Change Is Scary but Good

I am the type of person who really doesn't like change all that much. I'm a planner, I like to have a routine and I like the feeling of safety. However, if I only stuck to what was safe and avoided change I would never be where I am today. So why all this talk of change right?

Well, I've decided that it is time to make a change in my career. While I've only been at SparkPeople a short two years I know it is time to move forward and continue to grow my professional career.

It was a hard decision to move away from such great people and a company who's mission was to make people healthy but the opportunity in front of me is great!

Tomorrow I start my first day at Brandimage and am filled with excitement but also some nerves. I imagine that two weeks from now I will feel right at home, just like I have in past jobs.

You are probably reading this and thinking, what will this mean for this awesome blog right? Well, it will be better than it was this summer when I was only able to update every so often thanks to vacations, weddings and more weddings. Don't worry, I'm still keeping the blog! I'm just making some changes and you can be along for the ride and hear all about it.

I had an old college roommate visit me this weekend and she asked, "It's been years since we've seen each other, what's going on?"

I said oh nothing, just the usual at our age - new job, engagement, new house, etc. I just listed it off thinking to myself, "Really, nothing has changed since you last saw me 5 years ago and you moved to NYC."

Her response was so right, "Yeah, nothing big happened I mean you only recently got a new job, bought a house, got engaged, set the date for your wedding, got a new dog, paid off your first car and I'm sure much more. What do you mean nothing happened, everything happened, you were just too busy living to notice it!"

And there I had it, change was all around me and I was just going with it, just living life.

VRRROOOOMMMMM

It's kind of been a theme this summer, time is flying an I can't keep up with is. Since last post a lot of things have happened and I will recap them below, some will be featured on later post when I feel like I have a second to catch up!

• My name is officially on the Gigglemoor totem pole, meaning I am officially in the family
• Celebrated the 4th in Gigglemoor with Annie, Amy, Jim, MB, Billy and family friend Roz
• Went to Sanible with my family for a week! We had the best time ever. Lots of fishing, eating, partying, swimming and all around good times!
• Celebrated my brother's 30th in Key West for the weekend.
• Big one, accepted a new job at Brandimage and start in about 2 weeks.
• Will be departing SparkPeople and really miss people.
• Went to Lexington and crashed a wedding, decided we didn't like the band for our wedding. Ate a piece of really bad wedding cake.

NashVegas

Last weekend I had a little girls trip to Nashville for a Bacherlorette Party and we literally partied so much you would have thought we were in Las Vegas! Maybe it's because we haven't had a girls trip in awhile but there must have been something in the water, shall I say beer, we drank.

We started the weekend off right with drinks at a restaurant called Cabana, which features your own personal Cabana, and ate and drank while we jammed to our perfect party mix. Following that, we went to a few bars where women don't frequent (that's right, some gay bars). Ladies, this should always a stop on girls trips, not only do you get free items but they totally pump up your ego!

Following this we went out on the town and went to the famous Broadway strip, visiting, Tootsies and many other great places! In Nashville the bars are open until 4AM, which means 5AM EST. I haven't pulled an all nighter like this in years, but why not? So we danced the night away chugging beers and champagne until the wee hours of the morning.

Once we got back to the hotel the party didn't end. We met friends, partied, sang, dance and laughed and laughed until literally the sun came up. I closed my eyes and was awoken 2 hours later by Christine, the bachelorette to get back at it! So off we went and did it all over again on Saturday.

It really was a blast and I can't share all the details because they are too dirty for a blog
(just kidding), but some things a girl has to keep secret! I can't wait until Christine and Jason's wedding!

Dorks Unite

Alright, so ever since I've know Jim and his sisters we call each other dorks. Dorks as in loser, not a whale penis (bet you didn't know that was what the term dork really meant).

Well even though Jim hangs out with my family and me with his, we really haven't done much of the socializing with each others families at the same time. I think actually in all the years we dated we may have only had one time where our parents and siblings got together. It may sound weird, but I am not a fan of merging families until it's official and it totally stresses me out!

So after the engagement we decided why not have a family dinner to get to know one another. So I immediately started stressing about it because I'm weird and it might be on the list of "Things that make me shake uncontrollably and get bad poos for no reason" - some day I might just let you in on that list (don't everybody request it all at once)!

We set the date, a night when 2 of 3 of Jim's sisters would be in town seeing that Molly is in Afghanistan and really can't hop on over for burgers and crab cakes. It was to be housed at the Price flat in Adams Landing.

So after I reviewed the outfit my Mom would wear and made sure my brother was prepared for the night, we arrived at the flat. If you know my family, of course we arrived with dessert and champagne. Of course Jim wasn't there and arrived late claiming he was stuck at work (which is always his excuse these days, I'm considering hiring a PO). We had some before dinner drinks, chatted about the wedding and then moved onto dinner.

Pop the champagne bottles. Dinner was yummy, my brother ate 3 crab cakes which made Mary Beth, Jim's Mom, ecstatic and I scarfed down a burger and saved room for Bon Bonerie dessert - not helping me lose weight for the pending nuptials. Well if I told you that champagne was water that night I would tell you would have thought we just came out of the desert!

All of a sudden dinner was over and there was no champagne left so back to the wine. Jim claimed he wasn't feeling well and left early, yeah, left me there to fend off our families alone- HOW RUDE! But we had enough champagne that we practically pushed him out the door because once Jim was gone we could really have fun!

Next came piano playing, singing, embarrassing stories and a very pathetic attempt to capture our first family photo. Which is the series you see along this story.

I can say I was nervous for nothing and we had fun and I can only imagine the insanity that is coming up this year with this bunch!

Birthdays!

Yep, I'm officially 29 as of 6-5-10! We celebrated with our annual trip to Gigglemoor with our closest friends! Today is also my Mom's birthday, so Happy Birthday! I won't reveal her age but I think about 29 years ago I was the best birthday present ever! :)

Things still haven't slowed down a bit. I can't believe it's already one week into June and I can't remember what I even did two nights ago. However, I can remember the fun we had at Gigglemoor this year.

We did our usual drinking on the dock, late night booze cruises, dancing to ridiculously loud music, lots of great food and so on. It was Jodie's first time in Gigglemoor so that was a blast. There were a few things missing this year that I must admit I really missed.

A sign of the times maybe or a sign that everyone is exhausted from the craziness that has been spring and just wanted to relax. We didn't play whiffleball or even attempt a round of water skiing and wakeboarding. My annual cake was missing - however, this was not because Jim didn't order it it, is because the person in charge of picking it up and bringing it down ended up not coming last minute:( So, I will never k now what color my bikini was going to be on the cake because we went to pick it up on Monday and it had been thrown away - BOOO!!!

Chili of course had a blast at Gigglemoor. She is getting much better at swimming and even had a jump off the dock, well a push thanks to Megan! She did do the cutest thing ever. I fell off the dock and she jumped in to save me...swam all the way out to me to make sure I am ok while Jim didn't even get out o f his chair - shows who will take care of me when I'm sick.

All in all it was an amazing weekend and I hate leaving Gigglemoor. I have to wait until July 4th to get back down there but Annie and Amy will be there with us so it should be a blast!

Please note the picture is from last year to show the cake. I have been so crazy I forgot to bring my camera down this year - so pictures to come soon once CJ ever sends them out to us!

What Happened to May?

Ummmm I'm not sure either? All I know is this morning I thought, you know, I don't think I blogged at all in May. I looked back and yep - I barely did.

SO, what's been keeping me busy? Honestly, I think it's just that it's warm weather and summer activities are happening. I have sports 3 nights a week, something for a wedding or my own wedding on the weekends and then work stuff. Plus, Jim's sisters were both in town last week and that meant something to do every single night - which I loved!

Too much has happened to catch up on it all so the big events are as follows:

• I set a date and location for my wedding - 5-21-11
  
• I got my dress!
  
• We are heading to Gigglemoor for my annual birthday celebration this weekend and I can't wait!

25 Things

So things have still been crazy and I've been slacking on the blog - I know! But Jim's sister Mary Jesse graduation college this weekend, I"m heading to Buffett tonight and all things seem to hit at once. With that being said, a lot of good blogs coming up!

In the meantime, I got this note on Facebook awhile back and liked it. I liked reading other people's things and I liked sharing...so enjoy, 25 things you may not have known about me.

1. I like to scare people. I like jumping out at people, hiding in scary places and doing anything to give people that “wah wah” feeling.
2. I was in a movie, Milk Money and had a big part – my face takes up the whole screen. 2 weeks off school and lotsa money at 12 - so was awesome.
3. I was on Oprah. Well asked a question and was featured. David Copperfield was the guest and they pre-screened who asked and the question. I was 15.
4. Aside from what people think, I’m pretty good at holding secrets.
5. I cannot stand the feeling of things rubbing on my front teeth . Paper towels, food and even carpet – Yes, it bothered me so much that I had to try rubbing them on carpet- it’s weird but true.
6. I was in Nairobi when they sentenced several of those involved in the US Embassy bombing in 1998. This was in 2001 and prior to 9/11 and it was still very unsafe. We were told not to leave our hotel and we would leave first thing in the morning.
7. I hate when things snag on my nails, like clothes or wool. I tend to avoid wool because of this.
8. My family and I were once stranded at sea. Our boat sprung a leak and we made it to an abandoned island and waited for help.
9. I laugh at inappropriate times. Like when people are injured or anything should be taken seriously.
10. I was in the middle of a two country revolutions, one violent and one not so much. I traveled with my Mom and another woman to the jungles of Costa Rica and the country revolted against the electric company and caused fighting and violence among it’s own people. We had to be escorted out and walk miles with protected guards because roads were closed. Unfortunately, all film and memory of this trip was lost due to stolen luggage and it never made the news in the states. Second time was in Belize and the country was refusing to pay the high rates on gas so the electric company would shut off power and water supply randomly. Not so violent but awfully annoying.
11. In high school my car had a Mickey Mouse decal painted on. It was a used car and my parents so nicely bought it for me so can't complain, but hated that Mickey.
12. I still get scared walking up stairs that someone is chasing me. I often times sprint up them.
13. I used to have my right eyebrow pierced.
14. I believe those who have passed can contact us and have been contacted by my Dad. I had a series of weird, random events including vivid dreams and him guiding me places. I saw an angel lady because it spooked me a bit and then I was comforted by it.
15. On that note, the family who moved into the house he passed away in, where we used to live, had the house “cleansed” because she often felt his presence and claimed she saw him once. I guess that’s an exorcism with the priest and all?
16. I absolutely cannot stand anything with bones – broken bones, bruised bones or bones touching. Don’t even get me started on banging together wrist or ankle bones.
17. I worked almost my entire time at college, not because I had to, but because I wanted to and it seemed right. I saved all this money and traveled to places I never imagined I would go, like Andorra.
18. Scuba Diving and being underwater is extremely peaceful for me. I like the sound and the feeling of being so small in such a amazing place.
19. My brother and I were featured on the cover of Super Shopper and I look older in that picture at 10, then I do know at
20. I have been hit by a drunk driver note once, but three times. And one time the drunk driver not only ran into the back of me full speed, but she proceeded to reverse and run into the back of me two more times before someone finally stopped her.
21. I have little to no control over what I say sometimes. I think it shocks a lot of people.
22. I have held a shark that I lured in with a fish head. The shark was about 5 feet and very rough.
23. I am actually a shy person until I get to know you, sometimes it comes across as mean but I don’t mean it to.
24. I’ve always had a dream to write a book about my life. I think it could be well rounded with ups and downs, funny parts, sad parts and the kind of family everyone could relate to. I imagine myself as a best seller.
25. My biggest fear is being alone. I am a very social person and like people around.

I'm Engaged!!!

It’s true, Jim and I are sooo excited and can’t wait to build a life together. For people who have been engaged you know what I’m talking about, for those not engaged you have this to look forward to, but the past week has been so overwhelming and exciting!

So, the good part – how it happened…

We did our usual Thursday night filled with softball, friends, Chili and a few beers outside enjoying the weather. Jim was very adamant about me coming home early so I thought I was in trouble. To my surprise, I came home and walked in and on the bed were our suitcases. Jim told me we were going somewhere but it was a surprise and I wouldn’t find out until we got to the airport. So he told me what to pack and we were leaving in less than 10 hours – needless to say I didn’t sleep very much.

I didn’t know we were going to Washington D.C until we got to the gate at the airport. I was thrilled, I had never been and had a hunch that he might be popping the question! As we boarded the plane Jim gave me an itinerary for the weekend, complete with tourist activities, lunch, dinner and breakfast places, free time and a morning of pampering for me Sunday. He informed me he had booked a room at the W Hotel and even upgraded so we could overlook the White House.

Our room was amazing! We could see then snipers on top of the White house we were so close. We also overlooked the United States Treasury building. I’m such an idiot for not taking pictures of the room – I’m mad at myself for that now. Our first stop was to head over to the White House. A friend of ours works for Obama and gave us a heads up that Marine 1 would be landing shortly after we arrived. So we headed over and camped out. Having never been to Washington D.C I was amazed at how beautiful the city is. Everything was well kept, blooming and very friendly. Watching marine 1 land on the White House lawn was breathtaking, it gave me chills and made me very proud to be American and live in a free country. I obsessed about this for the first 4 hours we walked around.

After this we visited some spots where Jim lived when he was in D.C. We went to Georgetown for dinner and out on the town – all the hot spots where Jim used to party back in the day. We woke up Saturday morning, with a slight hangover, ate breakfast at the W Hotel and the got our bikes for a long bike ride along the Potomac River. Our plan was to bike all the way to Vernon Manner, but discovered that it was way further than the lady had told us – 32 miles total. After about 20 miles in the 90 degree weather we decided to call it quits! I wasn’t feeling too hot because of the heat and lack of food so we decided to take it easy in the room.

While back at the room, Jim went downstairs to “check on our dinner reservations” and I took it easy. I didn’t realize he was gone so long since I didn’t feel well, but apparently it took a long time to get the ring out of the vault downstairs. See, Jim had the ring shipped there so that he didn’t have to carry it on the plane and risk me finding it. Once he finally got the ring he came back to the room and it was burning a hole in his pocket.

I could sense he was anxious so got up to do something and that’s when he got down on his knee and proposed. I won’t share all the intimate details, but it was very sweet and it took me about two seconds to say yes! So we called our family and shared the great news. Then up to the rooftop of the W Hotel to celebrate with champagne and each other (this is where the photos are taken from). We were so thrilled and excited it was the best night. We went to a celebratory dinner at Capitol Grill and then out for awhile but were so beat we headed back to the room and crashed out.

I woke up Sunday morning thrilled, enjoyed my massage and paraffin treatment Jim gave me and then we went out and walked around the town some more. Went to the National Archives, saw the Constitution, Air and Science Museum, American History Museum and much more. We had the best weekend and are so happy to begin to build a life together.

The past week has really been a whirlwind, I can’t even tell you what I did last Monday. Between work, seeing people, planning a party for our friends and sports it flew by. I’m sure that the upcoming weeks are going to be even more hectic as we begin to plan. I’m very much looking forward to our wedding and most importantly building a future, children and all that comes with it!

In case you are wondering, Chili is definetely a bridesmaid, see the picture to the right when I asked her - she's thrilled!