Lauren...thank you for the gift of this blog. I have to admit that, at first, I was skeptical, but it really is an awesome way to keep updated on everyone's life. It's almost like we are still at 1806, crowded around in the living room, talking about our days : )


Life in the Miff has been pretty uneventful...except for the occasional scary story that I bring home from work. The other day I somehow gave out my cellphone #, my full name, general address, and an agreement to take motorcycle lessons with a Motorcycle Mama from work (I also may have given her my date of birth, social security #, and keys to my car...the details are fuzzy). I was her server one minute and her best friend the next. She actually invited me to spend the weekend at her cabin with herself and her husband.

I am convinced that if I continue to work at Quaker Steak for another year, you will never again see me without leather pants or a mullet. I need a real job. : (

In other news, Lindsey and Rob got engaged. I was honestly shocked when she called me. As much as they had talked about it, I didn't think that it would actually happen this soon. It's kind of a strange feeling to congratulate a best friend for something that you don't actually think is a good idea...BUT i guess that is not for me to judge. In classic Rob style, he proposed at Taco Bell over a dinner of cheesy gordita crunches (MJ, I thought that would make you happy haha).


Lauren- Speaking of engagements, I had a dream the other night that you and Alex got engaged. I woke up and for a minute couldn't figure out if it was real or not.



Also, have you heard that there is a job fair in Columbus on September 23rd called "Putting Columbus Back to Work"? I haven't researched it too much yet, but I think I might come out for it if it pertains to me at all. I didn't know if you would want to go too.



LC- I am so proud of you for going for this yoga class. I think it takes a lot of guts to do what you are doing, and I know you will be an amazing yoga teacher. The offer still stands....if, over the course of the month, you are fiending for a candy bar, just give me a call. I have a feeling they will be hard to come by and I can sneak candybars into ANY secure location : )

Good luck with the final wedding preparations. See you soon!



Maria- I apologize for swearing at you in your dream! Now that we have the addresses of both your and Kev's family on file, prime party locations in Albany, and 9 months to plan (when the time comes) a babyshower will be a breeze haha!

I showed everyone I know that news clip of you and Kev. I am still excited about that thing. How freakin cool.

MJ- I'm excited to see you this weekend! I am so glad that you and your family had fun at the game. I think you and Eric are awesome together and am glad that you found a man worthy of you : ) If you two end up together, I think he will be a strong force in your family.

Amy- I'm also excited to see you this weekend! Being in Cincinnati always makes me happy....especially when we will be visiting the magical land of Reiland.

Erin

from my new phone!

I just got a new blackberry (hell yeah mj) and thought I'd post to you guys... I have a new number I'll text everyone soon!

I love you all... Happy september everyone can't wait for the next monthly 1806 suggestion

Maria R

The Last Goodbye

Hello Lovely Ladies,

So Monday night, after many many hours of cleaning, I finally gave all of the keys to John and said the last goodbyes. How very strange though, even with the house completely empty, I could still see all of us in even the very structure of the house... in the walls, the floors and various little nooks where we each would sit (Erin on the countertop in the Kitchen :) ). What a lovely home we had for those three years! The funny thing was, as Amy has already pointed out, John seemed more upset than I was...haha oh John. As far as practical matters are concerned, John said that everything looked great, which leads me to believe that we will be reimbursed in full :)

So what is new in my life? Well, I am for shiz going to the yoga school in upstate NY starting Sept.11 and ending Oct. 10. I will essentially be living like a monk--we wake up at 5:30am and do meditation and chanting, eat modest vegetarian meals twice per day, and are only provided with either a tent or a mattress on the floor for sleeping ( I opted for the mattress after several visions of nightly creatures creeping on me while I am all by my lonesome). I will definitely be qualified to teach yoga when I return which is ubbberrr exciting. I talked to my Mom's yoga instructor--who has been doing yoga since she was a little girl in India--and she said Sivanda yoga centers (the place where I am going) are top of the line...so yay! Also, Kelly and I are able to move into our apartment on Sept 14...I will still be in NY, but I am super super excited to move in when I return. It's in the heart of the short north (bomb diggs) and things with crazy Aristotle (and by Aristotle I am referring to my land lord not the 300 B.C. Greek philosopher and student of Plato) have calmed down--some of you have heard stories, I will spare those of you who have not because they're really not that interesting. Let's just say the lease and our first meeting with him was painfully oppressive and anxiety provoking to say the least (due to statements such as "I have the power to access anyone's bank account any where in the world any time I want mwwwhahahahahahhaa"--or something to that effect). Oh yes, and of course, still no job, but i will not reaaaallly begin searching until I return...so hopefully things will work out. Patrick and Heather's wedding is only about a week away--eeeesssshhhhkk. My mom and I are putting together a few fun things for the reception. For example, we are making a slide show of Patrick from birth until now. There are some really winning pictures, such as him sitting on the toliet at the age of 3 holding his nose whilst pooping (sorry mj)...good stuff. Also, Heather and Patrick seem to want me to give a speech along with the maid of honor and best man, so we'll see how that goes. AAANND my mom bought this flinstones -like red bat that Patrick had when he was a little little boy and is going to give it to him at the reception after their dance :) The rehearsal dinner is going to be at our house, which I am soooo excited about! It'll be awesome to have family and friends gathered on our deck and in our backyard for what seems like one of the last times.

Phew okay sorry about that riiiiddddiiccccuulllooouussslllyyy looooooooong update, but I had to do it all justice.

Individual shout-outs:

Amy: I am soooo happy you had a lovely time in California :) It seems like it was a defining moment in your life, which although stressful, has brought you to a better place. This situation reminds me of an episode of Avatar (no rolling of eyes! eehhm ERIN!) when the Uncle says "You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I find, if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place". Ya know, because you and John can't know where you are going to end up or what is going to happen, but if you trust each other and keep moving forward --no matter if by inches or miles--keeping the other person in your heart, you will have moments of clarity. Okay whoa totally just reminded myself of a cheesy TV show or Hallmark card so I am going to stop, but I love you Amy and I believe I believe I believe in your relationship with John...that's all :)

Maria J: Your little post about your brother and Eric made my heart smile. I am so deeply happy for you. I don't know what else to say besides I love you and it seems as though you have found a gem, someone who enriches your life on so many different levels. Keep that boy close to your heart, for you have found a rarity!

Maria Rrrr: I am soooo excited to come see you! My mom and I are finalizing the airplane ticket situacion today, so I will let you know what is the dealyo as soon as I do! I am going to feel like the girl version of You, me and Dupree....Like heeeeyyya Kevo just crashin here for a bit because I, well I am a drifter. I love you!

Lauren P: What are you up tooooo?? How goes the job hunt? Stilll loving germantown? Tell Alex I said ELllloo!! I love you!

Erin Pants: How is life in the burg? I miss you and want you to move to Columbus still pllleeeeaaase. You know you wanna. Also, I know you said you only wanted to go to Europe if you could go now, but please keep an open mind to spring/summer. I know it seems unrealistic, but we might be able to make it work. I don't want our Europe plans to be lost forever just becuase I am going to become a Yogi. I love you marry me please?


Farewell for now,

LCBOMB

Something AWESOME I want to share with you guys!

I just think this is one of the sweetest things, so I wanted to tell you all. Eric's family has three separate sets of tickets to the Bengals' games. Last night, the Bengals played St. Louis (haha I think?) and Eric invited my whole family to the game (minus Katie because she is in Boston playing Northeastern)... Eric mainly did it for my brother, because he wanted him to be able to have fun. AND! CHRIS HAD A BLAST! he was so excited to be there! and he borrowed a jersey from his friend! and when I first called him to invite him, he sounded sad on the phone. But when I told him why I was calling, he instantly sounded happy. It was just so great. I almost cried at the game because chris was having such a good time and talking to my parents and eric and me. Like top 5 moments of my life. And Chris was really appreciative. It was just awesome. I know that over the past 2 years you guys have listened to many horrible and sad stories about my family, so I really wanted to share this one good one with you : )  Side note: I think that Eric may be something special that helps pull my family together, and I really like that. 

MJ

hahaha

I would just like you all to know who I am texting back and forth with right now... John Proodian hahaha. Sorry, I just had to share. We're chatting about Huntington Beach and he started it for the record. I think he's more upset about us leaving than we are!

Amy

News from up North

Ahh I love that everyone is writing about their adventures! MJ I did not know you were going on a sexy Florida vacation, but it sounds very fun and I am happy you had a good time. I also love your role as a soccer sister/aunt. Maybe Gavin can teach Katie the giving the thumbs up after the tackle move for her college games. I am also dropping hints to Kev that I want to go to senior crawl and your graduation next year. I know at senior crawl a few months ago I joked I couldn't come because I would be with child. Hopefully we can hold out for just a few more months so I can come celebrate your big day with you. Haha, actually I had a dream I was pregnant and dream-Erin said to me, "Are you serious, I have to throw you another f-ing party?"

Amy I am sorry to hear that your visit had to be complicated with the very important, but very frustrating conversation. But I know that your love with find a way, it always has. And as for being proud of John, I know I would be bragging my butt off (although when we all love John and are proud of him I don't think we can call it bragging). I loved what you said about him knowing a lot about his job when at 15 he didn't know much of anything. You've got a great way with words Amy. Your post made me laugh right out loud.

Not much going on up here except working. I had my first I hate work cry the other day. The girls were just being mean to me and I am a baby who gets my feelings hurt too easily. But I was calm, cool and collected until I was in the privacy of my own car with Kev. But then a hilariously evil thing happened the other day (remember I've been bullied by these girls). I was helping watch over the swimming activity at the pool when one of my particularly rude and crude girls starts telling the life guard she is going to sit on the lifeguard chair. The lifeguard of course tells her she cannot sit on the chair, as it is for lifeguards only. The girls proceeds to argue with both of us for a while and finally states, "Well fuck you, I am doing it anyway" And as she climbs up the chair and reaches to open the umbrella a wasp flies out and stings her. They apparently were building a nest in the umbrella that sits directly on top of the lifeguard's chair. After we saw that she was not allergic and after she stopped screaming her head off and I couldn't resist very calmly saying, "It is a very good idea to listen to the lifeguard." My Mom tells me this job is going to prepare me for having teenagers, but I swear, there is no way we were this bad.

Alright I love you all and hope you are all well. Talk to you soon!


Maria R

Fishing and boyfriends and joblessness... oh my!

Hey!

I just got back from California last night at about midnight. It was a good trip. Interesting, as I thought it would be but not in any way that was surprising- just typical stuff. They were fine though and I'm very grateful that they think enough of me to include me! On the other hand, I WAS forced to go fishing and bait my own hook with a live little fishy who bled and gasped for air- slightly traumatizing... I won't go into more detail about the experience, but there is just a little taste for you all :)

Anyway, it was good to see John. Unfortunately every time I see him, I realize more how hard this is going to be. I also learned that he does not have the same "1 year maybe 2" time frame for California in his head, which was pretty devastating. He needs to follow this amazing career that he has started and I need and want to be here. For the first time our paths seem to be heading in two completely different directions. Without going into too much detail, I think we decided that somehow we will figure out how to make it work and also I realized that I can't NOT make it work. I don't know how we will because I can't see that far yet but I have faith now. Bad timing though to have this possibly life altering conversation while on vacation with his parents... and I realized that my acting skills are not that impressive so I don't think I could move out to LA to become an actress (so that's out). But anyway, do not worry. After a slight (well, maybe massive) bump in the road we will be fine, probably better, and I think this bump (as they apparently sometimes to do) bumped me right where I need to be.

The rest of the trip was truly fun. We got to go to John's office and factory to see where he worked. We got to take a tour of the Pepsi bottling factory and saw all the drinks being made. It was totally impressive but even more impressive was that John was one of the few people who controlled what happened to those millions of bottles being made there. It cracked me up that he knew so much about this factory and business, only because it makes me think of 15 year old John who didn't know much of anything haha. How things change... Not to brag about my boyfriend here but I was just really proud of him!

So back to finding a job and other responsibilities for me. I have not had any luck on the job front so I hope the rest of you are having better luck than I am. We should be getting a water bill soon. I thought one would come to the house before the very last one which is being sent to me here but I could be wrong. I'll look into it and let you know once I divide up who has to pay what. I'm curious what John said when he looked through the house. Is everything all set with that?

So Labor Day weekend, I will be here in Ryland pretty much all weekend. I know Saturday everyone is busy with the wedding, etc but Sunday and Monday I will be here too. John is coming Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately MJ I don't think we can play golf Monday because people will be coming in and out so I don't think I can leave visitors. Let's play another time though for sure and you are still welcome to come down and hang out by the lake if you like! As is everyone else! Just let me know if and when you plan on coming down and I'll give you directions. I just have to take John to the airport around 6 on Monday so before that we are free.

Hope all is well with everyone else. Talk to you soon.

Amy

P.S. Erin, we had a picnic on the beach in Laguna! John's Aunt Mary made us all sandwiches and brought cherries and carrots for us to eat. It was too cute because she packed it in this old picnic basket that John's grandma used to use for picnics with her kids!

P.P.S. Sorry for the lame title and length of this post