Wedding Bells: Part Two

After we made it out the door and in time for the shuttle, we parked ourselves in a pew and waited for the bride. Who we may have seen when she walked down the hall before the ceremony. Her mama told us to avert our eyes, but that seemed terribly rude so we just smiled and tried to look ashamed. I doubt we succeeded!

Post-wedding: we took a shuttle to the reception, a lovely quaint house with a huge enclosed patios and overhead heaters. Along with generous servings of hors devours and plentiful drinks, we waited for the bride. Sarah looked so lovely! Very Grecian goddess, and somehow I have no photos of her. Technically, I have at least one Polaroid but Sally took them and claims she is going to scan them before sending them back to me.

After enjoying our snacks and drinks, we all went to dinner and had...HAMBURGERS! My friends are so classy. We were actually hoping for hot dogs, if we are going to be honest.

Later there was dancing and group photo taking, I can't wait to see the results from that! Cell Block #18!

Of course, the weekend pasted by TOO quickly and I am in full friend withdrawal. 2.5 days is not enough time! Cleveland, OH does not have Tim Hortons but luckily, we found a Trader Joe's so it's slightly redeemed. Just a little bit!

Melancholia

I knew I would have trouble when I came back from Ohio. It's nothing new, honestly. I always struggle to regain a sense of happiness whenever I come back from Ohio. I thought it would be multiplied this trip, as I didn't have a chance to get sick of living out of my suitcase or just be ready for things to settle down.


Part of me wonders if this is a sign that I should be back there. If that sense of belonging is not just because I lived there for 4 years. Maybe I am meant to return. I love being in Colorado, close to family, but it doesn't always feel like home. I don't actually have many friends, at least it feels that way some days. I know it's hard with a baby, a job, a side job, a house to clean, time for myself. I don't always have time for friendships.

So maybe that's the hardest part of being back home. It's so effortless to be with people who have known me for almost 10 years. I've always been able to find a place, no matter where we moved, but I always feel like I've come home whenever I go back to visit the O-H-I-O.

Wedding Bells

I got to go away for the weekend! I left on Friday, nearly missing my flight but luckily my plane was late. Sadly, Sally's plane was even later than mine and she didn't arrive for almost 5 hours after she was scheduled. Friday night we got a hotel and stopped at Olive Garden for soup, salad and a bottle of wine.


Saturday morning, we found a lovely place for brunch. Despite a pair of panties outside the front door, it was so good. I had a lobster Eggs Bendict with a mimosa, Abby had Challeh French Toast/Eggs in a Basket and Mimosa, and Sally had a Veggie Quesidilla and a Bloody Mary. Then we went shopping for jewelry before going back to the hotel to pop open the bottle of wine and prep for the wedding. Clearly, you will be able to see a theme for us?


Hint: Food+Drinks+Shopping

Tomorrow, I'll tell you about the wedding!

We Are OWU

Well. I haven't forgotten that I have a blog. Really, I swear. I just got busy and went on an amazing vacation to OHIO and Pennsylvania. I do not feel guilty for enjoying myself!

First up was the reunion back at OWU. I picked CS up at the airport on Thursday and we drove down to Delaware to stay with my friend Emily. She had even gotten a crib mattress for Jacob to sleep on, even though he didn't. I think he fell off it the first night and decided he'd never sleep on that again. We drove down Sandusky and around campus a bit but it was dark and hard to see. I'm impressed with some of the businesses and restaurants that have opened since we left. Though I am still mourning for Hot Potato and Avesta. There is a great bookstore called the Beehive now as well as a sushi place that we didn't go into. The yarn store is gone as well a lot of places I used to browse for gifts. It's beginning to look like a town I would have enjoyed as a college student!

We didn't do much with the reunion events, it's too hard with a baby. But we did go to the Greek reception where Kappa totally won with representation. As well as the dinner for the Class of 2005 and Jacob and I went to the TAP breakfast on the stage. I'm very grateful for CS's presence as he watched Jacob so I could mingle and chat at the events. The class of 2005 dinner was probably not the best place to bring him but that's only because they said we'd eat at 6:30 then made us wait till 7:30 before eating. So Jacob sat in a back booth of the HamWil cafe and shrieked "DADA" every five seconds and giggled like a maniac when we said shh. He also interrupted Sally during her welcome speech, that kid has perfect comedic timing.

The highlight had to be Saturday when we took Jacob over to the Flaglor's house and left him for the evening. He loved their house and didn't even notice us walking out the door, so enthralled with a bucket of blocks and toys he found. We went straight to the bar. For old times sake, I ordered vodka cranberry and marveled about the fact that they serve drinks in glasses, not plastic cups. The bar I worked in was not so nice. Does anyone remember the twins who played tennis, or something like that? They were there and they handed CS a card with the numbers 1,2,3,4 on it and told me to pick a number. I picked 3, which makes me a sex maniac. Apparently. I convinced Sally to do a shot with me, even though she said that she should take it easy that night. We brought out the cameras and you can see all that on my Facebook. There is even a good one of me and CS that I might have to print out and put in a frame. He hates posing with me so I take what I can get. We left and collected our sleepy baby, who had fallen asleep before Lori could get his diaper changed and pajama's on. I call that SUCCESS!

CS and I made a trip out to Easton to see Sally and her mom and grandma, as well as visit Trader Joe's for cheese crunchies and an aloe drink only they sell. Someday Colorado will get with the program and demand that we get a Trader Joe's. It was good to see Sally's family, it's been a long time!

*I've been sitting on this post for days so I'm ending it here and will think of new things to tell you about my trip to PA. Followed by the procedure where they froze my cervix over. FUN TIMES.

Have You Packed Yet?

No, I have not packed yet. I haven't even dragged my suitcase out from the storage space in the trailer. I got travel toiletries from the Hotel Scottsdale (Rusk. Squee!) when I stayed with Audrey on her business trip last night. I feel that's progress. DD called to make sure I'm still coming, although I don't know why she would think otherwise. Even if the weather forecast is predicting typical Ohio weather of doom and gloom when I am quite happy in my dress wearing, 75 degree, sunshine all the time weather. Except for the fact that I am so looking forward to getting out of this RV box and seeing my friends! And making my friends pick out maternity clothing. That's the real reason I'm going. Ohio-Shopping Mecca of the Midwest.

I was supposed to get my rental forms signed today but the Realty Lady made a mistake and put us down for tomorrow. This is not possible because I am leaving tomorrow morning at 8 AM. This means CS has to go sign the papers tomorrow and I can sign when I get back. However, this stresses me out because I like to know that everything is settled before I run across the country on a shopping spree. Maybe they can put me on speakerphone.

I'm also terribly worried about Hunter. He doesn't like it when I leave and he knows that's what happens when I pull that suitcase out. I know I spend the majority of the day with him and he sleeps about ninety percent of the time. But I also walk him for thirty minutes in the morning and occasional trips to da River! I made sure he goes out to pee a few times a day and we have kissy time when he's being sweet and not sassy. I feel bad leaving him here when he will have to stay inside from 5:30 AM until CS gets home at 5 PM. My poor preshuss babykins. This is why I'm leaving him with a new stuffed cow.

And Then I Met Sally

*I really want something sweet right now, but I'm not sure what. So I'm delaying the inevitable.*

Before I came to OWU, I heard stories about a girl named Sally. She was from Ohio, she took a politics class, and she didn't have a roommate. When I came to OWU, I didn't live with her that year but we had Geology 110 together at 8 AM on Tuesday Thursday. Together, we suffered through long, boring lectures in the dark and endured the sweltering heat of an especially warm spring with the heat turned on! The next year, Sally and I were suite mates along with two other girls. That year, sophomore year, was pivotal to me as well as my relationship with Sally. She and I became close, once I started therapy and began to "recover" from my first ever relationship and break-up. She took me home for Easter, to decorate Bunny Cakes, learn how to knit, and introduce me to the crazy that is Toledo. I've never looked back. She's always been the one I can tell anything to, despite the many hesitations I might feel before I finally spill it out. I always worry most what her reaction will be, and it's only gotten me in trouble once.

We only lived together one year. I went off to be a Feminist and she lived in a Palace. That's part of why we work, I think. We have always been able to be each other's wailing wall but never the cause of the wailing. At least while we were at school. We'd have weekly dinners, grocery store trips, and a lot of crazy theme parties. She was my Republican Ally, my Oscar Night Date, my SLU wanna-be, my SCG. Senior year, we used to email each other during the day with random crush citings, random tidbits, dinner plans, bar plans, things professors said to us, etc. just to keep each other updated on the minute details of our busy lives. We had different majors, different schedules but that didn't stop us from knowing everything the other did. Or didn't do, in a lot of cases.

Most of my best stories involve Sally. Like when I fell down the stairs at the Winter Palace. I wasn't concerned about my fall, I was wondering if anyone saw her making out with a boy who's name begins with E as they rushed past her room to the stairwell. Or the boy who told me I was "So loud" as I laughed while walking past him. Or the night we dressed up as Rock stars and ended up posing before the Bush/Cheney sign in my window. The weekend we spent on her Bay. Or the countless cookies we made over Thanksgiving.

I may never understand what caused me to leave Ohio after graduation. I had no reason to be home, except for the fact that I could go home. I always say that my friends in Ohio are my soul-mates, and Sally certainly fits in right at the top. Even after college, we still managed to keep the bonds intact. But then my life became stagnate and I struggled to keep my former life part of my present "Party it up" lifestyle. Things were hard, and I didn't know how to fix our relationship. It wasn't until this fall that I felt the return of the SCG/JAO lifestyle. Our conversations are lively, and packed with information, concerns, exchange. Anticipations of visits, places new to us. It's refreshing. It's how it should be. If my friends truly are my soul mates, then the honeymoon is over and the rest of our lives are ahead of us.

How's that for cheese.

Go, Go Toledo

I'm here in Toledo with Annushka. We went sunbathing today, after lunch at Starbucks then again in her back yard. I understand how people get obsessed with the tanning beds because I am the same way, just with actual sunshine. It's best when there is a body of water standing by, like the pool at home or a lake, but I can lay out for a few hours without it. I do have to shower afterwards though. Sweaty is not the look I like to go for.

Sally is getting ready to move into her apartment in AA so this morning we checked out some cookware sets at JCP. I couldn't help but wonder all the things I'm going to need when I get to New Mexico. Like, do we have dishes? What kind of shower curtain am I going to want? Rug from Target for the kitchen floor? Yes, I can just ask CS what he has, but I'm not really going to know until I get down there. He says that we only need the essentials and that he has everything we need. I somehow doubt this. I am a girl, after all. I'm kind of proving him right, actually. Since he thinks it's scarier for a guy to have a girl move in with him rather than a girl moving in with a guy. Because girls come in and change everything to be like how they want it to be. And while I'm laid back and not worried that maybe his sheets won't match my conforter, I am wondering if I'm going to be making dinner out of a skillet or something like that. Boys. Such a mystery.

But then again, I like surprises!

Beachy Keen

I just got back from the beach. My skin is getting so pretty! Although, I have to say, the beach is fun but it's not so awesome being there alone. It's more fun to have someone to complain about the dead fish smell and the heat. And it's more fun to go in the water with someone, as I am afraid of lakes. Sharks in lakes, actually.

There was an adorable Bernese Mountain dog puppy there too. And a huge yellow Lab that made me miss my Hunty Hunt. Duncan is right next to me right now but he's not so much like Hunter. A lot smaller, for one. And also, if I start poking him, he ignores me. I am so beneath him, I think.

Anyways, I should shower and get the sand off of me before Sarah comes home and we go see Knocked Up. Her boytoy won't go with her because he says it's "bad juju", which I think is hilarious, so we are going to go!

I hope it's sunny tomorrow to. I can't handle the Ohio rains right now. It's way more fun when it's sunny!

Hello Ohio!

EEEK! I'm here in Ohio. And having a good time on my own. Kirstin has to work so I am entertaining myself. Today I met Liz for lunch and then went back to her house for some beer drinking on her back porch. At 3 PM. I love being unemployed!

*****************
Thursday:

I'm getting a tan. It's awesome. I got up this morning and took Kirstin to work and then stopped at Tim Horton's and almost died of happiness. Do you know how much I love Timmy Ho's? Enough to move back here, that's how much. And I couldn't believe that I had forgotten about Tim Ho's on Wednesday and that I actually considered going to Starbucks that morning for coffee. Who the fuck does that? No one who has had Tim Horton's coffee and a 10 pack of Timbits, that's for sure.

Anyways, after that lovely breakfast I watched some Desperate Housewives on my laptop before going for a run around the apartment complex. I found a field, and that was a gold mine. Except for the fact that I cannot run anymore, I have no stamina for it. And I felt like dying at the end. Mostly because breathing hurt so much. After the run, I moseyed my way down to the pool and settled in with some Harry Potter. And got some wicked, hott tan lines. Which I plan on continuing to develop as the vacation progresses. Because I like tan lines, personally.

Tomorrow we are going to head up to Cleveland for Krista's wedding. Hopefully some of the OWU folk will be there too! I would also like it to continue to be low humidity, but I think it rolled back in this evening and I am going to HATE tomorrow afternoon. It's one thing for it to be hot, quite another to deal with my hair and skin with hot and wet.

I'm still going to go to New Mexico after I get back. (What? You didn't know I'm going to New Mexico? Hmm. I wonder why.) Anyways, that whole thing is either going to be somewhat complicated or really easy. It just depends on when CS has to leave Lamar and if I'm driving down with him. And what I'm taking with me. Apparently, I want to take as little as possible. I hope he understands that yarn is vital to my well being and that I am so buying that multi-colored rug from Target for the kitchen. I am the motherfucking Princess. But, God, he treats me like I am.

Ok, time to go pack before I get all gooey on you. He's fishing in the dark so no phone calls tonight.

I'd Like To Be Mindless

But SO MUCH is right in front of my face it's impossible for me to be careless and post stories about what I am doing right now. Because Right NOW, this is on my plate:

*Moving to Ohio
*Stay in Colorado
*Moving to New Mexico (what you didn't know about NM? OH ME EITHER.)
*Making statements about how I don't ask too questions in a new relationship because "I like surprises" and then finding out why he laughed so hard at me for that. BIG FUCKING SURPRISES. Ones that have mixed reviews the more people I tell.
*Packing. How I'm going to move all the stuff I have, because I have a lot and I can't decide between a Uhaul and a moving company. Any thoughts?
*New relationship man (What to call him...) moving to Lamar for the next month this morning. Where he'll be for the rest of the week. Til Sunday, actually. So much for being able to get over the shock of News and then discuss it. I only abhor serious phone calls a tad bit more than I do text messaging.
*Where am I going to work? Live? Roommate?
*What shoes am I going to wear to Krista's wedding?
*This is my last week at work. I have so much to do. And I can't stop thinking about it all.

I need 8 hours of sleep and some therapy.

So Much To Do. Too Lazy.

It's occurred to me that I'm waiting for a Golden Plan to drop from the sky and make a straight path to my future.

This makes me mad. Why should I have to choose this? Why do I have to make it all happen? It'd be so much easier if it could just happen to me and I have to go along. These choices are hard. I don't want to make them. You do it.

Oh, wait. I've been here before. I can't let you do it. I have to. And I need to decide soon. My time is running out. So like me to leave it all for the last minute.

I'm sorry. I'm bound to disappoint someone. I just hope I don't disappoint myself.