A Late Christmas Wish December 28, 2009

The following post is from my digital big sister. The DJ to my Stephanie. And when my big sister asks me to jump or put up a blog post for positive thinking  I say “How high” and “hell yes.”  I’m sending you and Your Awesome Dude as much positivity as I can imagine, my dear Brandy. And as much love as my heart can hold.

My name is brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea. I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

 He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart.This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today. I did.

Glory Days December 20, 2009

Rudy swirled the last swig of his double around in the glass. The multi-colored christmas lights pinned up around the bottles of Bombay and Jack twinkled back at him in the melting ice. As the clock struck nine Rudy sighed and looked at the barkeep.

“You know Hal,” Rudy started, “At these time every year I get a little misty. You, know, for that night.”

“I know, Rudy,” Hal said. “Too bad about those new headlights.”

“Yeah. Damn those headlights,” said Rudy. “I wait four years for another foggy night and The Big Man goes and gets headlights.”

“Tough break, Rudy.” Hal spat. “I feel so bad for you with your gig down town. You know, getting paid to stand around and blink next to Rhonda and Misty.”

“Shut up, Hal.” Rudy hated his job. It’s one thing to be in the red light district. It’s another thing to be the red light.

Rudy threw down a handful of bills and started toward the door. Blitzen and Donner were shooting pool, Rudy nodded to them.

“Hey guys, can I play next round?”

As their laughter erupted, Rudy rushed out of the bar.

Having your own song got you nowhere in this town.

*Merry Christmas Y’all! We’re off for a Hawaiian winter getaway. See you in the New Year!*

Christmasy December 16, 2009

I’m not usually a Christmas person. I’m not all about decorations or the tree or the gifts. Normally I’m completely over the holiday music by now.

But for some reason I’ve really enjoyed the season this year, I still sing along to Winter Wonderland and Santa Baby every time I hear them (and that’s a lot thanks to my job’s corporate sound track). I’m kinda sad we’re not decorating or sending Christmas cards this year, but we’ve decided to start all our holiday traditions next year.

You know, after we’re all married and such.

So I’ve been trying to figure out what these “traditions” will be. So far, I know the following:

• Fake tree
• Wreaths and candles in the windows
• A christmas ornament every year (i’m a dork for my excitement over purchasing a “our first christmas together” ornament next year)
• Cards and newsletters (I’m also a dork for being exited about writing a yearly christmas letter, but I’m totally looking forward to it)
• Lots and lots of christmas cookies
• The Muppet Family Christmas, It’s A Wonderful Life, Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas, and Home Alone
• Bing, John Denver, and what ever Christmas music The Boy enjoys
• New pajamas

  And that’s all I got at the moment.

What are some of your Christmas traditions?

Seven Days December 14, 2009

Until we’re Hawaii bound for Christmas. A week on the beach, a minimal, minimal amount of Christmas gifts to purchase, and my family and fiance, what could be better?

I’m so excited!

Also, it’s probably time to stop eating like I’m ten years old.

For serious.  Yesterday “dinner” was applesauce and beef flavored noodles. I am not proud. Just hungry. And lazy.

This weekend marked  T-6 months until our wedding day.

I have a feeling the next six will fly.

Things That Make Me Feel Old December 10, 2009

• I’ve looked a way more china online in the last few days than I ever imagined. I, of course, like the stupidly expense stuff and The Boy is of the opinion that A) it’s stupidly expensive, and B) we’ll rarely, if ever, use it. I agree. But…it’s so pretty! And wedding-y. And yea. We’ve nixed the set I originally marked and are starting to look at more reasonably priced stuff. Truthfully, I could care less what my dishes are made of, I just want a full complete set of pretty dishes to use for holidays and special occasions. I want matching serve ware and a gravy boat, the whole shabang. And I want it to be pretty. We’re still looking.
• My first student loan bill came in the mail. I should be happy that I got away pretty cheap, but then I think about how I’m doing a job that doesn’t even require a high school diploma and I get all stabby.
• I’ve fallen asleep before nine on two separate occasions this month.
• We’ve played phone tag/email tag with the rental management agent about the possibility of pets and have yet to really get a straight answer. I visit Maggie’s picture online every so often, just to check if she’s still there. She is. For now.
• I get called into work early/on a day off at least once a week, and I’m ok with it. More money=the guilt free purchase of both of my wedding shoes.
• I went out of my comfort zone to try the peppermint mocha starbucks confection and loved it. This is surprising because I’m typically not a chocolate mint fan. Or a 4.00 coffee drink fan.

Turkey Dog and Weddings November 30, 2009

Susie Dog

My thanksgiving included an appearance of Turkey Dog. Complete with “Gobble Gobble” word balloons.

It also included a lot of wine, bellini’s, a wedding, turkey, multiples pies and desserts, and trivial pursuit.

The wedding was all sorts of interesting. It was gorgeous, the bride and groom were happy, the food was good, the decor was awesome (and I went home with a ton of reception shit for my own wedding-yay!) and overall it was a good time.

But there were a few glitches. Number one, the photographer didn’t show up. So, I was informed “you have the nicest camera–start taking pictures.” Which I was happy to do even though my skills are not very honed and I have problems with low light (namely, how to take a damn photo when I can’t see). Number two, there were a few guests in attendance that did not understand that “Reception at 6:30pm” translates to “Please Don’t Wear Denim You Fucktards.”

How that memo got missed I haven’t a clue.

But I did tear up the dance floor with The Boy’s sister’s new boyfriend, and I got to rock a purple dress and my new makeup love heidi klum’s victoria’s secret line and do the forever wedding dance with the bride.

 

 

Thanks November 27, 2009

This year is the first thanksgiving in many years that I am not baking a pie.

The world seems a little off.

The Boy and I will be venturing to Pittsburgh tonight to hang out with his fam and eat blueberry muffins and pumpkin cookies (I had to bake SOMETHING) and turkey and the like. I am uber excited to go, and even more excited to attend a wedding on Friday, but I am so not looking forward to the drive. But, I am thankful that I have a fiance who will drive six hours and only sort of chide me when I fall inevitably fall asleep after vowing to keep him company.

I’m thankful…for a lot, actually.

To have a fiance who’s family is beyond any awesome level I could have imagined.

To have a family who will drive 16 hours in a weekend to deliver me groceries and play Racko.

To have a job that is flexible enough to give me the entire weekend off.

To have friends who call just to chat.

To have a maid of honor who can brighten my day like no one else.

To have a 17 year old brother who will give me real, strong, hugs.

To have a body that does what I want to, most of the time, and is healthy and strong.

To have a space on the internet that has bought so much joy into my life, thank you Internet friends.

 

And wine.

I am very thankful for wine.

 

Weekend Weekend Weekend November 16, 2009

I am currently enjoying my mother’s version of “Breakfast of Champions” i.e. chocolate chip cookies and chocolate milk and awaiting the ladies of The View to pop on my tv and inform on What’s Happening In The World. Ladies and gentleman it is eleven am and I am lounging in my pjs and planning the rest of my second day off this week. Oh glorious day of no responsibility, I love you so.

I haven’t had two days off in a row that wasn’t for travel since August. And though I’m a little upset to know that I won’t be cashing a check at the end of the week from my little retail job, but I almost don’t care. The trade-off is worth it.

This weekend was all sorts of awesome. After working the early shift on Saturday The Boy and I started cleaning and cooking for our neighborhood Game Night. The plan, which was thought up over Halloween, was for one couple to cook a main course, and the others to bring side dishes and a game to play. So by 7:15 we had the chicken kiev (so good! so buttery! so time consuming!) in the oven and I had “hidden” all our crap in closets to try and present our abode as Clean and Pretty And Totally Not Inhabited By Pack Rats.

And we find out that one of the other couples had “forgotten” about our plan. And that they were planning on staying home and playing video games.

Unbeknownst to us, we had time traveled back to the 7th grade.

Seriously? Do people in their twenties really do this? We felt slighted. We had made the plans, written down the date, prepared for it etc., all with the assumption that our home-owning, full-time working, mid twenty-something neighbors would have the ability to keep track of a damn date without having to be reminded like ten year olds.

Luckily the other neighbors did remember, and the night ended up being a lot of fun. We played games and drank wine and the dinner turned out awesome.

Sunday was glorious. The Boy and I slept until noon, cooked a big brunch, caught the matinee of 2012, and spent the rest of the day eating chocolate chip cookies and watching movies on television (Meet the Robinsons, and Back to The Future 2 and 3). Cuddling with the fiance for multiple hours is always a Win.

And now it’s Monday.

And the rest of my day will include laundry and searching for A Better Job. And House.

Enjoy your day!

I Have The Day Off! What? Oh. Just Kidding. November 13, 2009

It has been raining almost non stop for three days.
If I could make the tv turn (shut up, it’s harder than it should be) on I’m sure the weather man would concur that it is, in fact, blustery and wet outside. Thanks to the weather I didn’t have to go to work yesterday and until about twenty minutes ago I didn’t have to go today either.

Now I do.

Having a day off given to you and then retracted is similar to having your big brother take back his Really Cool Toy when you just started to play with it.

Not fair. I’m telling Mom.

And, yes, it means that I get to collect my check and add a few hours to my paycheck but is it nowhere near as glorious as the day I had planned.

My today previously included coffee and podcasts,  a lazy visit to the gym (which will still occur, just with a little more vigor due to the time crunch), an afternoon spent cleaning the kitchen, putting laundry away, and making chocolate chip cookies. A few hours on the couch with “The Other Boleyn Girl,” lunch with The Boy, and an evening double feature of “Precious” (my pick) and “2012″ (his pick).

Scads better than wet dog smell and unending phone calls.

Yesterday was nice though. I did some “I really shouldn’t, but what the hell” shopping at the empty mall. I decided against a manicure (because my fear of manicurists rivals only my fear of whales. Both irrational, both completely capable of making me break into a cold sweat) and purchased a maroon polish to apply myself later that afternoon. I smelled Yankee candles for twenty minutes before decided on Harvest and another Pumpkin Spice. I picked up some wedding related craft supplies and a coke zero, looked for flat gray boots to no avail and went into Victoria’s Secret to redeem my free underwear coupon.

I went into Victoria’s Secret for free underwear and came out with free underwear, and fifty dollars worth of makeup.

Like an episode of I Love Lucy, The Boy just knew.

While enjoying an episode of “Square Face” (Bones) he turns to me and out of nowhere….

The Boy: “You haven’t purchased any Victoria Secret lingerie in while.”

Shaba: “It’s expensive.”

(Also, I just purchased some lingerie a few days ago, of the non-expensive kind. It’s not like I’m totally overdue.)

A few minutes later while paying bills he noticed the pre-authorization from Vicky’s.

The Boy: “50 dollars in Victoria’s? And no lingerie?”

Shaba: “Mmmm, makeup?”

The Boy: *sigh*

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes I Feel Like Sally Bumpkin November 5, 2009

Like during the following conversation I recently had with The Boy…

Shaba: “There must be some weird trend going on with men, because I’ve seen A LOT of men with long fingernails. It’s not fair, why can’t I grow nails but weird gross men can.”

The Boy: “Umm.. I don’t think it’s a ‘trend’ but more like a drug culture thing.”

Shaba: “What?”

The Boy: “Yea, I think it’s a cocaine thing. Especially if just the pinky nail is long.”

Shaba: “Oh my god. Gross.”

So apparently my area is full of cocaine addicts with nice nails.  Which is totally unfair. I’d love to haven nice nails but I’m not about to catch a case of Lohanitis* to get them. Sigh.

*Stolen from Katelin.