irrelevant (and sometimes questionable) ramblings

Hi gang –

Sincere apologies for not showing my face around here recently. Suddenly immersing oneself into wedding planning can do that to a body.

I’d forgotten just how much chaos is involved in these projects. And part of what’s bothering me is we don’t have a date nailed down yet. The minister is ready and available, but we can’t pick one of her three dates until we find a reception hall that is

1. available and
2. won’t break the bank

Once we have the date, then I can start making phone calls to book hair and makeup appointments, mani/pedis, dancing lessons (hehehe!) and all that sort of stuff.

Anyway. I must remember not to lose focus on the books while I’m at it. I’ve got revisions to finish, and some new ones to work on. Not to mention I should be finding out soon about one book currently on Ye Mighty Editor’s desk. S’okay. It’ll all come out in the wash. And as Boy Einstein says, as long as, at the end of the day, we’re married, that’s all that matters.

That’d be exactly it.

Ooooookay.

Well, Gentle Readers, yours truly went and did something crazy on the weekend — and got engaged.

Yup, I know. A shocker, isn’t it??

Some of you may know that this’ll be my second time down ye auld aisle, and things will be a little different this time. For instance, I’m not wearing a traditional wedding dress. BT,DT and burned the silk.

The thing is, though, the last time I planned a wedding, *mumble* years ago, we did a number of things ourselves and on the cheap. Now, researching hall rentals, djs, florists and dresses (!) I’m experiencing major sticker shock. Ack!

Anyway. It’s all good. Exciting, worrying, time-consuming… but good.

If people are interested, I shall keep you posted on the ongoing saga. (Well, you may not want to hear about it, but this may be my venting forum. Be prepared. *ggg*)

So. Now I’m back to surfing the ‘net for more info, making budget sheets, and generally trying to shove this balloon full of Jell-o into a tin can (for manageability, of course). Wish me luck. I think we may need it!

So. Yesterday was awesome, despite a mild headache that plagued me right from waking, but that’s okay.

Today’s activities include: going to church, the Day Job’s Children’s Christmas party (which makes the Offspring giddy with excitement)… and…

A special date with Boy Einstein to mark one year of togetherness! Who’d a-thunk it?! Amazing that it’s been a whole year. Time flies when you’re having fun, don’t it?

*smooches*, B.E….

This weekend is absolutely insane.

Fun, but insane.

Today I’m having lunch with my bestest cousin (no offense to the other cousins, they all pretty much rock the party ) for a good catch-up. Then after that, I have a hair appointment — nothing dramatic, just a bit of a trim and slight reshaping. Post-hair, I should probably run to the one shoe store that I have the best luck in and see if I can find some low boots for driving. (I have my high-heeled, essentially useless but hot-looking dress boots, and I have my clodhopper ultra-warm Sorels for bus-waiting, but nothing in-between. I need something between the other two extremes for day-to-day commuting, etc.)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND, after that — it’s a double-date of dinner with Rella and hubby, and then James Bond - Quantum of Solace!! W00T!

Tomorrow has its own schedule of busy-ness, but that’s tomorrow’s post.

So. Worked on revisions today on Lovely.

Let’s just say it wasn’t a very productive morning, and I’m almost more confused than I was when I started. It’s not an easy thing to start chopping, adding and pasting an already-existing story. You need to remember silly things like plot elements that need to continue logically through, and if character X says something in the beginning, you’d better make sure he or she doesn’t repeat those words or change his or her opinion three chapters later. Ugh.

Anyway. I did actually do some work, which is a good thing in general. We’ll see if I can squeeze in some more time later to get this sucker out the door sooner rather than later. It’ll be tricky, because this weekend is biz-zay. We’ll see what happens. I’ll keep you posted.

In the span of about eight hours, we went from brown grass and bare branches to several inches of snow. And of course, I went to work wearing shoes this morning. Not my brightest moment.

Oh, well. It had to come sooner or later, didn’t it? And there’s actually a good chance that this might stay — temperatures are supposed to remain below freezing for the next little while, with the addition of further flurries. Yick.

However, I just remind myself that shoveling is not a chore — it’s exercise. And since I had to work off the serving of potato chips I had with dinner…

(Actually, it was beautiful outside tonight — not too cold, no wind, and the gentle fall of fluffy snowflakes. That’s the kind of winter I like.)

ps. Got to the gym again, today. Go me!

It’s late, and I should be in bed (the date/time stamp on the post will be wrong — I’m writing this Tuesday night). I mean to be, but I keep thinking of things that I can’t forget to do before tomorrow.

Dagnabbit. I have to be up early, as the Offspring has a quick doctor’s appointment first thing, and I really should be sleeping by now. Oh, well. C’est la vie.

Most importantly, my bag is packed and ready to go. Yes, I’m truckin’ back to the gym for another workout. I really, really need to get back into this routine I’m trying to start. Keep your fingers crossed for me, if you would. I’d like to be Weasel-worthy by at least the spring, again, if I could (if not earlier)…

Will wonders never cease! Yours truly managed to drag her sorry little behind to the gym tonight after work. Didn’t do a whole lot, as I was watching the clock, but managed some cardio on the elliptical, then walking lunges, regular and side planks, regular and oblique crunches and some stretching. The most important part was I definitely broke a sweat. Having ye auld MP3 along helped a lot — there’s nothing like a little raunchy hip-hop to get you moving.

Anyway. The plan is to get to the gym at least twice a week, plus squash with Rella. Anything extra on top of that is gravy.

Boy Einstein has also convinced me that we should sign up for a local 5K run that takes place in May 2009. I calculated it out today — if I start training in March, I can be ready to do a 5K in May. (I’m not running through the winter this year. I figure once in my life was plenty!) So if nothing else, that should help knock off those Velcro-y pounds that seem to have stuck to me without my noticing. Sheesh! The noive!

Personally, I think it’s a crime against nature that it’s so easy to put weight on, but so hard to take it off…!

No, I’m certainly not a man. But I was ramblin’ this weekend. It was time for a road trip with Boy Einstein, the Offspring, and yours truly.

A good time was had by all, but boy, after a grand total of about 14 hours in a car, I am glad to be home. There’s something about being in your own bed, and in your own space, you know? And I am pooped. Life’s just not supposed to have that hectic of a pace. At least, I don’t think. If it does, then I’m in trouble, because I just don’t have the stamina to go like that from breakfast to bedtime.

The only other drawback is that after a hectic work week, there was no ‘down’ time on the weekend to just recharge for the coming days.

S’okay. We shall survive. As my grandmother used to say, “Live hard, work hard, sleep when you’re dead.”

Amen, Mummu.

Wanted:

One extremely helpful and energetic personal assistant. Must be good at multitasking and deciphering scribbled To-Do lists on random scraps of paper. Creativity an asset, especially in translating such obscure and sensitive phrases as “p/u trgf” and “go to ciotliijg”. Able to stay on top of all birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions that require cards and/or gifts to be mailed on time. Driver’s license and a willingness to play chauffeur strongly recommended. Flexibility and punctuality, and the ability to pack a complete weekend bag in fifteen minutes essential. Cheerful disposition and large pectoral muscles required.

Hours: 8AM to 8PM, Monday to Friday

Pay: genuine smiles, warm bear hugs, and pats on the head, not to mention a feeling of complete satisfaction for jobs well done

Apply within.