Just coming down from Mt. Elden peak...leaving the beatiful aspens.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Friday, September 30, 2005
The first year five?
In our first year of marriage (really only the last few months of it) Tim and I have both gained 5 pounds. Somehow I managed to bypass gaining the freshman 15 in college (even though Tim gained the freshman 40) but during this first year of marriage I gained five pounds. This really isn't that big of a deal but I did the math and if we continue on this 5 a year path, 50 years into our marriage I will weigh 370 pounds and Tim will weigh 405 pounds. Now, while that is somewhat of a hysterical image to me, I don't think I would like to try this. Plus, if we ever got that big we might die before we reach 50 years of marriage. So, since we regularly work out and eat healthy, the only conclusion I can come to is its all from the massive bowls of ice cream, peanut butter, and oreos that we eat on a consistent basis. The only other conclusion I could think of was that I could be pregnant (this stemming from the fact that in ONE day I saw approximately 30 pregnant women AND then, in the same day, heard a story from one of my co-workers that she got pregnant on the pill. Following these incidents, I then prayed to all of the gods in this world to spare me from the dreaded and that all of this was not meant to be some sort of a sign for me).
After taking a pregnancy test, I am relieved to know that I've just gotten fatter. And don't tell me that pregnancy tests are only 99% accurate. That is good enough for me! And plus, if I'm pregnant Tim must be too...he's gained 5 pounds right a long with me and my boobs aren't sore. I don't think his are either. So there. My first conclusion is the only conclusion that makes sense. Three years ago I was told to eat a shake or ice cream every day to gain weight. I stopped eating it every night after my weight stabalized. But, lately we've been eating it every night again (and proving that it does help to gain weight...again) so from now on, I am boycotting ice cream-at least the once a day massive bowl of ice cream. I don't think I could ever fully boycott it...it's too much of a diet staple and too good of an indulgence. And by the way, when I say massive bowls I do mean massive... go check out the dishes and silverware we have from Pottery Barn. THEN you will understand what I am talking about. They are supersized...like silverware and dishes intended for giants who are 10 feet tall and 500 pounds. I'm not kidding. Anyway, bottom line is: Tim and I will not be 405 and 370 pounds, respectively, in 50 years. And I'm not pregnant. Thank god.
After taking a pregnancy test, I am relieved to know that I've just gotten fatter. And don't tell me that pregnancy tests are only 99% accurate. That is good enough for me! And plus, if I'm pregnant Tim must be too...he's gained 5 pounds right a long with me and my boobs aren't sore. I don't think his are either. So there. My first conclusion is the only conclusion that makes sense. Three years ago I was told to eat a shake or ice cream every day to gain weight. I stopped eating it every night after my weight stabalized. But, lately we've been eating it every night again (and proving that it does help to gain weight...again) so from now on, I am boycotting ice cream-at least the once a day massive bowl of ice cream. I don't think I could ever fully boycott it...it's too much of a diet staple and too good of an indulgence. And by the way, when I say massive bowls I do mean massive... go check out the dishes and silverware we have from Pottery Barn. THEN you will understand what I am talking about. They are supersized...like silverware and dishes intended for giants who are 10 feet tall and 500 pounds. I'm not kidding. Anyway, bottom line is: Tim and I will not be 405 and 370 pounds, respectively, in 50 years. And I'm not pregnant. Thank god.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
A year ago today...September 25, 2004
At this time last year (9:30 p.m. Kansas City time) we were officially married and getting ready to head off to the Raphael Hotel on the plaza! I miss last year simply because everyone that we love was with us at the same place, same time. It was such a great day...not to mention a great weekend. We couldn't have asked for more perfect days the entire weekend...in each and every respect. And, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect first year of marriage. I'm so thankful for every year that I have with Tim... I love him so much more every year and this year especially we have learned so much more about each other and we have grown as a couple in ways that I wouldn't have imagined before we got married. So, today I celebrate for what we have but even more for what's to come in the future.
Here are some pictures taken by various people to go back to the past a little bit... We still don't have our official pictures yet, but these are just as great! There are some pictures of the rehearsal dinner, too. Enjoy!!
Here are some pictures taken by various people to go back to the past a little bit... We still don't have our official pictures yet, but these are just as great! There are some pictures of the rehearsal dinner, too. Enjoy!!
Friday, September 23, 2005
Up to the high country we go!
We decided that for our anniversary we wanted to be somewhat conservative in terms of presents since we are spending more money than we've ever even seen in our LIFE on our house. That being the case, we concluded that the house is our REAL anniversary present but we wanted to do something fun to properly celebrate the weekend so it doesn't just feel like a normal weekend... So, we are going to spend the weekend in Flagstaff. I love the mountains...especially in the fall right before the snows come. It should be beautiful up there at this time of the year and I'm so excited to go hiking and to sight see some and to eat at these cool little restaurants in little historic places that remind me of my grandma's house...really, though, I'm excited just for the simplicity of enjoying the crisp mountain air and seeing some fall leaves. I heard about a really neat hike just south of Flagstaff in Sedona (another weekend trip we need to take...we've heard its awesome there, too! And Tim's work has a condo up there that he can use...bonus!) so we might stop by and go on that hike as well. I'm super excited-I LOVE the mountains-even the drive up there is spectacular! It is going to be so fun! More updates when we get back...
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Mr. and Mrs. Upgrade
We had our appointment at the design center the other day to pick out all of the interiors for our new house. Having never done this before, we really didn't know what to expect. We were immediately in for an awakening when we quickly realized that we'd just been transported to upgrade nation. Everything that comes 'standard' on our house is flat out nasty. I honestly cannot think of any reason any sane person would get the standard things. Even if it is about money, I don't think a logical person would be willing to buy a house just to make the inside look like a pile of well, to say it nicely, crap. So, this upgrade thing being the case, Tim and I were faced with conversations like this:
Lady with no personality (showing a product that I could go dig up in a garage that holds everything from 1980): "This is what comes standard"
Jenn (thinking to herself, stunned speechless): "She cannot be serious. This must be a joke. I wonder if I should laugh. Probably not. She seems awfully serious. That is the most god-awful thing I've ever seen in my life. I wonder what her secret is to keeping a straight face...oh yes, probably the no personality thing. Omg, I swear if Tim expresses any sort of likingness to this THING, I am going to seriously consider applying him to 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' because obviously everything I've taught him has meant nothing."
Tim says (in not so many words): "I don't think we like that."
Jenn (thinking to herself): "Thank GOD. I feel like dancing. He is not all that defective when it comes to style. I wonder if I made a face, though... I probably did. Oh well."
Lady (goes into some weirdo trance): "Well, then, here's upgrade number 2 or you can get upgrade number two in a different color or style but then it's upgrade number five. Or for $20,000 you can get upgrade number 12. Or you can do an upgrade 4 with an upgrade 8 tacked on but then you'll pay the upgrade 9 price. Or here's the same color with a different style in an upgrade 10..."
Imagine doing this for THREE HOURS STRAIGHT for every large and minute detail that composes the interior of your house. It's insane.
But, regardless, we did end up getting some pretty cool things and are really excited to see the finished product. Here's generally what we got (probably about half of the stuff we picked will be a surprise for us when we move in...we were so overwhelmed by Ms. Personality Upgrade and we had to make so many decisions that we really only remember the big things we got):
1) We got cherry wood cabinets throughout the house...you guessed it! An upgrade, of course. And we added handles to the cabinets...yet another upgrade.
2) We got blackish granite countertops for the kitchen (probably our biggest expense along with the cabinets)
3) We tiled our entryway, kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms. And the tile was an upgrade from the carpet and WITHIN the tile group we got upgrade 3 or 4 but we COULD have gotten a bigger sized tile and that would have been an upgrade 6 or 7. See how maddening this can get?!
4) We only ended up putting wood in the office (it was $17 a square foot! So, even just doing the office it is $2,300). We were going to do the whole front room, too, but that would have been $8,300. It seemed dumb because then we would have had to pay an additional deposit, we didn't want to deck our house out so much that it wouldn't appraise, and why spend so much money on something you don't plan to be in forever? So, I'm happy with the decision even if its less wood than I originally wanted.
5) We upgraded our carpet and the pad. It's a dark taupe color. I like it.
6) We upgraded our sinks, faucets, door handles, and lighting fixtures. They are cool. (Can you believe the standard for these are BRASS? Ugh. SOOO ugly!!)
7) Oh yes, and we got an upgraded microwave, dishwasher, and stove (black and stainless steel).
I'm happy with our decisions... I think it will be perfect for us! We spent about what we thought we would which is always good. So, now the only two other appointments we have is for the mortgage and the landscaping. And then we can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride until move in day!
Lady with no personality (showing a product that I could go dig up in a garage that holds everything from 1980): "This is what comes standard"
Jenn (thinking to herself, stunned speechless): "She cannot be serious. This must be a joke. I wonder if I should laugh. Probably not. She seems awfully serious. That is the most god-awful thing I've ever seen in my life. I wonder what her secret is to keeping a straight face...oh yes, probably the no personality thing. Omg, I swear if Tim expresses any sort of likingness to this THING, I am going to seriously consider applying him to 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' because obviously everything I've taught him has meant nothing."
Tim says (in not so many words): "I don't think we like that."
Jenn (thinking to herself): "Thank GOD. I feel like dancing. He is not all that defective when it comes to style. I wonder if I made a face, though... I probably did. Oh well."
Lady (goes into some weirdo trance): "Well, then, here's upgrade number 2 or you can get upgrade number two in a different color or style but then it's upgrade number five. Or for $20,000 you can get upgrade number 12. Or you can do an upgrade 4 with an upgrade 8 tacked on but then you'll pay the upgrade 9 price. Or here's the same color with a different style in an upgrade 10..."
Imagine doing this for THREE HOURS STRAIGHT for every large and minute detail that composes the interior of your house. It's insane.
But, regardless, we did end up getting some pretty cool things and are really excited to see the finished product. Here's generally what we got (probably about half of the stuff we picked will be a surprise for us when we move in...we were so overwhelmed by Ms. Personality Upgrade and we had to make so many decisions that we really only remember the big things we got):
1) We got cherry wood cabinets throughout the house...you guessed it! An upgrade, of course. And we added handles to the cabinets...yet another upgrade.
2) We got blackish granite countertops for the kitchen (probably our biggest expense along with the cabinets)
3) We tiled our entryway, kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms. And the tile was an upgrade from the carpet and WITHIN the tile group we got upgrade 3 or 4 but we COULD have gotten a bigger sized tile and that would have been an upgrade 6 or 7. See how maddening this can get?!
4) We only ended up putting wood in the office (it was $17 a square foot! So, even just doing the office it is $2,300). We were going to do the whole front room, too, but that would have been $8,300. It seemed dumb because then we would have had to pay an additional deposit, we didn't want to deck our house out so much that it wouldn't appraise, and why spend so much money on something you don't plan to be in forever? So, I'm happy with the decision even if its less wood than I originally wanted.
5) We upgraded our carpet and the pad. It's a dark taupe color. I like it.
6) We upgraded our sinks, faucets, door handles, and lighting fixtures. They are cool. (Can you believe the standard for these are BRASS? Ugh. SOOO ugly!!)
7) Oh yes, and we got an upgraded microwave, dishwasher, and stove (black and stainless steel).
I'm happy with our decisions... I think it will be perfect for us! We spent about what we thought we would which is always good. So, now the only two other appointments we have is for the mortgage and the landscaping. And then we can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride until move in day!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Speaking of weddings...
a year ago tonight, I was at our reception place setting up and decorating tables for what seemed like 1500 hours (only because my mom is a perfectionist and if I put something on crooked I had to do it again five times and ultimately she just ended up redoing what I did). The perfectionist thing, however, is not something I am complaining about. There is no way the reception would have been even close to as awesome as it was without her. I had the vision, she followed through and it all turned out amazingly well.
I also was eating ALL OF THE TIME. We had TONS of relatives in town which at my mom's house equals so much good food you think you're in some fantasy food land. I honestly questioned whether or not I would fit into my wedding dress. Especially since at this same time last year I was frantically trying to finish our favors which was actually a really fun job once we got to the point of stuffing them. We stuffed them with peanut butter M&M's (our favorite candy) but to do so, we sorted out all of the red, yellow, orange, and brown ones (fall colors...) So, the green and blue ones, we got to eat! And boy, did we eat those M&Ms... when my cousin Kristyn flew in, we spent a whole night (thursday I believe) 'stuffing favors.' Really, we were eating M&Ms more than stuffing...and two days before the wedding!
I am totally reminisent right now of last year. I'm glad we are having a one year anniversary (so hard to believe!) but it was so fun last year to have everyone we love all in one spot. And the two week vacation off of work was a definite bonus, too. And not to mention the whole marrying Tim, then going on a honeymoon thing. Yeah, that was pretty great. :)
Ahh memories...
I also was eating ALL OF THE TIME. We had TONS of relatives in town which at my mom's house equals so much good food you think you're in some fantasy food land. I honestly questioned whether or not I would fit into my wedding dress. Especially since at this same time last year I was frantically trying to finish our favors which was actually a really fun job once we got to the point of stuffing them. We stuffed them with peanut butter M&M's (our favorite candy) but to do so, we sorted out all of the red, yellow, orange, and brown ones (fall colors...) So, the green and blue ones, we got to eat! And boy, did we eat those M&Ms... when my cousin Kristyn flew in, we spent a whole night (thursday I believe) 'stuffing favors.' Really, we were eating M&Ms more than stuffing...and two days before the wedding!
I am totally reminisent right now of last year. I'm glad we are having a one year anniversary (so hard to believe!) but it was so fun last year to have everyone we love all in one spot. And the two week vacation off of work was a definite bonus, too. And not to mention the whole marrying Tim, then going on a honeymoon thing. Yeah, that was pretty great. :)
Ahh memories...
Next summer is a wedding summer!
I already know of several weddings that are happening next summer... kind of like how when we got married last year, we went to 4 weddings before ours. My congratulations to Wish and Josh, Jody and Justin, and Chelsea and Scott! I am so excited for everyone who is engaged...it's such a fun time!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
You know it's going to be long when you don't shift out of first gear for 45 minutes
Today, especially, I am jealous of Travis Johnson or anyone else who has a five minute commute to work. You all suck. It took me one hour and 20 minutes to get to work today. It should be about 35 without traffic. Usually it's more like 50. I'm just glad that I'm a patient person...I just pop in a CD and chill out. Some people I know would be foaming at the mouth to sit in traffic for that long. Luckily, too, I really love my job so I have to say that it's really not that bad...actually it's worth the commute.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Question of the day
Why do cops pull over people during rush hour when there are 50 million cars on the road? I mean, seriously, what could people do so wrong when it is literally impossible to speed? I really think these cops that pull over someone every. single. morning. are idiots. They just cause more slowing, which causes more backup, more pissed off people, and therefore more accidents. The only reason a cop should pull anyone over during rush hour is if there is an actual accident.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
A completely different story than my life on September 15 last year...
This past weekend I was in KC. It was a little weird to be back home since I don't really feel like I'm that far away or that I haven't been back in a while. It was a really nice weekend though and so good to see family. I also got to see my college roommate...my mom and I drove down to southwest Missouri to have lunch with her. It was a pretty drive...lots of trees and farmland, which aren't too prevalent in Arizona (the trees, anyway. There actually is quite a bit of farmland, which was surprising to me). We didn't really do a whole lot...just relaxed, shopped a little bit, and hung out. It was pretty refreshing. A couple of highlights were 1) I had the best golf lesson of my ENTIRE life with my dad on Monday night. I have had some whacked out swing for a few years now...as in the club shifts in my upswing. But on Monday night, that all changed. He simplifyed and adjusted my swing and I hit the ball as good as I did when I was on the golf team in high school, maybe even better! It was absolutely amazing. I am so excited now to play golf and hit more golf balls, which makes Tim super excited. I have even been so pumped about it that I've been practicing my swing around the house so I don't forget how to do it! I think we are going to go golfing or go to the driving range this weekend... 2) I ate about 4 dozen oatmeal raisin cookies. I'm not exaggerating. They were SO good. Especially the ones that were right out of the oven. I think I ate a full dozen at that time. I went for a couple of runs/walks but probably not enough to offset the cookies... I didn't really care though. Tuesday morning I flew back to Arizona. I woke up at 3 a.m. Arizona time and when I got here at 9 a.m. I drove straight to work. It was pretty brutal but well worth the trip out.
Tim seems to have had a good few days in Tennessee as well. The work there went well and he said that it was extremely pretty...he was in Knoxville which is right by the Smokey mountains so I'm sure it was nice. We were both pretty jet lagged until today but now we're both feeling a ton better. OH! I just remembered... I was so worried to come home from work Tuesday night fearing that I'd find kitten poop all over the bathroom like we did when we left the cats over the fourth of July (we separate them and Emerson is the bad pooper. She basically painted the whole bathroom with poop over the 4th...entirely disgusting). Anyway, I felt like crap and the last thing I wanted to do was spend two hours (the amount of time it took BOTH Tim and I to clean up the mess last time) cleaning up her poop. BUT! She was clean. There was nothing on the floor, barely even litter. I was SO happy. SO, SO happy.
Yesterday morning we had an appointment with the I-wire people (the people who wire our new house). This really was more of Tim's thing because I have no idea about any of that stuff... It was cool though nonetheless (at least the part of it that I understood). Here's what we got (in addition to the standard cable and telephone hookups):
1) Cable for the office computer
2) Pre-wired our living room for Tim's surround sound system (I genuinely am excited about this because it means no more wires on the floor! And the speakers will all be mounted on the walls which means they won't be sitting on the furniture anymore).
3) Pre-wired and bought speakers for our back patio. Supposedly they are pretty nice speakers but Tim is more excited about this than me...I kind of tuned out during this part.
4) Full security system that covers every door and window in our house. It has two control pads, a motion detector and other cool features that I am excited about because of the nights that I have to spend by myself.
I am REALLY excited to go to the design center...which is next Tuesday! That will be super exciting. I'm not sure what I really want to do as far as the interiors of the house... I think I really want wood floors in the dining room, office, sitting room, and entryway. I don't know if I want wood floors in the kitchen because if I get wood floors in the kitchen and have wood cabinets, I think that could be a little too much wood. And I thought about still having wood flooring in the kitchen but getting white cabinets but I don't know if I want that anymore... there are so many choices!
The only other thing that I have to say is that American Family insurance genuinely sucks. I would love to go into detail and say many more bad things about them but I don't really feel like being negative. So, all I will say is that American Family sucks and there are a bunch of full time idiots working for them.
I got tagged by Rachel so here's the fifth line of my 23rd post:
"It didn't hurt but it was big enough to stick my tongue in."
Ha, that could be taken in a seriously disgusting way. I sound like the biggest nerd but I was actually posting about my horrific dentist story. Everyone should check out Rachel's blog (link to the left)...it's so cute and exciting!
My apologies for the random post... if only I posted every day, I could spare everyone the lengthy, once weekly, long, random post. Happy friday to everyone tomorrow!
Tim seems to have had a good few days in Tennessee as well. The work there went well and he said that it was extremely pretty...he was in Knoxville which is right by the Smokey mountains so I'm sure it was nice. We were both pretty jet lagged until today but now we're both feeling a ton better. OH! I just remembered... I was so worried to come home from work Tuesday night fearing that I'd find kitten poop all over the bathroom like we did when we left the cats over the fourth of July (we separate them and Emerson is the bad pooper. She basically painted the whole bathroom with poop over the 4th...entirely disgusting). Anyway, I felt like crap and the last thing I wanted to do was spend two hours (the amount of time it took BOTH Tim and I to clean up the mess last time) cleaning up her poop. BUT! She was clean. There was nothing on the floor, barely even litter. I was SO happy. SO, SO happy.
Yesterday morning we had an appointment with the I-wire people (the people who wire our new house). This really was more of Tim's thing because I have no idea about any of that stuff... It was cool though nonetheless (at least the part of it that I understood). Here's what we got (in addition to the standard cable and telephone hookups):
1) Cable for the office computer
2) Pre-wired our living room for Tim's surround sound system (I genuinely am excited about this because it means no more wires on the floor! And the speakers will all be mounted on the walls which means they won't be sitting on the furniture anymore).
3) Pre-wired and bought speakers for our back patio. Supposedly they are pretty nice speakers but Tim is more excited about this than me...I kind of tuned out during this part.
4) Full security system that covers every door and window in our house. It has two control pads, a motion detector and other cool features that I am excited about because of the nights that I have to spend by myself.
I am REALLY excited to go to the design center...which is next Tuesday! That will be super exciting. I'm not sure what I really want to do as far as the interiors of the house... I think I really want wood floors in the dining room, office, sitting room, and entryway. I don't know if I want wood floors in the kitchen because if I get wood floors in the kitchen and have wood cabinets, I think that could be a little too much wood. And I thought about still having wood flooring in the kitchen but getting white cabinets but I don't know if I want that anymore... there are so many choices!
The only other thing that I have to say is that American Family insurance genuinely sucks. I would love to go into detail and say many more bad things about them but I don't really feel like being negative. So, all I will say is that American Family sucks and there are a bunch of full time idiots working for them.
I got tagged by Rachel so here's the fifth line of my 23rd post:
"It didn't hurt but it was big enough to stick my tongue in."
Ha, that could be taken in a seriously disgusting way. I sound like the biggest nerd but I was actually posting about my horrific dentist story. Everyone should check out Rachel's blog (link to the left)...it's so cute and exciting!
My apologies for the random post... if only I posted every day, I could spare everyone the lengthy, once weekly, long, random post. Happy friday to everyone tomorrow!
Friday, September 09, 2005
Similar to what a wet rat would look like...
except on a much larger scale. Yes, that is what I look like right now. I have never been so wet in my entire life (excluding intentionally being wet by taking showers or going swimming).
A group of us in my department took a new hire out to lunch today. And, right as we were walking out, an unexpected Arizona monsoon comes rolling in. And the funny thing is about these monsoons is that they are not usually widespread. So, lucky us, we were in the exact spot where a big part of the ocean decided to dump right on us. I know I have said this before, but this time takes the cake: I have NEVER, EVER experienced harder, more intense rain. My hair was as wet as it is in the shower, my clothes looked like I jumped into a pool with them on (they were even dripping!) It was so crazy but so hysterical at the same time. Moments like these are just simply memorable. You'll always laugh when you look back at them. I'm still laughing now at how ridiculous we all looked...STILL look from getting so drenched and walking back to the office looking like we all decided to just jump in a lake for a swim.
A group of us in my department took a new hire out to lunch today. And, right as we were walking out, an unexpected Arizona monsoon comes rolling in. And the funny thing is about these monsoons is that they are not usually widespread. So, lucky us, we were in the exact spot where a big part of the ocean decided to dump right on us. I know I have said this before, but this time takes the cake: I have NEVER, EVER experienced harder, more intense rain. My hair was as wet as it is in the shower, my clothes looked like I jumped into a pool with them on (they were even dripping!) It was so crazy but so hysterical at the same time. Moments like these are just simply memorable. You'll always laugh when you look back at them. I'm still laughing now at how ridiculous we all looked...STILL look from getting so drenched and walking back to the office looking like we all decided to just jump in a lake for a swim.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
I can't believe I forgot to post about this!
I am NOT a bargain shopper. I try, but I fail miserably. I admire people who are good at bargain shopping and who always find cute things at shocking prices. Unfortunately, as much as I try not to be the way I am, I am notorious for always buying things at the full price and sometimes it can get kind of expensive especially if we are talking about clothes or shoes. I always tell Tim that it's ok though. Just like he used to collect baseball cards, I collect clothes. And I have a pretty decent collection... no Marc Jacobs or Jimmy Choos but maybe someday... ;)
BUT, BUT! I have redeemed myself for years to come! This weekend I found a $140 blazer at Ann Taylor for $10. I. AM. NOT. KIDDING. I thought that the tag had been misprinted and it was actually marked down to $100 (which still would have been good!) But, nope! The lady said that it really was $10. And it was cute! (Usually I am not a huge fan of Ann Taylor-it seems kind of old but I went in on Saturday and found a few cute things!) After finding the jacket, I proceeded to find some REALLY cute chocolate brown pants to go with it (unfortunately not as good of a deal) and it made it all the more attractive. Even if I didn't find cute pants to match it, I just had to buy it to say that I got a $140 jacket for $10. That is absolutely jaw dropping, especially considering my luck at finding bargains. So, maybe there is hope yet for me to find good deals and to become a better bargain shopper...that would make Tim so happy!
BUT, BUT! I have redeemed myself for years to come! This weekend I found a $140 blazer at Ann Taylor for $10. I. AM. NOT. KIDDING. I thought that the tag had been misprinted and it was actually marked down to $100 (which still would have been good!) But, nope! The lady said that it really was $10. And it was cute! (Usually I am not a huge fan of Ann Taylor-it seems kind of old but I went in on Saturday and found a few cute things!) After finding the jacket, I proceeded to find some REALLY cute chocolate brown pants to go with it (unfortunately not as good of a deal) and it made it all the more attractive. Even if I didn't find cute pants to match it, I just had to buy it to say that I got a $140 jacket for $10. That is absolutely jaw dropping, especially considering my luck at finding bargains. So, maybe there is hope yet for me to find good deals and to become a better bargain shopper...that would make Tim so happy!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
60 day feedback
This is just a general overview of work so I think it's ok to write about: I just had a 6o day feedback meeting with my manager and my managing partner (my top boss). I guess they like me! I just need to ask more questions...I can deal with that. I am just really happy that they like me. I am often overly critical of myself-thinking and worrying that I am doing the wrong thing and that people don't like me. I always do this even when I know that they do like me. I know that I am shy and often too laid back...people generally are drawn to people who are outgoing and witty...but I don't know that its a bad thing to be like I am...it's just me...I am a listener and observer as opposed to what might be called the life of the party. Is it really that bad to be known as quiet? I have definitely had my incredibly stupid moments but I realize that it's all a part of the learning experience. I am learning and hopefully becoming smarter in the process. I realize that it IS a process. I'm not going to know everything now. I naturally like to figure out things on my own because I don't like to feel stupid (I often get discouraged when I do feel stupid and incapable) but I know that this process is going to have to involve other people and them guiding me. As long as I am on par with where I should be on this learning path, that's all I care about. And apparently I am. So, that's good to hear along with hearing that I am doing the right things and that people do like me.
Updates
Tim and I had a really relaxing weekend. We stayed in town and just kind of hung around. We did some shopping, rented a couple of movies, got a lot of errands done, explored the city a little bit more, went on walks, cleaned the house... it was nice. Oh, and on Sunday and Monday mornings the weather was AMAZING. It was 83 degrees out and cloudy and it was actually kind of chilly. We got out for about an hour each morning and played tennis-it was so much fun and we didn't play bad either. We had to stop because Tim broke the strings in his racket...that's how good he is! Last night since we were all by ourselves on Labor Day we had our own barbeque. We made steak and salmon kabobs, twice baked potatoes, baked beans, a huge salad, and brownies. It was kind of a last minute decision but it was well worth it... we had fun doing it and it was really tasty as well.
Also, as an update on our wedding picture saga, we still have no clue what is going on. Mark, Tim's dad, has called the guy repeatedly. The first time was about a month ago and supposedly from that time the pictures were suppposed to be done in 2 weeks (the photographer told me in June that they'd be done in 2 weeks so to me his credibility was already in question...) Mark called again a couple of times last week and left messages but got no call back. Today he called again with kind of an ultimatum of 'you'd better call back today,' and instead of a personalized voice mail answering machine it was computerized. Uh-oh. I called him, too, today to tell him I'd be in KC this weekend and that I would be happy to come by and pick up my pictures (and sock him at the same time...) Of course, I got the same computerized message (weird) and no answer (even weirder). Needless to say, I don't expect to get a call back.
Throughout this whole picture ordeal I've been the optimistic one of the bunch. He was a really nice photographer and we knew people who'd used him before. So I have given him the benefit of the doubt -up until about July-10 months AFTER our wedding. And now this is just flat out ridiculous. At this point, I want at least half of the money back we've given to him PLUS interest and our film so that we can get our pictures developed from someone a lot more competant and professional than he has proven to be. It's not even about the money to me...it's the fact that we are talking about OUR WEDDING PICTURES. You can't exactly relive that day to get similar pictures taken. I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing. He told my mom in June that he hadn't lost the pictures but I just don't know. Something weird is going on and it's really starting to piss me off. 19 days until our 1 year mark and still no pictures...nice.
Also, as an update on our wedding picture saga, we still have no clue what is going on. Mark, Tim's dad, has called the guy repeatedly. The first time was about a month ago and supposedly from that time the pictures were suppposed to be done in 2 weeks (the photographer told me in June that they'd be done in 2 weeks so to me his credibility was already in question...) Mark called again a couple of times last week and left messages but got no call back. Today he called again with kind of an ultimatum of 'you'd better call back today,' and instead of a personalized voice mail answering machine it was computerized. Uh-oh. I called him, too, today to tell him I'd be in KC this weekend and that I would be happy to come by and pick up my pictures (and sock him at the same time...) Of course, I got the same computerized message (weird) and no answer (even weirder). Needless to say, I don't expect to get a call back.
Throughout this whole picture ordeal I've been the optimistic one of the bunch. He was a really nice photographer and we knew people who'd used him before. So I have given him the benefit of the doubt -up until about July-10 months AFTER our wedding. And now this is just flat out ridiculous. At this point, I want at least half of the money back we've given to him PLUS interest and our film so that we can get our pictures developed from someone a lot more competant and professional than he has proven to be. It's not even about the money to me...it's the fact that we are talking about OUR WEDDING PICTURES. You can't exactly relive that day to get similar pictures taken. I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing. He told my mom in June that he hadn't lost the pictures but I just don't know. Something weird is going on and it's really starting to piss me off. 19 days until our 1 year mark and still no pictures...nice.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Phase 1 in the building process
Here are a few pictures of our new neighborhood...nothing is there yet but in the next few months, that will really change. We are both really excited about the park that is close to our house...it will be really nice! Speaking of neighborhoods, in more exciting news, I get to fly home to see my parents this weekend! I can't wait...even if they are too busy to hang out with me! Tim will be in Tennesee for business from Sunday-Tuesday so it will work out perfect...and I just bought my ticket tonight (5 days before!) and it was only $200!! Must be fate... I was more than slightly apprehensive about staying home alone all by myself...I don't have a problem during the day...I just get petrified at night. So this will work out AWESOME! I'm so excited. I hope my parents are excited to see me and that we have time together. They just bought a new house so they are kind of busy renovating it. My mom told me they had to work on it pretty much all weekend this weekend...so hopefully I won't be in the way. Oh well, I'm excited regardless. Enjoy the pics.
Friday, September 02, 2005
What should you do when you have no real understanding of what's going on?
Since last weekend, Tim and I have spent every spare moment glued to Fox News, CNN, or the weather channel. Last weekend we were intrigued by this hurricane named Katrina that roared over Florida and was relentlessly proceeding to head directly towards the great city of New Orleans. We were in awe of the mandatory evacuation of a city of this size and wondered if it could really be that bad. We kind of poked fun at the reporters who were saying that New Orleans could be completely and totally under water after landfall on Monday morning, naively thinking like most other people that nothing of that magnitude could happen to an indestructible city like New Orleans. It was just a good way to get people to watch the news, right? But we were still captivated by thoughts of well, what if? The first thing we did on Sunday and Monday morning was to run to the TV like kids running to watch saturday morning cartoons to see if this storm was still as powerful and still headed straight to the bulls eye that had become the gulf coast. ESPN or any other sports event has not made an appearance in our house since last weekend. That in itself is a small miracle, but it goes to say how tuned in we've been to this crisis.
Monday night, after the wrath of the actual storm had passed, it seemed like the destruction outcome had been overtalked and overanalyzed by reporters all over the country. They themselves were vocal about how the storm appeared to not be as bad as expected. But we still watched. And just when we thought everything was in the clear, we saw how wrong these initial assumptions after Katrina burst through really were.
And today we are still glued. But not because of fascination with mother nature. Because of horror, pity, heartbreak, sadness, and complete helplessness for these people in Louisiana and Mississippi who have lost everything. Everything. And for the people in Louisiana who are dealing with conditions that no human being should ever be even REMOTELY close to in their entire existence. These people are in situations so bad that I cannot even begin to fathom how they must be feeling or what they must be going through. To try to imagine it would be discounting what they probably really are feeling. I can't empathize with them because that wouldn't be enough... I have no understanding of their situation. I can't relate. I've never in my life had anything even close to that bad happen. In fact, if that is the bar for what defines bad, everything in my life has been superb, excellent, outstanding. Even the events that I would shallowly define as bad could be considered good compared to the circumstances of these people. I cannot begin to comprehend in even the slightest what they must be feeling and how it will impact them for the rest of their lives. It is unimaginable to me. The only direct affect on me is that I am paying $3.19 a gallon for gas. But I still have my job, I still have my house, my clothes, food, I still have my beloved family members and I am not worried that they have drowned, been shot, or been starved to death, I still have everything I need. In all honesty, these people in New Orleans that are stuck on their roofs, are just concerned about one thing: survival. They just want the basics: water, food, a flushing toilet. A pillow is probably a luxury to them at this point. How unthinkable is that?
The situation in New Orleans is absolutely horrifying to me. Gut wrenching. I feel helpless for not being able to do anything substantial. I feel selfish that my life, in all respects, is 'normal' while all these people have lost any sense of normalcy that once existed. I feel scared of the force of the uncontrollable. If this could happen to New Orleans, it could happen anywhere. Every day I'm a little bit more wary of turning on the TV just because it keeps getting worse, more grim and horrific stories keep surfacing. I feel so helpless and sad but those feelings are miniscule and unwarranted to the hopelessness and despair that I know the people of this gulf region must be wracked with. I feel guilty for what I have. I just don't know what the hell to do. I am stunned, transfixed by this grotesque tragedy. It is my fear that I will never see anything as bad as this in my life again because that make it the worst thing I've ever seen. But it is also my hope. I can't imagine ever seeing anything this bad again and I hope not to. I still don't think that anyone can imagine the extent of what is happening down there, except for those actually there who are living the nightmare.
For now, the only thing I can realistically give is what I have. Which is multitudes more than what these people have. Isn't it sad that it takes something like this to realize how lucky you are? How blessed you are? Although, I wish I were capable of flying a plane to rescue people or making medicines to cure people or being an engineer to fix the city I realize I'm not capable of these things. The only things I can give to these people right now is everything that they've lost. I can give them my thoughts, my empathy and sympathy, my prayers, my money, and my hope.
Monday night, after the wrath of the actual storm had passed, it seemed like the destruction outcome had been overtalked and overanalyzed by reporters all over the country. They themselves were vocal about how the storm appeared to not be as bad as expected. But we still watched. And just when we thought everything was in the clear, we saw how wrong these initial assumptions after Katrina burst through really were.
And today we are still glued. But not because of fascination with mother nature. Because of horror, pity, heartbreak, sadness, and complete helplessness for these people in Louisiana and Mississippi who have lost everything. Everything. And for the people in Louisiana who are dealing with conditions that no human being should ever be even REMOTELY close to in their entire existence. These people are in situations so bad that I cannot even begin to fathom how they must be feeling or what they must be going through. To try to imagine it would be discounting what they probably really are feeling. I can't empathize with them because that wouldn't be enough... I have no understanding of their situation. I can't relate. I've never in my life had anything even close to that bad happen. In fact, if that is the bar for what defines bad, everything in my life has been superb, excellent, outstanding. Even the events that I would shallowly define as bad could be considered good compared to the circumstances of these people. I cannot begin to comprehend in even the slightest what they must be feeling and how it will impact them for the rest of their lives. It is unimaginable to me. The only direct affect on me is that I am paying $3.19 a gallon for gas. But I still have my job, I still have my house, my clothes, food, I still have my beloved family members and I am not worried that they have drowned, been shot, or been starved to death, I still have everything I need. In all honesty, these people in New Orleans that are stuck on their roofs, are just concerned about one thing: survival. They just want the basics: water, food, a flushing toilet. A pillow is probably a luxury to them at this point. How unthinkable is that?
The situation in New Orleans is absolutely horrifying to me. Gut wrenching. I feel helpless for not being able to do anything substantial. I feel selfish that my life, in all respects, is 'normal' while all these people have lost any sense of normalcy that once existed. I feel scared of the force of the uncontrollable. If this could happen to New Orleans, it could happen anywhere. Every day I'm a little bit more wary of turning on the TV just because it keeps getting worse, more grim and horrific stories keep surfacing. I feel so helpless and sad but those feelings are miniscule and unwarranted to the hopelessness and despair that I know the people of this gulf region must be wracked with. I feel guilty for what I have. I just don't know what the hell to do. I am stunned, transfixed by this grotesque tragedy. It is my fear that I will never see anything as bad as this in my life again because that make it the worst thing I've ever seen. But it is also my hope. I can't imagine ever seeing anything this bad again and I hope not to. I still don't think that anyone can imagine the extent of what is happening down there, except for those actually there who are living the nightmare.
For now, the only thing I can realistically give is what I have. Which is multitudes more than what these people have. Isn't it sad that it takes something like this to realize how lucky you are? How blessed you are? Although, I wish I were capable of flying a plane to rescue people or making medicines to cure people or being an engineer to fix the city I realize I'm not capable of these things. The only things I can give to these people right now is everything that they've lost. I can give them my thoughts, my empathy and sympathy, my prayers, my money, and my hope.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Under the Tucson Sun
Today I spent all day at a client's in Tucson. I'd never been there before so I was pretty excited just to see it even though the purpose of the trip was work. We've heard it's really nice down there and it definitely is. It's pretty much exactly like Phoenix just on a WAY smaller scale...which could be why people say that it's so nice. It took me about 2-2 1/2 hours to get down there but it was a pretty cool drive. I'm excited to go back sometime with Tim and spend more substantial time there...it looks like a really neat city!
Just outside of Tucson (no, we still have not fixed our windshield-as evidenced by the spot in the right hand corner of this picture. There are actually two more, too...another one similar to this and a long one extending across the windshield. What can I say? I guess we're being lazy. Maybe we just like having a cracked windshield.... it reminds us of the trip out here. Ah, no, we're lazy and unmotivated to fix something that doesn't really hurt anything).
Sunday, August 28, 2005
I just have to remember
We are having the last burst of summer here in Phoenix. As in, it has been brutally hot for the past few days. Like 110-115. It really doesn't feel that hot until it gets down to about 100 degrees and you feel how much of a difference 10 degrees makes. And during these heat spells, it is really a drag when you can't do anything outside but go to the pool...even at 6 a.m. It is 95 degrees that early!
So, to get over this last little heat spell, here are some reminders of why I love it here better than Iowa...
So, to get over this last little heat spell, here are some reminders of why I love it here better than Iowa...
Thursday, August 25, 2005
The phenomenons of traffic
Today it took me ONE HOUR to go fifteen miles to my client's office. I wish I was joking or exaggerating. I'm not. The office I'm going to is only a couple of miles away from Tim's office so now that we are not carpooling anymore, it took him the same amount of time. We think maybe it has been so bad lately because we are leaving a bit later... I don't know. I am just in awe of how terribly long it took to drive what usually seriously takes 15 minutes with no traffic. The girl I'm working with right now lives in the east valley and it took her an hour and a half today. Now THAT would be frustrating. On good days, I can get to my office in Tempe in about 50 minutes (and it is 35 miles away). Good thing I wasn't going there today... I guess it was just an all around crappy traffic morning.
Oh yeah, and I almost got hit by a truck. Again. This happens almost weekly. Those stupid trucks just come over RIGHT WHERE I AM because they are stupid, terrible drivers with no brains. So, this causes me to honk my horn at them but it never seems to matter. They don't have any consideration for anyone else on the road and the fact that TRAFFIC IS NOT MOVING but they still proceed to move and come over anyway. The only thing I can ever do is almost pee in my pants, slam on the brakes (although usually I am only going 5 miles an hour so this really doesn't do anything-I'm surround by cars all around-which, as a sidenote, is why the trucks should not keep moving and try to come in!), shut my eyes, hold my breath, and wait for the collision. And then I cautiously open my eyes, realize I haven't gotten hit by some miracle, and proceed to shake uncontrollably like I have some weird affliction. I am amazed by these stupid truck drivers as much as I am amazed by heavy traffic. But I HATE trucks with a passion. I can handle being stuck in rush hour on somedays. But I always hate trucks. They are the worst drivers out there. I hate them. They should be banned from all roads during rush hour. Grr. As a positive driving note, I got home in 20 minutes at 5:15 p.m. Sweet!
Also, speaking of driving, I just want to wish my good friends Travis and Rachel a good and safe trip to their new home in Oregon! I am so excited for them and I hope the drive out and the moving process goes as smoothly as possible!!
Oh yeah, and I almost got hit by a truck. Again. This happens almost weekly. Those stupid trucks just come over RIGHT WHERE I AM because they are stupid, terrible drivers with no brains. So, this causes me to honk my horn at them but it never seems to matter. They don't have any consideration for anyone else on the road and the fact that TRAFFIC IS NOT MOVING but they still proceed to move and come over anyway. The only thing I can ever do is almost pee in my pants, slam on the brakes (although usually I am only going 5 miles an hour so this really doesn't do anything-I'm surround by cars all around-which, as a sidenote, is why the trucks should not keep moving and try to come in!), shut my eyes, hold my breath, and wait for the collision. And then I cautiously open my eyes, realize I haven't gotten hit by some miracle, and proceed to shake uncontrollably like I have some weird affliction. I am amazed by these stupid truck drivers as much as I am amazed by heavy traffic. But I HATE trucks with a passion. I can handle being stuck in rush hour on somedays. But I always hate trucks. They are the worst drivers out there. I hate them. They should be banned from all roads during rush hour. Grr. As a positive driving note, I got home in 20 minutes at 5:15 p.m. Sweet!
Also, speaking of driving, I just want to wish my good friends Travis and Rachel a good and safe trip to their new home in Oregon! I am so excited for them and I hope the drive out and the moving process goes as smoothly as possible!!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Blind as a bat...
Yesterday I went to the eye doctor. I've been thinking for about 6 months now that I SHOULD go but only in the last month have I realized that I really NEEDED to go. I haven't been in two years... (and for those last five words, I am sure I will get a lecture from my mother but not as big of a lecture as I will get for what's to follow...) In Iowa, I had eye insurance that was included with my health insurance. But of course I never used it. I was just too lazy to go and my contacts were working fine. So, here we don't have eye insurance included in our health insurance. So, yes mom, I just said that I DO NOT have eye insurance. GASP!
So, of course now that I don't have eye insurance I am cursed by the "If-you-don't-have-insurance-then-you're-going-to need-it-and-you'll-be-screwed" gods. This is similar to my $2000.00 dentist experience several months ago, $1100.00 of which I still have yet to pay. Ugh.
Back to the eyes. Lately, I have been so blind. I have changed my contacts repeatedly, which is highly unusual for me. They are 1-2 week contacts but usually I wear them for 2-3 months without problems. But lately, I haven't been able to see street signs until I'm right under them and squinting, everything has been a little blurry, I've had a lot of headaches and even been a little dizzy, and I couldn't even see the clock on the oven when I was standing by the sink (Tim could see it clearly from the other room). So, I decided to just go to the eye doctor and just suck up the expense. The timing on this is really bad, however, since we just signed away our lives the other day by SIGNING A CONTRACT TO BUILD A HOUSE. (and dropping $5000+ in the process for what they call 'earnest money' or what really is a small down payment...) More on this later.
I was really hoping nothing would be seriously wrong with my eyes like there was with my teeth as a result of two years time since seeing a doctor. I went and after the barrage of tests that eye doctors perform that make everyone feel like they are back in kindergarten ("1 or 2? 2 or 4? Is this better or is this?") my doctor says, "Do you have a backup pair of glasses? Because you really are as blind as a bat." Well duh. Why do you think I am here? Hmm...
So, to make a long, pointless story even longer, my eyes checked out fine but they had just gotten a lot worse (big surprise there...) But they had gotten a lot worse than I imagine- they went from a -5.00 to a -6.00 (the worst is about a -13). I also went home with a new pair of contacts. I am so amazed at how well I can see. It sounds so corny but it really is like a whole new world out here... I knew my eyes were bad but this is completely amazing. I am in total awe of how many more details I can see now! Much better ending than the dentist story...I am only out $350 but I don't care what it takes because I can finally see again!!
So, of course now that I don't have eye insurance I am cursed by the "If-you-don't-have-insurance-then-you're-going-to need-it-and-you'll-be-screwed" gods. This is similar to my $2000.00 dentist experience several months ago, $1100.00 of which I still have yet to pay. Ugh.
Back to the eyes. Lately, I have been so blind. I have changed my contacts repeatedly, which is highly unusual for me. They are 1-2 week contacts but usually I wear them for 2-3 months without problems. But lately, I haven't been able to see street signs until I'm right under them and squinting, everything has been a little blurry, I've had a lot of headaches and even been a little dizzy, and I couldn't even see the clock on the oven when I was standing by the sink (Tim could see it clearly from the other room). So, I decided to just go to the eye doctor and just suck up the expense. The timing on this is really bad, however, since we just signed away our lives the other day by SIGNING A CONTRACT TO BUILD A HOUSE. (and dropping $5000+ in the process for what they call 'earnest money' or what really is a small down payment...) More on this later.
I was really hoping nothing would be seriously wrong with my eyes like there was with my teeth as a result of two years time since seeing a doctor. I went and after the barrage of tests that eye doctors perform that make everyone feel like they are back in kindergarten ("1 or 2? 2 or 4? Is this better or is this?") my doctor says, "Do you have a backup pair of glasses? Because you really are as blind as a bat." Well duh. Why do you think I am here? Hmm...
So, to make a long, pointless story even longer, my eyes checked out fine but they had just gotten a lot worse (big surprise there...) But they had gotten a lot worse than I imagine- they went from a -5.00 to a -6.00 (the worst is about a -13). I also went home with a new pair of contacts. I am so amazed at how well I can see. It sounds so corny but it really is like a whole new world out here... I knew my eyes were bad but this is completely amazing. I am in total awe of how many more details I can see now! Much better ending than the dentist story...I am only out $350 but I don't care what it takes because I can finally see again!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
A day of golf...8.20.05
On the third hole after we bypassed the second hole because the group in front of us took 45 minutes to play the first. I've never seen worse players and it sure made us feel better about our game... We probably saved an hour and a half by passing these people. The people behind us (before we passed the group in front of us) were on hole #11 when we were finishing up on #18!
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