Well, I am officially a year older, and though I can't say I feel any different, I had a great birthday this year! My birthday was smashed between going-away parties and many "last" events, so it felt like I was celebrating for a very long time! While it has been quite the roller coaster ride, I can say one thing for certain: I am feeling very blessed! I am blessed because I have made friends who care enough to have farewell parties. I am blessed because I have made connections worth crying over. I am blessed because I have grown as a person and a professional through my wonderful job the last few years. I am blessed because I am surrounded by people who believe I will be successful in whatever comes next. Thank you to everyone who has made this time so very special to me! Though you make it hard to leave, that in itself is a blessing, too.
On another note...
Recently, I was reading through some of my favorite blogs on bloglovin (which I highly recommend if you're someone who follows a lot of blogs!) and ran across this post from the blog How Does She? The post is a list of 50 things to do before your next birthday, and I love the idea! We often visit the same restaurants, go to the same places, and do the same things again and again, sometimes because they are our favorites, but sometimes just because that's the way we always do it. For me, this year is one of change! So, while I did steal some of the ideas from the other list, I decided that my list might look a little different. Here are 26 things I want to do in my 26th year!
1. Collect and display old family photos
2. Take part in community celebrations in our new town
3. Update or restore at least one piece of furniture
4. Build something
5. Go to Minnesota State Parks
6. Learn a new skill
7. Host a dinner party
8. Have a picnic
9. Grow some vegetables
10. Watch a meteor shower
11. Learn how to find new constellations
12. Continue to learn more about star photography and practice that skill
13. Do something crazy! Something outside my comfort zone
14. Treat myself to a massage
15. Plant a tree
16. Clean out closets and storage, and donate to Goodwill
17. Create systems for keeping clutter at bay in our new house
18. Keep reading - Join a book club
19. Do pull-ups and stretch and home
20. Take at least 2 private aerial lessons to keep my skills fresh
21. Create a piece of art for our new home
22. Stay in touch with friends from Ames/DesMoines and get together with them
23. Draw/sketch something just for fun
24. Try at least one completely new workout class
25. Try a food I've never eaten before
26. And because Worthington is home to the National Windsurfing Championships... Go windsurfing!
Here's to another happy and healthy year! Thanks for being a part of my life!
Friday, May 9, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Home Sweet Home!
I realized that in the craziness of everything going on right now in life, I never posted another update about houses, so here it goes!
Brian and I were back up in Worthington to look at houses in mid-March and made an offer immediately upon getting home. The house was our favorite by far, but had only been on the market a short time and was a little above our preferred price range. We decided that you can't do anything but go for it, and boy are we glad we did! Our offer was accepted a couple days later, and we've now signed all the necessary paperwork to be homeowners!
We'll be moving in May (renting for a month) and officially closing on the house in June. We are so excited about all the possibilities this house holds, and to really make it our own - here are a few pictures!
Brian and I were back up in Worthington to look at houses in mid-March and made an offer immediately upon getting home. The house was our favorite by far, but had only been on the market a short time and was a little above our preferred price range. We decided that you can't do anything but go for it, and boy are we glad we did! Our offer was accepted a couple days later, and we've now signed all the necessary paperwork to be homeowners!
We'll be moving in May (renting for a month) and officially closing on the house in June. We are so excited about all the possibilities this house holds, and to really make it our own - here are a few pictures!
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Woman vs. Fire
Okay, perhaps I'm not against the fire. I'd really like to work with it, but at this point, it feels a bit like the enemy! I have recently decided to explore the world of friction fire-building. Yes, you heard me. Put simply: I am going to rub two sticks together and make fire! And it is going to feel empowering!
This all started because I wanted to do something with match-less fires at an event at camp. I love fire building, and it's something I've always considered myself pretty good at, so this is the next step, I guess (plus I have a strong interest in survival skills)! There are some really cool techniques for starting a fire without matches, including flint/steel, lens fires, and steel wool/battery (some of which I have done successfully, and some of which I would still like to try). But friction methods definitely became a goal. After doing some research, I purchased some friction fire kits, because it is easiest to start learning with certain types of wood. Sotol wood is considered the best in North America and is a desert plant. I decided to get a fire plough, bow drill, and hand drill. The hand drill is more just for fun and will only be attempted if/when everything else is mastered.
Tonight was my first attempt with the fire plough, and though I gave it my best shot, the score is still 0. No fire for me tonight - not even smoke, in fact! I'm doing some more reading, and it looks like maybe others are bit more successful with the bow. Now that we finally have some nice weather, I can give another a try tomorrow! I hope to show you pictures of a blazing fire after my next attempt!
Monday, February 24, 2014
House Hunting
It's interesting to me that we use the word "hunting" when we talk about searching for the right home. I don't know that I can really compare the process to hunting, but I am sure learning a lot! Brian and I went up to Worthington this weekend to begin our process of finding the right home for us. Here are a few things I learned:
1) Looking at houses is emotionally exhausting! We looked at 10 houses in one day! Wow!
2) If you're not sure of your exact cut-off, look a little higher and a little lower than you think you might want to spend. This gives you a better idea of what you're getting for your money.
3) You get a lot more bang for your buck by heading out of town! I'm not sure this is true everywhere, but it was here!
4) "Location, location, location!" It's true. If you're not okay with the location of a house, don't even look. You'll just fall in love and get your heart broken!
5) My mind changes from day to day, and even hour to hour! While there are lots of things to weigh and consider, there is also something about a house just feeling right!
6) There are certain things you just can't budge on. For us, one of those was outdoor space! I need a yard!
7) This is not a quick process...
We will be back to look at houses at least one more time, probably 2! That's not at easy task when you have to drive and spend the weekend, but it will be worth it! If you have any house-hunting tips for us, feel free to share in the comments!
1) Looking at houses is emotionally exhausting! We looked at 10 houses in one day! Wow!
2) If you're not sure of your exact cut-off, look a little higher and a little lower than you think you might want to spend. This gives you a better idea of what you're getting for your money.
3) You get a lot more bang for your buck by heading out of town! I'm not sure this is true everywhere, but it was here!
4) "Location, location, location!" It's true. If you're not okay with the location of a house, don't even look. You'll just fall in love and get your heart broken!
5) My mind changes from day to day, and even hour to hour! While there are lots of things to weigh and consider, there is also something about a house just feeling right!
6) There are certain things you just can't budge on. For us, one of those was outdoor space! I need a yard!
7) This is not a quick process...
We will be back to look at houses at least one more time, probably 2! That's not at easy task when you have to drive and spend the weekend, but it will be worth it! If you have any house-hunting tips for us, feel free to share in the comments!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Our Next Big Adventure
Well, the news is out! Brian has officially passed his boards and accepted a job at the Veterinary Medical Center in Worthington, MN for after graduation in May! It is overwhelming and a little bitter-sweet, of course, but we are very excited for this next big step in life. Getting this news has meant making many other decisions and plans, which have been keeping us busy. Here are a couple of updates:
- In a couple of weekends, we will be heading up to Worthington to look at some houses! We are planning to buy a starter home in town and it looks like there are some pretty good options available.
- I have also been working on a lot of business research and even some online classes as I prepare for starting my own private practice in music therapy. I am learning a lot about small business from a variety of sources. I am amazed by all of the amazing (free!) resources that are out there.
- We are also planning a trip for between graduation and our big move, hopefully hitting 3 National Parks on a 12-day trip! We are planning on going to Mammoth Cave, Great Smoky Mountains, and Congaree. If you've been to any of these parks, please let us know your tips for must-see areas or must-do activities!
Looking forward to all of this excitement is getting us through this cold - I'm ready for spring! Stay warm, everyone!
- In a couple of weekends, we will be heading up to Worthington to look at some houses! We are planning to buy a starter home in town and it looks like there are some pretty good options available.
- I have also been working on a lot of business research and even some online classes as I prepare for starting my own private practice in music therapy. I am learning a lot about small business from a variety of sources. I am amazed by all of the amazing (free!) resources that are out there.
- We are also planning a trip for between graduation and our big move, hopefully hitting 3 National Parks on a 12-day trip! We are planning on going to Mammoth Cave, Great Smoky Mountains, and Congaree. If you've been to any of these parks, please let us know your tips for must-see areas or must-do activities!
Looking forward to all of this excitement is getting us through this cold - I'm ready for spring! Stay warm, everyone!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
A Music Secret
Do you like music? Do you like to get things for free?
Well let me tell you a little secret! Shhhh.....
Every month, on Amazon, there are new songs available for FREE download from artists on the rise! I have gotten some great music this way, including the song I performed last May (now on the radio all the time) "Let Her Go" by Passenger! These songs can be found in the Amazon Mp3 store under "Discover" on the left-hand side of the screen. It says "Free Songs from Artists to Watch." I recommend previewing the songs before buying, as some are better than others, and there are a very wide variety of styles, but there are always at least a few I really like.
There are also a large amount of other free songs, but every time I try to get on and find them, I end up clicking around and sometimes I find them, and sometimes I don't! So, my gift to you:
Free Songs
Free Albums
Again, these songs and albums vary greatly, but there are some great ones on there! Simply listen before you download. I love the Celtic Sampler and some of the Christmas albums, as well as some of the relaxation stuff. Children's music is hit or miss. As a music therapist, you'd think any free children's music would be worth it, but I have turned down free albums more than once.
Good luck and happy "shopping!"
Well let me tell you a little secret! Shhhh.....
Every month, on Amazon, there are new songs available for FREE download from artists on the rise! I have gotten some great music this way, including the song I performed last May (now on the radio all the time) "Let Her Go" by Passenger! These songs can be found in the Amazon Mp3 store under "Discover" on the left-hand side of the screen. It says "Free Songs from Artists to Watch." I recommend previewing the songs before buying, as some are better than others, and there are a very wide variety of styles, but there are always at least a few I really like.
There are also a large amount of other free songs, but every time I try to get on and find them, I end up clicking around and sometimes I find them, and sometimes I don't! So, my gift to you:
Free Songs
Free Albums
Again, these songs and albums vary greatly, but there are some great ones on there! Simply listen before you download. I love the Celtic Sampler and some of the Christmas albums, as well as some of the relaxation stuff. Children's music is hit or miss. As a music therapist, you'd think any free children's music would be worth it, but I have turned down free albums more than once.
Good luck and happy "shopping!"
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy 2014!
Wow! Can it really be 2014 already?!?
While I didn't have any amazingly exciting plans for New Year's Eve, it was nice to enjoy a quiet evening at home in my PJs, and my first day of the new year has been great! I spent my morning finishing the doughnuts I made from my new cook book - delicious! As many of you know, I LOVE doughnuts, and fresh is always best! What's better than homemade?? I made the Apple Fritter recipe from my new Top Pot Doughnut cookbook!
The rest of my day consisted of playing on the silks at TGR with some wonderful friends, and a winter hike (sans snowshoes) with my hubby! Before we start dinner (we're making patty melts! yum!), I decided to take a chance to wish everyone a very happy new year! A wonderful opportunity to start fresh, set goals, and make changes. A chance to evaluate our lives and realize how many wonderful things we have done in the past year!
This year, I:
With Brian's graduation coming this May, I am very excited to see what 2014 will bring for us! It is crazy to know how many changes we will be making this year, and to not know right now where we will be later this year! Luckily.... we like adventures! :-)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
While I didn't have any amazingly exciting plans for New Year's Eve, it was nice to enjoy a quiet evening at home in my PJs, and my first day of the new year has been great! I spent my morning finishing the doughnuts I made from my new cook book - delicious! As many of you know, I LOVE doughnuts, and fresh is always best! What's better than homemade?? I made the Apple Fritter recipe from my new Top Pot Doughnut cookbook!
The rest of my day consisted of playing on the silks at TGR with some wonderful friends, and a winter hike (sans snowshoes) with my hubby! Before we start dinner (we're making patty melts! yum!), I decided to take a chance to wish everyone a very happy new year! A wonderful opportunity to start fresh, set goals, and make changes. A chance to evaluate our lives and realize how many wonderful things we have done in the past year!
This year, I:
- Flew on a flying trapeze
- Took my Girl Scouts camping for the first time
- Completed and performed my first routine on the silks
- Took part in Hill Day for Music Therapy
- Backpacked in Glacier National Park
- Planned and led a Girl Scout day camp
- Created many other wonderful memories with friends and family!
With Brian's graduation coming this May, I am very excited to see what 2014 will bring for us! It is crazy to know how many changes we will be making this year, and to not know right now where we will be later this year! Luckily.... we like adventures! :-)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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