christmas drinking

I've been out christmas drinking. it's great and it last the WHOLE month. And because it is my birthday next month (which I just realized today at the doctor's office) it continues into the first week of January ! So today after our work "holiday party" my boyfriend just met my coworkers. all went more than well. he said it was finally good to place a face to a name and vice versa. So hopefully it is just the same this weekend when he get to meet the whole Johnson family. I'm thinking my sister's fiance should take most of the burden for being one foot in and all, but in the end the bF is going to meet some really tall, really loud, really assertive Johnsons. No hugs, just handshakes, unless there's a diamond ring. That means hugs.

My sister's engaged!

Congrats to Danielle and Brandon who just got engaged on the beach in Florida. The wedding is going to be one hell of a party.

Store Bound

Exciting news from last week - After the Journal Setinel article ran, one of my college classmates contacted me about my bags. After selling one to her she asked me to sell on consignment at a new shop in her nonprofit. Long story short, there was a grand opening to the public this past Thursday and upon arriving she with much energy told me I've already sold one bag. My first bag sold at a store - how cool!

Also, after being peer pressured by my dad to call up the owner a West Bend bookstore to inquire about selling my bags - I set up a meeting. So I went in on Monday and to my suprise the owner wants a dozen to start with. So I am very excited about selling my bags at stores. Be sure to check out Fireside Books in West Bend this weekend and Horizon Home Hospice in Brown Deer.

Workaholic

I have no idea what a social life is anymore. If it’s a gin and tonic with my computer and sewing machine well that brings my posse to three. Four when the boyfriend calls. I have some updates.

1. My bags are now going to be sold at the just opening Grief Resource Center (8949 N. Deerbrook Trail, Brown Deer, WI 53223). Part of the proceeds go to help the organization.
2. I donated my time to design a Rodeo invite for my friend Brooke in Denver, CO. She works at the American Liver Foundation and one of the events is a rodeo. The committee like my design so much they are going to make a belt buckle from the main graphic!
3. I made it into the West Bend Daily News. Grandma says it’s the biggest picture she’s seen in that paper since the President (Regan) came to town. Read the article.
4. I carved two pumpkins at a pumpkin party my boyfriend and I hosted. My carving included a spider and a scary face. He out carved everyone with a total of four.
5. I have since moved into a new condo with a view of the lake. Besides keeping everything spotless it has been refreshing.
6. I’ve joined Facebook. So if you’re on there by my friend.
7. I’ve got asked to sell bags at a Jewish holiday boutique sale AND a posh house party both in November. So far my supply is 50+. But with the way those women shop in Mequon I may need to start a sweatshop.
8. I’ve introduced the boyfriend to my Grandma and “special friend” who live in Oconomowoc. Grandma was on her best behavior. I don’t count talking so loud that everyone in the restaurant was glaring her down. She can’t help it.
9. I’ve started a 403b if anyone cares. When the financial planner asked me what my future retirement plan is he laughed when I said marry rich and retire at 28.
10. On a relaxing note I did manage to break away for a colorful weekend in Fish Creek with the man. It was the perfect weekend getaway from the city.

Work in progress

Now that the leaves are turning and people are sitting inside drinking apple cider, people no longer shop outside. They shop inside and online. I've started putting my bags online. It is a temporary gallery page until I build a more sophisticated site equipped with a shopping cart. I'm also taking suggestion on names for the bags.
visit the site.

Moving!

Yes! I'm moving once again. It's been 1 year and 5 months since I've lived in my cozy upstairs bungalow.
Was I looking for another place? Not really.
Did I want to move again? Not really.
But... my co-worker/girl friend lives in a very amazing condo overlooking the lake. Her boyfriend/fiance bought the condo and has since moved to back to the homeland (Ireland). Until they figure out the future, she asked me to move in to keep company and help with the bills. Could I pass it up? Heck no! It has an awesome view of the lake, great (clean) kitchen, workout room, garage space, etc... An elevator up to the ninth floor replaces my three flights of stairs, yes I can't wait.
Will I miss the garbage in the freezer or the garbage can in the back yard or the text messages at 7am or fifth grade boxers hanging in the bathroom? I think not.

My roommate will burn the house down by the end of the year

That's right, I'm calling it. The barn yard animal will be too busy rummaging through his pigsty to remember to TURN OFF THE BURNER on the stove. I've now walked downstairs more than a handful of times when I'm about to leave when I see a small blue flame in the kitchen. Seriously man, you're 30 years old and can't turn off the gas? There is something wrong.
My patience level has hit an all time low with him. If you don't already know I'm moving out. (a different story).

I've since learned to stay away from the sharp silverware when we are both present in the kitchen. At one point I found my spoon I was stirring my hot cocoa in the spice cabinent, about 8 feet from where I left it. I was so mad I flung it into the sink from across the kitchen. Midway through the air and my cursing he entered the kitchen. I'm not a violent person, but sometimes I wish I had hearding whip or something of the sort because this is one astranged animal we are dealing with.

Close to the record

It's the last day of the month, sales are up in bags and I close out this week with 13 bags sold. For the two months I've sold 68 bags. That 68 bags "hopefully" being used for grocerys or other shopping items. If everyone took there bag to the store for a whole year just think at how many plastic or paper bags would be sparred, the number is in the thousands!

If you don't already have a resuable bag or need more I'll be at the Milwaukee Public Market's outdoor market throughout Septmeber. OR if you have any connections with furniture stores or interior designers and they have fabric that is discontinued, I would gladly recycle it!

Record breaking day

Saturday at the Market was a record breaking day. Mostly everyone who bought my bag said they saw my article. Even people passing by would whisper, "That was the girl from the article," or "I remember reading about that." My dad surprised me by riding down on his road bike all the way from West Bend. By the time he got there it was raining steadily and by 1:30 I packed up, early. Sold my total for Saturday was 13 and ending Sunday I sold 5 more which brings me to a total of 18. Whooo Hooo. I couldn't be happier.

To celebrate my success, my new friend took me out for a nice dinner at Lake Park Bistro. It was just amazing I haven't been somewhere that romantic and nice with the best company. After dinner I noticed a present with my name on it at his place. Even though he said it was something small it was really quite big - A signed print of Bruce Springsteen in the seventies. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

In Today's Paper

If you missed Wednesday's Milwaukee Journal, you missed a good article.
Here's the online version.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=646523

So far I've gotten emails and phone calls waiting for me at the market for bags. I hope to have a record breaking day this saturday.

Party Cloudy is Partly Sunny

What a great weekend. The forecast for this past saturday was party cloudy. I told this to another vendor and she said, well that means partly sunny. That optimism brought me a record shaking day selling eight bags. I even had a returning customer that was buying a bag for her mother. Wooo hooo. It was a good day.

A short catnap later I was on my way to Otto's to buy a 1/4 barrell for the fantasy football draft party taking place with 11 guys and me. I lost last year due to some key injuries, but this year I'm back in with a strong lineup, or so I hope. When I arrived at Jeff's I was told that it was also Greg's bachelor party. Ok so there is me, a bunch of dudes and one guys wife during the draft. Many beers later we close the draft and the only other female leaves me. Well do I go home at 9pm and fall asleep or am I one of the guys and throw back some more. No suprise - I partied until bar time wearing same short shorts and top I put on at 6:20 am. I thought I deserved it. And the guys needed some silly entertainment anyway.

And Sunday I payed for it..all...day...long.

Who wants to Save the Earth?

Well I think you all that live in Milwaukee should come visit me at some point in August at the Milwaukee Public Market on Saturdays from 8-2. Gina needs to sell some bags. Gina wants to save the earth and Gina also wants to buy new shoes.

Well the market was slow this past Saturday. I only sold one, and traded another for some salt scrub. But spending a Saturday outside with my friends is much better than being hungover and attached to my laptop.

So I have a lot more time on my hands being single. It's been almost a month now. I don't stay up late worry why I never got a phone call or wait around for him to be done with work or wait for the phone call saying he'll be busy working. Fapooii! I have my life back and I feel good. I don't feel bad. I suprisingly don't have feelings of resentment or need. I guess I went through those already during the later part of our relationship. I truly thought that he was different but I overlooked what I needed rather than realize what he could actually give me. A long but good lesson learned. So rather than tip toe into his schedule I went out. I met. And now I have met some pretty incredible people because I finally got mad and starting taking control.

Life is good.

Long Weekend

I am very glad that I have mondays off. It turns into my sunday.

Saturday again was the market. I didn't sell as many as hoped, but the word it getting out and people that cannot make it are asking for website to look at the bags. Maybe it will be up next week...or perhaps winter...depending on how much free time I can swing to complete it. After seven hours of the market (and a strong mimosa from the Wicked Hop) I headed back home, packed up my car again for a work picnic I was co-hosting at lake park. As soon as the food was set up and the beer was in the cooler, friends and co-workers were coming by the dozen. It was a perfect day to be outside grilling out and sipping cocktails.

After a couple hours there I had to head back home for a catnap before I slipped into my little red skirt for a posh birthday party. It was interesting, I was warmly welcomed by a group of girls who I could have prejudged as snobby and uninteresting. They were kind and sincere - it was a breath of fresh air to become friends with a new group of people who you just fit into. It felt good and I was happy. and the raspberry martini at Stir helped too.

and the rain cleared

Yesterday was my second time at the market. When I woke up it was thundering and drizzeling. When I packed up my car it was pouring. When I got to the market, blue skies! The day went by fast, I had friends come and visit me, even my dad, which was a surprise. None of them overlapped and it seemed I always had someone sitting next to me. Friends, family and co-workers have given me a this wonderful support system - I can only feel so blessed. I'll be happy to note that I sold seven bags. I doubt if next time I could double that - but who knows. I do have a lot of sewing to do between now and next saturday.

On a different note - the bF and I didn't work out. It has, yes, been upseting - but a relief once I got out of the box. He is and will be a good man but whether he is a good man for me is a very different question. Sometimes people are not as they seem and we envision them to be a certain way, pushing the red flags out of sight only taking in the good. It came to a point where enough red flags slammed me to break down and realize that I wasn't happy. I've learned a good lesson - you are in control of your own happiness, never ever ever let someone or something take happiness away.

gina

Market Day

Yesterday was my first day at the outdoor market outside the Milwaukee Public Market. Upon encouragement from friends, family and coworkers I decided to sell my grocery bags to the public. If you haven't already come into contact with one of my bags - they are meant for grocery shopping, eliminating paper and plastic bag us. They are even made from recycled fabric - by reusing materials they are saving space in landfills and the production of more fabric. I didn't realize how much time it would take to sew on handles, build my stand and get all the odd and end stuff together. I ran on coffee in the am and endorphines in the pm. I was so excited that I didn't even care I was getting five hours of sleep. But it payed off. It feels good. Everything was strangly fitting together at the end - it was like it was meant to happen. So at the end of Saturday I sold 3 bags, traded one for jewelery but recieved enourmous positive response from the vendors, the public market and potential customers. I think they'll come back and bring their friends. It's time to change the planet!

Gina tries to bake cookies

I had a chocolate craving so I decided to look up a reciepe for chocolate finger cookies. I following the instructions for the most part and this is what I got. A bunch of batter that won't stick together. I'm still hungry for chocolate so I decide what the heck I'll just put all the crumbles on a baking sheet. 20 minutes later I pull out the pan wait for the cool off to take place. I go back into the kitchen now on my hands and knees because I'm so in need of a sugar fix, I pick up one of the bigger crumbles, slam it into my mouth only to find that I really made pavement. So I went outside and fixed some potholes in the road.

No more surprises

Friday morning I woke up at 4:30am to Cooper peeing on my leg. I didn't care so I rolled over gave him a hug, just because I knew that this morning would probably be the last morning waking up with him. So it was, I found a new family to adopt the little guy. Cooper has a new brother, a yellow lab that right now is the same size he is. The perfect part about it is that Anthony and I can go visit any time.

Since waking up so early, my girlfriends might not know this.... but after grilling out I had to go home at take a nap at 9pm before going out to Brady Street. It served me well because by 12:15 I was walking into JoCats, my favorite little dance floor. I've learned my limits keeping it to a two drink night, it kept my occasional drunk loud mouth closed and hands from doing the "elanie".

Saturday was a blissful day because for the first time in over a month I got to sleep in to 8am. Yes that's right 8:00. I had lunch with my grandma in oconomowoc. I took my bike out for a quick 12 mile ride. Then bought some paint because I couldn't stand the blue in the living room. While downward spiraling from fumes and exhast my sis called asking me to come down to Riversplash. To shower or not to shower, I thought looking at my Cream Yellow arms. Nah - it will be sweaty down there anyway and no one will know. So I quicked cleaned off what paint I could see, threw on some clean clothes and biked down. Ride time: 7 minuetes. Parked: two blocks away. Anyone in a car was driving around in circles hoping to find rockstar parking until they grew frusterated and parked 10 blocks aways. I felt like I beat the system. Until I paid $5 for a beer.
So now beer in hand I was jamming to the LoveMonkeys making sure I didn't get hit with this fishbowl the underage drunk girl was swaying around overhead. Jeff and wingman made an apperance -wish I could have hung out with them more but 10:30 rolled around and I declared it my bedtime.

Sunday I woke up praying for it not to rain. It was bike riding day and soon to be my first ride ever. My longest ride was to the Newburg pond and back - maybe 35 miles when I was much much yonger. Now I was on my own (well with my sister and her roomie on my tail) for the 25 mile trek. I was concerned I was passing people too fast and I would loose stamina along the way. Rubish! The only people to pass me were true bicyclists. The ride took us through bayview, down to college ave, to st. francis. It was just beautiful! Humble houses were sandwhiched between greenery and the lake. Parks rolled throughout the area and the birds were cheering us on. I finished ahead of my pack and a couple minuetes later Danielle and friend crossed the line. I was hungery for a doughnut.

When I got home I decided to pass on the shower and tackle the rest of those blue walls, leaving just a few finishing touches for today. Then finally finally finally after over a year of dating I got to meet some of the extended family. It has been almost as difficult as a kid trying to go to Disney World. Can we go? Can we go? Can we go? So off we were to Burlington for an engagement party for his cousin. And it was just fine. I don't know what he was so worried about. Ah well now it's back to the work week!

Surprise

I got a surprise last Sunday. After spending the weekend with the girls up in Minneapolis shopping and 6 hours of driving back to Milwaukee. All I wanted to do was relax in West Bend with my boyfriend and family. Well, he need to do a pit stop at his parents house, pick up mail and move a pot. Why couldn't he do this on monday I don't know - so I rolled my eyes and kept driving. While coming outside he brought out a Trader Joe's paper bag with a big ball of white fur inside. "Cooper" came one week after celebrating our 1 year anniversary. It has taken me awhile to accept him but now I just adore him - especially when he's not chewing on my valuables.

Posting

So it has been over a month. I've been debating on whether or not to keep the blog. My dating and drinking days are over. (Which for the most part fueled this blog) And I'm assuming you don't really want to hear about work. Well it will be determined at some point. You'd be happy to know that I did work straight through the month of March. I did make time to go visit a friend in Denver, CO. It was refreshing to see the mountains again and I could very well see myself living there. One thing that I didn't like is the lack of lakes. Here in Wisconsin you can spend a whole day on a lake boating, but then we don't have enormous mountains to climb! This is a photo of me at the red rocks amphitheatre

Carry that Weight

Carry that weight

I’ve been carry excess baggage around and I want to get rid of it - baggage in the form of resentment.

First, is the person that I thought was my best friend since freshman science. We experienced growing up like brother and sister. The first time I got really hammered I was in his basement. The person he called when his dad left was me. The first person that was at the house when my mom died was him. We would do long Saturdays on the lake followed by a bonfire. And whenever there was a family function for either family the other was always there. Always. And then something happened. I don’t know what but he stopped coming to Milwaukee. He would always call to say he would come for a party, a birthday, a holiday and never showed up. And when I would be in West Bend trying to get together there would be continuous ringing on the other end. We haven’t spoke since the day before my Dad’s wedding. He was scheduled to come and instead of calling me he calls Sara, says he has to repair a roof and I haven’t heard anything since. Surely he would know more people there than most guests so there wouldn’t be a need to feel uncomfortable. But roof repair instead of a wedding? Did I do something or are you on something? I have no idea what happened and that’s what bothers me. We had a closeness that felt like family but now it feels more like another high school buddy that I no longer talk to.

Second, is a spectacular female is hopefully is still reading this because I have not responded to her in months (particularly because I didn’t know how to respond). The sleep-on it mentality has lasted a half-year. It is as if our friendship was as if one was on the other side of the world. Our mentalities, our schedules and perceptions of each other are extremely different. Each of these road blocked attempts of getting together. Married life is very different from single life. Schedules conflicted more than enough and the excuses for not getting together were abundant. The communication cleared died in the frustration of not understanding each other. We just gave up because we thought the other is just someone we didn’t want to be friends with. Clearly after being friends for almost 7 years, helping each other through the best and worst times there is indeed something there. There are times when I know she is the only person to call because I know she can help me through that situation. But I don’t instigate because I am woman hear my roar. I’m learning I cannot do everything by myself. She even knows that I tend not to ask for help. But one day I came down with some sickness where I was puking every hour. I obviously couldn’t go anywhere and had to turn my self in to request help. She came with a care package. And she watched me puke on the sidewalk while traffic went by. But I couldn’t be happier because I couldn’t care for myself. Thank you!

Third, is the result from my last post. If you were on the other end reading about how I felt about a situation someone was involved in, you’d be pissed. Obviously, or not so obviously, I unconditionally love my friends. I hope they know I am there for them and I do hope they know I respect their feelings. So much can get lost in emails and text messages. Here, I am posting on a blog! Miscommunication escalates and we both are unhappy. I’m sorry about what happened on Saturday it is neither of our faults. It was the situation. I’m ready to move on and learn from it. I am not going to lose another friend from it.

Today is Molly’s birthday. None of us can wish her one because she is not here. While I was in Australia she left me comments on here, which have been fun to go back to. She and I had our differences and for awhile we didn’t talk. But somehow things worked themselves out.

Saturday

I love my sweatpants, especially on Saturdays. Since I freelance on the weekends, this attire is the most accommodating for me. I can roll out of bed, start a pot of coffee and begin cranking away with designs. Yesterday, however, was entirely different. I had spent Friday night in West Bend. It was Christmas all over again – a full house. Two parents, four adult kids, one grandchild and two dogs. The house was waking up around 6 am and in full function clean mode by 7. I snuck back downstairs to futz with my sewing machine, that I just got repaired. So I pinned up my fabric, rethread the machine and started sliding the fabric through. Upon looking at what I just stitched there was clearly a problem. FUCK! I rethread and rethread and rethread only to run away quickly before smashing the machine with a ruler. All I wanted to do was sew. It’s meditative and relaxing. Now I have to get it repaired - again.

Next on the agenda is to buy a baby gift before my step-sister’s baby shower. Danielle and I head to Kohls. Shopping in the baby department is like petting a pet rodent. They are supposed to be cute and adorable. Petting is more a nervous stroke. Danielle and I were lost in a cage of blue and pink. We would hold something up “Is this cute?” “Should we get it?” (a crinkle in the forehead appears). As soon as we made peace with a couple one-z things, bibs and an outfit, we squirreled out of that section and never looked back. Now, I just adored my cousins when I babysat them and love my 3 year old
niece. I just couldn’t imagine a baby in my life at the current moment. Maybe in a good chunk of time I’ll be ready but the idea of not sleeping, lots of poo, losing my body for a year, baby food spit-up and a car seat in the mini does not excite me.

Danielle knows she will have a baby before me because I told her so. But she is all about throwing a party, so here’s the deal. When I get my first dog I want a dog shower. The best thing is that the dog will be there, unlike the baby shower when the baby is still whirling inside a tummy. Everyone can bring dog bones, dog treats, knitted dog outfits, dog togs, etc. Instead of the invites offering to watch the baby they will offer to walk the dog if I’m away for the weekend. Wouldn’t that be great!

So back to the house we went to honor the mother to be. And two drinks later it was over. I love my new sis and will love her baby I’m just not the type of person to gush over a stroller or the size of her belly. I want the old nichole back were we could both easily stir up a cocktail and just talk about normal stuff.

That was the morning. Now the evening.

I like La Fuenta for their mediocre food, quality service and pitchers of rainbow margaritas. The plan was a small group to La Fuenta. Then the party grew and someone suggested Botana’s, a Mexican restaurant down the street the rivaled La Fuenta’s food and service, so someone said… Four of us arrived at 8:00 and was told the wait would be 45 minutes. Fine - there is bar and tequila – we will be fine. After our entire party of nine arrive I make two pit stops up to the hostess, one at 8:45 confirming that we will be indeed be seated soon. And another at 9:00 at which time we are shown to our table.

Opening the menu I wanted the same plate I get at La Fuenta for the same price (The combo taco and enchilada for under $8.) They didn’t have it so I ordered 3 tacos for $8.25. Some time later our food came and out my 3 soft shell tacos with NO rice or beans. OK if most of you know me, I absolutely dislike soft shell tacos. If I want a taco I want it crispy and salty (like taco bell) and when does a meal NOT come with rice and beans. I was ticked. I cut 20 years off my age and became a six year old whipping the soft shells out from the meat and lettuce and pancaking them on the table while stabling my fork into a meal I wasn’t going to eat.

Now the thing with large groups of people is that it is always difficult to pay the bill. Someone needs change, someone needs to pay with their visa and someone is always stingy. So when I put in more than enough for my portion I had to seriously break out of this place. The time was now 10:30 and I wasn’t having a good time. Normally, I think it is rude for party of the party to walk away but I have my grandpa’s blood running through me and I have to move. Two hours is more than enough time invested in this Mexican disaster. The workers are now sitting at table around us, rolling up silverware for the next workday. Two members from our original foursome have already booked it. Sara and I batman and robin outta there ready to locate a new bar. The phone rings. One of the members of the party of 5 claims there isn’t enough cash. Obviously math and social responsibility isn’t in there skills set. Drinks plus dinner is going to total much more than what you’ve expected, especially if you’ve been drinking. They’ve asked Sara and I to leave the comfort of the warm car and bring more money inside. Now I have to pay even more for a meal that I didn’t enjoy? Now I’m ticked. I should have brought my sewing machine with because this would have been a great place to smash it.

So I storm in drop some bills and walk out. What I should have done is picked up the bill and helped them count their bills. I most likely came off as a very rude and unlikable, but that line was crossed. I was furious. My furious and Sara driving, we locate our old bartender at a pub called The Bottle. Awesome! I can relax have a beer and talk with my closest friend. It was really the most appropriate way to top of an awful day.

One Month Later....

So I haven't had too much going on besides work work and work. But here are some pics from the past month.


Jeff and I dancing at Buckhead - not sure what kind of dance that is but I had fun.


Me and the girls celebrating Annie's birthday on Brady Street.


Having a good time at Jo Cats with my new friend.


My and the family in Florida while it was in the negative weather in Wisconsin.

The Weekend Update: Putting stuff in the body

After being persuded to go out on Friday night, I did. 5 lovely ladies, my sis included, headed to Flannerys in a big yellow taxi cab. My intention was responsible drinking, I was very good for the first round, but then our friend the drink pourer came around. 5 shots, some booty shakes and being scared by a red bearded man, we danced back into the cab to the tune of Fergalicious. That's me eatting a pickle before going to JoCats.

Saturday night the bF and I ventured to the Southside for dinner. If you ever get a chance go to the Packing House on Layton for steaks. It's a brillant combo of soutside milwaukee meets log cabin fever. We were serenated by a 3 piece band, average age = 68. Then it was off to the Cactus Club for a grungier band. In order to wake up ordered a vodka red bull. Within the hour I was feeling like my insides were bleeding orange juice. I was quickly escorted into bed.

Sunday was another treat. Grandma's 81st birthday. Little did I know that putting food into my acid system wasn't a good choice. And on top of that taking Grandma's never ending stories created more misery. Why can't some people just be happy.

For a friend: A clean conscience makes a warm pillow

When in a relationship it takes effort, a lot of learning and patience to cohabit with another begin. What happens when that patience starts flaking away and and effort is the cold McDonalds fry that you just threw out your car? Upon learning that some relationships take a lot more work I feel very lucky for not having the headaches that others do. But where is the breaking point when it seems like the love of your life is a tsunami?

My Island

Friday Island: After stepping outside the 10 bus the sky is now black and the wind has a bite. All I want to do is make it inside without slipping on the sidewalk. I do and now all I care about is making a butt imprint in a chair. I don’t want to call to find out what anyone is doing tonight. It is too cold to put on the cute shoes and play paddy cake in the bars. I am my own island. I can watch Law and Order if I want to.

Saturday Afternoon Island: Upon much joking and signing of the catchy 7-mile fair commercial, my boyfriend takes the off ramp to bargains. If you were alone on an island what would you take with you? The Chinese man standing behind his swords would also take a toilet seat cover and a Prada clutch. And this was the case for most vendors in Racine. Batteries and granny panties, cell phone plates and Buddha statues, parakeets and a Steve Martin dvds… marketing gone wrong… not if the price is right. I bought myself a nice Coach bag for $55.

Saturday Night: The LoveMonkeys are in Appleton, this means road trip! Milwaukee represented with Danielle’s roomies and friends. On the side of mature were Carrie and me. We’ve grown up since last concert – we only get on stage now when asked. Then in the middle of the dance floor my sister was holding my downfall, the $3.50 Long Island Special. If it weren’t for the island I would equiped with bachelor party next to us with some napkins to keep their drool from hitting the floor.

Sunday Island: Upon waking up way to early Danielle and I wanted a head start back to Milwaukee. Our ears were still ringing and eyes half shut until we found a winter wonderland in front of Carrie’s apartment. And it began to look a lot like Christmas the closer we got to Milwaukee. We fa la la la-ed at 55 mph to West Bend. If only I had won the powerball I could have been on my way to my own snow free private island.

Vikidin or Jameson?

I don't think I like this getting old thing. For some reason I can't lift my arm - Doc thinks it's from using my mouse too much and told me I should take some time off work. Now I have incredible pain on my back shoulder blade shooting up to my neck. I saw a dog the other day with the white cone around its head. I kinda feel like that, not being able to look at my butt without spinning in a circle. I can't itch my ears without conducting an orchestra with my right arm first (this is what it takes to move my arm up). A physical thereapist recommended a doctor, my hippie coworker recommend Quantam Healing, my roomie recomened a chiropracter, my doctor recommended a physical therapist on monday, and a oncologist today and a bottle of vikeden, although I suppose a bottle of Jameson could do the trick.

Welcome 2007!

Ah my first post for 2007.

So much has happened since my last writing. We celebrated Christmas, a new year and my 25th birthday. All very exciting things capped off with a glass of something.

Christmas-
This years Christmas celebrated a blending of a family. The house was louder and wrapping paper lay in pieces. This year was the first year we celebrate Christmas at my Grandparent’s house. Usually we do it two weeks ahead of time because they jetset off to Florida for an extended winter stay. Due to a couple broken bones, things had to be postponed for grandma, Florida and martinis. Not to worry, at this time a flight is booked and the gin is flowing.

The week after Christmas was a drag. So…. I did a favor for my Grandma. Turns out her new car (first car that isn’t a station wagon) has cloth seats. Big problem. But her car in Florida is old and needs to be traded in, in West Bend. So the big boat and my boyfriend went 1411 miles to Fort Myers Beach, FL.

Florida-
This experience was so good. I got to spend an incredible amount of time with a man I adore in the SUN! This was his first time in Florida. It was my twenty something time in Florida. Spending it will someone who is seeing this area for the first time really forces you to take advantage of living in that moment right there. It’s exciting and new all over again. It was special.

Usually I rarely venture away from the island but this time there was someone that wanted to see it all. One day we went to Sanibel. Another day we walked to the pier and shopped downtown. The last day we went to the Everglades. I seriously thought the bF was joking about seeing alligators as we crossed the Georgia border into Florida. We signed up for a boat tour in hopes of seeing true Florida wildlife. The tour took us through the 1000 islands off the lower western tip. Soon enough we had dolphins jumping in circles and playing in the wake. It was just beautiful.

After not seeing any gators someone HAD to inquire about where to see some big ass gators. 15 minutes later we driving up to a 17 mile stretch of gator territory. The further you go, the bigger they get. I stayed my safe distance behind the wheel but Mr. Alligator Hunter ventured near the brush to uncover heaps of gators. We saw over 50 and that is enough for my lifetime. Those huge beasts are scary!

New Years-
This new years was by far the best. No traveling from bar to friends house to bar shivering from the cold and wondering when your heels are going to snap from dancing to much. Nope none of that. We dragged two beach chairs about 100 feet and sat next to the water with a bottle of champagne while watching the many fireworks shows along the beach. It was forth of July all over again.

The drive home – 44 Cracker Barrels

My birthday-
Woke up in Louisville. Ran errands in Milwaukee. Had dinner at Casablanca on Brady St and drinks with my great friend Sara.

My birthday celebration –
Had a blast with my close friends. We threw some darts and went dancing and my sister is no longer a Jo Cats virgin.