Thank you Jesus

....for this amazing weather. Last year, this very week - we were at 20 inches of snow.

Last weekend, it was in the mid 60s w/clear skies. In Erie?! I know I've only been a part of this crazy-weathered city for 18 months, but I've picked up on the chaos. We're 18 days into November, and NO snow. Do you know, people have their Christmas lights up, bright & shining? Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK people!!!! When I think of Christmas, I think of snow...I don't want the ice weather yet...I don't. Next week, sure.

We did however take advantage of the nice weather, and Neil pulled out the ladder & got himself up on the roof to hang our Christmas lights. Turned them on for a brief few minutes to test them out...then shut them right off. Next week, on November 26th - after we've stuffed our faces...we will come home, pop in a Christmas movie, (or spin Frank Sinatra on the record player), and deck out our home with Christmas cheer.

But not a minute sooner.

71 in November?

I took full advantage of the beautiful weekend we just had. And from the looks and feels of it... it's continuing through today. According to the news (and my memory), it was snowing this time last year. So far, so good on this Fall season lasting - and winter not bulling it's way into November.

Friday I had the day off and decided to take Cali to the groomers for a manicure, then a walk through Frontier Park. I got a hold of Autumn and asked if she'd like to join me. And I got a very excited reply: "YES!!!" I beat her to the park by about 15 minutes and let Cali take advantage of the empty park. She was a very good baby doggie, and came when I called her. She wouldn't stay put though when I attempted to take a photo of her. These are what I ended up with...not bad, but there was a lot of yelling involved.

Then on Sunday, another gorgeous day - 71 degrees, I texted Autumn in hopes she would like to join me again for another walk - and without fail, she came with Owen and Emma in tow. It was a bit chilly down by the water, but she shnuggled up her little ones and we were off. Cali about pulled my arm off with excitement....she's working on her "walking" skills. We were not the only ones who wanted to take advantage of the weather - the peninsula sidewalks were packed with cyclists, walkers, runners, doggies - it caused slight difficulty due to the somewhat not-wide-enough path. We had quite a few run-ins with other doggies, but all canines were on their best behavior :)

Natalee and Ford Gregson

When I got the call, back in January - I didn't pick up my phone. The charge on my cell was just about dead...not to mention I didn't have my charger w/me in my new home. I was at the top of the ladder, in the kitchen, with green paint just about every which way. Then a text message came "Yeah, I'm pregnant" Just like that... I instantly called her. I was able to get about 5 minutes into the conversation before my phone died, but I could tell Natalee was beaming with excitement....or maybe it was nerves. Either way, I was excited! Since we were out in CA in June, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it out to see her and Ford right away. But thank the Lord, I was able to.

Growing up, it was always hard for me to hold onto friendships due to moving so much. Not many of my friendships go past 10 years old... When Natalee and I first started hanging out, it was very clear to me that we would be friends for a really, really long time. Not only is she so great, but her family was always so amazing - good thing they didn't mind me hanging around, because I would spend weekends at a time in their home. The Corpus familia - they are one of a kind and I just love them.

The very beginning of this month, I was able to take a trip out to California, with one task at hand - to spend time with Natalee and witness the new chapter in her life as a mommy. It filled my heart to see her w/Ford. Her and Eric are such great parents! Ford was only 3 weeks old when I met him, and I'm sure he won't remember me - but that's ok. My 1st day out, we took a trip to the grocery store. Boy, was Natalee nervous. I assured her that she could do this. I was there, I have her back - Ford will sleep the entire time. And he did just that. We were even able to make a pit stop at Starbucks, which we both needed desperately. The night followed by walking over to Redlands Market Night. It was a great 1st day.

(I'll talk more about my CA trip part II in another post, and add more pictures...)

The weekend ended with quality time with the Gregson family. Which was great for me. To just sit in one place w/no agenda was so relaxing. On top of the fact, everytime I have been back to CA, I only get to soak up about 2 hours of Natalee...so time spent with just her, was so nice, and it was well overdue.

37.5 hours

I worked 37.5 hours this week. I haven't worked a full week in like a year & a 1/2. I thought I'd hate it, but surprisingly it felt really good. Like I accomplished something. I appreciated that today was Friday...I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Next week, I pull the same amount of hours. I'm looking forward to it. Sort of.... the reason behind the additional hours is, my boss is out for 2 weeks recovering from surgery. Now, anything and everything that could go wrong - went wrong. Not that any of it was my fault. Just technical errors. It was all silly really. The week fleeeeew by...which was awesome! Next week is payroll week. I'm just a tiny bit nervous. I don't want to screw anything up!!! We'll see what I have to post at the end of the week.

Upload FAIL

I went to upload my pictures from my most recent trip to California - and guess what? The end of the usb cord that connects to the camera, has teeth marks, and is unusable. Thanks Cal.
So, my CA Trip Part II is on hold until I receive my new cord in the mail....in 5-7 days.

What is also making it's way to me via mail? My "L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream" Doesn't that sound intense? Well, it has to be. I attempted to use my usual "winter" moisturizer last year, and that was just a joke. The bitterness basically laughed in my face. After about 3 days of cracked, flaky, painful face, I went online and did some research. I even went to Macy's to ask the ladies at the counter there what I should use, beings they live in Erie, they should have an answer. They did. I listened. I got samples of a few different options. My face, still not happy. After convincing Neil that spending $38 on a face lotion was my only option - I prayed this stuff would work. If not, I'd have to use it regardless. $38!!!!
Needless to say, it worked...and beautifully! And with Fall here, and the chill in the air....my face is screaming at me for comfort. I have just a teeeeeny bit left from last winter, maybe a week's worth. I swallowed, and walked over to Neil to inform him of the bad news. I need more. After a few suggestions by Neil, like: Isn't there anything else? We decided that $20 of my "fun" money goes back in the bank 1st thing tomorrow. We split the cost. Will Dave Ramsey agree with this method? I'm afraid to ask...

Summer 2009

Now that Fall is just around the corner...I thought I'd post some highlights of the summer. My plethora of pictures on my computer are all over the place. So, I'm sure I'm missing some summer moments, but that's ok. We had a great summer!!! Even though, we didn't get what we had planned done, to the house - we'll get there this winter, when we can't go outside and play.

California Trip: In La Jolla with Neil, and of course, eating at In 'n Out

Vegas w/Brooke, Kobe & Isaiah for Eva & Tony's Reception. And finally meeting Baby Elsie

Erie Seawolves game with Adam. Cleveland Indians w/the boys

Spending time w/our baby doggie, Cali

No Doubt! Erin & I had the best day in Pittsburgh

At the Peninsula, flying a kite. Anniversary day, canoeing

Dog-sitting Sullivan & Peanut Butter Cup. Fantasy Football draft, playing Vanna

Lots of time spent w/Laura & Miss Evelyn

What's crazy is, all the time I have spent with my friend Autumn, I don't have any pictures of us together. Strange. I'll have to take care of that. We also spend a lot of time with the guys... but usually just sitting around. That's boring. Who wants pictures of that? :)
Over the weekend, Neil had to go up on top of the roof to do some patch work...or something. So, I joined him and brought my camera. There was a chill in the air, and I got extremely excited for Fall. The leaves are starting to change, and I just cannot wait. Soon, my braces will be off...well, I'm thinking like 3-5 months...but I'm sure I'll still take pictures like this:

Jon Beckman is back! + The Sounds

= one hell of a great weekend!

My weekends start on Thursdays, after work. So...Thursday, after work Neil, Sean and I headed to Corry to hang out with Laura for the night. It was the week of the Spartansburg Fair, so we thought we'd go & check it out. Laura is from this quaint little town, and has gone to this fair every year - since she was real young. I can see why. We parked the car at her parents house, walked 2 blocks & we were there. Who wouldn't go every night, every year when you live that close? We definitely didn't think we'd see anyone we knew - but guess what? We were wrong. Our friends Joy & Richard were there. It was so nice seeing them!!!! What was also great about this night was Laura informed us that Jon could possibly be home in just 2 or 3 days. So awesome!
After Neil filled his belly w/Fair food, and Laura got her Maple milkshake - we made our way home. It was a great night.

Adding to the weekend was the purchase of tickets for a concert in November. The Sounds! I was introduced to this band, easily less then a year ago...and I love them! It was a surprise to me, just hours before the No Doubt concert, that they were opening - and Erin & I just about jumped out of our skin hearing the news. I have been on their trail ever since just hoping they'd make there way back. And they are! Myself, along with Neil, Sean, and Sean's friend Nicole, will be driving to Cleveland on Nov. 2nd to see them. We are all so excited! The bonus is Neil is going. It's a Monday, and we all know Neil does not like to do stuff on School Nights. But with his new promise to be a better best friend to me - he agreed :) And I couldn't be happier. I just adore my husband, and I love, love, love having him by my side during events like this. It does help when he loves the band just as much as me...

9-11-01

I have probably blogged about where I was on September 11th, 2001 already - but for some reason...this year I literally have spent all day thinking about it. Not sure why.

I was 21, living in Ruidoso, New Mexico with the Carey family. I was woken up by my roomate Carrie and the youth pastors daughter - can't remember her name right now. It was my day off and I had plans to sleep in...but I'm a light sleeper & I heard whispering in the hallway, then my door opens. Carrie informs me that an airplane crashed in NY into one of the towers. I'm thinking: That's just nuts, how could someone miss that tall building? She tells me that the youth pastor (can't remember his name either!) and his wife are upstairs watching the news in the kitchen.... How strange. This news is really causing people to get together before 8 in the morning? I make my way upstairs so I can be apart of the commotion. I can still remember the smell of this house - new, dust, construction like smells...the house was in it's final stages of being built. I sit myself at the bar in one of their tall chairs and get myself caught up w/what's going on. I don't think I blinked for 10 straight minutes. Look at that plane - INSIDE the building - it was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Within 15 minutes or so of me sitting there, the 2nd plane crashes into the 2nd tower...this was no accident. Is this really happening? My mouth is dry & I can't swallow.
All day today I've been thinking about: "What did I do next?" I can't remember. I can't remember leaving the kitchen. I can't remember any conversations I had about it. Nothing. I am blank. What I slightly remember is - going to work the following Thursday, and talking to my co-workers about the events that took place 2 days prior. We had the radio on overhead, instead of music...for our benefit, as well as the customers... But I can't remember anything else.

14, 13, 12, 11,

10.
As of right now, I am officially a size 10. At the beginning of this year, I was a 14. Ridic. u. lous. And I'm preeeetty sure if I ate more healthy, I'd be at my goal weight by now. But I love food too much. I love it so much, that I put myself through pain. I hit the gym 4-5 times a week, and will literally kill myself... especially if I know good food is just around the corner. It doesn't make sense, I'm aware. But. Let's face it. Food is just too good. I have cut back on the snacking, controlled my portions, and don't drink soda but every couple of months or so... I'm doing better. :)

I was reading back on old posts, and man - did I have goals that I did not achieve. I was depressed over that for like 2 days. So, I'm over the goals. I'm just going to aim to be healthier. Maybe I'm meant to have curves. Whatever. I refuse to let myself get caught up in all the vanity that I'm capable of getting wrapped up in. I've been there. I'm from CA. Girls in CA, it's all they think about. That's why they're all bitchy - they don't eat. In Erie, it's not so bad... but, at the gym, I work out next to these snobby skinny girls who just look down on those that are over weight...it has been making me sick. Was I like that when I was strutting around in my size 3 jeans? Probably. I'm just 3 sizes away from fitting into my size 7s that have been hanging out in my closet. It may take me another year, but I don't care. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm more happier this way.

Hi September, you're early

I love this month. September is the month that leads you right into the holiday season... the Hartmans have a gazillion birthday wishes to send off - which starts the holiday festivities. Am I ready? No. Disappointed in me? Yes. At the start of the summer, Neil and I vowed to be ahead of September. Let's purchase birthday cards early, let's get presents all ready to go... Then when Sept is done, we'll prep for Christmas. Welp. None of this happened. September is here, and well... not prepared. But moving forward...I am excited for the Fall season. The California girl in me is just itching to experience Fall to it's fullest again... I'm excited to pull out my Fall decor, and even more excited to purchase more! Yankee Candle is just calling my name, crying out for me to buy some sort of Pumpkin-Spice-Autumn-Candy-Corn smelly goodness. (I can smell it all now.) My 1st real "decorting" holiday in my own home. Feels good. (I know, I know...What about Valentines, St. Pattys, or 4th of July... I just didn't think about it, ok!?)

*Side Note* Summer was so humid, rainy, and miserable - I'm just ready for it to go away!

I also told Neil I'm going to master new dinner and dessert recipes. I'm pulling out every cookbook I have, along w/the plethora of cookbooks my mother-in-law has..and just start experimenting. I truly feel God blessed us with this home, to share with friends and family... and I want to start new traditions with them. When Neil and I dreamed about owning a home, we always invisioned friends sharing it with us...
Mmm. Hopefully I won't scare them away with my cooking....