Neighbors

When we moved into our condo community over 4 years ago we hoped to become great friends with our neighbors. This grand idea of having neighborhood block parties and $5 wine nights floated in my head. From the first week of our life in this neighborhood this idea was shot to hell. And I'm talking about the deepest depths of hell...all by one woman. Over the years we have learned to just ignore her complaints against us (some bordering harassment and discrimination) and move on with our quiet existence here. We are fairly good acquaintances with the two ladies next to us, which has made things a little easier.

About a year and a half ago a gay-couple bought a unit across from us, but never fully moved into it until 3 months ago. And from that moment they have been causing us issues. Calling in complaints for rules that don't exist (and our stupid management company sending us a violation notice for said non-existent rule) and joining the other woman in some what harassing and discriminating complaints. About a week later I noticed some violations and took some photos of them with the intent to send them in. A day later I found out through the grapevine that one of the gentlemen just passed away. So I decided not to send in the photos to be nice and not add that to the poor guy's situation.

After tonight screw that shit. Screw trying to be nice and compassionate and neighborly. That just flew way out the window and is now on it's way the icy regions of the North.

We had two friends over to watch a movie and have pizza. One of our friends parked in the space next to this gentleman's unit. We have no assigned parking in our complex. When our friend leaves we see that the guy has intentionally parked his car behind our friend's and in a fire lane. After knocking on the door to ask him to move the guy refuses, so we tell him that we will be calling 311 to have it towed. After this he moves it, but with lots of cursing, vulgar gestures and threats. When he does move the car he flicks off Carl and our friend while honking his horn at them. I immediately call our management company and leave a message with them as well as writing a very unhappy/angry email to them requesting immediate response on Monday morning.

I'm tired of this and I'm not letting it roll off of my shoulders any longer. We're standing up for ourselves! While, I know you can't pick your neighbors and most times when you move it's a crap shoot as to what kind you will get. I think we got the shit end of the stick in these.

Rant done.

Long time no see!

It has been a loooooooong time since I last posted. Life has been a little crazy, but tons of fun. I believe bullet points are the best way to catch everyone up.

Wedding Front:
*Had second engagement party here in Austin. Amazing friends threw us a drive in movie themed party complete with giant blow up movie screen and fresh popped popcorn in their backyard. Tons of fun! Highly recommend the idea for a great party.
* Picked out hotel accommodations for guests. Radisson Hotel downtown. Super friendly and easy to communicate with.
* Save the dates hit the mail on Monday. Still missing half of my mom's list, but I was tired of waiting so those will go out at a later date.
* Started on invitation mock ups. I love love love them. Very time consuming though. Glad I have nearly 4 months to work on them.
* Finalized look for table scapes. My attempt at making antique mason jars was a big fat FAIL! They are now clear with blue ribbon wrapped around the top. Very clean looking. I'm much happier.
* Found supplies for favor bags. Now waiting for them to come back in-stock

Home/Personal:
* Been battling vertigo for the past week and a half. It is no fun. I did get a week at home, but still had to work. Darn remote access. Off to the doctor for the 3rd time in a week tomorrow.
* Finished our office/guest bedroom make over. It is now "my" room. A huge transformation from what it was. Pictures later.
* Sea World excursion with MIL and BIL and his fiancee. It was nice, but I don't recommend going on a Sunday with work looming the next day.
* Organized the garage. YAY!
* Joined a softball league with Carl and some of his co-workers. I suck at this, but I give it a go every week.
*Trying to set some personal and work related goals to accomplish in the coming months. I'm pretty excited by my list.
*Deciding on when going back to school will happen. Definitely within the next 3-5 years and definitely before we have kids.

Work:
* Busy, busy, busy. I work in product distribution side of retail and Thanksgiving/Christmas is looming around the corner, enough said.
* Loving my job even with all of the extra work.
* Enjoying the samples that come in that we aren't going to be carrying. Carl loves them too, since he is a big kid and I work for a game/toy company.

Friday Night

Most Friday nights I'm all for a good time with friends.

Tonight is a different story...I'm sitting on the couch watching a movie, wrapped up in my down comforter, and I'm in absolute heaven!

I've had offers to go out and probably should but this is exactly what I want to do tonight.

Have a great weekend!

Hook 'em Horns!

Stress

We all endure its pain at some point. Some have more than others. It can come from many things; that laundry list of things to do around the house, bills, major deadlines at work, wedding planning, or you have absolutely no clue.
I seem to be falling into this last category lately. I have no clue what is causing the stress, but I know it’s there. I think this stresses me out even more. I feel great about work, granted we moved to longer hours last week and it was a little difficult to transition, but nothing horrible. Wedding planning is moving right along. We booked our baker and florist in the past two weeks and we’re starting on hotel blocks and registries. Bills are under control. House work is a little bit of a pain in the rear, but when is it not. We are in the midst of a few house projects but fun and exciting things. We’re adding more storage and organization to the garage and painting and redecorating our office/guestroom. It’s time to move out of the college/bachelor pad look.
There are also physical manifestations that stress tends to take on. For the lucky ones it is in the form of weight loss, a want for more food, a lack of energy, or an headache. For me it is an eye twitch. This darn eye twitch has been going on for the past 5 days. Just a random friggin’ eye twitch that comes and goes. My boss swears that it is due to the wedding planning or a lack of potassium. He’s not quite sure which the culprit is. He had one that came while he was planning his wedding and then disappeared after. I hope that this is the case, but I don’t think that I can put up with this for the next 8 months.

Hope you all had a great weekend and were able to let go of some stress!

Birthdays!

I'm so sorry bloggy world for neglecting you. I've had lots of post worthy events going on, just the lack of motivation and memory to get around to making it happen...

C just had his birthday on the 29th so we celebrated by having a little shin dig at the house. I cleaned my little heart out before hand. I was one motivated girl to attempt to get my home into tip-top shape for the event. Until my steam mop died on me. Boo... It was a sad ending, but thanks to the BBB's wonderful return policy I now have the newest Shark steam mop.

Back to the point of this post...

A great time was had by all. There were presents, guacamole, fajitas, salsa, queso, jello shots, and Hey Cupcake! Everyone was excited about the cupcakes. I was totally into the birthday party mood I even decorated the house with streamers and balloons. C was happy about his new game for the Wii, so much so that he got it a week before his birthday. I was going to make him hold on to it until the actual date, but I wanted to play it too.

The other guy in my life also had his birthday. To be exact the day after C's.

So a trip to Pets Mart to was in store (also a week early, I fail at keeping gifts until the actual day to give them). We went straight to the toy aisle. "What should we get him this year?" running through our minds. Last year he got a doggie edible cake from a local bakery. That was good and all, but a little pricey for him to spend a whole 0.00002 seconds appreciating before scarfing it down. We contemplated over the usual Monkey Squeak toy that he loves. (I don't know if "love" is the best word here, since he now has a pile of amputated or decapitated monkeys in his toy box. He plays a little rough.) Monkey just wasn't going to fit the bill this year and I'm tired of sewing monkey bits and pieces back together. Then I remembered reading about Jill and her new puppy Kylie and the purchase of a Kong. And then I saw one in the store. They had a little mini Kong for JD's size. It was so cute sitting there all small and tini next to the XL Kong for the big dogs. Then we saw the breath freshener Kong gunk (as C likes to refer to it as). We knew instantly that this was THE birthday present for our little dude. (JD has some bad breath. I don't know where it comes from. All he eats is Kibbles and little peanut butter flavor treats.)

Sure enough after filling it with bits of his favorite peanut butter treats and the Kong gunk our dog disappeared for the evening. It has now become his favorite toy ever! We have to hide it around bedtime or all he will do is play with it.

Life Update

Work:
Today was some major blah and emotional. One of my co-workers in my department passed away on Friday very unexpectedly. So, we're all trying to cope while still gearing up for season to officially start in 3 weeks. There is a lot going on. Our new intern starts on Monday which means more training in my future.

Personal/Home Life:
Pretty good. JD had an upset tummy from a bone that he loves a few days ago. He was very sad to see me take it away from him. I finally found time to really clean my house. All that it took was strangers to be coming to my house to interview me. Lots and lots of fun things in-store this week. Round Rock Express game tomorrow night with C's family, Wicked on Wednesday with my mom, C's mom's b-day on Thursday, and C's softball tournament on Saturday. Very busy. Full review of Wicked coming! Next week I have to travel to the oh-so-wonderful town of Bryan, TX to testify in a drunk driving accident. I was so stressed about this and I still am. I know I didn't do anything wrong, but it's still nerve wracking. Gahh...

Wedding:
I got a lot done this weekend. Trying to get my mind off of the events going on at work I focused on wedding planning.
1. Picked out rentals
2. Picked out linens (got talked out of buying them by my mother, who has been on a saving kick money except on this..weird I know)
3. Got two floral quotes
4. Ordered my garter (etsy you rock!)
5. Designed and ordered save the dates
6. Picked out the ties for the boys.
7. Went shopping and ordered the bridesmaids dresses
8. Picked out where we are going for the bachlorette party and then second guessed it...Another post topic
9. Picked out the suits for the guys
10. Saving the best for last... I ordered my beautiful dress!!!! {Jumping around and squealing inserted here} 6 months till this amazing dress is in my possession.

Wedding Vendors = Blah

Shopping on the other hand = AMAZING!

I think this statement is a given to most girls. Lately though I feel like I'm trudging through a marsh of mud. I have absolutely no want to plan the wedding, though I have meetings set up left and right. I'm nearing the end of the vendors I need to get, but all I want to do is be a lazy bum...and shop! Shop for shoes, buying my BEAUTIFUL dress {prancing around inserted here}, and all the accessories needed for this ensemble. Not to mention all the other outfits needed for upcoming wedding events.

All of my BMs are getting together on Sunday to go dress shopping. Mimosas and brunch to come before and then watching them twirl around and play dress up for a few hours. I'm excited and their excited. I guess this excitement is rubbing off, since C and his guys are getting together to go look at suits on Sunday too. Who knows what they will come up with. I have a feeling that there might end up being canes and Best Man patches coming my way. While, I think the Best Man patch would be funny and cute, our mothers might have a conniption.

I hope you all have a fabulous week, I know mine has already started off fan-freakin-tastic. I signed the paperwork today to be on salary pay at work! {insert more prancing} (I work for a retail company that has a teeny weeny number full-time office staff and tons of seasonal and part timers, so it's a big deal to land one of the spots)

So off to do more prancing and shopping!