Home Stretch...

We are entering into the last month of Mike's schooling and I cannot believe we are so close!

But now... it's Crunch Time!

Final Senior Project deadlines, job interviews, finals, etc. The last month of college is not for the weak. And for the wife of a student, there isn't much I can do to help...except keep him fed, clothed and somewhat rested....oh yeah, and dish out encouraging hugs and kisses.

My hugs and kisses are amazing for those of you that don't know.

So, life may be bullying us a little right now, but the tables are turning my friend.... Soon I will have my hubby back on the weekends and no more conversations revolving around school deadlines.

26 days!

Where is the World is Jess & Mike Pless...

Does anyone else remember the show 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego'?

It use to be one of my favorite shows when I was a kid.

I've been singing the show's theme song all week this week since I've just booked Mike's Secret Vacation for his Graduation Celebration.

Except my version is tweaked just a little bit...

Mike is probably getting sick of my singing, but I am just so excited!

Mike has been working so hard and he will finally be graduating next month. So, as a little present, he and I are going on a vacation for a week and he has no clue where we are going.

And just in case he reads this blog - highly doubtful though - I'm keeping my lips zipped about the vacation location.

I'm so excited I could almost just pee my pants! No more homework, no more senior project, tests, etc. and I get more time with my hubby!

Plus I get to share in the vacation celebrations.

I am actually surprised I haven't spilled the beans yet...

Whoo Hoo!

Decluttering

My little mission this month has been to de-clutter

our house
my closet
my life... etc., etc., etc.

So, when I was cleaning out our extra closet, I found our DVD collection, I was super excited to find this little gem...

One of my favorite movies that didn't get that much publicity.

Love Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. Love them all.

If you haven't seen it, go rent it. Just a cute movie that leaves me wondering if Michelle Pfeiffer ever ages!

Resoultions for the New Year

I'm a visual person.
I like pictures to illustrate my thoughts and feelings.

So, when I saw this gem...I knew it perfectly depicted my feelings after a season on indulging.

Anyone else feel the same way?

I'm so ready to crack the whip on my new resolutions.

Here's a few things on my list:

1. Handle my Stress-levels better

I'm not ready to admit my shoe addiction. Maybe 2012.

2. Stay positive, slow down and just enjoy the little things

3. Embrace all my quirks and nerdy attributes since that is what makes me unique

We will see how it goes this year. So far, I'm totally rockin' my new goals.

Never-mind that it is only January 1st.

Happy 2011 everyone!

Happy 2011!!

Happy 2011 everyone!

My Christmas Countdown blogging didn't go quite as planned, but I should never under-estimate the amount of chaos that come the week before Christmas. Lesson learned.

With that said, here is our Christmas card that has now been molded into a Happy New Year's card with our little newsletter.

Dear Family and Friends,

Happy New Year! Our schedules have been spilling over this last year, so our Christmas Newsletter has been molded into a New Year newsletter! As we reflect over 2010, we feel so blessed with the amount of love, support and joy that has filled this year. Here’s what has been going on in our world:

Mike is in his last semester at DeVry University! Hooray! He will be graduating with his degree in Computer Engineering in February and he has been on the Dean’s List of Academic Excellence every semester.

In addition to being a full-time student, Mike is working as the Assistant Manager of Alltech Computer Store and fulfilling his calling as the First Counselor in the Elder’s Quorum. In other words, he doesn’t get that much sleep!

Instead of car projects, Mike’s main focus this year has been on his Senior Project for school. Mike is better at explaining the details of the project, but just know, his project is knocking the socks off all the Dean’s at DeVry and has been dubbed the most advanced Senior Project to grace DeVry’s institution in over 8 years. I’m so proud of his accomplishments and his ability to juggle school, work, church and Jess-time!

I’ve been moving up in the Marketing World this last year. I was promoted to the Director of Client Relations in May which means I manage all our clients, projects, my internal team and all those large marketing budgets and deadlines. It has been stressful to say the least, but I’ve been enjoying every minute of it.

When not working, I spend my time as the First Counselor in the Young Women’s organization, cooking and enjoying various craft projects.

I’ve also taken a second job at night; Mike’s Senior Project Assistant. I hold wires, hand him tools, give hugs, cheer when a demo is successful, encourage him when a demo isn’t as successful and pretend to know what he is talking about when discussing the physics and calculus equations of his project. You’d be happy to know that I have been the employee of the month for 12 months in a row! You think I’d get a raise by now...

2010 has brought so many surprises and we are looking forward to the adventures 2011 will bring. Thank you for all your love and support throughout this last year and we hope your New Year is fabulous!

Love, Jess & Mike

On the 16th Day of Christmas

On the 16th Day of Christmas, my true love and I are giddy about our:

10 Anderson San Francisco Traditions!

We are heading to Northern California on Sunday for an Anderson Christmas Vacation and we cannot wait for our annual San Francisco trip.

I love San Fran! It is a gorgeous city with so much amazing history.

Our traditions include:

1. The Japanese Tea Gardens
2. Ghirardelli Square
3. Paddle Boats in S.F. Park
4. Scoma's (delicious!!)
5. Union Square
6. Bike Rides in the park
7. Farmers Market Place
8. Food Tours
9. The Cliffhouse
10. The Botanical Gardens
    

I cannot wait! And this year, we are trying something new...a Segway tour!

I'm doing my happy dance right now...

On the 15th Day of Christmas

On the 15th Day of Christmas, my true love listened to me for:

11 hours a day! (this is an estimation...maybe)

If you don't know this...I'm a talker.

If one song describes me, my dad would say, hands-down, Toby Keith's "I Wanna Talk About Me". I can't help it. With a psychologist as a mom, you learn to vocalize your feelings and thoughts. Plus, I think I was a talkative person in my past life.

When Mike and I first started dating, Mike realized, "Wow, this girl talks alot", but since he is more of a listener...it is a match made in heaven. Now, if I'm not home to greet him and talk about my day, he gets lonely with all the quiet time.

I trained him well... Muhahaha!

Just to prove my point...this picture was taken by Mike while I was talking...

I'm a talker...and I use my hands while I speak. It's best just to embrace it. ;)