Why I Love My Job

At General Mills, we do a huge United Way campaign every year (we are talking raising $8 million dollars here people), and I serve as the Marketing Co-Chair with Susan (a fellow employee). It is always really fun, but this year we really wanted to break the mold, and what better way to do that than to put on a flash mob, smack dab in the middle of the cafeteria.

Some of you may be asking "what in the hell is a flash mob (Dad....)"? Well essentially it is a bunch of people that do a planned dance right in the middle of every day life with unsuspecting people all around.

Oh yeah, we did it. And maybe it was only fun because I helped coordinate it. But to see something that Susan and I joked about during an over-caffeinated brainstorm ACTUALLY come to life, was awesome. To find 30 people willing to make a fool of themselves in front of co-workers, a person who did amazing choreography and get facilities to approve (the real hardship) was amazing.

Butr we did it! And here is the proof...
*Note our campaign theme is Be a Community Hero and has all sorts of fun comic-y graphics--hence the song choice:

From 60 to 0 in 24 Hours

That's what happens when you head up North for the annual family vacation. From papers and exams for Nate to plans presentations for me our daily life screeched to a halt for a much more preferable schedule of sleeping in, playing with Finn, snuggling Leo, fishing, eating, watching TV and playing games. Ahhh...I feel more relaxed just typing those words.

Look at this place---does it get more serene than this?

It was a little chilly out so the Ugg's came in handy. Finn liked them too.

 It was game on once the boys came in from Muskie fishing, and we had one EPIC battle of Killer Bunnies, which ended with me having so many bunnies I didn't know what to do with them all. You see that half-circle of cards that looks like it is smiling at you? Well those were my bunnies...

 There was lots of quality time with the boys. It was so great getting to spend so much time with them, but I am going through serious withdrawal now. Finn is at such a fun age, and cracked me up all week long.

 There was even some excitement in the boat as Finn caught his first fish---although it wasn't quite a catch so much as it was a little 'magic trick' by Grandpa. Either way, Finn was pretty proud of himself and even got to accompany Grandpa to the lodge for a victory Kiddie Cocktail.

 

I have some great video of the week but my AV guy is gone to CA, and I can't figure out how to get video off of my phone (to be honest I am pretty darn proud that I was able to get the photos off).

BUT, I leave you with a great series of pictures taken with the reverse lens on my phone. Finn was SO excited that he could see both of us....which made for some great photo ops!

 Ahhhh...so fun.

Gone Fishing

We are outta here people. Headed up North for some much needed time away with the Fam. More to come next week when we get back!

We leave you with vacation smiles from last year!!

To the Moon and Back

Well....that may be a slight over-exaggeration. But I am going to LA and back today. And I have to say I am SO not jazzed about this.

I've done the out and back twice before and it is not exactly enjoyable to be on a plane for 8 hours in one day and not be somewhere fabulous like London or Paris or Hawaii for that matter.

It's just enough time for me to get to the Universal Lot, have a meeting, grab some dinner and get back to the airport for the red-eye home. Which of course means I am going to be an AWESOME person to be around tomorrow. If you have the potential of interacting with me tomorrow consider this your fair warning. :)

Nate had class the last two nights, I am gone tonight, tomorrow night is crazy work night and we have a wedding Friday night, so when we leave for vacation on Saturday it will be a reunion of sorts where we will start with the question that has recently morphed from 'how was your day' to 'how was your week'?

Can. Not. Wait. to sleep, read, snuggle with Leo, play with Finn, do some fishing, and just relax........

Listmania: Why Fall Is the Best

Let's face it people: Fall is here. Yeah, yeah all the forever optimists are touting the "there's still 2 weeks of summer left." But when you get into your car at 5AM and it is 47 degrees...I don't care what the calendar says. Fall is here.

And I am okay with that because it my all-time favorite and here is a little glimpse into why:

1) Candles: I can start burning them again without feeling guilty about heating up the house while cooling it with AC. I love all the fall scents and it just makes the house so nice and cozy.

2) Hooded Sweatshirts: Yes, yes. I'm sure my family would rather i burn my hooded sweatshirts since I live in them on the weekends, but they are my grown-up comfort item.

3) Windows-Open: Let the fresh air in now folks because in about 1 month it is goign to be zero degrees and on comes the heat. Ahhhh...it doesn't get much better for sleeping than this.

4) Baking in the Oven: Admittedly, this would be more fun should Nate and I ever get an oven that is reliable, consistent and doesn't have to be watched like a hawk. But still...there is somethign about a good pasta bake, warm cookies and throwing a big old roast in the oven to get you ready for the long winter!

5) Football. I am not a crazy football fan, but I do enjoy watching it. perhaps it is more nostalgic than anything and makes me dream of the days that I was walking to Camp Randall to watch the Badgers vs. folding laundry and checking email.

6) It is the opening act of Christmas. Hello....I start listening to Christmas music in October. And if any of you have an issue with it listen here: I will stop playing CHristmas music in october, when stores stop putting out Christmas stuff in September. I have this whole theory of the bell curve of CHristmas excitement, and if I don't start the Christmas music at a certain point the holly jollies wear out before the music can really have its maximum impact. You think I'm kidding but I'm not.

7) Apple Season! And nothing beats the apples from Vernon County. Don't. Even. Try.

8) Fall Clothes. It's the most wonderful time of the year for a shopping spree. I have yet to do this, but it is on my to-do list. Right after item number 5437.

9) Decent TV: What's up new episodes of Modern Family? I've been awaiting you all summer.....

10) Vacation Season: It's coming. It starts with a family vacay to Hayward. Transistions into anniversary vacay in California. Progresses into the NYC Holiday trip with the girls. And ends with just a boat load of vacation days I have left to use around the holidays where I plan to sit at home, on my butt and R-E-L-A-X.

Baby Leo

This weekend was a weekend for celebration.

Not only was it Rebecca's birthday, my Mom and Dad's anniversary AND Nick's birthday, but it was also the birthday of the newest Keaty nugget, Leo.

Nate and I were happy to make the trip to Chicago to meet the little nugget, and I got ample snuggle time.

Looking forward to spending lots more time with Finn and Leo when we head to Hayward in a few weeks.

Congrats to the Keaty's!!!!

Book Alert!

Okay people.

I just finished (by staying up waaaayyyy to late) an AMAZING book, and felt compelled to everyone immediately because it is probably one of my favorite books in the past year or so.

It's called The Kitchen House. Click on this link to read more about it: http://amzn.to/bpBtcz

I would tell you more about it, but I don't think I can without giving anything way.

Just trust me. It is good. Such an interesting topic, beautifully written, complex characters, SO GOOD.

So Sue Me

I've been sucking at blogging lately. So sue me.

But that is only because my life has taken a turn toward the insanely busy (from just the normal threshold that allows me to actually capture some stuff and then tell you about it).

However, it is all fun stuff.
Like a fun impromtu dinner with our neighbors on Sunday night.
And a Lady Gaga concert on Monday night.
And then heading to Washington DC Tuesday right after work.

Which brings me to my fun "why does this always happen to me travel story"....Do you remember my NYC nightmare trip (Read about it Here)

Well this is not that bad. Not nearly.

But seriously, why does this random stuff always happen to me?
We get to our hotel at around 11:30PM.
Check in. Check. Check. Not a PEEP from the staff about what is awaiting me.
Get to my room. Open it up.
Wow...it's a suite. Did I book the wrong room?
Wait a second....WHERE is the bed? Hmmm.....
Walk back down to lobby where I meet Katie who is also perplexed.
Learn that they are in an 'oversold' situation and have us in what I say were 'glorified living rooms' (but in my made up dreams they are political situation rooms where all the aides gather to do business), and the beds..
Sofa sleepers.

Awesome.

Seriously, nothing like walking into a hotel room and having to LOOK for the bed. Wtf.
And whats more perplexing to me is, why wouldnt' the staff checking us give us a FREAKING HEADS UP?
Like, oh by the way when you walk into your room, you won't actually SEE a bed. But never fear...just throw off the couch cushions..and Voila! Bed.

Needless to say: some 1/2 price discount, free breakfast, free internet and chocolates sent to our room later, we have both secured a normal room with a real bed for our 2nd night....