Anniversary

Well, yesterday was WHF and my 2 year anniversary. I can't believe we've been married two whole years. It certainly doesn't feel like it. Time went by so incredibly fast!

I can't believe 2 years ago, I was in Jamaica, on that beach. It really was the trip of a lifetime. I'm so glad we decided to do it that way.

Our anniversary was really no big deal. We aren't huge anniversary celebrators. We actually ended up going out with WHF's work people and had dinner at a restaurant in town. One of the people in the department's family owned the restaurant. We got appetizer, dinner, and dessert all for free. It was a really wonderful meal.

After that, we went to the casino with all of them. It was a nice time and I actually won money! I was down to $3.00 on the penny slots when I won't almost $30 bucks! Whoo hoo! I ended up leaving $4 whole dollars ahead! Yes!!!

WHF and I are supposed to go out tonight for our anniversary, but we'll see what happens. He did get me some flowers though. That was nice of him.

So now...here we go...starting year 3!

I Have No Words

So...here's an interesting little story.


Today, I went out to my mailbox to get the mail. (Derh!) In the box was a anniversary card from my Paternal Grandma. That part is all fine and dandy.

The part that irks me...my birthday was only a few days ago and she didn't send me a card for that. My mom talked to her b/c she had to give her my address and she told my mom that she isn't sending the grand kids cards for their birthdays anymore.

First of all, what's the difference in sending a birthday card vs an anniversary card? I'm the only grand kid married! But seriously...how hard is it to go out, buy a card at the Dollar Store and mail it? It costs maybe a buck fifty total?!

Second, it's not as if I'm out asking for money (which she also didn't include in the anniversary card) however, it would be nice of her to acknowledge that I actually had a birthday.

And she wonders why I don't really care to go see her. She has never been there for me growing up. And probably the worst part is...I got a card AND MONEY from WHF's grandparents! I'm not even related to them and they were thoughtful enough to get me something. Even better...I got a card from Southwest Airlines b/c I'm a Rapid Rewards member. They'll send me an actual card and I get nothing from my own relative?!

And I think...worst of all...she put Mr. and Mrs. WHF on the card, when she knows full well that I didn't take WHF's last name when we got married. She knows my last name...it's not a secret to her or anything. It was hers for a while there!

It's just a shame...she has every opportunity to try to make things up with me...and while I should and could make the effort too...it's hard to make the effort when someone does things like not even send their own grand kid a birthday card no matter what age that kid may be.

Get Grandma Her Cane!

Well, I'm officially 25. I don't feel any different. Matter of fact, I still feel like I'm in my early, early 20s. Which I guess can be scary. Because I'm 5 years away from 30 and at the age of 30 I feel like I should be established in life. And I feel like I'm nowhere near ready to be there yet. 5 years isn't such a long time. And it's easy to start panicking when you come to this kind of crossroads.

At least I have the first part down. I'm in a relationship (and of course married) to a person I love more than anything in the world. I think if I didn't have that in my life, I would have totally suffered a midlife crisis turning 25.

However, there are parts of my life that just don't feel as put together. First off is the job front. I'm so happy working for my parents, but I know I can't work for them forever. My mom keeps pressuring and pressuring me to find a job where I can get benefits and a 401K and lots of other things. And I don't blame her. She's terrified b/c she doesn't have any of those things and she's getting close to the age where she could have started using them. (She can almost order off the senior menu! lol!) And the scary thing is it's getting really close to piss or get off the pot about finding a job. Because the longer I put it off, the worse it will get for the next part of what doesn't feel so put together.

So, what's this last magical piece? It's the baby factor. I know I'm no where near ready to have one now. Going to K's proved that once and for all. However, 30 was always the age I thought I'd really start trying to have one. But what scares me most is that 30 is only 5 short years away. I feel nowhere even close to ready at this juncture in my life...how much is 5 years really going to change things?

My mom and I finally had a mini-talk about why she doesn't want me to have kids though. She's protecting me. She is in such a down place right now that she doesn't think it's fair to bring a kid up in this world the way it is. With the economy being in the toilet, gas prices being incredibly high constantly, and all the other factors, she's trying to protect me from bringing a kid into that. I did tell her that at some point, I will have one. I know very much that I do want at least one at some point in my life b/c I really don't feel like my life will be complete unless I have one. There's something about being a mom that I would like to experience at some point.

It's just I can't believe I'm so close to being at this juncture in my life. It doesn't feel like it should be this close...and I think that's the part the freaks me out the most. Maybe this is a mini midlife crisis....but how do you know when you feel like a grown up? Because I certainly don't feel remotely close to it now.

Trip Drama

So, this year, as you all know, I've been planning on going to California for my husband and my annual trip. I posted all about what made us make this decision here. However, this trip seems like it's been in jeopardy since the beginning. It's almost as if the Gods don't want us to go.

First, we had all the trouble deciding where to take our trip this year. Then we've had all the trouble with WHF and wanting to quit his job, which would definitely take our trip out of commission if he left, since we'd be staying at the hotel chain he works at for our duration. Now what's affecting it? His best friend is getting married next year and they're getting married in May on a cruise.

Why is that such a problem? Because we had originally planned on going to Disney World again next year in Sept. So now, we still want to do that AND we have to take this cruise because WHF will be the best man and we made his best friend go to Jamaica with us for our wedding.

See, here's the major dilemmas with this...first off, for the cruise...it's a 7 day cruise...and there's of course, no way around that. It's not like our trip to Jamaica where people could choose 4 day or 7 day...there's only one choice. Second, it's in early May...WHF will have used up all the rest of his vacation days with me on our trip to DL. And while his vacation days recycle in May, it's not til almost the end before it does. Third, I don't know if I have to work. May is extremely busy and taking seven days off might not be the most feasible. Fourth, if I don't go and WHF does b/c he has to, I won't see him for 7 days!!! Seven! That's a long time! Fifth...I really don't particularly care for his best friend. To me, he's a drunk with no social skills and we haven't gotten along all that well since the start. I also barely know his girlfriend. They've been dating for 3 years and I've only seen her a total of like twice in all that time. How will I spend a cruise for 7 days with all these people? Sixth, I don't see why they can't get married at the port of call and then go off on the cruise for their honeymoon. Seventh, is of course money. It's going to cost at least 2,000 for the two of us to go and that's just for the cruise. Not for anything else that has to deal with the wedding!

So, those are the reason why I don't really want to go on this cruise. There are a lot of factors going against it, but unfortunately, I have to keep my mouth shut and play along b/c I have no choice in the matter.

So, what does that have to do with our trip this year? Well, now that pretty much knocks out our trip for next year to WDW...which sucks because I JUST got an annual pass for my birthday from WHF. It was a good option b/c I'm more than likely going to Mousefest this December and we were going to take our trip in Sept...paying off the AP easily. Now, though...it will seem that I can't take the trip in Sept. because that will add an extra fifteen hundred expense on for next year's trip grand total bringing it up to $3500 at least. Which sucks b/c the whole reason behind getting the AP was the fact that I'd get to actually use it and use it this next year. It would be pointless to just use it for Mousefest and nothing else. I definitely wouldn't be getting my money's worth.

So, therefore, that leaves us in a pickle. We got the vacation insurance on this trip to Cali...however, it's not like we've put that much money into it yet...only about $900 or so, but we'd be probably putting in at least another $600 just being there, at least. And we could really then use that money to go on our trips next year instead, down to WDW or on the cruise, so we'd then end up having 2 vacays next year, which makes up for missing one this year.

Plus, if I'm going to Mousefest this year, I can see about taking WHF down with us and we can take a short mini trip, so we still get somewhat of a vacation this year. If we did that, I'd probably see about getting WHF an AP or 10 day no expiration pass though.

It's just all so up in the air...as it has been since the beginning, and it's looking more and more like the best option is going to be to cancel our trip this year and go some other time. I just hate that it seems like that's what seems like we're going to have to do. (Stupid WHF's friend ruining all our plans! We had it all figured out!)

Ugh...my brain hurts! Too many choices. And too little time to decide. Our trip to Cali is less than 2 months away.

Fun Downtown

So, this weekend, WHF went out of town. I was very worried I was going to miss him terribly (which, of course, I did.) so I wanted to keep myself absolutely busy so I wouldn't miss him so much. My plan on Saturday to help accomplish this...going downtown to hang out with Becker.

Becker is going to school for interpreting...and right now, she's getting her practicum hours in, b/c she graduates in a couple of weeks. I'm very proud of her...she is really good at what she does.

Anyway, on Saturday, she was interpreting at the Arch and then she was signing for the free Lonestar concert that was here in town. I decided to go with her.

So, we left the house on Sat. at 11:00 (she spent the night that night) and off we went to the Arch. Let me tell you, that is the most time I've ever spent inside that building in my entire life...and I'm good for now. I don't need to go back anytime soon. Because while the Arch might be entertaining for out of towners, for locals, it is a drag.

I did go into a movie about Lewis & Clark and learned more about them then I ever wanted to know...so that was kinda cool.

Also, we went on the riverboat b/c she had to sign on that as well...wow...the St. Louis Riverfront is kinda ugly. I feel really bad for tourists who paid whatever they had to pay to get on that damn thing. All I really saw were dilapidated buildings...some of it was cool...but our riverfront is not near as cool as most other cities.

After that, we were on to Lonestar. Now, this was a free concert, so I had to stake my claim b/c it was open seating. (This was, of course, behind the VIP section). I had a decent spot right in the front, which is helpful for us short folk.

However, after the opening act played, Becker found me and asked me if I wanted to sit up closer. I said...hell ya!!! So, I got moved up to the second row!!! Eek!!!! That's the closest I've ever been.

The concert itself was pretty fun and I took some amazing pics and video...so without further adieu...here's that. (That's what you all come here for anyway...the pics I take! :D )

A view of the Arch from the Riverfront:

The only real decent thing on the Riverboat cruise...if you can call it decent:

Wait...when did you become the lead singer of Lonestar?

Alright, you'll do...you're kinda cute.

I'm pretty sure he's looking at me:

The band onstage:

Um, I think he's looking at me again:

Becker signing away...look at her go!

Last, here are 2 videos I took...the last one cuts out b/c I ran out of memory card...oops!

It's A.....

So, today my SIL went to the Dr. to find out what the sex of the baby is going to be. I was quite anxious to find out...b/c I wanted to start spoiling the little thing rotten. :D

Turns out, it's a Girl! I'm going to have a niece. It's so exciting b/c there haven't been any girls in my husband's family for years, so this will be a nice, welcome change.

If all goes the way it's supposed to...her name is going to be Katherine...named after WHF's grandma. (Which is fine by me...I didn't want to name my kid after someone in any of our families anyway...she can totally have the name.) I don't know what they're going to call it for short...I might just have to call her Kat. :)

So, I'm very excited and now I can start planning the baby shower I'm eventually going to be having for her! (Yay...pink cupcakes!) And of course, I'll have to buy tons of pink stuff that hopefully in the future, I'll get to use too.

Who Wants to See Fireworks?

So, I took some videos of the Fourth of July fireworks that we went to see on the 5th. There was this big festival by the river, so WHF and I decided to head on down there and see what all was going on.



Without further adieu...

And the finale...

Happy 4th! (Sorta)

Well, the Fourth of July has come and gone and it was a relatively nice day. It wasn't anything spectacular for us, but it was just relaxing.

We were originally going to go to the pool, but decided to scrap that idea for something else...especially since we wouldn't have been able to spend much time at the pool anyway.

We did however go to the grocery store to pick up some supplies for dinner. We were having our friends over and I was meeting one of my best friend's new date.

I came home and attempted to make a red, white, and blue cake. It didn't turn out the way I had hoped, but it was a trial...so for that, it didn't turn out too bad either. No pics of it though.

Then WHF grilled burgers, which happened to be delicious!

After all the eating...we walked up to the area where they would be shooting off the fireworks. Our city puts on a really spectacular display each year and this year was no exception. I wished I would have enjoyed them more, but the restroom was calling me and I had to go NOW...so unfortunately I had to leave before the fireworks finished, otherwise, I would have made a mess. lol! I did get to see the finale as I was walking home though...so that was good.

In all, it was a nice day. I was able to spend it with WHF and that's all that mattered. Now, I'm about to go get my sun on though...going to the pool that I missed out on yesterday.

The Great Flood

Ok, so this isn't the "Great Flood", that was 1993, however, this is the most flood water I've seen in a long time.

Many of you who know I live in the Midwest have been curious about the flood waters here and if I've been affected by them. Luckily, I have not. However, that doesn't mean there aren't some tiny effects I've felt.

The first is that the back road I take to work everyday is flooded, so I have to take the highway instead, which ironically takes longer.

And the second is on the other highway that I take to work, you can definitely see water now instead of ground. This is because a levee broke in the area. I took some pictures as I was driving (I know...great idea...lol!) but I wanted to be able to show just how things were here. They aren't the best, but remember, they were taken from a moving car...going fast b/c I was on the highway...(I'm digging myself into a bigger hole! lol!)

And yes, that's an actual building under water! These are some of the soccer fields in the area and that's one of the buildings for it. And that thing in the front, I believe is a tree.

So, as you can see...it's flooded here.

Listen To The Drunk Man

Well, things are going much better in WHF's job thanks to an encounter we had with a drunken higher up with his company. :D

On Monday night, WHF went out to a fancy dinner with work people. He thought it would help him and I agreed. After dinner, they then went to a bar. Well, this higher up thought WHF had had too much to drink, so he gave him $100 to take a cab ride home. (Keep in mind, cabs are not a big thing in our city...they're used, but definitely not in high numbers.)

So, WHF called me and told me this...I said, don't worry, my brother's over here, so I can come and pick you up. (Keep in mind also, this is 11:30 at night.)

My brother and I drove downtown and he dropped me off. WHF said, this executive wants to meet the person who would drive down here to get me. So, off I went with him to the bar.

I guess this executive thought I was a little upset with WHF and all the hours and such he'd been working. So he starts drunkenly talking to us about how WHF needs to go home to his family. How he needs to go home at a decent hour. That they worked really hard to get him there, sending like 125 emails back and forth and while it's hard now, it's going to get easier. That hopefully things would be settled in a year. It's hard for every single person right now. That they'd hire someone else to work under him. That he really is an asset to the company and that they see him going places. This guy went on and on (some of this stuff repeated many times) for like 20 minutes.

And here I was grinning like a monkey! I was sitting there thinking, yep, told him that. I told him that too...he needed to hear that. It was such a great conversation...I know he really appreciated it b/c he finally felt appreciated.

And the most interesting part is that he wouldn't have heard any of this if I hadn't showed up to get him. WHF didn't mention any of this to the executive...he just started talking about it when he saw me.

So, hopefully this new found confidence will help him. Because I still have faith in him. And I think he's gaining a little in himself too.