Celebrating the Dads

Happy Father's Day to 3 great fathers in my life, my dad, my step-dad Michael and D's dad!
(Can ya tell, I'm getting tired of typing out Red Wings fan in every post?!? LOL)  All 3 of these fine fellas are amazing, hardworking dads who deserve to enjoy their day!

I'm hoping to see my Dad soon but he's working today filling in for another guy in his department who is out on vacation.  Since we won't be heading back to Michigan until next month, we mailed a card to D's dad along with a gift card earlier in the week, in hopes that he would get it and be able to put it to good use. 
So today we're headed to Fast Eddie's with my Mom and Michael.  This is D's first visit to the legendary bar and when I asked if Mom and Michael would be alright with them if we celebrated Father's Day at this local hangout and both seemed excited for an afternoon out.  It may be an unconventional Father's Day for my family but we're making it work.  Lately it seems like we've all been going in 100 different directions, so much so that I don't think I've spent any time with either side of parents since April.
This weekend is the much needed chance to catch up and have some fun.  Plus, what's more fun than ordering food with names like Big Elwood on a Stick, Fat Eddie Burger or Hot Chick on a Stick?!?

Anyway, as for the rest of the dads out there, Happy Father's Day and thank you for all that you do for your children.  Have a fantastic day!

Technology Revolution

Within the past month, both of my parents have upgraded their cell phones and taken a technological leap by getting iPhones.  It's hilarious because neither of them have had smartphones before and yet now they can't live without them. 
Dad has resorted to texting more than talking to me anymore (partially because of the new phone and the other reason being his new found love life) and while Mom still checks in via phone about 90% of the time, she does text me quite a bit now too.  But, Mom's big leap has been taking pics of recipes and then emailing them to me so that I have them for future use.  When I talked to Mom earlier this evening she asked if I got the latest recipe she sent last night....a french onion soup recipe that I will just love!  Yep Mom, I got the recipe but until these 95+ degree days pass, I'm not making much more than a sandwich, let alone hot soup. 
Its been comical to see what each one of them will be up to next.  I'm waiting for my Dad to get a Facebook or Twitter account now and since Mom already had a Facebook account and is now sending me invites for games like Candy Crush Saga, I'm thinking she'll be recommending Apps for my phone soon enough.

Ahhh parents....gotta love them!

The Shaved Duck...a Triple D Date Night

A few weeks ago before the tornadoes ripped thru the STL for the second time this year, Red Wings fan and I got to test out another cool spot for dinner.  It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and since I'm a huge fan of food, Food Network and anything Guy Fieri, Red Wings fan decided we should try it out.
The Shaved Duck did not disappoint either! 
I opted for something a bit healthier on their menu and order the pulled chicken sandwich and sauteed brussel sprouts while Red Wings fan ordered the signature dish....

Smothered Fries with pulled pork and home-made cheese sauce

He actually texted this pic to our co-workers to make them jealous too because they were THAT good.  I was also given the task of trying to make these at home but lightening them up as much as I could since this definitely was a splurge.  (The wheels in my head are spinning as they are with most new things we try).

Along with trying out new places to eat around town, froyo has become our new obsession.  Of course it doesn't help that there is a DIY frozen yogurt place only about a block away from RW fan's loft...so close that its perfect to walk to on a warm spring/summer night. 

Our bucket list for restaurants to try is growing by the minute and it has definitely made our date nights out even more exciting.

Btw, we luckily did not have any damage from the tornadoes that came through the area.  We were forced to the basement of RW fan's building since the front of his place is all windows but besides some torrential rainfall and flash flooding, we managed to stay out of the path of the storm.  My place was also spared thankfully!

Pure Michigan

Sunset at the Speedway

Racin'

Me and Red Wings Fan...our backs at least.

Oh wait...that's better.  :)

This is just a small piece of the weekend but the only part of the weekend that I have pics of right now.  Saturday night we went to the stock car races with Red Wings fan's dad, step-mom and extended family.  Being a man that has made a living in the automotive industry, Red Wings fan's dad was excited to take us to the local track for a night of racing.  We laughed and joked and picked our favorite cars each race and had a fun night capped off with a bonfire and s'mores.

We made our way out of STL around 6 on Thursday and spent the night in Chicago with RWF's aunt, uncle and cousins before finishing the 3.5 hour trip early on Friday morning.  By the time we got to Lansing it was lunchtime and we had planned to meet RWF's mom at a place close to the MSU campus.  We had lunch, chatted about the weekend ahead and about everything else happening here at home and in Michigan.
RWF's was not about to spend the afternoon just catching up with his mom though, we had too many places for him to show me around town.  We ended up visiting campus, the college bookstore (yep, I got another MSU shirt!), the dorm & apartments he lived in while in college, the bars he partied at while at school, his childhood neighborhood and the store he worked while going to school before heading to his grandparents and eating perhaps the greatest pizza ever with his family and spending the rest of the evening going through some of his childhood treasures that have been packed away for years.
We woke up Saturday morning with one mission for the first half of the day...take me to a Meijer because in RWF's eyes, this is by far the greatest store in the world and nothing we have in the Lou comes close to this sort of awesomeness.  I must say, I was impressed.
Sunday was a big family BBQ with RWF's mom's side of the family.  Everyone came to celebrate the holiday weekend, meet me (yeah, I felt like a big deal!) and as luck would have it, be let in on another surprise... RWF's cousin E is going to have a baby in January! Woo hoo!!  So many exciting things going on with the whole family!
We said our goodbyes on Monday morning and while it was sad to be leaving already, we reminded everyone we'll be back in July for A's wedding.  It was so nice to be able to say, "see you in a few weeks!"  I truly felt welcomed, I felt like I belonged and I felt part of the family and in my book, that by far is one of the best feelings I've ever experienced.

Learned my lesson

I could kick myself in the butt for not looking at my bill at little more closely 4 months ago but I guess my mind has just been elsewhere and as long as my monthly bills are being drafted right from my account, I typically just write them in my checkbook ledger and forget about them. 
Last night though, after making the 7 hour trip from Michigan to my place, I decided to sit down and pay bills and actually go through and read each of them.  Don't ask me why I chose last night to do this, since I was plum tired and really not even in the mood to pay the few bills that absolutely had to go out but I sat down and analyzed all my monthly bills while Red Wings fan watched the Red Wings-Blackhawks game.

Come to find out, since getting my DVRs at the end of January/early February, I've been paying for both DVRs and a Digital Receiver, of which I returned the Receiver to get my DVRs.  I'm not sure why this didn't occur to me to check the first month but I was oblivious.  I decided that tonight after work I'd call and find out what exactly I was paying for and if I could get a credit for the extra equipment I didn't have but quietly paid for each month.  After 15 minutes on the phone with the cable company, they came to the conclusion that I had returned the receiver and have been overcharged since February.  Right now I have 5 months of equipment credits they will apply to my next bill...over $30 in fact!  Great news for me!!

I just don't get it though...over the years, I've gotten so good at watching other people's money, somehow I've forgotten to monitor my own.  Pretty sure, I won't make that mistake again.

Heading North

Another weekend and I'm heading out of town once again.  I'm starting to think I should be renting an RV and not an apartment.  Ha!  This time, Red Wings fan and I are headed up north for Memorial Day and the BIG reveal.  Ok, maybe its not that big of a reveal, I'm just getting to meet some of his family for the first time; visiting with his mom and sis, who I met back in January when they came to the Lou; and checking out the almighty MSU campus.  It's my first trip to Michigan ever and I'm pumped for this chance to see Red Wings fans' hometown and learn more about his roots.
It's a jam packed trip for us visiting both sides of his family and a preview for my next visit in July for A's (Red Wing fans' sister) wedding.  We both took tomorrow off of work so that we could head out tonight to tackle the first leg of the trip and hopefully will make it to Chicago before midnight.

Enjoy your long weekend and wish me luck with the fam!  Catch ya on the flip side!

Memphis in May 2013

I'm home from a great weekend and getting ready to head out again in a few days.....more on that later!
Here are a few pics from our weekend down south.

Welcome to Memphis!

We met the King of Rock N Roll or at least took a pic with his statue!

There are no words for this!

Hurricane, anyone?

Honestly, I don't know....

We told our co-workers, he won this at the casino!

Lunch at Rendezvous, watching the Red Wings-Blackhawks game on Beale Street, checking out the BBQ championships, dinner at the Kooky Canuck and finishing our night with a visit to the casino.  On our way home, we made a stop at another Southern Missouri staple and Red Wings fan got to experience the Home of Throwed Rolls, Lambert's.  We had a lot of fun and packed a lot into less than 24 hours.
Not only that, but Red Wings fan and I went out Friday night and met up with our boss and JP and his wife and listened to the band our boss' boyfriend plays in.  Needless to say, sleep was hard to come by, but it was worth it.

Expanding our tradition

2008 my bro and I started a tradition and vowed to make it an annual weekend road trip.  2009 we planned the 2nd road trip and then somehow life got in the way 2010 through 2012 and we postponed our tradition.

Early in our relationship and probably even when we were just talking, I mentioned to Red Wings fan about Memphis in May and the BBQ Championships.  He has only stopped through Memphis for work and really hasn't seen much if any of the city and said it might be fun to experience it.  I jumped at the opportunity of planning what has always been a fun road trip for me. Red Wings fan also suggested we invite my bro along since it was our tradition to begin with.  It didn't take much to get Bro on board with the trip and a few weeks ago, I booked our hotel and put the finishing touches on our plans.

Tomorrow morning, we're getting up bright and early and making the trek to Memphis for BBQ, Beale Street and more fun than I can possibly imagine with two of the most important special guys in my life.  Somehow I think this trip will be filled with me laughing hysterically for 36 hours straight because when you put Red Wings fan and Bro together for any period of time, all I do is laugh.  Who knows maybe we'll even come back with a few tricks to be the champs at Ribfest with Red Wing fans' family in Chicago in July.  Either way, I'm super excited for the weekend ahead!

Swaping stories

A few weeks ago, my Dad went on a date and ever since, he's been spending quite a bit of time with his "Lady Friend" as my Bro calls her.  First of all, I think its great my Dad has found someone to share his free time with and from what I've heard she's extremely nice and my Dad is having fun going out and getting to know her.
It's hilarious when I call my Dad and check in anymore -- tonight we had an hour and a half long conversation, catching up, sharing dating stories and tentatively planning a double dinner date in the upcoming weeks.  As I got off the phone, my first thought was who would have guessed those would be the kinds of conversations I'd be having with my Dad these days?

I know, I know...its such a surprise

Ummm, you may or may not be aware by my St. Louis Blues were knocked out of the playoffs by the LA Kings....yeah, its was disappointing and a sad night when they lost.  I had some major thinking to do over the weekend and Sunday night I had to decide if the Red Wings pulled off a game 7 win against the Ducks, would I root for them in Round 2.  Decisions!  Decisions! 
I watched the first two periods of the game Sunday night but then I fell asleep and even missed the little celebration going on right next to me in bed since Red Wings fan stayed up to watch the entire game.
I woke up Monday morning and while I was getting ready for the gym I checked the score of the game just to see if Red Wings fan would be excitedly happy or if I should avoid all conversations with him until he had time to grieve over his beloved team and I was glad to see that they did pull off the win!  As soon as Red Wings fan found out the Wings first game of round 2 would be Wednesday night, somehow that became our weeknight together this week.  As you can probably guess, I'm on board and rooting on the Red Wings in the playoffs and yes, tonight we're watching the game.

Hey....I have to earn brownie points somehow even if I'm wearing my Blues t-shirt.  LOL

The cat is out of the bag

It's been 2 and a half months since the guys found out about Red Wings fan and me and finally over the weekend when we had our Saturday Night Girls Night, I spilled the beans to KP and B. Dilly.  Sure they pretty much knew something was up but there was always a little bit of doubt for them too since I did deny and make excuses for any "suspicious activity."  But over the past few months, I have felt guilty for not enlightening them on all of my happiness and telling them about all the exciting things I've been up to since January so with a night of just fun girl stuff planned, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to fill them in.  As luck would have it, KP beat me to the punch and got it out of me.  Incidentally while this all was happening, Red Wings fan was in Chicago at a bachelor party but checking in with me via text throughout the night.  I told him the girls finally knew and he started joking with them via text too.
It was a huge weight lifted off of me and we can finally act normal when our group hangs out outside of work.

Yesterday another surprise came about as I was on the way to have lunch with my Aunt and Nicole when I unexpectedly ran into my Dad and his new girlfriend as I was leaving home.  It's only been over the last couple of weeks my Dad started dating.  And this is a bit crazy (not in a bad way!) because in the time my parents have been divorced (19 years), I have never known my Dad to date, at all.  I'm happy that he is finding happiness as well and really all I want for him is to enjoy life.  As luck would have it, Dad was driving to show his GF where I lived.  They were out and about and I guess close enough to drive by.  He wasn't expecting me to be outside and getting in my car so the somewhat awkward meeting occurred.  She's super nice and I think is the type of person my Dad needs.  I just hope the next time I see her I'm more prepared.

Last night when Red Wings fan came back from Chicago, I spent nearly the entire night talking about all of the weekend's excitement.  I also talked his ear off for about 40 minutes before he got here since I called him after lunch with my family.  I'm sure he was ready to go back to work this morning just so I would be quiet for a change.

Lots of hockey & even more randomness

I wish I knew where the last two weeks went because anymore, I blink and here we are over halfway through the month of April, past tax day and I'm focusing on everything I need to take care of before the month of May rolls around.
So let's see if I can at least recap the last 2 weeks....
The weekend after KC, we headed over to my Mom and Michael's for dinner to celebrate Michael's birthday.  I made dinner (my new signature dinner according to Red Wings fan...cheesy chicken spaetzle) and we got hooked on playing silly word games on Mom's iPad the rest of the afternoon.

I finished up the last few sets of taxes I owed to people and decided at the first part of April that with my current work schedule there is no way I can keep doing as many sets of returns I've done in the past.  I may keep doing a few for friends and family but I'm definitely cutting back, especially since now my weekends are fairly busy too.

Last week a tornado tore through my old neighborhood taking out homes and apartments within a couple blocks of my former apartment.  The storms were bad enough here to make the National news and friends of mine in other parts of the country who weren't aware of my big move last year texted me to make sure I was alright.  Fortunately I was ok and we had no damage at my new place.  It was another instance where I was so glad that I made the decision to move last year!

Red Wings fan's hockey team headed into the playoffs so we spent much of last weekend at the rink for this session's Championship games.  His team finished in 2nd after an exciting comeback win in the 2nd game on Sunday night and then tying 2-2 in the sudden death game before they lost in the shootout.

That goalie was like a brick wall!

Cutest Hockey Defenseman Around!

He shoots! ...And almost scored!!

Unfortunately we also had to deal with stupidity on Saturday night while we were at the rink.  Someone broke into Red Wings fan's car and ransacked it looking for his wallet and phone but fortunately I had them with me like I do every game and the idiots walked away with nothing; however they did mess up the door locks enough that they do need repair.  I hope whoever was dumb enough to do something like that gets what they deserve!

Last night we ended up having a Wednesday night date night, complete with random gift-giving.  Since I didn't have any MSU gear yet, Red Wing's fan surprised me and ordered me the coolest shirt online.  What's actually really funny is that I had been looking at ordering a shirt myself and hadn't gotten around to it and without saying anything to him, he ordered the exact shirt I wanted.  (Brownie points for the BF!)
I gave him a set of Bobby Flay cookware and new knives.  The cookware came a few days early and he took those home Sunday night but I brought the knives over yesterday.

Yeah, that's not my body....still working on my curves!

Bobby's the best according to Red Wings fan.

Tomorrow night we were lucky enough to get my Dad's tickets to the Blues game.  So the two of us and Mr. and Mrs. S are going to the game and for a Friday date night of sorts and then Saturday the 4 of us are going out to dinner to celebrate Mrs. S's birthday.  It should be two great nights capped off with seeing Em's performance in her high school production of Annie on Sunday afternoon.

Now if we could only get the weather to cooperate this weekend.  Right now it's not feeling much like spring with the cloudy, rainy skies and temps in the 40s and low 50s....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will scoot out of here quickly too!

Nothing beats a Peep

Red Wings fan and I survived the weekend together in KC or I guess I should say, Red Wings fan made it through 72+ straight hours with me and didn't leave me in KC on Sunday.  Actually we had a great time all weekend despite Michigan State Spartans to Duke on in the NCAA tourney on Saturday night. 

Catching the MSU game at the Flying Saucer

We partied in the Power and Light District (I sang karaoke!), went bowling, had drinks in Westport, visited Union Station, shopped at Crown Center & the Kansas Outlet mall, drove past the Kansas Speedway and ate at some good BBQ spots and other novelty restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

Grinders - as featured on DDD

Leftover pizza for Sunday morning!

We got back on Sunday afternoon with time to spare and we were able to spend Easter with my family.  As if my family wasn't cool enough, but Red Wings fan got to experience the holiday hospitality of my Uncle and Aunt and remarked to me on our way home that my family is awesome.
Not only is my family awesome though, so is Red Wings fan.  When I got to his place Thursday after work, he had an Easter surprise for me.

Peeps!!  And marshmallow eggs!!!

And now I am in marshmallow heaven!

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.