Things I Love: Houses

I love looking at houses. Love it. I always say if I wasn't going to be an accountant, I would be an architect. I've always, always, dreamed of building a house. I talk about it with Mike all the time, I show him house plans all the time, I look for a lot all the time (and then get annoyed cause I cannot pay $200,000 for a lot thankyouverymuch). However, I am bound and determined to build a house one day...

Know what style of home I want to build?

The Bungalow!
Deep front porch, pillars, interesting angles, attention to detail.
What's not to love?

I swoon over beamed ceilings and more pillars.

I love the mission style elegance. (and that Viking range is an absolute must)!

So is that build in espresso machine over in the corner.

I love how they use different materials on the outside. Switch things up a bit.

Thick, white, woodwork.

I love built ins, and angled roof lines.

Doesn't this just make you want to go inside?

There is one other style of house that I would consider. You'd probably never guess. I'll get around to blogging about it soon!

What about you. What's your choice style of house and why?

Grade Result.

Remember this post?

I was bound and determined to do better on my next test. Rather than celebrating Miles turning one, I was sitting in class taking this test.

I got my results back today. Grade: 199/200

HALLELUJAH!!

I now have an A in the class. Amen and amen.

On a side note...One year ago today we were moving back to Minneapolis. It is SO weird to think about. We have come so far in this past year, been through so much, many ups and downs, etc. I was driving to Target this morning, I drive right past the air port of the way there, and I was thinking about that day. The weather is exactly the same as it was last year (sunny, cold, and 6 degrees- if your interested), but then I looked back at my kids and I realize nothing else is really the same. Lacey is singing "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands" and Miles is looking out the window pointing at the airplanes. I was proud. Proud that we moved to Washington, proud that we made it back, proud that my kids are healthy and growing and no worse for the wear with their parents moving shananigans.

It was a good feeling.

And while I still miss Seattle, wonder if we will ever get to experience a big move again, and wish we could have been there a bit longer, we are thrilled to be living in this "frozen tundra" and it is nice knowing we are right where we need to be.

Run 1 done.

I'm not totally sore today which is rather amazing. But, I think I ran 1.8 miles so I didn't overachieve or anything.

It was 33 out yesterday and sunny. This was probably the nicest day we've had since October. Good day for a run, no?

Actually, no.

The temperature was great, my lungs weren't burning (from the cold), but lordy, lordy I was puddle jumping the entire 1.8 miles. Nothing like snow covering the drains, and snow melting into ginormous puddles on each corner. Plus I live on a hill so I had to run uphill the last block and a half. It hurt, and I normally like hills. This is how I know I am pathetically out of shape.

I guess the temperature is supposed to cool down significantly, so I will probably have to get in my other February run sooner rather than later. Goody.

(On a side note, I decided that I really love to run with my iphone because 1) I listen to Pandora as opposed to a playlist, and I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, running to a "radio" because you never know what is coming up next. In a playlist you know exactly where you are in your run and I hate that. 2) Once I twisted my ankle on a run when I was about 2 miles away from home. I ended up being fine and was able to keep running after taking a little walking break, but I thought that I should really carry a phone just in case something happens. Well, now I get to carry a phone along with me and it's not even a separate contraption. Love that as well.)

Run, Run, Run.

I used to run. I used label myself a "runner."

Then I had 2 kids in less than 2 years and was constantly sick and pregnant and, well, I don't call myself a runner anymore.

In fact, the last time I was in shape was the winter of 2006-2007, right before I found out I was pregnant with Lacey. Lacey was born in October and just as winter melted away and I started thinking about running again we moved to Washington. I did start running 3-4 times a week there, but that lasted 3-4 weeks, before I found myself pregnant again.

Vicious cycle I tell you.

So why didn't I run last summer?

Uh, good question. I think I did for about 3 weeks. But I was TIRED. We were constantly moving, and I was out of shape, so it wasn't the most enjoyable relaxing thing to go for a run.

Let's be honest, I lost the baby weight in a hot minute and didn't have any REAL motivation for it.

But this year I am more motivated. Rather than having 2 kids with constant needs, I have 2 kids with constant needs who can play together for more than 3 seconds. So, in other words, it's time to start doing something for me again. I am going to try to actually, run this summer. Because I know that as much of a pain it is for me to get started, I really enjoy running when I am actually in shape.

Mike got me new shoes for Valentines Day. The last time I got new running shoes was in October of 2006. These were long overdue. My goal is to run 2 days in February, 4 days in March, 8 days in April, and 16 days in May. After May I am hoping that I am in good enough shape to actually want to run. Once you're in shape it becomes some sort of an obsession, like you just have to do it.

Two days in February? I know, I am such an overachiever. Seriously, don't laugh unless you've gone out and run with 30" of snow standing on the ground and icy sidewalks. I think I am going to make a mental note of all the people who don't shovel their sidewalks and report them to the city so they get fined.

Happy Birthday Miles.

Twelve.

Eleven.

Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.

One.


Happy Birthday to the sweetest little boy!
February 13th, 2009

You light up our lives with your giggles and energy. We are blessed to call you ours. You've been a trooper and a fighter and you help to keep us focused on what really matters.
Happy Birthday to our little Adventurer.

Miles Nash, we love you.

the realitiy of it all.

I get it all the time. You have two kids, and your in school full time, and you work part-time. You must be so busy!

Duh. But lets be honest. First, we are all busy. Secondly, I am barely hanging on! I dream abut quitting the job every.single.day., I would adore a maid and a nanny, and I have serious meltdowns over having to study again, so before another person starts acting like I have everything all together (which I don't), I thought I'd share some tips that help me get everything done.

First. I try to use every minute of every day wisely. I actually slot out time to check blogs or facebook. Each morning I wake up between 5:30-6:00 am to get some study time in before the kids wake up. I have found this to be extremely useful because if I can get something done first thing in the morning, then I am more relaxed the rest of the day. I've also found that getting up, getting coffee in me, and developing an idea about what we are going to try to accomplish during the day and what I am going to make the kids for breakfast, does wonders. Everything just flows better.

Secondly, I have found that it is extremely useful to talk about why you are doing what you are doing with the people close to you. Don't just assume they know. My husband needs to know what my goals are for school or for fitness or cooking or whatever. If I am leaving everyday when he gets home from work to go study, it is a whole lot easier for him to swallow when he knows my ultimate goals and the weight each exam and each class carries. I don't know where I would be without that support. I mean he is the one who wants me to apply to grad school after all, so he must be okay with this studying thing...

Three. Cut out some things!! I try to get out to some sort of social event with the kids at least 2 mornings a week. However, social activities for Mike and I?? Hmmm, we've had to cut a lot of them out. Don't get me wrong, I know its very important to get out of the house and be with other adults, and we do (Small Group starting February 23rd)! But we also realize that we need time together as a family and as a couple and that comes first. It's okay to tell people no, and stay home during those precious "I have nothing pressing" moments.

So there you have a few things that I've found helpful in my life. Maybe you'll find them helpful as well, maybe not. Either way my allotted blogging/facebook/browsing the internet time is up so I am off to study!

Winter Boots

You'd think everyone living in the frozen tundra has invested in a good pair of boots? Ha! Think again. Maybe it's denial that feet of snow bury us or maybe its just because we are busy spending hundreds of dollars on various winter coats, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, etc. But I NEEDED A GOOD PAIR OF WINTER BOOTS.

I went back and forth with whether I wanted to "invest" in Uggs or not. I don't particularly care for the looks of the traditional style (although they are SO COMFORTABLE), plus I am worried I'll buy them this year and by next year no one will be wearing them. So then I thought that maybe I'd invest in the Cardy boots.

These...




Then I found some knock-off's made by Bearpaw that looked the exact same, except the price was less than half. So I cruised over to MOA (Mall of America) cause they have everything, and I tried them on.

Big disappointment. They wouldn't stay up on my dang calf. Because they are made of knit and aren't stiff at all you need to have some sort of substance in your calf to keep them up. If you know me and you have seen me in shorts, you know that my legs are the smallest ever, so this wasn't going to work.

I've been wanting these since Christmas so this was a bit sad.

Then I decided that I should get some real winter boots, not some foo-foo winter boots. Because I know what would happen. I'd end up needing both. So I started looking for some real boots and came across these from REI...



$130 YIKES. Mike was telling me to wait until they went on sale, or to find them somewhere else online for less. I found them at Zappos for $100 which I thought was a good deal, but they didn't have my size. As I started looking I realized that NO ONE had my size. Except Nordstroms.

So yesterday I went on REI's website to make sure these are the boots, and 'lo and behold they are marked down to $74.93. Of course REI doesn't have my size, but Nordstrom's does, and they have a price matching policy. So I call them this morning, order them, they matched my price and they'll be here in a few days.

Wham, Bam, Thank-you Ma'am.

"B"

I got a B on my last exam.

I have never gotten a B on an accounting exam. I died a little, re-evaluated, and decided to kick it up a notch.

Nothing like a low grade to kick your butt into gear.

I have exam #2 on Saturday, I think I'll give Miles a good solid A on his Birthday.

A happy mom is the best birthday present right?

Annoying Inventions someone apparently uses - 1

Today I saw this



It wasn't working for the guy.

Anything that claims to make your life easier (or in this case, anything that claims to make shoveling snow easier) probably doesn't work.

Winter Camping

Mike left this afternoon for a 5 day trek in the snow. Winter Camping. When most people decide to go on a vacation in February they decide to go someplace warm. Sunny California, Mexico, or a nice warm cruise.

Not in this house. My husband decided that he and his brother should actually go further north, and sleep in snowdrifts, and walk across frozen lakes that they have to chip into with a spike to get some water to drink.

Dream vacation, no?

So, if you are jealous of wearing the same clothes for 5 days (it's too cold to change), and doing everything outside, then winter camping may be for you. But, I sit on my couch some nights watching TV, huddled under heaps of blankets. I am not cut out for winter camping. Thankfully, my husband knew that when he married me there would be no dual winter camping trips.

We had a son for that.