Misc. Musings

Time for me to take the lazy way out and just bullet point some random stuff I've been up to...

• I got a PERMANENT job!!! At a WONDERFUL, FABULOUS agency. I'm really excited. Actually, I got the news about two weeks ago and just haven't posted anything on it yet. I signed my acceptance letter last week, so it's totally official and I start 10/18/10. My contract at CE has been extended until 10/15, so I go right from one job to the next. If you're interested to see just how lucky I am, click here.
• Tomorrow, Jennette and I are flying to Texas to see Carmen. Just in time, seeing as though the weather forecast here for this weekend is going to be less than stellar. We are both incredibly excited for a long girls' weekend away.
• Ryan took me to the famous (I use that term loosely) Franklin Cider Mill this past weekend. Cider, don dons, bread, apples, cheese...yum. I started the day with a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. Yes, it was a grand day.
• Last weekend I went to Jennette's house in Manchester to hang out for the night since my Ryan was at a Tiger's game and her Ryan was out of town. Somehow between 12:30 am and 10:30 am, I misplaced my keys. We spent three hours looking for them at her house. And then Ryan had to come get me on Sunday. We live an hour from Manchester, so let's just say he wasn't very pleased.
• My October calendar is full, making it the fourth month in a row that I've had something big going on every single weekend. Seeing as though I spent the past eight years living in other states, I'm still in shock that one can be this busy every weekend. Ryan and I used to sit at home on weekends begging for something to do! (Well, being the homebody that I am, he begged. I was content.)
• Everyone at work right now is sick. They have this miserable, yucky cough and they are spreading germs my way! I've been popping Vitamin C like it's my job, as I just cannot be sick for this coming weekend. They are probably sick from the weather here. It was, no joke, 89 degrees one day (almost a record) and low 60-something the next day. Followed by two days in the 50s with rain. As much as I love Fall in the Mitt, this weather pattern can't be good for anyone!
• I'm off to Target on my lunch break. I sure wish that store didn't put me in a good mood! Sigh...

Today is my Friday, have a fantastic weekend y'all!

:)

Once a Mitten Kitten...

...always :)

My new license plate to make my move home even more permanent.

The Bad. And the Good.

The Bad:
Our washer hose thing burst last night and flooded our basement.

The Good:
It's an easy fix and nothing down there got ruined. It was just a later-than-usual night at the Noschelman-household. Also, thanks to my brother Patrick, there were three sets of hands on deck to help clean.



The Bad:
It's a rainy day outside. Not only does it make me want to sleep, but it means eight little paws to wipe off each and every time the dogs go in and out.

The Good:
I awoke to an awesome thunderstorm.



The Bad:
I'm leaving my current job for a new one in a few short weeks. Helllllo learning curve.

The Good:
I have a new job, it's a permanent one, and I'm so dern excited about it. Good things ahead!



The Bad:
I have to go to the Secretary of State tonight to register my car and get MI plates. Long lines are in my future.

The Good:
I brought my book to read so hopefully time passes quickly, and after this, I can renew by mail and never have to step foot in the S.O.S. again (well, that's an exaggeration, but at least I won't have to go for a long while).



The Bad:
It's only Wednesday.

The Good:
It's already noon on Wednesday. That much closer to the weekend, and my upcoming Dallas trip. Woop woop!



Moral- you can get something good out of any situation. That's my story and I'm sticking to it :)

Fall in the Mitt

I always felt Memphis was about a month behind Michigan when it came to the weather. So I'm not sure why I was surprised that Fall this year came at the beginning of September (or earlier?). Like so many others, it's my favorite time of year so although early, I welcomed the change of seasons with open arms. Here in the Mitt, Fall means...

...that the Michigan Wolverines are taking over Ann Arbor, the weather is crisp, the leaves are changing, sweaters and boots can be worn, the cider mills and pumpkin patches are open and the windows are left wide open for some good sleeping. All this, and Pumpkin Spice Latte is available once again at Starbucks. It also means...

...that winter is right around the corner. Snow is imminent. Getting up a few minutes early is a must so you can scrape the night's snowfall from your car before you brave the elements and drive to work. Hats, scarves, gloves, snow boots, and heavy winter jackets all become daily attire. Your breath can be seen and snot freezes in your nose.

But you know what? I'm ok with that. Because for now, it's Fall. And it's the first time in over eight years that I get to experience it in it's entirety. The smells, the weather, the leaves. The season is filled with these memories that take me back many, many years. Since this will be my first winter in the Mitten in just as many years, I'm going to try to concentrate on (ahem-talk myself into) all the wonderful things about winter. Like a white Christmas. Or the beauty in a blanket of fresh snow. And the peace, quiet and wonder of a midnight snowfall.

Well, and let's not forget that I get to buy a new jacket and the cute accessories to go along with it! Thank goodness for the small things, right?

Old Mission Wine Tour

There's something about getting away with three of your best girlfriends for the weekend that's just so...refreshing. Relaxing. Rejuvenating. Well, and the wine helped, too ;)

But seriously, last weekend was one of the best weekends I can remember. Jennette and I drove over to Kalamazoo to pick up Sarah, and then the three of us headed north to Stefanie's house in Cadillac. Back in May Stef came up with the idea of the wine tour since she's done it before with her parents and husband. Since she's only about an hour and fifteen minutes from Old Mission Peninsula, we knew we wanted to make a weekend out of it and drive up Friday night to stay with Stef at her house. We got in about 9:30, sat around and caught up, laughed and looked at old pictures (and by the way, we all look much better now than we did ten, fifteen years ago. How is that possible?).

Saturday morning we were off to Traverse City, which is basically where Old Mission Peninsula is. We got up there around 1pm, and by 6pm we had hit up four wineries and had lunch at a cute little grille. The weather was chilly and gray, but it actually added to the ambiance because it made it feel like fall. I tell ya what- I'm not sure there's a whole lot better than crisp Northern Michigan air. Add some besties and wine into the mix and you just can't go wrong! I bought two bottles of wine on the trip. One I'm saving for a special occasion because it's a really good one, and the other is for Ryan's parents. They love going on wine tours and have been up to Old Mission, too. Finally, our last stop was at a brewery called the Jolly Pumpkin- it was time for a beer and the last 2o mins of the Michigan football game.

Rather than driving back to Stef's house, we had decided awhile back to get a hotel room and stay in Traverse City for the night. So after the brewery we headed back to the hotel to get ready for a girl's night out. Our hotel actually had a nightclub in it, so we hit that up and danced, laughed and had a fun girls' night out. Sarah and Stef both have babies that are around nine months old, so it was a lot of fun to have these two out and get "crazy".

Here's a few pics from the trip. It was a great weekend, and we decided that we're going to do a trip again every fall. Next up...Canada!

Jennette, me, Sar and Stef- at Black Star Farms

With Sarah at 2 Lads Winery

Outside Cheateau Chantal with Jennette, Sarah and Stef.

At Brys Winery- my favorite! This is where I bought my wine.

Jolly Pumpkin Brewery

Outside Shimmers, da club in our hotel.

This Woman...

...raised and shaped me into the person I am today.


...has given me nothing but unconditional love, praise and guidance through my 30 years.


...is the strongest lady I know. She's one tough cookie.


...is going to be the best Mother of the Bride and Grandma there is. It will be an exciting couple of years in our family.


...through it all- the good times, the bad times- has never given up hope, has never wavered in her love and has never stopped believing in her children.


...knows how to seek out a bargain. Why can't I be more like that!


...is so much fun. I may roll my eyes from time to time, but really I'm lucky that she's fun to be around.


...can do it all. Sew a christening gown from start to finish, cook food for a party, make homemade ice cream for dessert, look after three little kids, pick vegetables from her garden, mow acres of lawn on top of a big John Deere and gather eggs from the chicken coop. In.One.Day.


...raised three children as a single-mom. Two of whom were boys. Let's just be honest, girls are much easier to raise :)


...is my mom, and I love her more than life itself. So proud to be her daughter! I miss you, mom!

Misc. Musings

We've been busy at the Noschelman household lately, but I'm too lazy to write a full-blown post. So, instead, some random things on my mind:

• I'm going to have a niece!! We just found out today that Jami and Carl are having a precious little girl- Kyle Elisabeth Herschelman. Heart heart heart.
• On Friday, some of the Mitten Kittens (Jennette, Sarah, Stef) are heading here. Just a girls only little getaway, and I can't wait. Wine, Northern Michigan, besties- does it get better?
• On Thursday night, I have a face-to-face interview with Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, a San Fransisco agency who is opening up shop in Detroit now that they have the Chevrolet account. I must be doing something right at C-E because my current supervisor put in a recommendation for me. Fingers crossed that I'm fortunate enough to go right from one amazing, reputable agency to another.
• I jumped on the bandwagon and I'm currently reading The Help. Personally, I thought it was a little slow in the beginning, but it's starting to pick up. Next up on the list is the Sookie Stackhouse series.
• I'm counting down the days to Oktoberfest- what Jennette and I are calling our Dallas getaway. It will be so great to see Carmen and spend a long weekend with her.
• Currently, the temps are in the 70s, and will get to the high 50s tonight. My windows are open, a breeze is coming through, and fall is right around the corner. I love this time of year. I told Ryan that one weekend coming up I want to tour area Cider Mills, and I was only half joking.
• Recently, Ryan and I celebrated three years together. Already? I love that man. He's my best friend, my love, my life. Moving back to MI was such a good choice for us and I'm just in love with our life together here.
• My mom came, now she's gone. She only left this morning and I miss her like crazy already. We had so much fun- Arts Beats and Eats, hanging with family, catching up over dinner at Outback, shopping, watching a movie...just being together!

Well, that's all I can think of. Off to watch Real Housewives and get some reading in before I fall asleep. So happy today is already Tuesday!!!

:)

Nerves...

I have a phone interview in exactly 25 minutes, and the nerves are currently making themselves comfortable in my stomach. I hate this process of a new job, but will be happy to have a permanent position. More later. For now, just wish me luck!