Living Loving Larsen : 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Over and Out

In recent months/years blogging has become a chore and a to-do list item rather than something that I truly enjoyed doing. In the beginning it was a place to keep in touch with family and to keep a family journal. Over time I realized I wasn't blogging because there were things that I wanted recorded but not in a public space and I wasn't journaling because I felt like the time should be focused on the blog. I have debated about what to do because I still want to keep a family journal and to keep in touch with my family. After using my blog as one more thing to beat myself up about I have decided to let it go. I won't be deleting anything that I have previously posted but for the foreseeable future I won't be posting anything new. I am on Facebook and Instagram and I am planning on posting in both places more often in 2015. Thank you for your comments and support in the past of this blog.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

New bedding

On Friday night Eric and I went down to Ikea in Chicago to buy new bedding. When we moved in July we had gotten a new king sized bed and new sheets but we had never purchased blankets or a comforter. We finally found ones we both liked, were a price we could afford and hopefully won't be too snagged by kittens climbing on to our bed and then wrestling.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Kittens

Eric and I adopted two kittens from a stray mama cat that was found by Eric's new boss. We originally were only going to get one kitten but when I went to meet the kittens I fell in love with two and couldn't choose so we brought home two. Moggie is a boy with black and white coloring. Munchkin is a girl with long hair and black with caramel coloring. About once a day I think, "I am so grateful we got two so they can play together." We have been so lucky with the kittens not destroying anything or making a huge mess. The love to snuggle with Eric and I. The funniest thing is they like to be held like babies; on their backs with their legs in the air.

Leah's gymnastic meet

When I went home to help my sister with the new baby I got to go to my niece's first gymnastics meet. Leah was second out of six and did very well. She was so proud of herself and did so well. She is one of the younger girls on her level. I am excited to see her progress and get better as she develops her talent.

Aquanauts

There are a lot of lakes in our near by area and on one of the lakes there is a free water ski show every week. Eric and I decided to drive over. We didn't know that the team was a high school non profit team that works to help kids. We kept laughing because the lake was near the intersection of highway O and Z. I felt like we were on our way to Oz.

Kenosha county fair

The company Eric works for buys a cow at the county fair every year. This year Eric and I went with the honors of bidding on and buying the cow. The fair was a fun experience and I am glad we went but I will be honest it only made me miss the Iowa State Fair even more.

Packer girl

When Eric and I moved to Kenosha we knew we wanted to jump in and really get settled here. One of the fun things we wanted to do was get our drivers licences and licence plates. Eric found that when you get the Packer plates the money goes to helping maintain Lambeau Field. We are becoming true cheeseheads.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Our first week in Wisconsin

After getting the keys to our apartment we did a quick run to Target (which is less than two miles away) to grab a couple items and then we unpacked my car. That night we slept on an air mattress in our own home.

Tuesday morning Eric had to go to the hospital for an interview to get privileges to perform surgery. Then my parents came into town and we headed out to lunch. That afternoon we went shopping for a king sized bed. We found one that worked that was a great deal at Menard's. Luckily, we still had the moving truck so Eric brought the truck and we loaded up the bed. That evening ward members from our new ward came and helped up unload the truck. It was so great to not have to carry everything up the stairs ourselves. Wednesday morning was random errands and getting our new drivers license and license plates. Thursday Eric had to work in the morning and then in the afternoon we headed down to Ikea to get fun things. Since we were in Chicago we had to get deep dish pizza. Friday was the 4th of July. The morning was spent being lazy at home and then we went to the pool party at the Kenosha Country Club. That evening we went to the 4th of July celebration down by Lake Michigan. The weather was cool almost cold which was quite a switch for me. The fireworks were the best we have ever seen. We were as close as you could be so the fireworks looked huge. Saturday we went to the Kenosha Harbor Market and then some more errands. Sunday was church and my birthday celebration. The week of fun wrapped up Monday morning with Eric going to work and me and my parents going out to breakfast before my parents headed home.

Monday, July 7, 2014

We have arrived

Eric and I are finally here and mostly settled in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin! The last month has been crazy to say the least but we made it.

I have avoided writing this post because I wasn't sure how to process all of the emotions that go with moving. I was excited, nervous, overwhelmed, scared, happy, hopeful and more. The hardest part was leaving great friends in Baltimore and the week of good-byes before we left.

My last day of work was June 20th and I had two great parties from my work friends. My job at the library had been such a great blessing for the last eighteen months. I have never been in a work environment that was so friendly and so much fun.

The rest of the week was a lot of good-byes and parties. We had dinner with our friends from church who took time to feed us even though they were preparing to move across town at the same time we were moving. The ladies from church threw me a good-bye party were we all painted our nails and had a blast eating and laughing. During the day on Thursday I went thrift store shopping with Sarah. We found great deals and had a blast finding great deals.

On Thursday night I went to a birthday party for the little girl I used to be a nanny for. Eric wasn't able to make it so on Friday night we headed over to Mandy and Fred's house to say good-bye again. The last day of good-byes was on Sunday. We only made it to the last twenty minutes of church due to craziness with the rental truck and car carrier. After church there was a linger longer and I said good-bye to friends. When we got home our friends stopped by to make sure we were okay and to say good-bye. At that point we pulled out of town.

The drive went much easier than I thought; granted Eric was the one driving the truck that was pulling the car. On Sunday night we stayed in Wheeling, WV. A huge storm was moving in right as we got to the hotel.

We arrived in Wisconsin at about 3:30 on June 30th and were able to get right in to our apartment.

Friday, May 30, 2014

We have a new home!

The master bathroom

Yesterday Eric spent the day looking at apartments in Kenosha, WI. After a bit of drama we are in the process of signing a lease for this condo.

The dining and part of the living room

The building

The view from the garage

The view from the deck

The kitchen

Our cul-de-sac

Master bedroom

The garage

master bath tub

Going in the front door

The master closet

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Cape may

On Saturday I took the time to go with friends for a girls day to Cape May, NJ. It was fabulous. We met in the morning at the church and then drove to Delaware to catch the ferry. The ferry ride there was so relaxing. There were even dolphins to guide us on the way. After a bite to eat at The Pilot House we did some shopping. Even though I was tempted to shop like crazy I only allowed myself a new sun hat. I had been thinking about one for awhile so when I found one that fit my small head, wasn't expensive and was cute I took the plunge.

After shopping we hit the beach. The water was freezing! Luckily the sun was warm and it felt wonderful to lie in the sun and have my toes in the sand. There were two guys surfing and I was envious of their wetsuits that let them be out in the water.

There ferry on the way back calm and less windy than the morning trip. We were first in line so we grabbed the comfortable chairs.

Our ferry ride let us see the very beginning of sunset. The colors were amazing. It was one of those days that makes everything feel all better. It was a long day but one filled with many memories and a chance to get to know some really awesome ladies even better than I did.

Monday, May 5, 2014

The rain came down and the floods came up

Living room from front door looking in

Wednesday April 30th was a crazy day for me. I went and had a hair appointment, stopped by a friends house to chat, ran errands and then came home to a flood in my entire apartment. I took pictures soon after I got home so I didn't get the severity of the flood. By the time the water stopped coming in there was standing water on every inch of floor space. So like an emotional girl I sent a text to Eric to have him come home and then called my mom (who lives in Iowa so there wasn't a whole lot she could do but talk me through it).

kitchen floor

master bed room looking in

master bed room in front of closets

We had to move every piece of furniture at least three times to rotate around trying to get the carpet dry. Eric had the genius idea to go get the furniture coasters so our wood furniture was up off the damp carpet after the excess water and pad was pulled out on Thursday. We have moved everything back and forth as we waited for carpet to dry.

living room on Thursday

The last week has reinforced two things. One, I never want to live in the home that I am renovating. Two, while with renting I might not have to pay for the damage I also can't choose how to fix the problem. I would not have been trying to save this carpet. Had the carpet been pulled then the whole apartment would have been dry by Friday morning and we would have been good to go.

corner of living room on Thursday

I have also been reminded of the importance of patience, kindness and remembering that God will not give you more than you can handle. Whenever I felt that I was going to lose it Eric would give me a big hug or someone would call or text making sure I was okay. It has been a stressful week and it isn't over but I keep reminding myself it could have been a whole lot worse. Other apartments were full of raw sewage. We also didn't lose any important items or big furniture pieces. Now I have to put my apartment back together for a few weeks just to take it all apart and move in June.