New year, new opportunities.

Christmas is over. A little sad and a little relieved. I anticipate it every year, but as much as I feel as though I want to get a jump start on the holiday it never fails, I am shopping (or sending the husband out shopping) on Christmas Eve, and franticly wrapping gifts.

My little Chica Bear by the tree.

Now, on to the new year...2013.

I seriously spend the whole week between Christmas and new year's every single year reflecting. I spend time thinking of the things I wish I would have done the past year and telling myself that I have so many things that I want to accomplish in this new year.

Last night I was browsing Craigslist. I know, I know, but sometimes there are some good leads for different things. I have been really thinking hard lately how I want to pursue my journalistic tendencies. I started searching for photography positions, and then moved on to the writing/editing section. A number of the posts you could tell were pretty far fetched and more than likely a scam, but there was one I found that seemed fairly legit. They made it perfectly clear that it is a position that is UNPAID (for now) and that it's an online magazine that is launching in February of 2013. It's more or less to get experience and or exposure. I got the feeling that it might be a cross between something like the City Pages and the entertainment section in the Pioneer Press. I sent them a quick email asking a few questions, and I got an email back this morning. The Editor-in-cheif would like to set up a time to meet and discuss his project in more detail.

I am not going to get my hopes up, but I'm not going to lie, it seems kind of fun and exciting. I knew at such a young age what I wanted to do in life. I told everyone that when I grew up I wanted be a photo-journalist. I really don't know what ever stopped me from pursuing it. I think it was lack of confidence more than anything. But, somehow, I ended up with a Bachelors degree in psychology...that's comparable, right?

Well, I am now officially going to miss the kick-off of the Vikings/Packers game... so

...until we meet again.

Writer's block

I came to the coffee shop this afternoon really wanting some "me" time and of course with full intent to write another blog. Sure enough, I open up my laptop and found myself suffering from writers block.

When I was in school, and had moments when I couldn't figure out what to write, my teachers always told me to brainstorm for some ideas and make a list (I think this is why I make a list for EVERYTHING still to this day). So here goes:

• I could write about how last minute Christmas shoppers are driving me batty. Apparently, if you are running around like a chicken with your head cut off in the middle of a department store because you are in a hurry looking for a gift, it's grounds for acting like an idiot. Eh, scratch that idea...
• I could write about how screwed up this world is becoming and how much my heart aches for each and every one of those parents in Connecticut, but the media is already over-doing it.
• I could write about how I go to Caribou Coffee just about every day of the week, order almost the same exact thing each time, but the "barista" or whatever they call themselves, manage to make it completely wrong 6 out of the 7 days....I'll save that one for another day too I suppose.

So, I guess that's that. No grand ideas even after the brainstorming. Just so this post isn't a complete wash, here are some of the photos from our gingerbread house making event this afternoon.

Until we meet again...

She's very diligent. 

Have to get it just right! 

The finished product.

A little taste of the finished product.  ;)

Sadie wanted to take a photo of us too. We were supposed to be "in love" in this picture. Too bad her hand moved and made it blurry because this would have been a good one!

Snowpocalypse

Last week was the worst snow storm that we have seen here in the past two years. I absolutely hate winter. I ask myself every single year why I continue to live in this state. One day I swear, I will move to South Carolina. It is so beautiful there and the temperature stays pretty mild all winter long. 

So it all started last weekend. It literally snowed all day long on Sunday and the final totals ended up being over a foot of snow. When it's falling down, sure, I will admit that it is a pretty site. However, the days following made for quite the nightmare. The traffic was awful and some of the cities here I swear do not even bother plowing the side streets. 

So, here is my time line of events for the past week:

Sunday: enjoyed the day at home with Ferny and Sadie. By the end of the day, shoveled 12 inches or more of snow and attempted a snowman.

Monday: Ferny unburied the vehicles and I attempted to make it to work on time (did not happen). I drove maybe 100 yards and got myself stuck in the snow. I tried for almost 5 minutes trying to maneuver myself out, but couldn't. I called Ferny to help me, and after about 20 minutes, there was no progress.  Finally, one of the neighbors down the way came up to help push. Finally, we got it out of there and I was on my way.

Tuesday: again tried to make it to work on time (did not happen). This time, I decided it would be a fun start to my morning to spin out in the middle of one of the busiest streets in Saint Paul. Not only did I do a complete 180 into oncoming traffic, I got myself stuck AGAIN. I had at least 50 cars flying at me going 35 miles an hour on what seemed like an ice skating rink. It was was TERRIFYING. After about 5 minutes of sitting in my car in a sheer panic, this couple stopped for me and asked if I would like some help. The man (who I now consider to be my angel!) hoped in my car and between the three of us, we managed to get it out of the snow and turned back around without dying.

Tuesday afternoon: I come to the conclusion that I need new tires. 

Tuesday evening: the commute home was horrific. I had no control over the vehicle and almost slid into 100 different cars. I got off the freeway and was maybe 3 blocks away from our house and got stuck, again, for the THIRD TIME! We made it home on a wing and a prayer...and once we did, the car sat for 3 days...

Friday: ...until this morning when Ferny had the opportunity to take the car into the dealership and install the new tires himself. 

We're expecting more measurable snow tomorrow, so hopefully next week will not be as eventful with my car's new shoes. It's not even officially winter yet and I already can't wait until spring. 

So the moral of this story, when your husband tells you in August that you are going to need new tires before the snow flies, maybe listen to him for once! ;)

Until we meet again.

It was really coming down.

She looks a little shocked in this one.

She enjoyed throwing it.

Snow angels :)

It was a wet heavy snow...well maybe we were exaggerating a bit with our facial expressions. 

What a good helper.

Winter wonderland.

My top ten

The top ten things I hate about living in Minnesota :

• Driving anywhere when there is precipitation is a nightmare. Seriously, it's just rain/snow, deal with it.
• People are absolutely rude. "Minnesota nice" my a$$.
• The fact that you can start your car in the morning and need the heat on, and by the end of that same day you will use the air conditioning. 
• Heading north on a highway on a Friday night in the spring, summer or fall will take you at least an extra 30 minutes because everyone is going "up north."
• You can't have a nice summer day without the humidity being insanely high. 
• Mosquitos are the most God-awful bug and/or insect known to man and they are not afraid to eat you alive.
• Going to the Mall of America on a Saturday afternoon during the Christmas season...you may as well put me in a red dress for the running of the bulls. 
• Snow emergencies. Where the hell are we supposed to park?!?
• Yes, I know we live in "the state of hockey," but don't look at me like I have a third eye when I tell you I can't stand the sport.
• Last, but certainly not least, the word is pop, not soda, it's a can of POP.

Until we meet again. 

You've got a friend in me

Life has been flying by these past few weeks. It always seems to be that way this time of year. The time where it seems as though every moment of your day/evening is planned out with something you want or need to do.

This weekend was pretty enjoyable. Ferny had the whole weekend off so it made for a nice weekend of family time. On Saturday night we went down to the Xcel Center to see the Disney on Ice show. As much as we enjoyed it, I think last year's show was a bit better. Sadie thoroughly enjoyed it though so that's really all that matters. I'm fairly certain Ferny enjoyed himself too as I heard him say,  "that was the best $75 I've spent in a long time." Haha, what a good daddy. 

On Friday, I got together with a friend that I hadn't seen it quite some time. It was so nice to reconnect after a number of years went by. It was a great evening out and it just made me think, when you are able to pick up right where you left off with someone after 4+ years, it's kind of an amazing thing. You get together and start to reminisce and wonder why you let so much time go by. I have a select number of people in my life that I could truly say that this works for, but it's always so nice when it happens.

A few snap shots of the Disney show...

Until we meet again.

Sleigh bells ring are you listening...

So this week, we have totally been shifting into full on Christmas mode. Christmas music, visiting Santa, shopping for Christmas gifts, setting up the Christmas tree, it's great! I absolutely love this time of year. For me personally, I have been anticipating the Fa-La-La-lidays since the end of summer. How can you not when every single retailer has their decorations up in September?!?

So the visit with Santa was great. Sadie walked right up to him and before he could get a word in edgewise she said, "Santa, I would really like a new Leapster." It was super cute. I missed most of the visit because I started tearing up a bit, and when my eyes tear they burn really bad for some reason. It's so weird, but any of her firsts or "milestone" events (so to speak), I always get so emotional. It's so funny because I am SO not a crier! I guess that is what motherhood does to a person!

 We even got a great picture out of her!

Yesterday morning I...I mean Santa, scored a great find. Sadie loves The Wizard of Oz and she loves Barbies. So when I found out they made a Dorothy Barbie, I searched high and low. I found one on Craigslist and picked it up yesterday morning. I initially wanted to get her the whole set (the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion etc.) but I wasn't quick enough to buy it on Ebay when I saw it. So, I settled for just Dorothy. Now here is my problem....we have been storing all of the Christmas gifts down in the basement, and this morning when Ferny went down to get the laundry, Sadie was right in toe with him. A few minutes later, she came upstairs and said to me, "I saw that Dorothy doll in the bag." She said it so quietly like she knew that it was hidden and felt as though maybe she shouldn't have seen it. I was quite upset because that was going to be like 'the gift' this year. Or at least that's the way I felt. Anyway, knowing that she has already seen it, I cannot figure out how I am going to explain it to her when she opens it up Christmas morning. Keep in mind, this little girl remembers EVERYTHING. I have a few weeks to ponder it, but I was so mad at the hubby for letting her down there, UGHH! Oh, well.

"The gift"

Getting wrapped up in Christmas.

My angel putting on the angel.

Until we meet again.