looking at wedding rings

Could it possibly be that close that it's time to ring shop? I hope so, it's been a long time waiting to get married. We've been waiting for over 2 years now, in fact, I left Cincinnati 2 years ago this weekend to come out to California to get married.

I guess it's worth the wait. We are very deeply in love with each other. We have enough love to see us through because we are happy, we trust each other, we are responsible for ourselves, we complete each other. I like that. He truly is the right person for me. Even on the days that I am not my best and my behavior is not the best - he still loves me - and vice versa.

Our dreams are compatible. Our dreams are the same. We might see things differently on the surface, but deep down we have the same values, morals, ethics, love, and goals. It's great to be with him. It's great to share with him. I love my life, I love my future husband!

Commuting

I commute to work every day. You know I ride the train. It's a good way to get to work. But today i was thinking about something - it's kind of strange or weird.

I mean...you go the train station, stand around with tons of other people that you don't know. Then you get on the train with all these strangers and sit next to people that smell , you can hear their ipod playing, they are talking on the phone or to others on the train, reading books or working on the computer. But the point is you are riding with strangers.

Then when our train arrives at the station, a shuttle picks us to - and our shuttle gets quite packed depending on the time it arrives. I catch the early train and even that shuttle is full every morning. And the riders are just a subset of the train crowd of strangers.

Nothing out of the ordinary ever happens, we ride down the coast, I see the ocean, it takes 25 minutes with a few stops, I see cars, mountains, sunrise and sunset. It's a long day and I spend it with strangers. What's wrong with that picture???

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Live, Laugh, and Love

I try to stay positive. I think it's important to try my hardest, do my best and always try to improve myself. No matter what has happened to me in my life, I've tried to remain positive. And I've had alot of shit happen over the years.........money problems, relationship problems, parent/kid problems, job problems, drama, chaos and hassles. But through it all, I have tried to remember the God is with me, He alone carries me through every situation. He doesn't give me more that I can handle. And He blesses me beyond my wildest dreams.

I mean, look at the last few years. I made a list of all the attributes I wished for in a man. I prayed and asked God to help me find this man, to put him in my life so I could have a partner, someone to face every day life with, someone to grow old with, someone that wouldn't be in it for just himself. And what happens, a few months laterI get a phone call that changes my life.

I've spent the last two years living in California with him, waiting for the 'right time' to tie the knot. It's been wonderful, not necessarily perfect, but it wasn't supposed to be perfect. NOTHING is perfect, only God. But wonderful - it's definitely been wonderful. He spoils me, I try to spoil him back. We are partners, we face everything together, we love each other our whole lives, have known each other our whole lives. It's just been the greatest 2 years with him. It's fantastic!

We laugh, love, cry, care and LIVE for each other, for our happiness. It's great! It's what I always wanted. Thanks Honey!! You are the BEST! And our relationship is an answer to my prayers and a dream come true.

Lessons Learned

Life sends lots of lessons our way. Ideally, we learn from those lessons so we don't have to keep repeating the past. Life's lessons come in all sizes, all degrees. If we learn from these lessons and grow in wisdom, we can mentor and share support with those going through the same lesson. There is no substitute for experience!

'Don't talk to strangers' 'Lock the doors' 'Put on your seat belt' 'Do unto others...' 'Love like there's no tomorrow' 'Get gas before you run out' (hehe!) 'Don't stop at the Bates Hotel' (ok now I'm being silly) 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' 'Follow your instincts about men' 'If you think they are bad, they probably are' 'Don't spoil the kids, dogs' 'You are what you eat' (OY!) and so on!

Those are the little ones, but are important.

Then there are bigger ones - like trusting strangers, watching out who are your friends, watch the circle you keep. Those can start innocent and you think you're having fun, but before you know it you are into drugs and/or something that you can't easily escape. These days people like that don't let you just "leave"; it's hard and you can find yourself trapped or hurt or worse.

It's unfortunate that the world isn't a wholesome, trusting place as it once was. I grew up in a time when innocence was passing and the result is this world today. It's not all bad, don't get me wrong, but it has changed alot since my parents lifetime. There seems to be more crimes, more child abuse, more child predators, more murders, more drugs, more government in our lives, more fear, more caution, more more more.

You can't let your children go play alone, ride bikes all day, run around i nthe woods (well, there's no woods in SoCali), but you get the drift. We used to get up in the morning, walk to school, cut through the woods to get to school, hang out with our friends, play until dark and I don't think my mom knew exactly where I was - she had an idea. Today, you have to know where your kids are, who they are with, you have to drive them everywhere, you can't let them just go out and play. It's terrible.

I want to go back to a simpler time. Live where there's lots of trees, farms, peace, quiet, families and friends. Hope to be going back to Ohio soon..............lesson learned: California is a GREAT place to visit, but Ohio is a WONDERFUL place to live.

Thursday morning....back to the grind :)

Even though I don't consider my job a "grind" like some people do, I'm still heading to work on the train and wishing I was still in Cincinnati. I miss my kids, friends, family. They really want us to move back and after being there, it would be the smart thing to do. We don't have any support system here - and with Roland's health issues we will need it.

If something happens to him, I'm the only driver in the house now, so it will be all on me. If we were living in Cincinnati it would be totally different. His family, my family, the kids, our friends - we could all drive him if he needed it. Plus, there is a good transportation system for medical support in the area.

It would be an adjustment of sorts: we would end up paying LESS for gas, housing, utilities, food, clothing, taxes - well GEE - WE WOULD PAY LESS FOR EVERYTHING!! What the heck! Our family and friends are watching out for good pieces of property for us to consider buying and as far as everyone is concerned - we are moving back to Cincinnati.

I would have a job either way - would prefer to keep my current job because I really do love it. Don't know how they would feel about it, but I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
The vacation was great, the time off was needed, the trip was absolutely divine! Funny, we live in 'vacationland' and prefer to go back to the midwest for vacation - my co-workers think I'm nuts! And they are probably right, but not for this reason!

I'm on the train - it actually rained today so I didn't want to drive my car - the traffic is at a standstill anyway but even worse when it rains. These people would be lost if they had to drive
in the snow :) I hope when they go to Big Bear to ski, that I'm not on the roads. I do love the train, I love that I can type/read/listen to music and ride to work. It's so worth it! I was going to try to get there at 7:30 this morning, but I just couldn't make myself get up in time. I guess I am having a tough time getting off of vacation. :)

Thanks for everyone that I got to see for making my trip so much fun and for those that I didn't get to see or talk to, when we move back I'll be sure to see you! Wish me luck making the decisions, getting my company on board and making another cross country move. (THE LAST ONE I HOPE!!)

healthy living

My son and his wife were just here showing me some of the health products they sell with their business. I think it's great because they are really into it, they like the products and gave me samples. Has anyone ever heard of Quixtar? They have "exclusive" products that are making eating and staying healthy simple. If it's simple will we do it?

I already try, but sometimes the cravings take over. If there are healthful alternatives maybe the cravings can be controlled. I'm going to try...........I've been on vacation and so far it's been an EAT-FEST!! Good thing there wasn't Oktoberfest while we were in town - we ate enough Cincinnati food - Skyline, Frisch's, White Castle (yes, against my will I had a cheeseburger), Riley's, IHOP (and it was horrid), Cazadore's, Dancing Wasabe (absolutely wonderful), and my favorite the cookout at my friend's with all the home cooking.

We have one more day here in town, then when we get up Wed. morning, we're heading back to San Diego. One of these days, it will be the opposite way...we'll be leaving San Diego and heading back home.

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." - Amelia Earhart

Vacation

We are having so much fun on vacation! We're visiting our family and friends and it's fantastic!! We've eaten so much food it's ridiculous!! I wanted Skyline - he wanted Frisch's - I wanted wings (getting that today) - he wanted White Castle (eeeeccckkk!) - we had a cookout at my best friend's house last night, big bonfire, great time - great food, friends, family and laughter. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE MY FRIENDS!! We all had a wonderful time.

One thing about Cincinnati, we have everything that California has (except the beaches and mountains) but as for stores, restaurants, events, football, baseball - there's always a festival, somewhere to go and something to do.

Yesterday, we drove around in our rented red, convertible mustang - we went all over the place, started out in Springdale, hit Winton Woods, NCH, Hartwell, Reading, Amberley, Deer Park, Kenwood, Madiera, Indian Hill, Loveland, Maineville, Landen, Mason, Goshen Township, and ended in Milford. It was so much fun - so many trees, so much green, big beautiful houses, giant yards, perfect weather. I just can't tell you how wonderful it is here.

Don't get me wrong, So Cali is amazing - but it's crowded and expensive. Here it's friendly, open, affordable and wonderful. :) Can you tell I miss it??? hehe

Oh well, we're off to church, going to the Vineyard - totally great church - and then off to watch the Bengals. So, I have to go get ready, more later!!!

9/11/2007

It's been a strange day. I was very busy with one of my most important clients - we had meetings all day. In the midst of all of it, I kept thinking about the anniversary of 9/11, the worst terrorist attack EVER on our wonderful nation's soil. I realized that on that fateful day I was in meetings discussing a client project. I'll never forget how shocked I was. I think of all that has happened in the world since then and it makes me sad.

I don't feel any safer.

Who-Dey?? Go Bengals

Who-Dey!!

I was soooooooo happy tonight. Not only is it the first week of NFL Football, my team -- the Bengals -- had opening night of their 40th season on Monday Night Football!! Wow! and they WON!! I don't get to see all the games like I used to. Living on the west coast I get all the w. coast teams. But not tonight!! Go Bengals

And Chad Johnson is just a delightful now as he always has been. Loved the H.O.F. coat Chad, can't wait to see what you come up with every week!!

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen

Vacation count down

Got the airfare - got the hotel - got the rental car - got the luggage - decided on a kennel - READY TO GO!!

Heading to Cincinnati on Thursday, have some very busy days at work coming but then, no matter what - I'm on vacation - I get to see my kids, my friends, my family and my city!!! You know, it's great being here in So Cali. I love the ocean, the breeze, the mountains, the weather, but I miss my home town - Cincinnati!! I miss the Reds, the Bengals, Riverfront, Newport on the Levee, great restaurants, good business, strong economy. I just love it all!!

So, I get to be there for a whole week!! Party next Saturday - cookout, bonfire, friends, food, drinks! Yeah!! Bengals vs Browns on Sunday..........Cazedores, sushi/wine!

Thank God, it's cooler

Man, did I ever think I would spend my time blogging about the weather once I moved to SoCal??? NO I DID NOT!! But here I am.........thankfully, it's in the mid-70's with a nice cool breeze and I actually think I'll be able to sleep all night with only a fan. What a BIG improvement over the last couple of weeks.


Look where I get to go next week......... I can't wait. My hometown - Cincinnati, OH! I will only be there for 5 days, but I get to see my son, Jake and his wife, Michelle. Beka, who only left last week, and her boyfriend, Jack. My cousins, Roland's sister and her husband, my family, his family, my friends and Cincinnati! I miss the city. It's where I've lived all my life and I am so familiar with it's windy roads, colored leaves falling, and restaurants that abound.

We get to go to Skyline, get sushi and drink lots of wine with my friends, have a cookout with my family. I just can't wait to get away, go back home and just be in Cincinnati. We are also going to look at some houses in the city - JUST IN CASE! I want to see what's available, how much house for the money. We would love a pool, hot tub, deck, basement, 2-3 car garage and a good location, out in the country with 1/2 to 1 acre of land. And next door neighbors that are not close enough to hear them cough!! Oh California! how wonderful it is to hear my neighbors sneeze!!

Well, at least I don't think we'll have rolling black outs since the weather is better. And I won't be such a bitch since I'll actually get a full night's sleep :)

It's incredibly HOT!! 97 degrees

I can't believe how hot it is. So Cali and it's HOT HOT HOT!!! We don't have air conditioning, who thought of that???? Why would they build a house without A/C? Geez, it's been so hot that I haven't had a good night's sleep in nearly 3 weeks.

I've had a fun weekend, can't do much because it's been too hot. Took Snicker to the dog park and this morning at 8 am, it was already 90 degrees! Whoa! But he's been going there every day first thing in the morning this weekend. It's been fun. He's played with all the dogs.

Some things we did this weekend to try to keep cool - went to the pool, swam and just hung out, kept in front of the fan while we've been home, took cold showers and went to the movie on Sat just to get in the A/C. It's just totally MISERABLE!!

"No one travelling on a business trip would be missed if he failed to arrive."
--- Thorstein Veblen