Just a little Nicholas Sparks love...

Earlier this year I promised to write a review of every book I read in 2010 and I'm holding myself accountable for that promise! Since The Da Vinci Code I have only read two books. Can you believe it? I think I'm still trying to find my comfort zone being in this relationship and combining new habits with old ones. ;)

I read Dear, John and The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I used to read his books almost as soon as they came out, but a few years ago I think I got bored with them but after reading these two I think I'm back on the Nicholas Sparks bandwagon! So without further ado, here goes!

I bought Dear, John at that really cute bookstore in Cy's hometown so it will always remind me of that day!

This book, like all of Nicholas Sparks' books was a fast and easy read. It was definitely a tear jerker and made me really think about the different kinds of love we have for people. It also made me think about a comment that Amber wrote recently about fate and soul mates. I do believe there is one person that is made for you. Your true complement that God has planned for you, that person that immediately feels like family. But, I also believe that there are several people that you could spend the rest of your life with that, although are not your soul mate, you could live your life happy with.

On Friday I saw the movie, and I have to say I was very unhappy. If I hadn't read the book I probably would have liked the movie but some of the changes made were unnecessary and made the entire story awkward.

Have you read Dear, John or seen the movie? What did you think?

Right after I finished Dear, John I picked up The Last Song.

At first I was a little resistant of this one because I knew the role of Ronnie was practically written for Miley Cyrus. Not that I don't like Miley Cyrus, I'm just a little Miley'd out from the past few years.

This book was predictable Nicholas Sparks, but was still a page turner for me. I don't even know what to write without giving away the entire book, so I don't think I am going to write much. I'm really, really looking forward to this movie now and can't wait to go see it. I get the feeling (and really hope) that this one is going to be a hit like The Notebook and A Walk To Remember.

There are several more Nicholas Sparks books that I haven't read yet like The Choice and The Lucky One and I'm really looking forward to picking them up! His books always leave me feeling inspired and I love it!

Are you a fan of Nicholas Sparks?

Necklace update, again!

I'm such a bad blogger. I'm sorry! I know I teased you all on Twitter the other day regarding the necklace and I didn't follow up! How rude of me...

Well, here I am and I'm ready to explain!

Saturday night I had plans with a few girlfriends to go to dinner and during dinner I asked them what they thought about asking Cy about the necklace. I had been thinking about it for awhile now, but was worried it would come across as rude to ask. My friends made a very good point... What if he thinks I'm not excited?

So, I decided I would ask him that night. We had plans to stay in and watch a movie after I was done with dinner so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to be alone with him and ask.

I chickened out that night... and almost chickened out in the morning too. I had to work at noon on Sunday and time was quickly running out. I needed to leave by 10:30 to go home and get ready and when I looked at the clock and saw it was 10:11 am I knew I needed to do it. NOW!

I don't know why I was so nervous, I just was! I didn't want to come across the wrong way.

So, I finally looked up at him and told him I had a question to ask but was worried it was rude.

Of course, I had nothing to worry about. He didn't think I was rude, and didn't mind that I asked. In fact, he was wanting to bring it up too but was worried as well! We're a couple of worriers, huh?

Here is what happened. The independent jeweler he took it to in Omaha... passed away. This caused a small delay because the jewelers then sent it to someone else in Minneapolis. Cy has been calling them every week to find out the status of the necklace and has been so worried about it. I had no idea because he hadn't said anything!

The necklace should be in any day soon and I promise I will post a picture of it right away!! I also have some blog posts lined up soon, so hopefully this blogging hiatus is over! :)

Breaking into a new "group"

I have had this blog post swirling around in my head for awhile now, but wasn't sure if I wanted to write about it. I would really like everyone's opinion on this subject so here goes...

Everyone has their "group" of friends right? The older you get, the harder and harder it becomes to "break into" a new group. Cy and I both have a great group. We comment occasionally on how lucky we are to have such great close friends.

Cy's group of friends are made up mainly of people from his hometown. They have been friends for years and are all pretty close having gone to school their entire lives together. Most of them are guys and the core of the group is all guys and one of the guys' girlfriends. She isn't from their hometown but has been a part of their group for several years now. She and Cy are pretty good friends... no scratch that, they are really good friends. It's very obvious that it's a brother/sister relationship as she is his best friends girlfriend.

Now, I'm not one of those girls that is jealous of my boyfriends female friends. Cy is not the guy to be dating if I am going to be like that, but what is bothering me is I get the very strong feeling that she doesn't like me. All of his friends make conversation with me when I am around and are in general very nice. Whenever she is around she practically ignores me.

A good example is my birthday. The Saturday of that weekend Cy and I went to the Color Party where I knew only a handful of people, this girl included. I was a little anxious about it because I don't do well with a big group of new people. I don't even do well with a small group of new people! Now that I think back to it, I cannot remember a single word that she uttered to me. Not one. On the ride home I commented that I really liked his other friend's girlfriend (who he semi dislikes) and asked me why. I simply said, she talks to me. Then I reminded him that I am very shy around new people and I really appreciate people like her making an effort because when I try to make an effort myself I end up just feeling awkward.

Another example is tonight. They are all gathered at her boyfriend's (Cy's best friend) house, whom she lives with as well, to watch Lost. It kind of felt like slap that I wasn't invited. I couldn't help but think that maybe she purposely asked Cy not to bring me. Although, on the other hand I have not watched Lost since the first season (guess I didn't get hooked!) and probably wouldn't enjoy it as much as everyone else. But, bottom line it still feels like a slap in the face because there is very little I do not invite Cy to do with my friends. If it isn't a "girls thing" Cy is invited. Period.

I would really like to get to know this girl better because she is the only other girl in the core group. Most of the other guys are single. (Single ladies? They are great guys!) She is also important to Cy so clearly her opinion means a lot to him.

Some possibilities I thought of could be that she is resistant to a new girl hanging around all the time.

Another possibility I thought of is literally, me. When I meet new people I am very shy and quiet. It can come off as snobby or standoffish. I am absolutely not trying to be this way, it just takes me a long time to warm up to people. I am not a very outgoing person and it just takes time with me. I truly appreciate people like the other girl that make a conversation with me because it's so hard for me to do that.

Another possibility I thought of is maybe she really liked Cy's ex-wife and wishes she was still around (I truly hope this is not the case, but it could be).

I don't know what to think or what to do besides the obvious and that is to continue to try. Try to make conversation with her. Try to reach out as much as possible to prove that I am not a threat. Try to not let this bother me...

Have any of you been in a situation like this? How did you overcome it?

Actually glad the weekend is over...

I know, I know. I'm glad the weekend is over??! Sounds crazy right? But, if you were me you would totally understand.

This has been a tough week and you can see it in my face. My eyes are bloodshot and my chin has broken out. Don't ya just hate what stress does to your body?

This morning we had our annual physical inventory at 5am and all week we had to prep for it. For those of you wondering what that entails... basically we have to count each and every item in the store, which totals to almost 30,000 pieces. I shouldn't take all the credit though, I had a great team from RGIS (retail grocer inventory solutions) that came in and did all the scanning. I got really lucky this time around, they can make or break your inventory experience.

Also, Saturday was the last day of January for us and I needed to make $14,000 to make my sales plan for the month and bonus. I was a little bummed as I headed out because we were only on track to do about $10,000. Well, right around 10pm last night I got a text from one of my assistants saying we made it! I was so pumped and so proud! I just love it when hard work pays off!

Now, the real doozy that's been getting me down. A year ago this week the company I worked for before now closed. I still can't believe it's been a year and I still miss it just as much. It really is like I've lost an incredible friend.

You can read all about my experience with them here.

I sincerely hope everyone had a much better weekend then me! ;)

Thing we do when we're...

...intoxicated.

As most of you know this past weekend was my birthday -- thank you so much for all the birthday wishes! That was so sweet! Like most people, my friends and I went out to celebrate.

Celebrate with three sake bombs in 20 minutes followed by lots of beer and shots bought for me by my dear friends...

Friday night got a little out of control. I celebrated at a Japanese restaurant then a local pub with my friends, Cy and many of his friends and I ended up getting embarrassingly, out of control drunk. The kind of drunk when you wake up in the morning and wonder, "What the F did I do last night?" The kind of drunk that is usually only acceptable in college. Not when you're turning 28.

Cy says I shouldn't be embarrassed and that I should only be embarrassed if I didn't get drunk on my birthday. But, I am. Very embarrassed.

Lately, when I drink it's like I'm on a mission. A mission to get hammered. Then when I am hammered I get all teary and upset over something. Something stuuuuupid and it's usually towards Cy.

It's only happened twice now, but it's still two times too many. I know that Cy doesn't think any differently of me and loves me just the same but I just hate that embarrassed 'what did I do' feeling the next day. It makes my skin crawl.

I hate hearing the "you did this" and "you did that" after the night is over. Many times I just tell my friends not to tell me because I don't want to hear it. I used to think the old saying "a drunk mans words is a sober mans thoughts" but I don't think I do anymore. In fact, the more I think about the sillier I think it is. The drunker you get the more ridiculous you get!

Although this definitely does not happen on a regular basis I am going to keep an eye on my drinking and stick to only 1-2 drinks when I am out. This embarrassed feeling is definitely not worth it. Sloppy drunks are not attractive!

We've all done it, what have you done under the influence that you regretted the next day?

Birthday fun!

Well, well, well... Look who's back!

Excuse my sporadic posting lately. I started off January the right way and then somewhere in between I just kind of petered out!

As many of you know from Twitter and Facebook, Saturday was my birthday. My 28th birthday to be exact. I was pretty halfhearted about this particular birthday because I now appear two years older than Cy, when actually it's only 14 months. Luckily, he turns 27 on April 4th so it's not for long. I know, it's completely silly. I know.

Other than that, I don't mind getting older.

Friday night a big group of us went to a Japanese restaurant and enjoyed watching our food being thrown around and several sake bombs. Unfortunately Cy wasn't able to join us for dinner. His grandmother went into the hospital overnight on Thursday and his mom flew in from Phoenix so he met up with us later. His grandmother is doing better but they still can't pinpoint exactly what it is, all we know is it's her heart.

After dinner we went out to a local Irish pub. The sake bombs must have been a little too much for my 28 year old sissy self because I was trashed almost instantly. I basically remember very little about the rest of the night.

Here are a few pictures though! ;)

(Not sure how the setting ended up on b&w but we are thumbs upping to sake bombs. We won't be thumbs upping later though...)

Then, I spent the next day in bed. I don't think I will be drinking like that for a loooooong time.

After spending the day in bed (literally, I did not get up all day) Cy came over and picked me up for dinner. Our reservations for Grand Piano Bistro got taken away and Cy was bummed but we got a $40 gift certificate from them! We ended up eating at Granite City instead. I haven't actually eaten there (except for their weekend brunch which is to die for!) for awhile and it is soooo good.

Before leaving for dinner Cy gave me my birthday present. He handed me a card and inside it said a hotel was booked for the last weekend in February in Chicago so we can celebrate again and finally go on a trip together. I'm so excited! He specifically booked a hotel near The Melting Pot because he knows how much I like it and how much I have been wanting to take him there because he's never been. The man freakin' loves cheese, so I know he's going to adore it!

I know you're all wondering about the necklace... and trust me. I am too! My only guess is that it is taking much longer to make than he anticipated. I'm going to continue to be patient. (Well, try to!)

After dinner, we both headed home (well, to my apartment) and got ready for the Color Party. I wasn't really feeling it, and was sort of grumbly that Cy didn't end up going as gold. I thought it would have been adorable going as silver and gold.

I cant believe I am posting this picture because... honestly? It's awful. But here is a picture of Cy and I at the Color Party. Please keep in mind he is trying to look like the biggest dork possible. One of the girls pointed out that he looks like the yodle man from The Price is Right mountain climber game. I think she's right!

There were lots of great costumes at the party. Lots of pink! I'm really glad I didn't wear pink!

Although it was my actual birthday I decided not to drink. Do not be fooled by the cup in my hand! I was just trying to appear social... I told Cy to go ahead and let loose (which, clearly he did) and I would drive us home. He truly did deserve it for putting up with me and my princessy ways the night before. Did you know I turn into a princess when drunk? Yep, I do. I bona fide princess.

So, Cy let loose and enjoyed himself. He's a big fan of whiskey and he had a bottle of Gentleman Jack (a version of Jack Daniels that's a little bit better) that he brought so he was drinking from that and the free keg that was provided.

Overall, it was a fun night but after a few hours I was ready to go home.

If you were attending a Color Party what color would you wear?

Giveaway winner = early birthday present!

About a week ago I found out I won an awesome giveaway hosted by Jessica and LuShae Jewelry!

I was allowed to choose any piece of jewelry, FREE! It was soooo hard deciding because all of the jewelry was so cute! I kept gravitating towards the necklaces as I have been wanting a nice "everyday" necklace, buuuuuut apparently I have a custom made "everyday" necklace on it's way to me, so I resisted the urge to pick out a necklace. Instead I picked out some adorable earrings!

I just recently sent in my order, less than a week ago and they're already here! I was shocked just now when I checked my mail! (And actually a little nervous while opening up the small box. My imagination can go crazy sometimes.)

Here are what they look like,

They are made of sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Aren't they cute? I figured I could use a nice pair of earrings when I want to dress up. I tend to just throw on plain ol' silver hoops with everything and these are very versatile. Don't cha think?

I just checked the website and this style is now out of stock!

This was a great surprise birthday present and I can't wait to wear these! Thank you Jess and LuShae Jewelry!!