Workout

It's been awhile since I fit in some of my jeans so I've decided to become a member at a gym. Monday was my first official day as a member. I took a pilates class which I thought wasn't going to work me... until two days later and my abs still hurt. Today I start my free training program with a french woman who just happens to be a football player. So much for prancing around the gym in a leotard, I'm afraid I'll be one of those contestants on the biggest loser crying while their coach tells them to do 10 more. Will keep you updated.

Seven Weddings

When Mike and I counted how many weddings were going to this year, we thought wow we are going to be busy this summer and fall. Yesterday was wedding reception #5. Our friends closed down the Wicked Hop for their friends and family. It was great - open bar, good food and the bride and groom were so happy.

I have to say I'm very excited for Sue and Lamont's wedding next weekend. I've been looking forward to it ever since Mike and I met them out in Chicago and Lamont whispered something along the lines of..."Hook me up with your number because I'm going ask Sue to marry me and it's going to be a huge surprise." That was December 2008.

I don't know what I'm most looking forward to - the winery, dancing with my friends, seeing Sue in a wedding dress or just being part of their special day. I think the later.

The Time Traveler's Wife Movie

Not as good as the book - but I cried so hard it looked like I had pink eye.

The Time Traveler's Wife

If you haven't yet read "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffengger add it to your reading list now. It's an amazing story of love and dedication through time and space. Throughout reading I wondered what it would feel like if Mike was a time traveler (in his dreams he is) and how I would feel seeing past or future Mike. Or what would happen if he would tell me things that are to happen in the future. I can't say I would want to know. It's almost like know your death date. If you know something is going to happen would you (or wouldn't you) take steps to make sure it does (or doesn't) happen?

Granted the book is better than the movie - off to see it tonight - Can't resist Eric Bana.

afterthought

Yesterday I was thinking more about this gift registering. I asked my sister who's been through the process of why a couple would register for little items that could be easily purchased by the couple. She made a good point in saying that you have to consider your guest's budget, putting items of various values on your list. It made sense.

I guess I'm not your "typical person getting married" as noted in a previous post. This morning while reading the Miss Manners column, she discusses guest etiquette in regards to contributing to the wedded couples favorite charity. How refreshing is it that couples are thinking about giving back as their wedding gift. This is something I also have been thinking about. If I had to have a shower, this is exactly what I would do. Miss manners says (talking in second person) "Yes, Yes, she is aware that a vast number of people presume that their weddings (and graduations and birthdays) are license to order what they want from their relatives and friends."

I begin thinking about Christmas, birthday and even my own graduation, high school and college. Immediately I was ashamed. For my high school graduation I was in Target scanning items I wanted to start my college life. I'm now mortified.

I'm not blaming my Mom for throwing a party I didn't want, because I could have put my foot down. I think I spent most of that party sitting on the peer with my friend Tony. My family and family friends probably thought I was an inconsiderate snot. I did appreciate the gifts and they helped out immensely my first year.

Much has changed since then. Mom's not here and my perspective on life has 180-ed. And I think with time my family's perspective on giving has changed as well, our big family christmas' are now spent purchasing and wrapping presents for a family who needs it. I am extremely grateful to have financial independence and would give it all back just have my mom.

My lesson learned: To not even look at their list. To give them a gift I think will make them happy on their special day.

Registering for gifts

Having perused family and friend's gift registries, there are some things I think I really funny to register for - like fondue kits, line spool, long red handle grip and corn seasoning. I JUST can't imagine opening up a gift and gushing over a long red handle grip... maybe if it were purple or teal...

Things Mike and I could register for that I think are very practical and would really help us out as newlyweds:
1. M&I Bank CDS
2. A month's mortgage payment
3. Snow tires
4. Motor Oil
5. Cable bill payments
6. Fireplace Insert
7. New windows
8. Frozen salmon
9. Alterra coffee beans
10. Cupcake baking tins

Why I'm not a typical person getting married - or "bride"

1. Doesn't want bridal shower
2. Doesn't want bachelorette party.
3. Would rather send an evite verses a formal mailed invite
4. Doesn't care what color or style the maid of honor dress is
5. Doesn't own or want a wedding planner kit
6. Has already unsubscribed from the knot.com email list
7. Mike has already done more planning by far
8. Thinks showers are just a way to get presents
9. Doesn't own any bridal magazines
10. Could walk into the courthouse, get married and that would be it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to get married the few things I do want

1. the day to be unforgettable
2. a memorable dress
3. excellent food
4. fun music
5. my closest friends & family
6. a sunny sky
7. everyone to have a good time
8. future family in the Philippines to come
9. a relaxing day after with the future husband
10. a safe trip home

One Month until Shanel's runway show

Just sent the Lela/Shanel Runway show postcard to print this morning. Shanel's one talented designer - if you're interested in fashion plan to attend.

Sept. 12, 2009
321 N. Broadway Ave. Milwaukee
7pm Cash Bar
8:30 Pm Runway
$25 cash at door
After Party at Clear

New Job Update

With now three weeks under my belt at the new job I'm feeling more comfortable. Still haven't figured out how the coffee machine works or what everybody does, I have a comfortable workload. The clients I've been working with think I'm brilliant. I have yet to blow my paycheck - because that's what your suppose to do. I don't get out shopping soon I'll be shopping for fall. Something I'd rather not think about.

I'm so cool they made a BMW after me.

From DesignBoom.com

BMW GINA light visionary model concept car
BMW recently revealed the GINA light visionary model concept car, an innovative new exploration in car design. instead of the traditional steel and plastic body shell, the GINA concept uses a textile fabric starches over a wire frame. this unique idea allows the car’s skin to change shape, stretching to match the position and curve of the wire frame. this idea is demonstrated in the ‘blinking’; headlights and the flexibility of the car doors as they open. the project began by questioning the purpose of a car’s body and exploring new possibilities. The car is currently on show at the BMW museum in munich, germany

Baking

Pictured is my attempt at baking purple basil biscuits from a cooking light recipe. Turned out more like a salty paper bag scone with a hit of basil.

Stimulating the economy

My mini cooper will turn four on July 20th. On it's third birthday I took it's for it's last free oil change under warranty. (Only needs an oil change every 13,000 miles or once every year.) I have not put any money into it besides gas until today when I took it to Urban MotorWerks an honest BMW auto on the edge of the gettho. I brought my bike so that I could bike away from the auto shop to Bayshore because they needed to check out some noises I'd been hearing.

So I biked to Bayshore, had a cup a coffee at Alterra, learned my car would have to stay overnight and I'd be stimulating the economy to the tune of $550. There goes the first installment check of my web design work. Ok that's fine I have a gift card to H&M I've been dying to use and I been on the hunt for some cute carpris that I could wear at my new job. Right at 10am I burst through the H&M doors and start shopping. I have a few outfits already drapped over my arm when all of a sudden this buzzing goes off. Oh...it's the fire alarm...no biggie... I look around and everyone is still shopping and no one is running outside and I don't smell any smoke. I just found the magenta miniskirt in my size. The skirt I've been looking for! I'm so happy!

A store clerk comes up to me, who I think might help me put my clothes into a dressing room. No? She does some hand motion to the door. I have to exit the store? I have to leave my new outfits behind? There is actually a fire? I waited about 50 seconds before huffing and heading to a different store. Twenty minuetes later people are still standing outside and there are two firetrucks and no hot firemen to admire. I will not be buying any new fun clothes.

I hop on my bike, car-less for the next 24 hours. Get on lake drive and bike down to Mike's office downtown.

Crossed off my list:
bike ride
get my car fixed
finish shopaholic and baby book
watch 5 minutes of Michael Jackson tribute

A week off

Monday morning I will awake and not have to think about my job. Correction: After my 8:30 exit interview I will drive away not having to thinking about my job. I will then do fun stuff like take my car to get the oil changed and find out what the wierd noise is when I turn around a corner and go shopping for NEW work clothes and try to make cinanamon basil biscuits.

I hope it's a productive week. I hope to get hundreds of purses sewn to last through the summer and toned abs and maybe a haircut. I do hope our new free HBO package doesn't pull me in. Thank the weather that it will be nice out all week. Bike rides and beach reads here I come! Oh all the things I can do this week! I love vacation!

32 hours left of work

I'm excited to leave, sad to go, but excited for what's next. It's like getting out of a bad relationship. I'm breaking up with my employeer. Mabye it's because I've enjoyed design affairs and now how creatively juciy an end product can be, maybe it's the lack of respect, maybe it's just time to try something new.

I have 32 more hours of work left before I leave. In the past week I've sent 3 catalogs, 2 brochures and a postcard to print, spent countless hours updating the website, ate 3 lunches at my desk, went out to lunch, went to a retirement party, sat through meetings and argued about deadlines.

This 32 more hours will be very close to hell. Transitioning my projects to the two other designers will lead to many questions. Launching a new website on the first of July will probably mean driving home opening a cold bottle of beer, slamming it, and opening the next one for sipping.

My boss once told me you can never move up if someone can do your current job. So here it goes - here's to transitioning.

Last week, I quit my job

As you know I have been bloging about how I might be better suited for a different job. Last week Thursday, I told my boss I was leaving and my last day was to be July 3rd because I GOT A NEW JOB!

It took over three months but I've accepted a job offer as a Senior Communication Specialist at the UWM main campus. I'm excited, scared and ready for a change. Telling my boss was sobering. It was like ending a relationship that wasn't going to work out under the current circumstances. On Tuesday I have to tell the rest of the team I don't know if i'll be happy or sad or what their reaction will be.

Now I'm thinking about how to stimulate the economy with my first new paycheck. Insert big Woo Hoo!

This Weekend I learned:

1. The bartender at the Crown Plaza Hotel would rather converse with her West Allis family than close our bill and manage a tip.
2. The table and chairs at Innovation, the restaurant in the Crown Plaza where both wet.
3. I would pay $9.95 again for subpar food but not for the service (with the exception of our waiter who was really very nice)
4. I like hanging out with Freddie, he reminds me of my coworker who never has a bad thing to say and can hear him through the office walls
5. I have a natural direction instinct in order to make it to my cousin’s wedding in Rio, WI a minute before the ceremony started
6. Many women have left their bras at Will Bill’s Saloon in Pardeeville, WI
7. Drinking makes my family happy, hence the stop at Will Bill’s, the first to order at the Best Western bar and the cooler of beer in Uncle Dave’s mini van.
8. My friend Sue makes a good point about couples who honeymoon in Disney: They want to have kids right away.
9. I will probably not produce the first Johnson great grandchild if #8 is true.
10. Bruch with the girls at Café Hollander was surprisingly good.
11. Yogurt with the fruit on the bottom isn’t good for you.
12. Mike’s newly built spice cabinet is still wonderful.
13. My Grandma in Oconomowoc really wants to live outdoors since she has bought more lawn furniture for her living room.
14. There is a small golf course walking distance from my house – how about that!
15. My cousin in the 7th grade set up an excel spreadsheet and insert equations WAY better than me.

Etsy Shop is finally up!

Record Day

Yesterday at the Milwaukee Public Market I broke my last record selling bags. The weekend after the JS article hit I sold 19 bags over the course of a week. This week, no article...just facebook, twitter, and the anticipation of a new line of purses I sold almost 30 bags over the course of 5 days. I'm estatic! This week more sewing, my fingers hurt and I have a sneaking suspicion Mike thinks I'm now dating my sewing machine.

Please don't lay me off

Governor Doyle Asks for More Sacrifices

By Matt Smith

Thursday, Governor Doyle proposed more layoffs and cuts to cities and schools in an effort to tame the state's growing budget deficit.

Governor Doyle calls the plan a "responsible agreement under extraordinary circumstances," while Republicans say it's anything but.

The governor's office reports this proposal will close the $1.6 billion shortfall that's occurred in just the past few months.

Thursday we learned that means as many as 1,400 state employees could lose their jobs -- even more than first announced.

"These are painful cuts that will affect the services people rely on and the employees who deliver those services."
The governor's proposal paints a clearer picture of what will be lost.
Each state agency must cut five percent from its own budget.

Non-union employees will not receive a raise, and all state employees must take 16 furlough days over the next two years. Schools and cities across Wisconsin will see state aid cut by two-and-a-half percent.

"I know it's very hard on the districts, students, families, but we don't have any other acceptable option," the governor said.

But some Republicans call the plan sneaky, a closed-door deal, that takes money from critical funds to help offset the governor's spending.

"He has increased borrowing by 60 percent. In addition to that, he has increased spending. And On top of that the way he increased spending is he has stolen from various funds," Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) said.

"Despite the economic downturn, despite the growing budget deficit, we're doing everything we can to first of all pass a balanced budget and second of all do it on time," Rep. Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna) said.

The Joint Finance Committee will begin voting on the budget Friday -- a move criticized by Republicans for trying to pass it on a holiday weekend.

A new website

For those interested in my professional work, check out my portfolio website. If you know someone in need of a graphic or web designer please forward my information on. Enjoy!

www.makeitbreathe.com