My blog has moved!

You will be automatically redirected to the new address. If that does not occur, visit
http://www.foell.org/jessi/
and update your bookmarks.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Storage

We have officially packed up Summer in the Foell house. The older Foell's did it months ago because they are pros. Justin and I were in denial until this weekend when we realized we couldn't wear our sandals, shorts and tanks for the next 5 months. So off to the storage unit they went. In their place we pulled out our "Winter" coats. (Which really are Las Vegas Winter coats. Actually, I have a nice Winter coat, I just have to layer to make it suitable for Minnesota. And Justin's is from Old Navy. And after he wore it once in Kansas City, he deemed it suitable for a Minnesota Winter. We'll see. Good thing his new job barely requires him to get dressed.)

Oh, yeah, Justin got a job. Working from home, telemarketing.

I kid! Telecommuting. Computer stuff. Website stuff. He's excited. I'm excited he's home to entertain Scully and let her out as necessary instead of kenneling her. We were mean parents. It also means that we can go down to one car and put the Silly Car in storage, where it will not see snow, ice, or salt. (Although it has totally seen ice, the Silly Car does well heating up quick for being, like 16 years old. But still, family rule: Silly Car sees NO snow.)

Something else that made it out of storage: my purse supplies! I had a request from a friend who wants some goods. So I thought, it's been a very long time since I updated my etsy shop. I think it's time to get my ass in gear. Plus, I've got the time, so why not. And since many buy homemade items for Christmas, I'll keep prices very low during this crap-tacular economic downturn so you get what you want. Speaking of, if you want something specific, just let me know.

How weird is this? My Grandpa's 80th Birthday is Wednesday. His Mother-in-Law (my Great-Grandma) is 91. WTH? Things would have been so different if he had married her instead of my granny. I told him this, but I don't think he was impressed with my observation or my math skills.

Apparently, I'm on a "one post a week" rut right now. But there's so much to talk about. Maybe after Thanksgiving, I'll ramp up the posts. Who cares, right? Most people come here looking for this post anyway.
Lime

Oh, before I go, if you're looking for a great movie to see this Holiday weekend, check out Slumdog Millionaire. It was beyond great. It got great reviews here in Minneapolis and everyone I was with agreed. If you see it, let me know what you think. We loved it. Rotten Tomatoes agrees with me.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Not Warm and Fuzzy

It was 23 degrees on my way to work this morning. And I forgot my gloves. Actually, they were in the dryer because we helped Justin's dad rake up all the leaves on Saturday. Talk about manual labor!

My gloves, they were dirty.

The weather, it's cold.

We think Scully doesn't really like the cold. Only when there is snow on the ground, which totally makes sense, because then you can SEE the cold and justify it. Until then, she pounces on the door frantically, until someone lets her in. We should probably keep clothes on her.

I got the bottom of my foot lasered (totally not a word, but I have no other way to describe it) last week. Think of it as someone stabbing a McDonald's straw through your heel as fast as they can. The thick straws, and it shoots up to your knee. It was that painful. I hobbled out of the office thinking, I can't wait for child birth! Then I called Justin and cried to him the pain that I had paid a co-pay for. He did feel bad, but I don't think as bad as I wanted him to feel. I wanted a grilled cheese when I got home. That's how much comfort I needed.

I didn't get one.

When we first moved here, there was one thing we were really going to miss about living in the West, SouthWest Airlines. Guess what? They'll begin service from MSP in March! Just in time to take Justin to Chi-town for St. Patties day and for his Birthday! He's totally excited because 1) it's not NWA and 2) it's St. Patrick's Day and 3)it's cheap! Now we can continue with our easy flying all over the US for less! So all of my Vegas friends, you can totally come out to the tundra with no excuses.
shrimp

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

SmartyPants

You don't expect to get political propaganda from an 8 year-old, but that's what we got on Sunday when my Brother-in-law came over with his kids. We all knew who they were voting for just by the signs in their yard. That's cool. Whatever floats your boat. I have never felt strongly enough to support someone with signs in my yard.

Unless it's a Miller Lite sign.

But when an 8 year-old tells you she "hates!" the new president because he "kills babies!" a swift smack across the face is in order. BUT, that's not what happened (more like eye rolling). Instead we told her it doesn't matter who won, we have to support him now that he is our President.

I doubt that worked.

Justin's getting all upset with the state of our health care system. I'm just upset because my car door was frozen shut the other morning. I'm all about the important things in life.

Oh! Ya! It's like freezing temps now! Justin and I are such wimps. Scully, surprisingly, still likes to be outside. We did get her a new coat, but all the treats she gets from *someone who shall remain nameless*, has left her a little sausage. So the coat has to go back for the bigger size. But seriously, it's freaking freezing here people. And it's only November. Ok, positive thoughts. I lived in Utah, not as cold but it did get cold there. Damn my 5 years in the desert heat!

On the housing front: Yet another offer on a cute little starter home. And we're doing ANOTHER offer on a different home tomorrow. The reason? They are both short sales and since our last offer on a short sale took about 2 months, we figured, we'd for sure get one or the other. So why not two offers. Don't think I'm rich or anything. Cause I'm not.

Tomorrow is our company arts/craft/bake sale. Guess what I'm selling? Ha! Nope! I made homemade caramels (courtesy of my mil's recipe), the standard chocolate chip cookies (which is the best recipe I've EVER found for thick chewy ones), and my yummy chocolate chip-pumpkin squares. I just hope I don't eat everything on the way to work tomorrow.

I'll close this with a short story of our nephew. He's three and hilarious. Justin took him yesterday to pick up his older sister (who is 5) from kindergarten. She gets in the car and says, "I can spell my name backwards!" She then proceeds to explain that she can spell all sorts of words backwards. The stop sign, Justin's name, etc. Her little brother then asks, "Can you spell 'shut up' backwards?"
Strawberry

If that's not funny enough for you, go to about 2:30 in this video.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Really? Seriously?

Why do people insist on sitting next to me on the bus when there are about 15 empty seats around? Especially towards the end of the route? Just move over and take up your own room. It's easy and I won't get offended.

And, AND! Why does it always smell like crap? People, we all have to use the bus, crap at home.

Oh, AND! Please don't lean forward to talk on the phone. You're basically in my ear, I can hear everything you're telling your friend. About how you don't play girls like that. You know, man? I'm fo real!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Shave the Alamo!

We like to think our costumes were a success. Justin did say all weekend that he thought it was the best idea yet. I do have to agree, even though some people at the party were like, "Sweeny Todd? Never seen it."



I whipped mine up in a few hours. I didn't hem it because, seriously, it's a Halloween costume. I used a burn out stretchy fabric for the bodice and just wore a black shirt underneath. The party was in the hosts garage so it was a bit too cold for me (still not getting use to Minnesota. I know, I know, the winters will be nothing compared to this) so I had my jacket on all night. Except for pictures.

Look at our brave pups "Saving the Alamo!" More like, "Protecting our Pumpkins!"



Davie "Skye" Crockett and (this is totally not politically correct but there was no other way around it) her enemy in real life "Scully" Mexican Soldier. Really she's supposed to be part of General Santa Ana's army, but we based the whole costume around her hat.

Scully ready for action with her bullets. Good thing we didn't give her a gun too.


Skye hated the hat. I guess it reminds her of the bunnies she's always chasing in the yard.




They both lost the war protecting our pumpkins. They were stolen and smashed down the street. Minnesota hoodlums.
grape