In honor of Purdue's homecoming I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures of my home at Purdue... the Chocolate Shop. I miss this place more than you can even imagine because it truly was more of a part of my college experience than anything else. I started working there at the beginning of my Junior year, and worked up until the week before my job in Chicago started. The hardest part of graduating from Purdue was leaving Harry's and my family that I had made there.
Everybody thought for sure that I would be down for Homecoming. Dan and I had talked about it, but decided that I would much rather go visit during Christmas break, on a Sunday, because those were my most favorite days to spend at the Shop.
Joe definitely took care of me while I was in college. We had a lot of fun at Harry's. I just never really had good experiences when he was serving me through the window in the back room. Yikes!
I love this man. Laine is one of the funniest people I know and working a shift with him was always pretty intimidating, but always so much fun.
My favorite Pal, Neilo. I really miss serving him Bud Lights on ice early in the afternoons. And, I always appreciated that he had a wind down Monday... 3 beer limit on those nights.
My absolute favorite shifts were Sunday afternoons. We usually weren't slammed so I got to visit with all the regulars and my friends would come in to keep us company. Then when the shift ended I usually stayed, had a couple "shifties" and watched Sunday night football or baseball. The regulars became my family and The Shop became my home. I found myself going there when good things happened, when bad things happened, and always before I left town for a couple days or just got back into Lafayette. When Dan and I got engaged it was the first place I stopped after leaving the airport. When I got offered a job I had my celebratory drink at Harry's with my favorites. It was a part of my college experience that I could never replace.
Harry's has my FAVORITE juke box in the world. It honestly is the best collection of music anywhere. Everybody always knew when I had put money into the juke box because I always played the same songs, and they were fantastic! K9's juke box picks were always the same too, and always something fun to dance to.
Dillon has even made it into Harry's. He was more interested in all the Tv's, but we had to take them there the day after Graduation so he could check the place out.
I always took the family to Harry's when they visited. This day we cheered on the Bengals big time.
I asked a guy dressed as a horse during Grand Prix Breakfast Club if I could borrow his head for a little bit. I put it on and the guy says to me, "I'm sorry if it smells a little like puke." Oh my goodness, only at Purdue.
I was a bar slide champion. This was a fantastic Tuesday night last Spring. All I remember is Aaron and I made a lot of money that night!
Same Tuesday Night... Up on the bar dancing to YMCA with the rest of the staff. And yes, I made it to class the next day!
Happy New Year! After working the day shift for the basketball game on New Year's Day, I started drinking the left over champagne even before all the money was counted. This ended up being such a fun night, going through about 4 bottles of champagne, eating shrimp, and taking a trip downtown to see Frankenstein with Neilo. Those bottles of champagne were my Favorite shifty ever.
Here we are, celebrating my graduation... with champage of course!
Hail Purdue, And Go Ugly Early!
That is the question.
I've been going back and forth about wearing a veil for my outdoor, casual, far from churchy, wedding and I just can't make up my mind. When I found my dress I was very against the idea. I didn't even try a veil on with my dress... weird, I know. I just never thought that I would want one. It just seemed to formal for me and I thought that it would take away from my dress. But I really started thinking that I need one when I remembered something my dad said to me... oh, 14 years ago.
It was a warm spring day, and I was making my First Communion. I was definitely in my tom-boy stage of my life and I thought I was going to die having to wear that dress with a big white sash... and yes, a veil. And on top of that, my shoes had buckles on them! I was mortified. I remember having to get dressed and I was one unhappy camper.
I was finally ready to go and I climbed into the back seat of the Lumina just pissed. I think we were running early because Dad took the long way to church, going around back by the legion. Anyway, long story short Dad could tell that I was not happy and tells me, "Tracy, there only two days that you have to wear a white dress and a veil. Today, and when you get married."
Thinking about Dad saying that to me is making me second guess my choice of not getting a veil. It's funny how some things change. I get so excited just thinking about putting on my white dress with it's big white sash, and buckling my shoes with the dramatic side buckles. And it just goes to show that some things don't change, I've always taken what Paul says to heart... and I don't think I can stop here.
So I guess I just answered my own question... To Veil!
Well not really until next weekend, but we sure did celebrate when we were all home last week. The family came over to celebrate Dillon's big day. We had Grandma's most wonderful cake with carmel icing... some couldn't even wait until Dillon blew out his candle before they had a piece (as you can see here)
He was pretty scared of the candle's flame. I think Jill has tried to teach him the concept of Hot and Cold a little too much. He gets anxious around any light, coffee maker, flame, red button, the list goes on... but it's pretty cute.
Dillon really enjoyed Grandma's pumpkins. It was quite the adventure trying to get the little guy to sit still for a picture with us on the porch. We took a lot of shots
Dillon loved all of his birthday presents. He received all kinds of new toys, trucks, a pillow pet, new crocs, an a little computer. Now he can really work!
I love the little guy and I'm so happy that we got to spend this second birthday together.
I just have to share a few more photos from this summer of Dillon that I totally forgot about on my camera, and they are precious!
Happy Birthday, Dillon. I Love You!
I wasn't going to go. I had no intention of ever stepping foot into the place. But when I found out that it was the only chance of seeing the girls, I bit the bullet and went to Boogie Nights.
It's honestly not my cup of tea, and of course, like in a lot of situations I was nervous. I feared the worst, and of course after being in there for 30 seconds, a creep grabbed my butt, after being there for an hour a disgusting man was saying disgusting things to me... But all of these things were forgotten when I think back about how much fun I had seeing the girls. Overall it is a pretty cool place. I loved the seventies music, the Jimmy Hendricks and Brett Michaels impersonators, and the light up dance floor was awesome. Half of my wedding party ended up being there, it was so good to see everybody and Jill and I were definitely tearing up the dance floor, until Jill got elbowed in the head... repeatedly, by some old drunk lady. We were missing Mom, Dad, Bert and Dave anyway and wanted to go hang out with them... so we did.
To our surprise a Rod Stewart impersonator took the stage in the casino at 1:00 am. He was fantastic, in his leopard leggings, pink visor, and bright yellow top. I've never sang so hard or danced so much in my life. Jill and I grew up with Mom listening to these songs and we love them probably as much as she does. So. Much. Fun. I wish I had a picture of Jill and I pretending to be Rockettes while "Rod" was singing Hot Legs. We were pretty impressive, I think.
At 4:00 am, after Rod Stewart, taking Mom, Dad, Bert, and Dave back to Boogie Nights so they could see if for themselves, skipping through the parking garage with Amanda, and ordering seven double cheeseburgers at McDonald's, we finally made it home. It was such a fun night. I loved that I got to spend it with the girls and with my family. It was definitely one of my favorite nights in awhile... and my real favorite was re-playing the whole night for Dan, he was really in disbelief of our crazy night out on the town.
I'm ready for 5:00, well really, I've been ready for Friday at 5:00 since I decided to go home on Monday. I can hardly contain myself. I've been spending my day at work just trying to keep very busy and not looking at the clock, but it's really hard not to.
I know at this moment Jill probably has Dillon in his car seat and he's watching movies as they make their big trip home. Dad will probably be cutting his work day short here in about an hour to catch the reds game, and if not he'll be blaring it on 700 WLW. Mom is probably sweeping the carpet for the 20th time since Monday just getting ready for Dillon to be home, and John is putting on his shoulder pads and helmet for his game tonight.
Me on the other hand, I'm sitting here at work, I just got off the service elevator in which I road down 80 stories with a whole pig and a fish that was almost as big as me... And I'm itching to be done with my day, ride the train back to Indiana and hop in my car. 5:00 can't get here soon enough, well really, 11:00 pm would be nice... I'll be pulling into Paul and Theresa's drive way!
Yep, just like '30 for 30' on ESPN, one of my favorite shows. But instead of recapturing 30 great sporting events from the last 30 years, I'm going to list the ten things that I want to do in 2010. Yes, I realize that there are only 2 1/2 months left in the year... and it's been a HUGE year already, but there are some things that I just feel like I need to do.
1. Save X amount of dollars
~Dan and I received our "First Time Home Buyer's Loan" money, I started a saving account with my money, and I want to add to this. It's going to be a hard time to do this with Christmas coming and the amount of things we have planned for the rest of the year, but with careful planning I feel confident in doing it!~
2. Finish decorating two rooms in our house
~When we moved in we worked hard to paint and get all the furniture where we wanted it, we fused our belongings together to become "ours" but we haven't done much else. I just want some pictures on the wall or some nice home accessories... and definitely an entertainment center for upstairs. (My number 2 goal may hinder my number 1 goal, but we'll see)~
3. Loose at least five pounds
~It needs to be done, enough said.~
4. Join a book club
~I've always wanted to do this, and now since I have the time to read (on the train) it's the perfect time to do it, now I just need to find the time to go to the club get togethers. The only ones that I've found around home all take place in the middle of the day... come on people, working ladies read too!~
5. See my girlfriends twice
~I miss them like crazy and I just need to see them, I'm hoping we have a chance with Christmas and Thanksgiving approaching and I'd die to see them, even for a breakfast date.~
6. Learn ten new important things at work
~I learn new things every single day, but I keep a notepad of things that I think are pivotal to my career. I want to add ten new things to this list by the end of the year. With the busy season approaching, I'm sure that these new, important tidbits will unfold right in front of me.~
7. Don't ruin Thanksgiving or Christmas by being hungover
~Mom will be so happy to see this goal for the rest of the year. It's happened probably the last three years, I feel awful about it, but it's been hard to contain myself considering the day before Thanksgiving is the biggest bar day of the year... and last year the Eve of Christmas Eve was the biggest class reunion ever at The Horseshoe Inn. These aren't excuses I know, but I've spent a few too many of these holidays hungover. Not this year. I can't make any promises about the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas though...~
8. Learn how to make the moon cookies, which I believe are actually called kipfulls, and the rolls
~My great-aunt Janet makes these every single year for Christmas. It's tradition, and I have got to learn how to make them this year. I keep telling Janet that I want to learn, but I never make it a point to. So Janet, get ready, I'm coming over and we are cooking!~
9. Have the most beautiful Christmas tree ever
~I've been buying ornaments for a year now, my collection is really growing, ad I'm so excited for our first Christmas tree. I've always wanted to have a themed tree so of course I've been scouring the stores for peacock ornaments. Everybody thought I was crazy when I started buying them, saying that I was never going to find enough, but you should see my box full of feathers!~
10. Take more pictures
~I've been without my camera since I was home last in August and I feel like I've missed out on so much. I love taking pictures and I haven't been able to capture anything these past couple weeks. I'm going home this weekend and I'll be sure to take my charger so I can start right away, at Dillon's 2nd Birthday Party.~
So here's my 10 for 10. On January 1st, 2011 I'll be sure to let you know how the list went... It'll be here before we know it!
The begining of this month marks my 90th day of work. On my first day I marked in my calendar when the day would be... and it happened today. It seemed like it wasn't that long ago, and marking it in my calendar made me feel like it was never going to get here...
"Hello," my pop-up message said today, "You've made it to day 9-0."
I had a small feeling of accomplishment as I started my day... and a small urge to make a doctor's appointment because my benefits have started. (Strange, I know, because I absolutely hate doctors.)
So thinking back on my first four months in the real world, these are the things I've come to realize.
1. I made the right career choice. During my four years of school there were times I had doubts about going into the hospitality industry, but I honestly cannot see myself doing anything else. I love being in a restaurant everyday and seeing the day to day operations. I love being part of a team that works together towards one goal... it doesn't hurt that the girls on my team are wonderful, experienced people who make me laugh so hard and are willing to help and answer any of my questions. I love seeing the events unfold from start to end, and even though I know it can be stressful for everybody at some point during the process, it somehow always comes together.
2. The television show 'The Office' is the most perfect depiction of any office in America... I'm sure of it. I appreciate the show 100% more and laugh out loud anytime I catch an episode. I still haven't figured out who my character would be... nobody in that office, I hope.
3. Elevators are way less scary for me now then they were 90 days ago. Sometimes when I come home Dan will ask me, "What did you do at work today, ride the elevator up and down?" And truthfully sometimes that's what I felt like I did all day. Our office is on the 15th floor, and of course the restaurant is on the 95th. I think I average about 480 floors a day and havig to pop my ears at least 6 times. It's gotten a lot easier for me... I don't even have to be chewing gum anymore for them to pop! Impressive, I know.
4. Ironing clothes and buying things with "dry clean only" tags is very overrated. I used to spent quite a lot of time pressing my clothes, even jeans, before I would go to work. I've pretty much given up on this practice and only iron if it's visibly a wreck... It just wrinkles again while I'm sitting. And last weekend I found myself wanting to buy this sweater, I had it half way to the register and everything, and then I noticed the dreaded "dry clean only" tag. I have become my mom and instantly put it back. Oh, and tennis shoes have become my favorite accessory, wearing them with suits and dresses until about 9:30 am when the majority of the staff get into the office. Who would of thought that of me?
5. The Real World really isn't as bad as a lot of people have made it out to be. Sure, getting into the routine of paying bills, being on time every day, and being responsible was a little hard to get used to, but, I've embraced it. I'm a real human being now, paying taxes, a mortgage, and the dreaded student loans... but I love what I'm doing. I enjoy my work. I wake up every day excited about what lies ahead of me, and look forward to new oportunities.
Check out this link to Facebook. This album is one of the little projects I worked on this week and it shows a lot of great pictures of some of the events that have taken place at the 95th!
