A quick jaunt around Part One of 2016......

It's hard to believe that we're halfway into 2016. It's been a whirlwind.... a lot of fun.

I have so many things to expound on, but there are always those little moments of life that you want to remember. Lest I forget.....


Junior League

I mentioned before that I joined JL and LOVE it. Still so true and the love is growing. We just finished out the year and I'm looking forward to next year. I'm staying on the two committees I was on for this year (Provisional and Special Events). I'm actually chairing the Special Events committee.... there are a lot of things I feel can be improved upon and the leaders agree with my vision. Most of the Provisional committee is staying on, which I am so happy about!

The girls (Katherine, Shannon, Emily, Katherine, and Kathleen) and I at a party for one of our major fundraisers.

Our committee meetings always turned into a party. We went into this one planning a party for Kathleen's birthday. That candle? Coolest candle ever. It opened up, spun, and sang.

Courtney and I at the end of the year banquet.

Kathleen and I at the end of the year banquet.

Marjorie, Malonie, Kathleen, Meranda, and I at a Prospective Member event.

Work

My job is going really well, this year! *knockonwood* I've always loved it, but I had some growing pains in the past couple years. This time last year, management finally "got it" and worked to improve some things for me. Since then, it's still busy and stressful and sometimes not a walk in the park, but I'm a lot more fulfilled than I was for a while.



My coworker Mike walked in my office holding this monstrosity. He found it outside of a side door in between my office and his studio. Blech!!!

These people are my best friends at work. We were at an event our station was hosting and got a bit slap happy.

One of the perks is getting tickets to fun events.... like a Rum Fest. My cousin Heidi and brother Trevor joined me at this one. My assistant Chris hung out with us and we all had a blast.

This little nugget has been my life saver in the past year. Ashley worked out her internship hours and practicum to be with me a full year. Now, she's hanging out to keep learning and hopefully get hired on. I'm working on it so hard!!!

Oh, and small detail.... I met Kate Upton. Her boyfriend (and I think now fiancee) plays for the Detroit Tigers, who call us home for Spring Training. They had an event and we supported. She was super nice. And, a lot tinier, lean, etc than she looks on the cover of magazines.

Family and Friends

I'm really so blessed to have such great people in my life. And, the most adorable niece in the world (more in depth posts coming).

We see one another all the time, so sometimes it doesn't feel like "an event." But, it is wonderful and I don't take it for granted.



We had an Easter party and a bunch of friends/family came over. It ended up being a great time.

The top left? That's Lydia. She is seven now and it's breaking my heart how big she's getting. I can't handle it.

This was taken in the bathroom at an event. The bathrooms were decorated to the max. Billie Jo and I thought this was hysterical, so it was selfie time.

Perk of the Job: Dinner in Diagon Alley

As annoying/stressful as my job gets, I fully admit that it has some amazing points. Like, the perks.

About a month ago, I received a package in the mail....

I was hoping for some sort of sneak peak of the expansion of Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought up the lengths they went to for their invitation and party.

Friday was the big day! Usually, myself and my coworker D get invited to these things (I'm promotions and he is sales, associated with the account). D's wife couldn't come, so he said I could invite another person! Score!!

My cousin Heidi and my coworker/friend M got to make a Girls' Night of it!!

 

We were directed to Hogsmeade (the original world in Islands of Adventure) where we were to ride the Hogwart's Express to King's Cross. As soon as we got to the new train station, I was like a 5 year old on Christmas morning.....

The roughly 3 minute train ride was magical! You actually do go into a cabin like they have in the films.....

According to the itinerary, we were to have a cocktail party in London from 7:30p until roughly 8:30p. What we didn't expect were servers as soon as we exited King's Cross Station holding appetizers and various drinks to enjoy. Um, hello, open bar!!

 

The London exterior is phenomenal. Just so cool to look at!!!

 

Around 8:45pm, they introduced the President of Universal Entertainment (can't remember his name) who spoke to us a little about "the project" as well as thanking us for the support of the years. He then introduced three actors from the films.... Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid). We were on the other side of the podium, so we could only see their heads, but it was still super exciting.

Finally, we were let into Diagon Alley. Other than a few pictures below, it was too dark to get good shots, but it is just phenomenal. After a while, you forget the world outside and think you are actually walking through the films.

They had the menu from The Leaky Cauldron set up in stations around the courtyard. My personal favorites were the salmon and the bacon-wrapped scallops. 

They had actors walking around, interacting with everyone! Those people did not break character, at all.

Of course they had a dessert buffet that featured the restaurant selections, as well as pastries from the ice cream shop. We decided it was our duty to sample them all.........

 

For the record, the Sticky Toffee Pudding and the Guinness Cake won, by a landslide.

We enjoyed some more free drinks. Again, open bar. Walked around and stopped in the ice cream shop. The have Butterbeer Ice Cream.... I wasn't a fan and much prefer the frozen Butterbeer. The 'Earl Grey and Lavendar' ice cream? Do it!!!!

Our last stop was Gringott's Bank for the ride! First of all, it is surreal when you walk into the bank lobby. I almost expected the dragon to come up out of the floor. The ride was a ton of fun! I still think the ride in Hogwart's Castle is my favorite, but this was pretty great.

Eventually, the evening was over and we headed home. I *know* I'll visit again once the land officially opens up (and the crowds die down). Somehow, though, I doubt anything will live up to my first experience in Diagon Alley.

Life Lately (in IPhone pics)....

One thing I love about my IPhone is being able to take decent pics at a moment's notice. One thing I hate about my IPhone is that the ease of photo-taking makes me lazy... I use my real, actual camera less and less.

Anyway, I was going through my Camera Roll and found some pics from the last month that basically tell what I've been up to......

I walked into my room and I found this.... Apparently, my brother decided that Mitt needed to watch over me as I slept, which was both creepy and funny.........

You know those "easy and quick" hair tutorials? Yeah, not so much. This was what my hair was supposed to look like and what it actually did look like after 5 tries.......

My former intern A is a doll. One of my absolute favorites. A year out of college and she has an AMAZING job, working for a very high-power politician. Like, it's a job that I'd kill to have. Anyway, she officially earned my envy when she met Fitz/The President/Tony Goldwyn. She also met Jake Ballard/Scott Foley, but neglected to get a picture. I died a little.........

My friend/coworker C held his annual Cinco De Mayo Party on May 3rd. It was full of fun, frivolity, and friends. I was coherent enough to snap a few pictures........

The group Parmalee performed in a local club back in May. A rather large group of us from the station went and we had a really great time!....

A client brought in blueberries for our morning show. FD wasn't going to be able to use his, so he gave them to me........................

In case you can't tell..... That is a full gallon, a full quart, and half a quart. I'm set on blueberries for a while!

My mom, Megan, and I went to Melting Pot, where my mom got this tasty-looking beverage.........

We also were delighted that Creme Brulee Chocolate was back!!! It is amazing.........

Last Friday, my brother had to have a procedure on his heart. He is fine now, but it was a very long day of sitting in one hospital waiting room after another. At one point, we were aghast/amused at the fact that Jerry Springer was still on the air. You really should hear five intelligent adults trying to keep the storylines straight....

To close us out....... I cannot believe that this beauty graduated from Pre-K on Monday and will be headed to Kindergarten!!!! I've said it so many times, but I will say it again.... If I'm never able to have children of my own (and I pray I will), God has blessed me with this little girl. So many moments of her life I've been able to be present and active.

Blogtember..... Life Lately and A New Challenge

Monday, September 23: A "life lately" post. What you're up to, how you're feeling, how you're doing on your goals, etc. Bonus points for great photos!

Based off of my lack of blogging, you may have guessed that life is crazy. September through May is my crazy time at work and this September is no different. It's just insanely busy.

Life is good, though. Just busy. And, when I do have a moment to breathe, I just haven't felt like getting on the computer. Like, I want to share and document, but I do not have the oomph to put it on my screen. I'm trying to remember to relax.... and keep in touch with friends.... and spend time with my family.... and live in the moment.


Like, when I catch my coworker raiding my snack stash.....

Or, taking in a Miranda Lambert concert with the sister....

Or, appreciating a Harvest Moon coming up over a lawn of fellow concert-goers.

Also, there are still some potential-maybe-possibly-we-will-see-what-happens things in the works. Maybe. I don't really know. But, if there are, it could be exciting. We'll see.

 Tuesday, September 24: Review a book, place, or product.

Let's see... I haven't read a new book in far too long, unfortunately.

Places..... I went to several new places on my New England and Canadian cruise. I fully intend to review them in great detail, at some point.


Product. I got this.

So, two days after I got back from my cruise, I started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. That was exactly two weeks ago and I'm down 6 lbs, pre-cruise. The day after I got back, I weighed myself (why, I do not know) and I was up 7.5 lbs. Granted, most of that was just plain "on a boat on the sea for a week" bloat. And, I was Day 4 of that TOM. So, as much I would like to say I've lost 13.5 lbs.... really, I've lost 6. But, it is incredible and I will take it. I still have another 10 days. I've already gone ahead and ordered another set of 14-Day supplements for the Max Phase.

I just feel good. I'm eating clean..... not perfect, but pretty darn good. I'm staying away from all "white" foods and keeping my carb sources to mainly be from fruits and veggies. The past two Mondays, I've gone to group birthday dinners..... both Mondays, I had one bite of the shared dessert. The past two Fridays, I've gone to lunch with Billie Jo.... we always go to a FroYo place after and both Fridays, I've had a small cup (about 4 oz) of FroYo with some blueberries. That is the extent of my sweets.

While the idea of some yummy Fall treats have piqued my interest (um, caramel apple cookies and pumpkin cream cheese pound cake, anyone?), I really haven't had to tear myself away from anything that was actually sitting in front of me. Thankfully, the cravings aren't there.

I don't know how much I will ultimately lose, but I know I feel amazing. And, with the Fall, I need to feel amazing. Let me tell you, this Advocare stuff is legit.

Things Heard Coming From My Office..........

 My boss' (well, one of them.... I technically have three) office is right next door to mine. Generally, our communication consists of talking loudly to one another.

While I'm basically a pretty smart person, I know my limits. Or, I at least want to get a second opinion before I send off a witty text or sarcastic email.

Some questions include, but are not limited to.......

"Hey M.... How do you spell Bueller?"

"Hey M.... Can we take this song that is playing right now out of rotation? Carnival uses it in their commercials and now I want to go on a cruise."

"Hey M.... You know when you just go crazy, psychotic on someone or something? Is that going Harry Carey, like the person, or is it Harakiri, like the Japanese suicide ritual of disembowelment?"

"Hey M.... Why do companies use animals as a product to hold things together? Like, Gorilla Glue and Duck Tape?".... "Well, I believe that is actually D-U-C-T tape."

Believe it or not, he usually answers my questions with a straight face.

Blurbs... Thoughts.... Semi-Consciousness

I have a major work event tomorrow. Like, huge.

Where a lot could go wrong.

And, I have to spend a nice chunk of the day in the presence of BSG.... Thanks a lot, FD.

Is it Sunday, yet?

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This week has been a workout FAIL, FAIL, FAIL.

I started having allergy issues on Friday. By Saturday night, I couldn't breathe through my nose, was feeling heavy in my lungs, and had to sleep on the couch all propped up. By Monday, I was in full blown sinus infection. Tuesday, I went to the Dr and came out with a ZPack, allergy meds, and something for the nasty fever blister I'd developed on my lip.

My nights have consisted of Neti Pot and a bunch of sleep.

As of now, I'm still snotty (gross) but it's manageable, my voice is slightly hoarse but on the mend, and my fever blister is 3/4 healed. Here's hoping for full recovery in the next 36 hours.

Why I even bothered to set workout goals for myself is beyond me.

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I love Grey's Anatomy. Like, it's so good this season.

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Beyond preparing for our major work event, things have been INSANE all of 2013 the past couple of weeks .

Last week, we had several different events. This week, we had one event in the office.

Three of them included celebrities.....

Tracy Lawerence

Brantley Gilbert

Sheryl Crow...... YES.... Sheryl Crow.

No watermelons were harmed in the making of this post...

File this under "Random Celebrity I Never Thought I'd Ever Meet"

Gallagher stopped by our studios, yesterday.

Yeah, sledge-o-matic Gallagher.

He was hysterical. Like, bouncing off the walls hysterical. And, super nice, too.

Rascal Flatts (10/26/12)

A few weeks ago, Rascal Flatts came to town. Their shows always crack me up... I've seen them several times, so I know what to expect, etc.

It was a super fun night!

Eden's Edge was the first opener for them. We didn't see them when they performed on stage, but we did get a private show.... 

Eden's Edge and I

We got to spend time with Eli Young Band and Little Big Town, too. I did get a picture with LBT, but I haven't received it, yet :/

Rascal Flatts and I

Record rep and friend, S and I

During Eli Young Band's set, we got to watch from the wings.....

Such a cool view!

Personally, Little Big Town's performance was my favorite of the night :)

J and I.....

Billie Jo, Jenny, and I

Rascal Flatts....