Monday, March 30, 2009

Not ever long enough!

This weekend reinforces the idea that two days is just sometimes not long enough. It did not help that the weather was less than stellar and that yesterday we got snow. Bloody crappy wet snow!

Some highlights:

I took the BF out to dinner for an early birthday celebration. He wanted steak and that is what he got. It was a nice very nice dinner and the dessert was so good. We got there early so that we could find parking near the house on our way home. We were so stuffed and when we got home, we just vegged out. We did turn off a few lights for earth hour.

Yesterday after running a few errands, we went to a tasting tour. Our Rogers Park neighborhood had a tasting tour of 16 local restaurants in many different locations. We made it to about 9 restaurants before we gave up because we were stuffed and tired. We found some really nice new places and got to try a number of new things. I even found a new favorite wine a vino verde from Portugal.

It was a food filled weekend. But we also did a lot of walking so hopefully that made up for me missing Pilates yesterday. No matter, tomorrow is my muscle definition class.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Not Lazy but still indecisive

So yesterday for the first time in a long time I went to the gym. I am trying hard to be more active and force myself to go. I mean I have a huge motivation, I want to look good for the big day. But in the long term, I want to feel better about myself. Yesterday I took a muscle definition class and it was great. Since each student picks his/but mostly hers weights you can work within your means. We used two types of weights, a resistant band and the step. today my legs are sore but I know that I did something for myself. So I have to just get into the routine of going!

I need your help! Next month, we are taking our engagement photos and I have no idea what to wear. I asked my MOH and her advice is:
-Look like yourself but like yourself getting dressed up and going out
-Try jewel colors (no black or white)
-Stay away from prints

The day after the photos, we have a first communion to go to and I would like an outfit to wear for both occasions. In particular, I am hoping to find a dress.

What do you suggest? Do you have any ideas?

Monday, March 23, 2009

another reason why

Scene: Saturday afternoon we were deciding what we should do for the evening.

Him: Let's go to the movies
Me: I don't know what is out there
Him: We can see "I Love you, Man"
Me:….
Him: Well you like Paul Rudd and I like to laugh, it is a win win

That man will be my hubby in 131 days

Saturday, March 21, 2009

We maybe Saints but we are no angels.

I just had to post this...considering I am not a sports fan but I heart my undergrad college...so many good memories

Go Saints

Oh and I love the last sentence. The Saints messed up our President's bracket.

Oh and Ohio State apparently does not practice sportsmanship. They walked off the court and refused to shake hands. That was disappointing but they did not expected to be beaten by an unknown in the first round.

I wish them the best of luck and will be wearing green and gold!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Warm and fuzzies

Non Sequitur Chica gave me the following blog award:


“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

So I want to pay this forward and recognize some pretty awesome bloggers:

Blog this Baby-What can I say she makes me laugh and is just plain fun in real life too. The first blog that I read religiously.

10 Eleven-Smart and witty are her trademarks, with a dose of snarkiness from time to time. She is dangerously fun in real life.

Somi Nilsa-Honest, opinionated, and true to herself. I admire her writing and how she encourages comments and loves it when people express different viewpoints.

Pseudostoops-Funny, intelligent and an expert on all things Paris! What's not to like?

Kristabella, full of Snark-Snark is her middle name but combine that with humor and smart writing and you got Kristabella and Bacon.

Burlap Condoms-Newly engaged and just a great read. She and Bones make the perfect couple, read the Pi and David Caruso post...I'll wait. Oh and check out her bride spreadsheets!

Kilax-A wonderful new find for me. She is a runner, a fencer and a cook balancing time for a long commute, lovely hubby and Data! I enjoy her posts

It's serious this time-A single mom who loves her son and her cats. Her daily observations and blogs make for good reading. I look forward to more of her stories.

Long Story Short-Colleen is introspective and sharp, she has a keen observational mind and many of her posts are a mix of intelligent, pondering and fun.

Life of an Every Day Princess-this chick balances life and school with grace, balance and a flair for fun and remembers the simple joys of every day

And of course...

Non Sequitur Chica-This recently engaged woman is a fun read especially since many of our wedding activities are running in tandem, she gives great advise and is an overall great blogger

Yep I could not limit myself to just 8!

So share the love....

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Shady Pines ma, Shady Pines

So I was talking with my mom about a few things when she mentions that she and my dad saw an all inclusive trip to China. Here is the conversation that followed:

Me: That is not a bad price for an all inclusive trip to China for 14 days

Her: No, but what will your dad eat?

Me: …

Her-What will I eat? I don't like Chinese food with all the MSG

Me: Ma, that is the American version of Chinese food, I am sure in China it is different its better.

Her: Well you know your father (he is VERY particular about food in other countries) in Peru he complained about the food and all the rice so I am sure he will complain

Me:Are you planning on going to China?

Her: No, why?

Me: head banging on my desk

End scene…

My head hurts

Monday, March 16, 2009

Legs of a gazelle

I am not sure what part of my body hurts more, my legs or my abs! Why you ask, well it is because yesterday I took my first Pilates class at the gym. It was a beginning/intermediate class and I was the only newbie. the instructor was really awesome and keep checking on me and correcting my posture. Apparently I did really well for a beginner. She told me after class that she could tell that I did yoga before. My trainer also used to incorporate some Pilates moves into our weekly exercise so I was familiar with a few moves.

As class was ending my legs were killing me and this morning my abs began to feel the burn. I will be heading to the gym tomorrow but I am unsure if I should take a muscle conditioning class or another Pilates class. I figure if I take a Pilates class on Sundays then I can take another class during the week I am also considering taking zumba. What do you think? Should I just take Pilates of should I mix it up. I especially want to define my abs, back and arms.

On Friday, the BF and I met with the priest who will be marrying us. It was a nice experience because we were expecting to have somewhat of a serious and judgmental meeting but the priest was very liberal and laid back. I have heard horror stories of couples who lived together and the priest lectured them and even threatened not to perform the wedding unless they mend their ways. No such luck with us! He was very cool and it was a pleasant time. We have to pick our readings and some of them are a dozy, they run the gammit from love and respect each other to the wife is subservient to the husband. One of the readings is from the Song of Songs in the Old Testament and refers to My love is like a gazelle or a young stag. which had us both in giggles because we are going to ask our godparents to do the readings and we can't imagine the BF's aunt referring him as a stag.

We also were pleasantly surprised on the music selections. We can walk down the aisle to a secular song. I was thinking about using "Songbird" by Eva Cassidy as an option. Ideally, I would like to mimic the wedding scene in "Love Actually" however, I don't think that will work! What other love songs do you think would work. We would have to run them by the music director first though.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Too lazy to form sentences

  • My love and adoration for John Stewart was only solidified last night watching the debate between him and Jim Cramer of MSNBC's Mad money. If you did not see it last night find it on you tube or on the web. John was freaking on fire and the best line was and I quote "The financial news industry is not just guilty of a sin of omission but a sin of commission". Shortly followed by "Maybe we can ... start getting back to fundamentals on the reporting, and I can go back to making fart noises and funny faces".
  • Today we are meeting with the priest who will be performing our wedding ceremony. I was reminding the BF last night when he asked me if he can ask the priest if he is a "wizard or a magician"?
  • I had a dream that contained kittens, plants and Martha Stewart
  • This is the first Friday in 9 months that I am in the office, I usually work from home on Fridays in my pjs.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Bullets

  • I am so tired of the weather, I just want it to warm up not this up and down temperature cycle
  • I am kind of bummed that some DIY ideas that we had for the wedding are not going to happen.
  • The RuPaul Drag Race show is my newest TV addiction
  • We are meeting with the priest who will marry us this week and I am hoping that we can make some mention of those who are not permitted to marry due to stupid laws. We are also trying to figure out a way where the BF can wear the freedom to marry ribbon in his boutonniere
  • I am so sick of my clothes, I just know it is because of the season but I still want to go shopping
  • My nails are breaking, what can I do besides vitamins to make them stronger?
  • The time change is making me so tired and lazy

What are your random bullets?

Monday, March 09, 2009

Mac'ed

The BF and I had a date and we went to the Fleetwood Mac concert. We had a great time, the band was unstoppable and they played the songs that they wanted. Lindsey Buckingham blew me away. His guitar skills were so incredible and he ranks as one of the top guitarists that I have ever seen. The BF and I don't date much anymore since we live together so it was good to just do something different and where we both had a fun time.

Saturday was full of errands. We started off with breakfast at one of our favorite spots. We also began to look at wedding invitations. I would like to make them but I have no idea where to start and how long it would take. So we decided to check out some options at one of our favorite boutiques. We then ran a few more errands before pooping out at home. Yesterday, we braved the rain for the last of our errands.

This whole daylight savings time is kicking my butt. I feel like I am up way to early. It will take me some time to get used to it.

On the wedding front, I am not sure where I am actually. I have to go review my list and re-new contacts with a few vendors. It is a good thing to take a mental break from the wedding. We had some stressful encounters last week and it dampened our spirits. I am very pleased that the BF and I talk it through and all is not lost. We have just decided that it is going to be about us and that people may not be happy with some decisions but as long as we are, then we will move forward.

Oh and I had a question, seeing Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham together on stage singing songs that paint the picture of their relationship had me wondering if you could work closely together with an ex? I don't think that I can, in fact I know that I can't. What about you?

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Much less spinning

Today I am feeling better, not 100% yet but better. It is the weirdest feeling that the world is intermittently spinning around you. Thanks to you all for your comments, I appreciated them! You are all awesome but you knew that :)!

On to better things, I had my make up trial this weekend. It was a bit funny because the BF came with me. We had planned to see his brother and his father in the south barbs and since the makeup trial was on the way, he tagged along. It went well, I wore fake lashes for the first time and they took a while to get used to them. I loved the look but I could not wear them every day. One of my teachers used to wear them and then cake them in mascara. If they bothered her she took them off and left them on her desk. Yuck!

Anyway, I was quite pleased with the overall effect and have booked her for the big day. Friday I had my regular trim and am working with my stylist to figure out what to do with my hair. It is very fine and some looks just won't work. I was considering getting extensions but after speaking with her and discussing our options, we nixed that idea.

Those are the fun parts. My dress should be here in a matter of weeks so that I can have my first fitting. Very exciting. I can't wait to see it again. The designer that made the dress does not have any pictures of it on the web so it will be a total surprise. Only my mom and I know what it looks like and it will stay that way.

Plus with our anticipated tax refund we are able to cover some more expenses and that is making us breathe easier. Actually, it is making us breathe a whole lot easier. We will not be in debt which makes us extremely happy.

Oh and we have officially booked our hotels in Paris and Barcelona. So the honeymoon is all booked and done.

T minus 5 months.

Monday, March 02, 2009

You spin me round

I have vertigo...again. I tend to get vertigo every once in a while but it lasts at most two days. Well we are in day three and it is getting worse so I suspect that I have an ear infection. I decided that I was not going to drive to work because driving when you are feeling dizzy is not a good thing so I am going to work from home.

I am also going to go to a minute/ urgent care clinic to get it checked out. I don't have a GP yet. I had a really awesome one when I lived in Oak Park but since I have moved I have not really bothered to get one. I mean I see my specialists a few times a year but in this case, I should have one. But in the interim, I will be going to the drugstore clinic.

I am really hoping that this feeling ends soon. It is not a fun.