The Oscars are tonight and I am kind of excited. One of Jamie's friends from law school is having a little get together so we can all watch the show together. Usually, I do not venture out on a Sunday night at that hour (aka: after dark). But, she only lives a block away, so there is no excuse... my usual excuse for not attending social engagements is because someone live too far away. Basically, if I have to take the train and the event starts after 8, I will not be in attendance.

Anywho, my main reason for the excitement is the Oscar pool we have going at the office. We all put $3 in the pool and filled out our ballots. Although I have not seen any of the movies that are nominated, I have confidence in my ability to guess. Last year, I only saw one of the movies that was nominated and I won a Chipotle burrito. Hopefully, I will win again this year. Wish me luck and have a wonderful Oscar night!

One big step on the road to matrimony

So, I have been kind of stuck in the moment of my daddy's death. But, now I am refocusing my energy on my future nuptials. As you know, I have been officially engaged for almost a year now. We were planning a fall wedding at my parents farm (after giving up on the elopment idea)... in fact, my daddy and I had almost worked out all of the details. Well, you know how the rest of that story goes. Let's just sum it up with I am no longer having it there.

Anyway, Jamie and I have finally decided on a location. We want to have the ceremony in Asheville, NC. We are looking at the Biltmore, several B&B's, and outdoor sites. It doesn't sound like much planning, but it REALLY is. It is a definite start and the more I look into the location the more excited I get. I am even thinking of having a cream wedding gown (versus the pale blue one I was originally going with) and maybe having a bridesmaid or two... or not. We haven't really gotten past the location. I will keep you posted. (YEAH!)

Sweet Home Alabama

Lately, I have been listening to a lot of Lynyrd Skynyrd... There is something so comforting about it at this point in my life. It brings back memories (college- specifically, Touchdowns-, the first taste of freedom, and on and on). Every, single day I listen to Sweet Home Alabama (sometimes on repeat) and it makes me long for the South. It invokes memories of family and friends. For so long, I dreamed about leaving the South and I finally did move to Chicago in 2003 with my best friend/life partner/now fiance. Four and a half years later (1.5 graduate degrees later for me and almost a law degree later for Jamie), I realize how much I miss it. That does not mean that I want to pack up and move back. I simply wish that I had the same relationships/friendships here with me now. The only time I see my family is at Christmas. I see my friends from the South much less. With everything that has happened, those relationships seem so much more important and I am so far away there is nothing I can do to fix it and that frustrates me. I need that support now and I don't know how to ask for it. Plus, I feel bad asking my local friends for help even though I am truly suffering after my Daddy's death.

Well, this post went from could-have-been-fun to depressing... it mimics my everyday. Hopefully, you have a support system that is a little closer than mine... (cue "Debbie Downer" music). Tell them how much you appreciate them before it is too late.

Pea Pod = Lazy

So, we have been ordering my groceries online lately and we are officially spoiled. Going to the grocery store has not been the same sine I have converted to an online grocery shopper (especially since the high this weekend is 6 degrees with a wind chill of -15). If Peapod (http://www.peapod.com/) is available in your area then you should definitely try it. You can virtually shop in the aisles. The newest feature is that you can copy and paste your grocery list into a little box and it will shop for you. You just pick the brand and size you want. Items can be sorted by price, price per unit, calories, fat, fiber, etc. THE BEST PART... you can order beer and liquor. In my most recent delivery (tonight) I bought a bottle of Bailey's, a bottle of Kahlua, and 2 12-packs of beer. Of all of the perks of living in the city, delivery of anything (and I mean everything) beats it all. Ahhhh, I love the city...