Remember 2010

I saw this on another blog and thought it was a neat idea!

Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes.  Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010

I want to remember my trip to Panama City Beach, Florida with one of my good friends.  We were chaperone's for her step-daughter and a friend for Spring Break.  It might have been the first time I was truly willing to admit that I "am getting older".  But the time I spent with my girlfriend was unforgettable.

I want to remember the excitement I felt when one of my lifelong best friends told me she and her husband were finally pregnant after 4 long years of infertility issues.

I want to remember how proud I was of my oldest nephew when he was chosen to participate in the Youth National Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. The joy of knowing he is going to grow up to "be somebody and make a difference" is unbearable.  My cheeks hurt from smiling just thinking about it.

I want to remember my bridal shower, bachelorette party and most of all my wedding day.  These events were truly magical.  The laughing hysterically and being surrounded by the people I love most in the world...oh, what a feeling.

I want to remember the hard work and dedication that my sister has put into her weight loss journey.  The smile on her face and excitement in her voice when she hits a new milestone is unforgettable.

I want to remember being alone and crying after enduring the worst thing that has ever happened to me.  And knowing that I can come back out on top.

I want to remember the phone call I received from my step-daughter asking if she could be a part of our lives again (she did not speak to her dad for over 3 years).  Watching my husbands face light up as I told him about this phone call was priceless.

I want to remember watching my hometown high school football team win the State Championship. 

I want to remember Thanksgiving spent at my sisters house and how a last minute change in plans ended up being a memory of a lifetime.

I want to remember time spent with my girlfriends and family dinners on the weekends.  I want to remember the love I have for my husband, family and friends.  I want to remember the joy, the sorrow, the laughter and the tears of 2010.

All I have is Bullets....

• Today I take both cats to the vet for their annual check up.  This will also be a 2 week check-up for Walker following his trip to the emergency vet for his bladder...I hope I get the news I am hoping for!

• Normally during the Christmas/New Year season I get about 14-16 days off from work.  This year I am only getting 7!  I'm hoping that in those 7 days I can find some time to relax and re-energize!  I'm just exhausted lately and my schedule doesn't allow me a day to veg out until after Christmas.

• I'm addicted to the Hallmark channel....I just love the Christmas movies.  Normally during this time of year I get hooked on Lifetime for the 25 days of Christmas but this year it's definitely the Hallmark channel.

• We are done Christmas shopping all but one person.  I also have almost everything all wrapped and under the tree.  Definitely ahead of schedule considering I'm normally wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.

• I joined Weight Watchers again last week and they started a new Points Plus program the same day I joined.  It's going to take some getting used to.  I understand the overall concept of the changes, but still have some doubts that the system is actually going to work as well as the old one.  Only time will tell.  I've been tracking my points for 3 days straight and only hope I will continue.  I don't have as much to lose this time, but I should have never allowed myself to get to this point.

• We go a little crazy decorating outside for Christmas and our electrical bill doubled from last month.  We have since added more lights outdoors so I can only imagine what next month's bill will bring.  But, it's totally worth it :-)

• My self esteem has taken a toll lately.  Not only have I gained 14 lbs since my wedding in July, but I am so pasty white.  I can't afford to go to the tanner (and it's not healthy to begin with) and I live in Michigan so it's not like sunshine is available, so I'm feeling a little blah lately.  I even try to wear makeup every once in a while and I still don't feel "pretty".  Ugh...I hate when I get into these funks

• This will be our first Christmas as husband and wife.  I have found that every holiday we have celebrated since our wedding has been so much fun.  Who would have thought that picking out hallmark cards addressed to "husband" would be so exciting!

• I miss my family and friends.  It might be the time of year or it might be that the first half of the year was spent getting together so frequently with them for all my wedding related activities and now I feel like I haven't seen anyone in ages.  I don't live that far from my family or friends (1.5 hrs) but this time of the year is so hectic for everyone.  It's like pulling teeth trying to find a free weekend to get together. 

Fed Ex can suck it

On cyber Monday I was scoping out the online sales and came across a 60"x80" photo blanket that was priced rather decent.  (see image below for idea)

I thought it would be a great personalized gift for my husband by using some of our favorite wedding pictures.  While at work, I took the time to upload all of the pictures to the site and get them in the perfect "collage" setting.

Yesterday I get an email from the vendor stating that my order has been sent to the wrong person and they have issued a refund for the item.  At first I was a little confused so I called the 800 number to speak with a customer service representative to get the details.  As they stated...my item was shipped to the wrong person.  Fed Ex delivered my "personalized" item to the wrong address and to the wrong person!!  Someone (a stranger) is in possession of a blanket covered in pictures of me and my husband!  How could Fed Ex do this?  My NAME and ADDRESS were on the shipment...why would they accept signature from anyone different?  And why would someone sign for a package that had MY NAME on it.  They obviously don't know me so why would they sign for the package!  UGHHHHH.....

I don't know if I'm more frustrated at Fed Ex for their screw up or at the person who signed for the package knowing it wasn't theirs.  If they would have looked at the name/address on the package they could have told Fed Ex they were at the wrong location and then maybe I would have my gift for my husband.  But instead...I have no idea where the item is and there is no way I'm taking the time to make another blanket and upload all those pictures again!

I will refuse to use Fed Ex ever again!!!  It is for this exact reason that my place of employment stopped using them years ago!

First Snowfall of the Season

It's snowing and blowing here today which does not put me in the best mood.  It's our first "real" snowfall of the season.  I always have mixed feelings about the first snowfall.  On one hand it is so pretty but on the other hand, I live in Michigan and people tend to forget how to function in the snow.  My normal 35 minute drive to work turned into a 1 hour 10 min drive to work because idiots forget how to drive in this weather.  It's Michigan people...you should have learned the basics of winter driving.  And if you haven't...GET OFF THE ROAD!! 

On a happier note, my hometown won the high school football State Championship!!  Congrats Tigers!