The Windy City

Wow, it was so windy last night!! Holy crap. I'm awoken at 2:30am by our house shaking, our bed shaking, and the most horrific sounds. Now if we were a stand alone house out in the middle of the country --- it might be less horrific, but we live in the middle of the city w/ buildings all around us - in fact we are attached on both sides to our neighbors and our house is all brick. So that was some pretty strong wind to shake that house. And of course our electric went out and our alarm didn't go off so it was the panicked get ready routine this morning. Not fun. Just to put a smile on everyone's face I've included this picture of Iris with her first set of pigtails. She has to be the sweetest thing ever!

Missed out...

This past weekend Wesley went to the Farm w/ Grandma and Grandpa and they had enough snow to sled ride. I was very jealous. One of my favorite things to do in winter is sled ride and Pittsburgh usually doesn't get enough snow. Just thought I would share these pictures...

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008! Who ever thought we would make it to 2008! Kinda crazy. I have to post these crazy pictures of my neice and nephew (which bring a smile to my face). The Kiehl family decided to dress up for New Years Day at Grandma's house. They all arrived in costume.. not sure why, but it was very cute. Andrea was Polly Anna, Mike was a runner (in running tights and all), Wes was a knight, and Iris was Tinker Bell. We started the new with our traditional pork and sauerkraut dinner and we played a wild game of Cranium.

For New Years Eve - Craig and I went to Kirsten Ream's house and enjoyed a lovely dinner with a wide array of individuals from all over the world. I spent the most time talking to a girl from Mongolia. Very interesting.

Hope 2008 is a good year for all!

Borrrrrrrrrring..zzzzzzz

Its the day after Christmas and no one is at work. No emails, no phone calls, no one is stirring. If I sit here too long I soon will be snoring. Yes, it is really dead at work. It might even be more dead than it was on Christmas Eve. Crazy. Its only 8:46am and I feel like I've put an entire day in already. I guess you have to enjoy these days amongst the typical chaos.

Christmas was a WONDERFUL day. It couldn't have been better. I woke up really excited to open presents - I almost felt like a little kid. Craig got me an umbrella, leather gloves, a Natasha Benningfield CD, new shoes (Clarkes- the best!), and a BEAUTIFUL diamond band. He's a good good man.

Craig and I went to see National Teasure (the 2nd one). Good, clean flick. Its nice not to be bombarded with boobies and the F bomb every 3 seconds. A nice suprise - the tickets were only $5.00!! We splurged and ate lunch there - our day old hot dogs w/ crusty buns and nachos with fake cheese only cost 20 bucks! That is so crazy, but we had fun.

After the movie I had a phone call from Wesley - he was waiting at Grandma's house for our arrival and he told "Greta, I've already opened my stocking because you are taking too long." We arrived at Grandma's and the wrapping paper starting ripping. I think Wes and Iris had a good Christmas too. After Iris opened a present she would instantly say Help, please - Help, Please. She wanted the toys out of the box asap. So cute.

Then Craig and I tromped home and wore off the Christmas buzz by watching "Home Alone" (good classic Christmas movie).

Office Christmas Parties...

Office Christmas parties are not usually my favorite thing. That being said - last night we had the all of UPMC HR Christmas party at Shootz in the South Side. This year was a little bit different than last year because I actually knew some people. I have to say it was much more fun that last year. Some of the night's festivities included my Vice President of HR singing karokee. Never thought I would ever see that in a million years. As the night unfolded and the alcohol kept flowing there were some pretty interesting karokee debuts. Some of the people that I viewed as very staunch - loosened up and went all out. I guess I missed the manager of Healthplan's HR ripping his t-shirt off. That would have been hilarious. I had one office party, when I was a teacher in VA, that I will never live down - so I chose to keep it to one drink at office parties. You never want to be the talk of the company - especially at UPMC. I remember one year we went to Craig's office party when he worked for a small public accounting firm -- they had hired a comedian for entertainment. The comedian made some comment about a guy that was getting up to leave (the guy was an employee's husband) and the guy turned around, flipped the comedian off and screamed F*** You! I think everyone had their jaws on the floor for a very long time --- need I remind you that this is a room of stuffy accountants? I remember a Partner that was sitting at our table saying that the employee who was with this guy would probably be fired. Needless to say I've attended and been a part of some crazy Office Christmas Parties.

Updates and bits of useless info..

Well, I blogged a couple of days ago about Messiah Connectedness and I just got the call that Emily, the candidate from Messiah accepted our position! It was a very hard to fill position so I am very excited that she took it.

We had groundbreaking on our new kitchen yesterday!! So exciting. It looks good so far - can't wait until its completed. Doing dishes in the bathroom sink is not fun and kind of gross.

Craig is loving his new job. Those of you that are familiar with public accounting know that life can be non-stop - working until all hours and on the weekends. Craig has finally found a job that allows him to have life/work balance. He loves it!

My job is much better. We finally have a full staff and I can breathe. Yeah!

Its like 99% sure that my brother, my sister-n-law, and the kids (Iris and Wes) will be moving to Warren, PA - our old hometown. My life as I know is officially being picked up and transplanted 3 hours away. I'm totally bummed. I will miss them like crazy, but I know its all in God's plan.

Hunting season was successful. My dad and brother both got deer.

Looking forward to some upcoming trips -- April 13th - Robin's wedding in New Orleans and sometime in Spring heading to Vegas to visit Craig's family.

Sprite Zero is pretty good. I'm not one for diet stuff, but sprite zero is decent

I'm heading off to Bible Study tonight. Can't wait to find out how pregnancy is going for Kaitlyn.

Steelers VS Patriots

Well, the big game is this Sunday and I have to say I am kind of scared to watch! I really really really really really really really want the Steelers to give Tom Brady a good beating, but we all know that Patriots know how to play the game especially against the Steelers. Lets hope it doesn't rain again -- I'm getting sick of those games. In Pittgirl's blog www.theburghblog.com she says this --- and this says it best.

"In light of the upcoming game with Satan’s Football Team led by Satan’s death angel and coached by Satan himself, I think all of Steeler Nation joins me in asking Willie Parker to HOLD ON TO THE FREAKING BALL."

GO STILLLLLLLLERSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!