Losing Weight is for the Birds!

Trying to lose weight is bogus.  Completely bogus, if you ask  me.  Well, that's not entirely true - because if I really thought that, I wouldn't be busting my butt at the gym 6 out of 7 days a week.  Want to know what that gym time is doing for me lately?  Nada.  Well, that's not entirely true either - I've actually gained 2 pounds in the last week or so.  My workouts have increased and are probably more intense....and I gained freaking weight.  Now, I'll admit that I haven't followed the diet to a freaking "T" every day....but my eating hasn't been that atrocious either.  I mean, I passed up free food last week when my dad was in town.  He probably thought hell froze over with one of his kids passing up something free.  Beyond that - I've been running.....I ran a mile on the treadmill 4 days in a row last week - and 5 out of the 7 days.  Want to know the last time I ran a mile?  High school.  You know, back when I was skinny.  So, I'm thankful that I've reached the point that I can do it - and I am proud of that.  Really.  I mean - it's no marathon or 5k or anything like that, that my real running friends partake in....but it's a pretty big deal for me.  Those miles though....they're not making the scale go down.  Ugh.  There is actually good news to all of this....I've lost 6% body fat since the second week of September.  That's not too shabby.  I guess something is working.  But, while I won't stop what I'm doing....I'm tired of it all.  I'd like that genie in a magic lamp to work her magic and grant me a few free wishes.  I know what I'd wish for and everything.  Please?

Pajamas and a Paintbrush

So, quite some time ago I saw that my brother had posted a picture on Facebook that implied that he painted a picture.  Now, I've never known Bill to be the creative type - and he certainly doesn't just whip out a paintbrush and canvas on a regular basis (or ever, to my knowledge).  So, I did what any curious sister would do - I Facebook stalked him until I found my answer.  I found out that he and Clare went to 'Merlot and a Masterpiece,' which resulted in even more searching on my part because I'd never heard of it.  'Merlot and a Masterpiece' is this business that is in downtown Bloomington - it allows you to bring in your own wine (or other alcohol), food and provides you with what you need to replicate a painting.  The painting varies depending upon when you go - but all in all, it seems like a fun date idea.

For a few months now, I've been wanting to surprise Crissy with this date.  She loves art and painting, doesn't do enough of it, and I'm decently creative - so it seemed like something great for us to do.  The only problem?  $35 or $40 per person.  Wowza.  $70 to $80 for a date is a lot for us.  So, on Friday I decided to just tell her that I'd been thinking of it for a while - and then we began discussing the idea of just doing it at home.  I mean, we have canvases, paint, paintbrushes, easels....the whole shebang.  The next obvious part of the process then became figuring out what we would paint.  Here's the thing - I'm creative....as in, I can sew, whip up a flower arrangement, tie bows with the best of them, make one hell of a gift basket, among other things....but I don't have Crissy's level of artistic talents.  So, we needed to find something we would want - and that I was capable of.  I started doing some searching and came up with this: 

Technically, it's a lamp shade from Ikea....but we really liked the fun pattern and knew that we could easily incorporate colors we wanted.  Oh, plus - we'd already decided we wanted something that could be hung in the kitchen.  We can't paint in our house - which means our kitchen is this horrid atrocity of cream colored walls and cheap white cabinets.  Lovely, right?  Barf.  So, we needed some color.

Saturday night became 'Pajamas and a Paintbrush' at our house.  Cheesy?  Absolutely.  But, seriously - after a night out on Friday, a night in while in our pjs was right up our alley Saturday.  We decided that we wanted three paintings - so we each did one and then split the last one (me doing the leaves and Crissy doing the squiggly flower thing).  Here are our pictures:

And, here are all three together on the wall.  You'll have to excuse the really crappy lighting in our house - and the fact that they look crooked....that just must be me.

We probably liked our version of the date better, honestly.  I mean - there's no way I would have worn fleece pants out in public.

A blast from the past

Crissy and I found a picture tonight of us from the early days....probably a whole whopping 3 months into our relationship.  Man, we've changed!!!

(Ignore the weird thing going on with Crissy's eye - the picture got messed up)

A Big Gay Weekend

So, Crissy has been wanting to surprise me with a weekend away for quite some time.  She still has some location as a getaway spot for some time in the future, but for our limited budget and time - she selected an alternate location.  Crissy didn't divulge the location until it slipped Thursday night - before we left Friday morning.  I had given Crissy a hard time before that....joking that we were taking a big gay weekend getaway....except that's exactly what we ended up with.  Unbeknownst to Crissy, Andersonville is a diverse neighborhood in Chicago - and known for its lesbian community.  So, a big gay weekend is exactly what we ended up with - much to Crissy's surprise.

Crissy booked a room for us at Nina's Bed and Breakfast.  This place was wonderful - cozy, cute and on a great tree lined street.  It's possibly the first time I've stayed in Chicago and not felt like I was in Chicago.  I loved it.  As far as bed and breakfasts go, I'd totally recommend it.  First, check out how cute it is:

So, beyond it's adorable victorian facade - is it's completely updated interior.  This B & B isn't one full of frilly, lacy, floral crap - it's decorated like Crissy and I would consider decorating our own if we actually had some money to spend on furniture and nicer things.  There were fresh baked cookies left at our door Friday evening while we were at dinner, M&M's in our room when we arrived, coffee available to be made whenever we wanted, great breakfast options both days - and mimosas this morning for brunch.  I'm a big fan of the little details - and I'm pretty sure Crissy and I will gladly go back and stay again.


Friday evening was also a surprise for me - as Crissy had made reservations for dinner for us at Geja's.  Crissy gave me few details beyond the fact that I needed to be hungry and to dress up.  So, we put on our pretty dresses, heels and made a trip for dinner.  Geja's is a wonderful fondue restaurant on Armitage - with a fantastic ambiance, candles, live but subtle music, and amazing food.  Crissy and I were pretty excited - fondue was an adventure for both of us.  Neither one of us had experienced the fun of fondue before and looked forward to the several courses that awaited us.  I hate to sound like all I'm doing is reviewing things, but we loved this place.  Here are a few pics of us all dressed up for our date:

We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing and enjoying the area.  We walked up and down Clark Street, in and out of shops - and perused lots of things we can't afford.  Crissy and I found the Women and Children First bookstore - and found a slew of books we'd love to buy.  So, since we're relatively poor for the time being - we took pictures of the titles to hang onto until we can afford them.  I found a couch I'd like to buy, wine bottle pendant lamps, soy candles in wine bottle bases, a wall hanging I'd like for my office at work with a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, and about a million other things.  I came up with some gift ideas for others for Christmas.....but purchased nothing more than coffee.  Crissy, on the other hand, must have channeled me for the weekend - and bought herself a hat and a few things for her office. 

We rounded out the day with a trip to the Crate and Barrel outlet, a ridiculous search for a Quizno's, and me apparently having OCD while on a search for Dunkin Donuts Mocha Mint coffee for us to make at home.  Crissy loves peppermint mochas from Starbucks - I mean LOVES them.  So, when I saw that Dunkin Donuts was offering their 1lb bags of mocha mint for the holiday season, I thought "great, I'll get some for Crissy."  However, it ended up being this huge search.  For a week or two, I've checked every grocery store in Blo-No, the Dunkin Donuts shop (which just looks at me like I'm crazy), and ultimate a Jewel in Andersonville.  Finally, after driving out of Bolingbrook and a stop at their Dunkin Donuts, I spotted a Target across the street and suggested to Crissy that we check there.  Crissy claimed she was totally over the idea of the coffee at that point, but seriously - I was on a mission here, people.  We needed to find that stinking coffee.  And, we did - and bought 3 bags, so we won't run out for at least 3 weeks.  haha.  But, really - maybe.

Here's a pic of us from today - just before leaving Andersonville and our big gay weekend.  We may not identify as well, anything, really - but the weekend was great.  I only wish it didn't have to end... 

Books!

While checking out the other wedding website that I like to peruse at times, I stumbled upon an idea that I really had never seen before.  People are turning their wedding photos into books.  Not like an album with words - or just a bound thing with pictures....but what look like real legitimate lovely paper filled books.  I love books.  I will never be a Kindle or whatever-the-hell all the others are called, electronic reader kind of person....I want a good solid book.  And, I'm pretty picky about picture frames and albums - and all of that (which, ironically, is why I don't have very many around the house).  I mean, I knew people turned their blogs into books and stuff, but this idea - and website is delightful.  I love it!

Blurb is great.  It's affordable - and has choices.  You can choose hardcover (which I personally prefer) or more of a hard softback.  You can have your pictures take up the whole page - or have a picture with room for fun descriptions.  Seriously, we could write our own book for our wedding pics.  How fun?!?!

Happy 'B' Day, Part 2

Yesterday (November 6) was also my brother's birthday.  Happy Birthday Bill!!!  My little brother is now a whopping 26 years old.  This picture to the left is some 20 or so years old.  I couldn't seem to find a picture that was taken exactly when he was 6, so this is my best guess as to one that's close to him being 6.  My guess is this must have been a church day - the "are you kidding me?" look on his face looks about right.

Wasn't Bill a cute kid?  Doesn't it make you wonder what happened?  haha...just kidding, Billy.  :)

Happy Birthday Bill!

Happy 'B' Day Part 1

Yesterday was 'B' Day....B as in Jennifer's Bachelorette Party Day.  Crissy's sister, Jennifer, is getting married in approximately 5 weeks (December 11) - so last night was the big bachelorette party extravaganza.  Crissy and I hosted Jennifer and a few of her friends/soon-to-be-family for food, drinks, a few "toys" and a night out in Bloomington.  We managed to run into what may have been the most drunken of all guys at Six Strings, a guy who first interpreted the penis head paraphanelia as "going for an alien look," a Prince look-alike at Blueline and some cage dancing at the B.  All in all it was an interesting night - and I think all of "Jennifer's Wild Women" had fun.  I'm thankful to have been the DD - and completely and utterly sober....no hangovers for me.  :)



Crissy and Jennifer before heading out to the bars



Jennifer and Trish



The two of us - taking a break from dancing

  Happy almost wedding, Jennifer!

Pics!!!

We're finally posting a few of the pictures the lovely Ariel took of us a few weeks ago.  She was so patient - and entertained all of our ideas.  Turns out, you should probably trust your photographer with the ideas....your own might not turn out as you'd wanted.  The pictures we like the best are probably the ones that originated with Ariel.  She's just that awesome.  The one to the right, however...that's us.  I mean, literally...that's us.  Just in case you forgot whose blog this is.  But, it also encompasses the nerdiness of us - Borders, the Religion/Psychology section, us reading psychotherapy books, and making weird faces.  So, welcome to our nerdiness...but I do like the "funness" of the picture.

Here are a few of our other faves:

I like the lighting in this one.  :)

And, our favorite:

Behavior Modification Plans

 This is how you know that your job may have interfered with your real life:  When you start your own behavior modification plan.  I mean, seriously.  Ridiculousness or not - I probably really can be motivated by things like pedicures, facials and massages.  So, here I come big weight loss - I could really use some more time at Fox & Hounds (and Crissy really wants her gift card to Borders or iTunes).  I have about another 17ish pounds until the first pedicure....awesome!

I need more money...

That's the story of my life.  Check out this beautiful wedding band:

  

It pretty much encompasses everything I could possibly want.  Crissy likes it, too - that's not the problem.  The price tag is the problem.  That seems to be the resounding theme lately.....so sad.  But, just in case you have an extra $2,000 and want to buy me one (or really, let's be honest - an extra $4,000 so Crissy and I can have matching bands), here's the link:  Beautiful Wedding Band.

Can You Put a Price on Beauty?

The answer is yes, yes you can.  And, sometimes that price is significantly higher than I would assume.  For instance, this lovely bouquet:

I mean, it's GORGEOUS.  In fact, I think it's insanely stunning.  Plus, it would never die - it's silk.  That makes it even better.  But, it's price tag?  Not so much.  This lovely little bouquet is $1,200.  Not $120...but $1,200.  That's insane.  I think I'll just go back to the whole Farmer's Market hand-tied bouquet idea....

We have a winner!

So, Crissy and I had found a dress that we really liked for Kristy and Darci to wear for the wedding.  It was casual, but just formal enough to fit the wedding.  It was a lovely deep chocolate brown with a caramel trim.  I'd totally wear it.  It's a good thing I didn't have my heart so set on it...you know, like I do sometimes.  Because then I'd just be disappointed when things don't work out exactly like they've been in my head.

After an hour of the sales lady (Jana, perhaps?) thinking Crissy and I were getting married on separate days - but apparently shopping with our respective bridesmaids and selecting the same dresses (weird, right?), we came to a conclusion....The dress we'd picked, as lovely as it was, was not a winner.  It's pretty in a picture - and in person.  However, neither Darci nor Kristy were overly comfortable in it - or loved it - or whatever.  So, after multiple dresses tried, they both tried the one to the left.  Kristy actually picked it out.  It's definitely more formal than we thought we'd have...but if both of them are comfortable, like the dress, and it works with everything - then we're happy.  So, we're happy....not to mention the fact that they both seem happy with it.  In the end, we'll let them choose whether they keep it long like it is or have it altered to be shorter and more knee length.  Also, Jana (we'll call her that now - whether it's really her name or not) finally realized that while we both acknowledged we were the brides....we were actually marrying each other.  Okay, so technically it took Kristy spilling the beans after Jana referenced our wedding dayS....but still.  Though, while I think she was embarassed - there was nothing more to it than that.  So, congratulations Jana from Bobbie's Bridal - I think we'll order all wedding dresses (both of ours and the maid of honor dresses) through you!

 Here's the original dress, in case you're curious:

We should also mention that we're winners because of Kristy and Darci.  It's really that simple.  They each are pretty signficant to us - and it would be crazy to be having this wedding without them.  So, while we hope they know how much they mean to us (individually - and together), we're making our love and appreciation of them public with this.  :)  So, thank you - to both of you - for your love, support and being pretty awesome friends.  Thanks also for trying on dresses Saturday morning and being troopers!

And, not to leave out anyone else....we're pretty much winners because of every single one of our friends and family.  I'm feeling particuarly sappy lately and have been overwhelmed by my gratitude of the wonderful people in my life.  So, thanks to all of you for your love, support - and just by being you, in whatever way that is.

Compromise

Relationships are about compromise, right?  Well, Crissy and I are on it.  We're pretty good at compromising - and finding something that will make both of us happy.  Well, today's compromise did include that - but meant doing double workouts.  Crissy wanted to run the 5k route at Tipton....and I wanted to do BodyPump at the gym.  So, we did both.  The bonus is that we got cardio and weights in....the downside?  I'm exhausted at the moment.  I wish dinner would magically make itself.

In completely other and random news - check out how beautiful this is.  If we were getting married on a beach in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, to be exact), this is exactly how it should look.  It's so amazing!

Neckties

These have nothing to do with the wedding - but I think they're pretty great.  It's amazing what people can do with a whole variety of things.  I would totally wear any one of these things....

Jerkface & A Wedding Dress

Ever have one of those days where you have to apologize for being a jerkface?  I read this blog the other day ("Can I get a hug?"), which I think summed up how I feel some days.  You know, where you have the crankiest day ever, take it out on the person you love, and then have to apologize for being the biggest cranky jerkface ever.  Seriously, read the link to that one post....it saves me the time from having to write it all.  Today wasn't one of those days....but we definitely have them.

In other news, I found out today that my grandma has my mom's wedding dress.  I didn't know it existed anywhere anymore.  But, leave it to my grandma.  I don't know how she's acquired all of these things of my mom's.  For instance, my grandma used to have the china that my mom and dad had when married (I actually know how she got that) - and she then gave it to me after my mom passed away and I bought my house with the lovely built-in china cabinet.  But, in the midst of the last 30-some-odd years, my grandma still has the wedding dress my mom wore....Labor Day weekend....  I am now diving into looking at different dress options in an effort to find a way to incorporate pieces of my mom's dress.  I just remember lots of lace from the one picture I have around here somewhere.  So, I re-saw a dress that I've really liked all along and saw how the lace could be incorporated...it's just a matter of talking to someone who could make it happen.

It's funny how fated I feel Crissy and I are to be together....and how my mom has found ways to work herself into our plans.  It just makes me feel like she's more present than I probably give her credit for....and makes me wonder if Crissy and I are even more destined for each other than even I would think.