Cathing Up

A few of you avid amberlyandryan blog readers have probably noticed that I am feverishly catching up on the last few months of pictures in my posts. After reading that one of my most recent posts was from July (over 2 months ago) I figured that I would "just forget about it" (Donnie Brasco style), and start fresh with what's been happening lately.

But then I remembered why I started this whole blog in the first place. Its a place for me to recap the events in our lives, however insignificant or monumental they may be. And if I forget to mention a few details because I'm writing the post about a month too late, then shame on me, that's my own fault- I still want to chronicle it and I still want to remember how I felt and what was important at that moment in our lives.

So...cheers to catching up and cheers to amberlyandryan readers!

Let's hope I'm not sharing September and October's posts next spring! ; )

I MADE IT!

Just in case you're wondering- I made it! Home...that is. I left work early to find my bus stop- I was hoping to get on the 4:45 bus, but I must have been even earlier than I thought because I made the 4:37!! woo!

I wasn't actually sure of where the stop was, I knew it was about a block north of where it dropped me off on Thursday morning, but I wasn't sure what side of the street it would be on. Thankfully I saw the large black and gold bus pull up and knew that I was in the right place. I picked up my pace as I was about 1/2 a block away and didn't want to wait for the next one. So I did that awkward run but look like I'm walking with my head straight and body low. Are you imagining it? haha, I am...and it was pretty funny.

Anyway, as I approached the bus I slowed down and acted like I knew exactly what I was doing, boarded and took a seat. I knew that there would be a few more stops downtown and then it was homeward bound. It was a nice little ride back west to Eden Prairie, however it seemed like everybody had a long day- it was so quiet and no one was talking opposed to the morning's ride.

Overall, my experience on the bus was a 7 out of 10. I would say that it was definitely clean, quiet, and efficient. The commute time was similar. By the time I drove from my house to the park n ride, parked, walked to the bus stop, took the ride in and walked to the office, it was about 45 minutes in all. It's nice that I have the option, and will definitely ride the bus again when the weather is bad or I hear the traffic is horrendous. I'm glad I got the experience, that's for sure!

I'm A City Girl....Kind of

Today was quite monumental for me. It was the very first time I rode the express bus from Eden Prairie to downtown Minneapolis. It's kind of a big deal.

Let's take you back to the beginning. A few weeks ago Ryan and I were chatting about how the traffic in the Twin Cities has been getting much worse lately. Minneapolis isn't in the top worst traffic cities by any means, but lately my commute can take up to an hour-- one way. That's almost 1.5 hours per day, 7.5 hours per week that I spend in the car lately. That's almost a full night's sleep for me.

Another factor for trying out the bus was the impending winter season. Thankfully, I didn't have to deal with the winter rush hour traffic because I started my job here in late April. But there were a few days that the traffic + snow + crazy maniac drivers had Ryan staying safe and sound working from home.

So, Ryan suggested I at least try out the bus route. If for some reason, I needed to take the bus when its -20 and the snow is falling, I'd know where to go and what to do. So, today was the day.

I was a bit nervous this morning getting ready. Normally, I can leave the house within a 15 minute window and arrive at work on time. But today, I was nervous I wouldn't have enough time to park my car and get to my bus. I also wasn't sure where I was going! So thankfully, as I was leaving the parking garage, I saw a woman heading down the stairs-so I followed her. Or...stalked, whichever you prefer. She looked like she had done this before, so I followed her down the stairs, across the parking garage and to the bus platform.

I checked the bus number on my list and looked up to see that the bus I was waiting for was already there! I was 5 minutes early- whew! I found a seat and settled in, all the while checking my watch, the bus number and my map over and over again.

Thankfully the bus left on time, and arrived downtown pretty quick- only about a 30 minute drive. As I studied my map, yet again, I noticed a "ding" and then a glowing orange light flickered above the driver's head- "Stop Requested." I had no idea, I had to actually push a button to request that they stop-all the little white boxes on my map indicated bus stops- don't they stop at all of them? (I'm sure a season city veteran is laughing out loud at me right about now) In my head I was frantic- where's this button, will someone else please push it for my stop, so I don't have to find it?

Alas- my hero. A sweet young brunet girl, probably 23, with a University of Minnesota sweatshirt reached up above her head and tapped something. THE BUTTON! Woo! She just happened to be stopping at the same place- score.

The bus finally reached my stop, and I exited like a pro. I had a few blocks to walk to the office, but all in all my experience getting there was slick. I liked the fact that I could sit back and relax and not have to worry about weaving in and out of traffic. It was nice to let someone else do the frantic morning drive for me. However, the nervousness I felt getting to the bus, and making sure I got off at the right stop wasn't my favorite.

I've only made 1/2 my journey, getting home tonight should be interesting.

Brown Boots are Baffling

Since Autumn is quickly approaching, I decided to see if I could find a suitable pair of brown boots this year. Last year, I was very lucky in my attempt to find the perfect pair of comfortable, stylish yet affordable black boots that I wore with almost everything. I found out my Aunt Pam had the same boots...what can I say- comfort and class run in the family! :) The search for brown boots has been utterly frustrating.

As cute as these are, they are almost thigh high- I'm not looking for hooker boots.
Nor do I need any type of Cheetah printed product in my house:
I'm not even sure what to call these. They look artsy, but I'm not diggin' 'em.
I'm not a cowgirl...
...or a biker babe.
...or an Indian for that matter. (even if these are "all the rage" right now with the teenage girls)


Nor do I want to pay over $1,000 for a pair...no thanks Ralph Lauren.

I just want a suitable, comfortable, affordable pair of brown boots, that go with multiple outfits. Is that too much to ask shoe world?

I did find a pair that I love love love.....but at $200 (ouch!) they might have to wait for my Christmas list.

A Weekend of Weddings

Over the 4th of July Weekend, Ryan and I were in Omaha, NE, Columbus, NE, Lincoln, NE and Okoboji, IA. In that exact order within 5 days.

WARNING: a ridiculous amount of pictures follows...

On the road again-- luckily we have a very good traveler. Lola has been so good just going with the flow and jumping in the car on these long trips. She hasn't had a problem with car sickness lately, so we're crossing our fingers that that's done with!

Most of the time she wants to be with us, and often tries to get in the front seat to help navigate.


Our first stop was Omaha. Where I got to meet my new puppy nephew- Manny, and hang out with Mike and Sara! With all of the puppy play, we forgot to snap a few pictures. Then it was off to Columbus the next morning!

My cousin, Kristi's wedding was Friday, July 1st, and the girl cousins got to work decorating that morning.

My cousin Nikki (above) brought her daughter, Brynn, along to help...however she was more interested in her raisins than the centerpieces. :)

After we were done, it was home to relax before the reception. (Kristi and Eric were married in Jamaica, so it was a no ceremony wedding).

My mom made the beautiful beach themed caked.


And we had some great food! It was nice to hang out with my parents and just see them having a blast. Especially on the dance floor!



And Brynn decided to forget about her love of raisins and boogie down with us.

A very special moment occurred when my cousin and grandfather danced together. Kristi was wearing my grandma's favorite dancing shoes. It was a pretty special moment for the family- to feel that Grandma was really there with us.



We tried to take a cousin picture...but with the ever-expanding families...it was a tough one to get. This is one of the best ones I have. It makes me laugh to see cousins corraling their children :)

Everyone had such a great time!

The next day, we were off to Lincoln for the Krueger/Hansen wedding. It was great to reconnect with college friends and reminisce about silly moments we've all had together.


We even got a little husband/wife photo!

And we hung out with the bride and groom- Congrats Kruegers!

And we ended the night with sparklers outside to celebrate Independence Day and the new bride and groom.

In the morning, we were off to Okoboji, IA to spend 4th of July with the Austad clan. It was a very low key 4th of July- one of the most relaxed I've had in years.
Austad Family Photo Op with Lola (she wasn't quite feeling herself after her surgery and yes, she is wearing a t-shirt to protect her stitches)
Overall, it was a fantastic long weekend...and it went out with a bang!

Breezin'

Someone loves to ride in the back of the truck....and its not me.



On another note- Ryan and I have been visiting more and more local places lately. Here I am posing cheesily in front of the fountain at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes. We had fun window shopping on a random Sunday afternoon.

Come on....

Lola has discovered the taste of human food. This is completely by accident, as we only feed her dog food and dog treats. When Ryan's parents visited a couple of weeks back we grilled BBQ chicken, and since Lola has gotten so tall, she decided to snoop around the kitchen for that amazing smell. Well, usually we know where she is and what she is doing, but when it gets quiet, we worry. She had jumped up on by the kitchen counter, and grabbed a chicken breast from the plate that was teetering a bit too close to the edge.

She was enthralled with the BBQ chicken and I could barely get it out of her mouth, she got a spankin' and was sent outside. She's not usually a beggar, but she sure knows how to work her cuteness....(p.s. I wish this was a mini flip book).

Just sittin' here minding my own business, enjoying the fire while Dad eats Nachos.

Mom, do you think he'd give me some?

No? Ok. ...but are you sure?

But maybe if I ask real nice? And look really cute?

Ryan did not proceed to give her any food. But she did look cute waiting to see the outcome. :)