Brrr...

It is cold outside! I didn't really want to put up a tree this year, but Caylea really wanted to so we put it up this weekend. And I'm glad we did. I managed to find some holiday spirit while putting it up and when I expected to feel sad decorating I actually felt hopeful. And I'm loving sitting on the couch with just the tree on and fireplace. Cozy.

I was a little confused to start....

Magnus was not budging from his favorite spot on the floor to sleep. He wasn't ready to share his space with a tree.

Thankful

Back from St. Louis. It was good and there was a PF Changs and Qdoba. I haven't had those in so long. It was great. I had a Nissan for my rental car that has a push button ignition. So after 20 minutes I figured out to start it you had to put your foot on the brake. And I can't get over the fact that a car that has a push button to start does not have automatic lights. Annoying. I couldn't remember to turn the damn lights on and then turn them off.

Can I just say I am SO loving the new Alicia Keys song Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart. And the new Bon Jovi cd and Superman Tonight. Awesome.

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving. I'm definitely not into the holidays this year, it definitely feels weird. I am ready for 2009 to be over. A lot of ups and downs and not feeling the holidays. Although I'm not sure if 2010 will be much better but I hope so. So in trying to keep myself in a good mood I thought it would be a good idea to make a thankful list.
This just makes me laugh. And if I had a copy of it, it would be hanging in my cube. At least it makes me laugh.

Thankful for having bits of hope here and there.

The Office....because it cracks me up like no other show. And Michael Scott says my name in one episode. I never hear my name on TV. I can watch it over and over and over...

A job I love that gives me the opportunity to go out and inspect claims in the field when I want to.

Caylea of course. And the fact that she can wear my clothes now. Good excuse to go shopping if I can justify one shirt for two people.

Girlfriends

Can't have enough girlfriends

The dogs. Always happy to see me. And since I've spending the holidays on my own guess who's getting spoiled.

Best. Band. Ever.

also thankful for...

Discovering running. Now if my foot would heal so I can run again I'd be very thankful.

Cozy blankets

Song lyrics that talk to me

Supportive friends. I have the best in the world. Even when I don't get to see them often we never grow apart.

Unlimited texting. Since last months bill had over 7,000 texts. Seriously.
Flat irons

Chocolate covered cherries

Coach purses

Cute shoes

Thanksgiving already?

Hello all! Can't believe this week is Thanksgiving, hope everyone has a great holiday! Here are a few pics from my recent, short visit to Bloomington. It was a blast and a lot of fun to catch up with everyone I hadn't seen in awhile. And we scored cowboy hats, how can you not have fun in cowboy hats?

I just finished packing and am heading to St. Louis today to cover for a Mobile Worker for the next few days while he is on vacation. It'll be nice to get out of the office for a few days. And I may just have to pick up some dinner at PF Changs. I've been stalled on running from a foot issue so that's been a bummer for me. I'm hoping to be back at it soon but trying to run with it getting dark so early now is a pain too. Other than that not too much else to report. Hope everyone is doing good and I'll update again soon!

Things making me happy right now

Friday I took my car to Sears knowing something was wrong with the brakes. So 4 hours and $550 later I finally got to drive home. Since I was frustrated and tired of issues coming up I decided to list of a few things that are making me happy right now.
Caylea being happy

A surprising steal I came across while waiting 4 hours for Sears to install my new brakes. $25 for this dress and a nice work shirt.

Candles, especially Almond Cookie....

and Christmas at the Beach

and lots of Chai tea

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! Not much new to report. I'm on jury duty this week. :(
I couldn't resist the banana costume. I know you aren't surprised.

She definitely wasn't feeling the hat

The dogs watching Caylea at every house she went up to

The cheerless cheerleader.

Come on a run with me

It's really pretty here right now with all the fall colors. So I thought it would be fun to take some pics on my run today so you can see some of the nice scenery I saw. :)

A pic of Caylea's new haircut.

Brrr

Hey everyone! Here's a pic of me and Deblyn from my trip to Bloomington last weekend. My camera is doing funny stuff lately so it's a little grainy. It was a great trip catching up with friends I haven't seen in awhile. And met some really cool girls on Saturday night. Had a little blast from the past on Friday night when Missy, Laura, and I saw Sixteen Candles at Daddios. I don't remember the last time I heard "I think we're alone now." It was a lot of fun. I'm trying to squeeze in visits with everyone when I come up, so if I didn't get to see you I'll make sure to next time! It was much needed girl time. I've been enjoying the sweatshirts, fireplace, and hot chocolate lately. I'm really not ready for this cold weather though. I made some chili tonight, it was yummy.

Got my haircut on Saturday. I'm not real sure how I'm feeling about it yet so I'll post a picture later. He put three different colors in my hair. Really dark on the bottom layer, which I'm good with, lighter blond in the middle, which I'm good with. It's the "brown" on top that makes me cringe a little. It's just a little redish for me. So I'm giving it a day or two to see if it tones down at all. Otherwise I may be back in for him to add a little more dark. Maybe it's just a shock to see a different color after doing the same for so long.

So not a big post but just wanted to check in since it's been awhile. Hope everyone is staying warm. (I refuse to turn the heater on yet but I know I won't be able to hold out much longer)