Friday Letters

Dear Extended Family - I have such mixed emotions around the party this weekend... anxiety, excitement, anticipation, and some more excitement.  I hope everyone comes with an open mind and heart and is there to focus on Grandma's birthday.  I'm excited to see all of you, and can't wait for her to see the surprise.  Travel safely!

Dear Brian - Thank you for the opportunity to pe a part of the training team.  I have had a blast the past three months, it's wonderful to come to work when you truly love and feel passionate about your job.  I am so excited for the next three months and getting our new hires trained!  I can't wait to see what the future holds for me here at QH.

Dear Friends {that includes you!} - Thank you for listening to me talk about wedding plans even though we're not officially engaged.  I know you're all thinking that you have a whole year of this ahead, and that's probably true.  I love you for listening. 

Dear Rachel - I cannot tell you how excited I am to be working with you again.  You are truly going to excell here at QH.  One week from yesterday we'll be reunited!

Dear Shelly -  I hope I am writing the same thing to you a month from now, have faith.  I know you'd be a great fit here, I hope so much you are given a chance to prove your abilities.

Dear Peg and Stan - Thank you for always making us feel welcome at your lake house... it's so nice to have a place to escape to.  You are truly two of the most kind people I have ever met. 

*believe always*

Life in Pictures

1 -  My absolute favorite picture from the beach.  Thanks to the lovely Barbara Ann for bring our photographer for the evening!  {Look for the whole vacation in pictures next week!}

2  -  This is a picture from one of last year's Buckeye games, I love this picture and I LOVE that Buckeye football starts the day after tomorrow!!!

3  - A pair of dorks.  Seriously though, I know you all have done this... we call it Martha Washington hair.  :)  The lovely girl with me is my baby sister {the previously mentioned Barbara Ann}.

4  -  My brain is all things wedding right now {no, no official engagement, but we have set a date!!!} and this is the centerpiece we are going for.  I apologize in advance for the wedding talk you will all have to read through over the next year.

5  -  The BEST poochies in the whole world!  This was taken at the lake last weekend after a long day of swimming.

6  -  Bonbon!!!  My first "publicity shot" for the bakery.  What do you think?

7  -  My ADORABLE nephew in his 9 month picture.  :)  I get to see this little chunk {along with his brother, sister, and my BFF} tomorrow!!!

8  -  My new breakfast and lunch.  I want to start losing now {you know, for the wedding} and this is my jump start.

9  -  My awesome boyfriend riding in Pelotonia.  He raised $1200.00 for the James Cancer Research Center while riding 25 miles.  He amazes me every day.

That's it, my life in pictures... vacation pics coming next Thursday!

*believe always*

So What! Wednesday

Here's what I'm saying So What! to this week:

• It's only Wednesday and I am SOOOO looking forward to my 3 day weekend coming up!  I l.o.v.e. my job, but my house is {still, yes, still} a disaster and I just know I can get it all together in a long weekend.
• I'm planning a half birthday dinner for Robb next Friday.  I know it's silly, but he has some BIG things he's planning and I want to do something special for him.  Besides I have the cutest idea in my head for a half birthday cake that I want to try.  {Yes, pics coming soon.}
• I've been blogging more on this blog than my baking blog.  Lately I've just felt like I have some things I need to get out.
• I am so totally pumped for football season to start.  THE Ohio State Buckeyes kick off this weekend and I feel like it's the first sign of fall.
• One of the main reasons I want to get the house cleaned up is to put up my fall decorations... I have A LOT of them!

What are you saying So What! to this week?  Link up with Shannon and spill! 

*believe always*

Friday Letters

Dear Martha Graham and Otis - You are the best poochies in the world, and you brighten all my days.  Thanks for all the kisses and cuddles.

Dear weekend MAGIC class - You guys were awesome.  I was nervous to teach such a large class on a weekend with no backup, but you all rocked.  I hope your first week using your MAGIC was not too stressful!

Dear Joy - I think about you often and hope you're doing well.  I hope someday we'll be in contact again.

Dear Aunt Nancy - I have to tell you, I was stressed about helping plan Grandma's party.  There are things about the family dynamics that I have still not come to terms with, and I wasn't sure how that would affect the planning of this and my anxiety level.  I have to tell you, I am so glad we decided to do this.  I have missed you so much, and I am so happy that we are able to talk, and be honest and open and really get somewhere with our conversations.  I can't wait to find a free weekend to come spend with you... and I can't wait to see you and everyone next weekend at the party!  Thank you for all of your love and support.  I'm glad you and I are communicating... it means so much to me.

Dear Abbey - I hope your move in to Otterbein this week went well.  I was thinking about you all week.  I can't wait to come visit and do lunch sometime soon!

Dear Self - I know you aren't happy with your body.  I know you want to lose weight and you think that will solve so many problems for you.  I don't know if it will or not.  Know that you are special and you are loved by so many.  You have so many blessings in you life.  If there are things you want to improve you CAN do it.  You've done it before.  Make it happen.

*believe always*

So What! Wednesday

Here's what I'm saying So What! to this week...



• Rob and I have been together over 2 years and I feel like we're finally making our money work for us.  We set up joint checking and savings accounts last week and have a detailed plan for every pay check... it's a step!
• I am OBSESSED with the Sookie Stackhouse series... I started the first book while we were at the beach {so like end of July} and just finished the 12th book earlier this week... 12 books in about 3 weeks - seriously?!  OBSESSED.  I am so sad that it's over.  We did start getting True Blood on Netflixx, so at least I can kinda stay in that world for a little while longer.  I guess it's actually a good thing that I finished the series because it will give me a chance to read the Blog Friends Book Club selection - Gone Girl, which I will review on September 3rd.
• I worked my first weekend in FOREVER last weekend... and actually enjoyed it!  I taught a customer service class at QH and the class I had was AWESOME!  Seriously, they were all there on their weekend off too, and we truly had fun!
• I still hate when Rob had to travel for work... at the same time I think it makes us appreciate each other more too.
• The house is {still} a mess - though it's slowly getting better, I have a million things to do, and we're going to the lake this weekend.  There are only so many lake weekends left and I want to take FULL advantage.
• Speaking of the lake, I am so sad that my tan from the beach is already fading... does that make me vain?
• I met with the director {co-director?} for CATS last night and we watched the movie and talked about our vision for our production.  I already have a million ideas and have bits and pieces already choreographed... yeah yeah, I know, the show's not until February, but I like to be prepared okay?  
•  We bought paint for our bedroom at least 3 months ago and haven't done anything with it... sounds like a Shabbat project to me!  {Wait, would that count as writing?  Gotta check with the Rabbi on that one!}

What are you saying So What! to this week?  Link up with Shannon and tell the world!

*believe always*

100 things

I started doing this a few years ago at the suggestion of one of my best friends.  He did it his senior year of high school and then a year later his teacher mailed all of the lists back to his students.  I write mine in my journal and tape the pages together so I can't look at it for a year.  It's really neat to look at the list a year later and see what you've done and what you don't even want to do anymore.  Confused?  Here's the deal...

Make a list of 100 things you want to do in your life... not necessarily in the next year.  They don't have to be big things either... just things.  This is my list from 7/15/2010... I'm a year late in getting back to it, and that's okay... in this case it's actually kind of cool because when I finished this list, I had been in my relationship with Rob for less than 4 months.

1. Earn a degree
2. Go to Uncle Mark's Church
3. Take a trip alone
4. Buy diamonds for myself
5. Visit Mr. Mayo
6. Own a home
7. Audition for a show
8. Take singing lessons
9. Be in a show
10. Walk 10,000 miles
11. Get to goal size {175ish?}
12. Go sailing
13. Write a story/book
14. Walk in the Pacific Ocean
15. Pay my parents back
16. Pay off my student loans
17. Have an entire honest day
18. Pay for TI 
19. Sing Karaoke in public
20. Learn a new dance style
21. Stay at the Bellagio
22. Dance in the rain
23. Take a Mia Michaels class
24. Master fouettes
25. Take my kids to Disney
26. Take my family to TI
27. Visit Winchester Mystery House
28. Start a foundation
29. Travel outside the US
30. Master an aerial
31. Foster or adopt a child
32. Read Les Miserables
33. Get a massage
34. Have a selfless day
35. Judge a dance competition
36. Attend the Olympics
37. Get married
38. Donate blood
39. Fill a journal
40. Go to Radio City
41. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center
42. Finish Purpose Driven Life
43. Make a scrapbook
44. Run a full marathon
45. See Les Miserables professionally
46. Have $10,000 in savings
47. Go to the Oprah show
48. Play the lottery
49. Go bungee jumping
50. Ride in a hot air balloon
51. Be a mentor/Big Sister
52. Volunteer at RMHC
53. Build a habitat house
54. Take a cooking class
55. Buy a little black dress
56. Clean out/detail my car
57. Forgive the family situation
58. Ride a mechanical bull
59. Attend the TONYs
60. Be in Times Square for New Year's Eve
61. Drive to CA
62. Get another tattoo
63. Really thank Marc
64. Sleep outside overnight
65. Stretch everyday for a month
66. Win an award for choreography
67. Read the bible
68. Choreograph 100 shows
69. See an original Broadway cast
70. Visit Harry Potter World
71. Go to a book signing
72. See a new concert
73. Buy a new car
74. Get another dog
75. Read 100 books
76. Tell Lindsay
77. Thanks John
78. Say "I love you" and mean it
79. Send out birthday cards for a year
80. Hire a new school for choreography
81. Try caviar
82. Visit a new state
83. Buy a chandelier
84. Buy designer shoes
85. Quit BN
86. Organize the JDSD office
87. Have a JDSD season without mistakes
88. Be in a relationship longer than 6 months
89. See Kristen Chenoweth live
90. Find a church I love
91. Run a half marathon
92. Run a 10k
93. Run a 5k
94. Workout daily
95. Stop procrastinating
96. Make a difference
97. Send someone flowers
98. Be promoted
99. Be a star consultant
100. Go on a cruise

 Then you take the list and check off the things you did {I made these things green}, and cross off the things you no longer feel you need to do - no matter what the reason.

1. Earn a degree
2. Go to Uncle Mark's Church
3. Take a trip alone
4. Buy diamonds for myself
5. Visit Mr. Mayo
6. Own a home
7. Audition for a show
8. Take singing lessons
9. Be in a show
10. Walk 10,000 miles
11. Get to goal size {175ish?}
12. Go sailing
13. Write a story/book
14. Walk in the Pacific Ocean
15. Pay my parents back
16. Pay off my student loans
17. Have an entire honest day
18. Pay for TI 
19. Sing Karaoke in public
20. Learn a new dance style
21. Stay at the Bellagio
22. Dance in the rain
23. Take a Mia Michaels class
24. Master fouettes
25. Take my kids to Disney
26. Take my family to TI
27. Visit Winchester Mystery House
28. Start a foundation
29. Travel outside the US
30. Master an aerial
31. Foster or adopt a child
32. Read Les Miserables
33. Get a massage
34. Have a selfless day
35. Judge a dance competition
36. Attend the Olympics
37. Get married
38. Donate blood
39. Fill a journal
40. Go to Radio City
41. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center
42. Finish Purpose Driven Life
43. Make a scrapbook
44. Run a full marathon
45. See Les Miserables professionally
46. Have $10,000 in savings
47. Go to the Oprah show
48. Play the lottery
49. Go bungee jumping
50. Ride in a hot air balloon
51. Be a mentor/Big Sister
52. Volunteer at RMHC
53. Build a habitat house
54. Take a cooking class
55. Buy a little black dress
56. Clean out/detail my car
57. Forgive the family situation
58. Ride a mechanical bull
59. Attend the TONYs
60. Be in Times Square for New Year's Eve
61. Drive to CA
62. Get another tattoo
63. Really thank Marc
64. Sleep outside overnight
65. Stretch everyday for a month
66. Win an award for choreograph
67. Read the bible
68. Choreograph 100 shows
69. See an original Broadway cast
70. Visit Harry Potter World
71. Go to a book signing
72. See a new concert
73. Buy a new car
74. Get another dog
75. Read 100 books
76. Tell Lindsay
77. Thank John
78. Say "I love you" and mean it
79. Send out birthday cards for a year
80. Hire a new school for choreography
81. Try caviar
82. Visit a new state
83. Buy a chandelier
84. Buy designer shoes
85. Quit BN
86. Organize the JDSD office
87. Have a JDSD season without mistakes
88. Be in a relationship longer than 6 months
89. See Kristen Chenoweth live
90. Find a church I love
91. Run a half marathon
92. Run a 10k
93. Run a 5k
94. Workout daily
95. Stop procrastinating
96. Make a difference
97. Send someone flowers
98. Be promoted
99. Be a star consultant
100. Go on a cruise

Last, you fill in the things you checked off or crossed off and revisit the list in a year!  It's really a neat tool for reflection... Give it a try!

My 100 things - 8/18/2012

1. Earn a degree
2. Get engaged
3. Take Rob on a surprise trip
4. Convert to Judaism
5. Visit Mr. Mayo
6. Own a home
7. Start keeping Shabbatt
8. Weigh less than 200lbs
9. Take a tap class
10. Walk 10,000 miles
11. Get to goal size {175ish?}
12. Go sailing
13. Write a story/book
14. Walk in the Pacific Ocean
15. Pay my parents back
16. Pay off my student loans
17. Be a mom
18. Pay for TI 
19. Be a single digit size
20. Learn a new dance style
21. Stay at the Bellagio
22. Dance in the rain
23. Take a Mia Michaels class
24. Master fouettes
25. Take my kids to Disney
26. Take my family to TI
27. Visit Winchester Mystery House
28. Start a foundation
29. Travel outside the US
30. Master an aerial
31. Visit Israel
32. Read Les Miserables
33. Go see Razia in TX
34. Take flowers to Gram's grave
35. Send George a card
36. Attend the Olympics
37. Get married
38. Join Hevra Kedisha at TI {spelling is waaaay off, I know}
39. Fill a journal
40. Go to Radio City
41. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center
42. Have perfect attendance at work {no unscheduled call offs}
43. Stick to a work out plan
44. Run a full marathon
45. Take Rob to see RENT
46. Have $10,000 in savings
47. Grow bonbon bigger
48. Go back to being a blonde
49. Go bungee jumping
50. Ride in a hot air balloon
51. Be a mentor/Big Sister
52. Volunteer at RMHC
53. Build a habitat house
54. Take a cooking class
55. Get the house completely clean
56. Clean out/detail my car
57. Make 10 recipes from the jeni's cookbook
58. Ride a mechanical bull
59. Attend the TONYs
60. Be in Times Square for New Year's Eve
61. Drive to CA
62. Get another tattoo
63. See a ballet at ABT
64. Sleep outside overnight
65. Stretch everyday for a month
66. Win an award for choreography
67. Go see a live taping of SYTYCD
68. Choreograph 100 shows
69. Take cupcakes to a neighbor
70. Visit Harry Potter World
71. Start recycling
72. See a new concert
73. Buy a new car
74. Get another dog
75. Read 100 books
76. Level all of my characters
77. Thank John
78. Eat at a new restaurant
79. Send out birthday cards for a year
80. Take a sisters trip
81. Complete the 300 ab challenge
82. Have 50 followers on my blog
83. Buy a chandelier
84. Buy designer shoes
85. Participate in Pelotonia
86. Finish year 2 of mine and Rob's scrapbook
87. Accept the fact that I need antidepressants to function
88. Take Rob to see Jason Mraz
89. See Kristen Chenoweth live
90. Run a half marathon
91. Run a 10k
92. Run a 5k
93. Stick to a workout plan
94. Be a Big Sister or mentor
95. Work on a Habitat House
96. Send someone flowers
97. Have 3 level 85 characters on WoW - I know, what a DORK
98. Donate to Locks for Love
99. Go on a cruise
100. Be a mom

So there you go... Here's my 100 things.  I'll re-visit the list a year from now and see what's going on with it... a lot can happen in a year!

*believe always*

Blog Friends Book Club

So my blog friend {and bonbon customer}, Lindsay, has this Blog Friends Book Club and when I saw it I thought, "What a great idea!"  I am so in.  This month their pick is Gone Girl By Gillian Flynn.

Amazon Description: Marriage can be a real killer.
One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this un-putdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.
On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.   I'll be linking up with Lindsay with my review for this book on September 3rd {as well as posting my review here!}.  Can't wait to have a new group of people to talk about books with!  Feel free to grab the book and join us!   Thanks for stopping in, make it a great week!  

*believe always*

Friday Letters

I've seen a few other bloggers who do this on Fridays and I love the concept so I'm starting my own "Friday Letters" feature today.

Dear Shannon - Please tell your friend how much I love my peace tee!  It's adorable and I have already worn it half a dozen times... I'm thinking this will be a new go-to-gift!

Dear Gram - I think about you every day and I miss you so much!  There are so many exciting things going on in my life right now, from my awesome job to being in the {very} beginning stages of wedding planning, I wish I could share them with you.  I wish you could have met Rob and that he could have known you... I think you'd love each other.  <3

Dear Rob - You're my everything... I hope you know that.

Dear Quantum - Thank you for being the job I never knew was my dream.  Who knew I'd work in healthcare long term?  Six months in and the bibble still hasn't burst, I'm so blessed to be a part of your organization.

Dear Jimmy Johns - Today it took 50 minutes for my order to be delivered... not so freaky fast.

Dear Readers - Thanks for tuning in and have a GREAT weekend!!!

So What! Wednesday

We're linking up with Shannon again over at L.A.I.D.  Sure to stop over there and let us know what you're saying So What! to this week.

Here's what we're saying So What! to this week:

• Rob and I went to our first wedding expo last weekend.  No official engagement yet, but we have a date, it's a little over a year away.  We had a blast and got some great ideas!  **Hey brides, there was a woman at the expo who had all of her information printed out on stickers... every time she had to fill out a form, enter a raffle, etc. she just whipped out a sticker and slapped it on the form.  AMAZING... I am so doing that in the future!!!**
• I got some news from a few family members and it is stressing me out... not sure where to go from here.
• I feel really proud of myself even though I haven't stepped on a scale in a long time... I workout out 5 days last week and that feels AWESOME!
• Our house is *still* a disaster.  We have luggage from the beach that hasn't been unpacked.  I'm learning to enjoy life more and not stress about the house.  There are plenty of weekends for cleaning and it will get there.
•  I am OBSESSED with looking at our vacation pictures.  There are so many great ones and they make me so happy.
• I am contemplating a get together aka mini housewarming for this fall.  So much has changed in this house since I moved in and I'd like an excuse to show it off to friends and family... after we finish painting that is.

Have a great Wednesday!!!