Broken Glass

For some reason I have always liked Annie Lennox's song - Walkin on Broken Glass.  It's a catchy tune and sometime I find myself singing it out loud.  After the course of today's events I am not sure that I will ever sing along to this song again.

I started the day short of sleep and as a result short on patience.  My wakeup call came from a friend instead of my alarm.  I was already late for my appointment at the chiropractor.  I simply couldn't pull myself out of bed.  Finally I mustered enough energy.  I think I might have found my entire outfit in the pile of dirty clothes on my bedroom floor.  Shhhhh!  Don't tell anyone!  With the dog in his crate I ran out of the house and thankfully remembered my gym bag.  Made it to the chiropractor and finally to the client.

After a busy morning I completed some important debit and kredit work and sent it off the team for more auditing.  I packed up the computer and a ridiculous stack of paper and hussled to the car.  Wondering what I would get for lunch I saw a new email on my phone.  Here's where things start heading south.  I sent the wrong file.  I was headed north on 94 off to the next client, but quickly diverted to the closest Caribou.  This was my second visit to Caribou today.  I opted for their wifi instead of coffee.  I impatiently (remember I am short on patience today) waited to boot up my computer, opened the file and resent the correct file. 

Back on the road again and nothing interested me for lunch.  Lunch just seemed like a waste of time at this point.  I decided that a left turn wasn't worth it so I ruled out many lunch options.  I passed by Burger King, Denny's, and DQ.  I was now left with only one option.  FatBoy Sandwhiches.  I have never even heard of the place.  But I had mocked the name of the sandwich place as I drove by earlier this week.  Pretty sure they could have come up with a better name!  Yet, I was was the succumbing to FatBoy's.  What's worse? it is took me THREE tries to find the entrance.  What a waste of time. I'm afraid I jinxed myself with the TIGF theme song!


I was finally at the second client of the day and busy auditing.  Things were getting a little stressful and the sun was at the perfect angle.  By 4pm, the sun hit a perfect angle and raised mercury to an incredible heat.  It felt like a sauna in the audit room.  I had planned on the sauna today - but was hoping to hit it up after the workout.  By 4:30 we were all sweating, crabby and not very productive.  It was time to leave for the gym.

After an intense FIT class Kristin and I grabbed towels and headed for the sauna.  We were devastated to find a sign on the door to the pool area indicating that the pool area - includinng the sauna - is closed due to a remodel.  Worse yet - it's closed for the next month!  Really?  I'm pretty sure this isn't my favorite day.

We chat in the lockeroom minus the heat of the sauna.  Then home to the dog.  Fetch, a shower and now into the kitchen to find something for dinner.  Sometimes I justify not cleaning the kitchen or loading the dishwasher all week long.  I have deemed it inefficient to do this on a daily basis and instead save it for the weekend.  I was dreading the task but knew I wouldn't be in the mood after spending Saturday at the office.  I reluctantly started unloading the dishwasher so that I could then begin loading it again.  A swift pivot and then came a CRASH! A wine glass broke into 1,000,042 pieces.  That's when the tears came.  Honestly, I am a bit surprised there weren't tears earlier in the day.  At this point I paused, wondering if there was someone I could call to come clean this up.  Mom?  I realized that wasn't going to happen so I put the Dyson to work.  And as I vacuumed slivers of glass I couldn't help but start singing the words to Walkin on Broken Glass.

Not a great photo of the glass - but there's the stem on the edge of the rug!

Friday Night Routine

It's been a long week.  I am struggling to keep my head above water, answer questions from the audit teams and the clients, review workpapers, read emails and get home before the dog pees in his crate.  I have extreme guilt over the last one cuz it happened this week for the first time since he was a little puppy.  But don't worry about it - I made up for it by playing indoor fetch (one handed while I work on the computer) for over an hour that night.

Tomorrow is Friday.  There is a certain end of the week excitement.  I can still hear that song.. "It's Friday night, we're gonna have some fun, show you how it's done... T.G.I.F".  Years ago ABC's lineup including Family Matters, Step By Step, Full House and Perfect Strangers created end of week excitement.   Friday doesn't hold the same excitement when you have plans to spend Saturday in the office.  But I've managed to create a different sort of excitement.

I have a new Friday routine.  It's doesn't involve margaritas on the patio or Dateline and beers. 

The new routine provides the opportunity to clear my head and decompress.  It's a hussle to try and leave work early, I'm anxious in traffic, but by the time I get to the gym I am ready for some personal time.  I spend 60 minutes away from the cell phone and laptop and clear my head of all numbers - both debits and kredits.  After class I sit in the sauna to soak it all in for a few more minutes, then go home to the dog, play some fetch, take a nice long shower, and find some dinner.   After a little T.V, and internet I retreat to bed with the latest US Weekly.  A little relaxation after a long week.  The alarm will go off early and I've got lots to get done on Saturday.

But for now... I'm really looking forward to my Friday night routine.

Just Me and My Sister

It’s been a few years since my family lived at 901 Elaine. Back in the day it was just me and my sister as my other two siblings had yet to join our family. Two years separate us in age. As most sisters will attest this allows for a best friend on some days and a best enemy on other days.

As young children, the differences between Amy and I were obvious. She wore a short haircut - and longed for a rat tail! One of her favorite television shows was MacGyver. There was a point in time when her most treasured possession was a rabbit's foot. She had a pet hamster named Jack. She wore Converse shoes. Listened to REM constantly. Always kept her "beeta" near by. (P.S. a beeta is an affectionate term for a much loved, well-worn security blanket. This one was originally pink in color but today takes on a dull grayish tone.) It’s funny to me that many years later some of my favorite memories of my sister are the stark differences between the two of us.

We grew closer as friends after I moved away to college, but there are countless memories that I cherish from when it was just me and my sister…
Here are just a few:
- Watching cartoons on Saturday mornings and eating Bisquick from measuring cups (this was while Mom and Dad slept late!)

- Sunday night picnics in the basement with popcorn and orange juice.

- Easter egg hunts in the living room.

- First day of school photos.

- Family vacations to the Black Hills.

- The time you and Mom went to Florida and Disney World without me!

- The day you went to church without wearing underwear.

- Our pet rabbits and the winning trophy at the pet show.


Happy Birthday to my sister. I hope you enjoyed your day and I wish you only the best in the next year. Maybe this will be the year that you decide to give up your beeta?!?

Falling Off the Horse (the first time).

Week two of F.I.T. class was similar to week one.  This time I brought a few friends along with me - misery loves company!  When my calves started burning around the twenty minute mark - I started daydreaming in an effort to distract myself.  As my my thoughts wandered I realized that my lack of attending classes at the gym isn't the first time I fell of the horse.  There was that one time when....

I was about 10 years old and I was spending the day with my cousin Heather.  She lived on a farm and had horses.  We planned to ride her horse all afternoon.  I was amazed by how responsible she was with her horse.  We went out to the barn and I watched anxiously as Heather prepared the horse for riding.  I have no idea what that horse's name was - perhaps that is fitting as the horse and I didn't end up as friends.  After careful preparation we were ready to ride.  Heather climbed up in the saddle and then instructed me climb on behind her.  I was (o.k. maybe still am) not coordinated - so it took me a few tries before I was able to pull myself up, throw my leg around to the other side and sit close behind the saddle.  I was a bit of a chicken so I didn't feel safe enough holding on to the back of the saddle.  Instead I held onto Heather around her waist.  And we were off!  Did I mention that I was a chicken?  That was back when I was scared to ride rollercoasters.  (I have since grown up.... a little!)  So each time the horse would speed up to a trot I would put a death grip on Heather to alert her that the speed was a little too fast for comfort.

I have no idea how long we rode the horse that day.  I will never forget how the ride ended.  I believe that something spooked the horse, causing him to buck and lift his front legs.  That's when my death grip wasn't strong enough and I slid off the back of the horse to a rather rough landing in a rocky field.  At the exact same moment the horse decided to relieve himself.  Perhaps he was scared shitless!?!?!  I know I was!  After shedding a few tears I tried to pull myself up only to realize that my leg was in serious pain.  I limped my way all the way back to the house as there was no way I was getting back on the horse again - it had been decided were not going to be friends.  I was still limping when I returned home that night, the next day and even the next week. 

I was in third grade at the time and I was really enjoying the swim team.  So in an effort to continue swimming, I avoided a visit to the doctor - fearing he would advise against the swimming.  So for at least a month after this incident I continued to limp my way through each and every day.

It took a long time for me to get back on a horse again! 

Gramps.

Gramps was a social guy. Always in good spirits and looking to make a new friend. He loved telling stories of his younger years.  He admitted to getting into his fair share of trouble back in the day.  In his later years he rode a motorized scooter downtown to local bar and restaurant to hang out with the other locals.  He wasn't afraid to write a letter to his friendly congressmen or senator to give him a a piece of his mind.  He may have even told a few dirty jokes in his day. 

My favorite memories of my Grandpa Lenie are those of him sitting in his beloved chair.  Now there was more than one chair in his lifetime, but the one that comes to mind was a classic 1970s shade of rusty orange.  My family would pull into the alley driveway and my sister and I were anxious to run inside and find Grandpa.  I can smell and feel the cool damp air in the driveway.  There were big old trees that shaded the driveway and left droppings in the gravel.  We would enter the breezeway and let the featherlight screendoor slam behind us.  Inside the house was the tiny kitchen and memories of drinking Pepsi out of glass bottles.  Through dining room doorway and around the corner we would find grandpa sunken in his chair.  There was an incredible light in his eyes and a smile that filled his face.  A tight squeeze that lasted just long enough to show how much he loved me.  A greeting I will never forget. 

We would spend the afternoon visiting.  Grandpa remained sunken in his chair with the mustard yellow leather footrest stained with newspaper print.  I would climb in his lap and explore all the cool things that made their home on the end table next to his chair.  The phone.  An outdated lamp that went well with the '70s chair.  A magnifying glass.  His police scanner. A pocket knife.  Toothpicks.  I was always interested in what I found on that end table. 

Last Friday evening Grandpa Lenie left this earth and made his way to heaven. He lived a good life. While his memory was old and tired, his spirit was awake and alive even in his final days. He will be missed. I’ve spent the past few days recalling childhood memories and am making a point to etch them in my mind and in my heart.

Gramps ended each visit with a hug that rivaled the previous and a kiss on the cheek while wishing me “all the luck in the world”.  He wasn’t shy to tell me just how proud of me he was.  It always felt good to hear it – but it warms my heart right now. 

Today I will say goodbye to Gramps.  It's my turn to tell him that I'm proud of him.  He lived a good life and has left quite a legacy.  I love you Gramps.

Crazy Idols and Auditors

A conversation earlier today in the audit room centered around television - the shows we can't believe we still watch.  The clock just struck midnight and I'm sitting on the couch doing my debit & kredit thing.  The DVR is providing some background noise - Hollywood week on Idol's 9th season.  American Idol is definitely one of those shows - that I can't believe I still watch.  Have there really been 8 other seasons?  During our conversation this morning I commented that I couldn't believe how many people still come out to audition in each and every city the judges visit.  The DVR provides background noise many nights and I've seen plenty of crazed contestants.  I am continually shocked by the determination and dedication of the contestants. 

Yet... I'm the one sitting on the couch watching listening to these crazy contestants.  Determined to finish just a one more thing on yesterday's to do list.  Not sure who is more crazy - the idols or the auditor?  I am continually shocked at how much work it takes to finish an audit.  I'm starting to realize that I might be as crazy as these characters on Idol. 

I'm thankful for the background noise at this time of night.

Number Munchers.

I started practicing "crunching numbers" long before the accounting classes in college or my debut in public accounting. It all started in the computer lab at West Side Elementary. I spent 7 years of my life in that building. To this day I can still remember how heavy the doors to the school were - you really had to lean back and use the weight of your body to move them. At the end of the hall in a classroom turned computer lab we spent about 30 minutes a week on the computer.

It was a great invention! A big electronic machine with it's dazzling screen displaying a very memorable green font. Reading, math, gym, music and lunch all seemed a little mundane when compared to the time we spent in the computer lab. I remember racing into the computer lab in hopes of snagging a spot next to your friends. Then came the process of handing out the floppy disks - your choice of Number Munchers or Oregon Trail. Waiting impatiently for the teacher to had me a Number Munchers disk I was in a hurry to insert the disk and boot up the computer. The faster you could tackle this process the longer you had to play the game.

For the next 20 to 25 minutes you could hear the constant chatter of the munchers munching their numbers and announcing the new high score or on the other hand there was the dreadful music indicating your family died of dysentery along the trail. What first grader knows about dysentery?

These are a few of my first memories of the computer. Funny to think that it was limited to 30 minutes a week. These days I use the laptop as a source of warmth during the winter.

One of my must reads had a post that inspired me to think about the evolution of the computer in my life. The once a week visit to the computer lab was just a start. It's fun to recall our family's first computer. Dial-up internet. My first email address. The list goes on and on. Although I must say that my first purchase of a computer didn't come until last year - a Macbook. I've had a laptop (well actually quite a few of them!) ever since I started in the business of debits and kredits and am lucky enough to get to use it for a few personal things over the years as well. But just last year I decided it was time to have a computer that was just for fun - no work allowed!

Check out the post that inspired me to take a trip down memory lane. the lil bee: Do you remember your first? And don't forget to read the comments on the post - they are likely to remind you of a few of your own forgotten computer memories.

Time is Money

As the old adage says... time is money.  

In an effort to buy more time and to keep my life in balance, I am a frequent MNPass customer. As I see it - I have put a price on a few extra minutes of sleep.

A few years ago the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area joined the ranks of cities two, three and five times the size and introduced a modified concept of the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.  I say modified because the state of Minne introduced a lucrative approach to traffic congestion.  I did a little research and found that we are one of just 2, maybe 3 states to implement such a program.  The Department of Transportation's website indicates:


"MnPASS is designed for solo drivers to be able to use the HOV lane by paying an electronic toll. Its purpose is to maintain traffic flow and alleviate congestion. If you drive alone and want a more convenient and predictable trip, open a MnPass account and start using the MnPASS Express Lanes."



Might I add a few descriptive words to their definition:


"MnPASS is designed for solo drivers to be able to use the HOV lane by paying an incredibly expensive electronic toll. Its purpose is to maintain traffic flow and alleviate congestion. If you drive alone and want a more convenient and predictable trip, open a MnPass account and start providing some additional revenue to the never ending road construction season by using the MnPASS Express Lanes."

One morning last week I left the house in a typical hurried frenzy.  Note the key ingredient this morning happened to be a light dusting of snow on the ground.  I rounded the on ramp to 394 heading east, moved 2 lanes to the left and prepared to enter the MnPass express lane.  I expected to see what I see most days, something like this:

Only I gasped out loud to find the current price to downtown Minneapolis listed as $8.00!  Yikes - that's a steep price to pay for sleep.  Unfortunately this isn't the first time I've been faced with this sitation.  In the debit & kredit world all entries must balance.  Once again I am making a vow to put my head on the pillow a little earlier at night in order to avoid this steep price tag!

Fortune

A very typical lunch with the crew from work.  The group decides on Asian Max.  We venture through the skyways for sushi, seasame chicken, spicy green beans and your choice white or fried rice.  We make our way back to the office and decide to take a short break and eat together in a conference room.  The smell of asian food isn't the only thing in the air - there's plenty of conversation - and the typical dread of all the work that lies ahead.  We can't help but laugh at Katie's fortunes...

I have plenty of work on my plate and some thoughts weighing heavy on the mind.  I can't help but hope that there is some truth to those fortunes.  And I sure hope that they apply to me too - and not just Katie!

Funtional Integrated Training (F.I.T.)

A 60 minute class at Lifetime Fitness.  It's been 48 hours and I still can't lift my arms above my head.  Nor can I get out of bed without a few groans. 

I frequented this class a few years ago.  During the first 5 minutes of the class I was reminded just how long it's been since I attended the class.  At about the 6 minute mark I wanted to leave - I was quite certain I wouldn't survive the next 54 minutes.  After the first 10 minutes, I was finding my groove.  I let my mind wander to one of my favorite workout music video.  F.I.T is nothing like the workout in this video - but I laugh ever single time I watch thevideo.  With "Call on Me" consuming my thoughts - the next thing I knew my triceps (among aother things) were burning and it was time for the cooldown.

While I'm still in a fair amount of pain - it feels good to be back on the horse.

G T L

My recent sickness gave way to a day spent in bed and on the couch.  It's been a while since I've had a sick day.  Does it count if your sick day is on Sunday?

After sleeping for over 12 hours I finally ventured downstairs to the couch.  Yes, the couch.  Remember - it's a sick day.

The sunlight was streaming in from the patio and the warmth on my face gave me a little strength.  Not enough strenth to get up and get the newspaper that was lying on the driveway, but just enough to reach for the remote to turn on the TV.  All good sick days require at least a few hours of worthless TV so I thought I'd check out MTV.  I was in luck - the Jersey Shore reunion was just ending and next up was 'Before the Shore'.  Now I watch my fair share of worthless TV (this girl has seen every episode of the Kardashians).  I just haven't found room on the DVR or time in my life for Jersey Shore.  I decided that my sick day presented the perfect opportunity to find out what I have been missing!

After the 30 minute episode I am certin that Jersey Shore is worth watching.  Waste of time?  Maybe, but definitely worth the laughs.  It made me feel old, I cringed at most of scenes and laughed out loud a few times.  Mostly at the guys that need mom to do their laundry and make chicken cutlets (shout out to Mike S!).   My favorite part of this recap episode was Pauly D's intro where he wanted to bring his own tanning bed with him to the shore.  He was very disappointed when he couldn't fit it out his bedroom door.  Wow!

In the end I was a little jealous that I never spent a summer on the Jersey Shore.  I did have a very memorable weekend in Ocean City, MN - so I guess I'll settle for that!

When my sister (the college student) left me a message last week noting it was a G-T-L day I had not idea what she was referring to.  After meeting Pauly D - I have a new appreciation for G-T-L!   Did I mention that watching the episode made me feel old?

In an effort to kick the sickness and in honor of Pauly D - I managed to go tanning that afternoon.  I figured a little vitamin D would de me good!

Great photo with the ferris wheel in the background - if it weren't for his tatoos you might think it was a family friendly summer at the shore!

Bedrest & Buffalo Chicken Chili

Last year at this time bedrest was a way of life for my friend Kristin.  She was 35 weeks pregant with twin boys.  She had set up shop in her bed - this included a make shift office that allowed her do her debit and kredit work right from her bed! 

I visited her most Friday nights.  It felt strange to be greated at the door by her husband and dog who would lead me into the bedroom.  Tere I found a glowing pregnant girl nestled in the king size bed.  She would invite me into the bed - where we would spend an hour or so recounting that past few days.  She was desperate for some sense of life outside of her bed and her house for that matter!  I was amused to look around in awe at everything she has right there in bed with her - there was a table set up next to the bed to allow for storage of 2 computers, powercords, stacks of paper, a calculator, pens, pencils, water, chapstick, camera, yarn, knitting kneedles, phones, remote controls, medication to stop the contractions and possibly even a snack.  It seemed like she might be able to survive in there for many more weeks.  In total she spent about 8 weeks on bedrest before Prior and Mason decided to make their appearance.  The night they were born is a story on its own!
Clearly the boys are the best thing that came out of her bedrest stint.  But I would argue that Rachael Ray's buffalo chicken chili recipe is a close second.  She happened to watch an episode where Rachel made buffalo chicken chili and topped it off with melted blue cheese on tortilla chips.  Kristin knows my love of blue cheese and this recipe is one of my faves.  I make it often and never get sick of it.  If you haven't tried it yet - do so soon!

Buffalo Chicken Chili

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 tablespoons butter
2 pounds all-white meat ground chicken breast
1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 ribs celery, finely chopped
5 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (you can substitute with chipotles or chipotle chili powder)
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 to 1/2 cup hot sauce, depending on how hot you like it
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 7-ounce bag yellow corn chips
1 7-ounce bag blue corn chips
3/4 pound blue cheese, crumbled

You can find the recipe here.

I now use a rotisserie chicken and just shred the meat instead of ground chicken meat.  I have even added some sort of white beans to make it a little more hearty!  Enjoy.

It seems like forever since Kristin was on bedrest - or wait, maybe it feels like just last week.  All I know is that those boys are having a birthday very soon!

January month-end reconciliation

January has come to an end and in the land of debits and kredits - many bean counters are busy closing the books and preparing month-end account reconciliations.  One of 'my must reads' does a nice little tribute to the month and so it only seems fitting that I do a little reconciliation of my own.

January 2010

(+) My 31st birthday!

(+) Monday nite with Kate including dinner from PF Changs, Bachelor - Wings of Love, Facebook, dogs and some aweseom chocolate cake!

(+) Knitting baby hats

(+) Clean closets

(+) Mixed Cds from my sister for my birthday

(-) A little extra stress at work

(+) Baby shower for baby Gianino - Samule Joseph made his grand entrance (a little early) on January 27th

(+) Brunch with Haley - awesome food and delicious mimosas!

(+) One last holiday celebration - the annual Andersen Girls Christams Party - finally used my new egg plate!

(-) Prayers for Cale - high school friend Anne's son is sick and starting treatment.

(+) Baking cupcakes with Joan

(+) Stuffed peppers - yummy!

(+) Baby Emmy was born on January 25th - her proud mama is a high school friend

(-) Sickness - Boo!

Next time someone asks what I've been up to I sure hope I don't respond by saying... "nothing"!

Happy Birfday T-Man!

Today is Tucker's 3rd Birthday.  He's is spending a few weeks at Camp Get-Away (my parents house!).   The 2 week vacation was a Christams gift to me from my parents - and now it's Tucker's birthday gift from me!  He's been getting lots of love and attention from my mom and dad - and for that he's very thankful.  I sent him a little package in the mail and hopefully mom and dad will take a few photos of him on his 3rd birfday!
Here are just some of my favorite memories of Tucker.  In just three years he has provided much entertainment, many laughs, some frustration - but most importantly he's an ever loyal, companion!