Heather and Eric's Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

Yes! I am the first of my blogging friends to jump on the documentation of our fabulous weekend in which we partook in the sacred tradition, of seeing our friends off on their last days as single beings. Saturday, was Heather and Erics bachelor/bachelorette party, something many of us (including the couple) have been waiting for 8 years!

I had never been to a joint stag party before and I was curious to find out just how something like that would come together. But take out the clich strippers, take out the cheesy party games, and your left with a group friends just out to have a good time, and celebrate true love. It was a great evening!

We started off with dinner at Houlihans in Lake Geneva. I was a little sad that our entire wasnt able to sit together, but we made it work none-the-less with our two tables. We all sat side by side our couples (minus oneMINE) and chatted amongst ourselves over martinis, beer, and a tequila shot for Eric. Oh, and two BIG ASS Sunset Martinis for Eric and I, and Greta and Wendell. At around 10:00 we were all full and ready to begin the evening. Our first stopChamps.

The couple of honor wanted to go out dancing, but at 10:00 there wasnt going to be too much happening, so Champs seemed the perfect place to get our drink on for a bit, while waiting for the crowd at Hogs and Kisses to arrive. We had a few more drinks, and laughed as Amanda told off a very rude man for staring at my ass. You can always count on her to speak up thats for sure! Greta met a nice fella who proceeded to buy the entire party drinks and after a round of free drinks, we were ready for some dancing at Hogs.

Hogs was packed, as it usually is on a Saturday night, but we had no problems squeezing our way through the people and on to the dance floor. The music was a bit old school and I was disappointed that the DJ didnt know many of the songs we were requesting, but with good company you can dance the night away to pretty much anything. So it all worked out.

Our last stop in our bachelor/bachelorette tour of Lake Geneva was Carvettis and overly packed bar already at capacity by the time we arrived. It took some convincing on our part but we finally convinced the bouncer to let us in, with the stipulation that we went right to the outside patio. He heard no complaints from me. We pushed our way through the crowd of people, and planted ourselves at a table outside. Ahhh, a chance to relax and talk. It was probably a good thing that we never ended up making our way back out to the dance floor because after sitting for a bit and talking, the majority of us realized just how tired we were and so within an hour, we had all gone our respective ways and the fun of the bachelor/bachlorette party was a growing memory.

But the fun is not over, and its truly just beginning. In two weeks we will all reconvene, this time to celebrate the official union of these two high school sweethearts. On May 5th, Heather Cawley and Eric Whitten will become Mr. and Mrs. Whitten and well all be there to witness and celebrate it. I cant wait.

I apologize for the lack of pictures, but Blogger has been giving me nothing but grief all day long. For whatever reason, it won't let me post!!! So, if you want to see the pictures from the evening...

FOR PICTURES OF THE NIGHT, CLICK HERE

Easter 2006

Another great weekend in the good old B-Town.

Katie was in town again this weekend for Easter, so the two of us headed out for another evening out in B-Town. John’s Main Event is becoming a major favorite of ours, especially considering my drink hookup there on Saturday nights =) We chatted amongst ourselves for the first hour and soon found ourselves immersed in a game of bar dice with a few high school classmates. I refused to play dice for money, and instead insisted on playing for shots. You can imagine the shape I was in after about 12 rounds of dice. Word of advice: DO NOT PLAY DICE FOR SHOTS. TAKE THE MONEY WHEN YOU CAN =)

The people of the bar began to filter out and head to the Blue Carpet, but Katie and I hung back a bit to listen to the songs she played on the Juke Box and chat a bit more with Steve. Around 1:30 we made our way to the Blue Carpet for a bit of dancing and by 2:00 I was far from done and needed to go home and sleep.

Sunday I awoke with quite the hangover but I tried to put on the best face I could for my mom’s family as they started to arrive around 12:00 for our Easter get together. It was a failed attempt though, and I ended up spending most of the day on the couch with my little cousins, watching movies. Once Madagascar was put in though, the rest of my mom’s family piled into the living room and we all curled up for the next hour and a half. It was a nice little bonding session over a ton of laughs. It’s a great movie!

Around 3:00 my aunt tried to motivate me, and so we took a trip to Adrian’s to treat the fam to a few quarts of their tasty custard. It was a great little outing and put my stomach over the edge. I was stuffed for the rest of the night. Between the ham and the potatoes, and the deserts, the custard…I was stuffed! I left my parents house around 7:00 and went right home to bed. I was exhausted and full =) The perfect way to sleep he he.

Motorcycles, my new calling

Motorcycling. You either love it, or you hate. You don’t meet many people that have luke warm feelings towards the cycling phenomenon of the world. Sure there are those that don’t really think twice about it…but those are the ones that have never been on a motorcycle =) I personally am in love with them, and I hope someday to buy my own…seriously.

I’ve always loved driving and even more so than driving is the open road that has attracted me out on so many nights. The feeling of the Cabby top down, the wind in my hair, and open sky above me is one of the most unbelievable feelings a person can experience. The freedom, the view, the way that the world looks through an open window; it’s something I look forward to every season. Multiply that feeling times 100 and you have the sensation of a motorcycle. Of course I would love it.

The weather hit a record high of 80 degrees for the year, and you can imagine the cabin fever I was feeling as I watched everyone outside, enjoying the day, while I was stuck inside. Finally an angel arrived at our front door. It was my uncle, clad in his Harley attire, ready to take me for a ride. I willingly hopped on the back of his motorcycle and for the next half hour I was taken away to a place far away from the bride’s problems, far away from the bridesmaid’s demands, and far away from the overpriced charges of the seamstress world. I was on the open road and I loved every second of it.

The world looks so different on a motorcycle. Colors seem brighter, the air seems cleaner, even the smell of cow manure takes on a new sort of “earthy” scent. Every ounce, of everything I encounter when I’m on the back of the motorcycle is one more thing for me to smile about. I just love it all.

I was sad to see the ride end, but I’m looking forward to finishing up this post, throwing the Cabby top down, and cruising my way into Milwaukee to enjoy the rest of the fabulous spring day. I look forward to the day when my skinny, girly ass will be behind my own hog. Until then, my purple rag top will do just fine.

Pure Perfection!

*Cheers* to perfect weekends. It was a mixture of old friends, great love, and beautiful spring days…the perfect combination to any perfect weekend.

My weekend began on Saturday with an extremely busy bridal salon. Wedding season is in full bloom and the brides were out and shopping! Adding to the hustle of the salon, were the procrastinating prom girls, out to get a look at the last of the season’s dresses before they disappear for good. 8 hours later the store was finally quiet again, and I was on my way out the door to meet up with a good friend for drinks.

I hadn’t been to Katie D’s house in YEARS, probably since High School, so it was nice to reminisce a bit around the house I called my second home for so many years. I chatted with her dad for a bit, commented on how old her little sister had gotten (seriously last time I saw her she was like 10...now she's 15 and dating!!!!), and then headed out with my bubbly blonde friend for some drinks in good old Lake Geneva.

We started things out at Champs, ended up meeting up with Dave, and then the three of us headed over to Cavarellis (I may be WAY off in that bar name) for a few more drinks and a shot. As the night wore on though, the music intensified and we decided to leave in search of a more chill avenue (this was definitely not a night out for dancing…we had catching up to do!). We ended up back in Burlington, at John’s Main Event, where we met up with my mom and some old High School classmates that we hadn’t seen in many years as well. Katie and Dave played pool, I played darts and chatted, and before I knew it, it was 2:00 and I had to get going. I hugged Katie goodbye in the middle of the street and we planned for our next outing. Dancing next weekend anyone? =)

I drove back to Milwaukee after leaving the bar and curled up next to Tara, thrilled that I had the entire day off on Sunday to just laze around, and spend with her.

We awoke around 9:00, made some coffee, and hung around the apartment for a few hours before finally showering and getting a move on to enjoy the gorgeous spring day that lay ahead of us! I took her to the sporting goods shop on Capital Drive so she could pick out a bat and some softball equipment for the upcoming softball season. For Christmas I had purchased her a gift certificate so she could FINALLY buy a nice bat for herself, and she left satisfied with her brand new DeMarini F2 bat. I know nothing about bats, but it sure is pretty =)

Already in a shopping mood, we decided to head over to Wheel and Sprocket to check out their bike sale, and pick out a pair for us to enjoy this summer (she insists on buying me one for my birthday). We know nothing about biking and were overwhelmed with the choices! Mountain Bikes, Hybrid bikes, racing bikes, tall bikes, short bikes, girl bikes, boy bikes…what happened to the days of pink standard bikes with pom poms on the handles!!

We hung around for an hour and half attempting to figure out, on our own, which bike would fit out needs. We tried unsuccessfully to attract the attention of a sales associate to help us with our questions and we laughed at the “May I help you” options we came up with. I finally just started to ring the little bell attached to one of the bikes I had parked myself on and I think it helped because a few minutes later we finally had a sales associate to answer our questions. 2 hours in Wheel and Sprocket and all we were able to find out is that we need a Hybrid bike, size 18 (for me) and 17.5 (for her). I guess we’re one step closer to buying a bike though! Yay!

The rest of the day we just spent running errands: Target for birthday presents for her neice and nephew, Barnes and Nobles for more birthday presents, and finally Pick ‘n Save for some food so we could grill out. There is no more perfect end to a perfect day than hamburgers and corn on the cobb on the grill! I love Sundays.

Sometimes, I wonder if things will ever change.

And then I explain to him how naive we were, that the world did know and remained silent. And that is why I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe.
- Elie Wiesel, Night.

On Tuesday, that place was the center of my universe.

I'm not naive to the cruelty of the world. Granted it is true that I live in a sort of bubble, sheltered from the negative effects of the outside world. But the bubble is clear, and I can see it, and ultimately, it affects me. I'd also just like to say that I in no way am comparing the cruelty that I witness throughout my days, to the tragedy that Elie Wiesel experienced during his time at Auschwitz. I am merely making a connection between his words, and their relevance...even today.

When I was 17, I laid witness to a number of my fellow high school classmates, chucking plastic footballs at the head of an openly gay student, as he paraded across the football field during our Homecoming game. He never hung his head, he never lost his smile, and I felt embarrased to call some of these young boys my friends. I think that day I started to hate high school just a little bit.

On Tuesday, on my walk to Walgreens, I was blasted back to the past as I watched a man cross the street in fromt of me, being ridiculed by a couple of young men standing outside a local Brady Street bar.

But this man hung his head, ashamed of who he was in the eyes of these men.

He was a crossdresser.

As this man crossed in front of me I tried to give him a reassuring "You're not a freak" smile, and I hope that because of it he went home knowing that not everyone out there is that cruel or judgemental. But I know that a smile sometimes is not enough, and in my silence, I allowed those men to continue living their cruel lives and gave them the opportunity to do it yet again to another innocent human being.

In my silence I cried. Cried for the humility of the man in front of me, cried for the cruelty that exists in the world today, and cried for the shame I felt as I silently walked into Walgreens, not saying a single word to anyone.

The Best Things In Life Are Free

And here are just a few:

Bubblewrap
The first warm day of the year
Laminating anything
Watching old people purchasing cell phones
The feeling you get from wearing an AMAZING pair of heels
A drive with the Cabby top down
Best friends
Crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon
A smile in the middle of a fight
Tears of pure love and happiness
Watching your life long friends, marry their life long loves.
The smell of plastic
Dancing all night long
Laughing until you cry
Petting a puppy
The sound a big city makes
A baby’s laugh
Candy Cane Lane
Falling in Love
The crackle of a campfire
Watching ducks cross a road

.... and I could just go on and on =)

It's Just Plastic

Does anyone else find laminating to be one of the coolest, most facinating things out there?! I am completely 100% enthralled in that little piece of plastic that I fear if we ever purchased a laminating machine for the salon here, I would hole myself up day in and out...laminating!

I am heading to BHS tomorrow to hang out at the High School and promote our store and the Prom lines we carry. In an effort to do this, I went to Wal*Mart early this morning and purchased a bunch of candy, celophane, little twisty ribbons, and of course some laminating paper, and headed to the salon to being my crafts.

I created business cards on the computer stating simply that "We Carry Tuxedos" and then announcing our Prom sale on the other side, to give to each of the students that come to our table. I of course laminated each of these cards, punched a hole in them, and tied them to my carefully, celophane, wrapped candy. A brilliant idea! I then created a mailing list page and purchased a candy gift basket to raffel off to the students that fill out a form both allowing us to give the students something fun to take home, and also giving us a well equiped mailing list for next year's prom season.

But I have to say the most fun through all of it, was the laminating! Why? It's a stupid piece of plastic but I found myself trying to find things in the store, other than the business cards, to laminate! Size charts, call lists, pens...they all became free game. Good thing I was too busy with customers to start doing any real damage (ie: I think the computer screen could use a good protective laminate coat). No, I stuck to the intended business cards but rest assured my mind is moving with new laminating options as we speak. I do after all, have an entire extra box at my disposal!

Poor, Poor, Piggies!

Back in October, my family had to make the executive decision to release custody of our two pugs Cooper and Farley, and hand it over to a sweet girl named Jenna. While the idea of them no longer being in my care saddened me, it made me happy to know that wherever they were they were happy and they were together.

Occasionally from time to time I think of my two little piggies and wonder how they're doing. If they're still fat or if they still cuddle like they would on the floor of my Lakeview apartment in Chicago. I wonder if the noises they make are still obnoxious and gross and if Cooper still hasn't quite grasped the concept of fetch. I miss them every day and wish to see them even more. But the idea of visiting my own dogs just saddens me even more...I'd have to say goodbye all over again, every time.

Then yesterday we receive a phone call from Jenna who said she had to talk to us about the pugs. Scared that one of them had gotten sick or worse, died, I made my mom call Jenna back first thing this morning to see what was going on. I've since spent the entire morning in tears, trying to keep my mind off of it.

Long story short:

Farley hurt one of Jenna's other dogs (Farley thinks he's a big mean pit bull sometimes...especially when he's protecting Cooper) so Jenna gave them to a woman that lives near her where she could still visit them every day, but where Farley would be away from her own dogs. Suddenly, without notice to Jenna, the woman moved, giving Cooper and Farley away to another caregiver. Thankfully Jenna somehow found the address for this woman and was horrified to find that this woman was crazy, leaving the pugs in the car for hours, locked in cages, no attention, etc. Just a bad caregiver in general. Jenna was able to get Farley back, she literally walked into the house and stole him away, but couldn't find Cooper anywhere. After weeks of searching she finally found him at the Lakeview Animal Shelter, and my mom has been on the phone ever since trying to get him out before he gets adopted, which was supposed to take place today!

I'm so sad thinking about my poor little piggie all alone at the Animal Shelter. If anyone knows my dogs they would know that they cannot be split up. Cooper doesn't exist without Farley! It just hurts my heart to think of the horrible things they have been going through the past few months, and it's all because neither of us can have stupid animals in our stupid apartments!!

My lease is up in August, I'm getting a place where I can have animals and I'm getting my two little babies back. I can't handle thinking about them suffering at the hands of someone else. It hurts entirely too much.

Quote to Live By

I can't help but post this. Everytime I get it in my inbox it just makes me smile!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt before because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

I was going to blog it, BUT....

You know what the great thing about the blogging world is? When you hang out with two of your friends, that each have their own separate blog, you KNOW they're going to be blogging about the time you three spent together, and therefore, saves you the effort of having to regurgitate the weekends activities a third time! Horray for time saving! Granted everyone does have their own points of view on how the weekend unfolded, and I'm sure I could add a few details here and there that both Amanda and Erin forgot, but who cares right? If you want to know about our fabulous weekend full of surprises, wine, and dildos (yes I did say dildos) then click on their blogs. Plus, it's good exposure for them =)

But I do just have to say one thing about the weekend... WE'RE GOING TO VEGAS!

That's it.

I myself, am on day 2 of my fasting/detox diet and I have to admit that I'm feeling pretty good. I'm a little hungry but other than that I'm well on my way. 22 more days!

I had my second belly dancing class last night. It is so much fun I can't stand it! I just miss getting out there and learning a dance, and seeing it all come together. It's the Pom-Pom girl in me. My mom and I bought our little coin skirts last night and I have to say I was feeling pretty Middle-Eastern after that. Minus the blonde hair and blue eyes of course. Just give me my finger symbols and I'm ready to go! =) We learned some belly twists (which if I can brag my teacher said mine were BEAUTIFUL) and learned a few more steps to our dance. By the end of 6 weeks I'll be able to do a full routine! I'm excited.

Round 2

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING BLOGGING WORLD!!!

It sure doesn't feel like spring right now though! I'm looking out the window at the bank thermometer and it keeps blinking 32 at me. Instead of it being a bright, sunny, spring afternoon, I am instead surrounded by cold and gloom as I patiently wait for the temperatures to finally rise again. I hate waiting for spring. It can never come fast enough!

Aside from today's cold weather, I have to say that the weekend was pleasantly warm. In fact, much of the snow we received here in the Milwaukee area melted away by Saturday. Not necessarily because of warm temperatures, but because of the bright brilliant sunshine. That works for me!

Now that the weekend is overwith (which I'll post more about later), I can get back onto my fasting diet. Yes, I AM going through with it. I have my schedule cleared (for the most part) and my body is ready to be detoxed! I'm sitting here right now with my fruit smoothie (minus the yogurt) and my cup full of vitamins, anticipating the hell my body will go through for the next 3 weeks. I WILL do it though!!

Okay, You Win

To all you Christi skeptics out there...You Won! I have failed in my detox diet.

Maybe failed is the wrong word. I have POSTPONED my detox diet. There, I like that better. After a full day of eating apples, pinneaple, and a very bland tasteless salad, I began to think about my weekend and how much I would be missing out on if I continued through with this 23 day detox. Between dinner and drinks on Friday and Heather's wedding shower on Saturday the timing on this program just couldn't be any worse. My mom said I should just detox until Friday, go off of it for a few days, then continue on after the weekend, but what's the point in that. I'll just shock my body right back to where it was after a few days off of it.

Therefore, I have decided to clear my schedule for the next three weeks (starting Monday) to allow myself ample time to succesfully complete this detox program.

I know that I can do this! Regardless of how poor my daily habits are =)

Detoxification Issue

I'm running with this Trend idea!

For the past few months, I have been hearing countless stories about detoxification and fasting, and the benefits it has on our bodies. I'm always a little skeptical of trendy diets but I guess if it's popular to the masses...it must work right? Otherwise people wouldn't do it!

In Hollywood it is tres chic to compliment your detoxification with a colon cleanse, but I think for purposes of this blog...I'll stick to the diet. One trend at a time =)

Before I decided to do this detoxification cleanse, I knew that I couldn't just do it, and trust the stars on it's health benefits, so I opened up Google Scholar, and did some research myself. I found an article written by Pioneer Nutritional Formulas that speaks about the detox program I am currently following, a 23 day, fruits and veggies program. So far everything I've been reading supports the health benefits of it! Sure there are a few health officials that think the program be a waste of time, especially since it doesn't promote any sort of drug intake (sarcasm), but for the most part my findings have been pretty positive.

So it's full speed ahead!!

Today, I begin my fast and for the next 23 days I will be in hell as my diet is limited to fruits, vegetables, and a whole lot of salads. THAT'S IT! No Jimmy John's, no amazing Honey Mustard Sub from Quizno's, and no Diet Coke during my daily lunch run. It's just me and nature!

I'm ready to be cleansed.

Belly Dancing...The New Fad

The fitness world moves through its fads almost as fast as my jeans move in and out of style, and it can become very tiresome to try and keep up with them all. Instead of mastering each of the trendy techniques that arise in popular culture, I prefer to just dabble in them all. Get a taste of what exists in the world; see what I like!

I've taken a Spin class with the bike Nazi's, I've centered my chi with a Yogi, I've even stripped off my clothes and climbed a pole during a Cardio-Strip session at Crunch Fitness in Chicago. In the end however, I always end up back to the basics of the running and sit-ups…as much fun as everything else is =) But it doesn't hurt to keep trying them all out!

Tonight, my mother and I discovered the ancient Middle Eastern art of Belly Dancing, the 2006 workout fad of the year!

We arrived at the little studio ready for some dancing and a hard workout, but were completely taken aback when the instructor showed us where to put our tennis shoes, and then where to sit. What? Sit? Bare Feet? What kind of place was this?! You can't possibly expect us to get a good workout in without my shoes can you?

I decided to humor my instructor a bit longer.

We took our seats and she ran through the coming weeks with us. The dancing sounded really exciting, the stretching was just up my alley (I have to admit out of all the trendy workouts, Yoga is still my favorite…enter my love of stretching), but I was most excited when she pulled out the little skirts with coins on them in flashy colors that were available to buy…and encouraged to wear! (Jayne, I know for sure you can relate…I hear Dorothy is borrowing yours he he). Note to self: bring $28 dollars for cute little coin skirt to wear around during my 6 week Belly Dancing class, and then never again after. By the end of the discussion, I was willing to ignore the fact that I was barefoot, and get down to business.

It's been a while since I've done any real sort of physical activity, and I must admit that just the opening stretches had me groaning in pain. Good pain though of course. After stretching, she ran us through a few of the basic moves and then we learned our first three steps of the dance. Hooray for dancing! One of the most exciting things in the world for me is learning a few steps and then feeling the rush of putting that all to music and seeing how it all flows and coordinates together. I felt myself wanting to bump and grind a few times to the music (It's the modernist in me) but I had to remember that we're working on control and isolation, not random movements of whichever body parts happen to feel the music at the time. It's hard though…I love to dance!!

I wouldn't say that I left feeling as though I had done a fantastic workout, but I did get some stretching in, a lot of laughter, and a great hour of fun. I think its well worth my time for the next 6 weeks…or at least until the next big workout fad comes along ;)

Hmm..I think I may have just found my purpose for a blog....Trend research!! I'm going to look into it and get back to you =)

Pictures

PICTURES FROM THIS WEEKEND!

It's a LONG post, but it was a LONG weekend =)

I had forgotten how much I truly LOVE to ski!

On Thursday of last week, the Anderson clan (Aunt Micki and Neil and their 3 kids, Uncle Johnny and his 2 kids, Aunt Dianne and Paul, Grandma, and our family) piled into an R7R Limousine shuttle bus, destined for Chicago, IL. The 15 of us were headed for the Amtrak stations to catch our train to Pittsburgh PA.

Ever since my Grandpa Dave died a few months ago, the family has been adamant about spending more time together (other than at each other’s funerals). So my dad and Uncle David set up a ski weekend away in the mountains of West Virginia and by March 2, 15 of us were on our way.

We arrived at the Amtrak station within plenty of time before our train so after getting our tickets, checking our baggage, and doing whatever it is a group of 15 people do, we headed to our gate so as to ensure we were first in line for boarding. After all, we all DID want to sit together!!

After an hour delay, a gate switch, and a whole lot of “Get off the Tile” yelling by Amtrak employees, our crew finally made it to the train (together of course) and anxiously awaited the next 9 hours of relaxation.

The train ride itself was not so bad. I had my books, my IPod, and of course my family to keep me occupied and entertained. Sleeping on the other hand, was a completely different story and as our train rolled into Pittsburgh around 4:30 am, I realized that sleep for myself and most of the Anderson clan, was just not going to be happening that night. Instead, we exited the train and took our seats in the waiting area to wait for our luggage.

I loaded up on coffee and mingled with the fam as I tried to ignore the fact that I had not yet slept and instead was spending my exhausting morning sitting in the Pittsburgh train station. About 45 minutes later our luggage arrived, but the waiting was not yet over as the men still had to pick up our rental cars…30 minutes away!!! The rest of waited patiently (some slept) and by 7:30 the caravan of SUV’s was outside the train station. We could finally leave!!!

The ride to my Uncle David and Jackie’s house was about a 2 hour one, which wasn’t exactly the most appetizing of endeavors considering our long train ride, but we made the most of it. We stopped along the way for some more coffee and waffles at the Waffle House just outside of Pittsburgh, which was enough energy to keep us awake for the rest of the trip. If you’ve never experienced a Waffle House before, you’re missing out on an experience! =)

We arrived to David’s around 11:00 at which point I was dying for some sleep! But it just wasn’t happening yet. We helped David and Jackie pack up their own SUV and then hit the road by 1:00 for yet another 2 hour car ride. This time, into the mountains of West Virginia!

I find it very unfortunate that West Virginia gets such a bad wrap. Sure the state is relatively poor, and yes those “mountain people” do exist, but the beauty of the state is so much more than it’s people. The rolling mountains, and the green prairies and valley. It’s really an unbelievably beautiful place! I tried to enjoy the view from David’s to our cabin in the mountains, but the winding roads made me quite sick and I spent the majority of the trip hunched over my legs.

By 3:00 we had arrived to our cabin. Our beautiful 6 bedroom, mountain top, ski-on, ski-off cabin. I had officially arrived in heaven. After figuring out room situations, unpacking, and getting the kids settled in, we gathered in the living room to relax and unwind. We watched the skiers pass us by out the living room windows and anxiously anticipated our own ski trip in the morning.

As the children one by one filtered to bed, the adults took full advantage of the empty cabin by popping on our swimsuits, and enjoying a few glasses of wine in the outside hot tub. We waved at the night skiers as they passed right by us, and chatted about life. We soon retreated inside to play a quick game of Phase 10, my new favorite card game, and by 9:00 I was ready for bed. I could finally sleep.

We woke up early on Saturday to get as much skiing in as possible. I was nervous at first as I had not skied in a number of years, but the second I placed my boot into my binding, 15 years of skiing all came back to me. It took once down the hill before I was comfortable enough to hit those double blacks I love so much.

After a few times down, I ventured to the bunny hill to see how the rest of the family was doing, teaching their children how to ski. I offered my helping hand and spent the next few hours snowplowing along side my cousin Jesse, showing him exactly how he needs to stop while on a pair of skis. I was so proud of him. He picked it up after just a few runs down. Hooray for skiing!!

We returned home around 5:00 once the cold set in and headed straight to the hot tub to relax our sore muscles. I had forgotten how much work skiing is! Especially when you’re completely out of shape! The rest of the night we spent just relaxing in the cabin. I love being secluded in the mountains! =)

On Sunday, I woke up bright and early again to get a jump on skiing before we had to leave. Today, was a bit different as I was going to try snowboarding. Seeing as how I have been skiing almost my entire life, I was ready for a change. I figured snowboarding was just the winter change I needed. My cousin Melissa and I headed to the hill before everyone else arrived so we could rent our snowboards, and figure out just how the stupid things worked. Thank god we had my professional snowboarder brother along (He’s been snowboarding about as long as I’ve been skiing) otherwise I don’t think we ever would have gotten out of the lodge. He showed us how the bindings work, which foot to lock in, and how to walk with this huge board attached to our foot. He took us on and off the lifts and taught us about the stomp pad and finally, he showed us a few quick snowboarding moves.

We started off on the 2 mile long green hill, Salamander, thinking that would give us just enough time to learn the basics instead of practicing on the little bump they call the bunny hill. BAD IDEA! I didn’t realize how much I would fall. Every time I got up, I fell right back down. Up, Down, Up, Down, Up……….Down. This was how it went for the first hour of skiing. Melissa and I laughed and laughed as everyone kept lapping us on the hill. “Christi, I’ve seen that man three times since we’ve been on this hill, and we’re still not even half way down yet!” It’s true we spent the remainder of the run on our butts, but along the way we finally got the hang of it. Our boards turned and stopped when we wanted them to, and we were actually able to snowplow a few feet before falling face forward into the snow. Once I was up I was able to balance long enough to actually move down the hill, and a few times I was even able to turn the board back and forth to move out of people’s way! Of course near the end I took a few very hard falls and that pretty much ended my snowboarding experience. There is only so much falling you can take in one day before your body just yells. 2 ½ hours was my bodies limit =)

We made our way back to the cabin in pain and ready to go home. I was a little annoyed at snowboarding since I couldn’t pick it up right away, but I had a lot of fun regardless. I think I may have to think about taking a lesson around here before the winter ends. I could just become a snowboarder soon =)

It was a fast weekend complete with a lot of traveling, but it was a lot of fun regardless. Between the mountains, and the skiing, the family, and the laughter, it is something I’d do again in a heartbeat. No questions asked.

I’m just glad to be home. For the moment =)

It's New To Me

Yesterday I bought new glasses. I'm VERY excited about them. After my last favorite pair were stollen out of my car, I thought for sure I'd never find a pair I liked more than those. I was wrong =) These are D&G, wire, lightweight, square frames. They're adorable. I apparently didn't quite understand the whole purchasing process of eyeglasses because as I was browsing through the styles, I found it relieving that the ones I really liked were only $171!!! I was thinking well in the $400 dollar range for a pair of designer frames. I quickly found out however that the frames are a completely separate entity from the prescription and the glass extras (ie: anti-glare). I was apparently pretty dead on in my original estimate =)

I officially signed up to be a volunteer at the Milwaukee Humane Society. I have my first volunteer orientation on Wednesday March 1. I'm going to be a dog walker! YAY!

Today, I sent in my check to begin Belly Dancing classes here in Burlington. Inspired by both Jayne and Amanda, I'm ready to try my own luck at the belly dancing phenomenon =)

And that's what's new with me =)

A First Taste of Spring

The thing I've always loved most about living in the Midwest is the ever changing seasons. We get a little bit of everything (some a little more than others): our Summers are hot, our Springs are mild, our Autumns are crisp and colorful, and our winters are white and brutally cold. It's a nice balance in life, which I am a firm believer in. But occasionally, the seasons tend to drag on a bit longer than is wanted.

Such is the case with Winter.

By mid-February I am fighting the cold, and begging for warm air. The green grass, and the jacket-less days cannot come fast enough once Winter is upon us, and I welcome the first spring-like day with wide open arms.

While today is nowhere near Spring-like, it has a Spring feel in the air...a smell of what's to come if you will. It's funny how a simple scent can remind you of so much. I walked out of my apartment early this morning, and an instant smile came upon me as the hint of Spring lingered in the air. Suddenly I was brought back to days off of school with my mom, Freshman year track practices, and spring walks around downtown Chicago.

I love the first spring day with the Cabby top down, blaring music through the speakers, and jamming with my oversized sunglasses on. I like the Spring bounce in people's steps, the sound of snow melting and running down the street, and the first glimpse of new life budding on the trees around me. I love the hope of spring, the new life, the fresh start. It's coming! I'm so excited.

Martinis, laughter, and one Icelandic Princess

Last night, I took a much needed break away from life to enjoy an evening of cocktails with my roomate Nicky. Although the two of us have lived under the same roof for 7 months now, the amount of time that the two of us actually spends together would amount to the equivalent of a weekend visit...once a year! With our opposite schedules, significant others, and personal responsibilities our time together is very limited, and it makes me sad to think that I still barely know this girl!

Thus, we took some much needed bonding time last night and plopped ourselves at the bar at The Knickerbocker for some fab martinis, a few shots, and a lot of laughs and catching up. Mid way through our evening, a mob of people came strolling the doors of the quiet little bar, including one Icelandic Princess, Anna. She was in from Iceland promoting the Icelandic Vodka Reyka. She bought us all a round of shots and Nicky and I chatted with her posse who reminded us more of the New York Mafia. After about an hour at the bar they were ready to party hop a bit more, and off they were.

What began as a chill night with a few martinis, ended in laughter over meeting the Princess of Iceland. What a night! =)

Snapshirt Fun

I've been seeing this pop up on a number of blogs throughout the cyber world, so I decided to succumb to the masses and do this myself. Here is my blog jumble from Snapshirt.com. Check it out for yourself fellow bloggers! =)