Bella and Bianca meet argyle

I thought it would fun to get the girls some winter sweaters. They have thin fur and we are having such cold weather I wanted them to be warm. After a few days of searching for sweaters that would be large enough (and not cost a small fortune) I ordered Bella and Bianca their very own argyle sweaters. Nate and I appreciate a good argyle ourselves so I thought it fitting for the girls to have argyle and match us...however, I am not that crazy, no need for a family photo of the argyles! I'm sure you'll be able tell via these photos how Bella felt about her new sweater. can you read their minds???

Bianca's doesn't fit that well...she's such a chunk! However, she is warm in the snow now.

I think Bianca is posing in this one and Bella wouldn't move

oh poor Bella Boo...not a very happy dogger

Needless to say Bella is not sporting her sweater often but Bianca lets me put hers on daily.

Las Vegas 2008

We had a great time in Vegas, despite crazy head colds, temps in the 60s and a crazy journey home- it was still a great time. Here are some pics...

Lamborghini dealership at Palazzo

Christina and Crystal after the Carrot Top show

so...that is the back of Stephan Bonner, a UFC fighter. We also saw Joe Rogan, Antonio Nogeria, Big John McCarthy (at MGM) and some of the contestants from Ultimate Fighter Season 8. It was pretty cool...may have been a bit star struck.

Eric, Crystal and Nate at Neon Boneyard...there may have been an incident with kicking one of the signs...oops...just one of those moments, the Rademachers will appreciate this one.

Nate's dad, Dean, at Red Rock Canyon

SIN- at the Neon Boneyard Museum

FINALLY! The City of Las Vegas figured out to put a parking area near the most famous sign in the world! The artist of this sign never patented her design therefore doesn't receive any royalities...what a shame.

The sun was beautiful, just what we needed...so bright that Nate decided not to worry about keeping his eyes open.

We had a great time! Even won a bit of $$$ to purchase some items we normally wouldn't have...good times, good times.

Vegas- 6 days

Oh Yes...in 6 days we will be in Vegas. Gambling, eating amazing food, drinking adult beverages before noon, taking in a show or two, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

We need a vacation. It's been quite the year. Job change for CP, dog almost died, Grandpa did die, money troubles, then- thankfully-no money troubles. Ah, the ebonflow of life! This is what it's all about. Ups and downs, mistakes made, lessons learned- and then at the end of the year we celebrate by treating ourselves to a 5 nights and 6 days in the Adult Disney World-

aka VEGAS! This will be our 8th trip (9th for CP) and we've been going since 2002...we went twice in 2004 (3 times for CP).

a few pics from Vegas 2007 are posted...

be sure to check back in a few weeks for 2008's highlights.

(This year, to mix things up, we are going to take all of the photos in black and white and when I scrapbook them I am going to use Vegas inspired songs as inspiration and titles...that's right, I'm a scrapbooking geek and have my plan already!)

Plans: Samba, Mon Ami Gabi, Jubilee!, a comedian (maybe Rodney Carrington), roulette, black jack, nickel slots, Vodka Collins, Toby Keith's Bar and Grill, Red Rock Canyon, Neon Boneyard, Tiffany's...I'd love something in a little blue box, Bellagio fountains, Christmas decor-

and that's just the first day...j/k...the first two.

We always get a little nervous to leave the girls (the dogs), no one can love/spoil them like we do...but it's good for them and us to have a break from each other.

As always, the invite stands firm to our friends and family- please join us whenever you'd like. We always go the second week of December, we'd love for you to join us!

Cliche' what I am Thankful for post...

I am Thankful for:
my husband
to have a job
to own a home
to have good friends
to have a family that always keeps me on my toes
for my doggers
photography
scrapbooking
warm sweaters
fuzzy slippers
skim white chocolate mochas with almond
fall leaves
sunny days
the first snow
the eliptical machine
the Wii Fit
challenging moments
jasmine vanilla lotion
lippies (softlips- cherry)
sunglasses
online banking
Facebook
email
Gilmore Girls on DVD
Bath and Body wallflowers, especially creamy nutmeg today
my Jeep
my diamond rings
my health
Nate's health
my Grandmas for raising me
Michael's coupons
digital cameras
snapfish and shutterfly
hair color
mascara and eye liner
Butterfingers
Vegas
instant messenger
hair detangler
Archiver's
many, many more things and people- but here is a glimpse.
...yes, some things are shallow and materialistic...but at least I'm honest

7 things...

7 Things I plan to do before I die:
Travel to Greece and Italy, make a positive impact in a child's life, get/have singing lessons, live in NV, AZ or CA, wear jeans again, be financially comfortable and rock sick babies at the hospital

7 Things I do now:
adore my husband, guide my sister, work for my money, travel, get crafty, solicited advice giver and pro marriage/man encourager (shut up, that's a word)

7 things I won't do.
Lie for you, believe your lies, not make you feel stupid for lying, lie to you, back down from my beliefs, jump out of plane or live in Canada or Cuba

7 Things that attract me in the opposite sex:
shoulders, work ethic, sense of humor, loving me for who I am what I believe in, that he knows who he is and what he believes (and stands up for it...so that would be integrity), adventure and a good listener


7 Celebrities that I admire: Ruth Bell Graham, Ann Coulter, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Dr. Laura, Bruce Willis and Gary Sinese

7 Favorite foods: mashed potatoes and gravy, garlic lime shrimp, Fritos and chili, potstickers, butterfingers, granny smith apples with colby cheese and fettucine chicken w/ artichokes

the view from my desk

Some people have cubes, some have offices with doors, some people work outside...

this is the view in my home office:

Bella under my desk

Baby Bianca on her bed in my office

the squirrels torment Bianca all day long

Can you see Bianca's big bat ears? Too cute!



Miss Bianca checking out those dang squirrels...and the rabbits too.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins!!!

CP's birthday

Nate and I- together 10.5 years!

Do it, judge me...every year I gather people I love for a few adult beverages. Yes, I plan it myself. No, I don't care if you think that is tacky. I just really like to see as many of my loved ones as I can on my birthday. It's a great time to reminisce (some of my/our best moments are always relived...that means embarrassing), we have an adult beverage or too many and just enjoy each other's company. It is also the only day during the year I can justify mixing up my worlds. For example at this year's gathering I had friends from high school, friends from college, neighbors and family- you can mix that up every day...it doesn't always work. Here are some pics...hopefully next year some of my far away loved ones can join us!

Oklahoma family- I'm talking to you!!!

Crystal and I have known each other since 10th grade and we went to college together;

her husband Eric was there too (thanks Eric!). Crystal and Eric met and started dating a few short months before Nate and I met. I was there when Crystal met Eric and Crystal was there when I met Nate...it's pretty fitting that we are back together again celebrating life!

They have two beautiful boys, Alex and Aiden.

Nate and I will be venturing to Vegas with Crystal and Eric in December.

I have known Faith since college (she was a freshmen and I was a senior), then we worked together (technically I was her boss, but she taught me my job!) and now we are neighbors and best of all friends...all done by the hands of God!

(that's her husband Andrew...he makes amazing bon fires for us!)

Jen Foster (that's Officer Foster to you) and I met in college; we occasionally lose touch, but when we see each other again we pick up right where we left off!

This is my father-in-law Dean, but I just call him Dad and my sister-in-law Danielle. I have known Danielle since she was 16 and now she is married and a mommy---

wow, time really does fly!

Life is Good! I have amazing people in my life and for that I am so grateful!

Phillips Autumn Tradition

We value traditions. A few years ago Nate and I started the yearly tradition of gathering the Phillips Family and spending the day at Jacobson's Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake, MN. It has become a yearly event that we all look forward to and can't imagine missing a year at the apple orchard. Here are some of my favorite pics from yesterday's adventure.

The Fischers
6 nieces and a very patient nephew
N&C
the Phillips children
Isabelle, Mercedes and Shelby

August 08 for Mr. & Mrs. Phillips

August was certainly a busy month for us. Full weekends, birthdays of many women and a few guys, new adventures, old and new friends and pink hair!


This month we celebrated many birthdays: Faith Rattei, Melissa Stepan, Danielle Fischer, Bekki Hince, Crystal Rademacher, Jen Foster...am I forgetting anyone- good grief! Lots of important ladies in our lives to celebrate.


We went to a fun party for Nate's sister Danielle- some of the best, quality family time we've had in a long time.

The SPCC (my scrapbooking club) celebrated Faith and Melissa's birthday on the 22nd with tilapia, a slushie bucket, fruit pizza...oh and I guess we scrapped a bit too.

The Ratteis and Nate and I celebrated Faith again with a magnificent sushi platter on her actual birthday, the 29th and had some quality backyard/patio time. The dogs love running with the Rattei's dog, Lucy, in the Rattei backyard- it's bigger than ours therefore many more figure eights can be accomplished.

Nate and I also ventured out to Fogo de Chao with the Rademachers to celebrate Crystal and Eric's birthday this past Sunday. Oh- it was also their youngest son's, Aiden, birthday on the 25th- same as Crystal's birthday.

I still need to schedule some time to see Jen to properly recognize her big day. Hi Jen!!! Let's talk soon :)

Sometime during the month we also hosted friends and family for the UFC fight. Our little, 1941 home held a dozen people watching the fights with good food, great laughs and the fights weren't bad either.

I have been fortunate enough to reconnect with an old friend, Shanna (Moxness) Wright. It has been so fun getting together with her and getting to know her husband, Chris. Shanna and I took a walk on the wildside and got pink highlights. She is a hard working stay at home mom and I work from home- so it was fun to rebel a bit and do something crazy just for us. I wonder if Dr. Laura would approve???

Oh- what else? I was in Iowa, at my corporate office, for some training and bonding time with my co-workers.

We, as previously mentioned many times before, have our annual Vegas trip planned so its been fun planning with the Rademachers what we want to do when we are there...we are thinking about a little indoor sky diving...yes, that's a real thing. And we will visit the Neon Boneyard again this year. Lots of planning to do so we can hopefully just throw it all out the window and be spontaneous!

So as summer wraps up we are looking forward to our favorite season, autumn, and all of the fun that comes along with it. Apple Orchards, the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, my birthday (you know the important things), walks in the leaveson the trail, high school football, college football, any football....good times!

Life is Good.

Hope yours is too!

Much love-

N&C

Why I'm not a Liberal...by Denis Prager

and I agree...go ahead challenge me; I can take it.

The following is a list of beliefs that I hold. Nearly every one of them was a liberal position until the late 1960s. Not one of them is now.
Such a list is vitally important in order to clarify exactly what positions divide left from right, blue from red, liberal from conservative.
I believe in American exceptionalism, meaning that (a) America has done more than any international organization or institution, and more than any other country, to improve this world; and (b) that American values (specifically, the unique American blending of Enlightenment and Judeo-Christian values) form the finest value system any society has ever devised and lived by.
I believe that the bigger government gets and the more powerful the state becomes, the greater the threat to individual liberty and the greater the likelihood that evil will ensue. In the 20th century, the powerful state, not religion, was the greatest purveyor of evil in the world.
I believe that the levels of taxation advocated by liberals render those taxes a veiled form of theft. "Give me more than half of your honestly earned money or you will be arrested" is legalized thievery.
I believe that government funding of those who can help themselves (e.g., the able-bodied who collect welfare) or who can be helped by non-governmental institutions (such as private charities, family, and friends) hurts them and hurts society.
I believe that the United States of America, from its inception, has been based on the Judeo-Christian value system, not secular Enlightenment values alone, and therefore the secularization of American society will lead to the collapse of America as a great country.
I believe that some murderers should be put death; that allowing all murderers to live does not elevate the value of human life, but mocks it, and that keeping all murderers alive trivializes the evil of murder.
I believe that the American military has done more to preserve and foster goodness and liberty on Earth than all the artists and professors in America put together.
I believe that lowering standards to admit minorities mocks the real achievements of members of those minorities.
I believe that when schools give teenagers condoms, it is understood by most teenagers as tacit approval of their engaging in sexual intercourse.
I believe that the assertions that manmade carbon emissions will lead to a global warming that will in turn bring on worldwide disaster are a function of hysteria, just as was the widespread liberal belief that heterosexual AIDS will ravage America.
I believe that marriage must remain what has been in every recorded civilization -- between the two sexes.
I believe that, whatever the reasons for entering Iraq, the American-led removal of Saddam Hussein from power will decrease the sum total of cruelty on Earth.
I believe that the trial lawyers associations and teachers unions, the greatest donors to the Democratic Party, have done great harm to American life -- far more than, let us say, oil companies and pharmaceutical companies, the targets of liberal opprobrium.
I believe that nuclear power, clean coal, and drilling in a tiny and remote frozen part of Alaska and offshore -- along with exploration of other energy alternatives such as wind and solar power -- are immediately necessary.
I believe that school vouchers are more effective than increased spending on public schools in enabling many poorer Americans to give their children better educations.
I believe that while there are racists in America, America is no longer a racist society, and that blaming disproportionate rates of black violence and out-of-wedlock births on white racism is a lie and the greatest single impediment to African-American progress.
I believe that America, which accepts and assimilates foreigners better than any other country in the world, is the least racist, least xenophobic country in the world.
I believe the leftist takeover of the liberal arts departments in nearly every American university has been an intellectual and moral calamity.
I believe that a good man and a good marriage are more important to most women's happiness and personal fulfillment than a good career.
I believe that males and females are inherently different. For example, girls naturally prefer dolls and tea sets to trucks and toy guns -- if you give a girl trucks, she is likely to give them names and take care of them, and if you give a boy trucks, he is likely to crash them into one another.
I believe that when it comes to combating the greatest evils on Earth, such as the genocide in Rwanda, the United Nations has either been useless or an obstacle.
I believe that, generally speaking, Western Europe provides social and moral models to be avoided, not emulated.
I believe that America's children were positively affected by hearing a non-denominational prayer each morning in school, and adversely affected by the removal of all prayer from school.
I believe that liberal educators' removal of school uniforms and/or dress codes has had a terrible impact on students and their education.
I believe that bilingual education does not work, that for the sake of immigrant children and for the sake of the larger society, immersion in the language of the country, meaning English in America, is mandatory.
I believe that English should be declared the national language, and that ballots should not be printed in any language other than English. If one cannot understand English, one is probably not sufficiently knowledgeable to vote intelligently in an English-speaking country.
Finally, I believe that there are millions of Americans who share most of these beliefs who still call themselves "liberal" or "progressive" and who therefore vote Democrat. They do so because they still identify liberalism with pre-1970 liberalism or because they are emotionally attached to the word "liberal."
I share that emotion. But one should vote based on values, not emotions.

The Neon Boneyard

the letters that make up the word TRUST were rearranged from the Stardust sign

Here are some of our favorite photos from the Neon Boneyard. The boneyard consists of abadoned and donated neon signs from up and down the Vegas Strip as well as Downtown Vegas (original Vegas). The boneyard is a pretty well kept secret, it is located on the northern end of Las Vegas Blvd and if you drove past you'd never know that this historical collection of old Vegas signs is hiding behind some very tall fence. Occasionally you can get a glimpse of items that are in the boneyard in television and music videos: CSI (Vegas, of course), Carrie Underwood's "I Don't Know My Last Name" video and Jason Aldean's "Johnny Cash" video just to name a few.

http://www.neonmuseum.org/boneyard.html

SIN from the word CASINO

The Horseshoe's "H"

Wedding chapel sign- it is Vegas after all!

this "W" appeared on CSI in a crime scene, of course, as a "dead body" lay underneath it

from the Stardust sign

Ahhh...Vegas

We finally booked Vegas for December. We usually book in March or April but with me not working we thought we better wait; unfortunatley that also meant we had to pay a bit more- but it wasn't too bad. Especially since it's the only vacation we'll be taking this year.

Vegas- the ultimate adult amusement park and escape from reality that we need once a year. The strip is 3.3 miles long and is full of amazing food, great shows, (not so great shows), street entertainers, night clubs, gambling, alchohol, interactive attractions (i.e. NYNY roller coaster), people watching and shopping.

We'll be gone December 10th-15th and the Rademachers are going with us this year! They've been to Vegas a few times before so we think it will be interesting mesh our fav places and see where we end up. Crystal and I really want to go and see Jubilee; it's one of the last real Vegas show girl shows. However, I'd be happy to take in a Cirque show or a comedian instead- I'm not picky. I think we'll partake in the New York New York roller coaster. Crystal, Eric and Nate have "enjoyed" this ride before but I am a virgin NYNY roller coaster rider. I do not care for rides, especially roller coasters, however I don't want to be the dud of the group so I will fall to the peer pressure and take the ride.

(you can see the roller coaster in the above photo- it's the crazy red curvy mess of metal tracks)

My favorite part of Vegas, besides the yummy food, is the Bellagio fountain. I took this photo on my 29th birthday while the water moved to "Luck be a Lady" by Frank Sinatra. It was exactly how I wanted to spend my 29th birthday- it was one of those perfect moments. Nate and I had a great dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel, the weather was amazing and to top it all off they play the fountains to a Sinatra song- ideal!

Upon our return I'll be sure to post photos from our adventures; but in the meantime I will post some of our favorites over the 8 times we've been in the last 6 years to help the countdown pass for us.

My New Job!!!

I am finally employed again...the mortgage will continue to be paid- Praise the Lord!
It's the perfect marriage of the things I am best at: university enrollment and project management! I'm very excited and very blessed to have this opportunity...and I don't have to be anyone's boss!
The best perk of all is that I get to work from home.
When I was the Director of Admission Operations at Concordia- St Paul I was a client of this company so I have a well established relationship with some of the employees, including my new boss, a peer Project Manager and one of the VPs.
I don't want to bore anyone but here's how it all went down: when Lesley (my new boss) found out I wasn't working she wanted me to interview for this same job but we'd have to move to Iowa. I told them I'd love to but we were not interested in living in Iowa...if they were in (i.e.) San Diego no problem- but not Cedar Rapids, Iowa. So communication was ended, no hard feelings and I thought nothing of it again. Last Monday they emailed me and asked if I'd consider working from home (DUH! OF COURSE) and if so they wanted me to interview. I interviewed over the phone last week, was in Iowa Monday and Tuesday and they offered and I accepted the position yesterday!
I am very excited and ready to get back to work. I will miss some of my freedom of hanging out all day with the doggers and having all of my chores done before anything really got dirty enough to clean but I am really happy to be an active participant in paying the bills again!
The best part is I still get to be at home so the dogs can play outside all day if they want to and I can have the chicken thawing for dinner and the laundry all caught up but still be doing something for 40ish hours a week that I love/get paid for.
Here is a brief synopsis of what my new job entails (the job itself is a little thicker than this describes, but it will give you an idea- hence the term brief synopsis):

Project Manager- Enrollment Mgmt.
Cedar Rapids, IA (nope, 1815 Sherwood Ave!)
Work as liaison between RuffaloCODY clients and internal departments to ensure client satisfaction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Establish and Manage timelines, lead program implementation
Monitor progress, results
Make recommendations to enhance program performance
Track clients budget
Create invoices for clients
Build & maintain relationships with clients & internal groups
Assist Account Executive with strategic planning

So- thanks everyone for your support, patience with my emotions and prayers during this big fat life lesson I just experienced.
I pray that all of you have jobs that you love and/or the courage to know when it's time to leave and try something new!

My Fathers

I have two dads. They have 2 very big things in common (besides being crazy for marrying my mother) and that is that they are not perfect and they love me.
Today on Father's Day I will recognize that they, although they are not perfect, I am grateful for how much they love me.

I have a pretty great father-in-law...again, not perfect, but he loves me- for who I am...I dig that about him.

And best of all I have a Father in heaven that watches over me when my earthly fathers aren't being perfect and/or I am not with them. And that is what I am most grateful for today.

So- Cheers to my dads (all 4 of them): thanks for being different and thanks for loving me...because I too am not perfect.

New Indiana Jones movie...

WARNING: don't waste your money on "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"!

If you must see it wait until you can rent it or better yet when it is on TV for free.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone so I won't give you the long list of what sucked about it; we were VERY disappointed. There went two hours our lives we'll never get back.

Just a friendly warning, do what yo wish.

a few random thoughts while I watch the fight

Waiting for the Jens Pulver v Urijah Faber fight to start...
1. Why do the people of Puerto Rico get to vote for President? Do they pay taxes? I guess if they do then I don't have a beef but if they don't I really don't care who they want to be our President.
- so I guess I'll get researching that and get back to you...however I'll take any info anyone has on it.

2. I love when fights are on tv for free! It's fun to go to B-Dubs and watch them so we don't have to pay per view...but it's really great when you can watch it from your living room!

3. Why is my Bella dog always broken??? WTF? It's silliness; the vet should not know us well enough to know my voice when I call them...I swear we aren't bad puppy parents- they are just always getting into stuff that isn't there business. Here's a tip Bella: don't play with bees!

4. Why do we bother having spring? It only last 2 weeks and rains the whole time and we have killer (literally) thunderstorms and tornados. MN really only has blustery winters and sweltering summers. And fall is everyone's favorite but it lasts 2 weeks and then it's gone. Interesting commentary on humans...let's want what we have the least of...of course!

5. This week's goal: read one chapter of Bible everyday after going for my morning walk

...that's it for now
love to you all!
Christina (and Nate too!)

okay- I looked it up...for the record I am not a big fan of Wikipedia but it was the most thorough info I could find toot-sweet, so here we go:
Under the Constitution of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico is described as a 'Commonwealth' and Puerto Ricans enjoy a degree of administrative autonomy similar to that of a U.S. state. Puerto Ricans are statutory U.S. citizens, but since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and not a U.S. state, the U.S. Constitution does not enfranchise U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico does participate in the internal political process of both the Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S., accorded equal-proportional representation in both parties, and delegates from the islands vote in each party's national convention.
Puerto Rico is classified by the U.S. government as an independent taxation authority by mutual agreement with the U.S. Congress. Contrary to common misconception, residents of Puerto Rico pay some U.S. federal taxes: import/export taxes, federal commodity taxes, social security taxes, etc. Most residents do not pay federal income tax but pay federal payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), and Puerto Rico income taxes. But federal employees, or those who do business with the federal government, Puerto Rico-based corporations that intend to send funds to the U.S. and others also pay federal income taxes. Because the cutoff point for income taxation is lower than that of the U.S. IRS code, and because the per-capita income in Puerto Rico is much lower than the average per-capita income on the mainland, more Puerto Rico residents pay income taxes to the local taxation authority than if the IRS code were applied to the island. Residents are eligible for Social Security benefits upon retirement. But Puerto Rico is excluded from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and receives less than 15% of the Medicaid funding it would be allotted as a state, while Medicare providers receive only partial state-like reimbursements for services rendered to beneficiaries in Puerto Rico (even though the latter paid fully into the system).
Puerto Ricans may enlist in the U.S. military. Since becoming statutory United States citizens in 1917, Puerto Ricans have been included in the compulsory draft whenever it has been in effect. Puerto Ricans have participated in all U.S. wars since 1898, most notably World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as the current Middle Eastern conflicts.

thinkin' about Memorial Day...

As I am planning the menu and counting out the plasticware I was thinking about the real purpose of Memorial Day. I think that most of us patriots do stop to ponder and remember the reason for a long weekend. As we are all grillin', sunnin', and drinkin' this weekend let's not forget what we are celebrating and remembering which is, of course, the men and women that have served our country so that we may do our grillin', sunnin' and adult beverage havin'...and perhaps if you witness someone not recognizing the reason they just popped a top you could give them a gentle reminder.

God Bless our grandfathers that served and all of the men and women that help to keep our country safe and sustain our freedom.