[dreams]

...Sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad.

sometimes they come true, other times they remain just something we wish we could grab onto but yet, they remain unattainable.

I have had dreams since I was little, lots of them infact! Alot of my dreams have diminished as I got older...dreams of wanting to be a teacher, dreams of owning a horse, marrying a doctor...

some dreams that I have had I will never let go of; Although, the only thing that hurts more than anything...

watching other live them out before my own eyes.

[Time flies...]

when you're having fun...

so that title may or may not be a repeat but it just verifys how true it is.

It was suggested that I update again.

Fall is really going quickly, which is upsetting to me!! So much to still do, and enjoy!

This weekend Kyle and I and his parents are headed to the MSU v. U of M game in Lansing! I cannot wait!! That family has really gotten me into fall football (against my best effort).

That is about all for now! I will post pictures sometime soon!!!

[The not so little things]

Today I appreciate the little things in life!

1. My job- as I sit here on a saturday, not really my ideal schedule, but I am also thankful to have my job as well as being able to work extra hours. Some people don't have that choice.

2. My car- I have had alot of annoyances with it latley, but I have to remember I don't have car payments and that I am able to afford a vehicle and its maintanences.

3. My close friends- I love my close friends. I know alot of people who have a wide variety of friends that are not necesarily the truest of friends! but today, I know I have some of the most reliable friends that I can go to and confide in.

4. My parents. I may not always be the best child, but they are always ready to forgive and love! They have given me more than I deserve!

Finally, I am so thankful for the relationship that I have with Kyle. He is the best boyfriend that I could ever have asked for. He deals with all of me, he loves me, and he genuinally always has my best intrest in mind. He is always there to listen, to calm me down, for a great laugh, and just an all around best friend :)

[Thoughts]

I am extremely happy with the weather today as I sit at work with a long sleeved zip up on :) I am just so happy for fall!

Last week Thursday we went to our first football game of the season, another sign of fall! We also went to Brickstone Pizza...Brickroad Pizza...Brickfire...whatever the true name was, and it was amazing! I give it a must go to. If you can handle a little bit of a wait, and have the patience for slower service then definitly check it out! It is well worth the wait!

Labor day weekend is upon us! looking forward to a somewhat extended weekend!!! Working all day Saturday. Sunday is my niece Ava's baptism, and then on Monday probably a cookout. I love spending holidays with my man and his family! Never a dull moment!

Enjoy the last few days before the holiday weekend!

[My favorite time of all]

Fall is right around the corner and oh, how I am looking forward to it! Hooded sweatshits, Football, applecider, orchards, tall boots, and snuggling with big blankets!!  I also love the colors, and lets not forget apple pie :)

Summer has been great, not to ready to rush it out the door. I'll miss the late nights, cookouts, beach, camping, golfing, and so much more!

Here a a few more pics of the final days of summer... [you can probably tell love is, has been and always will be in the air]

We have 2 more weddings this summer/fall, and also the Michigan v. Michigan State football game to look forward to!

Here's to the end of an awesome summer and the almost-start to an even more amazing fall!!!!

[UPDATE!!]

Well, as it seems, apparently I had forgotten to blog. Summer has been SO busy for me and so here is an update on the latest.

May: Well it was awhile ago, but one thing sticks out! Backsteet Boys!!!

June: Crazy busy month.Concerts, Weddings about every other weekend mixed with dinner parties, dates, golfing, tigers games, whitecaps games and so much more fun stuff!

July: Went to Traverse City for the weekend,more weddings, more golfing, more baseball, and weekends to random places other than GR!

The August forecast looks to be like the most fun! I get to caddy for my man in the Tour of Champions golf outing up at Boyne for 3 days, camping with my family, and my close friends Wedding!!!!

Here is a picture documentation of my recent shenanigans!

Have a great week! I will try to make it less of a gap before the next update!

[summer surprise!]

Summer came a little early for us today! April 10th and 83 degeees! I have to say that it felt a bit too hot, but I should not complain! I enjoyed the day by laying out by the (covered) pool, grilled out with Bethany and just kept it lazy :)

I made it through my first week of working!It went well, but I was glad to see the weekend!!

Friday night we went out for dinner with friends and hung out around town. Saturday night we met up with our friend Dave who was in town and literally walked all over Grand Rapids! It was a great weekend!! I love my friends.

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Have a great week!

[wonderful]

So a quickie update! Life is good!
I am almsot done with my first week of my new job! I LOVE it! everyday presents a new challenge and I love it!  I am mostly exausted by 5pm everyday and could totally go to bed!

The living situation is going well, too! We are all getting along thus far and I love living downtown and so close to work/life!!!

I am over the rainy weather and really looking forward to just relaxing in the sun soon!!

Well, this is all for now! I'll update again with more when I have more energy :)

[spring? not]

Just when we get a taste of the warm weather and flip flop season we get snowed on.

I have been home for just over a week and it's been fantastic! I am moving out this weekend -downtown! Just a jump, skip and a hop away from the good old GRCC campus. I head down tomorrow to get enrolled in all my fantastic classes! I can hardley wait to be a student again... a little sarcasm, mostly excitment.

So far, my time home has been really busy, but great! I love the busy day to day lifestyle but will probably miss the downtime once in awhile. I have really enjoyed seeing all my friends, eating at all my favorite places, and of course, shopping WAY too much.

Tomorrow begins the job seach of 2011. I also get to sit at the secretay of state for hours on end waiting. Yes, that is right, I bought my first vehicle all by myself! :) I just blew half of my savings account, but I like the idea of just having everything in my own name. She will be a great car that will last for years to come (hopefully). She will never measure up to the pontiac of course just beacuse that was my favorite car, but I am sure we will bond over the miles :)

Here are some pics from the last week(ish).

Girls night at Brittany's

Grand Rapids' finest ;)

Girls night out to Monelli's

Thats about it! Here's to hoping for a successful job search :)

[home sweet home]

I've been home for 4 days now and I am loving it! I like the pace of things, and the fact that there is always something going on. Caledonia never seems to change, I got back and it felt like I had never been gone.

This week was pretty busy. I didn't do any job hunting really, just some shopping and hanging out with people!
Here are some pics of the latest happenings.

The girls were probably more excited about the snuggie than me being home.



St. Pat's!



Happy Hour @ Rockwells with Mar!

Bringing in the b-day at Hopcat with Aaron. (This was right after something hilarious had been said, so I was trying not to laugh).

This sums up my week! Tomorrow is a panera lunch date mixed with a little shopping/job hunting! Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!

My friend Autee posted this sweet blog today. I think I have finally realized I am really leaving.
Read it here.
http://autee-awalktoremember.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Autee!

[and it's a wrap]

Well, 3 days left here!
I'm all finished working and pretty well packed up! Last friday night they had a surprise going away party for me...that I showed up in my PJ's to! Way fun! I also got a snuggie as a going away gift! I LOVE it!

This is me way surprised!!!

Blindfold Game

From here on out I have just been trying to hang out with everyone and soak in my last few days in Alaska.

Autee, Jess and myself

Autee and I @ the deli

Ansel!

Pedi's!



Enjoy the rest of the week!

[the good, great and just plain AWESOME!]

We are now in the single digits ladies and gentlemen. 9 days until I am home sweet home. This is mind blowing to me. yes, truly unreal. A year flew by faster than I can grasp!

4 more days of work! I will definitly miss my job!

Plan A. Get off the airplane drive home and see the man! thanks to business trips in Dallas, Plan B is now in effect: Wait an extra 24 hours, then get to bring in the birthday with him!

A few things I am looking forward to: seeing my nieces and nephews! sushi, Panera, and running reed's with the sis in law!

Happy Thursday!

[update!]

I seem to have thrown the blog to the wayside as of late! So here is a quick little update on my life!

18 days until I move home. I am so excited, yet sad to leave Alaska! This year has been amazing. With it's share of ups and downs! I will be sad to leave all the relationships that I have developed, but am confident that we will all remain great friends!!!

Last week Thursday I had a really great phone interview with a second interview later this week! I hope everything falls into place!

I participated in a workout class called Bodyblast at the gym I go to. It was defnintly a blast, and partial death at the same time! So worth it. I only went three times, but it was alot of fun! When I get home I will be running 5K's up the wall, and hopefully doing a half marathon at some point in efforts to run a full marathon in May 2012...BIG dreams here people!

Enjoy the rest of the week!

[random thoughts at 11:30 pm]

My mind is running 102mph, and I want to sleep, so I will compromise and blog. . .

-As Michigan is experiancing a 'blizzard' I am enjoying 40 degree calm weather in Alaska. Please tell me what is wrong with that picture.

-Confession #1: I have a serious obsession with Fountain beverages. Partially the reason for being so chipper at nearly midnight.

- Predictions 2011. A. Will the groundhog see his shadow or B. Will the groundhog be froze to death...

Today while running errands, I almost forgot where I was due to the lack of letters in the "FRED MEYER" sign...thankfully I was able to fill in the blanks.

Wrapping things up in the AK! yea, still a complete mess, and I still have a ton of packing to do! Thank gooness im starting a month in advance!!! Thank you large flat rate boxes for being as small as possible...I wouldn't want to convieniently get anything home.





Well, thats about as random as I should get for one night!!!

[sooo snuggly!]

The latest rave in my world is a snuggie...seriously...I used to think they were completley gay- that was before I tried it out!!!

(terrible picture quality due to my crap for a phone)








The next best part of my life is that I'm going to Virginia and Washington D.C. in July!!! SO excited! not to mention the fact that I will be a Michigan resident in, oh, 40 days!!

Enjoy the week!!

[I am a Grandma]

Not literally, but, I have never spent so much time in the craft store, and actually loved it!!! I look forward to going back tomorrow and thinking of some stuff to make!

Here is my saturday/today activites! I made little flowers hairpins to go with the necklace, as well as some headbands for my cute little nieces!

.....and a bean microwavable heating pad (unfinished, but atleast started-pics to come)

who knew hot glue was such a disaster!

Enjoy your week! I'll post pics of more projects! it is seriously so much fun!

[and its official...]

I booked my ticket today for Sunday, March 13th! I am flying into chi-town!

I love Alaska, everything about it, and will miss it! But im also excited to be home, start school and see what the year has in store for me!!!

[what day is it anyway?]

This weekend = very relaxing and no sleep. Yes, the friend and I sat around for 2 days straight...with the occasional food break. Intense smut tv on dvd...yes please!

Not realizing that the flu was going to hit my co-worker on monday morning, and sleep would have been good for me- I got called in at 7am until 9pm...me jumping at the opporunity thinking she will be back on tuesday all ready to go! WRONG...out of commision all week. so it looks like 13 hour days all week for me! goodie. It's only tuesday and my eyes are already having difficulty remaining open. Good luck seeing me at the 6am office breakfast...no thanks.

And finally, the best realization of all of them? 60 days and a wake up until i'm in the great state of Michigan for good! Yay!

happy week everyone!

[go big or go home]

Somebody loves me!
what a nice surprise while I was at work today!

[Happy New Year!]

It's 2011!! I can't wait to see what this year has in store.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!