Day 30 of 365: Stupid Girl (Strikes Again!)

This sign was made by the same woman that made the "Payrole" sign in a previous post.

*sighs and shakes head*

Will she EVER learn?

Day 29 of 365: I Can't Stand Losing You

Today was a typical day. Ran around work all day because my co-workers are lazy, and I'm seeing more and more that my boss is lazy and doesn't know how to function on his own unless he has someone else walking him through things, holding his hand. How did he even get to where he is?

Anywho...so my pictures of the day.

When I was in London for John Lennon's birthday last year, Ian and I passed this little Beatles shop near the tube station. I had wanted a wallet or SOMETHING new of The Beatles for quite some time. So, I bought this one:

Now, it has been in the bag ever since until this evening. I transferred all my stuff over from my old wallet, and I didn't like it! lol The wallet didn't close all the way, and it didn't fit in the little holder in the Beatles purse Ian got me for Christmas two years ago.

So, I switched back to my old one, which I've had since I was 16.

I just can't give that wallet up. I'm spoiled now.

O.k...back to watching The Real World.

Day 28 of 365: Then I Will Say 'I Do'....

I'm cheating yet AGAIN today...lol. I didn't take these photos, BUT I DID edit them a little bit on Picnik, so does that count? And besides, the only thing eventful that happened today was 8" of snow fell, and I'm tired of posting pictures of the snow.

Sooo....since Ian ordered our rings yesterday (he's going to pick them up within the week as well!), I figured I'd post them here since, well, I'm rather fond of them already...

Day 27 of 365: Takin' Care of Business

What a day, what a day. I must say though, I got a lot accomplished.

So, woke up, put together a bunch of wedding invites to mail out. Finished getting together Ian's Valentine's Day package. Got my socks together (FINALLY) for the UKY sock exchange. Called the courthouse and confirmed the wedding date. Then I ate real fast, went to the post office, then went to Pat Catan's and looked at center piece options. (Btw...what do you think of this candle holder? I rather like it!)

Then I went to Vitorrio's to finalize the dinner menu, go over the budget, set up of the room, etc. It was awesome. And I took a picture of the room, but Lisa (one of the owners and woman I've been working with on this) didn't turn the lights on. Oh well.

So yeah...not much left now in regards to planning for the wedding stuff. Just gotta get center pieces and favors together over the next month or so. Oh yeah, and figure out seating arrangements and probably make place cards for our guests then.

Oh, and Ian ordered our rings today. YAY!

I feel bad though because whenever I talk to Ian it's all "wedding this, wedding that." Atleast today he FINALLY got to fill me in on what's been happening at work. Once everything is planned out though and whatnot conversations will go back to normal.

And I bubble wraped and packed all of my Christmas ornaments (FINALLY) that I want to take with me tonight. So now that's TWO boxes packed.

Now it's time for bed because I'm absolutely knackered.

Day 26 of 365: So, fee-fi-fo-fum. Look out baby, 'cause here I come.

There it is, ladies and gentlemen! My first box packed up for my move to England. Mind you, I could put a few more things in there (gotta get the most for my money, ya know), but atleast I've got one packed up.

Annnndd...it's the most important of all the boxes: it contains my CDs. ESPECIALLY my Beatles CDs, DVDs, and VHS (yes, I still have a few VHS. HELLO! I can't find a good quality copy of Magical Mystery Tour on DVD, so I've kept the VHS all these years). Plus, it contains my bootleg copy of Let It Be...and my VHS copy of How I Won the War (the film John made in 1967). My solo CDs, Julian and Sean Lennon CDs, rare stuff, the works. My whole personality/life is in that box.

Before I began listening to The Beatles, I was this shy, dorky kid. Once I discovered them and the magic of John Lennon, I came alive. There is NO WAY I will leave any of this behind. Even my delux version of Help! that Ian bought me last year is going with me (and I can only watch them on my laptop for awhile over there).

So, slowly but surely the packing will get done. I did decide on getting rid of a bunch of my CDs *pats self on back*, only keeping the ones more important to me.

I'm sure over the next few weeks you'll see more photos of boxes and whatnot. But this is a step towards my future.

Oh, and one of these nights I'm going to smuggle Ashes into a box and just ship him over. He'll survive, won't he?

Day 25 of 365: I like to rhyme, I like my beats funky, I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy.

No photo today. I spent the entire day in bed catching up with Ian, going over wedding things, and catching up with my Peas.

Sooooo.....my friend Jantina and I were discussing The Humpty Dance (hence the title)...and here's a Picnik edit of a photo of Ian and I.

I'm going to bed UBER early since I have to work tomorrow. Thought my cold was better (which my head is), but I had a bit of a fever earlier and now my throat hurts. So must reload the humidifier and crawl under the covers.

Day 24 of 365: Stay in Bed...Float Up Stream

Whelp.....see that above? That's where I've spent the entire day today.

I woke up this morning feeling absolutely AWFUL. I hate colds. And I'm a HUGE baby when I'm sick.

All I've done today is lay around, watch Sex and the City, and browse the same 5 websites over and over again...lol. I exchanged a few emails with Ian (who said "Be a big girl and get some sleep today....we'll catch up tomorrow"), ate some soup and a few oranges, took a load of those pills I bought yesterday, and went through a whole box of Kleenex. Yipes!

About an hour ago I finally decided it was time to take a shower, which helped a little.

So I've snuggled with Beefeater Bear, whom I got from Ian's friend Jen for my birthday this past year:

And now I've got the humidifyer going:

I think I MAY get up though and get something to eat, because I've finally REALLY got an appetite.

OH! And I think Ian and I can breathe a bit easier.....we've been concerned about money issues and whatnot for the wedding dinner, and the visa, etc. Well, my Dad stopped home to visit for a few hours, and I spoke with him....soo....what was uncertain before is now certain. So we have less to worry about *phew*

Alright, going to go grab a bite and finish up Season 6 of SATC. I LOVE those women. Either my DVDs are coming with me (since I own the whole season) or I'm going to have to get new ones when I get to England. Maybe I'll look around on Amazon this evening if I can get the season for a decent price.

Day 23 of 365: I Can Feel It Comin' In the Air Tonight

I KNEW it would happen. With "Pig Pen" running around work hacking her head off and not having any common sense to cover her mouth OR wash her hands, I got a cold.

I felt it coming on when I got home from work last night, then when I woke up this morning it was bearable. But by the end of the day, I felt zonked.

Not knowing WHAT to do about meds, my boss Steve told me there was atleast one product out on the market that's o.k. for people with high blood pressure. Believe it or not, it's not bad. Although, it makes me VERY sleepy....so the photo being fuzzy is perfect for what I'm seeing.

Hopefully it won't last too long...I have so much I want to do (like, start packing my stuff I want to take when I move). And I'm supposed to go see "My Bloody Valentine" with my friend Stephanie tomorrow. Haven't seen her in a few weeks too.

Oh well....to sleep I shall go.

Day 22 of 365: As Soon as You're Born They Make You Feel Small

So....after a week or so of weight gain then loss, I've officially hit the 15 lb loss mark. Woot!

I had no choice but to go to Target tonight and buy atleast one new pair of pants. The ones I've been wearing are WAY too big. Especially the size 18's. I fit into a 14 tonight and bought them. YAY! Now I'm REALLY worried about having to take my dress in too much...because I'm sure I'll keep losing weight.

We shall see!

Oh...and I FINALLY bought my socks for the UKY socks exchange. Will be sending them out on Saturday (so incase the person I'm supposed to send them to asks you about them, Meg. Which, btw...Happy Birthday! :) ).

Day 21 of 365: Feed Your Head

Went to David's Bridal for the last time for a few weeks tonight to pick up my comb.

Now, I've got everything needed for the wedding (well, except my shoes and possibly maybe a bracelet).

Have my fitting on March 5th. Hopefully they won't have to take my dress in TOO much to the point where they go "You should've ordered the next size down.." Eeps!

Day 20 of 365: The Times They Are a Changin'

Happy Inauguration Day, everyone! I must say, that after almost a decade, it feels good to be an American once again.

By now the nation's 44th President has held his post for 2.5 hours.

I was fortunate enough to have today off, and was able to watch the ceremony from the comfort of my own living room. And boy, I'm glad I wasn't at work because it was very VERY emotional for me. I couldn't stop crying.

Maybe it was because I felt like FINALLY, my voice has been heard? Maybe it's because a weight has been lifted off of many peoples' shoulders because now Bush is out of office? Maybe it was seeing history being made?

But I rejoiced, screamed, and clapped as I watched the ceremony.

Our new VP being sworn in:

Our new President being sworn in:

And I might get a hat like Aretha's....what do you think?

At any rate....here's to the future because we're done with the past! And here's to hope, change, and happiness!

Day 19 of 365: Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

It's Activities Professionals Week across the nation (possibly the world). This is a week where people that work in activities in nursing and assisted living homes are honored for the work that they do.

Most of the time we get little gifts (like a lunch bag, or a coffee mug, or a pen), but this year we get nothing because the new administrator never responded to my boss' email in regards to gifts.

So, we got a message on a dry erase board in our tiny TINY office.

Although, it feels as if the company could give a damn about us, the joy that we bring to the residents is a tremendous reward. So I don't do it for the lunch bag, or the pen, or anything....I do it for those that I make a difference to.

Day 18 of 365: Sunday Bloody Sunday

So, as it was Sunday, it was a boring day. I took lots of photos.

It snowed again today......no surprise, eh? This was the view from the activity room/office.

Then I was bored...but hadn't noticed in awhile how big the sucker fish got in the tank across from the activity room!

Eventually I couldn't stop looking at the clock....

....because I picked up my wedding dress after work! And yes, that's my tiny Union Jack hanging there. And yes, I'm obsessed with The Beatles..lol.

Day 17 of 365: Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry

Met with my Mom after work this evening and she and I put together the wedding invitations.

Since Ian and I are focusing more on the dinner we're having the weekend after we get married (the courthouse we're getting married at only does ceremonies on Mondays), I decided to make the larger invite the one for the dinner. Then the smaller (what's supposed to be the RSVP cards) was made into the ceremony cards for the courthouse.

They came out really sweet....and we went with the title of "English Boy Meets American Girl" love story, since reading is our thing. And they're actually white, but since I'm still learning some of the settings on my camera, the flash made them TOO bright, so these were taken without the flash.

They turned out UBER cute. And going to mail/hand them out this coming week. One task down, only a few more to go!

Day 16 of 365: Anywhere You Go, Always Take The Weather

Look......

...more snow.

Who would've thunk it?! (I'm getting tired of it, by the way.)

Today was FREEZING! When I woke up, it was -8F. I got to work, and it was -7F. And it was freezing ALL day. Is this ever going to end?!

Day 15 of 365: Baby You Can Drive My Car

Took this while waiting at a red light near the fire station. Too cold for my blood!

Day 14 of 365: What a Day for a Daydream..

So I'm watching The Love Guru, which is supposed to be horribly stupid, but the photo above was quite a shock! My boys made an "appearance" in the film.

Now, for some odd reason, I wanted to take loads of photos....I guess it'll be to make up for times where I feel very uninspired?

Well....here's my day in a nutshell:

Morons work for the same company as me..

The roads were horrible.....

....and this is what I look like when I drive in the snow...

Day 13 of 365: All You Need Is (g)Love(s)

Another day, another dime...and another batch of snow!

It came down HARD all day today. A few points it was a complete white out.

I managed to get over to World Market after work though to look for some British candy for our wedding favors. We're doing the whole American/England theme with red, white, and blue...and our favors are going to be a mix of American candy and English candy. I found one kind of candy Ian suggested, but lookie what I got as well!

Oohhhh brown sauce, how I love and missed you so! Was going to make some eggs and have some tonight, but a craving for something sweet hit me instead. Although, when I found the brown sauce, I also saw fruity sauce..so I might have to get that next time. WOOT!

Day 12 of 365: I tried to telephone, they said you were not home....

So after getting out of work, I went to David's Bridal to pick up my veil. YAY!

Buuutt....once I got home, we had a notice from AT&T saying that our internet was hooked up. Noooootttt 100% though as I found out.

Sooooo...I spent a good hour and a half on the phone with Earthlink tech support getting everything up and running again.

Oye.

Thank goodness I don't have to call them anymore. I called them every day, for the past 5 days.

Day 11 of 365: I get by with a little help from my friends...

This here is some of the inside of my car. Took this photo while I was waiting for my friend Stephanie to meet me at Chipotle. The dashboard monk I bought in NYC with Steph, and the monkey I got from my best friend, Jessie, when I had my breast reduction surgery about 7.5 years ago.

Steph and I had a lovely catch up dinner. She asked me MILLIONS of questions (as usual), and she was mad that when I was going through my rough few months after getting back from England I didn't call her, but she understood.

And she got me lots of yummy chocolates for Christmas...which I MUST eat in moderation.

Day 10 of 365: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

Told ya it was going to get worse!

This photo was taken after I shoveled the driveway a second time. My back is a bit sore, but I got it done. Annndd...it was easier than last year shoveling. Last year I was a bit more overweight and I was smoking at the time.

We're still supposed to get more snow though tonight and tomorrow. Don't want another even like last year though, so I HAD to shovel even though I didn't drive anywhere...although I did go out.

My Mom swung by and picked me up. We crawled to the craft store and bought the wedding invites. YAY! So we'll be working on those next weekend, along with probably picking up the things for favors.

And, after shoveling, I decided to make this:

I know, I cheated...but Ian and I had a lovey dovey conversation in the morning so I felt inspired to do this.

Stay warm, everyone! I'm gonna make me some soup!

Day 9 of 365: Little Things

No no no, this isn't some weird photo of my engagement ring (although, I am rather fond of it..tee hee). This is something bigger...well, smaller, actually.

The weird, pastel pattern knot inbetween my shirt and pants is a silky scarf. I, unfortunately, am allergic to nickel, which can be found in most belt buckles. So, I can't wear belts. Hence the scarf.

Well, today I finally really realised that I'm losing weight. How much, you may ask? I'm one pound shy of having lost a whole stone (that's 14 pounds for you folks that don't know what a stone is, although, I think all of my blog readers do...lol). And that's only been since the middle of November. I'm not trying, really....just had choice but to change my diet due to my high blood pressure and cholesterol. Plus my Dr. put me on water pills since I'm on OTHER pills that automaticly make me retain water. So, I'm doing pretty well.

But those pants, I can pull completely off without unbuttoning or unzipping them. Woot!

And unfortunately, when you're losing weight AND trying to save money all at the same time, it becomes tough when wanting to buy new clothes. So I'm holding off a bit.

I figure, if things keep going the way they are, I'll lose 1-2 pounds a week. Not shabby.

Just thought I'd share this moment, because it's actually a big one for me. I haven't been the weight I am now in YEARS. *pats self on back*

Oh, and I'm a few days shy of marking my 2 months of no smoking AND yesterday was my 2 year anniversary at work. Can't believe I've been there that long....seems like longer. :p

Day 8 of 365: Baby It's Cold Outside

Living in NE Ohio, we get snow. This photo shows what I woke up to this morning, and it's only going to get worse over this weekend.

Break out the sled dogs, people!

Day 7 of 365: Hungry Like the Wolf

I got home from work and I was famished. Plus I thought Oh goodie! Our actual internet connection is due to be up and running today. And Ian might be online!

Well....net isn't working, and Ian "couldn't stay up long enough to wait" for me and he was "zonked."

Tonight I turn to mac & cheese. My comfort food is cheese. I've been eating it a lot lately, even though I'm not supposed to because of my high cholesterol. But when you're in an LDR and getting frustrated, sometimes comfort food is all you've got.

As I sit and nibble on my bowl of love and warmth, I remember the first 6 months Ian and I were together. I suppose we were in the "honeymoon" phase. We would talk every night, spend hours upon hours on the weekends talking about anything and everything. After he left from America, work picked up for him for the summer, so we would take two nights off a week. Now, goodness....between him being ill, and not being able to stay awake all the time, and my internet not working properly, I'm lucky if I get to talk to him twice a week. *sighs*

But honestly, I miss the old days when we'd talk every night. Yeah, it got hard sometimes because I felt I was missing my life, but now that I know my life is going to be spent with him, all I want to do is speak with him. I know, I know, I may be crazy and I need to live life more (which I'm going to try and do as much as I can over the next few months)....but he doesn't really make the effort anywhere like he used to. Yeah he sent me roses on Christmas Eve, but they're just flowers to me. I cried because I would've much rather had him then flowers once again. He used to leave me cute little comments on MySpace....he doesn't do that anymore. And we've had conversations where he thinks that I think he doesn't care anymore, which isn't true. But our relationship isn't the same.

The honeymoon period is over. *sighs*

And he always tells me I need to focus on what we DO have, rather than what we DON'T have, but I can't help it. I'm a woman! I do that sort of thing!

Maybe I'm just being selfish?

I think I'll finish my bowl and then maybe crawl into bed early and watch Sex and the City. Oooorrrrr I'll call my ISP and deal with all the outsourced workers on the phone.

Day 6 of 365: I'm Only Sleeping

This, folks, is the other love of my life. My beautiful, fat cat named Ashes. He was laying on the couch today sleeping, and he just looked so adorable.

With moving in a few months, the idea of leaving my fatty behind is killing me. If we can afford it, Ian and I are going to move Ashes as well. But he, unfortunately, is the last of our worries at the moment.

I got Ashes about 7.5 years ago while living in Akron and going to college. He was a stray that was wandering around the area, and one day I was walking home from class and he was in the front yard. We weren't allowed to have animals in the house, so I thought "no way" but the moment I saw him, I fell in love.

One night my roomies and I were all sitting in our living room, when we heard Ashes meowing at our front door. It was November, and quite cold out that night. So I fed him a can of tuna, left the door open, he came in the house and hasn't left my side since. He's moved several times with me, my best friend dressed him up in stickers and glitter one year for my birthday, he almost died from being ill, and he's always been there to comfort me. I would LOOOOVVEEEE to have him in England, but I just don't know yet.

We'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.

THIS JUST IN!!!

Zach Braff with a beard is HOT! Thank goodness Scrubs is back tonight...I've missed the show AND I need something to occupy my evenings again.

Day 5 of 365: What's New Pussy Cat?

Isn't this little guy cute? I ordered some Chinese food from the local Hunan place after work this evening, and he was sitting on the front counter. Unfortunately, you can't see how his arm that's up swings. I thought that was the cutest bit. Food, btw, was really good.

And might I just say, thank GOD I have tomorrow off. I need a day off.

Only two more days of ghetto internet, which is good, since it messed up this evening. Ian thought I was ignoring him, and he stormed offline, even though I didn't get his messages (is it possible to storm offline though? I mean, if you're just typing to each other...storming isn't really possible). I only knew he was upset because of his MySpace status. *rolling my eyes* Men sometimes. Especially British men. *shaking my head* So, texted him, reminded him that I have an illegal internet connection at the moment and it isn't good, and he seemed to calm down a bit. And he tells ME I make mountains out of molehills. He's as bad as a woman sometimes.

Hope that Chinese food is still good tomorrow.....

Day 4 of 365: I'm So Tired

I worked today, which it was quite possibly the most boring day I've experienced in the two years that I've been there. Although, the morning was a bit rough because a resident passed away.

We had a married couple that lived on the unit I work. The husband was very ill. The wife was still very active and with it. It was her personal duty to help take care of him. She said she knew something wasn't right last night, and sat up all night watching her husband. He slept....she watched. When they went to get him out of bed this morning, he wasn't breathing. She felt his chest. No movement. She knew he was gone.

I went in and was delivering a piece of mail to her shortly after getting to work, and she was on her bed not looking too good. She told me the news, and I immediately had to sit down. We sat, talked, and cried together. I had made myself numb to death at work for quite some time, but this situation just hit me way too hard.

With the wedding fast approaching, my life flashed to the future. I kept thinking Oh my God, one day I'm going to be in Mrs. W's shoes with Ian. The thought of ever losing Ian, and the hurt for Mrs. W made the tears just pour out.

Now, I'm completely worn out, hence the photo for the evening. It's where I'm hanging out all night, with my laptop, just putzing on the net and watching Ruby on the Style network. I'll probably fall asleep in like, 10 minutes.

Day 3 of 365: Working Class Hero

This is the building I work in. This is where I spend 42.5 hours of my life a week. The place is MUCH larger than this.....this photo just shows the nursing home.

And yes, for those of you that don't know, I work in a nursing home. I'm an activities assistant, a.k.a. "the activities bitch" because I'm skooted here, there, and everywhere half the time. But, I DO get enjoyment out of my job. Working with Alzheimer's and dementia patients is quite different. But despite it being a different sort of job, I see the same people every day, and I do the same things every day. Life right now is boring. I'm ready for a change (although, I'd like to work in a nursing home in England once Ian and I get moved and settled).

There are some good stories though with my residents. Like, for example, yesterday a woman said "Take your pants off and get on with it," to me....which was quite funny at the time. I have those you have to be there to understand moments every day.

But, it is tiring; pushing wheelchairs everywhere, lifting old people that are, unfortunately, dead weight, and dealing with the emotional part of the job is stressful. THIS building is why I'm so tired all the time.

Day 2 of 365: I'll Be Missin' You

If you have any sort of taste, and you're from America, then you KNOW this bag.

I did a bunch of running around this evening after work (which, btw....almost made me lose my top. Work, not the errands.) and decided since I haven't done proper grocery shopping in awhile, and I hadn't had a burrito in a while either, I'd swing by Chipotle.

And I've come to realise, that I am going to flippin' MISS Chipotle. There may or may not be an equivalent in England, and maybe my tastes will change from yummy Mexican food to a cocanut curry and Indian food.....but really, I will miss Chipotle. lol

Never in my life have I had a burrito as delicious as Chipotle's. And the place holds a special spot in my heart too. When Ian came to visit back in May, we went to Chipotle so he could have his first burrito ever. I took photos of him eating (because I'm weird like that), and I had some chilli water on my finger from my burrito. Well, I thought I had gotten it all off my finger, and I rubbed my eye. Needless to say, my eye burned and watered for about a half hour. Ian likes to tell the story that I stuck the WHOLE burrito in my eye, but that's not the truth.

So, from now until I move I'm going to try and have Chipotle once a month..maybe even more. Gotta get it all in, ya know. :)

Day 1 of 365: Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New!

Happy 2009, everyone!

So I'm going and joining the crowd. Since 2009 is going to be a BIG year for me, I decided that I didn't want to take one day for granted and try and remember each day.

Why is this year big for me, you ask? Well, in March I will be marrying my soulmate, who lives roughly 3,650 miles away from me. After the wedding, I shall be traveling to live in his country of jolly ol' England. Yay! :)

Since lots of people suggest not missing a thing, and these sort of blogs are all the rage nowadays, I figured Why the heck not?!

Not a whole lot happened today though. Spent the evening of NYE after work chatting with Ian. My internet/phone service is all messed up, so I've been getting some random wireless connection from the neighborhood, which, in return, is too weak to use a web cam (which, is KILLING me not being able to see Ian). Then after ringing in the English New Year, I went to my best friend's place and rung in the year with her, her hubby, and their son (who went to bed at 10pm....like I wanted to do). Spent the night and morning there, then came home and slept.

I'm just glad 2009 is here. Ever since I got back from England this past October, it's like my life is JUST about to begin, but it isn't quite happening just yet. If that makes sense.

Anywho, going to dash. Want to atleast chat with Ian for a bit.