Thursday Thoughts

bethsmiles

@lilacck28- Thanks! He is so excited! His new job is actually with his current boss's husband so they already know each other and BF is familiar with his research as well as his work style and he's really excited to get to work with him! BF is going to one more interview on Friday but he's 99.999% sure he's going to accept the offer with this job offer, especially since the job opening was written specifically for him.

lilacck28

@labro My mom has a white kitchenaid mixer with no name, that she might love almost as much as she loves me. 

She also thinks I'm very silly for naming things. 

I name everything. I've named all my computers. My first was a dell and named "Shelly the Delly" . My second was an HP, named "Henrietta Potter", and my current is a Sony, named "Sony Pony." 

I am definitely ridiculous. 

KeptInStitches

@swazzle, nope, I'm keeping my name.

nycgal85

@bethsmiles - congrats on BFs new job!!! So exciting!!

Swazzle

@KeptInStitches - PHEW! I was going to be like NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Because who wants to make TWO trips to the DMV

labro

@lilacck28 I wore some high-waisted Spanx just to help hide any pooch that might happen to show up in photos. I also somehow managed to not have to pee the entire night (except for right before the ceremony) so my choice in underwear wasn't a problem. Go try on a few different styles and see what you like first though! Also, you're definitely strange for naming everything. Even my poor car doesn't have a name. 

@bethsmiles Congrats to your BF on the new job!

AlPacina

@bethsmiles - I'm so glad your boyfriend found a job! How awesome!

@lilacck28 - Yay! Welcome to the Kitchenaid club! Your life will never be the same! I don't have any particular recipes, but making cream cheese frosting is just about the easiest thing ever. And making pretzels is nice if you just use the dough hook to get it all kneaded.

@untouchablets - That sounds like the kind of show that would give me nightmares!

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I bought my friend's (still in womb) baby a little panda outfit because it was really cheap from asia, and it turns out it's huge. But luckily, our friend's one year old came over last night, and I stuck him in it. It was the CUTEST THING EVER! Unfortunately it's as warm as a snow suit, so I couldn't keep him in it very long, but he let me dress him and then fell asleep on my shoulder later. I rarely like kids, but this kid is awesome. He's moving away at the end of the month and I'm so depressed!

A local theater does an outdoor musical in the park each summer, and it's super fun because everyone just brings their lawn chairs and food and hangs out. It's Into The Woods this year! So I'm going to audition for the baker's wife. I've never done a musical before, so if I don't try now I don't know that I'll ever have time.

I want to find a new place to volunteer. I don't think I could do the advocate thing again. It was so heart breaking. There is a center near my work for seniors with memory-related problems. I don't know if they have volunteers, but I think I'm going to go ask. I could hang out with old people. That sounds like something I could do well.

labro

My other thoughts for Thursday - I want @AlPacina's life because she does all the fun things. Also because she lives on the west coast and I'm convinced H and I would be super happy to move somewhere like Portland or Seattle some day.

@KeptInStitches I'm glad this is your only trip to the DMV. My mind was on the same track as Swazzle's. Have you started getting RSVP's for the wedding yet?

KeptInStitches

@labro, yes, we've started getting RSVPs. I'd like to be more excited, but all the invites seem to have done is bring out bad feelings among my extended family members. I'm never throwing a party again - matter of fact, I'm taking a six-month hiatus from decision-making after the wedding because I was unaware I was that bad at making decisions. I'm looking forward to it. It will be liberating.

AlPacina

@labro - The west coast is incredible. I honestly don't think I ever want to live anywhere else. Do you guys like beer and/or wine? If you do, then this is DEFINITELY the place for you...... Seattle is so great, but the traffic is awful. Portland has much better traffic, and is all around more accessible, but sometimes the people (read: Hipsters) suck.

But........... I have no idea what all these things I'm doing are, haha. People ask what's new, and I always say nothing. Apparently I'm not comprehending how kickass my own life is!

labro

@KeptInStitches I've never felt happier or more stress-free/relieved than the day AFTER the wedding. It'll get here soon!

@TwoDimes Only if Iowa wasn't so freaking cold for 5 months out of the year. You can't fool me! I lived in South Dakota and I know EXACTLY what I can expect from those mid-western winters. No thank you! You should just move here, or move to the West Coast with @AlPacina and it will be awesome. Also, Cinders used to do the exact same thing (and she still sometimes does). She likes to run through her whole trick routine just so she can get a treat, regardless of what you've actually asked her to do lol!

eilis1228

@AlPacina I agree with @LaBro! You always do such cool things, and I love the PNW. Good luck with the audition!

@lilacck28 YAY for getting a Kitchenaid mixer! FI and I really want one too. I just love the mint color you chose-- it's so fun and retro. Also, I didn't realize your invitations already went out. How exciting!!!

@bethsmiles Congrats to your BF!

@LaBro You should plan a weekend vacation to Texas.

@nycgal85 I love the snow too! I live in the south though lol.

@lmcooper86 So much exciting WR stuff coming up! I'd love to see a pic of the invitations whenever you're able to upload one. 

@cu97tiger Crossing my fingers your flight isn't delayed tomorrow! Have fun in Cancun!

@minskat30 I've underate and overtrained before. That feeling is AWFUL! I really hope today is a better day!

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I have the day off due to the snow and ice that came through last night. FI has the morning off, so we're both vegging and surfing the internet this morning. 

I finished Angel last night, and I feel like Buffy was the way better show of the two. I'm glad I finally watched them though. A family friend was part of the main cast for Angel, and I always felt a little guilty for never having watched it while it aired. Anywho, on to yet another rewatch of Friends.

I was looking at wedding planning timelines online to make sure I wasn't forgetting to do something big, and all of the timelines said I should register soon and make hotel blocks soon. That seems so early though? I guess timing on those two things really doesn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things though.

I foresee a puzzle and Friends in my near future. Hope you all have a great Thursday!

labro

@AlPacina I didn't think the Seattle traffic was all that horrible. But H and I were only there for a long weekend and we didn't have to drive anywhere, we just walked or took public transit so it's probably not a perfect perspective lol! I haven't been to Portland yet....all I know is I absolutely fell in love with the Pacific Northwest when we were there. It's definitely on my list of somewhere I'd love to live someday. Plus we're huge beer, wine, and coffee lovers.

AlPacina

@TwoDimes - When I took my dog to obedience classes, he had no training at all. Every time the instructor would be talking to the "humans" about how to do something, he would just lie on his back and spread his back legs completely open. EVERY TIME. Presenting himself, essentiy. And he has big floppy ears, so it looked extra ridiculous.

But don't stress! It's puppy kindergarten. I'm sure Indy will be the cutest one there! But that's part of why it's important to practice "Down" without having them sit first. Before we go to the dog park I always make my dog do "Down" at the door and calm down a little. There's no reason to make him sit first.

@labro - Well, you obviously have fabulous taste.

lilacck28

@eilis1228 Yeah, I jumped the gun on sending out the invites! I didn't expect to get them from Minted until maybe this week, but shipping was really fast! And then we went home this past weekend to show them to our parents, and I stuffed them with FI and my mom.... and my mom wanted to just send them out early and.... yeah. I got carried away. We really should have waited until the end of March to be in the 8 week range, but our hotel block ended at the end of March so.... 

What's your date again? We registered really "early" , and only a few items got discontinued on our registries. I worked on them for ages though, adding some things, taking things away, as opposed to just doing it all in one spree. And depending on when/ where your wedding is, hotels actually book up quickly! So early is better with that. 

lilacck28

FMIL just emailed the evites to the bridal shower she is throwing for me! She picked out a really  pretty design (I scoped out the evites and it was definitely my favorite, but I didn't mention any preferences to her), and said she thought it "looked like you" , and that she thought it was the "prettiest." I think that's the nicest thing she's ever said to me! 

Also. OMGosh. Shower, Bachelorette, and Wedding are just around the corner! Totally just hit. 

minskat30

@TwoDimes - We both have term but I bought whole life before I met him and he wants me to get rid of it and invest in an index fund.  I want all the information about the pros and cons before doing anything further and he ends up just presenting me with the cons of whole life so I end up frustrated.

lavenderfields13

@swazzle thanks for asking @keptinstiches about the DMV/name change- for some reason it made me remember my passport expires next month! So now I need to find out how to renew it! Then I'll have to get a new one after my name changes.

I've been asking FI for about 2 weeks to send a FB message to his cousin to get his address and his GF's name. He still hasn't done it, he "hasn't had time" and wants me to do it. Um, no. You can take 2 minutes to do it yourself seeing as I've communicated with your family for all the other addresses.

99 days until I get married!

I need to figure out exactly what to do for FI's 30th birthday. 

I'm putting off writing 3 performance reviews for my employees- I don't like that part of being a supervisor.

Swazzle

@lavenderfields13 - It's pretty easy to renew as long as it's not expired yet! Also, if you change your name on your passport within (I think) 6 months of rewewing then they don't charge you for it. 

lavenderfields13

@Swazzle I remember you mentioning the free renewal before. I just confirmed online that they'll do it for free within a year! 

They recommend a regular renewal 9 months before the expiration date. I don't know who actually does that. That's kind of crazy. Just printed off the form and will need to get a picture to send in.

Hopefully we'll be able to go on our honeymoon right after the wedding and I can change my name when we get back,

jenjen047

@bethsmiles - Congrats on BFs new job! What kind of research is he involved in?

@lilacck28 - I love all the names for your appliances/gadgets! I name all of my dogs toys, though half are just whatever the toy is, like "snowman". But some have actual names...like Ginger the Gingerbread Man and Freddy the Frog. It doesn't matter because she doesn't know who's who, so I just end up sounding like an idiot saying "go get Freddy!" while she just stares blankly at me.

Boston got hit with a ton of snow at the end of January/first half of February but lately it's just been cold and depressing, with these giant snowbanks of ugly, dirty snow everywhere. T-41 hours til takeoff.....not that I'm counting.

cu97tiger

lavenderfields13 said:

@Swazzle I remember you mentioning the free renewal before. I just confirmed online that they'll do it for free within a year! 

They recommend a regular renewal 9 months before the expiration date. I don't know who actually does that. That's kind of crazy. Just printed off the form and will need to get a picture to send in.

Hopefully we'll be able to go on our honeymoon right after the wedding and I can change my name when we get back,

It's actually not as crazy as it sounds. There are countries who will not allow you in if your passport expires within six months. I think that was an issue for someone going on their honeymoon... Maybe @labro or @southernpeach89?

When I got my first passport in 2000, they screwed up and made the expiration date 2009 instead of 2010. I didn't find out until three months before I was leaving for Germany when DH went to make the train reservations. Thank goodness it came in time! Then I had to get another one a couple years later when I changed my name. Now it's good until 2024.... whew!

bethsmiles

@jenjen047 - I'm not a science person so I don't fully understand everything he talks about but I know the lab he works at now deals with gammaherpes virus and I think the new lab will as well. It's all in the area of immunology, virology, and cancer biology.

lavenderfields13

cu97tiger said:

lavenderfields13 said:

@Swazzle I remember you mentioning the free renewal before. I just confirmed online that they'll do it for free within a year! 

They recommend a regular renewal 9 months before the expiration date. I don't know who actually does that. That's kind of crazy. Just printed off the form and will need to get a picture to send in.

Hopefully we'll be able to go on our honeymoon right after the wedding and I can change my name when we get back,

It's actually not as crazy as it sounds. There are countries who will not allow you in if your passport expires within six months. I think that was an issue for someone going on their honeymoon... Maybe @labro or @southernpeach89?

When I got my first passport in 2000, they screwed up and made the expiration date 2009 instead of 2010. I didn't find out until three months before I was leaving for Germany when DH went to make the train reservations. Thank goodness it came in time! Then I had to get another one a couple years later when I changed my name. Now it's good until 2024.... whew!

OK that does make sense then. Learned something new! I was just thinking most people won't be thinking about it 9 months ahead of time, but I guess if you're planning on travelling you should be.

[Deleted User]

cu97tiger said:

lavenderfields13 said:

@Swazzle I remember you mentioning the free renewal before. I just confirmed online that they'll do it for free within a year! 

They recommend a regular renewal 9 months before the expiration date. I don't know who actually does that. That's kind of crazy. Just printed off the form and will need to get a picture to send in.

Hopefully we'll be able to go on our honeymoon right after the wedding and I can change my name when we get back,

It's actually not as crazy as it sounds. There are countries who will not allow you in if your passport expires within six months. I think that was an issue for someone going on their honeymoon... Maybe @labro or @southernpeach89?

When I got my first passport in 2000, they screwed up and made the expiration date 2009 instead of 2010. I didn't find out until three months before I was leaving for Germany when DH went to make the train reservations. Thank goodness it came in time! Then I had to get another one a couple years later when I changed my name. Now it's good until 2024.... whew!

Yes. It happened to DH and I the morning of our flight to St. Lucia. DH's passport expired in May 2014 which was 5 months out from our honeymoon and St. Lucia has a law that it has to be outside of 6 months to enter the country. So yea...disaster at the airport. We had to completely change our honeymoon within a 2 hour time span after finding this out. 

We ended up going to the Bahamas luckily but I recommend making sure you still have more than a year left before your passport expires. Trust me...you do not want to go what we went through.

lavenderfields13

jenjen047 said:

@bethsmiles - Congrats on BFs new job! What kind of research is he involved in?

@lilacck28 - I love all the names for your appliances/gadgets! I name all of my dogs toys, though half are just whatever the toy is, like "snowman". But some have actual names...like Ginger the Gingerbread Man and Freddy the Frog. It doesn't matter because she doesn't know who's who, so I just end up sounding like an idiot saying "go get Freddy!" while she just stares blankly at me.

Boston got hit with a ton of snow at the end of January/first half of February but lately it's just been cold and depressing, with these giant snowbanks of ugly, dirty snow everywhere. T-41 hours til takeoff.....not that I'm counting.

Ha me and FI do this too. He's gotten be some silly little stuffed animals- which end up turning into our cat's toys because she steals them. Each of their names has a story behind them. There's Conway the bear, Benny the Moose, Turtle Jay, etc. I'll come home and the moose will be in the living room floor when I left it on the bed. I'll ask the cat "why is Benny in the living room?". She never answers me. 

lmcooper86

@Swazzle - I know! I keep having to make notes at work about the million things that I thought of months ago and then totally forgot about. And things that I've thought of recently and just haven't gotten around to lol

@lilacck - Hahaha FI wanted to get the slip in liners for our STDs and invites...I just went with it because there are so few things he's actually asked for and they're pretty, so whatever. But I'm totally the same, when we were doing the ones for the STDs I had a little pile of "reject" envelopes because I felt like the liners weren't straight. And I fully admit that I checked some of the ones that FI did because I was convinced he would do them wrong. I am a crazy person and I know it.

@eilis1228 - Yeah, it's been a lot of WR stuff the last little bit! I have a funny feeling that isn't going to let up for the next little while...

lavenderfields13

southernpeach89 said:

cu97tiger said:

lavenderfields13 said:

@Swazzle I remember you mentioning the free renewal before. I just confirmed online that they'll do it for free within a year! 

They recommend a regular renewal 9 months before the expiration date. I don't know who actually does that. That's kind of crazy. Just printed off the form and will need to get a picture to send in.

Hopefully we'll be able to go on our honeymoon right after the wedding and I can change my name when we get back,

It's actually not as crazy as it sounds. There are countries who will not allow you in if your passport expires within six months. I think that was an issue for someone going on their honeymoon... Maybe @labro or @southernpeach89?

When I got my first passport in 2000, they screwed up and made the expiration date 2009 instead of 2010. I didn't find out until three months before I was leaving for Germany when DH went to make the train reservations. Thank goodness it came in time! Then I had to get another one a couple years later when I changed my name. Now it's good until 2024.... whew!

Yes. It happened to DH and I the morning of our flight to St. Lucia. DH's passport expired in May 2014 which was 5 months out from our honeymoon and St. Lucia has a law that it has to be outside of 6 months to enter the country. So yea...disaster at the airport. We had to completely change our honeymoon within a 2 hour time span after finding this out. 

We ended up going to the Bahamas luckily but I recommend making sure you still have more than a year left before your passport expires. Trust me...you do not want to go what we went through.

OMG that sounds like an absolute nightmare!! So that means we can't go to St Lucia for our HM? We were going to try and go in June and St Lucia is on my list of "maybe" places. This makes me so nervous about where we'll actually be able to go. I had never heard of this before!

lavenderfields13

@southernpeach89 @cutiger97 I think I misunderstood the passport thing and just freaked out thinking I wouldn't be able to go on my honeymoon in June. So mine expires in April 2015. I'm going to renew it this month. So say I get my new one in May 2015 and want to travel in June. That's fine, right? But it would be an issue if I wanted to travel to St Lucia this month when it expires next month?

I think I just freaked out over nothing!

bethsmiles

I don't feel like starting a whole thread for this annoyance so I'm just putting it here. My mom just sent me this text "So is there going to be a wedding this summer because if there is your dad and I need to change some plans" cue major eye roll from me. Apparently a good family friend's daughter announced her wedding date (very excited for her!) so my mom now needs to annoy me about BF and I getting engaged.