Amber says...

I love Caturdays! (I'm not clever enough to have come up with that word myself.)











She also says, "Mom, why do you have to take a picture of me so close up?" And I say, "That's the risk you take when you jump on my stomach and get up in my face." So there.

Now you all have your Amber fix for awhile. Enjoy!

Moving really sucks.

The company I work for is moving to a new facility on Monday morning, and as exciting as it is, it's also been a giant pain in the you-know-where. Moving is never easy, whether you're moving your residence or place of business. I'm pretty lucky in that I don't have a whole lot to pack at my desk, but our entire department has been transformed into nothing but totes and boxes within the last few days. No one can find anything because everything's packed, but we all still have jobs to do, so it's been a real challenge trying to accomplish that.

The other thing that's been a little hard to tolerate is losing my space heater. For those of you who know me, ever since I lost all my weight, I am cold all the time. And I mean, all the time (except, of course, when it's 102 outside). We've been told that the new building is better temperature controlled than where we are now, so they are taking away everyone's space heaters/personal fans. Everyone's been told that we have to try to do without them at the new building, and then if we absolutely need them, we can have them back. Today was positively miserable for me. I gave it back to our safety department this morning and then froze pretty much the rest of the day. The frustrating part was I still kept going back to turn it on periodically throughout the day, and when I realized it was no longer there, it made me angry all over again. So I finally broke down and borrowed a sweater from a co-worker (which, by the way, didn't match my outfit and made me look schlumpy) and was OK for the rest of the day. But certainly not fashionable.

There is some good to this. I am really excited about my new desk because it's right up against a window, so I will always have something to look at. I'm also told that it gets "rather toasty" in that area during the afternoon. I told my boss today that there better be the heat of a thousands suns in my corner or I will be forced to take my heater back. The other awesome part: I'll be sitting right next to one of my co-workers who is an absolute delight and has quickly become one of my friends. So I'm trying to keep all of that in mind during this week of chaos and upheaval.

Weird side note: the building we're moving into is right across the street from the hospital where I was born. What are the chances?

So you may not hear from me much next week as I try to settle in and keep from going crazy. I'll just have to remember that my vacation is merely a short 3 1/2 weeks away and remember to BREATHE.

Now, which box did I pack my sanity in...?

All you need is love.

There are few things in this world that remind you of how truly wonderful life really is; things that are magical and completely rejuvenate you. I was lucky enough to have one of those experiences last weekend when Kim and Nick were married.

It was the most atypical wedding I've ever been to. Kim and Nick were married in Rainbow Orchards in Camino (which is in the Apple Hill area) - the first time I've ever been to a wedding in an orchard (which I'm sure a lot of people haven't experienced, either). They had their reception in the barn next to the orchard (again, another first), and my Uncle Norman married them (the first time for him, too). And, there was a freakish thunderstorm complete with hail and raindrops the size of pennies (thankfully during the reception when we were all inside).

This is what the barn looked like once they had completely decorated it:










It's hard to see, but there were little lights hanging from the rafters and Chinese lanterns. When it got dark, it looked positively beautiful.

But the beautiful lights paled in comparison to the way Kim looked that day. I have never seen a happier, more excited, more stunning bride walk down the aisle than when she did. She didn't shed a tear and was radiant through the whole ceremony. Kim has always looked young for her age, but on that day, she looked like a woman: so sophisticated, so elegant and so happy. I thought for sure I was going to have a hard time keeping it together, but she did so well that I didn't shed a tear for most of the day.

Until Kristie made her maid-of-honor speech.

Kristie and Kim have always been very close and always had a great time playing together when they were little. One of their favorite things to do was sing to their Cabbage Patch Kids record together, so Kristie decided to do a duet with Kim during her speech to one of the songs they used to sings as kids. It was at that point that I lost it. Instead of seeing two women up on the stage, I saw two little girls, standing in their living room in front of their parent's stereo singing their hearts out about two little Cabbage Patch Kids who were kidnapped by Cabbage Jack. Kristie and Kim's mom and Nick's mom couldn't hold it together, either. It was so incredibly sentimental and sweet, you couldn't help but be touched (and laugh, too).

There was so much love, support and happiness in the room that it warms my heart now writing about it. Kim and Nick looked so happy together that I thought their faces would break from how hard they were smiling. It was enough to bring me happiness for a long time to come. We were all sad to see the day come to an end, but so happy at how well everything had turned out and how wonderful we all felt at the end of it all. It was truly a great party, and I couldn't be happier that I was included in all of it.

Congratulations again, Kim and Nick. I love you guys so very much and am so excited for the journey you have ahead of you. May you forever have the same light in your eyes as you did that day.

The vacation countdown has begun.

27 days from today, I will be reading a book sitting by the pool. And I cannot wait.

Oh, and I'll be giving a complete rundown of Kim and Nick's wedding, as soon as I recover from it. In one word, it was beautiful. More to come later.

Have you checked your shower for spiders lately?

If you haven't, you should!

Ever since I can remember, I've done a spider check every time I get ready to take a shower. It consists of a general sweep of the bathtub, corners, ceiling and complete area around the showerhead. I've been surprised one too many times by a wayward spider to be caught off guard again, so I make sure the coast is clear every time.

Except as of late, I've gotten a little...lazy. I haven't seen anything in a REALLY long time, so I let my guard down a little bit.

And that's when it struck.

I got in the shower tonight after my work out and was really looking forward to using my new tangerine shower gel when I noticed something black sitting on the razor blade I have sitting in my shower caddy soap dish. I thought it a little odd, and started to move on until I saw it move.

And then I bolted.

I nearly slipped in the shower trying to run for my life, and in the process, hit the bony part of my leg right under my knee (altogether now: "Owwwww!") on the track that holds the shower door. I now have a nice red welt that will probably turn into a beautiful bruise that will match my new purple dress perfectly.

Thankfully, Rob came and saved the day after I had to give him a 5 minute description as to exactly where it was sitting. He found it, flushed it, and when I asked him if it was big, he said, "Yeah, it was fair."

Aaauuughhhhhh (skin crawling).

You know what this means: back on spider patrol. Anything I see will be shot on site. (Or, more accurately, I'll have Rob shoot on site.)

So please, if you haven't checked your bathroom lately, do it before it's too late, if only for my sake.

To my dad:

Thank you for being you and loving me for who I am.
Thank you for telling me stories every night before bed.
Thank you for always saying "I love you" before we end our conversations.
And most of all, thanks for being my dad.

Good grief, I'm tired.

This has been a looooong week and nothing sounds better to me right now than my bed. I am so glad it's the weekend, I can't even put it into words. Have I mentioned how much I love Saturdays? I think so.

Pomp and circumstance.

My cousin Corey (Kristie and Kim's younger brother) graduated from high school last night.

WARNING: I'm about to sound like a mom, so please brace yourselves.

I can't believe that Corey has graduated from high school. I vividly remember the day he was born: as my mom was dropping my sister and I off at my grandparent's house before work, my grandmother came running down the driveway and said that my aunt had gone into labor. We waited all day long for any news. Finally, at 8:15 that night, my uncle called to say they had a boy. A boy!! He was the first grandson in the family and we were ecstatic. I remember feeling happy and clueless: how would a boy fit in with us four girls??

When they brought him home from the hospital the next day, I remember marveling at how tiny he was. It was a hot summer day: the day before I started 8th grade. I remember holding him and being so excited about this new little person: wondering what he'd be like when he grew up, thinking about all the fun that was in store for all of us.

As he grew up, he was the sweetest, most fun little boy I've ever known (I may be biased here). I was 13 when he was born, so I almost felt like a second mom to him. I held him, played with him, pushed him in his stroller every chance I got. And now, at almost 18, he's still sweet and fun: just no longer a little boy. I'm positive that whatever direction he takes in his life, he will be amazing. He's everything I'd hoped he would be and more. And I still wonder and imagine about the wonderful adult he's soon to become.

I'm so proud of you, Corey. You will always be an inspiration to me. And my precious baby cousin.

A weekend of firsts.

This past weekend was one of a few firsts for me:

1) Riding Amtrak.

It was very pleasant and so worth the cost ($24). I would have spent much more than that on one tank of gas to drive to Santa Cruz. I'll definitely be using it again for another trip to Kristie's or Kim's sometime this summer. My only complaint was the people who work for Amtrak aren't the nicest people you'll meet. When I first got on the train, I was not-very-nicely told by a woman who called me "honey" that the room I was headed for was for the disabled who couldn't walk up the stairs. I apologized in an equally snappy tone and headed upstairs.

2) I rode the Giant Dipper roller coaster at the Boardwalk.

Only one word for this: FUN!!!!!! Kim's college roommate Morgan and I shared a car, and we were both wearing long beaded necklaces that day. When we saw our picture after we got off the ride, they were both hanging in suspension. Really funny! The coaster was probably one of the few that really took my breath away, but it was SO much fun. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard or had so little cares.

3) I had my first Jell-o shot.

Yes, I am 31 years old. Yes, I did go to college. No, I didn't go to parties where there was lots of drinking. It's just not me. So when Kendra pulled out a baggie full of them, I figured I'd try at least one. It wasn't bad - she used strawberry Jell-O and Captain Morgan rum. I'm not a fan of coconut, so I didn't really care for them. But hey, at least I tried it.

Overall, the weekend was a smashing success. We went to a delicious restaurant called Red on Saturday night, where I had deliciously decadent macaroni and cheese. Yum. (I forgot to take a photo of it. Sorry.) We had a great time at the Boardwalk, and we had a delicious brunch on Sunday morning at La Bruschetta in Felton. Here's a picture of the best French toast I've ever had:











I finished the whole plate. (I know - oink oink!)

Here's Kristie and I (and Kendra behind us) on the carousel (with my gum very visibly in my mouth):











And here's Beth taking a photo of Kristie and I on the ferris wheel:










The most important thing about this weekend was that Kim had a great time, and she did. It was such a blast being able to hang out with her and Kristie and the other bridesmaids. I'm so glad I was included.

Here's to the best weekend ever!














From left (front row): Beth, Kim, and Kristie.
From left (back row): Me, Kendra, and Morgan.

Midnight train to Georgia.

I mean, 6:35 train to San Jose'.

I'm heading to Santa Cruz this weekend (yay!) for Kim's bachelorette weekend (yay!) and I'm taking Amtrak for the first time. Unfortunately, the train I'm taking leaves at 6:35 a.m. and I have to be at the train station by 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Oy. I normally get up semi-early on the weekends anyway (usually, I'm up by 7:30), but having to get up at my normal wake-up time of 5am is going to be really hard to do on a Saturday.

However, it's going to be 3 hours and 20 minutes of nothing time. Me time. Time to read my book (Kite Runner, by the way), listen to my iPod (loading new stuff on as we speak) and maybe take a nap. And maybe get a little something to eat from the dining car.

I'm told that riding the train is a lot of fun: the scenery is great, the ride itself is very relaxing, and the number one best thing about it, no road rage.

And so, another new traveling adventure awaits. Hopefully I can stay awake long enough to enjoy the ride.

Purple is so my color.

I finally found a dress for my cousin Kim's wedding, and unfortunately, all of the pictures I took came out really dark, so I'm forced to use my creative side and describe it. It's a sleeveless silk dress, dark purple in color, with a floaty hemline and a sweet bow at the waist. It's exactly what I was looking for. It will go perfect with her colors of green and firecracker reddish-orange. Why am I so concerned with matching their colors, you say? Kim and Nick have asked me to do a reading during the ceremony, so I need to coordinate with the wedding party. And I think this dress does just that.

And now, the biggest challenge - trying to find a pair of shoes in 2 week's time. Somewhere out there is the perfect pair of metallic shoes, and I intend to find them if it's the last thing I do.

Pictures of me in the dress will follow after the wedding - which by the way, is only 18 days from today! So exciting!