Kinda Goodbye. Just Kinda.

Another week in Bismarck. We still have a house on the market. It will be officially a month on July 2nd. What a bummer. We've had a few offers but nothing that has made it to contract and one offer that we can't even consider serious. Here's the issues...we do love the layout and feeling of the house, we'd love for someone to appreciate it like we do, and we'd like to sell it so we can begin looking at other houses. We've reviewed a few neighborhoods that we'd like to settle in, but nothing serious down to particular houses. It's a bit of a bummer as we'd love to get settled a bit and start thinking of where our roots are going.

We did make a trip back to Dickinson for a very particular reason. We threw a get together for our friends that we were saying goodbye to in Dickinson and had it at the pool house. Was nice to see people that meant so much to us and take time out of their day. The weather wasn't ideal. At. All. It rained and rained and blew and rained. Was disheartening and probably affected the turnout a bit but was nice to visit with those that were able to come and was special to have people there. There is something to be said for the signs of a great party....good food (Check, in my opinion), good drinks (How can you go wrong with Summer Shandy?), laughter (a few times for sure), and a passed out person before dinner! She did revive herself for round two! And Chayden did the same thing but he pushed through the rain and even managed to get Matt to play in the pool with him!

Sunday we prepped the house for us to leave again, taking a bit more things with us to Bismarck. Concentration this time...the fridge. We hauled back some freezer items and some fridge items. We are pretty much down to one freezer at this point with a few straglers, was nice to get a bit more over. I should have been thinking and making a list of more freezer things as we could be using them to make room for our beef coming in October!

 

Matt's been enjoying work and says his days are flying by. He's excited to go to work, despite the fact that having a boss has been a bit of a shift for him. He can do his job and enjoy it versus feeling like a constant reaction is happening. We've seen the subtle shift on a daily basis but when someone actually commented to me that they can see the change in his face, it was justified that this change/move (despite our living situation shifting) was a good decision.

 

The one who has struggled a bit, TonyDanza. We had to take him into the vet this week as he had a UTI. Poor guy. It must have been bothering him pretty bad. He was getting even more clingy with us, mean with Lola, and having all sorts of issues. Was glad that when we got home on Sunday he was feeling better and even back to his old ways, like chasing his tail!

 

Best meal: Fish Tacos with my mother. We grilled fillets and shared one of our favorites with her. I don't know what she enjoyed more....us cooking or the meal itself.  

 

Alaina (opening the fridge door); "Ohhhh, I've never seen Hot Sauce in this Fridge before."

DMM: "Yeah, we have a lot of fun condiments in there now"

ALR (in her head): My mother's idea of fun condiments are our cooking essentials. Where did I come from?

 

Matt parks car at Econofoods...previously known to us as Dan's
ALR: "I'll wait in the car."
MJR leaves and returns 10 minutes later, emptyhanded.
ALR: "Didn't find what you were looking for?"
MJR (wide eyed) "That place has CHANGED! I couldn't find what I was looking for! It's only been two weeks, they've redone it all!"

Camping Trip!



We made it through Matt's first week. With flying colors! He is so happy with this move and it's nice to see him excited about coming to work. He has some familiarity with the place and the people so he's got a leg up because he's coming with some knowledge. I've had my third week and I'm enjoying what I do and the work and the daily challenges. The hard part for me is the office switch - 6 people to 70 people and I don't know everyone all. We had the company picnic this year and it was nice to see that some people have been with the department for 10+years and were acknowledged for that.
 

The main event of the week was the first camping trip. Last year, was a quanlity versus quantity camping season. We only got to go out twice (once with Michele and Randy and then once for dive weekend). This year, we plan to out-do ourselves with a few more trips. We already have two more planned and if the weather is cooperative like this past weekend, we are going to want to get out there as much as possible. We took in Sibley Park. It was beautiful! Calm, barely a breeze, with some warmth and sun! Add a campfire and a handsome man....and life was perfect.

We cooked pizza pies, hot dogs, and smores the first night. Matt had some burning issues...but I didn't have the problems that he did. Was wonderful. The second night we had fish tacos and even though Matt thought everything was a bit off it all came together nice. Was nice to get out a bit. We had some issues with the camper including 1 drained propane tank, and a couple lights that needed to be replaced but all-in-all it was a successful first trip out. It could be considered our first, Bismarck weekend, as we looked at a few neighborhoods, did a bit of shopping, and Matt did some fishing. His parents will be happy to hear that he's still very catchable when it comes to numbers as he wasn't able to catch anything. Shore fishing is hard.

Garage update: One day there was rafters, then actual walls, and now a roof...with a teeny tiny skylight.

 Best meal: Pizza pies on the fire. There's something about the first camp fire of the year.

MJR: I'm having a hard time with central time.
ALR: I guess it does screw me up when the news comes on late.

Moving to Bismarck....er Baldwin.

It was Matt’s turn for a transition week. I’m settling into the new living arrangement and new job but he had to say good bye to the old. They threw him a going away/good luck party where they presented him with a parting propeller. He said that he was touched by who came and the speech that Bob had made. He said he was amazed by what Bob knew, however; I have a feeling that Bob did a little blog research! I saw I had awful high page views a couple days before the party! I was sad I couldn’t make it but my girls at Job Service didn’t let my location stop them from bringing me. They printed off a pic of me and took it along. They also chose one that was site appropriate as it was me in an airport…partying! Well enjoying a beverage before heading to Hotlanta. Glad they got a few pics! Ha! Those girls know how to make Matt and I laugh!

Before taking off for Lansford, we took a quick tour past the airport as Obama and the first lady took their first visit to North Dakota. While we both disagreed on the final destination of their visit with the reason, we could appreciate that it was a big deal and a big deal to see Air Force One on the runway. We are hoping this viewing isn’t a once in a lifetime experience.



 



This weekend we headed to Lansford for Father’s Day weekend and Nike visitation. What a difference in the drive time! Didn’t hardly take anything at all! We got there Friday night in time for a normal supper of pizza! Saturday the plan was to golf but after discovering the course was monopolized by a tournament we headed to Base and got a tour of the family’s old stomping ground including old neighborhood, old work sites, the b-52s, Randy’s present working location, and the shopping center. I was a bit shocked at how big the stores were, not what I was expecting! Was fun to see and do a bit of shopping! Michele and I got some good steals. Sunday, we did get out on the course. I see where Matt inherited his “golfing edge”….I think I was the only one that didn’t threaten to throw a club or a ball. Not that my playing was anything spectacular…but Michele’s did improve over time. They went from not keeping score to suddenly keeping score. Randy better be careful, she might get too good for her own good! It was a nice weekend.

 

Garage Update: there are now walls. And the exterior stairs no longer threaten my neck.

Day 9 of living with my parents. The great raccoon disposal. Pictures will tell enough of a story.

Day 10 of living with my parents. I made concrete with Goldilocks. Too wet. Not wet enough. Too dry. Too little. Too much. 

Best Meal: Randy's pizza...we had a deep dish AND a normal crust AND spinach dip as an appetizer!! Matt did hog the spinach dip and here is a picture to prove it. I'm patiently waiting and he's hogging.

PM: I want to look at this website...bring up your computer.
ALR: Okay...you aren't going to like this site...it looks hard to navigate.
PM: I wannah look at this equipment (points to flyer picture in magazine)
ALR: I've got to create you a profile.
(Starts typing....username...then comes to password.)
(Both look at each other.)
PM: What's my password?
ALR: That's what I'm trying to figure out. Hmmm...think I've got one.
ALR: What's your email?
PM: Dear, what's our email? (to DMM)
DMM: We've talked about this....you need to remember this
(input email address, get into site, find air seeder that he wanted to know more about)
PM: (looks at it for 5 seconds) well, I don't want that.
ALR: We did all that work and you looked at it for 5 seconds?
DMM: (Mouths from across the room) welcome to my world.

Happy Birthday to THEE Eric Remynse. I know it was on Monday....27 was a good year for me.

Nowerns and Nowheretogo

Well this past weekend I headed to Dickinson. I had a week of work under my belt and 5 days of living with my parents. In my old room. Again. Don't get me wrong....it's awesome that they are

willing to let us "squat" this summer but I have this weird dejavu feeling that we've been here before and I think all of us are hoping it will be the last time. Matt had a busy week as he was short handed at the airport, so when he had an opportunity to go fishing with the Ericksons, he jumped at it. They camped at Paterson and we had the opportunity to crash their camp site. It was like camping but better....no pulling, no on-off showers, no planning but I still got a camp fire and smores! And they were slaying them this weekend. Even limited out. They even caught a few extra fish to accompany their walleyes including some perch and a big fat norwern (as Chay puts it). We had a little fry up before supper and it was dang good!

 

While Matt was playing on the water I did some stuff around the condo. We had a slow week for showings...maybe 5 total. We did get an offer but all it did was get our hopes up for it to fall thru because of financing. We knew that this could be a problem and has been in the past for me. But was hoping it would be a bit easier this time around. We think we have it priced right and it's been my favorite house that we've been in yet. Fit us so well and I love the light and the floor plan. And my favorite part...the patio, which I haven't been able to fully enjoy yet this year. So I vacuumed and did laundry, straightened up, and finally cleaned up the yard a bit more. I wasn't alone though....Gary joined me. He's the gray cat from two doors down. I won't lie....it was nice to have a kitty at the house keeping me company. It was weird with all of them gone. Whenever I went to do things outside, Gary kept an eye on me.

This move has been harder on me than previous ones. I don't know if it's the house, the finality of leaving Dickinson, the unsurity of having our own place, the friends, the job that I had some confidence in or what...but I find myself feeling frustrated and sad with this move. I realized this past weekend that I won't get to see my peonies bloom and it was sad for me. We've put so much into this house, our first home as a married couple, and it's sad that no one has fallen for it the way we had.

 

On the work front....I made it thru my first week at Commerce. And on Thursday and Friday actually got to doing some work....hardly an orientation and got to forge ahead a bit on my own. I won't lie I'm struggling learning the 70 new co-worker's names. I have never been in an office this big and had such rapid fire of people. I hope to get to know people and projects a bit better as the summer progresses. So far so good. I will have my team welcome lunch next week.

Matt's final week is this week. He was pretty occupied last week with covering night shifts and getting the agenda done. His last agenda. He said he got his office cleaned out too....something that I thought he should do since day 1 of meeting him. But I know it's a bit surreal for him. He's really grown into his role and changed the airport in ways that he dreamed about when he was an intern. This week they have his open house for him and it makes me so sad that I won't be able to attend. I wish I could be there to see him and hear the appreciation and well wishes.

Best meal: We had some good ones this weekend...pork chops with greek seasoning, steaks with potatoes, garlic bread, and cookies, and Nardellos pizza. I think my favorite was the smores though with a fish appetizer.

MJR: Do you think the cats are going anywhere in the basement.
ALR: (sighs) yeah.
MJR: Where?
ALR: Back behind their boxes right now in the corner...I think some litter was spilt on the ground.
MJR: Hmmm...well at least it was on concrete.
ALR: Yeah, so mom came up with a plan. If you can't beat them, join them.
MJR: Your mom is peeing in the corner??
ALR: WHAT? No! She put a litter box back there and they are going in that box now!
MJR: I don't think you used that phrase correctly.
ALR: I think you are TOO literal!

Happy Father's Day. We are getting to spend it with both of our parents. We'll head up to Lansford on the weekend and celebrate up there and then celebrate with my dad next week.

So glad that I have BOTH of these men in my life.  

Goodbye, Hello.

Last week:

So I started saying goodbyes. It was actually the worst parade of goodbyes that I could think of. First it was arranged to have my first crew of ladies that I worked with at the Strom Center meet at an old regular place, "the hat". I started at the Strom Center in 2008 and we've continued to keep tabs on each other. There's been some changes with life; marriage, divorce, babies, moving, graduation, cancer, and more but it's amazing to be part of their lives. The picture even shows Little Ethan (who can't sit still) and the outfit that I bought him before I'd even seen him! Looked so good!

 

My next good bye was the Ladies Auxiliary for the Fire Department. I've really come to enjoy the group and the socialization. None of us are really at the same point in life...just married, married with one kid, married with 2, not married, married with older kids....but we all have the firefighter in our lives. And the best part is they all know Matt a bit more than the average person because of the department and camping, etc. They came over Wednesday night for an impromptu meeting where Matt cooked burgers, I made summer tomato salad and taco layer dip, with the help of an amazing assistant. Was a good time...made me a bit more sad.  

 

I also said goodbye to two ladies over lunches that have made such a huge impact on my life....Shantelle, I was her maid of honor and she's been a great ear and Sheri, who helped me through some rough times of my life. What a bummer. I did have a few weekend visitors including my favorite cat sitter, Landry (and Aimee) and Sissy and Kay. I didn't do well with their good byes either.

 

The stars of the weekend were our mothers. I can't believe how much we got back, organized, and moved. We managed to take another full load to Bismarck with their help and left the house in really good shape in time for it to go on the market on June 2. I was so glad Michele came and really helped us knock things out and adding my mother as reinforcement was even better, especially with my meltdowns.

 

This week I said hello to a few changes. I started at Commerce on June 2. There were a lot of hellos that day. I'll work on names as we continue to go and that sucks as they all know me but I don't know them. Yikes. But it'll come, right? It was nice to hear how glad everyone was that I was there.

 

Another big change, me, Lola, and TonyDanza moved into the basement of my parents home. Back into my old bedroom. Nike went up to Lansford to summer (and hopefully not fall and winter) with Randy and Michele. Matt stayed behind to take care of the house. I hate a broken home. 

 

After our last stay at the Moser Estate, it was determined that the cats, TonyDanza and Lola, should be separated from Toot, as TD is mean. So after much debate and rigging and a couple trips to Menards, we found some square lattice to corral the kitties to one side. We put it up and thought we were brilliant. It last for an hour and Lola found her way upstairs. After going downstairs, I determined how she did it. She climbed the lattice like a ladder and popped to the other side. I don't think I would have believed it if I hadn't had seen it. Dad got a big kick out of it.

 

Best meal: this one was a stuggle...no meal stands out terrible for me. I could say spaghetti to kick off my new location meals or chili dogs which was one of the last meals that I ate/made at my house. Actually, thinking about it, it was probably the burgers and meal that I had with auxiliary when I said good bye.

 

MJR: Well, I better get on the road and get back to Dickinson.

ALR: nods

MJR: (looks at all at table) See you in two weeks, roomies.