Here are some pictures from the last time our family spent Christmas together whole... I just found these pictures and thought they were neato.

I finally got the pictures from Gia's reception back.
Here are the Italy girls (that's me on the right).
Note to readers: I'm working on that little tire around the middle so don't expect to see too much of it at the wedding :)!

Happy Father's Day, Pop-o... Thanks for teaching me when to put a cork in it...
Love, Katy-Did

Back to wedding business again...
I wanted to post another offer for anyone coming to my wedding to request a song... I want to put together a nice list... Think of it this way...
If I request it it will for sure be played but its more of a gamble and a pain in the ass to request while your having fun dancing.

Today I took JR and Genevieve to Heart to Heart. Gen's dress is really nice and I'm so glad JR was able to get fitted today. All the kiddos were there and everyone did such a nice job in the store. Jr's daughter tried on her dress and she has shot up in height since she last put on the model dress and... Wow... does she look lovely.

Spending time with her makes me think of Kurt (my future brother in law) and his kiddos... The girls (Lindsey & Lauren) and their brother AJ have been in Jamacia and we didn't even know if they would be able to attend the wedding or be stateside. I will find a special place for them at our wedding, too. I think I'll post a picture of them since I'm thinking of them... (the pic is from the day before our engagement... Christmas Eve, 2004).

Today was my first day on the Jenny Craig diet. The food is good and it satisfies. I had to go grocery shopping to get my fruits and veggies. Its a lot of investment so I hope it pays off. I'll continue to post to update how I like it and about my progress.

The Block of Hotel Rooms- Reposted

I reserved a block of 40 rooms at the Best Western Longbranch Hotel & Con - (319) 377-6386 - 90 Twixt Town Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Map of
90 Twixt Town Rd Ne
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3205

The rooms I reserved at mostly poolside with the option of non-poolside for a cheaper rate (one or two bed). I reserved mostly non-smoking rooms but all anyone has to do is request smoking. Guests only need to ask for the Olson/Obert block to reserve a room at the wedding rate. Kent and I have also reserved our honeymoon suite here. I plan to also have the sunday brunch for gift opening the next day in this hotel. I will reserve an alternate, more economical, alternative when we find one that is the most accessible to this, original, hotel. (Hasn't happened yet... let me know if anyone has already found themselves an alternative and I will join more rooms to that)

You should be able to pan the map over on the link and see how close this hotel is to the reception. A part of the bar has been reserved for our party afterhours. There will be some karaoke for those who dare! The Sunday Brunch for those who want to hang out, eat quiche and watch us open gifts are welcome to join us by the pool until further notice.

Here us a pic of Chris and I in Ireland. His birthday is coming up in a week or so...
He is a good brother who has always looked out for me. He always loves me back even after I've been a super bitch to him (he may make sure I never live it down, however).
Anyway, he won't be coming to the wedding even though I've been praying for some kind of miracle which enables him to have a healthy baby, support his new family, and make it to my wedding... I'll be thinking of him, nonetheless.

Due Day has past for RSVPs!Liquor... Age appropriate showers... and everyone has got their dress...
I just realized when I got my Grandma's RSVP today with a note that said, "Sorry its late," that our due date has past for RSVPs.
So just a shout out to anyone that hasn't gotten theirs in to drop it in the mail ASAP so we can order up alcohol, drinks, and food for everyone and start organizing. I meet up with the rental agency on Thursday to figure out what the layout of the lodge is going to be. A lot of that will depend on how many tables we will be putting out. The more people coming the more stuffed in we will be.
So, get 'em in! Thanks to everyone who got back to us so promptly! Can't wait to see everyone.
Pop-o, Momma and I went and bought the wine. All the alcohol is going to be out of the Amana Colonies. Pop-o is looking into getting the almond flavored champagne which he loved. I trust his palette because usually it agrees with mine... dark beer, red wine, dark chocolate, and salt- pretty simple. Of course we like other things too but when it comes to the finer things- we usually agree. Anyway, I don't usually like champane. Its usually not really champane but a sulfuric, yeasty version of a Zin or fizz sweet wine. I do not enjoy sweet wine unless its over 100 degrees outside, the wine (if you want to call it that) is ice cold, I've been working out in the yard all day, and I'm dying of thirst, and I have a really nice plate of seafood in front of me.
Momma got her dress. I will refrain from posting a pic of it so that she can reserve an air of mystery of what she's going to look like. I will say that I think she should go and find a nice sweeping hat to top it off. I will also say that the color is "dusty rose".
I also saw the flower girl's dress... so adorable. Her Momma's found it at Dillards. It is off white with a shirt that has two tiers of chiffon with little petals encased in the chiffon. It also has a sash of chiffon with petals encase there too! I can't wait to see it. Mae (that's her name) decided that she needs to go down the aisle in a carriage like Cinderella. I can't wait to see her in all her glory. I do believe she may upstage the Bride! That Mae...
Next on the wedding agenda is the wedding shower. Mom is throwing one for me in Cedar Falls. I know it will be fun to get some of us all together and do some wedding preparation but I can't help but feel a bit uncomfortable about having this be a gift getting thing. Isn't the wedding enough in this day in age? I think so. I think we are going to make it a "travel" themed shower. I know this is supposed to be normal but it can get a little excessive with all the things that go on before a marriage. I guess since I've been with Kent for so long and he's 35 and I'm 29 years old it isn't like we're a couple of spring chickens setting out in the world. We've been forging our way without the fanfare thus far and to do all the same things that the 19 year olds or the kids in their early 20s seems a bit odd. What do you guys think is the appropriate route to approach all this wedding business? Go all traditional or adjust it according to our age?

Marriage licenses and Bad Jobs...
Well, thank you for staying with me through a few weeks of blog neglect. Kent and I applied for our marriage license last Friday. JR (William) was our witness. It was kinda funny because Kent and I were dressed very casual. I had my hair in pigtail braids and a shirt covered in gesso and paint from helping my brother paint in nursery in Beaver Dam (long ago). Kent was in his usual attire... Grey shirt with pocket, strap on shoes, and khaki shorts. JR with his generous and thoughtful heart spent the morning convincing his kids to get dressed up. As for JR, he showed up in nice pants with belt, nice dress shirt tucked in and properly bathed, shaved and groomed. I don't think I even took a shower.
So you can imagine his reaction to seeing us.
We got up to the Town Hall and Jr asked, "So where's your camera?"
I hadn't even thought of it...
It turned out we weren't even at the right building so I vowed to go to a gas station and buy a disposable. While applying for our license to get married we snapped away pictures of the process and our notary. JR's kids were so well behaved they just hung out and read their books. His daughter is reading the
babysitter Club one of my favorites back in the day. It made me miss being her age. She's growing up beautifully and is so much fun to be around.
I will post the pictures of the process as soon as I get them developed.
Also checked off my list of things to do...
I bought AJ and Mikey's ties for their suits. I need to shop on-line for Patrick's tie, too. They are really nice ties by DNKY- Really sharp and the exact right color.
I also bought a new purse on that shopping trip. I have begun taking all my fashion advise from my Maid of Honor- Genevieve. She was the one that told me black and white strips are in. She advised me to buy a white purse. I really like my white purse but sometimes I think it is the color of an old lady's purse. It has silver studs and a sequined buckle to jazz it up, however.
Today Kent and I both have the day off by some stroke of fate. Kent gets one day off a month at his new job. Otherwise its mandatory overtime... I think something is fishy here... Are there laws being broken by never giving employees days off. Kent is unable to plan ahead any holidays or schedule anything for days off. For example, he just found out for sure that he would have today off - yesterday. The warehouse he works at is a poor working environment. In fact, workers are so disgruntled that one of them actually took a dump in the hallway when no one was looking! I guess he felt so shit upon he wanted to shit on them right back. I thought this whole thing is getting to be just ridiculous. There is no air conditioning. Employees are so overworked they are hurting themselves either by the wear and tear of their bodies working so much or by making stupid mistakes from exhaustion- therefore not only are they putting themselves in danger they are also putting the other employees in danger.
I just fed my poor guy his favorite breakfast of pancakes and he's taking a nap with Olivia right now. My stomach clenches up when I think of his quality of life outside of home. I want his to be happy and to see him suffer drives me crazy. I get thoughts of going over to his place of business and really giving it to the Human Resources Dept. or I think about going to speak to a lawyer. Mostly I want to act out to vent all my frustration with this new job of his. As least he brings home the bacon but for what? He buys legos because that's all he has time and energy to do when he's not at work. Who knows maybe this whole thing will pan out to be hidden gold but I feel for Kent in the meantime.
As I said earlier- I will post pictures from Gia's wedding and from the license extravaganza as soon as I get them. Until then- keep Kent in your prayers that he may find a job that brings him a sense of challenge and happiness.

Its memorial day- Kent is napping- and I'm taking internet quizzes. Oh, and I just watched TransAmerica and loved it. The actor playing the son is a modern day River Phoenix. I love him.


Take the quiz:
Which LOST character are you?

Michael
You are Michael You are a failed artest and now you work in construction. You also have to take care of a problem child.

Quizzes by myYearbook.com -- the World's Biggest Yearbook!

Your Famous Last Words Will Be:

"Nice doggy."

What Will Your Famous Last Words Be?

Its been awhile since I actually wrote about things. I suppose life has been moving and swirling around me so much I haven't had time to sit and reflect. This blog is my oppertunity to do just that... At least that's how I started with it.
Gia had her wedding reception/party this weekend. I posed for a picture with two of my roomates from Florence. The above picture is a similar one taken about 6 years ago. It was a nice feeling but it really put a lot in perspective. I'm wearing about 30 extra pounds since those days... All the higher thoughts I was working on then are pushed out of my head by thoughts of bills, work, money, wedding, and emotional survival. I live for a bigger community of people than I did back then. My goal when I set off was to understand and gain perspective on my self. I did it, then what did I do with it... Hmmmmm...
I have good things to live for today. My love- Kent, my family- Momma, Popo, my friends and all their children who call me Aunt Katy (my heart swells when I get a smile from them), the people I work for... I love my network of people who boost me and ground me at the same time.
I think my real need is simply a creative outlet. My Momma pointed that out a week ago while we were shopping for fabric. She's right... but I don't even know where my niche is anymore in the creative world. I love talking pictures with my camera. I think that might need to be my first step. Simply to carry it everywhere. Find what images are tripping my trigger...
I'm motivated somedays by food and I know this. When I don't feel good I will eat to feel better no matter what the occasion. I need to find a healthier motivation. I need to mold my psychology away from that compulsive eating and into the healthy and active livestyle. I know the more I worry about what I'm going to eat the more I will sabotage my diet. Anyway, I have a lot to think about.... Greg Brown, one of my all time favorite musicians wrote my current favorite song. At the risk of looking like I huge dork I'm going to write down the lyrics to his song, "Worrisome Years".

And the worrisome years--over the hill
I thoght it's supposed to get easier to pay your bills
I got nothing to show but a worrisome heart
Can ya please tell me--when does the good part start?
I done like they told me, I done like I should
Ever since I started, I's trying to make good
trying to make a good life for my family
but I can't buy any stuff the kids want from TV
I think about leaving--but where would I go?
How would I get there? I don't know
I took my stand here--I don't want to roam
This old town ain't much but it's all I know of home
I look at Cheryl--she looks at me
We don't talk no more about our dreams
We don't have no fun the way we used to do
Don't be disappointed in me baby
I ain't disappointed in you
And the worrisome years--over the hill
I thoght it's supposed to get easier to pay your bills
I got nothing to show but a worrisome heart
Can ya please tell me--when does the good part start?

I think I love Greg Brown because like the artist he is he strikes that resonant chord in all our hearts when he writes those chords and those lyrics. That is the one element I have always said good art give to me.

What Futurama Charactar are you? Scruffy Scruffy...the Janitor.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Welcome Joshua Spencer Nelson! We are so happy you are here!

Joshua was born May 12th, weighed 6 lb. 1.5 oz. Congratulations Genevieve and Rich.

Happy Mother's Day Momma! I love you!

Here we are! Team Badonkadonk... Walkin' for heart. That was a fun day.

Your Love Element Is Water

In love, you connect deeply and commit totally. For you, love is all about taking risks and moving into unknown territory. You attract others with courage and confidence. Your flirting style is defined by your flexibility and ability to adapt. Nurturing and shared learning are the cornerstones of your love life. And while you may jump in to love too quickly, you always come out the wiser for it. You connect best with: Metal Avoid: Earth You And another Water element: will pull each other down into a dark place

What Element Is Your Love?

Here they are! Gia Gifford and John Peacock were pronounced Husband and Wife in Jamacia (I'm not sure of the exact date). Congrats! Everybody's doing such exciting things these days! I can't wait for the party!

What is the name of those short and tall containers for Jello and pudding? Where does one find them? I tryed tupperware but couldn't find them... maybe they are called parfait cups or something. The top part connects to a little stand... they're made of rubber or plastic... I want to register for some but can't find them anywhere. Please help!

Like I said previously about Genevieve's Shower- There was a lot of really awesome food! Doesn't Vive make a cute pregnant lady? Below is a picture of the expectant mother with her hosts: The Friends of Iowa City (aka FOIC). Not pictured here is the other people who worked so hard on the food and success of the shower: Leticia Domingo (aka Tita Leti),Ophelia Bello, Susanne and Rick Nelson. Isn't Vive so lucky to have people who love her so much? I recently got word of Chris and Trish's baby shower registry... I wish I could be there to help throw their baby's shower and make it special for them, too. Kent and I will have to pick out something real nice for them.

Let it be known that I think Jeremy Piven is a hottie. I have thought so since I saw him in PCU (one of the funniest movies of all time). I think that Kent sort of looks like him. What do you think?

Hey all!
Well its about 4 pm on Sunday and I'm finally getting dressed and ready to go our of my apartment. I hate when that happens! You feel like you lost a whole day. I'm just telling myself that this is about the time when I'd be getting out of work and going for a walk so its really not so bad.
I did get up at 8 am if that counts for anything!
Yesterday was Genevieve's baby shower. She's supposed to be having a boy. They've had a hard time choosing a name but they seem to have agreed upon Joshua. I'm sure he'll be a nice sweet boy no matter what he's named and we'll all love him to pieces. So she's due within the next month sometime. There was lots of awesome food! Kebabs, eggrolls, Punsit (sp?, my favorite Filipino noodle dish- all made by Ophelia and Tita Leti), lots of fruit (compliments of me) and desserts (Susanne Nelson)! What a damn good spread! I'll post some of Genevieve's pictures as soon as she gets them developed (I was put in charge of the camera and ended up taking about 3-4 rolls of film- opps!). Melissa, Sara, and JR, worked on almost everything else! The big project of the shower is a quilt that Sara is working very hard on. All the guests colored squares for the baby with animals on them. I like Daddy Nelson's the best. He made his lion into a "sea Lion"! Very cool. I think it was a success!
Last night Kent and I registered for our wedding. He was let off of work around 6 pm so we went to Dillards and Target. We had a good time. There are a lot f spoiling items on there we will probably not get. The only items Kent was excited for were the picnic basket, "magic bullet" and the kitchenaid mixer and attachments. Everything else was pretty much my doing. It was fun. I can see how it could be a bit addicting. You get to really shop and look at things like you were going to own them, do something that makes them yours (in a way), and then walk away without overdrawing your accounts (very fulfilling!).
There were dishware and flatware items that Dillards doesn't carry that we had to register for directly with Lenox. I hope that doesn't get to confusing. We're going to talk to them about it and see if they can't get them in for us. Who knows.
Well, I owe my little Olivia a nice walk so I should get to it while the sun is up and shining brightly.
p.s. work is going really well. I have my own desk! Maybe I'll take a picture of it to share. I also have my first business cards! Keep praying for me because they keep telling me this job gets more difficult the longer you do it.

A Need to Know Basis!
Muahahahaha! Another family member has joined us in our blogging! Chris is the most computer savy Obert and he has yet to create a site for himself! I think it is crucial that he start us one! Also, I'm hoping some of those Moyers in Cali get on board... and the Cinci Oberts... and my IC friends... and Gia... and Kara... and Katie D... Well, basically I want everyone to provide me information on a daily basis of what is going on in their world. I must know!!!

unfortunately, this is as big as this picture gets but... Isn't my friend Kara in Australia cute?!!?
Today was my first official day at the new job... Also, today is my first official day of allergy season. I took generic allegra so I hope it kicks in soon. Anyway, other than the allergies, today went very smoothly. Nothing to complain about. I feel like fine about things. Still trying to get a hold on everything and all the people.
There are a lot of smoke breaks at this new job so I'll have to keep from getting in the habit of smoking (smoking is no good for allergies, neither). It was fun and the people are great. I think things will be fine.
Anyway, I have lots to do and I want a nap too so I better get to it.
Today was a good day. You know why? I started my new job, I got wedding RSVPs in the mail, AND Kent went grocery shopping! Also, notice the new blog in my links... Mike and Angie made a Blog!

My love and prayers go out to Sara B.'s family as they get through this hard time...

Yesterday's fortune cookie:

"They cannot take away your self respect if we do not give it to them."

Lucky numbers 19, 28, 35, 20, 4, 17

Baseball: Bang qui (Chinese)

Iowa City got ripped open by a tornado last night. Everyone is pretty shook up but we're all fine. I think we are sad to see our beautiful town torn to shreds. Many businesses are suffering today and people are everywhere trying to pick up the pieces. I'm happy that all my loved ones were safe (still waiting to hear back from a few people). Find pictures here.
On a happier note, my brother Christopher found out they will be having a baby girl. They want to name her Madeline Sophia Obert (I may have spelt that wrong). I couldn't help but feel like Chris and his new baby girl is a little bit responsible for this crazy weather. Its sort of a running joke that Chris makes the weather go nuts (from various visits where he brought storms with him, ect). Maybe Chris' good news also brings storms with it.

Today I'm dreaming of vacationing in Florence and Greece. I was wandering around this website. I really miss speaking Italian and being in Italy lately.... Hooooo Hummmmmm.

I'm going to do another walk on April 29th for Hospice. I am not going to be as pro-active about this one but I'm excited about it nonetheless. Here is the web page about it if anyone wants to join me.

Here is Kent and I at Cafe Dodici in Washington, IA. Aren't we adorable. Dinner was fabulous and I got to speak Italian with the owners and they invited me back to talk some more. It was really fun. Pop-o and I shared two bottles of Toscolo (an Italian Chianti). I have more pictures to share but I'll have to share those later.
My dress is the dress I was going to wear to my Rehearsal Dinner. I may still get to wear it but things may be too casual for it. We're still working on that one.
We went dancing afterwards at The Speak Easy. That was really fun and I even danced in HEELS!!! Can you imagine my size 12s in heels?
It was four people's birthday celebrations that night- Kent, Sara B. and her mother Deb, and myself. We all had a GREAT time!

Today is my birthday and we had una Festa Italia Castora (How Laurie translates the party of the Italian Beaver). Kent came and we ate Lasagna, cheese, breadstick, Olive Garden salad, and we watched Lady and the Tramp.... "This is the night... a most beautiful night....". Merrill brought me Bruschetta! Then we had angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries for dessert. VERY exciting. By the way, Laurie brought us Krispy Kremes for breakfast (I knew I didn't eat breakfast for a reason). At least I worked out this morning. I'm not sure it will cover the 4 doughnuts, 2 p. of lasagna, 2 breadsticks, brushcetta, juice, cake, and salad I have eaten so far today. Not to mention I get to take leftovers home!

I wanted to share some of these great pictures of my family that have stored away for years as slides in my parents stuff...
I really think they're neat.

NEW JOB!
I got a new job as a systems coordinator at Reach for your Potential. This is a residential and day center service provider for adults with disabilities. I'm very excited about this new opportunity to learn, meet new people, and start making life better for Kent and myself. So, everyone pray that it works out! My first day is April 17th.

Some friends and I have formed a team for Heart walk! Please, join us or pledge us! Our team's name is "BaaDonkaDonk" and I'm the captain.

Click on the icon to go find out more!
5K! WE CAN DO IT!

Beware Iowa Citians!!!! Have you seen this person?
This crazy bat out of hell has been let loose in Iowa City!
Do not get too close as she has been know to bite the heads off small dogs and chickens...
Reward for the person who captures her and puts her safely into captivity!

Inspiration and creativity

"It was right that I had gone to Europe, if only because I could look again with wonder. Past certain ages or certain wisdoms it is very difficult to look with wonder; it is best done when one is a child; after that, and if you are lucky, you will find a bridge of childhood and walk across it. Going to Europe was like that. It was a bridge of childhood, one that led over the seas and through the forests straight into my imagination's earliest landscapes. One way or another I had gone to a good many places, from Mexico to Maine, and then to think I had to go all the way to Europe to go back to my hometown, my fire and room where stories and legends seemed always to live beyond the limits of our town. And that is where the legends were: in the harp, the castle, the rustling of the swans." - Truman Capote.

Tonight, I watched Capote. As with almost all biographies I get pretty deeply involved. Here is a list of people I have been obsessed with, from either books or film or artwork, in the past:

-Carrington (by Gretchen Gerzina) about Dora Carrington (love of Lyntton Strachy).
-Vincent Van Gogh... I can't even list all the things that inspire me about him.
-Georgia O'Keefe and her love affair with Alfred Stieglitz
-Rosa Bonheur
-Judy Chicago
-Cezanne
-Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (I've always been fascinated with the artist in love with artist stories - escp. If the man is somehow unattainable such as gay, womanizer, or simply not a woman, ect...)
-Jim Morrison
-Dante
-Rodin
-Francis Ford Coppola
-Michelangelo
-Da Vinci
-Elisabeth Eaves (stripper who wrote a book).
-my grandparents, my parents, my brothers, my family

Anyway, I love feeling inspired by things. I could use more inspiration in my life. I am most easily inspired when I have time alone. Its very ironic because lately I have been harboring a fear of loneliness. Maybe I'm afraid to be left alone with my thoughts... Anyway, blogging has been highly therapeutic for me. I hope it does something to improve my writing abilities. I used to write friends and family great letters. My letters were real prizes. Since e-mail that has been lost. I should write a letter to someone, again.

Major Update time!

My good buddy JR is finally back from France and I am happy for it. I was sad that he was gone. When I do get a moment with him I look forward to hearing first hand everything that happened there. I have been dreaming of going back to Europe for some time now.
In the meantime Kent and I have been suffering the terrible cold that has taken Iowa City by storm. It starts as a dull pain in your chest and then moves up to your sinuses, ears and eyes. Such a horrible way to live. I'm pretty much over it other than the green sludge I've been blowing through my nose these days and lingering ear blockage.
As for wedding news everything is more or less finished. We still don't have ceremony music so I'm thinking of just getting a boombox in there and play a cd with all the important music on it. I have been advised by the Longbranch Best Western to inform everyone to get their reservations in as early as possible. My invitations have come in. In fact, they came in over a week ago but Kent failed to relay the message that they came in from the answering machine. Men... Can't live with 'em -can't kill 'em. So I should be able to get that out soon. The planning of the rehearsal dinner is still in the works but not settled as of yet. I finally booked a DJ, Rock and Thunder DJs. That was really the last thing on my list. Mom and I are still working on centerpieces. They are a bit challenging but I will see her next weekend probably and we will get it figured out then.
I cleaned most of the apartment today so that has been a good feeling. I have a short list of things to do today: Deposit BG check, rent Capote, wash linens from our sickness (bleach), print out resume for job applications. I need a single job that will make me a living wage. I'm too old and tired to be working multiple jobs and I need more time for myself, working out, eating right, preparation for marriage. Someday, I may want to make a baby with Kent too and I will need to make a nest egg for that, too. Also, I need to pay off my credit cards and start building a savings account.
Well, I've gone off enough for one day. I think I'm going to get ready to really start my day!
p.s. My birthday is coming up (April 4th!). I'm going to be an old and crotchety 29 years old. I'm having family and friends at Cafe Dodici in Washington, IA. I'm very excited about it! Good food (voted best in the area), good wine, good company, and good dessert.
p.p.s. I found out my Aussie friend, Kara, won't be back until June or July!!! That's too long!!! I'm really missing her. Good for her for staying out of this black hole we all call Iowa City, tho'.
p.p.s.s. My friends here and I are working on a Baby Shower for our dear friend Genevieve. She due to have a boy at the end of May! I pray she has a safe delivery. She was so thin and she is so uncomfortable. I see now how much women suffer to bring their families into the world. I also pray for a happy future and world for the baby, and all my friends' children to live in. Watching the news makes me nervous to bring new life into the world as much as I want to. But life must go on! They are much stronger than I am, however. I'm too much of the sensitive artist type.

You Are Los Angeles

Young and fun, you always know where the best parties are. And while you tend to keep things carefree and casual... You certainly can glam it up when you need to. Famous people from Los Angeles: Tyra Banks, Jake Gyllenhall, Freddie Prinze Jr.

What American City Are You?

"hmmmmm.... well, I really do like Jake Gyllenhall and I'm a G-n-R fan...."

I got a new fish. His name is George. He looks a little like the fish above. I can't remember what he is (genus, ect.). I already have dead fish fear, however. I might not want to have kids. I'll just always worry about whether they are dead or if I was killing them. That might be too much stress on my everyday. However, kids are a bit heartier than a goldfish ;).

GREG BROWN LIVE IN CONCERT!

My parents and I have front row tickets to see Greg Brown! The concert is March 4th (one month before my birthday!). I'm excited for my folks to see him and hear his music. Get a reintroducing to Iowa folk music.

Here's a picture of me on my 3rd Birthday with my Grandpa Wuennemann. I uncovered this picture this weekend in a box of my old stuff and wanted to share it. Just two kids enjoying a birthday!

I'm thinking about changing our honeymoon plans to the more practical and economical Niagra Falls (?)... could be fun! Here is the description for the suite...
Honeymoon PackageIn the Honeymoon Capital of the World, Luxury Suite Accommodations A Honeymoon Gift Package, full fallsview dining...
Honeymoon Packages include:
Luxury Suite Accommodations
A Honeymoon Gift Package including; a Bottle of Wine (a choice of Red or White from Niagara's famous wine region), 2 wine glasses, gourmet chocolates, a Niagara wine region corkscrew, and a special souvenir memory from the hotel.
Fallsview Dinner for two, one Evening at the award-winning Terrapin Grille (a $75 value)
Complimentary Cooked-to-order Breakfast for your entire party
Evening Manager's Reception with 2 Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages, each evening
Complimentary Casino, Falls & Attractions Shuttle throughout your stay Luxurious Fallsview Whirlpool & Fireplace Suites also available.Deluxe Honeymoon Packages Include:
Fallsview Suite Accommodations
Fallsview Dinner for two, one Evening at the award-winning Terrapin Grille (a $75 value)
Private Horse Drawn Carriage Ride along the Niagara Parkway at the base of the Horseshoe Falls
Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate delivered to your Suite
Bottle of Champagne delivered to your Suite
Turn down service with Rose Petals on your pillow
Complimentary Cooked-to-order Breakfast for your entire party
Evening Manager's Reception with 2 Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages, each evening
Complimentary Casino, Falls & Attractions Shuttle throughout your stay Luxurious Fallsview Whirlpool & Fireplace Suites also available.* Carriage ride must be booked at least 24 hours in advance* Hours of operation as of January 9/06 are: 12 noon until 5 pm Saturday and Sunday only* Hours of operation from February 11 - 19 / 06 are 3 pm until 9pm* Times are subject to change based on availability and weather permitting

The final day unpacking the parents
Well, today was my last full day in Cedar Falls with the folks. I'll be going back to Iowa City tomorrow. There are more reasons why my mamma's crazy... Our family dog, Gracie, is very old, partly deaf, and blind as a bat. Mom and her have a very precarious relationship.
Today I witnessed the following senerio. Mom took Gracie out to go potty. Unfortunately, Gracie gets disoriented and takes some time before she realizes its safe to let go... Well, today mom forgot she was out there. Pop-o and I were upstairs. I was washing my dog, Olivia and he was trying to get the scanner on his computer to work. We kept hearing barking. Pop-o asked me, "Who's barking?" and I said, "Must be the neighbor dog." All along Mom was listening but couldn't remember Gracie was outside in the sub-zero weather of Cedar Falls. Finally Gracie kept barking long enough for her to realize. Folks, this is what happens when the blind leads the blind.
I actually think my Pop-o is going deaf too.. Maybe my mom's jibber jabber cause all who lives with her to go deaf. My dog, Olivia, is a willing listener. I was listening to Mom chat with her earlier today and was giggling. I was in the living room with Pop-o and asked him if he could hear them (my dog wasn't actually saying much). He smiled really big and said, "Well at least this time she talking to something... Usually she's just talking..." We had a laugh about that.
I didn't have any major discoveries today. I had an excellent breakfast, however (eggs benedict, bran muffin, and fruit - does life get any better?). Also we have a very good lead on some lanterns for the wedding. Considerably smaller than I wanted but they might be OK. Also, their affordable!

Well, another day of going through boxes and boxes of memories. Today Mom and I found my old Cabbage Patch Dolls. Growing up these with my most prized possessions. This is probably why my brothers enjoyed torturing them (preferably in my presence) so much. My mother made bags full of cabbage patch clothes. I wanted to play dress-up so bad. I kept my African American girl cabbage patch, my red head with a tooth, my premie, my blond yarn haired cabbage, and last but not least, the only doll I actually remember the name to... Eldon Adon. My very first cabbage patch doll that I actually adopted in the presence of witnesses and swore to always love. Unfortunately, during the ride home after adopting him I stuck him out the window of the car to show the world my new baby and the wind frizzed his hair. I have three or four boxes of crap I want to keep but have no idea what to do with. Yikes! I still haven't found the ultimate booty... My baby blanket that my grandmother (I think) made for me. It was a quilt with blue satin lining and pink and blue flowers on top. I hope it pops up. The only other thing I can think of is that I left it at the professor's house (Where I lived shortly), the Stromer's house (also about a month or two of residence), or the Lowens... I don't think they have it because you can always count on SLo to notice something like that. My Mom is on the hunt for her knives and a antique mantel clock... There are more discoveries to be made.

I'm here in Cedar Falls at my parents' lovely new house. Yesterday, I went through boxes of my old stuff and have more to go through still. The most difficult thing to get rid of was bags and bags full of letters and cards from my childhood through high school and then into college. I have saved EVERYTHING and didn't even know it.
Its alright though. At least I'm not like my mother who has saved boxes and boxes of unopened happy meal toys. I'm a bit worried about her actually. My first thought was, "Man, Mom ate a lot of fast food". But then I remembered her obsession with happy meal toys was so deep that she actually never ate the food very often and that she actually gave that food to Gracie, the family dog. She used to tell me that Gracie would look depressed and she would buy her a happy meal. Well folks, now you know where I got my ideas of comfort food from! Above is a goofy picture of my moher to illustrate how crazy she is...
Things I'm most excited about taking back home are my cowboy boots, my art restoration projects, and my swatch watches. Mostly, because I want to sell the watches on e-bay. I also have a myriad of stuffed animals that make me sneeze to sort through. I could sell these as well. Its a dilemma.
Pop-o also wants me to take the slides back with me from our family vacations, ect. I have a slide scanner so that I could make them into computer files for keepsaking. However, Mom and Pop-o have about 60+ boxes of slides at about 80-140 slides per box... Now THAT'S a project!
Well, the folks are up now. Olivia got to sleep with them last night. I'm guessing their bed looked more appealing and well, Mom and Pop-o did spoil her all yesterday. Not to mention the coffee is READY! Time to spend another day in the lap of luxury.

Here is something fun to do.... It's called a Johari Window. Basically, It compares the way I describe myself with the adjectives that my friends and family use for me. Contribute to my Johari Window here...

Arena (known to self and others) extroverted, intelligent, observant, witty	Blind Spot (known only to others) able, bold, dependable, happy, helpful, independent, knowledgable, responsive, self-assertive, sentimental, spontaneous
Façade (known only to self) loving, searching	Unknown (known to nobody) accepting, adaptable, brave, calm, caring, cheerful, clever, complex, confident, dignified, energetic, friendly, giving, idealistic, ingenious, introverted, kind, logical, mature, modest, nervous, organised, patient, powerful, proud, quiet, reflective, relaxed, religious, self-conscious, sensible, shy, silly, sympathetic, tense, trustworthy, warm, wise

Dominant Traits

66% of people think that xkobertx is knowledgable
66% of people think that xkobertx is self-assertive

All Percentages

able (33%) accepting (0%) adaptable (0%) bold (33%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (0%) cheerful (0%) clever (0%) complex (0%) confident (0%) dependable (33%) dignified (0%) energetic (0%) extroverted (33%) friendly (0%) giving (0%) happy (33%) helpful (33%) idealistic (0%) independent (33%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (33%) introverted (0%) kind (0%) knowledgable (66%) logical (0%) loving (0%) mature (0%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (33%) organised (0%) patient (0%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (0%) relaxed (0%) religious (0%) responsive (33%) searching (0%) self-assertive (66%) self-conscious (0%) sensible (0%) sentimental (33%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (33%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (0%) warm (0%) wise (0%) witty (33%)

Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 14.2.2006, using data from 3 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view xkobertx's full data.

Here are some more ideas for hairstyles. I can't even decide between up or down. I'm starting to understand the things that interest me and don't interest me and the things that just scare me to death about wedding planning...

Things I like:

Food, Cake, decor, theme, site scouting, flowers

Things I dislike:

music, DJ, invitations

Things that scare me to death:

My dress, beauty in general (hair, nails, makeup)... I know on the day it will be fun... but trying to get it right is a little overwhelming- I went to prom my sophmore year with a nice boy named Russ. I decided to wear my hair up... I ended up with a huge alien head. The problem? The hair didn't interact with the rest of me... It became a show of itself. I don't want this to happen to any one element of my appearence.

Here is an Idea for a hairstyle.
I know I'm going to be sweatin'. I hate that I sweat so much. I wish there was a shampoo/antiperspirant. That would be wicked awesome.

Things that make you go Poo.

Are there certain places or things that you do that make you automatically have to go "#2"?
While I sit here in the office of the BG I'm reminded that I always have to go at about this time down here in this basement office... Is it is the coldness of the office, the quiet, or the fact that I'm underground?
My money is on the quietness... I say this because the other place that makes me need to go poo is in the library. I often wonder as I'm squeezing my cheeks together in the library if everyone else has the same problem and if they do how many #2-s does the library see in a day? I bet it would be a high percentage of the total number of visitors there.
Often driving makes me have to go #2. Is it the motion of the vehicle?
I have never been a very regular person so i can never prepare myself for a #2. I can get into a number of "sticky" situations.... Friends who know me too well- "Keep your traps shut".

Well the cake is settled. The first baker I went to was in Cedar Rapids/Marion called Jules Bakery. I wasn't happy with the woman's approach to the customer relationship. She was more interested in making obstacles rather than solutions. Coming from a working background in a bakery as I have, I have come to know a lot of pastry chefs. There are those prima donnas who like to tell you what you can't do just to make themselves look smarter and holy-er than thou. I think the woman at Jules bakery was of this variety.
Anyway, my future mother in law gave me the name of a very nice woman who operates a bakery and catering business out of her home in Mount Vernon call Carol's Bakery. I met with her and I got along with her instantly and we got to talking about caterings and the business, ect., in no time. She was very solution orientated to what I wanted. She made Kent and I up a very nice sample cake of what we wanted: Hazelnut cake with a fudge frosting (unlike Jules who knew I wanted that but when I showed up to taste her cakes she just gave me her typical sample package of Red velvet, Pink champane, white and chocolate with buttercream icing). Carol's cake was AWESOME!!! It was exactly what I wanted: Something without buttercream icing (blech) that wasn't too sweet and had a good Italian flavor. My favorite chocolates while I was in Italy were the Baci. Baci are hazelnut flavored/mixed into chocolate. I think I actually saw pieces of hazelnut in the cake! Isn't that cool?... And its cheaper than the original bakery!
I'm having a bit of a problem with my "enter" key on this blog today. That can be rather annoying.
Anyway, Kent, My bridemaids, Melissa and Genevieve, and the reader, Sara all got to taste the cake. We all agree that it's awesome. I still have some left that I wanted to share my future parents-in-law and my momma and Popo but I don't know when they will have opportunity to do so.
I promised I would write a nice long blog for my friends who are all embarrassed because of the big picture of the woman in underwear that I posted. I guess a lot of you like to read this blog while at work. Sorry to all of you out there who have had to close out of this blog as if its a porn site because of the underwear picture. You know me... I don't really think about crap like that very often.
Anyway, Its saturday and I have a growing list of things in my head that I need to do.
1. CLEAN APARTMENT!!!
2. Call hotel and reserve rooms for night before the wedding.
3. Find DJ
4. Find music for wedding/ musicians
5. Register (maybe at Dillards and Target?- Haven't really decided yet)
6. Go to Houseworks and look for aforementioned votive lanterns that someone spotted for the reception.
7. Go to grocery.
8. Put air into stubborn European style tires on bike. Not as easy as you'd think.
9. Clean out car including putting away X-country skis that I've been toting around in hopes of more snow.
That's my list so far... But as I said, it keeps growing.
There has been lots of news in the Obert family lately. So if you haven't talked to any of us lately you may want to give us a call. Not me in particular but my parents and my siblings. I don't feel at liberty of sharing their news yet for them so I leave that up to them if they want to post, ect.
Well, better get back to cleaning. Happy Saturday!

p.s. While looking through a baby names book for my friend Genevieve I found out that Obert is a first name for a boy that means bright in Welsch or something. I had no idea. So I guess if Kent and i have a baby I could name hime Obert. I'm rooting for the name Sean Richard Nelson for her even though I might have to use the name Sean too. I probably wont tho'. What if I named my son Otis Obert Olson and his initials were O.O.O. Would he hate me forever? I had a friend Matthew David Davis who was mad that his parents gave him a middle name so close to his last name.
Here is a list of names I like for my children of "someday"
Olivia, Madison, Kelsey, and Grace-Annette for a girl.
Otis, George, Sean, Gregory, Antonio, or Jude for a boy. (I also like the name Levi but I have that name in mind for someone else.)

I've gotta keep this post short as I am at work but I have to share in my rejoicing that my parents have moved back to the United States!

"hooray!!!!!"

I hope everyone will join me in welcoming them back. I will be making a special trip around Feb. 16-20th to spend time with them at their new home in Cedar Falls. Well better get going in case big boss decides to drop in a give me a whuppin'

All work and no play make Katy an unhappy girl... :(

Hello... My name is Katy Obert...

And I am a bride-with-a-gut-and-enormous-TA-TA to be. I need to go on that "Biggest Loser- engagement edition" or something.
This is how my day went:
1.) Went to work (in very good mood)
2.) Talked a bridesmaid into staying my bridesmaid
3.) Went home to meet my soon to be husband. Found my rehearsal dinner dress I ordered had arrived. Got very excited and tried it on... Realized I'm in desperate need of heavy duty undergarments otherwise breasts will fall out of dress and smother friends and family.
4.) Went to talk to woman about baking a cake for my wedding. People... This cake is going to be goooood. Sorry to you people who don't like chocolate (who are you, anyway?) but I'm planning on a Baci candy inspired chocolate hazelnut delight!
5.) Went to Dillards with a nice gift certificate in hand to buy some undergarments for my sexy new dress that actually fits!!! Hooray.
6.) Spent an hour and a half circling lingerie dept. Without help of woman in doctor-like white coat with "fitting specialist" embroidery to help me. Tried on too small undergarments.
7.) Watched as my white skin turned pink from shoving too small undergarments around my body... Torture.
8.) Drove directly to gym to punish myself for being disgustingly overweight slob.
9.) Worked out on bike and treadmill for an hour.
10.) Got the stupid idea that I should try "Bodystep"
11.) Almost died from tripping overmyself trying to follow very tricky and fast aerobic "bodystep" workout. Then almost passed out from my fat suffocating my lungs.
12.) Went straight to car and drank a barrel-ful of water.
13.) Came home to find spaghetti nasty disaster left in our kitchen sink. Apparently Kent got hungry (then, refused to eat carb filled rubbish- ate an apple instead- good job Katy :))
14.) Sat down to computer to buy aforementioned heavy duty keeping in fat underwear for rehearsal dinner dress and wedding dress.
15.) That's it, really.

So you see... I've been very busy. A very busy chubby bride. That's me.

"I'm... gonna rock and roll all night.....!"

I thought of one last thing I want to post about... Wedding music. On my "Knot" website there is an RSVP option. When you RSVP on there you can choose whether you need a vegetarian meal AND what song you'd like to hear! I'm anxious to see what you all want to hear.
This is what I'm thinking about so far:
1st dance (Kent and I)- Fly me to the moon- Franky
Last dance- Unforgettable- Nat King Cole
Father-Daughter- Wink and a Smile or My Girl
Friends (Katy's)- anything Indigo Girls
Other songs:
Forever Young (for my parents- Mike and Annette)
Time after time
How sweet it is -Marvin Gaye version
Unchained Melody (of course)
They can't take that away from me
Anything Clapton, Beatles, Nina Simone
and last but not least-
gotta have Rock Ballads-
G-n-R, Poison, Warrent, Styx, Bon Jovi, Def Lepard, Led Zep, ect...

These pictures look a little awkward stacked on top of each other but it looks better than trying to put them side by side... Anyway, I want to have lanterns for my centerpieces and I'm going to need about 25-30 of them I think (at most). This could get pricey...
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions or finds some- Please let me know. I've already sent out e-mails to some of my family and friends to help look for them but this is turning out to me more difficult than I anticipates.
A few hints:
1. They don't need to match.
2. Used is fine
3. The cheaper the better
4. The more basic the better
5. They don't need to hanging or vice vera. I like the idea of them all being different.
Argh! Help!

The Block of Hotel Rooms

I reserved a block of 40 rooms at the Best Western Longbranch Hotel & Con - (319) 377-6386 - 90 Twixt Town Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Map of
90 Twixt Town Rd Ne
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3205

The rooms I reserved at mostly poolside with the option of non-poolside for a cheaper rate (one or two bed). I reserved mostly non-smoking rooms but all anyone has to do is request smoking. Guests only need to ask for the Olson/Obert block to reserve a room at the wedding rate. Kent and I have also reserved our honeymoon suite here. I plan to also have the sunday brunch for gift opening the next day in this hotel. I will reserve an alternate, more economical, alternative when we find one that is the most accessible to this, original, hotel.

You should be able to pan the map over on the link and see how close this hotel is to the reception. I'm pretty sure there is a bar in this hotel as well for some after hours cocktails.

I will have all this information in the invitations as well, of course.

p.s. I bought my attendant gifts today and BOY am I excited about them!

The Bridesmaid Dress
Here is a picture of the bridesmaid's dress I chose. It made by Bari Jay (follow the link for the website).It has an ivory organza sash in leiu of the pink. All the colors will be in the flowers and the attendants will remain neutral. I feel this heightens the oppertunity of being able to wear the dress again. Maybe that's every bride's pipe dream but in this case I think it is at least possible.

There will be one junior bridesmaid, Hannah (dudette). Her dress will be white with a sash to match the bridesmaids. I'll try to find a pic of that, too(went to website and couldn't find the dress. Maybe I am confused on the designer of that dress I found. I will do some investigating).

Here's the dress I chose for the rehearsal dinner. I bought it a size smaller than I should have bought but I want to use it as an incentive to keep working out and eating right. Today is double pay day and yesterday Kent's unemloyment was approved so we went out to dinner to celebrate not being completely broke.

I made a better choice than I could have. Instead of eating Italian or burgers we went to Oyama and had sushi rolls. We were seated next to the special ed teacher from City High. He's a lot of fun and it turns out he also lived in Florence for a year. We had a lot to talk about. His group brought a bottle of rice whiskey and they were nice enough to share it with Kent and I.

I need call Heart to Heart today and get swatches of the bridesmaid dresses for my future mother-in-law, my momma and florist. So I better get a little business done instead of doinking on the computer all morning.

Quick Update

Well, working out has been going fine. I haven't lost any weight yet but It's still early. Today and yesterday I had to work my second job. Tomorrow I will will get back in the gym again. I over exercised on Monday night. I didn't feel sore yesterday until night time. Today, I'm still pretty sore.
Kent is still looking for a job. Everyone should keep him in their thoughts because this thing is turning out to be more difficult than we anticipated. I hope he can find something really nice so I don't have to worry about money for the little things before the wedding.
It has been raining in Seattle for 20+ straight days and they are about to hit record amounts of rain. University of Washington had a frat that was closed down due to mud slides! This is where Kent and I are going to be moving. I hope Seattle gets this kind of rain out of the way before we move there. Or maybe I'll like all that rain. It will be different.
As for wedding business, I'm still worried about finding rustic looking votive lanterns for the reception tables. I also need to find a DJ and think about making a "Kids table". I can't wait until Mom moves back so I can get her working on some of these things. I made hair appointments for me, mom, and the bridesmaids. If anyone wants an appointment or if you are a bridesmaid and don't want an appointment- let me know and I try to find us all someone.
Other than that, Happy Hump Day!

Putting on the dress on the day...

I have decided that its high time I started thinking about my body and how I'm going to look on that Big Day. I received a 6 month membership to Core Fitness from my parents for christmas. I thought about buying a treadmill but decided that having my friends who go to Core motivate me and not having to move that huge piece of equipment was more important. So I've gone three times in the last week and I should be leaving any minute to go again today with my friend Sara B.

Yesterday, I took my measurement and found that in approximatly the last two years I've lost inches on my legs and arms but gained three inches in my chest and waist. Its happening, I'm turning into the beach ball bellied wuenneman woman. My mother, her mother, some cousins, and I all suffer from this horrible fate.

I looked up workouts on the Shape website for toning up my back and arms because my wedding dress will be featuring these areas. I printed them out and am going to try them along with my weight lifting part of my workout or maybe I'll do them after the second cardio... This is my workout (adapted version of fellow associate- Jessica Gordon's workout):

10 min cardio (of my choice) to warm up

weight lifting (alternate days to target areas)

40 min cardio (mixing up 20/20 min on two other machines of my choice)

yoga/pilates - cool down

I've done this three times this week so I hope I can keep it up.

As for eating... Its hard to stay strict when you have a fiance whose cooking up fatty casseroles... but I made a nice chix breast salad last night... sticking to just what I bring to work to eat without too much snacking on what I call "teacher treats" at the school. Lots of fruits and veggies, my jasmine green tea instead of coffee with cream, less chips and bread.

Wish me luck! Well, I got the phone call to get ready and go work out so I have to change...

A Modern day Robert Frost among us in Iowa City

Tonight when I came home from work I watched a little of my favorite television programming (Can anyone guess? Yep. Project Runway). However, its what I watched after P.R. that got me logging on to write about it.
I was watched Iowa Public Television. There was a program on made by a resident of the Iowa City senior center. Her name is Barbara Hackman. She made her show about the snow removal after a storm early in the morning in February, 2004.
I'll be honest. My first impression was, "Here is potential for comedy." I braced myself to engage in a little black secret behavior that only a few friends know about... For those of you who watch P.R., I'm a little like Santino when I'm this way. I get pretty full of myself and make fun of the ridiculous antics of those around me. Its a dangerous game (guilty pleasure). The irony is, of course, that I have been and continue to be the butt of many people's jokes and criticism. Maybe its my defense mechanism and personal coping skill.
However, I got off topic. This show really sucked me in. The way it was filmed and narrated was very artful. It was all shot from her 10th story window at the senior center. The climax was when the empty trucks lined up beside a massive snow blower to be filled. She presented it as if it was an exciting snow parade. She slowed down the footage to show in detail how beautiful the snow was when it was forcefully shot out of the tall blower into the massive truck. It was a little like watching those desk ornaments that were really popular for awhile. You could turn them upside down and watch the sand stream into different designs that resembled either a mountainscape or a sand dune sunset.
The narration was nothing other than sheer poetry. I felt like I was listening to a modern day woman Robert Frost. I was inspired. I was able to leave myself and see the world through this woman's eyes and feel the excitement she felt to be watching the city remove snow early in the morning while she ate her breakfast.

The New Year's quiz

1. what did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
Started planning a wedding, got engagement pictures taken.

2. did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept most of them at one time or another. I didn't go to Europe with Kent, however.

3. did anyone close to you give birth?
My Cousin Chu had his second baby this year.

4. did anyone close to you die?

My grandpa Charles Anthony Wuennemann died around St. Patty's day

5. what countries did you visit?

Mexico and America

6. what would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
More money and a single job that makes me happy.

7. what date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies left in the storm.

8. what was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being a good girlfriend to Kent and trying to be a good friend.

9. what was your biggest failure?
Not going to Europe.

10. did you suffer illness or injury?
It was decided that I suffer of depression

11. what was the best thing you bought?
I bought a bike off my friend, Melissa's, Dad.

12. whose behavior merited celebration?

My girlfriend Genevieve and her husband Dr. Rich got knocked up!

13. whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I plea the right to stay silent!

14. where did most of your money go?

Bills.

15. what did you get really, really, really excited about?
Planning my wedding, the prospect of moving and going to school, seeing my parents.

16. what song(s) will always remind you of 2005?

17. compared to this time last year, are you

i. happier or sadder?: Happy- horray for medication!

ii. thinner or fatter?: maybe a little fatter
iii. richer or poorer?: Approximately the same.

18. what do you wish you’d done more of?

Traveling

19. what do you wish you’d done less of?

sleeping. I slept most of 2005 away.

20. how did you spend christmas?

With my honey, Kent, warm and cozy.

22. did you fall in love in 2005?

I am always falling in love again with Kent.

23. what was your favorite TV program?

Project Runway

24. do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No

25. what was the best book you read?

Harry Potter #6 was pretty good.

your greatest musical discovery?
That I hate R. Kelly's multi par song "In the closet"

(I don’t know what happened to 27 and 28)

29. what did you want and get?

I wanted a nice place to have a wedding and I got it... wedding still on the way!

30. what did you want and not get?

I generally want too much so I won't bore you with the list.

31. what was your favorite film of this year?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

32. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 28. I can't remember. Must not have been too exciting. Unless it was the one where I got the New England travel guide from Andy and JR- In which case I had a nice breakfast at my friends' Melissa and Sarah's house.

33. what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Traveling to Europe with Kent.

34. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Kinda sloppy. Sometimes i dressed up but mostly I just wore what I've been wearing for the last four-ten years. I don't buy new clothes very often.

35. what kept you sane?

Looking forward to moving, going to grad school, my friends, and Kent.

36. which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Definitly Colin Firth.

37. what political issue stirred you the most?

Hurricane Katrina and the poor doggies that were left in the storm.

38. who did you miss?

My parents in Mexico and Kara in Australia.

39. who was the best new person you met?

i think my best new people are the new associates that worked in the same classroom with me, Jessica Gordon and Brian Rath.

40. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:

There is no such thing as constructive criticism. To construct is to build up and to cricize is to break down and pick apart.

41. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

The lyrics to "I'm telling you now" by Keb Mo'