Day 8- Katy

11/8/13

My sister Katy is in town from California visiting some friends and family. She is one of two of my older sisters, and though we look semi-alike (or so I am told at times) we couldn't be more different. For example, when Christmas rolls around and I am trying to think of a present to get her, I think to myself, "Do I like this?" If the answer is yes, then I put it back down on the shelf because that means she probably won't ;)

{Scariest day in Chicago- when we rode bikes in the street!}

For most of my life, my sister Katy has been more like a mother than a sister. 

Her and I share the same birthday, but we are 6 years apart, so you can imagine how that has played into our relationship. Early on in our lives, Katy took care of me, made me feel better, and let me play with her when I wanted. Some of my favorite memories of growing up were when she would tuck me in at night and whisper a good dream in my ear that almost always started with me being able to fly :) Then she would leave the hall light on for me so I wouldn't get scared and leave her bedroom door open across the hall so I would know she was never too far away. She was sweet huh?

{Birthdays}

When we got a little older, I became more annoying and she became more pre-teen. I started to get locked out of her room when she had friends over, and we fought like cats and dogs. I specifically remember telling on her ALL THE TIME to mom just to get her in trouble because I was mad that she didn't let me play with her. Though I'm not sure how long that phase lasted, I do feel like it was normal sister-sister fighting stuff!

Eventually, Katy went off to college at ISU, and I was in middle school. Though I was too cool to admit to people back then, her leaving was extremely difficult on me. I was very sad that she wouldn't be around, especially for our birthday because we had always shared that day together. Katy would email me and tell me about her college life, and when I entered high school, she would specifically give me advice on things. Our relationship shifted from being sisters, to Katy being more of a mom, and it worked for a while. 

{Sisterssss}

When I went to college, I was still getting the Katy/mom advice and I feel like that made our relationship harder for me. I didn't want another mom, I wanted my sister, and I didn't feel like I was getting that. When I graduated college, I was living in an apartment with Tommy, we were planning our wedding, and Katy had just moved out to LA. Before she left, I remember wishing that I had gone to Chicago more often to see her and hang out with her, but never actually doing it because it seemed so far away...well then she moved out to LA and she was SUPER far away :( so lesson learned: hang out with your family before they move across the country, or something like that.

{Katy's Going Away Party}

While she was out in LA, trying new things and chasing her dreams, I was finishing up student teaching and stressing about finding a teaching job in a time when the job market for being teacher SUCKED. 

 {Rehearsal Dinner and Bachelorette Party 2011}

{Wedding 6/17/11}

Eventually I got hired, and then my husband got in an accident and my sister was on a plane in a flash. Katy stayed with me for about a month....giving me a shoulder to cry on, staying strong for me when I needed it, making sure I ate food everyday and helping me remember to sleep, be it in the uncomfortable plastic chair in the ICU room or my own bed at home. Though Katy became more like a super-mom taking care of me all the time, it was exactly what I needed in the moment. 

I think for me that is when our relationship started to transform into what it is today. I feel like Katy is really now a bit of a sister and a mother to me, but a good combination of both. We have meaningful conversations about life, politics, opinions, and our childhood. I like talking to her about what's going on in the world (when I call her back...because I'm not the best at that...heh). 

{Christmas 2012}

{Chrissy's B-Day 2013}

{California Trip 2013}

{Us and the Redwoods}

 

{Camping on the Beach}

{Back from camping- tired but happy}

{Last day in LA}

Overall, I am super thankful for my sister Katy and her role she has played in my life for the past 25 years. It couldn't have been easy, and I'm sure that it will continue with it's challenges as my life (and her life) unfolds, but I am so thankful she is along for the ride :) Love you!

{We even sleep alike}

Day 7- Stephanie

11/7/13

After work today, I met up with Laura and Stephanie for a movie. We saw About Time (Not bad. Cute story. There were many times that I felt like something bad was going to happen, but it didn't, and I can't decided if I liked or disliked that about it. I am always a Rachel McAdams fan of course). The three of us like to enjoy a slushy when we go to the movies, and it makes me feel like less of a fat ass when they order one too, so yay for movies with these two!

We chatted a little before and after the movie, and in thinking of what I was thankful for today, I realized something. Though Stephanie and I do not see each other as often as we would like...I mean she is a world traveller and all...every time we do see each other, it's sooooo nice. She has always been someone who is easy to hang out with and we mesh well together :) Even if we haven't seen each other in a month, we easily fill each other in on our super exciting and awesome lives, and she is probably the only friend that I have that is as excited about Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Shark Week as I am!

{High School Graduation 2006}

{Harry Potter 2007}

{Sleepover 2007}

{Steph's 21st Birthday}

{Oh just one of our Bananagrams game}

{Movie Selfie 2013}

And not only is she a funny, fashionable, and cute little gal, she always says, "love you" when she ends a phone convo with you, which is just so nice to hear, lol.

Today I am thankful for my dear friend Stephanie, that I will continue to be friends with no matter who is around ;)

Day 6- Work

11/6/13

On Wednesday this week, I was thankful for my work. In my few short years of teaching, I have taught Kindergarten and Second Grade. This year I am teaching Kindergarten and everyday I am reminded of how much I actually enjoy my job.

Would I rather be sitting on the couch watching any one of my 12 tv showing eating popcorn with a cozy blanket snuggling Tommy and my kitty? yes (especially now that it's getting colder...) But the fact that I have found something that I like to do when I am not doing the above is pretty sweet.

Woot.

(Oh stop, I couldn't pick just one..)

Even on the days that I feel like ripping my hair out because my kiddos are driving me bananagrams, I think to myself "everyone in this room is someone's whole world" and that helps me find my center.

A heads down time out works well too ;)

Today I am thankful that I have a job that I generally enjoy when I am not being a lazy sack of tranch (ha see end of last post here...)

Day 4 & 5- Dedication

11/4/13-11/5/13

After the Hot Chocolate race on Sunday, we got home at about noon, and were ready to leave for Tommy's actuarial awards ceremony at about 1:00 p.m. It was in Minneapolis Minnesota, and about a 6 hour drive in his dad's car....which didn't seem like the best idea from the start but, yea.

So his dad pulls up with his mom in the front seat and his sister, Anna, in the back seat and we loaded everything in and took off! We gave Kittypants some extra food and new water, but it was not easy leaving that furry baby of mine. Is this what it's like to have kids?

So the car ride there was not too bad- I slept a little bit, we talked, etc. etc. Mostly it was cramped and my body was pretty peeved that it went for a run and then sat in a car for 6 hours without stretching...duley noted body.

We got there in the evening, brought our stuff up to the room, and crashed. Anna, Tommy, and I shared a room on the 16th floor and Tommy's parents were on the 10th floor. The hotel wasn't too bad...smaller beds, but clean. There was no wireless internet, however, and if you wanted it you had to pay $15.00 for it. Also, there was no continental breakfast in the morning...which was confusing because it was a super nice looking Hilton. We ended up waking up early (thinking there was a free breakfast...) and ended up eating in the restaurant in the lobby. I had a cracked egg sandwich, which is really just a fried egg sandwich (yum) on a croissant with ham and cheese. Still delicious though!

Then we got starbucks in the lobby and went up to the 3rd floor banquet hall for the ceremony! The president of the CAS (Casualty Actuary Society) spoke a little, the new certified Actuaries were introduced, and then he called each new Fellow's name and they walked across the stage and received a DIPLOMA from him! (See my fb page for the full awfully filmed video of Tommy's turn!) It was cool. Then Tommy went to take pictures in some secret back room while we waited and finished our starbucks. We met him in the hotel room, changed, and went to the Mall of America to visit it and kill some time until the evening's festivities.

At the MOA, Tommy's dad and sister went and sat somewhere to hang out, while Tommy's mom, Tommy and I all walked around and looked at cool stores. I bought Laura a shot glass at her behest, rode the swing ride with Tommy (big mistake-bleh), and then we ate a cookie from the Nestle Tollhouse store! After, we met Tommy's dad at the food court and decided on Bubba Gump's for lunch. It was soooooo good. Yum.

{HUGE Lego Man}

{Swing Ride- UGH. After}

Then we met up with Anna and drove back to the hotel where people took naps, and read books while Tommy and I went down to the lobby to use the computers. I looked up stuff for grad school because I had a big paper due the next day (procrastinate much? yes, yes I do) and then we sat on a couch in the lobby and just hung out. It was so nice. We talked, people watched, and just overall enjoyed each other's company. It was nice to just be together for a half hour in the midst of all that travel and schedule. We even learned a new word from his seminar schedule- tranched- look it up. (It sounds dirty, but I promise it's not!) Then we preceded to use it in silly sentences- i.e. "I go so TRANCHED last night" and "Go TRANCH yourself" heh.

When we felt like maybe we were being a little antisocial, we went back upstairs and everyone started getting ready for the cocktail hour in honor of new Fellows! When we went, we first got a picture with the CAS president and he handed Tommy and fake diploma. Then he called for me to get in because he said that I probably earned it too with all of the love and support I gave him! YEP.

We got drinks, and ate black olives and cheese and I met Tommy's co-worker from Allstate. He was also a new Fellow since his just pasted his last test at the same time as Tommy. Then we went back up to the hotel room, changed for the car ride home, and packed everything up.

{Beached FELLOW Whales}

We said goodbye to Tommy, and his fam and I got back in the car and started the trip back to IL. Tommy stayed until Wednesday for the rest of the seminar.

{Bye Minnesota}

The car ride sucked- but mostly because I had to start and finish a research paper for grad school with a booklight. Then my computer died and we had to pull over to get Anna's from the trunk so I could finish on her computer! What a ride. I got home at 1:00 in the morning, and with a crazy cat running around and a rogue spidey to kill on the ceiling ABOVE MY BED, I didn't get to bed until about 1:30...and then I don't think I fell asleep until a little after that...

And I had to teach the next day. Kindergarteners. And proofread my paper on the go at red lights. And sit in a grad school class. And go grocery shopping after that. So that sucked. But so worth it!!!!

Days 4 & 5 made me so thankful for Tommy's dedication and perseverance through his 9 tests. They are qualities that I admire very much in my husband. I am so proud of him!!

Day 3- Running & Friends

 So Day 3 of 30 days of thankfulness was 11/3/13...

Tommy and I woke up at the crack of dawn on Sunday. We met up with Kyle and Kelsey at the train station, and caught the 6:01 train....but not before Tommy had to run back to the house and get his bib....stressful much?

So we took a nice train ride, got into Union Station and walked to the start line at Grant Park downtown. We found a corral to start in, took some pics, avoided a music emergency, and then started running!

Kyle and Kelsey ran ahead of Tommy and I (though I'm pretty convinced that Tommy could have run it much faster than me...) and we ended up finishing and finding each other later. Overall the race was good....a lot of it was underground this year, and it finished on the hill that we ran up at the end of the Rock and Roll Half Marathon, which is a killer...but I DID IT! Stupid hill.

Anyway, then we got out chocolate fondue and hot chocolate in our finishers mug (which is a semi-waster of money if you ask me...everyone just ends up throwing it out...) and met up with Laura. We chatted for a little bit, and then went over to see the bean because KELSEY LIVES NEAR CHICAGO AND HADN'T BEEN TO THE BEAN!!!! So we fixed that for her. Then we got Kyle some gluten free hot chocolate at a starbucks and started our chilly walk to the train.

All in all it was a nice morning, and I am super glad that I have run the Hot Chocolate 5k for the past four years in a row because even though it is expensive, it is a good race to kick off my running season!

I don't know if I told you, but November starts my goal to run 1 race a month for the next year. It started with this race- the Hot Chocolate 5K- and will end with this race next November! Woot. Anyone know of some good races or wanna run one with me?


So on 11/3/13, I was thankful for the ability to run and my healthy body (as weak as it may be after that big hill, oye!) and my friends Kyle and Kelsey who made the running and day in Chicago that much more fun!

{Kyle & Kelsey}

                                                        

                                                                           {Beached Whales}

Day 2- My friend Laura

Day 2- 11/2/13

The day isn't even over yet and I already know what I am thankful for today! Her name is Laura.

Laura and I met in college at ISU freshman year in Hewett. We lived right next door to each other, and were probably Facebook friends before we even met. Mainly because I FB stalked everyone on my floor and friended them....that's normal right?

We roomed together Sophomore year and learned that she loves John Mayer and I hate his music, I am a night owl and she is not, I signed up for late classes and she liked them earlier, I sleep laying down and she sleeps sitting up (ha, jk on that last one kind of). We were pretty different people, but we did have mid-day napping, Gilmore Girls, and a love of black olives in common, which is all you really need in a college roommate bff situation.

Junior year we lived on the same floor in our apartment building across the hall from each other. That year totally sucked for me, so I won't get into that but I will say that after a shitty Junior year and a Senior year student teaching at home, Laura still managed to want to be my friend (and now she's stuck with me...)

I rarely call (who does these days?), I forget to text back, and I have never made you a sweet ass checkered cake for your birthday like this one, but I think you're great and I enjoy you immensely Laura!

Today I am thankful for my friend Laura!

Day 1- Halloween Decorations

Day 1- 11/1/13

Everyday this month I would like to really think about something I am thankful for. I have seen people on Facebook take part in this 30 Days of Thanksgiving process, but I will probably have more to say than just a short status update (surprise, surprise) so here it goes: Day 1.

Today, I went to my parent's house with Tommy. My dad is on a business trip, so it was just my mom, her dog (Foxy), Tommy and I. We got there and Tommy put on basketball in the family room while mom and I hung out in the kitchen and watched Undercover Boss (that show is SO GOOD!). Mom was getting chili ready and dad and I were texting...he's super into emoticons right now, so you can imagine how that conversation went. Also, he sometimes texts words without any vowels so that was fun to decipher. lol

Then we all topped our chili bowls and ate dinner in the family room. We watched the newest episode of Shark Tank (I told you we love that show right??). Tommy and I got all comfy cozy on the couch and mom and Foxy got all comfy cozy in dad's chair. Good times.

It sounds silly but every time I go to my parent's house over a holiday, my mom has decked the entire house out with holiday decorations. The outside, the inside, even the bathroom! There were Halloween decorations everywhere. She even put a command hook on the brick outside of front door to hold a halloween sign for goodness sake! I didn't even know you could do that!

Today I am thankful for my mother's holiday spirit and her attention to it's detail.