Mellencamp melancholy

Tonight John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan are playing at the Casper Events Center.

I desperately want to go for Mellencamp.  I don't really care about Dylan.

You see, John Mellencamp was the first tape I ever got.  It was from Santa in my stocking when I was in 2nd grade, I believe.  That same Christmas my sisters got The Pointer Sisters and Bruce Springsteen.  Can you say children of the '80s or what?

I have had a mild obsession with Mellencamp ever since.  For awhile I owned about every tape you could of his.  I played his songs on repeat.  And when we moved from Indiana, his home state as well, to Colorado his music just meant something more.

I have never seen him in concert but it hasn't been for trying.  Fate just won't allow me to go!  Once, when I was in D.C., he played in Virginia.  I wanted to go, but couldn't get out of work in time.  Thank heavens I hadn't already bought a ticket!

Another time he was playing in Colorado.  I think this was right around when I had just moved back West and was jobless.  I couldn't justify buying a ticket and driving to Denver when I had no way to pay for it.  How was I so responsible in my judgement??

Tonight is strike three.  I heard a couple months ago he was coming and I was determined to go.  But we had the Jackson wedding last weekend, I have a flat tire that needs replaced, I have to save for some trips coming up...

I just can't go.

My coworker Matt sent me an email earlier saying he had heard Dylan was playing and he wondered if I was going to go.  I had no sooner explained I'd rather see ol' John Cougar, but couldn't justify the price to go when Matt emailed me a message he had seen on Twitter...

Matt's email:

I was just handed two tickets to a Bob Dylan concert in Casper TONIGHT at 6:30pm! Who wants 'em? They're free!

Find @UWInfoDesk on twitter!!!! HURRRYYYYYYYYYYYY

The first part is the actual tweet, the second is Matt's command to me.

I have never searched for, followed, and tweeted someone so fast.  I told Matt I'm sure I set a record.

Turns out you have to pick them up in Laramie, which obviously doesn't make any sense for me.

So, here I am.  Struck with Mellencamp melancholy.

One day I will see him!

I hope this isn't three strikes and I'm out!

Discoveries

I've been hardcore packing our Cheyenne house this week and last night I came across a couple interesting things.

First, was a stack of notes and papers regarding the second time my vehicle was stolen in D.C.  Yes, second.  There was a total of three times.  It was funny to see officers' names written on drink napkins - I remember very clearly that I was eating dinner with Carrie at an Asian diner when I got that call.

The other thing I stumbled across was my Colorado "book."  In D.C., I had the D.C. "book" where I kept a collection of ideas for restaurants, bars, shopping, events, outdoor activities, etc.  Friends looking for fresh ideas of where to go and what to do would call me for a suggestion.

When I left D.C., I passed that "book" to Linds C. and focused on a Colorado one; filling it with new stuff as well as ideas I'd collected even as I lived in D.C.  The Colorado "book" also had ideas for restaurants, happy hours, cute boutiques, places to hike and other things Coloradans do...

And, since I expected to be living in Denver I had collected a lot of information about its different neighborhoods so I could know which one I'd love living in the most...

I just threw my collection out and have decided to let my subscription to Denver's 5280 magazine expire.  I'm never going to live in Denver.  Or Colorado.  

And I discovered a while back I no longer want to.  

I think I landed where I'm supposed to be.

New home sweet home

What else happened last week?

Well, as soon as Todd decided not to pursue Wisconsin we decided in the very next breath to put an offer in on that "Big Tree Area" house we were stressing out about. 

They accepted our offer!

So, since then we've signed a contract with Rod, the owner, and have been finishing up the finance process.  Our hope is to be in by the end of May!

The house is amazing, but it's going to take some work: It's covered in 60s fab carpet that we're going to take out so we can enjoy the awesome hardwood floors; it needs some fresh paint to liven it up; and the backyard - which is quite small and covered nearly completely with slabs of concrete - needs some help. 

Those are our first projects.  There are others, but the above will really make a major difference!

We have no idea yet what we're going to do with our beloved Cheyenne 'stead.  Rent it out?  Sell it off?  Not sure.

Want a peek at the new place...?

Knock out!

We have a winner in the Great State Debate!

Last week Wyoming finally got the KO.

Todd called for some final information from Wisconsin and they just couldn't give him the assurances he wanted/needed.

So, Wyoming it is!  Time to hunker down and move forward!

Acquiring Zen

Last night, my stress took a turn - for the better.

After months of worrying, strategizing, and making plans and preparations that would get overturned the next hour or day, I reached my limit.

You know about the move to Casper: Todd's job stationed him there effective April 1.  The other part, that I haven't shared here, is that Todd has also been going through the interview process for a game warden job in his home state of Wisconsin.  The Great "W" State Debate (WI versus WY) has been going on since December and last month it looked like Wisconsin was going down.

But Wisconsin is a fighter.  Just when you think Wyoming's delivered the final blow Wisconsin jumps up with another swing.

If it were a boxing match it would be something like this:

Wyoming: "Take that Wisconsin! Here's a raise for Todd to make it more difficult for you to use 'better pay' as a reason to go back!" Jab, jab! Uppercut!

Wisconsin, after a brief rest on the side: "Oh yeah...?!  Well, Todd's mom wants to sell the property!"  Right cross.

Wyoming, reeling from this particular blow, comes back:  "Ok.  Ok.  What about your sorry excuse for a pension and the elderly age Todd will be when he's vested!" Left hook.

This sends Wisconsin to the corner for a squirt of water and a towel down.  "Whew. Almost had me, Wyoming.  But take this - the family neighbor has passed away and Todd's always hoped to add to his parents' land!  The wife's putting it up for sale!!!"

Wyoming: "WHY won't you just go down for the count already??  Ok.  Kim's got a job here.  Todd's got a now good-paying job here.  Todd gets a Game and Fish-supplied home if he stays here.  You can't beat these numbers, Wisconsin!"

But Wisconsin doesn't cave.  Wisconsin knows how to mess with your head.  It's not just uppercuts and right crosses, oh no.  Wisconsin gets inside, playing on heartstrings and taking you for an emotional ride.

And that's where we've been.

We had no choice but for Todd to go to Casper, so we've been doing our best to make that work: I've been telecommuting two days a week from there, we've been living in our little apartment with Rigby, and have been trying to figure out which W state would win.

To top it all off we've been looking at homes in Casper, many of which are overpriced dumps that leave much to be desired.

One house, in "The Big Tree Area" really caught our eye, and for the last three days Todd has been going through the place and talking with the owner, all while we try to get pre-qualified before another person we know of makes an offer.  

And last night was it.  My breaking point.

I could feel the stress sitting in my chest.  I drank a (large) glass of wine, took Rigby for a walk and then Todd called.

He'd talked to his mom.  There was discussion of selling the property.  I could sense he was torn.

It was in that moment, somehow, I found clarity.  I told him he needs to get all his remaining questions and concerns about Wisconsin answered.  If it means going there, we'd figure it out.  The house we were trying to get pre-qualified for just didn't matter.  If Wyoming won and we missed this opportunity, we'd have another.  I have friends whose parents are realtors up there - we'd regroup with them.

In an instant my chest cleared up.  I had reached a point where I knew we couldn't control it anymore.  The only thing we could control was how we dealt with the decision.  I truly gave the bigger decision - where we go - over to God.

I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true.  And since I had that realization I have felt very...Zen.

I also don't think it's coincidence that Alison Krauss' song Jesus Help Me to Stand suddenly came on my Pandora.com as I am typing this...

Happy birthday weekend to me! And, oh yeah, Casper weekend #3

Saturday was the big day...the big 3-3.

But, because of Todd's schedule, we decided to have a birthday dinner on Thursday night.  I have been craving sushi, so invited a very eclectic group of Casper friends to have dinner downtown at House of Sushi. 

I want to take this moment to say: Casper restaurants are good.  They're open to new foods; and Asian cuisine abounds.  To boot?  Casper seems to "get" the idea of downtown shopping/eating and the importance - yes, importance - of dining outdoors. 

House of Sushi didn't disappoint.  And it was fun catching up with folks!

Friday night, we kind of celebrated again with a trip to the wine/martini bar Vintage.  I have been curious about this place for a long while and it was well worth the visit.  They have good wines, good martinis, good food, and a good atmosphere - and outdoor seating.  What the heck more could you want?  Oh, how about knowing the manager? That's nice too.  She was one of my lil' helpers when I worked at Casper College after graduating from UW and we spent some time catching up.

The inside of the bar...

Our hummus plate.  Delicious...

A wine flight - which I highly suggest doing...

And Todd's final drink - a bloody Mary.  Look at that presentation!

Saturday - the actual day - I treated myself to an iced coffee at the Metro coffee shop I discovered  downtown.  I'm rather obsessed with this place... 

Then Todd and I went out looking at houses.  We ended the night with a burger and beer at the old Wonderbar downtown... 

Talk about a happenin' place that night!  Funny story: When I lived in Casper after graduation some friends - a couple from the sushi dinner - and I went to a Halloween party at this bar dressed as the Gang from Scooby Doo. We took first place and won a decent-sized bar tab!

Then tonight Linds H. and Jonna came over from Laramie to take me to dinner!  We had a right nice meal at the Capitol Grille downtown Cheyenne.

And my birthday present...?  You'll recall this book from this post... 
 

All in all it was a great birthday weekend with lots of new discoveries and lots of friends!

Life as we know it

So, today was it.

Todd moved up to Casper, Wyo., for his new work assignment.

I've been dreading this day.  Which is one big reason I haven't talked about it here, well, at all.

What's the story?

Well, as most of you know, Todd was informed in December that he was going to be assigned to Casper April 1.  This was a total shock.  We had just bought and moved into our house, something we wouldn't have done if he had even remotely thought he wouldn't be stationed in Cheyenne.

We've been counting down to the time we'd have to upset our happy little life with Rigby at ol' 304 and...today was it.

All morning, as we got him packed and the basement cleared out for the renter who comes in tomorrow, I was bitter and upset.  I didn't want us to get out of bed this morning because I kept thinking how it was the last morning in our house together, the last breakfast around our table, our last morning walk with Rigby around Lyon's Park, etc.

It just...sucks.

Nobody wants him to go either!  The Cheyenne office loves him - there was a going away party last night and everyone was genuinely bummed he had to go.  But such is the way with Wyoming Game and Fish.  The wardens who don't have a district of their own get moved around each year until they land a permanent station.

On the bright side, my office is being really great about keeping me on.  I'll be telecommuting two days a week from Casper, re-evaluating in May and potentially moving my position up there full time.  There are a few other options going on right now with Todd as well that will factor in to all of this - but that's conversation for another time.

Until then, we'll be basically camping in a yuck-o little apartment we're renting month-to-month, smuggling Rigby in by the dark of night.

Get ready for the Casper Chronicles.

Goodbye Gwennie

Who is Gwennie?

My Ford Escape.

Or, my ex-Ford Escape.  I traded her in today for a Subaru Outback.

Gwennie (named after Gwen Stefani because of her song Sweet ESCAPE) has given me some trouble of late.  Nothing horrible - like last year's engine mishap above, but more along the lines of being in need of some upgrades.  And, her warranty is up in July. After said engine blow-up last year where the only thing that saved my butt was my warranty, I just won't own a car without one.

I was sad to see her go though.  I really did love her. 

She's carried a lot of things: Todd, Rigby, family, friends, in the above photo - a backend full of rocks for Molly's landscaping, and all of my possessions as I headed back West.

We've driven all around D.C., 'cross country with a U-Haul, around Vail, Colo., into Nebraska to visit Stacey and family and pick-up Rigby, into the mountains...she and I are kind of like that Johnny Cash song about being everywhere, man.

But to make our relationship work, I would have had to pump more into it in the form of tires, a windshield (cracked on a trip to Nebraska), and somehow figure out a way to cover her if she gets mad at me and blows a gasket - literally.

So, after months of research and weighing the pros and cons and expenses of keeping Gwennie as opposed to owning a different car, we decided to go the new route.

It wasn't what we set out to do yesterday, though.  We were on our way to test drive a totally different vehicle when we decided to pull into the Subaru dealership for just a peep.  After driving a few cars, comparing the Outback to the cars we thought we were interested in, and working a few numbers we ended up driving a Subaru home.

As Todd and I cleaned out ol' Gwen I was sad.  I just kept looking at her remembering all our good times, like...

...the feeling of being free after I dropped off the U-Haul...
...or, when Gwennie got her Colorado tags and then her Wyoming ones...
...or, how we rocked out to Poison's Unskinny Bop as we made our way up the mountain to the Eisenhower Tunnel when I moved from Vail to Laramie, Wyo.,...

She was a good lil' SUV.

Au revoir, Gwennie!  It's been fun!  I know you'll have a good new owner in no time!

(This photo is being super weird and won't upload in the horizontal direction.  You get the sentiment...)

Silence and noise

I came home from work tonight and the house was just...silent.

That's because Todd left this morning for a weekend of work and took Rigby with him.

I kind of felt like I didn't know what to do with myself - I've grown so accustomed to having a presence in the house, human or dog, that it was weird to be here just me, myself and I.

It's funny to feel that way though.  I've spent the majority of my years post-parental-nest living alone, and I could usually always find lots of ways to occupy myself, as I eventually did tonight. 

I guess I just miss my boys a little.

But there is one thing both Todd and I agree is a positive about this weekend: The extra room to sprawl in bed! 

Full size just doesn't cut it.

An anniversary

It's crazy to think Todd and I had our first date one year ago today!

How did the magic all begin?

My volleyball team played his, and separately our teams ended up at the same bar to have a beer. 

That sounds so...something-you-wouldn't-tell-your-kids-when-they-ask-how-you-and-dad-met, but it was innocent and fun - and we had already noticed each other across the court. 

He sat next to me and we hit it off, chatting and joking the night away.  He asked for my number, saying he would call the next day, and lo and behold - he did! 

I was impressed...what guy actually calls the next day?

Our first date?

Dinner at Burger King sushi, karaoke with my friends at Old Chicago, and a Bloody Mary at The Four Winds.  With much foresight my friend Brandon told me that night I was going to have to marry this guy because he actually sings! 

A year later we have a house, and a dog, and hopes of many more years together.

I really don't like volleyball, but am I sure glad I signed up (to be our team cheerleader) last year!

Playing footsie

These are not my feet, but that's how my own tootsies felt after indulging in something I haven't since leaving D.C.:  pedicures.

That doesn't mean I've let my feet go nasty and gnarled - I've been keeping up at home.  But nothing compares to going to the salon to get your toes done.  Nothing.    

I love pedicures. L.O.V.E. them - in a way that just can't be expressed completely in type.

I love the choosing of a color (something I take as seriously as if I was picking baby names).  And sitting in a massage chair reading trashy magazines with my feet relaxing in hot water, while ladies who speak another language chat with one another as if their customers aren't there.

Divine.

So, why haven't I done this since D.C.?  Because I just couldn't justify the extra expense. 

But I'm going to Vegas this week for work and Annie, my friend and coworker who is also going, and I decided we wanted to get pedis before heading out.

It was, to say the least, pedi perfection.

And something I won't go this long without doing again.

Ahhh............. *sigh*

Solemn

Todd's dad passed away unexpectedly Tuesday night. We're in Wisconsin...

Top 'o the mornin'

I hate this time of year because it's so dark when you wake up and when you're eating supper.

But I love one thing about it - the sunrise when you're out on a run or walk.

From mine and Rigby's walk this morning...

One week

Next Friday is a big, big day!

Todd signs on the house and we start moving in!

We just can not WAIT until we no longer have to set up an appointment to go over, but can just turn the key and walk in.

And I can't help but show it off. We've been over several times in the last week - either by invitation or doing ride-bys on our bikes - and have brought friends and family with us several times.

We went over on Friday with my parents to take one last look at all the stuff the current owners are getting rid of. They are selling just about everything they have and are taking their little vintage Scotty camper to Portland to spend their days with their kids and grandkids.

The very night they accepted Todd's offer they told us we could have first pick of anything they were going to sell. Which is incredibly nice of them and for us. They have/had? such great stuff! We got a lot of really cool rugs and lamps, a dining set, chest, a cute leather chair, lots of tools for Todd, and much more.

This weekend they're having a living estate sale and I brought friends over to check out what was left (and yes...that includes the house!).

The general consensus? That it's super nice and cute - which, of course, Todd and I already know!

Now, to get through one more week of another move and then it can be OURS!

Meet the parents part 2

It's Todd's turn. Again.

He was the first one to meet a parent - my dad - a few months ago. This week he's met my mom.

My parents are in town for a few days following a conference in Denver. I think it's all going great!

We had dinner and drinks out last night, which ended with karaoke. Todd's been really wanting to get at least one set of parents to karaoke. My parents didn't sing...oh, no. But Todd and I did and we all had a lot of fun!

This meeting the parents stuff is for the movies!

Peace

Todd's parents left this morning.

I really enjoyed meeting them and had a really nice time, but...nine days is a long time...for anyone to visit.

It's just really nice to be sitting on my couch, not talking to anyone, not making sure guests are comfortable, not. doing. anything.

Ahhh.

Meet the parents

Todd's parents came into town on Sunday. It's the first time I've met them and they're staying with us the whole time - about eight days!

Because of this, I have spent the last two weeks cleaning and packing like a crazy person. Then I spent Saturday and Sunday doing the same only with lots of grocery shopping, baking, and cooking thrown in.

Having the place spotless and food prepared was extremely important. I keep homes clean as it is, but with VIP company such as this I made sure to go the extra mile. And I wanted to have food ready to a) not be stuck in the kitchen the whole time they're here, and b) to assure them I can cook and their son isn't starving.

I didn't do all of this because I was nervous to meet his parents...though I admit I was a tad. But that's just because I very much wanted them to like me; and I felt that aside from my shining personality, proving my domestic capabilities would help that along.

So far it's been going great. Nance and Mel (that's what I'm secretly calling them instead of a much more proper Nancy and Melvin) are fun and we've had a good time. We've gone to Craig and April's so they could see the ranch and go fishing, had pizza at the Bear Tree in Centennial, looked at the new house, and had some nice meals polished off by homemade chocolate chip cookies and/or rhubarb pie.

Tomorrow night we're tossing around the idea of karaoke, which was something Todd and I did on our first date.

That idea could go either way!

Meet the Parents Cookies

1 1/2 cups softened butter or margarine (This is my sister Stacey's recipe which she has down to an art. She swears by using margarine, but I'd like to test the results with butter myself.)
1 1/4 cup of sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar (every, single time I say the words "brown sugar" I want to sing it like Mick Jagger does in the Rolling Stones' song of the same name)
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs

Cream together the above ingredients in a large bowl.

In another bowl sift together:
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Stir that into the creamed mixture.

Add a 24 oz. package of semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Drop by a small spoon-full onto two ungreased cookie sheets. Place one sheet each on the top and bottom oven shelves. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-14 minutes switching the cookie sheets about half-way through. (Stacey also has a system here where she takes the cookies out and lets them sit on the tray for five minutes. I tried this, but my oven doesn't bake as hot as hers so I left them in the oven longer and took them right off the tray. You can figure out your own system!)

Serve to boyfriend's/girlfriend's parents.

Moving continued...

So...

An interesting twist to the moving-in bit...

Todd bought a house!!!!

Last night!!!

A BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, PERFECT house that came completely out of the blue.

Ok, so the offer was simply accepted and of course lots of things can happen between now and getting the keys, but I am of the optimistic sort.

And...I had a good feeling about it based on a few "signs." I'll talk about those later, after it's all said and done.

I am so happy and proud of him!

But I want to

I went to Todd's on Sunday to do some laundry. Since I had time to spare I decided to start measuring rooms and furniture to see how things- if things - could really fit.

It was while I was in the "master bedroom" that I had a revelation...

If we swapped out night stands, moved that dresser there...hmmm...

By crackie - I think this would work!

I immediately texted Todd my theory and that I might bring a few kitchen things over.

I imagined a rather leisurely move in, but when I got his response of, "That's great!" something snapped inside. It was like a fire had been lit under my...butt.

I drove to my house and honest-to-goodness packed half of my kitchen into my car right then and there. As I drove that first packed car to my new home I texted him that much of my kitchen would be there when he got home. As well as myself.

Then the Sugarland song "Want To" came on the radio. It is THE ONLY song of their's that I like. I pulled into my new neighborhood with the windows down, the song blaring, and me singing at the top of my lungs.

My neighbors are gonna love me!

Whole world could change in a minute

Just one kiss could stop this spining

We could think it through

But I don't want to, if you don't want to

We could keep things just the same

Leave here the way we came, with nothing to lose

But I don't want to, if you don't want to

But I want you

Dream home

Last year I had four homes - D.C., Vail, Laramie, and finally Cheyenne. I guess there were actually five if you count my parent's house, which ended up being a brief visit versus the indefinite stay I was expecting.

After all my moving around last year I resolved that 2009 would be the year of being settled. But out of the blue came Todd, my boyfriend of the last several months, and wouldn't you know it? I've decided to move again - with him.

This is all very exciting, but it's a first for me. I've never lived with a "boy," well, ever, (unless you count Tyler a couple of times) and especially not one that was of any real meaning to me (you know I love ya' T!). I just simply never got that far down that path with someone. Now, here I am doing exactly what I didn't expect to do in 2009: house hunting.

Though Todd and I have basically been living together for months now, it took me some time to be ok with a formal, combining-our-stuff-"for-real" move.

He had been asking me to make this move for a while. But for a very independent, very self-sufficient girl like myself the idea of not having control over my own space where I make all the decisions, and honestly, where I will go if for some crazy reason he and I don't work out - was scary.

But one day, a few weeks ago when my boss and I were talking about this she made a point that really resonated: Life is short. If you even think you want to do this, you should. You won't know if it will work until you try, and if it doesn't then you look for someplace else.

Actually, there were several points in there. And they were all very black and white and to the point. She made it sound so simple! I knew I wanted to do this, and surely I could do something so straightforward and easy!

But a few days later I regressed to my old ways. A gal like me doesn't just change overnight! My independent, single-girl mentality reared up and I had what I'm calling "My Last Stand." I insisted we find a new place together...a place that would be our space and not one or the other's with the other person just making some room.

He agreed and we spent lots of time considering and talking about the merits of countless homes for both rent and sale. After seeing what was out there I got fed up and told Todd I've decided his place does make the most sense. It's a good space, and we'd save lots - let me emphasize LOTS - of money each month, and I was ready for us to just be in a place together. Wait - what's that I said?? Yeah...I know. I just needed to go through a process.

Then last night at his place we started mentally moving me in. It became pretty obvious that unless you see being able to open your dresser from the bed a benefit, it was going to be pretty cramped. It would work, but certainly not comfortably, and I've got to say...after eight years of living in a studio I've found my apartment now nearly palatial. Going back to creative living would be hard to do!

So, we decided we're kind of back to square one. I have spent the entire day driving by places and talking to landlords and looking at hell holes I have no desire to "make a go of."

But maybe that's what it's all about, making a go of something. It's not about where we live, but the living together and making room for one another physically, emotionally and mentally.

I'm learning that.

But I'd still like to know if anyone knows of a cute 3-bedroom...!