Not Ready at All!

At some point in my life, I need to learn how to say "NO!" I still haven't learned. That is probably why I am completely stressed out right now. D and I always have schedules that usually hold 48 hours worth of work, and we are supposed to do it in 12 hours. Can you imagine that we each have a schedule like that? But that never seems like enough for myself.

My close friends are getting married on Saturday. So I am heading home. These are friends that I was super close to a few years ago. I am a musician, and there was a group of us that worked pretty much Thursday afternoon through late Sunday night. Each and every week, plus rehearsals and teaching some local kids. We spent so much time together, usually seeing each other every day. And most importantly, we are like family. A group of young adults, on their own, who are like a family. Most of us were in college at the time. Just trying to survive. And really depending on each othere. But the guys were like my big brothers. The kind of guys that I could completely depend on.

When my friends asked me to be in the wedding, I was so thrilled! They have been dating over 10 years. And were engaged about a year and a half ago. I am very excited. I get to see so many of my friends. It has been a while. Most of them have moved away to pursue a career in music. That alone is exciting. And like a crazy person, I have to work until Thursday morning. Then I am leaving in the afternoon.

When I get back home, I still have a HUGE list of things to do. I have to pick up my dress and shoes. And I am hoping the dress shop will still be open when I get into town. If not, I am in so much trouble! Because on Friday, before the rehearsal and all of that, I am hosting a bridal luncheon/bridal shower/get-together/bridal tea/pre-wedding spa day. Yeah, I kinda wonder why I agreed. Not that I don't love my friend, but because I have no time to prepare for it!

I am working all week. And honestly, I have to wait until I get there to shop. I have my list ready. And I have made a bunch of calls to order things or put them on hold for me. But it still has me stressed out! I have a whole vision of what I want this day to be like, but I don't know if I have the time to get it done. And because my house is an hour away from the wedding location and the dress shop, things have to go exactly as planned. I need to pick up my dress and shoes on Thursday because I won't have any time to on Friday. And I have to keep everyone on track on Friday. Because we can't be late to the rehearsal.

So I am keeping my fingers crossed. My list is by my side and all the calls have been made. I am just anxious to be going home. And anxious to see all of my friends. I just hope I have enough time to get everything done and still enjoy the wedding. For now, I need to get back to figuring out the details of my plan.

XOXO

♥D

Be Our Guest

Not everything got done this week. Apparently, they did not get all of our stuff here. But that was OK. Until this morning. When both D and I had to rinse the shampoo and body wash bottles to shower. Then I used the last of my deodorant. D got the last drop of toothpaste. And we ran out of food staples. So, I thought I would make the 20 minute trip out to Target for some supplies. Things to hold us over until Monday. Because for whatever reason, everything ran out this morning.

I was actually really excited about my adventure to Target for my shopping. I am a big fan of Target! You can ask all of my friends and family, and they will tell you how much I LOVE to shop at Target. I actually worked there a few years ago. But the stores are always so clean and stocked full. The employees are usually friendly and excited to help. Usually! Until today, when I needed some help. I couldn't find anyone to ask for help on the floor. So I walked to their "Guest Service" counter and the girl was both annoyed and unfriendly. So was the GSTL.

I was actually shocked. And after waiting for 30 minutes, I said forget about it. I just picked up a few things that we really needed. And headed for the checkout line. It wasn't so bad. The line was short. But I was pretty disappointed in my adventure. And had to make another stop at another store. I will not stop going to Target just because of this one day. But I will second guess my instinct to just stop by. I left Target on a "not so good foot" but I thought it was just because of the management. Apparently, it is more widespread than that.

After many, many bad experiences at Wal-Mart, I have stopped shopping there. I go once in a while when I can't find something that I really need. But I try to avoid Wal-Mart. I personally don't have tons and tons of money, but I am willing to spend a few cents more for my basics...if I get a good shopping experience. I sincerely hope that Target is headed back in that direction. Because I might just have to find some other place to shop. Hey Target Chiefs...get it together. Because I was not the only unpleased "guest." And I know how much you value your "Guests." When I worked at Target, I would always think about that song "Be Our Guest," because the service was just that good. I hope it returns.

XOXO

♥D

Good Change of Pace

Today was a good day. Well, at least so far. I had a good workout earlier. The kind that leaves you weak at the end. Where you know that tomorrow you are going to be moving slowly. But I enjoy the soreness after a good workout. It makes me feel like I really did something good. I also feel more energetic! There is something about a good workout that leaves you feeling good. I think it is because of all the sweating you do.

I am also trying to prepare for a party that I am hosting late next week. I can't buy a whole lot of the stuff right now. Because I am flying out to the location where the party will be. And I just can't see myself flying with a bunch of luggage, filled with wedding type decor and gifts. Until then, I am writing out a detailed list of things I need to buy. But I have been making some items for the party. The individual things that make these type of parties so special. I have also been making some bags for the girls. I want to fill them with some fun gifts and things to remember our "Girls' Day."

And I've been planning out the menu. It is going to be a day long, type of pre-wedding day, "Girls' Day." So I am thinking lots of different kinds of finger foods. I haven't decided if I am going to make a bunch of Tapas or just the regular party finger foods. I kind of want to talk to my friend before I make my decision. I would prefer Tapas, but it about the Bride, not me! I am really excited about everything though. It will be a good time for all of us.

Today I am also planning on going through my closet to see if I can get rid of anything around here. We have so much stuff! And I really do need to get rid of some of it. I have a basket of makeup that I really don't use. Some of my friends will really like that. I am also going through my closet to see what clothes I don't really use. I am thinking about donating a bunch of my old bridesmaids' dresses. Some of them are really cute. Like for a young girl going to a school dance. Because as gorgeous as they are, I will never wear them again. My friends have good taste, they are not your "typical" bridesmaids' dresses.

So, I am really busy. But it is the good kind of busy. The kind that makes me feel accomplished when I have finished everything. I need to pack for this weekend and next. Thank goodness we have some help. Because we also have lots of shopping that needs to be done. How can we already be out of shampoo again? And food? But we will get it all done!

XOXO

♥D

Mr. Blue Eyes

Maybe it's tropical paradise, the sun, or being well rested...but D's eyes are looking especially blue today. And I'm loving it! Mr. Blue Eyes just has a look about him today. A little sexy, a little playful, and definitely a little devilish.

This vacay has been a blessing for both of us. I guess I hadn't realized just how much the stresses of the world were weighing on us. D has been under a lot of pressure at work. But this is just what the doctor ordered!

Right this minute, D is playing in the water like a 3 year old. Not the grown 30 something year old man that he is. It just makes me smile! :O) He deserves to get away from it all. I just wish he could get the chance more often.

XOXO

♥D

Going on a Vacay

We are going on vacation today! Woohoo!!! OK, we will be gone roughly a week and a half. All I can tell you is that we are going somewhere tropical. Yes, nice and warm. Lots of sun, clear water, and sand. I can already feel my feet in the sand...and we are only on the plane. :O)

We are going to enjoy the sun and the sea...

A few tropical sunsets...

Maybe even playing in the sand...

Oh yeah! We enjoyed a good breakfast with V and her fiance this morning. It was nice to just remember the good times at college. V, E, and myself were interns at the same hospital, in the town we went to college at. We were pretty hilarious! The song Unwritten was like our "Theme Song." It really did fit us at the time. V left for Dallas about 6 months after we initially started our internships. She graduated and had bigger dreams. That and she is originally from Texas.

E and I probably worked together another year. Then she graduated and got married. I was her maid of honor. They had a cool 50s type of wedding. 50s cars included! Then they moved to Florida. Her and her husband were in grad school there. They are actually thinking about moving back to our small college town. They miss it. And now E has a Master's Degree in Nutrition and her RD. Her husband has a PhD.

I think D loved hearing about the silly things we did back then. I am the youngest of the three of us, and definitely got picked on more. D liked hearing about the crazy things I used to get into at work. Especially the story of me breaking my finger when I worked at Hooter's. :O) It was a long time ago, I needed a job, and in a small town...you can't be picky!

And before I could leave town, I had to stop at this adorable stationary shop. I bought a bunch of notecards, pens, and stationary. All of which I didn't need. But it definitely brightened my day! I gotta go people...we are going on vacay!

XOXO

♥D

Attack of the Fire Ants

For the second time in less than two weeks, I was attacked by fire ants. No lie! The first part of July found me doing paperwork, in the middle of the night, at the hospital. We had a family bring in 3 small kids covered in fire ants. Yes, fire ants. The entire ER and PICU teams were called to assist. We thought we were covered and protected. But most of us were bitten pretty badly.

Have I mentioned? I am allergic to insect bites. Once I began to have trouble breathing, I was immediately taken off the case. All of a sudden...I became a patient too! After a shower and a few shots, I was feeling better. And I was sent home. Things had been going fairly well since then.

I have continued to take my medication. And honestly, it was going pretty well. Better than some of the doctors who were working that night. My friend and colleague, Dr. M was attacked in the "unmentionables." Poor man. And Dr. A was attacked on his bald head. Seriously, why would you bite someone on the head?

Then there was this trip to Dallas. I definitely did not see this one coming. I thought it would be a quick trip back and forth. And we were staying in a $500 a night hotel. Actually, it is one of the best hotels here...if not THE BEST. But I didn't know there has been a recent bug problem in Dallas. It's Texas after all. People you should expect BIG THINGS when you come to Texas.

In the middle of the night when I got here, the Bellhops were killing and cleaning up roaches outside. I didn't think much about it. Probably because I was exhausted! I went straight to my room and to bed.

I woke up around 3AM. And I swear, I could hear something burring in my ear. I could not sleep. I began to get ready for the day. Then I started to remember the Medical Mystery show D and I had watched a few weeks ago. The lady had a junebug stuck in her ear. They had to kill it, then pull it out. It was close to burring in her eardrum. I was freaking out!

By 4:15AM, when I met the doctors from the hospital I work at, I was going crazy! Dr. S looked in there, but he couldn't see anything. Are you serious? I can hear it. Dr. M was not a happy camper either! Apparently, he had ants in his room...fire ants. And they had attacked somewhere he would rather not talk about. He got a different room.

We got to the hospital by 4:30AM. I couldn't take it any more. Dr. S pulled some strings in the ER and I was in. The doctors looked, but couldn't see anything! I started to tell them about the hotel, Dr. M's fire ants, and they began to put it together. That and the entire right side of my face was swelling up!

Meanwhile, my friends and colleagues were in the conference. And I am laying on an ER bed all alone. It was something about those moments that made me feel very alone and very small. I thought about calling D, but I knew he had a big day today...he needed his rest. And this news would only worry him. So I lay there...thinking. The doctors finally trickled in some alcohol solution. And all at once, these fire ants came out of my ear. After doing this a couple of times, and me laying there forever...the doctors finally looked inside my ear.

Those pesky little critters bit my ear pretty badly inside...and my face on the outside. Once we knew what had happened, I called Dr. S's wife. She checked my room and found all these ants in my pillow. Yup, in my pillow. She looked through my things and packed them up. Making sure that no ants were with my things.

No more ants, my face is swollen, and I am now here at the hospital waiting. They are going to release me. And I am on my way out of town. Yeah, I am not going to the conference. In fact, I have already missed part of it. So I am supposed to rest and take some medicine. I will be back Sunday like planned. But for now, I am ready for some quality sleep...without the ants!

XOXO

♥D