…love Jillian

Today is Dad’s Birthday!

(Dad and the son-in-laws at Kansas Speedway last Oct)

We got his birthday celebration kicked off with the inspection on the new house.  I think it went pretty well.  We found a few cosmetic issues that need addressing but mechanically the house seems to be in good working order. I always feel better when dad is around in the matter of home repairs/improvements….

Then we took Dad down town to Jack Stack.  Everyone ate tons of food and then tomorrow we are gonna have a little Bday celebration complete with homemade cheesecake and presents!

Happy Birthday Dad!

No Comments | In: Family | | #

So, we have so much exciting stuff going on right now.  I’ve had a couple big days at work setting up some new high volume accounts…which should come in handy when it comes time to move into our new house.   (Moving is expensive.  So is puppy food.)

Speaking of the new house, we finally got the official paperwork organized and we will be doing inspections on Saturday!  I’m getting really excited to move.  Now, I just need to start packing….maybe I will do that this weekend too.  You know, after I nap.  I have the worst cold right now and everytime I start to feel a little better, I relapse–mostly at night and first thing in the morning.  Nothing feels worse than when you can’t stop coughing…

Last weekend we had a busy and fun weekend, we went to the Kansas City Comets soccer game.  We had never been before and it turned out to be a really good time.  (Some of our finest heckling for sure :)

 Then, I went to see Black Swam with a good buddy on Saturday.  (I had heard some less than favorable reviews from my family BUT since there was so much skuttle butt about it, we thought we should make our decisions. 

I thought Natalie Portman did a great job and I loved all the dancing but I could have done without all the weird sex scenes—I got a little embarrassed and I don’t embarrass easy.  

Then Sunday was family day!  We watched the Chiefs lose their playoff game (I can’t help but still LOVE them) and had dinner.  It’s always nice sitting on the couch with Mom, Dad, and Juls, it reminds me of living at home….and how easy life was then.

No Comments | In: Family, Life, Movies, Our Home | | #

So, with 2010 gone and 2011 here.  It might be time to state some resolutions/goals for the year.

(For the record, on Dec 31st Hubs and I resolved to NOT order pizza in the month of January.  Can you guess what we had for a late dinner on January 2nd?)

In 2011 I resolve to:

• Be more patient with Hubs.  And Tyson.  
• do at least some type of physical activity everyday, even if it’s just walking the dogs.
• do at least SOME laundry every day (or week.)
• call my sister at least once a week.  Even if we have nothing substantial to say…
• Finally learn how to knit.  I said I was going to do this with my Grammy but that didn’t happen so it’s all up to me now. 
• Get back to reading.  I used to read a 3 or 4 books a month an now I’m struggling to get past the ‘sample’ portions when I read on my Nook. 

Sure these resolutions may seem easy, and maybe they are…but the point isn’t to make goals/resolutions that are hard; the point is to make a difference.  And these goals would definitely make a difference. So, I’ll keep you updated on the progress of the aforementioned resolutions. 

I have a feeling this year is gonna be different.

What are your resolutions?

No Comments | In: Books, Family, Puppies, Working Out | | #

My birthday week was pretty awesome!  A four day weekend didn’t really hurt either.  It started with dinner and a movie with Hubs on Wednesday and then a wonderful day full of laughing, family, (and lets not forget AWESOME bday presents) on Thursday.  We spent the day with my family and then went to Hubs’ parents for the evening.  It was a full day.

Friday I ended up running around with Juls and Bret and Mom most of the day.  I remember why I don’t shop on Black Friday but we still had a nice day.  Then Friday night we went back to Hubs’ parents house for leftovers and “Unstoppable.”  Watching “Unstoppable” with Hubs’ dad is like the first time I saw “Bring it On’ and I was all:  “that’s not real.”  But we still had  a fun night.

Saturday was the best day yet.  It was house cleaning Saturday.  We basically cleaned the entire house from top to bottom and it was so nice when it was finished.  At one point I came downstairs and Hubs had the refrigerator pulled out.  Our conversation went like this:

Me:  What are you doing?

Hubs: Thank goodness you were upstairs!  You would have freaked out if you would have seen all the puppy food under there.

Me:  Wait, you pulled out the fridge to vacuum?

Hubs: Yeah.

Me:  Someone is totally going to get some A+ cuddles tonight.

Hubs:  I pulled the drawer out of the stove and vacuumed in there too!

Me:  Thank you Lord.  I think I love you!

After all that work we decided to get out of the house and grab some drinks.  We met up with a couple girls from my High School and we had quiet a lovely night out.  Then Sunday, I spent some time with Mom and Juls wrapping presents before family dinner.

I’m not sure what we could have done to make my birthday weekend any better…maybe win the lottery?

No Comments | In: Cuuuuuudling, Family, Holidays, How much I love my Husband, Uncategorized | | #

        Over the weekend Hubs and I went to Fargo, North Dakota.  Yep, North Dakota.  We went with Hubs’ Mom to visit aunts and uncles and friends.   It. Was. A. Long. Way.  And it was a super quick trip.  We left Friday night after work and arrived at 3am-ish.  I was super tired so we didn’t even really say hello to Sal when we walked in.  We went straight to bed.  And then slept til 1030.  When we got up we visited with Alda’s (Hubs’ mom) sisters and then we ate breakfast (eggs and hash browns) and immediately followed it with homemade chocolate cake and ice cream!  Hello North Dakota. 

        After ice cream Hubs and I headed to Grand Forks.  It’s a smaller town about an hour away.  Grand Forks is where Hubs grew up.  When he talks about this town he acts likes it’s the tiniest township in the world; turns out it’s just a smaller city.  (They have a Cabela’s and everything.)   Anyway, I got to meet Hubs’ high school friends and see the house where he grew up.  It was an overdue history lesson.  I also got to attend my very first hockey game at UND.  The Souix are pretty fun to watch and I even got me a fancy schmancy UND Soiux hoodie (even if I did whine about going in the first place.) 

        After the game we ate with some of Hubs friends and hit the hay (that’s how they talk in small towns, I think) and in the morning we headed ack to Fargo where we had more chocolate cake and ice cream and then started the long 10 hour drive home.  Hubs slept most of the way back and I talked with Alda almost the whole way.  I don’t know if she just had that much to talk about or she was just making sure I was still awake but I really enjoyed it. 

        I don’t really feel like we had a weekend with all the driving and visiting so I’m really looking forward to THIS coming weekend.  I’m going to clean up our house and finally get some laundry done.   Laundry = Lame.

No Comments | In: Family, Good Buddies, How much I love my Husband | | #

The last couple weekends have been super fun.  Two weekends ago we had date night with a couple of good friends of ours and it was so nice to hang out with them!  We went and ate Greek food, broke a couple plates (and by break plates I mean we threw them up in the air and then let them break all over the dance floor – so fun), and then enjoyed some interestingly flavored ice cream…lavender, rosemary, and goat cheese.  Yes, they were good but I’m a more traditional vanilla and chocolate kind of girl.  Although, the rosemary one tasted exactly like rosemary chicken so maybe I could justify eating ice cream for dinner if it tastes like actual food.

            Then this past weekend, Hubs and I stayed pretty darn busy.  Friday night Hubs cooked dinner then we went to see the Social Network.  What a good movie.  Then on Saturday, Hubs ran the KC Marathon. I was supposed to run the half but bailed.  All my people backed out and let’s be honest, running a half marathon alone is not really my idea of fun.  But I did have a good time cheering for him.  Little Lincoln and his parents came out and cheered for Hubs too so I think that made him feel pretty special.  Hefinished in a little over 5 hours so I was super proud of him AND the best part?  He wasn’t all limping and whiny all day….which has somehow managed to turn into a little bit of a pet peeve (cause seriously, why run that far if it basically makes you so sore you can’t move or do anything? Why not run a distance that allows for running and living life?) 

            Then on Saturday night we went to see Jeff Foxworthy with Mom and Dad.  We had fun.  We ate, laughed, and gambled.  Usually, gambling is not exactly on the top of my list (I would rather buy shoes with that money) but we had a good time and we’d probably go back again!

            And Yesterday we FINALLY had the big AAKC picnic our committee has been planning for what feels like my entire life.  We were supposed to have this picnic months ago but it rained and the river flooded so we were unable to have it on our original date.  The weather was perfect and the turnout was pretty darn good!  So, now, it’s time to finish our rapidly approaching Casino Night.  We are hosting that event here in the MC Flooring warehouse.  Hosting will be a nice way for all of our customers to see the warehouse and maybe a way to sway a few prospects our way as well.  So, this event needs to be a success for a multitude of reasons.

            Next weekend is going to be alittle quieter.  We are judging a local cheer competition and taking it easier…cause we need a little break!

1 Comment | In: AAKC, Family, Good Buddies, Work | | #

Family.  Friends.  And relationships.  I’ve been thinking a lot about these labels recently.  More importantly when do you sever ties?  How many unreturned calls/texts can go by before you think someone could care less if they’re in your life.  How many declined invites finally add up to letting go?  How many pleas for attention does someone have to make before they make peace with the fact that a family member, spouse, or lifelong friend wouldn’t really notice if the effort ceased?

A girlfriend of mine recently cut a friend out of her life and while it broke her heart it was a long time coming.  Well, she didn’t actually “cut” this friend out of her life; her friend had already done that with sporadic replies and vaguely masked excuses as to why they never spent time together and my friend made the decision to stop caring (aka cut this friend out of her life)…it killed her to throw away such a long friendship.I was impressed with her strength.   

And so I’ve been thinking about my relationships.  Just because someone is family doesn’t necessarily a best friend make.   Just because you’ve stayed friends with someone despite an impossible fremeny complex doesn’t mean that person is a good friend.   So, when do you make that decision?  Do you give them another chance?  An opportunity to show you that while they’ve basically ignored all invites, phone calls, and attempts to log time that they DO want to be in your life?  Sure people get busy.  And trust me, I’ve bailed on my fair share of plans, but at some point, you have to cut your losses and move on (which I’m certain a few friends have done with me a time or two.)  I’m not talking about the new mother kind of friendship abandonment either; I’m talking about the careless, indifferent kind of abandonment.

And what about sisters.  Sisters are supposed to be the keeper of secrets— the one who knows you better than anyone—the first call in a crisis or moment of elation. But what if your sister has little to no interest in your life or sharing hers?  What if your sister had no interest in spending time with you or at times even makes you wonder if she even likes you?  Do you just throw up your arms and say oh, well or do you try to spend more time with her?  And when do you stop trying?

Every friendship is different and every family has it’s issues but when do you take yourself out of negative and unfulfilling equations and surround yourself with people that actually want to be there?  Friendships change and priorities shift but there are usually a few people in your life that will be there for the long haul.  The ones you can call and pick up exactly where you left off no matter how many hours or days or months go by.  But what do you do with the relationships that never pick up?  Or the friendships that are completely one sided?

I talk to my dad almost every day.  Some days he calls and others I call him.  And if we missed a day we are both calling the next.   If I stop calling, he notices.  And I have a lot of friendships that ebb and flow in the same give and take manor.  There is something comforting about knowing someone wants to talk to you too….but what do you do with the other ones?

No Comments | In: Family, Good Buddies | | #

Last weekend was Race weekend and for once I’m not talking about triathlons or running…thank goodness!  We are talking about NASCAR.  America’s largest spectator sport.  Dad and I started going to the races a few years ago and it’s turned into quite the father/daughter bonding day!  We ALWAYS have a great time and I always look forward to a little father/daughter time—it seems like the older I get the less one on one time I get with good ole dad so I relish every minute of it.

        This year we invited Bret and Hubs to tag along.  And while I was a little disappointed to share my special day with dad (bratty much?) it turned out to be just fine.  We all picked our racers, laughed, drank, and had a grand ole time.  Unfortunately my racer (and secret boyfriend) Jimmy Johnson didn’t win but I cheered for him diligently.

Here we are at trailers before the race:

Me and Dad:

         Aside from one minor scuffle (by Hubs) at the Porta-Potties and unnecessary comment by Bret to Juls when we got home I think the day was a success.  Oh, and let’s not forget Hubs sleeping (aka passed out) in my parents bathroom during family dinner.  Maybe a few less Mike’s Hard Lemonades for Hubs next year…

No Comments | In: Celebrating America, Family, We Like To Do Stuff | | #

Earlier this weekend Hubs and I watched “Earthlings.”  Wow.  It is hard to watch.  It basically covers the 5 major ways we use animals (pets, food, entertainment, clothing, scientific research) and the brutally killings that make all those catergories possible.   Watching a movie THAT graphic is a personal choice and it’ll definitely make you want to save a shelter dog, stop eating meat, avoid the zoos, abandon leather goods and look for products not tested on animals…

         Aaaaaaand then we went to the circus the next day.  So much fun.  Although after watching the aforementioned “Earthlings” all I could think about was the cruel ways they train those poor animals to do what the masses demand.  Oh, and those tiny tiny cages for storing tigers (which they wheeled out for the entire world to see) really broke my heart.   I think the circus would have been just as good without all the elephants standing on their heads and tigers being whipped into lying down.  Seriously, the human tricks were impressive enough.  Talk about balance!

         Sunday, Hubs and I had a super busy day!  We started with lunch at my parents house.  We were celebrating these kids 1 year anniversary.  It seems like they just got married a few weeks ago and I’m shocked at how quickly time is starting to go by.  Their wedding cake still tasted delicous after a year in the freezer—maybe I just love cake.  Either way, I got super excited to get our cake out of the freezer in a few months. 



         Then it was off to Erin baby shower.  She is due in 6 weeks and then I will have two little boys to whoo and haaa over—little Lincoln Dolezal and then whatever they decided to name this new little guy!  I can’t wait.

After that it was sleepy time!  And in the morning it’s back to work!

No Comments | In: Family | | #

A while ago Hubs and I stopped trying to NOT get pregnant.  Not necessarily TRYING but definitely leaving it up to the universe.  Well, after several months (almost a year) of being VERY lackadaisical in the contraception department ( and by lackadaisical I mean…using nothing) we have started to question our ability to actually conceive. 

         It turns out that you can’t actually get pregnant from a guy rubbing his man parts on your leg like they said in elementary school.  In fact, I remember a specific conversation in one class that declared if a man (well, boy at that time) even got his penis out of his pants with his hand and accidently touched your leg with said hand the possibility of making a baby was fairly high. 

         Now, I get that they were trying to scare us…they did–successfully.  We’ve all spent the our twenties using every precaution to avoid this exact scenario, however, they forgot to tell you that when you actually decide you WANT some of your husband’s seeds to make the long journey to the promise land all the stars must align and the gods must send generous helpings of luck your way—apparently accidental pregnacy stops in your 20′s.  Unless you’ve just had a baby and then accidental pregnancy happens all the time.  Welcome to your 30s. 

         Don’t worry, if Hubs and I are ever blessed with a little one (boy or girl) we’re going to properly scare them with the hand/leg pregnancy story. 

        Hubs generously offered to get his bag of seeds checked first.  And it turns out he has plenty.  So, that leaves me.  It’s time to start looking more seriously into this process…. 

        So, a few weeks ago, I went and got blood work at the request of my primary care doctor.  I hadn’t heard anything back so I called earlier this week to find out the results.   I had to leave a message.  When the nurse called me back she left a voicemail: 

Nurse:  Hi this is Nurse.   Doctor has reviewed your blood work.  Please give me call back immediately.  Have me paged.  Thank you.

Me:  (WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)  Hi Nurse, it’s me.  Doctor reviewed my blood work? 

Nurse:  Yeah, everything is fine.  Except one thing but it’s probably nothing.  We’ll recheck it in a couple weeks.

Me:  That’s it?  Ok.  You had me worried.  With the call me immediately and have me paged.

Nurse:  Oh, well, if I don’t leave an urgent message people don’t call back and then their file sits on my desk for days.

Me: Gotcha. 

Gotta love heathcare.  On to the OB!

No Comments | In: Family, How much I love my Husband | | #