I am so happy to announce that Mr. O proposed, and I said yes!
We’ve been engaged for two whole weeks now, and I’m on top of the world. I’m so happy to have the chance to marry my best friend, and I look forward to sharing more about the wedding planning process with you all.
Yahoo!
I have a lot to catch you all up on. I don’t even know where to start, so here is a sloppy, quickly-written bulletin post:
My plan is to put aside time to try to get some of these stories on the blog.
Update: I needed to include the following video on this post. Honestly friends, this is what our country truly believes. I feel very fortunate to live and work with benefits, such as health insurance, in the state of Massachusetts. Much of what is in the Affordable Healthcare Act is already in place in Massachusetts. There are no preexisting clauses, all companies with a certain number of employees must offer health coverage, etc. I’m not going to argue politics here, but I’d love for everyone to put politics aside and do some research. When was it that people stopped researching things and started adopting what they hear from others or making assumptions. I know you’ve probably seen this video a bunch of times today, but I honestly can’t help but reposting.
Before I say goodbye (for the second time), I’d like to redirect you to my friend Becky’s blog from today. She talks about the government shutdown and shares her thoughts so eloquently. I fully stand behind her post.
I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this song. The music industry needed something like this for a long, long time.
I’m a huge advocate for equal rights, especially when it comes to love. Marriage is about love, not about a man and a woman. I’m so proud of Rhode Island, my neighboring state, for passing the law to allow same-sex marriage, and I’m even more happy to see my friends getting married and picking up marriage licenses who have been waiting far too long for this moment.
Today is my fifth anniversary. Five years ago today I quit smoking, which is something I never thought possible. Five year ago today, I didn’t think I would be sitting here with a true nonsmoker status. I wasn’t sure I’d make a few days, a week, a month, a year, nevermind five whole years. But I have, and I think that is extremely special. I’m not sure what to say about it this year. Five years seems so significant, and I don’t know what to say. But I document it every year; see, last year I documented my fourth anniversary…
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I don’t know what is wrong with me, but I’ve decided to take a go at NaBloPoMo again. November is the official month and many of my blogging friends are participating as well. I’m going to try focusing in on gratitude this month. A few years ago on my old blog, I took part in Grace In Small Things, which is a 365 day project where you list what you are grateful for every day of that year. Now, I loved this project and think that the month of November is a perfect time to try to resurrect a more grateful nature. If all goes well, you’ll get thirty days of gratitude on the blog.
 I think my monthly goal and NaBloPoMo will nicely compliment each other this month. Are you wondering how my goal to organize for the month of October worked? Ehh, I did try. There were many organizational projects I tackled. I just don’t see the type of results I wanted. My plate is pretty full right now with work and Spry and family and life in general, so I do need to cut myself a little slack. October was a decent month for my organizational goal; it wasn’t a failure, but it also wasn’t a huge win. I guess you guys will see first hand how well I do in November!
So to start my first November NaBloPoMo post off: I’m so thankful that I quit smoking five years ago on that drizzly, chilly November morning. I’m so glad that while the Chantix I took literally made me crazy, it also helped me quit smoking. I am beyond grateful that I got off the Chantix as quickly as I did and I didn’t end up too far in the deep end. I’m so happy to have the people in my life who supported me through that tough time in my life.
I’m also so thankful and proud of myself. Good for you, Erin. You loved smoking so much. Cigarettes were your friend, your confidant, your support. Good for you for ending that toxic relationship. You have a strong will, and I usually don’t give you enough credit for your strength, but you deserve a huge hug and a pat on the back. Yes, the Chantix helped. Yes, you had a pretty good support system. But no matter what, you did this all yourself. Every day in the past one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven days, you have made the conscious decision not to pick up a cigarette. How cool is that? Good job, Erin. Good job.
I loved Sarah’s overview of her BlogHer experience. She paced herself and didn’t set unrealistic expectations. I’d love to attend a huge blogging conference like BlogHer. Maybe next year.
I am so excited to link you to Dani’s post on vision boards. I am a huge believer of presenting your intentions to the universe. I also love the idea of vision boards, but it has been years since I’ve made one for myself. I’ve also always been pretty unhappy with the vision boards I have created because they always look messy, but I am head over heels with the way Dani has set up her vision board. It is neat, while still serving its purpose. I would love to make one of these for my house.
Do you live anywhere near Stamford, CT? If so, you should attend this reading by my friend A.J. O’Connell on Monday, August 13, 2012.
And speaking of friends who write books, I have an exciting announcement. My friend Colleen wrote a book about staging your home when selling. I haven’t read it yet, but I am sure it is informative and well-written. The exciting thing is that you can download her book FOR FREE this weekend (and this weekend only!).
Happy 38th wedding anniversary to my parents!
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Want more Weekly Internet Finds? Check out my past posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Bonjour!
Have you recently found your way over here from Erin or Ashley’s blogs? If so, welcome! Make yourself at home. I bet you’re wondering, “Who is this Erin character?†Now, that is a good question. The easiest way to get a brief overview of who I am is to check out the “About the Girl†tab at the top of this page (which really does need to be updated, sigh). However, I’ve provided a short list below because I like to make things nice and simple for you.
And here are some of the key players on this blog:
Oh…and these things happen often around these parts.
So… That’s all folks! I’d love it if you introduced yourself, because I love to check out new blogs. Have an amazing day!
Days Until 2012: via
It is time for a MEME! I used to love filling out those silly survey emails when I was a kid. The other day I got a tweet from Erin that just said Tag! I was like huh? Then I read her blog and realized she tagged me in the meme she completed. Holy, super excited batman! I’m in!
Here’s the rules.
11 Facts About Myself
And the questions from Erin.
Okay here is where my questions come in!
I’m tagging…Erin, Elizabeth, Angela, Kate, Phil, AJ, Holly, Ashley, Lexah, Daisy, and Lisa!
If you play along, be sure to let me know. I’d love to see how you answered my questions.
I don’t know whether to announce that I haven’t even made an attempt yet at NaNoWriMo, and therefore am already giving up, or just haul ass and write all those words I missed in the past three days. I haven’t decided yet. Thoughts?
I made dinner last night for Wolverine and Mr. O. I won’t lie, I’m pretty proud of myself. I made garlic bread, corn on the cob, spaghetti with little necks and a garlic/wine/cream sauce. Mr. O helped a tiny little bit too, so I’ll give him some credit, but I did a lot of it on my own. I promise pictures will follow.
My nose is so stuffy.
Oh, yesterday I stopped by Target after work. I have a great idea for all you brides out there. Anyone who is getting married in the next year and planning on doing a candy buffet for their “favors” should 100% ABSOLUTELY go to your retail stores and stock up now on candy. Right now at Target it is 50% off. I’m sure it will also go to 75% off. But you can go anywhere: supermarkets, drug stores, etc. I got a bag of mini snack size Hershey bars to bring into work for $1.37 yesterday. You can easily complete a candy buffet for at least 50% by doing this. There was so much candy that didn’t even have Halloween markings on it. You could never tell the difference. Plus it won’t spoil. Just keep it in a cool area of your home, and if necessary you can always put it in the fridge or freezer. I doubt you’ll need to do this until summer, and maybe not even then.
This is is probably only 1/3 of the $1.37 bag I bought!!
Hello friends!
So very sorry that it has been so long since I’ve posted on here. Life crept up on me in September and I am still trying to catch up with everything. Last week I announced my graduate school project, The Story Behind the Status, Â and I’m glad to say that the reception has been really good. I’ve got a lot of questions and comments about the project. I still need to work on the website a little and post some links, but I’m happy to announce that so far, everything is working out.
So my first 101 in 1001 challenge is officially over. I finished it on 10/1/11. One of my goals was to complete a new 101 goals list, which I am currently working on. My plan was to start challenge #2 on 10/10/11 with a completion date of 7/7/14, but unless I can finish the list by the end of the day, I might have to find a new date to begin.
What I really need to do tonight is organize my life. I have so many things to do. Between work, school and my personal life, I feel as if I have this ridiculous, scary, insurmountable to-do list. It gets worse though, because I don’t actually have all these items written down, which is paramount for me. If it is not written down, then it doesn’t get done. Unfortunately, that is kind of a life motto for me. I survive with the help of lists. If I don’t have them, then it is as my brain/body assumes I have nothing to do.
Both my birthday and Mr. O’s birthday was in September. I promise to share all the juicy details soon, which include batting cages, sickness, waffles and pho.
Also since I’ve last written, I vacationed in Vermont and New Hampshire. Both vacations were short trips, but I think they both deserve their own post. Plus, I take fun photos.
This was the first year I didn’t plan or do floral design for any weddings. I was a bridesmaid in one wedding this year, and a guest at another wedding (both of which were amazing weddings), but I didn’t make any weddings (or special events) happen. I’m not really sure how I feel about this. Part of me feels a little refreshed and relaxed. In the past few years between being in weddings and planning/designing weddings (or both), I got really burnt out. My love for all things event related never went away, but it just took a lot out of me. I do miss it; I enjoy being involved with important moment in people’s lives. Times like this though, I need to realize that I can’t be everywhere, and I can’t do everything. My focus needs to be on school, my relationship, friends and family and work. Everything else that I can fit in to my life is just an added bonus.
Speaking about focusing on school, I will be graduating (hopefully) in 9 months. I’m going to call this new phase my thesis pregnancy. I have 9 months (well technically less, because I need to submit my thesis probably a month or more before graduation) to complete a creative thesis for school. I’m writing a memoir of linked essays. I still don’t understand how I will have a book completed in 9 months, but I’m going to stop worrying about it and start working on it. I do have the freedom to take an extra semester to study, but ideally I want to graduate with my class, and I want to start teaching at the college level. So, I hope you’ll be here for my throughout my thesis gestation period, because I am going to need all the support I can get.
Also, tomorrow I will be posting the next installment of my Defining Moments guest blogging series. You’re not going to want to miss this one!
Ola, amigos. Have you recently found your way over here from Kyla’s blog? If so, welcome! Make yourself at home. I bet you’re wondering, “Who is this Erin character?” That’s a good question. The easiest way to get a brief overview of who I am is to check out the “About the Girl” tab at the top of this page. However, I’ve provided a short list below cause I like to make things nice and simple for you.
And here are some of the key players on this blog:
Oh…and these things happen often around these parts.
So I am pretty excited about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Now we need to make the right to marry whom you love legal regardless of sexual orientation. In the FCKH8 video I posted last month, one of the people in it made a great point. Well, the whole video made a bunch of great points, but here is something that stood out to me:Â To protect the “sanctity” of marriage, why not try outlawing divorce? Its ridiculous to pretend that we are “protecting” marriage by only allowing heterosexuals to marry. How can that be the right idea? Rush Limbaugh is already on his fourth wife. Which means he has been divorced three times. What do his relationships say about heterosexual marriages? In my opinion, marriage should be about two people who love each other, who are willing to put in the effort it takes to be in a relationship (for life). It shouldn’t make a difference who you are marrying.
So you know, I can’t help but watch Say Yes To The Dress marathons on tv.
On another note, I was just watching something on the news about the process of designing book jackets. As a future bestselling author, the whole process was really interesting to me. Especially because as a book buyer, what the book looks like is hugely important to me. Unless I am going to purchase a specific book, I sure as hell am influenced by the book looks like. I own probably over 300 books, and I’d say i truly like 85% of the covers. In the middle of the show, someone  said this, “What’s on our shelves can be as telling as what’s on our walls.” Love it.
So, there is a bunch of stuff I want to share with you, and I figured I’d give it to you all at once rather than try to create separate posts. (This could be because my brain is all jumbled, and I’m not sure what I’m even thinking yet or that I am lazy and only want to write one post or that I am so excited to share that I need to do it all at once… You choose.)
I had a lot more thoughts popping around this ol’ head of mine before I started writing this post. But mid post, I started to think about my next packet I need to prepare for graduate school, and got a bit distracted. It happens.
It happens a lot actually…
