Six Months as a Mrs.

The Wonderful Things:

• WE ARE IN OUR NEW HOUSE




• so I totally thought the 3 stall attached garage was excessive and totally unnecessary until we put in it: 2 kayaks, 5 bikes (3 are Marcs, 2 are mine), camping gear on these built in shelves, the hopes of building a dog kennel, snow shoes, skies, sleds, and a snowboard


• attached garage = brilliant - love love love having it attached - I was clueless on how wonderful this really is


• yes, I hope to get pictures of our house up soon


• so thankful to have my stuff back - I was getting annoyed at only having one pan, minimal clothes, no couch or sewing machine - first world problems indeed 




• really the major thing I missed was my winter coat






• WE GET TO HOST CHRISTMAS WITH 2 BATHROOMS




• we were fine with one bathroom when it was just Marc and I at my house but it always was LESS than idea when there was guests (my parents, brother, brother's girlfriend, and Marc's mom) - seriously someone was always waiting to pee


• here comes testing the water heater




• I love that my neighbors are not able to see in my windows while sitting on their couch (note previous house was this way)


• I found a chicken coop plan that I love and we have all the materials we need to build it and so we are totally planning to build a chicken coop this winter




• Yes, I realize this project could totally flop


• No, we aren't getting the chickens until spring


• Yes, I know it is weird to want chickens


• No, we aren't getting 12,000 chickens, I plan on ordering 5 (assuming 1 will die in route)


• Yes, I am excited


• No, you can't crush my dreams on this one


• Yes, I know someday I will have to kill them and eat them




• seriously doesn't bother me


• yes, I seriously still plan on naming the chickens


• no, I don't want your advise unless it is actually helpful - I don't care that you think chickens are dumb

The Things No One Warns You About:

• blending holiday traditions can be hard sometimes and takes way more communication than you anticipate - who knew we both really cared about what went on the Christmas tree and how many decorations go on the Christmas tree




• my advise: over communicate




• Potlucks that require you to sign up for what you are bringing royally suck 




• Marc's work has some strange deal that turns potlucks into everything but the "pots luck" - they have a sign up sheet to note what others are bringing - sometimes there is even a theme and things that "must" be brought - and according to the "rules" once some one signs up for something you "can't" - I sign up for things as soon as I can so that I can do what I plan - Marc doesn't see the same importance - so twice in the last month we got caught "bringing the same thing" as someone else - blah blah blah - it's annoying


• yes, we've talked about it and we have come to an agreement on this whole potluck deal


• potlucks the day before you move really blow




• laundry isn't my favorite chore and it is now doubled




• yes, Marc does help with laundry both the washing and the folding, which I appreciate and tell him that I appreciate

The Miscellaneous Things:

• Unpacking has been great because I have actually been going through things as we unpack and have gotten rid of a ton of stuff


• the lack of a fenced in yard for Dakota currently sort of sucks because we can't just send her out the back door and have her run lake a crazy pup, rather we have to tie her to something - who knows what she'd do if she wasn't tied down - definitely on the spring to - do list


• If you haven't seen the movie "The Internship" - we watched it the other day and thought it was a wonderful movie for a rental (we redboxed it)


• I am LOVING being a little bit out in the country - Marc is loving being a little bit out in the country - Dakota is fairly certain she has died and gone to heaven

Full House

Or almost full house. I am certain we still have room for dad to arrive tomorrow. I love having my house full of people. My house is wonderfully sized, not too big and not too small. I have three bedrooms and only one bathroom (which is the downfall) and a story and a half (strange concept to me to have a half story). I found the house almost too big with just Dakota and I living there. I am certain when Marc moves in this June we will still find that we have plenty of space. I am thankful that I have a house that is large enough to be able to accommodate a few extra guests. We can figure out how to share the bathroom and not run out of hot water. I love having family around and totally can deal with the mess and other things that come with having extra people in the house.

I love having the noise in the house, I love the way Dakota knows that people are sleeping upstairs and begs to be let upstairs (I have her baby gated out) in order to wish them a good morning and get in a few morning snuggles. I love having a full kitchen table and sharing a meal with those I love. It will be great to have dad here on Monday. YAY for family.

Off to the YMCA for a run. Tinkerbell is around the corner, I am getting more and more excited each and every day, darn ice keeping me from running outside. I suppose since Christmas is now only two days away it is more than time to finish that last Christmas present looming over my head.



Do you have much left to prep for Christmas?
Do you enjoy hosting?
Did you finish all your Christmas projects?
Did you make many Christmas presents? Did you make any Christmas presents?

Empty again.

Christmas and New Years was awesome to say the least, my family (Dad, Mom, and Brother) all came up and we spent nearly a week together. My brother stuck around for a little while and has now left for a few days to spend some time with his friends but left me with is dog (Nala, who is the highest needs dog I have ever met) and my friend Suz and her puppy (Louie) came to stay for a few days. Together with a group of friends we celebrated new years at my place. It was all fabulous, we played games and ate raclette (look it up it is swiss and amazing)!!! My house is now empty minus an extra dog for a few days before brother comes back. I am lame and am way excited to do things like: laundry, clean my floors, get all the dishes put away, clean the bathroom and living room. I love sharing my house with others but after just over two weeks of company, while I am super sad to see everyone go, I am jazzed to have my house all to myself and am able to clean it up and get it back into shape.

2012 is looking like it should be a good year, I have some fun stuff in the works.
Some of this year's highlights:
-Extravaganza, New Orleans, February
-Bring Grandpa and Grandma's car back with Mom, Naples to SD, April
-Craft fair with my friend Jess May 12
-Fargo Half Marathon, May 19
-Sour Grapes Half Marathon, Brainerd, June 9
-Boundary Waters Canoe Trip with friends, August
-365 days of pictures (I am not sure how this will turn out, but I am going to attempt to take at least one picture a day and put them all in a book)
-Oktoberfest (not sure distance yet) Run in Fargo, October

This summer will be nuts with work and trips here, there, and what feels like everywhere. While there is a piece of me that isn't over the top excited about it, part of me can't wait for the fun to begin, enough of this planning stuff, let's get on with the trips.