Man, we aren't very good at this...

Well, it's been over a month and Mike and I haven't given you any updates. I am sure you were just losing sleep over it.... here we go.

After being laid off in early December, I just got a new job as a Graphic Designer. I start this week and I am very excited to get back out there and get my mind going again. Don't get me wrong, I loved being a stay-at-home puppy mom and house wife, but I can't do that forever. Unemployment was good to me so we were able to still live a normal life, we just cut back on eating out all the time and some other little things.

Mike was so supportive through it all - at one point I thought about going back to school if I didn't find something by the end of February, but I got lucky and found the job I have been wanting for years. The world works in mysterious ways! Thank you to all my friends and family for your support through that time.

The holidays were great and we were able to enjoy a lot of time with our friends and family. With Mike being off during the Lilly shut down, he was around a lot too. We got an Nintendo Wii from my mom and we have spend many, many countless hours becoming "Rockstars" on Rockband 2. We love it!

Miller graduated from puppy class last Wednesday! He is something else. A fireball - like his mother. He is teething now so we had to pull all of our electrical cords up off the floor as he was chewing his way through all them. Luckily, he wasn't electrocuted and everything could be spliced back together. :)

We had some great pictures taken by our friend Chris Cheever of the boys on Saturday. He did an amazing job and Max and Miller were pros (besides Miller wanting to pee on everything). Sorry, Chris!

I always told myself I wouldn't be one of those people who dresses their dogs up in clothes and took their pictures, but without those dogs, my life would not be the same. What would I have done if I didn't have them and I would have sit at home alone while I was laid off? We love coming home to them and we love spending time with them. There is nothing quite like the love of a dog and you don't even have to bribe or beg them to hang out with you!

Mike Ryan "The Original"

Hey everyone,

I haven't posted on here in awhile, haven't really had much to share. My dad sent me an email tonight that I thought I would share with everyone. As most of you know my dad is quite the musician and the link that I am providing below has a few mp3s from his college band "The Other Five". In both mp3s in the link below my dad is the lead singer. The picture on the left is of the band, my dad is the second from the left, pretty wild.

Apparently this guy researches and blogs old 60's garage and teen bands, here is the link.

Also if you want to check out his current band "The Souled Out Band" go to this address.

Anyway, just thought I would share. Enjoy!

Bruised Knees and Lay-Offs

Sorry it has taken so long to write.... It's been quite a week, well...of nothing. I was laid off (along with 5 others) from my job this week. At first, I was in a state of shock and the first two days at home alone, I felt so useless.

I am doing a bit better now - getting things done around the house that we normally wouldn't get done at night when we got home from work because we are tired. I cleaned out the garage today and finally finished a photo collage of the wedding I have been putting off. Lots of time to puppy train Miller as well. Just consider me a stay at home (puppy) mom.

Mike is liking it too because the house is always clean and dinner is always ready...I bet he could get used to that.

Anyways, not only did that happen, so did my bruised kneecaps from ice skating with the girls on Sunday during the First Hobby Ho's event. Check out the pics below.....


The Group - Ashlie, Julie, Jeni, Kate, Becky, Angela, and Me (Angie was taking the pic)













Becky Kirby at her finest!!!


















Before I busted my....


















Amanda and Becky














My knees 4 days later, lol

My baby boy Miller, I am one of those people.....

Hello everyone:

Wanted to show you who makes the perfect Christmas Elf, Miller Ryan!!!

Cold weather and Xmas lights really chap my....

Ah, so here were are - December. It's cold as heck out there and the night before last I drug Mike outside to help me hang lighted garland on the fence and the porch. He was not happy. Anyways, we get it all up only to realize there is a strand of lights that are out. Of course there is... So I spent the next 30 minutes in the 30 degree weather trying to find the evil culprit, the dead lightbulb...

Long story short, (without all the curse words and snot running down my face) I gave up and just put another string of lights on over the ones that didn't work. I am such a redneck.

After all the mess ups, we sat back and drank some yummy hot cocoa to reward ourselves for the hard work.......Enjoy!

The outside where you can see where I added the extra lights -tee hee. I have my faults.

The mantle with all our stockings.

My .25 cent ornaments I bought at a sidewalk sale last summer.

My gold and silver tree!

My $2.00 sled with wreath on front porch-bargain!

Our first X-mas ornament. I received it as a bridal shower gift from my great aunt and uncle.

Eat me, I'm a Turkey.....

So this weekend Mike and I went down to Southern Indiana to have Thanksgiving with my family. We did it a little early since we are going to Muncie this Thursday and staying till Sunday for Mike's 10-year class reunion.

My mother is the most amazing cook (which I am the exact opposite), but she reassures me she wasn't that great of cook when she was my age either. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, apple pie, pecan pie and rolls. so delicious!

I also have a wonderful idea for anyone trying to think of something to bring to pitch-ins, etc. O'Charleys sells their rolls by the dozen, frozen. You just put them in a warm area to rise for a few hours then pop them in the oven for 10 minutes. And they are only $4 bucks and dozen. so easy....

Anyways, it was so nice to have a relaxing time in quiet Salem without the kids (Max and Miller, the dogs, went to Grandma and Grandpa Ryan's). Sometimes it's so relaxing there I want to continue to be totally lazy when I get back. Thank goodness for hot tea keeping me awake this a.m.

Stay warm....

Carry on my wayward son...

Well, since life has slowed down for us, we have decided to keep this blog up and running. This will be the place where you can catch all our latest news, pictures and daily thoughts ( I know you can't wait! ). I don't know how often we will get on here to blog, but we are going to put forth the effort!
Stay tuned......

The Ryan's