This Day I Married My Friend <333

Well its official, me and the lady Tied the knot on Saturday October 18th, 2008. It was a fun filled, love covered weekend and it was everything I dreamt of even as a little girl.

April and I began our weekend wedding adventure on Thursday morning when we went to pick up some gifts for our bridal party . The boys got beer mugs and the girls white wine glasses with their initials.

We picked up Bri, Tiff and Mary from the bus station on Thursday and headed out to a dance club to celebrate our last night of being a "regular couple" This is me with my girls.

Friday Morning we picked up our delicious cake and headed to the hotel. Where I finally got to see my mum and nannie for the first time in almost a year. It was soooo good to see them. We unpacked and headed to the pool for a swim and hot tub. Friday night the wedding party and out of state guests joined us for dinner at the Moose Jaw Pizza and Brewery and we enjoyed yummy pizza's and pitchers of micro-brew beer. I was finally re-united with my best friend from High School Melanie and her dad Papa Joe.

After dinner we all headed back to our hotel so that we could jump back in the hotel pools and thought it would be a great idea to take over the water slides. It was great fun followed by how many of us will fit in the room hot tub. Good times had all around.

The big day finally arrived which started with a breakfast with everyone at I-Hop before the preparations for the day began. Everyone gathered in our room and helped as much as they could. We headed to the chapel and the ceremony went well (minus how hot it was---holy hotness) We headed to the Dells River walk for some pictures and they all came out great.

After pictures we headed to the restaurant where we ate amazing food and of course dug into our delicious cake. Or as you can see smashed into the cake hehehehe

After the dinner those who were still standing headed to Maryl's to conclude the night with cocktails and dancing. I must say even though how fast it all went I am so happy with how the whole weekend went. It went so fast I can barely remember everything, and I wish there was more time to spend it with everyone.

Great friends & family made our weekend complete. I can't tell you how great it is to be surrounded by so much love on such a special day. Its worth all the planning, and stress that comes before it. What I learned from all this is to always remain calm because things will happen that you can't control. But you can control the fun and happiness you spread throughout the process and believe me even through all the ups and downs everyone helped make this the best wedding ever.

I hope you all enjoyed the pictures my faithful readers and of course you can see all of them on my myspace page.

A wedding is a union between two people who love each other unconditionally and can only thrive when those two work each day with the help of their family and friends. I am so lucky that everyone that we surround ourselves with each day which includes not only family, but our friends, co-workers, and even knew friends came out to support our decision to promise our love to one another. I can only hope that everyone who decides to unite themselves with another has the support that we have received. I believe that many of our new friends have learned that love is never wrong, and no matter which way love manifests itself it is still just that LOVE.

So spread the LOVE---cause really Love is ALL YOU NEED :o)

You Can't Stop The Beat----

Well my faithful reader(s) (I think I've dwindled down to a single reader now....

Anyway I decided it would be fun to put a play list of some of my favorite tunes on here for your listening pleasure (hopefully its not too distracting)

Well for an update. I start teaching next week and am so excited. Dance camp was a success and really motivated me for the year. We had our first faculty meeting this Monday and even began initial planning for the spring performance.

My "day" job is going OK, its not what I want it to be but I am determined to make the best of it.

The wedding is only about a month away, and everyone is booking their flights, rooms, and rental cars. I'm getting very excited.

As the seasons get ready to change and we say goodbye to, what to me seemed like the shortest summer in history, I anticipate a beautiful fall. Its my favorite time of year and will be my second fall in WI. I do miss my hills of NH and VT that engulf in flame like colors during the peek leaf peeping season but its OK because NH will be coming to me this fall. :o)

I hope everyone is still trying to play the glad game and is enjoying these last few lazy days of summer to the fullest.

PS the play list is at the bottom of my page...happy listening :o)

Measure your life in Love.....

well my friends it has been a sad week. I have to report that sadly, two close people to me have passed in automobile accidents back home in New Hampshire.

Its hard to be this far away from all of my loved ones from back home and not be able to hold them in their time of mourning, however its time like this that I am reminded how precious and fragile all of our lives are.

I first met Liz at the age of 7 when I was assistant teaching her ballet class. A little blonde girl with big blue eyes entered and right away introduced herself to me. She was new to the studio but wasted no time in letting us all know her name and making friends. I continued to teach Liz throughout my time at the studio. The other day I got the message that she had passed in an automobile accident. Liz was only 19 years old, and had just finished her freshmen year of college at Arizona State University. Its so sad because she was so talented and so charming, she had a beautiful future in front of her. And I have to say the first image that popped into my head was Liz dancing a ballet solo that I had helped choreograph during my last year at the studio, I can still see her smile and how beautiful she looked on stage, it was as if I was watching this memory on the tv.

Liz will always be missed, and always remembered for she truly touched many lives during her short time with us.

Doug Bashshaw was a very close friend of the family, known to all of us as Uncle Doug. He was my dads best man my parents wedding, he was my brothers god father, and my cousins god father. He always brought a smile to your face whenever you saw him and gave the best hugs. His humor could make you laugh even at your most down point. Dough was in a motorcycle accident the other night and passed this afternoon. It's hard for me to hear that my family is mourning and I can't be there to offer hugs.

Loosing someone is never easy, its the hardest part of life I think. We don't know the words to say, what to do, or sometimes how to let go. Its never easy for anyone, and unfortunately its something we all have to go through. When we remember our passed loved ones, family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances....remember their smile, their laughter, the sparkle in their eyes. Remember each minute of their life as a moment of love. Like the song from rent says we can measure our lives in lots of things, sunsets, cups of coffee, inches, miles, laughter, but most important measure in love. Because love is something we can all give away freely and openly.

I hope that everyone gives a hug for just a second longer then normal, stays on the phone for a couple minutes more, and emails just to check in as often as they can. Because there is no gift like today and that's why it is called the present.

Disapointment Cocktail Anyone?

Well today my readers I write to you with news that I unfortunately, foolishly, hoped would be better then, well....we all knew it would be.

Today after our usual Monday morning staff meeting I decided to request again a meeting with the "bosses" for a discussion on the increase I was promised in JUNE!!! (mind you its the 2ND week of July folks) and to my surprise, my request was granted at 11:15 am this morning---however the .94 cents that they offered me (making the increase a minuscule 1.40 with a "promotion") This increase was delivered as a "favor" as the company's financials are not in a stable condition to be "handing out raises"

I am astonished that I actually believed this increase and review would be positive. With my newly sparked anger I decided it would be best to calm myself down before communicating my frustrations and disappointment to my "boss"...who as always delivered a tony winning performance into why I have to accept this is what I was offered and that it is a personal choice whether I stay or go....

I guess that naive girl in me honestly believed that I would be paid what I deserved to be paid and that my hard work and numerous hours of overtime would be compensated and acknowledged.

However I will take this situation as another life lesson learned...the age old saying "the rich get richer and the poor poorer" is so true within this company. I am fighting for a losing battle that I believe can not ever be turned around.

There is one poison within that company (which a dear friend and reader has pointed out all along) and until that piousness individual is gone, the rest of the staff will not be happy---constant turnover will continue to occur....and eventually a lawsuit will fall on their hands.

So tonight as I lie in bed and listen to the booming thunder outside my window---I poor myself a glass of my favorite wine and have decided its OK to have a cocktail on a Monday---because I've named this cocktail a disappointment cocktail--anyone care to join me?

Green Acres is NOT the place to be.....

Well faithful readers today I bring you my first dinning review....This Friday the lady and I wanted to get a bite to eat and try a place we've never been. As we are a fan of the Wisconsin Dells and travel there often we thought of a little place we pass on the way to the Dells. Its name, Green Acres....

Each time we pass it the parking lot is full and we always said "we have to eat there sometime" so this past Friday we finally made the left hand turn into the parking lot and thought we'd try it out. I texted my friend Jessica to see if she wanted to join and she said she couldn't but that we would love the food. Now April has heard from lots of people too that the food is great....so why the heck wouldn't we try it right?

We walk up to the hostess stand where a nicely dressed gentleman took my name and said it would be about 45 to 50 minutes for the wait, which in a Friday is pretty much what your going to have to wait anywhere so we decided to stick it out. Positioned ourselves by the bar, hoping that two seats would become available (which they never did) So we waited. 55 minutes passed and we still hadn't been seated....so we grabbed a menu and thought we'd pick what we want so that when we were seated we could order right away (by this time we were quite hungry)

An hour and seventeen minutes after our arrival my name was called and we were brought to a small table on the second level. It took our waiter another sixteen minutes (yes by this time I was counting) to greet us and take our drink and dinner order. Twenty one minutes after the greeting and ordering took place our ice teas finally showed up. Fifteen minutes after that, dinner finally arrived....my dinner was cold, he forgot Aprils coleslaw with her fish fry and we were out of tea and water....Our glasses NEVER got refilled...after I picked at the cold dinner in front of me long enough for April to enjoy her fish I told her I couldn't eat anymore and would just eat a sandwich when we got home....The waiter came back about forty minutes after delivering our meal asked if I wanted a box...I had clearly stacked plates on my cold crummy dinner and shook my head no.

He returned eleven minutes later to ask if we wanted desert...we shook our heads (I was trying to be polite secretly I wanted to run out of there and say I would never be back) and twelve minutes later he finally brought the check....

We made our way back downstairs and April paid the bill...I couldn't even stand there as she did because I was afraid if I was asked how the meal was I would tell them how I really felt and would embarrass April....

I have come to the conclusion that the only reason people like this place is because during their long wait to be seated they are pumped full of alcohol and who doesn't like any kind of food once they have dipped into the sauce for over an hour.....

I do not recommend this establishment and will NEVER go back there again!

However...I did win over 50 bucks at the casino following the horrible dinning experience, so it wasn't a total loss for the night.

A little east coast in the midwest....ahhhh FINALLY :o)

Well I haven't written in a while and I can't say that anything super interesting has happened since my sun burn occurred.

HOWEVER....(drum roll please) one of my BESTEST friends from back east has moved to Chicago...she is only 2 hours from me.

I can't wait to travel to see her on weekends and just spend some quality time with someone who shares a passion for dance the size of my own...

I am so excited to have her close as she will be in the wedding....and having her near to help with the planning....

I used to think I had to spend lots of time with people to make them my best friends, and be close to them all the time. During my journey 1/2 way across the country I have done a lot of soul searching and really found out who my true friends are. Mary is a true friend, through thick and thin she has been there, even when over 1,000 miles separated us. Not any friend will drive 3 hours in a snow storm just to see you for 3 hours while your visit back home....that's my Mary....

I guess I just wanted to take a blog to express how grateful I am for my friendship with this individual because sometimes we don't really verbalize enough how important people are to us, fortunately I don't have to say it all the time...its known between her and I, but she deserves a shout out because she is THAT special....

Happy Hump Day All!

Holy SUN Batman!

Well my faithful readers....here is my thought for the day.....

THE SUN WILL KILL US ALL....

This weekend me and my lovey lady went to the Wisconsin Dells to relax for her birthday. Got us a lovely room with a giant whirlpool in the room and a balcony...so romantical I know...well we also thought it would be a great way to end the weekend and visit NOAHS ARK...the country's "LARGEST WATERPARK"....Invited some of our friends and made a day of it...

Cant complain about the weather it was perfect, and can't complain about the crowded because I think the most we waited in line for a ride was about 4.62 minutes. It really was the perfect day.

Being the mom that I am I am adimate that EVERYONE put sunscreen on 30 minutes before exposure to the sun to make sure our base sunblock coat is on. Not to mention I carry with me at all times in the summer a large tube of SPF 50...Ultra Sweat/Water Proof. This lovely bottle has seen me through some great summers and I haven't been burned in many years...however it does not compete against a day at the water park.

I am completely sun burned from head...down to my toes...yes folks my toes are sunburned. Its not a deep sunburn thank god (I've had a couple of those in my life..) but gosh it still hurts.

I had to teach dance today (which my friends was AMAZING the class was so happy at the end and kept saying thank you and they can't wait to take class with me this fall) but daaaaang it hurts to wear a leotard when you have a sunburn.....

Listen guys...I know that everyone says "I don't burn" or "I wont be out there long" Cover up...wear a hat...use sun block.....the sun is NOT our friends...we have damaged our earth and I'm convinced this sunburn is my punishment for not recycling lately......

OUCH!

Have a great week....let me know if you find an SPF 100 ;o)