it's the little things...

Would you prefer a bulleted list or crazily disjointed paragraphs? Let's mix things up a little this morning... Yesterday was our RSVP deadline. We've probably heard from about 75% of folks. I think that's quite good. Not good enough to avoid sending a mass email to the other folks... And yes I know that the mail doesn't run on Sundays but it would have been Dad's birthday yesterday so I thought that was a good date to pick. And, you know, I'd remember what we put on the RSVPs. Last week I was out of town for 4 days. All in the same place. I can't tell you the last time I stayed in the same hotel for 3 nights in a row. I crafted there. Finished a little project for The Fiance and his guys, rehearsal/rehearsal dinner invitations, and baby shower invitations for the Matron o' Honor. It's getting to the point of difficult crafting. Most of the easy stuff is done. What remains are the things I've been waffling about or have been uninspired by or just...

Holy moly, people. And suddenly it's a week from my last post. Here's the run down: You know how I had that crappy travel day last Monday? I totally made up for it the next day when I flew to San Diego. First class. Also first class coming back on Tuesday. And that means I had but one night in my super posh suite in the hotel. Upgrades all around. We had a nice little outing with the Houston work folks on Friday. I ate ice cream and chatted with some ladies I rarely see. Too bad not everyone could make it. I had my first bridal shower on Saturday. It was really nice. Mostly family. We got some nice things, ate great (and pretty) food, and some lovely homemade favors were given to our guests. I also had a cute dress and got a hair cut that morning so that I could take advantage of someone else fixing my hair. And it wasn't so bad opening gifts in front of all those people. I guess I haven't done that since a birthday party in about 2nd grade. Last Saturday...

I'm not a super religious person. I was raised that way but I think life events and education have turned me away to some degree. I believe you can be a good person without attending church weekly. I think that how you live your life is more important than that one hour each week. But whatever works for you, that's great. I won't try to steer you in my direction and I like it when you avoid trying to persuade me as well. So when it came to deciding on who would marry us, I was unsure. I don't have a "go to" religious figure. The Fiance does have a church he fairly regularly attends (and I've frequented a few times) but it's so big that I feel no connection to the minister. And he bashed the election of our current president. In church. Yeah, no connection. After a bit of thought, some emails, some discussion with The Fiance, and ultimately deciding we didn't want someone we know marrying us via a certificate from the internet, we decided who we wan...

When I got home Friday morning after 1 am, I was greeted by the site of The Fiance's truck in my driveway. It was a nice surprise and I think what I'm most looking forward to about being married. We'll actually be living together. Obviously we spend a lot of time together when I'm in town but something shifted once that ring was on my finger. The time spent together increased. The thinking about things in terms of "we" was more pronounced. Before, it didn't seem like that symbol or that title change would make such a difference, but it does. I now have no doubt that it will change yet again when that second ring is on my finger (and he finally gets one!). For the most part, I was a happy single person. I have a lot of friends. I could do what I wanted when I wanted whether that meant going out or staying in. I worked hard to reach goals. Sure, I wished that I had someone to share life with but on a day-to-day basis you can ignore that part. What...

My birthday was good. I had a stranger ask if I was over 18 that day so that's nice. And it was drawn out, which I don't mind. The Fiance and I observed it the day before its actual occurrence due to schedules. We had some quality time and dressed up a little bit and dined out (fondue!) and opened presents. On Valentine's Day we went here because I don't remember ever going before. And on Sunday, I was finally surprised on my birthday with an informal little party with some of my favorite people. The evening was finished off with some Guitar Hero. Good birthday all around. +++++++ The wedding planning continues. We have actual contracts signed and deposits down on the two locations. That means we have a legitimate date. I've ordered Save the Dates and those should be in by the end of the week. My dress came in and I had my first fitting on Sunday. It should be ready in about a month. Now we just need to pin down the rest of the big vendors and I'll be able to r...

I started things off with a productive Friday (which has been like pulling teeth around here lately). I got to help someone out at work, get some office things done, had lunch with The Fiance, and worked a bit on The Ugly Bathroom. Then The Brother spent the night so that he could rest up before his big certification exam. Why are all certification exams the same? You have to pick the alleged best answer from a group of terrible ones, you leave without any good sense of how you did, and then you don't find out for at least a month. On Saturday I was forced to clean the house and I did a little rearranging in the office. We took advantage of the fantastic weather and The Fiance ran while I walked briskly along some of the nearby trails. I remembered how much I love those trails and wondered why I don't venture down there more often. We got a little window shopping in and got ready for the most super awesome engagement party ever. Three of my lovely bridesmaids hosted the ...

I freaked out over the medical stuff and now I don't want to talk about it? I won't know anything about any of it for two weeks (and then some) anyway? we are halfway to having a venue for the wedding and reception? our wedding date may possibly get moved up by about six weeks? it's not due to pregnancy? :o) I finally started real work on The Ugly Bathroom? it's a little less ugly already? I'm tired of this inconsistent winter? I have the best fiance ever?

It appears that I just fled to the great white north without saying goodbye. Without letting you know when I'd be back. Without wishing you a merry Christmas. Sorry about that. So, I'm back. The Fiance and I left for DC on the 19th. We had a really good time visiting some of the memorials and museums and government buildings. It was very cold and we spent a lot of time outdoors. But that gave me a chance to wear cute winter clothes. We also visited one of my favorite people from high school which was really great (and long overdue). I wish they lived closer. Obligatory pics... Doesn't it just look cold in most of those? One nifty thing was seeing some of the preparation for the inauguration--temporary fencing, bleachers being built. Also? Love, love, love the National Cathedral. Looks so European. And while we were there we got to hear the choir practicing. When they sang "O Holy Night" I had a few tears. It's such a beautiful song and they had great vo...

We woke up yesterday with the titles of Boyfriend/Girlfriend for the last time. It was a slow, easy start to the final day of a good long weekend. We piddled around, he setting up a wifi connection in my office and me working on Christmas cards that remain unfinished. Did some laundry. We were planning on doing a little Christmas shopping since our preparation has been condensed by a week because of our pre-holiday travel. Set out to start our errands... He had mentioned that he wanted to go to the rum distillery (first one in Texas) that's about 10 miles from here. That was our second stop. Neither one of us had been there. It was supposed to be the site of our first date but the distillery was still too new for tours back then so we had settled on lunch (and endless chatting) instead. On the way there, I reached into the glove compartment to get my GPS and there was a towel in there. Since I hadn't put it there, I asked him what it was and if I needed to be concerned about hi...