two years down, eight to go

In this list, I put to paper the 25 things I wanted to do/accomplish before I was 40. In that my 32nd birthday is right around the corner, meaning two years have passed, I figured I better do a little check-in to gauge where I'm at.

1. Get married
2. Start a family
3. Buy a house in the country
4. Travel internationally- Ireland or Italy
5. Buy a big girl camera and learn how to really use it
6. Napa Valley wine tour
7. Run a 10k
8. Learn CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver
9. Pay off all debt (well, a mortgage is ok)
10. Learn how to change a flat tire
11. Buy a Dyson
12. Host a dinner party- where I do the cooking!
13. Become a mentor
14. Build a garden from dirt to veggies!
15. Volunteer
16. Get a second tattoo- this one with meaning
17. Eat more seafood
18. Live without envy
19. Contribute WAY more to savings and my 401k
20. Take better care of my body/skin- drink more water, get facials, buy proper make-up, stay out of the sun, exercise often!
21. Learn how to shoot a gun
22. Take a roadtrip with my mom
23. Smile more, worry less
24. Be content
25. Be a good, loving wife and mom

I think I'm doing good at knocking things off, and still have eight years to go! And seeing as though I'm basically an expert in procrastination, I really didn't expect this much ;) 

AND! Many things on the list are in progress: starting a family, paying off that darn credit card (SO, SO close!), instead of a garden, I'm practicing with flowers and plants, we are renting in the country right now and within next couple of years will buy, and finally...learning everyday to love, appreciate and be grateful for the many, many blessings in my life. I'm a lucky girl...

memorial day musings

Only two defining forces have offered to die for you

JESUS CHRIST
and
THE AMERICAN SOLDIER

One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom.

Today, a "friend" on Facebook said it annoyed her that people did not know the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Although yes, there is a difference if, today, people want to remember and thank all those who are serving or have served, along with those who have fallen, then let them. Our servicemen and women get only a few days a year where people take time to glorify them. And I, for one, will not get annoyed with any one person who wants to show those brave men and women some appreciation.

Thank a veteran, post your gratitude on Facebook in whichever way you choose and think of all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. I'm so blessed and so thankful my Marine made it home, when so many have fallen while fighting for...me. And you.

Happy Memorial Day, y'all.




PS- Hi, Sarah ;)

here a bird, there a bird

The Hubs loves to feed the birds, so when we were visiting my dad a few weeks back, we scored some bird feeders to hang from our trees. One feeder I wanted needed a new glass pane, so my dad fixed it up, and dropped it off last week.

 Yesterday...

I found the perfect tree, visible from our family room window.

Added the seed.

And hung the feeder. (Daisy helped :)

Since the birdies are such piggies, this whole feeder will be emptied by week's end. From Cardinals and Woodpeckers to my Grandma Herschelman's favorite, the Chickadee, it's fun to see the many different types of birds that land to stuff their beaks. 

Growing up, bird feeders were placed outside a window in just about every room on our main level. And at our family's cabin in Northern Michigan, putting birdseed out was the first task completed upon arrival. So it's fun to now have a home of my own with trees that beg for a feeder. Next up, finding a feed store that sells seed in bulk!

on life...at the moment

I'm back! Sorry about that almost-two-month-long hiatus. Here I am, ready to get this blog back on track. The thing is, I really, really like everything about blogging...writing posts, thinking of new posts, catching up on all my "blog friends", chatting with my best friend about all the mutual blogs we read. But, I sit in front of a computer all day. At my desk, during meetings, in my laptop bag strapped to my body, this computer of mine is always with me. So, when I get home to my country retreat, and the weather is beautiful and the dogs want to play and Jennette is ready for our nightly three-mile walk, the last thing I feel like doing is sitting in front of my computer. And this absence is actually no surprise to me, as I have found, looking back through the archives, a couple of other times I briefly disappeared.

So, with no further adieu...catching up.

The big move from city to country was a success, and honestly, I can't remember a time I've ever been happier. I love living on acres of land, looking out the window and seeing nothing but green, having a window open and hearing..well, silence. Wait! Birds! That is what I hear. Chirping, singing, happy birds. And at any given time, I can look out my kitchen window and see deer, turkeys or cranes. I love country living, and moving back to Manchester was the best decision we've recently made. 

The floorplan of our new home is very open, and perfect for having people over. There have been countless nights where we've had all our friends over, and I even hosted Easter for my family and Ryan's (my home before was much to small for that). Being with my very best friends or all of my family under one roof makes my heart happy, and I'm thrilled to live back in a location closer to everyone I love. 

Speaking of friends, my bestie Jennette lives right next door. Literally. It's so, so fun to live next to someone who is basically your sister. We do crafty things, go for walks, cook lots, and sit on the front porch and watch our dogs babies play. Sigh, no complaints :) 

The hubs is great and, from what I can tell, liking his new job. If there is one thing about Ryan, it's that he doesn't complain. Sometimes I have to pry info out of him, but every time I ask him how work is going, I get a good response. It was a good decision for him to leave his previous job and take this one, as he is definitely happier and more relaxed.

All is still, unfortunately, quiet on the baby-front. We've basically been trying since the day I walked down the aisle, but my body is being plain stubborn. While I'm trying to remain positive and optimistic..."Oh, when the time is right, we'll have our baby" or "I've been pregnant before, so I will again"...it is frustrating. It's hard to want something so bad, something that longs to be and aches deep inside, but be denied month after month. So I'm trying to have fun in this foot-loose-and-fancy-free period of my life alone with my husband, knowing (praying) it won't be like this for long. In the meantime, I've started a string of appointments at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility clinic in Ann Arbor just to make sure I'm healthy and everything is the way it should be, ahem, down there, and so far, from bloodwork panels to ultrasounds, all is checking out perfectly. I'm taking comfort in that and trying to do what everyone is telling me to do...relax.

And finally, work. My job at Team Detroit is going good. Much like every other agency I've worked, there are those really busy days that make me want to pull my hair out, and then there are a few days of sanity. Thank goodness for those sane days, since it reminds me why I love this industry so much. Much like my previous two stints in the Detroit ad world, I'm solely digital, but with all my focus on site work (ford.com) rather than OLA (online advertising). I do appreciate how much I'm learning- something new everyday. As for my commute, it's actually much more tolerable than I thought it was going to be. I just pop in my Harry Potter audio book, and I'm at work/home before I know it!

In a nutshell, that's about it for us Novesses. As I type this, it doesn't seem like we've been up to a whole heck of a lot since we've moved, but I swear I feel busier. Perhaps just happier ;) 

goodbye city, hello country!

In one short week, the u-haul will be packed and our little home in Royal Oak will be empty. It will be goodbye  city, hello country. Five acres to spread out on rather than a postage stamp sized lot. The dogs will be in heaven, and we simply cannot wait. As excited as we are, there are things about the city that truly will be missed. In no particular order:

1. Target- there's one in every direction, and the closest is literally a mile and a half away.
2. Restaurants, bars and night life- take your pick, there's anything to suit your mood. 
3. My commute to work- 25 mins. Can't beat that. 
4. CVS/Walgreens- I remember a few months ago when I ran up to CVS (a mile away) at 10pm for some cold medicine. I was home 10 mins later. In Manchester, the closest CVS is...hmmmm...20 mins away. 
5. Hospitals- our closest hospital right now, is- no joke- within walking distance. When I hit my head, it felt like it took forever to get to the ER (in reality it was only 20 mins), and that was just a small hospital in the next town over. A larger hospitals are 30 to 45 mins away. 
6. Shopping- one of the best malls EVER is right around the corner. 
7. Target- oh wait, I mentioned that. 
8. Grocery stores- West Born, Market Fresh, Kroger, Meijer, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods- take your pick. 
9. Starbucks- or any coffee house for that matter. Sometimes you just don't feel like making it at home!
10. Convenience- see 1 through 9. It will be missed!

Our country life is going to be some simple, and I wouldn't trade it for all the convenience in the world. One grocery store, no stop lights, a bar where the locals gather, great schools for our babies, everyone knows everyone. It'll be good to get back to my roots!

Happy Saturday, y'all :) 

is there any calgon in the house?

Stressed. Stressed at work. Stressed with life (moving...gaaaaaah!). Stressed about feeling stressed. Here's to hoping work slows down, the boxes get packed (by themselves would be nice), and the next two weeks fly by.

That's about it on a Saturday morning. My brain, thanks to all this stress, is complete and utter mush.

it's one of them

Around 8:15 this morning, I realized I was running 15 minutes behind schedule. Sigh. Running late is not a good way to start the day.

At 8:43, when literally running out the door and cursing that I'm 13 minutes behind schedule, I fell down the (two) stairs that lead from our kitchen to the back door. Um- ouch.

Got to work, and was told one of my projects that was supposed to go-live on ford.com tomorrow was now not going live. Put that fire out, got the project back on track.

Immediately after, I found out another project that was going to have a three-day turnaround time now has a one-month turnaround time. Perfect.

Upon realizing the only thing that was going to make me feel better at that moment was an overpriced pop-tart, I headed down to the store on the first floor but saw the line was out the door and around the corner. At this point, I didn't have the time nor the patience to wait it out. Geez, I couldn't even stuff my face with a caloric, crappy breakfast!

Yup, it's one of them days. BUT! I have a hot date with my handsome Hubs tonight. Thank goodness for sushi, wine and love.

Hope your day is going better than mine :)

it's the weekend!!!

I live for the weekends. In fact, right about this time on a Friday is my most favorite time of the whole week. It's the afternoon, work tends to be on the quieter (read: not crazy) side and everyone is in a great mood. All this and two whole days of freedom await.

I am having a much needed mom/daughter day tomorrow with my momma. We have an apt for mani/pedis in the morning at a great spa downtown Ann Arbor, followed by lunch out and then going to the movies. Cannot. Wait. We haven't had a day of fun just the two of us in quite some time.

On Sunday, we are having our last Sunday Funday with the Hamels. We are the only two couples currently living on the east side of the state, so we make it a point to hang out as often as we can. Life is constantly getting in the way, and they have two small children, so we don't see each other as often as we should. Sadly, once we move, it will be even less :(

Speaking of moving...this will likely be the final weekend of fun for awhile. I MUST start packing so I don't have to do it all the night before the u-haul shows up. Wish this procrastinator luck...

;)

the patron saint of motherhood

Have you ever heard of Saint Gerard? No? Well, neither had I until about two weeks ago when I received a prayer card in the mail from one of my sweet Mitten Kittens.

O good Saint Gerard, powerful intercessor before God and wonder- worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your aid. You, who on earth always fulfilled God's designs, help me to do the holy Will of God. Ask the Master of Life, from whom all paternity proceeds, to render me fruitful in offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life and heirs to the Kingdom of his glory in the world to come. Amen. 

Powerful words, don't you agree? I have to admit, I get choked up almost every time I read this little card. It's been seven long months of trying to conceive. And while that may not seem like a very long time to you, to this girl it seems like an eternity. Seven, now eight, months of being on a schedule. Seven months of waiting. Seven straight let-downs. Seven months of reading and trying every possible conceiving trick/advice there is. Seven months of unanswered prayers. Seven months of trying again. Had I not miscarried, perhaps my attitude would be different. But, you see, I should be a mommy right now. So seven months, to me, IS an eternity.

It's funny how we receive certain things in our lives at just the right moment. I can't even explain how much hope this little card, and the potent prayer it contains, has given me. See how tattered  loved the card is? It's been in many hands before mine. It has history! More importantly, this card, this prayer, has brought women the happiness they desperately sought, and now has found its way to my hands. I've been told a couple of the stories behind this very card, and better yet, I'm currently witnessing firsthand one of its miracles. My dear friend suffered three miscarriages (all before 11 weeks), but is now 21 weeks pregnant! O good Saint Gerard is right!

We shall see what Saint Gerard has in store for me. He has a permanent spot on my nightstand so that twice daily I can absorb the comforting words, and gently be reminded there are many times in our lives we need to let go and put our full trust in Him.

keeping it real- the marriage edition

Ryan is home from his three and a half week stint in Florida, and I'm oh-so-happy. It's great to have my buddy back, and it's so comforting to know he's there, even if we aren't together in the same room. I missed his company, missed sleeping next to him, missed hearing him do his things around our little home.

However. I have to confess that this week feels what our first few months of marriage would have been like had we not lived with each other before. In just those few short weeks, I quickly got accustomed to things my way. Now, I'm not saying that my way is the right way. But when you're the only one home for an extended period of time, you can do things whatever way you like. I had the thermostat set where I was comfortable. I ate what I wanted to eat (which meant I barely went to the grocery store, but rather picked at the things I already had on hand). I watched what I wanted to watch. I went where I wanted to go. I turned the lights off if I wasn't in that room. I did all the chores required to keep a house running. I tended to and cared for our babies (ok, dogs) the way I felt was best suited.

Ryan came home this past Saturday, and after I got annoyed at something really petty, I realized I was way too comfortable having things go my way. So these past few days, I've reminded myself that this is a marriage. A team. Both people have to give 100%, not 50/50. So what if a light was left on. Or if he took out the trash on Wednesday morning rather than Tuesday night. What does matter is that he's there, and that his little quirks are what makes him....him. After all, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and we are just plain better together!

I know my issues have nothing to do with Ryan, and everything to do with me. I'm learning that with marriage, sometimes you just need to let go of the inner control freak or any other idiosyncrasy and roll with the punches. A few short months ago I promised to love this man unconditionally. Gym shorts left on the bathroom floor and all ;)

let it snow

Call me crazy, but it sure would be nice if there was enough snow to go sledding!

love me some sugar

Sweets have always been my weakness, especially in the morning. Give me sweet over salty any day. Pie and coffee? Please! Cake? Sure! Powdered, glazed and chocolate doughnuts? I don't discriminate. Candy bars, gummies, sweet or sour. I love it all. 

When I was little, my parents told me I would not grow if I didn't eat my vegetables. Since we lived in the country, we had our own garden so fresh veggies were at our disposal. But I just wouldn't eat them, and actually believed I would stay the same size. That didn't faze me, though. I said no to tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, cucumbers. I would sit at the dinner table longer than anyone else, because the rule was if you didn't eat your dinner, you didn't get dessert. GASP! No ice cream! It was just unfathomable to me. So there I'd sit, until my dad did a few rounds of airplane and I was excused from the table. 

My mom blames this on me being the youngest of three kids. She said that by the time I was able to eat real food, my older brothers were school-aged so treats were introduced to me at an earlier age. Of course as my taste buds grew I learned to love and eat most veggies, but it does make me think ahead to my children. Will they be picky like me? Or will they be like their dad and eat anything that's put in front of them? What disciplinary roles will I have to take with them so they are healthy and happy? There are so many things about parenthood that are daunting. To be honest, thinking about cooking well-balanced meals, every night while I balance a career and family, is right up there at the top of the list. Right now, if we don't feel like eating a big dinner, I simply don't cook and the Hubs fends for himself. But these days of caring only for ourselves are slowly coming to an end. Soon there will be little ones to think about, to provide for and to make decisions for. As terrifying as it sounds, it also sounds so, so beautiful. 

And I can do it. I'm certain of that. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some doughnut holes to eat. 

:)

misc musings

The randoms running through my head:

• Ryan thankfully comes home on Saturday. On one hand these past three and a half weeks have flown by. On the other, I kinda forget what he looks like it feels like we said goodbye ages ago. 
• Newlyweds should never have to be separated! 
• Last night, I realized I really need to step up my blogging. I really love to look back and read past posts, but won't be able to do that if I don't blog more!
• A week and a half ago, Jennette and I went sledding at her house and I ran into a rock. A nightlong trip to the ER, 13 stitches in my forehead, a tube of Neosporin, and one scar later, I'm healing rather nicely. 
• I'm loving my new job more and more everyday, and think I have finally found the place I'll be for years to come. I'm in a great role that is perfect for me, my personality and the way I work. 
• We are moving in a month. OhmygodImalreadystressed, and I just plain detest all that goes into moving to a new home. But I do like purging, organizing and unpacking. Can't wait to settle in and start living our life in Manchester. 
• About one year ago, I became pregnant. Our baby would have been due in November 2011. If I get pregnant in February, our baby will be due in November 2012. Fingers crossed. Although I must say I never, in a million years, would have thought by now I would NOT have already been pregnant. Just another realization you cannot control the things you think you can. 
• Last week, I had a dr. apt. and it was the first time I ever had to answer "Ever been pregnant and if so, live birth?" May as well rip my heart out and stomp on it. 
• I think I kinda miss cooking dinner, and can't believe I just admitted that. 
• I just answered the Jeopardy final question correctly (Brain Freeze, really?), so I'm feeling pretty dern proud of myself ;) 

And with that, a few pics of the lovely new scar that will be with me for the rest of my life.

                                     

                                                       

                                                                                    

survived week 1

Ryan has been gone for just over one week and although I miss him like crazy and the house is incredibly too quiet, I decided to focus on the bright side of our situation rather than complain. Here are the few perks I'm experiencing in his absence:

• Setting the thermostat to whatever I want...no ifs, ands, or butts about it. I like it warm in the evenings, frigid when I sleep, and on the cooler side while I get ready in the morning. All of these preferences drive Ryan bonkers.
• Watching whatever I want to watch...ON THE DOWNSTAIRS TV! If Ryan is around, sports, sports, sports plays on the living room TV 24/7.
• Sleeping in the middle of the bed. Although I tend to always wake up on my side. 
• Eating cereal for dinner. My man thinks I eat like a bird, and I do when he's not around!

But, I'd surely give these few things up in a nanosecond if it meant he'd come home tomorrow. I miss my Hubs! 

holiday wrap-up

The holidays came, and they went. It amazes me how fast time just seems to go right by. Cliche, I know. I had an amazing 10-day break from work because the agency shuts down between Christmas and the New Year, and loved spending every minute with Ryan since he left for his month long training in Florida yesterday. Our annual ugly sweater party with friends was a huge success and so much fun, and we managed to stick to schedule and see all of our family when we were supposed to. Although I got a cold on Christmas Day (and still have a lingering cough), it was nice to actually be able to lay around for a few days and take care of myself rather than fret about if I should call in to work and/or work sick from home.

A few holiday pics:

All my best girls. My life is truly better because of each one. 

The homemade gift Sarah made for me. The word "Home" is made up 

of pictures from our sweet, little hometown. 

Carmen, Jennette and me

Genuine laughs. It's what happens when we get together. 

Scored some amazing quality time with my 

nephew and niece, Wes and Taylor. 

And loved celebrating my niece Kyle's first Christmas. 

It's such a fun holiday with kids. 

Uncle Ryan with Kyle

Now I'm just adjusting to a quiet house, being a single parent to the pups (Boomer already ate some Hershey's chocolate while I was in the shower this morning. Sigh.), and considering if I want to travel to Florida one weekend to visit the Hubs.

Oh! And I almost forgot...speaking of time going by too fast, my babies have turned another year older. Boomer turned 3 on December 15th and Kaia is 4 today! Of course a new toy and birthday treats were in order. Look at these faces! I just love them so.