entrees I had steak and Brian had scallops. This will be shocking to hear, I know, but I didn't order Riesling for dinner! I love Moscato and it's not very common on everyday menus at restaurants so I was thrilled to see it there and enjoy a couple of glasses. It must have really been my lucky night because not only did they have Moscato but Colterra makes Molten Chocolate Cake which is my favorite dessert ever! And let me tell you, it was the best one I have ever tasted!

Saturday, after the move, we were exhausted and didn't have anything quick to make for dinner. Even so, I'm almost embarassed to admit that I made Kraft mac n' cheese straight out of the box for dinner. It's embarassing mostly becuase of what I paired it with. I had been saving a bottle of Riesling that Brian brought back from Germany a few years ago and had decided we would open it last night. I went to Whole Pay-check on Friday to pick up some yummy desserts and then served wine and dessert with Kraft mac n' cheese... uggggh! It certainly was memorable, we had a good laugh, and pretty much only ate the dessert and drank wine.

Some pictures to come tomorrow. Good night!

Another Weekend Closer to the Holidays!

Whoooo hooo! There's only 5 weekends until Christmas! At least until our Christmas starts, with our drive home beginning on December 17. And we're busy for each and every single one between now and then.

Starting this weekend...

First up, tonight, Friday the 13th! I went for a fabulous hair-cut this afternoon and was, what I like to call, "Robi-fied." I love it when I leave the salon with shiny, straight hair, chock full of good gossip and feeling all laughed out by my "mane man" (bad joke, I know) Robi.

Tonight Brian and I are going to dinner... he won't tell me where and we all know I'm like a 4 year old when it comes to surprises. I can't stand being told there are plans but not knowing what they are... I ask a million questions trying to get some details leaked out until I just need to be told enough- stop asking because I'm not telling! It's the planning nature in me, I just feel better being in the know, that's all. But, I didn't really ask any questions this time... I must be getting so mature, that's it- I just know it!

We're celebrating a special little thing called "A + B Have Been Together for Three Years." That's kind of a big deal, right? We've done a lot together and separately in those three years and it's nice to mark the date our lives changed for the better with a little celebration, don't ya think? What's even better is that he remembered... and even called earlier this week from Atlanta to just let me know he didn't forget. Sweet guy!

That's what is on tap for this evening. Then we're picking up the moving truck at 9 am tomorrow to move me in... during the snow and 30 degrees- oh boy! I'm so excited for that, can't you tell? For the weather that is... I'm excited for the actual moving in. I'm pretty sure that will consume the rest of the weekend. Oh, and Christmas decorating on Sunday + Christmas music- I cannot wait!

Hope that you have a wonderful weekend! It's about time for me to dash home and figure out what to wear for tonight. Pictures of our weekend to come soon, I'm sure.

Ugly Holiday Sweater?

It's official, we have something every weekend night in December, until we leave for home, and it's only early November. Yikes. I'm sure we'll end up being double booked, being the "social butterflies" that we are, haha! Filling in the last open night we had is an "Ugly Holiday Sweater" party. Fun!


I'm totally going to ask Brian to "rock" some reindeer antlers, haha!

But, I have to wonder, where does one get an "ugly" holiday sweater? People always just say, "Oh, Goodwill. Salvation Army." Uhhhhh, nooooooo. First off, why do people think that those places have a pleathora of ugly holiday sweaters? Tons of bad looking sweaters I'm sure, but I don't know that they are bursting at the seams with holiday ones?? And second, I can't bring myself to buy a sweater from there. I just can't. Even though I know you wash it and blah, blah, blah.

So, where does one get an "ugly" holiday sweater? It's funny because I was just going through the dollar spot at Target and they were selling "ugly" holiday sweaters for dogs- and they were hideous! So, help me out. These humans are going to need some snazzy sweaters for this party!

Mom, have any of those holiday "teacher" sweaters that you used to wear many moons ago? Send em on out!

An Elf-tastic Greeting- V.1

Below is by far one of the silliest things I have ever seen. But, you better believe that I was just sitting here on my couch laughing out loud because it's so crazy! Starring my Mom, my Dad, brother Dave, and Brian and I. For your viewing pleasure!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

3 Project Week

Wow, I've just been a little crafty-bee lately I guess! The docking station last week, the feather tree last night, and just now I finished up all of the rosette pillow that I can- until I go home and can use Mom's sewing machine in December. Mine is a bit different than the project directions but I had a hard time figuring out how close to keep the rosettes to each other and trying to keep them in a straight line. So, I ended up curving them up the pillow, diagonally.

90% finished project. I think I can cross this one off my to-do list now.

A Good Sunday

I think that Ries has had a great Sunday, juding by these pictures I snapped of her throughout the day so far. Oh, a dog's life!

Crafty Saturday Evening

Ever since I saw the brown feather tree on Young House Love I've wanted one of my own.

YHL Christmas 2008 Decorating Post

YHL 2008 Table Setting Post

Unfortunately Target on-line is all sold out and the actual store isn't carrying them this year. I've checked every store and website I can think of for someone who may be carrying them, with no luck. I thought about making one but Hobby Lobby didn't have the right feathers. Much to my surprise and happiness, while I was browing Joann's today I found the right feathers and for only $1.99 a bag! I had a 20% off your entire purchase coupon so I grabbed up 3 bags and the styrofoam tree for under $10. I already had the glue gun and glue sticks at home.





It took me under an hour to make the tree and it turned out a bit less "perfect" than the ones you would buy at the store but I think it's even better- I love the way it looks! Can't wait until November 15 to put up my Christmas decorations!

Docking Station

While I was at Target on Sunday I happened upon some of those charging stations. If you aren't familiar, they have an enclosure where a power strip is and all of your cords get contained. Then you run the plug end through little openings to your devices (phone, MP3 player, camera, etc.). I have been looking for one for awhile since I have several things to charge and they're always dangling from random plugs throughout the house. You all know I'm an easy sell for anything that increases organization! When it comes at a cost of $7.49 (75% off) it's even better! Plus it includes a separate drawer to corral extra USB cords and the miscellanous.

The before was less than thrilling. A nice white unit but with purple vinyl on the shelves. Eek!





I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up two pieces of scrapbook paper and some Modge Podge- which I've never used. I assumed that I could put it under the paper like glue and then over the paper like a sealer. Not so much. It made my paper all crinkled. Needless to say I had to rip it all off a few times and start over. It's still not perfect but I think it will work. The purple pieces pulled right off so I was able to trace them and cut them out with my knife.



After a few attempts at affixing the paper to the box and getting crinkled results I decided to glue the paper to the purple piece and then to the box. Of course my paper ended up being a bit short on one side so the purple shows a bit. Agh!! But, for under $10 this is going to work out just fine.

Ries Halloween 2010 Preview

As my last Halloween follow-up post, I bring you a preview of Ries in a costume I bought for $5 for Halloween 2010. Ries was nothing this year (lucky, right?). However, next year I just may have to put her in the cute costume I found this weekend. Here's a preview of two costumes that I found. One of them I returned and one of them I kept. You'll have to wait a whole year to see which one was the winner...

Porch Pictures

I'm not a real big Halloween decorator, but for some reason on Halloween afternoon I decided that the porch needed to be spookified a bit for the trick-or-treaters (that we didn't end up having). So, I ran over to to Hobby Lobby only to find that they had nothing. There is a Big Lots next door, which I despise, but I figured they might be good in the decorations department. They did not disappoint (and I'd even go back to look at Christmas ones!) and they were all 50% off. Last year I couldn't believe how expensive pumpkins were out here (I heard there was a shortage?) and we spent about $25 on 2 pumpkins. For $40 I bought all of the stuff on the porch plus two more plug in pumpkins at Target on Sunday. We never have to carve a pumpkin again (I hate the guts, they make me itchy)! Brian wonders how we'll get the seeds though, so he's not completely sold on the issue.


The lights above the door were only $5 and very neat! When kids yelled out "trick-or-treat" they started flashing and playing spooky music- very fun!




Little pumpkin and spider votive holders.


My little Home Goods stool/table works out well for displaying.

We don't have any outdoor Christmas decorations, but wouldn't two of those topiary trees look real nice flanking the front door? And a real pretty wreath with a spot light? I think so. We'll have to see! Stay tuned to see if there are any porch pictures in the holiday season...

Back On Board

I left off on our lives about a week ago... a long time for no posting from me, right? Things have been busy, that's all. Or maybe that snow storm that whomped on us just put me in a funk and I haven't felt like writing lately. Probably not. I just felt the need to mention that lovely October snow storm one more time. Almost 2 feet. Ugh.

Halloween weekend was a busy one for us. Friday night we finally celebrated Brian's birthday with the tickets to Putnam County Spelling Bee that I got him. He has been wanting to see this for a few years now. He gives it an A+ and I give it a C. I don't know why it won so many awards. But, the Boulder Dinner Theater was surprisingly acceptable. The dinner was nothing to write home about (I had mac n' cheese and chicken and he had fish) but it was certainly better than expected. They also had Riesling (+1 point!) and the cheesecake dessert was delicious! The talent of the actors was also very quality. I just didn't like the story.

Moving on, Saturday morning Brian did his first session of Cross-Fit (I think that's what it's called) at 9am. He came home exhausted... at least he'll get what he pays for! Then we went into Boulder to watch UM create an on-field embarassment, yet again this season. Enough said. It was such a beautiful day out that I could have hung out on Pearl Street and people watched but trick or treating time was coming soon! We bought 3 bags of candy and I spookified the porch a bit (pictures later, I forgot my camera cord)... all for 7 kids. Yep, I said 7. I don't know where all the neighborhood kids go but apparently not in the neighborhood. Oh well.

We also saw the Michael Jackson "This Is It" movie on Saturday night. I had no desire to see it and was surprised to hear Brian really wanted to, so I agreed to tag along. It was amazing. Seriously, he is a creative genius. He could still sing and dance. He was hands-on throughout the entire concert creation process. There is no doubt in my mind that his concerts in London would have been epic. I'm so glad I saw the movie.

Sunday was absolutely gorgeous outside, sunny and crisp- a perfect fall day! As I previously mentioned, November 1 also lends itself to being the day after Halloween and CHRISTMAS SHOPPING begins! I don't know why I picked November 1 to be my starting day but that's neither here nor there- I just did. As I'm typing this I realized that I actually not only already started shopping in Michigan but I also bought some gifts in August in Ojai. So maybe November 1 isn't my "real" first day of Christmas shopping. But it's the beginning of the "major" shopping. I bought 1 gift on November 1. Something for Brian. I got distracted by Ann Taylor Loft and Anthropologie... and the Christmas stuff at Target. Oops. Then I was running late and had to be home to go see David Gray. He put on a great concert but for me it's a see it once and I don't need to see it again type of show.

Work this week has been.... busy... but not the good type of busy. More the "busy-work" type of busy that you used to be when you had a substitute teacher in school that would give out worksheets all day long. I have just been tracking airfare to be sure we haven't missed anyone in a group of 500 that is arriving this week. Nothing too exciting...

Brian is leaving for Atlanta tomorrow until November 12. I'm not sure what I'll get myself into this weekend. Likely some more packing since the moving truck is ordered for Saturday the 14th. I don't have that much left to pack though, really. Just kitchen stuff and a few odds and ends. It will be my last weekend at my place, which is kind of bittersweet. My first apartment. My first place away from home in Michigan. My place. I like my space, but I think I'll be alright sharing and starting a new chapter. We're two very independent people so it works well because we both sometimes like to have our space and our time... and "get" that sometimes people just need that. We don't have to be together all of the time. He gets that I like quiet time to watch my TV shows on Wednesday or Thursday nights, or that I like to just go browse Hobby Lobby on a whim by myself for hours at a time. And I get that he likes doing his own thing sometimes too. Moving in to Brian's is kind of like a re-fresh on life after being out here for 2 years. It's exciting to be starting a new "adventure" yet it makes me anxious and can be stressful at the same time. But in the end, when everything is settled, I think I will be able to take a step back and smile knowingly to myself, certain that we've made a well thought out decision.

I've been moving in over the past few weeks, bit by bit, and I've been working on pulling together my office at home too, utilizing my door find. I ordered the glass top today and will have to coerce Brian into making me some desk legs when he gets home. I'll get to work from home on Mondays and Fridays every week. I am so thankful because driving to his place these last couple of weeks as I've been back and forth, during rush hour, is enough to make me go crazy. It's exhausting spending 2 - 2 1/2 hours per day commuting, let me tell ya! So hopefully having 2 days at home will help. I just need to check a few more things off my office list and I'll be good to go: desk chair, phone, chair mat, shelf, blinds, and hang my curtains.

Well, that's pretty much been about it around here, nothing extremely exciting to offer. I'm really ready for almost a week off at Thanksgiving. I'm pretty tired of going, going, going for what feels like several months, so I'm ready for a nice fall break. T-19 days until we leave.

The Fun Theory

I haven't posted anything in awhile... we've been busy. So for now this is all I have. A really, really neat video, sent to Brian by his Mom. He knew I would love it so he shared, and now I'm sharing with you. More to come from here soon!




See two others at The Fun Theory.