A Typical Weekend with The Cleggs!

I couldn't help myself

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More Mac Mania!

Mac Mania!!

Mini-Update

OK, I know you don't care about the words, you want the pictures. I am hoping to get them posted tonight.

We moved into our apartment over the weekend. It took 2 trips with a moving truck and 4 hours but our stuff is there. Mac's room is almost totally set up and our bed is up too. The living room actually functions (around the bins) and the bathroom tub and shower are in use. I have already done 6 loads of laundry and Zac has made a pasta dinner.

I did get some cute shots of Mac "unpacking" and some cute everyday life shots - I promise to post ASAP!

(just gotta get that darn computer out of the box!)

Cosmopolitan Cleggs Continued

Here is a link to The Cosmopolitan Apartments (http://www.cosmopolitanstpaul.com/) and our floorplan.

Cosmopolitan Cleggs

The Cleggs will be residents at The Cosmopolitan!

Another Try At Home Sweet Home

The last 2 were both a bust. On to the next.

At brand new (no one has lived in it) loft at Metro Park. Across the street from KSTP Channel 5 and above Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop.

??? Home Sweet Home ???

Two possible places for the Clegg's to nest.
First Photo - Carriage house in the back of a Mansion on Summit Avenue across the street from the Governor's Mansion.
Second Photo - the view from the balcony of a condo at the Pointe of St. Paul high rise (heated underground parking, 2 indoor pools, tennis courts, the works)

The End

The End.

The Michigan chapter of the Clegg life has officially ended. We are settled in Minnesota and I am going to look at 2 different places for us to lay our heads. It's bittersweet back "home." I've always been one of those people that felt "home is where your heart is." Our Clegg family heart is torn, Michigan has some tremendous(!) friends and my family (you rock) but Minnesota is were we were born and raised and is were Zac's family is (some of them rock too). We are determined to keep in touch and keep in the lives our Michigan friends/family and hopefully they won't shy away for Minnesota once in a while!

The End.

Goin' Back

It's offical, the Cleggs are heading back to Minnesota.

It was an extermely hard choice to make but we are goin' back. We'll miss all of our wonderful friends that we made in Michigan (hopefully they will come visit). The economy SUCKS in Michigan but our new friends there RULE! Being parents now, it has to be more about being able to provide for our family and it's future than havin' fun. Minnesota had family and friends too, but we have met some amazing folks in Michigan and we will miss you as a part of our daily lives.

Can't say we love Michigan but we LOVE you guys!!!!

8 month old Mac

Watch Out - A BLAST From The Past!

Guess Who!

The Girls

The Constant Struggle

I Never Imagined...

That I would love being a Mom so much
That I would find someone that loves me as much as I love them
That finding a "nest" could be so challenging
That I could feel such deep disappointment
That people could make me feel so small
That family is only a title, the actual "members" can take many different shapes
That I could feel so let down
That the kindness of strangers is greater than I ever imagined
That people do give freely
That I could miss someone so much
That God's plan for my life would be so much different than what I imagined for myself
That "things" really DON'T matter and they are a HUGE burden to carry

Good Bad or Otherwise, these of some of the things I Never Imagined.

My Valentine

Our "Big" Mac

6 months old
18lbs 14oz
27"

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Today I've decided to celebrate rather than be sad! I LOVE YOU MOM!

Highs & Lowe's

In one final attempt to make things work here in Michigan, Zac has taken a job at Lowe's. He is actually pretty excited about it and starts tomorrow (1/24).

He is entering a chilli cook-off and a dessert cook-off at our churches Super Bowl party. He has been in the kitchen for the past 2 days straight. He's definetly in his glory!

Mac is doing great and I swear he gets smarter and bigger every time he wakes up. He will be going in for his six month check up this week - I'll post his growth.

HATE!!!!!

I HATE CARS!!!!

(sorry, just had to vent to the blogger universe!)

Merry Christmas

Mac Has Made An Amazing NEW Discovery... Bare Feet!

Great Grandpa, Grandma & Mac

Ohhhhhh - It's my Great Aunt Vicky!

Mac's 4-legged Minnesota Friend!

December 15th

Today is my nephew's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
Henry Oliver is ONE today!

Do you Believe?

Nanny

Ok, we just hired a Nanny! Us, the Cleggs, the plan ole, non-rich Cleggs - a Nanny. I guess I have always equated in your own home child care with the wealthy (not us). She is a great girl named Airelle. She starts on Wed. It is going to be AWESOME!

SICK!

It's official, Mac is truly sick. Zac took him to the Doctor Monday morning because he had been running a low-grade fever all day Sunday. The Doctor gave him steroids and a decongestant. We have to go back Tuesday morning to see if he is getting any better. Poor little Mac has been such a trooper, he is trying to be his happy baby self but he has these little white bumps all over the inside of his mouth and he is so horse he can't even cry. Zac and I have had to set the alarm clock to get up in the middle of the night to give him three different medicines - poor little guy. I'll keep you posted.

Mac or Zac?

50, 50 & 25

Mac had his 4 month check-up and shots today. He is in the 50% tile for weight (15lbs 4oz), 50% for length (25") and 25% for head circumference.

I'm A Mom!

It has happened, I am a Mom. I went to work with baby gook on the shoulder of my top today. I guess life has a funny way of sneaking up on you and I wouldn't change a thing!

Cousins

Our 3 Month Old

Baby Update

Today Mac had his 2 month check-up. He is weighing in at 11lbs, 14oz. He is 22 3/4 inches long and is in the 50% tile over all. Zac went with us today and got hear the doctors approval of our parenting skills. His only suggestion was to start letting Mac sleep in his own room. I just don't know if I'M ready yet.

Over all we have a happy, healthy baby!

Home

I miss home!

LIFE

It is 9:21 p.m. and I have just returned with my husband and baby from picking up Zac's vehicle, $900+ later we now have a new radiator. THIS SUCKS!

Ok, sorry about the bad attitude. Life just seems to be on the down hill right now. I guess that means the only way to look is up?!

Keep us in your prayers, Zac is meeting with some people about a full time position after the golf job ends in mid-October and I have a few job prospects on the horizon too. I'll keep ya posted.

1 Month

Mac had his one month well child check-up today. He is 9lbs, 1oz. and healthy! I guess Zac and I are doing OK so far.

Photographer for Hire

I just wanted to whole world to know what an AMAZING talent my sister is. She took so many beautiful pictures of Mac ( and many other families and children) that I want to shout her talent from the roof tops!

THANKS SISTER!

Zac & Mac

Back with a New Addition

Sorry it has been SO long since I've blogged but as you can see below, I've been busy. Mac joined us 3 weeks early and we have all been adapting to life as "the 3 of us."

I am on maternity leave and will be going back to work at the end of August. I'm not too happy about that but that's life.

Mac is great, perfect, wonderful, handsome... Ok so I'm in LOVE!

Mac Attack

I'm Back!

Sorry for the long delay in posting. Much has happened in life. I am 24 weeks pregnant with a boy (Mac), Zac is back from France and has a great job at the Salem Hills County Club. We have our own apartment (3BR, 2BA, pool, tennis, excerise and dogs are OK). Spike and Lola are living with us again. I am working at Bath & Body but my hours have been restricted.

Overall things are going great for us. It was great fun staying at Mindy & Jayson's house. The hands on "training" was great too. I loved living with Evy and Henry! We live about 10 minutes from them and I can't wait to have a summer pool party. I have met many great gals thru Mindy. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful - we couldn't have made it stick here with out them. Thanks gals!

Zac and I miss Minnesota and our family and friends. Hopefully ya'll will take a trip out to visit us! We will be back in MN at the end of the month for Zac's graduation - See ya then!

The Count Down is On

We purchased Zac's ticket to Paris. He departs DTW on January 2nd and returns home on Febuary 16th. It is starting to hit me and the count down is on. I am excited to move and be near Mindy and Jayson, I am sad to leave Karen and Felecia and Andy behind. I am also getting sad about being seperated from Zac for so long. I am looking forward to having Evy, Mindy and Jayson to keep my spirits up :)

December 27th

Zac and I have decided we will make the multi-state drive and bring our stuff (via U-Haul) to Michigan on December 27th. In true man fashion Zac has decided that this will be a nonstop trip (gas, etc. only). He will be departing for Paris on December 31 or January 1 (his birthday) from DTW. It's our plan to celebrate the birth of new baby Schoeb, Christmas, and Zac's birthday once in Michigan.

Wish us luck on our road trip!

American In Paris

It's official, Zac has been excepted for his externship at a restaurant in Paris. He starts on January 3rd. He has also been offered an extended externship at a pastry boutique in Paris. I am hoping he decided to except that one too. It would mean that he would be in France of a little over 2 months, but I think it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Keep us in your prayers and this great adventure continues.

I am trying to hammer down a moving date for myself as well. Some days I would like to pick up and leave immediately, others I feel a deep sadness about leaving.

I guess that's how adventures go.

YIPPIE!!!!

I'm Still Alive

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. So much has happened and life is moving at a much quicker speed for me right now. I have started my new job as manager at Bath & Body Works. So far it is a great experience. I have met everyone from the sales staff in our "region" to the VP of the Limited Brands Company (and he even knew my name and who I was) :) I do miss the law firm. I think most of all I miss Jennifer and her family antics. The clients were fun to work with and it was exciting to have the inside scoop on people's personal lives. I think I am settling in pretty well all in all. It is nice to be sitting here at 1:00 in the afternoon in my room just doing what I want. Retail has that flexibility. (I will be working on Saturday though)


Zac is doing fabulous in school and has gotten his externship paperwork turned in. Now we are waiting for him to be approved by the school. He went and got his new passport too :) He is starting to fill with the nervous energy that drives him. He's started taking French lesson's before school three days a week. I'll keep you posted on his final destination.

We are getting excited about our up coming move. As it gets closer I wish it would just hurry up and get here so I can start setting some roots and get life started.

I have been thinking a lot about how much I will miss the people I am leaving behind (i.e. felecia, karen and my mom's grave). It makes me sad to think that everyone I love can't be in one place.

Well, I'm going to stop posting right now and check in on everyone else's blogs to catch up - see ya!

Movin' On

I hired my replacement yesterday. She is a great girl and will fit in at the law firm perfectly. I am excited and scared to start the next chapter in my life :) I'm NOT one of those people that hates changes or likes to be stuck in a rut, it's just that sometimes it's a little sad to leave something you've gotten so used to.

I am starting my new adventure in lotion sales management on October 10th. It should be fun and the girls I work with are all super sweet and very nice.

Wish me luck!

Life, Is It Ever What You Thought It Would Be?

I find myself posting this after I have given notice at the law firm here in Minneapolis. I hadn't intended on leaving here so soon. I thought I would stay here until the end of Nov. beginning of Dec. I guess God had other plans for me.

As I started my fourth night of my new part-time job at Bath & Body Works the manager, Amy, said she wanted to speak to me. Oh no, how could I be getting fired from selling lotions on my fourth day, I haven't even worked a full shift on the sales floor yet. As I headed toward the back office to "chat" with Amy she motioned to the door and said "let's chat at the coffee shop." Geez, I am getting fired and they don't even want me in the store! As we sit down my heart races and Amy starts to talk. "I know you've only worked here for a few days but I was wondering if you would consider a career change?" "I would like to offer you a co-manager/manager position in our store with the chance to run your own store." Definitely the opposite of getting fired!

In the end she offered me a totally different career path, offered to pretty much match my current salary, full benefits, 2 weeks paid vacation and relocation to Michigan. Needless to say I talked to Zac and Mindy about the craziness of switching careers (legal field to retail management) prayed a lot and asked for a sign. The signs came and of course I freaked out and I finally decided I would do it. Watch out Retail Management, her I come!

I told my bosses, Judy & Jennifer, that I would be leaving them a little sooner than expected and they are very supportive and excited about the opportunities for me in Michigan.

Wish me luck, I'll keep ya posted.

If anyone knows of someone in Minnesota looking for a full time law office job, send 'em my way - I'm leaving a great one!

The Glory of Another Day!

Yesterday is the past! No need to dwell on it, move on. That's how I'm looking at things. After a good hot shower and a nice detoxifying face mask (courtesy of my new part-time job at Bath & Body) I have a refreshed outlook on life. Roxanne is NEVER going to really get (or want) help and if I’m going to survive the next few months, I am going to adopt the boy's way of dealing with her - just ignore her. She is used to it, I'm not. I was raised by a very friendly and outgoing person. I find it hard to walk into a room and not talk to the person or people already in there. Oh well, I guess it's my turn to adjust my behavior. Their family seems to function best that way so who I think I am trying to change it. (Just someone longing for the family she used to have and LOVED spending time with.) It really shouldn't be that difficult since the only people I normally come in contact with are Carl and Al and they talk to me. I guess the past holiday weekend and my inbread need to celebrate every silly holiday family style (BBQ, chatting, having a group meal) threw that family into a tizzy. Nobody could figure out what to do or say and when they did say something it was mean or argumentative. I guess they do live by one rule I was taught - "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" I my case even if you have something nice to say the rule will be not to say anything at all.

CRAZY!!!!!!!! Thanks for letting me vent J

(it's only for a little longer)

Is Crazy Catchy?

My Mother-in-Law is as crazy as they come. Don't just take my word for it; Mindy and Felecia have dealt with her first hand.

This woman is going to be the DEATH of me. She has extreme mental illness running her life and changes her mind daily (if not hourly) as to whether or not she is going to deal with it. Monday she came to me crying because she was so scared and wanted to get help to deal with all her issues (hoarding being a BIG one). Tuesday she hated me for helping her get her kitchen clean Monday night, had thrown one of her Sons out of the house and call Zac 10 times or more at work to complain about how her day was going. Today is Wednesday morning and I am getting the silent treatment (fine by me) and she is sulking around the house being sad and depressed. I can't take the mental rollercoaster - PICK ONE AND BE IT!!!!!

I am more than willing to help a person who has the courage to ask for it but I also know you can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. I am fine with all of that. I don't care if Roxanne ever gets help - I just don't want to live in the "crazy" house with her.

Sorry about the stupid post, I just had to vent. Only a few months to go and we're out of there! YIPPIE!!!!

Happy Birthday

I am so excited that my wonderful niece Evy is heading to DisneyWorld to celebrate her 4th birthday. I have to admit, selfishly, I am a little sad that I will not be spending that wonderful day with her!

I know that there is so much worse going on in the world (and our own county) right now. Please forgive my selfishness. I have also been praying for all the people in the South (as I know all you readers have too).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVY!!!! (Sept. 3, 2005)

Closing

The title represents many different events in our lives lately.

1. We closed on the sale of our townhouse in Woodbury yesterday.
2. All ties to my ex-husband have been dissolved with the sale.
3. We've given up some freedom and moved into Zac's Mom's house.
4. The Minnesota chapter in our lives is coming to a close (moving to MI).

All in all, things are going well and we are both happy with the way things are progressing. We are getting our debt paid off quickly and are really getting a good foundation ready for our move. The move is exciting and scary all at the same time. Zac has never lived outside of St. Paul and he has some fear about only knowing a small handful of people. There is definite excitement as well, being closer to my Sister and her (expanding) family is going to be great. Zac and I are hoping to start our own family soon (within the next year) and are really looking forward to being able to bring up our children together. Family is important to us!

My First Day

Last night was my first shift at J.Jill. So far so good. The ladies I work with seem nice and it certainly isn't a hard job. I think my biggest challenge will be the fashion challenged 40 something’s of the greater Twin Cities area :)

Updates

GOOD:

• The appraisor is coming out at 1:30 August 9th.
• Our closing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on August 25th.
• Eric cooperated and signed the Quit Claim Deed without a hassle.
• We are planning on moving our stuff out on August 20th.
• Buffalo Wild Wings want to promote Zac after only a week working there.
• I got a part-time job at J.Jill (40% off).

NOT SO GOOD:

• Moving into Roxanne's on August 20th (sniff, sniff).
• My car died (but has amazingly come back to life).
• Zac's car was vandalized in his school parking lot.

Looks like the "Good" is winning out. Thanks for all the love, support, prayers and help! We couldn't make it through the "Not So Good" or "Good" with out you guys!

The "Secret Plan" Revealed

As many of you have guessed, my secret plan is to move to Michigan. It looks like the chances of Mindy, Jayson and the rest of the Schoeb family moving to Minnesota are slim to none so the Clegg family (small as it may be) is headed out there!

Things are really taking shape and if all goes well I hope to be out there by the end of December with Zac joining me after his European externship is over in late March.

I am really excited about this idea. I won't be left lonely while my hubby is off finishing up his schooling and I will be able to help Mindy out with the new baby and Evy.

If any of you current Michigan-er's know of any Office Admin jobs coming available around that time, keep me in mind.

PRAISE GOD!!!

I mean it as whole heartedly a possible. God has answered our prayers and our house is SOLD! It sold in less than one week. We got our price and our terms and things are falling into place.

I have a secret plan and I talk to God (and Mindy) about it a lot, it seems that it may not have to be a secret for much longer!

Thanks for all your prayers and support! I'll keep you posted!

(The closing is tentatively set for August 25th)

The First...

Zac and I had our first showing last night. The house looked GREAT and I am anxiously awaiting feedback from our Realtors. I'll keep y'all posted :)

Ready... Set... GO!?

Zac and I signed the paperwork last night and the house is offically on the market this afternoon. Pray for a quick sale.

My car has offically broken down and is just sitting in the driveway :(
(I am looking at it like a decoration for the driveway - so people know you can park an SUV in the driveway, kind of like an example.) I know things will work out and I am suprisingly up-beat.

Thirty

Ok, my birthday is over and life has continued… I must as well.

I have made a new resolution to start out my thirtieth year, I will get serious about losing weight and enjoying life. I have decided to start the "points" again and walk daily. So far so good! I am also going to try like heck not to let life's little hurtles get me so frustrated (i.e. my car has no radio right now because it's either working radio and the car won't start or no radio and the car runs fine.)

30 = Just roll with it!

Happy Birthday Mom!

The Plunge

Well, it's official, Zac's taken the plunge into the food service business. He took a new job as a cook at the new Buffalo Wild Wings opening by our house in Woodbury. He starts this Sunday. This is very exciting and scary for us. The experience in the restaurant business will be GREAT the pay cut, not so great.

Cross your finger and keep us in your prayers.

The house will be going on the market the week of the 25th (hope for a quick sale).

It's In The Water!!

HELP... something is in the water lately. Not only is my sister expecting, but now both the girls I work with are too! Babies galore - Yippie! Felecia, any news :)

"Weight"y Issue!

I have finally figured out that I have been sabotaging myself! For the last 2 1/2 months I have been doing the low/NO carb thing. In the beginning it was working great. I was eating healthy and exercising regularly (walking at least 3 miles 5 times a week). The extra pounds were slowing coming off. (I fondly refer to these extra pounds as the "dating weight" since I had put on about 25 pounds since I started dating Zac 2 years ago.) I was happy with this progress then it all stopped. I have not lost a single pound for 4 weeks! I have continued with the eating and exercise and have complained to Zac and Mindy incessantly. Still nothing.

As I was sitting at work surfing the web (too bad that doesn't burn calories) I decided to visit the Starbucks website to check out the employment opportunities (another long story). I checked out the nutritional info for my favorite daily coffee drink (non-fat, grande latte). 24 CARBS and all 24 of them are sugar! I have unknowingly been drinking my daily intake of carbs and not even knowing it - YIKES!

Now, armed with the knowledge that I have been shooting myself in the foot, I am going to cut out those daily trips to Starbucks and hopefully the stagnant weight loss with come to an end.

Wish me luck!

Student Loans Part II

Just an update - I am feeling pretty good about myself. I did figure out how to get Zac's student loans consolidated before the June 30th deadline AND we got a 2% interest rate for the life of the loan! Yippie!!!!

Getting Older May Not Be So Bad!

I know the topic headline is a shock to most people that know me. As I am quickly approaching 30 I am feeling older and older every second and terrified with ever tick of the clock.

My Grandma is back in town for a 2 week visit and she has unknowingly helped ease me into the idea of getting older. After a LONG brunch with her on Sunday it has come to my attention that it must be OK as you get older to just forget about anything you just don't like or to totally make up any thing you want - even if it is a flat out lie and everyone you are talking to knows it. My Grandma has really mastered the art of lying or changing the story. If it is socially acceptable to just change the facts of history that you don't agree with as you age then count me in! Oh, for the record I will be 25 for the rest of my life! (Even if it is overtly obvious that I am lying!)

Seriously, I know Mindy will agree, it is getting harder and harder to deal with her and her evermounting pile of lies and untruths. I have been praying for help and I know it will come, I just can't wait for her to go back to Michigan. Sorry Sis!

Student Loans

Ok, I'm in WAY over my head with this one. I guess there have been some law changes and student loan interest rates are heading sky high after June 30th. Zac needs to consolidate his student loans before this date to lock in at a super low rate (2.6% or so). We have NO idea how to go about this. Anyone out there done it? Help me if you can - Thanks!

One Man & Two "babies" 

Updates from the Married-Single, Non-Mom Gal's Life

Sorry for the delay in Blogging. Things have been a little hectic around our house recently.

I am happy to report that my little sister and new little Schoeb are doing fine after the possible miscarriage scare!

Zac started 3 new classes this week... Kitchen Management, Speech, and Psychology.

Al (Zac's baby brother) enrolled in AND graduated from The Minnesota School of Bartending. (This also brings on a lengthy Mother-in-Law story to be told at a later date.)

We planted our first garden - herbs of course. Zac is really stoked about using fresh herbs for cooking.

Zac secured another catering gig - a tea party for 30 guests (Mother-in-Law drama included - like you expected otherwise.)

Ex-Husband drama - possible baby Braden out there???

On top of all that I am feeling my own personal unrest. I have been wrestling with feelings of unbalance in my work life. I love my job but HATE the location. Over the past 3 weeks it has taken me over an hour to get into the office and at least an hour an 15 minutes to get home. I just feel like I could be doing something better with my time (and money). Maybe I should be looking for a job closer to home. Maybe I should just stick it out for one more year, after Zac is done with school we hope to relocate anyway. I even feel conflicted when I pray about it. If I am supposed to give my worries up to God and I quietly look to see what's out there, am I really not giving it up? Am I supposed to sit and wait for God to drop something in my life? HELP!!!!! ADVICE PLEASE!!!!

Mother's Day

Hope all the Mom's in my world enjoyed their special day.

Being Motherless on Mother's Day is not an easy task for me. Getting past the memories of the way things used to be and moving on with the way they are has been a struggle. This year I decided to try something different. I did not include myself in the Mother's Day brunch for Zac's Mom, instead Sue (a fellow mother-less friend) and I headed to the Mall of America. We walked and talked and took in some of the Race for the Cure events going on that day. This was very appropriate given the fact that we both lost our Mother's to forms of cancer. During our day of self-medicated shopping and coffee drinking Sue's Dad called to see why she had decided not to join in the family celebration for her own Mother-in-Law. Sue told her Dad what she and I were up to and oddly he responded "well everyone isn't a Mother." That got us thinking... we removed our mother-lessness from the equation and that left us feeling even more self-aware. Not only do we not have Mothers, we aren't Mother's either. We then started to discuss our friend and family who are Mothers, it was our overall feeling that you are AMAZING women and we really admire and thank you for all you do in our lives. Just your presents can be calming. You may not be our biological Mother's but you have all help shape our lives - THANKS GIRLS!

I'm So Proud!

Just wanted to update the blogging world, Zac successfully finished his very first solo catering gig. It was a friend's 30th birthday party (50 to 75 guests). He grilled ribs, burgers, two types of chicken, prepared prosciutto & apple crustini, wild mushroom & goat cheese mini strudels, brushetta, and rosemary crusted steak fries. (Yummy!) Everyone raved about the food and he had a great time. This may be the beginning of something GREAT!