Nov 29, 2008

Help Help Me Rhonda!

Does anyone know (and I know that someone out there will) how to get a custom or at least more unique background on blogger? I'm really sick of this solid color stuff, I want something a little more vibrant and "happy." How do I go about doing that?

Nov 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving and that you all had much to be thankful for!

Among other things, I am thankful that we have a friendly neighbor. We met him shortly after we moved in (so about an hour ago). I figured he was a pretty nice guy when he offered to give us coffee (apparently he bought it and it gave him heartburn or something). Anyhow, the other day I made peppermint cookies, my Mom's recipe from the family cookbook. If you've ever made them you know that you have to crush the peppermint candy or candy canes in this case. The only thing I had to use for this task was a metal hammer (I tried a can but it smashed the can more than the candy). It was SO loud! I mean, my ears were literally ringing and I did it for a LONG time. I had thought that the neighbor guy was at work so, I didn't worry about the noise. I wasn't even done when I heard him come to his doorway and starting POUNDING like crazy on the door or wall, I couldn't tell. Of course I felt like the biggest fool, realizing that he was home the entire time and probably ready to knock me out. I decided I'd give him a few cookies and a note apologizing considering he'd been so friendly before, I didn't want him to think we were our previous upstairs neighbors. (I swear they rode their horse around up there). He rang the doorbell later and insisted that we were not loud at all and that he was actually hitting his door with a mallet because it was crooked. He must have thought he needed to reinforce that message because he stopped by later to give me a paper, with all the ads, and eggnog with Vernor's! Apparently it was a family tradition of his to mix the two. It sure is a breath of fresh air to have a neighbor like him after our last experience!

We enjoyed a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's out at the lake. It was definitly different not seeing Mom and Dad but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
Thanks again for your gracious hospitality Grandma and Grandpa!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 25, 2008

Catching up and going downstate

JoLynn: Thanks for all the advice! I'll be sure to use it, I've already looked up directions for all of the places you mentioned so I can check them out next time I run to Marquette. (We actually live west of Marquette, but I'm there nearly every day.)

We may possibly be getting a computer on Friday. I have my fingers crossed. It's a Black Friday deal however so my chances aren't that superb. Wish me luck!

I made bread yesterday. For the second time in my entire life. The first time the consistency resembled that of a rock. This time...it took forever. But it tastes good and it's much softer. However the recipe said to bake for 30 minutes. I was thinking that sounded like a pretty short time. I was right. It took closer to an hour and when I finally said, "enough!" and took them out of the oven...they STILL weren't completely cooked through. Maybe my loaves are just too big? I am by no means an expert though, so feel free to throw ANY and all tips and advice at me!

I forgot to mention...my landlord was in our apartment replacing a door handle while the dough was rising. I was talking to him and sort of forgot about my dough. By the time I remembered, it had overflowed from the bowl, what a mess!

I also made chicken fettuccine alfredo...geez that's a long name! The recipe was from Better Homes and Gardens. However, it didn't call for garlic and we (Jeff and I) didn't realize it till the end so we just added a little bit of garlic salt. That was fine but next time I think I'll roast fresh garlic with the chicken before adding it to the sauce. Jeff said it was delicious, I thought it was alright. I made it for him, I know he loves it and I'm not really a huge fan. It was, however, very fast and easy!

I'm looking at facebook as I try to remember what I had actually wanted to post about and notices yet ANOTHER mom expecting twins. I'm telling you, it is the year of the twins!

Jeff had hockey again last night. It starts at 11 and the poor guy gets up before 5. And I slept til 10...I feel kind of guilty about that one. I was the only girl yet again. I brought a blanket and book this time so it passed pretty quickly. I feel pretty silly being the only person sitting in the stands but I guess it beats sitting home alone. Like I do every day...

Speaking of which, I think I'll bake some cookies today.

I just remember what I wanted to say! I have no idea how I could forget this. Probably because we've been going back and forth about it for a week and I can never seem to remember what we did decide. But this is it: We're going downstate this weekend! Not for Thanksgiving day though. Jeff has Thursday off but, not Friday. We will go up north to my Grandparents for Thanksgiving; did I mention that they live two hours away as well? Hi Grandma! ;) Then, we'll be leaving to go downstate when Jeff gets home from work Friday. He had originally had Monday off so we would go home then but now he's not so sure. Either way, we'll be at church on Sunday so we can see all of our friends that we haven't seen in...what's it been, two and a half weeks? Ha, we're pretending we never moved!

We visited "up north" the past two weekends so Jeff could go to the hunting camp. This past weekend was pretty short, just Friday and Saturday (Jeff has Friday off). I'm starting to think my sister Emily is a shopaholic since we went out shopping both times I was with her. Okay, I'll give her credit, it is the holiday season, there is Christmas shopping to do!

Well this is getting a little long. See what happens when you don't have access to a computer every day?

Nov 19, 2008

Another quick one

I have so much to say, I am SO missing the Internet.
I found the library. (It's a Carnegie! I was pretty excited about that.)
Jeff's on his way home from work so I really don't have time to say much.
I'll just type a few blurbs...
I thought the mice were gone but I SWEAR I heard one/some in that fan tower thing, whatever it is.
I'm starting to decorate, it's not even cleaned.
Jeff and I MIGHT be buying a computer tomorrow. I would ask for recommendations but then we'll probably just get a cheap one for now to use for general Internet usage.
I've been to Wal-Mart every day this week. I don't even like that store.
I need a haircut really bad (so does Jeff) but I have no idea where to go.
My address is officially changed, if you need it for any reason just email me!
I've got to go check out two items now so they know that I can be trusted once I bring them back. Then I can get as much as I want. (Have you ever heard of such a thing?)
I'll probably be back tomorrow with some more complete thoughts!

Oh and by the way: If we get a new computer I'll be able to post pictures again! Yay!!

Nov 15, 2008

We Made It

Our trip up went smoothly, no problems to report. Our new home however is another story...
It's kind of cool, unique ya know. But...
It's really really dirty.
There is orange shag carpet that's about a billion years old, and smells about a billions years old, in the bedrooms.
There are three flights of stairs to get to our second floor apartment and then another to get to our bedroom.
And we have mice.
But I guess, all in all, it's the typical U.P. apartment. Plus mice.
We think it was an old school house.
I wish I could show you some pictures but I forgot to take a bunch. I'm at Matt and Emily's right now so I could have actually showed you.
We don't have internet yet so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next. I just wanted to give you a quick update!

Any advice on the mice?

Nov 11, 2008

The Big Day

Well this is it, we're off! We're leaving around 8:30 tomorrow morning, wish us luck! Wish I had pictures but I'm sure you know the story by now...it's very frustrating.
Time to cry...
But I WILL be okay. I do know this. I'm still laughing as well!
We'll see you all...um...well, either January or whenever all y'all stop by!

Nov 7, 2008

5 more days

As this move approaches my emotions only get more out of wack. As I have said before, I embrace change. I am so thrilled to begin our lives in Marquette. To meet some new friends. To get back into some hobbies: sewing, scrapbooking, decorating, knitting, photography...I am also eager to know if any of the many people who have mentioned moving to Marquette one day will actually do it. Some very good friends of ours have been discussing it for the past year. I would love to have another familiar couple up there! And just last night, two of my single friends mentioned it. Somewhere along the lines of "Why not? What the heck is tying us down here?" So who knows what will happen, what's talk and what's for real. It would be sweet...

On the other hand I am nervous, anxious, and scared. The floodgates let loose every once in a while and my heart aches for the family and friends that won't be twenty minutes away. Oh geez, here they go again. *Sniff* Maybe one day Marquette will have a direct flight to Detroit so they will only be an hour or two away. All I have to say is that I am so thankful that I have my faith to fall back on and I can always pray for strength when I need it most.

Okay, did I mention that I'm at work and I am trying my darndest not to cry for fear that their dad might walk out into the kitchen at any moment?

Speaking of which, today is my last day of work. I am officially unemployed after 7:30 tonight.

Back to this impending move. I am also really excited to be two hours from Emily and Amanda. And a mere nine hours from Jennifer and Sara. PLUS, our home (so long as we have room) will always be open for those traveling to and from the Keweenaw, either to visit or stay for a night. We hope to be able to visit out-of-towners very often!

Nov 4, 2008

I Voted!

Did you?
I waited an hour and a half in line, by myself. Talk about boring.
Now we'll just sit back and wait for the polls to add up.
I enjoyed an evening at the in-laws. They even fed me. Okay, they usually do...actually I tend to eat them out of house and home whenever I'm there. We watched the results on the election and crossed our fingers. It seems that many children seem to think we are going to die if a certain candidate wins. I'm sure there is no adult influence there.
Tomorrow is a packing day. I don't work til two so I'll be getting up semi-early to put the coffee on and get cracking. Wish me luck!

Nov 3, 2008

The Countdown is ON!!

Our official move date is Wednesday, November 12, 2008. That is only 9 days away.
NINE!
Did you get that?
I had planned on packing after work today but I got home after 8 so I decided I'd put it off another day. Probably not that smart. These week is a little crazy too. I work my normal shift tomorrow but then Wednesday I go in late and work late, Thursday I get out early, and Friday is a 7am to 8pm. And somewhere in there I'd like to see both of our families, hang out with some friends and of course...pack.

Go McCain! Yeah, that was a little out of the blue but tomorrow in Election Day, don't forget!