Birthday and More...

So I had a great Birthday evening and Birthday dinner the following night with a big group of friends! Not everyone made it who originally planned on it, but almost everyone! About 16 people total, we had a huge table and it was a fun night. Good food, good drinks, and good company! We had a nice dinner and then a few of us went to have a drink at a bar nearby.

On my Birthday Joe brought home dinner and a cake for me, which was a nice surprise! The cake was one of the best cakes we have ever had (that wasn't homemade). He got it from my favorite cupcake/cake place, Sweet Mandy B's!! YUM! Let's just say we had a slice of cake that weekend after every meal and that sucker was gone by Sunday. Oops! But really...Best. Cake. Ever. 
Joe also got me a book called DSLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies, which I am super excited to read to start to understand my new camera. He also got me a new duvet cover, which I am super excited about! Goodbye ugly floral comforter from 2001, you had a good run!

Also, in other news, I found out about a job (on my birthday) from a friend and I submitted my resume and was called right away for an interview. I interviewed on Monday and things went well. She acted like I would be hearing from her regarding a second interview and I did! I am going in for the second interview this Wednesday! I am trying not to get my hopes up, but I am hoping this is the one. Even though the position is not with a design firm, it is still within the industry and the pay is great, so that's all I can hope for. They are looking to start someone fairly soon, so it should work out great if I get it. Cross your fingers for me! 2011 is starting out pretty good!

Here are some photos from my birthday and birthday dinner. You know the drill, watch the slideshow here small or click on it to view it larger directly in Picasa.

Happy Birthday to...ME!

Today is my 31st Birthday!!!...gulp....31....

I've had a nice low-key b-day today so far.
I slept in, took the dogs for a walk (as usual), hung around the house, and then went and got my nails done downtown, which was a nice treat to myself. Probably the last time I'll be doing that for a while...

I also spent the day reading TONS of Facebook Happy Birthday messages, which was so nice. I feel so loved/popular! ha-ha. (Thanks to Facebook's automatic birthday reminders!) 



Mindy 3rd? B-day Party (Cathy on far left in high-chair)



It's a cold, windy, snowy day here in Chicago today, so I am glad we are staying in for the night. Joe is on the way home from work and is picking up something for dinner. We'll stay home tonight and then tomorrow night we are headed to Carmine's for dinner to celebrate my birthday with a big group of my friends! Should be fun! Several of my friends are coming and lots of them are bringing their spouses/significant others/partners, etc, so I made a reservation for 20! It will be a nice big group! I don't think I've ever had a big birthday celebration (as an adult), so this should be exciting!

Seems like a lifetime ago...

I opened my present from Cathy today and she got me the Philosophy face wash and exfoliating wash that I have been eyeing! YAY, can't wait to try it out! :-)

I was talking to Cathy tonight and saying that I can't believe I am THIRTY ONE years old. We both agree that it sure doesn't seem like that can be right. I always wonder when I will feel like a grown up?! HA! I guess I still feel young at heart! Maybe all of that will change when we have kids of our own, but for now, I am happy feeling like a 31 year old kid! :-)

And many mooooore....

Welcome 2011

Happy New Year!
I'm happy to welcome in 2011 because 2010 wasn't that great of a year for me. I mean, every year has it's good points, but overall, it was not a very memorable year in my life, that's for sure. I'm sure I will look back on it fondly in 20 years, but for now, I'm glad 2010 is OVER. I am just hoping that 2011 brings good things... changes, opportunities, economic growth, jobs, etc. Puh-lease!

Here at our house we had a pretty quiet NYE. I went to a 1-1/2 hour workout class yesterday afternoon (last workout of 2010 -woo!) and then we hung around until later when we went out to a little Italian/pizza place around 8:30 for dinner. We came home, watched Bravo (Andy's New Years Eve Party) and the other boring NYE shows until Midnight. We had some gross $5 champagne that I bought just because and then went to bed. By midnight we were both pretty tired. We've never really partied it up on New Year Eve, but you can tell we are getting old because it gets harder and harder to stay awake each year. Ha ha. Oh well!

Hope everyone has a great 2011!! It just has to be better than 2010, right?

Merry Christmas!



First Photo with New Camera of Cathy's Tree

Wow! I realized it's been a while since I posted. December just flew by...I had a crazy busy month with working at Harrington, tutoring like a mad woman, finishing up teaching the tots art class and Christmas shopping. It was nuts...and now it's almost over! I can't believe Christmas came and went already! This year I just couldn't believe it was Christmas time and now it's done! Geez, time flies!

We just got back from a nice week in Omaha for Christmas. We stayed with my sister at her new house. Her house is really nice! It was also super nice to have a place to stay with our own room and bathroom..oh and a garage spot! We had fun shopping one day and getting our nails done too!

 We spent Christmas Eve with my Mom and Cathy in Omaha, doing our usual routine of eating at Biaggi's and opening gifts at Cathy's. This year we went and saw a movie too, Little Fockers, which wasn't that great, but it was fun anyway.  We spent Christmas Day with Joe's family and extended family in South Dakota. We also had another "Christmas Eve" with Joe's parents the day before Christmas Eve. We went out to Big Fred's for pizza with some friends had lots of fun. It was nice visiting family and friends, but the time always goes so fast. So many people to see and things to do. We did get some time to just hang out and relax, which was nice.

Frosty Morning in Flandreau, SD - 12/26/10

We got some great gifts for Christmas this year! I was super surprised to receive the Cannon DSLR camera that I put on my "wish list" thinking I would never get that in a million years. Joe's parent's always spoil us. I still can't believe I got it. They are WAY too good to us. I have been playing with it ever since I got it and I took lots of pictures in South Dakota. I think I want to take a class or get a book on it so that I can learn all of the fancy tricks to taking good photos. We'll see. I will be sure to post some pictures.

Joe got all of the toys he asked for to go with his new guitar. Now he should have everything he needs! We always get so much nice stuff for Christmas, from all of our family. I feel guilty coming home with a trunk full of new toys, but it sure is fun playing with everything this week!

More soon and more pics, I'm sure!

Here is the slideshow of some of the photos I took. Hover  below and click on the play button to play on this blog.
Or view full size on my picasa page here: http://picasaweb.google.com/116844502255534108940/Christmas2010NewCameraPics?authkey=Gv1sRgCKmwss_TqLuQwAE&feat=directlink

Random Thoughts

I'm on the way home from PiYo class right now (pilates/yoga). It was harder than I thought, but a nice change from Turbokick (no jumping around)... I'll definitely be sore tomorrow.
I feel fat and old today. I noticed wrinkles under my eyes last night. Boo!
It was really cold today and I have decided its time to bust out the heavy winter coat.