The Wedding In Review

We did it! We are married and I am a very happy newlywed. :) Here's a recap of the big event:

First of all, let me just say that if we had a million dollars, I wouldn't have changed a thing or done anything differently. It was the dream wedding and everything was perfect! No glitches, no hiccups, just a beautiful day. My flowers were unreal...absolutely beautiful. The roses in my bouquet matched my dress exactly, and everything was beyond my expectations. When it was time for us to line up to process in, every one of my bridesmaids was so beautiful. The men were so handsome in their tuxes! And when it was time and they opened the doors, my father walked me down the aisle and it was perfect. The ceremony was so special, and we both did a good job of holding it together through the ceremony. :) (I didn't know if we would!) After lots of pictures, we headed over to the City Club in Ft Worth for the party of a lifetime! The room was gorgeous, the food was incredible, and the DJ was incredible! (Big shout out to Melodies and Memories!!) We seriously got our groove on, and my legs are so sore today from all the dancing! We had a blast! Our cakes were delicious, our guests were wonderful, and even my grandfather had prepared a toast! When it was time for us to leave, we made our escape in a horse-drawn carriage that took us around Ft. Worth and dropped us off at the Worthington Hotel. We changed clothes and met a handful of friends down at the patio at 8.0's and hung out for a short time. Then we had to call it a night because we were exhausted. But it was the best night of my life, and I wouldn't change a thing at all. As soon as we have pictures I will post a few, but we never remembered our digital camera was with us, so we didn't take any photos of our own! (Silly us!)

What a great night! Thank you to everyone who participated, was a guest, or simply wished us well...it means so much to David and I!! Now we are off to Jamaica tomorrow for a week of bliss!! I'll blog when I return, so everyone be well and know we love you!

It's My Wedding Day!

Wow...it's really here! We had a great rehearsal last night, and the dinner was lots of fun. And now, after a really good night's sleep, my day is here. I stayed with mom and dad last night and they took me to breakfast this morning. I feel so calm! Alex called to tease me, and it was a fun first call of the day! I can't wait to see everyone tonight, and I know I will wish I had more time to talk to all my friends. I have old friends from elementary school, friends I have known since birth, and new friends coming to share the day. I got a very special text message from David last night, and it's one more reminder that I am marrying the perfect man for me.

So that's it! The next time I blog I will be Mrs. Jennifer Willis. :)

Things Are Getting Surreal

Yes, it hardly seems like things are happening as quickly as they are! Time is flying, and I am so afraid that I will blink and miss it all. We've been so busy, and I swear that no two people can spend money as fast as we do. Ugh! Yesterday was a big day...all the favors are done and everything needed for the reception is at the site, so today we only have a couple of errands to run and then we're set. I am getting a facial and then picking up my dress!! After that, we have to pick up just a few things and then clean house like crazy! (It's a mess!!!)

Tomorrow is the rehearsal and dinner, and I am excited about that. Mother and I are going in the morning to take white roses to my Gran's grave site. Her birthday was last Saturday, and the second anniversary of her passing was last Sunday. It hardly seems possible for two years to have passed by. It feels like yesterday. I am missing her more and more as the wedding approaches, but being a believer in guardian angels, I know she will be there with me. There will be a white rose on the church organ just for her.

Two days...there is a lot happening in the next two days, and it's like I am floating through the days. I am really looking forward to Saturday, but I will be sorry that it's all over. But come Monday, we are off to Jamaica, and this girl is ready!!!

My next post will hopefully be Friday night. I am staying with Mom and Dad and am hoping to post before I go to bed that night.

Everyone have a good Thursday!

Celebrating Friends

Today was very special for me. Mom and I hostessed the Bridesmaid Brunch, and it was wonderful! We went to the Grand Lux Cafe and had mimosas and omelets, and a wonderful time was had by all! It's wonderful to sit at a table with your best friends and have a chance to tell them how much they mean to you. I am a very lucky girl to have as many close friends as I do.

David's parents gave us their wedding gift to us last night. They gave us all the Fitz and Floyd tableware we registered for, which was incredibly generous! We've had fun looking at all our new tableware!

So now the countdown is on! Tomorrow night we are picking up all the tables and chairs for the rehearsal dinner and getting them to Tom and Angela's tomorrow night. (We're having our dinner catered at their beautiful home!) We have a few things left to do, and I am about to begin working on the wedding favors after I finish my blog. I am making bourbon pecans, and I love these things! :) I have two days left at work before I am off for the wedding/honeymoon, and I have a ton of stuff to do there before I go, too. Whew! It's going to be busy!

I'll blog as I can this week. Have a good rest of the evening!

Nine Days???

Yup. Nine days. It feels like everything is almost a dream...am I really getting married? Wow. I really am! (Do not mistake this for cold feet! Just adjusting to the fact that I will be a married woman very soon!) I have had a very good single life, so in a way it's hard to think I won't just be "Jennifer S." anymore. My thirties have been good to me and I have had many good (and tough) times. But through all my experiences I have learned who I am, and who my true friends are. I have learned that I am a strong woman who powers through tough times. I learned to love myself, which taught me to allow others to love me, too. I've learned I can do things when I really work at it. And most of all, I have really learned to respect myself. And when I quit asking God to send me a man and to teach me to love myself for who I am, along came David. So my life is good, and not just because I am getting married. It's good because my life is full of people and memories that I treasure. And this is only the beginning!! I'm on the cusp of the next phase of my life, and I wonder what it will bring. I always ask myself whenever I move to a new apartment, "what will happen to me in my life while I live here?" It's fun to find out!

My bridesmaid brunch is this weekend and I am glad to have the chance to dine with the girls and show them some love. They have treated me like a queen and been so good to me...it's such a small token of thanks, but I hope they enjoy their goodies and fill their bellies with tasty food. And mostly, I hope they walk away knowing how much I love them. They are part of a core group of people who rock my world and help keep me sane.

And to Joseph, who is far too manly to be a bridesmaid...I am grateful to you for all the times you, too, have had to help me figure out my life. I am one lucky girl!

So as I prepare for the biggest event of my life so far, it's good to reflect on all those who I treasure. And my Gran...I will miss your physical presence, but I do hope that somehow you're with me that day!

:)

The Big Night Out

I am totally spent. It was a really great weekend, but I guess I am no longer built for dancing until 3am anymore! We started out by checking in to the Melrose Hotel and cracking open a bottle of wine. Mia provided arm/shoulder massages, and we got dressed and ready to go out, but not before was presented with the required bachelorette veil, complete with light up, blinking penises. We headed over to Frida’s restaurant where the food is absolutely fantastic! After an incredibly tasty dinner, we walked over to the Condoms to Go store, where the group bought me a very sparkly tiara that says “Bachelorette”, a candy necklace with penis-shaped candies on it, and a large plastic drinking vessel, also shaped like the aforementioned male anatomy. Oh, and did I mention it was Pride weekend on Oak Lawn? I was the belle of the ball down there!

Joseph, me, and Christy

We got to S4 early, so we sat out on the patio and had drinks. We wandered up to the Rose Room for the 11pm drag show, which was a riot! After that we went downstairs and danced our tails off and had a great time! We wandered to Café Brazil about 2:30am and had a bite to eat and then headed back to the hotel to call it a night.

A HUGE thank you to Christy, Mia, Kim, Joseph, Dima, and Jonquil for making it a great night! (And Jonquil, I followed your advice and made it home with both shoes and both earrings!)

Me and Christy

Joseph, Mia, Dima, Kim, and Christy

Mia and Christy

Kim, Mia, and Christy

Joseph and Dima

What a great farewell to my single-hood! Thanks to everyone! :)

Slow Recovery

I am still exhausted after the bachelorette party Saturday night!! It was beyond fun...it was crazy! I'll elaborate more when I am recovered. I even have a couple of pictures suitable for public viewing, and I will post here.

Thanks to everyone who came: Christy, Joseph, Dima, Mia, Kim, and Jonquil! It was a blast!

Bachelorette Party Eve

Tomorrow is my bachelorette party! I have been so tired running around doing other things that I haven't really gotten pumped up about it until tonight. I bought a really cute new shirt for tomorrow night, and I am in the process of designing the make-up look, and I think it is all coming together! I had dinner and drinks with Christy tonight, and I sure needed it. We talked and she assured me that she was feeling just like I am when she was two weeks away from her wedding. It's good to feel normal! David and I were going to try and go salsa dancing tonight, but we are both worn out. He is at his parent's house for dinner tonight, so I am relaxing. As soon as I finish this post, I am going to take a bubble bath and eat a popsicle. :)

Tomorrow morning we meet one last time with the florist, and then have brunch with Grampa. It's a fairly busy day, but a good one. David's bachelor party is tomorrow night and I just told him I don't need to know everything. ;) Next weekend we are having our last date as an unmarried couple, and I am looking forward to it. We're going to the museum, and then drinks and dinner. Very romantic, and we need some quiet Dave and Jen time before that last week!

So that's the news for today. It's been a busy day, and I am looking forward to going to bed. :)

Nowhere Near The Storm

Although the weather here has become slightly cooler, I am the in Dallas/Ft. Worth area and not getting any rain from the hurricane down south. So anyone wondering if I am washing away, I'm barely seeing clouds today. So thanks for your concern!

I have no news today. I am home taking a day for myself and getting some things done. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

17 Days, But Whose Counting?

Tick-tock, right? Actually, I am doing pretty good. The stress is minimal, and things are on track. What's the scary thing now? Trying to make time to practice dancing for our reception. I have been trying to contact a dance teacher here in the area, but won't return my calls or emails, so I will take the hint and keep looking. If anyone is interested in hiring Gene Willman for dance instructions, I would say keep looking! He won't contact you back!

The weather has been unreal! It is gorgeous outside! David and I celebrated the weather with dinner on the patio at OTB, followed by enjoying our own patio last night. I am loving this weather and I hope it stays like this for a while!

And a big shout out to my friend Holly who got a new job within the company at one of our regional offices! Go girl! I know you are much happier! :)

So that's it for today. No real news, just mindless chatter. I wish I had something more substantial to share, but no such luck. So just enjoy the weather! David and I are having dinner with Grampa tonight. :)

Have a good Wednesday!

Slug-Like Behavior

I got home last night and just ran out of energy! We ran some errands and grabbed a quick dinner at Chili's and after that I was useless! (I was in bed before 9!!) But it was nice to get some good sleep.

I failed to mention yesterday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANGELA!!! I know she prefers to hibernate for her birthday, but I love you, girl! Hope it was good! :)

It's been really busy up here at work, but the word is spreading that I got a promotion and I am having people email me lots of nice congratulatory things. September is quite a month with the promotion and wedding! As much as I am looking forward to the wedding, I am really looking forward to the honeymoon, and a week of more sloth-like behavior as I lay around on the beach and have a cabana boy bring me cocktails. Yes, it's going to be a good vacation! :)

Saturday night is my bachelorette party, and I don't know what to wear! We're going to dinner and then going dancing, and I am really looking forward to it! Sunday is Kevin's fiance's wedding shower, and I am helping to host. So it's a busy weekend! Oh, we also have our final floral appointment on Saturday morning. I am looking forward to that, too. :) Friday night I am going shopping for my super-fab outfit for Saturday night. (I am also picking up a few responsible looking outfits for my new job, too!)

I am no longer having wedding nightmares about things going horribly wrong. I am at peace with all of our arrangements and there is very little left to do. I need to get the wedding favors together (homemade bourbon pecans!), and print out a handful of programs...just to make sure we have enough. But I think most everything is ready, and I will be glad to have it all done.

One more important note for today...God bless all those who were affected by 9/11/01. It's been 6 years ago, and so many families are probably still dealing with grief.

An Open Letter To Britney Spears

Britney,

The whole world seemed to wait for you to have an awesome performance last night on the VMAs...people are cheering for you to succeed and show everyone that you're a born performer and not as crazy as the tabloids say you are.

Oh girl, your train totally derailed last night.

What the heck happened? First of all, you were lipsynching...you couldn't even get that right! Were you stoned or drunk? Your eyes were vacant, and you literally stumbled through your performance. And hair extensions...you make enough money to go get some good extensions. You looked awful! I hear you like to do your own makeup...did you do the extensions yourself, too? You looked like you had checked out way before you even got onstage.

The song itself isn't so bad. It has a good enough groove to dance to at a club, so I'm not blaming you for bad music. (I kinda like the song!) But seriously, I think what the world wants for you is first and foremost that you get sober. It's VERY evident that you have some sort of substance abuse issue. (c'mon...even Lindsey attempts rehab!) You have two kids that need parents. K-Fed is looking like a very responsible parent compared to you, girl. Quit acting a fool and get yourself together. If we never see another performance from you again, let it be because you decided that being a good mother is what your #1 priority should be. (You know, you can still be a great mom and pop star! It's possible!) Next, you need to wear clothes that work for your body. Let's face it...the sparkly bra and boy shorts don't go with the beer belly. (And I'm not judging about weight...I'm just suggesting more body-appropriate clothes!) There are plenty of looks that would have been much better for you. And if you can't stand up on your own, don't wear your best hooker-heels to dance in.

You had a lot of people cheering for you. You let everyone down. Girl, you should have cancelled your performance and stayed home with the kids. I just don't see a "comeback" happening for you. You need to get right with your family and get yourself together. You only get one shot at life...try to do it right.

Less Than Three Weeks!

We are officially under the three week mark until the wedding, and I can't believe it! I keep feeling that there are things I need to be doing, but everything is really under control. I just have a handful of things to do, but they are small details. So I guess I am almost ready! I have a meeting with the florist once more this week, and then she'll be ordering the flowers. :) This is also my last full week in my current position. I am beginning my transition to my new position beginning next week, and I am very excited about that! I am ready for a new challenge.

We had dinner with my cousin and his wife last night to celebrate his birthday. it was nice to just get to hang out with them last night. We haven't done that in a really long time, and it was fun. We made dinner, hung out, and played Guitar Hero on the PlayStation...and had a blast!

Today is the day David has been waiting for...the "real" start of the football season! He is on the couch right now flipping between two games. I like football, but I am too restless to invest myself in a game right now. I do plan to watch the Cowboys tonight, though.

I think I am going to finish the wedding programs today and get that done. I need to figure out what to wear for my bachelorette party next weekend. That's going to be a good time, and I can't wait! We're going to do dinner and dancing. (No, we're not going to a strip bar...it's not my bag, baby!) I need to start planning the outfit now!

Everyone have a relaxing Sunday!

I Do! Oh, not yet?

Yeah, I am a dork. We went to get our marriage license yesterday, and when the JP asked us to raise our right hand a swear that the information we provided was correct, as David said "yes", I'm over there being Goober-Bride saying "I do!" Needless to say, both David and the JP laughed at me. :) Hey, I was practicing!

It's been busy here at work. My manager and his boss are both a little panicky that I am moving to a new position on another team. Sorry, but I guess they should have managed their teams better! I am so excited about my new position! I feel so grown up now! (And I got a good raise, too! Yay!)

So all is good right now. I am much less stressed now that the reception is paid for, and there isn't much left to do. :) I am a happy bride these days, although I feel like we are passing each other coming and going. We've been so busy! Every time we turn around we have something we need to do. I am glad that we get to slow down this weekend. We are having Craig and Jen over to celebrate Craig's birthday Saturday night. David is doing a brisket, and it should be pretty amazing! I'm going to make cupcakes, too. :)

I think that's about it for now. Have a good Thursday!

The Marriage License

Holy cow...we're going to get our marriage license today! This definitely feels surreal to me. After that, we're going to Grampa's for dinner tonight. I haven't gotten to see him in a few weeks, so I am looking forward to it!

Tomorrow David heads out again, but will be home on Friday, so it's not a long trip. Saturday night we are planing to have my cousins over for dinner to celebrate Craig's birthday....we didn't have time last weekend, so we will this weekend! :)

It's been crazy busy here at work. I am ready to call it a day. But I have my mid-year review this afternoon. After that, I am out of here!

28 Days and Counting

Well, my dress is altered and finished and at the bridal shop to be stored and steamed! Very exciting! I have done the trial run on my hair and makeup, and I had a facial this morning. There are just the little details left now, and I am getting very excited!! Less than a month...holy cow! Tuesday we got get our marriage license, and I think that will feel very surreal.

In other news, I got a promotion and a raise yesterday! It's been long-overdue and I couldn't be any happier! I am going to dinner tonight with the family to celebrate. :) David managed to get an earlier flight home, so he gets to go celebrate, too! :)

I don't have much other news...I'll be on my honeymoon one month from today! Woo-hoo! :)

Everyone have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Have A Seat? No Thanks!

So my wedding dress is done except for adding the straps and one very special little detail. But I tried it on and loved it! It's not built for comfort, that's a fact. And sitting down? I don't know if that's going to happen. We all know I am not a supermodel-sized girl, so there are some mechanics going on under the dress to smooth things out and make me look nice. That, and the dress has a fair amount of boning in it to make the bodice lay just right. It's beautiful! But not good for sitting! Thankfully I have very comfy shoes (thanks to Born footwear!) and will also have some flip flops in case I need to change...but I doubt I will. So while I may look lovely, I will probably be wishing that I could sit gracefully. :)

I met with our reception coordinator. She replaced the one we had that I loved so much, and I had a lot of reservations about a new person this far into the game. Turns out that I ADORE her!! And sadly, the other girl that I loved wasn't on top of things like our new girl, whose name is Heather. Heather and I have the very same organizational style, so I feel like she gets me. And she has been in this business for a long time and knows what's what. So I am feeling so much better about things!! I wrote the check for the reception, and we talked for two hours about all the reception details. I am really excited about everything! :) So now I can focus on other details because I know things are on track. :)

Today I am having a bridal shower here at the office, and I am excited about it. Although it does start to feel funny when you think about people pretty much just gathering to watch you open stuff. It's a little awkward, but very flattering! :)

So that's it for now. I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

33 Days - Holy Cow!

I can't believe it! 33 days! We had a very busy weekend, but we got some wedding stuff accomplished so I feel good. We got David measured for his tux, we had the final cake tasting (that was sheer torture...eating cake is a tough job, but someone has to do it!), celebrated the 2nd birthday of my very soon to be twin nephews...and that was all on Saturday! Sunday was much less busy with regards to running around like madpeople, but we still got lots done. We relaxed, did some housekeeping, and vegged for a bit. But during the evening, we watched about three hours of the Discovery channel's Blue Planet series. All three episodes were about sea life and let me tell you, there are some scary looking things living deep in the ocean! I thought some of those things were made up, but they're real! I am never going into water I can't see the bottom of...those creeped me out!

However, while watching all this, we finished up the confetti packets for the reception, as well as discussing other details. Tonight we are working on wedding day logistics and how to get everyone and everything where it needs to go on the big day. We're also going to work on the seating chart. (Don't worry...we're doing it so that we can match up people who might not know anyone else with other people who they might enjoy getting to know! It's not like a second grade classroom seating chart!) Mom has gotten the decor for the rehearsal dinner taken care of, and it's going to look great! We found someone who actually has enough chairs and tables for us to borrow, so we won't even need to rent them! (We're catering our dinner at Angela's beautiful house!) Everything is really falling into place and I am getting excited again. For a while I just wanted to hide from everything wedding related. It gets to be a lot of stress! (I had no idea!) I used to make fun of the Bridezilla shows. Although most of those women are over the top rude and tacky, I do understand how they get stressed and a little snippy with people. (That does NOT excuse just flat out bad behavior!) You just want everything to be beautiful and to look like you envision. I am learning to just trust that it will all be OK. I am also not good at delegating, so I need to remember that I am surrounded by wonderful people who are here to help. (I have people ask me all the time what they can do to help me!) All will be well...I need to relax and breathe.

So that's it for today. Plenty of rambling. It's only going to get worse in the next 33 days!

For Rachel in North London

A fellow blogger has lost her mother this week after a stroke followed by many complications. If you haven't stopped to read Rachel in North London, she is a survivor of many things, most notably for me of the London tube bombings. She's turned her experience into a fight for justice and for those who did not survive. (A link to her blog is listed on the right of this page) My most sincerest of prayers goes out to her family. I thought I would share the lyrics to one of the most beautiful songs I've ever known:

O Earth, lie heavily upon her eyes; Seal her sweet eyes weary of watching.
Earth, lie close around her; leave no room for mirth
With its harsh laughter, nor for sounds of sighs.

She hath no questions, she hath no replies,
Hushed in and curtained with a blessed dearth Of all that irked her from the hour of birth;
With stillness that is almost Paradise.
Darkness more clear than noonday holdeth her,
Silence more musical than any song;
Even her very heart has ceased to stir;

Until the morning of Eternity
Her rest shall not begin nor end, but be;
And when she wakes she will not think it long.

-Christina Rossetti

Just Stuff

Nothing of importance today...just random stuff. Mom and I went to look for goodie bags for the kids at the wedding reception. Found lots of fun stuff to put in there. We really want the kiddos to be entertained, so we're also hiring a clown for them so that their parents can enjoy the reception, too.

I think I am starting to feel ready to get stuff done again. I am meeting with the coordinator for the reception next Wednesday. Oh, and I am writing her a very large check. Ugh! But I am looking forward to meeting her. I'll feel much better about things when I do. David is getting his tux measured on Saturday morning, so we'll get that out of the way. Then we get to eat wedding cake! Yay! We're doing our final cake tasting on Saturday afternoon and I am looking forward to that. I have to remember to go next door to the paper shop to get more paper for the table cards at the reception. There is still much to do!

Tonight I am going to Toys R Us to buy birthday gifts for the nephews. They are twins and turn 2 this weekend. They are getting a very good art easel and a couple of Ugly Dolls. (If you haven't seen them, Google them - very funny and cute!)

Somewhere in all this I am trying to squeeze in a trial for my hair for wedding day. I have 37 days to get this mess together!! Ugh!

Time Off For Mental Health

I had to day a day off work yesterday. It's just been so busy, and I am feeling overwhelmed sometimes. It's nice to just take a day to do nothing. We were going to go to the museum, but it was closed on Mondays, so we saw the Bourne Supremacy. Good flick!

I've had two fittings on my wedding dress, and it's fitting nicely! It doesn't gap on top anymore, so I look much better. I would post pics from the first time I tried it on, but I just can't since David drops in. I'll post pics after the wedding. Really, more like after the honeymoon. Hopefully our resort in Jamaica is still standing! The honeymoon is what I am really looking forward to! :)

I've taken a break from wedding stuff. I have 39 days...I really can't do that, but I needed to so I did. Oh, and in the midst of all this, I am planning another wedding shower for someone else. I think I am crazy. I am also a "groomsperson" in Kevin's wedding, and I am excited about that. It's always nice to be part of someone's wedding! :)

I think that's about it. We have a busy weekend with cake tasting (the final!) and family birthday stuff. Whew! I am also hoping to squeeze in a trial run on my hair. So much to do!

Oh, and a very happy (belated!) birthday to Blonde!! :)

Everyone have a good evening!

Sick :(

I have really had a time with my allergies this week. I went home early from work to rest, and I think it was a smart move, as I am feeling better today.

David and I have a date tonight...we've designated some time to spend together with little to no wedding talk, and I am good with that. We're trying to make sure we don't get lost in all the wedding stuff!

Tomorrow night we're going to see Mia's husband's band play, and that should be great! I haven't seen them in a while and they have a bunch of new stuff to play. (If you're in Dallas, be sure to make your way out to the What Bar by 9pm to see them!)

It should be a nice weekend. Not much going on during the day, and just a few things planned at night. :) And I get to sleep in! Yay!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Long Week

It feels like this week is going to drag. I am feeling kind of crummy...congestion and sneezing. I refuse to get sick. I'm the bride, dammit! I can't be sick!

I don't have much news...it's just a boring Tuesday. I'd rather be home in bed.

Shout out to my homegirl...you know who you are!

Showered With Love!

I had another bridal shower this weekend, and it was wonderful! This one was put on by my awesome bridesmaids, and they did such a fantastic job! The food was good, the punch was awesome (hello...rum punch!!), and the guests were very generous. David and I have so many wonderful things for our home as we get set to begin the next phase of our lives together. :)

And we got a toaster!!! (Ours died back in May, so this was a wonderful gift!!!)

We went to David's brother's house yesterday, and my FSIL (future sister-in-law) and I took her daughter to a salon for the younger ladies to get her hair done and a mani/pedi. She was adorable! We had lunch, and then she bought David and I our wedding gifts, so again, we are surrounded with very generous people! :)

The weekend went much too quickly, and it's a busy week for everyone. I hope you have a good Monday!

We're Officially Having A Wedding

Invitations went out on Tuesday, and people were already getting them yesterday! It's so exciting! Now it's getting to be crunch time...so much to do! I have been a little bit of an anti-bride lately...sort of avoiding stuff that needs to be done, but now is the time to get moving on this stuff. I have a lot to do. I was supposed to hear from the new wedding coordinator at the reception site yesterday but she didn't call. This doesn't instill a lot of confidence for me. I'll keep trying to set up a meeting with her, though. I just need to meet with her and go over everything...I'll feel better when I do.

I have a bridal shower on Saturday, and my five wonderful bridesmaids have put much time, effort, and money into making it special. I know it's going to be wonderful! :)

Tonight we are cleaning. Something we have needed to do for a while!

Have a good Thursday!

Back from Sin City

Yeah, I had a great trip! It was very low-budget, so not much gambling or shopping. Lots of walking around and just having a good time people watching. I wasn't feeling very lucky, so I wasn't tempted to gamble, which was good. We have a bunch of people to feed on September 29th! We hung out at the pool at the Venetian for a couple days, so I got some sun. :) We didn't stay at the Venetian, but we snuck into the pool area and had a blast!

Now that I am back home, I am diving back into wedding stuff. I actually tried to take a break from it last week. My head was going to blow up. There's a lot to do and barely over seven weeks to get it all done. Ugh!

Not much news to report. Hope everyone has a good Monday!

Vegas, Baby!

Yep! I'm heading out to Las Vegas tonight. I'm in need of a break, and this ought to be a fun one!

If I win any money, I'll be shocked! :)

Have a good weekend everyone!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

My parents have been married for 38 years now! I am lucky enough to have the best parents ever, and I think that 38 years together is so wonderful and special. Not everyone gets to have that in their lives, and they are truly blessed. I love you guys so much! :)

That's the news for today! Just a short entry to celebrate my parents! Love you guys!

Happy Birthday Christy!

Christy is FINALLY in her 30's now! (Hee hee...couldn't resist!) She's such a great friend, and I love her to pieces!

Happy birthday, girl!

Whirlwind!

It ended up being a good but busy weekend! Friday night was calm and relaxing, and David and I had a lively evening making dinner and just talking. Saturday began early with a facial and then going with Kim to pick up her dress. I also picked up Mia's and will be taking it to her. (Gorgeous dresses!) then Kim and I ran to Target so she could get some goodies for her new apartment. When I got home, David and ran to Target (thank goodness I never get sick of going there!) and bought a new digital camera with some gift cards we got as wedding/shower gifts. We have one, but it pretty much crapped out and we needed a new one.

After the Target trip, we worked around the apartment and then got ready to go to Christy and Rich's combined birthday party. We had a great time (food catered by Cool River - YUM!) and it was good to just get to go hand with my Matron of Honor! My shower is two weeks away, and I can't wait! My wonderful bridesmaids have put a lot of time and money into making this special, and I am very grateful! :)

Sunday was good...we got up and went to breakfast and then came on home so David could start getting ready. He left for Vegas this afternoon (after some long weather delays!). I went to Fry's to find a memory stick for the new camera, and then ran to Wendy's to pick up some wedding stuff we've been working on. I didn't have a watch on and my afternoon got very derailed, as I visited with Wendy for much longer than I anticipated, so I was a very bad daughter and missed time with my mom working on wedding stuff. We've rescheduled for Tuesday, and I'm okay with that. I spent the evening trying to relax. I've been really stressed with wedding stuff and needed some time to unwind quietly.

I hope everyone had a good weekend!!

A Good Weekend Ahead

Ever just have the feeling that it's going to be a good weekend? I have that feeling! We're not even doing anything crazy...just going to have a nice weekend. :) Tonight I am getting my hair cut (YAY!) and then David and I are going to make sandwiches for dinner and relax. Tomorrow I have an appointment for a facial, I am going to go with Kim to get her dress (and pick up Mia's for her!) and then David and I are going to work in the second bedroom to clean it out. And then tomorrow night is a birthday party for both Mr and Mrs Falcone! (That's Christy and her hubby!) They have birthdays that are very close together, so they celebrate with one big party! And Sunday I take David to the airport and he's off to Vegas. Mom and I are going to work on wedding stuff on Sunday. It's going to be a good weekend.

We took my wedding dress to Wendy's last night to start the alterations. I got to put it on again, and I just love that dress so much! I hope I feel like a princess on my wedding day. :) Everyone has been so generous with their time and efforts into making this wedding something special. I think we may have a bigger turnout than we expected, but it's going to be wonderful!

64 days until I get married!!!

Holy cow! It's coming up quick! David is home right now putting the postage on the response envelopes. We're going to tuck them into the invitations, and as soon as our gold seals arrive in the mail, we'll seal the invitations and mail them. (So the invites will probably go out right before I leave next Thursday for Vegas!)

Exciting stuff! I hope everyone has a great Friday! And Happy Birthday, Rich! See you at your party tomorrow! :)

I Officially Know It All

Yes, I have completed the seventh Harry Potter book. No spoilers here...just simply saying it's nice to have been able to sit down and read the whole book. I don't know how JK Rowling comes up with that stuff, but it's amazing to me.

It was a busy weekend. My soon to be neice, Morgan (aka Mo-Mo) turned two, and we celebrated with a birthday gift and some homemade cupcakes. :) It was fun!

I "helped" Kim move some stuff on Sunday. I think I was more of a distraction. We moved some stuff from her old place, and then we went to the mall. Yeah, I'm a helper! After the mall, we went to the 7-11 that has been temporarily turned into a Kwik-E-Mart in honor of the Simpsons movie coming out. It was pretty cool, but WAY too crowded. We wandered around the store as much as we could and then left because there were just too many people. But now we can say we've been to the Kwik-E-Mart. :)

David has been with his colleagues who are in town, and I have been invited to join them for dinner. This is exciting! I've not gotten to go to one of his corporate dinners with his whole team like this, so I am looking forward to it! Grampa and the parents are coming for dinner tomorrow, and then Thursday begins the dress alterations! :) Once that is done I need to decide where to do my bridal portraits. Tonya, the coolest photographer ever, is helping with this. :)

So that's about it. I head to Vegas a week from Thursday. David is in a meeting up there, so I am flying up on a free ticket on Southwest and we're staying up there compliments of his company! :) Yay! So it's a VERY cheap trip for us. I'm looking forward to the getaway!

Have a good Tuesday everyone!

Friday, You've Been A Long Time Coming!

Seriously, this has been a long week!

I'm having one of those days where I am having hair issues, I don't like what I wore to work today, and I am tired. I'm not in a bad mood, just ready to go home. David and I have a nice evening planned, and I am looking forward to it. We're going to a yummy pizza place for dinner and then coming home to enjoy a Netflix selection. We have a busy day tomorrow, and hopefully it won't be rainy.

I don't much to say today. Kim is busy moving to a new and bigger apartment, so without her emails it has been quiet. Mia and Kevin and I had lunch, and that was nice. :)

Everyone have a great weekend!

Panic Mode

I just got a call from the reception venue, and the wedding coordinator I've been working with for a year now has resigned. So now I have a new coordinator. My previous one was wonderful! We had a wonderful working relationship built, and I knew she got my idea of what I wanted. I'm nervous about having to build a new relationship with Heather, my new coordinator. If I had more time to get to know her, I would feel so much better about that but right now all I can think of is weather or not things will run smoothly. Jackie had come so highly recommended, and we just had an amazing connection.

I know it will be okay, but this really rattled me. You'd be rattled, too, if it was your reception. It's so important to me that my guests have a wonderful time and enjoy themselves, and I just want it all to run seamlessly.

71 days until the wedding. Holy cow!

Life is Good!

First of all, the Cinnamon Sun Chips are great!! If you need a sweet snack, that's a good choice!

We met with our wedding DJ last night, and I just love her! We got the reception music planned, and we are going to have the time of our lives!! (Anyone coming better get your booties on the dance floor!) David and I are getting ready to sign up for dance lessons so we can wow everyone! :) I really need the help. I am not so graceful! (But with my dress, I don't really need to worry...no one can see my feet!)

We are going to finalize flowers today, and then we are meeting with the church organist after that to select our ceremony music. I am in wedding Heaven! :)

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Potential to be the Holy Grail of Snacks

I have a real love of those cinnamon-sugar coated pita chips. I do...I love them! But I can't buy them because I will eat them. (I know that's the point, but I don't need to eat a whole bag of them!)

I may have found the answer. Sun Chips has just come out with Cinnamon Chips. I love Sun Chips because they are a little healthier, and now that they have cinnamon chips? Heaven help me! The good news being that they come in individual serving bags. I bought a bag from the deli this morning, but I haven't eaten them yet. (It's 8:24am...not the right time!) I have high hopes, though. :) I'll let you know what I think!

In other news, it was a good weekend. I did my first trial run on bridal makeup, and I really loved what she did! Paula, my esthetician, is wonderful! She is doing all my facials and brow waxing, and she has a love of MAC just like me! She is an absolute genius with makeup, and we decided that we may need to take a trip to the MAC counter together soon. (I love this girl!) I have a bunch of stuff to recycle and trade for free lipsticks, so I am planning to go this week regardless. :)

Hmm...I haven't mentioned WW lately, have I? I'm struggling again. I didn't go on Saturday, but I did get workouts in at the gym, which is the thing that keeps me from totally blowing it. I know that WW has revamped their program and I am supposed to be able to eat more food, but I don't want to do that. I am trying to re-focus on making smarter choices, so I am going to the old points system. The system that worked so well for me two years ago. I know...I keep struggling, but I just refuse to give up on myself. I did it once...I can do this again! (Right?)

We saw the new Harry Potter film...loved it!! The book comes out this week and I think I need to buy myself a copy. It's the last one and I can hardly wait to dig into it! We also watched Last King of Scotland, which was a very interesting film. Amin did terrible things to the people of Uganda, and this movie gives you a look at what kind of man he was. He was awful. But the film was great, and Forrest Whittaker is a very good actor!

I think that's about it for me. I hope everyone has a good Monday!

Thursday Randomness

I discovered that Target.com has a bridal section, with some very pretty wedding dresses. They also have flower girl dresses for $13.99 each. I paid $45. Go figure. If you are about to embark on wedding planning, go to target.com and search for "bridal".

It's going to take a LOT of motivation to get me into the gym today. I am bloated and crampy. Yay. I promise to be pleasant when David gets home from Houston tonight.

I got another reminder of why my family is awesome. When someone in the family is having a tough time, we (our whole clan!) band together like no one's business. Ashley, we've got your back, girl! (She doesn't read the blog, but I am putting that out in the universe!) Ash is 12 and needs some unconditional love, and this village is all about raising her right. Girl, you are awesome and don't forget it! We love you without exception!!

I got two new purses yesterday, compliments of David's company. :) It pays to marry a footwear rep! I love them, but they are fall bags and I was hoping for a white one for the summer. Wait...they were free and I'm bitching? Someone slap me.

This is post number 450. Yes, I have put 450 blurbs about my life out there for all to laugh at. Here's to the next 450!

I am getting married in 78 days. 78 DAYS!!! I have a lot to do between now and then.

Okay. I think that's enough mind-numbing randomness from me today. I just had some soup and a baked potato, and now I need to get some work done. Everyone have a great day!

Where Do I Want to Be Today?

Yep. I wish I was in Paris today. Sitting on the steps of Versailles. Or maybe walking around London...

If you look carefully, you will notice I have some sort of crazy white-girl 'fro happening on top of my head. I wonder what was up with that? I would love to be there right now...there's a sort of surreal excitement when you step off the train and take your first steps in a new city. Especially when it's London!

I am not enamored with my job today, so I am dreaming of being in other places. But mostly I am missing traveling and the adventure of going somewhere new. I want to go next summer so badly it hurts, but after the wedding we are trying to save for a house. This means no trip to Paris for Jen. At least, not next year. Is it possible to feel "homesick" for a place you lived for only seven days?

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris…then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, because Paris is a moveable feast." - Hemmingway

Amen to that!

Fun with Cheese!

Okay...yummy recipe if you love brie cheese:

1 sheet of puff pastry dough
1 8oz wheel of brie
1/2 cup raspberry jam
1/3 cup pecans
1 egg

Crack the egg and scramble in a small bowl. With a pastry brush, brush both sides of the puff pastry with the egg. Cut the rind off the top of the brie wheel, and lay on center of puff pastry sheet. Spread jam on the brie, and then sprinkle pecans over the jam. Bring all four corners of the pastry togther so that it wraps up the brie like a package. Back at 375 for 20-25 minutes. Serve with crackers. YUM!

I made this for David's family get together on Sunday and it was really good! :) I am such a fan of brie! And no, this is in no way a low fat recipe. I made it for a family gathering, so it was a special occasion. :)

I don't have much news. I got all the wedding invitation envelopes addressed, so now we just need to start buying postage. Cha-ching!

I think that's it today. No big news. I have a slight headache, so I am feeling blah. Nothing to worry about. I think it's the weather! Ugh!

Have a good Monday! :)

I Must Really Be Old Now

What did my Friday night consist of? A trip to the gym, heating up leftovers for dinner, and watching "A Prairie Home Companion". (Which wasn't good.) That's it. That's what I did. Yawn.

I am about to start working on addressing envelopes for wedding invitations. We did get a wedding gift in the mail today, though! (Thank you to Joe and Pascha!) I can't unwrap it because David is out of town and I want him to be here to share the fun of opening a gift, especially since it was sent with love from two of his very good friends!

In other fun news, I got the word from David that his company is sending all the reps a case of sample handbags. Yes, I am getting a large box of leather handbags! I have no idea what all they are sending me, but isn't that cool?? I think they will probably be fall bags, and I really need a good white summer bag. Maybe they will slip one in there for me! :)

I spent last night with Mom and Wendy working on the bridesmaids gifts...I can't say much, but they sure are cool! :)

I guess that's about it. Not much on tap for the weekend. David comes back tomorrow afternoon, and I am going to go work out in the morning. I have some relaxing scheduled, and I will pick up David around 3pm I think. He'll let me know for sure. (If he needs a ride from the airport!)

Everyone have a good rest of the evening!

Oops!

I didn't mean to take such a long blog break! All is well in my world...it's just been really busy. Yesterday was nice...we got in some pool time at Angela's before the storms blew in. I got a little pink on my shoulders, which I now have to watch since I don't want tan lines for the wedding!

Speaking of weddings...we're under the three month mark now. Yikes! David and I talked about the budget last night and things we need to be sure to do before the wedding. We have a fair amount of stuff to do! This week we are printing the response envelopes and starting to purchase postage. We're going to be addressing invitations since they go in the mail on the 27th of this month!! Wow...it's really starting to get close!

It's going to be a nice week...I have an abbreviated work schedule so I will be enjoying the holiday. We're going to David's parents house on Wednesday, and I am making a couple of things to take. (Thanks for the recipes, Paula Deen!) I feel the need to prove that I can cook for their son, although no one has ever said that I couldn't!

So that's it for today. Have a good Monday everyone! :)

Happy Birthday to Me

Yep, it's my birthday...I'm 35. I think I feel old.

My 12 year old cousin, Ashley, asked me last night if I enjoy "modern ice cream". What?? I asked her what she meant, and she proceeded to explain to me that when I was born there were only a couple of flavors of ice cream. Seriously, this is what she thought. I told her there were at least 31 flavors. (Hey, we lived close to a Baskin Robins!)

Ugh!

Anyhow, happy Friday to all! Have a great weekend!

I Have an Unusual Problem!

Well, I've got my dress!! I've tried it on, and all my worry about not looking pretty went out the window! I love my dress, and I love me in the dress! The only problem? This is the first time in my life something was too big in the bust! We have to have the bust brought in...a lot! :) No worries! My very dear friend, Wendy, is going to do my alterations. (She actually really wrote the book on wedding dress alterations for a major department store!) So I am very excited! I have the dress here at home because David is out of town and won't see it. I'll take it to Mom's on Friday before David gets home...I want the dress to be a surprise! I have pics of the dress on my cell phone, but I will wait until Wendy emails me the pictures she took...they will look much better! Once I have them, I will be happy to share!

So it's been a lovely evening. Mom and Dad came to the fitting, and I think they really love my dress. It's beautiful, and doesn't look like every other dress out there. And it's all mine!!

I own the dress I'll become a married woman in...weird!

Wear Your Stretchy Pants to the Reception!

Oh, we are going to have some very yummy food to eat! We had our menu tasting last night, and the food is amazing! We have all kinds of munchies, carved roast beef, salmon, shrimp, mashed potatoes, and some awesome appetizers! We've laid out the room arrangement, figured out how we're exiting the reception (very stylishly, I might add!), and now we just have to decide on favors and whether or not to throw bird seed or rose petals. I'm on a wedding high!!

At 5pm today I will go try on my wedding dress for the first time. I feel nervous...I hope I look pretty! I've struggled with WW (still plugging away with it, though!) and I was hoping to be a little smaller, but it's ok. My dress will still fit. I just want David to think I look like a princess. (I hope that's not too vain...I just want him to think I look beautiful!) I'll take pictures, and if anyone wants to see, you can email me and I will share. I just can't post here, as my future husband stops by the blog from time to time. :)

I had a massage during lunch today! It was my treat to myself, as my birthday is on Friday!! :) I got a funny shock yesterday...David has a step-daughter, Dara, from a previous marriage. She is 4 1/2 months pregnant (and she's only 19 and her husband is shipping out to Iraq in July!!). David has remained close to her, and he is the only father she has really known. So essentially, David is a sort of "Step" grandfather. In a crazy universe, that makes me a step-grandma! It's a bit of a stretch, but we've had a good laugh out of it! I do need to make it clear that the first person to call me "Grandma" gets a knuckle sandwich.

So that's my news! I'll let you all know how the fitting goes! Wish me luck!

UPDATE: Kim made a good point...David's step-daughter wasn't the shock...I already knew her and I think she's adorable! :) We're bummed because her due date is September 29th. :( She can't come to the wedding!

99 Days

Wow! 99 days until the wedding! Where does the time go??

Tonight we are going to the menu tasting to decide about the food for the reception. I have been looking forward to this!! We have a list of things to chow on, and we're going to have such a great time! Our coordinator is a doll, and she is going to make this so much fun!

Tomorrow is my dress fitting, and I am nervous. I hope I look like a princess in my dress! :) No pictures posted, though...I need to save that for the wedding! :)

Happy Belated Father's Day!

I didn't have a chance to post yesterday, so happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! We had a nice day yesterday. We visited with the family and then took my cousin, Ashley, shopping for clothes for her volleyball camp this week. (Shopping $$ courtesy of mom!) We got home around 6-ish, but stopped for a quick dinner at a yummy Chinese restaurant that we enjoy. We went home and watched some TV and then called it a night...we were sleepy! (And all the rain just makes me sleepier!)

So I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday! (Jerilyn and Blonde, my thoughts were with you both!)

Have a good Monday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's my mother's birthday today, and in her selfless ways she spent her birthday with me shopping for wedding stuff! We were with our friend Wendy, and we got three absolutely beautiful flower girl dresses, the gorgeous fabric to make the ring bearer pillows, my garter, some wedding jewelry for my junior bridesmaid, and in the midst of all this I got the call that my wedding dress has arrived and is at the store being steamed! I got to see it and try it on for the first time on Wednesday night, and I can hardly wait! I'm actually going to see the dress I will wear when I become a "Mrs."! It feels so surreal!

I went to WW today, but didn't get on the scale. It was a good meeting, and I am feeling energized and strong...I'm ready to have some success this week! I am hoping to go to yoga on Monday night, but it depends on if we go see David's parents. It's been a busy week, and next week promises to be just as busy. We have the menu tasting on Tuesday and the dress fitting on Wednesday. It's a wedding week!!! :)

So that's it for now. I need to get ready to go pick up David at the airport. He was supposed to be here, but his flight was very late due to the weather. Everyone have a good Saturday night!

The "Peaks and Valleys" Speech

I remember years ago my dad telling me that life has peaks and valleys, because without the valleys, we would never appreciate the peaks. One of my blogger friends is in a very low valley right now, as she has unexpectedly lost her father. Her grief is just beginning to pour into her blog, and I know she has a long path to feeling "normal" again...and normal for her is forever changed. I don't know the depth of her pain. I think it's only something you understand when you are going through it, and no one can sympathize unless they have been there. I'm lucky...I haven't been there, but I know people who have (including my own parents). I've watched people lose a parent, and it's awful and horrible. But I've also seen what happens as time passes and the grief isn't as life consuming as it was...and that's when you can revisit the loving memories without sobbing your heart out every time. (You still do it sometimes, though.)

Unfortunate Serendipity's blog is beautifully written, and I am grateful that she is brave enough to begin sharing a little bit of her grief with her readers. She's a wonderful person. How do I know? Because even though we've never met, she has become a friend to me. We email on occasion, and she's even offered to help me during fashion dilemmas. I don't have to have met her to know that I like her and respect her. (Hey, the woman has great taste in shoes!)

So my blog today is just about my friend and how even though there are no words to ease the pain, maybe the collective healing energy from those who read my blog and send her good thoughts will provide some comfort.

Jerilyn, you are in my prayers.

Wow...I Actually Have No News!

It's true...I have nothing to contribute to the world today. It's been a boring day at work and I am sleepy. (I hung out with my mom way too late last night!) I haven't been overly productive or anything. Kinda pathetic!

Mom's birthday is Saturday, so that might be classified as news! (Happy 29th birthday, Mom!) I need to get a manicure, and I have a massage scheduled on Wednesday. That's about it!

So everyone have a good Wednesday! I'm going to Grampa's tonight for dinner, so I know it will be a good day!

After Much Thought...

I have decided that I am feeling differently about the Sopranos finale than I was yesterday. The more I think about it, the more I think I liked it. TV spoon feeds us stories and endings, and for once we are now left to think about what has happened. I have a few theories on what happened to the Soprano family, but I also kind of like the idea that I don't really know. I hope that they eventually decide to do a movie, but mostly because I enjoyed the series so much that just a little more would be a wonderful treat. However, there is apparently very little likelihood that it will happen. So we are left to mull over the fate of Tony Soprano.

And back in the real world, there's not much news to share. David headed out for south Texas today, and he'll be back Saturday night. Saturday is Mom's birthday, so I am thinking of a good b-day gift for her. She comes back from Austin today! :) Dad left for the coast yesterday for his annual fishing trip, so until tonight I am holding down the fort!

I'm sleepy today...I was so warm and cozy in bed when the alarm went off. :( Getting up is no fun! I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

Sopranos Finale: Who Got Whacked?

The viewers did! I won't go into detail here just in case any Sopranos fans haven't seen the finale yet, but what the heck??

It was an interesting way to end the series, but me? I think I would have liked to see something different. Just an opinion.

Ugh!

Okay, Maybe I Did Have A Brush With Fame

When I picked up David from the airport last night, I did get to see Eva Longoria! Of course, she was whisked by on one of those little carts, but she seemed very unpretentious and looked happy. (No one saw her but me...no one else knew to look for her!) She was in jeans, a black t-shirt, and red high heels. She also had a headband in her hair and big sunglasses on. But she was smiling and chatting with the cart driver, and she looked like she was enjoying her conversation. My impression on her? She looked like she was enjoying herself. David said she was letting people take her picture on the plane, and I think that's nice. She could have been a real b*tch about it, but she chose to be friendly and pleasant to her fans, and that makes me like her! (I wish I could have asked her about her wedding plans!)

So anyhow, I did get have a brush with fame!

Catching Up

Wow...it's been a little while since I had time to blog! It's been a busy week. I overslept for WW this morning. :( Although I wasn't feeling like it would be a good weigh in, I was planning to go. However, I did go to the gym so I am feeling good. I am also really feeling like I am back on my game, so hopefully the pounds I am revisiting will be on their way back off soon.

Mia and I went to the mall to check out the new Sarah Jessica Parker clothing line, and it's pretty good! We picked up a few things after a light lunch, and had a lot of fun walking the mall. Mia is getting ready to go to CA, and Kim is there right now. Everyone is travelling! David is on his way back from NYC right now. Actually he just called me about 5 minutes ago to tell me that Eva Longoria is on his flight! Pretty cool! He waved at her as he passed through First Class and she waved back. I told him to give her a "Go Spurs" if he sees her again! Pretty neat! He also met Oscar de la Hoya at his hotel across from Madison Square Garden. I didn't meet anyone famous this week. :(

A week from Tuesday we have our menu tasting for the reception food, and my dress will ship out on June 14th, so things are really moving along. Mom's birthday is a week from today, and my birthday is approaching, too. 35. Yikes! However, having oily skin is keeping me young looking, as no one seems to believe I am older than 27. Hey, I'll take it! :)

I think that's about it for now. I need to clean and get ready to pick up David in about 4 hours. I can't wait! :)

Have a good weekend!

Glamorous!

David and I had our engagement pictures made on Sunday, and if I may say so, I think we looked great! I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out! It was humid so I hope our photographer can photoshop out a few sweat beads. :) But it was a lot of fun and she took a lot of pictures!

It was a very productive weekend! I got my invitations put together, the programs are done, we found a dress for my junior bridesmaid, shopped for a new phone for David, and looked at a kitchen table. I also got my hair highlighted and went to WW. WW wasn't so good, but I knew it was going to be a gain. For the last two weeks my eating hasn't been good, but I am back on track now. I am working with Susan this afternoon, and then I am going to Yoga with Kim tonight and I am very ready! I need it! I haven't been in a couple weeks because of being sick and then last Monday being a holiday. So I am probably a little regressed, but I am back on it, baby! :)

So here we are on a Monday morning. Is it 4pm yet? I am so ready to hit the gym!

Everyone have a great day!

A Small Victory

While getting dressed this morning I put on a dress that I bought a bit too tight and could not wear. Well guess what? I'm wearing it today!! I love it when this happens...it's really motivating! I needed a little nudge, and that helped. I also got a really good workout in yesterday. My trainer was off, but I still worked my legs really good, and David and I went to the gym last night and I got some good cardio in as well. David also grilled us some salmon and we had a salad...we were very good!

It's hard to get back into the swing after a long weekend. We had a nice time...it was good to get to spend two days with David in a row! He has to head out of town tomorrow but comes back on Saturday night. Next week he's off to NYC. The travel will wrap up at the end of June, so that's something to look forward to. :)

That's really about it for today. I'm trying to get a few things done because I have a long meeting today. (Ugh!) I'm looking forward to dinner with Grampa tonight.

Everyone have a good Wednesday!

On the Mend

Oh man, I have been so sick! I've had a monster of an upper respiratory infection and it hasn't been much fun. I missed a few days of work, but I am better. Still coughing and fighting the phlegm, but definitely better.

My kitchen shower last Sunday was great! Wendy went all out and we had a great time. My friends and family are so very generous! We got lots of wonderful stuff, and we had a good time going through all our goodies after I got home. :)

It's been a busy week with work. Today is nice because I only have to work a half day, so Mia and I are going to bum around and have some lunch. I got to have dinner with Christy last night, and it was nice to get together. (We went to the MAC counter!!) She wants to have a bridal shower for me in August, so we talked about that. August will be busy for me...bridal shower and bachelorette party!! Woo-hoo! My girls are planning a trip to Austin for that, so it should be a blast!

Saturday night I am hostessing an engagement celebration for Kevin and Samantha. It's easy - it's a pot luck dinner, so we'll have lots of yummy stuff. I'm going to get to see lots of friends I haven't seen in a while, so I am really looking forward to that. David will be home Saturday night, so I'll get to show him off for a little while at least! (He's in Denver right now.)

So I think that gets me caught up. I haven't done well with my eating this week, and I haven't been able to exercise because I have been so sick, so even though I am going to WW tomorrow, I am not going to weigh in. I need to go and get pumped up at the meeting and then be back on track again, so don't look for a weight loss total tomorrow. We're just going to say that I maintained and leave it at that. The thing is that I am okay with this. I ate some stuff I shouldn't have eaten this week, and now I am getting myself back into my groove. Actually, I see this as a positive - I'm back in control and ready to work out next week! So I am feeling good about this. That's the nice thing about WW...it's never too late to get back on track!

Have a great Friday everyone!!

A Little Under the Weather

I'm sick with an upper respiratory infection, but I'll be back to blogging soon!

Me vs. The Scale: I Win!

Yes, I lost 4.2 pounds this week for a new total of 17.6 pounds gone!! Everyone told me the four-tenths of a pound gain wasn't me, and it really wasn't! So I am feeling rather spectacular! I still don't know what to reward myself with when I lose 20 pounds, though. I found a super cute Coach wristlet that I fell in love with today, but it would be a better 50 pound off gift. I need to think a little smaller for 20 pounds. Maybe a massage... :)

David will be home soon, and tomorrow is my bridal shower! I am so excited!

The "Make America Sparkle" Campaign

I had a weird revelation a few minutes ago...next month I will be old enough to run for president. Not that I am making any plans to do so, but if I did, what would my campaign be like?

• Mandatory shopping holidays (deep discounts and paid time off from work included)
• Cleaner cities - we need to make America sparkle!
• People would need to exercise courtesy and good manners in public (cell phone etiquette, hello!)
• Hugging would be the proper form of greeting people

I'm sure there are more important issues at hand, but it's not like I'm actually running. BUt as of June 22nd, I could!

On a less "fluff" note, tomorrow is weigh in. After my .4 gain last week, I don't have a clue what the scale will say, but I've done a good job this week of tracking what I ate and of making good choices, so what else can a girl do? Hopefully I will have good news to report. I have also been drinking green tea all day. Good for the insides!

Sunday is my very first bridal shower! Do you know how hard it is not to peek at my online registry? Yeah, I don't know either...I peeked! :) But I won't peek any more this weekend. I bought nice hostess gifts for Wendy and Maureen, who are hostessing this wonderful party, and I can't wait to give them their gifts! I also found the absolute coolest bridemaid gifts, but I obviously can't talk about them here. After they get the gifts in September I can spill the beans. But they're so cool!! If you need a really cool gift for a girlfriend, email me and I can tell you all about it! (Unless you're one of my Fox Force Five...then you have to wait!)

That's it for now. Have a good Friday everyone! I'm going to dinner with the folks and then going to buy my Thank You cards, so it should be a very nice evening. :)

Take That, Scale!

After my devastating four-tenths of a pound gain (I know it sounds silly, but when you work this hard you want measurable results!), I had my trainer take my measurements. I've made good progress in all areas, so I am now officially convinced that my weight gain was muscle. :) So there, scale! Ha!

Other than that, no big news. Oh, except that my very first bridal shower is this Sunday! I can't wait! (and I get married in 133 days - eek!) I am trying not to peek at the registry to see what people have bought for us...it's hard not to do that!

I still have plenty to do for the wedding. Next month, I am working on invitations and programs. I need to get the table cards finished before the end of this month for sure. I think I am going to work on that this Friday night.

We're almost unpacked from the move. It's nice to have a bigger place, and it does feel like home. We have an upstairs neighbor with cement feet, though. I keep thinking I will go up there and apologize for making so much noise. When they look surprised and say they don't hear us, I will say something like "oh yeah...it must be you then!" I probably won't do that, but it's fun to fantasize!

So that really is it for today. David is feeling a little better, but is still getting over his upper respiratory infection. Poor guy! He has to travel again tomorrow. But he'll be home on Saturday night! :)

Have a good Wednesday!

Denied!

I was so close to my 15 pound mark, but my body decided to gain .4 pounds. GAIN??? The only reason I can come up with for that is gaining muscle, as I worked out really hard this past week. I am trying to move on and have a good week this week and hopefully have a loss on Saturday morning. I was really frustrated!

Poor David is really sick. He is congested and coughing, but being the man he is, he isn't going to the doctor. I wish he would, but hopefully he will feel better. He's had to travel so much it's not surprising that he is feeling so crummy.

My very first bridal shower is this coming Sunday! It's so surreal to me that there is a party like this being held in my honor! (Is it wrong that I checked my registry to see what people have bought for me? I'm going to try not to do that again...I'd like to be surprised on Sunday!) It's really neat to think that people are so wonderful and are gathering to celebrate my wedding like this. I really do feel so honored! :)

Tonight I work out with Susan and then I have Yoga at 7pm. I am looking forward to working out. We celebrated Mother's Day and I ate some chocolate cake (not a whole piece, mind you!) and I am ready to work it off my body. I also discovered that since i don't eat such things these days, it kind of made me feel icky. That's a good thing, right?

Christy is home from her honeymoon. She left me a message, but I had missed her call. I was happy to hear her voice and I can't wait to hear how her honeymoon was! (I just want the G-rated details!) It's so funny to think that the next wedding I attend is my own!

135 day away...I bet the time will go by quickly!

Friday Has Arrived!

It's been a long week! I am so ready for the weekend...and for weighing in tomorrow! It's been a good week, so I expect good things from the scale. :) I need to make sure I get some treadmill time in after work, though, just to be sure.

No real news today. I need to work on some wedding stuff tonight. It's only 138 days until the wedding. I know it sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. Not when I think about all the little things I need to do. The most important thing to me is that people see us in the details. I want people to walk away from a fun evening feeling like they saw our personal touches in all the little things. No one will really pay much attention to the fact that I am making all the table cards by hand, but if for just a moment they hold their card and think to themselves that it looks like something David and I would pick out, then I will be happy. I want our day to be full of laughter and love and family and friends. If a flower girl puts her dress over her head, it will be one of those funny things people will laugh about later. (Bridesmaids, keep your skirts at your knees! That's not funny! ;) ) For me, the day will be perfect if everyone has a good time and enjoys themselves.

That's it for today! Everyone have a great Friday!

Waterbed Has A New Meaning

Yeah, I was so tired last night after working with my trainer and then an hour of Yoga that I actually fell asleep in the bath tub. Yes, that's pretty tired. Apparently we had some loud storms, but I slept through that as well. (Not in the tub...I did wake up and dry off and go to bed) I am about to work with my trainer some more. I am officially a glutton for punishment.

Oh, and my arms are killing me from lifting weights yesterday. We are going to see Spiderman 3 tonight. I'll probably fall asleep. Ugh!

No big news. Hope all is well with everyone. Lucky Christy...she and her new husband are lying on a beach in the Dominican Republic!

A Little Less of Me

WW is going really well! I lost 2.4 pounds for a grand total of 13.8 pounds gone! I didn't expect to do that well, so it was a wonderful surprise for me! :) I am feeling good and can hardly wait until I can see a difference!

Christy got married this weekend, and it was wonderful! there ceremony at the Bontanic Gardens was lovely, and the reception was a lot of fun. It's hard to believe that the next wedding I go to is my own! (That feels strange to even think about!) I have a lot to do and time is starting to tick away!

David came home on Sunday and I was so glad! I missed him so much and I get to have him home until Thursday. :) I'm so happy!

Tonight is Yoga night and I am looking forward to it. I didn't much exercise last week because my allergies were giving me so much trouble, but I am feeling good and ready to get back into my groove. I should be good and sore tomorrow!

Have a good Monday everyone!

Thoughts, Ideas...Anything?

I need a little help from everyone. I am trying to think of a good reward for myself for when I reach the 20 pounds off mark. Nothing food or dining out related, and nothing hugely expensive. For 10 pounds gone, I bought myself a Yoga mat and a bag to carry it in, so now I am looking for my next reward. Any ideas are greatly appreciated!!

No big news. David left this morning for Omaha, and he will be back Sunday evening. This week is shaping up to be busy, with Christy's wedding happening on Saturday. I am still feeling kind of crummy, but I am definitely feeling better. It really sucks to have allergies!

So that's really it for today. Mostly just trying to figure out what to do for myself as a treat. :)

Slightly Delayed

Sorry to be late in posting an update...it was a busy weekend! Friday night David and I went to dinner and we were going to go see a movie, but we were both so tired we opted to stay home and veg. He was home all week long, and that's kind of rare for us so we took advantage of the time and snuggled. It was really nice!

Saturday morning...I'm a loser! I've lost 11.4 pounds now, so I got to get my new Yoga mat as my reward for having lost 10 pounds now! I also went to Yoga on Saturday morning with Kim, and afterwards we went to lunch and then she ordered her bridesmaid dress. :) Saturday night was the engagement party, and it was a wonderful evening. It was just wedding party and family, and it was wonderful - Angela really knows how to throw a party! :)

Sunday I was really having allergy trouble, but we went went to the DMA and the Nasher to see the Henri Matisse exhibit. (I wanted to see his paintings in Paris but the were being cleaned!) We had lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse and then came home and relaxed. I felt just awful yesterday. My allergies are giving me a really tough time. I had to miss Yoga, but I am feeling better today. Not great, but better. I think I might be on the mend.

So that should bring you up to speed. My birthday is next month...I'm going to be 35! Where did all the time go? Ugh!

Clean Bill of Health

My fur baby, Cleo, got her teeth cleaned today. She got a clean bill of health, and her chompers are in good shape. Not bad for a 14 year old girl, huh? (She's 72 in people years!) This is a big relief for me, as I am incredibly attached to this cat and I am always afraid that something bad will happen to her...I cried while we waited for blood work because I was afraid she might be sick...mind you, it was routine blood work and she was fine!

Tomorrow night is my engagement party, thrown by Angela. It's just family and wedding party because that's over 40 people right there. (David has a lot of family!) I'm excited and can't wait! David is also taking me to the Matisse exhibit this weekend, and I am thrilled! I missed his paintings in Paris because they were being cleaned. :(

I step on the scale in the morning, so I am thinking good thoughts and have high hopes that I might break the 10 pounds off mark. If I do, my treat is to buy myself my very own Yoga mat. :) Might be lame to you, but I am totally getting into this Yoga thing. Actually, Kim and I are going to Yoga at 11am tomorrow. And then we're going to meet Jen at the bridal shop and order their bridesmaid dresses. I'm so excited! Everyone is picking a different dress and they will all look so beautiful! I'm very lucky to have such wonderful friends!

So everyone have a great weekend! I'll post tomorrow and let you know about my weight loss!

Byron Nelson, I Hardly Knew Ye

So cool voicemail this morning...I won tickets to the Byron Nelson this week! I am trying to see if I can take Friday off, and if so then Kim and I are off to fairway! I found parking and all, now I just need the OK from my boss. It's a little iffy...we have people out this week so I am crossing my fingers. I've never been and even though I am not a golf fanatic, I think it would be pretty neat to get to go and see all the fuss. Now I am wondering if I should have just called in sick Friday. Nah..I would have ended up on TV and gotten busted on Monday. It's not worth it to lie! So hopefully I can make it. I can't go Saturday because it's my day to get ready for my engagement party! And Kim and I are going to go get her dress ordered, too, so there is just too much to do on Saturday. And on Sunday David is taking me to the DMA to see the Matisse paintings on exhibit. Matisse is my favorite painter, and I missed his works at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris because they were cleaning his paintings. So here's my chance! We thought it would be fun to see the exhibit, have lunch, and buy a couple of prints to hang in the apartment. So it's going to be a wonderful weekend!

I went to Yoga last night and I am sore this morning. But I could tell that I did a little better than last time! However, but foot made a squeak noise on the floor as I moved my foot into the Warrior II pose, so now I'm afraid everyone will think I am the girl that farts in Yoga class. Great. Hopefully next week it will be forgotten. It's always something embarrassing with me.

So that's about it. it's been a busy day so far, and it promises to stay busy all day. I am going with Jennifer tonight to help her pick out her bridesmaid dress. Hopefully the weather won't get crappy...it's supposed to be severe during rush hour. Welcome to April in Texas!

I think that's it for today. Have a good Tuesday!!

158 Days To Go!

Holy cow! 158 days until I get married!! Where does the time go? Christy gets married in less than two weeks now. We had her bachelorette party Saturday night, and she had a blast! She got to wear a veil covered in condoms and little plastic penises, and she got lots of attention at the bar. While everyone else drank, I was the good designated driver and drank club soda with lime all night. Also, since I am being very focused on WW, I didn't want to drink. Oh, I lost 1.8 pounds this week! That makes for 8.4 pounds gone, I think! :) So it's slow, but it's working. Mom lost 4 pounds and I am very proud of her!

It's been so hectic with the move. David came home yesterday and he is going to finish up at the apartment for me since I've done so much this week. I'm so grateful!

Tonight I work out with Susan, and then I have Yoga at 7. I didn't make it to Yoga last week because I could barely move after a couple days of moving. But I'm ready to do it again tonight! I like the instructor, so I am looking forward to it. Kim can't make it tonight, but I am going to be brave and go by myself. I'm a little nervous but I'll be so glad I went!

So big congrats to Kevin and Samantha on their engagement! I am going to hostess a party for them later next month, and I am excited about it. I thought it would be easy to do a pot luck dinner for them, and it's always fun to enjoy other people's recipes.

Speaking of parties, this Saturday night Angela is hostessing an engagement party. We kept the guest list down to just immediate family and wedding party members because I didn't want to totally flood Angela's house with people. (Besides, that's around 40 people right there!) It's our first party to celebrate our engagement and I am really excited! I've been so busy throwing parties for other people that it will be nice to have one for us. :) Selfish, yeah...but I want to celebrate our engagement, too!

That's it for today. I hope everyone has a great Monday!

Sheer Exhaustion!

It has been a really tiring weekend! We began moving on Saturday, and had to take a break long enough for me to hostess a bridal shower for Christy on Sunday. After that it was back to moving, and the movers came to move the big stuff on Monday morning. We still have a lot of little stuff at the old place, but it is really nice to be in the new place with more room!

I lost 1.6 pounds on Saturday's weigh in for a total of 7.6 (I think!) pounds gone now! Not too bad for three weeks worth of work! :)

I don't have much news other than moving. That's pretty much all I've been doing. David is out of town until Sunday, and I have Christy's bachelorette party on Saturday night. I never stay out late any more, so I hope I can make it past 10pm!

Everyone take it easy! :)

Excitement is Building!

Moving day is almost here! We found out that we can paint the apartment, so we've picked out a color for the living room and a color for the master bedroom. We're doing two walls in the living room and one accent wall in the bedroom, so this should go pretty quickly. I'm excited that we can make it our own since we plan to be here for about two years. (Our next place will hopefully be a house!) But we have an awesome golden color for the two walls in the living room, and a washed out olive color for the bedroom. I'm not sure I have ever been this excited about painting. I will pick up the paint on Saturday and we're going to paint Saturday night.

We still have a fair amount of packing to do, but we've gotten a lot done. We're moving boxes down to the garage tonight to get things out of the way since I have Christy's bachelorette party on Sunday afternoon. This weekend is just nuts!

The movers come on Monday, so we have time to get things done. David leaves on Tuesday and comes back Sunday night, so I am doing most of the unpacking. When he comes home he'll do most of the rearranging, though. (He's got a better eye for putting stuff together than I do.)

So that's the excitement for now. My body has finally recovered from two personal training sessions and my first Yoga class. I think I am really going to like Yoga, and I am definitely going back next Monday. It did me a lot of good!

That's it for now. I'll try to blog on Saturday to update you on my weigh in! Think skinny thoughts!

I Can Barely Move

Not only did I work with my trainer yesterday (she super set my arms - the pain!), I went to my very first Yoga class ever. Actually, it was my first exercise class I've ever been to, and even though I was clumsy and couldn't do everything, I made it through the whole class! Kim wen with me (Thank you Kim!!!) and I was glad she was there. Somehow having her there made it easier, because let me tell you...I was very nervous about trying this. I was afraid people would judge me or stare at me, and you know what? It turns out that none of the people there came to judge me! They simply came to do Yoga for themselves. :) The instructor was really nice...she came over to encourage me more than once, and afterwards we had a chance to talk with her and she really made me feel glad I came. So from now on, Mondays at 7pm I'll be doing Yoga with Kim! :)

However, getting up this morning was a whole other story...I am so sore today! But it is all so worth it, and it will be even more worth it when I get on the scale Saturday morning at WW. Seriously, I think I'm on the right track now!!

Everyone have a wonderful Tuesday!

I'm A Loser Again!

My Saturday morning weigh-in was full of good news! I lost another 3.4 pounds for a total of 5.6 pounds gone now! Yeah, I think I am on the right track. The key is to stick with it, but I'm really focused on this so I think this is going to have a happy ending. :) I've worked out hard lately, so I think it's going to pay off. Tonight I am starting a Yoga class. Kim is going to meet me at a 24 Hour Fitness location that's in the middle for both of us, and she's going to do Yoga with me. I have never done Yoga so I am nervous, but it does help to have a friend there with me. So send me good Yoga vibes at 7pm tonight! (And Thank You to Kim for holding my hand and going with me!)

We spent most of our weekend packing since next weekend we get the keys to the MUCH bigger apartment! I can hardly wait! I am also throwing Christy a lingerie shower on Sunday...it's going to be a crazy weekend, but I am so happy to do it for her! May 5th is her wedding day, and it's just going to be wonderful. :) So this week is going to be insanely busy with coordinating shower stuff and moving, but we'll get it all done! (Thank goodness Mom is helping with the shower!)

I hope everyone had a joyful Easter weekend!

One of Those Weeks

Wow...it's been really busy this week! I'm also having trouble with my allergies...not fun! But it has been a nice week. I got to attend an Employee Recognition lunch yesterday to celebrate my 5 years with the company. It was a very nice lunch and I got to chat with our CEO, who seems to be a pretty cool guy. I've done well this week on WW, but I am afraid that Mother Nature may have an effect on my weigh-in, but we'll see. I thought that last week and it didn't seem to be true!

David and I are packing and getting ready to move. We get the keys to the apartment on Saturday the 14th, so I am very excited! The movers are coming on Monday the 16th, so I have a couple days to move clothes and lightweight stuff first.

I had to take my precious Cleopatra to the vet on Monday because she has been favoring her front leg. I worry about everything because she is getting close to being 15 years old, and I cannot even bear to think about my life without my precious cat. But she seems to be ok. She and Kaylee got into a little row the other night and I think that's when she did something to her leg. This morning she seems much better, though. We're keeping an eye on her for now, and I take her back on the 14th for routine blood work. Since she is getting older, we just want to check and make sure everything is functioning normally. When we get the results back, we can schedule her teeth cleaning...my baby has tartar buildup! So I want to be a good kitty mommy and make sure she is as healthy as possible. So it looks like she's fine. She seems to be her old self...a little grumpy sometimes, but very loving and sweet. Below is a picture of Cleo trying to sleep, and Zak just staring at her. He seems to be so fascinated with her, but she just wants very little to do with him.

So anyhow, that's it for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday! (At least tomorrow is Friday! Seems like everyone but me is off tomorrow.)

Good News!

So after my first week back on Weight Watchers I lost 2.2 pounds! It feels good to be on the right track. The hard part is keeping it up...or at least that seems to be the hard part for me. I've done okay over the weekend, and I am prepared to do well today. So keep sending me good vibes...they are working! :)

It was a nice weekend after the torrential rains we had! We sure needed it, though. I hadn't seen rain like that in years...the creek behind the apartment was full and moving very swiftly. I can see how people get swept away when they aren't careful.

Mom and I had brunch with Grampa Saturday and it was great. It's always so nice to spend time with him. After that Mom and I ran errands and had a good time. (By the way, she lost .2 pounds! Every bit counts, and I am very proud of her!)

So that's it in a nutshell. David and I had dinner at his parents house yesterday and that's about all we did. We were lazy!

Have a good Monday!