Guess what we're doing Saturday night

There is no place like Nebraska

Good 'ole Nebraska U

Where the girls are the farest

The boys are the squarest

Of any 'ole place that I knew

There is no place like Nebraska

Where we're all true blue

We'll stick together

Through all kinds of weather

It's good 'ole Nebraska U

Are singing along? My Grandma Chase taught me those words and I belt them out every time I hear the song.

If I can't be in Nebraska, Nebraska will come to me! We were just watching the news and there was a segment on University of New Mexico volleyball. Mike said, "I wonder if NE ever plays here." And literally 2 seconds later, the news guy said that UNM would be matched up with UNL this Saturday! Woohoo! Tickets are $5 so we are planning on going...you can only buy single tix in person prior to the game so they better have some available when we get there!

YAY!! SO excited to see the #5 rated NE volleyball team play!

Check out this nice article...the whole time I just kept saying "that's right UNM, you better be ready for us!!" Time to dust off my Husker gear!!

GO BIG RED!! GO BIG RED!! GO BIG RED!!

that went well

The first day at my new job ~ It went pretty well. It's obviously a completely different job than what I was doing before(although many of the skills I have developed can be carried over to my new position), but it's also completely different way of thinking compared to my "old" job. My previous role was really getting down to the nitty gritty of processes, working to identify root causes, and identifying potential solutions ~ although I do have some of this in my new position, much of what I did today was more high-level/big picture thinking.

Today was a really great day but I can already see some of the areas I probably need to place on my development plan. :) I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day and unfortunately forgot to marinate the chicken for dinner. Whooops!(also forgot to eat lunch today) After I came downstairs, Mike said "Go get ready, we're going out to dinner to celebrate your first day." Now, if you know Mike at all...when he suggests we go out to dinner, you don't question it, you throw on your clothes and run to the car before he changes his mind. You probably picked up the fact that Mike doesn't suggest we go out to eat very often??!!! (that itself probably is a blessing in disguise -- but I do enjoy eating out as long as it's a delicious meal) We had a yummy dinner at La Plancha(we'd never been) and went to Frogurt for dessert. Frogurt was fantastic---you get to pick out your yogurt, then get to put any kind of toppings on that you want(out of 50 or so toppings I'd say), then you pay by the ounce. Delish!! I had cake batter yogurt with a small brownie, a couple reeces peanut butter cups, some butterscotch syrup, a few hot tomales, & topped it off with two sour gummy worms. Yummy!
Are you droolin' yet?

Nothing too exciting to post

Date: August 20, 2011
Time: 7:13 Mountain time
What'd I just do: Checked my work email and probably need to spend a few hours "at" work tomorrow
What'd I do today: Got up at 6:30 and went to Indian Market(huge event) and the Farmers market this morning with Mike before he went to work. I went to Starbucks and enjoyed a skinny caramel latte and read my book for a few hours.
What am I doing tomorrow: Running 9 miles, making some cinnamon swirl protein bread(if I can find a grocery store that sells a big pkg of Ideal), and hopefully finishing my book.
What happened last night: We found out our drainage in our back yard works great...the storm we had was crazy!
What's Stu doing right now: laying on the bed next to me.
What's Blvd doing: laying in Ranger's kennel in the loft.
What did I just do that is really annoying: wrote this post with the iPad...think I'll stick with the normal computer when I can. IPad was not very conducive to blog writing.

Have a great Saturday evening!

I did a funny thing this morning

It's called torturing myself by waking up at 5am and running 8 miles on a Monday morning. What in the world was I thinking...seriously!?? Why 5am you ask -- because I log in to work around 7am(give or take 15 mins on either end) so I had to be done by that time and we started at 5:30. It was rough but it was 1,000 times better than it could have been because Anne joined me on this silly idea. We weren't able to get our long run in this weekend so apparently we thought the next best thing was to run it Monday morning.

Ok - all that whining aside, it really wasn't too terribly bad. Finishing is always the goal and finishing we did! We both agree that we won't be able to do that early of a morning on future runs since they keep getting longer from here out.(Anne works Sat/Sun and I work during the week so that translates to always needing to run EARLY!) Starting next week, we may need to brave some heat/sun and run in the evenings. Our race is going to be hot so we best be gettin' used to it.

In other news ~ Mike has a bear skin hanging in our loft(some people cringe at that - sorry if you're offended - it is what it is) and Ranger decided to yank it down off the wall last night. That's AWESOME!! Luckily, besides pulling out the nails, there was no damage to the wall. Ranger apparently also knows how to open doors...I guess he decided he was bored outside and decided to open to the door to get back in. Hmmm...sounds like a trouble maker, right? :)

a new job

In July, I applied for, interviewed for, was subsequently offered a new position, and I accepted the position at my employer. YAY! Officially starting 8/22, I will be a Sourcing Analyst for the Contact Center. I will basically be the point person for the contact center's outsourced account. I'm really looking forward to it...I've been in various contact center positions through my first 4 years at my employer and now I'm headed back to that department and working with the fabulous people. It's sad to leave my current position. I've never worked with a bad group of people at my employer and my current team is no different...going to miss everyone I currently work with.

I am able to maintain my home worker status so I'm thrilled for the opportunity to be able to advance my career even though I'm a home-based worker. I used to think working from home would really restrict my opportunities but I feel anything is possible now! The other fun piece is that I'll have the opportunity to travel to the Philippines a few times a year...travel=always fun for Kirsten. Maybe I'll throw the hubs in my suitcase or something.

Maybe this will get me one step closer to figuring out 'what I want to be when I grow up.' :)

I'll be dabbling in my new position next week(attending a few meetings, better understanding some of my responsibilities, etc)...can't wait.

Happy weekend everyone!

in full force

I'm in full force half-marathon training!! I think I'm about half way through and I run the Santa Fe half on September 18th.(which also happens to be my 2nd wedding anniversary) Although I got off to a late start with training, this time around is going much better than the training for my half in March. I can actually sort of breath...must be getting used to the elevation...and I have running partners. Boulevard has been accompanying me on my early morning 3-4 mile runs, not only for safety but also to keep my booty running up those hills. Not to mention he packed on a few pounds after surgery(hey-I felt bad because he was basically starved for 4 weeks during that whole ordeal) so he's had a cut back on food and a new workout regime(lots of walks and running) for him is a good thing. Anne is also training for the same race so we've been running a few times. I did 7 miles today by myself but hopefully Anne will run with me on my future long runs.

Mike and I had planned a weekend motorcycle trip to Durango but since the weather is so unpredictable with the rain, we decided to forego the trip. BUT I just decided I'm going to keep my day off scheduled for tomorrow as I originally had and Mike and I are going to ride locally and spend the day together.(his weekend is Monday/Tuesday) Considering he left this morning around 8am and won't get home until 10pm tonight, I can't wait to hang with the hubs all day!

hodge podge of the latest Carp family happenings

Last Friday, we went to the Santa Fe Opera ~ first time either of us have been to an Opera. I think we both agree the best part of the Opera was the 2 hr tailgate prior to. :) There was about 15 of us or so that tailgated and then attended the Opera. We saw Griselda and left at intermission...it didn't start until 9pm, it wasn't horrible but it was a little "dry," and since Mike's head was bobbing within the first 5 minutes, we decided to leave at intermission with a bunch of other people. The Santa Fe Opera facility is incredible. It's covered but it's all open-air and just lovely with wonderful views.

A proper tailgate involves a portable grill, brats, wine, and heels & dresses??!

Relaxing with friends and enjoying the tail gate and beauty of NM before the Opera.

It's monsoon season in Santa Fe so in the evenings the clouds roll in and make for amazing skies. I think this one is especially pretty.
This last week, Mike had inservice with all the NM BLM Rangers and Agents. On Thursday, he did a demonstration for the BLM state office employees and everyone at the inservice, along with any family members(that's me!).

Here's Mike...

Here is Ranger biting the Special Agent in Charge of NM. They did a role play situation in which he pushed Mike and Ranger took off after him.
Ranger says, "Don't mess with my daddy or I'll take you down punk!" I plan to never be in that bite suit!!

I was looking through some of Mike's pictures from his K9 training in OH. One night, they did pool/water work so here they are playing in the water.

This was after Ranger did his bite work in the water. He got to take the bite sleeve as a "reward." :) (that's what's laying next to him) I guess it was difficult to get Ranger out of the water because he loved it so much.

And my newest love ~ we traded in our Mazda 3 last night for a Nissan Juke, aka the Jukester. I was so obsessed with this vehicle that I didn't care how impractical a decision it was. We basically got our way in the entire deal so we are the proud owners of this mini-SUV! Hmm...where should I drive it to this afternoon??