Out of Commission

My body hates me.

Everything is finally catching up to me. 

I called in sick to work today for the first time...EVER!

I feel so awful. I went to to doctor yesterday, and they put me back on antibiotics...for a second time. 

I'm going to try to sleep all day today. And drink as much water as humanly possible.

So, I'm out for today. 

Stay tuned for a very special post tomorrow...and I still have to update on my Vegas trip!

Finally...a good night's sleep!

It is now 11:40 a.m.

I just woke up. 

Wow. I really really needed to sleep. 

I've been on the go for almost two weeks straight. I went home to Kansas and then went straight to Vegas for a recruiting conference. I have never felt so exhausted in my life. 

Normally I wake up about 5 times in the middle of the night. Last night, I went to bed and woke up in the same position 10 and a half hours later. 

Anyways...

I clearly have stories and pics from my trip to Vegas, but I really have a lot to do today. But, I do want to tell you about my plane ride home yesterday...

It was actually a very smooth ride, and we even got in early...which never happens. But, of course there was a bit of awkwardness I had to deal with. 

There was a guy (about my age) that was sitting in the aisle across from me. And you know that feeling you get when you just know someone is staring at you? Well, I had that. 

Sure enough, I would look over...and this dude was just staring at me. I even caught him through my peripheral vision when I was reading my magazines. He kept trying to see what I was reading. So annoying. And creepy. 

That was a fairly minor situation. I had to deal with probably the worst thing I ever have while being on a plane ride. (And I've dealt with some crazy stuff). 

Let me start by saying that I absolutely despise feet. I don't even like to look at or touch my own. I think feet are just icky. They make me nauseous. 

Well, I was sitting next to this cute, nicely dressed woman and we had the middle seat in between us. I was so excited to not have to sit directly next to someone. 

So, the moment the plane took off, this woman took her shoes and socks off and proceeded to put her feet on the seat next to me. I looked down and thought "OK, you can handle this. They're just feet." Although I was completely repulsed.

Oh no, she didn't stop there. She fidgeted and kept stretching out her legs so that her bare feet were actually touching my leg. Yep. Her foot and My leg...touching. This lasted for the ENTIRE FOUR HOUR FLIGHT!!!

When I told Mr. Ruby he was like "Why in the world did you not tell her to get her feet off of you?"

I can't explain. I never have the guts to say something during these types of situations. And, I just didn't have the heart to tell her. She was not feeling well (kept sniffling, sneezing and coughing...which made it even WORSE) and I don't think she spoke much english. I did however make faces of disgust and scoot as close to the other side of the seat as possible...but she didn't get the hint.

I'm still traumatized by the whole experience.

Back to the real world

Coming back from home is always quite difficult. 

Mr. Ruby and I had an extremely short, but very wonderful trip home to Kansas. We got to see our parents, some friends, and attend a sorority sister's wedding. All of that jam-packed into 3 days. 

So worth it. 

The trip started off with a pretty smooth plane ride. But, we knew things were going a bit too smoothly...and our luck kicked in by the second leg of the trip. 

As we were getting ready to board next flight, we noticed a funny smell coming from what we thought was outside the airplane. Once we stepped onto the plane, we realized that we were in for a long, stinky, and quite nauseating ride. 

I think someone forgot to shower for the entire month of May and then decided to roll in a vat of rotting onions. 

We looked around and noticed that everyone was turning blue and holding their noses, doing everything in their power to keep from passing out. 

It was so disgusting. 

Oh, and what do you know? Of course the gentleman sitting in the isle across from us was the culprit. Mr. Ruby decided to spend the majority of the plane ride with his nose in an empty bag of Cheese-Its. 

Shouldn't it be required for all travelers to shower and wear deodorant? 

But honestly, everything from that point forward went perfectly! We got to spend some quality time with my in-laws, and we enjoyed a cookout on their back screened-in porch. Always a good time! 

We went to my dad's the next morning and then went out to dinner with my mom and step-dad. There was this new Mongolian BBQ restaurant we wanted to try...and let me tell you, it was phenomenal. So many options, and the food was quite amazing!

Of course I spent quite a bit of my time studying for my PRESENTATION that I had to give first-thing when I returned from my VACATION! And, we also hit up some of our favorites: Mr. Goodcents and Quik Trip gas stations for their annual 49 cent 32 oz. fountain drinks - My all time summer fave!

Finally, we went a beautiful wedding. CONGRATULATIONS Katie and Brian! I can completely relate to this wonderful couple because they had to go through the whole long distance thing just like Mr. Ruby and I. And finally...they can be together! :)

It was so amazing to see my besties - it made Mr. Ruby and I realize how much we miss our awesome pals! LOVE YOU ALL!

My cutie and I hanging at the wedding

All of my beautiful sorority sisters - LOVE MY ADPI's!

The beautiful bride - most amazing dress ever!!!

Miss my gals :(

Getting down on the dance floor

Besties

Bridesmaids showing their moves

So, as you can see...we had a fab time at the wedding. Kansas weddings never let us down. :)

We got back at midnight last night, I gave my presentation today (and yes, it went well), and tomorrow morning I leave for Vegas for a recruiting conference. 

I'm never ever going to catch up on sleep or life...

Medical Anomaly and Vent Session

Yep. I've done it again. I broke medical records. Well...almost. 

So, I went to the doctor yesterday to treat a minor cold. I left with a Z-Pack and a trip to the cardiologist. 

Always my luck.

Let me give you some background. For the past few years, I've struggled with dizziness. I've been tested for everything under the sun, and when I lived in Texas, my doctor ruled everything else out with blood tests and told me that it was because I had fairly low blood pressure. 

So, I'm at a new doctor yesterday. The nurse takes my blood pressure and makes the comment that it's a little low. I told her that it always is, and she asked if I ever had an EKG done. I hadn't, so she said just to be safe she would do one. 

So, she put the little patches all over my body. The results printed out and I heard her say under her breath "Hmm, that's funny..." And she left the room. I then heard the Physician Assistant say "That can't be right, you probably had the patches on backwards". 

So, she did it again. Same results.

This time, the doctor came in. He told me he doesn't think it's a big deal, but he wants me to go to a cardiologist to make sure. He said that my heart was beating somewhat slowly, and he had never really seen an EKG with the results I had. He said "It might just be how your heart beats".

Of course. This is probably the third time I've been to the doctor when they say something along the lines of "We've never really seen this before". Story of my life.

So, I'll keep you updated on the results. Not too worried!

*************************************************************************************

THEN...

So, tomorrow I have a half-day at work because I leave to go HOME to Kansas!!! Now, keep in mind, everyone knows I've had a countdown for my first vacation and first time home in 7 months. 

My boss proceeds to tell me that the Monday when I return, I will be giving an hour-long, 50 powerpoint slide presentation with him to a large group of people. Oh, and the CEO and executive vice president will probably be there. 

Keep in mind, I am going on VACATION tomorrow. And I don't return until midnight Sunday night. 

If you do the math correctly, this means I will have to spend MY VACATION stressing about this presentation and preparing for it. 

How is my blood pressure so low? Seriously. 

Sunday Night Blues

Well, in eleven and a half hours, it will be the start of another week. (Sigh)

This weekend was so fun-packed and seriously just flew right by. But I'm so thankful because this week is short for us because we're going HOME!!!!

Before I share our weekend fun with you, I would like to highlight a few random facts that I learned over the weekend:

1). The Portugese know how to party. I mean, they REALLY know how to boogie.

2). Ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese...(or any dairy products really) cause some major, unwanted phlem.

3). People will look at you funny when you eat two pieces of wedding cake and 45 strawberries dipped in the chocolate fountain. 

4). It is never EVER okay to go running in jean shorts, black socks and tennis shoes, and pungent musky cologne. (Yes, I witnessed this today while taking my dogs for a walk...only in Rhode Island). 

So, as I mentioned before, Mr. Ruby and I had a fantastic weekend. It started off right at our favorite BYOB sushi place on Friday night with pals. 

Last night, we went to a wedding. It was such a fabulous time.

It started off with getting ready. I conveniently had a hair appointment for a highlight and trim..and so I had her jazz up my hair a bit for the wedding. I got home to put on my makeup and dress when I heard a foreign man's voice coming from our guest bedroom. I walked in, and Mr. Ruby was watching a YouTube video on how to tie a tie. Haha. 

After the beautiful ceremony, we had some time to kill before the reception, so of course we headed to a bar. We drove around for awhile and finally found this little dive bar. Let me tell you, when we walked in, you would have thought we were either 1) Celebrities or 2) Six-headed purple ogres. Everyone stopped what they were doing, turned to look at who was walking in the door, and just stared. I mean look-into-your-soul/burn-a-hole-through-your-shirt stare. It may have been the fact that we were all dressed to the nines while everyone else in the bar had on Budweiser hats and sleeveless t-shirts. 

Oh well. It was a good time.

Then, the reception got started. We (of course) sat at the "fun table" and were seriously laughing the entire time. There was tons of delicious food, and the reception site was right on the water, so it made for some quite amazing pictures. 

Once the music started, Mr. Ruby and I hit the dance floor immediately...and didn't leave it until after the last song. We belted out to Journey, learned a Portugese routine, participated in one intense dance-off, and sweat our buns off!  

SUCH a fun night. Thanks to Paul and Lynn for making my first Portugese wedding a 100% success!!!

 

 The beautiful bride and her dashing groom ;)

Just hanging out at a bar...no biggie

The BEAUTIFUL view

Hangin with the hubby

Hittin the dance floor

Some serious moves

Taking a breather

So.much.fun.

No Place Like Home

Man, I am SORRY for my spotty posting lately. You must forgive me and my crazy schedule. 

You must also forgive me for feeling quite sorry for myself. The reason? Well, aside from the fact that work (and life in general has been quite overwhelming), I am incredibly homesick. 

Lucky for me, we're heading back to Kansas next week for a wedding. I cannot wait. In fact I'm so excited, it's all I can think about. I'm seriously giddy. If only we were going to be there longer than 3 days...

What in the world could one possibly miss about Kansas you ask?

Oh my friend, there is plenty. 

Aside from the fact that my AMAZING family, in-laws, and some hometown friends still live there, these are the things that make my heart ACHE because I miss them so much:

My Mama's cooking. Especially her corn bread rolls and her delicious chocolate chip banana nut bread. I'm sure hoping she makes some while I'm home. ;)

I seriously don't know how all these East Coasters survive without Quik Trip, Dairy Queen, and Sonic!!! I mean, Quik Trip is the perfect pit stop before a road trip, Dairy Queen was college hot spot to procrastinate studying with an Oreo Blizzard, and Sonic has the BEST Route 44 cherry limeades!!! 

Traffic...or lack thereof. Seriously, I never realized how little traffic problems there are back home. Actually, drivers in general are just overall more conscientious, polite, and SMART!

Ok. There is one thing back home that I will never, ever take for granted again. The COST OF LIVING. You have no idea people! From groceries, to gas to homes! 

What will buy you this in Kansas:

will actually buy you this in New England:

Going to the Lake. Sure, I have the beach and the ocean at my fingertips now...but  actually miss and my even prefer the lake?!?!?! I miss everything about it: the smell of cookouts, the tubing, the water skiing, drinking ice-cold beers on the dock and life at the lake with good company!

As much as I've complained about the flat lands and how growing up was always so "boring", there is nothing, and I mean nothing, like the view of a Kansas Sunset or the sea of stars in the open sky. 

Sigh. Home sweet home.

House all to my self

What am I supposed to do with an entire house to my self?

Mr. Ruby decided to head up to the Adirondack Mountains this weekend for some good ole' boy time. He actually asked if I wanted to go...and I politely declined. I mean really Mr. Ruby, do you seriously see me hiking for 10 hours a day for three days straight, without bathrooms, without a bed, without a shower and with a bunch of other guys? Oh, and to add to the manliness of it all, he's been growing a "beard" for about a week. 

Needless to say, I politely declined. 

So, I've got the house to myself for this extra-long weekend. No need to feel sorry for me...I've got the pups to keep me company. That, and a lot of housework and LOTS of catching up to do with work and school. Did I mention I'm in school? I've decided not to elaborate too much on the ol' blog...for many reasons. But let's just say it has been keeping me SUPER busy. 

In fact, I've been super-duper stressed for the past couple of weeks. But I received a very unexpected and pleasant surprise this past Thursday that cheered me right up. 

I was checking my morning e-mails and sorting out my schedule for the day when my boss popped in unexpectedly and asked "Hey, what do you have going on today?" I rattled off my plans for the day, and he cut me off to ask if I could fill in for someone at a day-long seminar...with 10 minutes notice. What was I supposed to say? So, I had to go to an all-day seminar...while in the back of my mind, all I could think about was my to-do list piling up. 

Well...during my lunch break, I headed to my office to catch up on some stuff. When I walked into my office, I found these beauties staring right back at me:

They were from my amazing husband - just to let me know how proud he is of me and to hang in there. (You'll have to excuse the quality...Mr. Ruby has the camera, so I had to take the photo with my phone). 

I love him.