Before I met Nick, I haven't traveled much outside of my home state. I let him know this fact, and he literally gave me the world. We've traveled quite a bit since we got together, and it's been so much fun to be a tourist.
1. Trip to Mall of America, Chicago and Black Hills, SD with my family the summer before I started 5th grade.
2. I spent many summers up north in Eagle River, WI with my family.
3. Colorado - Nick has family that live near Colorado Springs, and we honeymooned here in 2006. Plus, we snuck away a few times for time alone as husband and wife.
4. New Mexico (Albuquerque) - I visited Nick here over Memorial Day weekend 2006 when he worked out there.
5. New York City - A dream come true, this trip. I went with Katey, and I was about 4 weeks pregnant. Morning sickness waged a war on my mood, and Katey was a trooper. Still, I loved every second of being there.
6. Nashville, TN - I participated in a journalism conference in November 2004, and had the opportunities to visit Broadway Ave, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, met Billy Currington and saw Shania Twain perform live for Good Morning America outside my hotel window.
7. Nick took me to Chicago one Christmas to window shop. I also spent time here for a simple, low-key and game-free Bachelorette weekend.
8. Went to the Mall of America for a couple girls weekends.
9. I love everything about Galena, IL.
10. Austin, TX - Nick has family that live here as well, and we traveled here for graduations, weddings, and a spring break trip in March 2003.
11. Went to Orlando twice - once with the marching band in 1998 and another with my family in 2000.
12. Pilgrimmages to Dubuque, Iowa must be made yearly.
13. Spent weekends in WI Dells - awesome!
14. Spent time in Madison, WI and Jacksonville, IL
15. Nick took me to St. Louis for an Eagles concert
16. Family fishing trip to Canada - my first time out of the country!
17. Oregon, IL - possibly one of my most favorite places in the world. We got married at a farmhouse here in 2005.
Hope to continue to add to the list throughout my life!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Jobs I've had in my life ...
At least these are the positions I claimed taxes on! (2001-2009)
1. My first job started five days after I graduated high school. I got a job with my school district, prepping the high school, middle school and 5 elementary schools for the upcoming year. It was only for the summer (2001), but I was able to start college with a phat bank account.
2. I didn't work my first semester of college. I got a second job in March 2002 at a local trucking company where I did data entry. It was awesome because I'd show up in my jeans, enter freight reports and delivery notices, then do my homework and get paid for it.
3. Then, in December 2002 of that same year, I got a job at the local hospital as a dietary aide. The job paid more.
4. In August 2003, I got a job as a bank teller.
5. I moved to Iowa in January 2004 and got a job as a hostess at a restaurant in a hotel. I needed something to start with. I hated it.
6. In March, I got a job at a medical office where I was responsible for the patients' records.
7. I quit that job in January 2005 to take an editorial internship at a local publishing company. I earned a good wage and credit. Plus, one of my friends from class had the same internship and it was a lot of fun.
8. Then I got a job at Menards as a cashier in July 2005, when my internship ended. My income earned at this job when to help pay for our apartment in Dubuque and our wedding. We drank the rest of it away.
9. In February 2006, I started my first "big girl" job at a couple local community newspapers as a staff writer. I enjoyed the writing, photography, and design elements of the position but disliked the 24-hour on-call availability, especially after Landen was born.
10. A series of unexpected and unfortunate events lead me to the unemployment line in December 2007, a move back to my mother's house and the opportunity to be a stay-at-home Mom. In May 2009, I started working part-time (36 hours a week) at a local printing company, and it changed my life. My photography has blossomed, I've been networking like crazy to advance my career within the Company and I have some freelance projects waiting in the wings.
It's been a wild ride, that's for sure!
Before accepting my current position, I interviewed for positions in Las Vegas (at the Mirage); Platteville, WI (at the University); Chicago, IL (nuclear power company); Dubuque, Iowa (printing company, software company, private college); Muscatine, Iowa (newspaper); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (magazine publisher); Pennsylvania (newspaper); Cordova, IL (nuclear power company); Atlanta (non-profits); Detroit area, MI (non-profits, newspapers); Milwaukee, WI; and many more I can't recall.
Funny that I looked all over the country for jobs, but the path lead me right back home.
1. My first job started five days after I graduated high school. I got a job with my school district, prepping the high school, middle school and 5 elementary schools for the upcoming year. It was only for the summer (2001), but I was able to start college with a phat bank account.
2. I didn't work my first semester of college. I got a second job in March 2002 at a local trucking company where I did data entry. It was awesome because I'd show up in my jeans, enter freight reports and delivery notices, then do my homework and get paid for it.
3. Then, in December 2002 of that same year, I got a job at the local hospital as a dietary aide. The job paid more.
4. In August 2003, I got a job as a bank teller.
5. I moved to Iowa in January 2004 and got a job as a hostess at a restaurant in a hotel. I needed something to start with. I hated it.
6. In March, I got a job at a medical office where I was responsible for the patients' records.
7. I quit that job in January 2005 to take an editorial internship at a local publishing company. I earned a good wage and credit. Plus, one of my friends from class had the same internship and it was a lot of fun.
8. Then I got a job at Menards as a cashier in July 2005, when my internship ended. My income earned at this job when to help pay for our apartment in Dubuque and our wedding. We drank the rest of it away.
9. In February 2006, I started my first "big girl" job at a couple local community newspapers as a staff writer. I enjoyed the writing, photography, and design elements of the position but disliked the 24-hour on-call availability, especially after Landen was born.
10. A series of unexpected and unfortunate events lead me to the unemployment line in December 2007, a move back to my mother's house and the opportunity to be a stay-at-home Mom. In May 2009, I started working part-time (36 hours a week) at a local printing company, and it changed my life. My photography has blossomed, I've been networking like crazy to advance my career within the Company and I have some freelance projects waiting in the wings.
It's been a wild ride, that's for sure!
Before accepting my current position, I interviewed for positions in Las Vegas (at the Mirage); Platteville, WI (at the University); Chicago, IL (nuclear power company); Dubuque, Iowa (printing company, software company, private college); Muscatine, Iowa (newspaper); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (magazine publisher); Pennsylvania (newspaper); Cordova, IL (nuclear power company); Atlanta (non-profits); Detroit area, MI (non-profits, newspapers); Milwaukee, WI; and many more I can't recall.
Funny that I looked all over the country for jobs, but the path lead me right back home.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Christmas Shopping!
I started my Christmas shopping this weekend, and I've been successful. Not only am I under budget, but I have a lot of names checked off on my list! Plus, I started on Landen's present pile, which I am excited about. {{Nick gave me a hypothetical high-five over the phone when I told him about my success today!}}
Done: Megan/Tony, Carrie/Troy, Lynne/Keith, Grandma, Mom, Katey, Cash and Landen's two teachers.
Left to do: Ron/Jo, Mark/Mary, Jake (my bro ... there are two Jakes in my family!), Landen and Nick.
Feeling good - excited to see them opened!
Done: Megan/Tony, Carrie/Troy, Lynne/Keith, Grandma, Mom, Katey, Cash and Landen's two teachers.
Left to do: Ron/Jo, Mark/Mary, Jake (my bro ... there are two Jakes in my family!), Landen and Nick.
Feeling good - excited to see them opened!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Snippets.
- I received the invite for our friends' January wedding in Colorado! I submitted our RSVP and I am stoked.
- Crate & Barrel sent me a "hear you've moved" catalog and a coupon for 10 percent off. They're evil. They know I love them, but can't justify such an expensive purchase so they tempt me. Grr.
- I have a few freelance writing projects in the works, so that's exciting. I have a meeting on Wednesday to discuss my portfolio, and I submitted query letters to a local magazine recently as well. I'm pumped to be published again!
- Started my Christmas shopping ... and bought gifts for my SIL/her BF and Mom at the grocery store, hahahahaha. I find that simple fact HILARIOUS but I know they'll get good use out of it.
- I heart Mexican food.
- My bestie invited me to attend a conference with her next spring, which I'm excited about because it's focused on motherhood. I'm up for anything that will help me be a better wife and mother.
- I love the look of black lace tights with a black dress or skirt - such a fun accent to a simple black color palette, or lack thereof.
- I need to find a stylist in Hartland. It's been so long since I had my hair done, and it shows. My bangs are now chin length, my hair hits mid-back and my layers are straggly. I'm not a fan.
- Do I have enough money to get a 2nd tattoo yet?!
- I have a few full-time job prospects with QG. I'm hopeful but I'm not altering my life over it. I have a job that affords my family a nice lifestyle. That is all I can count on. If I can climb a step up the corporate ladder, awesome ... but I have to be realistic. At least I am doing my part to advance my career.
- I don't know what it is, but watching either Ghost Hunters, Ghost Lab or Ghost Adventures while sipping wine and listening to Landen sleep on the monitor is my idea of a great, fulfilling night.
- I enjoy working with my brother. He has a job at QG as well, and every so often, we work the same shifts. It's been fun bumping into him.
- I also enjoy browsing the wedding registries of people I know to get ideas for household items for myself. It's like cheating, but I get great ideas!
I think that is all for now.
The holidays '09
Here’s a sad truth: Nick and I have been together for 6 years, lived together for 5 years, married for 4 years and our little boy is 2 years old … but this year, we will put up and decorate OUR FIRST TREE! I am so excited to put on Christmas music, bake Christmas cookies, and decorate. I’m so excited to get Landen involved too!
Recently, we spent $30 on a tree skirt and 56 red & silver ornaments. (Mom is making me an adorable tree skirt, so this one will have to do until it’s finished.) The red & silver ornaments will coordinate with my color theme this year, and the 20 ornaments I’ve collected over the years will be a nice accent, including our Swarovski ornaments. I still need to purchase a tree top and a stocking hook for Landen’s stocking (hand-me-down from his mother). Nick has caught the Christmas spirit – he’s wanted to put up our tree for the last week or so. I can’t bring myself to do it – I refuse to be one of “those” people who celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving! The day after Thanksgiving, however, it’s game on! I've already taken down my fall decor.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Landen and I will be traveling to Chicago to eat turkey with Mary (Nick’s grandma/Landen’s great-grandma). My family gets together for holidays on the even years to reserve odd years to celebrate with spouses’ families – there are exceptions to this, of course, but that's how it's always been.
I am so excited – Mary is one of the best cooks I know! I’ve attended one of her Thanksgivings in the past, and her cooking was delectable. My mouth waters just thinking about her table spread. Liz, Josh, Nick’s aunt & uncle, and MIL & step-FIL will be there as well (Nick will be on a trip over Thanksgiving ... tear). We’re driving down on Wednesday and spending the night – Mary has let us know of her excitement over this fact. Landen will enjoy the outpouring of attention he’ll receive from his relatives, I’m sure! I'll have to pack some of Landen's Thanksgiving artwork to give to them - we have A LOT, plenty to share. I wanted to take the train down, but I don’t think the train will bring us far enough south – I hate driving! But, I am looking forward to spending time with my family this year … and stuffing myself stupid.
Then, Nick has 18 hours off to spend Christmas Day with us inbetween flights. It means a lot to me that he can be with us for a holiday - he's had such busy year. My husband works so hard for us, for his dreams/passions, and I hope he knows how much we appreciate him, despite how much we miss him when he's gone.
Recently, we spent $30 on a tree skirt and 56 red & silver ornaments. (Mom is making me an adorable tree skirt, so this one will have to do until it’s finished.) The red & silver ornaments will coordinate with my color theme this year, and the 20 ornaments I’ve collected over the years will be a nice accent, including our Swarovski ornaments. I still need to purchase a tree top and a stocking hook for Landen’s stocking (hand-me-down from his mother). Nick has caught the Christmas spirit – he’s wanted to put up our tree for the last week or so. I can’t bring myself to do it – I refuse to be one of “those” people who celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving! The day after Thanksgiving, however, it’s game on! I've already taken down my fall decor.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Landen and I will be traveling to Chicago to eat turkey with Mary (Nick’s grandma/Landen’s great-grandma). My family gets together for holidays on the even years to reserve odd years to celebrate with spouses’ families – there are exceptions to this, of course, but that's how it's always been.
I am so excited – Mary is one of the best cooks I know! I’ve attended one of her Thanksgivings in the past, and her cooking was delectable. My mouth waters just thinking about her table spread. Liz, Josh, Nick’s aunt & uncle, and MIL & step-FIL will be there as well (Nick will be on a trip over Thanksgiving ... tear). We’re driving down on Wednesday and spending the night – Mary has let us know of her excitement over this fact. Landen will enjoy the outpouring of attention he’ll receive from his relatives, I’m sure! I'll have to pack some of Landen's Thanksgiving artwork to give to them - we have A LOT, plenty to share. I wanted to take the train down, but I don’t think the train will bring us far enough south – I hate driving! But, I am looking forward to spending time with my family this year … and stuffing myself stupid.
Then, Nick has 18 hours off to spend Christmas Day with us inbetween flights. It means a lot to me that he can be with us for a holiday - he's had such busy year. My husband works so hard for us, for his dreams/passions, and I hope he knows how much we appreciate him, despite how much we miss him when he's gone.
Charm Me.
I love my jewelry, but there is one piece that holds such a high sentimental value I’m afraid to wear it – my charm bracelet. I’m afraid of losing one of my charms! My Grandpa Jim bought it for me in 1992, on my 9th birthday. I remember I was so excited about it. I’ve always admired my mother’s charm bracelet, and I couldn’t wait to fill its links with charms that commemorate my own life.
I have …
1. Charm engraved “Love Grandpa Jim 6/29/92”
2. I have 2 pom dancer charms – one for when I made varsity my freshman year, the other for when I made captain senior year.
3. I have a ballerina charm, fitting since I danced for 14 years. My aunt Kathy gave it to me, which she’s had in her possession for years.
4. My BFF since kindergarten gave me a charm to celebrate our friendship.
5. I have a shamrock to celebrate my Irish heritage, which I inherited from my father’s side. (My maiden name was Malloy … need I say more?)
6. I played clarinet, and I was given such a charm when I won a state music competition
7. I have a charm commemorating my first communion in 1991 (Grandpa Jim bought the charm a year after but had the date engraved).
8. I have a cat charm to pay homage to Sasha
9. I have a charm to signify my zodiac sign
10. I have another cat charm because I liked cats when I was younger
11. I have a charm with my favorite prayer engraved on the back: “God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.”
I’ve lagged in my collecting and I hope to resume. I put a charm list on my Christmas wish list including:
-A handbag charm because I L-O-V-E handbags
-A charm to symbolize my marriage and love for Nick … maybe an eternity knot or a small ring.
-A charm to symbolize my first born, like a baby bottle/pacifier/rattle
-A family charm, since we’re now a family
-I need a graduation/cap charm to commemorate my 2005 graduation from college
-I’ve love to find a camera charm
-And I want to find a “writing” charm – pen/pencil, pad of paper, typewriter, etc.
-A car charm to commemorate the day Nick and I bought our first car … our first major “couple” purchase!
-Skeleton key charm with a diamond/crystal in the key’s eye
And then, I hope to get a “house” charm when we buy a house. I want more baby charms as we have more kids. I want a charm to celebrate my Polish heritage … (Let’s break a moment – I just realized how lethal of a combo this is. The Irish in me enjoys a fine drink while singing about it and the Polish in me causes a natural clumsiness, proven by the obnoxious amount of bruises I have.)
This list will always be incomplete … until the day I die, at least.
I have …
1. Charm engraved “Love Grandpa Jim 6/29/92”
2. I have 2 pom dancer charms – one for when I made varsity my freshman year, the other for when I made captain senior year.
3. I have a ballerina charm, fitting since I danced for 14 years. My aunt Kathy gave it to me, which she’s had in her possession for years.
4. My BFF since kindergarten gave me a charm to celebrate our friendship.
5. I have a shamrock to celebrate my Irish heritage, which I inherited from my father’s side. (My maiden name was Malloy … need I say more?)
6. I played clarinet, and I was given such a charm when I won a state music competition
7. I have a charm commemorating my first communion in 1991 (Grandpa Jim bought the charm a year after but had the date engraved).
8. I have a cat charm to pay homage to Sasha
9. I have a charm to signify my zodiac sign
10. I have another cat charm because I liked cats when I was younger
11. I have a charm with my favorite prayer engraved on the back: “God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.”
I’ve lagged in my collecting and I hope to resume. I put a charm list on my Christmas wish list including:
-A handbag charm because I L-O-V-E handbags
-A charm to symbolize my marriage and love for Nick … maybe an eternity knot or a small ring.
-A charm to symbolize my first born, like a baby bottle/pacifier/rattle
-A family charm, since we’re now a family
-I need a graduation/cap charm to commemorate my 2005 graduation from college
-I’ve love to find a camera charm
-And I want to find a “writing” charm – pen/pencil, pad of paper, typewriter, etc.
-A car charm to commemorate the day Nick and I bought our first car … our first major “couple” purchase!
-Skeleton key charm with a diamond/crystal in the key’s eye
And then, I hope to get a “house” charm when we buy a house. I want more baby charms as we have more kids. I want a charm to celebrate my Polish heritage … (Let’s break a moment – I just realized how lethal of a combo this is. The Irish in me enjoys a fine drink while singing about it and the Polish in me causes a natural clumsiness, proven by the obnoxious amount of bruises I have.)
This list will always be incomplete … until the day I die, at least.
11/18/09 - Hand-Me-Down Treasures
I love my apartment, and it feels really cozy (unlike the apartments we’ve had in Dubuque and Dyersville). While lounging in comfort, I noticed a lot of our stuff is HMD hand-me-down with love:
1. Queen-size bed (ours, purchased after our wedding then again in 2006 after a fire … we want a king though.)
2. Bed room set (HMD from Grandpa Don)
3. Couch (HMD from MIL)
4. Loveseat (HMD from Grandma)
5. All of our lamps are ours (5)
6. End tables (ours - $10 and Nick painted them espresso)
7. Bookshelf (Nick’s from parents’ house)
8. Hope Chest (gift from Mom)
9. Landen’s furniture (gifts from Mom and MIL)
10. Kitchen table & chairs (HMD from MIL, who got it HMD from Grandpa Don)
11. Christmas tree (HMD from MIL)
12. Purple truck (HMD from Grandpa Ron)
13. TV (ours, purchased in 2007 when our HMD TV went on the fritz, which she witnessed)
14. TV stand (ours, purchased 10/2009 at Target)
15. Impala (the bank’s - purchased from a guy going through a divorce … best deal of our lives … hope to take the title over early in 2/2010.)
16. Plymouth (Nick’s, purchased in college)
6/16 of our large furniture items/cars is HMD. Thank you family – very generous!
1. Queen-size bed (ours, purchased after our wedding then again in 2006 after a fire … we want a king though.)
2. Bed room set (HMD from Grandpa Don)
3. Couch (HMD from MIL)
4. Loveseat (HMD from Grandma)
5. All of our lamps are ours (5)
6. End tables (ours - $10 and Nick painted them espresso)
7. Bookshelf (Nick’s from parents’ house)
8. Hope Chest (gift from Mom)
9. Landen’s furniture (gifts from Mom and MIL)
10. Kitchen table & chairs (HMD from MIL, who got it HMD from Grandpa Don)
11. Christmas tree (HMD from MIL)
12. Purple truck (HMD from Grandpa Ron)
13. TV (ours, purchased in 2007 when our HMD TV went on the fritz, which she witnessed)
14. TV stand (ours, purchased 10/2009 at Target)
15. Impala (the bank’s - purchased from a guy going through a divorce … best deal of our lives … hope to take the title over early in 2/2010.)
16. Plymouth (Nick’s, purchased in college)
6/16 of our large furniture items/cars is HMD. Thank you family – very generous!
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