I surrender!!!



I've given up!  Ok, maybe I haven't given up but I am surrendering.  I surrender all wedding planning to my wedding coordinator.  It's hard enough trying to please everyone, but it's even harder trying to please them while I'm 300 miles away.  My amazing fiance keeps reminding me that it doesn't matter what everyone else wants, all that matters is what I want.  But I'm not that person. 
Believe it or not, I'm a giver.  I don't think I've always been a giver, but more recently I've put others before myself.  I'm trying to live a 'saint-like' life so I guess that's why.  But at the end of the day it's like "DID YOU NOT SEE WHAT I JUST DID FOR YOU!  HELLO!! A LITTLE CREDIT HERE"  But I'm not getting that credit and it's not important that I do.  It's more important to be an example of service and faith.  My boss suggested I read this book, Jesus of Nazareth, so hopefully that will provide some insight for me.  How did Jesus handle always being the good guy?  I know he threw that fit in the temple, but on an everyday basis, how did he suck it up and keep on keeping on?




St. Isabella of Portugal
Patron Saint of Brides
Pray for me!

My fiance is also a giver and sometimes we clash.  For example: He had a 5 gallon jug of gasoline and offered to put it in my car (free gas!) and I said "no, no, put it in your truck".  And he was hurt that I didn't take his offering.  But I thought I was sacrificing and putting him first.  It was funny when we talked about it at the end of the day, he told me "if someone offers you something you take it".  He has told me that before so I guess I'm not getting the message.

Got off track there, sorry.  So I'm hiring a wedding coordinator!  That way everyone can get mad at her if they don't get their way. 

As I interviewed her I asked a few questions:

a) What about your job do you love? 
     her answer: "the details, I love each and every detail coming together to create your wedding.  I love your happiness at the end of the day"

GREAT answer.  I'm a detail person and it's the details of this wedding that are driving me crazy.

b) What is the one thing you notice brides always forget or overlook? because I feel like I'm forgetting something
     her answer: "When a bride hires me we are always on track and nothing falls between the cracks, but the one thing they don't do is take my advice.  They hire me as a professional and don't listen to my professional advice so that's one flaw some brides have." 

I thought that was a good honest answer.  I could see myself telling her I know best and then my decision ruining the wedding.  And what's the point of paying her 20% of our wedding budget if I can't let her do her job.  Then I'll look like a fool TWICE! 

I really do like this chick, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to hire her.  Her fee is 20% of the wedding budget, but at this point I'm ok with that because this planning process is not fun for me right now.  Knowing she's in charge will help keep things fun and relaxed!



St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Patron Saint of Young Brides
Pray for me

 Living Life to the Fullest with a support team of dedicated women!

-Rachel

Puck Packing!

Well the big move weekend is finally here.  I am up to my eyeballs in stress and anxiety.  When this happens instead of screaming and jumping off a cliff I'm the type who sits completely still.  Obviously, I've found time to write a blog post!


Here's what is going through my head:


"Pack the dishes, that will be easy"
"Ya, easy until I'm hungry for dinner then I'll need the dishes!"
"Go get fast food then you won't dirty dishes"
"Are you kidding?  I gotta save money for gas, who knows how much gas I'll waste with that extra weight in my car"
"Fine, don't do the kitchen. Do the bathroom"
"But I'll need to shower after I pack, I'll be so gross"
"FINE do the living room!" 
"I don't want to do the living room, it's so pretty and it makes me happy looking at it."
"If you were packing you wouldn't have time to look at the pretty living room!"
"Ok, well where should I start? The kitchen?"
....


It's a vicious cycle.
the Farmer comes tonight with his brother, who is sleeping on the couch.  So I definitely need to get the boxes off the couch.  But what should I fill them with??

Wish me luck!


Living Life to the Fullest, one box at a time!


-Rachel

You can't be fearful

This week has been weird!  Mainly Tuesday and Wednesday, I've been in a funk.

I think it's because I had a job interview on Monday and it wasn't as great as I thought it would be.  It went well, but he needs to fill another position before he can even think about hiring for the position I interviewed for.  So that kinda shot me down and I've been down ever since.

I'm also SO ready to start wedding planning but I can't do anything until I pick a wedding date.  I can't do that until we meet with the priest which can't happen until after Easter, so we're at a stand still.

I've also started packing up my apartment. It's really sad to come home to bare walls and boxes.   But I know it's better to get started sooner rather than later.

Today I took my vitamins (haven't done that in 5 days) and saw this quote:

source

So True.

I can't be scared I didn't get the job and grateful I was even considered for an interview.

I can't be fearful our wedding date will be unavailable and grateful I have an amazing man to marry!

I can't be scared to leave my apartment and thankful I have a safe home waiting for me on the other side. 

It's one or the other.  If I'm scared, I'm not thankful.  How can you be thankful for something you are scared of?  I know you can- I'm doing it right now, but I shouldn't.  That's the point.

It's all about perspective. 

Another night of solid sleep and I should be good to go!  Just in time for the weekend.

Living Life the the fullest with gratitude not fear.

Smitten by Spanx

PLEASE tell you you've read Forbes magazine before.  And you were totally bored with most of the articles unless they mentioned the mansions or the luxury vacations right?  No?  Just me?

If it's not the fancy things that catch your eye, maybe it's the social responsibility articles you like.  Millionaires make money by not screwing up environment or employees lifestyles and actually pay fair wages! (it's like finding a needle in a haystack but good guys do exist) I like those articles but everything else is SO boring.  Wow, a rich white guy gets richer?  Wow an old white guy gives his company to his son, who would have thought....I'd rather learn about the underdog.  Because, let's face it, I'm the underdog. 

So as I'm sitting at the doctor last Thursday I began to read the World's Billionaires of 2012 issue.  I officially have my first girl crush.  Sara Blakey created my FAVORITE accessory.  Not shoes, not a new purse, it doesn't even have anything to do with diamonds.  She created SPANX and became a billionaire in the process.

If you are a woman and you enjoy working and making money.  Or if you are at a point in your life and you are thinking there is SO much more you can do and you just don't know what it is.....read this article! 

Sara was doing fine.  She had a great sales job and excelled at her job!  But wearing panty hose in the Florida heat did not cut it for her.  She loved the control top, but not the sweaty legs.  She needed a product that nobody was making.  Her confidence from her sales job and her business background propelled her into the youngest woman self-made billionaire in this issue.  Please please please read this.  Go to the doctor and read it there!  Or buy a freakin' issue.  I hope she inspires you.  Like I said, I'm in love with her confidence and her drive to excellence!



Another thing I learned from this issue: Walmart execs are so freaking rich they make up something like 5 out of the top 10 USA billionaires.  Boycotting Walmart will not save the starving children.  They are 'Too Big to Fail'. 
     Warren Buffet, Christy Walton, Jim Walton, Alice Walton, S. Robson Walton


Living Life to the fullest finding inspiration in underwear!

Sharing is Caring

Have you heard about Kony 2012? 

My 15 year old sister sent me a Facebook request about Kony today.  And then my friends at Dateless Until I Do wrote a blog post about it as well.  They included a 29 minute video that I started to watch, but the tears were flowing so be warned!

The author of this video begins by pointing out that due to the internet, social media and facebook we can share everything today.  And when you look at Pinterest, Twitter, Google+ you realize people are very willing to share.  It's almost addicting.  But then, when it comes to war, murder, injustice and the loss of human rights - who is willing to share their view on that?  Especially when it isn't our war and our personal human rights....

I've realized if I want my blog to be a platform of my life and what I find important than I must be true to myself and share this with you.   I'd share it with my family, the Man and my friends so I'm sharing it with you.  Watch this video

I also want to share with you an amazing book I recently read. 

It was given to me by the Man's sister.  His sister is an incredibly loving stay at home mom who volunteers her time with the Church.  I was shocked this small town mom would find a book about a person and event halfway around the world!  This book ,"Left to Tell", is about the 1994 Rwanda genocide.  Not exactly the bedtime reading that I am familiar with.  But don't worry this book will not give you nightmares.  Instead the author, Immaculee, passes along her courage, faith and passion for Living Life to the Fullest!  If you need a copy of this book feel free to borrow mine!  But purchasing this book online ensures the funds go towards the recovery of the people of Rwanda. 

In the mean time, learn about Kony 2012!  Hopefully someone has already shared this with you and you can share it with someone!

On the first day....

This was the beginning of a recent blog draft:
"So I am going to write. Maybe here, maybe there, maybe everywhere. For now, all I know is that my brain needs space, and this is the only way I know how to give it what it needs..."

That was 2010 me, overwhelmed and stressed; looking for an outlet in friends, family, the blogesphere....thinking writing was the only way I could vent.

And then came January 1, 2011.  The first day of the new year.  The first day of my new outlook on life.  The first day of the new decisions I will make everyday.  My decisions to not eat processed food.  My decisions to take part in stretching and cardio everyday.  Whether it be hot yoga and a dog walk or yoga in my bedroom and a 3 mile run.  My decision to calculate my finances daily.  The decision to live a healthy lifestyle and prevent reasons to vent.

1/1/11 was my day one.  It was my decision starter.  When's yours?

Living life to the fullest by living a full life

Think Global Act Local

My University had a week dedicated to the "Think Global Act Local" message.  Silly me, I assumed my fellow friends in Universities were also exposed everything I learned about social awareness.  We're not only talking about the "green/Eco" theme going around the U.S.  I mean seriously thinking about other people before you buy that non-fair trade item, before you smoke your cigarette in a public place, before you throw away rather than give away and before you open your mouth!

I know this is just a little blog and maybe only 2 people read.  But writing this down and putting it out there helps me sleep better at night.  It reminds me of my past, allows me to contemplate my present and plan for my future. 

Back to Thinking Global and Acting Local....with a focus on recent conversations:  Naivety is only allowed prior to a certain age.  If you're still naive to the outside world by the age of 22 you are ignorant and, in my recent experience, prejudice.  It's sickening.  There are more people in this world than you and your loved ones.  Yes, of course, your family and friends are very important and can be put first.  But if there is a stranger in the room or a new experience waiting on the other side of a door you better open that door and invite that foreigner to join you!  You don't need to enjoy the experience or the person but I strongly feel you need to embrace the opportunity.  I think you'll be a better person to the ones you love most by experiencing new things everyday. 

If you experience new and different things, experiences outside your comfort zone, you can do one of two things: 1) you can choose to change accordingly or you can 2) stay the same.  Both options are great!  If you choose #1) It should be a positive change to help a negative aspect of you life.  With #2) Staying the same proves you had it right all along and deciding to stay concrete brings in confidence that only you can have in yourself.

So remember:  You are one citizen on the 6.778 billion people on earth.  Do your part to respect them and the favor will be returned.

Living life to the fullest...for each and every one of you

-Rachel Kellar

Times Change and so does Business

   There are people in my life I receive advice from, business and personal advice.  I've found that someone who gives me business advice shouldn't be giving me personal advice (and shouldn't really know about my personal life).  So I need to learn which friends or colleagues I should consider advice for each area in my life.
     Someone who gives me business advice and knows that my personal goals are to have a family may not encourage me to work hard because it may sacrifice a family in my future.  On the same note - A business friend may not consider me for a job because they think I'm ready to move home to Dallas due to my personal lifestyle which gets me up to Dallas every other weekend.  I would rather you tell me everything you think I need to know - I'll decide what's a sacrifice and what's an opportunity I cannot refuse.
     And a personal friend may not ask me to be a part of their wedding or invite me to an important moment in their life because they know I am busy with work and think I have no time for them. So not true! I make time for people I want in my life. 
     It's my life and I can decide how to live it, where to live it and with whom to live it with.   Yes, my business life is busy.  But business changes and I can choose to change with it or not.

     On that same note: I am young businesswoman but I've saturated my life with this hospitality/communication industry and I feel incredibly comfortable planning a wedding for 8 or a dinner for 8,000.  Easy-peasy! 
     I understand there is a time for "yes sir" and "yes ma'am" but the business world (and possibly the nation as a whole) is becoming more relaxed and more laid back.  Hand shakes are customary, but I've been known to receive a high-five from my CEO. 
     Southwest Airlines is a wonderfully run company and their staff, planes and pilots are laid back, which makes the entire flying experience more comfortable.  Look at hotels in your town - they aren't stuffy and unapproachable.  They do whatever they can to accommodate your needs whether you are in the penthouse or the discount room. 

     I am having another life crisis today and I realize while I have a professional job, I can make it what I want.  If my client seems laid back and relaxed I can approach them in that way.  Being stiff around a laid back client will challenge the business relationship.  On the opposite side, some clients are uncomfortable with a laid back work place and they would find words like "awesome" inappropriate (even though I first learned that word from my stuffy english teacher during a spelling bee.) 
     When in Sales we need to relate to our clients, we need to adapt.  Not each year, not every month, but every minute of the day we must adapt.  When I answer my phone I never know who's on the other line and what different version of Rachel I can be.  But I do know that I love and enjoy being every version of myself that there is. 
     I hope to never become a version of myself I can't stand. 

Living life to the fullest...every minute of the day!

-Rachel

I told myself the cloudy weather was why I couldn't get out of bed in the morning...this morning the sun was out and birds were chirping as I rolled over and went back to sleep...
This week has been draining - I don't know what it is but it's not productive.

Why Women hate cars

Everyone dislikes things they don't understand such as: dumb people, taxes, and for women - cars.

I just don't understand why we are supposed to pay $20k++ on an item that we KNOW will break down.  We KNOW it will need new tires at one point and it WILL need oil every few months and it might just stop STOP WORKING all together one day and they only way to fix it is to get screwed over by a man who thinks you're in idiot for not changing the oil (which you are - well, I am) 

I just don't get it.  When I buy a new pair of pants it comes with extra buttons in case one button falls off and when I buy a new phone it comes with at least a 2 year warrenty in which I can take it back for a brand new phone....those 2 years are just enough time for technology to change and a new phone/contract to be purchased and signed.  But the hunk of metal I call my car needs gas EVERYDAY and I have to change the oil every 30,000 miles...(isn't gas made from oil - why both?) and heaven forbid the tires go flat - it may be one tire, but they sell you 4 anyways! 

When you purchase a car we should get extra tires along with a 2 year supply of gas and maybe some of that stupid oil.  I doubt it really costs 20k to actually make those cars - how much is pure profit anyways?  Save the flashy super bowl commercials for someone else - I'd like to buy mine wholesale. 

Ok, I know the 'gas' you put in your phone is the electricity and I do pay my electic bill but still.  My legs aren't broken and after I use my car to move me into my new house, I'm locking the doors and letting the birds have it- as I walk to work everyday! 

go urban.

Just because someone talks doesn't mean everyone must listen

Social Media can be a treasure or spam.

Today a self proclaimed "Social Media Mogal" was chosen as a feature blogger on MySA.com I respect MySA.com and the collection of bloggers it showcases. However, this blogger did not live up to the MySA collection. I follow this blogger on twitter and was ecstatic that her first blog was about twitter....but what a disappointment! Her blog had no purpose, no relevance and was complete spam. On twitter she uses 140 characters to rant and rave about herself and her fellow event professionals. She finally got the floor to speak more of her mind on the event industry and how using twitter benefits the industry and she fell flat on her face.

If anything, her blog taught me that just because people talk, write or blog doesn't mean I need to listen, read or subscribe.