Miranda's Minutes

praying...

2011-09-23T09:37:00.001-05:00

Today I am believing in putting it out there, asking for help, and the power of prayer. If you could please say a quick prayer for Mark and I and our family, we would much appreciate it. Thank you!

I’m good at beginnings…

2011-08-06T22:26:00.002-05:00

I have issues with finishing pretty much everything I do……including blog posts. Which helps to explain the lack of them. I have dozens of posts that have a few sentences. I even have some with just a few words-I don't know what the world I was talking about.

I also cannot finish any projects in my house. That's why I have half the dishes done, a couple kitchen cabinets cleaned out, the laundry mostly put away, and another blog post began. I also have rooms that need the trim touched up, two windows and a door just sitting in my living room (they're all decorative – not just like pieces of my home that are sitting around.) You see sometimes, something else just ALL of the sudden seems really important. Or perhaps my hair needs some attention right then. Or else I suddenly remember that last ice cream cone that's in th

Welcome to Wheat Harvest 2011

2011-07-04T17:08:00.002-05:00

We have finished cutting wheat for 2011. If you're from a farming background, you know how big this is. You've put a lot of hours in, and it's your end game. It's a lot of things all at once. Exciting, nerve wrecking, there's lots of pressure. You're dealing with the whole family, and doing things that you only do once a year. There's just a little bit going on. And this was Mark's first year as a Full-time Farmer (Heck ya!) I'm so proud of him. He's living his dream and he's so happy about it. He was jumping out of bed in the morning to go spray, and start double planting beans, then cutting wheat as long as the wheat would let him. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy, for him or for me. I feel kinda like a baby, complaining about not seeing him, but it was hard for me. My birthday always falls right in the middle of harvest, and so it sucks. But like I said it's all done, the wheat was better than expected (still worse than average) and the beans are almost all in. So, I'm happy to get my husband back, but I'm sad that I'll have to say goodbye to this….

That's right, he went all out for his first harvest……..and I liked it!

PCOS

2011-07-03T12:04:00.003-05:00

I have PCOS, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Basically it means that it's hard for me to get pregnant. I don't ovulate regularly, if at all. PCOS is the leading cause of infertility and that is how we discovered that I had it, after unsuccessfully trying for awhile. I'll give you a little bit of our history – but I want to say that there are so many different things that go on in my head and that change about how I'm feeling day to day, that I have been scared for over a year to write this post. But I'll explain that more in a little bit.

Mark and I stopped using any form of birth control after we had been married for about 9 months. I always imagined having kids really young, and I also always thought that I was probably going to have a hard time getting pregnant because I was so irregular and that's why I had been on birth control since my sophomore year of college. After about a year and a half of no birth control, not really thinking about what day of my cycle I was, and nothing happening – I wanted to go to the Dr. I know it takes two years, sometimes it takes longer, I knew all that stuff but I was still worried. And so I went to the Dr., I explained what was going on, she ordered a sonogram and it was pretty clear from the beginning that I had PCOS. So we started on Metformin, an anti-diabetic that has shown to help women with PCOS. And it helped-right away my periods became more regular. I also lost 10 pounds because my testosterone levels went down. We tried that for awhile…still nothing. So Mark went to the Dr. and found out he had a low sperm count. So he went on meds, and his Doctor recommended we look into IUIs. Intrauterine Insemination. Basically AI for my cattle friends. We were happy to find that a clinic in the town 35 minutes from us did IUIs and that we weren't going to have to travel over 2 hours for this. After meeting with the Doctor from the clinic, I was put on Chlomid, along with my Metformin. Mark was put on Chlomid to keep his numbers up and I started to feel like there was some hope. It's been 6 more months since that meeting, and still nothing. We have only managed to do 2 IUIs, along with a whole lot of old fashioned baby-making with all of us all drugged up. And still…..nothing. That's made it 3 years since I went off bc. And I swear, if anyone tells me, well you weren't really "trying" for 3 years so don't worry – I will scream. Just because I wasn't counting days and I wasn't regular and wasn't on a whole bunch of meds that are supposed to make this thing work…doesn't mean that I didn't hurt every time I got a Negative on my little stick.

And so, where exactly does that leave me now? Hurt, scared, exhausted, emotional (Good Golly I'm emotional). But also guilty and ashamed and mainly just sad. Call me crazy (and many will) but I always imagined in my mind that I would have my fourth baby by the time I was 31-32ish. And I know I'm still a long way from there (I just turned 26 on Thursday) but it feels like those years are coming on a lot quicker than I ever thought with not a bunch of hope for our current methods. But at the same time, I also feel guilty for all these feelings. There are women who have been trying for 8 Years-10 Years, women who have suffered miscarriage after miscarriage, women who have been dealing with these feelings for so much longer, that I almost feel as if I have no right to feel sad, hurt, scared, and exhausted.

I have started this same post a hundred times, and have never really been able to finish it. I think because I don't know how to tie it up in the end, because there are a hundred things I want to say, and tomorrow I'll want to say it differently. I think I have a hard time with this because I don't want to be known as that girl with PCOS. That girl that can't get pregnant. I just want to be me, without a label. And before I told anyone when people would ask, "So when are you gonna start having babies? When's your time? Aren't you gonna have a kid yet?" and all those fun questions, I could just joke with them, or ignore them, or be bitchy to them (which I've done – and not been really proud of later – but it felt justified at the moment.) But now, are random people going to think they have a right to tell me how to get pregnant, or to ask what day I'm on in my cycle? Maybe, but that's ok. I'm going to deal with it. Because I feel like I'm going to explode if I don't let some of this out….and I know that people ask because they care, or well most do. And I know that sometimes, as tough as I want to be, I need someone to tell me that they're praying for me, and that there is still hope somehow. And maybe there's someone else out there who is struggling and I want them to know that they're not alone and it's not all craziness (because have you ever looked at some of those Message Boards? I haven't since I was diagnosed because they can be just downright depressing.)

So I have many more thoughts on mandatory every other day sex, and the unwanted advice about when I should be having my kids (have them now! no wait 10 years! No now – no later), and the things people say that they think are helpful, and even the questions I have for God. But here it is, the beginning of my PCOS story. This chapter of our family's life. And most importantly, I want to record this and remember this because when I do have four kids, whether from an IUI, adoption, or something just finally aligning right-I think I'm going to forget the hurt and the tears that I have today.

Having a bad day? Not anymore!

2011-05-31T15:25:00.000-05:00

I can at least say it’s over

2011-05-30T23:09:00.001-05:00

So…..last week – last week sucked. It started out with a nice little chat with a uniformed officer of the law. You see, I didn't have my seatbelt on. And it happened to be "Click It or Ticket Week." Yep, that means a Ticket for me. 5 Bucks – but still, everyone heard my name on the scanner and I no longer got to say that I NEVER received a ticket. So, I was whining about it. "Ruins my record – I've never gotten anything other than some verbal warnings – blah blah blah." Well that was Wednesday, Thursday brought a new day….and a much more expensive ticket. That's right; I got a second ticket within about 36 hours of the first one. I was going about 70 in a 65…but the 65 switches to a 55 and my mind was elsewhere (I was practicing my Matron of Honor speech!) And I definitely received a much higher price on that one. Thursday was also a long day, not just with how it ended but also how it started. I didn't get much sleep the night before in anticipation of my morning. You see, I was a witness in a criminal trial. It sucked and was sufficiently scary – though it really was only for a couple of fraudulent checks. At least this time I hadn't seen someone die in my front yard (let me be straight though-I only had to give a statement for that.) But I was questioned, and then cross-examined, and then re-questioned, and re-cross-examined. Never have I been so happy to hear "No Objection" as when they asked for me to be released from my subpoena. I had really been freaking for a while before it and Mark was trying to help me out. He told me that it would all soon be over and that I would be able to chalk it all up to life experiences. Well I'm sorry, but I think I'm about done with these new life experiences.

Remember when it was cool to NOT be on Facebook?

2011-05-27T15:19:00.003-05:00

Everybody's on Facebook. Every business, nationwide or local, every charity, everybody's dog is on Facebook. It's interesting to see what it has become and the info you can find there. But, also the connections are amazing. You used to play the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game, well now it's about Three Degrees of Facebook. The other day I was on hotels.com taking a look at some hotel rooms for a vacation that Mark and I may or may not be taking…and of course the website told me to Like them on Facebook. Well, ok, that's fine. I did. But I'm really starting to worry about the state of our world when I took a look at their FB page ….. and found that hotels.com had "Liked" Vanilla Ice. I mean really, what is Facebook coming to!?

Complimentary

2011-05-24T23:47:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, I was feeling slightly nostalgic and romantic. Mark didn't go to the farm so that he could spend the whole day home with his wife. We went to church, had dinner, worked outside and got quite a bit done. It was great, I loved it. At one point I leaned over to him and said, "Honey, why did you marry me?" I know it's horrible….but sometimes I just want to hear a compliment – no matter how demanded it may be! And for once it seemed like Mark really thought about it and wanted to say something real. So he thought about and then responded "You always keep me on my toes."

WAIT………….WHAT???????

I think he just called me crazy. He married me because I'm bat-shit crazy. Awesome, I'm glad I fished for that one.

Yes, that’s me you are hearing

2011-05-22T21:25:00.001-05:00

So I've had a great few weeks at work. My boss made a point to stop in my office and tell me that I was doing a good job. And he's not one to give empty flattery. I've more than doubled our average weekly sales, we've set a sustainable goal for our business, and I really just feel like everything is going in a positive direction…..AND I just did my first live shift on the air as well as my first night on Severe Weather Duty. All of our regular on air personalities had a charity event (ok so it was the local Chamber's golf scramble – but whatever) and so I covered it. I was so pumped. Freaking a little, but also mainly pumped. And it was good that I had so much practice, as yesterday I got called in from 4- about 10:30 for a severe thunderstorm watch. And also about 45 minutes worth of a warning. When we're in a warning, it's no-music/non-stop talking. Which would normally be an easy thing for me. But I want to make sure that I'm giving accurate, up to date info for my listeners….all while not saying ummmm, ummmm, ummmmm the entire time.

So it's been fun, it's been a learning experience. But I'm doing something I absolutely love. The only issue that the program director may have now…..is that I want to do it more.

Quiet

2011-05-21T20:08:00.003-05:00

This morning as I was checking my blogroll, I came across a great video shared by Piece of Cake. As I started to listen, I was distracted by what I had on TV. While catching up on all my blogs I also was trying to catch up on all my DVR'd shows. But I had missed a little of what they were saying on "The Talk" so I rewound. But then I missed part of the song that Laura from Piece of Cake shared, so I started her video over. And then I looked up to watch the TV show. Ugh….this wasn't working-so I paused the TV so I could concentrate on the video. Then, I flipped over to some other blogs I had opened on other tabs. But then I thought, no I want to see this video. So I went back to Piece of Cake's blog to watch the video while listening, but before I knew it I had opened up the latest game of Spider Solitaire that I always have going.

I mean seriously, it was if I was incapable of slowing down and focusing on one thing at the time. Why? What is wrong with my generation? I always have the computer up while I'm watching TV. Or maybe I'm reading a book. While in the truck with Mark, I'm reading or playing crossword on my Kindle instead of just talking. And when I do dishes or am cleaning – the TV's on for at least some background noise, or I've got the music blaring.

Now, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with listening to some music while you're cleaning…but my point is that it is never quiet. I am never solely concentrating on what it is I'm doing. It seems like even when I have my iTunes pulled up on my computer just so I can clean dishes, I'm also thinking about my playlist and maybe searching for a song, or maybe buying a new song.

At the Radio Station, I always have the radio going. It's always playing into my right ear. And when I first started working here, it took a little getting used to. So by the time I left from work, I would leave and just shut my radio off in my car and just drive home in silence. It was a wonderful, peaceful feeling. That feeling of quietness. And it's something that I need to WORK to find more often. So right now, I'm asking you to pause the TV (tell your husband I told you to do it). Don't open another browser or another tab. Don't start thinking about what's for supper, or what's on your grocery list, and don't look at the ledge that needs to be dusted. Just sit and be still….

Now, listen to this. Listen to each word.

Green Beans

2011-05-09T23:06:00.002-05:00

I have a new favorite snack. Well…..I have a couple new favorite snacks. If you follow me on twitter (what? You don't? You should! Not that I'm that interesting…but you already know that if you're reading my blog) I ate the heck out of a bag of trail mix today at work. That stuff is ridiculously addictive. BUT the snack that I am really excited about is fresh green beans. I got a bag of green beans from the fresh produce section at the store – and opened it before I got out of the parking lot. Mmmm-mmmmm. Delicious. I can't wait until my own garden full of green beans and such are all ready.

Oh yes, Mark and I did actually get a bit of our garden planted. Corn, green beans, peas, and more. Specials thanks to our wonderful neighbors for a sampler box of seeds. This is my first year with a garden…and basically I have no idea what I'm doing. So, if nothing grows I am sure it will be my fault and not the fault of the seeds. But oh man, I cannot wait for something, anything really to grow out there. Especially so that I can just drive around and snack on some more green beans!

VACAY!!

2011-05-07T14:08:00.002-05:00

I have a demand for this summer. Mark and I WILL take a vacation. I want to get in another big, fun vacation before we start a family. I think I'd like a beach…..but I doubt that's going to happen. We have a little game in our family when we have to make a decision, typically it's just a "where are we going to eat" kinda decision. But one person will pick three options, a second person will eliminate one option, and then someone else picks between the two for the final decision. See how that works?! It's so handy, helps to eliminate that weird "you decide where we eat" "no you decide."

So I have three choices as to where we should go this summer.

Savannah, Georgia – I have for years wanted to visit Savannah. I want to experience all of that history and Southern charm and architecture and food. But it's quite a distance to travel.
Chicago – Everyone has to visit Chicago once, right? And please the food!? Plus I had a friend tell me that there are tons of free activities, and it's within driving distance.
Nashville – The Grand Ole Opry would be amazing, but I also think I would just want to go and listen to live music every night. Good music comes out of Nashville, but at the same time….there's lots of crap country too. I don't want to get only pulled into the touristy stuff.

So what do you think? I'd love your opinions. Maybe you can "eliminate" one of the options and then Mark will choose between the last two….of course we still have to find both the money and the time to have the vacay…..but surely we can make that happen, right?

Back Pain

2011-04-22T15:12:00.001-05:00

I have a theory….that back pain is contagious. Two of my co-workers have had their backs out of whack this past week and just yesterday I was talking to a friend here in town, and she was hardly able to walk. She could barely get out of her home to get to the chiropractors.

And so this morning, when I woke up, whatdoyouknow, my back hurts. I have this one spot on the lower right side of my back that periodically will go out and everything swells up and I walk around like an old lady all day.

And of course this happens when I'm on my way to a concert for the evening, followed by sleeping in a strange bed with someone that I don't know very well. (Don't worry-I'm not sleeping around on my husband, and then blogging about it – but I will be sharing a Queen sized bed in a hotel, most likely with one of my neighbors…hope she likes snuggling!)

So I'm wearing flats, no cute heels for the evening, and when the concert is over, I'll be lying flat on my back all night, with one of those great little bags of hotel ice under me, and perhaps a pillow to my side, to keep me from spooning anyone. I'll make sure to keep you updated!

A List for you to read

2011-04-17T21:26:00.002-05:00

I have attended four showers in the past 8 days. I have decided that I love sherbet punch and I suck at fill in the blank nursery rhymes.
While on my way to the aforementioned baby shower, I realized I had not yet signed the card. There's construction on the road at a bridge, and so they have the stoplights in the middle of nowhere so you can go one lane at a time. I was stopped at the light with a car in front of me, so I decided to sign the card real quick. I pulled it out to on top of my wheel and began signing with my usual flourish – but when I pushed too hard on the pen….I honked the horn. I honked the horn, while behind another car – at a red light! I waved my hands frantically and shook my head no – "Sorry Sorry Sorry!!" I doubt they heard me though.
I had a garage sale yesterday. I forgot how serious some people are. I had a guy here 30 minutes before the advertised start time, just jamming out in his car right in front of my house. I had about 5 or 6 cars total all watching me put out my stuff and come running at about 6:55. My wonderful, sweet, awesome, badass of a husband helped me out all day. I love him. And yes, I might be trying to suck up a bit after all he did.
Mark also tilled up a garden for me. We got some green beans, peas, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, green onions, maybe some other stuff. We'll be getting some tomatoes that have already been started. Basically Mark and I have decided that we don't have enough things to argue about, nor do I have enough stuff to kill. And it will only be slightly annoying when our nice tilled up rectangle remains empty…..on our corner lot that everyone drives past. I kinda feel like a farmer who has their land on the highway.
We've had some ups and downs as a family the past few months. Health problems, job changes, and big decisions. Through it all though, I have seen the hand of God present in our lives more than ever.
I'm going to see the Civil Wars this weekend with a co-worker and some other good music devotees. I am terribly excited, and you should be jealous. If you're saying, "The Civil Wars? Who's that? I thought that was just a time in our nation's history." And to that I say, please check them out. Your ears and your soul deserve it.
We bought a king sized bed a couple months ago. Mark and I really like it! And Cody loves it. Sometimes, he's harder to get out of bed than I am.
Yes, my dog is spoiled.
There's no nine.
Or ten, sorry….apparently I am out of words for the evening. Or just the energy to type them out and make them into complete sentences, specifically sentences that make sense and are interesting.

Decorating with the husband

2011-03-04T00:26:00.003-06:00

I love decorating my home and I tend toward the shabby chic style. Lots of antiques and re-purposed items and mainly just lots of stuff. But I love the cozy feeling and I love it all just kinda put together in a natural come-together kind of way. Tonight, after I finished my coffee filter wreath, my husband asked me where I was going to hang it....

I said, Ok, you'll have to follow me with this. I want to move the coat rack by the door out and move that mirror in the kitchen over there. Then the screen that hangs behind the tv will go where the mirror is and my wreath will either go over the screen or maybe just where the screen used to be or Maybe I'll just put it right here in the middle of this wall and move all of these picture frames somewhere else...

And my wonderful husband, he understood the whole thing, didn't question it, told me that he thought the wreath might be too big to go on the one wall and I should try it over in a corner. And then, he told me I should hot glue the scrabble pieces that spell out our last name onto their little holder so they don't get knocked off (and so my Cody dog doesn't eat anymore letters.)

How I love that guy, not only does he not question my craziness - he actually helps and encourages me.

Something sweet to say for my sweetie...

2011-02-14T19:40:00.003-06:00

Nothing says "I love you" like Bertolli out of a bag, with a little extra cream cheese....and a little K-State basketball.

I Love You, Mark Donald. Happy Valentine's Day!

You have always had so much faith in our relationship and in me. I thank you for that. You've always been my biggest fan.

I tried saying this to you on your birthday, and I ended up blubbering like an idiot. But I want you to know that I am your biggest fan-and that I believe in you so much. You are going to make amazing things happen for our family, and I have no doubt of that. I can't wait until you are able to follow your dreams of being a farmer. And I can't wait until you are the father of our children (all 5 of them!) You are mi corazon. You are my favorite.

And you buy me massages....so I really like you too.

You are not 13...and even if you are...

2011-02-01T22:31:00.002-06:00

Never use the word lurve...ever. Just never ever say that. Not lurve, not luurve, not lurrrve, and please never ever LLUURRRRRVVE.

Just gross.

Life Lessons

2011-02-01T16:14:00.002-06:00

I have 25 wonderful years under me. I am a married woman, I drive a stick shift and have a college degree. And yet….. I still have no idea how to paint my toenails. I am just in general nail painting incapable. Why is it such a difficult task? I'd get them done professionally more, but it never lasts that long, and it costs too much – it costs about the same as getting a full body hour long massage here in town. So ya, the nails are not quite worth the $40 price tag to me. But then again, considering the amount of talent and skill they must have (and that I lack) I can kinda understand it.

And while we're on the subject of things that are ridiculously hard for me….have you ever noticed that the side of the Kraft Mac and Cheese box says "To Open Push Here"? There is no way that you can actually open the box by pushing there. No way, I promise. And yes, I realize the irony of talking about my maturity level and Kraft Mac and Cheese in the same blog post….whatever.

And yet I do have one redeeming factoid (factoid? Really?) to actually prove that I am a functioning adult capable of ……..well adult-type things--- when you use cling wrap or aluminum foil or something along those lines – on the sides push in the little triangle things-they will hold the roll in the box, as you pull out the cling wrap.

You are welcome.

You probably don’t want to come over if I’m cleaning

2011-01-31T23:10:00.003-06:00

I've decided that I want to be more intentional in life. I want to be intentional about how I spend my money, how I spend my time, what I eat, etc. So, one night last week Mark and I sat down to work on our budget and talk about a "daily to do list" to help keep our house a little cleaner (a la flylady.net).

As I worked on inputting stuff onto our mint.com budget (you should definitely check out mint-easy to use, and it's important to know where you plan to spend your money and where already have spent your money) I handed Mark my chore list that I had use previously and told him to add anything or change anything that he thought needed to be done, and to add some stuff that he normally does.

I love me a list…at work I will often put something that I have already done or am in the process of doing-just so I can cross it off. Every day I check my email, and yet I still put it on my to do list, so that I just have that feeling of accomplishing something. And so I try to do a little of the same with my clean the house chore list.

But anyways, back to the list that Mark was working on. He had been trying to humor me with my sudden need for order and action, but I think he had had enough. He handed me back the list I had used before, with his few changes. On Monday nights, apparently I'm now supposed to vacuum the upstairs naked. Tuesdays call for dusting naked. And how exciting for Wednesday, can't wait until I can cross off grocery shopping naked.

So ya, I got what I was probably asking for. But I guess I've figured Mark doesn't really care if I leave clothes on the floor….just so long as mine are there as well.

Just keep swinging, just keep swinging

2011-01-29T19:07:00.004-06:00

Well I finally did it….I got off my ass-and off this damn computer- and went running. I went to the dirt road a little down the way from us and ran "flat mile." Mark told me it's probably a 2 ½ mile roundtrip from our house. I estimated it at about 7 or 10 miles. I haven't measured it yet though to be sure, because I can't get my legs working long enough to get all the way out to my car to go drive it.

I didn't take my iPod with me, and so I was forced to sing to myself to help keep me going. I tried all those tricks I had from back when I was in 8^th grade running the two-mile for track. Yes, I even sang the President song that I learned back in 5^th grade. I kept picturing the mother of one of my classmates, yelling at me "Just keep swinging your arms!" And so I did, I kept swinging and singing the President song, repeating my memory verses for the Beth Moore Scripture challenge. And yet, it seemed when I would look back up to see the literal end of the road, it had gotten further away.

But I did it, and I'm at least one day in, hopefully with tomorrow I'll be two days into making myself healthier and more importantly, skinnier.

At least I can’t make it through the whole alphabet

2011-01-06T13:25:00.001-06:00

I try to be very polite and courteous and considerate of others, for the most part……and yet…..

……..I just burped at work

I just burped at work, LOUDLY….

And someone was in the kitchen, which is right next to my office, and you can't cough and cover that up. You can't light a candle to try to hide it. There's nothing I can do.

I've never burped at work before, well maybe when I was at the bank, but that was for the entertainment value, so it doesn't really count.

I don't know what to do, how will I ever be able to walk out of my office and face anyone again?! This is pure mortification.

Whoops-just did it again….at least it makes me feel better!

2011 Goals

2010-12-31T17:02:00.002-06:00

Screw resolutions, I'm going to try to make actual goals. Goals are measurable statements with a time frame. My time frame will be all of 2010, some shorter. Cause Lord knows that just saying "I'm going to try to be healthier" isn't gonna really make me change anything. So here goes…

Goals for 2011:

Lose 20 pounds by my sister's wedding-June 4, 2011
Memorize 24 verses, as part of Beth Moore's challenge
Create and keep track of a budget every month (notice I didn't necessarily say "stay within" – I want these goals to be reachable.)
Finish the basement of our house, and get halfway through either the kitchen or the bathroom-or at least halfway saved up to what it'll cost
Create and follow a weekly chore list (for me and Mark) because doing a little bit each day is way better than freaking out on the weekend or having a case of the CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)
Run a half-marathon (crap I've never told anyone that-but right now, I'm all for putting it out there- you might understand why if you read my last post.)
Buy a new car-and by new I mean newer than what I have now.
Be a better wife – ok that one's kinda objective, and might not be measurable….but I'm guessing Mark would have a few things we could count (less fights and more….I'm not gonna say it, but I'm sure you can guess it.)
Get pregnant, yes another "I'm putting it out there" moment. Prayers for this one from you guys…. And maybe Mark will get a "better wife" this way.

That's it. That's what I've got. We'll see where we stand this time next year!

God's Blessings for your New Year!

My secret dream

2010-12-29T17:01:00.002-06:00

On Sunday, February 1, 2009 - I wrote in a note on Facebook my "25 Things." Do you remember when everyone did that? 25 random things about yourself. I tried to then further explain and tell 25 random stories on myself on this here blog, but I didn't quite have the follow through. But anyhow, #21 on the FB list states "I secretly would love to have a job on the radio. I love music and talking, so it seems like a natural fit." And so, almost 20 months later, I began my new career at the Radio Station. I have a Marketing/Promotions position, but I also do live remotes, on air "featured businesses", and basically live my dream. I'm not even close to famous, in fact, I still feel like most people have no idea who I am in this town. But sometimes, just admitting to myself, I feel a little bit cooler than I ever had before.

I always knew that I would enjoy working in a radio station. I had considered applying while in college…but different things prevented me from ever doing so, namely confidence in myself. But I had completely forgotten that I had ever put it out there in the world, put it out in a way where others could see it.

And as I laid there that night, in bed, re-reading what my early-2009 self had wrote, I was reminded how amazing it is to have your dreams come true, even those secret dreams that you forget about and don't even consider for yourself anymore. I had at times felt like I really missed out on my calling when I left the Athletic Department, and when the job there didn't pan out the second time. I felt like I was wasting away at my job in the bank, and that I was never going to be able to find my dream job, while still living a life where my husband could follow his dreams as well. It was a stuck feeling, and a feeling of being forgotten.

But more importantly, I was also reminded that I need to have more faith in my God. That He will put me where I need to be when I need it, that He gave me my talents and abilities, so who am I to think that He wouldn't provide a way for me to use them. So while I may have a job where I "get paid to talk" as Mark and I joke, I need to also remember to be quiet more and listen and know that what God has in store for me is better than anything I can imagine for myself.

Our Christmas Card Poem

2010-12-24T12:28:00.007-06:00

For the most part, no one really wants to read those long, boring, detailed, long, bragging, long Christmas letters. When they're funny, or when they're cute, it's ok. Now Mark and I have no kids, so there's not much chance of us being cute. But I tend think I'm funny (don't ask Mark's opinion, I don't believe we share the same thought always.) And so what we did last year, and again this year, is highlight the important (and not so-) moments of our past year through verse. That's right, a little iambic pentameter makes everything more interesting-well actually I doubt our poem is true iambic pentameter, but it's one of the few terms i remember about poetry. (it's like a horse going down the road, ba Dum ba Dum ba Dum - use two coconut halves if you need to.) And so without any further ado (because really that's some horrible ado that I just did) here's our Christmas Card poem, circa 2010. And just for fun here's last year's Christmas letter.

Then Meenen's are "living the dream"
In Clay Center, Kansas
We don't know what the dream is yet
So just don't ask us

Been married three years now
For rich or for poor
Best three years of our life
So here's to three more!

Mark had a good year on the farm
Made 50 bushel beans
We're getting closer now
To making farming our main means

Miranda's got a new job
She talks on the radio
"Radio for grown-ups"
No, it's not a porno

She's the Promotions Manager
for the KCLY Radio Mall
You should tune into 100.9
It saves money for all

Mark got a new tractor
15 horsepower, I believe
It mows the lawn perfectly
Even though the mower's green

Miranda's on a bowling team
She once picked up a 3, 7, 10 split
Her girl's night out is real fun
Though most times, they play like...amateurs

With season tickets for K-State football
And even baseball tickets too
We've had fun cheering on the Cats
Especially when they beat KU

Mark and Miranda are table parents
At church on Wednesday nights
They help to practice memory verses
And love being a part of these kids' lives

Of course there've been many weddings
KC and Denton, TX for weekends away
A cool trip to Florida last January
And great memories with friends and family along the way

Many wonderful new friendships have been forged
A new job, and we bought the next door lot
Clay Center has become our home
We like it more than we ever thought

We hope you've enjoyed our stories
Professional poets we are not
We hope you got our humor
Sarcasm we use a lot

So, the Meenen's have had a great year
We're grateful for all the blessings we've had
We wish you all a Merry Christmas
And that your New Year is real rad!

Christmas Eve Eve

2010-12-24T00:10:00.003-06:00

Mark and I opened our presents tonight. He's been asking to open them since last Thursday. Yes, I'm married to a 5 year old. I got a wonderful K-State blanket and a K-State business card holder. I'm excited to take that to work tomorrow. And I think he appreciated his new shirt and tie and a book about a nearby high school football team that had numerous undefeated seasons. Plus he got to open his birthday present early. He knew there was another present for him, and I was excited to give it to him, so I couldn't hold back. That has to be obnoxious for people with birthdays around the holidays. No separation of gift giving, you have to go almost a full year without presents, it'd be a hard life. I always thought I got the raw end of the deal because I had a summer birthday….and no one cares about summer birthdays. You don't get to take treats, no one sends you flowers at school, you don't get to be treated special all day. And with a birthday in the middle of wheat harvest like I have, you're lucky if you get anything more than a cupcake out in the field. I'm sure I've bitched about this before, and I mean really, there are worse things to complain about.

But it's Christmas Eve Eve, and it's been a really slow boring week, and I guess that's all you get here this evening. Boring Christmas present report, and a birthday bitching. Merry Christmas! To you from me.

My own kind of parenthood

2010-12-21T16:57:00.002-06:00

I'm working at a local radio station now, and have been there for 3 months. Love it!-- but that's not what this post is about. At work, everyone is able to record a Christmas greeting that they will play between songs and such. Lots of people bring in their cute little kids to say Merry Christmas, or they list off all their kids and nicknames or whatever. I on the other hand have only my husband, myself, and my baby Cody. And I can't get him to "speak" on command, so I don't think that would work.

Cody is my yellow lab, and he is Spoiled. When people ask if Mark and I have kids I always tell them, "No, but I have my Codydog." And you guys, he is my frickin kid. He's my baby (my baaa-bbyyyy.) I joke that he's our requisite dog before child, the test run, or whatever that everyone does. And I know that kids are different and blady-blah-blah. But I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what it's going to be like when I do have a kid. I already know what it's like to not be able to sit down on the couch by myself, or that if it's quiet and he's not in front of me, I need to be worried. I cannot go to the bathroom alone, and I've even been woken up in the middle of the night because my kid was about to get sick. And yes Mom, I completely understand what you meant when you said that kids only get sick in the middle of the night-never in the middle of the afternoon or early evening or sometime easy like that.

The other night I woke up to a nose right in my face. I could tell he needed to go outside (which is probably a slightly different need than if my kid wasn't four-legged.) As we started to make our way down the hall, he paused and made that wretched dry heave sound. I started to yell, "Go Cody, go outside!" He made it to the stairs before he stopped again, "Whehh, whhhelllhhhh." (Those are my impressions of a dog dry heaving.) "Go Cody, don't stop, go go go. Outside!!" I was still behind him in the hallway, and I just really did not want to face cleaning up dog vomit all down my stairs. "Please outside Cody," I begged. Finally as I slid the back door open and he made one last shrug forward with his shoulders, he was able to let it all fly out on the back porch. Bright yellow dog vomit all over that pretty white snow we had had earlier that day. So yes, Merry Christmas to you, from Mark, Miranda, and Cody….

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2010-12-19T19:20:00.001-06:00

The shopping is all done, the wrapping almost complete. In fact, I was pretty much done last Thursday the 16^th, which is probably the earliest I have EVER been done. Nothing left to get.

And it's killing me.

For me, the gift giving is half the fun. I love shopping, and considering all the people on my list, and trying to find something that they would enjoy and be excited by – and maybe even surprised by. I enjoy shopping, who doesn't, especially when I'm not shopping for jeans for myself. And so yesterday and today, there are shops I could go to, aisles I could browse, and yet no gifts to purchase and definitely no money left in the Christmas Club account.

I love the anticipation of Christmas, the searching, the wrapping, and the surprise of it all. I try to put lots of thought behind each gift. And so now, I'm just waiting. Waiting to see all the family, waiting for all my siblings to open their presents, and waiting to play with the cousins!

Maybe I could get started on next year's gifts. But then I'd be sad for months while I had to wait with no more shopping to be done. THAT would be heartbreaking.

PS-Did you see how I just skipped over that whole 3 month blogging hiatus? Yep, we'll just pretend like it never even happened.

TGIF

2010-09-19T19:38:00.004-05:00

Two things made Friday a great day.

1. I gave blood, my 8th time=1 gallon donated, but most importantly I got a church lady ham salad sandwich for lunch AND a free hat.

2. I got to cuddle with my good friend Dana in queen bed at a surprisingly cute and homey Starlite Motel.

That's right, all I need is a good cuddle at a humble establishment and a ham salad sandwich. Yumm.

Highway 36 Treasure Hunt

2010-09-17T12:12:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again! This weekend is the Highway 36 Treasure Hunt. My good friend Dana and I will be headed down the road in search of some needed "junk." Last year we did pretty well. And I'm excited, we're making a girl's weekend out of it. I've got my Ipod ready for the road trip, we're staying a quality place called Starlight, and.......we're sharing a bed!

And no, I haven't told her yet. It'll be a nice surprise.

So if you're not doing anything this weekend, head to Northern Kansas, this Treasure Hunt stretches from Colorado to Missouri, all along scenic Highway 36. It's filled with great vendors, yummy food, and a couple of giggling girls probably seen wandering around debating if we really need another glass bottle.

It's an Unknown thing

2010-09-15T20:27:00.005-05:00

Growing up, I had it pretty easy in school, tests were no big thing, and I typically did well at whatever I wanted. Ok, well maybe besides basketball. But the ACTs, the homework, the pre-calc, it was all easily doable. And the things that I didn't do well at.....well, I just didn't do them. Believe me, just ask Mark about our experiences as I tried to learn to drive stick shift. So I just do what I know I can do, and those things that are more questionable-well it's hard for me to step out of my comfort zone. I'm scared of that unknown.

But I am slowly taking some steps that take me out of that comfortable place. Recently I have been feeling frustrated with work. I work as a teller at a bank. And honestly, if I saw someone from my high school or where ever, and they would ask me what I was doing....I was embarrassed to tell them. I began to feel like I wasn't going anywhere, I wasn't using the brains and the talents that I was blessed with, and that I was going to end up very unhappy if I didn't do anything about it.

And so I did.

And I am happy to say that I will be starting a new job this coming Monday. It's going to be challenging, difficult, rewarding, and so scary. But I'm ready for it. I'm ready for this test, but I am NOT ready to talk about it! I'll tell you more about what I'm thinking after I'm there for a couple weeks or so. You can tell how nervous I am by the fact that I can't talk about it. Mark even knows to not really bring it up with me yet. He asked me tonight if I had an idea as to when I'd be able to talk about the new job......all I could say was, "Later."

So this unknown is close. And I'm only slightly freaking. But hopefully once I jump in, it will again be a natural thing for me.

And I'll be able to talk about it eventually.

Summer Storm

2010-08-31T20:53:00.001-05:00

It's raining and lightning and thundering outside.....and we're ALL inside.

THE Cody Dog

2010-08-29T21:32:00.004-05:00

We all know that I am completely enamored with my sweet baby Cody. Cody was the best birthday present ever. For once, not only did my husband have a good idea, but he actually followed through with it, and kept it a secret-which is a big deal for him. (When he bought my engagement ring, he told me one late night out at the bar "Don't look in my closet when you come over to my house. I have a surprise." Really, he said that. He also once gave me a Valentine's Day present about a month and a half early.)

But Cody somewhat rules my life. He is an 80 pound attention whore, puppy-eyed, 2 year old. He will huff and sigh and whine his way inside the house, and just when I think I've got some good cuddle time coming, he'll either take advantage of my hospitality and maul me with his nasty dog breath and too big paws or leave me to lay next to his daddy.

But I still love him, and I still let him manipulate me. And someday we will have another baby, and Cody will lose some of his importance. But he will always, always be my first very big baby.

The Back Doctor

2010-08-27T16:29:00.003-05:00

I went to the chiropractor for the first time today. I have had some back/hip pain for the past week or so, but it has definitely been worse the last couple of days. I've kinda been an old lady, unable to fully stand up or then to bend back over. I hobbled around and after being prodded by my husband and co-workers, I went ahead and made the appointment.

But today as time got closer to my appointment, my back got stiffer, and I became more decrepit, I worried too. I worried that I would hurt more after, that she would tell me to never wear heels again, but the thing I was most worried about....that she would say nothing was wrong with me and that I was crazy.

But she didn't. She told me in fact, that it was most definitely time for a little tune up with her and that I was definitely messed up. Like we're talking one leg longer than another kind of messed up. Like she kept saying, "Ya, uh yaaa....wowww" as my back and neck went craaa-AAACKK!

And so now, I'm laying on a bag of frozen peas, looking forward to next week's meeting. Where I will hopefully get equal length legs back....and approval to wear my favorite heels.

As long as you don't say Justin Bieber

2010-08-26T20:39:00.004-05:00

Important things are coming.

Game Day is in 8 days. Game day, baby! I'm getting so excited. I'm planning out recipes and meals in my head, trying to decide what needs to be packed and most importantly, I need to decide on some game day music.

As a K-Stater, I have the obvious choices. The fight song, Wabash, Stand up for the Champions. But I need some more good stuff. I need some just fun tailgating music, some pump me up stuff, and mainly just some good music to take my mind off the fact that no matter what, every year, almost every game, we're 1 1/2 hrs later getting to the stadium, I forgot the tickets again, and there's some random kids eating all my hot dogs.

But anywho, what are the songs you love? The songs you put on your iPod for your morning run to get you going, the song you hear on a commercial at the beginning of football season that just gets your juices running? Let me know.

you should be jealous

2010-08-23T20:17:00.002-05:00

Tonight for supper, we had Mac & Cheese with bacon mixed in, chocolate chip cookies, and I followed that all up with a beer.

Ya, I'm living the dream.

Just living the dream....

Giveaway times two.....

2010-07-28T10:12:00.002-05:00

Another great giveaway -actually a week full of great giveaways. So hop over to check it out. Just don't leave a comment for today ok? I really want that tote. Just wait til tomorrow!

http://simplyfeather.blogspot.com/2010/07/savoring-last-days-of-summer-day-3.html

Giveaway!

2010-07-27T22:30:00.002-05:00

Check out this great blog for some wonderful inspiration, cute kids, gorgeous decor, PLUS a Giveaway!

jonesdesigncompany.com

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

2010-07-26T22:23:00.004-05:00

I may or may not have made a supper tonight that consisted of only carbs and gravy, but every so often I can actually make something good. A couple weeks back, I threw a bunch of stuff together and actually came out with something really yummy.

1. Throw a chicken breast in a skillet and let it cook. I cut it into smaller pieces so that it would cook evenly. Let cool, and then shred. I use two forks and just pull the meat apart.

2. Pour a buffalo chicken sauce over your chicken. I used the Budweiser Mild sauce.

3. Boil some water, and cook your pasta in it, I used macaroni noodles. Cook to al dente, drain, the usual.

4. Mix together the buffalo chicken and the noodles. Mix in a good ol dollop of cream cheese. I happened to have whipped cream cheese on hand.

5. Pour into an oven safe dish and then sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top. Put in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes. Maybe? I don't really know, but that seems about right.

6. Take out of the oven and enjoy the cheesy, tangy, deliciousness. And the leftovers are just as good!

That's it- simple, yummy mac and cheese with a twist. I loved it, Mark was even impressed. Definitely a make again.

And because it's been too long, I wanted to share some pictures of my baby!

This is his toy, he is almost obsessive with it.

Me thinks mommy needs to buy a bigger pool.

I think Cody is just slightly spoiled.

This is my life, this is what I get to look at (and laugh at) every night.

The Weekend Away

2010-07-25T20:25:00.003-05:00

Last weekend Mark and I spent the weekend in Kansas City. Every so often we decide to act like we're a young, married couple-that even loves each other. The first night we headed down to the Power and Light District for a little bit of fun. We got there in time for a bit of a free concert by a Beatles tribute band, and a little Yellow Submarine to belt out.

And then, after that fun singalong, we wanted some more, so we headed into the dueling piano bar, Howl At the Moon. Let's just say, a good time was had by all.

And yes, my husband loves himself a straw to chew on. It could have been a cute picture, oh well-we tried!

We played a lot of slots, and by played I mean lost a lot of money at, but we had some fun. But we did very well at the little grill/eatery that was on the way out of the casino, back to our room. French fries, sandwiches, burgers, soda, hot dogs, we hit the jackpot.

Then Saturday morning we had some great plans to hit the Farmer's Market, but that King sized bed was just too tempting. So by the time we got up, got showered and ready, we made it just in time for a little tiny bit of shopping at an antique store and a couple crappy kitschy places, we headed over to Kauffman Stadium.

My honey splurged on the tickets as part of my birthday present. We were just about 20 rows up a little to the right of home. Perfect seats on an unbelievably sweaty day.

And then there's the fact that I caught a foul ball. Yep, caught it, with my own bare hands, it wasn't rolling on the ground, nothing like that. It just bounced off the top deck and the kid sitting behind me in pink shorts with embroidered martini glasses on it tried to catch it, but he didn't. (So yes, he slowed it down. But still he didn't catch it, and that's kinda what he deserves for wearing such a ridiculous outfit.) I bobbled it a couple times, but pulled it in-like the champ that I am.

So thanks honey for a great birthday present, a good time *wink wink*, and a chance at such an awesome souvenir like a foul ball!

Harvest 2010 and my modeling debut

2010-07-01T19:53:00.004-05:00

I'm a lucky gal, my best friend happens to be a photographer. And with that, comes lots of opportunity to get some great memories in print. Now if only I was an actual model, the world would be perfect.

But anywho-the other evening we went up to the farm to take some pictures of the wheat harvest. And below is exactly why I love living in Kansas.

I can't decide if I like it better in color or the sepia tones.

Love LOVE love this one.

It's the day of my birth

2010-06-30T06:44:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday, a day to ignore the crappy stuff at work that I don't want to do (I'll do it tomorrow), eat whatever junk I want (calories don't count on your birthday), and judge my popularity by the number of posts on my Facebook wall (don't judge me -you do it too.)

It's my day of birth.....on Earth........Happy Bir-ir-ir-ir-thday

*image from www.pinkcakebox.com

Last Sale of the Mary Kay Year

2010-06-24T12:04:00.004-05:00

Last Sale of the (Mary Kay) year!

Our Mary Kay year ends June 30, and so to celebrate the last week I'm having a sale!

It's easy....Buy $150 worth of product, it will only cost you $100
$100 in product, costs $75
$75 in products, costs $60

AND, for every $50 you spend, receive $10 MK cash to spend after June 30.

So save money now and earn cash for the future. It's so easy, and you have between now and June 30 to make your order!

Call me, text me, leave a comment or order online. So many convenient, easy ways to order!

~Miranda Meenen
785-392-7110

www.marykay.com/mirandae

THE CHANDELIER!

2010-06-07T19:51:00.001-05:00

The Before

And

The After

Thrift Store Finds

2010-06-06T18:58:00.005-05:00

This weekend I spent some quality time at an auction and a thrift store. And I came home with some great stuff. At first I stopped at an auction, picked up my number, and paid a whole quarter for this thing...

Well, I did have to include tax, so it actually cost me $0.27. I know, it's ugly right? No one wanted it, no one was going to give it a home, so they threw in one more thing with this...well, we'll call it a treasure (please someone tell me that I got a steal and this thing has some sort of following-please!)

And this is what they threw in for free. I got it for free! There's some grapes and leaves and such on the side. But I've wanted to get into the white glass and why not start with a free one!? I love the shape of it, and I think I will get some great use out of it.

Next, my friend Alicia and I headed to a "junk" store in Morganville and I'm so glad we did. You had better believe I will be heading back there soon. This next picture is a shelf, and yes I realize it's upside down. But I think I like it this way, over the window in my Mary Kay room, maybe with some sheer curtains hanging down from it.

Here it is as a shelf, as it was intended.

And finally, my true happiness and joy, my love, my treasure, my exciting find. This is for my dining room, and so no dear family, I no longer need the one I showed previously. For this gorgeous thing has already made it's way to me, and I have it outside-preparing for what will hopefully be it's last coat of paint.

I can't even tell you how in love with this thing I am!

Thrifting, Baseball, and a Vaca-what else do you need on a Saturday?

2010-06-05T15:23:00.002-05:00

How is it that I have reached June and this will be my 26th post for the year? I swear I have more to say than that, as can be attested by those that know me well. But my crazy thoughts jump so quickly from one place to another, that I barely have time to catch up with myself. So for today I shall make a list. Because really, who has time for transitions.

1. I had a pretty successful Saturday, with some great thrift store finds and auction steals. I promise that I will post pictures soon.

2. My brother played ball last night, the first time that I've got to watch him this year. He's 10, so the boys are pitching themselves, but with help from the coach after 4 balls. It was so much fun and so sweet and so boy-like too. I kept wanting to cheer for all those tiny little guys whenever they stepped up to the plate or threw a wild pitch or missed a pop fly, but I also saw the obnoxious habits of boys forming in them too. The cocky kid that crossed home plate holding up his finger in the air, showing that he was number one. Puh-lease. The constant checking of that new "cup" in their baseball pants. The nose picking, and I even think I saw some air humping. I mean really, they're 10, why are they already like that?!

3. Speaking of baseball, my newfound love for the game is growing (hey-wait a minute, that could have been a transition, from one thought to the next, that even makes sense! how bout that.) My season tickets for K-State were fun, and I know we'll do it again next year, and hopefully make it to more games with friends and family. And next week, I'm going to a Junction City Generals game with some former co-workers. I even think the farmer husband will be in between planting and harvest, so he might go with. Plus, we're trying to schedule a Royals game for July, after harvest is done. It'll be nice to get away for a weekend, and I think my husband wants to make up for what will surely be a non-noticed birthday and he's still gotta make up for breaking my new bookshelf for my Mary Kay room. But don't say anything about that, he's kind of touchy about it.

4. Why do I have a newfound love for baseball? Well that I believe would be a great story for another day. Man if I follow through with a post about baseball AND a post with pictures from my Junk Excursion, I just won't know what to do with myself. That'd make it 28 posts for the year. Heck ya!

5. We've been discussing going on a vacation with our good friend Brandon and his wife. He was the best man in our wedding, and he just recently got married as well (I was a cake cutter, the most stressful job in a wedding.) We at first talked about going on a cruise and I wasn't too sure about it. But I started doing some research and asking others, and I got really excited about it. But then our good friend Brandon says maybe we should just go to Mexico and sit on the beach instead of riding a boat to that beach. Which is ok too, but I was all excited about the cruise! But I think our deal breaker is that we can't get an all-inclusive cruise, that includes the alcohol. I mean, $6 beers add up pretty quickly, and isn't that a sad sign when our main concern is how much our drinks are going to cost! But a lady was telling me last night (she ran the scoreboard at the boy's baseball game, so she's surely a trusted source) that you can sneak on some stuff or you can even buy alcohol from the duty free stores on the boat for decently cheap. So I don't know, we're looking for some more insight, so if you're still reading this far down-let me know what you think!

Surely 5 really boring, wordy, pointless points is enough for my list today. I'm gonna go sack out on the couch and think about putting away my laundry and getting started on my thrifting treasures!

Needs vs Wants: a discussion

2010-05-19T18:19:00.004-05:00

So my birthday is in the middle of summer. I always hated having summer birthdays, because I didn't get to take cupcakes to school, I didn't have all day to be surrounded by my best friends, and quite honestly-as a farm kid-my birthday is always an afterthought. Like maybe we'll celebrate it in September, when things slow down.

And all I've ever really wanted for my birthday is for people to notice and remember. I'm not a Birthday Diva. I hate figuring out what I want....I don't know what I want. I can't even decide what I want to eat when I'm at Sonic, how am I supposed to tell you what gifts to buy me!?

But today, TODAY, I have ideas for what I want!

Oh why hello, gorgeous-wouldn't you look lovely in my dining room. Yes, yes you would.

Lately, we have been getting lots of rain, much to the dismay of my farmer husband, who wants to be in the field planting beans. But, more importantly, to my dismay, I have no cute rainwear. I need me some cute stuff, and this rain jacket is lovely! I love the belt and the shape. I was looking for something bright and colorful, but something a little more classic might be better for the years to come. And maybe I could just get some super cute rainboots instead.

And finally, despite my husband telling me that we do not need a second computer, I really think that I do. It would just make everything so much easier. And by everything I definitely mean updating this blog. So, I think that it's a win-win situation for everyone involved.

But really other than that (ha, other than a chandelier, a coat, and a computer I say, what kind of other than that could there be!), all I want is to hang out with my friends, maybe watch a baseball game and spend some time with my hubby-who will no doubt actually be in the field or waiting at the elevator for everyone to be done in the fields for my birthday.

Yea me.

We're an old, married couple

2010-05-15T13:22:00.002-05:00

In the past three weeks, my husband and I have cut down a tree in our front yard, ripped out nasty old carpet in our entire upstairs, picked out (together) and had installed new carpet, transplanted plants, seeded new grass, had a garage sale, and a backyard barbecue to invite over friends and neighbors.

Now I'm not telling you all of this to impress you with our work ethic, because quite honestly we're a couple of really lazy people, but instead I'm just reflecting on what our life has turned into.

I spend my time thinking about what area in my home to work on next (seriously though, what area should I do next-cause they all need it, and they all seem like a huge undertaking-HELP), I worry about Mark and I finding the time and money to start a family, I want to host parties (and get better at that too-you know I want them to actually be fun...) Mark and I have been married longer than the period of time we were just boyfriend and girlfriend (and so no, that doesn't include the amount of time we were engaged, it's just a comparison people.)

Life has been crazy at times, we've dealt with some sucky things. Job issues, family issues, marriage issues, wanting different things at different time issues and feeling like you don't understand me issues. We've grown apart from some friends, we've rekindled old friendships, and whodathunkit, but I've even made female friends (I know, crazy right?) We've made goals, we've reached goals, and we've been lost without knowing what goals to make next.

But we've done it together, and we've made it so far. Mark might be tired of my lazy ass never putting away the clean clothes, and I am only slightly tired of all the farming talk that goes way over my head. We got married young, and were kinda crazy and naive. But right now, we're in a place that makes us happy. Even more happy without that ugly tree in my front yard (and yes, I got a "You were right" from my mother-in-law, and you had better believe I will use that for all it's worth and then some.) And our weekends may be full of yard work and garage sales and parties that are over before 11, but it's been worth it. So thanks Mark for doing it all with me. And thanks for understanding my need for Mt. Dew or other sudden impulses (like yes I might want chili cheese fries from Sonic-even if we did just eat supper), and for only slightly being annoyed by it.

And yes honey, now I'll stop procrastinating and go spend the "it only takes 5 minutes" time to hang up my clothes.

Mary Kay Sale!

2010-04-18T18:18:00.005-05:00

It's my 2nd Annual Mary Kay Moving Sale!

No, we're not moving again, but about this time last year was when I had my moving sale to get ready for Mark and I to move to our new home. Well now, we're getting carpet in our (same) new home and so I have to move all my stuff out of my office and then back in. So why not have a Moving Sale!

$3 off All Eyeshadows
$5 off All Other Products

That's it, it's that simple. That's per item. Every single thing you order.

So stock up on your foundations and moisturizers

get your mom something that smells pretty for Mother's Day

and buy your cousin a fun Graduation gift.

www.marykay.com/mirandae

2010-03-18T12:52:00.004-05:00

What I have been doing since giving up TV for Lent:

-going to bed at about 9:13

-playing lots of logic puzzles (ya know-jim bob and sue all ate supper, they had a hot dog, pretzel, and pizza, and it cost each one $5, $6, or $7 in some order-who ate what and how much did it cost-kinda thing)

-kinda cleaning more, it goes in waves

-not updating my blog

-reading LOTS of other blogs

-wasting more time on the computer

-eating supper at the table

-reading 40 Days of Purpose

-trying to ignore my husband as he loudly chuckles-no, no-loudly guffaws at the CBS Monday Night lineup-oh Big Bang and HIMYM, how I miss you

-trying to prepare myself for Good Friday and Easter, and devoting more time to my relationship with God

-reading a daily devotional

-surprisingly not missing TV that much, except CBS Monday Night, and maybe some Chelsea Lately too

Mary Kay and Social Responsibility

2010-03-11T11:21:00.004-06:00

I have had many concerned emails about information surrounding Mary Kay and their supposed sponsorship of HSUS. Now, I too was at first alarmed, but when I went to the Mary Kay website, I found the truth was that once again HSUS has listed information as fact when it is actually a fabrication.

I can't answer for the donation by an individual, but I do know the company that I work for, and I believe in their dedication towards supporting just causes to eliminate cancer and to end the epidemic of violence against women. If you're interested in finding out more about what Mary Kay Inc does support as a company I encourage you to go here.

Below I have included the information provided by Mary Kay Corporation.

Published 03.09.10

Event Sponsorship Clarification

Some Independent Beauty Consultants and fans of Mary Kay® products have expressed concerns over a recent sponsorship of a Dallas-area event. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. We have heard you and want to clarify any confusion.

First and foremost, Mary Kay is not a sponsor of this event. Mary Kay’s owner’s wife was approached to make a personal contribution toward a local event here in Dallas sponsored by the Dallas chapter of the Humane Society. This event specifically supports efforts to stop puppy mills and the organization’s “Stop Puppy Mills Campaign.” Out of caring and compassion, our owner’s wife agreed to make a personal contribution. Mary Kay has contacted the Humane Society to clarify that we are not sponsors of this event, and the Company logo is being removed from the Humane Society Web site.

As a Company, we sincerely apologize for any confusion or causing any offense to members of the Mary Kay community.

Yes, you can be jealous

2010-03-10T20:33:00.004-06:00

So tomorrow.....

My mom and I have some big plans......

Her Christmas present is finally here......

She and I will be heading down South....

To the big city of Wichita.....

for a once in a lifetime show......

It'll be almost like we're 'livin on a prayer'

So come on mom, 'take my hand, we'll make it I swear'

Winner Announced!

2010-03-07T12:49:00.007-06:00

A week ago I announced my first ever giveaway. Now it was kinda slow going, but ever the better for those that participated, right!? I counted each comment, each blogpost about my giveaway and each follower. There were 11, so I decided use the random integer number thingy for 1-11, and it gave me the number 4!

Now if I was smart enough, I would post a little picture of the outcome-but let's just say I've never been an overachiever.

So comments 1-3, then the 1st blogpost equals 4 (I promise I decided the order and which each number would represent before I did the whole random thing) and so Beautifully Inspired wins! Funny since she got four whole entries.

So Nicole, email me your home address and I will get your very own copy of Flea Market Style in the mail. I'm so excited for you to see it, I love your home and your style and I think you will find some great inspiration in the magazine!

Exposure

2010-03-05T18:04:00.006-06:00

I love blogging. It exposes me to so much. There are so many things that in my quiet, quaint little world I would never see. I am inspired by other's stories, passions, homes, and music. I am that dork that constantly says to my husband, "The other day on this blog I was reading...."

But in the Middle of Nowhere, Kansas how else would I connect with a mother of four in Southern California, and watch as she puts out some of the most honest thoughts of motherhood and dealing with life and money and baking cakes?

How would I see how literally hundreds of people decorate their homes with the kind of style that I can only copy?

How would I meet a woman who has adopted through foster care three different, beautiful children and be inspired by her patience and dedication?

And how would I have found this?

True Fan

2010-03-04T11:35:00.004-06:00

Yesterday a lady came into work, and after seeing all of the KSU purple around, and a little bit of that KU stuff, she remarked that her initials were actually K S U. And so now I'm mad that I didn't marry a man with the last inital of U so that all of my babies could have their initials be KSU!!!

Sorry honey, but you know it's the truth. I guess we'll just have to just give our kids two middle names. I'll have to start thinking on the U part.

Kathy Sue Uma?
Kevin Scott Ulysses?

We'll work on it, we've got time.

Follow through?

2010-03-02T17:53:00.004-06:00

On Sunday I had some time to fill, what with no company, no TV, and my nap already done. So I decided to finally finish priming my basement from after we tore down the walls. I ran out of primer before I could quite get done with the last wall-but it already looks so much better. Don't you agree?

Oh wait, you don't see a picture? That's because for approximately 2 months now, I have been completely unable to find the charger for my camera. Yep-gone! No idea. No pictures. No fun.

But last night as I was pulling out my overnight bag from the top of my closet, no reason really, I'm not staying overnight anywhere, but there it was! So maybe, and I stress the maybe I will get some pictures up of my recent thrifting finds and the progress in the basement and the bathroom.

Of course, I won't promise that I will actually follow through on that. I seem to have a problem. Like I said, I was so close to finishing up the priming in my basement. So last night, I buy another bucket of primer, bring it home, and what do I do? Instead of spending 20 min. finishing it up I figure why not start tearing down the border in the bathroom. Seems like a good idea. So now I not only need to finish priming but I also need to finish the border removal!

*Also, don't forget my Giveaway! One lucky person will be getting a copy of the best new magazine-Flea Market Style. Sign up below!!

I am a party pooper

2010-03-01T21:14:00.002-06:00

A quick note for those friends of mine, apparently it is not a good idea to invite me to your birthday bash. This weekend, after our weekend guests had to bail on us (which was bad and good-bad because I was excited to hang out with these friends-but good because I didn't have to worry about making excuses for the state of the cabinet in our bathroom nor the twin bed in our guest room,) we went out to supper with another couple, Derek and Dana, to celebrate Dana's birthday. We went to their house and then headed into town for some delicious barbecue and back to their house for some Wii fun.

Sounds all wonderful, right? Well, let me explain a little further. Derek and Dana have a cat, and for those that don't know... or those that I have lied to, I'm allergic. It's not horrible, no hospital trips are needed, but I did load up on the Benadryl (non-drowsy or so I thought) before we went. Well then at supper, I did a big no-no and ordered a margarita (or two) and it wasn't long after eating a large meal, sitting in the warm room, before I knew it was time to go. We got in the car and headed to Wal-Mart, because what trip to the big town is done without one? And as everyone else headed inside, I claimed a huge interest in the last 12 seconds of the K-State game-where I then layed back my chair and promptly fell asleep. It wasn't long before pounding on the door scared the hell woke me up. They were all back to the car, and thankfully ignored the probable drool I had left on my shirt. But we were soon on our way, back to their house, and then because I am that comfortable being a huge dork in front of my friends- I took another nap on the 20 min drive back to their house. Yes, shameful I am. But I did wake up, and proceeded to win both Baseball and MarioKart-because with being so well rested, I apparently didn't have any excuses. Yea for a good birthday for my friend. Dana-you deserve better.

But you see, there's more to this story. The worst thing about it all.........I did the same exact thing at her birthday party last year. Fell asleep on their little love seat out in the shop. Because I am that much of a loser, and apparently the world's worst friend. So sorry Dana-I promise it's not you, it's me. Well other than the fact that you still choose to hang out with me, that's all you, and I don't quite know if I get it.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner! *Giveaway at bottom

2010-02-28T13:04:00.002-06:00

I got it! I finally got it! I finally found and got my hands on my very own copy of Flea Market Style Magazine. I am so excited. Flea Market Style is a blog that I have been following for quite a while and they have been working on putting out a great magazine, and it was finally released and sent to stores about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Since then I have been searching the racks at the stores in town, Wal-Mart, and any other store selling magazines-trying to find one. Well for once in my life, Pamida in Clay Center came through for me. They may not have Wii remotes.....but hey, at least I got my magazine.

Flea Market Style is everything I want my home and my own style to be. It's unique, beautiful, tells a story all its own, and can typically be pretty low budget. I have already been poring over the pages, being inspired and amazed what others have done. Since I am so new to decorating my own home and figuring out what I like and enjoy, it's been a lot of fun to see many different possibilities and to be encouraged as to how easy it is to do in my own home.

So in honor of my fun find, and because I hope that sales for this magazine will be wonderful, prompting the editors to create more- I have bought at least one extra magazine, to be given away to one lucky person. So, while there maybe no actual chicken dinner, you can still be a winner of the magazine, and maybe some other fun little things that will also fit in the package.

So to enter for this awesome giveaway, simply
1) Leave a comment, telling me who you are, where you're from, AND what your own design style is at home.
2) Become a follower
3) Leave a 2nd comment, telling me that you linked to this giveaway on your own blog.

That's it! The winner will be announced next Sunday, March 6th. So stay tuned, as I may be adding some fun to stuff to the total winnings as we go along this week!

Oh and if you want to check out the Flea Market Style blog yourself, just follow this link.

Die, snow pile, die

2010-02-26T18:35:00.003-06:00

Today was just one of those days. It sucked. There's really no need for any more explanation than that. You've all had a day like that, where people just piss you off, you screw everything up, and it's just a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Well that was today. And so I came home, marched into my garage, grabbed the shovel, slammed out the door and headed to face my stand in opponent-the massive mountain of snow that was piled on one side of our cul de sac, where it has sat since the first time they had to clean off our road. I grasped the shovel with both hands and plunged it into the pile.

I just needed to hit something. To attack it. And man it felt good.

My neighbor even came out side and told me, "Just let it melt!" I just waved the shovel and told him, "It feels good!" Awesome, so now not only does my neighbor think I'm not allergic to his cat but that I'm also crazy. Well done Miranda, well done.

But my anger melted before the entire snow pile did. And so there it sits, as a reminder of my pathetic day and my even more pathetic arm strength.

The Weekend Getaway....to my house

2010-02-25T22:21:00.005-06:00

This weekend we are having some friends coming to stay. I get to scrub down my house in anticipation, and play Hostess while they are here. My husband and I tend to be pretty laid back in the cleaning department, but recently I have tried to make some changes in that area. Just simple stuff like doing a little bit of cleaning every day, who knew!? It makes such a difference come the weekend. I just don't want to suffer from CHAOS-you know "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome."

But while they're here I want it to be comfortable and relaxing (and clean too) and so I was looking for some advice. What should I do special or different for these first time guests? I mean besides trying to vacuum the "Cody" out of everywhere, since she happens to be allergic to dogs. Any specials little things to put beside the bed or in their room? Chocolates, Swan Towel on the bed, or whatever. And let's be real too, I don't do any needlepoint and probably won't be buying a mini fridge.

Hello Internet- I am still here

2010-02-24T21:23:00.003-06:00

So what do you do when you haven't posted on your blog for practically 4 months or something (or so it would seem from the nasty messages I have received from some naughty little "followers" I have, and by "followers" I mean "friends", and by "friends" I mean people that I have to put up with every day at work) and yet you're still too tired with nothing interesting to write, but you want to go ahead and jot down some things?

Maybe write an 82 word long question??

No, you make a Quick List!

So let's see if I can come up with 7 Quick (and interesting) tidbits.

1. I gave up TV for Lent, so though it would seem I gave up blogging-that is not true. No TV and it's actually not as hard as I thought. Though I have been spending quite a bit more time down here in the office with the ol' computer.

2. I have a new favorite computer game (whoda thunk it considering the time I have put on this thing.) It's a math game. So whoever thought to put math and computer games together was thinking of me! Square Logic-more addicting than sudoku, and better too!

3. I ordered season baseball tickets for K-State. I never watched baseball growing up. Barely played it like one year, couldn't care less, thought it was boring. And I'm a big sports kind of girl. (Not big like big...well bigger than I'd like, but big like faithful, passionate, spirited kind of sports girl.) But after being required to attend every single home game while working in the Athletics Dept., let me tell ya-I love it! Love it!! So now with season tickets I have the perfect excuse to call in sick on opening day.

4. Since giving up TV, my husband has watched much less TV as well, resulting in not only a cleaner house but also Mark and I have been sitting down at the supper table together, praying before our meal, and eating and talking and actually looking at one another and checking in with how our days have gone. It's way more than what we used to do, lay on the couch and in the recliner away from each other, say how was your day?-fine, and then continue the rest of the evening only talking when the other person forgets to fast forward through the commercials.

5. Twice today I have been asked, as an interesting introspective question "Who are you? How do you define yourself?" The first time in a blog that I read daily the second time at church during the sermon. And so, maybe that's something I need to think about, to ponder if you will, Who am I? How do I define myself? Where do I feel most at home? And am I living up to who I want to be? But like I said, I'm tired and no answers can be found tonight.

6. My dog is the cutest freaking dog you've ever seen. Just accept it because it's true. He's 80 lbs of love and when he lays down, he crosses his front legs. And I talk to him in baby talk. It's horrible I know. But he'z da cutest wittle thing, yes he iz!

7. I wrecked my first car while I still had my 30 day tags on it. And I was only 14. With my 4 year old sister in the car with me. We were doing "farm work" and at that time it was legal-though you may have to decide if getting your hair cut is really considered "farm work."

Look I made it through 7 quick things, and as you would guess-nothing is ever truly quick with me. So this thing is about forever long, so congrats to you if you're still reading it!

Music Tuesday-Groundhog Day Edition

2010-02-02T11:15:00.004-06:00

Today's Tuesday, right? I mean I at least think it is, and I wish I could say-oh it's just been one of those weeks-but it really hasn't. I'm not that busy. I'm just confused.

But anyways, listen to these guys. I know I've talked about them before-but how often do you get to personally know the lead singer for a great new, up and coming band from Kansas? I'll tell you how often--not very. But before singing for Callous Maddy, Lucas Maddy was a part of every week for me in college. My husband and Lucas had many of the same classes and also shared the same "lounge." You know, where everyone hung out, ate lunch, and slept off last night's hangover. There were many late nights at Longhorns, he swung me around the dance floor at my wedding, and I even still have the tshirt from when he and his sister ran for the Student Body President/VP spots. Which he won! So I have an awful big soft spot for these guys-plus it doesn't hurt that their music is just fun to listen to.

www.myspace.com/callousmaddy

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111272043221

You should be here!

2010-01-30T15:10:00.003-06:00

This morning my dad, three of my sisters, and I all traveled to the most Wonderful Place in the World - Manhattan, KS. We wanted to be there for College Game Day to support the Wildcats and Coach Martin, and to set a record for the most people ever to attend College Game Day and show the rest of the world where the best fans are at. Good times, lots of great purple, and a fun way to start out the day.

Now we're back at home, where my sisters have helped me cook and clean. We're having some friends over tonight to watch the game. And as of right now, the food we are serving is as follows:

Meatballs
Cheesy Olive Bread
Sourdough bread bowl w/ Dill Dip
Pico de Gallo
Guacamole
Inside Out Oreo Cookies (little mounds of deliciousness)
Magic Bars (ya know-w/ the coconut and chocolate chips and butterscotch chips, etc.)
Sausage Wonton cups

Basically a conglomeration of some of the best food ever.

Oh, and beer too.

Go State! EMAW!

Kansas Day

2010-01-28T08:29:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is Kansas Day. I think in honor of this momentous day, I shall wear a sunflower in my hair, a picture of a meadowlark on my shirt, sit under a cottonwood for lunch, sing "Home on the Range", and of course-the best part of Kansas Day as I remember from my childhood-eat Kansas Dirt Cake with the little gummy worm.

See Mom, you can't say I didn't learn anything from school.

I Look Good

2010-01-27T21:17:00.002-06:00

I think that I have finally mastered the confidence, the attitude, and the sexiness of a woman in a skirt, some sweet tights, and beautiful shoes. Thank you Mary Kay-not only do I get the awesome skin care and makeup-but I look hot in my red top and zebra patterned skirt.

Two-Timing

2010-01-26T11:20:00.003-06:00

I have an issue with these actors and actresses that play two different characters on two different TV shows at the same time. You got that Carla Gallo? You can't be Sweets's girlfriend on Bones, and then show up as a calmer, wiser woman on some TV show my husband's been watching. That's not ok. And Kelly Stables, you can't be both the bubbly blonde receptionist/girlfriend for Alan on Two and a Half Men, and then play a brunette elf on a made for TV movie that's part of ABC's 25 Days of Christmas. It's confusing and I just don't approve of it.

And maybe my husband has a point that I just watch too much TV-but that can't really be it.

I hate making up titles

2010-01-25T21:37:00.002-06:00

Today my husband got a phone call from a "recruiter" asking if he would be interested in a position with an elevator in Kentucky. Not exactly a job offer, but just one of those things. He jokingly asked me if I would want to move. But the thing is, my heart jumped and I wished that we could just pick up and go. Just leave and live there and experience that. But see there's the whole we own a farm and a house and this is the place that we were meant to settle down at, kinda thing. This area, this location, this lifestyle, it's what we always wanted. But still, for an instance, I wished we could just go.

When we got married, we moved to Oklahoma. We were excited to get away from home for awhile, just be the two of us-figuring out this whole grownup life, marriage thing together-away from the everyday proximity of family and old friends. Not that we ever would forget them, but we just wanted to try something different. And so we ended up in Oklahoma, with promises from his then-company that we would be relocated after 6-12 months, and then again in 12-18months. But instead, we spent every weekend back here in Kansas, and moved back "home" on our 6 month wedding anniversary.

.......So much for the interesting traveling newlyweds that only made it home for the holidays before having to rush off again to a new place, to see and live those things that the newlyweds would never again see or live. That newlywed couple never had a chance.

And I wonder, I wonder what things would have been like. If Mark and I had made different decisions, where would we be? Would we be happy, would we be happier?

With the recent TV show, Buried Life, where 4 guys make their "Bucket List" or whatever you call it, where you write down exactly what you want to do before you die-it's had me considering those questions of importance and life and living. And I thought about it, if I knew that I only had two weeks to live-what would I do? I wouldn't fly to Paris, I wouldn't jump out of an airplane-but instead I would surround myself with my loved ones-my husband, my siblings, my family and great friends. I would love on them, and let them know exactly what I hoped for each of them. We would talk and laugh and remember and create new memories. And the beautiful thing is that's what we're doing now, just without the constant reminder that life can be short. So maybe I should worry more about the moments I am in, as opposed to where I could have been.

And don't worry I still want to fly to Paris and get a tattoo and live my life, but it will still always center around those I love. And that's how I know that we made the best decision for us.

We lost a bedroom

2010-01-24T11:02:00.008-06:00

This weekend Mark and I had my younger brother and sister over. They were excited to hang out with us for the weekend, and we were excited for the free labor. So we put them to work. We decided it was time to attack the basement. Our house is a split level and so there's "4 levels." When you walk in our front door, you walk into the living room (which has already been remade into a beautiful room-if I do say so myself) and from that living room you can walk down into what would probably be considered the "family room."

It was decent sized, probably about 12 by 20. So not bad, but when you consider that we want a bar, and a sectional and a big screen and a hotdog cooker, there's not a lot of room. And of course it had paneling, because what family room is complete without paneling.

There was also a bedroom, the "Coca Cola" room, with wallpaper and border and cement floors, and paneling on two of the walls. This was one of the 5 bedrooms. But these are all the "BEFORE" pictures! Because.....

We tore down the paneling (just for full disclosure-this was actually done probably about 5 months ago.)

We tore out the ceiling in the bedroom (again like 5 months ago).

And then this weekend the real fun was had. This is everyone punching, kicking, and karate chopping through the walls.

Oh yes, good times were had by all.

This is why they come to hang out with us, we do typically put them to work......but it usually involves demolition. And what almost 10-year old and 14-year old don't like destruction!

The holes are getting bigger!

I love it!

We opened up the window and just passed all the dryboard chunks out. It was like a relay, I felt like I was on Holmes on Homes.

And finally-Victory! Our home is no longer a 5 bedroom, but instead a 4br with a (soon to be gorgeous) family room.

Just in case you didn't think I was strange enough

2010-01-14T10:39:00.004-06:00

Do you remember those grade school days when after recess, everyone lined up at the water fountain and if you took too long, you'd get in trouble? You could only drink from the fountain for five seconds, and everyone behind you would loudly count together, One....Two...Threeeeee...FOURRRRR....FI- and finally the water retaining offender would step away, allowing the next individual to go through the whole process again. Well, can I tell you a secret? Another one, after that long list of quirks (I prefer to call them quirks, makes them more adorable-less obnoxious.) But..... I still count to myself in my head when I'm drinking out of a water fountain. Not that I do that very often, the water fountain doesn't present itself as an opportunity much anymore.

And on a sidenote-I wore flip flops yesterday. That's right Kansas Winter! You're going down! Your threat of many more inches of snow and ice that will only pile upon the slushy, dirty, grungy inches of snow and ice still here does NOT scare me!

Road Warriors

2010-01-06T11:36:00.004-06:00

Today I will be traveling down the road, headed on our way out of town, out of the state, out of this snow!

Hopefully....

We'll have to see.

But I do know one thing, as we're traveling down the road, with our bags, and books to read in the airport, and blankets to keep us warm, and the rest of the junk that I think needs to go along with-I won't be worried. Because my husband is my champion, my bad weather-late night-long drive- truck driving champion.

As we traveled from one Christmas to another this past holiday season, I knew that we would get there safe and sound and warm, because I trust my husband and his driving abilities. That was definitely a huge positive on the list of reasons why to marry my farmer husband.

And because we won't be back until after his birthday, and I probably won't be doing any updates until then-I just want to say, Thanks honey. I love you. You are a wonderful man, and my favorite guy to have around. Happy 25th!

This is for you Brandi

2010-01-05T21:40:00.002-06:00

Ten Things You Didn't Know that You Wanted To Know About Miranda:
(Or maybe 10, we'll see how ambitious I get.)

1. When I was in grade school, I competed in math competitions. I believe I even owned a shirt that said Math-A-Thon. And, though I can distinctly remembering my math teacher joking about the fact that some people were probably only in the competition for all the amazing junk food our parents made for the intense studying sessions after school (meaning me) I took home 2 Golds, and 1 Silver during my 6th grade year-and yes there were only 3 different contests, and no I didn't really get medals.

2. I have a very obsessive nature-but only about dumb things. If I start reading a book, or playing a computer game, or watching a new TV show, it's about all that I want to do or think about. Not healthy, not healthy at all.

3. Staying with my weird numbers theme, I have a weird thing for numbers. I always try to make numbers that I see add up to each other, or arrange them in a sequence or something. For instance, I just turned over 189981 miles in my car. And it made me happy. I like combination locks that have an interesting pattern, something like 38, 85, 53. But if I look at the clock and it's 4:17-it does nothing for me.

4. My favorite number is 21, I don't want to explain all the reasons why, because I've probably already scared you enough.

5. I am headed to Florida with my inlaws, and I think that perhaps it has not yet set in, because I cannot get excited about packing. And normally I'm all about packing, with lists upon lists, and doublechecking and going over it again my head and counting the days and what outfits I have. And so far, not so much.

6. I have probably painted my toenails less than 5 times myself in my entire life, and even less than that for my fingers-I just suck at it, and so I refuse.

7. At family gatherings I don't worry about bringing food, I bring the wine. And yes, I bring the cheap stuff to set out first, and the good stuff for me to hide (I hide it in my own wineglass.) But my family doesn't care, boxed wine is still wine!

8. Most days, I feel as if I am wasting my intelligence, my degree, and my experience with my current job-but I don't know what to do about it.

9. In my head, I am still skinnier than I am in real life-that also means that in my head I have much smaller boobs. But now, after this whole getting married and gaining 30 pounds thing, it has worked out for the better for my husband (wink wink nudge nudge, if you get what I'm saying.) And so I'm a little obsessed with my boobs now. If I was a dude, I would definitely be a boob guy. I'm just sayin'.

10. I love to go grocery shopping, and I really love to go grocery shopping with my husband. I know, its kind of stick a finger down your throat disgusting, but we have fun conversations and silly jokes and just time together. Plus I can combine my love of food with my love of math and figure out exactly which brand or item costs the least per ounce. It doesn't get any better than that.

Yes, we are very proud

2009-12-30T13:22:00.003-06:00

And a little embarassed by how many times I have watched this video. I have seriously got to get a kid, or at least a hobby.

And a little embarassed by my manic laughter.

I was going to write about losing weight, but.....

2009-12-29T06:25:00.003-06:00

Somedays I wish that this blog was anonymous. I wish that it wasn't Miranda's Minutes, that is was Girl Unknown's Minutes. I do not think that I am a natural writer, I stress and strain over the words and rhythm. But I enjoy being able to sort things out (maybe just a little) in my head and put it down on paper (or really I should say type it out on the computer-but you know what I mean.) I love to go back a month, a year, to see what I was thinking or what was going on. Granted, I don't have a kid that I can record every milestone, which I think is maybe the most popular reason for these kinds of blogs. But I am pre-kid ( no everyone, I'm not pregnant) and maybe someday I will look back at this time when all I had to worry about was getting myself up and to work, and what color to paint the kitchen.

But there are days when I have so much going on my head that there's no way I can sort it out here, or anywhere. I talk myself in a loop. And there's personal things that I'm not sure that I'm ready to share with the Internet. And maybe it's really not the Internet that scares me, maybe I'm not sure that I'm ready to share it with those close to me outside of the Internet.

And maybe I'm most scared of putting those thoughts out there into complete, understandable sentences (well, hopefully, I shouldn't get too ahead of myself and my grammatical abilities.) It might make them more real and more tangible and more heavy for myself. Yet I feel that if I don't allow myself to feel those depressing, hard thoughts, that maybe I will let myself just float on and someday I will look back and think "If I had only...."

I have prayed that the Lord would give me strength and patience. But the funny thing is, that He would never just give you more strength and more patience-he will give you something to work through and deal with to gain those qualities. And I read these other blogs that have such amazing stories, women who have gone through so much, and I am touched and challenged and encouraged by their stories, these women who have amazing things to say and tell. And I sit here struggling to figure out how to say anything that seems relevant or amusing or even half interesting. And then I pray, Lord-please never give me the challenges that these women have faced, I am not as good as them, and I don't know that I could survive their hardships.

And I feel like He says, don't worry about other people, you have your own story to tell. What will come, will come. Turn only to me, because you never will have the strength alone, but when you turn to me I will hold your hand and wipe your tears when needed. Do not feel useless, because I have much use for you.

------------------------------------
So, this post, this part of my story, turned out nothing like what I started to write. And since I try not to edit out anything that I have said, I will post this-and maybe it'll seem like a bunch of nothing to most of you, but maybe one person will have that same prayer. I am not and never will be an eloquent speaker or prayer or anything, but maybe someone will get it, whatever it is that I'm saying. And maybe this is just for me, so that in a year or five or ten, I will look back and remember what I thought and said, and be able to known then how the Lord has held my hand and wiped my tears and made me useful.

Christmas Letter

2009-12-23T15:37:00.004-06:00

I want you all to know that though I may not send you a Christmas card this time of year- I am thinking about you, my dear friends. And so, I thought I would include on here what I am sending out in my Christmas cards. (And by that I mean handing to you at one of our Christmases, if I see you, or may possibly get in the mail by New Years if I don't.)

So Merry Christmas from our family to yours:

It’s been over 2 years
Since Mark and Miranda said “I Do”
They’ve never sent a Christmas Card
So it’s time to catch up on what is new

After the wedding was done
To Enid, Ok they went
Got red dirt on the truck
But learned Kansans they were meant

Clay Center, the call said
A job opening for Mark
Run the local elevator
And an idea was sparked

We’ll be closer to home
Miranda’s family and K-State
And to Mark’s family farm
It all sounded so great

So calls were made
2 week notices put in
A rental house was found
A smaller place there’s never been

Miranda got a good job
A bank teller she is
She made lots of new friends
And is a money counting whiz

And Mark bought a quarter section
Now has land of his own
Planted soybeans and wheat
You should see how its grown

Next came a house
Miranda got her home in town
Get past the wallpaper
And the potential was found

Lots of hard work to be done
On both the house and the land
But they have the company of each other
And man’s best friend

That’s right, a yellow lab
Best Birthday present ever
Cody, an 80 pound “lap dog”
Miranda’s spoiled baby forever

So it’s clear in the end
God’s grace and blessings abound
We wish you Merry Christmas
Be you friend, family or hound

Movie Night at the Meenen Manor

2009-12-21T20:50:00.002-06:00

Have you ever noticed that nothing can compare to the movies on "25 Days of Christmas" on ABC Family?

Granted, I do get easily drawn into some horrible reality shows (umm...Jersey Shore, love it! anyone else out there with me?) but for both Mark and I to sit there like we're 7 year old kids watching Spongebob or something, you know it's pretty amazing.

Basically, it's one of the highlights of the Christmas season. Right there around opening gifts and cheese trays.

Comedians of Chelsea Lately

2009-12-20T11:08:00.006-06:00

Back in November, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Mark and I and my friend Alicia all loaded up in the truck after work and hit the road on the way to Kansas City. I was so excited because we were on our way to see the Comedians of Chelsea Lately.

Chelsea Lately is a show that I have recorded on my DVR, and Mark and I will both watch it, so it's pretty amazing. I record an amazing amount of TV shows, but many of them Mark will not let me watch if he's home-we've got to watch something we both like. Which actually is only fair, since I throw kind of a fit when he wants to watch the Hunting Channel or the Speed Channel all day Sunday.

Our seats were 3 rows back from the stage, on the left side. Awesome seats, hilarious comedians, raunchy humor, and two of my best friends (well Mark has to be my best friend-legally, I think we signed something-and I work with Alicia, so she knows too many things about me-I have to be nice to her.)

It was right about the picture above that the security guard (you know the 120 lb, zit faced little boy that they hire to throw out the troublemakers) told us we couldn't take pictures. So it wasn't until after the show that we got the camera back out. Chuy was sitting in the lobby taking pictures and signing autographs. The line was approximately 2miles long, so we decided to move on, especially considering we had to go back home that same night. But I did hand my camera over to my husband so he could try and snap a picture of Chuy as we left. You know, he's the tall one in this relationship, so I try to take advantage of that when I can.

Above is the picture that he took. Thank you, honey.

So I ducked under and around a few people and snapped this picture of him. Can you see him? It's kind of like a game of Where's Waldo.

Hopefully my poorly drawn arrow and circle will help you locate Chuy. (I am a computer Goddess, me and Paint go way back, I can draw straight lines, and circles with different colors inside of them like no one's business-just don't ask me to use Photoshop.)

We saw Josh Wolfe, the Sklar Brothers, Whitney Cummings, and Jo Koy. They were all hilarious, and while we had seen pieces of their bits on TV, it's so much better in person, with some new stuff thrown in, your friends and a crowd of thousand others laughing with you and some $7 beer. Joy Koy was my favorite, probably because he was drunker than I was. But they were all really really good.

So all in all, a good time was had by all.

Not really shredding at all

2009-12-14T06:45:00.003-06:00

This morning I woke up all ready to Shred-you know, shred away the pounds with Jillian Michaels's 30 Day Shred-because I am tired of being so content. I had my shoes set out, a sports bra ready, and the DVD already in the player. I turn it on downstairs, it's Mark's old TV set with the built in DVD and VHS player. I watch all the boring stuff you can't skip past, I listen to her tell us how it's gonna be, and then I'm ready-I'm at the menu-and because the remote was broken about 3 years ago, I can't change which option it is on on the main menu. I can only hit play, I can't go up or down, and the first thing on the list is a thing called Recommendations-it recommends you do it every day.

That's it, that's what it says. So I read the one little sentenece and it sends me back to the main menu-and because of my broken TV, I can't go up or down. Seriously?

So I take it upstairs-sorry honey, you're just going to have to hear all the major amounts of losing weight that I am going to be doing. I put it in that DVD player, wait for all the unnecessaries that once again you can't skip past, get down on the floor so that I can see our DVD player, and look for buttons or something on it so that I can go up or down on the screen.

Nothing

I have no idea where the remote is for that thing, it again has no up or down buttons on the DVD player and I am no better off and certainly not thinner! The world is conspiring against me and my fat ass.

Maybe I'll try again tomorrow, but for now, I think I will lay on the couch for just a little while, and get alittle more rest- it's healthy to get lots of sleep, right?

**Update Feb 18, 2010**
Just to keep it real, I shredded for 2 whole days in a row about 2 weeks ago, and that's as far as I've made it. Yep, Day 2 of 30 days-and I don't even have the excuse of not being able to figure out the DVD player anymore. I'm just lazy!

It's that time of year

2009-12-13T20:10:00.002-06:00

Shh....don't tell anyone but I have a secret-I love Christmas shopping. I love that feeling, almost like that of going on a treasure hunt-searching through, around, above, or below. But more importantly I love watching my loved ones open their gifts. I hope that they know how much I care for them, and want them to have something they want, not necessarily need. Something fun or unique, something that they wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves-and hopefully something that won't just sit unused, collecting dust.

And this is probably a good thing, considering the number of people (mainly family) that I buy for. I love me a list and without lists I don't think I would get a thing done. Now don't think that just because I like lists that I am an organized person. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I think I would fall apart without lists. I am such a procastinator and so flighty that if I don't put it down in writing I seem to forget or think that it's not that important. And so when it comes to Christmas presents-I begin making lists in October or so.

Of course, I do typically lose my list though, so it's more like 12 or 15 lists that I have-but still, it helps me to focus, and remember how I'm doing on actually completing the list.

This year I feel like I've got a few presents that I am really excited about. Presents that I believe the recipients are going to love! Now of course I can't tell you about them, everything being a secret is another reason why I love Christmas-but I will tell you that I have made many purchases online this year. I'd like to think that it has helped me to not get to rushed or stressed with the amount of purchases I have to make-but I still fret and worry about when they're getting to my house-gotta check what state they're in today-why did I buy from so many different stores-I've gotta make out a whole other list of purchased gifts that are somewhere between the store and myself, so I know what I'm still waiting on.

But with online shopping, I feel like I can shop around more, find the best deals, and make better decisions. I guess I'll just wait and see and let you know the true success of my online endeavors after Christmas.

Troubled Annie

2009-11-19T11:56:00.005-06:00

So it's not Tuesday, and I've been gone for a little over a week, but I have to tell you something-something great! A few weeks back I was commiserating over the fact that none of my faves from Nashville Star have really made it big on the national scene with their music. Now I do not have to hear an artist on the radio for me to listen to them, in fact-it's typically the opposite. But, because they aren't big or well-known, I had lost track of them, and it's highly doubtful that anyone would ever come to Kansas to play, so there wasn't much of a chance of me catching up with anybody later.......till I became obsessed with blogs and blogging and I stumbled across this blog http://hootenannie.com/.

You see, the cutie from hootenannie.com is friends with Meg Allison, and just the other day talked about Meg and if I'm understanding this right, a dude from the same season of Nashville Star-Joshua Stevens (who by the way looks approximately 1100 times better now), making a duo called Troubled Annie. Awesome awesome stuff! I'm excited for them to come out with some great stuff and I've just had their myspace page playing in the background and I love their voices together.

So now my family has some more ideas for my Christmas stockings! (That's right, I get more than one stocking-in fact Mark and I travel to about 73 different holiday celebrations-ok more like 7 or so -but that's just the immediate family, grandparents and parents, and it feels like 73.) Yes dear family I will take a CD from about any or all artists I have listed in my little music section.

And you have some more exposure to the real country music, the good country music that I love and that you should too.

Music Tuesday #?

2009-11-10T19:05:00.002-06:00

It's Music Tuesday again and I have lately been reminded of my love, my random strange love for the band Dropkick Murphys. Yes, completely out of left field-but it's true. I have to give full credit to my friend Robin, clear back from high school she loved all sorts of different British and Irish and I don't know-any sort of punk music. Thanks to her I fell in love with those guys and B*Witched. Oh ya-google that one!

The songs are fun, and they're Celtic-meaning they're perfect drinking songs! Sounds like a good night to me-I think I'll turn up my speakers, open a Bud Light, and enjoy the fact that I work at a bank and don't have to show up to work tomorrow.

Favorites:
Tessie
The Pub with No Beer
I'm Shipping up to Boston

And just cause I know you want to see some B*Witched-Enjoy....

EMAW

2009-11-07T06:07:00.003-06:00

EMAW

Every Man A Wildcat

Today's the day-the hated opponent, the season on the line, the tailgating-it's all so important and already making me nervous. I don't do well with this kind of stuff....but I live for it. Purple-Get Ready to Roll.

Go STATE!

Ornament Exchange!

2009-11-04T11:38:00.002-06:00

I have no idea what I am doing with this whole blog thing. But I do know it's fun, and I like snooping into other's lives-I mean reading about others!- and learning and being entertained and encouraged and challenged by what others have to say. One blog that I have recently started reading and enjoying is http://pamperingbeki.blogspot.com/ and she recently had a post introducing her 2009 Bloggers Ornament Exchange.

Now I love Christmas and I love ornaments. Every year starting when I was little, my Grandma Alice (my mom's mom) would get me and my sister an ornament, typically with our name and year on it. And after she passed away, my mother continued on with the tradition. So, two years ago, for Mark's and my first Christmas as a married couple- I wanted to continue on with our own tree. So, I drug him along and he actually picked out a fun ornament with a little bride and groom. Last year, as we lived in the world's smallest house, I bought a little house ornament and told Mark that we would always remember that year when our house was the same size as the ornament. Now this year has been the year of the loan-as we have purchased a farm, a house, and a tractor. Maybe we'll buy a paintbrush ornament, or a little red tractor, or an empty wallet ornament.

But anyways, I jumped on this opportunity to share my love of ornaments with others, and meet another blogger from near or far, and again be inspired and challenged and entertained. If you would like to join in the fun, check out Beki's blog (and her adorable shop-lots of cute necklaces and such that would make a perfect Christmas present for a neice or a friend or whomever!)
Check it out!

Lazy Days

2009-11-01T15:31:00.004-06:00

I love having lazy Sundays. I have a few things that I am slowly getting done today, laundry, eating out at the Mexican restaurant, a little more laundry, and napping. Yesterday Mark and I were both in the same cleaning up mood so we got a lot of things done-which could be explained by the weird behavior associated with Halloween. But anyways, we went with it and got lots of little things and big things (like mowing our lawn for the first time in about two months-yes we're that kind of neighbor) done.

About a month ago I stopped at our farm and pulled 3 old doors and a screen out of the grainery. Yesterday I finally got around to washing them off and placing them in the house. Now they still need some love and decorations, but they're really cute and I love them so much. And they even passed the husband test, which was important. (not really)

So I placed the first one with the window in the dining room. Love it! And you can't see it in this picture-too dark, but that's my purple dining set on the table. Love it even more!

That's my "Congrats on the new house" plant from my mom. I really only have it sitting there because I thought it needed some more sunlight-since I had kind of forgotten about it in my Mary Kay room.

Here, on the right side of the picture you can see the screen that I put up plus the gold clock that I spent a fortune on out at the Pamida-but hey I like it! The screen came with the old blue paint which happens to look beautiful next to my blue wall. I think it was meant to be.

I needed a headboard for the spare bed and I think it works ok. It needs some more stuff on the wall and maybe even on the door. My friend/interior decorating advisor Alicia suggested maybe some of those wooden twig balls with lights in them.
Also-let it be known that I do not love this comforter-I like the colors, but I guess it just seems a little too dorm room to me now. But I did pick it out and someone was nice enough to buy it for us for our wedding-so if it was you I'm sorry! It's not your fault-it's all my fault that I changed my mind.

And finally the front porch and the last door. The steel pail and plants came from a wonderful co-worker, cause Lord knows I could never grow anything-she had to get me the simplest, easiest, can't kill kind of plants (like with the plant from my mom that I forgot about and left on the floor of my MK room for about 3 weeks-whoops.) This door needs a wreath but I love the old barn door look.

What do you think? Kinda fun, free decorating. The best kind in my book!

$$$

2009-10-30T12:07:00.005-05:00

Earlier this week, Mark and I paid off my student loans. Paid Off

PAID OFF!

Now I do have to say that we were very blessed in the fact that my husband graduated with zero student loans, and while I had some-it was not near as bad as it could have been. (But then of course, it wasn't as good as it could have been either! If I had umm.....kept my GPA up and not failed Spanish 2 my second semester of my freshman year and kept my scholarship. I mean seriously, who fails Spanish?)

But still, I am super excited. We made our first student loan payment in July of 2007. We had set out early on with the goal of paying them off quickly, as opposed to taking the full 30 years like they wanted us to.

When Mark and I were dating and talking about our future, I always knew that I wanted to be able to stay at home when we have kids. And so, that meant planning financially for that future.(Which is not in the near future-but that's a post for another day.) It's crazy and dumb and backwards and old school that I would want to be a stay at home mother, and quite ironic that to do that I have to concentrate on paying off loans for a college degree that I won't be using. But it's something that I feel strongly about. And I know that if it gets down to it, and I'm in the middle of a job that I love and can't imagine giving up then we'll find a different way, and Mark won't be upset and life will be great. But as we have it planned now, I want to be able to spend that time at home with my children and raise my family and put my "career" on the backburner.

We don't drive brand new vehicles and we work around a budget every month and we maybe put off buying tons of new furniture or whatever because that doesn't work for us right now. And we still have season football tickets, and we go out to eat, and we buy fun things, and I never feel guilty about spending money when I do-we just don't let that get out of hand.

I am very blessed to have a husband who feels the same way about money that I do. Many couples say that money is one of their biggest issues. Our biggest money issue is why he's not spending more of it on me? I mean seriously, I'd take another diamond or maybe just a pretty bracelet, or a shopping spree-that'd be fun too.

Having money isn't everything, and I never want it to sound that way. But having money affords you choices, and we want to be able to make those choices for our family, our friends, our faith, where ever we are led.

I'll Play Doctor with You!

2009-10-28T09:57:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make.

I have a crush. And it's ok, I already told Mark-he's not too worried.

You see my crush is on a fictional character. I have recently become enamored with the tv show Numb3rs and one of the main characters Charlie Eppes. Dr. Charles Eppes. Oh man. He's a mathematical genius, a kind person, and he has the floppy curly hair that kind of just does it for me.

I think I would die if I ever met David Krumholtz (the guy who plays Charlie) in person. And I would cry if he wasn't at least a little bit dorky and smart in person.

So there, I've admitted it-I've confessed my love for a fictional character. I feel a little better, but I wish I was at home watching a Numb3rs marathon.

What I did on my Sick Days

2009-10-22T16:42:00.004-05:00

I'm back to work, I headed back on Wednesday. I went to the doctor on Monday and he told me that I just had a cold and that I was a big ol' wimp. Well maybe not the last part-but that's what I kinda picked up on. No flu, no strep, just a little cold that put me on my back for about 4 1/2 days.

It's been a long time since I have spent that much time in front of daytime TV and it taught me two things. 1) I have rekindled my love for two morning TLC shows A Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby- and I can't decide if they make me want to start a family or never ever ever go through the process of labor and 2) TV Shopping Channels are addicting -sorry family if all you get for Christmas is a Denim and Co. cardigan set or a lifetime supply of really expensive clothes hangers.

And maybe if I'm lucky-when I order I'll get to talk to the people on set and tell them exactly who I'm buying everything for and I can tell them a cute story about my puppy and all the other things I'm gonna buy from their lines and what the weather is like in little ol' Kansas and yes I've heard that Wizard of Oz joke before and ohmygoodness we'll become best friends forever and it will all be so wonderful -AND I can just make the 5 easy payments and it'll all be shipped to my house in time for all the holidays!

My husband is now realizing that I can never be sick again.

Music Tuesday

2009-10-20T14:05:00.003-05:00

Completely random-I mean way random and I don't even know why I thought of this. But I was thinking about the tv show Nashville Star. Now I'm talking about back when it was on USA, not NBC-because you can hardly consider that show Nashville Star, plus I could hardly watch it for the severe dislike I have for John Rich-blech.

But anyways-I was really into Season 5 and I thought I would google a few names and see if anyone from that show had done much of anything. Sadly, it's not really looking like that. But I do still love some of the girls from that show and there's a few random singles out there that I love.

The winner of Season 5 was Angela Hacker. Her most popular song during the competition was "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool." She just crooned it and made me close my eyes and sway along and I loved every minute of it. According to her website she's supposed to be coming out with a new CD in early 09-it's obviously late 09. So hopefully it is in the making somewhere, because I really think that she has an individual sound and could take country music back to its roots.

Another favorite of mine was Meg Allison. She wasn't real classic "country" sounding. But I big time love her. I love the twang and the writing and everything about it. She seems to be busy with tour dates, and there's lots of good songs on her myspace page.

Still sick

2009-10-19T06:53:00.002-05:00

I'm skipping work today. I wish I could say I was just playing hooky and that I was going to do something fun today, but I'm pretty sure my day will consist of laying on the couch, trying to hack up a lung, guessing as to whether it's been long enough that I can take another capful of my Nyquil stuff, and hopefully making it into the doctor without catching someone else's sickness.

I can't remember a time where I have felt like this. Been this sick. Normally I might get one of those 24 hour things where I just sleep all day. But that's not happening now. I might only get 2 hrs of sleep before I wake up and have to start fighting whatever it is that I have. I cough and cough, not getting anywhere or again have to make that painful swallow in your throat-where you're not really swallowing anything and you have to close your eyes and squint just to finish that painful motion.

And I'm still so hoarse, I can hardly talk-I sound like a whispering man. And yes, my husband is enjoying this quieter Miranda-but I'm still able to make demands, so it doesn't work out all that well for him.

Basically this just sucks and I'd (almost) rather be at work. I'll let you know when I switch over to definitely would rather be at work-if that happens.

So Sick

2009-10-17T13:08:00.002-05:00

I am so sick today.

So sick that I can't talk.

So sick that I can't go to the K-State game.

So sick that I'm allowing my mother-in-law to stop by with some food, even though my house is a disaster.

So sick, and so pissy! Why does this have to ruin my weekend. I had some fun things planned.

Just so sick.

And yes, I will take your sympathy.

Is queso an acceptable anniversary gift?

2009-10-15T11:35:00.005-05:00

Last night my dad came to Clay Center to hang out with me and my husband. He had wanted to take us out for supper for our anniversary since, well our anniversary. But you see, I had no concept of this whole Fall Harvest thing back when I decided I wanted to get married-which has of course resulted in Mark and I never being able to actually celebrate our anniversary with more than a quick supper and a lousy champagne toast at about 10pm when he gets home all dirty and gross from the elevator. I mean seriously, why did no one tell me about this whole deal back when we actually decided on the wedding day!

But anyways-I digress.

My sister Morgan, my dad, Mark and I all went to eat at Carlos O'Kellys. I love me some queso and chips. Did you know-when we lived in Oklahoma-EVERY Mexican restaurant served not only the free chips and salsa, but also free queso! It's one of the few reasons Mark and I kinda miss Oklahoma. That and the......well, I'm thinking......we also miss the umm.......I don't know. There wasn't much else, other than the Mexican restaurants.

Mark and I moved back to Kansas from Oklahoma on March 29th, our 6mo. wedding anniversary-surprisingly another date that we couldn't celebrate, with anything more than a lousy toast and lots of sweating and cursing from the move.

Outgoing Introvert-not an oxymoron

2009-10-12T18:40:00.003-05:00

Back in high school, when you had to fill out the personality tests, it would always ask if you were an extrovert or an introvert. And always I would answer, Extrovert. No questions. I'm typically loud, and enjoy talking, I like people and can strike up a conversation with almost anyone. But one day, after reading the true definition of an extrovert, I realized I may not really meet the criteria.

Extroverts are people who are energized by being around other people. As outgoing as I am, and as much as I like being around other people-I have realized I need my alone time. It is at home, in the quiet, in my own domain, that I truly re-energize. Whether it's through reading a good book, taking a long bubble bath or just getting stuff done around my house, I feel best after having some time to myself.

Sometimes I just like the quiet. I love it when I'm comfortable enough with a person that we can be quiet together. That's when I realize that I can truly be myself with that person. And honestly there's not many people that fit that description in my life. And it's not anyone else's fault, it's all mine! So often I feel like I have to play a character, be a certain person - whatever is either expected of me or who I need to be so that I can fit in. And I'm not trying to say that I'm always fake, or that I don't like many people or consider many people my friends, or that I'm quiet most of the time (cause Lord knows THAT'S not true) but just that there are just a few people that I could take my issues or questions or problems to and expect an answer that is really best for me.

But all in all, I like who I am and where I am as a person and more importantly where I am going. I want to become a better person, I want to be a person of bigger things, I want to be a person of great friends and great influence and great character.

But tonight, this evening, I just want the quiet-and the comfort of being married to my best friend and his understanding of me-and the acceptance.

-But then again, by about midnight, when he's wanting to go to sleep-that will probably be the time that I want to start talking and being silly and whatnot! Oh the problems of being an outgoing introvert.

Trying for Wife of the Year

2009-10-10T20:09:00.006-05:00

Probably not a good sign for the day when this is the conversation I have with my husband, as I return from a night away with some fun Mary Kay gals:

Me: Hey hon! How's your day going?

Him: Oh fine......hey, could you do me a favor when you get home?

Me: Ya sure, what?

Him: When you get home will you look by the bed for my glasses?

Me: .......so does that mean you don't have your glasses on now? You're saying that you're so blind that you can't find your glasses. That sucks.......wait, you've been at work for over 7 hours? What exactly are you wearing then?

Him: My safety glasses.

Me: Hahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahaha (imagine my manic laughter as you have heard before)

Him: If you're just gonna laugh, then forget it. I'll find them when I get home.

Me: hahahahahahahahaha

It's a Good Time to be Me!

2009-10-08T23:03:00.003-05:00

I am tired, so tired. And I couldn't even tell you why, but I am just tired.

And no, I'm not pregnant.

But tomorrow all will be better. Tomorrow I will be in the hands of a Massage Professional, a Massage Master if you will. Tomorrow there will be soaking in a hot tub, leisurely conversation with my favorite Mary Kay gals, and massaging of my tired tired body. And the best part of it all. Because this massage is better than just any old massage. Do you want to know why? Why the massage in itself is not the best part of my day?

It's all FREE! Because I have the best job in the world. My Mary Kay director is treating all of her star consultants to a day of luxury. Tell me that it is not the best job in the world, I play with makeup, hang out and have parties with girls all the time, and get free massages!!!!

And then , because the weekend is not great enough just with that-I will be having a 4 day weekend because I get Monday off as well. Christopher Columbus, you're a lost idiot, but thanks a little to you too. And to celebrate this day off from the bank, I will be spending time and money at the 2nd best place to spend those things (well you know the first is of course the spa.) We will be at the casino! So pass me your oxygen tank, and your nickels and wish me luck!

I Apologize

2009-10-02T21:29:00.004-05:00

1. I apologize for the cuteness that is my dog. It's just amazing how cute he is.

2. I apologize for my manic laughter. That is what my husband has to deal with, and probably a large portion of why he's going gray at 24.

The Living Room

2009-09-29T18:12:00.004-05:00

After my fun adventure along Highway 36, I came home with some real treasures. I was so excited to start decorating, especially after finishing up the gorgeous paint in my living room. Below is the picture I am most excited about. I painted all the frames so they matched, except one which is gold. I framed scrapbook pages, one old door lock, and in the middle frame I hung the gold M that was our wedding topper. And this picture honestly doesn't even do it justice.

Also notice that Mark and I made those spindles disappear. You see, there were spindles here separating the living room and dining room, they matched those that we also removed from the bathroom and the ones that I have yet to figure out what to do with in the kitchen (I still need your opinions!) We got the sawzall out, and he even let me have a turn! -Obviously this picture was taken before this weekend, as it still has the hideous blue gingham wallpaper and sunflower border that was the "Before" shot of my kitchen.

I love it! Now I actually am starting to feel like I've put my own stamp on this place.

Music Tuesday-Again

2009-09-29T18:08:00.002-05:00

Today I want to highlight one of my most favorite bands ever! Jackson Taylor and the Sinners. Apparently the last time I named them I accidentally said Jackson Taylor and the Stragglers-but that's Jason Boland-so I apologize-but anyways. Back to Jackson Taylor.

I LOVE Jackson Taylor. He's got some hardcore music, strong lyrics, and can be offensive. But if you close your eyes, listen to the words, and remember it's not personal-it's just his story and maybe you can relate or empathize or just enjoy, I really think that a lot of people will enjoy his stuff.

When Mark and I got married, (two years ago today!) our first dance was to Jackson Taylor's "Circle of Trust" and the first time I ever climbed on top of a speaker with a good friend and a lead guitarist for a band was at a Jackson Taylor concert. The first time I ever knew every song the band was playing was Jackson Taylor. And the first time that I fell head over heels in love with the Texas country stuff was Jackson Taylor.

I have worn out all my old CD's and I fear that greater than shoes or clothes addiction is that of my music addiction, and so I have to be careful of continuously ordering more and more-but Jackson Taylor is one the ones that I know will be worth it everytime.

Click here to Listen

And then-Click here to Buy

Happy 2 years!

2009-09-29T07:10:00.004-05:00

Happy Anniversary to the man of my dreams--or at least the man who is constantly in my dreams.

I love you honey, you're my favorite.

Whatdoyouthink?

2009-09-28T19:47:00.007-05:00

So I thought it would be fun and amusing to post my kitchen pictures on here again, the beautiful ones with all the white walls (well if you can get past all the crap I have strewn everywhere) and ask you, my wonderful talented friends to give me some advice. I was going to ask what colors? what changes? what to do with those dang spindles? all of that. But then, oh goodness let me tell you, but then my dear friend and co-worker Alicia came over and saved me the trouble. I said, ya know I've always wanted to paint it green, but I also like purple, but seriously I love how open and big it seems now with the white, but I want it to go with the blue in the living room (OH MY GOODNESS-I haven't shown you my living room! What in the world have I been doing? Oh that's right, catching up on my DVR'd new Fall TV schedule and avoiding the computer-whoops.) But so she solved it all, she figured it out, she made the decision so easy for me, which believe me Mark will forever thank her for making me decide things.

But still, I want to hear what you think, where you think I should go, what would look beautiful and modern and cozy and mainly beautiful? Green-light, celeryish, not lime green? or Purple and fun and different? or stick with the neutrals and add some fun pops!? or a family member of the blue in the living room? (I swear I'll put a picture of it up tomorrow.) Or yellow, orange, red, grey, brown, something else? And notice the spindles on the bar, they've got to go, but I think they're pretty important to the cabinets up above. New spindles? Different support? or just get rid of the cabinets above? And if you can, notice that I have yellow counter tops. Which will be staying, at least for awhile more. They're not horrid, but I definitely don't want to call attention to them.

So give it all to me, all opinions, thoughts, admonishes for the way my countertops look, whatever! I'll take them all. Maybe you'll change my mind, or give me a different thought on how to approach the whole thing, or give me an idea for a different room, or give someone else an idea for their own house! Leave a comment, let me know or you can also vote in my color poll on the side, if you're not too wordy (unlike me.)

Thanks for anything, I'll enjoy reading your comments.

Well, if you leave me any.

And not that I'm being desperate, but please leave me a comment, it'll make me feel so cool! Just click on the little words below the post that will say (0) comments and then type away in the box. You don't have to have a blog to comment, you can just leave your name.

Maybe I'm being a little desperate.

Operation Wallpaper Removal

2009-09-27T21:49:00.005-05:00

STATUS: ALMOST COMPLETED

At the beginning of today, this is what my kitchen and dining room looked like.

Well, w/ a fridge and stove in those holes, but with that same blue and white striped wallpaper.

Yea, it looks more like this.

Don't you love how well the two wallpapers meet.

I employed a good friend to help with the removal. She came in handy, because just the same as when shopping for the good stuff in antique stores, her tallness is great when I need to use the stepstool.

She may kill me for this.

Yea! Wallpaper is gone!

Look at all that white, clean, open goodness.

Now it's time to pick a paint color.

I've got LOTS to choose from. My new friend Sarah from the Manhattan Home Depot gave me this little beauty on a recent shopping trip. I love her. And I love my paint chip thingy. If there is an official word for this thing, please let me know. And yes, when you look at the picture above I was holding it backwards, so all you see is the white back of each sheet.

Same Old, Same Old

2009-09-27T13:21:00.040-05:00

This blogging thing sometimes is really difficult for me. I always have lots to say (just ask my husband) but I always seem to have a hard time actually saying it-I also have a hard time putting my thoughts down on paper -or computer. There have been a few times this week that I have sat down to try and say something, something more than just updating you on how the house is coming along, and I just sit there. I may type out a line or a sentence or perhaps just a few words. But that's it, that's as far as I get. I'm never concise, full of cliches, and lose interest quickly. Which, when combined together never make for anything worth reading. And I'm all about putting quality posts on here to stimulate your mind and challenge myself and, hahaha who am I kidding.

But still, I do want to write something that at the very least makes sense, and so here I am again today. Typing, yet saying nothing. Reminds me of a song by Jared Pete Gile, yes the same one that I wrote about on my last Music Tuesday post-you know almost two weeks ago, which of course means that after two solid weeks, I've already gone AWOL on my weekly Music Tuesday Posting posting. Ah well. He had writer's block for awhile and so he took a trip to see new scenery, get out of his routine, and perhaps get over his block. And he said what he finally did to break through, was just to write a song about having writer's block.

Same Old, Same Old
Same old hat same old blue jeans
It’s always the same old same old it seems
The glass is half empty and I’m laying around
Why does everything gotta seem so upside down

Thumbing through the classifieds
Ain’t no jobs out there unless you wanna work 8 to 5
Sun comes up then it melts aways
It does the same thing day after day

CHORUS
I could use a break
From all this nothing that I do
I sleep in till about 11
And finally get outta bed around 2
Just looking for something to get me out
Of this restless state of mind
I’m stuck in a rut but if I can dig out
I bet I’ll be just fine

Same old hunger same old empty plate
It’s always the same old same old just a different date
Watching the world out my front door
Dr. Phil at 3 and Bonanza reruns at 4

CHORUS

I could use me a Hummer
One of them great big 4 wheel drives
If I could just get my hands on a new set of wheels
I bet ya I’d feel a little more alive
Just looking for something to get me out
Of this restless state of mind
I’m stuck in a rut but if I can dig out
I bet I’ll be just fine

Same old guitar same old songs
It’s always the same old same old all along
Head in my hands feelings on my sleeve
I ain’t the type to ask why but why me

CHORUS

I could use a trout stream I could us a pretty mountain morning
If I could just get my hands on a million bucks
I bet my life wouldn’t seem so boring
Just looking for something to get me out
Of this restless state of mind
I’m stuck in a rut but if I can dig out
I bet I’ll be just fine

The Farmer's Wife

2009-09-21T20:49:00.004-05:00

Last February, Mark and I headed to Louisville, KY for the National Farm Machinery Show. We were excited and nervous. Well, he was more excited (in a farmer-don't show any emotion-silent kind of way) and I was nervous (in a hope he doesn't throw me out of the moving vehicle because I won't shut up-have to pee again-or got him lost kind of way.) But we survived and we enjoyed it, and I hope that we can do some more trips soon.

It was a long car ride, especially with no Mt. Dew on hand-but I didn't want to have to make Mark pull over 12 times through Missouri, so I sacrificed.

The trip was what I "got" him for our 1 year anniversary. Which is also the reason I was thinking about it today. Our anniversary is in 1 week and there is nothing that I can really think of to get him. I mean he already has me, right?

And seriously, do you see the size of that cake? I was a happy woman. No, no-content, remember? Content

Here I stand with our good friend, Jon. Jon and I grew up together, and then he and Mark were in the same major. There was a whole group of K-State guys there while we there. We hung out with Jon all day, mainly because he and Mark are both equally excited at the same boring things.

Oh man, it's a Gleaner!

We Drive Gleaner.

I think this is the world's biggest something or other. Like I know what I'm talking about. After this trip, I tried explaining to a friend how I had learned that the difference between a Gleaner combine and one of those green ones was that the thing on the inside, like a drum/barrel thing, went side to side not front to back, which is better. I don't think I proved my point.

And there's a Tractor Pull too! As if 1.2 million square feet of tractors and combines and farm related booths insn't enough. I mean really, I have to be the best wife ever.

Here's one of the tractors as it gets ready to take off! It was actually pretty fun and loud and great.

On our way back home, we stopped in St. Louis and went on the Budweiser Plant Tour. It was tons of fun, and they have free beer at the end!

The day we spent in St. Louis was actually Valentine's Day and we ordered pizza to the hotel and spent approximately $178 at the hotel snack bar-but they did give me a rose. Must have felt sorry for me that this was how I was spending my Valentine's Day.

But it was wonderful, and I couldn't imagine doing it any other way.

Which brings me back to why I started this whole thing-what in the world should I be getting my husband? The 2nd year traditional anniversary gift is cotton.....he does need some new jeans. Maybe that will work.