TWINS!

Recently, the company Drew & I work for bought matching work trucks. However before they were officially given to the employees, Andrew and I were in charge of seeing that the trucks had running boards, tool boxes and logos put on. Sigh... it was torture having to drive around a 2005 Silverado. Oh the pain... :) Sadly we have to give one of them up, but the other one was for Drew, so I drive it whenever I have "work" that needs to be done. :) L

Bumpersticker of the Day

DO NOT WASH!
This car is part of a scientific dirt experiment.

Bride & Groom

My cousin Phil & his new bride Molly. L

The Juggler

Oh the Talent! Ryan @ Lake Superior. L

New Found Friend

Micah and his new found friend by my grandpa's lake in southern MN. L

Dad

More pictures from our trip. This is my dad when we were on a hike in Duluth overlooking Lake Superior. L

Family

Mom & Micah on the hike in Duluth. L

The Gang

My first blog picture! This was taken last week at my cousin's wedding. The Krishnan Clan from L-R: Ryan, Buzz, Me, Drew, Nate & Micah

L

How may I help you?

On Day 971...

Over the past week Eric & I have been interviewing for the receptionist position that we desperately need in our office. I understand it can be intimidating to come to and interview... and I thought other people did as well... but apparently not. Here are some highlights:

Melissa - showed up in a man's white button-down & black blazer. If she knew what a shower, make-up or a hair brush were it wasn't apparent. When I asked her if she had ever dealt with conflict in a job before she told me that she someone had reduced her to tears on the phone... but she was hormonal because she was pregnant and her boyfriend wasn't being helpful.

Kelly - You know it is bad sign when she has to tell you she is not a ditz. (She had me fooled).

Regina- Called at 3 (her interview was at 3) to say that she was stuck in traffic 10 minutes away. Finally arrived at 3:32 only to tell Eric (he left the door open so I listened in) that she has been fired from the only job she has had since moving to Asheville... not to mention it was from our real estate attorney's office! Go Figure!

Well, after many interviews I think we may have found one... and wouldn't you know it... her name is Leah.

L

Bumpersticker of the Day

Therapy is Exensive.

Popping Bubble Wrap is Cheap.

YOU CHOOSE!

MN Highs & Lows

Here are some highlights (and the not-so-high-lights) from our recent trip to Minnesota:

High: Seeing my brothers, joking around, playing poker w/ peanut and plain m&m's.

Low: 8 hours in a sedan with my two older brothers, my parents, Andrew and myself... yes 6.

High: Walking along Lake Superior with my husband and brothers. Watching Ryan juggle wet-sand ball, and helping Micah find driftwood for making incense burners.

Low: Being sick the whole week.

High: Launching firecrackers on my grandpa's farm with all of my extended family.

Low: Did I mention the car ride?

High: Dragging my grandpa and his girlfriend (my grandmother died 6 years ago) on to the dance floor at my cousin's wedding.

Low: Spending 2 nights in a cob-web & spider infested house.

High: Having my brother teach me to drive a stick-shift.

Low: Killing my grandpa's truck 6 times and waving people to pass us and finally doing a Chinese-fire-drill so Ryan could drive it the rest of the way.

High: Showing Drew around the tiny town where I spend my summers growing up.

Low: I hated that car ride... I thought it would never end.

High: Tour of my grandpa's 180 acre farm... in his brand-new Chevy 3500 crew cab with duely wheels. We had 5 in the cab and 10+ in the bed.

Good Times. I can't wait to go back again.

L

The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes

On Day 957...

We are off (WAYY too early tomorrow morning) for a short vacation, during which time we shall see Lake Superior, family, the Mall of America, a few thousand corn fields and a wedding. We'll be back in just under a week!

L

Hills, Valleys & the Plains

On Day 956...

Such has been the saga of Drew & Grad School. As we mentioned a few months ago, there have been a few hurdles we have had to overcome. Well, the largest one (so far)has been that the school we graduated from is not yet accredited, and Drew was sent a letter stating as much clipped to his application fee.

God has given us an amazing peace through this entire process, and whatever happens we will be fine. We had/have mixed feelings about him going back to school, it would be nice to have it out of the way (since he needs to do it at some point before he is 30), but it is also going to be stressful trying to work full+ time, go to school part/full-time, build a house & the most important thing.... take care of a wife! :)

Well, we have pulled a few strings and they are currently reconsidering the decision. (Andrew says that it doesn't mean anything though so I can't be happy... yet). That was as of last Thursday, so we shall see where that goes. All that to say...it could be a crazy couple of weeks, since we are leaving for week on Wednesday and we get back 3 days before he needs to be registered and 8 days before school starts! How do you mentally prepare for something that will completely change your life, but may not happen???

L

My Mother has Ruined Me.

On Day 953...

Last week my mother-in-law and I went to Sams Club, and it brought back so many memories of my childhood. At my house, we NEVER bought one of anything, everything came in 50 lb bags or packages of 12, 18 or if we were lucky 24. Having four brothers, (and constant guests) that is the only way to feed everyone and not cause my poor dad to take on a second job.

So, here I am just me and my husband and I have no idea how to cook for two. I love shopping at Sams & Costco, co-ops and buying in bulk. I can't buy just two tomatoes or one can or garbonzo beans, it goes against everything that I have been taught! And I don't think that there is a cure, other than to have constant parties or a big family... until then, I guess we will just continue eating leftovers and having family over because I made too much again... *sigh*

L

Bring On the Freaks!

On Day 951...

Just in case Asheville wasn't odd enough, once a year we invite other weirdos from across the nation to visit out precious little city. This past weekend 300,000+ people descended on Asheville for a 3-day Arts/Music Festival called Bele Chere (Pronounced Bell Share). The City shuts down the entire downtown area and sets up 5 or 6 stages in different parts of the city and hundreds of booths, full of paintings, pottery, face painting, hair braiding, sculptures, flowy-new-age-meets-hippy clothing, not to mention the food, and LOTS OF BEER.

There is really no way to describe to you the atmosphere during Bele Chere. Suffice it to say that Asheville is a Mecca for wicken, homosexuals and new-age individuals and Bele Chere is the event. When picturing these things please keep in mind that everyone has a beer in one hand and a cigar in the other, yes, the woman too. In addition to the 5+ stages around the city many of the local bluegrass/folk/anything-goes bands set up on street corners. My personal favorite (I say that sarcastically) was a 3-man (washboard, tub & fiddle) band that sang (although "screamed hoarsely" is a truer description) about how his father has been decapitated by a train and the body was never found. There was also a very interesting drum circle, with very unique dancers.

Drew and I had a fun weekend of people watching (although the karioki was particularly painful). People watching is very entertaining and it is Free!

L