Meet me in KC

We are off for Good Friday so technically today was our Friday at work.  Red Wings Fan and I decided to take advantage of the extra day off and settled on taking a road trip to Kansas City for the weekend.  We have no set agenda besides catching the MSU-Duke game Friday night and for the most part we're just playing it by ear....enjoying BBQ, seeing some sights and finding some time to relax.  Believe it or not, while the trip is only 4 hours from STL, this is still the first time I'll actually do more than just drive through the city trying to get to a final destination on the other side.
Besides our overnight trip to the mine months ago, which was nothing more than a work trip for both of us, this is the first of a few weekend trips planned over the next few months.
I finished packing my bag, gathering snacks for the car ride and making sure we're ready for the 3 days ahead.  I guess the only thing left to do is hit the road....

365 days later

Today was my 1 year anniversary at work. 
Crazy to think that one year ago, I walked in scared and unsure if I could handle the job in front of me but excited for the challenge and hopeful that this position would renew my love of Accounting and number crunching. 
One year ago, the guy who has now stolen my heart, was just another random co-worker who barely said 2 words to me on that first day but was more than willing to buy my lunch when the group took me out as a welcome present. 
One year ago, I couldn't tell you anything about metric tons or short tons or how many tons a railcar can hold.
One year ago, BTU, SO2, Ash, Moisture and quality price adjustments were all words with no meaning.  Today these things affect nearly everything I touch in my department

I work hard and I typically work long hours but I am content and happy with my decision to accept this position.   I've learned so much about my job, the industry, myself, and really life in general.  Most of all, I'm proud of how far I've come after 365 days.

Restaurant Impossible Revisited

Remember back in November when I got to experience the "Reveal" part of Restaurant Impossible?

Tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 8 pm CT or 9 pm ET for my loyal readers (Hi Joel!), the episode featuring the Caseyville Cafe will premiere on Food Network.  With not knowing what clips from dinner will be shown or knowing much of the back story, I'm excited to see the show!  My DVR is set, the watch party is planned and my bodyguard is prepped should the paparazzi get out of control on my way into work on Thursday morning (ok, just kidding about that last part!).  Not only was the dinner absolutely delish, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm so very glad I got to be a part of the experience!

Can I Really Do This?

One year ago today I called my best friend at 4:30 in the afternoon crying hysterically as I was having the worst day ever in my Accounting career.  I had already secured a new opportunity and had planned on giving my two weeks notice on Monday.  After spending nearly every day of the last 6 months in misery, I asked one question, "Can I really do this?" 
I got a really simple answer, "You've already secured your future, you're the unhappiest I have ever seen you....what do you have to lose?"
And with that, I walked back into work, typed up my resignation letter and at the end of that work day, I turned in my keys and officially resigned.
I walked out of the building with a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders and I've never looked back or regretted my decision to leave that dreadful place.  Six months of my life wasted at a company that never gave me a shot, never allowed me to grow and most of all never made me feel welcomed.

I struck gold....or in my case, black gold in my current position.  I work hard but I'm appreciated for all that I do, I have amazing friends who I can count on daily and I was lucky enough to meet a great guy who I can share my free time with....yep, walking out that day was the best decision I could have made.

A special dinner date

It's been nearly 10 months but tonight I'm finally trying to bridge the "Linds from the past" with the "Linds of the here and now."  Coco and I had been friends the entire time I worked at the trucking company and even after I left, over 6 years in fact, but around mid-May last year, I decided I needed to move forward and get some other things worked out and we drifted apart.  I can't say that was the best decision or even a somewhat good decision on my part but it happened.
A few weeks ago, my bro started working at the trucking company and ran into Coco.  She told him to have me call her when I had some free time.  After thinking our friendship had deteriorated so much over the last nearly 10 months, I was shocked that wanted to know how I was doing and wanted me to check in.  We've played phone tag, text tag and emailed back and forth and finally tonight Coco and I are going out to dinner to catch up and hopefully move forward in our friendship.  I'm excited for the chance to get to talk to her again.  We went through so much together the first years we worked together and I'm anxious to fill her in on all of the new happenings.  But most of all, I'm hopeful of reviving our friendship.

Wednesday Night Watch Party

Tonight's one of the nights Red Wings fan and I have been looking forward to for a few weeks.  In fact, we both put calendar events in our phones to make sure we didn't miss it and Sunday we decided why not have a watch party together for the Season 3 premiere of Duck Dynasty.  You won't find cooked squirrel or duck at our party but I am making dinner (perhaps even Louisiana themed!).
As far as the rest of the night is concerned, well I guess you can say we'll...

Gotta love the Robertson clan!!

Productivity at its best

I had to take the afternoon off of work today to go to court about a speeding ticket I got about a month ago.  Unfortunately, it wasn't one of those, "plead guilty, mail your fine to the circuit clerk."  No, it was a "take an afternoon off of work, sit in a jam-packed courtroom and wait for your name to be called to face humiliation."  Luckily for me, it only took about an hour for them to call my name, me to ask for court supervision, get my fine and take care of paying the courts.

I knew today was going to be busy at work with month-end close on Friday and export invoices needing to go out so I decided even though I was taking a half day I'd bring my laptop home, see if I could get it to connect to my new wi-fi and spend the rest of my afternoon taking care of anything that came up once we received info we needed in order to invoice our customers.  Sure enough at 4:15 the info required for our billing came through.  I sent MW a quick message telling him I was online and I'd get it squared away before 5 pm.  He was surprised but thanked me for staying on top of everything given I had the afternoon off.  A few minutes before 5, I received a response from our customer, they received our invoice and have the multi-million dollar payment set for next week.

This just may have been the most productive work afternoon I've ever had while being home. 
 Oh and I vacuumed and cleaned my bathroom on top of it.

Ms. McGyver at your service

At the company holiday party I finally met the River Terminal manager I work with on a regular basis.  I'd talk to him at least a few times a week the previous 8-9 months and it was nice to finally put a face to the voice.  When he met me, he informed me that I was probably one of the nicest people he's ever worked with.  I'm always pleasant whether he calls or emails me and I've always been helpful.  I was appreciative for the compliment and really thought of it nothing more than just trying to help a fellow co-worker so we both could successfully do our jobs.
A few weeks ago he asked me to send him more mailing labels so that he could get his invoices and other paperwork to us in a timely manner.  I sent him sheet after sheet after sheet of mailing labels in hopes that I wouldn't slow him down should I not be able to send more before he ran out again.
Today I received a package with one of my labels on it.  I was surprised since typically he send me just normal envelopes but this was in a bubble pack.  In the bubble pack was a box with a note saying, "Lindsay, Thanks for all you do!"
My gift you may ask:

I opened it and smiled. And since the girls call me Ms. McGyver, I added it to my keys right away.
Sometimes just being nice has its rewards and I'm now set with my handy dandy key chain tool.
 

As promised

The winter weather came through the 'Lou as promised yesterday and while this picture looks blurry and out of focus, this is actually how bad visibility was yesterday afternoon.  For some of the work fam it look anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to get home for regular commutes that usually take 15 to 45 minutes.  Luckily for me, I stayed about 8 blocks from the office and didn't risk driving any further in this mess.  It also saved me from a crazy commute into work this morning even though a lot of the roads did get plowed overnight.  And to top it all, I was lucky enough to have my car cleaned off for me this morning and gullible enough to believe that it all melted off my car even though the car parked in front of me was covered with 2-3 inches still.  Hey...in my defense it still was early in the morning, my brain wasn't fully functioning.
Hopefully this is the last of the winter weather around here, I'm ready for spring and warmer temps already!

State of Confusion

In the last week I've received notices from both Missouri and Illinois reminding me that my license plates expire next month and I need to renew my tags.  Missouri sent my notice to my old address and it was forwarded to my new one.  Illinois sent the notice only to my new address.

Correct me if I'm wrong but if I surrendered my Missouri plates and Registration and Title when I moved to Illinois and re-titled my car, shouldn't Missouri know this?

It's nice to know the State of Missouri says on top of these sorts of things.

And don't worry, I'm renewing my tags in Illinois in March.

Confirming suspicions

It's been official to us for a few weeks now, actually I'm guessing closer to 6 or 8 weeks but it became official with some of the work fam friends last night after I was sent a pic of Red Wings fan.
The guys were attending management meetings down south the last few days and in their spare time, found the time for dinner and drinks out together.  Of course, while Red Wings fan was gone, he was checking in and texting me as they had breaks in their agenda.  Last night, the guys were celebrating the end of the meetings and got a bit silly in the meantime.
This pic was sent to me by one of the guys with the caption.  "Red Wings fan is missing you"

Sorry for the super dark cell phone pic!

Little did he know at the time that yes, Red Wings fan was texting me while they were having drinks.  He spilled the beans to them last night (I can only imagine how that came out given the state they were in when they got back to the office today!).
But as they say, the rest is history....all of their suspicions have been confirmed and we've decided to give dating a go.

I'm still not totally accepting of the fact that he is a Detroit Red Wings fan, but I'm looking past that little detail for now.  He does get extra brownie points for being a hockey fan in general though and for liking most, if not all of my cooking so far.  :)

Happy Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras weekend in the STL...what an experience!!  The streets were packed and it was super chilly on Saturday but we had a blast.  From the 10 am drinks at the local bar and shuttle ride to Soulard to the delish hurricanes and afternoon get together at the local market and coffee shop and then hanging out at Red Wings fan's place, the day was one that involved a lot of laughs and so much fun.
I didn't get as many pictures as I thought I would but it definitely was great hanging with these guys!

Not the French Quarter, but....

With turning 30 this year and seeing how fast my life is going, I decided to start doing things I've always wanted to but never either found the time to do or was too busy or scared to try.  This weekend is a big weekend here in the 'Lou.  While it may be hard to believe, our city has one of the best celebrations for this time of year.  Sure, it's not New Orleans, but this Saturday you will find me in Soulard, watching the famous parade and celebrating....

The Red Wings fan, my bro and a few of his friends will experience the STL celebration.  It's a first for all of us but I can just about guarantee it will be a great time and definitely a memorable one!

Beads, Hurricanes and Cajun Creole Food....sign me up!

I guess I've waited long enough...

Since the start of the new year, I've taken a different approach to everything going on in my life.  Working as many hours as I do and now planning most of my weekends and free time after work, I haven't been nearly as obsessive or overly anal about every little detail of my life and I've especially not been as on top of it as in years past with finishing my taxes super early.  Crazy coming from a girl that used to thrive on calculating her tax return on January 1st.....
In any case, I decided that since it is February and my free time is few and far between, I better get to at least looking at my taxes.  My federal return was super simple but living in two states and working in the city, I had a bit more to do to file my state returns.  Luckily, after sitting here for a few hours, I got all of my credits and non-residency forms filled out and I think I'm good to go.  I'll review the state returns one more time tomorrow but its just about official...my taxes are finished!

Now, let's see how many people "remember" I'm an Accountant and ask for help this tax season. 

Really though, I think I just might "forget" that I'm an Accountant until April 16th

Scenes from a 30th birthday

Here are a few pics of what it was like for me to turn 30 yesterday....

Flowers and a balloon from my cousins

My decorated desk at work

Wearing the decorations my work fam left for me

Isn't this how every 30 year old celebrates at work?!?

The weekend birthday celebration was a success as was my actual birthday yesterday.  Fun with friends, time with family, celebrating a Blues victory on Sunday night and then a "low-key" birthday night in last night proved to be the best way to celebrate turning 30.

If you're reading this post...

....I actually turned 30 years old today.  The world did not end, I did not have a nervous breakdown for hitting another decade and I didn't go out and party like I was 21 again.  Nope, I took my birthday in stride and realized that turning 30 isn't as bad as I previously thought in my youth.  Nope, 30 is great!  I have amazing friends, an incredible family, a job I adore and overall a fantastic life.

Tonight I'm taking it easy, enjoying this new age.  Happy 30th to me....I can only imagine what the next 30 years of my life will bring!!

At 30 you finally start to catch up to those dreams you’ve been chasing for the last 10 plus years.  ~Bonnidette Lantz

Princess for a day? Not for me!

The girls at work called me crazy for planning my birthday dinner with my Dad's side of the family and actually cooking everything myself and even baking my own cake.  They think everyone else should be letting me be a princess for a day and I should just sit back and enjoy some relaxation.  Yeah....in true Lindsay fashion though, that isn't what I want!  After a fun Christmas with my fam and wanting to show off what I can do in the kitchen, I'm once again cooking a Sunday afternoon dinner for everyone before going to the Blues-Wild game with my Bro and the "Former Red Wings turned Blues fan"  (Shhh! He doesn't know the Blues are his favorite team just yet!).

I'm excited to have everyone over to celebrate and equally excited to spend the evening catching my first Blues game at Scottrade this year.  The only thing that would make this day better is if the Blues could give me a win tonight.  That would be one awesome birthday present!!

Let's Go Blues!!

Yep, I'm hooked too!

One week ago, I called the cable company and set up my DVRs.  Tonight I'm finally getting around to using them and I picked a great show to record first....

Source

Yep, like much of the rest of the country, I've become hooked on this show and have been trying to catch up on the first two seasons before season 3 airs later in 2013.  After tonight I'll have 4 episodes to watch.  That will keep me occupied awhile considering all of the other stuff I'm also trying to catch up on at home too. 

And now, at least with the DVR, I can record everything I've continually missed on tv lately.

Oh when the Blues go marching in...

Found this posted on Facebook by one of my friends and all I could do is giggle....

Tonight's finally the night!!  And while I wasn't lucky enough to score tickets to this game, you can bet I'll be catching as much of the game as possible while out with the work fam.
I've been giving D. Rob trouble all week and the fun will continue tonight when we're celebrating KP's 30th birthday and he's rooting for the WRONG team.  He may be from Michigan but that doesn't mean he can't root for the Blues!  Hopefully after tonight's game he'll see the error in his ways and start rooting for the Blue Note.
In any case, you can bet I'll be chanting, "Let's Go Blues!"

Birthday Shopping with Dad

Yesterday afternoon Dad and I went shopping for my birthday present....

No, he didn't buy me Chef Robert Irvine, but he did get me a brand new 37" flat screen tv.  After being behind the times with my big boxy 27" hand-me-down, I'm finally accepting that its 2013 and embracing more of the technological advances.  Coincidentally enough, while we were out shopping yesterday, I also decided it was time to upgrade the 19" tv in my bedroom and bought a 32" flat screen for that room as well.  Once I finally make a decision to upgrade, I'm wholeheartedly moving forward.
Now I just need to call the cable company and get my new HD digital receivers.  I'll do that this week so I can take advantage the all the features my new toys offer which is perfect for the start of hockey season next Saturday night!