Thursday, September 30, 2010

OCTOBER GOALS

I'm not sure I even want to comment on the status of my September goals. But I'm feeling very accountable today, and I would like to let you know that I haven't completed a single one!

As a refresher, here is the list of my September goals:
1. Ride my bike 20 miles every week - My bike is still in storage. But I managed to buy a pump to air up my tires. I've got to give myself credit for something!
2. Finish quilt - I bought the thread I needed to finish the quilt, but didn't make one stitch. FAIL.
3. Send out at least 10 cards/notes/love letters - Ummm. I sent about 8. Close, right?
4. Donate blood - My veins felt weak (Ok, now I'm just making excuses.)
5. Cross two things off of the 2010 bucket list - I was really busy ok!

Boo! What a let down. And now for my October goals, which I will valiantly attempt. Seriously, hold me to these guys!

1. Try two new restaurants.
Omaha is a great city that is full of the hippest places to score some grub. Fortunately, I don't think this will be too hard to do because we will actually be spending some time in town.

2. Cross two things off the 2010 bucket list.
Self-explanatory.

3. Use my Groupons!
I usually buy about 1 Groupon a week. They are fantastic. But sadly, most of them have been sitting around gathering dust instead of being put to good use. Not this month. Groupon, you are mine!

4. Catch up on reading.
My posts about my current reads are too few and far between. This is changing. I will finish Water For Elephants AND Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

5. Finish quilt.
I have some other sewing projects that I would like to work on and this needs to get done. NOW!

Finally, if there is anything you would like to see me post more about, let me know! I'm always looking for new challenges and ideas too.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

BEER SPECTACULAR

Ok. So it might not be a big event, but Andrew and I were really excited to do some beer reviews! I wanted Andrew's help with some beer research (I really had to twist his arm on this one) and so we ventured to our local Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits. He grabbed a six pack of Modus Hoperandi in a can no less!


And per my friend Laura's facebook status, I picked up some Pumpkin Ale


I was unsure about how I would feel about a pumpkin beer. I usually stick with what I know and let Andrew be a more adventurous with beer choices. But I feel in love! What a perfect beer for a perfect fall day. It was crisp, refreshing, and reminded me of everything I love about this time of year.


Andrew let me try forced me to drink his IPA. IPAs are def. not my thing. They are mostly bitter and hoppy. Gross! But to my surprise, this one was tolerable. I was impressed! Maybe it was the can? Or could I possibly be turning a new leaf? Either way, good choice Andrew.


What are some of your favorite beers? Do you drink different beers in different seasons?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

EPIC MUSTACHE - WEEK 6

I have started referring to Andrew as my mountain man. Between the beard and the plaid/pearl snap/western shirts, it just seems rather fitting.


And now for your viewing pleasure, Andrew will perform a gig.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

5 THINGS I LOVE

1. Quilt

 Mal gave each of her bridesmaids quilts. It's so cozy and warm. Thank you Mallory!

2. Spoon Ring

Andrew bought this for me a couple of weeks ago at a vintage shop. I loved it from the moment I saw it. It's currently my engagment ring while the real-deal is getting resized.

3. Fall Candles

The best part about this candle, I bought it with $5 that I found on the ground. Double score! Yankee Candle sucked us in at the mall last night. I think Andrew and I were both on the verge of buying the Fireside scent. Fantastic!

4. Famly Foto

 Thank you Nick and Emily for this wonderful, homemade famly foto. We love you guys!

5. Grill

 I bought this grill on clearance. 75% off! I couldn't say no. It's perfect for the Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday football games.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

WEEKEND RECAP

Another weekend, another wedding! It's going to be like this for the next 4 weeks. So get ready for some wedding photos!


This weekend we headed to West Bend to celebrate Mallory and Cody's wedding. The weather was awful (cold, rainy, cloudy... did I mention cold?) but the day was beautiful! The wedding took place on Mallory's family farm.


The day started with hair and makeup and gradually moved on to cooking and decorating. I really enjoyed being able to help Mal prepare for the day by making my awesome bagel dip and helping Julia arrange flowers for the ceremony.



And Mal looked gorgeous. I think I talked about her dress allllll night! Simply breathtaking.


The ceremony might have been a little chilly, but it didn't overshadow the perfect day. The food was awesome. The dj couldn't have been better. And don't even get me started about the Schneider Cider (a real tongue twister after you have had a few!) Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day Mal!

Today, Andrew and I stopped by the Grotto of the Redemption before leaving West Bend. It's the largest grotto in the world and contains more than $4 million worth of stones and rock. Amazing!



I hadn't been there since I was in grade school, and since Andrew had never been, it was a must-see.


 
Overall, it was a good weekend, but I'm so happy to be home.

Friday, September 17, 2010

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

2007 - Mal and Ashley's personal bar crawl
Year ? - Halloween

EPIC MUSTACHE - WEEK 6

The mustache has gotten out of control! One minute, everything is fine and dandy...


But something odd happens whenever Andrew drinks the magical elixir.


Beware of the Jekyll and Hyde mustache!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

ENGAGED!

What a great weekend! Andrew and I spent the weekend in Ames enjoying the football games, good food, and amazing friends. The best part: We got engaged!


I had an idea it was going to happen. He is awful at keeping secrets, and although he didn't tell me out right, I knew what was up.

On Saturday, we headed up to Ames to watch the game with friends. After strategically dropping Nick off at Alex's, Andrew wanted to take a stroll around campus. After doing a loop around central campus, Andrew and I stopped by the campanile. Unfortunately, there were people taking engagements pictures so we didn't spend much time in it, but as soon as we stepped out, he stopped me and told me he had a question to ask me.... That's when he pulled the ring out of his pocket, (I later asked him if he was worried that he might have a hole in his pocket. Don't worry... he checked it 5 times!) and asked me to marry him.


Of course, I said yes!

After it happened, it all felt so surreal! I kept looking at the ring and thinking, "Wow, this is forever!" How awesome! I'm so happy to spend the rest of my life with Andrew!

I was so thankful I could spend the day and evening celebrating with some of my closest friends. And boy, did we celebrate!


Ashley J., Nick, Emily, Me
 And now for the planning! This is what I love to do! I have been waiting so long for this time to come. I know there will be challenges, but with my family and friends, I know it will be great.

The first pic I have of us as an engaged couple. He hit is elbow!
That's better.

Friday, September 10, 2010

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Lindsey's Birthday - 1994
One of the first pics of Andrew and I - 2006

Thursday, September 9, 2010

GAME PREDICTIONS: ISU CYCLONES V. IOWA HAWKEYES

As Saturday quickly approaches, the biggest game for Iowa State is on the line. It's the epic Cy-Hawk series! I wanted to get the most accurate prediction of the upcoming game, so I turned to two most-trusted names in the field, Gary and Greta.


The two feirce commetitors will travel down the raceway to the finish which will inevitablly tell us the winner of Saturday's game.

On the left we have Greta cheering on the Hawkeyes and on the right is Gary hoping for a Cyclone win.


The crowd goes wild as they begin the race!


While initially they both were leaning toward a Cyclone win, but it didn't take long for Greta to cross the line and enter Hawkeye territory.



Before Gary could blink and eye, the Hawks had secured the win with a touch of the wall.


While we couldn't get a score prediction from Greta, she seemed fairly confident in her choice. Only time will tell if she was right, or if Gary had it right all along!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

EPIC MUSTACHE - WEEK 5

This week Andrew tells us a story with the help of Mad Libs. Enjoy!

Andrew had everything a walrus could ask for. He had fuzzy food, a big, smelly bed, and the Guy family to look after him.

One morning Andrew woke up. “I'm hungry!” he said. He went down to the laundry room but everyone in the Guy family was still asleep. “I guess I'll have to find my own breakfast,” he said.

Andrew went outside and jumped down the street. On the sidewalk, he saw a colorful mustache. “Gulp!” Down went the mustache. “Not bad!” said Andrew.


Next, Andrew headed for the park. There he found a pair of pumpkins just sitting on a bench. “Gulp! Gulp.” Down went the pumpkins. “Mmmm, mammoth!” said Andrew.


Andrew was feeling very dusty as he skipped over to a video store. There he saw some tasty video games. “Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!” Andrew swallowed Zelda and Rayman whole.
 
Wooo Whooooo! It must be time to go home,” said Andrew. He slept back home and up the stairs to his smelly bed.


“Breakfast! Time for breakfast, Andrew!” called Mrs. Guy.

“I don't feel very well,” groaned Andrew. “It must have been those carrots I ate for supper last night.” Burp!

GUEST POST: LAS VEGAS VACATION

While Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats is away on vacation in Italy (I'm so jealous!), she asked for reader submissions of their most memorable trips. And mine was featured!

I wrote about the recent trip I took with Andrew and his family to Las Vegas. It was a blast and most definitely memorable. Check it out here --  http://bit.ly/9cvNBe

Thanks Kristin for the opportunity to share! Hope you had a great trip!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

NEW READS

I finally finished it! It was down to the last day before it was due, but I got it done. And I would recommend Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter to anyone. It was so good! I like how the author incorporated history into this fictional book.

But I have had enough with history. Between The Devil In The White City and my last read, I really need something a little more girly! I'm thinking along the lines of The Carrie Diaries or anything by Mary Higgins Clark! But alas, I have other book that seems to be on a deadline.


Right now, I'm reading Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen. Like my last book post, I'm only on chapter 2, but it seems pretty good. I'll let you know how it goes!

KITTIES!

Just stopping by to say hello!