Top 5: 2012 Highlights

Started a New Job

I was hired into my first real job in mid-January of last year (2012).

It was a huge stepping stone into my new, urban life.

My job means a great deal for me. It combines helping people and daily impact through feedback. My coworkers are upbeat and friendly. I look forward to going into work.

Went to Irish Fest/CONvergance/State Fair/Aquatennial Fireworks/San Francisco

New job means money for trips and paid vacation time!

Jared and I flew out to San Francisco and visited my favorite Auntie Leigh this fall. We went to Irish Fest in Milwaukee in August. I went to CONvergence in early summer. We ate our way across the fairgrounds at the Minnesota State Fair. We walked downtown and saw a great fireworks show for the Aquatennial.

What's wonderful about all these things is that they went off great and I have no complaints. (Or at least my complaints are super minor - I can complain about anything.)

New Baby! (not mine)

My cousin had a baby! He's adorable. I saw him twice this fall/winter and he was too cute to be true. I'm claiming him as my honorary nephew. I'm looking forward to watching him grow up.

Bought a Condo

Jared and I bought a beautiful condo at a great price. We're still working on moving in. I will be posting pictures once our couch is delivered. (Oh yea, we bought a new couch too!)

It's a pretty huge deal for us. Amie and Matt (Jared's brother) gave us moving boxes. It was magical - like they appeared out of no where just at the right time.

Home for the Holidays

Last year I worked the weekend of Christmas and the weekend after Thanksgiving. We didn't get to go to Wisconsin for the holidays.

This year I had my weekends off switched due to a clerical error! Awesome.

We went to Thanksgiving over a two day stretch. It was terrible and great. Seeing family and friends (Jared's friends) was great. Traveling ~11 hours in two days was not great.

Christmas was the best. We had a four day weekend. We went to Jared's grandparents that Saturday. I met a slew of cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course his grandparents. I saw Brittany on Sunday. Monday we went to Jared's family's Christmas dinner. Tuesday we went to my family's Christmas party at Aunt Sue's house. We were so busy! I loved it.

We got the best Christmas gifts too! (Not that I'm materialistic.) They were so thoughtful! Amie and Matt gave us a woodcut ornament that said "Jared, Holley and Gizmo's first home" and a cool - hard to describe without hand motions - wall art piece. Jared's parents gave us a fire extinguisher and a garbage disposal! Perfect. We also received a really great painting (like house painting, not oil... painting?) set. We'll be cracking that out this summer.


I may have left out some great things that also happened. This year has been fantastic for us. :D

VLOG on Christmas Shopping

Erin / Miri-love said...

Okay, how is your Christmas shopping going? Is it done? Did you get anything fun for Gizmo? ;)

Three Years, Three Days

This Monday was Jared and my 3 year anniversary. We didn't do much for the actual day. Jared came home with a bouquet of daisies. We went to Java and ate at the dinner buffet. Then, I passed out. (I rolled my ankle over the weekend and was totally wiped out from walking around at work. That's actually why I'm updating in the middle of the day today. I needed a day off to myself.)

This year was our first year of living together as well as our first year out of school. We worked full-time jobs for the first six-months working opposite shifts Monday through Friday. I was sick for a number of months and out of work for a number more. Jared continued to work his job in various locations for Swiss Valley. It was trying to work opposite shifts and only see each other on weekends. It was also trying to live together with a lot less solitary time than we are used to.

In May, we moved to Minneapolis together to our first shared apartment. In July we adopted a dog together. I look forward to what will happen next in our fourth year.

The day we signed our lease.

Irish Fest '11 and the Balls Off Bonanza

We had a jam packed weekend. It's mid-August, so it's Irish Fest! Irish Fest is the closest thing I have to a holiday tradition.


We drove down to Madison on Friday and introduced Gizmo to Wally (Jared's family's dog). At first Gizmo was trying to dominate Wally. Then, he decided to just mark territory around the house while we were out with Gram. At Gram's house, she pinned some blazers and pants for me. We went to dinner at a Laotian restaurant next to the Barrymore. Dinner went well, and was very tasty.

On Saturday, we dropped Gizmo off at the Spay Me! Clinic in Sun Prairie. He happily went with the vet tech... we'll see if that ever happens again. Spay Me! is a nonprofit that neuters animals at a low-cost rate. Neutering, green tattoo, nail trim, rabies shot, and distemper with a fashionable plastic cone all for $75.00. After dropping off Giz, we drove up to Milwaukee and straight over to the festival grounds.


Irish Fest was great! (As it is every year!) After perusing the shops and deciding I wasn't wanting anything outside of festival gear, I came in way under budget. So, we ate a lot of festival food! I especially enjoyed the lamb sandwich, blue cotton candy and Hawaiian Shave Ice on which I gorged. Jared and I also had Chicago Style Hot Dogs... which always disappoint me. I just can't find a good dog outside of Chicago... We caught some world music concerts, the parade and a bagpipe performance. All in all, a good day.

Sunday, we came home around one in the morning to the most pitiful dog in the world. Jared's dad picked him up earlier from Spay Me! Apparently, he spent several hours standing around frozen in place. He'd walk a little forward and then stand frozen in place again. We took his cone off, and he walked around a little. He'd whine some times. He must have been in a lot of pain. We slept in the living room with him for a while before putting the cone back on him. When we woke up later that morning, Gizmo was outside in the backyard still coned.... standing frozen in place. We took the cone off, and suddenly he's walking around no problem. We left in the afternoon. The dog slept most of the way back on the blanket Gram gave him. When we got home, it was already time for bed. This time, when we put the cone on him, he bounded around the apartment running head first into everything. I laughed so hard when he ran straight into the mirrored closet door.

I found out that my camera phone has a panorama setting... so here are a bunch of illustrative panoramas. Most of these pictures are being photobombed by Jared.

Halloween Costumes for Freezing Temps

Cady Heron of Mean Girls summarized Halloween best.

"In the regular world, Halloween is when children dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In Girl World, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it."

Lucky for me I live in a very cold climate, so being a huge prude doesn't make me stand out as much as you'd think. My ideal costume would cover my legs, be warm enough for 30 degree weather, and complement my natural adorableness. For this reason, I have been looking at full-body animal costumes.

The perfect example of a hot lady making an animal costume even hotter is
Anya from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Another great example is Britta from Community.
Credit to Robin H. for reminding me.

Right now, I'm at a draw between two costumes that fit my needs.

I feel like the dog costume would hide stains better, but it might be difficult to shove the footies into tennis shoes. I also fear that someone would think I was referencing Wilfred. Although, being mainstream can be fun! The kangaroo costume is way cuter, and it doesn't have footies, so I can wear whatever shoes I want. I just fear the tail dragging the ground. I also am aware that full-body costumes may not fit short people. With great risk comes great reward!

I'm Prime; It's My Birthday

23 years ago on August 1st, my mother went into labor around 1 pm, and I popped out August 2nd. I suppose I needed to marinate a little longer. I wanted to give an update on what has happened/will happen birthday-wise since I posted my birthday list in July.

Meaningful, Bill Paying Employment

I was contacted by Kelly Mitchell via Monster Jobs concerning a position with a corporation headquartered in Minneapolis. I went in for an interview on Friday and received a call on Monday offering me a job. I"ll be answering customer service emails and doing some light incoming-call customer service. It's 40 hours a week with over-time. It's a temporary position, but I'm hoping it leads to a permanent position within the company. The women at Kelly Mitchell were very professional and welcoming. I start in September, and the position is scheduled to end in January. During the five month period, I will make more than I did all of last year.

The women at Kelly Mitchell also asked me for referrals, so I offered up my good friend Jenni and my new friend Carissa. This should be great, right?

Reliable Collapsible Transportation

Soon after posting the birthday list, I purchased a folding bicycle off of Craigslist. It's a two year-old Tokyo that's silver. It's about 30 lbs, but can become less unwieldy, because it compacts. I purchased the bicycle for $80.00. 

Also pictured: A huge vase.

Very Irish Weekend

We have plans to be in Madison/Milwaukee/Sun Prairie the weekend of the 19th of August! I'll get to spend the day with Jared and as many people as I can talk into joining me. Gram sent me a check for $100.00 for my birthday that I will use for spending money. I'm very excited! There will be many photos, and we're going for the whole day!

Loyal, Dwarfed Dog

On Friday, the 29th of July, Jared and I met a nice woman in a parking lot about adopting her corgi, Gizmo. We took him home that afternoon. He's been great so far! I started a phlog of him which you can visit at the following link: Gizmo the Corgi. He's a 3 year-old tri-colored dude with stumpy little legs. Over the weekend I taught him to lay down on command. He already knew sit and kennel. While I'm busy doing nothing from the 5th to the 5th, I plan on getting him well versed on tricks.

More Effective Means of Time Travel

I have not gotten a camera. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I want an iPod. We'll see. 

Additional:

Comedy Club

I'm going out with some friends to see a comedy show at Acme Comedy. It's free, because I'm a birthday girl! I would like to wear a crown.

Free Treats From Starbucks

I wasn't hungry today by the time Jared came home, so instead we took the dog on a walk and stopped at Starbucks. I was talking to the woman behind the counter about volunteering at Jabbok over the fall and gave her the information for that. I asked if Starbucks does birthday specials, and she gave me my coffee and treats for free. She was very nice and thought Gizmo was a looker.  

Dinner with Gram

When we go to Madison, we'll be stopping by Gram's and heading to a birthday dinner (my favorite tradition). I'm not 100% sure where yet, but I'm like to try some place new and tasty.

It's really strange now, because I come home from volunteering and have nothing to search for on the internet. I have the bike, dog and job I wanted. Overall, it's been a great couple of weeks. Everything's coming up Holley.

Top 5: Birthday Wishlist 2011

Unlike previous Top 5s, this one is in order of most wanted to less wanted. Keep in mind out of the billions of things I could ask for, this is my Top 5 so all these things are very much wanted.


Meaningful, Bill Paying Employment

In 2005, I received a phone call on my birthday offering me a job at Build-a-Bear. In 2010, I received a phone call the day before my birthday offering me a job at Swiss Colony. This year, I would like to receive a phone call on or near my birthday offering me a job. I'd like a job where I can work with kids, possibly kids and art.

I would be more than happy to be a secretary, given that I can wear cardigans and not blazers. I will accept anything that isn't retail, that will allow me to feed myself. Please.

Reliable Collapsible Transportation

I've been doing a lot of research on bicycles, because I now live in the nation's #1 biking city. Also, if I walk downtown one more time to window shop for hours, then my feet might need to be amputated. Stumps will not work well with my current wardrobe.
I decided on folding bikes for 5 reasons:

1. Folding bike seats and handlebars are more adjustable to height than "regular" bikes. Which means I can ride an adult sized bike instead of a kiddie one. 

1. This means there are no hard to understand frame sizes and tube heights. 

1. Folding bikes collapse into a more manageable size. Carrying the collapsed bike upstairs would be far easier than to lug a bike frame upstairs that is as long as I am tall. 

1. As a bonus, the small, collapsed frame would be easier to store in our small apartment.

1. If I choose to purchase a bicycle online, I can purchase a bicycle directly from the supplier and shipping costs are nominal.

I've done my research and have looked into three companies that supply collapsible bicycles. I have also considered affordability and will now list both the high-end and low-end folding bicycles I like best.
Citizen Bike supplies affordable folding bicycles. Their website is flashy and includes testimonials from happy customers. However, I have not found any online reviews on the bicycles outside of the company's website. This makes me very wary of purchasing a bicycle from Citizen Bike. Pictured below is the Barcelona ($399) and the Miami ($199) models.

Dahon is a trusted brand in folding bicycles. It seems that with a well known name, also comes a higher ticket price. I would very much like to own either bicycle below. If money wasn't such a concern, then I would without question purchase a Ciao! D5 ($899.95) or Boardwalk D7 ($658.00) pictured respectively. 

What I am considering buying for myself if I get a paying job in the near future is a Worksman Cycle folding bike. The simplicity of the company strikes me as a better choice than Citizen Bike and a more affordable choice than Dahon. The prices vary by number of gears. Although I would prefer a 3 Speed ($329.00), a single speed is more affordable ($269.00). Either would look like this, only electric blue. Red paint is an additional $15.00, and if I'm paying extra for paint I'm going with Safety Yellow for the win.

Very Irish Weekend

I love Irish Fest. I want to go on a night Gaelic Storm is playing and to stay the whole day from morning to midnight. I would like $100.00 in spending money. I would also like to eat noodles for lunch before we get going to Milwaukee. 

Loyal, Dwarfed Dog

I would like a medium sized, cylinder shaped dog with short, stubby legs. I would like either a Basset Hound or Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

More Effective Means of Time Travel

My digital camera right now was purchased in 2007. It works just fine, and there is no "real" reason to replace it. However, I hate it. It's one of the worst purchases I've made so far. It takes too long to focus, so the pictures never turn out right. And, the portrait setting is a joke; the flash is way too bright. Needless to say, I rarely use my camera.

I would like a Canon PowerShot that is ultra-compact.

Cleaning in the New Year

I'm setting the same New Year's Resolution I did this year as I did last year: I will make an effort to be more thankful for what is provided to me and the people in my life.

However, I am embracing the idea that there is no future; there is only now. I'm doing this by creating a thorough list of what I need to do to clean my house.

Plan of Attack: Clean House
Guidelines:
Always clean the floor last.

Bathroom
 Bathtub/Shower
 Sink Done 1/9/11
 Mirror Done 1/9/11
 Toilet Done 1/7/11
 Floor Done 1/7/11

Kitchen
 Fridge
 Stove top Done 1/4/11
 Counter tops Done 1/9/11
 Microwave
 Go Through Misc Drawers Done 1/4/11
 Rearrange Pots/Pans Done 1/4/11
 Added 1/4/11: Sort Through Misc Plastic Storage Containers Done 1/9/11
 Floor

Living room
 Dust Between TV and Wall
 Dust End Tables
 Move Couches and Sweep
 Move Coffee Table and Vacuum Rug

Upstairs
 Do All Laundry  Done 1/3/11
 Clean Under Bed (If Necessary)  Determined Unnecessary 1/4/11
 Vacuum Floors

Dining room
 Take Down and Store Christmas Tree and Ornaments Done 1/2/11
 Move Table Under Light Done 1/2/11
 Remove ALL Knickknacks From Tables 85% Done 1/2/11
 Floor

This is my weekend off, which I intend to spend relaxing at home. However, on Monday I would be working eight hours answering phone calls, but instead I have the day to myself. I plan on devoting the majority of my waking hours to the list above ... I would also like to put together the puzzle I started last week Done1/2/11, send out my thank you cards Done 1/3/11, cook our weekly meals  Done 1/5/11, and call my favorite aunt Done 1/3/11.

I'm also striving to not look into moving until the 11th hour. I need to stop pouring over Craigslist and Google researching apartments without a clarified budget and timeline.

Christmas: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Hello, December 26th! I have been waiting for you.

Now that Christmas is 365 days away, my job will be a little more clear cut. I've been waiting for this since early November. All I can say is, "hatchachacha!"

Now, onto Christmas past. This year Jared and I attended dinner at the Koehn's Friday night and lunch at my aunt and uncle's Saturday. Both events went over well, but I preferred Jared's gathering to mine. Not because I am choosing favorites, but because there are twice as many adults at my family's celebrations, and I become anxious in groups. I attribute this to basic paranoia multiplied in intensity from close familial proximity. Meaning, generally groups don't bother me, because I don't care what strangers nor acquaintances think; however, because I'm tied to these particular people and will be seeing them year after year, I care. I'm not afraid of making a bad impression. Instead, I get the sense that I already have and am currently in the process of living that down. And, no I have no idea what event/reputation I'm speaking about. It wouldn't be paranoia if it had grounds.

The other problem I have is not meant to insult my mother. I want to have that on record, because this isn't a problem with her it's a problem with me. My mother is a character. She displays herself with gusto using wide hand gestures and colorful language. She strains her face to contort to whatever mood she is trying to project. She is also loud. Personally, I see this as her way of dealing with the above paranoia that we both suffer from. Unfortunately, my way of dealing involves turning myself inward, buttoning my lip and waiting for time to move. Which means my mother attracting large amounts of attention to herself... makes me cringe inside. It's not that I'm embarrassed of my mother, because my mother is awesome. I just hate. hate. attention --- especially when I'm as anxious as large family gatherings make me.

The cliched truth that I'm digging at is that holidays are stressful. I have decided that hosting a large gathering is too much trouble, and I will forever be a guest in other people's celebrations.

http://www.timbergrowers.com/

Christmas List 2010

I would like to open by informing my dear readers that I have already spent my last penny on Christmas and didn't buy anything for you all.

I bought one pair of Gilded Herringbone Women's Classics... or as I like to call them "shiny shoes." And, I bought the sunglasses I've been eying for months from Fossil and a few basics at Old Navy that I will wear until the seams rip.

Now is the time I make the list of things I want, do not need, and shall not buy for myself:

     Amazon Kindle 3 with protective skin and cover

I thought I was going to buy this for myself... then looked up the "necessary" accessories and gave up on it. Also, I'd have to pay for a large number of books I want to read.

     Archie Grand Secret Agents I Met and Liked Notebook

The shipping for this was 79.75% the cost of the item.

And the list of a possible additions to my overwhelming collection of stuff:

     David Sedaris Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary

I have been infatuated by David Sedaris for years. He's definitely worth a read if you get the chance.

     Moleskine Red Weekly 2011 Pocket Planner

It's the same planner I used all of last year, but it's not really worth it until I have things to plan around.

I'd also like an engagement ring, but fat chance. 
I'm a pretty simple girl with simple needs. Most of the time it takes me months to talk myself into a purchase over twenty dollars. Right now, I feel so guilty about what I have bought, I just want to work every weekend until Christmas.

I Forgot The Best Part

When Ciera and I were attending RHPS, there was a ninja sitting in the row in front of us in the last seat on the left. The MC announced that all those participating in the costume contest should come to the stage.

...

The ninja stayed in his seat.

He was not in costume.

He was a ninja.

Burrrsday: It Is Very Cold

I am really loving life right now!

This Wednesday I woke up at a thrilling 8 a.m. to put in a fantastically large order that on normal conditions I could never afford. But, my wonderful job makes many never affordable orders possible. Now I just wait by the door like a happy yet lonesome puppy for the twenty seemingly random items I have ordered. Just so you know it isn't random. I ordered a table that I will use specifically for my laptop. I bought this because when I was making the order I managed to knock an entire glass of tea all over my coffee table... with my laptop. I ordered three separate sets of bedding of which I will decide that I like them after I see them in person. I bought a wreath and garland to decorate for Christmas. This year I love Christmas. I bought a small speaker to attach to my laptop. The speaker uses vibrations to project sound. I purchased a stainless steel stock pot and a 9-quart roaster. I bought a fan... which is random but awesome. I bought a rolling hamper... because both mine and Jared's hampers have fallen apart from college abuse. I purchased a wall-mounted jewelry armoire that can hold all my lovely pieces of jewelry that I never wear. I also purchased a tent to go camping in this summer and an induction cooktop! And that is the extended list of what I bought at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Now, onto what I did last week! I met a lady named Jenni, and we went out on the town Thursday and Saturday night. It was very fun. I really felt kind of "above it all" or whatever, because I'm not in college, not staying in this multiple horse town and happily settled into a caring relationship. Basically, I have no one to impress, and I don't give a crap about how I'm dancing or what I'm wearing!

Ciera and I went to Rocky Horror Picture Show the night before Halloween. Here's the short of it: I hated it. Firstly, I got pegged in the face with rice. Pegged in the eyes... with rice. Ciera was slammed in the back of the head with a roll of toilet paper. I had a latex reaction to the gloves in the goodie bag. What really made it a total bust... were the people that sat directly behind us shouting "Virgins!" every time a person did something off cue. I did enjoy the man dressed as Riff Raff who shouted great lines at the screen ... that I could actually understand. As a RHPS wrap up: Latex reaction, riced eyes, pained C, obnoxious sluts. (Pun off the word virgin.)

The great things to happen in the future involve Rainbow Rave and Christmas.

Rainbow Rave is a conference followed by a drag show and dance. Last year I made it to the drag show and dance. During my college career either a blizzard... or more likely a job has stopped me from attending the conference.

Also this year, I am in a really festive mood. I don't know if it's the job, having a little family of my own, or my acceptance of how disappointing Christmas can be when you're a kid. It's time for me to make my Christmas as merry as I like it. I'm old enough to make my own holiday.

As an after thought, I have started reading The Wizard of Oz.

My Christmas list includes silver shoes and a Kindle.

An Exciting End of Summer

Summer is wrapping up for me. My new job as a call representative starts the second week in August and promises to keep me fairly busy during daylight hours. My birthday is on Monday, and I have three scheduled events so far. Tomorrow I'm going pre-birthday shopping with two things in mind: a hot pink casual dress (preferably cotton) and a sheer, beaded bolero in a bright color. Wednesday, Jared and I are heading to Madison's east side to have a sit down lunch with my fantastic Gram and possibly (hopefully for Gram's sake) Aunt Sue. After lunch we'll be coming into Platteville. I'm getting my face on and going downtown for Ladies' Night with best-friend and confidant, Ciera. Friday into Saturday a group of friends and I are going cosmic bowling at a Casino. On Sunday we leave for a relaxing time in the Northwoods. I start work on the 7th and am going to Mineral Point for gallery night that night. I expect cake and a crown. This should be an exciting birthday!

I've had a bad streak with birthdays ever since third grade when Mom let me invite over a mixed group of friends (meaning boys and girls). Eventually one boy was chasing a girl with a stick, and I ended up sobbing in the laundry room. Since then I've had botched sleepovers (everyone got lice when I turned ten), parties called on count of hurricane, and last year's awful night in a dead bar a chubby blond woman spent the night talking about how I looked 12 not 21.


There is definitely a gap between 5th grade and senior year in college; At one time I had sworn off birthdays. The last five years (since I've been in Wisconsin) Gram has taken me to Bunky's (except that one time John picked Imperial Garden). I've had a nice family dinner with Mom, John and Gram five years running (last year Jared joined too).

This year is going to be a lot different though. Actually, all family functions are going to be a lot different from now on seeing that my parents flew the coop and ran off into the mountains of Colorado. My birthday should be fine because Gram and I get on great and I always enjoy Sue's company, but I worry about Christmas and Thanksgiving. This may shock some, but my family isn't really related to me. Gram is my mother's boyfriend's mother and Sue is his sister. They've been very welcoming to me since they figured out I am not a problem child. Their openness to my presence has been a great change of pace with family and makes me feel apart of something, but I fear without Mom and John's attendance to large family gatherings I'm going to feel the odd one out.

Update 08/05:

I ordered shoes, birthday complete.
Anyways, this is how my plans ended up.
Shopping went awful. Everything that was hot pink or chartreuse was an XL or 3XL. No boleros in sight.
Dinner with Gram was good. Uncle Bob and Aunt Sue were there. Jared was comfortably charming. I got all sorts of random things in my Gram grab bag. Makes me very happy. I just love socks, scissors and kitchen utensils. (Not sarcasm)
I didn't attend Ladies' Night. I was exhausted and the bar wasn't crowded enough.
Cosmic bowling went okay, but I got the feeling everybody was either tired or grumpy. I did, however bowl a turkey in the last frame of the last game.
Sunday we left very very late. We got to the cabin very very late. We slept late the first day. We were on the water often. I had a great time with Jared. We even went fishing. I killed 3 flies and he caught some fish.
Jared made me a cake. No one got me a crown.

I do want to say that the trip and my birthday left me overall disappointed, so my birthday suffered the curse as a slight sickness and not a catastrophe.