This weekend, I came to the realization that I absolutely HATE moving. I think I've always known how miserable it is but for some reason, this move has really topped it off for me. I realized this year that I have lived in 10 different places since graduating from High School. That is a bit ridiculous. While it has been 8 years since graduation but still. Why can't I just be happy in one place for longer than a year?
This move I am going to blame mostly on finding the love of my life Britton. Since he lives in Sioux City, and his family lives in Sioux City, it didn't make much sense to stay in Vermillion. They have become my second family and having to drive 45 minutes to see them seemed silly. I'd much rather commute to work than commute to fun (the fine words of Britton). So I took posession of a new apartment in North Sioux two weeks ago and the move began. It started with a packing party with my friends here in Vermillion. I provided the wine and food and they packed up my entire kitchen, pantry, living room and dining room. I've got to say, it was the most fun I have had packing ever!
I spent all last week moving odds and ends, clothes and small boxes and held on to the big stuff for the weekend where again, I had my friends from Vermillion help me move and Britton's friends and family help me once in my new locale. My dearest hope would be that I could stay in this place for at least 2 years, maybe more but I have a funny feeling it will be another year lease. Britton's goal is to own a house within the next year and that will most likely lead to my move... again. For now I will get comfortable in the new apartment and will continue to wish the moving will end in the next few years.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Ive been MIA for most of the summer mostly because my life has been extremely boring. No one wants to read stories about my vacations and day trips to Omaha. But one thing is for sure about this summers activities. I have been to a lot of weddings. I did blog about my friend Zelie's and that was only the beginning. I have now been to four weddings since the start of May (with more to go) and I will say, it has planted a bug in me that I never expected...
After spending so much time at weddings, with wedding parties and listening to Britton's stories of bachelor parties I have got the itch to plan my own. Yes I do realize how ridiculous that is seeing as I am no closer today than I was last year to actually getting married. However, at these various weddings I have noticed the good, the bad and the ugly.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
the rising water
Today we are experiencing something new at the University of South Dakota and its going to last the whole summer. The rising waters along the Missouri river have left much of South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska under water. Sunday we got an email from the Dean of Students informing us that we would be preparing for anywhere between 300 and 700 reserve and active military personnel as the Governor has declared South Dakota in a state of emergency. According to our news station, Keloland, "record amounts of water are being released from dams along the Missouri River in South Dakota, creating flooding fears in a number of towns." One of these towns being most affected is Dakota Dunes in North Sioux City. This is actually an area that I am looking to move to this summer so lets keep our fingers crossed the apartments aren't greatly affected. Britton's office is located in the dunes along with the families of many of his coworkers. Many of these families began to move out over the weekend in preparation of the rising waters. As of today, they have issued a mandatory evacuation for the Dunes and they are telling people to be prepared to be away from their homes for the entire summer.
Britton and I saw the flood waters yesterday on our way into Omaha from the air and I will tell you, it wasn't pretty. Much of the Missouri river was already overflowing into neighborhoods and farms along its banks. As I drove further up towards South Dakota I could see even more of the rising river and its affects on the local communities. While Nebraska has not yet declared a state of emergency, we are only days away from the water levels causing the rest of the nearby states to need more help than the locals can provide.
Today the President of USD has informed the local community about the opportunities to help. People are being taken to Yankton and the Dunes to sandbag 3 times a day and as a staff are allowed to request to take 4 hours a day to assist with this for the next few days. I spent the morning preparing our residence halls for the military personnel to arrive and spent 4+ hours moving mattresses from one floor to another, cleaning rooms and mopping floors to make sure our military has a comfortable place to stay. I am hoping that I can go out to the local towns later in the week to assist with sand bags as well. Throughout the last few months I have had my heart strings pulled throughout the various natural distastes across the US and now I have my chance to help. For more information check out http://www.keloland.com/news/news/flooding/
Britton and I saw the flood waters yesterday on our way into Omaha from the air and I will tell you, it wasn't pretty. Much of the Missouri river was already overflowing into neighborhoods and farms along its banks. As I drove further up towards South Dakota I could see even more of the rising river and its affects on the local communities. While Nebraska has not yet declared a state of emergency, we are only days away from the water levels causing the rest of the nearby states to need more help than the locals can provide.
Today the President of USD has informed the local community about the opportunities to help. People are being taken to Yankton and the Dunes to sandbag 3 times a day and as a staff are allowed to request to take 4 hours a day to assist with this for the next few days. I spent the morning preparing our residence halls for the military personnel to arrive and spent 4+ hours moving mattresses from one floor to another, cleaning rooms and mopping floors to make sure our military has a comfortable place to stay. I am hoping that I can go out to the local towns later in the week to assist with sand bags as well. Throughout the last few months I have had my heart strings pulled throughout the various natural distastes across the US and now I have my chance to help. For more information check out http://www.keloland.com/news/news/flooding/
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
and they said "i do"
This past weekend I had the pleasure of heading down to Holy Trinity, AL for my big sister's wedding. Her (now) hubby Frank has been in the picture for as long as I've nown Zelie. The two are great compliments of eachother, Frank is tall and goofy and reminds me of a kid (in a good way) and Zelie is teeny tiny and has the biggest heart ever! I was so excited to spend this special day with the two of them!
I arrived in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon and spent 1.5 hrs in the car with Frank as we drove to Columbus where I would later meet Zelie to head into Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity is one of those small towns that you can't find on the GPS, complete with a church and some big farm houses (there might have been more but we didn't stray too far from the house). I instantly fell in love with the "Big House" as they refer to it, where all of the ladies would be staying for the weekend. The Big House was Zelie's grandmas house that the Davis's have spent months updating to prepare for the wedding. In the back yard people were swarming as they prepared for the wedding festivities. There was a HUGE tent with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and flowers and greenery everywhere. Throughout the weekend we spent time hanging globe lights in the trees and preparing the tables in anticipation of the 260+ guests attending the wedding.
Friday we all had a relatively lazy day, spending time with the wedding party at Zelie's parents pool which was just up the road on the same prooperty as the Big House. We all sat around playing with the flower girl Chloe, drinking skinny girl margharitas and cooling off in the pool. Our pool day was an awesome substitute to the bridesmaid luncheon (which we are all glad to have avoided). I never realized I would miss the heat as much as I do, but spending the day in the hot sun was just what I needed.
Friday night after the rehersal we headed into Columbus for dinner at the botanical gardens. One of the groomsmen was all about the "crab pops" that they were serving as appetizers. I think he ran over a small child and a grandmother to be the first to reach the server with the last plate of crab pops! I can't really blame him either, they were delicious! Dinner was also fantastic and I had the pleasure of sitting at a great table with two groomsmen and my grand big Saida and her hubby. We spent the night talking about movies and memories. I don't know when the last time was that I laughed that hard! My abs are STILL sore!
Saturday we woke early to help finish getting the big tent ready for the guests. We put table clothes on, placed chargers at all the seats along with the napkins and flat wear. After hours of prepping the tent it was time for the ladies to get ready so we can have our hair done by the pros. We spent more hours getting ourselves ready and taking photos with the bride to be. It was a glorious day and we had so much fun together. I can't wait to see the professional pics!
I had the great pleasure of being the first to walk down the aisle and i will admit, i was nervous! This is my first experience as a bridesmaid and it was my escorts first one too! But we set the pace and smiled big in anticipation of Zelie's walk down the aisle.
The wedding itself was short and sweet which i surely can not say about the reception. I spent hours drinking and dancing and made it to bed around 5 am. You know its a good night when... :)
The groomsmen and bridesmaids all got along so well that we are already planning our first reunion. Hopefully it will be scheduled for the beginning of October but we shall see! All in all, this was, by far, the best wedding I've been to. Couldn't have had more fun and made some great new friends! While this adventure did not take place in the great midwest, it was an adventure none the less!
I arrived in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon and spent 1.5 hrs in the car with Frank as we drove to Columbus where I would later meet Zelie to head into Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity is one of those small towns that you can't find on the GPS, complete with a church and some big farm houses (there might have been more but we didn't stray too far from the house). I instantly fell in love with the "Big House" as they refer to it, where all of the ladies would be staying for the weekend. The Big House was Zelie's grandmas house that the Davis's have spent months updating to prepare for the wedding. In the back yard people were swarming as they prepared for the wedding festivities. There was a HUGE tent with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and flowers and greenery everywhere. Throughout the weekend we spent time hanging globe lights in the trees and preparing the tables in anticipation of the 260+ guests attending the wedding.
Friday we all had a relatively lazy day, spending time with the wedding party at Zelie's parents pool which was just up the road on the same prooperty as the Big House. We all sat around playing with the flower girl Chloe, drinking skinny girl margharitas and cooling off in the pool. Our pool day was an awesome substitute to the bridesmaid luncheon (which we are all glad to have avoided). I never realized I would miss the heat as much as I do, but spending the day in the hot sun was just what I needed.
Friday night after the rehersal we headed into Columbus for dinner at the botanical gardens. One of the groomsmen was all about the "crab pops" that they were serving as appetizers. I think he ran over a small child and a grandmother to be the first to reach the server with the last plate of crab pops! I can't really blame him either, they were delicious! Dinner was also fantastic and I had the pleasure of sitting at a great table with two groomsmen and my grand big Saida and her hubby. We spent the night talking about movies and memories. I don't know when the last time was that I laughed that hard! My abs are STILL sore!
Saturday we woke early to help finish getting the big tent ready for the guests. We put table clothes on, placed chargers at all the seats along with the napkins and flat wear. After hours of prepping the tent it was time for the ladies to get ready so we can have our hair done by the pros. We spent more hours getting ourselves ready and taking photos with the bride to be. It was a glorious day and we had so much fun together. I can't wait to see the professional pics!
I had the great pleasure of being the first to walk down the aisle and i will admit, i was nervous! This is my first experience as a bridesmaid and it was my escorts first one too! But we set the pace and smiled big in anticipation of Zelie's walk down the aisle.
The wedding itself was short and sweet which i surely can not say about the reception. I spent hours drinking and dancing and made it to bed around 5 am. You know its a good night when... :)
The groomsmen and bridesmaids all got along so well that we are already planning our first reunion. Hopefully it will be scheduled for the beginning of October but we shall see! All in all, this was, by far, the best wedding I've been to. Couldn't have had more fun and made some great new friends! While this adventure did not take place in the great midwest, it was an adventure none the less!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
wedding week
The last few weeks my life has been what I call boring. I have spent some QT with the Wall family but my day to day has been somewhat mundane now that the students have all left campus and Vermillion has lost a significant portion of the population. However, this week I am getting ready for my Big's big day! This is the Zelie Davis-Frank Wooten wedding week!
About a year ago I got my invitation to be a bridesmaid. In true Zelie fashion she sent me a small bouquet of flowers with a little rhyme asking me to stand by her side while she said I do. Throughout college and beyond Zelie and I have kept in touch and I was ecstatic when my invitation to be a bridesmaid came. "Of course I will" I said to Zelie the second I got her on the phone! I couldn't wait to celebrate the big day with her!
The week of the big blizzard I picked up the bridesmaid dress for this late spring wedding. While it was snowing buckets outside I was trying on the lovely bright green sundress. It had me dreaming of warmer weather and fun times with friends. The dress is perfect for a Zelie wedding. The color screams Zelie as her favorite is green and the style of the dress will look great on all of us.
A few months later I received the shoes in the mail. Zelie had bought all of our shoes and sent mine to try on.
I love the simplicity of the entire bridesmaid outfit, fits Zelie's style perfectly. I can't wait to stand up there beside her!
After the wedding this weekend I will surely post some better pics and provide more details regarding the event. I can't wait to leave for Holy Trinity, Alabama 3 days from today! Looking forward to warm weather and some quality time with my Big!
About a year ago I got my invitation to be a bridesmaid. In true Zelie fashion she sent me a small bouquet of flowers with a little rhyme asking me to stand by her side while she said I do. Throughout college and beyond Zelie and I have kept in touch and I was ecstatic when my invitation to be a bridesmaid came. "Of course I will" I said to Zelie the second I got her on the phone! I couldn't wait to celebrate the big day with her!
The week of the big blizzard I picked up the bridesmaid dress for this late spring wedding. While it was snowing buckets outside I was trying on the lovely bright green sundress. It had me dreaming of warmer weather and fun times with friends. The dress is perfect for a Zelie wedding. The color screams Zelie as her favorite is green and the style of the dress will look great on all of us.
I love the simplicity of the entire bridesmaid outfit, fits Zelie's style perfectly. I can't wait to stand up there beside her!
After the wedding this weekend I will surely post some better pics and provide more details regarding the event. I can't wait to leave for Holy Trinity, Alabama 3 days from today! Looking forward to warm weather and some quality time with my Big!
Friday, April 29, 2011
momma's come to town!
Last weekend I had the great pleasure of having my momma in town for the Easter holiday. I started the weekend off right with a trip to Sioux Falls to stop by my favorite cupcakery. I can never leave with just a few so decided on an even dozen to ensure I had tried all the best flavors. You all know how much i LOVE cupcakes :) I've been dieting for a good 5 weeks so cupcakes were a great treat for all of my hard work and dedication!
I picked mom up at the airport on Friday a little after 5 and we were in a movie theater by 6 to see the great and wonderful Reese in Water for Elephants. If you haven't read the book, read it first, it was great! Movie was awesome as well! Its hard for me to go to Sioux Falls without a stop at my favorite target so I kept mom busy once we left the movie as we strolled through target and picked up some Easter goodies. Its nice having mom around to mosey through the isles. Its just not the same with Britton (no offense) but I prefer to take my time, walk down every isle and mom shares the sentiment.
Saturday morning was a little more stressful for mom as she was meeting the Walls for the first time! I think she spent 2 hours getting ready to ensure that she was at her best! So cute!! Lunch with the Walls was a huge success and both families enjoyed each other. My hope is that the Walls will be the winning in-laws when that day comes ;) Saturday was filled with excitement as we hopped into Britton's car and headed to Omaha for some shopping and fun. I think Britton had seriously underestimated my mother and I's ability to shop till we drop and he spent most of his time on his phone while we tried on loads of clothes! Nothing better than a day at the mall with my momma!
The second stop was to the Whole Foods to find some goodies for our Easter dinner. We didn't really plan ahead so we spent the better half of an hour roaming back and forth among the isles trying to pick some sides to go along with our predetermined dessert and main course. I think Britton thought we had lost our minds as we walked around aimlessly and ended up with only one grocery bag of food. We ended the night with some cheesecake factory as I was craving something familiar.
Sunday we spent the day being more or less... lazy. Doing our cooking and watching movies and tv. After dinner we literally spent 5 hours on the couch. We had become one with my couch for sure. Although throughout our hours of television mom and i continued to play each other in words with friends. Can't stop that even if we are face to face. Mom and Britton were impressed with my Easter basket making abilities and i made sure we had all of our favorites.... starburst jelly beans, peeps, reeses peanut butter eggs (the best) and some chocolate bunnies (dark and milk).
I was so lucky to have mom around through Monday and we spent some time apartment hunting. We decided it made the most sense to move me closer to the Walls so I could get out of Verm and we found some great places! I can't wait to see what will actually be available when I get to move July 31st! Always exciting!
I am so glad I was able to spend the holiday with my mom. It was great to have her around! Feels more like home... Love you momma!
I picked mom up at the airport on Friday a little after 5 and we were in a movie theater by 6 to see the great and wonderful Reese in Water for Elephants. If you haven't read the book, read it first, it was great! Movie was awesome as well! Its hard for me to go to Sioux Falls without a stop at my favorite target so I kept mom busy once we left the movie as we strolled through target and picked up some Easter goodies. Its nice having mom around to mosey through the isles. Its just not the same with Britton (no offense) but I prefer to take my time, walk down every isle and mom shares the sentiment.
Saturday morning was a little more stressful for mom as she was meeting the Walls for the first time! I think she spent 2 hours getting ready to ensure that she was at her best! So cute!! Lunch with the Walls was a huge success and both families enjoyed each other. My hope is that the Walls will be the winning in-laws when that day comes ;) Saturday was filled with excitement as we hopped into Britton's car and headed to Omaha for some shopping and fun. I think Britton had seriously underestimated my mother and I's ability to shop till we drop and he spent most of his time on his phone while we tried on loads of clothes! Nothing better than a day at the mall with my momma!
The second stop was to the Whole Foods to find some goodies for our Easter dinner. We didn't really plan ahead so we spent the better half of an hour roaming back and forth among the isles trying to pick some sides to go along with our predetermined dessert and main course. I think Britton thought we had lost our minds as we walked around aimlessly and ended up with only one grocery bag of food. We ended the night with some cheesecake factory as I was craving something familiar.
Sunday we spent the day being more or less... lazy. Doing our cooking and watching movies and tv. After dinner we literally spent 5 hours on the couch. We had become one with my couch for sure. Although throughout our hours of television mom and i continued to play each other in words with friends. Can't stop that even if we are face to face. Mom and Britton were impressed with my Easter basket making abilities and i made sure we had all of our favorites.... starburst jelly beans, peeps, reeses peanut butter eggs (the best) and some chocolate bunnies (dark and milk).
I was so lucky to have mom around through Monday and we spent some time apartment hunting. We decided it made the most sense to move me closer to the Walls so I could get out of Verm and we found some great places! I can't wait to see what will actually be available when I get to move July 31st! Always exciting!
I am so glad I was able to spend the holiday with my mom. It was great to have her around! Feels more like home... Love you momma!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
the....weather
I think I have been a good sport about all this cold weather out here. I have rarely complained and in fact, was quite fascinated with the snow... until now. Earlier this week and last we were still experiencing snow storms. Last Friday people were even calling it a blizzard. Wet, heavy snow that mostly melts when it hits the ground but clogs the streets with slush and covers the cars in white shit. Please excuse the fowl language but I have reached my wits end with this crappy weather! It is APRIL for goodness sakes and we're still experiencing temperatures in the 40's! Yes, that's right, today it hasn't gotten about 45 degrees. And its raining. At least it isn't snowing though, right?! Pray for my sanity because i don't know how much longer it will last. The wind, snow, rain and temperatures of South Dakota have me seriously wiggin out ;)
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