GoodBadGood day

So, today started out so sweet. I helped my Sunday School class with the Christmas Pageant (my 3 kindergarten girls were angels... so stinkin' cute). I went to work in a mood full of Christmas cheer (which is weird b/c I work at a Jewish Community Center...) and excitement for this week. Then I came home and I just got so frustrated. The demands of living with an 89 year old who had someone wait on him for 63 years have gotten hard this week. I get in the door, and am bombarded with lots of things to do and making dinner and un-tornado-ing the house  IT.IS.HARD. I am exhausted, mentally and physically.

Backup a bit: My grandma died on New Year's Day, 2008. So the holidays are extra hard for gpa. When Grandpa gets sad he gets kind of harsh, and that results in my getting upset. End backup.

So I called my mom. Thank goodness for my mom. Honestly. And I just spilled it all out. And sobbed. And an hour later mom was on our front porch with my Golden Retriever, French Toast and sugar free berry pie for Grandpa, and an everything omelette for her and I to split. Grandpa's mood turned around, I relaxed, and the night ended up good. It wasn't without its stress, but it definitely relaxed. And tonight, I go to bed relaxed... almost. I have lots of wrapping to do and 3 loads of laundry to fold, but at least I know Grandpa was cheered up. And for that, I am grateful.

xoxo, AF

Social Butterfly?!

Whoa. Two Posts. One Day. Call me butter 'cuz I am on a roll people.

This weekend, I realized something. I have made new friends! Since moving back, I have had major adjustments to my social calendar.

Now, for most who know me, I really enjoy my free time, which also doubles as my alone time. I love hanging out with my friends, but really enjoy alone time equally as much. However, my two best friends now live 2,000 miles away. I used to live with two dudes, which provided constant entertainment and laughs, and I lived in a sorority house for 2 years. I could close my door on being social whenever I wanted, but the options were always there.

Then I moved back here to where I didn't have a lot of friends and lo and behold, I was lonely. Whereas my family is amazing and I love them and love to hang out with them, a girl needs friends on top of her best friends who are family and the four legged best pal  (Ilse really is my best friend in the world. I just love that fluffy buddy of mine).

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I was invited to a holiday party that unfortunately took place during the Snowmageddon '10. Unfortunately, I couldn't go b/c I was happily snowed in, eating crab legs and tater tots with my 89 year old grandpa. But the party was rescheduled for this Saturday, and I CAN GO! Excited squeal. My social life may start to look up, and I am so excited about it :)

So for now, I must go and get things done so I can go to a Christmas party tomorrow night after work :)

Why Hello There!

I am sitting in a coffee shop. The dude next to me asked if I wanted to see his scars from his surgery from skin cancer due to his cell phone. He wasn't wearing a turtle neck, so I was stuck. Tis the season to be extra nice to weird people.

On a side note, I still don't have my internet working swimmingly in the new joint, so I can't update as often as I'd like to. For this I apologize.

I will do a full update when I can. A Happy Christmas to you all my friends!!

Amy

Life is Goooood (Insert MN Accent Here)

Hi All,

As I sit I realize I haven't updated anyone on my most recent life changes. I am still enjoying my work as a fitness specialist at a local community center. Within my first two months I actually was offered the opportunity to become a nighttime manager twice a week which is exciting. I now can continue to build my resume (and kick off awkward job experience. "Tell me about your experience while working at Gap Body." "Well, I sold soccer moms underwear?"). I am thrilled at this new opportunity to at least have another job on my resume that demonstrates supervisory experience and some sort of authority.

All of these new opportunities (mixed with old blessings of work) also come with crazy hours, lack of sleep, weird eating times and meals (Trail mix and apples with cheese are a regular now) little time with my family or friends. 65 hours weeks are lonnnng! But I am constantly reminded that my abundance of luck and fortune every time I turn on the news and hear the unemployment rate, or see someone ask for change on the street.

Through a chain of very fortunate events, I have been blessed with a wonderful living space, a roommate who sings You Are My Sunshine to me on a regular basis, and jobs that have provided me with the ability to pay my bills and buy Christmas presents for my family and friends. Sure, when the snow comes down I want to not shovel. When I am working at 8 am until 11 pm I am exhausted and feel like taking a snooze before driving home, but ultimately, I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities that have flowed in abundance towards me.

Blessings to you all during this joyous time!

Amy

Snow

It has snowed multiple times already here in the great white north. Blustery winds, small yet faceplanting it on the driveway capable sized drifts have accumulated along with its annual four letter choice words to accompany it all. Even more so this year now that I have moved in with my grandfather, so I am responsible for the shoveling. Despite my wildest dreams of attaching a shovel to the front of one of his 3 scooters, I am obliged to deal with it the way most house living adults do.... shovel. Upon waking in the mornings and realizing my obligation, a few more choice words tend to slip out, and I bundle up in my star shaped snow suit and Sportos and waddle out to the front drive, much resembling Little Brother Randy from A Christmas Story.

White. Calm. Glistening. Sparkly (I had to say it...) Snowglobes and childhood wonder. As I am sitting in the local coffee shop having a cup of joe (and eyeing the Fedora clad Barista) surrounded by the warmth of the plush chair I'm in, staring out the ceiling height windows, I am reminded that this is supposed to be snow. The salt shaker, inside a Dickens Village Snowglobe effect is finally latching on (at least the swearing has subsided).

As I am sitting warm and cozily (and making eye contact with hot barista), I am reminded to step back, especially this time of year, and allow the childlike excitement to overcome me. Except that thank God I am not a child, as I couldn't drink coffee then, and what kind of awful morning would that be?!

Check It Out

Everyone should check out my sister's blog:

AWESOMENESS

Additionally, she is incredibly selfless and inspiring to all. So check it out. And sis, I appreciated the first cup :) And am sorry I got your cup instead of my icky one. Curses on International Delight for a nasty "holiday" creamer that definitely did NOT taste like a chocolate mint bon bon. The smell was deceiving.

That is all. d

With a little help

Alright, so I have been thinking about this for a while. Where the crap do you even meet people in this city? And by meet, I don't mean go to bars where some dude eyes you like you're a medium rare steak superficial meeting (although bars are fun...).

I no longer have a desire to hang out with many people from my high school, am in a completely different stage of life than most members of my church family, and spend most of my days with 2 year olds. Therefore, I need some twenty something time to balance out my constant, "Do you want more animal crackers?!?" or "Sorry, you have to share the red car...". My job is great for social interactions, but not for making lasting friendships, etc.

I miss my friends from college, most of whom live in Chicago area, and would love to be closer to them if my family was. Therefore, I am left in a state of perpetual boredom with antsy pants. Therefore, I am in a bit of a predicament. I have friends here. The few I have are close to me, yet often our schedules just don't match up.

I go places alone which doesn't bug me at all (museums, shopping, coffee, etc) but at the end of the day it would be fun to have more friends in my life. Therefore, where the crap do I meet them? Ideas peeps?

Whingzing of a week

Helloooooooooo world!

Well, again, I have to apologize for the 1.5 week absence. I've been working between 6-14 hour days for the past week, which is awesome but oh so exhausting! I am diggin the new job. It is really easy going and relaxed which is nice.

Living situation update: I am in the process of fixing my dear grandpa's basement up and turning it into a studio. Sure the "kitchenette" will be a minifridge with a mini microwave on top, but hey, at least the space will be MINE.

*Sidenote* At the ripe age of 89.5, Grandpa made a facebook account. *end sidenote*

The great basement has a fireplace, will have a closet area that my awesome brother in law is helping me make, and a couch and bed area, etc. Bathroom is down the hall. However, lots of work needs to be done. Lots. Starting with the mass removal of stuff. Followed by the professional cleaning of the carpet. Followed by the scrubbing of the walls' grime, and the painting over of the institutional white walls. Hopefully I will be able to find a pretty crystal like light fixture for the middle of the room, oh the possibilities!!

I also am excited to help keep on top of Grandpa's house. When I can keep on top of the 89 year old bachelor mess, I won't mind living there... I hope....

Pictures soon to come. Yippee for projects and adventures!

Good News!

HUZZAHHHHHH. My sister and brother in law have been living with my mom and I for quite some time. They have placed numerous offers on houses, and... THEY GOT ONE!!! YIPPPEEEEE for them. And there is a hot tub. SWEET. That is all my friends.

The Past Week

Hey all,

So this past week has been FULL of emotion. Up, down, left and right. On Friday of last week, I found out my God Brother took his own life the Thursday before. Needless to say the wake and funeral services were heart wrenching and tearful and full of pain yet also full of love, and warmth. The stories, the love of friends and family, and the common feeling of knowing he is in a better place. Finally he can watch his family without carrying the weight of depression on his shoulders. For this we are grateful, and although we miss his physical presence, we know his spirit is all around us. Prayers for my family and his family and close friends are always welcome :) 

ZOO!!!

Oh Hey Blog World
It has been a busy busy week my friends. Lots of nannying and scheduling, etc. I will say, I am excited for the days when I will work some regular hours with some consistency!

So this spring I decided to buy a pass to the Minnesota Zoo . I went with the Individual +1 option, and it has more than paid for itself. This Monday, it was an absolutely perfect leaf crunching day. Clear blue skies, high 60's temps, it was an ideal day. Even though it was under construction, the parking lot still had tons of handicap spaces which is also helpful. Luckily my grandpa has a motorized scooter, so off we went to the Zoo to ride the trails in his Big Bruno.

The day was a success! We covered the entire Northern Trail, and the entire inside. I got to pet the sharks and sting rays, and gpa got to take a snooze in front of the shark tank :) My personal favorite spot is the Discovery Cove area. I LOVE the entire dolphin family: a new calf (so stinking cute), the calf's mom, grandma, and dad. Also, one of the tigers was out and roaming about. I never get to see them! Fabulous to see it out and walking. The grizzleys were nice and teddy bear like, all snuggled up in little fur balls

We enjoyed a great lunch (Definitely a decent variety of options and tasted pretty good! Not incredibly overpriced either, about standard lunch prices with lots of options). Oh how I love that man. Despite not having a nice normal schedule, I am SO grateful for the extra time I get to spend with my family. Here are a few pics my friends.

Look at the Camels! 

I love him :)

Fishtank on the Tropics Trail

Gpa is the cutest sweetest old guy ever. And rather hilarious. Overall, great experience, awesome paved trails, VERY well maintained grounds and the animals, as usual, were adorable.

Job-iggity-Job

I have a job HUZZAH! It isn't a full time job, and it seems like it may get boring at times, but at least I have a job. Yaysies. And I will still get to nanny kiddos with my new job. Double Huzzah.

SKOL VIKINGS!

So last Sunday, I had the chance to attend the Vikings/Dolphins game... IN THE FIFTH ROW. Not only was I in the 5th row, but I was located 15 feet away from where the Vikings ran out in the end zone tunnel. And I was smack behind the end zone. Amazing! So, for your pleasure, here are pictures... WITHOUT THE ZOOM. I don't think I have ever attended a professional sporting event where I didn't use my zoom lens. 

Vikes End Zone

                

Neighbors and me (I'm on the Left)

Overall review of game in the Dome: Much better than baseball in the dome. Turf looks painful. Cheeseburger as large as my face.  We'll leave it at that.

Livin' on dreams and Spaghettios

I fully realize that I ripped this phrase off of a cheesy country song, and pretty soon I'll be throwing pennies in the fountain of youth. I am a single 20 something gal who really does live on dreams and spaghettios (ok, actually they are the organic Annies Bernio's, and I am SO not ashamed to admit it. Sometimes there are soy meatballs in them. Even better). I graduated from a Big10 University in May of 2009 with a degree in Health and Sports Studies, and Communication Studies. What am I doing with this multi 10's of thousands of dollars double BA? I'm a nanny (insert living on dreams part here). I also live with my mom (insert more living on dreams... like a studio with a closet big enough to support my high heel addiction). There are houses for sale for less than I owe banks for my schooling.

* Sidenote: Funny how the Big 10 has now turned into the Big 12, and the Big 12 is now the Big 10. Iowa plays Nebraska, and it's going to be the Farm Smackdown of the midwest. End rant. *

I have a passion for health, well being, and being social. I have worked out between 2-7 days a week since I was in Middle School, and I have come to learn that challenging my body stems from my mind. If my mind tells my legs to move, they will move, regardless of what my body wants to do. I'm currently attempting to train for a half marathon. I kinda blew my own mind when I decided to do that. But again, it is a mental struggle. *updates on how training is going soon*. I do have to give a shout out to This awesome dude who is helping me train (via website...). I hope to someday be one of those 90 year old super awesome athletic superfreaksofnature that is featured on orange juice commercials. After the shooting of the commercial, I will return to my 50 dogs and my hot pink rocking chair yelling at small children on my front porch. Except I like kids, so I'll probably just feed them candy. And cookies. And probably make a beef roast dinner with mashed potatoes b/c that's the way to win people over. Obvs.

So blogworld, what are my dreams? I have dreams of making a difference. And I recently have been offered the chance to work at a local religious Community Center as a Fitness Specialist. I am so excited about this opportunity for SO many reasons, but some of them are:

1). I am fascinated with other cultures and am excited to work with a community that is outside my norm.

2). I get to help people use cardio machines and weights. Walking into a gym is intimidating, esp. if you are not technologically savvy. Even more so if the person working out next to you is the size of your right butt cheek, or a former WWE fighter. I can't WAIT to help people become comfortable in gyms.

3). I am encouraged to be social and interact. Talk to people? Ok. Think I can do it :) I'm hoping that I can be personable and outgoing without overbearing and make people want to come back.

4). I think there will be opportunities for lots of stuff within the center. *excited squeal!* I start training in two days. And..... I GET TO WEAR SPANDEX. I love spandex because it hides the meteor shower that has targeted my upper thigh region it is comfy.

And with that my friends, I am signing off.

Herrow

Oh, hai

I am twenty something gal who has a mind located not in my head, but rather on a series of hot pink and green post its in my planner. I previously had a blog, but do to some creepy circumstances, I had to nix it. Wah wah for me. Additional wah wah for creepy stalker dude (who I am still scared will just pop up randomly on my front porch someday) who no longer can keep tabs on me.

So why am I blogging? Hmm. Part of it is I LOVED updating my other blog. In undergrad I traveled around Europe in true "pack your life into 2 suitcases" fashion. It was amazing...and really hard to pick what shoes I wanted. Maybe someday I will get all crafty and import that blog, which would be sweet. But back to original question: Why am I blogging? What do I have to offer the world to people who don't know me? Furthermore, why do I want people who don't know me to know an electronic version of who I think I am? I have no answers to these questions, and only hope to reveal them as I blog more. But I can tell you:

I love baseball and sports. Love them.

I believe a healthy lifestyle encompasses mental and physical well being, and many chocolate chip cookies.

And I love life. And politically incorrect cartoons.

First post? Donezo. And while it isn't exactly substantial, it is something. Huzzah.