Why-o, why-o, why-o would a girl move to Ohio?

And why would she leave the perfect job that she JUST started a week ago? And why would she leave a free-rent house-sitting position? And why would she leave all of her family & friends she loves to see?

I can tell you why. Because I am getting married and my fiance just accepted a job offer in Cincinatti. I can't believe it! Ohio! What the heck is in Ohio?! Three of the 5 fastest-dying cities in the nation, if you read & believe MSN. THAT'S ENCOURAGING!

It has been a decision of a lot of mixed emotions for Ben & I. My job here is not one I have much of a hope of finding again. So, that's a bit painful. And we really weren't thinking to leave Utah for another few years. We had a great set up here and so many friends & family.

However, it's a great job opportunity for Ben. There is also potential for great educational opportunities for Ben out there. All things taken into consideration, it's the best thing for us to do. Especially because his current employer is just a few notches below the level of ridiculous that MY previous employer was. That is BAD.

And on my side, while it may sound like a big sacrifice, it's not so much when looking objectively: while I may not find THIS nonprofit job again, there are nonprofit jobs absolutely everywhere. And I can run the dress business from anywhere. I never realized before how portable me and all of my careers are. I'm incredibly versatile. And handy. Biotech pharmaceutical companies ---- are not everywhere.

One of the most interesting elements of this whole situation is the unexpected satisfaction I get in being able to support Ben. The sacrifice of my treasured job and all the things I have held dear here is strangely rewarding. It's like I'm offering that up as a kind of contribution, "payment in good faith" to our relationship. I'm gonna be SUCH a good wife! I can already tell. And so humble too!

Weird. All this marriage stuff. We're not even married yet. And torture of all tortures, he'll actually be starting work in Ohio on Sept. 8th, so I don't even get to see him the last two weeks before the wedding. Then again, that may be a good thing. No need to worry about being good behavior....

So, all in all, Ohio doesn't sound THAT bad. Don't get me wrong. It WOULD. But it sounds a lot better to me with Ben there. Marriage..... it certainly changes things. And people.

Can't Hardly Wait

So, there are many changes in life that I could be anxiously awaiting. Waiting for the wedding, waiting till I get to have all of my family & friends come into town, waiting to figure out the honeymoon plans... But there is one thing I can really HARDLY wait for and it can't happen SOON ENOUGH.

If it weren't for all the planning and time needed to prepare, I would say it's the wedding, but it's not. It's starting at my new job! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! And why do I anticipate it with such little patience and so much enthusiasm!?

Well, I could say it's because it's a great new job. It is. And I could say it's because they have some exciting projects going on. They do. But one factor trumps all. I can't wait to get away from my current creepy, icky, unstable, spawn-of-the-devil boss. Have you ever met someone and wondered how the heck they got to where they are? Ding, Ding, Ding!! Tis this man. Several somebodies have had severe lapses in judgement. Repeatedly. And I lay my complaints and all the blame at their feet, wherever and whomever they are.

I realize this might come as a shock. It comes as a bit of a shock to me too. I rarely dislike people, especially so strongly. However, as it is, I've got "it" bad. I keep telling myself that I don't have any ill will towards this man, but I don't actually believe that's true. I actually HAVE ill will (OH MY GOSH!) and I think I SHOULD feel really bad about that. Really bad. How do I know.? Well, I wondered a bit at firsxt, but I had my first clear sign when news got out that the poor man's basement flooded and I founnd a smile moving across my insides. Sometimes I find it very hard to behave myself! "How did this become good news? I'm confused. But it seems to be good news. It feels like good news.... Huh. I think he's turned me to the dark side...." So goes my inner monologue.

I feel less bad, admittedly, because I am so supported in my disdain for him. I've never worked for someone so wholly and unanimously offensive to people. All my coworkers help foster this distaste I have by regularly reporting the disrespectful, dishonest, condescending, hypocritical and insane things he does & says. But alas, I will be completely detached and will see nor hear nor speak of evil -- because I'll be at a new job and my boss here won't be there to see, hear or speak of! Just two more days.... I can do it.....Can't wait for Monday. La la la la la. Can't, can't wait. Oh boy.

Wedding Updates

Ben & I were driving back from Roy area last night after having helped his brother & family move into a new home. As we passed the Bountiful LDS Temple on the highway, Ben said, " Six more weeks..." It took me a moment to clue into what he was talking about. And then I uttered a passive, calm "Oh yeah..." And then, just a moment after, I uttered a loud MENTAL, "OH MY GOSH! Are you serious?!" Only six weeks.... That's impossible! We totally aren't ready yet. We have so much to do!

Indeed we do. But I exxagerate a bit. I really just think we have "SO MUCH" because I don't have absolutely EVERYTHING already done. This sets me ill at ease. Always. But we're making good progress.

- We tried on tuxes yesterday (okay, so really Ben tried them on and I critiqued.)
- I am going cake tasting with my sister tonight.
- My ring should be coming in any day now (I have never been one to ogle or even give a flying fig about wedding rings, so I am shocked at myself when I realize I am SO EXCITED for it to finally come. I really am!)
- My wedding dress jacket just came in and it fits!!! Hallelujah.
- We took engagement photos last week and should get them back very soon. I'm not really sure why I anticipate this so much, as I know exactly what Ben and I look like in pictures. I've even seen Ben & I in pictures together before. With the amount of excitement I have, it's like I expect to see us magically transformed into some version of Angelina and Brad that people would obviously recognize to be Ben & I in the photos. I just don't get myself sometimes.
- bridal showers are being planned. I apologize to all friends and family who feel obligated to come. But I really hope you do! What can I say? I'm mean & selfish like that. And we will endeavor to make them as fun and un-bridal-shower-hokey-boring-like as possible.

Of course, there are a few things in the air still. We don't have the honeymoon pinned down yet. Nor do we know for sure what state (both physically & mentally)we will live in POST-wedding, I haven't decided whether or not to have a veil, haven't found the shoes yet, still need to figure out amounts of food for the reception, create an agenda for the reception, talk more with the band, send out invitations....

I think I just like to get riled up and torture myself into a frenzy by listing off the myriad of things I haven't done yet. It'll get done, I'm sure. And I'm really excited it's getting closer. Sometimes I think, "Oh, let's just be married already." But we will be. Soon enough. Most definitely soon enough.