“So… what part of the wedding do you care about the most, besides getting the privilege to marry me, of course?” I asked Chris soon after we got engaged.

“The food and the cake. I want to do a lot of tastings.”

This is pretty typical. All Chris can think about is food and of course the cake at our wedding is a top priority. It isn’t just the design that needs to wow, but the taste needs to be incredible otherwise it just won’t cut it. It was one of Chris’s only demands. Everything else I ask him, he generally just says yes or no. I’m happy he’s not a fussy groom. I’m fussy enough for the both of us. He also makes decisions a bit easier because he’s very quick to say yes or no. It’s a trait I admire and appreciate.

However, the cake has become somewhat of a topic. I’m all about the design and he’s all about the flavor, but it’s a bit soon for us to start doing tastings. So I guess we’ll just have to decide on design first.

I have compiled a handful of amazing cakes all taken from theknot.com. I have my own ideas on how I would change them a bit, as I’m sticking with my anemone flower love as a theme. These incredibly designed cakes are like works of art… works of art that I want to dive into head first. I’ve narrowed it down to these choices- any of which would make me drool all over my sweetheart table and my guests might actually have to fight me to get a piece.

Cake #1: I love the sleek design of this cake. Variations would be changing pink ribbon to black. change the orchids to white anemones.

Cake #2: I love the architecture style of this cake. Variations would be changing navy to black and all flowers to white anemones.

Cake #3: This is a great example of the anemone I mention. They are made out of sugarpaste and totally edible! Variations would be changing lavender to white and white dots to black.

Cake #4: I just like this cake. Retro and fun. I don’t have any variations because it’s so detailed as it is!

Cake #5: I love the sharp edges of the square layers. Variations would be making the branches dark silver and have fewer flowers which would again be white anemones.

Taste will just have to wait for later, but I’m leaning towards red velvet. Just so long as Chris signs off on it. We’ll have to wait a little longer to make that final choice. Which cake do you like the most?? I need all the help I can get!

(All cakes courtesy of theknot.com. Check them out for hundreds of cake ideas!)

So I bought my wedding dress 2 weeks ago. The day I bought it I was standing in the accessory room at Cincinnati Bridal and Formal with my future mother in law and sister in law. At that exact moment Chris called me with some mundane question about Coffeemate because he was at the grocery store and I couldn’t help but smile and turn beet red and tell him- “honey I’m standing in my dress! It’s perfect. I’m so excited.”

But for some reason, when I got home I was having second thoughts about my perfect dress. On top of my second guessing, I got a call from my stepsister 3 days later telling me that she too had purchased her dress. As she begins to describe it, my heart sinks a little- it’s kinda similar to mine. Ugh. As if I wasn’t already annoyed enough. So I started re-researching dresses. I called the owner if Cincinnati Bridal and Formal and told him my situation. He sympathized and offered to let me come in as soon as possible and he would allow me to put my deposit towards another dress. (Seriously he’s awesome and a savior.) So I made an appointment for a few days later and made the 2 hour drive back to Cinci from Columbus by myself. I needed to not have any other opinions cloud my judgement. I am easily persuaded and this is a HUGE decision that I needed to make for myself.

I tried on tons of other dresses. I was there for 3 hours trying on everything that was different that the dress I had bought. Including this beauty from Jasmine Couture-
I almost bought her. It was gorgeous and different and made my waist look teeny, which was very exciting. So, I told my very helpful dresser lady to wrap it up. I’d take it. But something wasn’t right. I asked her to hold a minute so I could put my original dress on one more time. As I slipped it on and she pulled and pinned it into place, I got those butterflies all over again. It was deep in my gut. I sat in my dress for a half hour, alone in a room. I emailed pictures to one of my bridesmaids and my stepfather, my mom was on the store’s web cam. I couldn’t make up my mind. I was trying to convince myself that the “new” dress was what I wanted… but it was wrong. I kept thinking about how excited I was when I spoke to Chris on the phone the first time I was in the shop. I could picture myself walking down the aisle towards him in that dress… not the new one. So I thanked the wonderful salespeople for all their help and patience, but I was sticking with MY dress.

The second dress is beautiful and even my mother and stepfather liked it better than my original dress but I knew and my closest friends knew that I was already done. Crisis solved. And I’m so proud of myself for making the decision on my own. Even with the not so wonderful circumstances… I chose what I wanted and that’s a HUGE step for me. And because of that… now there are no second thoughts.

Sorry I can’t show a picture of my actual dress. But if you want to email me, I’m happy to send a little preview!

I suck at being on time. Ever since the move, my commute has more than doubled. Any normal person would probably then make sure they get in their car an extra twenty minutes to make up for that extra bit. But not this punctuality challenged twenty-something. Well that’s not exactly true. I try. I really do. But no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get my ass in gear. I get up early enough- it’s not the sleep that I need. I’m the oldest young person you’ll ever know crawling her ass into bed at 9:30. I get up and have some breakfast, a cup of coffee and turn on the TV. No, I’m not filling my morning with the News about the ever shit-canned economy and job losses or the serial rapist who’s torturing young women all around Columbus- I don’t like to start my morning with things that make me want to cry. Instead, I turn on some trashy reality TV that makes Boyfriend cringe with disgust but makes me feel a little happier when I can say, “well no matter how bad things get for me, at least I’m not some washed up porn star trying her hand at “Charm School” and the only claim to fame I have is trying to screw a washed up 80′s hair band member who’s double my age” or “Wow Spencer is such an asshole, why is Heidi still with him??!! Why is Audrina still talking to them?? The world would be a better place if that cast of tramps just got hit by a bus.” Actually, now that I think about it I’m not sure if that last one makes me feel happier or sadder about my life that I care… food for thought, I guess? 

Anyway, herein lies the problem. I can’t turn it off. Once I start a show- I can’t get up until it’s over. I slowly wake up to this junk, I drink my coffee, and then ever so slowly I drag my ass to the shower. The rest of my morning is a blur of me running around as fast as I can while simultaneously debating whether I want to go the day without wearing makeup or if I’d rather go to work with wet hair. Oh, I might also mention that I do this with reruns of Saved by the Bell playing in the background. Yes, I’m serious. 

Then, as it always happens- when you’re already slightly behind schedule, everything else decides to fuck with you as much as possible. Your dog decides to piss on the carpet after you’ve already taken her out twice and she just stared at you. You get stuck behind a bus full of special needs kids. That barely running train decides to barrel through. The senior citizen in front of you slams on their brakes at every hint of a yellow light. And then of course- BOOM you’re officially charging to your desk 20 minutes late in heels that are NOT inconspicuous, trying to avoid your boss who is getting coffee in the cafe which is conveniently located 15 feet from your desk, turning on your computer and booting up your email to pretend like you’ve been there all morning and secretly rubbing your sprained ankle that you maintained while tripping up the stairs on your rhinoceros-like stampede into the office. 

Here Mr. Senior VP- let me mark that review sheet for you… the punctuality category… hmm… is there a box for “sucks?” Or maybe I should just cancel my DVR service?. (Today is the day that I wish I had Dingo-like photoshop capabilities because this post would make for a classic pic… maybe she’ll take a break from thesis writing and make one for me! haha!)

So I went to Louisville for the concert with every intention of doing the most horribly embarrassing things to get Idina Menzel’s attention. But in the end- fate was on my side and seemed to cut me a break. Within being in the city for 5 minutes, my friend and I found a cute little Mexican restaurant across the street from the theatre. We had some time to kill and some margaritas sounded pretty damn good. We batted our eyelashes at the nice busboy who pulled a table outside for us to eat on the sidewalk. We get our margaritas and agree that life pretty much couldn’t get much better…. until Idina Menzel herself comes strolling past my table. 

I let out a GASP. I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t have my pumpkin! I didn’t want to chase her down the street… so she said “Hi” and I managed to stumble out a “hi” back. But then she walked away. I got no picture! I didn’t give her my pumpkin which was still sitting in my car in the parking garage around the corner!!!! DAMNIT! I proceeded to call every member of my family, Boyfriend, friend of family, everyone. I just let my idol walk past me and I didn’t get to actually meet her! So I turn to friend M- “M, you think she’ll come back? Maybe I should go get the pumpkin… you know just in case?” M- “Yes- definitely… just in case.” I take off running. I ran as fast as my 4 inch heels would allow. Luckily the car was close and I got my pumpkin and ran back. I sat down and starting drinking my delicious margarita. Another few minutes passed and I nearly strained my neck craning it looking for another glimpse of the amazing Idina. And then she came back! Walking back to the theatre and I wasn’t about to let this chance pass for a second time. 

I shot out of my seat and scooped up the not small pumpkin and ran to the corner she was about to step off to cross the street.

MsCatalysta- “Idina!!! Hi. I’m a huge fan. Huge. You don’t even know! I’ve been a fan for years!!!” 
Idina Menzel- “Hi. Oh thank you that’s so sweet.”
MsCatalysta- “Umm so I got you a pumpkin. Because it’s Halloween… and it has green on it… you know because you were green and it’s green… here” (Shoves pumpkin into Idina’s hands.)
Idina Menzel- “That’s so nice, thank you! What’s your name?”  
MsCatalysta- “I’m Megan…. and this is my friend, M.” 
Idina Menzel- “So nice to meet you… look I don’t really want to take pictures right now… but ask for my tour manager, Deb, at the end of the concert and we’ll make sure we get some later.”
MsCatalysta- “Seriously? Oh my god, thank you so much! Really… thank you!” 

And so I got a personal invite backstage from Idina, herself. I watched an unbelievable show where she had my pumpkin onstage!!!!! (See picture at right and my pumpkin is on the left). She even thanked me for the pumpkin giving me a shout out while she was onstage. Pretty awesome. I was like a little kid on Christmas. Or maybe Halloween? She was even wearing a cute little outfit for the holiday! She is freaking awesome. She did all her new songs and even a few covers. Then my all time favorite- her cover of “No Day But Today” from RENT and her remix of “Defying Gravity” from WICKED. 

Then I got to go backstage and meet her again. She signed my shirt and a program for some little girls that I know who idolize her as well- no thanks to me, I’m sure. She took pictures with everyone and spent time with each person and was so incredibly nice. 

I didn’t wear the witch hat… and I didn’t burst into song. (Though I was close.) But I did get to meet my idol. A person whose songs have influenced my life so much that it was impossible to convey to her in my whole 5 minutes spent in her presence. This is a person whose songs take me out of my awful days and a person whose songs help me get higher on my best days. It was such an honor to shake her hand, have her know my name, and be in her own words, “the only person to ever chase her down on a street with a pumpkin.” 

All in all… I think I managed to maintain at least a little bit of dignity but more importantly… mission accomplished! Thank you Idina!!!!  

My apologies for such a long absence! I hated it but I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to write.

 I’mslammed at work and I’ve been trying to get ready for our move and trying to see friends and just be keep my head about me. When I did have a free second I had nothing to say after my over-articulated day and just crashed. But I’m trying to think where to begin… 

A recap is in order I guess- 

Boyfriend and I are closing on the house next Friday. It was supposed to be today but it got pushed back so we could have a better interest rate. Worth it but still a pain in the ass. Now we have people visiting this weekend and have to clean our crap-hole apartment that is SO dirty, I’m actually disgusted to have people sleeping in it. Boyfriend and friends will be running a 5K that I’d love to join in on, but I haven’t been training and don’t really feel like embarrassing myself when I finally cross the finish line and every person in my group finished in less than half of my time. So I’m deciding if I want to try or just bring Peeing Dog and hang out at the finish line for the whopping 15 minutes it will take that entire group to finish. Frankly I don’t think I want to do either. I feel like a failure not trying, but it’s possible that I’ll feel even more like a failure when it takes me 35+ minutes to run 3 miles or potentially not even finish.

I spent one crazy weekend in DC for SIster’s bachelorette party. (Shout out to the hilarious bitches over at CEB!) I always wonder who actually reads my blog and then I walk into Sister’s office to have at least half of the office walk up and say, “Hi I’m (insert name). I read your blog.” I didn’t know whether to be excited or a little scared. When I asked Sister why all of these people know about me- she says, “Because I stand up and say, ‘hey everyone, you’ve got to read the stupid shit my sister just wrote.’” Nice. But hey- a reader is a reader and I’m making a greater effort to not care what people think or be really hurt when you write your very personal thoughts to have someone call them “stupid shit.” Anyway… I met some pretty awesome people down there in DC. Had a drink or two, danced the night away, played some dirty games, drunk texted a coworker, posted tweets from my phone while sitting in the bar, and assaulted the busboy that grabbed my ass on the way out of a diner by kicking him square in the spine while slinging every insulting curse word I could muster. (I felt slightly proud and ashamed of my actions at the same time…)  

Work is crazy. I’ve been working through lunch a lot and drinking a lot of caffeine. I’m trying to be more positive and volunteer for extra projects. Therefore it’s been some late nights recently and Peeing Dog has made it blatantly aware that she’s not happy with me. I was laying on the couch last night and Boyfriend notices some dribbles on a pillow. I tell him they must be water dribbles from Peeing Dog getting a drink. Then I look down and notice The Puddle. The bitched peed ON me!!! Since I was wearing a dress I had failed to notice. Boyfriend stood there baffled- not quite sure if he should laugh hysterically or be completely disgusted at my obliviousness and urine soaked dress. Yeah… pretty gross. 

Speaking of gross… Sarah Palin. Ugh. But that will have to be saved for another post. I’m trying to formulate a post that doesn’t include every same insulting curse word I slew at the busboy.  

What’s going on with you guys? CEB girls (and that curly haired guy) leave me some comments!! I want to hear about work lives, love lives, and anything else you want to say.