Arizona comes to the Midwest Part 2

My second friend who came to visit was my first friend ever...Alecia.
She lived across the street from me growing up and our moms were pregnant at the same time. We had to have everything the same...dolls, jammies, you name it....
We did everything together...
After about 3 years, she moved away...we tried to stay in touch but it just didn't happen. Then one day I was playing outside during recess in grade school and saw the new girl standing by the tree--guess who, Alecia!! I couldn't believe it. We obviously picked up right where we left off with our friendship. Then high school came and we were still friends but in different activities and didn't really hang out much. So a few years rolled by and I'm on "Palm Walk" at Arizona State and who do I see--Alecia!

Wow how does God do this? He's great and obviously he wants us to be in each others lives, so we decided no matter what we're staying in touch, even if we're two time zones away! She's such a great person and is so understanding I just love her!!

Alecia and Duke, on our way to the NU vs. Iowa State game

Her husband, Phil aka Party Boy Japan...LOL, she comes up with the funniest names for him.

Of course we couldn't let them leave without some wings from Oscar's--Char buffed, the only way to go!Only 5 days until I go to Phoenix for Thanksgiving!! I can't wait to see my parents and my great friends...and to get away from the Arctic Circle--aka Midwest. We've already received our first of many snows of the season.

Have a great week girls!!

Arizona comes to the Midwest Part 1

Hello all,
It's been one hectic fall! Over the past two weeks I've had two of my closest girls come visit me in the good ole Heartland!

First was my girl Ondrea. Our visit was full of fall festivities including tailgating...

(Wait a minute...two Sun Devils in Husker attire--when in Rome is all we can say....)

Stopping for a quick pumpkin photo shoot while shopping...


and of course,the Carrie Underwood concert!


Could my smile be any cheesier? NO! So scary, but such a cool shot with Underwood above us.

Trap Shooting and what not...

I'm here in Iowa at the in-laws writing while B and the 'rents hit up the trail and exercise the dogs. I decided not to go with since I'm really lazy and only brought heels...what better time to work on my blog on week old happenings than now. I've been so bad about blogging lately since I've taken on a side job in addition to my real job. I just blog stalk now.

This is Me playing around with Photo booth while Brian drives to IA last week. (photo booth reverses shots so no I'm not on my laptop in the car while I'm driving.

Open your eyes Duke!!Okay enough with photo booth!

Last week my youngest nephew turned one and since his parents live on a farm, we thought it'd be a great idea to try out some trap shooting. While I have shot pistols and even rifles before, I've never shot a shotgun. I borrowed a 20 gauge from a friend but I couldn't hit crap with it so I upped the ante and switched to the 12. Lots more powerful but nothing this chic can't candle...I did get a bruise on my shoulder/armpit though.

Family Outing at the Japanese Steakhouse

Last night the crew (aka The Leinen Gang or my in-laws) went to Genji's Japanese Steakhouse for, our nephew, Luke's birthday. For the normal diner, this is no big deal, but for my hubs this is like being in actual Tokyo. As I've stated before, Brian eats like a 5 year old--nothing green, no veggies but corn and potatoes. The rest of his diet consists of meat, cheese and bread. He's a processed food freak! I was so surprised this picky eater actually didn't have to hit the Arby's drive through after dinner. Here is my brother in law Brad with his kids, "Birthday Luke" and Lucy.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Raspberry Genji (although pretty weak). I guess it's raspberry sake, cranberry juice, and a splash of sprite. Yummy.
They apparently like to embarrass you for your birthday with this umbrella for a pic.
B and I after dinner. I'm stuffed from the fabUlous fried rice.
Afterward we went bowling with the kids...well some of the kids are bigger than others.


Brian is working on his form here, I usually just launch it down the way and break a nail in the process. Speaking of nails...I'll be posting about something cool next time. ;-)

Been a While and Changes are Here to Stay

Well it's definitely been a while since I've blogged. I've been going through some major changes in my life--Career changes. Mid January I quit my job at the Toyota Scion dealership I've worked at for almost 4 year! I was definitely sad to leave all my co-workers and friends I made over the years but I still feel it was for the best. Everyone was so sweet my last week at the dealership, it definitely made it hard. Here's my "going away" cake courtesy of our service department...apparently there was a problem at the bakery...
she was blond but not after the guys got a hold of her and "dyed" her hair with a magic marker.
They also threw me a nice going away lunch catered by Qdoba! It was so nice.

I didn't waste any time, and started my new position with LPi the following Monday in Minneapolis for training. All of my new colleagues are really nice too. I am one blessed person to have great people to work with yet again!

While inI stopped off at the Mall of America.
The mall wasn't what I was hoping for, but definitely overwhelming. I couldn't believe how many food options there were in one mall.

I did however happen to find the cutest restaurant (not at the mall) called Patrick's Cafe. This place was a treat! I got a chicken salad and this stellar cheesecake for takeout.
It was almost too pretty to eat...but I managed. Look at that yummy surprise in the cheesecake--raspberry filling!

I'm learning a lot at my new job and hope you girls are doing well. I hope to get back to blogging now that I'm home and working. Please pray for my success at my new job in advertising sales...there's a big learning curve and I need it!

3 Days and Counting!!

Only three more days until I'm on a flight to visit my family and friends in the beautiful state of ...

Yes. ARIZONA!! I can't wait to not have to salt my driveway just to get up inside the garage or bring my snow boots to work-ugh! Why do I live in the Midwest? I have no idea...

I couldn't get up my ice rink driveway last night so I decided to get a little sun the good ole fashioned way...

well it's not like I'm getting any outside?

When I was done, Hubs came home and skated my car into the driveway after a rigorous salting. I don't help with any of that. I don't want to deprive him of the joys of why we live at the North Pole...not one single moment. ;-) Hey I gotta hold to my Diva in the Midwest title right?

Sunday Brunch and Couch Shopping

For those of you who have some non-sporty husbands, let me fill you in. When one marries a sports fanatic, they become a widow--a football widow all fall! Most weekends, I spend cleaning, working out and shopping since I can't pull him away from the TV. Sunday was a different story, I actually got to spend time with B! After church, we went for brunch at Le Peep. B didn't want to go there at first because he thought it "sounded fruity". He lost the battle.

I ordered a yummy Cinnamon Roll Latte. One of the best lattes I've ever consumed! (Because I'm an addict, drugs on the side please.)

For my meal, I ordered the pumpkin stuffed french toast. It was even better this morning for leftover breakfast!

Brian got the Cinnamonster (and other food but I didn't capture it)...he's giving his monster look too!
After brunch we went to the only furniture store in Nebraska-- Nebraska Furniture Mart. FYI, this place makes all other furniture places go out of business because it's so big. We've had our current couch for a hefty 3 years and it's complete crap, and looks like crap too. Brian, with his geriatric ways, wants a recliner. I simply hate the look of recliners--so old fashioned. I want leather since it seems to last forever. So we're looking at leather recliner couches.

#1

...but in the color of the chair below.

#2

#3

which is your favorite?