blueirisheyez's Journal

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Waking Up to Drama
So Jeff fell asleep on the couch last night. When he finally came up to bed, he had left his phone downstairs but didn't realize it until this morning when the alarm went off.

So he goes to grab the phone and comes back upstairs. Normally when his alarm goes off, we snooze and cuddle for about ten minutes before we start our day. Instead, Jeff came to our bedroom, sat on the bed and just stared at the phone. I asked him if everything was ok and he gave me his phone. He got an email from Alex at about 10:45 last night.....

Subject Line: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dad...please Dad you have to do something. I can't live like this anymore. All Mom and Ceasar do is fight. It's always about me. About how much it costs to have me live with them and how much it costs to support me. I can't handle it. It hurts so much. Please please please let me come live with you guys cuz I just can't do this anymore. I can't handle Mom anymore. Please Daddy. Please help me.

So of course I jump out of bed and immediately want to call Alex to make sure he is ok (mind you it's 4:45 in the morning). I hug Jeff and tell him it's o.k. and that we will work it all out. I tell Jeff that he has known that Alex has been unhappy and it has obviously only gotten worse and it's time for Jeff to make a decision and to tell Deb that it is no longer a matter of what SHE wants. If we have to go to court to gain full custody we will. Alex is old enough to make his decision and a court will agree to that. We live in a wonderful area, with one of the best school districts in the country. Jeff is so passive and he has never stood up to Deb about anything. The next few days are going to be crazy.

Jeff plans on calling Deb today to schedule a face-to-face. I am so worried about it all. As Jeff was leaving he gave me a kiss and a hug and said "are you sure you are ready for what might come?" I told him no...but isn't that what comes with being a parent?

Keep us all in your thoughts and prayers folks. I think it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Current Mood: nervous

More Getting to Know You
These are from Lizzie!

1) Tell me about your family. Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have two older sisters. We are very much the stereotypical three child syndrome family! My oldest sister is the overachiever. My middle sister never realizes how great she actually has it and I am absolutely the baby of the family! I am blessed to have my parents still with us. We all live relatively close to one another and most of my aunts, uncles and cousins live very close as well. So I see my family quite often. I love it and wouldn't change it.

2) Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Chicago. I am thankful that I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood. Since I was 19 I have lived in the various suburbs but around here, you are always a Chicagoan no matter what burb you call home.

3) What is your favorite drink (can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic)? Hmmm I am a big lemonade fan. My favorite alcoholic drink is a Cosmopolitan.

4) What bothers you the most about WP? Hmmmm...I am much more of a traditional girl so I don't get how so many brides and grooms want their weddings to "reflect us" that they lose sight of how beautiful a wedding can be and than it just becomes rather silly. Recently though, I am not liking how no one can speak their minds without offending SOMEONE. It's ridiculous.

5) What are your hobbies? I love to read. Reading is my escape so I would much rather read something trashy than something deep and meaningful! I know that's terrible but there is enough garbage in the world, just give me a book about the Regency Era or some Scottish laird and I am all set!

Current Mood: creative

Getting to Know You
These are from Rachel!!!!!!

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Is there any part of your career that relates to your original childhood dream?

I wanted to be a vertrinarian more than anything. Unfortunately math and science were not strong subjects for me. I just cannot grasp numbers. It's awful. I say I am mathematically dyslexic! Now I am in the legal field, which I love but it isn't as funny as saving fur babies.

2. What was your favorite halloween costume and why?

I have a few. When I was a little kid I was HR Puffenstuff and I LOVED that show and was thrilled to have that costume! As a teenager, I was Boy George one year and that costume ROCKED and finally, the Halloween when I purchased my first home, I threw my annual party and my husband and I rented costumes from a costume company that provides theatre costumes to the Chicagoland theatre district. He was the Quasimodo and I was Esmerelda and our costumes were fabulous! Of course, he scared the crap out of the kids trick or treating but once I came outside the kids realized who he was and they were cool with it. We even sung some Disney tunes from the Hunchback movie while handing out candy. The kids loved it.

3. What is something that you collect, if anything? Any particular reason for the collection?

I used to collect Longerberger baskets. I just loved the baskets and my decorating sense used to be country casual. My decorating style has changed and so has my budget so I can't afford those damn things anymore!

4. What is your favorite physical feature about yourself, and what is your favorite personality feature?

My eyes are my favorite feature. They are blue but change to grey and sometimes violet when I am angry. I have a very dry sarcastic personality - people either love it or hate it. I love it.

5. What do you do when you have a depressing day?

I go to my sister's house and spend time with my nieces...they ALWAYS make me laugh. If that doesn't help I just have a really good cry.

Current Mood: cheerful

Getting to Know You
5 questions from Patti!

Leave me a comment saying "Resistance is Futile."

• I'll respond by asking you five questions so I can satisfy my curiosity
• Update your journal with the answers to the questions
• Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions

1. What is your favorite part of living in IL?

Besides all the awesome governors we have had? I guess the answer would be Chicago! I LOVE my town. It is beautiful and has sooo much to offer. I don’t even take advantage of enough of it. I like that I can live in my small town of cornfields and 45 minutes later I am in this amazing city. We have our share of problems but I wouldn’t trade it! Also, 95% of my family is here. We all are in very close proximity to each other and I get to see aunts, uncles and cousins all the time.

2. Gelatin, friend or foe? Foe and unfortunately a sad story goes with it. I was raised in a three flat building. My paternal grandparents lived in the first floor apartment, my maternal grandparents owned the building and lived on the second floor and we lived on the third. I was truly “raised by a village”, especially my maternal grandmother. She was TOTALLY the glue that held it all together for us. Anyway, my grandfather had suffered a heart attack and a stroke and was in the hospital. My grandmother was at the hospital and told my aunt that she had a craving for Jello. So they went to the hospital cafeteria. My grandmother had a few bites of her Jello, looked up at my aunt and said “I love you” and suffered a massive heart attack and died. I fucking blame the Jello.

3. If you're standing in line and someone gets in front of you, without really realizing it, do you say something? Yes. I ALWAYS speak my mind. Sometimes it is not a good thing.

4. I know you're a big make-up whore, would you ever go tent camping? Would you wear make up while doing it? I could probably handle a one night tent camping experience but I couldn’t do more…not because of my prissiness but mostly because, after having spinal fusion, my back in a sleeping bad or air mattress would not be good. I would be willing to do it just to day “take that bitches!” Would I be swimming in a lake while camping? If so than no…I would probably NOT wear makeup. Unless there were hot guys…are there hot guys?

5. What has been your favorite concert? Well this is going to sound sooo dorky but back when my marriage imploded I started going to a new church, it was Baptist General Conference so they weren’t sacrificing chickens and the music was AWESOME. That church introduced me to Christian Pop/Rock which I love to this day. One of my favorite groups was called Avalon. Well turns out Avalon was playing at this tiny church right by my house and tickets were only $10.00 each. It was the beginning of December so I begged my middle sister to go with me. Knowing I was going through emotional turmoil at the time she agreed to go with me. This concert was AMAZING! To this day even my sister says it was probably the best concert she has ever been to as well.

Current Mood: cheerful

More Getting to Know Me Questions
From Gena!

1. If you could convince Jeff to right now just change one parenting technique, what would you advocate for? I would love for Jeff to quit blaming every bad move Alex makes on "just being a teenager." I think it is terrible when parents make excuses for their child's poor behavior and that one takes the cake. I would advocate that Jeff really think it through before he makes the blanket statement.

2. What is your favorite quality about Alex? Alex is really a very loving boy who is not afraid to show affection. At 15 that is a wonderful quality. Gena - thank you for that question because I think I needed it.

3. What electronic could you not live without? Dude...my lifeline to you! The puter.

4. What is your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant? Enchilada Suizas

5. What rule of your parents did you disobey most? Here is the thing...I was the last kid...there were no rules!

More Getting to Know You Questions
More Getting to Know Me Questions

If you want 5 questions, respond with 'resistance is futile'.

From SarahBeth:

1. What is your favorite Halloween memory?

My friends Debbie, John and myself would always go "haunted house hunting" every year. We would go every weekend from the beginning of October and try to hit as many as we could. We would map out which ones we would go to! It was crazy and expensive! So one year her mother heard about this great haunted house in Mt. Carrol, Illinois. Supposedly it was the best place ever. We were told that it was about an hour out of Chicago (this was before the days of Mapquest). So we decided to try our luck. THREE HOURS LATER....we arrive at our destination and this is literally THE WORST PLACE EVER. It was just so unbelievably bad. So they had this part of the house where you had to go through a wall on a dumbwaiter pully thing. I got STUCK in it. For over an hour! It was insane. Although the whole experience was bad it was also really funny in the bad way and to this day we all talk about that experience.

2. What's your favorite cocktail (and share the recipe *flutters lashes*)?

I love Cosmos.

3. If you could live in a different historic era, which would it be? (BTW, I accidentally typed era as ear SIX times typing that question, I hate this keyboard sometimes.)

The Regency Era - without a doubt. I was meant to live in England at that time!

4. Do you prefer to be near the water or near the woods?

Water. It's my happy place!

5. Do you like any sports? Which ones?

Hockey and Soccer

Current Mood: annoyed

Stolen from Kara (Who Stole it from Gena)
THEN: November 1999

1. Age: 29
2. Romantic Status: Married to Derek
3. Occupation: Office Manager for a boutique law firm
4. Fun night out: Dinner with friends
5. My BFFs: Patti and Jane
6. I spent way too much time: Working my butt off for the house I had purchased a few months earlier.
7. I spent not enough time: watching what was going on under my roof a bit more closely
8. I wanted to be when I grew up: I was already grown up by then! I always wanted to be a veterinarian though.
9. Biggest concern: Weather I would have a house and be pregnant by the time I was 30
10. What my biggest concern should have been: See answer to no. 6
11. Where did I live: My very first house in Homewood
12. Dumbest thing I did that year: I can't remember.
13. If I could go back now and talk to myself I would say: Keep a better eye on things, dump your husband, don't lose track of your friends.

NOW: November 2009

1. Age: 39
2. Romantic Status: in a relationship
3. Occupation: legal assistant/trademark administrator for law firm
4. Fun night out: ummmm family time
5. My BFFs: Maddie and my LJ girls
6. I spend way too much time: on LJ!
7. I spend not enough time: working out
8. I want to be when I grow up: a lottery winner
9. Biggest concern: Finances - thanks to the problems listed above it will ALWAYS be finances
10. What my biggest concern should be: Health of my family members
11. Where do I live: Townhome in Manhattan, IL
12. Dumbest thing I have done this year: There isn't anything that stands out...I am perfect!
13. What I think I would say to myself in 10 years: You succeeded.

SUMMARY:

1. What do I miss most from 1999: My friends
2. What do I miss least from 1999: My ex-husband
3. What have I accomplished in 10 years that I am most proud of: I made alot of mistakes in my relationships with people and hurt myself in many ways. I was able to regroup and refocus and I like where my life is now
4. What have I NOT accomplished in 10 years that I wish I had: I really wish I had married the right person and had a child or two.

Part 2:
1. Your ex is on the side of the road on fire. Point and laugh and throw more alcohol on him.
2. Your best friend tells you she is pregnant. I would say it is a miracle from God!
3. When is the last time you wanted to punch someone in their face? Yesterday at work. I hate dealing with foreign trademarks because I still don't understand it and alas my boss isn't thrilled with me
4. Congratulations! You just had a son. What's his name? Hunter James
5. Congratulations! You just had a daughter. What's her name? Rebecca Kathleen or Alexie Clementine (it's a family name)
6. What are you craving right now? Nothing.
7. What was the last thing you cried about? My uncle's cancer prognosis
8. When you buy something and your change is a penny: I leave it in the penny jar at the store or tell them to keep it.
9. What color is your tissue box? I don't have one.
10. Do you have a ceiling fan in your room, and if so, is there dust on that fan? No I am a clean freak
11. What is the last voicemail you received about? My aunt called to tell me someone I know died a few weeks ago. I really don't want to find out who it was!
12. Scariest thing you've experienced in the last year? All my various surgeries but specifically my own cancer scare
13. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? taco pizza
14. Have you ever had a garage sale? Yes and it rocked!
15. What was the last alcoholic beverage you had? red wine
16.Are you happy right now? Yep other than that work related problem listed above I can't get off my mind
17. Who came over last? no one
18. Do you miss anybody right now? Always
19. Dark or light jeans? Dark. Always dark.
20. What was the last movie you watched at home? Anna Karinina
21. What is in your pocket? Nothing.
22. Who introduced you to your significant other? E-Harmony
23. Where do you hurt? my foot - always
24. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? Bedding
25. When is your birthday? May 3rd
26. What are you going to do after this? actually working instead of procrastinating
27. What is your favorite dessert? cake of any kind
28. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? My middle name (Maureen) is my Aunt's name
29. Is someone plotting your demise? Oh I am sure about it.
30. Has anyone ever mistaken you for a family member? My sister Kim - all the time. Even Jeff's stepmom thought she was me when they met.
31. Does someone like you right now? Yes.
32. Do you know anyone in jail/prison? Probably but I don't realize they are in jail
33. Do you like the color green? depends on the shade.
34. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now? I would hope so.

Current Mood: crappy

Post Halloween Post - Recap of My ChiliFest
***Apology to Laura who had to hear my rant about Alex on Sunday and will again have to read about it again***

I am going to do my Post Halloween Post just like the Post Wedding Posts in WP!

( Halloween )

Current Mood: sick

My Handsome New Nephew
Angie and Jim are finally home with their gorgeous son, Nathan James!

I got to see him for the first time today. I am without a doubt completely in love with this precious bundle of joy!

Meet Nathan James!!!!

( Nathan )

Current Mood: giddy

A Day at Pilcher Park
Jeff and I went hiking again to day at Pilcher Park. It hurts like hell on the foot but I gotta get some exercise. I won't let the foot problems get me down.

My beautiful niece Mackenzie joined us.

So here are some pictures:

( Pilcher Park )

Current Mood: thankful

Some sunshine after the rain
This has been a bad week. It seems lately there is nothing but a cloud over me. I have been trying like hell to keep out of the clouds but it has been difficult.

Yesterday, we received word that we lost our biggest trademark client. Therefore, any chance of me officially getting a paralegal title (and salary) is over. I am sad on so many levels. One, because my boss has been their attorney for 20 years and that relationship is all over. As a partner, he has a difficult task ahead to replace them. Of course, I feel sorry for myself. I am also very angry on how we were informed. Via email. That just sucks.

On the plus side, I just got word that I will NOT owe the $13,000.00 in medical bills after all. I spoke with the surgery center and they said that they will just accept the money that Blue Cross has offered to pay and be done with it. I guess this happens all the time with Blue Cross. For those that don't think we need some sort of health care reform in the States, look at me as an example of why we do.

I have this damn baby shower tomorrow for Jeff's sister. I just spent $37.00 on WRAPPING PAPER at Target yesterday. $37!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What the hell.

So, I thank God for the the bit of sunshine in my rainy week.

Current Mood: blah

My Life - An Update
So...today was just the weirdest day. Some bad things, some good things, one GREAT thing and one thing that has me worried and upset because of a gut feeling (and I have a big gut)...

1. I haven't received an update post on Maddie since this afternoon but thank you so much to my Red Hatters for all their well wishes. I love you all more and more each passing day. Ya'll rock and I am going goodie bag shopping this weekend so be sure to tell me what Chicago treats you want!!!!!!!!!!

2. I had to visit ye old dentist today. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my dentist. He is in the area of Chicago known as the "Gold Coast" and it is pretty ritzy. His office is very high end but they never treat me badly. I started going to him because I have always had very bad teeth. I don't have much enamel and they crack easily. So whenever I would go to a new dentist I would always get berated for having bad teeth or get asked how long I have been bulimic because of the enamel issue. I never really felt comfortable and basically dentist hopped until I found my guy. Well with all the other surgeries this year I have put off any further dental work (did I mention I have about $20k in work that needs to be done?) Looking at me you would never guess because all the bad stuff is "hidden" lol. Anyway...today we were talking and he asked about getting caps on the teeth that we had previously talked about (I need three...two caps on my actual teeth and a third "cap" for the implant that they had to put in (that was nice). So grand total...with discount....$3300.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the love of Gooodddddddd!!!!!!!!!!! I have it but yikes. So I have to make a decision and soon. I figure, I should do it now because if I wait and something happens to my two teeth, it will cost me even more. But I am shell shocked! Which leads me to......

3. When I had the foot surgeries, my doctor's office handled all the planning. The podiatrist is also the surgeon. So I never questioned that the surgery would NOT be covered by my insurance. Any other surgery I have ever had, the doc's office had gotten preapproval on the matter and I never had to deal with any of that. I had made the assumption the same was done here PLUS my surgeon is part of my insurance plan. So never questioned it. When I was signing the paperwork the day of surgery, the clerk specifically said "we accept Blue Cross". I remember specifically because I said "well you better or we can't do this surgery". Fast forward and I get the EOB from Blue Cross REFUSING TO PAY THE BILL. $13,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well I can't freaking pay that. So my HR rep tells me to appeal to Blue Cross and try to work something out with the surgery center. Today I come home to a letter from the surgery center. THEY WANT TO APPEAL ON MY BEHALF! Which is WONDERFUL news because obviously there is a major paperwork/communication problem. So this gives me some relief. I don't have $13k...I can never pay that bill and I doubt they would take $100.00 from me for the rest of my life!!!! So fingers crossed this all works out.

4. My sister's girlfriend lost her job right after the holidays. She invented a chip used in the MRI machines (kid you not) and proceeded to sell them as her actual "job". I guess the need to purchase MRI machines went to the wayside with the recession and they had to let her go. It was touch and go as they live in a cushy area of Chicago, have the lakehouse, etc. So on Sunday, June, who is agnostic, said to me..."I know you pray...will you pray for me...I need any help I can get." SHE GOT A JOB TODAY! Her last paycheck from her termination package was mailed TODAY. How awesome is that. Whether it was Divine Intervention, fate or what...this is awesome news.

5. At my job I am a paralegal but not by official title. Basically they fired the paralegal for the trademark division last year and gave the job to me with the understanding that if I could handle it and was working out, they would revisit the title and I would get a pay raise in 9 months. 9 months later, there is a recession and NO RAISES. Also, no title because there is arguments over how much billing am I actually doing and of course there is that whole no college thing. Our main trademark client requires us to bid for their full business. This is HUGE. I bust my ass working on this bid. Hours and hours and late nights and stress and we get it in in time and everything is golden. We are supposed to hear from the client within 30 days. We don't hear from them until this past Tuesday night. My boss is already gone for the day and he calls them back Wednesday morning. He doesn't hear back from them. All day. I ask him again this morning and this afternoon and he says he called again and still no answer. So here is the kicker...he is behind closed doors all day today and is not talking to me. I think he heard about the bid. I think the firm got it, but I think the client has a problem with me being the paralegal on the matter and he is trying to figure out what to do. I know I have no proof but like I said...it is my gut feeling.

Ok - so that's the update of my life. I need a stiff drink!

Current Mood: curious

Baby Showers
So....I am throwing Jeff's sister's baby shower in a couple weeks (I am one of 4 women throwing it). I don't mind (even though I sort of got suckered into it) and I am thrilled for Angie, as she is adopting a baby and I know he is just going to be the cutest thing and very much loved.

So I have been buying little outfits here and there and today Jeff and I spent an absurd amount of money on things. Of course, while I was in the store shopping I started to get a bit emotional and by the time we made it to the car, I was a wreck.

I am 39 years old and I will never be a mommy. I tried for so long to get pregnant while I was married and than when it was over I decided I didn't want to be a mom because my nieces and nephews were enough for me. Of course now my biological clock is a timebomb.

Sigh. Just venting really.

Current Mood: cranky

I can't stop crying
My aunt's cancer is now in her brain.

Current Mood: indescribable

When it rains it pours
I have an Aunt. Aunt Judy. Aunt Judy was married to my mom's brother, who was also my Godfather. He and I were SUPER CLOSE. They didn't have any children so basically I was it. My Aunt was someone who I always thought was the coolest person. She had the best jewelry...since they didn't have kids they always traveled and went out all the time on weekends and they owned a juke box! ROFL. As I got older, I realized that my Aunt wasn't a very nice person BUT she is my aunt and I love her. My uncle got throat cancer and even though he beat the cancer, he passed away due to the remaining problems that radiation caused him. Anyway...shortly after my uncle died, Judy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a full mastectomy. Right after that, she too was diagnosed with throat cancer (she never smoked so chalk one up to second-hand smoke). The doctors told her they weren't too concerned, it was a small tumor and the surgery would take about 3 hours. 19 hours later, the doctor informs my family (my parents and my sisters are basically it for her family, she has a sister she doesn't ever see in California) that the tumor wrapped around her esophagus and in turn, they had to remove most of her throat and rebuild it and that she would never eat again and if she was able to speak again, it would be a gift from God. Sigh. A few months after that, uterin cancer, full hysterectomy.

So she goes in about a month ago for her annual check up. They run some tests and they find...a tumor on her lung. So they run a bunch more tests....she went today to get the results.

Stage 4 lung cancer with the cancer also spread to her liver. She has to go in for a full body scan because they believe, the cancer might be in her brain. They also believe that due to all her previous cancer issues, her bones may be too brittle for chemo. So she has to have a bone test done.

So she survived all these other cancers, which left her without the ability to eat, she can barely talk and now...she is going to die. Soon.

I just want to be 8 years old again and have her paint my nails and take me shopping and than to the ice cream palor! I want a re-do!

Sigh.

Current Mood: sad

Answer the damn questions
Reply here with your answers & then post a blank one in your journal!

01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
02) What was your dream growing up?
03) What talent do you wish you had?
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
05) Favorite vegetable?
06) What was the last book you read?
07) What zodiac sign are you?
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
09) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favorite sport?
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What color eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or can soda?
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
26) Favorite band to listen to when you're mad?
27) What's your favorite place to hang out at?
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30) Do you swear a lot?
31) Biggest pet peeve?
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
34) Favourite and least favourite food?
35) Do you believe in God?
36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

Survey Stolen from Melissa
Pass it on!
Here’s how it works: USE ONLY ONE WORD!
It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Short
3. Your mother? Nuts
4. Your father? Irish
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? Trial
7. Your favorite drink? Lemonchello
8. Your dream/goal? Forever
9. What room are you in? Cubical
10. Your hobby? Reading
11. Your fear? Homelessness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Chicago
13. Where were you last night? Work
14. Something that you aren’t? Patient
15. Muffins? Cinnamon
16. Wish list item? Health
17. Where did you grow up? Chicago
18. Last thing you did? Peed
19. What are you wearing? Pants
20. Your TV? Crack
21. Your pets? Cats
22. Friends? Fabulous
23. Your life? Good
24. Your mood? Tensse
25. Missing someone? Always
26. Vehicle? Caliber
27. Something you’re not wearing? earrings
28. Your favorite store? Avenue
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? yesterday
32. Your best friend? Maddie
33. One place that I go to over and over? Kim's
34. One person who emails me regularly? Maddie
35. Favorite place to eat? Pepe's

Current Mood: stressed

Pictures of the wedding
Shane and Linda had the perfect day to be married! It was sunny, 84 degrees with a light breeze. Linda looked amazing! The wedding/reception site was just gorgeous! The bride was radiant and everyone enjoyed themselves! So here are the pics behind the cut! Yeah I said it! I figured out this posting nonsense!

I won't do a wedding review because I always think, unless it is your wedding, that is really unfair to do. I will say the following:

The bride was stunning....seriously breathtaking.

The groom was handsome.

The children were adorable and well behaved.

The estate, although Narnia themed, was not overdone and really was a unique place. Since the wedding itself was not Narnia themed, it worked. The grounds were amazing and I would love to have my wedding there!

The salad was orgasmic and probably the best I have ever had. The main course ehhhh typical wedding food to be honest. The cake was OUT OF THIS WORLD.

The DJ played tons of 80s music and I think everyone really liked that.

We left at 11:20...the party ended at 11:30.

So on to the pictures!

( Wedding )

Busy busy busy
Last week was crazy busy. I started physical therapy. I have to go three days a week. Jeff was away on business so I had to go through alot of hell alone. No one to whine too about how much it hurt! LOL

Also got a taste of being a mom. Alex started his guitar lessons and I had to go to his house Tuesday night to pick him up after my PT. I had to rush home after work to pick him up and take him to his lessons. I wanted to get him new strings for his guitar. Of course, the salesguy at the guitar studio suggested three or four other things that Alex will "eventually" need. Well he is a teenager and wanted it all now! So I told him if he continued with his lessons and seemed to take a true interest, every few weeks we will get him something "new" but if I found he wasn't practicing at home, being a brat or whatever, we wouldn't purchase any more items. He was cute because he just said "yes ma'am" and didn't fight. He is such a good kid. I love him to pieces. After the lessons I had to drive him back home.

Jeff finally came home very late on Friday night. It was rather amusing. I couldn not sleep at all during the week without him home. I have gotten used to him being there. Friday, I was exhausted. I knew he would be home that night and I conked out! He came home around 11:00 that night and I was out like a light. I remember him saying "baby I am home" and giving me a kiss and that was that. So much for a great homecoming LOL.

He had to work Saturday so unfortunately, no time spent together that day either. I did go out to lunch with the family so that was nice and relaxing.

Sunday I finally got to spend some time with Jeff. We slept in, had a yummy breakfast and ran some errands. In the process.....

I tried on engagement rings.

Just tried on folks....trying to get an idea of what I might want/like/etc.

I have no clue if or when....but it is nice to know that he loves me that much. :)

Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Washing machine

Father's Day
So it was 120 degrees with the humidity in the lovely Chicagoland area on Sunday and I get to spend it with Jeff's family.

Jeff and I have had a complicated relationship with Jeff's brother J as of late. He is angry that Jeff moved out and is now living with me, even though J told me that he has never seen his brother happier.

Right after Easter, J had contacted me and voiced his displeasure to me directly. I immediately told him to bugger off and suggested that he discuss this with Jeff, as Jeff is a big boy and can handle things on his own.

So fast forward to Father's Day. Everyone is on the patio. Jeff and I walk in and everyone comes up and hugs me but J. Who chooses to completely ignore me and also fails to introduce me to his new girlfriend. So of course, I decide to smother him with kindness and J does not handle it well. He treats me with contempt most of the day, but I just choose to completely ignore him. He isn't worth being hurt by.

Fast forward again until about 10 p.m. on Sunday night. Jeff's stepmom calls me to tell me how much she and Jeff's dad love me, how the whole family loves me and J can just suck it up and deal.

Good times with family!