So kiss me and smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me

Hold me like you'll never let me go, cause I'm leaving on a jet plane...

John Denver

Leaving this evening to see my darling Nick for three whole days! This will be my first trip to see him in St. Louis to explore my soon-to-be home city so I'm really looking forward to see what it has to offer.

I will be back Monday night with pictures!

It's finally Friday, I'm outta control

Forget the workin' blues, and let the good times roll.

George Jones

Courtesy of Friday Fill-Ins:


1. For me a strict guideline is the opposite of creativity.

2. The Overspent American was the last excellent book I read.

3. I like fill-ins because it is an easy post for a Friday.

4. In nature I like looking at big open landscapes.

5. McCain should win the US elections.

6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was watching P.S. I Love You with my mom... we were both crying from laughing so hard.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being with my Nick in St. Louis, tomorrow my plans include exploring my soon-to-be home city and Sunday, I want to enjoy spending the day with Nick!

Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.

Thomas Fuller

In one day, 28 hours and 1,698 minutes I will be rushing through the airport terminal in St. Louis and into my Nick's arms. Then I get to stay in those arms until Monday night.

Words cannot express, but I cannot wait.

I have come to the conclusion that politics is too

serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

Charles de Gaulle

I have always been interested in politics and our American system. My master's degree is in public administration for goodness sake. I love me some government. I think it is a fascinating process and no matter what someone's political leanings may be I throughly enjoy listening to their thoughts, concerns and what is important to them.

Even if I may not agree.

This election has been a little different. I was not entirely struck by any of the candidates from the beginning but as the primary season has envolved I have selected the person I will be voting for.

It's not that I completely agree with every single issue they profess but overall it is someone who I can support. Really, would there ever be a candidate or political party that encompasses all that I believe? I doubt it and that's okay.

I especially love reading uber-smart people write about their political thoughts in this election and frequent many blogs, columns and sites to just read and read. Again, I may not agree but I think it is important to hear and read all that people have to say (and write).

One column struck me recently and really hit home. Sure, not every word, but I continued to nod my head in agreement with the main premise of the piece. It wasn't based on a political party's issues but instead of the issues that often cross my mind. The author wrote it our elloquently.

So take a read and even if you do not agree consider it broadening your horizons. I hope you'll read some more just for the sake of it.

Dear Barack Obama
by Will Manly
Monday, April 14, 2008

Dear Barack Obama:

I grew to like you over the last year.

I’ve always thought of you as dangerously naive at best. Eloquent, gifted, genuine, yes. But dangerously naive at best.

I couldn’t vote for you — but not because of your funny name or your lunatic pastor. I couldn’t vote for you because you say we should raise taxes (even on the rich, who I’m convinced already pay too much), and because you say we should abandon Iraq (which I’m convinced would be surrendering a war we must win), and because you don’t respect the Second Amendment (which I’m convinced should disqualify any politician from any office).

Still, I’ve liked your message of unity and your ability to inspire. And, since your rise I’ve hunted, quite frantically, for young conservative leaders with your talent. (To my relief, I found Bobby Jindal.)

And I’ve long said if you beat Hillary Clinton, you will have done your country a tremendous service. But anymore I’m having a harder and harder time rooting for you.

First came your wife’s comment about being proud of America for the first time — conveniently, right after you started winning primaries. Then came your own words about your grandmother, who is just a “typical white person” — a racist, or at least someone with racist tendencies. (I’m a “typical white person,” I suppose, and I’m no racist. In fact, little makes me angrier than when it’s insinuated I am.)

Sometimes people say things they don’t really mean. But this is a pattern.

Last week we heard your comments about small-town America. Someone at a San Francisco fundraiser asked you why it’s so hard for Democrats to win in rural areas. You said:

“You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them … So it’s not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them … ”

Is that a minority? HEY CLETUS, GET THE GUN! (If only we had a job to go to, some time in the last 25 years … )

Here’s a thought: Maybe gun rights voters know gun control laws kill people and steal freedom.

Here’s a thought: Maybe some of us have moral objections to an immigration system that forces rule-followers to wait decades for legal status, and rewards border-violators with amnesty.
Here’s a thought: Maybe some Americans cling to their church because their pastor is a nice person, because they find love there, because there they have something they can believe in.

Here’s a thought: Maybe, just maybe, us simpletons in small towns find it harder to be bigoted than all o’ y’all cityfolk. Maybe, in small towns, where everybody knows your name — and how hard you work, if you pay your taxes, how well you treat your neighbors, how often you volunteer in the community, and whether or not you’re a good parent — people see the content of your character, so they don’t give a hoot about the color of your skin. (But I grew up in a small town where about a third of the population is of a different race than me. What do I know?)

And here’s my favorite thought of all: Maybe small-town folks are — really — capable of thinking. All on our own.

You’re wrong about why small-town Americans don’t vote for Democrats.

We don’t vote for Democrats because we’re self-reliant so we don’t like the government trying to “solve” everything for us. And because you tell your rich friends in San Francisco that we’re dumb. And because, each election, whichever one of you is running for president traipses all over the country telling us you have all the answers, that you’re the one on our side, that you respect our way of life. But each time, a little bit here and there slips out — and by the end of the campaign, we can tell what you think about us. And we manage to learn who you really are.

And we see you’re just a horse’s ass.

May you live all the days of your life.

Jonathan Swift

My darling, sweet Nick turned 29-years-old today. I hate that I'm not with him to celebrate but a new friend in St. Louis is taking him to the Cardinals vs. Astros game tonight. He was so excited!

Last night during our nightly bed time call I told him how I was sorry that I wouldn't be with him to make a birthday cake (everyone needs to blow out their candles on a yummy, homemade cake!).

His reply made me grin, "We have so many more birthday cakes to make in our many birthdays together."

When we hung up, I promptly called his mother to thank her for her son.

Here's to many more wonderful birthdays together!

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

Elmer Davis

Take a moment to remember today all of those who sacraficed their

life for our freedom and liberties.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.

G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• Extra Strength Tylenol
• Coupons in the Sunday paper
• Watching movies with my mom that my father loved (like Independence Day last night)
• Audio books on my iPod for long drives
• Three day weekends!

Cleanliness is next to impossible.

Author Unknown

I love washing my car. Well, not me personally washing it. Goodness, no. I think my condo association would convulse at the idea of soap suds in the grass.

But really, having it washed - whether at a gas station car wash or a full service one - I just love my car when it is sparkly clean.

I tried a new local one where you actually stay in your car as it pulls you through. I was laughing the whole time because, well, it was a fun way to spend some of my lunch hour. I felt like little kid... hooray for new car washes!

And then, they have free vacuums for use to I did all my floor mats, used my Armor All wipes on the dashboard and finished up with tire shine spray. My little Volkswagen gleamed in the sun.

I think she likes carwashes too!Then I filled her up with $3.89 a gallon gas. That's when she stopped complaining that I don't wash her more often.

This is what makes you brilliant,

because you take risks and are original.

Simon Cowell to David Cook, American Idol

I love the finale shows for American Idol. Not only do you see all of the contestants but I also sit here with iTunes open furiously searching and downloading.

There are so many great songs out there that you sometimes forget about (okay, even George Michael) and then miraculously they appear on stage being sung by David Cook.

Swoon.

Now I secretly loved Syesha and rooted for her because she is from my hometown. But really, how could anyone pick David-fish-lips over David Cook?

Swoon.

HOW IS THAT AMERICA?!?! Puh-leeze.

The Guitar Hero commericals are the perfect example. Because really, who wants to see David-fish-lips dance around in his underwear? Ew. David Cook in his underwear ala Risky Business... yes, please.

Swoon.

And really, I love a man that can cry a little bit (and how darling are his parents?!)

Hope to see you around soon David Cook!

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
Author Unknown

Often times through the wedding planning process I'll here brides refer to things that have been checked off the list...

Oh yes, we already booked our honeymoon.

We've decided on lilies for the flowers.

Hot pink linens is exactly what we wanted.

We. We. We.

Let me be honest, I do the we talk too. But reality is that Nick is in St. Louis and I am hear doing the planning with the great assistance of my mother. The we I really am referring to is probably me and her. I can do the we talk as much as anyone else, but really, it's a whole lot of me.

And that's okay, I am really enjoying all of it and looking foward to ironing out the details of the day. Maybe in deep in my heart I am grateful to be able to select all the things that I really love and not have to worry about the strong opinion of an over involved fiance.

Because, really, what does Nick know about silk shantung, tent floor options and program templates? And even more so, does he really care?

Nope.

However, I was feeling a twinge of guilt that I was possibly taking over the whole thing and not letting him give opinions on the matter. So I reminded him the other night on the phone to please interject on any subject that he was interested in.

"Princess," he began. "I trust your good taste and judgement. I know that anything you pick out will be lovely. But..."

I grimced a little and wondered, is the man going to insist on something ridiculous here?

He continued, "I would like to make sure we have Heiniken included at the bar. And I would like the cake to have both chocolate and vanilla layers, not just one or the other. If possible, with a scoop of ice cream served on the side."

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Absolutely. You got it darling."

I love this man and his concern over ice cream being served with the wedding cake reaffirmed the fact that I can't wait to marry him. How could I not enjoy life with a man who needs a scoop of ice cream on the side of everything?

As we hung up, Nick added, "G'night princess... and could you double check with the caterer about the ice cream?"

"Of course, we certainly will," I responded and smiled.

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.

Swedish Proverb

I have my surgery this morning so please keep me in your thoughts. I'm not at all worried about the actual procedure but more concerned about how much the stitches and incision are going to aggravate me in the coming days.

Here's the quick healing!

EDIT (3:49 p.m.): All went very well and I'm home snuggling with Bella watching Oprah... I am sore and uncomfortable but I'm glad it is over and on my way to feeling better!

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.
James Thurbur

One of my favorite blogs is McCain Blogette - spearheaded by Meghan McCain to document her life and experience on the campaign trail with her father.

A few days ago they had a post where anyone could submit questions for them to post the answers to. I sent a few in just for fun.

Well, this morning I saw they had posted a bunch of the questions with answers and mine was one of them (ack!):

Randall from Fort Myers, Florida asked:

Meghan, which of your mother's outfits is you favorite? I'm partial to the primary night yellow suit.

As much as I love my mom's suits, I think she looks her best in jeans and a t-shirt. If I had to choose one, her purple suit is my favorite and the yellow one is a close second.

Of course, out of the highly intelligent questions that other people asked... mine about clothing was answered. But really, I was curious!

You can check out the link and scroll down about half way through the post titled "The Answers"... and there I am! How fun!

Random: lacking any definite plan or order or purpose

• I'm headed to Orlando this weekend to spend time with RaeAnna and Nick's sister Leah. No real plans, just looking forward to doing something new and seeing some of my favorite people.
• I love Dryel. I mean really, if I had to actually dry clean all my knits and random skirts I would be in the poor house. Especially nice when I need to wear something right.this.minute. It doesn't work so great for the nice press in a pair of pants but to freshen up a stinky sweater, I am in love.
• Target is really quite at 9:15 p.m. It is much more enjoyable to select my spray starch, Dove lotion and new note cards with out screaming children running into me with those new PlaySkool-looking big plastic shopping carts.
• The Last Lecture is a great book. I recommend reading it... or at least buying it on iTunes like I did and listening on the way to work.
• I am going to visit Nick in 14 days, 337 hours! But really, who's counting? Oh, um, I AM!

I learned a long time ago that minor surgery is when

they do the operation on someone else, not you.

Bill Walton

I've never broken a bone. Never have had major surgery or been seriously ill. Three stiches from a teeter-totter was basically the worse thing that has ever medically happened.

So my minor, minor surgery scheduled for next week is of course making me nervous. My dermatologist is fabulous and I know will do a great job but the thought of a two-inch scar on my stomach araea makes me a little quesy. How much of an aggravation will it be as it heals? How long will it take to fade? Will it fade at all? Will I forever be explaining it when in a swim suit? What about my cute honeymoon pictures on the beach? I'll be in a big straw hat and a cover up now.

I can't even come up with a good fake story of what it would be from; A shark attack? Nah, I'd be more likely to be mauled by Bella. A rock climbing injury? That would cause most people to laugh outloud.

Pity party for one, thanks. I know there are a bagillion things worse but for me, it is a big deal. So send out a little "pretty scar" vibes and prayers next week. Here's to fast healing!

After years of living in the city I assumed that if my friends and I ever got our fairytale endings that would be the end of the story. But real life - always has a twist.

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

Now with its London premier the excitment for the-movie-I've-waited-for-my-entire-life is building! Both Melissa and I will both be out of town on May 30 for the U.S. opening but we have a date set for the following Tuesday evening to enjoy it. I can't wait!


On the radio this morning they were joking about how it is 2 hours and twenty minutes long. The male DJs of course thought this was a ridiculous length but at the same time both myself and the other woman on the air said, "It couldn't be long enough!"

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.

I travel for travel's sake.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Let's all pause for a moment and take in the fact that exactly six months from yesterday I will be getting married! WOW!

And six months from today we will be headed to embark on our honeymoon cruise that has officially been booked!

We will be enjoying the lovely eastern Caribbean and stopping by the Bahamas, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. And, the best part is I don't have to plan a thing - no hotel reservations, rental cars, dinner plans - nada.

Now, I love to travel and plan trips but after all the things that are going to be planned this year - like, um I don' know, a WEDDING and MOVING OUT OF STATE - I am thrilled to be looking forward to a trip that takes very little effort.

The best way to be boring is to leave nothing out.

Voltaire

Because, really, I have nothing else exciting to tell you.

5 Things I Can't Live Without Under $10:
1. Dove Energy Glow lotion
2. White Sally Hansen nail polish to do my french mani/pedi
3. Fresca Peach Citrus
4. Fine tip Sharpies in black
5. Half and Half

5 Favorite Movies:
1. Steel Magnolias
2. Crash
3. French Kiss
4. Good Fellas
5. When Harry Met Sally

5 Favorite Girl Baby Names That I Love:
1. Kate
2. Elizabeth
3. Caroline
4. Audrey
5. Charlotte

5 Favorite Boy Baby Names That I Love:
1. Joseph
2. Luke
3. Patrick
4. David
5. Nicholas (but we wouldn't do a "junior")

5 Songs You Could Listen to Over and Over:
1. "Something in the Way She Move" - James Taylor
2. "Canned Heat" - Jamariquoi
3. "American Girl" - Tom Petty
4. "In My Life" - The Beatles
5. "To Be Surprised" - Sondre Lerche

5 Things That Stay In My Purse At All Times:
1. Sunglasses
2. "Emergecy kit" - small case with ibuprofen, Band-Aids, hairspray, hair ties, safety pin.
3. Powder compact
4. Tide to Go pen
5. Business cards

5 Obsessions I Have Right Now:
1. TheKnot.com
2. Finding new songs for my iPod
3. Searching rental houses in St. Louis on craigslist
4. Multi Grain Tostitos
5. Finding ways to do my hair so it doesn't frizz in this humidity

5 Places I'd Love to Go:
1. Alaska
2. China
3. Ireland
4. San Francisco/Napa Valley
5. Dubai

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you

can afford to be stupid with them.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

On Saturday night I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner with my dear friend and former roommate, RaeAnna. She lives in Orlando now and was down visiting. It was wonderful to catch up in person, instead of just on the phone.

Funny story - she came down with a very nice man, Eric, that she has been dating for a few weeks now. They were set up on a blind date by his friend who she met in Target while returning patio furniture.

There are just so many ways you could go with that one...

"Yup, I get everything at Target. Even men." I love it!

RaeAnna and Eric at dinner

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• My Bose iPod docking station
• Steaming dress clothes free of wrinkles
• Crisp new stationary
• www.cuteoverload.com
• A fine tip black Sharpie

Where is the good in goodbye?

Meredith Willson, The Music Man

After graduation on Sunday, Nick stayed in town until mid-Tuesday. I took that time off of work which I am so thankful for!

We slept in, made pancakes and relaxed all morning.

Then headed to his house to clean and pack some more. He mainly worked outside mowing the grass and landscaping. Did you know a Volkswagen Jetta can hold twelve bags of mulch? It can! It's also super fun to later try and vacuum all that mulch out.

Rocking his extra snazzy lawn mowing outfit

We had a mini-date to Outback that night and just enjoyed each other to the fullest. It was so wonderful to have him around again but still made me sad as the hours ticked by that we were closer and closer to saying good bye again.

One last picture before leaving for the airport

As I mentioned before, I'm a cryer and Nick really isn't. So it was inevitable that had big tears in my eyes as we got in the car to drop Nick off at the airport.

He leaned in and hugged me. We both just held each other and sobbed.

I'm sure the lady next to us getting her car thought we were crazy.

This is terrible and I never thought I would ever, ever miss him so much. We joked that our first year of marriage would be a breeze because we would be so thrilled to be around each other again.

"Can you help with the garbage? You bet!"

"Want to go to the grocery store with me? Sure darling!"

I really am better once he has left, it isn't like I go home after work and cry all night but the whole "now I'm leaving" thing is awful!

So here's to happy hellos and tolerable goodbyes until November.