"Okay Uncle Bernie and Aunt Teri! I'm ready to fish!"

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it might be interesting what my family's results would be....

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Yankee

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Kent and I have returned from our honeymoon (last night at about midnight). We had a fabulous time. Here are some of the pictures to illustrate:
Everyday usally started the same. That is wake at 7:30 am, reserve spot on beach with an umbrella, eat a big breakfast, get swimsuit on and lounge on beach until done. I loved that ocean. I had never seen anything remotely as clear and blue and full of aquatic life! We snorkeled in it, bounce around in it and generally enjoyed the veiw and sounds of it. Don't get me wrong- I'm sure there is better ocean beaches and aquatic life out there- I just haven't seen it.

We stayed in one of the biggest resorts I saw in cancun with what seemed to me the biggest and best beach any resort was offering. The resort was all inclusive so we never had to buy a meal. We got reservations for the Brazillian and the Japanese restaurants which had a dress code and a menu so it had the illusion of going out to eat and not stuffing your face at a buffet. Buffets are hard for those of us with a problem with protion control and who eat fast. I made sure to always eat a big plate of salad before diving into anything serious. On the otherhand, Kent did not worry and oinked his way through our vacation with multiple plates full of food. Men... They have it so easy. It was his vacation and normally I'm worrying about him not eating enough so I didn't say anything.
I still think I probably gained up to 10 pounds. I haven't weighed myself yet and don't want to. I have Jenny on Wednesday and will really have to face the reality of 24 hr. of free drinks and food.

Kent and I did find time fore activites and excersize too! We went snorkeling without fins (as they were always, "out" of them due to so many kiddos running around). So that meant more muscle power to swim around the ocean. Also we spent a day at X-caret which if anyone one visits Cancun I would highly recommend. While weighing our choices for a day trip Kent and I liked the idea of someplace that had "underground tunnels" both for swimming and walking as the sun was very hot. I had talked to vacationers coming off buses from some of the Mayan ruins that said they had been to, "Hell and back" as it was so damn hot and long of a day.
X-caret was perfect as its part Zoo, part beach, part historical and part theatrical show! I took pictures on a disposable that I will post later. It was recommended to us by my parents and another couple I know, Sarah and JohnDavid that also went to Cancun for their honeymoon.
We shopped at "La Isla", at the flea market (we mostly just got barked at there), and at a few malls. Kent bought an obsidian skull, a shirt and a hat. I bought a mask that has a Mayan face (mask) which is split into young, old and skull. I think its fascinating that the same themes such as this one carry throughout ages and regions. I also got some gifts for co-workers who helped out my caseload while I was away, a gift for Madeline, a hand embroidered shirt ( I wanted the Frida Kahlo big white dress: mostly because I thought it would be fun to wear when I get pregnant but settled on the cheaper one that was just as beautiful), and I bought a Cubano. Some other knick knacks too but I can't remember.

Lastly I want to say thanks to all of you who helped us out so generously at the wedding. I was so amazed at the love everyone put into our weekend. It really made Kent and I feel so good and relieved to have that kind of love and support. Every couple should be blessed with the kind of family I was so proud of at my wedding. I was really proud and happy to have all of you there! Sorry to those of you who couldn't make it- We love and missed you and thought of you. You were in our hearts.

Smoking and Health Resolution

Alright, I felt bad about the whopper and the chinese food. I went for a run tonight and exfoliated my skin. I'm on the road to recovery... Its amazing the difference you feel when you stop working out. I will drag my ass out of bed tomorrow and continue to steer clear of sleeping-my-life-away-junk-food-eating-Telly-watching-no-good-lifestyle.
I will also try to monitor drastically a very natsy habit that I have been forming at my new job of turning occasional smoking during nights out with the girls into joining co-worker-smokers outside every hour for a break of smoking and talking and then carry that over to non-working hours adding up to a whole day of smoking like I'm a chimmney. I will not smoke unless I'm drinking. Smoking is a very nasty habit that I have been lucky enough to turn off and on at my discretion my whole life. I do enjoy smoking now and then but prefer not to, escpecially do not find smoking in the company of non-smokers necessary.
Kent, on the other hand, does smoke... around smokers or non. He needs it or is hell to live with. I hope when he finally does quit we are able to stay together. Usually, when he tries to quit - he's such a bear to live with I almost feel relief when he gives up. That's the horrible truth of that. When we have a baby I'm sure we're really going to have to nail this topic down. I do not want my babies first thoughts to be, "when can I get my hands on some of those ciggerettes like mom and dad?". I think when kids are around smokers they definitly want it earlier.
Well, that just turned into a smoking topic. I hope you enjoy. I know many of my friends and family struggle with smoking. Some of us truely enjoy it and some of us need it so much we don't even remember enjoying it.

This is what the chapel will look like as you are driving up to it. Its in the middle of nowhere. I'm getting pretty excited. I just need to remember to breath (or something). I have been talking to a lot of people either at work, or my clients and their parents, or friends and they all want to know... "Are you nervous?" "Are you excited?"

I feel the same thing I felt before going to Italy for a year. I feel nothing. I'm going through the motions and just, "Doing it"... I'm tired a lot lately. That should change now that I'm done with work until after Cancun. I was running around so much. I feel emotional a bit more. I feel confident.

I need to get back into a workout routine. I have been out of it for about a week now. I've also been off my diet. I guess you could say I hit a brick wall with everything.

So today I ate a Whopper *gasp*. Yesterday I had Chinese (opps).

I'll get back on the wagon. I'm usually a very motivated person but when I convince myself that I'm tired then its all bets off. Now I just need to convince myself that I'm not tired anymore.

Well, folks. I choose my wedding date because September has the most clear days of all the months in Iowa.
The weather for my grand event? Cold... Rainy... shit.
So to all you lovely people whom I hold so dear that live in sunny weather. Don't let me catch you complaining of crappy Iowa weather. I will be full aware how crappy it will be and very disappointed that it wasn't a gorgeous day. Crap. Crap. Crap.
More Argh.
On a lighter note:
I got my hair dyed today and I don't have roots showing anymore. Hooray for no dark roots.

Last night I had a very peculiar dream:
I dreamt that I was with my friends (Melissa and Sara) and their children. We flew off to a remote location where there was sand and blue water. We were jumping off what looked like a theatre stage into the water. We were enjoying ourselves until I started to bump into strange coils of snake skin. I started to feel fear.
I got out of the water and looked down into the water. I saw huge snakes swimming up and smacking the surface of the water and then dipping down and coiling and gliding through the water. I looked over to see little Mae jump into the water and then disappear with her momma Melissa. I woke up with a start at that point.
What the HELL?!?!?!?
In the words of Samuel L. Jackson: "I've had it with these Mother F...in' snakes on this Mother F....in' PLANE!
Except in my case in my mother F....in' dreams...
For those of you wondering about my wedding: things seem to be fine. I have some anxiety about everything. I got things done at work for the most part. I will be happy when Wednesday comes and I can focus on the wedding and myself fully. And! I can't wait for that honeymoon in Cancun.
Can't wait to see you all!

Well, My big brother (who sometimes felt like a little brother to me :>) is now a Papa. Madeline Sophia Obert is the luckiest little girl in the world to have a daddy who will dote on you the same way he doted and was fasinated in his little baby sister, Katy. I talked to him today and he was that same cute little guy who used to hug me and play with me back in Beaver Dam. I knitted Maddie some booties to keep the newest pair of Obert feet warm.

Momma Trish seems happy and healthy. She said that Maddie is relentlessly hungry (marathon eater). The Italians would be very impressed with her (also another family trait).

I'm shouting out all my love over this country of ours that seems much to big these days. I will do my best to visit my new niece before she gets too big. I hope you can hear me!

My upstairs neighbor who just moved in plays electric guitar without his headphones and with his amp.
He is an awful guitar player. All he plays is "House of the Rising Sun (Son?)" Over and over and over morning (We're talking 6 am), noon and night.
He is playing it right now.
He is very irritating. I will go take a double dose of my anti-depressant now.
P.s. it is a gorgeous day in Iowa today and there are so many wildflowers in the prairie around my apartment you would think you were plopped in the middle of a cartoon.

I hurt my foot and am very grumpy.
Many days of exercise and fun are slowly escaping down the drain because of it.
I went to occupational health and waited...
I got into a room and waited so long I fell asleep and took an undisturbed nap, woke up and then waited some more...
They sent me to get X-rays and I waited....
I was sent back to occupational health and was told that there is a chip on my ankle bone but it looks old so I have to come back in a week and wait some more.

I was slightly rude and actually wandered/limped out into the hallway and hollered, "Did anyone forget about me in here?!?!"

So I'm on mobility restrictions and have to wear a brace.

Argh... This annoys me.

You know what else gets my goat? When people don't sign off "love" on letters. It totally ruins the card or letter for me. It's just my thing.
I made Kent start signing cards to family members with "Love". He does it all the time now and everytime he does it- I smile because it takes so little effort to show that affection for someone who doesn't like displays of that sort of thing.

So remember, "LOVE- so and so" Afterall, the Beatles said it, "All you need is love."

OK, People... I have a gianormous mysterious white dress hanging in my living room. How am I supposed to keep myself from wearing this for Kent in the next month. It's so fun to wear. I feel like that Friends episode where Phoebe and Rachel lounge around the apartment eating bon-bon in full wedding dress attire.
At least I get to look pretty for no reason tomorrow. I have my "bridal sitting". Apparently, its very important to document the way I look right now at 29 before I lose my looks. Bah! Listen... I'm only gonna get better folks! It will be fun.
I had my practice hair-do day yesterday. I woke up with a hangover from the product in my hair this morning. I actually took a shower before my workout with hope that my headache would go away. Or maybe it was all that eyeliner.... Or maybe it was the gin?... I mean, WHO KNEW!?!?!?

Today I a brand new black Member's Only jacket for sale in the juniors department at Von Maur. I couldn't believe my eyes. I showed it to my friend, Sara and she didn't know what it was. I'm still reeling from it. It was at least $50, to boot. Is fashion getting so tired that they have to start recycling patterns for Members Only jackets?

Anyway, My life is just rolling and rolling. Last weekend was my bridal shower. I just read in a Wedding magazine mother's shouldn't throw showers and I made my momma throw me mine. They said it looks like the mom is soliciting for gifts. So if there is anyone out there who thinks that... Its all my fault. I thought mother's were supposed to do it because my friend's mother did hers. My bad.

Its funny the things you'll read in these wedding magazines... They are like the bible- you can find what ever point you want to make as long as you look long enough and interpret it just so.

Next weekend is my Bachelorette Party. I'm pretty siked about it. We are going to Chicago and attending a show at The Baton Lounge which has Drag Queen Shows. It should be a great weekend.

Next week I practice hairstyles with my hair stylist, I pick up my wedding dress and then on Thursday I have my "bridal sitting" with our photographer. That means that day I get all made up like on my wedding day- that should be interesting.

I've been exercising and dieting. So far I've lost 15 well needed lb.s. I'm just about where I was before I got too fat to fit into my clothes. Now I can start looking better than I did just three or so years ago. My momma and I always think its funny how no matter how thin you are/were you are never satisfied and want to look different and when you look worse than you did when you were miserable before you wish you looked like you did then... Does that make any sense?

Anyway, I've got a lot to get together. I admit I've been neglecting my to-do lists in lieu of outdoor activities and making myself look prettier. I should look at those soon.

I got an e-mail from a cousin asking if it was too late to suggest songs and the answer is "absolutely Not!" please feel free to write me song requests!

Well, I thought I'd just update ya'll a bit.

I'll try to continue posting during this last month... Eck!

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.