Dear Philadelphia,

I wanted to write you a note to let you know that I'm here to see you and here are all the things I love about you and am looking forward to doing while I'm here visiting you.

Christmas Decorations: tree, stockings (possibly with dad's spare change), lights, candles in all the windows, wreaths and spot lights... ahh...

tea at the Park Hyatt downtown...

King of Prussia Mall...

Cheesesteaks....

the shore...

giving my presents... and lets be honest, receiving them too:)...

lily....

Wawa--diet lemonade tea, hoagies....

And of course family & friends:)

Please tell those I'm not with Merry Christmas and I love them. It's gonna be a great week:)

they make me feel 18 again...

We had our Stand Christmas Party this last Wednesday. It consisted of decorating trees (and donating them to the thrift store), a cake walk, and dressing up someone in our group like Santa with the bag of stuff they gave us. Adam and I had a blast, of course.... and i think the kids did too:

This is Andrea and Ellie, probably my two most faithful girls:). we're baking our cake for the cake walk.... holiday fun fetti...mmm

Adam asked us to make his group's cake...so we decided they probably wanted a pink disney princess cake. You can tell just how much he liked it...

Here's some of my girls and our beautiful tree which was silver and teal themed. Adam described it as classy---which made me so proud.
(below going from left to right is me, Andrea, Trista, Ellie, Megan, and Jessie)

Here is Adam and some of his group. But i dont know these kids names.

haha. i think adam is the only one in an ugly sweater.... poor guy.

The Genius of Pollyannas...

I tried to google image Pollyannas and didnt find just one photo to represent a pollyanna gift exchange, no surprise. But I did find a website somewhat portraying what i'm talking about...Did you know there is a Colorado Cat Collectors club? Here they are at their 2007 pollyanna gift exchange: click me


This year I am the queen of pollyannas. I'm in 5. One for my college friends, one for my high school friends, one for Adam's family, one for my family, and one with my cousins on my dad's side. Now all of my pollyannas had names drawn ahead of time, not numbers like how the cat club did it. I'm pretty sure my apparent obsession with pollyannas started with my family around the time that my brothers and i had money to buy any type of present; middle school I suppose.[ ...yes, we did not want to spend money on two presents, instead we drew names (between the three of us) and only bought one gift. I guess this is what happens when you grow up with brothers] Then in HS i added my closest friends, and cousins, then college, and now adam's fam.

Why are they so perfect you might ask?
1. it can cut cost in half, or in 14ths if your in the Palmer cousin one.
2. you have to plan a time to exchange them which can be as cool or casual as you want. This years HS one is being held at the Park Hyatt in Philadelphia for the Nutcracker tea--super cool. Then our College one is just through the mail--casual. it's whatever anyone can do.
3. it feels like you're getting presents for everyone even though you're not.
4. they can have themes--ie. College-3 kinds of underwear: 1.cute, 2. comfy, 3. scandalous
5. everybody wins

I am a firm believer that Pollyannas are the best way to give presents to the most number of people, and I keep thinking of more people i should be in one with---although I think adam capped me out at 5.

a new fav...

+

_____________________________________________________________________

So curteousy of Liz Wright, I was encouraged to try a new drug store mascara. So if you're like me, and get excited about trying new beauty products your best friends love, try this! it's only $5!

Braids

I was recently asked to write a critical blog. I have hesitated to write this one because i'm not sure who it might offend. So... if the traditional french braid occassionally makes it's rounds in your hairstyle repitore, i'm sincerely sorry if you find this is offensive.

Acceptable Braided Hairstyles for Today---the Tricia Ludwig Chapter

There has been a shift in braids over the last few years or so. Let's take a look at the braids of yesteryear...

ah yes... the simple french braid.... always reminds me of horseback riding.

the lose ended braid... even worse for those of us of the frizzy-haired persuasion....

and one last one in a side view, just clear up any confusion on which braids we're talking about.....

I do realize this is traditionally seen as a great mom-daughter moment, a form of bragging rights for those who have mastered it--especially if you can do one on yourself, and a great cost-effective way to get krimpy hair without a krimper. However I propose that these looks are outdated, unflattering, and really just need to go.

This is not to say braids all together are bad. As I mentioned before, braids have merely shifted in their looks. The braids photographed below are hot, lets see why...

Now here is Rebecca Romijn. Her braid is a risk, but when done right: adorable.
Key points: lose, side, low.

we see here the mini side braid sported by Lauren Conrad.
Cute, playful, simple, fun.

Next, Nicole Richie in a Boho look.

Jessica Alba: classy and sophisticated, with a hint of glam.

I guess overall the take away points would be: if braids are necessary, keep them loose, light, and generally smaller.


Warning: Not ever this small:

no matter how hot you are.

We Closed!!

We FINALLY closed! Here are some pictures.... inside pictures to follow...

Side...

Front...Side...

Back...

Happy December 1st!

It's December 1, and according to my husband I can now (officially) start celebrating Christmas.





So Merry Christmas!!!! I hope you get to listen to christmas music, decorate your house, light christmas candles, hang stockings, drink eggnog (or the ludwig award winning peppermint eggnog--thank you ludwig family drink contest 08), wrap presents, possibly make up a christmas rap while doing so (if you're my dad), go caroling, go look at other peoples christmas lights, watch an excessive amount of christmas movies, address christmas cards, drink peppermint mochas from starbucks, go shopping, have ugly sweater christmas parties, and do white elephant gift exchanges.... because I hope to do all these things too! I love Christmas!!

....there is a small part of me that would like to decorate our house like this someday.

update

since it's been a while, here's what's been going on in our house lately:

1. We had thanksgiving 3 times. It was awesome.
First, with Jesse and Becky and Ben (Jesse works with adam, also the guy we almost bought the first house from), and a couple of their friends. I made mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. I almost lit pot holders on fire, but overall they were a success.
Second, with Boxy and his parents and friends (keje and Alyssa went with us). it was fun to meet his parents. And we realized once again why that kid is awesome. (see picture below)


Third, with our small group-Alyssa, Patrick, Keje, Me, Adam, Jason, Emily, and this guy Beau and his daughter. Again i did potatoes, both kinds, mostly because we had the ingredients already.

2. we went black friday shopping. I love doing that.
we started at 4 at Starbucks. Went Khols, Target, Macys, Bath and Body, Big Lots, Hastings, McDonalds, Target, Michaels, Pier 1. It was exhausting but fun. And it should be noted that we were done shopping before the boys (though, they came back empty handed. not so much for us.) Then we napped and ended the day with some fireworks, hot buttered rum, and identity crisis.

3. We hope to close (again) tomorrow. Yes in case you're confused this the second house we've tried to buy. We're still living in the first one we wanted. We hope to sign and close tomorrow and move next weekend. But with this track record, who really knows.

4. Adam leaves in 2 weeks or so for Charlotte, which leaves mes at Alyssa's house for 4 days with Keje dropping in from time to time. i'm expecting lots of sauna, movies, laughing and eating. And I'm hoping for lots of shopping, dancing, rollerblading and snow shoeing.

Happy 1 Year, 4 Months and 12 Days Anniversary to us....

(Please excuse our bad self-timer camera skills and our perpetually-in-the-middle-of-moving-bedroom), but this weekend we went out to dinner and to see the lion king for our 1 year anniversary... just only a few months late. It was our present to each other back in august but we just had to wait a bit for it to come. Here we are getting ready to leave. sorry that i couldnt get one really good picture.... it's the best i could do.

ps. the show was great... and the company was pretty good too. :)

"i'm sorry... what did you say?"

i got called a cougar the other night by a 16 year old at youth group. I wasnt really sure how to take it.....


and more in the way of awkward comments.....


a client who comes in regularly told me i was "too pretty for black nailpolish".... at first i just said thanks... then i said "actually i'm not really sure how to take that"....

Silver Valley Serve

Just got home a few hours ago from our youth group service weekend in the Silver Valley (East of here, before Montana. little known fact: the town where dante's peak was filmed).

anyway, it was a great time with the kids. I've forgotten what it was like going on trips like this: forgot to pack my sleeping bag and pillow (which i forgot altogether) and towel in a plastic bag with my name on it, forgot flip flops for the shower, forgot the part about how hard it is to fall asleep with all the crazy all nighters running around the gym still playing basketball... etc.

But it was different going as a leader. It was cool to sit back and watch the kids in certain sitautions and how they were going to respond. It was so neat to see them so excited to serve people they didnt know in Jesus name. And it was fun getting to know more kids and more leaders just in general.

Well we got home around 4 and have just been sleeping since. Looks like stacking wood is harder on your bod than i thought it was going to be.

ps. i'm sure we'll be tagged in some pictures on facebook soon so you can see.
pps. also, Frank Peretti lead worship at our church plant out there. I was a bit starstruck while singing.

Guess it's been a while....

so yes... i'm sorry that you've had to read and re read my blog about peanut butter. If i had known that we'd be out of the internet for that long, i probably would have tried to leave you with something more interesting.

To apologize, I'll post some pictures of halloween with the ludwigs. and hopefully it wont be so long until i blog again.

our costume: awanas club leaders, our party prop: o'dules non alcoholic beer

Let me tell you about a little life saver that i've had in my life lately. It's Adams Peanut Butter. When you're moving, you have no food because everything is in boxes. especially when your move takes a week. One of the smartest things i've ever done was putting that peanut butter into my purse and lugging it around with me everywhere. It's been a pseudo-best friend in lots of situations. And it's absolutely delicious.

I think everyone should carry peanut butter in their purse. At least while you move.

3 new suggested gym rules

Lately while i have been at the gym i've been consistently annoyed by 3 things. Oddly enough, i've found they are usually done by only boys and only when lifting weights. But i've noticed myself complaining about them in my head for the last three days and thought if i blogged about them, maybe it'd be getting them off my chest.

so, if i had some say in the rules of the Kroc center, i'd institute 3 new ones:

I. You may not grunt, groan, or breathe super obnoxiously---i find it highly annoying when i can hear loud groaning through my ipod while people lift. If you're that intense, maybe get a universal for your basement, or go to a body builders gym.

II. Circuit training is not allowed----there is nothing more annoying than feeling pressured to finish your set of lifting because the guy who's circuit training, and just gotten off the machine, is standing next to you waiting for his next set of 10 reps. The only time this MIGHT be acceptable in a public gym would be if they instituted a circuit training hour or two where everyone had to go in the same order, for the same number of reps, all controlled with an air horn.

III. No men allowed on the thigh machines---do men really need to use the inner and outer thigh machines? really? when have you seen/heard a man complaining about their hips. I hate having to find something else to do, while my hips feel like they're growing wider by the second, while a boy is finishing up his last few reps on his outer thighs.

probably the worst day for me would involve a man cutting in front of me for the thigh machines, who groans the whole time on it, and then gets off, only to stand by me until i'm done so he can complete his circuit training.

history, dedication, and rivals

so i'm not sure you saw but tonight's phillies game was awesome. (my sincerest apologies to mark and carla and all the other rockies fans---they put up quite a fight). I dont get to watch many baseball games on TV, especially Phillies, since we dont have cable. Tonight however I was at the gym, and it has cable, so i inevitably found myself watching...and watching...and watching. (Poor adam, he beat me home and got a head start on moving while i "finished up" at the gym). Basically i ended up working out for an hour and fifteen minutes JUST so i could watch the game. Not only that, but i was wedged between two rockies fans...uncomfortable.
I was cheering, and putting my hands on my head, and covering my mouth, and shaking my head, i pretty much did everything but yell "da da da da da da....CHARGE!". but as soon as it was over... i was silent and walked out of the gym as fast as possible, ...and called everyone.

Vin etching, oct. 2, & a family affair

Lately....


...Our insurance agency had a big VIN Etching Event last saturday. It went really well I'd say. Sara wants to do another one, which makes me very happy. Here are some photos...

...also, we got our closing date: October 2, that's friday! cool!



...lastly, our super stellar parents are coming out in increments... first Carla and Mark come tomorrow until next tuesday, then mine come wednesday until the follow saturday... can't wait.


so if you dont hear from me for a while, i'm still alive, just busy busy busy.



...and a pigeon was perched above our door ever so creepily this morning when i walked into work. like a statue. i thought they left for the winter. guess not.

I have a very cute husband.

Adam and I were packing a bit today. I was excited because he offered to help pack and i knew it was the perfect opportunity to have him go through the boxes in the spare bedroom that are a modge podge of bills, old goofy sunglasses, pictures, and trash. So that's what we're upstairs doing. And you should also know he is wearing fake teeth and his graduation robe while doing so.

but among the boxes we found some old things he wrote that his mom saved (she's a genius). they're too precious/hilarious not to share:

the first is titled:

8 maybe 9 things to worry about

My dad could get sick and die
My head could get kicked off in soccer.
The ref. could give me a red card and I'd cry.
Mrs. Johnson could give me 5 million math problems.

My sisters muscle head boyfriends could beat me up.
My dog could get hit by a car.
My mom maybe could fall in quick sand.
My feet could get caught in tar.

the 2nd doesn't have a title:

If I were in charge of the world
The toy store and everything else would be free
School would be cancled if it was higher then 80 degrees and lower than 70 degrees.
You would get 20 dollars a day

If I were in charge of the world
You could drive when you were nine
I would live in the amusement park.
And no commercials on TV

If I were in charge of the world
Parents wouldn't be so strict
A candy bar would be nutritious like fruit
I must ride a rollercoaster around the house

If I were in charge of the world
All school days are early out
You could do anything you wanted
(within reason)
No curgue to get home.

Adam Ludwig 6th Grade

people are awkward

so i go to call this lady today to tell her she's gone past due on her bill this month (never an enjoyable phone call to make)... but her voicemail said "hi you've reached ....name..... I like to feel happy. so if your message wont make me feel happy, you've got the wrong number". and that was it.

it was an awkward moment, in which i briefly hesitated before still leaving the message.





and just so i leave you feeling awkward just as i did in that moment, here's a picture:

Fall

Had my first pumpkin spice latte this morning.... it was awesome.

good news!

Today has been somewhat of a splattering of good news...

1. brooke texted me that her sister, Jayne, is having a girl!! i'm sure a boy would have been good news too, but just knowing the sex means it's closer for them. but here she is below...

and 2. The initial appraisal on our house went well!! Adam says just a few minor fixes so keep your fingers crossed. So I'm not positive, but i think that means we'll be closing soon! Our address hopefully soon will be 613 Indiana Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 in case you want to google map it. (It's the yellow one. )

Death by Pigeons

and no, i dont mean death by "a girl who tries to get dates with guys so they'll pay for stuff". i mean real life, dirty, nasty, not afraid of anything, pigeons.

Similarly to liz, i too have an unavoidable little death walk on my way into work. But unlike her, mine doesnt involve riding the train into the city and then taking the walk of shame past construction workers. I'd actually argue mine is quite worse. My situation involves driving to work and then walking into our office worried that i might not make it to lunch due to two grossly aggressive birds that have nested in our rafters.

i'm convinced these kamikazes camp out in until they see me coming and then swoop down and flutter around outside our door with harmful intent. I have a gut feeling that one day they will attack. last week, it was particularly bad and unfortunately in my vulnerable state i let out a few curse words while ducking my head searching for my keys. just my luck, and older woman was a few stores down and she watched the whole thing. i apologized but she just seemed horrified.

I hate them. i would like to call animal services and have them captured. I dont want to know what they would do to them. (honestly i would be ok knowing they were dead, but i dont want PETA to read this and come knock on my door).

Pigeons are gross, carry diseases, and arent even a little cute. I actually dont like most fowl on the whole, but these by far are the worst.

To prove my point, I google imaged pigeons and these were some of the first ones i found:


'nuff said.

I'm a liar

I dont have pictures to post on here. One. because Adam couldn't find our camera before my philly trip to take my own photos with (and my friends haven't posted theirs...so bug liz if you're curious). two. though we have a suspicion where the camera is now, I'm too lazy to go look. So i'm sorry for making empty promises... hopefully i'll get some soon since blogs without pictures can be boring.

But i had a great trip to philadelphia consisting of daily DD's, seeing my Dad's new office (and fantastic accent walls), reminiscing in brigantine, and meeting liz's new bf in AC... Marco, seeing my brothers, friends from college/highschool, and my entire family came to a bbq at my house.

Travelwise: the plane ride there was shocking... an open seat next to me on every flight. The plane ride home was cool too, for the most part. It had a movie, a luxury that I always anticipate on these long flights (ask adam). My only complaint was that i find it quite obnoxious when your rowmate decides they want to put the window shade down so they can sleep. even more annoying is when they only put it half down so that only they can see out. Memo: just because you have the window SEAT doesnt mean you have dibs on the window too. some of us only chose the aisle seat for bathroom convenience and unfortunately that has to take precedence to sleeping comfort and apparent window shade control. rude.

anyway... all that said, I'll leave you now with a new website to check out.

I see a lot of pictures in your future...

Tomorrow I leave for Thrilladelphia. But when i come home, i'll have pictures still from yellowstone to post, some of the new house, and then some of this weekend-the beach, the fam, ac with the girls, the family bbq, and probably much more. hopefully i wont be a liar and i'll really post them when i get home. on that note....

....until tuesday....

dance

The original purpose for this post was to talk about how risky the raise the roof dance move is. About how rarely does any one look "acceptable" doing it, and about how the biggest issues lie in over using your head and shoulders. Lastly, it was going to be about how it was "cool" for about mmm...maybe a couple of years circa 2000, and not really ever cool now. (this all evolved after attending a Spokane Indians minor league baseball game if that helps paint a picture).

Unfortunately I couldn't find any great videos of people demonstrating my point on you tube. BUT I did find an old favorite (and it's sequel) so i'll leave you with these. A positive approach to dancing, instead of negative, judgmental one.

i dont know what it is....

...about getting costco coupons in the mail that lights up my life.

the fact that I'm married now so i'm more lame/boring? (i hope this is a no)
the idea of getting mail?
the idea of having an excuse to buy my favorite things in mass quantity?
the idea of saving money?
the idea of eating for free while saving money?
the idea of eating for free while saving money, with the hopes of a churro/hotdog/frozen yogurt or all three waiting for me behind the finish (checkout) line?

i dont know what it is... but somedays it feels a bit like christmas when i open that mailbox.

and today was one of those days.