Just made my real wedding to-do list. I have 267 days to do it all. I have 15 DIY projects I am attempting to complete, and 24 HUGE ticket items I have started.
And so it begins.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Best Girls
Well, gosh darn it. They got me.
Meg & Dana had asked to take me out for a "maid of honor" Christmas dinner on the Wednesday before Christmas, which I thought was so sweet. We planned to go to one of my favorite places downtown, Silvertone. I was so excited - I bought little angel ornaments for them (and one for me) so we would all have a special ornament to remember the dinner by.
I was a bit suspicious that Meghan had SOMETHING up her sleeve (she usually does), but nothing seemed up. I couldn't think of what the "surprise" part would have been, so I figured it was just the three girls for a nice dinner to celebrate my last Christmas as a "single" woman.
I picked up Dana after work, and we drove to get Meg. She drove my car since I was tired of driving from having to go all over the place for work that day. She was texting a lot, which I thought was weird, but I thought nothing of it. We walked through downtown (which was adorably decorated for Christmas, but still felt strange - it was 60 degrees out!) and got to Silvertone. Silvertone is below ground level, so I walked down the stairs...
and was greeted by 2 of my bridesmaids, Jessica & Jackie B, who I haven't seen in 2 YEARS! I knew she was in Boston, but thought I was going to try & see her on Friday (I had chatted with her online THAT DAY!). Wow. What an AWESOME surprise!!!
So we hugged, chatted, caught up, laughed, ordered prosecco & cocktails, yummy food - it was a great night. No, it was an AMAZING night. Because not only was it special to have everyone there (and for everyone to finally meet Jackie, who lives in CO now), but we all got along, and had an AMAZING time. (Not that I had a doubt we would get along - we MORE than got along. We enjoyed each other & had a blast.)
I really don't know how a girl can get this lucky.
(Disclaimer: Jackie A & Jenn couldn't make it - but they were missed! I'm sure there will be many more fun times to come :-)
Meg & Dana had asked to take me out for a "maid of honor" Christmas dinner on the Wednesday before Christmas, which I thought was so sweet. We planned to go to one of my favorite places downtown, Silvertone. I was so excited - I bought little angel ornaments for them (and one for me) so we would all have a special ornament to remember the dinner by.
I was a bit suspicious that Meghan had SOMETHING up her sleeve (she usually does), but nothing seemed up. I couldn't think of what the "surprise" part would have been, so I figured it was just the three girls for a nice dinner to celebrate my last Christmas as a "single" woman.
I picked up Dana after work, and we drove to get Meg. She drove my car since I was tired of driving from having to go all over the place for work that day. She was texting a lot, which I thought was weird, but I thought nothing of it. We walked through downtown (which was adorably decorated for Christmas, but still felt strange - it was 60 degrees out!) and got to Silvertone. Silvertone is below ground level, so I walked down the stairs...
and was greeted by 2 of my bridesmaids, Jessica & Jackie B, who I haven't seen in 2 YEARS! I knew she was in Boston, but thought I was going to try & see her on Friday (I had chatted with her online THAT DAY!). Wow. What an AWESOME surprise!!!
So we hugged, chatted, caught up, laughed, ordered prosecco & cocktails, yummy food - it was a great night. No, it was an AMAZING night. Because not only was it special to have everyone there (and for everyone to finally meet Jackie, who lives in CO now), but we all got along, and had an AMAZING time. (Not that I had a doubt we would get along - we MORE than got along. We enjoyed each other & had a blast.)
I really don't know how a girl can get this lucky.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Prayer To Start The Week
Thanks, dad.
Oh Lord, I am so tired. It seems like the lists of to-do's get longer each day, the frenzy in my home each night gets wilder. It seems like the holidays have barely started and already I am behind.
Help me, dear Jesus. Let me feel your loving arms wrap me tightly in the warm embrace of your endless love. Teach me to make choices about my time, to remember what is important this season and to say "NO" whenever my Yes would take me away from your peace. Fill me with patience, love and a sense of humor. Remind me of your deep love for me and let the fire of that love be something I can share with everyone around me. Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Obligatory Thankful Thanksgiving Post
... but I am feeling particularly thankful this year. And I love this holiday - no gifts, and other than black friday (oh, the joys of living by walmart... not!), not much commercialization. Just family, friends, and reflection.
We had a great time at my moms this year... a very LOUD great time. And my Dad sends me little texts throughout the day "are you full?" or "santa came!... oh wait" to let me know he's thinking of us... I'm not sure if he knows, but I always feel a twinge of sadness on holidays that I'm not with one parent or the other, and his texts sure make me feel better about it all.
The night after turkey day Tyler & I went and saw the Trans Siberian Orchestra - holy moly, it was AMAZING! Completely surpassed our expectations. The lights, the music, the talent! SO much fun, I hope this turns into an annual thing! We even got to meet them & get autographs afterwards.
So, to put out into the universe that I am oh-so-thankful for my blessings, here is a list.
We had a great time at my moms this year... a very LOUD great time. And my Dad sends me little texts throughout the day "are you full?" or "santa came!... oh wait" to let me know he's thinking of us... I'm not sure if he knows, but I always feel a twinge of sadness on holidays that I'm not with one parent or the other, and his texts sure make me feel better about it all.
The night after turkey day Tyler & I went and saw the Trans Siberian Orchestra - holy moly, it was AMAZING! Completely surpassed our expectations. The lights, the music, the talent! SO much fun, I hope this turns into an annual thing! We even got to meet them & get autographs afterwards.
So, to put out into the universe that I am oh-so-thankful for my blessings, here is a list.
- Friends: I am thankful to have each & every friend in my life. You mean more to me than you know, because I no longer let in people who aren't good for me. So thank you for being you, and for teaching me how to be a better friend.
- Family: Oh the crazys. I wouldn't be who I am without my extremely diverse family, and for them, I am thankful.
- Ebony: I am thankful for the sweetest little thing on four legs who knows exactly how to snuggle when I'm sad.
- Our home: I am thankful for warmth, security, and that the tiniest spots can be "home" to us.
- Our health: I am oh so thankful for heath into the new year.
- Tyler: My favorite Thanksgiving thankfulness: to my husband-to-be (280 days!), a day does not go by that I am not thankful for you.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Perspective.
Oh Tyler. How you put up with me, I will never understand. Most of the time, my bad moods worsen because I can't stand MYSELF. I don't know how you do it.
I'm already getting a bit stressed out about wedding planning. It's so much money, so much detail - it's all very overwhelming! Combine that with the days getting shorter, colder, holidays approaching, job stress... I have not been a very nice person to be around lately.
Lately, I've been envying others. Their clothes, their jobs, their lives, their situations, where they live - I think to myself "wow, they are so lucky" or "I wish I was more like that" "I wish I had those things" - and it takes me a minute to realize that most of the things I'm envying of others, I do have. I'm just not taking the time to enjoy & appreciate it. I've never been a fan of the phrase "this should be the happiest time in your life!" because it puts unfair & unrealistic pressure on what you "should" be feeling. Big moments can feel happy, sad & scary and still be wonderful. But I think I am missing out on some of the "happy". Yes, it's OK to be worried & stressed, but remember that this is a HAPPY time, a wonderful time, a time others ill envy YOU for (that sounds awful, but it helps put things into perspective for me!)
Anyway - this all came about when I was looking at these photos, specifically the one of the groom crying when he sees his bride for the first time. I saw it first on pinterest, with the caption "I'd like to be adored like this someday".
Wow.
I've (sort of jokingly) said to Tyler - "Um, don't bawl your eyes out at the wedding. Don't stand up there sobbing. I know you're gonna." I was (I think) so nervous myself about the emotions of the day, I thought I wanted him to be strong. But now, seeing it from afar - how lucky am I? How dare I tell my husband-to-be not to feel exactly what he feels on our wedding day? To tell him to hide that precious, perfect moment when he sees me for the first time? People want that. I want that. (Well, to clarify, I'm not asking Tyler to now cry, I want him to do whatever he feels at the time.)
So, Tyler: I'm sorry I try to control things. It's just because I'm scared. But you are perfect to me, and I just want you to keep being you. I'm sorry if I don't always appreciate you until I notice others appreciating your qualities. I know I have a lot to be thankful for.
I'm already getting a bit stressed out about wedding planning. It's so much money, so much detail - it's all very overwhelming! Combine that with the days getting shorter, colder, holidays approaching, job stress... I have not been a very nice person to be around lately.
Lately, I've been envying others. Their clothes, their jobs, their lives, their situations, where they live - I think to myself "wow, they are so lucky" or "I wish I was more like that" "I wish I had those things" - and it takes me a minute to realize that most of the things I'm envying of others, I do have. I'm just not taking the time to enjoy & appreciate it. I've never been a fan of the phrase "this should be the happiest time in your life!" because it puts unfair & unrealistic pressure on what you "should" be feeling. Big moments can feel happy, sad & scary and still be wonderful. But I think I am missing out on some of the "happy". Yes, it's OK to be worried & stressed, but remember that this is a HAPPY time, a wonderful time, a time others ill envy YOU for (that sounds awful, but it helps put things into perspective for me!)
Anyway - this all came about when I was looking at these photos, specifically the one of the groom crying when he sees his bride for the first time. I saw it first on pinterest, with the caption "I'd like to be adored like this someday".
Wow.
I've (sort of jokingly) said to Tyler - "Um, don't bawl your eyes out at the wedding. Don't stand up there sobbing. I know you're gonna." I was (I think) so nervous myself about the emotions of the day, I thought I wanted him to be strong. But now, seeing it from afar - how lucky am I? How dare I tell my husband-to-be not to feel exactly what he feels on our wedding day? To tell him to hide that precious, perfect moment when he sees me for the first time? People want that. I want that. (Well, to clarify, I'm not asking Tyler to now cry, I want him to do whatever he feels at the time.)
So, Tyler: I'm sorry I try to control things. It's just because I'm scared. But you are perfect to me, and I just want you to keep being you. I'm sorry if I don't always appreciate you until I notice others appreciating your qualities. I know I have a lot to be thankful for.
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