For my love bucket. So glad we found our way back to each other.

I know I said that the last post was, well, my last post before the wedding, but I have the time and I'm inspired. J and I reconnected, in a way, last night. (Long, complicated story that I won't be sharing...) Tonight we're going to spend some much needed quality time together.

Below is the first song J and I are going to dance to as husband and wife. This song has always been a song that has touched me. One day shortly after J and I started dating, I heard this song and realized how perfect it was for us. As if it were written for us. Like every other time I've heard this song before, I cried. But that particular day I cried not just because the song touched me but because it was a story of our lives, together and separately. Joining and parting and joining yet again.

Please excuse the sappiness, I promise this will only happen once... :)

I'm so lucky to have you in my life, Baber. This song is for you.

Bless The Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

[Chorus:]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

[Chorus]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

You can hear this song: here. Its much more powerful when reading and listening at once. Thanks for sharing these special moments with us.

Dah Dah Dah Dah

Four more days. Till he kisses the bride. Till we dance our first dances as husband and wife. Till we run out to our limo afterwards, giddy with excitement to start out new life together.

Five more days. Till the honeymoon. Till we can reconnect.

What? Yeah, I said it. Reconnect. The week before the honeymoon and we're both running here and there after a full day of work. Tanning, programs, wine pick up, etc. We were supposed to cook fish together last night, to make an effort to see each other. Instead, I swooped by good old Mickie D's for a salad and mcnuggets so we could scarf them down together before I ran out again.

Saturday was my bachelorette deal and Sunday was his. It feels like we haven't seen each other in days.

I actually got a little teary eyed thinking about it this morning. We get married in a week and I feel so distant from him. We're always so connected and I guess I take that for granted.

So, to my surprise, Babers called me today to tell me he was rained out at work and asked me on a lunch date. I'm smiling from ear to ear. We so need this.

And that 7 day honeymoon coming up too....

I still cannot believe I am marrying my best friend this weekend. My source of sanity, my comforter, my love. He is home to me. And I get to spend the rest of my life with him. Amazing.

This may be my last post until after the honeymoon. If so, I wish everyone a beautiful holiday with lots of hot chocolate, non-regifted presents (ha!) and quality time with the ones you love.

Merry Christmas!

Photo: http://colourblind.ca/

It takes some time...

... for me to be to adjust to change, to get comfortable with change, and most importantly, for the new to wear off said change.

I lived in a two bedroom apartment with my roomie for a year and when she moved out of state, I moved into a one bedroom in the same complex. It took me a year in my new apartment to be fully comfortable there. Took a while to feel like home.

It took almost a year or so to feel comfy in my new car. For it to really feel like it was mine. My parents drove in front of me to the dealership to trade in my Camaro and I remember calling them to pull over because I was crying so much I couldn't see to drive. I mourned for my Camaro.

Right now, I'm starting to feel a little more comfy in our new home. I still go to the wrong cabinets for things, I'm still confused about certain light switches and fan pulls. I sit on my couch and look around the den, seeing empty walls and wondering when I'll feel completely comfy there like I did after four years at my apartment.

When J and I started dating, we were instantly comfy with each other because we had known each other since highschool. However, the newness of our relationship took a good while to wear off for me. The honeymoon phase lasted nearly a year.

When J proposed... I was on Cloud 9 for months. Still am, really. And for the last few months I've been wishing and wishing for December 13th to hurry up! and now I'm all "Only 8 days left for me to be his fiancee". I know, its weird. But I always mourn what I'm going to lose before the change comes. But when the change is here, it stays so fresh and so real to me for so long.

It has its pros and cons. I love the part in me that welcomes the change and feels it so intensely longer than most people may. When I first moved into my own apartment, I would just squeal in the middle of my den doing laundry because it was MY VERY OWN APARTMENT! I felt so grown up, though I had been an adult for years... *smirk* When I began to get used to my new car, I would look at the leather seats and think "Wow, this sure is fancy for the first car I purchased for myself!" I really appreciated it.

I really appreciated me and J's relationship in the beginning. I still do now, but in a different way. In the beginning, I would just be in awe of the things he would say to me and think "I am so lucky." I would thank God for putting us in each others paths.

I peer into my freshly painted bathroom with our new shower curtain. Walk down my very own hallway. And I think, this is mine. This is OURS. We bought this. We own this. Wow. And I'm so grateful for it, almost as if someone else gave it to us. I love that part in me. I hope it never goes away.

The cons are that I do sometimes mourn the past. Wish and want for the things I used to have. I've said this before, but, J fell out of the honeymoon phase before me. Of course, there's no wrong or right time, we were just at different stages in our relationship. I would look into his eyes all googly and girly like and just wished he would feel that giddy romance the way I still did.

For the longest after I purchased my little Accord, I missed a certain ride down a particular road with the windows down. The radio turned loud. The feeling of driving down an empty road in a sexy black sports car with the wind whipping through my hair. I missed that. I even missed the attention I used to get in that car a little. (Okay, more than a little, but that's the vain woman in me!)

I miss the cozy feeling my apartment had. The little fireplace, the glass sliding doors, the strange security of living close to lots of people I didn't know all that well. Walking a quarter mile to the mailbox. Being in the middle of town.

In a way, its like that saying goes about how if you didn't have bad days or mediocre days you wouldn't appreciate the good ones.

I'm looking forward to December 13th. Looking forward to the change. From being J's fiancee to J's wife. Wife. I say it over and over and my mouth feels strange forming the word. Family. My new family. My husband. I'm so looking forward to it. But, its change. A huge change. A change I'm really ready for. I don't think I'll mourn the past this time.

Just wanted to get that thought out of my brain.

On another note, this weekend are our bachelor/bachelorette partys. I'm doing a dinner/lingerie party/out to see an awesome local band sort of night on Saturday with my girls. J is going to a Saints game all day Sunday with his boys. Its going to be interesting, having Sunday to myself. Being apart most of the weekend. Absence makes the heart grow fonder though, right? :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Ta ta for now...

Long Over Due Photo Post

So many things to share... but, blogger isn't being very cooperative so I'll have to do another post later with the rest of my photos. Putting in the fence, below, at the new homestead. Yes, that's me working with my most favorite tool ever. (Go ahead and say it guys, I rock.)

I'll post after photos as soon as I get the chance. Mini has one fancy fence now.

Below, a friend's son built J a workbench for his new shop in school. It was a great surprise.















A few Halloween photos I picked from a bunch, below. They're growing up so fast. 8 year old Toot and 2 year old KK. He's so sweet to her, like a big brother and she just looks up to him so much. I love these photos.





























And a few below of them dancing one night at the house. These crack me up.























More later. I got a Britney Spears special to watch in a few...

Cancun, Pop Ins and Talented Friends

• I finally switched back to my old Razor phone. I missed the days of being able to text a full conversation. I missed being able to hear my phone ring in the other end of the house. I had grown tired and fed up of people whining about how they "could never get ahold of me." First off, I hate cell phones. I hate being able to be found. I don't like talking on the phone. But yeah, this LG Shine I had before, just made things worse. Only good thing about it was the mirror on it. It would shut off whenever it wanted, randomly change its volume, I'm pretty sure it was possessed.


• My to do list is getting smaller and smaller these days. I'm feeling less and less anxious. Right now my biggest baby is nurturing the ferns that will flank me and Babers at the altar. Its 40 degrees out or less most nights lately, so I'm taking them in the shop at night. Water. Prune. Fluff. Wake up early, take them out the shop. Hang them. Water. Prune if there's time. Put them back in when I get home. They're like frigging children!! But, I do love taking care of things, especially plants. At least there's no back talk.


• I did my Christmas shopping in less than two weeks, all done online. Amazon.com for books and boy stuff, Ebay for discount designer hobo bags for the girlies in my life, and last but not least http://kittywrinkle.blogspot.com/ <-- Yep, that's Kitty's place. She is one talented chica. I wanted something to do with sewing for my MIL's birthday, which is on Christmas Eve. Well, Kitty just so happened to share a new creation of hers on her blog the week I began shopping:

• 
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Its a pin cushion and needle case. Isn't it precious? I'm so thrilled with the result. I was in the right place at the right time and know my MIL will love it. She's crazy about purple and Kitty was kind enough to create this lovely in as much purple as you can get! At Kitty's suggestion, I purchased pretty new pins in shiny pastels and a new needle set to go along with the cushion & case set. Go see Kitty. She is mega talented!

• In a recent post I admitted to having issues with being social. Its not so much that I don't want to be social, I just don't want to be social ALL OF THE TIME. I have had company or have gone to get-togethers about 6 out of 7 days this past week. I'm so ready for this honeymoon, its unreal. People just pop in at the house. Call me every single freaking day to see what I'm doing. Really people? Can I have just a moment to breathe? And what happened to etiquette? I mean, we're about to be MARRIED. Are people just going to pop in on us as newlyweds? I hope not, because they're going to be in for a surprise if they do and I will NOT apologize for it! *snicker*

• As of today there are 12 days till our wedding. TWELVE. Oh. My. God. I'm calm but nervous. I broke a nail yesterday and just looked at it and shrugged. (I'm not a salon girl, I keep 'em natural.) Six weeks ago I would have broken down in tears if I had broken a nail. If they take the traditional photo of our hands with our rings, I guess I'll just have nubs. Jason keeps texting me things like: I can't wait for margaritas on the beach and massages... I'm super anxious for this trip. I didn't have a vacation this year and I'm hurting for one.

• I'm over the old blog look but I'm having a hard time finding something I like until I can replace with something I make myself. Does anyone have suggestions on sites where I can find cool bloggy backgrounds??

Eh, that's all for today. Making my rounds to leave obnoxious comments. Apologies in advance. I have a case of the Mundays...

Thanksgiving wishes!

Just wanted to pop in, tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving. I have so much to post on, including a trip downtown (with photos) to see a pirate ship battle, lots of personal thoughts including my own battle with socializing, pre-marital counseling review, wedding plans and more! Wow, that just sounded like an advertisement!

Half day at work today, a few hours which I had hoped to be laid back and therefore able to sneak in one of the above posts. Nope. Its a cram-what-we-can-in kinda day. But hey, I'm grateful for a half day!

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for:

My family. Though we sometimes butt heads and are occasionally in each others business too much, we are always there for each other. Always. I've been so aware of this lately. When times are rough financially, there's no hesitation in support. When a shoulder is needed, we're there for each other. When I need to vent, there's always an ear. I'm so thankful for that.

My health. I know this seems cliche, but recently exercise has flown out the window due to a full plate of wedding to dos. (And the freezing cold outside!) I'm so aware of the difference in the way I feel when I don't exercise vs. when I do. Its amazing. Right now I am sluggish, tired all the time. I need exercise. I promise myself a couple of walks over the long weekend and to pick it back up full time after the wedding. I'm thankful that I am able bodied and have kept my health up thus far to the point that I can exercise.

My soulmate. He is everything to me. He supports me, comforts me, makes me laugh when I need it most. He is my best friend, my ear, my entertainment. He is selfless, giving, spontaneous, affectionate. Everything I would want in a husband. I am so thankful that God kept us in parallel paths our whole lives and then brought us together at exactly the right moment in our lives. I am so thankful.

Have a wonderful holiday, lots of turkey and may you fall victim to a food coma without being harrassed for it. Hugs!

Gifts and More Gifts

Wow. What an awesome turn out for our shower. All of my favorite friends and family were there, even my out of towners.

So many gifts y'all. Like, obnoxious amounts of giftage. I'm still not through putting things away. Some things we received and adore:

Yes, that's Emerilware. *swoon* I used it for the first time last night making BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. Love the sleek look of stainless steel. I just feel like a chef using it. I've been wanting this set since I was 4 years old - I kid. But seriously, this was a must have! Thanks Mom & Dad!

We got 3 tea makers, which was the joke of the night. My friend gave me one because she said it was so fitting due to me being a tea fanatic. I drink tea more than anything, maybe 4-6 glasses a day. She threw a mini tantrum at each tea maker we unwrapped after hers.

J's fave was definitely the fire pit. We've already used it twice since we got it. Its so romantical, sitting by the fire in our courtyard together. The Mini Monster purring on our laps, the cool wind whipping through, the flames so hypnotic.

The bedding, I adore, because it makes me feel all grown up. I actually have a design plan for our room that is created around this set, a natural bamboo, woodsy look. It was also the only bedding J and I both agreed on. (No floral! says J.)

Everyone got along so well. So many people came up to me to say how nice my friends are, how sweet my family is, how beautiful the shower was, etc. My cousin took photos of the night which I will share once he sends over, but for now you get a peek of the craziness that night.

My long time readers may remember Tsunami face. It was funny as we were taking photos, but now I realize we posed with this face pretty much in every.single.picture. Tards.

We even got a few family members in on it. Caught my Maw Maw off guard I think. Even so, she managed to pose pretty! And below, my mom. She's going to kill me when she sees I posted a pic of her! Get over it Ma, you look purty! (See her cutting her eyes at me? Ha!)

Me and my dear Michelli, so kindly covering up the inappropriate nippleage in this piece of art. Quite the conversation piece. My dad thought this was hilarious.

After, everyone came over for some vino, fire pit action and plumb sillery. We had a blast. Um, notice there were no pics of J? Sneaky, sneaky.

All in all, a great night. (Though I'm glad we'll only do this once...)

You don't eat WHAT??

As I spoke of in my last post, my good friend is coming in from Houston, TX for me and J's shower. Its going to be a really nice shower that we are calling a "couples shower". I felt it unfair to have a "bridal shower" where tons of women I don't know all that well sit around and watch me open gifts, all the while oooing and ahhhing and pretending to be interested. I also felt it unfair that most of the presents I would be getting would most likely be things that I put on our registry, not so much things J would have picked out.

Before I go too far, I have to say I was so naive in my thoughts. We just had a couples type shower given by the church last weekend. People still tend to give you things the bride wants because, well, the women tend to buy the shower present anyway. Moving on...

So my aunt and uncle, who are also my godparents, are throwing this shower this weekend at the gallery where we are getting married. Both sexes are invited. This is for both J and I. There will be wine and beer and mingling. Instead of sitting around in a circle for hours watching me open presents, our friends and family will walk in and both J and I will open the presents together and then put them on display.

I have a bit of social anxiety, but I'm really good at hiding it. I will have anxiety for weeks over something very simple. When its over I'll say to myself "that wasn't so bad." But, the idea of being the main focus at a shower with all these women fawning over presents and asking me ridiculous questions like "When are you going to have babies?" because dude let us get married first for Chrissakes - makes my skin crawl.

So clever, this couples shower I've suggested, no? :)

Then the other day my single friend asks me if she will be the only person not in a couple. Because its a couples shower. Doh! Guess we should have named it something else...

Back to the topic at hand, my friend that is coming in. She, eh, doesn't eat meat.

Did you miss that? DOESN'T EAT MEAT.

This is the girl I lived with for a year who would eat bacon and eggs for breakfast with me every weekend, who would walk in on Sundays from visiting her parents going Mmmmm!!! because the smell of roast cooking in the crockpot filled the apartment.

How can this be? I understand she wants to be healthier and I'm very excited and most of all, intrigued. I have questions for her:

What about bacon?
Do you crave meat?

Can you eat eggs?
Does this mean you can never have a cheeseburger again?
Do you cheat occasionally or is it like when you quit smoking?
Do you eat tofu?
What does your man eat when you're eating... sprouts?
What about bacon?????

I really am intrigued though. Nutrition has always been of great interest to me and I've always had these great plans for a healthier lifestyle *stare* but I have a feeling I will never be able to fully stick with a plan like one with no meat.

J likes meat. I like meat. I'm the cook. End of story.

So yeah, this weekend is going to be interesting. I'm up for the challenge though! She eats seafood, so tonight I am doing New Orleans style BBQ shrimp, garlic bread and mmm, something else to go with it. Maybe corn on the cob or some stir fry veggies. I dunno. Breakfast should be a breeze and maybe I'll suggest going out for lunch and grill her for more info. Who knows, maybe by the end of this weekend I will have converted to a vegetarian as well.



Nahh....

As of Today

• We have exactly one month before the wedding.
• I have less of a to-do list. Ribbon to bakery for cake. Jewelry for flower girl. Gift for ring bearer. Get kiss proof lipstick. Choose bridal photo for presentation at reception. Pay florist and dj.
• I have less weight on my shoulders. Yesterday J was rained out of work. When I got to the house he had cleaned the kitchen, mopped the floors, done laundry, bathed the dog, scrubbed the tub and picked up around the house. I could have cried. Yes, I know I'm lucky.
• I need to start tanning. Somehow I have bikini strap lines and its been months since I went to the river. I certainly don't want to be that bride that is orange in winter, but I need to knock these lines off.
• I am getting excited about my best girl friend coming in. She's sort of the male version of J. Wait. I'm sort of the male version of J. Guess that's why we get along so well. We became roommates after about a month of knowing each other at work and have been friends ever since. We just hit it off. I can't wait to be silly with her, catch up and hang out with her. She just gets me.

On another note, J and I took the PREPARE test last night as part of our premarital counseling. Not sure if any of you married folk had to do premarital before your wedding, but its something I highly recommend for those who are engaged to be. The test questions you on so many different aspects of your marriage-to-be and life together. Things you probably wouldn't think to discuss together. You take the test each separately, same questions, and then have a counselor review it and note the differences and possible issues. Next week we go to see our counselor to review our outcome. I'm nervous and anxious to see where we are. We know we are highly compatible, but you just never know how it appears to a third party.

That's all for today. Tootles!

15 Years, Forever to go

Tomorrow marks our anniversary. Babers and I have been together for 2 1/2 years. Some days I'm so warm and comfy in our relationship habits that it feels like longer. Other days, he'll do something new, exciting and off the wall and I feel like I only just met him.

J and I have known each other exactly half our lives. We met in highschool 15 years ago. Back then we had a little phase of puppy love, but as sophmores in highschool, relationships were hardly something we were aces at. Still, we were good friends. Shared the same sense of humor, had similiar family backgrounds. We flirted like mad with each other and he still reminisces outloud about how my legs looked in my cheerleader skirt. *blush*

And back then he was always the bad boy, and you know how women love a bad boy. I just happened to get lucky and be one of the few women who get to tame their bad boy. *wink*

After highschool we went our separate ways. But over the years we always came back around to each other. Its like Fate wanted to remind us on our journey that the other was still out there. Sure, it may not have been our time to come together, but She threw us together often.

We saw each other out. J would randomly call me. (Though he'll tell you I ignored many of his phone calls, which is the truth. I was a good girl and was a bit afraid of him for some time.)

For a year we waited tables at the same restaurant together. We had not talked to each other for a while, so can you imagine how giddy we both were walking in on our first training day and seeing the other there. "This is going to be fun," were our first reactions. And it was. I have so many great memories of us that year. Like how I looked forward to seeing the shift calendar at the week's end to see how many shifts I had with him that coming week. Or how he used to sneak up behind me and pull the strings on my apron, sending my apron and its contents crashing to the floor. The way we'd clean our sections and cut up with each other while doing so. How we'd sneak off in between shifts to hang out.

One night two and half years ago (as of tomorrow) J and I were both (separately) talked into going out. We hadn't seen each other in years. My sister begged me out of my pajamas and into lipstick and her car for a night out on the town. On the same night, J's friends drug him out as well.

J just so happened to turn on his barstool and peer out the window at the line waiting to come into the door of a local bar that night and guess who he saw? I can still remember that big ole grin he gave me when we saw each other through the glass.

I remember feeling a rush of giddiness, butterflies taking over my tummy. Me and my sister went straight to the bar so as not to look too excited by rushing to say hey to him first. Still, I kept an eye out over my shoulder.

J came up to me and our conversation never ended. I followed him to another bar for a round of pool. There we talked for hours. He stuck his foot in his mouth by asking if I still had my annoying dog. The dog which had just passed into Puppy Heaven a year back! But, he won me over by asking me to marry him 16 times that night. Funny how things work out.

Six months ago, we reminisced about that night in the bar. About how giddy we were and how funny this time around we just clicked for good.

Six months ago, he questioned what I would say if he asked me just one more time to marry him.

So yeah, today I'm feeling fuzzy, dreamy, romantical and little bittersweet. Because tomorrow marks the last "anniversary", if you will, before we're married. Then, we will have new anniversaries. New memories.

Happy early 2 and a half year anniversary Baby. Loves you (forever).

Tagged for the Kreative Blogger Award!

While I'm not feeling very creative as of late, I do appreciate this awesome award. To me, one of the biggest compliments a person can give me is to tell me I'm creative. Tookie tagged me for this award, go see her!


Here are the rules:

1. Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you have posted your award.
2. Publish these rules.
3. Share 6 values that are important to you and 6 things you do not support.
4. Grant the prize to 6 people.


Six Values That Are Important To Me:

1. Sense of Humor
2. Gratitude
3. Happiness
4. Honesty
5. Passion
6. Health


Six Things I Don't Support:

1. Cursing and lewd language/behavior in front of children
2. Religious kooks trying to force their religion upon others
3. Smoking/Drug Use
4. Irresponsibility
5. Ignorance / Narrow Minded People
6. Rudeness / Disrespect - its so easy to be nice, why not?

I'll tag Kitty, Kelly, Stace, Christie, Damsel and Papa (Papa, this would be a good one to share with your youngin!)

On another note, the Halloween party was fun but left me with a bit of a hangover. I just can't handle the liquor in my old age! ;) Hopefully I'll have some photos to share soon. (I wasn't the camera holder for once!)

I went to vote this morning and actually got a little nervous walking in. Strange. I like watching everyone before they vote - its the most courteous you'll ever see some people in your life. Women and men standing quietly in line with their arms crossed, keeping to themselves. Not staring at anyone, telling the volunteers thank you. Now if we could just get everyone to act this way in the lines at Walmart...

Halloween Mid Life Sadness

J and I are going to a party this Saturday after Halloween. I'm going as a detective and J is going as an inmate. We're going this route mainly because I already have the costume (trenchcoat, fedora, etc) and it was the cheapest set up we could do. Next year we'll go all out, most likely as a geisha and samuri, when we aren't so tight with our budgets.

Earlier I told my boss that I am going to be the least sexiest costume wearer at this party. The women there range from 39-50 something and they all have ass-skimming, skin tight, boobs-hanging-out costumes. I'm concerned and anxious because I know I'll be so embarrassed for them. I mean, can we say Mid Life Crisis? Like those men who turn 50 and buy a red convertible, these women are trying to dress their aging and not-so-sexy bodies in sexy costumes. And for what? I just don't get it. Grosses me out. I'm just turning 30 and feel its not appropriate for ME to dress sexy - the best I got is fishnets and heels to go with my trench. That's it yo.

So what's your costume for this year? (Or your kiddos...)

This and that

I think we could all use a little reminder on how to be the best in our relationships. I read this today and got a little boost from it:

http://zenhabits.net/2008/10/listen-up-how-honest-communication-can-save-your-marriage/#more-1500

On the last post - I know I seemed a little bent out of shape about the friends thing. Truth? I'm not fond of change. Its tough these days to keep in touch with my good friends. The TRUE ones. If it weren't for blogging and email, it would be even harder. Who has time to fit in hour phone calls and the time to make plans every weekend to catch up? Its really tough. Michelli put it best in my comments.

That post was basically about a couple friend I inherited through J. They just don't seem to know the meaning of friendship, respect, or selfishness. I was offended by their actions (or lack thereof). The guy called J last night to have us over for dinner tonight. I guess as a sort of "make up" dinner. I'm torn about it. On one hand I don't want to be like them and not show, but I'm still just a little peeved. There was no apology, no measley "Sorry dude, I got caught up," phone call to J. I also feel like I don't have the time to go either. So, so much to do in the evenings.

Oh, and he threw in a little jab about not having a watch or a schedule. Again, are we not important enough to remember a dinner date with us? Or TWO dinner dates for that matter?? Its just not that hard. I don't get it.

What would you do? Would you go?

To-do list time! Oh how I love scratching off the list:

Stamps for invitations
Address invitations
Finish making bridesmaid jewelry (one left!)
Break in shoes
Marriage license

More on that list, but my breathing was starting to shorten while typing that, so I'll stop there. :)

Off to email our pre-marital counselor. I'm so excited about this! When I asked J how he felt about the pre-marital session, he told me that we were only going to do this marrige thing once. He said he didn't want to half ass it, he wants it to be right and if it means pre-marital counseling, then bring it on.

I so heart him.

P.S. - thinking about a new project. A new site, if you will. Shoot me an email if you want the link when its up yo: blueeyez055@aol.com.

With Friends Like These...

Remember the days when your best friend gave you half her sandwich because you forgot your lunch? Or would call your loser boyfriend to break up with him for you? Remember the days when she cried because you were crying from heartache over the break up of the "love of your life" at 14?

I remember. Where did those friends go?

Do people just get tired of being a good friend? Do they get jaded over the years by the rotten apples and decide Why bother? and become bad friends themselves?

Maybe. But I do remember what it was to once have good friends. I had a friend who used to send me lil cards and hand written letters when she visited her parents over Spring Break. She knew my favorite color, food, music, band, pants size and exactly how to shield me from a certain guy in my life that just wouldn't leave me be. She would always put me first, which made it so easy to put her first. We shared clothes, stayed up late talking about our dating troubles, cried while watching sappy movies together.

Sure, people get older and have less time for this stuff. Sure, she was bipolar and let the crazy take over and I ended up having to say goodbye (another story) but the point is - it can be done.

People can make the conscious effort to call on birthdays, to equally give as well as take, to speak kindly and treat their friend's loved ones with respect.

To not stand people up when invited to dinner, not just once, but TWICE.

Maybe I'm overreacting, but I want to be treated the way I treat people and I just don't feel like its that hard.

Know what I mean??

Sale!! Early Christmas Shopping!

So I just went through my metal phase. Well, I'm still sort of in it, but winter always brings back my love for all things chunky and rich and deep in color.

I just put lots of lovelies on sale so go have a look! http://www.jilllamonte.etsy.com/ - CRAZY SALE LINK!

Items reduced up to 60% off original price. I usually do this a little later in the fall but with the wedding I thought it would be nice for my friends to be able to shop early for Christmas as I'll be MIA during December. :)

I'm anxiously awaiting my order for winter stones. Reds, greens, deep blues and black. Even a little purple and gold coming up for my LSU fans!

Oh and one more thing: free shipping for items over $10!! FREE. As in ZERO MONEY for shipping. :) Just let me know what you want and I'll reserve a listing just for you with the free shipping applied. I'm doing this only for my blog visitors and myspace friends.

Thanks and happy shopping!!

Engagement Photos!!

Well, we finally got to have a look at the engagement photos last night! We're so tickled with the turn out. It was quite embarrassing taking them but seeing them makes it well worth it.

Babers looks so handsome in these. Oh and a week before these were taken I realized that we hadn't really coordinated our outfits. It just so happened that he had a shirt to match the one I wanted to wear. See? Meant to be, in every way. Awww....

And by the way, I spared you guys on the mushy ones. I mean really mushy.

"Put your hand on his face."

"Tuck your hand under her chin."

"Look into her eyes. Jill, close yours."

"Get closer, now be serious. No smiling."

And of course when you tell us not to smile that just creates mayhem. J and I not smile? Pfft. Preposterous!

Being Busy Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?

Surely you've heard of the saying that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Wait. Or is it stronger? Anyway... I've learned of a new one this weekend.

J and I went to Home Depot for some, well, house stuff Saturday morning. The hall bathroom was a hideous green and pink flowered wall paper. J and I (mostly J) have ripped the paper off and are looking at bare walls. I got to pick out a pretty lil trimmer brush and we got some other items to make-under this bathroom.

After, J heads to his parents to change the oil in my car and I head to Jen's to get my hair did, a little pre-bridal photos practice for next weekend. (Ahhh! Next weekend!)

I get home and start cleaning. J is finishing the fence and working on the last few pieces of wallpaper in the bathroom. Then I start dinner. Crab cakes and green bean casserole. And then the LSU game is on and I'm making jewelry and watching Sex in the City in another room.

What? I know! I HATED it. Well, until I got so enthralled with the movie and then it was okay for a minute. And then I got all pouty again. But it was only 2 hours in separate rooms. We're going to be that old couple that dies together holding hands.

Sorry, that was morbid.

Sunday its more cleaning and laundry and jewelry and another football game. (Curse you Football Gods!!!) Then Toot turned 8 and we went to Jen's for present opening and cake and ice cream.

Before you know it, its 8pm and we're done with everything we need to do. And I just look at him and all the love I have for him wells up in me and I kiss him like he's been away on a business trip or something. I mean a big ole smooch. We're talking butterflies. It felt like I hadn't really been with him even though we were in the same house working together for 2 days straight.

I can just see it now. Three years later with baby and boutique and we'll have to pencil each other in our schedules for smooch fests. Yikes!

Or maybe, when we're not liking each other so much in the future, when I'm in menopause and a royal PITA and he's got ear hair and doesn't pick up his socks, I'll yell at him "OH just go somewhere for a few days!!!" and we'll get that loving feeling back again...

Bad Bloglines, bad!

Grrr. So my mom asks me if I've seen the improvements on her blog yesterday and I say No, I didn't realize you updated or posted. I go and check my bloglines and *gasp* - it has been keeping secrets from me! All this time I thought you guys weren't blogging but you were and bloglines did not alert me.

I feel so betrayed... how am I supposed to stay organized and keep my life simple if my organizing tools don't do their job? Well, bloglines is going to bed without supper tonight, that's all I gotta say.

In the meantime, picked up a pretty yesterday for my Jillry party this Friday!



























I hope to read my missed posts today. In the meantime, Happy Hump Day!

Randomness

10.5 random word association

http://randomeme4u.blogspot.com/

Halloween style

I say...you think

1. Halloween: fun!

2. Candy: corn

3. Costume: detective (j's going to be the inmate)

4. October: my birth month

5. Witch: Sarah Jessica Parker. Not sure why.

6. Pumpkin: What Daddy calls me

7. Grim Reaper: creepy

8. Haunted: house!

9. Spooky: my new home's creaks and noises at night!

10. Paranormal: State (me and J love that show!)

till next time...

Ga Ga

That's my word for today. Ga ga. Over so many things...

But one in particular: my bridal necklace.

Yesterday my mother and I went shopping for her mother of the bride gown. Unfortunately we weren't quite in the season for this type of apparel. Apparently women only dress in formals for Christmas. *stare*

Anyway, weird as that shopping trip was, after 4 stores with hardly anything in stock, we headed back home. We picked up my gown while we were out and the length was perfect. Looking in the mirror, I watched the seamstress teach my Mom how to bustle the train and I almost cried, it was so beautiful.

Then we get home and Mom starts digging in her jewelry stash and pulls out this gorgeous piece. My breathe catches in my throat, but I'm so picky and worry. I put the necklace on and me, my sis, and mother ooo and ahhh.

Well that did it. Jen and I just had to put our gowns on, (my second time for that day, which is no easy feat) - my bridal gown and her bridesmaid gown. The necklace is perfect. The red of her dress against the white of mine, just gorgeous. Our gowns, elegant.

Now the burden of making my own jewelry is off my shoulders. Plus, the piece is either my mother's or my sister's, so it can be used as my "something borrowed".

My something old will be my mother's rosary, given to her as a wedding present from my father many moons ago. My aunt has a six pence for my shoe. Now I just need to work on the others. Something new and something blue.

Still on the search for the perfect Father/Daughter song. Wish me luck.