10 days...

10 days and so much to do. Today is going to be filled to the max, so please pray for me that I can make it through it all. Today, I have to return stuff to Burlington Coat Factory, take my ring to the jeweler to get it assessed for the warranty and then cleaned and shined to sparkle on the big day. Then, we are heading to the site of the reception to iron out the last minute details..ie how it will be laid out, if they have high chairs, exactly what color our linens are, when he needs his liquor money by, what do we do about Champagne toast yadda yadda yadda. I also have to call the Church to check to see if I need an altar server or not. Then I have to keep looking at my checklist and slowly hopefully continue to cross things off. I am also hoping to go and pick up the aisle runner, and then STBH and I want to head to the spanking new Target just to see what a brand new one looks like. I think that is all...all on no sleep. Anyway...it is all worth it, in 10 days the big day will be here and all this planning will totally pay off. Have a happy Hump day!

I will Survive

Ok, sorry, that song popped in my head as earlier tonight I was finalizing music for the DJ, my brother in law to play at STBH and my wedding. That wedding is 11 days away. HOLY MOLY! Well, I took my sister J's advice and went to theknot.com and printed off the checklist. WOW, amd I suddenly overwhelmed with must dos and to dos. I am completely thankful for the wonderful family that I have and for all of their offers to help wherever needed. On Sunday, was my hair trial day, and man did I LOVE my hair do. A friend of mine who I work with helped me pick it out, and I was kinda hesitant to see how it would look in my hair. See, I am the girl who for every formal and the 2 weddings I was in (where I had my choice of hairdo), my safety net was a french twist, but for my wedding, I wanted something different. Anyway, I fell in love with my hair do and I can't wait to get it done for real;) I also had my final dress fitting, and man, my dress fits like a glove. I can't wait to wear it again and for STBH to see me in it. Anyway, my sister Rockle has offered to help where needed, and I am just trying to figure out where I need the help. My cousin Autumn, who pretty much just told me I own her on Wednesday is going with me to Party City to get my garters, my aisle runner, and to see what kind of car decorations I can find, because one of my dad's many brothers pointed out that we need to decorate the cars. Haha...little do they know I put my dad in charge of that job=) We, STBH, Autumn, my cousin in law Kim, and myself are also headed off to the Reception site on Wednesday evening to see how it is going to be set up, so that Autumn and Kim who both are itching to do something, are going to be in charge of setting up the hall. Then, Autumn, STBH, and I are probably going to go back to the apartment and start on the centerpieces so that I feel like I will have done something REALLY productive. Then, by wed, I also want to have the seating chart finalized, once I know where all the tables are going to go, so that I can send it to J so that she can help with the name cards. Thursday STBH and I have to go pick up the gifts that we got for our mothers, and make final payments to whoever needs the money before the wedding day. I also need to finish paying off STBH's ring, and send my engagement ring to the store to get inspected and shined for the big day.
Monday, after taking J back to the airport, I was able to call most of my uncles and make sure they were still driving. See, I believe in saving money where I can, and since my uncles are all going to the wedding, why can't they take someone with them;) Anyway, that is when on said uncle pointed out that the cars need to be decorated...oye! something I never thought of! Well, dad offered to help in anyway, so I delegated car decorating with him.
Now, it's back to work for me... until later alligator

I can't believe it..

Today is exactly 2 weeks...

2 weeks until my STBH and I are husband and wife

2 weeks until my life is changed for the better

2 weeks until penguin is no longer my fiance and now my husband

2 weeks until I marry my best friend

I am so excited, I can't wait. I am looking forward to sharing pictures with you all. Please pray for us during the next 2 weeks that everything gets completed, that we have nice weather and that Penguin and I fall deeper in love with each other than we are now.

Finally

Well, the move has ended. Well kinda. Now it is just a matter of unpacking and making the apartment our little place. It is starting to take shape, and soon, real soon, I will hopefully post pictures. In the mean time I just wanted to let everyone know that we survived the move and are doing well on our own. The dogs are adjusting well, although Gizzy has trouble with one set of steps bc she can see through them and the STBH feels that she is afraid that she is going to fall through them. The apartment complex is really really quiet, and it is awesome to wake up and sit outside on the balcony and have a cup of coffee. It was weird the other day when we went to visit my folks. For the last 9 months we lived with them, and now we go to visit them. I still have trouble wrapping my head around that one. STBH is having a blast being back in the kitchen, and in turn I am doing the dishes. Not too terrible, I just don't understand how 2 people have so many dishes. Oh, yeah, it took me 2 minutes to drive to work, and 10 minutes to find a spot and walk into the hospital. Can't wait until I get air in my bicycle tires and I can ride to work. So what is it now...17 days until the STBH and I are married. Well, that is all I have to report for now. I will hopefully have something more to say, but until them. Humpday is almost over...soon it will be the weekend!

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Phase 1 of the move is over. After unpacking like ninety forty thousand billion boxes, and organizing our tiny kitchen, I am back at my parent's house taking a small break before I begin packing for phase 2 tomorrow. I even had the opportunity to break in our Mr Coffee Ice Tea maker, and I have no idea how I have lived this long without it! In 10 minutes I had 6 quarts of ice tea and I have learned that adding water works better than the ice cubes like it says. Our little apartment is ours, and with a lot of time to unpack and organize and hang things on the walls it will look like ours. We just need to figure out what we need to give us more storage, because the kitchen is tiny and doesn't really have any room to put things. If anyone has recipes that don't require a microwave send them my way. We don't have one, and we don't have room for one. Oh yeah, I also learned that flip flops ARE NOT appropriate foot wear for moving, and that when you are moving, remember the fluids. We did not have any, and drinking tap water is not always refreshing. Well, sorry this is so short, but it's 1243am, and I want to get some packing done. Phase 2 starts bright and early, and I have to make a trip to the house that I am house sitting to check on some cats. Have a nice day! I don't know when I will get back online, so this may be my last post for a while. I will update you as soon as I can and post pictures as soon as I can as well. Sleep well! Happy packing! Oh..yeah... exactly 3 weeks until the STBH and I tie the knot!!

We Built This City

...well maybe not me, but someone did. Someone built a lot of things. Someone, who does not always ask the people who are going to be using their said product for advice on how to build or construct it so that it works properly. For example, why don't the architects of hospitals as the nurses how they would like their rooms constructed? Or the guy that developed the equipment to monitor someone's heart, why don't they ask us what we want our limits set too? Really, setting a red alarm (life threatening) for a Heart rate of 50 is kinda dumb. Let me repeat it...IT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE!! I am sure that when I am deep in sleep my heart rate could possibly go into the 50s, but I am also sure that it doesn't mean that I am going to die. Or does it?!? I do know however, that if an alarm goes off blaring at the top of its lungs at like 0100 and I was dead asleep, that I will have a heart attack and that in itself could kill me. So why? Why do that? It's not like I am going to call the Doc and be like excuse me Sir, yeah um your patient who is deep asleep and all has a heart rate of 59. What is the doc going to tell me to do? Wake up the patient. Not on my watch. Sorry, it was just something that I was thinking about.
Had the last meeting with the florist yesterday, and now I am eager to see how the flowers will look. I don't go into work until 11pm tonight (Wed) so I am totally going to run away to the house of my friend I am supposed to check on and hopefully pass out pool side for a little sun nap. Then all I have is work 8 hours Wed and 12 hours on Thursday and then it is the big move! Once we do move, I don't know how often I will be online, but my sister is being kind enough to lend us a laptop, so if not before the day I marry my STBH, then definately once we get back we will be online. I will probably continue to blog from work while listening to Pandora, but if not, I will still be paying visits to the parental units and I can always update you then. Have a great Humpday! The weekend is almost here!

Don't Stop Believing...

Today is only Tuesday, but it feels like it is the tenth Thursday of this week. I mean seriously, how much slower can this week move? Better yet, how much more can I cram into one week? My work week started last Wednesday, and I haven't had a day off since. Crazy, yes, I know I am, but see the justification that I can make for that is that when all is said and done all of this time will go to paying off the wedding, and then no one is owed any money. Looking back, I wish I started my part time job earlier, then I wouldn't have to try to work myself to death. My motivation now, besides knowing that the wedding will be paid off is Friday. Yes, my next day off is Friday, and it won't even be a real day off, or even a nice 3 days off. My STBH and I are moving into our own little home this weekend, and so my days off will be spent packing, moving, moving and unpacking. I am excited, but apparently we didn't really think this whole moving thing out thoroughly before we jumped to do it. I mean they did give us an offer we couldn't refuse, but we probably could have waited until after the wedding to move and then I wouldn't be working myself to death. Again, it is a decision that I made, and while right now Iamthisclose to jumping ship and quitting, I know that my wedding is just around the corner. I can see it now. So how much crazier can I make this week...lemme think. Oh right, today, at 11am (when I am supposed to be sleeping) I have my final appointment with the florist. It's OK, I don't know how long the appointment is going to take so I chose earlier than later so that I wouldn't be late for work. Really, I just have to make it through tomorrow, because Wednesday I don't go into work until 11pm; then Thursday I work one more 12 hour shift. Oh yeah, I am also checking on a cat for a friend who went on vacation, so I believe, nope I know that I am probably going to go to his house, check on the cat and then pass out by his pool. I will be able to kill 2 birds with one stone, sleep and tan. Even if it is only for a couple of hours...who wouldn't like to pass out by the pool. Free tanning! No membership required! If it's free it is for me!
Does it sound like I am stressed, no, not at all ;) I have so much more packing to do, and all I really want to do is sleep. I have no idea how I used to do this every 6 weeks as a travel nurse. Seriously, I was always so excited to move (well except one time while in Texas), but seriously I used to be able to pack all in like 6 hours. I started packing last Tuesday, yes, A WEEK ago, and I still feel like I haven't made any progress. On top of that I keep worrying that something is going to not get planned on for the wedding and then something major comes up and then what?!?! OMG I think I have completely lost my mind.
Enough of that...seriously, I am totally stoked to be moving, and even more stoked to be getting married to my best friend. I am looking for beginning that new chapter of our lives and living like a married couple. I am looking forward to cooking (when the STBH lets me), cleaning, vacuuming, heck I am totally looking forwarding to riding my bike to work for that last minute exercise crunch before the big day. Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind, and while I don't mean to whine, I FEEL 1000% better and feel like a huge weight is lifted off of my shoulders.
Have a Happy Tuesday...hump day is just around the corner.

Hmmm

As many of you may or may not know ( I don't know how many people not related to me check out this blog) I am moving in like 5 days. One of the perks of moving on my own is grocery shopping. Is that really a perk? Hmm, not sure, I will have to ask around about that one. Anyway, I LOVE LOVE cutting coupons and using them (when I remember) to buy the things that we need, er umm want. Anyway, while looking through the coupons today, I found this little pinkish-purple little add, that said 'Hungry Girl Approved.' Well what did I do...I went to the website of this Ms Hungry Girland fell in love instantly. Yes, I did say instantly. It was love at first sight quicker than me and a pair of shoes. Anyway this site has a lot of great things, such as awesome recipes that now living on my own with the STBH, I can try to start cooking again. The best part, yes it gets even better, is that the recipes offer WW points so that I can go back to being more diligent to that. Anyway, I recommend checking out the website, and if you are like me, I might even buy myself the Hungry Girl book, Hungry Girl 200under 200- 200 recipes under 200 calories!

Happy Weekend!

Vera Bradley Giveaway!

If you are like me, you love reading the blogs of other great people. Trust me, I know that mine is boring compared to those of other people, but I consider myself new at this and I hope that one day it will actually start getting better. Anyway, in my browsing, I came across this site, called Kristen's Palace and found out that was doing a Vera Bradley giveaway! I love her bags, so I thought why not learn more. Go on..you know you want to go and check out the bag. Besides, if the bag doesn't interest you, you might learn something about her and want to follow her!

Happy Sunday!

Shae

So my sister, Rockle has this adorable wee one named Shae. She is absolutely adorable, as you will see on Rockle's blog. However, I made a quick trip to their house yesterday to deliver some furniture and had the opportunity to take this picture of her. It's Shae being Shae, at least I think. So, here...enjoy!
Did you notice the sunglasses on her head. She must have seen someone wear the glasses like that and knew to do that too. Oh, and how did I get her to smile...I told her to say cheese for Baby Joey...yep she is saying "cheese baby Joey" and whenever she sees a picture of him...she says that's my cousin...and starts kissing it. Go see more of Joey on my sister Jaime's site!

30 days...

That's it. One month left and Penguin and I will be Mr and Mrs. I can't believe how fast the time is flying past. Soon, the weeks will melt away and the countdown will get closer to days, then hours. Nervous, yeah, I am getting nervous a little bit. Not because of becoming Mrs Penguin, just nervous that our relationship will change in some way. I mean I know it will, it has changed so much already, from friendship to dating to now getting married. I just hope with our busy lives we are able to take the time to cherish each other and live moment to moment. One more month....until my chapter as a single female has concluded and one as a married female has begun. Oh, what an adventure it has been, and ohh what an adventure I hope it becomes. To everyone who has been there to help me on this journey...thank you. Thank you very much!

Can I get a break?

Ok, So today was the 4th time that I double checked with my hairdresser about her availability to do the hair for the wedding, and today, she told me that she couldn't do that many people in 4 hours. So, what is a girl to do...Panic! No...not really, I just shopped around, and found a reasonably priced place that offers the bridal trial at half price and made an appointment for the end of July. I also made the appointment for all of us to go to get our hair done just in case I love it. (I have heard great things about this place, and I am thinking that next weekend I am going to go there to use their other services to see if the reviews are correct). I will let you know the verdict. So, for now, another disaster diverted. Hopefully, things like this will remain easily reflected and that I continue to not let it stress me out.

Give me a...

Ok, so I just looked at how busy I was for the rest of the month of July, yes, I did just say the rest of the month of July, and I wanted to share it with you. Click on this link to see my month ;D

Go Ask Alice.

So, as you know, I love to "shop" around different blogs. Well one of these blogs is starting to become a must not miss. Thanks to MrsNewlywed, I found this site called Alice. You can do your shopping for non perishable items, and shipping is always free. To top that off, they also provide you with coupons, and little ducks that represent what you need and don't need. While, I might not make it the way to always shop, when you are really low on items, or moving and have no supplies to take with you, then this is definately the way to shop. So, go ahead, go see what Alice is all about.

Who doesn't like giveaways?!?!

So, I read some really interesting blogs, and one of the ones I read belongs to MrsNewlywed! Well, she is hosting a giveaway for barefoot wine! Go on ahead an check it out, if you are like me, who doesn't like wine?!?!