30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 6

Before I start Day 6 of the Blog Challenge, I just need to take a minute to brag about how awesome my husband is to me.  He knows I like surprises, but also knows I can usually sniff them out.  I told him I wish the Easter Bunny brought me a basket, and while at work on Saturday, "Happy Easter" flowers were delivered to me at work.  I was so excited, as is every girl who receives flowers, but I wasn't expecting an Easter Basket this morning as well!  He definitely surprised me, and who wouldn't love a basket filled with skittles, my favorite gum, AND a Starbucks gift card. 

I'm a very happy girl :)


Day 6:

List 30 interesting facts about yourself...I'm not sure there are 30 interesting things about me, but I can try and throw some random facts out there.

1. I didn't know how to parallel park until I was 21.

2. I never believed in love at first sight, and I'm not sure I do now, but the first time I met my husband, something in my gut told me there was something special about him.

3. I studied in Australia, and had the time of my life.  I hope that I will be able to go back one day.

4. I love to clean, organize and rearrange things.

5. Growing up, I never imagined I'd be married, own a home, and have somewhat of a career at 24.

6. Although I have a good job, I REALLY want to own my own business, I'm just not sure of how to start, and I'm afraid of failure.

7. I am a perfectionist, and take criticism way too personally.  I know I need to work on that.

8. I would love to live at the beach, especially the Outer Banks or Siesta Key.

9. I still feel guilty that Steven's cats couldn't live with us because of my allergies.

10. I hate pumping gas, but love the smell of gasoline.

11. I'm better at standing up for others than I am standing up for myself.

12. I CAN'T stand people who use poor grammar.  I have actually broken up with boyfriends because of it. When Steven consistently used proper grammar when texting/instant messaging me, I knew he was a keeper.

13. I'm addicted to watching Criminal Minds. 

14. I'm only Facebook friends with some people so I can see what a train wreck their lives are.  The people who peaked in high school and made my life hell, now entertain me by publicly displaying the shit their lives have become.

15. I have no interest in participating in my high school reunions. The majority of the people I want to see, I keep in pretty good contact with.

16. I can't cook to save my life, but Steven always goes back for seconds.  I'm working on it...

17. I despise passive aggressive Facebook statuses.  Handle your business in private.

18. I love staying in hotels and having other people make my bed and wash my towels.

19. One of my first words was "Big Ditka," and yes, I am still a Bears fan.

20. I was a bartender for 3 years, and still don't know what to order when we go out.

21. Even though I met some incredible people in college, I still wish I had gone out of state.

22. I generally don't like surprises.

23. Over the years, I've had some bad roommates...too many to count, but I've learned that the old "you shouldn't live with your friends" isn't true at all.  You can't live with your fake friends, but my 3020 girls and I were great roommates.  I wish we could all live on the same street!

24. Steven's ex-wife has a seriously creepy love affair with Mickey Mouse and all things Disney.  I used to like Disney things, and now that is ruined for me. I want to punch her in the face for this, among other things.

25. I can't lie to save my life, I'm honest to a fault.

26. I love everything Kate Spade.

27. I still have no idea if I want children or not.

28. I hate wearing pants. I live in skirts and dresses.
 
29. Even though I'm totally a fan of women's rights, I sometimes wish I could just stay at home.

30. I took entirely too long to think of 30 interesting/random things about myself, that's pretty lame.

30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 4/5

Day 4:

Views on religion.

I've been told it is best not to discuss politics or religion.  I think religion is a very personal thing.  I think fundamentalists give their religions a bad name and cause too many wars.  I think church and state should be separate. I think a lot of churches are corrupt and spend their "offering" on materialistic things instead of spreading God's word and helping those in need.

I could go on and on...but onto Day 5:

A time you thought about ending your own life.

Well isn't this a fun topic?  It is no secret that I have battled depression and anxiety for many years.  What is hard to admit is that I have considered this option on many occasions.  My cousin committed suicide a few years ago and it devastated my family. Even though my family was hurt and confused, I understood what it felt like for him to feel hopeless and alone.

When my parents divorced my depression came on full force.  I was angry, hurt and didn't know how to deal.  I lost some long-time friends who couldn't deal with the depressed Michelle and cut me off for good.  This made things worse.  Not only was I working, in school and my family falling apart, I was losing my "friends" too. I took things out on the guy I was dating at the time, and pushed him out of my life abruptly.  He couldn't understand my sadness, and I couldn't explain.  I just wanted to be alone.  My plans to move to Baltimore fell through.  My relationship with my mother fell apart and is destroyed to this day.

I can't blame anyone for not wanting to understand my depression and confusion, but I honestly felt I had no one. I thought about crashing my car.  I thought about taking as many sleeping pills as I could.  Sometimes the only reason I didn't follow through with these plans was the possibility that they would not work and then I would be committed, or injured and permanently handicapped.

I went through the days in a fog.  I am forever grateful to my bff Angela, who let me vent without judgement, and who understood my anxiety and erratic behavior. I had lost touch with some friends and was pushed away by others, but one day Jessica called me (we hadn't talked much for about 2 years due to a "situation" and asked me to meet her at Starbucks.  It was as if no time had passed.  We caught up and in just a few weeks I moved in to her townhouse (where I met another bff, Fox) and Angela moved in shortly after.   Add in Jessica's sister, Heather; Heather's bff Kristin L, Natasha, Liz and "the cousins" Nicole and Kristin H and you have the RHH.

I slowly began to heal.  I met Steven. I fell in love with him and his family. Slowly my days have returned to what is "normal."  Some days are good.  Some days are bad.  Regardless, I now have the most incredible support system in my new family dynamic, my husband, the RHH, and the other friends that have stuck with me during my craziest days.  I can't even list or even truly ever express my gratitude for the people that got me through the thickest fog and continue to support me.

Thanks guys.

I promise I'll have a happier post next time :)

30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 3

Day 3:
Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Drugs and Alcohol...well that question that seems so simple, for some reason, is also very complicated.  I am currently a social drinker. In high school and college I drank WAY too much and partied like college kids typically do.  The older I get, I look back on the choices I made, and I regret them. I drank to blur my constant depression. I drank to fit in.  I drank because it felt like it was expected of me.

Now as a social drinker, I'll have some wine at dinner or a beer at a cookout, but very rarely do I over-indulge. Not only do I not like to be intoxicated to the point where I cannot control my actions, I also can't quite recover like my 19 year old self could.

I also have plenty of family members who are alcoholics, and I've seen the damage that can be done.  I don't want be like that.  I can have fun without alcohol.

As for drugs, I get it.  You feel invincible, the fog covers the pain.  But once the drugs wear off, you are right back where you started.  I think it's better to get help and live clean.  That being said, I really don't think natural drugs like marijuana should be criminalized.  We are already paying for thousands of drug dealers kept in our jails. We spend millions on drug trafficking investigations.  I'm not saying drug dealers should not be punished, but there are SO many other things we could focus on.  If someone has a minor amount of weed on them, should their lives really be ruined, especially if they are an adult?

I definitely think our country should prosecute drug dealers, smugglers and those who manufacture synthetic drugs like meth.  But if we could regulate or decriminalize marijuana, maybe the money our country saves can help starving families or creating jobs. I know the idea is controversial and complicated, but even though I'm not a drug user, I don't see the harm in an adult smoking a little weed in the privacy of their own home.

30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Where would you like to be in 10 years?

In 10 years, I will be 34 years old. Steven will be 40.  Seeing as I still don't really know what I want to be when I grow up, I hope that by 34, I'll have figured that out.  I want a career that makes me happy.  I'd be thrilled if I could own my own business.

Maybe we will have moved into a new house. Maybe we will have a baby. Maybe we will pick up and move away. Maybe we won't do any of these things.

Mostly, I want us to be happy.

Yesterday, my (soon-to-be) sister got married. At the reception Steven and I snapped a few self-pics.

I think if we can keep this sense of humor, we'll be exactly where we need to be in 10 years.

30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 1

It seems I have a severe case of writer's block.  I'm feeling more and more like myself everyday, but still have bad days.  Since I can't just write about horror stories at work, and I'm not pregnant or starting the re-do of the upstairs of my house (which I really hope I can afford soon!) I thought I would do a 30 day blog challenge and hope to jump start my creative juices.

I might not complete this in 30 consecutive days, and might through in a few real posts in between, but here goes nothing.

Day 1:
Talk about your current relationship.

I am currently a newlywed after getting married February 17 of this year. It sounds cliche, but the first time I met Steven, I just had a feeling about him.  I was a senior in college, about to move to Baltimore with some friends, and he was 28 and married.  It was a confusing feeling, and I did my best to ignore him and focus on school and life in Baltimore.

Although nothing inappropriate ever happened between Steven and I; a few months after that first meeting his wife left him and my plans to move away fell through.  Hanging out and flirting commenced, and soon we were absolutely inseparable. A little over 2 years later, he proposed at Camden Yards after an Orioles Victory during the Friday night fireworks show.

I have dated quite a bit, and never thought anyone would really "get" me.  Steven, however, loves that we are independent people with different interests and hobbies, but still enjoy our time together and support each other.  No other man could do the things I need, but leave unsaid. No other man would or has supported me during my bouts of depression, put up with my crazy family, or could have survived a week in a house at the Outer Banks with my girlfriends and their husbands/boyfriends for Jessica's wedding. No other man shares my sense of humor, which is probably the most important thing.

Plus, he comes with a pretty awesome family, which is definitely a perk for me.

I have the perfect amount of time alone, freedom to explore my own interests, spend time with friends, and of course, affection.

I believe that is what makes our relationship work.  We are best friends who love, respect and enjoy one another, but I don't feel like I have lost my individuality, which has often been the case in the past.  I feel like I've known Steven my whole life, and can't wait to spend the rest of it together.

Married Life

Today marks the 1 month Anniversary of my wedding.  That's right...I'M MARRIED.

I've been putting this blog off because I've been trying to think of something unique and profound to say about the whole event, but all I can say is the day was perfect for us.  I was nervous in the days leading up to the wedding, and the morning of went into full-blown panic mode.

But once I walked down the aisle and Steven grabbed my hand, everything fell into place.  He may have cried when he proposed, but I was a mess while he said he vows and I said mine.  He kept mouthing, "don't cry," but I could hear crying from the guests and Angela's tears behind me.  I'm shocked I held it together as well as I did.

The ceremony blew by, and I can hardly remember everything that happened.  In less than 12 minutes I became Mrs. Michelle Kramer, and I've never been happier.

Everyone had a blast and everything went off without a hitch. So, here's a few of my favorite pictures (which turned out better than I expected) of the big day:

My Wedding in 25 Photos or less...I felt great, and the only thing that could have made it better would have been to have all of the RHH there.  With the exception of Angela, the RHH were stuck on the East Coast tending to new jobs, school, family and babies...they stayed in touch all day texting and tweeting encouragement and assurance that my hair, makeup, dress, etc looked great, and a few days after Steven and I returned home, we all got to meet...

Noah Trimble! I'm already in love.

My First Blogger Tags!

So my friends Nicole and Kristin challenged some of their blogger friends to complete a questionnaire. Since I frequently struggle with topics to write about that aren't too long, involved and possibly boring to others, I decided to go ahead and fill them out. I have 11 Fun Facts, and answered 2 sets of 11 Questions. I was supposed to post 11 Questions for my other blog friends, but all my blogger friends have been tagged!  I think I need more blogger friends.

Here you go enjoy!

11 Fun Facts:

1. I am seriously addicted to Criminal Minds and I 100% believe I would be an amazing profiler/researcher for the BAU.
2. My biggest regret is not going far away to college...that is until I realize I never would have met some of the RHH if I had.
3. I love organizing and reorganizing every closet/drawer/shelf, etc. that I can get me hands on.
4. I cry when I'm angry.
5. I was bald until I was 2.
6. Two weeks from today at this time I will be a married woman.
7. I am a sucker for infomercials.  I own 2 snuggies, a dreamie, a pillow pet, a shake weight, Snookie slippers, a George Forman Grill, Sham-wows, a slap chop, Oxyclean...the list goes on and on.
8. I am also a sucker for reality shows.  Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, anything Kardashian, and any TLC special about obesity, midgets, pregnancy. I nearly cried when Steven informed me he didn't ask for a DVR with our cable company.
9. Whenever a website asks for me to set up a security question, I answer it as if I was Jessica, just in case someone is as hack savvy as I am ;)
10. I laugh at completely inappropriate things/times. Jessica's little bro farting in church? check. Jessica being so pregnant she can't tie her shoes or get in her car? check. Girl at Starbucks soda exploding all over the floor and everyone in the vicinity? check. (Although I was the only one who helped her clean it up) Me getting scared and peeing my own pants as an adult? check. Steven dropping the porkchops he was planning on having for dinner as they came out of the oven on the floor? most definitely.
11. I truly believe the RHH should have a reality show.  Maybe even Real World style with all our husbands, babies and animals.  Who wouldn't watch our fabulousness?

11 Answers from Kristin's Questions:

1. What is your biggest pet peeve? messiness and lateness
2. What is your favorite food? Italian
3. How old where you when you had your first kiss?12 or 13
4. What is your favorite hobby? decorating, scrapbooking, traveling and organizing
5. Whats is your favorite childhood memory? Weekends at my grandparents house with my little brother and cousin.
6. Cat/Dog/ or both? I like and am allergic to both
7. What is you idea of a perfect day?
8. Do believe in eating cranberry sauce from a can? No, I'm gagging just thinking about it.
9. Where is your family originally from? Dad's side is from New Jersey, Mother's side from Augusta County, VA
10. What's your favorite time of year? the Fall. Cool weather, comfy sweaters and football.
11. Would you do it all again if you could? yes with a few minor adjustments.

11 Answers from Nicole's Questions:

1.  Which is the celebrity or actor you would want to date?  Shemar Moore...or Jensen Ackles

2.  Describe yourself in a single sentence?  Get to know me, I'm awesome.
3.  What is your favorite song?  All for You by Sister Hazel
4.  If you were to be reborn who would you want to be born as?
5.  Name the one household chore you would never do again if you didn't have to.
6.  What is your favorite TV show? Criminal Minds!  But also many reality shows.
7.  What is the furthest you've traveled? Australia, and it changed my life.
8.  What is something you would do if you were more daring? Be an astronaut
9.  What is your idea of the perfect date? For Steven and me it's Vito's and then home to cuddle.
10. What is the grossest thing you've ever consumed? Pepperroo, Australia's take on pepperoni.
11. Do you have any weird obsessions? I was recently diagnosed with OCD...but the obsession that sticks out is having everything planned and organized and on a list.