Turns out makeshift balloon pits in offices are ridiculous amount of fun.

Co-worker C' s birthday was this weekend so, when she was out of the office on Friday, almost everyone pitched in to leave a surprise for her to find tomorrow morning :)

It all started out as a joke with us saying 'let's decorate with a few birthday balloons'...

and ended 15 packs of balloons later! 

She is going to freak out! I don't even know how she's going to get to her desk :)

The bad thing is that she starts work about an hour and a half before me so I can already see her moving them into my office. I took the precautionary measure of telling P that if C tries to do that and she doesn't stop her, the balloons will all be in her office (with her inside) minutes after I find them. She laughed, but I was serious.

I honestly hope C doesn't get too mad, and is able to take it as the fun birthday gesture it's intended to be. We'll see tomorrow. I think I'll hear her screaming long before I even get there :)

Either way, Happy Birthday C!

I'm off to a lovely Sunday wedding for an even more lovely couple. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone :)

What's with the shoes?

If anyone was looking to play an impromptu game of detective - Whose shoe is this? Edition - you could have had a field day at the corner of 46th and Madison yesterday afternoon. These two pairs of mens shoes were lined up in such a way that it looked like the previous owners stepped out of them and kept going, or disappeared altogether. For all I know, the mystery shoes are still there, patiently waiting. I commented to P that perhaps Marty McFly simply didn't right the wrongs in those two people's pasts quick enough, but she just gave me a quirky look and didn't respond.

How she could have held a response back, I have no clue. BTTF humor is too good to be ignored :) That movie series is so great. My husband and I even had a Back to the Future table at our wedding. (So you don't think it was some random DeLorean-esque table on the dance floor, each of our guest tables was actually named after and tailored toward one of our favorite movies. I'll include the full movie list at the end, if anyone's interested.) What with the DeLorean time machine (yes, I know it's no 'bigger on the inside, multi-room, yes, it even has a swimming pool' Tardis - and yes, I do love Doctor Who too), great story, and Michael J. Fox, this movie is a classic. And it even has a crazy old Doctor who, while not as adorable as any of Dr. Who's recent regenerations, definitely marches to the beat of his own drummer.

I got off topic a bit, I think. Shoes. Yes. What is with all the abandoned shoes I'm seeing in the city? I understand seeing one sad and broken or lost shoe, but when it's one, two or three pairs placed together, neatly on the edge of the sidewalk - is that some art thing?

Anyway, back to work. This paperwork pile isn't going to stare at itself.

Have an excellent Hump Day everyone; and it's February 1st - Happy National Freedom Day!

Oh, the list :) The tables at our wedding were Jerry MaGuire, Clue, With Honors, Stardust, Jurassic Park, The 10th Kingdom (yes, I know it's a mini-series and not a movie, but it is the BEST!), Top Gun, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Bad Boys, and Back to the Future. It was amazing, and everyone got it and loved it. Simply amazing :)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...and we certainly did :)

So, my totally tubular 80's bachelorette party happened last night :) It was a blast. The ladies and I headed over to Awesome 80's Prom in Manhattan. Traveling on the train in full 80's garb was it's own brand of fun - though it was also NY Comic Con weekend so we weren't the only one roaming the city in costumes, by far. I was a bit sad to be missing Comic Con with my sweetie this year, but hanging out with my family and friends was completely worth it :)

A handful of us stopped at Murphy & Gonzalez for dinner before the show, which was delicious.

Yum!

I'd never been there - never even heard of the place - but the fajita pita (above) was amazing! Great way to start the night.

I was pleasantly surprised by the 80's Prom. I expected less interaction, and more play-type show, but the characters interacted and danced with attendees. I signed a yearbook, danced with the foreign exchange student, got a scare from the bad boy, and got a stage quite a few times. Everyone had a blast (from the past) and that made the night perfect for me :)

Enjoy the pics!

The drama teacher and principal of Wanaget High (Class of 1989)

Some madness was starting here...

and continuing here.

The principal toward the end of the night.

The cast of characters

She was something else. One she liberated her dance partner from another bachelorette party, she proceeded to dance the night away with him - until she dropped him to dance with a pillar.

There was definitely a lot of dancing fun. Just ask these two :)

Hope you all had a great weekend! Happy Monday :)

Tick Tock goes the RSVP clock

Dear lackadaisical RSVPer(s):

Why is it that people treat RSVP cards like suggestions? I mean, come on! The card is just begging to be completed and returned. I know you have a lot going on in your life, but that's why I made it nice and easy for you. All you have to do is check 'Yes' or 'No' and mail the card back! The envelope is already addressed and stamped, itching to be dropped in a mailbox. No need to travel back in time and flag down the ye'old pony express, send a smoke signal, fly across country to hand deliver it...none of that. Just drop it in the mail and the handy dandy men and women of the USPS will do the rest. Seriously!

To the non-RSVPers that I actually work with?! You see me almost every day. Every DAY! We work feet away from each other, and the 'Oh, I left it on my dresser this morning' excuse is only funny the first time...maybe the first 2...no, just the once.

The reply by date was 10/1. 10/1! It's 10/10. Now, I know today is Columbus Day and the post office is closed, so feel free to take all of today to work up the strength to pick up a pen and check the card. Take all day if need be...you're busy and picking up pens is hard :( So, eat your Wheaties, down a couple of RedBulls, man up and mail the card on Tuesday.

Thank you in advance,
A bride-to-be who needs an accurate final count

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.

Hi everyone & Happy Anniversary to my sweetie!

Image found here

Today is my 14th Anniversary with my love! It's funny to think that we'll be married later this year and then, in ten years, when people ask us how long we've been together we'll say "Well we've been married for 10, but we've been together for 24." Awesome!

Happy Anniversary to my man, my love, my fiancé! You are amazing!

To the blogoverse...how've you been? It's been awhile since my last post - work and school have been beasts. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and New Year :) I hope to get back into posting. We'll see how my time-management skills stake up this semester.

Have a wonderful night (and fantastic day) everyone!

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 :)

It's another lovely day in the neighborhood

It's nice and sunny outside without being too hot - exactly the type of weather I like :)

P and I went to the Great Bridal Expo last night. My groom-to-be had to work but P's fiancé, L, came along. It was fun - I entered a few contests, enjoyed some cake, and collected dozens of flyers, business cards and magazines. We only stayed for an hour or so since the event space was too hot and crowded. It was nice to talk to other brides and get some ideas though.

So, any fun plans for the rest of the weekend?

Have a wonderful day everyone!

The forty-eighth day...

On the train ride home, I saw this David's Bridal bag and had to take a quick picture :)

I'm not sure if the bag belonged to the first or second lady; and while I'm reasonably sure that it contained a prom dress and not a wedding dress (it is prom season, after all), I chose to imagine it housing a beautiful and luxurious wedding dress. Thanks to no less than three friends/co-workers discussing their upcoming weddings - and the lists upon lists of details that they have yet to take care of - I've got wedding on the brain. I kind of like it :) I also just sent my man a mental signal to calm down - just in case. I swear sometimes I feel like he can just feel when I even think the word wedding :)

Have a great night everyone!