2010

I cannot believe the year is over. This past year went by so fast, and so many amazing things happened in 2009! I got enaged ,my sister got married, my cousin got married, my other cousin had her second little girl, my best friend found out she was pregnant..and then found out she is having a girl(who I cannot wait to spoil), T got a promotion at work, T & I got our "first place"! It was a busy year. But I am really looking foward to 2010.


My sisters wedding


The proposal site

T and I are getting married, and what better way to start off the year?! Then right after our wedding we get so spend 7 amazing days on our honeymoon. We are both really looking forward to spending those days together, just the two of us with no work, no phones and no internet!


We get to spend one glorious day here in February


I am hoping that 2010 will bring two other fun aspects to our life. T and I are hoping to get a transfer at his work approved so we can move out of California. I have talked about this a lot on the blog and my insecurities, but I think I just need to bite the bullet and do it. I worry that fear is starting to run my life, and I just need to face my fears. God willing the transfer will get approved and we will be on our way. I am really looking foward to this opportunity and what this new adventure will bring to our lives and marriage. And it won't be forever, we can always come home. I just feel like this is something I need to do or I will forever regret it.

Secondly, I am hoping by the end of 2010 T and I will be trying to have a baby! Obvisouly we will need to see where we are at financially and in our marriage, but I am really praying that we will be in a position to make it happen.

I have a few resolutions for the new year, and hopefully writing them down will help me to keep them, and my friends can hold me accountable! Here they are...

1)Get in better shape and lose some weight. This is important not only for health reasons, but I want to be healthy and a good starting weight when we start trying to have a baby.

2)Find a "home" church for T and I. It is really important to me that we find a church where we feel at home and can really grow in our walk and create frienships with other believers.

3)Pay down my debt. I have a lot of debt and I want to start paying it down now so we can eventually buy a house.

4)Chill. I tend to be a very high strung person and I don't know how to just sit back, relax and go with the flow. I am going to work on this, or else I may have a heart attack by my 27th birthday.

Happy New Year everyone! Here is to 2010 and all that God will bless us with.

30 Days and Counting

HOLY CRAP. Where on earth did time go? How did the past four months just fly right by? I have spent the past 4 months waiting for January to be here, and not it is and I want to go back in time! I still have so much to do. Heck, with only 30 days to go I still need vendors! Ahhh...

I certainly never thought I would be the bride who was waiting until the last minute to do this. Infact, I could never understand those brides who waited until 30 days before their wedding to make decisions, I HAVE BECOME THAT PERSON. I totally understand it now. While stress has paid a large part of why things have not gotten checked off the list, finances are the main reason. Weddings are just so darn expensive. My parents work very hard, but they shouldn't have to go broke just to pay for my wedding. Infact, I feel really bad about this wedding. I feel guilt that my parents are spending their hard earned money on me. I could have simply gone to the court house or eloped, but I just had to have a wedding.
Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about my wedding. I feel so very blessed that my parents are working so hard to give me the wedding of my dreams, I just feel bad at the end of the day.

But with 30 days left I am most looking forward to being a Mrs. I have been dreaming for over 3 years about the day I got to marry T, and now that day is only 30 days away! All the stress and anxiety is starting to subside and pure joy and excitement is taking over. I can't wait! Let the countdown begin...

Why Wedding Planning Blows

Dearest Wedding Industry,
i always thought the day I would be able to utilize your professionals would be the happiest day ever. I dreamed of wonderful, creative, one of a kind things for my wedding. All those things have gone right out the window and you have crushed all of my dreams. Now I understand you have to make money and you have bills to pay too, but look around, we are in a recession.

I think I speak for the masses when I say engaged couples can't spend what they would have two years ago. Brides have to watch every dollar they spend. At least I do. And maybe I am just too cheap but I seem to find wedding vendors extremely overpriced. A wedding officiant is $400...four hundred dollars to show up at my wedding for maybe an hour at the most, and actually "work" for 20ish minutes of that hour. You charge $400 for that? For all I know you spent $30 and became ordained online, and now you are charging $400 for your services. And then the church I attend, you won't even consider marrying me because you don't think I am "involved enough" in the church. (Those were your words, not mine) And then you really said no when you heard I was not getting married IN your church, but outdoors. Let me just say, this has left a nasty taste in my mouth, and I'm not sure how you plan on getting me more "involved" after our ever-so-welcoming chat.

My next beef would be with bakeries. I know wedding cakes are a piece of art, and many of them will take your breath away. However, I am not having one of those cakes. I do not have an extra $1000 laying around to spend on water, flour and eggs. I do not want a nasty fondant cake, yes I understand you can create amazing designs on them, but I don't enjoy peeling what looks and feels like already chewed gum off my wedding cake. I simply want some plain butter cream frosting and fresh flowers on my cake. But $4 a slice seems insane to me. I could make an entire box cake for that much. And if I had the time and sanity to learn how to make butter cream frosting, I would be making my cake myself. In fact, if I can scrape together some sanity, I just might learn and save myself the $164.50 I have been quoted for a cake.

Going down the hit list would be the makeup & hair vendors. I did find an amazing makeup artist and she is very reasonably priced. So why on earth can I not find a reasonable hair dresser? Please, please tell me why it will cost me upwards of $100 to have my hair done. I don't want anything crazy! Your supplies consist of bobby pins and hairspray, so $5 goes towards supplies. You are now making $95 for an hour of work. I'm clearly in the wrong profession. Tack on the additional $75 per bridesmaid, after 3 hours of work you have just made at least $250 before tip! I would like to make that kind of money.

I have said it once and I will say it again, if I could go back in time I would have never run right out and put down a deposit on a venue. I would have waited a few days and really let the wedding stress sink in. And at that very moment I would have booked a cabin in Lake Tahoe in January, called our family and told them when to be there. We would be getting married in front of a roaring fireplace with the snow falling outside. It would have cost 1/3 the price and I wouldn't be spouting grey hairs as fast as women Tiger Woods has slept with are appearing.

Bottom line, ELOPE.


~This would have been lovely

I'm Gonna Be In BIG Trouble

I have mentioned it before; I tend to buy things I don't necessarily need right now just because they are an amazing deal. I will buy said item if I know at some point down the road (at least within 1-2 years) it will be handy and I know I am saving a crap load of money. So, today I was wondering around and stumbled into a second hand children's store. I was looking around, and there it was, staring at me. The Svan Bouncer, an modern baby bouncer (although it doesn't really bounce) used by several celebrities! I had to have it. My extensive baby gear research kicked in and I knew how much this thing was, at least $100 brand new. Since I had seen other products in the store that retailed for roughly the same price but were priced at $50+ bucks I didn't think much at first. But I picked it up to realize it was still in great condition, and the fabric part snaps off, so all I had to do was purchase a new fabric piece. Then I saw the price tag... $15! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? I knew right then, I REALLYhad to have this thing!

I got home with my new purchase (which at this moment T still doesn't know about, oops!) and did some more research. Sure enough, it retails for $120! The fabric that came with it is in good condition, but I would like to eventually buy a new fabric piece in the brown/orange combo they make. The fabric piece brand new is $45..not too bad! So, when you think about it, I really saved us $60, which in my book is a good deal!

I'm pretty sure T is not going to be too thrilled by this purchase since we have A LOT of other things the money could have gone towards, but for $15 I would have kicked myself later had I not bought it!

P.S. I do have some self control.A few weeks ago I found a crib I loved, and it was on Thanksgiving clearance for only $63!! And I didn't buy it. The real reason I didn't buy it thought was because I had nowhere to store it until we need it. But I still used self control, because trust me, I was trying to think of places to store it in the meantime...Grandma's house, my parents house, a storage unit. It took ALL of me not to buy it. And since this post is all about babies, no I am not pregnant, and probably won't be for at least 10 more months (6 months if I have any say in it!)

Here are some pictures of it!

This is the fabric colors I bought it with
*Picture from Petit Tresor


This is the fabric I would like to eventually get
*Picture from mbeans.com

My Most Favoritest Month of the Year

I absolutly, positively LOVE December. I love everything about the month, especially Christmas. I love the cool, crisp air. I love the smell of Christmas, the cinnamon pinecones and Christmas tree's. The decorations are amazing. For the most part people are in a great mood. I love driving around looking at houses all decorated while listening to Christmas music and drinking hot cocoa. There is just something about little while lights EVERYWHERE that makes me so happy. I listen to Christmas music all year long, but in December it is acceptable.

This Christmas will be a little different for T and I. We are both so broke right now, and with him moving into our new apartment just 10 days before Christmas, and our wedding 5 weeks after Christmas, we have no money for gifts. Although, T has already given me the best gift this year, he asked me to marry him! I know this Christmas is going to be just as awesome, if not even better than all the previous one's. T will be in our apartment at Christmas, and I fully plan on decorating, even if it is just him enjoying it! I can't wait to spend our first Christmas together and start our own traditions! Only 24 days and counting..


*This was my tree a few years ago when I lived on my own. I had to cut the top of the tree because it was bent on the ceiling!


*T and I a few years ago in Texas just after Christmas


*Now this is a Christmas tree

63 Days and Counting

That's right folks, I have 63 days until our wedding. As you probably already read, I am hating the wedding planning process. But I am looking at it as though only 63 more days until I am a wife! 63 days until we leave for our honeymoon! 63 days until we can start trying for a baby..ok, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself! I am so excited to start our lives together. I can't wait for our first little apartment (and believe me, it is little). I'm a little bummed that I have to wait a year to spend our first Christmas together, but I'm sure I will be able to deal with it. This Christmas is the first Christmas we will have ever spent together, and that I am really excited for!

So with 63 days left until the wedding, I have about 163 things left to do! Here are some pictures I sent to my florist as my inspiration. I don't remember where I got the pictures..sorry.

Money, money, money, moooooney

I'm a bad, bad blogger these days. I just have nothing nice to say. Nothing. Stress is my middle name lately. There is just so much going on. Between wedding planning, moving, school and looking for a new job, I feel as though my head is spinning. It's true; when it rains, it pours.

I know everyone says "money can't buy you happiness", but I'm going to have to beg to differ. Money would buy me peace of mind that my school will get paid for, our rent will get paid, we will have a bed to sleep in and something to sit on in our apartment, an "emergency" backup, a savings fund, my fiances wedding ring, our wedding cake, a trainer so I can fit in my wedding dress, spending cash for our honeymoon, the odds and ends we are going to need when we move in to our new place, all the things I still need to buy/pay for for the wedding. Money would be AMAZING right now. A second job would be amazing right now.

Recently I have felt like there is a 100 lb. weight sitting on my chest, and I just can't do anything to get rid of it. Even as I type this I feel like I can breathe. Please tell me this gets easier, that once I am finally married finances will blend and moving won't be such a stress. At least I know that in just over 2 months I will never again have to worry about my wedding. Ahhhh...how I cannot wait for that day.

Not What I Was Anticipating

I have spent the past 13 years planning my wedding. That's right, it started when I was 13 years old and I picked up my first wedding magazine. I didn't just dream about it, oh no, I took it to a whole new level. I started purchasing wedding magazine's every single chance I got. I made "booklets" with magazine cut outs of exactly what my wedding was going to be. I even sent away for information from vendors (my parents LOVED this). The older I got, the more intense the planning was. Even when there was no husband in site. Then I started dating T, and I knew early on that he was the perfect guy for me. (I know, gag) He knew my obsession with weddings, but I always played it off because of my desire to one day be an event planner. Then as time went on and T and got more serious I really started planning. I had no idea it was going to be so long before we actually got engaged.

Needless to say, I have planned our wedding, roughly 40 times. I had a wedding for every season, several states (Cali, Texas, Arizona, Nevada), and even considered a destination wedding (which FYI sounds like a marvalous plan right about now). I knew what flowers I wanted depending on the season, which theme I would chose and all the small details that went along with each of those themes. My wedding plans have gone from several local wineries, to a small family only backyard event in Lake Tahoe, to getting hitched in Las Vegas at the Wynn, Mandalay Bay and Caesars Palace. There were plans for Sedona and Scottsdale, Arizona. I carefully planned a wedding to be held at an amazing ranch in Austin, Texas. I searched for the perfect "old" chapel in Dallas, Texas. There were plans for a backyard wedding at our friends house. Details for a wedding on a cruise and all inclusive in Mexico or the Bahamas. There were ideas for a winter wedding in Lake Tahoe, Julian and Big Bear. A summer wedding in Big Bear, Julian and Lake Arrowhead. I can tell you about almost any location in San Diego or South Orange County. What I'm getting at is, I thought once I actually got engaged planning would be the easiest thing I have ever done. I could do it with my eyes shut and my hands tied behind my back and no internet for miles around.

And then I got engaged. And suddenly these exquisite, fabulous and stunning weddings I had planned came to a screaching halt. There was one minor (HUGE) detail I overlooked...THE BUDGET. And while I never dreamed that I would still be a waitress when I got married, I also always dreamed I would have at least double the budget I do have. Suddenly planning our wedding became a lot more work. I had to make sure all our decisions and choices were within reason and budget friendly. And the hardest decision of all was to chose if I wanted to have the wedding of my dreams (to the man of my dreams of course) and only have 50 people there, or have a huge wedding but none of it be what I dreamed my day would be. I went for option A. It kills me that I am not able to invite everyone I would like to. Believe me. But it was the choice I made. And yes I realize at the end of the day all that matters is that we are married, and that is so true. But for someone who has been planning this day for 13 years, not only do I want to enjoy every single moment of it with T, but I want to look back at what I created (especially since I am DIY'ing so much of it).

What I am getting at is, wedding planning is not what I always dreamed it would be. In all honesty, there are so many days I don't even want to think about it. I wish I could have sold T on the idea of eloping. So much less work involved and fewer feelings hurt. My parents wouldn't be going broke, especially since my sister was married only 7 months ago. I sometime wonder if I would be able to relax more and just really have soaked it all in and truly enjoyed the moment of being engaged and wedding planning. Don't get me wrong, I am so thrilled to be marrying T, but this 6 month wait is not as fun as I thought it would be.

For the Love of Pumpkin

I have never been much of a fan of Fall; probably because in Southern California fall isn't really fall. It's more like a not-so-hot summer. I do love the smells of fall, which consists of the smell of cinnamon in every store you step foot in. However, this year is different. The evenings are getting darker earlier, and the weather has cooled down, and it is just L.O.V.E.L.Y.Seriously, I am loving fall. The change is weather is amazing. Something just feels different this year, and while I can't put my finger on it, I'm loving it.

The one thing I have always loved about fall is pumpkin. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkins. My mom's amazing pumpkin-chocolate chip-oatmeal cookies.(They are out of this world) Pumpkin bread.I love pumpkins so much T and I will be taking our engagement pictures at a local pumpkin patch later this month. If it is pumpkin, I love it! Now, I know everyone goes crazy over the pumpkin spiced everything at Starbucks. Therefor, I would like to share with you all my Starbucks creation. It is divine. I wait all year for them to carry pumpkin spice so I can enjoy the best thing I have ever created....a grande (or any size) hot chocolate with 2 pumps of pumpkin. Now hold on, the minute I tell people they turn their nose's up and say "that's sick". But then they try it, and they thank me....for a very long time! It is AMAZING. It isn't overwhelming with pumpkin flavor, it's just the right hint of fall in your cup. I'm telling you, just try it. You will be thanking me. And if you try it and hate it, then I'm not sure we can be friends.


p.s. the picture of T and I is not from our engagement shoot, just some fun we had last year at the pumpkin patch!

What I Look Forward to The Most

I am looking forward to my wedding, very much so. Every day I get excited that we are one day closer to becoming husband and wife. I cannot wait to see the look on T's face when he sees me for the first time on our wedding day. I cannot wait to stand in front of our family and friends and repeat our wedding vows to each other. I can't wait for our first dance together. I can't wait for our honeymoon. I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait!

But what I am looking forward to the most is getting to wake up every day with T. I can't wait to get to live with him. Especially considering the past 12 months we have lived 45 minutes away from each other. I understand that isn't that far, and there are many people who live much further away from their loved ones. I have no idea how they do it. But for T and I, with our schedules were are lucky to see each other once a week, and that is usually just for a few hours. I am so looking forward to learning to cook for him (I am not so handy in the kitchen!!) I am looking forward to making our little apartment ours and having a place of our own. I know things aren't going to be perfect, and there is going to be a lot of adjustment time. But I am so excited that at the end of each day we get to go home to each other. That is what I am really counting down to.(And when we can start trying for a baby, but that's a little while longer!)

Inspiration

As you probably noticed I have changed my blog for the zillionth time. However, this time it is different. My blog now reflects my wedding! I should explain further, my colors are deep red and black with accents of black and white damask. I know everybody does damask, as it is so popular right now, but I just can't help myself! I love it.

My sister and I are in the process of trying to design save-the-dates and my invitations. Since we are making everything ourselves, I want to make sure I am on top of things and give ourselves enough time to get everything done without having to stress.

I will continue to update my blog about all my wedding projects! I have this huge itch to go out and buy something for our future home. Nothing big, just a little something. But considering I have buckets of stuff I have been purchasing over the years, I really should hold back. I keep trying to tell myself to just wait until after the wedding, and we will have plenty of time to buy things. Plus, I should wait to see if we are lucky enough to get some gifts from our friends. Geez, I can only imagine how bad I am going to be when I find out I am pregnant. I won't even need a shower, I'm going to buy everything the day I find out! hahaha

Here are some inspiration pictures for our wedding..


I think these are simply stunning


There will be candles, lots and lots of candles

Progress

Today was my first day of wedding related activities! My mom, sister and I went to the location I was hoping to get married at. I worked there years ago, and my first time there I knew I had to get married there one day. However, it has always been a pretty pricey place, so I always figured it just woudln't happen. The other day I checked out their website and they were offering a discount on weddings in January. Great, so January it was. However, they also have head count minimums based on what day of the week it is, and because we are having such a small wedding I decided to get married on a Thursday night. So then when we went in today to talk to them, because they are doing construction on another area of the property, they are not only offering a discount but they have done away with minimums. So, I can get married on a Saturday night for a discounted price..and in the room I want! So, January 30, 2010 I will be getting married at a local winery! I am so excited.

If that wasn't enough to make my day, after going to the winery we decided to go to a local bridal salon. They were having a big sale, 50% off select gowns, and the sale ended today. I am always up for a good bargain, so I figured we had to at least check it out. There were only about 30 dresses that were for sale, however, it was my lucky day because I found my dress!!! I got my dress for less than $500 including tax! I was THRILLED!

I hope all wedding planning goes this easily! Next up is putting down the deposit and securing my date. And then sending out save-the-dates! The crafting has already begun. And since my sister and I are yet again doing all the centerpieces, I need to start figuring out what I want. Ahhhh..I cannot believe this is real!

Is This Real?

Tonight, was the best night ever. I am now, ENGAGED! Ahhhhhhhh... Travis had me totally fooled. I really didn't think it was happening tonight. Infact, I started crying in the car on the way home from dinner because I was sure that it wasn't going to happen tonight. But then I we got home, and pulling into the drive way I noticed my sister's car a few houses up the street. Then we walked in the house, and the lights were off, so that couldn't have been my sisters car. I looked out in the backyard, and at first glance I noticed a lot of light, but thought it was the outdoor lights. I quickly realized they were candles, and then I KNEW! I started laughing and smiling from ear to ear. T asked me to come with him and he lead me outside. There were candles and rose's EVERYWHERE. He started to tell me how much he loved me, and a bunch of stuff I don't remember. In the middle of all that I realized my sister was hiding (not very well) on my parents balcony, taking pictures and then talking to us in the middle of the proposal. Then the sprinklers went off and I got sprayed. But in the end T asked me to be his wife and spend my life with him. And of course I said YES!

I am so thrilled! Words cannot describe my excitement! It was the perfect proposal fo us! Sprinklers and all! I am on cloud 9 right now. Poor T is just so overwhelmed, he said he hasn't slept all week. He was so figiddty at dinner, and I asked him if he took his ADD med's and he said no, so I figured that was why! Guess not, it was nerves.

If it all works out, the offical wedding date is January 28, 2010. I am hoping to go to the venue this weekend and put down a deposit! AHHHHH!!!!! This leaves me 5 months from tomorrow! I cannot wait to spend my life with T. He is so amazing and I am so thankful to have him in my life. God really did bless me when he brought T into my life. He is the perfect balance to my nuttiness! He is the one person who can calm me down, and make me slow down.

Stay tuned to all the wedding details! I will be posting much more now! We already have quite a bit figured out. We are having a very small wedding, only family in Jan. But we will be having a big party to celebrate with everyone sometime in May. So, basically I get to plan 2 weddings, which makes me even happier!

I am so luck and so blessed! This has been the best night ever. I love you so much T.

P.S. I hope to have pictures from my sister soon!

That's Right, I'm Selfish

Have you ever kept something a secret so nobody else you know could use it? Or is that just me? It could be something as simple as a design idea, a great deal, a name. There are all sorts of things. For example, a friend of mine and I were discussing baby names one night. There is a name I just love for a little girl. But before I could get it out she said the name she loves. What do you know, it is a variation of the same name! Another good friend of mine and her friend were discussing baby names also. When my friend mentioned "her name" the other party said that was a great name. Several months later the friends-friend was prego and was talking about using the name!! Maybe it is silly to some people, but not to me!

I recently found a baby bedding set i L.O.V.E., and I hate baby bedding sets. I always swore I would just piece together what I needed. However, after seeing this, I somehow justified the ridiculous amount of money that it costs and purchasing pieces of bedding that are not even necessary. Now keep in mind I am not pregnant, and several of my friends will probably be announcing their pregnancies far before mine. For that reason, I am being selfish and not sharing this bedding. Not that my taste is simply amazing, but it is a fairly popular design motif right now. And I simply do not want anyone else having it!! I want it to be mine, all mine. I already have the whole room planned around it. It is that perfect. So, does that make me selfish? Please tell me I am not the only person who does this!

Why Online Classes Suck

I am trying to finish my degree, and about 2 years ago I decided University of Phoenix Online was the way to go. I was able to go to school at 2 am when I was wide awake, and that seems to work for me.Classes are only 5 weeks long, which is just enough time for me to lose interest before it is over! Yes, I am paying roughly 400x's what I should in tuition, but that is the sacrifice I made.

However, there was one thing I was not prepared for....GROUP ASSIGNMENTS. Every single class you take you are broken into groups and have group projects throughout the class. To start with, I don't like other people that much, especially when my grade depends on them. I have not really had any problems with team members until the last 2 classes. The first psycho thought she was the ONLY person who could do any work, so she said she would do ALL of the work, and then just let us (the rest of the team) proof read what she wrote. Um, as lovely as that sounds, I am fairly certain the professor isn't going to go for that come time for grading. Secondly, I can do my part of the assignment, thank you very much. Now in my current class my "group leader" has a tendency to write paragraphs with zero or one period. The whole paragraph makes NO sense because everything is written improperly or completely misspelt. And yet, I am supposed to go to her for guidance on my assignment...I think NOT. I hate that I have to depend on other people for a part of my grade. HATE, HATE, HATE it. Yes, I know I will have to work in a group setting for the rest of my life, however that group setting won't determine what GPA I have when I graduate. If I could do it all over again, I would go to a Cal State and save myself the thousands I am paying in tuition. So take it from me, while online classes may save you time, they don't save you a headache and thoughts of throwing your laptop out the window.

Another Open Letter

I am a waitress at a popular chain restaurant. And quite frankly, I am at my whit's end. So, this is my chance to say what I think/feel about my guests.

Dear *Guests*,
To start with, I don't know that all of your deserve to be called guests. Most of you should be referred to as Jerks, (I'm trying to clean up my potty mouth)and that is being kind. To start with, it is no longer 1983; a 10% tip doesn't cut it any longer. Do you realize that I have to pay tax on the tips you are supposed to give me, even if you don't leave me a single dollar? If you don't have the money to go out to eat and give your server a great tip, don't go out to dinner. Stay at home, and then you can have exactly what you want, how you want it, and you don't have to stiff someone at their job.

I understand that not every server will give you the best service, however more often than not YOUR first reaction to us is what puts us in a bad mood. If I greet your table and before I can say hello you are ordering me to go get you a drink, don't be surprised when I am giving you less than stellar service. I also am not sure when it became okay to snap at me, yell "hey lady" across the restaurant, or throw some object to get my attention, but news flash IT IS NOT OKAY. If I went into your job and started yelling at you or throwing objects at you, most likely I would be escorted out in handcuffs by the police. So, why do you feel it is okay to do that at my job? I am not here to be your bitch or your slave. You can ask nicely for something, do not demand it. Another tip that might help out, if you know you want something (ranch, steak sauce, extra whatever) with your meal, ask for it when you order. It's not that hard to do. You seem to have no problem asking for things one item at a time, forcing me to spend extra time running around.I know I could use a few pounds, however I don't need you to be my personal trainer by sending me all around for things you need. Now take this into consideration, have you ever wondered where your server is when you need something? They are probably running around getting the table next to you 400 things they could have asked for when they ordered, but thought it would be fun to watch me run around and have no time to devote to your table.

I cannot speak for everyone, however, I DO MY JOB. I am not just ignoring you for fun. One more news flash, you are not my only table. I have several others to deal with. So when you need something, and so do my 5 other tables, learn to be patient. I don't have Go-Go-Gadget arms, and I can only do so much. I would love to see you deal with 20 people at the same time.

Like I mentioned earlier, tipping is a huge problem. If you cannot afford to go out to eat and leave a tip, don't go out to eat. If you are dropping your teenagers off for dinner with their friends, educate them on tipping. $3 on a $52 check is not okay. I have a good feeling in just a few short years, your kids will be serving tables, do you want them being treated the same way they treat me? I hope not. If you decide to meet up with your long lost friend and sit in my section, congrats on seeing that person! However, sitting at the same table for 3 hours chatting and then only leaving a $5 tip is unacceptable. In the 3 hours you sat there, I could have turned that table at least twice, and made more money. If you want to sit and chat for hours, either add $5 for each hour you sit there, or go to Starbucks..that is why it was created! And to the parents of wild and crazy children, listen, I LOVE kids. I really do. But listening to your child scream at the top of their lungs for 15 minutes (yes, this has happened) is really unpleasant. Take your child to the bathroom or outside. Quite frankly, not only I am now deaf, but I am embarrassed for you. Be a parent and DO SOMETHING. And when your child decides to throw every piece of food on the table on the floor, you have no idea how nice it is to offer to clean it up.I have a feeling your child doesn't get away with that at home. So, why is it okay when you are out in public? I have NEVER let anyone clean up their child's mess, but to the people who offer to clean it up, I am so grateful to you. Thank you. Simply offering makes my day.

Thank you to the few people who understand how crappy being a waitress is, and make my life no quite so horrible. To the rest of you who seem to think you can boss me around, be rude to me, tell me off, and get in my face, don't worry, you've got it coming to you. I am sorry your life is so horrible that you think it is okay to take it out on me. Why don't you try being a server, and let's see how you do. Something tells me you won't be making too much money.

Pity Party for 1 Please

**Warning: I understand I that my life is not that difficult, however I am having a pity party, and this is my blog, so I can! And this is going to be a long post** This past year has been a very difficult one for me. In the past year my Grandfather who I was very, very close to past away. I knew it was coming, but it was still very difficult for me. I moved back home with Mom & Dad after 3 years of living on my own. It wasn't my ideal situation, but it was what needed to happen based on my financial situation. My mom and I don't seem to get along too well when we live together. And in all honesty, I never though that I would still be here a year later. My cousin who is a year older than me got engaged. The family knew it was coming, but it was still hard for me to deal with. Then in October my little sister got engaged. This rocked my world. I was so happy for my sister, but never did I think she would be getting married before me. And while Travis and I have talked about marriage for quite a long time now, it seemed as though she talked about it for a week and next thing I knew they were engaged. Then 5 months later my little sister was a married woman. The days after she had moved out were very hard for me. I am the big sister, I was supposed to be the one who was married and living with my husband, not still living at home with mom and dad. This is something I still struggle with. On top of all of this the past year has presented me with a new gift; major anxiety. It sucks. I hate every single minute of it. As I said in a previous post, I am seeing a therapist and working on dealing with and controlling my anxiety, but the past year it has just been overwhelming at times. Then to round it all out, several of my dear friends have become engaged, bought houses, welcomed babies, moved, and gotten new jobs or promotions. And here I am; unmarried, living at home, working at a job I loathe, nowhere near buying a home or having kids or moving. I am not one step closer to any of my goals. I am so thrilled for all of my friends and family for the blessings in their lives that God has given them. Yet at the same time I am so jealous. (It is so bad, I know this)

I don't even know how to end this blog entry. I'm just having a pity party tonight and needed to get all of this off my chest. I am so unbelievably happy for my family and friends. I am just so ready for it to be my turn. I have an amazing boyfriend who one day is going to make an amazing husband and father...and I am ready for that day to be today..or tomorrow. When is it going to be my turn?

Kellys Korner

For the past several months I have been reading Kelly's Korner blog. Every week she has done a "home tour" which I could never participate in, since I don't have a home just yet! This week was "Show Your Wedding Gown", but for those single ladies, you can show your dream gown. Therefor, I am participating this week!!!! As most of you know, I am wishing, hoping and praying that an engagement is coming soon. And at this point, I have fairly good reason to believe it is coming soon. (Picking out the ring and knowing it is purchased is usually enough, right??) So, without further ado, here are my dream gowns!


Lela Rose


Alvina Valenta

But if money were no option, this would hands down be my gown!

Insanity

Maybe I am just highly out of touch with reality, however I find if amazing that people sell their previously worn wedding gowns, for thousands of dollars. Now, don't get me wrong, I can see the value and beauty in a Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Reem Acra, Lela Rose, or Kenneth Pool gown, I simply cannot see spending $3500 on a dress that is tailored to someone else's body. What is even more crazy is the person selling their pre worn Monique Lhuillier gown for $6300, when they paid $7000. Really? All you could do was discount it $700?! Is this a joke?

Maybe I am just the crazy one for thinking one day I might find an actual deal on the Monique Lhuillier or Vera Wang of my dreams. A girl can dream, right? In the meantime I wil continue going crazy when I see the prices of these gowns...that have already been worn.


Vera Wang


Monique Lhuillier (I have been lusting after this dress for 3 years)


Melissa Sweet

Family Time

Back in June my cousin Bryan got married. The wedding was beautiful! It was up in the hills in Burbank,and the ceremony was in this cool little courtyard. Meaghan (the bride) looked beautiful, and she was so happy the whole day! We also got to see my cousin Kim who just had her second daughter about 4 weeks earlier. Mallory is so cute and tiny, and she slept the entire night. Our whole table passed her from person to person holding her, and not one single time did she fuss. Here are some pictures from the night! It was a great time, congrats again Bryan and Meaghan.


My sister, cousin and I in the photo booth they had


Mallory and I (I was in heaven)


The whole family


Mallory and me again..I could have held her all night, I even considered sneaking out the side door with her!

Help is on the way

I start seeing a therapist on Tuesday, and I am so excited. I doubt many people say that, but I am! I have never had a problem talking about the fact that I have seen several therapist's in my life, and I think they are amazing. So, the fact that my job is paying for me to go is even better. I am really hoping I connect with my new therapist and she can help me deal with my many issues. I am looking foward to getting a new perspective on what I have been dealing with and really help me. I am so tired of being depressed, and dealing with anxiety and paranoia. I haven't really talked to many people about what is going on in my life, if you are intersted, feel free to ask. I just don't like bombarding people with my craziness!

Anyhoo, I am praying that my depression will let up soon. It has been really bad lately, and I am over-analyzing everything in my life, which just leads to more depression. About a week ago Travis and I went to Sea World for the day. It was the first time in a really long time that I went a whole day without getting depressed or upset. I just had a great, amazing day that day. I enjoyed life and all the small things. I want every day to be like that day. I know Travis wishes I was like that every day too.

I could use some change... a new outlook on life would be a great start. I don't really know where I am going with this post, other than to say, if you wonder why I have been extra crazy lately, dont fret, help is on the way!

Gettin' Crafty

For my birthday this year my mom bought me a sewing machine. I was thrilled! Immediately I wanted to start creating things, yet I quickly found out I am not the best sewer in the land. But, I do truly love sewing, and it keeps me busy and out of trouble! Basically all I can sew are burp cloths and bibs at the moment, but I am trying to get better and move on to more difficult projects. I have a dress pattern I am dying to try, I just haven't found the perfect fabric for it yet. So, it sit's, waiting to be created. Here are some pictures of my projects! And since I don't have any kiddos, and these are just sitting around, if you want any let me know and I will send them to you!


The bib I made, I ironed it after I took this picture!


Burpcloths


More burpcloths


My favorite!



My other favorite! You can't see it but the other side is black and white damask.


Little washcloths I made

25 Is Almost Over

I am two days away from my 26Th birthday. I don't know why, but it is a rather strange feeling. I feel like I automatically pass into my "late 20's" on Thursday. Headed into 26 I am not even close to where I thought I would be in life. I always though I would be married, have a career, a cute little home, and at least one child, and possibly another on the way. The reality is, an engagement **may** be in the near future, but I'm not holding my breath. As far as a career, I have no idea what I want to do. From one day to the next I have different ideas of what would make me happy for the rest of my life, or at least the next few years. As you all know, I don't have any children, let alone am I preparing to welcome a second!

The strangest part of all, is that in the past few weeks I have been at total peace with where I am in life. I'm not always the happiest, peppiest person, but I am happy. I have met the man I will spend the rest of my life with (if he ever decides to propose!). I have discovered that while often times I am very lonely, I really enjoy my nights just me, Pandora, and crafting websites or my new sewing machine. I know once I get married and have kiddos, all this free time will be long gone. So, I might as well enjoy it now. While I do hate my job, I really do, I don't know what I want to do. I have several ideas, but I just can't quite pinpoint one. That is the one area of my life I really do wish I could change. I look at my sister, and she knows and is doing exactly what she wants to do. I wish I had that, but I know one day I will discover what God has put me on the Earth to do.

I am looking forward to 26. Hopefully it will bring a marriage proposal with it, but as long as I can learn to deal with my anxiety, give all my cares and problems to God, and just enjoy each and every day I have, I will have made great progress in my life. I am no longer gaging my accomplishments in life by what I do or do not have, there are far more important things; like peace of mind, a great relationship with God, and amazing relationships with family and friends.

Deep In The Heart of ?????

I'm starting to have my usual doubts about moving to Texas. Can someone please make this decison for me, please. Here are the facts: I want to move out of California, at least Southern California. Texas just seems so far away. It's a 5 hour plane ride, and a 24 hour drive. This is my reason for not wanting to be so far away, our future children. I cannot imagine being so far away from my parents, especially being a first time mom. I know people live far away from their families and have children every day. But for me, I just get sad every time I think about it. So now my mad search is beginning, for the perfect place to move. It has to be within a few hours away, no more than a 2 hour plane ride, and somewhere you can drive within 8 hours. It has to have a that "home town" feel. It must be safe and have great schools. It needs to have personality. I don't care if it is out of the state. And there can be no "bro's and bro ho's". Oh, and did I mention this place needs to be affordable. Any suggestions on where this place is?!

I Could Use a Career Day

I can't stand my job. I have been a waitress/bartender for the past 8 years. I am over it. I am at the point where I strongly dislike most people. That however is not the point. The point is, I really have NO idea what I want to do for a career.

Over the years I have flip-flopped about different professions. For several years I wanted to be a wedding coordinator. I do love everything about weddings, and I know quite a bit, however, I don't want to spend my weekends with some crazy person who is freaking out because the color of her flowers just isn't the right shade of pink.

Next was my idea of floral design. While I do enjoy it, I just really don't think I am that good at it. Yes, I can throw some flowes in a vase, but who can't? And is this really what I want to do forever, I don't think so? I mean, yet again I am stuck with some bride who is pissed her flowers aren't the right shade of pink!

Then there is my love/obsession for children's products. I would love. love. love to have a children's boutique of accesories. However, there are a few problems in my way. 1) I don't have the money, and by money I mean hundreds of thousands of dollars. B) I don't want to have to work 7 days a week, 4 weeks a month, 12 months a year because I cannot afford to hire any staff because I am a start up company, most likely not making a profit. 3)It would help if Travis and I knew where we would be living permanetly for the next few years. 4) $$$$$$$$$$$...it's still a big problem!

I just feel I am at a loss right now. Travis just got this promotion, and while it is not the job he will have for the rest of his life, right now, it is a career. And it is allowing us to get bills paid and get on our feet. I want to feel as though I am contributing. I want/need a job that will pay me enough to pay down some of my debt. Any suggestions? Please, I need help! I feel completely lost. I don't care what it is I am doing, as long as I enjoy it. I don't know what it is like to enjoy work. I wake up in a bad mood knowing I have to work. I am sick of working to live, not living to work. I could really use a career day of sorts, where I can have all my options in front of me. I need to chose something soon, I'm not getting any younger. And I'm certainly not getting any richer.

Stocking Up

I am a firm believer in "if you see something at a great price, buy it." I am a cheap ass of epic proportion, however if I find a great deal, I feel it is my duty to buy it then, as opposed to paying full price. With that said, I have started a not-so-small collection of things for the future.I prefer to think of it as "stocking up." And when I say for the future, I mean my future home Travis and I will one day live in and our future children we will one day have.

Since I have lived on my own previously, I have a collection of glassware and dishes that allows me to feel as though I live in Crate & Barrel. However, that doesn't seem to stop me. We better have a kitchen with lots, and lots, and lots of cabinets. Last time I checked, I had around 30 pieces of glassware (martini, margarita, and wine glasses), 20 salad plates, 20 dinner plates, and 16 bowls, not including the new pieces listed in this post. However, these all have their own themes to them, and none of them match one another. And let me add, none of these are holiday themed! So needless to say, when Travis and I do get married, we won't need any dishware, however, I'm sure there will still be some on the registry!

Anyways, the moral of the story here is to show off some of my newest purchases! I think I am a great bargain hunter, and love to share my finds with others. If you don't find these amusing, feel free to stop reading at this point! ** And yes, Travis does know I purchase baby items. I show off all my purchases to him!And no, I do not think that buying baby items before I am pregnant will jinx us getting pregnant one day. One way or another we will be parents, if that means me getting pregnant or us adopting, either way, we will have children.


**These plates I just loved! These were marked down to $1.85 at Target..who can resist?


**Newest salad plates. I could only find 2 left, but they were marked down to $3.75 at Target, and I just had to have them!


**This was a custom order, but really, what UT fans could pass it up?! And it was only $10...ahh the joys of Etsy!


**Who can live without Mary Jane's and BabyLegs?! 3 pairs of Mary Jane socks for $2.99 at Ross and BabyLegs for $2.95 at Target


**The glittery silver pair are Converse I got for $2.75 at Target on clearance, and the black pair I got at Ross for $3.99


**One of my favorite purchases ever! I found this at a store in Old Town Temecula, and just had to have it! It will look great anywhere, but I can't stop thinking how great it will be in our little boy's room one day! (let's all pray God gives us a boy!)

These are just a few of my favorites! I have plenty more, but I will save those for another post.

Beautiful Blooms

I am lucky enough to have friends who enjoy having fresh flowers in their home rather often. I am even more lucky that they allow me to purchase these flowers, and create arrangements for their home. These are some of the arrangements in made for Easter. Sorry the quality is not the best. And my favorite arrangement I didn't get a picture of. I took a kissing ball and filled it with shades of pink carnations and green buttons (they are flowers). I placed that on the top of a huge vase, and floating under it was a huge white flower (I don't know the name of it). But I loved how it turned out. I wish I had taken a picture! Enough of that, here are some pictures!

The Most Overrated Place on Earth

Thats right, what is better known as the "Happiest Place on Earth" I refer to as the "Most Overrated Place on Earth". On Tuesday I made the trek to Disneyland with my friend Ambre, and her son Collin, for his 5th birthday! Ambre, please take note: THIS POST IS NOT IN REFERNCE TO YOU; JUST DISNEYLAND! Here is my open letter to Disneyland.

Dear Crappiest Kingdom on Earth,
Thank you so much for allowing me to pay you $70 just so I can get trampled by a heard of people with no clue what direction they are going in. I strongly suggest you put in stop lights throughout the park, therefor people when know when to stop their stroller in the middle of a walkway; not just whenever seems convient for them. My next suggestion would be to lower your prices. I know, I know, people will pay anything to get into Disneyland. However, look around, we are in a recession here. Although, you wouldn't know it by entering the park.On top the of money I have to pay to get in, first you hit me up for $12 just to park my car?!?! Which comes before I think I am close to parking and getting out, only to discover I must drive 2 miles away to a different parking lot, which will take even longer to get to and from the park. Always thinking Disney, aren't you? And then $3 for a soda?! I can buy a beer for that price. Speaking of which, I highly advice you start selling the stuff within park gates. It is the only way that hearing 50,000 screaming children will ever make a single person want to have a child, or someone with children want to have another, or not murder their own for screaming at the top of their lungs.

Another novel idea, find a way to keep kids busy while standing in line in excess off 30 minutes for a ride that last's 2 minutes. I'm pretty sure the creative genius' that get paid millions to work for you can create something. They can probably even design some way for you to make more money while people are simply standing in line. And last, but not least, if I have to pay $70 to get in, I expect ALL rides to be working. Don't rob me of the "fun". That's like paying $10 for a pb&j, and only getting jelly. Lame. I truly have no idea what people see in your "magical kingdom". I feel as though I desrve a refund, because I don't find it to be the "happiest place on earth". For me, that is somewhere I can hear the conversation of the person next to me, there are no strollers running me over, I can drink as many cocktails while I meander around, and I don't have to shell out my life savings, just for one day.
Love, Me

And one more thing, to the family we sat next to at dinner...you are a disgrace. How do you have the nerve to tell your 2 year old who starts to whine that he needs to go poop, "hold on", as your proceed to pull down his pants IN THE RESTAURANT, place a diaper on him, while he is standing up, and say "okay, you can go poop now". ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I know the walk to the bathroom is a whole 20 steps away. You deserve the parent of the year award. Way to teach your kids at an early age to take the easy way out. I'm sure when you are old and they are taking care of you, and you need to use the restroom, you are going to LOVE hearing them say, "Mom, I just put a diaper on you, you can go now".

Unfortunatly for Travis, who loves Disneyland, which I have NO idea why, we won't be going back for quite some time. Unless I get some more free passes. At which point I will have to smuggle gallons of my friends Jagermeister and Jack Daniels with me.

You Are The Best Thing

Less than 1 month ago I posted that we had no idea what was going on with Travis and management. He hadn't heard a single thing about it. Well, in the past 4 weeks he passed his first interview, passed the personality "quiz", passed his backround check (that was never a concern!) and the passed his final interview. Which leads to: Travis got the job! I am so, so, so very proud of him. He has worked so hard for this. He has really busted his butt the past few months, and has gone above and beyond what anyone asked of him. I just cannot say it enough, how proud of him he has made me. Travis, you truly are the best thing that has ever happened to me!

With that being said, tonight we went out to dinner to celebrate at our favorite place, The Melting Pot. It is so damn good, if you haven't tried it, you must! Anyways, while we were at dinner we got to talking about the possibility of moving to Texas. I thought a reasonable time frame would be the very beginning of next year; he however was thinking different. He was thinking not until this time (April or May) of next year. And while I understand his reasoning, it is SO frustrating. I want to be there already. We have been talking about this for almost a year now. I don't want to wait another year, move and then decide I hate it and want to come back. I would rather go ASAP and then decided I hate it. My big fear is that the longer we wait to go, the less and less I am going to want/have the nerve to say goodbye to everyone. I am ready now, and I feel like we need to go now, while I still have this drive to go. But, as with all things in life, God has a plan. I just need to listen to his, and stop trying to write my own plan. However, it is so much easier said than done.

Life At The Moment

This post is a melting pot of thoughts in my head at the moment. Sorry it is so long. I just needed to vent some of this! You deserve a treat if you make it all the way to the end!

Life at this very moment is odd. It is really strange not having my sister around. I am having a very hard time adjusting to that. Yah, I lived without her for 4 years, but that was alwasy me moving out of the house. I always knew she would be there at mom and dad's house. And now she isn't. The past 7 months she has been my buddy every single night after work. We do everything together. We live together and yet last month alone we talked on the phone for 11 hours! She is the peanut butter to my jelly. I miss her so much. I didn't realize how much I was going to miss her. I must be crazy to think I can move to Texas and be okay! The first few nights she was gone I was really depressed. My little sis' is all grown up, and married! It just seems unreal. I am so happy for her and Adam. But I am selfish and want my best friend/roommate back!

Travis is currently waiting to find out what is going on with management. This in itself is odd. We just have to sit here and wait, and wait, and wait until someone decides to pick up a phone and call him. It is really annoying. We both spend so much time wondering what the heck is going on. Right now this is consuming so much of our time. There is a lot riding on this position for him, and not knowing what is going on is just infuriating. Hopefully soon we have some news. And God willing, it will be good news!

Pregnancy. As most people know, I love babies (and kids too!). I would love to get pregnant the day Travis and I get married. But I know that won't be happening. Travis has already firmly stated that we will be waiting at least a year. However, having so many pregnant friends around me is not helping this situation at all. It seems at though everytime I turn around someone either just had their baby and now someone else is announcing their pregnancy! It is just crazy! I love all of my friends, and I am truly so happy for them! I just want it to be my turn. By the time Travis and I catch up, my friends will either be having their 4th child or be done with kids! But come to think of it, that might not be that bad, we will have lots of hand-me-downs! This could work to our advantage!

Texas. Good ol' Texas. I still would love to move there. However, it seems that the longer and longer this management stuff is taking, the further and further moving seems to get. Not only that, but the price of condo's in the area right now is just crazy. If Travis is to get management, would could definetly buy a condo, possibly even a house, depending on how the market keeps going. So, if we could afford something here in Cali, it would be a little crazy of us to leave. Not only that, but the housing market in Dallas seems to be going up, which is not good for us. When we first started talking about moving I would look up homes, and there were at least 30 or 40 in our price range. Today I looked and there were 5. The housing values are going up, and as it is if we move out there we want to wait at least a year to purchase something. Which gives the housing values more time to go up. We are going to have to see what the next few months brings. We have some big decisions ahead of us.

She's All Grown Up

Last Saturday my little sister became a married woman. Never did I ever think she would beat me to the punch, but she did. And I could not be happier for her. The day was great, but I'm not going to lie, it was crazy. There were 5 million things going on. My sister and I are very DIY kinda gals, and this turned out to be a problem when you are as into weddings as we are. Don't get me wrong, her wedding was amazing and beautiful, but there were a lot of projects that simply never got finished.

My sister didn't want a traditional wedding cake, as many people don't like it. Plus the cost is just absurd. So instead she wanted to do a dessert table as well as cupcakes. Jess and Adam LOVE cheesecake, so they were going to cut into that. Well, as it turns out, nobody (okay, my mom) never went and bough the cheesecake. Thank goodness we had cupcakes nearby.

I think everybody involved in the wedding was on high stress alert that day. Many things did not go as planned. But in the end her and Adam are now husband and wife. And that is all that matters. They said I do. I am really so happy for them. I wish people who were invited to their wedding weren't so lame, but all in all it doesn't matter.

I am so glad that it was my sisters wedding last weekend and not my own. I do not mean that mean. There is simply no way I could have dealt with the stress like my sister did. I would have been a compete basketcase. Jess held it together so well, I was amazed. Half way through dinner I looked at Travis and said "we will be eloping, and no, I'm not kidding."

Prayer Request

Update: I was reading on another blog I frequent about several little boys and girls who could use some prayer. Take a moment to check out these blogs. These kiddos need prayer.

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/
http://patriceandmattwilliams.blogspot.com/
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kylequinnjr
http://thewelshfam.blogspot.com/
http://wagnerpdx.blogspot.com/
http://bevinsfamily.blogspot.com/

So, I know I have never talked about my religious beliefs on my blog, but I have decided it's time to do just that. I have recently seen the power of prayer, and just how amazing and strong it is. If you have any prayer requests, please let me know. I have been spending a little time each night praying for people I don't even know, but I do know that God hears my prayers. And God answers prayer.

I do have a prayer request though. Please pray for Travis right now. He got a phone interview for the management position. It is the first step in a list of steps, but at least he is being given the opportunity. I have to keep reminding myself that if this job is God's will for us, then everything will work out. I just know how hard he has worked for this, and I don't want to see him disapointed. I would hate to see the company give the position to someone else just because they have previous experience. Travis has truly been living and breathing that place the past few months.

I will keep you all updated as I hear things!

The Countdown Is On...

I cannot believe that there are only 9 days left until my sisters wedding. I feel like it was just yesterday that they got engaged. I cannot believe how fast these past 5 months have flown by. Things are looking good for the wedding. Hopefully the weather stays nice and warm, which according to weather.com it is supposed to! Small projects are being accomplished each night.

I have decided to take on the huge duty of creating all the floral arrangements for the wedding. Originally I was just going to make the centerpieces, but after having a very strong margarita last week I decided that I could make the bouquets and crosages! It will be great practice for me. Plus it helps out that my sister is going for the "just picked from the garden" look! So I can just play it off that way if things don't turn out perfect!

I am so excited for this wedding! I am thrilled for my sister and Adam. I know God has great things planned in their future. I cannot wait to see what those things are. I also can't wait to be an Aunty, so Bug if you are reading this, get on it!

Bridal Shower Update!!

Since I can upload pictres again, I thought I would share a few pictures from Bug's bridal shower. It really turned out to be a lovely afternoon. These pictures are from before it started and we all drank a little to much, so please ignore the lack of people and food!




The food table, missing quite a bit of food



One of the centerpieces I made



Another shot of the centerpiece



We made chocolate covered pretzels for the favors



All wrapped and sealed, ready to go home with the guests

Finally..(No I'm Not Engaged)

I can finally upload pictures! I am so excited. It truely is the little things that make me happy. Here are several pictures from the past 2 months. Enjoy!



Collin and I at Ambre's Birthday Dinner



Arrangement at Encore in LV that I would LOVE to try and replicate some day



An arrangement I made



Another arrangement I made