Giving my two weeks notice!

I’m totally thinking condo lately. I’m so ready to move in…start unpacking, start decorating, start finding things that have been in boxes for a year. It’ll be like having all sorts of NEW things. I’ve been working in Bismarck for almost a year, kinda hard to believe. At this time last year, Matt and I were just getting to know each other, Mel was leaving for Rock Springs, I was nervous about moving and starting a new job, and TonyDanza and Lola couldn’t wait to say goodbye to Dudley (Mel’s dog).

The condo is almost done, all I need is a few things done…tiling the shower, putting in the window treatments, covering up some paint scratches, and painting a door. I saw the new carpet, the silver appliances, and the beautiful countertops. The closing date is set for the 9th, two weeks from now. The realtor is optimistic to that but the banker is trying to be realistic. I’m just plain hoping.

"If what you are doing is not moving you towards your goals, then it's moving you away from your goals." - Brian Tracy 

Window of Opportunity

Sometimes "the fat one" and "the loud one" at my house make me laugh. The loud one, aka Lola, likes to push her limits. As it's become nicer out, and I've pulled the plastic from most of the windows she likes to look out the windows in the kitchen. The only way to do this is to jump on the table and sit on the edge. I feel like I'm a constant Rick James yelling "Get Down!" She usually does but hates that I limit her fun. Well....she's found a way to get around being on the table while still looking out the window.

Caption: What?! I'm not on the table.

"I used to love dogs until I discovered cats." - Nafisa Joseph.

Pinterest Find

Sometimes I find pictures on pinterest that just "fits".

I've been having the "croc fight" for the past 6 months.
I have agreed that he can't wear them in public, but he does. The only feel good feeling from this happening is that girls are much less likely to hit on him in the plastic contraptions.

The best part about this picture is the amazing resemblance to TonyDanza.

Preoccupied while Planning

Summer may be more near. I’m looking forward to camping, camp fires, smores, summer hours, longer days, sun burns, hot dogs, and all those summer things.

Got to do one of those “summery” things last weekend. Michele, Matt’s mom, and I went out and took in 8.5 holes at Lansford’s Golf Course! It was a nice time, pretty lighthearted and the weather was beautiful. The time reminded me when Mel and I used to go play the front half of South Heart. We were pretty happy with how things turned out as we didn’t lose any balls and didn’t have to search for any!

Sunday it was rainy..boo. I know that Matt wanted to golf but it just wasn’t happening. I felt bad. I did end up cooking for him, chicken potpie. I had a slight “oops” with the recipe but I was expecting it to turn out way worse.

He had a little altercation with Lola. On our trip to Lowe’s, Matt decided to take up plant care and bought two little plants that he’s planning to rebuild to the memory of a plant he once had. He brought them to the house and about an hour later, he found Lola snacking on them! I couldn’t take either one’s side!

This past week I took a trip to Northland College, one of our clients. Wow, that’s a drive. It was great to see their facility, which takes the hands-on approach to a new level. But it made for LONG days.

I also set the closing date for my condo. It’s not in stone but it’s better than I thought, May 9^th. Here’s hoping. I snuck in and I’m not missing too many things: carpet, kitchen counter tops, appliances (I do have a washer and dryer tho), and attached plumbing. It’s really come a long way in the past month. I’m getting pretty anxious though!

Matt and I also got bad news about our Chicago trip. Bismarck is getting rid of their flight from Bismarck to Chicago, we are now being rerouted through Denver (the airport that was “so fun” when we came back from Cabo). It’s going to take away some of our time in Chicago. We still are going, still have the tickets/spaces and bought the Cubs tickets though. I’m getting excited…56 days!

I’m really looking forward to vacations between some stressful times for me at work and Matt had some big changes this past week at the airport, which will require his attention and presence more at the airport, we are going to need some getaway time with each other, good food, and new places.

Best meals: This was tough this week-Matt’s dad, Randy, was awesome to indulge my request of homemade pizza when we visited them. I was hurting from ALL the slices I consumed. The other meal for the books was our trip to Harvest, the Brazilian grill in Mandan. It was expensive, that’s for sure, but it was amazing. The servers wandered around with skewers of grilled/seasoned meat and sliced it off for you whenever they came by your table. There was 2 types of chicken, 2 types of pork, fresh/hot/parmesan buns, grilled pinapple, 2 types of sausage, 3 types of stakes, roasted potatoes, and then our favorite: grilled bananas. The only regret we had was taking a trip through the salad bar. How dumb was that!

"Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick." - P.J. O'Rourke 

Out with a Lamb

Work has been busy. It will be a busy summer, I have a feeling. Job security isn’t such a bad thing.

Now on to the good stuff.
-Alaina turned 20 this wee, Can’t believe it. Reminded me that soon I’ll be 30…and old. It’s a good thing she turns 21 before I turn very old. Oh sigh!

-Easter was spend with my family. Got to see Aunt Descie’s addition. Wow, they doubled their house and really changed the floor plan. I’m excited for her and will be excited when they are finished. Matt was able to come along for the day. I’m glad that my family likes him and vice versus.

-My condo is coming along, here is a list of things that I have: painted walls, laminate floors, cupboards, microwave, mopboards/trim, furnace, toilets, showers, light fixtures, closet shelves, ceiling fans, windows, doors, patio door, and a garage door opener. Later this week, I’m expecting carpet and window treatments. I’m getting antsy, especially since I found out that it’s not until May and it’s looking like mid to late May.

Best meal: Easter dinner

"Genius is eternal patience." - Michelangelo

A lot can happen in a year….

Today is Matt and I’s year anniversary.

Our first date went a little like this. He picked me up in his pick-up. We went to El Sombrero (which I find ironic now considering I know Mexican is not his favorite). I had a chicken chimichanga (with no pico) and he had a beef chimichanga. The conversation flowed really well, it actually surprised me. We stayed late and it’s like he read my mind in that I didn’t want the date to end. We ended up at the Brickhouse for martinis. We continued conversation and even made a few friends. We ended the night with shots of French toast, where I got cinnamon on my nose.

Our second date was shoveling my driveway! Since then we’ve been to Mexico, planned trips, cooked, went camping, cuddled with cats, watched some tv, flew, took care of each other, ate well, moved, repaired, painted, went tubing, made campfires, played horseshoes, played tennis, played golf, shared families, shared secrets, and created memories.

Our biggest challenge is the miles between us but we really have made lemonade out of our lemons. We both know that we work at this because we know that we are a priority to each other. I know he gets sick of ad talk, office politics, my fix it projects, and moving me but each weekend that we are together and each phone call that lights up with his picture, I know I’m a lucky girl. And despite the fact that it took us so long to get together, I know the timing was working itself out. Another lesson in patience for me pays off. What a great year.

Quote that he sent me this morning:
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf

Splitting Our Weeks

Okay…so I’m behind a bit.

Two weeks ago was a Dickinson weekend. Matt took me up in a plane to cover the fires that had just shaken Dickinson, Richardton, New England, and me. I admire that he is a firefighter and the relationships that exist on the department, but I admit when I don’t hear from him until 3:17 am, I tend to get a bit stressed. He had worked with over 1800 burned acres and 2 major fires in one week. Two homesteads were affected and the interstate was shut down, twice. It was intense driving past it on the way but from the air it became even more real how massive it was from miles above. And with the shifts in the plane, I’m embarrassed to admit that I got a bit queasy.

This past weekend was a Bismarck weekend. We were busy! Friday: we had drinks with a few friends. Saturday: we started the day checking the condo out! There is a floor, ceiling fans, some tile, paint on the walls, it’s really starting to come together! I’m hoping by the end of the month I’m in #6 in Hollister Hills Condominiums. We ran a few errands before heading out to the range and hit a couple large buckets of balls. That night we headed off to an URL’s anniversary party. The radio station that I went to Guatemala with, celebrated 3 years on air. Funny thing, I won a flat screen tv! I think my date was a bit jealous! Sunday: the golfing continued. We walked Pebble Creek’s course and I was able to put the golf cart that I got from my family to use! It worked out amazing, they picked a great one for me, I was pretty happy! I had a few great shots and a couple decent holes, not enough to win…but I was happy with my first game in 2 years.

The weather continues to be amazing; I actually got a bit of a tan due to our time outside on Sunday. Warmest March on record! I’ll take it. I put flipflops on for the first time last weekend too!

Other good news, I won the office pool for the March Madness brackets! I was pretty excited with my picks, on ESPN, I was 4656 out of 5.9 million, that’s in the 99.9%. I’ve called the champion before but have never done this well—three perfect rounds.

Best Meal: Toasted Frog’s pasta and Matt shared his bite of shark with me.

“I love at watching college basketball. March Madness is one of the unique things in sports where good teams that nobody’s heard of Cinderella stories come out of nowhere to win a few games. It’s something the nation really embraces.”—Bobby Carpenter