My (our) New Wheels!

6 months with one car was long enough! Fernando and I now the proud owners (along with American Honda Finance) of a 2009 Acura RDX. It's pretty accurate to the photo, except that ours has a side step. No more sharing!! We are also proud to announce that the RSX is paid in full - just need to change my last name on the title : )

Thanksgiving!

Good food, family and shopping.

We had a full house at the Pfingston's - just missed Steven, Christine, Henry and Toby, but did get to Skype them.

Nano impressed us all with her cooking and I made my famous corn casserole:

Heat oven to 350

Mix all ingredients in 9x13 casserole dish

Bake 1 hour or until golden brown

2 cans cream corn
2 cans whole kernel corn (drained)

16oz package sour cream

1 stick butter (softened)

2 boxes Jiffy corn bread mix

We played games, saw part of Alex's soccer tournament, shopped, of course, and the boys/men watched football.

Thanksgiving Day was also Alex's 16th birthday and she drove us to Starbucks in her new Jeep!

Thanksgiving Eve was dinner at the Messerchmitt's. Sue was also in town.

Christmas Traditions: Old & New

Watch A Christmas Story

Lasagna dinner on Christmas Eve

Candle light service at church

Open gifts Christmas Eve

Stockings Christmas morning

Nieman Marcus pralines

Poinsettias

Baklava

Tree and Decorations

Nutcracker at Bass Hall

Happy Birthday Husband!

Fernando had a pretty nice birthday (Oct 24). He is officially an old man and his next birthday will be 3-0-oh-my!

We slept in late, got coffee, went out to lunch with friends to Twisted Root - really good burgers and shakes in Deep Ellum. Mine had guacamole, green chilies and pepper jack cheese with a side of twisted fries. Fernando got to be Peter Parker and had a lamb-mushroom burger with sweet potato fries and an Oreo shake. After lunch we took a nap then got up to get ready for Chris' wedding, which was of course a lot of fun - congrats to him and Ruthanne! (I skipped the RHE wedding to be with them)

My husband is of course spoiled like me. My mother sent him a nice surprise check and we ordered his Kelsey letterpress! It is being custom restored and he will soon have shop set up in our storage room to begin his stationary business.

We even went to lunch at Cosmic Cafe the following Saturday (Halloween) and had a pizza/wine/movie date at home that night to make up for going to a wedding on his birthday.

My sweetie is 29!

Catch Me If You Can

I've been running non-stop the past month (hence no blog updates), but today I did absolutely nothing.

Here's what I've been up to:

Sunday - Pottery Barn: 6 hours
Monday - Pottery Barn: 6 hours
Tuesday - Rebecca Hackl Events: 6 hours, Pottery Barn: 5 hours
Wednesday - Rebecca Hackl Events: 6 hours, Pottery Barn: 5 hours
Thursday - Rebecca Hackl Events: 6 hours, Yoga babysitting 2 hours
Friday - Rebecca Hackl Events : 6 hours, Yoga front desk: 4 hours (every other week), Wedding Rehearsal: 1 hour
Saturday - Wedding: 7-20 hours

I've just requested less hours at Pottery Barn, with Mondays off as much as possible. Fernando and I have also been slacking on getting to yoga class, so we are challenging our selves to go once a week for a month or I will have to see about not working there any more. My time is moving more toward RHE and that makes me SO happy.

Since Iowa, there has been a wedding every weekend with Rebecca. I am loving it!! This past weekend, we were in Houston. It's such an amazing experience - I'm so happy to be doing something I love. This is the perfect job for me and I keep hearing I'm doing great : ) Pictures will be posted to Rebecca's Facebook page/website as we get them - some of our vendors have already posted their own.

I'm relying on my Google calendar more than ever. Fernando and I have scheduled a date for Halloween weekend - there's no wedding then! It's been a while since we've gone out - just the two of us and I'm really looking forward to it. His 29th birthday is approaching - the weekend before Halloween, but I will most-likely be working a wedding. I hope to be able to celebrate with him the Friday before. We also have Chris (an old Boise friend of Fernando's) and Ruthanne's wedding that weekend. I'm hoping to make up for not having much time for him on his day by getting him a letter press. It's going to be a VERY busy weekend!!

The Wish 100 was on the 3rd and was a HUGE success. There were over 1400 riders! We have a wrap party on November 3rd to celebrate - so happy it all went well and that work is off our plates.

We saw Ben Folds with the DSO at the end of September. It was a great show - nice night out with friends. He did not play our song, The Luckiest though : (
A few days before the show, Fernando's 91 year old grandfather passed away and we made a quick trip out to Laredo. I finally met the other side of the family.

Fernando is still working long hours at Beauti Control. He has also contracted to do an e holiday card for EquaTerra.

This weekend, I have a fund-raising pre-event with Rebecca and Julian and a couple birthday parties to go to - it's October Birthday Bash time! We've already had a bougie happy hour for Robbie - I tried some fancy cocktails and appetizers. Many more to go... Maybe we'll have time to hit the last weekend of the State Fair and get some fried butter... We may also sqeeze in a lunch date before Valerie's party.

Elizabeth Gonzalez, Wedding Coordinator/Consultant/Planner...

Last weekend I helped with my first wedding at Wilshire. I was shadowing Margaret (lead) and Charmaine (assistant) and actually got to do a lot more than watch. It was a pretty large wedding - daughter of a staff member. I had so much fun and got to see all the behind the scenes work of what went into our wedding. Hers was much easier to coordinate since it was not in the middle of a tornado and the construction is now complete. We had access to outdoors, the elevator and no leaks! I was in charge of the girls -- taking them from the parlor where they dressed around to where they would hide before their entrances. I also ran around the building to tell the guys when to walk out. I got flowers in place at the reception (in the church basement and first one ever to be held there) and pinned corsages and boutonnieres - which is hard to do when the MOB's dress is all sheer at the top! I also helped coordinate the rehearsal the night before. Margaret said I did a great job and she could not have done it without me. I'm now officially on the payroll and should be getting my own weddings soon!

I've been working with Rebecca for a week now and we are going on a road trip for a wedding starting this Wednesday. After this weekend I will really have some experience - so exciting!

The Yochum Wedding: Our Trip to Boise

Justin and Michelle got married on August 28 and we spent a week in Boise celebrating with them. The wedding was absolutely beautiful - a full Catholic mass at St. John's in downtown Boise with the reception at the BSU Sky Center. The rehearsal dinner Thursday night, was at Justin's parents' house and catered by a local Basque restaurant. Everything was delicious.

Some trip highlights:

1. Spindlebomb! Best cover band EVER. We went out to Tom Grainey's after the reception and ended up at a taco truck (bad idea).

2. Shea's girlfriend Andrea. They are just adorable and getting pretty serious... Way to go Shea!

3. (Fernando): Playing FIFA for hours and making beer in Eric's garage

We had a great time in Boise. It was fun to have all of Fernando's crowd together again and to be able to spend more time with them - our wedding was such a blur. We also spent some time with his parents who will be back in Dallas this weekend to check out their new house. They took us out to eat at a delicious Spanish place called Barbacoa and we had some really good paella.

Now that we are back home, it's time for a diet. We definitely ate our way through summer - from our adventures down I-35 last week to Eric's biscuits and gravy and everything in between. We both feel we are gaining the newlywed 20.

Go Broncos!

River Trip 2009: Aug 21-23

Our second annual trip to float the Comal River was a a big success - organized by myself, Tracy and Valerie - we increased our attendance from 10 to 20! Muesebach Station (same as last year) which is about 200 yards from jumping in the water was our river home. It's a great little duplex just off the train tracks - last year we rented just one side and this time we got both.

Fernando and I left town early on Friday and made several stops along the way --- First Czech Stop in West, then Outlet Shopping in San Marcos, back to Austin for Torchy's Tacos and groceries and then on to New Braunfels to our river home. That alone was a fantastic day and we had just begun. We had such a good time road tripping, eating our favorite foods and shopping. The outlets were a highlight because they have a Pottery Barn store! We got some major deals on PB and Williams Sonoma items. I also got a dress from White House Black Market and Fernando got a shirt at Barney's (both outlet deals of course).

Later that night our friends arrived and we stayed up playing games. Saturday morning we made sandwiches and loaded up the coolers -- off to float! It was a perfect day for it -- we went down twice. There's not much better than floating in a cool river on a hot day with some of your best friends.

After floating we headed back to the house for Robby's famous "buguz" (translation "burgers") and Tracy's potatoes. We had way more food than we could eat - it was all sooo good. More games and up all night....

Sunday morning we crawled out of bed and cleaned up. One more stop at Torchy's before heading home... and a stop at DQ for a Tagalong (formerly Peanut Butter Patties) Blizzard - yum!

What a great weekend!!!

Rebecca Hackl Events Here I Come!

I GOT THE INTERNSHIP!!!

I'll start after our trip to Boise for Justin's wedding. I cannot express how excited I am for this. It's a whole new chapter in the EFG book of happiness.

ADAM & RACHEL ARE ENGAGED!!!

And thus explains the big news announcement below. I didn't want to be the first to blab it to the world, so I gave them some time.

Thursday night, Adam FINALLY pulled the trigger. After nearly 6 years with Rachel, they returned to the spot of their first date, the DMA for a nice night out. They had met there after work and drove home separately. Adam was dressed up more than usual because he said he had a presentation at work. When Rachel opened the door she was surprised to see several bouquets of pink and red flowers. Adam then explained that he was not dressed up for a presentation and that he had had dinner with Rachel's dad the night before. He pulled out a piece of candy that was taken from an art display on their first date and a ring box. Down on one knee, the ring, he said was his grandmother's and just a symbol. They went ring shopping the following Friday, but have not committed to a choice yet.

Ring shopping was followed by dinner and drinks at Gloria's, which sadly Fernando and I both missed. He was in Boise and I was working at Pottery Barn.

Congrats you two!!!

Who's next?? I'm looking at you Chrismay : )

One of Our Friends FINALLY Has Very Big News!!!

More to come...

Sweetie-Free

Fernando left me for Justin's bachelor weekend in Boise. I'm all alone until Sunday night. I also have a friend's bachelorette party on Saturday, but mostly I'll be working - no fair! I'm waiting up for him to call and tell me he's landed safely...

I Can Freelance Too!

I will now be working for EquaTerra (where my cousin Kim works) doing list building and sending marketing packets for an hourly wage. I'm awaiting all my passwords and instruction. Yeah!

In-laws Visit

Erika is home from Spain! She loved it so much she is already talking about next year. The parents were in town and went house-hunting and THEY BOUGHT A HOUSE! It's a beautiful home in Burleson (close to Aunt Doris and Uncle Lonnie, yet still 'city'). The move will probably be next summer. We had fun hanging out with the family and getting caught up. Bertica even introduced us to a new game - Bananagrams. It's like speed-scrabble. Fernando challenged me on "nos", but we looked it up later at home and I WON (at least that round), so ha!

Wells Fargo Update

We finally got our money back from Wells Fargo! Oddly enough, we finally heard from the hotel the same week. They have credited us back too, but it may take a while to post because of their location...will we end up with two credits now? So that mystery is there and Wells Fargo still owes us some interest, but the bulk of our money is back where it belongs... and we only started this transaction 3 months ago -- nice!

Dissapointment and Letting Go

I've neglected the blog lately because I have been in denial of my feelings and have not wanted to share. It's been a tough couple of weeks with lots of ups and downs.

I had my interview at Todd Events. It was great. They are looking for two interns Sept.-Dec. Work weeks would be unpaid, with paid events on the weekends - I even have the same wedding date as the girl who interviewed me! I left with a good feeling and the promise of a decision the following week.

The interview was on a Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning I got an email saying the positions have been filled but it may be for the best because they can no longer pay for events. Remember that this interview was scheduled months ago. I didn't understand how this was possible. I had been away from my computer all day and read the email right as I was leaving for yoga class that night. I didn't say a word to anyone-not even Fernando. I was too embarrassed. I had been planning for this for so long - how could it be over? I was starting to feel like a failure. Not just because I didn't get one internship - in general. I've not had a steady job since March. I was getting depressed about all the unknown in our future and all the jobs "on hold" or going another direction.

Fernando on the other hand, was just offered a long-term contract position at BeautiControl (the same place he freelanced for before). He'll be redesigning their internal magazine until the end of December. He even got called back into work at Razor for a day. He's barely had any non-work days since his lay-off.

Being the sweetie that he is, he was telling his family all about my interview and how great it would be if I worked for Todd. He was just updating them on his offer and any recent news of how we were doing. It all sound so good when he said it. The truth was killing me. I started going through all my emails looking for contacts to follow-up with. I found the perfect wedding planner who I had first contacted before our wedding and emailed her. Again, didn't say anything to Fernando just yet.

I was really down and we ended up talking about our future plans for some reason -- I don't remember the whole conversation and I just blurted out "I didn't get it". He thought I was joking and then I started crying. He was very comforting and said all the right things. When I got over the tears I told him about my new email. I had actually already heard back and would have an interview on Monday - I followed up at just the right time!

The interview was with Rebecca Hackl Events. It started out all wrong - I got lost on the way there! I called Fernando frantic and asked for directions. I also called Rebecca to apologize and let her know--got voicemail. I ended up near tears and 15 minutes late - such a bad impression. Rebecca didn't seem to mind, however - she was tied up on a call and it was better for her to start late. We talked for over an hour! Everything went really well. Her company is small -- 3 or 4 people and does corporate events and weddings. They also do custom stationary. I was so excited about this and showed her samples from our wedding. She is looking to hire two interns with the possibility of hiring full-time and the decision should be quick.... she told me everything looked good...stay tuned.

MAW has kind of been all I have that is my own project lately. This is making Fernando's life difficult because after a long day at work (8-12 hours a day), he hears about how much MAW stuff needs to get done. There have been many tears over this as well. We decided a solution would be a project board---that way he has a visual reminder and I can back off. It was a great idea but doesn't guarantee that things will get done when I want them to -- paying jobs come first and he gets worn out. I have to let go a little bit apparently. We need a compromise between "it's pro-bono, it will get done when it gets done" and my detailed time lines and reminders. What can I say, I'm attached to my work. Remember to check out wish100.org!

Despite my emotional ups and downs, we are well taken care of for both of us being technically unemployed. We now have multiple sources of income that more than cover everything we need and we are applying for health insurance on our own through UniCare. I'm working on the rest with the help of my loving husband.

Real Life Newlyweds

Since my last post it's been same old, same old (or work, work, work).

We're busy with Wish 100 and just had our second committee meeting. The site is live and we're now moving to brochure, poster, billboards, ads, etc. Fernando got a two week freelance job that has kept him very busy. I've been splitting time between the yoga studio and Pottery Barn. I also met with my first bride and observed Margaret taking down all the information. It's interesting to now be on the other side of it. I am very much looking forward to being involved in more plans and coordinating my own weddings!

One fun thing we did was go to a pool party at Paul and Maureen Mouer's (although I missed the beginning because of work). And Fernando saw the new Harry Potter movie with John (I was not interested). Then there's the occasional happy hour with the working folks.

Two of our favorite shows start back this fall - Heroes and Mad Men, so we're excited to actually have something good on TV - only so many re-runs of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations I can take and only so many What Not to Wear and Say Yes to the Dress Fernando can take. We did also finally rent Slumdog Millionaire and really enjoyed it.

We're looking forward to a very busy and fun August. Erika comes home from Spain tomorrow and the parents will be in Dallas on Friday to greet her. They will also be house-hunting. That's right, the in-laws are going to be in Dallas soon (probably a year). My interview at Todd Events is finally about to be here - on the 4th at 2pm. I am anxious to see what they have to offer and hopeful for good news. Fernando will go to Boise for a bachelor party (the less I know the better, I think). We're going to New Braunfels to go tubing with a bunch of friends. We've already planned to stop at the Pottery Barn Outlet in San Marcos and Torchy's Tacos in Austin - Can't Wait!!! Then we're in Boise together for a week for Justin and Michelle's wedding and visiting parents and friends. For the few Saturdays we are in town, Addison does Salsa lessons and a show in the park by our apartment.

In family news, 0ur nephew, Henry, turned 2 on the 23rd and my mother turned a year older yesterday. Her neighbors threw her a party complete with a pinata and tamales - Guatemala is good to her.

Troubles with Wells Fargo

I am so completely un-happy with Wells Fargo.

We only took one credit card on our honey moon to be safe - Fernando's Wells Fargo card. We usually do not like to use credit cards, but did not have access to Internet for checking balances and things so we were careful with our Bank of America debit card, cash and travelers cheques and put the rest on the credit card, including our balance at Le Petit Hotel in St. Martin.

About a month after we returned home, Fernando got a call from the hotel saying that the charge of our balance had bounced back. They wanted their money. We logged into the account to see what happened and sure enough, Wells Fargo had credited us back for the amount. This happened without any communication to us whatsoever. We called the bank and they explained by saying they thought it was fraud. We told them it was a valid charge and asked for the charge to be put back on the card.

Well, as I said, we don't like using credit cards. We had since closed the account so we could just pay it off and stay debt-free. Since the account was closed, Wells Fargo claimed there was nothing they could do. We had to pay the hotel out of our checking account.

Two weeks later we get a letter from Wells Fargo saying the credit they gave us was a mistake and they had corrected it. We've now paid the hotel twice. We called Wells Fargo and threw a fit. They said they could only re-credit us if we prove we had paid with another card. So, we faxed a copy of our Bank of America statement. When we called to follow-up, we got the run-around. After speaking with a manager we MIGHT have our money back in 30-days. More hassle and phone calls to come...

Happy Birthday America (and Tracy and Rachel)!

For the Fourth of July, the city of Addison celebrates on the 3rd with Kaboom Town and a firework show. Tracy shares a birthday with Independence Day and turned 3o plus 1. We had the whole group over on the 3rd for a pot-luck pool party and then went up to the roof of our garage to see the fireworks. Robby made us some African "buguz", we played pool volleyball, had cake, played late night X-box AND Wii... - it was a lot of fun. Rachel turned 26 on the fifth of July and we had our usual phone call. I also sent her a special package. Happy Birthday to all!

On the actual Fourth, we just stayed home and watched Heroes season 3 all day. We now have just one episode left that we'll watch tonight when Fernando gets home from kicking the soccer ball with the boys. The Fourth was officially ruined when Fernando let the pool clean-up guy throw away our volleyball net AND weights that hold it in the water. I was and still am really upset over this. It's a $6 child's toy that has lasted over 2 years and provided fun for all. I went to CVS today looking for a new one and it was not there! He owes me big time.

My Many Jobs

In no particular order, this is my life right now. I bought new planner pages just to keep up.

1. Wedding Coordinator at Wilshire Baptist Church - That's right, I am now a Wedding Coordinator!!! I will be in charge of making sure couples adhere to Wilshire's policies and guidelines as well as coordinating their every need for the ceremony as it relates to the church. If you met Margaret at our wedding, I will have her role. My first wedding will be shadowing Margaret on September 6 and then I am free to be scheduled for my own weddings! I am so excited for this opportunity to learn and get closer to the wedding industry. The position pays a flat fee per wedding.

2. Sales Associate at Pottery Barn - My first shift is 12-6 tomorrow. This is an opportunity for extra income and a great discount. I'm conveniently at the Galleria Dallas location. I'll also have the chance to be part of the wedding registry consultation team and/or train to teach decorating classes. The position pays hourly.

3. Event Coordinator/Media Relations for Running for Awareness - I'm helping Auroa with her October 3 - November 17 run across Texas. Not too busy yet, but momentum is building as we get closer to October! I'm sending Press Releases out trying to create a media hype and answering phone calls. I've already utilized my contacts at Dallas Business Journal and D Magazine. There may be more opportunity as the event progresses. This is a volunteer position for now.

4. Advertising Account Executive/ Marketing and Event Consultant for Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas - I am continuing to manage creative changes for the Wish Upon a Par Golf Tournament materials. I am also the account lead on the Wish 100, a 100k cycling rally, identity and event campaign that Fernando is working on. We've got a great team. These projects are hopefully the beginnings of Good People, our self-started agency. This is pro-bono work.

5. First Contact/ Future Yogee Angel/ Cosmic Prefect's Help at Suze Curtis' Dynamic Power Yoga Plus - First Contact = Front desk check-in. I do this 5 times a month (Friday Noon, plus one weekend) in exchange for unlimited free yoga. Future Yogee Angel = Babysitter. I do this Thursday evenings in exchange for Fernando's unlimited free yoga. Many of the studio instructors are moms so having a babysitting room available is a big plus for all. I get a call the day before to let me know if there will be kids or not. Cosmic Prefect = Administrative/ paperwork. I enter forms into the computer, count money, update member list, etc. I am a backup to the full-time girl and get paid by the hour when she's out. Fernando and I are absolutely loving our free yoga. We average 4 times a week and have recruited friends and family to join in practice. Gotta love the 'yogee' titles!

Last and most importantly (although it's hardly a JOB), I am a loving and faithful wife to my sweet husband, Fernando. (aww!) He cooks and I clean.

Still to come?: I was contacted by a recruiter for Holt Design Inc. for an Account Executive position. I'm waiting to hear back for an interview. My cousin, Kim, referred me for a part-time salesforce.com reporting position at EquaTerra, where she currently works. I am waiting to hear for a phone interview.

My goals are to keep an open mind about everything and let God work out his plans for me. I'll continue to go for part-time jobs that stimulate my mind and pay the bills, while reaching for the dream of being my own boss as a Wedding Planner and part-owner of Good People (Creative Solutions?).

In spite of all this, I am still technically unemployed - nothing is full-time - so I can still collect unemployment. As my income increases my benefits will be affected I'm sure, but every little bit helps.

Fernando is working on his portfolio, goals and searching as well. We hope to work together on Good People and still separately find our own passions. It's hard being couped up at home all day, but as we learn to live and get out more, this unemployment thing really isn't so bad. We will survive.

Road Trip!

Fernando has been looking forward to the HOW Design Conference in Austin for months! He showed so much interest that he got Razor to agree to send him all expenses paid (about a $1,000 ticket, plus flight and hotel). Well, of course they laid him off one week before the conference. It was all cancelled. He even heard they were sending a new employee in his place -so terrible!

Then yesterday he got a 'high importance' email from HR saying they were unable to transfer or cancel his conference ticket with so little notice and he had better get to Austin (on his own bill). So, we packed up the car and here I am at the downtown Austin La Quinta Inn working on my blog while Fernando gets wined and dined at conference events. We had a nice, yet blistering hot, drive down and of course stopped at Czech Stop in West for kolaches. I am hoping to get a lot accomplished and enjoy the change of scenery. The hotel has a pool...

Father's Day

Another Father's Day come and gone - 5 1/2 years after my Dad's passing. I now have a new family to celebrate with and a Father-In-Law. We spent our day going to church and sitting by the pool. Fernando called his Dad in Boise, because of course he didn't plan ahead enough to send a card. Fernando Sr. jokingly wished Fernando a Happy Father's Day as well - not yet! I will never stop missing my Dad, but I can see how we are moving to the next phase of our lives where my Fernando is the head of the household and will become the perfect Dad that I miss (someday).

For Richer or Poorer

These vows we took are about to have a whole lot more meaning. Fernando was laid-off from Razor on Thursday afternoon. We are now both unemployed. We're not sure what the future holds, but we are in it together. It will be a bonding experience. As I type this blog entry, Fernando is home with me making breakfast. Not may newlyweds get that much time together! Between the two of us, we have now experienced three lay-offs in less than a year.

Aurora's Run for Awareness

Our photographer Aurora is even more amazing that we thought. She will be running 300 miles across Texas, starting October 17. Please participate in her e-party on June 29 and check out her blog for more.

Connections

Yesterday I found out how I landed where I am at the yoga studio (and that the paperwork position and working more than 5 times a month is paid - in addition to free yoga!). I showed up for class and the front desk person was not there. The instructor was scanning people in. She had to get ready to teach class and asked me to help out until everyone came in. The girl who was running late (traffic and rain) was Natalie!

Natalie, who teaches boot camp for hawkeye employees and friends (Nando and I did first year before we were dating), has been going to the studio for years and has been referring her boot campers there. When we moved to Addison Tracy and Valerie (boot campers) told us they used to do yoga around our neighborhood. I checked it out and inquired about a position and here we are. Timing of everything has just been perfect. I first asked about the position before the wedding when I would not have had time. Suze called last week to say there was an opening. I'm finding this lay off was a really good thing.

Suze had been talking to Natalie about helping with paperwork and she could not commit with having a little one at home. Natalie had just learned from Tracy and Valerie the day before that I was now working at the studio so mentioned my name to Suze. She knew my background and that I was not working. I didn't even realize Natalie was at the studio and her name was even on my contact sheet. Such a small world. I love how things work out. It's so great to make friends everywhere and see how those connections blossom and touch other parts of your life.

Happiness.

So today I was offered the position at Pottery Barn. Orientation is at 5pm on the 21st followed by a shift of doing floor changes until 2am. I'm excited to be getting out of the house more and meeting people. I'm especially excited for the discount (Williams Sonoma too)!

Also today, while at DPYP front desk training, Suze Curtis herself called to tell me how wonderful I am and that she'd like me to train to be a backup for the woman who handles all the paperwork. More details to come on this. I went in to take class tonight and came a little early to discuss, but she did not want to bother with business before my practice. I just love yoga. I feel so much better already and I've only been in 4 times since I was offered the trade position. Fernando is getting a discounted membership and loving it just as much. We may even get Ashley to join. The goal is to go 3-4 times a week - ideally everyday while I have so much free time. There are over 100 classes a month!

I'm just enjoying the place I am in and letting things fall into place. I'm getting all my schedules organized to where I will have daily lists of goals to get me closer to being a wedding planner. Still very anxious for the Aug 4 interview with Todd Events, but working on setting up more options.

Fernando has been checking e-bay for letterpresses and plans to purchase one as soon as some freelance project money comes in. He is so enthusiastic about learning a specialty for invitation/card making. He has also continued to make healthy meals from scratch and per several recommendations from Christeven, we have ordered Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and are already trying the recipes found online and eaten at their home.

I love my husband. I love my family. I love my friends. Life is good.

Happiness.

"Good luck is the result of good planning"

The fortune cookie does not lie...

Husband and wife day 37. Status = still in love.

We have been home from our honeymoon for about 3 weeks and are really enjoying our summer. It is as far from back to 'business as usual' as can be. We have a long, exciting journey ahead.

I have decided to pursue a career in wedding planning and have not really been looking for full-time advertising positions any more. My big accomplishment this week is that I have an interview set up on August 4 to discuss an internship at Todd Events for this fall. The ultimate goal is to have my own business, but this would be great learning experience. I do not know any of the details until I go in and talk to someone, but I am up for anything they will let me do. Not sure how much if any competition. I need to get this.

Of course I have to have other options, so I'm trying to stay productive during the day by doing research and looking for other positions. I've also accepted a trade-for-free yoga job. Five days a month (about 2 hours each time), I will work the front desk at Dynamic Power Yoga Plus! It's just a short walk from our apartment. I'm so excited for this. I love love love the classes and it's a great way to stay relaxed and in shape. Fernando plans to offer his design services for a membership, but will join me and pay in the mean time.

We're going to need some income while I reach for this new career, so last week I also applied for a part-time job at Pottery Barn. Hope to hear back any time now. It would just be about 3 days a week - a little extra money, but still leaving time to work on other things (also a sweet discount).

Fernando is still working as an Art Director as Razor. He eventually wants something more than hocking direct mail as well. The current plan is to design wedding invitations and websites on the side, partnering with my soon to be planning business of course. We also both still do pro-bono work for The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas. Our current project is the first annual Wish 100, a 100-k bicycle rally. It's such a great cause and a good opportunity for creative work. He is doing everything from the website and brochures to jerseys and caps. I hope we can afford to buy bikes by October and participate in the race. This is also one of the reasons Fernando has been so busy and has not touched our honeymoon pictures. They will come soon, I hope...

This type of side work has sparked ideas for starting our own agency with several of our friends who also help with Make-A-Wish and/or are ready to be on their own. We'd like to call it "Good People", a phrase borrowed from Robby. This is just another thing I need to do some research and thinking on. Make-A-Wish is ready to forward our names on to clients who can pay with a great recommendation. The time is now!

We are just loving each other and keeping our options open. We've been spending a lot of time out at the pool and with our friends. Ashley recently got us hooked on The Settlers of Catan board game. It is a new league of nerdy, but fun.

In family news, Erika left for Spain yesterday morning. She is off to work at a Bible-based children's camp in La Granja, a small town just north of Madrid, with CAM International and will not return until days before school starts teaching her bilingual kindergartners. My mother-in-law (I have in laws!) was in town this past weekend to see her off. We had a big Cuban dinner and played dominoes - so fun.

My mother is still doing well in Guatemala. She is scheduled to come home to Katy April 2010 but would like to stay until at least August. Her blog tells more.

We are loving having two nephews and a niece - just wish they were closer. They are growing cuter and cuter. I am over due on catching up with the siblings, but the baby pictures of the boys and Audrey tell all.

So much going on and so many un-knowns. Lots to pray about.

How We Got Here

For a complete history of The Bling Blog please visit the original:
http://elizabeth-blingblog.blogspot.com/