I wanted to share some of these great pictures of my family that have stored away for years as slides in my parents stuff...
I really think they're neat.

NEW JOB!
I got a new job as a systems coordinator at Reach for your Potential. This is a residential and day center service provider for adults with disabilities. I'm very excited about this new opportunity to learn, meet new people, and start making life better for Kent and myself. So, everyone pray that it works out! My first day is April 17th.

Some friends and I have formed a team for Heart walk! Please, join us or pledge us! Our team's name is "BaaDonkaDonk" and I'm the captain.

Click on the icon to go find out more!
5K! WE CAN DO IT!

Beware Iowa Citians!!!! Have you seen this person?
This crazy bat out of hell has been let loose in Iowa City!
Do not get too close as she has been know to bite the heads off small dogs and chickens...
Reward for the person who captures her and puts her safely into captivity!

Inspiration and creativity

"It was right that I had gone to Europe, if only because I could look again with wonder. Past certain ages or certain wisdoms it is very difficult to look with wonder; it is best done when one is a child; after that, and if you are lucky, you will find a bridge of childhood and walk across it. Going to Europe was like that. It was a bridge of childhood, one that led over the seas and through the forests straight into my imagination's earliest landscapes. One way or another I had gone to a good many places, from Mexico to Maine, and then to think I had to go all the way to Europe to go back to my hometown, my fire and room where stories and legends seemed always to live beyond the limits of our town. And that is where the legends were: in the harp, the castle, the rustling of the swans." - Truman Capote.

Tonight, I watched Capote. As with almost all biographies I get pretty deeply involved. Here is a list of people I have been obsessed with, from either books or film or artwork, in the past:

-Carrington (by Gretchen Gerzina) about Dora Carrington (love of Lyntton Strachy).
-Vincent Van Gogh... I can't even list all the things that inspire me about him.
-Georgia O'Keefe and her love affair with Alfred Stieglitz
-Rosa Bonheur
-Judy Chicago
-Cezanne
-Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (I've always been fascinated with the artist in love with artist stories - escp. If the man is somehow unattainable such as gay, womanizer, or simply not a woman, ect...)
-Jim Morrison
-Dante
-Rodin
-Francis Ford Coppola
-Michelangelo
-Da Vinci
-Elisabeth Eaves (stripper who wrote a book).
-my grandparents, my parents, my brothers, my family

Anyway, I love feeling inspired by things. I could use more inspiration in my life. I am most easily inspired when I have time alone. Its very ironic because lately I have been harboring a fear of loneliness. Maybe I'm afraid to be left alone with my thoughts... Anyway, blogging has been highly therapeutic for me. I hope it does something to improve my writing abilities. I used to write friends and family great letters. My letters were real prizes. Since e-mail that has been lost. I should write a letter to someone, again.

Major Update time!

My good buddy JR is finally back from France and I am happy for it. I was sad that he was gone. When I do get a moment with him I look forward to hearing first hand everything that happened there. I have been dreaming of going back to Europe for some time now.
In the meantime Kent and I have been suffering the terrible cold that has taken Iowa City by storm. It starts as a dull pain in your chest and then moves up to your sinuses, ears and eyes. Such a horrible way to live. I'm pretty much over it other than the green sludge I've been blowing through my nose these days and lingering ear blockage.
As for wedding news everything is more or less finished. We still don't have ceremony music so I'm thinking of just getting a boombox in there and play a cd with all the important music on it. I have been advised by the Longbranch Best Western to inform everyone to get their reservations in as early as possible. My invitations have come in. In fact, they came in over a week ago but Kent failed to relay the message that they came in from the answering machine. Men... Can't live with 'em -can't kill 'em. So I should be able to get that out soon. The planning of the rehearsal dinner is still in the works but not settled as of yet. I finally booked a DJ, Rock and Thunder DJs. That was really the last thing on my list. Mom and I are still working on centerpieces. They are a bit challenging but I will see her next weekend probably and we will get it figured out then.
I cleaned most of the apartment today so that has been a good feeling. I have a short list of things to do today: Deposit BG check, rent Capote, wash linens from our sickness (bleach), print out resume for job applications. I need a single job that will make me a living wage. I'm too old and tired to be working multiple jobs and I need more time for myself, working out, eating right, preparation for marriage. Someday, I may want to make a baby with Kent too and I will need to make a nest egg for that, too. Also, I need to pay off my credit cards and start building a savings account.
Well, I've gone off enough for one day. I think I'm going to get ready to really start my day!
p.s. My birthday is coming up (April 4th!). I'm going to be an old and crotchety 29 years old. I'm having family and friends at Cafe Dodici in Washington, IA. I'm very excited about it! Good food (voted best in the area), good wine, good company, and good dessert.
p.p.s. I found out my Aussie friend, Kara, won't be back until June or July!!! That's too long!!! I'm really missing her. Good for her for staying out of this black hole we all call Iowa City, tho'.
p.p.s.s. My friends here and I are working on a Baby Shower for our dear friend Genevieve. She due to have a boy at the end of May! I pray she has a safe delivery. She was so thin and she is so uncomfortable. I see now how much women suffer to bring their families into the world. I also pray for a happy future and world for the baby, and all my friends' children to live in. Watching the news makes me nervous to bring new life into the world as much as I want to. But life must go on! They are much stronger than I am, however. I'm too much of the sensitive artist type.

You Are Los Angeles

Young and fun, you always know where the best parties are. And while you tend to keep things carefree and casual... You certainly can glam it up when you need to. Famous people from Los Angeles: Tyra Banks, Jake Gyllenhall, Freddie Prinze Jr.

What American City Are You?

"hmmmmm.... well, I really do like Jake Gyllenhall and I'm a G-n-R fan...."

I got a new fish. His name is George. He looks a little like the fish above. I can't remember what he is (genus, ect.). I already have dead fish fear, however. I might not want to have kids. I'll just always worry about whether they are dead or if I was killing them. That might be too much stress on my everyday. However, kids are a bit heartier than a goldfish ;).

GREG BROWN LIVE IN CONCERT!

My parents and I have front row tickets to see Greg Brown! The concert is March 4th (one month before my birthday!). I'm excited for my folks to see him and hear his music. Get a reintroducing to Iowa folk music.

Here's a picture of me on my 3rd Birthday with my Grandpa Wuennemann. I uncovered this picture this weekend in a box of my old stuff and wanted to share it. Just two kids enjoying a birthday!

I'm thinking about changing our honeymoon plans to the more practical and economical Niagra Falls (?)... could be fun! Here is the description for the suite...
Honeymoon PackageIn the Honeymoon Capital of the World, Luxury Suite Accommodations A Honeymoon Gift Package, full fallsview dining...
Honeymoon Packages include:
Luxury Suite Accommodations
A Honeymoon Gift Package including; a Bottle of Wine (a choice of Red or White from Niagara's famous wine region), 2 wine glasses, gourmet chocolates, a Niagara wine region corkscrew, and a special souvenir memory from the hotel.
Fallsview Dinner for two, one Evening at the award-winning Terrapin Grille (a $75 value)
Complimentary Cooked-to-order Breakfast for your entire party
Evening Manager's Reception with 2 Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages, each evening
Complimentary Casino, Falls & Attractions Shuttle throughout your stay Luxurious Fallsview Whirlpool & Fireplace Suites also available.Deluxe Honeymoon Packages Include:
Fallsview Suite Accommodations
Fallsview Dinner for two, one Evening at the award-winning Terrapin Grille (a $75 value)
Private Horse Drawn Carriage Ride along the Niagara Parkway at the base of the Horseshoe Falls
Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate delivered to your Suite
Bottle of Champagne delivered to your Suite
Turn down service with Rose Petals on your pillow
Complimentary Cooked-to-order Breakfast for your entire party
Evening Manager's Reception with 2 Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages, each evening
Complimentary Casino, Falls & Attractions Shuttle throughout your stay Luxurious Fallsview Whirlpool & Fireplace Suites also available.* Carriage ride must be booked at least 24 hours in advance* Hours of operation as of January 9/06 are: 12 noon until 5 pm Saturday and Sunday only* Hours of operation from February 11 - 19 / 06 are 3 pm until 9pm* Times are subject to change based on availability and weather permitting

The final day unpacking the parents
Well, today was my last full day in Cedar Falls with the folks. I'll be going back to Iowa City tomorrow. There are more reasons why my mamma's crazy... Our family dog, Gracie, is very old, partly deaf, and blind as a bat. Mom and her have a very precarious relationship.
Today I witnessed the following senerio. Mom took Gracie out to go potty. Unfortunately, Gracie gets disoriented and takes some time before she realizes its safe to let go... Well, today mom forgot she was out there. Pop-o and I were upstairs. I was washing my dog, Olivia and he was trying to get the scanner on his computer to work. We kept hearing barking. Pop-o asked me, "Who's barking?" and I said, "Must be the neighbor dog." All along Mom was listening but couldn't remember Gracie was outside in the sub-zero weather of Cedar Falls. Finally Gracie kept barking long enough for her to realize. Folks, this is what happens when the blind leads the blind.
I actually think my Pop-o is going deaf too.. Maybe my mom's jibber jabber cause all who lives with her to go deaf. My dog, Olivia, is a willing listener. I was listening to Mom chat with her earlier today and was giggling. I was in the living room with Pop-o and asked him if he could hear them (my dog wasn't actually saying much). He smiled really big and said, "Well at least this time she talking to something... Usually she's just talking..." We had a laugh about that.
I didn't have any major discoveries today. I had an excellent breakfast, however (eggs benedict, bran muffin, and fruit - does life get any better?). Also we have a very good lead on some lanterns for the wedding. Considerably smaller than I wanted but they might be OK. Also, their affordable!

Well, another day of going through boxes and boxes of memories. Today Mom and I found my old Cabbage Patch Dolls. Growing up these with my most prized possessions. This is probably why my brothers enjoyed torturing them (preferably in my presence) so much. My mother made bags full of cabbage patch clothes. I wanted to play dress-up so bad. I kept my African American girl cabbage patch, my red head with a tooth, my premie, my blond yarn haired cabbage, and last but not least, the only doll I actually remember the name to... Eldon Adon. My very first cabbage patch doll that I actually adopted in the presence of witnesses and swore to always love. Unfortunately, during the ride home after adopting him I stuck him out the window of the car to show the world my new baby and the wind frizzed his hair. I have three or four boxes of crap I want to keep but have no idea what to do with. Yikes! I still haven't found the ultimate booty... My baby blanket that my grandmother (I think) made for me. It was a quilt with blue satin lining and pink and blue flowers on top. I hope it pops up. The only other thing I can think of is that I left it at the professor's house (Where I lived shortly), the Stromer's house (also about a month or two of residence), or the Lowens... I don't think they have it because you can always count on SLo to notice something like that. My Mom is on the hunt for her knives and a antique mantel clock... There are more discoveries to be made.

I'm here in Cedar Falls at my parents' lovely new house. Yesterday, I went through boxes of my old stuff and have more to go through still. The most difficult thing to get rid of was bags and bags full of letters and cards from my childhood through high school and then into college. I have saved EVERYTHING and didn't even know it.
Its alright though. At least I'm not like my mother who has saved boxes and boxes of unopened happy meal toys. I'm a bit worried about her actually. My first thought was, "Man, Mom ate a lot of fast food". But then I remembered her obsession with happy meal toys was so deep that she actually never ate the food very often and that she actually gave that food to Gracie, the family dog. She used to tell me that Gracie would look depressed and she would buy her a happy meal. Well folks, now you know where I got my ideas of comfort food from! Above is a goofy picture of my moher to illustrate how crazy she is...
Things I'm most excited about taking back home are my cowboy boots, my art restoration projects, and my swatch watches. Mostly, because I want to sell the watches on e-bay. I also have a myriad of stuffed animals that make me sneeze to sort through. I could sell these as well. Its a dilemma.
Pop-o also wants me to take the slides back with me from our family vacations, ect. I have a slide scanner so that I could make them into computer files for keepsaking. However, Mom and Pop-o have about 60+ boxes of slides at about 80-140 slides per box... Now THAT'S a project!
Well, the folks are up now. Olivia got to sleep with them last night. I'm guessing their bed looked more appealing and well, Mom and Pop-o did spoil her all yesterday. Not to mention the coffee is READY! Time to spend another day in the lap of luxury.

Here is something fun to do.... It's called a Johari Window. Basically, It compares the way I describe myself with the adjectives that my friends and family use for me. Contribute to my Johari Window here...

Arena (known to self and others) extroverted, intelligent, observant, witty	Blind Spot (known only to others) able, bold, dependable, happy, helpful, independent, knowledgable, responsive, self-assertive, sentimental, spontaneous
Façade (known only to self) loving, searching	Unknown (known to nobody) accepting, adaptable, brave, calm, caring, cheerful, clever, complex, confident, dignified, energetic, friendly, giving, idealistic, ingenious, introverted, kind, logical, mature, modest, nervous, organised, patient, powerful, proud, quiet, reflective, relaxed, religious, self-conscious, sensible, shy, silly, sympathetic, tense, trustworthy, warm, wise

Dominant Traits

66% of people think that xkobertx is knowledgable
66% of people think that xkobertx is self-assertive

All Percentages

able (33%) accepting (0%) adaptable (0%) bold (33%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (0%) cheerful (0%) clever (0%) complex (0%) confident (0%) dependable (33%) dignified (0%) energetic (0%) extroverted (33%) friendly (0%) giving (0%) happy (33%) helpful (33%) idealistic (0%) independent (33%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (33%) introverted (0%) kind (0%) knowledgable (66%) logical (0%) loving (0%) mature (0%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (33%) organised (0%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (0%) relaxed (0%) religious (0%) responsive (33%) searching (0%) self-assertive (66%) self-conscious (0%) sensible (0%) sentimental (33%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (33%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (0%) warm (0%) wise (0%) witty (33%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 14.2.2006, using data from 3 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view xkobertx's full data.

Here are some more ideas for hairstyles. I can't even decide between up or down. I'm starting to understand the things that interest me and don't interest me and the things that just scare me to death about wedding planning...

Things I like:

Food, Cake, decor, theme, site scouting, flowers

Things I dislike:

music, DJ, invitations

Things that scare me to death:

My dress, beauty in general (hair, nails, makeup)... I know on the day it will be fun... but trying to get it right is a little overwhelming- I went to prom my sophmore year with a nice boy named Russ. I decided to wear my hair up... I ended up with a huge alien head. The problem? The hair didn't interact with the rest of me... It became a show of itself. I don't want this to happen to any one element of my appearence.

Here is an Idea for a hairstyle.
I know I'm going to be sweatin'. I hate that I sweat so much. I wish there was a shampoo/antiperspirant. That would be wicked awesome.

Things that make you go Poo.

Are there certain places or things that you do that make you automatically have to go "#2"?
While I sit here in the office of the BG I'm reminded that I always have to go at about this time down here in this basement office... Is it is the coldness of the office, the quiet, or the fact that I'm underground?
My money is on the quietness... I say this because the other place that makes me need to go poo is in the library. I often wonder as I'm squeezing my cheeks together in the library if everyone else has the same problem and if they do how many #2-s does the library see in a day? I bet it would be a high percentage of the total number of visitors there.
Often driving makes me have to go #2. Is it the motion of the vehicle?
I have never been a very regular person so i can never prepare myself for a #2. I can get into a number of "sticky" situations.... Friends who know me too well- "Keep your traps shut".

Well the cake is settled. The first baker I went to was in Cedar Rapids/Marion called Jules Bakery. I wasn't happy with the woman's approach to the customer relationship. She was more interested in making obstacles rather than solutions. Coming from a working background in a bakery as I have, I have come to know a lot of pastry chefs. There are those prima donnas who like to tell you what you can't do just to make themselves look smarter and holy-er than thou. I think the woman at Jules bakery was of this variety.
Anyway, my future mother in law gave me the name of a very nice woman who operates a bakery and catering business out of her home in Mount Vernon call Carol's Bakery. I met with her and I got along with her instantly and we got to talking about caterings and the business, ect., in no time. She was very solution orientated to what I wanted. She made Kent and I up a very nice sample cake of what we wanted: Hazelnut cake with a fudge frosting (unlike Jules who knew I wanted that but when I showed up to taste her cakes she just gave me her typical sample package of Red velvet, Pink champane, white and chocolate with buttercream icing). Carol's cake was AWESOME!!! It was exactly what I wanted: Something without buttercream icing (blech) that wasn't too sweet and had a good Italian flavor. My favorite chocolates while I was in Italy were the Baci. Baci are hazelnut flavored/mixed into chocolate. I think I actually saw pieces of hazelnut in the cake! Isn't that cool?... And its cheaper than the original bakery!
I'm having a bit of a problem with my "enter" key on this blog today. That can be rather annoying.
Anyway, Kent, My bridemaids, Melissa and Genevieve, and the reader, Sara all got to taste the cake. We all agree that it's awesome. I still have some left that I wanted to share my future parents-in-law and my momma and Popo but I don't know when they will have opportunity to do so.
I promised I would write a nice long blog for my friends who are all embarrassed because of the big picture of the woman in underwear that I posted. I guess a lot of you like to read this blog while at work. Sorry to all of you out there who have had to close out of this blog as if its a porn site because of the underwear picture. You know me... I don't really think about crap like that very often.
Anyway, Its saturday and I have a growing list of things in my head that I need to do.
1. CLEAN APARTMENT!!!
2. Call hotel and reserve rooms for night before the wedding.
3. Find DJ
4. Find music for wedding/ musicians
5. Register (maybe at Dillards and Target?- Haven't really decided yet)
6. Go to Houseworks and look for aforementioned votive lanterns that someone spotted for the reception.
7. Go to grocery.
8. Put air into stubborn European style tires on bike. Not as easy as you'd think.
9. Clean out car including putting away X-country skis that I've been toting around in hopes of more snow.
That's my list so far... But as I said, it keeps growing.
There has been lots of news in the Obert family lately. So if you haven't talked to any of us lately you may want to give us a call. Not me in particular but my parents and my siblings. I don't feel at liberty of sharing their news yet for them so I leave that up to them if they want to post, ect.
Well, better get back to cleaning. Happy Saturday!

p.s. While looking through a baby names book for my friend Genevieve I found out that Obert is a first name for a boy that means bright in Welsch or something. I had no idea. So I guess if Kent and i have a baby I could name hime Obert. I'm rooting for the name Sean Richard Nelson for her even though I might have to use the name Sean too. I probably wont tho'. What if I named my son Otis Obert Olson and his initials were O.O.O. Would he hate me forever? I had a friend Matthew David Davis who was mad that his parents gave him a middle name so close to his last name.
Here is a list of names I like for my children of "someday"
Olivia, Madison, Kelsey, and Grace-Annette for a girl.
Otis, George, Sean, Gregory, Antonio, or Jude for a boy. (I also like the name Levi but I have that name in mind for someone else.)

I've gotta keep this post short as I am at work but I have to share in my rejoicing that my parents have moved back to the United States!

"hooray!!!!!"

I hope everyone will join me in welcoming them back. I will be making a special trip around Feb. 16-20th to spend time with them at their new home in Cedar Falls. Well better get going in case big boss decides to drop in a give me a whuppin'