I'm so very excited because I just found out that I get to play 'Easter Bunny' this year and put together some Easter baskets for Eric's niece and nephews! I've never got to do this before... I was always the youngest. I usually send little baskets full of stuff to my own niece and nephew, but it's not quite the same since I don't get to see their faces. Granted, I usually get a really sweet phone call that's pretty cool. One year, I made it home the weekend before Easter and gave them some baskets, and that was cool... so I guess I can't say I never got to do this before. But this was a cool surprise for me to do this year - very unexpected!
Eric's Mom is going to do the hard stuff, like the dying of eggs and egg hunt organization... which is more time pressed (that's what makes it harder). I get to shop!! I LOVE to shop, anyway, so it suits me well! So I guess I'll be hitting Target (again) in the next week. Oh woe is me... (yeah, right!)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Just Say No to Snow!
Here it is, the end of March, and I look outside my window to see not birds chirping or flowers blooming... but snow!
Granted, it's not a lot... and it's not accumulating, thankfully... But come... it's almost April! I know this isn't unheard of... but I'm just so ready for Spring and really did not want to see this outside.
So needless to say, this has kept me inside for the day. If there's snow, that means it's cold, and I want nothing to do with the cold, let alone the cold, wet stuff falling from the sky.
Here's the kicker, though... I'll probably be mowing my grass for the first time next weekend. It's very green and growing well, and with the rain we're supposed to get this week, plus what we've already had, it'll be ready for a cut.
Granted, it's not a lot... and it's not accumulating, thankfully... But come... it's almost April! I know this isn't unheard of... but I'm just so ready for Spring and really did not want to see this outside.
So needless to say, this has kept me inside for the day. If there's snow, that means it's cold, and I want nothing to do with the cold, let alone the cold, wet stuff falling from the sky.
Here's the kicker, though... I'll probably be mowing my grass for the first time next weekend. It's very green and growing well, and with the rain we're supposed to get this week, plus what we've already had, it'll be ready for a cut.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Childhood Candy Cravings
I was one of those crazy kids that always had candy in school, especially junior high, when my bus stop was AT a convenience store! I knew all the candy that was out there and probably tried anything with a good amount of sugar in it. I had my favorites, as all kids do... I loved the sugar coated sugar stuff (aka, NERDS!!!), and the Reese's (still do!) and always had gum with me (the teachers loved me... oh wait - I never got caught!). But my favorite, by far, was probably Spree. Original Spree, not the chewy ones.
You used to be able to find Spree pretty easily with all the other last minute candy at the registers. Not any more. For awhile, the chewy took their place, then they all but disappeared from just about everywhere. When I do see them, I always buy a few packs. I found them in some airports and always made it a point to stop in (if I had time). Then they used to come out for some holidays in the big bags, next to the M&M's and other bagged stuff on the holiday aisles... but not all holidays. They had Spree hearts for Valentine's Day and some Spree eggs for Easter. Then I couldn't find them after awhile (mainly this year). But then I saw it... a big bag with individual small rolls of Spree and SweetTarts out for Easter. I could pass on the SweetTarts... but the Spree... no way! So I bought one bag, went through all the Spree's, put aside most of the SweetTarts, then bought another bag and did the same thing. Now I have tons of SweetTarts and no more Spree!!
So now I'm in a dilemma cause I know after Easter they will disappear again and I will, once again, have to hunt for Spree. But do I really need to go through another bag? Do my niece and nephew really need that many SweetTarts?
*sigh*
Oh well. Maybe I'll make a Target run tomorrow and decide as I stand there in the aisle. But that means going to Target (since this is the only place I've seen them). And we all know what Target does to a girl like me.
But that's a story for another day.
You used to be able to find Spree pretty easily with all the other last minute candy at the registers. Not any more. For awhile, the chewy took their place, then they all but disappeared from just about everywhere. When I do see them, I always buy a few packs. I found them in some airports and always made it a point to stop in (if I had time). Then they used to come out for some holidays in the big bags, next to the M&M's and other bagged stuff on the holiday aisles... but not all holidays. They had Spree hearts for Valentine's Day and some Spree eggs for Easter. Then I couldn't find them after awhile (mainly this year). But then I saw it... a big bag with individual small rolls of Spree and SweetTarts out for Easter. I could pass on the SweetTarts... but the Spree... no way! So I bought one bag, went through all the Spree's, put aside most of the SweetTarts, then bought another bag and did the same thing. Now I have tons of SweetTarts and no more Spree!!
So now I'm in a dilemma cause I know after Easter they will disappear again and I will, once again, have to hunt for Spree. But do I really need to go through another bag? Do my niece and nephew really need that many SweetTarts?
*sigh*
Oh well. Maybe I'll make a Target run tomorrow and decide as I stand there in the aisle. But that means going to Target (since this is the only place I've seen them). And we all know what Target does to a girl like me.
But that's a story for another day.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
One of Those "Good Weekends"...
So this weekend was a good one. Nothing overly eventful, but just a combination of things made it a good one. Know what I mean?
To start off, I got home on Friday to find my siding had been replaced. Yay! During a really bad wind storm last month, some of my siding came loose, and this wasn't the first time. In fact, a 'quick' repair had been done previously and held up pretty good... until we had 70mph winds come through. So this time, I got it all replaced. Come to find out it wasn't all installed correctly to begin with - wasn't pulled as tight as it should have been. So regardless, I got new siding, installed right, with a two year workmanship warranty. So I think I'm good.
Saturday, Eric and I headed to Ikea down in Cincinnati for the day. We had a short list of things to look for, of which we only found one of. But I found other stuff I wanted, and so did he. So it was a good trip, especially since I got to have my Swedish meatballs for lunch there. Since we had no other plans, nor any reason to head straight back, we drove across the Ohio River to check out this cool little historic district in Covington, KY called Licking Riverside.
To get there you have to cross this really cool historic bridge called the John A. Roebling Bridge. For some reason on the Cincinnati side of it, though, they blocked the direct access to it with this new museum of sorts, so now you have to dodge and weave to get to the bridge. Kind of sad, I think. Not sure why they'd block the access AND the view like that. Anyway...
After we were done with Cincinnati, we headed back towards Indy and detoured through Metamora, IN (nothing was open for the season yet, but it was neat to see) and then drove back on US 52, stopping in New Palestine for dinner at the Frosty Boy drive-in. It was a great day for it since the weather was so nice. Plus, it made for a great way to end our trip. We were beat after such a long day, so we just chilled out and drank some wine for the evening.
Sunday turned out to be a day of rest for me. The weather was nice and I didn't feel like doing anything. So I didn't. But it was by choice and a nice way to end a good weekend. :)
To start off, I got home on Friday to find my siding had been replaced. Yay! During a really bad wind storm last month, some of my siding came loose, and this wasn't the first time. In fact, a 'quick' repair had been done previously and held up pretty good... until we had 70mph winds come through. So this time, I got it all replaced. Come to find out it wasn't all installed correctly to begin with - wasn't pulled as tight as it should have been. So regardless, I got new siding, installed right, with a two year workmanship warranty. So I think I'm good.
Saturday, Eric and I headed to Ikea down in Cincinnati for the day. We had a short list of things to look for, of which we only found one of. But I found other stuff I wanted, and so did he. So it was a good trip, especially since I got to have my Swedish meatballs for lunch there. Since we had no other plans, nor any reason to head straight back, we drove across the Ohio River to check out this cool little historic district in Covington, KY called Licking Riverside.
To get there you have to cross this really cool historic bridge called the John A. Roebling Bridge. For some reason on the Cincinnati side of it, though, they blocked the direct access to it with this new museum of sorts, so now you have to dodge and weave to get to the bridge. Kind of sad, I think. Not sure why they'd block the access AND the view like that. Anyway...After we were done with Cincinnati, we headed back towards Indy and detoured through Metamora, IN (nothing was open for the season yet, but it was neat to see) and then drove back on US 52, stopping in New Palestine for dinner at the Frosty Boy drive-in. It was a great day for it since the weather was so nice. Plus, it made for a great way to end our trip. We were beat after such a long day, so we just chilled out and drank some wine for the evening.
Sunday turned out to be a day of rest for me. The weather was nice and I didn't feel like doing anything. So I didn't. But it was by choice and a nice way to end a good weekend. :)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Reflecting on St. Patrick's Day
Ah, the annual ritual of celebrating St. Patrick's Day! For some reason, I was anticipating this year more than usual. And I didn't even have plans until the day before. But I guess the little bit of Irish blood that I do have in me was itching to get out!
After having a drink at he Claddagh (downtown) with some work friends, I headed up to Fionn MacCool's to meet the girls (Jen, Erica, and Wendy, and later, another Jenn).
Got there around 5:30 or so, and it was already packed! Luckily, Jen already scored us a table for the evening... which was a good thing, cause it was a long night! There was an Irish band, some bag pipes came marching through, and of course, guys in kilts. And it wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without plenty of drinking (except for our pregnant Jen!).
All in all, it was a good time. We dwindled down at one point, then had some other friends show up and fill the empty seats next to us for a bit before we all decided that was enough. Despite everything, I was still in bed by 11pm. It was a Tuesday night, after all... and that sounds like such a lame excuse!! But I guess I'm just not as young as I used to be. LOL
After having a drink at he Claddagh (downtown) with some work friends, I headed up to Fionn MacCool's to meet the girls (Jen, Erica, and Wendy, and later, another Jenn).
Got there around 5:30 or so, and it was already packed! Luckily, Jen already scored us a table for the evening... which was a good thing, cause it was a long night! There was an Irish band, some bag pipes came marching through, and of course, guys in kilts. And it wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without plenty of drinking (except for our pregnant Jen!).All in all, it was a good time. We dwindled down at one point, then had some other friends show up and fill the empty seats next to us for a bit before we all decided that was enough. Despite everything, I was still in bed by 11pm. It was a Tuesday night, after all... and that sounds like such a lame excuse!! But I guess I'm just not as young as I used to be. LOL
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
~Irish Blessing
Happy St. Patrick's Day, all!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Did I Sign Up for This?
I already have over 20 hours in at work this week... and it's only Tuesday.
A little background. When I started this job, I came in not knowing a thing about airport design - I only ever flew out of them (A LOT!) at my previous job. So they put me on a 'team', which within a few months 'disbanded' somehow. One guy left for another job, another went to work in our Abu Dhabi office... which left little ol' me and my CAD girl, Randie. Now, this isn't the first time I got thrown into a position quicker than anticipated (or desired). I took it in stride, as always, and did as much as I could do. They didn't leave me completely out there, mind you... those who needed to jump in did so. But they also let me know they wanted me to take over eventually. Again, no biggy. Did it before. I like a challenge.
Fast forward to this week. Airport Board of Aviation Commissioners (BOAC) meetings. The second week of the month will always be hell for me, though I hope not this bad.
This was the first month I went to the 3rd of 'my' airports' meetings... and it's two hours away and doesn't start until 7pm (though I had to go up early to take pictures yesterday). This was last night. Of all times, the board members choose this month to get into a BIG debate over something and stretch the meeting out. The meeting lasted over two hours and I still had to drive home. Late night.
Tonight, I had the second of my board meeting for the week. This one starts at 4pm, thankfully, but it's still a 45 minute drive from downtown, and an even longer drive home for me. So not much later than my normal work day, but the driving still made the day seem long.
My third meeting is tomorrow, and is only just down the road in Greenwood. But it does start after hours. The bright side is that it's close. Normally, they have their meetings on Thursday, so I'd have a break in the middle of the week from all the meetings. But due to a schedule conflict, it was moved up a day. It just makes for a long week when they're back to back to back.
I know... it sounds like I'm complaining... but I am looking forward to the weekend already. Hopefully I make it without collapsing. Everything going on IN the office adds to the chaos... really busy right now.
So what's my point? Well... I feel like I've been thrown into the airport world head first, like it or not. I'm treading water fine for now... but man... there's so much to know and I know that I don't know all of it yet, not even close! So sometimes it feels like I'm cramping up and will have to utilize the deadman's float... but not yet. However, I can tell you this is just the beginning of it.
A little background. When I started this job, I came in not knowing a thing about airport design - I only ever flew out of them (A LOT!) at my previous job. So they put me on a 'team', which within a few months 'disbanded' somehow. One guy left for another job, another went to work in our Abu Dhabi office... which left little ol' me and my CAD girl, Randie. Now, this isn't the first time I got thrown into a position quicker than anticipated (or desired). I took it in stride, as always, and did as much as I could do. They didn't leave me completely out there, mind you... those who needed to jump in did so. But they also let me know they wanted me to take over eventually. Again, no biggy. Did it before. I like a challenge.
Fast forward to this week. Airport Board of Aviation Commissioners (BOAC) meetings. The second week of the month will always be hell for me, though I hope not this bad.
This was the first month I went to the 3rd of 'my' airports' meetings... and it's two hours away and doesn't start until 7pm (though I had to go up early to take pictures yesterday). This was last night. Of all times, the board members choose this month to get into a BIG debate over something and stretch the meeting out. The meeting lasted over two hours and I still had to drive home. Late night.
Tonight, I had the second of my board meeting for the week. This one starts at 4pm, thankfully, but it's still a 45 minute drive from downtown, and an even longer drive home for me. So not much later than my normal work day, but the driving still made the day seem long.
My third meeting is tomorrow, and is only just down the road in Greenwood. But it does start after hours. The bright side is that it's close. Normally, they have their meetings on Thursday, so I'd have a break in the middle of the week from all the meetings. But due to a schedule conflict, it was moved up a day. It just makes for a long week when they're back to back to back.
I know... it sounds like I'm complaining... but I am looking forward to the weekend already. Hopefully I make it without collapsing. Everything going on IN the office adds to the chaos... really busy right now.
So what's my point? Well... I feel like I've been thrown into the airport world head first, like it or not. I'm treading water fine for now... but man... there's so much to know and I know that I don't know all of it yet, not even close! So sometimes it feels like I'm cramping up and will have to utilize the deadman's float... but not yet. However, I can tell you this is just the beginning of it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Bowling
So one thing I did to attempt to keep myself from complete hibernation the past couple of months is bowling on my work league. There were seven teams, all from RW Armstrong.
I like to bowl. It's something I'm relatively good at when I try to be, and my competitive nature only allows me to enjoy things I'm good at. I get too worked up in a competition I'm not as good at. Anyone who knows me can tell you that.
So over all, the league was a very typical non-bowler score type league - people just happy to break 100 (including myself) on a regular basis. So it made the overall average lower than your typical league. Which made it less competitive to begin with. A big plus. The point of the league was to socialize with coworkers you may not normally work with or know too well. So this league served that purpose well. And a big plus was that it was only an eight week league - extremely short in bowling league time frames. But this was good - you didn't think of bowling night as a weekly chore near the end.
Anyway, the league ended this week. Just when you could tell people were tiring of the weekly games. But why am I telling you this? Because my team won!! Somehow, we managed to pull off being the first place team for the year, which surprised us!! We didn't think we were that good, so who knew!! And even better (for me, anyway) was that I bowled nearly my best score for the last game, scoring a 182! It was awesome!! My all time high was 184, and that was when I was in my bowling class in school. So it was when I was 'training' and bowling every week for a grade... not quite the same situation.
See the exciting life I live during the winter? It doesn't take much to get me excited. Now it's back to my normal couch/TV routine until it warms up... for good. Teasing 60 degree days don't count if it drops back to 30 degrees the next week. :P Oh well.
I like to bowl. It's something I'm relatively good at when I try to be, and my competitive nature only allows me to enjoy things I'm good at. I get too worked up in a competition I'm not as good at. Anyone who knows me can tell you that.
So over all, the league was a very typical non-bowler score type league - people just happy to break 100 (including myself) on a regular basis. So it made the overall average lower than your typical league. Which made it less competitive to begin with. A big plus. The point of the league was to socialize with coworkers you may not normally work with or know too well. So this league served that purpose well. And a big plus was that it was only an eight week league - extremely short in bowling league time frames. But this was good - you didn't think of bowling night as a weekly chore near the end.
Anyway, the league ended this week. Just when you could tell people were tiring of the weekly games. But why am I telling you this? Because my team won!! Somehow, we managed to pull off being the first place team for the year, which surprised us!! We didn't think we were that good, so who knew!! And even better (for me, anyway) was that I bowled nearly my best score for the last game, scoring a 182! It was awesome!! My all time high was 184, and that was when I was in my bowling class in school. So it was when I was 'training' and bowling every week for a grade... not quite the same situation.
See the exciting life I live during the winter? It doesn't take much to get me excited. Now it's back to my normal couch/TV routine until it warms up... for good. Teasing 60 degree days don't count if it drops back to 30 degrees the next week. :P Oh well.
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