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

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the woman who have looked over me.

Grandma Heine: For teaching me patience and making sure I don't marry a married man with kids
Grandma Rose: For her humble wisdom and the taste of gin
My Aunts: For their special way to point out how danielle or I remind them of mom
My old boss Debbie: For her compassion and conversations and taste of good food
My friend/coworker Mary: For her boldness and importance of beliefs
To Mike's Mom: For treating me like one of her own
To my friends: For direction, laughs, openness, love and really really good night out
To my Best Friend Sara: For putting things in perspective and undeniable wit
To Bonnie: For reflection and really sound advice
To my woman coworkers: For maturity and inspiration
To Terry: For open communication, bold advice and optimism
To my sister: For renowned friendship, sense of style and ability to make me laugh without meaning to.

Happy Day to you.

Fun working for the State of WI

Doyle calls for layoffs, furloughs, cuts to fill $6.5 billion hole
By Steven Walters and Stacy Forster of the Journal Sentinel

Madison - Gov. Jim Doyle said Thursday that the budget deficit has exploded to up to $6.5 billion - a historic gap he wants fixed by laying off up to 1,100 employees, furloughing non-emergency workers eight days a year, rescinding 2% pay raises and making new cuts in aid to schools and local governments.

Doyle said the $5 billion deficit he and lawmakers faced in March has soared because tax collections are running far below estimates. The potential $6.5 billion gap will occur over a three-year period ending June 30, 2011.

"We are facing tougher choices than ever about what level of state services we can sustain at a time when people need them most," Doyle said. "I am fighting to protect the middle class, education, public safety and health care.

###

MY SOLUTION
Since Doyle's a billion off budget, he proposed this idiotic play to deny our 2% raise and give us 8 NON-PAID days off for two years. I'm fine with not getting raise - I'm just happy to have a job. But the 8 days is absolutely nonsensical. State employees already get around 3 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks sick leave. Add on another 8 required days off and you've got state workers sitting at home for a month or taking every Friday off for half a year. It just doesn't make sense. With the amount of work just in my department, trying to connect with clients, printers, coworkers is already difficult. We have many meetings and abundance of work - taking those 8 days would only put more stress on our heavy workload. My solution is to go ahead with denying the 2% raise, and for the next two years, the state will cut back 4 days of vacation and 4 days of sick leave. If an employee does want to use that time off, it then goes unpaid. There you go, you have your employees working now 8 days more. Just imagine if Doyle's office had 8 extra days to figure out how to save the economy. Yeah it probably wouldn't work but it's worth a shot.

What comes after green?

Why in the past two years "going green" has become the new thing to do. Why didn't it happen sooner to the majority of the population. Was it not cool? Was there just not enough information on how to be green?

Just think if one sector, for example car makers went green 10 years ago where we would be today:

Car companies would have started their research back in the late 80's early 90' on how to produce a more environmental conscious car. Today we would have been driving efficient cars, relying less on foreign oil, and emitting less pollution. The car companies going bankrupt today would be in a different scenario. It's because they aren't producing what people need and want efficiently that drove the company to the ground. Who wants to get only 10 MPG when they can get 30+.


Where do car makers go from here? What happens after bankruptcy? Why hasn't a better car company emerged out of those that have already conceded? Surely the talent and the tools are there. Just think of how many jobs would be available if the car sector got it's act together.

Looking for a summer job

I was thinking how nice it would be to have a summer job. Like going back to the college days of working part time and spending the rest of the time laying on Bradford Beach. I'd put in a few hours at the desk, sorting, filing, answering the phone thinking wow I have a great job. And the rest of the time I'd be reading a book, working on an art project or waiting for my roommates to get home so we can go out for happy hour. Wasn't that the best? So relaxed and carefree what's stopping me from leaving my full time desk job?

Health Insurance and my 403B.

Let the countdown begin - 30 more years till retirement.

Revenge of the Scale

After eating the best chips and dip in Milwaukee (Cafe Lulu Chips with Blue Cheese Dip) I decided I thought I should weigh myself. I was under the impression that I was still in my early 20s where I could eat anything and not gain a pound. This year, after turning 27 I found that is just not the case. I stepped on the scale and there it landed 10 lbs over my usual weight.

Really? After eating Lulu chips - 10 lbs? I know I haven't got on the spin bike in a week, and have been eating healthy for most of my meals so really that's all it takes a couple days off the track and Lulu chips?

I was bummed the whole weekend. Sunday I had planned to go shopping but how was I suppose to fit in any pants I wanted to try on? I already can't buttom of them that I wore last summer. This was bad, I'm going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe. So I did go shopping. I did fit in my usual size pants at the Limited. How could this be?

I stepped back on the scale Sunday night, yup still 10 lbs over. Step off. Step on. Still 10lbs over. Step off. Look down - the scale is off! Hallelujah! Relief pours over like a beer after work.

I said YES!

I said Yes!

Yesterday Mike and I had reservations to go to the first restaurant we ever ate at which was almost two years ago. BUT before that he said we needed to check out a new sign hanging at the Milwaukee Public Market. I was cold and didn't understand why we were walking over there. Mike turns me around and in chalk was written a proposal. SO confused! Was this really happening! Oh My Gosh he has a ring!

Mike has gotten down on one knee and taken my hand before. I think twice in the kitchen and he'll ask what I want for dinner. Once in Door County and asked if I wanted my $5 ring put back on my finger, once on the sideway and asked if I would wait for him while he tied his shoe. I thought the same thing was happening again!

The public market is where we first go to really know each other. Every Saturday two summers ago Mike would come by my stand where I was selling bags. I sat down and we had candid conversations about past relationships, life, family, values. Our first dinner at Coquet he ordered fish and I thought to myself, wow he likes fish, good start!

I ordered the same meal last night, equally fantastic and Mike explained how he had dinner with my dad, how he got the ring, how excited he was. I was very excite to tell my family.

Little did I know Mike had that all planned out too. My friend sent me a text message seeing if we wanted to meet them for a drink and watch some basketball. Yeah I'm in for that. We get to Riverfront Pizza and I'm trying to look for her and then I see Brandon, and then Mike's cousin and then my friend Sue from Chicago. WHAT! All of our good friends and our family that could be there was there. Yes I did cry as soon as I saw everybody. I couldn't believe they were all there to celebrate this event. It was truly touching.

We are ridiculously happy.

Productivity

It's warmer outside, the snow has melted, the stock market is going up, girl scout cookies have arrived and I no longer have a cold. It's a very good start to the week. I have also been keeping a couple of my new years resolutions, to stay on top of my freelance work and to work on designing new bags.

I've been able to tackle and turnaround freelance projects much faster and get paid quicker. It's a good situation because my clients are happy and I am turn in happy. Before I had so much freelance I wasn't able to get to it when I needed to and projects could go on for months. Many of my clients are non-profits who don't have big budgets for web design or print design so I work within their budget, but the other day a client mentioned I should charge more for my work. I have to say that felt really good hearing that.

Since beginning of February I have been indulging in my other love, recycling. I have so much donated fabric in my Wauwatosa basement and in my West Bend sewing room that it seriously needs to go somewhere. It has been a kick in the pants to start working on some newly design handbags. After experimenting with zippers, rivets and pockets I've put together a few samples. The response from my purse loving friends has been exciting. Right now I'm currently working on very small purses or wristlets and a larger clutch version. Now I just have find a zipper supplier and fix one of my sewing machines and then I'll be sewing sewing sewing....with some freelance mixed in.

Sick of Sharing

Ever since Valentines Day the honey and I haven't been feeling well. Yesterday and today have been awful. I have not showered, changed my clothes and have filled up wastebaskets of kleenex. I have lied around for the past 30 hours sleeping, watching bad reality tv and not eating. Mike and I have been passing sickness back and forth and I'm tired of it, literally. I feel like I need to detox the house so this won't happen again.

Itching

After reading halfway through a new book "Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow" which was recommended from a friend, I feel stuck, swamped and sedated. The book's responsibility is to enlighten one during a difficult time to overcome and become an even stronger person. Questions of happiness start to bubble the surface, I thought I was happy. I am in a great relationship, I have a good challenging job, I have creative outlets and supportive friends and family.

For the next couple days I questioned all of these things. Was I really in the relationship I was meant to be in? Shouldn't I be searching for my dream job? Shouldn't I be living in a city I want to live in? Am I that creative? Am I good at what I do? I started to put all this behind me because I didn't want to think about it, I was completely and utterly happy before I started reading this book so why did I ever start reading it in the first place? I was hoping to become a better person.

After now a month of not picking the book up again, i get little reminders about these things and I'm starting to itch. What would it be like to live in Denver or work at a travel magazine or become a handbag designer? I guess I want it all right now. When I was a teenager all I wanted to do was be in my 20s so I could drink, have a cool job and social with really cool people. How I get to having it all I don't know, but maybe I have it.

Take a Vote

A look back at 2008

Recently I've been thinking about how awful this winter is, how cold it is, how much snow we have. I realize this will pass and there will be green grass and moments of reading outside again. I was also thinking how over the course of every year my life tends to change. This year the big change was moving in with Mike. I am in a committed relationship with someone I could live with for the rest of my life. I would have never thought that a couple years ago, nor would I have wanted it.

In 2008:

1. Watched my sister get married, move into a house and buy a puppy
2. Relaxed, drank, ate and made friends in Cabo, Mexico
3. Ate my first Izumi's fish fry and then many many more
4. Tubed on Shawano lake - which I haven't since I was in high school
5. Danced, partied and tanned in Fort Myers beach with the girls
6. Designed my favorite campaign to date - the Flavors of Denver and am very happy that they raised a huge amount of money, topping last year's event.
7. Double Dated at Noah's Ark
8. Lost a lot of money in the stock market
9. Took Mike to his first State Fair
10. Won best an award for best email campaign within the nations continuing education schools.
11. Learned how to cook with garlic or cook in general
13. Feel in love with the blue cheese dip at Lulu and Juniper 61
14. Chaired a committee at work to raise money for local and national nonprofits
15. Saw some really great music acts: Ray LaMontange in Madison, Amos Lee in Chicago and Milwaukee, Jack Johnson in Alpine Valley, Matt Costa in Atlanta, Jeffery Foucault in Milwaukee and Fort Atkinson and the best show ever - Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band at Harley Fest
16. Surprised Mike with a trip to Atlanta to see his best friend
17. Learned a lesson to stay away from group dinners over 8 people
18. Meet about 50 more relatives of Mike's in one evening
19. Pushed myself to design better, say no to clients and be utterly creative
20. Learned to: value the friends I am closest with, reconnect with old friends, take criticism with a grain of salt, cherish the time I have with my grandmas and grandpa, live responsibly not extravagantly, speak up, and most of all love the one I'm with.

Payoff

So after the previous ranting, that day happened to be our work holiday party. At which time two awards were given out for employee excellence. Guess who won the first? Yes yours truly, out of 80 employees I won an award for outstanding work. It was ironic while I was standing beside the Dean while she was reading that I make all my deadlines, am very optimistic, etc that the two week prior I have not made one deadline and would rather drink arsenic for lunch than work on a project. I do hope that being the only one in the office over the winter break, I'll be able to catch up on all my projects and you know be prepared for that big 17 day vacation come March.

Give me a straight answer

At work I deal with all types of people. Nice people, demanding people, controlling people, crazy fun people. The past couple weeks I've dealt with them all more so than before. Today was the first day in a really long time that if the person on the other side of the telephone was standing in front of me I would have mustered up all my frustration and punched them.

You see this person on the other side of the phone is not the person you can get a straight answer from when you ask her a general question. And if it's a billable question, this person wants it in writing. But when asked a very general question she will not answer it. Not at all. And when the process is not followed to a T but made efficient for a brief moment in time, who gets a lecture? I do.

If I'm not an alcoholic by 2009 I'd be surprised.

$1.59

Gas is now down to $1.59. And for all you milk drinkers, the price for a gallon of milk is $1.98 (with coupon). According to this ad, you're saving $1.91. Everything is half off this Christmas, except movie tickets.

Sleep

As soon as it started getting cold out I LOVE sleeping. At work at about 3pm I can't wait to cuddle up, put my head on the pillow and have sweet dreams. It's hard to stay up at night unless something really exciting is going on like a wedding, 80's dancing or some really good Entertainment news. Since it's been cold a new soft furry blanket has made friends with the sheet and quilt. I end up kicking down the cotton sheet so that my body is wrapped up in this milk chocolate fur. It is absolutely wonderful.

Red Lobster

Yesterday, for the first time in over 15 years I dined at Red Lobster. Since I had an extremely frustrating day at work all I wanted a cold beer and fried food. Mike and I have been to the dive places in Tosa so we decided to try something new - Red Lobster. I anticipated red leather booths, all you can eat fried shrimp and the smell of grease. Not the case. I would say it's the equivalent to a Applebees. The decor was nice, the menu had variety but there was not all you can eat anything. The food was so so. I can't believe we went there - next time I'm going back to the Rick Inn on capital where jack and cokes are less than $5 and the fried fish is awesome.

$1.69

Gas is now $1.69. I thought it would spike after lunch due to holiday traveling. Clearly it went the other way. Down. I'm back to bombay sapphires tonics and doesn't it feel good.

$1.79

Gas has now drop 10 cents since my last post. Which means it dropped in two days. If we continuing dropping at 10 cents lets say per week (to be generous) we will be at $1.29 at Christmas, maybe $1.39 because of traveling. Today it is now more than half of what it was this summer. Since people are having trouble buying cars and paying loans i have an idea. Forget that your 401K down, it will be back up after your hair has fallen out. So your now paying half of what you used to for gas. Let's put that money toward your mortgage or your car loan or the new purchase of a car, rather than material things or a to "stimulate" the economy. It will be slow but then the banks can start trusting in the average person and we will be back on track.

Revenge of the gnome

I thought I found all the 40+ gnomes that lived in my dad's house. I was proven wrong. When I opened a box in the storage room labeled "Kitchen" I pulled out a sculpture that Mom had made. "Cool" I thought, "There must be more." So I started unwrapping the newspaper and there in my hand lay Caroline, the ballet gnome; Yule, the Christmas gnome; Val, the valentine gnome; etc. Total gnome count before Monday was 60+. Then I talked to my grandma in Oconomowoc who mentions she has more gnomes for me to take ((since she is moving (which will be a completely different blogpost)). I think my mom was crazy and my dad was crazier for letter her spend $30, even more for each gnome. I have no idea what value they added to everyday life but I have spent over one day trying to sell these creatures on ebay. I'll try to say goodbye but I know that is probably not the case.

$1.89

Gas is now $1.89.

Last Friday it was $1.99 which I didn't think it would hit that mark until the end of the year. Christmas has come early for gas guzzlers. Where will it be by the end the year, lower or higher? I was reading the December issue of Money Magazine which experts said the gas price may drop to the price it was last year...around $2.35. If the experts aren't on, who else isn't? The government. This price drop is a better bailout plan than Bush sending out checks to everyone but the rich.

My question is why is a half gallon of milk more expensive than gas?

My little sister got married

My little sister got married Nov. 1st in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. I don't think I've ever drank, partied and danced four days in a row. Whatever it took, money, stress, coffee we all made it work and it was so much fun. The highlight of the trip was party after the wedding. Most of the wedding party, friends, family crowded into the Tiki bar which had the best DJ ever. Within minutes of a song request the dj would play it. More than half of the bar was guest from the wedding. And most of us stayed to close it down. I also learned that you cannot take an open intoxicant into the car. Which I guess I wanted to do. But by the time I plopped myself into grandpa's big chair I was asleep.

The weather, the seafood, family and friends made for a very good beach wedding.

What a weekend

It was very hard to get up this morning. It could have been that I topped off constant blue moon beer drinking with a glass of red wine. Between gallery night on Friday, a birthday party, cleaning the house, buying pumpkins, cooking at 2am, and the third annual Mike and Gina pumpkin party I think I deserved to sleep in a little bit.

Homework for Republicans

If you haven't read the article in the Rolling Stone about John McCain I highly encourage you do so. If it doesn't change your vote I don't know what will.

Read it here

McCain

what I want to be when I grow up

Since my job at the University isn't very exciting at the movement I started to think of other things I could be.

1. An upholsterer bringing back to life old furniture with fashionable fabric
2. The first COOL woman cycling jersey designer
3. Founder of a green gym, where the equipment generates power when used
4. A designer of high fashion clutches and other bags
5. A photographer for National Geographic
6. An Art Director for a Luxury Travel magazine
7. Head of a nonprofit that helps women find and stay in a job
8. An organic farmer
9. Director of opening movie credits
10. A green remodeling expert

Solving the world's economic problem

Forget everything you learned about supply and demand.

I think that the top persons who make the most money in a company should reduce their pay by a small percentage and give themselves a pat on the back for doing a great job. Then whatever business they are in, they should lower the cost at whatever they are selling by another small percentage. Giving the consumer a better price leaves more money for them to pay their debt or spend on other services and products. Hence helping businesses and consumers. And send all oil executives to Mars, that includes you George W. This is my ideal world.

Cake

My weekend was great. Mike and I like to go to a fish fries on friday nights. So we drove to Pewaukee to a little place called the 5 o'clock club and we had a nice greasy fish fry.

On Saturdays Mike usually does yard work but took the day off to shop with me. We stopped at the Public Market because our friend works for Heavy Rotation, a graphic t-shirt shop. They were having an awesome sale on their shirts. Every shirt $5. I got one and Mike bought 5 or 6 or 10. He has a t-shirt addiction.

Since a furniture store in Racine was clearing out some fabric we made a day of hanging out in in Southern Wisconsin. After picking up a truckload of fabric we had our second fish fry at the YardArm. Their specialty is the "sanddollar". A thin fried potatoe slice sprinkled with cheese. Yummy.

I hadn't been to the Kenosha outlets in two years so I shooooped! I bought two dresses at Banana Republic. One which is replacing the outfit I bought a couple days ago to wear to an event later in the evening. Oh it was perfect a little short but at least it zippered all the way up! Ah fab, so many more stores to go in. Venturing to a newly built area I found white house black market and bcbg. So dangerous - I had to leave.

Tonight our friend Shanel, an amazing creative fabric goddess was putting on a runway showing featuring her new line of clothes. I helped her out with the invite (above) so I got comp tixs to the show. I had my hot new dress one, Mike looked awesome and we were going to my first ever fashion show. The things that Shanel showed were slamming.
I wish I owned at least half of them.

Afterwards Mike and I enjoyed a quiet moment at elsa's. I had the double trouble I'm in heaven chocolate cake. Mike had a BLT. We both had coffee and conversation. And then we crashed.

Ah Sunday the day I've been looking forward to for so so long - It's Packer football day. I wake up earlier than normal for a Sunday. Because I have so much energy I go for my first run since January.

We had some of our friends for the game and dinner. Brought in our cozy house, chocolate cake. I can't wait to finish dinner I just want to bite in no utensils to this jimmy covered cake. It's so good. It really needs to go home with the owner but it's left here. Left to be consumed for breakfast, for a little snack after lunch, right before bed, and whenever I'm upset about the pack blowing it.

this little piggy

I wasn't expecting to have a busy weekend but I did. My very first friend I made in college was Aaron. And if it weren't for him I would have never met Mike. He moved to New York 4 or so years ago. (Grandma you met him in Florida 6 years ago). Every time he comes to town I try to see him. This past Friday a group of us met out at a new bar in the Third Ward called Soho 7. He is one of the most energetic, good natured persons I've ever met.

The next morning I wake up to bacon and pancakes, not unusual for the weekend. But it just so happened to be the day my friends were throwing a pig roast. I think about the poor piggy covered in grease sitting next to my pancake... o your so very delicious.. and I'm going to see your cousin in a couple hours. Did I want to go to the pig roast? No, because I think there were better party themes to have than in honor of a pig. But what the heck all my friends will be there. So I went and ALL my college friends were there. Most are now married, engaged or have babies. One person I didn't even know was asking me about my bags, which I thought was very nice. My new friend Joy showed up and we got suckered into playing old college drinking drinking games. After seven+ hours the pig was done and I wasn't prepared to eat it so I had everything else but meat, plus all the beer I had I was full.

For the past couple months, Joy and I had talked about going to the dance club "Have a Nice Day Cafe" but never acted on it. It's one of those places you know are going are crawling with underage college kids and bachelorette parties. It took one call inviting us to a free beer party and we were there. It felt like high school dance party.

By midnight I was missing Mike so I finally made it back home. It was one of those nights were if you moved while sleeping you'd be running for the nearest receptacle.

By 9am the phone was ringing with an invitation to brunch and my sister frantic about finding a skirt to match her top for her bridal shower. I could have used an hour or two more of sleep. I met my friend Sue at Bean's and Barley, an organic restaurant and grocery store for breakfast. The last time I saw Sue was in December in Chicago so it was good to catch up. Sue and I could have talked for a couple more hours but I was already putting off the drama that would encounter me in West Bend.

If you don't live in Wisconsin, it rained all weekend. So I white knuckled the drive up. I could have used some aspirin because as soon as I walked through the door I have questions being slingshotted from both my grandma and her special friend and because they are hard of hearing they are louder than normal, and they usually talk at the same time.

This is now the second Packer game I missed this year. I am 0-2 while the Pack is 2-0. But I am the maid of honor and I must have a drink during this bridal shower. It didn't help me brush of the night of drinking and dancing but I made it threw it without throwing up. Grandma has a three prong which is like a cane with training wheels but she preferred me to help her up down and around the house. I think my other grandma has it right by drinking a martini once a day.

By 6pm I was back in Milwaukee cuddling up with Mike for the rest of the night.

Socks

Today is the first day I've put on socks since May. I don't like it, but I look back to summer and realize that I've had a pretty awesome summer. Mike has just made a fire and sadly we enter fall, but first a few highlights from Summer:

1. Seeing Amos Lee in Chicago
2. Wearing big summer hats at the market
2. Seeing Jeffery Focult play, twice
3. Moving into Mike's house
4. Hanging out at Pere Marquette Park Wednesday nights listening to live music
5. Seeing my friend Joey in a plaid jacket
6. Finishing the basement into my office
7. Celebrating 1 year since Mike and I have started dating
8. Eating Transfer Pizza
9. Game nights and cookouts
10. A weekend getaway to Shawano
11. Learning that my sister thinks Woolly Mammoths still exist
12. Dragging buckets of water out of Mike's basement
13. Using fresh herbs from the garden for cooking
14. Taking a hip hop dance class with Sara
15. Double date at Noah's Ark
16. Riding in the family's first 25 mile bike ride
17. Partying with the Sara's for their birthday at the ballpark
18. The Fantasy Football draft party where I got drunk before dinner time
19. Saz's sampler platter at Summerfest and State Fair - yum!
20. Standing through 3.5 hours of the best Springsteen concert ever AND hearing him play "Glory Days"

MarcusMonroe.com is live

It's been nonstop work. I just sent a 64 page manual off to print and I'm about to wrap up another 100+ page manual that I've been working on for over a year to the printers. But one of my quicker and creative projects was designing and developing this site for my friend Marcus Monroe. Marcus is an awesome juggler if you get a chance to see him next Summerfest you should.
Visitmarcusmonroe.com

Work Outing

Today we had our first work outing in two years. Two years ago, about 6-8 people went bowling at Landmark Lanes. Today we left it up to our newest student to pick a park to play disk golf. I arrived first, smack dab in the ghetto. According to my map there should be a park building adjacent to the parking lot I was in. This building was the restroom. Then I walked some more I saw hole #1 so I knew I was in the right place all I had to do was wait. A car pulls up - hurray. The window rolls down and some man is trying to talk to me but it sounds like a bad version of Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder, you know the ghetto slang but with some chew in your bottom lip. After the third time of this man apparently asking me something I figure out he is looking for a restroom. Ah ha! I've already located it - right this way. A woman struts out to the restroom. The man, whom I've already learned is from Mississippi get out of the car to talk to me while waiting for his Milwaukee cousin. In one hand is a strawberry wine cooler and the other hand is down by his twig and berries all while asking me where I'm from, where do I work, why am I here. The woman in the bathroom could have hurried it by the time Mr Srawberry Cooler finished is beverage but nope. He finished it, noticed something about my toes - In the middle of me trying to figure out what he was saying he reached down and gently slide his fingers across my toes.

Where are my coworkers?

Finally the woman comes out of the bathroom and I'm too in shock to exchange contact info with my new friend so I wave in shock as they leave.

Enter big white van. This van is moving pretty fast at me and I've seen enough movies to know that this is a kidnapping van and I must move away. So I walk around like I'm a park ranger checking to make tee #1 is where it should be.

Where are my coworkers?

Then something magical happens. Two buff shirtless men jump out of the van with golf discs! Then more jump out! They inform me that they are part of a band from Texas and invite me to come see there show on North Ave. Awesome. Then they ask me where tee #1 is. I put on my park ranger smile and point " It's right over there." Oh they are impressed. They think I know this course, which means they think I know how to disc golf. Then they ask me why I'm there by myself and I feel lonesome and a fool who doesn't know what a disk golf frisbee even looks like.

The shirtless wonders wander off and I'm left waiting again.

After multiple phone calls to coworkers I have numbers to I get no answer. Is this a joke? Should I go home? Should I go back to work?

Finally they arrive. I learn how to play disc golf and by the last hole I learned how to properly throw it.

One of my favorite Youtube videos

I could be telling you about my transition to the west side or my crazy week of work or what a soap opera Favre and the Packers have become. But instead I'll share with you one of my favorite youtube videos. Star Trek cribs:

Great James Brown Video

I started a hip hop dance class to learn some cool moves, but nothing compares to the Godfather of Soul.

The end of my alone time

For the past week and a half my roommate has been on vacation in Ireland. Tomorrow she comes back. It was nice to come home to an empty condo and do whatever I want. Like leave my tea cup out overnight, or watch TV all day or not shut the bathroom door. I could make a meal and not clean up right away and I could turn off the AC when it didn't need to be on. Well I guess I could do all these things anyway but it's nice just to be lazy once in a while.

Yesterday, for example, was a great day to be lazy. I also had the day off work. I got my oil changed at the mini dealership, got my emissions tested and by noon I was home and bored. So I started reading a book my roommate suggested, "The Monster of Florence." I knew this might happen but I just had to finish the book as soon as I got into it. I did break to try to get freelance work done but each attempt was unsuccessful. I don't remember if I ate lunch or dinner, but by 8:30pm I had finished. And I was literally disturbed by the true story. I was alone fearing a serial killer about the condo so I had a beer which somewhat put me to sleep.

So I wil be glad when my roommate comes home. At least there will be someone to hear me scream for help.

My purple wall

In 25 more days I will be moved into the Bf's house. We starting priming the basement, which will be my office/sewing room. I've always wanted a purple wall. So I'm getting in. Not a light lavendar purple, but a deep bold purple, a purple that says lick me.

Tara Road

Last night I stayed up to midnight finishing the book, Tara Road. Earlier I had starting making dinner, thought I might read 50 pages while eatting, I was halfway through already. Then, while forking my penne pasta with pesto, one of the characters, Danny, who I had doubts about was finally caught with another character he shouldn't be with. I had predicted it but didn't want to accept it so what do I do - sleep on it, wonder about it, let this character go on until the next day. No, he must meet his demise. I read on, 170+ pages so that it could be put to an end. Finally at midnight I had relief, and was very gratefully that I will never end up with somelike Danny, quite the opposite.

Transfer

Some mornings I wake up craving a garlic pizza made by Transfer. Transfer has become my new favorite pizza joint. I didn't have one before this, well maybe the $5 Little Ceasar Monday special back in college. So this new place opened up a couple months ago and was recommended by a co-worker who is friends with the group of people who opened up the joint. They make about 30 different pizza's. My favorite by far is the garlic special. There is no pizza sauce, rather a garlic sauce with a white chese and your choice of meat. This is what I wake up craving. It's so good. If you get a chance to go it's located on 1st and Mitchell.

45 more days

Until the mergering of things, or in other words I move into my boyfriends house in Tosa. I was thinking about the things I will like and I won't like.

Dislikes:
1. Being away from the eastside. Everything is so close, you can walk to the lake, to the coffee shop, cool boutiques and walk home drunk from the bars.
2. Having to shovel snow
3. Snoring
4. Not being able to bike to work
5. Smaller bathroom
6. Unexpected housing repairs
7. The watching of Motorweek
8. The potholes on Statestreet
9. Farting
10. Disrupting space


Likes:
1. Cooking for two and not one
2. Low bills
3. The parkway to run and bike
4. An Alterra coffe shop on the corner
5. Friendly neighboors
6. Gardening
7. The 60" TV
8. Sharing cars
9. Fresh herbs for cooking
10. But it all comes down to coming home to someone I love

Mexico

Here is one of the pictures from my six day Mexican vacation in Cabo. Besides a touch of food poisoning right before I got on the airplane from Milwaukee the trip was awesome. We had great weather, good company and awesome bartenders.

The frozen gin

There was a day a week ago that I was having a really bad day at work. So when Mike (the bF) picked me up I asked if we could go to the liquor store before dropping me off at my place. Sure! Of course I didn't know what I wanted. I needed to keep on working so wine was out of the question, and I would end up drinking too much beer if that was my choice. So I ended up in the hard booze section. When in doubt always get gin. So that's what I did - the best stuff - bombay saphirre. Oh so good. Add on a bottle of tonic and a lime and I was now happy holding my paper bag of wonderfulness.

And it did the trick that night and the night after that. Well, come a couple days ago when I now really need a cocktail (I didn't have one every night...stop dialing AA) I found that I had run out of tonic. I could either run to the store which would be a 15 minute trip OR keep right on working with gin on the rocks. I took the later and a lot more rocks. After trying to acquire a taste for straight gin my craving dissappeared. Now I had still a lot of gin left in my glass and I thought back to the Florida beach house where I learned from my Grandma that you could freeze your drink and take it back out whenever you wanted, add some more mixer and you're good to go. And that's what I did.

So happy that I didn't waste my top shelf gin I was very proud of myself. Until the next night where it disappeared, upon investigation the glass had made itself into the dishwasher. Apparently my roommate must think I'm an alcholic for putting a glass of water in the freezer.

The disappearance of my salad

Last night I was really hungry for one of my favorite salads. My favorite salad's original name was the "Jacked-Up Salad" consisting of lots of green, mandarins, nuts and the key ingredient, jack fruit. It has since switched names upon the changing of chefs. None-the-less, the now "Sweet-Sweet Salad" has not changed...until yesterday, or last Monday to be exact.

Pulling up to the Forty8 (located at 48th Street and National) last night everything seemed pretty much normal. I ordered a glass of wine and started looking over the menu. The menu was far from regular forty8 menu, where is my sweet-sweet salad, where did all the good food go, was was I going to eat??? I was in shock. I started to look at my boyfriend, raised an eyebrow, and started to look around at the interior trying to find an answer. The walls had been repainted, redecorated and there in the front corner hung my answer, two cowboy boots and a big shiny metal star. We've entered into a western bar.

Our server, slash bartender, slash bus boy, slash probably new owner could tell we were less then enthused after law and order interrogation on the newly bought forty8, the chefs and the disappearance of my salad. I shed a little tear in my cobb salad while billy ray cyrus played in the background.

HOTlanta

This weekend my boyfriend used his Christmas present. We boarded a plane Friday morning to Atlanta and the low sixties. His friend, who is a spitting image of Tim Van Vooren of Fox6 news, has been living in the city for some time now is half the reason why I decided to fly south this particular weekend. The main reason was Matt Costa, a friend of Jack Johnson and a stellar muscian, was playing at a small venue Saturday night. The show was awesome, someday he'll be filling up Alpine Valley but to say you saw him when you were 1 in a crowd of 100 is pretty damn cool. Then Sunday morning rolled around and Jeff (aka Tim Van Vooren) pulled out his Gibson guitar and strummed some tunes in the middle of the kitchen.

Sunday afternoon we explored the Art Musuem which was displaying a Georgia O'kefefe as well as some smaller exhibits which were equally as exciting, Aftrican Art and Contemporary Photographs which included Gary Winogrand. Then after we walked around for three hours in the museum we lunched at this diner called "Six Feet Under" housed directly opposite a graveyard. Creepy yes but the food was just outstanding.

Before we boarded our plane back we did a quick self guided tour of just a really cool neighborhood situated around a park that once was a camp during the civil war. The houses were a cross of vintage meets modern. Many of the houses in Atlanta are extended up, incorporating different yet complement materials to the orginial.

Despite the name Hotlanta is was rather brisk but a nice break from the Milwaukee weekend.

From the farm to dinosaurs

So you've all heard about the stories about my past roommate, the barn yard animal. I now have another grievance against a designosaurous. This species is known to surround itself with things it cannot detach from, making its surrounding unlikeable to those who enter. Usually you'll find this creature in front of a glowing computer monitor moving very slowly. Designosaurous do not adapt to change very well nor do they migrate. Thought to have nasty skin and a thick skull, communication is clearly very hard and not recommended unless the designosaurous approaches you. Designosaurous' are quiet defensive, so speak slowly and calmly, any sense of eye roll movement will put this beast into a crazy spiral. Remember designosaurous either were trained with or without computers. Technology paired with smart design can be quiet cumbersome. It's is hard to encourage futuristic design or even thoughtful design. Let the animal be until it is extinct. Do not put on the endangered species list and please pack aspirin or a six-pack to deal with day to day pitfalls due to this animal.

New Post - finally

So it's finally February and I've been asked to post.

What's new?
The weather: Coming back from Florida, I thought I missed the bitter coldfront in Milwaukee but turns out round 2 was this weekend. The weather currently is -2 in Milwaukee.

The man: My boyfriend is excellent, I can't wait to celebrate a hallmark holiday with him. He spolied me for Christmas and my birthday, he let me go on vacation for eight days without him and he takes care of me when I'm sick. We're looking forward to going to Atlanta in March to hang out with his good friend and go see Matt Costa in concert.

The sister's wedding: I'm still fighting to get the bridesmaids a fushia dress

The job: It's a love/hate relationship.

The bags: Took some time off selling and am started to sew sew sew to get my supply ready for market season. If you get a chance, buy the January Issue of M magazine and read the Green Article.

The Winter Weight: I've gained a winter belly! I stopped biking to work in October and because I've worked out only once I've started to notice that my jeans are getting a bit tighter. So my roomie and I are going to start working out at least twice a week.

christmas drinking

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

My sister's engaged!

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

Store Bound

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

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

Workaholic

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

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

Work in progress

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

Moving!

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

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

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

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

Close to the record

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

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

Record breaking day

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

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

In Today's Paper

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

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

Party Cloudy is Partly Sunny

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

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

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

Who wants to Save the Earth?

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

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

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

Life is good.

Long Weekend

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

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

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

and the rain cleared

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

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

gina

Market Day

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

Gina tries to bake cookies

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

No more surprises

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

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

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

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

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

Surprise

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

Posting

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

Carry that Weight

Carry that weight

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday

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

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

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

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

That was the morning. Now the evening.

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

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

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

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

One Month Later....

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


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


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


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


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