Ever have a morning that almost went right, but didn't?

That was me this morning. First, I overslept by nearly an hour. Then, I had to leave the house with still mostly wet hair (not awesome in 6 degree weather). Now, I usually treat myself to a Starbucks chai latte on Friday mornings, but I was worried about the timing since it was 6:52 when I left the house (pretty impressive since I got out of bed at 6:25). I also needed to stop and buy 6 cupcakes as a reward for the winning team in yesterday's Economics exam review. Needless to say, I was cranky about not getting my latte and stressed about getting the cupcakes.

Then, the best thing happened. It took me 20 minutes to get into DC. That's "middle of the day, middle of the week" kind of timing. Seems like a lot of folks took advantage of the upcoming long weekend and took today off as well. 7:12am! I could go to the Safeway on 14th, get cupcakes, get cash, and get Starbucks! Hooray!

Oh, but the best laid plans...

I got to Safeway, grabbed the first pack of 6 cupcakes I could find (outfitted for the Inauguration, no less) and headed to the check out lanes, passing Starbucks on my way. Here was my first mistake. There was one person in line at the Starbucks counter and two registers open for check out. I should have gotten the latte first. But I went and got in the express lane behind one other man. Sadly, the check out woman was crazy slow and then...THEN...he must have asked for something because she asked a follow up question and walked away from the register. Just disappeared into the bakery section. So, I went to the other register where one woman was checking out. And I stood. And stood. And tried very hard to not huff, or sigh, or fidget. When it was all said and done the first check out woman had not yet returned, I had spent 25 minutes in Saefway, I had 6 cupcakes and no Starbucks. And the woman checking out in front of me? She bought $297 worth of groceries. At 7am on a Friday.

So, I got to work at 7:45am, I am uncaffeinated, I am unfed, and I am very cranky. At least it's the Friday before a 4-day weekend.

"Bridal gowns at great prices!"

First of all, 10% off is not that awesome of a deal.

Second of all, 10% off of dresses that average over $1500 is really not that awesome of a deal.

Not that the prices are outrageous, just that advertising them at "great prices" seems a bit misleading.

Besides, I am not getting married for another 500+ days (thanks for the countdown, friendly wedding planning website) and certainly don't need to be thinking about dresses yet.

Still, this might warrant a trip out to Tyson's sometime before the end of the month. They're just so pretty to look at...

Passing the time ineffectively

Things I should be doing: prepping lessons for tomorrow; revising (3) midterm study guides, which are due Friday; entering grades. Justification for not doing any of those things: I am tired; I have to leave for physical therapy in 20 minutes; I haven't yet fully come to terms with being back at work; I have been thinking about blogging for days now.

So, an update...

Happy 2009/end-of-holidays!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Mine started on Thanksgiving with a wonderfully sparkly question and ended on New Year's day with a casual open house with friends. In between there were parties, and family, and friends, and delayed flights, and foggy drives, and babies, and food, and wine, and books, and so much fun.

Wedding news
Brian and I have decided that we will be getting married in July 2010. We won't know the actual date for awhile, but at least you can go about planning this summer freely (and, if I may impose, keep your July 2010 weekends open, please). It's not my ideal plan, but it's probably more practical. The reality of having seven months to plan a wedding for close to 200 people that is on a day when our closest friends and family can make it and that is even semi-affordable set in after the Christmas/Chanukah craziness died down and the more I think about, and we talk about, this plan, the more okay I am with the decision. Besides, it gives me more time to obsess over the details.

Ah, the new year
2008 was a pretty good year for me, all things considered. In 2008, I started grad school, got a promotion at work, officially moved in with Brian, got engaged, and did not suffer any major injuries or illnesses. Still, with the advent of 2009, I feel the need to set some goals. Here they are:

1. Find a location - and date - for our wedding.
2. Create a savings account for wedding expenses and deposit money monthly.
3. Keep in better touch with my friends - all of them.
4. Put all the fun baking gifts I got this holiday to good use.
5. Start - and stick with - an exercise routine that strengthens my back and core and gets me back into shape.

If I can do these things, which seem reasonable at the outset, I think I'll feel pretty good about 2009. (Never mind that #s 4&5 seem to work at cross purposes...) I hope that you also find happiness and contentment in this new year.

More later...