Mini-Meet Up

On Friday, I had a mini-blogger meet-up with Chelsea at A Colorado Cupcake and and Ashley at Piloting Life. (Granted, I have a mini-blogger meet-up with Chelsea often, but that's not the point.)

We decided to meet up at one the busiest Starbucks in Denver. This little corner of Cherry Creek North was constantly busy with a line and every single seat filled the entire 2 hours we were there. It was nice to meet another blogger in Colorado and put a face and a voice with a name and a blog.

It was so much fun to talk about life and random other things while already knowing a little about someone you've just met.

Hopefully, we can find more Colorado bloggers to meet up before I leave!

Selfie with Chelsea's iPhone

I'm A Blonde

We've all heard those ditzy blonde jokes, so I mean no harm to my fellow toe heads (whether natural or chemical) but seriously, I've had my moments the last couple of days.

On Thursday, I was at work in the usual arctic conditions. I was sitting over my "space heater" which although may actually work in a confined space, but in a space that's as long as a city block and with 20 foot ceiling, it's not exactly pumping out the heat. I digress. I was so cold that I was debating putting on my down coat, but thought that was a little too much, so I thought, "How about my sweatshirt?" So, I went to my boss, double-checked that he was OK with it since it was cold, but complaining about the cold makes it too hot in the office, so he said as long as I don't leave the cubes, I'm good.

Cut to me looking over my contract for the assignment in DC and realizing that A) next year is a leap year, B) I get taxed on reimbursed expenses for terms longer than 365 days, C) my contract was for 366 days, and D) my Chief may be signing the contract that afternoon. Naturally, I bolt off to my Clerk's office to let her know that I want to adjust the dates and hoped that no one had signed anything. What did Ana forget? That I'm rocking my Aggies sweatshirt. Into my boss' boss' office. On a Thursday. Like an idiot.

The look on her face made me look down and realize what I was wearing. I immediately took it off and told her I was sorry and that I didn't mean to leave my cube, but a minor heart attack about having tax liability for a chunk of change makes one forget what they're doing. Oy. She was understanding and laughed at it, but I felt like a ditz.

Yesterday, I was texting back and forth talking about "Birthday Bash 2010". All. The. Time. "Birthday Bash Weekend 2010", "BBW2010", left and right until it was politely pointed out that perhaps I meant 2011?

Oy. I forgot a whole year. I type and write the date no less than 50 times a day at work and the one day I take off and start talking about dates that have nothing to do with deadlines for briefing and I'm in a time machine to 2010.

Seriously. I'm smart. S-M-R-T.

Hope that I can recover and recuperate this weekend!

So What Wednesday

So what if...

• I haven't blogged in awhile? I'm a little busy.
• I have started a second blog? I need to keep my head clear when it comes to blogging because I want to chronicle different things.
• I really don't have much to blog about? I'm sure I could bore you with mundane details of my life, but that's not as fun.
• I think that I should be able to thumbs down artists on Pandora? I don't care if your music genome resembles what I requested, I don't want to hear John Mayer on my Adele station.
• That's all I really have? I really need a nap and plotting ways to get a nap sounds better than blogging right now.

303 In DC

I have decided to start a side blog about my adventures in DC. I think that will keep my mind clear about what will be posted where and allow me to indulge in my life and my tourist sides.

So, please, join up to my new blog Adventures in the District at 303inDC.blogspot.com.

The first post has a little excerpt from my original announcement post, but also a little editing...basically, a little refresher with some new detes.

Casual Friday

I know that I will have to upgrade my thoughts on casual with the big move to DC. Instead of Jean Friday, I will get to have Khaki Friday. But, in the mean time, I have figured out my own twist on the prep style that I have.

I would like to introduce you to Western Prep!

Western Prep by anaosborn featuring the north face jackets

I would define Western Prep as a more outdoorsy version of preppy. I have a cable knit sweater and pearls, but instead of pairing with some Chinos, I am wearing jeans, and instead of Tory Burch Reva flats, I have on some cowboy boots. (And they are legit. I have have mucked out horse stalls in these.) I also needed a little warmth from The North Face since it's a little like winter in here in Denver today.

(*Disclaimer: I totes have kids items on there, but it's more for the aesthetic, not the literal view of my outfit. But, I really wanted to show that I have pink on my boots, too!)

I am also rejoicing my ensemble because it includes my pearl earrings. On Wednesday, I lost one of my beloveds. The back was somehow still on my ear, but I was in a little bit of a panic mode as to when my earring could have fallen out since I do work out in them.

Tragedy.

On Thursday as I came through security, I saw a lone pearl stud on the x-ray machine. It was my beloved! They had found it in the entry way and knew that someone would be looking for it.

Miracle.

Hope that everyone has a great weekend, and if you're fortunate like me, a great holiday weekend!

So What Wednesday

So WHAT if...

• I have no idea where I will be living in a month? I have a month to find a place or have a nervous breakdown. My money is on both.
• I met passive aggressive behavior with more passive aggressive behavior? I store my gym/get ready bag in a locker that has a sign on it that says "Daily use only. No overnight storage." Someone moved the sign over the handle thinking I can't read, so naturally, I had to write on there that the locker is empty from 5:00pm to 7:30am. I stopped myself from writing all over it clearly showing that I was ok to store my bag in there on a daily and that it's not in there overnight. We'll see how this transitions. (I also have the ammo that there are 7 other lockers to choose from and I highly doubt that there are 7 other people using those lockers at any one time.
• I told a mini-story in my last so what? It's my blog, I do what I want.
• I totally just went all only-child on that last so what? I am one and I always will be.
• I sometimes wish that I had siblings? I could have someone else to commiserate with when my parents drive me nuts.
• I plan on going to bed around 8:00pm tonight? I would take a nap after work, but that just makes me stay up late and es no bueno por Ana and her 4:30am alarm.
• I had a 40 minute dream trying to convince people in the blogging world that I could skip bootcamp this morning? I was basically told that it was one hour and I shouldn't wimp out and aim for perfect attendance at something. (Hello, high school and a truancy rate that was only ignored by administration because I carried a near 4.0.)
• I really want to tell my barista that she can't pull off blonde? It's a brassy, yellow color that does nothing for her skin tone.(Seriously, I have a view into the Starbucks from my desk and the lights reflect off of it as a blaring reminder to me that I don't like it.)

What are you saying "so what" to?

Stylish Blogger Award Winner

Emily over at bubble baths & shopping bags awarded my the Stylish Blogger Award!

Thank you, Mizz E!


Fun fact: Mizz E is moving to Denver....just as I'm leaving...Hey, Ashley, blogging meet up for the newbie in town even if I can't make it, m'kay?


Here are the rules:

1. Link back and thank the fabulous person who bestowed the amazing award on you (done and done)

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 7 other deserving and great bloggers

4. Contact the awarded bloggers to let them know of their award!

Seven Things About Me

1. I have freckles on my eyeballs. My doctor took some space-age pictures of my retinas and I have freckles apparently.
2. I am a not so secret geek. Watson on Jeopardy? Yes, I rushed home to watch it in real-time. No DVR for that. 
3. I am a true prep, but my laziness wins out over planning the perfect polo/khaki/loafer combos. But I can (and do) wear pearl earrings with almost everything.
4. I'm not permitted to take Harry with me to DC. Blessing for Harry since he'll get to keep being his fat cat little self with my mom and grandma while I flit around our nation's capital.
5. I love 1990s Saturday Night Live. I'll watch other seasons, but my heart will always belong to Chris Farley, David Spade, Mike Meyers, Adam Sandler, and Rob Schneider.
6. I'm not nostalgic with certain keepsakes, but will keep a pair of shoes because they remind me of the specific event that I bought them for to wear.
7. I think my favorite show right now is Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen because it's all about all of my other favorite shows.

Other Stylish Bloggers That I Bestow This Award Upon

(a/k/a Other Blogs You Should Follow)

1. Ashley at Piloting Life
2. Keely at The Bonds of Medlock
3. Jessica at Stilettos & a Fishing Pole
4. Tracy at Then I Got To Thinking
5. Sarah at Classy and Fabulous
6. Elizabeth at Blogging Blondie
7. Tiffany at The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

Making Myself Crazy(ier)

With the impending move, I am making myself crazy. To the point of nausea and hyperventalation. (Just a short burst, but something that I did not like.)

When I came to my sense and realized that I was over-reacting (Who me? Couldn't be.) and that I had to slow my roll. I need to wait until I have more definitive answers from the higher ups and then proceed at a break neck pace to figure out that the heck I'm going to be doing. First and foremost, I'm going only make a list of places that I will look at once I know when I need to (for sure) be in DC. As in, make a list at places that have a washer/dryer in the unit, is close to the Metro, the price is something I'm comfortable with and is in an area of town that people have recommended to me.

Once I have my short list mapped out, I will make a pro/con of all amenities, locations, commutes, proximity to crucial stores (grocery and convenience, not H&M), and rank from there.

Hopefully this will keep me from the hyperventilation that freaked me out yesterday and causing me to eat all 9 of the delicious chocolate covered strawberries that my Dad and Sharon sent me for Valentine's day. Whatever. It was a couple of servings of essential fruit with a sugar based sidecar. I can deal.

Here's to the new adventure and my planning mind being able to gear down for now.

A Big Move, A Bigger Opportunity!

Here's the big news in a nutshell:

via

I'm moving to Washington, DC for a year as part of a "temporary duty assignment". I will be taking on a position to help transition to the next generation of software. I could totally go geek on you and talk more about it, but really, I don't think a lot of people care all that much about what I'll be doing. I'll be there for a year, am welcoming visitors to indulge my touristy side, and cannot wait to see what this crazy opportunity has in store for me!

How did this all come about? Well, my boss sent me a link for a loan-a-case-manager program with the details that their anticipated start date was January 18. The date that I received the link? January 10. So, I thought it over, asked for my boss' boss' blessing, (well, I had to have it), and sent off my resume forgetting all about the position. A month later, I checked my application status and there was no change, so I figured that the position was filled or simply I didn't make the cut.

That is, until I got an email with "Interview?" in the subject line. Last. Week.

Wait. What?

They had not filled the position and they wanted me to interview for it!!!! Omigodomigodomigodomigod! Not only that, they wanted to have their decision made my the end of the week.

That's it. I was offered the position, I accepted. (Really, if there was anything to think about, I shouldn't have applied for it.) Now, I'm on the fast track to call The District my home for the next year.

Anyway, I have roughly six weeks to get an apartment, furnishings, utilities, etc. And, keep in mind, the last time I was in this city (aside from driving by it on the way to the airport in Baltimore), I was 12 and on a tour with my classmates and our teachers. Pretty sure I could name all the monuments, but have no idea where any of them are located.

That's what maps and apps are for, right?

So far, I have google stalked, wiki stalked, and inundated my friends that have any kind of knowledge of the areas in DC. I think that I have things narrowed down to two places to live and they have both meet my requirements of a washer/dryer in the unit and close to a Metro stop. I know I have a short list, but really, if it's close to a stop and I can do my laundry without standing guard over it, I'll take it.

OK, I'm pickier than that, but for sake of blog-read time, I'll save you.

I am looking to create a DC Bucket List and I have already got a couple things compiled:

• Visit all of the presidential memorials
• Visit all of the armed forces/war memorials
• Find that "Awakening" sculpture again
• Visit all the Smithsonian museums
• Visit the White House (on a legit tour, not go all Salahi on the place.)
• Visit the Supreme Court
• Visit the U.S. Capital
• Visit the National Archives/Library of Congress

What else should I add to this list?

Are there any DC area readers that have some insight to where I should look for a place to live, things to look for in a place to live, things to add to the bucket list, etc.? Or really, anyone that is familiar with the area have any insights? I'll take what I can get.

Yes, I Passive Aggressively Asked for Followers

And you know what? It worked!

Therefore I feel less guilty about totally being passive aggressive about it. OK, well, it's not to passive aggressive when you tell your lurkers that you know they're there. But I digress.

And just for that, I want to welcome the three newest followers to Caffeine & Cocktails! (There's a fourth, but they're anonymous, so here's to you, too anonymous.)

Ashley from The Johnstons

Kelly from Keeping Up With Kelly & Co.

and

Ashley from Piloting Life

I'm also adding them to my Other Blogs to Stalk section.

Welcome to my (quirky) world of Caffeine & Cocktails!

So What Wednesday

So WHAT if...

• I wish that Colorado was a little less rapido with their plowing? I have fun driving in the deep powder with Bruce. It's like setting a dog free off of a leash.
• I am really looking forward to Friday? Even if I have to get up at 4:30am still to go to bootcamp. I'm still going to have the morning to get stuff (read: catch up on DVR and read) done.
• I have blog envy? There are some cute blogs out there that people may have paid for with fancy fonts and buttons and sections, oh my! But I'm A) too cheap, and B) only have a short attention span.
• I've been "stuck" at 50 followers? I know there's more people out there that read this so that's nice, but I would love it if you at least identified yourself and declared that you follow me.
• I have thought about hosting a giveway on here but then realized I would have to organize a giveaway? Maybe this is the sign that I should just do it. I have no real excuses.
• I may or may not have an obsession with mint.com? It's a healthy addiction if it helps me budget and pay down my credit cards.

Now, go link up with Shannon over at Life After I "Dew" and tell everyone so what. (Oh, and totally get out her giveaway here and her new blog design. *envy*)

Holy Snow-Moley!

Yesterday, we started out with rain in the forecast, then there was some snow....that was full of huge flakes...

You can still see the grass, it's not sticking to the road...nothing to worry about, right?

It just kept snowing, but since the news and forecasts didn't really mention anything about a snowstorm in Denver, I didn't think much of it.

Today was our usual Boozing Brunch Bunch and we decided to meet in Loveland which is between Denver and Fort Collins (our alma mater). I woke up to a text from my friend Jessica asking if I was still good to drive. I immediately responded, "Yes, " thinking to myself, "Dude. It's just supposed to be in the 20s and spitting some snow. I drive a Subaru. I grew up in Colorado. I can deal." Then she asked if I wanted to leave earlier to let her know. That? Made me look out my window and see this.

The snow's so deep you can barely see the rocks on the pond.

And then, I opened up the garage to see this.

I'm totally spoiled and have a garage space and my mom toggles her cars between the driveway and the garage, and this makes me thankful.

Jessica and I got on the road and headed out just a little earlier to make sure that we had time to navigate the roads at a slower speed to make it on time. However, once we were 20 miles north of the city, we had this.

Sunny skies and dry roads? Colorado, you are menopausal.

Brunch was great and I saw some sisters that I hadn't seen in 7 years. It was good to chat and get caught up on life with each other. Just what the doctored ordered. A ladies' brunch once a month keeps you laughing, happy, and sane.

Now, I'm snuggling up with Harry, the fireplace, and the marketing machine that is the Super Bowl.

Longest. Week. Ever.

I know that some of you are all cozied up at home while you're covered in a blanket of snow (and ice) this week.

Unfortunately, here in Denver, we've had subzero temperatures and even colder wind chills with about 6" of snow total, and yet, we're operating. Sometimes I wish that our city wasn't equipped to handle the snow like Houston or Atlanta, but then again, that wouldn't be Colorado.

This week has dragged on. And on. And on. And on.

I'm not the only one who feels it. (Although some may argue that since I'm up at 4:30am and working 9 hour days might explain it) Everyone in the office today can't believe it's taken this long to get to Friday. Seriously. Monday? A distant memory to me. Tuesday? Pretty sure that was the cold day. Wednesday? Another cold day. And Thursday was yesterday, but it feels like more than that.

This feeling is probably from the fact that people all over the country are having snow days and we depend on those people for work. When they're out, we don't have much to do. Hopefully they'll get caught up today so we can have a really fast week next week.

In short, blogging world, please oh please start making more posts. I am dying for something to read that won't rot my brain. I can only handle so much twitter.

So What Wednesday

So what if...

• I thought people that got up before 5:00am to workout were wack-a-doos and now I'm one of them? It's when I can fit it in everyday. I don't know a doctor that takes appointments or a friend that wants to hang out at that ungodly hour, so I'm always free.
• I got part of my motivation from watching I Used to Be Fat and Heavy? If their whiny butts can make it to the gym and through workouts, why can't I?
• I really enjoy going to bed around 9:00pm? I'm actually getting killer sleep, I feel like I've slept longer than I have, and I'm getting at least 7 hours now. 
• I bring three bags into work? Technically one is my purse (ginormous) and one is my gym bag, but really I don't want to leave some things here overnight since I use them at home and it's impractical to have two of some things.
• I have no idea what to get my dad for his birthday and it might have to be a gift card? He claims he doesn't like to shop, but I don't know a man that can't find something he "needs" at Home Depot.
• I didn't get a snow day yesterday? I was just really cold for those few minutes between the office and my car. With seat heaters and the right winter apparel that every Colorado resident should own, it's not too bad.
• I constantly update my blogger dashboard at work hoping that someone will blog? I want something to read that won't make my brain liquefy.

Now, head over to Life After I "Dew" to link up and say your So Whats.