Things I've learned from my mother

When Mom would go away for teacher events, she always left with a few bottles of wine in tow... with twist off caps. Packing a wine opener was much too difficult. As I've gotten older,  I've realized my mom is much smarter than I used to think... especially on this topic. The first official errand of this work trip was to HyVee for some inexpensive bottles of wine... with twist off caps of course. Mom - you smart woman, you.

And so here I sit, sweats on, feet up, working, listening to DMB and drinking wine out of plastic cups in a student apartment building (yep, check out that picture) that I will call my home for the next 6 days... a look much different than what I resembled two years ago in my collegiate prime.  But I must say life is good. Cheers to a week filled with 100 high school kids... oh the things I will have to report along the way.

Blogging Blues

It bothers me when I can't put in 100%. My blog life is quite clearly lacking. And it bugs the crap out of me. I promise it's not out of uninteresting things to talk about but quite honestly the fact I have no time. I know, I know we're all busy. And it's a rather lame excuse. That said, summertime is our swamped time, when my work/life balance weighs heavily toward the work side. I'm okay with it because I love what I do... just means things like blogging and evenings spent at my favorite Mexican joint have gone by the wayside. But I'll be back to some regular posts soon... I promise.

If you don't believe me and need some concrete examples. Don't think this type A, anal gal is bothered by my messy work environment. It's driving me to drink. Quite literally. Cheers.

A few weeks ago:

Today:

Rulers of the World

I've said it once to B, I'll say it a thousand more times: "what would you do without me?" While I'm not a feminist and know Brian could in fact function on his own accord, I firmly believe. I believe in the common theme that behind every great man is a superbly fantastic woman. And I have a case study to prove my point. Well it’s my own case study, observed this weekend… which makes it legit. Right? While I could use my own relationship to prove the above argument, I have a much better example... and why not pick on an buddy to shed some light.

 This is my friend, Zach. Zach and I grew up 45 minutes from each other, in high schools that were rivals (I’m sure you don’t need to guess which school was superb). We knew each other from a mutual friend in high school but didn’t become great friends until half way through college. It’s amazing what some gen-ed business classes, a similar degree and a few late night downtown run in’s can do for a friendship. So we became friends, the best of, and developed a sibling-rivalry relationship that still holds true today. Zach used to be your typical male college student: a Birkenstock sandals wearing, overly stubborn guy who chose sports watching over studying, would pay someone to do their homework (although I’m sure he never did), hated the idea of plans, laundry and serious relationships, never lifted a cleaning supply and invested in stockpiles of frozen pizzas and tuna cans that he called his dinner. 

All of the above were blatant opposites from my color coded homework schedule and lack of procrastination,. Between him and his all too similar roommates (also great gentlemen), I was often annoyed. But because Zach plus roommates were a part of many of my favorite college memories, I tried to get over such imperfections. I was also confident he would never ever grow up.

While we’ve spent time together since college, it’s usually been over a tailgate or during a long holiday weekend in one of our parents’ homes. While many of you were sunning (and burning) yourselves over the 4^th of July, B and I went to Iowa City to visit Zach last weekend for some socializing QT. Well to visit Zach AND Lydia. 

This is Lydia. She came into Zach’s life just before our graduation. I have to admit, as the overprotective “sister,” I was wary of her in the beginning, an unnecessary feeling that has since passed. And I’m sure she’ll admit the same unsure feeling about me (and hope her wariness of me is gone too…). So we spent part of the weekend with this happy couple. And I was pleasantly surprised when I realized the below unbelievable changes… the changes I will attribute to Lydia's doing.

·      First and foremost, they are now engaged, getting married next June. Hello commitment. Thank goodness.

• In order to get engaged, he had to spend a. spend money and  b. plan the engagement. More on planning later
• Goodbye Birks’, hello Sperry’s 
• A Banana Republic outlet bag (what happened to high school t-shirts? Onto V-necks!)
•  The bag was spotted on his CLEAN and VACUUMED apartment floor 
• Made bed
• Dishes not in the sink and instead conveniently put into the dishwasher 
• Plans. He was incessantly and (almost annoyingly) asking about what our plans would be. Whoa.

The good news is he is the same Michael Jackson dancing, good humored guy of old with the (necessary) mature qualities of new. While his freezer still contains frozen pizza and  he eats far too much tuna, he now has a 401K and apartment with decorated walls. I still can’t believe it.

And so, tonight gentlemen make sure you thank your lovely lady for their good influences from fashion to furniture. And ladies, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. Finally  to Lydia, should you be reading… job well done!

Card Shark

I love, love, love sending cards to friends. There's nothin' better than some snail mail when it's unexpected. And not a bill. Imagine my excitment when my boss dropped off a stack of these postcards for me after a lunch shopping trip at Domestica in Des Moines' East Village. The heart can be stamped whereve your heart desires... added bonus as not everyone has the Chicago/Boston connection pictured below. As luck would have it, this artist has an Etsy page with tons of other fun cards. Can't wait to buy some more. What a fantastic find!