What's Going On? -- March

Another month has come and gone! We're one month closer to spring. Wait, doesn't spring technically start in March? Not in Minnesota. March is typically the snowiest month here. But we are one month closer to spring...which means we're about a month or two away from green grass, blossoming trees and plants, bike rides and walks with the dogs, running outside, flip flops and shorts...being warm!!!

I can't wait. But until then, here's what the Balow Bunch is up to in March...

The exciting stuff:

• Spring Break! Next week for Dave and it's right after our launch at work, so I'm planning on taking some time off too. Not sure what we're going to do yet. Stay tuned!
• Nieces and nephews b-days: Anthony, Emily and Edwin!!
• Meeting Jack!! Melissa and I are flying to Chicago for a weekend to hang out with Erin and her new little boy....and her husband too, I guess. :)
• Official 6 year anniversary of Dave and I being an "item"
  

Not so exciting, but still fun stuff:

• Bible study
• Book Club/puppy playtime extravaganza
• Hair cut/color (this might actually belong in the exciting category)

I guess that's all I can think of for now.

Gotta love dogs...

I saw this video posted on another blog and wanted to share it. It's funny. And it you have a dog that moves around in his sleep like he's dreaming of chasing a bunny in a field (my dogs do it), you'll enjoy this too. Actually, if you don't have dogs or your dogs don't move around in their sleep....you'll still enjoy this.

Snow!

We got sacked with snow today. In a matters of hours we received 4-6 inches of snow.

Sometimes snow can be a good thing. Example: You get told the office is closing and you get to leave 1 1/2 hours early. School is canceled and you don't have to worry about finding the extra half-hour in your day to finish the reading. You get to let the dogs off their leashes and let them run free.

Not sure what it is about snow. But it makes my dogs so excited. They literally run around in circles. The faces get covered in snowflakes. It's so fun to watch them have so much fun. But not for too long, because, hey, it gets cold quick!

Today, Cooper's girlfriend, Lily, came outside and the two get to play a little game of tag.



Here's some photos I took of the boys. They haven't changed much since I last posted pics. They're dogs. They're not supposed to change. But something did happen to Otis' lip. It almost looks like he got my cold sore. Can dogs get cold sores?

Mua! Catching Cooper kissing his girlfriend.

He's so pretty!

A close-up of Cooper.

Otis looks like he doesn't want his picture taken. I know he's saying, "Mom, don't take a photo of me with a cold sore. It's so embarrassing."

Dave's training for Grandma's again...

....That means he's blogging again too! If you want to follow along with Dave as he trains for Grandma's Marathon in June, read his blog.

New Recipe, Week 5

This last week, I only made one new recipe. Cabbage Roll Casserole.

A friend at work was talking about making cabbage rolls. That's something my Grandma makes, but I haven't had in years. So I thought I'd try making them. But when I was searching for a recipe, I came across this casserole recipe, which sounded so much easier. Being lazy, I opted for the easy recipe.

And it tasted just like cabbage rolls. The leftovers were even better that the original night.

As far as the recipe goes, I followed some of the other users comments. I added some spices like paprika and garlic. I also just cooked it all in a pot in the stove, since that was faster.

I forgot to ask Dave how many jalapenos he gives this....so I'll have to update this later.

I gave it 3 jalapenos.

Here's the links for my weekly new recipe post: New recipe, week 4 New recipe, week 3, New recipe, week 2, New recipe, week 1

I can cross this to-do in my 101 in 1,001 list now!!!! I've made at least one new recipe every week for the last month. woo woo.

Networking...

If there is one thing that I hate doing....it's networking with people I don't know. To me networking reminds me of junior high dances -- especially during slow songs -- when I would awkwardly wait on the sidelines praying someone would come around and ask me to dance, and I would slowly become disappointed as the first verse would slip into the chorus and my chances of getting asked to dance would dwindle to nothing, and then I would find myself wishing I could be anywhere but standing alone surrounded by happily dancing couples. And even though I knew no one was going to ask me to dance, I would still get disappointed every time. Every. Time. (Perhaps I need a therapist?)

Back to this post's topic....

Luckily for me, I had the challenge opportunity to do some networking at this morning's MIMA event.

But when you're in a room filled with people you don't know...what are you going to do?

Option a) Stand in the corner all by yourself picking at a plate of fruit

or

Option b) Put your pride on the line and go introduce yourself to someone who *could be* waiting for you on the sidelines and hope that this person is 1) not a vendor and 2) able to carry on a decent conversation for a couple of minutes.

Despite my shyness and distaste for talking to people I don't know, I figureed Option B is the better way to go.

My first attempt was a foul ball. The two ladies I spoke with were not vendors, but not really interested in carrying on a decent conversation.

My second attempt was a triple. I met a nice lady who was not a vendor and was able to converse. And she even introduced me to a couple of other people. And she even invited me to join her for another networking session for a different professional group.

So I got through my morning and did a decent job. Networking doesn't have to be hard -- if you don't get too caught up on the fact that you're in a room and don't know a single soul. Thinking about this whole notion of networking, got me recalling that somewhere I made a goal to get more comfortable with meeting people. And wouldn't you know? It's right there on my list of 101 in 1,001. I seriously don't think I'll ever be fully comfortable with meeting new people and be able to cross it off my list, but hey, I'm making an effort.

Who's the big loser?

Tonight I'd rather sit on the couch eating a bowl of ice cream and watch The Biggest Loser than go to the gym.