Best of 2006

There are still a couple weeks left in the year, but I can't resist making my annual list of good things that happened to me in 2006. I have such an incredible life and am so blessed.
Here's the Best of 2005 and Best of 2004

Good things in 2006

- getting engaged!
- singing Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Weber for Holy Thursday (it rocked)
- having a craft design published (and getting paid)
- several dinners at Swiss vineyards while the sun set in the Alps
- winning an award, $1,000 and picking up the award in NYC
- dinner with the CEO and him telling me he liked my blog
- meeting my emergency fund goal
- racing my Mini on a real race track
- successfully designing something in photoshop
- dinner at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant in Minneapolis
- my first sale on Etsy
- dark chocolate from Switzerland
- walking along the river on a beautiful Philadelphia day
- breakfast in bed on my birthday
- having my tarot cards read in NYC at 1 in the morning
- reserving the Crawford Auto museum for our wedding reception and paying a total of $250
- out of sight anniversary dinner at M Bistro
- a digital camera

Wedding Goal: Hire a caterer

Goal: Hire a caterer.
Deadline: Jan 31


Actions:
A Taste of Excellence came in at $6,700
Bravo - will meet with after Jan 1

Feb 22: We decided to go with Bravo caterers. Mailed a deposit.

Goal accomplished.

Emergency Greeting Card Kits

Here's my big project!
I've been busy making Emergency Greeting Card Kits - the must have present of Christmas 2006!

The kits include 10 handmade cards and envelopes and are great to keep in your desk at work or to give to the guy who always forgets to buy cards.

Buy them at my etsy shop

Published!

I got copies of the magazine my craft design is published in!
Here is a scan of the cover.

and here is a scan of the design!

where have i been?

I've been in Minneapolis. Last week. Dining at Wolfgang Puck's 2021 restaurant, trying my first French Martini (absolutely wonderful), and staying at the 601 Graves hotel. My boss is a glam girl so we go nice places. Here a picture of my hotel room.


And here's the bathroom.


Pretty swank!

I'm busy working on a project. More news to come soon.

Bento box lunches

I remembered to take pictures of my lunch twice this week.
This first one had pasta, apples with a side of peanut butter, a round of cheese, and a piece of angel food cake.


This one was a salad with dressing, apples and peanut butter, a hard boiled egg, and mini marshmallows.

Sold a purse on etsy!

I forgot to mention that I sold a purse at my etsy store last week! I was pretty excited but very nervous because I am not confident about my purse-making skills. Fortunately this purse was pretty well made so I hope the buyer likes it!

Earlier this week I was in Philadelphia for a press event. We had great weather so I got to walk around by the river and hang out. As I was sitting in a little park, I noticed a little tree growing out of the top of the building!

Good weekend for a drive

It was a beautiful weekend here in Northeast Ohio. Mike and I had to drive to Nelsonville for calling hours for his grandpa's sister. Nelsonville is about an 1 from Columbus, or 4 hours from Cleveland.

I packed some lunches for us, and we took a detour from the OSU game traffic and found ourselves at a park called the Infirmary Mound Park. Took a couple pictures

One year from today...

I'M GETTING MARRIED!

Today is our minus-one-year anniversary. :)

I think it's going to be an exciting year!

September overview

I didn't do a lot of posting in September, but that doesn't mean I wasn't busy.
- We chose a reception hall for the wedding, (the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum)
- I got my publishing contract for my craft design
- the wedding fund is growing
- shopped for dresses
- started making invitation mock ups

What I haven't done is add a "Wedding Goals" category to the blog! One step at a time. Hopefully October will have a lot more pretty pictures.

Goal accomplished

Last night I got a contract from Pack-o-Fun magazine and they are going to pay me $125 for my craft design! So it looks like I will be published in 2006, which was my new year's resolution/goal! I'm very excited.

Now what to do with the money? Normally any "extra" money would go straight to the wedding fund, but I think this should be separate. Mike told me to buy some new shoes. I knew I liked that guy for some reason! ;)

I originally planned to use crafting money to join the Society of Craft Designers, but they went defunk this spring! I'm open to suggestions.

Goal: Workout 3 times a week

Goal: Workout at least 3 times a week

Reward: For every 2 weeks I workout at least 3 times, I will let myself buy a wedding or craft magazine.

Progress:
Week of
Feb 19: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (also upper arms weightlifting)
Feb 26: Monday(& arms), Wednesday (& arms), Sunday 30 min on the bike
March 5: Tuesday (& arms), Saturday (& arms)
March 12: Wednesday took an hr long walk,
March 19: Wednesday (& arms)
March 26:

i weigh too much

I went to the doctor this week and they have a new digital scale. Which means that terrible number, which is how much I weigh, STARES you right in the face. You can't ignore it the way you can the little slidey scales of old.

I really need to lose some weight. Like 30 lbs. Really.

So out comes my Jane Fonda Complete Workout video. The running thing isn't working for me. Jane's workout worked for me in high school, when I was the thinnest I've ever been. It's time to revisit the land of big hair, "work those thighs," and Jane's sexy posing for the camera. Please don't make fun of me!




Blue button notecards
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

On a different note, here's a picture of the set of notecards I made for Mike's aunt and uncle as a thank you present. These cards are not really my usual style, but I think they're alright.

Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

We went to Kentucky Labor Day weekend to visit Mike's aunt and uncle. I got to go on base at Ft Knox, and the next day we went to Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby runs, and to Caesar's riverboat casino in Indiana. Pretty good weekend.

Prepared for an emergency

September is National Preparedness Month and while I think "preparedness" is a terrible word, I've had "prepare for an emergency" on my list of projects to undertake.

There are many areas where it makes sense to plan for an emergency:
- financially. I think I can cross this off the list
- computer. I've never backed up my home computer, and though there's notmuch vital information on it, I have some crafty projects I wouldn'twant to lose.
- career. I keep my resume up to date but I don't have any freelance, or experience outside of work.
- survival kit. There are lots of sites that tell you what to keep. One idea I recently read about was to stash not just cash, but quarters, and dollar bills.
- identity theft. I'm not sure how you can prepare for this. Any thoughts?

Anyone have anything to add?

Pseudo Bento lunch

Pseudo Bento lunch
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

My first attempt at making a bento lunch. The bento box I bought on ebay hasn't come in yet, so i used a take-out container.

It includes rice with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, zucchini, babybel cheese, a plum, and some cottage cheese in the little container.

Pink box up for sale

I decorated this box and it's up for sale now at my etsy store.

The letter V

The letter V
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

I've always loved the Mary Tyler Moore show, and she had a big letter "M" hanging on her wall. So when I moved into my own apartment, I bought a gold-lettered "V" from Pottery Barn. It hung on my wall for years, until I moved into my current apartment.

I couldn't figure out what to do with it, then I decided to cover it with a pretty paper. Voila!

Bento cuteness

I've been reading some other blogs that talk about and prepare Bento lunches. "Bento is a Japanese single-portion meal that is eaten on the go (like take-out). Traditionally, a bento contains a small portion of fish or meat served with rice or noodles that's accompanied by cooked/pickled/raw vegetables."

Here are some examples from Cooking Cute



Aren't they cute?
Now I want to get a Bento box and start making my own! I mean, you can't use plain old tupperware, now can you!??
What a treat to see something like this at work. And a good way to keep portions down.

Let's Motor

My dad gave me some pictures from the MINI racing rally held at Nelson Ledges race track on July 26, 2006.
This is not me, but it shows what we looked like.


Here's me before my turn. I was actually very nervous!


Here's a pic Dad took while I was driving.


Another one from the passenger seat


Here's Mike driving and me holding on for dear life!

picnic on the lake

This weekend Mike and I went for a little picnic by the shores of Lake Erie. We went to a little place called Wendy's Park which is at Whiskey Island in Cleveland. I'd heard it was a little gem, but it wasn't that spectacular. But we grabbed a table right on the beach and had cheese, fruits, and french bread. Ooh la la.

After the picnic we walked around the park, then down to Edgewater Park where we took this picture.


You'll notice that I moved another goal to the accomplished list. I finally managed to watch all of the movies Woody Allen directed, (and a few that he just starred in). Of course he has a new one that just opened Friday, but I still consider the goal met! It's my blog, I'll do what I want! :)

Got to love MINI USA

Last week in the mail I received a black package with the following label on it:

Of course I cannot reveal the contents of the box, but you've got to love a car company that sends you goodies three years after you bought your car.

And speaking of MINI's, wait until I get some pictures developed and show you how I spent my Sunday afternoon!!!!

another goal completed, update store logo

I finally bit the bullet and figured out how to make the design I wanted for my new etsy logo.

You can see it below and here at my shop.

But looking at my shop I can see it desperately needs some help. I'm almost embarassed to send anyone over there. The things I'm selling are certainly not my best work and why put more mediocre out into the world? 2006 is my year of quality, after all.

good news, they want me!

One of the magazines I submitted a craft design to wants to publish my project! I just got the email today, and I don't have all the details, but it is so exciting!

I know there's a chance it won't publish, I know how the magazine biz is, but still, I'm really excited! I won't tell what the design is, but if you happen to be a friend of mine, one of "the girls," I made this for each of you last christmas. :)

strawberry buckle cake

strawberry buckle cake
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Even though it was 90 degrees all weekend, I decided to bake a strawberry buckle cake. The recipe is actually for blueberry buckle cake and I got it as part of my membership to the Mail order club from Amy of Angry Chicken fame.

It was pretty good but it is all gone now. :)

July goals update

It seems like I have a lot of goals in the sidebar, and some of them have been there awhile. I need to work on that.
Here's a summary of where I stand:

Wedding Fund: Just started opened the acct. When i get deposit slips will add $1005.
Learn Photoshop: No progress on this in months....I have to take the class during lunches at work, and most of the time i'd rather be eating lunch or reading the blogs!
Watch Woody Allen films: Only 3 left!
Get published in 2006: I've been submitting, but no takers.
Add items to etsy shop: I added 3, two more to go.
Update etsy logo: Chalk this one up to lack of computer skill.
Run 3x a week: Ugh.
Get outside each weekend: Yay! Been meeting this goal!

Goal met: emergency fund!

I reached another financial goal this weekend. I now have $5,000 in my savings account for emergencies. Goal accomplished.

Wedding organizer

Wedding organizer
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Hey, I've been crafty this week. This is a picture of the bag I'm using to organize my wedding planner, notebook, and files.

I took a black bag I got for free at a trade show and sewed pink felt on, then a flower design i had stitched long ago. Added some beads and ribbons and there you go!

My award

Award for Excellence
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

I received an award yesterday from the Public Relations Society of America's Technology section at their conference in NYC.

The inscription says "2006 Award for Excellence in Technology Journalism, Trade/Technical div, PRSA, Presented to Victoria Reitz, Medical Design, June 27, 2006.

Also got a check for $1,000. Yay for me!

****UPDATE****
I have pictures of the award ceremony at my flickr account

Goal: Get outside each weekend this summer

Goal: Mike and I want to get outside for some kind of activity every weekend this summer.

Progress:
June 10-11: Went to the irish fest and then had coffee outside at Jimmy's Cafe
June 17-18: Tossed the frisbe around and layed on the ground at Squire's castle
June 24-25: Lots of time outside Saturday by the pool.
July 1-2: More fun outside by the pool.
July 8-9: By the pool again. Last weekend. :(
July 15-16: Ok, it was way too hot to be outside. We considered a picnic but opted for AC.
July 22-23: We spent Sunday afternoon at the race track racing my MINI!
July 29-30: We went on a picnic by the lake and hung out at Edgewater Park
Aug 5-6: We walked to the library and to Tuesday Morning
Aug 12-13: Mike's company picnic was at the fairgrounds and I got very sunburned.
Aug 19-20:Went to a party at the farm and sat outside.
Aug 26-27:um...
Sept 2-4: We were in Kentucky this weekend. Went to Churchill Downs and walked around.

END OF SUMMER. We did pretty okay with this goal, only two weekends where we were lazy butts.

A long overdue post

Gabrielle's Christmas present
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Here is a picture of the present I made and gave to my cousin's kid, Gabrielle. It took a while to get the pictures developed because this was taken before I had a digital camera.

Inside the box is a purse I made, some earrings I made, and personalized stationery. I decorated the box and made the "G" hang tag.




It was a hit because she asked if I could have her name again next Christmas!

Goal: Update Resume

Goal: Update resume by July 1. Just because it's been a while. And I have an award to add! :)

DONE! june 15

Goal: Add items to Etsy shop

Goal: Add items to Etsy shop

I want to add 5 items to my etsy shop by July 1

Status:
June 21: Relisted 3 items.
Aug 17: Listed a pink box
Nov: added Emergency Greeting Card kits and individual note cards.

Goal Accomplished

I won an award!

Last year one of my goals was to write an award-worthy article. I believed that I met that goal, and this week I found out that one of my feature articles won an award!

The Award for Excellence in Technology Journalism is given by the Public Relations Society of America, Technology Division.

The BEST part is it comes with a $1,000 cash prize! And guess where that money is going? Straight into the Wedding Fund and earmarked for my wedding dress. Yes, I am giving myself permission to spend up to $1,000 on a dress. (frankly, i know i won't spend that much, but it feels good just to know I CAN)

Goal: Update Etsy Logo

Goal: Update Etsy Logo

I need to update the crappy logo I have up on my storefront. I'd like to update it by July 1

UPDATE:A little later than I planned, July 19, but I figured it out in Photoshop and it's up on the site.

Goal: Run three times a week

Goal: Run three times a week

The plan is to run three times a week, in the morning before doing anything else, and before it gets hot.

I need to find some kind of reward or punishment.
Maybe if I do it for two weeks straight, I splurge on coffee. Or for a month, buy some new clothing. Any suggestions? I believe goals should be measurable, but i'm not sure how to measure this ongoing goal.

Wedding Blog!

You knew I'd do it.

I started another blog for posting wedding ideas. I'm just getting started so keep looking for more stuff.

buy this cd

sweetheart
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

My cousin's band Kiddo is releasing their album exclusively through iTunes. It is called Okay Sweetheart.

I think this link should take you to iTunes directly. (but I can't check it from work)

I downloaded it last night. It rocks!

Vicki in Switzerland

Vicki in Switzerland
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

This is a picture of me at a beautiful restaurant in the Graubunden area of Switzerland. My pictures are still on the camera - yes I decided to take the film camera.

One of my travelmates took the picture, and you can see more of his professional pictures here:
Jim Tulk's pictures from Switzerland

right after

ENGAGED!
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

The waitress snapped a quick pic of us after he proposed.

I have been in Switzerland the last week or so and haven't been able to post anything. I hope to get some pictures developed and share them.

Engaged!

The ring
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Mike proposed on my birthday!

There were many more surprises in store for me after the flowers at work.
- He made me breakfast in bed, with heart-shaped pancakes (forgot to take a picture)
- Our mystery destination was a private cabin in Hocking Hills, a state park in Ohio
- He planned a cookout and remembered everything. It started raining in the middle and we found shelter under a pine tree. It was fun!
- He surprised me with a professional massage, foot rub, and facial mask
- And during dinner at the Grouse Nest, he proposed!

It was wonderful. And I love the ring. We are tentatively planning an Oct 2007 wedding. So I am in seventh heaven reading Martha Stewart Weddings and being able to do it openly!

Birthday Surprise Number One

flowers
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Look what my lovin' boyfriend sent me at work today!

He's calling it Birthday Surprise Number One. Tomorrow is my 29th birthday and we are taking tomorrow and Friday off. He is taking me to a mystery location.

I can't wait to find out where we're going and what other surprises are in store for me. What a lucky gal!

April Wrap-up

In the last month I:
- had dinner with the CEO of my company (who said he bookmarked Project Vicki!!!)
- sang a beautiful solo at church
- saw a Cavs playoff game and sat in the Mercedes Benz Club
- was asked to contribute to a book
- had brunch with the girls
- got most of the things on my to-do list done. (note to self: aim higher with the to-do list)

Yellow and Orange

projectspectrumapril
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

This is a pic of the postcard I sent my Project Spectrum buddy. April's theme was yellow and orange. You can't tell but the little sticker in the middle is orange.

I'm looking forward to May's swap.

Quote of the day:

If your livelihood isn't making you lively, is it worth it?

Easter

egg
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Had a good easter weekend. Lots of church. Lots of candy. Lots of standing.

I took this picture of an egg hiding in the grass. Isn't it cute!

Exercise

Exercise
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

It's getting serious. I bought some running shoes and shorts last night. Add my cute pink sweatshirt, and by golly, I think i'm getting into this running stuff!

Sweetpea Swap

Sweetpea Swap, overall pic
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Here is a picture of the goodies Carolyn gave me as part of the Sweetpea Swap.

Isn't this stuff great? She made me a little cardboard book with a felt "V" on the front. And I'm in love with the little blue ribbon.

More pictures at my flickr account.

Long time no post!

Believe it or not, I've been living life and working at work!

Been walking/jogging three times a week. Sent out my Sweetpea swap (and got a really awesome swap in return, i'll post a pic on monday).
Watching woody allen movies. I even submitted an entry to Fred Flare's next big thing.

Oh, and I'm singing a solo at holy thursday mass. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Pie Jesu. (borrow it from the library, it's beautiful!)

I'll try to take more pictures for y'all next week. Don't abandon me! :)

P.S. Project Vicki has been online for 2 years! WOW!

Confession

I must confess.

I just got back from the library, and I was looking for the following CDs:
Britney Spears
Melissa Manchester
The Eurythmics

Why? I'm looking for upbeat music for my ipod for when I exercise.
Yes, i said, EXERCISE.

I've started going for walks with a little jogging thrown in. I've only been doing it for a week, so it's not a habit yet, but I hope to make it one. I have not jogged since high school gym class, and it's fun! Of course, I am horribly out of shape and it takes a while to catch my breath, but already I'm seeing improvements. I will create an actual Goal in a few days for the blog. The jist is that I do this 3 times a week, and jog a certain distance for a month to build up stamina.


If anyone has suggestions for good exercise music, i'd like to hear it.

Fabulous Friday!

orchid
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

It's Friday! Yippie.

I've been playing around with the macro settings on my camera. I'm not a wiz yet, but I think this orchid looks ok.

I've got nothing planned for the weekend. Is anyone out there doing something fun? Oh please comment and tell me about it.

self-portrait tuesday

Vicki cleaning oven
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

I skipped out on work today!

I did.

I went home at 2 and cleaned my oven. This is a picture of me wiping it down.

I also changed my blog template. The archives links weren't working and i couldn't figure it out, so i just decided to redo the whole thing.

Pink tulips

Pink tulips
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

I bought a pot of pink tulips last week and they are now in full bloom.

What could be sweeter than an empty, clean kitchen table with pink tulips!

I've been reading a book, Feeling at Home by Alexandra Stoddard (beautiful site, by the way) and it's all about making your home a place of beauty and comfort. Recognizing what colors, textures, light, and smells bring you the most peace. She says that she always has fresh flowers in her house. She makes a budget for it, she has decided it's important to her well being and just does it. Good idea.

I leave you with this quote from Alexandra
"No one has time, we have to take time."

A card for Megan

meganscard
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

I made this card for Megan tonight. It's her birthday this weekend. I sure hope she doesn't read my blog!

Sweet pea Swap

I'm in!

Just under the wire I got a partner for the Sweet pea swap

The first theme is Paper-n-Ribbon, and I'm excited! My swap buddy is in california.

call me "leather face"

I mentioned in the previous post that I ordered that fancy-pants Proactiv face cleansing "system." So, I tried it on Monday and yuck. I guess I am allergic to benzol peroxide. My face is all splotchy and feels like leather. I look like i've aged 20 years. Wonderful! What every girl wants! Did this happen to Jessica Simpson?

I called the customer service line and she refunded the amount to my account. And is sending out a benzol peroxide-free version of the "system." I didn't think to ask how much that would be. No doubt it's twice as much. Ain't that the way it goes.

New Year's Resolutions update

It's now March 6. Are you keeping up with your resolutions?

I don't make resolutions but you will remember that I did have a goal to get published in 2006. So far I have submitted one project, and I have made another one that i just need to submit somewhere. It's also probably a good time to send in christmas ideas.

I decided back in January that my theme for 2006 would be quality. And to that end, i recently had my eyebrows professionally waxed, sprang for that Proactiv stuff that every celeb uses, and spent a hefty amount (for me) on some "foundation clothes." I bought new makeup and have lots of food in the house. My apartment stays pretty clean and I even got my car washed. I think i'm doing ok. Next step in Quality Vicki is to buy some teeth whiteners and get a fricking haircut! And maybe get some exercise.

Craving spring

flowerfrommike
Originally uploaded by vreitz.

Every March I get a craving for spring. I buy a flowering plant, usually yellow, even if it's an outdoor plant that will die in a month. Something about having real flowers in the house.

I am craving spring.

What joy to wear anything but my old winter coat! To see the sun. Blue skies.

But, I will be content to look at this picture of flowers Mike gave me.

Financial Goals - met!

If you look over on the sidebar you may notice that I paid off all my credit card debt.

All I can say is it's about time. The debt never got much above $3,000, but there is absolutely no reason for a single gal like me who makes a good salary to have any credit card debt at all. And now - I don't!

This means I can accelerate my goal to save up $5,000 by June 1.

I'm on Official Business

I was one of the lucky ones to get in on Amy's Mail Order Club. Sign up for the next one at Kingpod.