You.Have.Got.To.Be.Kidding.Me

My car got towed today.

We were downtown looking at 2 hotels for the wedding. We got to the first one with a few minutes to spare, found a spot on the street and parked. The sign said 2 hour meter parking until 3pm. It seemed like an odd time, but whatever, I figured, when you get a freebie, you take it. False.

Put money in the meter and it wouldn't let me put more than 26 minutes in. Huh. Rob is like, maybe because it won't let you after 3pm because you don't have to? No ... the machines aren't that smart, they'll always take your money. Noooooppppe. The machines are that smart when the reason it's meter parking until 3pm is because it's a tow away zone from 3-6pm.

Okay, it did say in BIG RED LETTERS. But, I just didn't see it. I feel like such an idiot. What kills me even more is that we walked by the car after the first appointment and it was there and we could have moved it closer to the second hotel. Then, to pour salt in the wound, the second hotel was terrible! A waste of time.

It is an unbelievable feeling to be walking down the street and just not see your car where you left it.

What's also annoying is that no where did they have a sign posted to call where you are supposed to get your car! Thank god for my parents. We were able to call them and Mom figured out where we needed to go and Dad came and picked us up and took us to the tow lot.

Let me tell you -- the tow lot is an interesting place to people watch. Wow. The people that work there have a much harder job than the DMV or the post office. Talk about people who are really frustrated ... yep, pretty much all of the "customers" there.

The one bonus I guess of the experience is that I got to ride in a golf cart for like the first time.

The second bonus is that after a $60 ticket and a $105 tow fee, I learned a valuable life lesson. Tow zones are no joke folks.

Running

After 27 years of my life, for the first time I feel like I can run. I mean, I guess I must have when I was a kid. And I did tennis in high school -- but whenever we had to run the track or do lines I thought I was going to die. Several months ago when I got a membership to the YMCA, I started doing some interval training from routines I got from the two magazines I subscribe to (Self and Fitness). And I would run for like a minute. It was great. I felt empowered.

Several weeks ago, Rob and I signed up to do a 5k at the end of August. The Color Run. It looks really fun and appeals to me because it doesn't seem like a hardcore type of race. So, I needed to figure out how I was going to make it 3.1 miles hopefully mostly running. So, going from 1 minute running to 30+ minutes running straight. I got a Couch to 5k plan online.

I'm on week 5 and today I ran 2 miles in 24 minutes without stopping. Sure, I lowered my pace from what I had been doing for shorter distances. But I did it. I ran for 2 miles without stopping! I am so excited and happy for myself. (Never mind the fact that I gained a pound or two this week). I can run 2 miles! Hell yeah!

Wedding Venues

I’m not sure it entirely came across in my post on Monday, but I was severely grumpy and sad about the wedding venue that day. I was worried (I know, shocker, right?!) we weren’t going to find anything decent in our price range.

My sister got married 3 years ago at the Patio. Which also happens to be where my parents go married like 37 years ago. Neither Rob nor I have a real desire to make this some kind of tradition. Her wedding was very lovely and gives me inspiration that you can have a normal, very nice, very fun wedding at a reasonable price. (They say the average cost of a wedding is like 26-30k. Umm, excuse me, that is almost how much I make in one year. That is just outrageous in my opinion. (As a side rant – why do we let them get away with this?!))

Well, I’m very happy to report that we have like 8 options of very nice, do-able locations. And we haven’t even heard back from all of them!

I’m going to put our potential list here in case anyone in the internet world is in my situation and happens to stumble upon my little blog. It was extremely frustrating to me that most websites give the same recommendations – incredibly nice, beautiful places that I would love to have my wedding at – but that are just too pricey. Even Googling cheap banquet halls would yield such results as the Pfister – which starts at like $50 a plate. (Umm, no.) I joked why can’t the internet be like Netflix and they say – like the Patio – try these other suggestions!

So, here it is (my parents live on the south side so it's pretty heavily oriented to that side of town):

Oak Creek Community Center

Italian Conference Center (I’m surprised – this one is actually looking way more affordable than I thought it was going to be).

The Polish Center of Wisconsin

Klemmer’s Banquet Center

American Serb Hall

Kosciuszko Gym (okay, this one is probably not ideal but I was getting desperate people!)

Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport

Tripoli Shrine Center (This is another one that I’m surprised is so affordable. I guess it is a little odd. At first I discounted it because of that, but, again, was getting desperate. The more I think about it, the more I think it could be really beautiful (well, we'll see when we go visit). The neighborhood its in is also a little on the sketch side, which could also be a downfall to people who aren't familiar/are scared of the city.)

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee Downtown (another surprise)

Norway House (I think this one is hilarious. Particularly so because when Rob called 1. They are surprisingly booked. 2. The lady had to check with “THE Czechoslovakians” because they had 2 dates on hold. (WHAT.))

At this point I also need to give a big shout out to my incredible fiancée, Rob. He made at least 75% of the calls to the venues and continues to be extremely patient with me as we figure out this planning a wedding thing together. I’m sure there are a lot of grooms who want to very involved, I’m sure there are a lot of grooms who could care less, I’m sure there are a lot of brides that just want it 100% their way. But, I am so incredibly thankful and thrilled to have a partner who wants to be involved and make decisions and propose ideas. And even though doing things together probably takes 10 times longer (one day I will write a post about our trips to the grocery store) it is so much more fun and less stressful than facing it alone.

I’m not 100% sure what we are doing about the Ceremony/Reception difference. Some of these places are NOT where I want the Ceremony. But, if they are the right price, we could splurge a bit for 2 hours at the Boerner Botanical Gardens. (below is a photo I found on a blog of a couple that got married there.)

All I know is that I want the pictures to look nice at the end of the day – must have some outside. I want a reception hall that you don’t need to take down tables for dancing. I want the food to be good. And I want people to have a fun, relaxed time at my big ol’ party – because that’s really what it is. 

We have a bunch of visits scheduled this Friday and Saturday so we'll see. I'll keep you posted. (Ha -- posted -- get it?!)

XOXO

CK

Lovely weekend

Don't get me wrong -- I love having plans and seeing friends and family. That was one of the primary motivators to moving back to Wisconsin 2 years ago! 

But this weekend Rob and I had no plans and it was wonderful. 

We did kick our weekend off on Thursday -- we had dinner plans with our good friend Brenna, who was in town visiting from DC. It was so wonderful to catch up. Man, I miss that girl. Before dinner we had drinks with Brenna and Kerri. They got us these beautiful flowers. Too sweet. 

(I can't figure out how to turn it right side up and I'm too tired to keep trying to figure it out).

On Friday we went to the 3rd Annual Gig at the Labyrinth in West Bend. It was wonderful. We were the youngest couple there by a good 10 years, but oh well. We got to walk around the beautiful labyrinth garden and listen to some music and have a little picnic! I meant to bring my camera, but forgot it. That night we also watched Footloose. Rob really enjoyed it which made me smile. 

On Saturday we made homemade pasta sauce -- recipe courtesy my brother-in-law -- with ravioli. It was delicious. We even ate out on the porch despite a few sprinkles (and turns out, getting eaten alive)! 

Tomato Sauce ½ cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 3 tbsp. olive oil 2 cans tomatoes (1 lb. 4 oz. each) 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz.) 1 can tomato paste (8oz.) 1 cup water 1 tsp. basil 2 tbsp. minced parsley 2 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper Sautee onion and garlic in olive oil. Add other ingredients, simmer 1 hour.

Our venue search for our wedding is in full swing. I am currently leaning towards ordering a bunch of Cousins subs and telling people to meet in a park. 

Why are weddings so expensive?! 

We're engaged!

So, Rob proposed to me on Friday night, July 6th! (I said yes; well, first I asked it was for real ... but here is the whole story).

As my previous post mentioned, it has been super hot here and disgusting in our apartment (except the bedroom that has a window air conditioner).

On Friday, Rob was going up to Oshkosh to check-in at the office, see if Dr. G was there, etc. I went to work in the morning, but then was off by 11am because of our summer hours. I was going to see Magic Mike that afternoon with some ladies from work. So, I went to the Y and did a 5k loop and then went to the movie. I got home a little after 4pm and Rob wasn't home yet. I was going to do some picking up but it was so godawful hot. So, I decided to put my bathing suit on. We keep those underneath the bed in bins. Also, I was texting with my sister and we were thinking of Skyping so I could see Leo. After Rob got home, I was going to call her, but then it didn't work out because Claire needed to feed him. So, Rob and I started to talk about dinner plans. Usually we meal plan for the week but since it was so hot we weren't really in the mood for spaghetti and red sauce. We eventually settled on going to the grocery store and making cheese and bean quesadillas. When it was all said and done, we weren't sitting down to eat until like 9pm. We watched an episode or two of Bones. And then I tell Rob, I'm starting to get tired. He then says, oh, I almost forgot -- I have something for you from the offices. I was thinking he had found some embarrassing picture of me from college. But he came in and had labels to put on top of our spice jars. And then he gave me a manila folder. Inside was a poem that he wrote. He had me read it aloud. And then he asked "Will you marry me." And I looked down and there he had the ring box. At first I asked if this was for real and then he laughed and said yes. And then I said yes. 

It was really sweet and perfect. I really like that it wasn't at some fancy dinner and that it was just normal -- life happens. And sometimes it's hot and you get cranky and don't eat until 9pm. But we get through it -- together. 

Now, the back story that is funny to all of this is that apparently Rob hid the ring under the bed after I went to work that morning because he figured we'd be camped out in the bedroom with the heat! So, when he came home and I was in my swimsuit he was internally freaking out. And then I was going to Skype with my sister and then I wasn't and was texting back and forth with her -- and he thought I knew and was putting it off to see if he would propose! ALSO when I had put the bin back under the bed apparently I had pushed the ring box right from underneath the bed so it was like way out from under the bed! Later Rob showed me where it was on the ground and I'm surprised I didn't see it! He had seen it out when I was waiting to see if I was going to Skype with my sister and he had to try to nonchalantly kick it back under the bed. At the time he was telling me a story and started stuttering. Again, I had no idea and he was freaking out! 

Because it all worked out, I think it's a sign.

:)

XOXO

CK

Heat Wave!

In case you’ve been living under a rock, we’ve been having a major heat wave in the Midwest. Check out this picture from the Weather Channel. Gross. 

 

We don’t have central air conditioning in our apartment, so we have felt the full effects. Luckily, we have a window unit in our bedroom that my parents so graciously gave/lent to us! Otherwise, I seriously think we’d be shelling out some serious dough to stay in a hotel. I’m all for 4 seasons and enjoying the hotness when it’s hot, but this is pretty extreme. It was 91 in the apartment when I got home today!! 

Also, it was so hot, this centipede totally croaked in our bathroom!

 

This morning when I was getting ready I was remembering earlier this spring … At the end of March it was unusually warm – getting into the 80’s. Everyone was so happy and couldn’t believe how early they could bust out their shorts. But then it got cold again (back into the 50s and 60s), and everyone was all like, WTF Mother Nature?! -- this is too cold (even though it was average – maybe a little below average, but not tragic). And now it’s the beginning of July and it’s so effing hot out my face is literally melting off. 

We've been trying to come up with dinners that don't involve the oven in particular, but also not much work. We made cilantro lime chicken that I got from Women's Health March 2009. We, however, didn't broil it. I would recommend if you're not going to broil it, try it as a marinade. It was quite tasty, but that may have sealed the flavors in more.

 

Broiled Chicken Breast with Cilantro and Lime (Women’s Health, March 2009) Combine 3 Tbsp peanut oil, 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro leaves, 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 Tbsp chopped shallots, ¼ tsp cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread half in a pan and add the chicken; sprinkle meat with more salt and pepper, then top with the remaining mixture. Broil until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

We also made this potato corn salad that was surprisingly good. I thought it was going to be dry and potentially icky, but it was not. Oh, we also didn't let it come to room temperature because we figured it was pretty much boiling in our apartment anyways so serving it hot was room temperature.
 

Corn and Potato Salad (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Seven-Day Menu Planner, June 6, 2012) Place 3 ears fresh corn and 2 pounds medium red potatoes in a large pot. Add water to cover vegetables by 2 inches; add 1 tablespoon coarse salt. Boil, covered, about 2 to 4 minutes; remove corn. Continue to boil potatoes 10 to 15 minutes, or until very tender. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 1 medium finely chopped red onion, 3 tablespoons cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon coarse salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cut the kernels from cobs and add to bowl. When potatoes are very tender, drain and add to the bowl with the onion and corn. Add ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil and smash the potatoes coarsely with a masher. Let mixture come to room temperature and add ½ cup finely chopped fresh basil and ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro; toss gently. (Adapted from “The Farm” by Ian Knauer, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012).

Tonight we made Cuban sandwiches and had leftover pasta salad from the 4th. Rob was skeptical about the sandwiches, but he ended up liking them too. 

In the meantime folks – stay cool with these tips!

Why I Love Milwaukee

On Saturday, Rob and I went with one of our friends, Amanda, to Summerfest. This annual musical festival that has been happening for 45 years is the only of its kind -- as far as I know. According to Wikipedia (I know, I know), the Guinness Book of World Records has verified that it is the largest musical festival in the world. What I find so amazing is that even if you buy a ticket at full price, it's only $16 and you get to see tons of musical acts for that price. Yes, there is also the Marcus Amphitheater, where the ticket prices are more, but you can see so much other talented music for the general admission it's amazing. For example, on Saturday, Lady Antebellum was playing at the Amphitheater. But on the other stages you could see ZZ Top, the Roots, or Three Dog Night. For $16. Where else can you do that?! And that is one of the reasons why I love Milwaukee.

Except for in college when I was living in Oshkosh, I'd say I've gone almost every year since sometime in middle school. I used to always go with one of my friends to see this local band we discovered, Framing Amy. Then in high school I would go see Ben Folds like every year. (He played this year too but on Thursday night ... being a working stiff these days, I couldn't go). It's funny because everyone from Milwaukee has their own memories about Summerfest and what they like to do when they are there. But, I did like this article about common traditions -- most Milwaukeeans will get a kick out of this.

Oh, and one of the bands we saw briefly, Whiskey of the Damned, I found out later seeing a picture in the paper that I used to go to church with the violinist. Crazy.