Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Why Old Navy is Stupid
Okay, they're not usually stupid - I really like this store - just ask Cody about my credit card there. :) Cheap, relatively classic stuff, if you stay away from the uber trendy items. Anyway, so I go in there tonight because I have some free time (okay, I'm lying I really didn't have free time I was just avoiding all the things I REALLY need to do by going shopping - is that wrong?) and Cody was skiing at Hidden Valley (yes, Missouri really does have a ski "resort" - it's basically a man-made mountain of ice so I refuse to "ski" (meaning, slide down the mountain of ice out of control) there) so he wouldn't get on me about spending money at Old Navy instead of saving it for the all consuming wedding. Anyway, they have an ENTIRE wall of flip-flops! Let me add that it is about 17 degrees outside and SNOWING! Yes, it's snowing outside and Old Navy is trying to sell me flip-flops. I can see this in Florida where spring is probably only 2 weeks away - but we live in MISSOURI!! Spring doesn't really come here until mid-May (it snowed during my half marathon last year in April)! Anyway, a funny little tidbit from my shopping adventure. Oh, and I didn't spend much money - tank tops for working out and some cute t-shirt type things that I may be able to get away with wearing to work.
We Did It!!
FINALLY!! We finally picked AND ordered invitations!! Those who don't understand our huge problems with decisions (read: Missy's huge problems with decisions), just don't understand how horrible this was for us. Hense the reason we STILL don't have bridesmaid dresses, tuxes, real wedding colors, or just about anything that requires a fashion/decorative decision. Anyway, we finally picked one we liked and then sat down to order them. Simple process you would think. Well, think again! First there was the invitation: Should we put "Together with their parents, Missy and Cody . . . ." or "Missy and Cody, together with their parents. . . ." Then there was the wording - oh, holy cow we had to have looked at hundreds of possible wordings from the ridiculously overdone religious to the downright silly to plain bad taste. Then there was the time - what time do we start this damn thing? No clue how to even start down that road - so we didn't - we called for help - Cody's mom pretty much walked us through the timing thing - from when we should have the wedding to how long things will take to what time we should list for the cocktail (thanks to her also for noticing that I spelled cocktail wrong on the reception card) hour and dinner. Then there was the decision as to whether to put the address to the garden we're marrying at. Then we were done with invitiations - a good 1.5 hours later. Then it was on to the reception cards - more wording, more timing, more decisions. Then finally the reply cards - okay, those we're that terribly hard wording wise, but we looking for a good hour on the internet trying to find out the "proper" time to give people to respond and how far in advance we should get the RSVPs back - never did find it - so we just made up a date. By the way, anyone who doesn't return the reply cards that I put a stamp on for them, I will personally hunt down and beat. Love you too. :)
So yes, we now have invitations. They should go out next week but we'll see how long it takes to get them back from the printer, gather the addresses, and then writing them out. Fun fun. We're moving towards making more decisions!! Good thing deciding to get married wasn't this hard or we'd never be walking down the isle (oh, yeah, never mind - it did take us forever - somewhere between 7 and 10 years). :)
So yes, we now have invitations. They should go out next week but we'll see how long it takes to get them back from the printer, gather the addresses, and then writing them out. Fun fun. We're moving towards making more decisions!! Good thing deciding to get married wasn't this hard or we'd never be walking down the isle (oh, yeah, never mind - it did take us forever - somewhere between 7 and 10 years). :)
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
I am the stupidest person alive.
For many reasons, but one in particular right now. Yes, it's wedding related. You think I'm crazy about the wedding now, just wait until I have kids and see how much I blog about them. :)
Anyway, I have spent hours of my life looking for wedding invitations. Hours. Probably that add up into days. I've been looking for slightly over 14 months now. I've looked forever and only found a handful of invitiations that I even considered. So today I think I decided on one. So I sit down at the computer this evening to fill out the pages of stupid questions they ask to order invitiations. But before I really commit to this invitation, I decide to browse around a bit. And in my browsing I find tons that I think are cute or possiblities - after months of looking and not finding any! I'm insane - I have a fear of commitment of invitations!
Anyway, I have spent hours of my life looking for wedding invitations. Hours. Probably that add up into days. I've been looking for slightly over 14 months now. I've looked forever and only found a handful of invitiations that I even considered. So today I think I decided on one. So I sit down at the computer this evening to fill out the pages of stupid questions they ask to order invitiations. But before I really commit to this invitation, I decide to browse around a bit. And in my browsing I find tons that I think are cute or possiblities - after months of looking and not finding any! I'm insane - I have a fear of commitment of invitations!
Monday, January 29, 2007
I love the water company.
Well, I guess it's a love-hate relationship really. But right now it's all love! Last week I was cursing up a storm when they cut off our water (we're convinced they haven't sent bills since November 05). So the next morning I marched myself down to the Water District, paid my money to the lady with 2 feet of floss hanging out of her mouth (I think she must have thought it was some sort of fashion statement but it wasn't - it was gross) and went on my way. When I came home that evening, sure enough we had water again. But it wasn't our normal water - it was our water with our full water pressure back! Not only did we have our water back but we had amazing water pressure!!!! Yes, this may seem trivial to some, but when you have as much hair as I do to rinse shampoo and conditioner out of, water presure is a big deal! I'm so excited! So, life is good again.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Fun with utilities.
First it was our electricity - we lost if for 4 or 5 sweltering days in July then lost it for 5 very cold days in December. Then it was our gas company - we don't have an automatic reader (and our meter is in the basement) so they "estimate" our bill every month. The problem is the "estimate" is WAY over what we use in gas (Cody is stingy with the gas and heat). So we finally called them, told them our actual meter reading and now have a $800 credit on our gas bill. Yipee- free gas for the winter - though the gas company has had that money for over a year and we haven't.
Anyway, now it's the water. We first had water problems after the big storm in July (yes, the one that took our power) - somehow a huge water main broke, flooding our street and The Science Center down the street. They've been digging up holes deeper then our house all over our neighborhood since then. We randomly come home to find a note on the door saying we have no water until 9pm that night - this has happened at least a few dozen times - they're working on the main STILL and they needed to cut the water. Other then that the water main thing hasn't affected us greatly except the water pressure is about 1/2 of what it used to be.
Then there's today. Cody came home first, worked out and then realized we had no water. Curious but not terribly unusual. I was working out at the time, got home and Cody informed me of the problem. I asked if there was a note on the door and he said no. So I asked him where the most recent water bill was so I could call them - he brought me the sewer bill. I said "No, not the sewer bill, I need the water bill." He responds with "We don't have a water bill - it's run through the sewer people." "Nope," I replied - "there is an actual City of St. Louis Water Division that we pay bills to - those are the trucks constantly working on our street and surrounding streets on the big main problem." "Oh. I didn't know that. I don't think I've ever paid a water bill" was his response. Sure enough he was right. I called the water company and found out there was no maintenance on our main though our water WAS turned off - we had not paid our bill for a very long time and owed money. WHAT!?!?!? YOU TURNED OFF OUR WATER?!?!? AND DIDN'T WARN US? Don't you have to tell people before you cut off their utilities!!! Isn't that a constitutionally protected right or something??
Apparently Cody took over bill paying about a year ago and seriously hasn't paid a water bill since then. They only come every 3 months so we're not sure if we just managed to lose everyone one of them (I can see us losing one since every other bill we have it auto bill pay, but not all of them) or they weren't sending them to us. We found one from November 2005 and it was sent to "New Resident" - no other name. So we're thinking since we never "registered" with them they stopped sending bills. Go figure.
Anyway, since we were both dirty and sweaty we went to a friends house and took showers and hung out. We figued we can still brush our teeth in the morning with the water in our water bottles and then I can wash my face at work - right after calling the water company and paying the bill. The adventures in life. . . :)
Anyway, now it's the water. We first had water problems after the big storm in July (yes, the one that took our power) - somehow a huge water main broke, flooding our street and The Science Center down the street. They've been digging up holes deeper then our house all over our neighborhood since then. We randomly come home to find a note on the door saying we have no water until 9pm that night - this has happened at least a few dozen times - they're working on the main STILL and they needed to cut the water. Other then that the water main thing hasn't affected us greatly except the water pressure is about 1/2 of what it used to be.
Then there's today. Cody came home first, worked out and then realized we had no water. Curious but not terribly unusual. I was working out at the time, got home and Cody informed me of the problem. I asked if there was a note on the door and he said no. So I asked him where the most recent water bill was so I could call them - he brought me the sewer bill. I said "No, not the sewer bill, I need the water bill." He responds with "We don't have a water bill - it's run through the sewer people." "Nope," I replied - "there is an actual City of St. Louis Water Division that we pay bills to - those are the trucks constantly working on our street and surrounding streets on the big main problem." "Oh. I didn't know that. I don't think I've ever paid a water bill" was his response. Sure enough he was right. I called the water company and found out there was no maintenance on our main though our water WAS turned off - we had not paid our bill for a very long time and owed money. WHAT!?!?!? YOU TURNED OFF OUR WATER?!?!? AND DIDN'T WARN US? Don't you have to tell people before you cut off their utilities!!! Isn't that a constitutionally protected right or something??
Apparently Cody took over bill paying about a year ago and seriously hasn't paid a water bill since then. They only come every 3 months so we're not sure if we just managed to lose everyone one of them (I can see us losing one since every other bill we have it auto bill pay, but not all of them) or they weren't sending them to us. We found one from November 2005 and it was sent to "New Resident" - no other name. So we're thinking since we never "registered" with them they stopped sending bills. Go figure.
Anyway, since we were both dirty and sweaty we went to a friends house and took showers and hung out. We figued we can still brush our teeth in the morning with the water in our water bottles and then I can wash my face at work - right after calling the water company and paying the bill. The adventures in life. . . :)
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Melissa Raffensperger?
Today I got the first of two sets of address labels I ordered for Cody and I - the first is for our wedding invitations with our names as they are now and the second is for our thank you cards, with our names as they will be in 10 weeks and 4 days. We got the second set in the mail today - it is TOTALLY weird to see us as Melissa and Cody Raffensperger - I'll be Melissa Raffensperger (I think I messed up four times before even typing that correctly - imagine having to write it every day). Wow. I really can't believe it. I'm excited - to be Melissa Raffensperger and have this whole thing over with.
On another note, I think wedding planning has imparted upon me a perpetual state of PMS - and I don't even have periods - (it's a medical medication miracle - sorry boys if you're reading this)!! Anyway, I'm moody, cranky, stressed, antsy, weepy and all over just emotional for no good reason. NO I am NOT pregnant!
I'm scared out of my mind one second and thrilled out of my mind the next. Don't worry it has nothing to do with Cody or my complete confidence in this relationship/wedding/marriage - it's just the wedding part. If something goes wrong at the wedding, something isn't done right, it's my fault. If something, including me, is ugly or looks stupid, it's my fault. The pressure is all on me - and if I screw it up it's not just some keg party that I forgot to buy extra nachos for - it's my damn wedding - presumably a once in a lifetime thing.
So therein lies the quandry - on one hand trying to make it your one big day and that whole once in a lifetime thing and all that crap about how you only do it once it better be perfect, and on the other just making decisions and moving on and realizing it's only one day in an entire life with someone - no matter what happens, in the end you'll be married and that's the point. So there's this dicotomy swirling in my head constantly. How ever to deal with them both?
I love throwing parties - for other people. I adore throwing Cody a huge birthday party every year (if you're in STL and reading this you better be at his birthday party this Saturday or I might go getting all emotional on you) - I seriously love it. I loved throwing four of our friends a big birthday party in September - loved it. I get to do all this fun planning, yeah it's a lot of work getting everything and getting the house in order, but in the end it's fantastic and we have a fun party. But the wedding is a whole 'nother ball game - it's our big party. The center of attention won't be on someone else - it will be me (and Cody I guess too :) ). That FREAKS me out! Yes, I talk a lot and can sometimes be known to monopolize a conversation - but that's in groups of less then 5 when I'm comfortable with those people (so if you're reading this and nodding your head about how, yes, I can monopolize a conversation, at least know that I feel comfortable with you). The wedding is a whole new ball park - tons of people all judging me. Me! If the chairs look like it's a funeral (Cody wanted to get black chairs for the wedding instead of white because they were cheaper but I said no because then it would look like a funeral) people will wonder why I would ever try to make my chairs look like a funeral. If I forget to get a guest book and just get everyone to sign a napkin, people will wonder why I"m an idiot. All sorts of dumb things like that. All swirling in my head at once. Damn I can't wait for this to be over. I think I need a drink . . . Ta ta for now!
On another note, I think wedding planning has imparted upon me a perpetual state of PMS - and I don't even have periods - (it's a medical medication miracle - sorry boys if you're reading this)!! Anyway, I'm moody, cranky, stressed, antsy, weepy and all over just emotional for no good reason. NO I am NOT pregnant!
I'm scared out of my mind one second and thrilled out of my mind the next. Don't worry it has nothing to do with Cody or my complete confidence in this relationship/wedding/marriage - it's just the wedding part. If something goes wrong at the wedding, something isn't done right, it's my fault. If something, including me, is ugly or looks stupid, it's my fault. The pressure is all on me - and if I screw it up it's not just some keg party that I forgot to buy extra nachos for - it's my damn wedding - presumably a once in a lifetime thing.
So therein lies the quandry - on one hand trying to make it your one big day and that whole once in a lifetime thing and all that crap about how you only do it once it better be perfect, and on the other just making decisions and moving on and realizing it's only one day in an entire life with someone - no matter what happens, in the end you'll be married and that's the point. So there's this dicotomy swirling in my head constantly. How ever to deal with them both?
I love throwing parties - for other people. I adore throwing Cody a huge birthday party every year (if you're in STL and reading this you better be at his birthday party this Saturday or I might go getting all emotional on you) - I seriously love it. I loved throwing four of our friends a big birthday party in September - loved it. I get to do all this fun planning, yeah it's a lot of work getting everything and getting the house in order, but in the end it's fantastic and we have a fun party. But the wedding is a whole 'nother ball game - it's our big party. The center of attention won't be on someone else - it will be me (and Cody I guess too :) ). That FREAKS me out! Yes, I talk a lot and can sometimes be known to monopolize a conversation - but that's in groups of less then 5 when I'm comfortable with those people (so if you're reading this and nodding your head about how, yes, I can monopolize a conversation, at least know that I feel comfortable with you). The wedding is a whole new ball park - tons of people all judging me. Me! If the chairs look like it's a funeral (Cody wanted to get black chairs for the wedding instead of white because they were cheaper but I said no because then it would look like a funeral) people will wonder why I would ever try to make my chairs look like a funeral. If I forget to get a guest book and just get everyone to sign a napkin, people will wonder why I"m an idiot. All sorts of dumb things like that. All swirling in my head at once. Damn I can't wait for this to be over. I think I need a drink . . . Ta ta for now!
Monday, January 22, 2007
Weekend Fun.
This weekend we had fun with home improvement. More painting the downstairs bath - finished even the trim!!! We bought and put up a new light fixture (I hated the old one) and cleaned the bathroom all spick and span. We finished painting the door today so now that can go back up and we can have a door to our bathroom again. Now we just have to fix the leak in the toilet that developed after I took it apart to paint behind it. :)
We hung around, had the normal fun, and got to relax a bit. We got a few inches of snow but by the time we woke up on Sunday it was too warm (around 35 - wow!) that it was melting and no longer sled-able. Next time we'll have to get on it earlier so we can get some sledding in on our new sleds.
I had a nice tumble down our stairs Saturday night as well. I was running and slipped on my fuzzy socks and the carpet, tumbled, skinned up my forearms and twisted my ankle. Always a good time. Now I'm stuck on the bike for work outs for a few days - I hate working out on stationary bikes.
Well, that's the news that's fit to print for now. As usual, the wedding planning is moving along - tonight we researched honeymoon destinations (the best part of the wedding as far as I'm concerned - when it's all over!). Oh yeah, and we're having a big party for Cody on Saturday for his birthday - it's his "golden birthday" - he'll be 28 on the 28th! Pretty cool! So that's the whole motivation with the painting - getting more done for the party. So this week is going to be busy, busy, busy. I even had to pass on going out with the girls tonight so I could work-out and do party prep! Hopefully we can get it all done in time!
We hung around, had the normal fun, and got to relax a bit. We got a few inches of snow but by the time we woke up on Sunday it was too warm (around 35 - wow!) that it was melting and no longer sled-able. Next time we'll have to get on it earlier so we can get some sledding in on our new sleds.
I had a nice tumble down our stairs Saturday night as well. I was running and slipped on my fuzzy socks and the carpet, tumbled, skinned up my forearms and twisted my ankle. Always a good time. Now I'm stuck on the bike for work outs for a few days - I hate working out on stationary bikes.
Well, that's the news that's fit to print for now. As usual, the wedding planning is moving along - tonight we researched honeymoon destinations (the best part of the wedding as far as I'm concerned - when it's all over!). Oh yeah, and we're having a big party for Cody on Saturday for his birthday - it's his "golden birthday" - he'll be 28 on the 28th! Pretty cool! So that's the whole motivation with the painting - getting more done for the party. So this week is going to be busy, busy, busy. I even had to pass on going out with the girls tonight so I could work-out and do party prep! Hopefully we can get it all done in time!
Girls Night Rocks!
I guess my last post was Wednesday so I'll catch up from there. Thursday was soccer. Cody had to play goalie because our goalie was out and he'd been sick so he didn't want to do a lot of running around. The team we played was alright but not spectacular - but we still lost 8-2. Such is life. I actually had two shots on goal (very rare for me) but both of them went right into their goalie's hands.
Friday rocked! A few girls and I decided to get together and have a girl's night - just us girls hanging out. It was quite convenient as Cody was also having Poker Night - which while technically isn't strictly boys, I don't think a girl has ever shown up. Anyway, for our evening of fun, we started at P.F. Changs. For those of you without such a restaraunt (hello Tallahassee people), it's a "China Bistro." What that means I don't know, but the place is insanely crowded, they serve typical Chineese fare, but no one that works there is actually Chineese, albeit quite good. I don't think I've ever been to a "Chineese restaraunt" where no one is actually Chineese so that was a first. They even have an item on the menu something like "Vegatable Fun" - does that sound Chineese? Anyway, we had a great time chatting and eating.
Then we moved on to the Chocolate Bar - it just sounds like girl heaven, doesn't it? Well it is. Everything on the menu is chocolate chocolate and more chocolate - chocolate martinis, chocolate coffee, chocolate soup, chocolate sundaes, brownies, banana splits, mousse - anything you can think of making with chocolate they had it - not kidding. It was fabulous. I had some warm chocolate thing with vodka, but it turned out more vodka then anything else. Everyone else had fabulous desserts. We sat outside on the heated patio and had a great time talking for hours and hours. The waiter probably hated us because between the four of us we spent less then $30 and we took the table for probably four hours, but sorry buddy, we were having a great time.
It was really nice to go hang out with girls and get to just chit chat. We are all about the same age, but come from such amazingly different backgrounds. It's so much fun to hear about how others grew up and how they lived there lives and how that effects our families as adults (some fledgling and some not so new). We are all lawyers but all got into law different ways and for different reasons. And everyone brought something different to the table. For instance, I had an amazing time learning all about European royals and how titles pass down and all about Queen Elizabeth and her family and who is related to who. It was great - even though I took AP European History, I learned nothing in that year long course and learned more during that conversation then I ever did in school. So much so that I want to go buy books on American History, European History and Religion. I could literally sit for weeks and learn from those girls and still not learn half of what they bring to the table. There is so much knowledge out there and it's so nice to get out, talk to other people, who know other stuff, and learn fun new things. Anyway, I had a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again.
Friday rocked! A few girls and I decided to get together and have a girl's night - just us girls hanging out. It was quite convenient as Cody was also having Poker Night - which while technically isn't strictly boys, I don't think a girl has ever shown up. Anyway, for our evening of fun, we started at P.F. Changs. For those of you without such a restaraunt (hello Tallahassee people), it's a "China Bistro." What that means I don't know, but the place is insanely crowded, they serve typical Chineese fare, but no one that works there is actually Chineese, albeit quite good. I don't think I've ever been to a "Chineese restaraunt" where no one is actually Chineese so that was a first. They even have an item on the menu something like "Vegatable Fun" - does that sound Chineese? Anyway, we had a great time chatting and eating.
Then we moved on to the Chocolate Bar - it just sounds like girl heaven, doesn't it? Well it is. Everything on the menu is chocolate chocolate and more chocolate - chocolate martinis, chocolate coffee, chocolate soup, chocolate sundaes, brownies, banana splits, mousse - anything you can think of making with chocolate they had it - not kidding. It was fabulous. I had some warm chocolate thing with vodka, but it turned out more vodka then anything else. Everyone else had fabulous desserts. We sat outside on the heated patio and had a great time talking for hours and hours. The waiter probably hated us because between the four of us we spent less then $30 and we took the table for probably four hours, but sorry buddy, we were having a great time.
It was really nice to go hang out with girls and get to just chit chat. We are all about the same age, but come from such amazingly different backgrounds. It's so much fun to hear about how others grew up and how they lived there lives and how that effects our families as adults (some fledgling and some not so new). We are all lawyers but all got into law different ways and for different reasons. And everyone brought something different to the table. For instance, I had an amazing time learning all about European royals and how titles pass down and all about Queen Elizabeth and her family and who is related to who. It was great - even though I took AP European History, I learned nothing in that year long course and learned more during that conversation then I ever did in school. So much so that I want to go buy books on American History, European History and Religion. I could literally sit for weeks and learn from those girls and still not learn half of what they bring to the table. There is so much knowledge out there and it's so nice to get out, talk to other people, who know other stuff, and learn fun new things. Anyway, I had a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again.
Been a while.
Wow. It's been a while, so instead of one big long blog I'm breaking them into smaller, more manageable ones. FYI. Oh yeah, I know I still haven't done a year-in-review for 2006 or my New Year's resolutions (though like most of the world, I've already blown most of mine). I'll attempt to do that before hell freezes over, or my head explodes. :)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sick as a Dog.
Cody, not me. After our fun filled weekend and our "date night" out to the movies, we returned home and Cody said he his stomach didn't feel good. Admitedly, one thing I lack sometimes is compassion - I thought he just ate something that didn't agree with him so I told him to take some Mylanta (this stuff is amazing - I swear by it) and go to sleep. Not 20 minutes later he was throwing up. And throwing up. And throwing up some more. Until about an hour before I had to be at work. So basically he threw up for the 8 hours we should have been sleeping. Yuck. Poor kid. Needless to say, I was more compasionate after that, and he stayed home from work yesterday and today. Today he's been experiementing with eating again - bananas, popcorn and the like. It seems likely it was just a food poisoning but we can't figure out what it might be. I thought it might be the minestrone soup I made since he was the only one who had eaten any, but I had some last night and I'm fine. So go figure - could be anything. In any event, he's getting back on his feet finally after all that trauma and he lost 10 lbs. in two days! No fair - not that I would want to go through that to lose 10 lbs. - some things just aren't worth it. :)
Not much out of the normal in my crazy life. Work. Working out (I've been really good about this lately - totally dedictated now that the wedding is officially 11 weeks and 3 days away - damn!). Cleaning house. Laundry. Painting. Preparing for the party next weekend. Fun times.
Not much out of the normal in my crazy life. Work. Working out (I've been really good about this lately - totally dedictated now that the wedding is officially 11 weeks and 3 days away - damn!). Cleaning house. Laundry. Painting. Preparing for the party next weekend. Fun times.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Movie #3
Oh, I almost forgot - Cody and I had a momentous occassion tonight. We actually went out to see a movie! This may seem like an ordinary occurance for most people but not us. It's not like there are never movies we want to see - it's just that by the time the movie comes out and we find time to go see it, we always find it's already left the theaters. I've lived here almost three years now and until today we had only gone to two movies at the theater - TWO. The first was "Team America - World Police" and the second was "Fehrenheit 9/11." Obviously, you can tell my political leanings. :) So anyway, tonight we finally saw a movie before it left the theaters. Cody is a HUGE Rocky fan so we went to see "Rocky Balboa." Given that the fifth in the series was so bad, we weren't expecting too much out of this one, but it was awesome. It was really quite a good movie. If you at all liked the other Rocky's (except #5) it's worth a trip to the theater. Though, I must comment, that damn have prices gone up since we used to go to movies 10 years ago. We still use our student IDs and it's still $7.50 each! DAMN!! Aside from the time issues, now you know why we don't go to more movies. :)
Slumber Party
What a weekend - we had a slumber party! Unfortunately this one came out of the "winter ice storm" and not some ingenious planning we can call our own, but it was fun nonetheless. Cody's friend, Dude, and his brother, wife and two kids (ages 18 months and 2 months) all lost power in the "winter storm," which luckily this time we were able to avoid most of and keep our power for once. So we invited them all over and had a slumber party of sorts. It couldn't have been more fun if we had actuall planned it ahead of time! We had a wonderful time hanging out with the kids, playing games and watching TV. The kids were just wonderful - especially given that they were out of their element and in a strange house with strange people. I even got to make food for people which is always fun because cooking for two just gets old sometimes. Unfortunately we tried to make little pizzas on Saturday night and ran out of cheese so we were using sliced cheese and string cheese on some of the pizzas. :) Sunday I got to make my enchilladas that I really love but that Cody hates, so I never get to make them. :) All in all it was a great time hanging out with everyone, even if it was under such crummy circumstances.
In other news, I also painted our downstairs bathroom (otherwise known as the "Boy Bathroom") today. I wanted to get the rest of the downstairs finished before our party on the 27th for Cody's birthday. The room isn't too big but what a pain to paint - taking down all the fixtures, the mirror, the lights, the towel rods, and then taking apart the toilet to paint behind it - yes, I became intimately familiar with our toilet today - fun. :) Oh yeah, I had the day off work - Cody still had to go in (cry me a river Boeing people- you get 7 free days at Christmas time!) so that was my project - paint paint and more paint.
In other news, I also painted our downstairs bathroom (otherwise known as the "Boy Bathroom") today. I wanted to get the rest of the downstairs finished before our party on the 27th for Cody's birthday. The room isn't too big but what a pain to paint - taking down all the fixtures, the mirror, the lights, the towel rods, and then taking apart the toilet to paint behind it - yes, I became intimately familiar with our toilet today - fun. :) Oh yeah, I had the day off work - Cody still had to go in (cry me a river Boeing people- you get 7 free days at Christmas time!) so that was my project - paint paint and more paint.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Wow!
Wow! Wow is really the only word to described the crazy elation that is going on in "Gator Nation." We cannot believe the Gators not only pulled off a win in the National Championship Game, but pulled off such an amazing win! Wow! I'm seriously still numb. I can't even believe it yet. Since December I've heard nothing but how Ohio State is going to kill us - EVERYONE - not one person I know (that's not a Gator fan) even gave us a chance! Guess we showed them. A collective "kiss my butt" is in order. :)
A few random thoughts while I continue to collect mine:
The University of Florida is the first school EVER to hold both football and basketball championships at the same time. (There is argument as to whether they were won in the "same year" since technically the football one was "won" in 2007 but it's the 2006 season - in any event, no other school has ever come within 8 years and there are only 6 schools EVER to have won a football and basketball championship). Quite an impressive accomplishment!!
Favorite quote regarding the football/basketball championship comparison:
"How do I compare them? Both have confetti landing on my head," athletic director Jeremy Foley said.
The Heisman curse continues. Heisman QB, Troy Smith, threw only FIVE completions the entire game - and one of those was to a Gator defender (yeah, that's an interception for those football challenged). Pretty impressive defense Gators.
Off to read more articles on ESPN. Good night to all in Gator Nation - another National Championship!
p.s. This caps off the best sports year of our lives - first the basketball championship in April, then the World Cup over the summer, then the Cardinals win the World Series, then football wins the National Championship - add to that we're getting married and this is quite possibly the best twelve months EVER!
A few random thoughts while I continue to collect mine:
The University of Florida is the first school EVER to hold both football and basketball championships at the same time. (There is argument as to whether they were won in the "same year" since technically the football one was "won" in 2007 but it's the 2006 season - in any event, no other school has ever come within 8 years and there are only 6 schools EVER to have won a football and basketball championship). Quite an impressive accomplishment!!
Favorite quote regarding the football/basketball championship comparison:
"How do I compare them? Both have confetti landing on my head," athletic director Jeremy Foley said.
The Heisman curse continues. Heisman QB, Troy Smith, threw only FIVE completions the entire game - and one of those was to a Gator defender (yeah, that's an interception for those football challenged). Pretty impressive defense Gators.
Off to read more articles on ESPN. Good night to all in Gator Nation - another National Championship!
p.s. This caps off the best sports year of our lives - first the basketball championship in April, then the World Cup over the summer, then the Cardinals win the World Series, then football wins the National Championship - add to that we're getting married and this is quite possibly the best twelve months EVER!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Holding our Breath
Right now we, along with probably 1/2 the state of Florida, are holding our breath. In about 24 hours the game should be over/ending. What game you might ask if your head has been stuck in the sand for the past month and a half? THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! THAT THE GATORS ARE IN - AGAIN! Yes, last time it was the basketball one, but we're in another one now. If the Gators manage to beat Ohio State tomorrow, they will be the first team to ever hold the basketball and football national championships at the same time. Aside from all that jazz though, we just want to win. We haven't had a championship in 10 years and it's time. So tomorrow, about this time, we will either be inconsolably upset or exorbantly estatic.
Go Gators!
Go Gators!
Life is good.
Yes, life is good. Busy, but good. We had a wonderful weekend here in Cold Corn Country.
Friday, I worked late (until about 8pm) because I waited forever to start on a brief for the trial I had before Christmas. Cody was sort of burnt out from the week so we decided to stay in Friday night and just hang out. So we did a few chores here and there but otherwise, watched some movie on TBS (we don't have cable, and thus don't have HBO, so the best we get in terms of "movie channels" is TBS - don't laugh) and got to bed relatively early.
Saturday was uber productive! We got a boat load of work done around the house. Cody changed the brake pads on my car while I took down all the Christmas stuff, including Christmas tree, packed it up and moved it all into the basement. It was actually quite sad taking down all the Christmas stuff, not only because I worked so hard to put it all up, but because it signifies an end to the "holidays" - now it's just winter. Stupid, cold, winter. No more fun. No more cheer. Just winter. Anyway, we got all the Christmas stuff cleared out, the kitchen cleaned, the boy room cleaned, the living room done, etc. It was great - I even got started on the depths of the mess in the spare room - paper hell. Paper and junk everywhere - all the random stuff that still needs to be gone through from the move (1.5 years ago). But I got a good start - at least got some stuff organized and others thrown out.
Saturday night we had some friends over for a laid back evening sitting around the fire outside. It's been a rather mild winter so far (knock on wood) so it was a nice evening to sit outside by the fire, drink and make S'mores. Yes, there was plenty of S'more making - good fun with good friends.
Today we ran errands - we braved the world of shopping (not our favorite pasttime) and got most of it done. Got all sorts of fun stuff - cat food, ziplock bags, picture frames, brake fluid, antifreeze, etc. Being grown up is so not fun sometimes. :) Then we did more work around the house and hung out. Cody even got to watch three movies while I worked this weekend that I would have never watched with him - Deliverance and Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2. I had/have no desire to see any of those but now I know the basic premise of them all so I can at least chat about them.
Then of course I spent hours of my life on this wedding. We have exactly 12 weeks and 6 days to go and I can not wait for them to all be gone. I just want this thing over with. Thankfully for Cody's mom and sister, we at least have a chair rental place picked out now (you wouldn't think this would be hard or a huge pain - think again - it was - Donna and I called about a zillion places to try to find ones that wouldn't charge an extra $200 to pick up the chairs on Saturday because Maclay doesn't let you leave them overnight). We also sent the deposit to the photographer so that is out of the way - that was a huge one. Then I spent hours tonight looking at invitations. I found ones I really like - for $7.90 each! Yeah right - not a chance in hell am I spending that much money on invitiations - sorry friends and family but you're not getting $7.90 invitations to our wedding that will end up in the trash as soon as you write the date on your calendar. So now we're on the search for affordable invitations. I did get the flower girl dresses while in Tally so now we just have to figure out the bridesmaids dresses and tuxes. Fun with wedding planning!
Friday, I worked late (until about 8pm) because I waited forever to start on a brief for the trial I had before Christmas. Cody was sort of burnt out from the week so we decided to stay in Friday night and just hang out. So we did a few chores here and there but otherwise, watched some movie on TBS (we don't have cable, and thus don't have HBO, so the best we get in terms of "movie channels" is TBS - don't laugh) and got to bed relatively early.
Saturday was uber productive! We got a boat load of work done around the house. Cody changed the brake pads on my car while I took down all the Christmas stuff, including Christmas tree, packed it up and moved it all into the basement. It was actually quite sad taking down all the Christmas stuff, not only because I worked so hard to put it all up, but because it signifies an end to the "holidays" - now it's just winter. Stupid, cold, winter. No more fun. No more cheer. Just winter. Anyway, we got all the Christmas stuff cleared out, the kitchen cleaned, the boy room cleaned, the living room done, etc. It was great - I even got started on the depths of the mess in the spare room - paper hell. Paper and junk everywhere - all the random stuff that still needs to be gone through from the move (1.5 years ago). But I got a good start - at least got some stuff organized and others thrown out.
Saturday night we had some friends over for a laid back evening sitting around the fire outside. It's been a rather mild winter so far (knock on wood) so it was a nice evening to sit outside by the fire, drink and make S'mores. Yes, there was plenty of S'more making - good fun with good friends.
Today we ran errands - we braved the world of shopping (not our favorite pasttime) and got most of it done. Got all sorts of fun stuff - cat food, ziplock bags, picture frames, brake fluid, antifreeze, etc. Being grown up is so not fun sometimes. :) Then we did more work around the house and hung out. Cody even got to watch three movies while I worked this weekend that I would have never watched with him - Deliverance and Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2. I had/have no desire to see any of those but now I know the basic premise of them all so I can at least chat about them.
Then of course I spent hours of my life on this wedding. We have exactly 12 weeks and 6 days to go and I can not wait for them to all be gone. I just want this thing over with. Thankfully for Cody's mom and sister, we at least have a chair rental place picked out now (you wouldn't think this would be hard or a huge pain - think again - it was - Donna and I called about a zillion places to try to find ones that wouldn't charge an extra $200 to pick up the chairs on Saturday because Maclay doesn't let you leave them overnight). We also sent the deposit to the photographer so that is out of the way - that was a huge one. Then I spent hours tonight looking at invitations. I found ones I really like - for $7.90 each! Yeah right - not a chance in hell am I spending that much money on invitiations - sorry friends and family but you're not getting $7.90 invitations to our wedding that will end up in the trash as soon as you write the date on your calendar. So now we're on the search for affordable invitations. I did get the flower girl dresses while in Tally so now we just have to figure out the bridesmaids dresses and tuxes. Fun with wedding planning!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
I guess I'm no Martha Stewart
When people live together, its bound to happen that certain habits or mannerisms will rub off onto the other (mostly voluntarily, though some mandated). For instance, since living with Cody I have become a Gator fan, have learned to hang my towel back on the rack in the bathroom and have occassionally eaten potato chips (only Lime Tostidos with our great salsa - otherwise I still avoid them). Cody has picked up some habits as well, for instance eating a larger variety of food, mostly vegatables. He's taken to agreeing that all meals need to include some sort of vegatable, and not necessarily a meat (though he still loves his meat).
Anyway, so one of my New Years resolutions (which I've still yet to blog about) was to cook more and try new things. I'm not a cook (though my brother and Erica are great ones) but I'm trying. So I found this great reciepe in the Boeing Health Newsletter for Orzo with Spinach and Feta. Sounded great to me and I thought Cody could at least give it a shot.
Basically you cook the orzo, sautee some garlic with green onions, then add frozen spinach, then toss it all together with feta and lemon juice. I think it was delicious - it has so many great flavors that I love! Cody took one bite and said that it made his top five list of worst things he's ever eaten. :) He even went and ate a ton of the salsa we had just made just to get the taste out of his mouth. I guess you can teach a guy to love his veggies but there are definitely limits. I guess I shouldn't make the first reciepe out of my Rachel Ray cookbook (courtesy of Bo and Erica for Christmas) for Cody - it's an omlette reciepe and I still can't convince him to eat eggs.
In other news, I've now gone two days without sugar! No one can truely understand what an accomplishment this has been for me unless they are an equal sugar addict. I did already bust on one resolution - to only drink on the weekends - by having a beer yesterday - but it was only one and I ran three miles afterwards. :)
In actual news, more exciting at least, our niece Baylee, started her first day of preschool this week. I hear she had fun but then said she didn't want to go back. She is such a hoot! She's be one of those kids that knows every kid in class by the second week and all of them will be her best friend - she's so personable and outgoing - not to mention cute. :) Good luck to her and whatever adventure you may be embarking on as well (as long as it's not wedding planning, then you don't need luck - luck will be of no help - you need lots of lots of powerful drugs). :)
Anyway, so one of my New Years resolutions (which I've still yet to blog about) was to cook more and try new things. I'm not a cook (though my brother and Erica are great ones) but I'm trying. So I found this great reciepe in the Boeing Health Newsletter for Orzo with Spinach and Feta. Sounded great to me and I thought Cody could at least give it a shot.
Basically you cook the orzo, sautee some garlic with green onions, then add frozen spinach, then toss it all together with feta and lemon juice. I think it was delicious - it has so many great flavors that I love! Cody took one bite and said that it made his top five list of worst things he's ever eaten. :) He even went and ate a ton of the salsa we had just made just to get the taste out of his mouth. I guess you can teach a guy to love his veggies but there are definitely limits. I guess I shouldn't make the first reciepe out of my Rachel Ray cookbook (courtesy of Bo and Erica for Christmas) for Cody - it's an omlette reciepe and I still can't convince him to eat eggs.
In other news, I've now gone two days without sugar! No one can truely understand what an accomplishment this has been for me unless they are an equal sugar addict. I did already bust on one resolution - to only drink on the weekends - by having a beer yesterday - but it was only one and I ran three miles afterwards. :)
In actual news, more exciting at least, our niece Baylee, started her first day of preschool this week. I hear she had fun but then said she didn't want to go back. She is such a hoot! She's be one of those kids that knows every kid in class by the second week and all of them will be her best friend - she's so personable and outgoing - not to mention cute. :) Good luck to her and whatever adventure you may be embarking on as well (as long as it's not wedding planning, then you don't need luck - luck will be of no help - you need lots of lots of powerful drugs). :)
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
It's a Girl!
I'm not sure if I posted about this already or not, but my brother (David/Jack) and his wife (Kim) have been expecting their third child. Right now they have two absolutely gorgeous and wonderful girls so it was quite a build up to what the new one would be. Well today was the 20 week mark and we found out it will be . . . . drum roll please . . . . a girl!! While it's not a boy some might have hoped for, we're all thrilled beyond belief. All anyone really cares about is that she's healthy. Plus now they don't have to go buy a ton of blue stuff! :) They are really wonderful parents and will raise this girl, as they have the other two, absolutely great! I'm so excited for them and can't wait to meet her sometime around the end of April! I'm sure the other two girls are going to be great big sisters!
Congrats guys!!
Congrats guys!!
The 12 Days of Christmas!
The 12 days of Christmas rock! I was talking to my friend Meghan today, complaining about how I had not had time to take down my Christmas tree, as I ususally try to do before the first, and was informed of something quite interesting. My thinking behind taking down the tree by the first is that it's nice to have Christmas packed up and out of the way to start the new year fresh and with a clean, less cluttered house. Well, Meghan (who knows a great deal about a great deal of things) informed me that actually I don't have to take down my tree, and that actually I shouldn't take down my tree, until January 6th. Apparently that is when the 12 days of Christmas are over and when you should take your tree down. And here I was all concerned that I was behind and late and all that, and I actually have a few more days to enjoy the lovely tree. Yippee!!!
Not much going on in other news. Another busy day trying to catch up on life that we missed while in Florida. I was in Columbia for work and while there used some of my down time to run some much needed errands. This evening I spent working out and cleaning the clutter that is my house. Fun fun!
Not much going on in other news. Another busy day trying to catch up on life that we missed while in Florida. I was in Columbia for work and while there used some of my down time to run some much needed errands. This evening I spent working out and cleaning the clutter that is my house. Fun fun!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Happy New Year!
Yeah, yeah, it's the second already. I know. As usual, we're late on everything - even The New Year. Technically I suppose it started yesterday, but we spent the entire day driving so we didn't get to do any of the New Year things until today - like make resolutions or eat the requisite New Years' meal. Meal? Yes, black-eyed peas, cabbage, and ham (it's supposed to be hog jowl I think but 1) I don't know what it is and 2) it doesn't sound good or healthy so we substitute ham instead). I believe it's either a Southern or Irish thing and since I'm both, I've had to eat it every New Years' my entire life. Cody is neither so he's never had to partake in the tradition - until we moved in together and I force him through it every year. :) Supposedly the cabbage is for money and the peas are for luck and the meat is for health or something like that. So we had that for dinner tonight, late as usual since it's now the 2nd, but hopefully it was enough to appease the Southern/Irish deity in charge of those things. :)
So much more to write - about the trip, life, resolutions, etc. - but it will all have to wait as I must get some sleep tonight so I can drive (safely) to Columbia in the morning.
Happy New Year to everyone!
So much more to write - about the trip, life, resolutions, etc. - but it will all have to wait as I must get some sleep tonight so I can drive (safely) to Columbia in the morning.
Happy New Year to everyone!
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