Butler Blog Love

One of my favorite blog reads can be found here. If you love Butler and their basketball team, it's worth a follow. Or if you just love adorable little kids is a great follow too.

PS I am so excited for this weekend festivities. Will anyone else be in Indy this weekend?

Elite 8 Weekend Summary

As I talked about here, we had a very hectic weekend that happened to fall over Butler's first appearance in an Elite 8.

Our week started with a drive to Elwood with a determination to get to get to the hubs parent's house prior to the Purdue vs Duke tip off. The drive looked like this, full of semis:


Because of all the semis & Chicago traffic I ended up having a very impatient husband and doggie:


When we arrived to Elwood, Minne and her cousin Buddy celebrated while mom and dd ate Pizza King Pizza. Minne continued celebrating the dawgs well through Sunday.

Saturday looked like this:

Lunch and Play date with the Lozers. Landon got to do some of his favorite things including, lunch at 5 Guys, a morning full of boys, some basketball and LEGOS


From there, I made my way to Laura's house for a nice little bridal shower. I can only imagine Minne's jealousy over Laura's Bullies toys:


The shower was beautiful. Jessica helped to host it and definitely used her expertise to help make the shower a success. Case in point, check out these bad boys:


Check out the beautiful bride too, ok ok the photo isn't great but still, couldn't she be a model?


We then headed over to our friend JDs house to drink some Blue Moon (Blue like Bulldawgs) and watch Butler take on K State. Good times were had by all, there was lots of screaming, gaging, crying, yelling...ect by all, I mean me. We didn't take any photos but here's what it looked like:


From there we went to dinner with some of the hubs close friends. Dinner itself was blah but the company was fabuslous. We even got to meet Mr Baby L. I think the hubs was smitten:

Landon especially liked when little "L" passed some gas:


After dinner we drove to Hinkle and waited for 3 hours for the Butler team to arrive back from Salt Lake City. (Had we still been in college we would have had more Butler friends in town to do some celebrating with, unfortunately it was just the hubs and I but it still rocked)


We waited in the cold, we waited in the rain, we waited while college kids passed out, but we waited for the one and only Bulldawgs. So worth it. Best part? Seeing how humble the guys were when they got off the buses? perhaps. Seeing Bobby Fong completely disoriented? perhaps. See Blue II. perhaps. What was really the coolest was surprising one of my BFFs. I think her hat shows it all:


After a long weekend for us, we drove home on Sunday. It didn't even take 2 minutes into the drive till Minne was asleep. I think the hubs and I both felt like she did.


For more about my love of Butler Basketball, read here

And then there were 4!

And guess what, Butler is one of them! We had a fabulous weekend in Indiana, with lots of time spent in the home city of the Butler Bulldawgs and the 2010 Final Four, Indianapolis. I have so many thoughts running through my head and am not 100% sure how to articulate it so here is my best attempt:


Photo 1 & 6 found here, Photo 2 Found here, Photo 5 found here, Photo 3 found here, Photos 4 and 7 are courtesy of my dear friend.

CONGRATS!

My husband has very simple wants in life: to watch the Phillies continue to win the World Series, to own a house with a yard, to have a big family oh and to have a NEW JOB!

I've been waiting to post this for awhile but today is finally the good news day! It happend. The hubs will be starting his new job in a few weeks. We're stoaked!

Looks like we will be doing lots of celebrating later on tonight, lets hope it will be a dual celebration combined with a Purdue Victory.

Congrats Hubs!!! Maybe tonight will look something like this:



or like this:

Weekend Itinerary

This weekend is such a busy weekend for the hubs, Minne dog and myself. For the sake of your time, I'll keep it short and simple - that's the only way my hubs can comprehend schedules

Friday night - family night in Elwood/ Cheering on the Boilers at Team Indiana is half way to the Elite 8, Boiler Up! Minne girl is sure to enjoy playtime with cousin buddy:



Saturday morning - meet new baby! One of the hubs best men recently had a baby and I am dying to take lots of photos of the little guy! Photos coming next week.

Saturday mid morning/early noon - visit with my Indy family! The photo below was taken at our wedding, unfortunately one of the boys and the dad is MIA.



Saturday afternoon - celebrate one of my friends/DG sisters bridal shower. I am especially excited to meet up with friends Jessica and Laura. Cheers to the bride, she'll make a lovely bride won't she?

Photo taken from FB

Post Bridal Shower, watch Butler in it's first appearance at an Elite 8, woot woot - Bu-tl-e - R U A bulldawg?


Saturday evening - dinner with Indy friends, we're hoping to see as many Indy peeps as we can, here's to hoping! Lots of photos to come!

Sunday - head back home to prep for the next week. Sometimes being an adult stinks but at least we were able to make a trip back to Indy to see some family and friends.

Sorry had to end it with one more photo of my nephew Buddy, this one is from his first physical!

Another 1 Falls

Just view this photo and tell me you're not as pumped as I am? This is a great snapshot on how I spent my Thursday night. Hoping that Purdue can do it tomorrow to keep #TeamIndiana going strong, Boiler up!

Article found here.

It's Game Day

GO TEAM INDIANA! First up Butler vs Syracuse tonight. Purdue vs Duke on Friday! OH BOY!

ESPN TODAY

Did you see this? If not head over to www.espn.com enjoy oh and Go Dawgs!

The caption on the photo reads "Butler's mascot chews on a gigantic bone while walking around the set of Hoosiers, aka the home of the Bulldogs. How can you root against that?"

Who Said Runing was Fun?

Remember when I talked about all my running ambitions here? Well it's been 3 weeks and I am struggling. I was doing awesome the first 2 weeks but then March Madness happened and a crazy work schedule which basically means - eating poorly, sleeping little, and running less. Oh and did I mention that I hate running? Combine all of the above and I am not doing so good.

However, I have paid my dues for the Cosley Run for the Animals and I am determined to make this 5K my first race ever. SO now that I have paid I need to make this thing happen.


PS I signed my little sister up to run the 5k with me and I signed the hubs up for the 10K, cheers to a better running filled week.

Sometimes Romance does Conquer All

You know what is really cool? Having friends that are all very different. Friends who take interests in different things and friends who do things out of the norm. Friends who inspire you and surprise you all at the same time. Friends that take last minute adventures and let life lead them rather than them lead life.

Ok so where did this come from? Well one of my college friends (also a Delta Gamma sister) has been browsing jobs in Chicago for months. After lots of hard work, determination, drives back and forth from Indy to Chicago for interviewing and networking, it paid off. She got offered a job right downtown Chicago doing something that she would be great at (YAY).



However, after she started interviewing for this job, she met a boy from Charlette. From how I understand it, the two clicked immediately. It was like a match made in heaven sent right from an angel. The two seemed to know more about each other before they could even talk about themselves. It quickly grew into a long distance love story. Precious right?

Well my friend went on her second interview and soon after got a call offering her a job (because she is that awesome). After sharing the good news with this boy in Charlotte they began talking about their future and their lives together. The conversation ended with my friend moving to Chicago and after a year or two moving down to Charlette to be with this boy and if the boy could get to Chicago first, he would.

A few days went by. The boy went out of town and while there it hit him, he couldn’t stand to be apart from my friend for another minute. He jumped on a plane and flew to Indy to confess his feelings. A day later I got an unexpected call that makes my heart flutter and sad all at the same time. My friend was un-accepting her job in Chicago and was moving down south. This makes me sad because well, I was looking forward to having another college friend so close. It makes my heart flutter because most people don’t do whimsical things like this and most people are scared to have deep feelings like this in such a short amount of time...

And well because I once took a chance, moved to a foreign city with no job, no friends no idea where my life would leave me all for a boy. That boy is now my husband. If I would have let people convince me I was a fool for moving for a boy I could have missed out on some of the best years of my life.

So today I say, sometimes love does conquer all. Best of luck to my friend on her new adventure, may love be all you need.

PS won’t their story make a great one to share with kids someday?

Team Indiana On the Road to Indy

Yup, that's right. As of yesterday, Team Indiana is till on it's way to Indianapolis for the Final Four. Next stop....sweet 16. Happy Monday everyone! (PS can you tell the hubs is stoaked?)

Busy weekend!

Yup, it's been another busy busy weekend! We have officially decided that we are now Team Indiana (we being me and the hubs).



Hope everyone is having a great weekend! BU has now advanced to the sweet 16 and we're hoping that Purdue does the same tomorrow.



Go Dawgs, Boiler Up, Cheers Indiana!

JayZ & Butler Bulldawgs?!

Yup that's what type of Thursday I am having JayZ & the Bulldawgs! I'll be spending most of my day working but I am hoping to take a little break to peak up at the Butler vs UTEP game from time to time. That's one huge plus to having a TV in your office (woot woot - you can read about my love for the Dawgs by clicking here)!

I'll be staying at work late to work on some DM efforts for the Jay-Z Concert with special guests Young Jeezy and Trey Songz. Should be a fun filled day ahead! Best part? I have tomorrow off so that I can fully enjoy the March Madness, what can I say I love this time of year!

Here's a little something to get me ready for Jay-Z:

Gap Inc. Friends & Family Weekend

It's no doubt that I have a huge love and passion for the Gap Inc brands, especially Banana Republic. I think I talk all about it here.

Well this weekend is 1 of the 2 times of year that you can come to any of the Gap Inc stores and get 30% off. OK ok, I am sure you're saying, "all stores have lots of deals so what is so good about this one?" Well my friend, let me tell you! I got to pick a non-profit out of a list and 5% of whatever you spend goes to my non-profit of choice, awesome right? So since the weekend is almost here, lets spend some money I mean, lets donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters!

Cheers:



Click here, print your own and start shopping.

Happy St. Patricks Day 2010

RIP South Side St. Patrick's Day Parade

Not sure what tonight has in store for us but the hubs and I wish you all a safe green kind of day!

What I Get to Go Home To

Above is a photo of my husband after a hard day of work. Apparently he was too lazy to take his work socks off along with his work shirt, but he was able to throw on some gym shorts.

I love what I get to come home to. I'm one lucky lady, huh?

Past Weekend

Wow this past weekend was super busy! It started with an awesome concert of MUSE and Silversun Pickups. To be honest, I knew MUSE had a hit song on Q101 right now, I knew they were huge in other countries but I had no clue that they could rock like they did. The light show they put on was spectacular, so if you ever have a chance to see it live, DO IT! I promise you won't be disappointed. This video doesn't do the show justice:



After that the rest of the weekend was filled with wedding festivities and college basketball.

A special shout out goes out to my Aunt L who is getting married in May. My aunt K and grandma through a lovely shower this past Sunday at Olive Garden. The bride’s favorite color is purple so you may notice a theme with some of the photos (which I am kicking myself for not bringing my other camera, photos taken from Blackberry).

I love the usage of the tool around the flowers seen here:


And how cute are these name tags/place settings? Yup there is a heart shaped cookie cutter with a cute cookie recipe written inside with a little sweetness note. And how about the continued use of purple?


Who could forget about the guest table? Check out the beautiful towel cake made by the groom’s mother:


A photo of the soon to be Mr. & Mrs.


After the shower I made it home with 1 minute to spare for the selection show. My hubs was disappointed to see Purdue’s placement against Siena and I was not surprised to see Butler in the 5 seed (although I hate the 5 seed, it is one of the highest rated upsets in the tourney every year…I’m used to Butler being the underdog).

Where does your team rank

Happy Friday!

I love Fridays!!! Especially when there is so much fun stuff to do. This weekend includes concerts, parades, shopping specials at Banana Republic, college hoops and wedding celebrations. **Shout out to my aunt who is having a bridal shower this weekend.

Also, I just had a girl friend send me this on twitter and decided it was blog worthy. If Landon isn't going to make me a Britney cake for my Birthday maybe he can make me some cupcakes. (Yes I know my Birthday is still about 4.5 months way but who cares)


(The photo was found HERE)

Purdue Alumni Association

The hubs has been getting lots of calls from West Lafayette. Knowing that it was the Purdue Alumni Association more than likely asking for money, the hubs has decided not to answer his phone. Now don't get me wrong, he loves Purdue but we had a wedding less than a year ago and we're trying to save for a house oh and not to mention that the hubs could make a career change and have to start all over again.

But tonight was different. You see he got home from work to find a Comcast bill for $250! Turns out when the guy called and offered us a Triple Play Deal for 90 something dollars he really meant to say "You'll be getting a bill for $250" So the hubs made 3 calls. First to the number on the bill. They said they could change the plan to $135 but we would still owe the $250. Then he made a 2nd call, this time to the cancellation department. You'd think they would want to retain us right? Wrong, the lady said the same thing as the first guy and didn't seem to care about the bill for $250. Finally, the hubs called the sales department who informed him that if he were to sign up for a new contract today he could get Internet and TV for $79!

WHAT THE HECK? Really, we can call and sign up for anew service for $79 but they want us to pay $250 for our last months bill?

Right after that 3rd call the hubs got a call from Purdue. This poor college student had no clue what he was in for. I hear the husband first say "it can't be as good as yours, you're in college and I am sure there is plenty of beer." Well that comment must have made the two best friends because then they started talking about majors and Purdue bars and career paths. I am sure the guy on the other line thought the hubs was a for sure deal for some money. However, 20 minutes later the hubs had to let the poor lad down. He was polite about it but I think the college student may be calling to hang out with us the next time he's in Chicago...nice work hubs.

PS Comcast still stinks. I think we are watching all of our recorded shows tonight and then completely cancelling Comcast all together - ::GASP:: I don't know what my husband is going to do with himself!

Career Exploration Blows

I just want to take a minute to give a huge shout out to my husband! In the past 4 years he has encouraged me to be an individual and to stand up for thing that I believe in. He has encouraged me to seek out career opportunities that better suit my interests and he has supported me through everything emotionally and financially.

Now that I am in a market I love, with people I enjoy and an interest that parallels what I am doing for a living, I am happy. For once, since college, I feel like I am at a good place. YAY! It's been a long time coming people. With that said, it's time to put the focus on the hubs. In a nut shell, he's been working to work. But now that I am in a good place we can shift gears to him and we can focus on what he wants to be when he grows up.

Yup, I said it, "When he grows up." See that's just it, since he was younger (since we all were younger) he was told he was going to do go to school for this then that, after that comes a job, you do the job to pay the bills and come home at the end of the day. So he's been with the same job for the past few years but he has no passion for it, which makes his drive go down which makes him not the professional he wants to be.

So starting a few weeks back, the hubs has been in contact with many different people in many different fields. He's asking them questions like what do you do, what do you like about it, what kind of person does it take to succeed in this field. All questions we should have been asking in high school and college before we decided to pick majors and careers. I think I speak for a majority when I say that many of us get pigeon holed into fields that we think we should be doing.

So thank you hubby for being my rock! Career exploration can blow with lots of hurdles in your way. Either way, changes are coming so hang in there hubby!

Run & Help?!

As the weather warms up, our mailbox starts to fill up with letters and emails about helping various nonprofit organizations. For a young couple who doesn't have a lot of money to spare, there is a great way to help raise money while maintaining health and wellness.

I have told myself for a long time that I wanted to get into shape and run in a race, any sort of race. I have watched my husband sign up the week of his first 5K and he dominated the race. He was encouraged by my little sister who was running a race for Jack (you can read more by clicking here).



He makes it look so easy, and how pretty do all the leaves look?

Months later my hubs decided to run a 10k on a spure of a moment with one of my besties and his best man. The cause? To save the animals! My hubs ran with my bestie while his best man ran with his wife. They all did so great and watching them through out the race is nothing but inspiring. Watching friends and family run has really encouraged me.



So, as the weather warms up and charities start sending more race info I've decided that I better get to training. I found this 15 week course by Jeff Galloway and I think I am going to give it a shot. I have made one minor adjustment, on Wednesdays I will be doing yoga instead of walking or crosstraining. After the first few weeks I am bump it up to yoga and walking or cross training but I figured something is better than nothing for now. So here's my plan:



After my first training workout tomorrow, I will offically be signing up for my first race in June, this one for the local animals! Wish me luck. Oh and if you have any tips, please share with me!

Longing For Summer

I have never been to LA, or even California. However, after this frigid winter in Chicago I am so ready for vacation. I am longing for summer refreshments from Lemonade to Coronas. I am ready for sunshine, open toed shoes and time near water. Luckily, this weekend should be close to the 50s (that's a huge plus if you're in the midwest), I am just hoping for some sunshine. In the meantime, I will be longing for Summer and some "Corona and Lime":

Hello Sunshine!

Just wanted to say good morning to my grandma in Florida. Now that I have Google Analytics set up I can track my viewership. As of now, it looks like my grandma is one of my loyal readers from Florida! Hi Grandma, hope it's nice and sunny down there today!!

Side note, please don't think I am using Google Analytics to stalk you or to be creepy. I just think it is interesting to track what people are reading so that I know what I need to post more of. I also find it amusing to see what search terms are getting you to my blog...so far my favorite is "uuuck my sister." Thank you all for keeping me entertained.

My job rocks!

Ok so it’s no secret. I love my job. I get to work for an awesome arena that is home to the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks. In my role I get to work closely with departments from both teams along with events/acts that come to the United Center. Cool right? Well today is extra cool. We will be welcoming back the Blackhawks after the 2 week Olympic hiatus. I think I read something on Twitter that said it best from espnzonechicago: #Blackhawks Toews, Keith & Seabrook come home w gold, Kane a silver. Most bling in a United Center locker room since Rodman was in town?

So cheers to all the Blackhawks Olympians and special cheers to Kane for being a proud American!

(All photos taken from the Chicago Blackhawks website found here)

MARCH!

Yup it's March, which is one of my favorite times of the year. Wanna know why?

College Basketball Starts to heat up! Case in point check out where Butler and Purdue are both ranked! This years tourny is sure to be a big one for our household:



March also means lots of green celebrating, especially when it comes to St. Patricks day, aren't we all a little Chi-Irish?




The weather starts to warm up which means more walks and runs outside with Minne moo!


And baseball spring training starts! It's time to get the boys of summer into shape!



Happy March everyone!