Alisa's Wedding Weekend Part I

My step-sister, Alisa, got married on July 30th! It was quite the weekend extravaganza, if I do say so myself. They got married at Nemacolin Woodland Resort in PA, and it was a BLAST! I don't think that anyone can ever live up to that one.

The party started on Friday afternoon with Bocce and golf. There were about 12 teams, a bar, and a lot of fun people around. I was not exactly on the winning team, but like everything else sports-related this summer, I tried.

After Bocce, we all went back to our condo and got ready for the fun Friday night event- a hoe down at a barn! They had their rehearsal on Thursday night, so they threw a big welcoming party on Friday night for everyone. Because it was at a resort, every single person there was from out of town, so it was nice to have something to do. We all put on our best western wear and despite a tree down on the only road to the barn, our huge coach 56 passenger bus got us there safely. They had a live country band, a pig on a spicket (is that the right word?), kegs, bandanas, boot shaped beer mugs- it was awesome.

We partied it up there until about 10:30, and then took the bus back to the resort and headed to the cigar bar. We looked ridiculous next to the other swanky Nemacolin guests that had not attended a hoe down, but we didn't care. Ernie had an interesting boot issue (he literally could not get one off), we had some laughs, and went back to the condo to rest up for the main event.

Team Fuller/Fisco (but we didn't all play together)

A view of the bocce court- it was H-O-T.

The bride and Cowboy Ernie
Kids N Kegs

The "sibling" photo- yay for Pearson!

80's Night

I was THRILLED to see that my childhood idols, Tiffany and Debbie Gibson, were coming together in concert here in Cleveland at the House of Blues. I just loved them. I listened to their tapes over and over, along with New Kids On The Block. My friend Marjorie in middle school had the coolest jean jacket ever, with Debbie Gibson airbrushed on the back. I however, only had NKOTB shoe laces, and could only hope to have something as cool as Marjorie one day. My pictures on the wall of my bedroom from Big Bopper magazine had to suffice.


I went to the show with my cousins Heather and Kelly. It was actually really good, and not just because I liked them when I was younger. Tiffany (does she even have a last name?) has an unreal singing voice, and Debbie Gibson was a wanna be 40 year old Britney, dancing all over and wearing pink and sparkles. The House of Blues is a great place to see live music because it is so small and intimate. Loved it!

Not the best picture of Heather and I, but we had fun!

Tiffany and Debbie Gibson together on stage! Dreamy.

These girls and their mom were great- they actually had crimped hair!

Cleveland Corporate Challenge

This summer, I got involved in the Cleveland Corporate Challenge through my company. I thought it would be a good way to get out there, try new things, and meet some new people. Basically, companies in Cleveland sign up to participate in a bunch of different games/events throughout the summer. Sand volleyball, mini-golf, corn hole, etc. It's a huge thing, and at the end of the season there is a big event at Edgewater Park with obstacle courses, tug of war, and relay races. All of the scores from the events are added up, and I am proud to say that Majestic came in second overall! No thanks to me.

I wound up playing kickball, and bowling. I hadn't kicked a ball since gym class in 10th grade. Surprisingly enough, I wasn't terrible. It was so, so hot the day we played it was unreal. I wasn't the best bowler in the group, but it was really fun to bowl again. I knew I was in trouble when I showed up and was the only one on the team that didn't own my own ball. I didn't even break 100. One of the guys I played with bowled like a 350. Oh well.

The Ohio Wineries

This past Sunday was my big day out after my eye surgery. I was actually a little nervous (I don't know why- maybe because of the sun??) but it was awesome. I could SEE!


It was my second summer going on the "Annual Girls Winery Trip". It started as a group of teachers a few years ago and has turned into a large group from all over. Friends of friends, cousins and sisters, etc. Someone asked why it was on a Sunday rather than a Saturday, and as it turns out the party bus is half the price. Makes sense. My cousin Kelly helps organize it, and it's a blast! A few of us set up a taxi to and from the party bus this year so we had nothing to think about but having a good time.

I'm not posting any pictures from inside the bus after the third winery. For a reason! As the day goes on, everyone gets a little louder, a little crazier, and a little drunker! All in all, it was a really fun day with good friends, and new friends.

Heather and I outside of South River Vineyard. We asked the guy taking the picture to get the vineyards in the back. Good job.

My favorite spot along the way, at South River

Lasik Vision

After years of thinking about it and being FREAKED out at the idea of it, I sucked it up and had lasik eye surgery yesterday.

Apparently, I was a little more nervous than your average patient. I think because I know how difficult it was for my grandfather to carry on with life with limited vision.... I was just totally freaked. I knew that everything would be fine and that you can't go blind from the procedure, but my brain just could not process it.

I took two of Bethanne's french chill pills before I went plus a Valium when I got there. The doctor heard that I was nervous so he came to talk to me before I went in. I started crying to the point where I couldn't even talk, I was so scared. I calmed down, they took me in, and my whole body was shaking during the entire procedure, plus I had tears rolling down my cheeks. I was such a wuss!!!

Everything went totally fine, as expected on their end. I'm not going to lie- I hated every second of the 15 minutes it took. I could not open my eyes for about six hours (my body just wouldn't let me), I slept on and off ten hours last night, and I have been great all day today. I can see everything! I am wearing super cool sunglasses during the day, and to bed (to make sure I do not rub my eyes).

I think this was a very good decision, even though it was one of the worst/only anxiety experiences I have ever gone through.

I tossed all of my contact solutions, cases, and actual contacts. I need to figure out the best place to donate the three pairs of glasses I have. I never have to wear them again!

** I am editing this post on 7/24. I can see things that I have never, ever seen before. I think that contacts and glasses are given to you to be the best they can do. I think when you have lasik, your eyeballs are shaped to perfection. I thought I could see perfect with my contacts, but I saw green trees and vineyards today that were so clear.... I didn't know it could be like what I saw!

Up To Bat

Through work, I have recently become involved with the Achievement Centers for Children. It is a wonderful non-profit organization that helps children (and young adults) with disabilities. Whether it's autism, OCD, down syndrome, or something that isn't even diagnosed- their doors are open for everyone. Children can visit the center with their families for activities, school, therapy, etc. Not only does it help the children, but it helps the families as well. The Center gives parents a place to go where there are other parents like them, going through similar situations. It's really an amazing place.


The Achievement Center has a camp that they offer their kids during the summer, called Camp Cheerful. Kids can go at no cost, and try things like fishing, swimming, and even zip lining! A few weeks ago, my family and I did a 5K to help raise money for the camp. This week, I joined a group of volunteers and Camp Cheerful kids for a fun "field trip" event to Progressive Field, where the Indians play. It was SO HOT!! Oh my god.


We played with the kids doing things like catching, hitting, running bases- they loved it. I wound up working with the youngest group at the camp that day. We had six adults for nine kids, and I swear, it wasn't enough. They were cracking me up! My favorite little boy was Jude (not pictured). He told me that "Judes don't survive in heat like this, and he needed to go home". But they stuck it out. The batting cages were our best stop- it was like a giant sandbox for the kids.


Next week, we are taking all of these kids to an actual game to see the Indians play. I can't wait to see all of my little new friends again!

Sarah and I with some of our group in the dugout

A view of Progressive Field. It was strange to be the only ones there!
The Jumbo Tron welcoming The Achievement Centers and Majestic Steel

Yes, that's me. Hitting a real baseball with a real bat, on the field. My coworkers got a little baseball happy after the kids left.

The Majestic Steel Group

The Other Side

Lucky for me, I have been invited to go to some really, really fun concerts this summer. My friend Jessica invited me to go to Katy Perry with her in a suite at Gund Arena, and my step-sister Alisa invited me to go to Kenny Chesney with her, VIP style, eighth row at Blossom. They were both SO MUCH FUN! Katy Perry was like a mix between being in the game of Candyland and in the Johnny Depp version of Willy Wonka, and I was shocked at how entertaining and charismatic Kenny Chesney was.

I am really not trying to sound bratty, but I am so happy that the two shows I have gone to so far since living in my "new world" were VIP. I better not get used to it! But being that close for Kenny Chesney gave me the opportunity to still see what was going on backstage, and see how things worked. We stuck around after Katy Perry to finish up some drinks, and I watched some of the load out for her show. I was fascinated at how organized it was- the crew was T-shirt color coded based on what they were doing. What a smart idea. I'm still not totally used to the idea that I am most likely never going to work in the entertainment industry again and that I work for a steel company. My heart breaks a little when I think about it. Especially when I saw all of the tour buses lined up at Kenny Chesney behind the VIP tent. Which served sushi, by the way.

One day I will be sitting in the lawn at a show, and I won't wonder about what is going on backstage, but for now, I still think about how much it grossed, who is dealing with catering, who is moving the lights, etc. It doesn't make me enjoy the show any less, but I do get distracted.

Both shows were amazing, and I am so happy I was able to go!