March 2005 Archives

Mi Mama cracks me up! She took a few days off this week, and spent her day yesterday with her best friend BeBe. Together they are a trip. Even as excited as I am about our up coming wedding, they are WAY more excited.

They went over to check out the site yesterday. Bare in mind I have not yet been there in person. Honestly I don't mind but her checking it out, but for goodness sakes, we are going to a bridal show at the site this coming Sunday. Anyway, they call me last night telling me how beautiful it is and giving me a bunch of exciting details (They have an arbor you can use! The ceiling of the music room is much prettier in person!), and then they started talking about the wedding dress options.

I tell you what, the modern wedding dress that isn't strappless is not an easy thing to find! I will admit to trolling the internet in search of the perfect dress. However, I have a little challenge. Should I be successful with these weight management progams I am looking into, my body will be drasticly different in 10 months. If I have to order my dress 6 months in advance, I could loose several sizes (as much as 60 pounds) between the point when I order the dress and the wedding. If I go with a white bridesmaids dress, I still need to order it 4 months in advance. And what if I don't loose any weight? All those damn strappless dresses! They taunt me. What all this whining amounts to is, wedding dresses are not my favorite topic.

Instead lets talk about the flowers. :)

Money, Money, Money

It makes the world go round and I hate it. Why does it seem that no matter how much to make, there is never enough to do everything to want to? Perhaps that is the key. Everything. In this case everything includes paying off debt financing a wedding and an expensive health care program simaltaniously. Don't worry, we will be fine. Nothing a little prioritizing won't fix.

That said, I have been comparing and contrasting 2 different hospital run weight loss programs. One in DC and the other in Frederick. I am going to a info session for the DC program tomorrow and a meeting for the Frederick program next Tuesday. It looks like the Frederick program will be less expensive. There are a lot of factors to weigh. We shall see.

Also today the wedding incredible. Topping out at 68, I wish we could a whole week of days like this.

Quote of the Day:
How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.
Henry David Thoreau

I have been chastised recently for forsaking my blog. Mostly I have been quiet because not much is going on. Wedding Planning isn't very intesesting to those around you. Weight loss is even less interesting. And that's pretty much all I have going on. So I will share the link to our wedding sight. If you care to (or have some time to kill) you can take the virtual tour of the location.

Kentland Mansion

It's been awhile since I updated. What's been going on?

I had a lovely dinner with Red last week. The poor thing has to listen to my ever changing wedding plans. Then we talked about her friend T's wedding plans. While I am fighting every Bridezilla urdge that grips me, I am starting to realize just how selfish most brides can be. That includes me. So I hereby vow to be the most reasonable bride I can possibly be.

This weekend and I went up to PA for the Storybook home to spend the weekend with his family. Shortly after arriving the fam saddled up and we headed off to Hershey's Chocolate World. Yes, it really does smell like Chocolate. We picked up some treats for to take back to Milwaukee, for Flounder to take to work and for me to take my office as well. Easter was very nice, except...except for poor being quite ill. She was feeling better by the time she headed off to the airport. But before the trip to the airport, Storybook Dad, Flounder and I went to a very nice Easter service, and returned to the house for lunch with Storybook Mom and Storybook Grandma. I do hope is still doing better.

My mind is all a whirl with potential wedding details. Oh right, I already talked about the wedding. Did I mention we have changed the venue again? Yep. We have finally found the perfect place for the wedding. A mansion in Gaithersburg. We are really excited about making that (God-willing) final choice.

Also on the horizon is checking out two medical weightloss programs. One at GW and the other at Frederick Memorial. I have lots of questions to ask, but I am excited about the possibilities.

Quote of the Day:
"Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique."
-Anon.

What a wonderful time I had yesterday. Girls Night was a termendous amount of fun. We watched a terrible movie, drank and laughed our butts off. It was great. I wish I had slepped in a bit more this morning, but oh well.

Mi Mama is now in full swing wedding mode. Yesterday morning I went to pick up Grandma Dee so we could go get our nails gone. Not surprisingly, she misplaced the giftcertificated I had given her at Christmas, and couldn't find it in time for our scheduled appointments. I hated canceling, but what can you do? Instead Grandma Dee, Mi Mama and I headed over the the wedding site to check it out. As luck would have it the Events Manager was on site and I was able to ask a bunch of questions. Then we hit a snag. At this point in the year the May/June 2006 dates have "holds" on them, but can not yet be reserved. Of course there are already 2 potential holds on the date we prefer. So now we are the third. We also put a hold (they were nice enough to let us do more than one, which isn't standard) on the next weekend and we are second in line for that one. Starting next month they will be calling all of the people with holds to find out if they are still interested. Apparently people will put holds on various places, pick one and not contact the location they are no longer interested in. No big surprise. What this all boils down to is, we don't have a firm date and if we can't get a Saturday date we may be getting married on a Sunday. Not optimum, but ok none the less. I LOVE the location, so really that is the most important thing. We the resulting marriage is the most important thing, but you catch my drift.

In the future, in addition to ranting about my health problems and my weight loss effort (or lack there of) you can look forward to wedding diatribes. Yippee!

and I just got home from seeing Robots. It was cute, but not fantastic. A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Now we are settling into our Sunday evening groove. Laundry, relaxing, mentally preparing for tomorrow and maybe some dinner.

It all started with all my wedding plans being blown asunder. The short version of the story is that after emailing with our potential wedding planner in St. Thomas, I realized that the whole destination wedding thing was logistical nightmare. Then I was informed by Mi Mama, that my God Mother didn't really want to host our at home reception, but didn't want to host our at home recpetion.

OK! I said, That's it! WE are starting over!

And start over we did. NOW, we are staying in the area, getting married at Brookside Gardens and holding the wedding there as well. Memorial Day weekend 2006. I am so excited.

Der_flounder was such a peach through the whole wedding planning redeux converstion, I was reminded of just why I am so eager to marry him.

Earlier this week at the work event I attended, one of the attorneys asked "So, how ARE you?". This is someone I have worked with proffessionally now and then but have never discuessed anything personal. I gave some lipservice to the merger and waiting to see how it shaked out. She then asked what I did before joining the law firms marketing department. I talked briefly about my years in the advertising agency, how I had worked my way from receptionist to production coordiantor. She seemed impressed by this as asked what I had studied "in school". I knew she meant college, not 12th grade. I hate this part of every discussion that centers around my professional depvelopment. I wasn't ready to go to college when I was 18.  There is nothing wrong with that, but explaining that I "skipped that part" always makes me uncomfortable. This time I got a different reaction. "Really?! Wow!" was not what I expected, but it was a nice change of pace. She was, if not impressed, she was at least surprised that I held my position without a degree. It was my own response to her next question that I really didn't expect. She asked, "So what would you like to do down the road?" My response was quick and impulsive. "I would like to use maketing for the greater good. Either with the law firm promoting pro bono work or outside for a non-profit." So now the real question. Was that answer true? I don't mind leading others astray, but I would like to be honest with myself. Thinking about it, I don't think it is. I could find non-profit work rewarding, but promoting them is difficult (they never have money) and I HATE fundraising. Asking strangers for money makes my skin crawl. I don't think I have found the answer to "What am I going to do with my life?", but maybe I am getting closer.

This week has been just fine. I worked an event at Olive's Restaurant on Tuesday and had some really terrific food. Otherwise it's been pretty typical. I have however been really tired. I don't know if I can blame that on my on-going health problems or maybe the reluctant way Spring seems to be sneaking in. 

I am really looking forward to this weekend. On Saturday and I am going with Grandma Dee to get our nails done. In the evening Red, and Signe are coming over for a girls night. One can expect drunkin movie watching and LOTS of laughing. We are also going to make our own healthy pizzas at home. Yum! If the weather is at all decent I may try to drag out to a fantastic local park Mi Mama and I discovered last weekend. I a little walk in the woods will do us both good I think.

Quote of the Day:
Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.

3 liters of water minimum my doctor told me. I have to have 3 liters of water every day is I want to rid myself of the cursed stone. So I have done so, both yesterday and today. Nothing so far. I made an appointment with a specialist next week, which meant I needed to go collect my CT scan film from two different hospitals this morning. That was fun. I have to say they gave them up much more readily than I would have guessed.

Mi Mama, Flounder and I are heading to my God Mother's house in April to hash out some of the details (and budget items) for our At Home Reception. Given that the wedding is more than a year away it seems a little strange, but we are sending out Save the Date cards in May (so people have lots of notice) and I just have to feel confident that we can afford a decent reception before we send out those cards, you know?

I am looking forward to our Girls Night this Saturday. I have really appricated how this event has veered away from glutony and toward healthy food choice. I hope the desert is good. ;P

This weekend Mi Mama came and stayed while   was away. Everyone was very concerned that I might need assistance (like calling 911?) and get stuck in a dangerous situation if left alone. However unlikely that might be, it was very nice to have company. Now and then Mi Mama would have momentary bouts of forgetfulness. Forgetting that I am 26. Forgetting that she was in My house. Forgetting that I don't like being bossed around. But in general we had a good time. We also made a pact. A Dear God The Wedding Is Coming Up And I Am NOT Going To Look Like A Whale On The Beach Pact. So far so good this morning with the healthy habits. The only problem is I am not feeling very well (tired, nausous) and I am still not rid of this stone. All the more reason to take good care of myself right? Certainly. But why is that the very time you should be taking extra good car is the time you are the weakest against temptation. Oh the humanities! I have guzzled a liter of water so far this morning, so that is a bright spot.

Flounder is back home safe and sound. It sounds like he and   have a great time. He was also quite impressed with her new digs. Well done !

Quote of the Day:
Society, my dear, is like salt water, good to swim in but hard to swallow.

I have very high hopes that today will be last day in the Kidney Stone Ordeal (Round 2). I am tired and a little sick of the pain and the funnel. I have been at work the last few days and that's been fine I guess.

I dropped off at the office this morning before driving in myself. He is leaving for the airport directly after work. The leaves me single for the weeked. I think Saturday will be a day for restful home improvement. Our place is a mess. Being sick has slowed me down a wee bit. I plan on making some small improvements. Sunday I have marked as Mom Day. We are (cross your fingers) going to finally finish the living room curtains.

So I drink my water and wish Flounder good travels and good times with !

Quote of the Day:
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.

Kideny Stone Watch, Day Three. Still nothing. I have been going out of my mind with boredom on the couch, but the pain meds leave me to out of it to do anything productive while I am recouping. So I drink and wait.

Elsewhere in the world, Mi Mama and Micah went to court for the final time to appeal the guilty verdict in Micah's case. They had their day in court, but have not yet received the decision. So it is another waiting game for the family.

is heading out west to visit this weekend. I hope they have a lovely time. I will be spending some time with Mi Mama if I am well enough (please, please let this be over by then!) and we have a few project for the house to work on.

Quote of the Day:
Cherish your vision and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
-Napoleon Hill

I really didn't think my life would come to this. Skipping out of work to pee in a funnel.

I have been drinking my fluids, taking my meds and drifting in and out of sleep. I am honestly not sure if I am still be in pain -- or would be in pain if I wasn't doped up. At this point, I just don't want to find out. So we will try tomorrow drug free and see how it goes.

I talked to my boss today and it appears my co-workers are dropping like flies. I am the only one with kidney stones, but the the flu and various viruses are taking the toll. It not a good time to be a member of my department.

I am hoping to be back in the office and off my meds tomorrow.

Just when I thought my kidney problems were behind me, I had the worst attack yet today. Just in time for the beginning of my work day, in came the wracking pain. After a few hours of playing the hero (I was the only member of the dept. in the office today) I eventally turned the helm over to the intern, and go take care of my self. Thank God for Flounder. He left work and took me to the hospital, bless him. The short version of the story is this: they put me out of my misery with good drugs, found the kidney stone with a CAT Scan, and sent me home with more good drugs to get me though.

I am feeling much better today. I have been trying not to fall back on food for it's mood altering qualities but by the end of yesterday I was out of options as I saw it. So I went with Crispy Honey Chicken, alcohol and The Great Wall of Chocolate at P.F. Changs. And I felt better. We also went to the book store where I picked out a few selections. I started reading Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire. So far so good. I had really enjoyed his previous book Wicked.

Thus far today der_flounder and I have cleaned out the refridgerator and hung hooks so we finally have some place to to put our coats. Now I am off to get cleaned up so we can go buy screws to hang some curtains with.

Quote of the Day:
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."

-Josh Billings

Damn, I was hoping that my mood would be improving by now. Seriously, I am having one of those emotional, overwrought, not fit for human companionship sort of day. I really can't thing of anything that would cheer me upright now. Not even a funny movie followed up by jewelry shopping while eating a banana split. And that is pretty bad indeed.

I haven't been in the office more than half an hour and I can already tell what kind of day it is going to be. So far I arrived at my desk to find the container of smoked almonds I had bought as a heallthy snack is 3/4 empty. I had only eaten the top layer and no,I had not offered them to anyone. Then I went upstairs to check out the coffee, and breakfast foods that are provided every Friday. The room was teaming with people. I hate that. I grab coffee and my muffin and get out as quickly as possible. I stop from some water and while exiting the kitchen I am cut off by someone passing with a cart and drop my muffin. So much for a chocolately breakfast treat. Really I shouldn't have been eating it anyway...but all the same I feel there is a very good chance that the next person who crosses my path is going to feel my vengance, and that is no good. I tried counting to 10 to no avail. I am open to suggestions.

This week has felt amazingly long. I am hoping today will not drag quite so much.

Goal Check!
Walk yesterday? Yes
Exercise this morning? Yes
Eat after 8? No
In Bed by 10? Yes

Whoo Hoo! I like seeing all the right answers in the goal check.

Quote of the Day:
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.

Yesterday was kind of sucky. After a deluge of ambigous news from the higher-up in my department, I was rather depressed about my still undefined role in the department. Yes, I am an assisant, but an assistant to whom? What are the new policies? When is this information going to trickle down?!?! V. Frustrated last night. I decided to have a little pitty party and then funnel my irritation into doing my taxes. So now my taxes are done. Check that one off the list.

With the support of   and some rational thinking on my part, I came to realize that I am not a victim of fate. That beyond the money if gives me, I just don't care all that much what happens with my job. I am much better off concentrating on the parts of my life I do have control over. Not to mention what I want to do with the rest of my life? Certainly not this. So long story short, I am feeling more int control this morning.

Goal Check!
Walk yesterday? No
Exercise this morning? No
Eat after 8? No
In Bed by 10? Yes

Quote of the Day:
"I love the story of the little girl who showed her teacher a picture she painted of a tree. The tree was purple. The teacher said, ‘Sweetheart, I’ve never seen a purple tree, now have I?’

‘Oh?’ said the little girl. ‘That’s too bad.’”

Marianne Williamson

And now my feelings about the snow "storm" yesterday, in the form of haiku:

Tiny snowflakes fall
Lacing the trees with beauty
Icy drifts of cold

Oh, pretty snowflakes
Why don't you stick to the street?
Water everywhere

I would also like to share of few of my favoite Things to Be Happy About, from my daily calendar:

• the train arriving


• focusing on what really matters


• starting a compost pile


• a child engrossed in coloring


• talking to your sweetheart


• large trash recepticals


• a new perspective


• jumping rope

I received some very exciting news yesterday. I am only $200 from being totally entirely debt free. A few years ago the idea of being without debt seemed practically impossible. Some have pointed out to me that some debt is good. Yes, this is true, but there is good debt and bad debt, and my debt was nothing but bad, bad, bad.

Goal Check!
Walk yesterday? No
Exercise this morning? No
Eat after 8? No
In Bed by 10? Yes

Quote of the Day:
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.