I wanna ROCK!

With YOU Constantine! What a dream boat! If you would have told me 3 months ago when I was unemployed, laying on the couch, and watching Constantine perform a set from Rock of Ages on The View, that I'd be seeing the show while in NY for my new job...I would have have said "You must be high!" Last night I was able to squeeze in a Broadway show during some downtime while in NYC for work, and let me tell you! This show did not let me down! My love for 80's hair bands started in my early years and this show managed to incorporate several of the "oldies but goodies" Not to mention the eye candy, o Constantine!

I highly recomend this show if you are in New York and have an appreciation for this genre, and even if you don't, it's still a great show!

A Beautiful Last Weekend!

I almost forgot to blog about the annual Brew Ha Ha we went to last weekend in the Quad Cities. The Brew Ha Ha is a new tradition that me and my sis and our hubs have picked up. It's a beer fest and well, there is a comedian. This year the weather was perfect and it was just what I needed after ten days of training for my new job out East!

My favorite beer this year was, surprisingly, a sweet and fruity one. I say surprisingly because I am usually not a huge fan of the sweet beer but this was great and organic! Sam Smith Organic Cherry Ale



And a few more pics!

Thumbs up and middle fingers up!


No humping at the Brew HA HA!


Me and mine like to "Get Bent!"


I hope Jeff looks at this, clicks on the picture and sees his childhood friend in the background! Close your curtains!


Sissy in laws!

For those of you who've been following...

We've got grass! And some crappy pictures since I was too lazy to actually walk out the door and take them :) It's a miracle, I really didn't think it would grow!

That's One Funny Guy!

After being a part of our family for some time now, Funny Guy is ready to make his blog debut. What is the whacky looking creature? Well, currently, and for a year or so, Funny Guy has been Dixie's favorite dog toy. Funny Guy is a well recognized name in our house, just those two words sends Dixie into a frenzy and have her running to our bedroom in a matter of seconds.(Funny Guy lives in our bedroom)

I hate to say it but he's seen better days. He started as a she and was, at one time, a witch! I keep telling myself I need to replace him, but conveniently forget each time I am at the pet store. I just can't bring myself to retire him.

Wow!

I was in a bad mood yesterday. I am happy to report that after 3 jack and diets and and upcoming trip to New York, actually I am leaving this Sunday, I am feeling much better! Today I decided to embrace the gut and look forward to working out again regularly so I can eat again happily. phew.

the ups and the downs

i feel fat. that makes me not want to blog or do anything. i gave up my gym membership when i was eliminated aka shitcanned from my job...and it's taking its toll. i found out that the YMCA gives assistance to those experiencing tough times. i filled out the paperwork monday including a typed document explaining my circumstances and have to wait 3 weeks to hear back. damn, i'll be plus another ten by then. boo.

p.s. as i'm typing this the couch seriously made a bad noise, structural damage maybe

tying up some loose ends

I've been meaning to blog about a couple things that happened right before I left for Mass. First, I had to make sure the house was in order. I'm sure I drove Mike crazy the weekend before because I kept giving him all sorts of tips like, "If you don't want the dish towel to get stinky hang it over the faucet so it can dry out" and "I usually vacuum the floors every other day, so you might want to do that" and "Don't forget to clean Kira and Dixie's eyes, brush them, clean Finn's ears and spray his anti-inch stuff on his spots." LOL. Eventually I had to shut myself up because he is a grown man afterall.

Anyways, a mother cannot leave a dirty baby, so angel got a bath:



What a little ugly bug! (only until I blowdry her)

After a day of packing and tying up loose ends, I had my goodbye dinner with my sweetie. We ended up going to a place a few blocks from our place called El Tinajon which serves Guatemalan food. Now, you know it was good if I am making time to blog about it 5 days later!

What I ordered:



This combination was amazing and all veggie! There were plantains that were awesome along with a tamal, potato taco, and a chilaquile if I remember correctly. O, and bonus, the sangria was awesome!! O and sorry for the crappy cell pic.

you're never too old for a new adventure

A year ago I would never have thought I'd be spending my weekend in Northampton, MA for work. Let's be honest though, a year ago I committed career suicide by taking, what I thought would be a good job, for a podunk company. What was I thinking? I am in a much better place these days and really enjoying my time out East, 10 days to be exact.

I've been going through some training and actually went to a job site on Thursday and Friday, probably returning on Monday as well. So far, I've been getting to know my new coworkers and working hard cataloging a fabulous closet. I feel so fortunate to gain this experience. The work is much more hands on than I am used to and I feel like the knowledge I acquired in college and throughout my career is really coming in handy! It's a great feeling.

It hasn't all been work out here. I've been able to explore the downtown area of Northampton. It's so quaint and progressive. There are a lot of great shops, restaurants and interesting buildings. Thursday night I had an excellent sidecar at the Tunnel Bar, it was an interesting place and used to actually be the home to a passenger train line.



Today, after waking up at 11:30, I went to see a movie at a super cute theater downtown, 500 Days of Summer, loved it! After I did some browsing among the shops. Tomorrow I might be going to an antique show with a friend who lives in the area!

I've really been enjoying myself out here aside from missing my sweetie and babies, that's been a little rough but between chat, and texting and the phone we are managing.

a busy week awaits me

A while back I mentioned I was interviewing with a company in Massachutes. I didn't go into much detail at the time because I didn't want to jinx myself. Last week I was offered a position and in true hurry up and decide fashion, I had about a day to think it over since I would need to start training this Wednesday. Well, after a sleepless night and a lot of back and forth I decided to go for it!

Tomorrow morning I will be flying out to Northampton, MA and start training on Wednesday. I will be there until the 18th, which is a REALLY long time. I'm not quite sure how I will spend the weekend there or fill all my downtime, probably watching lots of tv and getting some good sleep, hopefully some good workouts too! I am going to miss Mike and the babies sooo much and I am a little worried for them, but they will manage.

As for the job. I will be wearing a couple of different hats. First, I will be traveling about 25% of the time to multi-million dollar estates cataloging and appraising everything from original artwork, to couture clothing to custom furniture. Think Andy Warhol paintings, Chanel boots and one of a kind pieces. The rest of my time will be spent working on various tasks from home which I think is a real bonus.

For now this is considered a part time position because of the varied workload. This means that on slow weeks I still get to claim my unemployment. I still get to sponge of the government some! As the business continues to grow, and with the opening of an office in Evanston, the hope is that my position will become full-time in the near future. For now, this is a great transition for me to ease back in to the working world and something outside of the corporate retail environment I was so, so burnt out on.

I'll have plently of time to blog the next 10 days, so stay tuned!

all in a days work...

yesterday i spent the entire day painting our bedroom, not only the walls but the trim and closet as well. let's just say by the end of the day i was cursing manual labor and vowed to never take on a job like this again. enough time has passed now and i'm ready for more!! take a look at the before and after:


before:

seriously? who the hell would paint their bedroom to look like a prison cell? AND why the hell has no one changed it since 1991!! that's right, this masterpeice was signed and dated, someone was sure proud!






after:

the next tenants can thank me!





next up living room! (gotta save some $$ first)

Three angels

It's been a while since I posted my babies here and today everyone was looking so cozy and comfy I just couldn't resist. Everyone was a little restless for the first few weeks at the new place, but new snuggle spots have been claimed and they are getting back to their routines of sleeping all day.

an anniversary gift

A few days ago we received a box in the mail from Mike's Grandma Mashl. We had a nice vist with her when we were out East and talked a lot about the recession and how it's affected Mike and myself. Mike's Grandma is 96 and was in her twenties during the Great Depression, she made some interesting comparisons to then and now. At any rate, Mike is a student and I am unemployed so we've had to adjust our life styles during these tough times.

When I opened the box I was very surprised at its contents! I thought, wow, Grandma Mashl must think we are really struggling, and then I thought, well this stuff will sure come in handy.



It wasn't until later that Mike explained to me that for your first anniversary you are to receive paper! Ooooooooo, now it makes since. How cute of his Grandma!

I did a quick google search to refresh my memory on what each year of marriage stands for and I found this!

I must say that I am really looking forward to our 55th and our 75th!