I ♥ Chicago

Last week I had two dinner programs in Chicago. The weather turned out to be absolutely georgeous. I had prepared for the cold because everytime I have been to chicago it has been brutely cold. I spent two days walking around the streets of chicago in the sunshine, shopping and just enjoying the city life. I am headed back again this week for another work event Thursday and Friday. My two best girl friends are coming up to join me Saturday and Sunday for some more shopping, Legally Blonde on Broadway, and some sight seeing. I can not wait! Here are some pics of last week and excitement for things to come this week.

Dave Matthews Band

We are finally back from Nashville. The DMB concert was last night (Saturday) and we thought we got super lucky when we located a Hampton Inn closer to Vandy....I'll come back to why we were not so lucky in a minute. Jesse and I had such a great relaxing weekend. We went down Thursday, stopped in at one of Jesse's clients and then headed to the hotel for dinner and vegging out. Friday we spent some time shopping at the outlets, running around downtown, and eating at Rotiers (a little hole in the wall hamburger joint). We were suppose to change hotels on Saturday and we really wanted to be down by Vandy since that's where the concert was. I looked at Hampton and luckily there was one Hampton Inn open! It was fate. I cancelled the Fairfield Inn that was out by Opryland and booked the Hampton. Saturday morning we headed to Opry Mills, checked out the mall (I found a really cute polka dot skirt at the Loft that I had wanted but couldn't find my size in Lexington...go ME!) and then we headed downtown Nashville for the Hampton. Now, I have stayed at my fair share of Hamptons, as has Jesse (Mr. Gold status). This poor Hampton looked like the Motel 6 for 34.95 a night. I used my HHonors points, so I wasn't too concerned and it was only for one night so we could deal with the "run-down" ghetto Hampton. We went to dinner at this amazing little Italian place across the street (the brewery we wanted to eat at was an hour wait) and then headed down to the concert. We knew where the concert was driving but didn't really know how to get to the Stadium on foot, so we just followed the crowd. We made it as Jason Mraz was opening (who we also passed on Vandy's campus earlier that day). Snore...sorry that was me being put to sleep by his music. After much patient waiting Dave finally came on! We had tickets pretty much as far back and up as you could go, but the seats were not bad. We didn't have anyone in front of us so we could stretch out our legs, it was great. I ran into a girl I used to work with at AE, she was about 4 seats down from me (we had ran into each other at Opry mills in the Banana Outlet dressing room earlier that day). The concert was great! This morning we got up, started getting ready and the caous hit! While Jesse was in the shower, a room around us flushed their toliet...and their flushed nastiness came up in the shower. Luckily he was done and getting ready to get out, so he hopped out and shared the gift from our neighbors with me! YUCK! I called the front desk and they quickly sent someone to our room to fix it "good as new". I was kind of shocked that the manager did not call us or check on us. It is pretty disguisting to have someone else's sewage come up while you are showering. We finished getting ready and headed to check out. If you know me, then you know that I spoke with the manager and he refunded my points so we stayed at the NASTY Hampton for free. We are finally home after a great long weekend. It's always good to be home. XOXO

DAVE!

We made it to Nashville...finally! I have decided that I hate car riding now or maybe just car riding through Western Kentucky! It has been a long week; I got home Tuesday from Jacksonville from a very successful work trip. I unpacked, washed clothes, cleaned house, washed bedding, packed and we headed back out this morning! Our friend Emily is keeping Nikki and Maddy (Beau went to my Mom's as he hates all people, except family) so this should be exciting. Our dogs are not aware that they are dogs...My cousin stayed with them last time we were gone and she found them pretty silly. We are gone so much I don't want to overwhelm one person, so I am trying to build up a little team of people we trust to keep our precious children. We may have to hire a live in Nanny if we keep overlapping travel. Jesse left this hilarious list for our doggie sitter for this weekend. The information sheet holds all important information regarding how to work our complicated remote, what not to be alarmed about (for instance if Nikki puts her head under the couch, butt in the air and makes a chu-baca type noise...this is normal, she is just trying to locate her red ball). If I get a chance, I'll post it because I was laughing so hard, I was crying! Our dogs are high maintence (which may not be surprising to some).

Jesse and I have wanted to see DAVE (yes I know it's in capital letters...he's that awesome!) in concert since we meet almost 8 years ago. Until now, we haven't really been able to afford tickets, hotel rooms, travel, food, etc. Luckily I got a free night stay on my points (one benefit to being on the road all the time) and Jesse has clients he needs to make visits to, so we came down early so he didn't have to come to Nashville twice in one week. This is totally cheesy but when Jesse and I met the "Everyday" CD had just come out and we would both chat on AIM and listen to the CD, making sure to start on the same song at the same time. DAVE was the first thing we had in commmon. If it hadn't been for my LIL Beth, then I probably would not have been a DAVE fan and then Jesse and I wouldn't have fallen in love. Thank you LIL for playing DAVE over and over and over and over =) I cannot wait to see DAVE saturday night. What does one where to see DAVE? Guess this means shopping! There are two great outlets here. I hope to snag up another Ralph Lauren Button down! I love the one I bought a month or so back. I can't believe how much cheaper the long sleeved button down is compared to the polo AND the polos fit horribly! Outlet shopping is always great and makes me smile, almost as much as the thought of finally seeing DMB in concert! XOXO

Baltimore, MD

I'M HERE! After shortly landing in Baltimore on a flight that was way too short therefore cutting my nap short (getting up at 4:30 AM is not fun) I headed off to the rental car place. I really hate when you have to take a shuttle from the airport to the rental car place. Thank goodness my GPS worked, because I didn't rent one to save the company money and I didn't google map the hotel from the rental car place (which was pretty far off from the airport). Everything went smoothly, I picked up the AV guy and we headed into the Hampton Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor, which is near our venue for tonight's program and the Harbor. The hotel is great, parking was a bit tricky as all the streets around are one way, so the GPS took use around in a big square and then we missed our turn...go figure, I was driving...and then we couldn't find the parking garage or the valet parkers (they were parking a car, go figure).

We went to the Legendary Phillips on the Harbor for lunch. The are rated number 1 for crab cakes. Ashley and I ate here last time we came and they have the yummiest crab cakes EVER!



All the little touristy shops around the area have the cutest little mugs that say things like "I'm crabby" or "I'm crabby till I have my coffee." I almost bought my hubby one, but they were almost $10 for a little mug. Oh well, the thought was there. It's cold and dreary here today, so I am hanging out in the hotel room. The building next to us is a little creepy...like something out of NCIS where dead bodies are found, let's just say when the sun goes down, my curtains are going shut! I'll post pics when I get home.

The building next to it, got plowed by a bus in the past day or so...random! There's just a big whole in the wall.

Well just a few hours till I'm off to work. Headed to Washington, DC in the morning. I hope to get to go to the Smithsonian tomorrow since I have never been before. Talk to you tomorrow!

Travel Queen

So I am on my way to Balitmore, MD for work. The flight from Lex to Cinci is way too short...I didn't get my morning nap in :-( Oh well, maybe the next leg. As much as I hate flying, I love acutually being up in the air (usually asleep) and I love watching people in the airport. I am sad that I didn't fly in to Atlanta cause I missed out on my usual breakfast: eggs and biscuit and gravy, and I didn't get to go to the scarf store. A treat I rarely allow myself to have. I did however have Chick-fil-a...the girls at work will laugh at this. I was sad that my Chick-fil-a guy was not there to serve me and say "Thank you Mrs. Rohr." Cinci airport is not the best for outlets, I had to scower around to find an outlet to plug my laptop in to check my mail and blog; now I am sitting here with four other people sharing my extension cord from my travel kit. Needless to say, they are thankful that I am lugging this thing around. Well I am getting ready to board shortly and off to meet Mike, my new travel companion (the AV guy) and hopefully have crab cakes for lunch. Don't worry Ashley, I won't spend over my $50 a day! Thanks to everyone who is praying for my flights, it is comforting to know I'm being put on the Big Guy's to-do list. See you in Baltimore!

Well, Saturday is coming to an end and so far it has been a pretty uneventful weekend. Jesse had a show again this weekend in Atlanta, which is where his friend Matthew lives and he got to spend sometime with him as they were generous enough to open up their house and let him crash there instead of a Hampton Inn. Jesse being gone, means I've got to find other things to keep me occupied. Weekends are lonely when he's gone. I spent most of Friday night, facebook chatting (which I love, when it works right) and watching Step Up and then Momma Mia. I originally had no desire to watch Momma Mia...I really didn't have a clue what it was about. After spending 20 minutes in line at Redbox, I was leaving with a movie! Two little kids behind me wanted Beverly Hills Chuiaua, so I decided not to rent it in case it was the last one and got Momma Mia instead. It was cute! I really liked it, even though I don't really know any Abba songs, but "Momma Mia".

I woke up this morning (Saturday) at 7:30 AM and thought I had overslept...for work...I hate when I do that! I spent the rest of the day shopping. I was on a mission for a few things and found about half of them. I really wanted to get poster frames for Jesse's drum room, but they should be on sale cheaper tomorrow at Michael's so that is on hold. I also wanted to pick up Love Spell from Victoria's Secret and scored a free pair of panties! I really don't like shopping at the VS in Hamburg, I think the girls there are so rude and unhelpful...oh well... I also wanted to shop for new clothes, when I'm lonely, I want to shop...I didn't have much luck after hitting up Target, Express, Gap and AE! I should have be embarrassed to call myself a woman and I couldn't find one thing to buy...I didn't give up! I headed to the mall and got a new pair of Jeans from Gap and a new scarf from AE...LOL...both places I went to in Hamburg and couldn't find a thing!

The only good thing about Jesse being gone is that I get to spend time with my Boo (Amanda). We had dinner and drinks at Harry's (well they had drinks, I just ate lots of food). I wish I had a scanner because I am totally in the mood to scan and upload old photos onto facebook! I did upload some old Cancun photos. I love coming across old photos! The goal tomorrow is to get all my random photos lying around into an album or at least a box, so that they are all in the same location. All in all, it's been a nice weekend with beautiful weather. My hubby should be home in the morning! I should have more interesting posts this week as I am headed to Baltimore, DC, and Richmond, VA this week for work. I'll try to get some cool pics up. I hope to get to the Smithsonian while in DC! Ta-ta for now.

Waa-Laa! Complete

So I finally got motovated last night to finish my frame and I'm extrememly happy how it turned out. I'm not sure I'd make another one, but the next one might go smoother now that I have one down...but I think I'd rather pay $30 for one already complete.

Theta Love and all Mine

This is by far one of the best chrismtas presents ever (maybe 2nd to when I got a puppy for christmas my senior year of high school). Jesse had all my old Theta t-shirts turned into a quilt, which I love and have yet to find a place to display (because I am so afraid the dogs are going to destroy it). I got a throw pillow that goes with it for Valentines day as well. I have to give credit where credit is due! Megan Smith did an amazing job putting my memories into something I can keep forever!

Nikki-Wikki

Nikki is graduating from Doggie class this week and I will have to say it has been an adventerous six weeks. The first week was okay, we learned the basics: sit, down, and heel. The second week I wanted to cry by the time the hour was up because Nikki was so bad. The whole hour she did nothing but try to eat my arm and the leash everytime I made her do anything. Week three was pretty much the same; she would do great practicing at home and as soon as we were around other dogs it all went out the window. The next three weeks were cancelled due to the ice storm and the national guard coming in (we meet at the armory). Week four was okay, we made it through 45 mins before she got too crazy to handle. We just completed week five this week and I have never been so proud and happy. Nikki is learning so much. She can (by word and hand command both) sit, stay, heel, down, turn/heel. That seems so simple but it has been a tough road to get there. Next week she graduates from level one and I am so happy that I decided to do this training with her. I think we will see even more progress once it warms up and I can get her outside more and about around other dogs and distractions. Way to go Nikki!!

Update 3.4.09
Nikki graduated level one dog training class tonight. She even got a graduation cap to prove it (and some special treats and toys from Nana for doing so well!)

Baby Fever

I was going through my pictures and found this and had to post it (mostly because I was so proud of how it turned out). It is a diaper cake made out of size one diaper's that I made for a guy that I work with (we through him a baby shower). On top is a frog wubbanub and a inital letter for baby Kayelynn. I am happy to make one for other showers.

Slacker: aka Me!

So it's a almost a week since I started on the frame project and it's still laying on my table waiting for some love...LOL!

On a trip to Michael's today, I completey decided to re-do the whole frame process. I was going to go with a khaki/cream polka dot them...but decided it was going to look to plain in my khaki walled bathroom. I hope to get to it tonight or tomorrow! We'll see if motovation comes into my life in the next 24 hours...

OH and I'm so excited because I got tickets for Jesse and I to go see Dave Matthews in Nashville the weekend after our two year anniversary! Our hotel room is free, thanks to all the travel I do! Hopefully we can treat ourselves to Ruth's Chris for dinner and get some yummy crab cakes and steak (if you love crab cakes, you have to have them from Ruth's Chris!) Although, I will have eaten at 5 really nice restaurants (one being Ruth's) for work by the time Dave rolls around and may be tired of steaks. I tried to get us Kings of Leon tickets in Cinci, but they were all sold out. Jesse would have loved me forever if I'd gotten those!

Project Time

Amber and I have both seen these really cute, girly frames and have decided against paying $30 for one when we can make them ourselves. So on this lazy Sunday, I have dusted off my craft paint and start a project (hopefully one that I will finish, as I get a little ADD at times and get bored if the project doesn't go quickly). The one I saw was a khaki frame with cream polka dots, a big ribbon and a "happily ever after" inscription. After much time staring aimlessy at the paint and ribbon's at Michael's for different color inspiration, I have decided to go with exactly what I saw...Boring I know, but it will go nicely in my bathroom with my Khaki, red, and brown shower curtain. I try to contain my "girly" projects to my area's of the house to not impose them on my husband and his masculinity. If I lived alone it is quite possible that my house would like like For Friends got monogrammed and threw up on all over it, but I have a man living in the house, so we compromise.


More to come as the paint dries....aghhh this part takes forever! A.D.D. Kicking in.

So...I painted it...it dried...I wrote on it and didn't like it...now I can't get the paint to cover it up. I think I am going to have to get sand paper, sand it down, and then repaint...blah...this was suppose to be quick and easy. Guess that's what I get for not practicing the writing before I did it. Oh well, something to work on Monday night before Gossip Girl.

Lazy Lonely Sundays

This is what has been going on at the Rohr house today. It has been a lonely week, with Jesse being gone, even more so today. Most of the week I have been pretty occupied and haven't noticed that I have been in this big-o-house all alone. Friday night mom came over, with dinner...YUM...and we watch Madagascar 2. Cute Movie! Saturday was busy, busy. I went to my usual 9am spinning class, where I almost lost it because I thought I wasn't going to get a bike and there ended up being one bike left...shew! I would have been a little angry if I'd gotten out of bed that early on a Saturday for nothing! The I had a hair cut with someone new at 11. Her name is Charlie and I really like her! My hair looks great and I loved the Bedhead products she used (something for straightening and some waxy hairspray stuff). I have to call her and get the names so I can buy it. My hair smelt great all day. My hair was not as straight as I would have liked it, but I've yet to meet someone who gets it as straight as I do. Amanda...aka: Boo....invited me to go to dinner at La Hacienda and to the Penguin for Mary's birthday. Of course I went, I hardly ever get to see my Boo and I love Mexican food! I had not been to the penguin before. What a great bar! We got there really early to get a table. Who wants to stand all night? Not ME or Mary obviously. I was really surprised at how many different age groups of people were there. Let's just say some granny's can break it down to some old school piano playing. Mary had way to much fun, that's the best way I can explain it without incriminating her too much. All in all I had a good weekend. Now I'm lonely, tired of sleeping alone, and miss my husband! Two more nights alone and then he's back. Thank goodness! It's not enough to say I miss him!

love story

THE LOOK

Chaperoning....the story of my life as an older sister by seven years. I agreed for the second year in a row to help chaperone my sister and her friends at their summer church retreat. I sound as if I am complaining, but I really am not. The kids were great, my younger cousin accompanied me, and seriously... it's a week on the beach who would say no to that?

The year prior had been a huge retreat and my first real God experience. I felt him and knew he would be part of my life from that point on. I had been baptized at sun rise, in the freezing cold atlantic ocean, by the man that would later marry my husband and I. I knew I would have a great time on the second time around even though it was a much smaller retreat. All in all, I was excited to get away from the empty routine of summer.

After two long days of traveling on a charter bus with 100 kids seperated by into two buses, we had finally made it to Ormand, FL. Praise God, we made it and all kids are still alive! Everyone from my home church and First Baptist Venice (our youth minister's previous church) joined together that evening for praise and worship. This was my favorite part of the retreat. The year prior at my first retreat I had learned what wonderful praise music truely sounded like...not those awful, high pitched hymns my grandparents and everyone else at our southern baptist church sang. But music that I wanted to shout from my soul. Words I could relate with. This was my time with God to give my all through song and worship.

I walked into the odd shaped santuary with all the other children and worked my way to the front of the room. Lead by example...sit in the front...the only place that keeps you from being distracted and passing notes. My cousin made her way up the isle and sat beside me on the pew. The music was everything it needed to be and we worshipped him.

The next day we joined in the morning after our bible study to worship again prior to having lunch. We had moved to the building next door to a much larger sanctuary. My cousin and I moved into the large room and made our way through the kids to find seats. We began chatting and checking out boys...sorry...we are teenage girls what do you expect from us? She was on the verge of wanting to stalk one beautiful boy. I had a boyfriend at home and a relationship I was unfilled in which is a whole different story. The band made their way to the stage. The young man at the front asked everyone to stand and join him in worship. I had every intention of doing just that, and that's when it happened. To the right of this young man stood a guitar player, a handsome, dark haired, perfectly tanned, florida boy. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I was so fasinated by his passion. You could see it pouring from his fingers onto his guitar. The love he had for God was unbelieveable and it was pouring out through this beautiful instrument . He stood on stage with such a presence. His stood barefoot, slightly bobbing to the beat of the drums and his fingers moving so gracefully over the strings of his guitar. That morning I stood in awe of his talent. A million thoughts ran through my head...who is he, where is he from, does he have a girlfriend or a wife, why have I never seen him before? It was ridiculous, I couldn't think or focus on anything but him. Wait...I think he is looking at me? He can't be...oh why didn't I straighten my hair? This is a large room and lots of people. I turn my head to see who is behind me. I swear it looks like he is staring straight at me.