On what is a rather slow day of work, and after trying to battle a food coma, I decided that today would be the day that I trek over to the Social Security office and get the ball rolling on my making my name change official. Fearing the worst and expecting to be waiting for upwards of an hour or so, the process turned out to be painless! In-and-out in under 10 minutes. Whoa. It took me three times that long to walk the 2+ mile round trip!
Thus, it is finally official. I am Mrs. Stephanie Rae Stewart (although I did debate officially changing my name to Stephanie Cashman Stewart. However, due to the numbers of letters involved and my growing liking of my somewhat different middle name, I decided on the contrary)
Hope all is well!
Love,
Stephanie
Sorry -- this one isn't from Shane. He didn't know I was going to do this, so he can read it like everyone else :)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Furniture
It arrived bright and early on Saturday morning! And it wasn't a moment to soon...as we think the air mattress may have developed a small hole which required us to inflate it every few hours. Needless to say, between the air mattress and the anticipation of our stuff, we didn't sleep very well on Friday night.
We spent most of the weekend unpacking, organizing and running related errands. A very tiring process. As soon as everything is put away and the boxes are in the dumpster, I'll take some pictures and post them so everyone can see our new place.
Other than that, nothing too super exciting to report. We are settling in, both getting into our daily routine and meeting some great people. Well, I really should get back to work, but for all you curious readers, just wanted to keep you up-to-date...our furniture has arrived (and I promise this is the last post about it!)
Love,
Stephanie & Shane
We spent most of the weekend unpacking, organizing and running related errands. A very tiring process. As soon as everything is put away and the boxes are in the dumpster, I'll take some pictures and post them so everyone can see our new place.
Other than that, nothing too super exciting to report. We are settling in, both getting into our daily routine and meeting some great people. Well, I really should get back to work, but for all you curious readers, just wanted to keep you up-to-date...our furniture has arrived (and I promise this is the last post about it!)
Love,
Stephanie & Shane
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fingers Crossed
So we switched tactics today, I told the sales rep that we were considering filing a complaint with the BBB and then I had Shane call to get an update on our stuff...and low and behold, it has left Chicago!
Last update is that it is on a truck in West Virginia and should be delivered to us within 48 hours. This is the best news I've heard in weeks! Please keep your fingers crossed that we only have to sleep on the air mattress for two more nights!
...patiently awaiting a phone call from Ron, the truck driver...
Hope all is well with everyone! We miss you all a ton...and now that it looks like we'll have our furniture sooner rather than later, please come visit us!
Love,
Stephanie & Shane
Last update is that it is on a truck in West Virginia and should be delivered to us within 48 hours. This is the best news I've heard in weeks! Please keep your fingers crossed that we only have to sleep on the air mattress for two more nights!
...patiently awaiting a phone call from Ron, the truck driver...
Hope all is well with everyone! We miss you all a ton...and now that it looks like we'll have our furniture sooner rather than later, please come visit us!
Love,
Stephanie & Shane
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Frustration continues...
...as still NO furniture. It is truely one of the most frustrating things EVER. We have been in touch with the moving company, who assure us that we will get it in the "next few days". Funny thing is, though, that they told me "in the next few days" yesterday and the previous Wednesday. Hmm...I wonder what calendar they are using. In all seriousness, they claim that the Great Chicago Flood of 2008 is to blame (heck, it was big enough that Illinois pushed back tax return filing deadlines). Apparently, their warehouse began to flood...which made them move everything to a temporary warehouse...and then back to the original after water subsided, and halted all delivery until everything was back in the original place.
Fingers crossed that it comes this week. I can't wait to shake this feeling of feeling like I am in a hostage situation with my hands tied behind my back. I am so frustrated that I've even researched legal arguments in a potential desire to sue them. Unfortunately, my prospects look rather dim on that...dang federal laws!
On a happy note, the bar we registered for has been purchased and is the process of being shipped. The prospects of a house with an air mattress and a bar is so ironic, that it makes me smile :)
Fingers crossed that it comes this week. I can't wait to shake this feeling of feeling like I am in a hostage situation with my hands tied behind my back. I am so frustrated that I've even researched legal arguments in a potential desire to sue them. Unfortunately, my prospects look rather dim on that...dang federal laws!
On a happy note, the bar we registered for has been purchased and is the process of being shipped. The prospects of a house with an air mattress and a bar is so ironic, that it makes me smile :)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Only Frustration...
...still no furniture!! Shane and I have officially been residents of NOVA (Northern Virginia) for 10 days now and other than one small issue, everything has been great so far! We are both adjusting to our new offices. Shane's office and job is pretty much the same as Chicago (aside from the people) whereas my job is completely different. I no longer interact with the Firm's clients. Rather, the client serving people of the firm are my clients. It is my job to help make sure that they are up-to-date, informed and knowledgeable on all State and Local Tax Developments. A lot of reading and writing for me...seeing that I like numbers, we'll see how quickly these two years go!
Outside of the office, things are pretty good as well. Our first weekend here was spent meeting new friends and hanging out with old friends. Saturday afternoon, despite the attempts of Tropical Storm Hannah, we ventured out to watch the Texas A&M game with other alumni. (Speaking of, people in DC are worry-warts. The storm merely brought heavy rains, but seriously, EVERYBODY at work was freaking out on Friday afternoon. You would have thought it was a Cat 5 hurricane. Oh well!) We were fortunate to meet some really cool people. Hopefully, we'll hang out with them again soon! Then on Sunday we ventured to Alexandria to Brent and Ali's place for a BBQ with some of their friends. For those of you who don't know, Brent and Ali are the couple that we met in St. Lucia. Somehow on an island of 90% foreigners (or non-Americans I should say) we were fortunate to meet two people who lived in the DC area! Again, a ton of fun! I can't wait until this weekend when we venture to the Illini alumni bar and watch the Fighting Illini take on the Ragin' Cajuns and meet some other, hopefully, cool people!
But on to our one complaint, and its really not a complaint, but more of a frustration...we still do not have our furniture! All we have currently is what we were able to pack in the Honda...our air mattress, one suitcase of clothes each and some other random items...and some other items that we've purchased since we've arrived, namely plates, a pan and a spatula! Granted, the moving company has until Sunday, September 14, 2008 to deliver our stuff, but regardless, I want it now. I want a bed, my couch, the rest of my clothes...everything necessary to make our place actually feel like home and not a deserted room! I'd also like to be able to cook and not just eat Lean Cusines. Oh well. Fingers crossed our stuff comes soon!
Once we have the place set up, I'll be sure to post pictures! Until then...hope all is well! Time to finish up work, pick up a surprise for tonight (its our 1-month anniversary already!) and then head home!
Outside of the office, things are pretty good as well. Our first weekend here was spent meeting new friends and hanging out with old friends. Saturday afternoon, despite the attempts of Tropical Storm Hannah, we ventured out to watch the Texas A&M game with other alumni. (Speaking of, people in DC are worry-warts. The storm merely brought heavy rains, but seriously, EVERYBODY at work was freaking out on Friday afternoon. You would have thought it was a Cat 5 hurricane. Oh well!) We were fortunate to meet some really cool people. Hopefully, we'll hang out with them again soon! Then on Sunday we ventured to Alexandria to Brent and Ali's place for a BBQ with some of their friends. For those of you who don't know, Brent and Ali are the couple that we met in St. Lucia. Somehow on an island of 90% foreigners (or non-Americans I should say) we were fortunate to meet two people who lived in the DC area! Again, a ton of fun! I can't wait until this weekend when we venture to the Illini alumni bar and watch the Fighting Illini take on the Ragin' Cajuns and meet some other, hopefully, cool people!
But on to our one complaint, and its really not a complaint, but more of a frustration...we still do not have our furniture! All we have currently is what we were able to pack in the Honda...our air mattress, one suitcase of clothes each and some other random items...and some other items that we've purchased since we've arrived, namely plates, a pan and a spatula! Granted, the moving company has until Sunday, September 14, 2008 to deliver our stuff, but regardless, I want it now. I want a bed, my couch, the rest of my clothes...everything necessary to make our place actually feel like home and not a deserted room! I'd also like to be able to cook and not just eat Lean Cusines. Oh well. Fingers crossed our stuff comes soon!
Once we have the place set up, I'll be sure to post pictures! Until then...hope all is well! Time to finish up work, pick up a surprise for tonight (its our 1-month anniversary already!) and then head home!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Honeymoon Pics
Our honeymooon was awesome...we spent two nights in San Juan, PR and five nights in St. Lucia! San Juan was cool, albeit very Miami-esque. Definitely more a place for a fun weekend getaway and not a honeymoon. However, St. Lucia was awesome and our resort was fabulous as well. We stayed at a small all inclusive called Le Sporte Body Holiday...not only were all food and drinks included, but so were 50 minute spa treatments for both of us each day. I think Shane finally understands why us girls tend to spend a lot of $ on massages and the likes! We cannot wait to go back!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Big Day
Shane and I got married on August 9, 2008...despite a few little hiccups (ie. the limo not showing up and the flowers not being quite right!), it was the perfect!
We can only hope that our friends and family had as good of a time as we did...but given the fact that Harry Caray's had to kick EVERYONE off the dance floor and out of the building, its safe to say that a good time was had by all!
We are still waiting on the link to ALL of the pictures that our wonderful photographer, Matt Schademann, took, but in the meantime, here a few teasers that he sent us. As soon as we get the link to the rest we'll post it here!
Enjoy the pictures! Thank you again to everyone who was able to share in our big day. I know we've said it over and over again, and it probably sounds cliche, but it really wouldn't have been the same without all of our loved ones there to share it with us. We love and miss you all...please come visit!
Love, Stephanie & Shane
We can only hope that our friends and family had as good of a time as we did...but given the fact that Harry Caray's had to kick EVERYONE off the dance floor and out of the building, its safe to say that a good time was had by all!We are still waiting on the link to ALL of the pictures that our wonderful photographer, Matt Schademann, took, but in the meantime, here a few teasers that he sent us. As soon as we get the link to the rest we'll post it here!
Enjoy the pictures! Thank you again to everyone who was able to share in our big day. I know we've said it over and over again, and it probably sounds cliche, but it really wouldn't have been the same without all of our loved ones there to share it with us. We love and miss you all...please come visit!
Love, Stephanie & Shane
Cubs v. Astros
So many of you are probably wondering what I do all day at work that I can post three consecutive blogs...and the answers is...conference calls! I normally have one or two a week, however, today I have been on three and all of them have lasted more than an hour. Boring. But anyhow, back to the topic at hand...the adventures of Shane and I!
On the Wednesday before our wedding, we were truly blessed! Not only were our beloved teams playing each other at my favorite place on earth (Wrigley Field), but our friends and family from Houston were able to fly up a few days early for the wedding and spend the afternoon in the bleachers with us!
It was truly a great day...especially since the Cubs won!
Go Cubs Go! :)
My dad & I...
Liz & I...
On the Wednesday before our wedding, we were truly blessed! Not only were our beloved teams playing each other at my favorite place on earth (Wrigley Field), but our friends and family from Houston were able to fly up a few days early for the wedding and spend the afternoon in the bleachers with us!
It was truly a great day...especially since the Cubs won!
Go Cubs Go! :)
My dad & I...
Liz & I...
Shane & I...my last day wearing my "Cashman" jersey... 
The Carlisles and soon-to-be Stewarts
August Adventures!
This past weekend Shane and I said good bye (lots of tears on my end) to our friends and family in Chicago, packed up our tiny Honda Civic and hit the road for DC. Although this will be our home, and the newest adventure, for the next two years, August was full of adventures and wonderful memories including...
...Cubs v. Astros game with our new families (Go Cubs!)
...Our wedding ceremony on August 9, 2008 Location: St. James Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
...Our wedding reception on August 9, 2008 Location: Harry Caray's, Chicago, IL
...Our honeymoon at La Concha in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Le Sporte Body Holiday in St. Lucia
We can honestly say that August was one of the best months of our lives. Not only were the events fun and memorable, but we were surrounded by our friends, family and loved ones. In the next few days, I will post summaries and pictures of each of these events...and then its on to the future and the rest of our adventures! Stay tuned!
Love, Stephanie & Shane
...Cubs v. Astros game with our new families (Go Cubs!)
...Our wedding ceremony on August 9, 2008 Location: St. James Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL
...Our wedding reception on August 9, 2008 Location: Harry Caray's, Chicago, IL
...Our honeymoon at La Concha in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Le Sporte Body Holiday in St. Lucia
We can honestly say that August was one of the best months of our lives. Not only were the events fun and memorable, but we were surrounded by our friends, family and loved ones. In the next few days, I will post summaries and pictures of each of these events...and then its on to the future and the rest of our adventures! Stay tuned!
Love, Stephanie & Shane
Introductory Blog :)
Hello all!
I just wanted to take a moment and write our first blog! I apologize ahead of time for any headaches and blips that I may incur along the way...but I am new to this blogging thing! I never actually thought I'd become a "blogger", but thanks to our dear friend Liz Carlisle and her fabulous blog, as well as our inability to stay in one place for too terribly long, I figured blogging would be an excellent way to keep everyone up-to-date on our lives as Mr. and Mrs. Stewart!
Stay tuned for more updates...probably a little bit about the wedding and the honeymoon to come and then on to our new adventures!
Love,
Stephanie (& Shane)
I just wanted to take a moment and write our first blog! I apologize ahead of time for any headaches and blips that I may incur along the way...but I am new to this blogging thing! I never actually thought I'd become a "blogger", but thanks to our dear friend Liz Carlisle and her fabulous blog, as well as our inability to stay in one place for too terribly long, I figured blogging would be an excellent way to keep everyone up-to-date on our lives as Mr. and Mrs. Stewart!
Stay tuned for more updates...probably a little bit about the wedding and the honeymoon to come and then on to our new adventures!
Love,
Stephanie (& Shane)
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