Done a Dance to That...

MacNeils or McNeills

Christi — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:24:22 +0000

So I got married. My new last name is McNeill. The process of changing your name is actually quite the hassle. For those of us who work during the day, it’s almost impossible…unless you are willing to use your day off to take care of real biz. I’m in the process of changing my name. I’m in limbo really. Some people are calling me Christi McNeill and some Christi Day. It’s like I have two identities. I love my maiden name, but for some strange reason I always wanted to be a Mc or an O’ something. Mission accomplished.

My next step is to do an immense amount of research to learn all I can about my new last name. Therefore, I’ve proposed to Ryan that we need a trip to Scotland. Wikipedia can only offer me so much. I need to learn the real roots of McNeill, and tour the castles, and drink their beer.

I’m thinking of a late fall trip. This will be our first jaunt international. My first stamp in my passport! We’ll see if it happens, until then…I can keep researching right?

College Bound

Christi — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:37:10 +0000

Last night we celebrated my little brother, Kevin’s, departure to college! Kevin had a blast at the party. It’s so much fun to see friends and family get together to support him and his college future. Kevin will be attending McMurry University, a tiny private school in Abilene. He’ll get to experience dorm life (yay!) and study travel and tourism (cool degree program, huh?).

Here are some pics from Kev’s shindig. Also a shout out to Steve Day and the Cool Beans band. Cool Beans is dad’s new musical project. It’s a bunch of Fort Worths finest musicians! Anyway, here are the pics:

Wedding Photos

Christi — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 13:04:50 +0000

Our wedding was July 17, 2010. It was the best day of my life. I’m so grateful that we hired a photographer to capture the day for us!! Here are some of my faves:

I’m Back!

Christi — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:37:05 +0000

The past few months have been a whirlwind. We moved and started remodeling a house, we got married, and I found out 2 friends and my sister are having babies! Woohoo! I have hardly had anytime to blog. Yesterday I was chatting with my sister over some yummy Italian gelato from Piccolo and discussing the importance of her starting a blog to document her journey to motherhood when it occurred to me that my own sweet little blog had been neglected. I’m going to try my hardest to do a better job documenting our lives as newly weds, newly aunts/uncles, and newly homeowners/re modelers. Also, I purchased the URL www.themcneillblog.com with an attempt to make a slow and graceful transition away from my name : (

But hey, I always dreamed of being a Mc or and O’ something…speaking of last names, check out my sister’s blog (it’s a work in progress) www.potockipost.wordpress.com

Engagement Photos

Christi — Sat, 08 May 2010 22:34:40 +0000

Doing a photoshoot is always fun! Especially when you get to do it with the one you love! We hired one of my co-workers, Paul Thompson, who also has a passion and talent for photography. Paul came all the way out to Grapevine and was able to snap a few really good ones until the rain started coming down. Rain = go to the bar for a drink…or two!

Here are a few of my favorites! Click my flickr widget on the right to see more!

Planning the big day!

Christi — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:56:13 +0000

Wedding planning is a ton of FUN! I’m sure I’m driving Ryan completely crazy, but he’s hanging in there. Our wedding is just around the corner, so our evenings are spent either house hunting (yes, we’re trying to move too!), picking music/catering/cakes/etc. There is so much that goes into making a wedding personal. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve as well! We have secured the venue (The historic Lancaster Theater in Grapevine, TX), bought the dress, picked the ceremony playlist, and determined a “run of show” for the big day! There are so many resources available online to help plan your perfect wedding. One of my favorites was recommended to me by my friend Ashley (she’s the one who introduced me and Ryan two years ago). Here’s the link and my “inspiration” for our vintage ranch – chic wedding. We are also hand making each invitation (now everyone will have their own “boyfriend art”), I should have a pic to post soon! Happy Wedding!

We’re Engaged!

Christi — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:24:55 +0000

Last night I came home from work, pulled into the garage and hanging from the ceiling was a huge diamond ring (Ryan installs exterior signs for a living – he probably snagged this from a Helzberg, Bailey Banks in Biddle, or something…). I thought for sure he was pranking me. Nope. I walk in the house and there are dozens of flowers and candles all over the place. He had music playing and a glass of wine ready for me. I was speechless. I could tell he was super nervous and excited! On the kitchen table was a pile of about 50 ring boxes. Each box had a small piece of paper that said something he loved about me and our relationship, and each box made me cry (tears of happiness of course!):

Then, I opened up a box with a real sparkly diamond ring! He took it out of my hands, got down on one knee, I accidentally gave him my right hand, we both laughed. Then, the popped the question! Obviously I said yes.

We went to celebrate at the Farinas Winery in Grapevine! Such a wonderfully romantic evening! Now the planning begins!

Working Remotely

Christi — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:31:26 +0000

With record snowfall in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, I’m working from home today. It’s not an incredibly odd event for me to be working from home. My job is almost completely mobile, so I’m not necessarily chained to my cubicle (and if I were…I would be miserable)! Our leaders are pretty flexible about where we do our work (as long as it gets done). But I have a few FAVORITE things about working from home:

Jack Bauer is by my side constantly. The little guy gets so excited when I get my laptop out, he sits by me and watches me type – super cute.
MUSIC! Due to cubicle etiquette and the respect I have for my cubemates I usually listen to music with headphones on. At home, I can crank it super loud. Currently streaming on Pandora: Love Lockdown, Kayne West.
Sunlight, vitamin D, and a window.
There are almost zero distractions at home. I park in the garage, so no one even knows I am home to sell me cookies or bibles.
Movement – I can get outta my seat to stretch, do high kicks, work on my squat form…whatever. I mean, honestly, I can do that at work too…it’s just I don’t get weird looks at home.
I can put in a few extra hours without feeling like I’m working extreme overtime.
I consciously try to be better about calling/emailing people back. Therefore, my work automatically improves.

Where do you do your best work?

When I Need A Break

Christi — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:55:01 +0000

When I need a quick break at work, I check out the latest photos added to the Maine Coon flickr group. Endless entertainment…enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/mainecooncats/

Cats Fly Free?

Christi — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:03:26 +0000

My poor little cat wants to fly with me today. I would take him but unfortunately he does not fit in a standard size pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of me! Love you Jack!