Trip to Menards ~

Last night, Ryan called me at work to see what time I was getting off because he wanted me to go to Menards with him. I told him I'd be home around 6. By now, he knows it will be at least another hour before he sees me. Well, by 8pm, I was still there and decided to leave because I knew Menards closes at 9 - I didn't want to let him down and felt so bad. So, I rush home, pick him up and we're off to Menards. On our way, he's telling me he wants to get a new sink, bathroom faucet, shower head and lights for above the mirror (all for the bathroom). So, I'm excited to be able to help him out with this. We get there and I just let him lead the way and start showing me what he wants to do. As a reminder, we live in a house that was built in the late 80's (with brass EVERYTHING - door knobs, shower heads, faucets, etc) and not much updating has been done other than new carpet and painting the walls "light beige". He already ordered the countertop for the vanity - so, we find a sink, no big deal. Next, the faucets/shower head/etc. He's looking at all these fancy items and we are having fun. But, by this time, I needed to do something because ya just don't put "fancy" stuff (wrot iron faucets, etc) in an older house unless you intend on remodeling the whole bathroom. The wrot iron faucet doesn't go with the wood vanity/woodwork in the bathroom. Finally, I told him to stop and explained to him that he needs to come down a level. We are not fixing up a $500,000 house and need to keep the faucets somewhat in line with what we have to work with. Don't get me wrong, I love his taste....but needed to explain to him that we can get all this fancy stuff when we decide to build our own house in a few years. He had to think about this for a minute because he didn't realize what he was doing and is so use to building fancy homes...he didn't know any better. Funny, but true. So, we continue picking things out and in the past, I always give him my thoughts and he never seems to go with what I think (or that's what I think anyways). So, I just wasn't being very decisive and more along for the ride and support of this bathroom remodel. This isn't my house and don't think its really my place to decide what he should do. So, I tell him this. And he says, "Well, I wouldn't be doing all this if it wasn't for you." And, I just smile because I explained to him a few months ago that it wouldn't hurt to start do a little updating in his house so it will sell faster. My idea of a little updating was more along the lines of, "painting the walls"...but, I guess we are going an extra step in the bathroom....which is ok, because it needs it. So, really, he does listen and care about my thoughts...and takes action on it.

Anyway, I really didn't have a "point" to my story - just thought it was kinda cute and wanted to share. We get along so well and its actually fun doing these things with him. I'm even more pleased to find out that we really do have the same taste, just not on paint colors. Yikes! I am truly thankful to be dating such a laid back guy. We cannot get into an argument over anything.

Let it snow!!!

Just when I thought it was starting to get nice, we get more snow. I don't mind it so much because I enjoy the beauty of it; I just don't care for the icy roads. Ryan and I spent our weekend cleaning the house since there wasn't much we could do outside because of the weather. At around 8pm last night, we got a wild hair to paint his bathroom. So, I get my painting clothes on and am all excited about it...for those of you who don't know, I LOVE to paint! Then, we started talking about putting a new vanity/sink/mirror in his bathroom. Well, all of this must be done before painting; so we decided to wait. Of couse, I'm excited to get this project done because I am going to put my shower curtain and rugs in his bathroom, so I can go buy a new one. I'm ready for a change in my bathroom and they don't seem to care what they have. Men are easy to please - most of the time. He has a countertop picked out and will be ordering that soon so we can get rid of his "bachelor" bathroom (gray/white sponge painted walls - looks kinda like thunder clouds) on the main floor. I have always enjoyed picking colors out and designing a different look to a room. I told him that when he is ready to sell this place, he will need to start doing some work to update it a little. So, we talked about putting a new countertop in the kitchen and painting the whole upstairs a darker color. He currently has "light beige" (almost white) walls in every room in this house except my bathroom which he painted for me when I moved in. Thank god! haha. So, I'm trying to talk him into putting a dark red or brown on two walls in the kitchen, but I don't know if he'll go for that. ha.

Today, we got up early to blow snow and shovel. We went across the street to do our neighbors driveway and sidewalks as well. Her husband drives truck and isn't around a lot, so we try to help her out as much as we can. He even taught me how to use the snowblower...but I'm not sure that was a good idea. ha. After that, Levi, David (Ryan's cousin) Ryan and I went for brunch at Spezia and I'm still full. I went to work for about 5 hours this afternoon and just got home not too long ago. Ryan went snowmobiling with his cousin. I think they are planning a trip to the Hills next weekend. He's been on the phone trying to round up some boys to go. They will leave Thurs night and come back Sun or Mon. He's getting excited already...just like a kid in a candy store. I guess this wraps up my weekend!

2 weeks..and no blog!

Well, I received an email from Kate today wondering what I've been doing the past couple weeks. Sorry Kate. I have been thinking about everyone and ansy to get online to read blogs and write one. Here I am. Its 7:45pm and I don't know where the last two weeks have gone.

I have simply been working some crazy hours as we are starting to get very busy in the mortgage industry. I love it though! I was recently promoted to a Loan Processor / Administrator at Keystone Mortgage where I now process the loans, will continue doing the books, payroll, and taxes for the company. On top of that, I am also bringing in business and helping people finance their dream home. I have a great challenge in front of me, which makes me work harder! My ultimate goal is to perfect this industry and know every detail of it - like I do in all my other jobs I've done. What I hate about it all, is that I get bored after I have it perfected and know everything about it...and feel the need to move on to something else. I think this will be quite a challenge for a few years anyway. My days/weeks consist of working from 8am - 10pm or later (1:30am last night)...aside from leaving for a few hours to go to class. Needless to say, I haven't seen much of Ryan lately...and he keeps asking me when he will get to spend some time with me.

Last weekend Friday, I went to Spirit Lake, IA to stay with an old friend from college, Sheila Bullerman. She had an Uppercase Living party and it was so neat. I have told some of you about it, but you need to check out this website: www.uppercaseliving.com This is a company that is not very well known, or at least I haven't heard about it before...but, it is a "different" way of decorating your home. You purchase vinyl letters/sayings and put them on your wall, instead of hanging a print, picture or crafty item on your wall. Its so different, and that's what I love about it. If you are interested, please let me know because I would like to have a party soon. I bought some things to put on the "boring" walls at Ryan's house and will take pictures and post them once I am finished. Anyway, it was great to see Sheila after about six years! She hasn't changed a bit!

Anyway, on Saturday, I got up early and headed for Madison, SD for a 1-yr birthday party for Alonna Kay LeFebvre! What a great day. I can't believe she is already 1! Her parents threw a very nice party for her and it was great to see Julie/Nicks family and friends I use to visit when I lived there. I then decided to spend the night with Julie and we went to Rumors for a "few" drinks and turned out closing down the bar. Had a great time....but, felt like an 'oldie' - as I didn't know anyone but a few people I knew when I worked at Gehl.

That's about it. I am finally going to spend some time with my boyfriend this weekend and "try" not to go to work so I can relax before another busy week starts for me.

Weekends...

Why do they go so fast! It seems to me like my life is in "fast-forward" mode and I do not have any control to slow it down. When we were in college, I remember it seemed like eternity for Christmas break or Spring Break to roll around. And now, we are in the middle of February, and time is just flyin'. Must just be a part of "growing older". As for my weekend ~ Ryan and I went out with some friends on Friday night for wings and beer; needless to say, we got a little out of control. I won't go into details...but, ya know, we don't do that very often so it was ok.

On Saturday, we cleaned house and took off to Parkston, SD to stay with one of my best friends, Carrie Oakley, from college and her family. We went to church, made chili, played with her two little girls, read them books before bedtime and learned how to play pinnacle. Now, talk about a difficult card game. When I learned how to play Texas Hold'em, I thought it was confusing...but, it doesn't compare to this! Her husband, Brad, is a very good pinnacle player, so he was trying to teach Carrie, Ryan and I how to play...and I give that boy a lot of credit! He was so patient and we ended up playing until 2am. What a night! Carrie & I went to bed at that time, and the boys stayed up till 3:30am playing. I think Ryan is addicted now. Ha. In the midst of it all, I was so sick with a sinus infection, my eyes were so puffy I could hardly see!

Today, we didn't do much. Ryan spent the afternoon lounging and I went to work for about 7 hours...so, I didn't quite get a nap in. We had our roommate, Levi, watch Sheely last night - only to come home and find that she chewed up Ryans work boots. No comment. And here it is, 8:30pm and the weekend is almost over. It went so fast, but it was great to spend time with Carrie and her family!

What Next?!?!?!

As some of you may know, we have been having a little problem with Sheely! I got home from work last night around 10pm only to find out that our cable was barely working! Ryan didn't have much to say to me other than the fact that there were only a few channels that worked. I asked him what was wrong and he said Sheely ripped the cable cord away from the house and up out of the "frozen" ground and chewed most of the way through it. Now, seriously! I'm frustrated at this point, more pissed because I will be paying for all the damages done to this house and I have no control over it. I realize she is "just a puppy" and that these things will happen. But, I didn't realize damages such as ripping the cable cord out of the ground, chewing off a corner of the house, tearing out the plastic underlayment on the landscaping, chewing up the siding on one side of the house, digging holes "everywhere" in the yard, ripping part of the back door of the garage off, and tearing out patio screens were a part of "just being a puppy!" She has a fenced-in back yard to run and play in with a dog house & chew toys. When we are home, she spends a lot of her time in the house with us. I don't know what more we can do with her!!! She is so well-mannered when she is around us, its hard to believe she has this crazy side of her. I realize dogs are not perfect... As much as I hate doing this, she may start spending her days cooped up in a kennel instead of "roaming" free in a big back yard. I don't think I have a choice.

For those of you with labs/dogs, please tell me this chewing crap is gonna go away! Ryan doesn't seem to think it will ever stop and I'm on the defense saying it will after she gets through her "puppy stage".

Ryan...

I am starting to realize that my blog is a bit boring. I haven't taken any updated pictures lately, so I don't have any to share. But, now that I am "bloggin", I need to get on that. I was just showing Ryan my blog and tried explaining to him how it works. He just shakes his head as he doesn't spend any time on the computer other than check his email, which is maybe once a month. But, he thinks its pretty cool stuff.

Speaking of Ryan ~ well, we started dating in August 2005 and are still going strong. I am very thankful for everything that has happened between him and I. He is truly an angel who entered into my life when I didn't realize he was there long before we started dating. It is funny to look back before we started dating and how he acted towards me. I was slowly starting to date at the beginning of 2005 and I would talk to him about it. He always thought I could find someone better and that I should just break up with the guy. I couldn't understand why he was acting this way because at that time, I knew there was no way him and I would ever be together. Well, I was wrong. Come to find out, he had liked me for quite some time before we actually started dating. Cute story! He is the most laid back person. I don't know that we have ever had an outright "fight" since we started dating. We just have fun together and go with the flow! He is a busy-body and always has to be doing something.

Ryan works for a private contractor here in Sioux Falls. They build anywhere between $250k - $1+ million homes. Beautiful homes! I get excited when they are close to finishing the project because he takes me through them so I can see the paint colors, cabinets, wood work, etc. I love looking at all that stuff - great ideas for the future. We spend alot of time together golfing, riding bike, walking, playing Texas Hold'em, doing yard work and playing with our chocolate lab, Sheely. Sheely has been a great joy to our life; although, I don't think she is going to grow anymore. She looks like she is 6 mo old. She's little. So, we are convinced that she is a mix with a smaller dog. She has never had an accident in the house, but loves chewing off the corner of the house! Wow. She has done some damage and we will need to reside part of the house. I need to get a picture of her on here. She is a very smart dog and very well-mannered; just hates it when we leave her at home during the day. She follows me around the house always making sure she can see me. Its cute...and I think Ryan gets jealous sometimes! haha.