Tomorrow (2)!!!

So where I left off...

Bachelorette! So we basically had amazing wine at the winery, relaxed with massages, had a great dinner at the Irish pub, went to another one for a drink, then went back to the Irish pub for trivia night. Kim met up with us after the spa and Aliee met up with us at the house. Trivia was great, we had our butts kicked but we had a blast. I had a light up pink furry crown that said bride-to-be, a bachelorette sash, and we all had cute pink and white pins that said things like Sexy, Vamp, Fiesty... mine said Lucky! I also had a giant fake engagement ring and we had a cute girl's night out sign for the table. We went back to the lake house after that and started watching It's Complicated and pigging out on junk food but we all started to pass out so we went to bed!

In the morning my two aunts and cousin Suzy stopped by and visited. Aunt Eileen and Suzy are from California so it was great to see them pre-wedding. We got back to NJ and mom and I went in to whirlwind mode getting everything done. We tied ribbons on the bubbles, cleaned, decorated, worked on the digital frames, and I managed to shower and get ready.

We then went to the rehearsal, ran the show twice. I hope it all goes smoothly! I am more nervous about forgetting something than anything else! But the guys looked good practicing their arch. So excited for that! It was good seeing Ryan's family too. Then we had the dinner at Cryan's and just chatted.

Ryan's grooms cake was a red velvet armadillo! Anyone see Steel Magnolias? If so, you get it!!! Then all the Marines and my poppy sang the Marine Corps hymn and the bridal party did a shot (*I Coyote Ugly'd mine since I cannot drink, I will explain if neeeded!*) and it went fast.

Now I am home, missing Ryan already! I will see him tomorrow, up the aisle waiting for me! Tomorrow I will get up early, get hair and make up done with the girls, and go to the church.

Then reception, and honeymoon in western NC for a week.

See you all then!!! Thanks for the well wishes!!! <3

Tomorrow!!!

I cannot believe tomorrow is the big day! I am just about to leave for the rehearsal. Ryan and Josh are putting together the grooms gifts and I am just waiting to go!

Yesterday Sam, Danielle, and Jill came and got me for our bachelorette day. Waiting in the car was a ginormous plate of chocolate covered strawberries they made me! SOOO good! We stopped by the church and said hi to mom before going up to the lake. Our day included going to the winery, an hour long swedish massage (after which we were joined by Kim), dinner and trivia ... and got to run! To be continued.

3 Days!!!

And we have no internet at home! I am stolen away at Mom's desk in the church while Ryan and Josh cut paper for our favors. This is a sneaky blog entry, hopefully a detailed one will follow.

Basically today we lost a groomsman, then our photographer got promoted to groomsman via Ryan who then made us not have a photographer. Fran saves the day again and got us her cousin cheap. So we have a photographer and an assistant now.

Oh weddings.

I am getting kidnapped for a bachleorette day tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!!

4 Days!!!

I got up pretty early this morning and drove my mom to work so I could have the van for the day. With my car in Alexandria it feels soooo weird to have to depend on my parents to get around. I don't like it! But I went and got breakfast for us and hung out at the church for a bit with them. Talked to a LOT of people. Then I went home, got changed, and went off to the florist. I dropped off the vases for the church and did the final payment. I then grabbed lunch and went back to the church. Took mom home and got more stuff done.

We started the hotel bags, printed the labels for the water bottles, made the bathroom baskets, and finished up the frame stuff. I literally just need a memory card for them now. We then took Stefan to tae kwon do and went to Wegmans. Got more basket stuff, cards, and other things. We grabbed some McDonalds for Stefan and came home again.

I've been trying to find a song to dance with Stefan to at the wedding. I have some ideas but I am not sold on anything. Anyway mom and I fixed up the seating chart and then alphabetized everything! We did the camera cards for the tables and now just have to print out our favors thing... I will post it here later on so you can see!

Just got off the phone with Ryan. He worked from 0700 til almost 2300! His only day of work this week really worked him. Full parade set up, take down, cleaning, inventory and other things. Poor guy. I cannot wait to see him tomorrow. We talked for a bit.... mostly I vented something that has been on my mind for a long time and he listened! He just hopped in the shower so I thought I would update here before he calls me back! 4 days!!!

Wedding Weather Update:

I hope those thunderstorms stay away! Day after is fine! But... 85??? Wow... at least we won't be cold...

5 Days!!!

I FINALLY finished getting the pictures scanned for the darn digital frames! I was up until 2am and did a whole bunch more today. Literally I had to go into my scrapbook, and Ryan's, carefully remove the picture or the page (or cover) scan it, crop it, flip it, and save it. Then I had to make sure Ryan and I had the same amount. And then that they alternated so it goes one of him one of me. I finally added the pictures of us from when we first started dating up until now.

For. Ev. Er.

So glad that is done.

Then I took Stefan to tae kwon do and got us Chinese food for dinner since the parental units went out for a belated anniversary celebration. Talked to Ryan on the phone about three times so far today, a nice change from the weekend when we kept missing one another. I just love hearing his voice. He even got Chinese food too so it would be like us all having it together (: Aw.

My dear friend Anna Laura called me tonight and explained what Ryan and I are getting as a wedding gift from her. So sweet. She works as an art consultant out in San Francisco and is getting us a photograph by the artist! She is even going to needle him into signing it if she can manage it! The print I picked out is so stunning, it is called Imagination. His work is unique and wonderful and the surface it is printed on actually is embedded with crystals so when different light hits it the picture changes slightly. I cannot wait to see it! It was also wonderful to talk to her again. I miss her in my life, this whole living a continent apart thing is a shoddy trend if you ask me...

Tomorrow I go back to the florist and confirm everything. All sorts of fun final payments are due. Plus the hotel bags, itennerary, printing out things, finding the water bottle labels that vanished into the ether... I cannot wait for my best friend/maid of honor Sam to arrive tomorrow night and my husband to be to arrive Wednesday!!!

Wedding Weather Update:


But check this out...

Luckily we are east coast!!!

6 Days!!!!

Today was mostly about errands. Of course I predicted the drunken post bachelor party phone call from Ryan... I didn't think it would be 5am!!! I talked to him a little bit and passed back out. But while we were talking I felt an itch on my lower back and when I went to scratch it there was something there! ARGH!!! I wanted to scream but it was 5am and I'd wake my mom up so I didn't. It was a bug and I flung that creepy thing across the room! Ohhh shuddering even at the thought. NO idea where it came from.

So today we went to church, brunch, Michaels, Kohls, did the bridesmaid's gifts, organized downstairs, the SEATING CHART, place cards, and now I am working on our digital frames for the reception. Here is a sneak peek:




Guess who? (:

Back to work... this scanning thing is going to take me all night!!!

Wedding Weather Update:


Fingers still crossed!!!!

7 Days!!! One WEEK!

I cannot believe it!

Today Mom and I packed up my car and Dad's (since Dad had the van in DC with the boyscouts) and drove to the apartment. We hit some roadwork and traffic on 95 but it wasn't a bad drive. We stopped for lunch on 95 and made decent time. I kept randomly losing mom since she didn't like to go as fast as me, but you know on 95 it is every one for themselves!!! So I had to slow down a lot for her to catch up. But we got everything into the apartment and I took mom over to the Air Force Base. We walked around the exchange and intended to go to the comissary but it close at 1700! Never would have made it. So we went to the 7 day store an held up the line with our ridiculous purchase (aka the staples for the apartment).

Once we got the groceries away we drove back home. It was a long drive but it was nice to spend it with mom. Not sure when we will get to do another road trip so I really enjoyed it... even if it was a LONG time in the car!! Thanks Mom (:

Ryan is in South Carolina having a semi bachelor party this evening. No drunken phone calls yet... let's see how the night goes!

We have a LOT to do in the next three days (all of which are supposed to be rainy) since we want to try and have it all done by Wednesday. We so got this!

Wedding Weather Update

Clouds are ok. I can do some clouds. As long as nothing leaks from them.

8 Days!!!

A week from today is the rehearsal dinner! A week from tomorrow, the wedding! Holy cannoli! Right now I should be am going through my clothes to load up the cars to drive with mom to the apartment tomorrow. I am excited for her to see our place in person versus pictures. It was my last day at the pharmacy today and I have to admit it was a little said saying goodbye. It went from boring to crazy to just all over the place working there sometimes, but everyone grew on me! They even gave me this gorgeous 2 window frame, one with a place for our invite, the other for a picture from our wedding day. I had been eyeing those a lot so it was an awesome coincidence.

Mom and I are running all over the place trying to get everything done! We still have to do the bathroom baskets, make the place cards, and a lot of other small things. At least it is just good, last minute stuff, not crazy big bad things.

The doctors office called back today, blood work all normal. Surprise? Not at all.

Mom and I have to run to Macy*s tonight and then she made us reservations at our restaurant. McCormick & Schmick's Seafood has always been our "fancy" favorite restaurant. It has amazing seafood and since my brother and dad are in DC with boyscouts we are going out! It is also my parents' sixteenth anniversary today, so Happy 16th Mom and Dad!!! Celebrate it well on Monday when you're in the same state!


Wedding Weather Update


Yesterday and this morning it said 30% chance of rain but that has gone away! Keep your fingers crossed for me please!!!

Nicole and Katie Love My Blog!!!!

Thank you to Nicole at Flip Flops and Combat Boots and Katie at Diary of a Disgruntled Marine Girlfriend for both giving me this award! I am so touched!!!! So the rules to this one are to list ten things that I love and pass it on to ten other bloggers (which will be hard as a lot have this one already, so you may get it again!).

So Ten Things I Love
1. Ryan. I love him more than anyone else in the world. He is my best friend and soul mate and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him, starting in 8 days!
2. My Mom. She is my closest confidant and best friend. I could not be who I am today without her. She is amazing and I am going to miss having her close by all the time!
3. Acting. I love it and I miss it. It has been too long since I have done a real show. I love the lights and the feel of being on stage with an audience. It is the biggest and best high in the world.
4. Chocolate. Enough said.
5. Strawberries. I am a berry addict in general, but I can eat a carton in one sitting easily.
6. Champagne. Always been a weakness, I love the fizz and the spark!
7. Fireworks. I love them so much Ryan even knew he had to propose to me during Illuminations at EPCOT. A more perfect proposal could not exist.
8. Reading. I am a book whore. I can read one a day if I try. Sometimes more. I read fast and retain, but I love fiction.
9. Taking Pictures. I have thousands of them. I wish my album abilities and scrapbooking were as kept up!!!
10. My Friends. They are from all over the place and oh so different, but I love them so so much. Fantastic people with wonderful gifts to offer this world, from my theatre school friends to college to Disney to blogger, they are all wonderful.

Now to pass it along to bloggers I LOVE! (some are getting it twice!)
1. Flip Flops and Combat Boots (gotta give it back!!)
2. Diary of a Disgruntled Marine Girlfriend (gotta give it back to you too!)
3. Church Lady and Mom
4. Jess's Journey
5. The Sand is Different Here
6. Scientist. Gamer. Geek.
7. this is only the beginning of our story
8. C&C Aubel
9. Love is Distance
10. Hard Corps Love

I love reading all of your blogs and I cannot wait to see where your stories go!

The Apartment

Alright, I cannot find my camera USB thing so I used the pictures from my cellphone that I took and Ryan sent me. So excuse the quality and hopefully soon I can post real good ones!!!

This is out front door. And the only real picture not from a cellphone. I picked up Danielle, Sam's (my maid of honor) little sister at American University and she took this with her amazing camera for us. I love that the two of us have gotten closer lately, I consider her a friend now too, not just my best friend's little sister. Anyway we took this right before we left on Monday. As you can see it is a lovely old brick building. We live on the first floor. We have a neighbor next to us and two above us. We met some people from the next building and so far everyone seems so friendly. I really love it. The neighborhood is AMAZING, lots within walking distance, and the metro bus stop is literally 20 feet from our front door! I love it love it love it.

Now this is our living room. The furniture was in my den for ages and with my parents moving next year they let us have that. We got two chairs, a couch, a coffee table, an end table and our dining room table from my house. The first picture is right from we moved in. I love the hardwood floors and how the sun just streams in the big windows. There is great old molding over the doorways and it is just stunning.

This picture Ryan took and sent me today. The rug is new. When we were driving down the street I saw a sign that said RUGS 25-75% OFF STORE CLOSING! So we slammed on the brakes and went in. I was so glad we did. Ryan told me about how he got a Turkish rug in the market in Al Asad in Iraq (that rug is now in the hall between our bedroom and bathroom). But I loved hearing him talk about how they sat with the owner and drank tea and bartered. Well it turns out the owners were froma Afghanistan and had moved here about 30 years ago when the Russians invaded. We even were offered tea! It was a huge mug of hot sweet green tea and quite good, but I feel like I got to share an experience with Ryan he was familiar with and it was just special. We got a rug for the living room, as you can see, and the dining room, bedroom, and front hall. Nearly $10,000 worth of rugs from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan... and we got them for $2,600! It was like buying one rug and getting three free!

I let Ryan barter and do his thing. I did math on my phone and wrote things down and tried to help, but he was in his element. I helped pick out the colors and patterns though! As the men talked business the owner came up to me with a beautiful necklace in one and and a gorgeous bracelet in the other. He said they were made of lapis from Afghanistan and I was very patient, so I could have one. I took the bracelet... and it is gorgeous!

Now this is our dining room. We actually have a dining room!!! It isn't a typical apartment with a huge living room/dining room/common area room, but all separate rooms. It isn't big, but it fits the table and chairs, and our rug! The rug is a tad smaller than the table but the coloring is gorgeous and it still works wonders. You can see our lovely AC unit too. It works! We got so hot moving we left it on for awhile and when we got back the apartment was freezing! So maybe we will be set for the summer after all!

A quick peek at our bathroom. When we registered for brown and blue for the curtain and towels and such we had no idea our bathroom would be black and white tile. Ah well. It still works somehow! The tub has a curtain rod that goes all the way around the one side and the far end, so our curtain is a tad short but no water escapes!

Here is the kitchen. A tad small but we have enough room! There is a pantry off to the side you can't see, but we have a gas stove! Excited about that. My mom and I will roast marshmallows on ours in the winter and I cannot wait to do that with Ryan. We also have our microwave on top of the fridge, like the lady before us did apparently. When Ryan visited he saw it and got the idea. We have blue accents, dark blue plates and bowls and all that, so the dish towels and oven mitts are that dark blue too.

And since we are a little short on counter space we got some more at Target. My handy fiance built those little beauties and sent me the finished result today. We have so many appliances, the blender, the George Foreman, food processor, toaster oven, microwave, crock pot... it is amazing if we find the room to put it all!!! But we are getting there. Ryan is quite the handyman and he is great at making use of space. The two of us have a lot of similar ideas and when I give him an idea or suggestion he can see how to make it practical. Target and IKEA have been a big help to us in that department too! Ryan also built the tv stand, shelves for the bathroom, and the best thing ever...

My book shelf!!!! (and you can see another of our rugs!) He knew how important it was for me to have one so he got one at Target, built it, and sent me this picture of the result. So excited. He really is the best ever.

So I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek of our new apartment!!! Mom and I are driving down this Saturday with all my clothes then we can start decorating with artwork and such.

I cannot wait to live here. It was a great weekend with Ryan. Everything from the 2 and a half hours of dishes I did to clean them from their boxes from the paninis and chips and salsa we ate around the coffee table sitting on couch cushions sipping red wine.

Happiness is so worth waiting for.

I Want it Wednesday 4

I think the picture says it all. It can't hurt to dream big right? I've only been practicing my acceptance speech since I was 10 in my bathroom mirror. And envisioning the amazing movie I'd be in to earn it. The fellow actors change, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock... or all of them!

Here is to dreaming big! (: Never be afraid to reach for the stars readers.

So tired but so excited!

We are officially mostly moved in to our new apartment! I hope to upload pictures tonight and blog about the amazing weekend tomorrow. I just spent a whole lotta time in the car today and need to eat dinner and crash.

It is wonderful to know this amount of happiness is possible.

Until tomorrow blog world!

100!!

I cannot believe this is my 100th blog post! I have tried online journaling and blogging on and off since high school, but this is definitely the only one that ever stuck. I am kind of proud for making it this far. I think back to the time I started this thing, right before Ryan left for Iraq, and it is amazing to see how far we have come. In less than a year we went from dating, to surviving a deployment, to me going to Disney, to being engaged... and now just sixteen days away from our wedding! I cannot believe it.

This weekend Ryan is coming up with a friend of his to start the big move! We will be moving all our stuff (minus my clothes/junk, that is a task to tackle next week) into the new apartment. The weekend after that Ryan goes home to South Carolina for the pre-parade season 96 to spend time with his family and get some things for the apartment. I think my mom and I will drive down with the rest of my things then and the weekend after that... we're married! Mind boggling really. And I just heard from our reception venue this week saying we need to have our tasting soon! Thanks for the heads up... and we can bring 2 other people with us. Now when the heck are we going to go???! Haha. Turns out we are going on Saturday at noon before we go to move.

I was hoping my 100th post would be something amazing and inspirational or at least a little special, but it is sadly a bit run of the mill. My apologies! But thank you all for reading and being with me this far nonetheless.

Here is to the next 100!!!

One More Theory Tested...

So I went to another doctor today as mentioned in an earlier entry to test out my mom's theory about my thyroid possibly being funny. I filled the doctor (a regular old general doctor, no more specialists for me!) in on my extensive medical history for the past year or so and our theory. He agreed to test my thyroid but he also asked me if I ever had lyme disease. I said yed I did, in third grade. So he said he'd like to test me gor that as well, my symptoms may be from that, it could have reoccurred or even I am just unlucky and could have gotten it again. Fingers crossed that it is something to give me an answer already!

After I met Danielle, Sam (my Maid of Honor)'s little sister for lunch. I am glad we have gotten much closer over the past few months. We've always been friends I think, but maybe just more through Sam than in our own right. Now we definitely are. We have had a lot of great talks and she has helped keep me sane here in NJ. After lunch she came over and helped me organize and go through a lot of the junk I had stored in the garage and the bridal shower gifts.

We went to her house for dinner with her mom who made pizza and watched Pirate Radio. If you like Rock n Roll at all you MUST see this movie. The soundtrack is killer and it is hilarious. I highly recommend it!

My First Blog Awards!!!

I have to thank Katie at Diary of a Disgruntled Marine Girlfriend for giving me my first blogging award. And not just one, but two!!! I am so extremely touched and honored, it is amazing knowing people read and care and are out there. So thank you so much Katie.



The first one is the Beautiful Blogger Award. I have to list seven things about myself and pass it on to seven other people. Ok, so seven things about me.

1. I am getting married in 17 days!!! Holy Cannoli!
2. I have a huge fruit addiction, especially to those of the berry variety.
3. I read way too much. I can go through a book a day if I have the chance.
4. Sometimes I care way too much what others think, but I am working on it.
5. My dream dog is an Irish Wolfhound. Ryan said no :P haha
6. More than anything I want to act... be in theatre/film/tv, in any form. Actually I would be just as happy behind the scenes as in front of them. I haven't given up yet.
7. If I can't act or be involved in that field in any way, I would love to go back to school to become a pastry chef.



The second is the Sunshine Award, given to bloggers that inspire others and show positivity and creativity. I have to cheat and give both awards to the same seven. Here I go! (Some may have already received it but I am going to post it for them again if so!)

1. My Mom Mother of the Bride
2. Laura Poland Adventures
3. Sam Scientist. Gamer. Geek.
4. Nicole Something Beautiful
5. Christina C&C Aubel
6. Karie Wife of a Wounded Marine
7. Expat Girl The Sand is Different Here

Thanks girls! I always follow your blogs and I look forward to what you write. Thanks again Katie.

I Want it Wednesday 3

For this Wednesday I am going away from technology and fashion and going right to Mother Nature herself. I hope this isn't too strange to want, but I want it to be sunny on my wedding day. It can be cool or hot... though cool may be more comfy in my dress and the guys in their blues! But I want sun. I want pictures of us in the sunlight, maybe a perfect sillouhette shot like the one I found. I just hope it doesn't rain (or heaven forbid snow) and it is just a beautiful May day. Fingers crossed!!

More Checks Off the List

I worked all day today, picked mom at work since the landscapers blocked her in this morning at home, and have been doing wedding things all night! I called the van company and booked vans to take people back from the reception to the hotel and was on the phone for forever. I got disconnected once and the woman was a little short with me and kept putting me on hold after that to take other reservations. Oy.

Then I emailed Father Tom the readings Ryan and I picked out and the reasoning behind why we chose each reading. Now I am working on scanning Ryan's baby/childhood pictures from his scrapbook so we can have his and mine in a digital frame at the reception together. It is taking forever.

I still haven't started packing yet!!!!

I have to go to the DMV this week, I have another doctor's appointment Thursday (fingers crossed), I have to get my nails filled (oy), and be ready to go for when Ryan gets here Friday.

I hate packing.

Busy Days and New Theories

I am still feeling a tad under the weather, it stinks that these little flare ups now last days instead of just for like a night like they used to. So from that, needless to say, I had a slow start this morning! But I had lunch with mom and Wawa forgot to put the turkey on my turkey sandwich. Hellooooo Monday. Then I went to the municipal building and got the marriage license we need the priest to sign and all that jazz. Did a brief two hour stint at Social Security to get the stuff I need to change my name and have my many questions answered. I grabbed a quick dinner and barely made it to work for 5pm! It was a sloooow night. I teched/did back register and read a lot of my book. After work I met my mom at the Culvers and had a lovely grilled cheese sandwich for dinner as we all talked.

Now the new theory came up at the Culvers. My mom read an article about a woman who had a lot of digestive problems and was tired more than usual and actually she had a thyroid problem. Hm.... never had that test. I will call the regular doctors office up here and try and get an apointment this week for a thyroid profiling. Can't hurt right? Wish me luck!

I was talking to Ryan and he told me a lot about his day, then as I started telling him about mine I noticed he got a lot more quiet. Then silent. I think he fell asleep on the phone with me! I tried calling back twice and got no answer. :( So much for the best part of my day....

20 Days!

I cannot believe we are getting married in 20 days! That is so insane. This weekend Ryan and I picked out all the music for the ceremony with Brett, the music director at church. We mostly agreed on everything and the ones one of us were a little unsure about it was a close call between two and managed to compromise a solution. We also found out we get to have a tasting at our reception venue. I wish we had known that sooner! We have almost every moment of the next two weekends planned so time is running out.

Next weekend Ryan is driving up with Josh, his best friend (and best man) who has a truck so we can load up some of our furniture and drive in to our new apartment!!! I have a week to pack. At least the first trip's worth. Oh. My. God. But we decided next Saturday to go to the tasting and bring Josh and maybe my mom since we can have four of us there.

I got sick again this weekend. We had the family over and then Jill invited Ryan and I to go out in Hoboken with her. I got dressed up for the first time in a long time and we drove an hour there. I did one shot (a kamikaze) and started to sip a gin and tonic when my stomach started revolting. I spent the rest of the night sitting out in the cool air before laying down the whole way home hoping I wasn't sick. I felt like I ruined the night out. Ryan and I haven't had one like that in ages and I felt terrible. I still feel nauseous today and I was still really shakey this morning. Stupid stomach. I thought we were beyond this!!!

Last Anticipating Friday!

As I write Ryan is driving up here for the last time on his own. This is the last weekend we have to do this. Next weekend we start moving all our stuff to our new apartment, so I will be driving down there. He and Josh may come up to grab stuff but briefly and drive back with me. The weekend after that Ryan goes home to South Carolina for the pre-parade season 96 to spend time with his family and get some things for the apartment, and the weekend after that... we're married! Mind boggling really. And I just heard from our reception venue today saying we need to have our tasting soon! Thanks for the heads up... and we can bring 2 other people with us. Now when the heck are we going to go???!

We went to Party City today and got a guest book, disposable cameras for the tables, decorations for the house and Ryan's car, and a few other things. I have to start packing, pronto, and throwing things away I don't need anymore. I am such a pack rat that this is indeed a daunting task.

I also made a pre-wedding hair appointment to get a much needed trim. Much much needed.

Oh my goodness.... 3 weeks from tomorrow!!!!!!

The Countdown Continues

I went and picked up our marriage license today! The lady at the municipal building is so nice, she is coming in on a Saturday so we can sign them with our witness. Ryan obviously can't be here on weekends so this was really a nice thing for her to do!

This weekend we're going to hopefully have our last meeting with Father Tom and then meet with Brett, the music director at the church and pick out our music.

Sam contacted me today to start letting me in on my bachelorette party. I am pretty excited. We're going to go to a winery and do a sleepover at my cousin Jill's lake house. It sounds perfect. I am not a big bar person so going out and doing bachlorette dares while bar hopping and all that isn't me. I can handle A bar, or a pub, but I am not a huge drinker with my stomach as it is. Just having fun with my girls is all that matters. I am all for going crazy with them! I am not sure on the rest of the particulars yet, but I am really looking forward to it.

I cannot believe it is only 23 days away!!

And just to share a little bit of why I love Ryan so much, a peek at our text exchange this morning:

Ryan: Hey cutie, whatcha doin?
Allie: Work.
Ryan: Good news.
Allie: What?
long wait
Allie: Wait, good news that I am working or something else?
Ryan: No! I just saved a bunch of money using Geico!
Allie: ...you are such a dork! How long have you been waiting to use that one?
Ryan: Lol for EV ER
Allie: Want smore?
Ryan: Smore what?
Allie: You're killing me smalls!

Sandlot anyone? Ok, we are both dorky and accept it!

I Want It Wednesday 2

So for I Want It Wednesday this week I am avoiding expensive technology and going for fashion for a change. I have always wanted an off the shoulder dress. But I am rather, well let us say, busty and I can never find one that fits me right. I was even flirting with the idea of getting an off the shoulder wedding dress but the one I tried on cave me cleavage rival to the Grand Canyon (but still was quite Jackie-O like in some way) so needless to say that fell through.

My mom's wedding dress (well her first one) back in the 80s was actually off the shoulder and I loved it. It wasn't terribly 80s as one would expect for the year she got married but my cousin Jackie had it refitted to be a white gown day dress when she was in high school. She and my cousin Jill went to an all girl Catholic school that had these special days with mass and stuff where they all wore white gowns and gloves so she used my mom's wedding dress and updated it and refitted it... then I have no idea what happened to it.

But anyway. I want to find a strapless dress that fits me and flatters me and doesn't make me look like a street walker. Or someone who doesn't know how to find a bra that properly fits. Either or.

Being Productive

So today Mom and I sat down and went through all the RSVP cards. We have 106 people who are definitely coming, and about 10 maybes. So we're more than on track. I've told some of my friends if they want to bring a guest to cut costs for travel and hotel they can. We told the Grand Colonial 125 so we have the room! People do have until the 15th to respond but we are trying to get a head start on that. Did I mention I am dreading the seating chart to come?

And packing. I have to pack. And consolidate. 22 years worth of stuff in 2 weeks when we do the first trip down to the new apartment. Did I mention I am a total pack rat? Ugh. When I moved around in college and Disney I had my house to hold my junk that I had no room for. Now with my parents moving next year and the fact this is not going to be home for me anymore and I need to get my stuff together. Literally.

Oh, I won't go into detail yet since it isn't all worked out, but instead of doing favors Ryan and I want to do a donation to a meaningful organization. That's all I will say for now but I will put more details when they come!

Silly Cars

So my car has decided lately it wants to sort of start and then stall out two or three times before actually starting. I was getting my oil changed today so I asked them to check it out and I needed a new air intake filter (pump? valve? something) and new spark plugs.

The amount of money that has gone into this damn car the past two years or so could buy a new car (and by new I mean a new to me/used working car)! Let's see:

New Starter
New Tires (2 flats thanks to a random screw in a parking lot and a curb, that one was me)
New Rotors
New Brake Pads
New Brake Lines
New Cylinders (Front and Back)
New Air Intake thingy
and New Spark Plugs

All together easily almost $5,000! UGH.


On a more positive note I had my make up trial today and Denise did a wonderful job! I am glad that is one more check I can make on my list!

And my little brother has a terrible stomach bug. With how much trouble I have had lately with my stomach let's hope I don't get it! I've used enough sick days to cover me the next three years.... fingers crossed!

Easter

What an Easter. The Easter Bunny (aka Mom) outdid herself! I cannot believe there was an iTouch in my Easter Basket!!! Absolute insanity. Thank you Mom!!!! Stefan got a PSP and we both got a whole lotta candy between us. Mom and I also built a pretty darn good basket for Ryan, if I do say so myself.

We have a family tradition when we wake up Easter morning there is a plastic egg waiting for us on the kitchen table. In that egg is a clue which leads to another egg and another clue and so on. Our last clue leads to our Easter Baskets! My dad did the clues this year... for Ryan, Stefan, and me! My dad is a hard clue giver. I got stumped at one point when I figured out the clue was in my closet but just could not find it! It was shoved in my sneaker but I got pretty frustrated and kind of snapped at people. Oops. I was just doing so well then got stumped and the boys beat me!! Ah well.

My basket was in the cooler on the shelf in the garage. Ryan's was shoved in the tip of one of the kayaks. Stefan's was in the filter box for the pool. Ryan and I then did a lot of grown up talk about budgeting and whatnot before driving to Babci and Poppy's for a HUGE Easter dinner with the family. SO good. But Ryan remembered to show me the video of the apartment, since he couldn't send it, and I wasn't paying attention so we missed the exit for the Turnpike! So we were all turned around trying to get back to the highway and yelling at one another, but we eventually figured it out and laughed about it. Ryan left from there after dinner to go back to DC and I miss him already!

Otherwise we just did lots of quality church time, he got his 100,000 mile check up on his car and some work done, and we saw Clash of the Titans.

Happy Easter!!!

The 13th Station

This is what I read and wrote at the Living Stations service. Ryan made it! It gave me so much strength to have him there with me. Apparently quite a lot of people teared up, myself and fiance included, but I made it through without crying until I was back at my seat and saw Ryan have a tear streak down his face.

The Thirteenth Station: Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

After hours of pain and suffering, it was over. Jesus had died on the cross and was at last taken down and placed into the arms of His Mother. The soldiers were ordered to remove the three men from the crosses before sunset, the start of the Sabbath. Many people had long since fled the hillside and only a few of Jesus’ followers, and His Mother remained. She cradled the body of her Son in her arms one last time before Jesus was taken away for burial.

Jesus sacrificed himself for us. He died for our sins so we didn’t have to do the same. Over the past two years my life has dramatically changed in many ways, especially with my fiancé as a member of the military. Watching him and his friends deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan have been some of the hardest experiences of my life, but watching them come home made all the difference. I know how fortunate I was to welcome him home. But how many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and friends have watched their fearless heroes leave and not return?

These men and women have sacrificed their lives for our safety and freedom, volunteering to go into harms way so we don’t have to do the same. They were and are willing to die for their family and country, just as Jesus was willing to do for us. Many mothers have found themselves in Mary’s place; seeing the body of their child as they are with them for the last time, after the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of others.


Let us pray [pause for a moment]

Lord Jesus, thank you for the sacrifice you made to save us all. As your mother cradled you in her arms, may we provide that same comfort to others. Watch over the brave men and women in the armed forces who follow your example, and risk their lives for the peace and love of others. Please welcome those who have also sacrificed their own lives for their country into your loving arms.

Really Guys?

So Ryan nearly lost his position as Squad Leader because the Marines under him really screwed him over. Not listening, false information... all bad stuff. And it kills me because he works so hard and goes above and beyond only to have something like this happen. Luckily this morning when he talked to his Sgt it worked out and he is still a Squad Leader, behold the power of prayer on my end!

He is coming up for Easter (YAY!) but no 96! Sucky. Thanks USMC. And because of the drama this week he is probably going to work until 1630 and not get here until really late. I am reading at Good Friday Mass tomorrow afternoon (1500) and I am doing a reflection on one of the stations of the cross at 1930 which he probably also won't make. I want im there for the station reading more than anything, it is about him mostly, and it would help me so much seeing him there. Maybe if I get the guts to I will post my reflection here tomorrow. I am the 13th Station (Jesus Dies on the Cross) and I tie in the sacrifice Jesus made to the sacrifice those in the military made... it made my mom cry when she read it so I guess it is ok?

I was at church for a 2 hour service today and then half an hour for night prayer and now I am wiped. Night all!