Happy Birthday Rajean!!

Today is one of my very good friend's birthdays! It's fun having an "almost" birthday buddy! I hope you have a wonderful 27th birthday Rajean! :)

Happy Birthday...to ME!

So today is my 27th birthday! I tried to sleep until 8am, but per usual Toby just wasn't having it. I only walked a mile because it looked like rain, but of course managed to go tanning for some "me" time! haha Then I procrastinated the rest of the morning (which most people will tell you is NOT in my personality)...finally managed to get showered and ready for the day. My good friend, Jessica Geisler, met me and we went to Wolf Theatres in Greensburg to watch The Ugly Truth. It was such a good movie!! :) It's definitely not one to take younger audiences to, but as Jessica and I like to vent to each other about our boy troubles, so it was the perfect movie for us. haha If only real life happened like that....girl meets boy, boy falls in love with girl, they kiss and live happily ever after. hmmm Riiiiiiiight. ha After the movie, mom came up to meet us. We had a yummy dinner at El Reparo. I even got CARDED when I ordered my drink. What the heck! haha


All in all, it's been a good day. I bought an electronic scale today FINALLY. I was quite happy to see that I've lost about 10-15 pounds since my last doctor appointment in May!! :) WOOHOO! I even wore my new jeans today...which are a size smaller than I've worn for the past year. :) :) :)

I do believe that my 27th year is going to be the best so far....
-family vacation to Wisconsin Dells in August
-girl's weekend (late birthday gift) to New York City in September
-my big trip to Australia, New Zealand, and China in November and December
-getting healthy and losing weight!

I've been so negative lately, but honestly I have much to be thankful for! There are things about my life I'd love to change, but most of those things are out of my control...so I'll continue to be grateful for what I have and do what I can to improve the things that are within my control.

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes today! (Thank you Rajean for the card! I do love a little bit of snail mail!)

Playing Outside

Last night mom and I put the new adirondack chairs for the golf course together...and while we did that, Toby and Midge ran around the yard playing. They are getting to the point that they aren't afraid of each other and they will nose each other while running amuck! ha They both were running up and down the deck (in the way) and around my feet while I was sitting back and relaxing in the new chairs! ;)

Here's our babies...

mom's dog, Midge

my woolly child, Toby

The Wedding Singer

On Saturday, my cousin April married Jay (a longtime friend). It was a beautiful wedding...and I wish I had pictures, but Jenna was not in a picture taking mood that day and since I was singing for the wedding, not really able to take pictures for myself. Hopefully our cousin, Julie, will post some pictures on her blog and I might be able to swipe a few! haha ;)

The rain ended before the wedding and the sun came out for a lovely evening! The reception was hopping and we all had a great time catching up with everyone!! :) I have always been very close to my grandma's side of the family (mom's mom) and it's even more fun when you pair us all up with Jay's family (my boss's family). haha Don't ya love small towns?!?

The wedding ceremony was performed by Jay (& his brother, Dale)'s last foster parent, Leon. Let me tell you this...he is a corker! This was his first wedding in quite some time and he had us all going, huh?!? ha As always, the wedding went off without a hitch and those of us close to Jay & Dale now understand a little more why they are the way they are! ;) ha (*additional info-Jay & Dale were both adopted into the same family, the family we've always known them to be a part of and are quite like their adoptive father as well, but if you knew Mark and met Leon...you'd just understand!)

Here's a few pictures we took...

me before the wedding

me singing & mom playing

Jen ruining our attempt at a good pic! :p

the newlyweds finally making it to the reception!

On another note, Happy Birthday to Grandma Menchhofer! Today is her big day! :)

I am worn out...it was a busy, but good weekend. I had an EXTREMELY long day today as one of my employees was sick, so I worked her shift and had someone work my shift so I could run to Sam's Club and get stocked up for the next month! By the time I finished that errand, worked on some paperwork and other stuff here at home for the course...I put in 14.5 hours today. Aren't you jealous?!? NOT! ha

Hope you had a good weekend! On to another week....

Like the New Look?

Well...........what does everyone think? I treated myself to a blog design by Jennisa of Once Upon a Blog for my birthday! :) I personally love it! Jennisa is great to work with and quite creative.

RIP Shelby Josephine

Today is a very sad day in the Menchhofer household. :(

My beautiful Great Pyrenees, Shelby Josephine (aka Shelby Jo), was hit and killed on the road in front of our house this morning. It angers me that someone could hit such a big dog and leave the scene of the accident without informing us. Have they no compassion?!? I cannot begin to describe how strong (in character) my momma is....I am even more sad that she was the one who had to find Shelby that way. Shelby and our other GP, Ice, have been getting out of the barnyard the past few days. They do this about once a year, I think it's always just to test mom. *sad laugh* I heard Shelby barking last night in the yard....so I knew she was out, but it was 11pm and mom had just put her back in an hour before that. This morning mom went outside to go to work and started calling for the dogs (our new morning ritual to make sure they are where they should be). Shelby never came....mom was preparing to get in her truck to go look for her....and as she pulled down the drive, my beautiful baby was laying in the road. Mom pulled her into the yard so that we can bury her later today. :'(

Mom called me after she got to work to tell me the news....of course, I am devastated. She wanted to warn me before I went outside for my morning walk. I knew I should stay away from the front yard, but I couldn't do it....I am not faint of heart, and I found myself throwing up. There are NO black marks on the road (they didn't brake obviously), the blood is still wet on the road (it had to have happened right before mom went outside)... I am saddened that someone could just hit someone else's pet and pretend it never happened. Purely from spite, I hope their vehicle requires thousands of dollars to repair the front end. I know that is mean, but if you saw our polar bear of a dog, you would understand that there is no way you could hit a dog that big as hard as they had to have hit her and not do damage.

Today is continuing to be a rough start....as soon as I think I'm done crying, it starts all over again. Our other dog, Ice, knows...dogs are so smart. I called her into the barnyard because I just needed to see her. (know that feeling?) She came out to the fence and just kept looking out to the front yard where Shelby is laying and then back to me. That broke my heart.

This makes MY second dog passing on around the time of my birthday. Just a few days before my 18th birthday, my German Shepherd mix - Midnight - had to be put down. And now, just a week shy of my 27th birthday, my beloved Shelby is gone.

baby Shelby eating out of the sheep feed pan

Shelby not sure about ALL those sheep, just a few days after we brought her home!

my beautiful polar bear with her sheepies...she was such a good protector

love my Shelby Jo <3

hi! looking up over the gate in the barn, like always...waiting for a milk bone

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

As most of my friends have already posted such things on their blogs and facebook status...it is truly the best time of the year! Why? It's FAIR time!! :)

I have been attending fairs (County and State) since I was 4 days old. Yes, my parents were the crazy ones with a newborn at the Indiana State Fair! haha ;) It's in my blood. I don't think there has been a single year of my life that I have missed fair.

Tonight Mom and I went to the good ol' Ripley County Fair to check things out. The Sheep Show was tonight (which felt weird because it's ALWAYS been on Thursday night). The Baby Show was also tonight. My Aunt Roni and Uncle Kevin are Nikken Wellness Consultants and had a spot set up at the fair, so we stopped by to see them for awhile.

Here's some pics of the fun!

my adorable cousin, Callie Lynn, getting her beauty rest before the Baby Show!

Ethan playing in Roni & Kevin's trailer (his mamaw & papaw)

Ethan getting his face painted...future 4-H'er!

Lovin' the Weather

I know most people are unhappy with the cooler July temps, but I absolutely love it! The only time I want it to be HOT is when I'm on the beach or in the tanning bed. hahaha :p I do have to admit that last night and this morning on my walks, it was a little chilly, but not bad.

Last night I had a nice, relaxing evening. Today is off to a good start...after work, probably gonna hang out at the Grub for awhile with friends.

It's been a somewhat hectic week, but things are calming down a little...only for fair to start! I kinda miss hanging out at the fair all day everyday, but there just isn't time for that anymore. Friday I will be announcing most of the 4-H Livestock Auction. I would do it all, but I have a wedding rehearsal to attend that evening and trust me, the auction will not be over by then, despite our best efforts! If it is, I will be shocked beyond belief! ha So auction, then dashing off to the rehearsal. Saturday is my cousin April's wedding. Her soon-to-be husband, Jay, I have known most of my life as well. Mom is playing for the wedding and I am singing. Then it'll be time for the PARTY! ha ;) It should be a really great reception as the 2 families coming together like to have a good time. I certainly plan on enjoying myself! :)

I'll try to keep you posted throughout the week, but until next weekend, not much going on by way of pictures or events.

Enjoy your weekend!

All is Normal

My bloodwork results are in....and everything is "normal." I'm not sure how I feel about that.....

On one hand, it's good news as I am healthy. On the flip side, it's just another piece of frustrating evidence that I'm overweight for no particular reason and no matter what I do, can't seem to slim down.

Feeling frustrated at the moment. This too shall pass. I hope.

Put One Foot in Front of the Other...

...and soon you'll be walking out the do-oo-or! (anyone a fan of the animated movie Santa Claus Comes to Town? ha...then I'm sure you understand the sing-song title!

Lately I've been walking walking walking walking! I've been doing a minimum of 2 miles a day, but it's really been more like 2.5-3.5 miles a day depending on how much time I have. My good friend, Karissa, calls them sanity walks! ha I would have to agree with her as I work a lot of stuff out in my head while I'm walking. I think I may have lost a little weight as one of my favorite pairs of jeans is now saggy and loose without me even wearing them! :) Hey, I'll take it...progress is progress! ha

On a similar note, today I went and had blood drawn. Last summer (yes, I know...I've waited a long time, but I don't have insurance!) my new doctor mentioned while checking out my poison sumac that he thought I might have a thyroid condition. After having 2 cousins diagnosed with thyroid problems, one cousin being borderline, and another friend also have weight issues due to thyroid imbalances...I decided I should probably get checked out. Hoping to hear back sooner rather than later, but I'll patiently wait on the results.

It's been a super busy day...gonna relax for awhile and enjoy re-runs on tv! :p

The Nights You'll Never Forget

Tonight was a much needed girl's night! So glad I have such good friends...and a wonderful mom! After a long day at work, had dinner at the Grub with mom and Jessica. Then J & I went to see The Proposal at the fabulously renovated Damn Theater! It's so nice in there. The movie was a riot! Super cute...a must see! :) After the movie, we decided to go back to the Grub and have a few drinks. Lots of talking and still managed to drink a few! ;) Definitely ready for another fun night out!

Crying?

Ever just need a good cry? I'm sure all you ladies out there can relate! Last night I had one of those, felt better almost immediately. Today is gonna be a good day!! :)

Freedom...my way

Some of you know I've been experiencing some "blues" recently. If you didn't, you surely noticed my pension for griping and being cranky!?! Suffice it to say that it's just been a really hectic summer. I cut back on my hours at the golf course and still somehow manage to put in nearly (or more) 50 hours a week. Then add in working at the office for Matt a few hours a week (Jesse's office work is included in my golf course hours), doing some design work for a few Mary Kay Sales Directors each month (I've gotten back into designing newsletters, etc.), and then coming home just in time to play with Toby for a few minutes before bedtime. I can't believe it's July 5th already! 2009 is flying by and has left me mostly wondering...huh? how? why? where? when?

Tonight I came home from work and the sun was still in the sky...that NEVER happens! It was a beautiful night considering it rained all day yesterday. It was so nice and I decided I was going to take a walk. Grandma and I used to do that all the time when I was growing up...never realized how much I missed it until tonight! So, I walked up past our old house and back...twice. That is a little over 1 mile. There were only a few cars out and about, so it was a pretty peaceful walk. Gave me lots of time to think. Actually most people I know will say that I think too much as it is, and that's probably true, but tonight was different. Yesterday and today a situation that has been bugging me finally blew over....it's a long story and one I'd love to share (do you know how frustrating it is to need a girl's day with some friends just to talk stuff over and share a few laughs/hugs and not be able to find ANY ONE to go???? yep, no one would do anything with me this week and I offered to pay for everything on our day out!) but I'm not gonna spill all that on here, so if you wanna know more, email me or text me and I'll share the scoop. Essentially, I ended up quite disappointed with the results...and hurt. Felt like a slap in the face. But it was kinda like the straw that broke the camel's back. It's not the right reason for recommitting myself to my New Year's goals, but it's definitely given me the motivation to get started! I'm already looking forward to walking again in the morning and in the evening tomorrow! :) And after my walk...I decided, I really am doing it for myself. So this 4th of July was a freedom day alright, just in a different way.

Mary Kay National Sales Director Linda Toupin (a big encourager of mine) is famous for saying, "You are where you are by the choices you have made or allowed others to make for you." She is a smart lady. I have allowed others to make my choices for me too many times in life. Time to take the bull by the horns! :p

Here's to a new day...a renewed sense of purpose...and hopefully many more memories and happy moments!

the view down the road towards home on the last leg of my walk!

Rainy Fourth

If you are in the southern Indiana area, you surely experienced RAIN today! ha I spent my day at the golf course...working. Yes, I put in 14 hours today. ugh!

We hosted the 2nd Annual Beatle Hughes Classic today and it was an absolute blast! Of course, if you know Beatle, you understand how the day went! ha ;) This year everyone played in the rain AGAIN...yep, you read that right, last year it poured, this year it poured. Anyone seeing a trend? Today the joke was that if it rains again next year we have to change the name of the event to try to prevent rain!

We had 13 teams play in our 18 hole scramble. The pictures below are of my "golf course family." I see most of these guys more than once a week! :)

Rain + Beer + Beatle Hughes + the "crew" = GREAT 4th of JULY

Beatle teeing off Hole #1

Jesse, Keith, & Blake eyeing their shot on the 9th green

Dave Bultman & Jeff Dilk


The Winning Team - Jesse, Keith, Blake, Rick


3rd Place - Holman team


my crazy friends, Cooters & Shooters!
Jodi, Jeff, Dave, Marie


hanging out after a long, wet afternoon!

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Just a quick note to say Happy Birthday to my good friend, Jessica Geisler! Hope you have a wonderful birthday in our nation's capital with Tyler! :)

Can't wait until our NY trip this fall!

Here's the "Three Musketeers" as mom calls us...

me, Jessica, Jenna

New Batteries?

I'm feeling a bit like the woman in this cartoon...I am so beyond exhausted! I wish it were as easy as putting in a new battery and being fully revived again! haha

It's been a long couple of weeks at work and this weekend is not going to be any different. Saturday we are hosting an 18 hole team scramble at the golf course, so guess who has to be there ALL day? ME! :p I'm guessing its going to about a 14 hour day for me. Ugh.

How is it that today was my day off and I still put in 6 hours for the course? Come on! I need a freakin' break. It's not coming anytime soon either.

To top everything off, I'm in need of a girl's day/night! I'm feeling a little frustrated/fed up/disappointed with a few of the guys in my life...too bad all my friends are married and their best advice is to "be patient" or "move on." I have a high patience level and it is starting to degrade as I near my 27th birthday.

On a VERY random side note, I am sitting here watching Golden Girls with my baby, Toby. I just saw a commercial for the Potty Patch. I think they may be on to something. Toby is a house dog and when he does get the rare chance to go outside, he LOVES to do his business in the grass. haha I may have to invest in one of these. :)