March Madness 2018
8 years ago
Sunday, June 13, 2010
It's Been a While...
A few highlights from the past 5 days:
*Move in day: L and I are officially moved into the new place and we are in love with it! It's newer, brighter, more open, and just an all around huge upgrade from our last place. 2 car attached garage, 2.5 baths, walk-in closets oh my! We are slowly but surely getting settled in and can't wait to host a house warming get together once everything has found its home.
*JBT: After the big move on Wednesday, we headed to the Sands for a little v-ball action. Then onto Simon Estes for JBT. It was my first show there and do not want it to be my last. Not much can beat an outdoor concert on a perfect summer evening, surrounded by good music and even better company.
*Futbol: I've been getting my soccer education on, now that all the World Cup action has arrived. From offsides to clearing the line and even some of the players' names - it's been fun getting to know this sport a little better. I've even filled out a bracket (first one ever) and am excited to see how I did.
*Celebratin' Good Times: Friday evening we let loose a little to celebrate L's new job with sushi, followed by a few martinis. It was a fun night had by all.
*Sunday Funday: Of course, no weekend is complete without Sunday Funday dinner. We mixed things up a bit and decided to let Texas Roadhouse do the cooking.
Now, time to start another week.
*Move in day: L and I are officially moved into the new place and we are in love with it! It's newer, brighter, more open, and just an all around huge upgrade from our last place. 2 car attached garage, 2.5 baths, walk-in closets oh my! We are slowly but surely getting settled in and can't wait to host a house warming get together once everything has found its home.
*JBT: After the big move on Wednesday, we headed to the Sands for a little v-ball action. Then onto Simon Estes for JBT. It was my first show there and do not want it to be my last. Not much can beat an outdoor concert on a perfect summer evening, surrounded by good music and even better company.
*Futbol: I've been getting my soccer education on, now that all the World Cup action has arrived. From offsides to clearing the line and even some of the players' names - it's been fun getting to know this sport a little better. I've even filled out a bracket (first one ever) and am excited to see how I did.
*Celebratin' Good Times: Friday evening we let loose a little to celebrate L's new job with sushi, followed by a few martinis. It was a fun night had by all.
*Sunday Funday: Of course, no weekend is complete without Sunday Funday dinner. We mixed things up a bit and decided to let Texas Roadhouse do the cooking.
Now, time to start another week.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Kudos
There's a lot to be said for good customer service. The last three times I've visited the Hy-Vee on University, I've left there feeling like my business was appreciated.
Saturday: L and I had stopped to pick up a few things, one of them being a bottle of wine. The bottle we decided on had a really cool curved shape to it. So we get to the check out and the guy bagging the groceries made a comment about how cool the bottle was. I told him that was the main reason we picked it and he then stated, "I don't know if you've ever seen Star Trek, but this looks a lot like the bottle of Romulan." It was pretty adorable how excited he was to tell me this, with his face all lit up.
Monday morning: I had left early enough that I had time to stop by and pick up something for breakfast before going to work. My pick - chocolate chip muffins. In the 2 minutes I was in the store, I had 3 employees greet me and ask if they could help me find anything. Then, another worker opened a cash register for me so I wouldn't have to wait in line. Such service!
Monday evening: I had a few odds and ends to pick up, including a bottle of champagne. A 20-something year old girl was ringing up all my goods and she started conversing with me about the finer points of my selection of Asti. "I love this wine," she says. "Usually I'm not a wine drinker, but I dunno, this one is sweet - I just love it!"
As I walked out to my car, I thought about these pleasant experiences. From the trekee to the "wine" lover - regardless of the topic, I appreciated their efforts at making conversation with me, a stranger, but also their customer. It's so much more enjoyable than getting rung up by the crusty old grump who takes her hatred for her job out on you and just angrily throws your purchases into the bag without so much as a word or smile.
So kudos to you, Hy-vee, well done.
Saturday: L and I had stopped to pick up a few things, one of them being a bottle of wine. The bottle we decided on had a really cool curved shape to it. So we get to the check out and the guy bagging the groceries made a comment about how cool the bottle was. I told him that was the main reason we picked it and he then stated, "I don't know if you've ever seen Star Trek, but this looks a lot like the bottle of Romulan." It was pretty adorable how excited he was to tell me this, with his face all lit up.
Monday morning: I had left early enough that I had time to stop by and pick up something for breakfast before going to work. My pick - chocolate chip muffins. In the 2 minutes I was in the store, I had 3 employees greet me and ask if they could help me find anything. Then, another worker opened a cash register for me so I wouldn't have to wait in line. Such service!
Monday evening: I had a few odds and ends to pick up, including a bottle of champagne. A 20-something year old girl was ringing up all my goods and she started conversing with me about the finer points of my selection of Asti. "I love this wine," she says. "Usually I'm not a wine drinker, but I dunno, this one is sweet - I just love it!"
As I walked out to my car, I thought about these pleasant experiences. From the trekee to the "wine" lover - regardless of the topic, I appreciated their efforts at making conversation with me, a stranger, but also their customer. It's so much more enjoyable than getting rung up by the crusty old grump who takes her hatred for her job out on you and just angrily throws your purchases into the bag without so much as a word or smile.
So kudos to you, Hy-vee, well done.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Bring It Dam to Dam
T-16 hours until Dam to Dam. JW, L, Naomi, and I are ready ready ready ready to ruuunnnn. (Dixie Chicks style) Naomi is doing the 5K and JW, L, and I are taking on the 20K. This marks my longest run since April of 2006 when I did the Earth Day Half Marathon in St Cloud Minnesota. Am I nervous? Not yet but I'm sure I'll have a few pre-run jitters in the morning. Am I excited? Yes - except for the whole getting up at 4:30 in the morning thing. Am I ready? I think so. JW and I ran about 11 miles last Friday and we made it through the hot, humid conditions without H20 and hardly a bat of an eye...except for my hallucinations of seeing water bottles everywhere. We "carbed" up last night and I'm trying to stay hydrated today. The weather is not looking extremely promising, but if I can get through a day of shopping on Michigan Ave in wet/snowy/sleety/rainy/windy conditions, I can get through this!
Bring it Dam to Dam! Team Hot Sundae is ready to kick some serious ass.
Bring it Dam to Dam! Team Hot Sundae is ready to kick some serious ass.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Chateau de Holtgrewe
If the Chateau de Holtgrewe were on Trip Advisor, it would definitely get high marks from me. To say Rod and Naomi are doing a fantastic job of hosting L and I is an understatement.
Day 1: I officially started my stay on Sunday evening after a quick trip home. First thing I see when I get to my room - a pic of all of us from our Cancun trip and a Hershey Kiss on my pillow. Then, they prepared an amazing Sunday Funday BBQ, and this wouldn't be complete without playing a few games and indulging in a few smores.
Day 2: What's for breakfast? Oh, just your run of the mill poached eggs and toast. (I was offered a smoothie too, but politely declined.) Then a quick trip to Target, followed by an afternoon at Raccoon River Park with a chicken salad/strawberry/potato chip picnic in tow, and a refreshing pit stop to Tropical Sno on the way home. We then kicked back and watched an episode of Glee and a few episodes of Newlyweds while eating homemade guacamole and chips...yum! I decided it was time to step in after all that and knowing L was putting in a hard day's work at the B-Bro, and make a spaghetti dinner.
Naomi and Rod - you better watch out, L and I could really get used to this. Thank you both for welcoming us into your home and for your amazing hospitality! We are so blessed to have such incredible friends like you in our lives!
The Harmangrewes
Day 1: I officially started my stay on Sunday evening after a quick trip home. First thing I see when I get to my room - a pic of all of us from our Cancun trip and a Hershey Kiss on my pillow. Then, they prepared an amazing Sunday Funday BBQ, and this wouldn't be complete without playing a few games and indulging in a few smores.
Day 2: What's for breakfast? Oh, just your run of the mill poached eggs and toast. (I was offered a smoothie too, but politely declined.) Then a quick trip to Target, followed by an afternoon at Raccoon River Park with a chicken salad/strawberry/potato chip picnic in tow, and a refreshing pit stop to Tropical Sno on the way home. We then kicked back and watched an episode of Glee and a few episodes of Newlyweds while eating homemade guacamole and chips...yum! I decided it was time to step in after all that and knowing L was putting in a hard day's work at the B-Bro, and make a spaghetti dinner.
Naomi and Rod - you better watch out, L and I could really get used to this. Thank you both for welcoming us into your home and for your amazing hospitality! We are so blessed to have such incredible friends like you in our lives!
The Harmangrewes
Monday, May 24, 2010
Why My Friends Rock
Two major things going on in my life in the last couple of weeks- dealing with my grandpa's passing and moving - have taken up a lot of my thoughts lately. But thanks to some amazing friends, my worries and stress have been put at ease....
1. After facing one of the toughest moments of my life thus far, I was quickly reminded of what thoughtful and supportive friends I have. L, Naomi, Rod, JW, and LW - I know I've told you all "thank you"several times, but my family and I truly appreciate your kind gesture. And I am reminded each time I walk in the door and see that beautiful bouquet of flowers of how lucky I am to have you all in my life.
2. Texts/emails/phone calls of support from both my Sarahs and others offered their condolences, thoughts, and prayers to me and my family.
3. As "2 Weeks of Mad Chaos" begins, I am comforted by the generosity of Naomi and Rod, who have graciously opened their home to L and I and are taking on the brave and difficult task of putting up with us for about 10 days. (There's no backing out now!)
4. Knowing my upper body strength is less than desirable for lifting/moving heavy items, JW, LW, and Rod have offered up their muscles to help L and I with the big/heavy stuff.
5. Although fuel efficient, sedans do not quite do the trick when it comes to moving. Mikey has not only offered "Count Truckula" but also offered me a place to stay, in case I think about setting up camp under the University bridge, in the event I get kicked out of Naomi and Rod's. :)
6. I've had a plethora of offers from a place to stay, to a place to store stuff, to help with moving from other friends, including KC, Derrick, Reenie, and Katie M.
So a shout-out to you all, dear friends, for rocking my world!
1. After facing one of the toughest moments of my life thus far, I was quickly reminded of what thoughtful and supportive friends I have. L, Naomi, Rod, JW, and LW - I know I've told you all "thank you"several times, but my family and I truly appreciate your kind gesture. And I am reminded each time I walk in the door and see that beautiful bouquet of flowers of how lucky I am to have you all in my life.
2. Texts/emails/phone calls of support from both my Sarahs and others offered their condolences, thoughts, and prayers to me and my family.
3. As "2 Weeks of Mad Chaos" begins, I am comforted by the generosity of Naomi and Rod, who have graciously opened their home to L and I and are taking on the brave and difficult task of putting up with us for about 10 days. (There's no backing out now!)
4. Knowing my upper body strength is less than desirable for lifting/moving heavy items, JW, LW, and Rod have offered up their muscles to help L and I with the big/heavy stuff.
5. Although fuel efficient, sedans do not quite do the trick when it comes to moving. Mikey has not only offered "Count Truckula" but also offered me a place to stay, in case I think about setting up camp under the University bridge, in the event I get kicked out of Naomi and Rod's. :)
6. I've had a plethora of offers from a place to stay, to a place to store stuff, to help with moving from other friends, including KC, Derrick, Reenie, and Katie M.
So a shout-out to you all, dear friends, for rocking my world!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Real Housewives of Dallas County
L and I are a little under two weeks away from joining Naomi in being Dallas County residents. (wow, Dallas County - we are pretty far out there!) Westown's not going to know what hit 'em once we 3 ladies get together - very Housewives of Orange County:
...except L and I can't really be called housewives, more like housemaidens. And there's guaranteed to be less drama, unless tacos are involved.
I can't say I'm too sad about the move out of 187. I feel like I'm finally taking a stand and getting out of the bad relationship I've been in for two years. I will not miss putting up with the following:
*Paint colors - it's cute for about 2 minutes, but grows into an obnoxious headache by minute 3.
*The carpet - it has seen better days and should be put out of its misery.
*The backyard - From stepping stones to flooding - it is one hot mess back there. I feel like a frog hopping from one lily pad to another whenever I leave the house.
*Staircase - dividing the house in half and prohibiting open communication when hosting get togethers.
*Inefficiency - Shivering through the winter and sweating in the summer - we're ready for a more energy efficient place.
You would think I would be more sad about leaving "our first place" (aww) but I'm taking the best part of 187 with me - my best friend and our memories. We can still laugh so hard our stomachs hurt and tears are pouring down our faces. We can still banter back and forth, exchanging one sarcastic comment for another. We can still try to find the right key to sing in before performing a duet. And we can still sit at the top of the staircase for a good heart to heart chat in the late hours of the evening.
I feel like we're finally getting the breath of fresh air we've needed in our lives. It's like a new beginning. Hopefully this is just the start to bigger, brighter, and better things for us.
...except L and I can't really be called housewives, more like housemaidens. And there's guaranteed to be less drama, unless tacos are involved.
I can't say I'm too sad about the move out of 187. I feel like I'm finally taking a stand and getting out of the bad relationship I've been in for two years. I will not miss putting up with the following:
*Paint colors - it's cute for about 2 minutes, but grows into an obnoxious headache by minute 3.
*The carpet - it has seen better days and should be put out of its misery.
*The backyard - From stepping stones to flooding - it is one hot mess back there. I feel like a frog hopping from one lily pad to another whenever I leave the house.
*Staircase - dividing the house in half and prohibiting open communication when hosting get togethers.
*Inefficiency - Shivering through the winter and sweating in the summer - we're ready for a more energy efficient place.
You would think I would be more sad about leaving "our first place" (aww) but I'm taking the best part of 187 with me - my best friend and our memories. We can still laugh so hard our stomachs hurt and tears are pouring down our faces. We can still banter back and forth, exchanging one sarcastic comment for another. We can still try to find the right key to sing in before performing a duet. And we can still sit at the top of the staircase for a good heart to heart chat in the late hours of the evening.
I feel like we're finally getting the breath of fresh air we've needed in our lives. It's like a new beginning. Hopefully this is just the start to bigger, brighter, and better things for us.
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