What a way to go

Packing to move. To move to our new apartment. I'm so excited. So excited that packing up doesn't seem as bad as it's been before, which is lucky for me considering I'm packing my place and Justin's. Sometimes though, I do start to feel a bit Cask-of-Amontillado about the whole thing. The wall of boxes is slightly imposing. (And I do feel sorry for the people who are coming to look at the sublet I am so joyfully vacating - with the heat, the lack of cell service and the no-window issue, the last thing they need is fear of immurement added to the apartment experience.) So I leave for New Orleans on Thursday, return Sunday, and move early the next morning. Which sort of means that in New York time, I'm moving 3 days.

Mother dear, I love you so

Happy Mother's Day!
(I do most of my posting from "work" and so this most special mother's day post is coming on Monday, and a day late, but most def. not short on any love for my mama.)

My mom is so awesome.

In an homage to her, here are just of few of the things she has taught me through the years:

Say please and thank you. And include the person's name. "Thank you, Mrs. Fisher."

Please be thorough. Whether it's dusting, wiping off the table after dinner, washing the sink after doing the dishes, your homework, or your church calling, do it and do it right. All the way.

Take an interest and be kind to everyone around you. Everyone deserves to be treated with the very best we have to offer.

Wear pearls.

Mommy and Daddy both work hard. Daddy works really hard at his office and Mommy works really hard at home. Both deserve thanks and appreciation.

Having nice handwriting is fun.

Have big dreams and don't be afraid to take chances. When you know you are loved and supported, you have the confidence to try lots of things. And even as you learn and grow and evolve and change, you're always YOU. You'll always be you.

Pink is clearly the most amazing color.

Being patriotic is important.

The Olympics (especially gymnastics and ice skating) are the best television.

Pride & Prejudice is the best movie ever.

And my mom's recipe for chocolate chip cookies is the best ever. The best in the world. So thanks for that too!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you so much! And I always will.

A Birthday Gift for You

So, today we must stop and remember, nay, celebrate, the glorious 25th birthday of my Dad.

He is so awesome I don't even know where to start. All I can say is that my Dad is brilliant.

And is funny and smart and teaches me things and loves me.

So, what to get someone so wonderful? Well, let's see.

I start with the ball on the tee.

Next, we have the backswing, perfected from many dedicated hours on the driving range,
completed with the most excellent form ever seen on the follow-through.
The ball will then soar to the exact mark you've envisioned, because your keen sense of direction has proven, once again to be accurate,
Finishing up the gift with:

Happy Birthday Dad. I can't wait for the next 25. I love love love you!!!

Beijing or bust!

99 days to go until the 2008 Summer Olympics! Oh-me-oh-my I'm so freaking excited.

Two whole weeks of the most awesomely patriotic and exciting events. Soaring anthems, adrenaline, and the most excellent commentary by Bob Costas, Al Troutwig, Tim Dagget and Elfie Schlaegel.

And while I do love all the athelets and all the events, I will admit my favorite is the women's gymnastics. These girls are so amazing and I really hope they end up on top of the podium many, many times.

Good Luck!

(I hope Justin knows I plan to commander the flat-screen during this time. It's like my version of the football play-offs. Do you think they make gymnastics fat-heads???)

dot dot dot

So, something is happening right now that I don't like. A group of people is doing something that I believe to be WRONG. And there is nothing I can do or say about it that can or will make any difference. And I'm angry. I'm angry because what is happening and the way it is happening is MEAN and UNKIND and UNFAIR and WRONG.

And since I can't DO anything and believe me I've said my piece on the subject--several times, just never to anyone involved (but thank you to everyone else who has so patiently listened) I've developed a bad case of angry apathy. These people have completely and totally unimpressed me. Lost my respect. If only my respect and good opinion mattered to any of them. And they have continued, through this process, to underwhelm and undercharm and generally under-succeed at life, and our jobs.

What a bunch of drips.

Angry apathy, for those unfamiliar with the afflication, is an oxymoron. I am fully aware of that. Maybe the fact that I'm still angry means that I haven't fully reached apathy. I don't care. It's being so angry you could spit nails and venom and then the next moment pick up a ringing telephone, only to find the exact person you're currently loathing on the other end, and you then sneer and yawn at their entire existance and just be so over them that you can't even be bothered to finish and puntuate the sentence...

...instead, all they get is dot dot dot whatever you want dot dot dot you don't even know what you've started do you dot dot dot and you'll clearly never understand that sometimes in life you are expected to do the right thing and you have failed completely dot dot dot

whatever

I know this post is not uplifting. I know you all may be wondering why I'm so angry (or not....) heh.

I just needed to get this off my chest

So for anyone who has taken the time to listen to me and impart advice and love over the last few weeks, thank you so much. I love love love you!

And that is a heart-felt EXCLAMATION POINT!

Did their mothers teach them nothing?

I am really frustrated by our media's current obsession with tearing people down. They truly seem to delight in spreading malicious rumors, taking the worst possible pictures, pitting people against one another.

This story about Hillary Clinton is just one example. I'm not even a big Hillary fan but the ugliness of this really struck me.

What on earth do people gain from being so mean? Why do people act this way? And most unfortunately, I do not think this behavior is limited to the media. I think a lot of people, day to day, don't really take into consideration the others around them. I think a lot of people are self-interested and don't concern themselves with the collatoral damage that gets done in their pursuit of their needs/wants/goals/whatever they think is more important than the next person's needs/wants/goals. Who told them that the next person doesn't matter, and is only a gnat to be swatted away?

I am in the middle of one such situation, and have been absolutely appalled by a group of people's absolute disregard for another person's best interest, let alone their feelings. When did people stop living the Golden Rule?

I do believe in the good in people--the deli man who remembers me and makes my morning by stepping outside to say hello to me. My doorman, who without fail, answers "Never been better!" to my nightly "Hi Harris, how are you today?" The workers at the gym who learned my name and say hi everytime I walk in.

I hope those people know how much I appreciate their kindnesses.

Grab some salsa, chimichangas, quesadillas and come on over!

We have a home!

After searching high and low, up and down, 'round the corner and back again, Justin and I have found our new home! We signed the papers this week and are so excited! It is simply beautiful.

Please, step through the front door and hang up your coat in the closet....

During chilly months and holidays, you can warm yourself by the wood-burning fireplace and snuggle in to watch a good movie with us...

Hungry? Let's whip up some precious little delights in the kitchen and then put the dishes in the dishwasher...ah modern appliances!!

Then we can walk through the hallway into our bedroom...(passing two more closets)...

And marvel that the bedroom is larger than the living room.

Home Sweet Home.

As Charlotte says to Lizzy in Pride & Prejudice, "It is such a pleasure to run my own home."

I can't wait! I move in mid-May and Justin will join me after the wedding!

I think we'll be exceedingly happy.

We can't wait for you to come visit us!

Wedding dress, Part One

How cute is my Daddy?

My mama is cute too--she's taking the photo!  

My wedding dress is all packed up, warm and safe, into this box.  The skirt is getting smushed!  It's crying, "let me out!"  Soon, baby girl, soon.  I'll see you next week.

So my amazing dress is now on it's way to me here in New York.  Travel safely, darling!

In other magicalness, my wedding dress is in the newest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings!  I squealed out loud when I saw this!  

From this week's New Yorker

How in the world did the cartoonist know this is my current nightly prayer too?

To the Queen Mother:

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

If I was there I would go here:

To get you this:

but I am here:

and you are here:

so instead I say:

I hope you had a fantastic day and the flowers are beautiful!! Just like YOU!

I love love love you!!!

I feel like I'm in a J.Crew ad. I love it!

Ok, guys and dolls.  Here are the pictures from yesterday's Central Park photo shoot.  

These are my favorites.  I've numbered them for ease of ranking.  All are crop-able and once we pick, Ty, our amazing photographer, will touch it all up and punch up the colors.

Please let me know which ones you like!!!

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

8:

9:

The rest of the photos can be viewed here.

I love being engaged....

I got to live a New York dream-come-true:  I had my engagement photos taken this morning with my handsome groom-to-be at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.  

It was so much fun!  

The weather was gorgeous, Justin and I got to be together (which after nearly two weeks apart was a treat unto itself), and many passers-by noticed and offered congratulations and best wishes.  

It was simply fabulous.  

Check back soon for the pictures!!

Oh, and P.S...

One more hooray:  today it is 3 months to our wedding!

This post by Orangette made me cry.  You'll have to scroll pretty far down.  I'm talking about the part when she advises all to simply feast and party and enjoy and dance...I just can't wait.  For all of it!!!

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise

Three cheers for today.

Spring, it is safe to say, has officially sprung in the city. Popcorn is popping on the apricot tree. Justin comes home tomorrow. I am getting a tax refund. My beautiful fabulous perfect wedding dress is being shipped to the tailor. I got my jeans hemmed. I am going to Central Park on Saturday. I ate a salad for lunch today and I am still full. Justin comes home tomorrow. (Did I mention that already? Silly me...I am that excited.)

Hip hip hooray!

Hip hip hooray!

Hip hip hooray!

In a moment of weakness today, I ate two brownie bites. What will Madame Paulette say??

If not even the Salvation Army, then who??

So. For those in the know, my current living situation is slightly less than perfection. And the last few months I've managed to keep mum on the topic because it was very kindly suggested to me by ones who love me that everyone might not be so interested. As if. (Although, perhaps my silent complaining has reached a few ears. Perhaps it's not been so silent. Perhaps, at times, it's been of the crying and yelling and screaming variety. I'm not saying this has happened. It just might have happened.) But today, the curtain of silence has been lifted.

At the end of January I had to move. This happened for a reason that will remain un-addressed. Because, as the saying goes, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. And I most definitely have nothing nice to say on the subject. And while there have been some silver linings to the situation I mostly find the whole deal wildly infuriating. No windows, no air, no cell reception, bad laundry, blah blah blah. I'm continually encouraged by the ones who love me to make the best of it and I try, I honestly do. But today....erhggg.

Over the weekend, I was oh-so productive and cleaned out my room and was oh-so proud of myself and called the Salvation Army to pickup my donation. Today, I got a call from the Salvation Army.

Him: "Hello ma'am? This is Joe from the Salvation Army. I'm the dispatcher and, ma'am, I'm just calling to let you know that we're not going to pick up your donation today."

Me: "Why not?"

Him: "Well ma'am, my driver tried to get down your street but his truck can't make the turn and the street seems to be too narrow."

Me: "Please, sir, I know it's a narrow street but I know if he tries again, he could make it."

Him: "Well, I'll ask him to try but he says the street is too narrow and he really doesn't want to."

Even the Salvation Army doesn't want to come here!

Ok. The silence curtain is now closed.

Weekend Round Up

Had a very nice weekend!

I:

- took myself on a date to the movies. Saw "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" and highly recommend. It's sweet, funny, and heartwarming. Isn't that how we always want to feel after a date?
- slept in on Saturday and Sunday. So delicious.
- ran! I get so proud of myself when I'm able to add minutes to my running program. Am currently running to Kanye West's "Stronger" because it makes me feel, well, strong and like kicking some serious butt.
- cleaned out my room and gathered lots of items to donate to the Salvation Army. Then I called SA and arranged a pickup. So efficient am I....
- welcomed Justin home with lots of kisses! Then we went to an all-night diner and ate eggs. So fun.
- watched General Conference. It was incredibly uplifitng and I felt very blessed and grateful for our new President, Thomas S. Monson.
- did Justin's laundry. The poor kiddo was only in town for 37 hours, most of them spent at the office, so for the price of a "please", a "thank you", two chocolates and lots of kisses, we negotiated a deal.
- had dinner with friends. Very good, very old friends. We've been friends since I was 12. They're both married to the greatest girls ever and have the happiest baby I've ever met in my life. Thanks, guys! Can't wait for next time!
- said goodbye to Justin. Sigh. I think I saw him for a collected 4 hours in two weeks, and he's gone again. I miss him. But he does such an awesome job and works very hard. He makes me proud.

Bon anniversaire, ma cherie!

To the snickerdoodliest Princess:

You, Jessica, my little sis, are the awesomest girl I know. You are beautiful, smart, funny, and have great hair, great skin AND great teeth--you have it all!

It's your grand and glorious 22nd birthday today and I wish you all the love and happiness and joy in the world!

Love,

Emi

Alexander and Me

Sometimes we have a bad day. All of us have experienced it--those maddening, hair-rippingly, infuriating days when everything is wrong and nothing is right and you've just had it. I believe Alexander calls it the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

That was my Monday. Justin was away, work kicked my butt, several little wedding details unraveled, I forgot to eat lunch, and before I knew it, I was spiraling. I needed an outlet. A release. A purging of this nonsense.

I found it in a boxing class. Yup. My gym offers a boxing class once a week, and luckily, it was Monday nights. Couldn't be more perfect. I went home, changed into gym clothes, and stomped over to my gym.

My fiance is a big tough manly man who boxed quite seriously in high school. And I love Rocky. So I assumed that because Justin and Rocky could do it, I was going to be a natural. A pro.

Well, class started off a bit rough--we jump-roped to get started and, you know, to be honest, I don't remember jump-roping being so dang hard! I kept garrotting myself on my rope and smacking the back of neck with it. Fun times. My rage only increased. After 5 minutes of jumping torture, we started sparring. Yeah, baby! This is where it's at. 50 minutes of beating into boxing mitts as hard as possible is fun. And exhausting. By the end of class, my arms were shaking and my fingers numb.

Cut to the next morning. Ehh...getting out of bed...not so easy! Taking a shower and washing my hair....not so easy! Walking down the subway stairs? Downright laughable.

Cut to the second morning. Complete fossilization has occurred. Cannot move more than 1 mph and can barely sit down. Torture!

But you better believe that come next Monday--if I am recovered, which at this point is a big IF--I will be back. And if I ever meet Alexander, I will pass along my new discovery for bad-day management.

Maybe I will get a pair of pink gloves, like these to maintain my ladylike daintyness. What would Rocky do??

Punching things feels good.