A touch of happiness = Free ice cream day!

My goodness, it has been a long time since I've posted. I've miss it (and you guys and gals)!

I've been a busy bee at work, school, and especially with wedding planning, etc. I never doubted that planning one's wedding was a stressful time, but the reality is even more ridiculous than even my vivid imagination could have dreamed up. Relative drama, in-law drama, friend one-upsmanship drama, florist drama, 'oh, you're not having a church ceremony' drama...the list grows everyday. I feel like Nell Carter - geez, just Gimme a Break already :)

There was a highlight at work today though. Free ice cream from Mr. Softee!!! I did actually want to scream when it was time to get some, but the HR Rep was down there and who needs that kind of attention.

Of course, everyone who wanted ice cream had to RSVP and pick up their numbered ticket first, but it was so worth it. It's about 2 million degrees (ok, ok 97 - but it feels like 106!) outside and taking a sweet treat break sounded just dandy to me. If only they had a free frozen margarita day (virgin's okay) tomorrow. It's supposed to feel even hotter then :( Is there an 'I hate summer weather, and feel all icky because I'm sweating too much' emoticon?

Now, back to work. Hope you're all keeping cool somehow.

Oompa loompa doompety doo...

Image found here

So, I have a page a day calendar at work. Each day, I entertain myself with the listed trivia question, post it on my door for all the interested passersby to gaze at in wonderment...or bypass completely and then, the next day, pass the question on to C so she can get her belated trivia fix.

Apparently, the one I just gave her proceeded to shatter some childhood illusions when it informed her that Willy Wonka was, in fact, never a real-life zany eccentric carefully molding delicious chocolaty treats with his wizened chocolateier hands and the help of various Oompa Loompas (they were hopefully already aware that the Oompa Loompas weren't real), but rather simply a delightful character from the mind of Roald Dahl, and subsequently the mascot for the Nestle Willy Wonka brand candies.

I, and pretty much everyone else in the office already knew this, but it was a crushing blow to them indeed :( When I say that C and P were devastated - I mean they were completely distraught over it for a couple of hours. From 9:30 to 11:30, they expressed their shock with a rather heated conversation that included such phrases as:

"But, if he's not real, then why is there Willy Wonka Chocolate? Who makes that chocolate?!";

"[Why would anyone not believe he was real] when there is such incontrovertible proof..."; and

"This is like finding out that there's no Santa Clause when you're a kid."

It was a crazy morning :)

Anyway, my man and I are taking some engagement pictures on Saturday. I wasn't nervous until last night when I realized that we're coming up on the year countdown. I can't believe that time is flying by as fast as it is. It seems like it was just Valentine's Day, and yet Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Where is the year going?

Well, back to work, and more Wonka-centric conversation :)

Hope you are all having a great Tuesday!

Man, this keyboard's dusty = I missed you guys :)

I hadn't even realized how long it's been since I posted - too long. Well, it's summer so work has been going crazy. I can't wait for the holiday season at the end of the year when things go on hiatus and I can relax a bit again.

Not much besides work and school has been going on in my life lately, though my man and I have been trying to make significant headway with our wedding planning. We aren't getting married until late next year, but why run the risk of succumbing to we-started-planning-too-late-and-are-now-freaking-out stress. Some things, like picking the venue were easy (well easier), while others, like the guest list(s), not so much. Seriously, how is it possible 1) that a person can know so many people and have so much family, and 2) that those people feel they can readily invite themselves to a wedding even if they are like a 5th cousin twice removed? People just love a party; especially when free food's involved :)

Anyway, my co-worker P and I are trying to start a small event planning business. It's still in the early stages and so, when we say that My Fair Wedding's David Tutera was having a seminar about getting started in the event planning business, we were excited to attend (using incredibly discounted tickets a la Goldstar, of course).


The even was a few blocks away from my office so we got there a bit early. It was a good thing though since the space filled up quickly.

I had my notebook and pen ready to jot down any helpful hints and anecdotes. I think the only event planning business related message that I took away from the night was 'Never undersell your confidence or expertise!' (good life lesson in cliché form) before the night turned into one big dish/gab session. It wasn't what I paid for, but it was still fun.

David told us about how he got started and what it's like working on his new show, but most of the night was taken up with Q & A. He answered everything that was asked, no matter how broad the topic, and even told us the truth about what really went down between him and Joan Rivers on The Apprentice. I would try to repeat it here, but honestly that portion of the night went in one ear and out the other as I lost complete interest in that show after the Omarosa days. It was an interesting enough event and David was very nice and (definitely) patient. Now if only he could do my wedding for me :)

So, how have you all been doing? I hope this Hump Day is treating you well - have a good one!

P.S. Has anyone seen The Expendables? If so, what did you think of it? I've heard that it is a completely over the top throwback to 80's action movies, and my man and I are excited to check it out (eventually). With promotion like this, how could anyone not be :)

Sorry for my absence but... :D

I got engaged on Valentine's Day!!!

Oh man, I am still on Cloud 9 so I've been walking around with a smile on my face and my head in the clouds whenever I'm not at work (and sometimes even when I am) :)

Oh, I'm so happy and will put up a real post soon :) I just need to calm down enough to write coherently!

Have a great night everyone!

The three-hundred-and-fourteenth and three-hundred-and-fifteenth days combined...

Today is P's birthday!!! Another co-worker of ours helped me decorate her cubicle area last night. I must say that we went overboard a bit :)


We put so many streamers, balloons and confetti in that space it was hilarious. O emptied an entire bag of confetti on P's desk. It was payback for what she did to both of our desks (and several others in the office) on our birthdays. P was an excellent sport when she saw it though; partially because it looked so awesome (did everyone hear me toot my own horn there?) but also because her spirits were already soaring from the b-day gift that her boyfriend, L, gave her (three pics down).

A few of us went to TGI Fridays for lunch. We had a severe issue with them last time, so this lunch was on the house. P told them it was her birthday, so we got this whole cake (with singing accompaniment) too!


Then there was even more cake at work - yes, that is Bradley Cooper in the frame :)

And, oh yeah, as I alluded to before...P's engaged!!! I am so happy for her and L. They ring is lovely!

P wanted a birthstone ring, and I think L did a marvelous job of picking this one out :) When she showed it to us as she came in to work, all the other departments heard was a collective shriek followed by giggling and choruses of "Let me see" and "It's so pretty" coming from our area. Congrats to her again! Now they just have to start their planning :)

On another note, I saw even more birds (on a wire) yesterday. I just watched The Birds - again - with my dad the other night, so it's freaking me out a bit :)

 

Have a wonderful night everyone! Friday's almost here :)