The Easter's

Christmas In Lights

2006-12-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

Jamie and I decided to have a "date" night last night and do something other than the traditional dinner and a movie. We decided to drive down to Mason and watch the famous "Christmas in Lights" display created by Carson Williams. Since this display caused so much commotion in his neighborhood, it has now been moved to Heritage Oak Park in Mason, OH.

First of all, I have to say that watching this display on the internet did not do it justice. I was amazing how the timing was absolutely perfect. The display is a bit longer than the internet clips most have seen. They did 4 songs total; 2 from Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Christmas Eve in Sarajevo & Wizards in Winter) and songs from the movie "Polar Express".

They have set up the display in the park like a Drive-In Movie Theater. Everyone pulls in and lines their cars up single file. You drive up to one of two displays that are exact replicas of his home and turn off your headlights. You are told (by signs everywhere) to tune to an FM radio station and the show begins. Very cool way to set it up. I really wish we had driven down to see his actual home like this, but we probably would have been stuck in traffic for hours!

Carson Williams has created a company from all of this hype designing light displays. You can see all the media exposure this has had and some of his other projects at his website: //www.consarlights.com/

Happy Thanksgiving?

2006-11-22T09:37:00.000-05:00

Why are the holidays so stressful? I always wonder because it is supposed to be a time of love and family. For most, it is a time of stress, depression and turmoil.

I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house for the first time ever this year... you may be thinking "That's great!", but I am wondering "What was I thinking?" First of all, I cannot look at, touch, stuff, carve or even smell a turkey. How am I gonna have Thanksgiving with an aversion to poultry you ask? First, I would like to thank the good people at Krogers for making my Thanksgiving dinner, next I would like to nominate my husband to carve the turkey and my brother to clean it up. That's how you get around that!

My biggest issue here is that fact that I haven't had thanksgiving with my family in 7 years. Yes, you read that right. I am really nervous of how this will all work. The kids will be there so that will help (a lot), but I am just not sure how to deal... My brother and sister-in-law mean well, I know, but hanging out with them just stresses me out. My mom is really excited about actually sitting down and eating as a family, but I am just counting down the hours until it is O-V-E-R! Who knows, maybe it will actually be fun... keep your fingers crossed!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

2006-11-03T16:42:00.000-05:00

I drove to Cincinnati twice (sometimes more) a week for months, studied for weeks, and drove my husband crazy of ranting that I might not do very well - BUT...

I passed my Real Estate Licensing Exam yesterday!!!

I am officially an active Real Estate agent as of Monday. I am still in shock. It's not real yet... I have been waiting for this day for almost 6 years and it is finally here - now what??!!?? Just kidding! I am gonna work my a** off and make some money for myself since I always seem to make lots of money for other people. Just to blow your mind (for those of you who knew me in high school) I got an 87% on the National portion of the exam and a 95% on the State portion. A lot can change in 10 years!

Jamie was so great. He took me to The Melting Pot last night (somewhere in Japan Nikki is begging for fondue). We had a great night and dinner was fabulous! It always is though.

Now I just have to get my office all set up and we are set... I had a Pottery Barn attack over the last few weeks and have made Jamie's life hell. Needless to say, we had to paint (Pottery Barn/Benjamin Moore HC-159), install my new Pottery Barn Daily System (so cute... and its on sale right now!) and set up my new Desk and Ladder Bookshelf. Poor Jamie... he comes home from the road and I put him right back to work! He came home from New Jersey for my birthday and has been home ever since. He actually got a 5-day weekend. He really needed it! Jamie is being really good about all this because my home office will be my main office to work from. It has to be cute, right???

Anyway, as soon as I get the pictures I will write my post about my 30th Birthday Party. Pretty fun (funny)!

The Devil Wears Prada

2006-10-23T12:55:00.000-04:00

Well... I got my birthday present a week early. Needless to say I am impressed!

Jamie got up yesterday morning and told me that he had to run "Errands" and that he wanted to take my car. I know that he needs to drive on the highway when he asks to take my car (his truck needs new tires). So, I knew there was only one place he could be going... Saks Fifth Avenue! I'll admit it, I was excited. Who wouldn't be excited at the thought of purses and shoes that cost more than their mortgage! (I know I have a problem - the first step is admitting it!)

So off he goes in search of the "perfect present". I also knew that he was going there because of the way he dressed. He put on "work" clothes on a Sunday to run "errands". Every time Jamie goes to Saks, he dresses very grungy to see if anyone will wait on him. The first time he went there, he had just gotten off work and went to buy my Prada wallet for Valentine's Day (I'm lucky, I know). The lady behind the glass case looked at him as if he were nuts. She gave him some grief, but eventually sold him the wallet. Ever since that trip, he does it every time. I think he secretly wants them to give him a hard time so he has a story to tell...

Anyway, yesterday was definitely a story. He walks into the store and finds the perfect gift. A red leather Prada handbag that his wife will love him forever for. He was in the store for 45 minutes before anyone would let the bag out of its cage and locking system for Jamie to even look at it. He kept asking anyone who walked by to help him and they would completely ignore him. Finally, a woman stopped to help him, but wouldn't leave his side while he was looking at it. She stood there like an armed guard. What was he going to do, steal it while she was standing there? Once Jamie had the bag in hand, he made his way to the register to pay. The woman behind the counter looked at him as though he had sprouted another head or something. She says to him in a whisper "We haven't had anyone buy that bag yet... It's my favorite! Who is it for?" Jamie replied "My wife's birthday and graduation from college." The smile suddenly left her face and she said "Your wife huh... Well isn't she lucky"? Jamie replied, "Yes she is!" She probably saw that bag and wanted to marry him herself!

I know it is a little extreme, but who doesn't love a good purse. I thought I would share my excitement with you all and show you that I actually can treat myself sometimes, even if it is Jamie that makes me do it!

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS...

2006-10-13T09:46:00.000-04:00

Jamie is out of town for 15 days in New Jersey working on a KFC there. He comes home for 3 days and leaves again for another 15 days. Guess when he leaves? October 23rd (the week of my birthday). So I am more than likely going to be alone on my "crisis" day. I understand that Jamie has to work, but I guess I am still a little upset.
After the party and the Harley he got for his 30th birthday, I guess I was expecting a little more than going to dinner with my family that night. I was fully expecting to be drunk with all (or most, for those of you in Japan) of my friends with a ridiculous Halloween costume on! Can you imagine???

OK... Why am I so freaked out about turning 30??? I know that I am in serious crisis mode because I am going out to the bars tonight with Breving and some people, which I NEVER do! Jamie thinks that I am out of my mind because I am doing this. His comment last night: "How come we never go out like that when I am in town?" My response... "You never want to either." I think he is worried that I will have too good of a time with a bunch of single guys... Are you kidding me! It's Breving!

So, I am right now (at work) looking for plane tickets with the hopes that I can get Jamie to Newark airport on Friday night and have him fly back to New Jersey on Sunday. Here's hoping...

Choices

2006-09-20T08:15:00.000-04:00

I looked at the calendar today as I walked into work (as I do everyday) and it dawned on me... I turn 30 years old in about 1 month. Where did the time go? Have I done all the things that I said I wanted to do before I turned 30? ... the answer is no!

I can't help but laugh as I type this, because in reality I know that 30 isn't old - I have my whole life ahead of me, but I can't help but wonder if I made some choices that I would live to regret.

Choice 1: Waiting to have kids - I hope that I don't wake up one day and realize that I can't have kids at all because I waited too long.

Choice 2: Is my career THAT important? - I love money as much than the next person, but Jamie and I work so much that we don't get to spend any time together at all.

Choice 3: I haven't traveled to any of the places that I wanted to see - Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Paris, Italy, London, Japan (to see Nikki of course)

Choice 4: Not finishing college and having a bachelors degree - this one really bothers me... I have made progress though because in 2 weeks I will have an Associates Degree (I just wish my dad was here to see it!) But, I still feel like I need to have that Bachelors.

Meanwhile, my mother turns 60 in two weeks... if I feel old with turning 30, I can't imagine how she must feel!

He Came, He Saw, He Never Called Again...

2006-09-05T11:32:00.000-04:00

Friday night was one of the single most bizarre nights in recent history. We arrived at Marion's Pizza and there stood Jamie's father and his step-mother (who was crocked out of her mind on wine - by the way) waiting for us like Jamie was excited to see him or something... Jamie walked over and shook his hand. I think his dad was thinking that Jamie was going to hug him... but no such luck. Then Jamie's aunt, uncle and cousins walked over and greeted us like we had seen each other a million times over the years... (first time meeting everyone there except Jamie's dad who I met 4 years ago for 2 hours). It was all just SO bizarre.

To make a really long and convoluted story as short as possible - I'll cut right to the point. Jamie hardly spoke to his father, his father expected the kids to be excited that he drove "all the way here to see them", and the whole situation was awkward. Well, here comes the kicker: Jamie's dad says "we will get together for dinner before we leave on Tuesday morning." HE NEVER CALLED JAMIE OR JULIE SINCE FRIDAY! Now, if you say you drove here to see your kids; how come you didn't spend any time with them?

Everyone started taking pictures so I busted out my camera for this shot...

Time will tell if his dad bothers to call him again!

Jamie's Phone Call...

2006-09-01T09:40:00.000-04:00

Jamie's dad called him last night at 10:30 to tell him time and location for tonight. Well, that's a start. But in the tradition of being a pessimist... this is still the same man who would tell the kids to be ready at 7:00 and never show up.

I talked to Julie last night and she was totally frantic... what do I wear? good makeup or natural? hair up or down? jeans or dressy? I can't imagine what they both are feeling right now. I know that Jamie's mom is very nervous and wants me to call her at points during the night to give her the update. I really can and can't relate to this at all... while Jamie and Julie question whether they should have a relationship and talk to their dad again, I would give everything I own in the world to talk to mine again for 5 minutes. Jamie and I are opposite ends of the spectrum in this situation, but I think we have more in common than we both realize... we both wish we had our dads. Tonight will be very difficult for them if he is sick.

I'm taking my camera and hopefully I can take some pictures (if its not too uncomfortable). I know... I know... I haven't even posted my pics from Texas yet. I'm working on it! More later...

My Father-In-Law's Very Strange Visit

2006-08-30T10:35:00.000-04:00

Jamie's dad has never been a part of his life. He left when Jamie was about eight after a very hard marriage to Jamie's mom (his fault) and never looked back. Promise after promise to Jamie and his sister were broken and it really effected their childhood. They struggled to stay in Centerville so Jamie could play football and get a scholorship to college. But, his dad never helped, he was never there. In fact, we went to visit him in Florida after spending some time with Nikki & Alan and he never even called Jamie after our visit... that was over 4 years ago. Well, while I was in Texas visiting my grandmother, Jamie's dad called him and told him that he was coming into town this Friday to get together with the ENTIRE Easter side of the family. This has never happened before and I have never met any of Jamie's dad's side of the family. Needless to say, Jamie and his sister are really freaked out by this. Here come the questions: What's wrong with him...Why is he coming... Why now?

Well, to make a long story short... Jamie has always been disappointed by his dad. He never had a dad at this football games or wrestling matches when all of his friend's fathers were there. I think that is what made Jamie work harder. Almost to spite his dad maybe. Jamie is a strong guy and will never admit how much his dad's let-downs really hurt him. Now, it is Wednesday and dad is supposed to be here Friday. No phone calls have been made since the initial contact 2 weeks ago. Nobody knows where this "gathering" is taking place or what time. I am so scared that his dad won't show up (he has done this to them for the last 20+ years). Is it just me, or could Jamie and his sister be in for yet another let-down?

2006-08-16T08:28:00.000-04:00

Leaving for Houston...

Well everyone... it has been 10 years in the making, but I am finally leaving for Houston, Texas to see my grandmother in a few days. She just turned 95 years old on August 1st and my Mom and I are going to visit. I can tell you that I am really excited - BUT - I am also worried about the "other" family down there just waiting to grill me about my grandfathers funeral... Let me back up. My "aunt" (and I use that word loosely) was appalled that I left my grandfather's funeral before the burial and, of course, had no idea why I would do such a thing (or what an ass he had been to me all my life). My mom played it off explaining that I had to get home and take care of the dogs (good one Mom). Everyone - set your TiVo's because I may be on the news for kicking her ass. Why is there always drama surrounding all things that are supposed to be fun???

Plus, my mom is already driving me nuts! She calls everyday to give me the "update" on what to bring in carry-on/what to check (because of those f***ing terrorists), what time we should get to the airport, when I should leave Dayton to ensure that we get to the airport on time. SHE IS STRESSING ME OUT!!! If this is foreshadowing of the trip to come... it ain't gonna be pretty!!!

In other news... I start my LAST class on Tuesday! I can't believe that I am almost finished! Now I have to get serious about picking a place to work... more on that later.

I'll post again after I get back from my trip!

2006-08-10T08:25:00.000-04:00

Bronchitis is Fabulous!!!

I guess a well deserved break was in order for me this week... I came down with bronchitis on Sunday and have pretty much been out of the loop for the entire week. For those of you who know me well - I didn't take to this "time to myself" very well. I missed an entire week of school (make up classes are not going to be fun or easy...), missed almost all of Tuesday at work, haven't done anything in the house (so naturally my boys are creating more work for me this weekend).

The funny thing is that Jamie has been calling me twice a day everyday and asking how I am feeling but then asks me if I had been to the bank yet, or picked up his contacts, or picked up that bag of dog food that we (really) need. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't he just call to ask how I am because I am sick - why would I have done any of those things with a 102 fever??? My thought immediately goes to the fact that if Jamie was the one sick, I would be doing EVERYTHING until he was feeling better... the fact that he travels all week leaves me to take care of the dogs (and with Leigh the CRAZY poodle - that is a very big task) and take care of the entire house by myself. So I am sick with a high fever and walking around outside waiting for everyone to do their business... sure while I am up I will run to the mall and pick up contacts for Jamie!!!

MEN KILL ME!!! Women make them this way - you realize this ladies! Moms out there with sons listen up! Don't do everything for them, especially when you are sick. That makes them think that ALL women out there are like this too. You will ruin them for all of us!
Love ya!

2006-07-31T10:31:00.000-04:00

Spending Time Together?? That's a New Concept

I remember a time when all I wanted to do was have fun... and it wasn't too long ago. I guess the thing that makes me want to scream - all you want to do when you are young is buy the things that you deem "fun". Then when you are actually in a place where you can afford them - you are too old to enjoy them.

Jamie and I have a Harley Davisdon because it is our hobby. The last time we "used our hobby" was 2 weeks ago and it was only for 2 hours. Jamie and I have had different schedules for quite some time now, but it always seems like there is something to do for someone else and not for us! His family wants us to do something with/for them almost every weekend, my family is less consuming, but not as accommodating when something is planned. I just want to tell everyone to leave us alone for 1 month! It will never happen because we are too nice.

There has to be a way to study, work, clean, shop, see the family, and still have a little fun... right? How would I handle children if I can't seem to find any time now???

2006-07-27T08:23:00.000-04:00

Real Estate Update...

Well... I took my Finance final and the verdict is in... I AM A NERD!!! I got a 101% - the highest grade in the class again. I even beat 2 mortgage brokers who do this for a living! So, I guess I am on the right track as far as a profession goes. It's about time right!

I have been interviewing all week with Brokers in Dayton and I have been offered 2 jobs already. I have another interview today and a few more next week. Now comes the task of comparing all the offers and making a decision that I hope I won't regret. It is all very overwhelming... So much information, how much commission, what you pay for and what they pay for, etc. I have to make somesort of grid or something to compare it all. But Jamie is being really supportive and is giving me opinions on what he thinks of the offers as they come in. He is so excited that I am finally doing what I want in life. I have the best husband - don't I!

Sarah had her first "dance" recital yesterday and I missed it because of an interview. I was really upset. But Scott got it all on video and took a bunch of pictures. I will post them as soon as I get them. But here is the gist: a bunch of 3 year olds in tights, leotards, and tutu's running around doing somersaults, singing "Twinkle Twinkle", and waving at their parents. I AM SO MAD THAT I MISSED IT!!! It had to be the cutest thing to watch.

Jamie is coming home today and I can't wait. More to come later, hopefully with pictures of Sarah in all her glory.

-Love to all

2006-07-19T09:37:00.000-04:00

Trying to Keep Up...

Since we are never home, able to talk on the phone for long and otherwise spending our lives behind a desk, in a classroom or building KFC's... I thought that this might be the best way to keep everyone updated on the Easter's!

Jamie is on the road again... Toledo Ohio! Such a beautiful city... The first night they were in town working, all of the work trucks were broken into and all the tools in the cab of the trucks were taken. Doesn't make you feel to comfortable to work or stay in a place like that!!

I am getting ready to finish up my 2nd class - Real Estate Finance. My final exam is next Tuesday (the teacher creates his own final and I have heard it is very hard...). On to the next class - Real Estate Appraisal. I am setting up appointments with a lot of brokers in the area to decide which way I want to go. It is a hard decision... Residential will give me more freedom / Commercial will give me more money - you can see why I am having such a hard time!

More to come later including pictures... Love to all!