Phew.

June 15th marked the last day I can celebrate a birthday with the number "2" in front of it and the end of another hectic period in my life.  Ryan and I finished our finals, went on our honeymoon, and as soon as we got back, I started working like a fiend.  We had a one-week jury trial in state court and getting prepared for and attending the trial was a whirlwind.  There are still boxes sitting on our conference room table and binders everywhere (I was responsible for making no less than 18 binders of exhibits, motions, deposition transcripts, and about a million other things), but it's okay because the trial is over and I'm back to a semi-normal schedule.  Normal for me is working 50 hours or less a week and having time to do things like see my husband, not just shoot him the occasional email.  To mark the beginning of normal, tonight I'm heading off to a vegetarian cooking class at Whole Foods with a friend I haven't seen since around 2009.  Color me excited.

WordPress

I've decided to switch on over to WordPress, mostly because I can and not for any very specific reasons, other than I know lots of people use it and one friend in particular strongly encouraged I make the switch.  I'm a little behind the curve on a lot of social media stuff.  I don't use the Twitter account I established for anything other than checking the soup specials at a local cafe.  I signed up for Instagram, but have no idea how people use it, other than to post pictures on Facebook.  Basically, I have far too many accounts, not enough time, I don't even know what various things are associated with my different emails addresses, etc.  So, I'm starting from scratch.  I'm changing my name/email with all of my accounts all over the place, I'm going to learn how to integrate things (a/k/a simplify my life), and it's going to take some time.

In other words, I'll be back, and hopefully better than before, just as soon as I finish my seminar paper and exams, and get back from my honeymoon with my husband.

Cookware and Crystal and Appliances, Oh My!

It's official - Ryan and I are married!  The wedding was amazing, if I do say so myself, but surreal.  We had a wonderful time celebrating with our family and friends, but it's officially time to get back to the real world.

On today's agenda is the return of some items we received and the purchase of some items we need, like pots and pans.  I know, I know, it's a pretty exciting Sunday.  Seriously, though, I'm pretty excited.  It's not every day you have enough gift cards and cash to buy your dream set of cookware or that VitaMix you've wanted since your freshman year of college but could never justify buying for your dormroom.  The problem is, I don't know what my dream set of cookware is. 

I've ruled out the copper cookware since the care is slightly more restrictive than other sets and we don't have that much in gift cards.  The All Clad, as glorious and shiny as it is, has handles and a weight to it that makes me feel like I'm going to break my wrist, and I really don't need another wrist surgery.  I thought we had settled on the Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Steel 8-piece set (with a double bonus) from Crate & Barrel, but now I'm not so sure.  Is stainless steel really the right choice for our family of three?  Isabella may not eat with us, but she's still a member of this family, and I may have t strt cooking duck and rice for her again if this itching doesn't stop.  Should I go with the non-stick cookware?  Do I forego a set of cookware and buy a mix of individual pieces?  These are real problems, people! 

Okay, maybe they aren't real problems.  We aren't starving, we have a china cabinet with beautiful crystal in it, and we have each other.  However, we do need something with which to cook our food and we've already given away most of our cookware to relatives who are either just setting up their first home away from home or are about to.  Plus, I dn't think I can convince Ryan that we will be able to survive with just our juicer, VitaMix, and All Clad Deluxe Slow Cooker, no matter how fancy those items may be.

Remebering to Breathe

This semester has been...busy.  Yes, I suppose that's the word for it, but it doesn't feel quit adequate.  It's a busier semester than last, despite the fact I started planning our wedding, was taking two more credit hours than I am now, I had two surgeries (one of which left me with a half-cast on mt right wrist for finals), another surgery right after the semester was over, and as soon as exams were over, Ryan an I both moved. 
I think I need a nap just thinking about last semester.

No time for napping, however.  Not now.  We're getting married in 17 days and I have vases that need a quasi-faux-mercury glass finish.  Work has elevated itself to a level of crazy that cannot be sustained much longer.  The guys still don't have ties for The Big Day.  I actually have to read for two of my classes this semester (the nerve of those professors), and at some point I need to write a 7,500 word paper.

In other words, I've been neglecting the blog and I still haven't sat down to figure out all the html stuff and make it pretty.  I will be back on a much more regular basis and will sit down and make the blog pretty just as soon as I take care of a few other things.  Like breathing and sleeping.  I've been told those are important. 

Hey, I've Been There

Tuesday we received a call from an attorney our firm has worked with in the past.  We served as local counsel for his firm and apparently the same parties that were involved in the last lawsuit are gearing back up for another fight over a completely diferent issue than last time.  He wanted to know if maybe we would be interested in helping them out again.

Wednesday the litigation partners (a/k/a my bosses) had a conference call with the attorney and there was discussion of filing a complaint, at least one motion, and serving a set of discovery on Thursday.  Please keep in mind this all really started to gain steam after 4 pm, I had to leave at a reasonable hour to make it to Mass (Catholic + Ash Wednesday = me skipping class to go to Mass because I couldn't get away from the office to go during the day), and I don't usually get into the office until 1 on Thursday.  Please also keep in mind that, in addition to being the formatting department, I'm also in the proof-reading department, the copying department, and the "hey can you get everything we need to file a complaint together" department.  In other words, it was going to be a busy afternoon.

And then I found out two of the parties might be Chinese.  And not Chinese as in of Chinese descent, but actually in China. 

Curses.  This is going to be insanely time consuming.

Thursday afternoon I got in a little earier than usual (thank you, magic traffic fairies), ready for the flurry of activity.  Luckily, everyone decided to wait until Friday to file everything.  I finished what I had been working on the night before, completed a couple of new projects, and got to work on researching service on foreign defendants.  Before I knew it, I was reading one of the Hague Conventions.  If that doesn't sound like a fun way to spend your afternoon, I don't know what does. 

Wait, maybe there is one thing - the Chinese don't accept this particular treaty as it was written so there were special rules involved.  Oh, yeah, and only one of the guys was in China, the other foreign defendant is in another country and that country has a separate set of rules too.  Hold on, the Chinese defendant is going to be in a European country soon so maybe we could get service there.

I found myself thinking about my summer and how much fun I had at The Hague...and wishing I was there instead of reading one of the Conventions at my desk. 

Hot Mess of Randomness

Because I know you've been wondering what's been going on in my head, here are actual thoughts I've had this week:

Should I get the small cookie scoop or the medium cookie scoop?  The small cookies will be 2" in diameter, the medium 2 3/4".  Decisions, decisions.

Calories in Valentine's themed desserts don't count, right?  I'm not talking about all desserts, just those vanilla cupcakes that have heart sprinkles and a plastic ring that says "SUGAR" stuck in the mound of white frosting.  I mean, of course I didn't eat one, I'm just wondering if I had eaten would, if the calories in it would have counted.  I vote no, so who's with me?

I'll take one of everything Williams-Sonoma makes that can be monogrammed, please.  I'm convinced All-Clad's copper-core casserole works better if it knows who it belongs to.

see link above or check out my Pinterest

Who wouldn't love a monogrammed knife?

see link above or my Pinterest

And hello, monogrammed china, where have you been all my life?!?!?

 

guess where you can find it?  yep, the link above, or here

Holy moly, I'm getting married in less than six weeks.  I really should pick a middle name.  Like pronto.  How else can I have things monogrammed?

Wow, I really have a monogram problem.  If that's my biggest problem, I think we're doing okay, so I'll allow it.

The semester is almost halfway over.  I should really sit down and figure out when things are going to be due and figure out how to get everything done in a week.  Thus far, I've just been running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

So, that's all for now.  Now you know what a hot mess my brain is.  You're welcome for bringing you into the madness. 

Things You Don't Say To A Type-A, Nervous Bride

There's a certain type of bride that likes to have a little control over things.  Not just things pertaining to a wedding, but life in general.  She needs to know when meetings are scheduled, what the plan is for the weekend (okay, really, she needs to know the plan for everything), and when things don't go according to plan, it may throw her off a bit.  These people are the type that hate surprises.  This need for some sort of control may be magnified during the wedding planning process.  Also magnified during the wedding planning process is her anxiety.  You know what I'm talking about - that voice inside someone's head that's a little concerned something might not happen the way someone thinks it will and all hell will break loose.  If you know one of those brides, I would suggest avoiding saying the following things to her:

We don't have the proof for the rehearsal dinner invitations yet (47 days before the wedding).

Oh, yeah, the [wedding] dress is definitely too tight.  Honey, don't step down, I don't want you to rip it (49 days before the wedding, at the second fitting for said wedding dress, when the bride had previously insisted too much was being taken in, it needed to be made looser, and the bride has actually lost five pounds since the first fitting, thankyouverymuch).

I told a few extra people it was okay if they came/brought someone (55 days before the wedding).

There are a few fun projects I've been thinking we can do (again, 50 days before the wedding).

I really don't like the flowers you picked out for the reception.

I'm sure we can get that done the week before the wedding.

For your sanity and hers, avoid the above phrases at all costs.  She cannot be held responsible for her reactions to the above remarks.  You cannot blame her if she doesn't speak to you for a month but instead gives you nothing but death-stares whenever she sees you if you make one of the above comments.  Not that I speak from experience or anything.

Why Ryan Loves Me (it's not anything you think)

Ryan's favorite thing in the world is when I get all kinds of obsessive about things.  One day, I'm happily going about my business, the next I'm overtaken by the urge to, let's say, hypothetically speaking, get a puppy.  Now. Get a puppy right NOW.

Of course, in this hypothetical, Ryan would have mentioned the three tan beagle/hound puppies that are at the Lakeland shelter where he got our precious darling Isabella.  It's possible I then kept looking at the puppies and pictures of beagles, even after he told me his family's vet recommended we not get one because they might be inclined to howl.  I may have even sent him a few emails and/or text messages he immediately get me a puppy because I was already picking out her harness and bows for her hair.

Today, it might have reached a new level of insanity when I saw the cutest pictures of those two little beagle puppies.  Yes, now we're down to two puppies because obviously someone saw the other one and took her because she was the cutest thing ever.  Naturally, I emailed Ryan a picture then sent him a text message telling him the check his email.  Now, of course, Tiffany is gone.  The calmer dog is gone.  We're down to one beagle puppy here, folks.  So I texted Ryan again and told him to get Maxine.  The text messages might have included things like "I know you're golfing with your friends" and "turn your car around, drive to Lakeland and get me that puppy."  I may have even threatened to quit my job so I could go get the dog.  It's possible I told him that he "can't ignore crazy because it just gets crazier."  Again, hypothetically speaking, of course.

Clearly my most endearing quality is the obsessiveness and he must love the text messages about the fact I will not be ignored, no matter how hard he tries.  I mean, what guy wouldn't want 10 text messages and 3 emails from his significant other, demanding he get her a puppy, while he's trying to golf with the guys?  I'm only asking because my friend wants to know.  It's not like I'd ever do anything like that.  But, if I was asking for me, it would be his fault anyway because he's the one who told me about the puppies to begin with.  Right?  Right.

Lost

Today I was informed my one of my co-workers that she never received an invitation to the wedding. WHAT!?!?!?!

Postal service, this is why you're going out of business.  She is the second person to tell me an invitation has not yet arrived.  I also just got an invitation sent back to me as undeliverable.  I Googled the address and it exists.  It's an apartment building.  I type in the address to the USPS website without an apartment number and it gives me the zip code I have on the invitation.  I add an apartment number, and suddenly, the address ceases to exist.  The address came from the woman's ex-husband and they're not on bad terms.  FedEx recognizes the address.  Why can't the postal service?

I thought maybe it was just me.  Maybe while I was stuffing envelopes and taking Percocet, I checked some off as being finished and in the stack when they weren't.  I already know I forgot to give someone a response card.  Whoops.  But two envelopes?  On two different days?  When I have very distinct memories of both envelopes, including a debate about whether the calligraphy on one of them was good enough?  That's not likely.  And I'm not taking any pain pills now and the address on the envelope mentioned above is right. 

Plus, one of my dad's friends said he thought he sent his response card back almost as soon as he received his invitation but it hasn't arrived at our house yet.  That has absolutely nothing to do with me and whether I've taken a pain pill or two.

I am not a happy camper.  How many other invitations are lost in the mail?  How many response cards won't be returned?  Why is the postal service trying to ruin my life????

Okay, that might have been a bit dramatic.  But I'm still not happy.  Guess it's a good thing I bought extra invitations.

Things That Keep Me Up At Night

Last night, while I was reading for school on the couch and my father was in the recliner, he announced he was heading to bed.  I asked what time it was, and he practically jumped out of his chair as he realized it was 12:20.  A few minutes later, from down the hall, he suggested I go to bed too.  Gee, thanks, Dad.  Way to make me feel like I'm in high school again.  Oh, the joys of moving home when you're 28.

Seriously though, I told him I'd be going to bed soon.  And I did.  Then I wound up laying in my bed, ridiculously tired, but unable to sleep.  Sometime after 1:15, I drifted off. 

The next time I looked a the clock, it was just after 3.  Apparently, my body forgot that I have a sleep
disorder and I was wide awake.  At 3 am, with barely two hours of sleep, my body, which normally craves at least 10 hours of sleep, thought it was time to be awake.  What, you might ask, was I thinking about?  The first thought I remember, other than "oh dear goodness, it's only 3," was about the china coffee server I added to our registry last night. 

Yes, I was laying in bed, unable to fall back asleep, because I was debating whether to keep a china coffee server on our registry and if so, if the pattern I picked really is the closest match to my grandmother's china.  Apparently, my grandmother,who had 24 place settings and two of every serving dish, didn't have a china coffee server.  How did she serve coffee to her guests?  Did I mention that in addition to the 24 place settings, she had another set of really fabulous cups and fancy saucers that look like artist palettes?  Perfect for a sandwich or light snack at an afternoon tea. 

After I concluded the coffee server debate, I started thinking about what to hang on the walls of the apartment and where everything should go.  We have vaulted ceilings with a fireplace that's positioned where the ceiling comes to a point so it's a lot of space to think about.  Also, I think we really should add some peonies into the flowers at the reception.  They really would look lovely.

Serious world problems, y'all, very serious.

I recognize the insanity of not sleeping because you're thinking about wedding flowers and china coffee servers, but it's probably not going to stop me from thinking about them.  Even if I could stop thinking about them while I was awake, I would probably have nightmares in which giant coffee servers were chasing me down or I was surrounded by clashing china.  Great, I think just set myself up for another sleepless night...  Maybe I'll watch the news or some sobering documentary.  I'll probably sleep like a baby.

Negativity

Let me tell you how much I love political ad season.  I don't.

I don't want to get into the actual politics, and I'm not choosing sides, but it seems the ads have taken a turn for the negative, and I'm not a fan.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact Florida's Reublican primary is technically about to take place (we have weeks of early voting and vote-by-mail options so really, voting has been going on for quite some time), or maybe it's just"that time" in the campaign, but I wish it would stop.  I was about to vote for Romney based solely on the fact he had all kinds of positive ads on.  Pretty much, they all said nice things about him, and he always approved the mesage.  Now, it's a mess of Newt v. Romney and Romney v. Newt.  Most of the ads aren't approved by either candidate, but when one of them comes in at the end of the ad and gives his approval, I want to yell, "well you shouldn't have, you idiot."
Surely there's a way for everyone to get their points across without bashing the other candidates.  I'm not talking about something like "so and so has a more consistent record on such and such" or similar messages.  I'm talking about the ones where the candidates practically accuse each other of eating babies.  I mean, seriously now people.

There's enough garbage out there already.  Do we really need one of the two final candidates for president smeared?  Does he really need to attack his opponents?  I fail to see how this is good for our country.  And it's not just the Republicans.  The Democrats are equally guilty.  This year the difference is they's not duking it out in the primaries and turning on each other Lord of the Flies style.

In sum, I think I'll be voting for the next person that puts out something positive.  I'll be giving the candidates with negative ads demarits and the ones with positive ads gold stars.  Yes, that's my highly sophisticated, well-informed, very intelligent voting plan.  If they want to act like they're in elementary school and call each other names, I'm happy to treat them like it.

Jealous?

The news just told me this afternoon it will be 78.  The graphic with the weekly high temperatures said 82.  My biggest weather-related "problem"?  Deciding how to appropriately layer so I don't die when I'm outside and freeze to death inside.  Crazy Floridians are addicted to air conditioning and think it must always be at least 15 degrees colder inside than it is outside (unless it's 60 or below, when the heat is cranked up to 75+).  I am not one of those crazies.

Don't be jealous.  It's not like I'll be at the beach this weekend.  The high is going to drop to the low 70s, which is far too cold for this Tampa native to be outside in beach appropriate attire.

Two Months

Two months from today, Ms. becomes Mrs.  Along with the change in title comes a name change, which will be interesting considering I haven't even chosen what my name will be.  The last name is settled on, and was never really a question, but the middle name, well, that's still being debated (in my head, of course).  New name = new monogram = my towels, robe, and several other things will no longer be correct.  I've also convinced myself it means I can buy lots of new things and monogram them, just because I have a new monogram to use.  I've shown much restraint my entire life, but I firmly believe that if it doesn't move of its own free will, you should monogram it (and if your husband/fiance doesn't move fast enough, you should probably monogram him too). 

Poor Ryan, he's not going to know what hit him.  haha.

Best. Grilled Cheese. Ever.

On a trip to Crate & Barrel to look at everyday drinking glasses for our registry, Ryan and I found this little bit of deliciousness:

 

via

Ideal for grilled cheese, you say?  I was intrigued and obsessed even though I had not even tried it yet.  "We're getting this," I declared.  "I must have it.  It's not a want, it's a NEED."  Ryan, ever the good sport, agreed it would probably be very tasty and I should get some if I wanted it.  Then, proving he's worthy of my love, he suggested we go to Greenwise (the fancy Publix full of organic and fancy tastiness) and pick up a small thing of bread and a few slices of cheese.  Further proof we're meant to be together forever?  We both were thinking Havarti cheese would be best, even before we talked about it.  Oh, and we both thought goat cheese would also be tasty and maybe we should get some of that too.  

I was supposed to study Sunday night.  Instead, we quickly went to the checkout at Crate & Barrel, purchased my small jar of happiness, and went to Greenwise for supplies.  In what is actually a rare occurrence, we were on exactly the same page when it came to food, and we quickly settled on sourdough bread, hit the deli counter, and perused the aisles for other treats.  Ryan likes to call himself a carnivore, though he's clearly an omnivore.  That I am a vegetarian is still beyond his understanding, which leads to much of our food debates.  Soon we were off to the apartment so I could cook up our gourmet meal.

And gourmet it was.  Golden brown buttered sourdough bread, perfectly melted creamy Havarti cheese, and the Fig & Balsamic Magic Spread.  Mmmmmmm.  Next up, was the goat cheese version.  I might have gone a little heavy on the goat cheese, which almost overpowered the spread, but it was still soooooo delicious.  I had half of each sandwich on my plate and went back and forth trying to decide which was better.  Then, Ryan wanted more.  I made him another sandwich, this one with ham, goat cheese, and the Magic Spread.  He only wanted half a sandwich, so of course I had to make another one for myself.

They may have been the most expensive grilled cheese sandwiches either of us had ever made, but they were incredible and worth every penny.  They may have also put both of us over our ideal caloric intake considering the wedding is so close, but I don't care.  I had a protein shake for lunch so I at least started my day off right.

Also, sorry there aren't any pictures of our tasty treats, but we gobbled them up so fast, there was no time for pictures.  I'm sure I'll make them again soon, and will edit this post to include pictures at that time.  You just can't expect a grilled cheese to last long if you put it in front of me.

The Bard

Did anyone else have to try and read Shakespeare in high school?  I remember it being somewhat difficult, but manageable, to read plays like Romeo & Juliet.  In fact, I was almost excited when I learned we would be reading Measure for Measure for my Law, Lit, & Film class.  Then, I started to actually read it.

Getting through a single line was worse than any procedure I've ever had at the dentist.  That coming from a girl who has had no less than five root canals, and even insisted on having two in one day.  It took me hours to get through Act I, Scene I, thought that may have been because I wound up staring at the pages, thinking about things I needed to do rather than actually reading. 

Finally, I gave up.  I decided I just couldn't do it and really understand the play, so I would go to the store and get the version that has the old English on one side, the modern translation on the other.  Barnes & Noble must have had all of Shakespeare's plays but that one in the "Shakespeare lite" format.  Desperate, I looked at the SparkNotes.  Foiled again.  I dreaded going home and having to translate using the footnotes and read everything 12 times so I understand the words, pay attention to who is saying what, and then putting the words into full sentences in my head so I could actually comprehend what was going on.  I am convinced the teacher picked this particular play not because it has the most to do with the law, but because it's the one all the cheats haven't been created for. 

On my way out the door, the salesperson at Barnes & Noble ran after me to tell me he had found the SparkNotes online and I could view it for free.  VICTORY!  Back at the office, I quickly looked up the site and sent it to myself so I would have it handy when I got home.  So, instead of actually reading the play I'm supposed to read for class, I have become a cheater.  Yes, that's right, I'm a law student who can't be bothered to actually read the book assigned for class, and it's not even legal reading.  I remember shaking my head (on the inside of course) at all those people who read the Cliffs Notes version of a book instead of reading the actual book that was assigned in high school.  Now, I'm one of those people.

Sigh.

The worst part is, I know I'll still go back and read the damn play. . . as soon as I finish reading the summary.

Love Me Some Monday

The reading I did for school yesterday (or at least tried to do) put me in a less than positive mood, so I thought a dose of "love me some" might put me in a better mood.

Love me some wedding prep nearing completion.  By wedding prep, I mean the Catholic-specific kind.  Next Saturday, Ryan and I get to spend all day at Pre-Cana, a prep class for engaged couples.  Once we finish, we're eligible for the discounted rate for our marriage license, meaning we can go get our marriage license!  Side note - it also means we don't have to wait three days from the time we apply for our license until we can actually get married.  In other words, we could totally elope.  Not that I've considered that...

Love me some family time.  Since moving home at the end of December, I've had lots of quality time with my parents, baby brother (who is allegedly 18 as of Jan 12th, but still my teeny, tiny 6'1"+ baby brother), and younger sister.  My sister is about to move to Richmond, we think, well probably, almost definitely, for what might be the best job ever imaginable for her, but it's been nice having her around.

Love me some of my friends.  Seriously, they're amazing.  We had the best time at one of said friend's houses on Saturday with several other friends (like Casey and Laura Jo), and I've decided we really need to do it again.  Soon.

Love me some wedding presents.  Not the present part (but who doesn't like opening a present) so much as the fact that Thursday we received our first official wedding present.  Ryan's parents bought our dishes and were incredibly generous in paying for our honeyoon, my parents gave us our flatware for Christmas, and we did get presents at our engagement party, but this was our first official wedding present not from an immediate family member.  And, it was all of our crystal wine glasses, which makes me feel incredibly adult.  AND, the thank you note is already in the mail.  Insert me patting myself on the back here.

Love me some Florida in the winter.  It's been cold lately, but I think the cold front has officially finished moving through.  It's 47 at 6:15 and the high is in the 70s most of the week.  Remember how a few months ago I needed a reminder about how I would be happy I live in Florida when winter hit?  I'll be flagging this to read in July.  Cold is a relative term.  I know, people in other parts of the country are literally freezing, but I'm a native Floridian.  60 is pretty chilly and 50 or lower is almost a reason not to leave the house.

Love me some Ryan.  This, of course, goes without saying considering we'll be getting married in less than 70 days, but he's been particularly supportive and wonderful lately.  This is the last time I'll put him in a Love Me Some Monday post unless he's done something so amazing he deserves some sort of medal or something.  I swear.  Okay, maybe not, but I'll try.

What are you loving some of this delightful Monday morning?  See, it worked, I'm in a great mood already!

New Year, Not So New Me

I've been thinking a lot about whether I'm going to have a New Year's Resolution and, if so, what it should be.  Yes, I know it's well past the 1st of the year and I should have thought about this quite some time ago.  I'm a procrastinator, I don't need your judgment.  Hmmm, perhaps resolution #1 should be to procrastinate less...  Self, let's think about that later, shall we?

Right, so, resolution or no?  I think I've decided no.  Every year, people make a big deal about their New Year's Resolution, which I fully support and encourage, but many often fail to stick with it.  I personally think it's because people start with these lofty goals that require them to essentially change who they are as opposed to something small or taking baby steps to get to an ultimate goal.  Instead of one big resolution, I'm going to make lots of small resolutions throughout the year, and the next, and the next, and so on.  I'll focus on drinking more water, then eating out less or working out one day a week more than I do now (not too impressive when you're working out exactly zero days a week). 

I don't want a new me, just a slightly improved version of myself.  Let's be honest, it's not like I'm a car and they can just come out with a new model.  Guess Ryan will have to settle with a new paint job (and by paint job, I mean tan - I am WAY too pale for anyone to believe I live in Florida).

You Don't Say?

Apparently, I'm getting married in less than three months.  I know this because all of the sudden, everyone around me has decided we need to plan the wedding.  Oh, gee, thanks, y'all. 

I appreciate that people want to help, but for about a week I was inundated with wedding emails, texts, phone calls, and questions.  One day I had 5 lengthy emails in the span of about 2 hours.  The questions, suggestions, and changes seemed endless.  When are the invitations going out?  I went and talked to hotels about booking rooms.  What's the password to the wedding website?  Such and such needs to go on the website.  We should talk about flowers for the reception.  Maybe we should have put so and so's boyfriend on the invitation.  Aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

My answers went something like this:  Yes, I'm aware the wedding is less than three months away.  Invitations are addressed, stamped, and either a) in the custody of the U.S. Mail, or b) sitting in the group by the front door that is going out tomorrow (this was Jan. 2nd).  Glad you looked at hotels, I also sent you information about that in JULY so do whatever you want, I'm out of that particular detail.  The password is in the email I sent you in OCTOBER.  I asked for that information in AUGUST and you never gave it to me so I didn't put it up.  Already talked to the florist about the flowers.  The invitations are FINISHED and that particular invitation is already in the mail, we can't get it back, and I went over that list with you 15 times but this is the first time I'm finding out so and so even has a boyfriend.

At first I tried to answer the questions happily, and with a bit of patience.  By the end of it, I may have been a little snippy.  It wasn't intentional, but I swear, it's like everyone woke up after 7 months of planning and realized there's a wedding taking place. 

Then I regained my composure, and went back to my happy place.  In other words, I went back to perusing Pinterest and exploring my new find, lover.ly.  If I ignore everything I don't want to talk about, it will all just go away, right?  RIGHT?

School Days

Vacation is officially over.  This morning, I had my first class of the semester, Law Literature and Film Seminar.  Far from the typical law school class, the reading list includes The Scarlet Letter, Crime and Punishment, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, and several other books.  We will often be reading a book a week.  In addition to the reading, we have to watch a movie every week.  And, on top of the required reading, we each get to pick at least one other book and write a 7,500 page paper on it.  It's going to be a lot of work, but I'll take this kind of work over 100 pages of our Torts textbook any day of the week.

I'm taking two other classes - Florida Criminal Procedure and Florida Civil Procedure - but I think those are going to take a back burner to the seminar with 9 million pages of reading.

Anyway, so I was sitting in class this morning, and instead of thinking about ordering all the books I need to read, figuring out my seminar topic, or anything else I should have been thinking about, I was thinking I should get a new folder to keep myself organized.  Something I could carry in addition to my planner that's bigger than anyone's should be.  Then, it dawned on me.  As a professional in her mid late twenties, I need a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper. 

Excited about my new, very grown-up, soon to be made purchase, I started looking on the internet to pick the perfect one.  Maybe I would even buy a new folder or two.  Imagine my horror when I looked on the website and there was not a single Trapper Keeper to be found.  Not to be deterred, I searched Google shopping.  The results were three items, one of which wasn't even Lisa Frank, and another was a package of stickers.  That left one used "binder."  SERIOUSLY!?!?!?  What are the girls using these days to keep their looseleaf paper in and all the notes to and from their friends?  Do they just text each other?  The worst part about it is I  just thought it might be reasonable to assume there are 7 year old children have cell phones (I do not, however, think they need them).

Since I can't get my fancy pants Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper, I'm thinking I'll get this:

Via

I can keep it on my desk at work and forever be reminded of my childhood.  Plus, what about a Lisa Frank desk caddy doesn't scream, "I'm a professional"?

Really Great Excuses

I know, I know, I've been MIA for a looooong time.  I also have some great reasons/excuses for my absence.  The month of December was not full of normal holiday craziness for me.  Well, it was, but that wasn't everything.  In December I had two surgeries, one on my right wrist (making it very hard to type), the other just before Christmas.  Ryan and I both moved, and are still in the process of getting settled.  I had two exams, both of which I typed with my cast on.  We had our engagement party, and were honored to be joined by so many of our friends and family.  The office Christmas party was the same week we had to finish moving and I had surgery #2.

In sum, it's been a little nuts around here.  But I'm back and re-committed to blogging, wedding planning, working, and most importantly, taking the time to breathe and enjoy my life in the moment.