My All Time Favorite Songs in the WORLD

Someone recently asked me what has been my favorite song throughout my life.  I honestly don't have one, but I do have a list.  I've been noticing in my head it's a very distinct list:


-Hey Jealousy, Gin Blossoms
-Walkin in Memphis, Marc Cohn
-These Are Days, 10,000 Maniacs
-Mr. Jones, Counting Crows
-All For You, Sister Hazel
-Wicked Game, Chris Isaak


I think that's it!  What's on your list?

Straddling the Threshold

As many of you know, this has been the year of weddings for Jake and me.  In total, I will have attended 11 weddings in 2010.  And that's between the months of May and October!  Yes, that averages out to almost 2 per month.  And with almost half of these weddings being out of town, we've gotten our fair share of flights and hotel rooms this year.  We've visited Portland OR, Kansas City MO, Sonoma CA, Spicer MN, New Richmond WI, and will still go to Northfield at the end of October.  Here are some pics of our journeys and our friends:

So what is it that these weddings all have in common?  They have that moment.  That moment when the officiant says "I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. husband and wife." (or in Sonoma, Mr. and Mr.)  You are now married.  You have it all ahead of you.  A clean slate, a marriage built on trust, love, companionship, passion... now it's YOURS to build.

There's the old tradition of the man carrying the wife over the threshold of their new house after they get married.  The threshold is really that stepping stone, and it can go in one of two directions.  I've seen both.  The couple that sees their life together as brilliant - an opportunity, or the couple that sees a huge burden on other other side.  We've all heard it:  "last night of freedom", "ball and chain", "tied down", "have to check with the wife".  Think about the perspective YOU want to bring to your marriage.  Will you be better together?  Will you still be able to maintain some of yourself as an individual - some uniqueness and independence? (I hope so.)  What does the threshold signify in your life?  How - if you are getting married soon - can you make it something worth doing - NOT the extravagant wedding part, but the lasting marriage part?  Why even get married if it's just the next step in the process, what you're supposed to do?

Lucky for me, the weddings I attended this summer were all absolutely joyous occasions.  Most weddings are.  But I also hope that throughout the stickiest times of the next 60+ years, these people remember their wedding day and what they vowed to one another.  To be there for one another, to trust, to be loyal.  To always find love.  

Jake and I also celebrated our 1 year anniversary this summer.  Some people say the first year is the hardest.  I think we had a blissful year!  The hard times for us are when we have no time - with both of us juggling classes and work, this fall is more difficult.  But I never once have questioned my love for him.  I think the first year is hard if you take the wrong path over the threshold, but if you remember why you did it, what you wanted in the first place, it's going to be a lot easier than you think.

The Inferiority Complex

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt


I recently heard this, and it struck a chord in me.  I also wrote about it in my blog at work, so if you read that, this may be somewhat similar.  I wanted to blog about it at home too.  I spent three days last week in a class called TrainerTalk.  TrainerTalk is supposed to change your mindset about training/presentations, transforming your attitude, techniques and outcomes!  I will say it was inspiring.


This is material that Target has licensed from an external company - Bergerac - and it's supposed to be impactful.  Every time I mentioned I was going to Bergerac, someone would say "Oooooh, have FUN."  Like I was supposed to know what that meant.


It was a fantastic training, and I learned so much during these three days.  I can't even remember it all!  I learned about presenting yourself in an open position, with your arms out at your sides.  Almost like hugging your audience - instead of how we often present with our hands clasped in a fist in front of us.  The fist is a mechanism we use to make ourselves feel smaller, less important, inferior.


I was taped numerous times over the course of the three days, andhad to tell myself, "Allison, just go with it."  We also talked about that awful person who sits perched on our shoulder during challenges - the Inner Critic.  The Inner Critic creates so much unnecessary worry, shame, confusion during a presentation.  We think we look stupid.  We think we are inferior.  We think we can't do it.


Eleanor Roosevelt's quote reminds me of a lot of things I learned at TrainerTalk.  First and foremost, it's up to each of us to silence our own Inner Critic.  We each have a lot to offer.  I realize that when I'm training, sometimes I don't think what I have to say is important.  But it is, or I wouldn't be doing it!  Take the time, open your arms, take a deep breath, face your audience.  YOU can do it.

Weekend Update

Yep, it has been a fantastic weekend.  I didn't have anything planned when it started, but happened to not only have a ton of fun but also accomplished a LOT!  Friday night Jake and I went grocery shopping and got the staples & the ingredients I needed for my recipes.  Saturday I cooked most of the day.  I tried homemade bread (it didn't go GREAT; it didn't rise enough, but here is the link to the recipe I used).  I did make a mean lasagna which was VERY much worth the effort.  And I made Aunt Jane's Strawberry Salad, one of my all time favorites.


Sunday was spent walking around Lake Calhoun with Crystal, and then kayaking with Trace.  Callie even got to join in on the fun. (pics courtesy of Trace)

When I got home, I made another fabulous new recipe: Black Bean Soup  And ended the night with a margarita at Ciento and a couple cocktails at Colleen's house.  Today I'm wrapping some presents and relaxing on the couch.  And reflecting on what made the weekend so great.  These are some things I realized:

1. I sort of like going to bed at a reasonable hour on weekends.  It makes the next morning more bearable.
2. I moderately like getting up before 10am on weekends!  Sunday and Monday I was up around 9am.  It felt productive and by Noon if I needed a break, I didn't feel as guilty about relaxing.
3. I really like our house.  I don't think I spend enough time here, organizing it, cleaning it, decorating it.  I didn't make major changes this weekend, but I did relish in the love I have for my house.
4. I love cooking new recipes!  Even if they don't turn out as planned (read: flaming bread from the broiler).
5. Great plans will happen if you let them.  Don't overplan, it only stresses everyone out. 

Off to do some more FUN things!  Happy Labor Day!


PS Yes, Trace, you were right.

The Art of Under-planning

I realized today another (yes, another) reason I so loved my college years.  I was laying in bed, thinking to myself how great this upcoming weekend is going to be.  Not just because it's a 3 day weekend, but also because we changed our plans last minute and decided to stay home from the cabin.  Jake has to work his new job at Crave, and instead of risking cold nights in a tent, pressed against my 4 pound dog for warmth, I decided it would be a good weekend to stay home with NO plans.  


That's not to say I won't be busy and productive.  I won't just sit around.  But instead of running from one thing to another, trying to keep a smile on my face and paying close attention to driving times and the clock, I'm going to just do what I want to do.  See what comes next!  Imagine that concept.  Tonight I went grocery shopping for 3 meals - new recipes I've wanted to try.  I never find time to cook new things!  I mean tomorrow, I'm actually making homemade bread - yeast and all!


I was even able to contact my friend Britt today to see if she, Jason, and their daughter Siena wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow night.  Luckily, they are also free!  Instead of planning weeks and months in advance, I got excited to see them and we get to spend time together tomorrow.


I think this is going to be a new thing for me - and something I will strive to do.  Make more time for no plans.  Weird concept, I know.  Again, this was something I used to be able to do in college.  We never made plans - we always just let the weekend take us from one thing to another.  It was bliss.  And I have a feeling this weekend will be bliss, too. :)