To the love between a man and his dog.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Back! Ready!
So this past weekend, Fiance and I went back to Phoenix for a little LOT of wedding planning. I know our wedding is still almost an entire YEAR out, but with a destination wedding, we had to make our plans remotely. To not have to go back for another 5-6 months (we hope), we wanted to get as MUCH done this weekend as possible.
We succeeded.
We left Friday morning. We grabbed a quick Subway breakfast sandwich and then we were on our way! Five hours later, we pulled into Oregano's (our new FAVORITE pizza place in Phoenix... delicious! Check it out if you're ever there) and ate ourselves into a coma. Then we headed out to Litchfield Park, where Fiance's mom lives now.
We spent the rest of the afternoon watching television and relaxing, until Fiance's mom came home and took us to Lolo's Chicken and Waffles for dinner.
It was SO good, of course!
We also headed to a little Irish bar for a Guinness (for Fiance), and a margarita (for us).
Then at two, we met with our DJ and signed him on the spot. We clicked immediately. It also DEFINITELY helped that EVERYONE we had spoken to had raaaaaved about this DJ and how he can keep the party going. He loved all of our musical choices and had some great advice about our first dance. We both feel great about him DJing our wedding!
And then at four, my mom and I went wedding gown shopping!!!!
We succeeded.
We left Friday morning. We grabbed a quick Subway breakfast sandwich and then we were on our way! Five hours later, we pulled into Oregano's (our new FAVORITE pizza place in Phoenix... delicious! Check it out if you're ever there) and ate ourselves into a coma. Then we headed out to Litchfield Park, where Fiance's mom lives now.
We spent the rest of the afternoon watching television and relaxing, until Fiance's mom came home and took us to Lolo's Chicken and Waffles for dinner.
It was SO good, of course!
We also headed to a little Irish bar for a Guinness (for Fiance), and a margarita (for us).
The next morning, we woke up and headed to the resort for our appointment with our favorite wedding planner, Amanda. In an hour and a half, we pretty much planned our whole wedding. It was a whirlwind, but amazing. She's done so many that she knew exactly what to ask and what would NOT look good.
After that, we ate lunch at the resort with our parents and talked about the wedding some more. I had crab cake sliders (they were GREAT) and Fiance had a burger, also great.
And then at four, my mom and I went wedding gown shopping!!!!
Of course, no spoilers yet, but suffice it to say that I found the dress. THE dress. My perfect dress, after going through other pretty, but not necessarily PERFECT dresses. I'm so, so happy with our choice. As soon as it was laced on, I teared up and thought to myself, "I'm going to marry Fiance in this dress." My mom teared up. I just... KNEW.
Aaaaand then we went back to Lolo's!
Yum!
We slept late, then headed back to the resort for CAKE TASTING!
It was amazing. The resort set it up so beautifully, and we had 10 great cakes to taste. We narrowed it down to a few favorites and really, we can't go wrong.
We headed home right after... running straight into these clouds.
Fun, huh?
BUT we made it home safely. We had SUCH a productive weekend and we are ALMOST DONE with our wedding planning... a year early. What can I say? I'm a planner :o)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Blending Lives
I consider myself an independent woman. Other than my cell phone and my car insurance (thanks, mom and dad!), I pay for everything else in my life. Clothes, health insurance, eye exams, dentist, gas, oil changes, 401k, utilities, rent, etc. I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far. I have a healthy savings and a stable checking account.
But in less than a year, I'll be married with a new last name and I'll have a whole new world.
Fiance and I have separate bank accounts now (something we both really wanted to keep separate until marriage), but once we're married, we will definitely have a joint account. One of the main reasons for this is that eventually, we'll have kids and I really want to stay home with them for a few years when they are babies. At that point, having separate accounts would not work so well. Plus, I figure if you can't trust sharing your money with your husband, you probably shouldn't be marrying them, hmmm?
But the process scares me. I figure I'll move to his bank, but he's in an account with his mom (which works great because he does a lot of bill paying/running errands for her now before he gets into full time work), which I definitely don't want as a married couple. So we'll both have to get brand new accounts to share. But when? Before the wedding, before the honeymoon? After everything? Once I change my name?
Anyone have any ideas?
But in less than a year, I'll be married with a new last name and I'll have a whole new world.
Fiance and I have separate bank accounts now (something we both really wanted to keep separate until marriage), but once we're married, we will definitely have a joint account. One of the main reasons for this is that eventually, we'll have kids and I really want to stay home with them for a few years when they are babies. At that point, having separate accounts would not work so well. Plus, I figure if you can't trust sharing your money with your husband, you probably shouldn't be marrying them, hmmm?
But the process scares me. I figure I'll move to his bank, but he's in an account with his mom (which works great because he does a lot of bill paying/running errands for her now before he gets into full time work), which I definitely don't want as a married couple. So we'll both have to get brand new accounts to share. But when? Before the wedding, before the honeymoon? After everything? Once I change my name?
Anyone have any ideas?
Monday, July 9, 2012
Back into it
Apparently, getting engaged is a free pass to eat whatever you want (in moderation) and only work out sporadically. No? It's not? Because that's what I've been doing! I can't help myself.
I haven't gained weight in the past month (well, about a pound or so, depending on the day, sometimes less), but I sure haven't lost anything. At this point, I wanted to be at least 6-8 lbs down from my engagement weight instead of just 4.
Blah!
The good news about all of this is that I can get it out of my system before the long stretch before the wedding. Also that the wedding is still 11 months away. Plenty of time to get my rear in gear and get back to my routine.
BUT I'm joining a gym TONIGHT with my friend Vanessa. We do Zumba together on Mondays (she goes Wednesdays, too, but that's my dinner night with my mama), and they also have Zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays around the time right after I get out of work, which would be perfect. On days that Fiance drives at work, he'll get home later in the day (around 6:30 or so), which would allow me to work out on the way home from work. Because when we're both home, I don't have nearly as much motivation to work out as when he's at work and I'm just sitting on the couch for two straight hours!
I just need a little boost to get me back into gear. I'm only about 15-20 lbs away from my goal and I've already lost a good amount from my original. I would be happy to get married at my current weight, because I feel good, I feel healthy, etc., but for my wedding day, the day 've always dreamed of, I just want to feel... amazing.
Wish me luck. I'm zumba-ing tonight and that is final!
I haven't gained weight in the past month (well, about a pound or so, depending on the day, sometimes less), but I sure haven't lost anything. At this point, I wanted to be at least 6-8 lbs down from my engagement weight instead of just 4.
Blah!
The good news about all of this is that I can get it out of my system before the long stretch before the wedding. Also that the wedding is still 11 months away. Plenty of time to get my rear in gear and get back to my routine.
BUT I'm joining a gym TONIGHT with my friend Vanessa. We do Zumba together on Mondays (she goes Wednesdays, too, but that's my dinner night with my mama), and they also have Zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays around the time right after I get out of work, which would be perfect. On days that Fiance drives at work, he'll get home later in the day (around 6:30 or so), which would allow me to work out on the way home from work. Because when we're both home, I don't have nearly as much motivation to work out as when he's at work and I'm just sitting on the couch for two straight hours!
I just need a little boost to get me back into gear. I'm only about 15-20 lbs away from my goal and I've already lost a good amount from my original. I would be happy to get married at my current weight, because I feel good, I feel healthy, etc., but for my wedding day, the day 've always dreamed of, I just want to feel... amazing.
Wish me luck. I'm zumba-ing tonight and that is final!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sunshines and Dark Clouds!
FRIDAY!
Dark Clouds:
SUNSHINES:
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Dark Clouds:
- I have to work tomorrow in El Paso covering an event. Which means my Saturday evening will be spent trying to FIND the darn place, then writing notes and snapping photos for a couple of hours. But hey, Fiance gets to come, and I think we'll try to grab some dinner over there, too.
- I need new windshield wipers but I always forget about it because we get like, ZERO rain until July. Then I remember. Oh, I remember.
- Poor Fiance locked himself out of the house yesterday. Luckily, I was already on my way home from work to save him. But he got locked out without a phone, a wallet, or his keys due to our finicky doorknob. He walked three miles to his grandpa's house and broke in to use their phone. Poor guy!
- I need a haircut. Badly.
SUNSHINES:
- It's FRIDAY and I'm ready for the weekend!
- We made some bomb spaghetti yesterday and I couldn't wait for lunch today! Yay!
- Fiance and I bought new throw pillows and rugs yesterday. It's the easiest way to make a house a home, I think. Well, those and a dog!
- I had coffee with my great friend Blairre this week and I'm so excited for her... she's about seven months pregnant with her second, and she and her husband are thrilled. The ultrasound says girl, but Blairre has been having her doubts. Her instinct was right the first time around!
- We saw the Amazing Spider Man and I LOVED it. Andrew Garfield is too, too cute. I have a big crush on him (it's okay, Fiance has a crush on Emma Stone!).
- It's been rainy and SO nice.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Great Week
Sorry to pop back in on a Thursday, but it has been a really CRAZY busy week. My cousin and aunt came in this weekend and we spent the whole weekend drinking and eating and shopping with them!
Then we had the 4th of July. We grilled steaks, ate watermelon, and played with six boxes of sparklers while we watched the city fireworks from afar. I LOVE the fourth of July! One of my favorite holidays!
BUT now I'm back to work and trying to focus on my new projects at work. Wish me luck!
Then we had the 4th of July. We grilled steaks, ate watermelon, and played with six boxes of sparklers while we watched the city fireworks from afar. I LOVE the fourth of July! One of my favorite holidays!
BUT now I'm back to work and trying to focus on my new projects at work. Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Bridesmaids!
So now that we are in the swing of wedding things, I thought I would take a second to introduce my favorite girls... my bridesmaids! I should also note that I have some other REALLY great girls in my life (particularly Adriana and Kaitlyn, who are crazy busy in their mama/PhD persuing lives, respectively), but these bridesmaids are the ones that will be forced to participate in bridesmaidy things for the next year. Good luck, girls!
FIRST and most important is my Maid of Honor, my sister Jessica.
My sister has always been one of my best friends. We go through ups and downs (like all sisters do) but overall, she's one of the people that knows me best in the world. She's super fun and I'm excited to plan this wedding with her. We already had a super fun wedding magazine/champagne party and I can't wait for more!
Next is my cousin Stephanie, who is here in town to visit.
Even though she and I only saw each other twice a year growing up (Christmas and our family reunion), we've ALWAYS kept in great touch through AOL IM (I know, right?), email, texting, Facebook, Myspace, whatever! I love love love her and I'm so happy she gets to stand next to me on my special day.
Then, there's my best friend Valerie.
Valerie and I have been best friends since high school (freshman year honors physical science, what what!) and friends since 7th grade. She's been there for me through ALL of my big events (broken hearts, love, first kisses, etc.) and she was actually the first person I told about Fiance when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I love her!
Also, my great friend Blairre!
Blairre and I have been friends since high school. We bonded over a certain football player and then solidified our friendship through ENDLESS Starbucks trips, shopping trips, a Nelly concert, sleepovers, and then through HER wedding when I was a bridesmaid. We're the type of friends that can be apart for months and then when we see each other, we always spend HOURS catching right back up without a break, like nothing has changed!
Last but definitely not least is my friend Danielle.
Danielle and I have literally been friends for as long as I can remember. She used to live down the street from me and we went to kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school, and college together and we even lived together in the dorms. We have very different crowds but she's always been one of my close friends that I can turn to when I need to talk or need a break. She's super fun and SUPER down to earth.
THERE YOU HAVE IT! My bridesmaids! I can't wait to have them all with me on my wedding day. I love these girls!
FIRST and most important is my Maid of Honor, my sister Jessica.
My sister has always been one of my best friends. We go through ups and downs (like all sisters do) but overall, she's one of the people that knows me best in the world. She's super fun and I'm excited to plan this wedding with her. We already had a super fun wedding magazine/champagne party and I can't wait for more!
Next is my cousin Stephanie, who is here in town to visit.
Even though she and I only saw each other twice a year growing up (Christmas and our family reunion), we've ALWAYS kept in great touch through AOL IM (I know, right?), email, texting, Facebook, Myspace, whatever! I love love love her and I'm so happy she gets to stand next to me on my special day.
Then, there's my best friend Valerie.
Valerie and I have been best friends since high school (freshman year honors physical science, what what!) and friends since 7th grade. She's been there for me through ALL of my big events (broken hearts, love, first kisses, etc.) and she was actually the first person I told about Fiance when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I love her!
Also, my great friend Blairre!
Blairre and I have been friends since high school. We bonded over a certain football player and then solidified our friendship through ENDLESS Starbucks trips, shopping trips, a Nelly concert, sleepovers, and then through HER wedding when I was a bridesmaid. We're the type of friends that can be apart for months and then when we see each other, we always spend HOURS catching right back up without a break, like nothing has changed!
Last but definitely not least is my friend Danielle.
Danielle and I have literally been friends for as long as I can remember. She used to live down the street from me and we went to kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school, and college together and we even lived together in the dorms. We have very different crowds but she's always been one of my close friends that I can turn to when I need to talk or need a break. She's super fun and SUPER down to earth.
THERE YOU HAVE IT! My bridesmaids! I can't wait to have them all with me on my wedding day. I love these girls!
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