Ghost Stories and Snoring

I learned last night that it's not a good idea to read ghost stories when I can't fall asleep.  

"She heard the knock again.  This time, it came from the next room.  She crept around the corner, closer to the door, closer, closer, and then...  ::HONK::"  

S@#$!  

Honk-ssssss-hkh-sssssssss-hkh-sssssss......

Did I mention Chris snores?

I jumped about 2 feet in the air.  Probably not literally, but I am surprised I didn't wake the snoree.  

Lesson learned: Don't read ghost stories next to a snoring husband.  

Childhood Christmas Traditions: Jingle Bells, Rooftops, and Blindfolds, Oh My

Shout out to my parents for always making sure the holidays were and are special.  Thank you and I love you.  

Here's a rundown of Christmas morning with my parents.  (Most of this happens to this day-when we can be there.)

Merry Christmas!

Williston, ND Inspired Christmas Carols

Christmas carols inspired by Williston, ND.

Do You Hear What I Hear

Said the night wind to the 5th Wheel Trailer,
Do you feel what I feel,
Temps close to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, 
Do you feel what I feel,
A breeze, more like a wind, chilling you in the night,
That will force you to buy booties for your dog,
That will force you to buy booties for your dog.  

Said the tumble weed to those left in Williston,
Do you hear what I hear,
A whole lot of nothing because everyone else in town went home, 
Do you hear what I hear,
A song, a song, blaring from my stereo,
It's too quiet because everyone else has left, 
It's too quiet because everyone else has left. 

Santa Baby 

Santa baby, just slip some ear muffs under the tree for me; 
It's a super tiny tree, Santa baby,

It's camper sized and blinks when it's plugged in.

Santa baby, a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon will do, Chris wants one too,

My Volvo is tiny compared to these trucks, Santa baby,

Maybe then I'll make it down these gravel roads.

Home Free on The Sing-Off, America's Happiest Competition Show

Hey! Hey! I know him!

The Sing-Off is back on NBC for it's fourth season, and this season Home Free is on the roster.  I'm a little biased since I sang with one of the members back in college.  I knew Rob was part of a group called Home Free, but I hadn't heard them in action before now.  

They are so good! They've made it to the finals, check them out here on NBC' The Sing-Off.

You seriously need to check these guys out.  

Here are some of my favorites from the show so far.  

                            

Home Free: "Oh, Pretty Woman"

Home Free vs. The Filharmonic: "I'm Alright"

                           

Home Free: "Ring of Fire"

Updated 12/27/13:  In case you hadn't heard, Home Free won The Sing-Off!  I can't wait to see what happens next.  So proud.  

How to move to Williston: Part 3: Finding a Job.

There are so many jobs in Williston, ND right now.  Just about every company is hiring for something.  

There are so many people coming and going, it's not just the oil companies that are hiring.  I'm sure you've heard by now that fast food joints are paying $15 an hour.  Well it's true, they even advertise it on flyers!  I don't think I know of anyone working a job for less than that actually.  

I Have News!

I have some exciting job news! But I can't tell you yet.... sooo stay tuned!  

Update 1/13/13:  Ok, now I can tell you!

Minimalist Christmas Decorating

Why didn't we think of this???

Embracing the Awkward

I can be reeeaal good at being awkward.  It's a gift really.  But instead of fighting it, I often embrace it.  Why, you ask? Because it's hilarious.  

You can either own it or .... Um... Not own it.  

By owning it, you turn awkward moments into something that makes you giggle.   And I like giggling.

We're Attracted to Awkward Behavior

Why are we attracted to awkward behavior?  First of all, someone who is awkward doesn't come off as threatening.  They typically won't "play" you, because they're not smooth enough to get away with it.

Second, because of their lack of ability to be "smooth" they come of as much more sincere.

Why not embrace the awkward???

Awkwardness is Funny

...and not in a sitirical way.

Since we, as awkward people, usually aren't fully aware of our awkwardness when we're being awkward (until its too late that is) it makes it even more amusing.  And when we do become aware of our awkward behavior, we try very hard to mask it.  

Unless it's getting a good reaction, of course, in which case we milk it for all its worth like the comic geniuses we are.  

By owning the awkwardness, we make it ok.  We make it so it becomes a funny, endearing trait of ours instead of something cringe worthy.

Think Michael Cera.  Ridiculously awkward, yet incredibly endearing.

Side note:  Being confident makes owning anything easier.  With self-esteem, you can turn being awkward into being quirky ( think Zooey Deschanel).  

If you're struggling to own your awkwardness, don't worry, there a lot of people more awkward than you.  

I Demand Euphoria!

It's true.  

Out of all the controllables in your life, if you don't like something, change it.  So many people are needlessly unhappy.  Take control of your lives!   Demand euphoria!  Don't stop until you get it!  

Why it's Ok to have 10 Winter Jackets

I may be addicted to winter outerwear.  The first step is admitting you have a problem, right?  Well I'm not sure if I do or not.  You tell me.  

Ever since I started caring about what I looked like, I'd say puberty, I've had somewhat of a jacket obsession. Obsession may be a strong word, but I definitely collect them.  

I have one for just about everything, every occasion, and every climate.  Currently, in my camper, I have 6 winter type jackets, and I've justified needing at least two more.  Is that normal? I'm not sure.  

I can Justify Anything

Here's my reasoning;  During the cold months, October through June in these parts, you cover up with a jacket of some kind.  Therefore, it doesn't even matter what you're wearing underneath it because no one is going to see it. Clothes, no clothes, who cares!  No one will see!

They will, however, see your jacket.

If you get sick of looking the same all the time, like I do, you want more than one jacket.  And then you want three, and then four, then five...  

More Justification 

Let me just add that I grew up in Minnesota, which is already north, and therefore cold, and I just keep.  Moving.  North.  For some reason.  Only god knows why.

It is -18 degrees Fahrenheit as I write this.  Am I wrong to want to be warm? 

I changed my mind, I don't have a problem. 

I have a collection.  

Campers Have Really Thin Walls

No matter how cool your camper is, they still have really thin walls, and we can heeeaaar yooouuuu. 

I don't know if our neighbors really realize that.  On one side of our camper, we keep hearing what sounds like a guy watching football.  Most nights, we hear a really loud "Whoooo!" or "Nooooo!"  and they actually have a really nice, new camper.  It looks pretty swanky, and it's most definitely got swag.  Swanky swag.  

But really thin walls.

How I Feel When I Cook

Thank you, Poorly Drawn Lines, I couldn't have put it better myself.  

I am getting better though.  Chris is wonderful, eating whatever I make, even if it's a disaster.  For his sake, I hope I stop burning bananas.  

Doggy Birthdays and The Creepy Dog Stare

I'm not the type to throw a full blown party for my dog, Bella, even if she is the cutest-most-precious-doggy on the planet.  What we do is get her a vanilla ice cream cone on her birthday.  Partly because she loves it, partly because it's fun to watch her eat it. 

This last fall, with everything going on, we missed it.  I never thought I'd feel this guilty about missing my dogs birthday.  I didn't realize we had missed it until a couple days ago, but I'm pretty sure Bella knew.  

4 Crunchy Subscription Boxes I Want to Try

I've scoured the subscription box 

review sites and found a few that look right up my ally.

Crunchy Subscription Boxes

Eco Emi is only $15 a month and you receive five to ten samples of "all natural, green, eco-friendly, animal conscious, or Fair Trade products".  They send a little bit of everything, not just beauty/body products.  

Conscious Box is still affordable at $19.95, and they send 10-15 natural products every month, and they're also a member of 1% for the planet member.

Hammock Pack is $25.0 is "filled with everything you need to take a much-needed getaway without even leaving your home."   

Goodebox is $18.00 and sends trial sized healthy, eco-sensitive beauty and personal care products, and sometimes organic health and wellness products.  

When it comes to finding products 

that are good for you AND the planet, 

it can be and is very overwhelming.  

There are more and more brands and 

products out there than ever before, and having to 

start over finding HEALTHY products that work 

seems, personally, daunting.  

Each of these subscription boxes seem like 

they can help do that and I can't wait to try them.  

Since when is Christmas in two weeks???

This past fall has been an absolute whirlwind, so needless to say, moving to a different part of the country right before the holidays sort of makes you forget to plan for them...  Last week Chris and I had this conversation...

Chris:  So Christmas is in three weeks.  

Me:  No way!

Chris:  Yea, who knew

Me:  Probably everybody else.  

Well that's not literally how it went, but it's close.   

It's so weird to not have been buying gifts for months and have them hiding all over the house waiting to be wrapped.

We'll still celebrate Christmas, but the gifts for each other may be postponed.  I should maybe get a job first ;)  

Saturday in Williston

Woke up this morning, about 7:30, and checked the weather.  -25 actual with a "feels like -38" waiting for us outside.  Waiting to suck the life right out of us.  

So what do we do? Go out to breakfast, run errands, check out a new pet shop.  Nothing like spending a day out on the town in weather cold enough to freeze your contact lenses. 

Went to Walmart and experienced our first 45 minute line.  This is something we had only heard about, but this was also the first time we've tried to go through the check out at noon on a Saturday.  

Won't be doing that again.  

You Might Live in Duluth, MN if...

I may not have grown up there, but I still consider myself a Duluthian at heart.  Can you tell I miss it?

You Might Live in Duluth if... 

You know what the Last Place on Earth is and you loath it's existence

...But are super stoked with its' latest developments. 

You know that the Duluth Grill isn't just a restaurant, it's a movement.

You'd rather do your shopping in canal park in the winter than have to brave the onslaught of the tourists 

You know that At Sarah's Table and Chester Creek Cafe are the same place 

You only go up the hill (or franchise land) if you have to, and surprise, surprise, it's usually to go to Target

You know how to drive up the hills in the winter because you know which roads to avoid

It's not winter unless you experience a 20+ inch snowfall, which means the winter of '11/'12 didn't really count 

In that 20+ inch snowfall, you still try to go to Target

If you go out and you're over the age of 23, you go downtown, if you're a youngin', you go to Canal Park 

You're not surprised when it's foggy and 40 degrees in the morning and sunny and 80 degrees in the afternoon

90% of the men have beards, wear flannel, and stormy Kramer, and then shop at the Co-op

If you don't have Keen sandals or Chaco's people look at you like you're crazy

You never want to move away and if you do, you miss it every day!

Things Crunchy People Do

We've been described as "Crunchy".  

If this is a term you're unfamiliar with, according to Urban Dictionary, a crunchy person would say "I'm heading out to the crunchy store to pick up some fair trade chocolate and tea tree oil, do you need anything?"  

And they're right, I would say that, and I probably have.  

I actually found a "How Crunchy are You?"  quiz and I scored in the "Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!" category.  Are you crunchy??? Find out here!

Fair Trade Gift Ideas Under $50

I love these items, hint hint, they're on my Christmas list!  

Had to climb through my trunk this morning...

Had to crawl in through my trunk this morning.  Just sayin', it's a good thing I drive a hatchback.  

Thanks to the wonderful Williston wind, all of my doors were frozen shut.  Thankfully, after I shoveled the ginormous amount of snow off the back of my car, I was able to lift the hatchback and squirm my way in.  Note:  At this point in time, we do not own a snow shovel.  

I also had my dog with me.  It was a bonding moment actually.  The two of us, climbing through the length of the car, together.  

Her jumping back and forth over the seats with carefree ease, me awkwardly contorting my limbs in order to fit between the top of the head rests and the roof of the car.  It was beautiful.  

Truely.  

10 Gift Ideas for a Minimalist

Minimalists.  These are our friends who get rid of what you do not use or need, live in uncluttered spaces, and do their best to live uncluttered lives.  

While admittedly, I'm sort of becoming one, they are hard to buy for during the holidays. 

I'm experiencing this delema more and more lately as my friends and family shed their extra belongings and declutter thier lives.  

My husband has been on the path to minimalism for a while now, and birthday/Christmas shopping gets harder and harder every year as he slowly collects his favorite things and donates the rest.  There are a few things I'm able to get him this year but I'll share what those are in a later post (so if you're reading this Hunny, this will not be a spoiler for what you're getting.  Sorry! )

Gift Ideas for your Minimalist 

6 Great Shows on Hulu

Here's what I'm watching lately, and therefore my top picks for what's on Hulu. 

• Reign
• Tutors 
• Moone Boy
• New Girl
• Dads
• Nashville

Fun fact about me: If I'm watching TV (or "cleaning") I'll usually pick one of two things.  A historical drama (or documentary) or a comedy.  And when I say comedy, I mean the type of show that make you laugh out loud when your by yourself sitting on your couch.  If I were a pee'er these shows would make me pee my pants.  

Let's take a look...

How to move to Williston: Part 2: Housing

Housing in Williston, ND          

Like I mentioned in How to Move to Williston: Part 1, don't come out here assuming you'll be gifted a place to live.  So many of the complaints I heard about coming out here is that they ended up living in their car for who knows how long before they finally either left or found really expensive housing.  

(I told myself to make this less snarky, but it may be hard.)

First of all, who moves and doesn't secure a place to live first??? There are 50,000 people in a town that was previously build for 12,000.  Do you really think housing grows on trees, especially here?  If you do, I apologize for not holding in the snarky, but you're wrong.  Ok, snarkyness over, promise.  

I'll give you a little sneak peak into the housing options here, including; 

• Campers and RV's
• Apartments
• Brick and Mortar Houses
• Mobile Homes
• and Resources for each

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's a fetch Mental Floss video

What, "Fetch" isn't a thing?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

Here's a little educational video that may blow your mind and make you question everything you've ever been told.  Enjoy!  

Thank you Tractor Guy!

Our gravel road was regraded yesterday (regraded?)  and let me tell you, am-a-zing.  We just went from having to treat our drive into town like an obstacle course, to being able to drive in a straight line.  

I want to let tractor guy know how much I appreciate what he's done for the broken spring in my car, and for my dog who gets thrown around like a rag doll.

You have truly made my life better. 

That Time I Became a Reverend

Becoming a Reverend for The Universal Life Church

My Credentials of Ministry

This has been a big year.  I not only earned my Masters Degree, and moved to another state, but just recently, I obtained my credentials of ministry.  Heh Heh.  

That's right, I can now officiate at your wedding!  Isn't that great?  Gone are the days of paying for an ordained minister/priest/whatever.  Just provide the wine and we'll make some magic.  

Now let me just say that this in no way makes fun on those who choose to have an actual religious official officiate their nuptials, heck, I had a full catholic wedding, Eucharist and all.  I'm just saying in the legal world, I could be your girl.  

The Universal Life Church

The Universal LIfe Church has two purposes; to promote the freedom of religion, and to do which is right.  I can definitely get behind that.  

And I guess I did!

I can now perform marriages, funerals, baptisms (apparently), and ceremonial rites.  I can absolves others of their sins (seriously?), and even start my own church! 

...Some of those seem like maybe you'd want an official from your given religion, perhaps, probably, most definitely...but who am I to judge.  

Call me Reverend, Minister, Healer, Educator, or Brother (?).  I like "Reverend".  

My dad likes "Brother".  He's Brother Father, and I'm Brother Daughter.  Did I mention he did this too?  

What did you do with your Thursday night?

(Feeling inspired?  Check out the Universal Life Church )

2 Qualities of a Friendship Lifer

In my opinion, the trending Facebook memes about what makes a good friend are leaving some things out.  

As I've gotten older (I'm so old right? Almost 28, whoo!) I've realized the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.  More precisely, the right friends.  

When I think about what makes a Lifer (A Lifer-A friend that lasts.  Someone who you can pick up right where you left off as if no time had past.  Cliche, but true.)  There are two things that come to mind when thinking about this that you don't see on the Facebook memes, especially the second one.

How to move to Williston: Part 1: First of all...

Boomtown sign in the middle of Williston, ND.  

It isn't hard to move to this boomtown.  However, don't just drive out here expecting to get a job your first day and that that job with somehow miraculously result in you having a place to live.  Don't be dumb.

Unless you're moving in with someone who can financially support you for a week or two (because you'll probably have a job by then), than you need to plan ahead and save up.  

Also, if you are considering coming out here, be weary of the many, many YouTube videos out there trying to scare you away.  Most of them were recorded a few years ago and are hardly relevant anymore.  The videos say things to make you think that this place is absolutely horrible, that there are no decent places to eat, that fast food takes an hour, that traffic is awful even at 10:00 at night, that there are no women, and the women that are here get harassed horribly, and so on.  I watched the videos, I know.  

Let's address each rumor, shall we?

Brrr...

um...

I was literally just talking to my mom about how nice it's been here and how we've been lucky to have some pretty nice weather for the middle of November.  That was at 7:00am.  By 7:01 the weather god said "Ha! Here's a few inches of snow with some -26 wind chill.  Your welcome." 

Best Laundromat in Town

Bubba's Bubbles in Willison, ND.  Lovely place.  

Let me tell you how much I love Bubba's Bubbles

the laundromat chain around here.  For a place that could be potentially really creepy, it isn't, and for that I love bubba, and his bubbles.  

Yes, you will get hit on by old men, and yes, they will chat your ear off without you needing to give them any indication that you're listening (which is why you chill in your car while you wait), but for every old guy, there is a good 'ol boy making sure that you're alright...which isn't creepy if you don't let it be.  

Plus it's cheap.  

Thanks for the suds, bubba.  Slainte! 

That time I kicked the ceiling (or, Long Jumping into Bed)

Story time.

So I couldn't sleep the other night and I was just laying there and laying there, tossing and turning, playing on my phone, and laying there some more.  Finally I decided that if I wasn't going to sleep, I might as well do something productive.  

Monday Morning Dog Poo

This is how my day is going so far.  

Woke up this morning to make Chris coffee, breakfast, and pack him a lunch, as I do every morning that he works.  Now before you start thinking that I'm some domestic goddess, his breakfast this morning was a bagel with cream cheese, and his lunch was a turkey sandwich.   Actually go ahead, think it, I am a domestic goddess.  

I groggily walk into the kitchen, in front of the coffee maker, and wonder why I'm not standing on the kitchen mat.  I turn on the light, look down, and see dog poo, that has been smeared by my foot, among other large turds.  In case you're wondering why I didn't feel the poo, it was because I was wearing slippers.  So now I need to wash my slippers, and my feet are cold.  And I need to run to the store to pick up some cleaner.  

Next, I say bye to the hubby and decide that instead of coffee this morning, I could really go for some green tea.  I basically start craving it.   Let me back up and say that we brought a bin of tea with us, a small bin, but a white plastic bin nonetheless.  What can I say, we're both tea drinkers.  You'd think that there would be green tea in there, at least I did, but there wasn't!  Sad day.  I had earl grey instead.  Good, but not green.  

No green tea for this poop picker upper.

AAAhahaha! 

Pretty good punch line, eh?  Made it up myself.  

Being an Oilfield Camper Wife

With hiring signs everywhere, you may be surprised to hear that I don't have a job yet.  However, there is a very good reason why, and here it is.   I haven't applied for anything.  

I will soon, I swear, but I am really enjoying being a camper wife!  I could totally see myself being a stay at home mom, maybe even doing a little home schooling.  ( I say that now.)  I honestly don't think I've ever been this domestic.  I'm making breakfast, packing lunch, and making dinner.  Throw in some cleaning, laundry, taking care of the finances, and a little relaxation, and I'd say I'm pretty good at this.  

However, making money is the whole reason we're out here, so, I will have to start working.  Soon.  I promise.  

Why We Moved to Boomtown, USA (Williston, ND)

I love beards.  I admit it.  But the "nice and tidy ones that don't make you wonder what might be living in it" kind.  My husband had a great beard, but then had to shave it down to a goatee for work.  (I may have shed a tear or two.)  

This is an example of one of the many sacrifices we're making by moving to ND.  Not that ND isn't a great place, but we definitely liked where we were.  ::cough, Duluth, MN cough:: 

For those of you who don't know why we moved, here you go... 

Bella's Big Adventure

Part of my entertainment on the drive to Williston, ND was our dog, Bella.  Chris and I drove two cars out here, so Bella got to hang out in the passenger seat of my car the whole time.  She had been used to 3 hour car rides to see our families, so 12 hours (even broken up between two days) was a lot.  I wasn't sure how she'd do, but she was a trooper and did great!  Take a look for yourself.  

Helping load the Uhaul in Duluth, MN.  

Whew!  Packing is exhausting.  

Visited my family before we left.  Here I am wearing a Turkey hat.  

Here I am helping sort through things in the storage unit.  Again, absolutely exhausting!

On the road!

My first hotel room!  I did so well, didn't make one peep.
  

Even got my own bed.  Yea, I'm that cool.  

How I spent most of the 12 hour drive.

We're seriously not there yet?

Here!  Found my new nook.  

This bedroom's kinda small guys.  

Ok, I guess I could chill here for a while.

The end.