the most wonderful time of the year

this time of year always seems to fly by despite my best efforts to live in the moment.  with holiday parties, birthdays, and shopping it's been a busy month.  it makes me appreciate what Christmas morning at my in-laws has to offer: an unapologetic easiness.  there's no pressure to look good or even brush your teeth it's just about getting downstairs to open gifts and eat breakfast as a family.  there's no cooking or cleaning to be done, no work piling up, or places to go.  it's that ability to relax that has me focused on soaking in every moment without forgetting the true meaning and the spirit that is Christmas on this, and every, Christmas.  

happy birthday Jesus! 

a winter’s nest: christmas time is here

pine cone decor, a roaring fire, holiday crafting, and something delectable in the oven - that’s what this past weekend was all about. 

i don’t know what it is this year but, i am all about christmas.  i simply can’t wait for it to get here!  most years I’m frantically running around buying last minute gifts (making a list but never checking it once or twice as the song goes), visiting the grocery store enough times that i’m on a first name basis with the clerks, and mindlessly traveling from one party to another in an airheaded christmas time fog – or maybe that’s the alcohol.  either way, by the time it’s over i’m exhausted and feel slighted.  not this year!

i’m on my game – all the gifts are wrapped, the tree is up, treats have been made, and our dates are set.   this year we can simply enjoy what this season has to offer; movie classics (national lampoon’s christmas vacation and home alone will never get old!), festive tunes, holiday parties, cheerful people, our family and friends, and of course the sweet, sweet treats.  which leads me to my reader gift.

a recipe!  this peanut butter bark is by far the best and oh so easy to make!  it’s that ‘won’t wanna share’ kind of deliciousness that makes me almost want to keep it a secret.  enjoy!

http://www.susannahskitchen.com/2011/11/recipe-peanut-butter-bark.html

merry christmas!!!

all i want for christmas : my wishlist

this year i had a hard time coming up with a Christmas list.  in fact, that’s a first.  if i may be so bold, i typically have a running list of items i’d like to have but won’t break down and buy. not this year.  i simply don’t need anything and what i want is what i have – for the most part. after racking my brain here's the list.  maybe it'll give you some ideas too.

when people ask for lists i want to be able to give them ideas that are at a reasonable price point but most of my wants these days are for bigger purchases like chairs for our newly refinished dining table or a new dishwasher that doesn’t sound like it’s preparing to take flight every time we start a load.  i thought long and hard and these are the things that made the list. 

some monogrammed sunny g’s – LOVE! ($35) available here: http://www.girlytwirly.com/

 

a canvas weekender ($95) available at: https://www.everlane.com

 

a black puffer vest ($120) - why have i not just bought one?! available at: https://www.jcrew.com/

 

aveeno lotion - because you can’t ever have enough ($8) available at: any drugstore, Target, Wal-Mart

 

 

slippers – i personally like this moccasin style – these are outrageously overpriced but, available at: http://www.uggaustralia.com/

 

 

compression socks- i’ve been telling Cody i’m ‘bad ass’ since the marathon so these are absolutely hilarious to me ($10) available at: http://www.joyofsocks.com/

 

and finally, a crockpot – the domestic goddess in me is sad that mine broke ($20 -$40) available at: Target or Wal-Mart

 

4 little hits of gratitude

in the spirit of thanksgiving i’ve been reading several blogs on gratitude (and anything with pumpkin).  most of the posts i've read speak to the benefits of gratitude and how to harness it for a better quality of life, improved happiness …blah, blah, blah.  while that's all well and good that’s not what i was looking for.  what i was looking for was something more… inspirational.  something that would shift my focus from the possibility of what things can / should be or what's missing in my life to what things are and what i have to be thankful for, which is a lot!  i was looking for a fresh perspective on gratitude.

when i got to this particular post i found that inspiration!  the author takes you on a journey through her somewhat messy and dated kitchen, yes a kitchen, wearing fresh ‘perspectacles’ and shares a unique lesson in gratitude.  her ability to see beauty and significance in the mundane is exactly what i needed.  it’s a fantastic reminder that we all have something to be thankful for this holiday. 

and with that here are my hits of gratitude; the things i’m enjoyng this season to keep me mindful of what i have that makes me happy and the days more meaningful. 

1.       working it out – believe it or not a good sweat sesh keeps me grounded and makes me appreciate my body and all that it can do.  it's the realization that I’m not marion jones (damn!) that has me loving what i am healthy enough to do and satisfied that it’s enough.

2.       getting together – our family and friends (and little Allie) mean the world to us.  spending time together has me appreciating a job with paid holidays and the ability to travel without much limitation. 

3.       leaving it at the door – for the past several weeks we have both been checking e-mail at night and bringing work home on the weekends; blurring the lines between work and home.  this month (and maybe all of January too) i’m leaving it at the office. 

4.       giving thanks for the simple things – having 4-wheel drive vehicles, listening to my music choice on the way to work, the keurig on my counter (mercy!  i can’t even imagine functioning without a cup of joe these days!), snuggling with my loves each morning, lighting a candle at night - these are the things that keep me sane day to day.  

happy thanksgiving!

all that chatter: 29

the other day i came across this hilarious list of things that are true by age 29 and was shocked by just how ridiculously accurate it was.   yes, it is socially acceptable to go to bed early (as in 10:30 is past my bedtime now).  and yes, a memory foam pillow purchase has been one of my best to date!

if you've past the 2-9 mark then you can relate and if you haven't well, open the link for more information on what's to come.  this is quite possibly the most relatable list i've ever read.

29 awesome things about being 29

this november i'm dating my husband

how is it we can live in such a connected world yet have so much distance? 

i've been asking myself that question since Cody and i started getting noticeably busier a few months back.  we’ve been going non-stop since last spring and to be honest it’s made us more mechanical.  we go through the motions just to get through the days and weeks, eager and excited about the next ‘big thing’ while making a conscious effort to enjoy the moment.  sure, we don’t have kids but, all of that concentration and planning, our work demands, the chores, errands, and life in general have led us to many nights of plugging in and tuning out any moment we get the chance.  that chance is usually in the evening, which used to be ‘our time.’  

this month though i decided enough was enough and made a plan to ‘date’ my husband.  while I won’t go as far as to demand a complete disconnect at night i’m planning ‘dates’ that will help us to reconnect and tune back into our relationship without making it a chore.  we have so much going on that sometimes it’s easier to be at home with the other and just ‘be’ but, in order to be stronger and better we have to go out of our comfort zone.  we have to challenge ourselves to have more conversations, to be more engaged in each other’s lives, and to share experiences that will continue to keep us close.   

we’ve already gone on a few ‘dates’ and i’ve definitely noticed a difference!  we’re talking more, being more playful, and solving new problems.  we’re developing our own sense of resiliency. we flirt, touch, and love up on each other constantly these days.  i continue to learn about how complex a creature my husband is; he’s just so fascinating!  and through our experiences i appreciate his candor, humor, and wittiness more now than i did when i met him.   i don’t think you should ever stop dating your spouse.  i’d be missing out on so much if i did!

so now I challenge you to do the same – date your spouse!  connect, reconnect, explore, experience, and challenge each other – see where it takes you. 

for ideas here’s our 'date' list:

go for a hike

work on a home improvement project (or two)

attend a local football game

do a photo shoot

workout together / run a race

try a new recipe

enjoy a candlelit dinner at home

vote together (yep! turned that into a date!)

visit the library and enjoy a hot beverage

cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie

go to a late movie

tgi..n?!?: october 2014, you will be missed!

that’s right…thank goodness it’s november(almost).

october 2014 you have worn me out in every way imaginable! although you will end like many octobers past; celebrating Halloween in a makeshift, last minute, homemade costume you have been arguably one of the most memorable months of my life. 

week one: vegas baby!  

cody joined me in sin city for three days while I attended a training conference. we didn’t have plans but, getting away together for a short time at half the cost was reason enough for him to make the trip. while detained (i.e., attending the conference), cody gambled and managed to win big. enough to pay for the trip; making it a whole lot more fun.  i think i’ll call him c money from now on. 

we did what you do in vegas; watched the bellagio fountains, devoured fine cuisine, watched a show, gambled (obviously), stayed up WAY too late, sunned by the pool, and rode insanity at the stratosphere.  my fondest memory though was spontaneously joining a dance party in the ‘streets’ outside of new york new york after the cirque de solei show. that’s where I fell in love all over again with my husband.

week two: j+h=love

the next week was all about my brother’s wedding.  set in a picturesque fall, on a saturday afternoon, in a local park, my brother, joe, married his long-time sweetheart, heather.  i can honestly say i have never been so close to bursting into tears at a wedding.  watching my brother repeat his vows just made me so unspeakably happy.  i simply adore them!

of course, the reception was a hoot!  and i sincerely loved the fact that I got to ‘bounce’ people off the party bus.  in addition to my bridesmaid duty that was my crowning responsibility.  (my brother has an ironic sense of humor.)  

week three: marathon week

no one can ever truly prepare you for what to expect during your first marathon.  no matter what food you eat, how much sleep you get, mileage run, or the hours you spend watching the weather and then deciding what to wear you’ll never to be ready to run 26.2 miles.  on october 19^th i ran the imt marathon in downtown des moines. it was an experience that I will truly remember for the rest of my life.

the marathon was on a sunday so after a long weekend of errands and thinking about the marathon I was anxious.  my mom and sisters came up saturday evening.  they made posters and I watched the movie my husband had recorded for me earlier in the week: without limits. how fitting!  ‘run you little German boy, run.’  classic! i crashed around 10 while the rest stayed up chatting. 

the next morning was just as memorable as the run itself.  naturally, we rolled out of the house late but, surprisingly brandea woke up on time.  cody back into my mom’s new car and we had to make a speedy trip back to the house when we realized we forgot the backpack of goods. 

 

 

my mom, sisters, and husband kept me going for 26.2 miles that day.  i saw them at least 7 or 8 times and their posters were hilarious.  by the end of the race I couldn’t focus on much more than the fact that I was dying but, cody was right there running nearly 4 miles straight with me right up to the finish.  the culmination of the accomplishment itself, the physical exhaustion, my family’s support and the flood of texts, phone calls, 'likes', and facebook comments was absolutely overwhelming! and then I threw up.

week four: recovery and the big two.nine celebration

most of this week was spent devouring a package of oreos and easing back into a normal workout routine.  by saturday I was ready to celebrate my birthday and the fact that 4 months of intense running was OVER.  cody had reserved a limo a few months prior and dinner reservations had been made.  we invited several of our close friends and were ready for a one wild and crazy night.  it started with dinner at americana and ended at our place over a breakfast pizza, repairing an oversized inflatted phalic object around 3 am.  we had achieved wild and crazy! 

i seriously have the best friends and family!  and one incredibly wonderful husband!  thank you all for making the night (and month) ‘epic’!

for the rest of my life I’ll look fondly back at October 2014 and smile.  cheers!

swing for the fence: phone interview fundamentals

with the World Series underway and a strong midwest team representin’ I thought it made sense to give this post a catchy baseball title.

this week I wrapped a solid round of phone interviews for a current opening and realized that people need training on how to interview by phone.  although we moved forward a few qualified candidates I can tell you I wasn’t ‘WOWed’ by anyone.  in general these candidates lacked good phone interviewing skills.  so today I’m going to let you in on what a recruiter is hoping to hear on the other end of the line.

more often than not employers today are using the phone interview as another tool to screen candidates; meaning your phone interview impression can often times be your first and your last if you’re not adequately prepared.  phone interviews by nature are designed to achieve a few specific goals.  they are short, they tend to focus your resume but, ultimately their used determine if you’re worth bringing in based on what you say and how you say it.

phone interviewing is a skill and, like baseball, your success relies on knowing, practicing and executing on some core fundamentals.  read below to knock it out of the park during your next phone interview.

Fundamental 1)  pay attention – I can’t even begin to tell you how annoying it is to have an individual multi-tasking.  it’s like that scene from whether it’s driving or cleaning your house no one does two things well simultaneously. period.  if anything this will convey the message that this job isn’t worth your time.  

Fundamental 2) make the catch - and by catch I mean make the 'connection'. all too often candidates miss the true intent of a question because they focus on a particular word or are wracking their brains for an exact work-related example to provide.  the truth is, when you answer a question based on its perceived intended purpose the example provided becomes insignificant.   the best example that I can provide is this:

tell me about a time that you had a conflict at work.  what I often hear in response is: ‘I’ve never experienced a conflict at work’ but, that doesn’t answer the question.  interview questions are designed to make you think critically. if you aren’t, maybe you should start.

Fundamental 3) practice your pitch – any interview is your time to shine. that said,  know what you want to sell about yourself and practice doing so without sounding overly confident.  and for love of the game (;o)) annunciate!

Fundamental 4) swing level with intent -  know what you want to accomplish during this phase in the process; this isn't the time to discuss benefits or your hire date, etc. at this point both of you are feeling out the other so have a plan for what to ask and when.

Fundamental 5) have fun – when candidates are nervous and stressed about an interview they come across the same.  sure the interview may be a formal step in the process but, that doesn’t mean you need to be boring and dull.  it’s okay and honestly, welcome to crack an appropriate joke or laugh at the interviewer's jokes.  think of it as the seventh-inning stretch of an interview, a way to break the tension, a time-out of sorts.   a little humor and joking demonstrates personality and can help in determining cultural fit.

ESPN Poll 10/2014

go Royals!

little bundle of joy: a new mom care package

I love that I’m at a stage in my life that my friends are starting to have babies! it means that maybe we’re closer to that point too…or maybe not. anyway, it’s just so exciting!

for those new moms in my life I’ve been trying to make a concerted effort to make them feel loved and appreciated in their new role. when I visit them and their new little one for the first time I bring with me a customized little bundle of joy. now, since I have absolutely NO IDEA what they might need I have to give credit to the following: Pinterest, for pictures and ideas; Google, for product research; and Target, for an endless amount of stuff!!! in my most recent bundle here’s exactly what was included and why (again, based on my research from other moms): 

 · Wet Ones – a perfect living room companion when the last thing you want to do it move from the couch for the hundredth time in a day; also good for guests’ hands before they snuggle the little one · Lansinoh gel pads – apparently these things are a saving grace from sore nipples when breastfeeding – my friend seemed to really appreciate them! · bow tie onsie – because why wouldn’t you – it’s a bow tie on a babe??!! · Ghirardelli chocolate covered blueberries – an energizing and somewhat healthy snack seemed most appropriate · Crystal light squeeze bottle – a low calorie drink option for a mom eager to get her pre-baby bod back and who is sick of drinking water · Garneir ultra-lift eye roller – this roller is amazing and does wonders for droopy, sleepy eyes!  · Starbuck pumpkin spice latte packets – a perfect seasonal concoction for those days when she's feeling a little sluggish.  · Burt’s Bees hand lotion - this lotion is one of my favorites so it was a must buy for my friend! 

with the new bundles

what's an anniversary...really?

this week Cody and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary. it’s crazy to believe that it’s been two years already! to celebrate we did the usual romantic stuff but it certainly didn’t go as I had envisioned, though I’m not complaining. to be honest the day just kind of snuck up on me.

this is one of my all time favs from the big day!



for the two weeks prior Cody had been away at work and on the day he returned we headed out of town for a concert. by Monday, the actual day of our anniversary, we were spent. originally I thought that it’d be nice for us to eat a homemade candle lit dinner and then watch our wedding video, snuggled up together on the couch- touching eh?! it would be something low key but sweet after a busy couple of weeks. 



 


the day actually turned into this: Cody and I carpooling since my Jeep still wouldn’t startwhich had us running late, a frantic day at work for us both without even a single text message from the other, takeout from Olive Garden after a quick run to the auto parts store (fun), inhaling our food at the kitchen counter sans candlelight at around 7:45, watching a new episode of the Big Bang Theory and going to sleep (literally!) shortly after 9 PM. 
 

 

this life may not be perfect and our relationship may have it’s ‘days’ but the fact that we’re in this thing together is such a blessing. this ‘day’ helped me realize that being able to enjoy each other’s company was really all that mattered.

2 years in and still going strong!



26(.2) 'running' thoughts

while I run so does my mind. and when you train for a marathon you realize just how ridiculous, disjointed, and completely illogical your thoughts can be because it’s just you, ALONE, for HOURS. after pounding pavement for 18 consecutive miles this weekend I thought I’d share some of the ridiculousness with you – 26(.2) thoughts to be exact. (I consider this self-awareness.)

1. man, I feel great!

2. I’m killing it!

3. let’s see; I could run 8:50 a mile on race day which would be 530 seconds a mile and that’s like 13,000ish seconds which is 200ish minutes which is less than 4 hours – yea, 8:50 a mile it is.

4. stay on the path, run straight, don’t roll an ankle.

5. seriously…why do bikers need 3/4 of the path just to pass me?!

6. oh, yay! a fellow runner!

7. I think I’ll wave.

8. ooook, they didn’t wave back. jerk!

9. my a$$ is on fire; my a$$ will look so good.

10. oh a cute, little squirrel!

11. get out of the way squirrel.

12. seriously how does it not hear me?!

13. eeek! squirrels are funny animals. always running at you before running away. haha.

14. OMG this sucks!

15. where’s the bathroom?

16. Cody should be here any minute with water.

17. I want water now. great!

18. where is he?

19. water, water, water – ooh what a great song!

20. I’m feeling it now, I can do this! thank you Macklamore for White Walls!

21. oh look! It’s Cody and Allie – they make me so happy!

22. huh, I’m really not all that thirsty.

23. really, 10 miles isn’t that bad and this is like doing two 10 mile runs.

24. this is pure insanity!

25. yuck! bra sweat is the worst kind!

26. actually maybe I’ll get a new bra after this.

26.2 I wonder if victoria’s secret will have…oooh I’m done! nachos! get me some nachos, and water, and some ice cream, maybe pizza too. oh and some ibuprofen!

#projectwifey: heatha b's final fling

Heather: she’s been one of my very best friends for as long as she’s dated my brother. (for those of you who know them, you know that’s a really long time.) she’s one of the best people I know, is always up for a good chat and never passes up an opportunity for some quality girl time. I simply adore her!  so when she asked me to plan her bachelorette party I was elated!

she’s not a party girl and really wanted something low key for her special day. her only other request was a trip to a nail salon and a bottle of rum. I was happy to comply. as a type A personality I naturally started planning when she asked…in April. although it was planned for late August, summer was going to be full and I like having a plan. it took me all of a weekend and lots of Pinterest scrolling to settle on the details. everything thing would be very girly.

the invitations read time to drink champagne and dance on the table so naturally shirts had to be made. and if we had shirts we would need tutus. if we had tutus we would need to have beads….ok, this isn’t a if you give a mouse a cookie excerpt but it seriously snowballed just the same.

these were so fun! nothing scandalous or mischievous

around noon everyone arrived, we ate, got ready and went to the nail salon. jell-o shots in hand we barely made it on time for our 2:30 appointment. after that our tutus made their downtown debut.

killing time before dinner, enjoying a couple of cocktails

at dinner we surprised the bridey with gifts, more champagne, cupcakes and a couple games. she was feeling pretty feisty by the time we got her back to my place which was perfect timing for a few fun photo booth type shots. by the time we were done with that we were definitely ready to shed the tutus and watch some chic flicks. there’s just something about eating junk food and watching Patrick Swayze and Jennifer grey nail the last dance of the season that entrances you - the movie is masterful and the soundtrack is absolute 80s perfection! how could it not be watched multiple times in one night?!?

which one is not like the other? ;o) 

it was a fantastic night and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.  congrats Heather!! I can’t wait for you to finally, officially - be my sister.

it’s an Iowa thing: you may not understand

and neither do I.  the Iowa State Fair is an event that has just never really gotten me all that excited or at least not as excited as it makes my friends and some of my family.  as a kid we simply never went so I suppose with that came some nostalgic appeal which makes going a ‘tradition’. 

regardless of what some might consider an unfortunate childhood (sarcasm implied) it definitely is a worthwhile midwestern summer attraction.  when it’s not a bazillion degrees out it’s actually pretty fun!  it offers everything a person could want: free concerts, fried food on sticks/all food on sticks actually, fresh squeezed lemonade, diverse attractions and shows, plump farm animals, shopping, dancing, impressive people watching, booze, carnival rides and so much more (like excuses to come to work late and a bit hung over on a Thursday and have it be completely acceptable). 

 

we go just once every year and it’s usually on the night of the truck and tractor pull.  my husband isn’t a big fair fan either but he likes going to pulls so this is a ‘fair’ compromise (see what I did there ;o)).  on this night we’ll usually meet some friends and make the most of our limited time.  would you believe we do enough stereotypical fair-going in one night to last us all year?!   shocking, I know!  those nights go a little something like this:

 park, walk 28 blocks to the fair in a sketch neighborhood, pay the overpriced admission for our short 5 hours, walk some more through the varied industries building, get a drink, try to guess which 4-H projects were made by parents,  get a drink, wait in line, eat a corn dog, watch the pull, listen to a band, get a drink, fight the crowd to stare at the butter cow, wait in line, eat again, gawk at overweight animals (reproductive parts on full display!), wait in line, eat dessert, get a drink, and then, when I have achieved the appropriate amount of hardly enviable blackened feet ,we’re ready to call it a successful visit and mosey on home. 

this year didn’t disappoint.  we did all of those things plus some and didn’t even lose our car (well I guess we kind of did) and still made it to work on time the next day.  honestly as a born and raised, cornfed Iowan it just seems like the right thing to do to visit the fair.  and every year I’m glad we went! 

seriously nothing compares!