Sunday, December 14, 2008

Early New Year's Resolution

So I'm ahead of the game on holiday pounds this year if having already gained more then last year is ahead or if the game is called "get really fat".

Luckily I've already found my solution:

I've got to get this book because I’m pretty sure at least one of those hands belongs to a woman (even if she is 80).

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

More to Fear Than Creepy Robotic Animals...


There was an article in the WSJ today about violence at Chuck E. Cheese's. I've always thought that place felt a little dicey. Apparently I should just be counting my blessings that no one ever pepper sprayed me because I played a game too many times.


Here are a few highlights (I think Michigan takes it):





http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122878081364889613.html

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

It's Not Just The Economy...

Something's wrong. I've always liked Brooks Brothers' shirts but now that I've seen these little tootsies I may have to rethink some stuff, and yes I already double checked to make sure I was in Men's.

Lest some misguided chap try to justify his way into a pair. They're referred to as a "pump" so you know where you stand.





These could also be yours for $1,998. Not $1,999- rich people are way too smart for that.





Thursday, November 20, 2008

Spread Christmas Cheer

Do you like Christmas? And Nie? Good because if you don't, you're a bad person. Since most of you aren't, I have a really cool thing for you.

My friend, Emily, an amazingly talented designer, has decided to use her skills for good this Christmas season. She has done a line of Christmas cards and 100% of the profits go straight to Nie. (Emily is the best like that.) Here are a few of my favorites:






If none of these catch your eye, she has done a TON of different styles to suit everyone's taste.

If you were already planning on buying Christmas cards this season, why not buy these and help out Nie? I know that a lot of you care about Nie and have been trying to figure out a way to help- maybe this is it!

To see more or buy these great Christmas cards, go here.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Squatters' rights

I got this off Wikipedia (so you KNOW it's true).

In common law, adverse possession is the process by which title to another's real property is acquired without compensation. Adverse possession is sometimes called "squatters' rights".

Exhibit A:




My old apartment. Everything is nearly moved out and in our new place.


Exhibit B:



The new tenant. She's moved in with all her essentials- cereal in a bag, fuzzy blanket, red sippy cup, and computer. Her new motto: "Hell no, I won't go!"

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Moving Woes

So it finally feels like winter here in Salt Lake. It's cold.... like 45 degrees cold. (And to us Californians, that is NOT good.)

Well, Craig and I moved last Sat into our new loft and unfortunately, no one told us that we had to turn the gas on. And of course, no one was working on Saturday or Sunday. So, last weekend we froze. I might have had to wear this to sleep:




I was one pissed ninja.

Today, the gas got turned on, so things are looking up.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Run in with the law


In the past week, I have had not one but TWO run ins with the law. Now, I am normally a law abiding citizen, so why have I received TWO tickets in the past week? Because monkeys could do a better job running the DMV. The DMV has allegedly sent out our vehicle registration twice and we haven't received it (although we have paid for it.) It is infuriating. And now I have two tickets to show for it.


Which leads me to my next problem. My car has been out for a total of 1.5 hours this whole week. What are these cops doing? Paroling the streets for their biggest offenders- the dirty scoundrels with month-old registration? Don't they have anything better to do?

Craig reminded me that this type of behavior was a lot like my last run in with "those" kind of cops in '06. Setting: the times square subway stop. I was trying to go through the turnstyle and my unlimited card wouldn't scan in the machine. I was with a group of people who were waiting for me, I hear the train coming, so I decided to go underneath the turnstyle.




This lady was using the rookie over-the-turnstyle approach but being only 5'2 and low to the ground, I crawled under it.

Next thing I know, I have 3 cops on my A. I am surrounded and the very intimidating lady cop flashed her badge at me for intimidation. She could tell I meant business. When I showed them (right then!) that I had actually paid for the subway ride I was about to take because I had an unlimited ride pass, they didn't care- even though it wasn't MY fault that their dumb scanner didn't work. After a lot of yelling, a tickets, TWO trips to the brooklyn court (where I DID see a teen mom slap her child accross the face) and $200 later, the infraction was resolved.

Hopefully, these latest tickets won't come to that.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Happy Birthday, Craigster!



Today is Craig's 32nd birthday. I know, I know. Some of you are thinking, "I thought that Craig was already 32." Well, that's because I have been saying he's 32 for at least 6 months. In other words, I've been rounding up. But the good news is, now Craig can thank me because turning 32 isn't going to be that big of a deal; he's already used to it. You're welcome, Craig.

Unfortunately, I am working in Phoenix all week (making me the WORST wife ever) so I wanted to wish Craig a happy birthday all the way from Arizona. I love you like crazy and hope that our kids will have as awesome of a mullet as you did.


Hopefully, someone (anyone? anyone?) will make you a cake so you can then maul it....


I love you, Old Man Mills!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Speek

As many of you know, I have dropped off the face of the earth the last couple of months because I have been working my brains out. It's fun because I'm actually starting to have stuff to show for it. And here is the first installment:

Speek.

Our company's site has finally gone live! Check it out here.






It's really exciting because we have been working tirelessly over the last few months to make it happen. (For those of you who don't know about the company, Speek takes the money that advertisers spend to reach consumers and gives it back to the consumer and the causes they care about.)

But that isn't even the best news. As many of you may know, Stephanie Nielsen and her husband were involved in a plane crash earlier this year and we have partnered with them to raise money for Nie.






If any of you are interested in helping raise money, just sign up and select Nie Recovery as your beneficiary. Then, Nie and her family will get money for every ad you view. By just viewing a few ads a day (and only spending a few minutes of your time) you can help. Pass it along to any friends who may want to help, too. I really love this part of my job because it's the first time that I feel like a company I work for is actually helping people I care about. (No knock on TSG- we were totally helping the world by selling more chimichangas at Bajio.)

Hope you like the site!

More projects coming soon .....

(In case you want to put the Nie badge on your blog, go here and click on the Nie web badge and the html code will pop up.)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Thoughts at 1:15 am

These days, I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Why do I always take on more than I can handle? I think I have a problem, but I'll leave that for another post. Instead, let's break it down.

I am loving
...............................................................

Birthday cake
Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm
Friends that visit from New York
Covering my nuts
Water
Tickets to Hawaii
Heroes
Craig's cooking
Conference
Emailing old friends
Lunch
Looking forward to Oct 18
Focusing on the guys
Senior Financial Analysts
Halloween parties
Good phone calls
Carbs


I am hating
...............................................................

Still being up
Working too much
Moths
(Some) programmers
Saying yes when I mean no
Not exercising
Misunderstandings

It helps me to think of things this way. There are always more pros than cons.*

Monday, September 29, 2008

Sneak Peek






Since I have been working all the time, I thought I would give you all a sneek peak of what's to come. Stay tuned...

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

All Work and No Play...


With very few exceptions it's been all work around these parts. Kristin is working like mad to stay on top of mountains of work as her company gets ready to launch next week. Her daily work calls with lady cohorts Amy and Jenna are the only things keeping her sane. With Kristin working all of the time I've been feverishly trying to catch up on the CPE credits that I've been strategically putting off for two years. Let the good times roll!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Reconciliation

A major wedge was removed from our marriage this week when after 4 years of convincing Kristin finally tried and acknowledged that the Cafe Rio Barbacoa Pork tastes like it was made by angels.

(While this photo is totally unrelated to the Cafe Rio Restaurant, I think we can both agree that it was the right choice.)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Four and Counting



Kristin and I have been married for four years yesterday. We decided to mix things up and celebrate separately this year. I celebrated by playing tennis with Paul, and Kristin and Amy shared a celebratory high five at work in Phoenix. Needless to say romantic text messages were exchanged.

This is our engagement photo. I was 15 and Kristin was 13. Love you babe. Although my celebration with Paul was pretty awesome I might have some tricks up my sleeve when you come home.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Lake Powell

Last week was the family Lake Powell trip. Here are some of the highlights:

Tucker was ready for action.


Then slowed a bit.

And he's out.




Ivan broke the record for smallest skier (note the slack in the rope).


All of the kids including Tucker rode the banana.



Sarah got up on two skis and then learned to ski on one.



We saw some great water (go Marc).



Things got a little crazy at night. Apparently my nieces and nephews missed this talk:

"They go by the name of Rave, r-a-v-e...with flashing lights and noisy music...What does it all lead to? Nowhere. It is a dead end." -President Hinckley.



Joel and Marc taught us how to wake surf. Kristin popped right up and caught the wave a few times. Unfortunately her photo was removed by our censors.




We had a great time. Thanks to everyone, especially Mom and Dad for doing all of the planning.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Carpe Reunion



Last weekend, we had a big 4-day reunion with all of my friends from college. Everyone left their kids (except nursing babies) and were ready to party. Our friends, Liz and Mike, have an awesome house right next to the Hotel Del on Coronado, so all 17 of us moochers crashed their house for the whole weekend and had the best time. (That picture was taken on the beach right in front of their house. Amazing!)

People who were there:

Jack, Mindy, Ashley and Chase




Todd, looking as good as ever....





and jeff (featuring jack)




Craig and I




Jamie and Jon all the way from Georgia





Jeno and Adam




Karisa and Mckay




Liz and Mike, the best hosts ever.




Grant and Chels




and last but not least, Hil.




The highlights:

1
..................................
Being on the beach.
All day long.



2.
..................................
Watching the Beijing Opeining ceremonies, complete with a Chinese-themed meal. Liz is amazing like that.



3.
..................................
The buttercream gang.
We didn't have enough cars, so the boys rode to the restaurant on these:



The girls loved riding them, too, and I have to say we looked a little less, well, gay.





Craig here: Buttercream gang? Let me add some additional photos.

Look at McKay. He's got the look that says, "Ya it's a kid seat. Look away for one second and me and your kid will be half way to Mexico."






And how about Mike? Nothing is more intimidating than a low rider.




Kristin my mom has a framed copy of this somewhere. Don't make me put it back up.


4.
..................................
"Cruising"





5.
..................................
Watching Chase eat sand.

(And Ashley wasn't even fazed. That's what being a mom of 3 boys will do to you. Ashley said her oldest was pooping sand for 3 months even after they moved to Boston. )





6.
..................................
These awesome shades.
(PS They velcroed in the back. what, what!)



7.
..................................
Ashley's awesome game called "It's a sad and solemn occassion. UUUUUUUhhhhhh, HUHHHHHH"
(That's really how it's spelled.)


8.
..................................
All the guys got along. They boys occupied each other the whole trip. At the beach, I didn't even have to pretend to like frisbee, football or going in the water. It was awesome.




Thanks again Liz and Mike for letting us crash and thanks to everyone else who came and made the trip so fun. See you suckas in two years!