July 24th, 2009
Last Sunday, Andrea and I threw a party for Mom and Dad. They turned 60 in April and June and had their 35th wedding anniversary in February, so we figured that deserved a party! It rained all day until their party at 2 and then it turned beautiful. We may have had said a few prayers for it to clear up!
Andrea has a friend that does cakes, so we had her duplicate (a few less tiers) their wedding cake. Mom still had her cake topper!
Mom and Dad cutting the cake. They even used the same knife and server. Jim and I used those, too.
Family shot. We missed Erik, but he wasn’t feeling well.
Yesterday, Mom, Dad, Andrea, Erik, Jim and I went to the Tigers game. We had great seats – only 30 rows back! We drove through rain all the way there. There was a short rain delay, then beautiful weather during the game. As soon as we left it started to rain again. We drove through a really really bad storm on the way back. But once again, God answered our prayers for clear weather when we needed (wanted) it!
Our Tiger, Brandon Inge, up at bat. Unfortunately, he didn’t do too well.
Miguel Cabrera – he didn’t too well either!
Curtis Granderson, hit a beauty… right into the glove of a Seattle player…
Comerica Park – very nice and apparently supports our auto makers
Another field shot
The Braams at Comerica Park
July 16th, 2009
So, I hate being unprepared. Not having a plan if something happens, is not OK with me. So, one of things I had thought about was what if I got a ton of groceries, like over $150 worth, and then went to check out. My stuff is bagged, I go to get my wallet out of my purse… and my wallet isn’t there! What would I do? Would I have to put everything back? Well, you don’t actually. I found that out last night!
I was getting ready to pull my wallet out after shopping and, it wasn’t there and I knew exactly where it was. At home in the bag I took to the beach. Argh. So, I tell the cashier this and he’s like, “Do you live close?” “Yes,” I said. “Just a mile down the road.” “OK, I will finishing ringing this up and you can go home. Just pay for it at the service counter.”
There you go, folks. Not as embarrassing as I thought it would be – although I hope to never do that again. I didn’t get escorted out and they didn’t accuse me of trying to steal groceries.
So, if you ever forget your wallet, hopefully you can avoid any further embarrassment as well.
July 4th, 2009
Happy Independence Day! Hope you are able to enjoy the day, even though the weather isn’t that great.
What have we been up to?
Well, a couple of weeks ago our friends Mark and Jenn got married. Awesome wedding, awesome food, just awesome. 
The wedding was in Holland the reception was in Saugatuck at a beautiful golf course where they served all local foods and beverages. Wine from the Leelanau Peninsuala, local vegetables and fruits and other deliciousness.
The next weekend, our friends Jason and Sarah got married. We were able to be the master and mistress of ceremonies. This was also an awesome wedding. The reception was at the Grand Rapids Museum and the exhibits and carousel were ours for the evening. Amazing!
There’s Sarah getting ready to walk down the aisle
Also that same weekend, Jim played in the Ludington Macker. How is that possible? Well, we made it work. We drove up early on Saturday and he played and won one game. Then we came back and mastered and mistressed the wedding. Then back up for a full day in Ludington on Sunday. Needless to say, we were exhausted. But, Jim and his team did get 2nd place!
Then last weekend was the Reeds Lake Run. I did the 10K again, but hadn’t trained very well this year. I have only been running a few times a week since the Riverbank. I was able to finish, but did it a little slower than I wanted.
Then later that day it was Julie’s open house! It was a beautiful and hot day. Lots of food, friends and family. I think I OD’d on those blasted butter mints. MMMM so tasty.
Jim’s helping to set up
Julie with her Costco cakes!
We’ve got some more basketball tournaments and runs coming up, so it should continue to be fun summer. We are hoping to fit in a vacation soon, too!
May 26th, 2009
Time for another bi-monthly update. I would like to do them more, but these days are getting away from me! So, I will now resort to my favorite method of updating: BULLETS!
- Jim and I both finished the Riverbank. Jim got a better time in his 10K than he was going for. Yay Jim! I got a worse time than I was going for, but I was able to run the whole thing – no stopping. Given the hills and rain: Yay me!
- We celebrated 3 years of wedded bliss on May 12. We used a gift card to Carraba’s (I had never been there) and went mini-golfing at Craig’s Cruisers. Our waiter found out it was our anniversary and gave us free champagne! It was a good time, but no trip to Mexico… He also got me a beautiful bouquet of flowers!
- I headed to Dallas Texas from May 13-May 15 for a database conference. Fabulous time! *sarcasm* Well, I did go with some people from work I enjoy and we stayed in a really nice hotel, but I got horribly sick the day we left. Full on snot attack to the head, chest and nose. I am actually still getting over that.
- On Memorial Day, we ran in the Jenison 5K. It was a really small race and we just had to go down the road. Jim and I both got our best times ever. After that we headed home and watched the huge parade with Audrey and the kids. Then it was a bike ride to Byron Center and back and then ended the day with a fire. Good day!
- I got a new road bike! Now I can almost keep up with Jim.
- I have been doing a few websites lately. I am still really enjoying it. Check out www.rooksarchitecture.com and www.autobodyxperts.com – especially if you want to build a house or get your car fixed!
- This weekend, Jim and I are headed to Petoskey from some camping, bike riding and other fun things. We’ll also be able to visit Aunt Marla and Uncle Norm. I am really looking forward to getting away.
As you can see we are staying busy and enjoying spring so far!
May 7th, 2009
Well, I didn’t post once in April. Oops!
A lot happened in April some good, some bad. The short of it is, I still have my job and a lot of people don’t. It’s a tiring and stressful time for everyone right now, so I am praying that God continues to do his work. I know he will.
The Riverbank is in two days! They had to change the course this year because of the river flooding. Translation: more hills. Other translation: not Wendy-friendly.
Oh well. I will try my best. Stay tuned for the results.
Happy birthday to my “little” sister who turns 23 today… oh man.
March 26th, 2009
Well, things have been crazy lately. Mostly good crazy.
Last Saturday started our race season for the year with the Irish Jig in East Grand Rapids. It was cold like usual and only snowed a little at the start. Jim did really well of course and I almost beat my best time – just three seconds slower. I am feeling pretty good about it especially since I have been training for the Riverbank 25K and not the shorter races.
So, the next race will be the Riverbank for both of us. Jim’s doing the 10K and I am doing the 25K for some reason. I have until May 9 to really make up my mind, but I am planning on it for now. I am up to 10 miles, so I only have to pull out 5 1/2 more… oy.
I got to see baby Brennan and Chaeli last Saturday. What a doll! All of my friends are having such cute babies.
I am loving the warmer weather and sunshine! Keep it coming!
March 3rd, 2009
I decided to create a list of my current favorite things (there are subject to change).
- Mapmyrun.com – comes in handy for keeping tracking of your runs. You can map out runs and figure out the distance and it will track the calories you burn and your average rate.
- DVR – So, Jim and I are semi-addicted to TV. DVR is helping to feed the habit. Monday it’s Big Bang Theory, Heroes, Chuck and 24. Tuesday is Biggest Loser (just for me). Wednesday is Lost (of course). Thursday is The Office, 30 Rock and CSI. Isn’t that ridiculous?!?!
- Stonyfield Farm Organic Fat Free French Vanilla yogurt – YUM! I buy it in the big 32 oz containers and even though it’s good for you, I am sure if I were to eat the whole thing in one sitting it probably wouldn’t be the best idea.
- Wheel of Fortune – another TV show (darn!). Yes, I am a member of the Wheel Watcher’s Club and Yes, I have a Spin ID. I may have applied to go on the show. This may be my plan to pay off my student loans. I will keep you updated on this one. (Yes. Your “nerd alert” is going off.)
- Tax returns – Getting a good return this year!!
This concludes today’s list of my current favorite things.
February 14th, 2009
Punxsutawney was definitely a unique experience. Here’s some pictures if you haven’t seen them on Facebook yet. We got up at 4 AM to make it up to Gobbler’s Knob by 5. We got to see fireworks at 6:30 AM (first time for sure) and Phil came out of his stump (or was pulled out) at 7:15. That darn groundhog saw his shadow. Too bad I decided against carrying a handgun with me. Punxsy Phil would have seen his last shadow.
Looking up to the stage with the “Inner Circle” ready to talk to Phil
Suz, Josh and I at Gobbler’s Knob at 5 AM
Jim bundled up and ready to see Phil
There are 32 of these groundhog statues around town. This was the mosaic one – my favorite
And this is Phil with his wife Phyllis. They live in a room in the library. You can visit him all the time. Sort of ruined it for you, didn’t it?
January 25th, 2009
Life has been good recently, nothing too exciting. So, I haven’t been posting. But the natives are getting restless (Mandie!! ), so here I am with an update.
Yesterday, I played in the alumni basketball game at my high school. We only had five girls show up, so we ended up playing with the guys. Our school changed names my senior year when we moved to our new building. We went from Calvary Baptist Academy (kinda makes you cringe) to Calvary Christian Schools. So, our two teams at the basketball game consisted of the two schools. Technically, I should have been on the CCS team, but CBA only had one girl. I crossed over to the other side and played with my former Bible class teacher, people from the class of 91 and twins that are about 6′ 7″. And we didn’t even win!! It went into overtime, but in the end our missed free throws and lay-ups caught up with us. It was a fun time though. And even though I run a few times a week it most certainly does not make you in shape for playing in a two hour basketball game. Oy…
This next thing will most likely make you all green with envy. Next weekend, Jim and I will be joining the Brandsen’s in a trip of a lifetime. We are going to Punxsutawney, PA to see Phil the groundhog come out of his hole and forecast the seasonal future. Now now… jealousy is a sin! I will be sure to take pictures so you can feel like you were there.
And that dang groundhog better tell me that spring is coming next week because this cold is driving me crazy!
January 7th, 2009
Take a look at number 5:
Sexiest Careers You Never Thought Of
Yep. Uh-huh.
