Friday, October 25, 2013

COBY TURNS 8

No doggie bakery? Next time!

Last week, Coby turned 8 years old! I wish I could say that we celebrated like we did for his 7th birthday, but it just didn't happen. I actually spent the whole evening at the vet with Calypso trying to figure out what her latest ailment was... (She is a whole other story!)

We tried to make it up to him by taking him to Petco over the weekend for treats and a new ball (which he destroyed in no time at all). He seemed pretty pleased, and he didn't even poop on the floor - this is a big win! Petco is the only place where he has done any doggie business inside. Twice. I don't know what it is about that place... It was a birthday miracle!

Happy birthday, buddy!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: OCT 3-19

More weekend updates! Has it really been six whole weekends that I have been behind? Shame on me.



October 3-6: This was an extra long weekend that was spent with (most) all of the Flater family to celebrate the life of Mary Lou Flater. Mary Lou passed away on September 27, and the family gathered on October 4 to pay our respects. For the funeral, all of the family members sported buttons that Mary Lou had hand painted or collected. Mary Lou would have loved it!


I cannot think of another time when everyone has been together like that. We have decided to make it a yearly event, and I am so happy about it! I haven't had that much fun in a long time.


October 11-13: We traveled across the great state of Iowa for the second time in two weeks to celebrate the wedding of Emily and Brad Meyer! It was nice to spend some extra time with Andrew's parents and our friends. By Sunday, I was exhausted and ready to not go anywhere for quite some time...

October 18-20: FINALLY! A weekend at home with nothing on the agenda! Phew. Date night on Friday meant that Andrew and I got to really enjoy some one-on-one time by going out to dinner and then to see Les Mis at the Omaha Community Playhouse (fan-freaking-tastic!). We ended the night by watching the Cardinals win the final game of the series to move onto the World Series! Whoop! Saturday was spent at the farmer's market, bottling a home brewed beer (pumpkin!), and then heading out for fun times with Matt and Jenny. Sunday, I didn't change out of my pajamas.

We are all caught up now! I feel so accomplished.

Monday, October 14, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: SEPTEMBER

Besides running our half marathon, Andrew and I have extra busy with all kinds of things. Here is part one of the highlights.


One weekend we had Andrew's Aunt Lynne come stay with us. A couple of her friends were celebrating their wedding with a reception at the beautiful house mansion that just happens be only blocks from our place.



Lucky for us, Aunt Lynne was able to get us an invite, and we spent the afternoon being extra fancy. I wanted to show you the awesome flip book we got a souvenir, but I can't video tape it by myself... Soon!


Applefest! We headed to Woodbine for a festive Saturday afternoon. Granted we spent most of the day in our friends' new brewery, Brick Street Brewery... we still had a blast seeing everyone. That night, we went to my cousin, Matt's, house warming party. It was a night full of beer, bonfires, and family fun. Family fun seems to always include exploding appliances...


One Sunday Andrew and I were up bright and early! This doesn't happen often, especially with Andrew working nights, but we would do it for one special little guy. Mason was baptized, and we were so glad we were able to be there! Although, we missed the part of the worship service where we stand up and recite our lines, we are still so honored to be Mason's godparents. Love you buddy!

Part two... coming as soon as I feel like getting the pics together.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

FINISH


Well the half marathon has come and gone, and I'm still standing! It was a crazy experience, it was fun, and it was the hardest thing I have ever done.

The whole thing was a very emotional experience for me. Even before we started, I wanted to cry. I was nervous, anxious, ready, and unsure. But in the end, I knew that not finishing was not an option.


We got there bright and early, and my mom was there to cheer us on from the start. The first half went pretty well, but about at mile five I started to feel some tightness in my right leg. This is when Andrew and I separated. I could tell he wanted to give it his all, and I wouldn't have been able to keep his pace.

Things got really tough for me after the turnaround. I was by myself and everything started to hurt. At this point, I was doing a lot of walking and running intervals. With about two miles left to go, I started to get emotional again. I was excited to be done with this, but more than that I was proud of how far I had already come. At about the one mile mark, I committed to running the rest of the way. I was so excited to see Andrew and my mom, and then Sarah and Ryan were there too!


I was so glad to finally get that medal. All of the nervousness and anxiety was gone. It was done! I had done it! My time wasn't nearly what I had hoped, but it's now a good starting point for the next one.

And there will be a next one!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

FRONT PORCH LOUNGING

After a week like this, all I can think about it how close I am to the weekend! One. More. Day! One of the first things I'm going to do is head straight for my porch.



Andrew and I just bought "new" furniture for our front porch, and we couldn't be happier about our purchase! It's technically used (like all of the furniture I buy), but is in pretty good condition.

I love being able to just sit back and relax. It's nice to have a scenic view while keeping an eye on the neighborhood. It really has become our favorite hang out spot!


Coby really seems to love it too! He gets excited anytime we even walk out the front door because he thinks it's porch time. And he does make a pretty good neighborhood watchdog. The cats don't hesitate to let us know how jealous they are by sitting in the window and meowing... poor kitties.


So if you are ever passing through the neighborhood, don't be shy. We would love to have some porch company!


Monday, September 16, 2013

GOODNIGHT, MONDAY

Monday Haters Club

Well I was planning on writing about my fun weekend, but instead you get to hear about Monday...

It all started when Andrew's car wouldn't start this morning... I then had to wake him up so he could help me get it started, drop it off at the repair shop, and find a ride to work.

When Andrew came to pick me up after work, he called to let me know that my car had a flat. My amazing coworker, Jann, was able to drop me off at the repair shop so I could pick up his car, run home to make dinner while he waited with my car, pack him a lunch, and then go back to wait with my car so that he could go to work. A hour later, the repair guy finally shows up.

Because of the car madness I was late to work, had to cancel a dog meet-n-greet, and my dinner was cold. Oh, and my Macbook died today. RIP Macbook.

Goodnight, Monday.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

JOG IT OUT

Ok, so this 1/2 marathon training is kicking my butt. Not only is it hard physically, it's mentally draining. I run without headphones so I can enjoy the sounds of the outdoors and take it all in, and it gives me plenty of time (maybe too much time) to think about anything and everything. I make lists, I think of things to write in this thing I call my blog, and I try to focus on running. How is my breathing? Where should I be looking? At the ground? Up ahead? I think my strides are too short. Yes, my strides are too short.

I have been really hard on myself lately. When I go out for my runs, I get really disappointed when I walk. I should just be able to push through it, right?  Yeah... no. I want to do my best, but I also want to just finish. Finishing should be more important than my time, but I am having a really hard time getting over that number.

I know I could have trained more/harder. I think I already want to do another one to try and push myself even further (or faster?). But for now I guess I just need to focus on the one I have coming up.

Here she is rocking some bottled water after the race. (Thanks for the photos, facebook!)

My friend Katie has been a big inspiration. She had to take a couple of weeks off of training, and she still ran the whole thing. Booyah! She even wrote me a nice email recently just to let me know that I can do this! Thanks Trem!

Oh, and here is a video that made me laugh. I'll just try to think of his one-liners during my race.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: SEPTEMBER 6-8

Andrew and I had a nice extra long weekend visiting his parents in their new home. Lucky for us, their new home happened to be near a wedding that we were going to that weekend. Perfect timing? I think so. Here are a few highlights from the trip!


Thursday
A few drinks on a patio were a perfect end to a nice long drive. Some homecooked food didn't hurt either.



Friday
Andrew and I ran/walked about 5 miles on a partial gravel road complete with a scenic view of cows - that was neat. We then needed to run a few errands including getting my first Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season and hitting up a huge beer store. You know, just the necessities. We then had lunch at Crust - awesome! Before we knew it, wedding time. It was crazy hot, but Sarah looked beautiful! After dinner at the reception, we snuck out so that we could head back to the house to meet up with Jenny and Chris who also decided to come into town for the weekend. I think it's easy to understand our early bedtime on Friday.


Saturday
A slow morning was just what we needed to spend the rest of the day touring the countryside, eating lunch at Breitbach (Iowa's oldest food and drinking establishment), and baseball. We grilled out, tried almost all of the beers we recently bought, and had lots of family talks.

I'm already looking forward to the next time we can visit Andrew's parents! How was your weekend?

Thursday, August 29, 2013

FANTASY FOOTBALL


Erin wanted to be in the picture too!

Another year, another fantasy football league. Last Sunday, we had our draft for both the girls' league and the couple's league. I'm happy to report that I have Aaron Rodgers as my QB in both leagues! I'm not quite sure how I got that lucky, but I will take it.

A few years ago, I never thought I would be playing this game. Andrew was so into it, and I just didn't understand the appeal. I'm so glad he changed my mind. It helps that ESPN breaks down all of the stats for you (and predicts the points each player will get). Another thing I love is that I'm able to keep in better contact with all of my friends who don't actually live near me. We smack talk about our match-up and occasionally make small side bets. I think Andrew is just happy that I want to watch more than just the Packers game.

Also this year, I am in a pick 'em league where I choose the winner of one game every week. I'm not sure that I will make it further than the second round (double elimination), but I'm excited to try it anyway.

Do you play fantasy football? 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

AUGUST RECAP

So I guess it has been since April since I last did one of these... Yeah, I should do this more.


Reading: I finished The Sun Also Rises, and I was so thankful that it was over. Moving on. Next up was My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, Sharp Object by Gillian Flynn, and currently reading (another throwback) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Phew. I think next on my list is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

Watching: I have been watching more than enough murder mystery shows. I feel like I should stop for fear of being unjustly implicated in a murder someday because of crime/murder drama show addiction. I have the longest list of shows I need to watch or get caught up on, but for now they will just have to wait.

Listening to: Kacey Musgraves has been on repeat this last week. Holy smokes! I really like her sound. I might have also added a country station to my short cut buttons in my car. This is very unusual for me, and I have no explanation.

Thinking about: What am I doing with my life seems to be a common theme lately. That might have something to do with the blog hiatus. How do you really answer this question? What is the next step and where do I go from here? If anyone would like to get together for drinks to talk about life plans, I'm game. (Emily - I'm talking to you!)

Loving: Andrew started a slightly different schedule at work. He is still working nights, but he is working five days a week instead of four. That means, he doesn't have to go into work until about 8:30 pm. That's two more hours we get to see each other every day - almost double of the total amount of time we were seeing each other! The down side, I don't feel like I'm going to get much done... I would rather just hang out with him. Oh well.

Looking forward to: Getting this 1/2 marathon over with! I want to get back to a place where I run because I want to, not because I have to.

Making me happy: Fall is right around the corner! It's so close. Football, sweatshirts, pumpkin everything. Bring it on... but not until September. I refuse to acknowledge fall until September 1. Then, let the festivities begin!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

2013 IOWA STATE FAIR


So Emily told me that after our visit last weekend, I had to write an epic weekend recap. Well, I didn't take as many pictures as I should have (so you get a lot of the fair), but I'll try to make it as bombtastic as possible.


Thursday: We took off early for DM so we could fully enjoy Nick's bday on Friday. Mat and Ashley stopped by to say hi, but everything was pretty low key.

Friday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK! Emily and I decided to kick a** and do a "stretching" workout... and by stretching I mean evil stoic poses that make your whole body burn. We needed it though. We were going to be eating back all of those calories and then some at the fair that day. The Iowa State Fair did not disappoint. Emily and I mapped out all of the best food so we could take full advantage of everything the fair had to offer.


Saturday: After recovering from our food coma, we headed straight to the farmers market - the most logical choice of course. We didn't really buy much except for some bomb yogurt parfaits. And we did get to see my friend, Mallory, and her son, Max!


Saturday night, we grilled out before heading downtown for the Iowa Cubs baseball game. Alex and Kelly joined us for a good game with great weather.

I feel like last weekend was the most epic summer weekend you could have. Fair, grilling out, baseball, good friends! What more could you want?

Thursday, August 8, 2013

THROW BACK FRIDAY: FAIR

Guess what I am doing this weekend? OMG! The fair! Here are a couple of pics from the last two years. Yeehah!


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

OMG! SNAKE!

Hiatus Happenings: Remember that one time that I took a break from blogging for a month? Here is something fun that happened!

One night after a late movie, Andrew and I were walking to our car in the parking garage and a note on a car a couple of stalls away caught my eye. I was nosy and had to check it out. Well, I am so glad I did. Andrew and I got a pretty good laugh when we saw this note.


The note reads:
Hello! FYI There was IS! a snake coming out of the bags in your backseat. There is a mother fuckin snake in your fucken car! We wanted you to know so that the snake was no wouldn't get in your car seat. P.S. Heres a coupon for Nasonex PP.S - Clean out your car!


Who carries that much garbage in their car? Where were they taking it? I really hope they found the snake. YIKES!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: AUGUST 2-4



Since this was the first weekend we didn't have a dog staying with us in a long time, it was nice to be able to come and go as we please. So we took full advantage of our weekend starting at 3:30 pm on Friday. I would say 2 pm, but we first had to go get Andrew his updated license.





So after that, we went shopping, hit up the driving range so Andrew could test out his new club, a drink at Krug, and then grilling out at home. I had some major work to do on a project so the fun for the night stopped there.


Saturday we were up bright an early (7 am early...) to go to another auction. It wasn't as good as the one last week, but we got some goods that I'm pretty pleased with. We then rewarded ourselves by spending the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the deck. We earned it.


That night we had a few drinks with some of my brother's friends from HS, and then hit up the Buffalo Club in Dunlap to keep my sister company for a drink. Don't worry. We were home and in bed before midnight.


Sunday was another relaxing day with family. Eating, talking, youtubing, relaxing, etc... I really enjoy the time I spend with my family and the slower life that comes in a small town. Just a great day overall!

What were you up to this weekend?

Monday, July 29, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: JULY 26-28

Hello? Is anyone there? Wondering where I have been? Well lately, I have felt very uninspired, lonely, bored, and stressed. These, unfortunately, don't make for very good blogging material. But after taking a break from the blogging world, I think I might be ready to jump back in. So let's test the waters with a little weekend recap, shall we?

checking out the goods

Highlights:
unexpected double date / the conjuring / taco truck / side door lounge / andrew's first auction / a quiet afternoon with my parents / drinks with andrew's aunt and uncle in town for RAGBRAI / church / napping

captain karen - it's a boy

Lowlights:
the conjuring / long run


Please tell me that you all have been to an auction before. I feel like this is something that is very foreign to anyone that didn't grow up in my small town. Andrew was highly impressed and wants to go to another one next week. Well, that's ok with me!

grill master

Notice that the conjuring is on both the highlights and lowlights list? Yeah... Scariest movie I have ever seen. This is also the main reason that church is on my list. After watching that movie, I needed more God in my weekend.

Let's not talk about the long run listed under lowlights... yet.

Short. Sweet. The end.


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: JUNE 21-23


This last weekend, Andrew and I headed to the QC to visit some friends. Here's a quick run down...



Highlights:
cookout with lots of friends
gym time
cheap chinese food


swimming!
dinner at barrel house
great river brewery
more friends!


Lowlights:
watching a teen almost drown - scary, glad he is ok
Andrew lost his phone
no podcasts for the drive...

Props to Sarah for these awesome pics that I stole from her fb. This weekend, Nick and Emily visit! Hooray!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

RUN LIKE THE WIND


So, something crazy happened about a month ago. I registered for my first 1/2 marathon. WHAT?!? I really don't know what I was/am thinking. I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I'm also very terrified.

In my head, I run through all of the what if scenarios. What if I trip over a untied shoelace and break my leg? What if I have to go to the bathroom and don't make it?  What if I don't finish? I really, really want to do this. I want a freaking medal! I want to put one of those stupid 13.1 stickers on the back of my car. (Do I have to do more than one 1/2 marathon to get one?)


Sometimes, I get ridiculously nervous just thinking about it. But then I remember RAGBRAI. RAGBRAI was hard. Very hard. There was one day that I didn't think we would make it. But we did. We finished. And finishing is more important than making a certain time or a medal. It's proving to myself that I can push myself and my body to do some pretty amazing things.


If you had told me a few years ago (right after I ran my first 5k) that I would be doing this, I would have called your crazy. During that whole 5k, I hated it. I thought that I would never do anything like that again, but then I finished. There is something so rewarding about crossing that finish line. And I'm really looking forward to the 1/2 marathon finish line.

The best part is that my mom and Andrew are doing it too! If you would like to cheer us on, we will see you on September 22 at the Omaha Marathon! See you then!

Monday, June 17, 2013

WEEKEND RECAP: JUNE 14-16

Cats and dog living in harmony!

Friday night: Andrew and I stayed in, cooked dinner, and then settled in for a movie. Now, he can tell everyone he knows that he has seen The Princess Bride.

The aftermath of picking out an outfit.

Ready!

Saturday: I knew that I wanted to do some work on the house. The original plan was to put in landscaping, but there was a good chance of rain... We opted to work on the garage instead (it is now organized and awesome). We had just enough time to clean up and ready for family pictures. I can't wait to see how they all turned out! After a so-so family dinner (Lisa's food was forgotten...), Andrew and I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and headed to Krug for beers on the patio.




Sunday: I was lucky enough to spend the whole day with my family (minus Andrew...) celebrating Father's Day and my mom's bday. We did a lot of eating, present opening, and baby holding. We even named my mom's new kitten, Captain Karen.

How was your weekend?