Cousin Weekend

So, the other weekend I went to Des Moines to spend time with my cousins! I used to live with Ashley and Drew before they were married and when they had their daughter Ellie. So I met Annie and Brett there, then my cousin Ben and his wife Christina came over too. We had such a blast! Drew brews beer and had some of his home brews ready for us to drink. He made homemade pizza--which is amazing! I needed that weekend to reconnect with family! We arnt necessairly people who would be friends other than being family, but for that, I am soooo greatful for them! They are all amazing!

Christina, Annie, and I

Ash's friend Megan, Me, Brett, Drew, Ashley

Drew, Me, and Ann

Drew, Annie, Ben

You've gotta love family! They are the ones that will be there after all is said and done. I'm sooo glad I have them! I think I remember at one point of the night, me ash ann and christina were locked in the bathroom and I cried and they reminded me how lucky I am and I always have them :) it was awesome!

I hope you all enjoy your family as much as I do mine!

xoxo, me

Well...Eric Church did not disappoint ((like i was worried! heck no))!

He was AMAZING as usual! He has a way about him that just makes you adore him. When he sings, he has such emotion. He writes his own music, and to me that makes him that much more fantastic!!

This concert was a tad different than his last ones..what I mean is that everyone knew all his songs this time. I pride myself on being one of the truest Eric Church fans. In the past, Abby and I were about the only ones that could sing every song word for word. And might I remind you, his guitar guy took notice a the last one--the one where he took our camara and took our picture. He also saw us wondering what was attached to his mic stand and he told us to watch and it was a noise maker thing..haha

This concert however, almost everyone knew all his songs..but I was in pure bliss! We got to ValAire about 2 hours before the doors opened, I wanted to be in the front row! We got in and were in the second row for most of the conert, but alas we made it to the front! :) Like I doubted we would!? Josh Thompson, who sings Beer on the Table was the opening act..he impressed me!

My Eric!

The Eric I love!


He has such a good time on stage!



Thanking US for being there!! :) Anytime Eric, anytime..

Nichole and I before we were all sweaty and gross! haha

Jess stayed by the bar all night..oh Jess..hehe.

Here is a video of Eric singing part of Carolina...one of my favorite tracks...it might be because when he is calling Carolina I pretend he's hollerin for me :O
enjoy!

xoxo, me

TODAY IS ERIC CHURCH DAY!! MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT TOMORROWS POST!!

xoxo, me

Our beloved secratary Jan retired last week..St. Pattys Day to be exact..I am going to miss her sooooo much! Over the last 4 years, I spent the first 2 being scared of her. Then, when I moved to day shift, I had no idea why I was so intimidated by her! She is the one of the best, funniest, smartest, most beautiful people I know! Our floor can joke a lot..and we tend to be kinda dirty jokers..but Jan..oh she never misses a beat! I cannot express how much I will miss her! Im sooooo blessed for knowing her!

Here is Julee--her wingman now the main captain--"working"..
Here is most of us that were working that day! And, might I add that we are a steller looking group! wow!

Me, Julee, Jan, and Heidi...

and lastly..our Jan!

Have fun Bergie!! Miss you!

xoxo, me

I LOVE LOVE LOVE St. Patrick's Day..

If I were a good catholic it wouldn't be because of the green beer, it would be because we celebrate a saint who taught about the Holy Trinity using a 3 leaf clover and for being a patron saint of Ireland. But, because I am me..I love wearing green or being pinched. I love the green beer. I love the festivities of it all!

Some random with Aundrea and I!
I love this picture! haha! The green mustache is amazing!

Sam, Jessica, Callie, and I!

ok thats all for tonight! Its been a great but long weekend!

Catch you all tomorrow! :)

xoxo, me

Happy 21st Birthday Samantha!!

Last night I went to the bar to help my buddy Sam ring in her 21st year in style! We had such a gooooood time! We had a bunch of friends from work join us!

We are quite the group!! :)
Green beer!! I drank enough cuz I didn't get any last year. Too bad I had to work this morning!>oops!

haha

The birthday girl!

She had an epic birthday! I hope she enjoyed it as much as the rest of us did! Love you Sam!

xoxo, me

Seattle..

It's been rainy and gloomy looking here..but I love it! It makes me think of being in Washington. I started watching the movie Love Happens. It is set in Seattle. I have this huge want to go back now! I even ate Clam Chowder for lunch! hehe

There is something about the Pudgent Sound that is beautiful and peaceful. You could just see Free Willy swiming and jumping! haha! I loved being near the water. I loved the bright colors of the Public Market. I love being on the ferry.
Too bad I wasn't into the Twilight series yet when Abby lived there. We could have traveled to Forks. Haha.

One of the nurses I work with lived in Seattle for a while and we always talk about loving it there. Next time I go, I want to go whale watching. :) That will be a goooood day!

Im not sure what kind of day I'm having today. I kinda feel like I have a heavy heart for some reason. I've been trying to talk to Abby today but she must be busy. We havn't gotten much talking accomplished today..or lately.

Tonight a bunch of us are going to take my friend Samantha out for her 21st birthday! It should be a really good time!! I am excited for that. I just hope I'm not a Debbie Downer...

Well. I am going to finish the movie!

xoxo, me

I've done a good job at keeping myself busy this week. I knew if I were home alone, my mind would wander to where I didn't want it to and I might start getting lonely and sad again. It's Saturday morning now and I don't have anything to distract me and no one is online..including the person I don't want to be thinking about. Of course my mind wont shut up..is it because he had someone spend the night last night? Is it because he is avoiding me? Is it because of something else? Or maybe he is just sleeping in or doing laundry..who knows!

Below is a picture from the Retirement Party. Obviously Jenn was working, but she came down to see me:) Notice my necklace! I L-O-V-E it! :)

This picture is from last night. Steph, Margo, and Nichole got off work at 11 ((as did Steve and Michael and our House Supervisor Deb)) so we all went out for a drink. Steve's wife, Rebecca, and Steph's hubby, Caleb, also joined us! It was really fun! We ran into Nathan, who works down in OR, in London Underground ((212)). It was just a well deserved drink for all of us! I liked that I got to open them up to MY favorite bar! I think they liked it! Or, I hope so!

I have no plans today. I am not sure what to do. I have a few Netflix movies, but I not really feeling like watching them alone. Hopefully something comes up for me!

Have a fantastic Saturday!

xoxo, me

I had such a fun day yesterday! I went to a retirement party..and yes..it was the funnest one I've ever been to! If you knew Jan, you would understand! I was so excited! I wore a new outfit that I LOVED! Not to mention the lovely new necklace! Such a statement piece! hehe I'm sure I will get a pic from the party to post one of these days! :)

After, 8 of us went to Boji Grill for food and drinks! You'all know thats my favorite!! So, I enjoyed the Boji Chicken Melt and the Special Cool Aid! YumYumYum! After we ate and drank, I went home and put my status on Facebook as "kinda didnt wanna stop drinking." One of the newer PCT's said we should go get a drink! Heck yes! We invited our buddy Andrew who also works at the hospital and another girl Amber. Us 4 went to 212 on Main Street. I love that place!

We had such a nice chill time! I'm not a big Amber fan. But, I think I tolerated her very well! haha! While at the bar, David text me. He asked how I knew the girl he added as a friend the other day that I mentioned. I told him and then asked him what was happening with them. He said its supposed to be a blind date sometime. I can accept that. I am just a tad posessive of the boy I lived with for a while! :) Im a good friend!

Well its almost bedtime! Have a good night all!

xoxo, me

Isn't it funny how one thing can make it or break it for you? What I mean is I saw one thing on facebook last night and it just didn't sit well for me. I stayed awake thinking about it. I saw that 2 people became friends ((i know both, but they don't know eachother through me)) and it just made me wonder how they know eachother, what they think of eachother, are they being set up by a mutual friend..etc. This morning I woke up more ok with it. But, its like I'm sitting on the edge of something. I have this excitement in the pit of my stomach but it could turn to sadness if the wrong thing is said to me or if something goes wrong. So, whats a girl to do? I turn on CMT of course and see Eric Church! Maybe it will be an amazing day! Maybe.

I'm feeling kinda lonely today. I think after so many days off work, I need to go back and be around people. Even if I don't like them all :). I am going in for a retirement tea for my secretary. So..its kinda sad. But it should be nice to see people and just be not at home alone.

Well, I suppose I should do something productive!

xoxo, me

So, a little history for you. Growing up, our neighbors, The Schleismans, were (and still are) our best friends. Their 5 kids are like my brothers and sisters. I cannot explain how it works, but we were just THAT close! We went on vacations together, we had sunday morning brunch together, we got on and off the bus at their house..the list goes on. When Adam was a baby, he was like my baby! If he couldnt have his mom, he had to have me. I think I still remember every word of every song in Barney's Day and Night video! haha! Now that we are all growing up its harder to stay as close, but non the less I'm soo proud of all of them! Alex got married last summer. Jessica is here in Ames at ISU-I get to see her occasionally! Andrew is a senior at Kuemper and a star basketball player. Adam is still the most adorable boy I know. We talk on facebook a lot! And Bethany, the baby, isnt much of a baby anymore! She's in second grade I think and is a princess!

Jessica, Kari, Annie, Bethany, My mom Barb, Kathy

Both of the pictures are pretty old. But, you can see who they are :)

As I said, Andrew is a basketball player on the high school team. He just scored a winning point to take our boys team to state!! Here's a Youtube clip showing you and see how much hes grown up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxeRaIoKvPE

Ahhh I LOVE THEM!!

xoxo, me

Today has been a MUCH better day. I got up after sleeping in and decided to head to Des Moines for a little "retail therapy." I actully had pretty decent luck! I got a new dress, a jacket, and a couple different tops! OOoo and some new jewelry! I'm excited to dress up next time! It was soo nice out in DSM. The sun was shining--get me some Vit D--I had the windows down and the sunroof open!

I got back to Ames and ran a few errands then came home and took Winston out for a walk. Ames was a bit overcast and a tad more gloomy thann Des Moines was, but it was still so nice to get out!

In other news..I started reading a new book. It is excellent so far. Its called Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. Its about an Amish girl that is accused of killing her baby. Very interesting.

Thats all for today!

xoxo, me

I was driving to work this morning..I had to be there at 11, and I got a call asking if I would like to be on Stand By. Of course I said yes. Its one of those days again..I am having a "poor me" kinda day..kinda week. I am feeling like I dont have any close friends right now. I know I have Abby, but with her being so far away, we don't talk as much as we used to and when we do it seems as one of us is distracted. My work friends are amazing.. but working different schedules is so hard. I need to talk to someone daily .. thats just how I roll.. and with all sorts of schedules it doesn't work well. Thank goodness for my sister. Especially this week. She was there for me when I just needed to vent. She even sent me flowers! Then at work, because 70+ women work together, hormones/bitcheyness/cattyness comes out. Friends turn on friends I've found over the years. I was told one of my friends was talking crap behind my back and I don't think the person who told me would lie. But I really don't want to believe that my friend is bad-mouthing me either. So, sho can I trust??? I found out that one of my good friends at work. One who I have really bonded with over the last year while shes worked there, is going to be quitting and moving to Kansas City with her boyfriend. She hasn't told anyone else, but it makes me really sad. To add to the stress level I feel like no matter what I cannot get ahead financially. I got my taxes done and I owe $500 while everyone else is talking about how they are going to spend their refund! Makes me wonder if mine got done right or what!? (((I told you this was a shitty week..haha)))

I am having a really hard time letting someone go. He has been the one I have thought of as "The One" for a couple years now. I talk to him almost everyday. We have awesome chemestry..not to mention the best in bed..ever! haha! But, we talk about almost everything. I tell him stuff I don't tell many people. I talk to him more than anyone! Im sooo me when I talk to him.. But the thing is...he moved from Ames to Maryland about 2 years ago. I've visited him. He tried to visit me over Christmas but the weather didnt cooperate. But, he never says..hey Kari why don't you move here...why dont we try to be together. Nothing like that. This week he had a date and I realized Im hanging on to something that isnt. Something that never will be. I need to let go and move on. Ha! SOoooooo much easier said than done. How does one let go? I used to believe a theory that was given to me: To get over one, you must get under another. Haha..I've used it before..and yes, it helps. But recently I've been with another and it felt like I was cheating on the other--even though I am not. I don't wanna give up without a fight...but I cant drop everything and go to Maryland when he doesn't act like he wants me there. Maybe being so far apart, I've built him up in my head to what I wanted him to be. I don't know. All I know is that I need to move on. Look for the "One" here. Obviously God has a reason I am still in Ames and that Adam isn't fighting for me. So...I just want to know what it is. I am tired of being sad and anxious and lonely! I just want to feel loved. Have someone to cuddle with on the couch. Someone to come home to and ask me how my day was..to rub my shoulders..to say "its all gonna be alright." Is that so much to ask?

A lot of my friends are getting married and having babies. It makes me sad to know I am not right there with them! My good friend Lori from high school is getting married in April. I am very happy for her but I am being a baby. I don't want to go and see all of my friends and their husbands there. Thats pretty childish of me isn't it?! I don't want to be that way. I almost feel like people are going to start feeling sorry for me because I don't have that someone! I already think that about my family! Ok, so, sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear about today. But thats whats going on in my world--the major stressors anyway. Add a few little things in and I just want to cry. A lot. I hope you all are having a much better day/week than I!

xoxo, me

Well, I arrived home safe and sound from the Windy City. This is the first trip in a while that I've had no drama driving out there! haha! David ((my old roomie)) came down from Sioux City on Thursday night around midnight or 1 am..we contemplated driving out to Lake Zurich right then and sleeping while Abby and Brad worked. But..we got talking, lost track of time and decided to sleep and wake early to head out. We got to Abbys work around 12:30 or so. She left work when we got there and Brad met us all at their place. We sat around and played Wii for a while and let the dogs get re-acquainted before we headed out for supper. Abby was in the mood for Mexican food, so we checked out Chevey's. It was good...I had chicken fajitas. They gave us way more food than I could possibly eat! My favorite was this sweet corn mash stuff...who knew?!

Saturday morning we all got up and headed into downtown Chicago on the Metra Train. I decided I do like trains, but Ferries were funner in Washington. Haha. We arrived to Union Station at like 10:3oish. I decided that it would make so much more sense if the L Train also stopped at Union Station. I know we didnt use the L train this time. ((p.s. i donno if its L Train or El Train...I know it stands for elevated train..any one help me out?)) We walked to Millennium Park. Abby calls the sculpture the Bean. But its really called Cloud Gate. Its so cool! I guess it was inspired by liquid mercury. You can learn more about it if you want at: http://www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/cloud_gate.html
Here are some of our pictures from it!
Abby, Brad, Kari, David

After leaving the Cloud, we walked along the shoreline down to the Shedd Aquarium. It had the LONGEST line I had ever seen! So, since that was first on our to do list, we got in line. It move surprisingly fast! We were in within an hour. We had a blast looking at the animals! It was not only fish and sea creatures, but we saw monkeys, toads, snakes, ducks, and so much more! Some fish were pretty ((thats a huge statement coming from me--I HATE fish! I love to fish, I will occasionally eat fish, but fish freak me out! I CANNOT touch one! I can barely touch starfish. But I do like looking at them)) a lot of the fish were ugly amazing creatures!

Here Abby and I were waiting for the boys..they weren't so excited for picture taking. Haha.

By the time we left the Aquarium we realized we had no time to do any other museums. I was kinda sad, but we had to walk back to the train to make it home! At the train station where we parked there was a Bar and Grill type of place called Durty Nelly's Pub in Palatine. http://www.durtynellies.com/

It was delish! AND our waiter had the cutest accent! He had to be from Scotland or something! We just got pitchers of beers and some wings to eat! Everything was delish! We tried Asian Wings and BBQ Wings. My fave was the Asian ones..yumm!

We decided it would be best if we left while Brad could still drive and we should prolly go let the puppies out! haha

But, as soon as we got home to Brad and Abbys, we played Presidents and Assholes! My favorite card game ever! I enjoy it so much cuz its a drinking game! haha..imagine that!
This is where the night gets funny!

David kept winning. Thats why he is all smiles, while Brad and I pout!

But then again..its SHOT time!
Haha! Needless to say, we took it easy on Sunday. My sinus's were giving me problems. David is allergic to Aspirin, so he couldnt take excedrin. And, Abby ran out of excedrin. So, we had to leave..so we got some grub at my FAVORITE--Red Robin!

Davids food got lost so he ate for free and me and him also won free burgers for next time! yay! haha. After we ate--I of course had the Royal Red Robin--its the one with the egg! haha--so after we ate we ran next door to Target. I think we all bought medicine! haha! Im sure we looked funny! We spent the rest of the day on the couch watching the Olympics---USA vs. Canada in Hockey--what a GREAT last part of the game and overtime! We ordered in some deep dish pizza to round off the weekend!

This morning David and I left about 8:45 and got back to Ames shortly after 2. He had to drive all the way to Sioux City..what a long day! But it was perfect for driving! Im soooo glad the weather cooperated for us all weekend!

I can't wait to go back!

Check out facebook for the complete photo album! hehe

xoxo, me