Kathleen is Home and the Weather is Awesome

Kathleen is home! It is so nice to have her around! My work schedule has been rather light, so her and I have been able to do some serious hanging out. Yay! I've missed her, so it's nice having her home. Plus it's super nice outside -- spring is in the air fo sho! Could I ask for a better week?

This past weekend we got together with some of my dad's family. Since Kathleen was in town we went dress shopping so that she could get a bridesmaid dress for Jessica's wedding. While we were there I tried on my wedding dress that was more my size. It fits so much better and I was very grateful that I was able to exchange dresses! Phew! One less thing to worry about.

My friend, Peaches, is helping with our wedding invitations. She sent me two that she designed last week... they're amazing! She has got some serious talent, but of course I already knew that. Right now my only dilemma is which invitation style should I to go with? I know that I've posted this link before, but if you want to check out more of Peaches' work be sure to visit her web site at www.peachprints.net.

Well, tonight we are wrapping up our study on Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. None of us want this study to be over... we all have enjoyed the book so much! So we can have one more week to talk about the book we are going to take one meeting to discuss our favorite quotes. Should be an interesting night! I'm looking forward to it.

Volleyball & Pizza

Our Young Adults group is having an activity on Friday, March 27th at 7:30 PM at the church. During that week we will not be having our usual Bible Study meeting on Tuesday, instead we'll meet up at the church that Friday to play some indoor volleyball and eat pizza. Woohoo! It's been way too long since I've played some volleyball... I'm excited for this event!

We're wrapping up our study on Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller... next, we're planning on doing a study on one of the Gospels. Which one? We haven't decided yet. Suggestions are appreciated.

Dan's Spring Break Begins

Dan is on his spring break right now... yay! I love having him around all week! I can't wait for it to be like this every day and every week! Only 115 days until that dream becomes reality... wow!

Yesterday, after Dan and I were done working for the day we went out for a wonderful date! Something we haven't really done in a very long time. We went out for dinner at Red Lobster and then walked the mall. Dan found some great jeans for an awesome price! It was a great find... he needs new jeans. Once summer clothes come in and spring is "out" we'll hit the mall and buy some new clothes. No sense in buying anything for spring or summer just yet. It's too cold and we have no plans to go anywhere warm.

We don't really have any other plans for his spring break. Really it's just a good opportunity for Dan to work full-time and earn some extra income. Aside from work it is nice to just relax and hang out. We've been watching a lot of Full House lately... ha ha. Good times!

Kathleen spent last week in Florida with the girls' softball team. On Saturday she sent me a text saying that she was in line for the ET Adventure ride at Universal Studios Florida. Gah! So jealous! I told her that I hope that she gets to ride with ET. Allow me to explain... On ET you get to "ride" bikes (like in the movie). In the front and center is a bike with a basket for ET. Growing up and going on vacation to Florida, Kathleen ALWAYS got the bike with ET... there is really no way to control getting a specific spot. Well, it always worked out in Orlando... it did not work in California (aw shucks). Anyway, later I got a phone call from Kathleen. She sounded very excited! Indeed, she DID get the bike with ET's basket! She told the girls while she was waiting in line, "I don't want to jinx the situation, but I have always gotten the bike with ET's basket." Sure enough, it happened again. CrAzY!

Post #100

Today marks the day of my 100th blog post! Oh what a day!

Not too much is going on right now. Last week was super busy! Between my part time jobs I managed to find some time to work on a video project. I thought that it was going to take me 2-3 weeks, but I managed to get it done in 2 weeks. Whew!

Wedding plans are somewhat at a stand still. Although, they can't stay that way for too long. Dan and I have to get our wedding invitations out by the beginning of April, which means we have to start working on them next month. Yikes!

Next week is Dan's spring break! Woohoo! He'll be staying with me and folks while he works full-time all week at work. Good deal. We can use the income! Him and I plan to go out at least one night for a hott date. Probably to Bahama Breeze... it has sorta become a tradition for us to go there for his spring break. Mainly because the restaurant's intentions are for it's guests to feel like they are on vacation.

Oh... here is some more good news! Kathleen is coming home for her spring break! Yay! Right now she is in Florida with the women's softball team (lucky girl). She'll be down south until Monday, March 2nd. She'll be home Friday, March 13th - Thursday, March 19th. I can't wait to see her!

Valentine's Day With My Soon-To-Be Hubby

Since mine and Dan's wedding is coming up in 129 days, we decided to stay in and save our money this Valentine's Day. No matter, we still managed to have a romantic day without spending lots of money.

I kinda took over for Valentine's Day this year. I fixed Dan a delicious meal with BBQ ribs, red skin potatoes, string beans, and dinner rolls. I dressed up the dinning room table, used my parents' fine China, lit some candles, and turned on some Michael Buble. When Dan came down for dinner he was surprised to find a gift waiting for him on his seat. It was a homemade card and a 2009-2010 calendar I created using shutterfly.com. I didn't break any rules... the calendar was free! I got a coupon from David's Bridal after I bought my wedding dress. The coupon was about to expire, so I had to act fast. The calendar is a celebration of our relationship and it starts with July 2009 (just after we are married) and goes until December 2010.

My folks went out for dinner that evening. When they returned Dan and I surprised them with some dessert. A bottle of our favorite dessert wine and some Dove ice cream! So good!

After dessert, Dan and I went downstairs where I had a few more surprises for him. The coffee table had a lovely red tablecloth over it and some candles. We sat on the couch and I pulled out another gift from under the coffee table. It was a 12x12 photo book from Shutter Fly... another freebie! He was so surprised! After we looked through the book I whipped out one final surprise (the only thing that actually had to be purchased)... P.S. I Love You on DVD! I'm sneaky, I know. We watched the movie and that was our Valentine's Day 2009. It was a wonderful day!

Monday, my Aunt Tamie and Uncle Ron came over for a visit. Well, actually Uncle Ron came over to help my dad install a new water heater. It was very nice to see them! Oh... and I don't think that I have mentioned the news yet, but my cousin Jessica is getting married this summer as well! She just got engaged about 2 weeks ago. They're looking to have their wedding on July 25, 2009. Congratulations to Jessica and Andrew!

Today I started work at Williams-Sonoma at 6:00 a.m. We were working on a new floor set. Once I was done at the mall I came to church to continue my busy work day. This evening I had Bible study and hopefully I'll manage to squeeze in some editing time. I hope.

I should sleep good tonight...

Smells Like Spring

The past couple of days have been wonderful... weather-wise. It smells like spring and I don't need a jacket (for most of the day). While working at church I even walked out to the mailbox to get the mail during the afternoon. During the winter I usually drive up and get it on my way in. Of course this weather isn't going to last. Nope... I'm sure we'll see some more snow and frost before spring is actually here. Come to think of it, we'll probably even see some snow and/or frost when spring is really here! Gotta love this Chicago weather!

In other news, I picked up some video work this past weekend. Woohoo! Dan helped me with the filming and I'm on my own for the editing. I had about 6 hours of footage to capture. I have about 1/2 of it synced up. I'm hoping to have it done this week... if not this week hopefully by next week. The sooner the better!

Nine Years

Nine years... hard to believe it has been nine years since Jessie passed away. In keeping up with tradition, I baked gingerbread cookies in her honor, went to visit her resting place at Pleasant Hill, went out for dinner with some friends, and then we all went over to the Troyers' for a nice visit. This tradition has remained strong after all these years... and for that I am pleased.

This weekend Dan and I took care of a few more wedding details. Here are some updates.

1. All bridesmaid dresses have been ordered and are due Friday, March 13th.

2. Made some updates and adjustments to our registries.

3. Updated our wedding website.

4. Today, Dan booked our flights for our honeymoon!

143 days until the wedding! Wow... it'll be here before we know it! As of right now our current tasks include editing our guest list, flowers, and invitations.

In other news, I spent over 12 hours at Williams-Sonoma yesterday... working! Well, I got a lunch break, but still, it was a long day (that started at 6:00 a.m.). We were doing inventory. Boring, but not too bad. I really appreciate the hours! I'd do it again.