Friday, October 31, 2008

Do you see what I see?

Here are the pictures...hope they live of up to all the hype!

Danny and me at the pumpkin patch!


Told you he was a Bears' fan!


Austin and Grandpa in the giant tractor wheel!



Black Barts!



Defenders of the home....



Posing nicely (Harrison and Nick)


She's definately getting bigger!


The finished fence!



Get out of that!


Another view of the finished product....


Notice how the beer can stays so level...nice work boys!


working on it



Danny at work!



Mirror, mirror on the ground, who's the cutest dog around? (I know, I know)



Our little grrr-lacher



What's out there?


Don't I look amused...this was on my 25th birthday, or the night before, I think


Just a random shot of Danny
There you go folks! Cleaned off the camera and shared a few of our past events and memories! Enjoy!
erin


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Taking the long way...

Wow, these days have been dragging on and on! Seriously, this week will never end. It doesn't help I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday only to quickly realize, it's not even Friday, but Thursday! I still have an ENTIRE day and a half of this work week. Boo.

This should be a pretty exciting weekend, however. Friday right after work we are headed to Bloomington to do the Halloween thing with our nephew, he's going to be a puppy. Then Saturday afternoon we're leaving from there to head to Chicago for the Bears game on Sunday. We'll be staying with my sister-in-law's brother that night. Then its Bears vs. Lions at noon on Sunday. Daylight savings time falls in there at some point, so we'll gain an extra hour of time for all of this fun.

Also, I was flipping through my calendar and there are only 2 months left of this year! I mean, I knew that, but it's so short when you are trying to see how many calendar pages you have left. It's almost 2009! 2009! (did you pick up the emphasis on that?) That's eight years out of high school and 4 out of college. For as long as these past few months have seemed, 8 years has just flown by!

I'm going to try to upload pictures tomorrow...my camera has been rebelling lately, but I'm going to put in a good effort! I have many to share.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Heat is On!

Yes, we have the heat going once again! Apparently in his efforts to replace the water heater (a fun little surprise project) Danny turned off the gas and that killed the pilot light in the furnace. Makes sense, easy fix, and we're now above 54 degrees in the house. However, I'm a little bummed to admit defeat to the weather. I wanted to go AS LONG AS POSSIBLE without turning the heat on and we almost made it to November. Our power bill was $90 last month which was fantastic! I even think the new tv made a bit of a difference. Now, though, it's going to be like $900 with the heat going. That's why I keep the temp at a balmy 65 all the time. I remember living back with Mom and Dad, whining about the cold while running around with bare feet and like the thinnest shirt on I could possibly find, in January. Looking back, I realize how ridiculous that was and these days, don't even think about adjusting that temperature unless you are wearing 3 pairs of socks, a sweater or two and a wool hat. And try taking a hot shower first...that always warms a person up!

Side note: my coffee tastes like popcorn...weird, but oddly delicious!

Here's a game - list 3 things about yourself that others may not know.
Now, this is going to be hard as my readers have pretty much all known me since at least the 6th grade, some 25 years....

1. I am a horrible phone call returner. I will get voicemails and just never return the call. This is not done in any offense, but I just totally forget. So, to all of you who have been waiting for my call and not gotten it...sorry!

2. I cannot for the life of me remember what my wedding vows were. We did not write our own, we repeated the old tried and true vows that everyone says, though each variation can be slightly different. Well, I couldn't tell you what version we said. I know there was something about "before God and these friends" and I only remember that because Danny said "before God and his friends" which was cute.

3. The very last semester of college for me, was very lonely. All my friends had either gone on to student teach or had graduated and while I knew many of my classmates, I never hung out with them. I was so done with school by that point, I was just going through the motions. If I wasn't in class or on the phone with someone, I didn't really even talk because I lived alone. It was a strange time, but I'm glad I experienced it, as it helped define my character. I was more of an observer of life than a participant for a few months and I learned that everyone should say about 1/2 of what they normally would and listen more. You tend to make way less of a fool of yourself that way. But, when you do say something, be confident in your opinions and don't let people make you feel stupid for your thoughts. That's something I'm still working on, but I got a good start during that phase of my life.

Have a good Wednesday....
erin

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Singing Sweet Home Alabama All Summer Long...

I'm listening to that Kid Rock song on the radio right now, and I'm ready for it to be out of the rotation. It was a great summer song, but now it's old and it's not summer anymore, so this song should be done. I'm sorry, but when you have a seasonal song I don't feel it should be broadcasted outside of that season. That goes for holiday music as well.

Last night it got down into the 20s I think. Did we have our furnace on? NO! It was SO COLD this morning I could barely walk around. Our pilot light went out at some point or the burners aren't burning...something is happening with the furnace so that it is not warm right now, so Danny is having some co-worker come light it up or get it going or whatever. I'm all for saving money on heating bills, but I think the 20s justifies heat. However, I'm glad to find this out now before the weather stays in the 20s. Harrison enjoyed some time with me under the covers with her head on the pillow this morning. She slept on the floor all night long and was so cold when Danny threw her up on the bed this morning (as he does every morning). Nick is always down under the covers at the bottom of the bed working like a little personal heater under there, so that was helpful.

Hoping for warmer temps. tonight!

erin

Monday, October 27, 2008

I didn't sleep at all last night...

I was up from 3am (on the dot) until 5:30ish. Fantastic.

This didn't even result from dogs or snoring husbands. This was just me, wide awake, for no apparent reason. I watched Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and took Harrison outside and just waited to be tired again. We fell asleep around 10pm, so I guess 5 hours was plenty for my body. I managed to fall asleep around the time Danny woke up, so I got in another couple hours and surprisingly, I'm not really all that tired this morning. My dad doesn't really sleep all that well and gets up ridiculously early and for the last few years, my mom sleeps in spurts as well. I'm hoping this isn't some kind of genetic non-sleep thing that I must begrudingly accept as "the way it is" because I am a sleeper. I like to sleep. I like those few minutes right before you fall asleep that you can think, "oh yes, here I go" and if you do happen to wake up in the night you can simply, fall back asleep. That's great. Being awake for hours in the middle of the night is not. I can't count how many times I've done this now, so I'm ready to be done with the insomnia. Friday, I was DEAD TIRED all day. I went out to dinner with Ashley and Kayla (which was all kinds of fun) and got home about 7:30, proceeded to get into bed, and was awake until about 2:30, not AT ALL sleepy.

My body has been playing some fun little mind games with myself lately and I'm about done. Either go all the way with it, or stop! That might only make sense to me, but just go with it.

So anyway, hope everyone else had some good sleep this weekend. I got one good night in, so I guess that's enough.

erin

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Remember that deodorant? Teen Spirit? Do they still make that?

I have on new deodorant, I bought it because 1. I needed new deodorant and 2. I had a coupon (my sister just say "yay" or "let's hear it for coupons!" or something). Well, I had loaded this coupon on my kroger card and then went shopping and upon reviewing my receipt, the coupon wasn't honored. Then I go to work the next day and see an email saying...okay, now you are ready to use your coupons! So I don't know if the coupon just wasn't loaded quite yet or what. I'm sure my sister will explain it to me. However, the deordorant I chose, based on my coupon, is not all that enjoyable to me. It has a smell. I am not a fan of deodorant smell. I enjoy unscented deodorant because then you can have a perfume or body spray or nothing. With a scented deodorant, that's all you've got, because they are so overpowering! Right now, I am sitting here in my office thinking...what in the H is that smell? Oh hey, it's my armpits! I guess it's better than body odor, but I prefer my armpits to smell like nothing. Maybe that's just me, but I don't think I'm alone in this preference. And also, go try to find unscented deodorant! There is hardly any left in America, I think. I will buy whatever brand has the unscented available and for a while I was using BAN. And frankly, it made me feel a little self-conscious. Who wants to use BAN?! It makes me feel ultra-smelly, when I'm not. I just want the unscented stuff and ban was the only maker for a while. Then Dove had some, but it went away! Then Secret had something with a very light scent, so I was going with that until this recent coupon coup got the best of me. So, I will use this scented deodorant (has a sweet, flowery smell that overpowers me) and if you happen to smell me wearing it, think back to this story and remember my disdain for the smell. And I apologize.

erin

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Dreams

I had a very odd dream last night. And it might have been long and involved, but I only recall one part of it.

I was with a group of people, no idea who they were, I think we were in my parents back yard. Anyway, we had these ears of corn, still in the husk and we needed them for some reason, in order to complete some kind of task...and they had to remain in the husk! Well, one of the people handed me an ear and immediately, I removed the husk and handed it back. There was a lot of shocked disbelief directed toward me, to which I replied, quite matter-of-factly "Hey, I'm from the midwest, you hand me an ear of corn and I'm shuckin' it!"

What?!?!

In other news, my boss just walked into my office and gave me a task to do and I totally did not listen so I don't really know what I'm supposed to be doing about it. Perhaps that is a good reason to not blog during work hours? Ah well.

Also, I got my test results back from my Food Handler Safetly Class and........98%! Apparently, I've missed my calling in the world of "food handling". I am now approved to handle food with the best of 'em.

That's all.

erin

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

When My Morning Comes Around

Today we are going to a visitation/funeral for the husband of a co-worker. So, there's a bit of a juxtaposition going on this morning.

On the one hand, it's a somber day in that a person has died and we are going to remember his life. On the other hand, it's a beautiful day in that the weather is gorgous and the colors are vibrant and this person is no longer suffering from the cancer that was wrecking his body and we are going to celebrate his time here on this earth.

You've gotta find your focus in times like these and find what gets you through hardships or uncertainties. I will feel the saddness of today probably today only. My co-worker and her family will feel the saddness of today for years, but we've all been there and understand the need to find the beauty wherever it can be found.

So this blog goes out to anyone needing to find a little beauty in life. It's there, you just have to decide what you need it to be.

Monday, October 20, 2008

All the leaves are brown

and red and yellow and orange!

I had the quintessential fall weekend! First of all, on Saturday I slept in until 9:10 am after going to bed at, I kid you not, 8:30pm. Now, I didn't sleep straight through. Danny came home from poker in the wee hours (winning BIG, which is the only way he's allowed to play) and I talked to him for a while. Then he proceeded to snore me out of the bedroom, so I slept a wakeless (aka dogless) sleep the rest of the night.

Then Mom and Dad and Emy and Austin came over and we all headed to the pumpkin patch. I have pictures of this which will be posted soon (a large picture post is coming next week...have to wait till bosses go on vacation to use the work computer to post - sorry if that's unethical, but that's how I roll). Danny used some of his poker winnings to purchase a 50 lb, $18 pumpkin that will soon be adorned with a Chicago Bears "c" logo and I will make use of all the insides like we are pioneers, because $18 better bring me more than just a pumpkin. I'm talking seasoned seeds, bread, pie, entertainment, love, even shelter - you should see the size of this thing! Anyway, much fun was had by all at the pumpkin patch. The corn maze was a little muddy, but Mom got us through with her amazing sense of direction.

Danny and I headed to ihop and I enjoyed some pumpkin pancakes. Delicious! Although, never allow them to seat you next to the kitchen opening in the restaurant because that just ruins the whole experience. Too much commotion, yelling, and lack of education going on back there.

Next, I headed to work for the Fall Harvest/Stories Around the Campfire event, which was alright. A nice way to spend a fall day, though I was working, so it could have been better.

Short side story: While manning the registration table, I noticed a group of 3 teenagers walk off the bike trail to their car and one of the guys changed his shirt and puts back on his camoflauge jacket. So he was shirtless in the parking lot for a while, which is what caught my eye. Not in a "ooh shirtless hot guy way" because gross, he was like 17 and scrawny, but more of a "why are you not wearing a shirt in the parking lot" way. Anyway, they take off down a trail back by all of the harvest activities. Not 20 minutes later, a sheriff's deputy rolls into the parking lot and asks "has anyone seen a male wearing a camoflauge jacket and red t-shirt?" Oh hey, I have seen that kid! So then I have to go through the ENTIRE rundown of questions (at a very rapid pace, mind you) of what he was wearing, who he was with, what they were wearing, hair color, height, weight, hair style, race, faces, what direction they went, how long ago, could I recognize them if they came back, etc. Well 2 more sheriff's deputies show up by then, one I went to high school with. The 2 guys head off in the direction the kids went and the remaining female deputy hung by their car waiting. Well shortly, the kids were back and she had them put their hands up and then spread them out up against their cars. They were searched and then drove away. Apparently, the camo kid had a pellet gun down his pants in the front and someone saw this on the bike trail and called the cops, thinking it was a real gun. They were told they were idiots and not to come out here again with anything of that nature. So, we had a little excitement!

Back to weekend: Hung out with in-laws Saturday night for a bit after work at our house and then sleep!

Sunday I went shopping with my sister and got pumpkin spice lattes on that venture. They left for home and I did tons of laundry and watched football after the TV guy came (finally!). Danny and I went to dinner at his parents (chilli - yum) with Harrison and then came home and watched a movie.

All in all, a great weekend with great weather and so many appropriate activities!

erin

Friday, October 17, 2008

Tossing and Turning All Night

Harrison ate a couple of magazines last night. She thoroughly destroyed a Sports Illustrated (she really has it in for that one) and O Magazine, which, oddly enough was underneath a Better Homes and Gardens that remained undisturbed. Apparently she's a fan. This all took place while we were having band practice in the basement and she was just living it up upstairs.

So, in the destruction, she managed to eat some of the glossy pages. How do I know this? Well, at 2:30 in the morning, I was roused from my sleep by the sound of a puking dog. At first, I didn't realize what was happening. Danny made some noises and said something like "oh god, that's so gross" but he wasn't even awake! I tried to ask him what he was talking about but he wouldn't answer. So then I put two and two together: strange gurgle noises from the floor and Danny talking about something begin gross (apparently he is aware of stuff like that in his sleep- weird!) and then I heard Harrison licking, licking, licking. So I crawl to the end of the bed and she is licking the carpet. In the dark and without my glasses I notice what appears to be a spot on the carpet. So I get up, take her downstairs and outside, get a flashlight and a washcloth and indeed there is a puke spot that I proceed to clean up. I got the dog all settled back down and crawled back into bed. Danny muttered something else in his sleep and I said, "Harrison got sick." He was asleep again.

About 30 minutes later, after just falling back asleep, I hear the dreaded pre-puke heaving down at the end of the bed again. I jumped out of bed, grabbed the flashlight and...too late, she puked again. This time, I saw the actual stuff and there were little bits of magazine! Ah ha! So I get the washcloth again, clean it up, and put her on top of a dog blanket in case she did it again.

So, a bit of a rough night with the dog. Nick and Danny remained unaffected, but the ladies of the house were up. This resulted in not walking this morning because A, I didn't want to get her all amped up the morning after a puke-fest. And B, I was TIRED! So I did some stretching and crunches instead.

All I can say is, it's finally Friday! Although...

I am working on Saturday AGAIN. This is the 3rd weekend in a row that I will have come into work. Saturday at 3pm is our Fall Harvest event, complete with pumpkin decoration, scarecrow building (bring your own cloths), wagon rides, a weiner roast, and at 7pm, Stories Around the Campfire at the Homestead Prairie Farm. Now I will say, reservations were required, but for the 3 people who read this and live in town, we do have some "first-come, first-serve" supplies. There is a fee of a few dollars for each activity.

There is my plug.

Before I get to work however, Danny and I are going to a pumpkin patch for a little husband/wife fall fun! How cute are we? Pretty damn cute!

Have a fabulous weekend!
erin

Thursday, October 16, 2008

I'm walking...

Yes I am!

I got up at 6:30 this morning to walk the dogs, but more so, myself. I need to be in better shape and yesterday it just really all of a sudden hit me like a ton of bricks: "hey! you used to be in much better shape, thinner, and that number on the scale is totally unacceptable!" So I walked.

I wanted to get around 30 minutes in, but it ended up being more like 12 due to frantic leash searching that resulted in only Harrison getting to walk. Somehow, Nick's leash has gone missing and I'm sorry I'm not attempting a walk without it. But then I had an actual breakfast and wasn't rushing around to get ready like usual. So, despite other times that I've promised to do this whole walking thing, I, once again, am going to try to stick with it because my ass is in need of some exercise and morning walks are a really good way to start the day.

The other key to this "shape up" plan is to not eat food at work. Lunch, okay, mid-afternoon snack if I'm dying, perhaps. But, there isn't a day here at work that there isn't some form of dessert or carb in the kitchen and those must be avoided at all costs! As I type there are 2 cakes, a "tub of biscuits", corn bread, apple butter, and reeces pieces sitting on the table! It's simply a habit to think you are hungry all day long. I think back to school days, when lunch would be the only food source for 7.5 hours and that worked out fine. I didn't die, or starve, and even had gym class in there (not that is was necessarily physically challenging). So, here we go again, let's all get in shape!

erin
ps. I also denied myself from titling this post "let's get physical" because that song is annoying.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

It's been one week...

Almost!

Okay, okay, I realize I haven't blogged in almost one week and that is unacceptable! I've either been so busy or seriously have had NOTHING of importance to blog about. And I do have pictures to share, but they won't come for a week or two. So hang in there!

We had a nice weekend. A long one for me anyway. Danny had to work Monday, but not me. And I took off early on Friday, so it was extra long, bonus! However, I had to come into work at 6:45 am on Saturday to prepare and then host the Volunteer Quarterly meeting, but it wasn't so bad and I was home by 10:30.

Had a date night with the hubby on Saturday. We went to dinner/movie. He picked dinner, Red Lobster, and I picked the movie, Nights in Rodanthe. I picked this because A, I wanted to see it, and B, Danny owed me a chick flick. And surprisingly, we both enjoyed the movie. I was slightly skeptical because it was a Nicholaus Sparks movie and while I liked The Notebook and watch it every time it's on tv, it's still super cheesy, I think, in many parts of the movie. But, we liked this one and it was a really nice evening. We're attempting to do this monthly, alternating who picks dinner and who picks the movie.

Saturday I also waited and waited around for the Firedog people to come and calibrate our new tv so it uses less energy and they NEVER SHOWED UP! I just called this morning and set up a new time and apparently they had "scheduling conflicts this weekend." Of course they did.

Sunday was a very sad Bears game and then dinner at the in-laws. Monday was hanging out at mom and dad's with Harrison, who came through her surgery with flying colors and is the most popular dog at the vet.

So now I'm back at work, looking forward to the last week of October (no boss week) and going to visit the Millers on Halloween (that's my sister and b-i-l and nephew).

Have a good one!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Wednesday Morning at 5 o'clock when the day begins...

...Danny woke me up in the guest bedroom to send me back to bed in our bedroom. I fell victim to the sound of snoring and banished myself to another room to sleep. (By the way, that's a line from what song??)

Sorry to all of you who can't go one day with a blog from me. I really don't have a ton to blog about and I don't want to just put up random stuff everytime that happens. But here it is...random blog.

I got groceries Monday night at Walmart. I'll say this about grocery shopping at Walmart: I am not a fan. Usually everyone and their mom is in the aisle I need, at the exact place I need (are we all seriously buying cous cous at this moment? Come on!) and I ALWAYS spend WAY more at Walmart then I do at Kroger. I think it's a combo of "hey, I'm at Walmart so I should stock up" and prices aren't all that different. At Kroger I feel I am more conservative with what I buy whereas at Walmart, I come away with more random food that we don't usually get. Now, on Monday, it wasn't too bad with the entire population of Decatur trying to buy cous cous. I only had that issue like 2 times instead of 2789 times, so I'll give it that. Also, had I needed to purchase a bedset and hunting ammunition, I would have been all set! But I will stick with Kroger for the majority of my grocery needs.

Last night we had band practice and now we have a "new guy" in the band. Chris, another guitar player. I haven't made up my mind on him yet...I don't really jive with his sense of humor and he plays way to loud for my poor little basement. But he adds some impressive stuff, so I'll deal I guess.

Tonight I'm making macaroni and cheese from scratch! I haven't done that in years (I've only done it once before) and the last time it made me feel very accomplished as a cook. It's not a bad recipe as far as mac and cheese goes...doesn't have all the cream/cornstarch/buttermilk/900 types of cheese that a lot of other recipes has. Just your basic skim milk/flour/cheddar mixture with the bread crumbs on the top. Perhaps I'll post it on the other blog site? We've gotta do better than semi-home made/frozen pizzas.

Tomorrow night I have a volunteer meeting at work and another volunteer meeting Saturday morning! I know I'm the volunteer coordinator and all, but I detest all the meetings. Sorry, people, I just get sick of feeding you! Although I'm licensed to do so now.

And Friday, our poor little Hare-Bear (Harrison) is getting spayed. She's such a big girl! She doesn't even know what she's in for, but it must be done. So I'll have to drop her off at the vet and LEAVE HER THERE OVERNIGHT! which will be really hard, but again, must be done.

Okay, random-shmandom for all of you!

erin

Monday, October 6, 2008

It's A Nice Day for a White Wedding

Wow and it really was!

You couldn't have picked a nicer day to have a wedding in the fall. Sunny, cool temps, warm sun, small breeze. Friends of ours got married and Danny was a groomsman. He looked so cute!

The ceremony, I'm sorry, left a lot to be desired. It was an HOUR long, full mass, communion ceremony. So...it was long. And it was very traditional with the "wives honor your husbands and husbands, love your wives as you love yourself" stuff. I really don't put much into that uber-traditional rhetoric, myself, but that's me, it just seems a little "husband is in charge" to me and I'm looking for an equal partnership kind of thing. Other people really do enjoy it and find great comfort in it, I suppose.

Anyway, so there was that and then we all head to the reception site...beautiful! Although it took the bridal party almost 2 hours to get there due to pictures! I had one glass of wine and starting feeling horrible so I left at 9am. I barely even talked to Danny, didn't get to dance, it was a little depressing. But, it seemed like a successful wedding.

Got to work the next morning at 6am, woke up with a headache (from 1 glass of wine? seriously?) that lasted for about 5 hours. It was a great event, no problems, again great weather, but it was a LONG day and it wore me out.

October is starting off a little rough for me, so I'm hoping things start to turn around soon. It's nothing we can't handle, but it's one thing after another and I could use a little down time.

That's all.
erin

Friday, October 3, 2008

I'm so Tired

I smashed my thumb AGAIN! Same one! It sent a sharp, shooting, tingly sensation all throughout my thumb. I'm going to have to start wearing biker gloves or something. It was feeling better today and everything and now, hurts like a mother all over again!

In other news, I'm tired. I was awake from about 4:15am until 5:30am when hubby decided to roll in from the bachelor party. He called about 10pm (a respectable hour for the most part) to say that he was coming home to grab the tequila! And he would most likely spend the night at Smitty's (his friend's house, where the festivities were going down) which is about 1 mile from our house, due to intoxication. I said fine, because I really wasn't looking forward to waking up to barking dogs and a drunk guy coming home at all hours of the morning. I was doing just fine in my big old bed, thankyouverymuch! But he came home. And the dogs barked, and he had to make tater tots, and I was AWAKE. And then we had to chat because drunk people insist on chatting until the end of time. Finally, he fell asleep and I remained awake for another 20 minutes or so. He had to be up at 8am to go golfing, I'm sure that was a fun time for him, but for golf, he'll do about anything.

Then work was C.R.A.Z.Y! Prairie Pedal Preparation commenced. And I was the bell of the ball until the Foundation members showed up at 2pm and I was no longer necessary in the operation. Until things needed to be moved, packed, cleaned. Love that! Needless to say I've sat down for approximately 45 minutes today.

I can't wait to go home! Ashley and Lauren are coming to hang out and get Starbucks and perhaps autumn-scented candles. Then I can relax in style until tomorrow when I have to go to a wedding.

Have a fantastic weekend all you readers! And leave me a message if you haven't done so before...I want to know if more than 7 people actually read this thing!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Under My Thumb

I have a bum thumb (yes, the rhyming was intentional)!

While moving the in-laws last weekend, I managed to smash my thumb up against a dresser I was loading off the truck (I'm not sure why I was doing that, but I digress). It went numb for a few seconds and then seemed to recover. That was Saturday. Today is Thursday. It started hurting Wednesday. That is some delayed pain right there. But now I'm really trying to remember, was this even the thumb I smashed? I think it was, but I honestly can't recall. The pain would lead me to believe it was, but still, it was 4 days before the pain set in. And it really hurts! I can't bend it all ALL without a sharp shooting pain running up my thumb and into my hand. It's not swollen or bruised or anything, but there is a very specific spot that all the pain is radiating from. Come to think of it, this is the thumb the cat bit! Uh oh, hope this isn't residual cat-scratch fever at work!

In other news, I was on the radio today. This was my second appearence on WHOW 1520 (am), 95.9 (FM) out of Clinton, IL. I think the audience is mostly farmers and old people within a 50 mile radius, but still, it's fun to be on the radio. We go once a month for work (not always me) and promote upcoming programs, the volunteer program, environmental stuff, etc. I think we should hook up with some radio station in town and have a little show of our own here at the Nature Center. That would be awesome and I would so do that instead of manage volunteers! I would enjoy that.

What's coming up:
-Today: Danny has a bachelor party tonight for the upcoming wedding so I'll not see him for the majority of the night, I'm sure.
-Friday: Danny is taking off work to golf/rehearse/dinner for the upcoming wedding. I was going to attend the dinner, but it's out of town and I'm already going there on Saturday and didn't want to spend the night with drunk groomsmen in the hotel room. So I will instead hang out with Ashley and Lauren and get Starbucks coffee and sleep alone (with 2 dogs) in my king-sized bed.
-Saturday: Drop Harrison off at Mom and Dad's, go to said wedding in Springfield, come back home.
-Sunday: Prairie Pedal Fundraiser Event! Holy cow, get pumped!

What's coming up for you??

erin

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Cookie Cookie Cookie Starts with C

I kicked that food safety training test's ass!


I finished in 15 minutes, with the average finish time clocking in around 45. The instructor actually predicted I would finish first "based on my speed at doing the in class work." Guess I was just antsy to get it done.


I have always been a quick test taker. I'm not bragging here, either. It really used to freak me out, especially in college. I would get through a 100 multiple choice test in about 25 minutes and think, crap, this can't be right! I was never one to go back through and check my answers either. I kind of did that as I went along, the double-check thing. Eventually I became a fan of the fast test-taking, especially during exams because I would just get them done and over with and get to leave class.

But anyway, dependent upon my results, I am now a licensed food handler. So if I'm in your kitchen, you better be cooking by the book or I'll bust you!

We're really gearing up (no pun intended) for our big bike event this Sunday. People are starting to get nuts here at work! So many details to get done all at the last minute. It's a fundraiser for our Foundation and I have to be at work at 6am on Sunday morning! Yes, that is before the sun comes up, thanks for asking. I have a wedding in Springfield the night before, Danny is a groomsman, so I will have to not really drink and leave at a decent hour. Fun! We have a really nice hotel room at the crowne plaza where the reception is that I will not be able to enjoy or sleep in. Fun! No real chance for Danny and I to have a little get-away weekend in Springfield and enjoy each other's company (wink wink) in a really nice hotel room. Fun! I'm really looking forward to all that fun there is to come this weekend.

erin