My fiance suggested we (or I since I'm the one with time on my hands) set up a wedding blog for our rapidly-approaching wedding.
So check us out: http://www.quietcornerwedding.blogspot.com/
Hopefully having a purpose will keep me more focused than I was here...... See you there!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Organization
Yesterday, the Fiance and I spent some time putting together a to-do chart for the wedding. Three hours to be exact. And we are having a somewhat simple wedding - our venue will provide a lot of things like food and even flowers - so I can't imagine how much more organizing other brides need to do.
The Knot has 136 things for me to do. Brides may have even more (I got overwhelmed and stopped checking). And when we really thought it through, most little tasks seem to have several deadlines - for example for vendors we have to (1) research vendors, (2) contact ones we like, (3) then book the one we want.
We have an Excel spreadsheet as well as a written calendar, and both will be getting a lot of use.
I always feel better after I tackle a big project like this - but in this case I was half laughing and half crying when I realized how much we have to do in the next 8 months...
The Knot has 136 things for me to do. Brides may have even more (I got overwhelmed and stopped checking). And when we really thought it through, most little tasks seem to have several deadlines - for example for vendors we have to (1) research vendors, (2) contact ones we like, (3) then book the one we want.
We have an Excel spreadsheet as well as a written calendar, and both will be getting a lot of use.
I always feel better after I tackle a big project like this - but in this case I was half laughing and half crying when I realized how much we have to do in the next 8 months...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Back for the New Year
Happy 2010!
In honor of the new year and several new developments in my life, I'm going to start posting again. Mostly for me but hopefully some others enjoy it as well :)
2009 in review:
- March - April: Barely kept afloat at stressful job. Continued fight with landlord.
- May: Boyfriend graduated from graduate school. Got engaged. Traveled to Texas and fell in love with Austin.
- June: Fiance moved in. We began looking for our own place. Planned engagement party. Stressed out about engagement party. Had engagement party. We got our own place. Ended fight with ex-landlord.
- July: Barely kept afloat at stressful job. Tried to enjoy summer. Learned I am really allergic to bugbites.
- August: Tried to put stressful job on back burner. Traveled back to my grad school town and celebrated a friend's wedding with classmates. Booked our wedding venue.
- September: Barely kept afloat at stressful job. Booked vendors.
- October: Had meltdown b/c of stressful job. Vowed to quit. Wedding venue canceled on us. Heated discussions with original venue ensued. Traveled upstate to look at new venues. Realized that our original venue's cancellation was great - gave us a chance to re-do things we had worried about after our original booking. Turned 28. Booked new venue. Wedding will involve hayrides!
- November: Came to amicable resolution with prior venue. Booked new amazing photographer. Hiked at a beautiful park upstate. Celebrated Thanksgiving with both my family and fiance's family. Quit job.
- December: Continued on at job. Attempted to secure end date for job. Turned our place into Christmas wonderland. Got cross-country skis and started learning to ski. Celebrated Christmas with both my family and fiance's family. Got snowshoes and fell in love with snowshoeing. Went out for New Years' Eve. Came home to celebrate just us as the year turned and our wedding year rang in :)
So, 2009 was a busy year overall. And January 2010 has been packed already. We started it off with a trip to the ER, and have been pushing to get more wedding stuff accomplished. Our venue is great because it is also a restaurant and will do all the food, flowers, etc... but we are planning now from a few hours away and need to get a ceremony location, officiant, DJ/band, etc... We looked at wedding bands and it was great to see my fiance's hand with a ring on it :)
Coming up in 2010:
- The end of my current job and the start of my search for what I really want to be when I grow up. I'm so excited... and terrified.
- Planning and then celebrating our wedding. [I plan to write about the wedding process as we go, in large part as a record of this exciting time in our lives, because the time seems to fly so fast!]
- House hunting.
I can't wait to see what this year brings!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
"Kiddo"
A client called me that today. After I had (nicely, of course) explained to him why his approach to a certain issue was wrong. I don't know whether to laugh, be skeezed out, be insulted, or... blog about it.
Apparently I chose the final option!
I've had guys giving me "pet" names for a long time now, often inappropriately. "Babe" from a strictly (so he learned) platonic friend, "honey" from another friend, "sweetie" by a married bartender/friend (who didn't disclose his marriage until later), "champ" from a friend-friend, and even "kid." But in the business world? I wonder if the guy (middle-age father) went home saying "Oh goodness I can't believe I called her that." Or maybe it was intentional. (ala "I can't believe she called me out on being wrong, this'll put her in her place.") I hope it was the former.
I wonder what awaits me tomorrow!
Apparently I chose the final option!
I've had guys giving me "pet" names for a long time now, often inappropriately. "Babe" from a strictly (so he learned) platonic friend, "honey" from another friend, "sweetie" by a married bartender/friend (who didn't disclose his marriage until later), "champ" from a friend-friend, and even "kid." But in the business world? I wonder if the guy (middle-age father) went home saying "Oh goodness I can't believe I called her that." Or maybe it was intentional. (ala "I can't believe she called me out on being wrong, this'll put her in her place.") I hope it was the former.
I wonder what awaits me tomorrow!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Learning
So apparently I haven't posted in over a week. And I don't really have an excuse. I could say that life got in the way, but everyone else seems to manage - and not just manage, but continually write new, witty, inspiring posts daily - so I doubt that will fly :) I must say though, I am learning the hard way that having a blog is oh-so-different from reading blogs, and I am impressed with all you ladies out there who juggle jobs, friends, families, and write posts regularly. Do y'all sleep??
Seriously though, it's been a crazy week and a half:
- Work. With my boss out on maternity leave, work was a bit quieter for the first couple of weeks since all the incoming projects went to people in a different office first (I'm the only one in my group in my particular office) and then trickled back my way. Not so as of last week when clients apparently realized they can just call ME with their questions. Which is a total trip - people are calling ME to get answers. People think I have answers. Wow. And even scarier, I DO have some answers. Of course, I run them by the powers-that-be before giving them out, but I have been able to help a couple of clients solve a couple of problems.
- Friends. Have you ever decided that you miss friends from high school/college/grad school/summer camp/random summer job? I decided that this week. It may have had something to do with the hours I spent driving and listening to good music (and yes, getting paid to do it since it is for work)... but whatever the reason, I've gotten back in touch with several people in the last week, and had several hours of much-needed catch-up conversations. Luckily no one has had a kid since we last spoke, but one friend could have... she's had a bf for 9 months that I didn't know about! I also had a trip up to NYC and a Tapas party. (I will have to post the recipe for TexMex Pizza Bites Bf and I invented at the last minute.)
- Cooking. I decided to channel my inner Martha again (she's been hiding since I started work) and made a special dinner for Bf to enjoy when he got in on Friday. 3 hours on Thursday night and I had myself some Mexican Lasagna, a recipe from Pioneer Woman. (I can't find it right now or I would link it - sorry! It is amazing and shouldn't take that long - I'm just slow and picked a long-cooking rice - and if you want the recipe, let me know and I'll keep looking for it!)
- Cleaning. Yes, this is a recurring item, and every other week the entire mess seems to have grown back. I have the loaves and fishes of clothes and magazines. So I spend several hours each time before Bf comes home, cleaning/sorting/throwing out.
- Lounging. You may laugh, but this is an important item. Since Bf and I are long distance, we try for a bit of "normal life" when we're together. Rather than making our weekends "special" we often leave unplanned time to just lie around the house and cuddle - it's a special feeling with nothing hurrying us because our entire relationship is lived in hurried segments "visit" and "between visit" etc. Of course we did find time to indulge in a rainy afternoon at a gourmet chocolate shop. Truffle crispy fries, spiced Mexican hot chocolate, and a chocolate-coated-brownie ice cream sundae. Yes, we split it all :) And yes, I was worried I would have to roll home after.
- Clothes shopping. Put on a few pounds over the holidays and rather than fretting (I'd lost a lot of weight last summer while studying) I just decided to treat myself to some new work clothes. And cute PJs :)
- Last but not least, I found my Dream House. I told BF that I need it - not want it, but need it. I even told him I think it will cure my hives. (My hives continue to keep me busy too, but I'll save that for another post.)
So hopefully this counts as at least a semi-excuse, and I'll keep making an effort to post in the future!
Seriously though, it's been a crazy week and a half:
- Work. With my boss out on maternity leave, work was a bit quieter for the first couple of weeks since all the incoming projects went to people in a different office first (I'm the only one in my group in my particular office) and then trickled back my way. Not so as of last week when clients apparently realized they can just call ME with their questions. Which is a total trip - people are calling ME to get answers. People think I have answers. Wow. And even scarier, I DO have some answers. Of course, I run them by the powers-that-be before giving them out, but I have been able to help a couple of clients solve a couple of problems.
- Friends. Have you ever decided that you miss friends from high school/college/grad school/summer camp/random summer job? I decided that this week. It may have had something to do with the hours I spent driving and listening to good music (and yes, getting paid to do it since it is for work)... but whatever the reason, I've gotten back in touch with several people in the last week, and had several hours of much-needed catch-up conversations. Luckily no one has had a kid since we last spoke, but one friend could have... she's had a bf for 9 months that I didn't know about! I also had a trip up to NYC and a Tapas party. (I will have to post the recipe for TexMex Pizza Bites Bf and I invented at the last minute.)
- Cooking. I decided to channel my inner Martha again (she's been hiding since I started work) and made a special dinner for Bf to enjoy when he got in on Friday. 3 hours on Thursday night and I had myself some Mexican Lasagna, a recipe from Pioneer Woman. (I can't find it right now or I would link it - sorry! It is amazing and shouldn't take that long - I'm just slow and picked a long-cooking rice - and if you want the recipe, let me know and I'll keep looking for it!)
- Cleaning. Yes, this is a recurring item, and every other week the entire mess seems to have grown back. I have the loaves and fishes of clothes and magazines. So I spend several hours each time before Bf comes home, cleaning/sorting/throwing out.
- Lounging. You may laugh, but this is an important item. Since Bf and I are long distance, we try for a bit of "normal life" when we're together. Rather than making our weekends "special" we often leave unplanned time to just lie around the house and cuddle - it's a special feeling with nothing hurrying us because our entire relationship is lived in hurried segments "visit" and "between visit" etc. Of course we did find time to indulge in a rainy afternoon at a gourmet chocolate shop. Truffle crispy fries, spiced Mexican hot chocolate, and a chocolate-coated-brownie ice cream sundae. Yes, we split it all :) And yes, I was worried I would have to roll home after.
- Clothes shopping. Put on a few pounds over the holidays and rather than fretting (I'd lost a lot of weight last summer while studying) I just decided to treat myself to some new work clothes. And cute PJs :)
- Last but not least, I found my Dream House. I told BF that I need it - not want it, but need it. I even told him I think it will cure my hives. (My hives continue to keep me busy too, but I'll save that for another post.)
So hopefully this counts as at least a semi-excuse, and I'll keep making an effort to post in the future!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Busy Week!
It's been a bit crazy the past week. First came the work stress - a sudden influx of new projects plus an accounting error (I found out it was an error today after stressing for a week) that made it look like I hadn't done any work recently. Then there was cleaning/packing the apartment (I decided to start rotating winter and summer clothes, and packing the off-season clothes away since even a walk-in closet doesn't seem to fit my clothes anymore). Add a couple of meetings for various organizations, and there was little time at night to play on the internet or to string together coherent thoughts.
Then this weekend, I was computer- and internet-free. Bf and I unplugged and took off to enjoy Valentine's Day just the two of us. We found a resort a couple of years ago (were sent there for an event by chance) and fell in love with it. We planned a vacation there just about this time last year, and had been meaning to go back ever since but hadn't gotten around to it. Well, it turned out perfectly. Spending Valentine's Day at an old-fashioned country-club type resort was pure bliss. The resort is in southern New Jersey, close to both Atlantic City and Cape May (it's just about an hour from Philly so it's an easy weekend trip). We spent time touring both quiet, sleepy Cape May and the not-so-quiet, but winter-off-season-sleepy Atlantic City. We also checked out some local restaurants, none of which were "perfect" like the places I used to think were important on V-day, but all of which were perfect for us. Not to sound totally cheesy - and 3-years-ago-Ellie is cringing as I say this - but any place is perfect when it's us. It really is just being with Bf that makes moments and memories.
Our happy place:
Then this weekend, I was computer- and internet-free. Bf and I unplugged and took off to enjoy Valentine's Day just the two of us. We found a resort a couple of years ago (were sent there for an event by chance) and fell in love with it. We planned a vacation there just about this time last year, and had been meaning to go back ever since but hadn't gotten around to it. Well, it turned out perfectly. Spending Valentine's Day at an old-fashioned country-club type resort was pure bliss. The resort is in southern New Jersey, close to both Atlantic City and Cape May (it's just about an hour from Philly so it's an easy weekend trip). We spent time touring both quiet, sleepy Cape May and the not-so-quiet, but winter-off-season-sleepy Atlantic City. We also checked out some local restaurants, none of which were "perfect" like the places I used to think were important on V-day, but all of which were perfect for us. Not to sound totally cheesy - and 3-years-ago-Ellie is cringing as I say this - but any place is perfect when it's us. It really is just being with Bf that makes moments and memories.
Our happy place:
Monday, February 9, 2009
Slowly peeling off a BandAid
This weekend was great. Just like every weekend I spend with Bf. Despite my anxiety and short temper and fighting. Once again we're back to our pattern of serious fights we get in. Or that I get in... I am planning a major move with this man and discussing our future together, yet I also feel like just telling him I need a break, or just running away - or apparently being so witchy to him that I'll drive him away.
But somehow, thankfully, he can't be driven away. Even when I freak out and slam the bedroom door when he and his friend who is staying over that night say goodnight. Even when I pick a fight with him about Sunday morning pancakes. Who does that? But he just lets it go, gives me space when I push him away (yes both figuratively and literally), and comes to me with a huge hug as soon as I'm ok to see him without growling/shrieking.
Is my heart or my gut sending me a message that I'm just ignoring since Bf is so awesome? Am I simply not ready for this? Am I just a scaredy-pants?
I told him we are in a relationship that's the equivalent of slowly peeling off a BandAid, hair by hair. I don't deal well with change and rather than just ripping the BandAid off - jumping in - we're moving slowly and cautiously, giving my overactive worrying side plenty of time to work itself into a frenzy.
(In other news, we've made Stage 1 of the list! Crazy to think I may be in any one of a variety of places next year! I have to say, as much as I hated the distance from "home" when I was there, I'm silently rooting for my Grad School town!)
But somehow, thankfully, he can't be driven away. Even when I freak out and slam the bedroom door when he and his friend who is staying over that night say goodnight. Even when I pick a fight with him about Sunday morning pancakes. Who does that? But he just lets it go, gives me space when I push him away (yes both figuratively and literally), and comes to me with a huge hug as soon as I'm ok to see him without growling/shrieking.
Is my heart or my gut sending me a message that I'm just ignoring since Bf is so awesome? Am I simply not ready for this? Am I just a scaredy-pants?
I told him we are in a relationship that's the equivalent of slowly peeling off a BandAid, hair by hair. I don't deal well with change and rather than just ripping the BandAid off - jumping in - we're moving slowly and cautiously, giving my overactive worrying side plenty of time to work itself into a frenzy.
(In other news, we've made Stage 1 of the list! Crazy to think I may be in any one of a variety of places next year! I have to say, as much as I hated the distance from "home" when I was there, I'm silently rooting for my Grad School town!)
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