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.

Times New Roman

So I'm the only one in the office which means my two-coworkers jobs have got handed down to me. I open up this crappy looking piece, all text and stupid bars cover the damn thing and on top of that the font Times is used. Yeah it's a step up from Times New Roman, but it's the same thing! This is newspaper type not type that sells classes. Get out of the eighties - your font choices have reached triple digits.

Lunch Break

Today I rode the bus to Brady Street to have lunch with some old co-workers. Then I rode it back to work. Across from me this 20 something year old wearing a blue fannel jacket was trying to sleep. A couple stops later he moved to the front of the bus but as he was getting his backpack a blue pabst light can fell from his coat. Hmm. So while picking up his empty - he drops another one. Two empty beer cans in his pocket. Wasn't there a trash can he could dispose them in? And was this his lunch? So he moved to the front of the bus, bounced his head and squinted at the person across from him.

I’m not drinky

Say’s the girl who’s celebrating her birthday.

Last night Sara and I headed down to Chicago to celebrate Sue’s birthday. I finally got to meet the best of the best of her boyfriends. We bonded over our glasses of water while digressing how rough it is being the designated driver. Then Sue would pop over dancing to the cover band playing Tom Petty motivating people to rally up for his next show at Summerfest. One thing I couldn’t understand is how different Sue is from her friends she grew up with. While both were polite and nice they seemed ultra-conservative. Neither was crazy dancing or bopping around talking to people. It just was strange seeing extension of someone who is so outgoing and fun not be somewhat the same. Not that I didn’t respect her friends which I did I just expected something else. And when the bar brought the bottle of Jameson up to the second floor that wasn’t expected – that was needed.

Now Sara and I haven’t done a little road trip in since we had a girl’s night in Appleton. I think that long rides draw out significant conversations. I know both of us tend to get stuck with emotions that we can’t work out by ourselves. While family or friends or work won’t go away – it’s nice to be taken away from their burdens to figure out where to venture from this point. The beauty of last night is that you can put it all out, get it out of your system and let the darkness and fog soak it up. The morning is an entirely new day.

Comfy!

Taa Daa!

My chair is finally done. The before shot is EXACTLY how the chair was found in a back alley of an apartment building in Shorewood. I covered it in a super soft white suede. It is one of those chairs that you cannot drink red wine or eat a cheesburger.

It's a blizzard!

It was a blizzard yesterday. I couldn't even cross the street without getting pelted with snow!

The Weekend Report: Thanksgiving in Cali

The extended weekend included a family outing to one of my favorite destinations, California. Rather than stay someplace we have already we decided Laguna Beach would be fun and entertaining. If I was 40 something, married to a venture capitalist yeah I might like botox Mondays and buying my spoiled brats a lotus for Christmas. But as you all know I am a bit more grounded than that. However, I do miss breakfast on the patio overlooking the ocean.

The last day was spent enjoying Santa Monica and Venice Beach. Soon I felt more at ease with the street performers and the bum eating the leftovers of my salad. There’s nothing pretentious about it. The bum isn’t fake, the woman strumming her guitar isn’t fake and certainly the man covered in silver isn’t fake. You could go up to each of the them and have a normal conversation – one that doesn’t include a brokerage account or jimmy choo shoes.

Feels like a Monday

It feels like a Monday. It was nonstop work today from 7:30-5 sans my 10 minutes emailing the girls about our Thursday Bob Seger adventure while shoving noodles in my mouth. But now I’m home and before I head off to upholstery I wanted to say that I had a great weekend. Friday night had dinner at Café Lulu in Bayview, then off to play pool at a pool hall in southside, Milwaukee. Thinking I had my fill of the southside – Sara and I headed back on Saturday to the budget cinema and watched a very stupid movie – but it was better than the basic channel tv movies. Later that night – when I wanted to call it quits from formatting this 100+ page manual and hit my bed Sara called, as planned.

Sara and I haven’t had an unplanned night out in the longest time and every single time it is unplanned it exceeds all expectations. Plus the both of us hadn’t had a night out together since Carrie came down we tap danced with 14 year old boys. So we started out at the Twisted Fork hoping to be served by the best bartender in town. He wasn’t there but this couple in their late 30’s provided great people watching. According to our instincts – this man and woman are on their second date. They were sharing a cosmo, which rarely takes place between those in a serious relationship. The man had his feet propped up on her seat, head titled back, crotch very visible to her eyes. It was like he was saying “Are you drunk enough, come back to my place, did I mention I have a Picasso?” She maintained eye contact, so she was into him but her back was tight and she was questioning if this guy is the guy for her. After ordering another martini we couldn’t take watching this four-play so we headed to Vittuci’s.

Vittuci’s was the same as always – just younger. A group of guys who we deemed college players turned out to be intellectual, serious and conservative UWM alumns.
Sara developed a small crush on the blond curly haired guy who is a teacher for inner city mentally handicapped kids. Ouuuuuu…..

Then the best part of every night is ending it at Jo Cats. We met up with another group of girls and rocked the dance floor Latino style. When we were all hot and sweaty it felt really good to walk out the door and let the cold neutralize the body. It was a good night. I couldn’t feel the cold air not because I was intoxicated, but because I was happy and full of energy. I work very hard and it’s hard to let loose but somedays you just deserve it.

Revenge of the Roommate

It was a weekend without the barn yard animal roommate. It was fabulous – not that I stayed in my apartment the whole time – it was just nice to know he wasn’t there and will be playing with a rifle and trees for the next months. It’s Sunday night and I’ve had a successful weekend, hanging out with my family, extending family, friends and the boyfriend who couldn’t talk. I’ve managed to work out a 4-day work schedule with every Monday off.

So this Monday I wake up rather early and think – yeah I should start working on my freelance projects. So I get up, hear the barn yarn animal downstairs and decided to wait to go downstairs until he leaves. Ugh! I can’t wait anymore I have to make my coffee and shower. On my way to the bathroom, there on the side of the counter top sit a long yellow plastic bread bag with now minus two pieces of bread, which reside on top of the bag covered in jam. Not even 30 seconds and he’s into my stuff. I hop in the shower and wait till he is gone to make sure that is my loaf I bread. I wildly open all the cupboards cursing at ‘W’ once confirming that that Home Pride loaf is indeed mine, it’s the only Home Pride load in the entire kitchen! Oh and what is this befriending his 7 boxes of granola bars? A half bag of sugar – huh…that kinda looks like mine. I dodge back to my cabinet – no sugar.

It turns out my nice lecture on respect is out the window, and now I want revenge. Any input?

I finally started yelling

I yelled at my roommate yesterday. It felt good.

Tuesdays are very busy for me – I work from 8-5, then run home to quick eat, then jump in my car and head to upholstery class. I don’t get home until 9:30 which this Tuesday I have to go straight to my laptop and work 3 more hours on freelance. This means I don’t have time for anything else. When I get home “W” has my hair dryer out and is sealing up the plastic on the windows. Fine – but how long was he in my room looking for my hair dryer? Then on my way to my upstairs room -hands full with cookies and milk, “W” tells me, not asks me, “ I’m going to need a hand in 5 minutes.” Seriously dude this wasn’t in my agenda and I head upstairs shaking my head. “And I’m going to wrap your skylight next.” At which point I have to put my foot down and tell him gently I want him no where upstairs.

The next morning I’m blow drying my hair when I look at my nicely covered chair I did last semester. Wait is that a shoe print? I run to my closet grab my sneakers and to my best judgement they are 2 inches shy of that mark. I run downstairs looking for the stepper but god saved him, he has already left for work.

Wed night I get home. There he is cluttering up the sink. I went in for the kill.
Me: “Did you step on my green chair?”
W: “Oh o, did I break it?”
Me: “ Why did you step on my chair?”
W: “Oh shoot I’m sorry”
Me: “ W, I worked long and hard on the chair for it NOT to be stepped on! You’re always disrespecting my stuff, you eat my bananas, you threw away my bridesmaid bouquet and you go through my room without even asking! I’m sick of hearing I’m sorry – just cut it out and respect my stuff”

That should do it – if not his raisin bran is going over the balcony.

seeking refuge

I've been somewhat hiding from posting anything. I've been conflicted.

Since then I've taken a big, (30+ people big) vacation up to Door County for Grandma's birthday. Besides wearing colored coded shirts it turned out well. The bF came up and suprisingly wasn't scared by my 6ft tall family on beer. The best part of the whole trip was at 2:00am when we decided to go for a walk because we couldn't sleep. We walked around in our sweats looking up at stars - just talking and fantasizing when two strangers come towards us stumbling and stuttering "Wheressss thhheee lexussssess weee neeeeed toooo geeeeeeet baaaack! to the harboooor" Nina and her brother-in-law, our new midnight friends, closed the resort bar and now need to get back to the "harbor", their lodge. We point them in the direction where they have to walk through 3 ft of woods. We it looks like the brother in law just about reaches the other side he falls, which results in a bit of blood running from his forehead down to his nose. Nina thinks this is absolutely hilarious and falls backward. They were going to back it back by themselves. So I grab the brother in law and the bF grabs Nina. The brother in law I'll call him bill is about 50, short and stalking, hair somewhat gray and in convinced we came to his brothers Italian resturaunt. "Surrree I saw you and your huuuuuusband. I'm suuuure of it!" I went along with him as to not cause any disagreement. Nina was this petite woman clad in expensive jewelry. I found out later that her husband was off in china. We finally made it to there lodge. Now Nina and Bill where are your keys to get into the building?
Bill: "Nina I gave you the f*cking keys! check your purse nina! Nina I'm freezing my balls off! Nina where's the f*cking key!"
Nina (now sitting, head at a 45 degree angle to the side and drooling from the corners of her mouth) I told you I don't have the key
My bF takes off running towards the main office to get a security which leaves me some quality time with bill and nina. Bill is now swaying and I have to put my arm around him so he doesn't fall over. Both think we are excellent people for helping them back and invite us in for a cocktail. Bill wants to give me some peanuts he found in his jacket. Finally a golf cart bounces through the woods with room key on board. Bill runs in and thanks the security guard because he "was freezing his balls off"

What an interesting way to end the evening. We slept very well and hope nina and bill were able to locate some aspirin in the morning.

Last weekend I spent with my sister my good friends carrie and sara and road trip to Oconomowoc to see the Love Monkeys at coconut Joe's. Ladies - if you want to here some good pickup lines this is the place to go.
- I accidentally bumped in a guy which he explains that this isn't a pickup line but I have the softest skin. I told him all women have soft skin - especially babies.
- A guy who my sister had pointed out that she gave him her number came up to me after and started sizing me up at which I stopped him and asked him " hey didn't my sister just give you her number?"
- A girl and behalf of some guy came up to me and said I should really say hi to this guy at the bar because he thinks I'm just amazing.
- A gentleman about 40 walked right up to me shook his head and said" If only I was 10 years younger" and walked away.
- A group of guys that look about 14 going on 15 became our groupies. The look in there eyes so desperately wanted their skinny bodies a chance at manhood.
- My sister threw an older (50year old), regular Love Monkey groupie my way. He told me how gorgeous and had to talk really close to my ear to tell me about the bar he almost bought because it was really loud but then he proceeded to put his mustache and lips on my cheek. (cringe! and proceed to my sister - how dare she!)
- This is the best one. A guy comes up to me at the end of the night and asks why us hotties aren't dancing anymore. Which I explain it is the end of the night and we are going to head home. Then he asks if talking to me is worth his time at which I say yes but if you're under 30 you could talk to my sister. What does he do? Stay and I'm not sure if he was trying to impress me but he explains that he is recently divorced - but it's just legal stuff 'cause you know I just didn't like the relationship and it just ended and it doesn't really matter. come have lunch with my on monday 'cause I don't work.

Good stuff I needed the humor because the rest of the weekend and the week became much serious.

Learning that the man who you fell in love with has changed is causing a huge strain. This is why I haven't been posting. I don't know what to say. I don't know how I feel because it changes from one day to the next. Because my mother passed so quickly I definitely have a fear of losing people and if I can control it then it's not a problem. So when the bF has some medical problems that need to be diagnosed it causes me great worry not only to his condition but to us because it's just not the same. How do I deal with things going from absolutely perfect to not perfect?

It's F**^&%$#%%# COLD!

I waited 15 minuetes for the bus. Which is enough time to curse Wisconsin and a handsome man for keeping me here. Thank you, I think.

Gross!

Yesterday while riding the bus home this woman pulled a kleenex out of her napsack, tore a piece off and put it in her mouth! GROSS!

The Weekend report: Turkey crossing

As the weather swings from warm to cold and back to semi-warm there's something that connects my mood to the weather. When it gets cold I get seasonal depression. I can't wear sandals and of course nothing seems to look good without my open toe heels. It's really an ordeal. It takes so much longer to get dressed - you're shivering right after you get out of the bath. You think you have to go to bed at 6pm just because it's pitch black outside. Now if it were 70 and dark that would be ok - I could still wear the shoes.

So I know it's coming and I'm spending yet another winter in Milwaukee. I'm in love what can I do? So I'm here and decided to go shopping for a fantastic fall wardrobe. I could be cold but I could be stylish -right? WRONG- turns out no one will be this season. I remember when I was back in the 6th grade. I thought I was so cool wearing black spandex with a huge patterned sweater. I don't want to go back the 6th grade, but the stores are flooded with sweaters and spandex. So what do I do? I can't convert - no way. I'm going to have to hire a therapist just to deal with the enormous buttons and masses of yarn. I will not but my cash to the 80's or happy pills. but what do I do now - shop at vintage stores to go back to 2005?

Ok so the turkeys....

I've spend a lot of time thinking about family and what I want to do with my life. Little did I know - that takes toll on the mind. If your my friends you now that I'm an incredibly impatient person. So of course I want everything to happen NOW! Of course, logically, I know nothing is going to change this minute. I have to deal with it. Emotional crap is tough stuff and I can understand when so many people are on antidepressants. It takes the edge of dealing with the unknown. So does red wine and a couple of good listeners.

This morning, when I was driving up a long drive way there were two turkeys. Huge turkeys. Then they decided to briskly wobble across. Thanksgiving is coming.

The weekend report: just smile at them and they’ll buy us a shot.

I’ve been very good about going out and being reasonable in drinking and blowing my money. But this weekend I brought drinking back. Go here we go.

1. Had to have a good base in the stomach so we started at Pitch’s for fine dining, minus the cracked out waitress, the golden girl wife who left her husband talking to the two year old who all he cared about was making the spoon stay on his nose. I had the poor-man’s lobster - I highly recommend it.
2. Loaded up my corona for some pre-party festivities at my place. Drinking games can be hazardous to your health if you don’t actively participate in the college lifestyle.
3. Walked across the street to Scafiddi’s where I lost in darts and don’t remember leaving the bar.
4. Walked further down the street to a new bar called the “Good Life” It was good and expensive and a bar that doesn’t have any single dollar bills doesn’t get a tip.
5. At Jo Cats I ended up with a broken finger nail from dancing. I don’t know how but I remember dancing and the next thing I know is that there is blood oozing out from under my fingernail. That ended the night.
6. Hey Sara, you forgot to leave your phone number on my pillow.
7. Woke up with an enormous headache and my slumber party friends all had found there way home, so I watched James Bond with my bowl of cereal. (without bananas because the stupid roommate ate my bananas.)
8. Convinced myself that I was able to play kickball in the rain. Our team lost by one point but I made an awesome catch it the muddy field.
9. Learned that if you run Roundy’s vodka through a brita pitcher 10 times it will be equivalent to top shelf. Hey Grandma – I wonder if you can do that with your Fleishman’s Gin?
10. Got a huge present – Fabric Samples to make my save the earth bags.
11. Cleaned up and headed to my friend’s condo warming party we are was force fed a large amount of food and alcohol.
12. Before I couldn’t drive I had to make it to Water St. to meet my sister and her friends out for a 21st birthday party.
13. Guys are gullible – my sis and I convinced a group we were twins. And if you look cute they will buy you shots. Hence taking me back to my parting like a 21 year old.
14. Rolled over to Buckhead where we were able to skip the whole line. We were that hot.
15. Made my way over to my co-worker/new bartender who hooked us up with the ski shot and some discounted beverages.
16. The rest is a blur, lots of dancing, lots of wandering.
17. Things that I do remember: Drunk calling the lead singer of the Love Monkeys to tell him to finish a Springsteen song on stage. Talking to some guy that liked my sister and hading me $20 to buy us all a round. Umm did he want me to put in a good word? Opps- but thanks for the drink. Dancing with my sis’s girl friend and having her tell me to smile at some guys so they buy us a shot – which they did! Then she dragged me to the bar, where she told me I needed another. I looked at my half full glass which she slammed and order two more which she threw $5 down and walked away. Sassy! Learned that the drunkest one of the group threw money off a bridge and threw her phone at a guy’s forehead and cracked the screen. Quality.
18. Woke up to my bathroom with my entire bottom cupboard out on the floor. Still can’t figure out what I was looking for.
19. Spent Sunday in West Bend sobering up and watching the Packers win.
20. Learned that sometimes it is refreshing to party like a kid again. I can’t do it every weekend or every month but it good to get some craziness out of your system. It was definitely needed.

Feeding Bees

Here's a picture I captured of bees eatting grape jelly.

I was up north last weekend for a great outting out of milwaukee. It was low-stress. I planted pansies.

Thursday - already?

I haven't forgotten about you. I've just been having a million guns of light aim at my face for 14 hours a day. It's fun. An especially when you get home and want to make dinner, except that the garbage can is in the backyard, the garbage that was in there is now in the freezer and my dishes that have been missing for two days are found on the balcony. What a whack job. This roomie claims he is a minimalist and likes things clean but everyday when I come down the stairs into the 2nd level there is his twin size matteresss with the mystery stain on it. Men don't get periods but this one shows evidence. There was no way it he brought a woman home under the sheets of this bed. No decent gal would sleep in a twin size mattress with a 29 year old. well unless of course she was freshly 18. (The roomie now has upgraded or in my terms downgraded to a futon). The same logic still applies and hence shows why no ladies friends of him have lasted. And I'm spent back to some computer radiation.

Fortune Cookie

"It's amazing how much good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit"

The Weekend Update: Running on empty

I need another weekend to do my usual things like watch the next James Bond movie while drinking a pot of coffee, make Saturday hash browns, peruse ebay for new dress, watch a pointless Sunday made for TV movie, clip coupons, watch Grey Anatomy reruns, etc.


1. After work I went straight home and worked some more
2. Decided to put on some clothes and head over to the Doctor’s office for a benefit concert.
3. Watched a woman who could be considered a brick house and all her “seductive” dance moves. She was built like the lyrics she thought they were saying which happens to be not a lit a square, square face, square body, low blank tank top which I was very afraid her two saggy friends would knock over someone’s beer. Her dance moves included the hand on butt wiggle, the two-handed crotch and pivot grab, the grind on the speaker while showing off arm flab.
4. Went home and worked, woke up and worked some more.
5. Packed up the car and headed up to Appleton for a girls weekend.
6. Found out a few things about my friends, one is a huge, huge, huge rolling stones fan and started signing “I can’t get no satisfaction” but throughout the song she was replacing the real lyrics with tle off, but very off. We found out she does this for most songs. Another has a start-up pharmacy in her bathroom. The most sincere and nice friend has a mean edge when it comes to spoons. There wasn’t any blood but there could have been.
7. Had an overall good night and morning with my closest friends. They do something to the soul that roots your being and creates a bind of respect. Thank you ladies.
8. Headed back home to do more work
9. Headed over to a man-filled house where we drafted our fantasy football teams. Watch out boys! Who won last year – that’s right – I did!
10. Worked some more and finally crashed without watching Desperate Housewives.

8:15am pick-up line

While walking across the street from work, into walgreens I got thrown the line, "Hey sexy, where you going?" You were hoping I was going to drop getting my midol and play hooky to hang out with you? Would we frolic in the streets of downtown milwaukee and get a room at the Ho-Jo? I'll still have a killer cramp and an even bigger pms attitude but, hey you said I was sexy at 8:15 when I wanted to puke on your shoe.

Weekend Update: Change of Plans

As my entire weekend shifted around it ended up being very relaxing.

1. Went fishing on Silver Lake, which there was only one catchable fish.
2. Delighted in the bF cooking dinner for the second day in a row!
3. Hung out in the Children's section of the library
4. Filled my morning reading children's books at our backyard rummage sale.
5. Had a birthday dinner for Grandma's "special friend" in Oconomowoc.
6. She learned that you can now tip the waitress on the credit card slip rather than paying cash.
7. Picked up my gambling girlfriend and entered potowatomi for the first time ever.
8. After getting over my nervousness, I sat down at BlackJack table won and lost about $30 so I broke even.
9. Convinced my roomie that he should not bring his nasty chairs back up into the house and put them on the corner instead.
(You don't need 4 recliners in one room)
10. Went to bed with a cold mojito and an episode of House

Honey

Why does honey come in plastic bear containers rather than plastic bees?

I have a dress problem

I found out this weekend that I love dresses. Growing up I had to squeeze into the most ridiculous dresses for Sunday church. Sometimes I would have a matching dress with my sister, or even mom. Sometimes they had too many buttons or ties to undo so you could never make it to the bathroom without doing the potty dance. But after shopping at Marshal Fields and running my hand over all it's silky-ness, I found my home. There, in the middle of the forest of spring gowns, I fell in love with the most beautiful dress. Upon turning the price tag over I knew I had really good taste. I splurged, once, on a pair of Italian shoes. But spending over $200 on a dress that isn't white wasn't going to happen. Sooot I stumbled across my friend Ebay and what do you know he has my dress - he has lots of beautiful dresses. I have no idea what I would wear them all to but I love them in all their colors and lengths, and silkyness-es. Happy Bidding to me!

Nice and Mean People

I'm sitting at Panera Bread right now because they have wireless internet. There are a few outlets so usually when I come I sit in the back and put two small tables together. Just recently man a man that resembles an older fatter Nic Nolte carrying some sort of clear cleaner fluid and a dilapidated briefcase proceeded to move my smoothie across my setup and pulled the other table away! I can point out about 20 other spots in this place he could sit but what does he do? Take my table and put it together with another table on his left and points that the light had to be directly above him. Now he wants my table pushed farther to the wall! This dude doesn't understand that when I have to use my mouse my right elbow will scrape the wall. People are strange. He doesn't own the joint. Why should he be able to have two tables dedicated to poison fluid and bank deposit slips and I can't have two for my 15" laptop and smoothie! WHY!

On a lighter note, a woman at New York and Co. slid me a coupon for $30 off my purchase. There are good people here.

The Weekend Update: Going to the Chapel

Part I: Dad & Terri’s Wedding
1. The day started smoothly - got my nails done, hair-did, make up set. While lounging around eating my only breakfast/lunch banana strawberry yogurt drama in the bathroom erupted. No bobby pins. So I dropped my yogurt raced to Walmart ( hair up, make up done) screamed at the women in blue to point me to the bobby pin aisle. I made it round trip in 12 minutes.
2. Felt real pretty once getting my dress on.
3. Watched Dad and Terri get married outside on Pier Wisconsin, besides the man from the boat yelling "Don’t do it!" it was very nice.
4. Slammed 3 glasses of bubbly thus beginning the open-open-wide-open bar.
5. I now have a few prospects to enter in the reality show, "So you think you can dance?"
6. Was reassured that my bF was not only hot - but "fucking hot".
7. Did you know you don’t get a special prize after signing the marriage license as a witness?
8. The only danced I dance with a boy was my new younger brother. Well half of it because his friend called my friend loose and we had to depart immediately.
9. Went to Hi Hat - I miss the open bar.
10. Saturday morning: My whole body aches. Walking ½ mile to the knick for breakfast took me a half hour.


Part II: Fritz and Danielle’s Wedding
1. Recovered from Friday’s hangover exactly when fresh beer slid down the throat.
2. Found some old college classmates who thought I was married. HA!
3. It’s always a good time when Chris breaks out the couch dance. (This time it’s not a crappy couch in someone’s house but a lone couch with nothing but dance floor).
4. After the reception, proceed downtown to which we got lost and went into a gay bar.
5. So after everyone freaked out and left. I still had my beer and decided to make the most of it.
A. First, they play really great music.
B. Second, there are no guys to hit on me - which is a good thing
c. Third, at a gay bar girls will hit on you instead.
6. Found the bar we were supposed to be at which we took over the gigantic suffle-puck board.
7. Had an after-bar back in our hotel room.
A. Woke up more than enough people to join us.
b. My male friends are nuts and gay and I never want to see three grown men in a bath together again. Or two for that matter.
8. Woke up to a pretzel covered floor. Seriously.
9. Rounded up who ever was awake at noon to get some greasy breakfast.
10. It’s very strange to see two people whom I knew each before they met. Congrats!
Part:III: Recovery
Monday morning I was wedding out, sober and ready to do it all over again.

Russian cigarettes

Did you know that in Russia cigarettes only cost 40cents a pack? And in order to smoke it you twist the filter 90 degress and light up. Cool eh?

The way late weekend update

Ok so I’m dragging on this update post. Either I’m lazy or I just got employed full time.

1. Got hired full time – I never knew how so many hours really cut into my oprah and ice cream eating time.
2. Decided Milwaukee was just too posh for us and headed out to Oconomowoc to Coconut Joe’s. I’m really upset about missing the booty shaking contest.
3. Spent 5 hours hunting for a sundress in stores that had their fall clothing line out. It’s fucking 98 outside!
4. Is it possible to sweat right after you get out of the shower? Yeah.
5. Got to see a quaint little new house occupied by some lovely friends.
6. Met another martini drinking grandma.
7. Saw the best and biggest fireworks so far at Port Washington Fish Days.
8. Walked down to Silver Lake, jumped in, walked back up.
9. Babysat a one day old Pit Bull. He was so adorable!
10. Was very glad that for the first time the four squares (friends, family, job, love) of my life were at a peak.

The Weekend Update: Pushing through the liquid

1. Ate for the first time at the Milwaukee Public Market – It was delightful!
2. Went to Summerfest to watch my co-workers band. The best part about it was my co-worker’s daughter shakin’ her bad ass with corn on the cob in each hand.
3. During my interrupted Gina-Time on Friday I discovered my roommate had thought way into the future about the girl who stood him up. She stood him up because she is carring someone’s elses baby. My roommate decided if they were to seriously date she would have to have an abortion or give it up for adoption! This would be their third date in 2 months. His already on date number 4 with this other woman who has a 5 year old kid. Who’s your Momma!
4. Woke up to a 6:06 am text message asking me to do my dishes from the baby daddy roomie. Yup in order to get some action dishes need to be done first, nevermind he is 29 and sleeps on a futon. So I did my dishes and then made hashbrowns and steam swiss chard, using various dishes for each that wouldn’t get washed until (yikes) Sunday.
5. Started at Lakefront Brewery to kick off the “BIG BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANA” We packed the beer cruise boat (minus 6 seats)
6. Had a stalker/paparazzi fan who wouldn’t stop taking pictures of me and wouldn’t ask my name until the 3 and final bar. I was wearing a tube top so any pictures looks like I forgot to put on clothes.


7. The troops were rounded and we had a 30 person dinner at Brew City. (They know how to do drinks, not food.)
8. Walked over to the Harp where we came in contact with “Bridzilla”. This means Amazon woman on her bachelorette party who may or may not know she has a mustache.
9. Headed to Sarah’s house where Sara explained the tactics of sex, oh and horoscopes. Thank you.
10. Hey Ryan and Sara, where’s the gingerbread men?
11. Walked over to the patio at Halliday’s where everyone got even slightly more intoxicated.
12. Stumbled over to Jo Cats where we did some sweaty dancing. It was hot, very hot.
13. Got pulled aside by Jeff telling me “You better be nice to this one (my guy) I like him”.
14. Woke up with a minor headache. Then went back to bed.
15. Sunday was bloody hot, passing out in front of my air conditioner was a very good idea.



16. Walked down to summerfest and on my way down a small rain cloud started chasing me. Yup exactly like in the cartoons.
17. Jeff met me at summerfest, in the pouring rain, and hail and in the women’s restroom.
18. After the storm passed and the crowd had thinned out summerfest was up and running.
19. Had my best time at the fest. Saw 6 bands which included a makeshift gospel choir, Pat McCurdy, the Boogiemen, the LoveMonkeys, Agualung and Buckwheat Zygot. Front row for Aqualung!
20. Happy Birthday Sara, Sarah and Becca!

The Independent Weekend Update

It’s been a long weekend (plus a workday)

1. Couldn’t sleep so stayed up working, painting the trim of my place and watching my favorite late night tv show – Elimidate!
2. Almost blew away in the Saturday wind while walking the lakefront
3. Toured a beautiful Pier Wisconsin – Discovery World
4. Traded a homemade dinner for designing a Ryan Cabrera flyer
5. Finally saw my man after 5 days without! I don’t know if I’ll be able to take a vacation sans man.
6. If you watch the movie “The Squid and The Whale” take a sedative.
7. Saw the new fashion trend in Racine, men in short cut off shorts, brown belt, black shirt, white socks and cell phone holster. I couldn’t stop drooling.
8. Bought a shit-ton of fireworks!
9. Bought the most fattening food ever. Nope not McDonalds, it’s Harry and Davids Mozzeralla dip. (12grams of fat per 1 tablespoons). In a week I will have gained 297g
10. Light off the shit-top of fireworks in West Bend. Dad offered Terry the grill cover for a “just in case the fireworks come your way” shield.
11. Found out a river in West Bend I thought for 24 years was NOT the Milwaukee river.
12. Contrary to popular belief I am 24. In a little less than 6 more months I will be 25.
13. Went to work on Monday!
14. My friends decided to stalk me in to finally meet my man. Nice going, where’d you buy the back masks.
15. Accidentally met the man’s friends right before the big bang. Vaseline was involved – is that weird?
16. Missed some quality entertainment by one of my favorite friends. Three stories – that’s some good distance.
17. Judged a beauty contest for the WB duck derby.
18. Made a dinner I haven’t had in almost 10 years. Yup ring baloney stir fry!
19. Ended up at the Franklin Fair to watch the fourth fireworks.
20. New month = new pie of the month at Baker’s Square.

Umbrella Anyone?

I think I'm going to start drinking daiquiris at work. I'm working overtime w/ no sight of seeing the payoff. I'll put the blender next to my phone that way I can't hear it ring. The rum will sit next to my pen/pencil holder because if I have to write something I'll just take a pull and forget about it. I'll have the guy in the stand downstairs bring me fresh fruit everyday - will call that mail delivery. Ice will get tricky - my co-worker has a small fridge and he might become suspicious. Will have to coincide bathroom breaks will ice cube smuggling. Now if someone could bring me one of those small umbrellas.....

Pinwheels

This may come as a strange request but I'm working on a project that uses pinwheels. If anyone has any photos running with pinwheells, blowing pinwheels, garden pinwheels, etc... send them my way!!!!

The Weekend Update: Should come with a Warning

Some things should come with a warning label.

1. Our waitress at Mama Mia's should leave her botox needle and shimmery lipgloss behind.
2. Love songs from 1983 should not be allowed in clubs.
3. Tequila may cause drowsiness at the County Claire
4. Working on the weekends is not fun and makes one stay sober.
5. Men get PMS too.
6. Black lingerie, furry lingerie, pink lingerie on someone other than me or a mannequin is scary
7. When older women get drunk the world is at their fingertips.
8. Getting my nails and toes done may be addictive.
9. Painting with a combination of alcohol will create chaos and a little less painting.
10. Remember when you share pie to always steal the larger piece.

What do you think?

Question: If one doesn't fancy their job, at what point does one take the risk and change what their doing?

Johnson Bus night @ the Brewer Game

Check out these two Brewer hotties!

The Weekend Update: Vacation

After a stressful week of work I went on a weekend vacation with the boyfriend.

1. Danced around the office with a large scale cutout of a panther cartoon character designed by me!
2. Headed up to Shawano. Grandma said "She would be on her best behavior" when meeting my man - and she was.
3. Learned that there are some crystal skulls floating around latin america that supposedly hold a bunch of information in. Like a computer. If I come across one I'll plug my firewire cable in and see what happens.
4. Woke up early and headed to Door County.
5. Toured Door Peninsula Winery where the samples where endless. Toured Orchard Winery where the pours where too small. Toured Stone Creek Winery where I was in desperate need of a nap.
6. Went to one of those "Small Town Art Fairs" where it should be titled - "Stuff for your dog, swimsuits for your Aunt still in the 80's and things to put under your glass.
7. Had a stellar dinner followed by Door Peninsula Blackberry Wine on the porch of our hotel. I may have walked into the screen door
8. Found another good winery - Von Stiel in Algoma. There pours started with a half glass for tasting. How could you not love this place. Plus they make the wine covered chocolates! Carrie make note!
9. Sadly headed back to Milwaukee, but was delighted that I was able to spend the entire with weekend with a man I adore.
10. Watched Old Boy - a Korean flick - very disturbing which left me perturbed for a couple hours.

Sweat

Is it possible to sweat from all your body parts? Because right now I can see 4lbs sliding down to my toes.

The Weekend Update: Still Full

1. Started off with a fab fondue party. I may have spiked some of the pots, especially the chocolate one.
2. Cruised over to Flannerys for more unnecessary drinks
3. Expanded our booth dancing over to the Jo Cats floor.
4. Yup, haven'’t woken up with a hangover since the Seattle incident
5. Watched a movie I thought I wouldnÂ’t like and ended up crying like a school girl
6. Cozied up at Cozi
7. Had to prep the guy to meet Grandma, step one: Learn how to play dominoes
8. New that I would not be stunned by the movie the Breakup
9. Found the girls that I've been searching for - P. Diddy's making the band group of girls is coming back on TV. Brace yourself!
10. Finally got pie of the month at Baker's Square. This month is key lime yummy

Day in Chicago

I distinctly remember that the last time I went downtown Chicago seeing a poster for a band named "G-Unit" Huh, I thought to myself someone just nicknamed me G-Unit and said it with emphasis on the G-U. I told my sister this was a surprising coincidence. After she laughed at me, she explained this was no pet name this person had made up for me, he was just calling me the group's name. So that was about 2 years ago.

So I was down on Thursday for work. I was really great. I learned how to take the Metra train to which I met the only person in the U.S. who understands how great the BBC show "Coupling" is. I also found Millennium Park to which I was very much in awe. I feel foolish for not getting down there sooner.

The Weekend Update: Margarittavile

Starting and ending with bad and good pitchers.

1. Headed off to watch the Brewers lose. However it wasn't so bad as long as you have a super-rope in one hand and a man's hand in the other.
2. Painted my apartment a lemony-lime color. It's so happy!
3. Carrie and I were watching our figure so it was vodka all the way!
4. Learned that I obviously don't know the lyrics to Grease 2.
5. Loved my friends for their goofiness, sensitivity and compassion.
6. Became mildly upset at one of my favorite brunch places, Jean Pierre. Eggs do not take 50 min to make.
7. Three pitchers of margaritas will
- ignited a calabrese and sicilian feud between two "special" friends of my dad and myself.
- bring out the mob
- cause ear loss if you're sitting next to woman who can whistle
- plan a wedding
- spur a really great time, next time danielle has to bring someone.
8. Hit the softball cage for the first time ever ( Yes this was right after the margaritas and I did amazing!)
9. Opened up to the idea of being open, for anything.
10. Baked chocolate chip cookies.

I heart Jazz

Opening day of Jazz of the Park ended two hours ago. It was brilliant. I am finishing my bottle of wine right now : ) . Three things of interest occurred.
1. Melinda from the Real World walked past. She, fortunately, is much prettier in real life than the Real World.
2. A woman scratched and jiggled her butt at the same time. And good lord it wasn't a white woman's ass 'cause those things don't jiggle unless you're stripping to Van Halen at the Airport Lounge.
3. An elderly gentleman, about 67, braved Jazz in the Park alone. He brought a bottle of red wine, some Pasta from MetroMart and a paper grocery bag. Upon people watching, I turned my head back to this man as he was pulling a grilled chicken breast from the bag. He took it in his hands like a sandwich and started to chow down. Three bites in he put it back in the bag. 30 minutes later and the routine would start again. Where was the bread, lettuce and tomato?

The Weekend Update: Memorial Day

0.5 Most of my Saturday night friends in the "best" pose.

I just love 3 day weekends!

1. The weekend is best started with an after work cocktail with a good friend at Holligans.
2. If you like shoes or drag queens I'd recommend seeing the movie Kinky boots.
3. Saturday night a couple of my friends learned some good lessons.
a. Vension meat is actually deer meat.
b. The word dump is only used in special cases. "I took a dump on the ice" is not one of them.
4. Little girls need to be taught about strangers, not jump on their lap and hug them.
5. The stigma of Jo Cats wears off if you're sober.
6. Burn baby Burn, and that's what I did Sunday morning.
7. Brought the (cough) (ahem) boyfriend home to meet the family.
8. If only we had some missing teeth we could have been a hick family.
a. made chicken on a beer can (again)
b. made pie on the grill
c. watch people tube off pontoon boats
d. watch children drive their cars into parked cars.
9. Ate at Coldstone Creamery for the first time ever. I ordered a mint and banana and the guy behind the counter said I was wierd.
10. Closed the long weekend walking alongside Lake Michigan.

Dear Grandma

Dear Grandma Rose,

I hope you're having an excellent Memorial Day weekend. You're probably up north and won't be checking this till Tuesday, but I just wanted to let you know I had my first, second martini. It was fantastic. I thought of you when I ordered it. I wasn't even on planing on having a cocktail because it wasn't even 5 o'clock yet. A work meeting landed us inside an pub and when that waitress came around the words "ice water" couldn't come out of my mouth, instead "dry martini" filled it's spot. How wierd is that? However I do have a question for you - the waitress but a lemon instead of a green olive in the glass, is this normal? Well thanks for introducing me to martini I think we'll get along just fine.

gina

The Weekend Update: HAPPY

1. Meet Jeff out for a 3 drink maximum night. Started at Hooligans, OG’s for curly fries and the fabulous Axels for darts.
2. John, if you’re reading this, I hope you are having a great time in Seattle, but BLOODY tell us you’re moving!
3. Drank beer, oh yeah and went on the Miller tour with a couple crazy friends.
4. Saw that my roommate was in much need of some Man Scaping.
5. If anyone hasn’t tried chicken cooked on a beer can, they should make it there Half Year Resolution.
6. Had a fantastic brunch at the Country Club (Grandma did not have a martini, I repeat did not)
7. Sound on the tallest point of Waukesha County where I could see Holy Hill, absolutely incredible
8. Skipped around the woods and swung on some tree (without getting hurt)
9. Found a new favorite toy, an electric stapler, although it’s best held by a handsome lad.
10. Went back to the County Claire for a new favorite beverage, the Irish Diesel.

My Chair!

Before and After

Here's what I've been working on for the past couple weeks. The photo doesn't do it justice so if anyone wants to come over and sit in the beauty they are more than welcome. Must bring wine.

Rooster Burger

I was curious as to why we don’t eat roosters. They look like a chicken, but how often to we grill up a rooster or have breaded rooster or Kentucky fried rooster? Never. So I did a little research on to see if the male version of a hen is edible:
“Rooster meat is by far tougher than hen's meat, but it is edible. It's the hormones in the meat that makes the difference. Just like with beef, for instance. A yearling steer (Castrated male, castrated while young) makes the best beef available. Cow meat isn't nearly as nice, and is often sold as 'budget' beef. It's still fairly edible, but has a little different flavour and is a little tougher, because of the estrogen that goes through their system. And bull meat is quite tough and stringy, and has a very stong flavour to it, because of the testosterone in it. “

Anyone up for a Rooster Burger?

The Weekend Update: Grandma Day

I ended the weekend completing one of my new year’s resolutions. Can you guess which one?

1. Caught up with William Zabka at the Ynot II.
2. Broke down after 6 months and had a piece of meat (summer sausage) and it was good.
3. Finished upholstering my chair!
4. Took my mom’s mom and her special friend out to dinner.
5. Didn’t win the conversation that grandma’s countertops have always had a pattern in them and there was no way windex got in them.
6. Was told by a two year old that I was scared of dogs.
7. If you ask a small child what her favorite dog does, there’s a good chance she’ll lick the side of your face.
8. Drank my first martini with my dad’s mom. The first sips were sketchy but after that it was a smooth ride and I understand why she walks down the beach with them.
9. After a weekend of not parting I brought a bottle of Cedarburg wine to Sara’s house and we didn’t stop till it was finished. There was food and Sunday evening programming on as well.
10. Realized the little things make all the difference.

Optomism in the Rain

Right now, in Milwaukee, it is pouring rain. I've decided to stay home from work and get some personal work down. Oddly I can't be more happy right now. Maybe it's because I haven't taken a personal day in about a year. Or it was the double chocolate-chocolate cake from last night that Big Mike at Baker's Square recommended. My Key lime pie failed when I was about to "woo" my handsome host Or it's the phone call for my next work opportunity. Or it was the 20lb lobster in the tank at William Ho's. Or maybe it is one of those times where everything in flows together. And the best part after the rain is that things will start to grow even more, even my chocolate appetite.

Where's the Beef?

So before hitting Euro bar for a birthday party my roomie and I stopped at the grocery store. I was beginning to think I was nuts and just forgetting to buy bread. Turns out my roomie has been scarfing down my whole wheat. And I owed him lime juice so off to the markets we went!
Processed cow in a can anyone?
Three loafs should do it!

The Weekend Update: Can't help but smile

My best senior picture pose.

The girls at the Eastsider

Another great weekend where everything was unplanned

1. If you go out with 3 other hot women you're bound to attract attention, get shots and get picked up by the Eastside bartender.
2. Laughed, danced and took our best pictures at Flannery's.
3. Got exceptionaly far on my chair I'm upholstering.
4. Learned never to use box die, although everyone loves gina in darker hair.
5. Saw my soon to be niece work a room of adults, she had us in tears, almost pissing ourselves with her comedy.
6. Learned the the jack-fruit is grown in tropical climates and can get up to 200 pounds. Yes I had the Jacked-Up salad at the forty8.
7. Played glow-in-the-dark frisbee in the Whitnall park gardens.
8. On the way back to Shorewood a long stem red rose ended up in my hand by an astonishing gentleman.
9. Walked by a house where the owner placed fake flowers in her yard. I chuckeled.
10. It's Sunday night and I still can't help but smile.

Place the food item in the food group

I started the vegetable/fruit inquiry by looking up cucumber in the dictionary. Turns out this long beloved vegetable is actually a fruit. So I brought this conversation up with someone and have been deliberating on what group the PEA fits into. Thoughts?

The Late Weekend Update

This weekend was so fun that I completely missed my monday post!

1. Met the girls for martinis at Hotel Metro
2. Dance and sang and watched Sara proceed from normal to bubbly at Lucilles (Happy B-day Jon!)
3. Showed my face in Jo Catz since the magical driver lisence night.
4. The only pick up line I got was from Sara, "If I said you had a great body would you hold it against me?" She grabbed me anyway.
5. My perfectionistic side got the best of me in my upholstery class
6. Cooked a fabolous dinner for a male. No, this one isn't my drug dealer
7. Partied out in Bayview, where I found Hayward Williams, he did the best cover of a Springsteen song to date!
8. Closed down LuLu's and had my first organic wine.
9. Had to have an intervention with me and Springsteen's new album.
10. Saw "Thank you for Smoking" and got a surprise when a flood of popcorn ended up on my lap.