Another one down...

Ok, it's been a long week...but leaving with this note!

"Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!"



- Christian Larson

tru dat~
♥ V :)

A day in this life

Typical day, at this particular time in my life.

Alarm, snooze, alarm, snooze, many, many more times, so many, it is just plain embarrassing. Contemplate washing my hair, and decide against it. Perform miracle on day 3 hair which involves powders, sprays, combs and a striking amount of backcombing and a headband. Throw clothes in gym bag as I did not shower, and will shower at the gym at work on my lunch. Start up the keurig for a perfectly brewed cup of coffee that takes approximately 20 seconds (this is a highlight.) Commence commute to the downtown area, in complete silence, as Ian's truck has no radio, and my car of course needs to go to shop as I broke it. Perform complicated task of putting on full face of makeup in a moving vehicle at  many stoplights; attempt to not poke out eyes while drawing on eyeliner.

Arrive at destination one hour and 15 minutes later, after leaving earlier than usual for work. Apparently other people are also leaving earlier for work, making us all in fact, later than if I had left, later. Wind through elaborate labyrinth of parking garage stairs, elevators, crosswalks to reach building in utter cold. Arrive and board elevator with Elevator People. Try to get to the 12th floor, which goes something like this:

*"How long will it take [Vanessa] to get to her desk if she and the two men get on the elevator on the first floor, she pushes 12, the next man pushes 7, and the other man pushes 9, but on the second floor, a new man gets on and pushes 4, on the third floor, a lady gets on and pushes 5, on the fourth floor, the second-floor man gets out, on the fifth floor, the third-lady gets out but another one gets on and pushes 6, on the sixth floor, the fifth-floor lady gets out but another one wants on and hasn't decided where to meet her sixth-floor friend for lunch so she blocks the elevator door with her foot...until the door wants to close so badly it threatens to slice her little shoe right off her foot..." and so on and so on.  Arrive at 12th floor!

Hooray, after all that, I get to start my work day!

Start up a portfolio review meeting with shiny, happy leasing reps staring at me, involving video and audio for a shocking amount of satellite offices. Pray that complicated apparatuses are all working!! Continue through meeting, ensuring that a massive amount of people, all over the country, who could be traveling at any given time, present at their specific time. Call, email, call again said people. Constantly. For.eight. hours.  Tenant requests sparkling water. Commence emails for others assisting to hunt down sparkling water. $15 dollars and two bottles later, man has his water. Keep carrying on.

Meeting is over.  Start obsessing about wedding details.  Stare at many scattered lists laying around cubicle. Ponder things such as, how long will it take to hand make my own seating chart? Is this a worthwhile task? What first song should Ian and I dance to? Will I have a good hair day on my wedding day? Will the white chairs clash with the cream flowers? Will I care about any of this on my wedding day? Oh yeah...and... my house burnt down. What will we sit on when we move into our new house? We will not own chairs. Must definitely buy some chairs.  And glasses to drink out of. And...lots of other...things. Yes, start buying these things immediately.

Nine hours have passed. Start commute home, again navigating passage of elevators, stairs, crosswalks and creepy parking garage, still in utter cold. Think how I have lost three pairs of gloves in two months. Think, where did those gloves go exactly?

Arrive home to adorable toddler and family. Begin elaborate night time ritual with two year old daughter, where I fit in an entire day's worth of affection, play and attention into a span of approximately one to two hours. Try not to pass out during this time.  Accomplish amazing feat of feeding, playing, bathing, reading and tucking in.

Ritual has played itself out. Commence similar routine with significant other, fitting in entire days worth of affection, conversation and attention in one to two hours. Rapidly consume alcoholic beverage of choice during this time.

Drag my rag doll body up stairs. Flounce into bed, after washing face and applying creams and potions so I wake up rested and youthful looking, not hag-like. Read inspiring books, magazines and all varieties of literature, inspring me to get up tomorrow and do this whole thing all over again.

Yeah, so like, I give....can I um, retire yet??

♥ V :)

*This passage was adapted from recent read, "I Love Everbody, (and other Atrocious Lies) by Laurie Notaro. Read it. It is funny. You will laugh your socks off.

Perfect match

I keep seeing this graphic everywhere and it makes me laugh every time! Because...it reminds me of me and Mr. Awesome, you see. And we all know that I love coffee, so.........hahahaha

Oooooh, I'm gonna get it when he sees this...!!

Three years and going strong!

Love you Mr. Awesome...xoxo ♥ me

Pink decorating ideas

Ok, so it's no secret that I LOOOVE pink! I know, I know. I've had to tame down this obsession of mine since moving in with Ian. I had to GET REAL about what it means to live with a MAN. As in, no more dainty pink tea sets sitting about, pink hand towels, etc. However, I have this secret fantasy that some day, I will own a little cottage, and I will decorate it all in pretty pastel, retro, shabby chic colors...with LOTS of pink. These pics are for my *dream file!*

I want to bake cupcakes in this kitchen...

Curl up with a book on this chaise...

Spend hours organizing my shoes in this closet..

Do LOTS of crafts in this happy craft room...

and finally, getting real, I love these grey stripes. This is an actual possibility for the new house!

♥ V :)

Honoring my Grandfather

I wrote this poem for my Grandparent's 65th wedding anniversary this past summer. He passed away yesterday (see previous post.) I thought it was fitting to honor him again by re posting it here. ♥

Their story starts way back in time,
While going to school at Union, and growing up on the farm,
Walter G. Wimmer met Marieta Ellen Smith,
The rest is history, as he’d found a girl with real charm.

But like many young men, he signed up,
And went off to serve his nation,
They got married when Grandpa took leave from the Navy,
And started a life filled with mutual appreciation.

Over time they had four children,
Linda, Nancy, Randy and Gary,
With Gary living on in their hearts,
The children grew up in a home that was happy and merry.

Together through the years,
They have lived lives full of service to the Lord,
Making their church home at Jerome,
God has blessed them with more than any man could afford.

They’ve always loved to travel,
In fact they’ve seen all 50 states,
Always venturing out together,
Riding Grandpa’s motorcycle on many dates.

For fifteen years, they went to Gulf Shores,
To spend the winter by the coast,
Enjoying the sunshine, ocean and friendship,
Out of life, they have made the most.

In ‘76, on Lake Webster they found a second home,
As we all know Grandpa loves to boat and to fish,
I treasure my summer memories there,
For them to know how much fun we had, this I wish.

The whole family’s here together,
To join in these celebrations,
Too many loved ones now to list,
But we have reached four generations.

So from all your loving family,
There’s just one last thing to say,
May God bless and keep you both,
And let’s enjoy this special day.

Weekend update

Other than some sad news this afternoon (more on that later), we had a nice, snowy weekend. I did a little craft project in Lauren's room...super easy and simple. I found these pretty felt shapes at Michael's along with all of the felt add-ons. I know it isn't much, but it's a little something extra to make her room feel more cheery! We aren't hanging pictures with nails in the condo to ensure our (massive) security deposit is returned, so this was a fun little project that didn't involve putting holes in any walls. I love it!

Lauren clapped in approval!

Notice the mini Hello Kitty collection here...as much for mommy as Lauren :)

Like I mentioned, it was a good weekend. We met with our builder for two hours for the new house on Saturday morning and saw the preliminary drafts.  Lauren and I did some finger painting and chalk drawings. Then, we all went for the wedding reception tasting at Allison Mansion Saturday evening. We were very pleased with the selections.

On Sunday morning, I celebrated my good friend Sara's birthday at Petite Chou for brunch! We had champagne and ham and brie sandwiches while Lauren had their delicious oatmeal. Lauren was happy to wave to the other patrons, and even checked out a new little baby next to our table she couldn't resist. We then did a little shopping with some gift cards and headed home.

I took a long afternoon nap, but woke up to some not so good news. Unfortunately, my grandfather on my mother's side, Walter Wimmer, passed away today. He just turned 87 this month. He was so loved by our family and we will miss him, but I am also rejoicing that he no longer has to suffer from stage 3 cancer. He lived a FULL life and I know that he is in heaven. Soon enough I hope he will be fishing, playing horse shoes and working on his wood carvings - all things that made him happy that he was no longer able to do. He was a Christian, a loving husband for 65 years and retired from the Navy. I'm praying for my grandmother during this difficult time. I'll always think fondly of my memories with Grandpa at the lake at North Webster, playing his harmonica, at Gulf Shores in Alabama and laughing with Grandma. We love you Grandpa. ♥

Another week is coming tomorrow. I feel ready to go. These snowy weekends are great for spending lots of time with family and getting super prepared for the week. I'm feeling that life is precious these days, with lots of blessings to be thankful for...

♥ V :)