had the "talk"

with my supervisor on why I've been miserable at work lately. I finally disclosed my unhappiness about constantly helping people out, not getting recognized for it, and having to stay here while said coworkers get to leave early and actually take advantage of the summer coupons. I griped about the evils eyes that we get if we in fact get to take some time off to enjoy our summer - see, they give us the coupons to use in the summer if we get our work done. But yet, if we get our work done and want to leave early, we get the eye from some people that says "if you're not that busy and can leave, can you help out so and so?"

So, I finally got everything off my chest and now I feel so much better. My supervisor had a completely open mind and I'm confident that she'll help me get out of this rut I'm in.

On a happier note -Nick is coming home again this weekend! He has the day off Friday, so he will get to our house around 4pm. I'm planning on taking a 1/2 day tomorrow too - I tried last Friday and that didn't work, I got out at 4:40pm, so I've made it pretty clear that I NEED to take a 1/2 day tomorrow. Then we're going to have a cookout Sunday afternoon, so that will be fun.

Ok, time to get back to work here...hopefully things will turn around for me!

Monkeys riding dogs

We went to the state fair Saturday and met up with Tom and Nikki. We don't get to see them much because they live about 2 hours away...but we try to see them once a month. Nikki and I get together to go shopping and stuff about once a month, but I wish I could see her every day!

We got up at 8am and took the dogs to the park. We knew we'd be gone the entire day, and unfortunately, Hudson needs to be crated when we're not home. He was out for some time, but lost his privileges when he ripped and chewed 8 magazines, his harness and the dog nail clippers. But, leaving him in his crate for an extended period of time really breaks my heart. I know it's harder for me than for him, and I know it's for his own safety. I would die if he ate something that caused a blockage...but still...it's sad to leave him in there when I know we'll be gone all day. So we took them to the park to play and run for about 30 minutes before heading home to start our day.

We left our house around 9:45 and got to Syracuse right around 11am. We met up with Tom and Nikki and blazed a fast one in the car before heading into the fair. It was hot. Really. effing. Hot.

My favorite thing about fairs and carnivals is the food. Who doesn't love carnival food? The roasted corn...the ice cream...hot dogs...fried dough...it's all sooo good.

We saw bears riding bikes and dancing. We witnessed monkeys riding dogs in a race...it was out of control. And very funny.

We left around 6pm and we were beyond tired. The sun really wore us out, along with walking around the fair the entire day. It was fun.

unfair. so unfair.

I sit here and I wait. I wait for feedback on a recommendation I've been working on for the past week and a half (that a certain someone had in her inbox for 3 days).

I requested two months ago to use my "summer coupon" today. That would mean that I would get to leave work at 12:15 and enjoy an afternoon off. I made it clear that today, is especially important to me since it's the start of me and Steve's 3 year anniversary.

These coupons are really only to be used if and when all your work is done for the day. I get it...I really do, but this is my problem. It just so happens that each time that I've requested to take a summer coupon, I don't get to leave at 12;15. Both times so far I left the office around 3:00 - 3:30pm. One time, I went home and worked until 6:30pm! My team members though (except for one workaholic) happen to be able to leave right on the dot at 12:15. There's no one to blame, as the coupons are really meant to be taken if your work is done. My work has been done, but is now waiting for the "big boss lady" to review it for the second time. After she has given me her blessing, I need to send it to my client and walk her through it. The minutes are just flying by and I'm realizing that I'm missing my 1/2 day off with Steve. Today is the day we get to pick up his gift too, and I really wanted to be there for that. I really wanted to see his face when he opens up that box...but here I sit. Waiting. And thinking how absolutely UNFAIR it is that I'm always stuck here. It bugs the living shit out of me that TWO of my team members always make it out the door at 12:15 when they use their coupons. Not me. No siree. Not my luck. My luck is sitting here until after 5pm to finally discuss this damn recommendation that NEEDS to go to my client today - she's off until after Labor Day - and we need her to at least see the damn document.

I don't have a good argument to make, since really, I have to wait here until I get my work done, but it sucks when getting your work done depends on someone else to approve it. That someone else is beyond busy and may have already shuffled my papers under her stack of "I must look at this sometime today" pile.

Next Friday is the last Friday that anyone can take a coupon. I doubt I'll be able to use it next week. Hell, I doubt I'll leave here today before 4pm. GOD, sometimes I just want to shake someone.

I shouldn't sit here and hate the world because obviously there are worse things that can happen...but still...the fact remains that I don't get to enjoy the same "extras" that everyone else can enjoy. I got shafted. Again.

Our 3rd anniversary

Steve and I have been together for 3 years. 3 solid years. We've never broken up, never "took a break" or whatever. It's been awesome. It's the longest either of us have been in a relationship. It's comforting to know that it's so solid and we're so perfect for each other. I can't imagine what my life would be like right now if we never got together.

This week is also a celebration of being in our house for 1 year. That was yesterday. 1 year flew by, let me tell you.

We don't generally buy a lot of gifts for each other because we just don't feel the need for it. If we want to buy something, we just get it...usually. We went overboard for Christmas last year and we decided that this year would be different. I think we're either going to get a Wii, or a treadmill and call it our gifts.

So back to the gift thing...Steve has been eyeing this exhaust for his motorcycle since we got the bike home. So it's been 2 years that he's wanted this for his bike and he won't get it for himself. It's $1,000 and I know that he'd rather spend that money on me, or the house. But each week, I see him sitting hopelessly at the computer, looking for cheaper ones on Ebay. Each week I see the disappointment in his face when he can't find it. Each week he mentions "when I get that exhaust..." so I decided to get it for him. I called the shop where we bought the bike and asked them to help me out. They did. And they gave me 10% off! So I ordered the one I thought Steve would want (there are 3 kinds!) and just hoped for the best. It's coming from Illinois, so it'll be here tomorrow afternoon.

I made a card for Steve that said "Happy 3rd Anniversary" on the front, and a picture of the exhaust on the inside. I was waiting ALL day to give it to him! I even broke down and told him I had a surprise for him. If you know me, you know my big mouth.

So of course he almost shit his pants when I gave him the card. He couldn't believe it. It was so fun!

So tomorrow, I'm taking a half day off work to spend the day with him (he has off), then we have dinner plans with my dad, then Saturday we go to the state fair! I'm excited for our anniversary weekend, it should be so fun!

Back to work - I have to get through today and half of tomorrow...

Work sucks

Work sucks lately. It's been sucky for the past few weeks and I can't seem to shake it off. I'm not sure why exactly, but lots have been going on and barely hanging on. It seems like 5pm can't get here fast enough and even when it gets here, I stay longer to do more work, so I don't get the evil eye from those who think we should work 12 hour days.

On a happier note - Steve and I will be celebrating our 3 year anniversary this weekend. I'm taking a 1/2 day Friday and I'm actually going to leave at 12:15 this time! The last two times I tried using my 1/2 day summer coupons, I didn't end up leaving until 3pm. So, I've made it perfectly clear that I'm leaving at 12:15. We're going to the State Fair with Tom and Nikki on Saturday, so that should be a ton of fun. We plan on ending the day with dinner at Dinosaur BBQ. It's like the best BBQ place ever!

We didn't do too much this past weekend, Friday night Steve and I went to the mall, then went to see Step Brothers. It was sooo funny...we laughed the entire time. Steve could barely hold it together. It was a fun date night. Saturday I had lunch with an old friend. I mean old. I knew this kid when I was like 9 years old. It was good to catch up and it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be.

Sunday Steve and I took the dogs to the park, let them run around for over an hour, they swam in the canal. Then we took a nice long bike ride since the weather was so nice and then just relaxed at home for the rest of the evening...very low key for us these days.

Nick will be coming home again for Labor Day and I'm really upset that Tom and Nikki can't make it up. They have a lot to do for the 1st of each month, so it's unlikely they'll be able to come up.

Wish me luck that this week will go by fast...and painlessly.

disturbing - read on CNN.com

I log onto CNN.com each morning to get my daily updates. This morning, I read that the Spanish basketball team playing in the Olympics had taken a picture of themselves, each player using their hands to slant their eyes. I find this completely disturbing and offensive.

To quote from Jose Luis Saez, president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, "It's simply ridiculous," he said. "It was a gesture of affection ... and identification with the Chinese people."

WHAT THE FUCK!? SERIOUSLY? Really? I don't find it amusing, nor do I think it's "identifying with the Chinese people." I don't understand how they could think that this type of gesture would be funny, or a sign of affection. Really? I have just lost respect for the Spanish basketball team. I feel like they are mocking us.

Madrid is in the running to host the 2016 Olympics. I hope they don't win the bid. What they should have said and done is aologize for their insensitivity and say they weren't thinking when they took that picture, not DEFEND this type of behavior. Ugh.

it's a long ways away...

But I'm getting anxious! I want to start planning NOW! I really wish we could get married earlier versus later...but I know I wouldn't be able to have the wedding I really want if we rushed it.

It's down to 1 year, 9 months. We actually talked about it yesterday, on the way to the park with the dogs...that I don't feel like we're actually getting married. It's hard to realize it, when we haven't done anything yet. I want to sign a contract, any contract. I want to put down deposits. I want something, anything to be set in stone.

I know it'll go by super fast, as it's already the middle of August and we only have to wait until the end of September to sign the contract for Casa Larga - once that's done, I feel like we'll be able to get the ball rolling and start really planning.

Steve hasn't asked any of the guys yet to be groomsmen. I'm not sure why he hasn't asked yet and it's a little annoying. I have asked two people already and I want to ask one more, but I want to ask her, when Steve asks her boyfriend, and then we can ask if their daughter will be in the wedding too, as our 2nd flower girl. So, if he doesn't ask soon, I'll just have to ask Jami and Charli myself. Too bad for Steve. I can't wait for him.

So I've decided to sign up for two aerobics classes with a friend. She read here that I'm trying desperately to lose weight. I did Billy Banks' tae bo last week and I'm going to keep up with that twice a week until aerobics start. Hopefully, having someone do it with me, will help motivate me to go each and every time. I don't want to lose out on my money either...so that should help. Classes don't start until after September 1 and sign up is this week. I have to call them today to see when they are open so I can grab a registration form. I don't want to miss out on the good instructor.

Anyways, had a pretty busy weekend too - Peyton's party Saturday for most of the day, then to Rich's that night for a bon fire. Sunday we took the dogs to a new park to play and run, Hudson rolled in SHIT which was absolutely disgusting...then we went to dinner with mom and dad to celebrate dad's 64th birthday. This weekend will be nice and mellow -it'll give me a chance to clean the house!

motivation

After some motivation from my co-worker who also happens to be a marathon runner...I'm going to put the Billy Banks Tai Bo DVD in tonight and give it a shot. I need to lose this weight. Each day I get more and more frustrated that I have let myself go.

And what's more disheartening is that I only. need. to. lose. 15. pounds. Do you know how hard it is to lose that? It's not an overly significant amount of weight, so I should be able to do it rather quickly and easily right? WRONG. I can't get movtivated. I can't bring myself to do it. I'm not sure why....I still find myself at 10pm wanting a snack. It's so hard!

BUT, I'm going to do it. I'm going to start a log book on how much I weigh at the beginning - which I hate to admit - but I'm a whopping 130lbs. I've never been over 115lbs. I have to get back to that. 130 may not seem like a lot for many of you, but when you're barely 5'2" - it counts. A lot. All that flub is gathering around my mid-section and it's driving me nuts. I've never been this heavy. Ever. Shit - I wore pants that were a size 14 in kids when I was in college. Not that I want to be THAT little - but I definitely can't continue on the road I'm going. Anyways, this log book will help me see what I'm eating, what work out program I'm doing and how much weight I've lost. I have to get a set of weights too.

I have a reason to be skinny. I'm getting married in 1 year 9 months and then we're going on our honeymoon. I do NOT - I repeat, DO NOT want to wear a one piece bathing suit with a skirt on it on my honeymoon. No thanks.

So, tonight is my first attempt at getting skinny. I'll keep updating on my progress. I hope to lose the weight by Chrsitmas time. That's 4+ months I have to lose 15lbs. That's 3.75lb per month.

Wish me luck.

insure the ring - CHECK!

Steve and I went yesterday to our insurance company to insure the ring...finally. It's been over a month and I finally just had to get it done.

It was really easy, I just had to supply the appraisal for the ring, have my agent take a couple of pictures of the ring and bam! We're done! I paid for the entire year, since it's only $58. I also have a no deductible plan, so that means, if I ever lose the ring, or whatever that causes me to not have the ring, I can just claim it and get a new one for free! I guess it includes anything - I can even throw the ring out a window and have it covered - it's under the clause of "mysterious disappearance."

So, what a relief to have it done. That's been number one on my list and now I can cross it off!

Guest List - not as bad as I thought!

So I thought for sure the guest list would be hell. I mean...where do you cut the list? How do you decide who to invite and who not to invite? How do you get around the guilty feeling?

Well, luckily for us, it's not a big deal. So far, we haven't had to cut anyone off our preliminary list. I guess we're just lucky, or don't have a lot of friends!! :) Our combined list, with Steve's parents list and my parents list gets us to about 180. Our venue holds 210. They say to expect 15% of the list to decline, so I imagine about 150 people actually coming. This is good though, so if we want to add one here or there, we have the capacity to do it!

I'm inviting probably 3 tables of just work friends. I wanted to include my friends here, the team I work on...some miscellaneous people here and there. Steve is going to invite some work people too...which is super nice that we can include them.

The problem I'm mostly having is the "out of town" family. When I say out of town, I mean overseas. It's weird, because, I feel like there's a good chance they'll show up, but then again, maybe not. I mean, my dad's side of the family is LOADED. I mean, retire when you're 40 loaded, having multiple homes in multiple countries loaded, and I'm not close to any of them. Would they make the trip? Who knows...they might.

So, we're slowly adding to our list now...to fill in the gaps. There were a few people that weren't on the A-list that we'll be considering inviting now. Of course, then there will be the people who RSVP fast and if they can't make it, we'll be popping additionaly invites to our B-listers. For anyone who reads this - you're probably on the A-list - so don't worry!

Hopefully I'll get this list finalized very soon!

The weekends always go by too fast!

Nick came into town on Friday. He made it to our house around 1:30 or so...I had fallen asleep (surprise) way before that...maybe 11pm or something...so when he got in, Steve and I both stayed up longer to hang out with him. We hung out until around 3:30am then I headed upstairs.

Saturday morning started out with Whammies from Durf's. Kyle came over to get his Escape fixed, so the boys hung out in the garage with with Steve for a little bit. They were done around 3pm, so then Nick and Steve took a nap before we headed over to Jami and Kyle's for a cookout. The slept until like 5pm, so we didn't make it over to their house until after 6pm, but we didn't miss much. Charli was so funny the entire time we were there. As soon as we walked up, Charli was busy dancing on the deck with everyone and when she saw us it was all about "Hi! Hi!" sooo freakin cute.

So instead of going to Riggs' for a bonfire like we had originally planned, we ended up staying at Kyle and Jami's for the night. Jon Bams made it over too, and it had been a few months since we saw him, so it was good time.

We all left around midnight and called it a night.

Nick left around 10:30am Sunday morning - boo. Steve and I decided to go to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch since we hadn't been there in a long time to eat. It was so good (as usual)...then we headed off to Elab for a little bit. Steve bought this grinder thing - not sure what it's called and I got myself a cute little one-hitter.

Then we just went home and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon - it was definitely a lazy Sunday.

And back to work already. Great. Just great. Steve has off today and tomorrow - it's so hard to come to work when he's home...

this weekend

Nick's coming home! I love when Nick comes home. He's the one person who I've asked numerous times to move in with Steve and I and he refuses each time. I love Nick.

Steve and Nick when together, are like they were when they were 12 years old. Going to public places with them is a challenge. I have to watch them like hawks to make sure they don't do anything stupid. Going to Wegmans is the worst. Carts are being pushed everywhere, things are falling off the shelves...but alas! It's so much fun when he's home. I didn't get a chance to hang out with him much the last time we saw him (our camping trip from HELL) so it'll be good to spend some QT with him.

We're going to try to hit up the Park Ave Festival tomorrow if it doesn't rain. We'll see, the weather has been a little nutty the last couple of weeks with torrential downpours during the day, followed by insane sun. Hopefully we can make it there, it's been a few years since I've gone.

Hoping work goes smoothly today so I can leave at 5pm. I have so much cleaning to do before Nick gets here...but he probably won't get here until around midnight tonight. We stocked the fridge for him and I also picked up a box of gushers for him too.

Oh yay!