Merry Christmas!

I have been neglectful in my postings. I apologize. I can't even give a good excuse....they sound kind of lame when I think of them. Partly with the preparations for the holiday, partly because of things happening in my personal life. I wish I could say it was because of my brand new job that I have no time to blog....sadly, that's not the case. A friend of mine told me though that this coming year is my year....she swears it. Considering her family just went through a house fire 2 weeks before Christmas and she's trying to keep me positive on the job front, I feel that I need to take a page from her book and keep a positive outlook on things. That's what I'm making my 'resolution' this year....anybody else have any??

For the Birds

 I've always loved having bird feeders in my yard to see the different types of birds it would attract. We have quite a variety so far this year. We have a fairly large apple tree right next to the house and the living room window, and have four bird feeders in the tree, and one that is suction cupped onto the window.

The one on the window, I will admit, was bought for the sheer purpose of attracting the birds closer to the window for the cats entertainment. They seem to only come to it in the winter though. The top two pictures are the more colorful birds that we get, Blue Jays and Cardinals.

These two pictures show just how close Weeb's can get to the action!! In this one, the little guy there is waiting for a spot on the feeder, and the bottom one is the feeder full. She just sits there for hours watching the birds as they come and go. As much entertainment for her as it is for us!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving!! It's a quiet day at home for Dan and I this year. Yesterday was my prep day, have the two pies done, the turkey is brining, cranberry mold is done. Today everything just has to be cooked. Shouldn't be too hard....although I will admit, this will be the first turkey I ever cook!! Wish me luck! Only other plans for the day are to relax on the couch, watch some movies, watch the Packer game and go through all of the Black Friday ads!!

Snow!!

Yup!! Our first official snow of the year today. The first snow is always so pretty....could have done without the freezing rain before hand though, made things a little slick!!

I'm thankful though....last year around this time we were having a blizzard that dropped 36 inches in about a day and a half!

Staying Positive

This is what people are always telling me, you need to stay positive. What exactly does staying positive do for you? Does it magically erase the problems and worries from your life??

I've had some pretty hard hits in the last couple of years, and I do believe that I handled them as well as I could, doing the best that I can, in the hopes that I would come out on top. I don't feel as though I did.

I find myself constantly frustrated by the fact that I'm working retail for minimum wage after 2 years of college, which in turn has me spending hours each week working on our budget trying to get everything paid, a little extra for us to do something fun, and also trying to set money aside. Each week one of the three suffers.

I'm doing everything I can to get a job in my field and it's not happening. I'm frustrated, and I don't want to stay positive about it anymore. It's not only me, there are millions out there who have the same problem and it just angers me. I just wish I knew what to do.

Dream House

 One of the things we loved to do this summer was to drive to neighboring towns and hit rummages and look at houses that were for sale. We found this one at the beginning of the summer, and then saw it again this fall. On a whim, we called the number, were given the code for the key box and were able to walk the house. We fell in love. There is only one floor that needs to be replaced, otherwise there is no inside work needed, and minimal outside.                                                

The downside.....we have no clue when we'd be able to buy it. Dan lost his job in September, and the job he has now just covers the bills. I've been trying to find a job in my field since May, and have only been able to find part time in retail.

The upside....it's already been vacant for around 2 years....is it possible we could luck out and it would stay vacant until we're able to do it?? I'm praying so.

My Other Love

Here is the other love of my life, this is Weeb's. She's been in my life just about the same amount of time as Dan. He gave her to me just over a year ago, which is also her age. I'd been without a pet for a couple of years, and was missing having one and he surprised me! Her full name is Weebeloe, because when we first got her, she wobbled when she walked...'Weebloe's wobble but they don't fall down!'
                                                                                                                                                         




In the top photo she's hanging upside down in the tube on her scratch post that Dan made for her....she's outgrown that one already, and he's recently made her a more deluxe model!

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween everyone!! This is one of my two favorite holiday's of the year. For Halloween, that's mainly because it's in the fall of the year, my favorite season. Have the house decorated, pumpkins and cornstalks outside.....what do you do for Halloween? Anything special?

About Me.....

This is my man....my man Dan. He's the reason I moved to Northern Wisconsin. To be with the love of my life, and start the next chapter of my life with him.

Our story is unique, because I've actually known Dan since I was 6 years old. My family moved to Lonsdale, MN in 1978, two doors down from his house. I became friends with his sister, and then eventually he and his brother, and we all hung out when we were kids. We lost track of each other after he graduated, but reconnected on Facebook a couple of years ago. The summer of 2010 I happened to comment about a message he posted, we began talking more and more, and we decided to give dating a try, even though it was long distance. 9 months later when I finished school, I made the move up here to Somerset, and I couldn't be happier!

Football

Another Sunday tradition for me is when my favorite football team is on. I am a Packer fan, which gets me some grief because most of my friends and boyfriend aren't. I love 'em though, and have been following and supporting them for as long as I can remember....even when I lived in Minnesota for 10 years.

This is the other football team I love. Our state college team. I think Wisconsin was blessed that they have two extremely successful football teams....makes me happy!!

I'm working part-time at Lowe's while trying to find a job in the field I went to school for. I was in school for two and a half years and didn't work that entire time. Right now it is sheer agony on my feet and back working in retail.

Baby, it's COLD outside!!

The snow isn't flying yet, but I don't think it's going to be too far off. Tonight will be our coldest so far this fall....it's 30 degrees out, and that will for sure drop overnight. We've had the furnace on for a couple of days now, but it's only kicked in twice.

I'm the person who prefers the cold over the heat, but the first couple of nights of cold are always the hardest! Not to worry, it's Wisconsin.......it's supposed to be 60 degrees tomorrow!

Obsession

This is the Pioneer Woman. I am in love with her. I don't know why. I came across her story in one of the MANY magazines I subscribe to, found her blog, and have been obsessed ever since. I've read both of her books, have her cookbook, and she recently had a series of shows on the Food Network....another obsession. I think I like the kind of fairy tale that seems to be her life.





This, along with just about every cooking magazine there is, is another obsession. I love to find new things to cook, or some way to change up what I currently make. I'd say that about 50 percent of the shows I DVR are cooking shows....how happy was I when I saw that there is now a daytime cooking talk show!! Which leads to the magazines....if it's out there, I get it. But I will say that I do make a lot of the recipes I find, and I pass along the magazines to be read/shared by others when I'm done.

My name is Beth, and I'm a Food Network addict....what is everybody else addicted to/obsessed with??

Job Hunting

I am what is considered a displaced worker. After 15 years of employment, my company laid me, and hundreds of others off in order to have their product produced in Mexico, China, and India. I'll say that it is the best thing that could ever have happened, because I was able to go back to school for free. What I didn't expect, was the circus that has become job searching.

9 times out of 10 you never even have contact with a person! I've had occasions where I've filled out the application online, hit submit, and at the time I'm hitting submit, I'm getting the rejection in my inbox! It's made for a very frustrating process. I find myself still trying to get a job in my field 6 months after graduating, and it's extremely hard to keep plugging away and not get down about. Especially when you hear job statistics and politicians promising jobs, but never delivering. Will this ever end?? Am I going to end up being 1 of the many who are still looking for a job 2 years later??

Lazy Sunday

   Today is my lazy Sunday. Had friends over for dinner and cards last night, so have the house clean from that, Dan is working at an auction, so Weeb's and I are going to enjoy a Starbuck's, read the paper, and watch some DVR until the Packer's come on at Noon. Love Sunday's like this!!

What is everyone doing today?

Hello and Welcome!!

I am brand new to blogging, even though I've followed others for years. I hope to meet some new people in my adventure, and I hope you all enjoy.