What are the Chances?

Awhile back many bloggers were posting their results from “How Many of Me.” So I never got around to posting, but have been struggling with the fact that I’m currently 1 of 3 in the United States, but in 43 days I will be 1 of 249, a number that was 250 until Mr. H’s sister wed in May.

So as a 1 in 3, you can imagine my surprise when I receive an email at my first.last email account saying that X time is available for X date for an informational interview. Umm, what? Thankfully this email had been forwarded by someone to his secretary/personal assistant asking her to set up this meeting. Sure enough, the email had been sent by first.middleinitial.last at my same email client. Oddly enough, this girl with my namesake (who has probably been cursing the fact that she had to use her middle initial in the first place) has similar career interests as I do—non-profit public relations. Cue Twilight Zone theme music.

I responded to the assistant explaining that she’d reached the wrong person with this name, but that the organization sounded very interesting should my life relocate me to Boston.

Long ago I gave up the dream of having a first.last email address through gmail. But it does make me wonder how many of my future emails will go to the person who claimed that address years ago. Not that I was checking, but I assume Mr. H’s sister would have taken it if it had been available when she signed up with gmail. I love my gmail, but you better believe I’m claiming my new name on any new email client that comes out.

Still My Favorite

So what if I'm posting twice about reality TV this week. So You Think You Can Dance is nearing its season's end and the results show tonight was peppered with some of the best routines of last season. Including my all-time SYTYCD favorite "Bleeding Love." Enjoy!

You're welcome.

Calling Cupcake Lovers

Have you all heard about the Cupcake Smackdown that's happening this Saturday? Check out the official site, which just so happens to be an Austin food blog that I may start following soon.

On a related note, I tried out Sugar Mama's over the weekend. Tasted the mint chocolate chip bar, mud pie cupcake, and red velvet cupcake. The bar and mud pie were absolutely delicious. The red velvet was your standard "is this really red velvet?" cupcake. They also have a cute store and friendly service.

Team Reid

Photo from ABC

I’m on Team Reid. Especially on Team Reid with Glasses. If you don’t watch The Bachelorette, you have no idea what I’m talking about. Those who do watch will either think I’m crazy or spot on. However, I’m not on Team Reid for Jillian, especially after seeing last night’s After the Final Rose. Reid for the next Bachelor. How does this always happen? Brad dumps Deanna who dumps Jason who dumps Jill who dumps Reid who dumps…

But really, I watch this show for the train wreck, textbook romantic dates (who really goes on a date in a helicopter over Hawaii followed by a candlelight dinner followed by an awkward moment where you must decide if you will accept a card from a television host that gives you permission and a room key to a suite with candles, champagne, a tub full of bubbles, and various massage oils), and the possibility of a fairy tale proposal at the end (though I’ll take my picnic in the park with a very nervous Mr. H any day).

Ed and Jill are happy together. Will it last? I don’t know. And frankly I don’t care. If they last, I’m happy for these two people that I’ve never met for finding love. If not, I don’t have to watch them parade around their perfect life in Colorado with a perfect house and two perfect children every time a new season begins and ends. I’ll leave that to Trista and Ryan.

While I’m only halfway opposed to ousted bachelors becoming the next Bachelor, I have a few tricks up my sleeve if Reid does take on that role. Two very close and very single girl friends that are also on Team Reid may or may not allow me to put my marketing skills to use. And they both wash their vegetables.

I Could've Walked

5:02 p.m.: Left Work
6:18 p.m.: Arrived at my house.

76 minutes to drive 7 miles. So maybe walking would've taken longer, but I could've jogged a 10 minute mile home. Grrr. Wanna know why? Read this.

And I missed my favorite class at the gym. That's what I'm really pissed about.

First Etsy Purchase

Ta da! After years of browsing Etsy looking for handmade treasures, I finally bought something.

Seller GarterLady

And I got to check something off of my wedding To Buy list. Cheers to that!

Feeling the Burn

First fitting - check
Bridesmaids dresses arrival - check
Centerpiece supplies purchased - check
Shoes dying - check
Ribbon send off prototype - check
Transportation - check
Hair & makeup - check
Order booze - check
Pre-wedding event attire - in progress

With 10 mail days left, we're still awaiting the arrival of 60% of our response cards. 60%!!!!

Sorry I'm MIA lately. My mom and sister are in town and we've been running here, there and everywhere all weekend. Thursday and Friday also took me away from my computer and to Lake Travis and Lake Austin respectively (tough life I know) for a department boat trip and company retreat.

Now only 48 days to:

• Figure out ceremony
• Write ceremony program
• Construct send off ribbons
• Create and order guest book
• Print and mail rehearsal dinner invitations
• Pick up wedding rings (already purchased!)
• Schedule and attend hair and makeup trial
• Buy attendant and parent gifts
• Finalize all details with vendors
• Finish dress fittings

Anything else?

Cuts, Cups, and a Waltz

Well ladies, after Friday's hair mishap I finally got my hair cut. Just a trim. My hair is just above my shoulders now and is the longest it has been since I moved to Austin. Emily + long hair= child.

Then I finally made it up to Petticoat Fair to search for cups to be sewn into my dress. As long as I was up there I had to get a bra fitting. Turns out I’ve shrunk a cup size (chorus of angelic Hallelujahs) but I’ve also shrunk a half a band size making it so that I have to get my bras altered (whaaaaa?). And somehow I spent $200 on a new support system (the cups were only $10). I’ve had bra fittings before, but these ladies were by far the least pushy, most professional and knowledgeable that I’ve encountered.

I was so enthralled by my slightly smaller rack that I forgot to watch the clock and had to go go speed racer down to UT for our first informal class dance lesson. I’m not sure how I got Mr. H to agree to dance lessons (er, I signed us up for them…) but he seemed to enjoy himself. I conveniently left out the part about switching partners every 3 minutes. We learned the waltz and it was mostly fun save for the 65-year-old man with giant sweat beads dripping off of his face onto the unfortunate girl who had to dance with him (read: me). So 4 more hours of these classes and we should be A-OK for our 2 minute 32 second first dance.

My mom and sister are en route to Austin and should be arriving tomorrow around noon. I’m hoping we can get some solid shopping in for centerpiece fixings and pre-wedding event dresses! Also, first fitting on Saturday!

Blond in the Roots

Disclaimer: This post in no way suggests that I think blonds are dumb people or anything of the like. I was born blond and my hair has just been getting darker and darker my whole life.

When I was in high school, some one told me I was blond in the roots. Meaning, smart brunette who lacks common sense on occassion. From time to time, my blond roots come out. About 10 minutes ago, I felt like the biggest idiot.

Back Story:

Three of my coworkers are leaving the company for amazing opportunities. They were not laid off; they miraculously found their perfect callings in a rough economy. This afternoon we are having a going away happy hour for them. Friday happy hours generally turn into Friday nights out. Having foresight, K called me last night to see if I wanted to carpool. So G picked K and me up this morning and we headed into work.

Blond roots moment:

I just turned off my computer, grabbed my purse, and started out the door for my haircut appointment. Ummm, you can't get your haircut in 15 minutes on the other side of town if you don't have a means of getting there. And no, I wasn't going to drive G's car and the bus would take so long I'd miss my appointment anyway.

Is it bad that when I called the salon to cancel I told them my car wouldn't start? Not exactly true, but my car is in South Austin, I'm downtown, and I just can't get it to start. Eh? does it count? No? Oh well!

T minus two hours until happy hour commences...

The Case of the Missing HEB Bag

As I mentioned yesterday, our delightful afternoon at Krause Springs took an unfortunate turn. Mr. H and I spent our so-very-Texas day with two ex-New Yorkers. Upon emerging from the springs, B said, "hey look! our stuff is all still here. I love Texas." To which the sometimes flighty G said, "Uh, guys... where's my stuff? It was right here. In an HEB bag (expletive)... (expletive)."

After looking around for a few minutes and asking our shore neighbors if they saw anyone around, we decided to pack up our stuff, check the office to see if any one returned it, and head to Opie's.

G: Uh, guys... I don't have a shirt. It was in my bag. I can't go to Opie's without a shirt... And my money was there. I can't buy any meat without money.

To which, we reassured him that we would go to the gas station and buy him the tackiest T-shirt we could find and we'd cover his lunch. With that, we headed out and of course the office didn't have his bag. We go to the car only to find a huge SUV blocking us in. Who parks directly behind another car? Thankfully, a car in front of us was leaving and Mr. H was able to maneuver out of the parking space.

Fast forward to the local store where we purchased a delightful Spicewood T-shirt with roses, a buzzard, the Texas flag, and a skull with missing teeth on it. G got 2 (count 'em 2) compliments on how nice the new Spicewood T-shirt was.

Fast forward to 8:30 p.m. that night. I get a call from "G," which is actually some sweet woman with a very Texas accent calling to say she'd found the bag with his keys, wallet, and cell phone along the trail.

When G drove out to Krause yesterday morning, he found that 2 things were missing from his bag. Any guesses? The $20 bill he had in his wallet and his shirt. Who steals a solid black T-shirt? Needless to say, G is thankful to have everything back, but now has no money because he canceled his credit and debit cards.

Moral of the story: Watch your stuff carefully even when you are at a seemingly safe place like Krause Springs.

2 months to go

This weekend was fantastic. No more whining about the unhealthy food I ate (thanks for listening and for your encouragement btw) because I ate a ton of delicious food this weekend and dammit it was awesome. And I weighed myself and I'm down 1.2 lb since the last time I weighed in. But enough of that.

In honor of our wedding exactly 2 months from Sunday, we started a victory tour of our favorite restaurants. Beginning with Habana, home of our rehearsal dinner. After eating a respectful amount of beef, rice, and beans we headed to K's house for skinny girl margaritas. Um, why did no one tell me a skinny girl margarita is actually a shot with lime juice added in? Then it was off to Cedar Street to see Radiostar, an '80s cover band that plays at Cedar Street that isn't the Spazmatics. I danced my ass off. Could it be the 'rita and cherry limeade the bartender insisted I try? Yes, I think it was.

Saturday, we got a verrrrrry slooooowwww start (I'm talking to you cherry limeade and skinny girl 'ritas), but we went to Kruger's and purchased our wedding rings! I am so excited by what we picked out and can't wait to wear it (obvi). If you are looking for rings, go there. Customer service and prices get an A+. We continued our wedding weekend victory tour with lunch at Vespaio Enoteca, home of my bridesmaids luncheon. Needless to say, I can't wait until noon on Sept. 11.

Sunday was probably the highlight with a trip out to Krause Springs followed by lunch at Opie's. Our trip did hit a little snag when we discovered G's (of poofy hair fame) bag was missing. But I'll save that story for another post. Opie's may very well be my new favorite BBQ spot. They have tater tot casserole for crying out loud! Go there. Like now. kthanks.

Was this an Austin-y weekend or what? I can't wait to show off our fair city to all our friends and family when they invade Austin Sept. 11-13.

Cookies, Queso and Coca-Cola

Today was the day that I was going to blog about how jazzed I am that I'm getting married in 9.5 weeks and have turned over a new leaf and recommitted myself to diet and exercise to look my best on September 12. Happily, the first half of that sentence is true. I cannot believe it is so close. Our invitations have reached many recipients and our mailbox will bear 3x4 envelopes in the coming days.

Sadly, I fell off the diet train today. Not that I was really on a diet so to speak, but on Sunday I looked up 3 healthy recipes, bought only lean meats and vegetables, and created delicious good-for-me meals Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I went to Body Attack on Monday, did Jillian's 30 Day Shred on Tuesday, and went to yoga on Wednesday. I made turkey and oatmeal meatballs and a quinoa stir fry all in the name of eating right. (Mr. H loved the quinoa btw) Change your mind, change your body. Or something like that.

So why, my friends, did I indulge my sweet tooth with a 16 g fat cookie this afternoon? It wasn't even good. Then I met up with a friend at a short film screening tonight. No cash, $5 minimum on credit cards and my Mexican Coke was only $1.50. So I got queso. And ate nearly all of it.

Truth be told. I'm really not beating myself up about this as much as it may sound. I try to eat right, not just to look better, but to also feel better and, in the end, live longer. And we are all allowed our splurges now and again. I do live to eat, not live to eat after all. So please-- tell me I'm not alone and that I'll still look hot on my wedding day.

(Ed note: Emily begs your forgiveness for her massive overuse of commas tonight)

Pimping My Ride

I am way too excited about the getaway car we booked. Like giddy-every-time-I see-it excited. Like possibly more excited about this car than the fact that our invitations are in the mail. Ok, maybe not that excited. But pretty damn excited.

I don't even like cars. I mean, I like my car for the fact that it gets me from home to work to Target to LOFT. Sure, I'm proud that my first car was purchased by my parents when I was in 1st grade. It had leather seats and a CD player. Who cares if the only other people driving the same model were 83-years-old.

With that said, please drool with me over our vintage ride.

And They're Off!

Invitations are now officially in the mail! If my calculations are correct we should start receiving response cards a week from today. I can hardly contain my excitement.

In other wedding news, we've ordered paper lanterns to hang from the oak trees, parasols for fun pictures, a 1963 red Thunderbird for our exit, and did I mention our invitations are in the mail? Oh, and Mr. H scoffed at the thought of spending $4 on LED lights for the lanterns so he's going to put his MacGyver skills to good use by making his own lights. DIY for the groom, who'd a thought?

Scenes from the Office #1

Coworker and Friend we’ll call G: How are you?

Me: Sleepy. I was up for 2 hours in the middle of the night (editors note: woke up, had Canon in D stuck in my head, couldn’t stop thinking wedding and thus couldn’t go back to sleep. Please say this was a freak accident and I’ll return to normal sleeping habits soon.)

G: Did you actually wash your hair this morning? (pause) It looks, uh, poofier.

Me: I wash my hair every morning thanks. I did blow dry it for work for the first time in a week. Thanks for noticing the extra 5 minutes of effort I put into my appearance today.

On a side note, what is it with guys and poofy hair? Last night I was reading my book in bed before falling asleep and Mr. H made me stop reading to watch the Bumpits commercial with him.

For your viewing pleasure:

Happy 4th of July!

I hope your day was filled with friends, fun, beer, popsicles, grilled meat, watermelon, potato salad, fireworks, patriotic music, and swimming pools.

As for me, I went swimming, had the best jalapeno cheddar sausage ever, and watched the fireworks from the parking lot of a friend's apartment. Which was pretty great except for the whole smells like dumpster thing. And that someone brought out a boom box (or whatever the kids are calling them these days) and played Oasis and The Beatles.

Didn't get enough fireworks? Check out my lovably nerdy friend's firework project.

Austiniversary

Today marks 2 years since Mr. H and I drove down I-35 in the pouring down rain (anyone remember the floods of 2007?) and pulled into the parking lot of our first apartment together. Thankfully, Mr. H had a moving stipend in his contract so we had movers transport all our belongings halfway across the country. Too bad they arrived 3 days after we did.

I was so excited to be living with my love despite the fact we were living in the middle of boxes in an otherwise empty apartment in a city where we knew exactly one couple. I excitedly ran laps around the living and dining room to distract myself from all the unpacking that would follow over the next week.

It sure feels like we've been here longer than 2 years. We've settled into quite an Austin life that makes me never want to live anywhere else. How can anyone leave a city that strives to be weird, is a little blue oasis in a big ole sea of red, boasts some of the country's best barbeque, texmex, live music, and festivals?

somewedding, someecards

Here's a little fake Friday fun for ya.

1. My biggest wedding fear having a just after summer wedding, strapless wedding gown, and boobs that make a strapless bathing suit impossible.

2. Because I lived in Georgia for 4 years and we can't resist making fun of our redneck neighbors to the west.

3. Sending out the invitations on Monday and praying we don't find ourselves in this position.

Your Turn

What do you want to know? Aside from information that would allow blogosphere creepers to steal my identity, I'm open to telling you fun stories and answering your questions. So folks, ask away in the comments field!

(I will take it personally if no one comments... i kid, i kid)