Arizona comes to the Midwest Part 2

My second friend who came to visit was my first friend ever...Alecia.
She lived across the street from me growing up and our moms were pregnant at the same time. We had to have everything the same...dolls, jammies, you name it....
We did everything together...
After about 3 years, she moved away...we tried to stay in touch but it just didn't happen. Then one day I was playing outside during recess in grade school and saw the new girl standing by the tree--guess who, Alecia!! I couldn't believe it. We obviously picked up right where we left off with our friendship. Then high school came and we were still friends but in different activities and didn't really hang out much. So a few years rolled by and I'm on "Palm Walk" at Arizona State and who do I see--Alecia!

Wow how does God do this? He's great and obviously he wants us to be in each others lives, so we decided no matter what we're staying in touch, even if we're two time zones away! She's such a great person and is so understanding I just love her!!

Alecia and Duke, on our way to the NU vs. Iowa State game

Her husband, Phil aka Party Boy Japan...LOL, she comes up with the funniest names for him.

Of course we couldn't let them leave without some wings from Oscar's--Char buffed, the only way to go!Only 5 days until I go to Phoenix for Thanksgiving!! I can't wait to see my parents and my great friends...and to get away from the Arctic Circle--aka Midwest. We've already received our first of many snows of the season.

Have a great week girls!!

PHX is The Place to Be!!

Since I'm so good at blogging it's going on two weeks now, B and I went to Phoenix to visit my parents and friends for Memorial Day.
One of the things B has been really into is clay/sport shooting...whatever style-- he's into it.

We went to the Ben Avery Shooting Range in the north valley and it was quite the place. They have all kinds of things you can do there, every kind of shooting scenario...it's available. I mean check out this map!I'm all for showing the best first and this is my favorite pic of my dad. If you look closely you can not only see the clay blown to pieces, you can also see the shell shooting out of the side of the gun. So lucky to catch that shot!
Is it wrong for a Coach purse to be on a shooting range? Only in AZ :-)
Here's my mom and the instructor who was awesome! He really helped us improve our style, or lack thereof.
And of course b-man had to get in some action. Yeah our newest addition to the family was his Benelli shotgun! Before I left, my mom and I were able to get some fun shopping time with my best girl Ondrea. We've been friends since freshman year of high school and she's great.More pics from Vegas!

Memorial Fiesta and a New Baby!!

So B and I are headed to the Valley of the Sun, or as I like to refer to it...HOME. My dad wants me to bring my new baby--Ruger!
This isn't my real gun...I'm too lazy to take a pic of it, but it looks just like this. I should be getting my conceal and carry permit any day now and I needed a gun I could use for concealing. I have a 40 cal S&W M&P compact. I do like it but it's not very portable for me (maybe Rambo). Hence "baby Ruger", I also refer to it as my "running gun". I'll need to get a special holster for running but at least it won't pull my shorts off while I'm going down the trail. I'll be damned if I'm going to get violated out on a trail running with my dog by some creeper. Move over pepper spray there's a new kid in town!

Did I ever tell anyone I love my new job and my new boss? This job makes traveling more conducive. Well since we're going to visit my mom and dad for Memorial weekend, we thought we'd squeeze in some Sin City as well.

I'm excited to once again stay a the Flamingo Hotel...
I love that place. It's in the middle of everything. We also reserved the new Go Room...
Well maybe I'll post some pictures of my new car next time!! Hasta luego!!

Hartford CT Here We Come

So the few of you who actually do read my blog since I've been SO bad at actually posting lately know I got a new job in advertising sales. I'm liking the change but still learning the ropes. I feel like I haven't quite found my niche in comfort. I do however like how everyone has been very understanding of my newness and I feel my co-workers are really there for me. We just did our taxes for 2009 and I'm glad I made the change financially as well. Last year I made less than I did the year before-by more than I was expecting, so I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone and am trying something new and exciting and I hope will be the best for me and Brian.

The weekend before Easter (aka Holy Week) we have a sales conference in Hartford Connecticut. I've never been there before and while we won't have a ton of time to do anything super involving. My colleague and I, who will be traveling from Omaha together, will be getting to CT a day early since the flights were so much cheaper.

Has anyone been there before? Any suggestions as to a nice place to hang the night before?

Been a While and Changes are Here to Stay

Well it's definitely been a while since I've blogged. I've been going through some major changes in my life--Career changes. Mid January I quit my job at the Toyota Scion dealership I've worked at for almost 4 year! I was definitely sad to leave all my co-workers and friends I made over the years but I still feel it was for the best. Everyone was so sweet my last week at the dealership, it definitely made it hard. Here's my "going away" cake courtesy of our service department...apparently there was a problem at the bakery...
she was blond but not after the guys got a hold of her and "dyed" her hair with a magic marker.
They also threw me a nice going away lunch catered by Qdoba! It was so nice.

I didn't waste any time, and started my new position with LPi the following Monday in Minneapolis for training. All of my new colleagues are really nice too. I am one blessed person to have great people to work with yet again!

While inI stopped off at the Mall of America.
The mall wasn't what I was hoping for, but definitely overwhelming. I couldn't believe how many food options there were in one mall.

I did however happen to find the cutest restaurant (not at the mall) called Patrick's Cafe. This place was a treat! I got a chicken salad and this stellar cheesecake for takeout.
It was almost too pretty to eat...but I managed. Look at that yummy surprise in the cheesecake--raspberry filling!

I'm learning a lot at my new job and hope you girls are doing well. I hope to get back to blogging now that I'm home and working. Please pray for my success at my new job in advertising sales...there's a big learning curve and I need it!

Rainy Boston...

"Pahk the cahr in Hahvard yahd" That's the lingo in Boston! I love this accent, it's so American.


Our 6 day trip to Boston consisted of LOTS of rain...

Me at the Boston Harbor

Our vacation started in Providence. We enjoyed a fun dinner at Andino's on Atwell St. The gnocci was amazing!

Lovely Andino's

Me and the lovely Gnocci!

We capitalized on one of the only non-rainy days (overcast but not rainy) to take in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Truly one amazing experience witnessing a game in one of the oldest fields in the U.S. I scratched one more item off my "bucket list" when we went to this game.

The next few days were very wet and rainy but we managed to hit up Boston's notorious, North End. Some refer to it as little Italy. We dined in North End twice and both times were excellent!

Albeit blurry, this is the Paul Revere statue in North End. It's a retake of the one below it. I hate making other people take our pics, they're just not as good.

Us at the Paul Revere statue, take two but blurry.

Take one: Good Photo of us but where's the statue?

We also visited the uber tourist attraction--the Cheers bar. I was a little disappointed it didn't look more like the set inside but the outside shots for the show were really from the outside of this bar. The food was good and it was still a fun experience. Just make sure you go to the real one on Beacon Street, it's the original.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out our trip :-)

Boston Bound

Today I'm taking hubs to the airport over my lunch hour. He's getting a head start on the vacation and staying with a high school friend. I'll be joining in the festivities come Wednesday.



Here's what we plan to do while we're there:

1. Visit Boston's North End for some good authentic Italian food (i.e. Cannoli, Ziti etc. :-) )

2. Catch a Red Sox game.


3. Get in some shopping at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets.



????

Has anyone ever been before? If so can you please suggest any great spots? I'm pretty overwhelmed. Oh and what will I wear???

Fashion Dilemma!

Tomorrow I'm headed to Kansas City for a work meeting! The festivities start off Tuesday night with dinner and bowling, a fun night right? Well, I've got a TON of stuff to do. Numero uno: Outfit for dinner at Chop House and another outfit for bowling!!



Do you girls wear more than one outfit in a night? I'm guessing I'll have to do that.