Moved!

Not organized, or even unpacked, but moved! It was quite a process and the weather was wonderful for the move. Snowy and freezing. We had some awesome help, thank you! I'll post some pictures after we are more organized.

Now, to get Christmas shopping done and get packed to leave the day after tomorrow. We're off to stay with Hubs older sister for a week.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1. Moving
2. Baking Christmas cookies
3. Going on vacation
4. Seeing my new family
5. Not being so financially stressed
6. Spring :)
7. Hearing all about E's honeymoon
8. My husband finishing Law School

8 things I did yesterday:
1. Had some bacon that Brad cooked yesterday before I woke up
2. Worked
3. Got dropped off at a bar.
4. Celebrated with hubs and his drunk fellow L1's since exams were over
5. Drove my drunk husband home
6. Made said drunk whiny husband a good amount of food
7. Watched 2 episodes of Bones
8. Went to bed at 10pm

8 things I wish I could do:
1. Get out of Debt!
2. Fit in to my Seven's that I now have to give to my sister
3. Spend Christmas with two families in two different states.
4. Shop, shop, shop, shop... on someone else's bill.
5. Hang out with my friends more.
6. Be more crafty
7. Figure these curls out
8. Spend what I want on Christmas, not what I should.

8 shows I watch on TV:
1. Glee
2. Bones
3. Dancing with the Stars
4. SYTYCD
5. Project Runway
6. Dog Whisperer
7.
8.

To begin soon.

Is it sad that it's December 15th and we have only really bought for my younger sister in law and youngest niece? We have definitely put off Christmas shopping this year. I feel bad shopping for Brad's family without him and I feel like I can't shop for everyone else until he's ready. I don't know I'm weird I guess. Finals will be over tomorrow though, so the moving and shopping will begin. I did accompany my mom and dad while they did some of their shopping this weekend. While out, I saw this and couldn't resist it for our youngest niece, Mira. Amy, if she already has it please let me know.
Now we have to find something that is as much fun for Cora. I'm sure we'll manage but I'm a little stumped. I haven't had to shop for a toddler girl yet. I'm looking forward to it though. Come on Thursday!

Thankful Thursdays!

It's Thursday! I skipped some recently.

• for parents that will let us move in with them in order to save money and pay off our debt.
• for Christmas time and the cheer that comes with it.
• for newly painted rooms.
• for cats that are silly and lovey.
• for finals almost being over.
• for vacations coming up.

It doesn't feel like were going on vacation. I don't know what it is. It must be the stress of moving next Friday and not having anything packed yet. I also think I might be coming down with something. I feel a little funny today. Hmmm, that part wasn't thankful..... oh well.

What are you thankful for?

Office Decorations

So the students in the office have spent the afternoon decorating the office. We just moved into a new space so they got to be extra creative and decorate everything for the first time, instead of copying what has been done in the past. It makes me a little sad because my house doesn't look anything close to this festive. That will happen when your moving in a week though. Anyhow, here is a snippet of the decorations.

This is Amy. She was one of the masterminds behind the decorating genius. Well done Amy!

Santa can officially come to visit our office, as long as he's really little. Does your office decorate?

To come....

I have a post in the works. Just have to add some pictures then.... "Ta-da".

Last year, about this time......

Last year, about this time........

We had the apartment all decorated for Christmas. Everything was looking all cozy and pulled together. We were preparing to leave for Michigan to go to the annual Madrigal Dinner Concert, one of our Christmas traditions.

Our kittens still looked like they were teens. Erin and Jake were just about to get engaged. Erin and Jake are married now.

Our apartment is, in the words of Katy, "Frat-tastic", which is so true. The green couch has gone to Erin and Jake. There are boxes everywhere as I get ready to start packing for our move. We currently have a horribly uncomfortable futon as our seating in our living room. The apartment is just in shambles. It's crazy to live in!

Sorry for the horrible picture quality. I took them with my phone. Here's another.

But.....Remember that hole in our ceiling? The one that formed last September? It's finally been fixed. About two weeks ago the painting guy came and smacked some Spackle in there, sanded it down (got dust EVERYWHERE), and then added the texture. Our ceiling is not prefect still, heaven forbid they fix it correctly, but at least there isn't a hole. Picture to come for that.

So much can change in a year. What has changed in your life in a year? I know most of my friends have had MAJOR life changes.

Wedding Three

We spent the night before hanging out at a hotel with the girls. Friday morning we were up and eating waffles. Hair appointments started at 10 and with 6 girls to get hair done, I was impressed with how quickly we were done. Hotel rooms were clean and packed up and we were out of there by 2:30. After a quick stop at Panera, we had lunch in hand and Erin tucked away minutes before Jake and company rounded the corner to the church.

After we ate, Kelly and I steamed the dresses. Let me say, I have no idea how I have lived so long without a steamer! It was amazing. We did makeup and accessories and got dressed with the photographer flashing away. It was nice and relaxed, a tiny bit rushed, but not stressful. Getting Erin's dress on was fine. Thank goodness for a crochet hook for all those little elastics to go around the buttons. She looked beautiful. Everything about her look was just right and perfectly her. She just radiated happiness.

We took some pictures before the ceremony and got in some good laughs. Erin was obviously having a blast getting photos taken. And the ones that I have seen are awesome. Here is an example. ...
What did I tell you? Stunning!

The ceremony was pretty funny since nobody really knew what was going on. They said vows, lite the unity candle, were pronounced husband and wife, and gave a big smooch. Everything was great!

The reception was a blast. No one fell down the stairs during the announcements. Everyone ate yummy food. JJ even had seconds. The first dance came off fairly well with some of the steps I taught them. Kelly caught the bouquet and Ryan caught the garter. Erin and Jake smashed cake in my and Josh's faces instead of each others. That got a laugh. We danced lots, polkas and not. The best part..... we didn't have to clean up afterwards!!!!

So, that was the short of it. Everything was wonderful. The two of them looked beautiful and sooooo happy. And now I have a second brother. Congrats Jake and Erin!!!!!

The Rehearsal.

So this weekend, which was the longest we've had in a while, seemed like the shortest!

Wednesday I took off work to be available for Erin. We got our mani's and pedi's with most of the girls in the bridal party. I finally got to see the reception site. So much better on Friday then it was on Wednesday. Then it was off to the rehearsal.
The rehearsal went well. I always think it's funny that it takes almost as long to practice as it does to actually get married and you don't actually do most of the work. We weren't there too long and it went fairly smoothly. Dinner was very nice, if crowded. We (the girls) got cute little monogramed tote from Erin as our gifts. It's a really nice little bag and I plan to use it on my upcoming trip.
Thursday is a blur. We cleaned and preped in the morning. Dinner was at 4 at my parents and was for everyone who wanted to come. 10 showed up. Then at 6:30ish 4 more showed up. 7:45 we started running. Running to my apartment for shoes, Erin's apartment for makeup and picking people up, then off to the hotel.

Thursday night we hung out with the girls. We played some games, hung out in the hot tub, didn't eat White Castle, which was the only thing open. It was a nice way to spend the evening before her big day.

Thankful Thursdays!

• Co-workers that I love. It helps make work much more fun.
• Texting - sometimes I don't like how distant its made us from each other. Right now, I love it cuz I can talk to Brad without interrupting everyone in the library.
• Fun DIY projects that turn out really great. Pats on the back for Erin and I.
• Clean kitchens - even if they don't stay that way.
• Blogs!
• The Holidays! Ok mostly Christmas. I have started my shopping.

Wedding Three

It's days away, days! This Saturday is the bachelorette party. It's sad, I'm only 28 but I'm so out of the loop in terms of the good bars and such. I had to ask the students that work in my office where a good place to take a bachelorette party would be. We figured out someplace though and I think it will be a lot of fun. The group of girls will be a great group too, so I think Erin will really enjoy herself. The fiance is having his party the night before. Anyhow, we're going to be partying the night away at a local piano bar. I've purchased a gift or two, which will be opened at dinner at the resturant. :) Haha.

I just can't believe we are at this point in the wedding planning already. In a little over a week she's not going to be a (same last name) any more. I'm not either though. I changed my name over a year ago. That was me though, this is her. She's going to be moving in with her first roommate, first boy thats not her brother, husband. Let me tell you how glad I am that we are past that point. It was rough but worth it. I wish the two of them luck. It will be his first room mate that isn't his brother and first room mate that isn't in the army. No house inspections that he will have to be preping for. And let me tell you, Erin has nothing close to an army standard of cleanliness. :) Love you!

Blogging? What's that?

That is evidentally my attitude about the blog lately.

In our life, we are just plodding along lately. Brad is in the prep stages for the first semesters finals. It's a process, let me tell you. The stress is .... stressful, but I'm just thankful that he's got something he enjoys to keep him busy.

We are starting to prep for moving. That's right, we're going to be moving right after finals. Not only are we moving, but we're moving in with my parents. Erin will be moving out and we will be moving in. I'm pleased that I won't have to spend so much time alone anymore and that we will be saving money and working on our debt. Brad is the one that suggested moving in with them so I feel good that it was his decision. So, after a coat of paint and carpet cleaning, old room, here we come. It's gonna be a little weird.

Erin and Jakes wedding is not just creeping up on us anymore, I think we are running at it at full speed. I can't believe that my baby sister will be a Mrs. in just under two weeks. It seems like she was just in high school. I'm more then pleased to be welcoming Jake into our family. She chose wonderfully. Planning goes quickly when you move your date up by over three months. She is so excited to be getting married to Jake and I'm so happy for her. Mom and Dad seem to be handling it pretty well too.

Tomorrow I will blog again, I promise.

Thankful Thurdays!

Wow have I been a slacker above and beyond normal lately. It's a good thing I don't have many readers. Anyhow, I have a few updates to do. Brad has no classes tomorrow, so I took the day off too. I assume he'll have to do some work during the day, maybe while he's working I will spend some quality time with the blogger.

Today's point is Thankful Thursdays!

• Family, always family. They lift you up when your down, allow you to blow off steam with them, support you when you really need it. I can't imagine how people can get through life without a good strong family.
• Snuggle time - with Law school as a solid part of life, the couple minutes I can get every day or so are becoming more and more important to me.
• Sunrise - since the time change I have been able to witness sunrise on my way into work. Stunning. Bright and blinding, but amazing.

My list is short today because I have some work staring me in the face.... What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursdays!

IT'S THURSDAY!!!!!!

Let's be thankful.

• Fall colors - It's beautiful. The leaves change more every day. I know soon there will be more on the ground then on the trees, but right now, spectacular.
• Meaningful talks - Don't get me wrong, I am female. I can talk. I love it though when you hit a topic and the talk feels real. Deep conversation is soo worth it.
• Bake sales - There is a bake sale going on today in my building. I didn't participate like I should have. I did, however, head on down to check out the goodies and ended up with some snicker doodles and biscotti. Who actually bakes biscotti? My co-worker Rebecca! Yum!
• Student workers- I love having someone willing to run the errands around the building that I don't want to. I don't make them do my running all the time, getting away from your desk sometimes is very important, but once in a while.... yes please!

So dig down deep....... What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursdays!

Hmmm Thursday again!

• Sobe Lifewater - agave lemonade is sooo good! Hits the lemonaid spot.
• cooking at home - when I want to, I really enjoy it.
• Farmville - It's a fum way to waste time.
• Apple season - who doesn't love Honeycrisp apples? Yum, they make my mouth water.
• Change - I have a love/hate relationship with change. Looking forward to this one is love though.

I think that's if for today. What are you thankful for?

I must be moody lately.

I'm fighting it today. Do you ever have one of those days that you just want to fling your self on the floor and throw a 2 year old child like temper tantrum? I don't have anything in particular that is triggering this response. I haven't had to deal with any problem people today. I just feel like it would make me feel better. The weather today isn't helping with it gloomy rain. I say we all go home and have a temper tantrum throwing time. Why at home? Cuz who wants to be witness to that, really?

TTD some more!

I posted a few of the photos from my Trash th Dress session a few weeks ago. I wanted to post some more. This session was so much fun and I can't wait to do more photos with Kama.

One of these days!!

Ever had one of these days? I am having one of these days today. Last night after bible study I had plans to go home and go to bed. It was 8:30 pm. These plans were fouled up due to my hubby being home. He usually isn't. Why, on this night that I'm exhausted, is the norm not the reality. I ended up staying up with him until 10:30 and since I'm not used to going to sleep with him in the bed with me, didn't fall asleep until after 11:30pm. I am dragging today.

Thankful Thursdays!

It hadn't really registered that it was Thursday in my head until I saw Erin's Thursday post.

• For new life- Brad's cousin had her little baby girl. I'm not exactly sure when she was born but she's here and adorable. It's so exciting to have new members of the family. How is it that she looks so good, even in a hospital gown?!?


• Other people's kids - Seeing the patients children and other peoples kids keeps me in check. The cute ones make me want my own and the cranky ones make me want to get my tubes tied. But at least at any given moment I usually know what my preference would be right then. :)


• Fall smells - the air is so clean smelling. You just want to smell apple Cinnamon and vanilla spice. It's so funny that as the seasons change so does your opinion of what candles should smell like.


• Honeycrisp Apples - YUMMMM!!!!!


• Farmville on Facebook - I hate these little applications that come with Facebook, but this one is so much fun. Geesh, just what I need, another thing to distract me.

Tickets bought!

The tickets have been bought. I/we are officially now going to be spending my very first Christmas away from my family. This is one part of growing up and being married that I'm not entirely pleased about. Now don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see my new family and reconnect but I have never spent a Christmas without my family. Last year, our first Christmas as husband and wife, we spent Christmas morning together and then headed to my parents house around noon. Every year before that, as tradition, I spent Christmas Eve night sleeping in the same bed as my sister and Christmas Day with my whole family around me at my parents house. It will just be a change for me this year. Not all changes are bad, and this one isn't, but it is a little difficult.

H1N1

The "new girl" in my office, who happens to sit right next to me AND we have been sharing supplies until she gets all hers that are on order, has H1N1. It's funny how you hear about these things and you don't think that any one you know or come in contact will ever get something like that. Well she did and she came to work with it. In her defence, her kids have croup and she thought it may be that and she's been off for 3 days already and doesn't have any sick leave built up yet. Now of course, we all wonder... incubation time? When will we know we don't have it?

This past weekend.

It's funny. Before I was married I always said that I wanted to get pregnant on my honeymoon. After I got married, I decided that it was fun to just have a husband and that I didn't want us to try yet. Mr. would have been happy to have had a kid by now. He's older then me by 4 years and his older sister recently had her second. His clock is a-ticking! He has been wanting to be trying for about 5 months now. However, with the amount of time that he has to commit to school now that he's in Law school, I see him about 5 mins a day and 1 night a week for a couple hours, if his work load isn't tooo bad. Since this won't change anytime in the next 3 years I'm not super excited about trying to get pregnant anytime soon. 5 mins a day and one night a week isn't a whole lot of help when your trying to raise a baby/kid. We will be moving in with my mom and dad in a few short months to save money and so that I won't be home alone so much of the time. I would like to be able to help them get their home in order and redecorated to show that they are a couple without kids in the house anymore. I would love for their home to reflect them a little bit more.

Anyhow, this weekend I was asked, on short notice, to babysit a 6 month old little girl who's mommy I know through the bible study I am doing with a group of girls. This is her.



She was just about the sweetest baby I've ever met. I kept wanting to call her Corinne cuz she's that adorable! Anyhow, she kinda.... maybe.... made me want to have a baby. Maybe. And that's all I'm going to say about it.

New cell!!!

About two weeks ago, I very gracefully dropped my phone. My enV2 , that I actually loved, slowly stopped working. First the outside screen stopped working. As phone calls came in I couldn't see who it was. I'm one of those people that, if I don't know your number, I don't answer and you get to leave a message. So after a weekend of not being able to see who was calling me without opening my phone, I went to Verizon.

The guy that was helping me asked if it had been not working for long and told him when it stopped working. He checked it out, took out the battery, and powered it back up. When it made it's pretty little "Hello I'm here" song, he opened it up to a blank screen. Now it can't really be used at all. Sucky phone! Well since he broke it, he upgraded me for FREE!!!

This was my old phone.

And THIS is my new phone!

It's an enV Touch. It's taken a little bit of getting used to and I think I still like my old phone better but..... it's so pretty! Yea for new things!

Cloud Girl

The other day I was driving home from........ I don't remember where. Anyhow, I usually carry my digital camera with me all the time. But of course, I look up and see the coolest thing while stopped at a red light and ... don't have that stinking camera. So I took this photo with my old cell phone.

Isn't she cool?!? I'm sure not everyone sits around and sees things in clouds. I wasn't even looking for things in clouds, she just popped out at me.

Thankful Thursdays!

• Beth Moore - She is so funny and as you read your homework you can just hear her through it.
• Lots of lunch options - Wendy's got old a looooonnnnngggg time ago.
• New cell phone - I love getting the new ringers.
• Dance class - it calms me, gets rid of headaches more often then causes them and fulfills something in me. It's just so much fun.
• Dad's and husbands - they carry heavy things, kill bugs, reach high spots, open tight things and many many other things. What would life be like without them? Don't answer that question.
• Music!!!!! Life would be expressed so much differently without music. I think we would lose so much passion.
  

Thankful Thursdays!

It's Thursday!!!! That means tomorrow is Friday.

• Moving day- We aren't allowed to wear jeans at work anymore.... ever, except if your moving or cleaning. We're moving and its been two wonderful days of jeans wearing.
• Sweet Tea - I have never been a tea drinker, but lately I can't get enough sweet iced tea. Gold Peak is my favorite but I don't even mind the kind from Wendy's.
• Smut - It's true smut makes you happy and look at your own romantic life in positive tones. I'm not into the really trashy romance novels, but give me a little bit of smut any day!
• New jewelry - I admit I don't change my jewelry very often. I got a new thumb ring this weekend at the competition and I love it. Plus it fits pretty well. It's always a tough call with buying rings at competition because it's usually so hot and your fingers are swollen. It was perfect weather though and the ring fits really well.

I think that's it. What are you thankful for?

Ligonier, PA

This weekend we had a (dance) competition in Ligonier. This is one that my sister and I have competed at many times. My dad said he would be happy to go with me so I didn't have to make the drive alone. I'm not good at staying awake on long trips. Anyhow, we left after work on Friday and drove our 3.5 hours. We got checked in and after about an hour of listening to the guy in the next hotel room over snore, got some sleep. Saturday morning never comes quickly enough for me when it's competition day.

This is the hotel we stayed in. It was cute and small and had a historic feel to it.

Saturday was cool and sunny. It was actually perfect weather for dancing. I met my dancer at the site and her mom already had her registered and mostly dressed. Dance mom's are truly a blessing! So I got her shoes on and warmed up. We got a decent amount of time on the stage beforehand. First dance, Lilt, was a bit shaky. Eyes darting, possible crashing, to many little steps, but overall not bad. Second dance, Fling, got her feet back under her. This one is by far her best dance. We got those eyes looking where they are supposed to and brain focused again. Third dance, Sword, didn't touch the sword and no major flubs. Couldn't ask for a whole lot more. OK I could, but I didn't. :) Last dance, Seann Tribuhas, needs work but she didn't fall off the stage, which I was worried about in that second step. She smiled nicely and was one of the only ones that clapped.

After she dances her last dance she is then allowed to watch the other dancers. As we waited for the awards to be calculated I got a chance to chat with the mothers of one of my fellow dancers from years ago. It was fun to find out that he was working in NYC as a haute couture fashion designer and was part of a show this Monday at Fashion Week.



Anyhow, back to competition, She did well. Bre placed in all 4 of her dances. 3rd in Lilt, Sword and ST. 2nd in Fling. This was the first competition that she placed in the Sword and the first that she'd placed in 3 or more dances. So this was all very exciting. After awards we got her changed and packed up and were starting to gather things together. I had this feeling that I should be paying attention to the announcer and so I stopped what I was doing and moved closer to hear. They were announcing the winner of Most Promising Dancer. This is an award that is not given at every competition and the dancer can be from any group in the morning session. Lo and Behold.... they call ... #112. Bre was #112 and no longer was kilted. I grabbed her and ushered her to the front where they laughingly told her "we told you not to change" and my little dancer took her very astonished bow.

So proud... she didn't know what it meant and I had to explain that both judges have to agree on a dancer that they feel shows the most potential. It's very exciting that they both felt it was her.


Overall it was a great day. We were finished with competition at 10:55 am, I don't really now what happens before noon at a highland games, and I got to enjoy the rest of the afternoon with my dad. The ride home wasn't bad either. Thanks for driving Dad! My nap was great.

Wedding Two - Day Of

The day started out wonderfully. The weather could not have been better. The shower was warm. The hair and makeup people were coming to us. We started the getting ready process at 8am.... ok 8:10am. Smooth, smooth, smooth! Actually I don't think there was a single major bump in the whole day.

We ran a little late getting to the site and had to sneak Katy about. Getting dressed was fine and got done without a problem. Katy looked amazing in her dress and the whole get up. Her dad almost lost it when he saw her.
The DJ didn't have any speakers for the outside wedding. They ended up just turning the music up really loudly inside, which worked out alright. To watch her walk down the aisle and see the look on her husbands face was amazing. The tears were there but never actually spilled over. Soooo great!!!!



The ceremony was short and sweet. Pictures were great and the food was amazing. We had such a great time at the reception. I found out at the reception that a friend of mine was officially separating but it has been long overdue. So that didn't even put a damper on the party. We just had so much fun. I couldn't have wished for a better day or party for Katy and her hubs.

Congrats you two!!!!! Love you!