The beat goes on

So my shoes finally arrived and I was a giddy pool of delight. Fed Ex still sucks though….

Wedding planning is continuing and we have had a few lulls in the craziness. The BF and I are working on out to do lists. One of the top things that I have to do is renew my passport. My passport expires in October but due to EU restrictions, my expatriation date must be no less than three months away so I miss the cut off by a few weeks. I have to get that done my next week which is my timeline.

I have a lot more to do but then again we have crossed off a lot as well. Next up is invitations, which has already had their own source of drama. But it will be okay. I am trying not to let some things get me down but that is easier said than done.

EX does not mark the spot!

I ordered two pairs of shoes from a company that specializes in people with smaller feet. Since they are such a niche company things sell out fast and once I got the catalogue I drooled from page one until that last page. But I have to be rational and narrow it down. So from 5 I picked 3 and then from those three I picked two and could not decide between the two so I decided to get both.

I could justify them because I can use them for parties and showers. Plus one pair may be used in our engagement photo session and one pair will be perfect with my rehearsal dinner dress and another dress that I plan to wear to the BF's brother's wedding in October. Of course they will come with me to Paris and Barcelona and I have some outfits that will work with them. So I have definite plans for them.

Fed Ex however has decided that my shoes will be delayed. Due to the service selected they only delivery between Tuesday and Saturday. Ok I am fine with that after all they are coming to my office so I know that I will get them. The problem that I have is that they come after business hours so we are closed. So I call them today to ask them to put a note that advises the local depot of our hours. They can't do that!

I worked in customer service and I worked in a business that deals with similar not the same customer request. There was always a way that we could take changes of info and pass it along to our vendors. Vendors prefer to be kept informed. So it is understandable why I am unhappy with Fed Ex's service right now. So much for customer service.

I will be so pissed if my shoes get returned.

Random conversations

I have been talking with my best friend who is my matron of honor lately and here are some fun snippets....

MR-Why are they (her hubby/men in general) crazy
Me-It is in the chromosomes
MR-I guess
Me-Well Crazy has a Y in it, there is no X
MR-(Laughs) where did you hear that one
Me-I made it up
MR-It is so funny and true, I am so going to use it!

After a discussion about having a bridal shower, she was going to send an email to the bridesmaids. We hang up she calls me back

MR-Ok, you have six bridesmaids right?
Me-Yep
MR-why do I only have five email addresses
Me-...
MR-Oh that is right, me. never mind
Me-Hysterical laughing

That is what friends are for!

Playing by the rules

Sometimes playing by the rules sucks.

With all the talk and buzz about the stimulus package and deals for homeowners we were hoping that there was a way we can benefit. The BF being the tax and numbers guy that he is started crunching numbers and figuring out if we can benefit from a lower rate and the answer is…probably not Collectively we make too much, but I on my own may be able to qualify but as both of our names are on the mortgage we are thinking that it will make it null and void.

So because we saved. had very good credit, put a down payment, elected to have a traditional mortgage and bought a place that was lower than our pre-qualifying amount we get no benefits. We have a decent interest rate and have paid our mortgage on time and still have very good credit we don't qualify. Why because as the numbers point out, we live within our means, of course this does not take into account, student loans, car payments, and other debt.

Yes, we would like to have a lower interest which would result in a few hundred dollars a month thus preventing us from dipping into savings account too many times to count but we may not qualify because we played by the rules. So technically, we should have bought a place beyond our means, default on a few mortgage payments, made no or very little down payment and ruin our credit….then we would qualify

The full rules come out on March 4th so there may be a slim chance that we may be able to squeak by, But in the mean time we are going to send an email to our senator (the one who was voted in not the one who is now under a cloud of "we knew it, you liar" doubt)

Fingers crossed!

Noodles

One of the downsides of my trips out to the east coast (besides the flight delays) is the fact that my credit card bills are due before I receive my expense reimbursements.

Ramen noodles anyone?

Only the bullets

• I am so freaking tired.
• My 7 pm flight did not leave until 9:20 so I did not get home until 11:30
• The rental agent at the airport told me that I am cool, like ice water...not to sure how to take that
• My flight to NJ left early and arrived a half hour earlier than expected.
• I heart Diet Snapple, I did not realize how much I missed it until I had it again
• My next rental car will have a bumper sticker that says "If you are going to ride my ass, buy me dinner first"
• One of my sample projects in the training I was in was to plan my wedding, I spent over 4000 hours while the BF spend 400 but these numbers are based on some general assumptions and time that I spent dealing with some BM issues.
• All I want to do is sleep
• I got to see one of my old bosses and we had a few martinis at the hotel bar, it was great to chat and catch up with her. She was one of the best bosses that I ever had.
• I have to head back in 2 to 3 weeks ugh!
• Thanks for some Chick Lit recommendations, I bought two books yesterday and read 75% of the first one.

My newest addiction

Ok, this is hard to admit but I'm addicted to Chick Lit. I don't know where it started but I can't stop. It is what I have been reading at the airport on the plane and finishing at home. Some are vapid, shallow and predictible but I can't get enough. I tend to read more substantial books so this is a new development. I think it is because they are an easy read and I can easily pick up with the story and they are entertaining.

So too feed my newest book addition, what is your favorite piece of chick lit? You know you have some...

When all you want to do is get there

After spending over 25 hours traveling, I am back home. This trip was a one that could not have been over fast enough.

I got into NJ after 10 pm, by the time I got to the hotel it was well after 11 pm. I fell asleep at around 12:45. Got up six hours later, was in the office at 7:45, worked in my bosses office until 9:30, prepped for the presentation in the conference room until we started at 10. We were done by 11:30, spoke to a few executives and other meeting participants until 11:50 am. Then my boss and I went to grab lunch and were back our our desk eating by 12:10 pm and we had a brief meeting until 1:30, then I grabbed an IT guy to install a program on my system and by 2 I was out of there.

I got to the airport gate at 3 (after returning the rental) hoping to be ready to by 3:35 as per my ticket. Only to find out the flight was delayed for an hour and a half. Finally at 5:45 they started to board but all the business people were pushy at the gate and it became somewhat of a herd mentality and when I boarded (according to my proper group number) I saw that there were a few overhead bins empty, some of these people snuck on board (I seriously doubt they were all platinum members), I finally found my seat and stowed my bag. We took off a half our later and landed at 7:45 or so. By the time I got to my car in parking lot in the farthest reaches of the airport it was 8:20 and I was home within the hour.

To think that I have to do this all again on Monday is why I am drinking tonight!

Grrrr

Well, it appears that my afternnon flight has been canceled and I've been re-booked for an evening something flight. So that means I get in late and to the hotel even later. the whole reason I booked the afternoon flight is so that I did not have to drive in the dark and so I can get a good night sleep before my morning meeting.

The reason...too much air traffic in the NY Metropolitian area.

Grrr.

To calm myself I am going to Portillo's for lunch. I think that is a reasonable tool of comfort!

To take the chill out

Since we are in the middle of the winter, I get to the point where 6 weeks seems like an eternity and the cold stays in my bones.

So I have been on a slow-cooking-take-the-chill-out- thon. Last week the BF made chili because I love his chili. I have never had chili before I moved out here. I had it only once before I met the BF. His is the best and I love it Cincinnati style with extra cheese.

On Sunday, I made a beef stew and had that over egg noodles. It was ok, I could not find my regular recipe so I tried another one and it was missing something but now I know what I can mix into it next time, canned diced tomatoes. The upside is that beef stew leftovers are so yummy.

Last night I made fresh onion soup. I love onion soup and it is so easy to make. I make it ever few months because it is one of my favs but seriously it is so comforting and it makes me happy. Again the cheese may be the reason.

I want to try this garlic soup that I have had at the chopping block that is SO good but am running out of tupperwear.

Of course the most fav get the chill out thing for me to make is hot chocolate with milk and Munster cheese. When I grew up we did not have instant, my mom is from Colombia so we had these special chocolate bars that you would slowly melt with milk. It was always served with metlty cheese and as kids we would put our cheese in the chocolate and it is bliss. I can't drink instant hot chocolate mix it tastes fake to me.

What are your warm day comfort foods? Any ones that I should try?

(If you want any recipes, let me know)

Snooping on myself

I wanted to double check that I registered for something at one of the stores that we spent hours in with a scanner so I logged in. Lo and behold, some of our items have been purchased but I can't help feel bad that I know but I don't know who purchased them. I am going to try to limit myself from checking because I want to be surprised.

However, the sham WOW that the BF registered for is still available.

Enough about the wedding. I have to head back to the land of guidos and speedos on Wednesday for one night. I will be back on Thursday but then head out again on Monday until Wednesday night. Lucky for me, I have a few documents that show that my in person time in NJ will not be as demanding as I thought as most of the work will be done remotely. But that can change but for now it is a nice notion.

Oh and it will be in the 40s on Friday, let the melting commence!

Not that type of girl

I am not a football person, I don't get the game, I think that it is boring and I rarely watch the Big game. I have only watched two games in my life and think that is more than enough.

So while the most of the world is watching the game I intend to:
Clean the bathroom
Mop the floors
Make Beef stew (I may also make onion soup)
Do a load of laundry
Run my final errands for the weekend
Watch a move.

And I could not be happier.

So do you watch the game or do you do other things?

Smothered

Part of the reason that I am starting to get stressed out during the wedding planning is in dealing with my parents. The BF and I had some ideas that were quickly dismissed by my parents and everything we do or talk about garners a flood of opinions most of which are in direct opposition of what we want.

They have a way of treating me like I am 12 they neglect to look at the fact that I have not lived under their roof in a number of years. They forget that I moved half way across the country, purchased my first car, my first home and have a MBA without their assistance.

Instead they talk to me like I have not considered all the options and balk at some ideas that may be out of the norm. Heaven forbid we get married on a Friday, we will be asking too much from people to travel (even though midweek airfare is cheaper!), we can't have a reception in a "loft" how will people get from their hotel to the venue, what if they drink? (we were going to have a trolley/van for transportation) but no no no. the biggest agreement had to do with who would be my bridesmaids, it got so bad it reduced me to tears and when I really think about it I get so pissed.

Now they are having opinions on some things that we have on our to do list. We are in the process of meeting with florists and they think it is too soon and go on to compare me with my brother. That my friends, is a dangerous thing for them to do especially after I have explicitly told them that my ideas are not going to mirror his and that I do not want to be compared to him and his wedding. End of story!

I was so upset after speaking with my mother yesterday that I decided two things. The first, I am no longer telling them our ideas and suggestions, we are just going to do them. The second, I will most likely refuse any more offers of help from them. They have reduced me to a ball of stress that the BF has to deal with.

He has been a trooper with them but as an outside observer he sees how they treat me and it is starting to upset him. My mom is the queen of passive aggressive tactics and her "not meaning to insult" insults, she has asked me a question and then an hour or two later when I am out of the room will ask the BF to see if she gets the same answer. I have become immune to it but lately, I have started to react to it. I am afraid that they will push me to a point where not only will I snap but so will he. So it is best that I limit my contact with them while we are working on the planning.

So yes mom, you and dad are part of the reason why I had to go to see a counselor a few years ago and I found her again so I may have to pick up where I left off.

Vegas is looking good.

Second guesses

Yesterday afternoon out of the blue I started to second guess some wedding things. Part of this was spurred on by a quote for a vendor for linens and transportation. So this lead to a mini-freak out. I started to second guess the photographer, the save the dates and other details. I think part of it is some wedding blogs and sites that I read. They have these great ideas but I just don't have the time nor money to do all the things that I want to do. So I am doing the best that I can but, it still makes me question almost everything.

Part of the freak out is that I have never planned a wedding before and there are tons of details that need to be done and pop into my head at random times, the other part is that I am so burned out on wedding things and the other part is the budget, we have a hypothetical one. One that does not take into account how we will pay for some things. So that freaks me out.

I love the planning and the dreaming of ideas process but the reality of the situation causes stress. It is easy to be consumed by the planning and the stress that comes with it. Sure I can ask people to help but I can't even figure out what they can help with. I would love to "shelf" the wedding plans but I did that when I was in NJ so now I have to work on the next to do items.

I just wish I was confident enough to trust the people we are hiring and not second guess them for no reason. Sure my wedding will not be written about but it is our day and we are two unique non cookie cutter people. I think that I have to trust us as well.

What stresses you out and causes you to second guess things at random?

Not making the cut

So for the past few weeks, the BF and I have been updating our invite list for the upcoming nuptials. We have been correcting addresses, adding people and subtracting people. In the end, we have a substantial list that we are satisfied with. Most are friends and family and a few are co-workers. We have talked about who to invite and worked it out with the families to ensure that some of their friends are invited.

But our main rule was that one of us had to know the person who will be on the list. We did not want to invite people we had no idea who they were but that our parents knew from work, the grocery store etc.

Well, last week while I was in the land of guidos and speedos, one of the sales team was having a meeting. Since I was in CS I knew some of them. I bumped into one of my sales reps who I go back 9 years with so she and I were chatting. When I went to another part of the office I was accosted by a sales rep who I had some minor dealings with as a rep and he is extremely chatty. When we parted and as I was walking to the room I was using, he mentioned how he is looking forward to getting the invitation.

My mouth fell open. What do you say? He was not on the list, nor will he be put on the list. But what do you say at that point. I opted for the non-committal laugh and turned and walked away. Even if I worked with him for years he would not be on my list.

Now some of my friends from high school who I lost touch with and haven't seen in at least 6 or 7 years are out of the woodwork. There is one whose parents are on our invite list (at the insistence of my parents because they have been invited to all their kids weddings). However, she is not on the list. If I haven't seen nor spoken to you in about 6 years, you are not invited. The other friend I haven't seen in a number of years but we talk once or twice a year. She left me a message yesterday saying how she knew I was engaged and wanted to know when the wedding was (I suspect to make plans to attend). But she was not on our list.

I am not adding any more people.

What do you do. How do you tell people that you are not making the cut!

Casa sweet Casa

I was thrilled when my flight landed on Friday. I could not wait to get home but of course that was delayed by the mix up at baggage claim. then I hopped into a scary cab and the BF was waiting for me on the curb to help me with my bag. The two beasts were thrilled to see me and I was so happy to see everyone. Everyone got hugs and kisses.

Saturday the BF and I went out for breakfast and then to the mall. We had to start our registry and spend a few hours with a scanner at Macy's. The woman who helped us could not have been any nicer, she was an older woman but was on top of the game and was very helpful. We were so tired when we were done with everything.

I made this simple easy pasta with spinach fresh cherry tomatoes and parama cheese and it was nice to cook again. Plus it was healthy and easy.

Yesterday, we went to run a few more errands and register in one more store and one of us registered for a Sham WOW. The BF made some chili and it was so good and hearty. It was nice to have a homemade dinner and not eat out. We had the fire on and the beasts were sitting in front of the fire sleeping and lounging.

I have a question, if anyone has been to Paris, what district are nice to stay in?

Hours countdown

I am FINALLY heading home tonight. I can not wait, it has been a very long and productive two weeks. I worked on average 9 hours a day (including working lunches) and was a captive at the hotel when I was done except for a few nights out with friends and the trip to the mall.

I did make it to the gym a few times but I was the only female in most cases but it got my energy out. I also realized that network TV is crap.

But that is all behind me and I get to go home to see my guy and the beasts. Apparently the two babies have been very clingy and have even cuddled with each other for attention.

Tonight I expect to sleep in my bed next to the BF, with a cat on my head and a lab snoring.

Good times.

(I am not going to think about the fact that I will be back in a few weeks)

The Dawn of a New Day

I missed the events on TV today because I was in a meeting but I kept glancing at my watch and at 12, I breathed a sigh of relief that things will be changed.

A moment that will live on in history, a moment in time, that even though I did not get to watch it live, the feeling transended it all.

What a good day to be an American.

As Annie sang

The sun will come out tomorrow...

Source

Still stuck here

I feel like I should be writing a log like a castaway on some remote island but rather I am stuck here in NJ.

My past two days have been productive and I have worked up to 9 hours a day on the project. The hotel is only a few miles away so I am "home" in minutes but then things slow down and I get very bored. The TV that i have is limited to network stuff (which is crap by the way) and the news and sports channel. I do get the History and Discovery channel and HBO but no Jon Stewart to lull me to sleep with his snarky but relevant comments.

After work today, I ventured to the mall. I actually wanted to go to the book store to stock up on a book or two because I need something to read and I have one more chapter in the book I am reading that I will go through. This mall was huge and was a study in NJ-ness. I felt like the anthropologist in the Gieco commercial just people watching. It was interesting to say the least.

It is getting old fast here but things have to get done. I miss the beasts and the man terribly but I don't miss the lovely weather. Ironically, the weather here is going to get cold...in the high teens. What wusses, put a minus in front of the number and call me!

Send help.....