Flashback Friday & 5QF

All I can say is THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!

Seriously.

I am so ready for this weekend.

Let's start off with a little Flashback. Once again back to 2009.

Oh yeah! I'm definitely not complaining that it doesn't look like this today.

Instead, it's 77°F!

And now for ...

1. Will you run to the store or to pick up a kid looking a mess? Sadly, yes. I'll try to look somewhat presentable, but sometimes that is way less impressive than other times.

2. Do you finish a book if it's boring or you don't like it? It's rare, really rare, for me to not finish a book that I start. Or at least that used to be true. Now, it's much easier for me to put down a book and not pick it up again for months, if ever.

3. Beach or mountain vacations? Honestly, I wouldn't mind either. I just love to go somewhere new and different. I'd be very happy lounging on the beach or hiking in the mountains.

4. What thing/event says "winter will end and spring is right around the corner" to you? Oh, I don't know. Daylight Savings Time, I suppose. It's been so gorgeous here the past few days, but I still kind of feel like there will be another snowstorm before summer comes around. Hopefully mild. Minnesota certainly has been spoiling us for our last winter here. :-)

5. Would you prefer couples or family vacation? I guess I prefer couples - only because it is fewer people to manage. Not having kids of my own, family vacations would be with my parents, siblings and their kids, and that adds up to a lot of different preferences on what to do, eat, etc.

Flashback Friday & 5QF

Back in 2009, I posted this photo on my blog ... without ANY commentary.

I'm 99.9% sure it was part of a photo challenge on winter.

I'm fairly positive it's a picture of the Mississippi River, partially frozen over in March.

Such a different March than this year! Thankfully. ☺

If you'd like a peek at what I was doing around this time back in 2008, I'd just started a new job. You can read about my 2nd day here.

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And now for a little Five Question  Friday.

1. Are you looking forward to the time change this weekend?
Thanks for the reminder!☺I can't say I'm really looking forward to it. Springing ahead = losing an hour of sleep, right? I'm already always so tired. Of course, I will appreciate the shift is daylight hours. So, I guess I'm torn.

2. Are you getting the new iPad/would you want a iPad?
No and no. I'm SO not an Apple girl. Give me a PC any day. Also, we're trying to save all our money for our move this summer. No new toys for us for awhile.

3. If money was not a problem, what is the one thing you would splurge on?
Travel, without a doubt! I would go somewhere I'd never been before, stay in a nice hotel, explore all the activities in the area, enjoy all the different traditional foods. I want to see the world!

4. How did you and the Mr. (or Mrs.) meet?
We met at church.

5. Summer is right around the corner. Bikini or one-piece?
If I can find a cute bikini that is super flattering, then bikini. Otherwise, one-piece. It kind of depends on the activity I'll be doing as well as just how hot it actually is outside. Of course, we're likely moving to FL this summer, so bikini seems like it will be more natural there.

Any fun plans for the weekend? I'll be doing the usual - lesson planning. I have a half marathon next weekend, so I hope to get in some running, too. It's been over a week since I've been out.

Have a great weekend! Don't forget to spring ahead on Sunday!!

5QF #4 & Flashback to 2009

I haven't done this for awhile, but it's a fun, easy post and that's just what I need after today (more on that hopefully tomorrow).


1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)? Watching TV or a movie, reading blogs, or taking a nap. Probably in that order of preference, but really any of those will do.

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it? Yes, definitely. Me and will power aren't the greatest of friends. I mean especially when it comes to food, which is precisely why I don't diet and don't eat particularly healthy.

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy? I would overhaul my wardrobe. Perhaps with the advice of a personal shopper or something. Fashion is definitely not my forte, and my clothes are pathetic. All too often I show up at work only to realize how much I hate my outfit.

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself? Dinner? No. Lunch? Absolutely. I wouldn't really have a problem going out to eat by myself for dinner, but I just don't ever do it.

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for? Probably just about any company that would offer me something to try to improve my running or core. There are likely a few companies in particular, but I'm probably be willing to do a review for just about any company that I find interesting.

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I thought I'd do a little Flashback Friday today as well.

Back in Feb 2009, I did a little daily photo challenge. Topic: winter

On 2/24/09, I posted this picture of Sallie playing in the snow.

It's probably not as fun for you to Flashback with me, but I love looking through old posts and pictures. Brings back fun memories of our last apartment. We didn't get anywhere near this amount of snow this year (knock on wood).

Sooooo... happy Friday, everyone! I've got a lot of work to do this weekend, but no other plans, which is niiiiice! What are you up to this weekend?

THE END + 5QF #3

Today was my last day of work.

I know I'm off to bigger and better things plus I was a bit of a slacker at work, so I was pretty much looking forward to finishing up this assignment.

Still, it was with mixed feelings that I ate my good-bye lunch and worked through this final day.

Of course, our company holiday party is tomorrow evening, so I'll see everyone one last time.

In addition to a free lunch today, I also got a card signed by everyone in the office (about 10 or so people) with a $100 GC to the Aveda Institute included. That was very unexpected!

I think I'll hang on to it until around Spring Break. I'm betting I'll be ready for a little pampering by then. :-)

My boss also made me this pretty pendant.

And then her boss gave me a $50 Visa gift card as a thank you for working over MLK weekend.

All in all definitely not a bad last day of work.

And now for Five Question Friday.



1. Do you swim in the winter?
Only if I have to. I'm not a big swimmer, but I'll go every now and again to encourage my husband to get some exercise. Last weekend I swam with the sharks at SeaLife. Does that count? Hopefully I'll get a post on that up in the next few days.

2. Do you love or hate winter?
Yeah. I'm pretty much a winter hater. I hate the cold. The dry, itchy skin. The bloody noses. The cold. The dark. Blah.

3. Do you put makeup/actual clothes on when you know you're going to be home all day with just family?
Ha. Sometimes I don't even put makeup/actual clothes on when I'm going out and about. Oops!

4. How old were you when you had your first alcoholic beverage?
I was 20.

5. How many ill calls in a 12 month period do you think are acceptable?
I'm not sure. Maybe 9-15.

Have you ever received gifts on the last day of a job? What are you up to this weekend?

Five Question Friday #2

I'm linking up with My Little Life for...

1. Where do you hide the reeeally good snacks?
I usually just give the reeeeally good snacks to my husband, but if I do want to keep something for myself, I'll just put it in any cupboard that isn't the snack cupboard. Sometimes hiding things from him is soooo easy!

2. Do u keep your vehicle clean or am I the only one who has things falling out of their van?
We've been car-free since Aug 2010, but back when we owned a car, we kept it relatively tidy. It's easier, I think, without any rugrats.

3. Have you ever been to Vegas?
I have. I went with my step-mom and sister back in 2002 (I think). It was a great trip! So fun!! I'm going again this coming June for a mini-college reunion. I. Can't. Wait!

4. Warm room light blankets or cold room warm snuggly blanket?
Definitely warm room light blankets. While I do love snuggly blankets, the cold room just makes it that much harder to creep out of the blankets in the morning.

5. What is the worst airplane/flying experience you've ever had?
I don't think I've really had too many horrible flying experiences. A few delays and minor (might have seemed major at the time) inconveniences. Nothing that really stands out though.

It's snowing here today. No huge flakes, but definitely a constant flurry and some accumulation. I'm not sure how long it's predicted to fall, but I'll likely stick to the treadmill for tomorrow's run. I've starting watching Warehouse 13 on Netflix, so I might start timing my treadmill runs by episodes. I figure 1 episode should get me close to 4.5 miles.

Oh, and Sunday, I'll be swimming with the sharks at SeaLifeMN.

It's gonna be a great weekend! What are your weekend plans?

Five Question Friday

It's my first time linking up with My Little Life for...

1. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

I ♥ Christmas cookies!! It's so difficult to choose a favorite. Here's probably my top 3...

Chocolate Crinkles

Chocolate Pinwheels

Candy Cane cookies

Mmm....now, I just wanna bake some cookies!

2. What's your favorite holiday movie;  why?
I honestly can't think of a favorite.

3. Is there a gift that you bought for your kids that you wish you hadn't after they opened it?
Nope.
Of course, this could be because I've got no kids - just the sweetest, cutest little dog.

Playing with her favorite toy.
Or, taking a break from playing with her favorite toy.

4. What is the messiest room in your house right at this moment?
Hands down ... the kitchen. The dishes are always needing to be done. It's worse than laundry!

5. What is the furthest you have driven for the holidays?
Not far.