The Wonder of Straws

Why is it that drinks taste so much better when you drink them through a straw??? I’m not talking about alcoholic beverages; I’m talking about things such as iced tea, lemonade, and water. My theory is that it’s because we associate straws with eating out. At home we just drink out of a glass (or water bottle, if you live off water like I do), but when you go out you get a drink with a straw. Therefore straws=something out of the ordinary.

I know, you’re probably thinking, “what a random thought” …and you’re right : )

My Oh-So-Sweet Parents

My parents were the Matron-of-Honor and Best Man in the wedding of their friends Cheryl and Jim last weekend. The wedding took place at my home-town church, the same church that my parents, and Aaron and I got married in. After the wedding, I took the below pictures of my parents. The really special thing about the pictures (other than that my parents are in them) is that they are the same poses and locations as pictures that they had taken on their wedding day, almost 25 years ago. My parents are such an amazing example of love and marriage and these pictures only begin to show what a truly adorable and wonderful couple they are. If you know my parents, then you know the beautiful relationship that they share:) We can all hope to be so much in love after 25 years!

At Last...A Weekend at Home!

This is the first weekend in a month that I haven’t had to go back to Brazil, IN for some kind of family gathering or event. Though all the things I’ve done in Brazil the last few weeks have been fun, I’m really looking forward to spending this weekend at my own home. Instead of going to Brazil, some of Brazil is coming to us…Aaron’s parents might come up for a visit on Saturday. I hope they do because it would be great to see them!

Today's Topic of Frustration

Okay, I have to vent for a minute (or two or three). If this doesn’t apply to you, then just enjoy the read, otherwise take heed:) (By the way, I don’t think this entry applies to most of my regular blog readers so I am using this as a forum to vent my frustration : ) )

Regarding forwarded emails:

Definition of forwarded e-mails- any e-mail that you did not personally write, compose, or otherwise construct, that you received from someone else with an “FW:” in the subject line.

Here’s my issue…. I like to get e-mail just as much as the next person, but getting hit with a constant barrage of bad forwarded e-mails drives me batty! Not all forwarded e-mails get on my nerves, just the ones that possess the following qualities: (if you are debating whether or not to send me a forwarded e-mail please refer to this list)

1.) If the e-mail has some superstitious thing at the end of it like, “if you do not send this on to 7 people then you will have bad luck for the next 7 years,” or “send this to 5 people in 5 minutes and your true love will realize that they love you sometime between 1am and 4am tomorrow morning.” Etc. etc. I think you get the idea.

2.) Messages that are only mildly funny, mildly profound, or mildly informational. When I receive a forwarded message I expect to either A.) Laugh so hard I nearly cry B.) Think hard about a profound statement that relates directly to me and my life, or C.) Feel like I’ve just learned a great fact for life or gained greater wisdom by reading the enclosed message.


Okay, now for the kind of forwarded e-mails that I like to receive.

1.) Anything that will make me laugh out loud, ponder something, or feel more informed.

2.) Anything related to the military or supporting our troops.

3.) Anything that will help me get to know you better, example:
a.) List three jobs you’ve had
b.) List three places you’ve lived
c.) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
d.) etc., etc. ………………………………

Other tips for sending GOOD forwards to ANYONE…

1.) If you receive a forward that has a corny superstitious line on it, but is otherwise good…..delete the superstitious line before sending it. That’s what I do!

2.) If the forward has a stupid subject line….change it to something that makes sense (another one of my pet peeves about forwards)

3.) Well, there were really only 2 : )


Wow, I feel better after getting that off my chest! (Like I said above, my regular blog readers are not offenders of bad forwarded e-mails, so thanks for listening to me vent anyway!)

By the way, if you agree with my statements, add a comment to this entry. If I get enough support, I’ll compose this blog entry in e-mail form and start FORWARDING it to others!!!!!!

Belated Self Portrait

Okay, so I realize that I missed last week’s “Self Portrait”. I was packing for a business trip on Tuesday and didn’t have time to have a photo session. So, I thought I would post a picture that I took on my trip. The city I was visiting is the home to family friends so I met them for dinner one evening. In the picture with me are Ami and baby Noah. Paula (Ami’s mom and one of my mom’s best buds) was also there for dinner. She took the picture.

Self Portrait Tuesday

I found out about "Self Portrait Tuesday" from my friend Sarah. Obviously the goal is to take a self portrait and post it on your blog every Tuesday. Here is how the "Self Portait Tuesday" website outlines the experience:

"Self portrait tuesday is about self expression and exploration. The idea is each tuesday you post a self portrait on your blog, give a brief explanation of the picture - you may include your state of mind, what you were trying to do, technical information about the image etc."

Beyond that, I'm going to define my idea of "Self Portrait Tuesday" as I go:) I'm sure some will be fun, some will be boring, some creative, some pretty, and some unflattering.

For my first potrait I decided to take a picture of myself while sitting at my computer at home (since that is where all my "Self Portrait Tuesday" entries will be created). I usually have my hair in a normal ponytail (on the back of my head) when I'm working at the computer, but it isn't a very flattering look for me. So, I thought I'd give the side-pony a try for my portrait. It reminds me of the 80's, but I think it's doable...and the style is coming back.

You'll see my face again in 1 week. Bet you can hardly wait...

Comments Anyone???

I changed a couple setting on my blog and now ANYONE should be able to leave comments on my entries without setting up a blogger log-in ID!!! Follow these easy steps:
1.)Click on the "comments" link under the entry you would like to make a comment on (bottom right corner under the entry)
2.) After you click on the "comments" link you will be directed to the comments page. On the right side of this page, select "Anonymous".
3.) Type your message in the blank box and click on "Login and Publish" and your comment will appear on the comments page. You're done!

*Don't forget to sign your name to your message so I know who left the comment!!! :)

I better start getting A LOT more comments now!!! If I don't, I will scold you each personally...I know who reads this thing:) (Okay, I really don't know, because no one leaves me comments...ha, ha) Everyone start writing!!!

The Return of "Cassandra Creations"...

I had forgotten how much I love graphic design work until last weekend! I started working on some shower invitations for a friend's bridal shower over the weekend and I was reminded of how much I love that kind of creative work. Lucky for me, I'm helping with 2 bridal showers and 1 baby shower in the next few months so I'll have plenty of inviations to design:) Cassandra Creations is rolling again and I'm lovin' it!

Shopping!!! (at the outdoor mall)

My favorite shopping buddy is my mom and we got to go shopping together last weekend! Yippee! We met at Applebee’s in Plainfield (because no girls-day-out is complete without food) and then went to the Ann Taylor Loft in the Metropolis shopping center. As many of you know, The Loft is my FAVORITE clothing store and the Loft at Metropolis is the best one around. However, the whole concept of Metropolis (an outdoor mall) is ridiculous! Whoever thought to put that kind of mall in a variable-climate area was a crazy person. The two times that mom and I have shopped at Metropolis, the weather has been crummy. We shopped there in January and it was snowing!!! The one good thing about it was that the stores weren’t very busy, but how can that be good for business??? (Again, I say, a crazy person thought of the concept) Last weekend, it wasn’t snowing, but it was chilly and very windy. Because of the weather, we only shopped at The Loft and JC Penny (we shopped at Penny’s because we had to walk through Penny’s to get back to our car). Parking is also a nightmare at Metropolis, causing customers to walk at least a mile (slight exaggeration) in the cold (if you happen to go on a day that mom and I are there) :) from the parking lots to the stores. Oh well, regardless of my ranting about the ridiculousness of the concept of an outdoor mall I still had a GREAT time with mom…as I always do when we’re together. I also got some amazing deals and cute clothes:) All-in-all, a good day!