Brett and Christine

Brett was one of my closest friends in high school, and I was so excited to see him get married to his sweet new Wifie, Christine in April.  In spite of rain and severe storms, it was a great day.  I love when weddings are like mini high school reunions.  I hope ours is like that too.

Yep, Coors Light on draft.  Thanks, Bretto.

We're next!

 Look, our photographer DANCES!

And here are some of Matt's pro pics!

Great wedding! Can't be happier for Brett and Christine and can't be more excited!  If my math is right, The Fiance and I are next up from my HS homeskillet friends.  zOMG! 

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs!

Tasty Turkey Taco Ring

Long time, no food post. I swear there is more to life than wedding-planning, but right now that's sort of taken over my brain.  I've actually been cooking a ton.  It was an escape during the high stress and it's been a nice task to take up my afternoons/evenings.  Not gonna lie, there is something incredibly appealing to having dinner on the table for The Fiance when he gets home at night.  I totally dig being a housewife.  THERE, I said it.

Tasty Taco Ring

1 lb ground turkey breast
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 C Mexican blend shredded cheese (low fat)
1/2 pkg taco seasoning
1 can reduced-fat crescent rolls
shredded lettuce
diced tomatoes
diced peppers
diced avocado
low-fat sour cream

Preheat oven according to package of crescent rolls.  Brown the turkey in a large skillet and drain any drippings.  Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning.  Add cheese and stir until melted.  Turn off heat.  Open rolls and separate into triangles.  Place triangles flat on a round pizza pan, with the points facing out, arranging them in a circle and overlapping the corners slightly.  Spoon the meat mixture onto the inner wide part of each roll.  Fold the outside point of each roll over the filling and tuck under, covering as much of the filling as possible.  When finished it should resemble a wreath.  Bake 15-18 minutes, or until crescent rolls are golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.  Fill the center with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, sour cream, and avocado.  Slice and serve. Adapted from Pampered Chef.

Very delicious!  Enjoy!

2 weeks later.

I have been gainfully unemployed for two whole weeks now, and I have to honestly say I feel about about a bajillion times better than I did a month ago.  I have virtually no stress, I'm working out, eating well, am well-rested, and my house is clean.  The Fiance and I are having conversations around the dinner table instead of eating like zombies after 8 pm every night.  I'm HAPPY, and I hadn't even realized how unhappy I was before.  This is all so completely for the best.

My job search is going swimmingly.  I have multiple prospects that I have found on my own, as well as several that I have found through headhunters.  There have been interviews and second-rounds - even a thrid round on Thursday.  A couple dings, of course, but all in all, I feel confident that I am in the process of bouncing back.  Optimism is the name of the game. 

Many thanks to everyone who has reached out to wish me luck and positive vibes.  I am incredibly lucky to not only have these opportunities, but the support of so many friends and internet peeps.  Thanks all!  Keep those crossables crossed!

How to Deal with Being Unemployed

I have no schedule, no routine.  It's seriously effing with my mind.  My coping mechanisms of late revolve around the following activities:

•  Sleeping in
• Attempting to make potable coffee with the shittiest Mr Coffee on the planet
• Watching marathons of Real Housewives of New York/New Jersey/Orange County
• Taking 5+ mile walks listening to whiny music
• Applying for every job on the internet I can get my grubby little mitts on
• Cuddling with a 8-pound ball of terror
• Cleaning out closets and scrubbing the kitchen counters
• Taking more walks
• Practicing calligraphy and contemplating extensive wedding DIY with what supplies I have on-hand
• Read Twilight novels and search Monster for jobs involving "being a sparkly vampire."
• Conducting extensive internet research on cheap mini-moon locations that do not involve Hurricane Alley

My normal reactions to stress involve nesting and baking, but I am afraid to venture into the kitchen too much.  I like to eat my feelings and frankly that is just not going to help.  I feel a million times better this week than I did last week, but my emotions are still very close to the surface.  The walks are helping with that, at least.

How do you cope with a major life change like this?

Happy Mother's Day

I have the best mom in the world.  Don't even bother arguing with me.  Seriously, she is just the best.

Happy Mama's Day, Joanie.  You're everything I want to be.

Shift in plans.

Well, I never thought I would be writing this, but I lost my job yesterday.  I've been riding a roller coaster of emotions, ranging from: horrified, mortified, anxious, devastated, relieved, pissed off, embarrassed, bitter, and heartbroken.  I could rant for days about the shock and injustice and "oh my God, why me?" feelings I've been having, but not sure it will help.

Life-wise, we are fine for now.  Thank God The Fiance is a saver.  I have a small severance and have already started applying to any job I can get my hands on.  I need to work and soon.  As nice as it is to be home, I have a feeling the novelty will wear off pretty quickly.  And even though we have a nice egg in savings to lean on, I'd rather not deplete it entirely.

Wedding-wise, most vendors are paid for, and we are lucky that our parents are hosting the bulk of it.  The honeymoon, however, has been put on hold.  Unless I start something new tomorrow at the same/more salary, there is no way we can or should be taking an expensive European vacation.  I don't know what we're going to do, and to be honest, I am probably more worried about it than I should be.  It's sort of heartbreaking, although trivial in the end.

So now I have one of those "everything happens for a reason" situations on my hands.  I consider myself to be very optimistic, so I am trying to not let the bitter/angry/negative feelings take over.  I need to see the silver lining, and that is this is a chance to start over somewhere I am better suited.  My job was high-stress and hihg-pressure.  I worked 10 hour days at a minimum.  It's the reason I come home too exhausted to cook dinner or work out.  I was complaining more and more, and worried for this very situation for quite some time.  Maybe it isn't that awful.  As much as I insisted that I was happy and loved it, the work environment had changed and in the end, I was really miserable.  So that's probably for the best, right?

The Fiance and my family have been amazing.  As with most cliches, I've been learning most have invariable truth.  Everything happens for a reason.  You learn who your friends are.  When one door closes, another will open.  Etc, etc. etc.  All true.  I am trying to put my angst to action, to not eat my feelings, and appreciate the lessons learned.  I cannot express how much I appreciate the people who have already reached out to me to offer support.  It's mind-blowing and brings tears to my eyes.  Again and again - I can't quite seem to stop crying, but maybe that is normal, not sure.

As my Daddy-O reminded me, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Wish me Job Hunting Vibes!