Dear Lauren Conrad,

Im really getting sick and tired of you. What have you ever done? "Designed" yet ANOTHER line of jersey dresses and tops (that look cheap)? Made a huge deal about the rumored sex tape you had with that skeez Jason? LC, Im on to you. Because you took a WHOLE season of The Hills and made one of the BIGGEST publicity stunts ever! Like we didn't all know what you were up to trying to make us all turn our backs on Heidi. Please. She's just an idiot who fell for a crazy. YOU, LC, YOU are the one who turned that sex tape scandal into something way bigger than it ever would have been, had you left it alone.

But despite my frustration with you and your so called celebrity-ness, I have to put this out there. I am BEYOND sick of your hair!!!!


Seriously, we've seen this look on you since, oh, the FIRST time you were on tv. Its boring. And that long "wavy/curled" look is beyond dated. I cant stand this look on ANYONE! Why don't you branch out a little bit? You did earlier and look how cute your hair was!!

It was mature and stylish and not trying too hard. Think about it. Yeh that long ugly don't that youre sporting may be your signature, but I've seen it enough! For christmas, do the world a favor and change things up a little bit!!!

Thanks!!

Moving on from that little rant! So I guess Im due for a little catch up. This has been a very crazy week with work and still getting all the little odds and ends done that come with moving. So, wednesday night, Ryan picked up on my stress level and was oh-so-sweet and decided to make thursday night a date night.

I got excited because honestly, we dont go out...ever! Seriously. Basically already a boring married couple (minus the rings!). So when he suggested this, my mind started running wild with ideas of things we could do. Dinner, drinks, movie, shopping, walk around Lake Ella, etc. I was curious to see what he would pick.

Well Thursday as I was leaving work, a MONSOON (yes, Sarah I said Monsoon) rolled into Tallahassee. Im serious. The 2 minute drive home was miserable so I knew I wasn't getting back out in that again! I got home and the cable guy was there. So at that point I'm realizing that date night "aint happnen" (quoted from the lady at chevron).

So this is what our date night consisted of...

A three ingredient entree cooked by Ryan. He felt proud of his Chicken Parmesan. Too bad I wasn't all that impressed that he dumped spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese on top of chicken breast and baked it. Very typical.

Ive given him a hard time about our lame date night. Because I ended up cooking all the side dishes and cleaning up. So, last night I drug him to the mall with me to start my marathon of Christmas shopping. He suffered through a long adventure in Banana Republic and one if Victorias Secret. He was miserable.

Now I have a list of 1000 things to get done by Sunday because I have to go out of town for another fundraiser this coming week, then were heading up to Montgomery to celebrate Christmas with my family. I have to buy gifts and do all that good stuff.

But when the invitation to join the Tri group for breakfast here was extended....

the list is being shoved in the corner! Sorry, theres always time for a good meal like this!!

Have a good weekend!!!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

I know I'm a little late getting my wish list to you. I've had quite a busy fall. With moving and starting a new job, I havent had time to be selfish and make a list of things I want and need.

Santa, I'm ashamed to say that I have had a hard time thinking of some things for you to bring me. Everything I need is quite expensive and I can't think of anything that I simply want.

So, I can give you a start. You know me fairly well. Every year, you've been good to me... a few let downs (never got that Auburn cheerleader outfit I always wished for and never told anyone about because I thought you were that magical and already knew), but nevertheless, you've been right on target.

Here are a few things you could pack in that sleigh of yours. Locations of stores for all of these items can be easily found, just ask :) !!!

Santa, you know how unruly my hair can be. And now, living in Florida (basically a swamp), I think its time I invest in a good hairdryer. Not the bo-bo kind from walmart. No sir, I want the real deal!

And because I have a boyfriend with a botomless pit for a stomach, a Publix gift card would be greatly appreciated by BOTH of us! Santa you know as well as anyone that Publix is our store...the only place I let Ryan act like a true 5 year old. Yep, I even let him skip around and dance and sing in there. In fact Santa, its kind of a tradition now. Its our thing. We know we're wierd.

You know it never hurts to dream!! Anything in this store is sure to bring a smile to my face! You know me Santa. Surprise me!!

And because you know I live in Banana Republic, a gift card would be greatly appreciated and quickly used! My co-workers will thank you too when I come in with pretty clothes!!

And again with taking care of my hair, you know I LOVE this stuff!! So keep my stocking in mind when you stock me up on this goodness.

A few more ideas:

*at LEAST 3 GUARANTEED phone dates a week with my partner in crime Sarah Mills

*magically locate for me a new hairstylist and set of doctors

*a new bed for my guest bedroom (throw in a magical clean up of all the boxes in there!)

*a weekend getaway trip to somewhere cool like Savannah or New Orleans

*more pots and pans for my sad collection

Yep, that should do it Santa, you're the best!

Love,

Rachel

Its been a VERY VERY VERY BUSY week so far.

A little recap for ya...

Monday: I started my new job full force. Things are very different in the non-profit world. And I think I'm really gonna like it. Compare an office of 200+ to my now 7 people office, Im in for a treat!! I actually learned everyone's names within the first few hours. It took me weeks to do that in Montgomery, and that was just for my department!!

We worked until 2 then loaded up two cars with all kinds of boxes and headed to Destin, FL.

Please be jealous...

Yes, my first day of work was spent at the beach.

Ok, so it wasn't a fun trip by any means.

We stayed up until around midnight doing all kinds of things setting up for our fundraising event.

Tuesday: Woke up WAY too early in the Hampton Inn (memories flooding back to me from Abby's bachelorette party). Breakfast at 6:30 then off to work until around 9pm.

The event was a lot of fun, not as successful as we had hoped, but was quite the learning experience. I was beyond exhausted from it, but thankfully got a really good nights sleep.

It was a good thing because we went full force ahead today in the office.

All in all, things are going well. Im getting the hang of things little by little. I just want to fast forward to when I know how to do everything without asking. I need some patience!

Life outside the job:
haven't really had one recently minus the moving part.
Ryan and I did go to a wimpy christmas tree farm with heidi and jamey. We were looking for the beastly 18 ft perfect tree but didnt have any luck. First and foremost, the types of trees they had were NOT Christmas trees. I'm sorry i want a tree that can hold ornaments. These puny little things probably couldnt even support a strand of lights.
Ill stick to my traditional fir...thanks.

Progress has been made.

Everything has been moved.

BUT...

Its all piled in boxes ALL throughout my apartment.

Every time I've moved in the past, I would get everything moved in and then stay up all night until everything was put away.

Yeh....this doesn't really work when you move 3.5 hrs away and there are only two people moving a TON of stuff.

Bless his heart, Ryan was such a trooper.

When I was getting tired and cranky, he kept on working and sweetly motivating me to keep going.

I am so lucky to have him!!

So we stayed up until around midnight and said, ENOUGH!

Slowly but surely I am getting stuff put up. There is A LOT more to do though!

Im sneaking in a break while Ryan goes to get our Starbucks.

And can I just brag about how sweet the location of my apartment is!!
Literally a half mile from my office, Starbucks, Publix, Moes and TCBY!!!! Be very jealous!
And not too far is a Fresh Market, Target, Walmart.
AWESOME!

Today's plan:
Mom is coming to help out, so I hope we get ALL the apartment FINISHED!

And then tomorrow:
CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPPING with Ryan, Heidi and Jamey!!!! And can I just add in here that I am beyond pumped about this!!!

Ok, back to work! Have a good Saturday!!

Oh yeh, one more thing...CHOMP CHOMP...WAR DAMN GATORS!!!
Im pulling for the other set of orange and blue to DEMOLISH bama in the SEC championship!!

Please Dont Hate Me...

So please don't pass too much judgement on me.

This past weekend, I committed a little bit of adultery...I cheated...

on my beloved Tigers...

With this guy...

Instead of being the loyal fan I was raised to be,

I spent the day of the Iron Bowl at the Florida/FSU game.

And can I just say, I was not impressed...

AT ALL!!

Excuse me FSU AND UF, but where are your cheers?

Where is your mic man?

Why haven't I heard all your fight songs?

Where are your freaking shakers??

Why aren't you dressed in your Sunday best?

SERIOUSLY!?!?!?

THAT is what makes football.

And to make things worse, I went agaisnt ALL of my rules for football (well maybe not all of them)!!

I showed up in a FSU T-shirt, jeans and Merrells...

Im humiliated at myself.

A t-shirt???

I NEVER wore a t-shirt to an Auburn game...EVER!

In fact I ALWAYS had a dress on...ALWAYS!

Im ashamed to say that I sported the enemy's color (crimson...Ryan argues FSU is Garnet...but whatever its not orange and blue)

BUT...

I DID NOT do that stupid tomahawk chop they do!

And when the UF cheerleaders were yelling, "Orange and Blue"

I yelled with them.

Ryan looked over and said, "Not gonna do the chop?"

and I said...

"Just can't do it, Im a one team fan"

So AS SOON as we got home, I went and put on my obnoxious Auburn sweatshirt. I've worn it for the past few days.

Its funny what you will do for love.

I stood in the NASTY cold rain for HOURS.

I forfeited watching my tigers on the most holy football day of the year.

I wore the enemy's color.

And I did it all for him.

After the chop comment, I said...

"Next year, we're going to a REAL football game...with shakers and cheers and tailgaiting and ridiculous traffic. Without T-shirts and skanky girls walking around with barely any clothes on. With kids running around, boys in Auburn Jerseys and girls in Auburn Cheerleader outfits on. With the WHOLE town revolving around this ONE DAY! With bars packed full of fans and with everyone sneaking in bourbon to the games in their floppy flasks (seriously, the fsu fans dont even know what this is). With the flying of the eagle for the start of the game. With a big "WAAARRR EAGLE HEY!!!" at each kickoff. With a bunch of "Weegle Weegle War Damn Eagle..."s. With the fight song and a never ending entertainment session from the band."

"And regardless of whether we win or lose, we still say WAR EAGLE at the end of the day, and continue to yell, "Its great to be an auburn tiger!"

He thinks I'm crazy but I don't care.

I never really got that quote that I saw so many times about how you will never understand Auburn, its family and traditions until you experience it for yourself.

I grew up an Auburn fan.

I had one uncle who paid us to say those two dirty words, "R*** T***"

So I've been spoiled.

Until I went on someone else's turf, tryin to expand my fan horizons.

I realized that theres a reason I tell people Auburn is in my blood.

And to top off the day, I leaned over to my sweet FSU "fan"/ soon to be converted to be a real fan of Auburn, and said...

"You realize, Im teaching our kids to be auburn fans. In fact, the first phrase they will learn is War Eagle!"

So, all you Auburn fans, dont hate me.

I cheated...

a little bit.

And came to my senses!!

I will forever be an Auburn Tiger, win or lose.

First of all I am on cloud nine right now...

Because I have a WHOLE WEEK without any work obligations!

Now that does NOT mean that I am bored and have nothing to do. In fact, I have the longest TO DO list ever!!

Moving is never a fun adventure, especially moving to a new state.

So, during my "relaxing" week off, I will be packing my days full of exciting things like getting a new drivers license, setting up utilities, etc.

AND...

On top of all this, its unpacking time at Ryan's and his sisters.

So no laziness for me!!

I was really dreading putting in my resignation. I really thought I was going to catch a lot of mess from my bosses and co-workers. But thankfully, everything went very smoothly.

So far I've gotten nothing but positive feedback about my decision to move.

Im sure everyone has their opinions and are keeping them to themselves, but I havent heard a negative word yet.

Right now I am still numb to the fact that my whole life will soon change. Everything I'm comfortable with...gone.

Im thrilled and terrified all at once to be going out on such a leap of faith.

Moving to a city where my only friends are Ryan's friends...kinda scary.

I know 100% that this is what I am supposed to do, but I still have fears in the back of my head.

This changes everything now.

So instead of listing out all my fears and worries, Ill list what I'm thankful for (come on, give me a break...Im allowed to be cheesy once in a while)!

Im thankful to have a job in a time of economic crisis.

Im thankful I have friends and family who support me even when they don't understand me.

Im thankful that I am healthy and happy.

Im thankful that I got new insurance (here's the old lady coming out in me...)

Im thankful I don't have to pack anything because its already done and waiting in a storage unit!!

and last but definatley not least...

Im thankful Im getting out of the Jingle Bell Run because I just have to move that day...darn!