Face it...I'm a bit hooked...

Well, geez...it's about time! I joined Facebook a couple of weeks ago and well, I'm starting to liken it to "carrots for smokers".

I'm a gal who likes to be in touch, on the pulse of what's going on. And, when I cut back on one area (which is never fun) then I have to find something else to busy my mind when I have a moment at work, kids are in bed or ribB is out hunting. That "bag of carrots" for me is now Facebook.

It's not the same as my "smokes" (so vague, I know), but it's been a fun distraction. I've enjoyed finding old friends and keeping in touch with folks. It's also been a pretty funny way to find profiles on some of our work clients here--that's always a hoot. It's quite easy to get sucked into the vortex and right now it's a welcome place to put a smidge of my "extra" (ha ha--what's that?) time. If you're on Facebook, be sure to request me as a friend,chat with me or what not...I'd love to be in touch with you there.

Other than my time on Facebook, the family has been up to some of the following:
*the kids & I went halloween costume shopping last weekend while ribB hunted. At the moment, little B is going to be the "black spiderman" (Venom) and Kdee is going to be the Elizabeth pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean. This is...if everyone demonstrates good behavior over the next days. For whatever reason, both of them have been acting up a bit more lately, which is kind of weird and, yes, annoying. Ah well. They're kids and we'll get through it. We also enjoyed a lunch at Noodles and little B even complimented me that I didn't spill on myself. Oh my...even the 3 year old knows I'm a "spiller". Ha! We had a pretty great time overall.

*I was able to have some girl time out last weekend--first with my coworker, Mary. I got, well, a little too goofy for my britches. It'd been a long time since I whooped it up that much. Sorry to anyone who might have been in my path...I was definitely not quite myself in all that whoop-ness. THEN, on Saturday, I had dinner out with 2 dear friends who I've known since kindergarten, Jac & Ang. It's always such a blessing to hang with folks who just "know" who you are. It does my soul good to be with them (and next time, Lisa, I'm sure you'll make it!)

*Kdee participated in some "little digger" volleyball practices at her school and is now involved in the "little dribblers" basketball program (which is more formal than the volleyball one). With all of her height and athleticism, it will be fun to see how she does. She seems to like it so far and claims she's doing well with the first skills of shooting free throws! Boy, does this bring back memories for us.

*ribB is gearing up for multiple weekends away for hunting! I will give him credit in that he's stuck to the "schedule" better this year and has had more time at home than usual. I have greatly appreciated that fact (as have the kids). But come next weekend, we'll probably see little of him until after Thanksgiving. He is very, very excited.

*summer is officially over at the lake...the dock is coming out this weekend...

and, speaking of this weekend...it looks like we'll have some good fun! ribB is going out with his coworkers tonight. Tomorrow, some chores and Ann is coming to stay overnight--yea! We are all very excited for that and it looks like ribB/I will have a date. Wow! Then Sunday...Church and probably High School Musical 3...I'm waiting a couple of days to see it with Kdee b/c there's no way there will be tickets tonight!

Have a great weekend all! Hope to see you on Facebook! (sorry, no pics this time.I hope to get some new ones this weekend!)

and a couple more...

Here's a couple of photos from the national Anytime Fitness conference. Our agency does a majority of the marketing and branding design for Anytime Fitness, and have been for almost 3 years. It's quite a feat, given how small our agency is. A lot of work, but a lot of fun getting to know all of the folks involved with this rapidly growing franchise. (FYI: Anytime Fitness is now in Australia, with growth into other countries projected for 2009...it's been interesting converting the American design/brand into something that will speak/sell to the Australians!) Besides our usual stuff, our agency designed all of the signage, pamphlets, handouts, etc. for the conference.

This was our first year attending so it was a blast getting to put a lot of faces with names. Overall, everything went really--including our giveaways being a big hit (nothing fancy, but the one item--a green bag--was THE thing everyone was tracking us down to receive...we laughed about that...).

Heather is such a blast to hang out with, even drive 5 1/2 hours with--she made the experience all the better. We laughed so much during our 4 days together. I couldn't have gone there with anyone else and had as much fun or sanity as I had with her. So many good jokes (like "Ancient Chinese Secret", "little man", "Amazon" or "Izzy's Supper Club"...I could go on. We were literally on the floor laughing a couple of times. I kid not.)

Now, it's back to the grind here at work...thankfully still laughing, with some reprieve from the regular kookiness of life...

birthday mania pictures...

My sweet coworkers decorated the office up with pictures of my favorite bands and "you rock" goodies (including everyone wearing "all access" passes). We celebrated a day early because on my actual birthday Heather and I traveled to a client conference. I was spoiled! Then ribB, the kids and I went to my Mom/Paul's house for a fun birthday dinner of my choice...Swedish sausage...what can I say? It's an old family favorite that I haven't had in a long time (last holiday season? maybe longer!). It was perfection!
I received lots of fun gifts from both my coworkers and family...I felt like a queen.
I also received some beautiful flowers from Angie & Jacqueline--aren't they gorgeous? And this photo is from today...they seem to get better with each day! Thanks all!

pictures to tell the story...

so many pictures, so little uploads. Here are the next round:

*Michelle and I ventured into Minneapolis for a night of city life and gal time on Oct 3...we saw Kathy Griffin (hilarious! Seriously doubled over in laughter so much), hit Solera and the bar scene, then stayed at the Graves hotel. We had a great time--lots of girl chats, laughter and skyline oogling. But then the next morning...my car keys jumped into Michelle's purse and she had to drive back to Mpls to give them to me. Not so great for her, even if she was in Hudson. She was on a deadline to get home for a wedding reception...but was a very good sport. Me, on the other hand...I had a leisurely coffee, a raspberry scone and soaked in the city life while I waited. (yea, I'm missing the city big time...kind of a hard transition to rural life...) Thanks to Michelle for being such a good sport!

*ribB headed out to go hunting when I returned (yes, I was TIRED, but, hey...what do you do?) so the kiddos and I hit up the apple orchard. I LOVE Pine Tree Apple Orchard, near White Bear Lake...the apples are amazing, the baked goods--DIVINE--and the caramel apples? Don't even get me started on how good they are. The kids and I had a lot of fun--mostly eating our treasures. Yum!

and even more to come...

my life...through pictures...

Too many things have happened over the past few weeks, it would take a lot of space to provide a proper update! So, that said, here are a few pictures to help explain what's been going on at the ribclan household.

*Little B playing football with Ann/Kevin...in his DIEGO costume & Green Bay packer pants. He chose this outfit and it's quite a dashing football uniform

*Kdee came to my office on her day off (10/3) and provided some really great art work for us. She was so easily entertained during this visit--she even helped me clean the bathroom (as it was my week...that's how we roll at HPI :-). ribB picked her up at noon and they had lunch out, along with some shopping. She was on cloud 9!

*We had a spontaneous dinner date with Uncle Bart, Aunt Donna, Cousin Ana and her friend Zach on Sept. 27th. We even got a babysitter for the kids so we could have some regular adult conversations (and lots of laughter), then came back to our place to play cards and let the kids see some of their most fave people in the world! Bart/Donna brought the kids gifts including a crossbow that shoots styrofoam....they go everywhere in the house now. They love it.

many pics to be posted....