Where have YOU been?!

Uuh, this is awkward. It's been nearly two years since my last blog post. I did give up on this blog, but had a random itch recently to give it some more love. I love reading (cough, stalking) everyone else's blogs and yearn to pour my own story all over you. I'll sum up my past two years in a few words and pictures. Then maybe in a few days we can get back to the grindstone and start exploring some obligatory nothingness.

Sound good? Enjoy.

We bought a house in 2011.

We got married in May, 2012. That one was pretty fun.

I had a pretty killer bridal shower party for said wedding.

I got a tattoo of said anniversary.

We went to Europe for our honeymoon.

I bought a bike. Rode the High Trestle Trail in the rain.
Combined with other factors, lost 30 pounds.

We hosted our fourth Thanksgiving dinner.
Our guests got to enjoy this.

I went to the Detroit Auto Show (partly for the Iowa BMW Club).

I also bought a new car, got a new job, landscaped the crap out of our yard, got new glasses for driving, I started judging high school speech competitions. I volunteer at two animal shelters, attend church every week, currently going through a Bible study. I'm planning an all-journalism reunion for April at Drake. We gained some new friends, lost some to the heavens and each day I get more happy with my life.

Whew.

I honestly think the Niki from 2 years ago would be very, very pleased. I cannot wait to see what will happen in the next two! I certainly have a lot up my sleeve, so buckle up!

Our Church

Please read this article by ex-Register columnist Ken Fuson, which is in DSM Magazine. Everyone is talking about it, and I hope you read it to see why.

I grew up in a church that taught me churches must have pews and closed communion. We must wear robes, have candles and boring, sad music. We have to turn away people that look weird or don't belong to the town. And, when they come in we all stare at them. We only let certain people in our club and you must never wear jeans or put the wrong flowers on the altar. (The best one was when a volunteer was turned away because they weren't a member).

Can you see why I turned away from Christianity - and religion? How could I be involved in such an elitist club that isn't open to those that are different. A club that doesn't love.

How ironic.

None of that is in the Bible. Nothing about how big or small a church should be. Nothing about how the music should be, what you should wear or who is allowed to worship. Funny, none of those things I taught had anything to do with God. Or love.

I'm proud to be a part of a church that has taught be what being a christian is truly about - God.

So, on most Sundays now (not just Christmas and Easter) I walk into a huge building holding the hand of the man I love, smiling ear to ear. I shake everyone's hand who will let me and almost belt out, "Good morning!" I smile at the passion each musician puts into their work. I clap loudly, I sing loudly and I listen intently. I cry at Pastor Mike's words. God moves me.

Praise God for a church that has touched thousands of lives of people who had either given up or never given Him a chance.

That's what a church should be about. Praise God.

We're going green!

Ryan insisted on that title. =]

We aren't talking about the laundry list of ways we're going green in our new home (which we move into May 13). Nor the things we did this earth day to show our home how much we love it. We're talking about dinner.

I may have mentioned earlier that sometimes we just want a dinner of fruits and vegetables. We had one of those nights recently as Ryan gave up red meat and pork for lent. I gave up snacking, so we made a meal of healthy snacks. After filling our plates, we realized everything was green.

Avacados, pears, asparagus, star fruit and broccoli.

We're nerds. We know.

Speaking of lent, we're bummed that we had our last fish fry of the year last week. This year, we tried a new church near Drake because we heard a woman cooked authentic cajun. We didn't exactly find that, but what we did find was amazing. We'll return. =] It's nice that we're also supporting the Drake community!

Use, Reuse, Reuse, Reuse, Reuse... Recycle

I grabbed some Starbucks coffee for Breakfast Day at work and noticed this writing on my paper bag.

If you can't read it, basically it encourages its recipient to reuse it over and over again. Kudos, Starbucks! I will do just that! I carefully folded up my bag and took it home in hopes of using it again sometime soon.

That time has yet to come since last Friday. So I could use your help. Really, I just don't have that much to transport at this time. My hope is that each time I use the bag I take a picture and post it. I emphasize the word hope.

How would you use your Starbucks bag? What do you think I should use mine for?

Here is a picture from its first use. 

Commercials? I like the half-time shows.

A week ago folks all over the U.S. were fussing over Super Bowl commercials once again. I always like the half-time show, however. I mean, how awesome was it when Prince made it rain for 'Purple Rain' in 2007 or Michael Jackson stared the crowd down while they went wild for two minutes in 1993. Or perhaps you loved the Who's stage or Janet's boob?

Ryan's favorite, for example, was the 2008 performance of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. My mom's, without a doubt, would be Prince.

What was your favorite? I know Prince and the Who stick out in my mind. Or did you like one of the huge spectacles involving Aerosmith, NSYNC, Brittany Spears, Mary J. Blige and Nelly - yes, all in one show.

Still need help remembering? Here's a top ten list from askmen.com, EW or Billboard.

Why we should love winter!

While you’re trudging through ankle deep snow in soaking wet jeans, looking down to avoid the stinging blizzard snow conditions one often thinks – Why do I live in Iowa? This time of year a lot of folks, while melting the frozen mucus in their noses become fed up and claim to all around them – “I’m moving!” This happens to every Iowan at some point in the winter months - usually when we melt the last storm’s snow just to hear a fresh coat will be here by morning.

That’s why, each year, I try to reflect why I love it here. The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau puts out a huge list of reasons why each year – showing us where Iowa and Des Moines rank in the nation. For example, apparently Des Moines is the #1 place in the nation to raise a family (Forbes). Check out the full list here. We also like to volunteer and it’s the best place to hold a career. Wow. We rock!

If those numbers don’t impress you, perhaps I can influence you. We can brag about our awesome state fair, our farmers who feed you or our cornfed athletes with a stellar work ethic to boot. If you have enough ambition you can see what God’s country is all about by watching the fall colors turn in Madison county or canoeing the crystal clear Upper Iowa river while eagles swarm your heads and fish swim away from your boat.

While winter is worth these other amazing seasons, we still openly loathe it. Why? Let’s try embracing winter. Here’s why:

-Snow angels. Leaf angels in the fall are messy and the occasional bug finds his way into your hair and you find yourself picking leaves out of your clothes. Making snow angels is peaceful and beautiful.

-Cleanup for the OCD. I have this strange fascination with kicking the snow from behind my tires – and everyone else’s in the parking lot. Some people like cleaning off cars as well because they may have OCD tendencies. It’s a gift from mother nature to those with disorders.

-Free car wash. Our cars get so dirty in the winter. Personally, I never take it in to get it washed because mother nature is going to take care of that for me in a few days.

-Keeping pop cold. On Christmas we used to put our little glass bottles of Coca-Cola in the snow. The result is that they get little frozen chunks in them like coke ice cubes. It’s delicious.

-Fireplaces, snuggies, cocoa and a book. Seriously, when else can you do this?

-Forts and snowmen. This one is more for the kids, but adults find ways to enjoy their snow piles. This gentleman in Des Moines built a fort to block the drifts from getting into his driveway. Don’t tell me that doesn’t look like fun. 

-Crime solvers. Snow often helps solve crimes mainly because of the handy footprints left behind. In my opinion, it also does a good job preventing them because who wants to go to all that work in the cold?!

- Silence. Not only does the snow deafen sound, but the lack of people also prove for a solemn environment – for those who enjoy it quiet. =]

- Beauty. If you disagree with me on this let me scour your computer for those pictures of pretty snow or ice on your trees, cherries or fences. Bet I could find some.

-SNOW DAYS!

So lock up your southern winter homes and flee back to Iowa for some seasonal fun! Just beware the cabin fever…

A happy life is an organized life

I love it when the little things in life really tickle my fancy. For example, I absolutely love to kick the dirty snow from behind my tires. Especially when it comes off in one piece! I especially love it when I get a thrill out of things that some people would consider chores.

One thing I got out of the Register divorce was a filing cabinet I purchased at a fair $10 price. We promptly splurged on colored filing folders.

I've been putting off filling my papers away in the four-drawer high structure. Instead, tiny piles of bills, receipts, and misc. items have been popping up all over the apartment. I wish I had taken a "before" picture. FINALLY, when I had my last chance this weekend I started filing away Sunday night. It helped that I had one of my best birthday presents ever - a labelmaker - from one miss Peterson.

I won't bore you (any further), but for me the results of this process was one cheap thrill. I went around the apartment grabbing coupons and doctor bills saying, "What will we do with this, Ryan? Oh, I know... we'll put it right here under Medical, then bills." He did the same with our taxes. Complete and total nerd-dome achieved.

How boring, I know. A picture of my bliss... organization!

If you've stayed with me this long, I'll treat you with one last thing. When Ryan went out to dad's to ask his blessing he brought wood to cut to make me a shelf for my cookbooks. Well, he's finished it and here are some pictures of it! 

He made it for me because:

A. He's wonderful.

2. It's cooler to have handmade stuff.

Tres. It serves as a sentimental reminder of our engagement,

IV. We wanted it a certain way and we weren't going to find it anywhere soon.

                                           Happy Ryan                                Finished product. =]

Tune in next week when we review the progress of paint drying! 

No, but seriously next post might be about why living in Iowa - even during Snowmageddon isn't so bad!