Ladies, Let's Get Real

WARNING:  This post will be graphic.

I want to talk about menstruating.  And this is going to be good because I am currently in the lovely company and it's just freaking fantastic.  But first, let's talk about our lovely friend PMS.  Whatever idiot male said a few years back that PMS is not real needs to be slapped.  I don't turn into a different person because it is fun!

Luckily for Mike, I have been able to turn my emotions from psychotic-raging-a-hole to whiny-needy-child.  Everything makes me whiny.  I like to moan about my back, that I'm hot, what's for dinner, I'm bored, whatever.  Sometimes I actually just say "whiiiine" because I can't think of anything to whine about but feel the need to do so.

I personally feel special because many of my symptoms last from PMS all the way through my visitor...NOT.  For a few days now, I've wanted to eat everything in sight.  This month, I've been pretty good at controlling myself.  But, I literally asked Mike if we could eat only chocolate (currently wanting Nutella) and Doritos this weekend.  That's what I'm craving.  A whole bag of Doritos, and Nacho Cheese at that, even though I really love Cool Ranch.  And as I write that, why aren't they Cooler Ranch anymore?  I digress... I cannot freaking imagine what I'm going to be like pregnant if I'm already this bad.  Last night I indulged on dark chocolate, and tonight some Haagen-Das that Mike purchased "on a whim" at CVS.  Smart man, I tell you.

My lower back has been hurting for a week, which is super uncomfortable in my crappy chair at work.  And a few days ago the cramps began.  At some ridiculous hour this morning I was woken up with terrbile cramps, so I chugged some water, downed some pills, and tried to fall asleep.  Normally I would use my heating pad, but um..it's summer.  {HOT.  sweaty.  Crampy.  Eww.}  Again with the whining.

I took IcyHot to work and popped pills all day.  It's not fun to be at work and feel like a small hooved animal is running a freaking marathon in your abdomen.  I feel like an old woman.  When does this END?  Oh yeah, never!  Until I'm actually an old woman.  And my mom and her monthly friend are still kicking so there's no end in sight for me.  Joy. 

I will breeze past the fact that sleeping is uncomfortable, I despise going to the bathroom while this shenanigan is going on, I drink less water because I'm trying to avoid the bathroom, I wear less attractive undies, the trash can is even less desirable than usual, and several other disgusting things that I will never get over.

The joys of womanhood.

Please tell me I'm not alone in this.

1 Year, 1 Week, 1 Day

1 Year, 1 Week, 1 Day...

That's how long I've been Mrs. Olson.

We celebrated one year of marriage on June 2nd, the one sunny day we've had around these parts in WEEKS.  We know how to pick 'em!  We got to spend Saturday evening (June 1st) having dinner with my MOH and her boyfriend, followed by a fire and some s'mores at her place.  She now lives with one of my other bridesmaids, so I got to see her as well, which was a fun way to reminisce and celebrate.

On our anniversary, we headed to St. Paul for Grand Old Day 2013.  We wanted to see Night Moves perform (they were the opener for the Django Django concert we went to), get some "fair food", walk, enjoy the sunshine, and spend time together out and about.  The weather was great, and I'm sure we walked close to five miles.

Delicious indulgences of the day:

CHOCOLATE mini donuts with powdered sugar and glaze

Sea salt caramels and pecan turtles from Just Truflles

Chicken-Avocado Arepa

We love lemonade.

Happy 1 year!

We of course watched Night Moves perform, and checked out some booths, but mostly just walked and talked.  And me, Mrs. Shop Anywhere, snagged a super colorful scarf, a 5$ tee, and a cloth headband.  We each got a slight sunburn, but enjoyed the day and time in the sun!

That evening, we went for a reservation at The Melting Pot, where Mike had roses on the table for me :)  We noshed on delish cheese, 6 different kinds of meat including duck and filet mignon, and finished with their desert course (we chose the marshmallow oreo one).  We went home happy and very full.

When we arrived home, I had to wait in the car for a few minutes.  Mike then essentially re-enacted our engagement story and successfully made me cry while "re-proposing" with another wedding band to match the one I have.  He's not a super emotional guy, but if you know/remember our proposal, this was very sweet and meant a lot to me for him to be so clever!

After one year of many amazing memories, I can definitely say I am ready for more.  I am so lucky that Mike has chosen me to be his princess.  We live, we learn, and there is no one else I'd rather have by my side!

Friendship

I would like to talk to you all about friendship.
Because some people seem to have some really messed up ideas of what friendship is.
And that's not okay with me.

Merriam Webster: 1 a : one attached to another by affection or esteem
                              2 a : one that is not hostile

Not someone who makes you feel like crap.  Not someone who takes things from you.  Not someone who makes your life stressful.  Not someone who cannot see your value.

I've touched on this a few times before, but you have the right to choose your friends, the people you spend time with, and the people you share your life with.

Source

Without spending hours searching, these two quotes do a good job of spelling out how I feel.  

My friends:  answer my messages, take as many dumb pictures with me as I like, listen to my not-so-funny stories, get up at 8 am on Saturdays to have coffee with me, appreciate my honesty, love my husband, cheer me up and steer me straight when I'm struggling, and most importantly choose to spend time with me and have me in their lives.  

I was the person in high school who had a LOT of friends, but not that many GOOD friends.  I have really tried to turn that around in the past few years and it has done me well.  I love my group of girls now and really love spending time with them.  They are busy, and I push them a lot to get together, but I hope they appreciate the effort to get everyone in the same place.  

As time goes on, babies arrive, people move away, I know that my "inner-circle" will probably get smaller.  I also know that the people in that circle will be absolutely precious and valuable to me.  I can't wait to continue making memories with my lovely friends.  

Source

Please know, ladies, that you mean SO MUCH TO ME.  If I am talking to you, know that you are important, have a special place in my heart, and I treasure you!