Sorry about the lack of posts, we've been kind of busy, but in a good way. Hanging out with friends, being out and about during the nice days on the weekends, and whatnot.
I don't really remember what we did last weekend, except our friend Nathan had a party at his apartment. We helped with making dip, pinwheels, and pico, but only four people showed up in the end, so it was kind of a bust. Everyone who was there had a good time, we were just expecting more people, so we ended up making a LOT of stuff that didn't get eaten by the time we left.
On that Sunday, Aaron and I went for a one-mile walk around a trail near Medicine Lake because it was about 50 degrees outside, and perfect for getting out of the house and doing something healthy.
This weekend, we were quite the busy-bodies. Ran all over town and back for random things. Ended up getting a Wii Fit because I had been wanting one for quite a while, but we could never find one during the holidays. So far, for the two whole days I've had it, I really like it. Aaron had gotten new glasses last week, but the lady at Sam's Club who did his prescription (they were having a discounted eye exam there, I guess), made his right eye weaker than the left, so we had to get the prescription changed, then get a new lens from the eye frame place - so we got those taken care of this weekend, as well. Now Aaron looks all spiffy in his new glasses, AND he can see out of them! Always a bonus.
We got supplies to create our wedding invitations yesterday, which I was very happy about! We went to to the same place as before for the save the date cards, and were able to get all of the same colors. We have all of the supplies except for the paper for the envelopes, because it has to be cut by the Paper Depot place, then they'll call us. I'm really pleased with the way the mock-up turned out, and excited to get to work on them.
We applied for a mortgage loan maybe two weeks ago, and still haven't heard from the guy. He e-mailed Aaron at 12:30 in the morning the other day and said, "Sorry I missed you, when is a good time to call?" Aaron gave him a time, and the guy never called. We're going to give up on him pretty soon and start searching other banks, because this is weird. We have to put in two months' notice at the rental office here before we move out, or we lose our security deposit, or last months' rent, or something like that. So I'd like to know well in advance if we've gotten the loan or not.
Hoping the weather starts warming up soon. I'm down to four pair of work slacks plus one pair of jeans for Fridays for my work wardrobe. I need to be able to wear skirts soon!
Otherwise, I think that's about it for me! Until next time!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Employee Party
This weekend was the employee holiday party for Aaron's company. It started off with dinner at Spill the Wine, the restaurant below Aaron's office. I had a great steak and ice cream afterwards, and each course was served with a wine. I am not a wine person, and they didn't have hard cider, so Aaron ended up drinking all of my wine, plus his, and I had water. Then we headed out on a charter bus to Elsie's, a bar and bowling alley. We were split into teams, there were about 20 people or so in the lanes, and around 8pm, they turned on the black lights, which was a ton of fun.
I think I met almost everyone in Aaron's office, minus a person or two, plus all of their wives/husbands/fiancees. Had a great time, but I don't think I ever bowled over 100 in either game I played. Drinks were on the company, so everyone was drinking green beer by the pitcher.
Then we got back on the bus around 9pm, which was reserved until 11pm. So of course, we went bar hopping. First was a place where I don't remember the name, but the bar was in the center, with some tables along one long wall, and stools lined around the outside of the bar. Since it was the holiday before St. Patrick's day, everyone was celebrating by drinking the special - Green Meanies. I THINK they consisted of equal parts vodka & Sprite, with a bit of green food coloring, and some Kool Aid lime mix. They were TASTY! Dangerously so, that's for sure.
Then we went to Grumpy's North East, which was interesting, because the bar next to Aaron's work is Grumpys' Downtown. The NE location was quite a bit smaller, but their drink of the night was something called Dragon's Milk, which was a very dark beer that everyone had. We were there for a very short time - one drink, then gone, because it was getting close to 11pm, and we had to get back downtown.
Once downtown, we went to Grumpy's Downtown for some drinks and food, because we hadn't eaten since 5pm. It was packed, just like all the other bars we went to earlier in the night. There was a small room off to the side of the bar that had a few open tables. We snagged one, and then realized why no one was sitting there - at the other end of this narrow room, they had Rock Band set up, the whole band set, and then a large TV that projected the game screen so the "audience" could see, with a smaller screen for the band members to play off of. The first few bands we saw were pretty terrible, and a group from our employee party went up and did a Bon Jovi song - "Livin' on a Prayer", which was fun, and then Aaron signed us up to play Boston's "Foreplay / Long Time", so Bret, Aaron, me, and some random guy went up there. Aaron sang, Bret drummed, I guitared, and random dude bassed. AND WE ROCKED THE HOUSE. The start was rough, because the instruments weren't synced up with the screen right, so it took a while to get the hang of when to strum or hit the drum, but we got it after the first couple of measures. It was awesome - standing ovation. Okay, maybe not, but there was lots of whooping and hollering while we were playing, and no one threw beer bottles or rotten fruit at us.
And then we went home. Whew, what a night, but it was so much fun.
Today was clean the apartment day, and we rearranged some furniture in the living room, because I'd been wanting to do so for a while, and Aaron finally caved and helped me (mostly because stuff is heavy, and he's quicker at putting all the wires together for the TV and stereo and video consoles.
And that was our weekend!
We're trying some raw food stuffs for Odin that we picked up this weekend. You keep these little medallions of raw food in the freezer, then let one thaw out in the fridge overnight and give it to the kitty the next day - we'll see how he likes it - he was awful excited to sniff at it when I was transferring it to a dish to thaw in. Hopefully he'll like it.
I think I met almost everyone in Aaron's office, minus a person or two, plus all of their wives/husbands/fiancees. Had a great time, but I don't think I ever bowled over 100 in either game I played. Drinks were on the company, so everyone was drinking green beer by the pitcher.
Then we got back on the bus around 9pm, which was reserved until 11pm. So of course, we went bar hopping. First was a place where I don't remember the name, but the bar was in the center, with some tables along one long wall, and stools lined around the outside of the bar. Since it was the holiday before St. Patrick's day, everyone was celebrating by drinking the special - Green Meanies. I THINK they consisted of equal parts vodka & Sprite, with a bit of green food coloring, and some Kool Aid lime mix. They were TASTY! Dangerously so, that's for sure.
Then we went to Grumpy's North East, which was interesting, because the bar next to Aaron's work is Grumpys' Downtown. The NE location was quite a bit smaller, but their drink of the night was something called Dragon's Milk, which was a very dark beer that everyone had. We were there for a very short time - one drink, then gone, because it was getting close to 11pm, and we had to get back downtown.
Once downtown, we went to Grumpy's Downtown for some drinks and food, because we hadn't eaten since 5pm. It was packed, just like all the other bars we went to earlier in the night. There was a small room off to the side of the bar that had a few open tables. We snagged one, and then realized why no one was sitting there - at the other end of this narrow room, they had Rock Band set up, the whole band set, and then a large TV that projected the game screen so the "audience" could see, with a smaller screen for the band members to play off of. The first few bands we saw were pretty terrible, and a group from our employee party went up and did a Bon Jovi song - "Livin' on a Prayer", which was fun, and then Aaron signed us up to play Boston's "Foreplay / Long Time", so Bret, Aaron, me, and some random guy went up there. Aaron sang, Bret drummed, I guitared, and random dude bassed. AND WE ROCKED THE HOUSE. The start was rough, because the instruments weren't synced up with the screen right, so it took a while to get the hang of when to strum or hit the drum, but we got it after the first couple of measures. It was awesome - standing ovation. Okay, maybe not, but there was lots of whooping and hollering while we were playing, and no one threw beer bottles or rotten fruit at us.
And then we went home. Whew, what a night, but it was so much fun.
Today was clean the apartment day, and we rearranged some furniture in the living room, because I'd been wanting to do so for a while, and Aaron finally caved and helped me (mostly because stuff is heavy, and he's quicker at putting all the wires together for the TV and stereo and video consoles.
And that was our weekend!
We're trying some raw food stuffs for Odin that we picked up this weekend. You keep these little medallions of raw food in the freezer, then let one thaw out in the fridge overnight and give it to the kitty the next day - we'll see how he likes it - he was awful excited to sniff at it when I was transferring it to a dish to thaw in. Hopefully he'll like it.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Four Years
Today marks our four year anniversary - the day we met and started dating. It doesn't seem like it's been four years in some ways, and in some ways, it does. We started off living a block away from each other, and then five months later, Aaron moved in with me because my college roommate was moving out, and I couldn't afford rent by myself. Some people thought it was too soon to move in together, but at the time, it was my only option, and it worked out perfectly.
We lived together in Spearfish for a couple of years, and then moved out here to Minneapolis together when Aaron was offered a job. In April of 2008, we got engaged, and we're planning our wedding for October of 2009.
I doubt we have anything special happening for our four year anniversary - but that's okay. As long as I get to spend some time with him, and maybe eat a good dinner together, I will be happy. Aaron is my best friend, and I don't know what I'd do without him. He loves me for me, tolerates my quirks, embraces my weirdness, and has been nothing but supportive since I've known him. I couldn't ask for anything more. Except maybe a few more back rubs *smile*.
We lived together in Spearfish for a couple of years, and then moved out here to Minneapolis together when Aaron was offered a job. In April of 2008, we got engaged, and we're planning our wedding for October of 2009.
I doubt we have anything special happening for our four year anniversary - but that's okay. As long as I get to spend some time with him, and maybe eat a good dinner together, I will be happy. Aaron is my best friend, and I don't know what I'd do without him. He loves me for me, tolerates my quirks, embraces my weirdness, and has been nothing but supportive since I've known him. I couldn't ask for anything more. Except maybe a few more back rubs *smile*.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
plasma
This weekend I decided (finally) that I was going to sell my plasma. I always say "donate", but I got $40 for it, and "selling plasma" sounds like I was doing it on the black market. Anyway, I have donated blood several times in the past, and have had very little problems before, aside from them piercing my vein once, and passing out a time or two. No big deal.
I made it down to the center early in the morning to be told I needed my Social Security card, a 2008 W-2, or a paystub within the last 30 days, along with my photo ID. Well, I don't happen to carry any of those with me, so I had to go home and get something and come back.
I filled out some paperwork, was asked to read something out loud to make sure I was literate, read some donor information, get weighed, do blood pressure, temperature, and iron testing, as well as a physical which included a urine analysis, lung sounds, and checking my veins and hands to make sure I am not a needle drug user, ha. Then I got my picture taken for my file, and they checked the veins in my arms to see which would be the best to use for donating. Once it was decided that they would only use my right arm for donating, and my left arm was for emergencies, I sat down and waited for a donor chair.
Sit in the chair for about 15 minutes before I actually get hooked up to my machine. By this point, I had drank a large glass of juice with breakfast, a bottle of water from the donor place, as well as a box of Hi-C fruit punch from the donor place (because of the urine analysis, and they want to make sure you're hydrated before donating). Well, I'll tell ya what, I was SUPER hydrated. But by the time that realization hit me, they were poking me with needles and hooking me up to the machine. "Just try not to think about it," the technician told me. Hmmm, okay!
So the way plasma donation works is they hook you up to a machine that draws the blood into a centrifuge, spins your blood away from your plasma, deposits the plasma into a container, and then returns your blood to you. The machine does this over and over again until the right amount of plasma has been obtained. It took me 5 cycles and 100 minutes to fill up my container. Most of the time, it takes someone 45-60 minutes, but there was a problem with my first return of blood where they had to switch needles to my other arm, and I almost passed out before they gave me my first bit of blood back.
Fortunately, when they got me hooked up in the other arm and returned my blood, I felt much better, and there were actually no problems in using my left arm, which they said was "only for emergencies." Well, I guess that counted as an emergency, and it worked.
When I was done, I got my $40 and was told the soonest I could come back is Tuesday (I went on Saturday). This whole process took 5 hours. I didn't leave until after 1:00pm, and I watched two entire movies on TBS (they had TVs in the lobby and donor area). I watched Legally Blonde 2 - Red, White, & Blonde, and Clueless. Both movies, all the way through, with commercial breaks, started and finished while I was there. They promised it won't take as long next time I donate because I won't have to go through the physical portion, just sign in, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and iron, then donate.
So it was a long day. But, I made $40, and my plasma can be used to help burn victims and can be used for vaccines. So that makes me feel good! Plus, I have to donate at least one more time, or they will have to destroy my first plasma donation. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'd better go in this week for another round. We'll see if it's worth the hassle to go in again after that.
I made it down to the center early in the morning to be told I needed my Social Security card, a 2008 W-2, or a paystub within the last 30 days, along with my photo ID. Well, I don't happen to carry any of those with me, so I had to go home and get something and come back.
I filled out some paperwork, was asked to read something out loud to make sure I was literate, read some donor information, get weighed, do blood pressure, temperature, and iron testing, as well as a physical which included a urine analysis, lung sounds, and checking my veins and hands to make sure I am not a needle drug user, ha. Then I got my picture taken for my file, and they checked the veins in my arms to see which would be the best to use for donating. Once it was decided that they would only use my right arm for donating, and my left arm was for emergencies, I sat down and waited for a donor chair.
Sit in the chair for about 15 minutes before I actually get hooked up to my machine. By this point, I had drank a large glass of juice with breakfast, a bottle of water from the donor place, as well as a box of Hi-C fruit punch from the donor place (because of the urine analysis, and they want to make sure you're hydrated before donating). Well, I'll tell ya what, I was SUPER hydrated. But by the time that realization hit me, they were poking me with needles and hooking me up to the machine. "Just try not to think about it," the technician told me. Hmmm, okay!
So the way plasma donation works is they hook you up to a machine that draws the blood into a centrifuge, spins your blood away from your plasma, deposits the plasma into a container, and then returns your blood to you. The machine does this over and over again until the right amount of plasma has been obtained. It took me 5 cycles and 100 minutes to fill up my container. Most of the time, it takes someone 45-60 minutes, but there was a problem with my first return of blood where they had to switch needles to my other arm, and I almost passed out before they gave me my first bit of blood back.
Fortunately, when they got me hooked up in the other arm and returned my blood, I felt much better, and there were actually no problems in using my left arm, which they said was "only for emergencies." Well, I guess that counted as an emergency, and it worked.
When I was done, I got my $40 and was told the soonest I could come back is Tuesday (I went on Saturday). This whole process took 5 hours. I didn't leave until after 1:00pm, and I watched two entire movies on TBS (they had TVs in the lobby and donor area). I watched Legally Blonde 2 - Red, White, & Blonde, and Clueless. Both movies, all the way through, with commercial breaks, started and finished while I was there. They promised it won't take as long next time I donate because I won't have to go through the physical portion, just sign in, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and iron, then donate.
So it was a long day. But, I made $40, and my plasma can be used to help burn victims and can be used for vaccines. So that makes me feel good! Plus, I have to donate at least one more time, or they will have to destroy my first plasma donation. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'd better go in this week for another round. We'll see if it's worth the hassle to go in again after that.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
meme
A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blog and replace any question that they dislike with a new, original question.
B) Tag eight people. Don't refuse to do that. Don't tag who tagged you.
1. Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up:
Cat Monster
chapstick
closet
concert tickets
window
2. How do you style your hair?
either in a ponytail or down and straightened. *snore*
3. What are you wearing now?
Pajama bottoms, an old Corporate Games shirt from 2000, and warm socks
4. What's your occupation?
Desk Jockey
5. Do you nap a lot?
Only on the weekends
6. Who was the last person you hugged?
Most likely Aaron. He's one of the only people here in the Cities I'm on hugging terms with, and I see him every day.
7. What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction?
Can't think of anything right now...saving money for the wedding and searching out houses on the internet on a nightly basis are starting to come to mind, though...
8. What was the last thing you ate today?
Laffy Taffy, cherry flavored.
9. What was the last text message you received?
"Home!" from Mom, who, along with Dad, just got home from sunny Florida.
10. What websites do you always visit when you go online?
Gmail, Facebook, Myspace, Cute Overload, LOL Cats, Woot!, Netflix, Twitter, bank acct.
11. What was the last thing you bought?
a Cherry Coke from the vending machine at work. I was about to fall asleep at my desk at 2:30, and thought that would probably be bad.
12. What are you listening to right now?
The loudest computer fan EVER. Almost makes me want to never use this thing.
13. What do you think about before you go to bed at night?
"Ugh, I still have to go to work in the morning"
14. What was the last book you read?
The last full book I read was the last book in the Twilight series. I tried to start another murder mystery book, loaned to me by a co-worker, but I just can't get into it. I'll have to give it back to her.
15. What is your favourite weather, and why?
60 degrees, partly cloudy, with a slight breeze. I hate being cold, and I hate being hot. I want to be just right, and be able to wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts while doing so! Oh, and flip flops!
16. If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you play?
I tried to learn the guitar a few years ago, to no avail...but if I had to pick something different, I would like to learn to play cello again.
17. How are you?
I am ready for this week to be over with. I want it to be Friday so I can get my coffee at Caribou, I want it to be Saturday so I can sit around the apartment and do nothing and not have to think of work right now. I am tired and a little crabby today, and I'm not sure what's setting me off, which has been bugging me most of the day, and probably adding to my problem.
18. What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
to the cat - "why don't you do anything I tell you to?!"
19. What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
African or European?
B) Tag eight people. Don't refuse to do that. Don't tag who tagged you.
1. Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up:
Cat Monster
chapstick
closet
concert tickets
window
2. How do you style your hair?
either in a ponytail or down and straightened. *snore*
3. What are you wearing now?
Pajama bottoms, an old Corporate Games shirt from 2000, and warm socks
4. What's your occupation?
Desk Jockey
5. Do you nap a lot?
Only on the weekends
6. Who was the last person you hugged?
Most likely Aaron. He's one of the only people here in the Cities I'm on hugging terms with, and I see him every day.
7. What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction?
Can't think of anything right now...saving money for the wedding and searching out houses on the internet on a nightly basis are starting to come to mind, though...
8. What was the last thing you ate today?
Laffy Taffy, cherry flavored.
9. What was the last text message you received?
"Home!" from Mom, who, along with Dad, just got home from sunny Florida.
10. What websites do you always visit when you go online?
Gmail, Facebook, Myspace, Cute Overload, LOL Cats, Woot!, Netflix, Twitter, bank acct.
11. What was the last thing you bought?
a Cherry Coke from the vending machine at work. I was about to fall asleep at my desk at 2:30, and thought that would probably be bad.
12. What are you listening to right now?
The loudest computer fan EVER. Almost makes me want to never use this thing.
13. What do you think about before you go to bed at night?
"Ugh, I still have to go to work in the morning"
14. What was the last book you read?
The last full book I read was the last book in the Twilight series. I tried to start another murder mystery book, loaned to me by a co-worker, but I just can't get into it. I'll have to give it back to her.
15. What is your favourite weather, and why?
60 degrees, partly cloudy, with a slight breeze. I hate being cold, and I hate being hot. I want to be just right, and be able to wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts while doing so! Oh, and flip flops!
16. If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you play?
I tried to learn the guitar a few years ago, to no avail...but if I had to pick something different, I would like to learn to play cello again.
17. How are you?
I am ready for this week to be over with. I want it to be Friday so I can get my coffee at Caribou, I want it to be Saturday so I can sit around the apartment and do nothing and not have to think of work right now. I am tired and a little crabby today, and I'm not sure what's setting me off, which has been bugging me most of the day, and probably adding to my problem.
18. What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
to the cat - "why don't you do anything I tell you to?!"
19. What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
African or European?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)