As I mentioned a few days ago, I was asked by a representative of ColumbusParent.com, if I’d consider becoming a Bride to Be blogger for them! I was completely excited over the idea and secretly hoping it would renew my blogging spirit. I happily agreed and now it seems my blog is going to turn into wedding planning central. I feel that I’ve burned myself out on my original work topic and to be honest, I work all day every day and when I come home at night, the last thing I want to do is talk/write more about it. I’m really excited to begin a new chapter. So here we go… 

I always told everyone that when I eventually got engaged, I would be totally fine with a 2 year engagement. Spend the first year enjoying each other’s company and reveling in blissful and then worry about the planning the next year. Well of course, the minute the ring was on my finger all I wanted to do was try on dresses, set a date, and plan plan plan! I was, however, comfortable with our plan of setting our date for New Year’s Eve 2010. Then I found out my stepsister got engaged 5 days after me to a guy she’s been dating for 6 weeks and she is considering planning her wedding for Summer/Fall 2010. Was I irritated? Yes. I don’t do the whole competition thing… So it got me thinking- I don’t really want to wait for 2 years to get married anyway. I was ready to plan NOW. I’ve been with Fiance, who I believe is now worthy of being called by his real name- Christopher- for 6 years. I’m ready to get married. We’re happy, stable, and have an amazing relationship. He’s my best friend and the person I trust more than anyone in the world. He knows me inside and out and vice versa. We want to get married and we don’t want to wait 2 years. 

But there’s a problem. 

Weddings aren’t cheap. So when we decided to move the date up by a year and get married New Years Eve 2009, it dawned on us that it might not be as easy as we’d hoped. Finding a few thousand dollars for deposits on things like venues, musicians, a dress, etc. isn’t exactly an easy feat… especially after factoring in recently purchasing a house and the economy just generally being in the crapper. The parents want to help but at the moment aren’t in a position to. Immediately we our next idea was to take out a loan. But after researching our options only to discover that the only loan even remotely feasible was a home equity line- we gave up. It’s not worth it. It ultimately came down to this- have a wedding half the caliber of what we want but the satisfaction of moving the date up… or we can keep our original date and have the wedding of our dreams. Hmmm… gee tough decision. I have full confidence that we will get married. We are happy and in love and if I have to wait an extra year to throw the party of a lifetime– then New Year’s Eve 2010 it is. And if by chance nothing gets better and I’m forced to get married in a tiny backyard in the dead of winter wearing a dress from the Salvation Army- it will still be the best day of my life, because I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with this incredible person. And anyway, at least my Scarlet Letter has officially been removed! 

“Hunny, I’ve been researching for days on where I could take you for vacation as a surprise for your birthday. But the only thing I found that’s even remotely feasible is Napa, CA and I can’t make these kinds of decisions without running them past you first,” I ranted to Boyfriend. “So… happy birthday! You’re getting a food dehydrator instead.” 
“Well, did you find anything like… coming up soon?” He asked cryptically. 

Internal monologue- we’re totally getting engaged. Holy shit! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG.

Then we began packing. He packed everything in front of me. Not one slightly out of place move. Then when his bag got searched at the airport and he didn’t flinch- my heart sank. It’s not happening. WTF?! But I thought… No Meg. It’s fine. You’re in love, everything is great, it will happen when it happens. You’re going on a vacation to an amazing location and you’re going to have an amazing time. 

And an amazing time it was. We were drinking wine, going to fabulous restaurants, and completely and totally blissfully happy. Engagement or not, It was the stuff cheesy romantic comedies are made of. Cue the sappy music and dovey eyes. Even in the rainy, chilly Northern California weather. 

On Friday the 13th, we woke up really early, still jet-lagged, and taking advantage of the beautifully sunny morning, we decided to go for a hike at a wilderness park just up the street from our hotel- Boyfriend’s idea clearly. If you knew him, you’d know this is a fairly typical activity for him to want to do. We start climbing the muddy trail. Boyfriend in nice shoes and myself in ballet flats, ready for a day touring vineyards and drinking wine, not just hiking up a mountain at 8 a.m.

With all ideas of seeing Boyfriend down on one knee completely out of my head, we kept hiking. The views were unbelievable. I was on a mission to see some wild pigs or mountain lions, which we were warned ran around the park but were seldom seen. Eventually, we get to apoint where we were tired, caffeine deprived and very high up the trail. Taking in the view, I snapped a few pictures on my iPhone and tried posting them to Twitter. Boyfriend asked me what I was doing and I told him and he waited patiently. It was so peaceful and quiet so I figured he was just taking in the moment. I put my phone away and asked him if he was ready to start our trek back down and find some coffee. He said yes, but stalled.”Before we go… this is probably the only time we’ll be alone the whole trip and I just can’t wait…” he got down on one knee on top of that muddy mountain and pulled out the most gorgeous ring I could have ever imagined tied to a scarlet ribbon. He said a few more things that I tried my hardest to listen to through pure shock and tears and he asked me with the largest grin on his face that I’d ever seen him have- if I’d marry him.

It was perfect. Everything. I put the amazing ring on my finger and hugged Fiance (ha!) for as long as it took both of us to stop shaking! We set the camera up on the rocks and took some pictures. I called my immediate family- who all knew already of course because he’d made a special trip home to ask them. (Yes, he really is that perfect.) And then we celebrated all day. Free champagne, free wine tastings, free reserve pours, free chocolate- everyone wanted to celebrate with us! I got a little drunk due to all the generous pours, called the rest of my family, a few friends, and even some of Fiance’s long lost friends too- Ahh the drunk dial when you’re also high on love and diamonds! Napa is the greatest place EVER to get engaged- seriously– it’s highly recommended. And by far the most incredible, romantic, wonderful, amazing, beautiful vacation I could have ever hoped for. 

No- it is absolutely not what you are thinking. However…

Yours truly, Ms.Catalysta,  is the proud owner of a labradoodle!!!!!!! That’s right, I finally got the second dog I’ve been wanting forever! The story… 

Last week, Boyfriend tells me he has some secret Christmas errands to run after work and that he wouldn’t be home until late. I decided to let it go and not bug him about it as I normally would and try to figure it all out. So I’m sitting on the couch wasting time on Facebook and Google and then I hear Boyfriend’s car pulling into the garage. The knob turns and stops for a second- then the door opens slowly. Boyfriend pops his head and turns to show me what he’s got grasped in his arms. A brown fuzz ball. My jaw dropped to the floor. 

MsCatalysta- “What the hell is that?”
Boyfriend- “It’s a dog.”
MsCatalysta- “Seriously? Like, it’s mine?”
Boyfriend- “I got him for you… for Christmas.” 
MsCatalysta- “Ok, but seriously… What is it?” 
Boyfriend- “It’s a labradoodle.”
MsCatalysta- (stunned smiling silence) 
Boyfriend- “Well do you like him?” 

Did I like him? Was he serious? I’m over the moon. Joyful. Exuberant. Blissful. I’m running out of synonyms for my happiness. I had pretty much put the entire second dog notion out of my head because Boyfriend was adamant that getting one would basically make him not want to come back to his own home at night. So he compromised. He got a 6 month old labradoodle that does not shed or smell bad and he can take running when he gets a little older. 

He’s not exact potty trained yet so now we have Peeing Dog #2. I never thought I’d see the day where Peeing Dog #1 would be considered the “good pet.” Actually she’s still the middle child because Cat will always be the best pet since he poops in a box- though in Peeing Dog #1′s defense- I did just spend an entire Sunday Windex-ing and Febreze-ing a fake Christmas tree because when Cat recently had a UTI, he decided to make our poor Christmas tree his toilet for a day. 

And yet, none of this matters. I love my animals so much and I’m so happy I could burst. Mornings are ridiculous trying to feed 2 dogs and wrestle a cat away from the food bowls. I worry all day that Peeing Dog #2 has been in his crate too long and needs to go outside. I clean pee off the floor somewhere on a daily basis. His first vet visit was ridiculously expensive and he needs to be de-wormed (I’ll spare you the nasty details…). Today he chewed his travel crate zipper rendering it useless trash, escaped and jumped over the baby gate to the basement where Peeing Dog #1 is housed for the day. (They are already fast friends.) But despite the messiness and honestly pain in the ass- none of these things bother me. I actually love it! AND Boyfriend knew how badly I wanted a second dog and he did it just for me. This is the best present I could have ever gotten. 

I have a feeling that this is going to be the best holiday season ever. And I wish you all the same.

Have you received any early presents or bought anything good for someone you care about? 

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!!!!  

I have BIG plans for this Halloween. Sadly- it’s not handing out candy to the snot nosed children that are going to run home and gorge themselves in front of their video games or watch the 12 year old girls of America flush their morals down the toilet have oodles fun as they run around dressed as slut-tastic tasteful cops, angels, cats, nurses, or naughty school girls. I won’t be perusing the neighborhoods for the pedophiles with their lights out and “NO CANDY” signs that Ohio is forcing them to put up. I’m forgoing the chili cook off and costume contest at work (in which normally I would not only be participating enthusiastically but most likely helping organize as well). I’m not going to pass out in a sugar coma with Boyfriend in mass hoards of chocolate wrappers that didn’t get make it into the hands of the aforementioned slutty 12 year olds…

Oh no… this year I’m meeting my inspiration. This year I’m going to see the person whose songs drag me up from some of my darkest days. I’m driving to Louisville, Kentucky and going to see Idina Menzel. Yes, Idina Menzel. She played the original Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked for which she won a Tony. She also received a Tony nomination for her original role Maureen in Rent. (Oh and did I mention she’s married to Taye Diggs? The gorgeous piece of man candy that helped Stella get her groove back? The hot doctor on Private Practice…) Whoops- ok just snapped out of lengthy involved daydream-back on track. I’m an admitted musical nerd so Idina’s extensive and impressive resume is just one of the many things that make me call her my idol. I cried when she announced she was leaving her role as Elphaba before I would get to see it.

I love everything about the theatre. I remember my parents taking me to shows and I would get all dressed up and wait for the curtain to rise and the music to take over. It was the best escape I had- pretend I was somewhere else, someone else. I was practically raised on a stage and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My parents would come home from somewhere and catch me singing at the top of my lungs to The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables and Cats to my pretend audience who of course thought my performance was positively inspired. I begged my mother to let me audition for shows. I forced her to drive me to rehearsal after rehearsal- on top of private oboe lessons, gymnastics, and cheerleading practice. Some of my friends and family might say I have a flair for the dramatic but I have no idea what they are talking about… 

I’m so excited. I have my outfit picked out, I have my directions printed, camera charged, and tickets inhand. After the concert, I’m going to stand outside of that stage door like a little kid waiting for Santa mature adult and beg for an autograph and maybe a picture. I bought a pumpkin to give to her because I want her attention like a fat kid wants cake it’s Halloween and I even have a witch hat to wear for more attention to be festive. Sister thinks I’m nuts. Can’t say I blame her. She said, “Try not beg Idina to take you to Broadway and make you a star. Maintain your dignity.” I told her I’d do my best. 

I’ve waited 5 years to see Idina Menzel in person and tomorrow- my favorite holiday- I will finally see her in person! So if I break into a chorus of “Defying Gravity,” start hyperventilating, and stalk Idina’s tour bus to her hotel- could you really blame me? Sorry Sister… dignity is overrated.