Ramblings

I feel as if I should update my blog, but I don't really know what to update on. My life really isn't very exciting and I've only taken pictures of Bridget recently....and if I post more pictures of her I might as well name this blog Aunt Wendi & Bridget's wonderfully wacky and wild blog.

Speaking of Bridget, she stayed all night last night because Heidi & Luke are gone. :) It hasn't been fun or anything like that....

I'm going to Iowa this afternoon for the weekend, and I got up early to study, but... I'm procrastinating a bit as you can tell. :)

Life is so busy these days. I thought last semester was bad, but this is way busier. My classes aren't quite as hard as last semester, but it is super time consuming stuff. I'm taking 15 hours, and to me, that's a lot. But I know for some people it's nothing. My classes aren't general classes though, they are mostly all accounting stuff.

As I said, life is so busy. I start my week and it's over before I know it. And I didn't get half the things I NEED to get done, done. I don't ever remember my days going as fast as they are.

I have 2 projects due before spring break. One of them is supposed to take 40+ hours, and I just started it last week. *Sigh* I'm kind of worried how I'm going to get it all done, but I'm not stressing over it... YET. I've said no to more things this month than I have in my lifetime. My rule is only one social thing a weekend which I hate.

Enough about school... But that's really what my life consists of. That along with work and teaching.

Time for some never seen before(on this blog anyways) random photos from this summer. These are some of my favorites and they just make me smile. :)

Weekend & Blahness

Well. Time to update you all on everything...even though it's all boringness. Last week was a busy week since I didn't have school at all the week before due to the blizzard. So it was kind of catch up week, along with this week too.

Kendra came over on Wednesday night and stayed here until Saturday because her family was gone. Even though she didn't have class on Thursday morning, she went with me and studied in the library while I went to class. It was so much fun to go to school with someone. I was kind of begging Adam the other day to start going to school again... it'd be so fun if we went together. :)

Yes... we even took a picture. :) Notice our matching mugs.. we both had to take our tea with us!

I never usually get to see anyone I know at school, but this semester I have. There's several AC girls who have the same break as me. Fun stuff.

Friday night we babysat little Bridget. She is about the sweetest thing ever. Even though I was downstairs studying, I snapped a few pictures. :) Maybe some of you are sick of Bridget pictures, but get used to it, cause they're not stopping anytime soon. :)

Hanging out in Grandpa's lap

Too precious.

Luke was watching a hunting video on the computer, and he sat Bridget right in front of it. As you can see, she was quite fascinated with it. I've never heard her giggle before, but my mom said she was giggling at it.
Happiest when her clothes are off.
Grandma gave her a bath. Check out her rolls and double chin! :) Only cute on babies, that's for sure.

Saturday night we had the young group over for a Sister's Appreciation Dinner. The guys served us our food and sang to us as we ate. It was a little awkward, but kind of fun.
We did eat food, even though there isn't anything on the table. :) After dinner we played a "Virtuous Women" game, that my mom made up. It was fun. :) The guys played it too, and believe it or not, Adam was the most virtuous of everyone here! :) Then all us girls got little gifts and we sang. We of course had to get Banana Grams out. Seems to be the tradition these days.

Sunday night I had to once again stay home because of a test I had to take today. I stayed up till 1:30 and just felt kind of funny. I woke up at 5, and really didn't feel good. Yes, I'm so privileged to get the stomach flu. :P Luke has had it all weekend, and I just knew I would get it even though it was going to be a crazy week. I guess this is what I get for announcing yesterday that I have not had the stomach flu since I was 8!

I had an exam due online by 4pm today, and I studied for it a bit, and then decided to take it. It was timed and I felt AWFUL thru the whole thing. And let's just say I did not do so well. :( This online Business Law class is the hardest thing I've ever taken. Now I have a lot of pressure to do well the rest of the semester... :/ This was the worst test I've ever taken... :(

Anyways, I'll stop complaining, but before I do... this is what I was supposed to do this week:

-Exam early this morning, work this afternoon, with class tonight

-Class on Tuesday, and my 12 week class starts tomorrow too. Teach piano, babysit that night*

-Busy day on Wednesday... with class and lessons, and now possibly work since I couldn't go today. *

-Test on Thursday that I had to postpone from Wednesday. *

**And everything else that I didn't even list. I think you get the point. :)

So I just kept telling myself that I can get sick anytime AFTER Thursday. But here I am. Sitting on the recliner typing away on my blog when I should be studying, trying to get myself to eat something so I can attend my 2 morning classes tomorrow, one which is our first day.

Ok. I'm done complaining now. :) I decided I don't really get very stressed out, I just get overwhelmed, and then I just vent to those I talk to and let them know how busy I am. So sorry if I always complain to you. :)

Anyways, hope you all have a great week, and enjoy this warm weather!

Restaurant Review- Granite City

You may remember I used to do restaurant reviews every once in a while, just like the newspaper. :) It's been a while, but this one I just had to blog about.

This weekend Adam, Jenna, and I went to Granite City for dinner. Although we had to wait for 45 minutes before being able to sit down, it was well worth the wait.

Granite City

Us three were going to go out, and I instantly mentioned Granite City, because I had only heard good things about it. So off we went on Saturday night. We got there about 6:30, and it was packed. They told us the wait was 35-50 minutes, but we decided to stay and wait anyways. Like I said, we waited for 45 minutes, but when that place is as packed as it was, there is no where to sit or even stand. There were people everywhere.

While we were waiting, the waitress' came around and offered samples of their flat bread. It was very delicious. After our long wait, we were finally taken to a booth. In the main eating area, which is separate from the bar, you can see inside the kitchen because of a glass wall. Very cool looking. Granite City is also a brewery, so they have massive tanks that you can see through a large glass window filled with their own beer near the entrance.

Although our waiter took a while to come to our table, the manager got us our drinks right away while we were waiting (they even asked us if we wanted wine... do we really look that old? :).

Now time to choose what to eat. There were so many options you wouldn't believe. I could not decide.. at all. But this is what I chose for the evening:

Grilled Chicken and Bruschetta Salad:

Toasted Caesar bruschetta surrounds a mix of greens and chopped romaine tossed in balsamic vinaigrette with grilled chick breast, sliced ripe olives, and crumbled bleu cheese, Finished with marinated bruschetta tomatoes, onions and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

The only thing that scared me away was the bleu cheese, so I just ordered it without, and asked for extra Parmesan instead.

I don't know if you've ever had bruschetta, but it is amazing. Especially there's. Absolutely delicious.

Adam and Jenna both got fries and sandwiches, and they both looked very good also. Especially the fries, thin and crispy!

Our waiter was a younger girl and a bit awkward, but gave us very good service. And she wasn't the only one who waited on us. Any of the managers, or other waiters, if they saw our glasses empty or anything.. they took care of us too, even though we weren't necessarily their responsibility.

The atmosphere was good, but the only thing(just fyi) was most go there probably for the bar. It was very noisy, but still very nice.

Even though the hostess spelled my name "Windy," and we were in the restaurant for over 2 hours, it was well worth it and I would certainly go again in a heartbeat. You just might not want to try a Saturday night unless you have reservations. We left around 8:45, and there were still a few people waiting.

QUICK GUIDE:

230 Conference Center Drive

East Peoria, IL 61611

(309) 699-8080

Ratings: **** is highest

Food- ****

Atmosphere- ***

Service- ****

--- they also have carryout

Snow Days = Cabin Fever

Well. I've had 3 snow days in a row. I still can't believe ICC canceled so much. It's been great catching up on sleep and studying. Although I've gotten quite a bit of studying done, I probably should've accomplished more than I did. It was great to have 2 tests post-poned though. :)

I have not been home for 3 days straight in a long time. I'm always running around every where, and I'm totally getting some major cabin fever. Thank goodness I had piano students come today and Bridget came over too for almost the entire day. :)

And guess what Bridget did to me the whole day? She spit up on me constantly. Almost every time I went to hold her, I got bombed on.

Thanks girly. I love you too.

Since I haven't updated on Miss Bridget for awhile here ya go:

She's still just as cute as ever.

She still has the biggest eyes ever.

She loves to spit up on her favorite aunt Wendi.

She loves to laugh and coo.

It's so cute. Tonight we tried feeding her rice cereal for the first time-- she loved it!

These pictures aren't from tonight... but here's a few:

Oh, and she's growing like crazy. The shirt Bridget's wearing says "My Aunt Loves Me.." and I got to see it on her one time, and now it's too small. How depressing.

Anyways, I'm excited to actually do something this weekend, and to get back to my school routine next week. Even if it does mean late nights and early mornings...and catching up on tests, etc. I'm realizing that I really kind of do enjoy it. I've had enough home time for a while now, even though I have loved it.

I am just loving this beautiful snow. It makes winter seem brighter and now so dreary! Hope you are all staying safe and warm!