Days of Thanks: Day 28

Today I am thankful for some of the men in my life.  I am just blessed to have some amazing friends. So what if I hung out with mostly boys in college!  I was so fortunate to spend the last two nights with some key people in my life. These men are my 2 quiet friends.  We don't pick up the phone an talk regularly, but they are my big brothers.  They would always have my back, as I would theirs.  There is just something comforting about friendships that are easy and just work.  I just hope everyone out there has similar friendships. We have been friends almost 15 years and don't see that ending anytime soon.  Dave has the ability to make any situation funny.  He can always bring a smile to my face and has his own killer dance moves. Hott, is super smart and I appreciate his nerdiness and his love for Razorback football....Go Gogs!  I was honored that these 2 were users in my wedding.  I love them and love their friendship.

Days of Thanks: Day 27

On day 27, I am thankful for the University of Arkansas. As, I have written in other posts on my blog, I am a die hard Razorback.  To give a little background on this...  My mother is from Arkansas, and she had me calling the Hogs as a wee little tot.  I have seen home movies of myself saying "Woo Pig Sooiee", wearing a Razorback T shirt.  Growing up, I never thought I would actually choose U of A as my university of choice.  However, once I visisted the campus as a junior in high school, I knew it was the place for me.  I had an amazing 4 years in undergraduate school and I love almost every minute of my time here.  I found my voice. I was able to discover how strong of an individual I really was.  I grew more as a person in those 4 years. I also made decisions that would shape the rest of my life, from my career to my friends.  I absolutely love that the University of Arkansas is in my terrirtory.  Though the campus has changed a lot since I was in school 10 years ago....I don't think many other college campus are a beautiful as my alma mater....and I have seen a lot of college campuses.  There is just something comforting about being in Fayetteville.

Day 26 of Thanks

Today I am thankful for the ability to work from home when I am in town.  This is a blessing and a curse.  The blessing is that I can pretty much wear comfy clothes and not do my hair or makeup if I do not want to.  The curse is that I have to stay on track and actually accomplish something.  This prompted me to get my office set up in our loft....finally,  I think it is going to be a great spot for me to work, and definitely beats the no window basement I worked from in my old house.  It is also nice to seperate sleeping, eating, and working via our 2 story house.  I also love that my hair is french braided in 2 braids and I have on leggings and a sweatshirt!

Days of Thanks: Day 25

On day 25, I am thankful for jaccuzi bath tubs.  For the past 3 days, I have woken up around 5am for various events like black friday shift at Ann Taylor, Peyton's 7am soccer game, and our adventure to Kansas City for the Broncos/Chief's game and I am just plain exhausted.  I have also been having from what I can describe as back spasms. It feels like pins and needles across the center of my back.  I am sore and stiff and the feeling is just, well, weird..  I have never felt anything like this in my life.  A bubble bath in my new tub was amazing and for a few minutes, I had relief from the spasms.

Days of Thanks: Day 24

Today I am thankful for my in-laws.  While I was working in the hell of holiday season, my husband, MIL, and FIL spent the day painting and cleaning our old house to get it ready for rent.  They steam cleaned the carpets, packed up the rest of my basement, and painted.  I am very grateful to them for helping.  My FIL said they did it because I am family and family helps each other.  So now Yale is ready to be up for rent. Cross your fingers we get someone in soon!

Days of Thanks: Day 23

I can tell you what I am not thankful for on day Day 23.....Black friday, or better yet, Black Friday shoppers.  Hello people.....it is not my problem that you decided to camp out or shop all night. Do not take your frustrations on not getting that 1 TV that was on promo in the ads (there was one 1 per store, that info was left off the ad).  Ann Taylor opened at midnight on black friday. Yes, I guess they thought there would be a run on sweaters.  I am sorry, I know people love the rush of black friday, but it has gotten so out of hand.  People do not need to work 24 hours on no sleep, or better yet, have to not have Thanksgiving with their family because stores have to open early. People need to get a grip on what this holiday season is about.

Days of Thanks: Day 22

I resevered Thanksgiving day to be thankful for my family, intermediate and extended.  I am very thankful for my husnband J.  We may have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, there is no one I would rather share my life with. He is my person.  He sure can frustrate the hell out of me one minute and then make me laugh the next. He blessed me with an amazing stepson who I love dearly. It has been a crazy whirlwind for my first year as a Blair, but I definetely found the right family for me. 

Days of Thanks: Day 21

On day 21 I  am thankful for DVR. I don't know what we did before the TiVo/ DVR? Oh yes. We taped shows using a VCR (of which I still have one).  I miss out on watching so many ofmy shows live so of is nice to come home and hit play, skip  commercials, and pause shows  this invention has also upped the number of shows in my cue. My husband hates that I record so many shows. I use both DVRs at once so he can't watch our TVs

Days of Thanks: day 20

I have to play catch up. On day 20, I am thankful for diet coke. If you follow my blog or know me in real life, you know that I have an abnormal obsession or addiction to diet coke.  I especially love diet coke from a can. Yes  there really is a difference! If not from a can, a fountain diet coke is pretty fabulous too!

Days of Thanks: Day 19

Today I am thankful for peppered bacon. I had to fly out last night to Little Rock in order to make an early appointment this morning. I stayed at the Hilton by the med center for the sole reason of their peppercorn bacon they have on the breakfast buffet.  I do not usually endulge in a large breakfast, but by gosh almighty, I ate the hell out of some bacon today. 

Days of Thanks: Day 18

On day 18, I am thankful for our church.  One of my New Year's resolution was to find a church home. New Year's Day was a sunday and we started the new years off right and went to church.  I can count on my hands the number of times we have missed church this year, but they were all due to Peyton's sports or being out of town.  We attend Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church.and yesterday we took the plunge and finally joined yesterday.  We have our spot in the 9:30 contemporary service where we sit.  I honestly really thought I would never enjoy a comtemporary service, but I very much do so. Adam, the associate pastor, preaches for us and he is so entertaining and easy to listen to.  Peyton likes it because they have donuts to eat on the way in and a rocking band. I am very happy we now have a church family

Days of Thanks: Day 17

On day 17, I am thankful for boots.  I love a great pair of boots. They are my staple item throughout the fall and winter.  I knew I had a big problem when it came time to move when I saw all of the boxes.  Boots just complete all my outfits, and of course you need them in black, brown, and grey.  I have 4 pairs of knee high, high heeled boots, 3 pair of cowboy boots, 3 pairs of flat boots, 3 pairs of ugg type boots, and 3 pairs of rain boots.....

Days of Thanks: Day 16

On day 16, I am thankful for girl friends.  It is has been a pretty tough couple of years for me with finding a good group of girl friends that stick by you no matter what.  I find it interesting how the levels of friendships change with time and age.  People you thought were your best friends through out the fun  times in your 20s, don't always remain such a good friend when you start calming down and entering different chapters in your life. However, I am so thankful to have some amazing girl friends. Some are far away in places like Texas and Arkansas, and I am happy to say I have some good ones right here in Missouri.  These girls are a blessing in my life.  I don't talk to all of them regularly (I need to be better about this), but they have shared not just the good times, but have carried me through some rough ones as well.  We have laughed together, cried together, celebrated milestones, danced, swam through mud, and just enjoyed each other.  I am a better person for these women and I'd like to share some of my favorite pictures of these gals! I realized I have a lot of friends whose name starts with "J" in the process........

me and Sara at my rehersal dinner......PDF pose!

Jess and I at Man Day

me and Jodi at Man Day

Kim, me, Sheila, and Alison after Warrior Dash

Julie and me at her annual Luau

Mrs. Hott and I at La Huerta

Days of Thanks; Day 15

Yay!  Finally caught up!  Today I am thankful for New Lattitude Movers.   They arrived early and are as I type packing up my home.  i am so happy to have this move over with. I really am over packing boxes and loading up my 4Runner.  Unpacking will not be fun, especially all the random boxes and bags I threw together in desperate last ditch efforts to finish packing a closet or room.

Days of Thanks: Day 14

On day 14, I am thankful for my first home.  I bought this town house while I was in grad school in July of 2004.  It was perfect for me.  1050 square feet. 2 bedroom. 1.5 bathrooms. partially finished basement and best of all, no yard work.  I have done a lot of work inside, like all new flooring, new countertops, paint, among other little updates.  I have spend 8 great years here.  I love the location. I love the memories.  I am happy that we are keeping it and turning it into rental property.   

Days of Thanks: Day 13

On day 13 I am thankful for Dish Network.  They made is so easy and hassle free when I called to move ny service to our new house. They even have a moving package....which does the move for free, 3 months free premium channels, Blockbuster at home for 3 months free, and a few other perks.  I also won't lose any shows stored on my current DVR! This makes me a happy girl.

Days of Thanks: Day 12

On day 12, I am thankful for Chobani greek yoguart.  I discovered greek yoguart about 2 years ago and fell in love.  I am not a milk drinker, so I have always been big on getting my calcium from cheese or yoguart.  They have this delicious pineapple flavor which is heavenly.  I made the mistake last week and threw the lemon flavor into my cart instead of the pineapple...damn yellow labels.  However, I regrouped and headed back to the store to purchase the right flavor.  Yummy.  It makes a good breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Days of Thanks: Day 11

On Day 10, I am thankful for 5 Guys Burgers.  If you have never had one, then you are missing out.  I went and picked up burgers for J and me while he was painting the living room of our new house.  I think this could be an issue that there is a 5 Guys very close to our new house. 

Day of Thanks: Day 10

On day 10 of thanks, I am thankful for my parents!  My fabulous parents flew in on friday to the StL to spend the weekend with me.  They have not been to St. Louis since the wedding a little over a year ago.  My mom and I had been talking about her coming for sometime during the week and then my dad said if we could pick a weekend, he'd come too! We planned it for the weekend after the opening of deer season. Heaven forbid my dad miss opening weekend.

We had such a fun time. A delicious dinner at Copia wine bar on Friday night.  Saturday, we picked up Peyton (not our normal weekend) and headed down to show them our river house.  I know what they had been picturing is not reality and they were very much surprised at how pretty it is down there. Peyton took both my dad and mom for a ride in the go cart....making sure to take my dad through a puddle of mud....he made sure to let Peyton know he sprayed his shirt with mud :)  The weather was perfect and there were quite a few boats out on the river.  We sat on the patio of Ethyl's for yummy barbque.  Peyton had an afternoon basketball game, so we cheered him on.  He has progressed so much since last year. He scored 8 points!  I worry that he will bite his tongue off....like Michael Jordan, he sticks his tongue to the side of his mounth.  I was most excited to show them our new home....which they love!  Of course, I have sent them pictures but it is nice fot them to see it all...and share in our excitment of painting and moving and redecorating.  Saturday was also my MIL birthday and we met everyone out at Donatelli's (where we had our rehersal dinner) to celebrate.

Sunday we got up and went to church. J and I will be joining Salem in Ladue United Methodist Church next sunday, so I am happy for them to see where we go.  They flew out at 1pm and I was sad for them to go. I miss my parents.  I do wish we could see them more often and I would really like to move back to Texas someday.  J is on board too, just very hard to leave Peyton...so not in the cards right now.

Days of Thanks: Day 9

On my 9th day of thanks, I am thankful for spiffs.  I received a really great email in the afternoon from one of my distributor reps.  His customer has decided to go with my Bioreactor as opposed to one of my competitors.  This is excellent news for 2 reasons. The first, is that the $24k will really help my drowning LT product number and the second reason is I will get spiffed $800/unit sold....they want 2!  This will be my first spiff for my time at Sartorius.  I know that 40% of the $1600 will go to taxes but at this time of year, any extra money will help. Crossing my fingers everything pans out and the order gets placed.

Days of Thanks: Day 8

Today I am thankful for my curling iron.  This is not just any ordinary curling iron.  It has a ceramic barrel and you are able to spin it with your thumb. It has changed the way I look and do my hair (like actually curl it!)  I am able to have a headful of wavy curls in less than 20minutes without tired arms.  Before, my arms would go numb from holding my arms above my head to ensure that all strands of my long hair were curled. now I don't have to have my arms about my head for long. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes it is the things we take for granted that I appreciate the most!

Days of Thanks: Day 7

Today I am thankful for advil.  I am pretty sure I drank more than a bottle or so of wine last night and boy am I paying the piper today.  I woke up at 5 am to a splitting headache. I went to the bathroom and took a large dose of advil and tried to go back to sleep.  Once it kicked in, I was good to go. 

The Watch Party

Last night, J and I had the opportunity to attend Dave Spence's watch party held in a ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in St. Louis.  Our friend's, the Demko's, had invited us to a meet and greet with him last month (I sadly could not attend due to obligations with work). J was very impressed with Dave, as well as my in laws.  Denise and Jerry made a contribution to his campaign, which got them invited to the watch party and hence we came with them  

Let me back the train up....Dave Spence was the Republican nomination running against the in cumbant Jay Nixon for Governor of Missouri.  He donated 6 million of his own money to run for office. He is a family man and even has a daughter named Paige!  One of his daughters is a freshman at Bama...but I didn't hold that against him. He is a small business owner who had success.  He is not a "in your face" type of person and I quite like what he had to say. That is nether here nor there now that the election is over. Dave did not win, but was humble and gracious in his defeat. 

I have never been to a watch party, but it pretty much consisted of sitting or standing around, waiting.  There were 2 big projections broadcasting dfferent television stations as the polls were coming in.  There were reporters from the major networks broadcasting from our watch party. Denise and Rick managed (on purpose) to walk by during a broadcast to be on TV :)   There were appetizers and an open bar.  It was a lot of fun...until the results came in. 

I decided last night, I think I really could get used to being a part of the political scene, be it on a committee or a wife of a senator! I really forgot how much I love being a part of the community and working on something I find passion in.  I really am cut out logistically to be an event organizer....and I look good and can dress the part.  Some of my favorite pictures of the night.

enjoying the evening.....and my husband all dressed up



Jessica and myself.....decked out in Republican Red



Days of Thanks: Day 6

Yes, of course I am thankful for the right to vote. I exercised that right this morning with my husband. We were in and out in less than 30 minutes.  We chose to vote via paper ballot because there was a line to vote electronically.  This was my first time voting "live" since all 3 other elections I have voted absentee for Texas.  It is a little more exciting voting in Missouri than in Texas because Missouri can go either way and Texas is and always will be a red state.

I just am ready for the whole thing to be done and over. Friendships hopefully can survive different party line.  I try my best to not let politics or religion get in the way of my friendships.  I know my friends no where I stand on most issues. I do not vote a straight ticket and I do not fit into any "mold". I have issues I am passionate about and argue with what my party feels/
          I am pro choice---and I do not think Roe vs Wade will ever be over turned
          I am in favor of stem cell research
          I am for same sex marriage
          I do not agree with Robin Hood projects
          I do not agree with universal health care
  I am not going to debate anyone on this.  I never get involved in people's political debates on Facebook, so I'm voicing my thoughts here.

Day of Thanks: Day 5

Today I am thankful for working from home.  It is cold and raining here in St. Louis today, and I am thankful that I do not have to get all dressed up for work. Instead, I have been writing quotes and drumming up business from the cozy comfort of my home in leggings, a thermal shirt, uggs, and with my hair in a pony tail.  Working from home has been a blessing and a curse for me.  Sometimes it is very hard to get motivated to do actual work, especially on days like today. However, I am able to get a lot of things done while I work. I am a great multitasker. For example, I am doing laundry, have chili in the crock pot and have gone to the cleaners in between calls and forecasting.

Day of Thanks: Day 4

Yesterday, I was thankful for new paint.  Yes, that is right...paint.  We have been working hard over the weekend to get our new home painted. I say we, but I mean, J does the painting and I do the Lowe's runs to buy said paint. You mess up one room, one time, and you are banned from ever picking up a paint brush again.  (I am not sure that is really a punishment for him or for me!)  We have our room and bathroom done, Peyton's room and bathroom done. Now we just need to paint the loft and the living room and it will give the house such a new fresh look.  We are not changing anything drastic, except Peyton's bathroom.  It was hidious, neon teal with a horrilbe fish border.  J's sister and I worked on scrapping off the wall paper boarder so J could come in behind us and paint.  I don't think I will ever have a house with wall paper...on purpose. It is such a pain in the ass to remove when it is put on wrong. 

This is also my 100th post!  I have not blogged as much this year as I would have hoped, but I am doing better than any other year :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 3

On saturday, I was thankful for Ann Taylor.  I have had the pleasure of wardrobing clients for over 6 years now.  I love my non real job.  I am lucky to have to opportunity to only work friday nights and saturdays, putting the store together and helping put together fabulous outfits.  Retail can be a pain in the ass. I never like the slow days when we are dead. I thrive in the holiday season of hustle and bustle.  On the otherside, I love the employee discount.  I have way too many clothes and have a hard time getting rid of anything Ann.

Epic Fail

Recently, I have come to the conclusion that I am addicted to diet coke or diet dr pepper.  They say the first step is admitting you have a problem. I have a major problem. It is my coffee in the morning and what I love to drink during my windshield time in the car, what I drink with meals, and basically what I drink when I am thirsty. Yes, I know this is not a good thing and yes, I know it is not in my best interest.  I try to drink water, I just don't care for it too much.  The crystal light on the go's help, but they are not diet coke.

I decieded that November 1 was going to be the day where I cut back drastically or quit my DC habbit.  I did very well and ordered a water and apple juice at breakfast.  Usually it would be a diet coke, no water.  Mid morning, I bargained with myself and said that for every diet coke I drank, I had to combat it with a glass of water.  By noon, I was on the verge of a major caffiene headache.  Danm the luck, if we did not have lunch at a place that has the really cool new coke dispensing machines. It has a million flavor options....like diet cherry vanilla. I was completely powerless to this damn machine.  I only had 1.5 of them, so I thought that was a win in itself.  As the day drug on, I became weak.  I didn't drink as many as normal but I did drink more than I would have liked. 

So far today, I have been up since 6am. Had apple juice at the hotel and bought a bottle of water at the airport.  I plan to make it to lunch before having a DC with lunch.  I think I can not quit cold turkey......and heaven help those who get in my way before noon.....you have all been warned.

Give Thaks: Day 2

Today I am thankful for free wifi at Kansas City Airport.  I know, it sounds like such a petty thing to be thankful for, but without it, you would not be reading this post.  I am not just thankful for the free wifi at MCI, but also pretty much any public free wifi.  Life as a sales rep becomes much easier when wifi is easily obtainble.  I think some of our customers forget that we are out and about in the field, we are not able to instantly send them a price quote or look important information up. Yes, our iPhone can do a lot of things, but I can not send a quote from my iPhone....and iPad perhaps, but I'm holding out to have Sartorius provide me with one. 

We live in a era of instatnt gratification, You send an email, you expect a response pretty much instantly.  I have leanred that if I do not send a quick, "I'm out in the field, I will get you the info when I get home or in my hotel", I can lose the sale to another rep who is sitting in their home office.  Plus, I can always waste time looking at pinterest or facebook!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 1

Look at me, starting a challenge on the correct day! Now, if I can just keep up....that will be the question.  I am of course thankful for many things in my life....husband, family, friends, etc. I thought I would take this challenge to share with you things you may or may not know I am thankful for.

Today, I am thankful for Sartorius.  Sartorius is my company. Our main headquarters is in a city in Germany that I never pronounce correctly, but we have our North American headquarters on Long Island.  Side note:  we substained limited damage at the office from hurricane Sandy, just a lot of phone and power problems. I think we are open today...haven't been so far all week. The reason I am thankful for Sartorius, other than the fact that they offered me a job 2 days before my wedding, is the amazing people I get to work with.  I have a very down to earth, hands off type of manager, which works very well for me. I have a great support team back in the office, friendly, and always willing to help a girl out.  I have made it a year here and it really seems like just yesterday that I started working.  The product line is not the most sexy or glamourous but in the end, I really believe that good people make more of a difference than a hot and novel product portfolio. 

Even though we, globally, are a billion dollar company. I am not treated as just a number. I know our North American president (and she knows me.) I even did a few shots in Aruba with her!  I think this says a lot about a company. They honestly care about me and my growth.