vote me for worst blogger of the year!

it's been a while.

i'm sorry. i didn't intend for this to happen. so much for that new years resolution!

here's what you missed.

1. i bought a house.
2. i bought a house.
3. i bought a house.
4. i went to visit columbia.
5. i bought a house.
6. i bought a house.
7. i booked plane tickets to visit brother & sister-in-love in NYC. and go to the new york stationery show.
8. i bought a house.
9. i bought a house.
10. chef decided to go to grad school & got into culinary school.
11. i bought a house.
12. i bought a house.

that is basically what has happened since i last told you about life. pretty dull, huh?

let's talk about the house first - it isn't really a house. it's a cozy little two bedroom, two bathroom apartment about 15 minutes away from work & my mom's house. the kitchen is green, the master bedroom is purple and there is a brand new water heater. i move in a month. yikes! i am so excited, nervous, nauseous and overwhelmed when i think about it. but mostly, excited. little sister will live with me this summer (that should be an experience, both good and bad) and then i need a roommate in the fall.

now, let's talk about....NYC! i am so excited to go and visit brother & sister-in-love. i can't wait to see their apartment in brooklyn, the today show, eat at a french fry place that i've heard so much about! i think i am most excited that it will just be me, brother and little sister for the first time! such a good bonding experience.

while i am there i will go to the NYSS. i can't wait. i can't wait to breathe in the paper, look at the new designs, talk with industry professionals and network, network, network!

last weekend i went and visited the great columbia, missouri for chef's birthday and to see friends i haven't seen since i moved home in october(!). it was a fun, exhausting and not relaxing weekend. while i was there, chef and i ate at one of our favorite sushi restaurants, sake, and talked about how much our lives have changed since i left columbia. and i talked him into going to grad school.

as long as he gets his ducks in a row, he will start in the fall and be a TA for one of the cooking classes that mizzou offers. he is pretty excited! (i know what you are thinking & yes, he is still going to culinary school...eventually.) his mentor, teacher and friend chef jett asked that he stay in columbia to assist him, offered to pay j&w to hold chef's spot for two years and pay for his first semester of school if the university wouldn't. and chef will be making $$ for this too. all in all, it's a great opportunity that he couldn't pass up.

so - three more years of long distance, if that's the way the coin flips. we haven't talked about it yet (mostly because that is a heavy subject) but i know that we will have to. this change of plans is going to drastically change our relationship (and no, i don't know what that means yet - except that for three years i'll be a spinster in iowa city!).

other than that - work is good. the weather is turning beautiful (finally). my best friend is getting married in three weeks. i'm currently babysitting two adorable babies and realizing i have not yet acquired the kind of patience it takes to be a full-time mommy.

i hope that i can get back on track with this blog. i miss writing a lot some days. pictures soon of the new pad!

{today i love....the help}

right after the vikings final game (post season) my mother was told to read the book the help by kathryn sockett by one of the contractors sisters (or sisters-in-law, he has too many and i don't keep track). she read it in approximately five days and then passed the book on to me, saying that i had to read it. the problem was that i was (and still am) in the middle of the guernsey literary and potato peel society by mary ann shaffer and annie barrows so i told her i would put in on the stack of books i want to read.

last week, i decided i needed a break from the literary society and moved on to the help. i am so glad that i did. what i found was a novel that sucked me in after five paragraphs. it felt so good to read again and to have a book take hold of me, the way books did all throughout my childhood. i had forgotten the power of a book rather than a television show & slowly fell in love again.

the help is a novel written about the civil rights movement and african american maids working in the south. it follows two maids and a white young woman (around my age) and their story. that's all that i am going to say, because let me tell you, its is much more fun to read the book than have someone tell you all about it. this book is a page turner, and i found my eyes burning in the middle of the night so that i could read the next chapter.

this past weekend, my mom recommended the book to my grandma, another book lover. she had already ordered it on amazon and was looking forward to starting it for her book club. let me tell you, you need to read this book.

i even skipped watching the olympics last night to read it! it's that good!

{in other news, i babysat two beautiful babies today and am relishing the smell of baby that is still lingering on my clothes. the world just seems perfect & peaceful when there is a three-month old sleeping in your arms, don't you think?}

olympics.

Well, I'm a day late. Hopefully not a dollar short.

It's day 5 of the Olympics - oh boy! I am having such fun watching the sports that I only watch every four years (like luge).

That's a good starting point. Like most of the people watching the Olympics this year, my heart and thoughts go out to the Georgian Olympian's family. I can't imagine the kind of pain they are in and I cannot fathom what they are going through. It seems so strange (ok, maybe not the best word) that something this devastating can happen in such a quick minute. I am sure none of us can put into words how we feel about what happened last Friday - except one. Shocked.

But, I don't want to focus on the sad parts. Let's move on to the five good thoughts of the past five days:

1. Canada's first home-gold medal! That was an incredible thing to see and couldn't help but to cheer for Canada over the US in that event. The story behind that athlete is so inspiring as well...I am so happy for Canada.

2. Pairs skating. Tonight, while watching the men's short program, my family and I discussed how much more falling there seems to be in this sport than years previous. Does anyone else feel that way?

3. Speed skating - hooray for collisions! Not really - I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Your Olympic dreams being squashed in .5 seconds. More devastation. But hooray for Apollo! More congratulations will be given to him for sure.

4. Nordic combined - that may have been the most exciting part of the entire Olympics. I can't believe how hard those athletes train! My thighs were burning just watching!

5. Women's moguls - let's just say: how can you go that fast? So fun to watch. And yay for the USA!

I don't think we can not talk about the Opening Ceremonies. Now remember, this is my opinion - but could that have been any more boring?! I couldn't keep myself focused on what was happening. The most exciting part was when the technology malfunctioned! How horrible.

Those are my thoughts so far - how about you?

I deserve an award

For being the WORST blogger EVER.

i promised a post over a week ago and you have gotten nothing.

i am so sorry, loyal reader family.

here's what's been happenin':

1. i still can't divulge much about my top-secret meeting. hopefully soon! (it's very exciting and top secret!)

2. i started physical therapy! so exciting. hopefully my knee will get better. i go three times a week and a very nice lady talks to be about a lot of things while she makes me do really exciting stretches followed by a nice soft tissue massage from my left knee up followed by a little electric shock therapy. WHOO!

3. my grandpa (my hero and favorite) came to visit and celebrated his birthday with us! my mom made the most amazing oatmeal cake with the most delicious cream cheese frosting. plus whitey's. you can't be from iowa and not love whitey's. heavenly. it was so fun to share his birthday with him, and unique to be the only grandchild!

4. i have been work a lot. i have a lot of brides. and i stare at the computer all day long...which doesn't really make me want to stare at it when i get home...

5. i am slowly losing the ability to sleep in. a true sign that grown-up hood has started. although 8 am seems like sleeping in to my mother and thomas, it is a lot different to me on a saturday. i much prefer the earlier morning, however. i am starting to enjoy breakfast (my fav: special k with craisins or some delish oatmeal) and like not rushing to get to work. i am hoping that since i keep waking up earlier, i'll have time to update in the mornings.

another nice thing about waking up earlier is that i don't have to watch the dumb part of the today show (no offense, matt!). i just can't believe that they spend so much time talking about crap - i mean really, how often do we need to hear about tiger woods sex addiction? i was over it the day after the crash. and jon & kate? although i loved the show and those kids were cute, let them fight privately. those kids are going to grow up and hate their parents even more than they would have (no offense, parents).

6. i've been think a lot about my 25 things to do by the time i'm 33 list. i'm still not done - i'll share when it is perfect!

7. i have spent a lot of time looking at these kind of websites: here there everywhere

8. my wonderful aunt and uncle were in town last night. we went out for dinner out blackstone and i had one of the most delicious club sandwiches that i've ever had. it was...out of control. turkey, ham, swiss, american, mayo, bbq...melty, saucy goodness. just thinking about it i could eat more. also, i think blackstone may have the best fries in town. i'm thinking this thought may cause me to eat a lot of french fries to compare them too...

9. it is valentine's day. i don't really know what this has to do with anything. but, so it goes. the best part about valentine's day is that the amazing race will start! yay, i love that show. i don't know if i could ever go on it - but it is so fun to watch!

i have a confession to make, readers. i am really enjoying watching the bachelor this season. i took a break from it for....all of college...but it is fun to watch! so much wonderful drama packed into two hours!

i am also really, really liking this season of grey's anatomy. i just think that it may be returning to its original roots. last season it just go to weird. izzy was seeing dead people - that almost ruined it for me forever. but this season...i could go on forever. next week, i'll dedicate thursday's post to grey's. now i've made a dedication that i can't change.

as i type this, i am watching apollo ohno and jr (or cr?) compete. what an incredible sport speed skating is! i'll obviously have to do an olympic post this week as well. so much to talk about: the sadness that the games started with, the oh-so-boring opening ceremony...who knows what else will happen between now and monday!

i am looking forward to the week ahead! monday at the shop we are taking photos of our work to update or website! i can't wait to see how they will turn out! and then next weekend we will go and visit my lovely little sister to celebrate her 20th birthday. ha! all of us are in our twenties! i am also going to promise pictures of this wonderful, life altering event!

come back monday for a review of the olympics thus far. i know that my grandma has her nice, gorgeous tv that she loves so much turned to nbc (and its other stations). grandma, aren't you glad that i picked that out? just kidding, of course.

toothless. and excited.

well, yesterday i enjoyed the long overdue task of getting my wisdom teeth out. yesterday was fine, i could talk & eat and thought things would only get better. today, i'm in a lot of pain and wishing i could just sleep all day. (which i truly have.) in between my naps i watch tv and check the always exciting internet...and try not to think about work. i thought i would be able to get some things accomplished, but haven't which will make for a very busy tomorrow.

in between my medication-induced naps, my mind wanders to home decor. it is inevitable that i will soon have my own space to decorate and fill and i find myself going to online shops like pottery barn, ikea and crate&barrel rather than my usual j. crew, gap and nordstroms for an online shopping fix. the idea of buying myself a beautiful desk, wall decor, bookshelves and a couch is SO exciting is & is definitely putting my desire for shoes, clothes and handbags (gasp!) on hold. saving for something that is a little more long term is making my shopping addiction come to a halt & i think remembering buying my first 'grown-up' bed will mean a little more than a new kate spade. (i never thought i would hear those words come out of my mouth!)

last weekend the chef came to visit. it was so nice to spend the time with him. long-distance is by no means easy, but i do think it is making our relationship stronger. it's forcing us to talk about what we each want out of the relationship, both long-term and short-term. i am so excited for him - he has grown up a lot since he graduated in december! trust me, i am excited about this. we were talking a lot about what we want - and both decided that he needs to go to school in august. now the question is where. denver is his number one choice, but he is also open to some other options (some a little closer like chicago or minneapolis & some farther like charlotte). this new chapter will be very exciting for him...i can't wait to see what it brings.

during his visit, he also told me about he & his closet friends making a list of 25 things that they want to do before they turn 33 (or in ten years). it has inspired me to make my own list, which i am working on and will share with you toward the end of the week.

i also got to visit my beautiful baby sister at school. her new dorm room is great. i am so proud of her and seeing how much she has loved school so far!

here is what the rest of my week looks like:

tomorrow: physical therapy. hooray, my knee may actually start to heal! back to work to catch up on the 20+ emails i've gotten since leaving the shop on saturday.

thursday: a secret meeting, details to come following.

friday: work, work, work. i am sure that the rest of this week will mean long hours. it's good for me though. i am so blessed & thankful to have my job that i don't mind.

saturday: consultations @ the studio. (which, by the way looks totally different. pictures to come on our blog this week!) followed by going to look at future grown-up places to live.

whew! i'm already tired just thinking about it. another post on thursday, my loves!

the ampersand

at work each day i stare at the computer & pick out fonts for one of the most important days in a person's life: their wedding. i truly believe that a font can make or break an invitation & that is why it is SO hard for me to choose! i could truly stare at font sites all day (seriously, if you need to get me a present go to veer.com and find something pretty!) and that is why i am so excited to have found this blog today.

a blog completely devoted to the ampersand, one of my favorite keys on the keyboard and something i love to use as a design element.

i promise more of an update soon. can you believe that january is almost over?

goodbye negativity - hello optimism (thoughts on 2010)

dear readers,

i know that the following post is long overdue. i am SO sorry. it's has been a crazy week and i'm trying to get back into the routine of day to day after taking some time away from things over the holidays.

thanks for your understanding!

---

last thursday i spent the day at work, followed by an evening at home with my family. i think we watched a movie, but it seems like an eternity ago. also, kaeli and i split a bottle of pink champagne. it was an excellent way to spend the new year. like most people in the world, i also spent the time thinking about the year gone by and thinking about hopes and goals for the coming year. and so, in true monica faye fashion, i present you with - some lists.

reflections of the year gone by:

• the best thing that happened: i graduated from the university of missouri. all though that weekend was slightly traumatic for the family, i am so thankful that i had the people i care about the most around me that weekend. it was and still feels like a huge accomplishment, and i am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go to college for four years. a little known fact: i really graduated in 3.5 years because my first semester wasn't worth much.
• i decided to move back home. although that was probably the hardest decision that i've had to make so far, i couldn't be happier. i found a job, my relationship with the chef has grown immensely, i get to see my wonderful grandparents on a regular basis and i'm closer to my sister. although it has been hard: i am happier than i was four months ago.
• i let other people bring me down - i surrounded myself with people who weren't supportive of me or my desires. yes, when i was one-on-one with these people, they would act in my support. what was most hurtful was learning after the fact that they had gone to others and spoken negatively. that negative energy brought me down to their level, something that i hope won't happen again. life is too good to complain about all the time. i hope that those people get to a better place in their life so that they can realize how their behavior has hurt others.

resolutions (hopes/goals is probably a better way of saying it):

• work out. i'm already failing at this, kind of. i have begun taking a regular yoga class and really enjoy it. i am hoping to take more in the future (including hot yoga! fancy!). but i would like to add to my weekly regimen. thank goodness mom's around so that we can push each other (although, this week i haven't been much of a motivator).
• stop drinking pop, except on special occasions (like the rare time chef and i go to a movie).
• start my own business.
• MOVE OUT of the parents. (see update section of this post for more details.)
• grow in my relationship with the chef. this year will be a challenge - in 6 months he's moving away to colorado to fulfill his dreams & i couldn't be happier for him. i'm just recognizing head on that it's going to be a challenge. not that i don't think we can make it. you have to push through the pain!
• stay in touch with old friends better. it's not so hard to shoot an email once a week or chat on the phone over the weekend. i can do it...
• READ. i need to get a library card again...
• COOK, bake, etc.

life updates:

• today, i went and looked at two apartments. neither was what i really want, both were what i can afford. however, i am hoping that something better will come along and my goal (from above) is to move out by march.
• work is good. wedding season is upon us and i'm hoping that things will be very busy to make life more interesting.

and, my special resolution to you, readers is to update this at least every other day with stories, thoughts and hopefully a lot about the future of the business: little details.

i hope you all had a wonderful holiday & an even better new year!