"Bandwagoners"

Ya wanna know something I have never understood? Well...even if you say to yourself: "No, I don't really care to know." You're gonna.

I do NOT understand why some people are hardcore fans of sports teams, when they have absolutely no tie to them. And it's not that I get particularly annoyed about people who are diehard fans of the consistently winning sports teams, like the Yankees, Red Sox, Lakers, etc. It's the bad teams, too. Because then it's like they are being diehard fans of the sucky teams so that when they finally win, they feel like they will be able to say "I've liked them all along," as if that's some sort of accomplishment.

I like the Indianapolis Colts. Mainly because I think Peyton Manning is hilarious, a fantastic football player, and an even better person. BUT, my loyalties are with Dallas teams/Texas teams. Whether they bring championships home or not, that's where I'm from, and that is who I cheer for.

So WHY when I go to watch my dear Rangers play against the Yankees, is half of the ballpark full of Yankees fans? (Of course, when we make it to playoffs, it's Rangers fans with a few Yanks speckled in.) Have even HALF of those 'fans' ever been to New York? Better yet, lived there? Do you like them because of Babe Ruth? Because of A-Rod? Because they win a lot of World Series? And ALL the Lakers fans and Saints fans...what is the draw? Would you like them if they had the Lions record?

I just can't understand having such loyalties to a place you have no serious ties to, other than their winning record.

Training for Tri

So it's official: I am going to race in the Monster's sprint triathlon in October!! Nervous? Yes. Determined? YES. I have always wanted to be one of those people who could go out for a three mile run and feel good about themselves, rather than wish they were running toward that light at the end of the tunnel. I have found lots of training guidelines/programs online...my method? Do it my way.

I realize that this task will be even more difficult and strenuous than I could imagine, but I will continue to train and practice as hard as I can so that I finish. Not win; finish. I don't care if I am dead last.

In other news - I take pride in the fact that for a great majority of my life, I have been pretty conscious about what I eat and how I live. I make sure that I work out at least four times a week (except for special circumstances) and I will usually choose the grilled chicken over the burger. However, it is literally getting worse the more I discipline myself...the cravings, that is. I'm literally pained when I see someone slobbing their cheese fries with ranch. Why can't I just order the cheeseburger with fries and not care about it?! Even if my butt doesn't look bigger fifteen minutes after, why do I always think it does? It is so annoying....

OK, this post doesn't make sense. Sorry bout it.

Vent: Here.

Just so you know, I'm fully aware that the following words are not so much "pearls of wisdom" as they are words of frustration.

While driving to work today, I began pondering a certain situation with a friend that's been on my mind lately. This friend is acting weird. Point blank. Nothing drastic or otherwise notable has happened in either of our lives lately, and yet, it's as if we are suddenly on completely different pages. It is quite possibly the most frustrating, annoying, and upsetting thing that could happen. I just want to shake them and ask "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Then I thought to myself...what if it's just me being crazy? Imagining that there is an issue when in fact, everything is as usual? Such a thought is disturbing, because, I realized, I will never know if it is just me! I can never go outside my own body and look at my own behavior from an objective standpoint. I will always decipher my actions and words as correct, because...well...they're mine.

Really, I'm just flat out bummed. This friend is a good, nay, best friend. And suddenly I feel as if things are not the same...at all. And though I have a slight notion why, I'll never know if that notion is true. Sure, honesty may drive this friend to confess that indeed, something in their life that I wasn't informed about is causing a behavior change. But if this truth is never displayed, I will just go on wondering if it is in fact them, or sadly, me.

Ah, to be a fly on the wall.

Choosing your battles.

So I have been married for exactly one month and eight days...and it's been wonderful. It's really not so amazing in an amazing kind of way how many times I'm asked "How is married life?" Just once, for grins, I want to say, "Not as great as single life." :)

So Brady and I may not be the same on certain things; i.e. leaving clothes on the floor, leaving dishes out, leaving his computer on, leaving dip cups out, etc., but we do agree that the bed should be made every morning. It makes the other stuff look not so bad. While doing this daunting task (it's actually one of the simplest chores ever) I noticed the TV remote lying on the covers and chuckled at how it seems that we sleep with the darn thing every night. Then I flashed back to just a few weeks before the wedding day, and became enlighted. (Don't get your hopes up...you may already be "enlightened" about this.)

***
Brady walks in to the room after I have made the bed, and begins to search for the remote controller. After a few minutes of peeking behind pillows and opening dresser drawers, he finds it in some random place I have designated as its "home."

He then informs me that there is one thing he prefers that I do next time: make the controller visible and in plain sight. Now, normally, I wouldn't do such a thing. A remote needs a home hidden away from the naked eye. Then I realize...it's a remote. Having it on the bed after making it every morning is actually more sensible, considering we are very TV-friendly people.


Now this may seem silly, but this morning, after a month and eight days of marriage, I realized while making the bed that marriage has no room for stubbornness. Had I been hard-headed when Brady first requested that the remote be left on the bed, it would have been a waste of energy, emotion, and most importantly, time. Be stubborn about not leaving the water on. Be stubborn about neglecting to throw out rotten produce from the fridge. Even be stubborn about some horrible habit that your spouse may have. Be stubborn about things that you know in your heart of hearts (OK, I know I'm exaggerating) you simply will not be able to live peacefully with; but choose your battles. If you are stubborn about the little, insignificant things, the bigger and more important things will be "just another chance to bicker."

In other news...married life is simply wonderful. We now have two puppies, and rather than it being miserable and time consuming, it has made Brady and I feel a great sense of responsibility and maturity. Plus, getting to cuddle up next to that stud every night and for a few minutes every morning is pretty much priceless.

The Down-Side of not Having Photographic Memory

Brady and I "officially" call our anniversary of being a couple July 4, 2006. Since this blessed day... ;) ... I have been diligently keeping track of our relationship via photographs. Some may be taken by stretching my rather short arms out in order to capture both our smiling (OK, his is not so smiling) faces; some are taken in the company of our dear friends and family. They are clear documentation of one of many of our special moments together; which is evident, because we usually only have a camera around when the moments are exceptionally special or eventful. Throughout these three and a half (almost four!!!) years, I have taken the liberty of putting together 12-month calendars for Brady, each month containing a picture of us, with a brief description on the back reminding us both where and when it was taken. The extensive array of pictures contained in these so far three calendars are mementos we can look back on when we're old and grey. They are something we can show to our children, our grandchildren, or even ourselves, to remind ourselves of where our relationship began, who it began with, and where it is headed. It is a tradition I personally plan on carrying out each Christmas for the rest of our lives.

Which leads me to my wedding discussion....photographs.

When sifting through Web sites and brochures of photographers in the Dallas area, I got many pieces of advice from many different people, all with the same general gist: "Don't worry about it" ... "The money can be used elsewhere" ... "The photos will be stashed away into an album and never looked at again" ... "Photos of your wedding day just collect dust."

Now I believe I have been fairly consistent in my previous posts that taking advice from others is one of the best gifts you'll ever find, and it comes without a pricetag. My pearls of wisdom may be suggested by some to be immature or unsound. After all, I am only 21 years old, and haven't been in this "wedding biz" for longer than seven and a half months. However, out of all the obstacles I have had to face while planning our wedding day, this is the one obstacle I vehemently disagreed with everyone's advice on. What I am truly trying to say is...

GET A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER!!!

Whether it be the day and age we're in and the advanced technology now available to us, or simply the fact that this generation has some weird, unwarranted obsession with photos...it's reasonable to say that this generation values photography. My photographer came to me unexpectedly. I took many suggestions from helpful and loving friends and family, all on photographers that were inexpensive; but to be quite honest, very generic. While spending countless hours and being typically unsatisfied with the results I found, I came across my dear friend Lauren's photo album on Facebook. I swear this isn't some lengthy advertisement for Blue Sunshine Photography, but may I say....check it out. The pictures are breathtaking. Without even knowing Lauren and Nathan, you can see what makes their relationship so breathtaking simply by the photos. The essence of the relationship and their love for eachother and everyone surrounding them on their special day is more than a picture...it's a memory, and an invaluable keepsake of where their official life together began. That is what I want in my photographer...and luckily, that is what I will so fortunately be getting.


Now the real question is....was that my lengthiest post yet?

Next Up: Honeymoon Spots...Should you risk drinking the water in Mexico??

Three's Company....So is Seven

The first thought that entered my mind when I got engaged was how I was going to pick bridesmaids out of my amazing, and rather LARGE group of friends. Brady and I had discussed who would be included in the bridal party many times before, but I always assumed that once the ring was slipped on my finger, I would have either lost touch with some friends (which would sadly have made my decision easier) or I would have an epiphany about who should be up there standing on "stage" with me.



Ha...Is all I have to say.



Let's start with how I began this strenuous and rather emotional process. First I cried and complained to Brady, insisting that all nine or ten of my friends be bridesmaids, ALONG with my sister as maid-of-honor, and might-as-well-be-sister but is still "in-law" Lauren. When we quickly came to the realization that this was impossible for a number of reasons (one, because it would look kind of obnoxious, and two, because Brady is one of those, "I'd rather have a few best friends than a ton of good friends" kind of people). Then I got so upset over not being able to have EVERYONE in the wedding, I decided it would be my two sisters, and one of my oldest friends, who is practically family. But then, of course, Brady was upset that his few best friends would be cut short....



THERE WAS AND STILL IS LITERALLY NO HAPPY MEDIUM!!!

I literally went from 5, to 3, to only maid-of-honor, to none at all. Never have I been hit with such a dilemma...would feelings get hurt? would my friends be offended? take it personally? think I didn't love them as much as the others?

Finally, I came to the conclusion that those who weren't in my wedding would be the ones who would understand most that the decision isn't about who I am closest too, who I have known longest, or who will look best standing next to me. Telling these girls was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I know that no hard feelings came from it....ultimately, it is YOUR wedding, and other people can't rationally be upset for not being part of the spotlight.

In other news, these friends of mine are completely included in every other wedding aspect, they just save a couple bucks by not having to buy a poofy, obnoxious bridesmaid dress. ;) (Which of course, mine isn't...)

UP NEXT:

Invitations...Saving money on them, if not solely for the fact because nobody cares about what they look like but you. (well, maybe the moms will care a smidge.)

China, Silver and Lots o' towels

My major break-down moment during this whole planning process came while registering for gifts at Dillard's. If you don't know me that well, let me preface this by filling you in on a little peeve of mine...I despise all department stores. Nothing specifically annoying about Dillard's, it is just the general concept of "Let's pile everything we can think people would need into one single store." I get lost; I get aggravated; and in the case of wedding registries, I apparently get pretty emotional, too.

Brady and I registered at three stores (to accommodate the large number of guests we're inviting): Dillard's, Bed, Bath & Beyond (a must for any soon-to-be married couple) and Home Depot.

First, let me just put this out there point blank: If you are not living with your significant other, and will be starting a new home as well as a new life together, you MUST register at BB&B. Not only are their associates very knowledgable about what you need, but they are efficient, patient and understanding....oh, and did I mention that they have EVERYTHING you need?

Brady and I started our voyage picking out towels. We moved on slowly to bathroom appliances, and arrived quickly in the bedding department. This was our first "speed bump" as some onlookers may say. Brady found a comforter set he loved. Me? Well, I wasn't so keen on it. As I prepared to defend my case about how chosing a comforter was a big deal, something we would be looking at every day, I stopped myself, and chose to instead ask MYSELF a question that I continued to ask throughout the rest of our shopping escapade:

IS IT WORTH THE ARGUMENT?

I mean...this is a bed comforter for crying out loud. My future hubby likes it? I like it. More than that, I like that he cares enough to voice his opinion and trek through the many aisles of plates and silverware with me. Our associate, Anna (I think), informed me that many husbands made themselves comfortable in massage chairs for the duration of the registry process. She also told me that many women come in alone or with mothers, bridesmaids, or wedding coordinators. I can't imagine picking out things that my husband and I BOTH will use, all on my own! But to each his (her) own. For those ladies of you fortunate enough to have a fiance who will h0ld the scanner with you, relish in this luxury, and always remember...he does have an opinion.

Now to the specifics:

1. DON'T be stingy. I found my only argument with myself was "Do you REALLY need this?" The answer? Maybe not. But register for it anyway. If someone gets it for you, and you decide otherwise, it is easily returnable. (at BB&B anyway)

2. I find it helpful to categorize my guests into two groups: the sensible ones, and the spontaneous ones. While registering, I scanned a fair share of towels, plates, pots and pans, etc. However, I didn't neglect to also pick out a nice margarita machine, some decorative pieces, and a massage chair. Think of what your guests WANT to bring you. The parents, friends or parents, and relatives know you NEED towels and kitchen utensils. Your college friends, friends from grade school, and younger cousins WANT to get you some nifty serving dishes that they will one day be scooping queso out of for the superbowl game.

3. On the other hand...be sensible. I registered for some cute dishes I thought would be nice to keep out with mints, candy and other nibbles. When I looked online, however, I realized that one, small, silver "candy" dish, was indeed $80. Did I emphasize that it was small? While I believe stinginess should be thrown out the window...realize that some things are a waste of space, and are just more for your guests to sift through.

4. Get the china. I almost didn't, but I forget...although I'm 21 and will be eating off mine and Brady's mom's china for a few more years...I will someday be a momma. And then I will need china of my own.

5. I suggest printing off a list of necessities for a registry (I got mine at theknot.com) but I didn't use it until after. I registered at the stores, and went online with the list to check off what I had gotten, and to add to the list what I had forgotten.


I realize I may have come off a bit negative by starting this post off by whining about my emotional fits...but in reality, registering is actually exciting and for dear Brady, absolutely exhilerating. (Dillard's has a scanner that YOU use, BB&B unfortunately, does not.) Happy registering!

UP NEXT: Flowers....and other decorations. :)