Saturday, September 29, 2012

Stillness

Our house is so still and quite right now.  P is upstairs sleeping in, which he totally deserves.  He was gone for 4 weeks for pre-deployment training.  This weekend and next he has "4 Days."  We will be heading home to see friends and family next weekend so this weekend will be full of together time and rest.

When he was gone the silence was at times deafening.  Now it's so welcome because I know he's here, relaxed, and we are happy.

 I was out to lunch with a friend while P was gone as was her hubby.  She said that the training was also good for the wives.  It get us ready for months of being alone, months of single parents,and  sole decision makers.  It is a good trial run.  I missed P a lot while he was gone, so much that I left for 10 days to be with my mom in Florida.

 Deployment will be different in that about 10 weeks after he leaves I will be having our baby.  Having the baby without him is at times hugely daunting.  I know I will have my mom here for about 10-14 days and the Douala we hired for the actual birth.  But my husband is missing this huge event and if I allow myself to dwell it breaks my heart.  Which is exactly why I have to focus on the fact thousands of women are in the same boat as me and I know I have the strength to do it.

Boy....

That was NOT the direction I was planning on heading this morning   I was going to tell you about the awesome taco pizza I made last night, the pretty mist this morning hanging in the changing trees, and the ham and bean soup I have in the crock pot.  I guess this was were my head was.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Pumpkin Bars

I love a clean house!  Nothing feels better than when you are done giving everything a good scrub and it smells great and is all sparkly!

Fall is defiantly here in the North Country.  Cool sunny days and brisk nights.  I love fall.  It's is my favorite season.  The mums, pumpkins, apples, leaves, cider, and yummy comfort food.

Last night I made a pear and pork chop dish that was amazing.  I want to share the recipe once I tweak it a bit.  I also roasted a small sugar pumpkin and made pumpkin bars.  By small I mean small, I only got just over 2 cups of meat out of it.

Here is the recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Bars
(adapted from Eagle Brands Recipe)

3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
3/4 cup Rolled Oats


  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 3/4 cup butter ( I thought this was WAY too much, next time I plan on using 1/2 cup
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin or 2 cups fresh pumpkin
  • 1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon All Purpose Flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour,3/4 cup oats, nuts, sugars and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add butter, mix until crumbly with a pastry cutter. Reserve 1 1/4 cups of the mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.

Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, allspice and salt; mix well. Pour evenly over crust. Mix reserved crumbs with 1 tablespoon flour. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm, very good with vanila ice cream and/or cool whip. Store leftovers in refrigerator.



Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Oh my, it's been such a long time

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted!

The wedding was amazing!  Went off with out a hitch, other than being the hottest weekend of the year.  Everyone one we love was there with us.




The trip to New York was great too.  It was so hard to say good-bye, especially to my closest friend and her sweet daughter.  We were planning on spending one night on the road at Niagara Falls, but my hubby forgot his passport at home!  We are going to try to head out there while we are still stationed here.

About a week after we arrive in NY I found out I am PREGNANT!!!  I can hardly believe it.  I am due March 24th, about a month and a half after P leaves for the desert. 

This is such a brief overview of life, but it has been so long I thought it would be better to just jump right in to regular posts.  So that's my goal for tomorrow.


Thursday, May 31, 2012

Neglected

Neglected is what this blog is.....

My computer bit the dust.  I got a new one over the weekend ( Thanks P!!!), but I have no internet.  I am going to Panera, Corner Bakery, Caribou, etc to use the WiFi. I think it's making me fat since I have to get food, cookies, or coffee every time :)

 I think I am going to put blogging on hold until after the wedding.

Not only am I busy, but what I want to blog about is to personal and needs to wait for after the big day.

Needless to say I am anxious for July to get here.  I can't wait to be P's wife and get back to NNY, which now feels more like home than I ever could have thought it would.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Thankful Thursday (Road Trip Edition)

That Illinois has open road tolling, gates are lame and defeat the purpose of using any sort of EZ-Pass in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Violet did fairly well, had to run the A/C the whole time for her.

I master driving the square in the town we will be living in.

There were lots of Starbucks along the ride.

I am really proud that I did both ends of the trip straight through all alone and didn't get lost!

I never have to drive it again alone again.

Our time together was amazing and neither of us wanted me to leave.  Luckily I will be back a week from tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Times up

The past 13 days have gone by WAY to fast.  I feel like I just got to NY and at the same time it feels like I have always been here.

I am NOT looking forward to the drive back tomorrow.  I know I can do it, but the excitement I felt coming out here is just not the same for going back to IL.  Although I am very excited for my bridal shower on Sunday!  And to open response cards I know are waiting at my mom's.

Over the weekend P and I went to Bolt Castle on Heart Island, about 45 minutes away.  The island is in the St. Lawrence Seaway on the border of Canada.  The grounds were amazing!  The castle itself is still undergoing many renovations since the 1970's, but seeing the old photo's you can imaging the splendor.  We also took the extra trip to the one remaining boat house, the boats in it were incredible!  It was such a nice way to spend time together and enjoy the warmer weather and our new home area.

After we checked some of the local restaurants out, but none of them looked that great so we just went to Texas Roadhouse.  And ate WAY to much yummy bread and steak.

Looking forward to coming back in about two weeks to move in to the townhouse!!  WoooWhoo!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thankful Thursday

We didn't move this week, but that means we get to move into a way nice updated town home over Memorial Day weekend!

P indulged my OCD and ran a ton of errands on Saturday buying lots of cleaning and organizational supplies!

P has taken Violet out in the morning before PT while I fall back asleep.

We had a nest of baby birds in our dryer vent.  The maintenance guy told me he had to kill the 3 little birdies, their eyes weren't even open!!!  But then he said he couldn't do it, the local zoo was going to take them.

P has worked so hard at thinning lots of un-needed stuff out and reorganizing some of what he has.  What a trooper!

It has been amazing to have this time to just be like a normal couple and spend time together.  I am so very happy I was able to come out here.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Life is GREAT!

I am here in New York!

I arrived on Thursday afternoon, the drive took exactly 14 hours.  I was really surprised how fast it went even with multiple potty/coffee/dog walking stops.  Once I got to P's apartment I was ready to run in pee and throw myself on the couch.... but my lovely fiancee moved the key from our planned hiding spot because he was out of the field on Thursday and thought he'd be home before I arrived.  But I got there before him, 45 minutes later he arrived.  I wanted to kill him!!  I was really tired (up since 1am) and exhausted from the drive.

Minus the minor arrival hiccup the weekend was amazing!  I slept in, which is amazing for me.  Cleaned and started organizing the apartment.  Helped P thin out a lot of stuff and get rid of old paperwork.  We are not moving into the townhouse until I am back for Memorial Day weekend, which is totally ok since it gives us more time to just really move what needs to be and take care of what doesn't.

Friday we went to a Hail and Farewell.  It was nice to meet two wives of guys that P works.  They were both extremely nice.  They had the event at an Italian Heritage Center, the food was really good!  Looking forward to meeting more and more ladies. 

Saturday we ran a million errands...brunch, Gap, joined Sam's Club, Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Target, PX, and commissary.  Whewwww!

We have cooked some really yummy food.  P now even has some delicious meals in the freezer too!

Today I have a pot luck luncheon with some other wives in a town on Lake Ontario!

This trip already has been the best idea we ever have had, it's a great insight to how great life will be after July!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Check, Check, Check

I feel like I am in total CHECK mode.  Everything has a list or is on a list that I need to check off.

I have gotten a TON done since I finished working. 

My future mother-in-law came down today.  We went and pick out yarn for a afghan she is making (it's a pretty yellow for our guest bedroom), had lunch at my favorite place, and then stuck on custom labels onto 108 water bottles for our guest bags.  Then her and my mom helped assemble and address all of our wedding invitations, which where also mailed off today.  And we got all the rehearsal dinner invites addressed so I can mail them from New York.

I am super excited to meet some ladies while I am in NY, two lunch dates!!!!  Also was invited to a "Coffee" for P's unit.  It sounds fun, they are making soaps at a local place.  But I have no clue what a "Coffee" entails and it's one of the few weeknights P will be home.  So I am guessing I will pass and go to one once we are married and I have moved out there.

Leaving at 2AM for my loooooong drive on Thursday.  Next post from NY!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thankful Thurday

Special time I have gotten to spend with my closest friend and her sweet new baby girl. 

We found a townhouse.  It's in the same neighborhood/complex P already lives in.  We haven't actually seen it or signed a lease, but they say it has new flooring and appliances.

P still wants me to come to NY, even though a big chunk of the time I will be there he will be in the field.  At least I will get him all packed up, apartment deep cleaned for move out, and moved into the townhouse (finger double criss-crossed)!!

People who love me and want to be at our wedding celebrating our new love and the start of out new life.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Wedding Wednesday

So although not working this week so far has been a little strange and some what anxiety inducing, it hasn't been so bad. 

I have been keeping really busy with wrapping up some wedding stuff.  Such as buying 128 bottles of water at Sam's Club so that my future mother-in-law and I can rip all the labels off and stick on some new custom wedding labels in a few weeks. 

I also went to our reception site today.  I was so pleasantly surprised to see a ton of amazing improvements.  I can't wait for the party there!  It's not only going to be gorgeous but SO much fun!

Church stuff is done.  Well as long as the priest is ok with the readings we picked out...   Loved the music ladies.  They were so excited to play at our wedding.  I found out that our church only does 2-3 weddings every year, and this will be the priest first wedding at this church.  I feel like this bit of info is very enlightening.

Also have the rehearsal dinner invites being designed, the shower invites are out and are SOOOO pretty!

Lots of good stuff going on.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Blessing in Disguise

Sometimes things that seem awful are really just blessings in disguise. 

After some events that happened last week at work P and I talk about our options and decided that it would be best to give my notice on Friday.  After I gave it to my manager I was asked to pack my stuff and leave.  It was heart breaking.  I had no chance to say good-bye to my clients and felt like the past 3 years working for the company was not appreciated at all.

The upside is that I am going to New York for the majority of May.  I am driving out the beginning in May and staying for about 2 weeks.  Coming home for my shower, then flying back for 4 days over Memorial Day weekend. 

P went and checked out the house we thought we were going to rent.  Thank goodness he did because from the 2 pictures he sent and the shape he told me it is in there is no way we will be moving in.  Luckily he gave me the number for a townhouse subdivision right outside of post that has open rentals!!  I think it will be a much better fit.  Well maintained homes, lawn care, snow removal, close to post and shopping!  We are hoping that we can move in while I am out there in a few weeks.  Super excited to start getting settled in to our home.

Saturday my friend Jenny and I went to a bachelor auction that was to benefit a local organization that houses abused women and children.  Jen bought a date and talked with some nice guys.  I bought a fun photo package.  The best part of the night was getting all dressed up!



Thursday, April 12, 2012

what are we waiting for

Easter weekend with P was great!  No surprise there.  Even our meeting with the priest who wouldn't look at me and told me I am P's subject and must obey him was better just because we were sitting next to each other.

As we were getting in the car to go to the airport on Monday I joked with him that I should just pack and bag and grab Violet and we should drive back to NY.  At the time it was more of a joke since we both didn't want to have to leave each other.

I went back to work yesterday and had one of the worst days ever.  I had already started feeling pretty mentally checked out, but still very attached to my clients.  We have had a TON of change in the salon in the past 4-6 months and it's not the salon I once enjoyed going into everyday.  I called P after I left and was pretty upset.  I asked him why am I doing this.  Other than my clients, of course, and the fact I love doing hair I dread going to work.

Again we brought up, this time not joking, me just coming to NY now.  Not moving yet, just a long visit.  I could leave next weekend and drive back in May for my shower.  It's so tempting.  We are both at the point where we just want to be together.  I have most of the wedding stuff done with.  Just little detail things that I can work on out there and once I get back in May.

But what would I do all day out there????  I'm guessing pack his stuff for our move into the house, clean the apartment, P90X my brain out, and cook.

What to do, what to do....  Wish someone would say "Do it!  You only live once"  or "Don't, wait until after the wedding.  Tough it out"

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Sunday Ramblings

The week is finally here!  It's the week P comes!

This also the start of Holy Week.  I went to church tonight at the parish I grew up in. The priest is a riot.  He gave an awesome homily.  Made we want to let go of a lot of the stress I am caring around and use this week as a fresh start.  Not that I am not happy or anything like that, but I have been edgy and getting way to easily upset and taking my stress out on those closest to me.

I am watching the ACM's tonight.  Jason Aldean is singing his new song that I totally love.  Makes me so excited for our drive out to New York this summer and the start of our new life.  The night I met P Jason Aldean was the headliner at the music fest we were at (we did not see him).  Funny because P hates country music and it makes me think about him so much.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Thankful Thursday, plus some

I want to post a normal Thankful Thursday post, but first I need a mini bitch session....

I am so TIRED of making decisions.  I HATE hearing "I don't know" or "It's up to you"  every time I ask for advice.  Then when I actually know how I want something being met with total resistance.

My car has been a total pain in the ass for almost 7 years.  I have never gone more than 3 months without something major needing to be done.  Yesterday I was driving to get one of the front wheel bearings replaced when a HUGE rock hit my windshield and chipped it.  Then after I dropped it off for the planned work they called me to say it needs much more major work done.  Something with the part that keeps the wheels on.  Of course with my car the part is MUCH more costly.  So it will be back to the shop on Monday to get it done since I can't drive on the expressways as it is, which means I need it done so I can pick P up next Friday.  The glass guy is coming to the house by noon today to fill the chip.

Work has been sooooooo slow.  I make commission so when I have no clients I make no money.  On top of that I feel somewhat mentally checked out already.  2 months left.

I ordered the wrong style wedding invites.  It is totally my own fault for not noticing the style more closely.  Annoying still.  They should be here today.  On Saturday I am taking them to a printer to see if they can cut the extra part off and use it to print our map on.  If not oh well, only I will know....and all of you.

OK that's feels better to get off my chest

I am Thankful this week for:

Tuesday with my dearest friend.  Lunch, errands, her amazing help with my registry, shopping at Oak Brook (my new happy place), and enjoying time together before both our lives change so much in these upcoming weeks and months.

Finding awesome dining room chairs.  They are more unique then the ones I first liked and $50 less!  Plus I was able to drop one off with the guy making our table and he's matching the stain to the seat and painting the pedestal black.

We found a rental house!!  I will tell the whole story and share pictures once we know 100% we are getting it.  But the house is AMAZING!!  Built in the 1800's or earlier 1900's.  Totally renovated and updated.  3 beds and 2.5 baths, plus a HUGE yard.  And it's very close to post.  P is going to look at it in person on the 14th and we are hoping to sign the lease ASAP.  I am over the moon about being back in my own space.

I picked my veil up yesterday at the bridal shop.  The sales lady that helped me came up to chat.  I was saying how I wish I had bought a smaller size dress since mine is huge on me now.  Another girl pipped in explaining (some what rudely, but informatively) that I need side seem alterations.  I called the seamstress and she agreed to do them.  I think I will feel much better and the dress will look much nicer.  I also found out that I can drop my dress and veil back off the week of the wedding to be steamed and the bodice stuffed.  The best part is they will keep it until the night before the wedding!

We are getting married in exactly 100 days!

Only 8 more days until P is here.  I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Finding a Nest

I have been having the strangest dreams lately.  I think it's in part that my stress is creeping up again.  I keep thinking I will forget to pack stuff for the move.  It's so silly since I will be home about about month after we move and my mom can always ship stuff to me.  I think the crazy warm weather is tricking my mind into thinking the wedding and move are much closer than they really are.  Last night I dreamt that gas was only $3.33 a gallon rather than the $4.40 it really is.  Sad, huh.

Right now P has an apartment off post.  It's 2 bedrooms, on the second floor, with a detached one car garage.  It's nice, has a huge kitchen and great living space.  But his lease is up the beginning of June and we (I) would really like a house with 3 bedrooms, a yard for Violet, a 2 car garage, and more storage space.  I have been looking on Craigslist and have found a few places that would work for us but for some reason landlords there only post places that are available NOW, not ones that are available in the future.  Totally different to what I am used to here.  So P thinks we (he) should just sign a lease soon so that we have a place secured and he can start slowly working on moving his stuff in and cleaning out the apartment.  We'll see what happens, not as easy as I thought it would be to find something from a distance as I thought it would be.

I am anxious to get out there and enjoy our life.  We found out that P will be deploying to Afghanistan sometime after the New Year.  I want to fit so much stuff in to the time we get together after the wedding.  I have put off posting this because I didn't know how to share it, if I wanted to share it, and if I wanted to continue this blog.  But there is it.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Thankful Thursday

I got a surprise call from P last night!!!  Because of work he told me Tuesday night he couldn't be able to call again until Saturday, no big deal it was only going to be 3-4 days.  Then he called last night because he found out they are only working 12 hours shifts!  So happy to get to talk!

For my health.  Life is so very precious.

It has been in the 80's all week.  Yesterday was actually 86!  The downside is I have NO summer clothes that fit.  Yes, it's amazing I have lost all this weight.  But, holy expensive to buy a whole new wardrobe.  Plus with the money funnelling out for the wedding and some of my medical bills I still have it's makes me a little panicky.

I am sticking with P90X, it's really hard but I love waking up sore in the morning.

Only 2 more weeks to go until P is here for Easter.  It's super hard going over a month without seeing each other, but I guess it's good practice.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Decisions

My blog....

I started this blog last summer right after P and I met.  I thought it would be a great way to journal through our long distance relationship.

Since our engagement it has changed a lot.  For one I am barely posting.  There is a lot of change, both exciting a scary ahead of us.  I am purposely avoiding blogging about it because I feel like my blog has become much less anonymous. 

I feel like I either need to just say what the hell and really publish posts that are about what I think and what's really going on, or I need to start a new blog where I can do that.  Not sure what is best.

On a totally other note I hit 65 pounds lost this week!!  I am feeling awesome with doing P90X (so happy P gave me all the DVD's) and with my diet.  I started making a version of a smoothie I saw on Pinterest.


Delish Smoothie
1/4 C Blackberries
1/4 C Blueberries
1/3 C Strawberries
1/3 C Chopped Pineapple
1/2 of a Banana
1 1/2 C Spinach
1 TB Ground Flax Seed
1/4 C Trop 50 OJ
Just blend everything up and enjoy

Just because I am really proud of myself here is a picture from this week 1 year ago (I had already lost about 20lbs)
  
Sarasota, FL March 2012        

Here is one from last weekend
Marissa's Baby Shower March 2012

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Thankful Thursday

I have done P90X for the third time this week.  I actually am loving it!  I hope I start seeing results soon.
 
My mom gets back from Colorado on Saturday, which means only 2 more nights of sleeping in bed with 5 dogs and getting up 5 plus times to let them out and feed them in the middle of the night.

It was 80! yesterday!!  I have the windows open and am loving the warm weather.

P will be here in 3 weeks from tomorrow.  I am so excited for Easter and his help on finishing our guest book.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Thankful Thursday

I made myself do P90X for the second time today.  It was hard, I feel like I couldn't do enough of it.  But I did it

I mastered transferring a loaned book to my Kindle.

Sunday is daylight savings.  Yay for Spring almost being here!

3 months from today is my last day of work!!  Which is sort of bittersweet.  I am going to miss my clients and doing hair everyday, but not the salon drama and silly corporate rules.

I found a moving quote that was $1,700 less then the first one I got!  And its from a major moving company! Plus they are coming the Monday after the wedding so we will have my hair styling chair to use on the wedding day here!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Thankful Thursday

It's almost Friday, which means it's almost a fresh week!

I dropped my dress off at the seamstress, only need a bustle and a seam fixed!!!  Just need to get my flabby arms gone.

Patience, perseverance, forgiveness, and a desire to keep communicating.



This isn't much but it been a long few days

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Best is yet to be!

We took engagement photos a week ago last Sunday while P was home.  We took the train into Chicago and met up with our most amazing photographers.  They took us to several really cool spots that we off the beaten path.  P and I had so much fun, it was a great way to top off a great weekend.

They posted a teaser on their Facebook page, so I thought I would share a few of my most favorite with you.  Once I get all of them I am going to put together a book for the wedding to use as a guest book.

Smooching!

Love the sign behind us

Idea from Pintrest


One of my most favorites!

Using for the newspaper announcement

I was SOOOO freezing that I jammed my hands in his pocket!  P loves this one.

P was making faces at me while we waited for coffee to warm us up.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The weekend update!

P was here over the past weekend, so rather than posting what I am most thankful for this week I thought I would give you all an update on all the fun we are having.

We had one of the best weekends we probably ever have had.  It was much needed time to be together.  We had a fun time registering for the wedding and having our tasting for the reception.  The food was so seriously amazing! Friday night we made homemade pizzas.  I convinced him to let me make one BBQ chicken, of course he liked it.  I made it with chicken I baked in ranch dressing, then shredded.  Topped the pizza with pickled jalapenos, red onion, smoked Gouda cheese, and fresh cilantro...YUM!

 On Saturday we got to celebrate our first Valentines. I surprised him with a couples massage at a local spa, so relaxing!  We also went and ordered our wedding bands and he let me pick out a pair of the coolest earrings for my Valentines gift!  Saturday evening we went to our favorite sushi place and ate an insane amount of the best sushi ever!  We had so much we actually missed making our movie. It was so worth it!  I loved that we laughed and talked rather than just sitting next to each other in the theater.  I also had the most delish martini....Key Lime!  It was soooo yummy! 

Sunday we took the train into the city to meet with our photographers to take our engagement photos.  It was a blast!  They found really cool, off the beaten path places for us.  I'll post some once they send me the teaser.

Monday was time for goodbye.  We had brunch at our favorite place in my hometown.  Then ran a few errands.  Dropping him off at the airport always sucks, but in a way has gotten a little easier since there is an end to this in sight.  Just barely more than 4 months to go. 

After I dropped him off I had to go have oral surgery.  I have about 20 stitches in my mouth.  I took off from work the past few days to recover a little more and am headed back to work today.  I have just been relaxing and working on packing some of the stuff P's parents gave me of his for us to move.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful.....

P is flying in bright and early tomorrow morning!

We are going to have a weekend filled with lots of FUN wedding stuff!  We are registering, food tasting, and the best part engagement pictures!

P and I are getting to have a belated Valentines on Saturday.  Sushi and a movie.

P is so sweet and bringing me his P90X DVDs so I can whip my body in to shape for this wedding!

I bought my "dressy" top option for the engagement shots and I am a SMALL!  WooooWhooo!!

It's 9:45am and I have already done a load of laundry, cleaned the whole downstairs, made pizza dough for tomorrow night, and a batch of Carmel Salted Peanut Brownies.  I love busy mornings!


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thankful Thursday

P will be home a week from tomorrow!  So excited to do a few things for the wedding like register, take engagement pictures,  and have our tasting.  Even more excited to have some time to just be together.  Have some non-wedding regular couple time.

Going to see the friend who introduced me to P tomorrow night.  We haven't seen each other since October!

Spending Saturday looking at wedding invitations and Mother of the Grooms dresses with my future mother-in-law and sister-in-law!

Since I accidentally order a 1lb slice of carrot cake (they should have said it was 8 layers) at dinner last night I will get to enjoy bites of my most favorite dessert for the next week! Yum!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thankful Thursday

Sorry for not posting in over a week!!  Trust me no one would have wanted to hear me last Thursday after my upper GI scope.  Lets just say the drugs won.  P was in the field and I could only inform him of what was going on via text.  Texting is not a great form of communication when one person is very drugged up and emotional :)

We did get some answers from the test.  Basically nothing is wrong with my stomach or GI system, but all this "stress"  they seem to think I have is what's causing me all this pain and sickness.  So I am now on some more stuff to help control that and have actually eaten really food in the past week.  I even had PIZZA!! YUMMY!

So this week I am so thankful for.....

This warm snow free winter.  I think it makes everyone happier

P working hard!  Not only had his demanding job but at working on our guest list.

All the big stuff for the wedding is DONE!  All I have now is the fun little details.

I meet with the priest and we are for sure getting married in the Church.  All we have to do for Pre Cana is NFP, which I am doing mine tomorrow night.  I was dreading it, but I listened to the CD portion today and actually found it very interesting.  I'm still not excited to sit in a class for 3.5 hours (on a Friday night) about having sex as a married couple alone....but that's life :)

I am so thankful for awesome bridesmaids that are headed on a shoe search with me on Saturday!  I am sure we will have sooooo much fun!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Health Beat

I had a great doctor's appoinment yesterday!  I know this seems crazy, doctors and the word great just don't go together.

I decided to switch docs inside the practice I have gone to for about 15 years.  The doc I was seeing I wasn't even actually getting to see and was only talking and seeing the nurse.  Who by the way has a HUGE bug up her butt!  Any who, I switched yesterday to another doctor who also happens to be a really good family friend.

He is such a great doctor!  He took over an hour with me reviewing all my symptoms, tests, labs etc.  He actually thinks he knows why I am having so much pain.  So I am headed in to the hospital on Thursday for an upper GI scope.  I still have my appointment next week with the surgeon but my new doctor really doesn't think I will need surgery and I will be totally healthy again in time for the wedding and the move!  YIPPY!!

Other than the doctor appointment I had Bunko last night.  It was fun to have everyone so excited for the wedding and the new adventure I will be starting with P in July!  Also go some good recommendations for flowers.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Free time

I actually have some extra free time this afternoon!  I got done with work early, which is not nessically a good thing since we are so slow at work. But it gave me some extra time to run around get returns done and come home catch up on blog reading and real reading.

P is leaving for the field tomorrow for a week.  Even though we don't live together I sort of dread it since we only get random texts and no talking.  I wish I could be there to help him get ready and enjoy some time together.

At least I can do lots of regular life catch up and not really worry about any wedding stuff for a few days :)  Maybe even more than one post a week!!! YAY!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thankful Thursday

P was such an amazing help to me this past weekend on his trip home!  I now have guest list spredsheets, office programs, and a computer that can print!

We have a reception venue, back up ceramony site, and photographers!
I am head over heels in love with all of our vendors we have booked!

My mom found such a pretty dress at such a great deal! (She ended up choosing my dress and I choose hers!)

I have the most amazing Matron of Honor that doesn't mind answering all my silly questions!

Most of all I am most thankful I only have 5 1/2 months to go until P and I get to start living our amazing life together!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Thankful Thursday, plus some

I am doing worse with keeping up on my blogging then I thought I would....a whole week of no posting!  Opps!  Needless to say I have been so busy with wedding planning.  It's blown both my and P's mind how fast it went to into flow blown planning.  Guess that's what happens when you give yourself six months.  But I am loving it, and can't really second guess choice since there just isn't enough time to.

I have already gotten so much done.  He is coming home tomorrow for his 4 day so we can look at reception venues.  I think we pretty much know what is our favorite already and I am hoping we can put a deposit down right away.  We are also interviewing a photographer on Monday right before I drop him back off at the airport.  Again we both really like them and I am hoping we can just give them a deposit.

I got my dress on Tuesday.  I am so absolutely over the moon about it!  I really wish I could wear it all the time!  It was so much fun trying a bunch of stuff on and at times a little trying since I was on a strict budget and had to buy off the rack since there isn't enough time to have one ordered.  While we were there I made a final choice on bridesmaid dresses also.  I love them and the color is sooooo pretty!

I have gotten a lot of research done and there's still lots and lots to do but I feel like I have a fairly good handle on things and the day is going to be beautiful because I get to marry the best guy ever!


Soooooo......  For Thankful Thursday

P is home tomorrow!!!

We are going on a sushi date to one of my very favorite places


I have my ring back after a week of being at the jeweler getting sized


I have the most wonderful loving supportive friends and future husband!  

P kindly corrects all my spelling :)

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Thankful Thursday

P will be home in 8 days so we can hopefully book somewhere to have our reception

Everyone is so excited for us :)

I found out that I need a dress ASAP, luckily January is when old dress styles go on sale so I can buy off the rack

I only have to wait a few more days for my ring to be done at the jewelers and be back on my finger

It is January 5th and we have no snow and the high today is 43, whooowhooo!

P is cool as a cucumber when I am panicky about getting everything done in 6 months and is so willing to help and be involved with this wedding craziness!





PS:  I don't know how much I am going to be posting for the next six month since I am still trying to get my health straightened out and am planning our wedding and my move.  I promise to post when I can and get back to a regular basis once I get settled in my new time zone!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Big News!

I am finally back!!  What an amazing almost 3 weeks its been.  P's trip home was wonderful, as were the holidays.  Rather than posting every detail here's a rundown of some of the highlights.

  • P finally arrived after a long day of travel due to some icky winter weather
  • Took at day trip to Chicago to enjoy some of the Christmas decorations
Kris Kringle Mart
  • Had Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve.
  

  •  Spent Christmas Day with his family and watch the Bears Packers game

  • Enjoyed some extra alone time together after Christmas, we spent 5 nights together!
  • Took another trip the the ER for my on going stomach issues.  Having a HIDA scan tomorrow.
  • P met my best friend, her hubby got stuck at work and couldn't make it to dinner.
  • Went to a party at one of P's friends house for NYE.


AND.....


  • New Years day P proposed!!  We are now engaged!!
Out to dinner to celebrate our engagement with our parents
I can't believe how much has changed so quickly.  We are already doing lots of planning, much more quickly then I think we both thought was going to happen.  

As of right now we are planning on getting married on July 7, 2012.  Which is 6 months from Saturday!  Lots to do!  I know the next few months my blog will be filled with lots of wedding details.  I am beyond excited!