If I were to write our Christmas letter...

I love getting Christmas update letters in the mail. This is not sarcasm. I particularly like it when my name is mentioned. I always feel though as if I would never have enough to say to merit an entire letter, should I write my own. However, I do imagine it would go a little something like this...

Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays from the Jerry McWhorter II -Electric Boogaloo family!

It's been an exciting year for the McWhorters, but you would know that already if you had Facebook.

In January, Gina began a new job with a Business-to-Business advertising agency. It was nice at first, but has since been ruining her personal life and kind of making her bitter. Her boss made her route her work email to her mobile phone and keep it with her at all times, including the week that she and Jerry were in Las Vegas getting married.

We officially became "The McWhorters" in April. We were married in a lovely ceremony at the Chapel at Planet Hollywood Resort. No, silly, we didn't have an Elvis impersonator perform the ceremony! Wouldn't that have been unique and not a stereotype at all? We were blessed to share the day with our closest family and friends, as well as the World Wide Web. We were also blessed to have this time to vacation as it would be the only break that we had all year.

Back home in Ohio, we vowed to take greater advantage of our home town and all it has to offer. We got to see the Cyclones win the Kelly Cup and were live to view the walk-off home run by Jay Bruce that gave the Reds the NL Central title. We also enjoyed the annual craft brew series at Habits Cafe - a new brewery every Wednesday throughout the summer! Our social calendar was full, but I can hardly remember much of it - maybe it was all that craft beer or the fact that my boss managed to interrupt every social event we attended with something asinine. But I digress.

We made some major updates to our home and became good friends with the tile department of every Lowe's in the tri-state area. But now we have nice bathrooms, have eradicated the 3 (yes 3!) layers of disgusting linoleum in the kitchen, and enjoy an updated look on our screened-in porch. Thank you Obama for the first-time home buyer credit!

In August, we added to our little family. We adopted Corby, a seven month old lab mix, from the Butler County Humane Society. Turns out that by "mix," they simply meant that he looks like a lab, but who knows what's in there. After his first visit to the vet, we were told that he might gain a little more weight, but he was as big as he is going to get. We are thinking there is some terrier in him. This made us a little sad as he's gonna be the little guy who gets picked on at the playground. However, he is ridiculously handsome. That's not a proud parent talking - that's what we hear everywhere he goes. We can't help it if it's true. He's as rotten as he is handsome, though.


Jerry permanently hung up his FedEx Kinko's/Office apron at the end of August to start a new career as an estimator at KDM Pop Solutions. There are a lot of similarities with his previous position, but more differences. He now has respect and works with mature adults. This gives us less to talk about over the dinner table as all he can say is, "I love my job." 


We are looking forward to spending the holidays with the family so that Corby can meet all his cousins: Jacob, Jared, Jordan, and Joshua. This will be our first Christmas as husband and wife, so... I don't know... will it feel any different than the last 3 we have spent together? 


Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a happy and healthy new year!


The McWhorters

Feeling "poor"

I suddenly had a feeling today that I appear poor to some people. I also realized that most of my friends seem ridiculously greedy this time of year...

Jerry and I decided to sponsor two children in foster care whose foster parents do not have the ability to buy them gifts. Jerry sent me a message stating that we have so much that he would like to share it with others this Christmas. Somewhere along the way (somewhat through a miscommunication), this thougt turned into, "Let's spend money on these children and forego exchanging gifts with each other." I have to tell you that this is a GIANT sacrifice for me as everywhere I go, I see things that I want to buy my husband.

It's true though, we are not needy. Anything that we want for ourselves, we either buy it right away or establish a plan of action to get it. We both come from amazing, giving families who have never and will never let us go without being able to meet our basic needs.

I have been extra stupid-sappy this Christmas because I am so proud to be married to a man who never asks for anything and seeks primarily to make others happy. Just yesterday, we invited a friend to join us for the Cyclones game this evening. He laid out a laundry list of reasons why he couldn't go, finally ending with, "I can't afford it." As if on cue, hubs and I looked at each other, nodded, and having never said a word to one another turned to this friend and offered to treat him and his daughter to the game as a gift. I love that we both have that attitude and the relationship to know we are each thinking it.

I have been asked by many people what I am getting my husband for Christmas. They are often shocked to hear that we aren't exchanging gifts. My co-worker even made a comment about how she and her husband are fortunate enough to have stupid amounts of money to spend on each other at Christmas. I felt like she was looking down on me and calling me poor in that singular statement. (this would be the same person who once told me that she would consider divorcing her husband if he didn't get her an extravagant gift for Sweetest Day - a made up holiday!)

On top of that instance, I read facebook status updates all the time about people who are requesting some perfect, unattainable gift from a spouse or family member. And I see them as purely greedy. It kinda makes me sick and a little sad for them at the same time. Yes, I have given people Christmas wish lists - upon request. But I do it hesitantly and only because I know that I will be receiving a gift from them either way, so it may as well be something that I like.

I don't know exactly where I am going with all of this other than to say that I am not poor. I have more wealth than it is fair for Jerry and me to keep to ourselves. I just wish that being charitable did not leave others with such a bad impression of me, particularly when the response should be quite the opposite.

Ugh... incoming boss rant!

Yesterday, my boss saw an open tab on my computer that said "Careerbuilder." Had he asked me about it at the time, I would have shown him that I was reading an article about the professional fields that are showing growth for 2011 (IT or engineering, anyone?).

However, he didn't ask me.

Instead, he sent me a message about 3 hours later stating that he was upset that I was seeking a new job and that I should be discussing such things with him. He also insisted that he is making personal sacrifices to ensure that everyone in this company is happy and had a job in such difficult economic times. By sacrifice, he means (and he has told me this on more than one occassion) that his take-home pay is less this year than it was last year.

Then, today, I found out that he hired a new copywriter without letting anyone know that he had started the interview process. This is particularly disturbing as I had given him the resume of someone I thought would be a great fit for the job. At that time, he said that he would not be contacting people for interviews until he had publicly posted the position and had solicited a few more resumes. Well, the job was never posted and the ONLY time that I saw anyone in the office was yesterday when he met with some guy, who he then took out to lunch. Today, I found out that this guy has been offered the open position and will be starting tomorrow.

To call someone a two-faced liar is bold, but perfectly applicable to this situation.

The steps to making cupcakes for Christmas

I said I had already completed Step 1, but I think that I am way ahead of that now...

Step 1 - 2 months out, ask mom what the plans are for Christmas dinner. This is the step where you learn that you are expected to make cupcakes.

Step 2 - Think about all the super fun (and mildly ridiculous) things you can do while decorating cupcakes.

Step 3 - Visit Bakerella.com and get really excited about the idea of making cake pops instead.

Step 4 - Realize that cake pops are too much effort for the little bit of appreciation and the tons of complaining you will receive from your family. (I mean, how could I possibly think of doing something fun and interesting and different for this crowd - I am saving those cake pops for another special occassion - tbd)

Step 5 - Decide that you will make plain old boring cupcakes in flavors like "white" and "chocolate" but throw in a twist with a unique Christmasy flavor (like gingerbread - I'm just saying, it sounds like a good idea)

Step 6 - Remember when your granny bought you that candy making kit many, many years ago and decide that you were so freaking good at making those candies that you must make little chocolate candy toppers for your cupcakes.

Step 7 - (Previously referred to as Step 1) About 6 weeks out, purchase adorable candy molds from candy/cake company that is conveniently located right down the street from your house - I really should make more use of that place!

Step 8 - Stock up on candy melts and candy decorating "pens" (which are kind of expensive in my opinion - so they better not suck)

Let's decorate some candy!

[All done to this point]

Step 9 - After reading the local grocery circulars and stealing the appropriate coupons from your parents' Sunday Newspaper, head to your local grocery store to stock up on white/chocolate cake mixes, boring canned frosting, and all the fixins for gingerbread cupcakes (I mean, if that's the flavor that you chose)

Step 10 - Melt candy all over your kitchen in an effort to re-hone your candy making skills. (I am just guessing that this will happen)

Step 11 - Turn co-workers into candy and cupcake-tasting test dummies. (Guess there will be a lot of baking going on this next week...)

Step 12 - Evaluate your progress thus far and determine next steps.

Challenge Update

Raise your hand if you're a slacker.

 Not that we have that out of the way, where did we leave off with these challenges?

I called my mother the other day. As she picked up the phone, I said, "I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you." She said, "Oh... I appreciate you, too. Why didn't you pick up the phone when I called earlier?" Then she began to tell me all of the days that she could watch my dog since she couldn't do it this weekend. While I feel better about myself, I don't know that this was a productive call.

What else did we miss?

Challenge #7 - Take a picture of one thing, person, place, or specific moment that makes you feel grateful. Share it with your social network.

Coming soon!

Challenge #8 - Send thank you notes to five people who deserve a little recognition.

Admittedly have not written those yet, but already know where they are going. Think it's you? Then check you mail next week.

Challenge #9 - Enjoy the people around you. Take a moment to appreciate their unique talents, abilities, and personalities.

This is today's challenge. I am suddenly glad that my boss went out to a lunch meeting, and Smelly McSmellerson with his BO/cigarette drenched sweatshirt left for half the day. I'm not gonna bore you with the details, but I do like most of the remaining people around me today. Heck, I'll even throw a bone to the AAE because despite the fact that she has an issue with being where she says she is, or telling the truth about when she is working, she actually works pretty hard. She's not that good at what she does (I've been told - and knowing my boss, the same has been said of me), but she tries. I'm going to ponder this topic just a touch more.

In general gratitude news, I am ridiculously grateful that Marilee is kind enough to take the pup this weekend so that Jerry and I can have a practice vacation - 2 nights away with mobile phone work alerts in the off position. Get jealous!

That's what's bugging me...

Breaking from the challenge for a minute to vent.

I keep reading posts on Facebook from someone who complains about needing to take a break from work for "Me Time." Ok, you don't even work full time. You are home alone more than you are at work.

I personally worked 53 EXTRA hours over what I should have last month. I worked 13 days in a row - it was supposed to be 11 until my comp day got denied and then turned into 13 when I ended up having to finish a job over the weekend. Of those 13 days in a row, 3 were weekend days,5 were at least 10 hour days, and I had to travel to California. I barely see my husband, let alone my dog (who seems to favor my husband more and more). I get interrupted with work while I am out with friends and family. I can't take lunch away from my desk, let alone make it through an entire dinner more than once a week without work interruption (a problem that has been somewhat resolved by turning off work notification on my phone once I leave the office). I work for someone who gets pleasure in treating others like crap. In my free time, I am work for free for an ungrateful client who asked for my professional help and then tells me that all of my suggestions are wrong.

But I can see how YOU need "me time."

Gratitude Challenge, Day 6

This morning as I drove to work, I attempted to listen to Star 93.3 because I hear they are playing Christmas music, and they are! But when they went to a slow song, I changed it to Q102. They may have only 10 songs in their entire library, but the morning show does draw me in, and I don't know why. Anywho, they do a segment where they get a random question and have to answer it live on the air. Today's question was something about who your most inspiring mentor is and why. I thought that the question went well with today's gratitude challenge...

Challenge #5-Take a few minutes to call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

Ok, I have to admit that I am taking the easy way out just a little on this one. I am planning to call my mother this evening. I talk to her at least once a week when I join the family for Sundady breakfast. We talk about all the important things, like what's on the menu for Christmas or how many cupcakes I will need to make for Christmas.

If you haven't put all the pieces together yet, my mother is the reason that I love Christmas. I'm not greedy - I love giving way more than receiving. My mother and I actually used to drive around late on Christmas Eve delivering gifts to family members, particularly the young ones who still believed in Santa Claus, but whose parents may not have been able to give them much. I still remember the day when she called to check on the kids Christmas morning and asked if Santa brought them anything good, and the oldest one (too wise for that Santa-shtick) said, "I knew you would come through for us Aunt Sharon."

Whoa... back to the challenge. So, yes, I see my mom once a week, but I feel like we talk a little too much business. So I am going to call her this evening and tell her how much I appreciate her.

Gratitude Challenge, Day 5

Challenge #5 - Take five minutes to write about how grateful you are for all of the wonderful things that you currently have in your life. Don't long for what you don't possess-instead, take stock of all of the blessings you already enjoy.

I fear that my answers are redundant, but I am happy to do each of these challenges...

Here is a quick synopsis of all of the wonderful things I have in my life...
- My health (even if I am looking a little rough for finding door frames and door knobs easily with my knees and elbows)
- A wonderful husband
- A home that is rather cozy and which the husband and I can afford even if one of us were to lose a job
- An adorable little puppy with a rotten side who entertains us and keeps us on our toes
- Student loans that are paid off
- A nice car
- Incredibly loving and giving parents who are the first to offer advice and a helping hand
- Amazing siblings who I may not have gotten along with early in life but who are 2 of my best friends now
- Incredible in-laws with deeply kind hearts

Has is been 5 minutes (and then some) already.

Back to work I go!

Gratitude Challenge, Day 4

Challenge #4 - Write a short message of thanks for some of the “negative” things in your life.

Dear Boss,

Thank you for being such a jerk as to make me realize that it's not about the specific work for me. You took my dream job and stepped all over. But you also made me realize the type of person that I want to be (or not be) and that success for me is not what I thought it was. I appreciate that you have given me the insight and, now, the drive to go after bigger and better things than just worrying about whether I am doing the specific job that I have always wanted to do. 

Gratitude Challenge, Day 3

Challenge # 3 - Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today.

Saturday was a great day. We were surrounded by great friends and Jerry smoked some delicious turkey an pork. I hear the corned beef brisket was excellent as well.

Today (Saturday), I am grateful to have friends that enjoy a simple meal while sitting around playing video games and board games. I am grateful that having a good time does not have to equate to going out and spending a lot of money.

Gratitude Challenge Day 2

I am still working to sit down and type this out, but I thought about it ALL day on Friday, but here is challenge #2...

Challenge #2: Use the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful. Share this list with your social network through email, a blog post or a Facebook or MySpace page.

... Coming soon... I have so many things to be thankful for and so many things to say about them. I have started putting my thoughts into a word document and as soon as that's finished here it will be.

But rest assured that I thought about it and was grateful all day on Friday ;)

Today, I will be grateful...

A friend of mine posted a link to the Gratitude Challenge.

To boil it down, I will tell you that it is an exercise in being grateful. It is a 21-day challenge in which you express gratitude for different things each day.

Challenge #1 - Sign the contract and make the commitment to take note and give thanks for the next 21 days. Express why you accepted this challenge and what you hope to achieve from it.

Um... there is no actual contract, so you will just have to take my word as my signature.

Things have been feeling pretty rough lately. I have a rude and ungrateful boss who sees the world through the lens of negativity. He has been rubbing off on me. I was really excited when I took this job 10 months ago because it is exactly what I wanted to do. I love my clients. I love my office. I love the location. I love the opportunities I have experienced. I love the art director and publicist (who leaves us tomorrow). But I do not love my boss. I don't even remotely like him as a person and have said that if I had facebooked him first, I would have never taken the job!

Recently, on a business trip, I was fortunate enough to meet Jamie and Adam from MythBusters. They admitted that they weren't the best friends that they seem to be on TV. and then Jamie said something that completely stuck me:

You can work with someone that you don't really like as long as you respect them.

And the more I thought about that statement, the more I realized that he was right. I have worked with people before who I didn't like but from whom I knew I could learn a lot. They had my respect. My current boss does not have my respect - for a host of reasons too long to bore you with. I have one co-worker who I do not respect, but who my boss seems to think very highly of.

I have been upset for days over my situation here. But today, my soon-to-be-ex-publicist gave me a ray of hope when she told me that her friend (who I have never met and who holds a decently high title in his company) would personally contact his company's HR department on my behalf to recommend me for a job. It just proves that there is still some good in the world.

So today, I choose to be grateful.

For the next 21 days and that brings us to Thanksgiving... I'm just gonna leave that open for interpretation.

Adventures in traveling...

Well folks, I am in San Diego. I will be here for a few days working on-site at my biggest client's conference.

The trip out here could have sucked a lot more, but it was by no means my best experience. It felt more like a comedy of errors.

Issues started on Thursday when my boss attempted to check me in and got all of our information jumbled. I took it upon myself to re-check-in on Delta.com. Being a skymiles member, I attempted to attach my account number to the flight, only to find that i first had to change my name on the account. "No problem," I foolishly thought. when I changed the name on my Discover card, all it took was a phone call and a brief sales pitch for whatever financial protection they were offering that week. And that was a credit card - a skymiles account should be a breeze. Wrong.

I called the customer service # and was told that I have to fax a request that includes my current name, my requested new name, and a copy of my marriage certificate. I asked if I could go ahead and get credit for my current flight, but the customer service person said it wouldn't work until I change my name, so i have to send in copies of my boarding passes as well. we will handle that next week.

I return to the Delta site to continue re-checking-in and I have the option of selecting a new seat. My boss made all of the travel arrangements through Expedia and he told them that I wanted either a window or an aisle seat - which is fine. However, I have managed to strain my foot/ankle, ram my knee into a table, and drop and iPad on my foot - all left side of course. So, I decided to change my seat to an aisle seat, closer to the front of the plane, on the right side specifically so that I could have room to stretch out my left leg and have no one on that side to bother me.

Cue Friday - I head to the airport super early to make sure that I can easily maneuver long term parking/shuttles, and go to the actual ticket counter to look at my boarding pass one more time. Oh, did I mention that my boss spelled my name wrong? So I go to the counter, the chick fixed my boarding pass and took my luggage. I breezed through security, grabbed some Chick-fil-a and propped myself down next to the only available outlet so fire up the PC and follow up on a few emails. I played a quick game of "OMG, is that Bootsy Collins?" and waited for my zone to board.

As I pass my boarding pass to the Gatekeeper, it doesn't beep like all the others. Crap! She informed me that my seat has been reassigned tot he other side of the aisle so that another party (who obviously checked in after me) could sit together. Fun. Fortunately, no one sat int he middle see between me and Little Miss Pees A Lot. She got up at least 4 times that I could remember to go to the bathroom. And she was super skinny with the ability to squeeze between me and the seat in front of me, so she never bothered to wait for me to move. I sat reading my latest book purchase: Are You There Vodka? It's me Chelsea. I think my incessant giggling bugged my bladderless neighbor and overly made up chick who just had to have my original seat.

My second flight from LAX to SD lasted about 45 minutes (24 minutes in the air). I again chose a new seat than was originally assigned. It was next to a much larger man  who couldn't quite get the arm rest down. I decided not to let it bother me as I only had to sit next to him for 45 minutes. Until he fell asleep and kept sliding down in his seat. He smelled kinda funny too - kinda musty, like the awesome denim shirt that he was wearing had been packed away in the attic for the last 20 years since it was "cool" and he decided that yesterday was THE day to wear it.

All-in-all, not a bad day. And San Diego is, as always, beautiful. The weather is perfect. It got a little chilly as the boss and I walked back to the hotel after dinner in the gas light area, but nothing that an extra sweater or jacket couldn't handle.

Today we head over to the convention center. I was told that today is the "easiest" of all our days. We are only scheduled for about 8 hours of prep work.

Fun.

Autumnal (is a fun word)

It's Autumn... has been for a bit now. Heck, we're about 1/3 of the way through Autumn!

I decided to give the blog an Autumnal sprucing. (Look out come Christmas time!)

These colors make me think of pumpkins

And pumpkin pie...










or perhaps pumpkin cookies (with white chocolate chips)!











Dang it. I have to leave for a business trip tomorrow and all I can think about right now is baking.

I love Christmas... duh!

I made the big mistake of asking mom what the menu for Christmas is going to be this year.

I NEED to know. Christmas is a rough time for scheduling for me. Jerry and I typically head to Hillsboro on Christmas Eve and stay the night with his family. There is just something adorable about the excitement of the niece and nephews on Christmas morning (ok, the surprise on Pop's face, as well).

Prior to dating Jerry, my Christmas routine was pretty set - if I was working on Christmas Eve, then the festivities began as soon as I got home from work. I would change into my Christmas-working clothes and help mom with as much prep work as possible. This typically includes baking something and prepping the spices for her famous lasagna sauce. Late nights are usually followed by early morning Christmas present unwrapping, followed by cleaning, more cleaning, and more cooking.

But, as I said, things have been different since I have been heading to Hillsboro. Now, Jerry and I pack up and head to mom's, bake my contribution to Christmas, and help her with as much food prep as possible. Jerry is very good at helping Dadu prep the beer - you know, making sure temps and CO2 mix are just right. Then we head to the 'boro and mom is left with only Mindy as a helper.

So planning for Christmas ALWAYS starts early. That's why it wasn't unusual for me to ask about the menu now. I was informed (as I am every year) that mom wasn't making a big to-do about the Christmas menu this year, but that she figured that I could make some cupcakes and she would buy some other quick prep desserts.

Here are the flaws in her theory...
- Christmas is a Saturday, so if I do get the Friday off work, that more time for baking!
- I am already thinking about making some kind of candy (thinking Christmas trees and Snowmen) picks to stick in the top of cupcakes.
- Last year, I bought a cool cookie stamp thingy to make holiday sugar cookies - and I WILL use it this year.
- I have a cookie press - and I WILL use it this year.

So, what am I getting at here?

I love Christmas and I am already shopping for this year's dessert options - but Michael's doesn't yet have holiday candy molds. how can I practice and perfect the Christmas menu if I can't get the candy molds yet?!?!?!

Who remembers this?

This delightful childhood tune has lodged itself in my brain... (I think these are the words we sang...?)

Suffocation
Hyperventilation
Suffocation
The game we like to play...

First you take a bowling ball
And you roll it down the hall
Hit your dad
Make him mad
Ahhhhhhhhhh


Suffocation
Hyperventilation
Suffocation
The game we like to play...

Then, you take a garden hose
And you stick up your nose
Turn it on
And you're gone
Oh oh oh oh

Suffocation
Hyperventilation
Suffocation
The game we like to play.

6 months

Jerry and I have been married for 6 months today. So if you had anything less than that in the pool, you lose.

I found it funny today that as I was perusing the Facebook, I noticed that an acquaintance had written something about celebrating her 6 months with her husband. I found this odd since I was married on a Thursday. Despite being able to do simple math, I know when my 6 month-iversary is because it is one day after the anniversary of my first date with Jerry. (Don't think that wasn't planned)

Being resourceful, I popped onto theknot.com and checked out her wedding registries - because it lists the date there.

She was married on May 8.

Wow.

She's just as smart as I remember.

Stepping up on my soapbox for a second...

I was just reading a friend's facebook post about calling customer service and getting a foreigner on the line. Her comment actually said that she wished they speak English...

Hold one sec, while I get up here on my soapbox and officially respond...

1. English with an Indian accent is still English.

2. In India, they are taught British English. (Ask them to "schedule" you an appointment)

3. The reason that your calls are routed to a customer service person in India is because they are cheaper. If the call center was in America and open for the same hours as they can operate in India, you would be paying more for your product/service - and probably complaining about that as well.

4. India or America, they are all just reading from a solution manual. There is no additional insight to be gained unless your product or service relies on some American standard that can not be easily translated.

5. You would probably get much worse service from an American.

6. In India, they probably speak English better than you - as in they do it properly. They probably innately know the difference between your/you're, there/they're/their, and to/too/two.

7. There is no official language in the US. English is the most commonly accepted, but nowhere is there a law that says everyone must speak English.

That's disturbing

My cousin's kid is sick. I don't entirely understand what's wrong (don't really know if they do either, yet), but the kid is sick enough that they took him to the hospital yesterday and he was there overnight with tests this morning.

How do I know all of this?

She is posting pictures of the child in the hospital. He is only about 6 months old. I am really disturbed by this. It's one thing to post on fb that your kid is sick and in (what the French refer to as) L'hopital. But why are you taking pics of the poor sick child? Better yet, why do you have a camera IN THE HOSPITAL?

Blocked!

For my husband...

I am working on a plan to post on the blog more often... just trying to figure out what's worth posting. Until then, enjoy this little anecdote...

Yesterday, my husband sent flowers to me at work. "Why?" you ask. Maybe he did something wrong... maybe he finally got the hints I have been dropping about how easy it is to send flowers to my office (I mean just about everyone else in the office has received them)... maybe he loves me. The reason is not the point, people.

The point is this...

The day after husband sends me flowers at work, I get a marketing email from Jones the Florist (from where the flowers came) promoting their Autumn blooms. And right there in the corner is a little picture of the exact bouquet sitting on my desk (so now I know how much you paid...hahahaha).

It looks a little something like this:

I love roses in less traditional colors! Thanks husband! I'll keep you around for a little longer.

Honeymooning

Husband and I didn't take a honeymoon since our wedding was already a vacation (sort of).

So... this week, we are deciding where to take a One-Year Anniversary Honeymoon. I plan to call the travel agent next week!

Thoughts....?

Jaded... Stupid and Reckless

My husband berated me for not updating this here blog for a month now.

I have my reasons.

But I won't let it happen again.

I will work harder to update the blog with all the goings on in my life on a more regular basis.

Starting tomorrow...

Are you happy?

I am of course very happy.

Yesterday, Jerry was offered a new job. He has always maintained that he loves what he does, but the environment was no longer working for him. Add to that an impending crappy schedule change and it was officially time to seek out new adventures.

Starting on Monday, Jerry's schedule was slated to change to second shift - roughly 1 pm - 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and the usual 12 pm - 6 pm on Sunday. While, unlike some people, I am not going to complain about the hours, I will acknowledge that the reason for the change was ridiculous. Let's just say that Jerry would become little more than a babysitter. But again, I will not say anything bad. He would be getting home not long after 9 pm and we would have a few precious moments together before I pass out around 10. We would be limited to Friday nights, Saturdays, and a few hours on Sunday to spend quality time together. And knowing us, we would pack that time full of activities with friends.

However, in thinking about all that time that I would not get to spend with my husband of just over 4 months, something occurred to me... I could probably get some decent rest!

Our weeks as of late have looked like this:
Monday - Jerry's Softball
Tuesday - Wing Night with Mindy and/or my parents
Wednesday - Craft Beer night (with the Fessels)
Thursday - trivia at the Great American Sports Cafe (we haven't lost yet!)
Friday - Never the same, but ALWAYS something happening
Saturday - See Friday - includes weddings, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, surprise grad parties
Sunday - Me: breakfast with family, running errands, taking Jerry lunch, working from home. Jerry: Work

We are actually giving up (Johnny Gomes) Garden Gnome giveaway this Saturday in an effort to spend time together - just the 2 of us (that's after we pick up a fridge from my great Aunt's house).

So, I guess what I'm saying is that while I am incredibly happy for my husband... I kinda wish the hiatus from life would last a bit longer. Or maybe not....I'd probably just end up working from home while he's anyway.

Things annoying me right now

1. Having to repeatedly explain things to co-workers because they don't listen the first time, and then being the one blamed when they STILL get it wrong

2. People who write completely un-related comments on your Facebook status - particularly if said comment could have been dropped in a text.

3. People who have just about no real life experience telling me the proper way to do things that a) they have never done and b) I am pretty much a pro at handling. Guess I've been living my life all wrong for the past 28 years (oh crap, I just typed 28... I'm 29. Or maybe I meant to do that because I was not cognisant of my actions the first year of life... whatevs). I don't tell you how to fake surf the fake wave at Kings Island, please don't tell me how to manage my house or how much you know about sex despite being an almost 30 year old virgin or when to see my doctor.

4. People who feel the need to subtly berate every aspect of my life. Southern Ohio is not Hicksville. You are not better than this... and your t-shirt has holes in it (yes, plural...holeS)

5. Tile... looking at tile, thinking about tile. Tile is annoying me a lot, but so is a crappy bathroom and a disgusting kitchen floor.

Popular

I can't decide if Jerry and I are really popular... or just stretching thin for no good reason.

Here's our schedule this week:
Monday: Jerry's softball
Tuesday: Dinner at El Pueblo
Wednesday: Craft Beer Night @ Habits - Victory brewery (and it's GBF's birthday!!!)
Thursday: Trivia at Great American Sports Cafe (assuming it isn't canceled again)
Friday: Cleaning the house!
Saturday: Cookout at our house and hike to the Sycamore festival to see Survivor in concert.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Thinking and Driving, Episode 07072010

On my way to work most mornings, I notice a blind woman waiting at a bus stop. Sometimes, if I am lucky to get out of work late enough, I see her getting off the bus. (BTW the afternoon driver who parks the bus and escorts the blind woman across the busy intersection and the people who ride the bus and don't complain about this extra wait are awesome)

Today, I found myself wondering how she gets ready in the morning. Where does she live and with whom? Does someone pick out her clothes for her, or does she live independently enough that she can do it herself. If so, how does she know she matches. I envision two scenarios... 1. Someone picks out her clothes and lays them out in the exact same spot every day or 2. Someone has embroidered the color of the clothing in Braille somewhere on the item, making her fully capable of dressing herself.

Go ahead, imagine it.

I am also curious where she goes everyday... if she has a regular job that has been adjusted to accommodate her needs. Or does she go to the blind center up on Gilbert? Hmmmm... those are thoughts for another time, I guess.

Baby-brain

No, I don't have baby-brain. At least not yet. But it seems like babies are closing in on me.

Two of my cousins have had babies within the past year. And two others definitely have babies on the brain (because having a baby when your just shy of broke is always a good idea). My Aunt also had a baby who I was enticed to hold for extended periods of time at my mom's grad party while my mother, aunts, and uncle repeatedly remarked, "That looks so natural."

Yesterday, I spent the latter half of the day working with kids ages 6 - 12 on a project for work. Some of them were down right adorable.

When Jerry got home from work yesterday, we were sitting on the couch watching TV when 2 things happened...

1. A preview of a show (I think) came on where a girl was cradling her new-born baby while saying, "How can you love someone so much that you just met?" This launched a discussion of how that is in fact true... how that maternal/paternal instinct kicks in and you instantly love someone more than you thought you ever could. Jerry is now worried that, should we have kids, he will not have that feeling until the very second he sees him/her. I think that's just how it goes dear.

2. A St. Jude's commercial played with adorable, though terribly sick, children. This occurred almost immediately after the previous discussion. This prompted Jerry to question how people know what to do when their kid is sick. I have no answers for that. You just do.

On top of all that, the following things happened this morning (and it's only 9 am!):
- Friend of my sister's had a baby
- Old high school friend had a baby
- Anti-baby co-worker announced that her friend is preggers and started talking about when she was gonna pop one out

I tell you people... the walls, they are closing in on me!

It's June 29

I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what that means...

possibly against my better judgement...

lest I be judged.

Today is the release of Lego Harry Potter for PS3.

For some ridiculous reason, I set my alarm clock back a half hour (based on a discussion Jerry and I had last night and not because of Lego Harry Potter). So on a day where I could afford to be running a bit later than usual, I was running a half hour early. I quickly showered, ate breakfast, and styled my hair with more than just mousse (an easy hair fix for days when I have to wash my hair but have no time/energy to style it). By 7:28, I was ready to walk out the door.

I decided that I would take Ridge today to kill some time. It is easily the slowest way to work because of the plethora of stop lights, stop signs,a nd construction. Except today. When I could afford to be running a little later, I hit every green light and I typically rolled right up to each stop sign instead of waiting for the 40 cars before me to stop and go. No construction at Ridge/Highland. And after the railroad tracks, everyone was in the right lane - meaning the left lane (that I would be taking) was wide open. So a drive that normally took 20 minutes, today only took 10.

Target doesn't open until 8:00 (gift cards!).

Meijer was open, so I did some quick pricing of the things I need to make cupcakes on Friday and perused the KitchenAid attachments (I <3 my KitchenAid). Then I hopped in my car and moved it over to the Target parking lot, watching for the guy to come around and unlock the doors.

I should have been able to pick up the game and go, but they hadn't put them out yet. Seven minutes later they finally got one out of the back and I was out the door.

By the time that I arrived at work, parked the car, gathered my things, and gott settled into the office, it was 8:19. Typically, I get to work no later than 8. This gives me time to settle in for the day and knock out a few things before my co-workers begin showing up at 8:25ish. So today, I had a mere 5 minutes to myself before the AAe showed up to falsify her time. My boss even showed up on time. And he was immediately in my office requesting that I make the exact changes on a project that the client and I have already discussed.

This is going to be a slow day since the game will sit in my car until I can get home and have dinner. Why can't I win the lottery, quit my job, and play PS3 all day? Huh? Why?

Tax time

Somebody's tax return FINALLY came this past week! Yay for finally being able to finish some projects around the house!!!

No offense to Dadu, but I think that it's time to start working with a pro so as to avoid missing paperwork.

Yay... money!

(Or rather, yay return of money that the IRS has held hostage for at least 6 months! Yes-hostage because the money wanted to be with me all along!)

Right now...

Things that are bugging me:

I am ridiculously tired. I had plenty of sleep last night and tons of coffee this morning. Ok, maybe not tons. I am so close to napping on my desk right now.

My co-worker is a big-ol' lying liar. I just don't understand how you can clock 45 minutes for a conference call when everyone else on the call clocked 30. Or how you can go home sick from work but manage to go out for pizza, a reds game, and a night of bar-hopping. Or how you can work from home without the convenience of your work computer (not having an exchange server means that you cannot remotely check your email from a home computer).

Why is the "H" key on my keyboard temperamental?

How does "I actually needed that yesterday, so can you please get it completed as soon as possible" lead you to believe that "I will try to get to it today" is an acceptable response?

Why has it taken over 4 hours to get a file converted to a PDF? If I had the ability to convert your design file (that my computer can't even read) into a PDF (a plug-in option that my computer never wants to recognize when Ineed it most), I would have done it in 5 minutes.

"I had a kid, what's your excuse?" loses it's validity as an argument when your kid is 7 years old and you still weigh at least 50 pounds more than before the kid. By the way, just how much did you gain during that pregnancy?!?! Also, not argument friendly: when the "you" of your question refers to someone who has recently become very ill and lost over 30 lbs.

Illegally copying a proof of your graduation photo and posting it on Facebook with the word "Proof" and the photog's name watermarked on it is tacky.

In the beginning...

Jerry and I have been married for almost seven weeks.

Here are some of the facts about our marriage (but you probably already know these):
- We were married in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Chapel.
- We were NOT married in any sort of religious ceremony (though there were some spiritual remarks and the officiant is in fact a Reverend)
- As we did not have a religious ceremony, we had no pre-marriage requirement such as pre-cana.

But I think that we did pretty well in preparing for marriage. We talk about EVERYTHING! And prior to walking down the aisle, we had a few discussions of things that we need in our marriage in order to be successful and happy.

One thing that we decided to do was create a list of items that we would like to do within the first year of marriage and before we consider having kids. I am happy to report that we are making decent progress on our one year list. So far we have...

- Attended a Cincinnati Commandos game
- Attended a Cincinnati Cyclones game (the final game of the Kelly Cup finals, I might add)
- On Saturday, we will hit up Taste of Cincinnati, VIP style

Still to come...
- Getting a puppy
- Finishing projects around the house
- Attending a Bengals game
- VIP at Oktoberfest

And much much more.

A dumb reason to love my job today

Last week, I had a meeting with one of my clients in which they asked me and my boss if we knew the meaning of one of their industry acronyms. We had NO idea. She learned of the acronym being used for a speaking opportunity by one of her team members, but was too embarrassed to tell him that she had no idea what it meant. Afterall, she should know - it's her industry!

So this morning as I was following up on my notes from that meeting, I find a random note in the sidebar that says, "What is LSS?"

So, I quickly searched Google to find that the most probable answer is "Lean Six Sigma" - a term that could be used in her industry.

So I emailed her to find out if they ever got an answer from the team that approved the speaker, and no one knew. So, she was completely impressed with me finding it. All with a few clicks of a keyboard.

LOVE IT!

It's what time?

Almost 4 am.  I have been awake since just before 3.

My stomach is very upset, as it has been just about every night since about the beginning of the year. It's been particularly bad lately and I just hope that it's related to the ridiculous changes in weather around here and my corresponding allergy issues. I won't get into the disgusting details of how having allergy issues = upset stomach.

Anyway, the other thing that is bothering me is that I keep thinking about my Cincinnati reception that occurred this past Friday. Yes folks, it was this past Friday. I just want to go ahead and thank all the people that did show as well as the people who did not show up, yet had a valid excuse and took the time to let me know.

It's rally kinda playing on my mind as to how some people can be so rude as to RSVP to an event where the host is paying for food/drinks/etc. per head... and then not show! We did have some last minute cancellations and I can certainly forgive those people because they had good reasons. And honestly, I didn't notice some of the no-shows until I was thinking about it later and the next day.

But these rude people have made me realize something... never will I RSVP to an event where it is likely that my presence is individually paid for, unless I am damn sure that I can make it.

As a side note, the following reasons are acceptable excuses for not showing Friday night (post-RSVP)...
- Babysitter issues arising at the last minute (although your kid would have totally been welcome)
- Being 9 months pregnant, due within a week, and starting your work day in the wee hours of the morning (specifically judging a pregnant bikini contest)
- Developing a nasty infection in your eye (we don't want to see that!)
- Switching jobs soon before the date and not being able to get the time off work (though, advanced notice would have still been nice since we had until the week before the reception to give a final head count)

So, in the end, this is what I have also learned: I know who my true friends are now. I will stop including people who bitch and moan that I don't spend enough time with them when they can't follow through on a simple RSVP. I will stop making certain people a priority to whom I am clearly not a priority. I thought about sending certain insensitive people a "Guess we missed you Friday night" message... but why waste the energy?

I'm gonna go ahead and call that the end of this rant and hope that I have vented enough frustrations to officially get this off my mind and fall peacefully asleep for the next 2 hours or so before I have to get moving for work. That's assuming that this stomach issue subsides as well. Looks like I'm gonna be propping up on the couch. Yay.

That's insane!

It's absolutely crazy how my office works. I have been here at 7:30 every mornign this week because I have some huge projects that I want to make sure I get finished before taking Friday off to celebrate my wedding - Cincinnati Reception Style!

Ok, on Monday, I got here at 7:30 and got all the way into the building and realized that I grabbed the wrong set of keys (no office key) and had to turn around to get the right keys.

So, here's what's crazy though... I have a co-worker who gets here at 7:30 am as well - only that only happens on days when I am not running so early. When I am here at 7:30, I have never seen her roll in earlier than 8:20. (We technically start at 8:30.) It's only on days that I roll in closer to 8:25 (because come on, I'm never gonna be late), that she gets here around 7:30... so she says.

Yes, that's right, I'm accusing her of lying. I don't really have any proof, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that she doesn't tell the truth about when she gets here. And sometimes, she tries to leave between 4 and 4:30 - on days when she gets here at 7:30 of course.

In fact, she says that she was here at 7:30 on Monday morning. It was at 7:35 that I sent Jerry a message that said "I grabbed the wrong [expletive deleted] keys." and walked back out to my car. So the absolute earliest that might have gotten here would be 7:40ish. yet when I returned from retrieving the proper keys at my house, she told me that she was here at 7:30.

Fascinating how our schedules coordinate like that.

End of rant! Thank you for listening.

I do not regret the things I have done

But those I did not do.

Tomorrow, Jerry and I will be married one week. Man, how time flies.

We have been full of nerdiness, with him calling me "wife" and me calling him "husband" during the course of normal conversation. I even geeked out a little when, talking to a co-worker, I said, "Now you're just sounding like my husband."

But something has been bothering me about being married... that I don't feel married.

I got semi-emotional just 2 times in Vegas: once when I saw my flowers while waiting for the wedding to start (they were SO pretty!) and a second time when we were looking at our video photo album during our pro-picture appointment on Friday.

Last Thursday felt like any other day to me... You know, the kind where you sit in hair and make-up for hours, throw on an expensive and pretty dress, and utter some vows before posing for a gazillion pictures. Just another Thursday.

Last night as Jerry and I attempted to go to sleep (easily falling asleep used to be my hobby, but now it's essentially my enemy), I asked him if he felt any different... if he felt married? He responded with, "Do you?" (Already a pro at answering a question with a question)

Nope. Not really.

There it is!

I thought for a second that maybe we made a mistake by living together, or at least by sharing a bed, before marriage. Like it would somehow change the impact of that day.

We have essentially been living as an old married couple for a year. The only thing that's changed is the legality... and my facebook relationship status.

But while that's been bothering me, I think it's great as well. I think it just goes to show that it was always right for us. It always worked before, and transitioned nicely into a marriage.

I could only wish that for everyone.

Getting Married

I was all busy getting married and enjoying Vegas that I stopped writing in my blog.

Look for a new entry soon.

Until then, enjoy these pictures of pugs in costumes:

Spider-pug... Spider-pug...

W - 2 days

Uh oh... getting close!

Tuesday in Vegas was kind of nice - a little on the cool side, but nice for strolling down the strip.

I was up at the crack of dawn. I wanted to take a stroll around the resort property, but I was up SO early that a lot things weren't open yet. So Jerry and I kind of lounged around the condo for a bit.

After a bit of miscommunication, I found my hair and make-up artist and she came to the resort to do my hair and make-up trial. Loved it. It looked so great! And even when I took my hair down, I could pin up pieces on the sides and it still looked amazing. Lori was awesome. We chatted just about the entire time about nothing. She is very easy-going and gentle with my hair. There were points where I could have fallen asleep while she worked.

All of that was in my hair!

While I was being pampered, Jerry went for a walk to the strip and was gracious enough to bring my back a nice coffee to wake me up again.

Once Lori was finished, Jerry and I grabbed our Fat Tuesday mugs and headed to Planet Hollywood for sandwiches and 32 oz of margaritas - I mixed mango and regular margarita while Jerry tried amaretto-pineapple and margarita. I think I liked his better. We will have to create some new mixes today ;)

We then returned to the resort to get ready for photos. In the mean time, Jerry's family and the rest of the Hoell clan and the Dashleys arrived.

Engagement photos were less than stellar. I was not a huge fan of the outcome and felt we were incredibly rushed to get them done... but that's also because there were MANY other families looking to take photos at the LV sign. Hopefully when we work with the same photog on our wedding day, he will take a bit more time. We also stopped to get our marriage license and then back to the resort we went where we stopped in to see Jerry's parents before heading back to our room.

We kind of gave in at this point - popped some frozen pizzas in the oven and flipped on the TV for the remains of NCIS. By 10:30, I was flat out spent and headed for bed. Unfortunately, that meant an early morning for me, even after taking Advil PM when I woke up around 11:30 with horrible pain in my knee.

It's still early here so I am waiting for Jerry to arise so that we can map out our day. I'm really looking forward to seeing all our friends and family who arrived yesterday.

W - 4 and 3 days

Didn't have time to do an update yesterday because we were traveling and exploring Las Vegas. But here we go...

Sunday, April 4 (W - 4) - Easter Sunday

Nothing terribly exciting to report. It was Easter Sunday. Since Jerry's car is already at the shop to be worked on while we are out of town, I drove him to work and then came home to get some cleaning and packing done.

Mindy came over in the afternoon and we headed to the family Easter party. There really isn't much to report from the party. Once again I was super glad to have my sister, brother, and cousin LB there. I felt kind of bad though because everyone was asking me if I was excited for Vegas and getting married. And I am, I just don't think that I am fully there yet - as excited and happy, and nervous as I should be.

I am happy that so many people are excited for me, and a little sad that many of the people we were hanging out with weren't going to be with us this week. There are a few that I REALLY wish could make it and it truly makes me sad that I don't get to see them. Then there are those that I would be very happy to have with us, but am not so sad that they aren't. It would be mildly awesome to have the entire family together vacationing as adults!

But I am so excited about the people that will be joining us! To have my family and Jerry's family, a few extended family members, great friends (and a few friends of friends) celebrating with us, and getting to take a break sounds like it's going to be a blast!

Monday, April 5 (W - 3 days)

Three days?!?!?! Ok, maybe I'm starting to hit that nervous point. Jerry and I have had many difficulties sleeping - unfortunately it was not nerves/excitement, it was just allergies.

I was up and moving early finishing a few last minute things... one of them being forgetting to pack our wedding cake topper! Oh well, if that's the worst thing that happens, I'll take it.

I loaded up the car while Jerry showered and got ready. Around 8:15 we were off to the UDF for a few morning snacks and then on the road to Columbus. It was a smooth ride and we we were able to use the cruise control most of the way, arriving at the airport around 10 am. I was kind of stupid happy to see another bride toting her dress on our flight.

As we lined up for the Southwest cattle call, a woman walked by and asked me about my dress and told me of how she met her husband on a southwest flight to Vegas. Cute. The flight attendant greeted us with a smile and wished us luck. The lady in line at the bathroom (I HATE using airplane bathrooms, but holding it is so much worse!) asked us a million questions about the wedding and planning and again wished us well. As we landed in Vegas, the flight attendant announced that there were a few couples here to get married this week and we got some more well wishes by the other flyers. And traveling with the dress was not bad at all. If I had a bigger dress, it may not have happened, but everything seemed to work out well and it looks like I won't have to do any additional pressing/steaming.

Mom and dad brought us to our resort and we have a pretty sweet 2-bedroom condo. After checking in and settling for a minute, we were back on the road to the grocery store and then to dinner with mom and dad, and special guest Bridget! We tried the cheap dinners and craft beer at Ellis Island. Despite our waitress being a space cadet, it wasn't too shabby.

Although Jerry was very tired, I suggested that we hit up Fremont Street for a light stroll. While cruising Fremont, we caught the end of the Butler/Duke game (SO close Butler!) and the filming of a new TV series, The Odds, starring Donald Faison. Kinda cool. I'm pretty convinced that they are just filming the opening sequence since they did about a million takes of the cast walking into a casino - no talking.

Bridget introduced us to a cute bar, The Griffin, on East Fremont. After one beer, I admitted defeat and we returned to the resort. I needed to shower and wash my hair in preparation for my hair trial today (Tuesday). By the time I finished showering, Jerry was down for the count. And about 5 minuted later, I was there too!

More adventures today! I think (since it's still VERY early) that I am going to take a solo stroll around our property.

W - 8...7...6..5... What day is it?

I have been slacking a lot lately loyal reader(s?). But with good reason.

I constantly talk about how busy I have been at work. It has been stressful! On Friday, the boss took the day of and the other AE worked from home. That left me, the art director, and the writer - and we took the opportunity to put all our frustrations on the table...over a couple of beers (yes, in the office!). The 3 of us have been working LONG hours (they much more than me). This past week, I had at three 10-hour days and two 9-hour days - and those were the hours that I actually clocked working on client projects. Including the drive to and from the office, and lunch, I felt like I was barely home. Add to that the fact that Jerry and I really need to go to the grocery store but didn't want to stock the house only to go out of town - so we spent a lot of time in restaurants. After which, we would return home and I would bust out the work computer for another hour or two of business.

I have never been so in need of a vacation... well, except when I went to Vegas for the first time in '05 and promptly returned to Texas to quit my job a week later.

Jerry had a bachelor night out with some friends at Habits. I stayed long enough for dinner and Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat (the Fruity Pebbles beer) and then returned home to my cozy company laptop. I did not have any kind of bachelorette activity. I tried to round up some people to go out last weekend, but to no avail. Oh well because we are having a good time out in Vegas and that will more than make up for it.

Nothing terribly exciting happened this week so you didn't miss much in my blogging absence.

I spent this morning getting a manicure, pedicure, and eye brow wax - followed by picking up my wedding dress at the seamstress, accessories at mom's, and a few last minute gifts. I may have scored a free lunch for me and Marilee today as well.

Jerry and I finally tried the local establishments of Hold the Nuts (Ice Cream shop) and the Italianette (pizza, pasta, hoagies). Jerry's real food smelled delicious and my cookie dough was excellent, though a little weird.

We've been packing and doing laundry like it's our job.

I found the most comfortable pair of army green capri pants and have sworn to wear them every day that I can on vacation. They are a little big, but they are easily the best pair of pants I have worn in a long time. Really, I think I'm rather enamored of them.

I paired them with a Las Vegas shirt (gotta get in the spirit) and fielded a barrage of questions about Vegas today and my choice to get married there. So let me clear up a few things...

It was 100% my idea to go to Vegas. I could have done everything by the book here in Cincinnati, but I'm not. I wanted to go away, and I fell in love with Vegas a long time ago. I decided before marriage was even a consideration with Jerry that Vegas was where it would happen for me. I'm lucky that Jerry cares for little more than the fact that at the end of the day he and I will be married. The when and where and how of it all don't matter to him, and quite honestly matter only slightly to me.

Why Planet Hollywood? This one's a little harder to define. I loved the casino when it was the Aladdin and I found myself attracted there once it became PH. It's one of those places that draws me in, but I can't say. My last trip to Vegas was with Jerry in 2008. We seemed to end up at PH at some point every day... often sharing a drink from Fat Tuesday. As far as the Chapel, it is one of the simplest on the strip. My wedding can be whatever I want because the chapel is so basic, and modern, and simple. And I immediately found a package that would make planning so easy... though I was freaking out not long ago when wedding coordinators there were in short supply.

Why now? I always wanted a Spring wedding. Though I would be happy to marry Jerry at any time. It's his fault that he waited so long to propose that in order to have a Spring wedding, we would only be engaged 6 months (and 1 day if you want to be exact). There's almost no way that I could make that happen in Cincinnati, but you can in Vegas. Plus, I don't think that I could have handled having to plan all this out for even longer... I'm ready to go now!

So they're not deep seated reasons, but that's why we are headed to Vegas after only being engaged for 6 months.

Now, what time does that plane leave?

W - 9 days

Tuesday, March 30, 2010...

Almost the end of March and only 9 days until the wedding.

And Jerry and I had dinner at El Pueblo. That's really the highlight of our entire day. People make fun of us for going there so much, but it's SO good! It's one of those restaurants where as soon as you think of it, you can't think of anything else! You must go there!

Unfortunately, I had to work when we got home. Two hours of home work! Gotta keep ahead so that I can enjoy being away.

Fortunately, Jerry let me watch the Dancing with the Stars results show and Chad survived elimination. So despite having to work at home, I still went to sleep happy.

W - 10 days

Just another Manic Monday... seriously!

Jerry's car died again this morning as he stopped for a breakfast at Brueggers.

I made it in to work, sat down at my desk at 8:15 and began tackling a long to-do list. When I looked up to check the time, it was close to 11:00! A little more work, a quick run to Wendy's, and back to work. It was an entirely frustrating afternoon. You can read my post about wanting to cry and see why. There is just so much that I have to get done by the end of this week, and having to rely on others is super-sucking right now!

But in one week, we will be landing in Vegas!

So back to Jerry... he opens the store on Mondays which means that he leaves work EARLY. He returned to his car to find that Yes, it still doesn't start, and he walked the approximately 3 miles back home. For the record, I offered to come pick him up and finish my afternoon working from home - which I would have totally preferred!

At 5:00, I left the office and ran home to pick up Jerry to take him back to his car and try once again to start it. Nope. We called AAA and they sent someone to help us. When he arrived, we told him which solution the last AAA dude had used (rubber mallet to the fuel pump) and he tried it. Sure enough it started. I'm glad he didn't waste time with all the diagnostic tools! Less than 5 minutes and he was back on his way. I really hope that Jerry's car can last through the week and we can send it to the repair shop while we are in Vegas.

Jerry treated me to dinner at Max and Erma's - I have fallen for their black bean burger, which is a statment I never thought I would make. In fact, if I heard someone say that they loved a black bean burger, I would probably make fun of him or her. Although, the BBB at Maribelle's Tavern is a little better, but M&E's has better toppings.

A tray of cookies later and we were ready to go home. Being full from dinner and with the pain in my lower back at it's worst since I noticed it, I curled up on the couch and fell asleep on top of Jerry. I feel bad for him when I do this because then he is stuck there.

While sleeping cuddled up next to Jerry felt good, there came a time when I had to sit up and move up to the bedroom. This was not good things! I think it took me a full 10 minutes of moving just an inch and then an inch more to get past the pain of sitting. Sleep did not come easily. Ok, it came easily - I can fall asleep anywhere! But it didn't last long. I tossed and turned all night, but woke up with much less pain and a little tightness in my back - hopefully a sign of good things to come.

So Monday was a bust in terms of doing anything productive in wedding land.

But Tuesday will be better. Jerry has to work late these next couple of days. I hope to use my increased alone time to clean around the house (in case the neighbors decide to pop in after we ask them to keep an eye on the house) and get things together for the trip. I am also hoping to put together an itinerary to keep Jerry on track while we are in Vegas! I mean, I'll give him an itinerary. If he follows it... well... we will see I guess.

W - 11 days

Sorry loyal readers (Jerry). I had this written on Monday and never posted it...

Sunday, March 28 was just like any other Sunday. I went to my parents' house for breakfast and Jerry had to work.

At the Taj Ma'Hoell, eccentric Uncle Odie joined us for breakfast. Since he is watching their house and dogs while mom and dad hit up Vegas, he stopped by for lessons in eye drop administration, and I imagine, how to properly lock the basement door (it's hard!). After breakfast, mom got a wild hair to decorate Easter Eggs. While she had 2 kits already, she launched a house-wide hunt for a 3rd kit that she swore she had. In the process, we found Christmas presents that she never gave us and travel Mad Gab - which we "lost" sometime in 2005 (would be my best guess). I will admit that dying Easter Eggs didn't suck completely, although I was getting annoyed by Odie's military-esque instrucitons on which colors to mix together. But I got over it. I think that I only fully decorated one egg (the most beautiful, and only photogenic one of the lot):

This took us through to 1:00! After dying time was over, I scooted to run a few errands and take lunch to Jerry at work, then home to finish up laundry to get us started toward vacation {cough cough wedding cough cough} packing. Jerry finally made it home and we had a rather boring dinner before deciding to laze about and watch TV (in between folding loads of laundry).

At some point this weekend, I injured myself. Don't know how or what I did, but I was suffering from terrible pain in my back that was slowly traveling down my thigh. Jerry offered me a muscle relaxer. As I took it, I had flashbacks to grade school safety days when they tell you never to take medication prescribed to someone else. But I had already had what seemed like half a bottle of advil and I had no relief. Well, the muscle relaxer provided no additional relief. But it did make me rather complacent.

Oh well, I guess... It was worth a shot.

I really think...

that I am going to cry.

I'm a mess right now.

Things are not going right at work. I worked on a report for over an hour and saved it. When I went to retrieve it for reference, it was gone. No recovery files...nothing.

I depend a lot on one of my co-workers to get projects finished. He doesn't seem to respect deadlines, processes, or adequate communication. I'm constantly having to remind him that I need things done 9things I can't otherwise do myself - at least not yet). They usually get done a day later than I ask. This doesn't work for me. I am frustrated to no end right now. He just sent me web stuff in the wrong format, which means I can't test it properly.

I depend on another co-worker for part of my daily work processes. She is flustered all the time. It takes her twice as long to complete a project than she is allotted. Her work is sub-par (not my opinion - I have been approached by the boss about it). I have tried to help the situation by preparing things further into the process than I am responsible for, and this offends her.

On top of that, my mother did something absolutely odd and confusing for the wedding. She bought something for my brother and father out of the blue to wear to the wedding. I'm confused. I don't know if it's something I said that made her think in this direction. part of my thinks, "Just go with it. The likely hood it shows up in pics is slim." Another part of me is ready to turn Bridezilla and tell her no, it's a dumb idea.

I think the real reason that I want to cry right now is because I have terrible pain in my lower left back. Based on how the pain started and the way that it has spread down my thigh makes me think bad things. Last night Jerry gave me a muscle relaxer, which, combined with Advil, did nothing to alleviate the pain - though it did make me terribly complacent and acutely aware of my heart beat. I am now more convinced of the pain's origin and that's just something that I cannot deal with right now!

Ugh!

On the bright side, we head to Vegas a week from today.

W - 13... or is it 12

I knew the day would come when I would be too busy (lazy?) to post an individual update. Here you get 2... shucks!

Friday was a great day.  Weather was kinda crappy, but it was a great day. Woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground and car and it was very cold most of the day... at the end of March! Oh wait, it's Cincinnati. 

It was one of those days at the office where everyone was BUSY all day and were "rewarded" with a trip to UDF courtesy of the boss. I left the office at 5:02 though I was sure that I would hear from work a million times this weekend. I have yet to hear anything. I had to leave on time though because it was the opening night of Beerfest. We got a totally awesome parking spot for free at a meter around the corner from the convention center!

Jerry and I went back and forth over whether we would go. For $40, you got 35 drink tickets for samples to fill a 5 ounce mug. After nerding out and doing the math, we figured that would come out to somewhere between about 6 and 14 beer equivalents in the span of 4 hours (depending on the size of the pour - which was supposed to be 2 oz). Knowing it was something Jerry would enjoy and that I would never make it through, not wanting to pay $80 total,  and acknowledging that we would not be able to get home on our own accord, I decided to go with the $10 designated driver ticket. 

Totally worth it to go this route. After checking my ID, I was given a wristband just like Jerry's and an identical souvenir/tasting mug - just no drink tickets. Jerry ended the night still holding 5 or 6 drink tickets, which makes me think that combined, we couldn't have made it much past the initial 35 tix total. And I was able to sip some of the more interesting of Jerry's selections, some of which I might have ended up just throwing out and essentially wasting the ticket. I think Jerry enjoyed it, but we have a few suggestions for the coordinators.

I pretty much went to bed as soon as we got home, because despite being a great day it was another LONG day for me.

Saturday (W - 12 days) began early. Jerry woke up to go to the bathroom around 6:15 and it was over. Neither of us could go back to sleep, but as Jerry so eloquently put it, "it's cold outside of coverland." So we just stayed there tucked away under the blankets, talking about how we should get up and get moving.

Because it was Kohl's super Saturday with Early Bird savings and an additional 20% off for me.

After spending about an hour in Kohl's and stocking up on a few items for the trip,  we hit up Meijer for a few travel size toiletries and then headed up to the Mangus house for a quick visit and to possibly get my "something borrowed." Baby Dylan is so incredibly adorable and so good! I'm glad I got to see Kelly before we head out. The fact that she got married in Vegas as well always leaves me with an additional bit of reassurance about this decision.

Then Jerry and I hit up Trader's World...I'm still not sure why. We left empty handed but got our fill of... well, Trader's World folk. 

We met my parents at Kohl's (different than the first one) and bought a few more items that we forgot we were looking for this morning. We then joined them for lunch at Bd's Mongolian Grill, where they were training a new bartender and sharing his training creations for free with the 21+ crowd. We shared a Mongo Rita, Mongolian Sunrise, and Hawaiian Volcano. 2 more quick stops and Jerry and I headed home for a nap.

I have NO idea how long we slept but we got up around 

6:00 and decided that in spite of all the offers we had to go out tonight, renting a movie and veggie on the couch were the way to go.  I of course supplemented this effort with trying on every pair of shorts and capris that I own in order to begin packing for Vegas. Yay for weight loss and my issue with ever throwing away any clothes.

Oh, and Jerry found me this:

Mmmmmm.... Margarita. And Melon to boot.

W - 14 days

Two Weeks People! Let me tell you that it CANNOT get here soon enough.

I've reached the point of stupid happy, with a hint of nerves.

At 2 weeks out, work seems to be that much more busy. Yesterday was a very long day and despite being in the office early, I still wasn't able to leave less than 1.5 hours after my "clock-out" time. It's just a REALLY busy time for one of my clients and going out of town right around some big deadlines means long hours. I'm ok with it. I'm just SO tired when I get home that it's dinner and then bed time for me! Unfortunately, that equates to less quality time with Jerry. Plus, there are a few things going on at work that may put me in a slightly deeper hole after the wedding - it's quite possible that I take on an additional client. I'm confident that I can handle the workload, but I'm freaking out about it as well.

But anyway... at 2 weeks out, things are shaping up rather nicely...
- Jerry's Bachelor "Activity" has been planned
- "Rehearsal Dinner" has been planned (in quotes because... there is no rehearsal!)
- Stripper 101 class has been booked
- I received items for the centerpieces for the Cincinnati Reception
- We received a wedding present from a friend of Jerry's family who cannot make the trip to the reception
- I have developed a shopping plan to pick up items that we will need for the trip (woo hoo for Kohls early bird specials, 20% discount, and opening at 7 am tomorrow!)

and...

wait for it...

A Wedding Coordinator from Planet Hollywood CALLED ME BACK. I know you're shocked. Take a minute to breathe. Actually she called my dad because the old wedding coordinator listed him as the groom, because she pulled the information from his credit card rather than Jerry's information on the CONTRACT when she put it in the system. I used my sweet voice to try to convince her that she needed to hook us up with some free upgrades. Unfortunately, the girl that called me is actually from Paris and is a transplant resulting from the Harrah's merger. She knows how to handle the process, but doesn't know details of the package. I hung up the phone with fewer answers than questions, but should be hearing back from her soon.

I hope!

W - 15 days

My stomach gets a few more butterflies as each day ticks away.

15 days out was boring.

After a busy day of work, Jerry talked me into going to El Pueblo. Or did I talk him into it? Either way, we had El Pueblo for dinner. And it was DELICIOUS. But it always is.

After that, we were pretty much spent.

I sat by the phone waiting for my wedding coordinator to return my phone call. She didn't. That's ok though, because my contract says that final payment is due 30 days out once all fine details have been decided. Since I have questions about the details that are going unanswered, I don't consider that statement to be held up on their end. Ergo, no monies.

And that ended our boring Wednesday night.

I hope El Pueblo brings back the Mariachi band soon

W - 16 days

Long day...

Jerry went out last night with friends. No big deal since he didn't have to be to work until late today. But when he decided to come home at 2 am and found that his car didn't start, it was Gina to the rescue. I really didn't mind doing it - made me feel better that he wasn't driving anyway. But once I am awake enough to drive a car, I'm AWAKE. 

It took a while to fall back asleep and then I kept waking up. I took Jerry back to his car on my way to work to find that it still wouldn't start (was worth a shot).  Called AAA and waited. The dude that came to fix the car was very nice, friendly, and... creative. 

After all was said and done, I was already a half hour late for work. I decided to skip Free Pastry Day at Starbucks and forego stopping for any kind of coffee or caffeine alternative. I feel that if you're running late for work, it only looks worse if you stop for unnecessary beverages.

Anyhoo... wasn't shaping up to be a great day since I was already dragging. Since Jerry was working 2nd shift, I went straight to his work so that we could have dinner together (after working late to make up for coming in late). 

When I finally got home from this long day, I was greeted by this:

Yup... that's one of Jerry's friends. She took the RSVP card that we sent with the perfectly good stamp and put it in an envelope after copying the address exactly as it appeared on the post card. That kinda made my day. 

Well, that and realizing that it's 16 days until Jerry and I are married. Say it out loud. Crazy... 16 days!

Have you been wondering...

Why there hasn't been a Thinking and Driving Episode in a long time.

It's probably because my drive to and from work is less than half as long.

I don't sit in traffic or travel long stretches of high way any more.

My drive varies almost daily because there are so many ways that I can travel to my new office. (Though my route is usually dictated by construction - also known as "Spring in Cincinnati")

So I don't have time to think about weird things when I drive any more.

Sorry.

Hello Random Thought

A few years ago - quite honestly too few for this person to admit - my cousin commented on how confusing it must be to have 2 Uncle Bills. Both of my father's sisters married Bills. it's cool though because I have 10 other uncles* on my mom's side - none of them named Bill. (Ok, technically, Uncle Richard's real name is William, but I didn't know that until about 2 months ago.)

Anyway,  I was just thinking that should Jerry and I have children and Mindy never remarries (or marries someone named Mike), my kids will only have Uncle Mikes. That's probably ok since I just about never call my brother by his name.

*Wondering if I can name them all -  in no particular order: Terry, Johnny, Jeffrey, Frank, Dennis, Richard, Randy, Odie, Tommy, and Roy. (Look at me go!)

W - 17 days

Holy Schnikes... 17 days!

That means 14 days until we fly to Vegas! Woo hoo!

That also means that I tried again to get a hold of my wedding planner (she said Mondays and Tuesdays were best, because "weekends = weddings") and I still haven't received a response.

Oh well. She doesn't get paid until she confirms everything I have sent her. We'll just ignore that part of the contract that requires payment 30 days ahead.

In other news... Look what has been found and cleaned...

Heck yes, we have his and hers Fat Tuesday Mugs! I'm hoping we can add the FT at PH to our photo tour list. 

"What is Fat Tuesday?" You ask. Well, it's a whole bunch of awesomeness!

Fat Tuesday is an adult frozen drink stand. There are 5 of them along the strip: Planet Hollywood, Stratosphere (don't know that I have ever been to this one), MGM, Caesars Palace (Forum Shops), and  Mandalay Bay  - according to the website. I swear Jerry and I found one in New York, New York as well though, but I don't remember - because I was too busy enjoying adult beverages! Mmmmm... Margaritas!

Anyway, you go to the stand and buy a drink in a reusable cup - with the extra shot of liquor. They have about 10 different size cups including some measured in yardage. We like the mug because it comes with a lid (not all of them do) and it stays cooler longer. Then, when you are ready for a refill, you simply take your cup back and they refill it for a reduced price. Totally worth it since you can walk around Vegas with an adult beverage at any time. WALK - NOT DRIVE. Not be in a car... walk!

I think it was once a favorite stop of Mindy's, but not any more. And with good reason. But that's a story for another time. 

If you're traveling out to Vegas, come to Fat Tuesday with us! Or you can hang out with us at Mindy's new favorite hot spot (I like it too!):

W - 18 days

It was a weird 18th day until the wedding... for me at least.

Started with the typical breakfast at the rents'. I ran to Dillards to look into a dress and tie that my mom saw while she was there. Dress would have been perfect for bridesmaids had I wanted them to wear long green dresses. I didn't.

Anyway, while I was there, I heard a lady talking to the sales person about a MOB dress. And then her husband helped her pick out dresses and followed her into the dressing room to help her try them. I saw a cute casual dress that I was thinking about trying on, but forget it with the old guy in the area.

I tried to visit Jerry for our typical Sunday lunch, but he was BUSY! So I ran to IGA to pick up a few things for dinner. As I walked in, I was cut off by an old guy smoking a cigar - in a grocery store! Probably another one of the locals. As I was leaving, I saw a guy cruising down the parking lot in some kind of funky bicycle contraption, with a basket full of random junk attached to the back.

Around 6, I decided to run to Macy's to return a gift of which we had multiples. I waited patiently as the old guy at the register helped the 2 women before me. Then another sales person walked up and rang out some lady that had been wandering around and just happened to stop the sales person and ask if there was another register available. No problem. But the female sales lady was then available before the dude. She started to walk away and then looked at me painfully before asking if she could help me. I said, "Yes, I want to return this item because I received 2 of them. It's from my registry." I then handed her the registry and she looked at me dumbfounded before asking, "Are you returning them because you can't cook?" Really lady?!?!?! You don't know me! So I again explained that I had received 2 items and didn't have any use for 2... wondering if it's because of not-nice people like her that stuff doesn't get taken off the registry in the first place. 

Ugh. What has 2 Thumbs and filled out the Macy's Customer satisfaction survey? This girl! (Guess that's only funny if you saw the motion that went with that statement)

And then as I was driving home, I saw the guy with the funky bike again, riding around the IGA parking lot. Interesting.

W - 19 days

Woo hoo! Broke through the 20s and we're down to 19 days.

No pictures today because I didn't get out the camera. 

We celebrated with a few fun wedding activities - checking off things left and right...

- Picked up Jerry's new black suit

- Picked up some adhesive gems to finish the cake-topper

- Bought a piece for our cake table

And...

Wait for it...

Pre-applied for our Marriage License (that means we get to go to the fast pass line at the courthouse in Vegas!)

Wow, we had a rather boring day after all. But yay, we're out of the 20s.

W - 20

Tomorrow, we break out of the 20s!

Today's post is coming much earlier in the day because I just received the best "Less than 3 weeks to go" present via text from Jerry...

(Warning: this may not be the best picture for the weak-stomached)

That's right folks... a pile of hair in the sink. But not just any pile of hair. That used to be Jerry's beard. Go ahead and wipe that tear away, I'll wait.

Let me take this opportunity to clarify something... I don't hate the beard. I think Jerry can grow a beard quite nicely... and ridiculously quickly as well. I just think that he has a handsome face and the beard hides it.

I have never (clearly) stopped him from growing a beard when he wants, and I never intend to, even at my own mother's Christmas request. (Yes, that's happened)

I'm just a little sad now that I have to wait ALL day to see the end result. Unless he decides to meet me for lunch... hint, hint!

By the way, here's a picture of Jerry the night before he shaved (he calls this the last night of awesomeness):