Happy Birthday J.B.!!

Today is J.B.'s birthday!! Have a great day J.B.!! I hope it's fabulous and I can't wait for you to open your presents!

The End of Wedding Season!!

Well, it's official. I went to my last wedding of the year. I actually have two more friends getting married this month but unfortunately I won't be able to make it to their weddings.

This weekend I was a wedding date for a wedding in Chicago. So I drove up Friday night to spend some time with Damla and J.B. It was raining on Friday and traffic was terrible!! It took me almost 5 hours to get there! I could have driven to Midland by that time!!

The ride was bearable though because I started a new book on tape. I'm listening to "The Summons" by John Grisham. It's really good and I was almost bummed when I pulled into my spot back in Indy this afternoon. But I'm in the car for a good 40 minutes a day commuting to work so I'm sure I'll finish it in a couple weeks.

Since I was the wedding date, I was a little concerned that I wasn't going to know anyone at the wedding. Well, that turned out to be a pretty valid concern since it ended up I only knew my date and one of the groomsman. Thankfully, being shy isn't really my way to play and I was able to meet some really nice people. Plus, after dinner I didn't have to worry about conversation anymore because you couldn't tear me off the dance floor. I might sound a little cocky when I say this but I'm a really fun wedding date. ;)

Other fun things that happened recently is that Kamm and I were invited to do some PUMPKIN CARVING!!! Little did we know that this was our calling in life. We made a great team and now have one sweet pumpkin displayed on our patio. It might actually be the only redeeming quality of our patio at the moment.

I've included some pics of the process below. Unfortunately I have no pictures from the wedding to post at the moment. But I know I'm in a few pics other people so we'll just wait and see what shows up on Facebook.

Starting out with cutting the top off. At this point we were a little concerned about our adventure.
I was in charge of scooping out the pumpkin seeds. Using Kamm's artistic abilities and having her sketch our design.
Let the carving begin!! I'm standing that far away in fear of stabbing myself. I didn't realize how awesome I was going to be at carving...and how dull the knife really is.We took turns. We're good at sharing.What we cut out...The glorious finished product!!The rest of the pumpkins made by the group. We only had one candle so we had to take turns putting it in the pumpkin.This is Hank. He made sure we didn't leave any seeds on the ground.This weekend I'm off to St. Louis!!! There are so many glorious things to do and see in STL and I've been looking forward to this trip for MONTHS! And maybe Gina will even stop and let me get a picture with the giant cross in Effingham.

Slow down there Fireball

I've been getting spoiled these last couple weeks because Damla has been coming down to Indy. This past weekend she was down again and this time J.B. came too!! Friday night we had family night and hit up Ocean World as is the tradition in my family. Saturday Damla and I hit the tennis courts and played our first sister vs sister tennis match. I lost...but I'm determined to have a rematch. I hadn't played tennis since March and being back on the courts made me once again realize how much I miss the game. So, I think it's time for me to sign up for a league. I'll keep you posted.

Saturday night we went out in Broad Ripple and met up with some of J.B.'s friends. I always like meeting new people so that was fun! The night flew by and before I knew it, it was time to head home. Damla was super cold so she was walking as fast as possible back to the car when some guys across the street yelled "Slow down there fireball, yo shooooes gonna catch on fire". Possibly my favorite quote ever.

On a different note, last year, someone I know (I think it was Damla) made the New Year's Resolution to be nicer to Customer Service people because it's not there fault that something went wrong with your product. They're just the people who signed up to deal with it. I have to say that I thought it was a pretty good resolution. Probably one I should consider taking on myself. However, at the same time, I think someone should hear how frustrated someone is with the product of their company (or possibly the employees of the company) and maybe that Customer Service person will get sick of all the complaints and pass them up through the ranks so that something can be done about it.

Thursday Kamm and I decided to be spontaneous and hit up the Michael Franti concert at the Murat. For those of you who don't know who he is, don't feel bad because we didn't either. But after a split second decision to purchase his CD from iTunes we decided we really liked him. It brought back memories of when I wanted to put my hair in dreads the last semester before I graduated. But even I wasn't willing to go that long without showering for the look. It's really hard to take pictures at concerts unless you havea really good camera. I had my iPhone and Stef had her camera but we just couldn't get it to happen. Below is the best I could do.
But more important then seeing Michael Franti's face, please notice the giant Converse sneakers hanging from the ceiling.
Today I called AT&T who I have never liked but was forced to get when I got the iPhone. I wonder if Apple no longer made AT&T mandatory, how many people would actually stay with them. In August, I went in to the AT&T store to get my company discount applied to my bill. Apparently a lot of people have been abusing this privilege so now they make you pay $36 in order to get the discount. I thought it was kind of stupid but I figured I'd have my phone long enough to reap the benefits, so I went with it. They did indeed charge me the $36 but of course when I went to check this month for the actual discount, it didn't appear. When I called customer service, I sat there while the lady research for about 20 minutes and then goes "so your discount is 10%"....yes... I waited another 10 minutes for her to do some research and finally asked "are you still there?" b/c I hadn't heard her speak up in a while. Nope. She wasn't.

So after having wasted 30 minutes, I called back again and talked to some guy. He explained that I don't qualify for the discount because I have the original iPhone. You would think that the people in the store would have asked me that. I mean, how else was I supposed to know? And why is it only the original iPhone that doesn't qualify? I didn't have the patience to try and figure that out today. That will be a phone call I make when I'm too tired to argue because I have a feeling I won't like the answer.

In conclusion, I hate you AT&T...and Apple too if it's your fault I can't get this discount. It's a shame I love my iPhone as much as I do.

You can't go wrong with more Roski's in the world

So I've been slacking on the blog postings and am now trying to make up for it!!  Unfortunately, I can't remember what I did last weekend...well at least not the whole weekend. 

Saturday night Kamm, Patrick, and I graced Broad Ripple with our presence at the bars.  We made some positive friends...and some negative ones.  We met some girl who went to IU so we asked if she was in the Greek system to which she replied "I don't take orders from my own sisters so I'm not going to take orders from sorority sisters."  Eeeeeee...  I also found out that it's really risky to ask someone if they were a bridesmaid in the wedding they just came from. Some people just have ugly dresses purely based on their own decisions.

Later in the night, I ran into an old friend of mine from high school!  Good to see you Alex!  The best part was that I think we're really starting to get Patrick to love Rock Lobster.  He's even starting to request that we go there! ;)  Pretty soon we'll be dragging him off the dance floor! 

This past weekend I do remember and it was fabulous!  Damla came into town on Thursday so I got to play with her for a little bit then.  I spent part of my day Friday baking some chocolate chip cookies for J.B. who couldn't make it down this weekend but I didn't want him to think that we weren't missing him!  Then Friday, we had family night.  It started off with a family trip to L.A. Fitness!!  That was pretty amusing.  After we worked up an appetite, we headed to Ocean World (of course!) for a lovely dinner! Then we headed back home where Damla and I entertained Mommy and Daddy with funny stories until it was time to go to bed!  

Saturday we woke up with the intention of playing tennis but due to all the recent rainy weather, that was canceled.  We instead played "Let's go shopping in Emel's closet" which is Damla's favorite game.  She ended up with some good stuff if I do say so myself!  

Then it was time for me to start getting ready for Roski and Katie's wedding!!  I was a little nervous because I didn't know how many people I would actually know at the wedding but it ended up being a really good time!  Kyle came all the way down from Midland because he too fell in love with Roski and Katie back when we went to Aaron Lewis's wedding.  They're just that couple that you can't help but love!  We had a really fun table at the wedding and broke it down on the dance floor!   The DJ even dedicated a song to me!  That's how you know you've really made it at a wedding.  

I also have to say that one great part of the wedding was my sweet dress.  I was really excited to wear it and hearing how much every one else loved it made it all the better! :)  

So that brings us to Sunday which so far has been pretty uneventful but I'm sure I'll find something to do soon enough!  

Jujo and Pretzel get hitched!!

Well over the weekend, one of my favorite couples got married!! Congratulations Julie and Michael!

The wedding was at Independence Grove in Libertyville, IL. We headed out early Saturday morning so that we would make it on time. Being the super anal person that I am, I had a lot of anxiety about getting there on time. I've been late to weddings before and it's super embarrassing! I think it's all the construction that really gets to me too. But somehow we made it there with 10 minutes to spare! I'd like to think it had something to do with the amazing driving skills on my part. :)

The ceremony was a full Catholic mass which I've participated in a few times now. And by participated, I mean follow along in the program and sat silently while everyone else goes up for the snack. I have to say that I don't mind mass because I am always so amazed that all the Catholic people know what to say and when to say it. Kind of reminds me of formal chapter at KKG.

Afte the ceremony we headed to the hotel to hang out for a little bit and then hop on the bus to the reception.  Thanks to the Fijis, the bus ride felt like it was Grand Prix all over again!  Independence Grove is absoultely beautiful! And we got to watch the sun set while we enjoyed delicious appetizers and the champagne kept flowing.

We headed into dinner to watch all the dances and speeches (which were fabulous!). Then it was time to hit the dance floor ourselves which I didn't really leave for the rest of the night! I have to say that I do enjoy dancing at weddings a lot! And they even played the Cupid Shuffle! You would think that after two years, I would get sick of that song but I haven't yet!

Sunday we drove back to Indy and I had dinner with my parents as the Sunday routine goes. And that was it! No wedding this upcoming weekend but I'm sure there will be some fun happening! :)

Labor Day Fundays!

I can't believe Labor Day Weekend is over already!! It was such a good time that I would love to re-live it all over again in exactly the same way!!!

Friday was Papa Sener's birthday so that started off all the fun! Damla, J.B., and I decided to give Daddy his favorite thing--photos. We took family pictures outside in the backyard and had them printed and framed before we all went our seperate ways on Saturday. Daddy also got a little party with family and wonderful birthday cake!! He said the best present of all was that both his daughters were there to celebrate with him! We love our little Daddy!!

Satuday morning after brunch and watching a bit of the U.S. Open, I headed back to my own house to FINALLY decorate my room. I mean, I've lived there for over 3 months now so I thought it was about time. So with the help of my trusty laser level and my tape measure, I have some pictures hung up super straight in my room. Kamm was so proud. Of course, this project made me realize that my next project is to update the pictures that I hung up...I think this is why I avoided hanging anything up to being with!

Saturday night, I went out with friends including Nicole who was in town visiting from Dallas! Yea! It was just like old times and ending the night at 3 am wasn't enough so we continued with an after party at our house until 5 am. Good times!!

Sunday during the day was pretty uneventful. I got some things taken care of around the house, watched some of The Ripple Effect race that takes place in Broad Ripple, and then headed over to my friend Patrick and Mark's house to enjoy yet another night with no work in the morning!

I think the best part of Sunday night was that I met tons of new people and oddly enough, the majority of them were accountants! Not that we actually discussed anything other then where we happened to work but it secretly made me really happy. We spent some time at Patrick's and then decided to venture to Broad Ripple to see if everyone else was enjoying Sunday Funday as well. The bars close at midnight on Sundays which was too early for the fun to stop for us so we headed back to Patrick's afterwards to continue to play! Patrick might be the funniest person I know and his friends give him a good run for his money. The night wasn't complete without a little scavenger hunt for charcoal and I have to say that I was amazed nothing was broken. I was also very happy to hear that Patrick, Mark, and Chris are hopefully moving to Broadripple very soon--potentially as soon as this weekend!

Monday, Gina and I decided to explore Downtown Indy. We took some pictures and walked around downtown, walked around the mall, sneaked around the Conrad Hotel, and the best part--went paddleboating in the canal!! We also were super touristy and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe! And the rain managed to hold off which is good because we were often quite lost and probably would not have been able to find shelter quickly! The only thing we opted not to do was go to Rib Fest. There is just something I don't enjoy about being surrounded by mass quantities of pork.

I think that pretty much wraps up the weekend! Julie and Michael's wedding next weekend!

Hail Hail to Old Purdue!!

It's official!! Lynnie G. and Todd Rodibaugh are Mr. and Mrs. Rodibaugh! Craziness!!!

Over the weekend I went up to Purdue for the wedding. Of course, it's not everyday we have an excuse to go back to Purdue so we decided to head up there Friday night just to stretch out the fun.

Saucy, Stacey, Kathryn and I started off the evening with Pitcher and a Pie at Boiler Market which was just as delicious as I remembered it to be. Then it was off to Harry's!!! Harry's Chocolate Shop is my favorite bar at Purdue...especially now that Stacks is closed. :( We hung out at Harry's and slowly more and more familiar faces trickled in. It seems like a lot of wedding guests had the same idea we did and decided to come in the night before!
We decided to end the night the traditional way with breadsticks and spicy cheese from Hot Box Pizza. It's weird that even though there is a Hot Box down the street from me, I only want to go when I'm at Purdue. This was an especially important trip because Ryan had never had it before! What he did his 4 years at Purdue, I have no idea. It's a shame Natalie didn't get to see the joyous look in her hubby's eyes when he popped that first bite!!

Saturday we started our day at Einstein's (duh) and then headed to University Spirit where I wished wearing Purdue gear was allowed at work because I love it so much! After touching almost everything in the store we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding!

The wedding was in Fowler, IN and along the way we drove by all the windmills in the wind farm on IN-52. Crazy how many of those they put up but they sure did make a cute engagement picture background for Lynn and Todd!

The wedding was beautiful and so colorful! The bouquets were filled with flowers of almost every color to match all the girls shoes!! Lynn looked amazing and I cried (of course) but only a little bit! Congrats Lynnie G!!
Afterwards it was back to Harry's until it was time for the reception! The reception was so fun and it's great when you know friends of both the bride and the groom! I didn't take any pictures (which is weird b/c I had my camera fully charged for the event) but I stole some others off of Facebook so that you could see the fun!
To continue pretending like we were still in school by going to Scotty's for lunch. Then it was time to get back to reality and head back to Indy. Though it was sad to say good-bye to everyone I still love the fact that I don't have to drive 5 or 6 hours back to Michigan after every wedding! And the good news is that most of us are going to be at Julie and Prassels wedding in a couple weeks for another reunion!