That's right, I am talking...

Hello readers (or should I just say family?)...

I have been talking with everyone I know and it seems that this subject comes up quite frequently because, well, I am still single. **GASP!!** I know - how could someone as awesome as myself still be single? That is what my mother tells me and there is always a little truth in what she says, right?

So, I am going to dedicate this next post to dating! Yup, gonna do it! Here goes:

After having a ton of late night conversations with friends and roommates I have made the following decision. Dating is an interesting sport. Yes, I consider dating to fall in the "sport" category. Everyone cheers when you score a date, relationship, marriage.... Everyone will help place the blame on the other team or ref when things just don't work out and you lose.

Dating = Basketball. You are on the defense or offense at various stages of the game. You are part of a team that offers support and blocks those wanting to steal your ball/courage from reaching the basket/date.

So listen up team! Here are guidelines before you hit the court!

~ Don't be afraid to make the first move by simply asking someone on a date - that goes for boys or girls! Girls, we live in a new age!
~ Be open and honest in your communication of how you feel things are going. It makes it easier for both parties further down the road!
~ Just because a guy/girl asks you out - DON'T JUMP TO MARRIAGE! RELAX!!! Enjoy a night where you aren't home watching television (that's why we have hulu) and get to know the person. If it leads to a second, third, or even a fourth - still doesn't mean marriage just that you are enjoying the companionship.
~ Stop the group hanging out! If you like someone, don't have a party or movie night with a bunch of people, CALL.
~ Dates don't have to be expensive! If you need ideas - please ask!

Well, I can go on and on! Don't worry, I will spare you. Everyone is different - i.e. I am girl who would rather just be told up front that there isn't an interest rather than losing that friendship. Other girls like the nonverbal communication, I just couldn't ever catch on. I know, I know... silly Taci!

It takes a lot of courage to ask someone on a date, I have done it! Just remember sometimes things don't work out with the person you thought it would. BUT!!! I've never believed in there only being "THE ONE"... With so many good people out there, I don't think that there is ever just one.

Good luck! GO - FIGHT - DATE!!!

Smile!

I LOVE to smile and I LOVE to laugh! Both of which I haven't been doing enough of lately... These are examples of things that brought a smile or a laugh to me over the last little couple of weeks.

1) Getting a text in the wee hours of the morning wishing me a great day at work!
2) Having a stranger hold open the door.
3) Coming home and finding that the dishes are done and put away.
4) Receiving a call from a sibling who just wants to talk.
5) Getting a funny and unexpected letter in the mail.
6) Having my residents comment on my beautiful skin (ha ha!).
7) Blushing when my crush looks my way...
8) Friends that I can call upon when help is needed no matter how late.
9) Crisp Fall air when I walk outside.
10) Getting a new calculator! :)
11) Pinata!
12) Seeing hours of hard work pay off.
13) Smiles from a little niece as she recognizes me.
14) Hymns.
15) Pictures that really are worth more than a thousand words
16) Vanilla ice cream cone covered with the cherry dip/sprinkles!
17) Being told that I have the most beautiful eyes.
18) Watching a guy trip on the curb - laughing because I've done the exact same thing!

There are so many more I can name but these are at the top! Share the love! Bring out a smile!

50th Anniversary Gala

It's OVER!!! All my hard work and long hours and we are done!! YES! I am sitting at home and it is only 4:00 PM! WOW! I have an entire evening to just PARTY! Plus, today is my friend Merry's birthday and so we are going to dinner to celebrate! Seriously, this is a great day!!!

I just noticed that I have been using a ton of exclamation points but it can't be helped!! :)

Okay - back the the Gala...

I got to work at 7:00 AM and it was as if we hadn't been working late the previous two days at all! I was scrambling as name tags suddenly had legs and walked off! My tablecloths for the Silent Auction were removed to be placed on the bar and so the stress I felt was a bit much at this point! It was the beginning of a CRAZY day - I even got into a yelling match with my boss's boss! Dumb move!? Yep, thought that I was going to be packing my bags at that moment! I still can't believe that I lost it a little bit there.
Fortunately for me, I had to make a trip to Michael's and Staples to pick up items and could get a breather. Also, Erin showed up and like a great big sister made me feel better and get energized! I always felt like I could handle a situation pretty well with people that like to push buttons, I was wrong. Don't worry, by the end of the night he hugged me and said that the auction was the best one he'd seen and appreciated all hard work and long hours! Whew!! I didn't realize how stressed out I was until this morning when I got up and could barely move because my entire body is sore! Tears were shed (what?? I'm a GIRL!) and with the many prayers said by wonderful friends and myself... I survived.

Good news is that I met Senator McCain! He is very nice and he touched my arm! Yes, I am learning to rub shoulders with the up and ups! Ha ha ha! NO! I was just lucky to be standing in a good spot as he walked by. :)

I do have pictures, but due to HIPPA can only post those without residents, unless I can crop out their faces. Hmm.. Maybe I will try that! It was a great night and the Silent Auction looked very classy and elegant, just the way that I wanted it! OH! I can't forget the gorgeous dress that my friend Rachel let me borrow! I felt like a queen! I had so many compliments on the dress that I might not give it back to her! This final pic is of Kristina, Daryel and myself after the Gala ended and we were packing up to go home around 10:45 PM. It was a long day and we were all tired, but we made a GREAT team! Seriously, I would do anything with those two!
I will post what I can! Thanks for the many prayers and putting up with my crazed attitude the past couple of weeks! I am ready to party and enjoy life once more!

Two Days

Two days and my life will change.
Two days and I will meet Sen. McCain.
Two days and I will sleep through the night!
Just two days.....

Gettysburg

My cousin, William, has visited DC twice in the last two months for a leadership seminar; therefore, we have had good times catching up and visiting the DC sites. After Erin and William went to the museums, they decided it was time for a little road trip to Gettysburg!

Side note: I have been dying to visit Gettysburg ever since I learned about the Civil War, but haven't due to never finding people willing to spend an entire day there.

Erin, Drew, William, Alesa and I hit the road one morning with the sun shining bright! We watched as the city fell behind and the country roads welcomed us with rolling hills and minimal traffic.

There was a large discussion of the farming differences in the West verses the East. Hilarious discussion which reminded me of when I first moved here. Such as, William exclaiming, "What!? You don't water the fields?" Drew replying, "No, they don't water anything out here. In fact, when I was in Utah I couldn't believe the amount of sprinklers used in fields!" I realize the conversation might not be that exciting to some, but for those who have changed water in the wee hours of morning are now calculating the time saved.

Finally, we reached Gettysburg!! We followed an audio tour that took us around the different monuments and explained what happened over this bloody three day battle. I have always had an interest in the Civil War and to visit the site of the famous battle was more than I can explain. I finally saw with my own eyes the actual places I have been reading about for years. It was amazing!

I've been reading the journal of a General, who at the young age of 16, wrote a letter to his Southern family explaining why he would be fighting for the North. I couldn't imagine writing a letter to my family explaining why I would be going against everything they believed... One thing I always found interesting was when either side knew a solider had a family member in the opposing regiment, they would try to keep them at the back and out of the fight. Interesting?? I know!!!

I couldn't have asked for a better day to spend in a history filled area. Once again showing me that I am in the right place!

Brain, where did you go!?

Dear Brain

Where did you go? Why can't you be here when things are crazy and I am slow to focus?? Brain, please come back!

Forever Yours,

Taci

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you can't focus? That is me today. Between work and life I fear that my brain has been overloaded and has gone into hiding! I just started my week of long hours at the office and although I am excited to see next Wednesday arrive, I have to constantly remind myself of things that really need to be done. My list of "to do's" now includes everyday things like eat lunch! Another example is my blogging when I really should be entering receipts and making a few phone calls!

Okay - peace out! If you find my brain, please tell it to come home!

All for a couch!!!

It was a cold and rainy Friday, when I decided to go and pick up a couch that was to be given to me. It was located in Arlington, which I thought was only twenty minutes away... Mistake # 1.

I rented a U-haul and a friend joined me in my trip to pick up the couch. With my trusty GPS in hand, we proceeded to make our way to Arlington. Traffic was heavy as it was rush hour, so we took what I thought were the back roads. My friend was enjoying the trip (he wasn't driving, which I don't blame him) and telling me how he had been to some of the restaurants we were driving past.

I began to take notice of a few of the buildings and had a funny feeling that they looked familiar. It wasn't until I recognized the Red Cross building on my right that I realized we were about a block away from the White House. I thought that my GPS must be messed up or something because there I was in a 10' U-haul truck in downtown DC... Mistake # 2!

It was just a few moments later that I heard police sirens, which isn't unusual, and started pulling to the side to make room. That is when I noticed that they followed me to the side. I started to get a little worried, I had no idea what I had done! I was scared to death that they were going to throw me out of the car and handcuff me!

I rolled down the window and watched as the two officers walked up both sides of the truck, I swear I was sweating bullets! The officer asked if I knew why they pulled me over, to which I responded a quick NO! The officer stated that it was illegal to drive a truck on 17th street, my stomach dropped!!! I told him I was so sorry I had no idea, he asked where I was coming from and where we were headed. I was so nervous I told him my old house in Derwood then corrected myself and stated Silver Spring, probably not the best thing to do. The officer then asked what was in back of the truck. I explained that I was going to pick up a couch and didn't have anything back there except the dolly. He asked if I would show him, so I climbed out of the truck and went to open the back.

On the way, the officer explained that had I been block or two over that ballists would have been raised and the truck permantently taken out, these laws where made after 9/11. Which is when I realized this Friday was indeed the 8th Anniversary of the attacks. I said a quick prayer of gratitude that my stupidity hadn't landed me in bigger trouble! I asked him how I got off 17th and he explained that I already turned off the road. I was so grateful to come around back and see my friend there to help me lift the door, my hands were shaking terribly! We showed both of the officers the truck and then the officer asked for my license. I went up front and turned it over to his waiting hands.

Sitting in the truck waiting was awful! I was picturing a $1,000 fine and time in jail... Finally, I saw both of them in the mirror coming up both sides again... This is it, AH!!

The officer stated that there was a $75 fine and two points would be removed from my license. In my mind after thinking of $1,000 fine, a $75 fine wasn't too bad. The officer stated that he wouldn't give me a ticket, but I received warning to watch for signs of where trucks couldn't go. I thanked him and said another prayer of gratitude for the officer's kindess!

We were off again to get this couch, Adam was on alert for trucks signs! We started heading towards the Pentagon and Adam mentioned that if pulled over here not to mention we had already been pulled over a few blocks away! Ha ha!

Luckily, we found the house and were able to pick up the couch. On the way home, the GPS again took us on back roads and I ended up turning it off... Mistake #3! Signs here on the East Coast are CONFUSING!!! I already don't know which way is North/South/East/West! Needless to say, we made it home shoved the couch into the elevator and through my door! So, I now have a couch!! It only took five hours, two starving movers, non-working GPS and one large U-haul truck!