His and Her's

[one]
What are your middle names?
Michael and Jean

[two]
How long have you been together?
Together: four years. Married: Over a year.

[three]
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About ten months.

[four]
Who asked who out?
He asked me.

[five]
How old are each of you?
He is 25 I'm 24.

[six]
What are your astrological signs?
Libra, Scorpio.

[seven]
Who's mother do you see the most?
Ironically mine even though he's lives just four hours away and mine is 1600 miles away.

[eight]
Who’s siblings do you see the most?
Again, mine.

[nine]
Do you have any children together?
Nope.

[ten]
What about pets?
We have balloons :)

[eleven]
How many times a week do you see each other?
Everyday.

[twelve]
Who said I love you first?
I did.

[thirteen]
Did you go to the same school?
We went to the came college.

[fourteen]
Are you from the same hometown?
No.

[fifteen]
Do you live in the same town now?
Yes.

[sixteen]
Who's the smartest?
Depends on the topic.

[tnineteen]
Who is more sensitive?
I am.

[twenty]
Where do you eat out at most as a couple?
We really don't eat out that much. If we did, probably 99.

[twenty one]
Where do you shop the most as a couple?
Macy*s and Old Navy.

[twenty two]
Where is the furthest you have traveled as a couple?
Hawaii.

[twenty three]
Who has the best group of friends?
We have the same friends.

[twenty four]
Who has the worst temper?
He does.

[twenty five]
Who does the cooking?
He's a good cook.

[twenty six]
Who is more social?
I am.

[twenty seven]
Who is the neat-freak?
ME!

[twenty eight]
Who is the most affectionate?
We're pretty equal on that part.

[twenty nine]
Who is the most stubborn?
We both are very stubborn!

[thirty]
Who hogs the bed?
That's personal.

[thirty one]
Who wakes up earlier?
He does.

[thirty two]
Who has the bigger family?
I do.

[thirty three]
Do you give/get flowers often?
Yes!

[thirty four]
How do you spend the holidays?
We're learning how to split the holidays between families. So far it's been OK.

[thirty five]
Do you have pet names for each other?
No.

Hanson Mania

It was early on a hot, sticky, and humid Saturday morning as I anxiously stood in line by myself as my two other girlfriends, and our moms were sporadically placed throughout the thousands of teeny-bopper girls. We knew the game and knew how to play it well. You see, Ticketmaster does a lottery whenever tickets go on sale at the Orlando Arena. When you arrive, you take a ticket and stand in line. Whose ever number is called is first in line and everyone in front of them goes to the end of the line. If we did our probability correctly, (as we always did), we would end up receiving decent seats to the Hanson concerts. That was 1997-2000.

Jumping eight years, Grammy nominated, owning their own record label and two albums later I saw Hanson again. Tickets for their shows were always reasonable compared to the other "boy bands" during their time however this time I could just walk into the Ticketmaster at work and not worry about seating because it was general admission. Without further ado, here's my adventure...

Amanda was reluctant to tag along with me, even though by the end of the night she did confess she had an amazing time. Hampton Beach, NH is only about an hour north from here just along the coast. The two of us grabbed a nutritious meal that consisted of a quarter pounder with cheese and drove on up.

The directions did tell us to go along 95, however we crossed the border by driving on back roads which completely confused us. One minute we're in a quinte little town, the next we had ended up on Bob's road along the trailer park. We finally had to stop because first I was laughing so hard, and secondly, the road ended right at the beach when we're supposed to be looking for a casino.

We assumed a casino looked likes a casino. Vegas baby. We forgot we were in New Hampshire. Sure, enough we drive right by a place with little blue print that says "Casino Beach". This place had a skating rink, hot dog stand, and one of those bowling games where you can win a stuff animal. It was really like a fair. It was a beach town. So we parked and when I mean park, we literally just turned off the car and prayed to God we wouldn't be towed.

During our waiting period we met some other girls who ironically all live in the Northshore vicinity. We all exchanged numbers, gabbed about Hanson and talked about school.

The opening act was fantastic. Stephen Kellogg has a talent for piano playing. That guy can work those fingers. It was amazing. The group was so good Amanda purchased their CD and there was a time where we could meet them after the show.

Hanson came on and we all felt like we were fourteen all over again. Quite frankly it was a little refreshing. For two hours we could just scream, dance and wave our hands and have not a care in the world because 2,000 other girls our age were doing the same thing. I had forgotten how much fun concerts were. I've been to small indie ones here and there but nothing major. Plus we had a fantastic view.

So now I'm back to reality. Fortunately all of us girls are getting together Saturday night. I'll be able to act care free one more time.

I find hope and it gives me rest
I find hope in a beating chest
I find hope in what eyes don't see
I find hope in your hate for me
Have no fear when the waters rise
We can conquer this great divide

What The Kids Are Listening To

Kristen's Sweet Sixteen party was a blast. I think I did an awesome job if I might say so myself as I pat myself on the back for my achievement. I think the best part was just observing how sixteen year olds act. It's too funny. Admiring themselves in the mirror, telling each other how beautiful they all are and taking pictures in different poses. It was completely a riot. I actually joined in on the fun.

On the way home the girls that live in our neighborhood hitched a ride with us from the hotel after the party and blasted the radio. Lonestar's Amazed came on the oldies but goodies station.

"Girls, I love this song! I remember when it first came out. they totally played it at my prom."

Complete silence from the backseat.

"Ok, I feel old."

Here's a little snip of that moment... Please excuse the driving and singing.

HAPPY SWEET 16 KRISTEN!

Happy Birthday Kristen! You're the best sister ever. I love you "a million times a million!"

Going Back To My Youth

I'm sitting here in my mom's classroom listening to her teach 8th grade English to adelescents. I haven't really been to this school, (besides the sporadic visits ), since I left here ten years ago. It's a strange feeling.

I arrived last night fashionably late, but safely. Our flight was 75 minutes late, however it's amazing how people don't get irritate when there's a Sox/Yankees game on. "Folks, your flight is on it's way from Baltimore, so it'll be here within the hour." No groans, just silence as everyone's attention was on the television screen. Oh, the joy of flying.

Sticking Up For Myself

Jim says I need to stick up for myself more at work. Working seven days straight with five of them being 1-10 shifts can really wipe you out. Plus, it's really a stressful time because June is approaching which is the biggest wedding month out of the whole year. So this is my apology to whomever I have snapped at or have just been plain rude to within the past week. It's a lame excuse but I literally have cried myself home from work every night because of the stress.

On Saturday I made a $3,000 sale which by the end of the day doubled what we needed to make for the day. Do I get a fucking cookie for that? No. Not that I was looking for any recognition, but come on people throw me a bone sometime!

People ask me why June is the most popular month to get married. Is it too clich'e? I tell them what my mom enlightened me on when I was younger:

It all started in England during the 1500's. People took their yearly baths in May when the weather warmed up. By June, they were still fairly clean and smelled pretty good, compared to the rest of the year. **Side note: However, body odor had returned, so the brides carried a bouquet of fresh flowers to mask the scent of the odor.** Some believe the bouquet was the keep the evil demons away from the bride and her marriage. Who knows. It's fascinating how we still continue the old English traditions to this day.

Now that I'm completely off topic, I think I will voice my opinion more frequently when I have something to say at work.

First of all, HR says I have until July 1st to take my week's worth of vacation. This means I have to plain seven consecutive days for my break and not seven sporadic ones. However, my regional says I have until May 31st because I have to work the whole month of June. Please tell me who is right in this situation!

Next, instead of listening to, "Erin, please make 300 e-mails and calls (literally) by the end of the day."..."Erin, why aren't you greeting the customer at the kiosk?"..."Erin, I really need you to sit down and make those calls. Please don't ring up bridal customers." I'm going to ask firmly, but politely what would they like me to do more. Getting the current sales we are making throughout the store completed or calling and e-mailing potential sales that might not even happen?

Finally, I'm going to ask my manager if I can work 9-6 tomorrow so I'm able to see Jim before my trip. It's really not fair for him when I have the late night shifts every single day. Plus, my manager will already be working 1-10 with me Tuesday night so does it really make a difference if I change it? Two people on in the AM and one person on in the PM. Holding down the crowd on a random Tuesday night won't be too much of a struggle.

I feel like screaming, "Go go Gadget arms and legs!" Wish me luck.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Happy Birthday Mom! Each day I am so inspired by your love, kindness, knowledge, wisdom and words of affirmation.

A Turning Point In Life

This is so surreal. Too bad I was working when it was broadcast. Maybe there's actually hope for this vain world we live in where everything is about "me, myself and I." Granted, I'm no saint to this statement but maybe this performance made some people out there have a heart filled reality check. Who knows. You can always hope.

I love black choirs. Is that bad to say? I truly love them. They give their whole mind, body, and soul when they sing. It's truly incredible. I wanted one for my wedding. Maybe I'll get one for my funeral. Ok, that sounded really morbid! Anyway, I could listen to a black choir all day like if I had the choice and time.

Prodigy

You know when someone on AI performs over the top when you receive goosebumps during their performance. This seventeen year old is going to sail through the competition and be the next American Idol this year. His voice is like sound of Angels.

Facebook

This afternoon I made an account on FB for my mom. She's a pretty hip person. I think she needs to get in touch with her virtual connections that don't involve grading papers, e-mailing the principle, and the sporadic online shopping during the day at The Loft, (come on, you know you do it at work too), constantly throughout the day.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the acronym "FB" it's short for Facebook- a "social networking system" according to Wiki. Her birthday is on Sunday and what better way to stay young is to get hooked in the ever changing computer world. Your private life is now made public thanks to FB just by advertising your pictures, events, groups and status. For example:

Jean is attending her birthday party event.
Jean just joined the Liberty Middle School Rangers Group.
Jean is...enjoying life to the fullest!

We know it's invasive, but we all love it to some degree. What will be next?

Weird

Reaching for a hand that can understand, someone who feels the same.

When you live in a cookie cutter world being different is a sin.

So you don't stand out and you don't fit in. Weird.

Isn't it strange how we all feel a little bit weird sometimes.

AI Season 7

Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a die-hard American Idol fan. I have been a true believer since the very beginning when Kelly Clarkson had her first audition in Dallas, Texas seven years ago. So far this season has been no different. I love the enthusiasm from the performances and see how the singers are truly devoted to this competition. I think that what makes the hour worth my while is seeing people live their dream they have either struggled for their entire lives, or show off the talent God has given them. How awesome is that?

Each week on results night I'm starting to get a little emotional along with the singers just to think how one of them will to be eliminated. You truly get attached to each one of them every week as you watch them sing a country folk tune from Dolly Parton or a brilliant master minded song by John Lennon. You get to depict the different styles and personalities each singer has, which is by far extraordinary.

To sum up this season in a nut shell, here's my all time favorite performances thus far. I guess I'll always be a sucker for the rockers.

April Fools...NOT!

My eyes fully opened to the thought that it was 8.55am and I had to be at work at 9.00am this morning. I quickly hopped out of bed, jumped in the shower, dabbed on some make-up, scrunched my hair, and put on the first thing I saw in my closet and I was out the door by 9.20am. For a girl that is truly remarkable. Jim helped by making coffee for the go, my true incentive in the AM.

On all the days that I could have been late, which I never am, it's the day that our director from New York was visiting. Fortunately, she was late too. She's a nice gal I'm sure. She knows the business backwards and forwards and to listen to her speak is very empowering and inspirational. She's a tough cookie when it comes to making goals, and believe me we're not making them (to her standards) which was made quite clear. She did however like my eyes. That's the first thing she told me when we were introduced. At least it started off on a positive note. Don't worry, it ended on one too.

Since working at my job, I have come to enjoy numbers more freely. However, sitting in the meeting room for over two hours going over every acronym you could possibly think of and matching it to a percentage to compare it with, your head starts to hurt. This asset goes to this one, and blah, blah, blah. I understand what she was telling us, I was just getting a little hungry.

That meeting ended, and another with just my manager began. That was less intimidating, but lasted another two hours.

I wanted to pinch myself a few times during the day just to make sure someone wasn't fooling me at all. I mean, this could have been the most incredible April Fool's joke ever, (in a very distorted view) to create. Having your regional's boss come into town and tell you you're not meeting goal when you think you were doing a swell job this whole time. Pure genius. But no. No joke.

It just started raining. I absolutely LOVE it when it rains at night when I'm going to bed. I enjoy nodding off to the sound of the drops hitting the rooftop. It reminds me of the storms we habitually get in the Sunshine State.