Howdy, friends! I know, I know. It's been so long. It's all my fault. You know how it goes: life gets busy and the blog just gets...forgotten. And I'm sooo sorry. Can we be friends again?
Okay, great, thanks, because I'm ready to blog again!
My friend Katie has asked people to mention what homemade gifts they are making for Christmas this year, and I've found tons of inspiring ideas from craft bloggers out there. For example, the family tree that my friend Liz channeled Martha Stewart to make is stunning and I will totally be copying that idea next Christmas!
Well, John and I traveled down to SC for Thanksgiving and Christmas all rolled up in one, so many of our Christmas presents have already been exchanged (since my side of the family is much bigger than his) and unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the homemade ones! Of course, part of that is because my digital camera does not want to work properly right now, so I didn't take any pictures at Thanksgiving/Christmas at all!
I used a cute navy floral fabric to make pillows for my sister-in-law's couch using (roughly) Amy Butler's pillow pattern. I actually used the pattern from her book, In Stitches, but she has posted a very similar pillow pattern on her website for free here! The one in her book does not have the hourglass design, so it is just one fabric. I used a different fabric for the covered button in the middle. Her patterns and fabrics are so gorgeous that one day I might just have to try one of her quilt designs!
I also made a knitting needle case from the same two fabrics using a free pattern that I picked up at Joann's a while ago. It was really fun to make and super easy. It was pretty much just simple cutting, straight seams, and a lot of ironing. No fancy stitches, which is good since I don't really know how to use my machine very well yet! I got it last Christmas but I really haven't used it much until recently. I'm dreading the day (soon) when my bobbin thread runs out or when I don't want to sew with navy blue thread!
Because that project was fun, I'm making these cute make up brush rolls from Little Big Girl Studio next to give as gifts to John's sister and step-mom. I got them both a small makeup bag from 31gifts, so I picked out coordinating fabrics last night (on sale!) to make the make up brush rolls to go with them. I'm not quite ready to transition to fully homemade gifts because I don't have a lot of confidence in my abilities yet!
When holiday fabrics are on sale after Christmas, I think I'll make some fabric gift bags to use next year (and the years to come). I know we currently fill several trash bags with wrapping paper, tissue, etc. after gift opening time with my family! These are some cute ideas I can't wait to try from Lark Crafts and the Green Bag Lady!
Let's see how much of this list I actually get done...
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
13 December 2010
05 August 2010
Philadelphia
John and I returned Sunday night from a great trip to Philadelphia, Bensalem, and Hershey, PA. We followed his mom up there (she left TN the day before us) to visit his aunt who lives in Bensalem. His aunt Peggy has had some back trouble lately and we were really excited to just be able to hang out with her and see her. We flew out of Nashville Friday night and they picked us up at the airport. We expected to sleep on the floor at Peggy's apartment, but they decided to treat us for our anniversary and put us up in a hotel for our trip and gave us authentic PA chocolates! That was a great surprise -- especially because our flight had been delayed and we were pretty exhausted.
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| Mmmm...chocolate pretzels |
The next morning we headed up the PA Turnpike to visit my mother-in-law's best friend, Maureen. They've been best friends since high school! Maureen and her family (husband + 4 teen-age/college-age sons) hosted us for a lovely relaxed lunch and she showed us around Hershey. Of course we had to visit Chocolate World!
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| Yay...more chocolate |
After visiting the free mini-museum and taking the tour/ride that explains to kids how chocolate is made, we hung out at the food court area that has booths selling every type of chocolate product imaginable and tons of non-chocolate Hershey's merchandise. Unfortunately they no longer give tours of the real manufacturing process. I didn't feel well from the drive and I'm not as chocolate-loving as my dear husband, so I had a nibble of my free sample and purchased a Christmas ornament instead.
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| No more for me, please |
Hershey, PA (the city itself) really impressed me. Milton Hershey wanted to provide well for his employees, so he built a model town all around the plant, providing his workers with lovely homes, community pools and recreation centers, schools, etc. All this in the early 1900s. Sort of like the SC mill towns, but nice.
Mr. and Mrs. Hershey had no children so they started a boarding school for orphans or youth from difficult family situations to give them an education and a trade. It is still open today and it is NICE! Let me tell you, I'd go there! The area has beautiful farmland too -- all that chocolate needs milk, and all those cows need corn or other feed, so you see corn fields on every corner. One other thing I noticed about this area of PA is the lack of chain stores or " 's " restaurants -- most shops are mom and pop establishments, which is refreshing.
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| The city with Kisses for streetlights |
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| The actual Hershey's plant |
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| I think that's a dorm |
After a delicious dinner that evening, we checked out the Penn's Landing, Front Street, and South Street area on foot. We saw fireworks being shot off on the Jersey side of Penn's Landing! We also saw several historic landmarks like Christ Church. We had a great tour guide -- John's mom, Kathy. She was raised in Philly so she knew the area well and pointed out the great restaurants, etc.
On Sunday morning we went to Mass with John's aunt, had "authentic" philly cheesesteaks from her favorite diner, and headed off to hit some of the touristy sites: Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, a portrait museum in the old Second US Bank, and the Museum of Modern Art. We even ran into a historical marker for the American Pharmacists Association. After a whirlwind tour -- and LOTS of walking -- we were back on a plane to Nashville!
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Big stuff happened here |
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I'm told these are the "Rocky steps" |
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I always win in Wii boxing |
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Awkward tourist picture - take it fast! |
17 June 2010
Another Thankful Thursday!
Today I am thankful for:
1. the BEACH
2. the BREEZE
3. the SEAFOOD
4. the generosity of my FATHER-IN-LAW for making this trip to the beach possible!
As you can tell from my list, John and I are enjoying a short vacation at Orange Beach, Alabama. We haven't really seen any oil here -- there is a dark sheen on the water very far out (that I assume must be oil), but nothing in the water close to shore. The only indicators that something is wrong at this beach is the lack of people and the line of boats "protecting" the beach and working on oil recovery efforts that are right along the horizon when you look out at the ocean.
I've never been to this beach before and I really like it. It is very quiet and calm at the beach and the pool (especially because it's so empty of tourists right now!), but there is an area about 10 miles away with great restaurants, activities, etc. We've tacked ourselves on to John's dad's vacation this year. Bob and Jamie rented a large condo and invited all their kids to come down with them. It's definitely a full-house, but fun!
John and I are so grateful for a vacation!
1. the BEACH
2. the BREEZE
3. the SEAFOOD
4. the generosity of my FATHER-IN-LAW for making this trip to the beach possible!
As you can tell from my list, John and I are enjoying a short vacation at Orange Beach, Alabama. We haven't really seen any oil here -- there is a dark sheen on the water very far out (that I assume must be oil), but nothing in the water close to shore. The only indicators that something is wrong at this beach is the lack of people and the line of boats "protecting" the beach and working on oil recovery efforts that are right along the horizon when you look out at the ocean.
I've never been to this beach before and I really like it. It is very quiet and calm at the beach and the pool (especially because it's so empty of tourists right now!), but there is an area about 10 miles away with great restaurants, activities, etc. We've tacked ourselves on to John's dad's vacation this year. Bob and Jamie rented a large condo and invited all their kids to come down with them. It's definitely a full-house, but fun!
John and I are so grateful for a vacation!
04 June 2010
And the challenge is on..
Okay, I haven't wanted to post this on my blog, but I figure that maybe if I do I will hold myself more accountable knowing that it's out in cyberspace for all my "readers" to see (all 3 of you -- thank you!)...
I am trying to lose some weight.
High blood pressure runs in my family and I didn't realize my BP had been slowly climbing until a recent doctor's appointment. It was fairly high, but the doc thought it might be a fluke, so I had to go in 1 month later for a follow-up. A month later it was better, but still high. So I have to get my weight down to get my BP under control -- because I want it to actually improve, not just be artifically controlled by medicines. I do NOT want to be put on blood pressure medicine.
The funny thing is that I've felt perfectly fine and had no idea it was bad. My doctor kept asking me, "are you tired all the time? do you have frequent headaches? really, are you sure you don't have headaches?" Well, no, no, and yes. I feel great.
We talked about the foods I eat, and overall I actually generally eat fairly high-quality, nutritious foods. I just struggle with correct portion sizes and eat too MUCH of these foods. I've written down everything I've eaten in the past 2 weeks so that I will be more mindful of what I'm putting in my body. I was doing fairly well until last weekend's trip home to SC -- we had big servings of low country boil (frogmore stew) two nights, and plenty of junk while on the road. The sad thing is, I do know what I should be eating, I just don't stick with it. In the past, I even wanted to become a dietician! Furman didn't offer that degree, so I changed plans, but I took a couple pre-req's, shadowed local dieticians with the hospital system, had a few nutrition appointments myself, etc.
I've also tried to add more physical activity into each week. I hate to work out, but I've found some co-workers who will work out with me a few days a week and also another local friend who wants to join me in getting into shape.
I've enjoyed reading some blogs that talk about healthy food a lot and hopefully I'll work in more of those tips into my own life: sweettater (awesome blog!! and I actually know her a little bit in real life), katheats, healthyteacher, etc.
So, wish me luck! I'll try to post how things are going. My next appointment is at the end of September.
I am trying to lose some weight.
High blood pressure runs in my family and I didn't realize my BP had been slowly climbing until a recent doctor's appointment. It was fairly high, but the doc thought it might be a fluke, so I had to go in 1 month later for a follow-up. A month later it was better, but still high. So I have to get my weight down to get my BP under control -- because I want it to actually improve, not just be artifically controlled by medicines. I do NOT want to be put on blood pressure medicine.
The funny thing is that I've felt perfectly fine and had no idea it was bad. My doctor kept asking me, "are you tired all the time? do you have frequent headaches? really, are you sure you don't have headaches?" Well, no, no, and yes. I feel great.
We talked about the foods I eat, and overall I actually generally eat fairly high-quality, nutritious foods. I just struggle with correct portion sizes and eat too MUCH of these foods. I've written down everything I've eaten in the past 2 weeks so that I will be more mindful of what I'm putting in my body. I was doing fairly well until last weekend's trip home to SC -- we had big servings of low country boil (frogmore stew) two nights, and plenty of junk while on the road. The sad thing is, I do know what I should be eating, I just don't stick with it. In the past, I even wanted to become a dietician! Furman didn't offer that degree, so I changed plans, but I took a couple pre-req's, shadowed local dieticians with the hospital system, had a few nutrition appointments myself, etc.
I've also tried to add more physical activity into each week. I hate to work out, but I've found some co-workers who will work out with me a few days a week and also another local friend who wants to join me in getting into shape.
I've enjoyed reading some blogs that talk about healthy food a lot and hopefully I'll work in more of those tips into my own life: sweettater (awesome blog!! and I actually know her a little bit in real life), katheats, healthyteacher, etc.
So, wish me luck! I'll try to post how things are going. My next appointment is at the end of September.
03 June 2010
Thankful Thursday
I can't believe it's been another week! This Thursday I am thankful for...
1. Feeling at home in Nashville -- I LOVED visiting family, friends, and Redeemer Church in Greenville, but I have to admit that there were a few times that I did actually miss Nashville, our church, and our friends here!
2. Our church here, Midtown 12South. We went to our last homegroup meeting for the summer last night and we will miss getting to hang out with those friends during the summer break! We officially "join" our church later this month.
3. New and old friends in Nashville. We had dinner with some new friends at their home the other night and we're meeting another friend and her boyfriend tonight at Chili's. We've met some of the most interesting and fun people here!
4. My early birthday presents: an awesome potted herb garden from my mother-in-law for my back porch, a new haircut and highlights from my mom&dad, shams to a new quilt from my mom&dad, and the lovely new lightweight quilt itself as a gift to myself! (happy early birthday to me!)
5. My friend Molly, who is getting married this weekend!
1. Feeling at home in Nashville -- I LOVED visiting family, friends, and Redeemer Church in Greenville, but I have to admit that there were a few times that I did actually miss Nashville, our church, and our friends here!
2. Our church here, Midtown 12South. We went to our last homegroup meeting for the summer last night and we will miss getting to hang out with those friends during the summer break! We officially "join" our church later this month.
3. New and old friends in Nashville. We had dinner with some new friends at their home the other night and we're meeting another friend and her boyfriend tonight at Chili's. We've met some of the most interesting and fun people here!
4. My early birthday presents: an awesome potted herb garden from my mother-in-law for my back porch, a new haircut and highlights from my mom&dad, shams to a new quilt from my mom&dad, and the lovely new lightweight quilt itself as a gift to myself! (happy early birthday to me!)
5. My friend Molly, who is getting married this weekend!
27 May 2010
Thankful Thursdays
I want to copy Becca and start posting weekly "Thankful Thursdays" - just listing a few things I'm thankful for every Thursday. I've enjoyed reading these lists on her blog and others, and it always reminds me to live my life in constant gratitude.
Also, we've been working through Colossians lately at church and Col. 3: 15-17 jumped out at me. I'm posting it here from The Message. I'm not usually a huge Message fan, but lately I've enjoyed reading it as a variation. It's nice to hear Bible passages that you hear often -- that become almost rote -- in different words. Makes it sink in differently.
"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
I'm thankful for:
1. My wonderful husband, who made me a peanut butter and honey sandwich foldover this morning as I was running late and trying to get out the door.
2. The laugh that I had when I realized (in the work parking lot) that somehow I had gotten sticky honey on the arm of my sunglasses and, hence, down the side of my face! Don't really know how that happened unless I was holding my sunglasses and my foldover in the same hand as I left the house...
3. A job. I'd be thankful for any work in this economy, but I'm especially thankful to be working with encouraging co-workers.
4. The start of the summer. I'm so thankful that John's P2 year is finished. Of course, now he's working 32-40 hour weeks at Walgreens, but that's nothing compared to the hours he put into his spring term. At least when he leaves the WAG he doesn't have to come home and do tons of studying! By the way - he would never brag for himself so I'll brag for him -- he made all A's this past semester- the hardest semester he's ever had (20 semester hours of grad classes) and he made all A's!!
5. My family. I'm going to get to see at least my mom and dad over this Memorial Day weekend and hopefully more relatives. I have the best family in the world.
6. A car that works. My Honda has 224,519 miles on it -- I'm not exaggerating, that is the true and accurate odometer reading -- and ole' Betsy is still going strong *knock on wood*! Although I do need an oil change so we won't be taking my car to SC this time.
7. A great local public library!
Also, we've been working through Colossians lately at church and Col. 3: 15-17 jumped out at me. I'm posting it here from The Message. I'm not usually a huge Message fan, but lately I've enjoyed reading it as a variation. It's nice to hear Bible passages that you hear often -- that become almost rote -- in different words. Makes it sink in differently.
"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
I'm thankful for:
1. My wonderful husband, who made me a peanut butter and honey sandwich foldover this morning as I was running late and trying to get out the door.
2. The laugh that I had when I realized (in the work parking lot) that somehow I had gotten sticky honey on the arm of my sunglasses and, hence, down the side of my face! Don't really know how that happened unless I was holding my sunglasses and my foldover in the same hand as I left the house...
3. A job. I'd be thankful for any work in this economy, but I'm especially thankful to be working with encouraging co-workers.
4. The start of the summer. I'm so thankful that John's P2 year is finished. Of course, now he's working 32-40 hour weeks at Walgreens, but that's nothing compared to the hours he put into his spring term. At least when he leaves the WAG he doesn't have to come home and do tons of studying! By the way - he would never brag for himself so I'll brag for him -- he made all A's this past semester- the hardest semester he's ever had (20 semester hours of grad classes) and he made all A's!!
5. My family. I'm going to get to see at least my mom and dad over this Memorial Day weekend and hopefully more relatives. I have the best family in the world.
6. A car that works. My Honda has 224,519 miles on it -- I'm not exaggerating, that is the true and accurate odometer reading -- and ole' Betsy is still going strong *knock on wood*! Although I do need an oil change so we won't be taking my car to SC this time.
7. A great local public library!
16 January 2009
The End of an Era
...and no, my title has nothing to do with the current political turnover...I'm far too self-absorbed for that!
Well folks, it's been a while. I've been called out by several people (such as my friend Amber here) for letting my blog sit so long, forlorn and quiet. And they were right -- I'm not good at the discipline of regular writing. I let things get busy and *poof* I turn into an Isolationist. I find "journals" I kept as a kid and I would have several entries at age 7...then you don't hear from me again until I'm like 11 or something. So this blog has been an improvement from that!
It's the end of an era because my family's homestead/old farm -- officially sold on January 1st. Soon it will be just one more strip mall contributing to urban sprawl. I'm really sad to see it go, but on the other hand, it's been very hard for my parents to keep up 30 acres alone, and it hasn't been a functioning farm in many many years. It's been for sale for quite a long time -- at least a decade that I know of. So, sadly, Glad Oaks will soon be no more.
My 87-year-old grandmother Nanoo really wanted it to sell, so I'm glad that everything has gone through successfully for her. Unfortunately she is now in the hospital with some heart conditions and pneumonia. My grandmother is a wonderful saint, and I'm sure she's ready to go home, but selfishly I'd love to have her a little longer. Please pray for her health, morale, and comfort.
On a related Glad-Oaks-is-no-more note, John and I are thinking of starting a joint blog so that hopefully we can keep things a little better updated. Any suggestions on a new blog name for us?
Well folks, it's been a while. I've been called out by several people (such as my friend Amber here) for letting my blog sit so long, forlorn and quiet. And they were right -- I'm not good at the discipline of regular writing. I let things get busy and *poof* I turn into an Isolationist. I find "journals" I kept as a kid and I would have several entries at age 7...then you don't hear from me again until I'm like 11 or something. So this blog has been an improvement from that!
It's the end of an era because my family's homestead/old farm -- officially sold on January 1st. Soon it will be just one more strip mall contributing to urban sprawl. I'm really sad to see it go, but on the other hand, it's been very hard for my parents to keep up 30 acres alone, and it hasn't been a functioning farm in many many years. It's been for sale for quite a long time -- at least a decade that I know of. So, sadly, Glad Oaks will soon be no more.
My 87-year-old grandmother Nanoo really wanted it to sell, so I'm glad that everything has gone through successfully for her. Unfortunately she is now in the hospital with some heart conditions and pneumonia. My grandmother is a wonderful saint, and I'm sure she's ready to go home, but selfishly I'd love to have her a little longer. Please pray for her health, morale, and comfort.
On a related Glad-Oaks-is-no-more note, John and I are thinking of starting a joint blog so that hopefully we can keep things a little better updated. Any suggestions on a new blog name for us?
01 July 2008
Tuesday Timeline List
Well, it's time for another Tuesday list.
But first of all, I apologize for being so slack at blogging lately. Let me catch you up. I wrapped up my last day at my job on Friday, 20 June, and then spent the weekend enjoying my friends John and Carrie Beth Candeto's beautiful wedding. That was a great weekend! Their wedding service was a beautiful tribute to the Lord, and the reception was a great celebration! I was so glad that (my) John came into town to be my date for the wedding -- we had so much fun dancing and catching up with Furman friends!
Last week, my mom surprised me with a rather impromptu beach trip for my birthday. We took a short little jaunt down to stay in Folly Beach and also spent part of a day walking through Charleston. My mom used to take us to Folly Beach every year when we were little; she still says that she never feels like it's "summer" until she gets at least a brief beach trip.
This past weekend, my girlfriends threw me a bachelorette party and lingerie shower at The Reserve at Lake Keowee. It was great! My sister-in-law Sara treated us to dinner at the Clubhouse and also arranged for us to stay in a beautiful cottage. We spent most of Saturday at the pool, and then my friends put together a beautiful shower and really fun night.
John also came into town this weekend, and so did my brother Justin and sister-in-law Marie and their kids. John spent time hanging out with my family and watching toddlers while I was enjoying a luxurious stay at The Reserve! He's so great. The reason everyone was in town this weekend was for a cookout shower that my grandmother threw for John and I on Sunday. The food was delicious and it was great to see my extended family on my Mom's side.
It really does feel like summer to me now. I can't believe that the summer was almost halfway over before I realized it had started! I guess that's what happens when you're used to working an office job - there's not much to distinguish the summer from any other season. Now it feels like summer: lots of weddings and parties, a beach trip, fun weekends, a calmer pace than usual during the week, Mom not working, and even a little sleeping in. Most of all, it feels like summer because I'm getting ready to move. All my summers through college involved moving, whether it was just from school to home back to school, or for summer stints in DC and Florida. Summer always feels so transitory, and this one even more so, since I know so much will be changing soon. My name, my home, my job, my state, everything!
In light of how quickly things are approaching, I figured I'd just list the remaining weekends between now and the wedding as my Tuesday "list". I know it's cheating, but this was a pretty long entry anyways.
4 July - I'm going to visit John in TN this weekend, and we're going to Nashville's big Fourth celebration on the river!
12 July - After going to a friend's birthday cookout on Friday night in SC, I will leave early Saturday for a midday cookout in TN. Hopefully by this time we will have an apartment that we can start stashing stuff in or some really good leads to follow up on. This will be my last weekend in TN as a visitor -- the next time I'm there will be to move there indefinitely.
19 July - John is coming to SC this weekend. We'll have more premarital counseling sessions and work on wedding details. I'm hoping we can go to Sliding Rock too. (We also have to get a headcount to the caterer.)
26 July - John is coming to SC this weekend too. We'll wrap up our counseling and he'll hopefully drive a Uhaul truck back home full of furniture for us to use!
2 August - We get married!
I haven't really started to think about the weekends after that...I'm sure they'll be busy too as John and I adjust to school, work, marriage, and new environs!
But first of all, I apologize for being so slack at blogging lately. Let me catch you up. I wrapped up my last day at my job on Friday, 20 June, and then spent the weekend enjoying my friends John and Carrie Beth Candeto's beautiful wedding. That was a great weekend! Their wedding service was a beautiful tribute to the Lord, and the reception was a great celebration! I was so glad that (my) John came into town to be my date for the wedding -- we had so much fun dancing and catching up with Furman friends!
Last week, my mom surprised me with a rather impromptu beach trip for my birthday. We took a short little jaunt down to stay in Folly Beach and also spent part of a day walking through Charleston. My mom used to take us to Folly Beach every year when we were little; she still says that she never feels like it's "summer" until she gets at least a brief beach trip.
This past weekend, my girlfriends threw me a bachelorette party and lingerie shower at The Reserve at Lake Keowee. It was great! My sister-in-law Sara treated us to dinner at the Clubhouse and also arranged for us to stay in a beautiful cottage. We spent most of Saturday at the pool, and then my friends put together a beautiful shower and really fun night.
John also came into town this weekend, and so did my brother Justin and sister-in-law Marie and their kids. John spent time hanging out with my family and watching toddlers while I was enjoying a luxurious stay at The Reserve! He's so great. The reason everyone was in town this weekend was for a cookout shower that my grandmother threw for John and I on Sunday. The food was delicious and it was great to see my extended family on my Mom's side.
It really does feel like summer to me now. I can't believe that the summer was almost halfway over before I realized it had started! I guess that's what happens when you're used to working an office job - there's not much to distinguish the summer from any other season. Now it feels like summer: lots of weddings and parties, a beach trip, fun weekends, a calmer pace than usual during the week, Mom not working, and even a little sleeping in. Most of all, it feels like summer because I'm getting ready to move. All my summers through college involved moving, whether it was just from school to home back to school, or for summer stints in DC and Florida. Summer always feels so transitory, and this one even more so, since I know so much will be changing soon. My name, my home, my job, my state, everything!
In light of how quickly things are approaching, I figured I'd just list the remaining weekends between now and the wedding as my Tuesday "list". I know it's cheating, but this was a pretty long entry anyways.
4 July - I'm going to visit John in TN this weekend, and we're going to Nashville's big Fourth celebration on the river!
12 July - After going to a friend's birthday cookout on Friday night in SC, I will leave early Saturday for a midday cookout in TN. Hopefully by this time we will have an apartment that we can start stashing stuff in or some really good leads to follow up on. This will be my last weekend in TN as a visitor -- the next time I'm there will be to move there indefinitely.
19 July - John is coming to SC this weekend. We'll have more premarital counseling sessions and work on wedding details. I'm hoping we can go to Sliding Rock too. (We also have to get a headcount to the caterer.)
26 July - John is coming to SC this weekend too. We'll wrap up our counseling and he'll hopefully drive a Uhaul truck back home full of furniture for us to use!
2 August - We get married!
I haven't really started to think about the weekends after that...I'm sure they'll be busy too as John and I adjust to school, work, marriage, and new environs!
23 May 2008
Quick Friday Update
I would be remiss if I failed to mention my OTHER brand new cousin once removed that was also born this week. Little Beattie Lucas! Congrats to Doc and Amber for their firstborn son!! As far as other news goes today, I'm heading out of work early to catch the evening Braves game in Atlanta with some Furman friends. Hopefully the traffic won't be too bad. Then I'm spending the rest of the weekend with my brother and sister-in-law in GA to help watch the kids as she recovers from surgery.
Looking forward to the holiday weekend, even though helping with 3 kids will be no "holiday"!
01 May 2008
My family keeps getting bigger!
I have a new cousin once removed! [Yeah, I had to look that up. Check here for a chart.] My cousin Brit and his wife Leah are the new parents to Poesy, a beautiful little girl. I've added their website to my blogroll, but I wanted to also include a picture here on my site. It's their first child so they're so excited. On another note, I am totally and completely impressed that they already have a site up for the baby -- who was born LAST NIGHT! They sent the link out this morning -- wow!I also have another cousin and his wife (on the other side of the family) expecting a baby soon, so I'll have another cousin once removed soon. As I realized when putting together the guest list, my family has increased greatly in the last few years due to cousins' marriages and adorable babies!
Also, since we're talking about cute kids, I have the cutest niece and two nephews in the world! Rose is 4, Jay is about 2 1/2 and Elisha is 1. They live in GA and I miss them (and their parents) so much! Rose is going to be the flowergirl in our wedding. I'm so excited that she gets to wear a "princess" dress. We're not sure if Jay will be too scared to participate in the wedding or not. Hopefully he'll be in it too! I had to include some pictures of them too!
Rose as a princess at Christmas
The sibling set
10 April 2008
Disclaimer: If you are a boy, this will completely bore you. And possibly some girls too. Heck, sometimes it even bores me!
Ooops!
Our preacher found out that the surgery he was planning to have in July is scheduled for 29 July...which is only a few days before our wedding on 2 August. As he is an older gentleman and will potentially require some extended recovery time, he's bowing out of the wedding. I'm disappointed because he was my pastor at the church I attended during my middle school / early high school years, so he was very fundamental in shaping my ideas -- and he answered so many of my endless questions during those years! He was sort of a grandfather figure to me at that time. Many people have also told me that he is a great counselor, so I was looking forward to John and I working with him.
Which means we no longer have a preacher... kind of an important element if you ask me!
So, it's time to ask a few more possibilities. It's a good thing that my family has spent significant time in several different PCA churches and therefore know -- and LIKE -- quite a few PCA pastors, because the wedding pastor has to be in that denomination for us to use the church that we want for our wedding (the church where I was born and baptized and attended until middle school). I think it would be cool for my uncle to do the service, but unfortunately he's ordained in a different denomination.
In other wedding news (not that anyone cares, but it makes me feel like something has been accomplished!):
Date - Got it.
Time - Don't got it. Evening, but not sure of the time yet.
Venues - Reception location booked. In the middle of the application process to use the church, but it looks promising (www.secondpca.org).
Caterer - Comes with the location.
Preacher - None. Nada.
Cake - I've booked a cake lady and will pick up samples of the cake flavors next week. I also have a pre-scheduled consultation with another cake lady on Monday evening, but I may cancel it.
Photos - Our first choice photographer is unavailable. Time to start emailing a few others that friends have recommended.
Reception decor - My mom and I purchased some very cool (very cheap!) mosaic glass type candle globes to use on the tables. I think playing with light will be neat since it's a rather dark venue (low ceiling, exposed brick walls). I need to look into some more interesting table linens than just the standard black or white.
Bridal party - Still no final decision. Wavering over some tough choices because I have quite a few girlfriends that I love and admire and want involved, but it needs to be a small wedding party (financially and due to the small size of our wedding overall).
Attire - My mom and I did some in-town dress-hunting last night. Looks like we may head to Atlanta this weekend and make a final decision on my dress. Then I'll move on to bridesmaid dresses (Psssst: I'm considering some from Target!)
Guest list - A terrible and awful thing.
Wedding website - No progress, but I've looked at various samples online.
Save the dates/ Invitations - Same as above.
Ceremony music - Come to think of it, I still haven't asked my brother (voice, classical guitar) or my cousin (voice, piano) about performing. I also need to email my old Celtic harp instructor to see if he'd play.
Reception music - My first choice (a group of cool people from my church that used to provide fun music for our annual church picnics and events) hasn't practiced together in about a year, so they declined. I've emailed one professional band and plan to email another today. Waiting to hear prices...we will likely end up with a DJ instead, but it doesn't hurt to do some research first!
Our preacher found out that the surgery he was planning to have in July is scheduled for 29 July...which is only a few days before our wedding on 2 August. As he is an older gentleman and will potentially require some extended recovery time, he's bowing out of the wedding. I'm disappointed because he was my pastor at the church I attended during my middle school / early high school years, so he was very fundamental in shaping my ideas -- and he answered so many of my endless questions during those years! He was sort of a grandfather figure to me at that time. Many people have also told me that he is a great counselor, so I was looking forward to John and I working with him.
Which means we no longer have a preacher... kind of an important element if you ask me!
So, it's time to ask a few more possibilities. It's a good thing that my family has spent significant time in several different PCA churches and therefore know -- and LIKE -- quite a few PCA pastors, because the wedding pastor has to be in that denomination for us to use the church that we want for our wedding (the church where I was born and baptized and attended until middle school). I think it would be cool for my uncle to do the service, but unfortunately he's ordained in a different denomination.
In other wedding news (not that anyone cares, but it makes me feel like something has been accomplished!):
Date - Got it.
Time - Don't got it. Evening, but not sure of the time yet.
Venues - Reception location booked. In the middle of the application process to use the church, but it looks promising (www.secondpca.org).
Caterer - Comes with the location.
Preacher - None. Nada.
Cake - I've booked a cake lady and will pick up samples of the cake flavors next week. I also have a pre-scheduled consultation with another cake lady on Monday evening, but I may cancel it.
Photos - Our first choice photographer is unavailable. Time to start emailing a few others that friends have recommended.
Reception decor - My mom and I purchased some very cool (very cheap!) mosaic glass type candle globes to use on the tables. I think playing with light will be neat since it's a rather dark venue (low ceiling, exposed brick walls). I need to look into some more interesting table linens than just the standard black or white.
Bridal party - Still no final decision. Wavering over some tough choices because I have quite a few girlfriends that I love and admire and want involved, but it needs to be a small wedding party (financially and due to the small size of our wedding overall).
Attire - My mom and I did some in-town dress-hunting last night. Looks like we may head to Atlanta this weekend and make a final decision on my dress. Then I'll move on to bridesmaid dresses (Psssst: I'm considering some from Target!)
Guest list - A terrible and awful thing.
Wedding website - No progress, but I've looked at various samples online.
Save the dates/ Invitations - Same as above.
Ceremony music - Come to think of it, I still haven't asked my brother (voice, classical guitar) or my cousin (voice, piano) about performing. I also need to email my old Celtic harp instructor to see if he'd play.
Reception music - My first choice (a group of cool people from my church that used to provide fun music for our annual church picnics and events) hasn't practiced together in about a year, so they declined. I've emailed one professional band and plan to email another today. Waiting to hear prices...we will likely end up with a DJ instead, but it doesn't hurt to do some research first!
08 April 2008
Tuesday's "List"
Since I couldn't think of a good list topic for today's post, I decided to instead tell y'all -- like Donna D in her blog post today -- that wedding guest lists are AWFUL.
[See, it's on the "List" topic, right?]
-
It's so painful to decide who does or does not make "the List" -- especially with a small budget, a financial/parental limit of no more than 100 or so guests in attendance, and a huge family! This List will affect our pricing estimates (and final prices) for everything - especially food, cake, and beverages.
Just to invite family members, we're already inviting about 75 people. John's mom (who is totally on the ball!) has already sent us a listing, complete with addresses, for about 30 more people who she expects to attend the wedding -- mainly their close family friends. My parents owe me the same type listing for their close, long-standing friends that they need to invite.
-
So, the question is: do John and I get to invite any friends to our wedding?
-
A better question may be: will John and I have any friends after the wedding if we don't get to invite many people?
[See, it's on the "List" topic, right?]
-
It's so painful to decide who does or does not make "the List" -- especially with a small budget, a financial/parental limit of no more than 100 or so guests in attendance, and a huge family! This List will affect our pricing estimates (and final prices) for everything - especially food, cake, and beverages.
Just to invite family members, we're already inviting about 75 people. John's mom (who is totally on the ball!) has already sent us a listing, complete with addresses, for about 30 more people who she expects to attend the wedding -- mainly their close family friends. My parents owe me the same type listing for their close, long-standing friends that they need to invite.
-
So, the question is: do John and I get to invite any friends to our wedding?
-
A better question may be: will John and I have any friends after the wedding if we don't get to invite many people?
25 March 2008
It's Official!
It's Tuesday, which means time for another list! I'll try to make it a short one, since today's entry may be rather long.
Before the list, let me address the recent big news in my life: John and I are getting married!
He proposed last Saturday evening, before Easter. The short version of the story is that we went to dinner at a swanky restaurant downtown, and then he proposed at Furman. Like many Furmanites, most of our first dates involved long talks while walking around the lake, so it was neat to head back to our old stomping grounds.
The extra part of the story is that earlier in the day, when we were practicing a little bit of softball, I caught a fly ball....with my mouth. So the evening that the whole engagement/proposal went down, I had a hugely swollen lip, some bruising on my chin, and a very sore jaw despite spending much of the afternoon with an icepack to my face. John told me it looked like I had Botox - on only one side. I wasn't in the best mood when the date started, but I sure looked funny!
The swelling went down very dramatically during dinner - we were actually both shocked at how fast it went down, considering that the ice earlier had not helped at all! I found out later that my mom called her sisters after John and I left for dinner (she had a hunch), so they were all praying for my lip to heal quickly. I believe in the power of prayer, so I just think that's a neat part of the story. Besides, who else gets a softball in the face and a diamond ring in the same day from the same guy? Or a proposal with a busted lip?
We're trying to plan a wedding this summer. Yes, as in 'summer 2008.' Yes, as in 'we're completely flippin' crazy.' If we can't work out an available date/venue for this summer, the wedding will have to wait until Christmas, because he will have no good breaks before that in his pharmacy school program.
I promise this will not become a completely wedding-obsessed blog - but if we're only engaged for like 4 months, you'll have to forgive me if that's most of what I think about for the next few months! In honor of that, 2 goofy lists:
What We Need
1. A date
2. A place for the ceremony (since my church meets in a high school)
3. A place for the reception
4. A marriage license
5. Food
6. Music
7. Drinks (at this rate, lots of them!)
8. Just about everything else...
What We've Got
1. A bride
2. A groom
3. Rings (John already has my wedding band!)
4. Strong likelihood of oppressive South Carolina mid-summer heat
5. Yep, that's about it.
Any suggestions/tips are welcome. Also, if you care to read any more about the story of John and I, our good friend Vance put a great blog entry about us here. Thanks Vance!
Before the list, let me address the recent big news in my life: John and I are getting married!
He proposed last Saturday evening, before Easter. The short version of the story is that we went to dinner at a swanky restaurant downtown, and then he proposed at Furman. Like many Furmanites, most of our first dates involved long talks while walking around the lake, so it was neat to head back to our old stomping grounds.
The extra part of the story is that earlier in the day, when we were practicing a little bit of softball, I caught a fly ball....with my mouth. So the evening that the whole engagement/proposal went down, I had a hugely swollen lip, some bruising on my chin, and a very sore jaw despite spending much of the afternoon with an icepack to my face. John told me it looked like I had Botox - on only one side. I wasn't in the best mood when the date started, but I sure looked funny!
The swelling went down very dramatically during dinner - we were actually both shocked at how fast it went down, considering that the ice earlier had not helped at all! I found out later that my mom called her sisters after John and I left for dinner (she had a hunch), so they were all praying for my lip to heal quickly. I believe in the power of prayer, so I just think that's a neat part of the story. Besides, who else gets a softball in the face and a diamond ring in the same day from the same guy? Or a proposal with a busted lip?
We're trying to plan a wedding this summer. Yes, as in 'summer 2008.' Yes, as in 'we're completely flippin' crazy.' If we can't work out an available date/venue for this summer, the wedding will have to wait until Christmas, because he will have no good breaks before that in his pharmacy school program.
I promise this will not become a completely wedding-obsessed blog - but if we're only engaged for like 4 months, you'll have to forgive me if that's most of what I think about for the next few months! In honor of that, 2 goofy lists:
What We Need
1. A date
2. A place for the ceremony (since my church meets in a high school)
3. A place for the reception
4. A marriage license
5. Food
6. Music
7. Drinks (at this rate, lots of them!)
8. Just about everything else...
What We've Got
1. A bride
2. A groom
3. Rings (John already has my wedding band!)
4. Strong likelihood of oppressive South Carolina mid-summer heat
5. Yep, that's about it.
Any suggestions/tips are welcome. Also, if you care to read any more about the story of John and I, our good friend Vance put a great blog entry about us here. Thanks Vance!
11 March 2008
To Do List
I'm going to try to continue with Tuesday Lists. First of all, it's fun and it makes me at least focus long enough for an entry a week. Also, I agree with the author of this blog that a person's lists often say a lot about that individual (i.e. "to do" lists, places they wish to travel, things they hope to accomplish in their lives, books they are reading, etc.). On that note, this list of my ongoing/upcoming Things To Do should be a pretty good picture of my life from now through mid-April.
This week:
1. Make Easter basket cupcakes with my little niece when my sister-in-law and her kids come visit this week. Then play, play, play, play with my niece and nephews!
2. Go/keep going to BYOBible on Tuesday night(s). Then go/keep going to trivia afterwards at Connolly's.
This week:
1. Make Easter basket cupcakes with my little niece when my sister-in-law and her kids come visit this week. Then play, play, play, play with my niece and nephews!
2. Go/keep going to BYOBible on Tuesday night(s). Then go/keep going to trivia afterwards at Connolly's.
3. Buy a gift for and attend a friend's lingerie shower this Saturday evening.
4. Meet some college friends in Boone this weekend. Enjoy the mountains.
Next week:
1. Keep the infant nursery Sunday. Hopefully I won't pick up virulent baby cold germs.
2. Celebrate St. Patty's Day!
3. Start softball practice for co-ed league BSUMC team. Games will be on Thursday nights starting in April.
4. Take my cousin to see Casting Crowns if I can get tickets through work. She would love that!
5. Send out Easter cards with daffodils on them to family. I've never sent Easter cards before but I LOVE daffodils so I couldn't pass them up.
3. Start softball practice for co-ed league BSUMC team. Games will be on Thursday nights starting in April.
4. Take my cousin to see Casting Crowns if I can get tickets through work. She would love that!
5. Send out Easter cards with daffodils on them to family. I've never sent Easter cards before but I LOVE daffodils so I couldn't pass them up.
Upcoming:
TBD: Buy a laptop.
TBD: Register for an evening Spanish class for the late spring/early summer.
23 March: Celebrate Easter in GVL with my family and John! Easter celebrations will also include a baby shower for my cousin and his wife.
28 - 30 March: Go to ATL for bridesmaid dress shopping for a friend's wedding.
5 April: Attend a class/session on Microsoft Outlook at BJU. Yep. Bob Jones. I learned a lot in my Excel class there!
TBD: Buy a laptop.
TBD: Register for an evening Spanish class for the late spring/early summer.
23 March: Celebrate Easter in GVL with my family and John! Easter celebrations will also include a baby shower for my cousin and his wife.
28 - 30 March: Go to ATL for bridesmaid dress shopping for a friend's wedding.
5 April: Attend a class/session on Microsoft Outlook at BJU. Yep. Bob Jones. I learned a lot in my Excel class there!
11-13 April: Go to TN for the weekend. Celebrate John's birthday.
19 April: Attend an Intro to Graphic Design session at BJU.
26 April: Donna and Drew's wedding in GVL.
19 April: Attend an Intro to Graphic Design session at BJU.
26 April: Donna and Drew's wedding in GVL.
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